which cause D. Dâ—wname graunteth in this Downam l. 2. Antichrist pag. 105. 106. maner that S. Augustine and Victor Vticensis in Asrike were of opinion that to adhere to the Churche of Rome was a Marke of a true Catholicke in those times Which could not be except it were the commaunding Churche and enfranchised from error Neither doth this Doctor Down suâ— pag. 106. 107. Denye but the Bishops then did sweare obedience to the Pope And entreateing of a Bishopp recanteinge his Heresies hee writeth thus Hee sweareth to renownce his former Heresies and to professe and mayntayne that Faith And Religion which the Bishopp and Church of Rome did professe Which is a thinge in it self so absurde for Bishops in that best time to doe except they did hold the Popes Authoritie to be supreame and Iudgment in religeons controuersies Infallible that no man of vnderstanding can beleeue it Therefore Mr. Ormerod wittnesseth that S. Leo taught that Ormerod pict pap pag. 44. Sutcl suâ—â— pag. 19. God did assist and direct that See in decrees Concerninge Europe D. Sutcliffe giueth particular examples how S. Gregorie to vse his words commaunded the Bishops of fraunce And commaundeth also in England the constituting of our Archbishop S. Augustine and the verie See of that preeminence at Canterbury D. Couell writeth the like of Pope Gregorie his Couell against Burg. pag. 49. commaundeing authoritie in all Spayne who prouoked by the Heresie of the Arians commaunded that through all Spayne there should be but once dippinge in baptisme And if either a generall Cowncell in the primatiue Church to which Protestants will seeme to giue highest authoritie or the Emperor to Bilson Suru pag. 83. Mort. Apol. part 2. pag 340. Relat. c. 47. Suâ—cl subu pag. 119. Feild pag. 228. c. Doâ—n l. 1. Antich c. 3. pag. 36. whome by their proceedings they would highest power if they could procure any of their Religion could either giue or confirme this highest authoritie to the Pope of Rome Then D. Downame denieth not but that bothe the Emperor Iustinian and the generall Cowncell of Calcedon in the primatiue Church attributed to the Pope of Rome to be heade of the Churche which hee saith is the greatest style And addeth of that Church in that best estate Titles of honor and preeminence were giuen to the Church of Rome as the cheife or Heade of the Churches Againe I argue thus whatsoeuer power doth rightly ordaine in the Churche generally ceremonies by all to be vsed in it appointeth Metropolitanes Archbishops Bishops assigneth precincts to euery parishe and a certayne compasse to euery presbyter in the primatiue Church and best estate thereof musts needs be supreame But the power of the Pope of Rome is such Therefore it is supreame The Maior is euidently true for it conteyneth authoritie ouer all in the Churches The Minor is proued by D. Morton Mr. Ormerod Mr. Hull Mort. apol part 2. Orm. pict pur Couell exam Hull Rom. pol pag. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. and Doctor Couell telling vs that Lent Imbringe dayes Friday Altars Albes Corporalls Preists Robes Saincts Fastings euens Saincts Shrines Hymnes Pax Pascall Taper Masse for the deade Canonicall howers Processione Holy water Introite of Masse Annoyntinge Bishops crosseing with Chrisme in Baptisme were ordayned in the Church by these primatiue and holy Popes Telesphorus Calixtus Stephanus Syluester Sixtus Vigilius Honorius Boâ—ifacius Sergius Leo Innocentius Zozimus Vitellian Celestine Pelagius Vrbanus Agapitus Damasus Higimus Pius Alexander all which ruled the Churche longe before the exceptions of Protestants against it D. Couell doth not onely tell vs that Metropolitanes Archbishops c. came from thence and whoe to whome should be obedient or superior and were so vsed before the Nicene Councell Couell mod exam pag. 111. But further to vse his words either Euaristus Bishopp in the See of Rome in the yeare of Christ 112. or as some say Dionysius first assigned the precincts to euery parishe and appointed to eache Presbyter a certaine compasse whereof himself should take chardge alone Therefore that authoritie of the Pope which thus from Couell exam pag. 162. sup the begynninge and before councells were holden assigned limited and appointed to all spirituall parsons and callings their Titles honors precincts Iurisdiction and power must needs be supreame I argue againe That Churche whose Bishoppe was before the first generall Councell Cheefe Patriarke in the Church of Christ and in that and other generall Councells so allowed and confirmed by the confession of Protestants and whose Rulers when that Church was in her florisheing and best estate a Rule to all our mother Churche c. Did make and publish decrees and lawes to the whole Church and in the greatest affaires of generall and other Councells that they should not doe against the directions of that commaundeinge Ruler els to be accompted no Councells and that it were not lawfull for Bishops to doe any thinge against his decrees must needs be the supreame and commaundinge Church ouer all others But the Church of Rome by the testimonye of ProtestaÌ„ts is in this preeminent and priuiledged estate Therefore by them it is the supreame and commaundinge Churche of the whole Christian worlde The Maior proposition is euidently true for first hee that is the first and cheife amonge all others cannot be dependant therefore hee must needs be supreame otherwise D. Feilds vnities of the Churche could not possibly be kept as is proued before nor the graunt of his fellowes that there euer was since Christ one supreame in his Church cannot be iustified For if the first cheife and moste worthie is not hee the seconde lesse cheife or lesse worthy carnot be hee And if by Protestants a generall Councell is highest and supreame Iudge as D. Morton Morton Apol. part 2. pag. 340. Sutcl subu pag. 119. Feild pag. 228. saith a generall Councell is highest Iudge by D. Surcliffe generall Councells haue soueraigne authoritie in externall gouernment by D. Feild Bishops assembled in a generall Councell haue and onely haue authoritie to interprett scriptures and by their authoritie to suppresse all them that gainesay such Interpretation and subiect euery man that shall disobey such determinations as they consent vppon to excommunication and censure of like nature Then that Pope or prelate which in that true Chnrch where such vsurpation vniustly could not be that had authoritie to confirme ratifie or to frustrat and inualidate such and all other Councells must of necessitie be supreame and of the highest commaunding power ouer all The Minor proposition is proued by these Protestants first D. Feild writeth in these words The mayne Feild l. 3. c. 1. pag. 61. 62. diuision of the christian Church is presently and was formerly for certaine hundreds of yeares into the Latine and Greeke Church as most principall In the time of the Nicene Councell and before as appeareth Nicen. Concil can 6. by the Acts of the Councell limiteinge
argue againe That which was the true Church in the time of Luther within an hundred yeares by the confession of Protestants wherein as in the true Church of Christ Christianitie Baptisme Ordination and power of Ministry were receaued and which brought forth of renowned Kinges and Queenes many Saincts in heauen and many moste learned holy and verâ—uous Doctors and Popes themselues and yett of that faithe which the present Church of Rome now teacheth must needs be the true Churche of Christ But the present Romane Church is such by these Protestants Therefore by them it is the true Churche of Christ The first proposition is euidently true for if as before by these Protestants there is no saluation out of the true Church so many glorious Saincts and holy ones Kinges Queenes Popes and Doctors that could not be excused by ignorance muche lesse made glorious in it could not haue gone to heauen Now supposeinge that euery Church true or false consisteth of the heade and other members of him or them that rule and those that be ruled of the shephards and sheepe Bishops Preists and those vnder their chardge Thus I proue the Minor proposition of the Church of Rome consistinge of the Pope supreame heade Bishops Doctors Preists and other members D. Feild writeth thus of this Church The Romane and Latine Church continued the true Church of God euen till Feild pag. â—2 our time Therefore why was it refused by them or how not since chaunged can it be now otherwise againe hee writeth in these words Wee doubt not but the Churche in Feild pag 182. which the Bishop of Rome exalted himselfe was notwithstanding the true Church of God that it held a saueing profession of the truthe in Christ and by force thereof conuerted many contryes from error to truthe Therefore the doctrine of it beeing truthe it must needs be the true Church Hee further acknowledgeth with D. Feild pag. 72. Couell def of Hook pag. 73. Couell and others that Luther and the rest of his Religion â—ere baptized receaued their christianitie ordination and power of Ministery in that Church as the true visible and apparant Church of Christ Hee telleth vs further that diuers of the Romane Churche euen of the best learned be Feild pag. 182. saued and Sayncts in heauen Then the vnlearned neede not feare to followe their guides goeinge before and theacheing them the way to heauen D. Willet writeth thus it is Willet Antilog pag. 144. not denyed by any Protestant but many renowned Kings and Queenes of the Romane faithe ar Saincts in heauen And speakeing of the Kings Mother that glorie of late Princes Q. Mary of Scotland Hee attributeth vnto her and her Religion that of the Romane Churche such holines and truthe that it preuailed with God not onely for herself but her same also his words be these The childe of Willet Engl pref to the K. before Antil Sutcliffe Ans to the lay pet pag. 34. such prayers and teares cannot possibly fall away D. Sutcliffe acknowledgeth the scholemen so far and famously to be Papists as they terme Catholicks that hee nameth them especially Pope Innocent the thirde Thomas Aquinas Scotus Albert Durand the most renowned in schooles particuler Agents of the Romane Church and foretops of Popery and ioyneth them in that sence with the late Doctors of the Church of Rome defendeing in their writeings the doctrine thereof Hardinge Allen Bellarmine Baronius And yett D. Couell highly speaketh in the Couell def of Hook pag. 24. praise of suche men in this maner Alexander Hales whoe made his summe that excellent worke by commaundement of Pope Innocentius the fourth was called the fowntayne of life because of that lyuely knowledge that flowed from him hee was scholler to Bonauenture a Scholler not inferior to himselfe of whome hee was wont to say that in Bonauenture hee thought Adam sinned not meaninge of that Illumination which was in him and doubtles there was much in him as though hee had not beene darkened by the fall of Adam And therefore the Church called him the Seraphicall Doctor To these Aquinas was not inferior whoe came so neare vnto S. Augustine whome in his booke Couell against Burg. against Burges hee esteemeth the cheifest Doctor that euer was or shall be excepting the Apostles that some thought hee had all his workes by hart and by a common prouerbe it was spoken that the soule of S. Augustine duelt in Aquinas in whome aboue all the rest foure contraryeties were saide to excell aboundance breuitie facilitie securitie in respâ—ct whereof hee gayned the Title to be called Angelicall And to speake somewhat of our Popes themselues so odious with this people The Protestant Relator findeth much vertue deuotion and pietie in them which haue beene euen in these dayes amonge which to particular in the last Pope Clement Relation of Relig. cap. 42. 43. 8. hee writeth of him in this maner Hee did often weepe vppon pietie and godly compassion at his Masses Processions c. his eyes were still watreinge sometimes streameing with teares in so much that for weepeing hee seemed another Heraclitus Relation cap. 29. sup hee was a good Pope a good Prince a good prelate And to exclude Ignorance hee writeth thus the Papists crye maynely in all places for triall by disputation Then if our Popes be so holy so good Popes good men good Princes good Prelates our Kings and Queenes and best Learned Saincts our Pastors Doctors and Teachers that be the Popes Agents and foretops of popery moste excellent for learninge and pietie their writeings renowned their doctrine secure wee may securely followe them and as securely conclude by these Protestants that onely this Church of Rome is the true Church of Christ Lastely in this question I argue thus That which by the confession of Protestants is our mother Churches and from which no Churche ought further to seperate it selfe then it is separated from it self when it was in her best estate for true doctrine and in which shee still continueth in all things necessarie to saluation so vndoubtedly that they confesse it in plaine words to be the familye of Iesus Christ part of the howse of God and visible Church that they which liue and dye in it may be saued must needs be acknowledged by them for the true Church of Christ But the present Romane Church by these Protestants is suche And therefore by them the true Church of God The Maior proposition is euidently true for all children to which all other Churches in respect of Rome or compared ar bownde to obey their Mother especially teacheing all necessarie truth as is here supposed And that which is the Mother Church which is the highest if it be a part of the howse of God and visible Church and the familie of Iesus Christ it must needs be the moste excellent part thereof the heade and cheife and so absolutely the true Church such societies being named by the
exercised when by Protestants confession is was in her Florisheing and best estate a Rule to all Anker of pietie cheife and onely Church that it still ought to enioy and wee to graunt vnto it But in that time it claymed and exercised supreamacie ouer all Therefore it ought now to enioy it and wee to graunt it The Maior is euident for that which is a Rule to all may not be crooked neither that which is confessed cheife be made Inferior And that the Church of Rome had those eminent priuiledges is thus proued by these Protestants our Kinge saith of this Romane Kings speach in Parlam Churche it is our mother Church it was a Rule to all bothe in doctrine and ceremonies when it was in her florisheinge and best estate D. Couell writeth thus The Churche of Rome was the cheife and Couell def of Hook onely Churche M ◠Ormerod calleth it the eye of the west in which diussion England is and Ormerod pict pap pag. 184. Down l. 2. Antichr pag. 105. the Anker of pietie D. Downame graunteth it was a note of a Good Christian to cleane vnto the Roman Apostolicall Churche The seconde proposition that the Church of Rome claymed and had supreamacie in that vnspotted and primatiue time of Christianitie is also proued in the former for that which is Mother Rule to all bothe in doctrine and ceremonies cheife Churche c. must needs be graunted supreame Yett to proue it further D. Sutcliffe citeing S. Sutcliffe subu pag. 57. Irenaeus lyueing neare the Apostles time and longe before any generall Cowncell or Christian Emperour to giue supreamacie to the See of Rome writeth thus Irenaeus saith that euery Church ought to haue respect to the Church of Rome for her eminent principalitie Mr. Ormerod ascendeth to Pope S. Anacletus lyuing withein one hundred yeares of Christ his words be these To proue that the Church of Rome hath the preeminence ouer all Churches Ormerod pict pap pag. 78. Anacletus alleadgeth Matth. 16. vers 18. vppon this rocke will I builde my Churche and hee expowndeth it thus super hanc Petram id est super Ecclesiam Romanam vppon this Rocke that is vppon the Church of Rome will I builde my Churche And who shall wee thinke was better acquainted with the priuiledge of that highest Apostle S. Peter Bishop of Rome then this so glorious a Pope Martyr and Sainct so neare succeedeing vnto him when especially these Protestāts before haue assured vs that this supreame power was not to dye with S. Peter but to continue in the Church for euer And this was not a singular opinion of that Holy Pope and Sainct but of others also the words of D. Downame be Down l. 1. Antichrist cap. 3. pag. 35. these diuers Bishops of Rome before the time of Socrates the historiam in her that best and florishing estate contended to haue the primacie ouer all other Churches and that is the cheife scope of many of their Epistles decret all And yett in that time the Protestants confesse those Popes for Saincts and if their Epistles be decretalls and lawes to the Church as this Doctor calleth them how had not these Masters of decrees and lawemakers vnto the Church also supreame and highest power in the Church for lawes and decrees ar made by Soueraignes and not by subiects And not onely Popes but other Saincts and Doctors before and to be cited hereafter by Protestants were of the same myndc for this time it shall suffice that M ◠Middleton Middleton Papistom pag. 200. writeth thus Papias lyueinge in the Apostles time taught Peters primacie and Romish Episcopalitye My next Argument or further confirmation of the former is thus That Church or gouernor that in the best and florishing estate of the Church by Protestants did clayme exercise and execute supreame highest spirituall Iurisdiction in all knowne parts of the worlde Asia Afrike and Europe was truely supreame and so still to be accompted But the Pope and Church of Rome was such Therefore supreame in authorine The Maior is euidently true for in this life no supreamacie can extend further then into the whole knowne world and all parts thereof The second proposition is thus proued by these Protestants and first of Asia amonge the Greeke Churches and priuiledges which they clayme D. Couell telleth vs that Pope Couell ag thea plea of the Inn. pag. 65. Victor a glorious Sainct and Martyr did in that best time authoritatiuely take vppon him supreamacie ouer all Asia excommunicating the Churches of it his words be inseperateing all Asia from the vnitie of the faithfull for being disobedient in the point and question of Easter And what greater supreamacie can be named in the Church then to excommunicate and purt forthe of the Churche so greate a part of the world Therefore seeing such Iurisdiction is not but in superioritie this supreamacie must needs be graunted to the Church of Rome for of all Churches of the world euen by the graunt of Protestants the Greeke Church next to the Church of Rome hath euer moste contended for superiotie and in the auncient cowncells next to the Church of Rome is moste priuiledged yett here they ar by a Sainct Bishop of Rome iustly excommunicated as by their superior for as these Protestants argue in an other place par in parem non habet authoritatem An equall against an equall hath not authoritie And Doctor Couell before hath told vs that they were thus censured by the Pope of Rome to vse his words againe for beinge disobedient in the point and question of Easter Which makes it playne in his opinion that the Pope of Rome was supreame and had highest power not onely to censure but to decree in matters of Religion and bynde others vnto it otherwise not to haue conformed themselues vnto him had not beene in these Greeke Churches disobedience which is onely against authoritie and superioritie And although S. Iraeneus disliked this proceedeing with the Asiaticall Churches Ob. as these Protestants vse to obiect yett it Answ was onely because hee thought there was not such seueritie then to be vsed not that hee denyed the power and authoritie of the Pope to doe it for of his opinion of the iustice of his supreamacie D. Sutcliffe Sucl subu pag. 57. hath wittnessed before that he saith Euery Church ought to haue respect to the Church of Rome for her eminent principalitie Therefore hee thought it had supreamacie For principalitie eminent ouer euery Church here mentioned must needs be supreamacie ouer all for euery Church being subiected vnto it none is priuiledged from subiection and obedience vnto it Next lett vs come to Afrike for which M. Perkins writeth thus Appeales were often made out of Afrike to the Popes of Rome in those Perk. problem pag. 237. 238. dayes of her best estate And yet appeales be all wayes to superiors and neuer out of forrayne kingdomes but to the highest for
chosen him that Act. 15. 7. from his mouth they might heare the Ghospell as himself alledgeth and that hee here fownded Churches and ordayned preists and deacons which is reported by Simon Metaphrastes out of the Greeke Metaphrast Centur. 1. part 7. dist 8. Antiquities and Guilielmus Eisingrenius in the first of his Centurie whoe saith that Peter was here in Neroes time Therefore if the Antiquities of the gretians and Aduersaries to the Romaue See giue this testimone vnto it wee need not be scrupulous to receaue it especially when these Protestant Bishops with their Pantaleon giue creditt to this authoritie of S. Peter ouer this kingedome in these wordes Much about these times as Beatus Rhenanus Theat sup pag. 204. n. 9. cap. 9. in his Historie of Germanie Pantaleon and others doe reporte one Suetonius a noble mans sonne in Britaine conuerted to the faith by the first planters of the Ghospell in this Iland and after his baptisme called Beatus was sent by the brethren from hence vnto Rome to be better iustructed and further directed by Saint Peter himself Therefore a dependance of this kingedome from S. Peter and the Church of Rome in spirituall things from the begynninge of Christianitie is to be allowed Which they further confirme in their historie of Kinge Luâ—ius sendeinge to Pope Eleutherius at Rome about the Conuersion of this Kingedome and his sendeing hither Faganus and Damianus two famous Thea of G. Br. pag. 206. n. 18. l. 6. cap. 9. Clerkes to that purpose of whome they write in this maner These together both preached and baptized amongst the Britaines whereby many dayly were drawne to the faith And as a worthie Dicetus Deane of London a manuscript in the Kings library ad An. 178. and auntient historian saith the Temples which had beene fownded to the honor of their many Gods were then dedicated to the one and onely true God for there were in Britaine eight and twentie Flamins and three Archflamins in stead of which so many Bishops and Archbishops were appointed vnder the Archbishop of London were the prouinces of Loegria and Cornubia vnder Yorke Deira and Saint Dauids in Wales Albania vnder vrbs begionum Cambria by which meanes this happie Kingedome vnder that godly Kinge was nobly beatified with so many cathedrall Churches and Christian Bishops Sees before any other Kingedome of the world Now because these Protestants haue tolde vs before that to ordaine Bishops and teachers and to fownde Churches is an Argument of supreamacie seing all Bishops of this Kingedome were ordayned Sutcliff ag Kâ—ll pag 105. their Sees designed and Churches fownded by Eleutherius Pope of Rome and his authoritie in those which he sent hither with that power Faganus and Damianus all spirituall and ecclesiasticall Iâ—risdiction of that primatiue Church in this Kingedome of necessitie was deriued from the Church of Rome For although Mr Francis Mason in his new defence of the English Ministery Mason of the consecration c. pag. 52. would attribute greate priuiledge to Eluanuâ— and Meduinus whome as hee with his Bishops say Kinge Lucius sent to Pope Eleutherius at Rome about the conuersion of this nation standeinge vppon a Reporte in these wordes Iohn Capgraue reporteth that Eleutherius made Eluanus Bishop of Britaine and Meduinus a Doctour to preach the faith of Christ throughe the whole Iland Yett hee must needs graunt that both Order and Iurisdiction Episcopall came into and was preserued in this Kingedome from the Pope of Rome For first hee writeth of Kinge Lucius in this maner The Kinge wrote to Eleutherius desireing that by his commaundement hee might be made a Mason sup cap. 3. §. 2. Christian Secondly hee proueth Kinge Lucius had but a part of this Kingedome but the Pagan Emperors Marcus Antonius Verus and Aurelius Commodus his brother were cheife vnto Beda l. 1. histor cap. 4. the wall of seperation and Lucius was tributary vnto them Thus hee writeth of Kinge Lucius Hee had seene Christians reproched by the Pagans as infamous parsons and dispitefully Mason l. 2. pag. 52. cap. 3. §. 1. handled by the Romans that were in authoritie Therfore the Pagan Romans then were in authoritie Thirdly his owne words before That Eleutherius made Eluanus Bishop of Britaine and Meduinus a Doctor to preach the faith of Christ through the whole Iland ar cleare for Eleutherius the Pope his authoritie vniuersally ouer all for Kinge Lucius was but a tributary Kinge for one parcell of this Iland and the Romans themselues had but part Yett the Iurisdiction was giuen as before through the whole Iland Mr. Masons words be these The Romans had spred their golden Eagle ouer a greate part of the Iland The Emperor Hadrian had made a wall fourescore miles longe Antonius Pius had made an other to diuide the Romans from the Brittans and all that liued within this wall were tributary to the Romans of which number Kinge Lucius is said to be Therefore Lucius being but one of that number of tributaryes for a part of the Romans part had neither spirituall nor temporall Iurisdiction any further much lesse ouer all His words of this whole Iland ar these Yorke London Caerlegion in these three noble citties Mason sup l. 2. cap. 3. pag. 54. were the seates of the Archflamynes so there were 28. Flamynes and three Archflamynes in steade of which so many Bishops and Archbishops were appointed Therefore seing the Romans themselues had but a part of Brittaine and Lucius but a tributary part of that part and these men assuer vs that so many were assigned Bishops and Archbishoppes with their seuerall Sees and Iurisdictions ouer all this Iland comprehendeing both England conteined in the names Loegria Stowe Annal 12. cap. 1. and others and Cornubia vnto Humber the North and Scotland in Deira and Albania and Wales in Cambria as our Historians tell vs it followeth by vndeniable consequence that all spirituall Iurisdiction and authoritie in all this land now termed greate Brittaine was deduced brought in and continued from and vnder the Pope of Rome And that neither Kinge Lucius or any his successor did or in iustice could clayme any supreamacie in such causes For none of them vntill our Kinge Iames was quietly possessed of them all and yett one and the same spirituall Iurisdiction ruled in all these Kingedomes of England Scotland and Ireland Ireland subiect to Canterbury and Scotland to Yorke and all to the Pope as these Protestants acknowledge vntill late yares Therefore ridiculous it is for the Theater Protestants to giue such supreamacie to Kings because as they say Pope Eleutherius in his epistle to Kinge Lucius calleth him the vicar of God in his Kingedome for by that Kinde of reasoninge euery vicar in his parish being so called might clayme such supreamacy And the Presbytery must needs be obeyed of all But if wee may beleeue these men that the lawes of S. Edward doe warrant S. Eleutherius
authoritie though wicked sed etiam discolis And to say as you must doe otherwise you demonstrate against your English Protestant Church whose mouthe you so often vndertake to be and for the Pope of Rome that Magistrates falling into deadly synne cease to be Magistrates one of your brother Witkliffe his Heresies condemned by highest authoritie For otherwise if the present Pope Paulus the fift a Sainct in all Indifferent Iudgments as all his predecessors from Leo the tenth and the reuolt of Luther in respect of any Protestant succession might be thought worthie to be esteemed such or as your wordes prescribe in your Protestant Censure Yett except it were his due without that your adiudged sanctitie neither our Kinge of England nor all the Protestant Princes and Regiments in the world could by your Religion make the Pope or any other to be primate and haue the charge or â—uersight of the whole Church For by your owne doctrine of Princes or Presbyteries supreamacie none extendeth further then their owne temporall dominions much lesse ouer the whole Church or any greate part thereof And by Lord Cookâ— prot assert Iacob Reas your owne Rule of authoritie iustified both by the Lord Cheefe Iustice of England and your Ministers Nemo potest plus Iuris in alium transferre quam ipse habet No man can transfer or bestowe more Right vppon an other then hee himself hath Therefore by our sentence from our Kings Mouthe as you assuer vs all Popes euer were and this is supreame Heade and Ruler of Christs whole Church in England and all other partes of the worldes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the whole Church as your Greeke graunt with S. Gregory Nazianzen is And all that desire to be accompted the chosen and true sheepe and members of this greate flocke folde and Church of Christ ought to submitt themselues to this high sheephard primate and Ouerseer of the whole Christian worlde and to be Iudged by him and not to be Iudges ouer him And to this also D. Morton himself Morton App. lib. 4. cap. 7. must subscribe though hee will be singular aboue his fellowes as often times hee is For first hee alloweth this sentence of their so named Archbishop Whiteguist against Cartwright Victor in the yeare of Christ 198 was a godly Bishop and Martyr and the Church at that time was in greate puritie as not beinge longe after the Apostles And his Maiestie telleth him that this Church of Rome was then a Rule to all Yet D. Morton assureth vs that this godly Bishop and Martyr and Ruler of that Church which was a Rule to all did exercise the highest Act of Iurisdiction and power ouer all Churches in the world that did not yeeld vnto him in the Easter obseruation inflicting excommunication the greatest act of Iurisdiction by Protestants against them his wordes be these Morton App. l. 1. cap. 9. Pope Victor excommunicated all Churches both Greeke and Latine which differed from his Church in the obseruation of Easter This clayme and exercise of this supreame Iurisdiction was when the Church of Rome was a Rule to all in the Iudgment of these Protestants and a matter of so greate moment that the doeing of it if vniustly had beene moste damnable and yett hee liued and dyed an holy Saint Therefore I vrge D. Morton with these his Morton app pag. 298. owne wordes in the case of S. Ciprian This wee thinke might worke in our Aduersaries at least blush except they would intend to proue concerninge Sainct Victor that the same man of God and holy Martyr of Christ was neither Sainct nor Martyr But vndoubtedly a damnable scismaticke When D. Morton wittnesseth the quite contrary sayeinge they were condemned for Hereticks whoe after the Councell of Nice conformed not themselues herein to the Romane Order But D. Morton insisteth Mort. supr pag 76. further in these words S. Ciprian directly ordeyned in a Councell that euery mans cause should be hard there where it was comitted and Mort. sup pag. 296. therefore commaunded those men to returne home againe vnto Carthadge whoe had aduentured to appeale vnto Rome And yet Bellarmine vrgeth appealeinge vnto the Bishop of Rome from all the coastes of the world as a speciall Argument of the Popes absolute primacie D. Morton is answeared by himselfe before proueinge that the Bishop of Rome exercised this supreame power ouer all Churches both Greeke and Latine Then ouer Africke and Carthadge And in this very obiection againe confoundeth himself for hee telleth vs that in S. Ciprian his time they appealed to Mort. supr Rome and proueth by S. Ciprian whome hee would haue an enemy to such Appeales and supreamacy of the Church of Rome that such appeales were then vsed longe before any generall Councell or Christian Emperor to graunt such priuiledges to that Church And that the Popes and Bishops of Rome that claymed receaued and admitted such appeales namely S. Cornelius and others ware Holy Saincts and Martyrs Therefore if that had beene true which D. Morton writeth in these wordes Morton pag 296. Saint Ciprian directly ordeyned in a Councell that euery mans cause should behard there where it waâ— committed and therefore commaunded those men to returne home againe vnto Carthadge who had aduentured to appeale vnto Rome not alloweinge that any other Bishops should retract things done by them in Africke vnlesse saith Ciprian a few leude and desperate parsons thinke the Bishops of Africke to haue lesse authoritie by whome they haue beene allready Iudged and condemned If this allegation of D. Morton were true and certayne Yet it nothing preiudicateth the Authoritie and supreamacie of the Pope of Rome not to be censured and Iudged by Inferior Bishops such as those of Africke were vnto Rome by Protestants doctrine And D. Morton himself besides all that is said before is wittnes sufficient in this Matter for writeing of Pope Iulius in those allowed times hee hath these words Two points Morton pag. 286. would be obserued in this claime of Pope Iulius The first is what it was that hee challenged the second is by what right Bothe these ar recorded by Socrates His challenge was that hee ought to be called vnto the Councell and that without his sentence no decrees should be concluded The right hereof hee pretendeth to stand vppon the authoritie of an Ecclesiastical canon The wordes of Socrates his Author Socrat. histor ccclesiast circa An. 346. histor tripart lib. 4. cap. 9. because D. Morton is a knowne myncer of authorities ar these Regula Ecclesiastica iubeat non oportere praeter sententiam Romani Pontificis concilia celebrari The Ecclesiasticall Rule commaundeth that Councells he not celebrated without the sâ—â—tence of the Bishop of Rome And againe Canonibus iubentibus praeter Romanum nibil decerni Socrat. sup histor trip lib. 4. cap. 19. Pontificem The canons commaundeinge that nothinge be decreed without the Pope of Rome And yet D. Morton
authoritie in such cases is priuate Therefore no Protestant Interpretation is binding or Iuridicall The Maior proposition is thus proued by D. Feild Feild l. 4. c. 19. pag. 235. in these wordes Wee confesse that neither conference of places nor consideration of the antecedeÌ„tia and consequentia nor lookinge into the originalls are of any force vnlesse wee fynde the thingâ— which wee conceaue to be vnderstoode and ment in the places interpreted to be consonant to the Rule of faithe And hee writeth thus againe priuate Interpretation Feild pag. 226. is not so proposed and vrged as if they would binde all others to receaue it The Minor proposition That all Protestant expositions in respect of a bindeing and Iuridicall power are priuate is thus proued by this Protestant Argument No Interpretation or Interpreters wanteing Iurisdiction and authoritie to commaunde their Interpretations and expositions in matters of faith to be beleued as suche is to be accompted byndeing and Iuridicall But all English Protestant Interpretations expositions and definitions by their owne Iudgment want this bindeing and commaundeing authoritie in matters of faithe Therefore they are not Iuridicall and byndeinge to be beleeued The Maior is euidently true for where there is not power and authoritie in things those things cannot be rightly and iuridically commaunded or bindeing men to doe or beleeue them The Minor proposition is proued by D. Feild in these wordes As before wee made Feild pag. 228. three kinds of Iudgment the one of discretion Common to all the other of direction Common to the Pastors of the Churche and a third of Iurisdiction proper to them that haue supreame power in the Church So likewise wee make three kindes of Interpretation the first priuate the seconde of publickâ— direction and so the Pastors of the Church may publickly propose what they conceaue of it And the third of Iurisdiction and so they that haue supreame power that is in the Bishops assembled in a generall Councell may interpreate the scripture and by their authoritie suppresse all them that shall gaynesay such Interpretations and subiect euery man that shall disobey such determinations as they consent vppon to excommunication and Censures of the like nature Hitherto D. Feilds wordes playnely declareing that in his Iudgment the Protestants neither haue nor can haue this Iuridicall and commaundeing Iudgment or Interpretation because as is proued by themselues before they neither haue had nor can haue any generall Councell in which alone he placeth this Iurisdiction and bindeing power For proposeing without authoritie which hee giueth there to Bishops is not Iuridicall and coactiue If hee shall answeare that in the first three hundred yeares there was no generall Councell and yet matters of Religion were decided and embraced hee condemneth himself and all Protestants in this busines for either hee must leaue that primatiue Church absolutely without Iurisdictâ—on and power which is moste absurde or leaue it to them that both truely claymed and vsed it the Popes of Rome as these Protestants haue before acknowledged And aboue all men D. Feild must be of that opinion for hee Feild pag. 202. hath written and allowed in this maner Wee must reuerence the authoritie of all Catholiâ—ke Doctors whose doctrine and writeings the Church alloweth wee must more regarde the authoritie of Catholicke Bishops more then these the authoritie of the Apostolicke Churches amongst them more especially the Church of Rome of a generall Councell more then all these Therefore by this Protestant Doctor in tyme when generall Councells cannot be the highest deciding and Iuridicall sentence and power is in the Church and Pope of Rome And by this hee is also preuented from sayinge that Protestants may commaunde such Interpretations and definitions within their owne temporall Territories for so they should not moste reuerence and respect next to a generall Councell the Church of Rome the next Iudge as hee hath written but quite the contrary their owne stubborne and disobedient wills which in such causes is Hereâ—icall or Scâ—maticall vsurpation and yet D. Feild in his diuision of Interpretations before assigneth no Iurisdiction at all to inferior Bishops to commaunde either in the whole Church or in Prouinciall in such cases Further I argue thus No opinions or Articles not grownded vppon the worde of God are to be beleeued or commaunded as matters of faith But all Protestants deductions and Interpretations in these controuersies are such not grownded vppon the word of God therefore not to be beleeued or commaunded as Articles of faith The Maior is the Common doctrine of Protestants The Minor is proued both before when Protestants haue depriued themselues of Councells Popes and all true proposers of the word of God tying themselues to their owne doctrines and deductions and is thus further confirmed by D. Couell in these wordes Couell def of Hook pag. 85. Doctrines deriued exhortations deducted Interpretations agreable are not the word of God Therefore the whole Religion of Protestants against Catholicks beinge thus fownded vppon so deceatefull a grounde as humanee deduction is cannot truely and Iuridically be commaunder Yet it is so manifest to all that their Religion consisteth wholly on their Imagined Interpretations and deductions that Mr. Wotton and Wottoâ— def of Perk. pag. 467. c. others are enforced absurdely to say that deduction from scripture maketh a matter of Faithe otherwiâ—e hee â—annot make any articlâ— of faith to be in their doctrine against vs. And D. Feild himself so resolute before against these priuate Interpretations and expositions seemeth to be of the same minde to defend their Religion in makeing such deductions to be matters of faith by euery priuate deduction his wordes be these Wee Feild pag 226. say that men not neglâ—cting that light of direction which the Churche yeeldeth noâ— other helps and meanes may be assured out of the nature of the things themselues the Conference of places the knowledg of tongues and the sutable correspondence that one parte of dyuine truth hath with an other that they haue sownde out the true meaneinge of it And by this assurednes hee seemeth to vnderstand assurednes of faith makeing their priuate deductions and Interpretations the worde of God as M. Wotton before cited doth in Wotton def of Perk. pag. 467. these wordes Wee acknowledge both and holde all matters concludeth Logically out of the scriptures to be the word of God as well as if they were expressely sett downe in it worde for worde Therefore I may lâ—wfully take it is a Common Protestant doctryne both Doctor Feild and M. Wotton speakeinge for their Protestants in the plurall number wee say wee acknowledge c. so that by their Religion M. Feilds or M. Wottons Logicke vaine and vncertayne deduction is of higher authoritie and more to be beleeued then any generall Councell or Articl of Relig. art 21. other externall Rule of Religion for all these by them as is presently to be proued may erre euen in
Wherefore the Protestant Bishop of Winchester D. Bilson D. â—orton his late â—ppeale with others of his Protestants graunte these propositions Bilson true diff pag. 66. 67. Morton Appeale pag. 286. The Canon of the primatiâ—e Church made euery thinge voide that was done without the Bishop of Rome And againe The Canon of the primatiue Church forbad any Councell to be called without his coâ—sent Which being onely peculiar to him and his See Apostolicke and from the begynning must proue a singular preeminence in him and a power supreame in deciding Matters and doubts of faith Therefore M. Ormerod wittnesseth that S. â—eo Ormer pict pa. pag. 44. Orm. sup pag. 78. that glorious Sainct and Doctor taught that God did assist and direct that See in decrees And further hee wittnesseth in these wordes To proue that the Church of Rome hath the preeminence ouer all Churches Anacleâ—us liueing in the Apostles time and Pope of Rome alleadgeth Matth. 16. vers 18. vppon this rocke will I builde my Church and hee expowndeth it thus super hanc Petram id est super Ecolesiam Romanam vppon this rocke that is vppon the Church of Rome will I builde my Churche This of the testimonie of that Apostolicke Pope Sainct and Martyr And D. Downame graunted that Downame lib. â— Anâ—â—chr pag. 105. S. Augustine that renowned Doctor and Victor Vticensis were of opinion that to adhere to the Church of Rome was a Marke of a true Catholicke in those times And telleth vs further of a Pag. 107. sup Bishop fallen into Heresie and after recanting it in this order Hee sweareth to renownce his former Heresies and to professe and mayntaynâ— that faithe and Religion which the Bishoppe and Church of Rome did professe All which proceedings of so greate consequence and preeminencie testified by enemies themselues could neuer haue beene exercised by that Apostolicke See with so greate approbation of Saincts and Doctors in the primatiue Churche and best estate thereof except supreame authoritie euen in Councells themselues as those Canons testifie and peculiar assistance as S. Leo taught to be freed from error in decrees and consequently not to be condemned by generall Councells whome it was to confirme or reproue had beene graunted by Christ vnto it Then this priuiledge and prerogatiue of that Church Apostolicke being thus both supreame and perpetuall it may not now without Irreligeous Iniustice be denyed vnto it And therefore the Protestant Relator of Religion hauing as before excluded his fellowe Protestants from all hope of comforte and releife by generall Councell addeth immediatly of Catholicks in Relation cap. 47. sup these wordes The other haue the Pope as a Commom Father Aduiser and Conductor to all to reconcile their Iarres to appease their displeasures to decide their difference aboue all things to drawe their Religion by Consent of Councells vnitie And that this Iurisdiction of the See of Rome is not onely ouer the Catholicke and truely beleeuing members of the Romane Church but of right belongeth vnto it ouer all Christians in the worlde is proued before by these Protestants themselues Cap. 3. sup Further I argue thus whatsoeuer Councells define or confirme the doctrine of the Romane Churche and condemne Protestant opinions defended against it are to be saide to proue the Religion of Catholicks But diuers Councells bothe allowed by Protestants for generall and others in the primatiue Churche and confirmed euen in the Iudgment of Protestants are such Therefore the Religion of the Romane Church is proued by them The Maior proposition is euidently true And the Minor thus is proued first concerninge the first generall Councell of Nice D. Couell Couell ag Burg. pag. 87. hath told vs before from S. Hierome that it receaued more bookes for scripture then Protestants allowe M. Middleton saith it Middlet papistan pag. 39. taught the dignitie of Rome ouer the West prouinces at the leaste and this by olde custome How much more ample this custome was is proued before and himself sufficiently insinuateth speaking in this maner Papias Pag. 200. sup liueing in the Apostles time taught Peters primacie and Romish episcopalitie And D. Downame denieth not but the greate generall Down l. 1. Antich pag. 36. Councell of Calcedon attributed to the Pope of Rome to be heade of the Church Which hee saith is the greatest stile D. Feild before hath wittnessed that the third Councell of Carthage confirmed Feild sup in the sixt generall Councell and wherein S. Augustine was present receaueth canonicall scriptures as the Church of Rome now doth D. Willet perceauing Willâ—t Antil pag. 88. 89. the primatiue Councells to be so cleare for the Church of Rome that hee could not glosse them with any resemblance or colour of truthe calleth the auncient confirmed Councells of Neocesarea and Toletane the first and the sixt generall Councell before expressely allowed by D. Sutcliffe the papall Church popery doctrine in popery And of the seuenth generall Councell hee writeth thus The Greekes in a Willet sup pag. 178. Middlet papist pag. 193. generall Councell held at Nice confirmed and allowed the adoration of Images M. Middleton speaketh in this maner peruseing Councells Fathers and stories from the Apostles forâ—ward wee finde the print of the Popes feete So that it is euident by them that from the very begynning the doctrine of the Church of Rome as occasion was is allowed both by Councells Fathers and Histories And this is the reason why in their Article of Religion Artic. 21. before they haue thus defined generall Councells may erre and some times haue erred euen in things pertayninge vnto God Because from time to time as cause was giuen they haue defined the truthe of the doctrine of the Romane Church against them And because I may not in this breuiate repeate many particulars breefely I argue thus Diuers Councells allowed by these Protestants for generall Councells haue confirmed and allowed all or the cheefest doctrines which the Romane Church now teacheath against Protestants and condemned the contrary held by them euen by their owne testimonie Therefore by their owne Iudgment they are for the Romane Church and not for them The consequence is euident and the Antecedent is thus proued by them The Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury writeth thus The Councell of Constance was a generall Councell D. Abbot ag D. Kill pag. 38. 48. 49. 51. Bilson Willet apud Parkes pag. 137. 180. So their Protestant Bishop D. Bilson and affirmeth the same of the Councell of Basile So doth Doctor Willet and graunteth the same of the Councell of Florence And yet it is euident to all the worlde that in these Councells the compleate bodie of their Protestant Religion was condemned in their predecessors Iohn Wickliffe Iohn Husse and Hierome of prage and the quite contrary in all things decreed and concluded for the Churche of Rome For further confirmation whereof the Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury hath these words the Councell
Latines and Romane Church in all opinions and ceremonies vsed before their seperation For to make manifest the Antiquitie of these holy ceremonies by that his prescribed time of seperation first D. Willet Willet Antil pag. 169. telleth vs it was before the writing of the tripartite historie which hee citeth to that end and was twelue hundreds of yeares synce D. Downame is of the like opinion Downame Booke of Antichrist denowncing it to haue beene in the dayes of the primatiue Churche before they take any exception to the Churche of Rome D. Feild is of the same mynde all of them assigning Feild l. 3. c. 1. pag. 62. Sutcliff subuor pag. 89 epist dedicat Willet Antilog pag. 263. 271. it longe before the 600. yeare which D. Sutcliffe D. Willet and others allowe for an vnspotted time in Religion and ceremonies thereof And thus wee see that those things which to their ignorant Readers and Auditors they will seeme to reprehend themselues in their owne Iudgment and Rule in such causes haue moste highely and vndenieably confirmed and iustified Againe I argue thus from the Relator himselfe Those Ceremonies which breede order in the Church auoyde scandall giue propagation vnto Religion breede vnitie and doe ingender quicken encrease and norish the inwarde Reuerence respect and deuotion which is due vnto soueraigne Maiestie and power and of themselues are decent reuerent and significant are to be allowed retayned and adiudged such as become true Religion But the present Ceremonies of the Romane Church at this day are such Therefore to be allowed retayned and adiudged for decent holy reuerent c. The Maior proposition is without all question true and more then the Protestants require in this case The Minor is Relation of Religion cap. 47. proued by this Relator speaking of the Church of Rome and the ceremonies thereof in these words For order in the worlde for quiet in the Churche for auoyding of scandall for propagatinge and encrease of what greate power that vnitie is which proceeds from authoritie the papacie may teache And againe The outward state and glorie of their seruice doth ingender Relation sup cap. 6. quicken encrease and norish the inwarde reuerence respect and deuotion which is due vnto soueraigne Maiestie and power Their outward gestures are decent Cap. 5. reuerent and significant Then these holy Ceremonies hauing so greate allowance from our Enemyes themselues for their decencie reuerence signification vertue and antiquitie must needs be so embraced preserued and exercised and may not be termed offensyue ceremonyes by that or any Protestant And to exemplify particularly in those ceremonies of the present Church of Rome which be moste disallowed of our English Protestants I argue thus Those ceremonies which were vsed in the primatiue Church of Rome when it was in her best and florishinge state a Rule to all c. ought or may still be practized and obserued But those ceremonies which the present Romane Church now obserueth and are so much disliked by many English Protestants are such Therefore they ought or may still to be vsed and with reuerence practized The Maior proposition is often graunted before Articul of Relig. 20. An. 1562. by these Protestants and thus defined in the 20. Article of their Religion The Church hath power to decree Rites or ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith So that whether these ceremonies belonge to faith or manners being practized or ordayned by our Mother Church of Rome and the gouernors thereof when by all confessions it was holy and the true Church of Christ they are religeously to be embraced and receaued The Minor proposition is thus proued by these men M. Hull in his worke intituled Hull Romes polecies pag 82. 13. 83. 84. 85. 86. Romes polecies thus recompteth them Lent embringe dayes friday altares lynnen Albes corporalls preists Roabes the feaste of S. Peters chaynes the feast of Candlemasse The exaltation of the crosse the Saincts fastinge euens Annoyntinge the sicke annoynting Bishops crossinge with Chrisme in Baptisme Saincts Shrynes Hymnes pax to be caryed about to be kissed the paschall Tapar on Easter Eauen to be hallowed organes and Church instruments singeing of psalmes in order with Antiphones Masse for the deade canonicall howres processions processions to goe rownde about the Churche euery sonday Hitherto the words of this Protestant writer Others of them as D. Morton D. Couell M. Ormerod Morton Apol. part 2. pag. 141. Couell examinat Ormerod pict parit G. 2. 1. 3. 4. Theat of gr Britan. pag. 298. 299. 351. c. doe add holy water holy fonts interrogatories in Baptisme dedication of Churches introyte of Masse wafer cakes to be consecrated in the holy Mysteries Gloria in excelsis the Ringe in Marriadge And others are added by their Theater before and other Protestants And they tell vs further the names of those sacred Popes and Pastors of the Church that vsed approued constituted or confirmed vnto vs these sacred Ceremonies to haue beene in the primatiue Church when it truely was by his Maiesties graunt in her best estate and Mother Church to prescribe vnto other prouinciall Kinges speache in parlam Churches her daughters and as they then were and now should be her obedient children And they name them as followeth Telesphorus Calixtus Stephanus Siluester Sixtus Hull sup pag. 82. 13. 83. 84. 85. 86. Morton Couell Ormer sup Vigilius Honorius Bonifacius Sergius Leo Innocentius Zozimus Vitellian Celestine Pelagius Vrbanus Agapitus Damasus Higinius Pius Celestinus Alexander All which ruled the Church and liued longe before Protestants exception to the Church of Rome K. in parlam Kinge in Confer at Hampton pag. 75. and when it was in her florishing and best estate such as wee may not depart from it by his regall sentence Of what higthest and commaunding authoritie ouer others the Popes of Rome were in those vnspotted dayes of Christianitie hath beene proued before To which I add that D. Couell doth not onely tell vs that Metropolitanes Archbishops Couell modest exam pag. 111. c. came from thence and who to whome should be obedient and Superior and were so vsed before the first generall Councell to testifie that this supreamacie was from Christ immediately and not from Councells But hee further speaketh thus Eyther Euaristus Bishop in the See of Rome in the Couell supr pag. 162 yeare 112 or as some say Dyonisius first assigned the precincts to euery parish and appointed to each Presbiter a certaine compasse whereof himself should take charge alone Hitherto his words Then if this supreame and binding authoritie was in that chaste and florishinge time of true Religion in the Bishop of Rome ouer all Preists Bishops Archbishops Metropolitanes c. to appoint constitute and decree not onely what ceremonies and solemnities should be vsed in all Churches but to rate and proportion out what power priuiledge and iurisdiction all Pastors prelates and spirituall Rulers should enioy
embrace doctrine for this whole Kingdome were so renowned for constancie pietie and learninge and all this in their confessed puer time of Christianitie I will recite what doctrine in this poynt of Popes supreamacye they approued and receaued there for this and all nations to followe and obserue In the third Canon of this Concil Sardic can 3. their greate Councell it is thus decreed Bishop Osius said if any Bishop shall be iudged in an other cause and hee thinketh hee hath a Good cause that a Councell should be called againe if it please you lett vs honor the memorie of S. Peter the Apostle that they which haue examined the cause may write to Iulius Bishop of Rome and if hee shall adiudge that Iudgment is to be renewed lett it be renewed and lett him appoint Iudges but if hee shall allowe the cause to be such that the things that ar done shall not be examined againe such things as hee shall decree shall be confirmed Doth this please you all The Councell answeareth it pleaseth vs. Therefore all now in England ought to be pleased with the supreamacie of that highest See and appeales vnto it The 4. and next Canon Can. 4. sup immediatly beginneth thus Bishop Gandentius said lett it be added if you please to this sentence full of sanctitie that when any Bishop shall be deposed by the Iudgment of those Bishops that be in the places neare And hee shall demaunde to haue his busines handled in the citie of Rome that after his appeale no Bishop be ordeyned in his chaire that was thought to be deposed except his cause shall be determined in the Iudgment of the Bishop of Rome The 7. Canon declareth it to be in the Can. 7. sup Popes power to send a latere Iudges in such causes into any contry notwitstandeing any sentence of other Bishops And as these primatiue Bishops of this Kingedome with that learned and Holy assemble of that generall Councell receaued and approued that supreame power in the Pope of Rome so hee by these Ptotestants testimonie euer practized it in this nation For besides that which is written before they vse these words Celestine Pope of Rome sent his Archdeacon Palladius into Brittaine to withstand Theater lib. 4. cap. 1. pag. 138. n. 22. the Pelagian Heresie whoe at one time did driue out these enemyes of grace and ordayned a Bishop amonge the Scots whereby that Barbarous nation â—mbrâ—ced Christianitic This they cite and approue from Prosper Aquitan And againe in this maner Pelagius by birth a brittane by profession a Mouke by leude doctrine an Hereticke brought vp in the fame us Lib. 6. cap. 53. pag. 277. n. 10. monasterie of Bangor in Wales his Hereticall assertions were afterwards condemned by Innocentius the first Bishop of Rome Whose doctrines were 1. that man without the grace of God was able to fullfill all the commaundements 2 that man in himself had free will That the grace of God was giuen vnto vs according to out merits 4. That the Iust haue no synne 5. That children ar free from originall synne 6. That Adam should haue died though hee had not synned Concerninge the Towne of Stanford Lib. 1. cap. 31. pag. 59. n. 8. they make this relation from Ihon Hardinge it continued an vniuersitie vnto the comeing of Augustine at which time the Bishops of Rome interdicted it for certayne Heresies sprange vp amonge the Brittaines and Saxons They write futher thus Yorke hath challenged to haue beene sometime Pag. 6. n. 7. Metropolitane ouer all the Bishops in Scotland It was made equall in honor and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelue suffragan Bishopricks that owed obedience And againe Yorke was made a Metropolitane Pag. 78. n. 9. cittie by a pall sent vnto it from Honorius And to shew that the disposeing of these things was in the power of that highest See thus they testifie againe That Lichfeild was made an Lib. 1. cap. 3. pag. 6. n. 8. Archiepiscopall See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suite of Offa the greate Kinge of Mercia is manifested by Mathew of Westminister vnto whose IurisdictioÌ„ were assigned the Bishopricks of Winchester Hereford Leicester Siduacester Helinham and Dunwich Like were the condition of S. Dauids n. 6. 8. Dorchester by Oxford and others And to shew that these primatiue bishops were onely subiect to the Pope and no Prince in their spirituall proceedeings when the wicked Kinge Vortigern had put away his first lawfull Christian wife and maryed Rowena the daughter of Hengist a Pagan Theat l. 7. cap. 12. pag. 313. about the yeare of Christ 470 for declareing the remedie thereof they write in these wordes Which Pagan mariadge proued not onely the bane of the land but so ruinated the Church of Christianitie that a prouinciall Councell of the Brittaines was assembled in Ann. 470. to repaire those things that this mariadge had decayed Then Popes and not Princes by these Parker lib. antiq Britan nic pag. 329 Protestants euer had spirituall supreamacie in this Kingedome For their first Archbishop Parker An. 1536. writeth thus Potentia populis nongentis amplius Annu in Anglia durauit The power of the Pope continued in England aboue nyne hundred yeares And there ought to continue still as I haue made demonstration by these Protestants before to which I add this sentence of Isaac Casanbon ex oâ—e Isaac Casanb respons ad ep Cardinal pâ—r pag. 8. ipso ser Regis taken from the mouth it self of our moste syncere Kinge commaundeing him to committ it te writeinge and is as followeth Rebus ipsis probet Romanus pontifex lett the Pope of Rome proue by things themselues that hee doth not seeke his owne Pag. 67. supr but the glory of God immortall and the peace of people concord and saluation to be a care vnto him then our moste seâ—ene Kinge as hee hath longe since protested in his Admonitory epistle without delay primas illi deferet ipsumque 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cum Gregorio Nazianzenâ— dicet non inuitus will giue primacie vnto him and not vnwillingely say with Gregorie Nazienzen that hee hath charge ouer the whole Church To which I answeare that I wish and I trust with more deuotion and Religion then hee That not onely Popes but other Princes spirituall and temporall Bishops Preists and all men in authoritie and others did more seeke the glorie of God then their owne and were more carefull of the peoples peace concord and saluation then they now ar or many were euen from the time of Christ Then so many disorders and Impieties should not haue so full dominion where Protestancie Ruleth and the scripture had neuer saide omnes quae sua sunt quaerunt non quâ— Iesu Christi all men or all sortes of men seeke the things that be their owne and not of Iesus Christ And it chargeth vs againe to obey Magistrats and men in
thinke be plurall That whosoeuer by their Interpretations should allowe such absurdities cannot haue the true interpretation of scriptures Now the Minor is easely proued by him also for all men are bownde to obey lawfull superioritie and authoritie such as hee saith a generall Councell hath ouer all Christians in these cases his wordes before cited be these They that haue supreame Feild l. 4. â— 16. pag. 228. power that is the Bishops assembled in a generall Councell may interpret the scripture and by their authoritie suppresse all them that shall gaynesay such Interpretations and subiect euery man that shall disobey such determination as they consent vppon to excommunication and Censures of like nature Wherefore seing generall Councells haue this bindeing and commaundeing power ouer all men by these Protestants and yet by their Article before may erre and haue Art 21. sup erred euen in things pertayning vnto God the whole Christian worlde with so many absurdities may be in this damnable error the Church might cease not be Catholicke Christ Feild pag. 203. should be without a Church which D. Feild before esteemeth greate absurdities Againe thus I argue They which straungely peruert bely depraue abuse and falsefye holy scriptures cannot be thought to be true interpreters of them But M. Parkes so testifieth of our Parkes ag lymbom def of the 1. 2. 3. testim English Protestants Therefore they cannot be thought to be true Interpreters of them Notheing remaineth in this Argument to be proued Further I argue thus No Interpreters or expositors of scripture whose Interpretations be partiall vntrue seditious sauoureing of Treason poysen the Ghospell c. are to be Iudged true and Iuridicall But the English Protestants hy their owne testimonyes be such Therefore not to be iudged true and iuridicall interpreters The Maior is true and euident And the Minor thus proued first by the Protestant Confer at Hampt pag. 47. conference in these wordes The notes annexed to the Geneua translation some are very partiall vntrue seditious and sauoureing toâ— much of daungerous and trayterous conceits Yet these were allowed and published as publicke and approued interpretations An other Protestant writeth in this maner The Bishops Aduerment An. 1604. notes betray our Lord and Redeemer and befoole the rocke of saluation they are the verie poyson to all the Ghospell M. Ormerod writeth thus of his fellowe Ormer pict purit q. 4. Protestants They fill the margents of their bookes full of places of scripture in a wronge sense that by this meanes they might more easely deceaue the simple people They neither care for Maior Minor nor Conclusion so they may say some thinge They point their margents with shamefull abuseing of scripture To these I might add more arguments as that by their owne testimonies they are Hereticks Scismaticks haue no ttue Churche no true Religion and the like as amonge other reasons from themselues why Catholiks may not communicate with them in spirituall and religeous affayres is proued in a late treatise against them I will therefore passe them ouer as allready proued CHAPTER VII WHEREIN BY THESE PROtestants is proued that vnwritten traditions lawfully proued are the word of God equally as the holy scriptures That many such are and all confirme the doctrine of the Church of Rome and condemne Protestants Religion AFTER this entreateinge of holy scriptures the written worde of God lett vs come to that parte of his sacred worde delyuered by traditions and vnwritten verities preserued and proposed to faithfull Christians by the holy spouse and Church of Christ whose Iudgment Rule and direction is so dignified aboue all Inferiour Iudgments by these Protestants before Concerninge the validitie and authoritie of truely proued traditions I argue thus All Rules Groundes and Authorities in matters of Religion that are equall with holy scriptures in the Iudgment of Protestants the highest Rule in such causes are â—eghely to be reuerenced and obeyed of all Christians But the holy traditions and vnwritten verities deliuered by Christ and Apostles being lawfully proued are of this nature Therefore to be reuerenced embraced and receaued The Maior proposition is euidently true for where there is absolute equalitie there is not inferioritie but paritie as is manifest in all equalities The Minor is thus proued in this maner first M. Wotton speakeing of such hath these Wotton def of Perk. pag. 405. pag. 436. supr words out of all question wee are bounde to keepe them and telleth vs that M. Perkins was of the same opinion D. Feild speaketh thus concerninge traditions In this question by tradition wee vnderstand such partes of Christian doctrine or Feild pag. 238. l. 4. cap. 20. discipline as were not written by them by whomâ— they were first deliuered For thus our Aduersaries vnderstand traditions which they diuide into diuers kindes First in respect of the authors so makeing them of three sortes Diuine Apostolicall and Ecclesiasticall Secondly in respect of the matter they concerne in which respect they make them to be of two sortes for either they concerne matters of faiâ—he or matters of manners and these later againe either temporall or perpetuall vniuersall or particular All these in their seuerall kindes they make equall with the words precepts and doctrines of Christ the Apostles and pastors of the Church left vnto vs in writeinge Neither is there any reason why they should not so doe if they could proue any such vnwritten verities For it is not the writeing that giueth things their authoritie but the worthe and credit of him that deliuereth them though by worde and lyuely voyce onely Thus the authoritie of Traditions is iustified by Protestants to be equall with the scriptures if they can be proued Now because Protestants mayntayneinge the sufficiencie of scripture for matters of faith deny traditions of that nature I argue in this maner All Articles and matters of faith are in Protestants Iudgment proued and deliuered to vs by tradition Therefore some articles and matters of faith are in their Iudgment or so must be graunted to be deliuered by tradition The consequence is euident for euery generall proposition includeth the particular The Antecedent is thus proued by them Whosoeuer doe graunte those things which by them conteyne all matters and Articles of faith to be delyuered by tradition must needs allowe traditions in matters of faith But these Protestants doe so Therefore they must allowe such traditions The Maior is euident for whatsoeuer conteineth all excludeth none and so comprehending all comprehendeth also some and the parts of that all The Minor is likewise proued in this maner supposeing the Common opinion of these Protestants set downe in the sixt Article of their Religion Articl of Relig. art 6. in these wordes Holy scripture conteyneth all things necessarie to saluation so that whatsoeuer iâ— not reade thâ—rein nor may be proued thereby is not to be required of any man that it should be beleeued as an Article of the
proued in this maner The communion Booke reconfirmed in the title of Confirmation giueth this direction to the Bishop in these words The Bishop shall lay his hand vppon euery child seuerally therefore there is an externall Ceremonie or signe and that it was ordeined by Christ may both appeare by their Conference at Hampton Court in these Conference at Hamptō pag. 10. 11. words Confirmation is an Apostolicall tradition And that they meane it to be signe such as the signe of a Sacrament is the Bishop is appointed to vse these words Wee make our Communiō Booke tit conf sup §. Almightie humble supplications vnto thee for these children vppon whome after the example of the holy Apostles wee haue layde our hands to certifie them by this signe of thy fauour and gracious goodnes towards them Therefore this externall signe both deliuered by the Apostles vsed by their example and so far signifieing Gods grace and fauour and certifyeing the parties thereof must needs bee ordeined by Christ and a Sacrament no other externall signe by Protestants being able to make such certificate whis is further confirmed with this Protestant Argument that followeth Whatsoeuer signe externall giueth spirituall strength to the receauers thereof and force to serue God is a Sacrament But Confirmation doth this Therefore a Sacrament The Maior is euident by Protestants graunteing that such spirituall force and strength is not giuen by any signe but such as is a Sacrament neither doe all of them graunt that it is giuen by Sacraments The Minor is proued by D. Couell in these words Couel Mod. Examinatiō pag. 192 Remembringe the conflict wee haue vndertaken in Baptisme wee come to Confirmation for an addition of new forces in Baptisme wee are regenerate to life but in Confirmation wee are strengthened to battaile So that being an externall signe and giueing grace as Baptisme doth it must needs bee a Sacrament as that is and the signe must needs bee ordeyned by Christ for none other but God can ordeyne Penance a Sacrament by protest Chapter of Indulgēces a signe to bee a meanes of grace Concerninge Penance to bee a Sacrament I haue made demonstration before in the chapter of Indulgences and it is euidently true in this order Wheresoeuer in any ceremonie and externall signe grace is so amply giuen that not onely all guilt of synnes by Protestants but their punishments are forgiuen and by authoritie from Christ there must needs bee both an externall ceremonie or signe instituted by him and a Sacrament But thus it is in these Protestants Iudgments in Confession and Absolution Therefore a Sacrament Bothe the Maior and Minor are aboundantly proued in the recited chapter before And to proue that such confession may bee auricular as they terme our Catholike confession to a preist though that kinde of confession is not soe needfull to make it a Sacrament M. Hull writeth thus Auricular confession was Hull Romes polec pag. 89. 90. vsed in the primatiue Churche before the time of Zozomenus the auncient historian And his Maiestie in the Conference at Hampton Conference pag. 13. witnesseth That the particular and parsonall absolution from syn after confession is apostolicall and a verie godly ordinance Therefore I thus argue againe That which was vsed in the primatiue Churche is an externall ceremonie forgiueing syn an Apostolicall and godly ordinance is a signe ordeyned by Christ and a Sacrament But Penance is such Therefore it is a Sacrament Bothe propositions are graunted and proued before And hence also is proued that Orders is a Orders a Sacrament by Protestants of England Sacrament For whosoeuer haue power to giue grace and forgiue syns except in Baptisme by an externall ceremonie must needs haue and receaue that power in a Sacrament for such extraordinarie guifts bee not giuen as Protestants confesse by miracle But preists as before haue this power Therefore Order and consecration is a Sacrament Both propositions are manifestly true Further I argue thus whosoeuer acknowledge that in consecrateing preists by imposition of hands by the Bishop the holy ghost grace and power is giuen to giue grace and forgiue syns must needs acknowledge Orders or ordination to bee a Sacrament But the Protestants of England doe this Therefore they must acknowledge Orders to bee a Sacrament in their proceedings The Maior is euident And the Booke of cons in Preists Minor expressely is conteyned in their authorized and confirmed publicke Booke of Consecrateing preists c. Againe thus I argue That externall visible ceremonie by Imposition of hands vppon ordinary men whereby power is giuen them aboue others from Christ to translate from darkenes into glorie to make inuisible grace of visible Elements daily to giue the holy Ghost to dispose of the flesh and blood of Christ and giueth power which noe potentate on earthe can giue and the like prerogatiues aboue all humane power is to bee esteemed a Sacrament But by these Protestants Orders hath these and such more prerogatiues by Imposing of hands c. Therefore to bee esteemed a Sacrament The Maior proposition is euidently true for an externall ceremonie giuing and signifying such power grace and priuiledges that no terrene power and authoritie can giue must needs bee instituted by Christ himself and so by that which is proued before bee allowed for a Sacrament The Minor is proued by D. Couell where entreating of the power and eminencie of Preists by their Couell def of Hooker pag. 87. function and Order in the externall ceremonie of imposition of hands hee hath these words To these parsons God imparted power ouer his mysticall bodie which is the societie of soules and ouer that naturall which is himself for the knitting of both in one a worke which antiquitie doth call the making of Christs bodie And in an other Couel mod Examinat pag. 105. Pag. 115. See D. Couell def of Hooker pag. 87. 88. 91. and cited cap. seq of Character c. Treatise thus The power of the Ministry by blessing visible Elements it maketh them inuisible grace it giueth dayly the holy Ghost It hath to dispose of that flesh which was giuen for the life of the worlde and that blood which was powred out to redeeme soules And againe It is a power which neither Prince nor Potentate King nor Caesar on earth can giue The Apostles leaue and impart the fame power to ordaine which was giuen to them From whence I argue further in this order That externall and visible Ceremonie whereby the Apostles receaued supernaturall grace power and preeminencie and left it to the Church to continue beeing first instituted of Christ is a Sacrament But Orders is such Therefore a Sacrament The Maior is graunted and proued before and the Minor also to which I add the sentence of their publicke Cōference at Hampton Court Conference at Hamptō where it is concluded by authoritie among them that this power of Orders giuen as they pretend by imposition
how farre the compasse precincts and bownds of their Regiments should extend whome to whome should be obedient and subiect who Gouernor and Superior I trust no man will be soe obstinately willfull as to resist the holy Ordinance of God his holy spouse our Mother Churche the sacred primatiue Pastors thereof renowned Saincts and Martyrs and the sentence of our Kinge himself before cited as to call these Religeous Ceremonies now after soe many hundreds of yeares into question Especially to vse and conclude with D. Couell his words in this Couell exâ—m pag. 65. poynt The primatyue Councells haue condemned them as Hereticks onely for being stiffely opposite in this kinde And againe of such English Protestants They haue done nothing els but vntile the Pag. 61. howse that the Rafters beames and the mayne timber might with the violence of tempests more speedely perish And thus much of this Question CHAPTER XII Of Indulgences AFTER these by the Relators direction I am to entreate of indulgences and laste of straunge languadge in deuotions bothe which being by his estimation of those things which in Religion are dispensable and not essentiall to be beleeued I might passe ouer as entreated of and allowed before by these Protestants in the laste chapter amonge so many other holy Ceremonies and accidentall practizes and customes in the Church of Christ Yet to satisfie all desires I will speake in particular also of these Questions And first of Indulgences in which I argue thus Whosoeuer graunt that the Church hath authoritie and power both to forgiue syns and to remitt the seueritie or punishment due for syn must needs graunt the Catholicke doctrine of Indulgence being nothing els but such Relaxation But the English Protestants doe or by their writing must graunt this forgiuenes of synne and release of paine due for synne Therefore they doe or ought to allowe the Catholicke doctrine of Indulgence The first proposition is euidently Caiâ—â—an tract 15. c. 5. Sot dist 21. q. 1. ar 3. Abul q. 90. in 16. Matth. Ledes p. Sot alij Feild l. 1. c. 17. true by the common acceptance and definition of Indulgence both with Catholicks and Protestants which is a Release of payne for synne enioyned or to be enioyned The Minor proposition is proued from D. Feild in these words The true Churche admitteth and receaueth all that with sorrowfull repentance returne and seeke reconciliation how greate soeuer their offences haue beene not forgetting to vse due seueritie which yet shee sometime remitteth And reciting the causes of such remission hee addeth thus The due and iust consideration mouing the Church to remitt some thinge of her wonted seueritie is either priuate or publicke perill And for proofe of this doctrine hee citeth 1. Corinth 2. v. 8. 9. 10. that place of S. Paule to the Corinthians of graunting Indulgence or relaxation of payne to the incestuous parson Whereby manifestly appeareth that in this Protestant Doctors Iudgment authoritie and power ought to be allowed to the Church to release and remitt seueritie and punishment due for synne which is the same which is termed Indulgence Neither can hee finde any euasion by distinguisheing between penances enioyned and not enioyned For that power facultie and authoritie which can enioyne penance and after it is enioyned rebeace it againe cannot be interpreted but at leaste in that supreame Pastor to whome the highest prerogatiue of binding loosing and releacinge is committed to haue habilitie to pardon remitt or releace it before it be enioyned Secondly thus I argue That doctrine and practize which the auncient primatiue Bishops of Christs Churche held and vsed is true and to be continued But the doctrine and practice of Indulgences is such Therefore true and to be continued The Maior proposition is euidently true often graunted before by these Protestants and the Minor thus proued by D. Feild in these wordes The auncient Bishops Feild sup l. 1 c. 17. pag. 33. were wont to cutt of greate partes of enioyned penance which remission and relaxation was called an Indulgence And that is to noe purpose which hee addeth immediatly in these termes Out of the not vnderstanding whereof grewe the popish pardons and Indulgences For first how more probable it is that the Bishops of the Romane Church immediately and successiuely succeeding these auncient Bishops practizeing the true doctrine and vse of Indulgences should continually preserue it and vnderstand it then those which by interposition of a thowsand and more yeares come after them and without any order episcopall or preistly but by vsurpation and intrusion as is proued by these Protestants themselues in this treatice teach and of their owne heads propose the contrary secondly his exceptiue addition destroyeth his entent for which it is alleadged and Protestants opinion in this poynt for the substance of Catholicke doctrine concerninge Indulgences to make it a releace of payne due for synne is the same with the practice of those auncient Bishops by him allowed as is proued before and in all congruitie hee that both can inflict and take away punishment can much rather take it away without infliction for hee that can doe twoe things can muche more and with greater facilitie doe one of them because this one is conteyned in those twoe and power of doeing the one of necessitie must needs be graunted to him that hath power to doe bothe especially the highest Ruler and Gouernor in such things Thirdly thus I argue Whatsoeuer doctrine or practize these English Protestants teache or exercise in their publicke and iudiciall courts and Consistories that they may not denye to be lawfull But in such authoritatiue places and Iudgments they allowe and approue the Catholicke doctrine concerninge Indulgences Therefore they may not deny it The Maior proposition is manifestly true otherwise two contradictories might be true and in Religion which is vnpossible The Minor also is as euidently certayne by their ordinary and vsuall release and relaxation of payne and seueritie due for synne against the auncient primatyue Canons allowed by them and by no pretext iustifiable but by way of Indulgence as appeareth playnely in their proceedings And this euen in cases and causes scandalous moste requiring satisfaction and penance in their owne doctrine If they thinke their Relaxation or Indulgence therein to be frustrate their dealings therein be impious and they deceauers if they allow them for iust they also allowe Indulgences being nothinge els but a release of such penance and seueritie as before If they will not blushe to say that the money or bribes giuen by the penitents to them their wyues or Seruants doth satisfie this is friuolous and in the grownds of Protestants denying good deeds if these were such to be satisfactory and meretoreous more then foolish and ridiculous to be affirmed And against D. Feild his two Feild sup l. 1. cap. 17. considerations mouing the Church to such Indulgence or release which hee telleth vs be priuate or publiâ—ke perill insinuating that