Crosces To vvhich theie giue diuine adoration Theis are flatlie forbidden of the Lord. Exod. 20. 4. Some are of things neither commanded nor forbidden as Of eating or not eating fleshe Of wearing or not wea ring some apparel Of keeping or not keeping of some daies holie c. VVhich are not to bee obserued vvhen it is deliuered as sound doctrine that such workes Do merit remission of sinnes Are th'acceptable seruice of God Do more please than th'obseruation of the lawes of God Are necessarilie to be done insomuch that theie are damned which do them not For th'auoiding of al theis vve muste remember that vvee are bought with a price and therfore maie not be the seruaunts of men 1. Cor. 7. 23. and that none humain constitution in the church doth binde anie man to break the least commaundement of God Act. 5. 29. The consideration heere of hath caused other Churches also with à svveete consent to coÌ„demne suche wiked ceremonies of man Confel of Heluet. 2. c 2. 24. 27. Heluet â— ar 4. Basil art 5 sect 3. art 10 Bohem. c. 15 Franc. art 24. 33. Flan. art 7. 29 32 Ausb art â—5 VVittem art 28. 29. 32. 3â— Suca c. 8 c. 14 15 Such vngodlie traditions and ceremonies in à manner be al the ceremonies and traditions of Th'antichristian Synagogue of Rome and therefore to be abandoned of vs al. 4 It hath pleased our most merciful Lord Sauior Christe for the maintenance of his Church militant that tvvo sortes of rites or ceremonies should be vsed wherof Some God his most excellent maiestie himselfe hath ordained such is the ceremonie of Baptisme The L. Supper VVhich are til th' end of the vvorlde vvithout al addition diminution alteration with al zeale religion to bee obserued Some bee ordained by the auctoritie of each prouincial or nationall Church that for The Comlines of the Church that is to saie that By those helps the people of God maie the better be inflamed with à god lie zeale Sobrenes and grauitie maie appeare in the wel handling of Ecclesiastical matters Order sake euen That gouernors maie haue rules directions how to gouerne by That auditors may know how to prepare and behaue themselues in diuine seruice That à ioiful peace maie bee among al men by the wel ordering of Church affaires VVe haue proued alreadie that such traditions maie bee made and changed augmented and diminished as fit time and oportunitie shal bee ministred and that not by the Catholique for that is and hath alwaies bin impossible but by particular Churches Th' effect here of vvee maie reade in the Confes of Heluet. 2. c. 27 Bohem. c. 15. Fran. art 32. Flan. art 32. Ausbur touching abuses ar 7. VVitte art 35. Sueaue ca. 14. This sheweth th'intolerable arrogancy of the Church of Rome which dare take vpon her To alter the Sacramentes ordained eueÌ„ by Christe himselfe To praescribe rites and ceremonies not to some particular churches but to the whole church militant 35 ARTICLE Of Homilies THE seconde booke of Homilies the seueral title whereof we haue ioyned vnder this article doth containe à godlie and wholsome doctrine and necessarie for these times as doth the former booke of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edwarde the sixte and therefore we iudge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligentlie and distinctlie that there maie be vnderstanded of the people Of the names of the Homilies 1 Of the right vse of the Church 2 Against peril of Idolatrie 3 Of the repairing and keeping clean of the Churches 4 Of good workes first of Fasting 5 Against gluttonie and drunkennes 6 Against excesse of apparel 7 Of Praier 8 Of the place and time of praier 9 That common prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministred in à knowen tongue 10 Of the reuerent aestimation of gods word 11 Of Almes doing 12 Of the Natiuitie of Christe 13 Of the Pascion of Christe 14 Of the Resurrection of Christe 15 Of the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament of the bodie and blood of Christe 16 Of the giftes of the holie Ghoste 17 For the Rogation daies 18 Of the state of Matrimonie 19 Of Repentaunce 20 Against Idlenesse 21 Against Rebellion The seconde booke of Homilies as also the former I doubt not containe godlie and wholsome doctrine necessarie for this time But for somuch as this is none Article of the Catholique Religion but à priuate Article for our Church neither yet for the whol church of England but for some places where and for some time when able and fit Ministers are not praesent to preach the worde of God and serueth onelie as both from the booke of CoÌ„mon praier maie wel be gathered experience proueth for an Interim as it were til fit Pastors be prouided for and again because most of those Homilies according to their seueral titles haue bine alreadie handled in this and th' other part of my subscription I cease from further wrighting of the same in this place 36 ARTICLE Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers THE booke of Consecration of Archbishopps and Bishops and ordering of Priests and deacons latelie set forth in the time of Edward the sixt and confirmed at the same time by auctoritie of parliament doth containe al things necessarie to such consecration and ordering neither hath it anie thing that of it selfe is superstitious or vngodlie And therefore whosoeuer are consecrated or ordered according to the rites of that booke since the second yeere of the afore-named K. Edward vnto this time or hereafter shal be consecrated or ordered according to the same rites we decree al such to be rightlie orderlie and lawfullie consecrated and ordered This Article simplie is none Article of the Catholique Church and so much thereof as vniuersalie is receiued hath alreadie both by the holie Scripture bin confirmed alowed by our neighbour Churches in the 23. Article 37 ARTICLE Of the ciuil Magistrate THe Queenes M. 1hath the chiefe power in this realme of Eng. and other her dominions 2vnto whom the chiefe gouerment of al estates of this realm whether theie be Ecclesiastical or ciuil in al causes doth appertaine and is not nor ought to be subiect to anie foraine iurisdiction Where we attribute to the Queenes M. the chiefe gouerment by which titles we vnderstand the mindes of some slaunderous folks to be offended 3we giue not to our Princes the ministring either of Gods worde or of Sacraments the which Th' iniunctions also latelie set forth by Elizabeth our Q. doth most plainlie testifie but that onelie prerogatiue which we see to haue bine giuen alwaies to al godlie princes in holie Scriptures by God himselfe that is that theie should rule al estates and degrees committed to their charge by God whether theie be Ecclesiastical or temporal 4and restraine with the ciuil sword the stubborne and euil doers 5The ' Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in this realme of Eng. 6The lawes of the realme
vpon the word of god is to speake soule errors vntruths For in al the holie Scripture there is no mention It is an error to saie there is anie other ointmeÌ„t giuen to the strengthning of the church militant besides the holie Ghost 1. Iohn 2 27 Of the matter that it must be Chrisme that made of Oliue oile and Baulme and consecrated of à Bishop Of the forme that either the Bishop must signe him that is to bee confirmeâ— vvith the signe of the Crosse or that anie Godfather c should be thâ— at c. Of the minister that 〈◊〉 must be à Bishop thaâ—â— to confirme Of th' effects that therebie Sinnes are pardoned 〈◊〉 â—emised The grace Baptisme iâ— made perfeâ—â— c. It is an error to thinke that anie 〈…〉 can giue heauenly graces to any 〈…〉 It is an error t'ascribe saluatioÌ„ to 〈…〉 and not onelie to Christ. It sauoreth of Donatisme to measures dignitie of the Sacraments by the 〈…〉 thinesse of the Ministers It is an error that men cannot be 〈…〉 fect Christians vvithout Popish Câ—â—mation It is an error that by Confirmation holie Ghost is giuen to the ful â— The Sacrament of Repentance which is baptisme Luk. 3 3. we allow but that Popish poenance is à Sacrament we altogither denie As of CoÌ„firmation so of PoenaÌ„â—e th' aduersaries do publish foure things to be noted and none of theÌ„ trulie grounded vpon the word of God First the matter which of the Papists some do saie is Th'actioÌ„s of the poenitent person that is to saie Th'absolution by the Priest Sufficient contrition of hart Perfect CoÌ„fession Of al sinnes and that in particular Of al circumstances as of place time c Satisfactions in works vvhich maketh à ful amends for al offences Secondlie the forme which In the Priest is the words of absolutioÌ„ which the priest vttereth ouer the sinner In the persoÌ„ poenitent is His kneeling down at the priests feet His making the sign of the crosse vpoÌ„ his breast His saieng benedicite to his ghost lie father The priest beareth the person of God is the lavvful iudge ouer the poenitent and may Absolue from the gilt of sinne Inflict à punishment according to th' offence Thirdly the Minister who Ordinarilie is the Curat of euerie parish Extraordinarilie and in the time of extreeme necessitie or by licence anie Priest Yet some sinnes are so grecuous that non may absolue them but The Pope oâ— his Legat as Burning of Churches Violent striking of à Priest CouÌ„ter feâ—ting the pops Buls The bishop or his poenitentiarie as Incest Breaking of vowes Robbers of churchs Haeretikes Adulterers c. Fourthlie th'affect Hereby they say à poenitent sinner is FroÌ„ al sin as when he was newly baptized Purged Absolued Made cleane Enriched vvith spiritual gifts and graces The consideratioÌ„ here of hath moued the churches reformed to condemne this Antichristan Sacrament of paenance as hauing no vvarrant froÌ„ the word of God Confes of Heluet. 2. c. 14. 19. Behem cap. 4. Ausburg art 3. 11. 12. Saxon. ar 16. 17. VVittem art 13. 14. 15. Sueaue cap. 20. The blasphemies are outragious and th' error manie monstrous comprised in this doc trine of popish poenance For VVhereas they saie the Sacrament of poenance was instituted by christ himself it is most false For as they teach it neither the matter noâ— the form noâ— the Priest noâ— th' effect thereof can bee drawne from the vvord of God They say Poenance is a Sacrament yet can they shevv no element it hath to make it à Scacrament Popish Contrition is against the truth For none is sufficientlie contrite for his sinnes To confes al sinnes and that one after another with al circuÌ„stances vnto à priest as it is vnpossible so is it erroneous and neuer enioined by God nor practised by anie of God his Saints that vve can find in the holie Scripture That anie man can satisfie for his sinnes it is blasphemous against the merits of Christ yet do the Papists teach it and besides that one man maie satisfie for another An vntruth is it that any priest Bishop or Pope hath povver to forgiue sinnes or can enioine anic punishment that can make an amends to God for the least offence If Poenance purge men and make them cleane from al sin then is there à time when meÌ„ in this life be perfect which tendeth greatlie to th' error of the Catharans Donatists and Pelagians That Baptisme is à token that original sinne onelie and not actual sins besides vvhich th'elect seruants of God shal commit are pardoned it is against the vvord of God The doctrine that they vvhich vvillinglie depart out of this vvorlde vvith-out shrife are damned vvhich thing the Papists do hold is à damnable doctrine and to be eschevveda â— The church of England and of other places reformed do acknoledge an order of making miâ—â—â—ers in the Church of God where al things are to be done by order But that order is à Sacrament none but disordered Papists wil grant and yet they obserue none order in speaking of the â—ame For among them Some do make 7. orders whereof some be Inferior as th' order of Porters whose office is To keepe the doore T' expel the wiked To let-in the faithful 2 Exorcists or Coniurers which haue power t' expel diuels 3 Lectors or Readers who are to read lessons and scripture in the Church 4 Acolytes or Candle-bearers hauing auctoritie To beare cruets to th' altar with wine and water To beare candles and tapers Superior as th' order of 5 Subdeacons who are To read Th'epistle To prepare necessaries for ministration T' assist the Priest in ministration 6 Deacons their dutie is To read the Gospel T' assist the Priest in ministration 7 Priests to whom auctoritie is giuen to minister Sacraments that is to saie Baptisme Poenance The SacrameÌ„t of Th' alter and to sacrifice for the quicke and the dead Annealing of the sicke Matrimonie Theis 7 Orders say some of the Papists Are 7. Sacraments as Lombardus so there be 13. Sacraments Make but one Sacrament VVere not onelie instituted but entered-into by Christ himselfe Some numbring the seuen Sacraments do quite ouerpasse in silence the Sacrament of Order and in place thereof mention the Sacrament of Priest-hood Alwhich things are both besides and also coÌ„trarie to the word of god For in the Scripture VVhere can it bee showen that either Orders as some caÌ„ make either one or 7. Sacraments or Priest-hood as others thinke is à Sacrament what element hath it what forme what promise what institution from Christ VVhere can anie of those hideous titles of Porter Exorcists c. be found ascribed to any minister of the new Testament or the maner of creating or their offices established Some papists do write that al th' inferior Orders are not grounded vpoÌ„ scripture but come by traditioÌ„ Clypeus Milit. Ec. l. 1. c. 9 Lomb. saith plainlie that fiue of the 7. Orders neither
Of his seruants Of humane societie God is VVise Holie In that he wil haue it knowne who are iust who wiked who holie who prophane by preseruing of the one and punishing of th' other Herevnto our neighbour churches do set their hands CoÌ„fesof Hel. 1. art 24. 26. Hel. 2. ca. 30. Basil. art 7. BoheÌ„ cap. 16 France art 39. Fland. art 36. Ausb art 16. Saxon. art 23. Th' aduersaries hereof are They which thinke the magistrate maie correct none at al much lesse by death dispatch any offenders as Cresconâ—ons They which denie that anie Christian maie iustly be put to death by the Magistrate for blasphemous haeresies yea for any offence the latter whereof Th'anabaptists do hold the former the Fam. of Loue. 7 There is faith Soloman Eccl â— 8 à time Of warre Of Peace And Magistrates are By lawes to condemne yea and by death to punish male factors for hainous and greeuous offences and sinnes as hath bine alreadie proued in the proposition immediatlie afore going By vvar and weapons to represse the power of enimies Foraine Intestin For theie are in auctoritie placed To defend the good quiet subiects against al oppression To remooue the violence of the wiked who soeuer theie be For this cause haue theie Horses praepared for the battel Pro. 21. 31 Munitions to defend themselues and to annoie th' enemies Subsidies to beare out charges Subiects to fight for theire Prince and contrie And better it is to haue vvar than to come into bondage and thraldome worset than warit selfe This is granted in the Confes of Heluet. 2. c. 30 Bohem. cap. 16. Saxon. art 23. Among other th'aduer saries of this proposition are The Manichies vvhich saide it vvas vnlavvful for anie man to make war and therefore theie saie Moses did not wel in subduing th' enemies of Th'isra elites by force of armes Th'anabaptistes who thinke it vnlawful for à Christian either Magistrate or subiect to go à vvar-far The Spiritualuts vvhich so detest war that there thinke it vnlawful for à Christian to vveare à vveâ—pon in vvhich error was the Fam. of Loue for à season 38 ARTICLE Of Christian mens goodes vvhich are not common THE riches and goodes of Christians 1 are not common as touching the right title and possession of the same as certaine Annabaptistes doe falselie boaste Notwithstanding 2 euerie man ought of such thinges as he possesseth liberallie to giue almes to the poore according to his habilitie The Propositions 1 The riches and goodes of Christians as touching the right title and possession of the same are not common 2 Euerie man is to giue liberal almes of that which he possesseth according to his habilitie 1 That which is alleaged in the next proposition folowing doth altogither confirm that which here is affirmed yet for further proofe that the riches and goods of Christians as touching the right title and possession of the same are not to be common it is apparent to saie nothing out of th' old Testament nor to set-downe examples of godlie Christians vvhich kept priuate houses and had goods priuatlie to themselues in the nevve Testament where condemned is Couetousnesse 1. Cor. 5 11. Ephes. 5 3 Theeuerie 1 Cor. 6 2 1. Pet. 4 15. Extortion 1. Cor. 5 11 1. Cor. 6 10 Idlenesse 2. Thes. 3 10. Commended is Liberalitie Acts. 20 35. 2. Cor. 9. 6. c. Iam. 2 16. Free lending Mat. 5 48. Luk. 6 34. A lawful vocation 1. Cor. 7 20. Labor Ephe 4 28 2. Thes. 3 10. Frugalitie 1. Tim. 5 8. VVhich declareth that the riches and goods of Christians neither were nor ought to be commoÌ„ So thinke thereformed Confes of Heluet. 2. ca. 19. Fran. art 40. Flan. art 36. Ausbur art 16. VVitteÌ„ cap. 21. This notwithstaÌ„ding the coÌ„trarie defended Hath bine in times past by the Esseis Manichies Pelagians Apostolikes Fratricellians Is in theis daies by the Familists Anabaptists 2 Vnto liberalitie toward the poore according to our habilitie wee are prouoked in the holie Scripture By commandements from God euen The Father Prou. 5. 15 Deu. 10 19 Deu. 15. 11 Eccl. 11 2. The Son Mat. 5 â— 2. Matth. 6. v. 2. 3. Luke 6 30. The holie Ghost Rom. 12 13. 1. Cor. 16 2. By sweete promises of ample blessings Eccle. 11 1. Prou. 11. v. 24 25. â— Cor. 9 8 c. By threatnings of punishments Pro. 21 13 Pro. 28 27 By th'examples of the Apostles Gal. 2 10. Rom. 15 25. Primitiue Church Act. 11 29 2. Cor. 8 â— c. 2. Cor. 9 2. c. This liberalitie or cheerful giuing of almes is commended in the Confes. Heluet. 2. c. 23. 28. 29 Saxon. art 21. VVittem cap. 18. None there bee which dislike or else repine at this liberalitie toward the poore but Anabaptists that would haue no man either to giue or receaue for al things in their opinion should bee common and none bee either poore 〈◊〉 wealthie men The stonie hearted and miserable Oppressors Vsurers Extortioners Couetous men 39 ARTICLE Of a Christian mans othe AS we confesse 1 that vaine and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his Apostle 2 So we iudge that Christian religion doth not prohibite but that à man maie sweare when the Magistrate requireth in à cause of faith and charitie so it be done according to the Prophets teaching in iustice iudgement and truth The Propositions 1 We maie not sweare vainelie and rashlie 2 A lawful othe maie be giuen and taken according to the word of God 1 The better t' auoide vaine and rash swearing it is good to haue in remembraunce that vvhich is said By our Sauior Christ in the 5. of Math. ver 34. Svveare not at al neither By heauen for it is the throne of God By th' earth for it is his foot-stoole By Hierusalem for it is the Citie of the great King By thin head because thou canst not make one heare vvhite or black But let your coÌ„munication be yea yea nay nay By Th'apostle Iames Before al thinges my brethren Sweare not Neither by the heauen Not by th' earth Not by anie other othe But let your yea bee yea and your nay nay least yee fal into condemnation The churches of Heluetia and Basil by their publique Confessions do speake against all vaine and rash othes and swearing Heluet 1 cap. 5 Basil. art 11. This condeÌ„neth The VVantons which for pleasure Couetous that for profite Blush not to take the name of god in vaine by idle and rash othes The Basilidians Helchisaits Priscillianists Familie of Loue. VVho for ease and libertie dread not to forsweare themselues The Papistes vvhich coÌ„monlie vvil sweare either by Saincts Idols God and creatures The Banist vvho deeme it hypocrisie for one Christian to reproue an other for common rash swearing and othes which are but trifles as theie saie 2 Thought it be vnlawful to sweare vainlie and rashlie yet arâ— meere persons to take à lawful oth wheÌ„ iust occasion is
in other places of the reformed Church name lie in the Confes. of VVittem art 32. Sueuin art 15. Sound in iudgment therefore theie are not VVhich being not of the Church of Christ wil notwithstanding take vpon them to iudg yea to condemne the doctrine of the Church of God as do The Machiauils The Iewes The Turkes The Papists The Fam. of Loue. The Anab. VVhich hold that the Pope alone hath power To iudg al men and matters but maie be iudged of none To make reuoke at his pâ—â—suâ—e what articles of Religion him listeth and that without controlment VVhich suppose there is No iudgment but in the Clergie so called None auctoritie to determine of controuersies in Religion but by the bookes of the dead Fathers Doctors Schole men as Thâ—â— Aquinas â—coâ—â—â— c. 4 To interpret the word of God is à peculiar blessing giueÌ„ by God onelie to the church or companie of the faithful though not to al and euerie of them For Saith our Sauiour Of men in general No man knoweth the Sonne but the Father neither knoweth anie man the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the Sonne wil reueile him Mat. 11. 27. Of his faithful disciples It is giuen to you to know the secrets of heauen but to them it is not giuen Matth. 13 11. Saith S. Paul vnto the church at Corinth The manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euerie man to profit withal For to one is giuen by the Spirit the worde of wisedome c. And to another prophecie 1. Cor. 12. 7 c. If anie thing be reueiled to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace 1. Cor. 14. 30. The Apostles Iames and Iohn do write vnto al the Church or people of God If anie man lacke wisdome let him aske of God Iam. 1 5. Ye haue an ointment from him that is holie and yee haue knowne al things c ye know the truth c ye need not that anie man teach you 1. Iohn 2. ver 20 21 27. Hereunto subscribe the Churches in Heluet. Confes. 2. c. 7. Bohem. Confes. c. 1. VVitteÌ„ Confes. c. 30. Al of vs iointlie opposing our selues Against those men which thinke that to expound the word of God is so easie à matter as anie student indued with à good natural wit by diligence maie do the same Against them that teach how to interpret or expound the Scriptures is too hard à thing for anie mortal man to attaine vnto such VVas Iohannes de VVessalia Are manie of the Anabaptists Against the fam of Loue who though they grant some can expound or open so far as is conuenient for man to know the meaning of God in his word yet that Some there saie are themselues and none other Against the Papists VVhich thinke that to interpret the holie scripture is not so much à special gift of God vpoÌ„ some chosen persons as an ordinarie power annexed to the state of Popes Bishops General Councels That are so far from giuing the people of God not being of the Clergie power to expound that theie vvil not suffer them to read no not so much as to haue the Scriptures in à vulgar tongue except it be their ovvne most corrupt and barbarous translation vvhich but of late yeeres neither and that in part too is granted But for the Scripture of God in place theie obtruded Festiuals Legends Rosaries Horaries Psalâ—eries of our Ladie 5 Forsomuch as no prophecie is of anie priuate motion 2. Pet. 1. 20. and whatsoeuer interpretation man giueth not agreeing to Th'analogie of faith which S. Paul from God gaue in commandement to be obserued Rom. 12. 6. is à priuate interpretation special heed is to be had that one place of Scripture be so expounded as it agree with another and al to the proportion of faith This do the Churches protestant so like of as theie approue the same by publique Subscription as maie appeare in the Confession of Heluet. 1. art 2. Heluet. 2. c 2. France art 7. Saxon. art 1. VVittem ca. 30. 31. 33. Sueauia art 1. This wil not be granted of the Antichristian synagogues whereof Some thinke that the Scripture may be expounded in what sense and to what purpose we wil as the Helchesaits Papists among whome theie be which from this opinioÌ„ do tearme the most holie word of God in reproch A shipmaÌ„â— hoase A leaden rule A nose of waxe Some condemne al interpretation of the word as vnnecessarie theie being taught as theie saie of God himseÌ„lfe such are the Libertines Some depend vpon visions and Reuelations as the Euthusiasts Anabaptists Some dislike of the literal calling it à Grammatical sense and so prefer the Allegorical exposition that theie cal it the spiritual sense of Gods word and therbie make vvhat them list of the Scriptures most monstrouslie as the Originists Fam. of Loue Some vvil haue of euerie place of Scripture an exposition Analogical Allegorical Historical Moral As the curious Thomists Monches Some are addicted to an interpretation vvhich theie cal mystical and prophetical as the Bâ—â—â—ardists Some thinke th'interpretation vvhich the Church of Rome maketh of the Scripture vvhatsoeuer it be is the od and the onelie true sense of Gods vvord as Harding doth Some deeme that as the Church by time doth alter so th'interpretation of the Scripture also maie varie vvhereby that vvhich in Th'apostles time vvas à truth in theis daies shal be an error and contrarivvise in this error vvas Cardinal Cusanus 6 Though the church hath power to heare determine in controuersies of saith as alreadie hath bine prooued yet hath the Church auctoritie nei ther to iudge the worde of God not to iudge otherwise than the word of God doth iudg For it is said To the church Novve I besceche you brethren marke theÌ„ diligentlie which cause diuision and offences contrarie to the doctrine which ye learned and auoid them Rom. 16. 7. Heare him euen Christ Math 17. 5. To him giue al the Prophets vvitnesce Act. 10. 43. Search the Scriptures Iohn 5. 39. VVhosoeuer transgresceth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God 2. Iohn vers 9. Yee are no more straungers and forreners c. and are built vpon the foundation of Th'apostles and Prophets c. Ephes. 2 19. Heereby shal yee knowe the spirite of God c. 1. Iohn 4. 2. Of the holie Scripture The worde is the truth Iohn 17. 17. The whol Scripture c is profitable to teach to improue to correct to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God maie be absolute c. 2. Tim. 6. ver 16. 17. They haue Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Luk. 16. 29. VVee haue also à most sure vvorde of the Prophets to the which ye do wel that yee take heede c. 2. Pet. 1. 19. If anie man teache otherwise consenteth not to the wholsome wordes of our L. I. Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlines he is pust vp
knoweth nothing c. 1. Tim. 6. v. 3. c. Thus thinke vve of the Scriptures and of the Churche So vvith vs do other Churches Confes of Heluet 2. cap. 1. Bohem cap. 1. Fran. art 5. Flan. art 7. VVit tem art 30 31. 32. Sax. art 11. Yet al of vs doe grant that the Churche As à faithful witnes maie yea of necescitie must testifie to the world vvhat hath bine the doctrine of God his people from time to time But be it far from vs that we should euer somuch as thinke which the Papistes vvil not sticke to write and say that The Church is to iudge the Scripture and not the Scripture the Church The Scripture is not of the escence of the Church for vvithout it à Church maiâ— be thought and veriâ— vvel So said Cusanus à Cardinal It had gonne better vvith the Church had there bine no scripture at al. The scripture because as they say It is vnperfect cannot Be the iudge It is obscure maie not Be the iudge It is ambiguous ought not Be the iudge He is an haereticke that cleaueth to the Scriptures as did Horstatus Such as bare witnesce vnto the truth By the shedding of their bloud in the daies of Q Marie are not martyrs but murtherets of them selues In this time By the sword are tyrans By life and doctrine be heretikes As á trustie register is to keepe and make knowen what the vvord of god which it hath receiued is This carefullie hath bine performed Before the worde vvas vvritten by the Patriarches After the vvord vvas commited to writing Before Christe his incarnation by the Iewes In christe his life time Luk. 4. 16. c Act. 13. 27. Act. 15 21. In the primitiue church 2. Cor 3. 15. 2. cor 8. 18. Colos. 3. 16. From Th'apostles time by the godlie Christians in th'uniuersal world This carefulnes in keepinge the vvord of God de clareth That the mother Churche of Rome is not the onely keeper of the holy write How cursedly theie offende vvhich so greatly esteeme The Ethiks of Aristotle as the S. scripture The Ods of Pindar as the Psalmes of Dauid The writings of men as the wordâ— of God 7 Of the people of God nothing must be obtruded vpon the Church to be beleeued as necessarie vnto saluatioÌ„ which is either contrarie or besides the worde of God So saith the scripture Deut. 4. 2. Prou. 30. 6 Eâ—â—k 20. vers 18. 19. 1. Cor. 3. 11. Gal. 1. 8. Gal 3. 15. Ephe. 4. 14 Col. 1. 23. Heb. 13. 9. 2. Iohn v. 9. 10. Reu. 22. 18 So vvitnes the Churches reformed Confes. Heluet. 2. art 2. Heluet. 1. artic 4. Basil. art 10. Bohem. c. 1 France art 5. Fland. ar 7 Saxon. art 1. VVittem cap. 30. 33 Sueuia art 1. VVhat soeuer is grounded thereon though not by expres tearmes to be red therin we doe reuerendlie embrace This maketh vs not to denie In doctrine The Consubstantialitie of our S. Christ with the Father and the holie Ghost as the Arians did A trinitie of persons in the Godhead vvith the Sabellians The iustification of faith onelie with the Papists The baptisme of Infantes with Anabaptists In ceremonies anie thing that tendeth vnto Comlines Order Edification But from the hart vve abhor vvhatsoeuer agreeth not with the cannon of the Scripture nor is grounded thereon Hence detest we Al the old haereuks The phatisies The Escees The Sadduces The SimoniaÌ„s The Menandeans The Ebeonits The Cerinthians The Gnostikes The Valentinians The Martians c. with The newe prophets of Basilides The manifestatioÌ„s of Marcian The misteries of the Manichies The Idolaea of the Scithians The Symbonia of Th'archoÌ„tikes The Cabala of the Iewes The Alcaran of the Turkes The Decretals of the Popes Al were haeâ—etiks vvith their curssed opinioÌ„s The Anabaptists of them namelie The Daui-geoâ— gainâ— The Libertines The Viteleis The Nicholaitans of Harrie Nicholas Papistes wherof Some commaunded that all the lawes of the Pope shoulde bee taken as confirmed by the mouth of God himselfe so did Pope Agatho the first Some write as Busgrad that if the pope beleue there is no life to com as som Popes haue done wee must beleue it as an article of our faith and if the Pope carrie innumerable soules to hel with him yet he maie not be iudged so thought Pope Boniface the 8. Some haue published à newe Gospel called Euangeliâ—m aeternum spiritus S. which some saie doth so far excel the gospel of Christ as the caâ—nel surpasceth the shel the Sun the Moone and the light darknes 21. ARTICLE Of the auctoritie of generall Councels GEneral Councels 1 maie not be gathered together with-out the commaundement and wil of Princes And when theie be gathered together 2 for as much as theie be an assemblie of men whereof al be not gouerned with the Spirit word of God theie maie erre and some-times haue erred 3 euen in things pertaining vnto God Wherefore 4 thinges ordained by them as necessarie vnto saluation haue neither strength nor auctoritie vnlesse it maie be declared that theie be taken out of holie Scripture The Propositions 1 General Councels must be gathered together by the commaundement and wil of Princes 2 General Councels maie erre 3 General Councels haue erred euen in great matters of Religion 4 The things ordained by general Councels are so far to be embraced and beleeued as theie are consonant to Gods holie word 1 Great is the povver and auctoitiâ— of Kinges and Princes by the word of God For as the defence of Religion is committed vnto theÌ„ so must they see that al men do their duties That theis thinges maie the better be performed they are as iust occasion is offered not as men vnder the power of others to summon but as supreme gouernors within their territories and dominions to commaund al sortes of men to meete together and that either to th'inplanting of the truth where it is not or to the supprescing of sin errors idolatrie and superstition where or in whom soeuer it doth arise or is rooted Such Councels were holden In the time of the Mosaical gouernment by the commaundement of the most godlie Kinges Asa. 2. Chro. 15 9. c. Ezekiah 2. Chr. 29. 4 c. Iosiah 1. Chro. 34. 29. c. Since the Gospel hath bine receaued into Kingdomes and common-weales by Christian Princes and Emperors who gathered Councels General so called was the Councel of Nice by Constantinus Magnus Constantinople by Theodosius the elder Ephesus by Theodosius the yonger Calcedon by Marcian National and prouincial such for al were held at By the wil of Charles the Great Francoâ—urt Rhems Turon Cabilon Arelot Moguntia Auernia by Theodorit Matiscon by Gnutranus By â—hil debert Aurelia Paris And neuer yet hath there bine à councel either general or national either publique or priuate I onlie except the Councels held by the holie Apostles in à troblesome state time of the church when as yet ther were no
can bee read in the worde of God nor yet were heard of in the primitiue Church lib. 4. dist 24. VVhere maie it bee found that th' office of a Deacon is to read the Gospel VVhere is the minister of the word Sacraments of the nevv Testament called priest in the popish sense VVhere is it appointed to the ministers of the nevv TestameÌ„t onlie to minister the SacrameÌ„ts or to minister mo than two baptisme and the L. Supper Or if there bee mo than two as there be not by what Scripture maie they not minister al of them but must onlie minister Sacraments that is certaine Sacraments By what one place haue priests auctoritie to offer sacrifice and that for the quicke dead also VVhere with-out extreme sacriledge can theie shew that our S. Christ was a Porter an Exorcist c. and not alwaies à King à Prophet and a Priest 8 Marriage is à state of life holie and honorable among al men Heb 1â— 4 â—o forbid the same sâ—uoureth of an eâ—â—onâ—ous spirite and is the doctrin of diuels 1. Tim. 4 1. c. Howbeit to saie that Marriage is à Sacrament instituted and that by christ as the papists doe we cannot be induced that for sundrie reasons of importaunce For Marriage oâ— the wedded state VVas neuer commanded to bee taken for à Sacrament As á Sacrament should Baptism the L Supper haue Hath none outwarde element Hath no prescribed forme Hath no promise of saluation or damnation Maie bee entered into or not at our discretioÌ„ but it is not at our chois to be pertakers or not to participate of the Sacraments iâ— wee maie come by them Marriage was ordained by God himselfe in paradise but the Sacraments of the nevv Tes. were instituted by christ in the time of the Gospel It vvas no Sacrament to the Fathers before and in the time of the Lavve and therefore no Sacrament vâ—to vs. Herevnto in effecte subscribe the Churches of god elsewhere Conf. Heluet. 2. c. 19. 29. Heluet. 1 art 20 37 Basil. art 5. Bohem c. 9 France art 24. 35. Flan. art 33. Ausburg art 2. 5. 6. Saxon. art 12. 18. VVittemb c. 21. 26. Sueau cap. 12. 15. As of vs opposing our selues against the manifolde aduersaâ—ies of this trueth whereof Some haue too highlie conceiued of the wedded state as The Papistes sometime when theie wil haue it to be a Sacrament Certaine Vigilantian Bishopps that woulde take none into the Cleargie except they would be Married first Some haue too baselie and wikedly thought of Marriage And therefore some doe holde that it is not meete That anie man or woman should marrie such were The Gnostikes The Marâ—ionites The Tatians The Montanists The Manichies The Hieracites Th'aposto likes That anie shoulde twice marrie the husbande or wise being dead as The Catharans Origen Tertulian That some should marrie at al. namelie Such are the papists Such as haue taken Orders Spiritual kinsfolks Kinsfolks with in manie degrees That man who is lawfullie diuorced from an adulteresse 9 The Papists furthermore take Annoiling of the sick which theie cal Eâ—treme vnction for à Sacrament VVhereof as theie vvrite The matter is onelie hallowed by a Bishop vvherevvith the sicke is annoiled vpon th' eies eares mouth nose hands and feete The forme is the vvordes which the priest speaketh when he doth anoinâ— the sicke in the foresaid places as By this holie oile God forgiue thee thy sinnes which thou hast committed by thine eies nose eares and mouth by thine hands and by thy feete All the teach thee Angels Archangels Patriarchâ— Prophets Apostles Euangelists Martyrs Confessors Virgins VVidovves and Infants The Minister Is the Priest as some Papists do think vvho is To heare Confession To giue Absolution To minister the Sacrament of Th' altar To annoile If anie Christian as Papists in chiefest place do permit Th' effect is to purge and put-awaie Venial sinnes committed by mispending of our senses Sinnes forgotteâ— In this Antichristian doctrine manie errors do concur For to omit in silence how nothing which the Papists deliuer concerning extreme vnction can bee found in the hohe Scriptures as neither the matter nor the maner nor the Minister nor anie institution at al from Christ nor anie commaundement that either al which are sicke or in al ages to the worlds end some sicke persons should be annoiled In respect of the matter the Papists make of à grosse element à spiritual ointment whereas there is none ointment spiritual but the holie Ghost In respect of the forme The onelie propitiator and Mediator betweene God and man Christ Iesus is blasphâ—med and the merit and power of his death ascribed to greasie oile Christ is not acknoledged for the onelie Sauiour of mankind and physition of our soules but other physitions be receiued besides him In respect of the Minister It appeareth that man hath power to forgiue sinnes which belongeth vnto God alone Other men yea women besides the ordinarie Ministers of the vvord maie be ministers of the Sacraments In respect of th' effect we maie gather that Al sinnes be not mortal Christ hath not cleansed such as be his from al their sinnes by his precious blood 10 In the worde of God the right vse of the SacrameÌ„ts and th' ends of their institution are euidentlie set downe For concerning Baptisme Christ he saith Teach al nations baptizing them c. Mat. 28 29. He that shal beleeue and be baptized shal be saued Maâ— 16 16. The Lord his Supper saith Our Sauiour Maâ— 26 v. 26 27. Of the bread Take eate c. Of the cup Drinke yee al of it S. Paul 1. Cor. 10 16. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the coÌ„munion of the blood of Christ The bread vvhich vvee breake is it not the coÌ„munion of the bodie of Christ This truth doe the Churches reformed by publike CoÌ„fession subscribe vnto Confes. Hel. 2. c. 20. 21. Helue 1. art 22. Bohem. câ—â— 12. 13. France ar 35. 38 Flan. art 34. 35. Ausb art 2. 9. Sax. art 13. 14. 15 VVitt. c. 10. 19. Sueau cap. 13. 18. Therfore greatlie do theie sinne VVho wil not vse the Sacraments at al but contemne them as The Libertines Th'euchites The Schuenkfildians VVho abuse the Sacrament Of Baptisme as they do VVhich thinke that No children as Th'anabaptists No married folks as the Marcionits None that are sicke as Chrys. VVhich hold that things without life euen Dead bels as the Papists Dead bodies of meÌ„ as the Calaphrygians Are to be baptized The liuing are to be baptized for the dead as the Marcionites Of the Lords Supper par tlie By thrusting it into the mouthes of dead men as did some condemned long ago by à Councel at Carthage Such are the Papists By strawing the Sacrament vpon graues and tombes By vsing it magicallie as a salue against bodilie sicknesse adueâ—sitie c. By carieng it about pompouslie supersticiouslie to be adored of the beholders like an Idol