honor of all the Priests is taken away whilst it is madly arrogated by one to himself Chrysostome upon the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and Gregory the Great in the fourth Book of the Epistles from the Register Epistle 34. which is to Constantia Augusta do clearly also say the like 16ly Against the Roman Churches infallibility AFter so many benefits they turned the Priviledges of Dignity into contempt Hierom upon the second c. of Jeremy thus inveheth against the Priests of Rome insomuch as the Priests of the Lord were idle so that the Doctors of the Law were ignorant of him which they ought to have taught to others and the Pastors through negligence became deceivers and the Prophets which disputed among the People did not speak to God but an Idol and Worshipped their own fiction And we might use these words against the Masters of our Order which devour the People of God Hierom concerning the seven Orders of the Church c. 5. as it is cited in the Cannon Law distinct 93. in the chap. of a Deacon which in order is the 23. c. And now by whom in the Churches as in the Romane Empire Covetousness hath increased the Law of the Priest and the Vision of the Prophet hath Perished Every one truly by the Power of an Episcopal name which they maintain to themselves unlawfully without the Church do bring back by force unto their own uses all which is of the Levites neither do they maintain to themselves that which is written but take away the whole from all At that same time in the City of Rome Eusebius in his fifth Book of his Ecclesiastick History chap. 20. they were greatly disturbed with divers novelties by the many Ecclesiastick rules of Tradition Hierom also to Evagrius the Bishop in the 85 Epistle in the second Tome and as it is cited in the Cannon Law in the same distinction abovesaid in the Chapter that is in order the Twenty fourth plainly saith the like 17ly Against Papal Dispensations THat is not able to stand Gratianus upon the Rubrick chap. 8. which is done against the Evangelical or Prophetical Doctrine or Constitution Neither shall any thing stand Pope Marcellinus in his second Epistle although it hath been acted by the Holy Fathers that is constituted against the Evangelical or Prophetical or Apostolical Doctrine It is not in the Power of the Pope Gerson of the Spiritual life of the Soul or of a Councel or of the Church to change the traditions given by the Evangelists and by Paul as certain Persons dote Urbanus the Pope as he is cited in the Cannon Law in the Twenty fifth cause plainly also saith the like 18ly Against Multitude of Ceremonies THis Hierome in his commentaries upon the 23d Chap. of Mat. Peter de Aliacp Cardinal Chamberlain of the Reformation concerning the reformation of the Church and Prelates even to this very day with us both at the little Gospels and to the word of the Cross and to things of this sort do the Superstitious Women practice who have indeed a zeal of God but not according to knowledge straining at a Gnat and swallowing a Camel It were to be taken care of that in Divine Service there were not such a burthensome length but that there should be observed a wished and innocent brevity John Gerson also in the third part of the works of the Spiritual life of the Soul in the second Lesson plainly saith the like 19ly Against an Obligation to a Single life either in Priest's or others ANdrightly hath Paul put that Theodoret up on the fourth chapter of the first Epistle to Timothy forbidding to Marry for he doth not dispraise continency and a single life but accuseth them which by a made Law do compel to follow the same Integrity of the Body is to be wished by you Ambrose in his Book of Exhortation to Virginity as it is cited in the Cannon Law caus 32. Qu. 2. in the c. concerning integrity which is in number the thirteenth The fifth Cannon of the Apostles which I for counsel perswade nor for Empire command for Virginity is alone which may be perswaded but not commanded a thing rather to be wished then to be enjoyned A Bishop or a Priest or Deacon shall not under the pretence of Religion put away his proper Wife and if he reject her let him be Excommunicated but if he so persevere let him be cast out That in his time very many Priests were Married Hierome in his first Tome of Epistles and first Book against Jovinian pag 33. testifieth and that a Bishop is described by the Apostle to be the Husband of one Wife having his Children with all Chastity It is neither proved by reason or Authority that absolutely speaking a Priest can sin by being Married Cardinal Cajetan in opuse Tit. 1. Tract 27 And in the same place a little after he concludeth neither is an order in as much as it is an order nor an order in as much as it is holy an impediment to Matrimony The Priest-hood not to break off the contract of Matrimony whether it be before or after Ordination is secluded by all Laws standing only in those which we have from Christ and his Apostles Clement a Roman the Disciple of Peter the Apostle and as the Papists will have it his Successor in the Roman Bishoprick in his second Book of Apostolical constitutions chap. 2. describing of what sort a Bishop ought to be plainly also saith the like 20ly That the Holy Scriptures are the only Rule both of our Faith and Actions GOd Gave a Law to us Hierom upon the 8. chapter of Isaiah v. 20. and the Testimonies of the Scriptures which if you will not follow you will not have light but darkness will always oppress you As the night extinguisheth not the Stars of Heaven Pope Zepherinus in his first Epistle to the Bishops of Sicilia as it is cited in the Cannon Law Distinct 38. in the chapter Sicut which is in order the Eighth So Worldly iniquity obscureth not the Minds of the Faithful adhering to the Firmament of the Holy Scripture The Gentile saith Chrysostome upon the Acts of the Apostles Homil 33. I would be a Christian but I know not to what to adhere many quarrels are among you I know not what Opinion I may choose Every one saith I say true I know not who I may believe seeing that on all sides they pretend Scriptures I answer them this makes greatly for us For if we ought to say that we believe reasons thou art deservedly troubled But seeing we receive the Scriptures and that they are both simple and true it will be casie for thee to Judge If any one consenteth to these he is a Christian if any one be against them he is far from this Cannon There is not any other left for the Speeches of Men concerning
Prophet in Jeremy's time Jer. 26.20 an hundred years after Isaiah and the other eighty years after that in the days of Darius Zach. 1. 1. This Captivity also was not only foretold by Jeremy but first The particular time how long the same should endure 2dly The Destruction of Babylon And 3dly The returning home of the Jews again Jer. 25.9 10 11 12 13 14. all which was fulfilled accordingly Ezr. 1. Neh. 3. And to these I might also add divers other things all which being prophesied when there was not any likelihood at all thereof are a certain Proof that these Prophets and others might be here mentioned were of God and their Writings were writ by Divine Inspiration which is a manifest Demonstration of the Excellency of their Writings and of the truth and certainty of what therein is contained Secondly the Second Reason he shewed me which greatly convinced me was that many of the chiefest and strangest things contained in the Scriptures were affirmed by the Heathens themselves who though they differ something from the Scriptures in the manner of their Narration yet do they thereby make the more for the approbation of the things there mentioned in regard that thereby it appears they took not their Histories directly from the Bible but Tradition and antient Antiquities of their own for Confirmation whereof first he shewed me certain Writings of divers Heathenish Philosophers who spake therein of the Worlds Creation and the infusion of mans Soul from God 2. The Writings of Berosus Abidenus Chaldaeus Damascenus Egyptius Nicholaus and other most Antient Heathens who mentioned the flood of Noah 3. Of Hesiodus Abdenda Hecataeus Ephotus Accusilaus and Helanicus which testifyed that the first Inhabitants of the World lived commonly a thousand years apiece which they said was for Peoples Multiplication and the bringing of all Sciences to Perfection 4. Of Abid nus Hestiaeus and Sibylla who spake of the confusion of Tongues at the building of the Tower of Babel 5. Of Eupolemus who speaketh of Abrahams being in Egypt of his fight and victory in the behalf of Lot of his Entertainment by Melchisedech of his wife and Sister Sara and of the Sacrifice of his Son Isaac 6. Of Pausaneus Strabo Tacitus and Solinus wherein is made mention of the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah called the Dead Sea wherein nothing can live 7. Of Artabanus and Phylon who have writ many things concurring with the History of Moses concerning Isaac Jacob and Joseph 8. Of Aristaeus who hath written the History of Job 9. Of Eupolemus who declares the wonderful things done by Moses in Egypt for which he saith he was worshipped as a God in that Country called by the name of Mercurius And thus he went on from one to another until he had proved the Truth of the whole Historical Part of the Old Testament by Heathenish Authors This did exceedingly confirm me in the Truth of the Old Testament but I desired to know what this was to Christ and Christianity He then shewed me first how that Christ from time to time had been promised to the World as in Gen. 3.15 Gen 26.4 Gen 49.10 Deut. 18.15 Psal 89. Jer. 33.14 Esai 11.1 Mic. 5.2 Secondly the remarkable things which happened as concerning him which we adore for Christ to wit ifirst that he was born of a Virgin 2. That he was born at Bethlehem 3. That at his Birth all the Infants near Bethlehem were slain 4. That that the wise men of the East came and adored him and offered him Gifts and Presents 5. That he was presented in the Temple 6. That he fled into Egypt and afterward was recalled thence 7. That a Messenger went before him to prepare the way for him 8. That he did wonderful Miracles and healed all Diseases 9. That he was betrayed by a familiar friend his Companion 10. That he was sold for thirty Pieces of Silver 11. That with those Thirty Pieces of Silver was bought the Potters Field 12. That he rid upon an Asse to Jerusalem 13. That the Jews did beat and buffet him and defile his face with spittle 14. That they whipped and tore his Body before they Crucified him 15. That they gave him Vinegar to drink divided his Garments among them and cast Lots for his Vesture 16. That he was Crucified in the Company of Theeves and Malefactors 17. That he was refused and rejected by the Jews 18. That until his coming the Scepter was not taken from Judah 19. That from the building of the Second Temple unto the time of his Death were Sixty two Hebdomada's 20. That he was crucifyed by the Inhabitants in and about Jerusalem And 21. That immediately after his Passion the second Temple was destroyed All which he told me unless the first and I knew it to be true were acknowledged even by the Jews themselves and that also was acknowledged by the Turks But then in the next place I desired to know of him how these proved that he whom we adored for Christ was the true Messias He answered that they proved it as plainly as might be for all the things before mentioned had been long before prophesied of in the Old Testament viz. 1. That he should be born of a Virgin Esai 7.14 2. That he should be born in Bethlehem Mic. 5.2 3. That at his Birth all the Infants near Bethlehem should be slain Jer. 31.15 4. That the Kings of the East which St. Cyprian by an Old Tradition of the Church affirmeth in his Sermon of Baptism were the Three wisemen should come and adore him and offer him gifts and Presents Psal 72.10 5. That he should be presented in the Temple Mal. 3.1 6. That he should fly into Egypt and afterward be recalled thence Isai 19.1 Hos 11.1 7. That a Messenger should go before him to prepare the way for him Mal. 3.1 8. That he should do wonderful Miracles and heal all Diseases Isa 35.5 9. That he should be betrayed by a familiar friend his Companion Psa 41.9 Ps 55.13 14. 10. That he should be sold for thirty pieces of Silver Zac. 11.12 13. 11. That with those thirty pieces of Silver should be bought the Potters field Zac. 11.12 13. that he should ride upon an Ass to Jerusalem Zac. 9.9 13. That the Jews should beat and buffet him and defile his face with Spittle Isai 50.6 14. That they should whip and tear his body before they crucifyed him Isa 53.2.7 15. That they should give him Vinegar to drink divide his garments among them and cast Lots for his Vesture Ps 69.21 Ps 22.18 16. That he should be crucifyed in Company with Thieves and Malefactors Isa 53.12 17. That he should be refused and rejected by the Jews Psal 118.22 Isai 6.9 18. That until his coming the Scepter should not be taken from Judah Gen. 49.10 19. That from the building of the second Temple until the time of his Death should be sixty two Hebdomada's Dan. 9.25 26. 20. That he should be crucifyed by the
to Protestants to whom I was altogether unknown I might be hardly looked upon and perhaps too when I came dislike their Practice changing my resolution I resolved to continue in the Church of Rome From Naples therefore crossing the Countrey to Barlet and so taking Ship for Venetia and from thence going to Birgamo getting some Letters of Recommendation to the Bishop there he preferred me into a Cannos Place and made me a Deacon And now I gave my self seriously to the study of the Holy Scriptures in which I had before made a considerable Progress wheresoever I found they did not agree with the Faith Practice of the Roman Church I noted them down in a little Book All which I found afterward did agree with what I had before observed in the Fathers And revealing the same to my Ghostly Father in Confession hoping thereby to receive satisfaction he gave me such weak and absurd Answers that I thereby became the farther dissatisfied And now I again lamenting my hard Fate that it was my Lot to have been brought up in the Church of Rome had a great desire to see the Practice of some Protestant Church and therefore pretending a Journey to Lyons in France to see a Kinsman who was lately arrived there from Ireland furnishing my self with what Money and other necessaries I could for my Journey I went for Geneva purposely to see the practice and discourse with them of the Geneva Church And to the end I might do it the more securely I again put my self into a Secular Habit in which appearing at Geneva and being an English Man the Clergy there never mistrusted but that I was a Protestant and I being not fully resolved what to do told them no other but that I having been and then being much among Papists they continually pressed upon me to be of their Church And relating to them the several Arguments of the Church of Rome which at any time before had served me to retain me therein I desired their Instructions how I might so answer them as to defend my self against them The first thing I desired of them to make me capable thus to answer was the Popes Infallibility and lest that should not do 2dly The Infallibility of the Roman Church 3dly The Authority the Roman Church pretends to have over the Scriptures in Abolishing and making void part thereof at Her Pleasure And 4thly Her practising many things which were never mentioned in the Holy Scripture for which She pretends Tradition All which several of them answered so rationally rationally learnedly and discreetly that I was exceeding well satisfied therewith and returning them innumerable thanks I desired also to know of them what was the difference betwixt their own Church and the Church of England They answered me the difference betwixt Them and the Church of England was very little The greatest matter they said was only Episcopacy and certain Ceremonies This made me whilst I stayed there which was for the space of a week or such a matter seriously reflect with my self what to do And considering that their Service consisted most in Preaching of which I was there very uncapable in regard of my deficiency for the same in the French Tongue I resolved for England not doubting but I might do God as good Service there since the difference was so small betwixt them as here at Geneva the which I should immediately be capable of in regard of my English Tongue I was no sooner setting out from thence towards Paris designing for England but hearing I was near the Armies and that in my direct way to Paris I must upon necessity pass them which would be very dangerous I was forced to retire to Lyons where I was much further from Paris then I was at Geneva Being at Lyons having not sufficiently left for my charge into England my stock of moneys growing very low I again began to alter my resolution or at leastwise determined for a time till I was in a condition for my Journey to continue in the Church of Rome hoping Almighty God might accept of what I there did since thus constrained thereunto and so putting my self again into a Clerks Habit I hoped e're long to get an Employ I had been there but a short time but Mr. Chapman an English Gentleman of Avinion and Monsieur Fargue a French Man a Person of very good Quality recommended me to the Arch-Bishop the Arch-Bishop was pleased upon their recommendation to give me a Living and to the end I might be the better qualified for the same made me Priest I now began to be in care how to defray the charges of my Institution and Induction and other present charge and expences And writing to a Friend at Birgamo acqainting him that I had a Grant of a good Living in France but wanting Money for my Institution Induction and other Necessaries was willing upon reasonable Terms to resign my Canons Place there and therefore desiring him to help me to some Man that might take it of me I had not expected long but I received his Answer in which he acquainted me that if I would apply to one Monsieur Petite who was a Shopkeeper in Lyons he had received order to agree with me for it And coming to the said Monsieur Petite he gave me Twenty Lewie Dores for my Resignation And now I was in greater care than ever sometimes I thought to leave my present hopes and to go for England sometimes again fearing that if I were there I might have some dislike or at least should be altogether a stranger and hearing that there was little or no Provision for Men who had commonly done thus but that divers who had turned to the Chruch of England had been forced to turn from it again meerly for a bare subsistance whereupon to live I was quite off it but at length considering the Celebration of Mass was the dayly and in a manner only Practice of the Roman Clergy I betook my self seriously to read over the Mass-Book verily believing that if my Conscience could but dispense with that as for my Belief I might the better dissemble it When I thus seriously read over the Mass-Book I found first that some things therein were false as the Introibo ad Altare Dei for their Altar is not the Altar of God but a meer Fiction of Men. And the First and Ninth Part of the Canon which say the Priest Kneeleth when he Kneeleth not as also the Satiasti Domine familiam tuam c. wherein the Priest giveth us to understand that the People have nothing at all 2dly That othersome were foolish as the Memento for the Dead wherein is prayed that God would remember such as are gone before with the Sign of Faith and sleep in the sleep of Peace to grant them a place of comfort of light and peace And the Amen said after the Secrets adjoyned with the Per omnia Secula Seculorum's for how can the People say Amen