to true Councels Can an ordinarie man then iudge of these things And if he cannot let him not be deceiued by pretence of them II. Touching the ancient Fathers this they must know that they are found to be of differing opinions and had contentions among themselues that they held not their owne iudgements infallible nor submitted to one another otherwise then men godly and learned doe now but onely as by good reason and authoritie they were ouercome that they haue erred and this is acknowledged by most learned men on both sides that our aduersaries of the greatest note do often shake off their authoritie when they are against them that of the Fathers writings some are doubted of some are corrupted and many counterfeites are put out vnder their names that the iudgement of all the Fathers cannot be had for all our controuersies These things being so how idle is it then for ordinarie men to be talking of Fathers of the opinion of all the Fathers or for any such men to be carried away with such a sound which is not possible for them to vnderstand seeing our aduersaries alleage them for their selues and we more truly for our selues III. Concerning the Churches custome and path in euerie age let them consider that this is very vncertaine Historians haue not alwaies in euery relation bin found faithfull that euerie Age hath not had in it such as haue truly written of the Church that a man may spend his whole life in seeking out the whole Churches course and yet not be able to find it out I suppose I erre not if I say that all men now liuing cannot do it exactly in euery Age. And therefore it s but a gulling flourish of our aduersaries to boast of the whole Church in euery Age and yet withall so boasting fraudulently to meane their owne particular Romane Church By alleaging then these arguments to wit Councels Fathers and the generall custome of the whole Church the conscience of an ordinarie Christian cannot bee throughly satisfied his knowledge cannot herein bee certaine to conuince his iudgement these are beyond his reach and capacitie Be aduised therefore not to be drawne with these reasons which are to thee so vncertaine but rest vpon the other which be plaine and easie within thy capacitie and certaine vnto thee by which thou mayst through Gods helpe maintaine that which thou professest and confute the aduersaries vntruths or at least gather thence such strength as they shall not easily draw thee to beleeue them as for instance in some particulars I wil shew thee They say that the Pope is the head of the Catholike Church There is no plaine Scripture for this We find Iesus Christ to be called the Head of the Church but no other It s no Article of our Creed therefore thou art not bound to beleeue it But I adde this that what we beleeue is inuisible Heb. 11.1 and not seene 2. Cor. 5.7 If therefore the Pope be the Head there must be a visible head of an inuisible body Againe the head immediately giues life motion and direction to its true body which the Pope cannot doe to Christs Church It s also vnreasonable to thinke two heads to bee for one body whether one besides another or one vnder another it is a monstrousity Common experience testifieth against the Popes inabilitie to performe the true office of the true Head to Gods Church They say that he cannot erre Let it be taken in the best sense they can conceiue it there is no plaine Scripture which giueth this to any one particular person It s no Article of our Creed to beleeue it experience hath found him to haue erred foully They say that after the words of consecration the bread is turned into the very body of Christ and the wine into his bloud so as Iesus Christ is there corporally as he was borne of the Virgin Marie vnder the accidents of bread and wine In holy Scripture there is no such thing taught there is a sacramentall phrase This is my Body and the like vsed in the Sacraments of the old Testament This is my Couenant Gen. 17.10 This is the Lords Passeouer Exo. 12.11 The Rocke was Christ 1. Cor. 10.4 but yet no turning one substance into another The Creed teacheth vs to belieue him to be in heauen and thence to expect his comming when hee shall appeare to iudge the quicke and the dead This transubstantiation therefore is no part of our Faith It s against reason for a true body and continued quantitie to be in two places yea in a thousand mouthes at once The Angels reason vnto Marie Mat. 28.6 confuteth this grosse opinion for he said to her when she with the other Marie came to seeke Christ He is not here for hee is risen that is He is not in this place because he is else-where in another If Christ could haue been in two places at once the Angels argument had been of no force remember that this is an Angell-reason which know wee how to reason truly This opinion is against our sences we see not feele not nor taste not flesh and blood Now God neuer deluded mans sences whensoeuer he turned one substance into another Moses staffe was made a Serpent dust was Lice the water blood and water was wine and all these sensible No Scripture nor any other approued testimony can be produced to shew vndoubtedly the contrarie Yea this is certaine that the true body of Christ is discernable by sense to be a true bodie wheresoeuer it is therefore when the Disciples doubted at his sudden appearing he said It is I my selfe And to proue this he willeth them to vse their senses saying Handle me and see that so they might discerne his true body flesh and bones and so might it be in the Sacrament if indeed and truth he were there corporally It hath been witnessed against by the blood or many Martyrs but where be so many in defence of our aduersaries grosse opinion Which of them haue euer hitherto or dare to suffer for this their opinion as ours haue done against it This opinion of our aduersaries is to be detested for first the falshood thereof secondly for the grosse idolatry committed through it euen a piece of bread adored for Almightie Iesus Christ himselfe Thirdly for the bloodie crueltie which for the vpholding of it hath been done with furious rage vpon the bodies of Gods Saints because they would not beleeue this false doctrine nor commit this abominable idolatrie Fourthly all such as thus beleeue sinne not only in the act damnably for Idolaters perish euerlastingly Reuel 21.8 but also irrepentantly because they be perswaded that in so beleeuing and worshipping they doe not onely not sin but doe a most excellent worke and meritorious seruice to God They teach that there is a Purgatorie a place of torment In holy Scriptures we find plainely Heauen Earth Hell Sea but no
plaine name of Purgatorie nor Limbus Patrum nor Limbus Infantium In the Decalogue we find Heauen Earth and Waters vnder the Earth and in the Lords Prayer Heauen and Earth in the Creed Heauen Earth and Hell but none of the other deuised and faigned places This Purgatory for satisfaction is against common equity for they say the sinne is pardoned by Christ and can then in equity the partie be punished A Creditor forgiues freely to a man all his debt can he then with equitie after lay him in Gaole to make any satisfaction for the same They say that Images may be set vp to be adored The Scriptures are plaine against them Deut. 4.15 19. Esay 40.18 Act. 17.20 Rom. 1.23 The second Commandement in the Decalogue forbids them which our aduersaries bid from the people in their vulgar Catechismes Our corrupt nature is apt to these things and therefore the lesse to be liked of They teach to pray vnto the Virgin Marie to Saints and Angels The Scriptures afford no precept for this nor any euident example prayers there are taught to be made vnto God Angels are not to be worshipped Col. 2.18 Reuel 19.10 22.9 The Lords Prayer the perfect rule of prayer teacheth vs to pray to God our Father in Heauen whensoeuer we pray now can wee say to the Virgin Marie to Saint or Angell Our Father which art in Heauen Can we pray to any of them and say Thy Name be hallowed thy Kingdome come thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Can we pray any one of them to giue vs daily bread to forgiue vs our sinnes to deliuer vs from euill Can we ascribe to any one of them and say Thine is Kingdome power and glory for euer Yet this prayer warrants vs that to whom in Heauen we may pray to him may we say all this but if not to the Virgin Marie not to Saint nor Angell then may wee not pray to them by any warrant of this prayer Our Creed teacheth vs to beleeue in none but God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost Now the Scripture plainely telleth vs that wee cannot pray to any but in whom we beleeue Rom. 10.14 Therefore then not to the Virgin Marie nor to Saint nor Angell because we are not to beleeue in them They tell thee that thou must beleeue the Romane-Catholik Church and to be also a member thereof else thou canst not be saued The Scriptures tell vs plainely that God added to the Church such as should be saued Acts 2.47 but not a word there of the Romane Church In our Creed we are taught to beleeue the Catholike Church and that we be members of it but to bee of any Romane Catholike Church is no Article of our Creed Besides the speech is absurd and it is against reason to call a particular Church the generall or the generall a particular as the Church of Rome in the best estate of it neuer was other And can the obiect of faith be the obiect of sight as it is the obiect of faith Now we beleeue the Catholike Church but the Papists tell vs that their Church is euer visible to the eye This also which they say is against common charitie for must all out of the Church of Rome be without hope of saluation In the planting of the Gospell there was a Church at Ierusalem before any at Rome and many Churches planted by Saint Paul which neuer had dependance vpon the Church of Rome many Churches in the East and other parts of the World which are not within the Romane iurisdiction nor doe acknowledge it must needs all these be without saluation because the Romane Pope is not domineering ouer them Now God forbid They will tell thee that thou must be able to shew thy Church and the professors therof in euery age else thou art not of the true Church But the holy Scriptures neuer bound any to such a taske neither Christ nor his Apostles in all the new Testament euer charged any Christian Church much lesse any beleeuer with this It is an Article of thy Faith to beleeue that there is a Church of God here and there dispersed abroad in the world This is a man bound to beleeue but not that euery one or any other for him should be able to make a Catalogue of all that went before in the same profession in euery Age. One ignorant of this may yet be of the true Church neither shal the ignorance thereof damne him They will tell thee that there are some sinnes in Nature veniall in themselues not deseruing eternall death The Scripture teacheth otherwise Rom. 6.23 The wages of sinne is death no exception of any at all Yea the consent of sinne is worthy of death Rom. 1.23 In the Lords Prayer when we craue pardon of our trespasses without exception wee thereby acknowledge that euery kind of trespasse offendeth God standeth need of forgiuenesse and therefore what else would follow if he did not forgiue it but death This false distinction giueth libertie to our corrupt nature to sinne as experience tels euery of vs euen in our aduersaries wallowing licenciously in their supposed veniall sinnes It may seeme vnreasonable if there be sinnes veniall in their owne nature that such a horrible scorching fire as they make that in Purgatorie to bee should bee prepared to plague soules for the same The greatest torments in the world as they say are not comparable to the torments there How can it then be possibly imagined that veniall sinnes which as they say doe not breake friendship with God should be so terribly punished by way of satisfaction and yet God remaine to him who is so punished a sure friend They teach that a man hath power to doe Gods will and to auoide euill and not be ouercome thereof if he will The Scriptures tell vs that it is God that workes the will and the deed Phil. 2.13 and maketh all our sufficiencie to be of him 2. Cor. 3.5 In the Lords Prayer wee are taught to beg of God abilitie to doe his will and his grace to deliuer vs from euill vnder will is comprehended all good and vnder euill is contained whatsoeuer is sinfull so as it s not in vs to doe good nor to auoyde euill but both is Gods worke in vs. Euery man feeleth this inabilitie in himselfe by experience yea these also which doe maintaine this power in man if they would confesse it And why are they not all most holy if they haue this power Their damnation is more iust when they sinne in any measure then such as want this power though they fall by infirmitie into greater sinnes They teach that a man may fulfill the whole Law and so merit The Scripture teacheth otherwise Luke 17.10 Eccles 7.20 Prou. 20.9 Psal 130.3 Iob 9.20 1. Ioh. 1.8 Iam. 3.2 In the Lords Prayer we aske all of vs forgiuenesse In the Creed wee are taught not to dreame here of
TO THAT QVESTION SO often and so insultingly proposed by our Aduersaries asking vs Where this our Religion was before Luthers time IT is a common question and often propounded by Papists in an insulting manner ouer vs Where our Religion was before Luthers time As though wee could not answere to the demand nor fetch our Religion from any more ancient or better Author but they are deceiued in both And that I may not be tedious in prefacing I answer I. It was and is written and contained in the holy Scriptures the Canonicall Books of the old and new Testament II. The same hath been and is written in the hearts of Gods people such as the Lord from time to time effectually hath called according to euerie mans measure as they haue bin taught it and learned it out of those books of holy Scripture For this must we know that no other doctrine of Christian Religion was or is written in mens hearts by Gods Spirit then that which the same Spirit inspired the Pen-men of the Scriptures to write in those Bookes The necessarie truths of doctrine therein contained as God had promised hath he written in the hearts of his people Ier. 31.33 34. 2. Cor. 3.3 And for these ends that they might know God and know him to be their God and they his people Ier. 31.33 34. that they might make profession thereof and obediently set themselues to the practice of that his blessed will Ezech. 11.19 20. 36.26 27. III. That it was also written in learned mens labours agreeing with those holy Bookes as they found the truth therein taught vnto them by the Prophets and Apostles So as the doctrine of our Religion is no other then that which the Scriptures doe teach the Church and true People of God haue beleeued and professed nor no other then that which is to be found in the writings of y e holy ancient Fathers and of learned men before euer Luther was borne That our Religion was thus before Luthers time I proue by these ensuing reasons I. Argument From holy Scriptures wherein our Religion is written and taught in euery point THat Religion which is in all and euerie point thereof written and prescribed in holy Scriptures the Canonical books of the old and new Testament was before Luthers time For the Scriptures were written many hundred yeeres before Luther was in beeing and the Pen-men thereof had a care to practise the same But this our present Religion in all and euerie point thereof wherein we differ from our Aduersaries is written and prescribed in the holy Scriptures the Canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament as is in euery particular point prooued exactly by those of our side And therefore was it before Luthers time The Minor I thus prooue I. By the publike Records of our Church here at home as the publike authorized Catechisme shorter and larger by the booke of Homilies by the book of Articles and our booke of Common-prayer Out of which wherein soeuer we differ from our Aduersaries nothing is found besides as wanting warrant of Scripture much lesse any thing contrarie thereunto but euery thing grounded vpon and fully agreeing with the same II. By Gods Spirit the Author of the Scriptures which doth further our Religion in the hearts of the people through the reading and interpreting thereof which the Spirit of God would not doe if our Religion were not that which the Scriptures teach For would the Author of the one approue of the other if they were not both one If hee should further a Religion contrarie to the Scripture hee should be contrary to himselfe allowing and making good that in mens hearts by inward operation which he hath disallowed by the Scriptures which are of his diuine inspiration It is euident to all that are read in the Scriptures that they condemne all Heathenish al Heretical and Idolatrous Religion likewise all will-worship all vaine inuentions of men the seruing of God by humane traditions by the precepts and doctrines of men so as if our Religion were any such Gods Spirit would not grace it nor so knit mens harts vnto it nor so effectually worke by it in mens consciences nor so perswade vnto it as he daily doth by the Scriptures If they shall denie that Gods Spirit doth any such thing as we suppose I would faine know of them what other spirit it possibly may be that doth so leade men to esteeme so much the Scriptures doth excite men to the studie of them and to make them the onely rule of doctrine and life to heare belieue rest and delight in them and so to worship God onely as herein he requireth to be worshipped and to reiect whatsoeuer is not warranted by them in euery necessarie point of faith And that onely vpon this perswasion that the Scriptures are Gods word that they are endited by his Spirit and written by his holy Prophets and Apostles If this be not the Spirit of God which doth thus magnifie the holy Scriptures in the heart of euery sound Christian what spirit then is it Certainely it must bee either the Spirit of God or of Man or of the Deuill But neither of these two latter therefore the former I. It is not the spirit of man that can and doth thus worke for first the spirit of man perceiueth not the things of God till Gods Spirit acquaint him with them Secondly they be foolishnesse vnto him Thirdly his wisdome is enmitie with God so as Gods wisdome in diuine mysteries and mans wisdome can neuer agree in one Fourthly the spirit of man sauoureth the things of the flesh and not of the Spirit of God Fifthly his heart is continually euil till he be regenerate Sixthly and lastly it is euidently knowne by too much miserable experience that man loueth not the studie of the Scriptures he cannot delight in them hee cannot away to frame his life after them euery one that hath any sparke of diuine knowledge knoweth this to bee true from his owne naturall corruption both in himselfe and others also Now can any reasonable-minded man thinke that such an auerse spirit as is in man so disaffecting the holy Scriptures and the studie thereof that it can be that Spirit which perswadeth and draweth men contrary to it corrupt selfe to embrace that Religion which is grounded vpon the Scriptures and to presse to the obedience thereof Yea can it bee mans spirit that worketh loue to such a Religion which so opposeth mans corruption as the worldly wise Politician derideth it the pleasurable man hateth it the greedy of gaine cannot abide to bee ruled by it and the haughtie spirit which hunteth after the pride of life hath it in great contempt so as none in very deed but onely such as doe denie themselues doe forsake the world and can bee well contented to take vp their crosse and follow Christ either can or will embrace the same II. It is not the spirit of Satan For although hee
imperfect contrary to Psal 19.7 1. Tim. 3.16 17. That there is an vnwritten word called Traditions to be added thereunto contrary to Deut. 4.2 Reuel 21.8 Prou. 30.6 That the witnesse of the Church is greater then the witnesse of the Scriptures and to be beleeued before them contrary to 1. Ioh. 5.9 Ioh. 5.17 That the inuisible God may bee pictured contrary to Deut. 4.15 Acts 17.29 Esa 40.18 Rom. 1.23 That Images may be made to be worshipped contrary to Deut. 27.15 Exod. 20. and that they are for instruction contrary to Hab. 2.18 That prayers may be made to the Virgin Mary and to Saints departed contrary to Matth. 6.19 and contrary to the practice of the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles and holy men in Scripture That prayers made by number and often repetitions are pleasing vnto God as when people are taught to pray by number on Beades contrary to Matth. 6.7 That they may be vttered in an vnknowne tongue and also Gods publike seruice so said contrary to 1. Cor. 14.15 19. That therein a generall good intent is acceptable to God though the mind bee not endued with sound knowledge contrary to Prou. 19 2.n 1. Cor. 14.20 That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to be administred and receiued in one kind contrary to Matth. 26.27 1. Cor. 10.16 11.23 24 25. That Iesus Christ is corporally in the Bread transubstantiated contrary to Act. 3.21 And that it is very God contrary to Hos 8.6 That it is offered for a sacrifice propitiatory as if Christ once offering himselfe were not sufficient contrary to Heb. 10.10 14. That the Law may be fulfilled and a man iustified thereby before God contrary to Rom. 7.19 3.20 4.2 1. Cor. 4.4 Esa 46.6 That a man may merit by his works contrary to Tit. 3.5 Ephes 2.8 10. Rom. 6.23 Luk. 7.10 That a man may bee able to doe more then God requireth of him or that hee is tyed by dutie to doe contrary to Rom. 7.19 Luk. 17.10 Prou. 20.9 Eccles 7.20 Psal 130.3 That the Pope may dispense with Gods Law contrary to 1. Sam. 2.25 Rom. 8.33 34. Iob 9.33 34.29 That there are sinnes which yet are not prohibited by Gods Law contrary to 1. Ioh. 3.4 Ro. 4.15 7.8 3.20 That some sinnes are in themselues veniall which deserue not death contrary to Rom. 6.23 Iames. 1.15 Genes 2.17 That originall concupiscence is no sinne in the regenerate contrary to Rom. 7.19 Psalm 51. That the Virgin Mary was without sinne contrary to Iob 14.4 Eccles 7.2 20. Psal 130.3 Rom. 3.9 23. 1. Ioh. 1.7 8. Luk. 1.46 That Marriage is not honourable in all sorts of men as for instance not in the Clergie contrary to Hebr. 13.4 1. Cor. 7.9 1. Tim. 5.14 and contrary to the practice of the married Priests vnder the Law That married persons with consent may euer liue asunder to leade a Monasticall life contrary to 1. Cor. 7.2 That holinesse is to be put in the obseruation of dayes contrary to Col. 2.16 Of meates contrary to Rom. 14.14 1. Cor. 8.8 Matth. 15.20 1. Tim. 4.3 4. and so men lose thereby Christian liberty contrary to Gal. 5.1 That many who dye in the Lord not abiects from God yet rest not after death for a time contrary to Reuel 14.13 but make a temporall satisfaction in a place they call Purgatorie whose sinnes although heere pardoned yet goe not these soules immediately to heauen contrary to Luk. 23.43 where the good Thiefe is promised Paradise which is Heauen 2. Cor. 12.3 4. That the Popes power is kingly yea that he may vse the temporall Sword and depose Kings and dispose of their Kingdomes and be subiect to none contrary to Luke 22.25 26. Matth. 20.25 26. Rom. 13. 1. Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 That he which gets the Popes dispensation sinneth not in that he doth though the same be against Gods Law contrary to Matth. 5.19 Deut. 27.26 Ier. 11.3 Ioh. 3.4 That the Pope is Christs Vicar and yet may intermeddle with the earthly and temporall Kingdomes of this World contrary to Christs owne practice Luk. 12.14 the nature of his Kingdome Iohn 18.36 against the nature of such spirituall weapons and power which God gaue to his Apostles 2. Corint 10.4 5 6. Yea that the Pope may take vpon him as hee doth to haue to doe with those which are without to wit the Heathen to giue away their Kingdomes as he presumeth to doe with such as forsake him whom hee iudgeth to bee Heretikes contrary to 1. Cor. 5.12 13. That his Clergie are exempted from ciuill iurisdiction contrary to Christs commandement Matth. 22.21 to his practice Matth. 17.27 to Saint Peters teaching 1. Pet. 2.13 14. and to Saint Pauls Rom. 13.1 7. Tit. 3.1 It were infinite to particularize all the differences betweene our Religion and theirs wherin they are contrary to holy Scripture and contrary to the tenne Commandements the Creed the Lords Prayer and the two Sacraments Of which if any desire herein instances to be better satisfied let him reade Gabriel Powel who hath purposely set downe a multitude of particulars VI. And lastly if none of the Martyrs were Papists or as they please to call themselues Romane Catholiks then could they not bee their Martyrs for they which bee not such are not held to bee of their Romane Religion nor Church But none of these Martyrs were Papists or Romane Catholikes for they held not these many differences of theirs from vs by which a Papist becommeth a Papist or Romane Catholike and without which hee is not by them approoued to be such a one For let a man hold all other poynts of Christianity wholly and fully yet if he hold not that the Pope hath authority as Christs Vicar vpon earth that the Church of Rome is the Mother and Mistresse of all Churches that there are seuen Sacraments that the Sacrament may be receiued in one kind that the bread after consecration is transubstantiated and Christ there corporally vnder the formes of Bread and Wine and so to bee diuinely adored that seruice is to bee said euery where in Latine that Images are to bee set in Churches and to bee worshipped that Saints departed are to bee prayed vnto and their Reliques worshipped that there is a Purgatory for penall satisfaction after this life that our workes doe merit and that we are iustified by them before God that Ecclesiasticall persons may not marry that confession of sinnes is to be made secretly to a Priest in his eare and that hee hath power iudicially to absolue the confitents and impose penance vpon them for satisfaction for sinne vnto God These and such like articles newly coyned whosoeuer doth not hold is not iudged to be a Romane Catholike But none of these differences did these Martyrs hold much lesse euer suffered persecution for For not one of these articles of the Trent Conuenticle was held in the time of these sorts of Martyrs all of them suffering within the 600.
Aduersaries THat Religion which is to be found in the publike records of the Church of Rome and in the writings of learned men therein from the very first foundation of it vnto this day that was before Luthers time This I hope may passe for current But this our present Religion is such a religion and therfore before Luthers time The Minor if they deny is thus confirmed I. There are amongst them the holy Scriptures which they acknowledge to be the Word of God but by those Scriptures may all our Religion be proued and fully confirmed in any thing wherein we differ from our aduersaries And therefore this our Religion is to be found among them II. There is that which is called The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed which they professe the Articles whereof we hold and therein is contained the summe of our Faith III. There is the Lords Prayer the paterne of all true Prayers according to which onely we teach how to pray aright and thereafter doe frame our prayers IV. There is the Decalogue and ten Commandements which though defectiuely set downe in their Catechismes the second being left out yet are they wholly set downe in their Bibles which ten Commandements are the summe of our morall obedience and of our duties towards God and our neighbours V. They acknowledge the two Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords Supper both which we doe administer VI. There are common tenents of Christianitie which all Christian Churches haue euer held wherein we they doe fully agree VII There is their Seruice Booke wherein though many abominations are to be found yet in other things it iustifieth our Religion and Seruice As may appeare by comparing our Seruice Booke with it out of which ours was for the substance thereof taken Against which they cannot iustly take exception neither are they able to prooue by Gods Word by the ancient Councels and consent of the ancient Fathers any thing Idolatrous Heretical or any way vnlawfull wherein soeuer it differeth from theirs VIII There may also be found their accord in generall termes with vs in those things wherein for the particulars we and they bee at oddes and doe disagree as Master Perkins giueth instance in one and twenty particulars and the like may be done in many other points IX And lastly there is to be found all and euery point of our Religion particularly wherein wee differ from them which either wee affirme or they deny or we denie and they affrme and the same iustified by the writings of the learned amongst them For proofe hereof I referre the Reader to my Lord of Couentrie and Lichfield his Catholike appeale and Catholike Apologie first and second parts to my Lord of Meeth his booke de Chri. Eccles succes statu to Illyricus his Catalog Test Veritatis to Ioh. Ã Munster his Nobilis Discursus to Doct. Feild his fourth booke of the Church who proueth seuen and twenty particulars of our maine differences out of their owne Writers And if the writings of their learned men doe not iustifie our Religion I would know why they doe not suffer such writings to passe without purging For if such things were not for vs and against them they would not put out nor alter nor so indeed corrupt Authors or inhibite them to passe abroad as they doe which one act of theirs sheweth that our differences might bee prooued euen by their owne Writers if they might decide the controuersies betwixt vs and them Thus we see how our Religion is to be found amongst them not onely in the points wherein wee doe agree but euen in all our particular differences in which wee stand out against the preualent faction of that Church which alwaies hath ouer-borne the truth which by others of more sound iudgement in that Church hath been from time to time published and maintained And therefore this our now present Religion was before Luthers time V. Argument From the beginning of our Religion here before Austin the Monke came to this Iland THat Religion which was here in this Iland of Great Britaine before Austin the Monke came into it that was before Luthers time for this Monke came in many hundred of yeeres before Luther was borne But this our present Religion was here in this Iland of Great Britaine before Austin the Monke came into it Therefore was it before Luthers dayes The Minor I thus prooue I. The Christian Religion taught at Ierusalem by the Apostles and other Disciples of Christ was our Religion as by the first Argument is prooued from the Apostles writings But that same Christian Religion was here taught and that either by some Apostle as Simon Zelotes or some Disciple of Christ as Ioseph of Arimathea as some of our side haue prooued fully and our Aduersaries yeeld vs. Now if that which was taught at Ierusalem was ours then must it needs be ours which Simon Zelotes or Ioseph of Arimathea did here teach at the first planting of it being before Austins time for can any say that these brought from Ierusalem hither any other Religion then the Apostles deliuered there II. That same Religion first taught did continue here in succession from the Apostles dayes and was held at Austins comming as our aduersaries the Apologists do proue and doe take this also for an vndoubted truth that the Britaine 's of Wales receiued the faith of Christ by preaching of the Apostles and held that Faith at Austins comming Now the Faith taught by the Apostles being the same with ours as the holy Scriptures beare witnesse against all gaine-sayers it is cleare by the Apologists proofes and their owne acknowledgement of the continuance thereof from the very beginning that this our present Religion was here in this Iland of Great Britaine before Austins comming III. Here were many which suffered Martyrdome in Dioclesians reigne before Austines dayes but it is prooued before in the second Argument that all the Martyrs of Christ were of our Religion And therefore was that our Religion which was here before Austines time IV. Before Austines comming the Church of Christ here was not subiect to the Romish Church for first they kept not their Easter after the Romish fashion but as the Easterne Churches kept it whence our Religion came Now if they had been of the Romanists tutoring the fierie spirit of Victor who attempted to excommunicate the Easterne Churches would haue compelled the Britains to haue kept their Easter as hee did Secondly they administred Baptisme not after the ceremonious fashion of the Romanists Thirdly they refused to doe what Austin required neither would they acknowledge him their Archbishop though sent from Rome by the Bishop there Fourthly both the Britaines Scots and Irish Bishops so vtterly reiected the Romish Bishops as Bishop Daganus denied all communion with them yea and refused to eate bread with them in the same Inne so little regard had they then to the authoritie either of the Romish Church or
perfection or of merit but to beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes And in reading the Law truly vnderstood it doth cause a mans conscience euen in the best to acknowledge himselfe guiltie I might here goe thorow many other points which they teach to which from either plaine Scriptures or from the Catechisme or from these considerations thou maist make answere in thine owne defence But yet for all this though thou also hast gotten helpe to stand for thy selfe beware of Seducers run not easily into disputes with them but rather put them ouer to learned men to be answered It is not good for Eue for to fall into conference with the subtill Serpent Be bold vpon these grounds with ordinarie Papists if they will attempt to set vpon thee but consider thy abilitie presume not aboue thy measure continue in Gods Word and the Lord will vphold thee To whose blessed guide and Fatherly protection I commit thee Pray we all continually FINIS 1. Cor. 2.11 1. Cor. 2.14 Rom. 8.7 Verse 5. * Origen vpon Numb Tertul. de resur Carnis Epiphaen de Haeres lib. 1. cap. 23 24 38. Irae li. 1. cap. 23. Tertul. de praescript Aâ—bana orat 2. contra Arianos Ier. 36. 2. Thes 2. In the Popes Bull before the Catechisme of the Councell of Trent a De Eccles pa. 308. b Apol. Catho cap. 66. c Lib. de Antichrist c. 24. d In his second pillar of Pop. e Against Hart. cap. 8. diuis 4. pa. 567.568.569 572. f Ca. 1. vers 25. pa. 200 Lib. de Antichr cap. 6. to cap. 33. Lib. de eccles cont 2. quaest 5. pa. 300. 308. Obiect Answ Obiect Answ De continu statu Ecclesiae See Doct. Hall his peace of Rome In his Symphonia Cathol In his reformed Catholike Cambden in Brit. p 40.157 * Harison before Hollins Chron. Midleton in his Papistomastix pag 202. See the Protestants Apol. vnder Brerelys name Brerely his Appeale Trac 1. Sect. 2. pag. 69. Beda histor lib. 2. cap. 2. Beda lib. 2. ca. 4. Bish Vshers letter pag. 80.81.82.83 Galfridus Monumentisis Centur 6 p. 689. Beda lib. 3. Hist cap. 3.6 Ibi. c. 21.22.24 Bish Vsher in his late Epistle added to Sir Chr. Sybthorps booke Se Archb. Parker his booke de anti Brit. cap. 18. Se Bishop Morton his Catholike Appeale lib. 1. cap. 2. sect 8. pag. 11. Ibidem lib. 1. ca. 12. sec 1.2 See Catol Test veritat pag. 26. to 69. last edition 1608. See the Epist in the booke of the Lawes of the Saxon Kings in the Saxons language Also in Fox Acts and Monum fol. 69. For the authoritie of this Epistle I take it as they approue of it a witnesse good against themselues See for all these in Cat. Test verit lib. 6. p. 558. See for these Bish Mortons Catho Appeal l. 1. c. 2.3.4.4 Doct. Feild of the Church b. 5. cap. 34 Catol Test verit lib. 1. p. 93. See his Epistle before named Ier. 6.14 The Papist cannot make a true Catalogue from Christ of their present Religion What to demand of them and to presse them vnto What are the things which in their Catalogue from Christ they must proue those in the first Age to haue maintained Protestants are of the Catholike Church though no Romanists In Can. 3. de bapt Part. 1. Act. 9. cap 10. q. 8. What sorts are out of the Church Protestants no Heretikes In his booke of equiuocation Part. 1. Art 9. cap. 10. q. 1. Protestants hold no impious opinions condemned for heresie Protestants are not conuicted of obstinacie See the Historie of the Councell of Trent Protestants do not neglect the authority of the Catholike Church Protestants are no Schismatikes Eph. 3.20 Let them answer the books which prooue her the great Whore Babylon and the Pope Antichrist if any denie these things In summa part 2. cap. 39. de Schismate Reuel 18.4 See for these Catal. Test verit pa. 27. to 70. in the last Edition 2. Ch. 11.13 14 Protestants not excommunicate persons How a man must be qualified which wil continue in the truth Prou. 1. 2. Thes 2.10 11 12. Ioh. 7.17 Iam. 1.5 Luk. 11.13 By what helpes to oppose the aduersaries Plaine Scriptures Aug. l. 2. de doct Chr. cap. 6. Chrysost 3. hom in 2. Thes Lib. 4. de verbo Dei non scripto cap. 11. The parts of the Catechisme Nine considerations Obserue two things in the aduersaries dealing with thee Three things beyond ordinarie mens capacitie which they must take heed they be not deceiued by Ordinarie meâ— cannot iudge of Councels and why Not of the allegation of Fathers and why Not of the allegation of the Churches custome and why Against the Popes headship Against his vnerring spirit Against transubstantiation Exod. 4.3 7.10 20 21 24. 8.17 Ioh. 2.9 10. Luke 24.39 The euill of the doctrine of transubstantiation Against Purgatorie Against Images and their worship Against praying to Saints Matth. 6. Against the Romanists condemning all that are not of their Church Against their vrging as necesary to make a Catalogue of our professors in all Ages Against their error of veniall sinnes Against mans power to doe well Against their error of mans abilitie to fulfil the Law