Fathers then vsed for convincing of Heretickes to wit the holie Scriptures but also in these ancient Heretickes is seene the true picture of our new Romanistes who when they are in lyke-manner convinced by Scripture they fall out lyke-wyse into the accusation of the Scriptures that they are not rightlie translated by vs and are not of sufficient authoritie of themselues without the Churches declaration that they are also ambiguous and obscure and that the trueth in all poynts of Doctrine can not be had out of them without vnwritten Tradition bringing also for the mayntayning thereof this same place of Scripture adduced by these ancient Heretickes The same doeth Tertuâ—â—ian lykewyse testifie of the Heretickes in his tyme who would not graunt sayeth hee that the Apostles revealed all thinges to all men but some thinges they taught secretlie and to a few even as Bellarmine speaketh which were to bee preserved from age to age by vnwritten Tradition for which cause the Apostle sayeth to TIMOTHIE O Timothie keepe that which was committed to thee The Author also of that Booke de Vnitate Ecclesie thought to bee Waltram Bishop of Naâ—â—â—rg showeth that this â—aven spâ—ed most and prevayled in the Romane Church wâ—en the Papacie came to an hight in Hildibrandes tyme about the yeare 1072 by the monasticall sort of that age of whom hee beeing living in that same age sayeth That despysing these doctrines that are of GOD to wit in holie Scripture they affect other doctrines sayeth hee and bringeth in into the Church commandementes of humane institution And agayne hee showeth why they suffered not their Novices as they ought to exercise themselues diligentlie in Scripture to wit that their vnpolished myndes might bee fedde with the huskes of Devils which are sayeth hee the customes of the traditions of men And which thing was so farre contratie to the ancient custome vsed at first in Monasteries that their owne Duarenus testifieth they were nothing else but Seminaries of Divinitie wherein they studied sayeth hee diligentlie the Scriptures and out of which as out of a Seminarie these were chosen and taken out for vndergoing Ecclesiasticall charges who were amongst them of best lyfe and learning Whence it is lyke-wyse that venerable Beda testifieth that this was the exercyse of those who were in that Famous and Religious Monasterie of our Land called Colmekill to wit that they might onelie learne these Doctrines which were in the Propheticall Evangelicall and Apostolicall Scriptures sayeth hee Which thing is farre different from the Doctrine of the Romane Church now who teacheth that the Scripture is the least part of revealed trueth and the farre greater part of the Gospell is come to vs by vnwritten tradition as sayeth Hosiâ—s of which sort Petrus à Soto granteth these to bee to wit the sacrifice of the Masse invocation of Saynctes the Popes Supremacie Prayers for the Dead the fiue Sacramentes beside Baptisme and the LORD'S Supper Wherevnto their Canisius joyneth worshipping of Images and their Bishop Lâ—ndanâ—â— addeth Transubstantiation the Communion vnder one kynde Indulgences and Purgatorie so that by their owne confession the mayne bodie of Poperie is not built vpon the sure foundation of Propheticall and Apostolicke writ as on the Rocke but vpon the sandie and vnsure foundation of pretended vnwritten tradition CHAPT. IV. That these Doctrines of Fayth for which the Romanistes pretende onlie vnwritten tradition as their warrand are not onelie beside but also plainly contrarie to the written word by their own confession and so can not bee but the latter sowne Popple in the Lord's Field BELLARMINE in his fourth Booke of the Word of God professeth in the name of all Romanistes saying That such traditions as are repugnant to Scripture we never doe defende sayth hee seeing there-fore hee renounceth such and abdicateth them both from his profession and patrocinie Let VS inquyre concerning some poynts of Poperie by their owne confession whether they bee Babels babes or the brood of such a bastard birth And first wee know that publicke prayer and performing of divine worship in an vnknowne tongue to the People is a doctrine and practise of Poperie having no ground but vnwritten tradition But if it bee asked whether this bee agreeable to Scripture 1. COR. 14. or contrarie thereto their owne Cardinall Cajetane on that place will tell vs saying By this doctrine of S. Paull it is to bee helde that it is farre better for the edifying of the Church that publicke prayers which are vttered in the hearing of the people bee said in a language common and knowne both to the Clergie and people And agayne sayth their owne Benedictus Montanus altho the Apostle would haue prayers sayde in a language that is vnderstood yet notwithstanding it is to bee helde that the Church to wit of Rome for most just causes hath decreed and ordayned the contrarie Heere then wee see that the Romane Church can decree clean contrarie to the doctrine of the written Word Agayne wee know that the prohibition of people to reade the Scriptures is a doctrine and practise of Poperie having no warrand but the Churches tradition but if it bee asked whether this bee agreeable to Scripture or no and especiallie to COLOSS. 3. 16 their owne Bishop Espenceus will tell vs saying It is manifest by the doctrine of the Apostle to the Colossians 3. 4. and by the practise of the Church sayeth hee that of olde the vse of the Scriptures was permitted to the people Therefore sayeth the Iesuit Azorius wee confesse that in S. Ierome and Chrysostomes tymes the Laicke people were exercysed in reading of the Scriptures because they were written in these Languages which they did vnderstâ—d and so sayeth also their Alfonsus à Castro Agrippa and others Lyke-wyse wee know That the making the Image of GOD the Father after the likenesse of an olde man is a doctrine and practise of Poperie having no warrand but the tradition of the Romane Church But if it bee asked whether this bee agreeable to Scripture EXOD. 20. 4. and DEVT. 4. 15. a clowde of witnesses of their owne Doctors will tell vs the contrarie as Bellarminâ— confesseth Abulensis to bee Durand and Perésius to whom wee may joyne also the late Iesuit Vasquez and others Wherefore Iohannes Ragusius in his Oration at the Councell of Basil is forced to confesse That altho in the olde Law the visible Images of GOD and of his Saynctes were forbidden by the Law of GOD and no libertie was graunted since eyther in the Olde or New Testament to make anie such yet the Church taught forsooth by the holie Ghost sayeth hee hath not onelie permitted but decreed and ordayned the contrarie Where wee may see a strange libertie assumed by the Church and a farre stranger inspiration of her by the holie Ghost hee to bee contrarie to himselfe and shee to trangresse GOD'S expresse command in Scripture by his
inspiration More-over wee know that the giving of the Communion to the people vnder one kynde onelie is a doctrine and practise of Popeperie having no warrand for it but the tradition and authoritie of the Romane Church but if it bee asked whether this bee agreeable to Scripture or no the Councell of Constance all in one voyce will tell vs the contrarie and confesse that neyther was it so in CHRIST'S institution set downe in holie Scripture nor was it the practise of the Apostles or of the primitiue Church but is brought in later for such reasons as the Church of Rome thought good For so sayeth the Councell Albeit CHRIST after Supper did institute this venerable Sacrament and gaue it to His Disciples vnder both kynds of bread wine As also tho in lyke-manner this Sacrament was receaved by the faythfull vnder both kyndes Notwithstanding there-of this custome for eschewing of certayne dangers and scandalls that might ensue vpon good reason is now brought in that the same shall bee receaved by Laickes vnder one kynde onelie Where wee see that the Church of Rome thinketh her selfe wyser and more provident in fore-seeing of dangers than CHRIST His Apostles and the primitiue Church was and that lyke the Pharisees and Scrybes of olde by her traditions shee hath made the word of GOD to bee of no effect CHAPTER V. That these Doctrines of Fayth for which the Romanistes pretende onlie vnwritten Tradition by their owne confession are neyther necessarie nor profitable to salvation and consequentlie not onelie superfluous but vnjustlie vrged to bee believed vpon danger of salvation CArdinall Bellarmine in his fourth Booke of the Word of GOD confesseth that the Apostles did preach vnto GOD'S people all these thinges which were necessarie and profitable vnto them sayeth hee vnto their salvation But what they preached so to all that also they wrote and left registrate in Scripture for so sayeth Bellarmsne in lyke-manner I affirme that all these thinges were written by the Apostles sayeth hee which are necessarie for all men and which they publicklie preached to all Therefore it followeth that in the Apostles writs are contayned all thinges which are necessarie and profitable to salvation But to subsume These doctrinall Traditions whereon is grounded the mayne bodie of Poperie were not written by the Apostles as is confessed Therefore it followeth that the same are neyther necessarie nor profitable to salvation and so wee see what doome their owne mouthes by the force of trueth are made to pronounce vpon these vnwritten Doctrines and Traditions and consequentlie how vnjuâ—â—lie they are obtâ—uded vpon Gods people Next I aâ—gue What the Apostles did preach vnto all as necessarie and profitable vnto salvation and which S. PAVLL calleth else where the whole councell of GOD that onelie should their successoures teach vnto all as necessarie and profitable vnto salvation But the Apostles as is confessed did preach nothing vnto all as necessarie and profitable vnto salvation but that which is written in holie Scripture vnder the payne of that curse denounced by S. Paull GAL. 1. 8. Therefore nothing should bee taught by true Pastors as their successoures vnto all as necessarie and profitable vnto salvation but that which is written in holie Scripture Where-fore sayeth Augustine if wee or an Angell from Heaven preach vnto you any thing beside that which yee haue receaved in the Legall and Evangelicall Scriptures let him bee accursed As also sayeth their Aquinas It is to bee affirmed that no other thing ought to bee preached but that onelie which is contayned in the Gospells and Epistles and in the holie Scripture playnlie or more obscurelie Whosoever then teacheth for doctrines of fayth anie vnwritten traditions neyther contayned in holie Scripture playnlie nor obscurelie as Canus affirmeth most poynts of their doctrine to bee it followeth that hee is no true teacher nor successour to the Apostles but controlling Scripture and deserting their practise hee declareth himselfe to bee an impostor guiltie of prophane Noveltie a sower of Tares in the LORD'S Field and will-fullie to incurre that Apostolicall Anathema CHAPTER VI Of the Noveltie of withholding the people from reading of the Scripture FIrst then omitting Testimonies of Scripture formerlie set downe which make for this poynt I come to the Testimonie of one of their late and famous Bishops Espenceus by name whereby hee witnesseth That this with-holding of Scripture from the people was neyther in the Apostles tyme or agreeable to their doctrine nor yet was it in the tyme of the primitiue Church whose practise was contrarie to their now-a-dayes his wordes then are these It is manifest sayeth hee by the doctrine of the Apostle COLOSS. 3. 16. and by the practise of the primitiue Church that of olde the publicke reading of the Scripture was permitted to people Whence it was that Chrysostome in his tyme did vehementlie vrge the same vpon his auditors saying I beseech you all that are Laickes that yee get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if yee will not get more get to your selues the New Testament at least And agayne hee sayeth What is it then that wee so earnestlie requyre of you but that one of the dayes of the weeke or at least vpon the Sabbath day yee would haue a care to reade the Gospells which before yee come to these Sermons ye haue amongst your handes at home and that yee would frequentlie repeate the same and diligentlie search out the meaning and note what is cleare and what is â—bscure therein By doing whereof he showeth what good will redound both to him who was their teacher and to them who were his heareâ—s to wit that hee should neede the lesse labour and paynes to make them vnderstand the meaning of the Gospell when at home they haue made the Text samiliare to themselues and they also should thereby bee made the more shaâ—pe and quicke in vnderstanding not onlie onelie to heare and perceaue what is sayde vnto them but also to teach others And if anie should pleade the want of scarcitie of Bookes hee showeth concerning this that it were ridiculous to answere these who were rich and as for the poore sort hee showeth also that it is a shame to them to want the Scripture which can afford so great profit to them as their soules instruction and yet carefullie to acquire such tooles or instruments as their severall Trades requyred for winning their bodilie Foode but if anie bee so poore sayeth hee that by no meanes hee can acquire Bookes â—o himselfe then by the continuall reading of the Scriptures which is in this place hee needeth not to bee ignorant of anie thing that is therein Which thing made the Iâ—suit Azortus to say Wee confesse that in the tymes of Ierome and Chrysostome which was 400 yeares and aboue after CHRIST that the Laickes were exercysed in reading of the Scripture because they were written in these Languages
come then to the discoverie of the Noveltie of this grosse sort of Idolatrie which is not onelie to worship by or before an Image but to worship the Image it selfe for which cause sayeth one of the Bishops It must not onelie bee confessed that the faythfull in the Church doe adore before the Image as some perhaps would warilie speake but also doe adore the Image it selfe without any scruple yea with that same worship where with they adore the thing that is represented thereby First their owne Cassander telleth vs that it is certayne in the beginning of the preaching of the Gospell sayeth hee and a good while after that there was no vse at all of Images amongst Christians but especiallie in Churches so that wheÌ„Adrian the Emperor had commanded that Temples should bee made in all Cities without Images it was presentlie conceaved that hee was preparing these for Christians And when the auncient Christians themselues were demanded by the Gentiles why they had no Images Minutius Fâ—elix returneth them this answere What Image should wee make to GOD when man himselfe is GOD'S Image sayeth hee The primitiue Church lykewyse for preventing of that Idolatrie which thereafter ensued was so carefull and provident that the Councell of Eliber iâ— in Granado in Spayne in Anno 305 decreed plainlie that no Pictures at all should bee brought within Churches for feare of adoration which might ensue thereafter Neither was this the decree of a provinciall Assemblie onelie but an ordinance also in all other parts of the whole Church as witnesseth their owne Clemangis â— Parisian Doctor and Arch-deane of Bajon saying Of olde the whole vniversall Church did decree beeing induced thereto by good reason for their cause who 〈◊〉 Gentilisme were converted to the sayth that no Images should bee set vp in Churches The first breach and violation of which ordinance wee finde â—o haue beene in Epiphanius time Bishop of Salamins in Cyprus about the yeare 390 who as himsâ—lfe 〈◊〉 entering into a Chappell for his owne private devotion at Anablatha and seeing a certayne Vaile hanging on the wall thereof having paynted therevpon the Image of CHRIST or some Saynct sayeth hee hee tooke downe the same and rent it in pieces and thereafter wrote to the Patriarch of Ierusalem within whose precinct it was finding fault that anie such thing should haue beene done within his boundes and desiring him that hee would command that thereafter in the Church of CHRIST no more such Vailes or Pictures should bee hung vp this beeing contrary to the authority of Scriptures and agaynst our Religion sayeth hee But a good while there-after how they were more commonlie brought in into Churches Corneliâ—s Agrippa thus doeth declare saying The Heathnish custome and their false Religion hath also infected ours and hath brought into Churches Images and Pictures with manie other pompous Ceremonies none whereof were found amongst the first and true Christians Vnder what specious pretence also and for what ende at fiâ—st this was done their owne Cassander hereby clearly testifieth saying At last it is evident that Pictures were admitted into Churches to represent onlie the â—torie of things done altho Augustine spake plainlie agaynst it saying These deserue to bee thought altogether to erâ—e who seeke the knowledge of CHRIST and His Apostles not in holie Scriptures but vpon paynted walles But how farre the auncient Fathers who lived in the primitiue Church did abhorre from any worship of Images onlie Origen wryting against Celsuâ— may declare sayeth hee Thus beeing then generallie set vp into Church through the superstition of people about the 600 yeare of GOD in the tyme of Pope Gregorie the first they began to bee adored at what tyme Cerenus Bishop of Marsilâ— publicklie opposed the same by breaking all the Images and removing out all the Pictures that were within the Churches of his whole Diocesses which thing Pope Gregorie himselfe doeth relate to vs in that Epistle of his written to Serâ—nuâ— commending his zeale which hee shew against any worshipping of Images as being sayth hee altogether agaynst the Scriptures but thinking amisse onelie that so rashlie hee altogether had broken them in pieces What fierce contentions also afterward arose in the Church concerning Images it were too large a taske at length here to set downe the Greeke Emperoures Leo Isaurus Constantinus Caballinus Nicephorus Stauratius Leo Armenus Michaell Balbus Theophilus and others who were therefore called Iconomachi or the enemies to Images opposing them and their adoration constantlie in the East till at last their worship was established in that second Councell of Nice helde by that superstitious Empresse IRENE in Anno 787 which Councell was quickly thereafter opposed by the Councell of Franckeforde convocate by Charles the Great and helde in the West at what tyme sayeth their owne Cassaâ—der when the coppie of that Councell of Nice was brought vnto Franckeforde and diligentlie read by the command of the Emperour Charles the Councell of Franckeforde was indicted at which the Legates of the Bishop of Rome were present and there by the full consent of the Westerne Bishops sayeth hee that Grecian Councell in so farre as the same decreed the worship of Images to bee lawfull was disallowed and condemned as not onelie contrarie to Scripture but also to the doctrine of the auncient Fathers and to the custome of the Romane Church it selfe So that wee see 800 yeares after CHRIST that the Romane Church was then as farre from the doctrine and practise of the Romane Church now in this poynt of worshipping Images aâ— ever Luther or Calvin or aâ—ie Protestant now Whereby it is evident how falselie the Romane Catechisme affirmeth that it is not onelie lawfull to haue Images in the Church and to giue honour and worship to them but also that this hath ever or in all ages beene done to the great good of the â—aythfull Neyâ—her was that reason or excuse thought to bee of anie worth then sayeth their owne Cassander which is by some now-adayes pretended that this worship is not given to the Images themselues but to them whom they represent for this excuse sayeth hee was lyke-wyse made by Pagans to colour their Idolatrie Which practise of Romish devotion and pietie is come to that hight of madnesse sayeth their Polydor Virgâ—ll that this part of Religion is little different from impietie for there are manie so exceeding rude and stupide sayth hee who worship Images made of Stockes and Stones Brasse and Mâ—rble and these also that are paynted over with dyverse sorts of Coloures vpon walles not is representing figures but as if they had sense and feeling and confide more in these than in CHRIST Himselfe Yea they so dote vpon Images sayeth their owne Gabriell Bâ—ell that they belieue a certayne Deitie grace or holinesse to bee in them whereby they are able to worke miracles restore health and delyver from dangers and to
the Catholicke Church hee will tell vs That it was knowne but of late sayeth hee and that after manie ages the beliefe of Purgatorie and indulgences was receaved by Orthodoxe Christians and therefore hee granteth that thereof little or no mention was at all in the auncient Fathers But on the contrarie Iustin Martyr doeth teach vs That after the soules departure from the bodie staâ—sm or instantly the soules of the godlie are carried to Paradise where the sight of Angels and Archangels and the sight of CHRIST is And so lyke-wyse sayeth Prosper that Christians having ended their Pilgrimage presentlie thence-foorth reygne happie in their natiue countrey In lyke-manner Augustine that the soule beeing set at libertie out of the bodie presentlie goeth to Heaven Yea Bellarmine himselfe vpon these wordes of S. PAVLL 2. COR. 5. 1. confeâ—â—eth no lesse saying The reasoning of the Apostle then is excellent to wit this sayeth hee if this mortall lyfe perish wee haue presentlie the enjoying of another sarre better in the Heavens Last of all if moreover to proue the Noveltie of this errour wee consider the vniversalitie or Catholicisme both of place and persons wee shall finde that as it hath not beene semper or ever in the Church so neyther hath it beene helde or believed Vbique nec ab omnibus or in all places and by all which beside the irrefragable notorietie thereof their owne Bishop of Rochester clearlie confesseth saying As for the Grecians even vnto this day they did never belieue Purgatorie and yet of the Grectan Church their owne Bishop of Bitâ—nto in his Oration before the Councell of Trent professeth her to bee the mother Chruch from whome the Romane Church hath whatsoever shee hath sayeth hee to wit of sound and Orthodox doctrine And if beside the Grecians wee consider and joyne the Muscoâ—ites and Abysâ—in Christians the Gorgians and Armenians as also the Syrians and Chaldeans that are subject to the Patriarch of Antioch and Babylon from Cyprâ—â— and Palestina to the East Indies besides the reformed Churches in Europe wee shall finde these who belieue Purgatoriâ— to bee but a few CHAPT. XVI The Noveltie of Papall Indulgences HAving before cleared the Noveltie of Purgatoriâ— by the Romanâ—â—tes owne confession it followeth necessarilie that Papell Indulgences can brage of no Antiquitie For sayeth their owne Bishop of Rochester If yee take away Purgatorie what neede will bee of indulgences for vpon it sayeth hee dependeth all the respect that is had to indulgences Yet to discover more clearlie the Novelty of Papall indulgences wee will first consider what were these auncient indulgences which are mentioned in the recordes of Antiquitie to haue beene at first in vse in the Church of CHRIST that by the generall name common to these auncient and the now late Papall indulgences none may bee deceaved First then the indulgences of olde were onlie a releasing of penitentâ— from some part of the severitie of discipline injoyned to scandalous offenders as their serious repentance and publicke evidence thereof did procure as may bee seene 2. COR. 2. and as Bellarmine himselfe maketh manifest out of the Actes of the Councells of Nice and Ancyra set downe by him at length Which thing also their owne Cassander showeth saying That the diminishing of Canonicall Pennance or that relaxation which was granted by the Bishop to publicke penitents when eyther somewhat of the tyme or of the rigour of the pennance was lessened was called an Indulgence so that it was a lessening and mitigation of their disciplinarie satisfaction to the Church who were penitents and alyue granted by everie Bishop to such of his Diocesse and that verie sparinglie as Bellarmine showeth but no largesse and application of the satisfactions of Saynctes joyned with CHRIST'S sufferings for the reliefe of those that are dead out of a forged fyrie Purgatorie graunted onelie by the Bishop of Rome for satisfaction to him in moneyes and as Bellarmine acknowledgeth for the lightest causes as anie lavishing out greatest Indulgences as that is which is granted to all who hearethâ— Popes blessing at Easter Now if wee inquyre what is become of these auncient Indulgences Bellarmine will tell vs saying I confesse indeede sayth hee that the forme of drspencing with a number of yeares or dayes or Lents appoynted for pennance which was of olde in vse is now cleane left off Next if wee inquyre concerning these new Papall Indulgences that are come in their place whether they haue anie Antiquitie for them eyther by Scripture or ancient tradition their owne Sylâ—ester Prierâ—as Antonius Cajetane and others will gâ—ant that they haue none for thus sayeth Prierias and with him the other two Indulgences are not knowne to vs by anie authoritie of Scripture nor was there any vse of the in the beginning of the Christian Chruch sayâ—th their Bishop Fisher To come next from Scripture to the authoritie of Fathers Cardinall Cajetane telleth vs That none of the Auncient Fathers Greeke or Latine haue brought these to our knowledge sayeth hee which therefore maketh Bellarmine that hee citeth not one Father for them As also to consesse that Durandus Antoninus and Rochester denye sayeth hee that Indulgences were knowne in the times of Ierome Augustine and other Fathers who lived in the first fiue hundreth yeares Next after the first fiue hundreth yeares if wee inquyre in the auncient Fathers that thereafter lived whether anie mention is to bee found of Papall Indulgences their Antoniâ—â—â—â— will tell vs saying There is no testimonie for them in the auncient Fathers at all but onelie sayeth hee out of more later wryters Wherefore their owne Alfonsus à Castro vpon the same ground granteth That their vse sayeth hee is onlie of late in the Church Iustly therefore is that challenge made by Chemnitius that no Tâ—stimonie can bee produced out of anie Father by anie that any such doctrine or venting of Papall Indulgences was in vse in the Church for the space allmost of twelue hundreth yeares after CHRIST the first author of them beeing as their owne Polydor and Agrippa telleth vs Boniface the eyght who lived about that tyme and extended them to the soules in Purgatorie and for the better sale and venting of them devysed a solemne Iubile beeing therein a successour rather to Simon Magus than to Simon Peter So that wee see this doctrine of Indulgences is new in the institution now in the pâ—actise new in the extent and nâ—w everie way and consequentlie false and impiouslie deceatfull CHAPT. XVII The Noveltie of the Popish fiue Bastard Sacramentes FIrst then to cleare the Noveltie of this doctrine set downe by the Councell of Trent with such a dreadfull fulmination of a curse to the controllers thereof if wee inquyre beside these two Sacramentes to wit Baptisme and the LORD'S Supper whether they bee anie moe which the Antiquitie of holie Scripture doeth countenance and allow to bee true and
sayeth hee which they did vnderstand Wherefore also did Theoderet affirme in the 500 yeare of God that the Hebrew Text of the Olde Testament was not onelie translated into the Greeke tongue for the Grecians to reade and vnderstand but also into the Latine Aegyptian Persian Armenian Scythian and Sauromatican and that I may speake it in one word sayeth hee the Scriptures are translated into all Languages which at this day anie Countrey what-so-ever vseth to speake whereby it commeth to passe that â—verie where you may see that these doctrines of sayth which we holde sayeth hee are not onlie familiarlie knowne by these who are Church-men teachers of the people but lyke-wyse by verie Shooe-makers Smithes Weavers and all such lyke Crafts-men yea by all our Women and not these onelie who bee learned if anie such bee but also by pooâ—e Trades-women menders of Cloâ—thes serving women and wayâ—ing maâ—des Neytâ—â—â— doe they onelie who dwell in Townes sayeth hee vnderstand well these thinges but lykewyse the Husband-men so that you shall finde diggers of Ground Heards-men and setters of Plants discoursing of the holie Trinitie and the Creation of all thinges and having more knowledge of the nature of man than ever Plato or Aristotle had And that this also was the auncient BRITANE practise within this I le in the 700 yeare of GOD Venerable Bedâ— who lived in the succeeding Ceâ—turie or there-by in his Ecclesiasticall Storie of the English Nation mostcleaâ—lie doâ—th showâ— where speaking of the lyfe of that Religious Bishop Aâ—â—anuâ— hee telleth vs that not onlie the Clergie men that were with him in companie but also these who were Laickes were diligentlie exercysed in reading of the Scriptures or learning PSALMES by heart For which ende also Cornelius Agrâ—ppa reporteth That there was a Decree in the first Councell of Nice that none who were able to reade should want the Booke of the Scripture and wherevnto ye haue heard how seriouslie Chrysostome did exhort his auditoures Not-with-standing wherof how peremptorily people are nowe forbidden to haue or reade the same let this ensuing prohibition printed of late and published in Spaine testifiâ— The Spanish Prohibition of having the Bible in anie vulgar tongue or anie wayes to reade the same set foorth by Don Bernardo de Sandonal i rozas Cardinall of S. Anasia Archbishop of Toledo Primate of Spayne and Inquisitor generall COmo la experiencia aya ensenado que de permiter se la sagrada biblia en lengua vulgar se signe por la temeridad de los hombres mas damno que pronecho se prohibe la biblia con todas sus partes impressa o de mano en qualquier lengua vulgar i assi mismo los sumarios i compendios aunque sean historiales de la misma Biblia o libros de la sagrada escritura escritos en qualquier idioma o lengua vulgar The same in English SEeing it is manifest by experience if the holie Bible bee permitted in the vulgar tongue that thorow the temeritie of men more hurt than profit will aryse therefore the Bible is prohibit with all the partes thereof whether printed or written in what-so-ever vulgar tongue it bee as also all summaries or compends altho they bee Historicall onelie of the sayde Bible or bookes of holie Scripture in what-so-ever vulgar tongue or language the same bee anie wyse written CHAPT. VII The Novelty of the Popes Supremacie and first The Noveltie of the stile of Vniversall Bishop where-by hee claymeth the same THis poynt of Papâ—â—l Supremacie the loftiest Towre of â—abels prowde building Boneface the eyght declared to bee of such consequence as all Christians are bound to bee subject there-to and bâ—lieue the same vnder payne of damnation saying More-over for all humane creatures to bee subject to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome wee declare affiâ—me decree and proclayme that the same is altogether of the necessitie of salvation Now sayth Bellarmine one title amongst all others out of which is collected the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome is this the title of Vniversall Bishop of the antiquitie whereof if wee inquyre wee shall finde The first who ever vsurped this title as all Histories record to bee IOHN Patriarch of Constantinople who obtayned of the Emperour Mauricâ—â—us so to bee called 600 yeares after CHRIST and which style was stronglie opposed by Pope Gregorie the first in this sense as Cardinall Cusanus testifieth to wit as it imported one to bee so principall as all others should bee subject to him as Boniface decreed or as Gregoriâ— himselfe sayeth one to mount aboue others to such an hight of singularitie as that hee would bee vnder none but hee alone would bee aboâ—e all and which style hee challengeth expreslie of NOVELTIE calling it novum nomen nova presumptio And lest this should haue beene thought a Noveltie onelie in the Patriarch of Constantinople vsurping agaynst Rome and that Pope Gregorie had quarrelled it onelie as an injurie done to himselfe and to his Sea therefore hee first cleareth himselfe thereof saying to the Emperour Doe I in this matter most Religious Lord defende anie cause of myne or doe I challenge herein anie speciall wrong done to mee And to cleare this theâ—more hee sayeth None of my predecessours would ever consent to vse such a prophanetitle no not Peter himselfe the first alleadged founder of that Sea who altho hee was the chiefe of the Apostles and according to his Apostolicall place had the care of the whole Churches committed to him as Paull also professeth yet notwithstanding sayeth hee hee is not called the Vniversall Apostle And as hee witnesseth this of his predecessoures so hee showeth that this title was offered to himselfe and yet hee would nowayes accept of the same therefore hee sayeth to Eulâ—gius Bishop of Alexandria and Anastaciuâ— Bishop of Antioch Seeing wee would not in anie case accept anie such honour sayeth hee beeing offered vnto vs consider how shamefull a thing it is for anie man violentlie to vsurpe the same wherefore let not your holinesse in your writings ever style anie man who-so-ever hee bee Vniâ—ersall Bishop And even when it was given to himselfe in a letter written by Eulogius Bishop of Alexandria hee rejected the same as a title of damnable piyde saying Beholde in the preface of a letter which yee seat vnto mee who forebade anie such titles you haue caused set downe the word of a prowd style calling mee Vniversall Bishop which I beseech your sweetest Holinesse that you doe so no more Yea hee showeth that this wicked style imported no lesse pryde than that of Lucifer himselfe saying to Iohn of Constantinople Who else I pray thee by such a wicked title is set before thee to imitate but hee who despysing the Legions of Angels who were in one societie joyned with him attempted to mount aboue them to such a hight of singularitie that hee
onelie given him for the dignitie of the Citie beeing the imperiall seat The third generall Councell that giveth evidence of Romes Innovation heerein is that Famous Councell of Ephesus of 200 Bishops celebrate in Anno 434 resolutelie thus decreeing Let it be observed say they in all Provinces and Diocesses that no Bishop draw vnder his subjection anie province which was not his from the beginning lest vnder pretence of Priesthood hee bring into the Church arrogancie and pryde The last but not the least evidence of the Noveltie of this Papall vsurped supremacie is that of the Famous and fourth Councell of Chalcedon of 430 Bishops and helde Anno 451 decreeing peremptotilie that how-so-ever the Bishop of Rome had the primacie of place before the Bishop of Constantinople yet that the Bishop of Constantinople in all other thinges should bee equall and haue alyke priviledges with the Bishop of Rome Now wee know that the equalitie of power priviledges betweene two dissolveth ipso facto Monarchie which can not bee but in one as the verie word importeth This sacred Conncell and the Act thereof so galleth the romaenistes that forgetting all pretended reverence to Antiquitie and authoritie of auncient Councells Bellarmine spareth not to impute to these godlie Bishops fraude and deceat saying They decreed this indeed but not sayth he without fraude and guyle Which as sayeth Lyrinensis What is this else but to treade vnder foot the decrees of the holy Bishops almost of the whole Easterne Church for preventing so wyselie pronounciâ—g so clearlie opposing so stoutlie and decreeing so piouslie agaynst aniâ— such Noveltie of the new Romane Hierarchie CHAPT. IX The Novelty of the Popes Supremacie which hee claymeth over Princes as well as Prelates and in thinges temporall HEEREIN in these two poynts the Novation standeth made by the Bishops of Rome 1. in subducing their neckes from that homage and subjection which they yeelded of olde to the Emperours as their dread Soveraygnes and 2. in reducing them to such subjection vnder thâ—m that they haue troden vpon some of their neckes First then for witnessing of the Bishops of Rome their homage and subjâ—ction which from the beginning and of olde they gaue to the Emperours Bellâ—â—mine himselfe will instruct vs speaking of that tyme which was manie hundreth yeares after the Apostles saying At that tyme alâ—ho the Bishâ—p of Rome in spirituall thinges was the head of all even of Empeâ—â—â—res themselues yet in temporall thinges hee was subject to the Emperoures sayeth hee and because hee acknowledged the Emperour to bee his temporall Lord therefore hee made supplication to him that hee would command a Councell to bee conveaned Whence it is that Cardinall Cusanuâ— declareth That the eyght first generall Councells were convocate by the Emperoures and no wayes by the Popes in so much that Pope Leo with much intreatâ—e desired to Theodosius that a Councell might bee celebrate in Italie and yee could not obtayne it Gregorieâ—yke-wyse the great everie where in his Epistles to the Emperour Mauritius styleth him his supreame Lord Soveraigne and wryting vnto him concerning his imperiall command that hee should cause publish a certayne Law which Gregorie thought vnjust hee sayeth I as the most vnworthie servand of your sacred Majestie beeing subject to obey your command I haue caused sende your Law which yee haue made thorow sundrie parts to bee published and because the same is nowayes agreeable to the Law of Almightie GOD Beholde I haue by my letter signified the same to my most excelleâ—t Lord there-fore everie way I haue performed what I ought to doe who hath both given â—â—edience to the Emperour and haue not beene silent in that which I thought fit to speake for GOD And yet in a more humble manner doeth Agatho the first profesie his subjection to the Emperour supplicating in thâ—se wordes Bowing humblie the knees of the mynde wee intreate your royall Clemencie Where-with also Adrian the first joyneth the prostration of the bodie saying Prostâ—ate vpon the ground and â—alling downe grooflinges at the soles of your feete doe I intreate your Majestie Thus wee see that servitude and subjection with prostration and humble supplicating was the auncient practise and profession of the Bishops of Rome to the Romane Emperoures manie hundreth yeares after CHRIST till in place of humilitie Luciferian pryde was installed in seat of Antichrist The next poynt of Innovation is the reducing of Emperours and Kings by the Bishops of Rome vnto their subjection and dominiering so over them as to inthrone or dethrone them at their pleasure as BELLARMINE de facto instanceth to haue beene done to Emperoures and King's and yet that the auncient Bishops of Rome never vsurped such power nor vsed such practises agaynst eyther Heaâ—hen Hereticall or Apostate Emperoures Bellarmine himselfe clearlie acknowledgeth The particular tyme then when the Noveltie of this vsurpation began to peepe out their owne Charter Monke author of that booke intituled Fascicâ—lus temporum telleth vs That it was in the dayes of Boniface the second Anno 523 for remarke sayeth hee that about this tyme the Popes began to oppose themselues to the Emperoures even in temporall thinges farre more than of olde they were wont Thereafter their owne Bishop Otho Frigensis condescendeth vpon the verie tyme of putting this vsurpation first into practise showing that Gregoriâ—â— the seaventh was the first who deposed anie Emperour so that till 1060 yeares after CHRIST this bolde Noveltie began not to bee practised Therefore sayeth their owne Barclay For the space of a thousand yeares and more altho the Church did flowrish with all wealth and that there was also a great number of the wicked Princes and Tyrants yet none of the auncient Fathers or Orthodox wâ—yters in these tymes are found sayeth hee who either by word or writ taught anie such thing And when it began to bee practised Sigebert the Monke who lived in the â—leventh hundreth yeare of CHRIST and tyme of Gregorie the seaventh sayeth thereof Let it bee spoken with leaue of all good men sayeth hee that this NOVELTIE I will not say Heresie before this time was ever hatched or peeped out in the world And last to put on the kepstone of Antichristian pryde and Tyranâ—ious vsurpation the Author of Fasciculus Temporum telleth vs that Beniface the eyght rose vp to that hight of pryde sayeth hee that hee called himselfe Lord of the whole world as well in temporall as in spirituall things as if Kings onelie did reygne by them and with the Tempter they might dispose of the Kingdomes of the Earth to giue them to whom they will Who-so-ever then they bee who may so clearlie see the Noveltie of this vsurpation and yet so highlie advance the Bishop of Rome as onelie that they make him not GOD sayeth their owne Cassander and who extolleth his authoritie to bee not onelie aboue the whole Church as well in
temporall as spirituall thinges but aboue the verie holie Scriptures c. I can not see sayâ—th hee why these men may not bee called false or Pseudocotholickes CHAPTER X. The Noveltie of publicke Prayer and other divyne Service in a tongue vnknowne to the people FIrst in this poynt that the Apostles doctrine and Churches practise in their tyme was coâ—trarie to the Romaniâ—tes now Cardinall Cajetane doeth evidentlie testifie saving Out of the doctrine of S. PAVLL wee haue it clearlie set downe that it is better for the edification of the Church that publicke prayers which are vttered in the audience of the people bee spoken sayeth hee in a Language common both to Clergie and people than otherwyse And that this was also the Churches conforme practise in the dayes of Iustine Martyr is evident who in the ende of his second Apologie for Christians in expresse tearmes telleth vs sayeth Bellarmine That the whole people in the Church vsed to answere AMEN when the Presbyter ended the Prayer or Thankesgiving wherefore it will follow that the Prayer or Thankesgiving was in the vulgar tongue else sayeth the Apostle how shall hee that occupieth the rowme of the vnlearned say AMEN at thy Thankes-giving if hee vnderstand not what thou sayest Next what was the practise of the Church after Iustines dayes both in the East and West is lyke-wyse cleare out of Bellarmine who testifieth saying That this custome was also a long tyme observed both in the East and West is evident out of Chrysostomes Liturgie where most clearlie sayeth hee are distinguished what the Prieâ—â— and Deacon and what the people in divyne Service did sing As lyke-wyse out of Cyprian in his sermon on the LORDS prayer where hee showeth how the people did answere saying Wee haâ—e our heartes vnto the LORD and out of Ierome in the preface of his second booke on the Epistle to the GALATIANS who wryteth That in the Churches of the Citie of Rome the people was heard lyke a heavenlie thunder aunswering with a lowde voyce and saying AMEN Therefore their Nicolaus de Lyra and with him Aquinas Gretzer others freelie acknowledgeth saying In the primitiue Church the Thankes-givings and all other common Servâ—ce was performed sayeth hee in the vulgar Toâ—gue and the Canonicall Prayers â—ayth their Cassaâ—der and speciallie the words of consecration of the bodie and blood of our LORD the Auncientes did so reade that all the people might vnderstand and say AMEN thereto Which custome of the Church as yet vsed in Aegypt and Ethiopiâ— it is a wonder sayâ—th Erasmus how it became to bee changed And if wee consider M. Hardinges reason in his aunswere to Bishop Iewell why Prayers and all other divyne Service was vsed in the primitiue Church in the vulgar tongue wee shall finde that the same reason holdeth still and so miliâ—ateth constantlie agaynst this practise of Romish Noveltie for thus sayeth M. Harding In the primitiue Church this was necessarie when fayth was alearning and therefore the Prayers were made then in a knowne tongue vnderstood by the people sayeth hee because of their farder instruction And can anie man say nowe but people in lyke-manner are learning the fayth daylie and haue neede of farder instruction than they haue alreadie Or will anie affirme that this â—ule of the Apostle Let all bee done vnto edification helde onelie for a tyme Therefore seeing the edifying of GOD'S people which is the fiâ—all cause why Prayer and publicke Thankes-giving should bee performed in the vulgar doeth not varie by diversitie of tymes but continueth still even so then should speaking in the Church vnto their vnderstanding CHAPTER XI The Noveltie of the invocation of Saynctes departed FOr discoverie of the Noveltie of which doctrine obtruded to bee believed and practised by all Catholickes vnder payne of damnation wee haue before CHRIST the first foure thousand yeares prescription agaynst anie such doctrine or practise in the Church of GOD by the confession of Bellarmine and all other Romanistes who graunt That during all that tyme both before and vnder the Law there was no invocation of Saynctes departed Next if wee come to our SAVIOVR'S tyme and his Apostles their owne Eckius Luthers great Antagonist declareth That in the New Testament the Apostles and Evangelistes neyther taught by word nor delyvered or left anie such thing by writ that the Saynctes departed should bee invocated neyther would the holie Ghost sayeth hee suffer them so to doe by whose inspiration they spake The same also doeth their Dominicus Bannes and the Iesuit Salmeron testifie rendring this reason Because it would seeme hard to the Iewes sayeth hee who were never taught so to doe by Moses nor the Prophets and the Gentiles should haue thought that there were manie gods exhibite to them in place of the multitude of gods which they had forsaken Beholde thâ—n heere a doctrine of the Romane fayth confessed to haue for the warrand there of neyther Gods written word nor yet Apostolicall vnwritten tradition now if it was neyther written nor preached by them let anie man consider if the Noveltie thereof bee not cleare and that they can not eschew the Apoâ—tles Anathemâ— who sayeth If an Angell from Heaven should preach vnto you beside thâ—t which I haue preached let him bee accursed Next to the Apostles tymes if wee come to after ages and inquyre howe loâ—g was it after the Apostles before anie mention was ever heard of anie such thing their owne Bishop Poresiâ—s Will playnlie tell vs saying That beâ—ore the â—yme of the Martyr Corneliâ—s which was abouâ— 252 yeares after there was no mention sayeth hee so farre as wee can see of anie invocation or intercession of Saynctes What was the practise lykewyse of the Church in S. Augustin's tyme who lived after the 400 yeare of CHRIST and speciallie of the westerne or Romane Church himselfe doeth declare saying of the Martyres and Sayncts departed As for such men of God sayeth hee who haue overcome the world in confessing of Him they are named in their owne place and order but they are not prayed vnto Yea in the 1200 yeare of God Bernard did put it in doubt whether the Saynctes departed anie wayes heard the living which if they doe not then speaking to them by prayer were altogether foolish for speaking of devoute Humbert hee sayeth Neyther see I him now nor perhaps doeth hee heare mee More-over it is to bee observed that the Fathers of the primitiue Church vsed this as a specâ—all Argument to proue Christ to bee GOD because Hee was everie-where prayed vnto Which Argument had beene of no force if in those tymes they had prayed eyther to Saynctes or Aâ—gâ—ls Therefore Oâ—igen showeth That PAVLL 1 COR. 1. 2. proveth heereby CHRIST to bee GOD because His Name is everie where incalled vpon for the Apostle sayeth hee doeth thereby pronounce IESVS CHRIST to bee GOD because His Name is incalled
Luther 5. That the Bishop of Româ— may erre and hath erred the sixt generall Councell helde at Constantinople of 289. Bishops anâ— the seaventh generall Councelâ— assembled at Nice declared thiâ— in the person of Honoriuâ— witâ— sundrie latter Romane Doctoures authoâ—rity of Scripture whether I referrâ— the Reader long before Luther 6. That the Bishop of Rome had no supremacie over the whole Church as Vniversall Bishop thereof nor yet anâ—e other S. Cyprian and their owne Pope Gâ—egorie the first hath at length mayntayned long before Luther 7. That publicke Prayers or anie other divyne Service in the Church should not bee sayde in a tongue vnknowne to the people beside S. PAVLL Ambrose Chrysostome Seduliuâ— and Haymo taught clearlie long before Luther 8. That GOD onelie is to bee prayed vnto and neyther Sainct nor Angell Ignatiuâ— Martyr Oriâ—gen and others delyvered long before Luther 9. That no Images are to bee anie wayes worshipped the Councell of Eliberis Augustine and Pope Gregorie himselfe with dyverse others declared long before Luther 10. That no Reliques of Saincts or Martyres are to bee adored S. Cyrill and Ierome did teach long before Luther 11. Agaynst free-will or the indifferencie thereof in the estate of corruption eyther to good or evill the Councell of Orange opposed it selfe with Augustine Prosper and Bernard and dyverse others long before Luther 12. That wee are not justified before GOD by our owne works or inherent righteousnesse Ambrose Bernard and manie moe mayntayned long before Luther 13. That none is able in this lyfe to keepe GOD'S Lawe perfectlie let bee to supererogate Lactaentius Firmianus Ierome and sundrie others haue testified long before Luther 14. That no man is able by his owne workes to merite eternall lyfe S. Basill Augustine Bernard and manie moe haue clearlie demonstrate long before Luther 15. That there is no Purgatorie or place where the soules of the godlie goe vnto after this lyfe but onelie Heaven Cyrill Gregorie Nazianzen and dyverse others haue taught vs long before Luther 16. Agaynst the absolute necessitie of the Baptisme of Infants Augustine Bernard and others haue instructed vs long before Luther 17. That there is no Transsubstantiation in the Sacrament of the LORD'S Supper Ireneus Theodoret Pope Gelasius Bertram and sundrie others haue clearlie declared long before Luther 18. That the Cup should not bee with-holden from the people Ignatius Iustine Martyr and Chrysostome taught and as the Councell of Constance granteth the primitiue Church practised yea as Cassander showeth vs the whole Romane Church mayntayned and practised for the space of a thousand yeares long before Luther 19. That in the Masse there is no proper propâ—tiatorie sacrifice for the quicke and the dead Chrysostome Eusebius Ambrose with manie others even of their owne latter Doctoures as Lombard and Aquinas haue taught vs long before Luther And if they inquyre fâ—rder of anie people before Luther who professed as wee doe and opposed these doctrines of Poperie which wee this day oppose wee name to them the Waldenses as they tearme them of whom their owne Raynerus Raynerus Lib. contra Waldensis c. 4. testifieth That there were in everie countrey of them and that they lived righteouslie and believed all thinges aright concerning GOD and helde all the Articles contayned in the Creede onelie that they spake agaynst the Church of Rome Thua nus l. 6. Hist. de doc. trin Waldensin Fasciâ— Temp. in vita Innoc 3. to wit her corruptions the particulars where-of their owne Thuanuâ— declareth to bee these That they spake agaynst Purgatorie the Sacrifice of the Masse the worshipping of Sayncts and Soule-Masses c. And therefore against whom Innocent the third caused preach a Crusado every where for their extirpation as their owne Charter Monke the Author of Fasciculuâ— Temporum doeth testifie And tho they would say that yet these doctrines of ours wherein wee oppose them and they dissent from vs were not generallie receaved not had a perpetuall succession of Pastours professing the same ever expreslie and from the beginning wee may justlie answere that this was because these doctrines of Poperie which they now mayntayne lyke the Tares did not peepe out at first after their sowing nor were they receaved in the Westerne Church generallie to bee believed till of latter tymes as hath beene alreadie proven in the detection of the Noveltie of the whole poyntes of Poperie more than the Pharisees leaven and traditions which our SAVIOVR opposed were in the Iewes Synagogue As lyke-wyse themselues clearlie confesse That the present Romane Church Stapleton in defens authorit Eccles. l. 1. c. 2. sect. 5. hath at this day receaved some doctrines of fayth which shee helde not of olde as Stapleton and others with him declare and for which not-with-standing they can not assigne a perpetuall succession of Pastors at all tymes professing the same AN ANSWERE To that other common and customable Question of the Romanistes Whereby they aske what became of the soules of all our Predecessoures who died in the tyme of Poperie before the Reformation WHerevnto it may bee answered that in Paganismâ— indeede there was nothing could saue nor no word of grace but in the most ignorant and corrupt tyme of Poperie there was ever so much light and knowledge to bee had of the mysterie of redemption and principles of fayth lyke good Golde mixed with drosse and good Seede tho growing amongst Tares that who-so-ever of our fore-fathers did adjoyne themselues to the common ensigne of the Christian name and had the knowledge of the common Articles of fayth in the vnitie whereof all doe agree and vpon the sole profession whereof admission hath evâ—r beene by Baptisme into the Church of CHRIST and with this meane measure of saving and sound knowledge whosoever joyned an holie and righteous lyfe and speciallie died relying onelie for salvation on the merites of CHRIST as allmost all did these I say in a safe and holie simplicitie contenting themselues in those tymes with the former measure of knowledge and beeing ignorant of the manie erroures of Poperie which make vp the mysterie of iniquitie died wee hope charitablie vnder the mercie of GOD and are saved eternallie Neyther was it to bee accounted a small happinesse to them that that by that invincible ignorance wherein they were detayned wanting the meanes of farder knowledge and which was then counted the mother of devotion they were fred from the guiltinesse of these erroures which otherwayes might haue proven so prejudiciall to their soules so that their sober simplicitie contenting themselues with the common principles of Christian Religion and not suffered to dyâ—e into the bottome of such mysteries as are indeede the deepnesse of Satan was to them a happie sort of ignorance lyke Adams not knowing of evill in his estate of Innocencie which thereafter hee too well knew But as for them who now liue in the time of the light of the Gospell when these foggie mistes are dispelled which arose