this stout Champion reverend Doctor worthie preacher of Gods word Iohn VVickliffe whose very a Vetus Hypocrita Angeius Sathanae Antichristi prae aÌ„bulus non nominandus Io. Wickliâ— vel potius Wickebeleefe haereticus Wals. p. 256. OrganuÌ„ diabolicuÌ„ hostis Ecclesiae confusio vulgi haereticorum Idolum Hypocritatum speculum Schismatis inceÌ„tor odij seminator incendij fabriÌ„cator lb. Pag. 266. o linguaÌ„â—emper mendacem male dicam blasphemaÌ„ Wald. To. I. pag. 177. ¶ Ps. 64. 5. name is therfore become hateful vnto the Adversarie his parson conteÌ„ptible and his doctrine the only marke or but at which those ¶ Ps. 64. 5. qui sagittaÌ„t in occulto which lie priuily lurkiâ—â—g in coâ—ners do especially aime shooting there arrowes bitter words eueÌ„ lewd lying Pamphlets some challeÌ„ging him of Blasphemie towards God some of Treason towards the king others of monstrous b Of Manicheisme Donatisme Pelagianisme c. see Walden Act. Cap. 25. lb. Verl 7. heresies in Religion all of sondry errours and grosse absurdities knowing therefore that howsoeuer iure soli the Court of Rome maie yet iure poli Gods law doth not condemne any man before his cause be heard I haue thought it most conuenient and sit to bring him forth before you Christian Readers as before so many * Festusses Agrippaes to the end that you maie know the truth of those things wherof he is accused And albeit our Romanists haue as euilly intreated him as euer the Jewes did * Paul laying many and grievous complaints against him yet I doubt not but you when you shall as it becommeth men of profouÌ„d iudgment good discretion permitte him to answere for him selfe as Act. 26. 1. Act. 25. 7. Agrippa did Paul wil either finde there complaints with Festus such as they shâ—l Act. 25. 8. never bee able to proue viz that hee hath nether offended against the law of God neither against the Temple nor against Cesar and finallie pronounce this sentence of absolution with K. Agrippa Act. 26. 31. This maÌ„ hath done nothing worthy of death nor of bondes The order and method which I wil God willing obserue shal bee first to shew his conformitie with the now Church of England in the chiefest points coÌ„troversed thence to descend vnto questioÌ„s not altogether so material and last of al to answere al such obiections as haue beene mooued by our late Popish writers Whose proofes because they are of two sorts drawn either froÌ„ c From Foxe Stow Osiander Melancthon Luâ—her c. Protestantes which for want of due information or from d The Apologists Father Parsons Papists which of ill wil ' which never spake good of anie man ' haue vttered anie thing preiudicial either vnto his doctrine or to his person I wil indeuour as much as in me lieth the truth wil permit to informe the one and reforme the other The proofes which I shal alleadge shal be cleere euident apparent authentical for they shal be produced out of his own words and works as they are extant in sundry good Manuscripts in our so renowned publike Librarie as theÌ„selues may see or cause to bee seene by others for therefore to iustifie my proceedings against them knowing there sundrie malignant e See the Treatise tending to mitigation writteÌ„ by P. R. with the answere thereto oppositions against vs I haue quoted in the margent the very wordes of the Auctor either in f As the Author himselfe wrot them Latin or in English noting both Bookes and Pages And for a final Conclusion I make this protestation his writings shal not be defended by mee farther then they are agreeable with the Articles of our Religion and I exhort you as manie as shal happen to read this Apologie as S. Paul did the I. Thesâ— Cap. 5. vers 21. The ssalonâ—ans onâ—nia probate quod bonuÌ„ est tenete Examine all things hold fast that which is good AN APOLOGIE FOR IOHN VVickliffe shewing his conformity with the now church of England both in Doctrine Discipline TO proceed theÌ„ according vnto the first part of our general diuisioÌ„ J doubt not but it wil easily be acknowledged of al hands that the greatest Controuersies betweene the Papists and vs maie be reduced into these fewe heads They concerne 1 The Scripture 2 Traditions 3 The Pope 4 The Church 5 Iustification 6 Merits 7 The blessed Sacrament of the Lords supper For the rest which concerne the other Sacraments or other pointes of doctrine that are collateral they shal be handled with the principal questions or else in the second place apart by themselues according to our former diuision The I. Chap. Of the Scripture THe questions to be moued about the Scripture are no lesse infinite then the Scripture it selfe but the greatest points controuersed betweene vs and the Papists resteth in these 4. About the number Sufficiencie Interpretation or Communication of the Scripture or bookes Canonical Sect. 1. The first questioÌ„ about the number of the bookes Canonical Article 6. TO the 1. point Io. VVickliffe fully agreeing with the 6. Article of the Church of England and S. HieroÌ„s doctrine maketh but f Satis est pro sua militia habere 22. libros de veteri Testamento-AutheÌ„ticos Wiekliffâ— de ver Scrip. Pag. 110. 22. books Canonical excluding the rest which are as he rightly tearmeth them bookes Apocrypha so called as he writeth g Non quia oportet illis discredere tanquam fa sis sed quia non oportet Ecclesiam militantem illis libris credere explicatè tanquam authenticis ld lb. not because they are to be discredited of falshood but because the Church militant should not beleeue them explicatè as if they were authenticall h Stultum et vanum circa veritatem aut passiones Scripturae Apocryphae nimis contendere cum habemus plenè Scripturas sensibilitèr nobis authenticas ld lb. he thinketh it to saâ—or of folly vaine curiositie for a man to striue about the truth or proper passions of these bookes Apocrypha where there are so manie books besides which are verie sensibly and plainly authentical Now if you happen to aâ—ke VVickliffe how he knoweth these bookes to be losse authentical then the former The differences betwixt the books Canonical Apocrypha he wil informe shew you that the best meanes of discerning books Canonical from the Apocrypha bookes are 1. i Auctoâ—izatio corum in Nouo testamento Wickleff de Veâ—r Scrip. pag 95. pag. 109 To looke into the newe Testament and to see what books of the old Testament are therein cited authenticated by the holy Ghost 2. If that wil not serue for k Credo quod Ecclesia discre tè examinanâ— quemcunque librum quoad totam suam sententiam dicià Spiritu Sancto in alia Scriptura lo. pag. 96. the Church of God discreetly examining any booke to consider whether the like
locum c. lb. 109. Homini creditur non vt sibi â—ed vt promulganti divinam sententiam De Ver. Scrip. pag. 205 Non debet credi creaturae nisi de quanto Ioquitur confoÌ„rmiter ad Scripturam De Verit. Scrip pag. 206. Non sunt de capitulo eorum de quibus sequitur Ipsi sic aslerunt igâ—tur verum lb. pag. 151. no man liuing is to bee credited per locuÌ„ ab auctoritate for his auctorities sake nisi in quantum praconizat verbum Domini vnlesse he vrge Scripture for the maintenance of his opinion And thus we see VVicklâ—ffe in this third point also an absolute Conformitan vnto our Church Sect. 4. THe 4. point determinable is The 4. questioÌ„ whether the Scripture should be traÌ„slated into the vulgar tonge whether it be behoueful and necessarie that the Scripture should be traÌ„slated communicated in English to edifie the simple people Wherein it shal suffice out of S. b Lib de verit Scrip. p. 331. Gregory to note his earnestnes in this point in writing against c Lib. Miscel pag. 24. this wicked sin which would that the Gospell slept d lb pag. 34. did let it to be preached e lb. pag. 24. The truth of God saith he staÌ„deth not in one language morÌ„e theÌ„ other f lb. pag. 25. Christ taught the Pater noster in a language vnderstood and therfore g lb. pag. 24. why maie not men write in English the Gospell and other things For h lb. pag. 26. Clarks should ioy that the people knew Gods law and certainely i lb. pag. 24. this Heresie and Blasphemie should men cast out from there harts for it springeth vp of the Fiend k lb pag. 24. who is cursed of God but he that letteth this meane And this moued this worthie instrumeÌ„t chosen vessel of Gods glorie to carrie his name before the Gentiles to translate the whole l extant in his Maiesties Librarie at White-hall Bible to comment vpon some partâ— therof chiefly those parts of Holy Scripture which are most in vse as the m Extant in the publike librarie verie faierly bound of the guift of M. Doct. Bond the worthie president of Magd. Col. in Oxford a true favourer furtherer of al good learning Psalmes of David the Te DeuÌ„ Nunc dimittis the Magnificat and other Hymnes now read and retained to this day in the vsage and Liturgie of the Church of England And so we see that in this point as wel as in the three former nothing letteth vs to pronounce him to be an absolute Protestant The 2. Chapt. Of Traditions THe next questioÌ„ followeth about Traditions wherin although he hath sufficiently manifested his iudgment of them positiuely by teaching vs that n Habemus completam notitiam necessarioruÌ„ ad salutem ex fide Scripturae De Veritate Scrip. pag. 108. Though there be not a particular decision of al questions that maie be moued in Diuinity touching doctrine or discipline yet sententia dati iudicij est inuenibilis in Scriptura-vnde'pateat quomodo esset in casibus particularibus indicandum In Expos. Decal pag 6. Status statuâ—a et ritus a diecti secundum traditiones humanas omnes inseparabiliter peccant cum difficultant legem Dei impediunt cursum Sermonis sui Art 41. Oxon. condemnatus Regist Acad. we haue a compleat â—ure knowledge of things necessarie to salvation out of the faith of the Scripture yet exclusiuelie By remouing the contrarie opinion he farther manifesteth his detestatioÌ„ of al Popish or humane traditions such as are contrarie to the word of God which are of diuerse natures and conditions some inuented o De verit ate script p. 487. pro questu for gaine some profastu of pride a thirde sorte p Traditiones humanae com mixtae cum ve ritate Eu angelica lb. pag 330. mixed partly humane and partly divine partly good and partly bad the which came in with the q Tempore Christi coepit calumniaâ— tempore Mahometi am plius dissipata est et a tempore editionis Decretalium decreuit honor et ponderatio Legis Scripturae continuè quae videtur esse via praeparatoria Antichristo lb p. 207. Canon Lawe you must obserue that hee doth not blame or reprehend al rites and Ceremonies in the Church for some are lawful some expedientâ— but willeth vs to obserue these few precepts only in the obseruation or establishing of them 1 That our rites and Ceremonies be surely r Obseruantie fundabiles in Scriptura lb. 529. Sunt Deo Ecclesia sua o dibiles nisi de quanto sundaÌ„tur in Script p. lb. 411. founded and grounded on the word of God 2 s Cauendum est Principibus Ecclesiae ne onerent â—ubditos rituum multitudine â—b 529. That the chiefe Prelates of the Church doe not surcharge or lade them with too many Ceremonies 3 t Videtur probabile quâ—d nuliae constitutionez Pra positorum Ecclesiae sunt licitae vel aÌ„ populo obligare admittendae nisi de quanto sunt media facilitantia ad obseâ—uantiam Legiâ— Christâ— Exposâ— Decal pag 18. That we admit of none but such as are meanes facilitating the observation of Christs law Lastly that in obseruing them we prefer not u Conquirimus non mandaâ—a saluatoris led Caesaris non praâ—cepta Capitis Ecclesiae qui est Chrisâ—us sed Temporalis Pontificis De Verit Scrip. Pag 68.2 Our Lord Iesu Christ very God and very man is head and Pâ—elat of this Religion In supplicat ad Parl. pag. 1 anie Caesar ' before our Saviour ' or any Pope before Christ which is Supreame head of the Church and chiefest Prelate of our religion and hence it was that hee reiected there popish superstitions traditions of salt x Artic. 43. in syn Constâ— damnatus spittle chreame oile and â—uch like y Artic Var. damnat there 5. Sacraments and 5. Orders and the like which were z Propriae adinueÌ„tiones plus pecuniae lucratiuae De Verit. script pag. 333. omnes sonant ad lucrum Ecclesiae lb. plus pecuniae lucratiuae established more for mony then for religioÌ„ rather propriae adinuentiones commanded by men then commended by God Such as he blameth euerie where in his writings a OptareÌ„ quod omnes ritus nostri forent à Deo confirmati De Ver. Scrip. p. 581. wishing that no Rite or Ceremonie might be received in the Church but such as are confirmed by God Which opinion of his I am sure wil be receiued for currant amongst al the true professors of the Gospel throughout al Protestant Churches The 3. Chapt. Of the Pope THis controuersie about the Supremacie or Primacie of the Pope being the verie soule and life of Poperie may be resolued into sundrie questions 1. It maie be questioned whether the Pope bee supreme Iudge here vpon earth in al causes
AN APOLOGIE FOR IOHN WICKLIFFE shewing his conformitie with the now Church of England with answere to such slaunderous obiections as haue beene lately vrged against him by Father Parsons the Apologists and others COLLECTED CHIEFLY OVT OF diuerse works of his in written hand by Gods especiall providence remaining in the Publike Library at Oxford of the Honorable foundation of S r. THOMAS BODLEY Knight BY THOMAS JAMES keeper of the same 3. Esdras Cap. 4. ver 38. Truth doth abide and is strong for ever and liveth and raigneth for ever and ever At Oxford Printed by Ioseph Barnes printer to the Vniversitie 1608. TO THE HONORABLE S r EDWARD COOKE Knight Lord Chiefe Iustice of his Maiesties Court of Common Pleas. My very good Lord it is not loÌ„g since It was my happe to see a Booke published quo iure quáue potius miuria against your Lordships Fift booke of Reportes Intituled de Iure Regis Ecclesiastico by one that if he had not tearmed himselfe a Catholik Deuine I should haue takeÌ„ him for any thing els So far is he in this lying Libel froÌ„ being a Deuine much lesse Catholik vnlesse it â—â—e in the sence vniuersal being indeed nothing els but an vniuersal HistoriaÌ„ I haue also read an other book wherin your Lordship is most vniustly produced or rather traduced for an egregious falsarie a crime which that Libeller hath made common to others of your ranck and of higher mark by imputing the same most scandalously vnto one of the most Honorable and religious Peeres of this land Farthermore I haue hard of diuerse others whose fingers doe itch to be dealing with your Lordship according to the grounds of your Honorable profession By al which I perceaue that your Lordship hath so mortally wounded the hayrie scalp of that man of Rome which would faine bee accepted for head of this Church that our aduersaries doe striue with noe smale adoe whoe shal be most forwarde to salue this sore though it be neuer so incurable But amongst all others who so aduenturous as our pretended Catholike surnaming himselfe the Deuine which hath spared no cost no labour for the effecting thereof in his late aunswere Seely disputer that where the question is de Iure produceth testimonies de facto and being by profession a Deuine the questioÌ„ of law bringeth his proofs out of Hisstorie Doubtles the Deuine is much beholding vnto your Lordship though hee doe craftily dissemble it for giuing him so good an occasioÌ„ both to shew his great reading and withal to purg so much choller being of liklyhood of that cholericke bilious disposition Quod si non aliquà nocuisset mortuus esset I gather so much by his writings for I am verily perswaded that this is not the first book that hath come out of thâ—s mans forge â—here bee diuerse books I should haue said Pamphletts cast abroad which sauour of the same stile and file so finely smothed and framed for the nonce that a man maie knowe him to bee his crafts Master in this black Art though he transfigure himselfe into an Angel of light professe al manner of Candour and Chariâ—ie in hiâ— writings but the contrary is too too manifest in his lyeing Pamphlets To saie nothing of his slaunderous reports against the late religious Queene of blessed memorie against the reuerend Sages and Iudges of the Common law in general and your Lordship in particular because he takes vpon him to be so great a Clearke in the question about the Kings Crowne and dignitie I haue endeauoured in this Apologie which I haue framed in defence of that famous writer and preacher of Gods word Iohn VVickliff to oppose against his slaunderous Libel his answere as the answere of a most ancieÌ„t Catholike and learned Deuine Ancient for hee liued in the time of K Edward the 3. Catholike for he maintained the same doctrine then which the Church of Eng 1 and now being guided by the Holy Ghost and sacred writings of Scripture Fathers doth professe learned in al kind of good knowledge needfull for a Divine for the maine question touching the kings Regaltie the Popes Supremacie hee delivereth in other termes the very same argumeÌ„ts reasons which I finde written in that your said fift Booke of Reports proving the truth of your assertioÌ„s by the Iawes Civill Canon Common Wherein because I professe little knowledge it being not my element and as your Lordship hath well obserued Perito in sua arte credendumest I haue presumed to submit the whole Apologie vnto your iudicious learned censure quatenus de Iure If your Lordship finde him not in this Apologie where I haue as neare as I could truly related his words most iudicious religious temperate learned altogether conformable vnto the doctrine and discipline of this preseÌ„t Church which this libeller so much impugneth and agreeing with the laws of God and of this Realme let me beare the fault of presumption and vndergoe your heauiest Censure whom I professe I doe honour and reuerence as farr as anie of my profession and as it becometh me to doe in al Christian dutie knowing your Lordship to be a zealous professor of the truth a worthy maintainer of the Cleargie a louing Patron of both our Vniuersities and lastly a great furtherer of al good learning which that you may liue for to doe maugre the opposition of our aduersaries I shal neuer cease to pray vnto the Almighty long to continue your Lordship in health wealth and prosperitie with encrease of spiritual gifts for the benefit of both Church and Common wealth From the Library in Oxford Feb. 10. 1608. Your Lordships in al Christian dutie to be commanded THO IAMES Faults escaped in the printing of this Apologie Pag. 1. l. 15. but read butte p. 7. in the marg 1.6 for Auctorziatio read Auctorizatio p. 9. l. 12. impious read pious p. 19. marg l. 36. discipui read discipuli p. 25. l. 18. ohfarlanot read of an harlot p. 34. l. 2. awere read werep 37. l. 7. tâ—e read the p. 39. marg l. 34. lucrationes read lucratiuas p. 40. l. 21. secundaÌ„ read secundum p. 42. marg l. 33. habeâ— read habent p. 44. mar l. 33. formicator read fornicator p. 48. l. II. excommunication read excommunications p. 53 l 20. fitest read fittest p. 56. l. 12 rained read raigned pag. 69. l. 10 ia read in pag. 71. l 5 should obay read obay lb. marg l. 16. leges read legis in his life for many read maine for to pray macks read their stomacks THE PREFACE VNTO ALL TRVE Catholicks and Christian Readers WHeras among al the writers which haue since the daies of Antichrist sharpened there pens in defence of the Gospel and maintained the cause of Christ against Antichrist and his Supposts by opposing themselues as Arch-pillers against the Arch-hereticks and Caterpillers of there times there is none that hath behaued himselfe more religiously valiantlie learnedlie and constantlie then
doctrine be deliuered by the Holy Ghost elsewhere in the Scripture And what else doth the Church of England answere So that VVickliffe is wholly for vs in the first point Sect. 2. TO the 2 point the Church of England differing from the Church of Rome professeth that Holy Scripture containeth althings necessarie to Saluation and that what soeuer is not read therin The 2. questioÌ„ about the sufficiency of the Scripture The 6 Article of Religion nor may be proued thereby is not to be required of anie man that it should be beleeued as an Article of the faith or bee thought requisite or necessarie to Saluation To this Article also l Diuersorium Lollardorum Nihâ—il inquiuÌ„t praeter Scripturas Sacras accipimus quicquid istis apponitut aut subtrahitur est blaphemum Walden To. 3. Pag. 3. Io. VVickliffe most willingly subscribeth in that most excellent booke of his De veritate Scripturae affirming positiuely that m Lex Dei patula in dâ—s obus Testamentis VVicklis in expâ—sit Decâ—l Pag. 5. â—criptura ergo est lex Christi 〈◊〉 des Ecclesiae ld de verit Script Pag. 15. Lib de 7. Peccat Moâ—â—libus Pag. 40. Gods will is plainly reuealed in two Testaments which he calleth else where Christs law or the saith of the Church that Christs law sufficeth by it selfe to â—rule Christs Church that a n Scriptura secuÌ„duÌ„ sensuÌ„ suuÌ„ sacrum sufficit pro quadaÌ„ scientia necessaria viatori De Ver. Scrip. pag. 66. Christian man wel vnderstanding it may thence gather sufficient knowledge during his pilgrimage here vpon earth that wheras o â—uÌ„ in Scriptura S. sit omnis veritas pa tet quod omnis disputatio quae iin Scriptura Sacra non habet origineÌ„ est prophana lb. p 39 all truth is contained in holy Scripture that what disputation soeuer is not originally thence to be deduced is to be accounted prophane Againe that p Non oportet admittere scientiam vel coÌ„ clusionem quae noÌ„ habet Testimonium ex Scriptura lb. pag. 66 we owght to admit of no science no conclusion that is not approued by the Scripture q Nisi in ordine ad haÌ„c Legem lb. p. 485. no lawe vnless it be ether subordinate vnto this law or r Nisi de quanto promouet ad hanc LegeÌ„ld lb. p. 50. helpe to bring vs vnto this law No Court s lb. pag 11. citra Calum besides the Court of heauen no parson not the Popes holines which t Ex Augustino contrarius Scripturae etiam Dominus Papa quem aliqui fingunt dispensare contra illam non est vt sit Christianus lb pag. 128. if he should dispense as some faine that hee maie with holy Scripture he shal not any longer be accounted a Christian yea he is so resolued vpon the certaintie and sufficiencie of the Scripture that he telleth vs elsewhere that u Lib. de biasphemia pag. 42. thowgh we had an hundred Popes and al the Friars in the world were turned into Cardinals yet should we trow more the law of the Gospel theÌ„ we should trow al this multitude And this was not a bare opinion of his which might grow vppon dislike discontent or be vtteâ—ed by waie of contradiction but a â—etled and constant persuasioÌ„ out of the word of God therefore uu Logâ—â—cos Grammaticos oportet submittere â—e ad diâ—cendum in Scriptura tam nouam Gâ—ammaticam quam Logicam De verit Script pag. 7. he magnifieth and extolleth this heaveÌ„lie Logike and Grammar aboue all the Logiks and Grammars of the world willeth x Finus non debet infringere testamentum Patris lb pag. 72. true sonnes in no wise to goe about to infringe this will and Testament of there heavenly father and perswadeth al y omne genus humanum debet stare pro deâ—ensione veritati Scripturae ex integro vsque ad mortem lb. pag. 161. true subiects to performe al due obedience and subiectioÌ„ thereunto whether they be of the Laitie or of the Clergie saying that all men ought to defend it vnto the death Saecularis violentia Clericus ratio ne lb pag. 161. Secular men by power and strength Clergie men by reasons and arguments Professing of him that holdeth the contrarie opinion z Non est vt sit Christianus lib. de verit Script p. 128. that he cannot be a Christian that a Quicunque noÌ„ vere fundaue rit vel vitam suam vel sententiaÌ„ in Scriptura S sed ad versatur sibi suis professoribus hic ob liquat vt pugil Diaboli atque haereticus lb. pag. 189. hee is flatly the Diuels champion and finallie that b Non est vox Theologi sed Docmonologi lb. pag. 327. he speakes not as a Divine but as a Divell I coulde inlarge this point with infinite quotations so earnest is he euerie where in his writings to establish this doctrine which is the ground of al our Protestant opinions And the reason of this his earnestnes impious zeale was this he saw the grosse ignorance of those times wherein few sermons were preached those for the most part out of c Lib. de 7. pee cat mort p. 22 lb. pag. 22. lb. pag. 3. de verit Script pag. 332. Chronicles and fables leasings and traditions d Expos. Decalogi pag. 69. prophaned with much scurrilitie and emptines by e Lib. de 7. peccat mort pag. 10. lb. pag. 22. laying aside Gods law and Christs Gospel Yea so farre were they from preaching the word of God that they went about to f Contra Fratres mendiâ— p. 52 burne the Gospel in English to consume with fire or g They pursue true men for preaching the truth Lib. de 7 peccat mort pag. 102. Like the Byshops of the Temple letten men to preach lb. pag. 19. letten the Gospel Pistles to be preached and pursue the true tellers thereof Lib. Miscell pag. 34. sword with banishmeÌ„ts or imprisonmeÌ„ts the true and godly Professours thereof despiting reviling the Scripture by the name of g Opinio haere tica quod Scriptura S. sit haeretica et blasphema Lib. de ver Scrip pag. 196. Multiplicati qui dixerâ—it Scripturam secundum magnem partem suam esse falsissimaÌ„ Ibid. pag. 130. Blasphemous false flexible or changeable vnto anie sense that a man would haue it and lastly that h Lib. contra Fraâ—res mendic pag. 44. it was neuer well since Lords and Ladies tooke regarde to the Gospell and leften there ancestors manners When these absurd infamous blasphemous Romish or rather Diuelish opinions began to be broached and boâ—stred vp by Antichrist and his deerest Minions the Moonks Friars maruel wee at his positions doctrine constancy and resolution for the auctoritie and maiestie of the Scripture or that he was as we finde him in this 2. and most materiall point of al
a sound Protestant Sect. 3. The 3. questioÌ„ of the Interpretation of the Scripture THe 3. point wherein we differ is about the interpretation of this Holy and sacred Scripture The Papists as they make the Pope alone indge of al controuersies so they make him sole interpreter of all dark and obscure places of holie writ Other men as the ancient Doctors and writers maie write coÌ„ment vnfold aâ—d explane the darke sentences therein coÌ„tained but there writings are humane there iudgements not alwaies certaine and solide finallie they want that vnerting kay which the Pope hath to search trie examine and determine the truth thereof Heare we therefore what is VVickliffes opinion concerning the interpretation of the Scripture He affirmeth euerie where in his writings that the l sensus literalis Scripturae sensus quem Spiritus S. in didit De verit Script pag. 27 Omnia necessaria in Scriptura contineÌ„tur in seÌ„su historico vel lite rali Wickliff ex relat Gu. Wodeford in lib. ML Nulla conclusio authentica tur ex Scriptura Sacra nisi in quantuÌ„ allegatur ad seÌ„sum Auctoris Ib. pag. 201. true literal sense and sentence of the Scripture which the Holie Ghost doth principally intend is that which we are chieflie to regards that it is nothing for a maÌ„to cite Scripture vnlesse it be * pertineÌ„t to the meaning of the Auctor which being of it self hard to be found out because a carnall man doth not easilie conceiue the things of God therefore by Gods providence which k Ordinauit Deus communem ScripturaÌ„ sensibilem ad cuius sensum Catholicum capienduÌ„ deus non poâ—est deficere quoniam semper quosdam irradiat ad quam irradiationeÌ„ confert sanctitas vitae et coÌ„tinuare istam irradiationem in matre Ecclesia est Theologotum officium quos oporter stare in suis limitibus vnde non licet Theologis fingere alienâ—â— praeter fidem Script Catholicae lb p. 205. neuer faileth his Church in things necessarie to Salvation some are illuminated enlightened from aboue for the finding out of the true and Catholike sense of the Scripture which illumination irradiation of theirs as he cals it is much confirmed and warranted vnto vs by their holy lines and coÌ„uersations and to continue it in the mother Church is the dutie and function of Diuines Who neuerthelesse because they are men and maie easily erre by making false Postilles or bâ—nging vntrue glosses therefore he willeth them to obserue certaine meanes and prescribeth them certaine bounds and limits quos vltra citrag nequit consi stere rectum within the which they are to containe theÌ„ selues And first for the meanes of expounding and explaining of holie Scripture they are in his iudgment and account l Quintuplex medium dispo nens ad suae veritat is notitiam fiue 1 m Codicum Scripturae correctio To looke that the books of Scripture be not corrupted for the Editions 2 n Logicae Scripturae instructiÌ„o To haue the knowledge of the Scripture logick that is the Phrase manner of speaking vsual in the Bible 3 o Partium Scripturae iugis collatio A continual collation and comparing of Scripture with Scripture is required 4 p Sui deuoti student is virtuosa dispositio A vertuous and deuout disposition in the Student 5 q Ptimi Magistri interna instructio De verit Script pag. 75. An inward instruction and information of the chiefe Master Christ Jesus These are the best meanes which he could find for the explanation of doubtful places in Scripture the fourth whereof being somwhat obscure he expoundeth thus The virtuous disposition of a scholler or student in Diuinitie consisteth in these 3. points 1. r Primo in auctoritatis Scripturae humiliâ— acceptationeâ— in an humble acceptation of the â—auctoritieâ— of the Scripture 2. r 20. In sui rationis conformatione in a conformation of himselfe and his reason therevnto 3. 30. in SS Doctorum testificatione De Verit Script pag. 78 In admitting the testification of the holy Doctors What could be said more plaine for vs concerning the two former points as for the latter obseruing the bounds limits which VVickliffe prescribes there can be nothing more consonant and agreeable with the Protestant doctrine here in England at this day professed For first of al he proues that the best Interpreters doe somtimes t Causa variâ—â—tatis interpretum vt cognoscomus vniuerâ—alo doi donuÌ„ in paenam superbie Ib. pag. 8â— The diuersiâ—y of opinions as S. Aug. saith may standwel enowgh with the vnitie of faith so longâ— as their opinions doe varie but not contrarie one another that they are diuerse but not aduerse varie the cause of which varietie springeth ether from Gods vniuersal goodnesse gâ—uing guifts vnto meÌ„diuersely according to his good wil and pleasure or else from mans wickednes pride which is hereby iustly punished Secondly for the Theologi debeÌ„t completius cognosceâ—e Doctores propâ—er videnda completa eorum originalia radices rationum quas eliciunt ex Scriptura De Verit. Script pag. 456. holy Doctors and Fathers of the Church whom we are to reuerence esteeme in the next un Non oportet plus credere homini quam maÌ„dato quod docet ex hoc principio propter quod est vnum quodqueâ—ipsum est magis De Ver. Script pag. 205. place to the Scripture we are to vnderstand that x Aâ—legando alios extra auctores Scripturae non allegamus eos vt auctores dantes probationem per locum a â—ide sed per locum I opicum à Testimonio humano vt tale Testimonium viz. arguendo ad hominem allegando sibitestem quem ipse acceptat taâ—quam authenticum vt arguendo contra infideles allegamus eis proprios auctores De Verit. Script pag. 107. there testimonies auctorities being â—o Topick places in Diuinitie other then humâ—ne prosies not inducing beleef per locum a fide are to be all eadged in this manner only whereas y lb. pag. 108. they speak somthings assertiue by waie of assertioÌ„ somthings recitatiue or interrogatiue bâ— waie of narration or interrogation and somthings by waie of iest or merriment Ironice we are to admit or accept of no proofs no auctorities but such as are definitiuely vttred by waie of assertion or asseueration Wherein also in his iudgment we are warilie to heed and attend this Caueat that because they speak somthings z Ib. pag. 108. opinaÌ„do by thinking them to be so somthings ratione probando by prouing them to be so by humane reasons arguments thirdly and lastly vt sententiam Dei praeconizando by citing Scripture for the farther proofe of them wee must note that in this last sence only there words are chieflie to be regarded because this is his final resolution and conclusion of al that a Nulli creden dum est p er
approbat De Ver. Script pag. 457. Canon law the Canonical Scripture was vilified nullified vtterly defased and debased a fault for which he is bolde to taxe him in sundrie passages of his works he pronouÌ„ceth of him absolutely that he is f De verit ser. pag. 590. potissimus Antichristus that verie Antichrist The 4. Chap. Of the Church NOw it remaineth that we see his iudgement coÌ„cerning the Church marking how farre his opinions do concurre with ours Here we wil enquire his definitiue sentence in these questions following 1. Whether the Church of Rome be the Catholike Church 2. Whether it hath the priviledge of not erring 3. Whether the Church be visible or not Fourthly and lastly whether the wicked be true meÌ„bers of the Church Sect. 1. THe 1. question is thus determined by him The 1. questioÌ„ whether the Church of Rome be the Catholike Church g Protestor publicè quod amando venerando Romanam Ecclesiam matrem meam desidero procuro defeÌ„sionem oâ—â—isi PrivilegioruÌ„ suorum De ve rit scrâ—pt Pag 196. he acknowledged the Romane Church to bee his mother Church and he professeth that he will to his power defend all the Priviledges thereof Here VVickliffe may seeme to depart from vs for a time and so in words he doth but in the ende or vpshot of all you shal see him come backe againe vnto vs and fight vnder our Standard He cals the Romane Church his mother Church he might do so for those worthy beginnings which she made in open profession of the Gospel in S. Pauls daies and this is apparent by those true priuiledges which hee seâ—teth downe as belonging vnto the Romane Church which to omit al other stand chiefly h Scio quidem ex fide Scripturae tanquam infraÌ„gibiliter verum quod omne â—uum privilegist est ex Deo de quanto secuta fuerit Châ—istuÌ„ coÌ„forâ—nius de tanto amplioribus privilegijs insignitur De verit Scr. Pag. 196. in conforming her selfe vnto Christ and his lawes so that the neerer shee came vnto him the greater priviledges shee had But it is not hereby to be so much as imagined that the Church of Rome was endowed with any such priuiledges as they dreame of as if Peter had therfore chosen this place aboue all other to rule in and Christ had giuen him that priuiledge and his Successours not to erre in it hee that hath this opinion of VVickliffe deceiueth himselfe for he giueth an Absit to that opinioÌ„ i Absiâ— Ecclesiam credere quod fides cuiuscunque alieni membri Ecclesiae depeÌ„deat ab isto Petro Iohanne vel Gregorio De verit scr Pag. 92. God forbid that the Church or that any man shoulde thinke that the faith of other members of the Church doth depend vpon this Peter that Iohn or that Gregory k Fieâ—i potestquod Dominus Papa foâ—et ignaâ—us Legis Scripturae quod Ecclesia Anglicana foret loÌ„gè praestaÌ„â—ior in iudicio veritatis Catholâ—â—ae quam tota ista Romana Ecclesia collecta de istis Papa Cardinaâ—ibus lb P. 182. Yea it may so happen that our Lord the Pope may be ignorant of the Laws of the Scripture that the Church of England may be far better and quicker sighted in finding out the Catholike truth then al this Romane Church of Pope and Cardinals being all thrust together So that the issue or vltima resolutio the ConclusioÌ„ is like that of the Apostles 1. Cor. Chap. 11. vers 1. to follow this Church I say aboue all others in as much as it follows Christ no otherwise which Conclusion if it should be granted by vs it will neither greatly steed them nor hurt vs. Sect. 2. THe 2. question is almost answered by the first fierâ— potest the Church of Rome may erre l Necesse estS matrem Ecclesiam per The. ologos regulari oportete nim quod reguletur secundum vitam Christi Scripturae Sacrae sed hoc propter euitandas haereses De Ver. Script pag. 510. if it keepe not her first faith which is called by him m De Ver. Scr. pag 72. fides Ecclesiae or m lb pag. 108. fides Scripturae the faith of the Church or the faith of the Scripture or if you will needes haue it so Peters â—aith which is so certainly grouÌ„ded on the true rocke Christ Jesus that ¶ Math Chap 24. v. 24 25. though the raine fall and the flouds come the winds blow beat vpon this Church yet it fals not for it is founded as I haue said on a rocke and the ¶ Math. Chap 16. v. 18. rocke is Christ against whom ¶ 1 Cor. 10.4 Luc. 18.8 Hell-gates could not heretofore prevaile But because this doubt may herehence arise if the Church of Rome and the Church of England and so other particular Churches may erre as you say then true faith may be vtterly extinguished here on earth and so we may easily aâ—â—oile that doubt in the Gospel when the Sonne of man commeth shall he finde faith vpon earth Therefore to prevent this obiectioÌ„ he setteth this down for a maxime o De Verit. Script p. 105. Nec esse est in tota matre Ecclesia esse fidem CatholicaÌ„ Jt cannot otherwise be God hath hitherto providently and wil mercifully so prouide that true faith shal be entirely professed in his Church in some one place or other and the true professors thereof shal be preserued though it be miraculously as Elias and as our Iohn VVickliffe was to continue the preaching of the Gospel and to shew forth the sauing health thereof vnto all nations to see the Sacraments duly and rightly administred which are the only true notes of VVickliffes Church Sect. 3. BY that which hath beene spoken The 3. questioÌ„ about the visibilitie of the Church not only the secoÌ„d question but also the third doubt concerning the visibilitie of the Church like ¶ 1. Sam. 5.3 Dagon before the Arke fals downe to the ground and VVickliffe remaines in this point as in al the former a resolued true Cathotholike English Protestant Sect. 4. FOurthly where the p Contra Fratres mendicaÌ„tes Cap. 39. pag. 54. They â—eachen that tho men that shal be damned bee members of holy Church thus they weddeÌ„ Christ and the diuel together Ib. Church of Rome takes the members o Hfarl an ot and giues them to Christ coupling Christ and Antichrist togither by affirming the wicked to be true members of the Church hee denies the assertion most flatlie and peremptorilie informing vs that there are but two Churches q Ecclesia Christi Ecclesia malignantium De Ver. Scr. p. 490. Christs Church and the malignant Church r Duo capita Christus Diabolus lb. two Captaines or Chieftaines Christ and the Devill or Beliall s There is no coÌ„mining ne consent to Christ and to Belial Contra Fâ—atr Mend. pag. 54.
betwixt whom there is no communitie And therefore I conclude this point with VVickliffes words these wicked miscreants vngodlie men t Comment in Psal. pag. 2. in Praef. aâ—e in the holy Church but not of the holy Church and in the Church by body not by thought by name not by deed in nomber not by merit The 5. Chapt. Of Iustification THe fift maine controuersie concernes iustification wherein VVickliffe according to his vsuall manner accordeth fully with the Church of EnglaÌ„d ' teaching vs that u Decreuerunt Apostoli sufficere ad saluationem Christianismiâ—fideÌ„ Domini Iesu Christi De Ver. Scr. pag. 494. faith in our Lord Iesus Christ is sufficient for saluation uu Est fides summe vtilis quia sine illa fide impossibile est fidelem alterius Testa menti placere Deo cum includit in se diuinitatem humanitatis saluationem tam causalitèr quam efficientèr quam finalitèr De Ver. ScrÃp pag. 496. and that without that faith it is vnpossible for any man to please God that x Meriâ—um Christi per se sufficit omnem hominem redimere aÌ„ Gehenna Ib. pag. 552. the merit of Christ is able by it selfe to redeeme all mankinde from Hell that y Dâ— per se sufficientia intelligitur sine alia causa concurrente Ib. pag. 553. this sufficiencie is to be vnderstood without any other cause concurring perswading men therefore to trust wholy to Christ to rely altogether vpon his sufferings z Omnes sequentes Christum Iustificati ex sua Iustitia tanquam â—ua generatio saluabuntur De Ver. Scrip. pag. 550. not to seeke to be iustified but ex sua iustitia by his iustice that a In genere iustorum est dare vnum iustum cuius participatione cuncta alia erunt iusta in Expos. Decal pag. 1. by participation of his righteousnes all men are righteous that b Infideles non viuunt viâ— tuosè licet de propinquo faciant bona de genere De Ver. Scrip. pag. 468. the works of Infidels licet de propinquo faciat bona de genere though they doe good workes which are good for there kinde yet they are not to be accouÌ„tedrighteous meÌ„ And thus it may appeare that VVickliffe did fully vnderstand the point of c Walden To. 3. pag. 24. chargeth him with Pelagianisme in the highest degree how truly let the reader iudge by comparing Wickliff with Walden truth with falshood Wicleuistae destruunt liberum Arbitrium Ib. To. 1. pag. 68. Justification or else he would neuer haue relied so much vpon Gods mercie and so little vpon merits as in truth he did as is declared vnto you in the words following The 6. Chapt. Of Merites THE doctrine of merits that you may know that VVickliffe was nether d Ecce si non sit inter Wickliffe Pelagium germana societas Walden To. 3 pag. 14. Pelagianitae Wilclevistae gratiam Dei tacent vel abnegant in meritis hominum omnino confidunt Ib. pag 25. Ib. Wickliffe diuinae gratiae nihil tribuendum docet Ib. Walden must needs be very true in al the rest that is so notoriously false in this Pelagian nor Papist is plentifullie in al his bookes refuted but chiefly in his Commentaries vpon the Psalmes Where hee beateth downe these prowde Pharisees e Comment in Psalm pag. 474. which saie that God did not al for theÌ„ but thinketh that there ¶ Wickliff dixisset non sic sed propter memetipsum Deus propter opera meritoria mea me audi Walden To. 3. pag. 28. very like vnto himselfe merites helpeth f Ib. pag. 182. Heale vs Lord for nought that is no merit of ours but for thy mercie g Ib. pag. 368. Lorde not to our merits but to thy mercie giue thy ioy h Ib. pag. 368. Giue vs grace to ' knowe that all thy gifts beeth of thy goodnes i Ib. pag. 126. our flesh though it seeme holy yet it is not holy VVe all k Omnes homines originaliter peccatores sunt quodaÌ„mo do Adam De Ver. Scr. pag. 489. Tota natura humana inimica Deo In Expos. Decal pag. 77. Concupiscentia peccatum mortale Ib. pag. 144. are originallie sinners as AdaÌ„ and in Adam his leaprosie cleauing faster to vs then Naamans did to Gehezay ' For according to his teaching wee all are sinners not only from k Infans ' ex peccato originali est haereticus quia à numero fidelium diuisus ex caeca electio ne priorum parentum a qua contrahit maculam originalem De Ver. Scr pag. 607. our mothers wombes but l Infantes peccant in matris vtero in Expos. Decal pag. 77. in our mothers wombes so that we caÌ„not so much as thinke a m Comment in Psal pag. 109. good thought vnlesse Iesu the Angell of great councel send it performe a n Ib. pag. 423. good work vnlesse it be properly his good worke o Ib. pag 79. his mercy comes before vs that we receiue grace and followeth vs helping and keeping vs in grace So then it is not good for vs to trust in our merits in our vertues in our righteousnes but to conclude this point good p Comment in Psal pag. 374. it is only to trust in God as the Church of England teacheth The 7. Chapt. Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper THis is the seauenth and last maine question concerning which wee haue VVickliffes confession both in q Haec est confessio Mag. Io. Wickliff de Sacramento Altaris in Festo SanctoruÌ„ Gordiani Epimachi Oxon. Anno Domini 1381 extant Ibidem Latin and in r Wickliffes beleue of the Sacrament in English in the Publike Librarâ—e This was published after that Concilium Terrae motus at LondoÌ„ English For he was not ashamed to yeeld an account of his faith ¶ 1 Pet. 3.15 omni poscenti to anie man that would demand it so farre was he from retracting his former opinion as some shamefully write but without any ground in the world for this there coniecture For s Wickl de Verit Scr. pag. 183. Non sum suspectus de formidine istarum conclusionum cum transmisi eas per magnam partem Angliae Chrâ—stianismi vnde quia volui materiam communicatanâ— Clericis Laicis colâ—êgi communicaui 33. conclusiâ—nes illius materiae in lingua duplici lb. he sent his opinion touching his beliefe of the Sacrament and all other points wherein he dissented froÌ„ their Apostata Church into al Christendome to be censured by the learned Diuines according vnto t Sentential mea est Catholica Reip. directiua a fide Scripturae secunduÌ„ postillationes SanctoruÌ„ concorditer eliquata pag. 187. Scripture and Fathers whereas on the contrary the Friars u De blasphpag 38 Friars reâ—usen to deliuer their opinioÌ„ of the Host. De blasp pag. 51. durst not put out there faithes
truly to see his Lawes executed and iustice d Kings are bound to see their Subiects haue right De fundam LeguÌ„ Anglioe l. c. 36 sincerely administred and if he happen to be defectiue in his duty by suffering the sword of iustice to rust in the scabbard and his people to perish for want of gouernment then he telleth him that he is not properly and truly a king that is e Perdens nomen officij ordinis in effectu lb. pag. 513. in effect and operation which words are spokeÌ„ by way of exhortation but so farre was he from f This crime of rebellion and treason was obiected vnto him in his life time De Ver. Scrip pag. 179. p. 570. which he answereth very fully lb. mutinie himselfe or perswading others to rebellion that I dare bee bolde to speake it that neuer any man of his ranke for the times wherein he liued did more stoutly and valiantly g His maine argument is out of the common Law of this land quia a liter non haberent Reges in Regnis suis plenae pacis custodiam maintaine the kings Supremacie in all causes as wel as ouer al parsons Ecclesiastical and ciuil against al vsurped Primacie and forraine Iurisdictions and his maine reason was this to omit al others else h The King should â—ot be able to doe right to his subiects De fundam legum Angliae l. c. 36. He writes directly and plainly against those th at saie Rex Angliae non est Rex totius Angliae sed Regulus paruae partis super residuum vero mortificatum est Papa Dominus veruntamen non disputandum inquiunt de ista materia quousqueâ—uerit in effectu potentius stabilita sed toleâ—â—ndae sunt iniuriae Dominorum Secularium quovsque arisent opportunitas temporis â—b pag. 424. This he takes to be treason and against this he writes he should not be King ouer al England but regulus parua partis a pettie gouernour of some small parts of the Realme And as touching his i He noted theÌ„ of Treason in many points for giuing our gold to Alâ—eÌ„s and â—omtimes our enimies for enabling the Pope to fight with the King with his owneâ— money diâ—abling the King by â—eseruations prouisions dispensations Collations preseÌ„tations of so many barbarous â—ud e' vnlettered straingers who neuer saw ne came to see their parishioners finally by threatning the King that if they might not haue what they would they would goe out of the land come againe with bright heads And as he'saies looke whether this be treason or no Contra Frat. mend Cap. 27. pag. 45. pag 358. rebellious followers mutinous k He that set the writing vpon the dâ—re at Paules was one walter Disse a Friar Carmelite therin he shewed the abhominable liues of Sodomittie treason aâ—d murders of the Friars he had preached the same before in London and was readie to iustiâ—ie his accusation and therfore I see little reason whie it should be caled a Libel Waâ—sg pag. 358. Libellers if euer there were any such as the Apologists recite out of Stowes Walsingham I trust it is not imagined or looked for that he should be better attended on theÌ„ Christ was which had followers of al sorts soÌ„e which followed him for bread some to see the miracles that he did some to take him in his words and so it might fare with VVickliffe and his schollers But if I be not deceiued the matter of rebellion sedition is wholly mistaken and wrongfully imputed to l Walsingham recitans opiniones haereâ—icas lo. Ball doâ— uit inquit peruerâ—a dâ—gmata peâ—fidi lo. Wicklâ—ffe pag 292. See the Catholike diuâ—ne in his pretended answere to S Ed. Cook pag. 308. Iohn VVickliffe out of whose works I speake of as many as haue yet come vnto my hands though you rack them to the worst there is not so much as the least suspition to be drawne of words tending to disloialty but I read in m Froissard vol. 2 pag. 80 Y estoit vngfol prestre de la Conte de kent quâ—â— appelloit tehan â—alle pour les folles parolles â—l auoâ—â— este mys en pâ—â—'on devers l' larceuâ—â—que de Cantorbie pâ—r â—rois fois lb. estoient bien soixante mâ—lle avoientvng Souuerain Capitaine quiâ— appelloit Watre Tâ—llier auecques luy estoient de sa compaignie Iaques Straw Iehan Balle lb. p. 80. Fraissard of one Iohn Ball one of Bals Priests for ought that I know who drew multitudes of people after him was the chiefe cause of that great rebellion of the Commons vnder the coÌ„duct of VVat Tyler and Iacke Straw which n Il-preschoit leur disoit Bonnes gens les choses ne peuuent pas bien aler â— n Angleterre ne yront iusques a tant que biens yront tout dâ— commun quil ne sera ne villains ne gentilâ— hommes que nous soioâ—s tous vniz que les Seigneurs ne soient plus grans maistres que nous c. lb. Lan â—il trois cens quatre xx sept lb. taught this doctrine to condemne al Laws despise the Cleargie and to rebell against there Soveraigne because there was an equalitie of al men and communion of al things which is pure Anabaptisme or Diabolisme rather and because he liued about the time of VVickliffe therefore this foule and monstrous heresie is by a malitious kinde of o Vide Tho. Walsingham pag 29â— mistaking laid to VVickliffes charge which was as p lo Ball seditionem excitat ad wickliffianorum inuidiam ex illa secta proditione prodijsse quidam fingunt falso equidem ignoranter-Tunc sparsa Wicklefi doctrina-sed vt in omni nouitate ac mutatione fierisolet atque hoâ—iernis temporibus factitatum est nuÌ„ciata luce Euangelij libertate Christiana insana plebs scelerum impunitatem omnium in Ecclesia atque Rep ordinum perâ—urbationem sperat Auctor Antiq Britannicarum pag. 2â—9 far from preaching anie such doctrine as they â— are froÌ„ any truth sincerity or ingenuity that affirme it as hath beene obserued by one very iudicious in collecting the Antiquities of our Land The 7. Obiection Apol. Tract 2. Cap. 2. p. 108. He was more giuen to scoffing and prating then became a sober Diuine The Answere This fault was obiected vnto him in his life time whervnto heshapeth this modest most ChristiaÌ„ answere q Testis sit mihi Deus ego principaliter intendo honorem Dei vtilitatem Ecclesiae ex veneratione Scripturae ex obseruantia Legis Christi quod si surrepserit cum ista intentione sinistra intentiovanâ—e gloriae questus seculi et zeli vindictâ—e ego de hâ—c dâ—leo per dei gratiaÌ„ praecauebo De Ver. Scr. p. 145. God is my witnesse that I principally intende his glory and the weale of the Church by seeking to honor the Scripture and obserue Christs