that have been borne of Adam it may be said which humbly and truly sayeth he David sayeth of himselfe I was shapen in iniquity and in sinne did my mother conceive me and therefore in the same place he calleth the feast of her conception without sin a presumptious noveltie the mother of rashnes the sister of superstition and daughter of inconstancie whosoever denyeth that all others without exception except Christ are conceived in sin he is found sayeth Augustin lib. 5. conâ— Iulian. cap. 9. to be a detestable heretick because herby as Salmeron testifies in Rom. 5. disp 49. Aquinas sayeth that this were to equal the virgin Mary with Christ himselfe And yet notwithstanding of so cleare a place of scripture so unanimously expounded by all the ancient fathers which Billarmin Salmeron calleth a sure inevitable argument of catholick verity and soundexposition of scripture Yet for al this sayeth Bellarmin coÌ„tradicting himselfe lib. 4. de amissa gratia cap. 15. § ab hac seing the Councell of Trent hath decreed the contrary as likewise Pope Sextus 4. and Pius 5. they are not to be accounted catholicks that esteemes this an errour and consequently all the ancient fathers are not to be accounted Catholicks nor Cardinal Cajetan bishop Canus nor ther master of sentences and canonized Aquinas and many more besides VVee see then howsoever they pretend traditioÌ„ or the unanimous consent of fathers to be the rule of faith or exposition of the scripture yet when they please and findeth the same displeasing to them they vilyfie and rejects the same therefore thus sayeth the Iesuit Valentia in the last chapter of the 5. booke of his analysis that any by gone tradition without the authority of the present Church is not a sufficient â—udge â—f controversies of faith So also speakes Cardinall Cajetan in the begining of his comentars on Genesis as also Baronius tom 1. annal anno 34. num 213. And if we will consider what certainty or rather what fluctuating uncertantie is in the moderne sense or exposition that the present Roman Church now puts upon scripture whereon to build their faith Let Cardinall Cusanus words testyfie epist 2. ad Bohemos pag. 833. and 838. who sayeth That one time the Church iuterprets the Scripture one way and at another tyme another way and that the understanding of the scripture must follow her practise when she changeth her judgement God also changeth his then which I know not what can be grearer blasphemy Next for answere to that testimonie which he brings out of Tertullian where he sayth we admit not our Adversaries to dispute out of scripture till thy can show who their ancessors were and from whom they received thâ— scriptures These words of Tertullian makes no wayes against us whereby he denieth not that the scripture is the rule of faith or of disputes concerning the same as he showeth against hermogenes cap. 22. saying let these of Hermogenes shop show that it is written and if it be not written let them feare that woe which is allotted to such as adde or take away but he showeth only that Apostolicall churches not Rome only which were founded by them and to that time had keeped the truth which they had delivered in the scriptures committed to them could only lay best claym to them which hereticks who dissented from these scriptures and apostolical churches of these primitive times could not do As for Ireneus whom only he citeth but not his words he hath nothing in that place that favoureth tradition as an unwritten rule of faith for so he should not agree with himselfe who sayeth lib. 3. cap. 2. that these things which are to be shown in the scriptures can not be made manifest but by the scriptures themselves and lib. 3. cap. 1. That the scriptures is that which is the foundation and pillar of our faith and not tradition or any unwritten rule Tertullian also that he is of the same mynd I have shown out of the forâ—cited testimonie concerning Hermogenes and who in that same 22. Chapter sayeth that he adoreth the fullnes of scripture Chrisostome also hom 3. in 2. cor calles it a most exact rule and ballance which it could not be if either it wer A partiall rule onely as Bellarmin calleth it or that tradition were the rule of faith Aâ—gustin also de bono viduitatis cap 1. calleth it a fixed and sure rule in opposition as it were to unsure tradition Yea Bellarmin himselfe lib. 1. de verbo cap. 2. haveing showne that the rule of our faith should have these two properties first that it should be most sure which tradition can not be luke 1. 4. 2. pet 1. 19. and 2. most known he concludeth that the scripture is the most sure and best knowne rule both of faith and manners But what shall I speake of a Cardinall when a Pope to wit Clement in his first booke of recognitions cited dist 37. cap. relatum calleth the scripture a firm and sound rule of faith Basill also hom 13. in Genesis sayeth thes things which may seem to be ambiguous and obscure in some places of the holy scripture must be explained by these which elswhere are more plaine and manifest Augustin likewise cont Crescon Lib. 2. cap. 31. speaking of an epistle of Ciprians I am not bound sayeth he to the authority of this epistle because I account not Ciprians writting as canonicall but I examine them by these that are canonicall and that which is agreable in them to the authority of divine scriptures I receive and that which is not agreeable I refuse Heer then we see that Augustin would have the scriptures only to be the rule of faith and of divine authoritie 2 THat in matters of faith we must not relye on the judge-ment of the Church or her Pastours VVHich he sayeth is contrary to Math. 23. 2. Where the jewish people are commanded by Christ To obserue all whatsoever the Scribes and Pharisees did bidd theÌ„ obserue not only sayeth hee in some principall matters but in all whatsoever without distinction or limitation For answere to whom I can not admire enough the mans impudencie or ignorance seing First our Saviour himself showeth the contrary where Math. 16. 6. 12. lie biddeth his disciples and others Beware of their leaven which be expoundeth to be their false doctrine 2. The Authour of the ordinarie gloss with whom agreeth Lyra on Deut. 17. 10 sayeth Note that the Lord requireth that whatsoever the Priest doth teach thee according to the Law do thou because otherwise thou art not to obey them Ferus also a spanish Frier and Preacher at Mentz on this place speaketh thus Christ would not that they should receive all the doctrines of the Pharisees sayeth hee but so farre only as they agreed with Gods Law else they should haue admitted all the false glosses which our Saviour refuteth Math. 5. from verse 21. to the end To this also agreeth the Iesuite Maldonat
the famous Councells and Fathers forenamed who opposed the same as not to adhere to their sense of that place of Mathew or to their judgement of papall supremacie were now a-dayes damnable and rank heresie 2. Next to come to that proud doctrine of merite against which is that cleare Text of scripture Rom. 6. 23. where it is said The wages of sinne is death but Life Eternall is the gift of GOD. Which by the unanimous judgement of the ancient fathers Church is acknowledged to be against merits therefore sayeth their owne Cassander consult art 6. with a full consent all the ancient Fathers deliver that our whole confidence and hope both of pardon and eternall life is to be placed in the onely mercie of GOD and merite of Christ As we see particularly in ORGEN l. 4. in Rom. cap. 4. Hilare in Math. can 20. Ambrose in psal 118. Octon 20. Et in exhortatione ad virgines Basil in psal 52. 114. Jerom lib. 17. in Isaiam cap. 64. Chrisostom in Coloss hom 2. Augustin in psal 36. con 2. psal 32 con 1. psal 83. circa fineÌ„ As also psal 109 â—irca iâ—itiuÌ„ Cyril also of Alexandria hom 4. paschas Gregorie the first in psal 7. poenit Fulgentius ad Moninum lib. 1. cap. 10. and Haymo in psal 132. 1. Bernard ser 1. in annunc Mariae and many more And yet the present Roman Church differeth so farre froÌ„ Scripture the streame of Antiquitie expounding the same in this point That the Councell of Trent in the decree of the sixt Session thereof can 32. hath accursed all those that hold not the doctrine of mans meriting of eternall life by his owne good works and the Rhemists declare on Heb. 6. 10. That they are so fully worthie of eternall life and are the cause of salvation that God should be unjust if he rendred not heaven for them 3. For perfectioÌ„ of scripture against doctrinall traditions that place Gal. 1. 8. Though wee or an Angell from heaven preach any other beside that which wee haue preached unto you let him be accursed by the constaÌ„t unanimous judgement of the Church all ancient Fathers that ever write on that place the same is expounded to be the scriptures of the old new Testament onely beside which no other thing ought to be taught under paine of a curse as Basil in his summe of his Moralls 72. expoundeth so likewise Augustin in his third book against Petilian cap. 6. saying If an Angell from heaven preach to you any thing besids that which is in the scriptures of the Law and Gospell which yee haue received let him be accursed sayth the Apostle so also Vincen. Lyrinen adv haeres c. 35. 10. Neither sayeth the Apostle if they teach any thing contrar or repugnant sayeth Chrisostome Theophylact. on that place but if they teach never so small a point beside that that is add never so little more then that let him bee accursed And yet so farre doth the present Roman Church disagree from the true meaning of this Text of scripture which is given thereon by the whole streame of antiquitie in this point that shee hath decreed contrar thereunto in the Councell of Trent for doctrinall unwritten traditions 1. decreto sess 4. 4. Against that idolatrous worshiping and prayer to Angels that Text Coloss 2. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntare humilitie and worshiping of Angels is expounded not onely by the ancient Fathers singly writing thereon as condemning all prayer to be made to them as we see in Chrisostom in Coloss 2. hom 9. and in Origen l. 7. 8. contra Celsum others but likewise by a whole Councell conveened together as Theodoret testifieth on Coloss 2. saying The Councell which conveened at Laodicea the cheif citie of Phrygia by a law did forbid prayer to Angels condemning the same as Idolatry wherby the communion both of Christ â—nd his Church was forsaken and therefore accursing the practisers thereof Can. 35. saying if any man be found to giue himself to this private idolatrie let him be accursed And yet the present RomaÌ„ Church doth so farr disagree froÌ„ this Apostolicall precept expounded by an unanimous coÌ„sent of ancient Fathers conveened in Councell that she will haue prayers put up to Angels and consequentlie shee is declared Idolatrous and accursed 5. I could instance many more places in points coÌ„troverted wherin they admitt not that sense which the streame of ancient Fathers giveth theron as Coloss 3. where it is said Let the word of Christ dwell in you richlie Which by the constant and unanimous exposition of Fathers is for peoples reading and knowledge of scripture as wee see in Chrisostome hom 9. â—n Coloss 10. in Iohan Augustin serm 55. de tempore Theodoret lib. 5. de Cur. graec affect and others which made their late Bishope Espenceus on Tit. 2. to say By the doctrine of the Apostle and conforme practise of of the primitive Church it is manifest that of old the reading of scripture was permitted to people and as venerable Beda showeth in his third book of the English ecclesiasticall historie cap. 5. but the forenamed shal suffice to show that in the points controverted they admitt not that to be the rule of faith which they pretend to be the rule but when it maketh against them they disdainfullie or impudentlie doth reject the same Lastly As for his Thrasonick brags wherein hee exceedeth all moderation and trueth I passe by theÌ„ as not worthy of any answere but that which in realitie and a solid way shall bee seene God willing in this ensueing reply to discover his frothy emptines fraud to any who is but indifferent judicious howsoever to others the blinded and imbrutished proselyts of such every thing that commeth from them is counted as of old the Oracles of Delphos were or as Diana was cryed up by the confused multitude Act. 19. 34. saying Great is Diana of the Ephesians AN ANSVVERE To the Touch-Stone of the Reformed Gospell 1. That there is not in the Church one and that an infallable rule for understanding the holy Scriptures and conserving of Vnitie in matters of saith THis assertion of our's as hee calleth it is contrary sayth hee to the expresse words of our own Bible which he nameth therafter To whom I answere 1. In generall that he beginneth with a grosse calâ—mny affirming that to be our assertion which is not for wee deny not to be in the Church an infallable rule of faith or for understanding the Scriptures and conserving unitie in the matters of faith as our Confession of faith showeth anno 1581. art 18. but affirmeth this rule of faith to bee the Scripture it self which is therfore called the Canon or rule of Scripture that the right understanding thereof in all matters of faith is to be had froÌ„ the scripture it self and that analogie of faith clearlie set downe therein or deryved
agreable to their doctrine nor yet was it in the tyme of the primitive Church his words are these It is manifest sayeth he by the doctrine of the Apostle Col. 3. 16. and by the practise of the primitive church that of old the reading of the scripture was permitted to people As for the testimonies of fathers which he bringeth none of them doeth prove his point for 1. in Irenus there is no speach at all to his point or purpose nor tels he in what booke of Origen any such thing is to be found and as to Ambrose testimony which calleth the scripture a sea and depth of propheticall ridles I answer that no man denyeth but that as Gregorie also speaketh in his epistle to Leander it is as a sea and deepe wherein an Elephant may swime as also so shallow wherein a Lamb sayeth he may wade containing both high mysteries for exercising the most learned as also most easie instructions as David speaketh psal 119. 130 To give understanding to the simple Next to Augustins testimony where he sayeth that the things in scripture which he knew not were much more then these which he knew I answer that this showeth onely his humility as the Apostle also professeth that in this life he knew but in part but this neither maketh for proving the obscurity of scripture the contrary whereof he affirmeth in the place forecited de doct Christ lib. 2. cap. 9. not yet maketh it against the peoples reading of scripture whereunto so earnestly he exhorts them Serm. 55. de tempore and as for Gregorie we differ no wayes from him in the place forecited As for S. Dennis testimony as he calleth him where he sayeth that the matter of the scriptures was farre more profound then his wit could reach unto I answere that by nature it is true of all except as David prayes psal 119. 18. The Lord open mens eies that they may understand the wonders of his Law But this proveth not that therefore the scriptures are not to be read or are every where obscure 4. THat apostolicall traditions and ancient customes of the Church not found written in the word are not to be received nor do obleidge us VVHich he sayeth is expresly contrary to 2. Thess 21. 5. where the Apostle biddeth them Hold fast the traditions which they had beene taught whether by word or Epistle and which traditions by word he sayeth are of equall authoritie with what was written if not more because first named I answere Nicephorus and Theodoret on that place showeth that the Apostle speaketh not of divers doctrines of faith some written by him others not written but left to verball tradition but he speaketh of the same doctrines diverslie onely delivered to wit first by word when he was present with them the same thereafter by Epistle being absent from them even as he speaketh Philip. 31. saying To writ the same things to you to wit which he had preached before To me indeed is not greevous but for you it is safe which Bellarmin also confirmeth lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. while he grants That al things were writen by the Apostles which they preached to the people or which was necessar sayeth he to salvation whence it followeth that what was not written by the Apostle thereafter to the Thessalonians was not taught to them before by word as also what was not written by the Apostles that the same is not necessar to salvation and consequently that uuwritten doctrinall traditions are not necessary to salvation for of such onely is the question and not of any other sort of traditions rituall historicall or explicatory which doeth not derogate from the perfection of scripture The second place which he bringeth is 2. Thess 3. 6. Where the Apostle commands TheÌ„ to withdraw themselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tratradition which they received of him to which I answer that Cardinall Cajetan on the 14. verse showeth that what he calleth tradition in the 6. verse he calleth the same his word by Epistle in the 14. verse and therfore written Aquinas likewise on this 6. verse showeth that the same is meaned by tradition which is meaned 2 Thess 2. 15. which we have already cleared to wit that doctrine which was delyvered both by word and writ by word first and by writ after but the most simple exposition is this sayeth their Estius that the Apostle speaketh in generall of the institution of a Christian life The derection whereof no man can say but is set downe in scripture The third place which he bringeth is 1. Cor. 11. 2. where the Apostle praiseth them that they keeped the traditions which hee had delivered them whereunto I answere that in that text ther is not a word of tradition but as their owne vulgare and Rhemes Translation hath is that they keeped his Precepts where the deceatfulnes of this PaÌ„pleter is to be noted that to seduce the simple when hee pleaseth hee departeth from the vulgare Translation which at other times hee so magnifieth as onlie authentick and doeth idolize As for the testimonie which hee bringeth out of Basil where hee sayeth Some things we have froÌ„ scripture other things from the Apostles both which haue alike force unto godlinessis I answer First that the most learned except against this Booke as corrupted as B. Andrewes showeth opose conâ— Peron p. 9. 2. he speaketh of these that were received froÌ„ the Apostles and not of such as the Romanists theÌ„selves acknowledge not to haue ben taught by the Apostles neither by word nor write as the invocatioÌ„ of saynts is coÌ„fessed to be by their owne Ecksê° Enchird c. 15. many more such 3 he speaketh not of doctrines of faith necessary to salvatioÌ„ all which Bellaer himself granteth to be written l. de verbo c. 11 but of things relating to order decencie in celebration of holy mysteries according to that general rule 1. Cor. 14. 40. the Apostles speech cap. 11. 34. wher he sayth The rest I will set in order wheÌ„ I come wherby he understandeth sayth Estiê° such things as belong to a worthie honest and orderlie celebratioÌ„ of holy mysteries so speaketh also Lombard Aquinas Cajetan and the Iesuite A lapide OF ANCIENT CUSTOMES Next to traditions he would haue the ancieÌ„t customes of the Church equally to be received though hee bringes no proofe froÌ„ scripture or fathers for the same Wherin tho I might answere with Cyprian epist 63. saying we must not taek heed what any hath done before us or hath thought meete to be done but what Christ hath done who is before all men for we must not follow the custome of men sayeth he but the truth of God For as in his 74. ep to Pompeius he sayth Custom without truth is nothing else but inveterate errour As also sayth Basil ep 80. We think it not just that custome which hath prevailed be held for a law or rule of true
Lord of Hosts 3. The change also of Iacobs name to Israell Gen. 32. 28. and the reason therof showeth this For as a Prince thou hast prevailed with God sayth he who wrestled with him And 4. the name of the place proveth this being called Peniell for I haue seen God face to face sayeth Iacob As for testimonies of fathers he bringeth onlie Augustin on Iob. 19. 21. where he fayth That Iob speaking thus haue pitie on me my friends he addrest himself to the Angels To which I answer 1. That he wrongs Augustins words which are these only That Iob seemeth to desire the Angels or-else the saints to pray for him which exposition Pineda a Iesuite condemneth and expoundeth it of Iobâ— owne friends 2. The scripture it self in the veâ—ie next verse maketh against any such exposition which sayeth why persecute yee mee to wit by reproaches which the good Angels abhorre to do to the godlie 3. Pope Gregory also in his Moralls on that place expoundeth it thus saying Behold he calleth theÌ„ friends who by reproachs hitherto had afflicted him Thus also doth Lyra expound this place Ferus like wise and Mercerus professour in the Universitie of Paris 29. THat the Angels cannot help us FOr answere This calumnie is most impudentlie and maliciouslie imputed to us for on the contrarie we grant that both they can and do help the godlie seing as is said Heb. 1. 14. They are Ministring spirits sent forth for the good of the Elect as many examples in scripture doeth prove 30 THat no saint deceassed hath afterwards appeared on the earth FOr answere This likewise wee nowise affirme nor are we contrarie to Math. 27. 52. That after Christs death the graves were opened and many bodies of saints that sleeped arose came out of their graves after his resurrection and went into the holie citie and appeared to many nor to Math. 17. 3. That Moses and Elias appeared at Christs transfiguration to to the three disciples But this Pamphleter heerin showeth his ignorance saying That they talked with them whereas Thy talked onlie with Christ. And as for Samuels apparition to Saull 1. Sam. 28. Tertullian lib. de anima prope finem Iustinus Martyr q. 52. Augnstin quaestionuÌ„ vet Test q. 27. Procopius and Eucherius in 1. Sam 28. Aquinas sum p. 1. q. 89. art 8. and the Popes owne Decretall causa 29. cap. 14. All these declare that it was not Samuell but the devill that appeared like him to Saull But the intention of this Pamphleter in all the places adduced is for establishing that lucrative errour of Purgatorie and of the apparition of soules being there and desiring by soule-masses to be freed therfrom To which I will answere onlie in Chrisostoms words Hom. 29. on Math. These voyces that say I am the soul of such a one proceedeth saith he froÌ„ the deceat of the Devill for it is not the soul that departed that sayth that but Satan who that he may deceive the the hearers faineth himself to be that sonle sayeth he As likewise thus â—peaketh their owne Lyra on Dan. 11. People being thus deceived by miâ—acles fained by Priests and their adheâ—ents for their gaine sayeth hee as â—he people of old were deceived by the Priests that worshipped the dragon and God permitting this sayth their Gabriel Biel in canone Missae lect 49. and mens infidelitie so deserving the same Against which sort of jugling tricks and apparitions their owne famoê° Valla mightily exclaimeth in his book of Constantins donation about the end thereof 31 THat the Saints deceassed know not what passeth heer on earth VVHich is contrarie sayth he to Luke 16. 29. wher Abraham knew that they had Moses books on earth when he sayd to Dives concerning his brethren they haue Moses the Prophets which himself had never seen while he was alive To which I answere 1. That this is a parable as Theophylact sayeth expreslie on Luke 16. and Iustin Martyr q. 60. As also Chrisostome Hom. 1. de Lazaro and their owne Arboreus showeth that others affirme the same as Erasmus doth and parabolicall speeches are not argumentative by consent of all The second place is Iohn 5. 45. where our Saviour sayeth There is one that accuseth you even Moses in whom yee trust To which I answere That by Moses is understood not his person who should be their accuser and therefore knew their faults but as this Pamphleters own words are Moses books And so this place proveth not his point The third place is Revel 12. 10. taken from Satans accusing the brethren before God ergo sayeth he hee must know wherof and who without shame can deny that to saints which must needeth be granted to devils To which I answere That this is an absurd infereÌ„ce for glorified saints remaine onlie in heaven And therfore as is said Iob 14. 21. and Isai 36. 16. know not mens effaires on earth whereas the Devill compasseth the earth to and fro walking in it Iob. 1. 7. being the Temper and therefore may know mens effaires and actions The fourth place is 2. King 6. 12. where Elisha told the King of Israel the words that the King of Syria spake in his bed-chamber To which I answere That from one extraordinarie act of Gods revelation to his Prophet and of one thing onlie on earth to argue to an ordinarie revelation to his glorified saints of all things in heaven is as absurd a consequence as was the former As for Fathers hee citeth onelie three Euscbius Maximus and Ierome but none of their words and so loâ—slie also as 14. chapters being in that book of Ieromes he telleth not in which of them 32. THat the Saints pray not for us TO which point I answere first in generall That the controversie is not as I spoke of Angels what the saints in heaven out of their charitie do for the Church their fellow brethreÌ„ in general but what our duty is if it be lawfull for us to pray to theÌ„ in particular Next I answere to the wrested places of scripture which he bringeth to prove that they pray for particular men ordinarlie and in particular cases knowne unto them as hee said before The first whereof is Revel 5. 8. where The twentie four Elders in heaven are said to fall downe before the Lamb having everie oâ—e harps and golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of the saints to which I answere That Haymo Beda Aquinas and Richard de S. victore all expound these Twentie four elders to represent the church militant said to bee in heaven as that woman Revel 12. is said to be because of their heavenlie disposition and affections because that this was represented in a heavenlie vision to Iohn and are said to have Harps and golden vials the speech being borrowed froÌ„ the Leviticall Ministrie as the Iesuit Ribera showeth to expresse the spirituall worship of Christians praises prayer under the gospell as wee see fore-prophecied Mal. 1. 11.
An ANSWER To a Popish Pamphlet called The TOUCH-STONE of the Reformed Gospell made speciallie out of themselves MATH 15 13. Everie Plant which my heavenlie Father hath not planted shall be rooted up By WILLIAM GUILD D. D. and Preacher of GODS WORD ABERDENE Printed by IAMES BROWN 1656 To the Right Honourable SIR Thomas Mudie PROVESâ— of DUNDIE Iohn Scrimgeor William Duncan Alexander Watson and David Yeoman Baylies AND To the Remnant of the Honourable COUNCELL of that Burgh Grace and peace Right Honourable THe sedulitie of that Apostatick Church of Rome who like these Locusts Revel 9. swarme everie wher in our Countrey and neighbour Nation like Pharisees of old to make proselyts to themselves and misleade simple soules should move the Ministers of Christ and Sions Watch-men to be ashamed to be lesse diligent in a better cause and for a better Master These are dispersing their popish Pamphlets and everie where and everie way sowing secretlie and subdolouslie their pople and Tares in the Lords Field to seduce And should not wee then be much more seduloâ—s and solicitous every way by word and write to discover their fraud to arme against Errour and labour to reduce The conscience of which dutie for my part hath moved me to answere a late Pamphlet called The Touch-stone of the reformed Gospell Which is in everie Papists hands and almost whereof they vainly brag as being unanswerable which answer I have framed with as great brevitie perspicuitie as I could and the better to stop the adversaries mouthes detect their Wresting of Scripture as PETER speaketh 2. Pet. 3. 16. to their owne destruction I have answered such scripturall places as hee objecteth against us either by the exposition of Fathers for most part orelse of their own Doctours Neither of which without impudence they can reject and so cannot alleadge as he doeth in his Preface That wee chop and change the Text of Scripture by some interpretation or other of our owne These paines then which I have beene pressed by sundry Reverend Brethren and others for the publick good to put to the Press I haue Right Honourable Dedicate to you as a Testimonie of my inteere affection both to your selves personally whose kindnesse and courtesie to my self I have ever at all occasions found as also to that Place wherein you governe in regard of my relation therto which moved me as I did Dedicate the first Fruits of my Studies in my youth long agoe to the Magistracie and Councill of Aberdene the place of my owne Birth and breeding so now to Dedicate the latter and ryper Fruits of my old Age to the Magistracie and Councill of the Birth-place and breeding of my deceased Father of Godlie Memorie For whose care of my Education in Letters as I did owe him all filiall dutie and gratitude while he lived so do I still in Remembrance of him carry all affectionat respect to that place where he had his first being and upbringing and whose prosperitie I shall ever heartlie wish and that the Lord who hath showne it hard things that it might have said call me Marah may so sanctifie to it that sad visitation and prosper that Place hereafter that it may bee Naomi or as the Prophet speakes Isai 61. 3. He may give it Beautie for Ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning and the garment of prayse for the spirit of heaviness Which shal be the heartie prayer of Your most affectionat in Christ to honour serve you WILLIAM GUILD To the Reader Courteous Reader IN answering this TOUCH-STON of the reformed Gospell I thought good to advertise thee of some things First That the Impudencie and malice of this Pamphleter beside his Ignorance is such that to make the Protestant profession the more odious to his Proselyts hee would charge our Profession with such Doctrines and Tenets which we never taught nor owned So that whil he fights against such he beats the wind and fights onelie with his owne shaddow A few Instances in place of many are these First § 5. That we say That a man by his own private spirit may rightly judge and interpret Scripture Next § 6. That PETERS Fayth failled 3. § 9. That the Church was not ever to remaine Catholick 4. § 10. That the Churches unitie is not necessary in all points of Fayth 5. § 17. That the actions and sufferings of the Saynts serve for nothing to the Church 6. § 21. That good works are not necessary to Salvation 7. § 29. That Angels cannot help us 8. § 39. That the bread in the Supper of the LORD is but a figure 9. § 45. That Fasting is nos grounded on Scripture nor causeth any spirituall good Thus heseeks not only unnecessarlie to multiply feigned Controversies to deceive the simple but also to make our Profession the more odious to such as will beleeve him imitating herin Satan who by like lyeing would made God odious to our first Parents 2 As if to name onelie and by a false Master to multiplie the citations of Scripture Fathers were enough without the setting down the words of either he laboureth to seduce simple soules and make them beleeve that both Scriptures and Fathers were on their side onlie whil as these who are judicious and impartiall may see that if the maine places of Scripture and Fathers whose words he sets downe be proven in this my ensueing Answere to be either altogether impertinent and wrested or to make against himself Then much more may any judge the like of such places as he only pointeth at but neither seteth downe nor dare set downe their words Wherefore 1. As for his references to places of Scripture First They are such that if I should particularly discuss their impertinencie not only should his grosse ignorace and deceat be seen the more which is clearly enough discovered I hope by my answer to such places whose words he sets downe but my Answere should also grow to a hudge volume wheras I strive to as great brevitie with perspicuitie as I can and that to make my Answere onely to bee a pocket and portable Book 2. His references for ostentation onely and delusion of the simple are so numerous as Pag. 20. for the Churches infallibilitie where hee bringeth but foure places of Scripture whose words he sets down he maketh reference to 22. places most impertineÌ„t wrested Like wise pag. 59 To prove good works to be meritorious he bringeth but four places of Scripture in likemanner but relats to 21. more which aâ— to no such purpose the like he does p. 27. 51. 54. 63. 67. 72. elswher Next as for his references to the testimonies of Fathers mentioning oftimes neither Book Chapter noâ— words It wer an infinitly laborious task to answere a man knoweth not what and would likewise accrease to a voluminous bulk especiallie seing either ignorantlie or I may justlie fay deceatfully and impudentlie hee citeth places in Fathers 1. whom themselves rejects as spurious and
call the righteous but sinners to Repentance these words to repentance are taken out which show the end of Christs comming and calling of sinners I might instance many more places as Ioh. 5. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 54 where a whole sentence is rased out but these shall 4. VVhich is grossest of all I shal instance where their Translation is directlie contrarie and contradictory to the Originall as 1. Gen 49. 24. it is said concerning IOSEPH The armes of his hands were made strong but in their vulgar Translation the words are The armes of his hands were made weake Next IOSUA 5. 6. it is said Vnto whom the LORD did sweare that hee would not showe them the Land but in their Translation it is quyte contrar That he would show them the Land Againe IOSUA 11. 19. it is said There was not a Citie that made peace with the Children of Israel saue the Hivits but in their Translation is said the contrar Ther was no City which did not render or make peace Likewise Psal 68. 22. it is said I will bring my people again from the deepes of the sea but the coÌ„trar is in their Translation saying I will bring my people downe to the deepths of the sea In likemanner in the new Testament 1. Cor. 15. 51. it is said Wee shall not all sleepe but wee shall all bee changed but in their Translation it is thus Wee shall indeed all rise againe but wee shall not all bee changed Where we see gross alteration aswell as contradiction And againe verse 55. where it is said O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victory Wee see againe in their Translation grosse alteration the words being these Death where is thy victory Death wher is thysting no word of the graue at all The like of which grosse corruptions adding to Gods Word taking from it and contradicting the same I defie al the Iesults Priests and papists in the World to challenge in our Translations Yea the more yet to convince this Pamphleter and all Romanists whatsoever concerning the viâ—iositie of their vulgar Translation as is said Deut. 32. 31. Even our Enemies being Judges I shall instance onely two or three examples in place of many wherein themselves in their English Rhemes Translation of the new Testament are forced to aknowledge the vitiositie of their vulgar latine by departing therefra and translating these places just as we do as 1. whereas Ioh. 12. 35. in their vulgar latine the words are adhuc modicum lumen in vobis est that is Yet a little whyle the light is in you the Rhemists themselves translate it thus as wee do and according to the Originall Yet a little while the light is with you Next Rom. 12. 19. whereas in the vulgare latine it is Non vosipsos defendentes that is not defending your selves against reason and scripture forbidding lawfull defence the Rhemists translate as wee do Not revenging your selves Again 1. Cor. 15. 34. whereas in the vulgare latine it is ad reverentiam vobis loquor that is I speake it to yoür reverence or honour the Rhemists translate as wee do according to the Original I speake to your shame The next thing to which in his Preface I am to answere is concerning the sense and meaning of the places of Scripture contraverted which hee sayeth is The ever constant and uniforme judgement of the Church and ancient Fathers who in every age since CHRIST haue understood the point in question in that sense sayeth hee which Catholicks now do Conforme therfore to these his words let us put to this Touch-stone which hee calleth the Rule of fayth some chiefe poynts of Poperie and see whether they agree with Scripture as the same is expounded by the whole stream of the ancient fathers in the primitive Church who haue written thereon or if they disagree not as farre therefra as Light doth from darknesse As. 1. To beginne with the mayne point of Poperie The Popes supremacie which the Pamphleter sayeth is grounded on Math. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this rock wâ—ll I build my Church understanding Peter to be this rock wherof Christ speaketh and yet by the constant and unanimous judgement of the ancient Fathers Church in their time that Text importeth no such papall supremacie nor that by that rock Peter is understood but either CHRIST himself or that fayth of CHRIST wherof Peter made confession As 1. All the greeke Fathers and the Easterne or greeke Church who oppose papall supremacie even unto this day and in particulare to speake bâ—â—h of greek and latine Fathers Origen Tract 1. in Math. 16 Chrisostome Tom. 3. serm de pentecoste Isidorus Pelusiota his disciple lib. 5. Epist 55. Theophylact in Math. 16. Augustin Tract 10. in 1. Epist Johannis Tract 124. in Johan Cyprian de unitate Ecclesiae Ambrose in Epist ad Ephes cap. 2. Hilare lib. 6. de de Trinit and Pope Gregory himself Moral in Job lib. 28. cap. 8. and many more which consent of Fathers made Cardinall Cusanus to say de concord Cathol lib. 2. c. 13. altho it was said to Peter Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church yet by this rock sayth he we understand CHRIST himself whom he confesseth if Peter were to be understood by this rock as a ground-stone of the Church according to S. Ierome are not sayth he the rest of the Apostles ground-stones of the Church inlikemanner of whom it is spoken in the Revelation Wher by the Twelve stones of the foundation of that Citie Jernsalem which is the holy Church no man doubteth sayth he but all the Apostle are to be understood And therfore sayth that same Cardinall wee know that Peter received no more power from Christ than the other Apostles but were the self same that Peter was sayeth Cyprian de Uni eccles indued with a-lyke fellowship â—oth of honour and power And not only doth the forenamed fathers expound that place of Mathew as is said severally but the whole Fathers coÌ„veened in famous generall eâ—umenicall Councels haue decreed against any such Papall supremacie which Romanists would prove by that wrested place of Scripture as 1. That first and famous Councell of Nice anno 325. of 318. Bishops in the 6. Cannon thereof 2. The Councell of Constantinople anno 380. of 150. Bishops Can. 5. which as Bellarmin confesseth pref de Rom. pont withstood altogether any such suptemacie 3. The Councell of Ephesus anno 434. of 200. Bishops cap. 4. and the last is the 4. Councel of Chalcedon anno 454. of 430. Bishops which decreed peremptorly Act. 16. against any such supremacie as Bellvrmin grants in in his preface forenamed but non sine fraude or not without deceat sayeth hee such is popish pretended reverence of Antiquitie when it maketh against them And yet the present Roman Church doeth so farre disagree froÌ„ this exposition of Scripture which they pretend for papall supremacie and from
therefra as Pope Clement speaketh dist 37. cap. 14. saying that we should Ex ipsis Scripturis sensâ—m capere veritatis that is Take the meaning of the Trueth out of the Scriptures themselves which he calleth there integram firmam regulam veritatis or The full and firme rule of Trueth Next for answere to him in particulare he adduceth foure places of Scripture most impertinent which nowise maketh against any assertion of ours but whereby he only beats the wind These are 1. RoÌ„ 12. 2. where it is said Having then gifts according to the grace that is given to us whether Prophesie according to the proportion of faith the second is Phil. 3. 16 which sayeth Nevertheless whereunto wee haue alreadie attayned let us minde the same thing the third is Gal. 6. 16. which sayeth And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them mercie the fourth is 1. Cor. 11. 16. which sayth We haue no such custom nor the Churches of God The First proving only as their owne Estius Professour at Duay showeth that all the doctrine of Teachers should be squared according to the rule and analogie of faith which wee also mayntaine and is contayned in Scripture the second as the same Estius showeth exhorteth onelie to Christian Unitie and concord The third as the same Estius likewise out of Chrisostome and Theophylact proveth that the Apostle speaketh not there of the rule of doctrine but of life which verse 15. hee calleth the new creature or holinesse to which he exhorteth them and as to that which he subjoyneth 2. Cor. 10. 15. as Cardinal Cajetan Catharinus and the ordinary gloss expoundeth The Apostle taking the Metaphor from workmeÌ„ to whom severally as by rule oâ— line their task is measured out doeth understand the limits onely of his Apostolicall mission and jurisdiction which was to the Gentiles of whom the Corinthians were a part as PETER was to the Jewes speciallie and as wee see Gal. 2. 7. And the fourth as Estius also showeth speaketh onely that the custome of the Church is not to bee contentious As for the testimonies of Fathers which hee bringeth heere and alongst this whole Pamphlet First I may answere to them in generall not in my words but in their own Gabriel Biels on the Canon of the Masse lect 41. saying Their authority coÌ„pelleth no maÌ„ to assent to their sayings except sayth he they be grounded on holy Scripture divine reveltion Therfore before this be manifest it is lawfull to controll their sayings sayeth hee and to bee of a contrary judgement wherefore sayeth S. Jerom If I say any thing which I shall not prove by one of the two Testaments let mee not bee believed no word then of traditions and S. Augustin sayeth hee in his 8. Epistle to Jerom speaketh thus saying This honour is onelie to be given to the holie canonick Scriptures that whatsoever they say therefore it must bee believed to bee true but as for others I reade them onelie upon this condition that however famous theâ— be for holines or learning I think it not true therefore because they haue thought so untill I bee otherwise perswaded by canonick Scriptures or probable reasons that they haue not erred from the Trueth and which is more sayeth hee we see that one holie father somtimes contradicteth another as holy Cyprian contradicteth Augustin concerning the rebaptising of Hereticks Scismaticks as likewise hee contradicteth Ierome concerning Pauls reprehending of Peter and so of many other like examples I might speake sayth he These are all their owne Bâ—eâ—s words and what little reckning Iesuits make of Fathers or their exposition of Scripture when they disagree with them and jump with those whom they call Calvinists I will showe by this one instance Maldonat on Ioh. 6. 62. bringeth Augustins exposition of that place which is also Beda and Ruperts exposition and with it another exposition whereof hee sayeth Hee will not deny that hee hath no other man as Authour thereof but yet sayth he I wil rather approve it than Augustins which of all other is the most probable because that this is more repugnant to the meaning of the Calvinists But not taking advantage either of Biels words or of these I come in particulare to Vincentius Lyrinensis words which he bringeth saying That the line of Propheticall Apostolicall expositioÌ„ should be directed according to the rule of the Ecclesiasticall Catholick sense but he forgets the words of that ancient Authour both before and after cap. 2. 35. wher he sayth before these words That the Scripture is a perfect rule full and more than sufficient for decision of al controversies in points of faith with which therefore all Ecclesiasticall and Catholick sense must agree and that onelie must be held which hath beene believed ever every where and by all And so this testimony maketh nothing against us and to which rule and words of Vincentius if wee will apply the points of Poperie as I haue showne by five particulars in answere to the Preface wee shall find them quyte contrary and disagreeable yea and to bee onelie meere novelties And albeit with Vincentiê° Bellar. lib. 4. de verbo c. 7. § ad hunc as also the Iesuit Sâ—lmeron in 1. Iohan 3. disp 25. § 30 affirme That wheÌ„ he Fathers all of theÌ„ or almost all agree in one judge-ment or in the exposition of any place of the scripture that then they giâ—e a sure and inevitable argument of Catholick veritie and of a sure and sound exposition of Scripture yet according to this rule let tryall be beside the former five but in this one point of poperie to wit The Virgin Mari's conception without sinne decreed in the Councell of Trent decreto 5. Sess 5. whether it bee of Catholick veritie or not and I hope it shall be found but a lurd errour and a blafphemous noveltie And that they go closs and crosse against the unanimous expositioÌ„ of Scripture which all the Fathers give and agree therin For example Rom. 5. 12. It is said of Adam In whoÌ„ all have sinned from which text all the holie fathers with one mouth sayeth their Bishop Canus loc theol lib. 7. cap. 1. affirmeth the blessed virgin to have been conceived in originall sinne of whome he citeth 18. their words in particular The like doth Cardinall cajetan in his treatise concerning this matter which he wrote to Pope Ieo the tenth â—om 2. opusc tract 1. cap. 5. The like also doeth the master of sentences witnesse lib. 3. dist 3. saying It may be truely said we must believe according to the unanimous testimonies of the holy fathers that the flesh which Christ tooke was formerly subject to sinne as the rest of the Virgins flesh but was sanctified made pure by the operation of the Holy Ghost therefore Bernard in his 174. Epistle to the channons of Lions having disputed that point Learnedly Concludes that Christ onely being excepted of all others
upon this place And that Christ spake not of their owne doctrine but of Moses doctrine and the Law which they were to deliver The publication onlie being theirs but the doctrine the Lords as we see Math. 28. 19. The next place which hee bringeth is Luke 10. 16. where our Saviour sayeth to his Apostles Hee that heareth you heareth me To which my former answer may suffice Therefore also sayeth Ferus It is heerby evident that the Apostles themselves were to be heard in so farre only as they were Apostles that is Did Christs message and preached and taught what he commanded them but if they should teach otherwise or any doctrine contrarie to Christs then they were not Apostles but seducers sayeth he and therefore not to bee heard His third place is Math. 16. 19. where our Saviour sayeth to Peter What soever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven c. giving us to understand sayeth he that not onlie the bands of sinnes but all other knots difficulties in matters of faith are to be loosed by S. Peter and his successours To whom I answere 1. Their own Cardinall Cusanus speaketh thus de concord Cathol lib. 2. cap. 13. There was nothing said to Peter which was not said to all the rest Likewise for as it was said to Peter whatsoever thou shall bind on earth c. was it not said also to all the rest whatsoever yee bind on earth ◠sayeth he whence it will follow that all knots and difficulties in matters of faith are to be loosed by the successours of all the rest of the Apostles wheresoever aswell as by S. Peter's pretended successours Next if by loosing the solving of all doubts and difficulties in matters of faith bee meaned then by binding which is cōtrar to loosing the making of knots difficulties in matters of faith must be meaned whernone were before which is absurd to affirme And which when Peter's successours doth on earth God must also do the same in heaven As Cardinall Cusanus sayth Epist 2. ad Bohemos p 838. That when the Church changeth her judgement God also changeth his Which is open blasphemy 3 THat the Scriptures ar easie to be understood and therefore none ought to be restrained from reading them VVHich sayeth hee is contrary to the expresse words of 2. Pet. 3. 16. Where Peter speaking of Pauls Epistles sayeth In which are some thinges hard to bee understood To which I answere 1. That by saying some thinges ar hard to bee understood it followeth that the rest which is the greater part are not hard but easie to bee understood For the exception of some onlie cleareth the rest from obscuritie therfore from the greater part of the Scripture easie to be understood which concerne faith manners necessary to salvation wee rather conclude the plainnesse of Scripture◠that people should reade the same then because some thinges are hard to be understood to put obscuritie upon the whole Scripture and therefore to debarre people frō reading thereof Cheiflie seing not onely Augustin lib. 2. de doctr Christ cap. 9. But Bellarmin also consenting to Augustins words lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § ultimo testifieth That all doctrines which are simplie necessary for all men to salvation are plainlie set downe in scripture wher upon speaking to the people in his 55. sermon de tempore hee sayeth Neither let it suffice you that yee heare the holie Scriptures read in the Church but also in your own houses either reade thē your selves or desire others to reade them And so likewise sayth Chrisostome con 32. de Lazaro hom 2. in Math. The next place which he bringes is Act. 8. 30. where Philip sayeth to the Eunuch Vnderstandeth thou what thou readeth who said how can I without a guide Whereunto I answere 1. This place was a prophecie and such are hard to be understood till they be fulfilled and the Eunuch was a Proselyte and a Novice onelie in religion therefore from one place which was propheticall and dark to a Novice in religion to conclude that the Scriptures in whole are dark obscure and therefore not to bee read by people is an absurd consequence Yea this place rather maketh against papists seing the Eunuchs practise heere was reading of the Scripture which Philip did not reprehend in him as popish Priests would haue done but only explaineth unto him the Prophesie of whom it was meaned and that it was fulfilled by Christs suffering and so maketh him thereby to bee a Christian convert the occasion of which benefit the reading of the Scripture did afford unto him Wherupon sayeth their owne Carthusian Great was the care of that Heathen man sayeth hee and his diligence condemneth our negligence in learning holie Scriptures Therefore also Chrisostome giveth this directiō to people in reading holy scriptures saying in his 10. homilie on Iohn That which is easie to be understood get by heart and these things that are obscure reade thē over often and if by doing so you cannot findout the meaning go to thy teacher The third place which he brings is Luke 24. 25. where Christ expoundeth to his Disciples al things concerning himselfe To which I answere that this maketh nothing against peoples reading of scripture commanded by Christ himselse Iohn 5. 39. injoyned by the Apostle Eph. 6. 17. Coloss 3. 16. and for which Timothy was commended 2. Tim. 3 15. That from a childe he had knowne the scriptures but only showeth that hard places specially such as prophecies are to be expouned to people as Christ did heere to his disciples as the former place Act. 8. 30. and that speach of Chrisostome showeth The fourth place which he adduceth is Revel 5. 1. concerning the sealed booke which none was able to open and which this pamphleter would have to be the booke of scripture whereunto I will onely answere in the Iesuit Ribera's words on that place saying The prophecie of these things which shall fall out in the last times is here only meaned as Andrew Archbishope of Caesarea expoundeth it sayeth hee proveth that hereby the book of the scripture cannot be meaned because evē then Iohn saw this book sealed whē this revelation was made unto him before which time most of the Apostles were dead So that if by this sealed booke the scripture were understood then it would follow sayeth he that the rery Apostles upon whom the holie ghost descended in their time understood not the scripture but it was sealed even to Peter and Paull and to the rest who died before this revelation was made unto Iohn which were absurd to say But I cannot but marvell that he should bring so manyplaces of scripture to prove that people should not be permitted to reade the scripture because of the obscurity thereof seing that their late and famous Bishope Espenseus on Titus 2. testifieth that the with-holding of the scripture from the people was neither in the Apostles times or
doctrin but let us staÌ„d to the decisioÌ„ of divine inspyred scripture Yet to convince him I will instance 9. points of popery to show how farr they reject the Churches ancient customes as 1. Against the Popes universall Supremacy in matters ecclesiastical that first and famous Councell of Nice convocat by Constantine the first ChristiaÌ„ Emperour anno 325. in the six canon thereof it was decreed That the Bishope of AlexaÌ„dria should brook the like jurisdiction within his province as the Bishope of Rome had in his which limitatioÌ„ of every ones jurisdiction within their own precincts without subordination is ther called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the ancieÌ„t customs froÌ„ which ancieÌ„t custome coÌ„firmed by so famous a general CouÌ„cel how far the pope hath swerved since let any one judge 2. For the Popes usurpation of jurisdiction over Princes in temporall thinges what was the old custome of the Bishops of Rome Bellarmin telleth us lib. 1. de Concil cap. 13. who speaking of that time which was many houndrehs of years after the Apostles sayth That at that time the Bishope of Rome in temporall things was subject to the Emperour sayeth hee and because hee acknowledged the Emperour to be his temporall Lord therefore he made supplication to him that he would conveene a Councell but therafter their owne charter monck authour of Fasciculus temporum telleth us That in the time of Boniface the 2. this ancient custome was rejected for remarke sayth he that about this time the Popes began to oppose theÌ„selves to the Emperors even in temporall things farr otherwise theÌ„ they wer wont of old And after the 1200 year of god the same authour tells us That Boniface the 8. rose up to that hight of pride sayeth hee that he called himself Lord of the whol world aswel in temporall as in spirituall things Which thing their Sigebert in anno 1088. in his Chronicle calleth not onelie a noveltie but little farre from Heresie 3. For praiers in an unknown tongue LYRA and AQUINAS on 1. Cor. 14. as also Cassander consult arâ— 14 freely acknowledge what was the ancient custome of the primitive Church saying In the primitive church Thanks givings and all other coÌ„mon service was performed in the vulgare tongue but how farre the Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this now every one knoweth 4. If wee ask also concerning paepall indulgences depending on purgatorie what was the ancient custome their owne Alfonsus à castro will tell us lib. 8. adv Heres tit indulgentia That their use is onelie of late in the Church sayeth hee if wee ask what was the ancient custome then used of indulgences lar will tell us lib. 1. de indulg c. 8. saying I confesse that the forme of dispensing with a number of years or dayes appointed for pennance which was of old in use is now cleane left off 5. Concerning invocation of saints Their owne Eckius in his Enchrid cap. 15. confesseth That there is no warrant for the same in the scriptures and that the Apostles neither by word nor write left any such thing behind theÌ„ to be done so that it was not the Churches custome in the Apostles times But next to the Apostles tymes if we ask what was the ancient custome of the church herin Augustin wil tell us lib. 21 de civit Dei cap. 10 That at the celebration of the holie Mysteries the names of the Martyrs and saints in their owne order place are named but nowise invocated sayth he 6. For having Images in Churches what was the ancient custome is to be seene in that epistle of Epiphaniê° to the patriarch of Ierusalem translated by Ierome and insert in his works where it is said that this was against the custome of Christian religion and therefore prohibited also in that famous Councell of Eliberis 36. canon thereof which made their owne Nicolaus Clemangis lib. de non celeb non instit to say Of old the whole universall Church did decree for their cause who were converted from gentilsme to the faith that no images should be set up in Churches but how farre the now Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this Ancient Custome everie one knoweth 7. Concerning adoration of images what was the ancient custome in the primitive yea in the westerne and Roman Church Pope Gregorie in his Epistle to Serenus Bishope of Marsils showeth lib. 9. epistle 9. forbidding any adoratioÌ„ of such As also that decree of that Councel of Frankford convocat by Charles the great at which the Legats of the Bishope of Rome were present Wherein all sort of religious adoration of images was condemned and forbiddeÌ„ as not onlie contrary to Scripture but also to the doctrine of the ancient Fathers and custome of the then Roman Church as Cassander relateth consult art 21. and may be seene in Baronius his annals Tom. 9. in anno 794 but how farre contrary to this ancient custome the doctrine and practise of the Roman Church now is is notour to all 8. Concerning the giving of the Cup to the people what was the ancient custome of the Church the verie Act of the Councell of Constance which decreed the contrary doth clearelie confesse to wit That as Christ instituted this venerable sacrament in both kinds of bread wine and gaue it to his Disciples so also say they in the primitive Church the same was received by the faithfull in both kinds and it is sufficiently certaine sayeth their Cassander consult art 22. that the universall Church of Christ to this day did celebráte the sacrament in both kinds and the Westerne or Roman Church more then a thousand years after CHRIST sayeth hee gaue the same in both kinds of bread wine to all the members of the Church of Christ as is manifest out of the innumerable testimonies both of Greeke latine Fathers But how farre the now Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this ancieÌ„t custom and her owne ancient practise is likewise more thaÌ„ clear evident 9. lastly Concerning their solitary Masses wherein the Priest onlie communicateth if we ask if this was the Ancient Custome of the Church their very canon of the Masse will tell us the contrary as their Cassander observeth consuit art 24. wherein the Priest praieth not only for himself but also for all theÌ„ who do communicate with him saying Be mercifull to as many of us as baue beene partakers of this Altar And chieflie in his prayer after communicating saying That which wee have receaved with our mouth grant Lord that we may haue received the same with a pure mynd And of a temporall benefite it may bee unto us an everlasting remedie Thus in nine maine points of Popery we see how they haue swerved wyde from the ancient custome of the Catholick Church 5. THat a man by his owne private spirit may rightly understand and interpret Scripture VVHich he sayeth is contrary to 1. Cor. 11. 8. Wher the Apostle speaking of the diversitie of gifts sayeth That to
another is given the gift of prophecie or interpretation of scripture as also which is contrary to 2. Pet. 1. 20. wher its said That no prophecie of Scripture is of private interpretation as also is contrary to 1. Iohn 4. 1. where the Apostle biddeth Try the spirits whether they bee of God For answere to whom 1. We disclaime any such Assertion as the harmonie of confessions witnesseth and ours in particulare 1581. art 20. And so the places which hee adduceth maketh no wise against us For we put a distinction between a private man a private spirit and of a private man we say that somtimes such a maÌ„ may haue more knowledge of the true meaning of scripture that publick persons as ignorant Bishops such as their owne Stella on Luke 6. p. 184 telleth wer at the late Councell of Trent yea then Popes themselves who pretend infallibilitie of whom their owne Alfonsus à Castro speaketh thus lib. 1. adv heres cap. 4. Seing it is certain that many of them were so unlearned sayeth hee that they were altogether ignorant of the graÌ„mer how could thy then interpret Scripture sayth he But wee say that such knowledge private men haue not from their owne private spirit but from the spirit of God speaking in his word comparing Scripture with Scripture obscurer places with playner and with David psal 119. â—8 using prayer for illumination and such other meanes as conduce to that end and that this is not onely our doctrine but the doctrine also of most famous Romanists wee may see in Panormitan cap. Significasti de electione and in Gerson parte 1. de examinatione doctrinarum who say That one private mans opinion is to be preferred even to the Popes a whole Councell if that private man be moved by better authoritie of the old new Testament the practise wherof Gratian showeth 36. q. 2. c. ultimo That Ierome by authority of the scripture withstood a whole Councell and had his judgement preferred before them as Paphuntius also had done before in the Councell of Nice in the matter of Priests marriage 6. THat Peter's Faith failled VVHich is contrary sayeth hee to Luke 22. 32. where Christ sayeth to PETER I prayed for thee that thy faith faill not To whom I answere first That wee hold no such Assertion contrary to this Text which speaketh of Peters owne particulare saving grace of faith which never failed and not of his infallibilitie of professioÌ„ wherein he failed when after this he denyed his Master 2. If hee would haue Peters infallibilitie to be grounded on these words There is no doubt sayeth their owne Carthusian But he prayed there for all other his Apostles having also said Satan hath desired to vinnow you 3. The exposition of the parisian Doctors as Gerson Almain Alfonsus also à Castro and Pope Adrian the 6. is That in the person of Peter as a figure the Lord prayed for his universall Church as Bellarmin acknowledgeth lib. 4. de pont cap. 3. and therefore it inferreth no more infallibilitie of Peter in particular than it doth of the whole Church in generall and the members therof And giving that it inferreth onlie Peters infallibilitie who was an Apostle and Pen-man of scripture yet it inferres nothing of the popes infallibilitie as his pretended Successour this being personal to him but not transmitted to others His next Testimony that he bringeth is Math. 16. 18. where our Saviour sayeth Thou art Peter and upon this rock I wil build my Church To which I shall answere in their owne Cardinall Cusanus words lib. 2. de coÌ„cord Cath. cap. 13. whoÌ„ Ferus also on this place followeth and both of theÌ„ the streame of ancient Fathers who speaketh thus Tho it was said to Peter upon this rock I will build my Church yet by the rock sayeth he wee understand Christ himself whom he confesseth if Peter were to be understood by this rock as a groundstone of the Church are not the other Apostles according to S. Ierome groundstones sayeth hee His third place of scripture which he bringeth is Math. 23. 2. to which I haue already answered in the second Assertion but cannot passe by this that he matcheth the Pope sitting in Peters Chayre with the Scribes and Pharisees Christs greatest enemies sitting in Moses Chayre and indeed heerein they fitly agree The last place which he bringeth is Iohn 11. 49. where speaking of Caiphas words it is said That hee spake not this of himself but being High-Priest that yeare he prophecied that Jesus should die for the Nation which hee sayeth the High Priest spake-truly-speaking out of Moses Chayre which Christ commanded to be heard and obeyed touching matters of faith To whom I answere first That his alleadged speaking trulie in this point cannot be attribute to the Chaire of Moses nor to him as High-Priest who sate therin for then he had not erred so groslie there-after in it when he pronunced Christ to be a blasphemer But 2. Cardinal Tolet answeres for us clearly saying Remarke that Caiphas sentence in that sense which he conceived it was both wicked and false False because it was neither lawfull nor expedient to kill an innocent maÌ„ for the teÌ„porall safety of a Republick And Wiked because it was against justice to kil an innoceÌ„t thersore Caiphas sayth he sinned most grievouslie therein and all who consented with him Let any then consider how this maketh for the Popes infallibilitie 7 THat the Church can erre and hath erred VVHich he sayeth is expreslie contrary to Isai 59. 21. To which before I answer I will state the question and showe what is trulie to be held of the Churches infallibilitie to wit as their owne Cardinall Turrecremata in his summa de Ecclesia lib. 2. cap. 91. declareth saying That the Church cannot erre is so to be taken that GOD doth so assist her even to the the end of the World that there are ever some albeit not all who haue true faith which worketh by charitie and who holdeth the true profession thereof As were the 7000. in Israel who had not bowed their knee to Baal and the few orthodox when as Lyrnensis speakeh The whole world groaned and wondred that it was become Arrian But when the papists speak of the Churches infallibilitie they understand not the universal church but the Roman and westerne part thereof Next they distinguish the Roman Church into the Collective Church which is the whole number of Teachers and professours And into the Representative which is Bishops and others assembled in a generall Councell And thirdlie into the Virtuall Church which they call the Pope and to whom onlie in end they ascribe infallibilitie as Bellarmin teacheth lib. 4. de pont cap. 2. and 3. And with him Suarez Valentia and others Now to come to the places of scripture which he adduces First I answere to them generallie that none of them proveth the Popes infallibilitie to whom only they ascribe the same 2. I answere to
furth under the little Hostie Than which what can be grosser blasphemie let any man judge 1. In this point theÌ„ let us see what is their catholick unitie in the ground wheron they build this their transsubstantiation Which is commonlie alleadged to bee expresse scripture and in particular these words Math. 26. 26. this is my Bodie but concerning this Gabriel Biel on the canon of the Masse lect 40. sayeth Whether Christs Bodie in the Sacrament be by conversion or without any conversion the substance and accidents of bread still remaining is not found expreslie in the canon of the Bible nor can it be proven by any scripture sayeth bishope Fisher cont Captiv Babyl num 8. Cardinall Cajetan likewise affirmeth as witnesseth Suarez tom 3. disp 46. That these words of Christ are not able to prove Transsubstantiation but that they may be taken in a figurative sense as these 1. Cor. 10. 4. Cajet 3. q. 78. art 1. yea Cardinall Bellarmin speaketh thus lib. 3. de Euch. c 23. It is not altogether improbable that there is no expresse place of scripture which without the Churches determination can evidentlie inforce a maÌ„ to admitt of Transsubstantiation for albeit the scripture seem to us that they may compell any that is not refractarie to believe the same yet it may be justly doubted whether the Text bee cleare enough to inforce the same sayeth he seing the most sharp witted learned men such as Scotus was haue thought the contrarie 2. Wee haue sundrie Roman Catholicks who haue denyed Transsubstantiation upon any ground whatsoever as 1. Bertram a priest in his learned treatise of the Bodie and Blood of Christ written to Charles the bald King of France about the yeare 880. 2. Rabanus Maurus aâ— Abbot in his treatise of the Eucharist which is also extant 3. Aelfricus Archbishope of Canterburie in his saxon sermon on the sacrament or housell as he calleth it anno 996. and yet to ascend higher Gelasius a Pope in his treatise against Eutyches of the two natures of Christ where he sayeth Tho in the Sacrament we receiue a divine thing to wit the Bodie blood of Christ yet the substance and nature of the bread and wine ceasseth not to remaine sayeth he and Biel on the canon of the Masse telleth us that in his time concerning the sacrament or any conversion therein amongst Catholicks there were four opinions wherof the first was That the substance of bread remained still sayeth hee 3. In the manner or sort of conversioÌ„ which they pretend to be in the sacrament Papists they varie and disagree mightilie For 1. Bellarmin telleth us lib 3. de Euch. cap. 11. that Durand holdeth That one essentiall part of the bread namlie the forme is turned but that the other part which is the matter or substance is not turned and so did pope Innocent the 3. teach sayeth Durand Rational Divin lib. 4. f. 63. but others haue taught the contrarie sayth Bellarmin That the matter of the bread is turned into Christs Bodie but that the essentiall forme remaineth but as for Lombard their great Master of senteÌ„ces his words are these lib. 4. sent d. 11 If it it be asked what sort of conversion it is whether formal or substantiall or what other sort it is definire non sufficio saieth hee that is I am not able to define it and so he quyteth the matter Biel againe on the canon of the Masse lect 40. he sayeth that ther are four opinions concerning this conversion The First That the substance of the bread remaineth still together with Christs Bodie The 2. is That the substance of the bread remaineth not still but after consecration becometh the body of Christ The 3. is That tho the bread remains not yet the accidents of bread as weight colour taste remaineth and that Christs Bodie begineth to be under these accidents And the fourth opinion is contradicting all the former That neither doeth the substance of bread remaine nor yet is it converted into Christs bodie for the absurdities that follow theron but is annihilat or redacted to nothing or else resolved into that which they call materia prima Bellarmin also in the forecited place sayeth that Abbot Rupertus maintayned an opinion diverse from all the former to wit That the bread is personallie assumed by Christ in the same manner that the humane nature was assumed by him and of this also Cardinall Aliaco in 4. sent q 6 sayeth That this is possible and more agreable to reason and easier to bee understood But thereafter in the same place hee positivlie sayeth That the conversion of the bread according to his judgement into the bodie of Christ is successive as the night is turned into the day because as after the night the day commeth so sayeth he after the breads departing there is Christs Bodie But Bellarmin lib. 3. de Euch. cap. 18. § ex his will not haue this coÌ„version productive nor successiue but adductive as hee calleth it that is whereby Christs Bodie preexistent before this conversion in heaven beginneth to be sayeth hee under the accidents of bread wher it was not before which indeed is no conversion at all but onlie a meere translocation Moreover sayeth Bellarmin lib. 3. de Euch. cap. 5. There hath been two opinions devysed in the Scholes for unfolding the greatnes of this mysterie one of DuraÌ„ds on 4. sent d. 10. who holdeth it probable that the substaÌ„ce of the bodie of Christ is in the Eucharist without greatnes or quantitie another is of some ancient Divines whom Ockam followeth who say that there is in the sacrament the very magnitude and quantitie of Christs bodie which notwithstanding they think cannot bee distinguished from the substance therof but that all parts do so runne one in another that ther is no shape in Christs bodie nor any distinction or order in the parts thereof But the common opinion of the Schooles and of the Church sayeth hee is contrarie to this and that in the Eucharist or little hostie there is whole Christ with his magnitude and bigness all other accidents hath both order shape agreable to a humane bodie Which is the eight miracle of the eleaveÌ„ that Durand maketh the priest daylie to work in the Masse lib. 4. ration divin f. 63. which miracles notwithstanding are not seene whereas Cardinall Cameracensis in 4. sent q. 5. saâ—eth I ought not to believe that he worketh any miracle sayeth hee except I see the same And indeed these are such as are foreprophecied 2. Thess 2. 9. and are called lieing signes and wonders 4. They agree no better in this point to wit Wherby did Christ produce in his last supper Transsubstantiation Concerning which their Biel on the canon of the masse lect 36. sayeth There are four opinions The 1. That Christ did make this conversion not by any words which hee uttered but by his divine power without any words and that Pope Innocent 3. was of this minde
Hezekiah was 2. Chron. 29. 15. 31 and Iosiah 2. Chron. 35. 2. 3. and 6. and as Nehemiah was 13. 7. 8. and 28. acting in matters ecclesiastical civilie but not usurping any power or practise as Vzziah did 2. Chron. 26. which belonged to the Priests office or of a Pastourall charge in doctrine discipline or administration of sacraments but as Princes should to cause and see that God be worshipped aright discipline be exercised as it ought within their Dominions that so as their power is from God so it may be imployed chieflie for God as nursing Fathers and mothers to his Church and as no scripture debarreth Princes and Magistrats froÌ„ medling with such causes in the manner forenamed but admitteth them to be Governours therein so likewise doth antiquitie as we may see in the person of Constantine the first Christian Emperour as Eusebius in his third book of his life c. 13. reporteth and of his carriage in the first Councell of Nice and decision of matters of faith whâ—â— medling the Emperours also â—ad in such causes Socrates likewise declareth in the pâ—oeme of his fifth book of ecclesiasticall historie Augustin also contra Cresconium lib. 3. cap. 51. and de Civit. Dei lib. 5. c. 24. Athanasius in his second Apologie p. 797. Graecolat appealing to the Emperour Constantine against the unjust proceedings of the Councell of Tyre in his behalf As Flavianus in the like case did to the Emperours Theodosius and Valentinian But I cannot marvell enough that this pamphleter should so touch upon a womans government of a particulare nationall Church in a civill way within her Dominion whil as a craftie vile Strumpet named Pope Iohn the eight did governe the whole Roman Church which they cal Catholick as Christs vicar and head thereof two years a moneth and foure dayes till going in procession and surprysed by paines of child-birth being upon the publick street delivered Shee thereafter died for which cause in detestation of the fact as Platina the Popes Secretarie all ancient Romanist histriographers speake No Pope ever since went that way in publick procession as Martinus Polonus Sigebert Fasciculus temporum Marianus Scotus and many others ancient Records do testifie whom I can produce And as for any testimonies of Fathers which he bringeth as Damascen's where he sayeth I consent not that the Church of God be governed by Kings and in Theodorets historie that one Eulogius said concerning the Emperour Valens coÌ„manding by his officer what did belong to a Bishop What was hee made Bishope sayeth he that day when he was crowned Emperour and Ignatius who commandeth all men even the Emperour himself to be obedient to the Bishope all these I say makes nothing against that which I haue said before but onlie against civill Princes their usurpation of what belongeth properlie and onlie to the Ecclesiasticall office and persons vested therwith in doctrin and discipline And if we will look to Antiquity we shall find that in this point popish doctrine debarring princes or the civill Magistrat from any medling in Ecclesiasticall effaires as Bellar. teaches lib. 1. de clericis c. 28. 29. joyneth hands with the ancieÌ„t hereticks the Donatists who did contend in likemanner that the cognition tryall and medling with Ecclesiasticall effaires belongeth nowise to the Magistrat And therfore this was the speech of Donatê° Quid est Imperatori cum Ecclesia or What hath the Emperour adoe with the Church as Optatus Milevitanê° declareth in his third book against Parmenian and Augustin likewise lib. 1. contra epist Parmeniani c. 7. epist 166. Whereas the harmonie of confessions of faith and ours in particulare 1581. art 24. sayeth Moreover to Kings Princes Rulers aâ—d Magistrats we affirme that chieflie and most principallie the conservation and purging of Religion appertaineth so that not onlie they are appointed for civill policie but also for maintainance of the true religion and for supressing of idolatrie and superstition as in David Iosaphat Ezekias Iosias and others highlie commended for their zeale in that case may be espyed in our later confession 1647. cap. 23. That for the better effecting wherof they haue power to call Synods to be present at them and to provyde that whatsoever is transacted in them bee according to the minde of God 13. THat Antichrist shall not be a particulare man and that the Pope is Antichrist VVHich he sayeth is contrary to 2. Thess 2. 3. where he is called That man of sinne c. and therefore a particulare man onlie Whereunto I answere in the Iesuit Ribera's words on Revel 17. 10. That it is not unusuall in Scripture that by one man many the like and of the same incorporation are signified sayeth hee which he proveth out of Math. 22. 11. where by One man that wanted the wedding garment many such are signified and out of Dan. 7. where by the King of the Medes and Persians not any individuall and one onlie person is signified but the whole succession of these Kings one after another likewise by the coÌ„sent of all Romanists that speech 2. Thess 2. 7. wher it is said Onlie he who now letteth will let till he be taken out of the way is to be understood not of an individuall Roman Emperour onelie but of the whole succession of the old Roman Emperours then resident at Rome in their full integrity Yea the papists even now when they say that the Pope is Christs vicar they meane not this or that Pope onlie but the whole succession of such one after another The second place is Revel 13. 18. Where the number 666. is called the number of a man whence hee concludeth That Antichrist shall be one onlie individuall man To which I answere that from the number of a man 666. to argue to the singularitie of a person is a bad consequence but by this number the Iesuite Ribera teacheth us better that Ireneus who lived neare to the Apostles times according to the coÌ„putation by the greek letters found it out to be Lateinos or Roman as their Church is called at this day Ecclesia latina seu Romana and the Pope Papa Romanus c. The third place is 1. Iohn 2. 22. That Antichrist denyeth the Father the Sonne which the Pope doeth not Whereunto I answere 1. That the word Antichrist is somtimes taken generallie for all these who openlie avowedly oppose Christ and his trueth and of such the Apostle Iohn speaketh verse 18. That even in his time there were many Antichrists And somtimes it is taken more strictlie as 2. Thess 2. for that great Antichrist to come wherby is signified the succession of such who under the profession of the Christian name shall notwithstanding oppose Christs trueth by all deceavablnesse of unrighteousnes and in deepest hypocrisie working in a mysterie and therefore is said to bee herned like the lamb but to speake like the dragon And in this sense we say that the Pope is Antichrist 2.
and the like necessitie of conformitie in all other Pastours as they would eschewe the danger here mentioned And this to be the true meaning of the place both Aquinas and Lombard doeth showe The second and third places are Rom. 11. 20. Of not being high minded but feare and Philip. 2. 12. Work out your owne salvation in feare and trembling To which I answere That there is a twofold feare the one which is called Timor incertitudinis or a distrustfull feare condemned Isai 35. 4. Luke â— 74. 12. 32. and Revel 21. 8. And another which is called Timor solicitudinis or a feare of holie carefullnes suspecting their owne infirmitie and corruption and causing godlie watchfulnes which is therefore called Godlie feare Heb. 12. 28. and they are pronounced blessed who haue it psal 128. 1. and this is that feare which is commanded in both these forcited places as Cardinall Cajetan showeth on Philip 2. 12. As also Estius saying With feare and trembling to work out our eternall salvation is to work it out magna cum solicitudine that is with great carefulnes As for the testimonies of fathers he citeth Ambrose in psal 118 Ser. 5. wher nothing makes against us nor in Basil or Jerome whose book he only nameth but no chapter whereas there are 11. long chapters therein nor yet in Chrisostome and as for Augustins words on psal 40. which should be 41 where he sayeth Whether his owne justice remaineth or not hee knoweth not for the Apostle terrifieth me sayeth he saying he that standeth let him take heed lest he fall To which I answere with Bernard who citeth this same place ser 2. de Septuagesima That this is the feare of an holy solicitude which everie one should haue to keepe him humble sayeth he as Augustin likewise showeth in the words that followeth the former that he speaketh not against assurance of salvation which the godlie may haue but against self confidence and presumption The second Testimonie that hee bringeth is Bernards words in the same sermon saying Who can say I am one of the Elect but he forgetteth to bring the following words which are these Yet the confidence of hope comforteth us that we be not altogether tormented with the anxietie of doubting sayeth hee for this cause are given to us signes and evident marks of our salvation that it may be put out of doubt sayeth he that hee is of the number of the Elect in whom these signes remaine Even as against such anxioê° doubting that excelleÌ„t speech of Cyprian is remarkable Ser. 4. de mortalitate pag. 317. That if wee do believe an hoâ—est mans promise much more should wee the Lord who hath promised life and immortalitie 26. THat every man hath not an Angel guardian or keeper VVHich he sayeth is contrary to Math. 18. 10. wher it is said That Children haue their Angels that behold the face of God And psal 91. 11. Hee shall giue his Angels charge over thee c. To which I answere That these places speak not of one onlie Angell guardian appointed for everie one but of Angels in the plurall which wee deny not to to be sent furth as the Apostle showeth Heb. 1. 14. As Ministring spirits for the good of the Elect somtimes many as Gen. 28. 32. to attend Jacob. and 2. King 6. 17. to protect Elisha and somtimes fewer or one as Act. 12. 7. As it pleaseth God to direct dispose So that I know not any great controversie betweene Romanists and us heerin Which Bellar. therfore never toucheth in all his book of Controversies 27 THat the holie Angels pray not for us nor knoweth our thoughts and desires on earth AS for the Angels their knowledge of our thoughts he bringeth no place of scripture neither indeed can he this being the Lords onelie prerogative as wee see 1. King 3. 36. and Rom. 8. 27. And as Theophilact showeth on Luke 5. 22. And their owne Jansenius acknowledgeth concord cap. 32. Neither is this the Controversie what Angels do in heaven in praying for the Church in generall but what we should do on earth in relation to them in particular as whether we should pray to them and give to them that which Bellarmin calleth That most excellent sort of worship which is praier pref de sanctis but because he wresteth some Texts of scripture to prove that the Angels pray for us in particular therfore we shall free these from the wrong sense which hee would put upon them First then he bringeth Zach. 1. 9. which should be verse 12. wher the Angell sayeth to God How long will thou not haue mercie on JerusaleÌ„ To which I answere 1. That this Angell was Christ as Remigius Altisioderensis expoundeth so called frequentlie in scripture as Gen. 48. 16. Exod. 32. 34. Hos 12. 4. and Mal. 3. 1. Who is the onlie Mediator for his Church 1. Tim. 2. 5. And 2. Though this wer a created Angell yet he prayeth for mercie onlie to the Church in generall The next place of Canonicall scripture which he bringeth is Revel 8. 4. And the smoake of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended from the hand of the Angell before God To which I answere in like-manner That Andreas Caesarensis many others sayeth the Iesuite Ribera expoundeth this Angell to bee Christ as Ambrose and Beda likewise expound Lyra also Carthusian who affirmeth moreover That this is the exposition of all Catholicke As for the testimonies of Fathers he bringeth one of Hilaries saying That God needeth not the intercession of Angels but our infirmitie needeth The first part whereof maketh against him And in the last howsoever he sayeth that our infirmity needeth yet this doth not positivelie prove that they do interced especiallie for particular persons and in particular cases As for other fathers whom he onlie citeth to wit Ambrose and Victor Vticensis they speake nothing which is contrarie to our doctrine or for him 28 THat wee may not pray to them VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to Gen. 48. 16. The Angell who redeemed me from all evill bless the Lad's To which I answere That by the Angell sayth Cyrill of Alexandria lib. 3. Thesaur cap. 1. Hee understandeth the word of the Father for Hee was not ignorant that he was called the Angell of the great Counsell sayeth he Likewise sayeth Athanasius cont Arrian ora 4. As also Procopius It is cleare that the patriarch Iacob coupled no other in his prayers with God but his word which he therfore calleth the Angell because sayth he he onlie revealeth his Fathers will The next place of canonical scripture which he bringes is Hosea 12. 4. Wher Iacob is said to haue had power with the angell made supplication to him To which I answere That by this Angell the text showeth clearlie that God is understood 1. seing it is said of Iacob verse 3. That by his strength he had power with God 2. He telleth us v. 5. that this Angell was The
also may be said of the nailes which nailed Christ to the Cross which from three ar multiplied to near threescore As also the speare that pierced Christs side to the image wherof they ascrive the opening of heavenâ— gate praying thus to it as if it heard them Ave ferrum triumphale intrans pectus in vitale Coeli pande ostia Than which what can be greater blasphemie idolatrie As for Fathers whom he onlie citeth but sets not down their words never one of theÌ„ proveth any adoratioÌ„ of Reliques yea Ierome epist 53. ad RipariuÌ„ sayeth Wee are so far from worshiping the Reliques of Martyrs that we will not worship the Sunn or moone Angels nor archangels And as for Ambrose his alleaged words which he telleth not wher they are to be found yet I answer to them that they prove nothing for hee sayeth onlie that Hee honours the wounds and ashes of the Martyrs which is only the memorie of their constant sufferings 36 THat the Creatures cannot be sanctified or made more holy than they are alreadie of their own nature VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to 1. Tim. 4. 4. where it is said That everie creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving To which I answere 1. That this proveth nothing against us for their owne Estius as also Lombard on this place showeth that the Apostle speaketh onlie of the sanctified use to believers of meate and drink being received with praier and thanksgiving 2 This place maketh rather against poperie to wit their prohibition of certaine sorts of meates at certaine times for conscience sake which is contratie altogether unto Christian libertie As for Math. 23. 17. and 19. Himself confesseth That the Altar is said to sanctifie the gift and the Temple the gold as thinges separate from a coÌ„mon to a holie use aâ— said to be holy by destinatioÌ„ but not by inâ—esion But the hallowing of the creature of which this man meaneth is the popish hallowing of their bells which they also baptise as also of their beads holy water and agnus Dei c. by plaine socerie conjuring the dead senslesse creatures speaking to theÌ„ as if they both heard and understood ascribing to theÌ„ divine miraculous operatioÌ„ one example or two wherof instead of many I shall instance of their conjuring their holie water as is set down in their owne Missall saying I conjure thee thou creature of water in the Name of the Father Sonne and Holie Ghost that thou become a chosen water to take away all the power of the Devill to drive him away with all his wicked angels The like they speake to the salt which they mixe with the water And which doubtles driveth away the Devill from the priests breast that conjureth the same as farre as a hungrie dog would flee from a fatt morsell the sprinkling also of which holie water might haue beene a good meane to haue driven away the devil from pope Sylvester the second when he came to him and rent his bodie in pieces as Platina and all other Roman Historians record And what equal vertue to Christs blood and miraculous operation they ascrive in likemanner to their hallowed Agnus Dei which they carrie about with them may bee seene by these verses which Pope Vrban sent with one of them to the Emperour of Grecia saying Peccatum frangit ut Christi sanguis angit c. and thereafter Portatus mundae de fluctibus eâ—ipit undae which if the Spanish Armado found true in 88. themselves best could tell 37 THat Children may be saved by their parents faith without the sacrament of baptisme VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to Iohn 3. 9. Except a man be borne againe of the water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God To which I answer 1. As their owne Ferus expoundeth by this water Baptismall water is not to be understood but metaphoricallie the purging vertue of the spirit of Regeneration sayeth he Therfore also sayeth Lombard lib. 4. d. 4. God hath not tyed his power to sacraments so that the want doth not damnifie but the contempt for that some haue gotten invisible sanctification without the visible sacrament saith he so also speaketh Bellar. lib. 4 de Christo cap. 16. § ad locum and other Romanists with him Wherefore their owne Cassander concludeth consult art 9. saying That it is agreable to the judgement of the primitive Church and to the holy scriptures as Bonaventure on the 4. of the sentences LoÌ„bard dist 4. c. 2. shows that Infants dying without baptisme may be saved for if they cannot get baptisme being prevented by death as the faith of the Church and of these who offer them unto baptisme is reputed as their owne sayeth he so the will and desire of the Church and speciallie of the parents to haue them baptised is accepted for baptisme by that mercifull Father who accepts the will for the deed and tyeth none sayth he to what is impossible nor his own grace simplie to the externall sacrament As Bellarmin also affirmeth lib. 4. de Christo cap. ult § ad locum and who also confesseth lib. 1. de baptis cap. 4. § 5. That sindrie famous divines of the Roman Church as Cajetan and Biel others thoght it disagreable altogether from the mercie of God that infants should perish without their own fault The second place is Tit. 3. 5. wher it is said That according to the mercie of God wee ar saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holie Ghost To which I answere That this place speaketh onlie of the work of Regeneration or renovation as absolutlie necessarie to salvation which somtimes is compared to washing by water as Ezek. 36. 25. and somtimes to purging by fire as Math. 3. 11. And which without baptismall washing the theefe on the Crosse found available to salvation as this text speaketh according to the free mercie of God The third place is Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned To which place Bernard worthilie answereth epist 77. saying Mark when Christ said he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved warilie and well be sayeth not but hee that is not baptised shall be damned but only he that believeth not shall be damned Therefore sayeth their Carthusian on Iohn 3. 5. It is to bee understood that Baptisme is necessarie if oâ—casion serue to receive the sacrament of Baptisme otherwise the baptisme of the spirit sufficeth else the believing Theefe on the Crosse had beene excluded out of Paradise The fourth place is Gen. 17. 4. The uncircumcised child shal be cut off from his people but Circumsion was no more necessarie to the Isralits sayeth he than baptisme is to Christians To whom I answer That it is the contempt of that Sacrament that is meant and not the want therof if occasion served not to receive the same
infants as their own famous histories record The third place is 1. Tim. 5. 15. For some are alreadie turned aside after satan To marrie then after the vow of chastitie once made is here tearmed by the Apostle a turning aside after satan sayeth he To which I answere 1. That Primasius expoundeth this That they are turned after satan either by denying the faith of God or by committing fornication sayeth he 2 Their own late Estius sayeth also thus But wherein they are turned after satan the Apostle telleth not some expound it because they married after their vow others because they committed Fornication which is the more probable sayth he for heereby a greater occasion of speaking evill against the profession was furnished to enemies as v. 14. As also sayeth he it may be referred to their deserting of the religion As the experience therefore of some younger widows that had turned aside after satan by incontinencie was a sufficient reason to the Apostle for refusing such so like wise should the wofull experience of so many whorish Priests Friers Nuns and others teach that no young person should bee forced in their admission to holie orders to vow and make profession of perpetual continencie which moved Cardinall Cajetan to say on 1. Tim. 5. 12. As Paull had learned by experience the forenamed inconvenients by admitting young widows under 60. years to a profession of continencie so would God sayeth he that we would learne by such experience whither the solemne vowes of persons oâ— both sexes in their youth that haue entered into holie religious orders hath done good iâ— the Church or not But it seemeth strange to me that against the marriage of religious persons hee should alleadge scripture seing in the Popes canon law causa 28. q. 2. and by Bellarmin himself lib. de clericis cap. 18. it is acknowledged That the marriage of Priests is not forbidden by Law or gospell nor any Apostolicall authoritie but by a later Church constitution for repealing whereof Pope Pius the second as Platina reports used to say that ther was greater reason cause to repeale it than ther was for making the same The fruit of which decree their owne Cassander setteth down consult art 23 saying Wee see by this decree that chastitie is so farre from being established that a window is seene to be opened to all lust villanie Therfore also did Gerson Chancellour of the universitie of Paris deplore de vita spirituali animae lect 4. coroll 14 That the places of the holie Ministrie were possessed by Adulterers whoremasters Sodomits and such like Monsters and that the number of this kind was so great that there was no proceeding against them yea Whoredome was of so little account amongst them authorised that it is said in the glosse on the canon Law dist 81. cap. Maximianus That for simple fornication a Priest is not to be deposed Seing as hath beene said Few were to bee found who were free of that vyce So likewise to the very same purpose causa 2. quest 7. cap. Lator it is againe said That single fornication is not worthie of deposition So that as Bernard speaketh serm 66 in cantica Take from the Church honourable marriage and the Bed undefiled you shall fill the same with whoredomes incests filthie issues effeminat and Sodomiticall Monsters and in a word with all sort of uncleannesse And what opposition was made against this decree of forced single life made by Pope Gregorie 7. alias Hildebrand aÌ„no 1074. by the whol Clergie almost Their own Sigebert declareth in his Chronicle saying Pope Gregorie having convocated a synod removed from their office all married Priests and inhibit all Laicks to heare their Masse by a new example whereupon did arise so great a scandal that in the time of no heresie the church was rent with a more grievous scisme many therby joyning also with incontinencie perjurie and manifold Adulteries Which made that noble poet in his time Chaucer Esq of woodstock anno 1341. to say in his plowmans tale They liue not in lecherie but haunt Wenches Widows wives and punisheth the poore for poultrie Themselves using it all their lives 45 THat fasting and abstinence from certaine meates is not grounded on holie scripture nor causeth any spirituall good FOr answere 1. That fasting is not grounded on scripture nor causeth any spirituall good we disowne for our Confession of faith 1647. cap. 21. art 5. testifieth the the contrarie where solemne fasts in their severall times and seasons used in an holie religious manner are declared to bee a part of Gods religious worship according to the scriptures there alleadged So that we admitt both private publick fasting for humiliation as the same is joyned with prayer and fitteth us the better for devotion as also tendeth to spiritâ—all good many wayes as we see Act. 13. 3. Math. 17. 21. c. But as for enjoyning abstinence from certaine sorts of meate at set times for coÌ„science sake joyned with opinion of merit or satisfaction This we oppose as a doctrine of devils so called 1. Tim. 4. 3. contrarie to Christian liberty and to Gods word 1. Tim. 4. 4. As for the example of the Rechabits which he bringeth Ierm 35. 5. of forbearing the drinking of wyne for ever It was a singular case and a particular humane injunction onlie of their father binding no others in that time or ever thereafter as the like was that of the Nazarits Luke 1. 15. to wit temporarie onlie relating to some onlie as also meerlie ceremoniall 46 THat Iesus Christ descended not into hell nor delivered â—hence the soules of the Patriarch's out of the same VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to Ephes 4. 8. where it is said That when Christ ascended on high he led captivitie captive which Captives sayth he were the soules of the fathers which Christ delivered out of Limbus To whom I answere 1. we deny that ever he shall find in scripture any such place as he calleth Limbus or that the word Hell as it relateth to the soule signifieth any place appointed for the godlie but for the wicked onlie damned for ever 2. By Captivity led captive Christs enemies ours are onlie meant not his freinds or the fathers which is clear first by the alike speech Judg. 5. 12. where Deborah after the victorie over Israels enemies sayeth to Barack Arise Barack and lead thy Captivitie captive That is thy vanquished enemies 2. The fathers also so expound these words therfore sayeth Tertullian lib. 5. contra Marcion Hee led Captivitie captive that is death that slaverie under which man was Haymo also Theophy lact on Ephes 4. 9. sayeth That this captivitie was the Devill death the curse of the Law sinne And so also speaketh Augustin on psal 67. 3. So also do their own Doctours expound these words as Lyra on psal 67. Lombard likewise and Arboreus on Ephes 4. 9. The second place is Act. 2. 27. Thou