they call the Virtuall Church de facto hath erred Ergo hee and the Church following him may erre The Antecedent is proven by the testimonie of many famous Romanists themselues as Nilus Gerson Almain Alfonsus à Castro and which is to be noted Pope Adrian himself as Bellarmine acknowledgeth lib. 4. de Pontif. Rom. c. 2. The lyke doeth Cardinall Cusanus witness Ambrosius Catharinus Lyra Erasmus and the Councell of Basill who in their 34. Session deposed Eugenius the fourth as hereticall So did the sixt Generall Councell of Constantinople condemne Pope Honorius as a Monothelite as Bellarmin confesseth lib. 4. de Pont. c. 11. That Pope Liberius also was an Arrian and Pope Anastasius an Nestorian no man will doubt sayeth Alfonsus à Castro who hath read histories also that Vigilius was an Eutychian that Zepherin was a Montanist and that Iohn the 23 denyed the Resurrection is evident by most famous Histories of their own witnessing 2. Lykewyse to come to poynts of Doctrine wherein by their own confession they haue erred and departed from the Ancient Fayth I will instance first the Roman Churches prohibition of the people to reade the holy Scriptures And if it be asked whether in this poynt shee hath erred and departed from the fayth and practise of the Primitiue Church Their own Bishop Claudius Espencaeus on Titus 2. will tell them saying It is manyfest by the doctrine of the Apostle Col. 3. 4. And by the practise of the Church sayeth hee that of old the vse of the Scriptures was permitted to the people Here then a confessed departure from the Ancient Fayth 3. The Roman Church hath decreed That all publick Prayers and Worship bee in a tongue vnknown to the people And if it bee asked Whether herein shee hath erred and departed from the Ancient Fayth Their own Cardinall Cajetan will tell them saying By the doctrine of Saynct Paull it is to bee held that it is farre better for the edifying of the Church that the publick Prayers which are vttered in the hearing of the people bee sayd in a language that is common and known both to Clergie and people And that this was lykewyse the practise of the Primitiue Church This both Lyra and Aquinas testifieth Here then agayn a confessed departure from the Ancient Fayth and practise of the Primitiue Church 4. The present Roman Church teacheth Invocation of Sayncts And if it be asked Whether in this they hold the Ancient Fayth taught by the Apostles or hath departed therefra Their own Eckius Luthers great Antagonist will tell them saying Besydes that we haue nothing hereof in the Old Testament In the New lykewyse the Apostles nor Evangelists neither taught by word sayeth hee nor left any such thing by writ that the Sayncts departed should be invocated nor would the holy Ghost by whose inspiration they spake suffer them so to do sayeth he and yet as Paull testifieth they taught the whole Councell of GOD Whence it followeth that the Invocation of Sayncts is no part thereof And consequently a departure from the Ancient Catholick and Apostolicall Fayth and practise Iustly accursed by GOD For if an Angell from Heaven sayeth the Apostle teach any thing besyde that which wee haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed 5. The Church of Rome now teacheth That the people should not participate of the consecrated cup in the Communion And if it be asked If herein they follow CHRISTS Institution or the practise of the Primitiue Church Not only doeth their own Lyra and Aquinas ingenuously confess That shee hath departed therefra But also the whole Councell of Constance holden anno 1414. Sess. 13. confesseth clearly That CHRIST indeed instituted this Venerable Sacrament in both kynds of bread and wyne and gaue it so to His Disciples As also that in the Primitiue Church say they the same was receaved by the Faythfull in both kynds And yet for certayn causes the Roman Church hath ordayned the contrary Here then a clear confession of a gross departing from the Ancient Fayth and practise of the Primitiue Church 6. The present Roman Church teacheth Transsubstantiation of the bread into the Body of CHRIST in the Sacrament of the LORDS SUPPER And if it bee asked If this bee the Ancient Catholick and Apostolick Fayth 1. The Apostle 1. Cor. 11. 26. will teach them the contrary affirming That after Consecration the bread remayneth in substance Even when it is eaten And if next to the Apostle they will heare one of their most ancient Popes whom they say cannot erre Gelasius will tell them playnly saying tho the Sacrament bee a divyne thing becauss therein wee receaue the body and blood of CHRIST yet the substance and nature of the bread and wyne ceasseth not still to remayn sayeth hee And as for the Words of CHRIST whereby they would proue Transsubstantiation if they will hear the exposition of them out of their Popes Canon Law it will tell them saying The Heavenly Sacrament which truely REPRESENTETH CHRISTS FLESH is called CHRISTS BODIE but improperlie So that in this mayn poynt we see they haue departed from the Ancient Fayth which was taught by the Apostle and believed by their own ancient Popes and Canonists 7. The present Romane Church teacheth That after this lyf for soules of them that are saved there is a fyre of Purgatorie And if it bee asked If this was the Ancient Fayth of the Catholick Church Their own Fisher Bishop of Rochester will tell them That in the Western or Roman Church it is but Sero cognitum or lately only known And as for the Eastern or Grecian Church even vnto this day sayeth hee they never did belieue Purgatorie Here then a clear confession that the present Roman Church holdeth not the Ancient Fayth of the Catholick Church Eastern nor Western but hath swerved therefra 8. And if by farder witnessing they would be informed of the defection of the Church of Rome by Fathers others a matter indeed wherein they are lyke to Thomas hard of belief let Ierom testifie what progress it had made even in his tyme which was a mystery of Iniquity working even in Pauls dayes who about the four hundreth year of CHRIST wryting to Paulinus sayeth thus When I was in Babylon calling Rome so and lived an inhabitant of that Purple Whore I desyred as it were to prattle somewhat of the holy Ghost and to dedicate my work to the Bishop of that Citie to wit Damasus and behold the Assembly of the Pharisees there cryed me down amongst whom there was not any learned Scrybe but the whole faction of ignorance conspyred agaynst mee as if I had proclaymed some Doctrinall Warre agaynst them c. Which words even vnto admiration calling Rome Babylon the Scarlet Whore The Clergie whereof were a faction of blynd Pharisees who cryed downe all Godly and Learned Men for advancing themselues only and their own credit would seem
sinne of vnbelieff Whom els where * the Scriptures are sayd to haue concluded vnder sinne Whence it followeth That the Authoritie of GOD and of the Scriptures is all one Therefore if GODS Authoritie bee aboue the Church then the Scriptures Authoritie must bee so lykewyse and not the contrary And who believeth not GOD speaking in the Scriptures otherwyse then for the Authoritie of another That is the Churches hee believeth the Church more than GOD and so believeth not GOD simplie for himself but as is sayd 1. Iohn 5. 10. maketh GOD a liar Therefore sayeth Augustine being sure and secure of the Trueth of holy Scripture I will reade the same as being placed in the very highest and most heavenly top or pinnacle of Authoritie 4. That the Scripture is perfect in it self without vnwritten traditions ROM. 15. 4. Whatsoever thinges were written aforetyme were written for our instruction that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures may haue hope Whence it followeth That if the Scripture serveth as sayeth the Text both for instructing in thinges intellectuall and begetting in vs all saving graces as things morall and which are able to vphold vs in deepest distresses as is Patience Comfort and Hope That therefore the same is perfect contayning all doctrines in it needfull to Salvation Whence it is sayeth Augustine in these places which are clearly set down in Scripture All these things are found which contayn both Fayth and Manners CHAP. II. Of the CHURCH SECTION 1. That the holy Cotholick Church spoken of in the Creed is only of them who are predestinated to eternall glory ROM. 8. 30. Moreover whom Hee did predestinate them also He called and whom He called them also Hee justified and whom Hee justified them also He glorified Whence wee reason thus The holy Catholik Church of CHRIST is that which at last is to bee glorified But none are to bee glorified but the predestinate c. Therefore the predestinate only are the holy Catholik Church of CHRIST Whence it is That Pope Gregorie the first sayeth well The Church is rightlie called a Garden inclosed sayeth hee because on all sydes it is fenced with the hedge of Charitie lest any reprobate should enter in amongst the number of the Elect. And yet for this poynt was Iohn Huss condemned burnt at the Councell of Constance because he defyned the True Church of CHRIST to bee the company of these who are predestinate elect vnto Eternall Lyf 2. That the Church of true Professours is not alwayes to all conspicuous ROM. 11. 2. 3. 4. Wot ye not what the Scripture sayeth of Eliab how hee maketh intercession to GOD against Israell saying LORD they haue killed thy Prophets and digged down thyne Altars and I am left aelone and they seek my lyf But what sayeth the answer of GOD vnto him I haue reserved to MySelff seven thousand who haue not bowed the knee to Baall Where wee see that the true Church in Israel that consisted of such a number of true worshippers was not visibly conspicuous even to the true Prophet of GOD let be to her persecuting enemyes Ahab and Iesabell Whence it is That Augustin sayeth Sometymes the Church lyke the Moon may be hid and obscured that her own very members may not know one another 3. That true doctrine is the essentiall note of the true Church ROM. 16. 17. Now I beseech you brethren mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee haue learned and avoyd them For they that are such serue not the LORD IESUS Whence it followeth If they should bee avoyded as no true servants of CHRIST IESUS or members of His Church who teah or practise Contrary to true doctrine That on the contrary these therefore who teach and practise conform to true doctrine contayned in the Scriptures are the true servants of CHRIST IESUS and members of His Church and consequentlie that true doctrine and practise in GODS worship conform is the essentiall note to know CHRISTS Church thereby Therefore there is the true Church sayeth Ierom where true fayth is and they are good catholicks only sayeth Augustin who follow the right fayth 4. That vnity is no note of the true Church except in the trueth and profession thereof ROM. 15. 5. 6. Now the GOD of patience and consolation grant you to be alyke mynded one towards another according to CHRIST IESUS that yee may with one mynd and one mouth glorifie GOD Whence it followeth That the vnitie which the Apostle prayeth that it may be in this Church of Rome and whereby they may bee knowne to bee the true Church of CHRIST is the Unitie of trueth according to CHRIST IESUS being of one mynd in believing and of one mouth in professing the same to the glory of GOD 5. That Multitude is no Note of the True Church ROM. 11. 3. 5. LORD they haue killed thy Prophets and digged downe thyne Altars and I am left alone and they seek my lyf c. And even so at this present tyme also there is but a remnant according to the election of grace sayeth the Apostle Whence it followeth If at this tyme whereof the Prophet speaketh in this Church of the Iewes there was such a paucitie of true worshippers that Elias thought that hee only was left alone the multitude having made defection to idolatrie And that at this tyme also whereof the Apostle speaketh in the Christian Church was but a remnant only according to the election of grace in comparison of others Therefore it followeth clearly that multitude is no evident note of the true Church Wherefore sayeth Ierom the multitude of associates shall no wyse show thee to bee a Catholik but rather an Heretick 6. That the Church of Rome is not infallible but may erre ROM. 11. 20. Because of vnbelieff they were broken off to wit the Iewish Church and thou standest by fayth be not highmynded but fear Whence wee see 1. That any such highmyndedness is forbidden to the Church of Rome as to say that shee cannot erre and 2. Altho for the present she stood by fayth yet shee is exhorted to fear lest shee fall from the Fayth Which exhortation were altogether needless if shee could not erre or fall from the Fayth And agayn sayeth the Apostle Rom. 11. 21. 22. For if GOD spared not the naturall branches take heed lest hee spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severitie of GOD on them which fell severitie but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwyse thou shalt also be cut off Whereby the Apostle showeth That the Church of Rome may fall away from the Trueth and bee cut off as well as other Churches otherwyse if shee only had bene priviledged with infallibility this exhortation fore-named and this commination subjoyned had bene altogether needless neither should he spoken conditionally thus If thou continue but particularly excepted her as one that could
That the Scripture is playn in all things necessarie to Salvation And therefore is to be read by the people IN which poynt thus sayeth Gregorie Scriptura quasi quidam fluvius est planus altus in quo agâ—us ambulet â—liphas natet That is The Scripture is as it were a river both eb and deep wherein a Lamb may wade and an Elephant swim Which thing moved also Augustine to say In these places sayeth hee which are clearly set down in Scripture are all these things to bee found which contayn both Fayth and Manners Lib. 2. de doctrina Christiana cap. 9. And agayn For reading of Scripture sayeth Gregorie Quid est autem scriptura sacra nisi Epistola Omnipotentis DEI ad creaturum suam That is What is the Holy Scripture then but the Epistle of the Omnipotent GOD sent vnto His creature Whence it followeth That therefore His creature should reade the same CHAP. IJ. Of the Church And 1. That the Rock spoken of MATH 16. 18. whereon CHRIST sayeth Hee will build His Church and the Popes would build their Infallibilitie is not Peter nor his successours but CHRIST only FOR thus sayeth Gregorie Ipse enim est Petra à qua Petrus nomen accepit super quam se aedificaturum Ecclesiam dixit That is For Hee Himselff is that Rock from which Peter receaved his name and vpon which hee sayd that hee would build his Church And agayn In sacriloquio sayeth hee quando in singulari numero fundamentum dicitur nullus alius nisi CHRISTUS designatur That is In Holie Scripture when in the singular number a foundation is spoken of none other is thereby to be vnderstood but CHRIST alone 2. That the True Catholick Church spoken of in the Belieff and that can not erre fundamentally totally is only the Elect And so no one particular visible Church only as Rome WHereanent sayth Gregorie Christus itaque cum tota sua Ecclesia sive quae adhuc versatur in terris sive quae â—um co regnat in coelis vna persona est sicut est vna anima quae diversa corporis membrâ— virificat ita totam simul Ecclesiam vnus Spiritus Sanctus vegetat illustrat That is CHRIST therefore with His whole Church whether it bee that part thereof that is on earth or that part which raygneth with Him in the Heavens is but one person and as it is but one soull that quickeneth the diverss members of the bodie Even so it is but one Holy Spirit which quickeneth and illuminateth the whole Church And a little after De hoc spiritu non vivit haereticus non vivit schismaticus That is And by this spirit neither doeth the Heretick nor Schismatick liue And agayn Intra has mensuras sunt omnes electi extra has sunt omnes reprobi etiamsi intra fidei limitem esse videantur That is Within these bounds are all the Elect and within the same are all the reprobate albeit they seem to be within the limits of believers 3. That no man on earth is Universal Bishop of the Catholick Church as the Pope claymeth nor anywyse Head thereof NO man battereth more this loftie Babell of Papall Supremacie more than Gregorie For 1. Hee calleth this name of Universall Bishop in it selff which the Patriarch of Constantinople would haue vsurped Novum prophanum vocabulum contra statuta Evangelica Canonum Decreta Lib. 4. Epist. 32. That is A new and prophane style agaynst the Precepts of the Gospell and Canons of Councells Also Superbum vocabulum A prowd tytle and a perverss Epist. 34. Lykewyse Diabolica praesumptio A divelish presumption Epist. 36. nomen blasphemiae Epist. 32. And a name of Blasphemie according to that of Revel. 17. 3. And last Scelestum vocabulum A most wicked tytle and a playn Departure from the Fayth For so hee sayeth Epist. 39. In isto enim scelesto vocaebulo consentire nihil aliud est quam fidem perdere That is To consent to this most wicked style is no other thing than to lose the Fayth 2. Hee showeth That none who was ever Bishops of Rome his Predecessours would haue any such style And 1. Peter Neminem-se vnquam vniversalem vocare voluit sayeth hee Epist. 38. That is Hee would not haue any ever to call him Universall And thereafter Nullus vnquam predecessorum meorum hoc tam prophano vocabulo vti consensit Epist. 36. That is None ever of my predecessours would consent to vse so prophane a title * And for his own practise when Eulegius Bishop of Alexandria had given him this style in a letter he sayeth Ecce in Praefatione Epistolae quam ad meipsum qui prohibui direxistis superbae appellationis verbum vniversalem me Papam dicentes imprimere curastis quod petâ— dulcissima vestra sanctitas mihi vltra non faciat quia vobis substrahitur quod alteri plus quam ratio exigit prebetur And there after Recedant ergo verba quae vanitat inflant charitatem vulnerant Lib. 7. Epist. 30. That is Behold sayeth hee in the Preface of a Letter which yee directed to mee yee caused put in a prowd Title calling mee Universall Bishop or Pope which I did forbid and which I beseech your sweetest Holiness that you doe no more any such thing because that is withdrawn from you vnjustlie which agaynst right reason is given to any other Away then with such words that bloweth vp men with Vanitie and woundeth Charitie 3. Hee setteth down the reasons why such a prowd style should not be vsurped by any 1. Universa ergo Ecclesia quod absit à statu suo corruet quando is qui vocatur vniversalis cadet Lib. 4. Epist. 32. That is For then the vniversall Church sayeth hee should fall which GOD forbid when he falleth in heresie who is Universall Bishop thereof 2. Hee showeth That this were to imitate Lucifer who fell through Pryde saying Quis enim in hoc tam perverso vocabulo nisi ille ad imitandum proponitur qui despectis Angelorum legionibus secum socialiter constitutis ad culmen conatus est singularitatis erumpere vt nulli subesse solus omnibus preesse videretur Epist. 38. That is For who is set before our eyes for imitation in vsurping so prophane or wicked a Tytle but hee who despysing the legions of Angels who in one consociation were joyned with him would so aspyre to the hight of singularitie as hee would bee subject to none and would bee aboue all others himself alone as the Popes since avow in their Decretalls ‡ Last of all hee showeth that this Antichristian style and vsurpation thereof by Iohn Patriarch of ConstaÌ„tinople did design no other thing but that Antichrist was even at hand and that hee who did vsurp the same was his verie Fore-runner For thus hee sayeth Sed
rather to bee a Protestants speach of Rome now-a-days than Ieroms words of Rome in his tyme To whom I wil adjoyn amongst many others but one of latter tymes that famous Florentine and so much extolled Petrarcha who lived in the 1300 year of CHRIST and who out of experience speaketh thus of Rome wryting to his Freind saying Behold now thou seest with thyne eyes groapest with thyne hands what a Citie this last spoken of Babylon is hot and burning in Lust c. And therafter there thou maist see a people not only an enemy to CHRIST but which is worss vnder the Banner of Christian Profession rebelling agaynst CHRIST militating for Satan drunk with the blood of the Members of CHRIST for what I pray thee is not dayly done amongst these enemyes of CHRIST the Pharesees of our tymes For do they not here on earth buy and sell and make merchandise of CHRIST Himself whose Name night and day they with high prayses extoll whom in His images they cloathe with Purple and Gold decketh with precious stones and whom they salute and worship and yet they blyndfold as it were the same CHRIST as if Hee could not see they crown Him with the thorns of their ill gotten goods they pollute Him with the spittinges of their most vnclean mouth with their viperous mockings they persecute Him they pearce Him agayn with the speare of their poysonable actions and so farre as in them lyeth sayeth hee mocked naked poor whipped they draw Him agayn to Calvaerie and by a wicked conspiracie they crucifie Him over agayn O shame O grief O indignitie Of such men consisteh Rome this day as I haue sayd Where Iudas himself shall bee admitted if hee bring with him the thirtie pieces of silver the pryce of blood and poor CHRIST shall be thrust out of doors which thing to bee notourlie true there is no Christian but may know and yet none lamenteth it and none revengeth CHRISTS quarrell And where the head thereof the Pope acteth not sayeth he the part of an Apostolick but of a robber nor is famous for signes of vertue or miracles but for militarie ensigns and is stored with threatning legions as if thou wouldest think him another Hanniball nor a successour of PETER With which Petrarcha notably jumpeth also Platinae the Popes own Secretarie speaking of the Popes and Romane Clergie in the lyf of Marcellinus Gregory the fourth and Paull the second where he sayeth That by Envy Pryde and Malice they exercysed rather Tyrannie nor the Office of Priesthood altogether having forgotten Christianitie and prophaning holy mysterie And vnto whom I could adjoyn a cloud of mo witnesses of their own most famous wryters as Baptista Mantuanus de calamitatibus temporum Nicolaus Clemangis de corrupto Ecclesiae statu Marsilius Patavinus in his Defensor Pacis AEneas Sylvius Afterward Pope by the name of Pius secundus in his Epistolae familiares and of late Claudius Espencaeus a Spanish Bishop and others But what hath bene adduced may bee sufficient to such who without a prejudice agaynst Trueth haue not wedded themselues so to Errour that lyke Babell they will not be cured being so inebriated with that bewitching cup of the Filthiness of the Whores Fornications that as the Apostle sayeth GOD hath sent them strong delusion to belieue a lie because they would not receaue the loue of the trueth that they may be saved But as for others concerning whom the LORD hath a purpose in Mercie to call out of Babell as he had to Abraham whom hee called from idolatrous Ur of the Chaldees I doubt not but such following the Berean practise without prejudice wil yeeld an obedient ear to hear and heart to belieue that Ancient Roman Fayth which they fynd so clearly set down in Scripture and especially that Epistle written to the Romanes that so they may bee truely esteemed Catholick and Apostolick Romanes indeed and no more followers of that Beast horned lyke the LAMB but who speaketh lyke the Dragon to their own perdition And as for vs to whom the LORD hath revealed His Trueth and preserved from the deceavableness of Errour as the Apostle speaketh we are bound alwayes to prayse the LORD That Hee hath chosen vs from the beginning vnto Salvation thorow Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Trueth wherevnto He hath called vs by the Gospell of CHRIST Of the which Blessing the LORD grant wee may walk worthie adorning our Profession by an holy lyff to the Glory of GOD good example of others and the Salvation of our own soules in the day of our account AMEN The Old Roman Catholik Religion taught to them by PAULL In opposition to The New Roman Catholik Religion taught them by the Pope The one beeing APOSTOLICALL the other Apostaticall CHAP. I. OF SCRIPTURE SECTION 1. That the Apocrypha books are not Canonicall Scripture ROM. 3. 2. Vnto them to wit the Iewes were committed the Oracles of GOD That is as all expound the Canonicall Scriptures of the Old Testament which CHRIST comprehendeth only in Moses and the Prophets wrytings Luke 24. 27. of whom Malachi was the last But vnto them were never committed these Books as the Oracles of GOD or Canonicall Scripture which are called Apocrypha nor were they ever acknowledged by the Iewes to be such as Bellarmine and others confesseth being written after Malachi who was the last of the Prophets as is already sayd Therefore it followeth That these Books are not Canonick Scripture Whence it is That Ierom sayd in his tyme The Church indeed readeth these Books sayeth he but receaveth them not amongst Canonicall Scriptures 2. That people should not be debarred from reading of the Scriptures ROM. 15. 4. What-so-ever things were written aforetyme were written for our instruction that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may haue hope Whence it followeth If the Scriptures were written for the instruction of all Christians and that they may attayn by them to Patience Comfort and Hope that therefore for this end they should bee read and perused by them But so it is That they were written as sayeth this Text for that end Therefore for the same end they should bee read by GODS people and perused diligently Agayn Rom. 1. 7. The Apostle directeth his Epistle To all that bee in Rome sayeth hee beloved of GOD called to be Saincts Whence it followeth If the Apostle directeth his Epistle as a part of divyne Scripture To all Christians in common that were at Rome Therefore that all such were permitted to reade the same and consequently that no Christian should bee debarred from reading holy Scripture Wherefore sayeth Chrysostom say not that it is the part only of religious persons to reade the Scriptures for it is the part of every Christian so to do 3. That the Authoritie of the Church is not aboue the Scriptures ROM. 11. 32. It is sayd That GOD concluded them all vnder the
not but continue by reason of her infallibilitie and of her heads especially But on the contrary hee reasoneth from the more to the less that if this befell the Iewish Church to fall away from the Trueth and be cut off being the naturall branch much more may this befall Rome being the wyld oliue only as indeed de facto it hath proved so 7. That separation from an hereticall church as Rome is no scisme but a commanded duetie ROM. 16. 17. Now I beseech you brethren mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee haue receaved and avoyd them Whence it followeth That if according to the Apostles command wee should avoyd them who do contrary to the Apostles doctrine and separate our selues from them as it is sayd of Mysticall Babylon come out of her my people That therefore this avoyding of such and separation from them is no schism but obedience to Divyne Precept and duetie commanded Wherefore sayeth Ambrose If any Church reject the Fayth and retayn not the foundamentall poynts of Apostolick Doctrine shee is altogether to be forsaken CHAP. III. Of the Head of the Church SECTION 1. That CHRIST IESUS allanerly is the only Head of the Church and Husband thereof in lyke manner and no Pope at all ROM. 12. 5. So we being many are one body in CHRIST and every one members one of another Whence it followeth That if all are but Fellow-members only of CHRISTS mysticall body Therefore that none is head of that body but Himself allanerly Wherefore sayth one of their Popes Gregorie the first It is satanicall pryde by an arrogant title of head so to subject all CHRISTS Members to one man which cohereth to one head CHRIST IESUS allanerlie And agayn sayth th' Apostle Rom. 7. 4. Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of CHRIST that ye should be married to another even to Him who is raysed from the dead Whence it followeth That if we be dead to the law that we should be married to CHRIST therefore that CHRIST only is the Husband of His Church as the same Apostle showeth Ephes. 5. 23. Whrefore sayth Bernard to Pope Eugenius call not CHRISTS beloved Spouse thyne but His Spouse thou challenging nothing as proper to thee over her 2. That the Pope as Bishop of Rome is not Peters Successour and so thereby can neither claym infallibilitie nor the power of the keyes ROM. 11. 13. For I speak to you Gentiles in as much as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles I magnifie my office Whence we reason thus If Paull was properly the Apostle of the Gentiles or vncircumcision as Peter was of the Iewes and circumcision as elss where he sayeth Gal. 2. 7. When they saw that the Gospell of the vncircumcision was committed vnto me sayeth Paull as the Gospell of circumcision was committed to Peter Hence I say it will clearly follow That Rome the Bishop thereof was within Pauls Charge and that can nowyse claym to be Peters successour there or any infallibilitie by his chair nor power of the keyes as they alleadge given to him only But rather that he is Pauls successour as indeed he is in his first condition to wit Before his conversion when he was a cruell persecuter of the Church of CHRIST Wherefore the very Rhemists themselues speak so on this place It is playn by this place and others say they that to them to wit Peter and Paull as the most renowned Apostles the charge of all nations was given as divyded into two parts that is Iewes and Gentiles 3. That the Pope ought to bee subject to the Civill Magistrate without exemption and all his inferiour Clergie ROM. 13. 1. 2. Let every Soull be subject to the higher powers c. Whence it followeth If every soull ought to be subject to the higher powrs to wit Magistracie as the Apostle there showeth Therefore also the Pope and his inferiour Clergie Wherefore thus sayeth Chrysostom on this same Text Let every soull bee subject to the higher powers altho thou bee an Apostle sayeth he altho an Evangelist altho a Prophet or who-so-ever thou bee For Pietie or Religion subverteth not this subjection Therefore also thus concludeth Bernard from this Universalitie who-so-ever would exempt any sayeth hee he seeketh to deceaue CHAP. IV. Of the Churches right worship SECTION 1. That GOD only is to bee invocated and neither Saynct nor Angell ROM. 10. 14. How shall they call on Him in whom they haue not believed But to subsume We must belieue only in GOD as these Scriptures teach vs Iohn 14. 1. Ior. 17. 5. Therefore it followeth That we must incall vpon GOD only Hence it is That their own Master of Sentences Lombard on this Text * sayth We belieue Peter and Paull sayeth he but not in Peter nor Paull Wherefore if wee may not belieue in them wee conclude rightly Therefore wee may not incall vpon them Agayn Rom. 8. 15. For yee haue not receaved the spirit of bondage agayn to fear sayeth the Apostle but yee haue receaved the spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Where we see That being GODS adopted children wee are exhorted not to fear as if wee were going only before a king or judge but to go to Him as a loving Father with confidence to be heard as our Saviour showeth vs and that His Spirit in our hearts teacheth vs to cry or incall vpon Him as a Father and vpon none other Agayn Rom. 8. 27. He that searcheth the heart knoweth the mynd of the spirit sayeth the Apostle Whence it followeth That He must be the searcher of the heart and know the sinceritie of Prayer on whom wee must incall seeing oftentymes neither are our distresses visible nor our prayers vocall But so it is That to search the heart is GODS only prerogatiue as we haue it 2. Chron. 6. 30. Therefore it followeth That GOD only is to bee incalled vpon and neither Saynct nor Angell Wherefore sayeth Augustine speaking of the practise of the Church in his tyme the names of the Sayncts or Martyrs are in their own order sayeth hee rehearsed amongst vs but not invocated by vs 2. That in Heaven CHRIST only is our Mediatour or Intercessour for vs ROM. 8. 34. It is CHRIST that died yea rather that is risen agayn who is even at the Right Hand of GOD and maketh intercession for vs Whence it followeth Seing that He who maketh intercession for vs is He that died for vs and is risen agayn and now sitteth at the Right Hand of GOD and that none hath done this but CHRIST only for vs Therefore That CHRIST only is our intercessour which more expressly the same Apostle elss where showeth saying That as there is but one GOD and not many So also there is but one Mediatour between GOD and Man sayeth hee even the Man CHRIST IESUS And therefore not many For as the word One GOD
of David according to the flesh Whence it followeth If CHRISTS Body or flesh is made only once of the seed of David that it is absurd therefore and contrary to Scripture that His body or flesh is only made by Transsubstantiation of the seed of wheat or substance of bread in the holy Sacrament and that this Transsubstantiation is as it were CHRISTS second birth or begetting as the late Iesuits affirm For so sayeth Cornelius à lapide on Isai 7. 14. By the words of Consecration as the bread is truely really transsubstantiate sayth hee so CHRIST is brought forth and as it were begotten vpon the Altar as powerfully and effectually as if CHRIST were not as yet incarnate Therefore sayeth hee The Priest is as the Virgin that bare Him the Altar is the Manger and the little Emmanuell which hee beareth is CHRIST brought forth vnder the little hostie A most monstrous and blasphemous speach whereby they will haue CHRIST not once but daylie to bee born not of the substance of the Virgin but of the substance of bread and His body not once but daylie also to bee broken and His blood shed in their idolatrous Mass. Whereas on the contrary agreeable to Scripture sayeth Theodoret and with him Pope Gelasius The mysticall signs departeth not from their own nature but remayn sayeth hee in their former substance form and figure and may bee seen and touched as they were before Rom. 8. 34. Who is hee that condemneth It is CHRIST that died yea rather that is risen agayn who is even at the Right Hand of GOD c. And as the Apostle teacheth Act. 3. 21. Whom the Heavens must contayn till the last day or restitution of all things If CHRISTS Body then wherein Hee died and rose agayn sitteth now at the Right Hand of GOD glorified in the Heavens till Hee come agayn from thence at the Last Day It followeth therefore that the Body of CHRIST is not by transsubstantiation every-where on earth between the Priests fingers in the Mass or between the teeth of the people to bee chewed in the Sacrament as is affirmed in the Popes Decretall * Wherefore when Hee was on earth Hee was not then in Heaven sayeth Vigilius and with him Fulgentius and now being in Heaven Hee is not to bee had on earth 4. That the Mass is not Propitiarie Sacrifice ROM. 6. 9. 10. Knowing that CHRIST being raysed from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over Him for in that Hee died Hee died to sinne once But in that Hee liveth Hee liveth vnto GOD Seeing then that CHRIST died but once and dieth no more and that this His death was that onlie Propitiatorie Sacrifice once for ever offered on the Cross never to bee reiterated as wee are clearly taught Hbr. 9. 25. and 10. 14. Therefore it followeth That there is no Propitiatorie Sacrifice offered vp in the Mass but only a commemoration in the Sacrament of CHRISTS Death and Passion Wherefore sayeth Eusebius and with him Ambrose After that CHRIST had offered vp that admirable and excellent Sacrifice to His Father for the Salvation of all Hee instituted sayeth hee that wee should still offer vp the Rememberance of that Benefit in place of a Sacrifice to GOD But not as any Propitiatorie Sacrifice properly it selff CHAP. VII Of PURGATORIE That there is no such Place whether the Souls of the Godly go after this lyff ROM. 8. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in CHRIST IESUS If therefore there bee no condemnation at all then after death when they are pronounced presentlie blessed and resteth from their labours they are not condemned to any Hellish and Tormenting Purgatorie Agayn Rom. 8. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS Elect It is GOD that justifieth And who is hee that condemneth It is CHRIST that died yea rather that is risen agayn who is even at the Right Hand of GOD and maketh intercession for vs Remark then That agaynst any thing that may bee layed to the charge of the Elect for which they may bee condemned after this lyff to any such Hellish Place or Punishment as Purgatorie there are three powerfull thinges opposed 1. GODS justifying them by a full and free Remission of all their sinnes what-so-ever and consequently from any such Hellish Punishment of them here-after 2. CHRISTS Death or Blood-shed which as Iohn testifieth purgeth vs from all Sinne and 3. CHRISTS Intercession in the Heavens which is sufficientlie powerfull to saue the Souls of His Elect after this lyf from any such fyrie Torment Wherefore sayeth Iustin Martyr After the departure of the Soull from the bodie presently is made a distinction between the good and the bad For they are carried to the Places whereof they are worthie The Souls of the Godly by the Angels being carried to Paradise where the company and sight of Angels and Archangels is as also the sight of CHRIST our SAVIOUR according to these words whill wee are absent from the body we are present with the Lord But the souls of the wicked sayeth hee are carried to Hell FINIS The Doctrine of the Primitiue Bishops of Rome whill the Faithful City became not an Harlor and her Pastours Impostours And especially the Doctrine of GREGORIE the first who lived fyue hundreth years after CHRIST is called by them for his Vertue and Learning GREGORIE THE GREAT CHAP. I. Of Scripture And 1. That the Maccabees and other Apocrypha books are not Canonicall GREGORIE speaking of the Probation of a poynt out of the Maccabees sayeth thus De qua noÌ„ inordinate agimus si ex libris etsi non canonicis sed tamen ad aedificationem Ecclesiae editis testimonium proferamus That is Of which matter wee do not disorderlie if we bring a testimonie out of these books which albeit they are not canonicall yet are set forth for the edifying of the Church And that this was the judgement and fayth of the whole Western Christian Church before and at that tyme Ierom declareth saying Hos libros legit quidem Ecclesia sed inter canonicas scripturas non recipit That is The Church indeed readeth these bookes but receaveth them not amongst Canonicall Scriptures 2. That the Scriptures without doctrinall Traditions are all sufficient for instruction of Fayth and Manners WHerein thus sayeth Gregorie In hoc volumine Omnia quae crudiunt Cuncta quae aedificant continentur That is In this Book of Scripture all things that are for instruction and all things that are for edification are contayned But as for dogmaticall traditions Sâ—pè heretici sayeth hee dum sua student perversa astruere ea proferunt quae in sacrorum librorum paginis non continentur That is Often tymes Hereticks whyle as they endeavour to build vp their perverss doctrines they produce thinges which in the Books of Sacred Scripture are no wyse contayned 3.
vt Episcopi hujusmodi civitatum sive diocesium provideant viros idoneos qui secundum diversitates rituum â—inguarum divina illis officia celebrant That is Because in many partes within one Citie or Diocie there are manie people mixed together of diverss languages having vnder one Fayth diverss rites manners Therefore we straitly command that the bishops of such cities or diocies provide meet men who according to the diversitie of their Rites and languages may celebrate Divine Service vnto them For out of the Doctrine of Saynct PAULL sayeth Cardinall Cajetane wee haue it clearly set down That it is better for the edification of the CHURCH that the Publick Prayers which are vsed in the audience of the people bee spoken in a language common both to Clergie and People than otherwyse Wherefore also sayeth LYRA In the Primitiue Church the THANKS-GIVINGS and all other Common Service was performed in the vulgar tongue Which Custome of the Church as yet vsed in AEgypt and Ethiopia It is a wonder sayeth Erasmus how it became to be changed 2. Agaynst al manner of Adoration of Images THus sayeth GREGORIE in his Epistle to SERENUS Bishop of MARSILS Who because the people worshipped them broke down all the images that were in anie Church within his Diocey And show they were not to bee worshipped at all Et quideÌ„ quia eas adorari vetuisses Omnino laudamus sayth GREGORY quae ad instruendas Solummodo mentes nescientium fuerunt collocatae convocandi ergo sunt dispersi Ecclesiae Filii eisque Scripturae Sacrae est Testimoniis ostendendum quia omne manufactum adorare non licet quoniam scriptum est Dominum tuum adorabis illi soli Servies That is And truelie in that yee did forbid these images to bee worshipped Wee al-to-gether prayse you which were placed onlie for instruction of the mynds of the ignorant Wherefore the dispersed Sonnes of the Church are to bee assembled together And by the Testimonies of holie Scripture it is to bee shown vnto them That it is not lawfull to worship anie thing what-so-ever which is made with hands Because it is written Thou shalt worship the LORD thy GOD and Him onlie shalt thou serue Or giue to Him the worship of DULIA which Papists giue to images by their own confession Which Practise of Romish Idolatrie contrary to the Fayth of GREGORIE is come to that hight of madness sayeth their own POLYDOR VIRGIL That this part of Devotion is little different from Impietie For there are manie so exceeding rude and stupide sayeth hee who worship images made of stocks and stones brass and marble And these also that are paynted over with diverss sorts of colours vpon walls not as images to represent but as if they had sense and feeling and confyde more in these than in CHRIST Him selff Yea They so dote vpon images sayeth their famous GABRIELL BIELL that they belieue a certayn Deitie grace or holiness to bee in them Whereby they are able to work miracles restore health and delyver from dangers c. And if at anie tyme miracles bee wrought vpon men who haue recourss vnto them this is not by the vertue of the image sayeth hee but sometymes by the operation of the Devill to deceaue such Idolatrous Worshippers GOD so permitting and their infidelitie so deserving the same CHAP. IV. Agaynst anie Free-will in man vnto good by nature that tendeth to Salvation WHerein thus sayeth GREGORIE Iyse aspirando nos praevenit vt velimus qui adjuvando subsequitur ne inaniter velimus sed possimus implore quae volumus quod benè paulus brevi sententia explicat dicens plus illis omnibus laboravi qui ne suae videretur virtuti tribuisse quod fecerat adjunxit Non autem ego sed Gratia DEI mecum quia eum Coelesti donâ— preventus est quasi alieâ—â—â—m se à bono sâ—â—o opere agnovit dicens Non autem ego sed quia prâ—veniens gratia liborum in â—â— arbitrium fecerat in bono quod libero arbitrio â—andem gratiam est subsecutus in opere adjunxit sed Gratiae DEI mecum acâ—ss diceret In bono opere laboravi non ego sed ego In hoc enim quod solo DOMINI Dono praeventus sum non ego In eo autem quod bonum voluntate subsecutus ego That is The LORD by His Grace wherewith Hee inspyreth preveaneth vs that wee may will who by His Helping Grace followeth vs That wee will not in vayn which the Apostle doeth well by a short sentence explayn saying I haue laboured more than you all Who lest hee should seem to haue attribute to his own power what he had done Therefore hee adjoyneth But not I but the Grace of GOD which was with mee For because Hee was preveaned by that Heavenlie Gift of Grace hee did acknowledge him selff before that tyme as it were averss al-to-gether from that good work saying Yet not I. And agayn Because preveaning Grace had made his will to bee free vnto good And that by his will so fred hee followed the same Grace in working Therefore hee subjoyned But the Grace of GOD with mee as if hee had sayd In this good work I haue laboured and yet not I. For in this that I am prevented by the only Gift of GODS Grace It was not I but in that my will there-after followed GODS Grace it was I CHAP. V. Of Justification and that wee are not justified before GOD by any inherent righteousness in our selues But by the Merit Mediation of our SAVIOUR CHRIST allanerlie FOR vs in this poynt also clearly doeth GREGORIE affirm saying Ut enim saepè diximus omnis humana justitia injustitia esse convincitur si districtè judicatur prece igitur post justitiam indiget vt quae succumbere discussa poterat ex sola judicis pietate convalescat And agayn Iustus igitur advocatus noster justos nos defendet in judicio quia nosipsos cognoscimus accusamus injustos non ergo in fletibus non in actibus nostris sed in advocati nostri advocatione confidimus That is As I haue often tymes sayd All the righteousness of man will bee found to bee vnrighteousness if it bee straytly judged Therefore after our righteousness is considered wee haue need of Prayer That that which other wyse being examined would succumb by the only Mercie of the judge the same may bee accepted and stand Thereefore our Righteous Advocate will defend vs as Righteous in judgement Because wee both acknowledge and accuse our selues as vnrighteous It is not therefore in our Teares noâ— in our works that wee must confyde But only in the Intercession of our Advocate CHRIST Which made Bellarmin also thus to conclude For the vncertaynty of our own righteousness sayeth hee and the danger of vayn glory it is most safe to put our whole confidence in the only
thus sayeth GREGORIE Quando non maneret apud eos qui ascensurus erat coelum promitit dicens Ecce ero vobiscum vsque ad consummationem soeculi sed Vcrbum incarnatum manet recedit recedit corpore manet divinitaete apud eos ergo tunc se mansisse perhibet quia qui invisibili semper potestate presens erat corporali jam visione recedebat That is When Hee was not to abyde with them who was to ascend to Heaven Hee promised saying Behold I am with you vnto the worldes end But this incarnate Word Hee both abydeth with vs and is departed from vs Hee is departed in His Bodie but Hee abydeth in His Deitie Hee sayd therefore that Hee should abyde with them Because by His invisible power Hee was ever present who in His corporall presence was to depart out of their sight As also That the Bread in the Sacrament of the Supper remayneth still in its former substance after Consecration POPE GELASIUS clearly doth testtifie saying Certè Sacramenta quae sumimus Corporis Sanguinis CHRISTI divina res est propter quod divinae per eundem efficimur consortes naturae tamen esse non desinit substantia vel natura Panis Vini c. That is Surelie the Sacrament of CHRISTS Bodie and Blood which wee take is a Divine thing Because wee are made partakers there-in of the Divine Nature And yet not-with-standing The Substance or Nature of Bread and Wyne departeth not or leaveth not off to remayn CHAP. X. Agaynst with-holding of the Cup from the People or Half-Communion CONCERNING this thus sayeth GREGORIE Quid sit Sanguis Agni non jam audiendo sed bibendo didicistis And agayn Ejus Sanguis non jam in manus fidelium sed in ora fidelium infunditur That is What the Blood of the Lamb is yee haue learned now not by hearing there-of but by Drinking the same And this His Blood is not given into the handes of the Faythfull Communicants but it is Powred in into their mouthes Also thus sayeth POPE IULIUS Ubi Apostolus corpus sanguinem commendavit seorsim Panis seorsim Calicis commendatio memoratur Last of all sayeth POPE GELASIUS Comperimus quod quidam sumpta tantummodo corporis sacri portione à Calice Sacri cruoris abstineant qui proculdubio quoniam nescio qua superstitione docentur obstringi aut integra Sacramenta percipiant aut ab integris arceantur quia divisio vnius ejusdemque mysterii sine grandi sacrilegio non potest provenire That is sayth IULIUS Where the Apostle recommendeth the Bodie and Blood of CHRIST to bee taken Hee mentioneth the taking of the Bread apart by it selff And the taking of the Cup in lyke manner apart by it selff not having known then Popish Concomitance Also wee fynd sayeth GELASIUS That there are some who take onlie a part of the Sacred Body of CHRIST but abstayneth from the Cup of His Sacred Blood who truelie because ◠know not by what superstition they are bound vp and taught so Therefore they must either receaue the whole Sacrament or bee debarred from the whole Because the division of one and the same mystery can not bee without the commtiting of a great Sacriledge FINIS A TABLE Of the Controversies contained in this Treatise I. Of SCRIPTURE Where-in 1. THat the Apocrypha books are not Canonicall Scripture Pag. 29. and 75 2. That People should not be debarred from reading the Scriptures 30. and 77 3. That the Authority of the Church is not aboue the Scriptures 31 4. That the Scripture is perfect without vnwritten Traditions 32. and 76 II. Of the CHURCH Where-in 1. THat the Holy Catholik Church is only of the Elect. Pag. 33. and 79 2. That the Church of true Professours is not ever and alyke conspicuous 34. 3. That True Doctrine is the Essentiall Note of the True Church 35 4. That Unitie except in Trueth is no Note thereof Pag. 36 5. That Multitude is no Note thereof 37 6. That the Church of Rome may erre 38 7. That Separation from Her is no Schism 39 III. Of the Head of the Church Where-in 1. THat CHRIST is only the Head and Husband there-of Pag. 40. and 81 2. That the Pope as Bishop of Rome is not Peters Successour 41 3. That the Pope ought to be subject to the Civill Magistrate 43. and 88 4. That CHRIST only and not the Pope is that Rock whereon the Church is built 78 IV. Of the Churches worship Where-in 1. THat GOD only is to be invocated Pag. 44 2. That CHRIST is our only Mediatour 46 3. That all Images of the godhead are idolatrous 47 4. That no Image is to be bowed vnto nor worshipped 48. and 93 5. That the worship of Dulia or Service is due to GOD only 49 V. Of the Churches true doctrine Where-in 1. OF Sinne That Concupiscence in the Godly is sinne properly Pag. 5◠2. That no Sinne is Veniall But all Mortall 5◠3. That the Virgin Mary was not conceave◠without Sinne 5◠4. Of Election That it is not for fore-seen Fayth or Works 53 5. Of our Calling That there are no Merits of Congruity 53 6. That in our first conversion we haue no Free-will 54. and 95 7. Of Iustification That it is by Fayth only 55 and 97 8. That Iustifying Fayth is not an vncertayn conjecture 56 9. Of the certaynty of Salvation agaynst Popish doubting 58 10. That no Implicite Fayth sayeth 59 11. Of Sanctification That no man can perfectly keep GODS Law Let be Supererogate 60. and 99 12. Of Glorification That Good works are not meritorious of Eternall Lyff 61. and 103 13. That there are no Satisfactory Penall Works in this lyff 62. and 101 14. Neither any Satisfactory Sufferings after this lyff Pag. 36 15. Of Perseverance That the Sayncts can not totally finally fall away 64 16. Of Meats That none are to be abstayned from for conscience sake 65 VI Of the Sacraments Where-in 1. THat Sacraments conferre not Grace ex opere operato Pag. 66 2. That Baptism is not absolutely necessary to Salvation 67 3. That in the LORDS SUPPER there is no Transsubstantiation 69. and 106 4. That the Mass is no Propitiatory Sacrifice 71 5. That the Cup should not be with-holden from the people 107 VII Of PURGATORIE THat there is no Fyre of Purgatorie after this lyff Pag. 72. and 105 FINIS ERRATA Pag. lin. for reade 11 1 it it it is 42 14 that can that he can 65 13 judge him not judge him 80 19 within without 88 4 Pope hath hath not 100  responderi respondere Rev. 17. 4 Rev. 13. 11. Isai. 1. 20 Math. 19 8. Iude 3. 4. Ier. 6. 16. 1. King 1◠21. Greg. l. 4. regist. epist. 39. Platina in vita Bonifacii 3. Card. Cus l. 1. de Cōcordan cathol. c. 15. Amb. cath in Gal. 2. Lyra in Mat. 16. Erasm. in 1. Cor. 7. Consil.