Controversies of Religion CHAP. I. OF SCRIPTVRE 〈…〉 I. That the Apocrypha are not Canonicke Scripture or of Divine authoritie to confirme points of fayth 1. Authoritie of Scripture LVKE 24.27 And beginning at Moses all the Prophets hee expounded vnto them in al the Scriptures the â—…inges concerning himselfe Notâ— then That our Saviour compreâ—…ndeth all the Scripture of the olde Teâ—…ment in Moses and the Prophets of â—…hom Malachi was the last as 2. Esdras 40. is cleare and therefore Esdras â—…o maketh mention of him as last and the rest of the Apocrypha books that â—…re written after him are no part of â—…ine Scripture Act. 26.22 Having then obtained helpe of GOD I continue tâ—… this day witnessing both to smaâ—… and great saying none otheâ—… things than those which Moses anâ—… the Prophets did say should comâ—… Marke then that Paul also comprâ—…hendeth all divine Scripture in the wrâ—… of Moses and the Prophets allanerlie 〈…〉 alleadged none other thing for confirmâ—…tion of his Doctrine but the foresayâ—… Scripture and therefore did not aâ—…knowledge any other apocryphal booâ—… to bee of divine authoritie or fit fâ—… that purpose Rom. 3.2 Vnto them to wâ—… the Iewes were committâ—… the Oracles of GOD. Note theâ—… That seeing the Apocrypha books wâ—… not committed to them nor everâ—…knowledged by them as divine inspyâ—… Scripture as the Papistes themseluâ—… confesse Bellar. lib. 1. de Purg. cap. 〈…〉 § ad primum Therefore it followeâ—… that they are not the Oracles of Goâ—… nor of divine authoritie 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scriptuâ—… is given by divine inspiration Note then That the abridgement 〈…〉 lie of another mans worke and an huâ—…ane Historie done by great paynes â—…uch as the Apocrypha bookes of the â—…achabees are coÌ„fessed to be 2. Machab. 〈…〉 23. is no part therefore of canonicke â—…cripture Againe 2. Pet. 1. 21. For â—…he prophecie came not in olde tyme â—…y the will of man but the holie â—…en of God spake as they were moâ—…ed by the holy Ghost Remarke then againe That Scripture was no private taske vndertaken by the â—…ill of man as the Apocryphall booke of â—…he Machabees is formerlie acknowledâ—…ed And againe seeing that the holie â—…pirit spake by them therefore it followeth that that Booke cannot be of the â—…pirits inspiration wherein the Author â—…howeth if hee hath done slenderlie and â—…eanlie it is all he could attaine vnto as 〈…〉 Machab. 15.38 hee freelie confesâ—…th for this were blasphemouslie deroâ—…atorie to the holie Ghost and to the auâ—…oritie of holie Scripture And no lesse derogatorie is that place â—…f Ecclesiasticus 31.21 against both the â—…odestie of the holie Ghost and gravitie â—…f Scripture which sayeth to him that â—…ath eaten immoderatelie If thou hast â—…ene forced to eate goe foorth and spew it out and thou shalt haue rest there-after I omit sundrie contradictions Trueth where-of the Spirit of Trâ—… could not bee Author as Tobit 5. 〈…〉 where the good Angell is made to 〈…〉 which is onlie proper to Satan and 〈…〉 evill angels and against Heb. 1.14 tâ—… hee sayeth that hee was of a carnall pâ—… creation whose nature are onelie to 〈…〉 created spirits 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THE Church indeede readeth thâ—… Bookes sayeth sainct Ierome 〈…〉 receiveth them not amongst Canonâ—… Scripture Ierom. praef in Proverb Whâ—… remarke that Ierome setteth not doâ—… there his owne private opinion but generall tenet of the whole Church in time And therfore his testimonie acâ—…ding to Cardinall Peron's wordes inâ—… Epistle Observatione quinta is a sâ—…cient evidence of the fayth of the Caâ—…licke Church at that time where 〈…〉 sayeth that when the Fathers speakeâ—… as private Doctors but as witnesseâ—… those thinges which the Church did 〈…〉 believed in their time affirming that sâ—… a thing was the Fayth or practise of 〈…〉 who le Church then their testimonâ—… sufficient to declare the vnanim comâ—… of the whole Church In like manâ—… also with Ierome doeth sainct Gregâ—… acknowledge them not Canonicall Greg. 〈…〉 9. Moral in Iob cap. 17. Nor doeth 〈…〉 ancient Councell of Laodicea Can. 〈…〉 account them anie wayes as such 3. Confession of Partie â—…Nd because they are doubtsome they 〈…〉 are not numbered in the Canon of â—…pture sayeth Cardinall Hugo de S. â—…ro in his Prologue on Iosua The â—…e likewise sayeth Cajetan and Hugo S. Victore 〈…〉 That the Scripture contayneth all things which are necessarie to salvation to know without Popish Traditions 1. Authoritie of Scripture â—…SALME 19.7 The Law of 〈…〉 the LORD is perfect converâ—… the Soule The Testimonie of 〈…〉 LORD is sure making wise the â—…ple â—…ote then That Gods worde is called â—…ect and Sure as sainct Peter also calâ—… it 2. Pet. 1.19 in opposition to â—…ecessitie and nature of Traditions â—…ch are both needlesse and vnsure â—…h 15.9 2. Thess 2.2 Proverb 30.6 Adde thou not to his word lest hee reprouâ—… thee and thou bee found a liar Note then That they are pronounceâ—… liars who accuse Gods worde of impeâ—…fection and therefore would adde theâ—… vnto vnwritten Traditions in matters 〈…〉 salvation 2. Tim. 3.15.16.17 Anâ—… that from a child thou hast knownâ—… the Scriptures which are able tâ—… make thee wise vnto salvatioâ—… through fayth which is in Chriâ—… Iesus Note then If the Scriptures alone bâ—… able to make vs wise vnto salvatioâ—… which is all we neede wherefore serâ—… Traditions Againe vers 16.17 Aâ—… Scripture is given by inspiration 〈…〉 God and is profitable for doctrinâ—… reproofe correction and instructiâ—… in righteousnesse that the man 〈…〉 God may bee perfect througâ—… lie furnished vnto all gooâ—… works Note then This is all that we can seekâ—… what needeth therefore Traditions Iam. 1.21 Receiue with meeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to saue your Soules Note then That it alone is able to doe all that which wee can require So Act. 20.32 it is sayde to bee able to build vs vp by grace heere and to bring vs to the inheâ—…itance of glorie heereafter and further we cannot wish for Gal. 3.15 Brethren I speake to you after the manner of men tho â—…t be but a mans testament yet if it â—…ee confirmed no man disannulleth nor addeth thereto Note then That it is farre greater impietie to adde to Christs owne Testament confirmed by His Blood The examples also of the Apostles â—…roue this for as for doctrine of Sainct Paul it is written thus Act. 28.23 That when they had appointed him a day â—…here came many to his lodging to whom hee â—…xpounded and testified the Kingdome of GOD perswading them concerning IESVS â—…oth out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets And Act. 26.22 Saying â—…one other things than those things which â—…he Prophets and Moses did say should come As hee then teached nothing but that which was contained in Scripture before him so neither should Pastors now teach but what is contained in Scripture before them Therefore Gal. 1.8 Hâ—e is accursed altho an Angell that teacheth beside that And in disputing it is
12.8.32 And yee shall not doe everie man what is right in his owne eyes but whatsoever I command you obserue to doe it Thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it Ezek. 20.18.19 But I sayd vnto their Children in the Wildernesse Walke yee not in the statutes of your Fathers neither obserue their judgementes nor defile your selues with their Idols I am the Lord your God walke in my statutes and keepe my judgements to doe them Note then That mens traditions nor ancient custome is not the rule of faith nor manners but onlie the Lords Word Mark 7.7.8 In vaine doe they worship mee teaching for doctrines the traditions of men For laying aside the Commandement of God yee holde the traditions of men Matth. 22.29 Therefore doe yee erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Note then that Scripture is the entire rule of trueth the ignorance whereof is the cause of errour amongst the seduced people 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis cause sayth Augustine requireth a judge and who shal be judge let the Apostle bee iudge because by the Apostle Christ speaketh Aug. de gratia lib. arb cap. 18. Let vs stand therefore to the iudgement of the holie inspyred scriptures sayth Basill which God hath set over vs. Epist 80. ad Eustathium 3. Confession of Partie BAsill sayeth Bellarmine willeth that both parties stand to the judgement of Scripture which none can reiect §. 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to His Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and these are they that testifie of mee Note then That in the same sense that Christ calleth the Scripture a witnesse it may bee called a judg and in the same manner to pronounce judgement in controversies as it beareth witnesse Seeing then a witnesse must haue speach else hee can bee no witnesse in that the Scripture then is saide to beare witnesse it followeth also that the Scripture after a sort speaketh Iohn 7.42 Hath not the Scripture sayde that Christ commeth of the seed of David c. Loe speach expresly attributed to Scripâ—…ure Againe Heb. 12.5 And yee haue forgotten the exhortation that speaketh to you as vnto Children c. In lyke manner Luke 16.29 Abraham saith vnto him They haue Moses the Prophets let them heare them Ergo It implyeth that their writs doe â—…n a manner speake seeing that wee are â—…idden hâ—are them Heb. 11.4 By faith Abell offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice than Kain by which he obtained witnes that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it hee being dead yet speaketh If Abell then being dead is saide yeâ—… to speake by that record of his fayth which is set downe in Scripture eveâ—… so may the Prophets and Apostleâ—… beeing dead bee saide lykewise yet to speake by these records of their doctrine of fayth which is set downe in Scripture and which is the Christian foundation whereon the Church is built Ephes 2.20 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie GOD himselfe speaketh to vs by the Scripture sayeth Cyrillus Alex. lib. 11. in Iohn c. 21. And even Christ himselfe this verie day is crying vnto vs in his Gospels sayth Chrysostom homil in Psal 95. 3. Consent of Partie THE Scripture therefore sayeth Bellarmine both by wordes and similitudes everie where cryeth that a sinner in no sort can dispose himselfe to receiue grace Bell. lib. 6. de lib. arb c. 5. § huc denique CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH §. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chieflie to the enemies thereof 1. Authoritie of Scripture I. KIngs 19.10 And Eliah sayde I haue bene very zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant throwne downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske Where was then a visible companie of true and publicke worshippers at this time in Israel And that the like estate of true professours was at one time both in Israel and Iudah is evident out of 2. Chron. 15. 8. and 1. King 15.9 the whole Kingdome of Iudah beeing idolatrous in Abiiam's latter reigne and at the same tyme whole Israel being idolatrous vnder Ieroboam Againe 2. Chron. 28.24 it is recorded how at once both Iudah was altogether idolatrous vnder King Ahaz and the Lords publicke worship vtterlie was abrogated and at the same tyme Israel was even so vnder their Kinges Pekah and Hoshea Of this tyme it is sayde in Historie 2 King 17.16 And Israel left all the Commandementes of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two calues and made a groue and worshipped all the hoste of Heaven and served Baal Vers 18. So there was none left but the tribe of Iudah onlie and Iudah kept not the Commandementes of the Lord their God but walked also in the statutes of Israel which they made And so the Lord reiected all the seede of Israel and afflicted them c. And of this tyme also it is sayde in prophecie by Ieremie Ier. 5.11 For the house of Israel and the house of Iudah haue dealt verie treacherouslie against mee sayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel 23.13 it is sayde that these two sisters in their spirituall whoredomes tooke both one way Note then When both this people which onelie were then counted Gods Church made defection with their Kings â—…n common to the publicke practise of â—…dolatrie onlie and abrogated the publicke worship of the true God alluterlie where was then the face of a visible companie of true professours having a pubâ—…icke worship Therefore Zeph. 3.12 the Lord sayeth of his true Church Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous and a glorious visibilitie to all Marke 14.27 And Iesus saide vnto them All yee shal be offended because of mee this Night for it is written I will smyte the Shepheard and the Sheepe shall bee scattered I aske then when this was done Where was a visible companie to all of true professours to be pointed at Revel 12.14 And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle that shee might flie into the Wildernesse vnto her place vvhere shee is nowrished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent This womâ—… the Romanists themselues as Lyra andâ—…thers interprete to be the true Churcâ—… lurking vnder persecution as Elias dâ—… three yeares and an halfe in the Wâ—…dernesse where hee was miraculousâ—… fed I aske then at this same time shee could lurke vnder persecution aâ—… yet bee gloriouslie and conspicuousâ—… visible to all Or Rev. 13.3 When the time of Antichrists prevailiâ—g the Earth shall follow the Beast whâ—… shall such visibilitie be Even no wheâ—… as the Rhemists on the 2.
should bee proper and not common no not in opinion And agayne They should also sayeth hee bee al-to-gether inseparable Bell. lib. 4. de notis Ecclesiae cap. 2. § ac primum § tertio Which being applyed to Antiquitie Multitude Vniversalitie and such others will proue clearlie That they are no true Notes of the true CHVRCH FINIS A Table of the Contents of this Booke CHAP. I. Of Scripture § 1. That the Apocrypha is no canonicke Scripture 2. That Scripture containeâ—h all things necessarie for Salvation to know without vncertaine Traditions 3. That Scripture is plaine in all things necessarie for Salvation to know 4. That the Scripture should bee read by the people and therefore translated in-to their vulgar Tongue 5. That Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in all controversies of Religion 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to his Church CHAP. II. Of the Church § 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chiefelie to the enemies there-of 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common altho not all and everie one 3. That the Church of Rome may erre and hath erred 4. That personall succession freeth not from errour 5. That the Iewish Church pretended no lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and yet erred 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached and due administration of Sacraments is the true marke of a true Church 7. That Multitude is no note of a true Church neither personall succession nor Duration 8. That outward glorie and visibilitie is no note of a true Church 9. Thâ—t Miracles are no note of a true Church CHAP. III. Of Peter and the Pope's Supremacie § 1. That Peter had no supremacie of power over the rest of the Apostles and so neither should the Popes over their successours 2. That the Pope is not the Head Husband and foundation of the Church and therefore that all Christians are not bound to bee subject to him CHAP. IV. Of the Churches right Worship § 1. That prayers and all publicke worship should bee in a knowne language 2. That Christ is our onlie Mediator in Heaven and therefore that wee should goe to Him and by Him vnto GOD onlie 3. That the Saincts are not to bee invocated 4. That they know not our hearts nor our necessities and therefore are not to bee prayed vnto 5. That no religious worship of Dulia is to bee given to anie creature 6. That no religious worship is due to the Virgine Marie CHAP. V. Of Images § 1. That it is vnlawfull to represent GOD the Father by an olde Man 2. That no adoration is due to Images nor any signe there-of 3. That the practise of the olde Idolaeters and new Romanists jumplie agree 4. That Images are not fit books for the instruction of Laicks but onlie GODS VVord CHAP. VI. That no Meates are to bee abstayned from for conscience sake CHAP. VII That the Marriage of the Clergie is lawfull CHAP. VIII Of Sinne. § 1. That concupiscence in the Godlie is properlie sinne 2. That all sinne by nature is mortall CHAP. IX Of Predestination That wee are predestinated of free Grace and not for fore-seene works CHAP. X. Of Vocation § 1. That wee haue no merites of congruitie as naturall preparations to our effectuall calling 2. That our conversion is of miere grace and not partlie of our owne free-will CHAP. XI Of Iustification § 1. That wee are justified by Fayth onelie 2. That no inherent righteousnesse in vs is the cause of our justification 3. That Christ's righteousnesse onelie is imputed to vs vnto our absoluâ—ion CHAP. XII Of Sanctification § 1. That none can keepe the Law perfectlie in this lyfe 2. That none can worke anie workes of Supererogation CHAP. XIII Of Glorification § 1. That our good workes merite not eternall lyfe 2. That the Sainctes leaue no meritorious works nor sufferings behinde them to helpe others CHAP. XIV Of Purgatorie § 1. That Christ's Blood onlie purgeth perfectlie from all sinne 2. That Christ delyvereth from all punishment heere-after 3. That no man can in anie measure satisfie 4. That the soules of the Godlie at death immediatelie goe to Heaven CHAP. XV. Of certayntie of Salvation That the Godlie may bee assured of their salvation CHAP. XVI Of Perseverance That the Godlie can never totallie fall from grace nor finallie perish CHAP. XVII Of Baptisme That the children of the Godlie dying are not for want of Baptisme deprived of God's blessed vision CHAP. XVIII Of the LORD'S Supper § 1. That Christ's glorified bodie is onlie in the Heavens 2. That Christ's bodie is not in manie places at once invisiblie and vnpalpablie 3. That after consecration the substance of Bread and VVine remaineth 4. That Christ is not received by the bodilie mouth 5. That Christ is not received by the VVicked 6. That the people should not bee deprived of the cup. CHAP. XIX Of the Masse § 1. That the popish priests haue no calling to sacrifice Christ's bodie in the Masse 2. That the Masse is no propitiatorie sacrifice but al-together derogatorie to Christs CHAP. XX. OF ANTICHRIST § 1. VVhat sort of Adversarie hee is 2. The tyme of his comming 3. The place in generall where hee is to bee found 4. The place in speciall where his seate is 5. His Qualities and Actions whereby to know him and first his excessiue Pryde 6. His Blasphemie 7. His Idolatrie 8. His Crueltie 9. His Simonie 10. His false Miracles 11. His Name and Marke 12. His daylie consumption and full over-throw FINIS
sayde Act. 17.2 And Paul as his manner was went in vnto them and three Sabbath dâ—yes reasoned with them out oâ—… the Scriptures No word of Tradition See Apollo's lyke practise Act. 18.28 just conforme heereto In lyke manner for believing Act. 24.14 This I confesse sayeth Paul that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the GOD of my Fathers believing all thinges which are written in the Law and Prophets No word then of vnwritten Traditions which he made a ground of his Fayth So Act. 17.11 The Bereans searched the Scriptures daylie whether these things were so to wit as Paul taught therefore manie believed Note then That it was not for anie warrand of traditions that they believed but vpon warrand of Scripture onlie that they grounded their fayth 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THe holie and divine inspired Scriptures are all sufficient sayeth Athanasius for the full instruction of trueth Athan. lib. contra Gentes Whence also sayeth Tertullian Take from Heretickes wherein they agree with Heathens that by Scripture onelie they may debate their questions and they cannot stand Tertull lib. de resurr carn cap. 3. 3. Confession of Partie ALL Doctrines of Fayth and Manners sayeth Bellarmine which is simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § vltimo §. 3. That the Scripture is plaine in all thinges necessarie for salvation to know altho in all places generallie it be not alyke perspicuous 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSalme 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lampe vnto my feet and a light vnto my path Vers 130. The entrance of thy word giveth light and it giveth vnderstanding even vnto the simple Note then If that the verie entrance giveth light and vnderstanding to the simple then what doeth a daylie progresse And if the simple get vnderstanding thereby how can it bee so obscure that the learned onelie should reade the same allanerlie 2. Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast knowne the Scripture Note If children then may attaine to the knowledge of Scripture then it is not so obscure that those of perfect age cannot know the same 2. Pet. 1.19 We haue also a more sure word of Prophecie whereto ye doe well in taking heed as to a light that shineth in a darke place c. Note then That as a shyning light can not bee called darke it selfe which illuminateth darke places so neyther can Gods worde which illuminateth our darke vnderstandinges 2. Cor. 4.3 But if our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the god of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that belieue not c. Note then That it is not the fault of Scripture that it is hid to anie more than it is the fault of the cleare Sunne that a blinde man seeth it not 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IN those places which are clearlie set downe in Scripture sayeth Augustine all those thinges are to bee found which contayne both Fayth and Manners Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christiana cap. 9. Which Chrysostome lykewyse avoweth saying no lesse Homil. 3. in 2. ad Thess 3. Confession of Partie BEllarmine affirmeth that all doctrines of Fayth and Manners which are simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo c. 11. § vltimo §. 4. That the Scripture is to bee read by the People and therefore that the same for that ende should be translated in their vulgar language 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEuter 6.6.7 And these thinges which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligentlie to thy Children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest vp c. Deuter. 29.29 The secret thinges belong to the Lord our God but these thinges which are revealed belong to vs and to our children for over that we may doe all the words of this Law Note then That the People are bound to know Gods worde because they are bound to obey Gods word See in lyke manner Deut. 17.18.19 c. the booke of the Law commanded to bee read by the King for the same ende that hee may learne to obey the same As also Ioshua 1.8 by the Iudge of the people And last of all by all sort of people as is cleare Deut. 6.6.7.9 And by this subsequent testimonie to wit Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall lyfe and they are these that testifie of mee Those of Baerea therefore Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daylie whether those things were so teaching all people to follow their example Ephes 6.17 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD. Note then That all Christians whatsoever because all are spirituall warriours are bidden arme themselues with the Scripture so that who forbids them the knowledge thereof they make them naked before their spirituall enemie Col. 3.16 Let the word dwell in you plenteouslie that thereby yee may teach one another and be ye filled with Knowledge Col. 1.9 Note then That this is farre from popish ignorance and their forbidding the people to reade the Word of GOD for â—…o how can it dwell in them plenteouslie and they bee filled with the knowledge thereof 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie CHrysostome speaking thus of the forbidding thereof It is sayeth hee the working of the inspiration of the Divell not suffering to looke in the treasure lest wee should attaine to the ritches thereof What a Pest then is it to thinke that the reading of the Scriptures belongeth only to Clergie men Chrys hom 2. in Matth. Whence hee sayeth then I beseech you all that are seculare men to get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if ye will not get more get the New Testament Chrys hom 9. ad Coloss Heere-vnto witnesseth also Theodoret. lib. 5. de curand graec affect 3. Confession of Partie IT is manifest sayth Bishop Espenseus by the Apostles doctrine Col. 3.16 and by the practise of the Church that of olde the publicke vse of scripture was permitted to people And so sayth Alphonsus de castro verbo scriptura §. 5. That the Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in controversies of Religion 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Note then That in Gods worde is the last supreame and onlie infallible decision to bee had concerning eyther Fayth or Manners and therefore the sentence of all men whatsoever is to bee tryed â—…hereby and reduced therevnto The Bareans therefore Act. 17.11 searched the Scriptures whether those things were so that Paul taught vnto them altho an Apostle and famous for manie miracles also Deut.
Thess 2. grant but a communion in heart onlâ—… and a practise of worship in secret 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie SOmetimes the Church is not appâ—…rent sayeth Augustine to wâ—… when wicked persecuters aboue measuâ—…rage against her Aug. epist. 80. ad Hesâ—…chium Therefore the Church lookinâ—… foorth as the Moone hath oft times hâ—… eclypses saith Ambrose lib. 4. hexam c. 〈…〉 3. Confession of Partie THE confession of our Adversariâ—… is likewise thus that in the time oâ—… Antichrist the communion of Christian in the true Church shal be onlie in hearâ—… and their worship onlie in secret for sâ—… sayeth the Rhemists on 2. Thess 2.3 So that our difference is not so much in the â—…sition of invisibilitie as in the appliâ—…tion vnto persons and tymes 〈…〉 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common both Pastours people altho not all and everie one 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 1.21 How is the faithfull citie become an Harlot Ier. 5.11 For the House of Israel and the House of Iudah â—…aue dealt verie treacherouslie â—…gainst mee sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.8 The Priests said not Where is the Lord and they that handle the Law knew me not the Pastours also transgressed against mee and the Prophets prophesied by Baall and vvalked after thinges â—…hat doe not profit Loe then what a generall Apostasie of all sorts is set downe heere Againe v. 26. As the Thiefe is ashamed vvhen he is found so is the House of Israel ashamed they their Kinges their Princes and their Priestes and their Prophets saying to a stocke Thou art my Father c. Beholde then againe no sort excepted Isai 9.16 The leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed Note then that the leaders in a Church and people that are led may both make defection and so a whole Church which consisteth of both Isai 56.10 His watch-men are blinde they are all ignorant they are all dumbe Dogs c. Note then howe generall a defection may be amongst Teachers in the Church of God and howe the chiefe Pastoures haue first made Apostasie let these examples verifie 2. King 16.11 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Againe Matth. 26.65 Then the High Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blasphemed what neede wee Witnesses anie farder c. Marke 14.64 Yee haue heard â—…is blasphemie How thinke ye vvho â—…ll condemned him to bee guiltie of â—…eath Note then howe grosselie also the â—…erie hie-priests vnder the Law erred â—…nd the chiefe Pastor that sate in Moses haire erroniouslie decreeted with his â—…hole counsell the one in making an â—…olatrous Altar and erecting idolatrous â—…orship and the other pronouncing â—…e trueth in Christs owne mouth to bee â—…asphemie and himselfe worthie to â—…e And therefore how groslie hee â—…d his Church may erre who pretenâ—…eth nowe to bee the Christian High-â—…riest see § 5. 2. Thess 2.3 Let no man deâ—…iue you by anie meanes for that â—…ay shall not come except there come 〈…〉 falling away first and that man 〈…〉 sinne bee revealed the sonne of â—…rdition Note then that in the Christian Church 〈…〉 great Apostasie from the Trueth is â—…re-tolde before that by the preaching â—…gaine of the same clearlie Antichrist be â—…vealed and made knowne So that in the tyme of his prevayling no publicâ—… exercise shall bee of the true Christiâ—… worship but in secret onlie and this 〈…〉 verie Rhemists on this place confesse 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ANd the poyson of Arrius sayeâ—… Lyrinensis did not onlie infect a pâ—… of the Church but almost the whole woâ—… Vnic. Lyrin adu hereses c. 6. So thâ—… the whole world sobbed and admired tâ—… it was made Arrian as testifieth S. Ieroâ—… 3. Confession of Partie OF that time when the Arrian herâ—… domined over the whole world S. â—…rome wrote that the ship of the Chuâ—… was almost sunke sayth Gregorie of Vaâ—…tia analys lib. 6. c. 4. § probatio 4. §. 3. That the Church of Rome in pâ—…cular may erre and as shall 〈…〉 proven hath erred by all the pâ—…ticulars ensuing 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 11.20 Because of vâ—…beliefe they vvere broken oâ—… and thou standest by faith Be nâ—… high minded but feare Note Now then what greater hiâ—… mindednesse can the Romane Churâ—… show than to say shee cannot erre and if this were true what needed her to feare and yet I hope shee cannot exeeme her selfe from this Apostolicke exhortation which is so expreslie written to her and biddeth her feare Againe ver 21.22 For if God spared not the naturall branches take heede lest hee spare not thee Beholde therefore the goodnesse and severitie of God on them which fell severitie but towards thee goodnesse if thou continue in his goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt bee cut off Note then that the Apostle showeth that the Church of Rome as well as other Churches of the Gentiles may fall away from the trueth and bee cut off from being a true Church otherwise if shee had infallibilitie this his exhortation should haue beene altogether needlesse neither should hee haue spoken doubtinglie after this manner saying if thou continue but particularlie excepted her as one that could not but continue 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THey haue not Peters heritage saith Ambrose who haue not Peters faith §. 4. That personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not their successours from errour 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 32.21 And Moses saide to Aaron What did this people vnto thee that thou hast brought so great a sinne vpon them Loe then How the verie first sitter in the high priest's chaire falleth filthilie in grossest idolatrie 2. Kings 16.11.16 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Thus did Vriah the Priest according to all that King Ahaz commanded Note then That notwithstanding of his succeeding personallie to the office of the high priest-hood hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commandements and so foullie erreth Mat. 26.65 Then the high Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blaspemed Note then That the high Priests succession nor place freeth him not from erring in calling CHRISTES trueth blasphemie Mat. 23.2 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chaire But yet Iohn 7.48 Haue anie of the Rulers and Pharisees believed in him Yea more-over Mat. 16.6 Then Iesus said vnto them Take heede and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Verse 12. Then they vnderstood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Pharisees but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces Note then That notwithstanding of their sitting in Moses chaire they both rejected Christ and his trueth and taught contrarie falsehood neither believing in the Sonne of God themselues nor yet truelie teaching the people of God concerning their MESSIAS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NIcephorus doeth testifie
that Nestorius Macedonius arch-hereticks succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople called before Byzantium Niceph. lib. 8. chronol cap. 6. 3. Confession of Partie THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes sayeth Belarmine Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. § 4. §. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended nâ—… lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and had farre greater and more particular promises and yeâ—… erred 1. Authoritie of Scripture AS for the pretence wee see it seâ—… downe Ierem. 18.18 in these wordes Come let vs devise devices against Ieremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsell from the Wise nor the â—…ord from the Prophet And thereâ—…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2. 〈…〉 which the Papists would haue thus The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge and they shall seeke the Law â—…t his mouth they gather the High â—…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex â—…acto and conclude the Popes infallibiâ—…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo alleadâ—…ing to the same purpose that of Deuterâ—…omie 7.10 In lyke manner As for Promises it is saide Psal â—…32 14 The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation and hath said This is my rest for ever And againe Isai 33.20 Looke vpon Sion the citie of our solemnities â—…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem 〈…〉 quyet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall anie of the cords â—…hereof bee broken Note then And aske where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome but in the contrarie a fearfull destruction foâ—… her grosse idolatrie is clearlie fore-told Revelation 18. And last of all for praises it is said of Ierusalem and Gods Church there Psal 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spokeâ—… of her is That shee should bee a gloriouâ—… Harlot Revel 17.4.18 And Thessalonieâ—… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull onelie of his tymâ—… in her and where-of the Papists so much glorie which by collation inspection of the places is moste cleare and evident Rom. 1.8 2. Thes 1.4 §. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached vnder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 4.8 And vvhat Nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law vvhich I set before you this day Psal 147.19 He sheweth His Word to Iacob His statutes and His judgements to Israel Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation c. Wee see then that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations and knowne by his word and ordinances to bee his peculiar Church Iohn 10.27 My Sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow Mee Note then Where Christs voyce soundeth and is believed and obeyed there is his Church Iohn 8.31 If yee continue in My Word then are yee My Disciples indeede Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Note then That continuance in Christs trueth and apostolicke doctrine with the holie exercise of prayer and participation of Sacraments is a cleare note to know a true Church 1. Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of trueth The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6 saying Whose house are vvee if vvee keepe fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende Note therefore That the Church is so called and knowne to be such by keeping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts sure to the ende 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church consisteth not in Walles but in the trueth of doctrine sayth Ierome so that there is the Church where â—…rue fayth is Hierom in Psal 133. and â—…hey are good Catholicks onelie who â—…ollow the right fayth sayth Augustine lib. de vera religione cap. 5. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lykewyse of our Adversaries is thus The Church consisteth not in men sayth Lyra in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke ☜ or Civill because manie Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge and the confession of faith and the trueth of God Lyra in Matth. cap. 16. §. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. KIngs 19.10 And Elias saide I haue beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant cast downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I even I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske then If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with these ten which of them was the greater multitude or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside which of these were maniest and consequentlie by the note of multitude who was the true Church Isai 1.9 Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant wee should haue beene like Sodome and like vnto Gomorrah Note then That the true professours are called a verie small remnant which is farre from being the greatest multitude of men Ier. 3.14 I vvill take one of a Citie and two of a Familie and bring you to Sion Note then That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie Mat. 7.13 Enter in at the strait gate for vvide is the gate and broad is the vvay that leadeth to destruction and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat Note then If few enter in at the strait gate that leadeth to salvation and manie at the wide gate that leadeth to damnation then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church than anie wise multitude seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast Luke 12.32 Feare not little Flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue to you a Kingdome Note then If Christs Flocke bee little then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham compared with the rest of the world and of the true professours at Christs Passion verefie this point 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke but an Hareticke sayeth Ierome dialog contra Pelag. lib. 3. Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos 3. Confession of Partie THat time when the Church seemed to lurke sayeth
what things are done or befalleth in this lyfe to men And againe the Prophet saith Thou art our Father for Abraham hath not knowne vs and Israel hath bene ignorant of vs. If so great Patriarchs then sayth hee knew not what befell this people begotten of themselues c. How are the dead mixed in now to know the effairs and actions of the living to helpe them there-in Aug. de cura pro mortuis 3 Confession of Partie NOthing of th s wâ—s delivered or taught sâ—y h Eâ—kius in the Scriptures of the Olde Testament and in the New Testament also the Apostlâ—s nor Evangâ—lists nâ—â—ther by word nor writ tradition â—or Scripture lâ—fe anie such thing behinde them thâ— the Sainctâ—s should bâ—e prayed vnto Eckius in encâ—irtâ—â—o de vâ—â—er 〈◊〉 sâ—nâ—s So that for An 〈◊〉 from the beginning it was not so Matth. 19.8 for Auâ—â—oritie it is not requyred by God at our handes Is i. 1.12 and for Sâ—â—uritie it is not of faâ—th as is preseryâ—ed Iames 1.6 §. 5. That no reliâ—ious servicâ— which the Papists câ—ll Duliâ— should â—e giâ—â—â— to 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—hâ—r Sainct or Aâ—gâ—ll but to God only 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. SAMUEL 7.3 Prepare your heartes vnto the Lord and serue Him onlie Note then That all religious service is proper to God onelie as His prerogatiue Royall and due to no â—reature Rom. 7.6 But now wee are d livered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that wee should serue Him in newnesse of spirit Note heere That our whole worship of God and duâ—tie to Hâ—m is called Service or a Religious Dulia due onelie to the holie Trinitie Coloss 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your rewarde in a voluntarie humilitie and worshipping of Angels intruding in those thinges which hee hath not seene vaynlie puft vp with his fleshlie mynde Note then That anie worshipping of Angels is expresselie forbidden as an idolatrous practize able to depryue vs of our rewarde of eternall lyfe and where-of there is neyther example to be seene in the godlie nor warrand in God's worde but which is a doctrine proceeding from a vayne and puft vp fleshlie mynde that thinketh everie thing good in God's worship that it selfe devyseth having a show of wisedome and humilitie Revel 22.8 And I Iohn saw these thinges and heard them and when I had heard and seene I fell downe to worship before the feete of the Angell which shewed mee these things Vers 9. Then sayeth hee vnto mee Doe it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keepe the sayinges of this Booke Worship God Note then That the Angell refuseth all religious service and worship because such is not due to bee given by one servant to another but by all the fellow-servantes to their common Master to whom therefore the Angell directeth it saying VVorship GOD. 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WEE honour the Saincts with Loue but not with Service sayeth Aug. de vera relig c. 55. therfore he truely keepes the truth who worshippeth not the creature but the Creator sayeth Cyrillus and serveth Him onlie Cyrill Alex. lib. 1. 2. Thess c. 1. lib. 2. c. 1. 3. Confession of Partie MAnie Christians sayeth L. Vives worship no otherwise the hee and shee Saincts than they doe Goâ— himselfe neither see I sayth he in manie things what difference there is betweene their opinion of the Saincts that which the verie Heathen had of their gods Vives iâ—… August de civit Dei liâ— 8. c. vlt. §. 6. That no religious worsâ—ip is dâ—â— to the Virgine Marie which the Papistes call Hyperdulâ—a 1. Authoritie of Scâ—ipture IErem 44.17 But wee will doe certaynlie what-so-ever goeth foorth of our owne mouth to burne Incense to the Queene of Heaven and to poâ—re out drinke offeringes to her as wee haue done wee and our Fathers c. For then wee had plentie of Victuals and were well and saw no evill Remarke then If this oâ—de idolatrous fashion bee not the verie alyke as the practize of Poperie and their prâ—tence now who contâ—â—rie to God's worde will worship the Vâ—rgâ—ne Mâ—â—ie as Queene of Hâ—avâ—n and make offeringes to her beâ—ause heir fore-fathers â—nd so and that then it was a good worlde wâ—th them and therefore are guiltie of alyke Idolatrie Matth. 2.11 And when they were come into the house they saw the Chylde with Marie his Mother and fell downe and worshipped him Note then That no word is that those wise men worshipped her lykewyse being moved by the Spirit of God to doe what they did and by the same Spirit to omit what they omitted 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IF God will haue the Angels not to bee worshipped how much lesse her that was borne of Anna c. And againe Al-bee-it the tree bee pleasant to the fight sayâ—h the same Epiphanius yet it is not for meat and al-be-it Marie be most faire and pleasant and holie and honoured yet not to bee worshipped therefore let her bee had in honour but let the Lord onlie be worshipped Epiph. lib. 3. heres 79. 3. Confession of Partie IT is come to that sayeth Cassander that Chrâ—st now reigâ—ing in heaven is made subject to the Virgine Marie as it is sung in some Churches O happie Mother who expiateth our sinnes by the authoritie of a Mother command thy Sonne Cassand consult art 21. CHAP. V. OF IMAGES §. 1. That it is not lawfull to represent GOD by anie Image as the Papists doe by the image of an olde man 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 20.4 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe anie graveÌ„ image nor the lykenesse of anie thing that is in Heaven aboue nor in the earth beneath nor in the waters vnder the earth Note then That whâ—n they make God lyke an olde man they liken Him to that which is in the earth beneath against God's Commandement Deut. 4.15.16 Take therefore good heede to your selues for yee saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire Lest yee should corrupt your selues and make you a graven Image the similitude of anie figure the lykenesse of a male or female Loe then how carefull the Lord was for preventing this error Isai 40.18 To whom will yee liken GOD or what likenesse will yee compare vnto Him The Papist would answere We will liken Him to an Olde Man Rom. 1.23 And they changed the glorie of the incorruptible GOD into the similitude of a corruptible man Râ—mâ— kâ— then how the Olde Idolaters â—nd the newe Romanists jumpe heere in one 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IT is not to bee passed by saith Origen that the Apostles speach not onlie rebuketh them who worship Idoles but that they aâ—e to bee accounted amongst the Heretiâ—kes â—alled Anthropomorphiâ—a who â—etting vp in the Church the bodilie image of a man calleth that the image of God Origâ—n in Rom. 1.23 yea it is extreame follie and wiâ—kednâ—sse sayeth
Christ for by grace yee are saved Note then As a dead man of himselfe cannot will his owne quickening but is meerlie passiue in the act there-of so neither can a dead man in sinne of himselfe will his owne conversion but is meerlie also a sufferer in his first turning to God Iohn 6.44 No man can come to Mee except the Father draw him Note then When Hee sayeth No man can come that hee breaketh sayth Saint Ierome the prowde freedome of man's will Hieron lib. 3. adn Pelagianos 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THey are not my words but the Apostles sayeth Bernard that anie good that can bee whether to thinke or will or doe the good which hee willeth hee ascrybeth all to God and nowise to his owne free-will Bern. tract de gra lib. arb prope finem So also Augustine lib. de spiritu litera c. 3. 3. Confession of Partie THe Scripture therefore sayeth Bellarmine both by words and similitudes everie-where cryeth that a sinner cannot in anie sort dispose himselfe to receiue grace Bellar. lib. 6. de lib. arb c. 5. § huc denique CHAP. XI OF IVSTIFICATION §. I. That wee are justified by Fayth onlie as the hand or instrument that layeth holde on GODS free mercie and CHRISTS merit for our absolution 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm 5.1 Therefore beeing justified by Fayth we haue peace vvith God through our Lord Iesus Christ. Rom. 3.28 Wee conclude then that a man is justified by fayth vvithout the deeds of the Law Note then That fayth is made the onlie instrument and all other righteousnesse except Christs whereon fayth layeth onlie holde is expresselie excluded Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the vvorks of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ even vve haue therefore believed in Iesus Christ that vvee might bee justified by the fayth of Christ and not by the vvorks of the Law for by the vvorks of the Law shall no flesh bee justified Wee see then againe anie inherent righteousnesse in man which is his obedience to the Law al-together excluded from having place in our justification and that the righteousnesse of Christ alone is that where-on fayth onlie layeth holde for our absolution Therefore the Apostle sayth Rom. 5.9 Much more then being now justified by his blood vvee shall bee saved from vvrath thorow him 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis is ordained by God sayeth Ambrose that who believeth in Christ shall bee saved without works by fayth onelie getting the free remission of his sinnes Ambrose in 1. Cor. cap. 1. Therefore sayeth Bernard a penitent sinner being justified by fayth alone shall haue peace with God Bern. Serm. 22. in Cant. 3. Confession of Partie IN that the Protestants vrge ever saith Cassander that wee are justified by fayth onelie it is the more tollerable seeing they expound that by fayth they vnderstand grace that is correspondent there-to So that it is all one to bee justified by fayth onlie as to bee justified by grace and not by workes Cass consult art 4. §. 2. That wee are not justified by our works before God or that no inherent righteousnesse in vs is the formall cause of our justification 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 3.20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh bee justified in his sight For Verse 24. Wee are justified freelie by his grace thorow the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. Rom. 11.6 And if by grace then it is no more of vvorks otherwyse grace is no more grace but if it bee of vvorks then it is no more grace other-wyse vvorke is no more vvorke Rom. 4.4 Now to him that vvorketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt Verse 2. For if Abraham were justified by vvorks hee hath vvhereof to glorie but not before God Rom. 3.27 Where is boasting then it is excluded By vvhat Law of vvorkes nay but by the Law of fayth Remarke then That by all the former places our workes are expresselie debarred from having anie place in justification which is by grace and grace and our inherent righteousnesse are so opposed in that worke that they can not consist but the one is ever destructiue of the other Note also That the Apostle cleareth playnlie that place of Iames 2.21 showing that Abraham's justifying by works was not before God but by them that hee was declared onlie before men to bee righteous and just Rom. 5.16 And not as it was by one that sinned so is the gift for the judgement vvas by one vnto condemnation but the free gift is of manie offences vnto justification Note then That our justification standeth in the remission of sinnes and this remission is a free gift and if it be a free gift then it is not of debt and if not of debt then not of our workes as the Apostle had formerlie concluded Rom. 4.4 Gal. 5.4 Who-so-ever then of you are justified by the law yee are fallen from grace Note then That the fleeing to our owne righteousnesse in justification is called an head-longs falling from grace to perdition 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THE redemption of the Blood of Christ should bee vile in our eyes sayeth Ambrose nor should the prerogatiue of mens works succumbe to the mercie of God if justification which is by grace were due vnto anie preceeding merits So that it should not bee the gift of the free bestower but the reward oâ—… the meriting worker Amb. lib. 1. de voc gentium c. 5. Remarke heere That both our first justification and that vvhich they call the second even to the ende of our lyfe is onlie of meere grace 3. Confession of Partie WEE are saide freelie to bee justified sayth Benius because nothing that preceedeth our justification whether it bee fayth or works deserveth the grace of justification Benius de efficaci Dei auxilio c. 18. Vasques also the Iesuit rightlie observeth thus to wit That a number of their most learned Doctors whom hee accounteth good Catholicks differ in this point onlie in words but agree in deede Of which number hee nameth Vilhelmus Parisiensis Scotus Occam Gregorie Ariminensis Gabriel Biel Antididagma Coloniense Enchiridion Coloniense Iohannes Bunderius Alphonsus de Castro and Andreas Vega who was present at the handeling of this matter at the Councell of Trent Vasques in 1. 2. quast 114. disp 214. c. 1. §. 3. That it is Christ's righteousnesse onlie which in justification is imputed vnto vs vnto remission of sinnes 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 53.5 But hee vvas vvounded for our transgressions hee vvas brused for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes vvee are healed Note then That by Christ's stripes and satisfaction is our healing or justification that this satisfaction of Christs is made ours onlie by imputation that Romane Doctor confesseth Bellarmine lib. 2. de justificatione c. 10. § deinde Ier. 23.6 In his dayes Iudah shall bee saved and Israel shall dwell safelie and
the earth nor according to the flesh must wee seeke Thee if wee would finde Thee Ambr. lib. 10. in Luc. c. 24. 3. Confession of Partie HEE expoundeth sayeth Lyra that which Hee sayde before and what it is to eate His Flesh and drinke His Blood that it is to abyde in Christ and Christ in him Now Christ abydeth in our heartes and that by fayth sayeth the Apostle Ephes 3.17 §. 5. That CHRIST IESVS is not received by the VVicked 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 6.51 I am that Bread of Lyfe which came downe from Heaven if anie man eate of this Bread he shall liue for ever Note therefore That in respect the Wicked get not Eternall lyfe that therefore they no-wise participate of Christ Verse 56. Hee that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abydeth in mee and I in him But the Wicked neyther are in Christ as Members nor is Christ in them by his Spirit but the spirite of Satan onelie whose members they are and therefore they no-wise are partakers of CHRIST IESVS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie HEe who disagreeth from Christ hee neyther eateth his bodie nor drinketh his blood sayeth Augustine altho hee daylie receiue the Sacrament of so great a thing to his condemnation August 3. Tom. Sent. 339. Et Lib. 21. de Civit Dei Cap. 25. And hee that remayneth not in Mee and I in him let him not say or thinke sayeth Bernard in the person of Christ that hee eateth my bodie or drinketh my blood Bern. Epist ad Fratres de monte 3. Confession of Partie HEe that abydeth not in Christ sayth Lyra and Christ in him hee eateth not Christ spirituallie altho hee participate of the Sacrament corporallie And a little after For the Sacrament it selfe is taken by some vnto lyfe and by some vnto death but the matter of this Sacrament is by all vnto lyfe and by none taken vnto death Lyra in Ioan. 6. §. 6. That Christian People for whom Christ shed His Blood should not be defrauded of the Cup which is called The Communion there-of 1. Authoritie of Scripture MAtth. 26.27 And taking the Cup he gaue thanks and gaue it to them saying Drinke ye all of this Note That where-as Hee sayeth onlie of the Bread Eate yee Hee speaketh more expresselie of the Cuppe saying Drinke yee all that none should bee excepted 1. Cor. 10.16 The Cuppe of Blessing which wee blesse is it not the communion of the Bloode of Christ I aske then Where-fore hinder the Popish Clergie their People from so comfortable a Communion seeing the Precept of Drinking must belong to them to whom the reason of the Precept most belongeth which is the comfort of remission of sinnes and the remembrance of Christ Iesus passion 1. Cor. 11.25 If therefore people should apply the one and remember the other then surelie they should participate of the Cup. 1. Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine him-selfe and so let him eate of that Bread and drinke of that Cap. Noâ— then That as all faythfull Christiaâ—s are bound to prooue and examine tâ—eir owne conscience before communicating so are they ordayned to drinke of the Cup. Therefore yee see that in the two preceeding verses and in the subsequent both Eating and Drinking are ever joyned together and injoyned to all 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ONe Cuppe is distributed amongst vs all sayeth Ignatius Epist 6. ad Philadelph And to everie one of those that are present the Deacons distribute Wine and Water sayeth Iustin Martyr Apol. 2. And vnto all men what-so-ever is one Bodie and one Cuppe presented sayeth Chrysostome Hom. 18. in 2. Cor. Cap. 8. 3. Confession of Partie OF olde that the Eucharist was given vnto Laicks vnder both kynds for manie ages sayeth Alphonsus wee are instructed by the Writs of manie holie Fathers Alphon. de Castro contra heres verbo Eucharistia And more particularlie sayeth Cassander thus It is evident that the Vniversall Church to this day sayeth hee and the Occidentall or Romane a thousand yeares and moe after Christ in the solemne and ordinarie administration of this Sacrament did exhibite to all the members of Christes Church both the sortes of Bread and Wine Cass consult art 22. CHAP. XIX OF THE MASSE §. I. That the Popish Priests haue no calling to sacrifice Christ's Bodie in the Masse 1. Authoritie of Scripture HEb 5.4 No man taketh this honour to himselfe but he that is called of God as vvas Aaron Now let vs see then where Christ anie-where called or ordained anie to sacrifice his bodie againe which himselfe did once for ever vp-on the Crosse Luke 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of mee 1. Cor. 11.26 Yee shall declare the Lord's death till hee come Note then That the Lord's Supper was ordained that all Christians should remember his suffering and sacrifice on the crosse and should declare his death till him-selfe come to judgement againe but not that anie should sacrifice Him vp againe daylie as tho hee were alreadie come and were bodilie present amongst the Priests fingers daylie to offer vp Heb. 7.23 And they truelie vvere manie Priests because they vvere not suffered to continue by reason of death but this man because hee continueth for ever hath an vnchangeable Priesthood Note then It being vnchangeable or perpetuall that it admitteth no succession of a subordinate Priest-hood Verse 25. Wherefore hee is able also to saue them to the vttermost that come to GOD by him seeing hee ever liveth to make intercession for them Note then That the Priesthood of Christ consisteth not onlie in that oblation of him-selfe once vp-on Earth but in his continuall intercession for vs ever in Heaven which seeing hee performeth that by him-selfe and therefore admitteth no sort of successour there-in so lyke-wyse by that once oblation of himselfe and the perpetuall recent vertue there-of hee saveth all them to the vtter-most that come to God by him and therefore neither in that part of his Priesthood which hee will haue intire admitteth hee anie suffragan or successour what-so-ever Verse 17. For hee testifieth Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek Note then That as there was no Priesthood secundarie or successiue vnto Melchisedek's which was typicall so there is none secundarie or successiue vnto Christ's which is true and eternall else they could not bee saide through their difference to bee of one order Verse 26. For such an High-Priest became vs vvho is holie harmlesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needed not daylie as those High-priests to offer vp sacrifice first for his owne sinnes and then for the peoples Note then That if the popish sacrificers succeede to Christ it must bee in his high-priesthood for such a one onlie the Gospell acknowledgeth and to doe that which hee did is an act of the high-priest of the Gospell onelie Now the Gospell requireth the high-priest there-of to haue such qualities as are heere set downe which if the Popish sacrificers dare