he doe not in his soul detest sin and if he say Yes he may nay he must believe him And Escobar speaks much to the same purpose Tract 7. Exam 4. p. 773. It hath been an Opinion long received in the Schooles that the Sacraments of the New Law differed from those of the Old in this that the efficacy of those of the old Law in conferring grace did depend upon what they called opus operantis that is the faith and devotion of the receiver of them but that the Sacraments of the new Law did confer grace ex opere operato that is Vid Bellar De Sacram Concil Trident Sess 7. Can 8. by the thing it selfe without any dependance therein upon the internal motion or preparation of mind in him that did partake of them Now this with the Papists is a Sacrament And touching the last viz Penance they are not lesse favourable and indulgent This consisteth ordinarily in a few Ave Maries and Pater Nosters and hearing so many Masses with some easie almes to them that are able and some little fasting to them that are willing I have known saith Sands when p. 12. the Pennance for horrible and often blasphemy besides much other lewdnesse hath been no other than the bare saying of their beads thrice over a matter of some hours muttering and which in Italy they dispatch also as they goe in the streets or dispatch busynesse at home making no other of it than as it is two lips and one fingers work We will make this more clear by the testimony of their famous Casuists Sometimes a Priest may impose this for Penance upon his Confitent viz That before he sleeps at night and when he awakes in the morning he entertain some pious meditations that he think of God and death and judgment c. Layman lib 5. p. 909. If the Penitent hath but a probable cause to complain of his Penance as too grievous the Confessor must moderate it or enjoyn some other more easy Layman ibid And a little after he gives this caution to the Confessor Let him take heed that he doe not impose incongruous and unsuitable Penances as long pilgrimages to Women many prayers to them that have much busynesse c. in short not any thing that is tedious and troublesome A Confessor saith the same Casuist is oblig'd ibid to absolve his Penitent though he refuse to performe the penance enjoyned him And he tells us this is the Opinion of Cajetan Sylvester Medina and Navar. And gives this reason because no man is bound to satisfy for his sins in this life A Confessor may sometimes impose Penance by way of Counsel onely saith Filliutius Tom 1. p. 125. and not of precept Nay be may absolve without any Penance at all saith the same Doctor Escobar propounds this Question Is p. 795. it lawful for a Confessor to leave it wholly to the will of the Penitent to doe what Penance he pleaseth And answers with Suarez that it is not alwayes necessary to command him any particular work and especially to spiritual persons but its sufficient to say I impose on you for Penance all the good you shall doe or evil that you shall suffer this day or this week And Filliucius confirms it by the testimony of Aquinas and Navar. Tom 1. p. 125. And he commends it as a thing both pious and pleasant And the same Escobar tells us that a Confessor may give for Penance something formerly commanded so that Pennance ibid for sins may be accomplshed by doing that which we should have done though we had not sinned and which the most innocent are obliged to And herein he hath the concurrence of Sa Aphor p. 147. Tom 1. p. 125. and Filliutius And again asking the Question Whether may my penance be perform'd by another He answers that this is the Opinion of Suarez yea and he might say of Sa and Filliucius provided I have my Confessors leave or there be some just reason for it And that will never be wanting Thus easy and acceptable have these tender and indulgent Fathers made this most difficult part of Confession I know they make a great cry and clamor and tell us of their frequent fastings of their often watchings of their bloody whippings of their long pilgrimages their rigorous discipline and a great deal more But what are the practises of some few sad and phlegmatick persons to the professed principles of their great Doctors and Casuists Sect 4. BUt suppose the Penance which the Priest enjoyns be never so sharp severe yet let none be discourag'd or deterr'd from their beloved lusts for though it be their misfortune to fall into the hands of a truel Confessor yet they have a merciful Father to whom they may appeal in such cases who by his gracious Indulgences is ready to dispense with these severities These Pardons and Indulgences are very full and numerous few Churches in Rome which have not one or more annexed to them so that if you will but trudge thither you cannot misse of Absolution And so kinde they have been at Rome as to publish a Catalogue of them in several Books And though this was put forth in our own language several years ago by Mr. Crashaw yet because the Book is hard to be got and perhaps few have seen it a few Instances take as followeth In the Church of St. John the Lateran there is an inexhaustable stock of Indulgences granted by Pope Silvester at the request of Constantine the Emperour Whoever comes to this Church on the 9th of November may obtain remission of all his sins both a poena culpa In the same Church there is a Chappel called Sancta Sanctorum in which every day is to be had full remission of all sins And not farre from this Chappel there is an ascent of three and thirty steps and how oft soever any man shall devoutly ascend up that ladder for every step he hath a thousand years of pardon But who will take so much pains when a plenary pardon may be had upon easier termes In the Church of St. Peter in the Vatican there is full remission of all sins upon the Feast of St. Martin and at other times many thousand years pardon In the Church of St. Paul without the walls of Rome in the Octaves of the Feast day of St. Martin being the day on which it was dedicated by Pope Silvester there is to be obtain'd full remission of all sins In the Church of St. Mary on the day of Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary there 's full pardon of all sins to be had granted by Pope Boniface In the Church of St Sebastian there is to be got true remission of all sins brightnesse and light everlasting joy and gladnesse without end And this Indulgence was merited by that Saint and Martyr to this Church and confirmed by Pope Gregorie In the Church of St. Crosse there is a Chappel called
Hierusalem wherein upon St. Benets day we may obtain full remission of all sins And upon every Lords day and Wednesday there are Pardons for many thousand years granted by Pope Silvester In the Church of St. Praxade there 's a Chappel called the Garden of Paradise in which lie the bodies of above two thousand Martyrs and the third part of that Pillar at which our Lord Jesus Christ was whipped in Pilates house there is every day to be had full remission of all sins Neither hath the charity of his Holynesse been confin'd to the Churches of Rome but enlarged and extended to many other Churches of note in Italy and other Countries In the Eremitane at Padova their Europae Speculum p. 13. c. Preachers very solemnly saith Sands publish a grant of plenatie Indulgence from Baptism to the last Confession with twenty eight yeares over for the time ensuing At the Sepulchre of Christ in Venice wherein is written Hic situm est corpus p. 14. Domini nostri Jesu Christi there is hanging in a printed table a Prayer of St. Austin with Indulgence for fourscore and two thousand yeares granted by Boniface 8. and confirm'd by Benedict 11 unto every one that shall say it and that for every day toties quoties Pope Gregory 13 hath granted to the Carmine at Padova unto every one p. 15. that shall say 7 Aves and 7 Pater-Nosters before one of their Altars on the anniversarie Wednesday in Easter-week or else kisse the ground before the Altar of the blessed Sacrament with the usual Prayers for exaltation of the Church extirpation of Heresy and Unitie of Christian Princes both plenary Indulgence for himselfe and the delivery of what Friends soul out of Purgatory he pleases All Altars of Station which are in very great number have their perpetual Indulgences for all times Sundry Crosses engraven on the pavements of their Churches have Indulgence annexed for every time they are kist which is done so often by the devouter sex that the hard Marble is woâ—â— with it By these few Instances which are not the fortieth part of what might be produced you may see what an indulgent Father his Holynesse is to whom Confitents may appeal when their Penances are too severe and what comfortable provision he hath made for them Sect 5. NEither is their condition hopelesse and helplesse who live in England Scotland Ireland or any other remote Countries and either cannot or will not trudge to Rome to be made partakers of these plenarie Indulgences His Holynesse hath made ample provision for these also and extended his bounty to them If it be their mis-hap to fall into the hands of an ill-natur'd Confessor which very few do that enjoyns them Penances too tedious and troublesome yet they have their relief and remedie viz the Popes pardon at an easie rate And so kind hath this holy Father been to his Children as to put forth a Book called Taxa S. Cancellaria Apostolicae that they may know before they act any Villany what an absolution will cost wherein a price is set upon most sins of which take this following Taste An Absolution for a Bishop Abbot or the General of any Order who hath killed a man is rated at about 100 Grossos If a Lay-man kill an Abbot a Monk * A Grosso is sometimes valued at two pence sometimes at 4 pence farthing of our English money a Clerk or other Priest lesse than a Bishop he must pay for his Absolution according to the Quality of the person 7 8 or 9. Gr If a Layman kill a Layman he shall pay but 6 Gros If a Woman be with Child and on purpose destroyeth the Infant within her shall have an Absolution for 5 Gros If a man kill his Father Mother or Brother he must pay for his Absolution 1 Ducat and 5 Carlins †A Carliâ— it often the same with a Grosso And if a man kill his Wife he must not have a farthing abated of the aforesaid summe An Absolution for him who lyeth with a Woman in the Church is valued at 6 Gros Every Priest that keeps a Concubine must pay for his Absolution 7 Gros But if he be a Lay-man he must pay 8 Gros An Absolution for him that deflowers a Vitgin is dog cheap at 6 Gros If a Nuâ—ne commit fornication either within the Monastery or without she cannot expect an Absolution under 9 Duc 30 Gr If a man carnally lye with his Mother Sister or other Kinswoman or God-mother he shall have his Absolution at a very easy rate 5 Gros If a Layman commit Sacriledge by taking holy things out of holy places let him not complain if he pay for his Absolution no more than 7 Gros Every one that hath broken his Vow of perpetual Chastity must pay for his Absolution 2 Duc 20 Gros If a Priest commit Simony he shall have his Absolution upon very easy terms paying 7 Gros And if a person be guilty of that horrid sin of perjury he may obtain an Absolution for 6 Gros That there is such a Book is no fiction but a real truth and most clear from the pregnant testimonies of their own Writers which no Romanist can object against This Book was set forth by Pope Lâ—o In Titum p. 67. c. 10. and thus censured by Claudiâ—â— Epâ—â—câ—us a famous Doctor of Sorbon Let aâ— this be held feigned and falsly charged upon us by the Lutherans were it not that the Book it selfe being come from Rome is openly set to sale A Book wherâ—in thou mayâ—st learn more wickednesse then wâ—â— ever yâ—â— discovered in all the Summists and Summaries of 〈◊〉 that are extant in all the world A shamefull Book a very Iâ—dâ—â— pointing men the way to the most foul and hateful sins So that I am perswaded there was never set out in Germany Helâ—eria nor among any of our enemies that are fallen from us any Book that bred more scandal or did more hurt to the Roman Church But least these passages should discredit their Wares and spoil their Markets they have commanded them to be blotted out in their p 60. Spanish Expâ—rgatory Index Doctor Peter de Mâ—â—liu saith that this * De Monar Temporal Ponâ— Rom p. 355. Book was reprinted at Paris by Toâ—â—aâ—us Dionysins in St. James his street at the Wooden Crosse the Kings priviledge and the Popes Bull being annexed to it And the Lord Mâ—rrey hath thâ—se words The Books of the Taxes of the Apost dâ—eal Chauncâ—ry and Peâ—◠〈◊〉 which yet â— Myst Iniq p. 656. are soldâ—â— Roâ—â—â— prâ—nted at this very tiâ—â— in Paris at the â—ign of the Golden Suâ— iâ— St. Jaques Street and these Books are no lesâ—e commonly useâ—â— mâ—â—â— his â—orkans then Calâ—nders with 〈◊〉 or the Book of Customes and Eâ—tâ—ies among 〈◊〉 * Lection Memorab And Wâ—lfirâ— gives us a large account of it Mr. Henry Fouliâ— who had the benefit * Tom 2 p. 825. c. of
the publick Library in Oxford â—lls â—â— that when that 〈◊〉 Collect â—â— called Tract at us 〈…〉 was printed by the King of France his priviledge aâ— Lyâ—ns 〈…〉 Taxâ— was then published amongst them And afterwards when those aforesaid Tractatus Illustrium were by the Command of Pope Gregory 13. augmented and by the care of Franciscus Zilettus published at Venice 1584 this Taxa was also reprinted and with the rest dedicated and presented to the said Pope And it is worthy our observation that though the Inquisitors of Rome have placed the Taxa Cancell Apost in their Expurgatory Index yet they except nothing against the Book printed by the Romanists but that only which was lately put forth with Banks his Annotations or which have been corrupted by Hereticks though it would puzzle the wisest of them to prove any such corruptions Now can any Romanist after such full proof have the impudence to deny that such a Book ever had a being in the World But what will not a Papist affirm or deny in his own defence and to promote the Interest of his holy Mother the Church Nay the Popes of Rome have granted Indulgences not only for sins past but also for sinnes to come Our King James protests that he had seen two Authentical Bulls with his own eyes one when he was very young in Scotland and it was taken from a Scottish Priest and the other he saw here in England taken from an Medit upon the L prayer p 584. Irish-man and both of them contain'd a full pardon of all sins both past to come And this brings to my remembrance a pleasant Story which I have often met with In the time of Pope Leo 10 Tecelius or Tetzelius was sent into Germany with a great number of Pardons to advance money for his Holynesse This Pactor highly commended his Ware where-ever he came and affirm'd that he could pardon all sins both past and to come whereupon a German Gentleman bought such an one of him and afterwards robb'd the Pardoner Tetzolius was highly offended and threatned him with Bell Book and Candle but the Gentleman answered that he bad bought his Pardon for it declaring that was the sin he determined to commit when he made that purchase to which the poor Dominican could not reply Sect 6. BUt perhaps some either through Poverty or Covetousnesse may grudge and grumble to purchase their Absolution at so dear a rate therefore his Holynesse to prevent all discontent in his children hath out of his abundant Charity and fulnesse of Authority provided for them pardon and salvation at as easie and lazie a rate as heart can wish or desire A few Instances will make this evident By grant from Pope John 20 every bowing of the head saith Sands at the naming of Jesus gets twenty yeares Pardon And to grace that Ceremony the more I have heard saith he sundry of their famous Divines teach in Pulpit that Christ himselfe on the Crosse bowed his head on the right side to reverence his own name which was written over it Eur Spec p. 14. The saying of the Beads over with a Medal or other trinket of the Popes benediction appendant gets a plenary Indulgence and delivers what soul out of Purgatory one pleaseth All the Members of the Arch-Confraternity Vid Heavenopened p. 15. c. 3 of the Sacred Rosary and any one may be admitted into it without a penny cost are made partakerâ— of Plenary Indulgences upon easie terms 1. Upon the day that any one iâ— received into this Confraternity having confessed and communicated and recited a third part of the Rosary all which may be done in a very short time he gains a plenary Indulgence and remission of all his sins This was granted by Pope Pius 5. Sept 27. 1559. 2. Any Member of the Rosary in the Article of death 1. Being confessed and communicated a plenary Indulgence granted by the same Pope Sept 27. 1559. 2. Or saying with mouth or in heart Jesus Maria a plenary Indulgence 3. Or calling thrice either by mouth or in heart upon the holy name of Jesus a plenary Indulgence granted by Pius 5. Gregory 13. Clement 8. 4. Or having a blessed Candle of the Confraternity in their hand in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the time of their departure a plenary Indulgence granted by Adrian 6. and confirm'd by Clement 7. Same Auth p. 95. The Members of the Arch-Confraternity of St. Francis called the Cord of the Passion are made partakers of the like Priviledges Every one of this Brotherhood for saying the Crown of our Saviour or the Crown of our Lady containing 72 Paters and Aves with a Pater and Ave for his Holynesse obtains a plenary Indulgence and remission of all his sins Who would desire pardon and salvation upon easier terms I forbear to mention many other Fraternities upon which the Popes of Rome have conferr'd the like Indulgences Bernardine de Bust tells us as I find Answer to Jes Chall p 489. him cited by our most learned Primate of Ireland that Pope Sixtus 4. granted an Indulgence of twelve thousand years for every time that a man in the state of grace that is having confessed and communicated should repeat this short Orizon or salutation of the Virgin Hail most holy Mary the Mother of God the Queen of heaven the gate of Paradise the Lady of the world Thou art a singular and pure Virgin thou didst conceive Christ without sin thou didst bear the Creator and Saviour of the world in whom I doe not doubt Deliver me from all evil and pray for my sinnes Amen And in the Book of the hours of the Blessed Virgin secundum usum Sarum we have several Prayers to which are annexed Indulgences for several thousand yeares To all them that before this Image of pity devoutly say 5 Pater Nosters and 5 Aves and a Credo pitiously beholding the Armes of Christs Passion are granted thirtie two thousand seven hundred and fifty yeares of pardon They that desire to see more and cannot get the Book let them peruse Dr. Stillingfleet Papistarum Malleus and Wonders oâ— his Age his discourse concerning the Idolatry practised in the Church of Rome And thus I have shew'd you how indulgent complying the Principles practices of the Roman Church are to mens several humours and carnal inclinations He that understands the natural consequence of these things cannot wonder that the Church of Rome should have a numerous company of Proselytes made up of such as Davids Army were 1 Sam 22. 2. Swearers Drunkards c. loose and licentious persons Nay he may rather wonder that all wicked men in the world run not into the Romish Church where they may live so merrily and dye so securely Sir Walter Raleigh knew what he said and he spake truth when he said it that were he to choose a Religion for licentious liberty he would choose the Popish Religion Certainly there 's no Religion