dead of praier to the dead of forbiddacne of marriage and other such like doctrines This consent we denie to be a note of the Church for in all these things they did dot consent with the Ancient fathers with mutuall consent Apostolicall Church Duditius in Beza epist 1. saieth thus If it be trueth which the ancient Fathers haue professed with mutuall consent that is all on the Papists side Thus they touching their dissent from the Fathers In like manner they confesse that they dissent from the Church and Councells For thus P. Martyr in 1. Cor. 3. That The Church alwaiâ—s praied for dead The ancient Church The Church at 500. also vseth to be obiected to vs. That the Church hath alwaies praied for the dead which truely I doe not denie Whitaker CoÌ„t 2. q. 5. c. 7. I answere True it is that Caluin saieth and the Centurie writers that the ancient Church erred in manie things as of limbus of free will of merit of works and the other things before rehearsed Agayne I say that the Church which was 500. or 600. years after Christ did not hould in all points the doctrine of the Apostles For she held some errors Casaubon epist ad Cardin. Perron It was a most ancient custome that in the publike praiers of the Church remembrance should be made of the The ancient Church dead and rest praied for them of God The ancient Church by this means approued her faith of the resurrection to come Zuinglius in Elencho tom 2. speaking of the ceremonies In the beginning of the Church Generall Councells of baptisme saieth We know that in the beginning of the Church these things were vsed The like they confesse touching Councells For thus Confessio Anglica art 21. Generall Councells may erre and sometimes haue erred euen in the things which belonge to the rule of pietie Vrban Regius in Interpret All Councells The ancient Councels loc to 1. It is more cleare then the light that all Councells haue pernitiously erred Caluin 4 Insit c. 9. § 10. There is some thing wanting euen in those ancient and purer Councells There was a notable example hereof in the Councell of Nice Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 7. c 7. auoucheth that the Councell of Nice and Chalcedon haue erred Nether doe Protestants onely dissent froÌ„ the vniforme consent of Fathers Councels and Church but also they make small account thereof For thus P. Martyr in loc Tit. Not Fathers euen agreing Script § 16. But at least say they then are the Fathers to be allowed when they agree amongst themselues No not then alwaies Et lib. de votis As long as we abide in the Fathers we shall alwaies remayne in the same errors Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 5. c 8. The agreing exposition of the Fathers is no rule of expouÌ„ding Not witnesses without exceptioÌ„ Scriptures Cont. 2. q. 7. c. 7. We denie not but the Fathers be witnesse of the trueth but so as they be not without exception for all haue erred l. 6. cont Dur. sect 3. The consent of Fathers is not sure and free from error Et ad Demonst 7. Sanderi Not the whole Senate of Fathers Nether will we thinke that thou hast demonstrated any thing though thou couldest bring the whole Senate of Fathers against vs. Rainolds in his Conference p. 151. Trueth is not to Not all be tried by consent of Fathers Psal 150. If not one or twoe of the Fathers but all haue thought it nor thought it onely but haue written it nor written it onely but thought it not obscurely but clearely nor seldome but often nor for a time but perpetually yet their consent were not secure And he termeth vniuersalitie antiquitie consent rotten postes Yea in his 5. Thesis he will haue the Roman Church to be no true Church because she forbiddeth the Scriptures to be expounded contrarie to that sense which our holie mother the Church doth hould or contrarie to the vniforme consent of Fathers By which forbiddance saieth he are often reiected those senses which the spirit by the tenor of the words and sentences doth teach to be the meaning of the holie text MortoÌ„ in Apol. part 1. l. 1. c. 69. Sometimes neglecting the persons of the Fathers it is most safe to fech the prime antiquitie out of the Apostolicall writings Which is saieth he the Protest defense to reiect the Fathers prore and puppe of the Protestants defense Caluin 4. Instit c. 9. § 12. Let no names of CouÌ„cells of Pastours of Bishops hinder vs that we trie not all the spirits of them all with the square of Gods word for to finde whether they be of God Daneus CoÌ„tr. p. 289. Touching the saying of the Fathers this is our breif answere to them all We regard not what the Fathers haue saied but how Saying of Fathers not reguarded truely Et Cont. 5. p. 698. We must not looke what the Fathers haue written but what they should haue writteÌ„ Vorstius in Antib p. 395. The Protestants doe not thinke that they ought much to care what the ancient Fathers haue thought or written of this Not to be cared for matter Pareus l. 5. de Iust c. 5. I say that Scripture is to be expouÌ„ded by Scripture not by Fathers Et l. 2. de Grat. c. 14. Though all the Fathers agreed well yet were it weake Reineccius to 1. Arm. Not all fathers together c. 9 WheÌ„ all Doctors of the Church with a common consent doe teach some thing to come from Apostolicall tradition is that to be beleiued to be Apostolicall tradition No. Gerlachius disp 22. de Eccles The Fathers haue straied from the path of trueth not in these onely wherein they disagree with themselues and with others but in those also which they haue vniformely deliuered Celius Secundus de Amplit regni Dei lib. 1. Should then the Their authoritie nothing at all authoritie of so manie ancient Fathers the consent of ages auaile nothings Nothing at all Polanus in thes part 3. p. 546. We cite them â—estimonies of Fathers â—specially when we handle points of religion controuerted with Papists not for our sake but for Papists that we may refute Papists by the Fathers whome they haue Fathers cited as Heathens made their iudges as in ould time the Fathers refuted the HeatheÌ„ by the testimonies of the Sybills of Poets Philosophers orators and Heathen Historians As therefore the Fathers vsed the testimonies of Heathens against HeatheÌ„s So we produce the testimonies of Fathers against Papists Muscul in loc tit de Scrip. As for me I require not the testimonies of Fathers for to giue authoritie to Canonicall Scripture and to make distinction betwene it and the Fathers writings contenting my selfe with the authoritie and canon of the Scripture it selfe But because our aduersaries endeauour to trouble the trueth by pretext of Fathers I well alledge them where they are against their endeauours but when they cite any thing
Consciences are bound with Gods law onely Zuinglius in Explanat artic 28. It is no sinne which God forbiddeth not Mans additions cannot make anie thing to be good or euill Art 24. No Christian is bound to those workes which Christ hath not commaunded Caluin in Iacobi 4. vers 12. It is God alone who hath the conscience subiect to his laws In Refutat Cathalon p. 384. No mortall man can make lawes which binde the conscience and make men guiltie of Gods iudgment De necessitate reform pag. 58. We teach that consciences are free and quite from mens lawes In Confess fidei p. 109. Men haue no power to binde the consciēce vnder mortall sinne The like he hath 3. Instit c. 19. 4. c. 10. Beza in Confess c. 5. sect 33. God hath reserued to himselfe alone all this power of binding the conscience with lawes cap. 7. sect 9. It is lawfull to God alone to impose lawes vpon the conscience Peter Martyr in locis classe 4. cap. 4. § 5. The Apostles No sinne to breake the Apostles laws without scandall did decree that Gentils conuerted to Christ should abstaine from strangled meate and immolated to idols and from blood If anie had eaten of them without offense of others he had sinned nothing in conscience Daneus Controu 3. p. 509. Mens commandment can not bind our consciences Contr. 5 pa. g1125 No law but Gods can binde vs in consciencience THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that who resisteth the Magistrate resisteth Gods ordinance and purchaseth damnation and that we must be subiect to him for conscience sake Catholiks say the same Protestāts expressely say that Magistrates cannot binde the conscience that God alone can binde the conscience that breakers of the Apostles precept without contempt or scandall did not sinne THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER of mans law What hath beene rehearsed in this chapter plainely proueth that Protestants teach contrarie to the Scripture concerning mans law For the holie Scripture and Catholiks withall teacheth that there is superioritie among Christians that men haue power to make lawes and that their lawes may binde the conscience all which are denied of Protestants It proueth also that Protestants euen in this matter keepe their ould custome of stealing For they take from Christians all superioritie all power of makinge lawes and from their lawes all power of binding the conscience CHAPTER XX. OF FREE VVILL ART I. WHETHER MANS WILL BE free in indifferent matters SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. NVMBERS 30. v. 14. It shal be in the arbitrement Man free in things indifferent of her husband whether she shall do it or not do it Iosue 24. ver 15. Choice is giuen you chuse this day that which pleaseth you 2. Reg. 24. vers 12. Choice is giuen thee of three We haue choice things chuse one of them which thou wilt 1. Corint 7. vers 37. For he that hath determined in his hart being setled not hauing necessitie but hauing power of his owne will c. CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Concil of Trent Sess 6. Con. 5. If anie shall say that mans free will is after Adams sinne lost and extinct or a thing onely in Title or a title without the thing finally a deuise of Sathan brought into the Church be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Luther art 36. tom 2. Free will after sinne is a thing onely in No free will after sinne Title And in assert eiusdem articuli Free will is a deuise amongst things and a title without the thing because no man hath in his power to thinke any good or ill but all things fall out of absolute necessitie There is no doubt but that by Sathans teaching this name Free will came into the Church The same Luther de seruo arbit to 2. f. 434. Mans will is Mans will is like a beast set in the middest as a beast if God sitte vpon it it willeth and goeth whither God will if Sathan sitte vpon it it willeth and goeth whither Sathan will Nether is it in his power to runne to ether rider or to seeke him but the riders themselues striue about We do all things of necessitie him whether shall haue him fol. 435. It is certaine that we do all things of necessitie and nothing by free will The like he hath p. 461. 486. and otherwhere often Melancthon in locis editis An. 1521. apud Bellarm. l. 4. Men haue nether free will nor reason de Grat. lib. arbit c. 5. Men vse the name of free will which is most different from the holie scripture from the sense and iudgment of the Spirit And out of Plato his schole is added the word Reason as pernitious as that Againe Seing all things that fall out fall out necessarily according to Gods predestination there is no libertie of will What then will you say is there no chance in things no happe no fortune The Scripture say that all things fall out necessarily And if there seeme to thee to be some chance in humane matters thou must here command the iudgment of reason Which words of his also are repeated by Zanchius de Praedestinat c. 5. to 7. col 435. Zuinglius l. de Religione c. de Merito to 2. Gods prouidence taketh away both free will and merit The verie name of free will disliked Caluin l. 2. lib. arb p. 153. The name of free will displeaseth me and I would it were taken away Et p. 154. Who mantaineth free will vseth an other lāguage then the Holie Ghost doth 2. Instit c. 2. § 8. Because I thinke it name of free will cannot be kept without great danger and that it would be great good to Church if it were abolished nether will I vse it and I should wish others if they will heare me to forebeare it Et l. 1. cap. 15. § 8. Who do yet seeke will in mā lost and drowned in spirituall perditiō do plainely doate Et in confess p. 108. We nether grant merit nor free will No free will in indifferent things Polanus in Disput priuatis disput 34. A sinfull man hath no free will in indifferent and ciuill matters CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that man hath freedome in choice to doe that he hath choice to chuse what he will that he hath not necessitie but power of his will The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that free will is a deuise a thing onely in title or title without the thing that there is no libertie no chance in things that all things fall out of absolute necessitie that mans will is like a beast that a sinfull man hath no free will in indifferēt and ciuill things Which some Protestants confesse to be contrarie to Scripture See lib. 2. c. 30. ART II. WHETHER MANS WILL BE free in morall matters that are good or badde SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Gen. 4. v 6. Why art thou angrie and why is thy contenance Free will in
iust or righteous to Seing and hearing as the text doth Because those words 1. Corinth 14. vers 17. Thou indeed They omit words giuest thanks well do plainely approue praier in an vnknowne tongue Zuinglius Caluin and Beza in their CoÌ„mentaries slippe ouer these words Yea Caluin 3. Instit c. 20. § 33. citing this sentence omitteth the word well In like sorte Caluin and Beza Luc. 22. v. 32. slippe ouer those words of Christ I haue praied for thee by which S. Peters Primacie is confirmed Wherefore thus I make my third argumeÌ„t Who beside the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are forced many times to vse violence to the very sacred text by adding or taking away words by changing by calling in doubt by ill translating by omitting by changing the order of the words they are to be iudged to contradict the true sense of the holie Scripture But Protestants do so Therefore c. CHAPTER IV. THAT PROTESTANTS OVERTHROW all force of the words of holie Scripture yea contemne and deride them OVR fourth argument shal be that Protestants when they nether dare denie nor change the words of Scripture yet ouerthrow all the force of them yea sometimes contemne and scoffe at them The first way by which they delude the expresse word of God is that in what kind of matter soeuer to wit whether it be of precept or doctrine whether it can be knowne onely by Gods word or no and in what places soeuer to wit whether in them the matter be handled purposely or no in what kind of matter soeuer I say and in what kind of place soeuer the holie Scripture speaketh expressely against theÌ„ they crie that we must not stick to the letter nor vrge it Zuinglius in Math. 19. to 4. The words Protest will not haue the word of God vrged against them of Christ what God hath ioyned let not man seperate are so drie that it may seeme that married persons can be seperated for no cause Here because the letter clearely maketh against him he addeth But we will not after the Iewish manner sticke so superstitiously to the letter And in Mark 1. We must not stick fast to the bare letter but the letter is to be expounded and directed according to the rule of the Protestants Spirit Et Institut de caena tom 2. fol. 288. Is it fit in Scripture to vrge earnestly onely the letter or rather hauing consulted other places we ought to consider what the authoritie of it may admit Because in the matter of the Eucharist the words of Scripture are clare agaâ—â—st them Caluin 4. Instit cap. 17. § 20. saieth Christs words are not vnder the common rule nor are to be examined gramatically § 23. These good Maisters that they may appeare men of letters do forbidde to Caluin scoffeth at those who vrge the word of God goe any whit from the letter What monstruous absurdities caÌ„not phrentik men gather if they may obiect euerie tittle for confirmation of their opinions And he termeth it foolish stubbernesse to contend earnestly about Christs words And calleth vs Catchers of syllables froward and stubbern exactours of the letter foolish and ridiculous maisters of letters because in the matter of the Eucharist we stick close to the expresse words of Scripture and vrge them against him as if with scoffes and taunts he would beat vs from the expresse word and letter of almightie God Moreouer in Math. 3. v. 16. he saieth Some do foolishly and preposterously vrge the letter that they may include the thing in the signe And in Math 26. v. 28. The Papists and such like are foolishly superstitious whiles they lay fast hould vpon Christs words And Admonit vlt. ad Westphal pag. 8â—7 We must not earnestly insist vpon the words Beza cont Westphal p. 214. By what right is it not lawfull for vs to appeall as I may say so from the word to the sense P. Martyr l. de Euchar. p. 124. Yee must not alwaies obiect the clearnesse of the sense pag. 126. Yee must not take first sense which offereth it selfe p. 126. Yee should not so much vrge the plainenes of the sense and pag. 149. They obiect againe vs the simple sense and hould that firmely Zanchius l. 1. Epist p. 34. They haue cried to importunely and till they were hoarse The word the words Kerberman l 1. System Theol. pag. 169. They importunely vrge the letter or words of Scripture Willet in Synopsi Contr. 19. pag. 885. We must not take the letter but follow the sense where we find mention made of the vniuersalitie of Christs death pag. 886. It cannot literally be vnderstood that God would absolutely haue all meÌ„ to be saued Thus speake these men when the letter or plaine sense of Scripture maketh expressely against them In the meane tyme whensoeuer the letter of Scripture seemeth to fauour theÌ„ they most veliemently pressâ—â— As for example because S. Paul sometimes calleth the Eucharist bread they will needs haue it to be materiall bread Caluin in Math. 26. vers 28. The Papists denie that bread is shewed but Paul refuteth their Difference betwene the words which Protest and which Cath. vrge dotage affirming that the bread which we break is the communication of the bodie of Christ The like he hath 4. Instit c. 17. § 15. and others after him And neuerthelesse the Scripture neuer saieth directly of the Eucharist This is bread as four times it saieth most directly of it This is Christs bodie Nether doth it in anie place restraine the word Bread when thereby it signifieth the Eucharist to the proper signification of materiall bread as it doth manie waies restraine the word Bodie to signifie the true bodie of Christ by adding that it is the bodie giuen deliuered or broken for vs. Moreouer the Scripture it selfe Ioan. 6. clearely expoundeth that when by the word Bread it signifieth the Eucharist it meaneth the very flesh of Christ So that in the selfe same matter that word which is saied of the Eucharist in an identicall speach saying This is this and which ofteÌ„times and most clearely is tied to it proper signification nor is euer expounded in Scripture to be otherwise taken must not be vrged against Protestants because it maketh against them and an other word which nether is euer so saied of the Eucharist nor is any way restrained to it proper signification yea which the Scripture it selfe expoundeth figuratiuely must be vrged because it seemeth to fauour Protestants and consequeÌ„tly the letter or word of Scripture is to be vrged or not vrged according as it fauoureth or disfauoureth ProtestaÌ„ts Which is indeed to shape the Scripture to their opinions not to frame their opinions to the Scripture But if they cannot obtaine that the letter of the holie They call it begging of the question to vrge the letter Scripture be not vrged against them they take an other course to delude the authoritie or force thereof For they
If we proue that God doth now cleanse vs from all iniquitie because it is saied 1. Ioan. 1. v. 19. He is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and cleanse vs from all iniquitie Caluin ib. answereth If anie obiect that whilest we liue in this life we are neuer cleansed from all iniustice for so much as belongeth to reformation that is true indeed but Ihon teacheth not what God doth now perfect in vs. If we proue that in this life some are made iust by the merits of Christ as by Adams demerit they were made iniust by these words Rom. 5. v. 19. As by the disobedience of one man manie were made sinners so also by the obedience of one manie shal be made iust Pareus l. 2. de Iustificat cap. 3. answereth In this life we are made iust imperfectly in the next we shal be made perfectly iust Hereupon perchaunce Luther saied Disput 3. tom 1. We thinke that a man to be iustified is not to be yet iust but to be in the way and course to iustice If we proue that faith without workes is alwaies dead because it is saied Iames 2. vers vlt. Faith without workes is dead Schlusselburg to 8. Catal. p. 526. answereth The saying of Iames touching faith dead without workes is to be vnderstood of ehe time after iustification So that he will not haue faith to be dead without good workes whilest it iustifieth If we proue that God alwaies will all men to be saued by those words 1. Tim. 2. Who will all men to be saued Perkins in Cases of Conscience cap. 7. sect 3. answereth God will all men to be saued vnderstand now in this last age of the world If we proue that Saintes in heauen aske mercie for the faithfull because they aske reuenge vpon their persecutors by those words Apocal. 6. vers 9 I saw vnder the aultar the soules of them that were slanie for the word of God c. and they cried with a loud voice saying How long Lord holie and true iudgâ—st thou not and reuengest not our blood on them that dwell on the earth Confessio Wittember c. de Inuocat Sanctorum vnderstandeth this onely of praiers made whiles the Saints were on earth In the Apocalypse the soules of the Saints that were slaine do crie that their blood be reuenged not that now resting in the Lord they are desirous of reuenge after a humane manner but because the Lord euen after their death is myndfull of the praiers which whiles they yet liued on earth the made for the deliuerie of themselues and the Church If we proue that in this life we fulfill the law doe the will of God and obey Christ by those words Rom. 8. v. 4 God sent his Sonne c. that the iustification of the law might be fullfilled in vs. Et Math. 6. Thy will be done on earth And Hebr. 5. vers 9. Christ is made the cause of saluation to all that obey him Scharpius de Iustif Contr. 12. answereth Out of these places nothing followeth but that the faithfull fulfill the law but it followeth not that they fulfill it in this life Wherefore I thus make my fourtenth argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture will not expound the words of Scripture on that time whereof it speaketh do contradict the true sense thereof Protestants doe so Therefore c. CHAPTER XV. THAT PROTESTANTS OF MANIE sayings of Scripture make one MY fiftenth argument shal be because Protestants are forced to confound manie sayings of Scripture in one and so make one of manie For if we proue that God will not the death of a sinner but willeth his conuersion by those words Ezechiel 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that he be conuerted and liue Caluin l. de Praedest pag. 706. answereth If as we ought to doe those twoe be read ioyntly I will that a sinner which is conuerted liue the cauill is easily refuted The some hath Beza 2 part resp ad Acta Montisbel p. 196. If we proue that God would haue al to be saued and come to the knowledge of the trueth because it is so saied 1. Tim. 2. v. 4. Beza lib. quaest respons vol. 1. Theol. p. 684. saieth Those twoe To saue and to come to the knowledge of trueth are to be ioyned that so God may be vnderstood to will that they be saued whome he will haue to come to the knowledge of the trueth So also he answereth in Respons ad Acta Montisb p. 194. And there p. 196. in the same sorte expoundeth that Ezech. 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that be conuerted If we proue that Christs baptisme was different from S. Ihons because Actor 19. S. Luke telleth that some who haue beene baptized with S. Ihons baptisme were baptized againe of S. Paul Beza ib. ver 5. saieth that these are not the words of S. Luke telling who were baptized of S. Paul but of S. Paul telling what was the baptisme of Saint Ihon. Caluin l cont Anabap. p. 415. saieth There is saied that Paul baptized them in the name of Christ then to explicate what this meaneth is added that he laied hands vpon them and the holie Ghost descended Wherefore the same thing is diuersely expressed by twoe wayes as the Scripture vseth Et 4. Inst c. 15. § 18. Luke doth not tell twoe different things but keepeth the forme of relating vsed of the Hebrews who first set downe the summe of the matter and after explane it more at large If we proue that we must be borne againe both of water and of the holie Ghost by these words Ioan. 3. v. 5. Vnlesse one be borne againe of water and the holie Ghost c. Caluin ib. answereth It is one simple sentence that we must be borne a new for to be Gods children and that of this second birth the holie Ghost is author Therefore he put water and Spirit for the same thing And in this manner they confound manie things which the Scripture distinguisheth and say that ether they be Synonimies or that one exegetically expoundeth the other Wherefore this is my 15. argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are compelled to confound manie different sayings of the Scripture in one those are also opposite to the true meaning of the holie Scripture Protestants doe so Therefore c. And hitherto we haue seene how manie and what kind of Propositions of Scripture almost in all kinds of controuersies Protestants doe change and depraue and that no kind of speach can be so plaine strong and forcible as it can recall them from their errours but that they break through delude depraue all Now let vs see how they deale will the wordes of Scripture For as Tertullian saieth cont Hermogenen It is the Heretiks custome to wreste all simple words CHAPTER XVI THAT WORDS OF SCRIPTVRE WHICH signifie the working or doing of a thing
as thou seest Christian Doctors to cōtend and disagree stick to him who bringeth a cleare euident and expresse oracle of God Caluin l. de ver ref p. 326. We denie that it is lawfull for vs to goe from the certaine words of Christ And 4. Instit c. 17. § 35. Our soules relie vpon the onely certaine word of God when they are called to account Sadeel libr. de Human. Christ I cannot sufficiently admire them who by those things which are not extant in Scripture will take awaye the things which are approued by most certaine and euident testimonies of Scripture And de ver peccat remissio No opinion is Theologicall which is against the expresse places of Scripture Fulk in Hebr. 6. not 3. Nether is the exposition of anie man to be receaued that goeth directly against the words of the text and the manifould testimonies of the Scripture Vorstius in Amica Collat. sec 101. Who simply so affirme and teach al these things they are secure before God because they can safely retire themselues vnder the sheild of the holie Scripture But who denie them or by meruailous glosses obscure or corrupt them thy finde no where sure footing There is nothing more secure thē simply to stick to the cleare word of God expounded by it selfe and contrariewise nothing more dangerous then to adde or detract neuer so litle of our owne especially in matters of so great moment Thus the cheife Protestant maisters which if ether themselues would haue followed or their disciples yet would follow soone would there be an end of these controuersies With what assurance ô God may Catholiks appeare Confidence of Cath. for their faith before thy tribunall for to answere for the faith which they maintaine against Protestants seing they finde it is auouched in so manie and so great articles by thy expresse words spoaken not by the way but of set purpose to tell vs what thou wouldest haue vs beleiue of these matters and in their cleare and plaine sense which they manifestly beare and in which such words vse to be taken of men so that vnlesse thou doe deceaue then or be deceaued they cānot in these points be deceaued But with what distrust Desperation of Protest or rather desperation will Protestants appeare seing they haue left that which so expresse words of God do auouch follow that which they most clearelie condēne onelie humane consequences humane glosses humane subtilities doe vphould Then these words of God wil be as Melancthon saied lightnings or as S. Austin speaketh thundrings Lib. 1. contr Parm. c. 2. and heauenly lightnings and Protestants cōsequences figures and glosses will vanish to nothing Then it will clearelie appeare that Protestants without all word of God without all diuine authoritie but onelie vpon their owne fancies haue preferred their consequences their conferences their idle reasons before Gods expresse word and that they might not seeme to haue done so haue changed the true and natiue sense of Gods words into a strange figuratiue and violent sense And shall we Neuer anie so contrarie to Scripture as Protestants thinke that these men are Ghospelers restorers of the Ghospel or sent of God and their doctrine the pure Ghospell Whereas neuer was there doctrine more opposit to the Ghospell nor euer anie who in so manie and weightie matters so directlie opposed themselues to the plaine words and open sense of the Ghospell O bouldnesse of men that durst do thus against the expresse word of God himselfe O impudencie of them who would auouch such doctrine for the Ghospell And ô blindnesses or madnesse of them who suffer themselues to be deceaued of such men in a matter so euident O bewiched and blinded mē awaken at lenght open your eyes consider your estate search the Scriptures here set before your eyes and compare them with the doctrine of your Maisters and consider whether they who in so manie and so great matters speak so contrarie can speake with the same spirit thinke the same thing Demand of your Maisters 1. by what authoritie Demands to be made to Ministers of God by what word of God they dare speake contrarie to the words and phrase of Scripture of so manie and so great matters 2. by what authoritie or word of God they dare thinke of so manie and so great matters otherwise then the expresse word of God spoaken purposelie and in it plaine and open sense taught them to thinke 3. By what authoritie or word of God they haue changed the proper vsuall and manifest sense of his words into figuratiue vnusuall and violent senses If they can alledge no expresse authoritie or word of Ministers draw men from Gods expresse word to their consequences God for their so doing as in trueth in most of these Articles they can giue no colour of Gods expresse word but oneliepretend their consequences their conferences their reasons suffer not your selues by this most deceitfull and fond humane pretext to be drawne from Gods expresse and their manifest sense Let vs saieth S. Austin heare our Lib. de peccat mer. c. 20. our Lord not the ghesses and suspicions of men But that God speaking to men speaking according to the manner of men speaking of diuine and supernaturall things which cannot be knowne of vs but by his words and speaking of them purposely for to declare his mynd concerning Note them should so often and in so manie and so wheigtie points thinke otherwise then he speaketh or otherwise thinke then his words do shew or otherwise then men to whome he speaketh vse to vnderstand them and yet not once should expressely say the cōtrarie is not Gods word but the ghesses and suspicions yea the impostures and lies of men In this point therefore consisteth almost all the The Summe whether Catholiks or Protest be to be followed summe of deliberation whether Catholiks or Protestants be to be followed to wit whether in supernaturall matters which cannot be knowne but by Gods expresse words we ought to follow rather the expresse words of God purposely spoaken of him for to tell vs those matters Is whether Gods word or mans reason rather then the consequences conferences reasons of some new slart vp men not well agreing among themselues Then the which consultation none can be easier For if euen in matters which are subiect to sense reason we ought to preferre Gods word before reason of what men soeuer how much more in things which farre surpasse the reach of mens sense or reason ought we to preferre it before the reasons of a few new and iangling fellows Let that faith liue florish and triumphe which Let that faith preuaile which Scripture most fauoureth in diuine matters that cannot be knowne but by Gods words is authorized by Gods expresse word spoaken of purpose to declare Gods mynd and in the plaine and opē sense wherein men vse to take such words and against which sense no
God is idolatrie and horrible blasphemie to call our bessed Ladie our hope ART XV. WHETHER SAINTS HAD power to worke miracles SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 10. ver 1. And hauing called his twelue disciples together Some Saints had power to doe miracles he gaue them power ouer vncleane spirits that they should cast them out and should cure all manner of disease and all manner of infirmitie Marke 3. ver 15. And he gaue them power to cure infirmities and to cast out diuels 1. Corin. 12. v. 9. To one certes by the spirit is giuen the word of wisdome to an other the grace of doing cures in one spirit to an other the working of miracles CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 4. de Eccles c. 14. How could God more plainly expresse his mynd then by giuing to one the singular guift of miracles PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Perkins in Gal. 3. v. 3. God neuer gaue any man the power of Neuer man had power to worke miracles working miracles ether mediatly or immediatly Vrsinus in Catechismo q. 99. The power of working miracles is not transfused into Saints therefore metaphorically they are saied to worke them Beza in 1. Cor. 12. v. 6. But in doing of miracles if we consider the worke it selfe Gods power doth worke without any communication at all which he imparteth not euen to the Angels themselues What then will some say Were the saints of God like stocks blocks in the working of miracles No. For ether by their praiers they obtained the miracles of God or vnderstāding Gods will by inward grace or peculiar reuelation they declared it but so that no power of theirs did in any sorte concurre as efficient cause to the working of the miracles Piscator in Thes l. 2. p. 373. Doth God imparte to any creature the power of working miracles We denie it because the power of working miracles is omnipotencie it selfe THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely teacheth that Christ gaue the Apostles power to cure all manner of diseases infirmities that to some is giuen the grace of working miracles Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely say that God neuer gaue to any creature the power of working miracles ether mediatly or immediatly that he imparteth not to Saints the power of working miracles that no power in them concurreth as efficient cause to the working of miracles but onely the power that is in God that all power of working miracles is omnipotencie it selfe and neuer imparted to any creature ART XVI WHETHER SAINTS DO reigne with Christ SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Apocal. 5. v. 10. Thou hast made vs to our God a kingdome and preists and we shall reigne vpon the earth Apocal. 20. ver 6. They shal be preists of God and of Christ Saints reigne with Christ and shall reigne with him a thousand years c. 22. v. 5. Our Lord God doth illuminate them and they shall reigne for euer and euer Apocal. 2. v. 26. And he that shall ouercome and keepe my Haue power ouer nations workes vnto the end I will giue him power ouer the nations and he shall rule them with a rodde of yron Cap. 3. vers 21. He that shall ouercome I will giue vnto him to sitte with me in my throne as I also haue ouercome and haue sitten with my Father in his throne CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Card. Bellarm. lib. 1. de Sanctis cap. 18. We learne that the soules of holie men after their death before the resurrection do receaue power ouer nations and do rule them and sitte in the throne of Christ that is do with him gouerne the whole worlde PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Reineccius tom 4. Armaturae c. 7. The Saints do not reigne Saints reigne not with Christ Doe not rule nations with Christ The like hath Vorstius in Antibel p. 298. Pareus in Collegio Theol. 9. disput 18. saieth that it is an errour to say That as Angels so the soules of blessed men are appointed of God to rule and gouerne vs. Of the same opinion are all other Protestants who say that the Saints in heauē nether know nor care what is done on earth THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that Saints reigne with Christ gouerne nations sit in Christs throne Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely say that Saints reigne not with Christ are not appointed of God to rule and gouerne vs know not nor care not what is done on earth ART XVII WHETHER ANIE SAINT were full of grace SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Luc. 1. v. 28. the Angel saieth to our B. Ladie Haile full of grace Act. 36. ver 28. Consider therefore brethren seuen men of you Some Saints full of grace of good testimonie full of the holie Ghost and wisdome whome we may appoint ouer this businesse And v. 8. And Stephen full of grace and fortitude did great wonders CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 3. part q. 27. art 5. The B. Virgin Marie obtained such fulnesse of grace that she was nighest to the authour of grace PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Illyricus in Lucae 1. v. 28. cit It is ill translated Ful of grace None full of grace For Christ alone is full of grace and trueth Caluin in Lucae 1. v. 15. expoundeth Full of grace Aboue the ordinarie course Of the same mynd also are other Protestants who ether denie that the Angel saluted our B. Ladie Full of grace or denie that we haue anie inherent iustice or grace in vs as we shall see hereafter THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that our ladie and S. Stephen was full of grace and that others were full of the holie Ghost And Catholiks say the same Protestants saye that Christ alone was full of grace and that others haue no grace or iustice in them A SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER OF ANGELS or Saints It appeareth out of that which hath beene rehearsed in this chapter that Protestants do farre otherwise describe vnto vs Angels and Saints then the holie Scripture and Catholiks doe For according to the Scripture and Catholiks they are perfectly iust and perfectly doe the will of God but not according to Protestants In the verdict of the Scripture and Catholiks they pray for vs haue care of our matters heare our praiers In the opinion of Protestants they do none of these According to the Scripture and Catholiks they are to be praied vnto to be worshipped to be imitated of vs and God is to be inuocated by their names who also for their good deeds their sake doth good vnto vs but according to Protestants none of all these things belong vnto them In the doctrin of the Scripture and Catholiks they enioy their heauenlie felicitie reigne with Christ and some of them had power to doe miracles but in the Protestants Doctrin they nether enioy their heauenly happines nor reigne with Christ nor anie of them had or can haue power to worke miracles Protestants therefore steale from Angels and Saints Protest steale from Saints Power
sect 8. In all these things the Apostles did alledge their testimonie and themselues also as witnesses of that trueth which they tought And l. 3. sect 3. The Apostles were witnesses of their doctrine and they gaue authoritie to their doctrine See him Cont. 4. l. 8. c. 9. PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 1. q. 3. c. 11. God alone is a sufficient witnesse None but God is a sufficient witnesse of himselfe And l. 3. de Scriptura c. 13. sect 3. The people did not beleiue Moises for himselfe but for that diuine and great miracle Beleife was giuen to Moises and Paul not for themselues but for Gods authoritie which appeared in their ministerie And ib. sect 1. The testimonie of the Church as of the Church is but humane And Contr. 1. q. 3. c. 11. cit The iudgment of the Church is humane The same followeth euidently of that which they saied in the former article For if the Apostles doctrine must be examined it is manifest that they are not sufficient witnesses of their doctrine The same Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 4. c. 3. Yea after Christs Not the Apostles ascension and that descent of the Holie Ghost vpon the Apostles manifest it is that the whole Church erred about the vocation of the Gentils and not the vulgar Christians onely but euen the very Apostles and Doctors These were great errours and yet we see that they were in the Apostles euen after the Holie Ghost had descended vpon them THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely affirmeth that the Apostles had the holie Ghost giuen them to testifie of Christ that they were ioyned with the holie Ghost witnesses of Christ that they were witnesses appointed of God that their testimonie is true that all may beleiue through Saint Ihon that the faithfull beleiued God and Moyses The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that none but God is a sufficient witnesse of the trueth that nether Paul nor Moises were to be beleiued for themselues that the testimonie of the Church is but humane That the Apostles erred and that greatly euen after the holie Ghost had descended vpon them ART VIII WHETHER THE APOSTLES learnt anie point of Christian doctrine after Christs ascension SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Ihon 16. v. 12. Yet manie things I haue to say to you but you The Apostles learnt some thing after Christ cannot beare them now but when he the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Ioan. 16. v. 12. By this testimonie is clearly proued that Christ tought not all by word of mouth but that both the Apostles and the Church learnt many things of the Holie Ghost PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contr. 1. q. 6. c. 10. The holie Ghost did suggest no They learnt nothing other things then those which Christ had tought Caluin in Ioan. 14. vers 26. Marke what all these things are which he promiseth that he Spirit shall teach He saieth He shall suggest or bring to mind whatsoeuer I haue saied Whence it followeth that he shall not be a coyner of new reuelations And 4. Institut c. 8. § 8. That limitation is carefully to be noted where he appointeth the holie Ghost his office to suggest whatsoeuer he had tought by worde of mouth Beza in Ioan. 14. v. 26. The Apostles nether learnt nor tought any point of Christian and sauing doctrine after the departure of the Lord. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that manie things were tould to the Apostles which they could not beare in Christs time that the holie Ghost was to be sent to teach them all trueth The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely teach that the Apostles learnt no point of Christian doctrine after Christs departure that the Holie Ghost reuealed no new thing to them that he suggested no other thing then Christ had tought ART IX WHETHER IVDAS WAS TRVELY a disciple or in the true Church of Christ SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 10. v. 1. seq And hauing called his twelue disciples Iudas was truely a disciple of Christ together he gaue them c. And the names of the twelue Apostles be these The first Simon who is called Peter and Iudas Iscariot who also betrayed him Et c. 20. v. 14. 47. Marc. 14. v. 10. 43. Luc. 22. v. 3. 47. he is called one of the twelue Ihon 12. v. 14. One therefore of his disciples Iudas Iscariot Actes 1. v. 17. Iudas who was the captaine of them that apprehended Iesus who was numbred among vs and obtained the lot of this ministerie v. 25. Shew of these twoe one whome thou hast chosen to take the place of this ministerie and Apostleship from the which Iudas hath preuaricated And the lot fell vpon Mathias and he was numbred with the eleuen Apostles CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Card. Bellarm. l. 3. de Eccles c. 7. Iudas was once of the true Church for he was an Apostle one of the twelue and called a Bishop of the Prophet Dauid psal 108. Which could not be true vnlesse he had beene of the Church PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 2. q. 1. cap. 7. I answere that the reprobate Iudas neuer of the Catholik Church Iudas was neuer of the true Catholik Church He held for a time a principall place in the outward societie of the Church because he was an Apostle but this made him not of the true Catholik Church But how he was one of the Apostles Austin telleth Tract 61. in Ioan. That how he was one in number not in merit Neuer an Apostle indeed Neuer true member of the Church are in shew not in vertue But what is in shew seemeth to be but is not indeed Daneus Controu 4. c. 2. Iudas Iscariot and Simon Magus were neuer true members of the true Church of God Of the same opinion are Protestants commonly who denie that anie reprobate can be in the true Church as we shall see hereafter c. 8. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that Iudas was one of Christs disciples one of the twelue Apostles was numbred amongst them obtained the lot of their ministerie had the place of Apostleship which S. Mathias afterwards had The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that Iudas was neuer of the true Catholik Church seemed to be one of the Apostles but was not indeed ART X. WHETHER IVDAS WAS a Bishop SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Actes 1. v. 20. For it is written in the booke of psalmes Be Iudas was a Bishop their habitation made desert and be there none that dwell in it and his Iudas Bishoprick let an other take CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE C. Bellarm. cited in the former article Iudas is called a Bishop of the Prophet Dauid PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 1. c. 7. Iudas was an Apostle therefore no He was no Bishop Bishop because the Apostles were no Bishops The same say other Protestants who denie that the Apostles were
true Church may some time faile to be visible Scarpe de Iustif Cont. 5. The members of the visible Church The whole visible Church may faile In the vttermost extent may faile yea the whole visible Church as such Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 136. Whence it followeth that the visible Church of Christ not onely in a great parte but euen whole taken in the vttermost extent may for sometime faile from the true faith and be wholy obscured Againe The externall Church of Christ may be obscured and faile More of their like sayings may be seene in my foresaied booke c. 4. THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainly teacheth that the Church of Christ cannot be hidden and biddeth vs to tell and heare her The same say Catholiks Protestants plainly teach that there is not alwaies a visible number of those who piously worshippe Christ that the Church may haue no apparent for me is not alwaies seene with eyes sometimes faileth to be visible that the whole visible Church as such may faile that the whole visible Church taken in her vttermost extent may faile from the faith that God oftentimes will haue no visible Church on earth Which are so opposite to Scripture as Protestants sometimes confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART VI. WHETHER THE CHVRCH be infallible in faith SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Isaie 59. vers vltim This is my couenant with them saieth Gods spirit euer in the mouth of the Church our Lord My spirit that is in thee and my words that I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouth and out of the mouth of thy seede and out of the mouth of thy seeds seede saieth our Lord from this present for euer Mathew 16. vers 18. And the gates of hell shall not preuaile Gates of hell preuaile not against her against it Ioan. 16. v. 13. But when the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth 1. Tim. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God the The pillar of trueth pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. qu. 2. art vnico The Church in her determinations of faith is euer must certaine and infallible PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 4. cap. 3. God hath not promised to his The vniuersall Church may erre In necessarie matters The whole Church Church that she should not erre The vniuersall Church may erre The whole Church may erre It is euident that the true Church may for a time erre euen in necessarie matters Yea after Christs ascension and that descent of the Holie Ghost vpon the Apostles it is manifest that the whole Church did erre about the vocation of the Gentils and not onely the common sorte of Christians but euen the very Apostles and Doctors And quaest 5. cap. 17. The Church may for a time erre in some fundamentall points Beza de notis Eccles vol. 3. If some particular Church may erre euen in some principall head of Christian religion and yet leaue not therefore to be a true Church why may we not say the same of all particular Churches taken not onely seuerally but all together for this is the Catholik Church And the margēt The Catholik Church and in fundamentall points The whole Churrh saieth Some errors may creepe into the Church euen in some fundamentall head of saith Daneus Controu 4. l. 3. c. 17. The whole Church all Pastors generally may erre The whole Church may be deceaued slippe and erre Author Resp ad Theses Vademont p. 503. The Catholik And grieuously Church may erre and that sometimes most grieuously The like they teach commonly THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely teacheth that Gods spirit and his word shall neuer departe from the mouth of the Church that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her that the Holie Ghost teacheth her all trueth that she is the pillar and ground of trueth Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely teach that the Church the true Church the vniuersall Church the whole Church may erre most grieuously and in some fundamentall and necessarie matters that the whole Apostolik Church euen after the descent of the Holie Ghost did erre Which is so repugnant to holie Scripture as sometimes Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART VII WHETHER THE CHVRCH be to be heard simply in all things SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 18. v. 17. If he will not heare the Church let him be Church simply to be heard to the as the Heathen and the Publican Luc. 10. v. 16. Who heareth you heareth me and who despiseth you despiseth me CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 4. q. 2. art 3. We must simply and absolutely obey the voice of the Church in doctrine of faith PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 3. c. 3. We must not simply receaue whatsoeuer Not simply to be heard the Church teacheth but whatsoeuer she is commanded of God to teach and proueth by Gods authoritie And q. 5. c. 5. The Church is to be heard not simply in all her sayinges decrees sentences and commandments The same he hath Cont. 2. q. 4. c. 2. and l. 1. de Scriptura c. 11. Bucanus in Inst Theol. loco 43. Must we simply heare the voice of the Church and receaue whatsoeuer she teacheth No. Reineccius to 4. Armat c. 3. We must beleiue the Church in Not simply to be beleiued all things not taken simply and absolutely but relatiuely and with condition as farre as according to Scripture and out of that she proposeth diuine trueth THE CONFERENCE Scripture simply and absolutely biddeth vs to heare the Church and saieth that who heareth her heareth Christ The same say Catholiks Protestants denie that she is simply to be heard or obeyed ART VIII WHETHER TRVETH IN respect of vs do relie vpon the Church SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Timoth. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God Church the pillar of trueth the pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. quaest 2. artic vnico The Church according to the ordinarie course is for faithfull men the pillar of all reuealed trueth and for faith it selfe the ground For the faitfull relie vpon the teaching of the Church as an vnmouable pillar PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contru 2. q. 4. c. 2. The trueth of faith doth not Not pillar in regard of vs. relie vpon the Church as a foundation no not in regard of vs. Trueth doth not relie vpon the authoritie of the Church Againe If the trueth of faith did relie vpon the authoritie of the Church in respect of vs who then c. Bucer in Disp Cantabrig It is manifest enough that no Sustaineth not trueth Church is to be termed the pillar and ground of trueth as if she did sustaine and conserue trueth Melancthon in locis c. de Signis Eccles to 3. Faith doth not relie wpon the
are to be had and kept especially in Churches PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Iuel art 14. sect 2. The Iewes had no manner of Image nether painted nor grauen in their temples Luther in Deuteron 7. to 3. I do not much loue images and would they were not in Churches Zuinglius l. de ver fals relig c. de Statuis Images must Not in tēples be taken out of Churches Sadeel ad Art 59. Abiurat God abhorreth images Peter Martyr in locis tit de Cult Imaginum § 22. We must not suffer that Images be had in Churches And in this point the Protestants doctrine is well enough knowne by their deeds yea some of them goe so farre as they denie that we may paint any Images of Christ or the Saints For thus saieth Leo Iudae in Zuinglius to 2. f. 627. If Christ and his Saints be in heauen it is wickednes euen to make their images With whome agreeth Zuinglius ib. 630. Hoffman also ib. f. 631. saieth That good man thinketh that images may be kept and suffered so that none do adore or worshippe thē But this opinion is contrarie to the testimonies of Scripture wherein the Lord commandeth that we shall not make them The same intimateth Confessio Heluet. c. 4. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that God commanded twoe Images of Angels to be made and put in the Oracle that Salomon made twoe others and put them in the middest of the inner temple The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that God abhorreth images that they are not to be suffered in Churches no that the Images of Christ and his Saintes are to be made that the Iewes had no manner of Images in their temple ART IV. WHETHER THE HEATHENS or Idolaters did thinke their Idols to be Gods SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Exod 32. v. 8. God himselfe thus speaketh vnto Moises They haue made to themselues a molten calfe and haue adored and immolating hostes vnto it haue saied These are thy Gods Israel that haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt Actes 19. v. 26. Demetrius a Heathen hath these words Heathens thought theirs Idols to be Gods Sirs you see and heare that this same Paul by persuasion hath auerted a great multitude not onely of Ephesus but almost of all Asia saying That they are no Gods which be made by hands CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 2. de Imagin c. 13. It is false that the Heathens did not thinke the idols to be Gods PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Caluin 1. Instit c. 11. § 9. Nether are the Heathēs to be thought They thought not so to haue beene so blockish as that they knew not that God was an other thing then stones and stockes Daneus Controuer 7. p. 1394. It is a lie that the Heathens did beleiue the Images of their Gods to haue beene their Gods themselues Zuinglius in Resp ad Valentin to 1. f. 247. The Heathens did no more account their Idols to be Gods then now we vse to account of our Images The like say Peter Martyr Controu Gardiner col 396. and Sadeel ad art 59. abiurat THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely teacheth that the idolaters did say that their molten calfe was their God that Demetrius a Heathen reprehēded S. Paul because he tought that they were no Gods which were made by mens hands The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that the Heathēs did not thinke stocks or stones to be their Gods that it is a lie that they thought the images of their Gods to be Gods themselues And yet these men who against the plaine testimonie of Scripture do defend the Heathens do accuse the Catholiks that they make Images their God THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER OF TEMPLES or materiall Churches Out of that which we haue rehearsed in this Chapter it appeareth that Protestants haue other kind of temples then the Scripture and Catholiks haue For the Scripture and Catholiks teach that temples or Churches are also for priuat praier that they are to be adorned and that images of Angels or Saintes are to be put in them all which Protestants denie and consequently they robe the Churches of one of their ends for which they are instituted and of their ornaments and holie Images CHAPTER IX OF BAPTISME ART I. WHETHER WATER BE necessarie to Baptisme SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. I HON 3. v. 5. Vnlesse a man be borne againe of Water necessarie to baptisme water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ephes 5. v. 26. As Christ also loued the Church deliuered himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it cleansing it by the lauer of water in the word CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent sess 7. com 2. If anie say that true and naturall water is not necessarie to baptisme be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Beza Epistola 2. vol. 3. Theol. Though water be wanting if Not necessarie the baptisme of one cannot nor ought to be differred with edification surely I would as well baptize with any other liquor as with water Polanus in Sylloge Thes part 2. p. 556. The externall and sensible matter of baptisme is water and that wanting an other liquor proportionable Festus Homius in Disput 45. We do not greatly denie but where no water can be had there some other liquor which hath the some vse that water hath and is very proportionable thereto may be vsed in the place thereof Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 367. Bellarmin and his do more restraine this essence of baptisme then our men are wonte to doe Whiles he auoucheth that pure water and that solemne forme In the name of the Father c. is simply in all places and times precisely necessarie Agayne Extraordinarily and in some most rare and vnusuall cases we do not deny but that some other kind of liquor which hath the same vse that water hath may be vsed The same teacheth Luther in Colloq Mensal cap. 15. and Riuet iudgeth it probable tractat 3. sect 3. Nether is it disliked by Saddel ad Artic. abiurat 11. CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture plainely saieth that vnlesse one be borne againe of water he cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen that Christ cleanseth his Church with the lauer of water The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that water is not simply necessarie that extraordinarily and in case of necessitie one may baptize in other liquor as well as in water that where water wanteth an other liquor proportionable may suffice Which is so euident a contradiction of Scripture as Protestants themselues sometimes confesse it See lib. 2. cap. 30. ART II. WHETHER INVOCATION of the holie Trinitie be necessarie in baptisme SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matthew 28. ver 19. Going teach ye all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holie Ghost CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Catechismus ad Parochos cap. de baptismo Pastors shall teach that this is the perfect and absolute
of Of it selfe nether good nor badde workes which of themseues are nether properly good nor badde Of this kind is fasting sobrietie and desire of keeping virginitie in those who haue the guift of continencie And c. 5. sect 39. Nether virginitie nor marriage we reckon amongst those things which simply and of theÌ„selues make vs better and more gratefull to God Daneus Contr. 5. p. 1045. Virginitie is no vertue but a thing No vertue indifferent And generally all Protestants when the Apostle calleth virginitie good in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will not haue him vnderstood of a good that is honest or vertuous but onely of a good that is profitable THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that virginitie is honest that it is a holines in bodie and soule that it is better and happier then marriage and that it is to be desired for the kingdome of heauen Catholiks say the same Protestants plainely say that virginitie is a thing indifferent is nothing not simply good not good of it nature not of it selfe a vertue not simply good not a vertue not wholy to be desired not required of God and in the religious a diuelish thing ART III. WHETHER THE STATE OF virginitie be better then the state of marriage SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Cor. 7. v. 38. He that ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth Virginitie better then marriage well and he that toyneth not doth better ver 40. More blessed shall she be if she so remaine CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 24. Can. 10. If anie shall say that it is not better and happier to abide in virginitie or single life then to marrie be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker ad Ration 8. Campiani Virginitie is neuer better Not better then marriage but in some sorte Marriage is often times simply better then virginitie Willet Controuers 15. quaest 5. pag. 806. Virginitie is Not more holie not a more holie and cleane thing in it selfe then marriage is before God in themselues nether is more holie then ether Confessio Witten bergeÌ„sis C. de votis We must not thinke Not more excellent that this kinde of single life is of selfe before the iudgment seat of God more excellent and more holie then marriage Luther Serm de Matrimonio to 5. f. 126. Single life in it Much more baste thou marriage Marriage a most diuine state selfe is much more baser then marriage And fol. 124. he calleth marriage a diuine life in 1. Cor. 7. f. 107. the highest religion and most spirituall state 107. truely heauenly spirituall and diuine state if it be compared with this spirituall state Againe We conclude that marriage is like gould and this spirituall state dung In Genes 2. to 6. fol. 26. To beget children is after preaching To get children is the cheifest worke of the word of God the cheifest worke And in c. 21. fol. 257. Married mens life consisteth in the highest degree of spirituall life Vrbanus Regius in locis to 1. f. 345. Preaching of the word Virginitie in it selfe baser then marriage of God maketh the state of virginitie better then marriage by reason of greater impediments which yet in it selfe is baser Bindebachius in Consensu cit p. 799. If you consider these kinds of life virginitie and marriage by themselues they are indifferent and before God nether is more holie then the other Caluin in 1. Cor. 7. v. 35. Here thou hast twoe things worth noting The one is to what end single life is to be desired to wit not for it selfe nor because it is a perfiter state In like manner Beza vpon the same place Serranus cont Hayum part 3. p. 159. If marriage be the Nothing better then mar-marriage seminarie of mankind if the ornament if the stay as all the Polititians euer taught can ther be any thing better or more excellent in life then marriage THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that virginitie is better and more happie then marriage The same say Catholiks Protestants expressâ—ly teach that virginitie is not a perfecter state theÌ„ marriage not more holie not more excellent that it is baser then marriage much baser that marriage is the highâ—â—â— religion most spirituall state and that in this life nothing is better or more excellent then marriage What religion I pray you haue these men whose cheife religion and most spirituall state is marriage and who account nothing in this life better then marriage to beget children the cheifest worke beside preaching ART IV. WHETHER GOD WOVLD haue men to liue single SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Cor. 7. v. 7. I would all men to be as my selfe Et v. 27. Art God exhorteth all to single life thou loose from a wife seeke not a wife Math. 19. v. 12 He that can take let him take Apocalips 14. v. 4. These are they which were not defiled with weomen For they are virgins These follow the lambe whether soeuer he shall goe CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in 1. Corinth 7. vers 8. The Spirit of God by the mouth of the Apostle exhorteth to constant virginitie and single life PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther in Disput to 1. f. 383. The word Increase and multiplie All commaÌ„ded to increase is naturally ingrafted and necessarily imposed generally vpon all that are men De votis to 2. f. 272. Plainely Christ did not counsaill virginitie but rather discouraged In 1. Cor 7. to 5. f. 105. Paul will haue vniuersally all to be married Serm. de Matrimonio S. Paul will haue all married f. 119. Increase and multiplie is not a precept but more theÌ„ a precept He is a baud that flieth marriage Epistola in Wofgangum to 7. f. 505. God pronounceth the sentence that he will God will haue none vnmarried haue none to be vnmarried but multiplie He that will liue vnmarried plainely fighteth against God To take a wife and to eate and drinke both alike are inforced by necessitie and God commandeth a like both to be done Et Epistol ad Equites Teuto 2. To marrie as necessarie as to eate or drinke Church men commanded to marrie Preists commanded to marrie Germ. Ienen fol. 214. The word of God commandeth Church men to marrie wiues Confessio Augustana c. de Coniugio Paul saieth that such a one is be chosen Bishop as is a husband Et Apologia eiusdem cap. 15. They bidde ws shew a precept which commandeth Preists to marrie as if Preists were not men Melancthon Resp ad Acta Ratisbon to 4. Paul will haue a Preist to be married Zuinglius in Paraenesi ad Heluetos to 1. f. 114. The holie Ministers commanded to marrie And Bishops Scripture is so farre from forbidding Ministers of the Church to marrie that it commandeth it more then once fol. 115. When they heare Paul in so expresse words commanding that a Bishop be married to a wife c. Bullinger in 1. Timoth.
to God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 2. 2. q. 164. art 1. The soule of man is immortall beasts soules are mortall Et 1. parte q. 118. art 2. It is heresie to say that a reasonable soule is transfused with the seed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther in Assert art 27. to 2. f. 107. I giue leaue that the Pope make articles of faith to his followers Such as are That bread and wine are transsubstantiated in the Sacrament That the soule is the substantiall forme of mans bodie That he is Emperour of the world and king of heauē and an earthlie God That the soule is immortall and all those infinit monsters in the Romish The soule is mortall dūghill of Decrees that such as his faith is such be his Ghospell such his faithfull such his Church and like lippes like lettuce and the pot may haue a fit couer And in the Margent Articles made of the Pope Zuinglius l. de Religione c. de Clauibus to 2. f. 187. But they do not so agree amongst themselues where the keyes were giuen that it is maruaile why the Pope of Rome seing he alone can iudge the Scripture as these men dreame hath not pronoūced by some lawe where they were giuen lest there should be so great dissension in a matter of so great moment or rather of profit For The soule dieth with the bodie he might easily for he hath decreed that soules do not die when the bodie dieth Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 543. There wāt not some among Infants perish like beasts Christiās who thinke that ether all Infants or some are quite extinguished by death as beasts are And he himselfe insinuateth that mans soule is not a pure spirit as appeareth by words cited in an other place Caluin in Explic. perfidiae Gentilis p. 677. Some Protestants did say that there is no shorter way to abolish the protection of Saintes superstitious praier for the dead the inuention of Purgatorie and such like then if we would beleiue death to be the destruction of the soule Soules perish Brentius homilia 35. in c. 20. Lucae apud Reginaldum l. 4. Caluinoturcismi cap. 5. Albeit there be no publike profession among vs that the soule perisheth with the bodie and that there is no resurrection of the dead yet that most vncleane and most profane life which the greatest parte of men follow clearely sheweth that in their mynd they thinke that there is no life after this life or at least that they doubt of the life to come No life after this Men are begotten euen according to the soule Besides they teach that mans soule is transfused with the seede Bergenses apud Hospin in Concordia discordi f. 104. Write that a mā is naturally begotten of his father and mother both according to bodie and soule Luther disput 2. to 2. fol. 500. Who shall thinke that the soule is by transfusion seemeth not to thinke amisse from the Scripture Et fol. 501. That is nothing which is saied A reasonable soule is infused whilest it is created and created it is infused Et Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 530. Luther thought that the soule was by transfusion Hutterus in Analysi Confess Augustanae art 2. p. 157. We Our Soules are not created but transfused resolue that that opinion seemeth more probable to vs which thinketh that soules are not infused of God but are propagated from parents to children by transfusion Peucerus apud Schlusselburg l. 2. Theol. Caluin art 6. I conclude that soules rise by transfusion Schlusselburg to 2. Catal. Haeret. p. 195. It appeareth sufficiently in the writings of Luther and Melancthon that they incline to this opinion which saieth that soules are by transfusion and they shew great arguments out of the Scripture Reineccius to 3. Armaturae cap. 6. We gather that soules are together with the bodies propagated from the parents into the children and not made of the seed as out of matter but of the soule of the parents as one candle is lightned of an other and that as the bodie so the soule is in the seed not actually but in power which being dead is raised vp by Gods gouernment But to teach that mans soules is by transfusion is in effect The Soule being dead it raised and deed to say it is mortall as the Protestants themselues confesse Pareus l. 4. de Amiss Grat. c. 11. Whether we say that soules are sowed with the bodies or immediatly transfused out of other soules as one light is kindled of an other we cannot defend the immortalitie of the soule any more Beza in Rom. 5. v. 12. Which opinion can no way be mantained but that the substance of mans soule must be diuisible and consequently corruptible Moreouer they teach that mans soule after his death sleepeth and feeleth nothing Luther in 2. Ionae to 4. f. 417. Scripture teacheth that the dead sleepe I thinke that they are so drowned with a meruailous The Soules sleepe and feele nothing and vnspeakable sleepe as they feele or see lesse then they that otherwise sleepe and when they shal be raised they shall not know where they haue beene or how they were sodainlie borne a new Ib. in c. 9. Eccles f. 36. Salomon seemeth to thinke that the dead sleepe so as they know nothing at all He described the dead like to sensles carcases Et f. 37. An other place that the dead feele nothing Salomon thought that the dead did wholy sleepe and feele nothing at all In cap. 25. Gen. to 6 f. 722. There is a great difference betwene the Saintes sleeping and Christ raigning they sleepe and know not what is done Caluin in Psychopanychia p. 388. I know manie good men into whose mynd some thing was instilled of this sleepe of the soules ether through to much readinesse to beleiue or through ignorance of Scriptures whereby they were not sufficiently instructed at the time for to resist whome I would not offend if I may Sleidan l. 9. Histor Luther teacheth out of Scripture that the soules of the dead do rest and expect the latter day of iudgment and he addeth that out of this Luther ouerthrew purgatorie But to teach that the soules haue no feeling is as much as to say that they are perished according to the verdict of the Protestants themselues For thus Beza epistola 82. To depriue the soule of motion and sense is alone as to kill the soule The same saieth Caluin lib. cit p. 391. Daneus Contr. 2. p. 160. Zuinglius in Exposit fidei tom 2. fol. 559. and in elencho fol. 37. Castalio also apud Bezam de puniendis Haereticis whose learning and honestie D. Humfrey ad Ration 1. Campiani saieth he well knew writeth thus Men dispute of the Trinitie of Predestination of free will of God of Angels of the state of soules after this life and of other such matters which nether are so necessarie to obtaine saluation by faith because without knowledge of
none euer anie haue contradicted the true sense of the Scripture the Protestants haue done it First because they haue as often and in as manie and as weightie matters contradicted the expresse words of Scripture as euer anie haue Secondly because they haue contradicted as expresse and cleare words and those as purposely spoaken to declare the Scriptures meaning as euer anie words were which anie haue cōtradicted Thirdly because they haue contradicted them in as plaine cleare and vsuall sense and which is confirmed by as manie circunstances and by light of reason and experience as euer anie words of Scripture were contradicted in Fourthly because they contradict these kind of words in this kind of sense with as euident want of the like words which may seeme plainly and directly of themselues without all inference or exposition of man to beare the contrarie sense as euer anie did Thou seest also what a maine difference there is betwene The differēce betwene the grounds of the Cath. and Protest faith the foundations of the Catholik and Protestant beleefe touching these articles For whereas the foundation of the Protestant beleife concerning the Eucharist is no expresse word of God which is purposely spoaken to declare this matter and which of it selfe without all helpe of man doth plainely and directly pronounce that it is such as they beleiue but ether mans word onely or mans discourse framed at least out of one humane principle the foundation of the Catholik faith is Gods expresse and cleare word spoaken of him purposely for to declare what the Eucharist is which of it selfe without anie helpe of vs clearely and directly auoucheth that the Eucharist is such as Catholiks beleiue it to be and against which words no other expresse words of God directly contrarie to these can be opposed but onely humane arguments and discourses These as S. Austin speaketh are the proofes of our course these the foundations these the strength Whatsoeuer Lib. de vnit c. 19. In Psal 21. they gayne say men say but this God saieth Yet let vs heare what it is which men say against God They except saieth Caluin that they haue the word by 4. Instit c. 17. §. 25. which the will of God is made manifest A most iust exception doubtles especially in matters of faith and such as cannot be knowne but by Gods word and against them who so much brag of Gods word For if we haue Gods word we haue also Gods meaning vnlesse they can demonstrate the contrarie Whereupon well saied Tertullian Ether denie that these are written or who art thou that Contr. Praxeam c. 23. thou thinkest that they are not to be vnderstood as they are written Forsooth saieth Caluin if we giue them leaue to banish out Loco cit §. 20 of the Church the guift of interpretation which may bring light to the word Againe We vsing daily studie do embrace that sense which the Holie Gost doth suggest And once more The reuerence of Christs words is not a pretext iust enough why they should so reiect all the reasons which we obiect Behould Reader once more the difference betwene the Catholik and Caluins faith The Catholik faith by the aduersaries confession What Caluin opposeth against the expresse word of God is grounded vpon the expresse and plaine words of God Caluins faith relieth vpon his guift of interpretation his studie the suggestions of his spirit his reasons which he dare oppose yea prefer before the expresse word of God But we demand that seing we haue for vs the expresse word of God wherewith Gods will touching the Eucharist is made manifest he produce the like word of God whereby it may be made manifest that the Caluinists haue the guift of interpretation rather then the Catholiks or the Lutherans or anie sorte of Christians or that that guift of interpreting which interpreteth Gods expresse words spoaken by him of supernaturall matters of purpose to declare what they are contrarie to their vsuall sense is the guift of God But if he cannot produce anie such word of God it were starke madnesse to forsake Gods expresse word and the plaine meaning thereof which besides Sacramentaries all Christians els do embrace and to follow a guift of interpretation ether vncertaine or feigned Besides Protestants do banish the guift of infallible interpretation out of the Church in saying that she may erre in matters of faith and interpretatation of Scripture why then do they in this matter pretend such a guift and oppose it against Gods expresse words Moreouer to expound words which by their owne confession are most cleare is no other thing then as S. Austin saieth to cast darknesse vpon cleare light Nether Serm. 14. de verbis Apost banish we the guift of interpretation out of the Church which neuer interpreted these words but in their natiue and vsuall sense but we denie that Heretiks haue the guift of interpreting the Scripture and affirme that their new expositiō directly contrarie to Gods words both expresse and of purpose spoaken to declare this matter and condemned by Gods Church is no interpretation but a deprauation and corruption Furthermore we reiect no interpretation which may bring light to the word but we denie that Caluins interpretation is such but rather quite extinguisheth the cleare light of the word For what greater darknesse can be cast vpon light then in expresse words spoaken of purpose to declare a matter and by which a new doctrine is deliuered a new Sacrament instituted a last will is made and which were spoaken of the Maister of trueth vnto his disciples when he was to forsake them to expound Is by Is not and Body giuen for you by A bare figure or Signe thereof And thus we haue heard what Caluin opposeth against Gods expresse word now let vs see how he would diminish the force and authoritie of the same I confesse saieth he that they haue the word A confession surely much to be esteemed especially proceeding In Act. 9. v. 21. from such an aduersarie as is accustomed to crie That Papists find no weapons for them in the Scripture But he should also haue confessed as the trueth is that Protestants haue not such a word to wit which plainely and directly denieth the Eucharist to be the bodie and blood of Christ For thereby it would haue appeared more clearelie whether Catholiks or Protestants find the better weapons in the Scripture But he addeth Yet such a word as the Anthropomorphites had when they made God to haue a bodie Yea such a word as thou or anie Christian hath when he maketh God to haue beene incarnated to haue suffered to haue risen againe and to haue ascended to heauen and as I dare say a clearer word also if the words themselues and the foresaied circunstances be considered So that Differences betwene the Cath. and the Anthropomorphites more iustly may anie Heretik who denieth the foresaied mysteries obiect to thee the example
they change into particulars whensoeuer they make against them Which is so great and so manifest an abuse of Scripture as What some Protestants thing of turning vniuersall propositions into particulars some of themselues crie out against it For thus Iacobus Andreae in Colloq Montisbel p. 418. speaketh to Beza It is impietie to exclude anie man from this vniuersall promise p. 419. It is manifest impietie and abhominable doctrine contrarie to the expresse letter to make a particular promise of an vniuersall Et pag. 421. It is horrible to heare so manifest an vniuersall proposition to be made a particular Wherefore I thus frame my eight argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are compelled in so manie and so great matters to change so manie and so manifest vniuersall propositiōs of the holie Scripture into particulars they are to be iudged to gainsay the true sense of the Scripture But Protestants do so Therefore c. And the more forcible this argument ought to be against them because themselues teach That as often as there is an vniuersall proposition in Scripture it must not be limited by anie distinction vnlesse that be grounded vpon certaine and cleare words of Scripture For otherwise euerie doctrine may be deluded by subtilitie of distinctions So Gerlachius tom 2. disp 24. CHAPTER IX THAT PROTESTANTS DO LIMITATE manie vnlimited Propositions of the Scripture MY ninth argument that Protestants contradict the true sense of Scripture I will take frō thence that they are forced to limitate manie vnlimitated propositions of Scripture touching great matters as of God of Christ of the Church and the like For if we proue that God doth not at all tempt to euil Touching God because S. Iames saieth absolutely c. 1. v. 13. God is no tempter of euill and he tempteth no man P. Martyr in locis clas 1. c. 15. § 9. answereth When Iames denieth that God tempteth he denieth it not altogether but in that sorte in which those carnall Christians of his time did affirme him to tempt as if they when they sinned had not beene in fault Caluin vpon this place He speaketh here of inward temptations which are nothing but inordinate desires which prouoke vs to sinne And he rightly denieth God to be author of them Pareus l 2. de Amiss Grat. c. 8. Iames doth not remoue from God simply all temptation but onely the inward temptation and such as may make a man excusable If we proue that God willeth not iniquitie at all that is nether for it selfe nor for anie other thing because ps 1. v. 5. it is saied without anie limitation Thou wilst not iniquitie they limitate this saying manie waies as that God willeth not iniquitie for it selfe or by his word or by allowance or delighte in it as appeareth by what we rehearsed l. 1. c. 2. art 1. If we proue that God of himselfe willeth not the death of anie man because he saieth Ezech. 33. v. 11. I will not the death of the wicked and c. 18. v. 32. I will not the death of him that dieth Zanchius l. 3. de Nat. Dei c. 4. q. 4. answereth If thou vrgest the word I will not the death of a sinner and that God speaketh of his good pleasure I say that place is to be vnderstood of the elect onely Beza 2. art resp ad Acta Montisbel p. 196. That restriction of conuersion sheweth that this is to be vnderstood onely of them to whome is graunted the grace of conuersion which surely is proper to the elect Piscator in Thesib l. 2. p. 187. The Prophet speaketh not here of euerie sinner but of him onely that is conuerted But Luther lib. de seru arbitr tom 2. fol. 450. saieth God willeth manie things which by his word he sheweth that he willeth not So he will not the death of a sinner to wit by word but he willeth it by his vnsearchable will If we proue that God willeth the conuersion of euerie sinner because he saieth without limitation Ezech. 33. v. 11. I will not the death of the wicked but that he be conuerted and liue Caluin l. de Praedest p. 786. and de Prouident p. 737. answereth God is saied to will life as he is saied to will pennance and this he willeth because by his words he inuiteth all to it but this is not contrarie to his secret counsaile wherein he hath decreed to conuert none but his elect Piscator in Thesibus lib. 2. pag. 236. saieth That God speaketh there of the wicked who is conuerted If we proue that Christ euen as he is God would gather those who will not be gathered because he saieth absolutely Math. 23. v 37. How often would I gather together thy children as the hen doth goth gather together her chickins vnder her wings and thou wouldest not Perkins de Praedest tom 1. col 157. answereth I say that Christ speaketh here not as he was God but as he was minister of the circumcision The same saieth Luther lib. cit fol. 451. and others If we proue that God calleth euen the reprobate because he saieth without limitation Apocal. 3. v. 20. I stand at the dore and knock Perkins loc iam cit answereth Those at whose dore Christ standeth are the faithfull and the conuerted If we proue that God euen by inward vocation calleth the reprobate because without all limitation it is saied Math. 23. v. 37. How often would I gather thy Children And Isaiae 65. v. 2. I haue spred fourth my hands all the day to an incredulous people And c. 5. v. 4. What is there that I ought to doe more to my vineyard and haue not done to it Et Prou. 1. v. 24. I haue called and you haue refused Contra-remonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 245. seq limitate all these sayings onely to outward calling And Pareus l. 1. de Grat. lib. arb c. 11. to onely calling by outwarde means After which manner Protestants also limitate those words Math. 22. v. 14. Manie are called but few are chosen If we proue that men may resist the holie Ghost speaking within them because without limitation it is saied Acts 7. v. 51. You haue alwaies resisted the holie Ghost Caluin ib. answereth They are saied to resist the holie Ghost who obstinately reiect him speaking by the Prophets for here is no speach of inward reuelations which God inwardly inspireth to anie but of the outward ministerie If we proue that Christ did not teach his Apostles all Touching Christ the points of faith because himselfe saieth Ioan. 16. v. 12. Yet manie things I haue to say to you but you cannot beare them now But when he the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth they limite this to rites and discipline Beza ib These words are to be vnderstood of those things which pertained to the execution of the Apostolicall function and foundation of Churches If we proue that Christ was Mediator of
all men because it is saied 1. Tim. 2. v. 6. One Mediator of God and men the man Iesus Christ they limite this to the elect faithfull Beza Epist 28. It is false that Christ is mediator also of the infidels In like sorte Hunnius de Iustif pag. 179. restraineth that saying Hebr. 5. ver 9. He was made to all that obey him cause of eternall saluation to obedience in faith If we proue that vnwritten traditions of faith are to be Touching Traditions beleiued because S. Paul saieth without limitation 2. Thessal 2. ver 15. Stand and hould the traditions which you haue learned whether it be by word or by our epistle they limite this to onely traditions of rites or ceremonies Whitaker Contr. 1. q. 6. cap. 10. Other Protestantes thinke that Paul speaketh of certaine externall matters and rites of no great moment Academia Nemaus Resp ad Tournon pag. 554. By the word Tradition in the Apostles writings is meant ether the application and right handling of doctrine or the appointing of rites and discipline If we proue that Christ committed all his sheepe to S. Touching S. Peter Peter because without anie limitation he saieth to him Ioan. 21. v. 17. Feed my sheepe Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 5. cap. 5. answereth Christ doth not say to Peter Feed all my sheepe but speaketh indefinitely And Beza ib. in vers 15. Must Gods word be thus profaned Surely Christ did not adde All and the difference betwixt vniuersall and indefinite propositions is well knowne As if Protestants did not as well limitate vniuersall propositions as indefinite as appeared in the former chapter Besides Daneus Contr. 3. p. 127. faithfull An indefinite What Protest say of an indefinite proposition proposition is equiualent to an vniuersall And Caluin in 1. Ioan. 3. v. 3. An indefinite speach is as much as an vniuâ—â—sall And 4. Instit c. 17. § 29. It is our parte whatsoeuer is absolutely spoake of Christ so to embrace as without exception that take place with vs which he would say If we proue that the Church is alwaies famous and visible Touching the Church because Isaie c. 2. v. 2. saieth without limitation of time And in the latter dayes the mountaine of the house of our Lord shall be prepared in the top of mountaines and shal be eleuated aboue the litle hilles and all nations shall flow vnto it Et c. 61. ver 9. And they shall know their seed in the Gentils and their budde in the middest of peoples And Miche 4. v. 8. And the remanent of Iacob shall be in the Gentils in the middest of manie peoples as a Lion amoÌ„g the beasts of the forest Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 2. c. 2. answereth The Prophets foretell that no kingdome shal be so glorious no cittie so ample no Empire so large as the Church shal be in the times of the Messias But we neuer read that the Lord hath promised that this maiestie and glorie of the Church shal be constant and perpetuall Et Morton in Apolog. part 1. l. 1. c. 13. The league is indeed perpetuall but this so admirable successe is not alwaies so vniuersall but in a manner peculiar to the age of the Apostles If we proue that the Pastors of the Church be alwaies visible because Christ saieth of them Math. 5. v. 15. A cittie cannot be hid situated vpon a mountaine Whitaker loc cit answereth Albeit Christ say that godlie Doctors and Pastors shall not be obscure nor escape the sight of men yet he saieth not that there shal be alwaies such Doctors which may be as visible as mountaines If we proue that the Church is the pillar of all trueth of faith because S. Paul 1. Timoth. 3. ver 15. without anie limitation calleth her the pillar and strength of trueth Whitake Contr. 2. q. 4. c. 2. answereth In this place is meant not simply all trueth but onely necessarie trueth And Vorstius in Antibel p. 143. The Apostle speaketh not of euerie trueth that howsoeuer pertaineth to religion but onely of holesome trueth or which is necessarie to saluation and that conditionally also to wit so long as she shall remayne the true Church of Christ If we proue that the Church is alwaies infallible in faith because without limitation to anie time she is called loc cit The pillar and strength of trueth P. Martyr in locis clas 4. c. 4. § 21. saieth I graunt She is indeed the pillar of trueth but not alwaies but when she relieth vpon the word of God Confessio Heluet. c. 17. She erreth not as long as she relieth vpon the rock Christ and the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Daneus Contr. 4. p. 717. The place of Paul speaketh of the visible Church which on earth is the keeper of heauenlie doctrine so long as she is true Bullinger Dec 4. Serm. 5. The Church erreth not so long as she heareth the voice of her Spouse and Pastor Herbrandus in Compend loc de Eccles She erreth not so long as she houldeth and followeth the word of God Of we proue that the Church is to be heard simply in all things because our Sauiour without anielimitation saieth Math. 18. v. 19. If he will not heare the Church let him be to thee as an Ethnik and Publican Whitaker lib. 1. de Scriptura c. 13. sect 1. answereth The Sonne of God himselfe commanded to heare the voice of the Church but not preaching anie thing but Scripture Herbrand loc cit saieth the Church is to be heard as long as she preacheth heauenlie and incorrupt doctrine Moulins in his Buckler p. 84. limitateth this speach of Christ to quarrels betwixt particular men and not to questions of religion The like saied Feild l. 4. de Eccles c. 4. and others If we proue that the Church in teaching cannot erre because Isaias saieth c. 59. v. 21. This is my couenant with them saieth our Lord My spirit is in thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouth and out of the mouth of thy seed and out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saieth our Lord from this present for euer Whitaker libr. 1. de Scriptura cap. 11. sect vlt. answereth This promise is not made to the teaching Church but to the whole Church that is to the elect If we proue that the militant Church is perpetuall because the Scripture saieth that Christs kingdome shal be perpetuall Daneus Contr. 4. p. 718. answereth All these places and the like properly pertaine to that Church which God shall gather in heauen not on earth If we proue that the visible Church is alwaies the true Church because she is called 1. Timoth 3. the pillar of trueth Daneus loc cit pag. 721. answereth Let him know that the visible Church then and so long is saied to be the true Church as long as the voice of heauenlie and Euangelicall trueth soundeth in her If we proue that the visible Church cannot
doctrine of the law not of the Ghospell Caluin ib. We gather that this answere of Christ is according to the law Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 6. col 543. That all be bound vnder payne of losse of eternall life to doe good and auoid sinne is a sentence of the law and must and ought to be corrected and restrained by the Protestant Ghospell or by remission of sinnes Peter Martyr in Rom. 11. That saying Forgiue and it shal be forgiuen is a precept and therefore pertaineth to the law Melancthon in Apologia tom 3. c. de argumentis The promise of reconciliation and of eternall life is free but proper legall promises are added for workes as who shall giue a draught of water shall not want his reward Wherefore thus I frame my eleuenth argument Who not onely contradict the expresse words of Scripture but also are compelled to turne conditionall propositions of Scripture into absolute and to delude them diuers other waies do contradict also the sincere meaning of the Scripture But thus doe Protestants Therefore c. CHAPTER XII THAT PROTESTANTS CHANGE manie causall propositions of Scripture into not causall THE 12. argument for to proue that Protestants contradict the true sense of Scripture shal be because they are compelled in manie and weightie controuersies to turne causall propositions into not causall For is we proue that Christ was exalted for his humiliation because it is saied Philippen 2. ver 8. He humbled himselfe made obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse For For the which thing God hath exalted him Caluin ibid. answereth That illatiue particle wherefore in this place signifieth rather consequence then cause And 2. Instit c. 17. § vlt. The solution is easie that Paul there speaketh not of the cause of Christs exaltation but onely sheweth the consequence And Daneus Controuer 2. pag. 201. The particle For which sheweth the order and continuation of the speach not the cause for which If we proue the same out of those wordes Hebrew 2. ver 9. We see Iesus because of the passion of death crowned with glorie and honour Caluin ib. answereth Because of the passion of death is as much as if he had saied Christ hauing died was raised to this glorie which he hath gotten For the meanes onely that I may so speake of obtaining glorie is declared If we proue that confession of faith is cause of saluatiō as faith is cause of iustification out of those words Rom. 10. ver 10. For with heart we beleiue vnto iustice but with the To. mouth confesson is made to saluation Caluin ib. answereth We must not gather thereof that confession is cause of saluation he ment onely to tell how God doth perfect our saluation It is a necessitie of perpetuall consequence not that he attributeth saluation to confession Hunnius lib. de Iustificat p. 186. saieth That Confession to saluation is the same that confession of saluation Which the Electorall Ministers in Colloq Aldeburg p. 295. affirme to be a corruption of Scripture If we proue that keeping of the commandements is cause of our freindship with God by those words Ioan. 15. v. 14. You are my freinds if you doe the things that I commād If. you Caluin ib. answereth He meaneth not that we get so much honour by anie merit of ours but onely admonisheth vs vpon what condition he receaueth vs into grace and vouchsafeth to reckon vs among his freinds If we proue that the forgiuenesse of our sinnes dependeth vpon our forgiuing of others out of those words Luc. 11. v. 4. Forgiue vs our sinnes for because our selues also do Because forgiue euerie one that is in debt to vs. Caluin in Math. 6. v. 11. answereth Neuerthelesse forgiuenesse which we demand for our selues dependeth not of that which we giue but by this means Christ would exhorte vs to forgiue all offenses and withall confirme more our trust of forgiuenesse as it were by fealing it Nether skilleth it that in Luke is the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is as much as For because or For because Christs meaning was not to note the cause but onely to aduertise what kind of mind we ought to haue towards our brethren whiles we seeke to be reconciled to God If we proue that by charitie we be made the sonnes of God out of those words Math. 5. ver 45. But I say to you That loue your enemies doe good to them that hate you and pray for them that persecure and abuse you that you may be the children of your father which is in heauen Calum ib. answereth Vnderstand not that by our beneficence we become the children of God But because the same Spirit which is witnesse assurance and seall of our free adoption doth correct the naughtie affectiōs of the flesh which are contrarie to charitie Christ proueth by the effect that no others are the children of God but those who resemble him in clemencie and meeknes If we proue that loue is the cause of forgiuing sinnes by those words Luc. 7. v. 47. Manie sinnes are forgiuen her Because because she hath loued much Aretius in locis part 1. fol. 84. answereth Because is taken ostentiuely not causatiuely This is so necessarie as the place cannot be otherwise vnderstood The like hath Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 4. Polanus in disp priuat 36. If we proue that keeping of the commandments is cause of obtaining what we pray for out of those words 1. Ioan. 3. v. 22. Whatsoeuer we shall aske we shall receaue of Because him because we keep his commandements Caluin ibidem answereth He meaneth not that our trust in praier consisteth in our workes but this onely he vrgeth that pietie and sincere worshippe of God cannot be seperated from faith Nether must it seeme absurd that he vseth the causall particle though he meane not of the cause for the inseperable accident vseth sometime to be put for the cause If we proue that workes are cause of reward out of these words Math. 16. ver 27. He will render to euerie man According according to his workes Caluin ibid. answereth As often as reward is promised to good workes the cause of saluation is not shewed but the faithfull are onely encouraged to doe well because they are assured that they shall not leese their labour If we proue that good workes are cause of eternall happines out of these words Math. 25. v. 34. Possessethe For. kingdome c. For I was hungrie and you gaue me to eate And c. 25. v. 23. Because thou hast beene faithfull ouer a few things I will place the ouer manie things enter into the ioy of thy Lord. And Apocal. 7. ver 14. These are they which are come out of Therefore great tribulation c. therefore they are before the throne of God Pareus lib. 5. de Iustificat c. 3. saieth The answere of all Protestants is that the causall particle in the
be taken metaleptically Zuinglius in Math. 24. tom 4. Saluation is to be attributed Metaleptically to nothing how holie soeuer but to the pure and mere grace of God And if in Scripture any thing be attributed to those things that is done by metalepticall and synecdochicall speaches Vrsinus in Catechis q. 63. Faith is our iustice is vnderstood correlatiuely and metaleptically and otherwise falsely Agayne Faith is correlatiuely imputed to iustice by metalepsis Scarpius Contr. 7. de Iustific It is taken correlatiuely and by metalepsis Tilenus in Syntagm c. 56. We attribute the cause of saluation not to faith it selfe properly but onely metaleptically To those I adde that Zuinglius in Hebr. 6. tom 4. saieth We thinke that these things are rightly saied by hyperoches as Christ speaketh that Math. 18. of power to binde and loose And when the Angel praieth for the people Zachariae 1. Bullinger l. de orig Erroris c. 8. saieth It is in hypotyposis suffiguration of a thing present Oftentimes they will haue the words of Scripture opposite Metonymically to them to be taken metonymically Zuinglius lib. de Pec. orig to 2. f. 156. This is that which I would That originall sinne is not truely but metonymically termed sinne That Paul saieth All haue sinned the word of sinning is put metonymically Caluin in Math. 26. v. 26. None that is conuersant in Scripture will denie but that a sacramentall speach is to be taken metonymically Beza in Resp altera ad Selnener p. 270. The names of Bodie and Blood are not attributed to bread and wine but metonymically Daneus Cont. 4. c. 4. This speach Faith iustifieth vs is metonymicall for the continent is taken for the contained Et Cont. de Euchar. c. 1. The sacramentall bread is here metonymically termed the bodie of Christ Whitaker Contr. 4. q. 1. c. 2. The Church is saied to be founded in the Apostles metonymically not properly Bucanus in Institut loco 48. This proposition is figuratiue and that not simply metaphoricall or allegoricall but metonymicall Piscator in Thes l. 2. p. 512. God to haue saued vs by the lauer of regeneration Tit. 3. ether is not meant of baptisme or if it be it is spoaken metonymically Agayne Regeneration is made by baptisme metonymically Sometimes they will haue them to be spoaken metaphorically Metaphorically Zuinglius in Subsid tom 2. fol. 247. We say that the figure of this speach of the Supper is to be expounded by a metaphor Thou saiest there is a metonymie where no metonymie is properlie Caluin in Math. 3. v. 12. The speach of euerlasting fire is metaphoricall In Refutat Catalani There is no speaâ—h here Ioan. 3. of baptisme but the name of water is metaphorically attributed to the Spirit Musculus in locis tit de Caena The bodie of the Lord is eaten improperly and metaphorically But it is wonderous how manie and what kinds of figures How manie figures they find in foure words The Lutherans they deuise in those foure plaine words of consecration This is my bodie For the Lutherans albeit the will haue theÌ„ to be vnderstood according to the letter yet in Hosp part 2. Hist f. 352. say In this proposition This is c. the affirmation is beside nature and not according to nature Selneccer ib. will haue it to be an vnusuall speach Heshusius in Beza in dial cont eum I say quoth he that it is an vnusuall kinde of speach contrarie to all the rules of Logicians and RhetoriciaÌ„s Hemingius in Enchir. clas 3. saieth It is not a philosophicall kind of speach but diuine Lobechius disput 12. The words are taken properly but the manner of speaking is singular and vnusuall Hutter in Anal. CoÌ„f. Aug calleth it an vnusuall speach that is mysticall and singular and that the letter is kept in regard of euerie word but that the manner of speaking is vnusuall in regard of the whole propositioÌ„ AdaÌ„ FraÌ„ in Margarita Theol. loc 16. It is a speach not regular nor figuratiue but vnusuall contrarie to the order of nature And the like hath Reineccius to 4. Arm. c. 16. Finally Grauerus in Absurdis Caluin c 1. sec 7. vlt. saieth that it is a dominatiue speach But in Antithes p. 410. saieth that Lutherans put a gramaticall synecdoche not rhetoricall Amongst the Sacramentaries as appeareath by The Sacramentaries what hath beene alreadie rehearsed some will haue to be here a Catachresis some a synechdoche some alleosis others a metaphor and others a metonymie Likewise some will haue the figure to be in the word This others in the word Is and others in the word Bodie And as Kikerman writeth libr. 3. System Theol. p. 445. There are manie that say There is no figure nether in the Predicate nor in the verbe but in the connexion of the Predicate with the Subiect that is in the forme of this proposition Polanus in Sylloge thes part 1. de Caena There is a threfould figure in these words This is c. Synechdoche of the gender a metaphor and a metonymie of the Subiect Ramus in Schlusselb l. 1. Theol. Caluin artic 22. will haue three figures in these words Aretius ib. saieth that this speach of Christ is ether metaphoricall or catachresticall or metonymicall Pencier ib. In these words of Christ ether there is a metaphor or a metonymie or a synechdoche or alleosis Et Zuinglius in Hospin part 2. f. 143. These words This is c. are not to be vnderstood naturally and in the proper sense of the words but symbolically denominatiuely and metonymically Thus as Tertullian saied Cap. 27. of the Valentinians They turne all into figures and images being themselues imaginarie men And as Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 4. writeth Nothing is more easie then to say It is a trope a figure a phrase of speach an Hebraisme as Austine grauely noteth Wherefore I argue thus in the 21. place Who beside their foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture doe also in so manie and so weightie matters delude the proper sense of the words of Scripture by so manie kinds of figures they contradict the true sense of the holie Scripture But so doe Protestants Therefore c. CHAPTER XXII THAT PROTESTANTS ARE FORCED to coine manie distinctions friuolous voluntarie opposite to themselues and vnheard of before THE 22. argument which we will make for to shew that Protestanrs contradict the true meaning of the holie Scripture is because they are coÌ„pelled to deuise manie distinctions friuolous voluntarie contrarie to themselues and neuer heard of before Their friuolous distinctions are of this sorte Dauid sinned indeed but neuer committed sinne It is an other thing to sinne and an other to commit sinne As we related lib. 1. c. 16. art 12. Zanchius de Perseuer tom 7. maketh this distinction Friuolous distinctions Saintes slide into sinne but doe not foreslide Lambert ib. The elect oftentimes doe erre but yet are neuer lead into error