from that went before or followeth after must ballance beare more sway and credit for m Although the Fathers in their writings do approve our religion Yet it is not therefore that we coÌ„deÌ„ne the Papists because their religion differeth froÌ„ the writings of the Fathers but because it is contrary vnto the Scriptures condemning vs of errâ—r then the writers liues selfe deedes their practise profession other their workes or never so many apparant testimonies of theirs to the contrary for the truth of our religion Resolution of the 26. Reason Popish Religion is that of which the foure acknowledged Doctours of holy Church S. Ambrose S. Hiereme Augustine S. Gregorie were both professours and stout defenders Ergo Poperie is true Religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 IF the Papists acknowledge but fowre Doctours of the Church then what thinke they of the rest of the Fathers both Greeke and Latine of the Primitiue Church whereof many were ancienter then these fowre which they acknowledge Doe not they deserue to bee tearmed Doctours of the Church 2 These fowre Doctours which they acknowledge were not Popish Massing Priests as the Suppliants impudentlie conclude vpon the bare mustering of their names 3 I cannot stand here to examine their particuler allegations by one only a man may iudge of all the rest Augustin say the Suppliants wrote three books Delibere Arbitrie therfore he approved free will They might as wel haue concluded Augustine wrote a booke De Mendacio therefore he approved lyes Or Augustine wrote a booke De duabus Ammis therefore he approved two soules Whosoeuer shall reade Augustines books of Free-will shall presently see that Augustine directly wrote against the Popish Free-will which Sixtus Senensis a Papist acknowledgeth therfore reproveth Augustine for his doctrine concerning that point Sixt. Sen. in praefat lib. 5. Biblioth Heereby a man may see the Suppliants honestie in citing the Fathers 4 These fowre Doctors in the principall points of Popish Religion are against the Papists Hierom refuseth the book of Wisdome Ecclesiasticus Iudeth Tobias and the Machabies as Apocryphall in Prolog Galeat in lib. Reg. Praefat. in Esdr Nehem. And so doth Gregory the books of Machabies In Iob. lib. 19. cap. 17. Augustine saith Christ is our Mediatour according to both his natures Hom. de ovib cap. 12. de Consens Evang. lib. 1. cap. 35. Enchr. cap. 108. Ambrose saith that the reliques of concupiscence in the regenerate are sinnes as Augustine witnesseth Contra Iul. lib. 2. c. 5. this also is Augustines owne opinion Contra Iulian. Pelag. l. 5. c. 3. Tract 41. in Ioan. in Ps 118. Conc. 3. Hierome saith that the Saintes knowe not what is done in earthe In Epitaph Nepotian So saith Augustine also Lib. de cura pro mort c. 13. 16. in Psal 108. lib. de Spir. Anim. c. 29. They teach also that Saints must not be worshipped Aug. de ver relig cap 55. De civit Dei lib. 22. cap. 10. lib. 8. cap. 27. lib. Confess 10. cap. 42. lib. de morib Eccles c. 34. Augustine saith wee are iustified in Christ not in our selues Aug. de verb. Apost Serm. 6. De Spir. lit cap. 26. de fid et op cap. 14. epist 120. cap. 30. So also teacheth Hierome in 2. Cor 5. And Ambrose Epist 71. And Gregorie Moral lib. 9. cap. 14. lib. 21. cap. 15. lib. 5. cap. 7. et lib. 9. cap. 28. et in Ezech. Hom. 7. sub fin in Psal 1 paenit Ambrose saith that wee are iustified by faith ONLY in 1. Cor. 1. et in Rom. 4. So saith Augustine also Serm. 181. de Temp. et contra 2. Epist Pelag lib. 1. cap. 21. Gregorie calleth him Antichrist that calleth himselfe Oecumenicall Bishop or head of the Church lib. 6. epist ex registr c. 194. lib. 4. Ep. 36. et 39. et lib. 7. ep 69. I cannot stand vpon particulars and therefore questionlesse no idolatours no Massing-Priestes no merit-mongers no disciples of Antichrist no Papistes but true and faithful Christians whose doctrine and vertues the Protestants professe and practise II To the Consequence 1 IF these four Doctors had professed defeÌ„ded Popery yet were not Popery therfore true religioÌ„ because the Fathers were subiect vnto Errour yea erred oftentimes Tertullian was a Montanist embraced the errour of the Chiliastes Cyprian taught rebaptisation Hierome coÌ„demned second marriages Chrysostome was infected with Pelagianisme c. 2 It is the Word of GOD only not the profession of the Doctors of the Church that is the rule square of true religion Reason of Religion 27 27. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion of whose doctrine communion in Sacraments a Vntruth all the Saints in the Kalendar the b As the Gentiles had their tutelares Deos Penates so haue the Papistes theirs also patrons of Churches countries coÌ„verters of Nations to Christianity all personages of either sexe memorable for holines for renouncing the world for mortifying their appetites for surrendring their wills or for any other excellent true vertue were so lived and died as the authenticall legends of their liues and other ecclesiastical writings do testifie and beare apparent record to the whole world Resolution of the 27. Reason Popish religion is that which all the Saintes in the Kalendar all personages memotable for holines professed Ergo. Popery is true Religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 IT is false that all such as are named in the Kalendar professed Poperie 2 If they did so yet were that no sufficient argument to prove the truenesse of Popishe religioÌ„ for the reasons before specified Reason of Religion 28 28. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion not destitute of any kind of proofe but her positions coÌ„firmable by a Prove this take all Scriptures by Apostolicall institutious by Councels occumenicall provinciall by Fathers Doctors reasoÌ„s histories chronologies prophesies visions revelations miracles traditions by all these other like heads we say confirmable without wrest straine or flying to tropes or figuratiue speeches So that these words in the Canticles seeme only verified of b Nothing lesse Cantic 4. v. 4. our church religion Thy necke that is the puissant of Christes Church is as the towre of David vvhich is built with bulwarkes a thousand shielde s hange on it all the armour of the strong Resolution of the 28. Reason Popish religion is confirmed by Scriptures Aposto licall Institutions by Counceis Fathers Doctors reasons histories chronologies prophesies visions revelations meracles traditions Ergo. Poperie is true religion and consequently to bee tolerated ANSWERE 1 THe Antecedent is a ridiculous begging of the question 2 If the Suppliants wil prove but the first particle therof to wit that Popish religion is confirmed by the Scriptures we wil grant thern the whole argument though otherwise also it be very
his Synagogue wee confesse but not from Christ and his true Church 3 The Pope is that Robber that Thiefe that Destroyer of the Sheepe who first departed and fel away froÌ„ Christ our Lord. But vve being the Lords Sheepe departed fell away from the Pope We separated our selues not froÌ„ the Church but from the robber and worrier of the sheep in the Church 4 Our separation cannot indeede properly bee tearmed a going out a departing a falling away or Aâ—ostasie but a Renunciation of Apostasie VVherein wee haue imitated the Patriarks the Prophets Christ himselfe and his Apostles In the time of Enosch the Godly separated themselues from the rabble of the wicked had their private meetings wherein they applyed the holy exercises of devotion and Religion calling vpon the name of the Lord. Gen. 4.26 Paule separated the Disciples from the rest of the Iewes vvho vvilfully and obstinately resisted the Gospel of Christ 5 We in like manner haue separated our selues not as Heretikes are wont to doe from the Church of Christ but which all good Christians ought to doe from the coÌ„tagion of wicked men and of Hypocrites 6 The Cardinals the false Bishops and all the rest of the Popish faction haue made a plaine and manifest Apostasie from the faith of Christ Iesus because they fell from the wholesome doctrine comprehended in the writings of the Prophets Apostles from the pure worship of GOD from the right administration and vse of the Sacramentes and also from holy discipline in manners And therefore the Papists be they that went out that segregated themselues that made dissentions and scandals contrary to the doctrine they had learned not the Protestants 7 Who appeale vnto this Faith from which they fell away vnto the holy Scriptures albeit they stil inculcate vnto vs the faith of the Popish Synagogue the Decrees and Decretals and the auctority of the Romish Pope for they see they cannot stand if iudgment be made of their doctrine according vnto the rule and square of the holy Scriptures no more then the auncient Heretikes could Tertul. de Resurrect Carnis cap. 3. II To the Consequence The Consequence hath no coherence with the Antecedent For our doctrine is not therefore new because we went out departed and separated our selues from the society and communion of the Popish Church seeing we we are expresly commanded vpon paine of eternal damnation to goe forth of Babylon Apoc. 18.4 Reason of Religion 4 4. REASON OF RELIGION A religion whose first Instituters except Christ his Apostles or after-deuisers a A manifest vntruth neither doth the Argument follow if we could not caÌ„not be named by any of our Adversaries nor can they a shew that peece or fuÌ„damental point of our faith either of laâ—e or since the Apostles time defined which This is witnessed in the CouÌ„cel of (*) Do these CouÌ„cels witnes that we are not able to shewe that there was nothing lately defined but what was beleeved before A senselesse assertion and a Note which noteth nothing Ephesus in epist Synodi coÌ„tra NestoriuÌ„ in the CouÌ„cel of Calcedon act 4.5 6. Item generali 6. Act. 4. 10. genera 7. Act. 2. And by Athanas of the Nicen. Councel in epist ad Afros in epist de Synodis Arimini et Seleuciae And by Socrates of the Councel of Alexandria in historia ecclesiast lib. 1. cap. 5. and others was not formerly beleeved the contrary thereof never taught by the Roman Church Wherfore in our vnderstanding it is evideÌ„t that the religion b Everie false worship is the invention of the Devill and so is Popery we professe is not as it is c A slander with a matter of truth slandered to be a deuise or inveÌ„tioÌ„ of maÌ„ nor ever was contrary to it selfe in doctrine but whatsoever hath beene in latter ages explicitiuely defined the same was alwaies not only holdeÌ„ true from the beginning in d We care not what was beleeved in their church but certainly their doctrine was never beleeved in the true church of Christ our Church but also implicitiuely beleeved for the infallible auctority thereof Resolution of the 4. Reason Popish Religion is that whose first Institutors except Christ and his Apostles or after-devisers cannot be named by any nor can they all shewe that piece or fundamentall point of faith either of late or since the Apostles time defined which was not formerly beleeved and the contrary thereof never taught by the Romane Church Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THE Institutor and deviser of Popishe Religion was not CHRIST and his Apostles but the DIVELL of hell by the ministrie of Antichrist his Disciples as shall plainely appeare in examining of the particulars in the reasons following 2 Many points of Popish doctrine were challenged even in the Primitiue Church for even at that time the mystery of iniquitie began to worke to bee false and erroneous Paul challenged the false-teachers which taught differences in meate and drinke observation of daies worshipping of Angels voluntary Religion and will-worshippe and bad the Collosians be warre of such Colloss 2. He reprehended also the false Apostles which taught Iustification by workes in his Epistles to the Romanes and Galathians all which errours and false doctrine the Popish Church embraceth defendeth at this day 3 Also the beginning increase perfection of the Popish Primacie is manifestly knowne When Constantine the Great ordained the cittie Byzantium to be the seate of his Empire which afterwards he called Constantinople of his owne name his departing from Rome was the cause of the first division of the Empire which shortly after ingendred a very schisme The Bishop of Rome began to shew himselfe and to worke the mistory of Antichrist For in the time of Odoacers raigne Anno Dom. 480. Acatius B. of Constantinople wrote to Simplicius B. of Rome desiring him also to condemne Peter B. of Alexandria of heresie for following Eutiches Heereby a sort of ambitious fellowes taking occasion began to reason of the auctority dignity of the Church B. of Rome contending that the church of Rome was the head of all Churches and the Bishop of Rome the Catholike and vniversall head of all Bishopes Albeit those BB. that succeeded Acatius at Constantinople opposed themselues against the ambition of the B. of Rome affirming that the supremacie belonged vnto their Church in asmuch as the Roman Emperours made Constantinople the chiefe seate of their Empire therfore they contended that the Bishop of Constantinople should be called vniuersall or Catholique Bishop or the B. of Bishops This ambicious coÌ„tention coÌ„tinued 112. yeeres vntill Antichrist began to wax stronger For Iohn B. of CoÌ„staÌ„tinople caused Mauricius the Emperour to call togither the Greeke BB. vnto CoÌ„stantinople to hold a Councel wherin it was decreed that the Bishop of CoÌ„stantinople should bee called the Occumenicall and Catholique Bishop
is to bee admitted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IT is certaine that Princes do as it were flow into the harts of their subiects by Mercy Clemency and that Mercy and Truth preserve the King as Salomon saith Prov. 20.28 Mercy in ceasing from grievous exactions in releiving the poore and the oppresled and in vsing moderation in punishment Truth in keeping of his promises and covenants in preserving and due executing of his laws By these the Kings throne is established 2 But here must be observed the difference between true Mercy Clemency and preposterous lenity pusillanimity in sparing the wicked who should be severely punished Prov. 20.26 Awise Kingseattereth the wicked causeth the wheele to runne over theÌ„ Prov. 17.15 He that instifieth the wicked is an abomination to she Lord. Prov. 24.24 He that saith to the wicked Thou are righteous him shall the people eurse and the muliitude shall abhorre him v. 25. But to them that rebuke him shall bee pleasure and vpon them shall come the blessing of goodnesse 3 Preposterous mercy shewed vnto the wicked and disobedient is crueltie towards the good and loyall subiects Prov. 16.12 The throue is established by instice 4 If any be to be accounted wicked if any be pernicious vnto civill governement and the throne of Kinges it is the Idolatrous the seducing and tutbulent Papist of whom the Lord particularly saith Rewarà ber as shee hath rewarà cà you c. Apoc. 18.6.7 II To the Consequence 1 The CoÌ„sequence hath not the least coherence with the Antecedent wherefore it may iustly be denied 2 The love of Papists vnto the Magistrate is not absolute solute of conscience but for private respects and but during the Popes pleasure wherefore it is not much to bere garded 3 If it were to be regarded in it self yet is it not wore thie the least respect when question is made of toleratioÌ„ the mischiefe of this infinitely surpassing the commodity and profite of the former Reason of State 8 8. REASON OF STATE IN few words for that we are loath to be a A good excuse whereas indeed they are quite destitute of anie argumentes tedious to your Maiesty in multiplying of reasons beside the pleading of these and other like regardfull Motiue that might be alleadged which doe all b how directlie they stand for to ler ation the Answere shewath direct y stand for toleration we further thinke vnder your Maiesties correction that the permission of the liberty we intreate is neither in reason of State a thing c Most pernicious vnto the Stare hurtfull nor by the doctrine of Protestants d A thing cloane contra it to our doctrine vn awfull to be granted The first is cleare by the example of Germanit France Poland and other Countries where diuersitie of Religion is licenced by supreame authority the like e Non causa pro causa found peace wrought and established thereby as both make the said Dominions and Territories to florish and could nâ—uer though of laboured bee brought to passe by force of warre or bloud-shed The other like-wise is as litle doubtful if not better known he Protestants f Bold assertioÌ„s but no proofes books their Pulpits their priuate writings Discourses sounding nothing more whilst they had not the Sword and Scepter on their side then that it was vnlawfull tyrannicall yea diabolicall Antichristianlike to punish any for matter of meere conscience faith religion And the fauour we sue for is but the benefite of that pofition which g Who be they wherefore are they not named they held for most true and scripturall so that if they should now departe from that doctrine they most needes giue the world to see that either then they did wittingly mainetaine the pofition against trueth only to serue their owne h This is iust your practise as this time in supplicating for soleration being a point of doctrine against the streame and currens of your owne men turne withall an ingraven blemish or generally erred in that point of doctrine a blot of no lesse discredit vnto them which breaching clemencie did most recommende gaue greatest increase to their religion And if the Petition we prostrate and doe most uppliantly begge of your Maiesty be neither preiudicial to matter of Stat nor repugnant to the doctrine of the Religion established and regnant in the kingdome as the proofes afore-going l Maine things seeme which are non and so doe those proofes you speake of for indeed they are no proofes 〈◊〉 all seeme to make plaine wee hope there is no other exception that can iustly impeach and many severall respects that may much further the obtaining of our request at your Graces hands Resolution of the 8. Reason Toleration of Popish Religion is neither in Reason of State hursfull as is cleare by the example of Germanie France Poland and other Countries where diversitie of Religion is licensed by supreame auctority nor by the doctrine of the Protestants vnlawfull to be granted Ergo Toleration is not to be deuyed ANSWERE I To the Antecedent THe Antecedent is notoriously false for it is both pernicious vnto the State and also contrary vnto the doctrine of Christ which we professe 2 FIRST it is not only pernicious but also the very overthrow and ruine of the State I Because it draweth GODS curse and provoketh his wrath against the same subiecting it to male diction The Prophets Apostles teach vs that no kingdom no State can prosper no Prince no Potentate no people can be wise or blessed in their government but by honoring and obeying almighty God in such sort as hee hath appointed VVhich doctrine oftentimes is repeated in the lawe wherein it is declared vnto the people of GOD that this should be their wisedome with all nations which should say swely this only is a wise and a politique people if they kept without adding or diminishing all the preceptes vvhich GOD commanded The promise of blessings vnto the obedient and the threatning of curses vnto the disobedient with taking heaven and earth to witnesse that they should finde it so in the end doth plainely testifie that such religion must needes be good for the establishing and prospering a Common-weale which the Lord himselfe hath left vnto vs and contrary wise that no false service of him can be good for any State but that it continually provoketh the curse and indignation of GOD against it Deut. 28. Deut. 30.19 Therefore was the King commanded to take a coppy of the law to haue it by him and to read in it all the daies of his life that he might learne to feare the Lord his God to obserue all his words and statutes by doing of theÌ„ that his minde might not be lift vp aboue his brethren nor he depart from the law to the right hand or to the left that he might prolong his daies in his kingdome his sonnes in the midst of Israel
Deut. 17.18.19.20 To like effect it was saide vnto Ioshua Let not the booke of this law depart out of thy mouth but meditate in it night and day that thou mayest diligently obserue as it is written in it For then thou shalt prosper in thy wates and haue successe in thy affaires Iosh 1.8 For this cause the Kingly Prophet exhorteth Kings to bee wise and iudges to be well advised that they worship GOD and his anointed denouncing vnto the enemies the Almighty power of Christ to the confusion of all that set themselues against him whereby he should be able as easily to breake them as a man with a barre of iron doth dash in peeces a pot of earth Psal 2.10.11.12 To this purpose notable is the speech of Asaria the Prophet vnto King Asa and to all Iuda Beniamin whē the Lord had miraculously foyled the innumerable multitude of their enemies The Lord saith he hath beene with you while yee have beene with him and if yee will yet seeke him be will be readie for you but of yee for sake him he will for sake you According to that which the man of GOD had saide before I will honour these that honour me and despise those which despise mee 2. Chron. 15.1 Sam. 2.30 This doctrine was sealed in the casting away of Saule and in the choosing and prosperous successe of David as he often acknowledgeth 1. Sam. 15. Psal 18.2 Sam. 22. Likewise in Salomon the most vvise and politique Prince that ever sate in the seate of David or ruled any people in the world who because he fully established the service of GOD according to all that had bin commanded by the Prophets the Lord also established his seate and increased his glory aboue all the Kings of the earth till he began to decline frō the Lord his God brought the abominable Idols of the strange women whom hee loved into his owne kingdome houses 1 King 10. Then the Lorde raised vp his servant against him who also in the daies of his sonne so rent away the ten tribes of Israel from the house of David that they never returned vnto it againe This was the speech of the Prophet Shemaiah to Rehoboam and the people of Iudah Thus saith the Lord You have for saken mee therefore will I also abandon you and give you into the hand of Shishak which was performed but in mercy vpon their repentance 2. Chron. 12.5 Abuah King of Iudah obiecteth against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome had made him Priests contrary to the lawe and assured himselfe of GODS assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their GOD who was their Captaine his lawfull Priests the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the field before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israel fight not against the Lord GOD of your fathers for yee shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israelites were overthrowne having five hundreth thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord GOD of their fathers 2. Chron. 13. Divers was the estate and aflaires of King Asa according as he walked with GOD prospering when he trusted in GOD and decaying when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought to the Aslyrians for helpe The same is alwaies diligently noted in the liues of the rest of the Kings Amazia Azaria Ioas Ezechia Iehoshaphat Manasles and the rest even to the Captivity of both the houses of Israel and Iudah with their Kings for false worshippe and disobedience vnto the vvord of the Lord their GOD. What shall I say of the life raigne death of our late blessed Soveraigne Queene ELIZABETH of most famous and happy memory who being but a woman after innumerable dangers and manifolde Persecutions comming to the crowne as the learned and reverend Father M. Doctor Abbots Deane of VVinchester noteth in his Auswere vnto Reas VI. of D. Hill in the latter end with vnspeakeable courage notwithstanding very many difficulties of Subiects at home of Princes abroad and of the Divell every where professed to mainetaine the trueth of the Gospel and to deface Idolatry superstition which with singular constancie shee continued all the daies of her life yeelding her lande a Sanctuary to all Christians throughout the whole world groaning for liberty of true Religion protecting and defending the afflicted Christians abroade in forraine Countries from the oppression of savage and bloudy Tyrants flourishing in wealth honor estimation being every way admired of all the Monarkes vnder the Sunne whither her fame did come and leaving matter for such a story as no Prince ever hath left the like This thrice noble Princesse after many glorious victories triumph◠other renowned prosperities notwithstanding the tyrānous attempts of forraine enemies abroad the frequent conspiracies of vngodly persons at home against her crown person by the favor of the Almighty vnder the shaddowe of whose wings shee was ever safely protected having Raigned foure and forty yeeres foure months and eight daies a Virgin Queene dyed in peace in a full glorious age so beloved so honoured and so esteemed of her Subiectes as never was any Prince more And GOD to testifie his owne worke left at her death no calamitie or miserie in the kingdome no warres but even Ireland then calmed no famine no apparant pestilence no inundation of waters but plenty and abundance with inexspected tranquillity Yea to the end that he might crowne her with blessings hee put vnity and agreement into the Nobles Cleargy Commous of this Lande that readyly they submitted them selues to the only lawfull and royall Successour These and infinite such like examples declare true Pietie to be the very base and foundation of all true wisedom and policie Impietie what shew so euer it haue of outward ward profit and commodity for a season yet in deed and in the end to be the very cause of ruine and overthrowe to all estates and kingdomes The reason whereof is manifest because all Kings and Princes holde their Crownes and Scepters at the will and pleasure of GOD who is King of Kings Lord of Lords Prov. 18.15 Dan. 4.32 As therefore the Tenant at will hath no better policie then to please his Lord of whom he holdeth so the greatest policy soūdest wisdome that may be vsed by Kings Princes is to please the Lord our GOD in all obedience namely in the zealous advancing of his true religion service in the repressing of all false worship Idolatry hypocrisy tyranny which otherwise call nay cry aloude for GODS vengeance to pull down such sleeping dissembling colluders out of their thrones II Popery cannot be tolerated in England because it cannot chuse but involve the State in infinite perplexities and raise tumults and vproares in the kingdome 3 The instāces in Germanie Fraunce
Jupudent bragges wit learning reading iudgment vertue true piety qualities of all other likeliest to discerne and abandon error to her Teachers Doctors ever enioyed the like store of such lights as our Oppositors had never reason to compare with or if they do the extant monumeÌ„ts in schoole positiue mysticall divinity and in all other literature will quickly shew the inequalitie and disproportion of the comparison Resolution of the 23. Reason Popish religion hath now and in all ages hath had the most famous men for wit learning reading iudgment vertue true pietie to her Teachers and Doctors Ergo. Poperie is true religion and so to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 WHat other Answere should I make vnto a bold impudent shamelesse false assertion without proofe or shew of probability but Thou lyest Satan 2 I will not name any now-living to avoide suspition of flatterie ONE Calvin ONE Peter Martyr ONE Melancthon ONE Iuell ONE Vrsine ONE Zanchius ONE Humfreyes ONE Whitakers ONE Iunius ONE Perkins to let infinite others passe had more sound learning infinitely more true pietie then ALL the Popish Teachers and Doctors that ever were are or shall bee ever had now have or ever hereafter can haue Reason of Religion 24 24 REASON OF RELIGION A religion whose publike and a Popish church service is blasphemie against GOD and a mockerie of religion Church service is executed with that maiestie honorable grauity and reverence the severall parts and b Popish Ceremonies are mens precepts conemed by Christ Mat. 15. ceremonies thereof so aptly and admirablie composed ordered for annuall commemoration representing of our Saviours incarnation birth life passion buriall resurrection ascension of the comming downe of the Holy Ghost of the mystery of the Trinitie and of other passages as well of Christ our head as of his members the Saints as it begetteth feedeth reneweth singular devotion in the actors hearers is also so comfortable in her c The comfors which the Popish SacrameÌ„ts afforde is deceaveable like vnto the hungrit mans dreame Esa 29.8 SacrameÌ„ts especially so easing and acquieting soules in the Sacrament of penance as no testimonie or demonstration vnder heaven is or can be of like seeling proose for the reall goodnes verity of that Sacrament as is the supernaturall sweetest divine consolation tasted therein as is the Sacrament of the Eucharist Resolution of the 24. Reason Popish Religion hath her church-service executed with maiestie honorable gravity and reverence her Ceremonies admirable and her Sacraments comfortable Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent I THE Popish Church-service is not Maiesticall honorable grave and reverent but blasphemous and full of apish trickes and toyes I For the substance of it it is full of idolatrous invocations of Angels and Saints II It is performed in an vnknowne tongue to the derision of GOD and mockerie of religion against the expresse words letter sense of the Scriptures 1. Cor. 14. III The theatricall attire and gesture the skipping friskes and gambols the in constant murmuring crying out and whispering of the Priest the bellowing piping and chanting and the lighting of candels at noone-day is not true maiestie gravity reverence but manifest demonstration of giddines levitie wantonnes and flat apostacie from true religion For our Saviour saith Iohn 4.24 they that worshippe GOD must worship him in spirit and truth 2 Popish Ceremonies are execrable Christ saith Mat. 15. 9. In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrines mens precepts 3 If Popish Religion were true it is most certaine that Popish Sacraments are very coÌ„fortable For the Papists teach that the Sacraments of the new Testament do containe do conferre of themselues and merite grace that they iustifie that they forgiue sinnes sanctifie by the worke wroght yea without any good motion or disposition of the receiver or vser that is without faith This cannot choose but be very comfortable for be a man never so vile a villaine bee he never so vngracious of so wicked yet if he can bee made partaker of the Sacraments according to their doctrine he shall haue his sinnes actually forgiven him and be instantly iustified But alas this doctrine is not true it hath no warrant out of the Scriptures which restifie that without faith it is impossible to please GOD. It is the deceaueable learning of Antichrist to detaine miserable men captiues in his kingdome and to make them slaues vnto sinne by committing it with boldnes and to appease the stinging thereof in their consciences for a time II To the Consequence The Antecedent being false the Consequence falleth of it selfe Reason of Religion 25 25. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose secular and religious Cleargy liue without wiues free from care of providing for a But not for providing for bastards children the later sort no way distracted with the affaires and encombrances of the world but b But the Apostle saith that Pure religion and vndefiled before God is to visite the fatherlesse and widdowes in their adversitie Jac. 1.27 encloistered passe their whole time in praier watching fasting in continuall study of scriptures and in dayly exercise and dispute for ful perfect vnderstanding of them Helps that doe most further the attaining of truth and such as are not c An impudent lie sound in the adverse party and which in common reason Catholike Divines being not inferior to other Divines in wit or other talents shew that our teachers God being no acceptor of persons are more likely to haue vsing d Vutruth fitter meanes for the same the e No Papist dares expound the Scriptures truely See the Answere true intelligence and vnderstanding of scripture then are our adversaries or contradictors Resolution of the 25. Reason Popish Religion is that whose Cleargie liue without wiues c. Ergo What will the Suppliants conclude Popish Religion is the Doctrine of Divels ANSWERE 1 I graunt both the Antecedent and the Consequence Their Popish Cleargy although they keepe store of whoores and concubines yet they haue no wiues their popish doctrine is indeed the doctrine of divels 2 Their glory herein is to their shame For the Apostle saith 1. Tim. 4.1.2.3 Nowe the Spirite speaketh evidently that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith and shall giue heed vnto Spirits of errour doctrine of divels Which speake lies through hypocrisie and haue their consciences burned with an hoteâ—â—on Forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates c. Both these notes of the Apostatical Church the Papists cannot by any shift depell from themselues so that out of this place vvee may demonstratiuely conclude that the Popish Church is the Church of Antichrist as I haue declared at large Lib. 1. de Antichr cap 28. 3 A sober and moderate care of providing for Children is no hinderance to godlinesse 4 As for the helpes which
all faithfull Catholikes in EnglaÌ„d in Saxonie are to be excused who doe not exempt themselues from the power of their Superiours nor wage warre against them for commoÌ„ly they have not wealth strength inough to warre against their Princes they are in great danger So saith Dominicus Bannes in 2.2 Tho. q. 12. a. 2. col 479. A. B.C. edit Lugdun 1588. Martinus Ledesmius in 2.4 Tho. q. 15 a. 5. fol. 120. col 4. is of the same iudgment 7 FINALLY their Canonists decree ratifie the same Conclusions Gregorie VII saith We keeping the statuts of our holy predecessours by our Apostolicall auctoritie do absolve froÌ„ their oath alleageance such as are so bouÌ„d vnto them that be excommunicated we forbid them by all meanes that they observe no faithfulnes nor obedience vnto them vntill such come to make satisfaction Caus 15. q. 6. c. Nos SanctoruÌ„ Iac. Simancha writeth For the Kings heresie not onely the KING himselfe is deprived of his kingdome but also HIS * Note still SONNES caÌ„not succeed after him Iac. Sim. lib. de Catholic Institut Tom. 11. tract Illustr in vtraquex Iuris facultate IurisconsultoruÌ„ part 2. tit 9. f. 132. nu 259. The same Position houldeth Ioannes Lupus Deture Navarra par 1. § 7. Also Antonius Corsetus saith A ChristiaÌ„ King becomming an Heretike looseth his Kingdom which is given vnto * Good again a Catholike possessour Cors de Pot. Reg par 5. nu 6. See Bald. in l. 1. in 13. Col. in repe C. de emaÌ„ci libe Notat in C. 1. de praescr 8 Note I beseech you in the bowels of our Saviour Christ Iesus marke I say you illustrious thrice renowmed Kings whose eies harts GOD hath opened to behold his truth and vnfeignedly to embrace the Gospell of his Sonne this is the king-quelling doctrine of Popety this al their writers teach professing that all their Divines hould so that al true Catholikes beleeve so and calling them Heretiques that doubt of it Behould Popish religion armed to cut your throates And that you haue beene hitherto safely protected it was no through the innocency of Popery or defect of Papists malice hatred against you as Dominicus BaÌ„nes acknowled â—â—eth poison to stab to murder you through the special blessing and preservation of Almighty GOD who never faileth such as trust in him faithfully call vpon his name 9 But that all men may see the vanitie falshood of this wicked and divellish doctrine of Poperie What can all the Papists in the world or all the Divels in hel say to this that followeth No King by the lawe of Nature or by the law Divine can be deprived of his Kingdome or dominion over his subiects for falling away froÌ„ the faith the reason hereof is plaine because Faith is not the foundatioÌ„ of dominion but some other politique title having force and strength from the law of Nations as the title of hereditarie Succession of Election of Conquest or iust acquisitioÌ„ by lawful warre c. which titles may remaine and stand firme without Faith 10 This I haue argued vpon supposition But our Kings and Princes haue not by the mercies of GOD fallen from the faith they are no heretikes as wee are ready to demonstrate out of the word of GOD against al Papists powers of Satan The Popish Princes are they who fell froÌ„ the faith and worship the Beast and therefore their decrees stand in force against themselves not against vs. II To the Consequence If Popish religion did teach nothing against the lawfull auctoritie of Kinges and Princes yet were it not therefore true religion for it might erre in the foundation of faith against other partes of the Scriptures as it is manifest it doth wherefore it is neither true nor to be tolerated in any Christian societie Nor are these ô most gracious Soveraigne the only respectes that thus embolden vs to become humble suiters at your Hignesse foot for toleration of Catholike religion a Yet more reasons but our manifold b Causelesse complaintes daungers vnder-gone our several losses and indignities sustained and the stoore of Catholike blood that hath bin shed for affecting your mothers Rightes and Title and for seeking how to succour her piteous distresses person the worthiest Queene that many ages enioyed living a long imprisoned Confessour and dying a most glorious Martyr serue also to plead and cry to your Maiestie for commiseration of our case grant of the Petition we make And as our true loue zeale and tribute of service did not then dilate and extend it selfe on y towards your Highnes deare mother but in throuâ—h her reached also to c Sore against the Papists wils your sacred Maiesty so since the time of her happy Crowne of Martyrdome our wishes indevours actions haue ever levelled as much as lay in our power to the most advauncing of your d Proue that Parsons denyeth it Maiesties Title Yea the pressures and afflictions lâ—aded on vs for this cause were in a sâ—rt comfortable or not discomfortable vnto vs in hâ—pe of the relaxation and ease we assuredly expected by your Highnesse actuall arrivall to the Crowne So that now if your excellent Maiestie may not bee mooued to permit the free exercise of the Catholike Religion Oh our hopes fedde on are not only frustrate and our long expectations vaine but our temporall lots by reestablishing of penal laws against vs become more abiect servile desperate and forlâ—rne then euer before Puritanisme differing from ProtestaÌ„cy in e Mere slanders and impudent calumniations 32 articles of doctrine as their owne bookes and writings doe witnesse looketh vp spreadeth is neither suppressed with penalties nor oppressed with indignities but her professourâ— receiue grace and holde high auctority in the government only the Catholike Religion whose professours suffred most for your good Mothers sake and euer least offended your Maiestie is despised troden vnder foote maligned punished and must bee alas by all violence f Amen abolished without regard of her venerable antiquâ—ty or respect of the large dominions shee other-where hath to her dowery or of the innumerable conquests shee hath made ouer all other Sects froÌ„ Christs time hitherto or of the multitude and impregnablenesse of her proofes which her professors are ready yea presse and doe most earnestly long to bring in publike Dispute for testimonie of the doctrine shee teachâ—th And that which moueth not the least admiration here in is for that neither the inward beleefe of the Catholike Romane faith nor the outward profession or defence thereof in words seeme to bee the transgressions which are so sharpely animadverted but rather the only fault which is punished and neuer sufficiently as some thinke punished in vs is the vndissembled profession of our inwarde faith in refusing to go to the Protestant Church A necessity which vnder guilte of dead y sin breach of our Churches vnity