neyther can the Lutherans or Caluinistes deny the same but only say that these things were moles or blemishes amoÌ„gst the aÌ„cient Fathers Goodly moles surely superstition Idolatry Impiety But if the doctors of former ages did not professe this religioÌ„ but for the most part reproue and disallow it then is it euident that the same is not ancient but new For no religion was euer accompted in the Church for true but that which the ancient Fathers doctors of the Church did hold and professe Wherof it euidently followeth that Lutheran religion is not Christs religion For that Christs religion is not new but ancient but Lutheran religion is new as we haue shewed and not ancient Christs religion hath alwayes florished in the world euer synce the Apostles tyme but Luthers religion hath not so done but began within these 100. yeares and before that tyme we haue shewed that it was not Againe if Luthers religion be truely Christs religion then is the visible company of men that imbrace the same the true Church of Christ Therfore Christs Church was not before Luther because the Lutheran Religion which doth make the true Church was not before Luther as we haue demonstrated For if yow say that Luthers religion was in the Apostles tymes and in some of the former ages then must yow proue that there were some men in those tymes who imbraced and professed his opinions Surely we easily proue the contrary for that it is euident that Masse for the quicke and dead Order of Ministers in the Church monasticall vowes and the like which are repugnant to the Lutheran religion were in vse in the Church in the Apostles tymes and the next succeeding Ages But let vs grant that Luthers religion was in the Apostles tymes and somwhat after yet at leastwise in the third and fourth age it began to fayle fall quite away Which thing the Lutheran Doctors themselues do also confesse as may be seene by that great Centurian worke setforth by them in the 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 Century or age and 4. Chapter of euery Century Therfore by this accompt the Church of Christ at least for 1300. years hath fallen away perished for that so long tyme at the least it is euident that Lutheran religion was not but the quite contrary to haue byn extant and florished As also by this accompt the true religion was extinguished for so many ages the Ghospell obscured Christes Church ouerthrowne vntil the Dutch Prophet Luther rose vp and dispersed that lamentable darknes through the light of the Ghospell to the world and reedified the ruines of the Church This do the Lutherans often insinuate in diuers townes of Germany when as they wryte vpon the forefronts of their houses in great Capitall letters these or the like words Such a yeare c. appeared the true light of Christs Ghospell to this Citty Superstition put downe c. But if the Church of Christ perished for so many ages how then is it true that she is built vpon a rocke and not rather vpon sand How then is it said that the (a) Math. 16. Gates of hell shall not preuaile againe her How is she the house of God the (b) 1. Tim. 3. Firmament and Pillar of truth How then is the (c) Daniel 2. Kingdome of Christ which is the Church stable firme euerlasting and neuer to be ruined Againe if yow say that Luthers Church religion was in all Ages from the Apostles tymes but yet in secret and hidden besides that such a fiction wanteth an Author to affirme it the same is voyd of all probability as we haue now shewed But be it so The Church of Christ caÌ„not be hidden let vs grant that it was hidden all that while but then was it not the Church of Christ for that she is a (d) Matth. 5. Citty placed vpon a mountayne which cannot be hidden She is the (e) Isa 2. mountayne of the house of God prepared in the top of mountaynes and placed aboue the hilles cleerly seene of all men to whome all Nations in the world haue recourse She is the Kingdome of Christ that reacheth from (f) Psal 71. sea to sea and from the riuer to the bounds of the earth She is that great (g) Dan. 2. mountayne that filleth the whole earth For that the Church of Christ must be conspicuous manifest to the world that by her excelleny and comlines by her manner and outward shew she as it were may intice Gentiles vnto her so as they that will become Christians may know whither to go to whome to haue recourse and from whome to receiue instruction Likewise her Doctrine and faith must needs be also manifest or els the same would be vnprofitable to the world nor could she conuert Gentiles So as in the greatest persecutions that euer were she neuer lay so hidden but that she might be knowne to all as out of the Ecclesiasticall historyes is euident wherby it came to passe that she had so many martyrs Againe if she had layn hidden for so many ages she had byn altogeather vnworthy of the Name of a Church For how may she be called the Church of Christ that dareth not publickely to professe the true Doctrine of Christ or that she should be so faint-harted fearfull of death as to hide herselfe in a darke cormer so many ages togeather and dare to come abroad into the light least she should be seene And last of all how can she be called the Church of Christ that for so many ages hath not only hidden herselfe and suppressed the true profession of faith but hath professed also a false faith to wit Papistry adored Idols and defiled herselfe with a thousand superstitions and sacriledges For that before Luther all Christians did carry themselues outwardly in all points as Catholikes or els straight would they haue byn apprehended and accused by the Inquisitors and Bishops and punished as heretâ—kes And therfore should the Church of Christ haue byn more miserable then the ruines of the Synagoge or the lewish Sect which alwayes in some place or other had their Synagoges and free profession of their Religion nor was euer constrayned at least generally to the worship of Idols She should I say haue byn more miserable then all hereticall sects and Conuenticles whatsoeuer For that there was neuer any Sect of any name which had not her temples her religious houses her Couuents her Bishops the forme and profession of her faith that so she might be knowne of all Wherby it is manifest that nothing can be more absurdly said then that the Church of Christ hath layen hid for so many ages and therfore I do conclude with this Dilemma That the Lutheran or Caluinian religion was eyther before their Authors to wit Luther and Caluin or it was not If it were not then is it altogeather new and therfore cannot be the religion of Christ which is ancieÌ„t If it were before the
What things be required for the searching out of the truth and vertue But one thing there is that is most of all wont to hurt this sincere deliberation and that is a certaine anticipating and foregoing opinion that possesseth very many touching the Idolatry superstitions and abuses of the Catholike Church Wherefore let them in the first place for a time lay aside this their precipitate and fore-running iudgment and thinke that they may be deceiued in the matter For it seemeth a thing beyoud beliefe that most holy and most learned men such as the Church euer had very many did either not see this Idolatry if there were any or if they saw it did not onely not reiect it but also did with all diligence retaine and imbrace it This is a calumniation of old both of the Mahometans and of the Image-breakers And there neuer was yet any Sect of heretiks which did not with extreme rancour and malice oppugne and oppole it selfe against the Church and impose very sore and great errors and abuses vpoÌ„ her For such a pretence meete was it for them to vse that they might seeme to haue had iust cause of their reuolt and departure from the Church Secondly let them not cease to craue light from God whereby they may clearly vnderstand which is Christs true religion and true Church and let them yeald themselues ready to imbrace it For fayth is Gods gift Ioan. 6. None saith he can come vnto me vnles my Father shall draw him None can come to Christ by true fayth without light giuen him from the father of heauen and therefore let them labour to procure this illustration this light and this drawing by earnest and contynuall prayer let them say with the prophet Psal 12. Lighten mine eyes that I may neuer sleep in death least when I am to depart out of this life myne enemy may say Psal 42. I haue preuayled against him Put forth thy light and thy truth let them conduct and bring me vnto thine Holy mount Psal 1 42. and into thy tabernacles Make known vnto me the way where in I may walke because vnto thee haue I lifted vp my soule Deliuer me out of the hands of the enemies of my soules good O Lord to thee haue I fled for succour teach me to do thy will because thou art my God And the like To prayer let them ioyne almes and beneficence towards the poore and needy For how much these two auaile and profit towards the obtaining of light for the imbracing of the true religion is manifested by that example of Cornelius the Centurian Act 10. to whome it was said by an Angell Cornelius thy praiers and thine almes haue ascended to be remembred in the sight of God And now send to Ioppa and send for one Simon who is sirnamed Peter he shall tell thee what thou must doe Let them therefore propose this example vnto themselues and imitate it who in this busines of true religion haue a desire to be directed of God In the meane tyme let them with diligence and with an earnest desire of knowing the truth ponder and consider those things that be in this Consultation proposed and if they find therein any thing eyther doubtfull or not sufficiently vnderstood let them repaire to Catholike doctors who will with facility giue them such satisfaction in all matters as their mind may in conclusion find full repose and quiet in the light of true religion This is that which we desire and craue and with most humble petition and suite beseech at thy hands o true light light eternall and the light both of men and Angells For notwithstanding they haue been seduced misled and carried away by the guile and deceipt of the deuill and haue reuolted from thee and thy Church and haue made war against thee and it yet they be thy creatures formed to thine Image and likenes redeemed and ransomed with the price of thy bloud made and called to the inheritance of heauen and to be consorts in thy kingdom Let not so noble a worke of thine perish which cost thee so dearely which will yeald thee eternall praises if it once know the truth and which will to thy glory shine for all eternity Dissperse and dirue away the foule darkenes that hath now possession of their mind Disolue vndoe the deuills bewitchings of them whereby the eyes of their mind be blinded their fancy and imagination peruerted Put into them a true and sensible apprehension and feare of that inextinguible and euerlasting fire prepared for all those who haue not communication with the true religion Inspiâ—e them with a burning loue and desire of vnderstanding the truth of procuring their owne saluation Present vnto them the light of thy mercies that they may know thy fold and haue a true vnderstanding of the fold wherin they formerly were that it was not thine but the diuells in which all such as contynue as sheepe be reserued not to life but to vtter perdition to be food for the fire meate for death Death shall feede vpon them Psal 4â— Reduce and bring them backe againe into thy fold that in it they may refresh theÌ„selues with the healthful refectioÌ„ of thy doctrine and by thy wonderfull Sacraments may receyue cure of the old wounds that Sathan had formerly giueÌ„ them and increase in thy spirit in the spirit of humility and feare of our Lord in the spirit of meeknes and charity and may receyue forces and strength to life euerlasting wherin made together with vs after the instant of this life companions of thy glory and blisse they may praise thee An admonition to Catholikes and glorifie thee for euer and euer And now am I in the second place briefly to admonish Catholiks that they duly ponder with themselues how exceding great a benefit this is of true religion which hath by diuine fauour hapned to them before infinite others who are debarerd of it and how much by occasion of ye they be obliged and bound to the Diuine maiesty This is the gift priuiledg but of a few if we consider the infinite number of such as go astray or stand in doubt and therefore for this respect the more is it to be esteemed Let them thinke that in humane things nothing is to be compared with it not pleasures nor honors nor millions of gold and syluer no not Scepters Kingdomes or Empires The margarite perle of true religion doth exceed all these by infinite degrees and he that is possessed of it though he want other things and is most poore of al tertene things is most truly rich as beeing a cittizen with the Saints the sonne of God an heyre of a Kingdome and coheire with Christ yet so as he must haue a will to lyue conformably thereunto He that wanteth it is thrice miserable indeed though he otherwise abound in all the goods of this life and hath them at his will This is
A CONSVLTATION WHAT FAITH AND RELIGâ—â—â— is best to be imbraced WRITTEN IN LATIN By the R. Father Leonard Lessius Professour in Diuinity of the Society of IESVS AND Translated into English by W. I. IHS Permissu Superiorum M.DC.XVIII TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORD MAIOR TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL THE ALDERMEN AND TO THE RIGHT WORTHY CITTIZENS OF LONDON The Translatour wisheth all Health and Happines Temporall and Eternall RIGHT HONORABLE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL AND RIGHT WORTHY I Was pâ—rswaded to present you with this Treatise traÌ„slated by 〈◊〉 into our mother tongue that hath appeared far better 〈◊〉 in â—â—owâ—yde it was first inuested only through the loue and respect I beare to your so we deserming persons whose speciall endeauors amidst your other sorâ—ous imployments in that famous Citty should be and I hope is the attayning of such a traffike that may more redound to the profit of your Soules then your temporall Estates since you know well that a sure and solid foundation of true Religion worketh Eternall Saluation and the contrary eternall woe and misery though otherwise one were neuer so fortunate in all worldly prosperity The worke it selfe is but of some few houres reading and the Author I hope will not be distastfull vnto yow in respect of his person though otherwise of a different Profession habit And though I doubt not but that many of your haue already seene other learned Bookes of like subiect yet because this affoardeth so great variety of forcible Motiues both singularly chosen and most aptly expressed to settle mens Consciences in so waighty an affayre as this is I haue therfore thought good to present it to your View though in a more humble and far lesse polished stile then so profitable a subiect deserueth And heerunto I was the more encouraged by vnderstanding the great fruite and profit which many haue all ready and do dayly reape by a diligent perusall of this Booke in other languages hoping for no lesse in our owne then it hath produced in the Latin French and Dutch especially in men so zealous in that Profession which hath by in these later tymes preached vnto you Which zeale of yours would no doubâ— be more feruent if Gods Grace by other mothâ—es proposed should open your eyes to see the cleernes of the Catholike Verity Neither should it offend you that your Consciences hauing byn setled these 60. yeares last past in the Faith that was then proposed vnto you now a new reuiew of matters belonging to Religion should be offered For synce the Scripture doth premonish vs that Heresies must of necessity be and false Teachers would come to disturbe the peace and vnity of the Church of which sort as is apparent by her contrary doctrines this our vnfortunate Age hath byn most fertile it is doublesse no disgrace or signe of leuity or inconstancy by a diligent and iudicious examen to try which of all these diuers spirits is of God and which is that Catholike Church so often commended vnto vs in the Scriptures as nothing more plainely and seriously In which important search the Reading of this little but golden Treatise will by Gods grace affoard such light to discerne Truth from Falshood and such meanes to find out the true gate of Catholike faith which only leadeth to saluation as may satisfy the most Iudicious especially if they reade with that humblenes of spirit as they ought to do who desyre to know the Truth In reading therfore consider attentiuely euery Passage ponder the waight and substance of ech Reason not posting the same ouer as many do transpotted with curiosity to read all new Bookes that come forth and I doubt not you will receaue aboundant satisfaction Read then most worthy Cittizens the ensuing Consultation with an indifferent and vnpartiall eye that you may enrich your soules with the treasure of true knowledg doctrine which leadeth to eternall Life and Happines Wherof I humbly beseech his diuine Maiesty to make you partakers to whom I haue heerewith dedicated both my selfe and seruice to remayne Your seruant euer in Christ Iesus W. I. This 30 of Septemb. 1618. THE TABLE OF THE CONTENTS of the ensuing Consultation THE Preface pag. 1. The I. Consideration Of the desire of Perfection wherunto Christian Religion leadeth pag. 8. The II. Consideration That Christian Religion excludeth liberty of sinning pag. 11. The III. Consideration Drawne froÌ„ the Sanctity of the followers of true Religion pag. 2â— The IIII. Consideration From the miracles wrought by the imbracers of Catholike Religion pag. 36. The V. Consideration From the Conuersion of Nations by the imbracers of Catholike Religion pag. 48. The VI. Consideration From the Name Catholike and from the thing it selfe signed or marked with this Name pag. 55. The VII Consideration From Succession pag. 59. The VIII Consideration From the consent of the ancient Fathers and Doctours of the Church and from the decision of controuersies without which there is no sodality or fellowship pag. 65. The IX Consideration From diuers causes and reasons for which these new doctrines are to be suspected and shunned pag. 74. The I. Reason Deduced from Nouelty pag. 75. The II. Reason Taken from the defect of Succession pag. 87. The III. Reason From the defect of their Mission pag. 9â— The IIII. Reason From the want of Miracles pag. 106. The V. Reason From the conditions of their liues and manners pag. 116. The VI. Reason from their errors and inconstancy in Doctrine pag. 125. The VII Reason Taken from the fraudes and deceipts which the Sectaryes commonly vse pag. 135. The VIII Reason Drawne from the ouerthrow of good Workes pag. 153. The IX Reason Deduced from the liberty of life which they yield vnto pag. 158. The X. Reason That they renew old Heresies pag. 166. The XI Reason From want of a Rule of Fayth pag. 171. The XII Reason Drawne from Absurdity pag. 181. The X. Consideration And conclusion of this Consultation pag. 189. An Appendix of the Author Whether euery one may be saued in his owne Fayth and Religion pag. 214. A CONSVLTATION WHAT FAITH AND RELIGION IS TO be imbraced GREAT is the variety of Religion in this our age and great is the contention about the truth therof Many in this point do continually wauer nor can they determine any certainty passing from one Religion to another as it were from house to house for trialls sake thereby to find tranquility of mind Others through an inconsiderate boldnes do imbrace any Religion which by chance they light vpon without either examining or vnder standing the same who when they are demanded why they preferre that Religion before others they haue no other answere but that it seemes better to them or els which commonly all do oragge of because they follow the very pure word of God This busines notwithstanding is most worthy of great deliberation and discussion seeing that heerin consisteth the very center of our saluation Euerlasting saluation or damnation is
authority of a Greek and Latin Copyes in the Dutch Bible translateth it thus Hoc significat Corpus meum This signifieth my body In the 2. Act. 27. where it is said Non derelinques animam meam in inferno Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell Beza translateth it thus Non relinques cadauer meuÌ„ in sepulchro Thou wiltnot leaue my carcasse in the graue changing the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth animam into cadauer and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 orcum into sepulchrum And is not this thinke yow to corrupt Scriptures Caluin doth so expound almost all the places of Scripture wherby the Ancient Fathers dyd proue the Trinity of Persons and the Diuinity of the Sonne or the Holy Ghost that he doth eueruate all the force therof wherin he doth not alittle symbolize with the Iewes Sabellians Arians and Macedonians Againe the 53. whole Chapter of Isay which is manifestly meant of the passion death and satisfaction of Christ Caluin expoundeth it metaphorically of the griefes and molestations which the Iewish people by their sinnes did cause vnto Christ And what can be more violently or absurdly spoken or what can be more fitly accommodated to the Iewes perfidiousnesse Matth. 19. vers 17. where it is said Si vis ad vitam ingredi serua mandata If thou wilt enter into life keep the Comaundements Caluin will haue this speach to haue byn vttered by Christ in a scoffing manner or mockingly Allo ad Hebr. 5. vers 7. Exauditus est pro sua reuerentia He was heard for his reuerence Caluin expoundeth the greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signifie metum or dubitationem feare or doubtfullnes and saith that hereby is signified that Christ was stroken with so horrible a terrour of death that he was ready to fall into delperation of his eternall saluation I omit many other places Monsieur du Plessis a principall Caluinist in France in a little booke of his which he published Of the supper of our Lord hath corrupted more then an hundred testimonies of Fathers Doctors partly by cutting of and mangling their words and partly by adding therto of his own As also in this booke of his he produceth many arguments which by Schole doctors as the manner is are obiected against the truth and afterwards solued and answered by themselues as if they had byn set downe expressely by them for their owne doctrine and opinions Of which fraud he was these yeares past publiquely conuinced in presence of the late king of France and many of his nobility by the Bishop of Eureux now Cardinall as is well knowne to all France And the very same deceypt and craft do all their writers vse when they go about to proue their opinions and doctrine out of the Fathers Moreouer Their alleaging of obscure Authorityes this is another comon tricke amongst these men to wit that in citing the Fathers opinions they do alwayes omit their cleere perspicuous sense which may explicate and plainely declare their mind and insteed therof they produce commonly some obscureÌ„ and darke sentences of theirs were they do but by chance and as it were by the way touch the controuersy in hand Of which fraud very many testimonies are alledged not only against the Reall presence of Christs body in the Eucharist but against many other euident articles of Catholike faith also as for example against free wil against internal lustice against merit of good workes against the Authority of Councells c. And there is nothing so cleare and euident in our faith which by certaine obscure places of Scripture or Fathers may not seeme to be impugned nor is there any thing so absurd which by that meanes may not be defended For what is more absurd then to say that Christs body is euery where alwel as his Diuinity And yet do these men go about to confirme the same by many restimonies both of Scriptures and Fathers What is more absurd then to say that God is the Author of all synne Or that man hath not free will And yet do they alleadg many obscure places both out of Scriptures Fathers to establish those their fancies Yâ— they seeke for truth why then do they omit those places which be plaine and perspicuous and fly vnto such as be obscure and darke why do they not stand to the iudgment of the ancient Fathers and Doctors for explication therof who were long before our tyme but will only rely and rest vpon their owne sense and interpretation When as any obscure speaches of the Fathers do but seeme to fâ—uour them those they do diligently and readily produce and do indeauour to confir me their Doctrine therwith but when Catholikes to the contrary do alledg any thing out of the Fathers which is euidently against them then they make answere presently and sayâ— that the Fathers were meâ—â— and consequently subiect to error but they rely vpon the word of God which cannot errâ— Yâ— yow reply and say that the Fathers do also rely vpon the word God they answere that the Fathers haue not attayned to the vnderstanding of the Diuine word and therfore were deceyued Yâ— yow aske them how they know that the Fathers haue not attayned to the true sensâ— and vnderstanding of the word of God themselues haue they answerâ— that 〈◊〉 is euident out of the word of God But how is it euident seing there beso many and so diuers interpretations amongst them and that all the ancient Fathers haue interpreted otherwise them they and the Lutherans otherwise then the Caluinists and they againe otherwise then the Anabaptists The interpretation say they is euident to him that hath the spirit but to others not And thus do the Patrones of euery Sect answere and reduce their final iudgement of euery controuersy to a prinâ—â— spirit Therfore the Caluinists say that all the ancient Fathers all the Doctours of the Church all generall Councells wanted the true-spirit of vnderstanding the Scriptures as also do the Lutherans and Anabaptists at this day want the same only themselues haue the true spirit and to them it is specially graunted from aboue and therefore to them â—n is spirit is manifest in so much that whatsoeuer they teach that is the pure Word of God The very sume thing say the Lutherans to wiâ— that the Councells Fathers Doctours of the Church did want this true spirit as also the Caluinists Anabaptists do only to them it is graunted and therefore say they it is euident and certaine that our doctrine is agrable to the Word of God And finally the Anabaptists do take away this spirit from all others and clayme it as proper only to themselues But how absurd thinke you voyd of reason are al these things How incredible is it that all the Catholike Doctours and Fathers of the Church should want the true spirit of vnderstanding Scriptures and that it should begiuen now to the Caluinists only or
because in it I see very many admirable to the whole world for wisdome sanctimony miracles and the spirit of prophesy whome it is impossible to haue byn in a matter so important deceyued for that I see that God himselfe hath and doth in euery age giue testimony of it by many miâ—acles because I see Gods promises fulfilled in it as being dispersed and spread all the world ouer Vnto it haue the Gentils byn hitherto conuerted and still continually are In it there hath been in all ages exceâ—â—â—ing concord and consent of Doctors in the grounds of fayth In it hath byn and still is a perpetuall succession of the Chaire and a continuance in the ministers therof from the Aposties In it is a speedy decision of all conâ—rouersyes It hath for so many ages stood immoueable against all heresyes and persecutions of Tyrants neyther could the gates of hell any thing preuayle against it whiles all the contraryes be found in the new Religions And therefore I had no reason at all to reuolt from this religion or to make any doubt of it at all But to omit further to prosecute other things of this kind is it not inough for my security that I am sure that I haue followed that religion in which I see men of most holy life and most celebrated for miracles S. Malachy S. Bernard S. Dominicke S. Francis and alothers who were fyue hundred yeares synce by their heauenly conuersation wonderfull works an admiration to the world to haue lyued and died For most cleare it is that those celestiall soules so addicted and deuoted to God so deare and familyar to him could not possibly be deceyued in a matter of so great consequence And therefore in this cause of religion and fayth I securely follow such captaynes guides that haue gone before me But now tell me you who haue imbraced another religion what reckoning can you giue of that your deed when you shall in that dreadfull examen be asked about it You will perhaps answeâ—e the iudge What wil an Heretike answere I did therefore forsake the Catholike fayth because I thought it full of Idolatry superstitions and humane traditions because I thought that Antichrist did command and beare sway in it because I thought the Catholikes did rely vpon their owne meritts and not vpon the price of thy bloud But what if the Diuells bewitching you which now hath a possession of your mind should then be taken away you should plainely see your selfe deceyued what counsaile would you take for then there will not be any more tyme for pennance and repentance Will you peraduenture alleadge ignorance But that wil not excuse you because you might easily haue knowne the truth if you had vsed the diligence that you were bound to do in so important a matter Neyther euer wanted you iust reason of doubting which should haue moued you to seeke for resolution Wherefore as it shall not excuse the Iewes that they erred of ignorance because they might haue knowne the truth so shall it not excuse you For that you might without syn depart from the Catholike Church it was your part not only to thinke and vpon certaine light suspitions to conceyue but also most certainely to know and setting aside all affection to be most assured that there were those euills in the Catholike religion so as there might be left no further scruple in your mind nor any iust cause of doubting in the matter But you were so far from hauing such a certitude touching the Churches errors as you had not any probable reason to perswade you to the contrary For by what probability or pretence of truth could you be persuaded to thinke that that religion was obnoxious to Idolatry and to so great errors which you saw imbraced for so many ages of so many men renowned for their wisdome holynes of life Which you saw honoured with such so great and many miracles martyrdomes Which you saw spread all the world ouer In which there was an exceeding conspiration and concord of the Doctors a perpetuall succession and a most manifest and knowne continuance from the Apostles How can it possibly be that none of the Doctors nor no holy man did for so many ages togeather note and obserue this Idolatry these superstitions and errors Againe how could you perswade your selfe that that is Christs true religion that maketh God the author and mouer yea compeller to all wickednes that spoyleth men of the liberty of free will that taketh away the care of exercising of good works that openeth a most wide gate to al manner of wickednes as doth Atheisme that vnder shew of Christian liberty exempteth and freeth the subiects from the lawes and obedience to their Princes that reuiueth and bringeth many ancient and condemned heresyes to light againe the authors whereof be not recommended for any austerity conuersation or sanctimony of life nor celebrated for any miracles but meÌ„ giuen to the pleasures of the flesh couetous of things of the world ambitious foule spoken seditious infamous for Apostasy and sacrilegious Mariages giuen ouer to lust and withall wonderfully inconstant in doctrine Finally if any of these new vpstart Religions be true then there was not any religion of Christ for so many ages past Christs Kingdome was ruyned and ouerthrowne Gods promises touching the stability and continuance of his Church were made voide the gates of hell preuayled against it The Gospell was then for so many hundreds of yeares preached in vaine in vaine was it beleeued in vaine were so many conuerted from paganisme in vaine were Baptisme other Sacraments administred in vaine were fasts kept and mortifications of the flesh practised in vaine were martyrdomes endured and the bloud of so many thousands shed for the confession of Christs name Therefore all those of our religion who are gone before vs are perished so many thousands of martyrs Confessors so many soules consecrated to God celebrated for holynes miracles and the spirit of prophesy For all of them had not any part of true religion in them nor true iustice and all were giuen to Idolatry But if all this be false blasphemous and euen horrible to thinke how could it be that you could not think that those religions out of which so horrible things are manifestly deduced might be false or at least that you doubted not of theÌ„ And if you doubted wherefore laboured you not to vnderstaÌ„d the truth on which your whole soules good dependeth Our Lord admonished that we should carefully take heed of false Prophets who come vnto vs in sheepes cloathing and inwardly be rauening wolues Matth. 7. How did it not come at one tyme or other into your mind to thinke and to feare least Luther Caluin Menno and the like were of the number of them of whome our Lord premonished vs to beware For these men vnder a glorious shew of Gods word and of the pure Gospell presented themselues vnto the world