sayeth the man of lawe And Demosthenes disputing agaynst Aristocrates reprehending lewde examples sayeth Suffer vs not to say that this hath beene done but that it is meet and righte to be done The sacrifices offered by the Leuites did not take away sinnes from before the face of God moreouer there was none at all then instituted for the dead Ergo this hath beene an error in later times too offer sacrifice for the sinnes of the dead as the Iewes receaued oftentimes other corrupt lewde traditions amongst themselues For the nature of men is prone vnto superstitioÌ„s eueÌ„ in all ages Therfore in as much as that example is repugnant to the scriptures it is not to be cited at all too confirme superstitions in the Churche These for the most part are the chiefest things which are cited touching Purgatory And therefore I haue heere placed this disputation that it may the more appeare that Gregories faulte or errour euidently which hath confirmed the oblation of sacrifice for the dead is manifestly repugnante vntoo the Apostolicall doctrine VVhich thing seeing it is so the Canon also of the Masse as they call it is to be reprehended wherin is mentioned That oblation of sacrifice was made too redeeme the quicke and the dead VVhat boldenesse was this to transferre the Sacrament for the dead when the institution therof speaketh so plainly of them which bee liuing and of the remembrannce of the death of Christ Gregory writeth that one Scholasticus as he nameth him did make this Canon But whosoeuer was the authour therof and which compyled this Rapsody that cannot be denied that the Latin Canon differeth from both the Greek CanoÌ„s although neither yet do the Greeke Canons agree with themselues but they doe differ in notable places Thus muche haue I spoken touching Gregorie Neyther will I adde heerevntoo the VVritres of later ages For the doctrine of the Churche afterwardes wente further out of course And the Tyranny of the Bishoppes of Rome encreased also when as Gregory euen yet himselfe refused and greately dispraysed the name of the vniuersall Byshoppe as certeyne his Epistles in his thirde booke of Epistles doe testifie the same I coulde annexe herevntoo the complaints of auncient writers touching the couetuousnesse of Bishoppes and the ignoraunce of them in times paste which if there were no other thing yet in this pointe they admonishe vs. That the Churche oughte not too bee gouerned according too the Example and state of that tyme. But in the reuelation of Saynct Iohn there are horrible Figures expressed which no doubte signifie the ages of the Church and doe shew that wicked Teachers shall forthwith swarm in the Churche and shall with Tyrannicall rule oppresse the trueth And the Hystories of Councelles doe shewe howe greate rage hath possessed the myndes of verie manye Byshoppes which too defende their vngodlinesse haue by woonderfull Subtilties kyndled the hearts of Princes and of the Common peo-people as nowe the Bishoppes of Rome and other Bishoppes by all cunning sleightes endeuour themselues to prouoke the mindes of Kinges to rayse vp ciuill warres in theyr territories and dominions Basilius in the ende of his booke De Spiritu Sancto with what tragicall complaynt he doeth bewayle the fury of those Bishops in hys tyme and theyr impiety Hee declareth that they sought to defende theyr wicked doctrine by seditions and by slaughter of the people And hee writeth vnto the Italian and French Bishops in this maner Euersa sunt veritatis dogmata Confusae leges pietatis Ambitio non timentium Deum rapit gubernationem Ecclesiarum Nec additus est ad honores nisiper impietatem vt quisque est ratiocissimus audacissimus in lacerandis pâ—js veris dogmatibus ita maxime dignus Episcopi honore iudicatur Perijt grauitas sacerdotibus conueniens desunt Pastores qui eruditione gregem Domini pascant which may thus be englished The doctrines of trueth and religion are turned vpside downe the lawes of Godlinesse are confounded desire of promotion in those that feare not God greedily catcheth houlde vpon the gouernment of the Churches Neyther is there anye other way vnto honour and dignity but vp vngodlinesse And as euery one is moste rauenous and fierce in dismembring and rending in peeces the godly true doctrines of the churche so is he specially iudged woorthy too enioy the dignity of a Bishop Grauity befitting the Ministery is vtterly gone And the Sheap-heardes that shoulde feede the flocke of the Lorde with learning are wanting So and in such manner doeth he describe the Bishoppes in his time vnto whose vices the latter ages haue added Lordly rule and Tyrannies Seyng therfore it is manifest that that age was not without faults we must graunt vnto the Church that touching doctrine shee woulde aske Councell at the woorde of God as the heauenly Father hath commaunded That we shoulde heare his Sonne Mat. 17. And Dauid sayeth in his 119. Psalme Thy worde is a Lanterne vnto my feete c. These testimonies touching the faultes of auncient writers although I haue ouerpassed many absurdities I haue not gathered to that ende that somewhat of their true prayses might bee thereby diminished For I beleeue the most part of them in those pointes were both godly and excellent men and cerâ—eyne of them no doubt haue well deserued to be well thought of But yet they themselues woulde not that theyr owne wordes should be preferred before the doctrine of Christ Moreouer euen these our aduersaries w c obiecte vnto vs the autority of y e fathers do also abuse very much the testimonies of theÌ„ Although in those dayes the seedes of errours were first sowen abroade yet so pernicious abuses had not as yet crept intoo the Churche There was at the beginning a certayn maner of calling vpon Sayntes But afterwardes how muche wickednesse followed Therefore the declamation of Nazianzen is not too bee cited for so muche as that Age of his was ignoraunte of this newe deuised Idolatry But why doe the Aduersaries lay for themselues the autority of the Churche when as they contende not with vs touching doctrine nor touching Religion but concerning their sensualities and promotions they will not haue theyr peaceable estate too be troubled This is one and the onelye cause why they desire our subuersion For there are certaine opinions more clearer then the Noone day And yet because they would oppresse the same they put in practize open crueltie they kill and sley the Godlie learned and good men yea and the Ministers of the Churche for marriage sake Where shall a man reade this in any place as touching any barbarous fury that men shoulde be killed and slaine for honest marriage sake If they allowe the auncient Churche why doe they not followe the firste tymes Doe they thinke that either Ambrose or Augustine woulde haue allowed of this crueltie in punishing the Innocent Persons No sure they
inter se de impâ—rio disciptantibus 433. Present thereat 200. fathers Heresies of Nestorius Twoo natures in Christ truly aud substantially vnited The 4. Councel of Calcedon vnder Martian 452. Mans traditions increased in the Church Monks forbidden to marry virgins which had made vowes Politike ordinaunces for the Church decreeed in the Councell of Calcedon Aduersaries charged with dissimulation Thâ—â— Council of Antioch vnder Foelix the Bâ—shop of Rome there holden about the yeare 274 Touching the herisie of this Paule Samosatenus looke in Pantaleon page 22. Vowes of Deaâ—tons touching mariage or single life fondly allowed of The Councel of Laodicia vnder Valeut 〈◊〉 Anno 368. Lay men axacted vpon which had married 2 wiues Concil Laodicenum Error of Baptising forbidden for 14 dayes after beginning of lent Marriage forbid with Heretikes The Councell of Toledo vnder Arcadius Honorius Anno 395. Articles of diuinity and humanity in Christ Deaâ—ons Excommunication of Parents A great and vnmeete absurdity The 5. Councel of Carthage vnder Aurelius Bishop Anno 438. Present therat 74. Bishops Present thererâ— 74. Bishops Marriage of ecclesiasticall persons forbidden A constitution concerning Chappels and Aulters of Sayntes Superstitiouse woorshipping of Saintes withstood and disanulled The 6. councel of Carthage vnder Aurelius Bishop there Anno 457. Present thereat 217 Bishops Apeale to the See of Rome laboured for by the Bishop there Augustine was present at this Councel Note The impudent forgery of the Bishop of Rome A Relation vnto the 4. Councelâ— holden there A decree touching repentaunce The Councell called Mileuitana about the time that Hilarius entred againe into Rome â—n 420. S. Augustine was present thereat with a great nuÌ„ber of Bishops Sute of appele to the See of Rome forbiddeÌ„ Diuorcements Superstition of vowes confirmed Virgins to be couered before the age of 25. yeeres Auncient ecclesiasticall wryters so farre foorth as they are witnesses of the auncient and first church of the Apostles haue wel deserued to be allowed of Other writers oftentimes erâ—ing by admonishment haue amended Without choice be made al writing or testimonies of the fathers may not be allowed Origen was Biâ—hop of Alexanâ—ria Anno 235 â—n some points â—e is a witnes â—rofitable With his wriâ—ings he mixed â—any false and â—â—surde opiniâ—ns Origen Error touching righteousnes His error touching workes and vertues 〈◊〉 fault in Origen where he afterwardes corrupteth that which before he applyed wel He alleâ—geth â—â—stification by â—aith Variety in hys interpretation His corrupting of sentences greeuously erronyous Origen vnderstandeth the holy Ghost amisse Note his error in preferring Peter aboue all the rest of the Apostles Mat. 16. Mat. 20. This Dionysius is thought to haue byn the Disciple of Origen and also thiefe schoolemaister of the schoole in the City of AlexaÌ„dria Anno 250. Popes of the later times haue digressed from the auncient rule of the Church Dionysius testifieth that there was no Masse but Communion in his time His testimonies touching baptisme annoynting Communion ordering of priests and a godly order in burying the dead Ceremonies were the beginnings of monkery Tertullianus Apher was famous in Anno 230. His errors touching mariage His errors touching Saincts His errors touching traditions And touching custome Also touching Baptisme Touching birthdayes and buriall daies Cyprian Bishop of Carthigâ— and dyed a Martyr about the yeere 275. Note his error touching baptising by Heretikes Touching reâ—â—issioÌ„ of sinnes His error touching original sinne His error touching suche as slyde away froÌ„ the Churche Bycause Cyprian vsed the word oblatioÌ„ for the Lords supper therefore the aduersaries ratify their masse Augustines interpretation of the wordes Sacrifice and oblation The opinion of Irenaeus touching oblation Sacrifice and oblation how to be vnderstoode Certain wordâ— in Cyprian which the late writers do wrest contrary to good meaning Testimonies of antiquitie doo not defend later abuses Basilius was Bishop of Caesarea in Capadocea abowte the yeare 370. Touching rightuousnes Basilius first inâ—stituted the oâ—â—res of Monkery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Punishmentes This Gregory is supposed to be 〈◊〉 which was 〈◊〉 in the Church Anno. â—â—85 Errors of the Godly are not to be opposed against the word of God What the Aduersaries do alleadge out of Basilius Basilius his opiâ—nion touching Saintes or thâ— holy ones Epiphaniâ—â—â— Idolatry detected by hym â—oannes Chrysostomus vixit cirâ—iter annum Doâ—ini 404. â—piscopus Conâ—aÌ„tinopolitanus â—is errors touâ—hing remission â—f sinnes Chrysostomes commentaryes touching iustification and faith His opinion touching faith A true testimonie of remission of sinnes giuen in time of Darkenes Chrysostome doth not mention of any priuate masse in his time Ambr. vixit circiter annum 376. Episcopus Mediolatiensis creatuâ— 377. S. Ambrose his true testimony touching remissiou of sinues Rom. 5â— Note his worthie testimonie touching Iustification Psal 32. Ambroslus ad Demetriadem Virginem Sanctus Hieâ—onymus Stridonensis per totum â—errarum orbeÌ„ notus in Bethleem illustris habitat Anno 387. Writing against Iouinianus he confirmeth superstitious doctrine touching manâ— traditions His mistaking of matrimony His errors touching difference of meats Rom. 14. His right opinion touching mans regeneration His misvnderstanding of sinnes In Hieromes wrytings are many and no smal errours Aurelius Augustinus Bishop of Hippona and Disciple of Hierom liued in Anno. 395. In Augustines time there had crept in Philosophicall opinions confirmed by Pelagius His error by confirming of Merits by woorkes Augustine in his time restored a fresh the Gospel touching grace and fayth in Christ His good Opinion touching the enioying oâ— spirituall motiâ—ons Augustines proâ—fitable difference betweeâ— the letter and the spirit Righteousnesse what it is The doctrine of the Gospel what it is Scotistae subtil desputers This Scotus lined about the yeere 1298. Deliuerance from the Lawe What it meaneth Examples of the first age Note the Consolation iâ— the promised Sauiour vpon deliuerance from the Law Law moral and the deliuery therefrom That some of â—he aduersaries â—oe touching Augustines interpretation 〈◊〉 the interpretation of late writers vpon Paul Priuate hate of the aduersaries toward the truth Aristophanes That is they be haue themselues most shamefully beastly and contemtuously in contemning the mightie and meruâ—ilous woorkes of almightie God An eâ—hortation â—o the Godly â—eaders In 〈◊〉 time Kings and Bishops set themselues against the mariage of Priests The causes Augustines affirmation touching the regenerate man not iust by workes but by fayth Psal 144. Confession Contrition Trust in the Lorde Fayth touchinâ— righteousnesse howe to bee vnderstood Monkes erring all the way in expounding Paules meaning Augustine beleeued touching grace and faith the very same which the later age teacheth Pelagius his hereste in estimation Ceremonies in Augustines time Mans traditions better esteemed then the commaundemenâ—â—s of God Note Augustines sounde iudgement touching the ouerthrow of mans traditions Sermons touching Purgatory frequented in Augustines tyme. S. Augustines words of prayer wrested by the Papistes for oblation of the sacrament of the dead Augustines
rehearse many examples but I surcease and I exhorte al those that are godly to abhorre this mischieuous sophistry of the aduersaries Ezechias king of Hierusalem did not only redresse those superstitious errours and opinions touching woorshipping of the brasen Serpent but hee vtterly destroyed the very Image it selfe So it is a point of true godlynesse to cast a way the traditions themselues togither with their vngodly opinions which traditions are not in proper nature politike customes Lyke as the Scripture commaundeth Idolles to be destroyed So those same traditions of priuate Masses praying vntoo Sainctes obseruing of vowes superstitious Apparel religious orders of brotherhood the bonde of single life difference of meates and such other lyke foolishe traditions proceeding of superstitions ought vtterly too bee taken away and abolished But what doo I dispute They which describe theyr faulty and corrupt traditiōs with this sophistical doctrine do not this vnfainedly to take away errors out of the Churche but that they might by al meanes defend theyr autority by their comming establishe this vngodlynesse For lewde opinions doo easely afresh bude againe if the very customes do remaine Wherefore needful it is that the godly should be watchful for the deuil stubbornly resisteth the Gospel not only prouoking tyrants vnto cruelty but also craftely laying snares vnder a pretence of wysedome and powring forth pleasant perswasions of the which to beware oftentymes the holy Ghoste commaundeth vs. As the Apostle Paule wryting vntoo Timothy saith That there should come dissembling spirits cap. 4. he saith wryting vntoo the Colos cap. 2. That the traditions of me shal haue in them a shew of wisdom Whereby not onely manifest dreames of men shall bee spread abroade such as for the most part were both they of former later age like as a little before the crafty dealings of pardons were manifest but also subtil crafty felowes shal cūningly depaint out false doctrine vngodly traditiōs to the end they may be entertained with great ioy to the ende they may bee beloued retained in great estimation For hath not the vngodlynes of Samosatenus a certaine shew of wisdome Is not the error of Pelagius plausible too prophane wittes So haue these things a shew of wisedome it is profitable for peace tranquility say the aduersaries to retaine the accustomed maners Therfore let the more absurde or inconuenient opinions be taken away let better interpretations or meanings be giuen vnto them but the rytes or customes themselues let them be retained This kind of speech maketh a fayre shewe when in deede they practise far otherwyse These sycophancies or scoffing kinde of speeches are much alyke signified in the History of Christe whome when the Iewes had blindfilded his enimies which bounde him scoffingly buffetted him they bid him then prophecy who he was that strick him so these excusers of vngodly traditions haue Christ his church in derision at this day After that they haue imagined some one vnsauery straunge phrase they nowe thinke they haue sufficiently blindfilded Christ after this they fal to buffetting of him that is they establishe vngodlynes they inflame the harts of Kinges vnto cruelty they triūphe ouer vs as though they nowe had vtterly extinguisht the trueth Themselues in their owne Theatre carry away the conquest they are praysed of the vngodly they are beloued of Kinges whose appetites and affections they serue But God is in prayer to be called vpon that hee woulde vouchsafe to restraine and brydle this kinde of sycophanty Nicander sayeth there is a kinde of Serpentes which he calleth Hemorrhoydes and they are very litle beastes of one foote length but they haue such force of Poyson in them that sweate most blooddy bursteth out of him which is stoonge with one of them yea from out his whole body out of his mouth nosethrilses and out of his bladder isseweth greate streames of blood so as his eyes sende foorth sparkling teares of blood and so that all his whole body burneth with incredible heate thereby This kinde of beast when as one of them had in Egypt destroyed a Mariner of Helens The noble and hauty woman trode her vnder her foote wherevppon also the posterity of Haemorrhoides is saide to halte and bee maymed by the losse of their sting For the euent declareth that this straunge sophisticall doctrine of interpreting traditions is a poyson not vnlyke the poyson of these Hemorrhoides The vnlearned although they are our aduersaries yet notwithstanding they fight against vs with wilful boldnes and hatred These Hemorrhoydes hy the reason of the defence of their doctrine by meanes of these Sophistries and as Paule calleth them by reason of a certaine outwarde shewe of wisdome which they woulde haue too bee in them are helde in admiration and prouoke the mindes of mighty personages to oppresse the trueth Princes beeing enflamed with this poyson doo conceaue and kindle in their hartes flames of hatred are made bloodsuckers and cruelly raging beyonde measure But Christ wil not suffer the light of his Gospel to be extinguished accordingly as it is written Whatsoeuer is of GOD shal not bee abolished Therefore shall the Churche wherein shyneth true doctrine at length vtterly destroy the stinges from those Hemorrhoydes Those sophisticall interpretations shall not oppresse the trueth neyther shall the crafty and cruel counselles of the vngodly preuayle them But whereas some men desirous of cōcord doo dayly looke for that councels shoulde bee called by Bishoppes and that they hope these shal heale vp the woundes of the Churche or redresse enormities in the same they are far deceaued For the Bishops of Rome theyr champions confederate with them wil neuer stinte from warrying against Christe which that I may so thinke I am not onely moued by mans coniectures which are many and no flender causes I am thorowly mooued with the sayinges of Christe Furthermore by the examples of all ages For Christe denyeth that blasphemers shall bee saued which contrary to theyr owne conscience stryue against the trueth defende open Idolatry embrewe themselues in the blood of the godly ones No doubte fury is allwaies accompanied with blasphemies and murder like as the histories of Cain Pharao Saule and the children of Israel do witnesse the same And God himselfe threatneth blindnes vnto blasphemers as the Psalme sayeth Let theyr eyes bee darkened Therefore dayly doo they encrease their tormentes and they with vngodly leagues doo binde Princes vntoo themselues Neither doo they onely openly swarme abroade but primly lay snares for the lyues of godly Princes Is it not to bee supposed that these will admit moderate or godly councels And other whyles wee haue prooued very many which haue fained a moderation and yet in very deede haue wrought nothing so but that they might catche theyr vauntage howe too subuert vs if they had once ensnared vs and so extinguishe al kinde of good doctrine
affirmation touching mariages contracted Vowes reprehensible Many errors wrapped in popish vowes Augustines time had many abuses whereof some he was against A weake argument wresting the application of authorities by the aduersaries for their masses pardoÌ„s c. Hic Gregorius contra animi senâ—tentiam Pontifex electus anno 593 Long oberdi Encreace of errors Virg. Aâ—neidos 2 Monks had in great estimatioÌ„ where when Barbarous people meruaile at â—hose straunge â—rdinaunces Worshipping of Saincts Idolatry Ignorance in them touching inuocating vpâ— Christ c. Gregory confirmed many vngodly exercises Prophanation of the Sacrament Errors in Gregories time He forbiddeth Subdeacons Deacons to haue the company of their wiues His first error forbidding of marriage His artrogancy and tyranny His second error touching yong men broght vp in monasteries The third error of Gregory in being seduced by night visions That is wil they refuse too be taught of the Prophet who in the mouth of God and seeke helpe at the dead which is the illusion of sathan The Autors purpose vpon the confutation of Gregories errours Oblation for the dead confuted by 〈◊〉 arguments Confirmation of the Maior Confutation of Sacrifice for the deade 〈…〉 〈…〉 Forgiuenesse of sinnes what how they are graunted vs. Confutation of sacrifising of 〈◊〉 Vse of the Sacrament rightly aplyed Iustification of the Spirite in this life The iust and righteous are euer exercised with afflictions in this life Confutation of Purgatory Confutation of Satisfactions From whence Purgatorie tooke his originall The Greeks oration exhibited touching Purgatorie which is referred vnto repentance in this life Euripides Sacrifices of the Leuites did not take away sinnes before God Tradition of the Iewes Note touching the Autor of the Cannon of the Masse Name of the vniuersal Bishop refused and dispraysed by Gregory Testimonies of abuses in the Church of former time The reuelation of S. Iohn a testimonie for the Church in all ages Testimonies of Councelles against ambitious and subtill enimies of the Church Complaint of Basilius vpon the Bishops and state of the Church in his time Anno. 370. Basilius in libro de Spiritu Sancto Touching abuses in his time The Church must aske counsell at the word of God Protestation of the Author touching the fore sayd Testimonies Aduersaries obiecting the autorities of the Fathers doe very much abuse them Aduersaries allegations and contention Aduersaries in seeking to oppresse the truth kill and slay innocent personâ— for marriage sake The totall suÌ„m and scope of thâ— Autorâ— purpoâ— in this woorkâ— â—iturgiae â—o kinde of Masses before â—regories tyme. Single lyfe â—â—tely ordained Repentance â—â—rgiuenes of â—â—nnes and Iuâ—â—ification Out of the auncient writers some bees gather Hony and some spiders sucke out poyson Newfangled sorte of Philosophicall Diuines and wise worldlinges Omphalius a flug and subtill supporter of the Bhurche of Rome and common wealth in these later daies The Aduersaries captions preaching instigate the minds of mightie personages against the truth Psal 8. Luke 23. Dignity of good lawes in the Church and commoÌ„ wealth Gods commâ—â—demnent how to be preserred The Prophets and the apostles loued their country and the welfare thereof Needful it is that there bee conflicts in confirming the trueth A ChristiaÌ„ harâ— what it doth in tyme of 〈◊〉 Answere of the autor vnto Omphalius other newefangled wyse men Wyse worldelinges men pleasers The true purposed scope wherein all men ought to bestow theyr tyme trauel Cardinal Contarenus his wordes against the Lutherans â—loses inuented by the Aduersaries and for what purposes Praying vntoâ— sainctes is corrupt and vyle The autors exhortation for the detestation of the aduersaries sophistry 2. ChronicoruÌ„ ca 29 and 31. Ezechias a notable example of a good and godly Prince True godlynes how it ought to be employed The aduersaries in descrybing their corrupt traditions do defende their autority c. 〈◊〉 shew of wisedom in some of the aduersaries of the latter 〈◊〉 Samosatenus 〈◊〉 Heretyke had his shewe of wisdome Examples of the Iewes scoffing speeches against Christ Mark 14. A relation theâ— of vntoo the aâ—uersaries of tâ— true Church the latter ageâ— The aduersaâ—ies peruerse â—orrupt deaâ—inges in the Church comâ—ared too the â—oyson of the â—erpentes called â—emorrhoides Tyranny of 〈◊〉 malignant Churche relation vnto â—e supposed â—pected conâ—rde of the â—hurch in Meâ—â—ctbâ—ns tyme. Autors godlâ— aduertizemenâ— vnto the godlâ— in his tyme 〈◊〉 plyable too thâ— latter dayes Luk. 11. The woord is â—natâ—ema â—lesson for â—d men of Churche Enimies of thâ— Church aduoâ—â—ched by the Auâ—â—tor The chief indeâ—uour practysâ— of the Popishe clergy What the godâ—ly ought too auoyde An exhortatioâ— too all men toâ— seeke for the true church Concluded affirmation which is the true Church who they be and how they bee members therof Commendation of the state of Gods Churche Who are meek â—sociates in the true Church of God An exhortation to pray for the prosperitie of the Church and deserue well towardes the same The godly care of the Autor for the posterity 1. Tim. 6. The contrary care and carelesnesse of the aduersaries God requireth euery man in his vocation to seeke the aduauncement of Gods glory in his Church Gods promised rewardes too those that so doe