Mr. Foxe in Apocalipsin page 345. post medium saith hereof Docti sanctique hic interpretes plerique fere omnes quos hactenus videre contigit nihil hic certi statuunt nisi quod tempus tempora dimidium temporis ad tres duntaxit annos semialterum restringuÌ„t vide ibidem page 362. prope finem and of that learned Protestant Hierom Zanchius (v) Zanchius in epistolas Pauli ad Phillip Collos Thessal page 245. a. do amount but vnto three yeares and a halfe during which time the hight of Antichrists persecution is in theire opinion hereby foretoulde to rage Thirdly we further say that other Protestant writers who dislike this exposition of three yeares and a halfe and would enforce a longer terme as namely Mr. Forde (x) Mr. Ford in Apoc. c. 13. vers 5. page 97. ante med saith Menses isti 42. designant paululum id temporis quod Diabulo concessumerat supra c. 12 12. videl tempus grauissimae illius persecutionis quae durauit ad Constantinum magnum supputandi sunt enim prorsus sicut sanctissimus pater Ioannes Foxus accepit nempe per sabatha annorum quomodo menses 42 efficiunt annos 294. quibus ex vicesimo anno imperij Constantini qui ideÌ„ fuit Annus Christi 329. subductis Constabit ProphetiaÌ„ istam statim post mortem Christi incepisse and Mr. Foxe do vnderstand by euery month a Saboth of yeares affirming so by the 42. monthes to be ment 294. yeares and that by theire opinion those 294. yeares begunne in the first persecutions of the primatiue Church and so ended about the end of the first 300. yeares after Christ which their expositioÌ„ as it altogither maketh with vs strengthning our former assertion of the not fulfilling during that time of the foresaid predictioÌ„s concerning the Churches happie enlargement so likewise it leaueth our aduersaries wholly as before chargeable to answere for the fulfilling thereof in the ages succeeding And thus much breistly to shew to your MAIESTIE 1 First That according to that confessed sence of scripture which Protestants them selues acknowledge (y) Mr. Foxe in Apoc. page 346. fine 365 ante med expresseth his like iudgement affirming page 365 that this exposition was deliuered to him as it were by reuelation arcano quodam admonitionis sibilo siue voce tamen c. and with this exposition agreeth Mr. Downham in his treatise concerning Antichâ—ist c. 8. page 77 fine the Church of Christ was fore toulde to continew after her first increase wonderfully enlarged with conuersion of many KINGES and Kingdomes of the Gentilles 2 Secondly that it is like-wise confessed that many Kinges and Nations of the Gentilles haue continually since the conuersion of CONSTANTINE our first Christian Emperour till Luther bene accordinglie conuerted (*) Hereof see heretofore tract 2. c. 1 sect 4. in the margent there in the begining at this mark * by our Catholicke Church that our Church hath in that estate continued and florished as Mr. Napire confesseth for these 1260. yeares Reining vniuersally c. 3 Thirdly that by like confession of Protestants their Church hath bene so farr from performing the like that as them selues acknowledge shee hath most certainely for so lâ—nge remained Latent and inuisible A scruple so euident that Castalio there-vpon fell to doubtfull speaches of our Christian faith and Dauid George to plaine Apostasie THE SECOND CHAPTER THAT THE TRVE CHVRCH MVST haue her Pastors administration of the word and Sacraments euer-more to continew SECT 1. THE second pointe which we intend to offer to your MAIESTIE from that confessed sense of scripture which Protestants acknowledge is touching the Churches continued and visible administration of the Word and Sacraments which our Sauiour hath ordained to serue as the necessary appointed ordinarie meanes of our saluation for albeit that God was able to call iustifie and confirme the elect without any mediate meanes yet hath he not as Caluine confesseth (¶) See Caluin institut l. 4. c. 1. sect 5. initio determined to accomplishe the same otherwise then in and by the ministerie of his Church To beginne therfore with the administration of the Word the Apostle teacheth .1 First that Christ hath placed in his CHVRCH (z) Ephes 4 11 12 13. Pastours and Doctors to continue to the consumation of Saintes till we all meete in the vnitie of faith euen as our aduersaries doe hereupon expound for euer (a) Doctor Fulk against the Rhemishe Testament in Ephes 4. sect 4. fol. 335 a. inition And Caluin in institut Printed Geneua 1550. c. 8. de fide sect 37 38. page 233. 234. Melancthon loc commun aedit 1561. c. de Ecclesia And hence it is that they affirme that (b) Caluin vbi supra the Church can neuer want Pastors and Doctors and which is more that (c) Mr. Fulke against Heskins Sanders c. pa. 539 prope finem Christ will suffer no perticular Church to continue without a seruant to ouersee it and that (d) Mr. Fulke ibid. pag. 536 paulo post med And mr Sparke in his answere to mr Iohn d' Albines p. 11. prope initium saith accordingly The Church of Christ hath alwaies had and shall haue to the end successiuely in all ages in one place or other such as haue shewed the truth faithfully vnto others as haue shined as lights in their daies set vpon a Candlesticke Pastors and Doctors must be in the Church till the end of the world euen from (e) Mr. Fulke ibid. page 569 initio Christs time till Luthers age In the like assertion wherof the other Protestant writers (f) The Confession of Heluetia cited in the harmonie of Confessions pag 337. and Bertram de loque in his discourse of the Church p. 79. are plentifull 2. Secondly that these Pastors must not be silent the holy ghost testifieth foretelling of the Churches (g) Esa 62 6. Watchmen or Pastors (h) The marginall notes of the English Bible 1576. in Esa 62 6. that they shall not (i) Esa 62 6. be silent But euen as the Apostle saith (k) Rom. 10 14. How shall they beleeue whome they haue not heard and hâ—w shall they heare without a Preacher So our aduersaâ—ies do accordingly hould concernâ—ng preachers that as Mr. Fulke saith (l) Mr. â—ulke in his answere to a counterfaite Catholicke p. 100. initio truth cannot be continued in the world but by their ministrie That therfore (m) Propositions and principles disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua pag. 245. circa med the ministrie is an essentiall marke of the true Church that also as Mr. Deering faith (n) Mr. Deering in his reading vpon the epistles to the Hebrues ca. 3. lectur 15. post initium Saluation springeth in preaching of the ghospell and is shutt vp againe with the ceasing of it and that (o) Ibid. c. 3. lectur 16 fine take away preaching you take away faith
him selfe alone were yet neuerthelesse at the same time reserued and remaining we humblie pray your highnesse of patience to vouchsaue our examination of this their last and dispairing refuge in full discouery whereof we saye 1 First that though those .7000 of that one speciall time were vnknowne as theÌ„ to Elias yet this proueth not which is the onely matter pertinent hereby to be proued that therefore they should be as then vnknowne also to all others of the same time and much lesse therfore can this perticuler exaÌ„ple proue that all the faithfull not of one speciall time onely but also of so many seuerall hundreth yeares as are before examined should all of them during all those ages continew so generally Latent and vnknowne not to one Elias onely but to the whole world as that there should remaine no memorie or notice of the needfull preaching and administratioÌ„ of Sacraments to haue beene performed so much as by any one of theÌ„ in any one Nation of the earth for any one moment of all those times 2 Secondly we say that this example of Elias maketh wholly for vs against our aduersaries and is therefore by them either ignorantly mistaken or wilfully misapplied for it is euident that Elias (e) 1 Of Kings 19 3. And see the contents of the Englishe Bible vpon that Chapter fleeing the face of Iezabell wife to Achab who sought (f) Ibid. vers 2. his life laye therupon secret in (g) Ibid. vers 8. 9. a Caue vpon Mount Horreb in the wildernes at the time of his foresaid complaining that he was left alone the which he then vttred not generally but in regard onely of that countrie of Israell which was the kingdome of Achab wherein he then a stranger laye secret as appeareth most plainely aswel in that God himself accordingly answered his said complaint with like respect to that onely countrie saying as is obiected (h) Ibid. vers 18. I haue lefte to me in Israell 7000. c. as also for that in those very times the Church did greatly florishe in the other next adioining kingdome of Iuda and was as then to him there both knowne and visible vnder two good kinges Asa and Iosaphat who reigned euen in the time (i) 1 Of Kings 22 41. of Achab at what time the number of the faithfull was there so exceeding greate that the souldiers onely were numbred to many (k) 2. Chron. 14 8 9. 17 14 15.16 17 18 19. hundreth thowsands so visible and knowne was the Church at that time and so euident withall is the truthe of this our answer that this very obiection is in this sort answered and refelled not onely by (l) Mr. Clapham in his soueraign remedy against schisme pa. 17. paulo post med saith Our ignorant reformists say the Church was invisible in the time of Helias wherto he answereth saying the holy Ghost recordeth Helias to haue spoken this against Israell not against Iuda for as he knew that good Iosophat at that time reigned in Iuda So he well knew that there was not onely the Church visible but also mightely reformed vide ibid. page 18. initio circa med Mr. Henoch Clapham an English Protestant but also as certaine of our other aduersaries do thereat (m) Benedict morgenstern in tract de Ecclesia pag. 4. saith Mirum quod Philippus ea quae dicuntur de inuisibili Ecclesia ita prorsus reijcit vt illud etiam Domini verbum ad Eliam reliqui mihi 7000 c. ad visibilem EcclesiaÌ„ detorqueat complaine euen by Philip Melancthon (n) Melancthon in corpore doctrinae page 530. and that the Churches Pastors Doctors should for so many ages together be in being and withall vnknowne is yet otherwise at the least in it selfe inexplicable if not coÌ„tradictorie for what do our aduersaries affirme to be the reason of this their pretended latencie aâ—l they can alâ—edge is persecutioÌ„ But against this we say 1. First that the Churches persecutioÌ„ maketh her the more knowne for who are persecuted but knowne men this Mr. Caâ—thwright confesseth calling theâ—efore the Church vnder persecution (o) Mr. Carthwrite in Mr. Whitgiftes defence c. page 174. paulo post med And he saith there further What a conclusion is this the Church were few in number because they were vnder the Crosse c. To let passe both scriptures and stories Ecclesiasticall haue you forgotten what is said in the first of Exodus that the more the children of Israell were persecuted the more they increased visible and sensible for els saieth he how could it be persecuted and Mr. Iewell saith accordingly (p) Mr. Iewell in his replie page 506. circa med And see Mr. Iewell in his defence of the Apologie printed 1571. page 33. 34. the Church is placed vpon a Mount her Persecutions cannot be hidde In cleare demonstration wherof it is euident that although the primatiue Church during the first 300 yeâ—res after Christ endured (q) Hereof see Mr. Foxe in his actes monuments Printed 1576. from page 34. till page 86. describing the first tenne Persecutions And see the Centurie writers of Magdeburg Cent. 1. l. 2. c. 2. col 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Cent. 2. c. 2. col 10. 11. 12. 15. 16. 17. 18. 20. 21. 22. c. Cent. 3. c. 3. col 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. c. incomparablie the most vniuersall and violent persecutions that euer were yet the same notwithstanding our aduersaries (r) Centur. 1. Cent. 2. 3. throughout And Pantaleon in Chronogra Functius in Chronolog Osiander Cent. 1. 2. 3. Foxe act mon. in his discourse of the tenne first Persecutions of the primatiue Church And Dresserus in millenar 5. pag 11. 12. And of the sundry Councells or Synodes then assembled and had See Mr. Fulks booke de successione Ecclesiastica contra Stapletonum pa. 246 ante med the Centurie writers and sundry otherrs do at this day take certaine and perticuler notice of the Catholicke Bishops and Pastors by name in euery of those ages of their administration of the Word and Sacraments and their open impugning of Heresies 2 Secondly we say that for so much as according to many before (s) See heretofore tract 2. c. 2. sect 1. recited plaine testimonies from scriptures and Protestants it is euident confessed that the Church is to continue so knowne that all men (t) See heretofore tract 2. c. 2. sect 1. l. c. and in the margent there carefull of their saluatio may know where the true Church is and to which company they ought to adhere that therfore no force or persecution of man can or shall be able to dissolue (*) Act. 5 39. If this worke be of God you are not able to dissolue it or make frustrate the ordinance of God made in this behalfe 3 Thirdly we
(p) Heretofore tra 2. c. 2. sect 1. initio pag. 91. at z. a. b. c. d. want Pastors and Doctors that these shall (q) tract 2. c. 2. sect 1. circa med pag. 92 at p. q. r. alwaies resist f l e dâ—ctrine with open reprehension that also the true Church can never be without (r) Tra. 2. c. 2. sect 1 paulo p st medium pag. 92. at y. the administration of the Word and sacraments that (s) Iâ—idem pag. 92. at z. the onely absence of them dâ—th make a nâ—ll tie of the Church and that (t) Ibidem prope finem pa. 93. at c. thâ—se notes are needefull to distiâ—gâ—ish the true Church from the false that men careful of â—heir salvatio may know where the true Church is a d tâ— which companie they o ght to aâ—here 2 Secondly that thâ— comâ—on in s anâ—â—es or examples of (u) Tract 2. cap. 2. sect 3. pag. 98. Waldo (x) Tract 2. cap. 2. sâ—ct 4. pag. 105. â—â—ic iffe (y) Tract 2. cap. 2. sect 5. pag. 109. Huse (*) Tâ—act 2. cap. 2 sect 10. pag. 126. 127. c. at s ct 11. Luther tâ—eir followers alledgâ—d â—â—â—al yâ—â—â—â—râ—oâ—mance hereof are fouÌ„d insufâ—cient to proâ—â— a continuance of these prem sses but so much as for those times in which they first begunne or lâ—ued and that no (*) Heretofore tra 2. c. 2 sect 7. pag. 115. 116. 1â—7 118. 119. 120. sufficient example thereof during those times and sundry other ages before can be giuen 3 Thirdly that in steed of example in this kinâ— to be alledged it is confessed to the contrarie that the Protestants Church hath during all those ages many other before remained (z) Heretofore tract 2. cap. 1. sect 4. ante circa med pag. 83. at t.u. pag. 82. at o. Latent and invisible and that our Church hath neverthelesse during all the same time continued (a) Tract 2. cap. 1. sect 4. pag. 83. at r.s. visible reigning vniversally c. 4 Fâ—urt ly whâ—ch only point is sufficieÌ„t to coÌ„vince our adversaries that no known example can bee fâ—unde hereof but during the last (b) Tract 2. cap. 2. sect 11. twentie yeareâ— next before Luther whâ—ch are yet in the memorie of this presentage our adversaries acknowleeging to the contrarie that (c) Heretofore tract 2. cap. 2. sect 11. pag. e. the truth was at that time vnknowne and vnheard of and that as then (d) Vide ibidem an vniuersal apostasie over spread the whole face of the earth (e) Ibidem all Churches being as the overwhelmed with more then CimeriaÌ„ darkneâ— 5 Fifthly that therfore for the preservation of Christs true Church which is confessed (f) Heretofore tra 2. c. 2. sect 13. initio and in the margent there at the letter r. never to faile so much as for any one moment of time sundrie of our learned adversaries doe acknowledge that Luther thoâ—gh being before his first preaching against the Pope a confessed earnest Catholike did yet neverthelesse after his saide preaching against the Pope not (g) Heretofore tra 2. c. 2. sect 13. y. also in the margent there at the letter y. ibideÌ„ in the margent at the letter z. erect any new Church or become member of any other Church theÌ„ before not in being but remained stil a member of he same Catholike or Popish Church without (*) Heretofore tract 2. cap. 2. sect 13. b. c. departing from it so withall that the Popâ—sh Church (h) Tra. 2. cap. 2. sect 13. versus finem tra 1. sâ—ct 6. post medium pag 40 e. f. is the Church of God and the religion th reof sufficient to (â‹) Tract 1. sect 6. versus finem pag. 40. at m.n. Salvation All whiâ—h premisses haâ—e beene heretofore proved froÌ„ the fâ—equeÌ„t â—â—fessâ—on of our learned adversaries Since alâ—â— we for our â—arts do hereby most seriously and as â—n the presence of God professe according to your Highnes gra e and meâ—orable (i) Basilicon doron in praefat prâ—uision to content our selues sobâ—â—ly and quâ—eâ—ly with our owne opinions not resisting aâ—thority but to pâ—sessâ—ur sâ—â—les in peace c. and are accordingly in good hope that there will appeare to your Maieistie iust cause to moue your highnes in your Princely wisedome so much the rather to obserue towards vs this worthie and kingly saying (k) Ibidem that it can no waies become to pronouÌ„ce so â—gh be sentence in so olde a controversie By how much it is by so many confessed premises made evideÌ„t that our doctrinâ— is vndoubtedly more olde then was any question of that other doctrine or in comparison rather innovation whereto your Maiestie voâ—chsafed this gracious favour Since Lastlie the obiection of disloâ—alty vrged against vs by our adversaries is retorted (l) Heretofore tract 3. sect 2. fully vpon themselâ—es we found (m) Heretofore tract 3. sect 3. 4. 5. to deserue at the least as wel as they some part of that princely favour which they without our repyning thereat in â—reater measure doe enioy therefore all pâ—ostrat before your royal Maiestie we do most huÌ„blie pray even by our holy communioÌ„ of faith with her whose soule is now blessed in heauen her memorie vpon the earth to your Maiestie most deare and to vs reverend and by the most humble intercessiâ—n of our allegeance and ever resolved loyaltie that your Highnes would of your princely clemencie graunt vs so much favour as the vndoubted example of all former and present times and the coÌ„fessed Doctrine both of Fathers and Protestantes (â‹) Hereof M. Covell in his examination c. pag. 199. post med saith Concerning the Iewes a Prince may lawfully permitte them to dwell in his kingdome c. the lawes of the Emperours haue permitted the like and some of the fathers but speciallâ— S. Austine was so favourable to them that he alledgeth severall reasons for the doing of it c. And Peter Martyr in his Comon places in Engliâ—â— part 2. pag. 329. b. fine affirmeth likewise that they may be tollerated among Christians haue also Sinagogâ—es c. But it is not lawful to grant vnto Turkes religâ—ous assemblies affordeth eveÌ„ to the misbeleeuing Iewes vouchsafeing so for our humble thoughts presume no higher but that we might adore (*) Act. 3 13. the God of our Faâ—â—ers with our private freedome and libertie of coÌ„science The integritie of our ancieÌ„t Cathoâ—ike faith and confessed current of so many former ages spent in profession thereof from the time of our Countries fiâ—st câ—nverâ—â—on with all honour to your Maiesties most noble auncestors can in our opinion no lesse then claime it The distressed and miserable condition of so many your Catholike and Loyall subiectes altogether needeth it our long contâ—nued hopes of your princely clemencie with cheerefull expectation of milder times to ensue vnder your Highneâ—
(*) See before tract 2 cap. 2. sect 3. b. x. y. of Anno 1218. in which Waldo first appeared THE LIKE IS SHEVVED OF VVICLIFFE Who liued Anno Domini 1370. and his followers SECT 4. AS concerning Iohn Wycliffe and his followers he as Mr. Foxe reporteth (t) Act. mon. 85. a. post medium florished Anno Domini 1371. was our countrie-man and so farre before his first appearing from being of any Church in which the Protestants administration of the Worde and Sacraments was then contâ—nued whereof as appeareth by Mr. Foxe (v) Mr. Foxe act mon. p. 85. b. initio affirmeth that out of all doubt all the world was in a mâ—st desperat vile estate and that lamentable ignorance and darkenesse of Gods truth had ouershadowed the wholle earth when Iohn Wycliffe stepped forth c. as the morning starre in the middest of a cloud And mr Foxe act mon. printed 1596. page 391. b. line 60. saith that in times of horrible darknes wheÌ„ there seemed in a manner to be no one so little sparke of pure doctrine lefte or remaininge Wycliffe by Gods prouidence rose vp through whom the Lord would first waken and raise vp againe the worlde c. And Osiander in his epitom hist Eccles centur 9. 10. 11. page 439 post med saith Libri Wycleuâ— non per omnia sunt purâ— non enim habuit tum coaetaneos qui potuissent eum sicubi longius extra metas progressus fuisset fraterne admonere and others not so much as any entrie or being could be to him then knowne that he himselfe was then before a Catholicke Priest euen the (x) Mr. Stowes Annales of England faithfully collected c. Printed 1592. pa. 464 initio Parson of Lutterworthe in Leicestershire And as Mr Stowe in his Annualls or chronicle dedicated to the new Lord Archbishop of Canterburie abridgeth his storie (y) Stowe ibid. pag. 425. post med He first Inueyed against the Church fâ—r that he had bene depriued by the Archbishope of Canterburie from a certaine benefiâ—e c. And hauing so vpon this occasion seperated him selfe from the Church in which he formerly was (z) Stow vbi supra He with his disciples went barefooted and baselie clothed in course russet garmentes downe to the heele and (a) Stow ibidem page 426 ante medium seemed to contemne all temporall goodes for the loue of aeternall riches adioined him selfe to the bâ—gging Friarâ— approuing theire pouertie and extolling theire perfection reteining also his fo mer Catholicke opinion concerning (2) Wycleuus de blasphemia ap 17. mencioning aqua benedicta saieth withall in proofe therof Habuerunt Christi Discipuli potestatem corpora tam rationabilia quam irrationabilia consecrandi Holie Water (3) Wycleuus de Eucharistia cap. 9. saith adoramus imagines vnde vt signa c. conceditur ergo quod reliquiae imagines sacramenta sunt cum prudentia adoranda And in decalogo super primo mandato cap. 15. he saith Introductae sunt imagines in Ecclesiam vt sint libri Laicorum signa recordatiua singulis Christianis vt adoreÌ„t debitè Sanctos Dei the worshipping of Reliques and Images (4) Wycleuus in serm de Assumptione Mariae saith Hic videtur mihi quod impossibile est nos praemiari sine Mariae suffragio c. the intercession of our Blessed Ladie St. Marie The (5) Wycleuus de tractatu degradationibus scholasticis c. 3. saith of them Sunt docta implicitè in sua specie vel suo principio and that supposita quacunque tali caeremonia virtuosa vel licita fuit docta per appositiones in suâ— principio apparell and tonsure of priestes The (6) Wycleuus de Apostasia c. 18. mencioneth and alloweth them And Ioannes Przibrauus an hereticke who liued neere the same time in professione fidei c. 28 saith Ioannes Wycleuus libro de Apostasia cap. 18. approbat totum ritum Missae a principio ferè vsque ad finem c. Rite and Ceremâ—nies of the Masse (7) Wycleuus ad caput primum prioris ad Corinth saith Vnctio extrema est medicina ad sanandum peccatum vt patet Iacobi 5. affirming there further that it is made cum oleo oliuae ab Episcopo consecrato Extreme Vnction and all (8) Wycleuus in Postilla super 15. c. Marci numbreth and mentioneth them all and in postilla super 1. Cor. 1. he further saith quaedam sacramenta c. per se promulgauit Christus vt Baptismum Eucharistiam OrdineÌ„ Poenitentiam quaedam autem per Apostolos vt Confirmationem Extremam Vnctionem c. the sâ—auen Sacraments and all those sundry other pointes of our Catholicke faith now in question with deniall whereof he is not found somuch as charged 2 Secondly he held sondrie strange and damnable heresies as amongest other that (b) Act. mon. page 96. a. art 4. b. art 15. Osiander in epitom hist Eccles centur 9. 10. 11. pag. 452. art 4. if a Bishope or Priest be in deadlie sinne he doth not order Consecrate nor Baptize (c) act mon. page 96. a. fine 93. b. art 12. Osiander vbi supra page 453. art 10. page 458. art 36. that ecclesiasticall ministers should not haue any temporall pâ—ssâ—ssions or (d) Melancthon in epist ad Frideric miconium extante in libro epistolarum Suinglij Oecolampadij page 622 initio saith of Wycliffe Contendit Presbiteris non licere vt possideant quicquam propriuÌ„ propertie in any thing but should (e) Melancthon loc comun de potest eccles ante med saâ—th illa Wycleuica superstitio pernitiosa seditiosa est quae adigit ministros ecclesiarum ad mendicitatem negat eis licere proprium tenere begge (*) Osiander vbi supra p 459. art 43. He condemned lawfull oathes Sauoring therin saith Osiander of Anabaptisme he also taught thâ—t (¶) Osiander cent pag. 457. prope initium all thinges come to passe by absolute necessitie whiâ—h is Stoicall and as for the Protestants doctrine of Iustification it was so vnknowne to him that as Waldensis who liued in the same time with him affirmeth he exceeded in the contrarie defending (f) Waldensis tom 3. cap. 7. 8. 9. Humaine merrittes as the damnable hereticke Pelagius held them In so much that Melancthon saith accordinglie of Wicliffe (g) Melancthon in epist ad Frideric micoâ— in lib. epist Suinglij Oecolampadij page 622. prope initium saith prorsus nec intellexit nec tenuit fidei iustitiam verily he did not vnderstand nor hould the Iustice of faith and doubeth not with all to say of him (h) Melancthon ibid. I haue found in him many other errors whereby one may iudge of his spirit Lastlie to omit diuers other he held as Melancthon tearmeth it (i) Melancthon ibidem saith of Wycliffe De domino ciuili sophisticè plané seditiosè rixatur a se litiouse doctrine and mother
steed thereof is thereby vnderstood the last 1260. yeares before Luther by Mr. Napeir vpon the reuelations Proposition 15 pa. 22. 23. 24. By Mr. Brocard vpon the reuiatioÌ„ fol. 110. a. and by Master Gifford vpon the reuelat pag. 890. post med was the first that diswaded Luther from further saying of Masse If now then that Luther him selfe was at first a Catholicke and our aduersaries in steed of plaine instance or example to be giuen of their Churches impugning of errors of her Pastors Doctors administratioÌ„ of the word and sacraments during but the foresaide 20. yeeres next before Luther do answere vs that they were as then persecuted we replie to them from them selues aswel that no persecution of man can frustrate the foresaid ordinaÌ„ce of god made to his Church in this behalfe as also that persecutioÌ„ (¶) See heretofore tract 2. c. 2 sect 8. at o. p. maketh her most knowne and therfore we aske as before who these were that were as then so persecuted if they say that for feare of persecution they durst not professe theire faith and so escaped vnknowne we againe tell them from themselues that (â‹) See heretofore tract 2. c. 2. sect 11. 1. l. p. q. r therfore they were not as then the true Church And we vrge yet further that the feare of persecutioÌ„ could be no such let to them after that sundry common wealthes and Magistrates had vndertaken the publique profession defence of Luthers doctrine but that as then at the least if any such had bene in being they might safelie haue shewed them selues and ioyned in comunion with Luther If lastly they say that their Pastors and Doctors administration of the word and sacraments were as then visible and knowne and that now since all testimonie thereof is suppressed to omit what hath bene (*) See heretofore tract 2. c. 2. sect 9. already sufficiently said against this and to admit also that all our Catholicke writers should so strangely haue passed them onely ouer in silence remembring all others as the Annabaptistes Swenefeldians c. why yet should Luther Zuinglius and the other Protestant writers forbeare to mention them the cause we take to be euident and onely for that during the foresaide 20. yeares before Luther they were not knowne to be so much as but in being in any one nation of the world which thing is in our opinion not obscurelye graunted rather then signified by our learned aduersaries them selues To this end our learned aduersaries Ioannes Regius acknowledgeth that the Church was euen theÌ„ (¶) Ioannes Regius being vrged in this kind doth in his liber apologeticus c. pag. 176. circa post med answere therto saying Negas Lutherum suae fidei caetum inuenisse c. dico fuisse ante Lutherum verae religionis qui cum Luthero per omniâ— consentiret caetum ecclesiâ—sticum But coming to answere where this Congregation wâ—s to be then found he hath no other refuge but saith there that it was a â—ontificijs non agnitus nec propter tyrannideÌ„ pontificiam visibiliter fortassis ostendi non potuerit iucoque quaÌ„do vrgent Iesuitae vt Lutherus verae religionis asse clam Ecclesiam ostendat c. volunt vt Lutherus oppositum in adiecto demonstret inuisibile visibile probet c. interim tamen absurdum est ita argumentari haec res ab alijs non agnoscitur nec potest etiam videri aut demonstrari ideoque non est in rerum nâ—tura c. So plainely doth he being vrged to particulers acknowledge his pretended Congregation at Luthers coming to haue bene then inuisible and not able to be shewed inuisiblâ— and could not be shewed and Mr. Iewell affirmeth accordingly that (e) Mr. Iewell in his Aplogie of the Church of England part 4. c. 4. diuision 2. and in his defence of the Apologie printed Anno 1571. pag. 426 prope finem the truth was vnknowne at that time vnheard of when Martine Luther and Hulderiâ—h Zuinglius first came vnto the knowledge and preaching of the Gospell Mr. Parkines sâ—ith in like manner (*) Mr. Parkins in his exposition vpon the Creed pag. 400. And Caluin in his booke of Epistles printed Hannouiae 1597. ep 141. pag. 273. paulo post med saith accordingly Adâ—urdum est postquam discessionem a toto mundo facere coacti sumus inter ipsa principia alios ab alijs dissilire And Daniel Chamierus in his epist Iesuitic part altera printed Geneuae 1601. pag. 49. saith hereof ArianoruÌ„ venenuÌ„ non portiunculaÌ„ quaÌ„daÌ„ fed pené totum orbem contaminauerat c. In ea nos tempora deuinimus quae etiam excedent Ariani furoris coâ—fusionem non portiunculam vnam aut alteram error occupauit sed totum â—orpus Apostasia auertit a Christo we say that before the daies of Luther for the space of many hundreth yeares an vniuersall apostasie ouerspread the wholle face of the earth and that our Church was not then visible to the world in so much as Bucer doth therfore call Luther (f) Primum Aposiolum purioris Euangelij Bucer in epist Anno. 36. ad Episcopum Hereford vide Conradum Schlusselburg in theolog Caluinistarum l. 2 fol. 17. a. initio the first Apostle of the reformed doctrine whose vocation said our aduersaries was by reason of the then generall defection of aâ—l protestant Pastors (*) See before tract 2. c. 2. sect 10. fine at q. r. immediate and extraordinarie the cource of (¶) Bezâ— ep 5. Alâ—mâ—nno paulo post initium Ordinarie vocation being then no where extant And the Lutheranes do affirme it (g) Conrad Schlustelburg ibid. l. 2. fol. 130. b. versus finem impudencie to say that many learned mâ—n in Germanie before Luther did hâ—uld the Dâ—ctrine of the Gospell And an other of them further saith Si antecessores Lutherus in officio habuisset orthodoxos c. (h) Georgius Milius in Augustan confess explicat art 7. de Ecclesia pag. 137. If there had bene right beleuers that went bâ—fore Luâ—her in his office c. there had then bene no nede of a Lutheraine reformation (i) Georgius Miluis ibid pag. 138. thâ—refore saith he we say that Luther was raised vp diuinitus extra ordinem by Gods speciall appointment and extraordinarily And an other Lutherane writer affirmeth it (k) Benedict Morgenstern tract de Ecclesia pag. 145. ridiculouse to thinke that in the time bâ—fore Luâ—hâ—r any had the puritie of Doctrine and that Luther should receiue it from them and not they from Luther consideriâ—g saith he it is manifest to the whole Christian worlde that before Luthers time all Churches were ouerwhelmed with more then Cymeriane darkenes And that Luther was diuinely raised vp to discouer the same and to restore the light of true Doctrine So plainely do our aduersaries them selues in steed of instance or example to be geuen acknowledge to the contrary the vtter defection
omnibus gentibus salutare tuum vtique tâ—les vt minâ—antur vt pauci fiâ—nt hinc exeunt A multitudine vnitatis omnes exieruÌ„t siâ—ut Pâ—ulo ante coÌ„memoraui dictuÌ„ de illis ex nobis exierunt c. And Aug. trâ— 3. in ep Ioâ— saith omnes Haeretici omnes Schismat ex nobis exieruÌ„t id est ex ecl exeuÌ„t Fathers and (6) See M. Alâ—sâ—n in hâ—s confutacioÌ„ of Browâ—â—sâ—â—e pag. 1. initio Protestants doe not without euident reason note the sectemasters of their times For seeing that truth is auncient to heresie the which is but a deniall of some part of the truth then in being and professed and that the summe of our Christian religioÌ„ was accordingly at first established and continued in and by the Apostles (7) See M. Bâ—â—sons words alledged heretofore tract 2. c. 2. sect 6. at z. a. and their Successors There neuer (*) This is evidently seene in the examples of Arius Novatus Donatus c. And all other Arch heretikes or sect-masters of every age neither can our adversaries give any one example to the contrarie was therefore nor possiblie could bee any Arch Hereticke or sectmaister who dâ—d not by his the secoÌ„dary InnovatioÌ„ in denial of some truth deuide himselfe from the Catholike Churches the visible societie whervpon as it followeth by necessary sequele that it sufficeth not our adversaries to affirme with such needy begging of the thing in questioÌ„ no lesse peremptory assuming iudgemeÌ„t vnder preteÌ„ce of that forbiddeÌ„ (¶) 2. Peter 1. private interpretation whâ—ch (8) Hereof see heretofore tract 2. cap. 1. initio in the margent at the letter p. q. themselues do frame vpon the Scriptures that we haue departed frâ—m God vnlesse withall they can shewe from what other knowne companie of Christian to vs then elder in being we did devide our selves betaking vâ— so thereby into an other singuler societie as did in their several times Wâ—lâ—â— Wiâ—liâ—e Husse Luther Calvin c. in their departing from our Catholike church the like whereof to haue hapned by any such departure made by our Church f om any other knowne â—ompay of Christ ans to it then ancient and in being in any age or nation since the Apostles times our learned adversaries are (â‹) Wheras the proof hereof lieth on our adversaries part their most materiall obiections in this behalfe are examined answered heretofore tract 1. sect 7. the contrarie by vs proved tract 1. sect 8. not able to shew a thing in regard of the reason befoâ—e alleaged worthy of all speciall due observation So likewise which is no lesse worthie also to be observed although it be manifest grouÌ„ded that the true Church must vndoubtedly evermore (9) Hereof see hereafter tract 2. cap. 2. sect 13. initio in the margeÌ„t at the letter r. continue with (10) Hereof see heretofore tract 2. ca. 2. sect 1. lit tâ—â— x. y. Z. b. c. administration of the Word and Sacrament Yet to avoide the example of the Primitiue Church being as made by our adversaries vnworthily questionable by vs heretofore even from themselues sufficiently (11) Concerning testimonies of our nâ—w Catholike doctrine to have beene taught in the Primitive Church see heretofore tract 1. sect 2. 3. tra 2. c. 1. sect 3. cleared and withall to restraâ—ne theÌ„ to an other no lesse large certaine knowne time they are not able to name froÌ„ Anno Dom. 700. for other 700. yeeres then next after following a time long larg enough so much as but any one (*) The Waldenses Wicleâ—â—stes Hâ—ssites Lutherans admitting they were all Protestants the contrarie wherof is heretofore prooved are yet in their forenamed severall sect-masters as are also the Calvinistes in Calvine reduced to a Catholike beginning And as for other examples our adversaries caÌ„noâ— giue instance so much as of any one other man whom they can pretend to haue been originally a Protestant and not a Catholike And if they flee to the examples of such other as themselues cannot but acknowledge for confessed heretikes it is ridiculously impertinent and sheweth their full conviction herein other persoÌ„ living during any part of althat time in any one nation of the earth whom they can but with any coulor pretend to haue beene at first no Catholike but originally a Protestant As we haue before said Waldo Wicliue Husse Luther Caluin c. from whom haue sprong the Waldenses Wiclevistes Hussites Lutherans Caluinistes c. were each of them originally Catholickes as likwise were for former times Arius Nouatus Pelagius Nestorius c. Let now our aduersaries peruse though most carefully the seuerall writings of their own most painful writers in this behalf as nâ—mely M. Fox his Acts monuments Il iricus his Catalogus testium veritatis Simon de voyon his Discourse vpon the Catalâ—gue of the Doctors of Gods Church also the century writers of Magdeburge and they shall not in all or any of them or in any other find instance or example of any one other man named to the contrarie of that which wee now vrge if then our learned adversaries be not able to giue vs neither instance of any departure made by our Church froÌ„ any other knowne coÌ„pany of Christians to it then ancient and in being yet neither also example as it is before required during the time before limited so much as but of any one man liuing in any part of the world who was at first no Catholike but originally a Protestant If these things be plaine evident not to be excepted against by our learned adversaries what then can be more cleere to proove a manifest interruption and discontinuance of their Churches Pastors adminstration of the Word Sacraments that as our Religion is vndoudtedly that (12) Math. 13 24. Good seede which Christ the good husband man first Sowed in his field So also their aduerse doctrines are those forewarned (13) Math. 13 25. tares which the enemie afterwards came and sâ—wed among the Wheate went his way And thus much concerning the Protestants apparent defection of their Churches Pastors administration of the Word and Sacraments THAT THEREFORE PROTESTANTES for preseruation of Christs Church in being doe acknowledge thâ— Catholickâ— Church to haue bin the truâ— Church and the Religion thereof for sufficient to Salvation SECT 13. WHICH saiâ—le defection or wante of their Churches Pastors administratioÌ„ of the Word and Sacramentes carrieth with it such an evident scandall or rather scroople by reason of the confessed doctrine to the contrarie of all men conâ—erning the true Churcâ— which according to (r) M. Whitaker against M. Raynoldes in his answere to the preface pag. 33. saith Wee beleeue to the comforte of our soules that Christs Church hath continued and neuer shall faile so long as the world endureth we accompt it a prophane heresie to teach otherwise And the same is yet
c. placed there before in the beginning of his booke reciteth in particuler three and thirtie severall pointes of doctrine in question betweene the Lutheraines whom he defendeth and the Calvinists against whom hee there writeth at large in every of the saide questions As also Luke Osiander a learned Protestant who of late writte a speciall treatrize hereof entituled Enchiridion contro versiarum quas Augustinae Confessionis theologâ— habent cum Caluinianis c. printed Tubingae Anno 1603. And all this defended of either part vpon pretended certainety from the Scriptures examples whereof even in the sundrie Articles of our Catholike faith defended and that most earnestly against our learned adversaries by sundrie of their owne no lesse learned brethren and all this by either party vpon pretended certainety froÌ„ the Scriptures as so evident coÌ„fessed that Nicolaus Gallus superintendent at Ratisbone complaineth thereat saying (n) Nicholaus Gallus in thesibus hipothâ—sebus c. vide ibidem fol. vlt. non sunt leues c. the dissentions that are amongâ—t vs are not light nor of light matters but of the cheefe articles of Christiane Doctrine of the lawe and the Gospell of iustification and good workes of the SacrameÌ„ts and the vse of ceremonies c. as also Seluecerus signifieth his like greefe saying (o) Seluecerus in 3. part Comentar in Psalmos in Psa 131. concerning the publique discord in the Church their is no neede to aske c. amongst vs who glory to haue the true doctrine of the Gospell disagrements are moued concerning thinges indifferent good workes our iustice bâ—fore God freewill the presence and participation of Christes body in the sâ—pper the humanitie of Christ the proprietie of his humaine nature his ascention and sitting vpon the right hand of God the vbiquitie and other matters These things being thus how now caÌ„ our aduersaries auoid in these straits the dangerouse sequell of theire incertaintie and ignorance in faith and religion for whereas the learned Protestants hould that (2) M. Bilson in his perpetuall government c. pag. 372. initio to haue no Iudge for the enâ—ing of their ecclesiasticall contentions were the vtter subuersion of all peace affirming thereupon (3) M. Bilson ibideÌ„ pag. 370. post medium Synodes to be an externall iudiciall meanes to discerne error and (4) M Bilson ibideÌ„ pag. 374. circa medium the surest meanes to decide doubtes and that (*) M. D Couel in his modest examination c. pag. 110. ante medium if Synodes want the Church neitheâ— at any time was nor indeede can safely be without tempestes themselues are yet vpon vnanswerable and iust (5) Conradus Schlusselburg in catall haereticorum lib. 13. vlt. pag. 864. post medium saith Hoc nobis potissimum considerandum videtur num hoc tempore inter exterarum ecclesiarum theologos nostros vlla sinodus indici cogi possit quis onim nostrum sibi arrogabit vt locum constituat diem dicat variarum nationuÌ„ theologos evocet c. IaÌ„ vero in ipsa synodo quis praesidebit c. porro quis iudex erit inter liâ—egantes c. And see the Protestant auctor of the booke entituled Laconici Antisturmij Spâ—gia adversus Lambertum Danaeum pag. 44. fiue where it is saide magna est stultitia provocare ad vniversalem sinodum quae institui non potest sicut ex supradictis manifestum est And whereas Master Whitaker lib. â—e concilijs pag. 56. circa medium truely teacheth that without auctoritie no Councell can be assembled who now shall haue this auctorttie to compell so many Christian Protestant Princes so variablie different in religion and amongst whom is no subordination to cause the divines of their severall nations to assemble themselues to a councell reasons by them signified in vtter dispaire to haue any councell assembled by the deuines of their seuerall Churches and nations therfore theire foresaid ignorance or incertainty all imaginary helpe to the contrarie by councells notwithstanding it is still to them so euident and vnauoidable that their Castalio (*) See heretofore tract 2. c. 1. sec 5. at this marke * a verie learned Caluinist saith concerning their reformed Church Profecto si verum fatere volumus c. (p) Sebastian Castalio in pretat Bibl. truely if we will confesse the truth this our age is as yet drowned in extreame darkenes and ignorance a most assured proofe whereof are these so grieuous so obstinate and so pernitious dissentions c so great a number of bookes every day set out so farre differing one froÌ„ another c. if the day of the most cleere truth shined vnto vs we would never lighten so many darkesome and obscure candles of bookes writings and therefore saith he (q) Castalio ibidem Crassa Crassa inquam seculum tenet ignorantia And for so much as there is no certaine way in his opinioÌ„ to find out the truth he concludeth saying (r) Castalio vbi supra expectemus iusti iudicis sententiam c. Let vs attend the sentence of the iust Iudge and suffer the Cockle vntill the time of Harvest c. Least perhappes wee plucke vp the good corne As also our other adversaries doe in regard of this confessed incertainety reduce all grounds and Ivdgments whatsoever of faith vnto private (*) Hereof see heretofore tract 2. cap. 1. sect 1. in the margent at the letters p. q. examination alledged (s) Lubbertus de principijs Christian dog pag. 562. 563. And M. Bilson in his true difference part 2. pag. 353. And see Assertiones theologic de Sacram. Caenae dom c. printed Argentorati Anno 1564. pag. 1. in defence thereof that we are (t) 1. Ioh. 4 1. to trie the Spirites if they bee of God and to (u) 1. Thessall 5 21. proue all thinges and hould that which is good Whereat we now take hould and charging our adversaries with their owne rule do therevpon provoke them to open and equall triall of disputation the which we for our parts could wish to be proceeding with observation of such indifferent reasonable conditions as are by Mr. Hooker in his discourse hereof against the Puritanes specially (x) Hereof see M. Hookers preface sette before his bookes of the lawes of ecclesiasticall policie sect 5. and pag. 25. post medium 26. ante medium prescribed or as were (y) Hereof see acta colloquij Ratisbonensis printed Monachij 1602. pa. 4. And see colloquiuÌ„ Ratisbonae habitum printed Louingae 1602. pag. 9. 10. 11. agreed vpon in the late conferenâ—e at Ratisbone for the obteining whereof wee presume hereby to become most humble and earnest petitioners to your Maiestie The foresaide evident and necessarie incertainety of our adversaries Iudgements in doctrine may well seeme to neede it The weight and consequence of the cause being no lesse then matter of faith and religion deserveth it our adversaries former rule of reducing all things to examination and triall appointeth it our earnest desire of their conversion thirsteth greatly after it Their full perswasion of our pretended erring and like charitable care of our reformation should in all reason be no lesse willing of it The seuerall examples of the sâ—me course heretofore obserued and practised in soundry nations and by our very aduersaries (z) Hereof see Mathias Hoe in his Tractat. duo quorum prior de disputationibus theologicis c. in praefat prescribed do as it weare lead to it The venerable and confessed antiquity of our Catholicke faith established but neuer hitherto condemned in generall councell and therefore vnworthey to be as now reiected without some indifferencie of triall presumeth very confidently to obtaine it And lastly your Highnes mature and learned iudgmeÌ„t able to moderate and censure the same maketh vs so much the rather to become most humblie desirous and earnest for it The Almightie God who hath so powrablie preserved your Maiesties most royall person froÌ„ so many dangers past and no lesse graciouslie reserved it to accomplish the blessings of our happie times and nation conserue it ever accordingly with all worldlie felicitie in this life and heavenly in the nexte GOD SAVE THE KING