that Nestorius Macedonius arch-hereticks succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople called before Byzantium Niceph. lib. 8. chronol cap. 6. 3. Confession of Partie THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes sayeth Belarmine Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. § 4. §. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended nâ—… lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and had farre greater and more particular promises and yeâ—… erred 1. Authoritie of Scripture AS for the pretence wee see it seâ—… downe Ierem. 18.18 in these wordes Come let vs devise devices against Ieremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsell from the Wise nor the â—…ord from the Prophet And thereâ—…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2. 〈…〉 which the Papists would haue thus The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge and they shall seeke the Law â—…t his mouth they gather the High â—…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex â—…acto and conclude the Popes infallibiâ—…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo alleadâ—…ing to the same purpose that of Deuterâ—…omie 7.10 In lyke manner As for Promises it is saide Psal â—…32 14 The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation and hath said This is my rest for ever And againe Isai 33.20 Looke vpon Sion the citie of our solemnities â—…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem 〈…〉 quyet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall anie of the cords â—…hereof bee broken Note then And aske where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome but in the contrarie a fearfull destruction foâ—… her grosse idolatrie is clearlie fore-told Revelation 18. And last of all for praises it is said of Ierusalem and Gods Church there Psal 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spokeâ—… of her is That shee should bee a gloriouâ—… Harlot Revel 17.4.18 And Thessalonieâ—… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull onelie of his tymâ—… in her and where-of the Papists so much glorie which by collation inspection of the places is moste cleare and evident Rom. 1.8 2. Thes 1.4 §. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached vnder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 4.8 And vvhat Nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law vvhich I set before you this day Psal 147.19 He sheweth His Word to Iacob His statutes and His judgements to Israel Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation c. Wee see then that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations and knowne by his word and ordinances to bee his peculiar Church Iohn 10.27 My Sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow Mee Note then Where Christs voyce soundeth and is believed and obeyed there is his Church Iohn 8.31 If yee continue in My Word then are yee My Disciples indeede Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Note then That continuance in Christs trueth and apostolicke doctrine with the holie exercise of prayer and participation of Sacraments is a cleare note to know a true Church 1. Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of trueth The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6 saying Whose house are vvee if vvee keepe fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende Note therefore That the Church is so called and knowne to be such by keeping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts sure to the ende 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church consisteth not in Walles but in the trueth of doctrine sayth Ierome so that there is the Church where â—…rue fayth is Hierom in Psal 133. and â—…hey are good Catholicks onelie who â—…ollow the right fayth sayth Augustine lib. de vera religione cap. 5. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lykewyse of our Adversaries is thus The Church consisteth not in men sayth Lyra in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke ☜ or Civill because manie Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge and the confession of faith and the trueth of God Lyra in Matth. cap. 16. §. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. KIngs 19.10 And Elias saide I haue beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant cast downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I even I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske then If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with these ten which of them was the greater multitude or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside which of these were maniest and consequentlie by the note of multitude who was the true Church Isai 1.9 Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant wee should haue beene like Sodome and like vnto Gomorrah Note then That the true professours are called a verie small remnant which is farre from being the greatest multitude of men Ier. 3.14 I vvill take one of a Citie and two of a Familie and bring you to Sion Note then That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie Mat. 7.13 Enter in at the strait gate for vvide is the gate and broad is the vvay that leadeth to destruction and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat Note then If few enter in at the strait gate that leadeth to salvation and manie at the wide gate that leadeth to damnation then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church than anie wise multitude seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast Luke 12.32 Feare not little Flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue to you a Kingdome Note then If Christs Flocke bee little then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham compared with the rest of the world and of the true professours at Christs Passion verefie this point 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke but an Hareticke sayeth Ierome dialog contra Pelag. lib. 3. Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos 3. Confession of Partie THat time when the Church seemed to lurke sayeth
offer vp the remembrance of that benefite in place of a sacrifice to God Euseb de demonstr Evang. lib. 1. cap. 10. With whom atlast accordeth thus Sainct Bernard As after a manner sayth hee Christ is daylie yet sacrificed while as wee declare his death so hee seemeth also to bee borne while as wee likewise represent his Nativitie Bern. Serm. 6. in Vigilia Nativitatis Domini 3. Confession of Partie THat which is offered and consecrated is called a Sacrifice and Oblation sayeth Lombard because it is a remembrance of that true Sacrifice and holie Oblation Lomb. lib. 4 sent dist 12. So lyke-wyse sayth the Glosse vpon Gratian where it is saide that in this mysterie Christ dieth and his flesh suffereth that is his death and suffering is there represented Gloss de consecr dist 2. cap. quid sit And last of all sayeth Vasquez the whole forme of the sacrifice of the Masse where-by Christ is saide to bee there-insacrificed is the verie representation of the death of Christ Vasquez Disput 222. cap. 8. As also Aquinas propounding that question directlie as well as Lombard whether or no Christ bee sacrificed in the Eucharist giveth such an answere as wee will all gladlie subscrybe for hee giveth two reasons wherefore the Eucharist is called a Sacrifice first sayth hee because it is a representatiue image of the Passion of Christ and secondlie because by this Sacrament wee are made pertakers of the fruit of Christ's Passion And in that same place hee sayth That it is the fore-sayde passion that was the onlie true sacrificing of Him Aquin. 3. Part. Quaest. 83. Art 1. FINIS CHAP. XX. AN APPENDIX OF ANTICHRIST To the Reader Of the necessitie of this Appendix AFter the proclayming of the Eternall Gospel Revel 14.9 there is a fearfull Commination agaynst all those that any more follow the Beast or receiue his marke to wit That they shall drinke of the VVyne of the VVrath of GOD and bee tormented with eternall Fyre It is therefore verie behooffull for everie Christian to know this Beast that as the People followed Absolon tho in their simplicitie so men follow not lyke-wyse in obstinacie against revealed Light that detected dissembler now and Traytor to GOD'S Trueth For this cause as the Starre made the VVyse-men know CHRIST and where Hee was So haue I set the Starre of GOD'S VVord before thyne Eyes to leade thee to the knowledge of Antichrist lyke-wyse and where hee is And what-so-ever place of Scripture I haue adduced to indigitate Antichrist as the finger of the Baptist pointed out CHRIST I haue for thy better satisfaction and convincing of the Adversarie brought eyther the Exposition of ancient Fathers or Romane Doctors there-on and haue made the application out of the Records of their owne Histories so that their owne mouth shall indyte their owne Dittie and saue that paynes to their silent partie And all this I haue taken from ancient vnsuspected Bookes of their owne which I haue beside mee vsing all fidelitie for thy assurance and all perspicuous brevitie that is possible for thy contentment and ease OF ANTICHRIST §. 1. VVhat sort of Adversarie hee is to wit not an open Enemie but a counterfeit or a masked Foe vnder the Christian name 2. THes 2.3 Let no mā deceiue you by any means for that day shall not come except there bee a falling away first and that man of sinne bee revealed the sonne of perdition Note then That Antichrist shall bee an Apostate Christian and no Iew vnder the Christian name making defection from the trueth of CHRIST for so sayth Bellarmine Lib. 3. de Pontif. cap. 2. § ad postremum By this falling away sayth hee most rightlie may Antichrist bee vnderstood for hee shall bee so notable an Apostate that hee may be called the Apostasie it selfe Remarke also That therefore hee getteth Iudas stile and is called The sonne of perdition because as Iudas was the ring-leader of those that came against Christ yet professing him-selfe a chiefe Disciple and saluting Christ as his Master so is Antichrist the ring-leader and head of those that are against the trueth of Christ yet professing him-selfe a chiefe christian and a Deputie for Christ therefore sayth Augustine tract 3. in Epist Iohannis that Antichrist is the greater liar who professeth with his mouth Iesus to bee Christ but denyeth him by his deedes which beeing contrarie to the doctrine of Christ they are contrarie to the Word of God which Word of God is Christ Therefore he concludeth Let vs then sayeth hee take heed not to his tongue but to his deeds and where his deeds speake wherefore require wee words Revel 13.11 And I behelde an-other Beast comming out of the Earth and hee had two harnes like the Lambe and hee spake as the Dragon Note then That heere againe Antichrist is descrybed as all men confesse And this is that Beast sayeth Augustine Hom. 11. in Apocalip which vnder the christiā name resembleth the Lambe that hee may secretlie powre in the poyson of the Dragon This is that hereticall church which would not counterfeit the likenesse of the Lambe if shee did openlie speake but shee counterfeiteth christianitie that the more securelie shee may deceiue the simple And there-after hee sayeth more expresselie That this hereticall and antichristian church shall heere-in make her selfe like to Christ which altho her members be spirituallie persecuting Christ yet they will seeme to glorie of the signe of the Crosse of Christ §. 2. The tyme which is fore-tolde of Antichrist's comming and that the same is alreadie past 2. THess 2.7 Onlie hee who now letteth vvill let till hee bee taken out of the vvay This Bellarmine expoundeth according to common consent lib. 3. de pont c. 5. to bee the decay of the olde Romane Empire Now that this is performed let a clowde of Popish Authors testifye Aquinas on this place of Paul's sayeth thus That as it was a signe of Christ's comming to wit the domining over all of the Romane Empire so is it a signe of Antichrist's comming to wit the revolt of Countreyes from the Romane Empire But sayeth hee Countreyes haue long since revolted from the Romane Empire Wherefore hee is forced to grant that in place there-of there is onlie to bee seene a spirituall Monarchie at Rome and from whence wee therefore conclude inevitablie That Antichrist is come So sayth Haymo also a Germane Archbishop on this place who wrote in the 800. yeare of God The Apostle showeth sayeth hee that our Lord shall not come to judgement while first a decay bee of the Romane Empire which wee now see fulfilled and that Antichrist doeth now appeare in the World who shall kill the Martyres of Christ Lyra lykewyse on this place of Paul sayth that in his time the whole Kingdomes of the World had alreadie revolted from the Romane Empire And the Author of Fasciculus temporum in the life of Honorius 1. showeth that this irrecoverable decay begā anno 639. So that now sayth
Thess 2. grant but a communion in heart onlâ—… and a practise of worship in secret 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie SOmetimes the Church is not appâ—…rent sayeth Augustine to wâ—… when wicked persecuters aboue measuâ—…rage against her Aug. epist. 80. ad Hesâ—…chium Therefore the Church lookinâ—… foorth as the Moone hath oft times hâ—… eclypses saith Ambrose lib. 4. hexam c. 〈…〉 3. Confession of Partie THE confession of our Adversariâ—… is likewise thus that in the time oâ—… Antichrist the communion of Christian in the true Church shal be onlie in hearâ—… and their worship onlie in secret for sâ—… sayeth the Rhemists on 2. Thess 2.3 So that our difference is not so much in the â—…sition of invisibilitie as in the appliâ—…tion vnto persons and tymes 〈…〉 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common both Pastours people altho not all and everie one 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 1.21 How is the faithfull citie become an Harlot Ier. 5.11 For the House of Israel and the House of Iudah â—…aue dealt verie treacherouslie â—…gainst mee sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.8 The Priests said not Where is the Lord and they that handle the Law knew me not the Pastours also transgressed against mee and the Prophets prophesied by Baall and vvalked after thinges â—…hat doe not profit Loe then what a generall Apostasie of all sorts is set downe heere Againe v. 26. As the Thiefe is ashamed vvhen he is found so is the House of Israel ashamed they their Kinges their Princes and their Priestes and their Prophets saying to a stocke Thou art my Father c. Beholde then againe no sort excepted Isai 9.16 The leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed Note then that the leaders in a Church and people that are led may both make defection and so a whole Church which consisteth of both Isai 56.10 His watch-men are blinde they are all ignorant they are all dumbe Dogs c. Note then howe generall a defection may be amongst Teachers in the Church of God and howe the chiefe Pastoures haue first made Apostasie let these examples verifie 2. King 16.11 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Againe Matth. 26.65 Then the High Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blasphemed what neede wee Witnesses anie farder c. Marke 14.64 Yee haue heard â—…is blasphemie How thinke ye vvho â—…ll condemned him to bee guiltie of â—…eath Note then howe grosselie also the â—…erie hie-priests vnder the Law erred â—…nd the chiefe Pastor that sate in Moses haire erroniouslie decreeted with his â—…hole counsell the one in making an â—…olatrous Altar and erecting idolatrous â—…orship and the other pronouncing â—…e trueth in Christs owne mouth to bee â—…asphemie and himselfe worthie to â—…e And therefore how groslie hee â—…d his Church may erre who pretenâ—…eth nowe to bee the Christian High-â—…riest see § 5. 2. Thess 2.3 Let no man deâ—…iue you by anie meanes for that â—…ay shall not come except there come 〈…〉 falling away first and that man 〈…〉 sinne bee revealed the sonne of â—…rdition Note then that in the Christian Church 〈…〉 great Apostasie from the Trueth is â—…re-tolde before that by the preaching â—…gaine of the same clearlie Antichrist be â—…vealed and made knowne So that in the tyme of his prevayling no publicâ—… exercise shall bee of the true Christiâ—… worship but in secret onlie and this 〈…〉 verie Rhemists on this place confesse 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ANd the poyson of Arrius sayeâ—… Lyrinensis did not onlie infect a pâ—… of the Church but almost the whole woâ—… Vnic. Lyrin adu hereses c. 6. So thâ—… the whole world sobbed and admired tâ—… it was made Arrian as testifieth S. Ieroâ—… 3. Confession of Partie OF that time when the Arrian herâ—… domined over the whole world S. â—…rome wrote that the ship of the Chuâ—… was almost sunke sayth Gregorie of Vaâ—…tia analys lib. 6. c. 4. § probatio 4. §. 3. That the Church of Rome in pâ—…cular may erre and as shall 〈…〉 proven hath erred by all the pâ—…ticulars ensuing 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 11.20 Because of vâ—…beliefe they vvere broken oâ—… and thou standest by faith Be nâ—… high minded but feare Note Now then what greater hiâ—… mindednesse can the Romane Churâ—… show than to say shee cannot erre and if this were true what needed her to feare and yet I hope shee cannot exeeme her selfe from this Apostolicke exhortation which is so expreslie written to her and biddeth her feare Againe ver 21.22 For if God spared not the naturall branches take heede lest hee spare not thee Beholde therefore the goodnesse and severitie of God on them which fell severitie but towards thee goodnesse if thou continue in his goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt bee cut off Note then that the Apostle showeth that the Church of Rome as well as other Churches of the Gentiles may fall away from the trueth and bee cut off from being a true Church otherwise if shee had infallibilitie this his exhortation should haue beene altogether needlesse neither should hee haue spoken doubtinglie after this manner saying if thou continue but particularlie excepted her as one that could not but continue 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THey haue not Peters heritage saith Ambrose who haue not Peters faith §. 4. That personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not their successours from errour 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 32.21 And Moses saide to Aaron What did this people vnto thee that thou hast brought so great a sinne vpon them Loe then How the verie first sitter in the high priest's chaire falleth filthilie in grossest idolatrie 2. Kings 16.11.16 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Thus did Vriah the Priest according to all that King Ahaz commanded Note then That notwithstanding of his succeeding personallie to the office of the high priest-hood hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commandements and so foullie erreth Mat. 26.65 Then the high Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blaspemed Note then That the high Priests succession nor place freeth him not from erring in calling CHRISTES trueth blasphemie Mat. 23.2 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chaire But yet Iohn 7.48 Haue anie of the Rulers and Pharisees believed in him Yea more-over Mat. 16.6 Then Iesus said vnto them Take heede and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Verse 12. Then they vnderstood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Pharisees but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces Note then That notwithstanding of their sitting in Moses chaire they both rejected Christ and his trueth and taught contrarie falsehood neither believing in the Sonne of God themselues nor yet truelie teaching the people of God concerning their MESSIAS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NIcephorus doeth testifie
Damasâ—en to represent that which is invisible and incorporeall and can neither bee circumscryb d nor figured Dâ—mas lib 4. de orthod fide c. 17. 3. Consession of Partie BVt vnto the true Goâ— who is incorporâ—all no corporâ—all image can bee formed as sayeth Dâ—mâ—scen c. Thus speaketh Aquinas part 3. quaest 25. art 3. §. 2. That no Adoration is to bee given to Images as the Papists teach Sâ—e Bellarmine lib. 2. de reliq c. 21. nor no signe there-of 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 20.5 Thou shalt not bow downe to them neither worship them Note then That bowing downe is forbidden as well as woâ—shipping Levit. 26.1 Neither shall yee set vp anie image of stone in your land to bow downe to it for I am the Lord your God Note thâ—refore That as all religious worshâ—p is due onlie to God so all religious bowing of the knee as a token of th t woâ—shâ—p is onelie due to God and therefore forbidden to bee given to images Rom. 11.4 I haue reserved vnto My selfe seaven thousand men who haue not bowed the knee to the image of Baal Note then That the Lords true worshippers will not bow their knee to an image for to doe so except to God onlie is palpable idolatrie Rom. 14.11 For it is written Everie knee shall bow to Me and everie tongue shall confesse to God If prayer then belong not to deafe images nor confession of sinnes so neither doeth religious kneeling but onlie to God alone and so not to blind idoles Eph. 3.14 For this cause sayeth Sainct Paul I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ. Note then That hee exhibiteth religious kneeling as due onlie to God 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie BY Scripture testimonies it is to bee showne sayth Gregorie that it is not lawfull to worship what-so-ever is made by the hand of man and thereafter hee sayeth and therefore eschew by all meanes the adoration of images Greg. lib. 9. Epist. 9. ad serenum 3 Confession of Partie AS for the worship of images sayth Polydorus not onlie those that are not of our religion but as Sainct Ierome testifieth all the ancient Fathers almost condemned the same for feare of idolatrie Polyd. virg lib. 6. de invent rerum c. 13. Neither is that a reason worthie which is obtruded by some sayth their owne Cassander that they giue that honour not to the images but to those whom they represent for this colour of excuse the verie Pagans had Cassand consult art 21. §. 3. That the practise of the olde Idolaters and new Romanists jumplie agree 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 27.15 Cursed bee the man that maketh anie graven or molten image an abhomination to the Lord the worke of the hands of the crafts man and putteth it in a secret place and all the people shall say So bee it Now How manie such are made and set vp in secret corners amongst the Papists no man but knoweth Ierem. 10.4.5 They decke it with Silver and Golde they fasten it with Nayles and Hammers that it move not Even as the Papists doe their rich Images aboue their Altars and Church doores Verse 5. They are vpright as the Palme tree but speake not they must needs be borne because they cannot goe c. Even as the Papists Images and Reliques are borne in thâ—ir solemne Processions Verse 5. Feare them not for they cannot doe evill nor is it in them to doe good A Papist would hardly belieue this that will goe so farre in pilgrimage to the Image of our Ladie of Loretto which as they say hath done so much good and so manie Mâ—racles Ier. 11.13 According to the number of thy Cities were thy gods O Iudah according to the number of the streets of Ierusalem haue yee set vp Altars to the shamefull thing c. Note then How justlie this may bee â—…aide of Poperie who appoint to everie Citie a patron Sainct whom they worâ—…hip as the tutelar gods were worshipâ—…ed of old according yea be-yond the â—…umber of their streets they haue Altars â—…nd altarages erected to the creature 〈…〉 4. That Images are not fit Bookes for instruction of the people but onelie Gods VVord preached 1. Authoritie of Scripture IErem 10.8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish be stocke is a doctrine of vanitie Verse 15. They are vanitie â—…he worke of errours in the tyme â—…f their visitatioÌ„ they shal perish Note then That that which is the â—…orke of errour cannot bee the teacher â—…f trueth Zech. 10.2 For the Idoles haue spoken vanitie and the diviners haue seene a lie c. Habak 2.18 What profiteth the graven Image that the maker hath graven it the molten Image and a teacher of lies c. The Papist would say that it profiteth to bee a booke to the Laicks but Gods Mouth sayeth that it is a teacher of lies a doctrine of vanitie and a worke of errours Now lies and vanitie and errour is no good instruction g O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the trueth before whose eyes Iesus Christ hath beene evidentlie set foorth crucified amongst you Note then That the preaching of Christs trueth and the knowledge thereof in the word is recommended as the vivest picture of Christ and the most precious and hallowed crucifixe that we can set before our eyes daylie or lay vp in our breast Two pointes of doctrine 1. Tim. 4.3 where-by the Scripture pointeth out clearelie the Apostaticke Church of false and impure worshippers CHAP. VI. THAT NO MEATES are to bee abstained from for Conscience sake 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. COr 10.25 All that is solde in the Shambles eate asking no question for conscience sake Verse 27. If anie of them that belieue not bid you to feast and yee bee disposed to goe whatsoever is set before you eate asking no question for conscience sake Rom. 14.17 For the kingdome of God is not Meate and Drinke but Righteousnesse and Peace and joy in the holy Ghost Matth. 15.11 Nor doeth that which entereth in at the mouth defile a man but that which proceedeth out of the mouth that defileth a man 1. Tim. 4.1 And the Spirit manifestlie sayeth that in the latter tymes some shall depart from the fayth giving heede to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils Verse 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hote yron Verse 3. Forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates which God hath created to bee received vvith thanksgiving of them which belieue and know the trueth Verse 4. For everie creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it bee received with thanksgiving Note then That it is a manifest badge of Antichrist's doctrine the forbidding of meates for conscience sake and therefore it is evident That Poperie is Antichristianisme 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WHere wee learne sayth Augustine that in eating it is not in the sort of meat but. in the immoderate gluttonie
that anie man is to be blamed Aug. â—…ib 16. de civit Dei c. 37. 3. Confession of Partie TO prescrybe anie choyse of meat sayth Cardinall Cajetan forbidding another it disagreeth altogether from the whole doctrine of the Gospell Cajet comment p. 252. As hee is cited by Eckius in indice errorum Cajetani CHAP. VII OF THE MARRIAGE of the Clergie That the same is lawfull 1. Authoritie of Scripture HEb 13.4 Marriage is honourable in all Therefore in the clergie 1. Cor. 7.2 To avoyde Fornication leâ—… everie man haue his owne Wyfe and let everie woman haue her owne Husband If everie man then bee permitted to haue the remedie of Marriage then Clergie-men are not debarred Verse 9. But if they to wit the vnmarried cannot containe let them marrie for it is better to marrie than burne But the Romane Doctors will say That it is better to burne in lust yea to commit adultery for the quenching there-of than that a Clergie-man marrie Bellarm. lib. de monachis c. 34. § est autem and their canon law causa 27. q. 1. c. 21. sayeth even the lyke 1. Timoth. 3.2 A Bishop then must bee blamelesse the husband of one wife But the Pope will crosse Paul and say That hee must bee the husband of no wife So well doeth Trueth and Errour agree 1. Cor. 9.5 Haue wee not power to leade about a Sister a Wyfe as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas Remarke then That the verie Apostles and Peter were married men and forsooke not their wiues companie even in the time of their Apostleship 1. Tim. 4.1.3 And the Spirit speaketh manifestlie that in the latter tymes some shall depart from the fayth giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils c. forbidding to marrie Note then That forbidding anie sort of persons or calling to marrie is a cleare note of an Apostaticke Church seduced by errour and venting the doctrine of Satan 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NOw the Apostle admitteth that he shall bee the husband of one wyfe sayeth Clemens whether hee bee Presbyter or Deacon or laicke vsing marriage without reproofe Clemens Alex. lib. 3. stroÌ„ And hee preasseth to stop the mouthes of Hereticks sayeth Chrysostome that condemneth marriage showing that it is so voyde of anie fault yea it is so precious that a man may there-with be advanced to the holy order of a Bishop Chrys in 1. ad Tit. hom 2. 3. Confession of Partie BY the decreet of the Councell of Gangra sayth Alphonsus it is most clearlie evident that by the Law of God single lyfe is no-wise needfull to the receiving of holie orders nor yet is marriage sayth hee prejudiciall to Priesthood Alphon. de castro verbo sacerdotium CHAP. VIII OF SINNE §. I. That Concupiscence which remaineth in the regenerate is Sinne properlie against that decreet of Trent sess 5. 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm 7.7 Nay I had not knowne sinne but by the Law for I had not knowne concupiscence except the Law had sayde Thou shalt not covet Verse 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mynd c. Note then That Concupiscence is sinne properlie because it is forbidden by the Law And secondlie because it rebelleth against the Law and therefore the Apostle calleth concupiscence sinne properlie when hee expresselie sayeth Verse 17. Now then it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in mee Againe 1. Iohn 1.8 If we say that wee haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the trueth is not in vs. But remarke that if concupiscence were not sinne in the godlie they might at some tyme say having their actuall sinnes purged That there were not sinne anie more in them 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie COncupiscence of the flesh sayeth Augustine against which the good spirit desyreth is sinne because it rebelleth against the dominion of the mynde Aug. contra Iulian. Pelag. lib. 5. c. 5. 3. Confession of Partie COncupiscence is formallie sin sayth Cajetan in so farre as it is a part of originall sinne Cajet in Rom. 7. §. 2. That all Sinne is mortall by nature and none are veniall but onlie by Grace to those that are penitent 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 6.20 For the vvages of sinne is death Note heere That there is not an exception of anie sort of sinne from deserving death therefore all sinne is pronounced mortall 1. Iohn 3.4 Who-so-ever committeth sinne transgresseth the Law for sinne is the transgression of the Law Gal. 3.10 But cursed is everie one that continueth not in all things vvhich are vvritten in the booke of the Law to doe them Note therefore That wee see if it deserue once to bee called sinne properlie it deserveth also the curse of the Law which is death eternall and consequentlie is mortall 1. Ioh. 1.7 And the Blood of Iesus Christ His Sonne cleanseth vs from all Sinne. Remarke then If all sinne requireth Christs Blood shed and death to purge it then all sinne deserveth death and therefore is mortall Mat. 12.36 But I say to you That everie ydle vvord that men shall speake they shall giue account there-of at the day of judgement Note then That at the day of judgement those sinnes which Papists call Veniall will prooue then Mortall because they will bee punished with eternall death seeing no temporall or lighter punishment is to bee then inflicted or there-after sustained 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THose which wee thinke to be small sinnes sayeth Ierome exclude vs from the Kingdome of God Hieron in 5. c. ad Galat. 3. Confession of Partie SInnes which are called Veniall sayth Vega de justif lib. 14. c. 13. § decet they are properlie and simplie sinnes therefore wee see that they are aeque peccata altho not aequaliter peccata and consequentlie mortall So also sayth Cajetan on Matth. 5.19 By the least are vnderstood sayeth hee even those whose transgression is mortall Cajet comment p. 294. as he is cited by Eckius in indice errorum Cajetani CHAP. IX OF PREDESTINATION That wee were not predestinated vnto lyfe for our fore-seene good workeâ— as the cause but vnto good workes as the fruits and that of meere grace 1. Authoritie of Scripture EPhes 2.8 For by Grace ye are saved through Faith that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of vvorks lest anie man should boast for vvee are his vvorkmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good vvorks which God hath before ordained that vvee should vvalke in them Note then That good works as Bernard sayeth are the way where-in wee must walke to the kingdome but not the cause why either in election or glorificatâ—on it is bestowed vpon vs. Eph. 1.4 According as hee hath chosen vs in Him before the foundation of the World that vvee should bee holie and vvithout blame before Him in loue Having predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to Himselfe according to the good pleasure of