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
sayde Act. 17.2 And Paul as his manner was went in vnto them and three Sabbath dâ—yes reasoned with them out oâ—… the Scriptures No word of Tradition See Apollo's lyke practise Act. 18.28 just conforme heereto In lyke manner for believing Act. 24.14 This I confesse sayeth Paul that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the GOD of my Fathers believing all thinges which are written in the Law and Prophets No word then of vnwritten Traditions which he made a ground of his Fayth So Act. 17.11 The Bereans searched the Scriptures daylie whether these things were so to wit as Paul taught therefore manie believed Note then That it was not for anie warrand of traditions that they believed but vpon warrand of Scripture onlie that they grounded their fayth 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THe holie and divine inspired Scriptures are all sufficient sayeth Athanasius for the full instruction of trueth Athan. lib. contra Gentes Whence also sayeth Tertullian Take from Heretickes wherein they agree with Heathens that by Scripture onelie they may debate their questions and they cannot stand Tertull lib. de resurr carn cap. 3. 3. Confession of Partie ALL Doctrines of Fayth and Manners sayeth Bellarmine which is simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § vltimo §. 3. That the Scripture is plaine in all thinges necessarie for salvation to know altho in all places generallie it be not alyke perspicuous 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSalme 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lampe vnto my feet and a light vnto my path Vers 130. The entrance of thy word giveth light and it giveth vnderstanding even vnto the simple Note then If that the verie entrance giveth light and vnderstanding to the simple then what doeth a daylie progresse And if the simple get vnderstanding thereby how can it bee so obscure that the learned onelie should reade the same allanerlie 2. Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast knowne the Scripture Note If children then may attaine to the knowledge of Scripture then it is not so obscure that those of perfect age cannot know the same 2. Pet. 1.19 We haue also a more sure word of Prophecie whereto ye doe well in taking heed as to a light that shineth in a darke place c. Note then That as a shyning light can not bee called darke it selfe which illuminateth darke places so neyther can Gods worde which illuminateth our darke vnderstandinges 2. Cor. 4.3 But if our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the god of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that belieue not c. Note then That it is not the fault of Scripture that it is hid to anie more than it is the fault of the cleare Sunne that a blinde man seeth it not 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IN those places which are clearlie set downe in Scripture sayeth Augustine all those thinges are to bee found which contayne both Fayth and Manners Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christiana cap. 9. Which Chrysostome lykewyse avoweth saying no lesse Homil. 3. in 2. ad Thess 3. Confession of Partie BEllarmine affirmeth that all doctrines of Fayth and Manners which are simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo c. 11. § vltimo §. 4. That the Scripture is to bee read by the People and therefore that the same for that ende should be translated in their vulgar language 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEuter 6.6.7 And these thinges which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligentlie to thy Children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest vp c. Deuter. 29.29 The secret thinges belong to the Lord our God but these thinges which are revealed belong to vs and to our children for over that we may doe all the words of this Law Note then That the People are bound to know Gods worde because they are bound to obey Gods word See in lyke manner Deut. 17.18.19 c. the booke of the Law commanded to bee read by the King for the same ende that hee may learne to obey the same As also Ioshua 1.8 by the Iudge of the people And last of all by all sort of people as is cleare Deut. 6.6.7.9 And by this subsequent testimonie to wit Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall lyfe and they are these that testifie of mee Those of Baerea therefore Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daylie whether those things were so teaching all people to follow their example Ephes 6.17 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD. Note then That all Christians whatsoever because all are spirituall warriours are bidden arme themselues with the Scripture so that who forbids them the knowledge thereof they make them naked before their spirituall enemie Col. 3.16 Let the word dwell in you plenteouslie that thereby yee may teach one another and be ye filled with Knowledge Col. 1.9 Note then That this is farre from popish ignorance and their forbidding the people to reade the Word of GOD for â—…o how can it dwell in them plenteouslie and they bee filled with the knowledge thereof 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie CHrysostome speaking thus of the forbidding thereof It is sayeth hee the working of the inspiration of the Divell not suffering to looke in the treasure lest wee should attaine to the ritches thereof What a Pest then is it to thinke that the reading of the Scriptures belongeth only to Clergie men Chrys hom 2. in Matth. Whence hee sayeth then I beseech you all that are seculare men to get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if ye will not get more get the New Testament Chrys hom 9. ad Coloss Heere-vnto witnesseth also Theodoret. lib. 5. de curand graec affect 3. Confession of Partie IT is manifest sayth Bishop Espenseus by the Apostles doctrine Col. 3.16 and by the practise of the Church that of olde the publicke vse of scripture was permitted to people And so sayth Alphonsus de castro verbo scriptura §. 5. That the Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in controversies of Religion 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Note then That in Gods worde is the last supreame and onlie infallible decision to bee had concerning eyther Fayth or Manners and therefore the sentence of all men whatsoever is to bee tryed â—…hereby and reduced therevnto The Bareans therefore Act. 17.11 searched the Scriptures whether those things were so that Paul taught vnto them altho an Apostle and famous for manie miracles also Deut.
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
al-so beareth witnesse with our spirit that wee are the Children of God and if children heires of God and coheyres with Christ. Note then What greater certaintie can bee wished than the godlie haue of their salvation when they haue the verie Spirit of God inwardlie witnessing the same to their soules Gal. 4.6 And because yee are sonnes God hath sent the Spirit of his Sonne in-to your hearts crying Abba Father Note then That the spirit of prayer directed a-right and felt with-in vs is a sure fruit of our adoption and a solide assurance of our salvation Rom. 8.14 For as manie as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Note then That how manie so-ever follow the direction of God's Spirit in an holie course of lyfe may bee assured of their salvation 1. Iohn 5.10 Hee that believeth on the Sonne of God hath the witnesse in him-selfe hee that believeth not God hath made him a liar Note then What an hainous offence it is to doubt of the trueth of God's promises to vs concerning our salvation through his Sonne Christ Iesus Not but that manie deare Saincts labour vnder this doubting for God giveth not the full certaintie of faith to all at one time nor after a-lyke measure but they are displeased there-with as a fruit of incredulous corruption and they know that they should bee fullie assured of the trueth of God's promises to them-selues with-out staggering lyke Abraham of whom it is witnessed Rom. 4.20 that hee staggered not at the promise of God through vnbeliefe but was strong in fayth giving glorie to God Heb. 10.22 Let vs draw neare then with a true heart to God in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water and let vs holde fast the profession of our faith with-out wavering for hee is faithfull that promised Note then Here-in expressed our Christian duetie plainlie to the perfection where-of wee should daylie aime leaning to this sure ground that can-not faile to wit that our God is faithfull who hath firmlie promised 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THou art made secure sayeth Augustine not of thy selfe but by the Lord thou art secured of thy pledge hope with Christ for the Kingdome of Christ even now thou hast the pledge Aug. serm 5. de verbis Apostoli tom 10. Neither is this presumption but faith sayeth hee for to tell what thou hast gotten is no presumption but devotion Aug. serm 20. de verbis Domini Wherevnto al-so accordeth Bernard Epist. 107. 3. Confession of Partie THose who are in Christ Iesus they haue no cause to feare seeing they are sure of their salvation sayth the Bishop of Bitonto on the 8. of the Romanes And there is none of the Ecclesiasticke nor Schoole-men sayth Cassander who diligentlie vrge not this confidence and assurance of the mercie of God and glorie to come and teacheth that it ought to bee opponed to diffidence and doubting Cass consult art 4. CHAP. XVI OF PERSEVERANCE §. That the faithfull Children of GOD can never totallie fall from Grace nor finallie perish 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSal 37.28 For the Lord loveth judgemeÌ„t and forsaketh not his Saincts they are preserved for ever Note then That God's Saincts persevere because God him-selfe hee forsaketh them not but preserveth them by a constant and secret preservation ever Psal 73.23 Never-the-lesse I am continuallie with thee thou hast holden mee by my right hand Note then That God's holding of vs is the cause of our standing where-in because hee fayleth not therefore wee finallie fall not Ierem. 31.3 The Lord appeared of olde vnto mee saying I haue loved thee with an ever-lasting loue therefore with loving kyndnesse haue I drawne thee Note then That the maine cause is in God of our perseverance to wit because his loue is not changeable For whome He loveth He loveth to the ende Iohn 13.1 Ierem. 32.40 And I vvill make an ever-lasting covenant with them that I vvill not turne away from them to doe them good and I vvill put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from mee Loe then The cause of our not-departing from God is his never-turning away from vs and therefore our perseverance standeth vpon a sure ground Matth. 24.24 For there shall arise false christes and false prophets and shall show great signes and vvonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceiue the vere Elect. Wee must note therefore that Christ's owne mouth declareth it to bee a thing impossible that God's Elect can finallie and fullie fall from trueth and grace Iohn 6.37 All that the Father giveth mee shall come vnto me and him that commeth vnto mee I vvill not cast foorth Iohn 10.28 And I giue them eternall life and they shall not perish and no man shall plucke them out of mine hand Iohn 17.11 Holie Father keepe them in Thy Name vvhom thou hast given me that they may bee one as wee are one Note then Out of all the former that the Sainctes perseverance is sure in respect they are the Fathers gift to the Sonne and that they are kept ever sure in the Sonne 's owne hand and protected lyke-wyse so safelie by the Father that it is as impossible to divide anie of them from the rest of the Members of Christ's mysticall bodie as it is to divide Christ him-selfe from his Father who are one and therefore the Apostle cryeth out saying VVho shall separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.35 Rom. 11.29 For the gifts and calling of God are vvithout repentance Malac. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not therefore yee sonnes of Iacob are not consumed Note therefore That on the Lord's constancie the constancie and perseverance of the Godlie is grounded Rom. 8.29.30 For vvhom hee fore-knew hee also predestinated c and vvhom he predistinated them also hee called and vvhom hee called them also hee justified and vvhome hee justified them also hee glorified Note then That this golden chaine of Salvation can never bee broken as long as the first linke there-of which is our election is kept sure in the Lord 's owne hand so that whom hee hath predestinated to glorie hee shall keepe sure vnfallen finallie and fullie away from the middle linkes and graces that leade there-to vntill he invest them in glorie 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis God hath promised sayth Aâ—gustine saying I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from mee which what other thing is it but that such shall bee my feare and so great which I will put in their hearts that they shall constantlie adhere to mee Aug. tom 7. de bono persever c. 2. And againe Christ placing them so that they should goe and bring foorth fruit and their fruit should abyde who dare say Perhaps it will not a-byde for the Lord's gifts and calling are without repentance Aug. tom 7. de correp