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
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
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.
A COMPEND Of the Controversies of RELIGION Wherin TRUETH is confirmed and Errour convinced By Authoritie of Scripture Witnessing of Antiquitie and Confession of Partie Most necessarie for all in this Backe-slyding Age. By W. G. Minister of God's Word Hieron lib. 1. adv Pelag. Non enim de Adversario victoriam sed contra mendacium quarimus veritatem ABERDENE Printed by Edward Raban 1627. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE MOST worthie of all Honour and truelie Religious The Countesse of EINZIE Ladie GORDON c. MADAME THE sedulitie of the emissaries of that Apostaticke Church of Rome who like the Pharisees of olde did compasse Sea and Land to make a proselyte to them-selues should teach vs who are Teachers of the Trueth to bee ashamed to bee lesse â—…iligent in a better Cause and for a better Master These are busilie dispersing their Manuels and sowing their Pople and Tares lyke that wicked Adversarie secretlie in the LORD'S Field to draw men from the Trueth and why then should no wee bee busie by Voyce and Writ also in sowing the good Seed of thâ—… Word to keepe Men with the Trueth This hath moved mee to pen thiâ—… COMPEND OF CONTROVERSIES which the simplest may vnderstand clearly the busiest-employeâ—… may peruse frequentlie and the weakest memorie may retaine easilie for it is not vnknowne to anie how our greater Bookes of Controversies penned by their graue and godlie Authors are neglected for the most part and thought a tedious Taske once to reade over but as for this each onâ—… who hath but the least care to know or byde by the Trueth may count iâ—… but an easie exercise there-by to recreate them-selues at anie occasionaâ—… vacancie And therefore I haue here in put GOD'S Sword chiefelie iâ—… Man's hand to maintaine GOD'S Cause and contented with the most selected places onlie in each head of Doctrine which for the solide securing of the Conscience in the knowledge of the Trueth and powerfull convincing of seducing Errour as the Gleanings of Ephraim were better than the Vintage of Abiezer so are these few smooth Stones taken out of the Brooke of the Booke of GOD more fit for the little Davids of the LORD'S People to sling against the fore-head of bragging and blaspemous Errour than Saul's vnwealdie Armour or the wearisome weight of cunning forged reasons and hudge heape of humane testimonies And yet lest that Antiquitie where-of Babel's brood causeleslie braggeth should seeme al-together eyther neglected by vs or not to make for vs I haue joyned some testimonies of Fathers that are clearest for vnderstanding shortest for memorie most punctuall for convincing and a few of manie to avoyde tediousnesse Where-vnto is at last added for the full triumph of Trueth the cleare Confession of our Adversare Partie that so out of his owne mouth the wicked servant may bee condemned and it may be seene what is the force of prevailing Trueth even our Enemies being Iudges And so in summe that there is no point of Papall doctrine but that First it is against Scripture Secondlie contrarie to the fayth of the primitiue Church and Last taught and acknowledged with vs by the Doctors in the Romane Church it selfe farre other-wyse than the Iesuits now anie-where professe such is their bragging of Vnitie or rather the confusion of the speach of those builders of Babell Which paines of mine heere-in for the profit of others I haue huÌ„bly dedicated to your religious honour whome all the godlie who knoweth you as a Patterne of zeale and constancie affecteth dearlie praysetb truelie admireth justlie honoureth deservedlie prayeth for earnestlie and thanketh the LORD for his rare Graces bestowed vpon you vnfeignedlie to the great good of his Church and your eternall glorie Where-with also mine heartliest apprecations shal joyntlie concurre that the bountifull hand of that good GOD whome in the zeale of His Trueth ye haue constantlie followed may beape vpon your honour your most noble and heroicke Husband and that happie off-spring of those hopefull Oliue Plants which the Lord hath giveÌ„ vnto you all the blessings what-so-ever that either Heaven can afford or mortalitie may bee capable of Your Honours most humblie devoted WILLIAM GVILD TO THE READER COurteous Reader for shortnesse sake and thine ease I haue of manie places of Scripture adduced these onlie that are most plaine pithie and pertinent and succinctlie so touched the same that I haue left to thy judicious attention the further pondering of the same and that out of them thou may see that Fayth as Sainct Iude sayth which was once delivered to the Saincts and which we should earnestlie contend for as also as Tertullian sayth prescrip adv haeret c. 32. That the doctrine of the Adversaries beeing compared with the Apostolicke by the diversitie and contrarietie of it there-vnto doeth pronounce that it hath for its Author neither an Apostle nor anie apostolicall man VVhich for a short instance their doctrine concerning the Word prohibiting people the vse or knowledge of Scripture contrarie to Col. 3.16 and concerning the Sacrament their depriving them of the Cup contrarie to 1. Cor. 11.28 and concerning publicke Service and Prayers â—…heir having the same in an vnknowne tongue contrarie to 1. Cor. 14. against all subterfuges doth most clearlie evince As for the Testimonies of Fathers keeping the nature of a Compend I haue â—…yke-wyse alleadged of a number a few of the fittest where-as as Augustine sayde to the Pelagians lib. 2. de nupt concupisc c. 29. If I would haue collected all it would haue beene too long a worke and I would seeme perhaps to â—…aue had lesse confidence in the Canoâ—…icke Authorities oâ— to haue equallie matâ—…hed that which is ad pugnam or victorie â—…nd that which is fittest ad pompam or â—…iumph together And last of all I haue brought our Adverâ—…ries owne Confessions and so as is said â—…ai 19.2 I haue set the Egyptian aâ—…inst the Egyptian that by their owne grand â—…hampion Bellarmine the true verdict â—…ay passe on their Religion who sayth That 〈…〉 is a most sure note of false doctrine â—…at hereticall Authors agree not amoÌ„gst â—…em-selues Bell. lib. 4. de Eccles c. â—…0 § adde In all which I haue had that care of agreeâ—…ent of each Text Testimonie with their Originall that I dare appeale the knowledge and conscience of the most malicious Gaine-sayer of the Trueth there-of and for facilitating thy paines I haue by a diverse Letter from the rest pointed at those words where-in as Sampson's strength lay in his hayre the force of each testimonie consisteth Ayming singlie the Lord knoweth that as Ierome sayd to the Pelagians the Trueth may onlie triumph and Veritie may haue victorie And beseeching God so to blesse thy perusall heereof to His glorie thy good that His grace may bee found effectuall to thy conversion if thou bee contrarie mynded or to thy further establishing and confirmation if thou be alreadie a Chylde of the Trueth Thine in CHRIST IESUS W. Guild A COMPEND OF THE
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
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
Frier Mantuan in his Booke Of the calamities of tyme saying All things are to bee solde at Rome Churches Priesthoods Masses holie Orders c. Prayers yea Heaven and God Himselfe are to bee solde there Whence it is that their owne Duaren testifyeth in his Booke for defence of the liberties of the French Church that in the time of Pius the third for the annats of benefices in three yeares the Pope drew out of France fyue and twentie hundreth thousand Crownes and for dispensation to haue two or three Benefices together that hee got two hundreth thousands of Crownes Whence also it is that the Abbot of Vrsperg in his Chronicle f. 321. sayth That the water-floods of all the Treasures of the Earth did flow to Rome to quench her thirst of Money which was al-wayes vnsatiable and which her Chancellarie Penitentiarie Courts sufficientlie can testifye §. 10. His false Miracles or lying VVonders 2. THess 2.9 Whose comming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders Now Augustine de vnitate Ecclesiae calleth these Miracles lying not onlie because they induce to lies but because they are either feigned by men and so are not true or else they are the tricks of lying spirits and so either à falso or ad falsum Now that both these last sorts haue beene frequent and ordinarie in the Popish Church is more than notorious Of the first sort then their owne Lyra testifyeth thus in his exposition on Daniel 11. Some-tymes now also in the Church sayeth hee is a great deceiving of the people by miracles feigned by Priests and their adherents for their worldly gaine Of the second sort where-by they chiefelie ectablished their Purgatorie thus speaketh Chrysostome hom 29. in Matheum These voyces sayth hee that say I am the soule of such a one proceede from the fraude and deceit of the Devill for it is not the soule of the departed that sayth that but Satan who that hee may deceiue the hearers feigneth him-selfe to bee that foule Of all Miracles then that are pretended to bee wrought in the latter dayes by the Romane Church we may answere with Augustine's words saying The Lord hath made vs warie of these Miracle-workers fore-telling vs That in the last dayes false prophets shall aryse working signes wonders that they may seduce if it were possible the verie elect so that how manie Miracles they obtrude for them with as many arguments furnish they vs against them seeing no Church but the false Church of Antichrist is fore-tolde in the latter dayes to worke or pretende such §. 11. His Name and Marke HIs Name that most ancient Father Ireneus in his fyft Booke sayeth most probablie is Latinus devotating there-by that hee shall bee a Latine or a Romane Bishop And the imposing of which name on others is by professing of them-selues to bee Romanists that all men may acknowledge there-by subjection to his Sea and service or at least bee of the number of his name that is as Carthusian expoundeth that they bee at least so accounted by others that they are his followers But beside this hee hath a Marke which hee imprinteth on his speciall ones and which Augustine Beda Lyra and Carthusian expounded to bee a full conformitie to his obedience and doctrine and which Vnder Christ's Name in Hypocrisie say they they shall take vpon them in their fore-heads by an open and impudent profession and in their right hand by a resolute practise and action And which may clearlie now-a-dayes bee seene true both in those Iesuits and their Iesuited followers as-well in their practise of Idolatrie against GOD as also in their treacherous crueltie against man lyke-wyse §. 12. Of Antichrist's daylie consumption and finall destruction at last 2. THess 2.8 And then shall that wicked man bee revealed whom the LORD shall consume by the Breath of His Mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of His comming This Cardinall Cajetan so expoundeth By the Breath of His Mouth that is sayth hee by the spirituall vertue of the Worde of the Gospell piece and piece turning away men from Antichrist's following and leading them to imbrace the trueth of the Gospell And this is that victorie of the Lambe spoken of Revel 17.14 over those European Kings and Countreyes who before as his secular arme gaue their power with one accord to the Beast persecuted Christ's Servants but beeing converted now by the spirituall vertue of the Gospell hate that idolatrous Whoore and shall make her desolate and burne her with fyre for her threshing is come and yet but a little and the tyme of Harvest shall come Even so Come Lord Iesus FINIS Escapes in Printing IN the second Chapter pag. 42. to the VVitnessing of Antiquitie proving that Personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not from Errour is to bee added the example of Honorius the pretended successour of Peter and yet an Hereticke condemned in three famous Councels and avouched to bee such by a number of Auncientes Greeke and Latine as Tharasius Theodorus Epiphanius Psellus and Beda whome Bellarmine setteth downe Lib. 4. de Pont. cap. 11. § septimum To the Confession lyke-wyse of Partie concerning the Church of Rome is to be added these ingenuous words of Lyra to wit That manie Popes haue beene found to haue made apostacie from the trueth Lyra in Matth. 16. In the second chapter also pag. 55. the VVitnessing of Antiquitie is omitted to wit the testimonie of sainct Ambrose which proveth Miere personall succession to bee no note of the Church whose wordes are these They haue not Peter's heritage sayeth hee who haue not Peter's fayth Lib. 1. de penit cap. 6. Neyther doe wee proue the fayth by mens persons sayeth Tertullian but rather the persons by the fayth Lib. de praescrip contra hereticos cap. 3. The Confession also of our Adversaries is this It followeth not therefore sayth Bellarmine necessarilie that there is the Church where there is succession Bell. lib. 4. de Ecclesia cap. 8. § dico secundo In lyke manner in the same seconde chapter and pag. 55. the VVitnessing of Antiquitie is omitted to wit sainct Augustine's testimonie proving Duration or Antiquitie to be no note of the Church whose wordes are these The two Cities of the Church of the Godlie and Wicked sayeth hee are in this worlde both to remayne even to the ende Aug. in Psal 64. lib. 15. de civit Dei cap. 1. The Confession lyke-wyse of our adversare Partie is this Because manie even till Christ's tyme sayeth Cajetan shall continue in the doctrine of Antichrist therefore it is sayde Whome Hee shall abolish vvith the brightnesse of His comming Cajet in 2. Thess 2. And in a vvorde That all the Notes of the Church which the Papistes adduce except those that may bee reduced to the profession of the Trueth are no true Notes at all let this Confession of our adversare Partie suffice For true Notes sayeth Bellarmine
should bee proper and not common no not in opinion And agayne They should also sayeth hee bee al-to-gether inseparable Bell. lib. 4. de notis Ecclesiae cap. 2. § ac primum § tertio Which being applyed to Antiquitie Multitude Vniversalitie and such others will proue clearlie That they are no true Notes of the true CHVRCH FINIS A Table of the Contents of this Booke CHAP. I. Of Scripture § 1. That the Apocrypha is no canonicke Scripture 2. That Scripture containeâ—h all things necessarie for Salvation to know without vncertaine Traditions 3. That Scripture is plaine in all things necessarie for Salvation to know 4. That the Scripture should bee read by the people and therefore translated in-to their vulgar Tongue 5. That Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in all controversies of Religion 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to his Church CHAP. II. Of the Church § 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chiefelie to the enemies there-of 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common altho not all and everie one 3. That the Church of Rome may erre and hath erred 4. That personall succession freeth not from errour 5. That the Iewish Church pretended no lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and yet erred 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached and due administration of Sacraments is the true marke of a true Church 7. That Multitude is no note of a true Church neither personall succession nor Duration 8. That outward glorie and visibilitie is no note of a true Church 9. Thâ—t Miracles are no note of a true Church CHAP. III. Of Peter and the Pope's Supremacie § 1. That Peter had no supremacie of power over the rest of the Apostles and so neither should the Popes over their successours 2. That the Pope is not the Head Husband and foundation of the Church and therefore that all Christians are not bound to bee subject to him CHAP. IV. Of the Churches right Worship § 1. That prayers and all publicke worship should bee in a knowne language 2. That Christ is our onlie Mediator in Heaven and therefore that wee should goe to Him and by Him vnto GOD onlie 3. That the Saincts are not to bee invocated 4. That they know not our hearts nor our necessities and therefore are not to bee prayed vnto 5. That no religious worship of Dulia is to bee given to anie creature 6. That no religious worship is due to the Virgine Marie CHAP. V. Of Images § 1. That it is vnlawfull to represent GOD the Father by an olde Man 2. That no adoration is due to Images nor any signe there-of 3. That the practise of the olde Idolaeters and new Romanists jumplie agree 4. That Images are not fit books for the instruction of Laicks but onlie GODS VVord CHAP. VI. That no Meates are to bee abstayned from for conscience sake CHAP. VII That the Marriage of the Clergie is lawfull CHAP. VIII Of Sinne. § 1. That concupiscence in the Godlie is properlie sinne 2. That all sinne by nature is mortall CHAP. IX Of Predestination That wee are predestinated of free Grace and not for fore-seene works CHAP. X. Of Vocation § 1. That wee haue no merites of congruitie as naturall preparations to our effectuall calling 2. That our conversion is of miere grace and not partlie of our owne free-will CHAP. XI Of Iustification § 1. That wee are justified by Fayth onelie 2. That no inherent righteousnesse in vs is the cause of our justification 3. That Christ's righteousnesse onelie is imputed to vs vnto our absoluâ—ion CHAP. XII Of Sanctification § 1. That none can keepe the Law perfectlie in this lyfe 2. That none can worke anie workes of Supererogation CHAP. XIII Of Glorification § 1. That our good workes merite not eternall lyfe 2. That the Sainctes leaue no meritorious works nor sufferings behinde them to helpe others CHAP. XIV Of Purgatorie § 1. That Christ's Blood onlie purgeth perfectlie from all sinne 2. That Christ delyvereth from all punishment heere-after 3. That no man can in anie measure satisfie 4. That the soules of the Godlie at death immediatelie goe to Heaven CHAP. XV. Of certayntie of Salvation That the Godlie may bee assured of their salvation CHAP. XVI Of Perseverance That the Godlie can never totallie fall from grace nor finallie perish CHAP. XVII Of Baptisme That the children of the Godlie dying are not for want of Baptisme deprived of God's blessed vision CHAP. XVIII Of the LORD'S Supper § 1. That Christ's glorified bodie is onlie in the Heavens 2. That Christ's bodie is not in manie places at once invisiblie and vnpalpablie 3. That after consecration the substance of Bread and VVine remaineth 4. That Christ is not received by the bodilie mouth 5. That Christ is not received by the VVicked 6. That the people should not bee deprived of the cup. CHAP. XIX Of the Masse § 1. That the popish priests haue no calling to sacrifice Christ's bodie in the Masse 2. That the Masse is no propitiatorie sacrifice but al-together derogatorie to Christs CHAP. XX. OF ANTICHRIST § 1. VVhat sort of Adversarie hee is 2. The tyme of his comming 3. The place in generall where hee is to bee found 4. The place in speciall where his seate is 5. His Qualities and Actions whereby to know him and first his excessiue Pryde 6. His Blasphemie 7. His Idolatrie 8. His Crueltie 9. His Simonie 10. His false Miracles 11. His Name and Marke 12. His daylie consumption and full over-throw FINIS