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
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
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
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
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
the 5. gaue one a dispensation that married his owne Sister and showeth that Sainct Antoninus is a conjunct recorder of this with him Lyke-wyse Villa Scotus and Orbellis all three on the fourth Booke of Sentences reporte howe that Pope Lucius dispensed with Panormitan an Archbishop to haue two Wiues at once out of the fulnesse of his power say they against that Apostolicall precept 1. Tim. 3.2 Villa f. 195. dist 27. Scotus f. 255. d. 33. q. 2. Orbellis d. 33. § 2. 3. Last that hee vsurpeth the proper stiles of the Sonne of God and so is that Beast Full of the names of blasphemie let these instances testify 1. Hee is called That light that came into the world and which the world received not Iohn 1.10 for so the Bishop of Bitonto in his oration before the Counsell of Trent publicklie proclaimed him Which title to bee onlie competent to Christ alone both the text manifesteth verse 8.9.10 and 12 and their owne Authors Carthusian Lyra Ferus and manie moe on that place testify 2. Hee is called The Husband of the Church by Bellarmine lib. 2. de Pont. cap. 31. which Aquine Lyra and Lombard on 2. Cor. 11.2 showeth to bee the proper stile of Christ Iesus allanerlie 3. By the same Bellarmine in his Preface De summo Pontifice hee is called That corner stone proved and precious which title of Christ's alone Lyra Hugo de S. Charo Pintus and Perusin on Isai 28. showeth to be incommunicable to anie what-so-ever hee being called the corner stone because hee coupleth say they both Iew and Gentile in one vnitie of fayth proven by the passion of his crosse and precious in respect both of the infinite value of his person being God and Man as also of the merite of passion which redeemed the whole World And last hee is called by Turrecremata lib. 3. summae cap. 9. King of Kings which is onlie proper to our Saviour Revel 19.16 and due to him allanerlie §. 7. His Idolatrie or spirituall VVhoredome REvel 17.6 And vpon her fore-head was a name written Mysterie Babylon the Mother of Harlots and abhominations of the Earth Now of the veritie here-of in Rome let their owne doctrine and confessions in one instance onelie concerning the worshipping of Images clearlie beare witnesse Their doctrine is this That the same honour is due to the Image of Christ which is due to Christ him-selfe for so say their canonized Saincts in their authorized wrytings Sainct Aquinas 3. parte q. 25. and Sainct Bonaventure Like-wise That the Images of Christ and of the Saincts are to bee worshipped not onlie by accidâ—nt or improperlie but also by them-selues and properlie so that the worship stayeth in the image it selfe and as they are considered even in them-selues and not onlie as they supplie the place of that which they represent So teacheth Bellarmine lib. 2. de reliq c. 21. Their confession of the Idolatrie that is amongst them conforme to this doctrine is such Polydorus Virgilius sayth lib. 6. de inventione rerum cap. 13. that in his tyme it was come to that madnesse and impietie that those carved and painted Images were so worshipped as if they had sense and that the rude people did more confyde in them than in Christ him-selfe or the Saincts Cassander also lib. consuls c. de imag affirmeth that the worship of Images was come to that highest adoration amongst them that ever was vsed by Pagans to bee given to their Idoles and to that extreame vanitie that they haue left no-thing vndone which the verie Heathens performed in dressing and decoring their Images And there after concludeth that as long as the occasion of such errour is not taken away but that Images decked with golde and silke and precious stones are set in Churches and on Altars that so long no ende of superstition is to bee hoped for §. 8. His Crueltie REvel 17 6. And I saw the Woman drunken vvith the Blood of the Saincts and of the Martyres of IESVS This to bee true of the Popes I shall adduce onlie their owne witnesses Platina in the lyfe of Sylvester the 3 testifyeth That the Popedome was at that time come to this passe that hee who exceeded most in pryde and bryberie attained to that degree of honour all good men being oppâ—essed by them which fashion says he I wish our times had not kept and except God prevent it wee are to see worse In lyke manner thus doeth the Author of Fasciculus exclaime f. 49. saying of the 900. yeare O worst time that ever was sayth hee where-in the godlie man is perished and Trueth is decayed amongst the sonnes of men O what contentions are in the Apostolicke seat what emulations sects envie ambition intrusion yea and persecution is now Alace what companie what assemblie yea what man then may bee now secure Also in the life of Boniface the seaveÌ„th he sayth that manie were slaine as in the primitiue Church for that to wit which the Pope called Heresie And in the lyfe of Innocent the third like-wise hee showeth that 100000. of the VValdenses were partlie slaine and put to flight by the Earle of Montferrat assisted at the Pope's command with Bishops and Abbots And that in Mysticall Babylon the blood shed in the whole Earth may bee found Onuphrius in the lyfe of Iulius the second showeth that the Pope was the verie fyre-brand and stirrer vp of Warres everie-where through-out all Christendome This is then that killing of the two Witnesses Rev. 11.3 whom Augustine hom 8. in Apoc. and Beda on that place expound to bee the true professours of Christ's Church and for number called two because sayeth Beda of that illumination by the light of the two Testaments whose trueth they purelie professe and whence sayth Augustine all that suspicion of some is al-together excluded who thinke that those two Witnesses shall bee two men who before Christ's comming had in the Clouds ascended vnto Heaven §. 9. His Simonie or spirituall Merchandize 2. PEt. 2.3 And thorow covetousnesse shall they with feigned vvordes make merchandize of you Therefore Revel 18. amongst the merchandize of Mysticall Babylon is recounted last as most speciall to summe vp all the soules of men Of the practise of this simonie first in an ordinarie custome of buying and selling the Papacie it selfe let that testimonie of the Popes Secretarie Platina in the lyfe of Sylvester the third suffice who sayeth that they who most exceeded in Pryde and Bryberie attained to that degree Next for selling of inferiour cures of soules let first a Pope him-selfe speake to wit Pius the second who before his comming to the Popedome in his fourth Epistle to Iohn Peregall his Procutor at Rome writeth thus There is no-thing sayth hee that the Court of Rome giveth without Money for the verie imposition of hands and the gifts of the holie Ghost are solde neither is the remission of sinne bestowed vpon anie without large Money Here-of also testifieth their Poët and Carmelite