because in it I see very many admirable to the whole world for wisdome sanctimony miracles and the spirit of prophesy whome it is impossible to haue byn in a matter so important deceyued for that I see that God himselfe hath and doth in euery age giue testimony of it by many miâ—acles because I see Gods promises fulfilled in it as being dispersed and spread all the world ouer Vnto it haue the Gentils byn hitherto conuerted and still continually are In it there hath been in all ages exceâ—â—â—ing concord and consent of Doctors in the grounds of fayth In it hath byn and still is a perpetuall succession of the Chaire and a continuance in the ministers therof from the Aposties In it is a speedy decision of all conâ—rouersyes It hath for so many ages stood immoueable against all heresyes and persecutions of Tyrants neyther could the gates of hell any thing preuayle against it whiles all the contraryes be found in the new Religions And therefore I had no reason at all to reuolt from this religion or to make any doubt of it at all But to omit further to prosecute other things of this kind is it not inough for my security that I am sure that I haue followed that religion in which I see men of most holy life and most celebrated for miracles S. Malachy S. Bernard S. Dominicke S. Francis and alothers who were fyue hundred yeares synce by their heauenly conuersation wonderfull works an admiration to the world to haue lyued and died For most cleare it is that those celestiall soules so addicted and deuoted to God so deare and familyar to him could not possibly be deceyued in a matter of so great consequence And therefore in this cause of religion and fayth I securely follow such captaynes guides that haue gone before me But now tell me you who haue imbraced another religion what reckoning can you giue of that your deed when you shall in that dreadfull examen be asked about it You will perhaps answeâ—e the iudge What wil an Heretike answere I did therefore forsake the Catholike fayth because I thought it full of Idolatry superstitions and humane traditions because I thought that Antichrist did command and beare sway in it because I thought the Catholikes did rely vpon their owne meritts and not vpon the price of thy bloud But what if the Diuells bewitching you which now hath a possession of your mind should then be taken away you should plainely see your selfe deceyued what counsaile would you take for then there will not be any more tyme for pennance and repentance Will you peraduenture alleadge ignorance But that wil not excuse you because you might easily haue knowne the truth if you had vsed the diligence that you were bound to do in so important a matter Neyther euer wanted you iust reason of doubting which should haue moued you to seeke for resolution Wherefore as it shall not excuse the Iewes that they erred of ignorance because they might haue knowne the truth so shall it not excuse you For that you might without syn depart from the Catholike Church it was your part not only to thinke and vpon certaine light suspitions to conceyue but also most certainely to know and setting aside all affection to be most assured that there were those euills in the Catholike religion so as there might be left no further scruple in your mind nor any iust cause of doubting in the matter But you were so far from hauing such a certitude touching the Churches errors as you had not any probable reason to perswade you to the contrary For by what probability or pretence of truth could you be persuaded to thinke that that religion was obnoxious to Idolatry and to so great errors which you saw imbraced for so many ages of so many men renowned for their wisdome holynes of life Which you saw honoured with such so great and many miracles martyrdomes Which you saw spread all the world ouer In which there was an exceeding conspiration and concord of the Doctors a perpetuall succession and a most manifest and knowne continuance from the Apostles How can it possibly be that none of the Doctors nor no holy man did for so many ages togeather note and obserue this Idolatry these superstitions and errors Againe how could you perswade your selfe that that is Christs true religion that maketh God the author and mouer yea compeller to all wickednes that spoyleth men of the liberty of free will that taketh away the care of exercising of good works that openeth a most wide gate to al manner of wickednes as doth Atheisme that vnder shew of Christian liberty exempteth and freeth the subiects from the lawes and obedience to their Princes that reuiueth and bringeth many ancient and condemned heresyes to light againe the authors whereof be not recommended for any austerity conuersation or sanctimony of life nor celebrated for any miracles but meÌ„ giuen to the pleasures of the flesh couetous of things of the world ambitious foule spoken seditious infamous for Apostasy and sacrilegious Mariages giuen ouer to lust and withall wonderfully inconstant in doctrine Finally if any of these new vpstart Religions be true then there was not any religion of Christ for so many ages past Christs Kingdome was ruyned and ouerthrowne Gods promises touching the stability and continuance of his Church were made voide the gates of hell preuayled against it The Gospell was then for so many hundreds of yeares preached in vaine in vaine was it beleeued in vaine were so many conuerted from paganisme in vaine were Baptisme other Sacraments administred in vaine were fasts kept and mortifications of the flesh practised in vaine were martyrdomes endured and the bloud of so many thousands shed for the confession of Christs name Therefore all those of our religion who are gone before vs are perished so many thousands of martyrs Confessors so many soules consecrated to God celebrated for holynes miracles and the spirit of prophesy For all of them had not any part of true religion in them nor true iustice and all were giuen to Idolatry But if all this be false blasphemous and euen horrible to thinke how could it be that you could not think that those religions out of which so horrible things are manifestly deduced might be false or at least that you doubted not of theÌ„ And if you doubted wherefore laboured you not to vnderstaÌ„d the truth on which your whole soules good dependeth Our Lord admonished that we should carefully take heed of false Prophets who come vnto vs in sheepes cloathing and inwardly be rauening wolues Matth. 7. How did it not come at one tyme or other into your mind to thinke and to feare least Luther Caluin Menno and the like were of the number of them of whome our Lord premonished vs to beware For these men vnder a glorious shew of Gods word and of the pure Gospell presented themselues vnto the world
law but offendeth in one he is made guilty of all for he who said thou shall not commit adultery said also thou shall not kill as if he should say he is made guilty of all and shal be punished as a breaker of the whole law because he hath despised the law maker who is the author of the whole law In like manner therfore he which shall deny one article although he belieue all the rest is made guilty of violating his whole faith and Religion because he contemneth God who is the first Truth who no lesse reuealed this then the other he conteÌ„neth the Catholike Church the spouse of Christ who is the pillar strength of Truth wherby he hath no lesse determined we should belieue this then the other And this is the reason why he is no lesse an heretike who with pertinacy denieth one point of faith theÌ„ he which denieth a hundred because in that he denieth one he contemneth God who is the first truth and did reueale it he contemneth the authority of the Church the which did propose it vnto vs he maketh the Church subiect to error and a liar wherby he is made also vncertaine of all the rest and looseth all his diuine faith for the ground of his diuine faith being takeÌ„ away his whole faith must needs perish and consequently there remaineth only an opinion or humane fayth subiect to error wherby he belieueth all the rest The 10. Reason Tenthly and lastly this opinion is very dangerous in the practise therof for it maketh a man that he careth not what religion he hold what he belieueth or not belieueth he doth not therfore seeke after the truth and he doth as easily and with as great security lay hold on false as true things yet all men not only Catholike but euen the more principal sects those which are learned wise men do absolut'y affirme that none can be saued without the true faith and religion and whosoeuer are depriued therof shall perish for euer The followers therfore of this opinion are condemned of all and they only promise vnto themselues saluation without any author testimony or reason for it relying and trusting only in their owne vain imagination of their foolish braine let then therefore heare out of S. Fulgentius what antiquity hath alwaies holden and what the Catholike Church hath taught in all ages Thus therfore he writeth setting downe the rules of our common saith in his booke de fide ad Petruin Diaconum Cap. 38. Belieue assuredly saith he and doubt nothing at all that not only all Pagans but also all Iewes Heretikes and Schismatikes who shall dy out of the Catholike Church shall go into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the diuell and his Angells And in the 39. Cap. Belieue assuredly and doubt nothing that euery heretik or Schismatik christned in the name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost if he be not within the number of those which are of the Catholik Church what almes soeuer he hath made albeit he shall shed his bloud for the name of Christ can by no meanes be saued for neither baptisme nor large and charitable almes nor death it selfe suffered for Christes sake will auaile that maÌ„ who 〈…〉 vnity of the Catholik Church as long as this hereticall or schismaticall wickednes whâ—th leadeth to perdition shall continue in him This hath always byn the faith of the Catholike Church and the most certayne and vndoubted doctrine of the holy Fathers the which I would to God al those who remaine out of the Church of God would attentiuely and diligently consider they would truly and easily preceiue in how dangerous a state they continue Thou O Christ the light of the world shyne vnto their mindes and lighten their hartes Amen FINIS
A CONSVLTATION WHAT FAITH AND RELIGâ—â—â— is best to be imbraced WRITTEN IN LATIN By the R. Father Leonard Lessius Professour in Diuinity of the Society of IESVS AND Translated into English by W. I. IHS Permissu Superiorum M.DC.XVIII TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORD MAIOR TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL THE ALDERMEN AND TO THE RIGHT WORTHY CITTIZENS OF LONDON The Translatour wisheth all Health and Happines Temporall and Eternall RIGHT HONORABLE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL AND RIGHT WORTHY I Was pâ—rswaded to present you with this Treatise traÌ„slated by 〈◊〉 into our mother tongue that hath appeared far better 〈◊〉 in â—â—owâ—yde it was first inuested only through the loue and respect I beare to your so we deserming persons whose speciall endeauors amidst your other sorâ—ous imployments in that famous Citty should be and I hope is the attayning of such a traffike that may more redound to the profit of your Soules then your temporall Estates since you know well that a sure and solid foundation of true Religion worketh Eternall Saluation and the contrary eternall woe and misery though otherwise one were neuer so fortunate in all worldly prosperity The worke it selfe is but of some few houres reading and the Author I hope will not be distastfull vnto yow in respect of his person though otherwise of a different Profession habit And though I doubt not but that many of your haue already seene other learned Bookes of like subiect yet because this affoardeth so great variety of forcible Motiues both singularly chosen and most aptly expressed to settle mens Consciences in so waighty an affayre as this is I haue therfore thought good to present it to your View though in a more humble and far lesse polished stile then so profitable a subiect deserueth And heerunto I was the more encouraged by vnderstanding the great fruite and profit which many haue all ready and do dayly reape by a diligent perusall of this Booke in other languages hoping for no lesse in our owne then it hath produced in the Latin French and Dutch especially in men so zealous in that Profession which hath by in these later tymes preached vnto you Which zeale of yours would no doubâ— be more feruent if Gods Grace by other mothâ—es proposed should open your eyes to see the cleernes of the Catholike Verity Neither should it offend you that your Consciences hauing byn setled these 60. yeares last past in the Faith that was then proposed vnto you now a new reuiew of matters belonging to Religion should be offered For synce the Scripture doth premonish vs that Heresies must of necessity be and false Teachers would come to disturbe the peace and vnity of the Church of which sort as is apparent by her contrary doctrines this our vnfortunate Age hath byn most fertile it is doublesse no disgrace or signe of leuity or inconstancy by a diligent and iudicious examen to try which of all these diuers spirits is of God and which is that Catholike Church so often commended vnto vs in the Scriptures as nothing more plainely and seriously In which important search the Reading of this little but golden Treatise will by Gods grace affoard such light to discerne Truth from Falshood and such meanes to find out the true gate of Catholike faith which only leadeth to saluation as may satisfy the most Iudicious especially if they reade with that humblenes of spirit as they ought to do who desyre to know the Truth In reading therfore consider attentiuely euery Passage ponder the waight and substance of ech Reason not posting the same ouer as many do transpotted with curiosity to read all new Bookes that come forth and I doubt not you will receaue aboundant satisfaction Read then most worthy Cittizens the ensuing Consultation with an indifferent and vnpartiall eye that you may enrich your soules with the treasure of true knowledg doctrine which leadeth to eternall Life and Happines Wherof I humbly beseech his diuine Maiesty to make you partakers to whom I haue heerewith dedicated both my selfe and seruice to remayne Your seruant euer in Christ Iesus W. I. This 30 of Septemb. 1618. THE TABLE OF THE CONTENTS of the ensuing Consultation THE Preface pag. 1. The I. Consideration Of the desire of Perfection wherunto Christian Religion leadeth pag. 8. The II. Consideration That Christian Religion excludeth liberty of sinning pag. 11. The III. Consideration Drawne froÌ„ the Sanctity of the followers of true Religion pag. 2â— The IIII. Consideration From the miracles wrought by the imbracers of Catholike Religion pag. 36. The V. Consideration From the Conuersion of Nations by the imbracers of Catholike Religion pag. 48. The VI. Consideration From the Name Catholike and from the thing it selfe signed or marked with this Name pag. 55. The VII Consideration From Succession pag. 59. The VIII Consideration From the consent of the ancient Fathers and Doctours of the Church and from the decision of controuersies without which there is no sodality or fellowship pag. 65. The IX Consideration From diuers causes and reasons for which these new doctrines are to be suspected and shunned pag. 74. The I. Reason Deduced from Nouelty pag. 75. The II. Reason Taken from the defect of Succession pag. 87. The III. Reason From the defect of their Mission pag. 9â— The IIII. Reason From the want of Miracles pag. 106. The V. Reason From the conditions of their liues and manners pag. 116. The VI. Reason from their errors and inconstancy in Doctrine pag. 125. The VII Reason Taken from the fraudes and deceipts which the Sectaryes commonly vse pag. 135. The VIII Reason Drawne from the ouerthrow of good Workes pag. 153. The IX Reason Deduced from the liberty of life which they yield vnto pag. 158. The X. Reason That they renew old Heresies pag. 166. The XI Reason From want of a Rule of Fayth pag. 171. The XII Reason Drawne from Absurdity pag. 181. The X. Consideration And conclusion of this Consultation pag. 189. An Appendix of the Author Whether euery one may be saued in his owne Fayth and Religion pag. 214. A CONSVLTATION WHAT FAITH AND RELIGION IS TO be imbraced GREAT is the variety of Religion in this our age and great is the contention about the truth therof Many in this point do continually wauer nor can they determine any certainty passing from one Religion to another as it were from house to house for trialls sake thereby to find tranquility of mind Others through an inconsiderate boldnes do imbrace any Religion which by chance they light vpon without either examining or vnder standing the same who when they are demanded why they preferre that Religion before others they haue no other answere but that it seemes better to them or els which commonly all do oragge of because they follow the very pure word of God This busines notwithstanding is most worthy of great deliberation and discussion seeing that heerin consisteth the very center of our saluation Euerlasting saluation or damnation is
no small matter but euen such as all other things be they good or bad are nothing in comparison therof And this damnation or saluation dependeth of good or bad Religion If thy Religion be good it shall be easy for thee to obtaine saluation but if it be euill it is impossible for thee to be saued By euill or false Religion thou canst not please God Hebr. 11. consequently not obtayne pardon of thy sinnes not true Iustice nor yet by any meanes be made partaker of Christs redemption but remaynest in death and the wrath of God remayneth vpon thee For that all men without the redemption of Christ Rom. 3.4 and liuing againe in him do remayne in death of sinne are the sonnes of wrath but whosoeuer imbraceth not true Religion is made voyd of the Redemption and quickening of Christ wherefore of necessity he must remaine in death and be the sonne of wrath and fewell for eternall fire Furthermore true Religion is only one and not manifold for that there is but one verity one faith Ephes 4. one baptisme one God Lord of all wherof it followeth by consequence First that all Religion all Faith all Confessions of faith besides this only one are false hurtefull pestilent and brought in by the Diuell as author therof and the Father of lyes Secondly no man that hath not this onely Faith can possibly obtaine euerlasting faluation and all that shall be destitute therof although otherwise they liue neuer so well shall infallibly perish eternally 1. Cor. 13. For that which the Appostle saith of charity to wit If I should speake which the tongues of men Angells if I should know all mysteries if I should distrâ—bute all my goods to be meate for the poore if I should deliuer my body so that I burne and haue not châ—â—rity it doth profit me nothing may with better reasoÌ„ be spoken of true faith religion which is the vary foundatioÌ„ of charity and of all other christian vertues Thirdly it is a very grosse errour of certaine simple people that thinke it to be inough to their saluatioÌ„ if they belieue in Christ and that he dyed for their sinnes although they belieue not many other things for examples sake those which belong to Sacraments sacrifice of the Church and other such like pointes of faith for so should almost all Sects of beretikes be saued for that all except some few do imbrace Christ or els they should not be heretikes but Apostataes and belieue that he dyed for their sinnes And so by this meanes shal be saued the Montanistes Nonutiam the Donatistes and Sabellians the Arrians Macedonians Aerians Eutichians Monethelites and such like pestes of the Church Tit. 3. Wherefore then hath the Church in all ages vehemently opposed therselfe against heresies wherfore doth the Apostle command vs to aouyd an hereticall man after one or two reprehensions 2. Tim 2. Wherfore should we beware of their very speaches as a certaine infectious canker In vayne then are all these thinges spokeÌ„ and done if saluation may be obtayned togeather with heresy Then truly is that a meere forged tale against the consent of all Ages which S. Augustine reciteth in these wordes Constituamus aliquem c. Let vs imagine saith he a man to be chast continent not couetous not a seruer of Idols liberal to the poore no mans enemy not contentious Aug. l. 4. cont Donat cap. 8. patient quiet emulating or enuying no maÌ„ sober frugall c. but yet an hereticke let there be no doubt at all to any but that such a one for this only thing in that he is an heretike shal not possesse the kingdome of God For as that man as witnesseth S. Iac. 2. Iames who offendeth in one commandement is made guilty of all looseth his whole iustice although he keep the rest of the commandementâ— because he contemneth the lawmaker himselfe who made the whole law eueÌ„ so he that denieth obstanately but one article of faith though he retayne the rest iâ— made guilty of his whole Religion looseth all his Faith and Religion because he contemneth the Author therof For that the chiefe supreme Verity being one and the same hath reuealed all the articles of faith and doth propose the same to be beleeued of vs by the Church her spouse 1. Tim. 3. which is the pillar and firmament of truth He therfore that doth obstinately reiect but any one the least article of Faith not relying vpon the iudgment of the Church by that very act is he iudged to contemne the Author of the first principal Verity whose preacher interpreter instrument is the Church and by this meanes he looseth al his liuely faith which is necessary to saluation Neyther helpeth it any thing at al that he yet beleeueth some principall heads or articles of faith because he beleeueth them not with a liuely faith which coÌ„sisteth vpon only diuine authority proposed vnto vs by infallible means els he should belieue the rest also that are propounded to him by the same meanes but he belieueth them with a certaine humane faith that is to say because by his owne priuate iudgment or opinioÌ„ he so thinketh them to be belieued taking vnto himselfe authority to iudg and discerne what things are to be belieued and what are to be reiected so as the chief reason of his beliefe is his priuate iudgment and therfore all that faith and beliefe is humane and of no value For most certaine it is that as true Iustice doth extend it selfe to all the commandements so doth true faith in like maÌ„ner which is required to saluation extend it selfe to all those things that are reuealed vnto vs from God in such sort that we eyther expressoly belieue or be ready to belieue them all if they be accordingly proposed vnto vs. Wherby it is manifest how carefully we ought to endeauour to obtaine true faith and Religion seing that the same is the very foundation of all our saluation and without which most certaine damnation is to be expected Wherfore I haue thought good in this place to set downe certaine Considerations or Reasons manifest and perspicuous to euery one of ordinary capacity wherupon may be framed a certaine and infallible Deliberation concerning this busines of Religion I. CONSIDERATION Of the desyre of perfection wherunto Christian Religion leadeth THAT Religion is alwayes to be preferred that sauoureth of purity and holines of life That ChristiaÌ„ Religion leadeth to desyre of PerfectioÌ„ which draweth our myndes from earthly affections and styrreth vs vp to the loue of heauenly For that the chiefe end and scope of Religion is to sequester mens affections from these base and temporall things and to lift them vp to meditate loue and pursue celestiall and euerlasting Such is the only Catholike Religion and no other For she persuadeth to abstaine from pleasures of the flesh and alluiements of this life She teacheth to
Ethnickes Nor that this worship is in that manner done to Images as though there were any excellency in theÌ„ but so as the same doth passe to the first pattern therof to wit to the Saints themselues raigning with Christ in heauen For that the externall signe of adoration Which is made before an Image is the worshiping of the first patterne or prototype therof As for example to errect a Statua or Image to a King and to do reuerence therunto now this reuerence is done to the Image materially only but the honor it selfe redoundeth to the King whome the Image representeth That this honour which is thus done to Saints is not the worship proper vnto God is manifest because we do not worship any Saint as supreme Lord Author of things but only as a friend of him who is supreme Lord. For that we do so highly respect God that we thinke those whome he hath so highly exalted in glory to be worthy also of some honour Which thing truely doth not any way redound to the iniury but to the honor of God euen as it redoundeth to the honor of a Prince when we honour his Nobles Courtiers for the respect we beare vnto the Prince to wit because they be his domesticall seruants friends c. And this I haue heere spoken because that many simple people are beguiled and misled about this point Secondly they say that Papists do adore bread as God and therfore they be Artolatrae which is as much to say as Bread-worshippers by which name Caluin oftentymes calleth Catholikes But in this also they vse deceit For they know well inough that Catholikes do not belieue that in the Eucharist there remayneth bread but that there is present truly really and substantially the body of Christ togeather with his soule and diuinity and so do not adore bread but the whole body of Christ there present Thirdly they affirme that Papists do not put their trust in the merits of Christ but in their owne and the merits of Saints Fourthly they say that Papists do teach that men be not iustified through the faith of Christ but by their owne merits and the like which are nothing els indeed but mere impostures and deceytes inuented to defame the Catholike doctrine I could produce more then an hundred of like articles falsely imputed eyther to the whole Church or to Catholike Doctors therof And now who will say that in such men as these be there is the spirit of Christ or that they do proceed sincerely in this busines and go about to establish the Truth Moreouer these fellowes do not only impute vnto Catholikes these and such like absurdityes of opinions They obiect falâ—e crimes to Catholiks but they lay to their charge also false crimes especially to such men whome they most feare will withstand their wicked endeauours to wit Murders Treasons against Princes and diuers kinds of such like villany Good God! How many libels and pamphlets haue byn set out these yeares past by the Caluinists and Lutherans do dayly at this day come abroard wherin they accuse Religions men innocent God wot froÌ„ such crimes of most outragious and filthly wickednes But these wily deceyts are easily discouered For eyther the innocency of these men is wittnessed by the publike letters of Magistrates and the others falsity made manifest or els their accusations are cleerly refuted by the manner of their relation the circunstances theÌ„selues For in some of their Accusations there haue byn noted aboue 50. most manifest vntruthes In others 12.15.20 c. so blynd is that their feruent hatred that they care not with what probability they charge their Aduersaryes so they may hope to hurt them therby But this hurt they do is but for a little while for after that the impudency of their calumniations is once discouered it redoundeth to the great comendation of those who were accused and shame vnto them that were the plotters and abbetters therof And finally for confirmation of their absurdityes Their corruptioÌ„ of Authorityes they vse egregious fraudes and deceyts eyther by adding taking away or altering somthing in the allegations of Scriptures Fathers or els by omitting the plaine words and producing those that seeme obscure therby to make them seeme to fauour their Doctrine For Luther to establish his opinioÌ„ of Iustification by only faith cyting the words of the Apostle to the Rom. 3. Arbitramur hominem iustificari per fidem we do thinke that man is iustified through faith he addeth of his owne the word solam Epist ad amicum devoce SOLA only And when he was demaunded why he did so he made answore thus Situus Papista c. If thy Papisticall friend be froward and hard to please concerning the word only presently tell him that a Papist and an Asse is one and the same thing Sic vole sic iubeâ— sit pro ratione voluntas I will haue it so I comaund it so let my will be a reason For we will not be schollers vnto Papists but their maisters And we will this once glory in our pride against such like asses a little after I pray thee giue no other answere to these asses concerning the word only but tell them that Luther will haue it so that he is Doctor of all Doctors in the Popedome c. Behould the modesty of this Prophet in excusing that fraud The same Luther in the second Epistle of S. Peter translating this sentence Quapropter fratres c. wherfore brethren labour the more that by good workes yow may make sure your vocatioÌ„ election leaueth quite out the words per bonaopera by good works because they were plainely against his Doctrine who taught that good works nothing auailed to faluatioÌ„ In the 75. Psalme 12. Verse where it is sayd Vow and render vnto your Lord God c. Luther maketh therupon this glosse in the margent contayning a threefold fraud and deceyt Quòd pro Deo vero illum habere velitis quemadmodum requirit primum praceptum nolite vouere Sanctis vel alia vota Because yow will haue him for your God as the first Commandement doth require therfore do ye not vow vnto Saintes nor make ye any other vowes In the 31. of Prouerbes where it is said Mulierem fortem quis inueniet who is he that shall find a constant Woman Luther vpon these words putteth in the margent a Loue-song in rithme to this sense Nothing is more amiable on earth then the loue of a woman to him that hath the fortune to obtaine it 1. Corinth 9. where it is sayd Numquid non habemus potestatem mulierem sororem circuÌ„ducendi Haue we not power to lead about a woman-sister Luther addeth heer unto of his owne in vxorem for our wife as though the Apostles lead wiues about with them for coniugall vse Zwinglius in place of those words Hoc est corpus meum This is my body against the truth
and Anabaptists are at bitter wars one with another about many points of fayth and do impeach one the other of heresy The Lutherans do dissent both among themselues in many things and from Luther himselfe â—heir Father and Apostle in so much as at this tyme there be reckoned thirty one principal Sects of Lutherans different in name and disagreing in many points of doctrine The Caluinists be at variance among themselues especially in the Article touching the head of the Church For a great part of them giueth that power to the secular Prince though she be a woman and these be called Protestants Others of them hold the same for impiety and blasphemy and those they call Puritaus The Anabaptists differ among themselues in very many things so as of them there be numbred 14. diuers Sects distinct both in names and in points of doctrine Finally it is now come to this that where euery one followeth this rule of Scripture alone and relyeth vpon it there be almost as many heresyes as there be heretiks For the greater part of them especially the more simple affirme that they little regard or care what Luther or Caluin taught sith they cleaue fast to the holy Scriptures and recur to the word of God in which there cannot be any errour and so they thinke themselues very secure And euery one vnderstandeth the Scripture according to his own capacity and sense Wherhence it followeth that where they thinke they haue the Scripture for an infallible rule of their beliefe insteed of Scripture they haue and follow their owne imagination For whatsoeuer they imagine to be signified meant by the words of scrip ture they take for the true fense of Scripture and so lookehow many diuers imaginations of men there be so many rules there be of beliefe But whence is it that to euery one his owne imagination should seeme the most true verity and the very fense of Scripture It procedeth partly of a certaine exceeding selfe-pleasing lone and estimation For he who maketh any great reckoning of himselfe easily perswadeth himselfe that all his owne innentions and conceipts of mind be great and extraordinary partly by working of the Diuell who doth in wardly pernert mensphanfyes so as what they apprehend they forth with for euery most light and idle poore reason thinke to be most cuident truth For whiles men wearied with the auncient Religion loathing it do auerse the truth longe to heare nouâ—lt yes they are by Gods iust iudgment suffered to be begnyled by the Diuell Whereupon whiles he worke the inwardly in their senses they thinke themselues to haue recevued the light of Gods spirit and vnto it they referre all iudgment touching matters of fayth Hence it is that to euery sect almost to euery priuate man their owne apprehension seemeth to be the pure word of God neyther care they for all the reasons that are brought to the contrary The Apostle insinuateth no lesse when he sayth 2. Thes 2. For that they haue not receyued the Charity of truth that they might be saued therefore God will send them the operation of errour that they may belieue lying He shall send not by way of commaund but by giuing more power to the Diuell for the deceyuing of them who haue contemned the truth or ancient Religion and the thrusting of them into a thousand errors But the most of them especially the simple say God will not permit them to be deluded who search the truth with an humble hart for the hath promised that he will giue a good spirit to them who aske him And this do I for I make my petition to God that he would please to illuminate me open vnto me the true sense of the Scriptures and I cease not continually to search them This is a great deceipt of the Diuell For how do they with an humble hart search out the truth who contemne makeno esteeme of the iudgment of the Doctors of the Church of the interpretation and exposition of the holy Fathers and of the definitions of Generall Councells who refuse to vse the way appointed and shewed by God and require vnnecessary reuelations For from them they might vnderstand the truth and exempt themselues from all errour but they haue not a will to submit themselues vnto them thinking that they may by their owne industry their owne wit and priuate spirit with a more facility and certainity find the truth out of the bare naked Scriptures As though the holy Fathers Doctors and Prelats of the Church did eyther not search the Scritures or wanted the spirit of God and sound iudgment so as it passed their skil to ariue to the true vnderstanding therof What greater pride can there be thought then that a priuare person and comonly an Idiot ignorant of all antiquity and good literature should prefer himselfe before so great authority and holynes and so great a number of Doctors And therfore they must not thinke thatso longe as they be of that mind they shall obtaâ—ne any thing at our Lords hands because they aske both yll and prowdly but that they shall rather be deceyued by the spirit of pryde and of lying whereunto they are by Gods iust iudgment for so great a cryme delyuered This is that spirit whereof all heretiks though they be neuer so different in Doctrine haue their part and vaunt themselues and of which euery one thinketh the truth to be reuealed vnto him which certes he that is not blinde may casily obserue and see because Gods spirit reucaleth not contraryes Moreouer the holy Scripâ—ure no where remitteth priuate men in doubts of fayth to the fearch of the Scriptures but to the Church and to them who be the Prelats of the Church So in Deuâ—eronomy c. 17. in matters of doubt they are remitted to the Priests who haue charge and rule for the tyme whome he that shal refuse to obay is sentenced to dy Therfore hath God appointed pastors doctors in his Church therfore would he haue it conspicuous to the whole world to be the pillar and firmament of truth that all might with case make their recourse vnto it and most securely repose vpon the determination of it There is not giuen to all the spirit of vnderstanding the Scriptures as is plaine by testimony of the Apostle 1. Cor. 12. 1. Ioan. 4. 2. Cor. 11. We are not to giue credit to euery spirit but the spirits are to be tryed if they be of God Wherfore though your spirit suggest vnto you something you are not therefore secure for you are not sure that it is of God For it is certaine that infinite numbers haue been and are deceyued cuery heretike vaunteth himselfe of this spirit The Angell of Sathan oftentymes transfigureth himselfe into an Angell of light Wherefore by what hath been said it is most euident that a priuate spirit cannot possibly carry it selfe for the rule of beliefe The XII Reason Drawne from Absurdity
as sent of God for the sauing of the sheep and in the meane tyme they destroyed the sheep with the poysoned foode of their doctrine By their fruits sayth our Lord you â—hall know them And what fruite is this Seditions warres the spoyling and ouerthrowing of Churches and Monasteryes the ruining of Cittyes the abolishing of ancient piety and deuotion the giuing scope to all enormityes and wickednes We know by testimony of the Apostle that many heresyes shall rise in the latter tymes and that many false Prophets and seducers shall by the instigation of Sathan shew themselues Wherefore as often as any new doctrine that opposeth it self against the Church putteth the head forth we must at least suspect it together with the Author therof Wherefore I desire beseech all The conclusion of the whole worke that be out of the Catholike Church by the goodnes of God whereby we be created and by Christs bloud wherwith we are redeemed by the euerlasting inheritance which we expect in heauen and by that torrent and full measure of Diuine pleasure wherwith they shall be there made druÌ„ke who shall perseuere in truth and iustice to the end that they would apprehend and conceyue of this busynes throughly and attentiuely consider whether they stand vpon a solid and sound foundation whether they are likely to be secure touching their religion at their houre of death and when they shall stand before the Tribunall of Christ in that instant of tyme when an eternall and immutable sentence is to be receyued Let them examine this our Consultation which we haue written to that end Let them not rest vntill they shall haue duly discussed all and gotten the plaine euidency in a busynes so greatly importing them Let then thinke how great a punishment attendeth on them if the religion that they hold be heresy themselues be heretiks And that it is heresy and a most pestilent one indeed all Catholike Doctors all Vniuersityes and all the Christian world excepting those who follow it the number of whome compared with others is very little their learning very meane do hold for vndoubted and most certaine in so much as an infinite number there be who be ready to dye and to expose the euerlasting saluation of their soules for confession therof And in very deed Heresy is a most grieuous syn First How great a syn Heresy is because it is the cause that a man preferreth his owne iudgment before that of all the Fathers of all the Doctors of the Church of all Councells and of all the Bishops of the whole world For he contemneth them all as men destitute and deuoid of Gods spirit which he arrogateth to himselfe alone and to others his like and therein a wonder it is how great pride there is Secondly he censureth Christs Spouse which is the Church to haue coÌ„mitted adultery with Sathan to be the child of perdition Thirdly he chargeth it with the cryme of Idolatry and with diuers superstitions Fourthly he casteth forth many blasphemies against the holy Eucharist and Gods Saints Fiftly he handleth al holy sacred things after a most vnworthy manner Sixthly he calleth Christs Vicar on earth Antichrist calumniateth and reproacheth him a thousand wayes without any colour of truth at all The same doth he with al degrees orders of the Church To be short euery Heretike hath a good will to ouerthrow the whole Church and to extinguish al Catholike religion Thus you see that the heresy of our age contayneth extreme pride many foule blasphemyes How grieuous punishment heresie deserueth many calumnies slaunders and most iniurious proceedings many sacriledges and an extreme deadly hatred against Christs Church For all these euills and many more be intrinsecally in heresy and it habitually inclineth vnto them dayly doth euen actually moue and dryue vnto them So do all Doctors of the Catholike Church hold of Heresy and the thing is more then plaine of it selfe as experience teacheth And therefore Heresy consorted with these her Impes and ofspring is a greater syn then be an infinite number of sinnes of Catholikes And now according to what we haue said let them I beseech you dayly weigh and consider how great will be the punishment of this sinne ad Gal. 5. Col. â— 1. Cor. 6. 1. Tim. 1. c. For if but for one sinne of theft or of fornication vnles a man here help himselfe by the antidote of pennance he is to endure fire euerlasting as the Scripture teacheth what and how great paine and punishment is he to expect for the sinne of heresy which exceedeth a thousand thefts and a thousand fornications If the paine that our fire naturally inflicteth should be a thousand tymes more hoate and schorching then now it is and one were cast into it how sore incomprehensible and insufferable a paine would it be Let none flatter himselfe that there shall not be in that placee the paine of fire but onely I know not what terrors of God incensed with anger as Caluin feigneth But this assertion of his is ouer plainely repugnant to Scripture Math. 25. Marc. 9. Psal 10. Psal 20. A pocal 20. for as much as it sayth Goe yee into fire euerlasting Againe Their worme dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Againe He shall vpon sinners raine snares fire and brimstome and the spirit of tempests shall be the part of their cup. Thou shall put them as a fornace of fire in the time of thine anger Our Lord in his anger shall trouble them and fire shall deuour them The false Prophet was throwne into a poole of fire and of brimstone The same is the opinion of all the ancient doctors besides wherefore we must hold for certaine that there shal be a true fire there more intensiue and more scorching then our fire here wherein all heretiks shall burne and shall be tormented both day and night for all eternity as long as there shall be an hell as long as heauen shall stand and as long as God shall liue who dyeth not And the smoke of their torments shall ascend in the sight of our Lord for euer and euer These words be most faythfull and true Then shall they accurse them who deceiued them and their maisters by whome they were drawn and brought into that misery They shall accurse the deuill who blinded their eyes that they saw not the truth and vnder a pretence of piety diuersely bewitched them They shall also accurse themselues for giuing eare vnto them for so foolishly imbracing a new doctrine without diligently examining it before and for hauing been so blind negligent and slouthfull in discussion of a matter that so neerely concerned them Wherefore to the end they may not cast themselues headlong into this gulfe and sea of miseries let them with all care study and diligence examine this whole busines of religion and there about vse the counsaile and aduise of men of greatest wisdom learning