Catalogue before recited and see what colour they haue to set vpon their false suggestion which they buzze into the eares of their proselites that our Religion was not heard of before Luthers time when we haue such a cloude of Witnesses of our side as already hath beene produced Their first cauill is against the smalnesse of the number Geneâ—raâ—d Chr. lib. 4. Admit say they that there haue beene in the daies of old some that haue leaned to diuers of these hereticall propositions of the Protestants and haue opposed themselues against the doctrine of the Romish Church Brist profâ—â— in 〈◊〉 as there hath beene scarce any peece or Article of the Roman faith but by one or other first or last it hath beene called in question yet as Andrew said of the fiue Barly Loaues and two small Fishes which were to bee deuided among fiue thousand hungry people Ioh. 6.9 Iohn 6.9 What are these among so many so say they What are these few Bellarm. lib. 4. de Eccles c. 8. Rhem. in Act. 11 sâ— 4. this little handfull of Protestants in regard of whole Countries Kingdomes and Nations throughout all the world who haue embraced the Catholike faith of the Church of Rome and adhaered to that sea or how can so small a number make a visible Church To this we answer 1. That number or multitude is no true marke or note of a Church for if Truth should be measured by the opinion or practise of the multitude Then Iesabels Church should bee better then the Church of which Elias was King 18.19 for Baals Prophets were 450. fed at Iesabels Table when as Elias as farre as hee could see was left himselfe alone Then should the Pagan religion bee better then that in Israel which was but an handfull in regard of the rest of the world â—sal 76.1.2 Psal 147.19.20 Then should Turkisme bee better then the Christian religion for that at this day hath greater number that follow it then this And so the Turke should be better then the Pope Mahumetisme more to be commended then Poperie because the ones Dominion is larger in extent then the other and that hath more Proselites then this But our Blessed Sauiour himselfe preuenteth that obiection when he calleth his flocke Pufillum gregem A little flocke Luk. 12.13 Luk. 12.31 and againe telleth vs. Mat. 7.13 Math. 7.13 that wide is the gate and broad thei way that leadeth to destruction and many there bee which goe in thereat but straight is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth vnto life and few there bee that finde it 2. It is no wonder that in these times of persecution of the Church of Christ by the See of Rome the number of true professors was so small for these were the daies and times Reuel 12.5.6 When this woman fled into the wildernesse when the greatest part of the Christian world both small and great rich and poore Reuel 13.16 17. bond and free were compelled to receaue the marke of the Beast and no man could buy or sell saue hee that had the marke or the name of the beast or the number of his name By reason whereof the number of this faithfull flocke of Christ was much diminished and obscured which is the cause why the professors of our Religion in those times being driuen from place to place and persecuted by Antichristian tyrannie Their names the places of their abode and other circumstances whereby their memories should haue beene preserued could not so easily be made knowne vnto vs. 3. As the true Church may sometimes bee more secret and hidden yea reduced to a very small number as already hath beene declared so that number be it neuer so small that company be they neuer so few professing the Truth aright and hauing the right markes of the Church may be a true Church Where two or three saith our blessed Sauiour are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of â—â—em Mat. 18.20 Math. 18.20 Whereupon Tertullian inferreth Tertul. exhorâ— ad Castital Augustin Ennar in psal 2â— Darand lib. 6. 72. v. 25. Where three are that sincerely professe the truth there is a Church And Augustin saith The Church sometimes was only in the house of Noah sometimes in Abrahams family only sometimes in Lot and his house And the Papists themselues doe acknowledge that at the time of our Sauiours Passion the true Faith remayned onely in the Virgin Mary 4. Neither haue I in the Catologue before recited set downe all that either liued or are recorded in the seuerall Ages aboue mentioned but onely a few in stead of many by which few it may bee easily gathered that there were many more of them for such Learned such eminent men when they shew foorth themselues could not want partakers howsoeuer the oppression and Tyrannie of the aduerse partie did keepe them vnder Neither are there so few who haue already beene named if wee rightly cast the account In some of these Centuries and halfe Centuries I confesse there appeare more in some lesse as the cloud of Popish ignorance or persecution did thicken or lessen as sometimes amounting to hundreds at other times to thousands as may appeare by that which already hath been alledged And this if wee had no more witnesses to produce were enough for answer vnto their demand who require vs to shew any that professed our Religion before the dayes of Martin Luther and to stop the mouthes of our Popish aduersaries who thus vauntingly insult ouer vs That they will not put the Protestants to proue that there were seauen thousand of their Sect before their new Elias Rhem. in Rom. 11.4 Luther began But let them proue say they that there were seauen or any one either then or before then in any Age that was in all points of his beliefe Obiect 2 And these last wordes of the Rhemists are a branch of another Obiection which the Papists frame against our former Catologue Gregor de Valent Com. theol com 3. d. 1. And that is this How can you prooue say they that those parties whom you claime to bee yours such as in the former Catalogue were mentioned held the same Religion which you now doe or if in some things they may seeme to accord with you yet that in all points they were of your beliefe To this I answer 1. That it is not requisite that to proue them to professe the same Religion together with vs wee must proue them in all points to haue beene of our Beliefe or that the least difference in opinion should make a difference in Religion for what Church euer was there wherein all the members thereof did fully consent in euery point without any shew of difference Surely not the Pope Catholique Church for doe all that professe themselues members of that Church agree in euery point professed and maintained by that Church Concil Trident. Waâ—â— Quodâ— What then meane
the Word then to the outward garnishing of Churches Zozomen lib. 5. c. 25. Jn Constantinople Nectarius a man of noble birth Bishop of Constantinople in whose time Auricular Confession was abrogated in Constantinople vpon occasion of Adulterie committed betweene a Penitentiarie and a woman confessing her sinnes vnto him Socrat. lib. 5. c. 19. The Councell of Chalcedon Where was the Emperor Martianus himselfe in person and of Bishops and reuerend Fathers 630. These in plaine tearmes gaue the Sea of Constantinople equall Priuiledges with Rome and in causes Ecclesiasticall to be aduanced as farre as Rome Concilium Chalced. Act. 16. In Armenia Letoius Bishop of Meletina in Armenia a bitter enemie to Monkish Profession whose societie hee was wont to call a Denne of Theeues Theodos. lib. 4. c. 11. Jn Affrica Optatus Milcuitanus who liued about this time and doth accord with vs first in the Scriptures that they are the Iudge of Controuersies Lib. 6. lib. 1. de Script secondly about the Sacraments Lib. 6. lib. 1. Cibus ibi est spiritualis potus spiritualis In the Point of Regeneration Lib. 2. 7. In the Point of the Catholike Church Lib. 2. aduersus Parmen Jn Europe Hilarius Bishop of Poitiers in France who tooke great paines to purge the Countrey of Fraunce from the Arrian Heresie and to withdraw the people from Superstition Ruffin lib. 1. cap. 31. Histor Magdeb. Cent. 4. cap. 10. Betweene the yeeres 300. and 350. Councels THe Councels of Ancyra Nice Tyrus Gangra in which was condemned the Heresie of Eustasius speaking against Marriage eating of Flesh c. Eliberis Carthage where the Bishop of Rome was stoutly withstood Antioch and Sardica were all summoned at the commaundement of the Emperours not of the Popes Tom. Concil Fathers Basilius Magnus Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in his Writings hee much confirmeth our Faith and Doctrine and complaineth of the pride of the Westerne Churches and condemneth their affectation of the Supremacie Basil transmarin Epist 77. Epist 10. ad Eusamos Gregorius Nazianzenus who reuiued the true life of Preaching when the Truth of GOD seemed to haue beene buried and inueighed against the pride of Prelates seeking Supremacie ouer others Zozom lib. 7. cap. 5. Gregorius Nyssenus a married Bishop Niceph. Callist lib. 1. cap. 19. whos 's Writings albeit the Papists doe alleage in many places to patronize their doctrines and opinions yet beeing well considered they make nothing for them but rather much against them Vide Sculleti examen locorum ex Nysseno a Pontif. citat in medulla Patr. Macarius Aegyptius a learned Writer is altogether with vs in the point of Iustification Hom. 11. in the certaintie of Saluation Homil. 19. 20. against the Reall presence Hom. 27. against Purgatory Hom. 30 44. 22. against Free-will Hom. 2 27.15 46. Eusebius Caesariensis a learned man and writer of many Bookes agreeth with vs against the Papall Supremacie Lib. 2. de vit Const. 3. 37. about the Scriptures Lib. 5. Histor Eccles c. 14. about the Sacraments Lib. 1. demonst c. 10. li. 5. cap. 3. about Iustification Lib 1. Histor Eccles cap. 5. against Images Lib. 3. de praep Euang. against Popish Iniunctions of Fastings Lib. 5. Eccles Hist c. 23. Epiphanius borne in a little Village of Palestina called Barsanduce hee wrote much and in his Writings agreeth with vs concerning the Scriptures Lib. de mens and power of the Catholike Church Haeres 35. about Marriage and Virginitie Haeres 48. about Fasting Haeres 33. against inuocation of Saints Haeres 78 79. against Images Haeres 19. against the Masse Haeres 55. against Purgatorie Haeres 59. against celebrating of Priests Haeres 61. against Lay-Baptisme Haeres 76. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria whose name was famous in the elder Church wrote much and agreeth therein with vs Against Traditions Epist de Synod Nicen. Decr. against Inuocation of Saints Epist ad Adelph against their seuen Sacraments Orat. 2. contra Arrian against Images Orat. contra Gentes against the Supremacie Epistol ad Solis and many other such like points Papâ—nutius a Bishop in a Towne of Thebaida himselfe an vnmarried man opposed himselfe in the Councell of Nice against the inhibition of Priests marriage and caused the same to bee stayed Socrat. lib. 1. c. 11. Lactantius Firmianus Didymus a Doctor of the Schoole of Alexandria Acholius Bishop of Thessalonica Osius Bishop of Corduba Asclepus in Gaza Philogonius Bishop of Antiochia Hermogenes Bishop of Caesarea James Bishop of Nisebis in Mesopotamia and diuers others Thus haue I shewed the fore-runners of our Religion aboue two hundred yeeres before Poperie began and the Professors of the same in the time of the Churches flourishing estate before the Church of Rome declined to that Apostasie in which now for these many yeeres it hath continued Whereby wee may discerne how impudent our Aduersaries the Papists are Campian rat 5. in challenging all the ancient Fathers as theirs and making no end of boasting of the Fathers Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 291. one of them saith The Protestants in the Questions of Faith should enquire on what side the Fathers stand that it being knowne they might embrace the Doctrine which the Fathers of old iudged to be true Wee haue done as hee aduiseth Wee haue asked the Fathers and they haue told vs our Elders and they haue told vs That they haue professed and maintained the same Doctrine and Religion which wee professe True it is indeede wee dare not follow euery one of them in euerie step or tye our selues to euery one of their Opinions The Fathers themselues were men and beeing men might haue yea had their Errors Onely the Canonicall Authors as the Iesuit himselfe confesseth as being from aboue Heauenly and Diuine Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 329 doe alwayes hold a perpetuall and stable constancie in their Writings But other holy Writers are inferior and humane failing sometimes and now and then contrarie to the course of Nature Epiph. de not bring foorth a Monster Origen taught many things against the Faith and mis-applyed many things in Scripture Epist ad Iub aduers Prax. August d. 9. Negare Cyprian held Rebaptization Tertullian Montanisme And which of them had not his faylings Augustine himselfe saith I cannot denie but that there are many things in my workes as there are also in the writings of mine Ancestors which iustly and with good discretion may be blamed The Fathers themselues haue denied what some of their Fathers haue held before them yea some of them vpon better consideration haue retracted their owne errors we therefore according to Marsilius Marsil Deâ—â— sor pacis p. 4â— his aduice receiue whatsoeuer they bring consonant to the Scripture but what they bring dissonant from it we reiect with reuerence It is a false slaunder therefore which the Iesuites and other such like Popish circumcellions buzze into the eares of their peruerted Proselites Bristo Mothâ— 14. That we
Catalogus Protestantium OR THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER CONTAINING A SVRVIEW OF THE Protestants Religion long before Luthers daies euen to the time of the Apostles and in the primitiue Church LONDON Printed for Nathanael Butter 1624. An Epistle written by a Friend to the Author in his absence CHristian and discreet Reader It were a great defrauding the Store-house of Religion to conceale that for any priuate respect which concernes a publike benefit Aug. Conâ—â—â—s lib. 12. Veritatem celare est aurum sepelire To conceale the Truth saith St. Augustine is to bury Gold and to smother any ancient Sacred testimony of Antiquitie were to hide that treasurie in the bowels of the earth which is the inestimable Dowre of Gods Church Now of all truth and of all testimonies deriued from the roote and record of Antiquitie none ought to bee more sought after then the retayned puritie of Apostolique Doctrine resplendent in all Ages since our Sauiours plantation euen in the gloomie and darke dayes before Luther Our Priests and Jesuites for their vnpleasant clamorous and obstriperous sound not vnfitly resembling Frogs and Locusts haue of late dayes beene croaking and throtling out this harsh note and noyse to euery Protestant passenger Where was your Church before LVTHER Thinking belike so to choake vs with this Question as that not giuing vs leaue to fetch breath wee should not possibly bee able to deriue our Religion from any ancienter Author But alasse poore Romanists Though it would serue our turnes to answer with Ignatius the Martyr Jgnat Epist ad Philad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IESVS CHRIST is my Antiquitie Yet it shall appeare vnto you that Almightie GOD hath not left his Truth howsoeuer opposed by your impious rabble and malice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee without sufficient witnesse in all Ages as may appeare by the Writings of many Christian Antiquaries who haue deliuered the Lampe of knowledge and direction to vs and for the future benefit of the Christian World is now more plainly expressed by the Learned labour of this Reuerend Diuine out of whose large field of obseruation and Reading bee hath affoorded you so faire a Kalender and plentifull Catalogue of Names as may suffice to point out a Protestant successiue Church from Age to Age. Yea it is hereby easily seene that the Church of England hath not wanted multitudes of well disposed hearts at all times howsoeuer the publike authority at some time lacked to maintayne the open Preaching of the Gospell As for the worthinesse of this worke worthyest these times let the goodnesse of God bee duely glorified and the Authors paines-taking therein acknowledged so shall the doubtfull bee better informed the weake confirmed and many a soule benefited Thy welwiller in Christ IOHN GEE THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER Deuteronomie 3â— 7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he will shew thee thine elders and thâ—y will tell thee WHen the Athenians had consulted the oracle of Apollo Pythius what Religion it were fittest for them to professe Xenophoâ— They receiued this answer That they should follow the religion of their Ancestors and when they againe had replyed that their ancestors had often changed their religion and therefore they knew not in such an often alteration which to follow the Oracle resolued them M. Tull. Cleere de natura Dâ—â—rum Illud optimum quod primum That is best which was at the first The maine controuersie at this day in the world is about religioÌ„ in the great variety whereof among Iewes Pagans Turks and Infidels yea among those who call themselues by the name of Christians many weake and vnstable soules stand as in a maze and know not where to settle themselues Augustine Arnobius Now albeit as both Augustin Arnobius well obserue Religion is not so much to be weighed by time as by truth neither is it so much to be enquired after wheÌ„ it began as how it is to be followed yea it cannot be denied which Tertullian doth auerre that the Antiquity of Religion doth much serue to testifie the verity therof Teruil and the longer time it hath had of continuance the more it claimes our obseruance and ties vs to obedience The Heathen Hesiod Hesod could say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The old law is best And the best and most diuine of all the Philosophers Plato Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ancients are best as comming neerest vnto God And it is a rule among Lawyers Qui prior est tempore potior est iure He that is first in time hath the chiefest right hence is it that Bildad thus aduiseth Iob 8.8 9. Iob 8.8 9 10. Inquire I pray thee of the former age prepare thy selfe to the search of their fathers for we are but of yesterday and know nothing because our daies vpon the earth are but a shadow shall not they teach thee and tell thee And Iere. 6.16 Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the waies and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and ye shall find rest for your soules And in the song of Moses Deut. 32.7 Deut. 32.7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he shall shew thee thine elders and they will tel thee This tryall of our Religion by Antiquity I vndertake in the following discourse not so much against the Athiest who shaketh off all religion Philip Mornie treatise of the truth of religioÌ„ as if there were no vse of it at all for I could shew him that religion had a being so soone as there was any being and that before men were tyed to any obedience by humane Lawes before they furnished their mindes with any Arts before they wore cloathes on their backs Religion was in vse Neither against the Turks Pagans for I could shew them the Antiquity of true Religion long before their new deuised superstitions Clem. Alex. that whatsoeuer light they had of Religion Compâ—â—â— Greg. de 〈◊〉 Fisher in coâ—ference with 〈◊〉 Featly whatsoeuer shew of goodnes they haue in their seuerall Religions they haue borrowed or rather like theeues filched it from hence but my tryall Apologie is framed against the Papists who exclaime against vs as Nouelists and condemne our religion as a late vpstart challenging vs to shew where our Church where our religion was in former times which challenge of theirs howsoeuer it hath been answered to the full at diuers times by diuers learned Worthies in our Church D. Field of the Church D. Mortâ—n Caâ—thol Ap. D. Vsher de câ—â—tiâ— stat coâ—â—â—â— Archb. of Câ—â—terb treatise â—â—perpet viâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the Church Patrick Syâ—â—â—â—â— Richard Bernaâ—â— August de Triâ—â—â— lib. 1. c. 3. de mondâ—◠〈◊〉 of late hath receiued a full satisfaction if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate
in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after-gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12.13 why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aquis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people but of many Bell de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coster Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visiâ—l of the Church D. Field of the Church D. White way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellarâ—â—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bez. sign eccâ—â—â— lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Roâ—â— Pont. lib. 3. c. 2 but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.37 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent peripâ— hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Câ—â—pian Bâ—ll de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isâ—â—bâ—n in Saxony 〈…〉 Abbâ—t Vsâ—org Iob. S â—â—dum Martyâ—al â—â—glic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh where at the age of 29 he commenced Doctor At the first he was a Monke of the Augustine Order and he bâ—ganne to distast
lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodoreusis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesia wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallut borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hosiad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp preprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before him and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scurâ—â—ie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of 〈◊〉 Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile wâ—â— to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensis Rudicenus Rhachenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Iuuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about the yeare 1158 brought 30 other of their own opinion with them ouer into England who by the commandement of the King
were the Prophets so likewise the Apostles at more times and in more places then one charged with many accusations which yet in truth were but meere calumniations Plinius so the Iewes when the visible Church of God was onely among them were slandered as worshippers of Hogs Cornel. Taciâ— and Asses and contemners of all Religion So the olde Christians in the Primitiue Church were slandered to vse incestuous companie each with other like Oâ—dipus and to eate mans flesh at the banquet of Thyestes Eusâ—◠〈◊〉 hist lib. 4. c. â— Socrat. lib. 1. â— â— Euseb lib. 9. c. 6. Soram l. 5. c. 25 Idem lib. 8. c. 28 So Athanasius Narcissus Cyrill Chrysostome and which else of the ancientest worthies of the Church haue been free from slanders and sinister imputations No maruell then if these who in their seuerall times did seperate themselues from the common corruptions of the Times and withstood the errours of those lines doe taste of the malignant aspersion in those times Secondly wee are not so much to regard what the Court of Rome and their Councels haue thought and pronounced against these our Ancients for they were parties partially affected against these their opposits and it is no rare thing with that Synagogue to damne those to the pit of hell who any wayes crosse their proceedings Neither doe wee beleeue that all they are or were Hereticks whom the Papists call heretickes for whatsoeuer doth withstand their Hierarchie they account heresie But our Apologie in that behalfe is that of the Apostle St. Paul Act. 24.14 After the way which they call heresie so worship wee the God of our Fathers Rob. Grosâ—â—â—d B. of Lincoln vt citatur in â—â—cheâ— of trâ—â—g And if that description of Heresie may goe for currant which was deliuered by a Reuerend and learned Prelate in this Land almost foure hundred yeares agone That Heresie Haeresis Grâ—â—e electio Latine est sententia 〈◊〉 mâ—â—â— sensu â—â—â—cta scriptâ—â— sacra contrâ—â— pa'am dâ—câ—â— peâ—tinacitur defensu is an opinion hatch'd in mans owne braine contrary to holy Scripture openly maintained and stifly defended then can they by no meanes brand either vs or these our predecessors with the name of Hereticks who neither hold any opinions grounded vpon our owne fancies neither openly maintained or stoutly stand to any errours whereof they iustly can conuict vs but that wee and they are truely orthodoxe and right Catholikes who teach and maintaine nothing but that whereof we haue euident warrant out of the Word of God Thirdly what is that which they can obiect against any of those who are mentioned in our former Catalogue Is it concerning our Faith or Life or both Let vs looke to the Triall of the particulars and I doubt not but all their suggestions will proue lyes and meere slanders as may appeare if we doe take a view of the particulars And here 1. Wee will begin at Luther because their spight is most against him as being a principall opposite of theirs and vpon whom they would father the beginning of our cause And let vs heare what they can say against Luther Popish Discourse of Faith ss 57. Martin Luther say they was an Apostate Frier a man knowne by his Writings words deeds and death to haue beene a notorious euill liuer That Luther was somtimes a Frier wee grant and that afterwards through the mercy of God hee obtaining a more cleare knowledge of the Truth renounced their profession we doe not deny But what Apostasie was this in him or how can it more disparage him then it did the Apostle Paul Act. 22.3 23.6 9.1 2 3 6 18 â—9 D. Whiâ—e his way to the true Church who at the first was a Pharisie and after that being better illightned by God renounced the profession Pharisaicall and became an Apostle both those former professions being meere hypocrisie saue that this of the Frier is of the deeper tincture Stapleton disc p. 159. And what haue they to say against his Writings Forsooth they were vnsauourie rash petulant vnsound and altogether heriticall Soone said but not so soone proued for it doth so appeare by their confutation of the same let them make that appeare and then wee will credit them In the meane space howsoeuer wee stand not in defence of all either matter or manner of his writings neither indeed doe wee build vpon him we will rather giue credit to some lesse partiall but more iuditious euen among the Papists themselues who giue other manner of testimonie concerning Luthers writings Q. Erasm ad Cardâ—n Mogâ—at for thus Erasmus speaketh of them It is obserued for a truth that these men meaning tho Papists condemne many things in Luthers bookes which in Augustine and Bernard are read for godly and good diuinitie And he addeth That hee seeth this the best men are least offended at his writings Hosâ—and Hist Eccles cent 16. p. 83â— So Andreas Masius in the company of diuers obserued and acknowledged that there was more diuinitie moâ—â— page of Luther then sometimes in a whole booke of sâ—â—ne Father And what can they obiect against his life did he forsake his Monasterie and giue himselfe to the Deuill following him and doing homage vnto him that all things might prosper according to his minde as did Siluester the second Platinan Silâ—est 2. did hee robbe Churches and murther his Predecessors as did Pope Boniface the seauenth Baron au◠〈◊〉 n. 1. Oâ—◠〈◊〉 lib. 3. did he commit incest with his owne Daughter as did Pope Alexander the sixth did he cast the Sacrament into the fire as did Pope Hildebrand did he keepe a beâ—ie of whores Bruno Cardinalis Iâ—â—ipraud lib. 6. c. 6. 7. turne the Church into a Stewes drinke healths to the deuill reuell vp and downe the streetes in armour and set mens houses on fire as Pope Iohn the 12. did No surely Not any shew in Luthers life of any of these or such like offences yea Erâ—smus one who was familiar with him in a certaine Epistle to Cardinall Wolfie giueth testimonie of him Erasm Epist ad Cardinal Eâ—â—rac that his life was approued with great consent of all men And this saith he is no small honour to him that the integritie of his manners is so great that his very enemies can finde nothing which they may Calumniate Pontac Campian Onuâ—b in Ioh. 8 What deedes then hath he done for which they should finde such fault with his life Forsooth he married a Nunne hee lay with Bora hee lay with her But first he married her hee had not his Marozias Reyneras Theodoraes Stephanaes to be his bedfellowes without any care or veile of marriage Baron in ann 928. 912. But hee was a Frier shee a Nunne both which had vowed not to marrie But who tied them to those vowes or what vow of man can disanull the lawfulnesse of Gods owne ordinance Whether is it not better to marrie
same Faith which wee professe by the Bohemians Waldenses c. alreadie hath beene made manifest But how long time is it I pray that the name Papist whereof of late they were ashamed and wherein they now so much glory was knowne or acknowledged in the world Act. 11.26 Optat. Mileuit lib. 2. cont Parm. or whence is it that leauing the auncient name of Christians they rather with the Donatists appropriate vnto themselues the name of Catholicks Doubtlesse howsoeuer they bragge and boast of Antiquity wee may apply that of Bildad vnto them They are but of yesterday Iob. 8.9 for how could a man know what it was to be a Papist or what was the body of Religion before the Councell of Trent had defined it Trent Councel concluded An. dom 1563. which was since Luthers time Let them shew where their Papall Supremacie was before the time of Pope Goodface the third or their Latine Seruice before the yere 680. Platina or their Romish Masse before Adrian the 1. Anno 780. Iacob de Vorag in vit Gregor Exposit Rom. ord ann 1215 1222. ex Act. Rom. Pontif. 1414. or their Agnus Dei before Pope Sergius an 700. or their Transubstantiation before the Councell of Lateran or their eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament before the time of Honorius the third or their eceiuing of the Communion in one kinde onely and the absolute forbidding of the contrary before the Councell of Constance Iohan. Scot. lib. 4. dist 17. artic 3. or their absolute necessity of Auricular Confession before Innocent the third Idem ibid. in his Councell of Lateran or the prohibition of Marriage to the Clergie before the same time I might instance in many other points of Poperie which howsoeuer they may carrie some shew and shadow of Antiquity yet being duly considered they will appeare to be but late inuentions peeced and patched together by their Popes as each of them in their succession was minded to adde something to make vp the full measure of the mysterie of Iniquity Neyther let them boast as of commonly they cracke of the ancient Church of Rome Rhom 〈◊〉 in Act. 1â— â— Idem in Eâ—â—â— 4.13 so famously renowned by the Writings of the Apostles and commended and appealed vnto by the auncient Fathers for the name and shew of the Romane Church See M. Fox his description of the diffâ—rence of the now Church of Rome and the old Actâ— and Monum first 26. pageâ— is but an emptie shew of Names and Titles this present Romane being in a manner wholly departed in the Questions controuerted from the auncient and retayneth nothing but the Title The true auncient and Apostolike Church of Rome so much commended by the Fathers and sought to by the World professed another kind of Faith then this doth and the same that we now defend against them That Church affected no such prowd and swelling Titles it vsurped no such transcendent Iurisdictions it obserued no such foolish Superstitions it maintained contrarie Doctrine to their now Errors To what purpose then should any sticke vpon the name of the Romane Church when the true Faith is changed Or what doe the Prerogatiues and Royalties of the auncient Church concerne this that is turned to another Religion Or who regardeth an House of stately Building or anticke memorie of auncient Antiquitie when the Plague hath infected it and Theeues possesse it Leaue therefore yee Romanists to cracke of your Antiquitie or to traduce vs of Noueltie wee may take vp the words of Nicephorus Concil Ephâ—â— sin pag. 307. the Patriarke of Constantinople in an Epistle to Leo Bishop of Rome Wee also haue the Name of Rome the â—diâ— and auncient Faith of Rome among vs being built vpon one and the same foundation of Faith in matter of Faith we follow them Wherefore let S. Paul glorie and reioice in vs also and ioyning new things with old and comparing vs in Doctrines and Preaching let him glorie in vs both alike for wee as well as they following the Doctrines and Institutions wherein wee are rooted are confirmed in the confession of our Faith wherein wee stand and reioyce c. As for you my poore seduced Countreymen who suffer your selues to be seduced and mis-led by these Popish Circumcellions take heed and beware how you fauour these Merchants of the Romish Strumpet who vnder fained pretences and subtile insinuations goe about to make merchandise of your soules 2. Pet. 2.5 These latter dayes saith the Apostle are perillous times and these Popish Priests and Iesuits I may say are perillous seducers 2. Tim. 3.1 6 7. They of this sort creepe into houses and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes and led about with diuers Lusts euer learning and neuer able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Listen not vnto them It is not good for Eue to fall to conference with the Serpent Genes 3. no nor for Adam neyther to suffer Eue and the Serpents parley or to encline vnto them least hee also be partaker in the Transgression Consider what is the end they ayme at not Religion but the Soueraigntie of their high-towring Church not the Consciences of men yeelding to their Ceremonies and Superstitions will satisfie them vnlesse they haue their wills in ouer-ruling all and bringing them vnder their Antichristian Yoake How doe they disturbe Thrones and fill the World with Anarchie and Confusions and whose soules they should winne to God by ministring the Word and Sacraments their bloud they sacrifice to the Deuill by stirring them vp to Treason and Rebellion Beloued 1. Ioh. 4.1 beleeue not euery Spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God or no. A Foole saith Salomon beleeueth euery thing Prou. And surely it is their folly who suffer themselues to be seduced by giuing too easie credit to the slauering insinuations of these Popish Teachers and are hereby brought into a great dislike of our Church because they beleeue their words and doe not make search and enquirie after the truth of the same Beware least that dreadfull iudgement of God fall vpon you 2. Thess 2 10 11. Because they receiued not the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saued therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes You will say That you are no Changelings That yee are of the olde Religion That you keepe the olde Faith and will liue and dye in the same Religion which your fore-fathers professed Poore soules Popish Religion is not the oldest Religion but a late vpstart a Modell of Superstition your Popes Catholike Church is but an Impostume growne in the Church Wee confesse that for a long time the Christian World hath beene annoyed with it yet euen in the time and before the time of this declining from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises