Priest Huldrieus Bishop of Auspurge Ioannes Patricius Erigena Ansegisus the Abbot Berengarius ArchdeacoÌ„ of Angiers Aruulphus Archbishop of Lugdune Ioannes Sarisburueasis Arueldue Bishop of Bixta Petrus Bloix Petrus Waldo and all those famous men which were tearmed Waldenses Frederike the second Petrus de Vinea his Chancellor Bernard all these and infinite numbers more who are not recorded in Histories that held the faith of Iesus impugned the Papacie and opposed themselues against Antichrist and all his disciples 5 Also the Greeke Church coÌ„tinually impugned Poperie and held a faith different from the Popish beliefe II. To the Consequence 1 If there had not been found THREE open adversaries in al the Christian world who in those CeÌ„tenaries impugned Popery yet doth not that inferre the truenes of Popish Religion Because it is written in the Revelation that GOD should stirre vp TWO witnesses to testifie the trueth against Antichrist Apoc. 11.3 and in the mouth of TWO or three witnesses every thing is established Num. 35.30 Dent. 17.6 Dent. 19.15 Matth. 18.16.2 Cor. 13.1.1 Tim. 5.19 2 It is written that Antichrist shal prosper for a time and prevaile against the Saintes yea that hee shall cause ALL both small great rich poore free and bond to receiue his marke Apoc. 13.16 No marvell therefore if there were not many found to impugne the Papacie especially seeing the Church had fled into the wildernesse into her place at that time Apoc. 12.14 Wherefore this paucitie of adversaries against Poperie is so far from proving of it to be true Religion as that it is a manifest demonstration that it is the Religion and pestiferous Doctrine of Antichrist Reason of Religion 8 8. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose chiefe professors and spreaders thereof to other Nations were alwaies of a knowne a wonderfull bely if you meane full of holes and filth witnes the holy Popes Sergius III. Joane VIII John XII Sergius 3. his bastard John XIII who was slaine in the very act of adultery Sixtur IV Paule III. Gregerie VIII and a great number more holy life and semblable death the protoparents of b Will they include the Christian religion in this ranke all other religions men of a much contrary note and we are sure by the testimony of Gods word that the good and bad trees are to bee knowne by their c And so are the Papistes For there were but six thousand yong childrens heads at ones found in a fish-pond within the grange of an Abber Hulderich in Epist ad Nicol. I. fruites Matth. 7.20 Resolution of the 8. Reason Popish religion is that vvhose Professers vvere alwaies of a knowne holy life and semblable death Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 WHat the * The Suppliants themselvs afterwards confesse the lives of their Professours and chief Rulers are very lewde and wicked in the 36. Reas of Religion life of Popish professours hath bin appeareth manifestly in the Catalogue of their Popes of Rome whereof some were bloody murderers some sorcerers nicromancers or coniurers some bawdes adulterers Sodomites some proude sacrilegious and craftie cousoners and others seditious rebelles traitours as is plainely declared by their owne writers vvhich because I have proved at large in my Booke de Antichriste I wil not heere repeate 2 As for their death that also appeareth in the same holy race whereof some died in the very act of adultery some swearing and blaspeming GOD some damning devoving themselues vnto the devil others thinking that there is neither God nor devil heaven nor hell nor no other lâ—fe after this as I haue also declared in that booke de Antichristo 3 I will not stand to relate particular examples in this general discourse If I shoulde speake of the death of Eccius Latemus Hofmaiter Gardiner notable professours of Papistrie and of the death of Francis Spiera a revoulter from the Protestantes religion it would make any mans haire to stand on end that heard it 4 The Papacy by vertue of the religioÌ„ which it professeth is the kingdome of sinne as I have proved at large in my Booke De Ecclesia Antichristi And therefore it is most certaine that within the communion of Popish Religion men can neither live well nor die well II. To the Consequence 1 But be their lives and their deaths what they may bee Religion must not bee measured by the lives of the Professours An heretike may liue an honest morall life as Pelagius is said to have done and a good ChristiaÌ„ may fall oftentimes as we reade of David and others 2. Sam. 11.4.15.17 2 A rotten and worme-eaten apple hanging vpon a good tree seeing that came not through the nature of the tree but by meanes of wormes birdes or some such accident ministreth not sufficient argument to prove that tree to bee an ill tree so the ill workes of Christians ought not to staine their holy religion For the corruptioÌ„ of their fruites commeth not from the nature of their religion which forbiddeth such fruites or workes but from themselues from their owne native and originall corruption 3 Yet the ill lives worse deâ—th of the Papistes are sufficient to condemne THEIR doctrine because they proceede from the nature and articles of their religion as shall be more manifest in the sequel 9. REASON OF RELIGION A religion to which the a Even so we see it prophecied of before Apoc. 17. that the Kinges of the earth should commit fornicatioÌ„ with the great whore and give their power cucto rity vnto the beast famousest Constantinus * ImpudeÌ„t Papists that challenge all these Princes to bee theirs whereas very many of theÌ„ died before Popery asceÌ„ded from the pit of Hell anâ— manie also were the greatest enemies that the Pope or Papacy hâ—d Magnus Iavianus with aboue forty Emperours of the East Maiorianus Carolus Magnus with full neere fortie other Emperours of the West Emperours and (b) Clodoueus Childiberius with aboue three-score Kinges of Fraunce Ranimirus Sanctius with almost twenty other Kinges of Aragon Telagius Pasila with at least forty other Kings of Castile Alphonsus Sanctius with many moe Kinges of Portugall Geyza Stephanus with aboue thirty Kings of HuÌ„garie Besides the Kinges of Polonia Bohemia Denmarke Norway Suetheland Gothland Dalmatia Baioria Germania AlemaÌ„nia Morauia Loraine Burgundy Prouince Lomberdy Italy Naples Sicily Sardinia Nauarre end the Kinges of Affricke as of AEthiopia Nubia others Likewise the Kings of Canaria Manicongus Benopâ—tama Angola Guinea Bentoninus Quilca Melinda Mozambique the Kinges of Asia as of Ciprus Armenia HierusaleÌ„ Tartaria and some Kinges of the Agarens and Saracens many Kinges of the Heruleans Iberians Alanes Abasgorians Lazorians Scithians Persians and others Kings of the world haue bowed their Crownes (c) As * A Begging of the question Constantinus Magnus Emperour Dagoberius Carolus S Iudovicus and other Kings of Fraunce Alphonsus Ranimirus 2. Alphonsus
in three severall supplications exhibited by them at severall times vnto his roiall Maiestie and is refuted in the Answere vnto their first supplication pag. 20. Yet forasmuch as the Petitioner hath newe furbished them same over againe and heere even in the forefront of this fourth Supplication placed it to be first considered as the maine and principall motive wherevpon his whole request is grounded I will not be a ggrieved to take the paines to refute it once againe I answere therefore I. To the Antecedent 1 If the Papistes doe not holde themselues obliged vnto his Maiestie except he graunt theÌ„ Toleration theÌ„ what cause haue they to reioyce so much at his accesse into this kingdome as they pretend they do in the beginning of this supplication 2 Their allegeance heere promised is vpon condition that his Maiestie will grant them free exercise of their Idolatrie and superstition but promise nothing in case of deniall Yea they blush not to say expressely that then they will bee without spirit or forwardnes in action vnapt for any employment c. and yet not without generosity of spirite and resolution to practise treacherie against his roiall PersoÌ„ and the State as they were accustomed to doe in our late Soveraines daies 3 If the Papists had promised absolute loyalty service vnto his Highnes yet could they not haue performed the same all their subiection and obedience being anticipated and forestalled by the Pope of Rome 4 Mercenary service and obedience not performed of conscience is like the loyalty of Iudas who diligentlie attended his Master whilest he kept the bagge afterwards when he had no more hope to gaine that way perfidiously and traiterously betraied him 5 If the Papâ—sts were tolerated to exercise their religion freely without molestation their obedience loyalty vnto the King would be much lesse then now it is because their Religion in the Articles thereof being treason against the lawfull auctority and State of Kings they would professe and practise the same with more boldnes impudency theÌ„ now they dare And that the Articles of their Religion be flatt Treason I have proued alreadie in the Answere vnto their first Supplication which because they be but short I will heere againe insert I The Papistes hould That the Pope may excommunicate Kinges II That the Pope hath power to absolue subiects from their faith and allegeance III That the Pope may depose Princes from their scepter and crowne IV That any private man may bee made executioner to murther or to poison the excommunicated King V That it is lawfull to kill a Tyrant VI That a King breaking and contemning the coÌ„mon lawes of the lâ—nd may be deprived of his crowne by the people VII That there be other causes for the which Princes and great personages may be slaine VIII That faith must not be kept with Heretikes IX That whosoever is not within the communion of the Popish Church is an Heretike and consequently that his Maiestie of England is such a one X That no Cleargie-maÌ„ can coÌ„mit treasoÌ„ against any teÌ„porall King because he is not the kings subiect but the Popes Vide Orat. ad Reg. Galliae de Restit Iesuit Et Eman. Sà in Aphorism Et Bellarm. lib. de Exempt Clericorum Et Catechis Iesuit lib 3. cap. 26. pag. 235. 6 Againe seeing the Papists bragge eveÌ„ in the time of their restrainte that they are not inferiour to the Protestant or Puritane either in number alliance or generosity of spirit and resolution What will they not dare to attempt wheÌ„ their number is increased by immunity of profession 7 By vertue of Popish Religion the Ecclesiasticall state or Cleargie of their Church are not the Kings subiects but challenge immunity and exemption from his Highnesse power from his indiciall Courtes in case of ordinary coÌ„tributions Wherfore toleration would make these men yet more insolent in with-drawing their allegeance from his Maiestie 8 Put case Papistrie were not Treason against the Kinges lawfull power and also that the Cleargie of that Church would become very dutifull and obsequious vnto his Maiestie yet were not toleration to be admitted Because it would breede innumerable troubles and vproares in the state Ecclesiasticall of this land which being disquieted and vnsetled the civill regiment cannot bee long in peace II To the Consequence 1 Howsoever his Maiestie might wish in policy that all Papistes might thinke themselues infinitely obliged vnto his Highnesse and be ready in all occurrences to performe all serviceable duty and awfall obedience in any service soever belonging to the defence of his Maiesties person crowne or dignity Yet cannot his Highnesse allowe or practise the meanes leading therevnto if they be simplie vnlawfull and prohibited by the law of God such as toleration of Idolatrie and false worship is notoriously knowne to be 2 The malice of Papistes against the Gospell being vnplacable their treacherous hearts against men of contrary Religion experienced and sufficiently knowne and their practises against his Maiesties person and the State vncertaine it fits not the deepe reach of a Prince so long experienced in government to cure the head-ach by knocking out the braines to remedy vncertaine and lesser accidents by opening free passage to most certaine greater perilles 3 The Papists may be compelled to become obedient and dutifull subiects without toleration of their religion By abating their multitudes and lessening their nuÌ„bers by banishing their Priests by planting a learned ministrie for their conversion to true religion by the making and due execution of penall lawes against the obstinate and stubborne Recusant c. Reason of State II 2. REASON OF STATE AGaine the Puritane as hee a A manifest vn truth and slander of the state increaseth dayly aboue the Proteâ—tant in number so is he of a more presuming imperious horter disposition and zeale ever strongly burning in desire to reduce all things to the forme of his owne Idea or imagination conceived and therefore by discourse of reason not vnlike the enterprise beeing to be paralleled by many examples to attempt the overthrowe of the Protestant and bring the kingdome especially the Ecclesiasticall state to a paritie or popular forme of government if the Catholike perchaunce the b A lowde lie of insinuating coÌ„panions powerablest let thereof were once extinguished and to extinguish him no meane more potent then to forbid and punish the exercise of his religion And what confusion havocke and effusion of blood such an attempt would worke in the coÌ„mon-weale it is easie to coniecture whiles the c Melancolike imaginations of malicious restlesse braines to set the State togither by the eares Puritane with his complices and such as thirst an infinite number to haue matters in scustling doe impugne on the one side and the Bishops Deanes Canons and the greatest possessors of Spirituall livings with all those that doe adhere to them defend on the other side and either partie stifly and violently
is to bee admitted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IT is certaine that Princes do as it were flow into the harts of their subiects by Mercy Clemency and that Mercy and Truth preserve the King as Salomon saith Prov. 20.28 Mercy in ceasing from grievous exactions in releiving the poore and the oppresled and in vsing moderation in punishment Truth in keeping of his promises and covenants in preserving and due executing of his laws By these the Kings throne is established 2 But here must be observed the difference between true Mercy Clemency and preposterous lenity pusillanimity in sparing the wicked who should be severely punished Prov. 20.26 Awise Kingseattereth the wicked causeth the wheele to runne over theÌ„ Prov. 17.15 He that instifieth the wicked is an abomination to she Lord. Prov. 24.24 He that saith to the wicked Thou are righteous him shall the people eurse and the muliitude shall abhorre him v. 25. But to them that rebuke him shall bee pleasure and vpon them shall come the blessing of goodnesse 3 Preposterous mercy shewed vnto the wicked and disobedient is crueltie towards the good and loyall subiects Prov. 16.12 The throue is established by instice 4 If any be to be accounted wicked if any be pernicious vnto civill governement and the throne of Kinges it is the Idolatrous the seducing and tutbulent Papist of whom the Lord particularly saith Rewarà ber as shee hath rewarà cà you c. Apoc. 18.6.7 II To the Consequence 1 The CoÌ„sequence hath not the least coherence with the Antecedent wherefore it may iustly be denied 2 The love of Papists vnto the Magistrate is not absolute solute of conscience but for private respects and but during the Popes pleasure wherefore it is not much to bere garded 3 If it were to be regarded in it self yet is it not wore thie the least respect when question is made of toleratioÌ„ the mischiefe of this infinitely surpassing the commodity and profite of the former Reason of State 8 8. REASON OF STATE IN few words for that we are loath to be a A good excuse whereas indeed they are quite destitute of anie argumentes tedious to your Maiesty in multiplying of reasons beside the pleading of these and other like regardfull Motiue that might be alleadged which doe all b how directlie they stand for to ler ation the Answere shewath direct y stand for toleration we further thinke vnder your Maiesties correction that the permission of the liberty we intreate is neither in reason of State a thing c Most pernicious vnto the Stare hurtfull nor by the doctrine of Protestants d A thing cloane contra it to our doctrine vn awfull to be granted The first is cleare by the example of Germanit France Poland and other Countries where diuersitie of Religion is licenced by supreame authority the like e Non causa pro causa found peace wrought and established thereby as both make the said Dominions and Territories to florish and could nâ—uer though of laboured bee brought to passe by force of warre or bloud-shed The other like-wise is as litle doubtful if not better known he Protestants f Bold assertioÌ„s but no proofes books their Pulpits their priuate writings Discourses sounding nothing more whilst they had not the Sword and Scepter on their side then that it was vnlawfull tyrannicall yea diabolicall Antichristianlike to punish any for matter of meere conscience faith religion And the fauour we sue for is but the benefite of that pofition which g Who be they wherefore are they not named they held for most true and scripturall so that if they should now departe from that doctrine they most needes giue the world to see that either then they did wittingly mainetaine the pofition against trueth only to serue their owne h This is iust your practise as this time in supplicating for soleration being a point of doctrine against the streame and currens of your owne men turne withall an ingraven blemish or generally erred in that point of doctrine a blot of no lesse discredit vnto them which breaching clemencie did most recommende gaue greatest increase to their religion And if the Petition we prostrate and doe most uppliantly begge of your Maiesty be neither preiudicial to matter of Stat nor repugnant to the doctrine of the Religion established and regnant in the kingdome as the proofes afore-going l Maine things seeme which are non and so doe those proofes you speake of for indeed they are no proofes 〈◊〉 all seeme to make plaine wee hope there is no other exception that can iustly impeach and many severall respects that may much further the obtaining of our request at your Graces hands Resolution of the 8. Reason Toleration of Popish Religion is neither in Reason of State hursfull as is cleare by the example of Germanie France Poland and other Countries where diversitie of Religion is licensed by supreame auctority nor by the doctrine of the Protestants vnlawfull to be granted Ergo Toleration is not to be deuyed ANSWERE I To the Antecedent THe Antecedent is notoriously false for it is both pernicious vnto the State and also contrary vnto the doctrine of Christ which we professe 2 FIRST it is not only pernicious but also the very overthrow and ruine of the State I Because it draweth GODS curse and provoketh his wrath against the same subiecting it to male diction The Prophets Apostles teach vs that no kingdom no State can prosper no Prince no Potentate no people can be wise or blessed in their government but by honoring and obeying almighty God in such sort as hee hath appointed VVhich doctrine oftentimes is repeated in the lawe wherein it is declared vnto the people of GOD that this should be their wisedome with all nations which should say swely this only is a wise and a politique people if they kept without adding or diminishing all the preceptes vvhich GOD commanded The promise of blessings vnto the obedient and the threatning of curses vnto the disobedient with taking heaven and earth to witnesse that they should finde it so in the end doth plainely testifie that such religion must needes be good for the establishing and prospering a Common-weale which the Lord himselfe hath left vnto vs and contrary wise that no false service of him can be good for any State but that it continually provoketh the curse and indignation of GOD against it Deut. 28. Deut. 30.19 Therefore was the King commanded to take a coppy of the law to haue it by him and to read in it all the daies of his life that he might learne to feare the Lord his God to obserue all his words and statutes by doing of theÌ„ that his minde might not be lift vp aboue his brethren nor he depart from the law to the right hand or to the left that he might prolong his daies in his kingdome his sonnes in the midst of Israel
depth of all divinity and that very excellently by the graunt of our adversaries themselues could so mainely and contradictorily erre in matters of lesse difficulty as are the points controverted No no it cannot iustly be so conceived but rather that the infinite providence goodnes of almighty God because he would not haue so sacriligious a conceit harboured against the principall Doctors of the Church hath in every of their liues deaths miraculously attested the contrary if so much credit at least may be given to the written liues of Saints compiled by venerable personage receiued by many ages as there is giueÌ„ to the relatioÌ„ of †The he is much more credit to be given vnto these theÌ„ vnto the former For these simplie and plainely delivered vnto posterity the truth of things done in civill politike affaires But they by fabulous reportes of lying miracles laboured to establish a newe Gospell conirarie vnto the Gospell of Iesus Christ Plutarchi liues or Caesars Commentaries S. a Jn vita S. Ambrosij Paulinus reporteth that S. e If the Suppliants did not intend to produce a new Gospell vnder pretence of the Fathers writings what needed these subsequent legendarie lies Ambrose being on a certaine time in Rome was invited by a noble woman there to come say Masse in her house who yeelding to the request an other woman sicke of the palsey vnderstanding thereof caused anon her selfe to be brought in a chaire into the roome where S. Ambrose was kissing his garments presently therewith recovered her health the perfect vse of her limbs Againe the same b Ibidem author recordeth that Iustina wife to Valentinian the Emperor hyring a murtherer to kil S. ambrose for the exceeding hatred shee bare vnto him who comming into his chamber and listing vp his arme with his sword drawne to giue him his death incoÌ„tinent his arme waxed so stiffe and benummed that he could neather strike therewith nor moue the same but in confessing which was no lesse miraculous who employed him in so outragious a fact the vse of his arme presently returned and he became as nimble therein as ever before Other proofes of Gods special loue towards this Saint might be alledged as c Ex Panlino 2. hist Eccle. Ruffini libro ca. 11. Severo Sulpitio in viâ—ta B. Marini his miraculous election to the Bishoprick of Millan his long extasie with which he was taken at the altar wheÌ„ S. Martin Bishop of Turon dyed his prediction of the day of his death before he fell sicke the three visions or admonishments given by the voice of God himselfe to Honoratus Bishop of Vercella for his repaire to the said Saint when he lay a dying for ministring vnto him his last Viaticum the body of our Lord These wee say might be alleadged for testimony of his holynes Neuerthelesse wee will content our selues with the rehearsall onely of that miracle which d Vbi supra Paulinus meÌ„tioneth of an obstinate Arian who being present at a sermon of S. Ambrose saw and was thereupon coÌ„verted an Angel to stand at his eare whilst he was preaching and appeared to suggest vnto him the words he spake to the people All which are evident argumentes of the Saint true faith his peculiar favor with God and of the vndoubted verity of his doctrine Touching S. Hierom although both the ioint censure of the a Sub InnoceÌ„tio 1. ann Chr. 402 Milevitane Counceâ—l consisting of 59. Bishops whereof S. Augustine was one giving him the attribute Holie in his life time and and the b In dicreto de apocryphis scripturis circiter annum Christi 1495. testificatâ—oÌ„ of S Gelasius 〈◊〉 7â— other Bishops in â—ession with him surnaming him blessed most blessed after his death be argument sufficient to proue his sound â—aiâ—h and holines as also that our Sauiour most comfortably appeared vnto him in the houre of his death as Marianus Victorius and other writers of his life affirme Yet because we desire to be more full in this point we thinke it necessary hauing choise of miracles to recite a few of many S Hierome c Eusebius Cremonensis discipulus B. H eron in epist demort eiuâ— ad Damasum Portuense episcop Habetur in calce Tom 9. crediâ—ur esse eiusdem â—este Censura Reati ni episcopi Amorini in eundem Tomum drawing neere to his end the blessed Sacrament of the Altar was brought vnto him which hauing receiued and holding his armes a crosse over his breast saide the Hymne of holy Simeon presently as that was ended there appeared so glorious a light in the â—oome where he lay as the exceeding brightnes and splendor therof piercing dozeling the beholders eies none that were present could any while endure to looke theron which continuing some space companies of Angels were seene odoriferous smels felte and a voice heard saying Come my beloved it is time that thou receiue thy reward for thy labours manifold sustained in my cause Being deade the blinde deafe dumbe sicke were d Ibidem healed some bâ— touching some by kissing his body Likewiâ—e the possessed brought in presence of the corpes the devâ—ls going out of them cried e Ibidem Holy Hierome why doest thou thus grievously torâ—ient vs thou wert alwaies our scourge both living and now deade What neede more recâ—tals God seemed so wonderfully tender and â—â—alous of his seruanâ—s fame and honor as f Ibidem when a certaine Heretike enraged with eâ—uy against the wâ—rking of the foresaid miracles wâ—â—hing that the body were burnt himselfe was pâ—eseÌ„ciy by fire descending â—râ—m heauen conâ—â—med to ashes wherevpon many other infected with the same here he were perfectly conueâ—â—ed †Vere woÌ„der fuâ—l if they be 〈◊〉 Wonderfull things but they are saints that report them saints that wrought theÌ„ * â—â—ad â—ooles thâ—â— beleeve them g Pâ— 67. ve 36. God is admirable in his Sainies We haue beene long in the Narratio is precedent wherefore our briefenes in thâ— two that â—ollow must be the greater Possidius Bishop and discâ—ple of S Augustine who â—â—ued almost a Cap. vlt de vira Augustin foâ—ty yeeres faindiarly with him 〈◊〉 himselfe writeth â—ffirmeâ— b Cap 29. ibid. that he knew S. Auguâ—â—ine both when he was Priest and after he was Bishop to haue being absent expelled diuels from out the pâ—ssessed by meanes of his praiers teares for them And that in his death-bed he c Cap. eodem cured a sicke man by laying his hands vpon him whom God by vision had commaunded to repaire to that end vnto him By which miracle hiâ— divine goodnesse intended no doubt as it were with his own hand seale to testifie to the world and all posteritie the holynesse of his servant and the truth and pietie of the doctrine he had taught Concerning S. Gregorie his d Johan Diacontis lib. 2. ca. 22.
not a propertie belonging vnto the Church of God I We BELEEVE the holy Catholike Church But faith is the evideÌ„ce of things which are NOT SEENE Heb. 11 II In the visible Church there are many Hypocrites but God only knoweth who are such De occultis non iudicat Ecclesia And Christ ONLY knoweth who are his Ioh. 10.2 Tim. 2. III By examples in the holy Scriptures the Church is described to be invisible 2. Chron. 15.3.4 Now for a long season Israel hath bin without the true God and without Priest to teach and without law But whosoever returned in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel and sought him he was found of them At this time Christ was not without his spouse but albeit the Ministry was corrupted hee had his invisible Church 1. King 19.18 I leaue seaven thousand in Israel that haue not bowed the knees to Baal This company was not seene with corporall eies And in the time of Christs coÌ„ming GOD had his invisible Church Marie Ioseph Zacharias Elizabeth the wise men that came from the East Simecon Anna c albeit publike Ministery was corrupted IV Paule saith Rom. 2.28.29 He is not a Iew which is one outward neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a Iew which is one within and the circumcision it of the heart in the spirite not in the letter whose praise is not of men but OF GOD. 2 Those places of Scriptures which the Suppliant quote proue only the durance holynes integrity good workes of the Church not the visibility thereof vnto all persons at all times 4 As for the suppliants Dilemma The vnknowne companie did either professe their faith and refuse to communicate with the false Church or they did not If they did professe their faith and refuse to communicate with the other theÌ„ was it not invisible If they did not professe their faith nor refuse to communicate with the false Church they could not be the true Church c. I answere 4 I. If they did not professe their faith c they could not be the true Church Here the Suppliants meane publike profession and open refusall we deny this Position indeed they can never proue it By their reason this is a good argumeÌ„t Those seaven thousands which bowed not their knees vnto Ball either professed their faith or did not If they did professe it how could not Elias see them If they did not professe it then they were not the true Church and yet who seeth not the vanity of it 5 II. They adde That vnknowne company coÌ„municated with the false Church I marvel how the Suppliants know this Go to let vs vrge them with a Dilemma seeing they affect such kind of arguing so much I that company was vnknowne hovv know they what they did If they were not vnknowne but professed openly then what haue they to obiect 6 The Christian Reader may read in the 8. and 9. Chap. of the Prophecie of Ezechiel concerning those faithfull people that mourned and cryed for the abominations that were committed in Hierusalem how the Lord coÌ„maunded to set a marke on their forheads least they should perish learne thence that the Lorde wanteth no meanes to vindicate and saue his Church from destruction even in time of greatest calamity Reason of Religion 32 32. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion in whose largenes spreading amplitude over the whole world the predictions and promise of our Saviour are a These predictions are not verified in Popery but in true Christianitie verified not can take their truth and verification in any other sect or doctrine that ever was or is at this day on earth This Gospell of the kingdome saith our Saviour shall bee preached in the whole worlde for a testimony to all Nations Mat. 24.14 And by the pen of another Evangelist That penance shoulde be preached in his Name and remission of sinnes vnto all Nations Luk 24 47. And our Lord also compared this his Gospell to a Mustard seede one of the least of all seeds in the beginning but wheÌ„ it is growne it maketh great boughes so that the birds of the aire that is as Expositors interprete the greatest Powers and the most wise of the world come and dwell vnder the shadow thereof Mat. 13.31 Mark 4 32. making their residence happynesse and rest therein A resemblance predictions which cannot agree or fall in with any b An evident vntruth other religion saue only with the Catholike Romane Religion and with this very fully as the particulars precedent and subsequent doe cleerely demonstrate Resolution of the 32. Reason Popish Religion is that which is spread over all the world Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THis reason is the very same with the 29. and is there answered 2 Those predictions which the Suppliants speake of doe belong only vnto our Church For wee professe that very same doctrin which the Apostles preached vnto the whole world Many Kings great Powers and infinite Wise meÌ„ are professours of our Religion Yea our religion at this instant is much more diffused abroad then Popery is For we see that most kingdomes and countries in Christendome haue shaken of the yoke of Popery yea there is no Province nor Citty in Europe but there are therein very many who are addicted vnto the Gospell of Christ disclaime Popery and professe the same religion that we doe Reason of Religion 33 33. REASON OF RELIGION A ReligioÌ„ that hath alwaies had as the Apostle assureth Gods church should ever haue yeelding also fowre weighty causes of the same a perpetuall visible continuance of knowne a Not Popes Cardinals Pastors and Doctors to the consummation of the Saints the first cause vnto the worke of the ministery the second cause vnto the edifying of the body of Christ the thirde cause that now we be not children wavering and caried about with every winde of doctrine the fourth cause and this vntill wee meete all into the vnity of faith that is to the worlds end Which successiue eveâ—â—ontinuing duration of Pastors and Doctors the same being also promised before to the true Christian Church by severall a Psal 88.31 sequ Esa 59.20 21. Ierem 31.31 sequ Ezech 37.25 Prophets and so greatly materiall in it selfe as without it there can be (b) False See the answere no Church as both b Lib. 4 epist 9. S. Cyprian and c Lib. contr Luciferian S. Hierom doe absolutely affirme hath not nor can bee ever proved to haue beene fulfilled in any other Church saue only in the Catholike Romane Church and in it most apparantly demonstrable by the Ecclesiasticall histories of all ages and by the shorte space or rather momentary blast of time that al other Religions compared with ours haue indured Resolution of the 33. Reason Popish Religion hath alwaies had a perpetuall visible continuance of knowne Pastours and Doctors