containe all things necessary to Salvation That â—t is but a piece of a rule a nose of wax a two-handed sword But for to supply the Scriptures want there is a Tradition and unwritten Word which they cause to be received with like credit and certainty as the very Word of God And with this artifice and cunning the Pope hath set up himselfe in the Temple of God and hath changed the Christian Religion into Idolatry superstition and false Doctrine causing the people to receive whatsoever he saith and decrees as the very Word and ordinance of God though they be things directly contrary to the same which things by the grace of God I shall make plainly appeare by many places of the Word of God and necessary consequences drawne out of the same First as touching the darknesse of the Scripture which they suppose for to hinder the simple people from reading the same I say that in this very thing they truely shew themselves to be those blinde and incredulous ones of whom S. Paul speakes when he saith If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost In whom the God of this World hath blinded the mindes of them that beleeve not Lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them 2. Cor. 4. ver. 3. 4. If the Word of God be dark it is not in regard of it selfe but of men that are blinde by nature in things that are of God The natural man saith S. Paul receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2. 14. And our Lord teacheth us that they which are not of God cannot heare the Word of God Joh. 8. 47. The Word of God is not dark to them that have received the Spirit of God that they may know the things which are freely given to them of God 1. Cor. 2. 12. I prove it by these arguments Whatsoever is a lampe unto the feet of the Faithfull and a light unto their paths the same is not dark unto them But the Word of God is a lampe unto the feet of the Faithfull and a light unto their paths Psal. 119. 105. Therefore the Word of God is not dark unto them Item Whatsoever illuminateth and makes the simple to have understanding the same is plain unto them But the Word of God enlightneth and maketh the simple to have understanding Psal. 119. 130. Therefore the Word of God is plain unto the simple Secondly The Pope and his Adherents teaching that the Word of God containeth not all things necessary to Salvation shew themselves wholly and absolutely adverse to Saint Paul these words are plain toTimothy The holy Scriptures saith he are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproofe for correction and for instruction in righteousnesse That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3. 15. 16. 17. The written Word of God hath the vertue and power to save soules S. James teacheth the same when he saith Receive with meeknesse the engrafted Word which is able to save your soules Jam. 1. 21. If you continue in my Word saith Christ You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free Joh. 8. 31. 32. These things are written saith S. John that you may beleeve that Jesus is the Christ the Sonne of God and in beleeving you may have life through his name Joh. 20. 31. The written Word of God therefore containeth all things necessary to Salvation and it is a needlesse thing to have recourse to mens Traditions Againe Christ saith That they worship him in vain teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Mark 7. 7. He would not therefore have men to take upon them to make laws commandements in his Church But rather that al should submit themselves to his doctrine and Commandements contained in his Word without either adding unto it or diminishing from it Deut. 4. 2. Apoc. 22. 18. 19. The fear of this people saith he is towards me through the commandements of men Esay 29. 13. In a word Christ and his Apostles in many places doe send us to the written Word of God but never to an unwritten word or humane Traditions But rather on the contrary S. Paul exhorteth the faithfull to take heed least they be surprised by the Traditions and vain deceits of men If any man saith he yea even an Angel from Heaven preach unto you any other Gospel than that which you have received let him be accursed Galat. 1. 8. The written Word of God therefore containeth all that which is necessary to salvation and consequently we need not seek after any other unwritten Word for that purpose Moreover We doe not reject all kind of Traditions but onely such as are contrary unto the Word of God or invented by men for to impose a yoake upon the consciences of men which God hath not imposed The true Church groundeth no Articles of faith upon the Traditions of men but upon the Word of God But our Adversaries build their Articles of faith upon the Tradition and the unwritten Word onely which they preferre before the holy Scriptures and set it up far above the same Gabriel de S. Maria in his treatise of the Authority of Scripture chap. 7. pag. 162. saith that If we doe compare the Tradition with the written Word of God we shall finde that the Tradition excels it infinitely for that it hath more necessity more light more firmenesse and more authority than the written Word of God The Church of God useth some Traditions but such as are not contrary unto the Word of God and which doe not impose a yoake upon the consciences of men But the Traditions of the Roman Church which as our Adversaries say excel the Word of God infinitely are directly contrary unto the same and impose a yoake upon the consciences of men which God hath not imposed which is clearly verified in these examples following 1 In the first place The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That all the Faithfull ought not to reade and meditate upon the Word of God This doctrin is contrary to these places of the written word of God Blessed is he that readeth the Words of this Prophesie c. Apoc. 1. 3. Seek unto the Book of the Law and reade c. Esay 34. 39. 2 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That Saints departed are our advocates and mediators towards God This Doctrine is contrary to these expresse places of the written Word of God God is one and the Mediator one between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus 1. Tim. 2. 5. If any man sinne we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous John
the true Doctrin And contrariwise That that Doctrine which caÌ„not be proved out of expresse texts of the Word of God and necessary Consequences drawn out of the same is the false And that withall the Jesuits doe brag impudently in some of their Bookes to have put to silence all Our Ministers And make their boast That neither Minister nor any other can produce any expresse Text out of the Bible that either condemneth any of their Articles or justifies any of ours though we should produce them out of the Geneva Bible Moreover That by Expresse Texts they doe not meane we should shew them in the Bible the very same words of the debated Article but that they are contented with such like and equivalent words And that we cannot justifie any of our Articles of Faith nor condemne any of theirs by any good Consequence drawne out of the pure Word of God And in Jesuite Verons answer to my Book called The Caballe of the Jesuits c. after hee hath brought some lines wherein I say that the onely way to make them come out of this last entrenchment is to produce Expresse Texts out of the Word of God for the proofe of that which is in Controversie he answereth That it is all he desireth of us and offereth to be a Pâ—â—testant if we be able to doe it even in one onely Article Again in de Raconis Book containing the Acts of the Conference held between him and Mr. du Moulin Printed with the approbation of the Doctors p. 15 the said de Raconis confesseth That the Church is subject unto the written Word not to goe against it And in the 31. Pag. he admitteth the said du Moulin to necessary Consequences drawn out of the Word of God So that all we have now to doe is to produce Expresse Texts out of the Word of God and necessary Consequences drawne out of the same for the condemning of the Doctrine of 〈◊〉 Roman Church and Justifyâ—â—g of that of the Reformed Which thing I do in this Treatise upon the chiefe points of Controversie Whereby every one may easily perceive that according to our Adversaries own Confession the Reformed Church hath the true Doctrine and the Roman Church the false And therefore all they that desire to have Salvation ought to come out of it and joyne themselves to the Reformed Church THE MATTERS Contained in this TREATISE CHAP. I. THat the Word of God is not darke to them that have received the Spirit of God that they may know the things which are freely given them of God Item That it containeth all things necessary to Salvation and by Consequent that Mens Traditions are vain and unprofitable Pag. 1. CHAP. II. That it is necessary that all the Faithfull should reade the holy Scriptures and that they are even bound thereunto by the Commandement of our Lord Jesus Christ p. 23. CHAP. III. That a Man can doe no good worke without the Grace of God and that our workes theâ—efore are not dispositive for the obtaining of that Grace as our Adversaries say Pag. 27. CHAP. IV. That our Lord Jesus Christ hath fully and perfectly satisfied the Justice of God for our sinnes aswell for the guilt as for the punishment and Consequently that it is a vain and an unprofitable thing to desire to satisfie againe unto the same by works p. 31. CHAP. V. That a Man not being able to satisfie the Justice of God for his owne sinnes cannot by Consequent satisfie for the sinnes of others p. 44. CHAP. VI That the pretended treasure of the Romane Church was onely established to make void the merits of Christ and to make a little Saint of him that no body may know among the rest of the Saints Pag. 50. CHAP. VII That our good works have no merit at all and that all the merits of the Faithfull are in one Christ alone Pag. 57. CHAP. VIII That the Invocation of Saints departed is contrary unto the Word of God and tendeth to no other end but to give unto the creature the honour and glory that belongeth unto the Creator p. 64. CHAP. IX That the Images of the Romane Church are made against the Commandement of God and that the Adoration they give unto them is meere Idolatry p. 74. CHAP. X. That foure Rules shew unto us that there is a Figure in these words This is my Body and that the Transubstantiation of the bread into the body of Christ is contrary unto the truth of God and destroyes the humane nature of Christ Item That in all Sacraments the Word is is put for signifieth or representeth Pag. 84. CHAP. XI That it is not enough for to have eternall life to eat Christs flesh but we must also drink his blood And therefore all Christians indifferently ought to communicate under both kinds according to the Commandement of Christ and the Apostle Saint Paul p. 112. CHAP. XII That the pretended Sacrifice of the Masse was onely established for to annihilate the power and efficacy of the Sacrifice of the Crosse And that there is but one onely Sacrificator Sacrificing expiatorily in the Evangelicall Law to wit Christ Jesus our Lord Pag. 125. CHAP. XIII That S. Peter was not established by Christ Head of the Universall Church and Prince of the Apostles And Consequently that the Pope who challengeth this title but as S. Peters Successor hath intruded himselfe into that Office without any lawfull calling And shewes himselfe to be Antichrist in doing quite contrary to that which Christ and S. Peter did p. 148. Expresse Texts and necessary Consequences drawn out of the Word of God for the condemning of the Doctrine of the Roman Church and justifying of that of the Reformed Churches CHAP. I. That the Word of God is not dark to them that have received the Spirit of God that they may know the things which are freely given them of God Item That it containeth all things necessary to Salvation and by consequent that Mens Traditions are vaine and unprofitable THE Word of God contained in the Old and New Testament is the chiefe and principall meanes we have to know him It is it alone that declareth us his will and teacheth uâ— what the honour and service is we owe unto him In summe it is the only light that scattereth and disperseth the darknesse of our understanding and by whose pure brightnesse we are led into the way of the Kingdome of Heaven Therefore it is no wonder if the Pope and his disciples enemies of Mans Salvation have endeavoured and doe endeavour stiâ—â— to take away that holy light from before men to the end that they walking in darknesse may fall into eternall ruine and perdition Now the chief meanes they have used to attain to their ends is first to perswade and make the simple people beleeve That the Scriptures are full of darknesse and therefore that it belongeth not to every one to reade the same but only to Doctors and learned men Secondly That it doth not
1. Epist. 2. 1. 3 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That we must make Images of God to worship him by them This Doctrine is contrary unto the written Word of God as appeareth by these expresse places Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath c. Thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them c. Exod. 20. 4. 5. To whom will yee liken God or what likenesse will yee compare unto him Esay 40. 18. Professing themselves to be wise they became fooles And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to foure-footed beasts Rom. 1. 22. 23. 4 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That all Christians ought to abstain from certain meats both in Lent and other daies throughout the yeare This Doctrine is contrary unto the written Word of God as you may see by these expresse places Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat as king no question for conscience sake If any of them that beleeve not bid you to a feast and yee be disposed to goe whatsoever is set before you eate as king no question for conscience sake 1. Cor. 10. 25. 27. Now the Spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meates which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which beleeve c. 1. Tim. 4. 1. c. 5 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Romane Church teacheth That all Pastors and other Ecclesiasticall persons in the Christian Church ought not to marry but rather that they should make a vow never to marry This Doctrine is contrary to the written Word of God as is proved by these expresse texts following To avoid fornication let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her owne husband c. 1. Cor. 7. 2. But if they cannot containe let them marry for it is better to marry than to burne 1. Cor. 7. 9. Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 4. A Bishop then must be blamelesse the husband of one wife ruling well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Item Let the Deacons be husbands of one wife ruling their children and their owne houses well 1. Tim. 3. 2. c. Saint Paul also calleth the forbidding of marriage a doctrine of Devils 1. Tim. 4. 1. 6 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth that in all places Divine Service and Prayers ought not to be said but in Latine This Doctrine is contrary to these expresse texts of the written Word of God Except yee utter by the tongue words easie to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken for yee shall speak into the ayre I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Else when thou shalt blesse with the Spirit how shall he that occupieth the roome of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thankes seeing he knowes not what thou sayest Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voyce I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknowne tongue 1. Cor. 14. 9. 15. 16. 19. 7 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That the Faithfull deserve Eternall life by their good works and the glory of the kingdome of Heaven This Doctrine is contrary to the written word of God as it is proved by these expresse places If it be by Grace it is no more of Workes otherwise Grace is no more Grace Rom. 11. 6. By Grace are yee saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of workes least any man should boast Ephes. 2. 8. 9. Tit. 3. 5. The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That by the death and passion of Christ we are delivered from the guilt and punishment of sinnes committed before Baptisme but not from the punishment of sinnes committed after Baptisme for which we must pay and satisfie the justice of God both in this life by penance and after this life in a fire of Purgatory This Doctrine is contrary to these expresse places of the written Word of God All have sinned and come short of the glory of God Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3. 23. 24. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sinne John 1. Epist. 1. 7. By Grace are yee saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast c. Ephes. 2. 8. 9. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus c. Rom. 8. 1. 9 The fifth Gospel of Cardinal Bellarmine teaches That Saints departed are in some kind our Redeemers lib. 1. de Indulg. cap. 4. This Doctrine is contrary to the written Word of God as it is proved by these expresse texts There is no Salvation in any other but in Christ Jesus neither is there any other name under Heaven given unto men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin John 1. Epist. 1. 7. 10 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That after consecration the bread of the Masse is no more bread but is transubstantiated into the Body of Christ and the Wine into his Blood That Christ is betweene the hands of the Priests in as many places as there are Masses said as big and as large as he was upon the Crosse This Doctrine is altogether contrary unto these expresse places of the written Word of God Jesus took Bread brake it and gave it c. Math. 26. As often as yee eat this Bread c. 1. Cor. 11. 26. Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that Bread c. 1. Cor. 11. 28. The poore yee have alwaies with you but me yee have not alwaies John 12. 8. I leave the World and goe to the Father John 16. 28. Heaven must contain him untill the time of restitution of all things which God hath foretold c. Acts. â— 21. 11 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teaches That the Lay people men and women ought not to partake of the holy Sacrament of the Lords supper under both kinds This Doctrine is directly contrary unto the written Word of God as appeareth by these expresse texts Drinke yee all of it Mat. 26. 27. Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that Bread and
those that worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth John 4. 24. God is infinite and incomprehensible therfore he cānot be represented by such materiall and corporall things it being an horrible blasphemy to go about to represent the God-head with such things Wherefore the ProphetEsay cryeth aloud against such Idolaters To whom then will yee liken God or what likenesse will yee compare him unto or to whom shall I be equall saith the holy One Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath Created these things Esay 40. 18. 25. 26. And the Apostle Saint Paul saith That professing themselves to be wise they became fooles and changed the Glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man and to Birds and foure-footed Beasts Rom. 1. 22. 23. This adoration of Dulia which they give unto Saints cannot chuse but be a great sinne and Idolatry For this adoration is made without any warrant out of the Word of God and by Consequent done without Faith which cannot be but sinne and Idolatry In summe Our Adversaries are greater Idolaters in worshipping of their Images than the Pagans and ancient Idolaters were For those had not the knowledge of the true God and were not taught and instructed by his Word Besides They worshipped the Images of things which they beleeved to be gods as of Jupiter Hercules Apollo Juno Venus Diana and others But these Idolaters here see by the Word of God how much Idolatry is in abomination unto the Lord and neverthelesse they worship the Images of things which as themselves confesse are no gods as of the true Crosse of the Virgin Mary of Saint Francis of Saint Dominick and others and are come so farre even as to worship Tabernacles Boxes and such other like things But if any man thinke that I accuse them wrongfully and lay to their charge that which they doe not teach Let him take the paines to reade their Canons and Books and namely the Lessons of Francis Panigarolle a renowned Doctor amongst them and he shall finde that the Pagans never came to such a height of Idolatry CHAP. X. That foure rules shew unto us that there is a Figure in these Words This is my body And that the Transubstantiation of the bread into the body of Christ is contrary unto the truth of God and destroys the humane nature of Christ Item That in all Sacraments the Word is is put for signifieth or representeth BY that which hath been said already It appeareth plainly That the Doctrine of our Adversaries is altogether contrary unto the Word of God and therefore it is no wonder that they have forsaken the light for to hide themselves under the darknesse of a Tradition and unwritten Word It is true they boast much of these Words This is my body and make a shew to sticke close to those Foure small Words of the Gospel upon which words they will not admit of any Figure or interpretation but will take them at the bark of the Letter to draw out of the same a Doctrine contrary unto the Analogy of Faith and that wholy destroyeth the humane nature of our Lord Jesus Christ The which I will prove by these foure rules following which will put us out of all doubt For they certainly shew unto us when there is a Figure in any place of the holy Scripture The first is when the matter and the circumstances of the preceding and subsequent words shew that there is a Figure The second whether the time in which it is spoken is to make a Figure The third whether understanding the place literally and without a Figure there should from thence arise an impossible thing The fourth if taking it literally and without a Figure there should follow any absurdity According to these foure rules we must examine this place This is my body and see whether there be a Figure in it or no As for the first the matter and the circumstances doe shew That there is a Figure in these words This is my body For Christ was instituting of a Sacrament Now whatsoever is said in matters of Sacraments ought to be understood sacramentally and not literally Again The circumstances of the preceding and subsequent words doe shew also that there is a Figure For in the foregoing words the Scripture saith that Christ took bread brake it and gave it But it is not given till after the consecration therefore he gave bread And to the subsequent words hee addeth these words This is my body which is broken for you But the body of Christ was not broken in the Lords Supper no not on the very Crosse it selfe therefore they must be understood figuratively Moreover he said giving the Cup to his Apostles This Cup is the New Testament in my blood Luk. 21. 20. the which cannot be understood without a Figure For a Cup or that which is in it is not a Testament substantially Item he saith He will drink no more of the fruit of this Vine Mat. 26. 29. He commandeth to doe that in remembrance of him 1. Cor. 11. 24. Therefore there is a figure in these words This is my body By the second rule it appeareth also That there is a figure in these words This is my body For the time in which Christ instituted the holy Sacrament of his Supper was the same time in which he would leave the World and goe to his Father as he testifieth of himselfe saying I leave the World and goe to the Father John 16. 28. I am no more in the World John 17. 11. Yee have the poore with you alwaies but me yee have not alwaies Mar. 14. 7. But hee willing to have his Church to make a commenmoration of his death he Instituteth a Sacrament wherein he ordaineth bread to be broken and the Cup to be distributed in remembrance of him Doe this saith he in remembrance of me For as often as yee eate this bread and drink this cup yee doe shew the Lords death till he come 1. Cor. 11. 26. And that to represent unto us That even as the bread and wine nourisheth our bodies in this Temporall life So his flesh and his blood are the food of our soules in the Eternall life Therefore there is a figure in these words This is my body By the third rule it appeareth also clearely that these words This is my body are to be understood figuratively For as it is impossible that twice two be not foure but there must bee the first odde number umpire So it is likewise impossible That a true body be in divers places at once But the body of our Lord Jesus Christ is a true body Like unto his brethren in all things sinne excepted saith the Apostle Heb. 2. 17. Therefore it cannot be in divers places at once Our Adversaries would faine cover themselves with the omnipotency of God but it is in vain for the question is of his will and not of his power But it was his
head For it is still to make a monster of the Church in giving her two heads Moreover if S. Peter was ministeriall head of the Church and Prince of the Apostles It must be by the institution of Christ and if it be by Christs institution this institution is to be found in the word of God Moreover S. Peter must needs have exercised that office or else it would have brought a confusion in the Church But on the contrary the word of God sheweth us That Christ did not appoint Peter to bee head of the Church nor Prince of the Apostles Item That S. Peter did never exercise that office as I shall prove by these texts and reasons following As for the first point S. Paul teacheth us That our Lord for the gathering of the Saints for the work of the Ministery and for the edification of his body hath given some Apostles and some Prophets and some Pastors and Teachers Ephes. 4. 11. And in another place God hath set some in the Church First Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers 1. Cor. 12. 28. He maketh no mention at all of any head of the Church nor or Prince of the Apostles and yet these are the places where this principality should have appeared being very likely that if Christ had established Peter for head of the Universall Church and Prince of the Apostles he would not have omitted to set down this principality in the first ranke But having left it out it appeareth That Christ did not ordaine any one for head of the Church and Prince of the Apostles But let us learn of S. Peter himselfe whether there should be in the Church a Prince among the Apostles or no I exhort saith he he doth not say I command the Elders that are among you I that am an Elder with you he doth not say above them and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ Feed the flocke of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as being Lords marke as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the Flocke 1. Pet. 5. 1. 2. 3. S. Petertherefore did not beleeve that any Bishop should be Prince among the Apostles and have speciall lordship in the Church as the Pope and his disciples do suppose Upon the strife which arose twice among the Apostles about primacy Christ decided their controversie saying unto them Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they that are great exercise authority upon them Bus it shall not be so among you Mat. 20. 25. 26. The word of God also in divers places recommendeth humility unto us to become as little children to be poore Christ proposeth himselfe for an example thereof unto his Apostles and will have his Apostles to be for an example unto all the World That the son of man saith he is not come to be ministred unto but to minister Mat. 18. 1. 2. 3. and chap. 20. 28. When the Apostles were sent to preach they were sent as fellows the which excludeth superiority Math. 10. Moreover Christ promiseth unto them That they shall sit upon twelve Thrones Judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Luk. 22. 30. But he giveth not unto Peter a more eminent place for to preside than to the rest When the holy Ghost descended upon them It was when they were all in one place and without any prerogative Acts 2. 1. 4. S. Paul saith That there is no difference between him and them who seemed to be most eminent Galat. 2. 6. He did not then acknowledge any of the Apostles to be above him as head of the Universall Church and Prince of the Apostles Again he saith That the Gospel of the Uncircumcision was committed unto him as the Gospel of the Circumcision was unto Peter Galat. 2. 7. Behold then they are equall in the labor and ministery of the Gospel The Apostles that were at Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the word of God they sent them Peter and John Acts 8. 14. Now to be sent shewes no superiority but at most equality of them that sendeth and of him that is sent For the inferiour never sendeth the superiour I doe verily beleeve that the Pope would not approve of them that should send him to preach in England S. Peter was rebuked by S. Paul who withstood him to the face The which hee doth after such a manner as he shewes well enough that he did not esteem him as head of the Church nor Prince of the Apostles Gal. 2. 11. 14. It appears therefore by these places that S. Peter was not head of the Universall Church nor Prince of the Apostles It remains now to see whether he did exercise that place and whether the rest of the Apostles have yeelded him the preheminence At the Councell of Jerusalem S. Peter propounded his opinion but James Bishop of the same place made the conclusion as President thereof Acts 15. 7. 13. 19. and the Letters were not dispatched in Peters name but in the name of the whole Assembly Neverthelesse this was the place where S. Peter should have exercised this office of Head and Prince among the Apostles Item He is accused by the Disciples for conversing with the Gentiles He maketh his defence and excuse Act. 11. He was then accountable to his brethren for what he did In summe He calleth himselfe a fellow Elder with the Elders of the Church and exhorteth them lovingly as his equals 1. Pet. 5. 1. Therefore he did not think himself Head and Prince amongst them But let us heare a pleasant objection which the Popes disciples do make for to prove that S. Peter was Head and Prince of the Apostles S. Peter say they is the first named in the Scripture He was the first whose feet Christ did wash The first that spake at the Councell of Jerusalem The first after Christ to whom the Angels did speak all which prerogatives doe shew that he was Head and Prince of the Apostles This Argument deserves not an answer For if the first-named in the holy Scriptures is for that cause the superiour the last named shall be the least and the abjectest Now if that be true Christ and Peter shall sit in the lowest ranke in the Church For Christ himselfe is postposed to S. Peter by S. Paul Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ 1. Cor. 1. 12. S. John also names Peter the last Philip saith he was of Bethsaida the City of Andrew and Peter John 1. 44. S. Paul also placeth S. James before James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars Galat. 2. 9. Therefore this is but a meere foppery brought in a desperate cause for lacke of better reasons S. Peter might be among the Apostles the first in age or in zeale or in eloquence or in vertue and miracles but
not at all in principality and superiority of jurisdiction Moreover they alledge againe That Christ said to Peter Thou art Peter and upon this rocke will I build my Church Therefore say they Peter was established the head and foundation of the Church I answer That Christ did not build upon the person of Peter but upon himselfe and upon the confession of Faith which Peter had made and therefore this conclusion That S. Peter is head and foundation of the Church is false For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid saith S. Paul 1. Cor. 3. 11. But this foundation which is laid is Christ Jesus Therefore no man can lay any other foundation than Christ Jesus Againe Christ hath plainely distinguished Peter from the Rock that is Simon Peter from the living Rocke upon which is builded the Church For he saith not super te Petrum but Super hanc petram that is to say upon this Rocke and not upon thee Peter Moreover let every one judge whether it is more convenient the Church should be grounded upon Peter than upon Christ upon the Son of the living God whom Peter had confessed or upon Peter who presently after denied the Son of the living God upon him who hath vanquished Satan or upon him whom Christ calleth Satan Mat. 16. 23. Upon him who is called the chiefe corner stone or upon him who was a scandal that is to say a stumbling stone Againe the Popes Disciples alledge that Christ said thrice to 〈…〉 my sheep But there is grâ—â—â— difference betwixt feeding Christs sheep and to be Universal Head of the Church and Prince of the Apostles Christ saith not to him feed my sheep universally or soveraignly the same commission of feeding the sheep is given to all the Apostles The holy Ghost saith Saint Paul hath established you Bishops to feed the Church of God whom he hath purchased with his owne blood Act. 20. 28. Feed the flock of Christ which is committed unto you saith S. Peter 1. Pet. 5. 21. Christ speaketh unto Peter onely and biddeth him three times feed his sheep because he had denyed him thrice Christ draweth three confessions from him to remedy his threefold denying at the end of which he is reestablished in the office of a Pastor Therefore this being prooved that Saint Peter was not head of the Church nor Prince of the Apostles It followeth that the Pope who challengeth it but as his Successor hath intruded himself into that office without any lawfull calling and maintaineth himselfe therein by tyranny doing and practising that which neither Christ nor Peter ever did or practised 1. For neither Christ nor Peter ever shewed themselves in Pontificalibus crown'd with three crowns nor caused the Kings of the earth to kisse their feet as the Pope doth at this day having changed the Christian Religion into Idolatry superstition and false doctrines contrary unto the Word of God 2. Saint Peter never exalted himselfe above men and Angels as the Pope doth in that he willeth and commandeth all men to worship him and the Angel refused it saying to John that would have worshipped him See thou doe it not I am a servant with thee worship God Apoc. 22. 9. Saint Peter likewise made Cornelius the Centurion to arise saying unto him That he himselfe was a man Acts 10. 16. 3. Saint Peter never bragged that he had all power both in heaven and in earth as the Pope doth Item he never gave away the kingdomes of the World nor for that end dispensed with any Subjects for their oath of allegiance 4. Saint Peter never caused himselfe to be called God as the Pope doth Can. satisf distinct 96. nor said that he was neither God nor man but somewhat betwixt the Divinity and the Humanity as saith the Glosse upon the Clementines and never made himselfe to be called most holy Father 5. Saint Peter never stiled himselfe the Spouse of the Church The Prince of the Apostles the Universall Monarch the Soveraigne Pastor the Lyon of Juda the Saviour of the Church as the Pope doth Councell of Lateran Session 6. Who in so doing taketh upon him those titles which belong onely unto Christ 6. The Councell of Florence saith That the Pope may add to the Symbole of the Apostles which is as much in effect as to account and acknowledge him to be God For none but God alone can add to the Symbole And make Articles of Faith in his Church to bind the consciences of men Upon this objection De Raconismaketh a pleasant answer toPeter du Moulin That which you produce saith hee in his triumph of truth page 127. of the Councell of Florence that the Pope may add to the Apostles Creed avayleth nothing The meaning of it is only that he may whether in a Councell or out of a Councell establish Articles of Faith But not that hee will place them as thirteenth fourteenth or fifteenth Articles of the Apostles Creed This Doctor being smitten on his visible head was so amazed with the blow that he knew not what he wrote Master du Moulin tels him that the Councell of Florence saith that the Pope may add to the Apostles Creed Thereupon hee answereth that the onely meaning is that the Pope may make Articles of Faith Is not that well answered Doubtlesse if the Pope may add to the Symbole hee may make Articles of Faith Therefore he should have proved first that the Pope may add to the Creed and then it had been time for him to tell that he may make Articles of Faith But who hath told him that the onely meaning is that the Pope may make Articles of Faith What audaciousnesse is it in this Doctor so to restraine and wrest the words of this Councell which saith in expresse tearmes that the Pope may add to the Creed Mark therefore that De Raconis doth not say that the Pope may not add to the Creed but that the Articles of faith which he may make he will not place them as thirteenth fourteenth or fifteenth Articles of the Creed I answer it matters not since the Pope will have whatsoever he saith and decreeth in matters of Religion to be received with like credit authority and certainty as the Articles of the Creed Moreover I deny that the Pope may add to the Creed and make Articles of Faith And it is De Raconis part and the rest of the Doctors of the Roman Church to prove it by expresse texts of the Word of God or by necessary consequences drawne out of the same For lack of which I maintain that this alone is sufficient to prove that the Pope is Antichrist since he takes upon him that power which belongeth onely to God which is to be able to add to the Creed and make Articles of Faith to bind the consciences of men In a word if the Pope be wholly contrary to our Lord Jesus Christ both in doctrine and in manners It followes hee is that Antichrist spoken of in the
drink of that cup 1. Cor. 11. 28. 12 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth also That Christ Jesus sacrificeth himselfe every day really by the hands of the Priests both for the quicke and for the dead This Doctrine is directly contrary to the written Word of God that saith Christ is entred into Heaven it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for us Yet not that he should offer himselfe often as the high Priest entred into the holy place every yeare with blood of others c. Heb. 9. 24. 25. By the which Will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sinne Heb. chap. 10. 10. 14. 18. 13 The Tradition and unwritten Word of the Roman Church teacheth That Saint Peter was appointed by Christ to be head of the Universal Church and Prince of the Apostles This doctrin is directly contrary unto the written word of God as appeareth by these expresse texts God hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body Ephes. 1. ver. 22. 23. Yee know that the Princes of the Gentils exercise Dominion over them and they that are great exercise authority upon them But it shall not be so among you c. Mat. 20. 25. 26. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers ephess. 4. 11. It appeareth therefore plainly that this Tradition and unwritten word of the Roman Church is altogether contrary unto the written Word of God and that it imposeth a yoake upon the consciences of men that God hath not imposed Seeing it forbids marriage to certain persons which God for avoyding of fornication commandeth to every one Seeing it forbids the use of certain meats which God doth not forbid but rather commandeth to be used with thanksgiving Seeing it forbids all men to work upon a great number of Holy-daies thereby depriving them of the means to earne their bread which oftentimes is wanting on such daies to poore men charged with wives and small children the which thing is directly contrary to the Commandement of God Six daies shalt thou labour and doe all thy work Exod. 20. 9. Againe by bringing in such an infinite number of ceremonies in part taken from the Pagans and in part from the Jewes with a numberlesse number of Pilgrimages and other such like things as is almost impossible to declare and represent by particulars It is not then without cause and reason that we reject these Traditions and inventions of men seeing they were broached onely to bring in into Christian Religion Error and Idolatry as I shall prove hereafter more at large aswell by expresse texts and necessary consequences drawn out of the Word of God as by invincible reasons CHAP. II. That it is necessary that all the Faithfull should reade the holy Scripture and that they are even bound thereunto by the Commandement of our Lord Jesus Christ FRom the very same Spring floweth the prohibition which the Pope and his Associates make to the Lay people to reade the Word of God without special leave wherein their manifest hypocrisie appeareth plainly and the feare they have that by reading of the same men should come to know that the Doctrine which they have invented is false and wholly contrary unto the Word of God Our Lord Jesus Christ teacheth us far otherwise Search saith he the Scriptures for in them yee think yee have eternall life and they are they which testifie of me John 5. 39. And under the Parable of the rich Glutton he sends them still to the Scripture saying They have Moses and the Prophets Let them heare them Luk 16. 29. The Jesuits and other the Popes Disciples answer that there is Let them heare them but not Let them reade them But what will they answer to these expresse places Seek yee out of the Book of the Lord and reade Esay 34. vers. 16. Blessed is hee that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein Revel. 1. 3. If sobriety must be kept in any Book of the holy Scripture it is in that of the Revelation Neverthelesse Saint John exhorteth all the Faithfull to practise the reading thereof saying Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophesie Let the word of Christ saith Saint Paul dwell in you richly in all wisedome teaching and admonishing one another c. Col. 3. 16. Saint Peter tels us That we shall doe well to hearken unto the words of the Prophets 2. Pet. 1. 19. The Jews of Berea did dayly search the Scriptures to know whether those things were so as Saint Paul taught Act. 17. 11. And are commended for it in the Scriptures being called more Noble than them of Thessalonica It is therefore lawfull for every Faithfull Christian to reade the Word of God that by it they may know the Doctrine and judge whether it be of God or no In a word as I have said already the principall means we have to know God and his Will is his word by which he declareth unto us his mercy in Christ Jesus and assureth us of his love Now the Pope and his Disciples take away and hide as much as in them lies this VVord from the people and so deprive them of the chiefe meanes to know God which is to cast them headlong into darknesse and ignorance of their salvation and finally into damnation For what can that man doe that is deprived of the knowledg of God and of his wil but run into damnation CHAP. III. That a man can doe no good Worke without the Grace of God And that our Workes therefore are not dispositive for the obtaining of that grace as our Adversaries say THe Pope and his Associates teach also That our works ought to bee considered three manner of wayes First as dispositive Secondly as satisfactory and Thirdly as meritorious Before we be in the state of Grace they will have our Works to bee dispositive to purchase Grace and after grace received to be satisfactory for the temporall punishment that remaineth for sin And after satisfaction finished then they will have their workes to deserve the Kingdome of Heaven A doctrine which is directly contrarie unto the word of God as I shall prove it hereafter out of expresse texts which I shall produce out of the VVord of God and necessary consequences drawn out of the same In the first place they teach that our Works doe dispose and prepare us to obtain the grace of God But now I aske of them whether we doe good Works before we be in grace or whether we doe them after yea or no If they say that we doe them before they know that men naturally are dead in sinne I