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
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
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
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
I deny the Major For there are some undeserved rewards A Father may promise his Son a fine suit of cloathes if he write a good coppie Now that sonne deserves not that suite of clothes for doing well that coppie For what profit cometh to the father thereby neverthelesse the father will give the promised suit onely because of his promise Even so doth God to his children giving his Kingdome unto them without any desert but onely because he hath promised it Moreover a father may be induced to give the promised suite to his sonne because of his duty in doing his coppie well giveing his father content by that meanes But none of the faithfull can doe their duty towards God All have sinned saith Saint Paul Rom. 3. 23. and Whosoever saith Saint James offendeth in one point of the Law he is guilty of all Jam. 2. 10. All therefore are guiltie of the breach of the whole Law For who is he that hath not fayled in some one point or other of the Law And therefore our Adversaries are very farre wide of that pretended merit they doe attribute to their good workes 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 creatures the honour and glory that belongeth unto the Creator THese Doctors keepe a great noyse and cry out very lowd that they are the true Church and that the doctrine which they teach is conformable unto the Word of God but when it cometh to the proofe they are mightily puzzled haveing nothing to shew but some few allegories which they bring in upon certaine points of controversie Like unto Foxes which runne into thickets and bushie places to save themselves True it is they make a great bucklet of these words This is my body which they thinke are very cleare to prove that the bread is transubstantiated into the body of Christ But I will shew in its due place in few words That they pervert the meaning of this place of Scripture taking this word is properly and without a figure which in all Sacraments ought to be taken for Signifieth of Representeth Now I will shew what slender cause they have to maintaine the Invocation of Saints departed and to teach that Christ is not our onely Mediator with God but that all the Saints in heaven are also our Mediators and that we must draw neere unto God by them as wee come neere unto the King by his familiar servants intreating them to pray for us A Doctrine which is absolutely false as I shall prove hereafter out of diverse expresse places and necessary consequences drawne out of the Word of God First of all then wee aske of them one expresse text out of the Word of God or one necessary consequence drawne out of the same for the proofe of this doctrine There they stand as mute as fishes Behold then a doctrine that hath neither prop nor foundation in the Word of God but is meerely invented by men against the Word of God as I will shew hereafter And albeit it were not contrary unto the same I yet maintaine that it ought to bee rejected of every Christian because it is a vaine worshipping of God to worship him after the Doctrine and commandements of men As our Lord Jesus Christ tearmeth it Marke 7. 7. Moreover I prove that this doctrine cannot be without great sinne For whatsoever is done without the Word of God is done without faith Faith saith Saint Paul commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10. 17. But the Invocation of Saints departed is done without the Word of God Therefore it is done without Faith Whatsoever is done without Faith is sin saith the same Apostle Rom. 14. 23. But the Invocation of Saints departed is done without Faith Therefore the Invocation of Saints departed is sinne In briefe That Doctrine which teacheth men to pray unto Saints departed is contrary unto the Word of God that teacheth That we ought to call upon none but on him in whom we have beleeved Rom. 10. 14. But we doe not beleeve in the Saints departed but in one onely God Father Son and holy Ghost Therefore we ought not to call upon Saints departed but upon God alone in whom we beleeve That Doctrine which teacheth men to goe unto God by his Saints as a man goes to the King by his familiar servants is contrary unto the Word of God which teacheth us to goe directly to Christ and that he is the onely Way to goe to the Father Come unto me saith he al ye that labour and are heavie laden and I will give you rest c. Math. 11. 28. He would not have us then goe unto him by the Saints departed I am saith he the Way the Truth and the Life no man commeth unto the Father but by me John 14. 6. That Doctrine which teacheth that there is divers Mediators with God is contrary unto the Word of God which teaches us That God is one and the Mediator one between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus 1. Tim. 2. 5. Item That God alone knoweth the hearts of all the sonnes of men 1. Kin. 8. 38. Whereupon it followeth That the Saints departed doe not know our prayers which are made in the heart and that by Consequent it is a vain and an idle thing to pray unto them The Argument which we draw out of this place of Saint Paul against the Invocation of Saints departed is thus If there be one onely Mediator between God and man to wit Christ Jesus It followeth That the Saints departed are not our Mediators with God and by Consequent that it is unprofitable to pray unto them to pray for us But the Antecedent is true Therfore the Consequent also Our Adversaries to put off this blow make a distinction saying That Saint Paul in this place speaketh not of a Mediator of Intercession but of a Mediator of Redemption and therefore that this place is not brought to the purpose for the Intercession of Saints a thing which is in controversie between them and us To which I answer First That they are not able to prove that distinction of a Mediator of Redemption and a Mediator of Intercession either by any expresse texts out of the Word of God or any necessary consequence drawn out of the same and therefore that it is false Secondly That on the contrary the Word of God teaching us that we have an Advocate with God which is Christ Jesus teacheth us Consequently that he is our alone Mediator of Intercession aswell as â—f Redemption If any man sin saith S. John we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous John 1. Epist. 2. 1. Veron the Jesuite in his answer to my Book Of the Cabale of the Jesuits pag. 18. answereth That to say there is one Mediator Therefore there is but one Mediator is no good Consequence and he bringeth in for example one that
Apostles Creed we beleeve and confesse That he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Item That from thence hee shall come to judge the quick and the dead Therefore it is a thing contrary unto the truth of God to teach that he is here below on earth in the hands of a Priest in as many places as there are Masses said But for asmuch as they alledge without any respect to Gods truth that it is his wil manifested in these words This is my body I wil shew that it is no more his will which cannot be contrary to his truth For the will of our Lord Jesus Christ was to institute a Sacrament But in all Sacraments there should be two distinct things to wit the signe and the thing signified the one thing terrestriall and the other celestiall It was his wil therefore that these two things should be in the Sacrament of the supper which he instituted that is the bread and the wine which are the signe and the terrestriall thing And his body and blood which are the celestiall and signified thing The signes received by the corporal mouth and the thing signified by faith according to that which the Apostle saith Christ dwelleth in your hearts by faith Ephes. 3. 17. Whereupon it followeth that it was not his will that the bread and wine should be transubstantiated into his body which they should signifie And indeed he did not say this is transubstantiated into my body but only This is my body And that conformably unto the style of the holy Scripture which giveth alwayes to the signe the name of the thing signified using in all Sacraments the word is for signifieth But forasmuch as all the difficulty lyeth upon this word is to know whether it ought to be taken properly or by signifieth in this euunciation this is my body I prove that it ought not to be taken properly but by signifieth Here is my argument If in all Sacraments the signes doe beare the name of the things signified Item if the word is is put for signifieth or representeth It followeth that the bread and the wine which are signes in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to beare the name of the body and blood of Christ Item that the word is is put for signifieth or representeth But the first proposition is true Here are my proofes 1. The Circumcision was a Sacrament among the Jewes that signified the Covenant of God as it is said in the 17 of Genesis vers. 10. 2. 4. 7. Every man-childe among you shall be circumcised and ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt mee and you But in the same chapter this Circumcision is called the Covenant it selfe I will make my Covenant betweene me and thee As for mee behold my Covenant is with thee I will establish my Covenant betweene me and thee All that is said of the Circumcision it was then called the Covenant of the name of the thing whereof it was a signe So Christ following the style of the holy Scripture did call the bread his body 2. The Paschall Lambe was also a Sacrament among the Jews which represented the passeover of the Angel that passed by in Egypt Neverthelesse it is called even the passeover it selfe And thus shall ye eate it with your loynes girded your shooes on your feet and your staffe in your hand and ye shall eate it in haste for it is the Lords passeover Exod. 12. 11. 3. The Arke of the Covenant was also a Sacrament among the Jewes which represented the Lord but it is called the Lord himselfe in the Word of God as we see in these words And David arose and went with all the people that were with him from Baal of Juda to bring up from thence the Arke of God whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hostes that dwelleth upon it betweene the Cherubins 2 Sam. 6. 2. 4. The Rock from which came out waters in the Wildernesse was also a signe and a sacrament among the Jewes that signified the refection and spirituall food which the faithfull have in our Lord Jesus Christ but it is called Christ even by Saint Paul Our Fathers did all eate the same spirituall meate and did all drinke the same spirituall drink for they all drank of that spirituall rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Pâ—anigarolle in his Lessons page 477. deceiveth himselfe grossy being of opinion that in this place Christ is called a rock and therefore that this word Was is to be taken for being and not for signifying 1. For if it were the sence and meaning of the Apostle he would not have said that the rock was Christ but that Christ was the rocke 2. Also he would not have said in the passive tense was but in the present tense is For he is alwayes both the fundamentall and chiefe corner stone of the Church 3. To discerne the truth wee must but consider the words of the Apostle for hee saith That our Fathers did all eate of the same spirituall meate and did all drinke of the same spirituall drinke 1. Cor. 10. 2. But this spirituall meate was the Manna Exod. 16. 15. which he calleth spirituall because it was a figure of Christ Likewise this spirituall drinke was the water issuing forth of the rock Exod. 17. 6. Numb. 20. 10. 11. which also he calleth spirituall drinke because its signification was spirituall But as by this spirituall meat Saint Paul did not meane Christ himselfe So by this spirituall drinke he did not understand Christ himselfe but the water that flowed out of the Rock It is therefore cleare enough that this Rock whereof he speaketh is the same whence the waters flowed in the Wildernesse which he calleth Christ because it was a figure of Christ The which is plainely shewed in the foregoing words of Sea and Cloude For the Sea the Cloude and the Rock are used in one and the selfe same kind and to one and the selfe same end Even so then as it was a true Sea and a true cloude so this Rock was a true Rock And it is said it followed the people because the streames of waters that issued forth of this Rock followed this people a long time in the Wildernesse Againe Christ saith That he is the true Vine John 15. 1. That he is the doore of the Sheep John 10. 7. And Saint Paul saith That the bread which we break is the Communion of the body of Christ 1. Cor. 10. 16. Howbeit the bread is not the Communion it selfe but a Sacrament thereof As for Baptisme S. Paul saith That by it we are buried with Christ Rom. 6. 4. Col. 2. 12. because it representeth the death of the old man and of our naturall corruption But without going from the Sacrament whereof we now treat there is sufficient matter to shew plainly That in these
words This is my body the word is is put for signifieth or representeth For Christ saith This is my body which is broken for you But if we should here take this word is properly and without a figure it would follow That the body of Christ was broken at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which is a thing contrary unto the Word of God that saith He was not broken that the Scripture should be fulfilled which saith that a bone of him shall not be broken John 19. 33. 36. Now we must note That this word is is found here twise in the same place and within three words one of another viz. This is my body which is broken for you c. These subtill Doctors enemies of figures will take the first properly and without a figure in these words This is my body but in the words following which is broken for you c. they take it figuratively saying that breaking is attributed to the body of Christ because the species which cover it are broken by the Priest that is to say the colour the quantity the measures A brave subtilty for according to this Doctrine an arme shall be broken because the sleeve that containeth it is broken But here is yet more S. Luke and S. Paul say That the Cup is the New Testament c. Luk. 22. 20. 1. Cor. 11. 25. Out of which we draw this infallible conclusion If the Cup or that which is in the Cup cannot be the new Testament substantially but onely Sacramentally It followeth that this word is ought to be expounded in this place for signifieth or representeth But the first is true Therefore the last also Our Adversaries deny the Antecedent affirming That the Cup or that which is in the Cup is the New Testament properly and without a figure and perceiving very well that the bread is the Lords body in the same kind as the Cup is the New Testament and that if the word is must be expounded for signifieth or representeth in this enunciation This Cup is the New Testament c. that it must be expounded so in this enunciation This is my body But this hole is too little to creep out at For behold Saint Mathew saith That this blood is the blood of the New Testament Mat. 26. 28. Therefore it is not the New Testament For even as the foure corner Cap of a Jesuite is not a Jesuite so the blood of the New Testament is not the New Testament Adde moreover that our Adversaries tell us That the New Testament is founded upon the blood which they say is in the Chalice Therefore by their own Doctrine it is not the New Testament for one thing founded upon another is not the same thing with it In summe Christ saith This Cup is the New Testament in my blood Therefore it is not his blood For a thing which is in another is not the same thing in which it is By so many expresse texts and invincible reasons is this proposition evidently proved That in all Sacraments the signes do beare the name of the thing signified and that this word is is put for signifieth or representeth and Consequently that the bread and wine remaining still bread and wine at the Sacrament of the Lords supper doe beare the name of the body and blood of Christ whom they signifie And therefore the meaning of these words this is my body is This signifieth or representeth my body as divers Fathers have expounded it and namely Saint Austin in these words The Lord made no difficulty to say This is my body when he gave the signe of his body Austin against Adimentus chap. 12. And Tertullian also in these words Christ having taken bread and distributed it to his Disciples made it to be his body saying this is my body that is the figure of my body Tertullian contra Marcion chap. 40. Whereby it appeareth that this popish doctrin is no lesse contrary unto the wil of God than unto his truth manifested in his Word CHAP. XI That it is not enough for to have Eternall life to eate Christs flesh but that we must also drinke his blood And therefore all Christians indifferently ought to communicate under both kindes according to the Commandement of Christ and the Apostle Saint Paul THe Pope and his Associats doe keepe men easily in their Idolatry and false doctrines by these two meanes The first in holding them in a more than brutish ignorance using them like beasts The second by sweet alluring speeches wherewith they cover the poyson which they give unto the simple to drink It is a thing worthy of compassion to see sometimes these Doctors in the Pulpit torment themselves gnash their teeth for anger and spew out a thousand injuries slanders forg'd imputations against the good servants of God and especially against Calvin For the very remembrance of the name of that good Doctor is able to make them stark mad mingling in their sermons among their injuries some words of Piety recommendation and praise of good workes to amuse their hearers and entertaine them in that opinion that they preach a true and wholesome doctrine This is the cause the Papists sometimes doe intreat us to goe heare their sermons O silly people ye have not yet learned what the depths of Satan are that can transforme himselfe into an Angel of light for to seduce men Apoc. 2. 24. Ye hearken not to Christs warning when he saith Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheepes clothing but inwardly they are ravening â—olfeâ— Math. 7. 15. Ye know not that Antichrist hath two hornes like a Lambe but speaketh as a Dragon Apoc. 13. 11. Poore seduced people that â—eed your selves with shewes of good wherewith they hide the falshood which they give you without inquiring of the truth so easie to be found in the Word of God to confound your Doctors Aske them but where it is commanded in the Word of God to deprive Lay men and women from the Communion of the Cup as they doe and ye shall make them as dumb as fishes Those red Hats and fur'd Hoods assembled at the Councels of Constance and Trente acknowledge in the thirteenth and fifth Sessions of the said Councels That Christ did institute the Sacrament of the Supper under both kinds of bread and wine and delivered it so to his Diciples Confessing moreover that the use of both kindes was very frequent and ordinâ—ry in the beginning of Christian Religion and yet neverthelesse they are so bold and impudent as to put an Anathema upon him that shall say that all every one of the Faithfull ought to receive under both kindes the Sacrament of the Eucharist by the commandement of God Declaring that this custome of receiving under one kinde ought to be held as a Law forbidding every Christian to beleeve or teach otherwise Behold how these Doctors have banded themselves openly against Christ whom they have Anathematised with the Apostle Saint Paul Our
Lord for saying unto his Disciples when he gave them the Cup Drinke yee all of it Math. 26. 27. And the Apostle for commanding to every one of the Corinthians to examine himselfe and so eate of this bread and drinke of this cup 1. Corinth 11. 28. Now because this is sufficient to make it appeare that the Pope is contrary unto Christ they labour to put off this blow alledging that Christ spake to none but to his Apostles which were pastours and so that this priviledge of receiving under both kindes belongs to Priests onely and not to Lay men but they cannot shun it so for if Christ command all his Disciples to doe that which he had done in the supper It followeth that all his Disciples indifferently ought to communicate under both kinds but the first is true doe saith he this is remembrance of me 1. Cor. 11. 24. Therefore the last also And seeing that the Jesuites at this day besides the Consequences drawne out of the Word of God doe aske of us still some expresse Texts and Arguments whereof the two first propositions be in the Scriptures Here be some Whosoever bids every man to examine himselfe and so eate of this Bread and drink of this Cup commandeth all the Faithfull indifferently to communicate under both kinds But Saint Paul commandeth every one to examine himselfe and so eate of this Bread and drink of this Cup 1. Cor. 11. 28. Therefore he commandeth al the Faithful indifferently to communicate under both kinds Again Whosoever saith in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Drink yee all of it biddeth every one to drinke of this Cup 1. Cor. 11. 28. But Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist saith Drink yee all of it Math. 26. 27. Therefore he commandeth every one to drink of this Cup 1. Cor. 11. Behold some expresse texts and cōsequences drawn out of the pure Word of God for the proofe of our Doctrine and condemnation of that of our Adversaries Our Adversaries on their part produce some places by which they pretend to prove that Christ and the Apostles have given the Communion under the species of Bread onely First they produce a place out of Saint Luke who saith That in Emaus as Christ sate at meat with the two Disciples He took Bread and blessed it and brake and gave to them and that there is no mention made that he gave them the Cup Luke 24. Moreover they bring in two other places in the Acts of the Apostles whereof the first saith That The Disciples did continue in the Apostles doctrine and in the communion and breaking of bread and the other That the Disciples were gathered together to break bread Acts 2. 42. and chap. 20. 7. From which places they doe inferre That it is in the power of the Church to take away the Cup from the Lay people since in these places there is no mention made of the Cup but of the bread onely To which I answer 1. That I have already brought expresse texts out of the Word of God whereby it is expresly commanded to all Christians to drinke of the cup in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and therefore that it is not in the Churches power to take away the cup from the Lay people 2. It is a manifest impiety to make use of the Word of God for to oppose and contradict the same word pulling for that purpose some texts as it were by the haire and against their true meaning to establish a doctrine contrary unto expresse textes which is an ordinary thing with these Romish Doctors as appeareth here in this place where they oppose the texts here above mentioned to these two expresse and plaine texts Drinke yee all of it Math. 26. Let Every man examine himselfe and so let him drink of this cup 1. Cor. 11. 3. That even from these places produced by them no man can inferre that it is in the power of the Church to take away the Cup from the people 1. For in that of Saint Lukes it is not spoken of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but of a common repast at which it was Christs accustomed manner to breake the bread with giving of thanks as you may see in Saint Math. 14. 19. and in S. Luke 9. 16. 2. That though the Sacrament of the Eucharist were meant in these places it were no good consequence to say In these places there is no mention made but of breaking of bread Therefore there was no wine For under the word Bread the Scripture signifieth all things necessary for life as you may see in these places of the Word of God Gen. 37. 35. and chap. 43. 31. 32. 34. And though I say I did eate with such a one It doth not follow that I dranke not with him 3. That if in these places the Sacrament of the Lords supper be meant and there was no wine at it It followeth that neither Christ nor the Apostles dranke at it and consequently that Priests are no more bound than the Lay people to communicate under both kindes But de Raconis denyeth it in a Treatise he made upon the conversion of Monsieur de Colincourt page 87. saying That the Apostles were bound to celebrate under both kindes of bread and wine severally to represent the separation that was made on the Crosse of the blood of Christ from his body Now for to prove their Transubstantiation these Doctors produce some places out of the sixt of Saint John where there is never a word spoken of the Eucharist but of Christs flesh given upon the Crosse for the life of the World not perceiving that by this meanes they even overthrow themselves For here are Christs words Except you eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his blood yee have no life in you Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternall life John 6. 53. 54. If these words be meant of the Eucharist It followeth they deprive the people of life taking from them the Cup Moreover it is not enough to eate the flesh of Christ by faith under the signe of bread but we must also drinke his blood spiritually by faith under the signe of the wine seeing Christ hath instituted this holy Sacrament under both signes of bread and wine the one to be broken and the other to be shed or powred forth in remembrance of him the which he chiefly recommended of the Cup saying Drinke yee all of it Math. 26 and even as if he would have remedied the error that afterwards crept into the Church viz. in taking away against his precept the halfe of that holy sacrament And therefore it is to no purpose to alledge the concomitancie For to eate a morsell of bread in forme of a Wafer is not to drinke Christs blood as hee biddeth it expresly saying That Except we drinke his blood we have no life in us John 6. CHAP. XII That the pretended Sacrifice of the Masse was onely established for to
and necessary it followeth that one is not sufficient Let us say then if there be two propitiatory sacrifices for the remission of sinnes the one bloody and the other unbloody The one of the two is sufficient or both are requisite and necessary If the one be sufficient the other is superflous If both are requisite and necessary It followes that one alone is insufficient So that admitting two propitiatory sacrifices the one bloody the other unbloody is to deny that the sacrifice of the Crosse hath the vertue alone to expiate sins The Word of God doth not teach us that there is two different sacrifices of Christ the one bloody the other unbloody The Apostle to the Hebrewes imployeth many leafes to declare this point and treating fully of the Priesthood in the Christian Church he there makes no mention at all of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Finally our Adversaries affirme that the Masse is an unbloody propitiatory sacrifice instituted by Christ both for the quick and for the dead Enquired where he instituted it they bring these words Doe this Admirable proofe Doe this that is to say sacrifice me really under the kindes of bread and wine in propitiatory sacrifice both for the quicke and for the dead That is a good glosse But by these words Doe this Christ commandeth to doe that which he did at the Supper Therefore they should have prooved first that Christ did at the Lords Supper sacrifice himselfe to God his Father which he did not doe Neverthelesse some of them doe go about to prove it alleadging the words which our Lord saith in Saint Luke This is my body which is given for you Luke 22. 19. Where given say they not on the Crosse for he was not yet there but under the Species of bread and wine at the same instant and even while he pronounced these words Whereupon they conclude that Christ offered himself to God his Father at the supper I answer that these words which is given for you c. prove no manner of way that Christ offered himselfe to God his Father in the sacrament For he offered onely to his Disciples saying unto them Take But he offereth nothing to God he maketh no Elevation of an Hoste Moreover Adoration is a necessary action in all Sacrifices but the Apostles worshipped not the bread which Christ gave unto them but remained at table with him which sheweth they did not think that bread to be transubstantiated into the body of Christ For otherwise it had been an extreame irreverence in them not to worship that which Christ did present unto them And for that he saith in the Present tense which is given for you c. we see he speaketh often of his approaching death as if it were present I lay down saith he my life for my sheep John 10. 15. 17. 18. I leave my life that I may take it again Father I have finished the work which thou gavest me to doe John 17. 4. Neverthelesse there remained the principall thing to wit his death upon the Crosse The Lambe was slain from the foundation of the World Apoc. 13. 8. I send you saith God by the Prophet Malachy the Prophet Eliah Mal. 4. 3. that is I will send you John the Baptist which was not done of long time after If therefore a thing so farre off was said as if it were present how much more shall that be thought present which is to be done at hand There is nothing so frequent in the word of God as the changing of tenses So as very often the Past or the Present is taken for the future Thus Christ speaketh of the Sacrifice of the Crosse on which he gave himself for the life of the World Some others argue thus All effusion of blood for the Remission of sinnes is a propitiatory Sacrifice But Christ saith that his blood is shed in the Eucharist for the Remission of sinnes Therefore the Eucharist is a propitiatory Sacrifice I answer That the two first propositions of this Argument are false as also the conclusion in the sence that our Adversaries take it in First it is false that an effusion of blood is a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Remission of sinnes Unlesse that blood be offered unto God with the death of the Sacrifice But Christ offered nothing unto God in the Eucharist nor yet suffered death thereat Again It is false that Christ did shed his blood in the Eucharist For it was not shed but on the Crosse and it is of that shedding he speaketh saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you And to reply that there is in the present tense is shed and not in the future shal be shed is to no purpose For I have above stopt this passage in shewing out of divers places of the holy Scriptures that this word is is oftentimes taken in the Future And indeed the Latine Bible of the Roman Church and the Canon of the Masse turnes it in the Future qui pro vobis effundetur which shall be shed for you But it is worthy of Note to see how our Adversaries grant without difficulty that which they so painfully deny For when we aske of them whether Christs blood came out of the veins in the Sacrament of the Eucharist or no They answer It did not come out of the veins Then it was not shed there say we For a thing is not shed while it remaineth inclosed in the vessell that containeth it And besides they call the Masse an unbloody Sacrifice Neverthelesse contradicting themselves grossely they will not give over writing and affirming that Christ shed his blood there We aske them then how and after what manner it is shed in the Masse They answer It is shed under the species of the wine Then say we It is shed It is not say they It is but the accidents of the wine onely that are shed Now I leave it to the judgment of all men whether this be not with one breath to deny and affirme both together Why then do they tell us that it is shed for to tell us presently after that it is not shed but that the onely accidents of wine are shed They have bin brought to lay the like absurdity upon these words which is broken for you being forced to maintain that the body of Christ is broken because the species that cōtain him are broken The conclusion which they draw from this argument is also false For they conclude that the Eucharist is a propitiatory Sacrifice for sin both for the quick and for the dead which is not so but onely a Sacrifice of thanksgiving for there is but one propitiatory Sacrifice for sinne which is that of the Crosse Now even as there is but one onely expiatory Sacrifice so there is but one onely Priest sacrificing expiatorily to wit Christ Jesus our Lord There were many under the Law because they were hindered by death from remaining but our Lord Jesus Christ
remaining a Priest for ever and which cannot be hindered by death needeth no other Priest to be appointed in his roome And it is here that these new sacrificers labour in vain to prove their pretended calling For it is an imaginary charge which was never established by Christ nor practised by the Apostles Behold how they argue Christ said to his Disciples As my Father hath sent me so I send you But Christ was sent of the Father to sacrifice under the kindes of bread and wine after the order of Melchisedeck Therefore he sent his Apostles to sacrifice under the species of bread and wine according to this order and Consequently hath made them Priests I answer That if it be false that Melchisedeck did sacrifice bread and wine It followeth it is as false that Christ sent his Apostles to sacrifice him under the kinds of bread and wine but the first is true I have proved it already plainely here above therefore the last also But to make the Error of this allegation appear the more plainly we must but adde this to the second proposition of their Argument As Christ was sent of his Father so he sent his Apostles But Christ was sent of his Father to be a King a Prophet and for to sacrifice himself for the Redemption of many Therefore he sent his Apostles to be Kings prophets and to sacrifice themselves for the Redemption of many Who sees not the error and falshood of such a proposition This word As therfore must not be understood of the Kingly or Propheticall Office and Priesthood of Christ It is a presumption and temerity for men to assume unto themselves such titles but onely for the preaching of the Gospel administring of Sacraments and things which onely regard the Ministery Christ gave them not any other Office And as touching the Order of Melchisedeck after which Christ is a Priest for ever It is not in regard of the sacrifices but in regard of the persons sacrificing The Apostle teacheth it plainly handling the comparison between Christ and Melchisedeck In the first place he saith Heb. 7. 2. That Melchisedeck is by Interpretation King of Righteousnesse and also King of Peace which are titles belonging to Christ and which the Prophets also give him For he is King of Righteousnesse because he absolves and Justifies us by his obedience before God his Father He is also King of Peace because that making our peace and reconciliation he directeth us into the way of everlasting peace The Apostle goes on and saith That this Melchisedeck was without Father without Mother and without descent having neither beginning of daies nor end of life but being made like unto the Sonne of God abideth a Priest for ever Behold then wherin consisteth the agreement and similitude between our Lord Jesus Christ and Melchisedeck which is not in the matter of the thing sacrificed but in the Order and Calling of the persons sacrificing which is proved again plainely in this that Christ is a Priest for ever after that Order of Melchisedeck For if this Order were and did consist in the pretended sacrfice of the Masse Then it would follow that Christ should not be a Priest for ever seeing the Masse shall not endure for ever Therefore Even as the same Melchisedeck was not head of any Order of Priesthood but onely a Priest after his own Order under the Law So Christ the onely Priest under the Evangelical Law needeth not to have a company of Priests sacrificing expiatorily and therefore that infinite number of Sacrificers established in the Church of Rome for to sacrifice againe our Lord Jesus Christ to God his Father standes convinced of having no calling Seeing they have intruded themselves into that Office without any commandment from God taking unto themselves in so doing the honour which belongeth to none but to our Lord and Saviour it not belonging at all unto the crature to sacrifice the Creator or for men sinners to sacrifice the Lambe without sin CHAP. XIII That S. Peter was not established by Christ head of the Universal 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 sheweth himselfe to be Antichrist in doing quite contrary to that which Christ and S. Peter did TO be short It seemeth that our Adversaries wil be Christians no longer having not only forsaken the Doctrin but the very name also for to take the name of Catholicks God in his Justice would not suffer that they should retain the name which belongeth onely to true Christians that follow his word and trust in his promises For to be a true Christian it is not enough to beleeve onely that there is a Christ but we must rely on his promises and receive him such as he was given unto us of the Father that is for our salvation righteousnesse and satisfaction for our sinnes But our Adversaries doe not receive him so seeing they have established their righteousnesse in their own works by which they thinke to deserve the kingdome of God They will say indeed that his blood shed upon the Crosse is our Purgatory but they doe establish another in an Imaginary fire They say that the sacrifice he made upon the Crosse hath taken away our sinnes but they have established another sacrifice to blot them away againe and all against the Word of God Therefore they cannot boast that they are Christians but rather Antichristians that have rejected the true Doctrine for to embrace and follow the Doctrine of the Pope of Rome who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God 2. Thes. 2. 4. But for as much as the Popes Disciples do cloak this mystery of iniquity with some places of Scripture wherby they pretend to prove that S. Peter was established Head of the Universall Church and Prince of the Apostles because they would maintaine the Pope who by cunning hath intruded himself into that office I wil shew in few words that Saint Peter was not Prince of the Apostles nor head of the Universall Church as they say In the first place the Word of God tels us That our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of his Church God hath put all things saith S. Paul under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body Again He is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Ephes. 1. 22. 23. Colos. 1. 18. By these places it appeares that S. Peter was not Head of the Church For Shee which is but one body cannot have two heads And it is to no purpose to say that Christ is the essential head but that S. Peter was the Ministeriall