certaine it is that the first redoundeth onely to the good of him which w rketh Eccles 16 15 Rom. 2 6. For all mercy shall make a place to euery man according to the merite of his workes no pure creature hauing this priuiledge to merite for any other that being the priuiledge of Christ alone who hauing no neede of merite himselfe for the glory of his owne soule it being endowed with all wisdome grace and glory euen from the first moment of his conception deserued grace and glory for vs al. Who therefore is compared vnto a Nurse For euery other person by his ordinary nutriment receiuing benefitte substance for himselfe alone the nurse eateth for her selfe and for her child But the other two may effectually be donne for others for as a man may pray for another so may he also satisfie for another if both be in grace as we haue prooued Exod. 32 32 Rom. 9 3. Gen. 18 33. may be vnderstood also by MOISES and S. PAVL who desired of God to satisfie for their peoples faulte by those iust which if they had bene found in SODOME shoulde haue saued the wholle Citie Yet there is here to be obserued that although those which are in deadly sinne be not wholly excluded from the communication of the meritts of the Church this is onely in respect of her praiers in which they are included and of a certaine kinde of meritte which the Diuines call DE CONGRVO of conueniency farre inferiour to that which we spoke of and of no certainty But of this satisfaction by way of Iustice they are no way partakers because they be deade members Thirdly heereof doth followe that necessarily we must admitte some workes of Supererogation 3 Workes of Supererogation See pag. 410 which may be vnderstoode of two sorts First those are called workes of Supererogation which belong to the Euangelicall Councells of which enough hath beene saide before Secondly those are called workes of Supererogation which although in respecte of Meritte they be profitable to the person by which they bee wrought yet in respect of their Satisfaction which they haue in them were not necessarie to the doers of them They hauing not in Gods iudgement deserued so much penaltie as they heere suffered their euerlasting punishment first beeing remitted if euer they deserued it which I adde because of our Blessed LADY who was neuer subiecte to such deserte Such a one was first our Blessed LADY the most aboundant fountaine nexte vnto Christ of al Meritte and Satisfaction Col. 1 24. Such another was Saint PAVL who as he saith himselfe suffered for the wholle body of Christ Such a one was also the holy Patriarche IOB by Gods owne iudgement and testimony approoued Iob 42.7 Iob 6 2. who although he confessed that he had deserued wrath yet he bouldly saieth that the calamitie which he suffered in respecte of his desertes was heauier than the sande of the sea Such were the holy Christians of Hierusalem whom S. PAVL saieth to haue hadde aboundance of spiritual treasures 2. Cor. 8 14. Such also no doubt were the holy Apostles and infinite Martyrs other Saintes of God Gen. 16 12. And here no doubt an Hereticke like a reprobate Ismaelite whose hands are against al and all handes against him who alwaies pitcheth his tenthes opposite to his Brethren wil scoffe and taunt vttering the wholle stoare and talent of his scurrill religion But how shall we auoide him for if we exaggerate our sinnes and humbly seeke to confesse them then are we superstitious and butchers of our owne consciences if we with all humilitie 1. Cor. 1 31. glory in our Lorde who hath by his blessed Passion giuen such pretiouse 2. Pet. 1 4. giftes vnto vs that we 1. Io. 3 1. may be the sonnes of God receiue 2. Cor. 1 22. the pledge of his spirite in our hartes and haue him Mat. 10 20. 2. Cor. 13 3. speaking and Phil. 2 13. 1. Thes 2.13 working within vs by whose instinct and influence Ro. 8 3. we may doe workes acceptable vnto God then doe wee depresse the merittes of Christs death are enemies vnto his grace If we be very seuere in exacting rigorous Penances as in the Primitiue Church than doe we trust too much in our own Satisfaction If with the lenity mildnesse of Christ and his Apostles we remitte due necessarie Satisfactions then we vsurpe the office of Christ to pardon sinnes Quo teneam nodo mutantem Protea vultus Mat 11 18. So was Saint IHON Baptist by the Iewes reprehended for too much austeritie and our Sauiour for his kinde and liberall conuersation But letting alone al large discourses of this pointes least we should make a long volume to a Catholicke whome I intend onely heere to instructe this which I will nowe adde shal be a sure demonstration For if one be a Martyr An euident argument for works of Supererogation both according to the holy Scriptures and to the wholle consent of Fathers practise of the Church his only death is a sufficient satisfaction for all his temporal punishement Nowe if he doe not only die for iustice but be most barbarously Whipped Mocked Racked Mangled and that without any respecte of ordinary humanity as we knowe to haue beene doone in the Primitiue Church O let Num. 23 10. my soule die with the death of the iust how Psa 115 15. pretiouse in the sight of God is the death of his Saints our Lord Psal 23 31. keepeth all the bones of them one of them shall not perishe what superaboundance of Passions is heere Now these and such like workes in that they were Meritorious are rewarded in their own persons with glory but in that they are Satisfactorious Col. 1 24. they accomplishe that which wanteth in the Passions of Christ for his body They shall not want their correspondence of deserued remission applied vnto others their fellowe members No otherwise than when nature hauing serued the vitall members with due nourishement afterward deriueth her liberality vnto all other partes of the body And thus much of workes of Supererogation Fourthly hereof nowe is heaped an infinite masse The Treasure of Indulgences or treasure of the Satisfactions of Christ and of his Saints that is of the wholle mysticall body of Christ which is called the treasure of Indulgences For all the benefite of our satisfactions is first applied to our own necessities if we doe not otherwise apply them to the good of our neighbour which we may doe with very great Charity although we neede them our selues But if there be any thing in them superfluous vnto any Saint for his owne paiments not applied by himselfe in the very doing of them for some other than are they layed vp in the Churches Treasure to be applied as she shall with her wisedome decree Nowe therefore out of al these infallible foundations I gather my purpose in this manner An inuincible reason for Indulgences There is a sufficient
The seuenth Age Anno. Dom. 600. Leontius Episc Sophronius Episc S. Isidorus Hispalen Episc Concilium Hispalense 2. Concilium Toletanum 4. Georgius Alexandrinus Episc hic sorte Concilium Braccarense 2. Concilium Toletanum 8. Concilium Braccarense 3. The sixt generall Councell of Constantinople Synodus Trullana Constātinopolitana * The eight Age Anno Dom. 700. Venerabilis Beda S. Ioannes Damascenus The seuenth general Coūcell of Nyce 2. * The ninth Age Anno. Dom. 800. Alcuinus Paulus Diaconus Concilium Moguntinum Ionas Aurelianens Episc Concilium Aquisgranense 1. 2. Haymo Episc Rabanus Episc Concilium Wormatiense Phocius Episc The eight general Councell of Constantinople Ioannes Diaconus Rom. Remigius Antisiod Episc Theophilactus Episc Concilium Triburiense Concilium Nannetens hic force * The eleventh Age Anno Dom. 1000. Burchardus Wormatiensis Episc Concilium Salegūstadiens S. Petrus Damianus Episc S. Lansiancus Episc Concilium Rom. sub Leone 9. cont Petergar Concilium Vercellense sub eodem Concilium Turonense sub Victore 2. Concilium Rom. sub Nicolao 2. Guitmundus Episc Algerus Concilium Rom. sub Gregor 7. contr eundem Berengarium S. Anselmus Episc Oecumenius S. Iuo Carnotensis Episc * The twelfth Age Anno Dom. 1100. Zonaras Rupertus Tuitiensis Gulielmus Abbas S. Bernardus Hugo Victorinus Gratianus Euthymius Concilium Lateran sub Alexandro 3. Lucius 3. Pont. Nicetas Innocentius 3. Pont. * The thirteenth Age Anno 1200. Concilium Lateran magnum sub Innocent 3 S. Thom Aquinas Concilium Lugdunen sub Gregor 10. Gulielmus Durand Episc * The fourteenth age Anno Dom. 1300. Nicephorus Calixtus Concilium Viennense sub Clemenet 5. * The fifteenth Age Anno Dom. 1400. Concilium Constantiense Concilium Basilcense Concilium Florentinum Bessarion Episc Sixtus 4. Pont. * The sixteenth Age Anno Dom. 1500. Concilium Tridentinum A TABLE CONTAINING the order and Summe of the whole Catechisme CHRISTIAN Doctrine consisteth in Wisedome Iustice To Wisedome maie bee referred these Chapters that followe in order CHAP. I. OF FAITH and the CREEDE where amongest other thinges are handled these that followe Of the author of the Apostles Creede q. 5. Of the descending of Christ into Hell q. 13. Of the Markes of the Church that it is Visible q. 18. One q. 18. Holy q. 18. Catholicke q. 18. CHAP. II. OF HOPE and our Lords Praier with the ANGELICALL Salutation as also Of Hope to be ioined with Feare q. 2. Of the Praise of our Blessed LADY q. 15. 16. 17 18 19. Of the Veneration of our Blessed LADY q. 15. 16. 17 18 19. Of the Inuocation of our Blessed LADY q. 15. 16. 17 18 19. CHAP. III. OF CHARITY and the Ten Commaundements Also Whether the Ten Commaundementes doe belong vnto Christians q 6. Whether they may be kepte q. 6. Of the Inuocation of Saintes q. 8. Of the Worshippe of Saintes q. 8. Of the Relickes of Saintes q. 8. Of the Holy-Daies of Saintes q. 8. Of the Images of Christ and the Saintes q. 9. Of the Preceptes of the Church namely Of Traditions Apostolicall Ecclesiasticall q. 1. as followeth Of the Church and her autorty q. 9 10. 16. Of the Bishoppe of ROME and the Church of ROME q. 9. Of Councelles q 11. Of the autority of holy Fathers Ibidem Of the fiue precepts of the Church q. 14. Of the holy Scripture and the interpretation thereof q. 16. CHAP. IIII. OF the SACRAMENTES in generall Of Ceremonies q. 8. Of the Sacrament of Baptisme Of Concupiscence in the Regenerate q. 3. Of the Sacrament of Confirmation Of Chrisme q. 4. Of the Blessed Sacrament Of the Reall Presence q. 4. Of Transubstantiation q 5. Of the adoration thereof q. 6. Of the sacrifice of the MASSE q. 7. Of communicating vnder both kindes q. 8. Of the Sacrament of Penance Of Contrition q. 4. Of Confession q. 5. 6. Of Satisfaction q. 7. 8. Of Purgatory and the faithfull departed q. 9. Of the Sacrament of Extreame-Vnction Of the Sacrament of Orders Whether al Christians be Priestes q. 2 8. Of honour due vnto PRIESTES whether they be good or euill q. 6. 7. Of the Sacrament of Matrimony Of diuorcement q. 3. Of Vowe breakers q. 4. Of the Marriage of Mounks Nunnes Ibidem Of the single life of PRIESTES q. 4. 5. Of VIRGINITY q. 5. and more at large in the question of the Euangelicall Councelles CHAP. V. OF CHRISTIAN IVSTICE The first part of the Chapter 1 Of sinnes in generall 2 Of the seauen deadly sinnes 3 Of Alien sinnes that is of sinnes of other men which by any defaulte of ours doe touche vs. 4 Of the sinnes against the Holy-Ghost 5 Of the sinnes that cry into Heauen 6 Of the purging or expiation of sinne 7 Of small or Veniall-sinnes The second part of the Chapter 1 Three kindes of good Workes where also is intreated Of the fruite of good Workes q. 2. Of Fasting q. 4. and as followeth Of Praier q. 7. and as followeth Of Almes the workes of Mercy q. 10. as followeth 2 The Cardinall vertues 3 The gifts fruits of the Holy-Ghost 4 The eight Beatitudes 5 The Euangelical Counsels of the Gospel Of Euangelical Pouerty Chastity Obedience q. 3. 4. 5. Of Mounkes Religious Orders q. 5. 6 The foure last things of a Man To cōprehend the summe of al Christiā Doctrine in one worde this sentence of Ecclesiasticus is worthy the noting which saith My Sonne coueting WISEDOME Eccli 1 33. conserue IVSTICE and God will giue it vnto thee THE TABLE OF THE APPENDIX 1 Of the fall of the first Man 2 Of the transfusing of Adams sinne into all men 3 Of the remedy of Originall sinne 4 Of the relicks of Original sin in those which are baptised 5 Of the imbecility of nature of the law to iustify mē 6 Of the dispensation and mystery of the comming of Christ 7 Who are Iustified by Christ 8 A description of the Iustification of the wicked man the manner thereof in the state of the Lawe of Grace 9 Of the necessity of preparation to Iustification in those of full age and whereof it riseth 10 The manner of preparation to Iustification 11 What is the Iustification of a wicked Man and what are the causes thereof 12 Howe it is to be vnderstoode that a wicked Man is iustified by Faith and freely 13 Against the vaine confidence of Heretickes 14 Of the increase of Iustification once receiued 15 Of obseruing the Commaundements the necessity and possibilitie thereof 16 That the rashe presumption of Predestination is to be auoided 17 Of the gifte of perseuerance 18 Of those which are fallen of their reparation 19 That by euery mortall sinne Grace is lest but not Faith 20 Of the fruites of Iustification that is to say of the Merite of good workes and of the reason of the same Meritte A Table of the other Questions following 1 Of Hallowed Creatures in the Church 2 Of Pilgrim age vnto he ly places 3 Of Indulgences or Pardons THE FIRST CHAPTER
Chrys lib. 2. de coÌ„punct cord they that thinke themselues to stand let them take heed least they fall and Phil. 2 b Aug. de natura gtatia cap. 27. de dono perseuer cap. 13. let theÌ„ worke their owne saluation with feare trembling in 2. Cor. 6 a b Laboures in Watchings in Almes in Praiers and oblations in Fastings Chastitie For knowing that they are regenerate into the Rom. 52 hope of glorie not yet into glorie they ought to feare the combate which is yet behinde Bern ser 5 in vigil natiuit Dom. ser 5. in Psal Qui habitat meditat cap 14.15 with the worlde the flesh and the deuill In which combate they cannot be conquerours except being holpen with the grace of God they obey the Apostle saying We are debters not to the flesh Ro. â— c to liue according to the fleshe For if you liue according to the flesh you shall die But if by the spirite you mortifie the deeds of the fleshe you shal liue 18 Of them that are fallen their reparation BVt they which by sinne haue fallen froÌ„ the receiued grace of iustificatioÌ„ may Aug ho 50 ex 50. â—â— de quaest 1. 2. of the Sacrament of Penance be iustified again wheÌ„ Almighty God stirring theÌ„ vp by the SacrameÌ„t of Penance through the merits of Christ they shal procure to recouer the lost grace For this maner of Iustification is the reparation of him that is falne which the holy Fathers haue Vide of the Sacrament of Penance quaest 2. 199. aptlie called the second Table after the shipwracke of the losse of grace For in the behalfe of them that doe fall into sinne after Baptisme Christ Iesus hath instituted the Sacracrament of Penance when he saide Io. 20 c ibid. quaest 1. pag. 197. Receiue ye the holy Ghost whose sinnes you shall forgeue they are forgiuen them and whose you shall retaine they are retained And therfore we must say that the Penance of a Christian man after his fall is farre different from that of Baptisme And that therein is contained not only a ceasing from sinne and a detestation thereof or a contrite Psal 50. See pag. 199 201. and humble hart but also that See qu. 3. 6. ibideÌ„ Sacramentall confession is to be made of the same at the least in desire and at due time and there is necessarie also the absolution of a Priest as also satisfaction See qu. 7. 8. ibideÌ„ by Fasting Almes Praiers and other deuout exercises of a spirituall life not certes for the euerlasting paine which either by the Sacrament or by the desire of the Sacrament is remitted together with the faulte but for the temporall punishment which as Num. 12 d â— Reg. 12 c 24 b See quâ—est 7. pag. 210. the holie Scripture doth teach is not as it is in Baptisme wholly remitted vnto them which being vngratfull vnto the grace of God which they once receiued haue Eph. 4 g contristated the holy Ghost haue not bene afraide 1. Cor. 3 d to violate the Temple of Almightie God Of which penance it is written Apo. 2 b Be mindfull from whence thou art fallen doe Penance and doe the first works And againe 2. Cor. 7 c The sorow that is according to God worketh Penance vnto saluation which is stable And againe Mat. â— c Doe Penance Luc. 3 c And yelde fruites worthie of Penance 19 That by euery mortal sinne grace is lost but not Faith ANd against the subtile deuises of some men who by sweete speaches Ro. 16 c benedictions doe seduce the harts of Innocents we must affirme that not only by infidelitie by which euen Faith it selfe is lost but also by euery other Iac. 2 b Bas lib. 1. de Baptis par 2 lib. 2 c. 9. mortall sinne whatsoeuer although Mat. 7 c d 25 a Luc. 12. f Io. 12 g 1. Cor. 13 a Iac. 2 c d Aug. lib. 15. de Trin. cap. 18. tract 10. in ep Io. Fulgent de incar gratia Christi c. 26. Faith be not lost yet the receiued grace of Iustificacion is lost defending hereby the doctrine of Gods lawe which excludeth from the Kingdome of God not only Infidells but also the Faithfull that are 1. Cor. 6 b Gal. 5 c d Ephes 5 b Apoc. 21 c Fornicatours Aduouterers Effeminate Liers with mankind Theues Couetous persons Drunkerdes Railers Extortioners and all others that coÌ„mitt mortall sinne froÌ„ which they may with the helpe of Gods grace abstaine and for which they are separated from the grace of Christ. 20 Of the fruite of Iustification that is to say of the merit of good workes of the reason of the same merit THerefore vnto those persons that are by these meanes Iustified whether they haue perpetually preserued the grace receiued or recouered it againe being lost these words of the Apostle are to be proposed 1. Cor. 15 g Abound ye in euerie good worke knowing that your labour is not vaine in our Lord. Heb. 6 b For god is not vniust that he should forget your worke and loue which you haue shewed in his name And Heb. 10 g Doe not leese your confidence which hath a great remuneration And therefore to such as worke well to the end and hope in Almighty God life euerlasting is to be proposed both as a grace mercifully promised through IESVS CHRIST to the sonnes of God and as a reward Aug. de grat de lib. arbit c. 8. 9. epist 105. 52. l. 1. cont aduersa â—eg Proph. c. 16. de morib Eccles Cathol c. 25 de correp gratia c. 13. tract de Epicur Stoicis c. 3. Cypr. de oper Eleemosy ep 56. 60. Chrys ho. 42 in Gen. ho. 43. in 1. ad Cor. Greg. ho. 17. in Euang. also by the promise of God himselfe faithfully to be rendered to their good workes and desertes For this is that crowne of Iustice which after his conflict and course the 2. Tim. 4 b Aug. ho. 14. ex 50. cap. 2. in Psal â—â— tract 3. in Ioan. Theoph. Oecum in cap. 4. ep 2. ad Tiâ— Apostle saide was laid vp for himselfe to be rendered vnto him by the iust Iudge and not only to him but also to all those that loue his comming For whereas Christ IESVS himselfe doth continuallie instill vertue into the iustified as the head into the members and the vine into the branches which vertue alwaies goeth before accompanieth followeth Conc. 2. Araus can 18. Aug. de correp gratia cap. 13. de grat lib. arbit cap. 6. ser 15 de verb. Apost cap. 2. Fulg. lib. 1. ad Moni cap. 11.12 their good workes and without which those workes can by no meanes be gratefull to God and meritorious it is to be thought that there is nothing now wanting vnto the iustified but that with those works which are done Io. 3 c in god they may bee deemed according to the state conditon of this life fully to haue satisfied the law of
God Aug. sent 313. Prosp and to haue truely deserued life euerlasting to be possessed also in the due time if they departe out of this world in grace Forasmuch as CHRIST our Sauiour saith Io. 4 b He that shall drinke of the water that I will giue him shall not thirst for euer but it shall become in him a fouÌ„taine of water springinge vp vnto life euerlasting So neither our owne proper iustice as proper from our selues is established neither are we ignorant of the iustice of God or doe reiect the same For that which is called our iustice because by it being inherent in vs we are iustified that very same iustice is the iustice of God because it is by God infused into vs through the merit of Christ. Neither is this to be omitted that although there be so much attributed to good workes in holy scripture that euen vnto him Mat. 10 d that shall giue a cuppe of colde water to one of his little ones Christ doth promise that he shall not loose his rewarde the 2. Cor. 4 d Apostle witnesseth that the tribulation which presentlie is momentanie and light worketh aboue measure exceedingly an eternall weight of glorie in vs yet God forbid that a ChristiaÌ„ man should either Aug. de Praed sanct ca. 5. de grat lib. arbit cap. 6. trust or 1. Cor. 1 d 2. Cor. 10 d glory in himselfe not in our Lord whose goodnesse is such towards all men that hee will haue those thinges to bee their Coelest l. ep 1. can 11. Aug. in Ench. c. 107. ep 105. de gratia et lib. arbit cap. 6. Gennad lib. de Eccles dogmat c. 32. merites which are his giftes And because Iac. 3 a all of vs offend in many things euery one ought to haue as mercy goodnesse so also seueritie and iudgement before his eies no man iudging himselfe although 1. Cor. 4 a he be not guilty in conscience of any thing because the wholl life of man is to be examined and iudged not by the iudgement of man but of God who Ibidem will lighten the hidden thinges of darkenesse and will manifest the counsailes of the hartes and then the praise shal be to euery man of God who as it is written Mat. 16 d Rom. 2 a Psal 61 b will render to euerie man according to his workes Laus DEO Virginique Matri MARIAE The Translatour to the Reader HITHERTO gentle Reader haue I performed the part of a Translatour howe faithfully and soundly thy selfe shall iudge Yet this will I promise of my selfe that there hath not wanted that diligence which in Translating a worke of matters of CATHOLICKE Doctrine abounding with so many places of Scripture or rather compacte of words and sentences of Scriptures and Fathers in so short a Volume setting downe the whole summe of our RELIGION is in anie Learned mans iudgement necessary Nowe whereas I haue founde in the running ouer this notable worke some fewe questions either not touched at all or not so throughly handled as the necessity of our COVNTREY doth require I haue heere thought good with as much breuity as the thinges will permitte and according to my simple skill in DIVINITIE to addresse thee the same that thou hauing as it were in one Posie each pleasaunt flowre contained maiest be prepared against all manner of pestilent vapours which in so vnsauorie an aire thou maiest meete withall Thy part it shal be that as with the going forewarde of this worke my desire of thy spirituall good hath increased so thou also doe continue if not increase the gratefull acceptance of my labours AN EXPOSITION OF CERTAINE QVESTIons not handeled in this Booke I. Of Hallowed and Sanctified Creatures vsed in the Church II. Of Pilgrimage vnto holy places III. Of Indulgences or Pardons IIII. Of Seruice and Praier in the Vulgar tongue Euery one diuided into certaine Articles in which are also expounded diuerse other Controuersies belonging to the better vnderstanding of the principall Question OF HALLOWED AND SANCTIFIED CREATVRES IN GODS CHVRCH 1 Is there any creature holier than another ALthough all sanctitie and holines be principally in God himselfe yet from him as from a most plentifull fountaine of all goodnes doth also spring and flowe holines into his creatures first into his reasonable creatures who onlie may by his grace be made his liuely meÌ„bers and so be endowed with true holines and than both the Sacramentes by which hee worketh his grace whatsoeuer thing hath any speaciall relation or order vnto the holinesse which is in God or in his creatures may iustly and truely be called holie And concerning the sanctification of the members of Christs mystical body and the holines of his Sacramentes by which we are sanctified to euerlasting life enough hath beene said before in this wholle booke but of the holines of other creatures religiouslie deputed in the Church for our spirituall good we meane here briefly to intreate and namely of Holy daies Holy water Hallowed Palmes Ashes Oyle and finally of Hallowed places 2 Is not the different estimation of daies contrarie to holy Scriptures NO verely for we account some daies holier than other by the example of God himselfe who sanctified the Gen 2 3 Sabaoth commanded also the same to be hallowed by Exod. â—0 1 his people with many other daies which he calleth holy soleÌ„ne and venerable daies yea the people of God did not only Religiously obserue these daies but also vpon new occasions of singuler benefites receiued from God they instituted newe Feasts deuoutely obserued the same As wee reade of the Feast instituted by Esth 9 27 Mardocheus the dedicatioÌ„ 1. Mach. 4 56. ordained by Iudas Machabeus honored by our Io. 20 22 Sauiours owne presence Neither doth this differeÌ„ce of daies so long as it is not obserued according to the ceremonious figures of the Iewes which are nowe expired nor according to the vaine and superstitious obseruation of the Gentiles which Ro. 14 5. Gal. 4 10. Col. 2 16. vide Theod. Theoph. Orig. Amb. Oecum Primas Ansel in Ro. 14. Hier. lib. 2. in Iouin Amb. in Gal 4. Aug. Enchir c. 79. ep 119. c. 7. the Apostle condemneth euen in the newe Law of grace repugne against the Lawe of God yea it is agreeable to holy Scriptures and according to the continuall practise of the Church So doe we see in steed of the Iewes Sabboth the Act. 20 16. ibid. Chrysost Beda 1. Cor. 16 2. ibidem Chry Amâ— Theoph. aliâ— Apoc. 1 10. et ibi omnes interpretes Clem. can 65. Apost Ignat. ad Magnes Iust apol 2. Tert. de cor mil. apol c. 16. CleÌ„ Alex l. 7. stroÌ„ Orig. ho. 7. in Exod. Athan. ho. in illud Omnia mihi tradita sunt Amb. ep 83. Hier. in Gal. 4. Aug. lib. cont Adim cap. 16. Greg. lib. 11. epist 3. Leo. epist 81. Hylar praefat in Psal Sunday to haue beene brought in and alwaies obserued
betweene God and vs as well in Meritte as in Satisfaction The one is a certaine rigorous iustice the other a iustice of condignitie The first requireth a rigorous equality in the worke and that that which is offered vnto God be of the offerers goods not receiued of the liberality of him to whom it is offered And such iustice was in Christs Meritte and satisfaction vnto his Father for vs but in vs there can be nothing which we haue not liberally receiued of God and therefore in this rigorous manner we can neither meritte the least grace in the worlde nor satisfie for the least idle worde The second requireth nothing else but a certaine proportion of the worke which is offered and besides the fauour acceptation of God promise either of rewarde or of release of punishment which is alwaies founde in him which is in grace For hee which remaineth in Christ Io. 15 5. 1. Io 3 9. Io. 3 21. 1. Cor. 15 10. hee bringeth much fruite For he hath the seede of God within him and his workes are doone in God and the grace of God worketh with him Now hence it proceedeth that although we cannot bring any condigne satisfaction for our sinnes or for the paines of Hell due vnto them so long as we bee either withered braunches or altogither out of the vine we may notwithstanding vndoubtedly being quickened by the same liuely vine and hauing the holy ghost within vs perfectly doe the same for our temporall debt Yet by that which is Gods which we haue receiued of God Wherfore we must say with DAVID vnto God thine are all thinges 1. Par. 29 14 what we haue receiued of thy hand we haue giuen vnto thee After this manner doe we holde that life euerlasting which is indeede Ro. 1 23. grace is also most certainely a Mat. 20 8. 2. Tim. 4 8. See pag. 481 Crowne of iustice the day peny a reward And this in our present case of satisfaction is so much the more easie for that this satisfaction which is to be made is but only for temporall punishmente the euerlasting beeing by the Sacrament chaunged into temporall Anâ— what meruaile is it then by our workes to satisfie â—o this if we may by our workes deserue Heauen So that to satisfie for our temporall punishment is nothing else but as if a Traitour receiued into his Princes fauour againe shoulde by his goâ—d deserts holpen alsâ— by the same Princes creditte and grace be admitted into the felloweship of his Princely throne and who may doubt but that this man may with more ease obtaine the release of a small fine or amercement then he hath deserued so great a dignity One may satisfy for another if both be in grace Nowe therefore wil we account a most cleare trueth that he which is in Gods grace may satisfie for his temporal debte of Gods correction Secondly I make also this supposition that such a necessarie linke Ephes 4 4. Ro. 12 4. Gal. 6 2. 1. Cor. 12 12 Ps 118 63. Phil. 1 5. 1 Io. 1 3. Aug tra 32. in Io. there is amongest all those which are liuely members of Christ that as they receiue life and vigour from the heade so they communicate also helpe and comforte one to another which is the communion of Saintes And that in vertue of this communication and fellowship one which is in grace euen as he may of Iustice with equality as we haue said satisfie God for his own sinnes remitted So may he also of the like iustice equalitie satisfie for another being also in grace This doth S PAVL not once declare vnto vs when he saith that 2. Cor. 8 14. the aboundance in spiritual things of those in Hierusalem shall supply the wante of the Corinthians The like hath he of the Ro. 15 72. Romans And he Col. 1 24. reioiced in suffering for the Collossians accomplishing in his fleshe those things which wante of the Passions of Christ for his bodie which is the Church such beeing the disposition of Christes heauenly wisedome that although â—hâ—re be no insufficiencie in his owne Passions yet he will glorifie his wholle body vniting his Passions with the Passions of his mysticall meÌ„bers to his owne honour and the succour reliefe of his wholle Church And this second supposition must also be vnderstoode of those which are Deade and in Purgatorie For with them yet remaineh the same Communion And those which are aliue 1. Cor. 15 29. 2. Mach. 12 43. We may satisfie for the Deade may be Baptised for them as Saint PAVL saith that is may by their afflictions penance which is a baptisme of Cypr. serm de Caena Dom et in proaem l de exhort ad Martyr Greg Naz. orat de Epiph Mar. 10 38. Luc. 12 50. Three principall effects of our good workes teares make recompence for their sinnes Which will be somewhat for our purpose hereafter And for the better vnderstanding of this point thou shalt vnderstand good Reader that our good workes way be in 3. sortes beneficiall vnto vs from God They may bee Meritorious Satisfactorious Impetratorious that is obtaining at Gods hands any good thing They are Meritorious in that they be doone in grace for no good worke shall passe vnrewarded therefore euery particular good worke doone in Gods grace deserueth of Almighty God through his liberality and by the Merits of Christ which to one being in Gods fauor are vndoubtedly communicated both increase of grace and such degree of Gods glory in heauen as is correspondent to that grace They are satisfactorious in that they be laborious and painefull For these are two distincte thinges in euery good worke to proceede of grace and Charitie and to be a painefull exercise The one deserueth a mutuall loue of God vnto which is annexed a rewarde the other maketh iust and equall paiment for a deserued punishemente And although there be three speciall workes of satisfaction Praier Almes Fasting as hath beene saide vnto which al other are reduced yet whereas as the Philsophers doe teacch the obiecte of vertue is difficult for the corruptnesse of our nature there is no vertuous worke either inwarde or outwarde but besides that it is Meritorious it is also Satisfactorious They are finally Impetratorious or obtaining of God in as much as they are either Prayers or any thing offered vnto God by way of Petition or demaunde Which I adde for that any Satisfactorious worke may not onely be directed for the behalfe of another as it is Satisfactorious but if it bee deuoutely offered for the obtaining of anie good thing for our Neighbour it is also Impetratorious and a kinde of Praier As if one should Receiue or Fast to obtaine for his brother health or any vertue And this effecte of obtaining is founded in the liberality of our Sauior promise that whatsoeuer we shal aske in his name he wil graunt vnto vs. Now of these three thinges
sym ca. 7. to sitte at the right hande of his Father This ioyful ascensioÌ„ of Christ is the assurance of our faith and hope so that whither the heade hath gone before when once his enemies are vanquished thither the members also so that (c) Heb. 5 9. Ro. 8 17. 2. Tim. 2 11 Io. 15 6. they obay cleaue to their head may haue great hope to attaine (d) Io. 14 2. I go saith he to prepare you a place 15 What doth the seueÌ„th Article insinuate FroÌ„ thence he shal come to Iudge Ps 6 2. Esa 3 13. 66 15. IT setteth before our eies the latter day of Iudgement wheÌ„ Christ shal descend in humane fleshe from the highest Heauen Io. 5 22.26 Soph. 1 14. Mal. 4 1. Ioel. 3 1. and shal sitte in dreadful doome iudgment ouer the whole worlde and in the open face thereof shall render vnto euerie one according to his woorkes Therefore (a) Mat. 25 31. et 24 11 Luc. 21.25 Act. 1 42. 1. Thes 4 15. et 5 2. 1. Cor 15 51. 2. Thes 2 1. 2. Pet. 3 3. in the seate throne of his Maiesty he shal iudge al without exception good bad aswell those that shall bee aliue when the daie of iudgement shall come as those that were before departed out of the worlde Whereby wee are admonished to liue so much more warely vprightly by howe much more certainly we are persuaded that al the actions (b) Mat. 12 36 Sap. 1 8. Esa 66 18 Ecâ—â—e 12 14 Ro. 2 14. Ap. 20 11. Basil ep ad Virg. lap thoughts and designements of our life are alwaies apparant before the presence of almightie God that seeth all thinges and iudgeth theÌ„ most righteously For he is a righteous and iust searcher of (c) Hic 17 9. Heb. 4 12. Gal 6 5. 1. Thes 4 6. Eccle. 12 14 2 Cor. 5 10 Ro. 14 10. hearts and reuenger of iniquities before whose Tribunal we must all bee presented that euerie one may receiue at his hand accordingly as he hath behaued himselfe in his body be it wel or euil Who will neither (d) Mat. 10 40. Iob. 24 12. defraud any thing well done in this life of dewe reward nor let any euil deeds escape vnpunished 16 What is the summe of the Articles of the second person in Deity THis Io. 1 1 1â—.34 1. Ioa. 5 20. Eph. 1 7. that Christ is true God man who began and brought to passe the woonderfull worke of mans Redemption so that hee is vnto vs the (a) Io. 14 6. Ro. 5 6. Apoc. 1 5. 1. Tim. 2 5. Ro. 3.24 Way Trueth and Life by whom only when we had all perished we were saued and restored and reconciled vnto God the Father Of the benefite and true vse of which Redemption we finde thus written (b) Tit. 2 11 The grace of God our Sauiour hath appeared to all men instructing vs that denying impiety worldly desires we liue soberly iustly godly in this world expecting the blessed hope and aduent of the glory of the great God our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity might cleanse to himselfe a people acceptable a pursuer of good workes These bee the wordes of the Apostle S. PAVL in (c) Eph. 2 10. another place We are the worke of God created in Christ Iesus in good workes which God hath prepared that we should walke in theÌ„ And again (d) 2. Cor. 5 15. Christ died for all that they also which liue may not now liue to themselues but to him that died for them rose againe Wherfore we must take diligent heede of the erronious opinion of those that doe confesse Christ not wholly and perfitely but as it were lame and maimed whilest they doe only acknowledge him as a (e) 1. Tim. 2 5. Ro. 3 24. Mediatour and Redeemer in whome we may trust but doe not withall admit him for a (f) Esa 33 22. Iac. 4 12. Io. 13 15.34 1. Io. 2 6. 1. Pet. 2 21. Lawe-maker whose commaundements we must obay and a patterne of all vertue which wee must imitate and a iust Iudge who surely is to repay the due reward or punishment to the (g) 2. Tim. 4 7. Ro. 2 5. Sym. CoÌ„staÌ„ CoÌ„ Flor. Gen. 1 2. Ps 103 30. Iob. 24 13. Mat. 28 19. Io. 1 32. 14 16. 16 7. 1. Io. 5 7. Ro. 8 9. 2. Cor. 3 17 1. Cor. 6 15 3 16. Ps 50 12 Esa 11 1. Gal. 5 22. Ro. 5 5. workes of euery one 17 What doth the eight Article teache vs I beleeue in the Holy-Ghost IT specifieth the Holy-Ghost the thirde person in Deity who proceeding from the Father and the Sonne is true God coeternall coequal consubstantial to both to be worshipped with the same faith with equal honour adoration This is that paraclet teacher of truth that doth lighteÌ„ purifie sanctify the harts of beleeuers with his grace gifts coÌ„firme them in al holines This is the (a) Eph. 1 13 Ro. 8 26. 1 Cor. 12 11 pledge of our enheritance who helpeth our infirmity and diuideth to euery one according as he will his diuerse gifts 18 What addeth the ninth Article I beleeue in the holy Catholike Curch IT doth shew declare vnto vs the Church that is to say the (a). Mat. 5 15. Esa 6â— 1. 2 2. Psal 18 5. Aug. tract 1 in ep Ioa. de vnit Eccl. c. 16. et in Ps 30. Con. 2. Chrys ho 4. de Verb. Esaiae visible congregation of Christes faithful people for which the Sonne of God taking vpon him the nature of man did and suffered all thinges And first it teacheth that the same Church is (b). Io. 11 52. et 1â— 16 et 17 11. Cant. 6 8 1. Cor. 1 10 12 12.25 Ephes 4 3. Cypr. de sâ—p praelat Iren. l. 1. c. 3. Hier. ad Age râ—ch ep 11. c. 4 Chr. ho. 1. in 1. Cor. one and vniformall in faith in the Doctrine of faith and administration of Sacraments which vnder one onlie head Christ Iesus and one vicegerent (c) Cypr. de simp ep 55 69. Iren. lib. 3. c. 3. Hier. ad Damas ep 57. 58. Leâ— c. 89. ad Vien vpon earthe the chiefe Bishop is gouerned and kept in vnity Then it giueth vs to vnderstand that she is holy (d). Eph. 5.27 Cant. 4 7.1 Pet. 2 9 Aug. Eâ—ch c. 56. et in Ps 85. Ber. ser 3 in Vig. nat Greg. l. 35. mor. c. 6. Iren l. 3. c 40 Because Christ doth alwaies saÌ„ctify her by the holy ghost so that she is nâ—uer destitute or voyd of holy men holy lawes Neither can any man be partaker of any holinesse sanctificatioÌ„ that is not of her society congregation Thirdly that she is (e). Act. 1 8. Gen. 22 18. Mar. 16 15.20
de doc Chr. c. 37. 40. l. 3. c. 10. in praef Ps 31. purity cleannes of conscience which must euer (d) 2. Cor. 1 7. Heb. 3 6. 10 34. 1. Io. 3 3. Col. 1 21. 2. Pet. 1 10. shew it selfe by good workes inuincible patience in all aduersitye For they that wante the testimony of a good conscience or haue not a purpose to amend their life they I saye haue not that hope which they shoulde but do rather rashlie vaunt of (e) 2. Pet. 2 18. Eccli 5 4.6 Greg. 33. mor. c. 15. praesumption and a very vaine and vnfruitfull coÌ„fidence how-soeuer they boaste of Gods grace and of the merites of Christ Hope in our Lorde sayth the (f) Ps 36 3. Prophet and do goodnesse againe Be thou subiect to our Lord and pray to him And an other Prophet (g) Thren 3 25. Our Lord is good to those that hope in him to the soule that seeketh him And that this hope must not be al-together (h) Greg. l. 6. ep 22. ad GregoriaÌ„ Ber. de Fest Magdal voyde of feare it appeareth by this place of the psalme Our Lord (i) Ps 146.11 is wel pleased ouer theÌ„ that feare him in theÌ„ that hope trust in his mercy 3 What good thinges are those which a Christian must hope for FIrst and specially those good (a) Tit. 2 13. 3 7. thinges of the Kingdome of heauen which do make men blessed happy and exempteth them from all manner of miserie Then all such things as (b) Heb. 4 16 Aug. in Enc. cap. 114. seruing for the necessarie vses of mortall men in this life are rightly desired prayed for at Gods hands ought to be reputed in the number of those good thinges which are to be hoped for and expected All which are specially expressed in our Lordes prayer as which Christ our Lorde with his owne most sacred (c) Mat. 6 9. Luc. 11 2. mouth deliuered with wonderfull wisdome prescribed to all those that would gladly by prayer lay opeÌ„ their hope and good desires befote All. God 4 What is the forme of our Lords prayer THis that followeth The Pater noster is expounded by these Tert. Nysen l. de ora Cypr. ser 6. de or Dom. Cyr. cat mys 5. Chry. ho. de or Dom. in cap. 6. Mat. HieroÌ„ Theop. Eut. in Mat. Ambr. lib. 5. de Sacr. cap. 4. Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 11. l. 2. de ser Do. c. 4. seq ho. 42. ex 50. ser 126. 135. 182. de temp ser 9. ex diu Chrysol ser 67. seq Innoc. 3. lib. de Myst Missae c. 17. seq Petrus Laod. German Patriarcha Const Cassia coll 9. c. 18. sequ Our Father which art in heauen 1 Hallowed be thy name 2 Thy Kingdome come 3 Thy will be donne in earth as it is in heauen 4 Giue vs this day our dayly bread 5 And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. 6 And lead vs not into temptation 7 But deliuer vs from euill Amen 5 What is the suÌ„me of our Lords prayer THere are (a) Aug. in Ench. c. 115 l. 2. de ser Dom. c. 10. seuen petitions therin conteyned vnto which all manners and formes of prayers (b) Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 12. what-soeuer may and ought to be referred whether we treate with al-mightie God for the obtaining of some good things or for the wiping away of sinne or for the turning away of any euill whatsoeuer And in the three first petitions those thiÌ„gs are in order demanded which are properly aeternal euerlasting in the fower others we do aske euen temporal things as being necessary for vs to the getting of the aeternal 6 What is ment by the beginning of this prayer Our father which art c. Ex. 15 11. Esa 42 5. 63 15. Mal. 1 6. 2. Cor. 1 3. Phil. 4 20. Ap. 4 10. Ro. 8 15. Gal. 4 5. 1. Pet. 3 22. Leo. ser 6. nat Do. IT is a little preface and it putteth vs in minde of that great inaestimable benefite wherby God the Father that eternall maiestie raigning most happily in heauen receiued vs into his fauour for Christ his Sonnes sake adopted vs by the holy Ghost to be his soÌ„nes heires vnto his heauenly Kingdome And this remeÌ„brance of so great benefites doth not only stirr vp (a) Cypr. in ser de or do attentioÌ„ but prouoke also the soÌ„nes to render loue againe to their father and to obay him it doth in like maner encourage theÌ„ to pray afford theÌ„ (b) Luc. 11 11. Iac. 1 6. confidence to obtaine 7 What is the sense of the first Petition Hallowed be thy name VVE desire that aswell in our selues as in all others Mat. 5 17. 1. Pet. 2 12. 4 11. 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. Ro. 15 6. Eccli 36 1. that may alwaies be preferred aduanced which standeth most with the glory and honor of our Soueraigne and most excellent Father And this indeede wee doe performe when the confession of the true faith hope and charity holy couersation (a) Luc. 1 72. 1. Pet. 1 15. 3 16. Phil. 2 15. of Christian life do shewe forth their light and force in vs that (b) Mat. 5. 17. others also beholding the same may take occasion to glorifie our Father 8 What is contained in the second Petition Thy kingdome come VVE do aske that God by his grace iustice Mat. 6 33. Ro. 14 17. Ps 22 1. 79 2. Luc. 1 33. 17 20. 1. Cor. 3 16 4 20. Eph. 1 18.23 Mat. 13 41 1. Co. 15 24 Col. 1.13 Ps 67 2. may raign in his Church yea in the whole world all aduersary powers euill affections beeing once abandoned rooted out Then we do wishe and pray that being once called out of this world as out of a troublesome (a) Phil. 1 23. Heb. 11 13. 1. Pet. 2 11. Iob. 7 1. 2. Cor 5 6. Sap. 5 16. Apoc. 22 4. Mat. 8 11. pilgrimage and warfare we may be speedily transported into the kingdome of glory and euerlasting felicity to raigne with Christ and his Saintes for euer 9 What importeth the third Petition Thy will be done VVE doe wishe in this petition Ps 102 20. Ro. 1 10. Act. 9 6. 21 14. Deut. 12 8 Heb. 13 21. Iâ—c 4 15. Luc. 22 42. 1. Pet. 4 2 Act. 5 29. Iob. 1 21. 1. Pet. 5 6. that as the Angels and blessed Saints in heauen so we also vpon earth though weake and of small force may exhibite vnto Almighty God exacte obedience desiring or coueting nothing so much as that we may willingly submit our selues to the will of God both in prosperity aduersity renouncing our owne wil which is prone (a) Gen. 8 21. Mat. 26 41
Bern. ser 3. de resur vnto euil we may rest and settle our mindes in the (b) Io. 4 34 5 30. 6 38. 1. Reg. 3 18. wil of God 10 What hath the fourth Petition Giue vs this day our daily bread VVE doe like poore folkes beggers craue of the author and fountaine of al goodnesse Iac. 1 5.17 Psal 39 18. Deut. 10 18 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim. 6 8. Pro. 30 8. Ps 144 15. those thinges that bee sufficient for the daily maintenance of our corporal life to wit food cloathing also those thinges that doe serue to a better the life of the soule as the (a) Mat. 4 4. Am. 8 11. Eccli 15 3. Pro. 9 5. word of God the spiritual food of the soule the most holy (b) Mat. 26.26 6 11 Io. 6 51. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. Cypr. in ser de cr Do. Amb. l. 5. de Sacr. c. 4. Aug. l. 2. de ser Do. in mont c. 7. Thren 4 8. 1. Cor. 10 6 Leu. 26 14. Num. 5 6. 20. Exo. 32 27. Luc. 7 47. Tob. 12 10. Sap. 16 14. Ps 50 3.4.9.11 and B. Sacrament of the Altar that heauenly breade and other most holesome Sacraments and gifts of God which doe feede cure and confirme the inwarde man to a wel ordered happie kinde of life 11 How is the fifth Petition vnderstood Forgiue vs our trespasses IN this wee craue that God will mercifully purge vs from the spot of sinne which aboue all thinges is most foule and pestilent vnto the soule and that he will also remitte those verie debts which wee haue contracted by sinning And least our praier should not be auaileable by reason that we are euill affected towardes our neighbour we adde this besides that all secret hate (a) Ro. 12 17.19 Col. 3 12. Luc. 23 34. Act. 7 60 Mar. 11 25. Eph. 4 32. desire of reuenge being laide aside wee are at attonement with our neighbour haue forgiuen euery one that hath offended vs euen from the bottome of our heartes For this is that which Christ signified in an other place when he said (b) Lu. 6 37. Forgiue yee shal be forgiuen And againe (c) Mat. 6 14. 18 22 33. Eccli 22 1. Aug. in Enc cap. 74. If you will not forgiue men neither will your Father forgiue you your offences 12 What is the sense of the sixth Petitiō Lead vs not into temptation BEcause this present life is a very warfare vpon earth Iob. 7 1. Iudith 8 2◠Tob. 3 21. 12 13. Mat. 4 1. 26 41. Heb. 2 18. 2. Thes 3 3. 1. Io. 2 14 16. 5 4. Mat. 16 24. 1 Cor. 9 25.27 10 12. Iac. 4 4. 1 12. 1. Pet. 5 8.10 2. Pet. 2 9. Eph. 6 11. Col. 3 5. Apoc. 2 7.10.11.17.26 2. Tim. 4 7. whilest we are al-waies assaulted with diuers temptations and in an hard continuall conflict with the world the flesh and the deuill therfore being deuoutly carefull of our owne estate we sue for helpe at the hands of almightie God that we do not yeeld to such assaultes of our aduersaries and by yeelding incurr damnation but that standing al-waies in this continuall combate relieng vpon the mighte and hand of God we may valiantly resiste the power of the deuill haue the world in contempte chastice the fleshe and so finallye as inuincible souldiers of Christ be crowned after the victory for (a) 2. Tim. 2 3. no man is crowned as witnesseth the Apostle vnlesse he striue lawfully 13 What is in the seuenth and last petition deliuer vs from euill VVE pray at the last that God will not suffer vs to be ouer-throwne ◠Reg. 8 33. Pro. 10 25.28.30 Eccli 23.4 Hier. 2 14. Tob. 1 22. 2 10. Eccli 27 1.4.6 Ap. 3 10. Ps 24 15. 30 3.5.8.9.16 33 5.7.8.18 cast away with the wicked by the calamities of this worlde wherwith euen the Godly also are exercised but that by his benignitye he deliuer vs so farre forthe as is expedient for our saluation mercifully defend vs from all euill both of body and of soule as well in this life as in the life to come For so hath himselfe promised (a) Ps 49 15 Call vpon me in the day of tribulation I will deliuer thee thou shalt honour me Last of al we cōclude the whole prayer with this one worde Amen (b) 2. Cor. 1 20 Amb. in Ps 40. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. that we may shewe our confidence in praieng hope of obtaining in regarde as well of Christes promise that neuer faileth (c) Mat. 7 7. Luc. 11 9. Io. 16 23. Aske saith he and it shall bee giuen you as also of the infinite clemencye and ready mercie of God the Father in so much that hereupon S. IHON hath sayd (d) 1. Io. 5 14. What-soeuer wee shall aske according to his will hee heareth vs. 14 What is the summe of our Lords prayer IT containethe a perfite and absolute forme not only of asking that which is good but also of praieng to be deliuered from whatsoeuer is euill And amongst the things that be good this is first to be wished and praied for that all men may glorifie our heauenly Father at all times in all places then that we may be partakers of his Kingdome afterwarde that we may not want those helpes that are conuenient for the attaining vnto the same Kingdome As is on the behalfe of our soule to be conformable to the will of God and as touching our body to haue necessary liuing maintenance But those thinges that are added in the second place do continue to the end of the prayer do expresse the affect of one that craueth deliuery from euils which by the grace power of almighty God he desireth to haue either vtterly taken away to wit sinne the contagion of all goodnesse and the sinke and puddle of all euils or els that they may be so tempered that by their violence they hinder vs not in the way to saluation Such are diuers temptations that inuade vs in this worlde all calamities both present and to come Al other things that are to be said touching praier shal be reserued for that place where the three kinds of good works shal be expownded OF THE ANGELICALL SALVTATION 15 Which is commonly called the Angelicall salutation THat which was pronounced vnto the most holy Virgin Luc. 1 28. Chrysost Iacob in Liturg 116. Aug. ser 2. de annun Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Chrysol ser 140. seq Ber. hom 3. super Myssus est Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg the mother of God in these wordes Haile MARY full of grace our Lorde is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death AMEN 16 Whereupon came this maner of
a Queene and a Ladye and the mother of God This new EVE is called the mother of life she remaineth replenished with the first fruites of immortall life aboue all liuing creatures We doe call her therefore againe and againe and euermore euery way most blessed To thee we cry bee mindfull of vs O most holy Virgin which euen after thy deliuery remainedst a Virgin Haile MARY ful of grace our Lorde is with thee The holy orders of all Angels and men doe call thee blessed Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe make intercessioÌ„ for vs O Mistres Lady Queen mother of God S. GREGORY NAZIANZEN In. tragoed Christ pa. tiens O ter beata Mater O lux Virginum Quae templa caeli lucidissima incolis Mortalitatis liberata sordibus Ornata iam immortalitatis es stola Meis benignam ab alto aurem exhibe verbis Measque Virgo suscipe obsecro preces O mother thrise happy and light of Virgins pure Inhabiting the Temples bright of heauenly globe Thou now from mortall filth exempted secure Of immortallity art decked with the robe Yeeld courteous audience from high to what I say And entertaine my sutes O Virgin I thee pray Serm. 2. de Annun S. AVGVSTINE holy MARY succour the miserable help the faint harted cherishe the sorrowful pray for the people bee a meane for the Cleargie and make intercession for the deuout woman kinde Let all feele thy helpe whosoeuer doe celebrate thy Commemoration Ser. de laud. Mariae FVLGENTIVS MARY was made the windowe of heauen because by her god gaue the true light vnto the worlde MARY was made the ladder of heauen because by her God descended down to earth that by her also men may ascend vnto heauen MARY was made the restorer of women because by her they are knowne to bee exempted from the ruine of the first curse Serm. 2. de adu lege euÌ„dem ho. 2. sup Missus est in illud Apoc. SignuÌ„ magnum apparuit Et serm de Nat. Virg. S. BERNARD The kinglie virgine is the very way by the which our Sauiour came vnto vs proceeding out of her wombe as a Bridegroome out of his chamber By thee let vs haue accesse to thy Sonne O blessed inueÌ„trix of grace bringer forth of life and mother of Saluation that by thee he receiue vs who by thee was giuen vnto vs. THE THIRD CHAPTER OF CHARITY AND THE TEN COMMAVNDEMENTS 1 Is it sufficient for a Christian to be instructed in the doctrine of faith hope IT is very necessary that hee which hath attained vnto Faith Hope be indued with Charity also For of these three vertues Saint PAVL teacheth iointly thus Nowe there (a) 1. Cor. 13 13. remaineth saith he Faith Hope Charity these three but the greater of these is Charitie Great vndoubtedly is faith which may (b) 1. Cor. 13 2. Mat. 11 23. Mat. 7 22. suffice to moue mountains and worke miracles Great also is Hope a certaine (c) 1. Thes 5 8. Eph. 6 17. Heb. 6 19. helmet Ancour of saluation which setting before vs the goodnesse of God the greatnesse of rewarde doth afforde both effectual comfort to them that labour a singular confidence to them that pray But greatest of all is Charity the (d) Prosp l. 3 de vita coÌ„t ca. 13 15. Aug. in Ps 47. tract 5. ep Io. eâ—ch c. 117. ser 53. de temp Prince of all vertues which knoweth neither measure nor ende nor forsaketh them that die being stronger than death it selfe without which in a ChristiaÌ„ there may be indeed both Faith Hope but (e) Aug 15. de Trin. c. 18 they cannot be sufficient to the leading of a good happy life For which cause S. IOHN saith He (f) 1. Io. 3 14 that doth not loue abideth in death although in the meane season he beleeue and hope as the example of the foolishe Virgins in the Gospell (g) Mat. 25 11. Aug. ser 23. de verb. do c. 4. 8. Mat. 22 36. â—uc 10 27. Mar. 12 30. Aug. lib. 3. doc cap. 10. doth plainlie declare vnto vs. 2 What then is Charity A Vertue infused by God by which God is syncerely loued for himselfe and our neighbour for Gods sake For God is chiefely to bee loued in al things (a) Bern. de dilig Deo aboue al thinges and for himselfe alone as alone being the most soueraigne and eternall good which only satisfieth our mindes whose loue (b) 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. honour ought to bee the beginning and finall ende both of our wil and of al our workes Then for (c) Aug. ho. 38 ex 50. ca. 2. seq Gods sake must we loue our neighboure that is to say (d) Aug. in Ps 118. concione 8. ser 53. 59. de temp euery man without exception For asmuch as wee be al neighbours amongest our selues linked together with a great affinitie both in regarde of the same humane nature common to all the ehildren of ADAM also by reason of Gods grace and euerlasting glory whereof al that wil may bee partakers 3 Howe many precepts of Charity be there IN substance two whereof the first of louing God is thus propounded in the old newe Lawe Thou (a) Deut. 6 4 Mat. 22 36. Mar. 12 30. Luc. 10 27. Greg. lib. 10. mor. c. 6. 7 shalt loue the Lord thy God from thy whole heart with thy whole soule with thy whole minde with all thy strength This is the greatest the first Commaundement And the second is like to this thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements dependeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets This Charity is the (b) Rom. 13 11. fulnesse of the Law summe of Iustice that is to say the (c) Col. 3 14. band of perfection Charity I say froÌ„ a (d) 1. Tim. 1 5. pure hart a good coÌ„scieÌ„ce a faith not fained 4 Howe doth true Charity shew it selfe THe proofe of (a) Greg. ho. 30. in EuaÌ„g loue Charitie is to performe the same in deeds and to obserue Gods Commaundements Whoreupon Saint IOHN also the beloued of Christ saith (b) 1. Io. 5 3. This is the charity of God that we keepe his Commaundements his Commaundementes are not heauie And againe (c) 1. Io. 2 4. Hee that saith hee knoweth God and keepeth not his Commaundements is a liar and the trueth is not in him But he that keepeth his word in him in very deed the charity of God is perfited In this we knowe that we be in him And Christ himselfe also teacheth If you (d) Io. 14 15 loue me keepe my Commaundements He that hath my Commaundements and keepeth them he it is that loueth me And he that loueth me shall bee loued of my Father and I
de spir san c. 18 Damasc lib. 4. cap. 17. Athan. ser 4. cont Arrian vnto vs by their images set before vs. So doth the Church (c) 7. Synod 8. Synod cap. 3. Aug. lib. 1. de consen Euâ—ng c. 10. Dam. in vita Sylu. Ath. de pass imag cap. 4. Greg. l. 9. ep 9. li. 7. indict 2. ep 53. 109. Damasc l. 4. c. 17. Euseb l. 7. hist c. 14. Soz. l. 5. c. 20. Niceph. lib. 2. c. 7. 43. lib. 6. cap. 16. Nicetas de imperio Manuelis lib. 5. Ionas Aurel. de imag cultu Damasc in tribus orationibus de imagi both of olde and of this present time teach with one consent coÌ„mending vnto vs the deuoute and reuerend images the vse of which we haue receiued as commended vnto vs by Apostolicall tradition and we retaine as approued by a most holy generall Councell of Fathers Yea God himselfe appointed to the auncient Sinagog (d) Exo. 25 24. 37 8. Num. 7 89. 21 8. 3. Reg. 6 23. their peculiar images For which cause was coÌ„demned the (e) 2. Synod Nic. Act. 7. Syn. 8. c. 7. Niceph. lib. 16. cap. 27. Gre. l. 9. ep 9. Trid. sess 25. error of the Iconoclastes or Image breakers as they that made no difference betweene the likenesses of the Goddes and the Images of Christe and his Saintes nor had anie consideration of the time of grace or the new lawe wherein God him-selfe beinge made man hath put on vpon himselfe his own Image likenes (f) Gen. 1 26 Phil. 2 7. which he created in the beginning and hath represented him-selfe vnto vs in the same And it is not only an absurde error but also a moste wicked madnes (g) Paul Diacon lib. 6. de gestis longob c. 14 et lib. vlt. de gestis Roman in fine Ioan. Patr. Hier. in vita Damasc of those that doe cast out of Sacred places the holy Images and amongst them also the Crosse of our Lorde and with sacrilegious handes pull downe in a manner all the holy thinges they can 10 What is prescribed vnto vs by the second commandement Ex. 20 7. Leu. 19 1â— 5 1. Eccli 23 8. 27 15. Zach. 5 2. 8 17. Leu. 24 14 Mat. 5 34. IT forbiddeth the abuse irreuerence of Gods holy name which is committed by Periurours Blasphemours and those that rashlye sweare (a) 8. Tolet. can 2. by God by the Saintes or other holy thinges against that saieng (b) Mat. 5 37 Iac. 5 12. Doe not sweare let your talke be yea yea and no no. * Psa 33 2. Ier. 4 1. Ps 14 5. 49 14. 75 12. Eccle. 5.3 1. Tim. 5 12 Deut. 23 2â— Then it requireth that according to the right vse of the tongue wee exhibite greate reuerence to Gods holy name we kepe our othes we breake not our vowes made to God and his Church finally that we handle the (c) Ps 49 16. 2. Cor. 2 17. 4 2. Trid. Sess 4. holy word of god with reuerence 11 What are wee bounde vnto by the thirde commandement Exod. 20 8. 〈◊〉 31 13. Deut. 5 12. Leu. 23 2. Hier. 17 21. Esa 56 4. Ap. 1 10 Act. 20 7. 1. Cor. 16 2. Aug. ad IaÌ„ ep 119. c. 12 et 13. et ep 118. cap. 1. et serm 154. de temp Leo. ep 81. cap. 1 IT requireth that we spende in good workes the Sabothe or festiuall day obserued in the Church And therefore it willeth that our mindes be then present and voyde of cares freely disposing it selfe to yeeld interiour exterior honour vnto God in faith hope and charity It willeth vs that without all lets and incombrances we meditate of Godes benefites we be occupied about holy thinges we pray and honour almightie God both priuately and publikely with others (a) Io. 4 23 Deut. 5 12. Num. 15 32 Leu. 23 2. Ignat. ad Phill p. Leo ser 3. de quadra Greg. l. 11. ep 3 Hier. in c. 4. ad Gal. Aug. cont Adim c. 16. et ser 251 de temp Conc. Mâ—g c. 6 〈◊〉 2. Matisâ— c. 1 Agathen c. 21. â—t 47 in spirite and truth It forbiddeth to labour on holy daies to spend any time in handicraftes and to vse prophane occupations to the intent certes that we may attend to a holy repose in going to the Church hearing Masse the publike sacrifice of the Church the ordinary Sermon accordingly as godlye deuoute persons haue al-waies accustomed to keepe this commandement 12 What is the summe of these three commandementes THese three first Commaundements which appertaine to the first (a) August quaest 71. â—â— Exo. et in ps 32. Conc â— see the annotation in the 5. sectioÌ„ before Table do instructe teach vs how we may geue true honour vnto God to wit interiour and exteriour with harte worde deed in priuate and in publike The other seuen hereafter folowing are called preceptes of the seconde Table added to this end to explicate our duetie towardes our neighbour 13 What is proposed enioyned in the fourth commandement Deut. 5 16. Col. 3 20. Eph. 6 1. Eccli 3 1.5 Prou. 23 23. Tob. 4 3. HEEre are children taught what dutie they owe to their Parents by whose means they came into this world by whose labour they are honestly brought vp Also Subiects (a) Ro. 13 1. Heb. 13 7. Tit. 3 1. 2 9. 1. Tim. 2 1. 6 1. 1. Pet. 2 13. 5.5 Eph. 6 5. Col. 3 22. are taught to performe their duty to their Superiours that is to say to al that are supereminent in some dignity power whether it be in Ciuil or Ecclesiastical gouernment And both they vnto theire Parentes and these vnto their Superiours doe owe both interiour (b) Leu. 19 32. 1. Pet. 2 13. Gen. 43 26. 1. Tim. 6 1. Eccli 4 7. Act. 10.25 exteriour reuerence obseruance (c) â— Tim. 5 17. 1. Cor. 9 7. Mat. 10 9. et 22 21. Luc. 10 7. Amb. lib. 5. hexam c. 16. succour also and obedience Furthermore we are forbidden any kinde of way to offend (d) Mat. 15 3. Heb. 13 17. Ex. 21 15. et 22 28. Leu. 20.9 Deut. 21 18. et 27 16. Pt. 20 20. et 28 24. et 30 11.17 Eccli 3 14. or grieue any such persons of high calling or authority be it by worde deede or any manner of signe 14 What importeth the fifth Commaundement Gen. 9 5. Leui. 24 17. et 9 16. 19 16. Deut. 5 17. Ex. 20.13 21 12. Mat. 5 21. Ia. 2 11 1. Ioa. 3 15. Ephes 4 26.31 Col. 3 8. Ps 4 5. Ro. 12 17.19 Deu. 32 35. Eccli 28 1. Heb. 10 30. 12 15. IT doth not only prohibite all externall slaughter violence that may preiudice the body and life of our neighbour but also cutteth of anger hatred rancour indignatioÌ„ desire of reuenge all other internall affectes
will can keepe (l) Act 20 29. Eze 33 6. 2. Tim. 2 23.25 4 2. Tit. 1 9.10.11 off the wolues defende the sheepe roote out the cockle confirme sound doctrine least otherwise the simple be seduced by the words writinges examples of deceiptful wicked persons (m) 2. Pet. 2 1. 3 3. Ro. 16 17. Iud 17.4 10 Mat. 7.15 from the kingly rode-way of truth but rather that all not only knowing the truth but practising the same may growe and goe forwarde in him that is the heade Christ our Lorde as the same Apostle S. PAVL (n) Ephes 4 15. hath also spoken 13 By what meanes may we obtaine these so singuler commodities BY this no doubt if we be not to highlye (a) Ro. 12 3. but soberly wise alwaies carefull to (b) Eph. 4 3. Io. 10 2. 21 17. keepe the vnitie of spirite in the bande of peace that so wee maye shewe our selues the humble and obedient sheepe of Christ Of which sheepe certes it is the propertie (c) Io. 10 2. Tit. 3 1. Heb. 13 17. Mat. 10 20. to flie the wolues and not to followe Aliens but their owne Pastours (d Bern. de praecep disp c. 12. to submit thēselues to thē as to the ordinarie Prefectes of our Lords folde and in them to heare the (e) Io. 15 26 et 14 17. et 16 13. spirite of truth That spirite it is which vouchsafeth euen by euill (f) Mat. 23 2. Phil. 1 15. Io. 11 51. Mat. 18.17 Deut. 17 12 Prelates to teach feed and preserue our Lords flocke and which by them commendeth vnto vs the precepts both of God our Father and the Church our Mother in thess wordes (g) Pro. 1 8. see Epiphan haer 75. Heare my sonne the discipline of thy father and doe not let goe the lawe of thy mother And againe the same doth inculcate Keepe saith (h) Pro. 6 20 he my sonne the preceptes of thy father and doe not let goe the lawe of thy mother 14 Which are the precepts of the Church THere are fiue principall necessarie doubtlesse to be knowne and obserued of euery Christian 1 (a) Conc. Lugdun apud Iuonē p. 4. c. 14. 2. Matiscon c. 1. Mogunt c. 36. et 37. Tribur c. 35. Ignat. ad Philip. The appointed holy daies of the Church doe thou celebrate 2 (b) Conc. Agath c. 47. et 21. Tribur c. 35. 1. Aurel ca. 28. The holy office of the Masse vpon holy daies doe thou heare with reuerence 3 (c) Canon Apost 68. Gangren c. 19. Ignat. ad Phil. Mog c. 34. et 35. Salegunst c. 1. et 2. Ber. in vig. S. Andreae See the places cited in the treatis of good works in the 4. question The Fastes on certaine daies and times appointed doe thou obserue For example as the Lent imber daies and the nexte daies before certaine solempne feastes which our forefathers haue (d) Tert. l. 2. ad Vxo c. 4. et in apolog cap. 2. called vigils or euens bicause they did vse at such times all night to watch in the Churches 4 (e) Sinod Lateran can 21. Triden sess 14. c. 8. Thy Sinnes to thy proper Priest doe thou euery yeere confesse 5 (f) Lateran Trident. sess 13. can 9. The holy Eucharist at the least once in the yeere and that about the feast of Easter doe thou receaue 15 What profite doth the obseruation of these precepts bring THese and other the like customes precepts of the Church so manie ages receiued and with great consent practise of deuoute Christians confirmed and very agreable to pietie and reason doe bring with them very notable and excellent commodities For they are holsome exercises of faith humilitie and Christian obedience they doe aduance honest (a) Phil. 4 8. 1. Cor. 14 26.40 discipline and concorde among the people they are goodly signes badges of Religion finally they giue markes and tokens of our inwarde pietie by which we oughte iointly to shine with the good and to shew our light to the euill for (b) Mat. 5 17. Ro. 15 2. Phil. 2 ◠14 their edification Breifly they doe helpe vs to this that we may exactly obserue that rule of the Apostle Let all thinges (c) 1. Cor. 14 40. be done honestly and according to order among you 16 Wherein is the authoritie of the Church necessarie vnto vs FIrst of all surely in this that we may certainlie (a) Gal. 2 2. 1. Tolc c. 25. Aug. ser 129 de tēp li. 13. contra Faust c. 4. 5. et l. 28. c. 2 4. discerne the true and canonicall Scripture from that which is counterfet and apocryphall Whereupon Saint HIEROME doth testifie we receiue saith he the (b) in sym ad Damasu et Aug. ser 19. 1. de tē Conc. Laod c. 59. Conc. 3. Carth. c. 47. Conc. Trid. sess 4. olde and new Testament in that number of bookes which the authority of the holy Catholike Church doth deliuer And (c) Cont. ep Fund c. 5. Saint AVGVSTINE I truely would not beleeue the Gospell excepte the authoritie of the Catholike Church did moue me thereunto It is also necessarie that we may be assured of the (d) Esa 59 21. Aug. l. 1. c. 33. cont Cresco et de vnit Eccle. c. 22. Trid. ses 4. Vin. Lir. contr nouatores true sense and apte interpretatiō of the Scripture least that otherwise we neuer make an end of doubting and disputing about the sense of the wordes For all Heretickes as the same holy Saint (e) lib. 1. de Trinit c. 3. Hillar l. 2. ad Constanti Vinc. Lir. hath written doe labour to defend their false and deceiptfull opinions by the holy Scriptures and yet the Scriptures doe not consist in reading but in vnderstanding as witnesseth (f) Cont. Lucif c. 9. in c. 1. ad Gal. Hilar. l. 2. de Trin. Saint HIEROME Thirdly that in the waightier questions (g) Deut. 17.8 and controuersies of faith that may fall out there may be some (h Act. 15 2 Iudge by whose authoritie matters may be moderated For as that is most true that (i) haer 61. cont Apostolicos EPIPHANIVS teacheth against Heresies that all thinges can not be had out of the Scriptures so doth (k) l. 11. con Faust c. 2 l. 7. c n. Donat c. 53. et in Ps 57. Saint AVGVSTINE most rightlye affirme that the authoritie of the Catholike Church is of speciall waighte and value for our faith and assurance in a doubtful case Neither can the holy Ghost be wanting to the Church to leade her as Christ hath (l) Io. 14 16. 16 13. promised into all trueth Againe that for the diuersitie of persons places and times canons (m) Can. Ap. 38. et Synod 1. Nic. c. 5. Lateran Can. 6. may be ordained perfite discipline preserued and iudgementes pronounced For to the Church
8. in 1. Cor. in ser de leuium peccatorum periculis Bern. ser 1. de conuers Pauli et in tract de praecepto dispens c. 14. contristate the holy Ghost they darken and obscure the conscience they diminish the feruour of charitie and they doe hinder the proceeding of vertues drawe a man often times to greater vices and dangers For which cause it is written He that (d) Eccli 19 1. despiseth litle thinges shall by little and little fall He (e) Ibid. 3 27. that loueth danger shal perish in it He (f) Eccles 9 18. that shall sinne in one thing shall lose many good thinges Therefore these blottes filthes of the soule as much as may be are to bee eschewed for as wee reade (g) Apoc. 21 27. Psal 14 2. 23 4. There shall not enter into the Heauenly Ierusalem any polluted thing And except they be washed away in this life they doe burden a man after (h) See aboue of Satisfaction page 215. his death and cannot certes be cleansed without the bitter paines of Purgatorie fire Which fire although it be not euerlasting yet if wee beleeue (i) In Psal 37. ser 41. de Sanctis Greg. in 3. Ps poenit Sainte AVGVSTINE It is more sharpe grieuous than whatsoeuer a man can suffer in this life 3 What then are the remedies to purge the lighter sorte of sinnes FOR the washing away of such filthes of the soule in this life the Primitiue Church hath (a) Aug. ep 108. Ench. c. 71. 72. in Io. tract 12. ser 41. de Sanct. lib. 21. ciu c. 27. ho. 50 ex 50. ca. 13. Conc. Tolet. 4. can 9. acknowledged and vsed these remedies An humble accusation of a mans selfe our Lords praier knocking of the Breaste other the like deuoute exercises either towardes God or towardes our neighbour and afflictions of the bodie voluntarilie and deuoutlie vndertaken Which remedies wise men certes so much the more willingly and seriously doe imbrace by how much they doe more perfectly knowe more diligently waigh and consider the seuerity of Gods Iustice in (b) Iob. 24 12. Prosp in sent Aug. c. 210. Aug. in Ps 58 reuenging of sinne Which may be expressely shewed euen by that one dreadful speach of Christ I say vnto you (c) Mat. 12 36. that euery idle word that mē shal speake they shall render an account for it in the day of iudgement Also by that speeche of S. PETER (d) 1. Pet. 4 18. The iust man shall scarce be saued Insomuch that for this cause IOB a man otherwise Iust and Innocent hath saide I did (e) Iob. 9 28. feare all my workes knowing that thou didest not spare him that sinneth And the Apostle Saint PAVL It is (f) Heb. 10 31. horrible to fall into the handes of the liuing God But (g) 1. Cor. 11 31. if we did iudge our selues as the same Apostle warneth vs wee shoulde not bee iudged Therefore (h) Pro. 28 14. Blessed is that man that is alwaies fearefull but he that is of a hard heart shall fall into euill 4 Is it sufficient to abstaine from sinne CHristian Iustice Bern. ser 34. ex paruis Chrys in Ps 4. ho. 16. in ep ad Ephes Aug. serm 59. de temp whereof wee haue hitherto treated proposeth two partes and as equally necessary commendeth them vnto vs in these wordes Decline (a) Ps 36 27. 33 15. ibid. Aug. from euill and doe good As also S. PAVL teacheth Hating (b) Ro. 12 9. 1. Pet. 3 10.11 Tob. 4 13. Esa 1 16. Eccli 3 32. Col. 3 8. Ephes 4 16.17.20 Iac. 4 17. Mat. 3 10. 7 19. euill cleaueing to good Therefore It is not sufficient as (c) In sent Prosp c. 86. Aug. lib. 19. ciu cap. 14. S. AVGVSTINE hath plainely saide to abstaine from euill except that be done which is good and it is a small matter to hurt no man except thou doest endeuour to doe good to many Wherefore hauing nowe finished after our manner the first part of Iustice which prohibiteth euills it followeth nowe that by the helpe of Christ we go foreward to speake of the other part also which consisteth in the pursute of those thinges which are good OF THREE SORTES OF GOOD WORKES 1 In what good thinges doth Christian Iustice consiste THis Iustice extendeth (a) Chrys in Psa 4. 14. ho. 23. in Gen. so far that it containeth in it selfe all the good thinges which are honestly iustly and deuoutly done and proposeth the same vnto vs as to be both desired and followed Wherefore thus doth the Apostle admonishe the faithfull Walke (b) Col. 1. worthie of God in all thinges pleasing fructifying in al good worke Prouiding (c) Ro. 12. 2. Cor. 8 21. Mat. 5 17. 1. Pet. 2 12. good thinges not only before God but also before all men For this is the true vse and proper fruit of our vocation of Christian Iustice purchased by Christ as witnesseth (d) 1. Pet. 2. S. PETER That beeing dead to sinnes we may liue to Iustice that is to say as S. PAVL expoundeth it That (e) Tit. 2. vide Bern. ser 2. de resur denying impiety worldly desires we liue soberly iustly godly in this world To this effect is that of the Gospel proposed vnto vs that without (f) Luc. 1. feare beeing deliuered from the hands of our enimies we may serue him in holinesse iustice before him all our daies For therefore hath Christ redemed vs from all (g) Tit. 2. iniquitie that he mighte clense to himselfe a people acceptable a pursuer of good woorkes For (h) Eph. 2. wee are the worke of God himselfe created in Christ Iesus in good workes which God hath prepared that we should walke in them Thus doth S. PAVL constantly write and warne all men about the obseruance and continuall practise of Christian Iustice And for this cause also S. IHON doth wisely admonish absolutely define (i) 1. Io. 3. Litle children let no man seduce you Hee that doth iustice is iust euen as he also is iust He that committeth sinne is of the Deuill And S. IAMES expresly teacheth By workes (k) Iac. 2. Aug. in praef in Psa 31. de fid et op c. 14. Chrys ho. 2. in Gen a man is iustified and not by faith only For euen as the body without the spirite is deade so also faith without woorkes is deade Then againe the same Apostle He that hath looked (l) Iac. 1. in the lawe of perfecte libertie and hath remained in it not made a forgetfull hearer but a doer of the worke this man shall be blessed in his deede And noe other meaning then this had S. PAVL when he saide Not (m) Ro. 2. the hearers of the lawe are iust with God but the doers of the lawe shall be iust 2 What profite doe the
workes of Christi an Iustice procure VEry singuler certes and manifolde both in this life and in the life to come For hereunto belongeth that speach of S. PAVL Pietie (a) 1. Tim. 4. Pro. 11 17 18. 2. Par. 15 7. Mat. 10 41. 19 21.29 Gen. 12 1. 15 1. Eccli 12 2. 36 18. Hier. 31 16. is profitable to al things hauing promise of the life that now is of the life to come Then in an other place we finde it written (b) Sap. 3 10.17 Mal 3 14. 1. Cor. 15 58. Heb. 6 10. Of good labours there is glorious fruite 1 For first these workes proceding frō a liuely faith that is from a faith working by (c) Gal. 5. charitie are not only signs of Christian vocation but do also cōfirme make sure the same in vs. And therefore S. PETER the Apostle who in euery place exhorteth to good woorkes hath added this also (d) 2. Pet. 1. Cypr. ep 57. ad Corn. in fine Brethren labour the more that by good workes you may make sure your vocation election for doeing these thinges you shall not sinne at any time 2 Secondly they doe (e) 2. Cor. 9 10. Col. 1 10. 1. Pet. 2 2. augment grace in the beleeuers and doe perfitte sanctificatiō (f) 2. Cor. 7 1. Ro. 6 22. Apo. 22 11. Eccli 18 22. Trid. sess 6 cap. 10. as witnesseth the Apostle In so much that hereupon Saint IAMES also affirmeth that faith which doth worke with workes is also consummate by the same (g) Iac. 2 22. workes 3 Thirdly they engender (h) Io. 3 20. 1. Io. 4 17. Iac. 2 25. Gal. 6 4. a cōfidence of a good conscience and doe the more incourage to pray to obtaine any thing at Gods hand for it is written Almes shall be a great (i) Tob. 4. confidence before the high God to all them that doe the same And againe My (k) 1. Io. 3. Io. 15 7. Aug. in Praef in Psal 31. dearest if our heart doe not reprehend vs we haue confidence towards God And whatsoeuer we shall aske wee shall receiue of him because we keepe his commaundements and doe those things which are pleasing before him There is an example extant in EZECHIAS the King who hauing confidence in a good conscience and beeing approued therein by Gods owne voice said I beseech (l) Esa 38. 4. Reg. 20 3. Psal 7 9. 16 1. 17 21 25. et 25 1. 34 24. 131 1. thee o Lorde remember I pray thee how I haue walked before thee in truth and in a perfect harte and haue done that which is good in thy sight 4 Finally they doe cause that labouring in the (m) Mat. 20. Aug. tra 67. in Io. Greg. l. 4. dial c. 35 vineyarde of Christ we may receiue the day penie to wit the promised rewarde of life euerlasting and the crowne (n) 2. Tim. 4.8 Iac. 1 12. of Iustice which keeping the commandementes of God in the (o) Mat. 19 17. Church we doe in (p) Io. 3 21. 15 2.4 Christ (q) Eccli 16 15. Heb. 13 16. Sap. 3 5.6 2. Thess 1 5.6 Apoc. 3 4.5 Trid. sess 6. cap. 16. Cyp. de vnit Eccles Aug. ep 105. l. demorib Eccles Cathol cap 25. deserue Therefore our Lorde (r) Mat. 20. Sap. 5 16. saith Call the worke foulkes paie thē theire hiere Holy DAVID saith Thy (s) Psal 18. Heb. 11 6. Luc. 14 14. Col. 3.24 Ephes 6 8. 2. Cor. 4 17. Aug. in Psal 93. seruant kepeth them to wit the commandementes of God In keeping them much retribution And againe I haue (t) Psal 118. Mat. 19 12. Aug. in Psalm 120. inclined my harte to keepe thy iustifications for euermore because of retribution S. PAVL also saieth I haue (v) 2. Tim. 4. Aug. hom 14. ex 50. cap. 2. in Psal 83. 100. tract 3. in Io 2. Conc. Araus cap. 38. Mat. 5 12. 6 4.6.17 10 41. Apoc. 2 7.10.26 3 11. 14 13 fought a good fight I haue consūmate my course I haue kepte the faith Concerning the rest there is laide vp for me a crowne of iustice which our Lorde will render to me in that day a iust Iudge And not only to me but to them also that loue his comming Finally Christ himselfe saith If thou (x) Mat. 19. wilt enter into life keepe the commandementes And againe (y) Ioan. 5. Mat. 25 34. Aug. in Psal 49. They that haue done good things shall come forthe into the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill into resurrection of iudgement Then in an other place (z) Mat. ◠Hee that doth the will of my father which is in heauen he shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen By all which it is made very manifest how much it standeth euery one of vs vpon if we desire life euer lasting to ponder those speaches of almightie God (a) Apo. 2◠Eccli 18 22. He that is iust let him be iustified yet And let the holy be sanctified yet Beholde I come quickely and my rewarde is with me to render to (b) Ps 61 12 Mat. 16 27. Rom. 2 6. 1. Cor. 3 8. euery man according to his workes Therefore doing (c) Gal. 6. Eccli 51 58. Aug. in Psa 111. q. 4. ad Dulcitiū good let vs not faile for in due time we shall reape not failing 3 How many kindes of good woorkes be there wherein Christian Iustice is cheifly seene and exercised Petr. Chrysol ser 43. Leo. ser 1. et 4. de ieiun 10. mensis Bern. in sentētiis sect 11 THere are three kindes as wee finde in holy scripture to wit Praier Fasting and Almes For other good deedes for the most parte which doe proceed of a liuely faith and doe sette forthe increase and consummate Christian iustice are easelye reduced (a) Aug. de perf iust c. 8. respons 17. to these three fountaines Heereupon was that notable speache of the Angell RAPHAEL Praier is (b) Tob. 12. good with Fasting and Almes more than to hoorde vp treasures of golde And Saint AVGVSTINE saith plainly (c) In Ps 42. This is the iustice of a man in this life Fasting Almes and Praier Of this doth Christ seuerally intreate in S. MATHEVVES Gospell (d) Mat. 6. addeth promises of the heauenly reward prepared for those who within the Church without hypocrisie (e) Aug. ser 60. de temp doe syncerelye Fast Praie and giue Almes Hence is that faithfull promise so often repeted Thy Father (f) Mat. 6. which seeth in secrete will repaie thee And these be the very things wherein Christ to the intente that we may liue well and happely woulde haue (g) Mat. 5 21. our iustice to abound and so to shine (h) Ibid. ver 17. before men that they may see our good workes glorifie the Father To the performance of
these we are (i) Ephes 2. created destinated in Christ as the which thinges God hath prepared that we may walke in them For these thinges done (k) Mat. 25 34. Io. 5 29. in charitie the iust shal be receiued into the euerlasting kingdome And for neglecting of the same the vniust shall be cast hedlong into hell fire And as it is Pharisaicall (l) Luc. 18 11. and full of vanitie with the contempte of others to iustifie himselfe and to trust to his owne (m) Ro. 10 3. Trid. sess 6. cap. 16. workes so is it Christian like and lawfull that a man with humilitie diligentlye attend vnto good workes and if at any time he will glorie to glorie in (n) 1. Cor. 1 31. 2. Cor. 10 17. our Lorde who worketh in vs to will and to accomplishe as witnesseth the (o) Phil. 2 13. Apostle 4 What is fasting THis worde hath not one simple signification A greate and generall faste S. AVGVSTINE (a) Aug. tra 17. in Io. l. 2. quaest Euang ca 18. calleth to abstaine from vices and vnlawfull pleasures of the worlde Then is there a philosophicall Fast as some name it consisting in a spare diet temperance of meate and drinke and morall sobrietie wherewith the very (b) Hieron lib. 2. aduers Iouin c. 9. Heathens according to the rule of right reason do liue teÌ„perately Thirdly there is an Ecclesiastical Faste (c) Clem. Constit Apost l. 5. cap. 12. 14. 17. 18. 19. Isid lib. 1. offic c. 36. sequ Raban de instit cler lib. 2. c. 17. sequ Iuo part 4. cap. 25. sequ Burch l. 35. to wit when according to the certaine custome prescript of the Church we forbeare fleshe diet vpon some certaine daies are content with one only repast Which kind of Fast is after a Godly Christian manner (d) Cypr. de Ieiun teÌ„tationibus Christi Athan. de Virg. Chrys ho. 1. 2. in Gen. serm 1. 2. de Ieiun Bas orat 1. 2. de Ieiun Aug. de vtil Ieiun cap. 2. 3. Amb. in lib. 1. de Helia Ieiun epist 82. Leo. in ser de Ieiun 7. 10. mensis Pentecostes quadrag vndertaken to performe Gods seruice more religiously to tame the fleshe and make it subiect to the spirite to yeelde the worthy fruites of penance to exercise obedience finally to obtaine any grace fauor at Gods handes 5 But What answere is to be made vnto those that doe reprehend contemn the law of the Ecclesiastical Fast FIrst such persons are to be admonished that they doe not fasly attribute vnto Catholicks that which the Apostle doth (a) 1. Tim. 4 1. Ccl. 2 16. Deut. 14 3. Can. Ap. 50 52. Conc. Gang. can 2 1. Tol. in assert fid Bracâ—r 1. can 14. 32. detest and the Church hath euer in the Iewes Maniches Priscilianistes condemned for that either according to the law of MOYSES or of superstition they do abstain from certain meats For Catholicks as S. AVGVSTINE aunswereth (b) Lib. 30. Con. Faust cap. 5. de mor. Manic c. 13. 14. Con. Adim cap. 14. Theod. in epito diuin decr cap. de Abstinen Bern. ser 66. in Cant. Isid l. 1. de offic cap. 44 GeÌ„ 1 29. 2 16. 9 3 Leu. 10 8. Num. 6 3. Iud. 13 7.13 Hier. 35 6. 18. Dan. 1 8. 10 2. Mat. 3 4. Mar. 1 6. Luc. 1 15. Act. 15 20.29 Ro. 14 20. 1. Cor. 8 13. 1. Tim. 5 23 6. Syn can 56. Greg. ad August teste GratiaÌ„ distinct â— et Iuon par 4. c. 29. Athan. in vita Antonij Hieron in vita Pauli Erem Hilarionis Epiph. in compend doct Eccles Cathol FAVSTVS the Manichee Whereas they abstaine from fleshe they doe it for to tame their bodies and to restraine the more their soules from such motions as be contrarie to reason not for that they thinke the fleshe it selfe to be vncleane neither doe they abstaine from fleshe onely but also from some certaine fruites of the earth either alwaies as a fewe or at certaine daies and times as in the Lente for the most part euery one Thus writeth S. AVGVSTINE And before him the same also EPIPHANIVS teacheth where he confuteth the Aerian heresie which will haue the sett (c) Haeres 7â— Aug. haeres 53. Damase de haeres Fastes of the Church to be at euery mans discretion and no man to bee bounde thereunto But in that the order of time is obserued in (d) Hieron in ep ad Gal. cap. 4. Leo. ser 3. 4. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 4. de quadrag Baâ— orat 2. de Ieiun publike Fastes as also in Praiers holy daies that doth confirme setforth and aduance the order and publike concorde in the Church Besides priuate Fastes fewe woulde impose vpon themselues as being hindered from such endeuours with a naturall loue of the fleshe and care of the bellie Nowe that it is of great importance and of assured meritte reuerently to imbrace and diligently to obserue such kinde of Fastes (e) Lib. 2. c. 5 10.11 Aug. haeres 22. Amb ep 82. S. HIEROME proueth it so plainlie against IOVINIAN that none can doubte thereof any more Vnto which may be added those thinges which we haue taught before concerning the obseruance of the precepts of the Church that for the auoiding of (f) Aug. ep 118. ad Ianuar cap. 2. Scandall and retaining of publcike discipline Neither only for wrath but also for conscience sake as the Apostle (g) Ro. 13 5 hath saide And it is manifest as the writers (h) Aug. ep 36. Epiph. in compend Calixt ep 1. ad Bened. Leo. ser 1. et 2. de Pent. et ser 8. 9. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 8. de Ieiun 10. meÌ„sis Raban l. 2. de instit Cler. cap 24. Conc. Mog cap. 34. Salegun cap. 2. Bern. in vigil S. Andr. in all ages doe proue that this is both the perpetuall Discipline Custome Tradition and decree of the Church and hath beene euer from the beginning that vpon certaine daies especially of the (i) Ignat. ad Phil. Epiph. in compend Theoph. Alex. lib. 3. Paschali Maxim in serm de quadrag Amb. Aug. Leo. Bern. de eadem Orig. ho. 10. in Leuit. Isid 1. offic cap. 36. Aug. ep 119. cap. 15. in Psal 110. Lent this Fast of the Church shoulde be obserued So doe the (k) Can. 68. Canons of the Apostles and the most holie (l) Laod. c. 50. 2. Brac. c. 9. 4. Carth can 63. Tribur c. 35 Agath c. 12 Councelles teach The Councell of (m) Can. 19. Mogunt can 35. Gangra certes pronounceth them accursed that doe contemne the common Fastes of the whole Church And the Toletane (n) 8. Tolet. c. 9. vide Telesph in epi. ad vniuers Theoph. Alex l. 3. Pasc Aug. ser 64. de temp Niceph. l. 17.
for an other that you may be saued for the continuall praier of a iust man auaileth much In like manner This (o) 1. Io. 5. c is the considence which we haue towards God that whatsoeuer we shall aske according to his will he heareth vs. Moreouer he that (p) 1. 5. d knoweth his brother to sinne a sinne not to death let him aske and life shall be giuen him OF ALMES AND THE WORKES OF MERCIE 10 What is Almes Vide Chrys ho. 13. in 2. Cor. et Aug serm 30. de verb. Do. c. 3 IT is a gifte or benefite whereby vpon an affection of compassion we doe succour an other mans miserie Heereunto beelongeth that which the Angell RAPHAEL testifieth in TOBIAS Praier is good (a) Tob. 12. b with Fasting and Almes That we may vnderstand as S. CYPRIAN (b) De opere eleemos item Petr. Chrysol ser 43. Leo. ser 3. de Ieiun Pentecost Osc 6. c. Mat. 6. b 12. a Pro 21 a Phil 4. d Heb. 13. c admonisheth that our praiers fastings are little auaileable vnlesse they be holpen with Almes Good is mercie saith S. AMBROSE (c) Lib. 1. offic o. 11. Chrys ho. 36. ad pop Ant. Aug. ser 76. de temp hom 36. ex 50. Leo. ser 5. 10. de quadrag Nyss de beatitud which of her selfe maketh men perfite because it doth imitate the Father which is perfect Nothing doth so commend a Christian soule as mercie Thus saith he (d) Luc. 6. d Psal 32. a 118. h 144. b c Be yee therefore mercifull as your Father also is mercifull that you may be the sonnes of your Father which is in heauen who maketh his sonne to rise vpon the good the euill raineth vpon the iust vniust Thus saith Christ our Sauiour and our (e) Luc. 10. f Samaritane full of all grace and mercie who went (f) Act. 10. f throughout doing good healing al that were oppressed of the Deuil 11 In what manner doth the scripture commend Almes vnto vs VVIth many certes (a) Deut. 15. b Esd 8. c Tob. 4. b Psal 40. a Pro. 11. c 14. c d 19. c 22. b 25. c 28. d Eccli 4. a b d 7. a d 12. a 17. c 29. b Ezech. 18. b c Mat. 25. d. Luc. 14. c and plaine preceptes promises and examples Yea S. CYPRIAN (b) De opere eleem Vide Aug. ser 50. cap. 8. sequ 227. de temp hom 18 19.29 cap. 1. sequ 47. ex 50. Nazian orat 16. de paup amore Chrys ho. 32. ad pop sequ teacheth that in the gospel there is nothing more often cōmaunded than that wee perseuer in giuing Almes that we be not busied in earthly possessions but rather lay vp treasures in heauen Hence are those speaches of Christ But (c) Luc. 11. f Hieron ad Hedib ep 150. quest 1 yet that which remaineth giue almes beholde al things are (d) Aug. in Ench. c. 75.76.77 ser 30. de verb. Dom. cleane vnto you (e) Luc. 12. d 3. c Mat. 6. a c 19. c d Mar. 10. c 1. Tim. 6. d Sel the things that you posses giue Almes make to you purses that weare not treasure that wasteth not in heauen And in an other place Make vnto you (f) Luc. 16. c Aug. ser 25. c. 3. 35. c. 1. seq de verb. Dom. frendes of the Mammon of iniquitie that when you faile they may receiue you into the eternall Tabernacles In briefe giue and there (g) Luc. 6. f 2. Cor. 8. b c 9. b 1. Tim. 4. c Ro. 12. c d Iac. 1. d shall be giuen to you And for that cause DANIEL the Prophet counseleth the wicked King Redeeme (h) Dan. 4. c Pro. 13. b. Amb. ser 30 31. de Helia Ieiun cap. 20. Leo. in ser de collectis Chrys hom 25. in Act. thy sinnes with Almes and thy iniquities with the mercies of the poore Then in an other place we read Water (i) Eccli 3. d Amb. serm 15. Chrys hom 34. in Gen. Pros part 2. de promiss praedict tionibus c. 7 doth quench the burning fire and Almes resistethe sinnes And not of a man certes but of an Angell was that speach Almes (k) Tob. 12. b 4. b Esa 1. c Pro. 15. d 16 a 10. b 1. Pet 4. b Iac. 5. d deliuereth from death and shee it is that purgeth sinnes and maketh a man to finde mercie and life euerlasting Yea and Christ himselfe pronounceth (l) Mat. 10. d Greg. ho. 5. in Euang. Amb. in lib. de viduis Leo. ser 4. 6. de qua drag ser 6 de Ieiun 10. mensis Whosoeuer shall giue drinke to one of these little ones a cuppe of colde water only in the name of a Disciple Amen I say to you he shall not loose his rewarde Blessed (m) Mat. 5. a therefore are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercie And contrarywise as S. IAMES affirmeth (n) Iac. 2. b. Pro. 21. b. Iudgement without mercie to him that hath not done mercie 12 With what examples is the effecte profite of Almes declared IN the holy scripture ABRAHAM and LOTH (a) Gen. 18. a 19. a through hospitalitie are saide both to haue pleased God and to haue entertained (b) He. 13. a Angels The Almes (c) Tob. 12. c 1. d of TOBIE and the Centurion (d) Act. 10. a See notable examples of Almes in these Saints liues Ioannis Eleemosinarii apud Leentium Martini apud Sulpitium Paulae apud Hieron ep 27. cap. 7. Paulini apud Greg. Turon de glor Conf. cap. 107. apud Greg. 3. dial c. 1. Tiber. apud Turon lib. 5 hist Franc. cap. 19. Bened. apud Greg. 2. dial c. 28. 29. Martyrii apud cund ho. 39. in Euang Greg. apud Ioan. Diac lib. 1. vitae eius cap. 10. lib. 2. cap. 22. 23. Osuald apud Bed lib. 3. hist Aug. cap. 6. were so auailable that they ascended into remembrance in the sight of God had the holy Angels not only for witnesses but also for commendors ZACHEVS moued by the words of Christ and of a prince of Publicans being made a mirror of mercy giueth halfe his goods to the poore and is presently pronounced the (e) Luc. 19. a b sonne of ABRAHAM by Christ himselfe TABITHA (f) Act. 9. f g Vide etiam Pratum Sprituale Sophronii cap. 175. 185. 195. 201 is praised by S. LVKE as being ful of good works and Almes which she bestowed especially vpon widdowes So are those deuoute Matrons singulerly commended in the (g) Luc. 8. 10. g Ioan. 12 a 3. Reg 17. b c d 4. Reg. 4. b c f Gospell which with MAGDALEN MARTHA did liberally minister of their goods to Christ our Lorde and to his poore disciples And of Sainte LAVRENCE the (h) Amb. lib 2. offic cap. 28. Leuite and Martyr it is most
b soweth sparingly sparingly also shall reape As witnesseth the Apostle And this shall suffice touching the corporall workes of mercie 17 But what doth the scripture testifie of those that are spirituall VVE saith he that are (a) Ro. 15. a stronger must sustain the infirmities of the weake and not please our selues Let euery one of you please his neighbour vnto God to edification For Christ did not please himselfe And againe Be ye gentle (b) Eph. 4. g one to another merciful pardoning one another as God in Christ hath pardoned you Againe Be ye therfore followers (c) Eph. 5. a of God as most deare children walke in loue as Christ also loued vs. Moreouer Put ye on (d) Col. 3. b therfore as the elect of God holy and beloued the bowels of mercie benignitie humilitie modestie patience supporting one an other And pardoning (e) Aug. Enchir cap. 73. 74. ho. 6. 29. cap. 1. 40. cap. 3. seq ex 50. serm 203. de temp Greg. 4. dial cap. vlt. one an other if any haue a quarell against any man as also our Lorde hath pardoned vs So you also And againe (f) 1. Thess 5. c Admonishe the vnquiet comforte the weake minded beare vp the weake be patient to all These and many other thinges of like tenour doth Saint PAVL euery where inculcate who to the intent hee mighte saue (g) 1. Cor. 9. d all was made all thinges to all men So that hereupon himselfe testifieth Who is weake (h) 2. Cor. 11. g and I am not weake who is scandalized I am not burnt And againe I haue greate (i) Rom. 9. a sadnes and continuall sorow in my harte For I wished my selfe an Anathema frō Christ for my brethren And in an other place I most gladly (k) 2. Cor. 12. e will bestow and will my selfe moreouer bee bestowed for your soules although louing you more I am louedlesse 18 What is the summe of al the doctrine touching the performance of the workes of mercie THe Apostle hath comprised the wholle matter as it were in this one worde Beare ye (a) Gal. 6. a one an others burthens so you shall fulfill the lawe of Christ to witte the lawe of charitie of which lawe againe he saith (b) Ro. 13. e Gal. 5. c If there be any other cōmandement it is comprised in this worde thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe And the Apostle S. PETER (c) 1. Pet. 4 b Before all thinges saith he hauing mutuall Charitie continuall among your selues because charitie couereth the multitude of sinnes Which precepte or office of shewing mercie and charitie as it is most agreable to nature and reason so doth it touch euen all kindes of men without exception in so much that of this we reade it written (d) Eccli 17. b God hath giuen euery man a charge of his neighbour And he hath giuē charge in this maner as Christ interpreteth (e) Mat. 7. b Luc. 6. c All thinges whatsoeuer you will that men doe to you doe you also to them for this is the lawe and the Prophettes OF THE CARDINALL VERTVES 1 What meaneth the name and nature of Cardinall vertues CErtaine vertues be therfore (a) Vid. Ambros in Luc. 6. lib. 1. offic ca. 24. Prosp de vita contemplatiua lib. 3. cap. 18. called Cardinall because they be as it were fountaines and hingels of all the rest as the dore turneth vpon the hingells soe the wholle course of honest life consisteth of them the wholle frame of good workes doth seeme after a sorte to depend (b) Greg. l. 2. mor. cap. 36 vpon them And they are accounted foure in (c) Amb. lib. 3. de Virg. et l. 2. offic c. 9 number Prudence Iustice Temperance and Fortitude Whereof it is thus written Shee teacheth (d) Sap. 8. b Sobriety and Prudence and Iustice Vertue Than the which thinges there is nothing in life more profitable vnto men Where by Sobriety (e) Aug. l. 1. retract c. 7. Temperance by Vertue fortitude is not obscurelie signified And all of them are so commended vnto vs that wee may assuredly vnderstande that by the eternal wisedome (f) Pro. 8. b c d Eccli 24. a c which is God they are properly bestowed and are receiued and exercised with verie great fruit of mans saluatiō Which vertues are called also Officiales that is appertaining to offices or duties because that from them as (g) Lib. 1. offic c. 25. Saint AMBROSE hath noted do spring the diuerse kinds of offices and are deriued all manner of duties appertaining to the ordinary life of man according to euery mans vocation 2 How are the Cardinall vertues defined Vide Aug. l. 1. de l. arb c. 13. lib. de morib Eccl. Cathol cap 15. Amb. in libris de officiis Prosp l. 3. de vita cōtemplatiua c. 18. seq Ber. ex paruis ser 35. in Cant. ser 22. PRudence is a vertue which according to the rule of honestie prescribeth what is to be desired what is to bee eschewed by a man Iustice is a vertue whereby we giue euery man his own Temperance is a vertue moderating the pleasures of the flesh which are fealt in tasting and touching Fortitude is a vertue whereby labors dangers of death are constantly both vndertaken and suffered out This is the noble chariot of vertues whereby wee are carried into heauen These are the foure riuers of (a) Gen. 2. b Paradise as (b) Lib. 2. de Gen. contr Manic c. 10. Amb. lib. de Paradis c. 3. S. AVGVSTINE calleth them of whom also this saying of worthie memorie is extant That saith he is the science knowledge of (c) L. 1. cont Acad. cap. 7. humane things which knoweth the light of Prudence the decēcie of Temperance the strength of Fortitude the holinesse of Iustice For these are they which fearing no fortune wee may be bolde to call truely our owne 3 Howe is Prudence commended vnto vs in holy Scripture Bas in constit Monast c. 15. ho. 12. in Principium Prouerbiorum Bern. ser 49. in Cant. VVIselye doeth Ecclesiasticus teach vs in this manner (a) Eccli 32. d 37. c Pro. 12 c 1◠b My sonne without aduice doe nothing and after thy deede thou shalt not repent thee And againe (b) Eccli 31 d 18. d 33. a Pro. 14. b Iob. 28. d Deut. 4 32 d vide Pro. 3. b 8. b Sap. 6. a c d 7. a b d A wise heart that hath vnderstanding wil keepe it selfe from sinne and in the workes of Iustice it shall haue successe Also the (c) Eccli 1. a fountaine of all Wisedome Prudence Christ that true (d) Mat. 1◠d Luc. 11. d SALOMON teacheth thus Be yee (e) Mat. 10. b ib. Theophyl Hieron Aug. q. 8. ex Matth. Greg. lib. 1. mor. c. 2. ho. 30. in Euang Prosp lib.
of the Spirit that they should receiue which beleeued in him as the Euangelist himselfe expoundeth Otherwise without Christ as S. HIEROME (e) In c. Esa 11. hath saide neither can any man be wise nor intelligent nor a counselour nor couragious nor learned nor godly nor full of the feare of God And the vertue and vse of these spirituall goods doe tende to this ende that the vertues Theologicall and Cardinall which we haue spoken of maye readilye performe their force and proper operation in vs. Also they bring to passe that men doe verie willingly and with sweetnesse followe euerye where the (f) Psa 142 c 50 c Sap. 1 a b holy Ghost as guid and by him beeing mooued and strengthned doe without fainting runne forewarde in the way (g) Ps 118 d of the Commaundements of God are made truely Spirituall and the children of God (h) Rom. 8 ◠Whosoeuer are leade by the Spirite of God they are the Sonnes of God as witnesseth the Apostle Of these giftes it were too long to discourse in particular but from thence doe proceed the most sweet fruites of the holy Ghost which do commende and set vs forth as fruitfull (i) Psal 51 c trees in the fielde of the Church according to that saying Euery (k) Mat. 7 c Hier. in cap. 5. ad Gal. good tree yeeldeth good fruits and the euill tree yeeldeth euill fruites therefore by their fruites you shall knowe them Which fruites also doe bring this commodity that a christian mā be furnished cōfirmed as it were with a certaine spiritual armour against the works of the flesh For the rule of the Apostle will neuer faile Walke in the (l) Gal. 3 c spirit and the works of the fleshe you shall not accomplishe And in an other place it is written If by the (m) Ro. 8 c spirite you mortifie the deedes of the fleshe you shall liue 4 Which are the workes of the fleshe THose whereof the Apostle thus discourseth (a) Gal. 5 c d vide Aug. li. 14. de ciuit Dei cap. 2. 3. The workes of the fleshe be manifest which are Fornication Vncleannesse Impudicity Leacherie seruing of Idols Witchrafts Enmities Contentions Emulations Anger 's Brawelles dissentions Sectes Enuies Murders Ebrieties Commessations and such like Which I foretell you as I haue foretolde you that they which doe such thinges shall not obtaine the kingdome of Heauen And afterwarde he addeth in the same place And they (b) Ibid. d that be Christes haue crucified their fleshe with the vices and concupiscences Then in another place They (c) Rom. 8 b Aug. de ver Apost ser 6. cap. 9. 11. that are in fleshe to wit they that walke acording to the desires of the fleshe cannot please God Therefore the same Apostle giueth this admonition Be not (d) Gal. 6 b deceiued God is not mocked For what thinges a man shall sowe those also shall hee reape For hee that soweth in his fleshe of the fleshe also shall reape corruption but he that soweth in the Spirite of the Spirite shall reape life euerlasting OF THE EIGHT BEATITVDES 1 Which are the Beatitudes of the Law of the Gospell THose certes Vide Aug. lib. 1. de serm Dom. in monte cap. 2. sequent Chroma◠Episco in declamatione de octo Beatitudinibus Greg. Nyss de Beatitudinibus Leo. ho. in omnium Sanctorum Item Bern. ser 1. de festo omnium Sanctorum ser 4. de Aduentu Dom. which Saint AMBROSE calleth (a) Amb. in 6. cap. Luc. our Lords Beatitudes Benedictions which in (b) Mat. 5 a ibidem Hilarius Chrysostomus Hieronymus Chromatius Theoph. Euthym. Anselm c. S. MATHEVVES Gospell are in this manner recounted eight in number 1 Blessed are the (c) Luc. 6 c Esa 66 a Iac. 2 a Mat. 18 a poore in spirit For theirs is the kingdome of Heauen 2 Blessed are the (d) Psa 36 b Mat. 11 d Psal 26 d meeke for they shal possesse the Lande 3 Blessed are they that (e) Luc. 6 c 16 f 1. Reg. 15 g Io. 16 c Esa 61 a Mat. 26 g mourne for they shall be comforted 4 Blessed are they that (f) Sap. 1 a Psal 15 b 61 d Esa 65 b hunger and thirste after Iustice for they shall haue their fill 5 Blessed are the (g) Psal 40 a Pro. 11 c Eccli 29 b. Luc. 6 c mercifull for they shall obtaine mercie 6 Blessed are the (h) Ps 23 a Psal 50 c cleane of heart for they shall see God 7 Blessed are the (i) Ps 36 d Ioan. 14 d peace-makers for they shal be called the childrē of god 8 Blessed are they that (k) Luc. 6 c. 1. Pet. 3 c 2. Tim. 3 c Act. 14 d Aug. de ser Do. in monte l. 1. cap. 5. suffer persecution for Iustice for theirs is the kingdome of Heauen 11 Why is this doctrine of the Beatitudes to be obserued BEcause it is the chiefest greatest part of the Law of the Gospel which Christ our (a) Esa 53 d Iac. 4 c Mat. 5 a law-maker deliuered vpō the Hil with his own most sacred mouth that euery man might consider what is contained required in Christiā Iustice besides Faith then also that they might vnderstande howe vnto iust persons a crowne of Iustice as Saint PAVL (b) 2. Tim. 4 b calleth it or a full and (c) 2. Io. ep c Luc. 6 c eternall reward doth not come without (d) 1. Cor. 3 b Mat. 11 b Luc. 16 d labour For heereupon doth S. IAMES also affirme Blessed is (e) Iac. 1 b the man that suffereth temptation For when he hath beene proued hee shall receiue the crowne of life 3 And what is principally to be noted about the doctrine of the Beatitudes FIrst of all certes ought to bee obserued Amb. in 6. cap. Luc. that there be certaine distincte degrees amongest them as appeareth both by their number order Then in euery degree there are iointly proposed two thinges whereof the one is the very acte of vertue or the merit and the Beatitude as they call it of this life the other is the rewarde of life euerlasting aunswerable to his proper and peculiar merit which wee may call the Beatitude of our countrey And as the first part offereth labour and difficulty to the beleeuers so the latter which in each degree is presently adioined by the greatnesse of the proposed reward doth afford consolation easeth the laboures sweates and agonies which euerie man must sustain in Christian warfare For no man (a) 2. Tim. 2 a shall be crowned vnlesse hee striue lawefully Euery one (b) 1. Cor. 3 b shall receiue his owne rewarde according to his owne labour What things (c) Gal. 6 b a man shall sowe those also shall hee reape as constantly affirmeth the doctor of the Gentiles And therefore our Lord before he come to sitte in (d) Heb.
cap. â—â— the Charitie of God is powred forth in their hartes that are iustified is inherent in theÌ„ And therfore in this iustificatioÌ„ togither with remission of sins a man receiueth by IESVS CHRIST vnto whom he is ingraffed all these thinges infused together to wit FAITH HOPE and CHARITY For FAITH excepte that HOPE and CHARITY bee adioined thereunto neither doth perfectly vnitie with CHRIST nor make a man the liuely meÌ„ber of his body In regarde whereof it is most truely saide Iac. 2 d that FAITH without workes is deade and idle And in Gal. 5 a Chrys ho. 5. in Io. Aug. l. 3. cot 2. ep Pelag. cap. 5. ho. 17. cap. 2 ex 50. lib. 15. Trin. cap. 18 Greg. l. 6. ep 15. Fulg. ep 2. c. 8. de incarn grat Christi c. 26. CHRIST IESVS neither Circumcision auailethe ought nor prepuce but FAITH that worketh by CHARITY This Faith before the Sacrament of Baptisme the Catechumens according to the TraditioÌ„ of the Apostles do demauÌ„d of the Church when they aske Faith which yeeldeth life euerlasting which truely without HOPE and CHARITY FAITH cannot afford And therefore they doe presently heare that word of CHRIST Mat. 19 c If thou wilt enter into life kepe the Commaundementes Therfore receiuing true and Christian Iustice that same euen as the first stole giuen vnto them by Iesus Christ for that which ADAM by his disobedience lost for himselfe vs they are presently after their regeneratioÌ„ coÌ„maunded to keep white vnspotted that they may bring the same before the iudgement seate of our Lord Iesus Christ haue life euerlasting 12. Howe it is vnderstoode that a wicked man by Faith freely is iustified ANd whereas the Apostle Ro. 3 â— Aug. de praedest sanct c. 7. ser 38. de temp saith that a man is iustified by FAITH and freely those wordes are to be vnderstood in that sense which the continuall consente of the Catholike Church hath helde and taught To wit that we are therefore said to be iustified by Faith because Faith is the beginning of mans saluation the foundation and roote of all Iustification Heb. 11 b without the which it is impossible to please God and to come to the societie of his children And we are therefore saide to be iustified Aug. l. 6. Hypog c. 4. l. 1. quaest ad Simplic qu. 2. lib. 1. cont Pelag. et Coelest cap. 31. serm 15. de verb. Apost c. 2. de spir et lit cap. 26. Prosp ad 3. prima dub Gennuen Haimo in Rom. 3. freely because none of all those thinges that goe before iustification whether it be Faith or Workes doe deserue the grace of Iustification For if it be Grace now not of workes otherwise as the same Apostle saith Ro. 11 â— Grace now is not grace 13 Against the vaine confidence of Hereticks ANd although it be necessarie to beleeue that sinnes neither are nor euer haue ben forgiuen but freely through the mercie of God for CHRIST his sake yet must wee saye that to no man which braggeth of a confidence and certaintie of the remission of his sinnes and which resteth only in that either are or euer were sinnes forgiuen whereas euen among Heretikes and Schismatikes this vaine confidence and voide of all pietie may be yea and is in these our daies with great contention is vaunted off against the Catholike Church But neither is this to bee affirmed that those which are truelie iustified ought for to assure themselues without any manner Iob. 9 d Psal 18 c Eccles 9 â— Eccli 5 b Pro 20 b 1. Cor. 4 a Aug. de perf iust cap. 15. in Psal 41 lib. 10. Conf. cap. 32. Hier. ep 127. ad Fabiol mansio 23. Chrys hom 11. in 1. Cor. Theod. in cap. 4. â— Cor. Bern. ep 42. 85. ser 2. in octa Pasch Haimo in cap. 4. ad Cor. Greg. lib. 6 ep 22. Cassian Col. 22. cap. 7. c the 1 question of sinnes against the holy Ghost page 315. of doubte that they are iustified and that no man is absolued from his sinnes and iustified but he who doth assuredly beleeue that he is absolued and iustified and that by this Faith only absolution and iustification is accomplished as though hee that beleeued not that must needs doubt of the promises of Almightie God or of the efficacie of CHRISTS death and Resurrection For as no godly person ought to dout of the mercie of GOD of the meritte of CHRIST and of the vertue and efficacie of the Sacraments so euery man considering himselfe and his owne infirmitie indisposition may iustly haue some feare of his owne grace whereas with certaintie of Faith in which there cannot be any falshood no maÌ„ can know that he hath obtained the Grace of God 14 Of the encrease of Iustification once receiued THey therefore who are thus iustified and made the frendes and Eph. 2 d domesticalls of God going from vertue to vertue Ps 83 b are renued as saieth the Apostle â— Cor. 4. d from day to day that is to say by mortifying Col. 3 a the members of the fleshe and Ro. 6 b Aug. de morib Eccles Cathol cap. vlt. lib. 14. de Trin. c. 17. l. 2. de peccat mer. cap. 7. 13. 17. lib. 6. cont Iul. c. 7. serm 16. de verb. Apost cap. 5. Fulg. ep 4. cap. 3. Bern. ep 91. Conc. Vien Clement ad nostrum de haeret exhibiting them as instrumentes of Iustice vnto sanctification by the obseruation of the commandementes of God and of the Church in that Iustice which they haue receiued by the grace of CHRIST Faith cooperating with good Workes they doe encrease are more iustified as it is written Apoc. 22 c He that is iust let him be iustified yet And againe Eccli 18 c Doe thou not feare to be iustified euen vnto death And again you doe see that by works a man is iustified and not by Faith only And this encrease of Iustice doth the holy Church demand when she praieth Giue vs O Lorde encrease of Faith Iac. 2 d In orat Domin 13. post Pent. Hope and Charitie 15 Of obseruing the Commaundements of the necessity possibility thereof BVt no man although he be iustified ought to thinke himselfe free Mat. 28 d Hier. Beda Theoph. ibidem Aug. lib. 3. cont 2. ep Pelag. cap. 4. Cyp. de vnitat Eccles Conc. Vien in Clem. ad nostrum de haeret See q. 5. of the ten Com. p. 64. q. 1. of the precepts of the Church page 90. froÌ„ obseruing the CoÌ„maundements nor vse that rash speach prohibited Hier. in expla Symb. ad Damas Conc. 2. Araus can 25. by the fathers vnder paine of excommune that the Commandementes of God are impossible to be obserued of a man that is iutified For God doth not commaund Aug. de natura grat c. 43. l. 2. de peccat mer. c. 6. de gratia lib arbit cap. 16. Chry. ho. 8. de poenit Leo. ser 5. de quadr
See q. 6. of the ten Com. p. 66. impossible thinges but in commanding he doth admonish thee both to doe what thou arte able and to aske that which thou arte not able and he helpeth that thou maiest be able Whose Commaundements 1. Io. 5 a are not heauie whose yoke is Mat. 11 d Aug. de nat grat c 69. Ber. pe 341. Chrys in Psal 111. sweete burden light For they that be the sonnes of God do loue Christ And they that loue him as he himselfe Io. 14 c witnesseth doe keepe his speaches which certes with the helpe Aug. ser 61. de temp l. 3 cont Crescon Grammat cap. 4. of God they are able to performe For although in this mortall life neuer so holy and iust persons do sometimes fall Idem de vera falsa poenit c. 5. de spir lit c. 28. Greg. lib. 6. in 1. Reg. c. 2. Beda in c. 26. Pro vel 24. Of sins in general q. 3. p. 272. of the purging of sins q. 2. â— at the least into light and quotidian sinnes which are also called veniall They doe not therfore cease to be iust For euen of iust persons Conc. Mileu can 7. 8. is that speach both humble and true Mat. 6 b forgiue vs our debts Wherby it cometh to passe that the iust persons themselues ought to thinke themselues so much more bound to walke in the way of iustice in that they Rom. 6 c being now deliuered from sinne and made seruantes to Almightie God by liuing Tit. 2 d soberly iustly and godly may profitte and goe forwarde through Christ Iesus by Rom. 5 a whome they haue had accesse into this grace For God doth not Aug de nat grat c. 26. Prosp senten 7. ad cap. Gallor ad 7. obiect VinceÌ„t forsake those that are once Iustified with his grace vnlesse he be first forsaken by theÌ„ No maÌ„ therfore ought to flatter himselfe Chry. ho. 3. 9. in Io. hom 70. in Mat. in Psal â—10 l. 1. cont vit â—p Monast vit Fulg. l. 2. de remis pec c. 1. Greg. ho. 29. in Euang. lib. 33. moral cap. 7. Aug. de gra l. arbit cap. 8. Cyr. lib. 10. in Ioan. cap. 16. See the third questioÌ„ of sines against the holy-Ghost 316. and the 1. quaestioÌ„ of good workes 348. with only Faith thinking that by only Faith he is made heire and shall obtaine the inheritance although bee suffer not with Ro. 8 c CHRIST that so he may be also glorified with Christ For eueÌ„ Christ himselfe as the Apostle Heb. 5 â— saith Whereas he was the sonne of God he learned by those thinges which he suffered obedience and being consummate was made to all those that obey him cause of eternall saluation And for that cause the Apostle himselfe admonisheth the iustified saying 1. Cor. 9 d Knowe you not that they that runne in the race all runne in deed but one receiueth the prise So runne that you may obtaine I therefore so runne not as it were at an vncertaine thing so I fight not as it were beating the aire But I chastise my body and bring it into seruitude least perhaps wheÌ„ I haue preched to others my selfe become a reprobate Also the Prince of the Apostles S. PETER 2. Pet. 1 b Brethren labour the more that by good workes you may make sure your vocation election for doing these thinges you shall not sinne at any time Whereby it appeareth that they goe against the true doctrine of the Catholik Religion who say that a iust man in euery good worke sinneth at least Iob. 1 d 2 c Mat. 6 c Luc. 11 c 1. Cor. 7 c 2 Pet. 1 b 1. Io. 3 a 5 d Amb. in cap 1. Luc. Orig. ho. 2. in Luc. venially or which is more intolerable that he deserueth euerlasting paines as they also doe erre who holde that iust men doe sinne in al their works if in theÌ„ for to excite their owne sloth and to encourage themselues to runne in the rase hauing withall their principall end that God may be glorified they haue also a regard to the eternal 1. Cor. 9 d Heb. 11 b c 13 c Col. 1 a 3 d Mat. 4 c 5 a 10 d Luc. 6 c 14 c 16 b 1. Tim. 4 c 2. Paral. 15 b Eccli 12 a 18 c Ephes 6 b 2. Thes 1 b Gal. 6 b. Aug praefat in Psa 31. in Ps 93.120 Cyp. epist 9.16.56 reward whereas it is written Psal 118 o I haue enclined my heart to doe thy Iustifications for the reward And of MOYSES the Apostle saith that Heb. 11 c He looked vnto the remuneration 16 That the rashe presumption of Predestination is to be auoided MOreouer no maÌ„ so long as he liueth in this mortality ought so farre to presume of the secret mysterie Aug. lib. 6. c. 7. 8. Hypog de con ep grat cap. 13. Prosp ad 12 obiect Vinc. Greg. ho. 38 in Euang. Ber. ser 2. in octa Pasch of Gods predestination that he doe assuredly persuade himselfe that he is of the nuÌ„ber of the predestinate as though it were true that he which is iustified either Mat. 24. b Ezech. 18. f Aug. haer 82. Hier. l. 2. adu Iouin cap. 1.2 Aug. de correp grat cap. 6. 7. de don perseu cap. 6. lib. 6. de Gen. ad lit c. 28. Prosp ad 24. obiect Vincent Bern. ep 42. Cyr. lib. 10. in Io. cap. 16. Theoph. in c. 26. Mat. Conc. Vien in Clem. ad nostrum de haeret can sinne no more or if hee shall sinne ought to promise himselfe Fulgent de fid ad Pet. cap. 3. Bern. serm 38. ex paruis Aug. tract 33. in Ioan See the 3. question of sinnes against the holy Ghost page 315. assured recouerie and amendment For it cannot be knowne but by speaciall reuelation whom God hath chosen vnto himselfe 17 Of the gifte of perseuerance IN like manner concerning the gifte of perseuerance whereof it is written He Matth. 10 c 24 b that shall perseuer vnto the end he shall be saued Which gifte certes can no Aug. de don perseu cap. 1. 13. de corrept grat c. 6. other-where be had but of him that is able Ro. 14 a to make him which standeth so to stand that he may stand perseuerantly to restore him that falleth no man can Aug. ho. 35. ex 50. lib. 11. de ciuit Dei cap. 12. l. 20. c. 7. ep 121. c. 2. Chry. ho 11 in epist ad Philip. Amb. in Ps 37. Bern. ser de duplici Baptismo promise himselfe any assurance with absolute certaintie though all men ought to place and settle a most firme confidence in the helpe of al mightie God For God except they theÌ„selues be wanting vnto his grace as hee hath begunne Phil. 1 a a good worke so hee will perfitte it Phil. 2 b working both to will and to accomplishe Howbeit 1. Cor. 10 12. Rom. 10 c Aug. ep 107 de don perseuer cap. 8.
yeelde to Relickes Images But to the intent gentle Reader that thou maiest more pefectlie apprehend the manner of worship which we yeelde vnto Relikes Images Thou shalt vnderstande that a Relicke may be considered in two maners First as it is a part of the Saint And so it deserueth honor indeed as hath beene shewed before but lesse than the Sainte himselfe for that the whole is more perfect than one part alone And that which we haue saide of the part of the bodie or of the wholle bodie which is a part of the wholle man is also to bee vnderstoode of such exteriour thinges as Vide 8. Thom. 3. p. qu. 25. art 4. 6. were any way belonging vnto him as his garments and the instrumentes of his Passion or whatsoeuer reuerende thing hath touched his holy body all which deserue a certaine affection of reuerence although lesse than the Saint himselfe For if in those whom we haue naturally loued we affecte after their death as Saint Lib. 1. ciu cap. 13. Augustine saith either their garment or their ring or any such thing and aboue all other things their bodies which haue beene nearer vnto them than any thing outwardly ioyned vnto thē howe much more ought we to esteeme of the like things in Saints espeacially of their bodies which the same Doctour calleth instruments Vesselles which the holie Ghost hath vsed to all good works And surely if a king could when he would leaue off his hande sende it to his subiects abroade no doubt but with great reuerence it woulde be euerie where receiued espeacially if those which reuerenced the hand did knowe that the King did see them and beholde their dutifull shewes of loyall affection Nowe certaine it is that the Saints doe see our reuerende behauiour to their Relickes and as for their bodies partes thereof we are assured that nowe they be theirs and their soule hath a natural respect vnto them shall one day receiue thē glorified Secondly wee may consider the Relickes whatsoeuer they bee as they doe represent Chrys in l. de S. Babyl vnto vs the wholle Saint and are as it were certaine Images of him And in this respecte wee must say the same which we generally hold of images which here I purpose briefly to set downe Knowe thou therefore that an Image is honourable two waies Images are honourable two waies First when wee stay in the Image it selfe considering it as a venerable thing for the similitude which it hath with the Saint and the consecration of it and dedication to a sacred vse After which manner wee also yeeld a certaine holinesse vnto the holy BIBLE sacred CHALICES and other holy thinges in the Church So was it defined in the seuenth general Councel holdē at Actione 7. Nice And in this sense though the Church doth yeelde reuerence vnto Images and that for the Saint his sake yet the ordinary worship deuotion vsed vnto them by the faithfull people is not in this onely respecte exhibited and shewed For when we kneele pray before an Image of any Saint we intēd not only to reuerence a thing for his sake But our meaning is to yeelde honor to make our prayer vnto the Sainte himselfe not staying in the Image alone And this is the second way of honoring an Image That is when that which we do we do not for to stay in the Image but in the Image by the Image we do it vnto him which is signified in the same In the first we immediately honour the Image yet for the Saint himself in the second we immediately honor the Saint by the Image in the Image without giuing any honour vnto the Image it selfe but only an accidentarie kind of honour Euen as hee which honoureth the King honoureth his apparell and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto him but onlie accidentarilye because hee intendeth onely to honour the person of the King The reason of this is for that although I cannot thinke of the Image as it is an Image but I must needes thinke of that whose Image it is yet thinking of both I may honour one only actually and expressely though virtually consequently it redound to the honour of the other as hath beene saide Three examples will I giue thee of this wholle matter Thou seest in a glasse thy owne face and yet yet thy face is not in the glasse but only an Image of thy face and yet maiest thou truely say thou seest thy face because the Image is that onely by which thou seest thy face and cannot properly be said to bee that which is seene it selfe as the Philosophers teach 3. Deanima but that by which another thing is seene Likewise as the Philosophers also affirme it is necessarie that euerie one whilest he vnderstandeth in this life forme him selfe a phantasie or likenesse of that thing which he vnderstandeth in his imagination Now when thou in thy chamber where thou hast no Image liftest vp thy harte to CHRIST in heauen and framest a likenesse of him in thy minde and worshippest him and praiest vnto him thou wilt not say for feare of Idolatry if thou arte a Protestant that thou honourest that likenesse which thou hast in thy braine for that were to make to thy selfe a God of a phantasie but by that likenesse and in that likenesse thou honourest the true God So is it and no otherwise in our Images which helpe vs to doe that which our own imaginatiō must needs doe though not so perfectly without the Image Thirdly thou honourest the King whom thou seest in his apparell so maiest thou conceiue that the Saint is in a maner cladde in the Image and so pray vnto him conceiuing him as present though he be not in deede but onely by his vertue receiued from God Finally if thou wilt haue one example to declare vnto thee both kind of honours due vnto an Image that is both because it is an Image like vnto the Sainte and because in it and by it thou honourest the Sainte the like distinction maiest thou behold in an Embassadour of a forren Prince Who somtimes representeth actually the Princes person and then thou knowest with what solemnity he is intertained other times he doth not actuallye represent his Princes person but because he is one expresly deputed to that ende to represent his Prince in time and place and conuenient businesse he is still more than one of his degree and though he be of meane condition yet is he my Lorde Embassadour Euen so doth an Image sometime actually represent the Sainte and when it doth not it is alwaies a reuerende Image naturally able to doe the same and by the Church deputed to that end therefore more than ordinary wood paper and stone And all this honour which wee haue spoken of is so far frō blemishing the honour due vnuo God that it doth the more increase and amplify it Which Lib. cont Vigilant S. Hierome doth very well
the people to vnderstand that the Pope graunteth leaue to sinne before-hand and too easely remitteth that which he should seuerely punish and that which is a horrible blasphemie that he doth make by his Pardon 's any thing lawfull vnto vs be it in it selfe neuer so repugnant to Gods holy commandementes Let vs compare our pardons with theirs our Iubeleis with theirs our remissions with theirs And to beginne first with Confession it is very well knowen in their iudgement for the moste parte to be accounted a thing little agreable with nature it selfe how many sinfull thoughtes doe they harbour how many shamefull blasphemous and iniurious wordes doe they vtter alwaies excepting some fewe of more ciuill and naturall disposition How many brutish actes doe they commit which they would neuer fall into or at the least they would auoide in parte if besides the iudgement of God before which all hidden thinges of darkenesse shall be lightened 1. Cor. 4 5. and all counsailes of hartes shall be manifested they knew they were to make before a man and a sinner perhaps as greate as themselues so straite and particular account I my selfe when I liued in my owne Countrey haue had sufficient experience of diuers whō neither loue of the worlde could with-hold nor custome of sinne allure nor feare of lawes keepe backe yet the onely shame of Confession could as I thinke doth as yet detaine from the vnitie of the Catholicke Church as our vnderstanding is often blinded by an infected wil maketh thē not to acknowledge in hart that which is the onely truth Let vs then goe to another condition And examine their austere kind of life strict satisfactiō to Almightie God And as for Fasting what better signe of a good Protestant then to eate flesh on the Friday without iudging betweene day and day For Almes if we mighte haue the Voices of all those which are poore needie in our Countrey in whom this gloriouse vertue doth more shine whether in Catholickes or in Protestants it would soone appeare what incomparable difference there is But for Praier I appeale to all greate house keepers or those which are the generall harbourers of all sortes of men yea and vnto all other persons who conuerse indifferentlye abroade whether if a man be not otherwise knowen to be a Protestāt it be not a manfest probability of a Papist to say his praiers deuoutly vpon his knees at his bedd-sid either morning or euening Sure I am that there be many honest matrons and diuerse simple persons amongst the Protestants who after the example of CORNELIVS Act. 10 2. endeuour according to their knowledge to serue Almightie God and to attend to workes of Charitie and Prayer whom I hope GOD doth now dispose by little and little with his preuenting-grace to receiue one day a perfecte knowledge of his will when they may by his cooperating-grace with such good workes builde vnto euerlasting saluation which in their present estate Heb. 11 6. Rom. 14 23 they cannot But euen these doe I call to witnesse earnestly intreating them for the honor of God without all vaine-glory as they haue little cause therof to shewe howe many examples they haue seene of the like deuotions Then let vs examine whether at the least there be to be found some great cause of Pardon and Indulgence which we propounded in the sixt place as necessarie in our remissions And perhappes wee shal find some building of Hospitals some erecting of Churches some enterprise against the Turkes the enemies of Christ and of Christendome some solemne and generall praier for the necessities of the Church which are the causes ordinarily pretended in our Indulgences But on our aduersaries side howe the matter doth stand the miserable ruines of antiquities doe shewe their rauenous gaping after Ecclesiasticall goodes doe testifie their intolerable vexations of their poore neighbours doe crie Exod. 22 23. vp to Heauen But these be outwarde thinges Confession Penance Workes of Deuotion It may be that the intenall things as Sorrowe purpose of Amendment a seuere examinatiō of their Actions Words and Thoughts doe so much excell that there can be no neede of those outwarde Ceremonies Espeacially whereas now the time is come when we must serue God in spirite and trueth And yet there is nothing lesse For howe can they settle themselues to the particular searche of their sinnes who neither purpose to Confesse them particularly to the Priest God knowing them already more particularly than themselues and besides if they stande to their Maisters doctrine maintaine that al our works are sins if God straitly examine them So that if this be credited they need not seeke to sort the good deeds from the badde But for purpose of keeping Gods Commaundementes they shoulde highly deceiue themselues if euer they should make it For they holde it an impossible thing to obserue the same And as for sorrowe that they thinke not necessary For that METANOIA which they cannot deny because it is so often commended vnto vs in the Scriptures they will not haue to signifie a sorrowefull repentance Beza vpon Mat. 3. and Luther ser de poenit but a RESIPISCENCE or waxing wise againe which God graunt they may doe without any sorrowe or affliction of minde for that which is past And although some of their Doctours doe require such sorrowe yet neither will they haue it the cause of remission of sinnes nor necessary for such effecte But onely they require Faith as a necessary sufficient cause after which as they most absurdly say by a necessary sequell followeth this sorrowe euen whether wee will or no. And yet here must I needes craue pardon if I say that they are also voide of Faith For there can be but one Ephes 4 5. Heretickes haue no Faith Faith and hee which denieth one pointe of Faith although hee giue credite to the rest that is not a Diuine Faith but a humane perswasion whereas if it were that Supernaturall Faith and Theological Vertue which is Conc. Araus 2. c. 5. necessarie for to beleeue a right it would encline a man to beleeue all thinges which God hath spoken as well as one Wherefor it is an infallible verity Concil Trid. sess 6. cap. 15. See page 479. that euē as grace is lost by euery mortall sinne so by infidelity in one only pointe the wholle substance of Faith doth perishe Nowe where there is not Diuine Faith how can there be a diuine hope Hope beeing grounded in Faith as S. PAVL Heb. 11 4. saith which although they brag neuer so much of their Iustification by Faith so long as in any one thing they dissent from the Church they cannot haue Wherefore although I might say that they require nothing at all for their iustification because they cannot beeing as they are haue so much as Faith the beginning foundation of all disposition thereunto yet supposing that they were in the right Faith consider good Reader who forgiueth
vnto theÌ„ so much of Ecclesiastical helpe as may sufficiently recompence for theÌ„ But euen in these Pardon 's also is required a iust conuenient cause without the which they shall haue either none or not so greate force as the wordes doe soundâ— is we saide before The like also is to be iudged of the estate of grace of him which obtaineth the Indulgence for the deade Grace is not alwaies required in him which â—â—â—teth an Indulgence for the dead yet with some difference betweene these Indulgences and those which are graunted to them which liue in this worlde For two manner of workes may the POPE require in Pardon for the Dead The first are workes which haue no other goodnesse in them than that which they haue of sâ—eâ—dâ—eâ— as if the Pardon should runne thus Whososoeuer visiteth this Church or saieth such a Praier c. shall deliuer a soule out of Purgatory And such things being doone out of Gods grace because without his 〈◊〉 the worke hath â—o goodnesse in it there cannot be a sufficient cause of Pardon and therefore the Pardon auaileth nothing Other workes may haue some goodnesse in themselues or in some extrinsecal thing although they haue â—â—ne by the doer As if this should be the forme of the Indulgence Who saith MASSE or causeth to be said MASSE for such a cause or giueth Almes for the maintenance of such a place shal deliuer a soule out of Purgatory For certaine it is that MASSE ALMES doe good vnto the Church although they wh ch saide it or made them to bee giuen bee not in Grace And in such workes Nauarre Sotus if by some circumstance the minde of the POPE be not gathered to the contrary that is that he require that they be deuoutly and with grace perfourmed then may the Pardon be obtained for the dead by one which is not in grace For heere the POPE graunteth the Pardon for a iust cause which is Gods glory and honour by those charitable workes and the other doth nothing concurre vnto it but by determining the person to whome the POPE may apply it Euen so is it in the Dirige of a naughty Priest offered for one that is dead as for the MASSE it is certaine that it hath effecte of it selfe without any respect to him which saith it euen for those for whoÌ„ a naughty Priest doth offer it Who if he say this Dirige of his own deuotion priuately it is nothing auaileable But if he doe it to fulfill the bond of the Church whose Minister he is or in the Quire than doth it very much profite the Deade for in this he beareth the person of the wholle Church So also is it if my man being in sinne giue out of my Purse by my consent or generall leaue Almes to the poore For in these examples the workes are more â—f 〈◊〉 â—ersons than of those which doe execute thâ—◠〈…〉 it in the Suffrages and Indulgenâ—◠〈…〉 when the POPE respecteth the wâ—◠〈…〉 the goodnesse thereof in the effecte 〈…〉 recite from a naughty roote from wâ—◠〈…〉 no goodnes at al. For in such a case aâ—◠〈…〉 â—arâ—â—â—cantable of Pardon himselfe yet 〈…〉 a worke aâ— mothers appointment wherunto is annexed a Pardons for the Deade although perhaps the worke doth nothing profite the Deade but only in as much as it doth determine the POPES application of Pardon to this Particular party deceased No condition necessary in this life for Pardon in Purgatory or for participation of the suffrages of the Church Neither is that necessary which some doe require that a man for to be holpen by Indulgences after his death haue had whilest he heere liued a special deuotion to the autority of the Church and a diligent care to helpe the soules departed or a particular resolution to satisfie vnto God in this life although this last be singularly profitable to make at the least in the houre of death For it is sufficient that one be in Purgatory for then he is also in Grace And the want of those affections in life time in a higher degree than euery Christian is bounde vnto vnder paine of Mortall sinne although perhappes it hath increased the debte in Purgatory yet can it not hinder the common influence of Christes Passion and the participation of the Churches Suffrages or of the Treasure of Indulgence 12 The conclusion of this Treatise of the fruit of Indulgences THus much haue we saide according to the most sounde opinions of Learned Diuines of this 〈…〉 â—â—dulgences Which for that it was 〈…〉 â—â—IONIS ET PETRA SCANâ—◠〈…〉 offence and a rocke of scandall to 〈…〉 stumbling made Israell to sinne 〈…〉 which followe his Doctrine a comâ—â—◠〈…〉 blasphemy against the CHVRCH 〈…〉 it my part to handle more largely than the purpose of this BOOKE did require If nothing will suffice them no reason content them no autority conuince them then let them knowe that they beeing out of the number of GODS Children can neuer be troubled with Purgatory nor with Pardons which haue relation vnto Purgatory The one being a place of correction for children the other a mercifull fauour exhibited vnto the same children But of them which despise this Rodde of Discipline of our Almighty Father and contemne his Indulgence and Mildenesse is saide of the Apostle Heb. 12 8. If you be without Discipline whereof all be made partakers than are you Bastards and not children And that of the Prophet Esa 11 4 He shall strike the earth with the Rodde of his mouth with the breath of his lippes he shall kill the wicked But we whom God of his infinite mercy hath vnited vnto his misticall body of the holy Church as we must of necessity if we will remaine in the same vnity acknowledge and reuerence the sacred autority and power of giuing Indulgences so in seeking with diligence to obtaine them we shall reape three singular benefittes Three singâ—lar profits oâ— Indulgences First wee shall receiue encrease of meritte and consequently of grace in this life and glory in the other whilest wee deuoutely performe those good workes vnto which alwaies we are inuited by Indulgences Secondly we shall obtaine the release of the paines of Purgatory by diminishing in our mortall life the debte thereof which by those which feare the corrections of God and consider how farre as S. AVGVSTINE saieth In Psal â— those paines exceede whatsoeuer can be suffered in this life will be iudged a great felicitie Thirdly we shall shorten the time of our absence from God after our departure from hence and hasten that happy vision which God promised to MOISES when he saide I will shew thee all good Ex. 33 1. Which acceleration of so great a good how pretiouse it is wel vnderstoode S. PAVL Phil. 1 23. who so earnestly desired to be dissolued and to be with Christ And that other deuoute soule which complaining of the length of her Pilgrimage and dwelling amongst the inhabitants of darke and sorowfull CEDAR Ps 119 5. did wast consume with the desire of entering into the heauenly Courtes Ps 83 3. In which if according to the infallible veritie of Gods word one day be farre better than thousands of worldly treasures Ps 83 11. then surely that which not onely deliuereth from miserie but hasteneth and anticipateth so many yeeres and daies of so greate a blisse giuing also such helpe and occasion of a higher mansion in so rich a house Io. 14 2. cannot be valued with the treasures of wholle Kingdomes Psal 62 2. Come therefore O you who wander abroade in the deserte desolate and withered lande of Heresie and Schisme Come vnto the waters and you which haue not siluer make haste and buy Esa 55 1. and eate Come buy without amy exchange Wine and Milke Why doe your spend your money and not in bread why doe you bestow your labour and not in satiety Come vnto these liuely waters which proceeding from the fountaine of life will purge you from the mudde of your broken cisterns and quicken you with the spirite of God Hier. 2 12. â—o 4 14. â—o 9 2. and spring vp into life euerlasting Come drinke of that wine which the holy wisdome of God hath mingled vnto you And least you be terrified with the expectation of your fathers seuerity and discipline beholde your mother with her naked breasts cometh to meete you ready to embrace you and as new borne Infants to nourish you with the milke of her clemency and kindnes â—â— 15 22. Shee bringeth with her your very first stole which you once receiued of her in Baptisme now again again haue defiled And although that pure robe of innocency with which then she adorned you cannot bee recouered yet shall you no doubte by her diligent care and motherly piety be cloathed with an vnspotted garment of your recouered grace and if you haue hurte your soueraigne Lorde and Father in any thing or be in his debte you being once restored to his fauour shee hath wroten it with her owne hand shee will repay it Whose voice if you will heare Philem. vers 18. whose petition if you will graunt whose teares if you will respecte then shall you in steede of wasting your substance riotously by labouring vnto destruction Mat. 13 44. and euerlasting fire conuert most holsomely and profitablely your care and labours to the buying of that hidden treasure which shall fully recompence the sale of all worldly riches Laus Deo ac Beatissimae semper Virgini Matri DEI-PARAE MARIAE atque omnibus Sanctis 1. Cor. 11 16. If any man seeme to be coÌ„tentious we haue no such custome nor the Church of God S. Cyp. l. de simp Praelat Aug. l. 4. de simb ad cat c. 13. He shall not haue God to his Father Who will not haue the Church to his Mother FINIS