Campian Englished. Or A translation of the Ten reasons in which Edmund Campian (of the Societie of Iesus) priest, insisted in his challenge, to the Vniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge Made by a priest of the Catholike and Roman Church. — Rationes decem. English

Author: Campion, Edmund, Saint, 1540-1581.1632

CAMPIAN ENGLISHED. OR A TRANSLATION of the TEN REASONS, in which EDMVND CAMPIAN (of the SOCIETIE of IESVS) Priest, insisted in his Challenge, to the Vniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge Made by a PRIEST of the Catholike and Roman Church,

Vidi mulierem ebriam de sanguine Sanctorum, & de sanguine Martyrum IESV.

Apocalyps. c. 17.

Printed with Licence. M. DC. XXXII.

[Page]

Let the courteous Reader be pleased to correct the faults escaped in printing as followeth:

Pag 24. lin. 17. Shill, reade, skill. 30 6. fo, reade, so. 37.10. ob, read [...], of. 16 payers, reade, prayers. 42.5. Tohy, reade, Tobie. 49.16. achowledgeth, reade, acknowledgeth 71.11. suth, reade, such 91.6. vnworthiby, reade, vnworthily. 98. penult. exhihited, reade, exhibited 97.19. moning, reade, mouing 20. fast, reade, fasts. 1 [...]9.2. vohappie, reade, vnhappie.

20. manntrs, reade, manners. 147.18. it, reade, in. 178.15. testore, reade, restore. 183.12 in, reade, is. 189.1. bryas, reade, bryars.

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The Translatour's EPISTLE DEDICATORIE to the ENGLISH FATHERS of the Societie of IESVS.

MOST Vertuous, Reuerend, & Learned MEN; To whome should I rather addresse this my small labour, then to yourselues, who are partly interessed in the Person, whose Worke is here translated, since you are all members of that Societie, in [Page 4] which he dyed: partly, in the Cause with him, since you haue deuoted yourselues to the propagation of that Religion, for which he dyed? In which Combat no doubt he well remembred (though in a different sense) those words of a holy Father: August. l. 1. Confess. c. 5. Moriar, ne moriar.

The Worke, which at this present receaues from me, an English tincture and dye, is in its Originall of such worth, that I neede not to marchandize and stall forth the valew of it, seing your owne Iudgements can best censure thereof. For I presume, that diuers [Page 5] of you haue (I will not say, read, but) euen studyed the Booke it self. Only this I will maintayne, that the Authour hath here in discoursing of the supreme Mysteries of the Catholike Fayth, inuested (as it were) and cloathed them in such roabes of speach, as best sorte to their Reuerence & Maiesty; since a Man is able to glasse in this small Treatise, the full perfection of Elocution and Oratorie.

His Vertues, Learning, Christian feruour, and Resolution, I will not here endeauour to display; for I grant, I am not able to pensill them [Page 6] forth; Who was in his owne time reputed (by his enemies) euill, because he was remarkably good; And whose Centrall cogitations were euer fixed vpon the gayning of Soules, for which (as aboue I intimated) he dyed the death of Saints: Who now ioyeth, in that he then lamented; and laugheth, in that he wept: Ps. 125. Qui seminant in lachrimis, in exultatione metent.

Now for my more peculiar dedication of this my Translation (besides the reasons aboue sett-downe) my owne respectfull affection towards your Order inuiteth me thereto: [Page 7] Which affection is not grounded without iust cause. For you are the Men (I meane your Order) designed to repayre & re-edifye the decayed Walls of the Cittie of God: you are the Men, whose prouince and charge is not only to re-estate the Catholike Church in such Countries, out of which she in former times hath beene vnworthily exiled; but withall (to speake in the Idiome of the Prophet) to Esay. c. 54. enlarge the place of her Tents, and spreade out the curtayns of her habitation, euen amōg the Gentils: you are the Men, whose function in Catholike [Page 8] Countryes is so to organize (as I may say) the Soule of youth, as that it may receaue the Information of Learning and Pietie: you are the Men, who doe indoctrinate your Penitents and followers (howsoeuer H [...]resie and her Attendāts barke to the contrary) in true Allegiance to their Temporall Soueraignes; And therefore not vndeseruedly was that worthie Souldier, the old Prince of Parma (once Gouernour of the Low-Countryes) accustomed to say, That for keeping of a Towne in dutie and Loyaltie to the Ciuil Magistrate, he had rather haue it fortifyed [Page 9] with a Colledge of Iesuits, then with a Garrison of Souldiers; since by the one (sayd he) Obedience is procured chiefly through seruile feare of man, by the other through feare of God, and of their Soule's perdition: To conclude, you are the Men, who not only by Inherencie, but euen by Production, may be iustly stiled Literate and Vertuous; since you no lesse plant these Qualities in others, then you enioy them in yourselues. So desirous you are to spreade and fructifie in all worthie and charitable Actions. But what is here your remuneration and Reward? Giue eare vnto the [Page 10] Prophet, & exult: Daniel c. 12. Qui docti fuerint, fulgebunt quasi splendor firmamenti; Et qui ad iustitiam erudiunt multos, quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates.

I would not be thought by anie, as if I were perswaded, that besides yourselues, the Church of God were not furnished with manie others, who most painefully labour in the Vineyard of our Lord, much enriching and cultiuating it, by their pious endeauours. No. God forbid, my Affectiō should so farre transport my Iudgement. For I (euen with ioy) acknowledge, that there are throughout [Page 11] all countryes of Christendome, (and euen among my owne Ranke of Priests in England) manie others, most learned, most zealous, most religious, most laborious in the spirituall good of their Christian Bretheren; & who would be readie to engage their bloud for the Saluation of Soules. For here we must rest assured, that as in the Celestial, so in our terrestrial Ierusalem, Ioan 14. Multae mansiones sunt, there are manie different states and Professions of men; yet all (though by seuerall wayes and courses) leaueling at one and the same Marke.

[Page 12]Only this I say (most Worthie Men) & this at all times I wil say: The Church of God hath receaued that comfort & benefitt by your Order, as that Luther and his broode (for Truth and Falshood euer moue about one and the same Center of Religion) had made farre greater incursions throughout Europe, had they not beene withstoode and beaten back by Perswading, by Preaching, by Writing, by Prayer, by exemplarie liues, and by diuers other forcible meanes of Men of your Profession. This then being a veritie vndeniable, the lesse is anie one [Page 13] to marueile, why I doe dedicate this my small worke to you, since I see, you so peculiarly dedicate yourselues to God. And thus humbly beseeching you to vouchsafe (now and then) your charitable remembrance of me, in the times of your chiefest Deuotions, for the expiating of my maniefold sinnes, I cease euer continuing.

Your's in all respectfull Obseruancie.

[Page 14]

THE TRANSLATOVR'S EPISTLE TO THE READER.

COurteous Reader; Hauing euer allotted (for my priuate studyes) certaine howers from the dailie exercising of my function of Priesthood; and lately vnbethinking me, what profitable labour I might vndertake, whereby others might be bettered (for I willingly acknowledge that Principle: bonum est sui diffusiuum) my imagination could not fixe itself more firmely on anie other Subiect, then in translating the Ten Reasons, which contayned a [Page 15] Challenge made to both the Vniuersities by that Blessed Saint, Fathe [...] Campia [...] of the Societie of IESVS; Who after much spirituall good by him donne, suffered death in Queene Elizabeth's dayes; he so purchasing life, by loosing of life: Who might then well expostulate with his Enemies in the words (not comparatiuely, for that were blasphemie, but allusiuely) which our Sauiour did with the Iewes: Ioan c. 10. propter quod opus (bonum) me lapidatis?

Now touching the Booke here translated; it is in the Latin Originall most exquisit, both for the Ar [...] therein, and for the Matter veyled vnder the Art. And for the first; Whereas Rhetorike chiefly consisteth in applying Reason to the Imagination, for the more easie inuading and mouing the will, that it may [Page 16] giue an assent to the Vnderstanding, this poynt is so fully performed by the Authour, as that I thinke, euen therein, it may ouermatch any so small a part of Tullie's Works. For to insist a litle in the stile or Dialect of writing: We finde therein such proprieties of most significant words, where he vndertaketh to deliuer a thing in proper tearmes: such swelling Metaphors (yet not forced) here and there dispersed, for the encreasing of the sense: such choyce vse of F [...]equentatiues, and Diminutiues, when either the poynt expressed is often iterated, or through an Extenuation is to appeare litle in the Reader's eye: such vehement and ingeminated Interrogations, for the greater asseueration of the matter discussed: such short Transitions & deliueries of himself in few words, when either [Page 17] the subiect expressed was donne in haste, or when but incidently it is spoken of; such precise Climaxes or Gradations of words (especially of Epithets) placed in order, that thereby the sense may by degrees tise, and become more full: briefly (to omit manie other ornaments of Speach) such elegant Apostrophies to the Vniuersities, and other closing Epiphonema [...]s and Acclamations, when the poynt hath beene largely amplifyed, or fully treated of: And all this is performed with that [...] and perfection of A [...]t, as that if we do take away anie one word, and insert in its place any other Synonymous word, the sense partly quayleth. We may adde hereto the compendious shortnes of his stile, and the lof [...]ines of it. The shortnes (it being voyde of all spinositie & obscuritie) [Page 18] exacts more cunning, and the rather in respect of the plentie of the Matter, which those few Leaues doe inuolue. For we see, more skill is required to draw a curious picture, in a litle Table, then in a large. Now the sublimitie of the stile is such, as that through manie Schemes and Figures of Oratorie, it may be well called C [...]thurnall and statelie; his pen indeede flying therein a higher pitch, then euer Phaëton, who (accor [...]ing to the Poets) was carryed in his Father's chariot. Which Circumstance of writing implye [...]h a farre greater difficultie, by reason of the peculiar subiect it being matter of Diuinitie and Controuersies in Fayth. And yet [...]uen in this poynt he obserueth that [...] or Decerum, so much exacted in true Rhetorike: for where the subiect to be [Page 19] expressed, is not of anie sublime, but of a meane and low Nature, there his words runne low, and he in such places purposly vseth certaine Flats and Playnes in his stile; which resemble humble and pleasant vales, seated among loftie hills.

Besides all this artificiall furniture of Speach, there is found a wonderfull Christian feruour in his words, well discouering his vndauted spirit, and firie desire to suffer for the Catholike Religion, which fire nothing but his owne Bloud could after extinguish; And accordingly he had that felicitie granted him, as to Apoc. 7. wash his robes in the bloud of the Lamb: Happie man! who by once loosing his Breath, performed a double death; by the one he satisfying the due of Originall sinne; by the other, his particular sinnes: Whose [Page 20] death was so working and mouing with D [...]ctour Case of Oxford (the greatest Philosopher, that our English Vniuersities haue brought forth in this time) that diuers moneths after the execution of Father [...]ampian, and M^r. Sherwi [...] (that most holie Man) th [...] D [...]ctou [...] being in London, and behoul [...]ing their heads & quarters vpon long poles ouer one of the Cittie-gate [...], saide in great vehemencie to one in his co [...]pani [...]: Conciona [...]tur & adhuc, & adhu [...]; [...]heir dead [...]odies pr [...]a [...]h to this day, euen to this instant. And to pro [...]eede furth [...]r; this Apostoli [...]all man (I meane Father Campian) being vpon the ladder, and readie to be cast of, tooke these words of the Apostle for his Text, to discourse of to the people: 1. Co [...]. 4. Spectaculum facti sumus mundo, & Ang [...]lis, & hominibus; a [Page 21] s [...]ntence the most apposite and choisest (in respect of all circumstances) that the New Testament could affo [...]de. But the Officers would not suffer him to proce [...]de forward. In like sorte, he at that time looking vp towards the sunne, sayd to his fellow-prisonner M [...]. Sherwin: Be of coura [...]e, Man; within this hower both of vs ( [...]hrough Christ his m [...]rcie) shall be far [...]e higher aboue the sunne, then now we are vnder the sunne. By which passages we may easily see, how farre he was from all consternation & dismaydnes, being indeede most present to himself, as one replenished with heauenlie comfort and resolution, and iustifying in himself those words of holie Writt: Anima mea in manibus m [...]is semper.

But to returne to the Booke: All [Page 22] this curious structure of words, serues but as the mother-of-pearle to enclose within it the pearle itself, which is the Matter and Subiect there handled: For vnder his lines are briefly contayned most choaking and vnanswerable Arguments in defence of our Catholike Religion; since the materialls of this Treatise are indeede an abbreuiated draught of all chiefe Articles of Fayth, controuerted betweene the Protestants and vs; branching itself forth into all those principall heads of proofes, which other more copious bookes doe at large vnfoulde: So as the huge and learned Volumes euen of Cardinal Bellarm [...]n's Controuersies may not vnaptly be called a Scholia, seruing to paraphraze and commēt this litle-greate worke. Which Diamond-worke (for being small in [Page 23] quantitie, it is most preciable) hath gayned (through its owne worth) such a hand of estimation in the Church of God, as that in most Catholike Countryes, it hath enioyed the Honour (a priuiledge not granted to anie man's writings in this Age) to haue beene commonly printed and bound-vp togeather in one Volume, with the small workes of seuerall most ancient and learned Fathers, treating of the like Subiect in generall Controuersies in Fayth; as with Tertullian de Praescriptionibus, Vincentius Lyrinensis contra Haereses, Cyprian de Vnitate Ecclesiae, and Austin de vtilitate credēdi: Fathers, of which the yongest liued within foure hundred yeares after Christ his Ascension. Neither is the coniunction of this Treatise with the anciēt Father's Works donne without iust [Page 24] cause; since I dare pronounce it (not as an amplification, but) as a measured T [...]uth, that (not speaking of holie Scripture) so much doctrinal matter of Fayth, and so much Oratorie, deliuered in so high a key, we [...]e neuer sin [...]e Christ's tim [...], com [...]re [...]ended in Latin within so few leaues. And thus much touching the Booke in its Original.

Now concerning the Translation: It is donne faythfully, & wholy agreable to the sense of the Authour, and is as litterall, as the Engli [...]h with anie elegancie (according to my shill) will well beare with the Latin: The same frame and forme of speach (I meane the same Figure [...], Caesur [...]s, and Cadence [...], of the Latin) is precisely (as much as possibly may be) kept in the English. And though in the censure of manie it [Page 25] hath beene imagined, that the English tongue would not well suite with so high a stile, and that (perhaps euen for this particular reason) this Worke hath beene forborne to be translated by anie English Catholike; yet in my iudgement the English (after tryall once made, and good stoare of words at hand) doth euen in this poynt well comport with the Latin, and is thereby rather much aduantaged & graced, then preiudiced; And the Translatour is much eased herein, as hauing in a readines such curious moulds or frames of Elocution, to cast his matter in. This libertie I haue taken to my self, that (now & then) where an English word of a more full signification, by way of a Metaphor or otherwise, doth occurre, then the Latin affordeth (& [Page 26] this some times falleth out not by reason of any defect of the Authour, but through the fullnes of the English) I make choyce of the said English word for the greater redundancie of the sense. In like sort (here and there, though rarely) I haue inserted a word or two, to make the drift of the Authour to appeare more turgent and forcing in the English (and, thereby to begett a Pathos & to moue the Reader, more fully) then the compendious shortnes of the Latin (being translated without anie addition) would carrye. But now will anie illiterate Literalist (who dwelleth only in the bare letter of the Latin) finde fault herewith? Yf any of that ranke doe carpe thereat, let that man know, I hould him to be ouer seruilly Grammaticall, and to taste strongly of Pedanticall [Page 27] Scholarisme. My proceeding here, is most warrantable: For since Words are the images of the Notions of the Minde, why should we no [...] lay on the fayrest coulours of speach, that our skill can afford, it being directed only to make the picture to appeare more liuelie? and that the Words may st [...]ike the Imagination (and consequently the Will) more intensely? I euer here except, where the Subiect of the Translation is the sacred Writt of God, in the translating whereof a literal playnesse is the best Eloquence; and want of Art, the chiefest Art; since this Subiect cannot brooke, either adding to, or taking from.

I doe not here intimate the least touch, as if anie blemish were in the Autographon, or that it were possible [Page 28] for any Translation to equall it. No; silkes dyed (we euer see) do loose the glasse & beautie of their primitiue coulours; And Campian translated, much diminisheth the luster and grace of Campian in the Original. But howsoeuer this my Translation will be entertayned, it is vndertaken; fi [...]st and principally, for the good of those, that vnderstand not the Latin; since pittie it is, that such a Maistre-peece, as this, wrought by an English Man, should be concealed from Men, for their being meare English: Secondarily, to vindicate and redeeme this Worke (so farre as in me lyeth) from the indignitie and wrong it suffered from the penne of one Stock, a Minister in London; who (being, a [...] blockish, as a stock) some twentie yeares since, translated this Treatise with the [Page 29] shuffling, sillie, and weake Answer thereto of D. Whitaker's, Father Campian's Aduersarye. But that Stock did so adulterate and depraue this Worke, as that I grant, it much grieued me to see it passe vnder so rude and grosse a fyle; his labour tending only to contaminate and soyle the beautie thereof with his durtie quill.

But to leaue this poynt, and to turne myself to thee (good Reader) if thou [...]e Catholike, I could wish thee to peruse this T [...]eatise for thy greater corroboration and strengthning; if a Protestant (as, ô, too manie thousands in our poore Country are) then for thy instruction and Conuersion. And if thou remayne in this latter state, implore God to giue thee his Grace to embrace his Truth, on what side thou [Page 30] shalt finde it to be. But these thy prayers are not to be made with a tepiditie and could indifferencie, but they are to be powred out incessantly, vehemently, and strongly; that so thou maist say with the Prophet, Ier. 38. Prostraui ego preces meas; seing Prayers in zeale and feruour of hart are a pleasing and gratefull Sacrifice to God; if not so performed, then no sacrifice at all, since here the Altar is without fire. But I will not enlarge myself anie further, for feare my Porche be ouer great for the House, and therefore with this I leaue thee, and rest

Thine, in our Sauiour IESVS-CHRIST.

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To the most Learned and Celebrious ACADEMIANS of Oxford and Cambridge EDMVND CAMPIAN wisheth Health.

WHEN this yeare past, by my chosen institution of life, and commaund of my Superiours (Most excellent Men) I returned into this Iland, I did finde stormes much more boysterous and rugged vpon the coasts of England, then those, which I had lately escaped in the Brittan Ocean. After I had entered into the hart of the Realme, I saw nothing more vsuall then vnusuall punishments; [Page 32] nothing more certaine, then vncertaintie of danger. I closed myself togeather, as well as the present state of things would permit, being mindefull of the Cause, mindefull of the Times. And for feare, that perhaps I should be apprehended, before my entrance-in was rumoured, I presently did set downe in wryting, Who I was, that was come; What I sought after; What manner of warre, and against whome, I did proclaime. The first draught of it, I eue [...] kept about me, that, if so I were taken, it also with me might be taken: A Copie thereof I deliuered to a friend, the which (truly without my intention and priuitie) was made knowne to manie. The Aduersaryes doe with great indignitie and atrocitie entertayne this Wryting being divulged; And among other things, they most maliciously insist vpon, that I being but One, dare in matter of Religion send [Page 33] this Challenge to them All; Although it is certaine, that I should not be alone in this Combat, if the disputation might procede by publike Warrant. Hanmer and Chark haue shaped an Answer to my Demaunds. What was it at the length? Most idle and friuolous. For not anie answer sorting with their honours, but one they giue, which one they shall neuer giue: We embrace your challenge, the Queene promiseth open securitie, make haste, and fly ouer to vs. In lieu hereof, these two blotters of paper crye out, with a multitude of obstreperous words: Fye of thy Sodalitie, thy seditious molitions, thy arrogancie, thou art a Traytour, doubtlesly a Traytour. Ridiculously! Why do Men, as if scarse they enioyed but their fiue senses, make such profusion and waste of labour, charges, and their owne reputation? But as concerning these two (of [Page 34] which the fi [...]st out of Religion vastly runneth vpon my said Wryting; the other euen brea [...]hing malice, rudely tumbles & tosses it vp and downe) there is late [...]y published a small Treatise for them to pe [...] vse, which discourseth (so farr forth, as is th [...]ught conuenient) of our Societie, of the iniuryes offe [...]ed vs by these kinde of men, and of the function, which we vndergoe. Now to me it remayned; (because I see, the chiefe Protestant Doctours prepare for me the rack and gallowes, not the Schooles) to war [...]ant with you the cause of this my proceeding; and to poynt out those branches and heads of Matter (harbingers of my desired future D [...]sputation) which haue distilled into me so great confidence and securitie: And further I would hereby wish you, who are more peculiarly [...]bliged thereto then others to espouse you [...] seruiceable dayes chiefly to t [...]is incumbencie and lab [...]ur; since [Page 35] CHRIST, the Church, the Commonwealth, and your owne Sou [...]e's wellfare exact thus much from you. If I, as enioying pregnancie, learning, art, reading, memorie, should prouoke anie one skilfull and experienced Aduersarie, I might iustly haue thereby bewrayed in me a swelling vent [...]sitie and pride, as neither rightly balancing myself, nor them: But if I looking vpon the Cause of Religion with a dispassionate, vnpreiudging, and single eye haue thought myself able enough, to demonstrate this Sunne to shine in its Meridian, your Ingenuities ought not to rest disedifyed thereby; but freely to grant to me (being imbarked in so great an Action) this seruour, which the Honour of IESVS CHRIST my King, and the impugnable Truth haue produced. You well know, that Marcus Tullius in his Oration for Quintius, when Roscius did [...] to obta [...]ne the [Page 36] Cause then controuersed, if he could but euict, that seauen hundred miles could not be runne in the space of two dayes, did not only litle rega [...]de the elocution of Hortensius, but neither of those, whe excelled Hortensius in his Art, as the Philippies, the Cottae, the Antonies, t [...]e Crassi, who [...]e re [...]e countenāces were full of R [...]etorike, & to wh [...]ch men himself ascribed all perfection in Oratorie, and stoare of fyled w [...]rds; For there is as c [...] taine Truth of that radiancie and splendour, that no impostures either in gallantrie of speach, or in the matter itself can ouerclowde it. Now this, which we here vnde [...]take, is more cleare and illustrious, then was the Thesis or Subiect of Roscius. For if I can but make good, that there is a Heauen, that there is a God, that there is a Fayth, that there is a CHRIST, I do come of victorius. May I not then be he [...]e courageous? may [Page 37] I not here shew an inexpugnable confidence [...] Certainly, hangd, drawne, & quartered I well may be, ouercome I cannot be; Since I ancker myself on those Doctours, whome that Spirit did i [...]struct, which is neither vanquished, nor deceaued; How then can I here loose the honour of the day? I humbly beseech you, that you would be but content to be saued; this is the Butt ob my desires; which one request if I may obtayne, I shall be farre more hopefull in all the rest In the meane-time render yourselues wholy vp to this solicitude and Warrfare, batter at the eares of CHRIST with your incessant payers, become breathlesse in your diligence and labour herein; And then doubtlesly you shall finde the matter to stand, as (abstracting from all Circumstances) it is in itself; that is you shall finde our Aduersari [...]s [...]o vse strange tergiue [...]sations of distrust and despayre; and [Page 38] vs (as being securely grounded) readie to expect and wayte for this field of Combat, with all composed se [...]enitie of minde, and spirituall resolution. I here forbeare to spreade myself in more words, since in the rest following I direct further speaches to you.

Fare you well.

[Page 39]

THE REASONS of the Challenge of EDMVND CAMPIAN made to the ACADEMIANS of England.

The first Reason. THE SACRED SCRIPTVRES.

IN the throng of so manie things, which proclaime our Aduersarie's guiltie diffidence in matter of Religion; there is not [Page 40] anie point so much preuayling therin, as the Maiestie of God's sacred Writt, being by them most vnworthily dishonoured. For after they haue spurned at the authorities and consents of all Witnesses, they are finall [...] b [...]ought to this one shift, that they a [...]e not able longer to subsist and stand, exc [...]pt th [...]y make violent incursions and sallyes vpon the said Diuine Bo [...]kes. Doubtlessely these men discouer themselues to be in the extreamest perill; and being in these straytes, they are most desperatly r [...]solued to expect & endure the danger of the last shott. What forced the Man [...]ch [...]es August. l. 28. contra Faustū. c. 2. & de Vtilitat. [...]reden li [...]. 3. to reade with a maleuolent and troubled eye the Gospell of Mathew, & the Acts of the Apostles? Dist [...]ust in thei [...] Cause, and d [...]speration. For with these volu [...]es of Holie Scripture they were [Page 41] wounded; since they denyed CHRIST to haue beene borne of a Math. c. 1. Virgin, and dreamed, that the Holie-Ghost then descended from Heauen, when their Paraclete (that most blasphemous and wicked Persian) fi [...]st stepped forth and appeared to the world. What constrayned the Irenaeu [...] l. 1. c 26 Ebyonits to discanon all the Epistles of Paul? De [...]peration For these retayning their dignitie, Circumcision, which those men laboured to reuiue, was wholy antiquated and disannulled. What induced Luther (that flagitious Apostata) to alleuiate the worth of the Epistle of Iames, by stiling it Iuth. in Non. T [...]stam. Ge [...]m. Praefat. in Epist. Iacobi. Vid [...] l de Captiuit. Bab. c de extrem vnctione & Cent. 2. Magd pag. 58. Contentious, swelling, dry, strawy, and vnworthie the spirit of Apostle? Desperation. For with this writing the wretch was appaled and confounded, when he enthroned Iustice [Page 42] in the onlie seate Iac. 2 of Fayth. What caused the littar or p [...]sthumi of Luther at one push to thrust out of the Canon of the Bible, the Bookes of Tohie, Ecclesiasticus, the Machabies, and diuers B [...]bl. Geneu. others equally calumniated by them for their Serpentine malice borne to th [...]se former? Desperation: since by these Diuine Oracles they are vtterly foyled, as often as they dispute of the patronage Tob 11. of Angells, as often as they impugne the doctrine of Eccl [...]s. 15. Fr [...]e-will; as often as they entertayne anie discours of the state of the faythfull 2. Machab. 12. departed; as often, as they make assault vpon the Article of Intercession 2. Machab. 15 of Saints. But what? Is the matter brought to this issue? Is pertinacie in iudgement, and insolent Bouldnes arriued to this ascent and strayne? Are not our [Page 43] Aduersaryes afraide, after they haue betrampled (with all contempt) vpon the Church of Christ, vpon Coun [...]ells, the seates of Christ's Apos [...]les, the Fathers, Martyrs, Emperours, Assents of all People, ancient Lawe [...], Vniu [...]rsities, Histories, briefly vpon all steps or prints of Antiquitie & Sanctitie; and further haue publikely dogmatized, that all Controuersies are to receaue their inappealable tryall only from the written Word of God; Are they not afraid (I say) neuerthelesse, thus to haue mangled that verie Word yet remayning, by hauing hewed from thence (as from the whole bodye) so many, so good, so fayre parcells thereof? The Caluinists haue paired away (not to speake of some small passages) seauen The Bookes he, Baruch, Tobias, Iudith, Sapiētia E [...]les. and the two Machab. Bookes out of the Old Testament: The Lutherans the [Page 44] Epistle of Iames, and through their malignant disaffection to this, fiue Epist. to the Heb. Epist. o [...] Iu [...]e, 2. Epist. of Peter. 2. & 3. of Iohn This appeareth from Lu [...]her in P [...]aefat citat. Magd [...]burg. Cent. 1. l. 2. c. 4. K [...]mpnit in exam Conc. Tridēt. Sess. 4. other Epistles; which at some time, and in some place heretofore, haue beene called in question. With these our late spiritualized Brethren of Geneua Bibl Geneu do range (as Apocryphall) The Booke of H [...]ster, and almost three whole Chapters of Daniel; which the Anabaptists (their pew-fellowes) long since with a scornefull and subriding contenance haue exploded. O with how much more modestie did Austin proceede, who composing the sacred Catalogue of Scripture, tooke not for his boundarie therein the Hebrew Alphabet, with the Iewes; nor the priuate reuealing spirit, with our Sectaryes; but measured it with that verie Spirit, with the which CHRIST doth inanimate [Page 45] the whole Bodye of the Church:Austin. de doct [...]in. Christ. l. 2. c. 8. Which Church being the Gardian of this Depositum (as the Heretikes doe suggest) and not the Mistris, hath challenged to itself long-since, by the authoritie of most ancient Councells, all this Treasurie; Which poynt of late the Councell of Trent Vide Concil. Tridēt. s [...]ss 4. hath in like manner acknowledged. The same Austin Vi [...]. M [...]l [...]b. Can. l. [...]. de lor. Theolog. c. 9.1 [...].11. elaboratly disputing but of one small branch of Scripture, could not be induced to belieue, that the Booke of Wisdome, which so long had receaued its further strength from the iudgement of the Church, from the long hand of Time, from the approbation of the Ancients, from the secret instinct or Dictamen of the faythfull, should after all this through the precipitate rashnes, or swispering cōtradiction of some one [Page 46] fellow or other, be reiected, as a Austin de Praed [...]st. Sanct. c. 14. Booke adulterate and spurious, or vnworthie anie place in the Canon of Scripture: But what would the said Father say, if he were here conuersing vpon earth, and should behold diuers Luthers and Caluins to become Bible-makers, who with their polishing fyle and castigation haue shaued the Old and New Testament: Neither haue they strooken out the Booke of Wisdome only, but diuers other parts besides, from the whole bulke of Scripture; and this with such a magistralitie and peculiar deliuerie of themselues, as that whatsoeuer of this nature is not vented out of their shopp, the same should through a phreneticall resolution be spitted at, & loathed, as wares vntrimmed and not saleable? These men, who are forced to [Page 47] descend to such a dire and execrable refuge, though they be much honoured through the assenting tongues of their followers, though they t [...]afficke at pleasure in Church-liuings, though they haue gayned a popular applause by their often Sermoning, though they iointly threaten in words & writing the sword, torture, or the gallowes against Catholiks; neue [...]thelesse they are found to be, but men ouerthrowne, dishonoured, contemptible, and whose Cause euen in its maisterveyne lyes mortally a-bleeding: Since they assuming to themselues a censo [...]ious and correcting authoritie, and sitting (forsooth) as honou [...]able Iudges, doe obliterate and deface with their expunging [...]enne [...]uen the Tables of Sacred W [...]in, i [...] so it seemeth to endanger [Page 48] them in anie sort. Is there anie man (though but initiated in this kinde of studie) who will feare the pettie (though subtil) forces of such enemies? Which enemies (not being able to withstand the first onsett) so soone as they appeare in the eye & presence of you (Learned Men) and make their flight to these their cony-holes, as relying therein vpon their familiar Spirit or Genius, are to be entertayned not so much with words of contumelie, as with hissing and trampling of feete.

I would demaund of them (for instance sake) by what right or priuiledge, they thus cleaue and teare a peeces the Bodie of the Scripture? They returne this horse and dry answer, that they doe attempt, non exscindere, sed [...]xcernere, not to cutt of any true parts, but to cull [Page 49] out the suppositions and forged. By the authoritie of what Iudge doe they attempt this? By the spirit of the Holie-Ghost; they reply. For this verie euasion (being a cardinal poynt, and great mysterie in their art) is deliuered by In [...]tit. l. 1. c. 7 [...] 4.5. Caluin, that he might decline the iudgement of the Church, by which all Spiritts are tr [...]ed. Why then do seuerall of you wound with your pennes seuerall parts of the said Scripture, since you all promiscuously vaunte of enioying the same Spirit? Are you not here plunged and stabled? The Spirit of the Caluini [...]ts achnowledgeth six Epistles, which Epistles are wholy reiected by the Spirit [...]f Luth [...]r; And yet they both (we must presume) were endued with the Spirit of the Holie-Ghost. The Sixt. Sen [...]ns. l. 8. Haer. 10 Anabaptists do stile the Historie of Iob, a fable; [Page 50] as being intermixt with Tragicall and Comicall matter. By what meanes know they this? The Spirit so teacheth them. Castalio Praefat. in Cant. vide B [...]zam. in Praefat. ante Cōment. Calu. in I [...]sue. (that goatish and lecherous companion) was not ashamed to prize the mystical Canticle of Salomon (which all Catholiks do admire, as the Paradise of the Soule, as the Hidden Manna, as most choyce delights in Christ) at no more, then as a loue-song made to one's Lemman, or as an amorous discours had with the wayting-maydes of the Mistris. From whence sucked he this? from the Spirit. The Apocalyps of Iohn (where euerie line according to Hierome, Epist. ad Paul. soundeth some sublime & magnificall poynt) Luther,in [...]xam. [...]n [...]il. Trid [...]nt. [...]ss. 4. Praefat. i [...] Apocal Brentius, and Kempnitius (such rigid Aristarchi they are) doe note with a Theta of condemnation, as censuring it to be defectiue; [Page 51] and there-vpon they wished, that it might loose the honour of being reputed Scripture. Who was here their Instructour? The Spirit. Luther Luth. praefat. in N [...]. Testam. Germ. through a preposterous zeale ballanceth and compareth the foure Gospells togeather, and aduancing the Epistles of Paul much aboue the three first, he in the close of all, peremptorily and Senatour-like, decreeth the Gospell of Iohn only to be acknowledged as fayre, true, and most principall; because as much as in him did lye, he willingly would haue made the Apostles partakers of his contentions in matters of Fayth. By whome was he here warranted? By the presumed soueraignetie and domination of the Spirit. Yea this our diminutiue Serm. de Pha [...]. & Publican Brother blushed not to disgorge some wanton and petulant words [Page 52] against the Gospell of Luke, by reason that the exercise of Vertue and Good Works is therein frequently inculcated. Who instilled this into him? The Spirit. Theodorus Beza. in Luc 22. Beza so commaunded ouer the written Word, as that he dared to traduce (as corrupted, and by some meane vitiated) that most sacred and hidden sentence out of Luke 22. Hic est calix, nouum testamentum, in sanguine meo, qui [...]. (calix) pro vobis fundetur: This is the Chalice, the new Testament, in my bloud, which (Chalice) shalbe shed for you: Because this texture of words could suffer no other exposition, then that of the Wine in the Cupp, turned into the true Bloud of Christ. Who reuealed thus much to him? The Spirit. Briefly, whiles euerie one belieueth in his owne Spirit, they do belye the name of [Page 53] the Spirit of God, with most horrible blasphemie.

Who runne these diuisions of desperate boldnes (Learned Academ [...]ans) do they not betray themselues? are they not easily vanquished? are they not in the presence of such indicious Men, as you are, layed prostrate with the least encounter? May I be afraid to dispute with these in defence of the Catholike Fayth, who without all fayth & integritie haue thus dishonoured the Word, not of man, but of God?

I here forbeare to speake, how these men in their Versions of Scripture haue peruerted the Scripture; they standing chargeable with most insufferable abuses of this nature. I am loath to snatch this labour out of the hands of Gregorie Martin my Collegue, and one most skilfull in [Page 54] the Tongues, who more accuratly can performe the same; vpon whom and some others this taske is now layed. The atrocitie, which here I labour to vn-fould, is far more facinorous, and scarcely piacular: There are certain pettie Doctours (forsooth) stept vp, who euen drunke with an impetuous phrensie, and bearing themselues great, as if they did carrye about with them the Holie-Ghost, haue layed their prophane fingars vpon God's owne Hand-wryting: condemning manie passages thereof as maymed, as imperfect, as false, as surreptitious: Some parts of it they haue corrected, some (by circumcising the Text) corroded, and others wholy disauthorized. And for their Sanctuarie in these their irreligious procedures, they are glad to intrench [Page 55] themselues in Luther's Spirit, as in a rampire fabricated of Phantasmes and paynted walles; that so they may not be wholy dumme or mute, when they fall vpon such Scriptures, as doe impugne their Errours; And yet they finde no lesse difficultie to fortifye and strengthen their Cause thereby, then if they should, by endeauouring to supp vp sparks of fire, or eate stones.

This then first Reason or Motiue (which I haue planted, as a murthering-peece, in the foreparte of my challenge) seemeth to me most pressing and strong; the which, after it had (in my owne sight) fully played vpon the feeble & broken forces of the Aduersarie, did (I confesse) giue courage to a Christian Man, and to one trayned in this kinde of fight, to wage warre [Page 56] in defence of the Crowne of the Eternall King, against the scattered relicks and troupes of the profligated and wasted Enemie.

The second Reason. THE SENTENCE of Holie Scriptures.

AN other Allectiue, whereby I am inuited to this Conflict, and which hath eleuated & lessened in my apprehension these men's strength, and much encouraged me to make a second charge vpon them, is their continuall affected sleights in expounding the Scriptures, being loaded with deceipt, but voyde of wisdome. You shall [Page 57] instantly (worthie Men) euen feele and touch the same (so grosse and palpable it is) And for this end I appeale to you the rather, as to my Auditours.

For example; let vs demaund and redemaund, why the professours of this new Sect haue excluded Christ from the Mysticall Supper, and here exiled all Trans-elementation. If they once but name the Gospel (the true History of our Sauiour's speaches, life, & actions) we presently ioyne issue. The words thereof euen depose the Truth in our behalfe; Hoc est corpus meum; hic est sanguis meus. Mat. 26 Marc. 14 Luc. 22. Which words were so powerfull and preuayling in the eares of Luther, as though he much coueted to become a Zwinglian, whereby out of the riot of his malice he might disaduantage the Pope, [Page 58] yet being here wholy ouerborne with the streame of the Text, he forcedly yelded in part to the truth; and Epist ad Argētin. confessed no lesse vnwillingly Christ to be truly and really present in the most holie Sacrament, then the Mat. 8 Marc. 1. Deuills long-since conuicted with the Miracles of Christ, did vociferate and noize him to be the Sonne of the liuing God. Well. Go on forward: The naked Written Word fortifyeth our side, and debilitateth our Aduersaries. But the true Sense of this passage is here to be questioned. This wee may infallibly pick out of the words subsequent: Corpus meum, quod Luc. 22. Mat. 26 pro vobis datur. Sanguis meus, Marc. 14 qui pro vobis effundetur: My bodie which is giuen for you; My bloud, which shalbe shedd for you. Hitherto Caluin's Cause is thornie, [Page 59] and fraught with difficulties; Ours expedit, cleare, and obuious. What is further to be donne? Conferre the Scriptures herein, they say; so much they seeke to impropriate the Scriptures to their owne vse. We reply: nothing more to be desired. The Marc. 14 Luc. 22. Gospells do vnanimously conspire; Paul 1. Cor. c. 10. & 11. assenteth thereto; The Words, the Sentences, the whole contexture do most appositly and reuerently repeate and ingeminate the Bread, the wine, a Mat. 16 remarkable miracle, heauenlie Ioan. 8. foode, his flesh, his bodie, and bloud. Nothing here Enigmaticall, nothing darkned with the mist of obscure phrases. Neuerthelesse our Aduersaries still persist in great estuation and heate, and neuer make an end of their further altercation and wrangling. How are we then to [Page 60] proceede? I trust Antiquitie (which euen Reuerence forbidds to controule) is no lyer, but here she may be heard; and what both sides through their reciprocall iealosie cannot performe, that the venerable hoarie-head of all precedent Ages, being more neare to Christ, more remote from this Controuersie, may indisputably determine. This they do not brooke; They are (they say) by this course betrayed; they incessantly cry out: the word of God is a pure fountayne; the Commentaries of men they vtterly reiect. Most calumniously! most idly! Let vs forcibly insist in the Word of God; they byas & peruert the sense: Let vs attend it with answerable expositions of holy Interpreters, the sentinalls of the Church, in euerie Age; they [Page 61] withstand. The Period of all is, [...]hat except thou wilt be content to stand to the iudgement of the guiltie, no iudgement of these matters must passe. Shame they not, thus to giue ground in their disputes? And thus they beare themselues in euerie Controuersie of Fayth, ventilated betweene both parties: Of Grace infused, of inherent Iustice, of the Visibilitie of the Church, of necessitie of Baptisme, of the Sacraments and Sacrifice, of the Meritts of Holie men, of Hope and feare, of Disparitie of Sinne [...], of the Soueraignetie of Peter, of the Keyes, of Vowes, of Euang [...]licall Counsells, finally of all other Questions we haue frequently alledged and discussed diuerse texts of Scripture (and those most choaking) in our Books, in our Discourses, in the Churches, in the Schooles: Our [Page 62] Aduersaries but elude and shuffle them of. We haue adioyned to th [...] said Texts (for the sealing vp of the matter) the sorting Scholiaes and constructions of the ancient Greeke and Latin Fathers: They contemne and sleight them. But what is the closure of all? forsooth Doctour Martin Luther, or els Philipp Melancthon, or certainly Zwinglius, or without all doubt Caluin and Beza haue most infallibly Oracled the Truth tou [...]hing the former poynts. Shall I so much wrong any one of you, by reputing him of so stopt a nose, as that being premonished, he cannot strongly sent so thicke and grosse an artifice? Wherefore I freely confesse, that I greedily thirst after your Academicall Schooles, that so in the Theater and sight of yourselues, [Page 63] I may weaken and ruffle these crisped and effeminate souldiers, they being once brought out of their shades into open view; but this not through anie strength of mine (who stand not in a hundred part paralelled with others of our Religion) but through the force of a most preuayling Cause, and impregnable Truth.

The third Reason. The nature of HOLIE CHVRCH.

AT the verie hearing of the word (Church) pronounced, the Enemie did grow pale: Neuerthelesse [Page 64] one imposture he hath excogitated, of which I much desire▪ you should take notice, that thereby you may more easily deprehend the ruine and mendicitie of falshood. After he had diligently obserued, that both in the Propheticall and Apostolicall Scriptures there was made frequently most honourable mention of the Church: As, that it is called the Holie Apoc. 2 Cittie, a fructiferous ps. 7. Vine, a mightie high Esay. 2 Mountayne, the right and Esay. 35 streight Way, the onlie Cant. 6. Doue, the Kingdome Mat 13 of Heauen, the Cant. 4. Sp [...]use and Ephes. 5 bodie of Christ the pillar 1. Timo [...]. 3 of Truth; that Societie, into the which the Holie-Ghost (then promised) Ioan. 14. instilleth all healthfull things, that Societie, vpon the which, the Mat. 1 [...] Deuill (though swolne with malice) through out all the parts thereof, [Page 65] could neuer fasten his teeth with [...]nie deadlie bitt; briefly that Societie, against the which, whosoeuer is contumacious Mat. 18 and refractorie (although with his tongue he preacheth Christ) yet he can haue no greater share in him, then anie Publican or Heathen. Now in regard of these Panegyricks the Aduersarie dares not in expresse words openly impugne the Church, which the Scriptures do so much magnifye and celebrate: Therefore the name of the Church he subtilly retayneth, the thing it self by defining he vtterly ouerthroweth; thus he making the Being of the Church, to consist in a Not-being. For he hath attempted to delineate and draw the Church with such Calu. Instit. l. 4. c. 1 num. 2. & 3. proprieties and shadowes, which do keepe her in a continuall latencie; and as being remoued [Page 66] from all sensible apprehension (like to Plato's Idea) do expose her to the sight of some few men, and those only, who being rapt Spiritualists, can comprehend with their nice imagination this aerie bodie, and can with a transpearcing and searching eye finde out, and stedfastly behould the members of this Sodalitie. Where is anie candour in this proceeding? Where ingenuitie and playnenesse, the Attendant of Truth? What Scriptures, what sententionall Resolutions, what Fathers do thus pensill forth the Church? There are Epistles written to the Churches Apoc. 1 of Asia, there are also seuerall written by Peter, by Paul, by Iohn, and other the Apostles; The planting, propagation, and expansion of Churches is abundantly recorded in the Acts [Page 67] Act. 8.10. & sequent. of the Apostles. What do all [...]ese passages of Scripture inforce? Do they euict those Churches to be made knowne and manifest only to God and holie men, or otherwise to Christians of all sortes: But certainly; Durum telum necessitas. Commiserate them. For since these men, during the full space of fifteene hundred yeares (after long disquisition and search made) could not light vpon one Cittie, one Village, one House empoysoned with their Nouelismes, vntill that vnhappie M [...]nke Luth [...]r. had polluted a Virgin (deuoted to God) by incestuous copulation, or that Swash-buckler & Roaring-Boy Zwingl. of Heluetia had conspired against his Countrie, or that Caluin. Stigmaticall fugitiue had impatronized himself of Geneua; no wonder if they be constrayned to [Page 68] vaunt of their Church (if ani [...] Church they will challenge) [...] lying in a perpetuall obscuritie; and to make clayme to those for their Progenitours, whome neither themselues had knowne, nor any others haue euer seene. Except (perhaps) they glorie in some of their chiefe Prodromi and fore-runners, whom to haue beene positiue and formed vide Henr. Pantal. in Chronog. Heretikes, is euident; As, Aerius, Iouinian, Vigilantius, Heluidius, the Iconomachi, Berengarius, the Waldenses, Lolhardus, Wicliff, Huss, from all which they haue begged certain pestilent fragments of Doctrinall speculations; greedily indeede licking vp much of that poyson, which those former had vomited out in their blurred papers. Wonder not (Academians) if I nothing feare these emptie [Page 69] smoakes, the which so soone as I shall come to the height of your presence, will be most easie to dissipate and dispell. For this is our Sermocination and discours.

Tell me (ô Protestant) wilt thou strike sayle, and yeald to that Church, which hath euer enioyed in former Ages an vneclipsed and glorious Conspicuitie? Altogeather (replyes he) and without appeale. Let vs then perlustrate the places and times. To which Church dost thou subscribe? To the Congregation of the Faythfull. Who were the Men? Their names indeede do lye interred in obliuion; but it is euident, that manie such did then liue. Euident? To whome is it euident? To God. Who dares mantayne this groundles assertion? We, who haue receaued from the Lord herein sublime Enthusiasmes [Page 70] and illuminations. Fabulous toyes! How can I be drawne to belieue this? Yf thou didst burne with an inflamed fayth, thou wouldst as certainly know this, as thou knowest, that thou dost liue.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis? Whereas the diuine Word commaundeth all Christians to range & ioyne themselues to the Church; to take heede of being slayne by the spirituall sword, to liue in peace in the house of God; to lay downe their soules vpon the affiance of the Church, as vpon the pillar of Truth; here to determine all complaynts and accusations; to repute men disincorporated and cast out from thence, but for Heathens: Is it possible then, (as if Christ instantly intended to repudiate his Spouse) that it should not be knowne, [Page 71] during the reuolution of so manie Hundreds of yeares, where the Church was, or whether in all that time it remayned in its full Orb, but rather suffered an vtter disparition; or who they were, that appertayned thereto? Or will our Aduersaries, notwithstanding all this, still whisper in Corners, that there (there only) the Church is, where their Gospellers, and such only, as they suppose to be predestinated, are to be found? From whence it ineuitably resulteth, that if one should depraue & calumniate the authoritie of his spirituall Prelat, he offendeth not, if so he can be perswaded, that his said Prelat were at that time in mortall sinne, and had finally fallen from the Church.

Whereas then I called to minde, that our Aduersaries haue fabricated [Page 72] such deceiptfull Stratagems, wherewith no Church in anie former Age was acquaynted; and that they being depriued of the thing itself, would in these straights neuerthelesse seeke to possesse (& therein rest solaced) the naked sound of a poore Word or Name, I was much animated at the remembrance of your Christalline and cleare Iudgemenrs, & did vndoubtedly promise to myself, that as soone, as you had discouered these subterfugious Sophistications and frauds euen from the Aduersaries owne confession, you (as Men of true resolution and fortitude) would instantly cutt asunder all such netts and illaqueations, wouen to ensnare your Soules, vnto your owne interminable perdition.

[Page 73]

The fourth Reason. COVNCELS.

IN the infancie of the Church, a most weightie question & doubt touching the practise of the Ceremonies of the Law (which then much afflicted the weake and tender mindes of the Belieuers) receaued its finall decision from a Councell of the Apostles and Seniours, vpon that occasion assembled. The Sonnes did then belieue their Parents, the Sheepe their Pastours charging them in these words: Visum est Act. 15 Spiritui Sancto, & nobis. In after-times there followed foure [Page 74] Oecumenicall or Generall Councels, readie euer and prest to extirpate anie Heresie, budding vp within the circle of those Ages. Which Councells haue gayned such a hand of Authority, as that more then a thousand yeares since, wonderfull Honour was ascribed vnto them, euen as to the Gregor. l. 1. Epi. 24. words of the Holie-Ghost. I will not exspatiate a farre-of; for euen here at home, the said Councells did obtaine their ancient soueraignetie and inuiolable dignitie; and this by the concurrent and ioynt consent of the whole Ann. 1. Elizab. Parlamenr. In proofe whereof, ô England (my most deare Country) I call thee to witnes. For if thou wilt reuerence rhose foure Councells (as thou didst then make some fayre and suspicious approaches thereof) thou wilt afforde supreme [Page 75] honour to the Bishop of the first Sea, I meane to Peter:Nieen. Can. 6. Chalced. art. 4 16 Constantinop. cap. 5. thou wilt acknowledge an Incruent Sacrifice Ephes. Concil. Epist. ad Nestor. Nicen. can. 14. of the Bodie and Bloud of Christ vpon the Altar: Thou wilt humbly beseech the blessed Martyrs, Calced. Act. 11., & all the Court of Heauen, to aduocate & intercede to Christ for thee: thou wilt restrayne voluptuous Apostataes from all execrable yoaking togeather, & publick Nic. Concil. apud Socrat. l. 1. c. 8. incest: briefly thou wilt doe manie things, which now thou forbearest to doe, and wilt forbeare vide Chalced. Can. 4.7.16.24 to doe manie things, which now thou doest. But to proceede: I doe here vndertake and giue my hand, to demonstrate (when iust occasion thereof shalbe presented) that the Generall Councells of all succeeding Ages (and particularly that of Trent) were equally prized and reuerenced with [Page 76] the first foure. Now then I being thus encamped and strengthned with the inexpugnable fortresse of all the Generall Councells; why may I not enter into this Combat, with a chearefull alacritie; being readie to charge vpon the Enemie, what way soeuer he betakes? since I will produce prooffes so euident, that he cannot detort; so warrantable and authorized, that he shall not dare to denye. Perhaps he will labour to rauell out the time in idle and vnnecessarie surplusage of words; But if I haue taken (Notable Men) your true height, he shall not be able to enchant either your eares or eyes. Now if any man shall become so dissolued & loose in iudgement, as to ballance himself (being but one) with all the Senatours and Doctours of the whole world, and [Page 77] those incomparably more famous, [...]ore holie, more learned, more ancient; I would willingly beholde that meretricious and frontlesse Countenance; the which after I haue once exposed to your sight, all the rest I will leaue to your more retired and morning thoughts.

In the meane time this I will auerre, that whosoeuer seekes to dis [...]steeme and abrogate the authoritie of a Councell (with due circumstances celebrated) it being in this respect the last Resort or T [...]ibunal, and aboue all Appeale; that man seemes to be of no counsell, no witt, no braynes; and not only in poynts Theologicall short, but euen in matters Ciuill, impolitick and iniudicious. For if the Spirit of God hath euer shined vpon the Church, doubtlesly then is the time [Page 76] [...] [Page 77] [...] [Page 78] of darting forth its beames and influences, when the Religion, maturitie, learning, wisdome, & dignitie of all Churches dispersed vpon the face of the earth are gathered into one Cittie; and there they euen besieging the eares of God with their prayers, do by the interueniencie both of all Diuine and Humane helps, for the mining and searching out of the Truth, implore the Spirit Mat. 28 Ioan. 14. promised, that by its direction they may decree healthfully & prudently for Man's soule.

Now let any He [...]eticall S^r. Iohn, or Superintendent stepp out, let him lift vp the eye-lids, draw awry his nose, rubbe his forhead (his Mimicall gesture thus commenting his, inward minde) finally let him with all scurrilitie and ignorance iudge his owne Iudges, the verie eye and [Page 79] carriage of Heresie; what Comicall sport, what matter of laughter will this emptie Trunke afforde? Luther l. de Capt. Babil. is found to say, that he preferred the voices and iudgements of two good and learned men, consenting in the name of Christ (he did meane himself, and Melancthon) before anie Councells, though neuer so numerous, neuer so ancient. O circulation and winding inflexions! Kempnitius in Exam. Concil. Trid. in like sorte dared to subiect the Councell of Trent, to the censure of his owne vertiginous and gyddie head-peece, and to cause the worth thereof to passe through the straite report of his embasing tongue. What gayned he? eternal shame and infamie. Whilst this excentrous and irregular Sectarie (except he giue a full stopp in the meane time to his present [Page 80] course) wilbe interred in the graue of Arius; the Councell of Trent ▪ the more accession of yeares it shall hereafter enioy, the more will be attended on with honour, reuerence, and estimation. Good God! What confluence of seuerall Nations, what peculiar choise of Bishops of the whole World, what splendour and fastigious dignitie of Kings and Common-wealths, what most remarkable and profound Diuines, what sanctitie, what teares, what fastings, what Academicall learning, what skill in tongues, what pearcing subtilitie of witt, what incessant diligence & labour, what infinite reading, what riches of vertue & literature did replenish that sacred and holie Consistorie? Vpon occasion one time I did heare diuers great and learned Prelates [Page 81] (of which number, Antonius Archbishop of Prague was one, by whose sacred Hand I am created Priest) much glorying, that for some few yeares, they had made their stay in that Schoole: they further affirming, that they neuer receaued from Ferdinando then Emperour (to whome otherwise they had beene much obliged) a more princelie and magnificent Benefitt, then this was; that some of them being sent as Legates out of Pannonia, had their places and suffrages in the Councell of Trent. Of which thing the Emperour being aduertised, and as willing to accent this one courtesie aboue the rest, did regratulate the said Bishops at their returne, in these words: ‘Aluimus vos in Schola optima.’ Now why did not our Aduersaries [Page 82] (being inuited thereto by publike warrant) hasten to this Synod, that so they might in open view [...]efell those, against whom th [...]y m [...]tter like froggs croaking out of their litle holes? To salue their engaged honour therein, they reply, that they could not securely repayre thither; since solemne stipulation. and promise (made vpon the like occasion) was not kept with Hus [...] and Hi [...]ome of P [...]ague. Who did inf [...]inge it? The Doct [...]urs (say they) of the Councell of Constance. It is false; for that Councell gaue not anie stipulation. The true state of these two men was this. Huss had neuer lost his life, but that being a perfidious Huss. and turbulent fellow, (as euer rowing the Oa [...]e of Sedition) and escaping by flight (though af [...]er brought back) which Sigismund [Page 83] the Emperour had interdicted him vpon the danger of his head, and violating all Conditions made by him to the Emperour, he laboured to eneruate, or rather frustrate the authoritie of his Letters Patent. A precipitate and headlong malice did ouerreach this Incendiarie; For after he had stirred vp great combustions and Tragedies in his owne Country of Bohemia, he was commanded to make his stay at Constance; He contemned the prerogatiue of the Councell; demaunded warrant of the Emperour. The Emp [...]rour sealed thereto. The Christian World (more potent then the Emperour) vnsealed. To renounce his Nouelismes, this Arch-heretike could not be induced; he perished. Now Hierome Ie [...]me [...]f Prage. of Prague (to winde the matter vp in few words) came [Page 84] by stealth to Constance, was protected by no man; Being apprehended, he was conuented; He pleaded his Cause, was entertayned kindly, enioyed his libertie, was cured, abiured his Heresie; He after relapsed; he was burned. But why so often do they exagitate this straying and alone example among many hundreds? Let them reuolue their owne Annals. Was not Martin Luther himself (hatefull to God and Man) cited at Augusta Anno 1518. before Cardinal Caietan, and did he not there eructate and belche forth what he could, and yet as being secured by the Letters of Maximilian, went he not away peaceably and without danger? The same Martin, being commanded to appeare at the Cittye 1521 of Wormes, though then Cesar and diuers Princes of the [Page 85] Empire were highly offended towards him, did not the Word of Cesar (whose Eagles pownce scorned to seaze vpon so base a praye) become his Sanctuarie? To conclude, were not the Antefignani and most eminent men among all the Lutherans and Zuinglians, euen in the presence of Cha [...]les the Fift (an enemy to Heretiks, a Conquerour, a supreme and absolute Lord) after promise for their safetie once giuen, permitted to exhibit their Confessions August. Confess. of Fayth, so often renewed at the Dietes of Augusta? and did they not depart with all impunity & freedome? Iust in the same manner did the Councell of Trent vide Concil. Trid [...]nt Sess 15. & 18. prouide most ample cautions for the Aduersary, repayring thereto. He would not vouchsafe to vse them. Notwithstanding he much vaunteth and [Page 86] exalteth himself in corners and priuate Conuenticles; where after he hath psittically learned to sounde some few Greeke words, he will needs seeme to be wise and literate: He declineth (with a toade-like [...]etirednes) the aspect and eye of the World, w [...]ich should range a learned man in his due place, and call him to wartantable seates of Iudicature. Let the Protestants procure for the Catholikes of England, if they desire their Soule's good, the like Hand-writing or Warrant from the Queene. We will not be affrighted with the misfortune of Huss. Let vs once enioy but the word of the P [...]ince, and we will in all haste euen flye togeather vnto the Court.

But to recouer myself, and to returne from whence I haue digressed; [Page 87] All Generall Councells pleade my Cause; the First, the Last, the Middle. These are my weapons, with these I will fight. Let the Aduersarie expect the encounter of a looped and pearcing Iauelin, the which he shall be neuer able to draw out of his wounded side. Let Satan become thereby vanquished; and CHRIST victorious.

The fift Reason. THE FATHERS.

AT what time the Honourable Surname of Christians began in the Cittie of Antioch to gett more and more on wing, and became more diuulged, Doctours, Act. 13 1. Co [...]. 12. & 14 Eph. 4. that is, [Page 88] eminent Diuines, and Prophets, to witt, remarkable Preachers, did then flourish. Of this kinde our Lord himself was most solicitous to prouide for his ensuing flocke, Scribes and Wise-men, lea [...]ned in the Kingdome of God, bringing forth things, New Mat. 13. and Old; fully instructed in Christ and Moyses. Now these men being bequeathed to the Church for her larger opulencie, and being (as it were) her chiefe retinue or Guarde, how great a mischief is perpetrated to explode & eliminate them? And yet the Aduersarie hath exploded them. Vpon what inducement? Because their standing is his falling. When I had diligently obserued this exorbitancie of carriadge, I did feruently demaund the Combat; not that iocularie and sportfull skirmi [...]h, which the vulgar [Page 89] performe in their publike streets; but that seuere and graue conflict, by which we may encounter in the Schooles of your owne Vniuersities: ‘Pede pes, densus (que) viro vir.’

If at any time hereafter it may be thought lawfull, to make our repayre to the Fathers, the warre is ended. They are all as intirely ours, as Gregorie the Thirteenth is, that most liuing Father of the Sonnes of the Church. For to omitt all such sparsed and scattered passages (discerped by vs) out of the Father's Monuments, which most punctually and positiuely do fortifie our Fayth; we do houlde and possesse euen whole volumes of theirs, whose peculiar Subiect is articulately and copiously to discourse and proue, and, as it were, to dissect euerie nerue and finew of that [Page 90] Euangelicall Religion, which we at this present maintayne. The double Diony [...]. Areop de quo vi [...] Syn [...]d 6 Act. 4 Adou Treu in M [...]rtyr. Su [...]d. M [...]tap. Hiera [...]chie of Dionysius the Martyr, what Ecclesiasticall Orders, w [...]at sacred Mysteries, what rites doth it throughly teach and set downe? This poynt so gauled Luther, as that he reputed his Workes to be, [...]u [...]h. com [...]. in 1 13 17 D [...]u [...]er. & in Captiui. Babyl Sim llima somniis, nec non perniciossima; most l [...]ke to dreames; and most pernicious. Caussaeus, some obscure Terrae filius in France (as borne of the slime of that Countrie) following the obliquitie of Luther's pathes, was not afraid often to tearme this Dionysius (being the Apostle of a most famous Nation) delirum Caussae dia [...]og. 5 & 11. senem, an old doting man. Ignatius doth mightily distaste the Centurists, he also distasteth Caluin;C [...]nt. 2 c. 10. so as these Refuse and scumme of men haue (through their colde [Page 91] seueritie) noted in his Epistles,Instit. l. 1 c. 13. num 29. deformes naeuos, & pu [...]das naemas, certain f [...]ule blemishes, and tr [...]fling songs. In the iudgement of these rigide Censours (whose Calenda [...]i [...] and prescribed ta [...]ke, was but vnworthiby to taxe t [...]e Fathers) Irenaeus hath diuulged in his Writings, [...]anaticum Cent. 2. c. 5. quiddam, certain fanatical st [...]ff, and rapt or inspired conceipts. Clemens (the Authour of the Booke cal [...]ed Stromata) did vent forth, Cant. 2. zizania & feces; darnell, and bas [...] matter or dreggs. Vpon the rest of the Fathers of this Age (being indeede Apostolicall Men) they euen showre downe reproaches, daring to charge them, that Cent. 1. l. 2 c 10. & s [...]q. blasph [...]mias & monst [...]a posteris reliquerunt, they haue transmitted in their Writings blasphemies, and monstrous opinions to their successours. Vpon Tertullian [Page 92] they make violent onsetts and incursions, for his maintayning of that Errour, which we Catholikes first discouered to them in him: Yet in the meane-time let them remember, that the Booke, Tertul l de Praefer. contra Haeres. de Praescriptionibus, written by this Father (in which Booke the Sectaries of this time, euen by a presaging penne, are dangerously wounded) was neuer controuled by the Church of God. How clearely and exactly doth Hyppol. Orat. de Cons. secul. Hyppolitus, (Bishop of Portua) premonstrate and poynt out the times of Luther; the verie strength of Antichrist, and for this peculiar reason they lowdly mouth it, calling him, scriptorem Iewel. infantissimum, & laruam, a most childish-Writer, and walking Spirit. Vpon Cyprian (who was the honour and pride of Afrike) that [Page 93] French C [...]ussae. dialog. 8. & 11. Critick, and the Magdeburgians C [...]nt 33. c. 4. haue throwed this imputation, tearming him, stupidum, & destitutum Deo, & deprauatorem Paenitentiae, a man stupid or blockish, and depriued of the grace of God; and one, who hath fowly corrupted the doctrine of Penance. What poynts of Papistrie (as they in the fome of their impure language doe speake) did this Father maintayne? He did write of the state of cloystred Virgins, of reuolted Apostataes, of the vnitie of the Church, such elaborate Treatises, as also such Epistles to Cornelius, then Bishop of Rome; as that except we take away all credit and authoritie from the words of this Martyr, Peter Martyr Vermilius and all his Consociates therein, are to be accounted farre worse, then Adulterers and sacrilegious persons. But [Page 94] not to dwell ouerlong in particular Fathers, (who are most basely trodden vpon by these men) all the Fathers of this Age (without exception) are insimulated within one and the same sentence of condemnation; Cent. 3. c. 4. quippe d [...]ctriuam de Paen [...] tentia mire deprauarint, because th [...]y wonderfully d [...]praued the doctrine of Penance. From what fountayne streameth the acerbitie of this their accusation? Because the rigour of those Canons, Paenit veteres Canon. which were of force in that time, is incompatible with the softnes and delicacie of Luther's Sect, which, as being more apt for banqueting-chambers and bedds of downe, then Temples and Churches, is accustomed to entertaine with vaine discourse voluptuous eares, and Ezec. 13 puluillos omni cubito assuere, to spend the time in all [Page 95] pleasure, Sardanapalisme, and luxurie. To descend to the next Centurie: in what hath it sinned? Chrysostome (forsooth) and the Doctours thereof (as presumed to haue in their writings certain defects and blemishes, iustitian [...] p [...]aefat. in C [...]nt. 5. sidei saedè obscurarunt, haue fowly obliterated & obscu [...]ed the Iustice of Fayth.

Nazianzene, whom [...] and for honour-sake the Ancients haue graced with the title of The Diuine, in the iudgement of Caussaeus, is Dialog. c. 7.8. Causs [...]. vbi sup. fabulator, quid affirma [...]et, n [...]sc [...]it, a lying writer, not knowing what he would affirme. Ambrose, a cacodaemo [...]e fascinatus est, is bewitched by an euill spirit. Hierome is by the Aduersarie censured to be, Beza. in A [...]t. Ap [...]st. c. 23. aequè damnatus atque diabolus, as c [...]rtainly damned as the deuill; B [...]z vbi supra. iniurio [...]us Apostolo, blasphaemus, sceleratus, [Page 96] impius: iniurious to the Apostle, blasphemous, and wicked. In the libration and ballance of Gregorius Massouius (a great Idolater of Caluin) teste s [...]an [...]h. [...] de Trinit pluris est vnus Caluinus, quàm centum Augustini, One Caluin is of greater authoritie, then a hundred Austins. Tush, a Hundred is here no number. Luther, (who euen belieueth in himself) nothing prizeth against his owne authoritie Luther. l. contra Hemir. vegem Angl. mille Augustinos, mille Cyprianos, mille Ecclesia [...], a thousand Austins, a thousand Cy [...]rians, a thousand Churches. I hould it but needlesse to spinne out this point to any further length. For who beare themselues with this insolencie to these former Fathers, (wronging their honours with such Phillippicks, or Satyrous Pasquils) no wonder if they breath nothing but pride, contumacie, and [Page 97] petulant procacitie against Optatus, A [...]hanasius, Hilarius, the Cyrills, Epiphanius, Basil, Vincentius Fulgentius, Leo, and Gregorie Bishop of Rome. Neuerthelesse if there can be giuen anie iust pretext for iniust proceedings, I denie not, but that there euer occurrs in the Father's Writings (vpon what booke soeuer we shall but incidently fall) that at which our Aduersaries (as long as they remaine vnanimous among themselues) must needs stomach & rest much discontented.

For who doth hate sett and appoynted fasts (the wings of Prayer) must they not rest disaffected towards Leo and Chrysostome; who haue made most learned & moning Sermons of th [...] fa [...]t of Lent, and of oth [...]r ordayned fast, as of things [...]ally practised in their dayes?

[Page 98]Who haue prostituted their soules to open sale, for riches, lust, Epicurisme (the Element of Lust) ambitious and vaine sights or Spectacles, must not such men be fully g [...]rged against Basil, Chrysostome, Hierome, Austin; whose excellent Bookes of the Institutes, rules, and required vertues of Monks, are in each man's hands?

Who haue euen enchayned and shackled Man's Will, by despoyling it of all Libertie; Who haue taken away all Rites and Ceremonies vsed at Christian funeralls; Who haue burned and consumed the Relicks of Saints; can they be in charitie with Austin; who hath written, de libero arbitrio three Bookes; de cura pro Mortuis, one; and of Miracles exhihited at Monuments or Tombes of Martyrs, a large Austin. de Ciuit Dei l. 22 8. Chapter [...] [Page 99] that most worthie Worke, de Ciuita [...]e Dei, besides some Sermons Austin. serm. de diuers. [...]4. & seq. of the same Subiect?

Who measure their Fayth by the false yarde of impostures, deceits, and calumnious sleights; how tetricall and sowre must they be with Austin, who hath written a most famous Epistle against Manichaeus the Heretike, in the Austin. contro. Epist. Man [...]ch. quàm vocat. fundam. c. 4. which he professeth himself euer to cleaue & stick fast to Antiquitie, Consent in doctrine, an vninterrupted Succession, and lastly to that Church, which alone (among so manie emergent Heresyes) by long Tradition and custome, challengeth to itself the name Catholike? Optatus Bishop of Miletus (whose pen did single out the Donatists) impugneth their Sect or partie from the force of Catholike Optat. l. 1. & 2 contr. Consent & Communion, [Page 100] accuseth them of wi [...]kednes from the decree of Pope Melchisedech,l. 1. vbi supra. refuteth their He [...]esie from the Order l. 2. and succession of the Roman Bishops, displayeth their furie from their contaminating l. 1. & defyling of the B. Eucharist and Chrisme, conceaueth horrour at their sacriledge shewed in breaking downe l. 6. of Altars, in quibus Christi membra portata sunt, vpon which the members of Christ are borne and in polluting the Chalices, l. 6. qui Christi sanguinem tenuerunt, which contayned the Bloud of Christ. Now I much desire to know, how our Aduersaries beare themselues towards Optatus, whose memorie Austin Aust. l. 1. contr. Parm. & de Vnitat. Eccles. c. 16. & l 3 de doctr. Ch [...]ist. c. 40. much celebrateth by accounting him a venerable and Catholike Bishop, equall to Ambrose and Cyprian; Fulgen [...]. l. 2 ad Monim. Vide Epist. Synod. Alex. & Fulgentius by styling [Page 101] him, a holie and faythfull Interpreter of Paul, resembling him to Austin and Ambrose.

The Aduersaries doe reade the Creede of Athanasius in their Churches. Are they (trow you) fauorable and gratious to him? Who (being a graue Authour) did euen with whole peales of Lauds and prayses magnifye (in a choyce booke of his) Antonie Vide Hi [...]ron. de scrip. Eccles. the Hermit in Aegipt; And who with the Councell of Alexandria did with all prostration and humilitie appeale to the iudgement of the Apostolicall Sea of S. Peter? How often doth Prudentius in his Hymnes pray vnto the Martyrs,Vide Epist. Synod. Alex. ad f [...]licem 1. whose worth in Verse he so much recordeth? How often before their Reliks and bones doth he worship the King of all Martyrs? stands not this diuine Poët vnto [Page 102] them in the Aspect of a Diametricall Opposition?

Hierome sharpened his penne against Vigilantius, in defence of the Relicks and honour of Saints; against Iouinian, in patronizing the state of Virginitie, do they not reade his Writings, with the Eye of sulliuation and malignitie?

Ambrose Vide ep. Amb. ad Italos t. 3. Su ij & eius [...]ē Ambros. Epist. 85 Item serm. 91. honoured his two Tutours Geruasius and Protasius with a remarkable Celebritie, and this to the great disgrace and ignominie of the Arian Heresie; to which Act the most holie Fathers Aug. l. 22 de Ciuit. Dei c. 8. Gregor. Turr. l. de gloria Martyr. c. 46. Metaphrast. haue ascribed their due Encomion and prayse; and which God himself hath warranted not with one onlie prodigious euent or miracle. Can they brooke Ambrose therefore? Gregorie the Great, our Apostle, and in truth he is wholy ours; and vnder [Page 103] this title the verie sound of his Name iarres in the eares of our Aduersaries: This man (I say) the furie of Caluin Caluin. Iust [...]t l. 1 c. 11. nu [...]. 5. denyes to haue beene instructed in the Schoole of the Holie Ghost, because he called sacred Images (by which the Saints are to vs absently present) the Bookes of the illiterate and vnlearned.

The day is too short, and indeede the Sunne must runne a greater circle of his course to serue my turne, before I can number the Epistles, Sermons, Homilyes, smaller Volumes, & Disputations of the Fathers; all being filled and stored with vnanswerable proofes in defence of the Sentences and Articles of our Catholike Religion. As long as these their Monuments of Learning are to be soulde in the Stationer's shopps, (in which the Enemie most [Page 104] vnworthily pretends, as you haue seene, so many chaynes of Errour and Superstition to haue beene wouen) so long in vaine are our Bookes forbidden to be read; in vaine are the Sea-ports so narrowly kept, for the preuenting of their entrance in, in vaine are the houses of Catholiks, their t [...]unks, boxes, and other priuate receptacles violently broken open; in vaine are so manie minacious & threatening Proclamations sett vpon the publike Gates, and other chiefe places in Cittyes; since neither Harding, nor Sanders, nor Allan, nor Stapleton ▪ nor Bristoll, doe affect these supposed new dreames, more zealously, or with greater feruour and sedulitie, then these Fathers (aboue by me mentioned) haue donne.

When I [...]eflected vpon this poynt [Page 105] with a serious introuersion of minde, I grant, it gaue an edge to my desire, and my greedines of Combat was encreased, in the which what way soeuer the Aduersary shall take (except he will yeeld to God's honour) he runneth himself vpon the sands. Yf he allowe of the Fathers; he then looseth the field: Yf he exclude them; he thus escapeth; but by flight.

It so chanced (myself then being yong) that Iohn Iewell ▪ the Antesignanus & fore-man of the Caluinists in England (who euer buylded his state in the ruines of men's Soules) did in his Sermon at Paul's Crosse, prouoke the Catholiks with incredible boasting; he through Hypocrisie, appealing to, and calling vpon those Fathers, who flourished within the first six [Page 106] hundred yeares of our Redemption. Those worthie men, who then suffered exile at Louayne, in all haste arrested his challenge with their penns, though they stoode obnoxious to diuers difficulties, in regard of the iniquitie of the times. I dare be bolde to pronounce, that the calumnie, ignorance, improbitie, and supercilious impudencie of this Iewell (who indeede wanted a foyle to make his luster good) then happely layed open by these Men's wrytings, did so much benefitt to our generall Cause, at that I can hardly remember any one thing more aduantageous to the Catholike Church of England, then groaning vnder the Burden. Menacing Edicts and scrowles were in all haste affixed vpon the common Posts, that no such bookes should be redd, or [Page 107] kept by any; though Iewell's vaunting exclamation might iustly seeme to extort the writing of them. All Persons at that time, which obserued this passage, did by this meanes learne, that the ancient Fathers were wholy Catholike; that is, wholy Ours.

Neither did D. Humfrey conceale this wound, giuen to himself and his Brethren; who, though he daigned to become Iewell's Encomiast, in immoderatly extolling him, and by seeking to embalme his Memorie by writing de vita Iuelli. his life; yet did cast this one aspersion of incōsideration and inaduertencie vpon him; to witt, that Iewell proffered to stand inalterably to the iudgements of the Fathers; with which men this Doctour in peremptorie & expresse words disclaymeth from hauing the [Page 108] least entercours, commerce, or association: so loath is the Enemie to keepe anie quarter with the Primitiue Writers and Fathers.

One time in familiar discours, we throughly sownded Tobie Mathew (who now domineres in the Pulpit, enchanting, much aboue others, by his often Sermoning, the eare of Credulity, and whome for his good literature and sparks of Moralitie we greatly affected) entreating him to answer ingenuously and plainely; Whether that man, who spent himself in diligent reading the Fathers, could possibly fluctuate touching the truth of the Roman Religion, or could vnfeignedly embrace that Fayth, to the which himself so earnestly exhorteth. He freely vnbreasted himself, and thus replyed: [Page 109] it was impossible, if so with the reading [...]f them he would giue an indubious ass [...]nt and credi [...]t vnto them. Which Sentence is most true, and I am fully perswaded, that neither himself at this present, nor Matthew Hutton (who is reputed by some, to be much trauelled in the Fathers) nor the rest of our Aduersaryes, who performe the like labour, can be of any other iudgement.

Hitherto therefore I may securely descend into these Lists, as prepared to battaile with those, who (as men houlding the wolfe by the eares) are forced to leaue vpon their Cause a perpetuall and indelible scarre or blemish, w [...]ether they reiect, or admitt the Fathers: Since in the One, they but prouide for their running away, in the Other they are suffocated and strangled.

[Page 110]

The sixt Reason. THE GROVND of the Fathers.

IT is cleare, that if euer that precept and command: Iohn. 5. Scrutamini Scripturas, Search the Scriptures, was (as in reason it hath, and ought to be to vs) peculiarly incumbent vpon anie sorte of Christians, that the most holie Fathers did (with the greatest prayse, and in the highest degree) accomplish the same; since by these Men's diligence and charges, the Bibles haue beene translated and transcribed into so manie tongues, and [Page 111] transported into so manie discoasted Nations: By these Men's dangerous (yet successiue) attempts, they were snatched out of the flames of the Enemy, and of all vtter deuastation and extinguishment; By these Men's indefatigable paynes, each part and passage of them was most painfully cutt vp, and (as it were) anatomized. For both day and night those Fathers did euen drinke vp the Holie Scriptures: they were euer most readie from out their Chayres and Pulpitts, to discourse of the Holie Scriptures; they alwayes enriched their voluminous writings with testimonies, borrowed from the Holie Scriptures; they haue disclosed and vnfoulded with their faythfull Scholiaes and Commentaries, the most knottie passages of the Holie Scripture: they [Page 112] haue seasoned their Feasts & Fasts, with studying the Holie S [...]riptures: To conclude, they haue spent all their dayes with a Sabaoth l [...]sse & incessant labour [...]euen to the end of their feeble old age) in meditating vpon the H [...]lie Scriptures. And although the said Doctours were frequently accustomed, to draw their arguments (in patronage of their Fayth from the authoritie of their fore-fathers, from the practise of the Church, from the Succession of Popes, from Generall Councells, from Apostolicall Traditions, from the vn [...]aunted constancie of Martyrs, from the Sentences & Decrees of the Pastours of the Church▪ and from stupendious and astonishing Miracles, whereby the setled Course of Na [...]ure was, as I m [...]y say, vnnatured and dissolued: Yet all these [Page 113] different sorts of proofes they euer most willingly enleuened with stored testimonies of the written Law: This is their fauorit-studie; this they presse; in this they make their Station; this mount (to ouertopp their Aduersaries) they daily raise higher through a continuall coaceruation & heaping togeather of sacred Texts; To this Cant. 4. armaturae fortium, these most valiant and spirituall Commaunders, fortifying the well-repayred edifice of the Cittie of God (against all wicked assaults) doe yeald by all-right the first place and precedencie. And here now I haue the more reason to rest astonished at that proude & foolish Exception of the Aduersarie, who, (as one still seeking for water in a flowing streame) neuer ceaseth to charge the Father's writings (being [Page 114] euen loaded with infinite passages of Scripture) with want & penurie of Scripture. So long (saith he) he will giue assent to the Fathers, as long as they inseparably adhere to the diuine Scriptures. Stand his words (thinke you) in coniunction with [...]is thoughts? Well then, goe to. Let the most remarkable Authours, most ancient Fathers, most holie and reuerend Men, Dionysius, Cyprian, Athanasius, Basil, Nazianzene, Ambrose, Hierome, Chrysostome, Austin, and the Latin Gregorie, marshall forth togeather, being armed and garded on each side, with CHRIST, with the Prophets, with the Apostles, and with all Biblicall furniture and preparation. O that that Fayth might at this present raigne in England, the which these Fathers, being wholy deuoted to [Page 115] the Scriptures, did build vpon the Scriptures. What scriptures they do produce, the same we will produce; what passag [...]s thereof togeather they do conferre, the same we will conferre: what they do from thence inferre, the same we will inferre. Will this satisfye thee, thou Bible-pretender? Spitt out, (man) deliuer thy minde freely. N [...], thou replyest, except the Fathers (not diuorcing the letter fr [...]m the intended meaning of the Holie Ghost) do expound the Scripture in a t [...]ue [...]ense. What is the sense of these thy words: in a true sense? forsooth according to thy owne sillie weening; This is the circle, within which thy disputes are encompassed. Blushest thou not at this thy maze and Labyrinth? Therefore, as being in good hope, that I shall finde assembled, in your most flourishing [Page 116] Vniuersities, man [...]e, who will looke into these Controuersies of Fayth, not with a flegmatick and dull eye, but with an impartiall, sharpe, & dispassionate iudgement, fully ballancing the trifeling euasions of these men (by which euasions, their Cause is wholy dismantelled and layed naked to the view of all) I will with all chearefull readines expect this hower of fight; at what time I shalbe prepared to draw forth into the field the vnvanquishable troupes and forces of the Church of CHRIST, against the small wilde companies of certaine poore and vnarmed fresh-water-souldiers.

[Page 117]

The seauenth R [...]ason. HISTORIE.

THe ancient Histories do vnveyle and display the true eye and face of the ancient Church. Hither I prouoke the Enemy. Doubtlesly the Historiographers of greatest Antiquitie (and those, which our Aduersaries vsurpe) are these: Generall Historiographers Eusebius, Damasus, Hierome, Ruffinus, Orosius, Socrates, Zozomene, Theodoret, Cassiodorus, Gregorius Turonensis, Vsuardus, Rhegius, Marianus, Sigebertus, Zonaras, Cedrenus, Nicephorus. What do these men recorde, whose peculiar labour was to saue and redeeme the memory of the Churche's [Page 118] Actions, from the deluge of Time? They relate our prayers, our progresses in disseminating the Fayth, our vicissituds and R [...]turnes of seasons, our enemies. Yea (which ought to draw an indifferent eye more obseruantly vpon this poynt) euen those Historiographers, who professe implacable hat [...]ed to vs, as Hereticall Histo [...]iograph [...]rs Philipp Melancthon, Pantaleon, Punctius, the Magdeburgians, when they do busie themselues in writing the Chronologie or Historie of the Church, except they gather togeather the honourable Actions of our men, by desc [...]ibing the palmie and victorious state of our Church, and do amasse with their pennes the treacherie and facinorous c [...]imes of our Enemies, they should (as being depriued of any Subiect or Argument) haue passed ouer in an eternal [Page 119] silence fifteene hundred yeares.

To these we may adioyn [...] the particular Historians Historiograph [...] c [...]rtain Countryes. of certain Countryes, who (through a most laboursome curiositie) haue registred the Acts of each such People. These men, as if they had gotten a Spartae, the which they coueted by all meanes possible to cultiuate and beautifye, and who concealed not in their Chronicles (so pre [...]ise they were to holde intelligence with all times, by meanes of History) to relate any extraordinarie and chargeable feastings, or long-sle [...]ued gownes, or new-fashioned hilts of daggers, or guilt spurres, or any other such trifles if they but taisted of noueltie; Yf they had heard, that Religion had suffered any digression from its first Being, or had degenerated from the Primitiue ages, [Page 120] would certainly most of them haue made speciall and punctuall mention thereof; yf not most, yet at least some few; if not some few, yet some one or other without all doubt. There is not one Historiographer either fauourable or maleuolent towards vs, who euer recorded any such alteration, or but once intimated in his writings so much.

For Example. Our Aduersaries do freely acknowledge (a truth so euident, that it lyeth out of the way of contradiction) that the Church of Rome was once Holie, Catholike, and Apostolicall. When? Then, when it deseruedly had obtayned those high prayses of Saint Paul; Your Rom. 1. fayth (speaking to the Romans) is renowned in the whole world: Without Rom. 1. intermission I make memorie of you: I know, Rom. 15. that [Page 121] coming to you (ô Romans) I shall come in the abundance of the blessing of Christ:Rom. 16. All the Churches of Christ salute you: Your obedience Rom. 16 is published in euery place: Then, when Paul Act [...]8. (being at Rome in libertie) dilated the Gospell to all: Then, when Peter 1. Pet. 5. gouerned the Church gathered togeather in that place, then being Babilon: Then, when Clemens Ier [...]me in c. script. Eccl. & Euseb. 2. histor. c. 14. himself (greatly commended by the Apostle) swaighed that Sea: Then, when the prophane Emperours, as Nero, Domitian, Traian,Phil. c. 4 Antoninus did inhumanely butcher the Roman Bishops; Yea then,Ireneus. l. 3. c. 3. when (euen by the confession Calu. Instit. l. 4. c. 1. nu· 3. &· in Epist. ad Sadol. of Caluin) Damasus, Siricius, Anastasius, and Innocentius did holde the Apostolicall sterne. For during this Age (especially at Rome) Caluin (out of his bountie) granteth, [Page 122] that the foresaid Bishops did departe in nothing from the Euangelicall doctrine.

Heare now I demaund: When did Rome loose this Fa [...]th so much aboue celebrated? When did she cease to be that, which afore she was? At what time, in what Pope's dayes, by what meanes, by what force or stratagems, with what encreases and degrees did a strange Religion inuade V [...]bem & Orbem, not only the Mother-Cittie, but the whol [...] world? What teares, what oppositions, what disconsolate sighes & groanes did this change begett? Were [...]ll men vpon the face of the earth drowned in a dead sleepe, or at least setled in the leese of an incurious negligence, stupour, and dulnesse, when Rome (Rome, I say) did stampe and dogmatize new [Page 123] Sacraments, a new Sacrifice, new Articles of Religion? Was there not one Historian then to be found, neither of the Greeke, nor of the Latin Church, neither of any remote or neare Nation, who would but casually fall vpon the least touch of insinuating so violent an irruption of a new Fayth, or giue the smallest ouerture thereof in his writings?

Therefore I conclude, It is more then euident; if we belieue those things to be true, which Historie (in itself various and large) being the Embassadour of Antiquitie, the Soule of Memorie, euer reflecting back the image of things past, doth affluently and abundantly testifye; that such a Change of Religion, as our Aduersaries seeke to obtrude vpon vs, is a mere vapourous and imaginarie conceipt, as not being warranted [Page 124] with the authoritie of any History, since the Churches first beginning; and consequently, that all Historiographers are mine, and that the effectlesse attempts herein, and incursions of our Aduersaries are most cold and feeble, as nothing preuayling; except it be first receaued for a mayne Theoreme and Principle, that all Christians of all times did precipitatly fall into grosse misbeliefe, and into the lowest gulfe of Hell, vntill Luther Vide Coclaeus in anno 1523. did constuprate, and lustfully pollute Catherin Bore.

[Page 125]

The eight Reason. PARADOXES.

TRuly (most accomplished Men) when I call to minde out of the abundance of manie Heresies certaine strange and prodigious Phantasies of some opinionatiue Wryters, which will occurre to be impugned by me; I should deseruedly condemne myself of supine negligence, sloath, and pusillanimitie, if I should feare the shock and encounter of anie enemie. Let him be acute, l [...]t him be eloquent, let him be much practised in this kinde of warre, let him be a Helluo of bookes, and wholy absorpt in his [Page 126] studyes, briefly let him be All, or More, then he is; yet of force must he bewray himself to be but drye, loose, and faultering, as long as he shall sustentate or maintayne these following [...], and impossibilities. We [...]ill dispute (if it chance our Aduersaries giue vs leaue) of of God God, of Christ, of Man, of Sinne, of Iustice, of the Sacraments Calu. Instit 1. cap. 18. l 2. c 4. l· 3 c. 23. & 24. Peter Martyr. in 1. Samu [...]l 2. of Manners. I will trye, if they haue the courage to iustifye that by dint of argument, which they in their owne soules belieue, and which (as necessarily resulting from their discourses) they diuulge in their pestilent Scripts and pamphlets. I will cause them to owne these their Axioms and Principles: God Calu. Instit 1. cap. 18. l 2. c 4. l· 3 c. 23. & 24. Peter Martyr in 1. Samu [...]l 2. is the authour and cause of Sinne, willing, suggesting, effecting, commanding, working, and gouerning the flagitious [Page 127] counsells of the wicked: As the calling of Paul, so the adulterie Melāct. ann [...]tat. in cap. Rom. 8. witt [...]mb. 152 [...]. of Dauid, and the impietie of Iudas the proditour, was the peculiar hand-worke of God. ô monstrous Assertion! of which after Philipp Melancthon was ashamed, neuerthelesse Luther (from whome Melancthon had borrowed it) doth extoll with infinite prayse this Sentence, sic do [...]et Lutherꝰ in Assert. 36. & in l [...]b. de [...]ruo arbitrio. as a heauenlie Oracle; and in this respect in part Luth. praef. in annotat. Phil. in Epist. ad Rom. equalls this his Schollar with Paul the Apostle.

I would further here demaund, what was Luther's conceipt (whom our English Caluinists pronounce to be Apolog. Eccles. Angl. virum diuinitus datum ad orbem illuminandum, A man euen sent by God to enlighten the World) when he did expunge this Verse out of the prayers of the Church: Vide Euchir. precum, anno 1543. of Christ Sancta Trinitas, vnus Deus, miserere nobis, [Page 128] Holie Trinitie, one God, haue mercie of vs?

I will next proceede to the Person of Christ. What is the meaning of these vnseasoned words? [...]hrist being the Sonne of God, is God of God; So Calu. l 1 c. 13. num. 23 & 24. Caluin teacheth: Christ is not begotten of [...]he substance of the Father, So Beza. Againe, Two Hypostaticall Beza. contra S [...]hinel l. de Vnitat. Hypost. dua. in Christ. n [...]tur. Vnions are constituted in Christ; the one of the soule with the flesh; the other of the Diuinitie with the Humanitie. B [...]za. in Hesh. That passage in Iohn: I and my Father are one; Calu. in Ioan. 10 sheweth not, that Christ being God, is consubstantiall to God the Father. Yea further, Luther Luther contra Lati [...]r thus pronounceth: Anima mea [...]odit hoc ve [...]bum: Homousion, my verie soule hateth th [...]s word: H [...]mousios, or Consubstantial [...]s. These (loe) are the beginnings and conceptions of Arianisme, which after receaue a more perfect shape. But let vs dogg these men further. [Page 129] Christ Bucer. in Lu [...]. 2. from his infancie was not consummate and full of grace, but (as other men) encreased in the faculties of the Soule: And he being daily become more experienced by vse, did (as litle children) first Luther. Lo [...]. H [...]m in Euang. doctr. labour wi [...]h ignorance. Which is potentially as much to say, as that Christ was stayned with the spott and blemish of Originall Sinne. But take notice of more direfull and horride Doctrines. Christ praying in the Garden, when he did sw [...]ate drops of Water and Bloud, Marlot. in Math. 20. was afraid wi [...]h the sense & feeling of eternall damnation: He then vttered words without reason, without spiri [...]; words suddenly bu [...]sting out through force of griefe and payne, Caluin in ha [...]m. Euang. and such as not being sufficiently premeditated, he instantly recalled and corrected. Is there any more of this stuffe yet behind? Obserue. When Christ being vpon the Crosse, cryed out: [Page 130] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? He was burned with flames Brētius. in Luc p [...]rt. 2. hom. 65 of fire, and vttered words of black despaire; no otherwise, then if he should haue perished with eternal perdition. See how these Gospelers do euen meditate and studie blasphemies, poysening the texts of holie Scripture with their wicked constructions. They further thus comment that Sentence: Christ descended into Hell; that is, He being dead, did no lesse tast [...] S [...]midel. conc. de possion. & [...]aena Dom. Hell, then the Soules of the damned; this only excepted, that he was after to be restored to his former felicitie. For since (say they) only by corporall Caluin Instit. l. 2. c. 16. n. 10 11 & Brēt. in Catec. ann. 1552. death, he could profitt vs nothing, his soule therefore ought to fight with euerlasting death, that by this meanes he might expiate our wickednes and punishment; Thus do they detort the Written Word, to ouerthrow the [Page 131] dignitie of the Eternal Word. Now that no man shall surmize these speeches to fall from Caluin through inaduertencie, the same Caluin taketh such complacencie therein, & so strong he is in this his blasphemie, as that he pronounceth all them to be perditos Calu. Insi. l 2. c. 16. nu. 12. nebulones, lost & damned fellowes, qui doctrinam istam solarij plenam exagitant, who do call in question this most comfortable doctrine. O Times! ô portentious Times! what monster haue you here nourrished? [...] delicate and princelie dropping [...]loud, which streamed from the torne & pearced bodie of the innocent Lamb, of which bloud euerie small dropp (in regard of the impreciable worth of the Sacrifice) was of force to redeeme a thousand Worlds, could it nothing profit Mankinde, except [Page 132] the (x) Mediatour of God and Man, the Man CHRIST IESVS had suffered Apoc. 2. mortem secundam, the second death, the death of the Soule, the death of all grace, and such as is companion only to Sinne and execrable blasphemie? In regard of this man's lunacie, Bucer (though impudent) will needs seeme to be of a more pliable sterne and modestie; who by the word Hell, in the Creede, vnderstandeth Bucer. in Mat 26. the graue, by the figure Epexegesis, though most preposterously, or rather by an vnfit and idle Tautologie. Of our English Sectaries diuers are accustomed to range themselues herein vnder Caluin, their Idol: diuers vnder Bucer, their great Maister, and half Arche of their Church; and diuers also (such Heteroclits in Fayth they are) do secretly murmure against [Page 133] this Article; wishing (if without noyse and tumult it could be effected) it were craded and put out of the Creede. Which thing to haue beene once attempted in a Conuenticle in London, one Richard Cheny (thereat present) did relate vnto me: a miserable old man, much afflicted by the theeues out of God's Church; yet had not the grace before his death to implant himself therein. Hitherto of CHRIST.

Touching Man;of Man. what doe they dictate? The Illyricus in va [...]ijs libr. de Origin. peccat Sacer de conu [...]. Ec [...]l [...]s. A [...]pn. de im. & per sanct. C [...]mpnit contra Cens. Col. Image of God is wholy obliterated in M [...]n; All his faire impressions are extin [...]t; All his Nature suffereth such a dassipation and dissolution throughout the powers of his Soule, & is so vtterly ouerthrowne, as that not euen anie Regenerate and holie man is intrinsecally anie other [Page 134] thing then meare Corruption, and contagion, as being in league with all vice. Whither tend these doctrinall Speculations? or why do they forge these grounds? To the end, that themselues, who through onlie Fayth seeke to lay violent hands on the Kingdome of God (which poynt is the verie Soule of Protestancie) and who lye wallowing in the mire of all turpitude,Calu. l. 4 Inst c. 15 n 10.11. & engulfe themselues in all wickednes, may accuse Nature, despayre of being become Vertuous, and disburden themselues of God's Precepts.

of Sinne.And hence it is, that Illyricus Illyr. in varijs lib. de peecatori. vide Ilechus. in ep. ad Illyr. an pe [...]cae [...]ti sit substantia. (the standard-bearer to the Magdeburgenses) hath reueted this poynt more firmely, by annexing his terrible sentence of Original Sinne; Which he defineth to be (after the fall of Adam) the internal Substance [Page 135] of Soules, which the Deuil doth worke or cause, and which he transformeth into himself.

This also is obuious and frequent in their Schoole. That Calu in Antid. Concil. Tri [...]ens Wicles. apud Wal [...]er l. de Sacram. c. 134. all Sinnes are equall; yet with this cautionarie explication (least the Stoicks be brought againe vpon the Stage) if God, as Iudge, doe ballance them. As if God, who is a most iust Iudge, (and yet coueteth to ouerweigh more in Mercie, then Iustice) should rather by exagerating our offence, adde a heape then ease, to our burden. And thus in this trutination of Sinnes, it followeth, that that Cooke doth not commit a lesser sinne against God most seuerely iudging, who should kill (when there is no neede) gallum gallinaceum, a dung-hill cock, then that infamous Homicide did, wh [...] [Page 136] (being full of Beza) murthered with his pistol Gallum Heroa Guisit [...]m, the Noble French Guyse; a Prince of vnmatcheable Vertue; then which facinorous act our part of Christendome in this our Age hath seene nothing more detestable, nothing more deplorable.

Of Grace.But it may be, that those men, who lye plunged in this vnpleasant state of Sinne (sinne being the very life of death) do neuerthelesse speciously and highly philosophize of Diuine Grace, which (as a spirituall Electuarie) may cure this disease. Indeede they ascribe very honourable and worthie priuiledges to this Grace, which they crye out in their bookes and speeches, neither to be infused in our harts, nor powerfull enough to check the malice of Sinne by resisting any flagitious [Page 137] crime; but which they place extrinsecally and out of vs only in the Luth in r [...]sp. contra Louan. fauour of God; Which fauour doth neither correct, nor purge, nor enlighten, nor enrich the wicked, being become thral to all turpitude, nor euen regulate the sudden impetuosities of Nature; but only doth conceale and dissemble (God conniuing thereto) the old sinke and chanell of Sinne (yet remayning and stinking) that it appeareth not nauseous and loathsome. And with this playster our Aduersaries are so much solaced, as that they are not afraid to pronounce, that Christ himself can be said to be no otherwise full Bucer in Ioan. 2. wel. in nat. Christi. Brent. hom. 12. in Ioan. Cent l. 1. c. 4. of Grace and Truth, then in that God the Father did in a wonderfull and most high degree extend his bowells of Loue & fauour towards him. Sweete IESVS, what a blasphemous and [Page 138] h [...]rride doctrine euen against thy N [...]ture, Honour, and Dignitie, haue these men created!

Of Iusti [...]e.What thing then is Iustice? a bare intentionall He [...]hut de Iustif. in resp ad 115 obi [...]ct. Illyr. ni Apolog. Cons. Autu. c. 6. de Iustific. Relation. Since it is not wouen of the Theologicall Vertues, Fayth, Hope, and Charitie; which do inuest the Soule with their splendour and gorgeousnes; but it is only a palliating & hiding of the Offence; the which palliation who apprehendeth by Fayth (clearing by this meanes all accounts with God) is a [...] secure of his Saluation, as if be did already Cal l. 3 Inst c. 2 n. 28.42 enioy the interminable felicitie of Heauen.

But goe too. Let the Aduersarie dreame this. How can he be assured of his future perseuerance in Iustice; for Mat 12 Luc. 11. want whereof the poore belieuing Man, though for a time he liueth piously, yet in the end departeth [Page 139] of the Theater of this world, in most calamitous & vohappie state?

Here Caluin steps vp, and Calu. l. [...]. c. 2. nu. 40. replyes saying: except thou sit so close and inmoueable in thy Fayth, as that it doth ascertayne thee of thy continuance in Vertue, and this in so strong a manner, that thou stand not obnoxious to deceipt therein, (being euer in thy power to command ouer time and repentance) this thy floating and vnstable faith is to be contemned, as weake, faynt, and improfitable. I here acknowledge the disciple of Luther, Luth. lib. de captiuis. Babylon who thus indoctrinateth his Proselyts: A Christian (though willing) cannot loose his Saluation, except be forbeare to belieue. What libertie and dissolution in manntrs doth this doctrine inuolue?

I hasten to the Sacraments. Of the Sacram. Not [Page 340] anie, not anie of tbem, not two, not one, (ô Blessed Christ!) haue they left. For their bread is poyson. Baeptisme (though as yet not adulterated) is in their iudgement of no force. It is not a health-full Water; It is not the Conduyte of Grace, nor leaueth behinde it anie tincture in vs; It doth not deriue to vs the meritts of Christ; but it is only an emptie signe Calu. Inst. l 4 c. 15. n. 2. & 10. or signification of Saluation. And therefore in respect of the nature of the Sacrament itself, they prize the Baptisme of Christ at no higher valew, then the Calu. l. 4· Inst. c. 15. num. 7 Cent. 1. l. 1. c 10. Ceremonie of it performed by Iohn. If thou hast receaued Baptisme (say they) it is well; yf thou wantest it, no losse; Belieue, and thou art saued, before thou Luth. l. de capt. Babilon. be baptized. What then shall become of litle suckling Babes, who, except they be healped [Page 141] with the vertue of this Sacrament, can procure no benefit by their Fayth. But here the Magdeburgians Cent. [...]. 5. c. 4. put in, and, as willing to straighten this crooked poynt, say: Before we ascribe anie operation to the Sacrament of Baptisme, we will maintayne, that those infants ha [...]e Fayth, by the which they are saued: Of which fayth they doe obserue in themselues certaine secret and hidden motions, who yet obserue not, whether they liue, or no. Harsh and strange! But if this be to be reputed harsh, then marke the Antidot of Luther; who here, to extricate himself out of the nett, sayth: It is Luth. aduers. co [...]hlaeū item, epist. ad M [...]lact. to. 2. & in epist. a [...] Wal. better to omit the Baptising of an Infant, since his ablution, if so he do not belieue, is improfi [...]able. Thus the Aduersaries speaking hereof with such a fluctuation of iudgement and mincing hesitation, [Page 142] know not how to deliuer their sent [...]nces herein Categorically and positiuely. Therefore let Baltasar Pascimontanus digg through this stonie difficultie,The Anabapt. and decide the poynt; Who being the Parent of Anabaptists, & seing, that not with the least tecture of reason he could forge anie Fayth to be in Infants, did allow the caution of Luther, and exiling all Pedobaptisme out of the Church, did thereupon decree, that only Persons of ripe age should be washed in the sacred Font. As touching the other Sacraments; Although that many headed Beast Apocal. 1 [...]. doth often please himself with the eiaculation and casting out of his throate of most horrible contumelies against them; yet since they daily obtund the eares with a fastidious iteration, I wholy pretermit [Page 143] and passe them ouer.

There yet remaine behind certaine most hurtfull gobbetts of Hereticall doctrine,Of Māners touching life and Manners; the which Luther had vomited out in his papers, that so from the impure belching of his stomach, he might inhale & breath poyson into his Readers. Heare ô you Academians) with patience, but withall blush (for I presume your cheekes cannot endure such vnchast words) and pardon me, being the Relatour.

If the Luth. serm de Matrim. wife will not, nor can performe the due of marriadge, let the chamber-mayde come, and stepp in her roome. Certainly the art of Venerie is as necessarie [...]uth. in lib. de vita cō iugal. to euerie one, (see what filth he disgorgeth) as meate, drinke, or sleepe. Matrimonie is much more excellen [...], [...]uth. in Ass. Act. 16. then Virginitie, since from this latter [Page 144] Luth de notis Euang. Christ and Paul haue dehorted all Christians. But what? Are these (perhaps) indiuiduall or peculiar to Luther? They are not. Since they were lately defended by my Antagonist, Chark, Chark. l. in [...]ēs. suum. but most miserably (God knowes) and fearefully.

Will you haue anie more drawne out of this Vessel? Why not? By how much thou art the more [...]uth. serm. de pisc. Pet. wicked, by so much, saith Luther, thou art more neare to Grace. All good Actions, [...]uth. in Asser art 32. God iudging them, are Mortall Sinnes; God resting propitious, veniall and more pardonable. No man thinketh [...]uth. l. deseruo arbit. euil, out of his owne disposition. The Decalogue Luth. de Moyse nothing belonged to Christians. God Luth l. de Capt. Bab. respecteth not our Good Works. Only they rightly participate of the Supper [...]u [...]h. de capt Bab c. de Euchar. of our Lord, whose seuered Consciences are attended on with [Page 145] sorrowfull, afflicted, troubled, confused, and erring th [...]ughts or cogitations. Our sinnes are indeede to be confessed; but to anie man, who if he do absolue th [...]e but in Luth. in Ass. ar. 12.13 [...]east (so that thou belieuest) thou art fully absolued. To reade prayers of sett Howers, belongeth not to Priests, Luth. de capt. Babyl. c. de Ord. but to the Lai [...]e. Christians are free Luth. in capt. Bab. c. de Baptism. from the S [...]a [...]uts and Ordinances of Men.

I am loath to foule my Paper any longer with such ordure; And I hope, I may be thought to haue already stirred enough in this vnsauourie puddle. I now end. And here I am not to incurre a [...]ie reprehension in your Censures, because I haue promiscuously insimulated the Lutherans and Zwinglians within the former Tenets or Positions; Since both these, being mindfull from whose loynes they are [Page 146] first proseminated, doe much couet (through their proximitie of bloud) to entertaine a mutuall entercours and friendship; and therefore being thus Apol. Eccles. Angl. interlinked, doe interprete it as no small iniurie to be dis-ioined, (one thing onely excepted) in dogmaticall Articles of [...]a [...]th and Religion.

Truly I am not of that strength, as that I will vendicate to mys [...]lf but the middle ranke of those selected Deuines, who at this day haue proclaymed open Warre and Hostilitie against H [...]resies. But this I well know, how feeble & weake soeuer I am, I cannot be endangered; whylest being supported with the Grace of Ch [...]ist, and s [...]conded both with Heauen and Earth, I shall fight against Innouations so odious, so exec [...]able, so grosse and [Page 147] brutish, euen benighting & wholy darkning the iudgement of Man.

The ninth Reason. SOPHISMES.

IT i [...] an out-worne saying; that a fellow hauing but one eye, is able to gallant it among those, who be stone-blinde. A varnished an [...] dissolute kinde of arguing hat [...] oft [...]n a soueraignetie ouer the iudgments of the vnlearned, which manner of dispute (at not being solide and substantiue it itself) the Schoole of Philosophers doth wholy exsibilate. The Aduersarie (who is poore & needie in proufes) [Page 148] much offendeth herein. But his impostures (for the most part) are wrought vpon foure Threds; the which rather in your Vniuersities, then in the common streets, I make choyse to vnweaue.

S [...]iama [...]hia.The first, we may call a Schiamachia, by the which a man doth diuerberate a shadow or the ayre with an imp [...]tuous (but idle) endeauour. In this sort: Against those, who vowe perpetuall Chastitie, and who confesse that Marriadge is good, but withall belieue, that Virginitie is better, the Scriptures are produced, s [...]eaking 1. Cor 7. worthily and honourably of Marriadge. Whome doe they wound? Against the meritorious workes, & feriall or paynfull labours of Christians, d [...]ed in the bloud of Christ (otherwise vnauayleable) manie diuine passages are [Page 149] alleadged, by the which we are commaunded to confide, neither in Nature, nor in the Law, but in the Bloud of Christ. At whom do they roue? Against those, who worship the Saints of Heauen, as most gratious seruants in the eye of CHRIST, are discharged whole volleys of shott out of the sacred Writ, prohibiting vs to adore manie Gods. Where be those Gods? This kinde of arguments, the which familiarly droppe from our Aduersaries penne, can in no sort proue to vs dangerous; to you (perhaps) wearisome and disgustfull.

An other peccant humour of theirs, is called Logomachia;Logomachia. Here one leauing the sense, doth childishly and litigiously contend with the naked Word. As thus: Finde me, if thou canst (say our Aduersaries) [Page 150] the word Masse, or Purgatorie in the Scripture. What then must here be the inference? Doth not this open the sluce to the denyal of the vndiuided Trinitie? Is not the doctrine of the T [...]initie, Con [...]ubstantialitie, and the Person in the Scriptures, because these Words occurre not in the Scriptures? Cosin germaine to this Paralogisme, is a birding or captious taking hould of the verie letters; where the approued custome and minde of the Speaker being neglected (which is the verie life of the Word, or by which the Word through a continuall acceptation is, as it were, indenized) we idely fight against the verie syllables; after this manner: The Word, Presbyter in Greeke, is nothing but a Senior in Latin: Againe, A Sacramen [...], is euerie Mysterie. But as in all, so in [Page 151] this S. Thomas most pregnantly teac [...]eth; saying: [...]. pa [...]t. qu. 13. art. 2. ad vrg. 2. In words we are to obserue, non tam à quo, quàm ad quid; Lot so much from whence they are deriued, as to what (by a warrantable custome) they are applyed.

A third Imposture is tearmed H [...]mon [...]mia;Homonymia. which largely spreadeth itself, and by which a Word is euen wrenched and ouer-much strayned. For Example: To what end should there be the Order of Priests in the Church, since Apoc. 5. Iohn hath stiled you all priests? In like sort, Iohn there addeth: We shall raigne vpon the earth; Why then should their be anie peculiar Kings? Againe, The Prophet doth much celebrate a spirituall Esay. 58 fast; to witt, an abstinencie from inueterate and accustomed sinnes; Away therefore withall superstitious choice of meates, popish fish, and prescript times [Page 152] of fasting. But is this good Logike? Then marke, how it recoileth back. For then haue Moyses, Dauid, Elias, S. Iohn Baptist, and the Apostles euen doted, who limited thei [...] fasting from vsuall meates, within two or three dayes, or a weeke's compasse; Whereas fasting from Sinne ought to be perperuall and vnintermitted. This sophistrie you see, how sleightie and transparent it is. But I haste forward.

Circulatio.The fourth vicious forme of their disputing I call a Circulation. Thus for instance sake. Set downe (I say) the Notes of the Church. The Aduersarie replyes; The Word of God, and the most pure Sacraments. But are these in your possession and hands? Who doubteth thereof? I do not so much doubt, as absolutly denie it. Consult herein (saith he) [Page 153] with the holie Scripture. I haue already consulted with it, and at this instant I stande lesse fauourable to your Cause, then afore. Tush, it is most euident. Euict so much by proufe. We do not swarue a fingar's breadth from the Word of God. Where is thy Witt, thou emptie Scull? Wilt thou still take that for thy argument, which is indifferently questioned on both sides? How often hath this thy erroneous dispute beene inculcated and exprobrated to thee? Wilt thou not leaue dreaming? wilt thou haue a torch to enlighten thy conceipt? I auerre, that the Word of God is wrongfully expounded by thee. I haue for my witnesses hereof fifteene hundred yeares. Stand irreuocably to the iudgement, neither of me, nor of thy self; but of the said [Page 154] fifteene hundred yeares. I will stand to the iudgement of God; Ioan. 3. Spiritus, vbi vult, spirat. Behould what Circles, what Meandrian turnings, the Aduersarie here maketh, and how vnsteadie he is in arguing! This trifter, being the Architect of so manie Words and Sophismes, (his Cause thus leaning vpon the feeble crutches of deceipt, and calumnie) cannot become formidable to any man; troublesome he may be. With the trouble your patience (I hope) will dispence; with the least touch of feare, the matter itself stands wholy incompatible.

[Page 155]

The tenth Reason. ALL KINDES OF WITNESSES.

HAec Isay. 35. erit vobis directa via, ita vt stulti non errent per eam. This shall be vnto you a direct way, so that fooles shall not erre by it; saith the Prophet, speaking of the Church. Now what man, though among the vulgar sort, is so obtuse and dull, if he beare but an eye fixed vpon his Saluation, who may not easily discerne, and withall impathe himself in the beaten way of the Church; it being so notoriously made playne, eauen, and tracked; he by this mean [...]s declining in his gate all vnhaunted [Page 156] foote-wayes, or craggie stepps and deuiations?

These points shalbe made explorat & euident euen to the ignorant and illiterate; as Esay hath prophecyed; to yourselues then (if so you be constant to your owne good) most explorate, and most euident.

Let vs presente to the eyes of our Imagination, the Theater or stage of this Vniuersall All; and let our thoughts lance forth into the mayne Ocean of euery thing created.The Saints in Heauen. All things dispute in our behalf; all things euen sweare the truth of our Religion. Let vs ascend to Heauen: There we may contemplate Roses Austin serm. 37. de Sanctis. and Lillies, blessed Martyrs, I meane, who by sheading their bloud, became read; by their innocencie white and candide. Such were the thirtie three Damas. in vita Roman. Pontif. Popes successiuely [Page 157] slaughtered by the Heathen Enemie. Such were the Pastours and Doctours in all Countries, who in that rugged and tempestuous state of the Church, engaged their bloud for the name of Christ: Such were the faythfull sheepe, who (in the A [...]me and puritie of a good Conscience) insisted in the stepps of their shepheards: Such were all the Saints now in Heauen, who through sanctimonie and puritie (like starres of the greatest magnitude) gloriously shined in the eyes of the Multitude. Certaine it is, that all these were Ours ▪ when they here conuersed on earth; that all these continued Ours, euen to their last gaspe and dissolution. And but to retayle some Particulars out of diuer [...] H [...]ndreds, since I will not be laui [...]h of time: On our side and [Page 158] Partie stoode blessed Igna [...]ius (whose thirs [...] onlie Martyrdome could quench) who did not Ignat [...]us in [...]pi [...] ad [...]mi [...] n [...]ns. paralelle anie man (no not the King) with a Bishop in matters of the Church,Ierome in Catal. s [...]riptor. And who with his owne penne (least otherwise they might perish) did record certaine [...]u [...]eb. l 3. c. 30 Apostolicall Traditions, of which himself was eye-witnes. On our side Damas. in vita Tel [...]sph. tom. 1. c [...]n de [...] d. 4 stoode Telesphorus (the Anacho [...]e [...]) who commanded, that the Fast of Lent (first instituted by the Apostles) should be kept with a more rigorous care and obse [...]uation. On our side was I [...]enaeus, who preached and confirmed the Apostolicall Fayth, euen from the Ir [...]na [...]us [...] Succession of the supreme Bishops, and the Sea of Rome. On our side Victo [...] (the Pope) who by his Euseb. l. 5. c, [...] Edict or Bulle reduced all Asia vnto Obedience: [Page 159] which Act though by manie and particularly by the former Irenaeus (though otherwise a most blessed man) was censured ouer riged and seuere; yet not one euer questioned his authoritie, or traduced him, as assuming in that busines anie Exoticall or forraine Soueraignetie. On our side was Polycarpus, who for the deciding theEus [...]b. 4. h [...]st. c. 13.Question of keeping E [...]ster-day, made a peculiar iourney to Rome; Whose relicks being burned, the Christians of Smyrna gathered togeather, celebrating, the Memorie of their Bishop with an Euseb. 4. hist. c. 14. Aniuersarie day, and most solemne Feast. On our side were C [...]nel [...]us and Cyprian (that goulden Payre of Martyrs) both great Prelats, but greater the first, who sterning the C [...]urch of Rome, extinguis [...]ed the Af [...]ican Euseb l. 7 h [...]st. 2. Errours; And this other much ennobled hymself through the great [Page 160] obseruancie, he bore to his most deare and friendlie Superiour. On our side was Six [...]u [...], vpon whome, celebrating at the Altar the most dreadfull Sacrifice of the Masse, seauen Pru [...]ēt in hymn. de S. Laurent Cleargie-men did reuerently attend. On our side S. Laurence (Arch-deacon vid. Aug. serm. 1. de S. Laurent Amb l. 1. off. c. 41 & l. 2. off. c. 28. Leo serm. in die S. Laur [...]nt to the said Sixtus) who did euen importune Martyrdome, and whome the Aduersaries (for their grace is to disgrace the good) haue scourged out of their Calendar, our Martyrologe; and yet to him aboue twelue hundred yeares since, P [...]udentius (once Consul of Rome) in this manner directed his prayers:

Quae Prudēt. in hymn. S. Laur.
 sit potestas credita,
Et mune [...]is quantum datum,
P [...]obat Qui [...]itum gaudia,
Quibus  [...]gatus annuis.
[Page 161]Hos inter, ô Christi decus,
Audi &c.

In English thus:

Seruant of Christ, what power is g [...]u [...]n to thee,
The Roman ioyes at large do testifye,
By these great fauours, which thou doest a [...]f [...]rde
To them, who sue to thee in sweete accord.

Among wh [...]ch troupe, a rustick Po [...]t,  [...]o heare,
His faults confessing with a trembling, feare:
O hea [...]e benignely poore Prudentius,
Guiltie of Christ's bloud through sinnes most impious.

On our side stand those most [Page 162] blessed Virgins; Metaph. Ambr. s [...]rm. 90 tom. 3. & l. 1. de Virgin. [...] T [...]eu in Martyr. Cecilia, Agatha, Barbara, Agnes, Lucia, Dorethea, Catherina, who (enioying an inward calme of their passions) defended their vowed Chastitie, as most incontaminate & intemerate, against all assaults and tiranny of men and Deuills. On our side was H [...]lena, to whome the finding Russin. l. 1. c 8. of the Crosse (vpon which our Lord suffered) hath giuen so great celebritie and honour. Monica. e [...] Aug l. 9. Confess. c. 7. [...]s (que) ad 1 [...]. who (languishing and fainting away in deuotion) in the agonie of her last sicknes, most religiously and earnestly implored, that Prayers and Sacrifice might be offered vp for her at the Altar, after her death and departure. Paula, Hi [...]ron. in Ep [...]st. Pauliae. who euen drunke with feruour and deuotion, (a wine, which the luke-warme Christian neuer tasteth) did abandon [Page 163] her Pallace and fruitfull Demaynes, and being a stranger, posted (with a most wearisome pilgrimage) to the Caue of Bethleem, that so she might spend the remnant of her life (the poore weake blast of breath) in spirituall retyres of the Soule, and in bewayling her sinnes euen in that place, where CHRIST in his infancie lay crying in his Cradle, and swadling cloathes. On our side are Paulus, Hilarion, Hi [...]r [...]n. in Catalog. Script. Antonius, Ath [...]n in e [...]a S. Anto. those good old solitarie and religious Heremits; whose euen speaking silence in their dailie and nightlie meditations, pearced the eares of God. On our side was Satyrus, Ambr. in orat. su. de Sat [...]ro. a brother-germaine to Ambrose, who (bearing about him the most dread-full Heast) suffered shipp-wrack; and t [...]rough the strength of his Fayth in that most [Page 164] holie Sacrament, escaped the danger of the Sea. On our side Nicolau [...] Ioan. l. [...]acon. a [...]d Martinus, S [...]uer. Sulp. Metaph. both reuerend Bishops, being Men much exercised in watching, cloathed with haire-cloath, and euen fead with extraordinarie and vnpractised fasting. On our side was Benedi [...]tus, Gr [...]gor. l. 2. D [...]a. that Fath [...]r of so manie Monks. Ten yeares space is too short a time to call to minde so manie thousands, as haue prof [...]ssed our Catholike Religion: And here I forbeare to repeate the Names of those, whome aboue I haue marshalled among the troupes of the Doctours of the Church, since I am mindefull (as I may tearme it) of my slow speedines. He that more largely will enrich and fu [...]nish himself with the knowledge thereof, let him euolue not only the Histories of ancient [Page 165] Writers, but chiefly such graue Authours, of which number almost euery particular Vide S [...]xt. tom. Surij. de vit. Sanct. Authour did pick out a particular Saint, that so by their Pennes, they might record their glorious Memories. Which labour after this Man hath performed, then let him in the secret and inward reflex of his Soule sincerely relate to me, whether he be perswaded, that those most ancient and blessed Christians (whose sanctitie the verie Walls and streets did in those times Eccho forth) were, in Religion, Roman Catholiks, or Lutherans. I here call to witnes the Throne of God, and that Tribunal of Iustice, before which I shalbe conuented to giue a reason of these my Reasons, and an account of this my attempted Challenge, that eith [...]r there is no Heauen, or that Heauen [Page 166] is only Ours; the first we wholy execrate; vpon this other then we cast our ancker.

But now on the contrarie side, if it please,The damned. let vs peepe and looke downe into Hell. There lye broyling in a sempiternal conflagration and flames of fire: Who? The Iewes. To whar Church professed they an implacable hatred and hostilitie? To our Church. Who more? The Heathens. What Church haue they most tyranniously persecuted? Ours. Who besides? Tbe Turks. Whose Temples and Oratories haue they demolished and beaten downe? Ours. Who yet? The Here [...]ks. Against what Church haue they made their trayterous Insurrections and rebellious Assaults? Against our Church. For what other Church, then Ours, (still breathing [Page 167] new Spirits of feruour) hath layed batterie against Mat. 16. all the gates of Hell?

When the Iewes were expulsed Eus [...]b. 4 hist. 5. Ierusalem, and the Christians began more fully to spread & plant their Fayth, ô immortall God! what confluence of Multitudes was then to those holie places, Ierom in Ep [...]st. Pau [...]. ad Marcel. & passim in Epist. what religious respect was borne to that Cittie, what reuerence was giuen to the Sepulcher of Christ, to the Manger, to the Crosse; and to other his monuments, with all which the Church (his Spouse) was delighted, as with the worne and layd-asyde garments of the Bride-groome? Hence flowed the Iewes barbarous and irreconciliable hatred against vs. Yea at this day and hower they complaine, that our Ancestours wrought their Ancestours ouer-throw; [Page 168] as from Simon Magus and Luther they receaued not the hurt (so much as) of a fillipp or flea-biting.

Th [...] HeathēsAmong the Heathens (whilest their state was vpon the ascent of the wheele) there were manie bloudie Tyrants, who (swolne with liuour and malice against Christian Religion) during their raigne, and for the space of three hundred yeares (by certaine vicissitudes of times) only excogitated, how to punish Christians with most exquisite and horrible torments. What Christians? The Fathers, and the Sonnes of our Catholike Romane Fayth, who then euer remayned eauen, in Fortune's vneauennesse. Weigh well the thundering fragours and comminations of that inhumane Monster, who broyled S. Laurence vpon the gridiron:

[Page 169]Hunc Prudē tius in hymno de S. Laure [...]
 esse vestris Orgijs
Morem (que) & artem proditum est:
Hanc disciplinam faederis,
Libent vt auro Antistites.
Argenteis scyphis &c.

In English thus:

The manner of your sacred Rites is knowne,
Report whereof through euerie place is blowne:
Your Bishops must performe their Sacri­fice
In golden Plates; and sacred Bloud likewise
Must smoake in siluer Cupps in each man's sight,
And Tapers burne (besett in gould) all night.
[Page 170]And further yet by spreading fame't is said,
That thousands of Sester [...]ians are payd
By your owne Brethren, tbrough their sale of lands
Vnto your Churches vse: And thus tbeir hands
To beggerie often bring their nearest heyres,
And so you free them of their father's cares.
These heapes of siluer vsually you hide
In s [...]cret corners of your Churches side.
You it repute a marke of Pietie,
To disinherite your Posteritie.
Therefore restore the treasure badly gott,
Which now in darkesome holes doth lye forgott.
The Common-wealth, the King, the Pu­blike Treasure
In Iustice ought thereof to make due seasure.
[Page 171]And thus our Captaines and our Men-of-warre
Of their iust stipends you shall not de­barre.
A Principle you haue, it is well knowne:
Restore to euerie one, what is his owne.
Cesar (loe) here acknowledges Cesar's print
And stamp in siluer, made first at the mint.
Render to Cesar, what is Cesar's due;
I aske, but what by right ought to accrue.
Your God his stampe in siluer did not frame,
Nor stoared was with gould, when first he came:
In riches poore, his doctrine he first taught,
With emptie purse his Precepts he in­brought.
Performe in deeds, what with his Words [Page 172] accords;
Restore your Gould; be only rich in Words.

Who seemeth this Tygar to be? Against whome doth he thus fome, and lighten forth his rage? Whose Churches, Sacrifices, lights, Rites, and ornaments seeketh he to abolish? What Churche's goulden gobletts, and siluer Chalices, and sumptuous donaries, and plentifull treasure doth he so much stomack? Verily this Man euen acteth Luther. For vnder what other veyle haue our Nemrods Gen 10 masked their latrocinies and robberies, when they prayed vpon the Churches, and dissipated the patrimonie of CHRIST? But now to looke on the other end of the Ballance; Constantine the Great (that terrour or scourge of those, who were scourges of Christians) [Page 173] what Church brought he to the hauen or shore of quietnes? That verie Church, of which Sylueste [...] Damas. in Sylu. Ni [...]. l 7 c 33. Zona [...]a [...] Cedr [...]a. was Pilot whome liuing (for fea [...]e of persecution) vnder the hatches in Soractes, Constantine called forth, that from his hands he might receaue our Baptisme. Vnder what banner fought this Emperour, that he became so victorious? Vnder the signe of the Eus [...]. l. 2 d [...] [...]. Cōstant. c 7 8.9. Soz [...]m. l 1. c 8.9. Crosse. By what Mother was he made so celebr [...]ous? By Helena. To what Fathers of Christ's Church did he adioyne himself? To the Fathers of the Ny [...]ene Councell. Who were the Men? Syluester, Marcus, Iulius, Athanasi [...]s, Nicolaus. To whose prayers did he recommend himself? To the intercession of An [...]on [...]e. A [...]han, in vita S. An [...]. What seat [...] did he affect in that Synode? Through an humble ambition, the [...]h [...]od. l. 1 c. 7. low [...]st. O how more [Page 174] regall and princelie did he appeare, being enthroned in the Chayre of Humilitie, then those doe, who haue vnduely hunted after the Title of a King? It is ouer tedious to relate all the particulars of this Passage. But from the different comportments of these two Emperours (the one being most maleuolent to vs, the other most beneuolent) we may easily coniecture of all other poynts. For as by the wickednes of the first, our Prologue became most turbulent; so by the vertue of the lat [...]r, our Catastrophe and end was made most diuine and happie.

The Tu [...]ks.Next, let vs behould the Turkish proceedings. Mahomet & Sergius Zonaras (the Apostata Monde) lye howling in the lowest and most darkesome nooke of Hell, being loaded with their owne and their Successour's [Page 175] flagitious crimes. This portentious and fierce Beast (the Sa [...]acens and Turks, I meane) except he had beene vide Volater. Iou [...]um. Aemiliū. l. 8. Blou [...]. l. 9. calmed and repressed by the Order of Knights of our Holie Wa [...] fare, and by our Catholike Princes and Forces (for as for Luther, Solyman the Turk is reported to haue giuen thankes to him by his letters; and for the Lutheran Partie and States (as if they had interleagued togeather, or at least had beene but Adue [...]sarie-friends) this progresse of the Turks is to them accounted pleasing & gratefull) this furious Eryn [...]is, I say, being most exitial & dangerous to all Christendome, had before this day made deuastation and spoyle of all Europe, breathing an vtter euisceration thereof; and had beene no lesse forward and diligent in ouerthrowing Altars, [Page 176] and the Signes of the Crosse, then Caluin himself whose Ad, is hereticall impietie hath beene. Since then by the labour and industrie of our men (whose inuincible courage hath beene the stoppe or partition-wall betweene the Tu [...]ke and Europe) the Saraceus haue beene kept back from the cutting of the throats of all Christians: It therefore cannot be denyed, but that they are to be [...]eputed, as our designed and peculiar enem [...]es.

The Heretiks.Let vs vouchsafe a looke vpon the Heretiks, who are the dreggs, the bellowes, the fuell of Hell-fire, there they lying in a death, which neuer dyes. First affronteth vs Simon Magus: What did he perpetrate? He spoy [...]ed man [...]f free-will, Cl [...]m [...]ns l. [...] recognit. and first broached the doctrine of sole Fayth. Next appeareth Nouat [...]anus. [Page 177] What Gallant was this? This Man tumultuously making himself Antipope, did braue, Cypr. epist. ad Iubaian & l. 4. epis. 2. aud shoulder out of his Seate, Cornelius the true Pope: He further was an enemie of the two Theo [...]. de fab. Haeret. Sacraments of Penance & Chr [...]sme. Then occurreth Manes Persa. This fellow's Scene, was to dogmatize, that Baptisme August. haer 46. could not conferre Saluation. After him, Aerius (the Arian) presenteth himself: This man condemned all Prayers Epiph. haer. 75. & Aug. haer. 13. for the dead; and equalled Priests with Bishops. Next followeth Aetius, who with open mouth maintayned the Heresie of Onlie Fayth who was surnamed,Aug. h [...]er 34. [...] Socrates l 2.28. (an Atheist no lesse then Lucian. Then crept vp Vigilantius, who could not brooke, that Saints Iero. in Vigil. & Aust. haer. 83. should be prayed vnto: And Iouinian, who (wh [...]ly immersed in flesh) placed Virginitie Ierom. in Iouinian and Marriadge in [Page 178] one scale or ballance. To conclude, in the end came that vniuersall Collunies, or masse of filth, Macedonius, Pelagius, N [...]storius, Eutiches, the M [...] nothelits, the Iconomach [...], & other Planetarie & wandring Heretikes, to whom Posteritie shall adioyne Luther & [...]aluin. Of what ayerie we [...]e al these Birds? They were all bad Crowes, hatched of one and the same eg; Who rebelling and making head against the chief Doctours and Pastours of our Church, were in the end by them confounded, and annihilated.

Let vs leaue Hell, and be testored to the Earth. The Earth. What way so euer I conuert my eye or thought, whether I behould and consider the Patriarchall and Apostolical Seates; or the chiefe Prelats of other Nations; or the most renowned Princes, Kings, and Emperours; or the first plantation [Page 179] of Christianitie throughout all Countries; or anie Character of Antiquitie, or Light of Reason, or signature [...]nd print of Ve [...]tue and Moralitie; They all most seruiceably giue their voyces and suffrages in behalf of our Fayth; yea they all euen trumpett forth the indubitate infallibilitie thereof.

Witnes of this poynt is the vninterrupted succession of the Roman Bishops;Apostolicall Seats. In which Church (to speake in Austin's dialect) Aust n. Ep 19 [...]. Apostolicae Cathedrae semper viguit principatus, the principalitie and preheminence of the Apostolical Chayre euer flourished. Witnesses also are other Apostolical Seates; to which this verie name of Apostolicall, was peculiarly and remarkably ascribed; in that they were first vile Tertul. de Praescript. Aug. l. 2. de doctrin. Christiā c. 8. Most distant countryes. erected either by the Apostles, or by their Hearers and [Page 180] Schollars.

Witnesses againe are the Pastours and Doctours dispersed through-out all Nations; being much disterminated in place, but in our Religion most concordant: as, Ierom. in Catal. scriptor. Eccles. & alij. Ignatius and Chrysostome, at Antioch: Peter, Alexander, Athanasius, Theophilus, at Alexandria: Macarius and Cyrill, at Ierusalem: Proclus, at Constantinople: Gregorie and Basil, in Cappadocia: Thaumaturgus, in Pontus: Polycarpus, at Smyrna: Iustinu [...], at Athens: Dionysius, at Corinth: Gregorie, at Nyssa: Methodius, at Tyrus: Ephremus, in Syria: Cyprian, Optatus, Austin, in Africke: Epiphanius, in Cyprus: Andreas, at Creete: Ambrose, Paulinus, Gaudentius, Prosper, Faustus, Vigilius, in Italie; Irenaeus, Martinus, Hilarius, Eucherius, Gregorie, Saluianus, in France: V [...]ncentius, Or [...]siu [...], Hildefonsus, [Page 181] Leander, Isodorus, in Spayne: In Britannie, Fugatius, Damianus, Iustus, Mellitus, Beda. To conclude (that I may not be thought ambitious in recitall of Names) what intire works, or but fragments, are yet extant of those Writers, who liuing in most dis-ioyned parts of the Earth haue sowed the Gospel of Christ, they all corroborate and strenghten that one Fayth, which we Catholiks at this day professe. O blessed Christ! with what coulour or pretext of excuse can I playster my cause, or how can I apologize for myself, why thou should not exterminate me out of the number of thy Saints, yf so I shall aduance before so manie Lights of the Church, certaine obscure hedgecreepers; in number few, in learning weake, in doctrine and Fayth [Page 182] diuided, in conuersation prophane and facinorous?

Witnesses in like manner are all ancient Princes, Princes. Kings, Cesars, and their Common-wealths; The pietie of which Princes and People, and the Discipline both of Peace and Warre did originally take their rooting, in this our Catholike doctrine. What Vide sex tom. Su [...]ij de Sanct. Theodosij out of the East, what Charles'es out of the West, may I here recite? What Edwards of England, Lodouicks of France, Hermingildi of Spayne, Henryes of Saxony, Wenceslaes of Bohemia, Leopolds of Austria, Steuens of Hungarie, Iosaphats of India; finally what other Dynastaes and Toparchaes, I meane, Gouernours of Empires and particular places, throughout the whole world, may I appeale vnto? All which (being organized with secular power) by [Page 183] example, by Armes, by Lawes, by solicitous industrie, by magnificent charges, haue maintained & supported our Church?Esay. 49. For so Esay long-since foretolde: Erunt Reges nutricij tui, & Reginae nutrices tuae; Kings shalbe thy foster-fathers, & queenes thy nurces. Giue eare, ô E [...]izabeth, most potent Queene; To thee so great a Prophet preacheth, thee he instructeth in thy dutie. I doe confidently auerre, that one Heauen in not wide enough, to contayne Caluin and these Princes. With these Monarcks then range thyself, runne with them one and the same line of Action; To thee I speake, who art worthie thy Progenitours, worthie the transcendencie of thy witt, worthie the rarenes of thy learning, worthie the high prayses and Elogies passed vpon thee, finally worthie thy present dignitie & Regall [Page 184] Soueraignetie. Only this thing I plott towards thee, and this I will plott, whatsoeuer be the euent: This is my dangerous machination, this is my trayterous attempt▪ against whome, as against the designed enemie of thy life, the Aduersaries so often do threaten the gibbet. All hayle, ô holie Crosse! The day will come (ô Queene Elizabeth) that verie day, I meane, when the veyle of each man's actions shalbe drawne aside, & when it will euidently appeare, whether the Societie of IESVS, or the broode of Luther did affect thee with Christian Loue and Charitie. I hasten forward.

Count [...]yes [...]onuerted to Christianitie.Witnesses furthermore of the certaintie of our Religion, are all the Quarters of the World, to the which (after the Incarnation and Birth of Christ) the trumpet of the Gospel [Page 185] hath sounded. Was it a worke of small labour (thinke you) to seale vp for euer the mouthes of the Idolls, and to import and bring the Kingdome of God vnto the Gentils? Luther preachet Christ; We Catholiks preach Christ, But is Christ diuided? No. 1 C [...]r. 1. Either we, or he, doe preach a false CHRIST. How then standeth the matter? I will shew. Let him be the true CHRIST, and let him be on their partie, by whose forces Dagon's 1. Reg. 5. necke was shiuered in peeces. Our CHRIST vouchsafed to vse our paines, when he dis-enthralled & freed so manie Soules from longer worshipping of those Iupiters, Mercuries, Dianaes, Phaehades, and dissipated from their harts that horrible N [...]ght of Hellish darknes. The time will not suffer me to insist in forraine presidents & examples; The disclosure (as I may [Page 186] say) and opening of su [...]h Countries (in respect of Christi [...]n Religion) as are neare at hand & domesticall, we will contemplate. The Irish Nation then first sucked either no Religion, or ours, (that is, the Catholike Religion) from Patritiu [...], the Scottish from Palladius, the English from Austin; All these three men being consecrated Bishops at Rome, sent from Rome, and euer with a dutifull Obseruancie reuerencing Rome. The matter is most euident. I poaste.

A [...] of Witn [...]sses.Witnesses in this last place of the irrefragable truth of our Fayth, are the Vniuersities; witnesses are all written Lawes; witnesses the common manners and customes of People; witnesses the Election and Inauguration of Emperours; witnesses are the Ceremonies & Anoylings of Kings; Witnesses [Page 187] the Orders of Knights, and the verie fashion of their Militarie Robes, Witnesses are the Churches-windowes; witnesses the Stamps and Coynes of Siluer; witnesses the Gates of Citties; and their publike Towne-howses; witnesses the pious works & vertuous liues of our Ancestours; To conclude, Witnesses are all things whatsoeuer, Great or Small, contayned within the Circumference of this vast Vniuers, that no other Religion then ours, did euer take anie deepe roote and plantation.

All which former Reasons and Considerations (as so manie sealing Arguments, and euen cloying my Iudgement with satiety of Proofes) being fully & deliberatly weighed, I did hould it no litle insolencie and madnes for me, to breake with all Christians of precedent Times, [Page 188] giuing them my last Adieu; and to comparte & consociate myself with the verie froath of men, & certaine out-casts or lost Companions. Wherefore I freely confesse, I am much encouraged and animated to this Conflict, in which except the Saints of God be detruded & driuen out of Heauen, and proud Lucifer recouer Heauen, I cannot fall. In regarde whereof I doe presume, that Charke, who so inhumanely doth conuitiate me, tearing asunder my good name and reputation, should in all equitie be of a more gentil flexure, and more supple-minded towards me, if I be resolued to impathe my sinfull and poore soule (the which CHRIST hath bought at so high a rate) rather in a safe way, in a certaine way, in the King's high-way, then to hang it vpon the [Page 189] rockes and bryas of Caluin's pestiferous doctrine and Innouations.

The Conclusion.

Here now (most celeb [...]ious Academians) you haue this small guift (an earnest of my much expected Congresse) composed at seuerall stolen howers in time of my daily iourneying. My proiect was, to absterge and wipe away with you my supposed spott of arrogancie, to giue some Reasons for the iustifying of my confidencie, & withall, whylest you are inuited to the Schooles with me, to sett before your iudgements some considerable poynts, by way of taste & delibation. Yf you hould it equall, if secure, if reasonable, to erect Luther or Caluin, as the Square of the Scripture, the Oracle of the [Page 190] Holie-Ghost, the rule of the Church, the Schoole-maister of all Councells and Fathers, to be short, a God, assuming a supreme soueraignetie ouer all Witnesses and Ages, I am in despayre of bettering your mindes by my endeauours, whether you Reade or Heare: But if you be such, as I haue Ideated and figured out to myself, Philosophers, eagle-eyed, louers of Truth, integritie, & modestie; enemies to headlong rashnes, illaqueations, and Sophismes; you then will easily see the full day at Noone-tyde, who can espie the first appearance or breake of day, through a small creuis or slifter. I will euen power myself out vnto you, & will freely speake, what the immensenes of my Loue towards you, your owne danger, and the greatnes of the busines may iustly [Page 191] seeme to require. The Deuill is not ignorant, but that you will most clearely discouer this light, if once you beginne but to lift vp your eyes. For what stupour and insensibilitie is it, to aduance aboue all Christian antiquitie some obscure and vnlearned Hanmers and Charks? But there are certaine pleasing Allectiues, by which the deuil much enlargeth his kingdome, and by which (as by his netts) he hath already ensnared many of your qualitie. What be they? Gold, Glorie, delicacie of sare, Venerie. Spurne at them. O, buyld your mindes of such an height, as that the assaults of these low and fading delights may not reach thereto. What other thing are th [...]se, then the entralls of the Earth, shrill and stridulous Ay [...]e, a Kit [...]hin of wormes, dunghill pleasures? Spitt [Page 192] at them. CHRIST is rich ▪ who will maintayne you: He is a King who will honour you: Lauteous ▪ who will satiate you: Specious and beautifull, who will heape vpon you all pleasure and happinesse. Vnder his Banner then marshall yourselues, to him giue vp your names; that so you being become truly most learned, & spiritually most valourous, and this without delay (for he is ignorant, who is euer learning; and liueth euill, who is euer beginning to liue well) you may close vp your dayes with Trophies and Triumphs of Victorie. Fare you well. From Cosmopolis, a Cittie in the World. 158 [...].

FINIS.

[Page]

THE HEADS OF THE TEN Reasons.

1. The Sacred Scriptures, pag. 39.
2. The Sentence of Holie Sriptures. pag. 59.
3. The nature of Holie Church. pag. 63.
4. Councels. pag. 73.
5. The Fathers. pag. 87.
6. They grounds of the Fathers. pag. 1 [...]0.
7. Historie. pag. 117.
8. Paradoxes. pag. 125.
9. Sophismes. pag. 147.
10. All Kindes of witnesse [...]. pag. 155.

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