death of holy Martyrs c. As also (k) In Psal 88. con 2. and see Concil 3. Carthag can 47. The martyrs whose birth dâ—yes we celebrate said c. yea Chemnitius alledgeth S. Austin to say (l) Examen part 2. p. 176. see Aug. tom 6. contra Faustum l. 20. c. 21. post init Christian people do celebrate together the memories of martyrs with religious solemnity Furthermore concerning the honoring of the Reliques of Sainctes the 5. Carthage Councel wherat S. Austin was present decreed thus (m) Can. 14. It pleaseth vs that Altars which are errected in the feildes high wayes as the memories of martyrs in which no body or reliques of martyrs placed are approued by the Bishops c. be cast dowen This Canon Osiander tearmeth (n) Cent. 5. l. 1. c. 33. p. 158. a foolish and grosly superstitious constitution Austin being either preseÌ„t or approuing it And the like dislike of this Canon is to be seene in the (o) Cent. 5. col 697. Century writers But S. Austin him selfe further saith (p) Tom. 2. ep 103. ad Quintianum fine They carry the reliques c. of Stephen the martyr which your holines knoweth how fitly you ought to honor as we haue done And (q) Tom. 3. de Eccles dog c. 73. initio we beleeue that the reliques of martyrs are most sincerely to be honoured as the members of Christ c. if any impugne this opinion he is not to be thought a Christian but an Eunomian and Vigilantian This point of doctrine was so receiued in that age of S. Austin as that Osiander faith of S. Hierome who was familiar with S. Austin that (r) Cent. 4. l. 4. c. 19. p. 506. He foolishly contended that the reliques of Sainctes were to be worshiped And the Centuristes recyte the very words (s) Cent. 4. c. 10. col 1250. and col 602. of S. Hierome concerning the worship of Reliques as also of Vigilantius obiecting to Catholickes their then vsual honouring of reliques The doctrine wherof S. Hierome reporteth to haue beene the receiued doctrine in his time to vse his owne (t) Lib. contra Vigil c. 3. wordes Non vnius vrbis sed totius orbis not of one Citty but of the whol world yea they were as then so religiously esteemed as that (u) Tom. 2. ep 137. multo ante med And see tom 3. de Eccles dog c. 73. Pilgrimages were made vnto the places of their abode Lastly wheras Faustus the Manithee charged Christians in their honouring of martyrs to haue made them Idols euen as (x) White in his way to the true Church p. 220. Protestants do now charge vs Catholickes for worshiping of Sainctes S. Austin thinketh so vnworthily so basely of this obiection as that he saith therof (y) Tom. 6. cont Faust Manich. l. 20. c. 21. initio And see c. 4. tom 2. ep 43. It doth not moue me so much as to answeare this calumnis c. S. Austin teacheth that it is lawful to vse and worship the Images of Christ and his Sainctes SECTION 4. ALthough occasion to intreate of Images was not so ministred to S. Austin as of other thinges yet he leaueth vs not without al testimony therof but indeede affirmeth that it was vsual frequent in his time to haue the pictures of Christ and his Sainctes for vpon occasion of certaine Pagans deuised forgeries against Christ and Peter and Paul S. Austin coniecturing why they named therin those two Apostles rather theÌ„ the other saith (a) Tom. 4. de consensu Euangelist l. 1. c. 10. circa med I thinke it was becauâ—e they had seene in many places them pictured together with him to wit Christ And which argueth him to speake of Christian countries he addeth immediatly next after as in reason of being so painted together with Christ because Rome doth more famously solemnly celebrarte the merits of Peter and Paul euen for the same day of their sufferinges And as concerning the diuision of the ten Commaundements into the first and second table S. Austin directly to the contrary of our aduersaries pretended argument against Images differeth from them therin (b) Tom. 4. quaestionum in Exod l. 2. q. 21. post init affirming this part of the coÌ„mandement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen thing not to be a seueral distinct precept of it selfe but parcel of and therefore explained by this former Thou shalt not haue strange Gods Herein he writeth so largely and his iudgement is so confessed that Musculus speaking of Catholickes saith (c) Loc. com de Decalogo p. 39. They diuide the precepts of the first table into three and of the second into seauen so they leaue out the commaundement concerning Images and grauen thinges c. following Austin who l. 2. quaest super Exodum c. 71 c. appointeth three preceptes to the first table and the other seauen to the second And then as pretending most vnworthily S. Austin to be herein contrary to him selfe he further saith But the same Austin plainly differeth from him selfe c. againe if the authority please why doth it not please in that which he writeth agreeably with the rest of the more auncient Fathers rather then in that which he write differently from others and him selfe but it agreed better to the time wherin grauen thinges Images were brought into the Church of Christ Willet likewise for this very cause reproueth S. Austin saying (d) Comment vpon Exodus in c. 20. p. 515. As for the reasons of the contrary opinion they are of no value Austin would haue but three precepts in the first table And againe (e) Ibidem p. 314. The Romanistes opinion is that there are but three commaundements in the first table putting the two first into one c of this opinion is Austin quaest 71. in Exod. And as by the premises S. Austin includeth the lawfulnes of sacred Images so withal he confessedly teacheth which in direct tearmes extendeth it selfe to the (f) Numeri 21. 8. brasen serpent and the Images of (g) Exod. 25.18 Cherubins appointed by God him selfe this our Catholicke principle that (h) Tom. 3. de doctrina Christ l. 3. c. 9. initio The honour geuen vnto profitable signes appointed by God as being in it selfe lawful passeth from them to the thing signifyed To which purpose Hospinian affirming that Sacraments may as signes be honoured saith euen as we say of (i) Hist sacram part 1. l 5. c. 8. p. 477. Images that honour stayeth not in them but passeth from them to the thinges which are signifyed In proofe of which opinion he also alledgeth S. Austin saying Those thinges which Austin writ de doctrina Christiana l. 3. c. 9. do agree with these who adoreth saith he a profitable signe apointed by God whose power and signification he vnderstandeth doth not honour that which is seene and passeth but rather
him selfe c. Lastly Sebastianus Francus concludeth for certaine that (z) Ep. de abrogandis stat Eccles Presently after the Apostles times al thinges were turned vpside downe c. And that for certaine through the worke of Antichrist the external Church together with the faith and Sacraments vanished away presently after the Apostles departure that for these 1400. years the Church haith beene no where external and visible c. So peremptorily do they charge the auncient and holy Fathers of the Primitiue Church with Antichristian Apostacy from the faith of Christ Yea they do not forbeare to publish to the world their special booke of that argument entituled (a) His Maiesty in his declaratiâ—n concerning his proceedinges with the states in case of Voâ—stius p. 15. 19. 35. De Apostasia Sanctorum and to send the same to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and to mantaine further by letter vnto the said Archbishop that the doctrine contained in that booke de Apostasia Sanctorum was agreeable to the doctrine of the Church of England The miserable deceiued author therof and other his complices Napier Brightman Brocard Leigh and sundry other Protestant writers not discerning that by such their pretended Apostacy them selues do in very deed as precursors prepare and make way to that fearful Apostacy which is in their opinion foretould by the (b) 2. Thes 2.3 and see Caluin vpon the same place as also Piscator Apostle to happen before the end of the world for what els is this pretended Apostacy of the Primitiue Church other then a plaine preparation and earnest perswasion to make Apostacy or departure from the doctrine of the Primitiue church and so consequently from the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles So cleare it is that not onely the ages subsequent but also precedent to S. Austin vp to the Apostles are al of them disliked and condemned by Protestants as wholly papistical and Antichristian The conclusion of the whole booke HItherto gentle Reader haue I intertained thy paines and patience in making proofe to thee of S. Austines professed religion from his owne alledged sayinges reported miracles with solution also to the contrary obiections vsually pretended from S. Austin only now in conclusion of al I offer to thy consideration how vnlike it is that I should be able to alledge to thee so many plaine and pregnant sayinges of S. Austin in behalfe of so many seueral pointes of religion and al or most of them for such by the learned aduersary confessed and yet further confirmed with like confessed consenting doctrine of the other auncient Fathers that liued next before in and after his age and al this notwithstanding no such matter as some aduersaries pretend to be by S. Austin therin intended or meant Could he not in some onely one or other but in al the cheife pointes of controuersy speake so plainly with vs and against Protestancy and so likewise acknowledged by Protestants them selues and yet himselfe in those very pointes ioyne in religion with Protestants and against vs Al which being so abundantly hertofore in this treatise examined and proued euen from the sparing and wary confession of the learned aduersaries who acknowledge no more then the racke of truth enforceth them vnto may suffice to satisfy thee studious Reader that hereby is deliuered to thee but as it were the bare out side or naked apparance of thinges in comparison of that far greater proofe and euidence which is in very deede at large abouÌ„ding in the writings of S. Austin the other auncient Fathers If therefore any shal without al forehead seeke to abuse thee with denyal of so euident premises I do therein boldly appeale to the equity of thine owne indifferent iudgement And as for those other who with more plaine dealing but no lesse offence in do ingeniously confesse and acknowledge S. Austines foresaid doctrine to make with vs yet withal contemne and reiect the same for Popish if any I say supercilious forehead of that ranke who (c) Math. 13.13.14 hauing eares to heare and wil not heare eyes to see and wil not see shal oppose against vs his owne late aduerse nouel doctrine as pretended from the Scriptures in the vnderstanding wherof he doubteth not to prefer his owne priuate interpretation before S. Austin and the other Fathers I can but yet not without commiseration pronounce of such a one (d) Apoc. 22.11 Qui sordidus est sordescat adhuc And I must needes apply vnto him those wordes of our Kinges most excellent Maiesty which he worthily deliuered against Vorstius a principal pretender of this Christian liberty As for (e) In his foresaid declaration p. 63. 64. this Christian liberty saith he which Vorstius doth vrge so much certainly he doth it with no other intention but onely vnder this faire pretext c. to abuse the world c. To abuse Christian liberty in presuming to propound a new doctrine to the world in point of the highest and holiest mysteries of God is a most audacious rashnes and impudent arrogancy And againe (f) Ibid. p. 61. 62. If one particular man may take vpon him such singularity as this how shal he be subiect to general national and synodical Councels c. Wherefore he is plainly discouered to be resolued not to be subiect in any sort to the iudgement of the Church c. for he knowes to wel that the auncient Church c. is against him And this is the reason why he wil not in these pointes submit him selfe to the iudgement of any mortal man but vpon this occasion mantaines his Christian liberty Thus far his Maiesty against Vorstius and indeede against al Protestants who being pressed with the aucthority of S. Austin the other Fathers of the Primitiue Church either for the interpretation of the Scriptures or for our knowledge of the practise of those purest times in matters of faith and religion do finally betake them selues to this desperate refuge of contemning S. Austin and al Fathers vpon pretence of this Christian liberty that al controuersies are to be decyded onely by the priuate spirit interpreting the Scriptures Now lastly as to al Catholicke Readers I conclude that seeing the faith which at this day we beleeue and professe is confessedly the same with that of S. Austines and the other holy Bishops and Doctors of the Primitiue Church that therfore amongst the other greatest blessinges of God bestowed vpon vs we euer esteeme this with highest respect of our happy vocation In due requital and gratitude wherto let vs with al exultation of minde accept and embrace what pressures punishmeÌ„ts and torments so euer inflicted vpon vs for our defence therof yea if death it selfe be vrged let vs rather make choice to dye in our Lord with S. Austin S. Ambrose S. Hierome S. Gregory and the other holy Prelates Martyrs Confessors Virgins of those purest times then to dye the death of the wicked with Aerius Iouinian Vigilantius
obiection our due reuerence therto not withstanding the wicked liues of any Popes (n) Tom. 2. ep 165. ante med although saith he any traitor in those times had crept into that rancke of Bishops which is continued from Peter himselfe to Anastasius who now sitteth in the same chaire it would nothing hurt the Church and innocent Christians for whom our Lord prouiding saith of euil Pastors what they say do ye but what they do do ye not Lastly this wholsome councel he geueth vnto al heretickes (o) Tom. 7. in Psal contra partem Donati versus finem come ye brethren if you wil be ingrafted in the vine it is a greife when we see you cut of so to lye number the Preistes euen from the Sea of Peter and see in that rancke of Fathers who succeedeth another that is the Rocke which the proud gates of hel do not ouercome S. Austin denyeth Ecclesiastical Primacy to Emperours and Kinges SECTION 6. THe Milleuitan Councel wherat S. Austin was presēt (a) In the last Canon of rhe Mileuitan Councel prescribed decreed in the case of cleargy mē that (b) Can. 19. whosoeuer should aske of the Emperour the knowledge or hearing of publicke iudgements should be depriued of his honour Of which Canon (c) Cent. 5. c. 33. p. 152. Osiander saith It is not worthy of commendation And wheras M. Iewel (d) Reply art 4. p. 272. obiecteth the testimony of S. Austin concerning Constantine the great vndertaking the iudgements of Bishops and their causes vpon appeale made to him in that behalfe S. Austin him selfe shal geue him his answeare in these wordes (e) Tom. 2. ep 162. multo post med The Emperour graunted them another iudgement at Arles to wit of other Bishops not because it was needful but yealding to their importunities c. for neither durst the Christian Emperour so receiue their tumultuous and deceiptful complaints that him selfe would iudge of the sentence of Bishops which sate at Rome but as I haue said he graunted other Bishops frō whom they also chose to appeale againe to the Emperour wherein you haue heard how he detested them c. And as he had yealded to thē to iudge of their cause after the Bishops afterwardes he asked pardon of the holy Prelates Yea S. Austin saith further that (f) Ep. 166. ante med because Constantine durst not iudge of the cause of a Bishop he committed the same to be discussed and ended by Bishops Optatus also who liued with S. Austin alledging Constantines answeare to the Bishops that appealed to him saith (g) Lib. 1. versus finem Constantine with great anger answeared c. you aske of me iudgement in the world when I except the iudgement of Christ And a litle after Donatus thinketh that he may appeale from Bishops to which appeale Constantine thus answeared O outragious bouldnes of fury as in the causes of Gentiles c. Yea this is so cleare in S. Austin that M Carthwright answeareth to M. Whitguifts like obiecting hereof saying (h) 2. Reply part 2. p. 163. Austin saith that the Emperour was driuen by the Donatistes importunity who made no end of appealing vnto him to geue sentence in that matter for the which also he was to craue pardon of the Bishops c. Lastly S. Athanasius reporteth that the Bishop Hosius said to Constantine (i) In ep ad solitariam vitam agentes I beseech thee to cease and remember thou art mortal c. do not entermedle in Ecclesiastical matters nor do thou commaund vs in this kind God haith committed to thee the Empyre to vs those thinges which concerne the Church c. Take heede lest that drawing to thee those thinges which concerne the Church thou be guilty of great crime c. And againe who seeing him in decreeing to make him selfe the prince of Bishops to be president in Ecclesiastical iudgements may not deseruedly say that he is that abhomination of desolation which was foretold by Daniel Concerning the Sacraments CHAPTER 5. S. Austin teacheth that the Sacraments do not only signify but truly confer grace to the worthy receiuer SECTION 1. THough (k) Fulke against Purgat p. 35. Willet in his Sinopsis p. 415. Perkins in his reformed Catholicke p. 294. 298. Iewel in his defence p. 201. Protestants vsually teach that Sacraments do signify grace but not confer it yet S. Austin with vs Catholickes teacheth the contrary saying (l) Tom. 9. in Iohn tract 80. versus finem from whence is that so great vertue of the water that touching the body it washeth the heart but the word working it c. Clensing therefore would not be attributed to the liquid and slippery element if it were not added in the word And he proueth by example of Circumcision the force of Baptisme to children though they want faith saying (m) Tom. 7. l. 4. de Bapt. cont Don. c. 24. post init The Sacrament of it selfe was of great force But this doctrine is so clearly S. Austines that Luther answeareth to Cochlaeus his obiecting of S. Austin in this manner (n) Lib. cont Cochlaeum But if there be any of the Fathers who haue thought the Sacraments to iustify by their owne vertue though it be Austin as Cochlaeus contendeth I nothing care they are the sayinges of men Agreeably to which also writeth Caluin (o) Lib. 4. Instit c. 14. sec vlt. peraduenture those immoderate commendations of the Sacraments which are read in the auncient writers as that of Austin c. haith deceiued those miserable Sophisters And whearas (p) Willet in his sinopsis p. 418. Protestants do further teach that the Sacraments of the old law are equal in force to ours S. Austin with vs to the contrary auoucheth that (q) Tom. 8. in Psal 73. multo ante med There are some sacraments geuing saluation others promising the Sauiour the Sacraments of the new Testament geue saluation the Sacraments of the old Testament promise the Sauiour A saying so pregnant against Protestants that if we beleeue (r) Loc. com p. 299. and see Caluin l. 4. institut c. 14. sec vlt. Musculus it was spoken inconsideratly by Austin Yea saith Caluin (s) Lib. 4. instit c. 15. sec 7. And see Chemnitius examen part 2. p. 38. Let it trouble no man that the auncient Fathers striue to make a difference betweene the one and the other their authority ought not to be such as to shake the infallibility of Scripture c. Neither is that quircke of Austin to be approued that by the Baptisme of Iohn sinnes are forgeuen in hope but by the Baptisme of Christ sinnes are forgeuen indeede S. Austin teacheth that certaine of the Sacraments do imprint a Character or marke in the soule of the receiuer SECTION 2. THough D. (t) Sinopsis p. 419. and vpon the 112. Psal p. 91. Willet with other Protestants vtterly deny al such Character yet