Minister fitteth for Baptisme but not euery one so fit for imposition of hands that a holy Sacrament of Christ his owne institution and by him commanded this a reuerent ceremony and signe onely though not expresly commanded in Gods word yet laudably practised by Christ by his Apostles and apostolicall men which we doe euen for this cause imbrace as commendable and expedient alway professing the necessitie dignity and excellencie of Baptisme aboue it because euery approoned Minister is vsed in that and not in this which argueth the worthinesse of the Sacrament be the Minister of superior or inferior note Whereas in this other ceremonie it is not so For though Philip did Baptize yet Iohn and Peter did lay on hands Ipsique adhibita impositione manuum in ella sis n◠confirman di quanquam ipsam manuū impositionem putamus liberae obseruationis esse vt cutus exemplum quidem Apostolicū extet non autē preceptum Christs Riscat in Heb. 6.2 Ad precationē pro illespueris sine superstitione adhihers posset impositio manu um Nec inanis esset ea precatio Nititur enim promissionibus de dono perseuerantiae gratia confirmationit Chemnit de con firm p. 69. De exhortatione etiam ad per seuerantiam de confirmatione per verbū in semel suscepta doctrina fide extant Apostolicae eccle sia exempla Act. 14.15 18. Ibid. not derogating from what Philip did nor extolling their confirmation aboue his Baptisme notwithstanding that they were superiour to him in place and preheminence Can our Church then be thought to doe without warrant when it doth but as it hath the first and following Churches for an example So Piscator obserueth that when children haue been taught the doctrine of repentance and faith they are to make profession thereof and then to be confirmed by imposition of hands Although we thinke the very laying on of hands to be a point of free obseruation as hauing the Apostles example for a president though not any expresse commaundement from Christ Then the Apostles fact being an example this done after it no such vntruth is maintained as some thinke in saying After the example of the Apostles we haue laid on our hands c. Chemnitius writeth thus vnto prayer ouer the child to be confirmed imposition of hands may be vsed without superstition And that prayer cannot be in vaine For it relieth on promises concerning the gift of perseuerance and the grace of confirmation This rite saith he would bring much profit to the edefying of youth and of the whole Church and were also agreeing to Scripture and purer antiquitie For in the Apostolicall laying on of hands was a triall of doctrine and profession of faith Act. 19. and of exhortation to perseuerance and of confirmation by the word in the doctrine and faith Examples of the Apostolicall Church are extant Act. 14.15 18. Which being so witnesseth in their iudgement whom we cannot thinke partiall in this behalfe that the phrase which our Booke vseth after the example of the Apostles c. is a phrase irreprouable The Apostles laid on hands and gaue gifts Sainct Austin writing of Simon Magus seeing the holy Ghost was giuen by laying on of hands noteth that the Apostles did not themselues giue it but it was giuen they praying and calling vpon God For they did pray that it might come vpon them on whom they laide hands but themselues did not giue it Non quia ipsi dabant sed quia ipsis orantibus datusest August in Ioh. euangitract 6. Orabant quippè vt veniret in eos c. Idem de Trinitate lib. 15. cap. 26. The Bishop layeth on hands but giueth no gifts Signa crant tēpori opportuna oportebat enim ita significari Ibid. Significatum est transut numquid modè quibus imponitur mannus vt accipiant spiritum sanctum hoc expectatur vt linguis loquantur Ibid. Ita peruerse cor de aliquis vestrum fuit vt diceret non acceperunt c. Interroget cor suum c. 0752 0 Id. tract 6. in epist Iohan. Sed inuisibiliter latentur intelligitur per vinculum pacis eorum cordibus diuina charitas inspirari Id. lib 3. de bapt c. 16. Those gifts were signes fitting the time For so must signification be giuen by the holy Ghost in all languages because the Gospell of God was to run through the whole world in al languages so much was signified but is past and gone Is it now expected that so many speake with toongs as haue hands laid on them to receiue the holy Ghost or when we haue laid hands on children doth euery one attend whether they speake with toonges and when he hath seene they speake not with toonges hath any of you beene so frowardly bent to say they receaued not the holy Ghost c. Since therefore by such kinde of miracles there is not now that witnesse of the presence of the holy Ghost whence it is and how a man may know whether he loue his brother Let him see and try himselfe in the sight of God let him sée if there be in him the loue of peace and vnities the loue of the Church c. Which whole discourse verbatim word for word rendred by that Father is more plainly to like purpose laid open else where writing of Baptisme against the Donatist The holy Ghost is not now giuen in temporall and sensible miracles by laying on of hands as heretofore c. But inuisibly and secretly loue is knowne to be inspired in their hearts through the bond of peace The substance of which answere so often handled by that Father implieth Imposition of handes with prayer was vsed not onely for miraculous gifts but also for confirmation and strengthning of their faith which very same marke our Church aimeth at in those on whom hands are laid though former extraordinary graces long since discontinued So in effect answereth Doctor Fulke in his defence of our translation against the Rhemists namely Doct. Fulk Act. 8.17.6.7 that how euer imposition of hands by which Simon Magus saw the holy Ghost was giuen indured no longer then the miraculous gifts as vnction with oyle named by Saint Iames yet another kind of imposition of hands mentioned Heb. 6. is and may be in perpetuall vse c. And where the Rhemists charge vs to make no more of it or the Apostles fact but as of a doctrine institution or exhortation to continue in the faith receiued Doctor Fulke answereth it is false For we acknowledge saith he Imposition of handes with prayer that they which were so taught instructed and exhorted might receiue strength of Gods spirit so to continue And where those accusers lay to our charge that there are among vs which put the baptized comming to yeares of discretion to their owne choice whether they will continue Christians or no he utterly denieth that imputation adding hereunto in our Churches name that they are
auncienter when it seemeth Rabanus Maurus writ vpon this argument These last 1000. yeares wee will cut off and looke to the times before Which if we doe it appeareth when they were much more sparing they yet had some one garment or other distinct from others which they vsed onely in publike offices of the Church Witnesse the councell of Brage and before it the councell of Toledo and before them both the councell of Carthage in the daies of Saint Austin Of which time Saint Hierom for he was not much elder then that reuerend Austin writeth that some garmeÌ„ts were distinctly appropriated to Ecclesiastical and publike vse Which may be seene in his first book against Pelag. who cauilled at such attire as contrarie to Gods word What offence saith that good Father is it if a Bishop Presbyter and Deacon and the rest of that Ecclesiasticall order goe before in a white garment at the administration of the Sacraments Which if any shall thinke that other Christians not Clergiemen did weare his wordes vpon Ezech cap. 44. manifest the contrarie Diuine Religion hath another atttire in the ministerie and another in a common vse and life This himselfe proued in his owne practise For one Nepotian a Presbiter dying left him a garment which hee vsed as hee saieth the ministrie of Christ The historie is this Nepotian taking his Vnckle by the hand this coate or garment quoth hee which I did vse in the ministrie of Christ send to my wel beloued my Father for age c. meaning Ierom by that appellation Where it seemeth no vsuall and ordinary attire but some choise and speciall one for hee intends it as a pledge of his last loue and kindenesse which hee did bequeath vnto him secondly we may note it was such a one as he did not continually weare but at times in publike duties of his calling for hee was a Presbiter and in the ministrie of Christ he did vse it But proceede wee on forwarde much about this time in the Greeke Church some vniforme attire was also receiued among the Clergie as Chrisosotome remembreth in diuers places In his homilies to the people of Antioch Hac vestra dig nitas est hac ouâ— nis corona non vt albam splendentem tu nicam circumeatis amicti Chrisost homil 60. ad populum Anticchen Haec est dignitas vestra haec stabilitas haec corona noÌ„ quia tunicam induts caÌ„didissimaÌ„ per ecclesiam ambu latis ld homil 83. in Math. Trecenti circiter anni c. Auctor quaestioÌ„ vet nous Testam c. 44. Quod mulier non sit creata ad imaginem Dei Qq. 21. quod Melchisedech foerit spiri tus sâ—nctus Q. 1091 quod Ada non habuerit spirituns sactuÌ„ Quast 123. Idolatria ad misit per quod peccauerat in Deum c. Q. 8â— His in vrbe Roma Q. 115. Quasi non bâ—diè Diacons Dalâ—â— a â—icis induantur sucut Episceps Id. cap 46. Vtea cirâ—â—â—â—amictus ministerium sacri baptismatis adimpleret Tri partâ—â— histor lib. 5. cap. 35. and in his homilies vpon S. 0725 Mat. For blaming the priests or Ministers for their negligence not caring who receiued or how but admitted all to the Lord his Table without difference This is your dignity crowne c. and not to goe about in your goodly white shining garments c. Againe in his Homilies vpon Saint Mathew to the like purpose in words not much differing This is your dignitie this your constancie this your crowne and not because you walke vp and downe in the Chruch in your white coate or garment About some 300. yeares after Christ for it séemeth to be no more by the Author of the questions vpon the olde and new Testament cap. 44. for after the birth of Christ about some 300. yeares were runne out then is witnessed that a distinction of ecclesiasticall garments from others in the publike seruice was in vse That authour we call him and not Saint Austin both because of the times wherein he liued was somewhat auncienter as appeareth before because but 300. yeares after Christ as also because of diuers opinions not soundly deliuered as quest 21. that the woman was not created after the image of God that Adam sinned the sinne of Idolatrie quest 83. that Melchisedech was the holy Ghost quest 1091. and that Adam had not the holy spirit quest 123. c. yet notwithstanding these dangerous pointes handled contrary to Scripture and Saint Austin Beside another prose there is because the Author of this booke quest 115. liued at Rome so did not Saint Austine yet we say notwithstanding all this he may be credited in a matter of fact as to say what was donne for therefore we alleadge him namelie that Bishops and Deacons in his time did weare Dalmatish garmentes that is a kinde of ecclesiasticall attire before this time In these hundred yeares wherein the Church had breathing after her sore long wasting persecution we haue farder proofe in the daies of Constantine who good Emperor gaue a distinct holie garment to Macarius to weare in administring Baptisme and Theodoret recording the same reports an example of a Stage-player who for bringing this baptizing garment vppon a Stage to daunce in it fell sodainly downe and dyed Qua indutus quidam canta torscenicus inter saltandum collapsus interist c. Theodor lib. 2. cap. 27. Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall storie the tenth booke and fourth Chapter chronicling the great ioy which was among Christians in good Constantin his raigne pauseth his stile in the gratulatorie triumphes which were made at the solemnizing the dedication of a Church built in Tyre of Phoenicia where a man of good account prepared a graue godly exhortation in the presence of Paulinus that holy and reuerend Bishoppe with a many other Ecclesiasticall persons then assembled in their ornamentes and sacred attire reaching downe to their feete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb lib. 10. cap. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It may bee no such store of proofes can be yeelded for the times within the 300. yeeres after Christ And no meruasle good Christians they had no open Churches but secret places to serue God in well content if they might haue then but foode and raiment with the small libertie of the Gospell which they inioyed no otherwise then as a man that eates stolne bread Yet so farre as the Records of that time may deserue credit so wee finde that 60. yeeres before the dayes of Constantin a peculiar vestiment was appointed for celebrating the oCmmunion Singulari vesti tu queâ—â— sacra tum dixerunt indui licuit sa cerdotibus in Eucharistia Centur. 3. cap. 6. pag. 146. This decree the Protestants of Meidenburg in their Centuries referre to the times of Stephen Bishop of Rome who afterwardes as did many else his Predecessors and Successors for it was in those best times layed downe his life for the testimony of the Lord Iesus Higher then 200.
THE SECOND AND LAST part of Reasons for Refusall of Subscription to the Booke of Common prayer vnder the hands of certaine Ministers of Deuon and Cornwall as they were exhibited by them to the right Reuerend Father in God WILLIAM COTTON Doctor of Diuinitie and Lord Bishop of Exceter As also an APPENDIX or Compendious Briefe of all other Exceptions taken by others against the Bookes of Communion Homilies and Ordination word for word as it came to the hands of an Honorable Personage VVith an ANSVVERE to both at seuerall times returned them in publike conference and in diuerse Sermons vpon occasion preached in the Cathedrall Church of Exceter by Thomas Hutton Bachiler of Diuinitie and Fellow of S. Iohns Colledge in Oxon. Fuerant hortamenta vt Deus Christus eius à populo in vnum conueniente pariter rogaretur Nullus erat primitus terror Nemo viderat virgam nemo custodiam Sola vt diximus fuerant hortamenta Optatus Lib. Tertio LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet for the Companie of Stationers 1606. To the most Reuerend father in God my very good Lord the Lord Arch bishop his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England MOst Reuerend in Christ my late trauiles in laboring other of my fellow brethren their godly peaceable quiet contentment in such doubts as their busie learning and too much paines hath vnnecessarily occasioned I began and withall at once thought to haue finished but since finding I haue but begun for somewhat remained and that somewhat much in their opinion whose opinions goe for articles of faith much or little such as it is I present vnto your Graces fauour May it stand with your good pleasure to take knowledge of my best affections how deepely indebted to God his Church the Kings most excellent Maiestie and your Honorable selfe for your speciall fauours done me in the prime of my studies after some few yeares spent in the Vniuersitie of Oxford I shall take it for no small comfort specially as the times now are wherein like the daies of Moses that blessed peace maker Act. 7.27 I am sure to receaue no small portion of griefe from them whose vnderstanding I labour to reconcile vnto our forme of publike praiers And were not that duetifull remembrance I haue of your auncient fauour sufficient cause as I must and doe professe it is farre more then any seruice of mine can thoroughly recompence yet your continuall long graue experience in this argument your Reuerend learned great paines heretofore in the daies of our Renowned late Queene both by preaching and writing as also in that late conference where our now dread soueraigne Lord King Iames royally to the admiration of all there present moderated the controuersies then proposed are effectuall motiues to imbolden me in the humble offer which I make of this present treatise Nor are all these the onely persuasiue though euery of them forcible inough but the eminencie of your place and highest prelacie whereunto you are now called farder exacteth of me submission of my writings because your greatest authoritie next after the Kings highnesse may in these Ecclesiasticall causes giue me best approbation VVherefore be intreated to vouchsafe your gracious acceptance of a few lines and whatsoeuer may be thought defectiue I hartily craue it may no way impeach that fuller defence with which our Church can make supplie to whose most sacred iudgement I wholy commend my selfe Now that God of power who hath so mercifully appointed the times and seasons in aduancing the throne of King Iames aboue the throne of Queene Elizabeth be blessed and praised of vs all this day and for euer So are mine and euery true harted subiect his vnfained thanks to Godward for roote and branch for our King Queene their roiall progenie with the high Court of Parliament graue Senators Reuerend Bishops Honorable Iudges our Worshipfull knights choisest Burgesses so lately so mightily so miraculously preserued to the euerlasting shame of all mischieuous traitors Nouemb. 5.1605 and to the incredible ioy of all them that truely feare God and the King More it is my thoughts conceaue in this point But remembring as I pray to God in heauen so I write to men on earth I stay my selfe for this time Humblie beseeching your Grace to pardon this my attempt and to interpret it as I vnfainedly intend it the earnest of greater in deede as the truth is of all possible thankfulnesses Your Graces in all duty Thomas Hutton To my fellow brethren the ministers of 〈…〉 Cornwall whose exceptions made against subscription follow farder to bee examined ACcording to my promise I proceed and send the rest of that answer which before was intended reuiew your grieuaÌ„ces with the seueral defence annexed It may be vpon examinatioÌ„ of what you reproue we maintaine if you spare a little time to keep repetitions with your selues and read that ouer which you did dislike you wil bee of another mind Second thoghts are better then the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consider what peril may come to the Church to your selues knowing that many of your congregation did not so much admire your paines as they now heartily lament to see theÌ„ soil bestowed in vncharitablie taxing Inuidiam facitis Macario qui sialiquid asperâ—fecit pro vnitate leue viders poterit dâ—â— vâ—â— pro dissentione c. Optat. lib. 2. what the wisdome and zeale of our godlie auncients haue faithfullie penned Drawe not blessed Macarius into enuie who if he haue done anie thing sharplie for preseruation of godlie vnitie Quiduis facerâ—debuisse potiâ—â—qâ—â—m ecclesiam schismate sciâ—dâ—â—e Diony Aleâ—ad Nâ—â—at apud Hieronan Cataelo it may seeme light to the harme which commeth by needlesse opposition Anie thing you should haue done as Dionysius Alexandrinus writeth to Nouatian rather then cause a rent in the Church remembring Manus dextra prasbyter Origen homil 7. in Iosuâ— though you bee taken for right hand and be called Presbiters and seeme to preach the word of God yet if you doe any thing against the discipline of the Church Si aliquid contra â—cclesiastscam disciplâ—nam ibid. In vno consensâ— ecclesia eâ—â— cidat dexteram suam c. or rule of the Gospell the Church with one consent must cut you off being their right hand and cast you from them VVhich seuere course some you know that fauour the discipline you stand for took in places where it preuaileth against others that were contrary minded Ducto Sutr in the â—alâ—e semblaÌ„r pag. 182. For wheÌ„ one Iohn Morellie disputed in a certaine treatise that the wordes Tell the Church belonged not to the consistorie his booke was burnt and the man excommunicate Two ministers at Geneua were deposed and banished for speaking against vsurie allowed in that estate and a third was glad to flie for speaking against vnleauened bread But fearing the allegation of these examples may distast your liking of that which I write my
wine vpon a materiall altar for the quick and dead Isay 61.6 1. Pet 2.5 Apoc. 5.10 Els in a borrowed speech by way of allusion to the legall rites it doth no way derogate For the holie ghost witnesseth accordingly as was prophesied by Esay we are a roial priesthood vnto God to offer vp spirituall sacrifices So is euerie godlie man and woman a Priest but this is nothing to the minister True also it is Euerie godlie man and woman is a Priest in the common receiued sence as the prophet speakes Isay 61. yee shal be named the Priests of the Lord yet from among them he will take out some more speciallie to bee Priests and Leuites Isay 61.6.66.21 that is such as in the ministerie of the Gospell should be distinguished both from the people and from themselues as were the Priest and Luites For though the people offer vp the calues of their lips and their bodies a liuing reasonable sacrifice yet in two respects els for distinction sake the minister may haue that name rather then the people First because they offer vp for themselues distinctly a part but he in publicke by vertue of his office both for himselfe and for them in the name of the congregation standing vp before the Lord and offering their prayers in that onely attonement Christ Iesus they in the meane while accompanying him with sighs and grones sealing vp euery petition with a still silent but effectuall Amen Secondly he ministreth in holie things the word and sacraments which ministration Saint Paul calleth by the name of one imploied in a sacred businesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 15.16 Pastores quo sensu sacerdotes dicantur Feguernek Crisost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopi prasbyters propriè appellaÌ„tur sacerdotes Aug de ciuit dei lib. 20 cap 10 vetustissima coÌ„ suetudo fuit in ecclesia christiana vt ministrâ— vocareÌ„sur sacerdotes Neque egomultum moror nomina modo de rebus conueniat Zanch. deredeÌ„p lib. 1 c. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kirck Church for the word is a sacrificing knife in the hand of his minister by which our flesh is killed and offered vp a â—â—ring sacrifice vnto God Where Peguer nekinus in his promtuarie vpoÌ„ Marlorat saieth in the title of the pastor In which sense Pastors are called sacrificers or ministring in holie things And it may be thought S. Chrisost so meant intituling six books by that name Hierosune S. Austin writing that Bishops and Priests are now properlie called sacerdotall Priests Zanchius saieth in the 4. commaundement It was a most auncient custome in the church of christ that the ministers of the word sacrameÌ„ts should be called sacerdotall Priests because ministers of sacred things Nor doe I much contend about names so we did agrece in the thinges themselues To giue this new name to the ministers of the Gospel is to crosse reiect the wisdome of God who hath giueÌ„ so many fit names to his in his word It is no new name but the old and the verie same which the worde of God giueth them For it is Priest whose name is presbuteros and so translated into our tongue as other words Bible Euangilest Baptisme Church and the like which retaine the foot-print of their originall And could wee redeeme the wrong it hath receiued in being put to interpret the office of a popish sacrificer our labour should be imployed herein but we are not to coÌ„maund words As for other naturall english Elder auncieÌ„t senâ—or whereof some are no more english theÌ„ this the reason why we vse them not is because they are made triuial and common in other trifling pelting and prophane occasions So as what in regarde thereof as also for 〈◊〉 riuation whence this worde is taken and the allusion it hath by way of similitude to them in the law as we generallie among vs receiue it in our church not to be misliked nor so contentiously to be imrupned more then that word Sunday among the beatheÌ„ which name we retaine vnderstanding not that Sun in the firmameÌ„t though Pagans do but our Lord the sun of righteousnesse to whose honour wee obserue it LinguaÌ„ teneat mentem corrigat August And therefore as S. Austin in another case about the worde free will Let him retainethe worde and correct his minde If any be popishlie affected it is not the worde but their iudgement that needeth reformation Chap. 7. Almightie God which hast giuen vs thine onely begotten Sonne and this day to be borne of a pure Virgin And by a rubricke The Minister must â—e these words seuen daies following affirming that in euery of these seuen daies Christ was borne This is against the plaine manifest truth of the Scripture For Christ had his naturall birth in one onely day THis Collect readâ—â—â— Christnâ—â—â— day is here onely named but through the â—â—des thereof another in the time of the Commuâ—â—ion appointed for the same purpose a third for Innocents say a faineth for Whitsunday all wounded atâ—â—â—â—â—â—ith the flourish of a pen so as how euer â—â—arily some make shew to mislike but this one they doe what lyeth in them condemne the vse of the rest For they all aime aâ— one marke on Christmas day and the Sunday sorts wing there are two Collects â—â—ther of them so one purpose Among the Epistles and Gospels this Almighty God which hast giuen vs thy onely begotten Sonne to take our nature vpon him and this day to be borne of a pure Virgin graunt that we being regenerabe and made thy Children by adoption may dayly be â—â—â—ued by thy holy spirit c. Againe at the Communion proper prefaces vpon Christmas day and scuen daies after Because thou didst giue Iesus Christ thy only Son to be born as this day for vs who by the operation of the holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of the Virgin c. On Innocents day thus Almightie God whose praise this day the young Innocents thy witnesses c On the Purification of the Virgin Almightie c. As thy onely begotten Sonne was this day presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh On Whitsunday and seuen daies after the Collects are two One thus God which as vpon this day bast taught the harts of thy faithfull c. Againe in the preface through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holy Ghost came downe this day from headen with a sudden great sound c. Where that on Whitsunday interpreteth what is meant not precisely determining the very day whereon Christ was borne solemnized by the Innocents presented in the Temple sent forth his holy spirits for that neither the Church proposeth nor if she did can she so well determine but about some such time of the yeare and therefore in one of the Prefaces it is God which as vpon this day And that in common English is much about that time Now that a thing done one day many
profession follow all such things as are agreeable to the same Which words interpret what the other prayer mentioneth To fall into no sin 3. Because our eye much respecteth the writings of strangers more then of our own countrimen Take a view of the morning prayers published by M. Caluin where it is thus Grant O Lord I may spend this whole day in the seruice and worship of thy holie power Fac. vt diem hunc totum in sanctissimi numinis tuâ— cultâ—â— venerationâ— consumam Nihilomnino aut cogitem auâ— dâ—cam aut faciaÌ„ quod cònon ten dat Cal preceâ— matut inter opuscula And that nothing in the world I may thinke say or do that may not tend to this purpose to obey thee Which aimeth to the same scope which this doth here that we fal into no sin forasmuch as all sin is either in thought word or deed 4. Euery word here mentioned in this Collect speaketh the language of Scripture Fall into no sin Fall he saith not slip trip or stumble But fall nor simply fall but with addition fall into That we fall the Booke acknowledgeth as appeareth in the Letanie wherin the praier of the congregation is to strengthen theÌ„ that stand to raise vp theÌ„ that fall which is the condition of a righteous man seuen times a day a certaine number put for an vncertaine that is many times Pro 24.6 Corruit in peccatum impius but the wicked runne or rush into sinne so as this prayer fall into implyeth our godly desire that we cast not our selues headlong the compound aggrauating the single naked bare signification of the simple word supposing not a fréedome from falling but from falling into which is a sore bruze or downefall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. This word No may be thought comparatiuely spoken as in Ioh. 9.3 neither hath this man sinned nor his parents v. 41. If ye were blind yée should haue no sin not absolutely denying all sinne but implying no sinne so grieuous as now So fall into no sin not so grieuous and hainous as otherwise but for our prayers apprehending the swéete mercies of God we might readily fall into 1. Ioh. 3.6 6. Sinne beareth a construction as whosoeuer abideth in him sinneth not whosoeuer sinneth hath not knowne him and vers 8 he that committeth sinne is of the deuill and vers 9. whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not neither can he because he is borne of God Where sinne is taken Hoc istud est noÌ„ peccare quum labuntur fideles infirmitate carnis sed sub onere peccati ge munt sibi displi cent deum time re non de sinunt Cal. in 1. Ioh. 3 not for euery the least breach of Gods commaundement for he that taketh it in that sense deceiueth himselfe as the Apostle sheweth It we say we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues c. But not to sinne is in this place when the faithfull slip through infirmities of the flesh but yet vnder the burden of sinne they grone they displease themselues they cease not to feare God The prayer of the Church therefore is not to fall into sinne that is as the holy Ghost meaneth in other places that she neither sinne nor may sin Besides we would aske this question What sin it is we néede not pray against Quotidie eâ—eha ristia coÌ„munioneÌ„ percipere nec laudo nec repre hendo omnibus ramen domini cis diebus communicandum suadeo horror sitamen mens sine affectu peccands Aug. de eccles dog cap. 53. or what reason haue we to be at peace with any In as much as we are to feare one and another and euery one the conclusion is summarilie none can be excepted from within the compasse of our holy deprecation 7. What S. Austin or one among his works writeth in another case fitteth well here I neither praise nor dispraise saith he dayly coÌ„municating at the Lords table yet euery Lords day I aduise and exhort that men would communicate Prouided alway that their minde be without any liking to sin A dislike to sin we must alway haue in praying we fall into no sin we euidently protest a feare we haue to sin and our dislike to all because our hearts desire to godward is to fall into no sinne 8. wherein is this prayer more offensiue then that of our sauiour or of S. Paul or of S. Iude Duobus modit c. Aug. de nat et grat 67 caueamus diceÌ„do ne nos inferas c. vt quicquid humana fragilitas vitare non praeualet hoc ille propitius nobis conferre dignetur serm 135. de temp Eum aâ— omni scelere puruÌ„ imu uneÌ„ seruabit Cal. 2. Tim. 4 18. Eripiet me ab omnidâ— licto Theophi lact Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Corin. 13.7 Ne deum offendatis vel vt nihil vnquam delinquatis Theopâ—ilact Ibid. Oramus dominum ne quid faciatis mali vnde satis apparet quod ad non peccaÌ„dum c. Aug. epist 95. Esse sine offeÌ„sa est in culpatuÌ„ esse tam in doctrina quaÌ„ moribus sarcer in Philip 1.10 Our sauiour taught his disciples to pray lead vs not into tentation c. not praying that sinne might bee forgiuen for that was mentioned before but that it might bee preuented Two waies saieth Saint Austin the euill of a disease is shunned in the bodie either that it happen not at all or hapning be quicklie healed That it happen not at al let vs take heede by saying lead vs not into tentation c. that it quickly be healed by praying forgiue vs our trespasses And as the author in his Sermons hath Pray we that whatsoeuer mans frailtie preuaileth not to shunne and auoid the Lord of his great mercie vouchsafe to bestow Thus much we may hope for in this prayer that we fall into no sinne namely preuenting that which otherwise we shall gladlie fall into Saint Paul hath some such petition for himselfe for the Corinthians Philippians and Thessalonians For himselfe The Lord will deliuer mee from euery euill worke not onely in others to doe me wrong but in my selfe to offer wrong or to doe any euill thing For so the fence best fitteth in Maister Caluins iudgement There is the like for the Corinthians where the Apostle deliuereth his minde in these vehement earnest tearmes I pray God that yee doe no euill at all Which some interprete that yee doe in no case offend the Lord. For two negatiues in the originall are verie forceable to expresse a deniall We pray saieth S. Austin the Lord that yee doe no euill at all VVhence it sufficientlie appeareth that the prayer is that they do not sin Now then to fal into no sâ—n and to do no euill at all be armes of onebody extend themselues to one signification so as if prayer against one be preiudiciall to truth so is the other and if Saint Paul as
he doth by his example iustifie the one then giueth he approbation to the other Which zealous affection he beareth the Philippians when he prayeth God that they may be found pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ To be without offence is to be blamelesse both in doctrine and manners The integritie of both which answereth in effect to the petition of our church That wee fal into no sin So the Apostle beggeth for the Thessalonians that the verie God of peace sanctifie them throughout Tune purus est integer homo sinâ—hil men te cogitat nihil corde appetit nihil de corpore exequitur nisi quod probatur deo Cal. 1 Thes 5.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iud 24 and that their whole spirite and soule and body may be kept blamelesse Then is one a pure and intire man if he thinke nothing in his minde desire nothing in his heart execute nothing in the bodie but what is allowed of God All this Saint Paul prayeth for which is asmuch as if he had prayed they might fall into no sinne Finally Saint Iude in his epistle commendeth the Saintes vnto God who is able to kéepe them from falling whereof to little purpose he should put them in minde but that therein he comprehendeth the Lord his louing sauour that as he is able so he doth it also A truth verified both in head and members For he hath giuen his Angels charge to carrie them in their hands that they dash not their foot against a stone Where fore gathering al these scattered branches to their roote Deus nonuult nobis in hac vita praestare liberationem à peccatis perfectam tamen vult nos cam optare nosque singulis momentis petere vt omnino a peccatis libere utur Vrsin Catec part 3 pag 864. warrant in scripture we find sufficient for renuing the vse of this prayer That we fall into no sin whither we looke to the place whence it is taken or to other collects in the booke that expound the meaning or to the godlie practise of learned men in other countries or to the grace of speach it selfe or to our sauiours example or to apostolicall presidents as before at large hath beene shewed The conclusion therefore we make in the verie wordes which Vrsinus vseth God will not in this life giue vs perfit deliuerance from al sinnes yet will he haue vs to pray for it and beg of God euerie moment to be throughlie and fullie deliuered from all sinnes Chap 9. Of kneeling at the Sacrament of the Lords supper The people are commaunded to receiue the sacrament kneeling and the minister so to minister it vnto them yet is himselfe coÌ„mauÌ„ded to stand This is dangerous THe words in the rubricke are these Then shall the minister receiue the coÌ„munion in both kinds himselfe and next deliuer it to other ministers if anie be there present that they may helpe the chiefe minister after to the people in their hands kneeling And when he deliuereth the bread he shall saie c. Wherevpon noteâ— that minister people both in their place and order are to receiue the sacrameÌ„t open their knees or kneeling so is the minister to receiue it himselfe and the people at his hands As for the obiection Himselfe is commaunded to sâ—and How can any man thinke the minister should deliuer it otherwise being as he is to passe from one to another To receiue the sacrameÌ„t kneeling is dangerous for minister people in respect of law in respect of God religion and conscience Of law for the minister is charged by a statute Elizab. 13. to subscribe to the articles of religion c. vpon paine of depriuatioÌ„ But the 28. article commaundes that the sacrament must not be worship Ergo to minister to the people kneeling is to be in danger of the law Law is pretended but disobedience intended Rather then selfe-will can brooke a controull church and common wealth shall be made enimies each to other as if the same persons that haue authoritie in both did commaund things contrarie were not well aduised what they do exact But a truth it is men are not aduised nor care they against what it is that they do except The 28. article speaks not by way of coÌ„maund but onely in these words The sacrament of the Lords supper was not by Christs ordinance reserued carried about lifted vp or worshipped whereunto as an article of truth the statute Elizabeth 13. requireth our subscription and if anie shall teach otherwise it passeth vpon him sentence of depriuation Proue they that anie among vs doth reserue carrie about lift vp or worship the sacrament of the Lords supper and good leaue haue they to sue all extremities A deuise onely found out to gull a simple honest well affected minde For let men talke of law as much as they list and bleare mens eyes which they dare not doe thus nor thus and al for feare of law truth wil detect a bad mind easily proue that they respect not law nor lawful procéedings more then fits their own humor 1. Elizabeth a law it is if any persons any manner of way shall depraue the booke of common prayer so and so his punishment is set downe and the penaltie quicke for euery such trespasse yet how manifest and daylie breaches are made such writings and preaching in this kind doe publish to the worlde And therefore what tell they vs of law that are themselues lawlesse and carelesse But did they well smart for this breach of good order offences would be fewer and obedience more vsuall kneeling is worshipping For Mark 5.22 and Luk 8.41 Iairus is said to fall or kneele downe at Christs feete And Math 9.18 relating the same storie saieth that Hee did worshippe Kneeling is not in that place put for diuine worshipping Christâ— diuinuÌ„ bonorem non exhibuit Iairus sed coluit vt dei prophetam GenuauteÌ„ flexio quà m vulgaris fuerit apud orâ— entales satit notum Marlor in Mare Gen 33.3.23.7 Iairus gaue not Christ anie diuine honor but reuerenced him as a prophet of God For bending the knee how common it was among the easterne men is well knowne and the manner of the countrie in the debter to his creditor Mathew 18. in Iacob his obeâ—sance to Esau in Abraham before the people of Hâ—th Gen 23.7 So that mere kneeling that is bowing of the knee is not worshiping in a diuine manner Children do it to their parents subiects to their king and no hard point is it to be perswaded that some who obiect thus haue asmuch done them by the fruite of their loines when their children aske blessing or els both children and parents fault is the greater This kneeling to the sacrament was brought into the sacrament by Antichrist the man of sinne Pope Honorius the third an 1220. teaching the people thereby to worshippe the bread and all to be-god it The question is not of
of homilies to the 25. article is as if a man would by their example knowing they allow but 2. sacraments make them contrarie to themselues who call imposition of hands as it were a sacrament or set M. Caluin against himselfe because in his institutions he alloweth but two sacraments baptisme and the Lord his supper as we doe Manuum signuÌ„ hoc quasi sacramentuÌ„ vsurparunt eccles discip fol. 25. Quantum ad verum presbyte riâ— 0536 0 munus liben ter eoloco habeo Institut lib. 4. c. 19 sect 28. Quod 3. in numero non posui eo factum est quod non ordinarium nec coÌ„mune sed ad cer tam fuÌ„ctionem specialis ritus Ibid. and yet willingly accepteth of the sunction of the ministry to haue that name yet reckoneth it not as a third with baptisme the Lords supper bicause it is neither ordinary nor common with the faithfull but a special rite for a certaine function To take aduantage against that learned writer were very iniurious and can it be honest and godlie dealing to intreat our church thus since in both we know their minde alike For though beside two sacraments M. Caluin mentioneth the office of the ministrie and our homilie maketh matrimony one taking the word at large yet as generally necessary to all the faithfull there are two sacraments onelie which are expresse words which our Catechisme vseth as before cap. 15 hath alreadie beene handled Chap. 24. Plurality of wiues maintained in the fathers In the second tome of homiles 1. sermon of diuerse places of scripture It was permitted to this godlie fathers to haue more wiues then one by a speciall priuiledge or prerogatiue This is directly against the worde WHereunto the answere we make is two fold one in generall concerning the second Booke of Homilies the second is in particular as touching the very place here stumbled at In generall it plainely appeareth that these men Subscribe not to the Booke of articles as they should by a Statute Elizabeth 13. Where among the rest the 35. article is thus The second Booke of Homilies the seuerall titles whereof we haue ioyned vnder this article doth containe a godly wholsome doctrine necessary for these times as doth the former booke of Homilies In particular to the place this answere we giue wherein this course we obserue First we set downe the words in question what they are that it may appeare to such as haue not the book at hand 2. We will shew what reasons there are to approoue these words of the homilie 3. The iudgement of our old and newe writers shall be alleadged For the first these words the Booke hath The pluralitie of wiues was by a speciall prerogatiue suffered to the Fathers of the olde Testament not for satisfying their carnall and fleshly lusts but to haue many children because euery one of them hoped and begged of God oftentimes in their praiers that that blessed seede which God had promised should come into the world to breake the Serpents head might come and be borne of his stocke and kindred Where is to be noted that the question is not of the times of the Gospell nor of the Law nor of the first institution of Mariage when man and woman were created but of the time before the law was written in Tables and giuen by Moses Now that it was no sinne vnto them as they vsed it of whom the homily there speaketh may appeare by diuerse reasons which the godly learned did giue First a brother was to raise vp seede to his brother that died without issue Secondly children borne of both wiues at once were legitimate which could not be if poligamse that is pluralitie of wiues at once had beene the sin of adulterie Thirdly the Iewes had answered little Ioh. 8.33.37.39.56 wheÌ„ being accused to be an adulterous generation they replyed they had Abraham to their Father not onely in a spirituall but a naturall propagation For Abraham had more wiues at once Gen. 31.51 1 Ioh. 3.9 Fourthly Iacob had Labans two daughters and Laban charged him he shall take no more Fiftly in asmuch as these words are the words of truth that a man borne of God sinneth not that is continueth in sin a very offensiue spéech it is to say that the Patriarks Abraham Iacob c. did continue in a sinne successiuely continually without repentance Non licuisse patribus simul plures vxores habere nisi ad delineandum mysterium Instin mart in Tryph. Deum illis primis temporibus polygamian exegisse Clem. Alexan. lib. 4. Strom. Permissum fuit cum duabus etc Chrisost homil 56. in Gen. Vt humanum genus propagaretur pietatis incrementuÌ„ caperet Ibid. Eo tempore nondum adulteriuÌ„ lege prohibituÌ„ amore posteritatis non ardoris libidine id factum de consensâ—â— vxoris ad aliquid significanduÌ„ quod futurum erat vt in Agar 3. Sara Ambros de Abra. et lib. 1. c. 4. and therefore it may well be thought that the Lord of his speciall mercy did beare with them and what is that but a rule which we may not make generall If so then surely a speciall priuiledge that it was permitted Countenance to this sentence giue the ages aforetime and since Aforetime Iustin Martir Clem. Alexandrinus Chrisostom Ambrose Ierom Austin c. Iustin Martir The fathers might not haue many wiues at once but to shadow out some mysterie Clem. Alexandrinus God did in those former times exact poligamie Chrisost Because then were the beginnings it was permitted to be coupled with two or more wiues at once that mankinde might be inlarged receiue increase of godlinesse and vertue Ambrose At that time adultery was not forbid by law and what they did was for loue of posteritie not through heat of lust and with consent of the wife and to signifie somewhat was to come as in Agar and Sara Ierom thus Seiebat Apostolus lege concessuÌ„ exemplo Patriarcharum ac Moses familiare populo nouerat in multis vxoribusliberos spargere HieroÌ„ in epist ad OceaÌ„ Sufficienda prolis causa erat vxorum plurium simul vni viro habendarum inculpabilis consuetudo Aug. de doctrina Christiana lib. 3. c. 12. Ibid. cap. 18. St naturam coÌ„sulas non lasciutends causa vtebatur si mereÌ„ c contra Faust Manch lib. 22. c. 47. Nulli vnquam licitum fuit siâ—ne diuina dispeÌ„ satione plures simul vxores habere Innoc. 3 c Gaudemus de Diuortiis Polygamiam Deus inter Isra elitas probauit Melanct. epitom Ethicor. Specialis casus fuit patrum polygamia quae peculiarem rationem habuit Heming de diuort pag. 36. Polygamia vsurpata patribuscitra culpam nobis nullam legem coÌ„stituit Bullin decad 2 serus 10. Deum illis legeÌ„ suam remisisse quia cos non videmus vspiam ea de causa reprehendi Pet. Mart. 1 Sam 25. The Apostle knew it was graunted by law and
such as are voluntarie professors of the faith but yet so to be esteemed because for Christ that is Christ was among them sought to be slaine Thirdly the scripture it selfe thus farre confirmeth the point in that the Prophet Ieremie is alleadged cap. 31. Rahel weeping for hir children Shaddowing thereby the Church of God mourning as a desolate widdow for those that she bare vnto God For so the verse following doth minister comfort Thus saith the Lord. Refraine thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from teares for thy worke shall be rewarded saith the Lord. As for that our Church calleth them Martyrs which seemeth to be some mens grieuance because Herods sonne was then slaine is no deniall of the name of Martyrs to the others the children of the faithfull in Bethlehem For if any were it was sufficient Voluntate actu vt S. Stephan voluntate non actu Iohannes Actu nō voluntate vt in nocentes Bernar serm de Inno Cutus vice suppleuit quod deerat voluntatis Ibid. and that some were the allegations before proue sufficiently So needlesse are some mens peremptories they send foorth to wound this truth like Herod his executioners to kill those little ones that so he might be sure to put Christ to death To conclude this point That difference of Martyrs our Church alloweth of Some are Martyrs in will and act that is both suffer and are willing to it so Saint Stephen was some in will ready co dye though happily they dye not so Iohn the Euangelist Some in act not in will that is they can but suffer and doe though they haue no will nor vnderstanding to know what they doe so did these infants in whom what was wanting to their will Christ gratiously supplied 2. It affirmeth that Faith and Repentance are required of infants that are to be Baptized And that they performe the same by their Suerties Two branches in this exception In paruulis qui baptizantur sunt qui negāt omnem actionē et operationem spiritus sancti Chem. de bapt Hic dico quod omnes dicunt aliena fide eorū qui offerūs eos paruulis succurri c. Luther de captiv Babylon Sicut verbum Dei potens est dum sonat etiā impis cor immutare quod non minus est surdum incapax quam vllus paruulus Ibid. The first of these against such as thinke God worketh not at all by his holy spirit in children baptized The Catechisme not meaning that they haue au actuall faith namely a féeling that they doe then beléeue for so they doe not that they liue yet they doe liue But they beléeue that is they haue the spirit of faith and repentance As for the second branch namely that they performe faith and repentance by their sureties is to be vnderstood of that present profession and promise then made whereby the God-children are bound as effectually in baptisme as if themselues were then presently able and did actually beléeue Luther disputing of this point Here I say as all else doe that children are succoured by the faith of others that offer them to Baptisme c. Againe afterwards As the word of God is mightie when it soundeth able to change euen the hart of a wicked man which is no lesse deafe and vncapable then any childe so by the prayer of the Church offring the childe in baptisme the little one is clenfed changed and renued by faith infused into it But for answere to the doubts herein looke the first part cap. 30. pag. 173. c. 3. That children Baptised haue all things necessarie vnto saluation and that they are vndoubtedly saued No more vntruth then that of the Homilie That infants being baptized and dying in their infancie are by his sacrifice washed from their sinnes brought to Gods fauour and made his children Homil. saluation of makind Perkins on the Creed pag 25. and inheritors of his kingdome of heauen homily of the saluation of mankind only by Christ c. No more vntruth then that which Master Perkins writeth That infants dying in their infancie and therefore wanting actuall faith which none can haue without knowledge of Gods will are no doubt saued by some other speciall working of the spirit vnknowne to vs. But an argument to prooue this Rubricke true may be thus briefly framed To whom the promise is made Act. 2.39 how God will be their God they are vndoubtedly saued But to our children baptised the promise is made Therefore our children baptised are vndoubtedly saued But hereof sée at large part 1. cap. 25. pag. 165. 166. 4. Vntruth That we haue a sure and certaine hope of euery one to be buried that he shall rise againe to euerlasting life We are not required by the booke of common praier to haue a sure and certaine hope of euery one to be buried because not of euery notorious impenitent malefactor cut off by law or a murtherer of himselse or dying excommunicate all which are buried but of euery one liuing dying in the fellowship of Christ his Church professing the same faith pertaking the same Sacraments of whom we hope the best but no farder nor otherwise then thorough Iesus Christ for in the buriall we professe that to be the bond of our hope If any minister be sure to the contrarie discretion may be vsed which we hold safest when it is with direction from the Bishop as in such cases of doubt the Booke well prescribeth Sée more part 2. cap. 1. 5. Vntruth That nothing is ordained by it to be reade in Gods seruice but the very pure word of God the holy Scriptures or that which is vndoubtedly grounded vpon the same No vntruth Because there are left out as the preface of the Booke sheweth many things whereof some be vntrue some vaine and superstitious in consideration whereof this sentence prefixed there followeth Nothing is ordained to be reade but c. And for any instance is giuen to the contrarie it is but their idle surmise 6. That in the course of reading appointed so much as possibly may be the reading of the holy Scripture is so set forth that all things shall be done in order without breaking of one peece from another It is no breaking of one peece from another to read chapter after Chapter as time shall serue the Minister or Church doth see good that so the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof may be read ouer once in the yeare But the preface calleth that breaking one peece from another when vncertaine stories legends Responds verses vaine repetitions commemorations and smodales come betweene so that commonly in the beginning of a booke to be read three or foure chapters were read and no more at all And therefore no vntruth in those words prefixed but in them that doe purposely misconstrue Ratio quarta That it containeth in it doubtfull matters 1. Doubt 1. It affirmeth that there are Archangels and that Michaell is
in deede can they that in Saint Iude. For being an historie and histories Saint Iude relateth plainelie in their letter as the fall of the Angels v. 6. Sodom and Gomorrah v. 7. wee must iudge the like of it which literall plaine sense while men haue left they haue digged them pits that hold noe water and haue made strange interpretations more intricate then the text some vnderstanding the bodie of Moses for the law some for the Gospell others for the people of the Iewes others taking Moses put for Iosua all which cast a mist before the Sunne and no maruell then if wee easilie mistake Non hoc dico quod praedecesso res meos morde am aut quicquam de his ar bitrer detrahen dum Hieron Sophronio This wee speake not to bite our predicessors or that wee would detract ought from them The letter of the historie is plaine that Michael a chiefe Angel in the Lords hoast appointed by God as sometimes one is for one businesse sometimes another for another resisted the deuill about the bodie of Moses when Sathan would haue made it a stumbling blocke for Israel to commit Idolatrie as they were forwarde inough so highlie they esteemed of him and no maruill For not a like Prophet was there in Israel whome the Lord knew face to face Deut. 34.10 A historie this is not found in other scriptures 2. Tim. 3.8 no more is the name of Iannes and Iambres Iud. 14. nor is that of Enoch prophecying in those wordes Iude 14. nor manie such like which the Iewes might haue by tradition from their fathers by worde of mouth or by some other bookes which recorded diuerse other matters of truth not mentioned in Scripture For wee doubt not that the fathers told their children manie things of fact such as were true and done in the generations aforetime not set downe in Gods booke yet this no warrant to conclude insufficiencie of Scripture as if there wanted anie thing necessarie to saluation nor giueth it countenaunce vnto popish traditions that doe contrarie to the Scriptures As for the other place in the Thessalonians it distinguisheth expressie the Archangel from Christ 1. Thes 4.16 The Lorde himselfe Christ shall come from heauen with a shoote and with the voyce of the Archangell and with thee trumpet of God c. ArchangeluÌ„ no minat quasi dâ—â— cem exercitus Archangelus praeconis ossicio fuÌ„getur Quan quaÌ„ enim c. Tamen vt in ordinihus fieri solet primariuÌ„ ftatuis vnum qui alâ—is pracinat Marlorat in 1. Thes 4.16 Where the Apostle nameth the Archangell Captaine as it were of the hoast The Archangell shall performe the office of a cryer For although it bee common to all the Angels Mathew 13. and 14. yet as in orders the Lord sets down one chiefe to e gouernour vnto the rest to blow before theÌ„ Beside all this we haue spoken more we might adde out of the fathers councels scholasticall writers But wee haue beene alreadie long inough in this point and therefore this shall suffice 2. Doubt It affirmeth baptisme in an house merelie priuate seemeth hereby to nourish the superstitious opinion of the necessitie thereof Looke the aunswer before part 1. cap. 32. pag. 191. 3. Doubt It alloweth the minister to vse conditionall baptisme in the publike congregation after the child hath beene priualie baptized in this forme in the name c. The booke saieth not that the childe after it hath beene priuately baptised shal be baptised publikly but contrariwise in these expresse termes If thou bee not baptised already N. I baptise c. And why this order is misliked wee knowe not neither doth the authors giue a reason For if it bee meete to speake of thinges as they are then of doubtful things wee may speake doubtfuly And yet this practtise here mentioned being seldome or neuer for ought we heare it is rather set downe by way of preuention then that wee knowe any such thing is done and as it is a supposition so vpon supposition onely proceedeth 4. Doubt It saieth there be two sacraments onelie as generall necessarie vnto saluation wherein it is dangerouslie implied that there are more then two In the second reason and the second instance thereof it is confessed that in the Catechisme there are but â— which is a truth And how suddainly men are changed to denie so much or captiously to inforce the contrarie But see before part 2. Chapter 14. 5. Doubt It alloweth priuate Communion betweene the minister and the sicke people Read hereof before part 2. Chapter 10. 6. Doubt It affirmeth that our ceremonies tend to edification and are apt to stir vp the dull minde of man to the remembrance of his duetie to God by some speciall not able signification whereby he may be edified Not amisse so to affirme For our speech gesture behauiour attire and the like ordinarie as they are put vs in minde of our selues how much more may those rites cereinonies apparrell and the like which the church of God doth ordaine for time of diuine seruice But see more hereafter 7. It calleth ministers Priests a thing auoided by the holie Ghost in the new testament as belonging to sacrifices The holie Ghost giuing the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our minister which is the originall whence Priest is deriued giueth no other name but what the communion booke calleth them by Sée before part 2. Chapter 6. 8. It appointeth the minister to say to the sicke person I by Christ his authoritie committed vnto mee do absolue thee from all thy sinnes Well may it For the order prescribed is thus In visitation of the sicke the minister beginneth with prayer in generall for the whole Church and then more particularly doubleth trebleth and multiplieth his prayer in behalfe of the person thus visited exhorts him to a godlie patience in bearing his sicknesse to an vnfained repentance for his sinnes a solemne promisse of amendment of life to a setled confidence in the mercies of God thorough Christ to an earnest begging of God the forgiuenesse of sinne to an humble thanksgiuing for the Lords fatherly chasticement as for all other blessings vouchsafed with a full bequest wholy commending him selfe to his blessed will whither in remouall or continuing increasing or deminishing his paine whither health or otherwise life or death what euer may come Afterwarde shâ— minister proceedeth to a more particular examination of the sicke man his faith how he stands resolued against the terrors of death c. satisfying him in such doubts as shall then be ministred And if the partie haue made a generall profession of his faith and sorrow for sinne then is hee moued to a more speciall confession opening his griefe more particularlie if he feele his conscience burdened therewith And satisfaction being giuen this way the temptation subdued the wound cured the terrors of death vanquished by spirituall and wholsome doctrines of the Gospell
Videmus ministros ipsos vt de remissione peccatorum certiâ—res reddant coÌ„ scientias testes ac sponsores Cal. Institut lib. 3. c. 4.12 Nec minor is efficatiâ— aut fructus est priuata absolutio vbi ab tis petitur qui singula ri remedso ad infirmitatem suam subleuandam opus habeÌ„t Ibid. 14. Secretum animi valnus aperuerit atque illam Euangelii vocem pecu liariter ad se directam audiâ—rit Tibi c. Ibid. Animum confir mabit ad seâ—iritatem illaque qua prius astuabat trepidatione liberabitur Ibid. Priuata absolutio in ecclâ— siâ—s retinenda est quanquam in confessione non sit necessaria omnium delectorum confessio Aug. confes artic 11. De confess priuata facienda pastoribus affirmamâ—s ritum priuata absolutionis in ecclesia retineÌ„dum constanter retinemus propter multas graâ—ts causas Confess Saxon 1. the minister who is in Gods steede a pledge and suretie for furder securing a troubled soule shall apply these wordes Our Lord Iesus Christ who hath left power to his Church to absolue all sinners which truelie repent and beleeue in him of his great mercie forgiue thee all thy sinnes in the name of the father c. Priuate absolution is of no lesse power and efficacie then the publike when it is sought for by them who haue neede of this singular remedie for easing their infirmitie For when the partie shall haue laid open his sore and shall heare from the mouth of the Lords minister the wordes of the Gospell directed peculiarlie vnto him Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Bee of good comfort it will establish his minde in securitie so as hee shal bee deliuered from that torment of feare wherewith with before he was miserablie vexed and disquieted This Godlie and comfortable practise of our Church of verie great vse if it were in more vse Maister Caluin much commendeth as the marginal quotations may proue and so doe other Churches as appeareth in their confessions Priuate absolution is to be retained although in confession a particular recitall of all and euerie particular sinne bee not necessarie Againe the Churches of Saxonie thus Concerning priuate confession to bee made vnto the pastors wee affirme the rite and manner of priuate absolution to be retained in the Church and wee doe constantlie retaine it for manie weightie causes Afterwarde it followeth As Dauid was confirmed heareâ—â—g of this absolution The Lord hath taken away thy sinne 2. Reg. 12. so thou mayest know that the voice of the Gospell preacheth vnto thee forgiuenesse of sinne which in absolution is by name expounded vnto thee Qua in absolutione tibi nomi natim exponttur Ibid. In specie homini peccatori in nomine Sanct. Trinit diciturâ— Tibi remissa sunt peccata oÌ„nia Priuatam absolutionem recitanit Christus paralytico Luc. Osian Institut c. 8. Prituata absolutione absoluit Christus Ibid. Priuata confessionis vsut apud nos seruatur c. Chemâ—it de Confess pag. 216. Remittuntur peccata per Dei verbum cuius Leuites â—nter pres quidam exequutor â—st Amb. de Cain Abel lib. 2. c. 4. Per spiritum sanctum peccata donantur homines autom in remissionem peccatorum ministerium suum exhibent non iusalicuius potesta t is exercent Neque enim in sua nomine sed c. Illi rogant sed diusnitas donaâ— humanum enim obsequium sed munificentia superna est potestatis Amb. de spiritu sancto lib. 3. cap. 19. Lucas Osiander in his institution sayeth Priuate absolution bringes verie exceeding great comfort to afflicted consciences when in speciall it is said to a sinner in the name of the holie Trinitie All thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Christ recited priuate absolution to the man sicke of the palsie When he saide bee of good courage thy sinnes are forgiuen thee And in priuate absolution Christ absolued the woman a sinner saying thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Chemnitius confesseth the like in these wordes The vse of priuate confession is preserued with vs c. Infinite other allegations might wee produce to witnesse this truth But the conclusion wee make with 2. places in Saint Ambrose the first is in his second booke of Cain and Abel sinnes are forgiuen by the worde of God whose Leuite is a certaine interpreter and exequutor thereof The other place is in his third booke of the holie Ghost cap. 19. Sins are forgiuen by the holie Ghost but men do proffer their ministrie in forgiuenesse of sin not that they exercise a right of any power for sins are forgiueÌ„ not in their own name but in the name of the father son c. They aske the godhead giueth It is mans seruice but the munificence is froÌ„ a higher power So as the sum of all is answerable to the beginning mentioned in the Rubrick The minister doth absolue but not in any absolute power as of his own for to God doth but in that power which is commited vnto him namely ministeriall for so as the minister of God and interpreter of his will hee may well doe Ratio quinta That the holie scriptures are disgraced by it We cannot nor dare commend much lesse may wée subscribe to such a book which disgraceth the holie scriptures and therefore wee shall doe well to see into this accusation that if it be true wee may doe so more if false it may returne to the disgrace of the penman whither one or mo that thus complaine The proofs follow in order which are thus particularized 1. The name of the holie scriptures are giuen vnto the Apocrypha which are named parts of the old testament No more disgrace intended or done the Canonicall scriptures by our reverend fathers which drew the forme of the Communion booke then was either done or intended by those auncients who many hundred yeares agoe did giue that name to the book we call Apocriphall And sure we are neither of them haue disgraced the scriptures of the Hebrue Canon by this appellation as they and wee vnderstand it The reason wherefore they did call these Apocripha holie scriptures is threefold Tribus de causis maximè occasione argumè to vsu Iun. Contro lib. 1.5.4 Quòd cum Iudei in duotordines diuisi essent Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui alibi agentes vbiuis locorum c. Ibid. Ecclesia Christs an a prisca diuersum canâ—neÌ„ a ludais accepit c. Ibid. Grâ—acam scripturam ab eccle sits Iudaeorum hellenist arum auctam si resecuissit c. PublicuÌ„ autem offendere religio erat c. Ibid. QuamobreÌ„ isti libri vt traditi fuerant permanserunt Ibid. Horum libroruÌ„ argumentum de rebus sacris ac non profanis c. Ibid. that is to say namely because of the occasion 2. the argument 3. the vse The occasion was this because when the Iewes were diuided into 2. orders some vsing their hebrue tongue and abiding in Iewrie kept the hebrue text of
the scripture pure without anie addition at all others of them speaking Greeke and liuing in other places abroad and not in Iewrie vsed the Greeke scripture and translation hence was it that the auncient christian Church had from the Ie wes a diuerse canon one hebrue and another Greeke which canon the Christian Church made not but receiued it made as the Iewes deliuered it which in the Greeke tongue so inlarged with the rest of the Bible if the auncient Christian should haue cut out they had done two iniuries at once to the Iewes from whome they receiued them and to the Christians to whome they were deliuered and they made conscience to offend thus publiklie hereupon these bookes remained as they were deliuered The second reason is their argument because they intreat not of thinges profaine but sacred and holie The third reason because of their vse and place They were still bound next after the scriptures in hebrue and stand as a partition wall or merestone twixt the old and new testament So as they haue the name of sacred and holy Scriptures partly because alway in the Gréek Canon partly because they teach vs to liue soberly godly and righteously in this present world which is the direct purpose of the scripture partly because they should distingiush from the prophane partly because read in the Church publike to preferre them before other ecclesiasticall writings of the Fathers alway prouiding they know their place not before but after the other Canonicall Scripture of the olde Testament which their veris name Apocripha puts them in minde that they so doe Our brethren knowing this to be the iudgement and interpretation of our Church might haue eased themselues of this toiling obiectiō indured the name of holy Scriptures giuen to those Bookes being as it is giuen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 humanitus humano iudicio graeco canone for these speeches Master Iunius vseth of taking holy Scripture in a signification at large for the reasons before mentioned and among those reasons this we are not to hold the least of them because these books as it appeareth haue béene thought to fore though not Canonicall yet so farre foorth as they agrée with the Canonicall as a kindely issue liuely branches or stemmes of the other Now as the Apostle saith in another case we shall not vnfitly applie here If the roote be holy the branches are holy Rom. 11.16 euer remembring this withall that the roote beareth them Rom. 11.18 and not they the roote Wherefore without offence be it vnderstood in this construction if anywhere they be as the information here pretends named parts of the olde Testament the meaning is in no other sense Hi omnes hodiè ad vetus testamentū spectát Drusius epist 107. Qq per epistolam then as they are called holy Scripture as Drusius a very learned painfull and diligent Reader of antiquities deliuereth in other terms to the like effect viz That they all at this day belong to the olde Testament But hitherto of this point Reade more part 1. cap. 10.11.21 pag. 97.125 c. 2. Disgracefull Because they are reade rather then holy Scripture when any holyday falleth on a Sunday This phrase rather then holy Scripture as if in no sense they might be so called is a speech very disgracefull preiudiciall As for reading them on a holy day when it falleth on a Sunday is no matter of ineuitable necessitie but left to the discretion of the godly peaceable discrete Minister as appeareth part 1. cap. 20. pag. 124. 3. Disgracefull Because certaine whole Bookes of holy scripture are left vnread by appointment as the Booke of Canticles both the Bookes of Chronicles and Apocalyps Hereof read afore part 1. cap. 22. pag. 125.126.127 4. Disgracefull Because sundry Chapters of the Apocryphall are reade twice in the yeere and none of the Canonicall Scripture is reade so often The Psalmes are reade once through euery moneth diuerse Chapters Epistles and Gospels euery Sunday and holy day beside other Scriptures at other times as in Baptisme at the Lords Supper at the solemnization of Mariage at the ordination of Ministers at Churching of women at buriall and the like Wherefore this vntruth returneth home to the shame of the Author 5. Disgracefull Because likewise the Genealogies of our Sauiour Christ both in Mathew and Luke are forbidden to be reads in the Congregation True what Optatus well faith The choller once vp an easie matter it is for angry persons to cast forth reprochfull speeches Liuore interus niente facile act tratis iacta re conuitium Optat. lib. 6. The genealogie of our Sauiour Christ is commaunded to be read on the Sunday after Christmas day and is then read How then dare men thus audaciously write it is forbidden to be read in the Congregation But reade more part 1. cap. 22. pag. 125.126 6. Disgracefull Because certaine Chapters appointed to be read out of the Apocrypha containe manifest vntruths Tobi. 12.4.15 Iudith 42.10.13 The places here set downe are falfly quoted But because they seeme to be those which others haue alleaged we referre the Reader part 1. cap. 13.14 pag. 104.110 Ratio 6 Because it containeth some praiers whereof the latter part depends not vpon the former Were this true that some prayers the latter depends not vpon the former yet that is no iust exception against the Communion Booke For it is no strange thing in all discourses historicall thetoricall poeticall sacred or prophane sometimes to interrupt the maine purpose principally intended like a ship that is bound a great way off yet turnes in here and there by the way though out of the way in regard of the last end wherevnto it falleth And this artificiall handling of a treatise the learned call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the margent may tell you holding it the very secret of their method Now if thus in a narration Epistle or the like where the Authors thoughts are staied and may treatably deliberat how much more may such a spirituall holy inward secret be lodged sometimes in prayer where a broken heart yeelds broken thoughts and abrupt sentences which another not so déeply affected cannot tell what to make of but accounts them as ropes of sand or prayers where the latter part depends not vpon the former But that be their ignorance whose exception it is Let vs examine their instances here following 1. The Collects vpon Innocents day The third Sunday after Easter the Epiphanie The first Sunday in Lent The Sunday before the Easter Trinitie Sunday The fiftenth Sunday after Trinitie and other prayers that are not warrantable No dependance Though a many dislikes are here shuffled together yet we will take them one after one The Collect vpon Innocents day is thus Almightie God whose praise this day c. Where the dependance is excellent by way of relation that as the babes did die a violent death Christ being sought for
yeeres after Christ we cannot well expect many witnesses in this argument For by reason of the persecution many monuments are lost and men had small ioy or leisure to apply their thoughts for the Pen or both thoughts and Pen to writing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb lib. 3. cap. 21. Hieron de scrip turis ecclesiast verb. Polycrat Phylosophicum habitum Enseb lib. 6. cap. 20. yet one and that on shall supply in steed of many others Eusebius in his third booke quoting Polycrates his Epistle to Victor writeth that Saint Iohn was wonte to beare a plate on his forehead such as the high Priest did vse This selfe same history is remembred by Saint Ierom in his Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall writers To bee briefe for answere to this exception of theirs Why not some ornament as well appropriated to Gods seruice at times as to the Minister some garment approptiat fitting him at all times for ordinarie attire distinct from others As that of Heraclas of Alexandria whose garment though it bee not set downe what it was yet scholasticall it was of some such fashion as the learned then did were As that also of Cyprian who being to be beheaded stripped himselfe of one of his garments Expoliaeit se birrho trade dit caruificibus Dalmaticam vero tradidet Diaconibus PoÌ„ tius Diacon in passion Cyprian So quis propter continentiam c. quasiper hoc habere se iustitiam credeus despicit eos qui cum reuerentia bi r his aluscoÌ„ munibus solitis vtuntura nathema sit Concil Gang. can 12. and gaue it to the executioner but his Dalmatish vesture he deliuered to the Deacons Both which were such attire as did belong to his Ecclesiasticall calling The first of these his birrhus the attire so called is mentioned in the Councell of Gangres where the Canon establishing the vse of it decreeth against all newfanglednesse to the contrarie The second of these the Dalmatish garment remembred in the Councels and other allegations before And if Christians newly conuerted from Paganisme did weare a kinde of short cloke not for anie holinesse in the garment but onely in token of their Christian profession to distinguish them from Gentiles and this they did by a priuate consent among themselues without warrant of Gods word for Gods word no where gaue them expresse commaundement so to doe wee see not but the like cause may preuaile with vs where Gods worde saieth no more for it nor against it then it did or doth for that conuerts attire speciallie being agreed vpon not by a priuate consent of one or two and so drawne on by example but ioyntly by authoritie of the Church and for such reasons as may well lead her thereunto If any shall say Conuerts did it to distinguish them from Gentiles our answere is so doe wee though not from the Gentile yet from among our sulues because of order to audide confusion of degrees For if there be reason to differ in generall from others because of a generall difference in the calling of a Christian so may there be and is reason to differ in speciall among our selues in the particular as we are of such and such a particular calling as a Citizen from a husbandman a Merchant from an Artificer which are ciuill distinctions so a teacher from a scholler a minister from the rest of the people which difference as he is a subiect may be called ciuill but as he is an Ecclesiasticall person in respect of his office may beare the name of an Ecclesiasticall difference If anie shall say Ye haue no warrant out of Gods word no more had those new conuerts to differ in attire from the Gentiles Nay more the word of God is so far from commannding so to doe that if themselues had pleased changing their opinions they might haue kept their Pagâ—n attire This is Saint Austin his iudgement Nibil sâ—â—â— ad 〈◊〉 am pertions ciâ—itatteâ— qâ—â—â— habita vel more viâ—oudi si noÌ„ est contra diuis no pracepta c. Vnde spsos phylolophos quaÌ„do Christiane suÌ„t non habitum vol coÌ„smendinem victus qua nithil impedit religio noâ—â— sed falsa dogmata muta re compellis August de ciustate Dei 19. cap. â—9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hieroâ— ad Furiam B. Rhinan in Tuttuâ— pras de pallio Dicterio locuâ— apud Carthagi nenses A toga ad pallium Tert de pallio Insignia gereutium publica munera conferunt aliquid ad retimendam augendamque authoritateÌ„ sicatera noÌ„ desint quibus vera reuerentia his per so subsistis Bucerâ—â—â—â— a Laseo Truâ—â—y it nothing appertaineth to this Citty of God in what attire or manner of life any man follow the faith whereby we come to God so it be not against God his Comandemets Hence it is she comyelleth not the Philosophers themselues when they become Christians to change their habit or manner of diet which doth not hinder Religion but their false opinions But to goe forward in examining that course of those punie Christians and the comparison of our practise with them If any shall say as it hath béene oft said Yee are neuer a whit the holier nor any whit better now you weare any such raiment then when ye did not or then others that doe not A briefe reply is sufficient no more were those Conuerts any thing the holier after they changed their apparell If it be told vs which some vse for an obiection now a daies yee shall be deuided in so doing Our answere is that must be no let to vs more then it was to them For what more common by word at a Christian for being so attired then this An olde imposter because be imposed or put vpon himselfe such a garment slily insinuating withall that such a one was but an imposter or meere coosiner And among the Carthaginians when they mette with a lately professed Christian who in token of his Christian profession was attired as other Christians they had a flout at him for his cloke for such a kind of apparell it was which a new Conuert did weare But he did not respect no more should we such thredbare and ouerworne flouts We haue as sufficient meanes to comfort vs in our vniforme vestiment as any those times aforded young nonices for their habit which they altered But drawing to a conclusion this we may know In all our common or more speciall vse of any garment which Ministers put on there is none so appropriated to Gods seruice as made a cause of holinesse or part of Gods worship though some gull their weakelings and make them temporize with this forced forged imputation It was well said by Master Bucer in his Epistle The ensignes of men in publike office doe aduantage much intrease the authoritie of their lawfull power other things want not which of themselues deserue due reacrence Signes are signes and not the things themselues yet how much they auaile to
of this point in this argument A religious fast is when the duties of religion as the exercises of praier humiliation are practised in fasting A ciuil is when vpon some particular politike considerations meÌ„ abstaine froÌ„ certaine meats But our time of Lent is so intended purposed therefore a ciuill a religious fast not a superstitious vnles religioÌ„â—he superstitiâ—oÌ„ And if any shal say either opeÌ„ly in the hearing of others or secretly in his own hart but a very few that so kéep it we answer no falt in yâ— inteÌ„t of the godlie institution but if ante fault this way it is all long of such gainsaying as here is vsed And thus much be spoken to this point 7. So also doth the Custome of open pennance in the beginning of Lent the practise whereof is approued and yet the restitution of an other wished in the Commination Strange times that Collects Epistle Gospel Prayers Scripture open confessions of sinne to our owne shame and of Gods vengance to his glorie that all these sauour of superstition Were proofes as neare at hand as slaunders men would proue more and slaunder leffe The restitution of another is wished in the Commination but not repâ—grant to this nor this contrarie to Gods worde A goosle discipline the booke speaketh of which what it was in the primitiue Church and how farre foorth necessarte for these times would aske a larger discourse then that which followeth will permit Some such their was and in steede thereof this which they speake of is in vse which is the generall though not so speriall as the booke wisheth and may indeede rather bee wished then easitie accomplished Whither sinceritie in this case speake or beare a truth the truth wee speake and would haue heard is this No one sentence in that whole argument but they may subscribe to vnlesse they meane because wee come not so neare as is wished therefore wee must not come so neare as wee may and as our Church boldeth expedient 8. Because it permits anie of the Communicants to make the publike confession of sinnes which also containes apraier in the name of the rest which onelie belongeth to the minister as his speciall office he being the mouth of the people and in that case a publike person Read the answer afore part 2. cap. 12. 9. Because it containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scriptures by leauing out some wordes This 9. proofe is bounded vnder the generall head disgracefull as inforcing that our communion booke because it containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scriptures by leauing out some wordes So that their argument is to this effect That which containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scripture is disgracefull to scripture But our communion booke containeth diuerse corrupt translations ergo it is disgracefull This they sceme to confirme in this manner That which leaueth out diuerse wordes containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scripture But the Communion booke leaueth out diuerse wordes ergo the communion Booke centaineth diuerse corrupt translations and so by consequent is disgracefull to bolie scriptures How farre forth the booke doth leaue out aâ—â—e thing is our next worke vpon instance to be giuen But the question is now of this first proposition the falsehood whereof is plaine in this because many translations Chaldee Syriacke Arabick yea the Greeke it selfe of the old testament which the Apostles receiued in their time all these in diuerse places leaue out some wordes as to particularise would clogge the margent yet neuer reade wee that either the Apostles or Mauter Iunius and Tremellius accounted these translations disgracefull to holie scripture neither would these two latter haue imployed so much time in translating the Chaldee Syriacke Arabick if they had so thought But proceede wee to the Instances 1 These wordes are left out Higaion Selah and all the titles of the Psalmes Higaion Selah in the 9. Psalme verse 17. the Psalter in the Communion booke mentioneth not because not translated For they are hebrue wordes originallie And as good omitted as not vnderstood The most learned and auncientest that know their own hebrue tongue know not what to say herein and therefore no shame for our countrimen to confesse their ignorance 2. other Churches did follow this course at what time the Psalmes were first translated 3. they that doe render the words doe not render all nor doe they make any necessarie certaine construction 4. Doctissimiviri obseruant titu lis Psalmorum nonesse temerè fidendum Hieron Guadal in Osean praefat pag. 8. Dum in anbiguo adbuc resest properandum videtur ad certa Felin praefat in Psam the papist himselfe is not so blind but be seeth and seing ingenuously confesseth that verie learned men doe obserue that wee may not ouer hastilie trust the titles of the Psalmes Wherefore not hacking nor sticking vpon doubtfull and disputable titles not of the substance of the Psaimes themselues they heldit as Felinuts saieth wisdome to hasten presently to the Psalmes themselues where all things were and are plentifull and certaine But more of this Par. 1. chap. 24. Pag 133. 2. Because it leaueth out the conclusion after the 72. Psalme and these wordes prayse yee the Lord at least 17. times The conclusion of the 22. Psalme is Let all the earth be filled with his glorie so be it so be it or as our Communion book hath Let all the earth be filled with his maiestie A men A men And therfeore false where they say it is left out After the Psal fullie finished there is in a smaller letter put to in other bookes Here end the praiers of Daniá the son of I shai which because other Psalmes follow as the 101.108.109 c. all carrying the titles of the Psalmes of Dauid made our translators to forbeare as it seen eth in respect of the weake least hereby they should mistake being no part of Dauids Psalme as in deed it is not but added by some other as the learned acknowledge whither Salomon or some els that put the Psalmes together into one whole volume Of the words Prayse ye the Lord read before part 1. cap. 24. Pag. 134 3. The conclusion of the Lordes praier is left out euery where thos rough the seruice after the popish manner It was left out by she fathers of the westerne Church before poperie was hatcht And the reason here of wee haue touched in the 1. part cap. 25. Whereunto this may bee added The latin Church vsed it not in the forme of prayer because it is not a petition Doctor Fulk prefac to the Reader 38. but acknowledgeing of the power and glory of God to whom the petitions are directed as also because it was a thing commonly known and dayly rehearsed of euery man But here of see part 1. cap. 25. Pag. 135. 4. In the reading of the commaundewent these wordes are left out I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of
bondage Wee are wisely to consider the drift of a place where or when a sentence is cited or left out and accordingly wee must tudge Math. 19.17 Wilâ—on our Sausour teacheth the young man the commaundements he pauseth on the ducles of the second table not mentioning the first so the Apostle Rom. 13. Rom. 13.9 not corrupting or disgracing the scriptures thereby but teaching vs by their example to stay vpon that which we hold most needfull and omit some other as not so pertinent at that tyme. The like is done in this place here alledged I brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. They are the wordes onely of a preface not of the commaundement and their purpose is that penned that part of the communion Booke to propose vnto the people not the whole chapter of Exodus but onely somuch as are the particular commaundements And therefore intending that principally as also to helpe young memories are to be thought faâ—re from doing ought which may argue a corrupt translation or anie way bee disgracefull to the scriptures 5. In the epistle on the fifth sunday after the Epiphanie these wordes are left out Holie and beloued Colloss 3.12 others call the leauing out of these wordes A gelding of the Scriptures This dealing with our communion book is no better theÌ„ that of the Cardinal Doctor Eureux with the Lord Plessis Iuciting places out of the auncient fathers the Lord Plessie desirous to be liuer that wherefore he quotes the authoritie sometimes leaues out halfe a sentence more or lesse not that he would corrupt the sense which he then avoucheth it for nor but that there may be vse of it in due place but at that time for that purpose somuch no more was then needfull The like may be said for the last this particular here alledged For neither the whole 20. cap. of Exod. nor the third to the Colloss are appointed to be read quite out but onely somuch by derectioÌ„ as the maÌ„ner is In the first the author God spake these words then the coÌ„mandements which because the Church speciallie intended therefore omitteth that other And so it may bee saide for this appellation holie and beloued which more significantlie are in other places of scripture expressed and the wordes here vsed As the elect of God the translator held inough to intreate them by All which the minister may do because his principall aime is videlicet to exhorte to put on tender mercic and forgiuing one another and so sparing those communia as Erasmus calleth them driues vnto points which are more necessarie for the Church of God to learne Beside it is not vnknowne that diuerse translations follow diuerse copies whence ariseth diuersitie or some such small difference But to bee short whither read or not reade no corruption either way For the worde elect necessarilie implyeth the other because if elect then holie and beloued And therefor no meaning was there to geld the scriptures though some please so to speake intermes neither fitting the dignitie of their persons who write thus nor the maiestie of the sacred argument whereof they intreat nor the truth of the cause which they vndertake to defend For the vigor and strength of the Apostles currant is not in the titles which come in by the way but wholie in the maine exhortation which he earnestlie presseth The holie scriptures are disgraced by putting to of wordes So they bee indeede if such wordes as the analogie of faith and of the place will not beare Otherwise many translations Chaldee Syriack Arabick haue their commendations and it is but their due as might bee seene by many allegations but that we feare to be troublesome It falleth out very often that supply must be had when the originall can beare the want but the translation will not But doe wee a while ex amin the particulars 1. Three whole verses are put in Psalme 14. Our Church doth so reade the 14. Psalme with those additions because so alledged by Saint Paul and placed together in the third to the Romans Read more Part 1. cap. 9. Pag 95. 2. A whole verse in the end of Psal 15. There is no such thing 3. This word O added corupteth the text by applying that to Iacob as spoken of him which belongeth to God Psal 24.6 The Hebrew is word for word thus verbatim and no other This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that séeke thy face Iacob Where the figure Apostrophe makes this O be put in because the speech turneth from the third person to the second But whether this O be exprefied or omitted the true sense is nothing hindred and the translation answerable to the Hebrew is thy face Iacob which some fill vp for more plainenesse with these particles O Iacob or in Iacob or this is Iacob Musculus Geneua Tremel or the generation Iacob all expletiuely making vp the sentence with some one word or other wherein because he that aduentureth least may be thought to doe best being vpon an aduenture to adde any thing for explication the translators taking neither fiue sillables Generation nor a sillable In but as little as they could euen a letter since euery one put in somewhat they attempted this little without danger at all So then the Interpreters of this verse vnderstand by Iacob either his God or his children after the promisse For his God and so it is rendred thus This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke thy face Iacob that is the God of Iacob For his generation after him taking the word Iacob nominatiuely vocatiuely or epiphonematically Nominatiuely by way of explication This is the generation of them c. this is Iacob vocatiuely by appellation calling to Iacob or epiphonematically by way of a shout or cry with an acclamatorie demonstration O This is Iacob the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke thy face Now though the first and last of these intend the same sense yet our translators in this ambiguitie thought it safest not to venture too much and therefore put in with the least as we may obserue in this comparison which so little as it is stands sufficient to preserue the truth of this interpretation and in nothing deserueth to be challenged but they rather that doe thus complaine But should we graunt that spoken of Iacob which belongeth vnto God EuaÌ„gelicta ausus est Propheta verba ad Deâ— transferre personam Hâ—eron ad Pammach yet no corruption is it of the Text For it is vsuall to put one person for another and to apply that to God which was first intended of some other as lerom noteth those words Zachar. 13.7 Smite the sheaperd which words of the Prophet the Euangelist is bold to translate to the person of God And shall we call this a corruption 4. And said Damoisell arise Math. 9.25 Here is a corrupt translation of Scriptures by putting to these
of the Prouerbs cap. 3. God skorneth with the skornefull which Saint Iames and Saint Peter following the Gréeke Pro. 3.34 render God resisteth the proud To skorne and to resist are as much contrarie for so they will néeds call it as to pray and to execute iudgement But they are not contrarie neither is this a peruerting of the meaning of the holy Ghost These spéeches procéede of ouermuch eagernesse of stomacke against discipline doctrine and translations which our Church proposeth as if there were cause inough to dislike eo nomine because she liketh and approueth it But for a more ample answere to this their obiection we referre the good Reader to the first part cap. 2. pag. 84. 86. 6. Though he suffered them to be euill intreated of Tyrants c. For he powreth contempt vpon Princes Psal 107.40 They are deceiued that thinke these wordes in the communion book are a peruerting of the meaning of the holie Ghost for that is stil the heade of the race whereunto these allegations make recourse Brentius and some others before and after him propose it in the same sense as the coÌ„munion book doth Dominus suoâ— c. multae acerba patiantura crudelibus tyraâ—nis quieos premuÌ„t seruitute paucs fiant Breâ—â— The Lord saieth Brentius vouchsafeth outwarde peace to his children yet so as they bee afterwardes aflicted and indure many bitter thinges at the handes of cruell tyrants who oppresse them with bondage that they become few c. As for the other wordes Hee powereth contempt vpon Princes though they are not expresly mentioned yet may well bee vnderstood by coherence of the rest 7. The rod of the vngodlie commeth not into the lâ—t of the righteous c. for the rod of the vngodlie shall not rest on the lot of the right teous Psalme 125.3 Cometh not for Resleth not that is commeth not to rest No great difference but agreeable to the hebrue whose manner of speech is to the like effect And it more then seemeth that the translators followed some copie which had * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for reading Beth for * Iabo pro Ianoas 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 omissan Nun omitting the last letter But cheth which way soeuer the sense is agreeable to scripture and to this place For the rod of the vngodlie is in iudgement so commeth it not vpon the righteous the rod of the vngodlie is from God in iudgement so commeth it not vpon the righteous to harden and obdurate so commeth it not vpon the righteous for a farder condemnation so commeth it not vpon the righteous as a fertunner and tast of euerlasting torments so commeth it not vpon the righteous And therefore all this considered the translation may bee well indured 8. Yea I will pray against their wickednesse c. for within a while I will pray for their miseries Psalme 141.6 This translation hardly appeareth but to their discredit who haue serued it with a writ at this time For before it come to aunswer it may take exception at the lesser bibles which in this case are not to be iudges against it but to bee tried by the original as it selfe is The worde in this verie is rightly here wickednesse not miserio and so the smaller bibles though not here yet in Ierom. 44. translate it Ierem. 44 9. Haue ye forgotten the wickednesse of your fathers QuaecuÌ„que ma la feram ab us non exacerbabunt animum meum Tremel in Psalm 141.2 pâ—ter 2.7 and the wickednesse c. 5. times together in this english Secondlie Tremel rendereth it in their euils not of miserie which themselues indure but of wickednesse which they commit vexing his righteous soule as S. Peter speaketh Now let any man but of competent knowledge giue sentence whether this be to peruert the meaning of the holy Ghost seeing that hee who praies for euill mens mileries because they are in miserie well knoweth hee must pray against their wickednesse which is the cause of miseries yea euen a miserie it selfe 9. Israeli remembred c. for he that is God remembred Isa 63. Read on munday before Easter Here vpon supposall of a true information that Israell is put for God yet the aduenture wee thinke ouer bould to say it is a per uerting of the holy ghost For if is not hard to note as great a difference as this commeth to Ose 11. Ose 11.12 Iuda is faithfull with the saints so our lesser Bibles and Tremellius reades but others of another iudgement read Iuda is faithful with the holy one taking him for God not for his saints thus doth Quinquius Aben Ezra among the hebrues so doth Oecolompad some others of our late interpreters Shall they herevpoÌ„ that incline this way or that way condemne each other after the example here giuen as peruerters of the meaning of the holy ghost because some attribute it to God othere to the Saints vpon earth yet by asmuch reason may they as in this course which they vndertake Nay with farre more probabilitie Strange therefore wee may iustly deeme it so do wee that men wil dare thus bouldly staine these words so translated as wresting the right purpose of the holy Ghost Is it true indeede must it not bee Israel but God for Israel The person in that place after the manner of the Hebrues the third put indefinitely for some one Now whither God or Israel hereon depends the question Oecolompadius proposeth it both of God that hee brought the dayes of old to their remembrance of the people Vterque sensus verus eit Oecolompadius namely that Israel calleth to mind the wonders of old to their great shame and thereupon concludeth either way interpreted neither way erroneus How then commeth this peremtorie conclusion If wee say Israel remembred it is a peruerting of the meaning of the holie Ghost Would wee deale as strictly as wee haue these men for an ensample wee might vse our termes flat negatiue Recordaâ—us est Israel quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intelligendum est Sâ—epfius in Isatam Quod nonnullâ— ad Deum referunt c. videtur esse asperâ—usac nimis â—enootum Cal. and say it must not be God but Israell Theodoricus Snepfius in his coÌ„mentaries doth not onely so translate as our communion Booke in the place named hath but writeth this withall This word Israell is to be vnderstood in common not onely of the mercie but of the power of God Maister Caluin vpon the same place approueth not onely ours as it is but also vtterly mislikes them that wil needes haue God put for Israel holding it to be very harsh and wide If our home borne Criticks repine hereat let vs intreat that Maister Caluin and Snepfius his iudgement may ouerballance their preiudice if neither shall let a third no friend to the cause nor our religion Subauditur populus Israeliticus verbasuÌ„â— E saiaediceÌ„tissuo teÌ„ pore recordatuÌ„ suisse populum
wordes that our Deacons are called to the like office and administration vnlesse because of some changeable circumstance wee may not so write And if so then must they bee but 7. for number secondly they must be men immediately illumined by the holy spirit and no lesse measure then fulnesse of wisdome and the holy Ghost may be required of them 3. the election of them must be by the whole multitude 4. to make a correspontence throughout they must bee chosen after mens goods are sold and that the proprietie of them is lost that the Deacons may take the charge All which whole practise neither they nor wee follwing neither haue wee nor they Deacons after the example of the Apostles Otherwise if they hold these and some other pointes changeable as in deede they are it will appeare that our Deacons are likeliest to the times of the Apostles and Apostolicall men as hath beene shewed But let vs proceede 2. Because the Booke of ordination containeth some thing that is against the order that God hathordained in his Church For. 1. It seemeth to make the Lordes supper greater then baptisme and confirmation greater then either by permitting baptisme vnto the Deacons the Lords supper vnto the Priests and confirmation to the Bishop onely It seemeth and onely so seemeth For rather the contrarie may bee hereupon inferred namely that the dignitie of the sacrament depends not on the dignitie of the person For a Deacon may baptise though inferior to the other And with asmuch probabilitie it may bee argued a linnen coife is better then a veluet nightâ—cap because a seruient at law weareth the one and euery ordinarie cittizen almost weareth the other Or thus in the Presbiteries the minister distributeth the bread the elders deliuer the cup ergo they make one part of the sacrament greater then another But of this read afore 2. Is preferreth priuate prayer before publike prayer and action It is false This reproofe is sufficient where the accusation is brought without proofe It permits the Bishoppe to order Deacons alonâ— requiring no other to ioyne with him in laying on of handes which is not permitted in the ordring of the Priests The difference of their office alloweth a difference in the manner of ordination and therefore the Bishop is alone in the first in the other hee may take other ministers or Priests vnto him There is no prescript commandement in scripture to the contrarie and therefore no such aduantage is giuen this accusation as some doe imagin 3. Because in it some places of holie scripture are misapplied to the countenancing of errors for 1. Act. 6.17 is misapplyed to warrant ordination for our Deacons Wee answer first there are not so many verses in that cap. but 17. is put for 7. Againe where they say that chap. in that part beginning at that verse is misapplyed wee haue their negatiue without proofe More in that point wee see not as yet to answer 2. The Bishoppe is appointed in ordring of anie Priests or Bishoppes to vse the verie wordes Receiue the holie Ghost which Christ our sauiour vsed at the sending ferth of his Apostles They are thought the firtest words â—i the ordination of ministers because of the spiritual calling office whereunto they are disigned by the Bishop after whose words then vsed with imposition of handes as Saint Ierom witnesseth Ordinatio â—ou sâ—lum adimpre cationem vâ—cis sâ—deriam ad impositiâ—nem impleâ—ur 〈◊〉 Hinâ—â—â—â—â— in cap. 5â— Isaiâ— the ordination is complet and finished not that the Bishoppe giueth the holy Ghost or conferreth grace for as Saint Ambrose writeth so is it the iudgement of our Church Homo manum imponit Deus largitur gratiam Ambros de dignita tate sacerdâ—t cap. 5. man layeth on his handes but God giueth grace But for a more ample and full answer in this point looke before cap. 22. Wee cannot subscribe vnto the booke of homilies for these reasons Because it containeth sundrie erronius and doubtfull matters 1. The Apocrypha are ordinarilie in it called holie scriptures And the place of Tobie the 4. containing dangerous doctrine being alledged it is said That the holie Ghost teacheth in scripture This exception standeth vpon two branches The first is handled in this appendix already before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 communi opinione Iun. de verbo Des. lib. 1. cap. 7. Rom. 6 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphora na ta ex opinione rudiorum qui quicquid per se subsestis corpore um imaginantur Fisca Ibid. Lequitur in scripturis spiritus sanctus Cyp de Elemos Iun. com Bel 1.11 and in the first part cap. 10. Pag 97. The Apocryphall are called holie scripture according to the common opinion and the receiued speech not but that our Church puts a manifest difference by nameing it Apocryphall And with as great shew of argument a man might except where the Apostle calleth the power of sinne or rather sinne it selfe by name of a body Romans 6.6 taking the phrase from the opinion of the rude and simple who imagin what soeuer hath a being that the same is a bodie or bodily substance The second branch here calleth a sentence in the 4. of Tobie a doctrine which the holy Ghost teacheth in scripture Which manner of phrase the booke borroweth out of Saint Cyprian For he alledging the same quotation graceth it with this attendance The holy Ghost speaketh in scripture Which phrase and sentence Maister Iunius in his answer to Bellarus cap. 11. is farre from deeming to be dangerous that hee doth not once so much as dislike much lesse tax it howeuer now it please some to traduce it As for the interpretation of the sentence looke before part 1 cap. 12. Pag 100. 103. 2. It is said that though manslaughter was committed before yet was not the world destroied for that but for whoredome all the world a few onelie excepted was ouerflowne with water and perished These wordes are in the homilie against adulterie the third part of the sermon deliuered by way of a parenthesis shewing that the displeasure of the Lord though kindled before because of murder c. yet did not smoke out nor breake forth till the iniquitie was brim-ful then the viols of the Lord his heauy wrath were powered downe For the scope there is of that homilie in amplifying the hainousnes of adulterie and the heauinesse of the punishment intending thereby that a latter sinne added to a former brings on iudgement though God doe not as he might punish alway with the soonest So as these wordes the world was not destroyed for manslaughter but for whoredome imply not for manslaughter onely as the alone and sole cause of that vniuersall deludge vpon the earth 3. It exhorteth homilie 2. of fast after Ahabs example to turne vnfainedly to God Had the homilie intended what the instance affirmeth they who penned it did looke to the mercie of God which followed vpon Ahabs external humiliatioÌ„ and
thereby intended to shame vs if wee would not turne vnto God Video Ahab regem marituÌ„ Iezabel reum idololatria sanguinis Nabothae veniam meruisse poenitentia nomine Tertul adners Marciou lib 4. and to incourage vs if wee did because Ahab found faueur at the Lords hand as appeareth in the historie and as Tertullian noteth it I see that Ahab the King Iezabels husband guilty of idolatrie the blood of Naboth by the name of repentance obteined pardon But the homilie though it propose this example and their is great vse to be made of it yet concludeth with the Niniuits and after their example for so it speaketh not his example exhorteth the people to turne vufainedly vnto God 4. In it the fact of Ambrose in excommunicating the Emperour is iustified This historie is in the title of the right vse of the Church where it is no farder iustified then all our writers to against the common aduersarie Looke the Bishoppe of winchester his most learned answer to the Iesuits apologie c. Iunins against Bellarmin B. Bilson p. 3. pag. 373. Iun. contro 3 lib. 5. artie 3. Danaeusad 3. coÌ„ tro c. 7. pag. 547. Lubber de pap Rom. lib 9. c. 6. D. Sutcliu ac poÌ„ tif lib 4 c 11 pag. 393 Sitales haberemus episcopos quales Ambres In vita D Ambros Erasmi Theodores lib 5.7 Sozomen lib. 7 c 24 DanÄ™us cap. 7. Lubbert Doctor Sutcliff and sundrie others who all commend the good Bishoppe that hee did not suddainely admit the Emperor to the Lords table after so great an outrage was committed Erasmus commends them both saying if there were more such Bishoppes of sincerity and courage there would be more Emperors and Kinges such as Theodosius Looke the historie more at large in Theodoret his fift booke chap. 17. and Sozomen Lib. 7. cap. 24. 5. In is Iudith is said to haue a dispensation from God to vse vanitie of apparrell to ouercome the vaine eies of Gods enimies In the homilie against excesse in apparel These are the words By what meanes was Holofernes deceiued but by the glittering shew of apperell which that holie woman did put on hir not as delighting in them but shee ware it of pure necessity by Gods dispensation vsing this vanity to ouercome c. Apparrell simplie of it selfe is not euill vnlesse the manner of it Iudithse vt adultero placeret ornauit quae tamen quia hoc religione non a more faciebat nemo eam adul teram iudica uit Ambrosâ—d virgin Iudith 10.4.2 Reg. 10.18 25.26 Dispensatione Des pio delo trucidantur oÌ„nes Pâ—llica ibid. Instinctu diuino viam tuadendi centauit Pellic. or the ende of it bee euill For if naturall beautie bee no fault how much lesse when it is graced with commendable attire fitting the person and hir estate Iudith saith Ambrose trimd her selfe to please an adulterer yet hir selfe no adulteresse because shee did it for religion and not for lust Yet vanitie of apparrell it is called for that shee vsually wore no such nor took delight therein That shee now vsed it to ouercome Gods eninne was no more vnlawfull in her then in Iehu who with a sleight tooke all Baals Priests and put them to the sword of which fact Conradus Pellican witnesseth thus much by a dispensation from God with a zealous craft they are all slaine In the first of Samuel Dauid before Achish dribbles vpon his beard scrabbled vpon the wal disfigureth himselfe as herein coÌ„trariwise Iudith did grace hir selfe Which fact of his P. Martyr though he make it no example to imitate but peculiar to him so he rather defends it then otherwise And Pellican vpon the same place By a diuine instinct hee attempted a way for to escape Pomeranus writeth thus The Saints when there is neede fall in to these counsels they seeke them not nor hold them to be followed Nor must we make lawes hereupon Sancts inciâ—uÌ„t vbi opus est in ista consilia noÌ„ quarunt nec po stea ducuÌ„t imitanda c. Pomeran Quia omnis coÌ„ trouersia non parum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pendet Pet. martyr in Iudic 4. This befell Dauid some other way it shal befal thee by Gods appointment if hee see it good c. In the 4. of the Iudges the historie of Iahel what she did to Sisera compared with the circum stances of Iudith what shee did to Holofernes will satisfie the exception here taken For whereas all such controuersies do not a little depend vpon the circumstance of persons considering that shee was a holie vertuous woman deuout in praier strenghthened by the hand of the Lord to preserue his truth and people we haue no reason to the contrarie but we may safely iudge that God himselfe did direct hir heart to this politick stratagem And if we make no doubt but she might take Holofernes head from his shoulders he being the enimie of God as he was Quadam mala male fiunt Quadam mala bene fiunt Optat. lib. 3. and she inabled by his spirit thereunto neither need we suspect these wordes that by Gods dispensation she put on such apparrel as was to the oppressors wanteÌ„ eie like the wedge of gold to Achans couetous eye For any default els herein or in any other circumstance it might be as some things that are good bee ill don so againe saith Optatus some thinges that are ill may be well done But well or ill lawfull or vnlawful in generall or particular this we may resolutely determin if any man shall hold it vnlawful and that in hir at that time yet no fault to say that God who was rich in mercie to grace and adorne hir with so many gifts of his holie spirit did gratiously dispence with some point of circumstance which is no common rule to bee practised by anie at all aduentures Thus much and no more is intended by the words in the homily 6. It affirmeth that pluralitie of wiues was by especial prerogatiue suffred to the fathers of the old testament that they might haue manie children because euerie of them hoped and begged oftentimes of God in heir prayers that the blessed seede might come and bee borne of his stoke and kindred A special prerogatiue c. that is howsoeuer then done yet noe warrant for our times though some haue so thought to doe the like and to this purpose the homilie addeth which thinges wee see plainely to bee forbidden vs by the law of God and are now repugnant to all publike honestie These and such like in Gods booke good people are not written that wee should or may doe the like following their examples or that wee ought to thinke that God did allow euery of these thinges in those men In all which coherence of this argument not a worde that deserueth other censures then all the religious learned of former times haue thought iustifiable whose iudgement in this question wee referre the reader to at
liberties that in such rites and ceremonies shee must signifie iust nothing 3. whereas all our actioÌ„s euen they that are ciuill signifie somewhat how much rather such as are ecclesiasticall in the publike seruice of God to his glorie 4. The Apostle vseth this libertie when hee taught the Corinth in time of prayer the men to bee vncouered the women couered in remembrance of their duetie fifthly the significations of these thinges bring to our minde what becometh vs that are ministers and others which are not to think more reuerently of our calling c. And where it pleaseth some farder to vrge Our ceremonies haue beene defiled with superstition In this case wee answere with the learned It is a bard taske and a point not easily proued That the impietie of Poperie is such that whatsoeuer it toucheth is so vtterly polluted Tantam Papatus impietatem vt quicquid atting it prorsus reddat contaminatum que bonis piis sancto vsui concedi non possit Ibid. as the godly the Saints may in no case vse it to holy purposes For then neither may we vse glasse windowes nor Church Pew Cup Challice Patien Cushion Granâ—st one Aliquid esse notaÌ„ antichrists in nulla re inest In hoc enim mul lares condita suÌ„t a deo sed peÌ„â— det totuÌ„ à coÌ„sen su in Antichristianismâ—â— eius professioneÌ„ Quo consensis quaque professione commutatis in coÌ„sensum c. Bucer Iohn a Lasco Nihil potest in rebus ipsis harere nota Antichristianismi Ibid. Distributionem panis vint sacrificulis damonibus celebrarunt Ibid. Preceptum est vt decorum seruetur Ibid. nor ground either in Church or Churchyeard To be a note of Antichristianism is in no manner of thing saith one for to this end nothing is created of God but wholie dependeth vpon our consent to Antichristianisme and the profession thereof VVhich consent and profession being changed into a consent and profession of true christian religion there connot anie note of Antichristianisme cleaue vnto the thinges themselues The bread and wine which Pagans offred to Diuels as Iustin Martyr and Tertullian remember were no hinderance why we should not vse the like ceremonie For which as the commaundement is expresse so is it thus far in generall that al thinges be done for comelinesse preseruation of order c. Where it is farder obiected They are scandalous They mistake that call that scandalous which grieueth some one or other For then wee shall neuer haue done Marke wee who and how manie are offended and vpon what ground who hath taught them so If the minister bee the partie that taught them and then afterwardes he complaine that such and such in his parish will take offence he must thanke himselfe and he shall do well to vnteach them it but a great deale better if hee had neuer so taught them Againe a man thus weakelie disposed though otherwise well giuen must hold other mens iudgement comparable to his own they being as well affected to the gospel as himselfe and those manie who take offence as deeply on the other side and let him thinke it more conuenient for so it is in al reason that a few should yeeld to a greater part as namely one to a thousand rather then a thousand to one specially where the thing commaunded hath authoritie for it and is not simplie euill in it owne nature but indifferent as the Surplice c. For in thinges indifferent none denie but authoritie may commaund where the word soundly taught remoueth all other doubtes and scruples that may arise Of necessarie vse If they meane vnto saluation we easily graunt what they say but els necessarie wee hold them for order and preseruation of peace in token of our godlie obedience and of great vse as the times now are to meete with two sorts of men The one such as their pouertie permits them not to haue fit and decent attire so bare and low they are driuen how we enquire not but God knoweth and the world may lee with griefe The other are some fantastically who as they bring in fashions or take them from the vanitie of an vnsetled humor are as changeable in colours cuts iags and the like as other fondlings so that if they might haue their owne will they sticke not to bring into the house of God new tangied attire at times of diuine seruice and the publike administration of holy dueties A sinne wee are not the first haue felt but aske our fathers and they may tell vs how some offended herein as Sisinius the Nouatian and Eustathius of Sebastia in Armenia which examples if we had not to learne wisdome by Socrat. lib. 6. c 22. ld lib. 2. c 42. yet God hath not so disfurnished vs of vnderstanding but that our Church doth and may duelie prouide against all these inconueniences not onely reforming disorders in this kinde but also prescribing a conformitie of vniforme attire for coulour forme and vse verie meete and decent Appropriated to Gods seruice This with some is a matter of grieuance But no otherwise appropriated to Gods seruice then aforetime in those dayes when they were vsed onely for distinction of the minister from the people and for grace and reuerence to the diuine seruice then in hand Wee well knowe how our aduersaries haue exceeded that way so as wee cannot see fruite for leaues but yet this wee must confesse in asmuch as they did not rise to this excesse all on the suddaine but step after steppe yea many ages helping thereunto wee take it wee may safely haue an eye to those times wherein as they were fardest so they were freest from superstition Therefore not to speak of the last 300. yeres wherein Bonauenture Innocentius much busie themselues for iustifying the multitude of their superstitious garmeÌ„ts nor of a hundred yeares before when Rupertus wrote his book of diuine duties Rupert de diui n officiâ— liber est qui sine bâ— nore titulâ— iacuit annis sâ—rè 400. Bellar. de Euchar. lib. 3. cap. 11. Concil Bragaren 1. can 27. Concil Toles 4. can 39. Concil Cartha 4. can 41. Quae sunt rogo inimicitia contra Deum si in nicam habuero mundiorem Si episcopus presbyter di aconus reliquus ordo ecclesiaflicus in ada ministratione 07 sacramentorum candida vestâ— pracesserint Hieron lib. 1. ad uers Pelag. c. 9. Religio 0725 diuina alterum habet habitum in ministerio alteruÌ„ in vsu vetaque communi Idem in Ezech. c. 44 AppreheÌ„sa auuÌ„ culs manu hanc inquit tunicam qua vtebar in ministerio Christi mitte dilectissimâ— mihi at ate patri fratri collegiâ— Hieron ad Helioder knowing Bellar. his censure of it that howeuer thought written so long agoe yet but late found out and as a booke of no great account hath lyen almost 400. yeares without honour or title giuen it nor purpose we to stay vpon 300. yeares