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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B12171	The voluntarie conuersion and seuerall recantations, of foure great learned men, professed fryers in sundry monasteries of Fraunce, from the errours of idolatrie and poperie, to the true religion established in the Reformed Church. 1. Master Iohn Le Vager, a priest in the Romane Church, conuerted at Mauns, Ianuary 6. 2. Master Iohn Forent, a fryer Carmelite, in the Court of Morthemard, conuerted in the Reformed Church of Poictiers, Iune, 9. 3. Master Denis Boucher, a Franciscane fryer, in the couent of Noisy, neere Paris, conuerted in the Reformed Church of Paris, Iuly. 6. 4. Master Daniell Dusert, Franciscan fryer at Mello, conuerted in the Church of Mello, December, 22. All conuerted this last yeare, 1603. as their seuerall discourses following at large doe testifie, vnder their owne hands. Truely translated, out of the French printed copies.		1604 (1604)	STC 5650; ESTC S114587	31,204	52

a Sacrament The Church of Rome of this foode for the soule would make foode for the bodie teaching that this was not spoken of the bread which Christ held in his hands when he pronounced those words This is my body for the bread was then no more bread but fantastically forge certaine accidents without substance of indiuidua vaga and say that that is the true bodie of Christ which descended into the bowels of the C. tribus gradibus de consec Dist 2. earth et per aqualiculos in secessū And that Rats Mice dogs may eate the bodie of Christ as they teach in their Cautelae Missae and S. Thomas and other Scholasticks beside a thousand other blasphemies They say also that this proposition that the bread is the bodie of Christ is hereticall and S. Augustine Part. 3. de Eucharist Quaest 79. Art 3. Gerson contra floretis 4. Iohn 651. by consequent an hereticke who saith That the bread is the bodie of Iesus Christ in the sacrament And by consequent also Christ himselfe should be an heretique too who saith in Saint Iohn The bread that I will giue you is my flesh Thus make they God imperfect in power because it is impossible that two bodies shoulde bee in one selfe same place as they say I will rehearse vnto yee how the saide Church of Rome hath gotten together all the auncient heresies as that of Montanus Euseb Hist Eccl. 8. Ca. 18. who forbad mariage and made lawe for fasting That of Pelagius who taught that we may doe diuerse meritorious works The heresie of the Euchites or Messalians who vnder the colour of praying to God and liuing in contemplation liued in idle slothfulnesse without doing any thing deuouring widowes Luk. 20. 47. houses vnder pretext of long praying according as Christ reproued the hypocriticall Scribes Of whome S. Augustine writeth August de opere Monach. that they pray so long as it is incredible to them that heare them recount them And they say that it is not lawfull for Monks to labour for their owne sustenance but commend their idlenesse and repute them thereby to be preseruers and keepers of the Gospell And Theodoret speaking of them saith that Failing Theod. heretic Fabul at prayers they sleepe the greater part of the day and so are allowed to doe the Authour whereof was one Simeon Abbeus The said Church of Rome doth teach vs a purgatorie with the Paganes And giue vs Aqua lustralis which they tearme Purgatory Holy water which was the inuention of Numa Pompilius the Holy water Idolater They bring in the Pagan and Iewishe pompes in magnificent habits as Stones Luminaries and Processions I conceale the rest for breuitie sake onely I say that as the Church of Rome hath willingly changed the ordinances of God and of his Sacraments euen so as willingly hath she gotten an other head and husband then Iesus Christ to wit the Pope who calleth the said Church of Rome his Spouse and Cap. quoniam de immuni in 60. C sunt quidem dicentes caus 2. 5. quaest 1. et ibi glossa guides her according to his owne fantasie giuing her new Lawes and saith hee hath power so to doe in C. Sunt quidam dicentes And the glosse approued and allowed by the saide Church saith That he may dispense against God and against his holy Gospell In the doing of which hee declares himselfe to bee hee of whome saint Paule speakes to the Thessalonians That hee exalteth himselfe against all that is called God 2. Thes 2. 4 For is not this to exalt himselfe against all that is called God boldly to dare to change his Lawes and his Gospell to adde thereto or diminish thence as hee saith hee hath power to doe In C. Ideo ss erat Also hee saith that hee is C. ideo ss erat God C. satis euidenter Dist 96. And so hee makes himselfe to bee by the adoration done vnto him and kissing of his Pantofle Wee may likewise beholde his Monkes Capuchines and Iesuites to bee daily sent abroade from him as his Apostles and Prophets to preach his newe Gospelles and that newe Article of Faith the extrauagant deuise of BONIFACE the eight Vnam sanctam Ecclesiam Vnam sanctam Ecclesiam And that it followes on necessitie of saluation to submit and Vnam sanctam Ecclesiam obey the Pope in all things holding and obseruing his ordinances as heauenly C. sic omnes Dist 19. And say that his discipline C. Sic omnes Dist 19. C. Sors non est caus 26. Quaest 3. C. Honoratus Dist 74. is more perfect then the Gospell practised and preached by the Apostles C. sors non est caus 26. Q. 3. Also to compell his vnderlings to the obseruation of his lawes which hee prizeth more then the word of God as it is to bee seene in C. honoratus Dist 74. And for the transgression of his lawes and commandements to be burned aliue as we haue seene many for eating flesh on a day by him forbidden but for blaspheming the name of God or whordome there needs no more but a little holy water one Pater noster and one Aue Maria to wash away the guilt of that offence Now by the cariage of himselfe in this manner hee cannot be Apostolique as he vaunts of himselfe nor yet the successour of Saint Peter for doubtlesse he sits not in Saint Peters chaire that neither holdeth nor confesseth the doctrine preached by Saint Peter and the other Apostles who neuer were Law-makers in the Church of God For there is but one Law-giuer which is God But there haue beene Ambassadors and interpreters Iames. 4. 12. as Saint Paule instructeth vs saying That we may be esteemed as the ministers of Christ dispensers of the secrets of God 1. Cor. 4. 1. 2. And Iesus Christ himselfe sending his Apostles forthe to preach said vnto them Goe and teach all nations baptizing Mat. 28. 19. 30 them in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the holie Ghost teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I commaunded you He gaue them then no power to make newe lawes as the Pope licenseth his men to doe I am not willing to extend this discourse any further because I knowe it hath alreadie beene amply entreated on by verie learned men of these times but will conclude that since he is not obedient to the Gospell but puts in place thereof other doctrines and Gospels that he can bee no other but euen hee of whome saint Paule foretolde in his Epistle to the Thessalonians and as hee is described by saint Iohn in his Apocalipse And so consequently his Church wherof he tearms himselfe to be the spouse and head is not that Church out of which there is no saluation and whereto are made such gratious promises but rather it is the true Babylon out of which we are commanded to depart if wee will not partake in her

teacheth vs the will and league hee hath made with his people which wee shoulde alwaies haue before our eyes on our foreheades and in our handes to meditate thereon both day and night to accomplish the same on our behalfe As concerning my selfe I acknowledge and confesse that I haue beene trained vp in the Romane Church and haue followed the errours and superstitions therein vsed being caried His protestation concerning himself and the errors wherein he hath liued long only by custome regarde of antiquitie and the goodly outward shew deliuered For looking and contemplating it with the eye of flesh it appeared to me to be to be the true Church erected for perpetuall continuance defended on all sides as being rich potent cloathed with golde purple and scarlet tryumphing ouer all her enemies aduersaries adored by the Kings and Princes of the earth commaunding Emperours holding dominion ouer many nations and prospering euen against the children of God thrusting the true Church into the desert wildernesse But all this was according to the Prophecie of S. Iohn in his Apocalipse where he at large describeth Antichrist Apoc. Chap. 11. 12. and his Babilon Now in this perplexitie in this conflict of opinions which we daily see about the matter of Religion according to the commandement of God I consulted with the diuine Oracle and withdrewe my selfe to the mountaines of holy Scripture By whose testimonie Iesus Christ repulsed the Tempter and confirmed his Apostles after his resurrection By them our Fathers stoned all heretiques and besides them whatsoeuer is spoken is heresie and execration although it be an Angell that Galat. 1. 8. deliuers it or an Apostle according as Saint Paule teacheth vs. God will haue obedience by them and not sacrifice Hee will not Deut 12. 4. 2 Sam. 15. 22. Math. 15. 6. Iohn 10. 4. 5. be serued according to the commandement and traditions of men He acknowledgeth them to be his that abide in his worde He tels vs also that such as are of his flocke doe heare his voice and knowe it and will not listen to a strangers See heere the infallible markes of the true Church indeed But the Church of Rome in steede of listening to this word and obeying it in Of the church of Rome steede of following the kings high way which is taught vs by the aforesaid mountaines reuolts turnes after her owne waies following her owne fantasies and not the commandements of the Lord. And so hath quitted her alliance that wee may iustly say of her that which the Prophet spake of the holy citie of Ierusalem How is the faithfull citie become an harlot She was full of equitie and iustice lodged in her her gold is turned into drosse and her wine is mingled with water And first of all for example she will needes haue Idols and Idols and Images Images contrarie to the commandement of God and to shift off this sinne with an excuse she glosseth a difference between an Idoll and an Image And yet the prohibition extendeth Not to make any resemblance of any thing which is in heauen aboue Exod. 20. 4. 5. neither in the earth beneath nor in the waters below to serue or worship them And so themselues doe cut their owne throats for they say that the Image which they place in their Temple is the similitude of that same partie in heauen aboue And if there be any difference betweene Idoll and Image an Image is for ornament represented in an history an Idoll that which is proposed in the Temple to bee worshipped euen as their pretended Images are THOMAS AQVINAS one of their Thomas Aquin. greatest Doctors testifieth the same in 3. Sentent dist 2. That in 3. sentent Dist 2. the Image ought to be honoured with the selfe same adoration as the partie that it representeth And in the booke tearmed Decisiones Decisio Rotae Rotae where the question is demanded to wit whether the Image in the Image-makers shoppe be to be worshipped or no He answers plainely no for it is exposed there to publick sale but in the Temple it is placed to be worshipped and the selfe same instruction is giuen by the C. venerabiles de Cons dist 3. C. Venerabiles de Cons dist 3. Vpon the aforesaid holy mountaines we finde but one God onely to call vpon in our afflictions and necessities And Iesus Christ himselfe saith vnto vs Come vnto me all yee that are wearie and heauie laden and I will ease you The Church of Math. 11. 28. Rome sends vs to so many hee-Saints and shee-Saints as there be daies in their Calender and though it be written I wil not impart my glorie to any other yet dare they communicate to all such Saints as themselues haue canonized the office of an intercessour or mediatour betweene God and vs which office is onely proper to Christ and dependeth vpon his eternall sacrifice made For as Saint Paule saith He is entred into very heauen Heb. 9. 24. to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. If any sinne saith 1. Iohn 2. 1. saint Iohn we haue an Aduocate with the Father euen Iesus Christ the Iust In like manner Iesus Christ by one onely sacrifice made once vpon the Crosse hath abolished the sinnes of all Heb. 10 14. beleeuers for euer so that there is no further neede of sacrificing being once made thus perfectly But the Church of Rome as if the sacrifice of Christ were imperfect and insufficient hath ordained another for remission of sinnes both to the dead and Masses for the liuing and the dead liuing which they cal the Masse and hath substituted so many successours for the sacrificing againe of Iesus Christ as there be Priests that vse to say Masse Contrarie to that which is written Thou art a Priest eternally for euer after the order of Heb. 7. 21. MELCHISEDEC not hauing any successour at all in his sacrifice as the same blessed Apostle Paule teacheth vs. And so in other points of our Religion the Church of Rome hath wholly peruerted thē namely in Christs institution of his Peruerting of the Sacraments Of Baptisme Sacraments As in Baptisme they make an addition thereto of Oyle of Salt and of Spettle transferre by meere mockery this holy mystery to bels Baptizing them as if they were of Gods elect and to be ranked among the faithful Likewise the holy Supper which Iesus Christ instituted to make a serious Of the Lords Supper commemoration of his death and passion whereby he purchased eternall life for vs bearing the curse of our sins vpon himselfe and in that respect after his benediction made he brake the bread saying This is my bodie to the end we might thereby Luk. 22. 19. be instructed that as bread nourisheth our bodies euen so his wounded bodie deliuered vp vnto death for vs doth nourish our soules vnto eternall life receiuing the same by Faith and as

be filled with statues Images Idols and pictures whereto incensings and honours must be done and before whome they must fall prostrate although they be vaine things the works of mens hands Finally the holy Spirit doth assure vs that the sacred Scriptures are diuinely inspired that they are apt to enstruct correct 2. Tim. 3. and conuince and that they can make a man wise before God to saluation The Pope and his partakers taking themselues to bee more wise then the holy Ghost doe not onely say that the sacred Scriptures are obscure but also that they be insufficient and like vnto a sword cutting with two edges That they haue a nose of wax which heretikes forme after their owne pleasure and wherewith they serue their owne turne to confirme their heresies These are such blasphemies as none but a diuell durst vtter considering that Iesus Christ himselfe in many places doth authorise the holy Scriptures referring all to their Iohn 5. Luke 4. subiectionhat ought men then to doe but followe his example in all things which concerne religion and the seruice of God VVhich if they of Popishe spirit would doe so many traditions and humane doctrins should not be seen directly against the word of God As is that of Purgatorie prayer for the dead Indulgences vowes and pilgrimages auricular confession and others so full of superstitions and Idolatries and neuer were heard so many blaspemies Namely as when the title of honour of the holy Father or of his holinesse which appertaineth to none but God onely is attributed and giuen to a mortall man a poore and miserable sinner The Sacraments of the Church which are but two instituted by our Lord Iesus Christ are they not broken and prophaned when we see them to bee augmented and added vnto with fiue other bastard Sacramēts All which hauing no institution commaundement or promise in the word of God we cannot neither ought wee to make any vse of them My masters these things with many others haue incited me to forsake the places where they are taught and commanded to leaue the large and spacious way which leadeth to perdition Mat. 7. to follow the hard and narrow path full of thornes and afflictions which conducteth men to our Lord Iesus Christ at the end whereof vnspeakable felicitie is found I set downe my rest then the grace of God assisting me to imbrace with you the profession of true Christianitie and therein purpose to liue and die VVhich I sweare protest and promise before God and all this holie assembly And to renounce as at this instant I haue renounced altogither al the false doctrines superstitions and Idolatries of Poperie namely that false counterfaite and blaspheamous sacrifice of the Masse quite contrarie to the merits death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ Vpon whom only I wil lay the foundation of my faith and cast Anker there with vndoubted hope of life eternall and perpetuall blessednesse I pray God with all my heart to grant me grace heerin and entreate you all my Masters according to your charitie to bee helpefull heerein to mee with your holy praiers to him To whome with the Sonne and the holy Ghost bee all glorie and honour for euermore Amen This present declaration was with a loude voice pronounced in the presence of the whole reformed Church of Paris congregated at Ablon after the end of the Sermon On Sunday the sixt day of this present moneth of Iuly 1603. By me DENIS BOVCHER and thus signed D. Boucher FINIS A DECLARATION MADE BY MAster DANIELL DVSERT a natiue of Cinte-gauelle neere to Tholouse and heretofore a Religious Fryer according to the Order of Saint Frances Contayning his abiuration of the Doctrine of the Romish Church and his protestation to liue and dye in the Faith of the reformed Church Made publickly by himselfe in the Church of Mello the 22. day of December 1603. I Render thanks to God that after so long time of wauering in faith and plunging in the errours of the Romane Church being altogither led by the cūning Doctours of that profession and brought into such an estate as being wholly subiected vnder the power of the Prince of darknesse hee hath yet at length by the vertue and efficacie of his blessed spirit giuen me to knowe that the doctrine preached in the said Romane Church is as farre off from the true Euangelicall doctrine as earth is from heauen that such as follow that track are out of the way of their saluation For proofe whereof it is a matter most certaine That out of Christs Church there is no saluation at all Now that is the Church of Christ which heares his voice therefore since the voice of Christ that is to say his word is not heard among them of the Romish Church it must needs follow that they are neither of his Church nor yet of his flock And to shew apparantly that the voice of Christ is not heard in the saide Romane Church we will proceede in approuing the same by the manifest Antithesis and opposition which is betweene the Romish doctrine and that of Christ contained in the sacred Scriptures And first of all the Church of Rome teacheth that the holy Scriptures doe not containe all the doctrine of our saluation Which is quite contrarie to the Apostles instruction who plainely saith That hee had knowen the holy Scriptures of a childe which are able to make wise vnto saluation through the 2. Tim. 3 15. faith which is in Iesus Christ For the whole Scripture is giuen by diuine inspiration and is profitable to teach to conuince to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse That the man of God Chap. eod v 16. 17. may he absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes It appeareth then that they erre in teaching that beside the doctrine of holy Scripture the traditions of men are necessarie to saluation Directly contrary to our Lord Sauiours instruction where he saith In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrine Math. 15. 9. the traditions of men They teach also that the same Scriptures are so obscure and doubtfull as we cannot clearely gather the doctrine of saluation by them Contrarie to Saint Peters speaches saying Wee 2. Pet. 2. 19. haue also a most sure word of the Prophets to the which yee do wel that yee take heed as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place They say moreouer that it is not lawfull for Lay men as they vse to call such as are of other condition then Ecclesiasticall persons to reade or meditate in the holy Scriptures Against the commandement of Christ who exhorteth all men generally in this manner Search diligently the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and Iohn 5. 39. they are they which testifie of mee And Saint Iohn doth not hee addresse his Epistle to all sortes of ages saying Little children I write vnto you because your sinnes are forgiuen yee for his

2. Iohn 2. 12. 13. 14. names sake Againe I write vnto you Fathers c. Also I write vnto you young men c. And then I write vnto you babes Doe they not likewise teach that it is not lawfull to reade the holy Scriptures as also not to pray or cal vpon the name of God but in the Latine tongue and make a very strict obseruation thereof And is not this contrarie to the spirit of God speaking thus by his blessed Apostle I had rather in the church to speake fiue words with mine vnderstanding that I might also 2. Cor. 14. 19. instruct others then ten thousand words in a strange language In the Church of Rome they also teach that some others beside Iesus Christ haue beene exempted from sinne but doe they not lye in so saying when the Apostle speaks thus Wherfore as by one man sinne entred into the world and by sin death Rom. 5. 12. and so death went ouer all men forasmuch as all men haue sinned Beside this they maintaine that man hath free will as easily to saue himselfe as to perish contrary to the instruction of saint Iohn Baptist saying A man can receiue nothing except it bee giuen him from heauen And the Apostle also saith It is GOD Iohn 3. 27. Phil. 2. 13. which worketh in you both the will and the deede euen of his own good pleasure Moreouer they erre greatly teaching that our workes are meritorious to saluation before God against that which the Prophet Esay saith All our righteousnesse is like the filthy Esa 64. 6. clouts of a menstruous woman And against that also which Damel saith Wee doe not O Lord present our supplications before thee for our owne righteousnesse but for thy great tender mercies Dan. 9. 18. Do not they likewise maintaine that wee are iustified and saued by the workes of the Lawe and not by faith and the mercie of God onely Contrarie to the Apostles wordes By Ephes 2. 8. 9. grace are yee saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of workes least any man should boast himselfe Contrarie also to this to Timothie That God hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our works 2. Tim. 1. 9. hut according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was Contrary likewise Rom. 3. 28. to this to the Romanes Therefore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Lawe Is it not common speach also as well in their writings as also in their preachings that we ought to stand doubtful of our saluation Contrarie to Saint Paule to the Hebrewes saying Let Heb. 4 16. vs goe boldly to the throne of grace that we may receiue mercie and finde grace to helpe in time of neede Contrarie also to his writing to the Romanes where he saith For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor Rom. 8. 38. 39. depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. And contrarie also to his writing to the Corinthians That God hath sealed vs 2. Cor. 1. 22. and hath giuen the earnest of his spirit in our hearts Doe they not defend and manifestly against the worde of God thas we haue other Mediatours and Aduocates then Iesus Christ to wit both hee-Saints and she-Saints Contrarie to Saint Paule writing thus For there is one God and one Mediatour betweene God and man which is the man Christ Iesus 2. Tim. 2. 5. Contrarie likewise to the Euangelist Saint Iohn in two seueral places of his Gospell Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the father in my Iohn 14. 13. Iohn 16. 23. name he will giue it vnto you Thus falling from errour to errour they ordaine appoint that we must call vpon those Saints and declare to them our miseries and necessities which no man can do but meerely in vaine because both he-Saints and she-Saints can take no acknowledgement of our wants according to the saying of the Prophet Esay Abraham is ignorant of vs and Iacob knowes vs Esa 63. 16. not thou O Lord art our Father and our Redeemer thy name is for euer How doe they labour likewise to perswade the world concerning the necessity of prayers for the dead or those faithfull soules which they say are enclosed in Purgatorie directly contrary to our Lord and Sauiours owne words as the Euangelist sets downe VVhosoeuer beleeueth in the Sonne shall not Iohn 3. 18. be condemned And in the first Chapter of the same Gospell Verily verily I say vnto you he that heareth my word and beleeueth Iohn 5. 24. in him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life Continually they preach that there is another kinde of Purgatorie then that which is contained in the bloud onely of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Quite contrarie to the blessed Apostle writing thus If we acknowledge our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnese And as it followeth in the 1. Iohn 1. 9. second Chapter of the same Epistle We haue an Aduocat with the Father to wit Iesus Christ the Iust And hee is the propitiation 1. Iohn 2. 1. 2. for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world Why then it is most false that there is a third place beside Paradise and hel where the soules of the faithfull departing from this world are to be tormented before they can be brought to heauen Contrarie to the Prophet Esay who saith The iust man dying enters into peace and rest Esa 57. 1. 2. And in the wisdome of Salomon it is written The soules of the righteous are in the hand of God no torment shall touch them Sapi. 3. 1. Also saint Iohn the diuine saith in the Apocalipse Blessed are Apoc. 14. 13. the dead which hereafter die in the Lord. Euen so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them In like manner they teach that to obtaine remission of our sinnes we must make an account of them and number all our sinnes in auricular confession by which hellish cordes they strangle the conscience binding it to impossible things Acding to the saying of the Prophet Dauid That his sinnes surmounted Psalm 40. 12. in number the haires of his head Again he saith Who can vnderstand all his faults cleanse me O Lord from my secret Psalm 19. 12. faults Yet not thus contented they teach beside that by the greatnesse of our bodies punishments and contritions we may gain remission of our sins life euerlasting Against that which S.

THE VOLVNTARIE CONVERSION AND SEVERALL RECANTATIons of foure great learned men professed Fryers in sundry Monasteries of Fraunce FROM THE ERROVRS OF IDOLATRIE and Poperie to the true Religion established in the Reformed Church 1. Master Iohn Le Vager a Priest in the Romane Church conuerted at Mauns Ianuary 6. 2. Master Iohn Forent a Fryer Carmelite in the Couent of Morthemard conuerted in the Reformed Church of Poictiers Iune 9. 3. Master Denis Boucher a Franciscane Fryer in the Couent of Noisy neere Paris conuerted in the Reformed Church of Paris Iuly 6. 4. Master Daniell Dusert a Franciscan Fryer at Mello conuerted in the Church of Mello December 22. ¶ All conuerted this last yeare 1603. as their seuerall discourses following at large doe testifie vnder their owne hands Truely translated out of the French printed Copies ¶ Imprinted at London by Richard Bradocke for W. Iones dwelling at the signe of the Gun neere Holborne Conduit and are to be solde by W. Aspley in Paules Church-yard 1604. TO HIS WORTHILIE RESPECTED KINDE FRIEND Master George Gibson Citizen and Marchant Taylor of London IN regard of your many kindnesses and no other meanes remaining in mee of requitall except such as my condition alloweth I send you this small labour of mine being the seuerall conuersions of foure learned men from Popish errour and blinde superstition The fame of them hath beene farre extended in regard of the learned handling of each discourse which vpon consideration I am sure good iudgements both haue and will confesse no lesse I desire you to accept my good will and burie all defects in the honestie of mine intent toward you till better occasion may afford me a larger measure of loue on your behalfe This should haue been accōpanied with another excellent Treatise of a great Duchesses conuersion in the kingdome of France a learned Epistle of hers to her Lord and husband declaring her souls high comfort in her forsaking Idolatry and the maine Paradoxes of Popery very learnedly discouered but wanting leasure in regard of other very serious imployments I am enforced to let it rest till more apt opportunitie But I hope within short time to perfect it which then shall helpe to supply what wanteth in this toward you Till when as heretofore so shall I still remaine your poore wel-wishing friend any way by you to be vsed or commanded A PROFESSION OF FAITH MADE IN THE reformed Church of MAVNS the sixt day of Ianuary 1603. by Master IOHN LE VAGER sometimes a Priest in the Church of Rome AS it is vndoubtedly true that God most powerfully by his infinite goodnesse hath called vs all to the knowledge of his holy name to be his people and his Church whereon only he hath bestowed the treasures of his mercies and out of which there is no saluation at all so certainly if wee be desirous of this goodnesse and would participate of his blessings and mercies it behooueth vs to trauaile and study in the search of this Church to ioyne and incorporate our selues into the same And therefore let vs not imitate the heretique EVTICHVS who saide That as he had learned of his Fathers and beleeued in the Faith wherein he Concil Calced Act. 2. was borne euen so hee desired to dye Or as AVXENTIVS the Arrian who said That as he had learned from his infancie so Hillarius in 1. Epist ad Aux hee beleeued and would doe still Or as the Iewes thus speaking to Ieremie Wee and our Fathers haue done thus Or as our aduersaries Ier. 44. 17. at this day doe who tels vs that thus our fathers liued and beleeued To all which God thus answered by his Prophet Ezechiel Walke not yee in the ordinances of your Fathers neither obserue their waies nor defile your selues with their Ezech. 20. 18. 19. Idols I am the Lord your God walke in my Statutes and keepe my iudgements and doe them Search the Scriptures saith our Iohn 5. 39. Sauiour Christ to the Iewes And in the Gospel of S. Matthew also foretelling vs of the euil times which now are come vpon vs he doth aduertise vs that there shall be a desolation and reuolt in his Church and that many false Prophets shall arise who Math. 24. 11. shall come disguised in sheepes cloathing as now adaies wee see the like doone by our Monkes Capuchines and Iesuites who disguise themselues in habits of simplicitie of pouerty of sanctitie humilitie and leaue their owne common garments the better to seduce beguile poore simple people who suffer thēseues willingly to be led by their outward appearances according to the example of the ancient hypocritical Pharisies with their Philacteries and outward ceremonies Math. 23. 5. We haue a further admonition yet that when wee see this Math. 24. 5. cōfusion amongst false Prophets they wil say Heere is Christ others there is Christ as these dissemblers now vse to doe saying He is heere vnder the Cabinet in our faire guilded Temples where he yet workes strange miracles See heer the Iewes False miracles among the Fryers in Paris in Italy and elswhere Math. 24 16. Launce that pearced his pretious side it is heere on this Altar See heere a handkercher or napkin coloured with his bloode But I say that God commandeth vs in this confusion of deceiuing Prophets not to beleeue thē but that we should fly to the mountaines By which mountaines he insinuateth vnto vs that we should withdrawe make diligent search in the sacred Scriptures on the foundations whereof hee hath builded his Church So doth saint Iohn Chrysostome instruct speaking vpon that place When yee shal see the abhomination of desolation standing in the holy place the Lord commandeth vs saith he Math. 24. 15. Chrisost in opere imperfect that al Christians such as desire to holde a firmnesse in true faith should retyre themselues to the holy Scriptures for if they goe to any place else they will be scandalized and perish as not vnderstanding what the true Church is and so may easily fall into the abhomination of desolation crept into the holy places of the Church Origen in like manner saith Those soules that are ignorant of Origen in Mat. C. 24. the word of trueth and iustice and by that occasion are easily seduced cannot abide without seduction at the verie sight of the abhomination of desolation in the holy place Saint Hierome likewise saith At the comming of the Messias the people that had slept vnder their teachers enstructions went to the mountains Hierom. in Prophet C. 3. of the Scriptures and there found the old mountaines the mountaines of the Prophets and the mountaines of the new Testament And euen as flesh and bloud hath not reuealed Iesus Christ vnto vs but the Father which is in heauen so ought wee not to seeke for his Church according to our corporal sense but with the eyes of faith in the holy Scriptures wherein God himselfe speakes vnto vs and