(161) Cent. 4. col 549. And see Carthwright in Whâ—tguift Def. p 700. See Osiand cent 4. p. 477. AmaÌ„dus Polanus Symphonia p 841. 849. And as the Fathers were thus direct and ful for the Bishop of Romes Primacie so did they answerably reiect al pretended spiritual Primacie in anie temporal Magistrate So the Centurie-writers confesse that Emperours assumed to themselues vnseasonably the iudgement of matters of Faith which thing Athanasius reprehendeth in Constantius Ambrose in Valentinian Yea (162) Of the Estate of the Churcb p. 99 Crispinus confesseth that our first Christian Emperour Constantin sayd God hath ordayned you Bishops and hath giuen you power to iudge of yourselues by meanes wherof we yeeld ourselues to your iudgement Men may not iudge you but God alone Yea (163) Ibid. p. 93 And see the Abridgement of Fox his Acts Mon. p 67. Crispinus further acknowledgeth that he gaue power vnto Clerks for to appeale from Ciuil Magistrats to Bishops And others (164) In the sayd Abridgement p. 66 grant that He freed them from al manner of publick duties and burdens As also that (165) Napper vpon the Reuâ—l p. 145. He subdued al Christian Churches to Pope Syluester And (166) Frigiuilleus Ganuius in his Palma Christ p. 35. Attributed Primacie to the Roman Bishop before al. And such was his respect to Ecclesiastical Gouernours as that the Centurists (167) Cent. 4 col 4â—0 relate that It is knowne what reuerence and obseruance he had to Bishops in the Councel of Nyce where he would not sit downe vntil the Bishops willed him And then as 168) Chron. p. 274. And Lubbertus de Concilijs Carion reporteth Constantin sate downe on a lower Seat amongst the Bishops So far was this most renowned and Christian Prince from challenging to himself Supremacie in causes Ecclesiastical The Centurists (169) Cent. 5. col 663. doe acknowledge and recite Pope Innocentius his Epistle to Arcadius the Emperour and his wife who were aduerse to Chrysostom and took part with Theophilus where he thus writeth I the least of al and a Sinner hauing yet the Throne of the Great Apostle Peter committed to me do separate and remoue thee and her from receiuing the immaculate Mysteries of Christ our God And euerie Bishop or anie other of the Clergie which shal presume to minister or giue to you those holy mysteries after the time that you haue read the present letters of my bound pronounce them voyd of their dignitie c. Arsacius whom you placed in the Bishop-like Throne in Chrysostoms roome though he be dead we depose and command that his name be not written in the role of Bishops In like manner we depose al other Bishops who deliberatly haue communicated with him c. To the deposing of Theophilus we adde Excommunication c. From hence then it appeareth that the Fathers of the Primitiue Church not only denyed euen to the greatest Emperours al pretended Supremacie in Ecclesiastical matters but that also Constantin himself disclaymed from the same and when other Emperours offended against the Church the same Church spared not to punish them for the same The premisses likewise do most fully conuince that the Primitiue Church neuer thought anie Pope or succession of Popes to be Antichrist But contrarie to Protestants making al Popes for manie hundred yeares past to be Antichrists it is confessed by D. Whitaker (170) l. De Antichristo p. 21. that The Fathers for the most part thought that Antichrist should be but one man but in that sayth he as in manie other things they erred either because they yeelded too much to the common opinion concerning Antichrist or because they waighed not the Scriptures so diligently as they ought And as M. Whitaker forsooth hath done M. Carthwright's (171) In his 2. Reply part 1. p. 508. See Gracerus his Historia Antichristi p. 11. censure is that Diuers of the ancient and the chiefest of them imagined fondly of Antichrist as of one singular Person And as for the time of his coming and continuance M. Fox (172) In Apoc. c. 12 p. 345. acknowledgeth that Almost al the holie and learned Interpreters doe by a Time Times and halfe a Time vnderstand only Three yeares and a halfe And (173) In Apoc. c. 13. p. 362. that this is the consent opinion of almost al the ancient Fathers Bullinger (174) In Reuel c. 11. ser 46. f. 142 auoucheth that Doubtlesse al Expositours grounding themselues vpon this Text haue attributed to the Kingdome of Antichrist and to his most cruel persecutions no more then Three yeares and a halfe This shortest time of Antichrists raigne was so cleerly the Doctrine beleef of the ancient Fathers that D. Morton for his truest answere confesseth the same reprouing them al of Errour saying (175) Prot. Appeal l 2. p. 144. Why might not these Fathers be sayd to haue erred in prefining the time of Antichrist who haue been thus farr ouerseen in reporting his Tribe So confessedly do the Fathers cleer al our Popes from being Antichrists (176) Of the Church 9. p. 286 Philip Mornay proueth at large that Antichrist is not to come during the continuance of the Roman Empire in which behalf he alleadgeth the agreable Sayings of S. Ambrose Hierom Austin Chrysostom and S. Paul By al which it is most euident that in the opinion of the ancient Fathers Antichrist is to be but one man and the continuance of his Raigne to be Three yeares and a halfe before the ending of the world before which the Roman Empire must cease To reuiew then the truest harmonie between the Primitiue and our present Roman Church in this principal Controuersie concerning the Popes Supremacie in Causes Spiritual and Ecclesiastical The Fathers and Bishops as then taught First that the Bishop of Rome was S. Peters successour and that this Succession was not anie humane or Synodical Constitution but euen the ordinance of God himself Secondly that therfore Popes might Exercise their Iurisdiction Primacie ouer al Churches Thirdly And so accordingly they did ordaine Excommunicate depose restore and cite other forraine Bishops Archbishops Fourthly they placed their Legats or Vicars in other Countries to end smaller matters reseruing the greater causes to theÌ„selues Fiftly Appeales were made to them from al Christian Kingdomes Sixâ—ly and they not only had power to cal General Councels but they also appoynted Presidents in the same Yea Councels were then so subiect vnto them as that no Councel was holden lawful which was not assembled approued by their authoritie Seauenthly Princes Emperours were subiect to their Spiritual Censures And yet no Father Bishop or King of those times did euer traduce anie one of those Popes with that fowlest note or stayne of Antichrist Now the ancient holie Doctours and Bishops which are here acknowledged and reproued for the foresayd seueral poynts and priuiledges of the Popes Primacie are Gregorie Pelagius Celestin
584. Snecanus saying Hitherto appertayne Ps 72.9 and Esay 49.2.23 60.4 In these places the Prophets describe the Kingdome of Christ vnder the new Testament and the office of the Gentils and especially of Kings flowing to the Church c. that they may be Nurces to the Church of Christ c. vnles therefore our Aduersaries wil accuse God and the Holie-Ghost of lying c. It is necessarie that they grant to the Church of the New Testament her Nurces pious Kings and Queens who shal bowe themselues to Christ c. And these predictions of the Prophets of Kings to be in the Church of Christ may suffice This then supposed as a most certaine truth that the Church of Christ was to conuert Heathen Nations and Princes from their Infidelitie and Idolatrie to the true Faith of Christ That then which resteth to be examined is whether the sayd Conuersions haue been performed by the Roman or Protestant Church But first it is to be granted that during al the time after Christ vntil Constantin's Conuersion the true Church remayned so vnder persecution as that the foresayd glorie and amplitude foretold of her concerning her great encrease of beleeuers and of Kings and Queens to serue her was not as then fulfilled In which respect D. Barlow (13) Def. of the Articles of Prot. Relig p. 34. auoucheth that In the primitiue Nonage of the Church is promise of Kings allegeance therunto was not fully accomplished because in those dayes that Prophecie of our Sauiour was rather verifyed you shal be brought before Kings for my names sake by them to be persecuted euen vnto death c. In like sort saith (14) Against Staplâ—t Mart. p. 51. D. Fulk Let him I say poynt out with his finger what Kings in euerie Age for the space of the first 300. yeares did walk in the brightnes of the Church arising To examine then the subsequent time from Constantine to Luther and to begin with the Protestant Church It is so far from accomplishing the foresayd Prophecies that to the contrarie it is at large acknowledged before (15) See before l. 3. c. 1. to haue been Inuisible itself euen from Constantins time to Luthers And so accordingly D. Barlow (16) Def. of the Art p. 34. being vrged to answer this very point concerning the Protestant Churches bringing forth Kings which should be as Esay prophecyed foster-fathers and Queens to be noursing-mothers to the Church confesseth as before that in the Primitiue nonage of the Church this was not accomplished And speaking of the times succeeding (17) Ib. p. 35 he affirmeth that The promise by Esay prophecyed was accomplished and the number so encreased though stil inuisibly that as her Loue sayd in the Canticles there are threescore Queenes c. But I wil not vrge how absurd it is to affirme that manie Kings Queens and Kingdomes themselues should be conuerted and yet al this to be inuisible It is likewise not vnworthie of obseruation that wheras Martin Bucer (18) De Regno Dei l. 1. c. 1. 3. maketh a special Tract of the sundrie Prophecies by himself alleadged in this behalf he doth not yet in accomplishment of them giue instance though so prouoked thereto by the argument of his sayd Treatise so much as but in anie one heathen King or Kingdome conuerted accordingly by Protestants to the Faith of Christ Yea to the contrarie sundrie ProtestaÌ„ts are enforced through their manifest want of fulfilling the foresayd Prophecies in anie Age before Luthers to referre or rather deferre the Conuersion of Heathen Kings and Countries vnto the now later times wherin their supposed Antichrist is publickly withstood So M. Symondes (19) Vpon the Reuel p. 123. tearmeth these later times The dayes of the seauenth Angel that conuerteth Kings to the Ghospel And M. Willet (20) Synop. Ep. Dedic affirmeth that The Prophecie of Esay is fulfilled in these our dayes who saith concerning the Church Kings shal be thy Nursing Fathers and Queens thy Nursing Mothers Esa 49.23 c. for now who seeth not that many Christian Princes in the world are become the children of the Church c. And the same is taught by (21) In his Apoca in c. 20 p. 656. M. Brightman (22) Playne Euidences c. p. 72. 73. 81. and M. Bernards Yea in this respect Protestants disclayming from al former Conuersions of England Germany Heluetia France and Poland doubt not therefore to make Tindal (23) Epistle to England written from Brasile p. 71. Luther Zuinglius Caluin and Iohn à Lasco the first Conuerters or Apostles of those seueral Nations So M. Stalbridge auoucheth that God raysed vp Wâ—lliam Tindal the first true Apostle of Christ after Iohn Wiccliffe M. Wetenhal (24) Discourse of Abuses p. 134. tearmeth Tindal our English Euangelist And M. Fox (25) Act Mon p 883. styleth him M. William Tindal the true Apostle of our later dayes And yet this so great an Apostle was burned for Heresie in the time of K. Henrie the Eighth In like sort saith Zanchius to Iohn a Lasco (26) In his Epistles l. 2. p 232. God hath hitherto preserued thee that as Luther was the Apostle to his Germanie Zuinglius to his Heluetia Caluin to his France so thou mayst be an Apostle to thy Polonie Therefore the Lord strengthen thee c. vntil thou shalt consummate thy Apostleship c. But al this is most insufficient and impertinent for first euen since Luthers time not so much as anie one King or Kingdome of the Gentils is yet hitherto conuerted from Paganisme by Luther or anie other Protestant euer extant in the world as shal be proued next hereafter in this Chapter Secondly it is incredible to think that the wisedome and goodnes of Christ would suspend the foresayd promises of his Churches happy plentiful Conuersion of Kings and Countries to serue her during both the beginning and midle-time of the same and would but fulfil the same in her most decaying declining and decrepite Age. Lastly this Euasion is plainly reiected and contradicted by al such Protestants as freely confesse and teach the foresayd Prophecies and promises of the Church her conuerting of Kings and Nations to haue been fully accomplished in former Ages Amongst whom (27) Cont. Duraeum l. 7. p. 472. D. Whitaker saith Whatsoeuer the ancient Prophets foretold of the propagation amplitude and glorie of the Church that Historie most plainly testifyeth to haue been performed But now to examine only the time since Luther of the Protestant Churches conuerting of anie one Heathen King or Kingdome to the Faith of Christ I wil first say vnto our Protestants as D. Whiteguift (28) Def. c. p. 33. saith vnto the Puritans and Anabaptists Tel me I pray you in what Church hath any of them setled themselues in but in such wherein the Ghospel hath been wel planted before What Country was euer originally conuerted from Paganisme by the Protestant
the Eunuch c. yet the Protestant (8) Syntagma ex veteri Test col 1232 1233. Wigandus sheweth by very manie examples of Scripture that the Iewish Synagogue before Christs time was dispersed in sundrie other Nations besides that of the Iewes Now amongst these the Church might in Elias time be visible though it had been then inuisible among the Iewes Fiftly though those 7000. of that one special time were vnknowne as then to Elias yet this proueth not which is the poynt only pertinent to be proued that therfore they should be as then vnknowne also to al others of the same time And much lesse therfore can this particular example proue that al the Faithful not of one special time only but also of so manie seueral hundred yeares as are heer (9) See before l. 3. c. 1. before confessed for the Prot. Churches inuisibilitie should al of them during al those Ages continue so generally latēt vnknowne not to one Elias only but to the whole world as that there should remayne no memorie or notice of the needful preaching administration of Sacraments to haue been performed so much as by one of them in anie one Nation of the earth for anie one moment of al those times Sixtly this obiection of Elias maketh fully for vs against our Aduersaries for it is euident that Elias flying (10) 3. Reg. 19 2.3.8.9 theface of Iesabel wife to Achab who sought his life lay thervpon secret in a Caue vpon Mount Horeb at the time of his complayning that he was left alone the which cōplaynt he made in regard only of that Countrey of Israel which was the kingdome of Achab wherin he then a strāger lay secret as appeareth most plainly aswel in that God himself accordingly answered his sayd complaint with like respect to that only Countrey saying I haue left to me in Israel 7000. c. Of one hundred wherof Elias himself had then special 11 3. Reg. 18.13 notice giuen him before by Obedias to whom therefore the Church was thē euen in that verie Countrey knowne visible which only poynt quite dissolueth al the supposed force of this so often re-enforced obiectiō Besides in those verie times the Church flourished in the next adioyning Kingdome of Iuda and was there as then to Elias both knowne visible vnder two good Kings Asa and Iosaphat who raigned euen in the time (12) 3. Reg. 22.41 of Achab At what time the number of the Faithful was there so exceeding great that the Souldiars only were numbred to (13) 2. Par. 14.8 9. 17.14.15.16.17.18 19 manie hundred thousands And thus is this very obiection answered by M. Henoch (14) Soueraigne Remedy c. p. 17. 18. Clapham saying our ignorāt Reformists say the Church was inuisible in the time of Elias but The Holy Ghost recordeth Elias to haue spoken this against Israel not against Iuda for as he knew that good Iosaphat at that time raigned in Iuda so he wel knew that there was not only the Church visible but also mightily reformed yea )15) In Corpore Doctrinae p. 530. 532 And in Morgensterne Tract de Eccl. p. 4. Melancthon expoundeth those verie words obiected I haue left to me 7000 c. of the visible Church And wheras (16) Def. of the Answ p. 645. Whitguift writeth that Sometimes the Church of God is where there is no good Pastour as in the time of Elias (17) Last part of the 2. Reply p. 63. M. Carthwright answereth This is vntrue for there were an hundred Prophets then kept of one man alone 1. Reg. 18.13 So manie wayes is it euident that the Church in the time of Elias his complaint was visible not only in Iuda but also in Israel Now wheras our Aduersaries do make for the reason of their Churches inuisibilitie Persecution This poore euasion implyeth in termes for what maketh the Church more knowne famous then Persecution Or who can be persecuted but men knowne seen to others Doth not M. Iewel (*) Reply p. 506. And Def. of the Apolog. p. 33. 34. hereupon affirme that The Church is placed vpon a mount her persecutions can not be hid Doth not M. Carthwright (18) In Whytguift Def p 174. And see D. Babington vpō Exodus p 10. cōfesse that the Church vnder Persecutiō is visible and sensible for els sayth he how could it be persecuted As also what a Conclusion is this the Churches were few in number because they were vnder the Crosse c. To let passe both Scriptures and Stories Ecclesiastical haue you forgotten what is sayd in the first of Exodus that the more the children of Israel were persecuted the more they increased But in cleer demonstration hereof is it not further euidēt that though the Primitiue Church during the first 300. yeares after Christ endured (19) Fox Act. Mon. p. 34. c. The Centuristes Cent. 1. col 24 c. Cent 2. col 10. c. Cent. 3. col 10. c. incomparably the most vniuersal violēt persecutions that euer were yet the same notwithstāding euen Protestāt writers (20) Cent. 1. 2. 3. throughout Pantaleon in Chronogr Functius in Chr. Osiand cent 1. 2 3. Dresserus in Millen 5. p. 11. 12. Fulk de Successione Eccl. p. 246. do at this day take certaine particular notice of the Catholick Bishops and Pastours by name in euerie one of those Ages of their administration of the Word and Sacraments and their open impugning of Heresies But besides al this al sides must acknowledge of the Church vnder Persecution that either she doth make Professiō of her Faith as also openly refrayne the external communion of al Idolatrie false doctrine and Sacraments or els that she doth not professe and refrayne as before sayd If the latter then as is heretofore proued she is not the true Church for as D. Field (22) Of the Church l. 3. p. 19. further saith Seing the Church is the multitude of them that shal be saued no man can be saued vnles he make Cōfession vnto Saluation for faith hid in the hart concealed doth not suffice it cannot be but they that are of the true Church must by the Profession of the truth make themselues knowne in such sort that by their profession and practise they may be discerned from other men If then the first then is she thereby made most knowne visible for besides her foresayd Profession consisting in administration of the Word Sacramēts impugning of errours which being done though neuer so priuatly is impossible to be in so manie seueral Countries kept secret for anie smaller time much lesse for so manie Ages togeather wherof D. Humfrey (23) Iesuit part 2. rat 3 p 241. saith most truly Whilst Ministers teach others learne they administer Sacraments these communicate al cal vpon God professe their Faith Who seeth not these things is blinder then a Mole I
world could speake more fully for vs Catholicks in this behalf then doth the Protestāt (2) In his cōsideration of the Papists reasons pag. 105. M. Powel in these wordes I grāt that from the yeare of Christ 605. the Professant companie of Poperie hath been verie visible and perspicuous Or (3) In his discourse vpō the Catalo of Doc. ī the epi. to the Reader Simon de Voyon affirming that Anno 605. when Pope Boniface was stalled in the Papal Throne thē falsehood got the victorie c. Thē was the whole world ouerwhelmed with the dregs of Antichristian filthines abominable superstistions and Traditions of the Pope then was that vniuersal Apostacie from the Faith foretold by Paul And (4) In his exposition of the Creed v. 1. pag. 266. M. Parkins hauing spoken of the second signe of Christs comming which there he maketh to be the reuealing of Antichrist in Boniface Anno 607. alleageth thē next after as a third signe and as being distinct frō the other a general departing of most men from the Faith saying respectiuely thereof during the space of nine hundred yeares c. the Popish Heresie so do Hereticks stile it hath spred it self ouer the earth and so vniuersally in his opinion through-out al parts of Faith that sayth he next afterwards and the faithful seruants of God were but as a handful of wheat in a mountaine of chaffe (8) In his Reioynder to Bristow p. 34 which can scarce be discerned And againe (5) Ib. p. 310. we say for the space of manie hundred yeares an vniuersal Apostacie ouerspred the whole face of the earth and that our Protestant Church was not then visible to the world but lay hid vnder the chaffe of Poperie and the truth of this the Records of al Ages manifest M. Morton (6) Protest Apeale p. 71. would euade these testimonies of M. Parkins by answering that he speaketh this only of the Article of the Popes Primacie and not in regard of so large continuance and general belief of the other points of our now Catholick Faith which yet is most vntrue Parkins speaking in general of a general departing from the Faith and of an vniuersal Apostacie In so much as the Protestant church or Religion was not according to Parkins then visible to the world In which sense also (7) In his Ansvver to a counterf Cath◠p. 36. D. Fulk confesseth that The very Religiō of the Papists came in and preuailed Anno Dom. 607. c. And so vniuersally that saith he The reuelatiō of Antichrist with the Churches flight into the wildernes was Anno 607. So clear and cōfessed it is that our now Roman Religion hath cōtinued vniuersally for these last thousand yeares A truth so euidēt also that most Protestāts do from thence inferre and auouch that al the Popes of Rome for these last 1000. yeares haue been Antichrists (9) De Antichrist in praef p. 1. 2. M. Powel affirmeth that the Pope hath been Antichrist at al times since Gregorie the Great According to (10) Cont. Bellar. par 1. pag. 371. Danaeus The Kingdome of that Antichrist hath now manifestly cōtinued more then nine hundred yeares from the Emperour Phocas to the time af Luther D. whitaker (11) De Eccles cōt Bellar p. 144. affirmeth Boniface the Third who liued Anno 607 and al his successours to haue been Antichrists (12) In his Answ to a counterf catho pa. 27. and in his confut of Purgatory pa. 344 and ParKins v. 1. pag. 266. D. Fulk auoucheth that the Popes from Boniface the Third were blaspemous Hereticks and Antichrists (13) In his treatise of Antic p. 4. D. Downeham auerreth that The whole row or rable of Popes frō Boniface the Third downeward were Antichrists (14) In his Tryal of the Romish cler pa. 330. M. wotton tearmeth Boniface the Third the first reuealed Antichrist And (15) Hist sacr par p. 189. Hospinian censureth him and al his successours to be verissimos Antichristos most true Antichrists D. whitaker (16) De eccl cōt 8. l. cōtro 2. q. 4. p. 144. deliuering his owne and other Protestants opinion herein sayth we affirme Gregorie the Great to haue been the last true and holie Bishop of that Church c. For those that followed were true Antichrists c. And because they aske and demand of vs some certain time we assigne them this to wit of Antichrist's first comming So manifest it is that al the Roman Bishops after these last thousand yeares being thus censured by so many Protestants for Antichrists haue no lesse professed and maintayned the present Roman Religion then Gregorie the Fifteenth who now gouerneth that Sea and is charged by Protestants to be Antichrist himself And as al the Popes for these last thousand yeares are thus censured for Antichrists so is the article of the Popes Primacie or supreme authoritie ouer the whole Church in al matters Ecclesiastical plainly acknowledged by D. Morton himself to be no lesse ancient For wheras M. Brierlie produceth the testimonies of Parkins Napper and Broccard for the continuance of our Roman Religion in general for these last thousand yeares D. Morton restraineth their meaning though vndeseruedly only to the point of the Popes Primacie saying (17) Prot. Appeal p. 71 The alleaged Authours speak of the Primacie of the Pope And againe 18 Ibid p. 72 Be it granted for so it is that the Papal Primacie beginning in Boniface the Third is now nine hundred yeares old So ancient and vniuersal is this so transcendent Article of the Popes Primacie in matters Spiritual A point of such importāce that D. Reynolds affirmeth therein (19) confe p. 568. the very being and essence of a Papist to consist And D. Whitaker auoucheth that (20) contra Duroe pag. 503. It is the head of Popish Religion of which almost al the rest depend But what more forcibly can be produced for the further confirming of our Churches foresayd cōtinuāce for these last 1000. yeares then the publick exercise of our Churches Liturgie the holy Sacrifice of the Masse during the foresayd time Seing not only according to D. Sutclif (21) Answear to Exceptions pa. 11. In the Masse the verie Soule of Poperie doth consist as also according to D. Whitaker (22) contra Duroe pag. 426. Nothing is more holie and diuine in our conceipt But withal the Masse including sundrie articles of our Catholick Faith as true external Sacrifice the Real presence of Christs Bodie and Bloud in the Eucharist Priesthood Prayer to Angels and Saints Prayer and Sacrifice for the dead and sundrie such like thereby doth plainely conuince the vniuersal continuāce of our Catholick Religion D. Luther (23) In colloquiis Ger. de Missae affirmeth that Priuat Masse hath deceiued many Saints and carried them away into errour frō the time of Gregorie for 800. yeares With him agreeth M. Tindal (24) Act. Mon. p. 1338 in
these words I doubt not but S. Bernard Francis and manie other holie men erred as concerning Masse Osiander saith of S. Bede (25) Cent. 8. p. 58. He was wrapped in al the Popish errours in which we dissent at this day from the Pope for c. he admired and followed Popish Masses And yet sayth Osiander He was a good man (26) In Iaecobs defence of the churc c pag. 13. M. Iohnson sayth Did not Iohn Husse that worthie champion of Christ and others also of the Martyrs of foretimes say and heare Masse euen to their dying day c. did not diuers of them acknowledge some the Popes calling and Supremacie some seauen Sacraments some auricular Confession c. The Centurists speaking of the eleuenth Age after Christ confesse and say (27) Cēt. 11 c. 4. col 233. The Idolatrical Masse did bewitch al the Doctours of this Age. And they charge the tenth Age (28) Cēt. 10. c. 6. col 307. with the Stage-like spectacle Sacrifice for the liuing and the dead (29) Cent. 9 c. 6. col 245. 246. They affirme likewise the same of the ninth Age numbring vp the ceremonies of the Masse yet to this day vsual The eight Age likewise is reproued by thē for the (30) cent 8. c. 6. col 361. Stage-like spectacle Sacrifice for the liuing and the dead The seauenth Age is reproued for the vse of (31) cent 7. c. 6. col 154. 457. Osiander con 7. pa. 189. Masse celebrated in Latin and for vsing (32) cent 7. c. 4. col 113. Osiand cent 7. col 186. Masse for the dead And the like they affirme of the other Centuries D. Doue (33) In his defence of Church-gouern pa. 68. acknowledgeth yet further in plainest tearmes that Al our Parish-churches were not only the Popes ordinance but also ordayned for celebration of Masse and so employed from their first erection vntil this late reformation of the Church c. (34) De Sacrif Miss pag. 377. D. Hutter publick Professour in the Vniuersitie of Wittemberg sayth I do willingly grant the Popish mad Idolatrie the very Sinew or strength wherof is the Sacrifice of the Masse to haue inuaded almost the whole world especially these last thousand yeares But from thence I gather most euidently this Masse to haue been the cup wherewith the Roman Antichrist infected bewitched al the Kings of the earth and almost the whole world (35) In his reliques of Rome f. 344. M. Beacon whom other (36) The Ministers of Lyncolnsh in their Abridgment c. p. 65. Protestants affirme to be a Diuine of chiefe note in their church is of opinion that The Masse was fully finished by Pope Gregorie the First about Anno Domini 600. c. and frō Charles the Great vnto Charles the Fift the Masse raigned as a most mightie Queen in al the churches of the West part of the world And the like is confessed by (37) De Antich p. 101. Danaeus saying From the yeare of Christ's Passion 666. that blasphemous kingdome of Antichrist was openly and publickly established in the Church of God which the Spirit of God foretold verily this verie time and yeare that execrable and Papistical Masse c. began to be celebrated euery where in Latin But (38) In Apocal in 9 p. 199. Chiltraeus chargeth S. Gregorie that he established manie foule errours and especially the Idolatrous Inuocation of Saints and Masses for the dead which from that time as a Deluge haue ouerflowed the whole Church D. Hutter (39) De Sacr Miss l 1. c. 6. p. 103. p. 377. in this questiō of Masse and Sacrifice giueth a Supersedeas to al the Fathers that liued after the first fiue hundred yeares saying we do not respect later Fathers then of the first fiue Ages (40) De captiuit Babyl c. 1. Luther acknowledgeth that The Masse is beleeued euerie where to be a Sacrifice which is offered to God To these agree the Sayings of holie Fathers so manie examples and so great practice constantly obserued through the world And a litle after Luther further sayth Let it not trouble thee that the whole world thinketh and doth the contrarie But though Luther laboured not to be troubled at his despising and reiecting of the Masse when the whole world did think and do the contrarie yet I hope sundrie other Protestants not of so seared consciences obseruing themselues to haue thus Apostated from the whole world in this so important a Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Masse wil not only be troubled but much incited to re-vnite themselues to the whole Christian world Neither was this so general practice of the Masse only vsed or allowed by the Clergie or vulgar people for Caluin (41) Instit li 4. c. 18 sec 18. affirmeth that The abomination of the Masse hath made drunk or besotted al the Kings and people of the earth from the greatest to the least And agayne (42) Ib. sect 1. 43. Hist Sacram epsti dedicat 1. The Roman Antichrist and his Prophets haue taught the whole world this opinion In like manner sayth 43 Hospinian Al the Kings Princes people of the earth hitherto from the first six hundred yeares were made drunk with the Masse as with a certain enchanted cup. The like wherof was confessed before by D. Hutter So clear it is that the publick seruice vsed in al churches for these last thousand yeares and whereunto al kings Princes and people were vsed to resort was the holie Liturgie or Sacrifice of the Masse From the premisses then we haue our Protestants Apologie for the most visible and vniuersal cōtinuance of our Roman Church and Religion for these last thousand yeares the splendour whereof being such and so generally extended as that their Protestāt Church themselues confesse was not so much as then visible to the world Secondly the Faith doctrine taught by al Popes during the foresayd time was so wholy consonant to ours at this day as that therfore they are no lesse censured for Antichrists then our Pope now raigning Thirdly the Popes Supremacie in matters Ecclesiastical and the Sacrifice of the Masse being the two weightiest points of al matters now cōtrouerted are here confessed to haue been generally belieued and practised during the same precinct Fourthly it is likewise grāted that euē Al our Parish-churches were the Popes ordinance and for celebration of Masse and so employed from their first erection vntil this late pretended Reformation of the Church by Luther The truth of al which is so palpable as that I haue vsed no other proofes in confirmation thereof then only the clear testimonies free grantes of the greatest Aduersaries to the Roman Churh as for externals of Luther Caluin the Centurie-writers Osiander Hospinian Danaeus Simon de Voyon Hutterus Chytraeus For domesticks of Whitaker Fulk Downeham Parkins Powel Wotton Tyndal Iohnson Doue Beacon Morton A FVRTHER CONFIRMATION OF THE VNIVERSAL
Fathers in particular pronounceth of them in general thus 40) In Col. Conuiual c. De Patribus Ecclesiae See ye what darknes there is in the Fathers writings concerning Faith for when that Article of the Iustification of men is couered with darknes it can by no meanes be that greater errours he auoyded Bullinger doth 41) In Apoc. Serm. 87. fol. 270. acknowledge that The doctrine of Merits satisfaction and Iustification of works did incontinently after the Apostles time lay their first foundations Caluin affirmeth in general that 42) Inst l. 3. c. 25. §. 2. The ancient Writers of the Church vsing euerie where the word Merit gaue occasion of errour to posteritie therby Adde lastly that D. Whiteguift 43) In his Def. against the Reply of Carthw p. 472. 473. treating of Doctrine taught in anie Age since the Apostles time affirmeth without al other exception either of Age or Father that Almost al the Bishops and learned Writers of the Greek Church and Latin also for the most part were spotted with doctrines of Freewil of Merits c. And the same is likewise taught by 44) De Eccl. cont Bellar. p. 299. D. Whitakers Now concerning the ancient Iewes The Books of 45) c. 12 9. 4.10 Tobie and Ecclesiasticus 46) c. 3. 33. are so pregnant for the Merit of works that sundrie Protestants say therof 47) Minist of Lincolne Dioces in their Abridgment p. 76. The two places of Tobie and Ecclesiasticus tend dangerously to the Iustifying of the Merit of Almes-deeds And others writing against the booke of Homilies say 48) â—ilenced Ministers in the 2. Part of Def. p. 164. The book of Homilies whereto we are required to subscribe c. expoundes Tobie saying that Almes is profitable to purge the soule from the spots of sinne alleaging these words of Tobie 4.10 and 12.19 c. and out of Ecclesiasticus c. Yea they further say This 49) Ib. p. 166. place of Tobie were it Canonical c. is verie pregnant for the Merit of works and as strong for it as the Scriptures are for the merit of Christ Buxdorfius also writeth of the Rabbins that 50) Synagog Iudaica p. 23. They perswade themselues that they may satisfy for their sinnes by doing pennance vpon their skinnes and that they may easily merit eternal life by keeping of the Commandments and Good works And the same also is acknowledged in them by 51) Pharisaisme p. 13. 50. M. Hal. I may then conclude that the Fathers of the Primitiue Church are our firmest Patrons for our Catholick Doctrine concerning Good-works confessedly teaching First that Good-works do truly iustify Secondly Meriting Grace and Remission of sinnes in this life and eternal glorie in the next For which verie doctrine the Fathers acknowledged by Protestants are S. Gregorie Chrysostom Augustin Prosper Ambrose Hierom Nyssene Nazianzene Hilarie Ephrem Cyprian Origen Tertulian Theophilus Lactantius Iustin Clemens Alex. Ireneus Hermes Ignatius and the ancient beleeuing Iewes The Protestant Writers producing and charging the forsayd Fathers are Luther the Centurists Brentius the Diuines of Wittemberg Osiander Caluin Melancthon Chemnitius Winkilmamus Schultetus Bullinger Buxdorfeus Wotton Whitaker Humfrey Couel and Whiteguift It is acknowledged by Protestants that the Ceremonies now vsed by the Roman Church in the ministring of seruice or Sacrifice as also of the Sacraments were formerlie vsed by the Bishops Priests and Fathers of the Primitiue Church CHAP. XXII HAuing thus passed through so manie particular Controuersies of greatest weight and finding in al of them a perfect agreement and sweetest harmonie between the ancient most holie and Primitiue Church and the present Roman Catholick Church and this by no weaker proofes or euidences then the free grants Confessions and acknowledgments of our sworne and professed Aduersaries I wil now for my Conclusion in this kind only examen one poynt further which being not purely Doctrinal but most sensible and external wil therby not only prooue most accommodate to the sense and capacitie of the meanest Reader but withal wil most euidently declare and make manifest the outward gracious and beautiful face of Christian Religion practised by the ancient learned and holie Bishops Doctours and people of the Primitiue Church Nothing is better knowne either to those of greater yeares who as yet may wel remember the Ecclesiastical rites and Customes of our owne kingdome or to others more moderne who haue trauailed forraine Nations then the external Ceremonies vsed in Material Churches in Celebration of Seruice and Administration of the most holie Sacraments For who knoweth not that when Catholick Churches are erected they are specially consecrated and dedicated either to Christ or some of his Saincts That in them are seueral Chancels and Vestries as also Altars Candles Reliques and Images that there are truly Priests who offer daily external Sacrifice at the Altar Whose Vestments and vessels are specially hallowed who likewise obserue Canonical houres saying some prayers in Secret others with a loud voice sometimes giuing the people their benediction and burning Incense at the Altar In the Church likewise there is a Font specially hallowed for the administration of Baptisme which is holden necessarie to Saluation and the same is ministred with the Signe of the Crosse with holie Oyles and sundrie other Ceremonies hereafter specifyed And to omit sundrie other In the Church is blessed by the Priest Holiewater Holie-bread Candles Ashes c. I need not describe the naked walles of Protestants Churches or the bare black coates of their wedded Ministers both of them deuoyd of al grace ornament puritie and state duly befitting places and persons Ecclesiastical And therfore I hasten to the confessed practise of the Primitiue Church Wherein I first find that when Material Churches were first built they were specially hallowed by the Bishop so much as S. Gregorie and S. Austin are reproued by D. Humfrey 1) In Iesuit part 2. rat 5. p. 5. 627. for bringing into England the new Consecration of Churches And the 2) Cent. 6. col 364. 365. Centurie-writers do charge S. Gregorie out of his owne writings with Consecration of Churches D. Morton affirmeth that he vsed 3) Prot. Appeal l. 1. p. 53. Superstitious manner of Consecration of Churches Yea the 4) Cent. 4. col 408. further confesse that Athanasius in his Apologie to Constantin plainly sheweth that Christians did not assemble togeather in Churches not consecrated And that in the Fourth Age the Fathers vsed 5) Cent. 4. col 497. Sumptuous Churches consecrated and Superstitious Insolencie in celebrating of Masse appointed to be sayd in no places but such as were hallowed by a Bishop 6) Cent. 4. col 497. Yea they reprooue Constantin himselfe for that say they concerning Consecration of Churches new built proud adorning of them and other Superstitious things the greatest part Constantine inuented and spread abrode in many Churches And wheras Sozomene hist l. 1. c. 8.
therin professing to set downe the accomplishment of the sacred Prophecies in this behalf is enforced in proofe of the same wholy to insist vpon such Conuersions from Paganisme as haue been performed by our Catholick Church AmoÌ„gst which speaking of the Indians he iustly (76) CoÌ„meÌ„t de Regno Christi l. 1. p. 315. confesseth that Spaine hath shewed itself careful and painful that the remotest Nations the people of the East West and South should be Baptised and the name of Christ made knowne to those Barbarians According to the diuersitie of Countries to which the Portugesses and the Castilians do sayle they diuulge in diuers languages the ten Commandments the Lords Prayer the Creed of the Apostles in Mauritania in the Atlantick coast in Guinea in the Kingdomes of the Nigrites Armutium Goa Narsinga Aurea Chersonesus China Taprobona the Ilandes of Molocca America Mexico Peru Brasile c. wherby those Countries abiuring Paganisme and reiecting the Superstitions of Mahomet are conuerted to Christ wherfore now Christ is preached to Kingdomes far distant from our world and heretofore vnknowne so that there are gayned to the Kingdome of Christ a great part of Africa to wit ManicongruÌ„ Guinea manie Kingdomes of the Nigrites almost reaching to the mountaines of Luna as also Zofala Deanamataxa Quiola and Meluida then in the remote Orient the Persian Gulfe and manie Kingdomes of the Indians Cheul Dabal Bauda And what should I recite more The religion of Christ is dispersed euen to the Kings of Narsinga Honorus Batecalla Otisa Delus Cananorus Colochus Cochinus and the Sâ—cylane Ilandes and beyond Ganges through the Kingdomes of Bengalla Pegna Scanus to the great Cittie of Malaccha and the Iland Sumatris then to the lesse and greater Iana and the Ilandes Iaponia Bauda Molucca Borneum also through China Lequios America new Spaine Florida the Kingdome of Peru Brasile Cambals and the Ilands adioyning c. Yea so grounded and hopeful of continuance are the Conuersions of these so manie forenamed Countries as that in sundrie of them not only Churches but also Monasteries Colledges and other Religious houses are richly built and founded Insomuch that the foresayd Protestant Doctour (77) Ibid. l. 1. p. 52. Philip Nicolai confesseth most truly that the Spaniards haue founded manie Câ—lledges in sundrie places the greatest wherof the Iesuits possesse in the Cittie of God a Cittie abounding with men of sundrie Countries In which Colledge it is reported aboue 600. children of most different Nations to be diligently instructed in pietie and learning as the Brachmans Persians Arabians Aethiopians Cafies Canarians those of Guzarotes Decamios Malauares Beagolones Canareos Pegnos Patanas Chingales Iauenses Malaios Marancabas Macazaios Maluchos Siomos Mauros Simos and sundrie others of that kind But besides this Colledge of Goa manie others are also numbred as the Colledge Cochinense Bozainense Salsetanum Malacakense and Bungense of the Iaeponies Besides these there are thirteen Residences of the Iesuits Cherana of S. Thomas Damanensis Tannensis Bandoronensis Calanae Traxancort Câ—morinensis Manarinensis Sinensis Aethiopiae Ambrinensis and of the Holie Trinitye to which may be added those of Iaponia as Meacensis Emurensis and certaine others Much more might I recite of the seueral Conuersions made by our Roman Church in the East (78) Maff. Hist Indic l. 16. Hackluite Principal NauigatioÌ„s in the 2. part of the vol. p. 88. West (79) Acost de Naturae noui Orbis Indies as also in Africa 80) Hartwels Report of the Kingdome of Congo And his Epistie there to the Reader but I wil forbeare it being also besides the Premisses most fully confessed by the Protestants Lythus (81) Respon altera ad alterum Gretseri Apologiam p. 331. that the only Iesuits within the space of a few yeares c. not content with the Coastes of Europe haue filled Asia Africa and America with their Idols that is with the Catholick Roman Faith and Religion Only I wil now further adde to the greatest honour and confirmation of our Catholick Church that the foresayd Conuersions of so manie Heathen Countries so happily wrought by her haue been often accompanied with vndoubted and confessed Miracles For so our foresayd D. Phtlip Nicolai (82) CoÌ„meÌ„t de Regno Christ p. 91. acknowledgeth and writeth that The Iesuits Popish Priests by publishing the Articles of Christian Faith of the ten Commandments and of the Lords Prayer as also by diuulging the texts of the Sundayes Ghospels Epistles and by Administration of Baptisme like vnto the Bileamites do build the Church of Christ and in the name of God amongst the Indians Americans do happily expel the Idols Diuels of the Gentils do work great wonders And in the same place he likewise affirmeth that Though the Iesuits Papists be Idolaters yet through the name of Christ they can prophecy cast out Diuels work great Miracles amongst the Indians Americans And wheras it is most credibly testifyed (83) Rerum in Oriente Gestarum Cemmentarius fol. 8. 9. that the Iesuit S. Franciscus Xauerius going to the East Indies for the Conuersion of those Pagans to the Catholick Faith in testimonie and proofe of the same Faith by him then preached cured miraculously the dumbe the lame the deafe with his word healed the sick raysed sundrie dead persons to life And after his death the graue being opened to the end his naked bones might be carryed from thence to God (84) Ibid. fol. 14. they found his Bodie not only vnconsumed but also yeelding forth fragrant smels from whence they carryed it to God placed it there in the Church of S. Paul where yet to this day saith the Authour it remaineth free from corruption This Historie for matter of fact is so certaine that D. Whitaker 85) De Eccl. p. 353. in his answer thereto doth not rest in denyal of the thing but only sayth Let not Bellarmine think that I do altogeather contemne these Miracles I answer it may be that in the Popish Kingdome or Church there haue been such Miracles now are (86) Ibid. p. 354. And The Diuel might preserue the Bodie of Xauerius for a time vncorrupted smelling sweetly So not denying these Miracles wrought by a Iesuite in the Conuersion of the Heathen to the Roman Faith but most blasphemously and damnably referring the same to the Diuels work wheras as yet to the contrarie M. Hachluite a Protestant Preacher doubted not to affoard most commendable mention of that (*) Principal NauigatioÌ„s the 2. parte of the 2. vol. p. 88. Holie man Xauerius his particular vertues wonderful works in that Region As concerning Africa It is likewise acknowledged and reported by M. Hartwel (87) Report of the Kingdome of Congo c. l. 2. c. 2. 3. that in the Kingdome of Congo a region therof was conuerted to the Christian Faith and that by great and vndoubted Miracles shewed in the presence of a whole Armie Now the Persons