is very euill To wit of them who like the obstinate Iewes doe die in their sinne without penance and for that cause doe so perish that they are to be tormented perpetually (m) Luc. 16 c f Greg. 4 dial cap. 38. hom 12. in Euang. Beda lib. 5. hist Angl. cap. 14. 15. in hell with the rich Glutton But of the other he testifieth (n) Psal 115 a Pretious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his Saintes For to (o) 2. Cor. 5 a b Greg. 4. dial cap. 11. sequent Cyprian de mortal Amb. de bo no. mort c. 2. seq such this death of the bodie is nothing else but an end of this earthly peregrination a conclusion of the miseries of this mortall life a quiet sleepe and a secure repose the begining of true life and a wished passage to most happie immortalitie with the desire whereof the Apostle burning and being weary of this life (p) Phil. 1 d Luc. 2 d Psal 41 a 83 a 141 b Num. 23 b I desire saith he to be dissolued and to be with Christ (q) Luc. 12 c Blessed are those seruantes that whē the Lorde commeth he shall finde watching And blessed (r) Apoc. 14 c are the dead which die in our Lorde And (s) Sap. 4 b a iust man if he shall be preuented with death he shall be in a refreshing 3 In what sorte doth holy scripture admonish vs of Iudgement IT is horrible to (a) Heb. 10 f Bern. ser 8. in Psal Qui habitat fall into the hands of the liuing God and of Christ the Iudge before whose (b) 2. Cor. 5 b Tribunall we must all be manifested and euerie man (c) Rom. 14 b Luc. 16 a 12 f 19 d must render accounte for himselfe For all (d) Eccles 12 d 11 d 1. Cor. 4 a Ro. 2 a b c Sap. 1 c Eccli 11 c Mat. 12 c 16 d Apoc. 20 d 22 c Psal 61 b 2. Tim. 4 b Damas in orat de def Cyr. de exitu animae Leontius in vita Ioanis Eleemosin thinges that are done God wil bring into iudgement for euery faulte whether it bee good or euill And therefore not only vnto sinners but also vnto (e) 1. Pet. 4 d Sephon 1 c Psal 74 a Ber. ser 55. in Cant. Greg. lib. 8. moral cap. 13. Saints often-times the expectation (f) Heb. 10 c of this iudgement is terrible This did holie DAVID feare so that hee did earnestlie pray Enter not (g) Psal 142 a into iudgement with thy seruaunt O Lorde This feared IOB also notwithstanding hee was innocent (h) Iob. 1 a and his feare he expresseth in these wordes (i) Iob. 31 b What shal I do when God shal arise to iudgement And when he shal aske what shal I answere him as swelling waues (k) Ibidem c Greg. 21. moral cap. 15. 16. ouer me I alwaies feared Almighty God and his waight I coulde not beare I did feare al (l) Iob. 9 d 24 b Eccles 9 a 1. Cor. 4 a my works knowing that thou wouldest not spare him that offendeth And certes that iudge is (m) Aug. in lib. de decē chordis cap. 1. 2. Prosp lib. 3. de vita contempl c. 12. Bern. ep 1. Innocentius 3. lib. 3. de contemptu mundi c. 15. to be feared whose power we cannot escape whose wisedome is infallible Iustice inflexible Iudgement vnreuocable Of which it is thus writtē The Zeale (n) Pro. 6 d and furor of the Man to witte of Christ the Iudge shall not spare in the day of reuenge nor yeelde to any mans petition nor will take for redemption neuer so many giftes Who also of himselfe and his iudgement least any man should be ignorant hath foretolde this vnto all men When (o) Ps 74 a Bern. ser 55. in Cant. I shall take time I will iudge iustice I the Lord (p) Hier 17 b 11 d 20 c 32 c Pro 16 a Heb. 4 d 1. Par 28 b Mal. 3 a Ps 7 b 43 d scarching the hart prouing the reines who doe giue to euery one according to his way according to the fruit of his inuētions I come (q) Esa 66 f Iudae epist c Mat. 10 c to gather togither their works and their cogitations with all nations and toungs they shal come see my glory But of the day of the last iudgement (r) Aug. 20. de ciu Dei cap. 1. 2. 30. lib. 18. c. 53. item ep 78. 80. ad Hesych Hippol. de consum mundi Damas lib. 4. orth lid cap. 27. which is also called in Scripture the day of our (s) Soph. 1 d Ioel. 2 a e g 3 a Esa 13 b c 24 c d 66 c Hier. 23 d Mal. 3 a 4 a b Dan. 7 c d Apoc. 20. d 6 d Psal 96 a 59 a Mat. 24 25 c d 13 f 3 c Sap. 5. a d Lorde the day of anger the great horrible day the Apostle Saint PETER teacheth in this manner The day of our Lord shall (t) 2 Pet 3 c Aug. lib. 20. de eiu Dei cap. 16. 18. Chrys ho. 46 ad pop Antioch sequent Ephrem in lib. de ilidicio extremo lib. de vera paenitent Aug. ser 67. d c temp Isid de summo bono lib 1. c. 30. Cyr. catech 15. Illum Hier. ep 1. ad Heliod cap. 9. Greg. hom 1. 12. in Euang. lib. 26. moral cap. 24. 25. Aug. cap. 4. meditat Anselmus de miseria hominis Bern. de interiori domo cap. 38. come as a thiefe in the which the heauens shall passe with great violence but the Elements shall be resolued with heate and the earth and the workes that are in it shall be burnte Therefore whereas all these thinges are to bee dissolued what manner of men ought you to be in holy conuersations and godlinesses expecting and hasting vnto the comming of the day of our Lorde by which the heauens burning shall be resolued and the Elements shall melt with the heate of fire And that wee may finde Christ then a gentle Iudge and that daie wherein Heauen and (v) Luc. 21 f 1. Cor. 7 f Apoc. 21 a Earth shall passe ioyful vnto vs most excellent is this counsaile of the wise man Before (x) Eccli 18 c 2. Pet. 3 c Luc. 21 g Tit. 2 d 1. Thess 5 a Luc. 17 f Chrys ho. 5. de poenit sickenesse apply the medicine and before iudgement examine thy selfe and in the sight of God thou shalt finde propitiation For if wee (y) 1. Cor. 11 g did iudge our selues we should not be iudged To (z) Eccli 1 b Greg. lib. 31. moral c. 21. Aug. ser 120 de temp him that feareth our Lorde it shall bee well at the last and in the day of his death he shall be blessed 4 And what of hell and the paines thereof Vide Chrys epist 5.
saluting the mother of God FIrst of the wordes and examples of the Gospell whereas the great Archangell GABRIELL and ELISABETH the holy mother of the (a) Luc. 1 28 42. fore-runner of our Lorde both inspired by the holy Ghost do so teach and instructe vs. TheÌ„ we haue this forme of salutation confirmed ratified by the continuall custome and consent of the Church which the holy auncient (b) Damasc in Cant. de annunc Ath. in Euang de SS Deipara many more as appereth in the 18. 19. sections Fathers and men of olde time haue religiously obserued euen to this day and would haue also of vs to be obserued 17 What doth it profite vs to vse this manner of salutation BY these excelent words we are first of al admonished of that exceeding greate benefite that the eternall Father woulde * Gal. 4 4. beginne in Christ by MARIE the mother of God and mercifully bestowe vpon mankinde by redeeming it Luc. 11 27. et 1 30. This is also a singular commendation of the most holy and woonderfull Virgin which God hath determined to be the finder of grace and mother of life vnto vs all Wherefore no meruaile if after those Godly petitions which we offered vnto god in our Lords praier being here mindfull of the grace that we receaued by Christ we doe not only praise the mother of Christ but also God the Father in the same Virgin mother of God reioiceing together with the Angels with great reuerence often salute her 18 What is the sense of this salutation Andr. Hieros Archie Cretensis in salut Angâ—l Iren l. 3. c. 31. 33. Hier. ad Eusto ep 22. c. 8. 9. Innoc. 3. ser 2. de assump Ber. hom 2 in Missê° est Aug. ser 2. de annun IN the first wordes therof we doe iustly reioice with in reioicing praise and renowme her that was to vs the second and that a most happy EVE For that woe of malediction that the first EVE brought into the world this other by her holsome fruite hath taken away and hath exchanged the very curse of the children of ADAM with a perpetuall blessing Most worthy no doubt to be called ful of grace as who being full of God Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Ber. ser 9. ex paruis full of vertues alone for I will vse S. AMBROSE his words obtained that grace which no other had euer deserued before that she might be replenished with the Author of grace And what place could there be in her soule or bodye for any vice when she was made the temple of the holy of all holies There is added besides Our Lord is with thee because both the power of the Father did singularly ouershadowe (a) Luc. 1 35. her the holy Ghost came plentifully vpon her and the (b) Io. 1 14. Ps 18 6. worde being made fleshe from her did proceede in most wonderfull wise as a bridegroome from his chamber Then it followeth Blessed art thou among women Because she was together a spouse by * Esa 7 14. Ez. 44 2. Virginitie and a mother by fruitefulnesse And therefore with greate right all generations doe and shall al-waies call her (c) Luc. â— 48 blessed A woman (d) Cant. 4 7 all faire and immaculate a Virgin before her deliuery at her deliuery and after her deliuery alwaies (e) Amb. ep 81. Hier. in Helu in Apol. aduer Iouin vncorrupted free from all spot of sin (f) Aug. de nat gr c. 36. Conc. Trid. Sess 5. et Ses 6. cap. 23. exalted aboue all heauens who no lesse by giuing life was profitable than vnhappy EVE by killing was hurtfull vnto all mankind And blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS as he that springing vp like a (g) Esa 11 1. flower from MARIE the roote hath both shewed him-selfe after a sorte fruite of the earth and doth in such manner yeeld the fruit of life and saluation to his members as (h) Io. 15 5. a Vine doth iuice and life vnto the branches O blessed wombe (i) Luc. 11 27. indeede that bare and broughte forthe a Sauiour to the worlde O blessed pappes without doubt that being filled froÌ„ heauen suckeled the Sonne of God Finally the Church hath added in the end (k) AntiquuÌ„ Breuiarium nouum Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death For we following the (l) Ephrem de laud. Mar. in orat ad eandem in lament B. Virg. Iren. 5. c. 19 Naz. or 18. in Cypr. in Tra. Christus patiens Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg c. 12. Ber. ser 2. Dom. 1. post octa Epiph. ser 1. 4. de Assump Damasc or 1. de Natiui B. Mariae in carmine ad eandem steppes of the holy Fathers doe not only salute that wonderfull Virgin worthy of all commendation which is as a Lillie (m) Can. 2 1 amongst thornes but doe also beleeue and professe that she is endowed with so greate power and ability from God that she is able to profite fauour and pleasure miserable mortall men especially when they doe commend themselues their desires vnto her doe humblely sue for the grace of God by the Mothers intercession 19 Testimonies of the Fathers touching the Virgin MARY Lib. 5 ca. 19. IRENEVS As EVE was seduced to swarue from Almighty God so MARY was perswaded to obaie God so that MARY a Virgin was made the aduocate of EVE a Virgin and as mankind was made subiecte to death by a Virgin so it is loosened by a Virgin a Virgins disobedience beinge counterpeazed by a Virgins obedience Saint CHRISOSTOME In Liturgia It is very meete and iust to glorifie thee the mother of our God euer most blessed and al-together vndefiled more honorable thaÌ„ the Cherubins more glorious incomparablely than the Seraphins which without all corruption hast brought forthe God we do magnify thee the very mother of god Hail Mary ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe because thou hast brought forthe the Sauiour of our soules S. AMBROSE Li. 2. de Vir. Let the Virginitie and life of blessed MARY be set forthe vnto vs as it were in an image from whom as froÌ„ a glasse there shineth out bright the beauty of chastitie and fairenesse of vertue What is more noble than the mother of God What is more bright thaÌ„ she whoÌ„ brightnes did choose What is more chaste than she that brought forth a body without contagion of the body Such a one was MARY that her only life might be a document to all men In Euang. de Sancta nostra Deipara Saint ATHANASIVS Forasmuch as he is a king that was borne of the Virgin the same also Lord and God for that cause she that bare him is truely properly iudged to be
will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him The Commandemēts are thus distinguished by S. Aug. 9.71 in Exo. et ep 119. c. 11. Clemens Alexan. l. 6. strom comment Hier. in Ps 32. Ex. 20 1. 34 28. Levi. 19 1.37 Deut. 4 13. 5 6. 10 4. He that loueth mee not keepeth not my wordes 5 Which are the Commaundements of God specially belonging to Charity THE ten wordes of God first deliuered by MOYSES to the Iewes and afterward commended by Christ his Apostles to (a) Mat. 19 17. 5 18. 22 37. Mar. 10 19. 12 31. Luc. 18 19. 10 25. Ro. 2 13. 13 8. 7 12 Gal. 5 14. Jac. 2 8. 1 25. 4 11. 1. Tim. 1 5. Cō Tri. sess 6. c. 19.20 21 all Christians which are commonlie called the Decalogue or the ten Commaundementes and are thus set downe I am thy Lord God 1 Thou shalt not haue any strange gods before me Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauē thing (b) Le. 26 1. The cōmādements are expounded by Orig. ho 8. in Exod. Aug. quaest 71. in Ex. tract de 10. plagis lib. de 10. chord to worshippe it 2 Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord God in vaine 3 Remember thou keepe holy the Sabboth daie 4 Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thou maiest liue long in the lande which thy Lord God will giue thee 5 Thou shalt not kill 6 Thou shalt not commit aduoutry 7 Thou shalt not steale 8 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 9 Thou shalt not (c) Deut. 5◠21 couet thy neighbours wife 10 Thou shalt not couet his house nor his fielde nor his seruant nor his handmaid nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his 6 What meaneth this beginning I am thy Lord God ALmightie God beginneth the ten Commaundementes with the knowledge of himselfe Deut. 6 1.15.24 4 23.40 10 16. Mal. 1 5.14 Hier. 32 17. Psal 46 3. with the insinuation of his Maiesty That the Law-maker being once known we may feare reuerence him the more the Commaundementes which he hath set down may bee of greater authority amongst al men For we are so seriously dealt withal that if euer we meane to be (a) Mat. 4.18 19 17 28 20. Heb. 5 9. Ps 118 1.4.1 Io. 3 24. Aug. quaest 140. sup Ex. saued we must first as in a most bright glasse here assuredly behold the wil of the diuine Maiestie the whole perfecte manner of liuing well then this most holy Lawe being once knowne by the (b) Ro. 8 26. Ioan. 1 17. Phil 4 13. helpe of Christs spirite exactly keepe obserue the same Neither truely doth our Lawemaker onelie giue Commaundements but doth withal promise his (c) Ps 83 8. Deut. 28 1. Leuit. 26 3. blessing and assisteth with his helping hand I will put saith hee my (d) Ezec. 36 27. 11 19.20 spirite in the middest of you and I wil cause that you may walke in my Commaundements and that you may keepe my iudgements and that you may worke For which cause when Christ also (e) Mat. 11 28.30 1. Ioan. 5 3. Conc. Trid. sess 6. ca. 11. Can. 18. Chrys l. 1. de com cor Bas q. 176. in reg breu Aug de nat gra c. 43. 69. ser 61. 191. de temp Hier. in sym ad Damas had commaunded Take vp my yoke vpon you least any man shoulde aleadge the difficulty thereof as an excuse hee added For my yoke is sweete and my burthen light Vnto those vndoubtedly that beeing indued with the spirite of grace doe walke in charitie not fained 7 What importeth the first Commaundement IT forbiddeth and condemneth Idolatry Deut 12 2. 4 15. 18 19. 1. Reg. 28 3. Psa 113 12. Leui. 19 26.31 20 6.27 Eccli 34 4. Superstitious obseruations and the vse of Arte-Magicke diuination It teacheth also and requireth that wee account (a) Aug. lib. 10. ciuit c. 1. ep 49 q. 3 no creature at all for God though it be neuer so excellent but that we beleeue confesse one only true eternall infinite God and that to him only we offer Sacrifice and giue that singular (b) Aug. l. 10 ciu c. 1. 4. l. 15. con Faust c. 9. l. 20. cap. 21. soueraigne honor which the GRAECIANS call Latria And by meanes heereof it commeth to passe that aboue (c) Io. 4 23. Rom. 10 11 1. Ioan. 4 8. Mat. 4 10. Luc. 4 8. Esa 43 1. 1. Tim. 6 13 all thinges we honour call vpon and adore that soueraigne and eternall good the most excellent mightie Maker Redeemer Sauiour one immortall God who (d) Ro. 9 5. Psal 83 12. is blessed aboue all thinges the giuer of all grace and glory 8 How and in what sort doe we besides Almighty God honor call vpon the Saints also OF Saintes to witte of all those that are sanctified and borne againe in Christ our meaning is not to speake in this place as S. PAVL (a) Ro. 1 7. 2. Cor. 1 1. Phil. 4 22. Col. 1 1. Philem. 7. doth often applie this name to all Christians but those we meane that haue obtained the true rewards of their holinesse in (b) Apo. 7 9 heauen Of whom the same S. PAVL doth testifie that (c) Heb. 11 33. Eph. 5 27. Apo. 5 8. 7 9. 21 2. 22.3 Eph. 4 30. 1. Cor. 6 19. by faith they ouercame Kingdomes wrought Iustice obtained Promises And these in very deed are Saints immaculate without spotte and wrinckell these are the most excellent members of the Church very choise instruments of Gods holy spirite vnto whome no sinne or euill can euer haue accesse Which Saintes doe consiste partly of Angelicall partly of humane nature Creatures certes of almost noble and blessed to whom it is graunted to be replenished with those most excellent and eternall good things that are in heauen to liue alwaies in most perfite loue and friendship with (d) Phi. 1 23 2. Cor. 5 1.6 Gregor 4. mor. c. 32. Niss de S. Ephr. Ephrem l. 1. comp c. vlt. Christ our Lorde Therefore by his fauour both they are able to (e) Greg. lib. 12. mor. cap. 13. lib. 4. dial c. 33. Aug. de cura pro mort c. 15. 16. Orig. lib. 8. con Cels 4. Reg. 5 26. 6 9. 1. Co. 14 25 vnderstande what thinges are done amongst vs vpon earth because they are inflamed with an exceeding Charitie towardes their breethren though farre absent from them they (f) Dā 10 12 Mat. 18 10. Heb. 1.14 Tob. 12 12. Luc. 15 7. Act. 5 19 12 7. Apoc. 5 8. 8 3. Cypr. de mort Naz. orat 19. are careful of our saluation they fauor vs and doe wishe vs all manner of good And
in hist Barl. cap. 19. l. 3. Parall c. 45. Amb. iib. 4. sacr cap. 4. 5. Cyril l. 4. in Ioan. cap. 13. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. spake and they were made he commaunded and they were created And he saide in that supper which was prepared the daye before his passion when he had taken the breade first and then the (e) Luc. 22 Mar. 14 Mat. 26 1 Cor. 11 Iust Apol. 2. Iren. l. 4. cap. 32. 34. Iuuenc li. 4. Euang. hist Tert. l. 5. cōt Marc. cap. 8. Chalice into his hands when his meaning was to assure euery mā both of the institution of this Sacrament also of the trueth therof he I say most plainly and expresly said (f Luc. 22 This is my bodye which is giuen for you he saide This (g) Mar. 14 Mat. 26. is my blood that shall be shed for many Concerning which institution he saide also before (h) Ioan. 6 vide Hil. 8. de Trin. Cyr. in Io. l. 4. c. 16. Orig. ho. 8. in Nū Emis ho. 5. de Pasc Leo. ser 6. de ieiun sept mens Cabil 2. c. 46. My fleshe is meate indeede and my bloode is drinke indeede he saide I am the (i) Ibid. vide Cyril lib. 4. in Io. ca. 15. liuing breade that came downe from heauen If any man eate of this breade he shall liue for euer (k) Ibidem vide Cyril l. 4. c. 12. Theoph. in cap. 6. Io. in 14. Mar. Pet. Clun l. 1. ep 2. and the bread which I will giue is my fleshe for the life of the worlde Neither are other testimonies of the Euangelists the Apostle S. PAVL (l) 1. Cor. 10 16. 11 13 obscure or harde to be known which do euidently auouch this faith vnto vs that no mā may doubt (m) Epip in Ancorato Cyr. catech 4. myst Chry. ho. 83 in Mat. Leo. ser 6. de ieiun septimi mensis but that Christ according both to his diuine and humane nature is wholly in the Eucharist and doth remaine with vs euen to the end of the (n) Mat. 28. Conc. Vien in Clem. tit de relig vener sanct world Therfore (o) Aug. in Ps 98. 33. Pros de promis p. 2. c. 25 we haue and doe receiue in the Churches the very same fleshe of Christ that was (p) Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. 24. in 1. Cor. apud Damasc lib. 2. Parall c. 50. Presbyteri Achaiae in hist S. Andr. seene in times past in Palestine present with men But the same heere in this place is neither apparant vnto the senses nor subiecte to any transmutation and corruption as being inuisible impassible immortall shining with most excellente diuine glory which at this time we can not any otherwise beholde then with the eies of faith but the Saintes in heauen doe clearely see with wonderful delight pleasure And notwithstanding this there be yet certaine sacramentaries O horrible often (q) Synod 2 Nicen. act 6. tom 3. Rom. Vercell sub Leone 9. Turon sub Victor 2. Rom. sub Nicolao 2. Rom. sub Gregor 7. Constant sess 8. in artic 3. Ioannis Wicleff Trid. ses 13. can 1. condemned impietie who whilest they can not reach with their senses this mysterie more to be adored then searched they dare euen to deny the same marueilously deprauing the wordes of the Gospell although most plaine and euident Which indeed is nothing else but euen as it were to take the sunne out of the worlde and to spoile Gods spouse the Church of the moste pretious treasure of her true louer and to bereaue the faithfull of the breade of life that there may be nothing at all wherby their poore banished soules may be fedde and sustained in the deserte of this worlde 5 And what is to be thought touching Transubstantiation TWo thinges are heere principally to be considered plainlie professed the one is that the Prieste who consecrateth (a) Con. Later cap. 1. Chrys lib. 3. de sacerd Hier. ad Heliod ep 1. ca. 7. 85. ad Euag. the Eucharist must bee lawfully ordered the other is that there is so much force and efficacie in those mystical consecratory (b) Iust Apo 2. Iren. l. 5. c. 2. Amb. li. 4. de sacr ca. 4. de iis qui mysteriis initiantur c. 9. Aug. ser 28. de verb. Do. Cypr. de caena Dom. Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. de prod Iudae vide Bessarionem hac de re Nyss in orat catech cap. 37. orat de Bapt. Prosp de consid distinct 2. cap. Nos autem words whereby such a Priest doeth in Christs roome cōsecrate the bread and wine vpon the Aultar that the bread is sodainly (c) Euseb Emiss ho. 5. de Pasc Cypr. ser de caena Do. Cyr. Hieros Catec myst 1. 3. 4. Amb. l. 5. de sacr cap. 4. li. 4. cap. 4. 5. li. 4. de fide c. 5. Chry. in Mat. ho. 83. de Encaen Damasc lib 4. cap. 14. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. changed into the body and the wine into the blood of our Lorde A very wonderfull transmutation indeede to be measured onlie by faith which is broughte to passe by the omnipotent power of Christ working by those verye words it is not without cause called by the holy Catholike Church Transubstantiation (d) Con. Later c. 1. Trid. ses 13. c. 4. can 2. Rom. sub Greg. 7. Const ses 8. artic 1. 2. Item Flor. Conc. Lanfranc because the substance of breade wine is most certainly conuerted into the body and blood of Christ For if the speach of ELIAS were of such force to cause fier to come from heauen shall not the speach of Christ for this collection hath S. AMBROSE (e) Ambr. de iis qui myst init c. 9. l. 4. de sac c. 4. made be of force to change the substance of the Elements of the works of the wholl worlde thou hast reade he (f) Ps 148 5. spake and they were made he cōmanded and they were created The speach therfore of Christ which was able to make of nothing that which was not before is it not able to change those thinges which are already into that which they were not for it is no lesse to giue new natures to thinges then to change natures And ther is nothing more euident then the speach of Christ saying (g) Mat. 26 26. Mar. 14 22. ibid. Theoph. in 6. cap. Ioan. Greg. Nyss orat catech c. 37. Guit. mund lib. 3. this is my body this is my blood in so much as there is no place at all lefte of suspition that after consecration ther is bread wine remaining in the Eucharist 6 Ought we to reuerence and adore this Sacrament YEa (a) Aug. in Ps 98. Amb. lib. 3. de spir san cap. 12. Mat. 4 10. Ap. 14 7. 19 10. 22 9.
14. can 5. procured if a man doe diligently beholde the foulnesse enormity multitude of his sinnes if hee carefully thinke vpon that soueraigne goodnesse offended of the grace of God and other giftes loste if he doe deepelie waighe and stand in awe of the ineuitable (b) Heb. 9 27. Sophō 1 15. Mat. 25 41. Mar. 9 43. necessitie of the vncertaine houre of death the horrible seuerity of the iudgement to come and the euerlasting paines prepared for sinners Hereūto appertaineth that of EZECHIAS (c) Esa 38 15. I wil recoūt vnto thee all my yeeres in the bitternesse of my soul And that of DAVID (d) Ps 118 120. I stoode in awe of thy iudgemēts And that which hee also in lamenting manner doth pray (e) Ps 37 9. I am afflicted too much hūbled I did rore with the sighs of my hart And a little after (f) Ibid. v. 19 I will declare my iniquity and I will thinke for my sinne Also it is an expresse speach of God himselfe vnto a sinner Thou (g) Apoc. 2 4. 2. ad Cor. 12.21 7 9. hast lefte thy first Charity be mindfull therefore from whence thou art fallē doe Penance (h) Luc. 12 5 Mat. 10 28. And Christ in the Gospell Feare him saith he who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell Yea I say vnto you feare him Nowe finally this griefe of Contrition doth prepare vs to remission of sinnes in-case it be ioined with (i) Amb. l. 1. de paenit c. 1. a confidence of Gods mercie and a desire of performing those thinges which do belong to the Sacrament of (k) Aug. de paenit med cap. 11. in Ench. ca. 65. Ambr. in Ps 37. c. 8. ad Virg. laps Penance 5 Is Confession necessary YEA verily but not only as some doe falsely suppose that interiour Confession which is to be done in the presence of God (a) Chry. ho. 42. in Mat. euerie day according to the example of holy DAVID who saith I haue (b) Ps 31 5. saide I will confesse against my selfe my vniustice vnto our Lord But also this exteriour confession which is done vnto a (c) Orig. in Ps 37. ho. 1. ho. 2. in Leu. Chry. l. 3. de sacer Niss orat in eos qui alios acerbius iudicant Pet. Clun l. 1. mirac c. 3. 4. 5. 6 l. 2. c. vlt. Priest of all the sinnes which doe come into a mans minde after diligent searche and examination of his conscience So is it written of men of the Primatiue Church Many of them that (d) Act. 19 18. beleeued came confessing and declaring their deedes Which manner of confessing to be very neecssary not only the holy lawes of the Church (e) Con. Lateran cā 21. Flor. Trid ses 14. cap. 5. and the reuerent writings (f) Clem. ep 1. ad frat Do. Dion ep 8. ad Demoph Tert. de paenit ca. 8. 9. 10. 12. Orig. in Ps 37. ho. 1. 2. ho. 2 in Leuit. Cyp. de laps Pacia in paraen ad paenit Hier. in c. 10. Eccle. Chry. ho. 30. in Gen. 16. in Mat. of the Fathers doe confirme but also the diuine words of Christ doe cōclude and declare when hee saith (g) Ioan. 20 23. Whose sinnes you shall forgiue they are forgiuen them And whose you shal retaine they are retained But to remitte retaine sinnes whereas this is an office of a Iudge no Priest can haue authority except he first examine and knowe verie perfectlie the sinners cause whereof hee hath to iudge Neither can this knoweledge be had before that the partie which committeth himselfe to bee iudged and absolued by the Prieste as his (h) Aug. lib. 20. ciu c. 9. Greg. ho. 26 in Euang. Chry. l. 3. de sacer ho. 5. de verb Esa Hier. ad Heliod ep 1. cap. 7. Iudge and (i) Con. Lat. can 21. Wormat. c. 25. Orig. ho. 1. 2. in Psal 37. Phisition doth so discouer and laie open his woundes in such distincte seuerall manner by voluntary Confession that the Priest may plainly perceiue where the sinnes are to bee loosened and where they are to be bounde 6 What doe the Fathers write of Confession THey certes doe with one consent not onely commend approue vnto vs the benefite of Confession and perpetuall practise of it in the Church but the bond also necessitie thereof And to alleadge amongest verie many a fewe and those most approued witnesses first (a) Quaest 288. in reg breu vide quaest 229. in ep 3. can ad Amphil can 73. S. BASIL the great saith thus It is iudged necessary that sinnes be confessed vnto those to whom is committed the dispensation of the mysteries of God for so the verie Penitents of auncient times are found to haue confessed their sinnes vnto holy mē Then (b) De laps vide ep 10. 55. S. CYPRIAN I beseech you my breethren saith he euery one to confesse his sinne whilest yet he that sinneth remaineth in this world whilest his confessiō may be admitted whilest euery mans Satisfaction remission giuen by the Priests is acceptable vnto our Lorde Hereunto accordeth the sentēce of S. AVGVSTINE Hom. 49. ex 50. cap. 3. ho. 41. 50 cap. 4. 5. who teacheth in this manner Doe yee Penance such as is done in the Church that the church may pray for you Let no man say within himselfe I doe it in secret I doe it before God alone God who pardoneth mee knoweth that I doe in heart Was it there foresaid in vaine (c) Mat. 18 18. Ioan 20 23. Whatsoeuer you shall loose in earth shall be loosed in Heauen Were the KEIES giuen to the Church of God in vaine Doe we frustrate the Gospell of God Doe we frustrate the wordes of Christ Doe we promise you that which he denieth Doe we deceiue you And in another place (d) Lib. 2 de visit infirm cap. 4. There are saith he that do thinke it sufficient for their saluation if they confesse their sinnes to God alone vnto whō nothing is hidden and euery mans conscience lieth open For they will not or they are ashamed or they disdaine to shew themselues vnto PRIESTS whō yet our Lord hath by MOISES ordained to discerne betweene (e) Leuit. 13 2. 14 12. Luc. 17 14. Mat. 8 4. Leaper Leaper But I will not haue thee deceiued with this opinion and bee ashamed thereby to confesse them vnto the vicegerent of our Lord either languishing with shamefastnesse or stiffe-necked with indignation For of reason in like manner must we admit him for our iudge which our Lorde doth not disdaine to bee his Vicar And it is no lesse euident that (f) Ep. 91. ad Theod. vide ep 80. ad Episc Camp LEO the great hath lefte in writing The manifold mercies of God doth so succour the falles of men that not only by
viduis in 3. libris de Virginibus Item in exhort ad virgines in institutione virginis cap 6. 15. 17. Damas l. 4. orthod fid cap. 25. Praeterea Athanasius Basilius Nazianzen Aug. de virginitate iteÌ„ Fulgent ep 3. ad ProbaÌ„ cap. 9. 10. Hier. ep 22. ad Eustoch c. 8. lib. 1. cont Iouin cap. 1. item apol pro libris contr Iouin ca. 1. Ignat. ad Philadelph Cyp. de bono pudicitiae Isidor lib 2 de summo bono cap. 40. his virgin in matrimony doth wel and he that ioineth not doth better for the one thinketh of the thinges that be of God the other of the thinges that be of the Worlde the one is bound with the bandes of Wedlocke the other is free from bandes the one is vnder the Lawe the other vnder grace Good is Marriage by meanes whereof there hath bin found posterity of humane succession but better is Virginity whereby hath beene atchiued the inheritance of the heauenly kingdome the succession of heauenly merites hath beene founde By a Woman came care by a Virgin was procured saluation Hitherto S. AMBROSE Nowe this Chastitie requireth that a man doe with deliberation (n) Bas in Praefat. in Ascetica in constitutionibus Monasticis cap. 1. Cassian collat 12 cap. 4. 7. and firme purpose endeuour to liue vncorrupted and to lead a perpetuall single life voide of all filthe of the fleshe or venereous voluptuousnesse that he may be holy both in (o) 1. Cor. 7. f bodie and spirite for Christes sake And in regarde hereof the Apostle hath saide Hee that (p) 1. Cor. 7 g Bas ho. in Psal 44. hath determined in his hart being setled not hauing necessity but hauing power of his owne will and hath iudged this in his heare to keepe his Virgin doth well 5 How is the Euangelical Counsel coÌ„cerning obedience proposed vnto vs De Obedientiae laude perfectione vide Aug. l. 14. de ciu Dei cap. 12. Hier. epist 8. ad Demetr cap. 10. Greg. lib. 35 moral c. 12. Item in 1. Reg. lib. 2. cap 4. lib. 4. cap. 5. lib. 6. cap. 2. Cassian lib. 4. cap. 10. collat 2 cap. 11. collat 4 cap. 20. Bern. in serm de 3. ordinibus Ecclesiae item ad milites templi cap. 13. in serm de virtute Obedient CHrist our Lord first by the example of his most holy life as we saide before then by his worde hath proposed and coÌ„mended vnto vs the exacte and perfect manner of this obedience For he came not to doe (a) Ioan. 6 d 4 c 5 c his owne will but the wil of his Father and of those vnto whom we reade (b) Luc. 1 g. Bern ser 3. de Cicumcis Domini that he was subiecte he came to (c) Mat. 20 d Luc. 22 c serue and not to be serued in so much that he huÌ„bled himselfe being made obedient euen to death (d) Phil. 2 b euen the death of the Crosse Then by worde also mouing vs to his imitation he saide (e) Mat. 16 d Luc. 9 c. Hieron ad Rusticum Monach. ep 4. c. 6. et 7 Bas in ser de abdicatione rerum ser de instit Monach. quaest 96. in regulis breuioribus Item in coÌ„stitutionibus Monasticiâ— c. 23. Greg. lib. 32. moral c. 21. Niceph. l. 1â— Eccles â—nst cap. 37. If any man will come after me let him denie himselfe and take vp his Crosse and follow me Which wordes may be certes very well vnderstood as spoken generally to all but yet after a more peculiar perfect manner they do belong vnto those who so farre as their frailty can reach doe so conforme themselues vnto Christ that they will not in any one thing be gouerned by themselues and doe endeuour to liue rather at an other mans direction then at their owne whilest they do follow of their own accord the will commandement of an other whom they haue made their gouernour in Christs roome The superiour of such persons as teacheth S. BASIL (f) Bas in coÌ„stitutionibus Monâ—st cap. 23. 1. Reg. 15 c Eccles 4 d Luc. 10. c Ephes 6 a Coloss 3. d doth beare the person of Christ and being made as it were an intercessour between God meÌ„ doth Sacrifice vnto God the saluation of them that obey And therefore as sheepe doe obey their Shepehearde going the same way that the Shepehearde leadeth them so is it meete that such practisers of piety doe obey their superiours not curiously searching the thinges that are commanded so that they be free from sinne But with all alacritie diligence fulfilling those thinges that are prescribed And of this Superiour after S. BASIL S. BERNARD (g) Bern. in tract de praecepto dispensatione cap. 12. 13. 23 vide cund in ep 2. ad Adam MonachuÌ„ also affirmeth him whom we haue in Gods rome we ought to heare as God himselfe in those thinges which are not manifestly against God And such (h) Philo in lib. de vita contemplat ex eodem Euseb Niceph. Iosephus lib. 18. antiq cap. 2. lib. 2. de bello Iudaico cap. 7. Epiphan hae res 29. Hieronym epist 22. ad Eustoch de custod Virginit cap. 15 16. Item de viris illust in Philone Marco Dionys de Eccle. Hierat cap. 6. Eusebius lib. 1. de demonst Euang cap. 8. Aug. in Psal 132. de morib Eccl. Cathol cap. 31. 33. Item lib. 8. conf cap. 6. Amb. ep 82. Cassian Collat. 18. cap. 4. sequent Nazian orat 20. Athanas in vita Antonij Sulpit. in vita Martini Isid lib. 2. de Eccles offic cap. 15. Sozom. lib. 1. hist cap. 12. Greg. lib. 2. dial lib. 1. ep 33. Chrys aduers vitur Monast vitae ho. 5. ad pop cum sequent Item ho. 41. in 1. ad Tim. Bern. in apol ad Guil. Abb. ho. de bonis Margaritis faithfull and excelent followers of Christ as haue busily attended to the obseruation of the said counsells the Church hath alwaies had as auncient histories doe make mention and amongest them certaine choise and approued companies of deuout and religious men who aboue the custome and example of the common sorte forsaking at once all their goodes and abandoninge the pleasures of the fleshe haue giuen them selues by profession to a holy obedience only seeking and labouring that they might wholly conforme theÌ„selues to the example of the obediente Christ and to the perfection of the Euangelicall rule leauing no place at all to their own proper will Witnesses whereof very fitte and substantiall we haue S. BASIL S. AVGVSTINE S. HIEROME S. BENEDICT S. GREGORY CASSIANVS S. BERNARD and others innumerable professors of Euangelicall perfection and not only defendours but most perfect obseruers of a monasticall rule 6 In breefe what conceipte ought we to haue of the Euangelicall Counsells THis surely that they be prouocations certaine helpes very profitable which doe yelde
Neither did Saint Paul superstitiously iudge between day day Act. 20 16. vide Bedā ibidem Epiph. haeres 75. when he made hast if it were possible to keepe the day of 〈◊〉 that is of remission and of the holy-Ghost as noteth Beda at Hierusalem giuing vs therin both example of Celebrating Christian Feasts also as S. Hierom Epist 17. ad Marcellam noteth of the lawefulnesse of Pilgrimage of which we will speake hereafter So doe wee also obserue the Feastes of the Passion of our LORDE of Easter of Ascension and others which S. Augustine saith Epist 118. eitther vndoubtedly to haue beene instituted in generall Councels or rather to haue proceeded from the Apostles themselues as these forenamed Feastes must needes whereas they are motioned of Fathers Clem. lib. 5. const c. 21 Iren. apud Iust q. 115. Tert. lib. de cor mil. Orig. lib. 8. Con Cels more ancient than any general Counsail Finally of the holy-daies of our LORDE thus saith Lib. 10. ciu cap. 16. S. Augustine Wee dedicate and consecrate the memorie of Gods benefites with solemnities Feastes and certaine appointed daies least by tract of times there might creep in ingratefull and vnkind obliuion But of Festiuities of Martyrs the same saith thus Lib. 20. cont Faust cap. 21. Christian people Celebrate the memory of Gods Martyrs with religious solemnity both to mooue themselues to imitaton of them and that they may be partakers of their merits and be holpen with their praiers And of all Saints generally In Ps 88. Conc. 2 vid. Clem. lib. 8. const c. 39. Eccl. Smyrn apud Euseb lib. 4. hist ca. 15. Orig. ho. 3. in diuersos Euangelij locos Tert. de cor mil. Cyp. l. 3. ep 6. l. 4. ep 5. Bas orat in Gord. Nyss orat in Theod. Naz. orat in Iul. Amb. ser 66. 77. 78 Hier. in cap. 4. ad Gal. epist 19. ad Eustoch Prudent in Hymno de SS Petro Paulo Chry. hom 66. ad pop Theod. l. 8. de Martyribus Aug. in Ps 63. 88. Paulin. natali 2. 3. S. Felicis Cōc Laod. ca. 51. Carth. 3. cap 47. Tolet. 3. cap. 23. Lugdun cā pronuntiād do Cons d. 3 Mogūt c. 36 Keepe yee and celebrate with sobriety the natiuities of Saints that we may imitate them which haue gone before vs they may reioice with vs which pray for vs. These daies therefore are worthely accounted more holy reverend than other ordinary prophane daies because they represent vnto vs the singular liberallity of Almighty God shewed in them first in the person of oure Sauiour as the Sunday of which insteede of all the Feasts of our LORDE we we will exemplifie on which day he was borne rose againe and sent the holy-Ghost And therefore that day representing vnto vs the Natiuity of Christ both vnto this life vnto immortall glory and also the natiuity of the Church by the holy ghost is no doubt of greater dignity thā the Sabboth of the Iewes For that day in that it signified a gratefull memorie of thinges passed did onely carry a relation vnto the material creation of the world And in that it represented things to come partely it is to be abolished for that those things now be He. 4 10. fulfilled as the rest of Christ in the Sepulcher from his workes of our redemptiō Aug tra 30. in Io. the rest quiet of those which are regenerate in Christ from the seruile workes of sinne and the Aug. ep 119. rest of holy soules in the bosome of Abraham Partely it is more notably excellently supplied by the DOMINICAL day For the Sonday farre more exceeding that in signification of rest representethe vnto the deuoute obseruers therof the euerlasting glorie reuealed in Christ rising from death and expected of all those which are his liuely members As S. Augustine Ibid. noteth Nowe in the Feasts of Saintes also we both Celebrate the memory of so great a benefite as is the birth-day of our brethren into Heauen and their Assumption to so high a dignity and their glorious triumph ouer the worlde the fleshe and the diuell we reioice also at so good examples giuen to all the Church and a newe patron in heauen and a newe cause of ioy to all the Celestiall Courte This therefore is the conclusion of this our discourse that some daies especially and before others according to the custome of holie Scripture and the auncient Fathers of the Church Amb. ser 62. Aug. Praef. in ep Io. l. 22. ciu cap. 30. lib. 20. cont Faust c. 21. ser 21. detemp Leo. serm 4. de quadr are truely called Holie Sacred Mysticall of religious solemnity 3 And what must we esteeme of holie Water such like AS we call some daies more holy and religious than others so do we also say the same of many other Creatures of God which although they be good of themselues as created by him which is essentiallie good and Gen. 1 31. sawe that all thinges that he made were very good Yet because both they for our punishement often-times become hurtfull vnto vs either by their owne qualitie and disposition or by the malice Greg. lib. 1. dial cap. 4 Aug. lib. 18. ciu cap. 18. of the Diuell also for to bring to passe and signifie some spirituall effecte they be very holesomly 1. Tim. 4 5. sanctified by the worde of God and Praier as Saint Paul hath written Mat. 14 19. Luc. 9 16. Christ himselfe in blessing the loaues which hee multiplied hath taught So doth the Church Clem. l. 8. Const cap 35. Dion de eccles hier c. de Baptism Alex. 1. ep 1 Cyr. catec 3. Cypr. l. 1. ep 12. Amb. l. 4 de Sacr. c. 5. lib. delis qui initiant c. 3. Bas de spir sanct c. 27. Epiph. haer 30. Aug. ho. 27. ex 50. ser 19. de sanct l. 6. in Iul. cap. 8. Conc. Nannet c. 4. vse to blesse Water of which we haue most auncient testimonies as also miraculous Epiph. haeres 30. Theod. l. 5. cap. 21. Pallad cap. 19. Greg. lib. 1. dial cap. 10. Beda lib. 5. hist cap. 4. Bern. in vita Malach. See the histories of the newe Indies exāples of the effecte thereof And S. Basil calleth it an Apostolicall Tradition as it may alos appeare by the Apostles own Scholers who make mentiō of the same But S. Alexander he who 50. yeeres after S. Peter gouerned the Church of holy water saith thus shewing both the auncient vse therof by giuing a generall commandement confirming that which before hee practised Wee blesse water sprinckled with salte for the people that al being sprinckled with it may be sanctified purified which thing also we ordaine as to be done of all Priestes For if the ashes of Heb. 9 13. an Heifer being sprinckled with blood did sanctifie and clense the people much more water sprinckled with salte consecrated with diuine praiers doth sanctifie clense the
containe suffered vnder PONTIVS PILATE IT sheweth that Christ when hee had made an ende of his most excellent teaching working of miracles Act. 10 37. Mat. 27 50. Mar. 15 24. Esa 50 6. 53 1. Ioh. 1 29. Heb. 7 26. 1. Pet. 1 19. 2 22. Ap. 1 18. 1. Tim. 6 13 Rom. 5 6. Ioa. 15 13. did at last accōplishe his conflicte and agony for the Redemption of vs that were perished Therefore although hee were a most innocent and vnspotted Lambe yea and God also immortal yet to shew his passing great charity towards vs hee suffered (a) Io. 18 4. 19 11. 3 14 12 32. Mat. 27 27. Mar. 15 16. Luc. 23 14. Io. 19 16. Act. 13 28. willingly of most wicked persons all manner of extreame and bitter torments wherevpon he neither eschewed the most vniuste iudgement of the wicked Iudge PILATE nor yet the most shamefull and (b) Sap. 2 12 Heb. 12 2. Phil. 2 8. Rom 5 6. Mat. 27 60. Tit. 2 14. Gal. 1 4. Esa 53 12. opprobrious punishment of the CROSSE vndertaking a most cruell death for vs not refusing to bee buried in an other mannes monument to the intent that both liuing and dying hee might giue and imploy himselfe wholly for the behoofe of mortall men Which Passion of Christ (c) 1. Pet. 1 18. 1. Io. 1 7. Ap. 1 5. Eph. 1 7. Bloude Crosse Wounds and Death doe continually yeeld comforte health vertue and life vnto sinners yet so that wee obay and (d) Ro. 8 17. 2. Cor. 1 7. 2. Tim. 2 11 suffer together with our Head that so wee may also bee glorified with him For he being (e) Heb. 5 9. consummate was made to all that obay him cause of eternall saluation 12 What vse profite is there in that we frame the Crosse of Christ with our fingers do signe our fore-head there-withall THis Ceremony surely both the piety of men of (a) Tert. cor mil. cap. 3. Bas de spir sa cap. 27. Aug. de Catech rud ca. 20. tra in Io. 118. Naz. ogat 3. Hieron ad Eustoc de virg ser ep 22. ca. 16. ad Fabiol de veste sac ep 128. in Ezech. 9. Chrysost ho. 55. in Mat. Hist trip l. 6. c. 1. Essr de vera paen cap. 3. Orig. ho 8. in diuers Euang. Ruff. lib. 2. hist cap. 29 Niceph. lib. 18. cap. 20. Cyril catech 4. 13. illū Chrysost in demonst quod Christ sit Deus ancient time passed and the constant custome of the Church doth commende vnto vs. And first of all wee are hereby stirred vp to a thankefull remembrance of the most high mystery benefite which was for our sakes accomplished vpon the Crosse and most bountifully bestowed vpō vs. Then we are prouoked to fixe settel the true and holy glory and the Ancker of our saluation in the Crosse of our LORD Furthermore this is a testimonie that we haue no communication with the enemies of Christes Crosse IEWES or HEATHENS but doe freely professe against all such him whom we serue our Lord Iesus and him crucified By this signe also we are moued to the studie of Patience that if we be desirous of eternal glory as surely we ought all to bee wee doe not think much to imbrace that Crosse which we honour and the way of the same Crosse (b) Mat. 16 24. Luc. 9 23. 1. Pet. 3 14.17 2 19. with Christ our Captaine Moreouer we fetch from hence victorious armour (c) Atha in vita Ant. Hieron in Hilarion Ignat. ad Philip. against Satan long since subdued by the vertue of the Crosse yea so we are fensed against all the aduersaries of our welfare Finally that wee may the more happily take any (d) Ambros serm 43. thing in hand and finde more prosperous successe in all our actions wee take vnto vs this noble and triumphant ensigne of the Crosse and expecting in this signe to get (e) Euseb li. 1. 2. de vita Constan Nice l 8 c. 3. l. 7 c. 47. et 49. the victory we do not doubt often times to say In the name of the †Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost 13 What woulde the fifth Article haue vs to beleeue He descended into Hell Ps 15 10. Zach. 9 11. 1. Pet. 3 19. Col 2 15. Eccli 24 45. Act. 2 24. Ose 13 14. Iren. l 5 c. 31 Aug ep 99 57. quaes 1 l. 20. ciu c. 15 ser 137. de tēp Hier. in c 4. ad Eph. in Ose 13. Tert. l. 2. cont Mar. cap. 4. Mat 12 29. Heb. 2 14. Mar. 16 9. Ap. 1 5.18 Io 2 19. Col. 1 18. 1. Cor. 15 8 and rose againe IT teacheth vs that Christ after he was dead vpon the Crosse did penetrate in Soule euen downe to Hell that he might both shew himselfe a conquerour of death and the deuill also a deliuerer of the Fathers that were detained in Limbo but that according to his bodie wherein hee had lyen in the Sepulcher the third day after when it pleased him to returne triumphantly from Hel he by his own power arose again vnto life being immortal and glorious and the first borne of the dead By which wonderfull worke he doth comfort instruct vs that the Electe are deliuered out of the power of death hell and the diuell and hee doth offer and commend vnto all men such grace and fauour of rising againe that those which beleeue truly in Christ may rise from (a) Ro. 6 4. Col. 3 1. Phil. 3 20 Eph. 4 22. 1. Pet. 1 3. vice to vertue frō the the death of sinne vnto the life of grace and finally in the (b) 1. Cor. 15 22. end of the world from the death of the bodie to an immortal life For he which (c) 2. Cor. 4 14. 1. Thes 4 14 raised vp IESVS will raise vp vs also with IESVS 14 What signifieth the sixt Article He ascended into Heauen Ps 67 19.33 46 6. 8 2. Mar. 16 19 Io. 3 13. Act. 1 1. Eph. 4 8. 12 6. 1 20. Col. 3 1. Heb. 1 3 1. Pet. 2 4. 1. Io. 2 1. Io. 20 17. It sheweth that our Lord Iesus after that hee had finished the worke of mans Redemption and appeared aliue againe vnto his Disciples and confirmed with many arguments the trueth of his Resurrection at the last on the forty day after ascended into heauen that according to his humane nature he might bee exalted aboue all thinges and himselfe alone aboue all others renowmed and honored of al men Therefore our Lord IESVS (a) Ps 109 8 Act. 7 55. Luc. 22 69. 1. Cor. 15 25. Eph. 1 20. Mat 28 18. sitteth in heauen on the right hand of the power of God exercising equall power with the father gouerning al things wholly shining with diuine Maiesty which is indeede (b) Aug lib. de si
fayth and beleefe hereof a good and patient man doth take solace and comforte in the greatest miseries that maye befall so that at the verye laste gaspe of life he will say (d) Iob. 19 25. I knowe that my Redeemer dothe liue in the laste day I shall rise from the earthe agayne be compassed aboute with my skinne and in my fleshe I shall see God Wise therfore certes and moste wise are those that doe bring into the seruitude of Iustice and (e) Col. 3 5. 1. Pet. 3.18 1. Cor. 9 27 Ro. 6 12. 1. Cor. 15 42. vertue these earthly dyeng meÌ„bers doe prepare this body as a pure vessell for the happy immortallity that is to come 21 What is the laste Article OF lyfe * 1. Cor. 2 9. Io. 17 3. Mat. 19 12.14.17.23.29 25 34 46 Apoc. 2 7. 10.17.26 3.11 21. 7 14. 21 2.10.23 22 1.12 Ro. 2 6. Tit. 1 1. â— 13. 3 7. 2. Tim. 4.7 1. Io. 2 25. 3 2. 1. Pet. 1 3. Ro. 6 22. euerlastinge which we may nothing doubt to remaine vnto the electe after theire deathe And this is the fruite finall end of Fayth Hope Patience Christianlike exercise For the obtayning of whiche life to a true beleeuer no worke of pietie ought to seeme difficulte no labour paynfull no greife bitter no time long or taedious in well working or sufferinge And if this life notwith-standinge that it is repleate with all manner of calamities be accouÌ„pted a thing moste choyse and delightfull how muche more is that life to be had in greate price and aestimation which is (a) Aug. de ciu Dei l. 22 c. 29 30. l. 3. de lib arb c. vlt. ser 64. de Ver. Do. â— 1 seq l. 3 de symb ad catech c. 12 so farre off from any feeling and feare of euill is replenished on euery syde with heauenlye and vnspeakeable ioyes pleasures and delights that neuer shall haue end Of whiche life Christe sayth thus (b). Luc. 12 32. Feare not litle flocke for it hath pleased your Father to giue you a Kingdome And at the latter day of iudgemente he will saye vnto the electe (c) Mat. 25 34. Come yee blessed of my father possesse you the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the worlde But vnto the wicked he will speake in this manner Get yee (d) Ibid. 46. away from me you cursed into fire euerlasting which was prepared for the Deuill and his Angels Which sentence doth not onelie touch (e) Fulg. in lib. de fide ad Pet. c. 38. 40. Heathens Heretickes Schismatickes publike sinners but appertaineth also to all those Christians that doe (f) Ez. 18 4. 33 8. Ro 6 23. Sap. 1 16. 1. Cor. 6 9. end their liues in mortall sinne Last of al this clause (g) Hier. ad Mared ep 137. AMEN is added in the end that it may plainly appeeare howe firmely and surely grounded we stand in the profession and testimony of this Christian Faith and Confession 22 Is it sufficient for a Christian to beleeue those thinges only that are contained in the Creede FIrst specially no doubt Heb. 5 12. 6 1. 1. pet 3 15. those thinges that are taught vs in the Creed of the Apostles are to be beleeued openly (a) Amb. l. 3 de Virg. Aug. l. 1 de symb ad Cat. c. 1. l. 2. cap. 1. professed of euery one Which also are made more plaine beeing conferred with the Creed of the FATHERS with that of ATHANASIVS Secondly a ChristiaÌ„ must of necessity beleeue whatsoeuer the (b). 2. Pet. 1 19. Ro. 15 4. 2. Tim. 3 15 diuine Canonical Scripture doth containe But the certaine (c) Conc. Tol. 1 c. 21. Aug. ser 129. 191 de temp Hic in sym ad Damas Aug. coÌ„ ep fund c. 5. Trid. Sess 4. legitimate books of Scripture no man may discerne by any other meanes than by the iudgement authority of the Church Thirdly hereunto doe belong those thinges that are necessarily drawen (d) Mat. 22 29. deduced partly out of the Articles of the Creede and partly out of holy Scriptures Fourthly lastly are all such documents to be holden as most holy to be firmely beleued which the holy ghost reuealeth vnto vs pronounceth by the (e) Cypr. ep 10. ad Nest Iren. l. 3. cap. 4. li. 4. c. 45. 63. Hier. con Lucif c. 4. Vinc. Lir. con Nouat Church whether they be commended vnto vs by writing or deliuered by tradition word of mouth Which point we will touch more at large hereafter These therefore are the things in which the true catholike faith doth coÌ„sist without the (f) Iâ—eo ser 4. de natiu Dom. which al sectaries do in vaine promise to theÌ„selues others grace saluatioÌ„ in christ THE SECONDE CHAPTER OF HOPE Aug. in Eâ—c cap. 8. 1. Cor. 13 13. Ro. 5 2. 8 24. Tit. 2 13. 3 7. 1. Pet. 1 3. 1. Io. 5 14. Iac. 1 3.5 Io. 14 13. 15 7.16 16 23. Mar. 11 24. Ps 26 13.14 129.6 72 28. 61 8.11 1. Tim. 4 10 1. Thes 5 8. Eph. 6 17. Heb. 10 35. 6 18. AND OVR LORDS PRAIER 1 What is Hope HOpe is a vertue infused by God whereby wee doe with assured trust confidence expect at Gods hande the good of our saluation life euerlasting To small purpose it is to beleeue in God and the word of God to professe the diuine Doctrine of holie Church vnlesse a Christian hauing once vnderstoode the goodnesse of Almighty God doe conceiue hope confidence of obtaining grace and aeternall saluation Which hope doth so fortifie vphold the iust man in the greatest (a) Eccli 34 15. Rom. 8 35. Psal 30 25. Prou. 28 1. miseries that although he be destitute of all wordly helpes yet will he confidently say (b) Iob. 13 15. Al-though he kill me yet will I hope in him And (c) ps 55 5. in God I haue hoped I wil not feare what fleshe may do vnto me (d) Ps 24 2. My God I trust in thee I will not be ashamed 2 By what meanes may a man come to haue this hope FIrst of al one great helpe heerunto is to (a) 1. Thes 5 16. Luc. 11 9. 18 1. Mat. 7 7. Eccli 18 22. pray feruently often to almighty God Also hope is to be nourished and stirred vp with dayly meditation of the goodnesse and benefites (b) Eph. 2 4. Tit. 3 3. Ro. 8 29. Io. 3 16. 1. Co. 4 9. Heb. 10 23. Tit. 1 2. Ro. 5 8.17.20 8 18. of God those especially which Christ our Lorde for his infinite charity towards vs performed promised euen to the vndeseruing Last of all there must be annexed (c) Pro. 15.15 1. Io. â— 21. Aug. l. 1.
de doc Chr. c. 37. 40. l. 3. c. 10. in praef Ps 31. purity cleannes of conscience which must euer (d) 2. Cor. 1 7. Heb. 3 6. 10 34. 1. Io. 3 3. Col. 1 21. 2. Pet. 1 10. shew it selfe by good workes inuincible patience in all aduersitye For they that wante the testimony of a good conscience or haue not a purpose to amend their life they I saye haue not that hope which they shoulde but do rather rashlie vaunt of (e) 2. Pet. 2 18. Eccli 5 4.6 Greg. 33. mor. c. 15. praesumption and a very vaine and vnfruitfull coÌ„fidence how-soeuer they boaste of Gods grace and of the merites of Christ Hope in our Lorde sayth the (f) Ps 36 3. Prophet and do goodnesse againe Be thou subiect to our Lord and pray to him And an other Prophet (g) Thren 3 25. Our Lord is good to those that hope in him to the soule that seeketh him And that this hope must not be al-together (h) Greg. l. 6. ep 22. ad GregoriaÌ„ Ber. de Fest Magdal voyde of feare it appeareth by this place of the psalme Our Lord (i) Ps 146.11 is wel pleased ouer theÌ„ that feare him in theÌ„ that hope trust in his mercy 3 What good thinges are those which a Christian must hope for FIrst and specially those good (a) Tit. 2 13. 3 7. thinges of the Kingdome of heauen which do make men blessed happy and exempteth them from all manner of miserie Then all such things as (b) Heb. 4 16 Aug. in Enc. cap. 114. seruing for the necessarie vses of mortall men in this life are rightly desired prayed for at Gods hands ought to be reputed in the number of those good thinges which are to be hoped for and expected All which are specially expressed in our Lordes prayer as which Christ our Lorde with his owne most sacred (c) Mat. 6 9. Luc. 11 2. mouth deliuered with wonderfull wisdome prescribed to all those that would gladly by prayer lay opeÌ„ their hope and good desires befote All. God 4 What is the forme of our Lords prayer THis that followeth The Pater noster is expounded by these Tert. Nysen l. de ora Cypr. ser 6. de or Dom. Cyr. cat mys 5. Chry. ho. de or Dom. in cap. 6. Mat. HieroÌ„ Theop. Eut. in Mat. Ambr. lib. 5. de Sacr. cap. 4. Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 11. l. 2. de ser Do. c. 4. seq ho. 42. ex 50. ser 126. 135. 182. de temp ser 9. ex diu Chrysol ser 67. seq Innoc. 3. lib. de Myst Missae c. 17. seq Petrus Laod. German Patriarcha Const Cassia coll 9. c. 18. sequ Our Father which art in heauen 1 Hallowed be thy name 2 Thy Kingdome come 3 Thy will be donne in earth as it is in heauen 4 Giue vs this day our dayly bread 5 And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. 6 And lead vs not into temptation 7 But deliuer vs from euill Amen 5 What is the suÌ„me of our Lords prayer THere are (a) Aug. in Ench. c. 115 l. 2. de ser Dom. c. 10. seuen petitions therin conteyned vnto which all manners and formes of prayers (b) Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 12. what-soeuer may and ought to be referred whether we treate with al-mightie God for the obtaining of some good things or for the wiping away of sinne or for the turning away of any euill whatsoeuer And in the three first petitions those thiÌ„gs are in order demanded which are properly aeternal euerlasting in the fower others we do aske euen temporal things as being necessary for vs to the getting of the aeternal 6 What is ment by the beginning of this prayer Our father which art c. Ex. 15 11. Esa 42 5. 63 15. Mal. 1 6. 2. Cor. 1 3. Phil. 4 20. Ap. 4 10. Ro. 8 15. Gal. 4 5. 1. Pet. 3 22. Leo. ser 6. nat Do. IT is a little preface and it putteth vs in minde of that great inaestimable benefite wherby God the Father that eternall maiestie raigning most happily in heauen receiued vs into his fauour for Christ his Sonnes sake adopted vs by the holy Ghost to be his soÌ„nes heires vnto his heauenly Kingdome And this remeÌ„brance of so great benefites doth not only stirr vp (a) Cypr. in ser de or do attentioÌ„ but prouoke also the soÌ„nes to render loue againe to their father and to obay him it doth in like maner encourage theÌ„ to pray afford theÌ„ (b) Luc. 11 11. Iac. 1 6. confidence to obtaine 7 What is the sense of the first Petition Hallowed be thy name VVE desire that aswell in our selues as in all others Mat. 5 17. 1. Pet. 2 12. 4 11. 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. Ro. 15 6. Eccli 36 1. that may alwaies be preferred aduanced which standeth most with the glory and honor of our Soueraigne and most excellent Father And this indeede wee doe performe when the confession of the true faith hope and charity holy couersation (a) Luc. 1 72. 1. Pet. 1 15. 3 16. Phil. 2 15. of Christian life do shewe forth their light and force in vs that (b) Mat. 5. 17. others also beholding the same may take occasion to glorifie our Father 8 What is contained in the second Petition Thy kingdome come VVE do aske that God by his grace iustice Mat. 6 33. Ro. 14 17. Ps 22 1. 79 2. Luc. 1 33. 17 20. 1. Cor. 3 16 4 20. Eph. 1 18.23 Mat. 13 41 1. Co. 15 24 Col. 1.13 Ps 67 2. may raign in his Church yea in the whole world all aduersary powers euill affections beeing once abandoned rooted out Then we do wishe and pray that being once called out of this world as out of a troublesome (a) Phil. 1 23. Heb. 11 13. 1. Pet. 2 11. Iob. 7 1. 2. Cor 5 6. Sap. 5 16. Apoc. 22 4. Mat. 8 11. pilgrimage and warfare we may be speedily transported into the kingdome of glory and euerlasting felicity to raigne with Christ and his Saintes for euer 9 What importeth the third Petition Thy will be done VVE doe wishe in this petition Ps 102 20. Ro. 1 10. Act. 9 6. 21 14. Deut. 12 8 Heb. 13 21. Iâ—c 4 15. Luc. 22 42. 1. Pet. 4 2 Act. 5 29. Iob. 1 21. 1. Pet. 5 6. that as the Angels and blessed Saints in heauen so we also vpon earth though weake and of small force may exhibite vnto Almighty God exacte obedience desiring or coueting nothing so much as that we may willingly submit our selues to the will of God both in prosperity aduersity renouncing our owne wil which is prone (a) Gen. 8 21. Mat. 26 41
Bern. ser 3. de resur vnto euil we may rest and settle our mindes in the (b) Io. 4 34 5 30. 6 38. 1. Reg. 3 18. wil of God 10 What hath the fourth Petition Giue vs this day our daily bread VVE doe like poore folkes beggers craue of the author and fountaine of al goodnesse Iac. 1 5.17 Psal 39 18. Deut. 10 18 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim. 6 8. Pro. 30 8. Ps 144 15. those thinges that bee sufficient for the daily maintenance of our corporal life to wit food cloathing also those thinges that doe serue to a better the life of the soule as the (a) Mat. 4 4. Am. 8 11. Eccli 15 3. Pro. 9 5. word of God the spiritual food of the soule the most holy (b) Mat. 26.26 6 11 Io. 6 51. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. Cypr. in ser de cr Do. Amb. l. 5. de Sacr. c. 4. Aug. l. 2. de ser Do. in mont c. 7. Thren 4 8. 1. Cor. 10 6 Leu. 26 14. Num. 5 6. 20. Exo. 32 27. Luc. 7 47. Tob. 12 10. Sap. 16 14. Ps 50 3.4.9.11 and B. Sacrament of the Altar that heauenly breade and other most holesome Sacraments and gifts of God which doe feede cure and confirme the inwarde man to a wel ordered happie kinde of life 11 How is the fifth Petition vnderstood Forgiue vs our trespasses IN this wee craue that God will mercifully purge vs from the spot of sinne which aboue all thinges is most foule and pestilent vnto the soule and that he will also remitte those verie debts which wee haue contracted by sinning And least our praier should not be auaileable by reason that we are euill affected towardes our neighbour we adde this besides that all secret hate (a) Ro. 12 17.19 Col. 3 12. Luc. 23 34. Act. 7 60 Mar. 11 25. Eph. 4 32. desire of reuenge being laide aside wee are at attonement with our neighbour haue forgiuen euery one that hath offended vs euen from the bottome of our heartes For this is that which Christ signified in an other place when he said (b) Lu. 6 37. Forgiue yee shal be forgiuen And againe (c) Mat. 6 14. 18 22 33. Eccli 22 1. Aug. in Enc cap. 74. If you will not forgiue men neither will your Father forgiue you your offences 12 What is the sense of the sixth Petitiō Lead vs not into temptation BEcause this present life is a very warfare vpon earth Iob. 7 1. Iudith 8 2◠Tob. 3 21. 12 13. Mat. 4 1. 26 41. Heb. 2 18. 2. Thes 3 3. 1. Io. 2 14 16. 5 4. Mat. 16 24. 1 Cor. 9 25.27 10 12. Iac. 4 4. 1 12. 1. Pet. 5 8.10 2. Pet. 2 9. Eph. 6 11. Col. 3 5. Apoc. 2 7.10.11.17.26 2. Tim. 4 7. whilest we are al-waies assaulted with diuers temptations and in an hard continuall conflict with the world the flesh and the deuill therfore being deuoutly carefull of our owne estate we sue for helpe at the hands of almightie God that we do not yeeld to such assaultes of our aduersaries and by yeelding incurr damnation but that standing al-waies in this continuall combate relieng vpon the mighte and hand of God we may valiantly resiste the power of the deuill haue the world in contempte chastice the fleshe and so finallye as inuincible souldiers of Christ be crowned after the victory for (a) 2. Tim. 2 3. no man is crowned as witnesseth the Apostle vnlesse he striue lawfully 13 What is in the seuenth and last petition deliuer vs from euill VVE pray at the last that God will not suffer vs to be ouer-throwne ◠Reg. 8 33. Pro. 10 25.28.30 Eccli 23.4 Hier. 2 14. Tob. 1 22. 2 10. Eccli 27 1.4.6 Ap. 3 10. Ps 24 15. 30 3.5.8.9.16 33 5.7.8.18 cast away with the wicked by the calamities of this worlde wherwith euen the Godly also are exercised but that by his benignitye he deliuer vs so farre forthe as is expedient for our saluation mercifully defend vs from all euill both of body and of soule as well in this life as in the life to come For so hath himselfe promised (a) Ps 49 15 Call vpon me in the day of tribulation I will deliuer thee thou shalt honour me Last of al we cōclude the whole prayer with this one worde Amen (b) 2. Cor. 1 20 Amb. in Ps 40. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. that we may shewe our confidence in praieng hope of obtaining in regarde as well of Christes promise that neuer faileth (c) Mat. 7 7. Luc. 11 9. Io. 16 23. Aske saith he and it shall bee giuen you as also of the infinite clemencye and ready mercie of God the Father in so much that hereupon S. IHON hath sayd (d) 1. Io. 5 14. What-soeuer wee shall aske according to his will hee heareth vs. 14 What is the summe of our Lords prayer IT containethe a perfite and absolute forme not only of asking that which is good but also of praieng to be deliuered from whatsoeuer is euill And amongst the things that be good this is first to be wished and praied for that all men may glorifie our heauenly Father at all times in all places then that we may be partakers of his Kingdome afterwarde that we may not want those helpes that are conuenient for the attaining vnto the same Kingdome As is on the behalfe of our soule to be conformable to the will of God and as touching our body to haue necessary liuing maintenance But those thinges that are added in the second place do continue to the end of the prayer do expresse the affect of one that craueth deliuery from euils which by the grace power of almighty God he desireth to haue either vtterly taken away to wit sinne the contagion of all goodnesse and the sinke and puddle of all euils or els that they may be so tempered that by their violence they hinder vs not in the way to saluation Such are diuers temptations that inuade vs in this worlde all calamities both present and to come Al other things that are to be said touching praier shal be reserued for that place where the three kinds of good works shal be expownded OF THE ANGELICALL SALVTATION 15 Which is commonly called the Angelicall salutation THat which was pronounced vnto the most holy Virgin Luc. 1 28. Chrysost Iacob in Liturg 116. Aug. ser 2. de annun Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Chrysol ser 140. seq Ber. hom 3. super Myssus est Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg the mother of God in these wordes Haile MARY full of grace our Lorde is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death AMEN 16 Whereupon came this maner of
will can keepe (l) Act 20 29. Eze 33 6. 2. Tim. 2 23.25 4 2. Tit. 1 9.10.11 off the wolues defende the sheepe roote out the cockle confirme sound doctrine least otherwise the simple be seduced by the words writinges examples of deceiptful wicked persons (m) 2. Pet. 2 1. 3 3. Ro. 16 17. Iud 17.4 10 Mat. 7.15 from the kingly rode-way of truth but rather that all not only knowing the truth but practising the same may growe and goe forwarde in him that is the heade Christ our Lorde as the same Apostle S. PAVL (n) Ephes 4 15. hath also spoken 13 By what meanes may we obtaine these so singuler commodities BY this no doubt if we be not to highlye (a) Ro. 12 3. but soberly wise alwaies carefull to (b) Eph. 4 3. Io. 10 2. 21 17. keepe the vnitie of spirite in the bande of peace that so wee maye shewe our selues the humble and obedient sheepe of Christ Of which sheepe certes it is the propertie (c) Io. 10 2. Tit. 3 1. Heb. 13 17. Mat. 10 20. to flie the wolues and not to followe Aliens but their owne Pastours (d Bern. de praecep disp c. 12. to submit thēselues to thē as to the ordinarie Prefectes of our Lords folde and in them to heare the (e) Io. 15 26 et 14 17. et 16 13. spirite of truth That spirite it is which vouchsafeth euen by euill (f) Mat. 23 2. Phil. 1 15. Io. 11 51. Mat. 18.17 Deut. 17 12 Prelates to teach feed and preserue our Lords flocke and which by them commendeth vnto vs the precepts both of God our Father and the Church our Mother in thess wordes (g) Pro. 1 8. see Epiphan haer 75. Heare my sonne the discipline of thy father and doe not let goe the lawe of thy mother And againe the same doth inculcate Keepe saith (h) Pro. 6 20 he my sonne the preceptes of thy father and doe not let goe the lawe of thy mother 14 Which are the precepts of the Church THere are fiue principall necessarie doubtlesse to be knowne and obserued of euery Christian 1 (a) Conc. Lugdun apud Iuonē p. 4. c. 14. 2. Matiscon c. 1. Mogunt c. 36. et 37. Tribur c. 35. Ignat. ad Philip. The appointed holy daies of the Church doe thou celebrate 2 (b) Conc. Agath c. 47. et 21. Tribur c. 35. 1. Aurel ca. 28. The holy office of the Masse vpon holy daies doe thou heare with reuerence 3 (c) Canon Apost 68. Gangren c. 19. Ignat. ad Phil. Mog c. 34. et 35. Salegunst c. 1. et 2. Ber. in vig. S. Andreae See the places cited in the treatis of good works in the 4. question The Fastes on certaine daies and times appointed doe thou obserue For example as the Lent imber daies and the nexte daies before certaine solempne feastes which our forefathers haue (d) Tert. l. 2. ad Vxo c. 4. et in apolog cap. 2. called vigils or euens bicause they did vse at such times all night to watch in the Churches 4 (e) Sinod Lateran can 21. Triden sess 14. c. 8. Thy Sinnes to thy proper Priest doe thou euery yeere confesse 5 (f) Lateran Trident. sess 13. can 9. The holy Eucharist at the least once in the yeere and that about the feast of Easter doe thou receaue 15 What profite doth the obseruation of these precepts bring THese and other the like customes precepts of the Church so manie ages receiued and with great consent practise of deuoute Christians confirmed and very agreable to pietie and reason doe bring with them very notable and excellent commodities For they are holsome exercises of faith humilitie and Christian obedience they doe aduance honest (a) Phil. 4 8. 1. Cor. 14 26.40 discipline and concorde among the people they are goodly signes badges of Religion finally they giue markes and tokens of our inwarde pietie by which we oughte iointly to shine with the good and to shew our light to the euill for (b) Mat. 5 17. Ro. 15 2. Phil. 2 ◠14 their edification Breifly they doe helpe vs to this that we may exactly obserue that rule of the Apostle Let all thinges (c) 1. Cor. 14 40. be done honestly and according to order among you 16 Wherein is the authoritie of the Church necessarie vnto vs FIrst of all surely in this that we may certainlie (a) Gal. 2 2. 1. Tolc c. 25. Aug. ser 129 de tēp li. 13. contra Faust c. 4. 5. et l. 28. c. 2 4. discerne the true and canonicall Scripture from that which is counterfet and apocryphall Whereupon Saint HIEROME doth testifie we receiue saith he the (b) in sym ad Damasu et Aug. ser 19. 1. de tē Conc. Laod c. 59. Conc. 3. Carth. c. 47. Conc. Trid. sess 4. olde and new Testament in that number of bookes which the authority of the holy Catholike Church doth deliuer And (c) Cont. ep Fund c. 5. Saint AVGVSTINE I truely would not beleeue the Gospell excepte the authoritie of the Catholike Church did moue me thereunto It is also necessarie that we may be assured of the (d) Esa 59 21. Aug. l. 1. c. 33. cont Cresco et de vnit Eccle. c. 22. Trid. ses 4. Vin. Lir. contr nouatores true sense and apte interpretatiō of the Scripture least that otherwise we neuer make an end of doubting and disputing about the sense of the wordes For all Heretickes as the same holy Saint (e) lib. 1. de Trinit c. 3. Hillar l. 2. ad Constanti Vinc. Lir. hath written doe labour to defend their false and deceiptfull opinions by the holy Scriptures and yet the Scriptures doe not consist in reading but in vnderstanding as witnesseth (f) Cont. Lucif c. 9. in c. 1. ad Gal. Hilar. l. 2. de Trin. Saint HIEROME Thirdly that in the waightier questions (g) Deut. 17.8 and controuersies of faith that may fall out there may be some (h Act. 15 2 Iudge by whose authoritie matters may be moderated For as that is most true that (i) haer 61. cont Apostolicos EPIPHANIVS teacheth against Heresies that all thinges can not be had out of the Scriptures so doth (k) l. 11. con Faust c. 2 l. 7. c n. Donat c. 53. et in Ps 57. Saint AVGVSTINE most rightlye affirme that the authoritie of the Catholike Church is of speciall waighte and value for our faith and assurance in a doubtful case Neither can the holy Ghost be wanting to the Church to leade her as Christ hath (l) Io. 14 16. 16 13. promised into all trueth Againe that for the diuersitie of persons places and times canons (m) Can. Ap. 38. et Synod 1. Nic. c. 5. Lateran Can. 6. may be ordained perfite discipline preserued and iudgementes pronounced For to the Church
name of (g) in sentētiis Prosper 342. ex Aug tract 33. in Io. ser 47. de verb. Do. Rab. l 1 c. 30 Isid l. 2. c. 25 Chrisme and then in like sort al Christians Whereupō (h) l. de carnis resurrectione c. 8. Item in lib. de Bapt. Theod. in c. 1. Cantic Dionys Clemens Tert. Fabiā Cornel Cypr. Cyrill vterque Basil Paciā Amphiloc Optat c. Cōcil Rom. sub Siluest Itē 2. 3. 4. Carthag 2. Tol. 1. Vasinse Trid. TERTVLLIAN very fitly alluding as it were to the nature of Oile hath written of this Sacrament in this manner The fleshe is annointed that the Soule may bee consecrated the fleshe is signed that the Soule may bee fensed the fleshe by imposition of hands is ouershadowed that the Soule by the spirite may bee illuminated By which it is euident that they which reiect holy Chrisme doe greatly bewray their owne ignorance and folly as manifestly denying the most auncient ordinance of the Apostles rashely condemning the continuall custome Tradition of the Church 5 What is the vse and commodity of this Sacrament IN Baptisme we are (a) Io. 3 5. Melch. ad Hisp Episc Conc. Flor. Petr. Clun lib. 6. ep 1. regenerate vnto life after Baptisme in this Sacrament we are strengthned vnto combate In Baptisme wee are washed by this after Baptisme we are strengthned that the holy-Ghost may be alwaies present with the regenerate as a keeper and a comforter a tutor This is the Doctrine of that holie high Bishop Martyr MELCHIADES And hereunto agreeth that which (b) Ep. 4. ad Iulium Amb. l. 3. de Sacram. c. 2. de iis qui initiant mysteriis cap. 7. S. CLEMENT testifieth hee receiued of the Apostles themselues When any man hath beene regenerate by water let him be afterwarde confirmed by a Bishoppe with the seauenfoulde grace of the holy-Ghost because otherwise he can neuer be a perfect Christian This (c) Dion de Eccles hierarc cap. 2. Sacrament therefore profiteth in maruelous manner that they which are by regeneration entered in the mysteries of Faith as (d) 1. Pet. 2 2 Infants newe-borne and as yet weake feeble may waxe greater in groweth and be strengthned in Christ These as it were nouices in christian warfare the Bishop admonisheth in annointing that against so many enemies daily dangers they must be confirmed (e) Psal 50 14. Spiritu principali with a principall Spirite He signeth with the Crosse (f) Aug. in Psal 141. Luc. 9.26 Mat. 10 33. 1. Pet. 2 20. Luc. 21.15 Mat. 5 39. Act. 4 13.31 5 29.41 their foreheade which is the seate of shamefastnesse that they may constantly and without feare confesse the name of our Lord. Hee giueth them also a blowe on the cheeke that they may alwaies remember how they must with inuincible patience performe and finishe their Christian warfare OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE EVCHARIST 1 What doth the name of the Eucharist signifie THis one name doth betoken that high and (a) Dion Eccles hier cap. 2. 3. Conc. Trid. sess 13. cap. 2. 3. most blessed Sacramente than the which the Church hath nothing more honorable more woonderfull more effectuall or holesome And it is doubtlesse very worthelie called the Eucharist that is (b) Amb. l. 5 de sacra c. 3. Cyp. de lapsis Orig. cō Cels lib. 8. good grace or thankes-giuing because it containeth the principall greatest (c) Chry. ho. 6◠ad pop 83. in Mat. 45. in Io 61. ad pop Ant gifte of God yea the very fountaine and author himselfe of al grace and it admonisheth vs of those speciall good thinges for the receit whereof we do owe thankesgiuing praise and most soueraigne glory to the supreame maiesty of almightie God For we coulde not haue wished a greater benefit than that Christ Iesus our Lord borne of the Virgine MARY Crucified and (d) Chry. l. 3. de sacerd ho. 2. ad pop Ant. ho. 3. ad Ephes assumpted into glory should so giue himselfe wholly vnto vs that euen nowe at this present we truely receiue his Body Bloude and are wholly (e) Cyril in Io. li 4. c. 16. 17. lib. 10. c. 13. l. 11 ca. 26. 27. Hil. de Trin. l. 8. Iren. l. 5. c. 2. Cyr. Hieros catech 4. mystag Chry. ho. 45. in Io. 61. ad pop Ant. incorporated vnto him by this diuine Sacrament 2 What thinges are speacially contained in this Sacrament THree (a) Cyr. Hieros cat 4. myst thinges are comprehended in the holy Eucharist the visible formes the trueth (b) Mat. 26 26. Mar. 14.22 Luc. 22.19 1 Cor. 11 24 of the body and bloode of our Lorde and the effecte of spirituall grace For that which appeareth vnto our eies are (c) Theoph. in 14. Mat. in Mat. 26. in Io. 6. Cyril ad Calos Amb l. 4. de sacr c. 4. li. 6. c. 1. visible formes to wit of breade and wine But that which vnder those fourmes our faith not (d) Damasc li. 4. cap. 14. our sense reason doth apprehend that is the true body blood of Christ our Sauiour And that which by participation of this Sacrament we get is a certaine (e) Aug. tr◠26. in Io. alii postea citandi singular grace of the holy Ghost to wit the wholsome fruite and effecte of the Eucharist as we will shew heerafter 3 Which are the chiefe pointes necessary to be knowne touching this Sacrament THere are fiue that doe principally require the handling The first concerning the trueth of the Eucharist The second touching the transubstantiation of bread and wine The third of the worship and adoration of the same The fourth of the ohlation and Sacrifice thereof The last of the receiuing of the same vnder one or both kinde For of these inspeacial it is very profitable in these our daies to haue perfecte knowledge vnderstanding 4 What therfore is to bee beleeued touching the verity of the Eucharist THis surely that against all (a) Ioā 6. ibidē Cyril Aug. tract 27. in Ioan. Cypr. de caena Do. Pet. Clū l. 1. ep 2 Capharnaites we doe with the wholl Church assuredly beleeue that vnder the formes of bread and wine the very true (b) Conc. Eph. Nic. 2. act 6. Later c 1. Const ses 8. Flor. Trid. ses 11. cap. 1. 3. Ignat. ad smir teste Theod. in dial 3. Tert. de resur car cap. 8. de idol cap. 7. Cyp. de lapsis Hesich in cap. 22. Leuit. Opt. lib. 6. Leo. ser 7. de pas ep 23. Theod. dial 2 fleshe of Iesus Christ his true blood is giuen in the Eucharist by the ministery certes of the Priest but by the power and omnipotencie of our Lorde Iesus Christ with whom any word is not (c) Luc. 1. Mar. 10. impossible He (d Psal 148. Damasc l. 4. cap. 14.
more ancient than himselfe (q) Ep. 52. 66. S. CYPRIAN (r) Vt supra ORIGEN (s) De Eccle. Hier. cap. 7. S. DENIS (t) Ep. 1. lib. 6. const cap. 29. S. CLEMENT who with one consent doe all accorde in this Doctrine Wherefore (v) Ho. 3. in Phil 41. inâ—t Cor. 69 ad pop Damasc in orat de def Athan. Nyss apud Damasc S. CHRYSOSTOME doth in plaine termes exhorte both that we our selues to our power doe helpe them that are departed and put others in minde also to pray giue Almes for them For it was not vnadvisedly decreed by the Apostles that in the dreadfull Mysteries Commemoration should be made of those that are departed For they knewe well that they shoulde gaine much and reape no small commoditie thereby Thus writeth S. CHRYSOSTOME Finally this is that which to this day the holy Church a faithfull interpretour of the Scriptures hath taught against the (x) Epiph. haer 75. Aug. haer 53. Damasc de haeres Aerians that there is a certain Purgatory or emeÌ„datory (y) Trid. ses 25. 6. Flor. fire as (z) In Ps 37. l. 2. de GeÌ„ cont Ma. ca. 20. Greg. in 3. Ps Paenit li. 4. Dial. ca. 39. Bern. serm 66. in Cant. S. AVGVSTINE calleth it in which the faithfull soules departed in Christ must suffer and satisfie for the punishement of those sins for which wholely Satisfaction was not made in this life by Penance except as (a) Ench. ca. 110. de cura mort c. 1. 4. 18. Saint AVGVSTINE speaketh they bee releeued by the deuotion of their friendes that are aliue 10 What is the commendation and dignity of Penance PEnance is the beginning of the preaching of the Gospell Mat. 3 2. 4.17 Mat. 1 4. Luc. 15 7.10 Mat. 7 13. 11 12. the ioy of Angels in heauen the straite way vpoÌ„ earth that narrow gate by which the faithfull doe trauel towards life lay violent hands vpoÌ„ the kingdome of heauen Shee (a) Lib. de vera fals paenit c. 1. Bas in homil de ver paenit Chry. in ho. serm de paenit erecteth them that bee fallen cureth the wounded strengthneth the weake quickneth the deade restoreth those that are lost finally all things that sinne doth impaire Penance doth renue refreshe in vs. By her we giue a testimony of an hatred of our life past of the contempt of our selues of al submissioÌ„ She being our guide we mourning find (b) Mat. 5 5. comfort being wounded we are cured beeing humble we are exalted This is she whereby we ouercome the diuels the pestilence of vice we driue awaie deserued (c) Hier. 18 8 Ezech. 18 21. 33 11 Ionae 3 Mat. 3 8. 2. Cor. 7 10. Act. 11 18. punishments we pacifie Gods wrath we purchase grace get glory euerlasting Hereupon are those speeches of Christ in the Gospell (d) Mat. 4 17. Doe Penance for the kingdome of heauen is at hand (e) Luc 5 32 I came not to call the Iust but sinners to Penance Vnlesse (f) Luc. 13 6 you haue Penance you shall all likewise perishe But hee finally doth true Penance to conclude all these thinges with the wordes of S. CYPRIAN (g) Ep. 14. Who obaying the precepts of God the Priests with his obedience works of Iustice doth winne our Lord. OF THE SACRAMENT OF EXTREAME VNCTION 1 What ought to be our beleefe touching the Sacrament of Extream Vnction THat certes which the (a) Con. Nic. ex Arab. Latinum factuÌ„ can 69. Con. Const ses 15. Flor. Trid. sess 14. Innoc. 1. ep 1. ad Decentium ca. 8. Pet. Dam. ser 1. in dedicat Eccles Bern. in vita Mala. Conc. Worm can 72. Cabil 2. cap. 48. Melden apud Burchar lib. 4. can 75. apud Iuonem part 1. cap. 269. Aquisgr 2. can 8. Mogunt sub Rabano Alcuinus lib. de offic cap. 12. Hugo lib. 2. de Sacram. par 15. cap. 2. 3. Orig. hom 2. in Leuit. Chrys lib. 3. de Sacerd. Aug. in speculo in serm 215. de temp Catholike Church doth constantlye teache to witte that this is a sacred signe ordained in consecrated oile that thereby heauenly vertue may by Gods ordinance be applied vnto sicke persons for the health not only of their soules but of their bodies also Vnto which Sacrament Sainte IAMES the Apostle giueth most cleare and euident testimony for as much as he hath written these verie wordes (b) Iac. 5 14. Ibid. Beda Is any man sicke among you Let him bring in the Priestes of the church let theÌ„ pray ouer him anoiling him with oile in the name of our Lord. And the praier of faith shal saue the sick And our Lord shal lifte him vp And if he be in sinnes they shal be remitted him 2 What doth the Apostle teach by these wordes HEE sheweth first of all that the Elemente or matter of this Sacrament is oile consecrated as noteth well (a) In cap. â— Mar. in â— Luc in â— Iac. Innoc. 1. vt supra Conc. Meld vt supra S. BEDE by the benediction of a Bishoppe And it signifieth (b) Theoph. in ca. 6. Mar. cherefulnesse of minde an internall strengthening which through the grace of God the sicke man feeleth by the vertue of this Sacrament Then doth the same Apostle set downe the proper minister of this Sacramente to witte a (c) Chry. li. 3. de sacerd Orig. ho. 2. en Leuit. Priest who with praier is decently to exercise this holy vnction Neither was it without some signification of the minister of this Sacrament writteÌ„ of the Apostles that (d) Mar. 6 13 61. Theoph. Beda They annointed with oile many sicke and healed theÌ„ Furthermore the parties that receiue this Sacrament are by Saint IAMES called sicke persons (e) Pet. Cluâ— lib. 1. mirac cap 20. li. 2. cap. 32. because as the manner custome of the Church is this holy vnction is onelie celebrated in grieuous and daungerous sickenesses 3 What is the profite and effect of this Sacrament FIrst it auaileth to remission of (a) Bern. in vita Mal. Conc. Trid. vt supra Pet. Clun li. â— ep 1. such sinnes as the sicke person hath not already purged by the remedies of Penance that he may before all thinges be eased of the burden and cured of the maladie of his sinnes Then profiteth it also either to driue away or to (b) Ibidem Bern. asswage the infirmity of the body so farre forth as it is expedient for the sicke person to be deliuered of the same Last of all it is of force to minister comforte and confidence of which certes there is speciall neede in that last agony and departure at what time the (c) Cyril Al. in orat de â—xitu animae Greg. lib. 2. mor cap. 17.
Church they vsed imposition of (a) Act. 6 6. 13 3. 14 22. 1. Tim. 4 14 5 22. 2. Tim. 1 6. hands For by this as by a certain effectual tokeÌ„ of present grace which is exhibited and (b) Amb. li. de dignit Sacerd. c. 5. Niceph. lib. 12. cap. 14. receiued in the giuing of holy orders is this Sacrament which we speake of commended vnto vs. And therefore S. PAVL writing to TIMOTHY whom he had created Bishop and admonishing him of the grace that he had receiued in this Sacrament doth speake in this manner (c) 1. Tim. 4 14. ibid. Theoph. Haymo Neglect not the grace that is in thee which is giuen thee by Prophesie with impositioÌ„ of the hands of Priesthoode And againe writing to the same Bishoppe (d) 2. Tim. 1 6. ibid. Theoph. I admonishe thee that thou resuscitate the grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my handes And because it is very much materiall (e) Leo. ep 87. ad Episc Maur. synod RoÌ„ sub Sylu c. 11. Trid. ses 23. c. 7. 12. reforma what kind of men be placed in euery of the Churches sunctions and doe receiue Ecclesiasticall power by meanes of this Sacrament therefore it is saide to euerie Bishop (f) 1. Tim. 5 22. Impose handes on no man lightly neither doe thou communicate with other mennes sinnes 4 Howe many degrees doth this Sacrament containe in it IT containeth in generall lesser greater orders the lesser are foure (a) Conc. Carth. 4. caÌ„ 6. sequ Laod. can 24. Trid. ses 23. Ignat. ad Antioch Dion eccles hierarch c. 3. Euseb hist l. 6. cap. 35. ex epist Corn. in number to witte of Ostiaries Lectors Exorcistes Acolites And the greater are three to wit of Sub-deacons Deacons and Priestes And of Priestes some are greater some lesser knowen to bee ordained (b) Luc. 9 1. 10 1. ibid. Beda Clem. ep 1. Anacl ep 2 3. by Christ For the greater sort of Priests are the Apostles and Bishops their (c) Hier. ad Marcel ep 54. Cypr. ep 69. 65. Ignat. ad Phila. Aug. in Psal 44. successors excelling doubtles with a great power and reuerend prerogatiue of dignitie For it is their office as the (d) Act. 20 28. 1. Pet. 5 1. Heb. 13 17. Tit. 1 5. Act. 14 22. Scripture testifieth to take heed to themselues to the wholle flocke which they doe receiue of the holy-Ghost to bee cured and fedde to rule the Church to reforme the things that are wanting to ordaine Priests by Cities And the lesser sort of Priests doe attende in the Ministerye of the Church vnder Bishops as those (e) Luc. 10 â— Leo. ep 88. ad Epi. Gall. Innoc. 3 l. 1. de myst Alt. cap. 6. 72. Disciples did vnder the Apostles doe (f) Heb. 5 1. 8 3. offer giftes and Sacrifices for sinnes and are next vnto the same Bishops as it were workemen (g) Mat. 9 37. Luc. 10 2. in our Lords haruest But the Clarkes of the foure lesser orders haue this proper office to (h) Carth. 4. caÌ„ 6. seq Isid lib. 2. de offic c. 11. seq lib. 7. â—tym c. 12. Raban lib. 1. de inst cler c. 9. sequ Con. Aquis 1. sub Ludouico Pio. ca. 2 sequ Râ—m sub Sylu. c. 3. 6. 9. attend vpoÌ„ Priests Bishops in many businesses and affaires to dispose the people that doe resorte to holy thinges that they themselues by little and little as it were by certaine degrees may be wel informed and prepared to vndertake greater offices in the Church But the other three (i) Carth. 4. caÌ„ 3. sequ Isid sup c 7. Rabanus c. 6. vbi sup Aquisgr ca. 6. Arator l. 1 in Acta cap. 1â— greater orders doe afforde greater power both in other things in the holie mysteries of the Euchatiste Therefore the Sub-deacon and Deacon may be present at the saide mysteries as Ministers be next vnto the Priests themselues And although as touching the Sacrament of Orders the authority of offering Sacrifice there be no difference between Bishoppes and Priests (k) Damasus ep 4. Isid lib. 2. de offic cap. 7. Hieron coÌ„t Lucif cap. 4. Leo. ep 88. Conc. Hisp 2. cap 7. Epiph. haeres 75. Acrianorum yet are they more excellent high thaÌ„ Priests if wee consider the power and authority of gouerning the Church of feeding soules of confirming the Baptised and of ordering Clearkes But it is not our intente at this present exactely to declare what functions and Lawes are prescribed to euery particular order Most certaine it is that al orders are to be had in great estimation diligently to be kepte and maintained For most firme testimony is giuen vnto the same by the holie Discipline of the Apostles Tradition and (l) Amb. in cap 4. ep ad Ephes the Churches obseruance which hath continued euen vnto this day 5 In what sort doe the auncient Fathers write of this Sacrament OF this doth Sainte AVGVSTINE a Doctor without doubt verie Catholike manifestly declare both his owne and the Churches minde in these wordes (a) Li. quaest Vet. Nou. Test quaest 93. vide lib. 2. cont ep Parm. c. 13. In that that our Lorde is read to haue breathed vpon his Disciples a fewe daies after his Resurrection and to haue saide receiue (b) Io. 20 21 yee the holy-Ghost Ecclesiasticall power is vnderstoode to haue beene giueÌ„ For because all thinges in the Tradition of our Lord are done by the holy-Ghost Therefore when a certaine rule forme of this Discipline is deliuered vnto them it is saide to them receiue yee the holie-Ghost And because it appertaineth truely to Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction he presently addeth saying whose sinnes you retaine shall be retained and whose you remitte shall be remitted Therefore this inspiration or breathing is a certaine grace which is infused by Tradition to those that receiue Orders whereby they may be accounted more commendadable Whereupon the Apostle saith to TIMOTHY (c) 1. Tim. 4 14. Neglect not the grace which is in thee which was giuen thee by the imposition of handes of a Priest Therefore once it ought to bee done that for euer after this Tradition might be thought not to be voide of the gifte of the holy-Ghost Hitherto S. AVGVSTINE There are extante also the Cannons of the Apostles in which it is thus (d) Can. 1. 2. decreed Let a Bishoppe bee created by two or three Bishops A Priest by one Bishâ—p So a Deacon others of the Cleargie Then a little after (e) Can. 68. vide canoneâ— insignes dist 59. seq If any Bishop or Priest or Deacon or Subdeacon or Lector or Chaunter doe not faste the holy Lent or the Wensdaie or the Parasceue which we nowe call Friday let him be put out of Orders vnlesse happely
betweene God and his people Wherupon S. AMBROSE saith (b) In ca. 12. 1. ad Cor. A man that is placed in the order of an Ecclesiasticall office hath grace whatsoeuer he be not truly of him selfe but of his order by the operation of the holy Ghost Furthermore the said parties that receiue orders (c) Act. 6 5.8.10 13 2. 14 20. 15 2.42 1. Tim. 4 14. Tit. 1 5. Cypr. ep 76. haue thereby a certaine and euident testimonie whereby they may commend and approue both themselues and their Ministeries also vnto others And so it commeth to passe that they being as it were marked with those orders and being separated vnto the ministerie of the Church are well knowne and esteemed according to their degree and verie worthely honoured But woe be to them (d) Num. 16 31. Heb. 5.4 1. Par. 13 10. 2. Reg. 6 6. 2. Par. 26 16. whom not the example of AaRON that was called by God doth induce but seditiouse humors and swelling of the minde like vnto OZIAS the king doth cary hed long to the occupying vsurping by whatsoeuer meanes the offices of Priestly dignitie vpon whome this speach of God doth fitlie fall (e) Hier. 23 21. 14 14 27 15. 29 9. I did not send Prophets and they did runne I did not speake to them they did Prophesie And these the Scripture warneth vs not to accounte as Ministers of the Church but to eschew as (f) Io. 10 1. Cant. 2 15. Act. 20 29. Mat. 7 15. Theeues Robbers Foxes Dogges and Wolues because they doe not enter in by the dore but either of their owne rashnesse or for the fauour only of some ciuil magistrate (g) Trid. sess 23. cap. 4. or the popular multitude (h) Laod. can 13. they assume vnto themselues Ecclesiasticall offices seazing vpon those holy functions without any lawfull calling ordering * Ro. 10 15. But hâ—w shall they preach vnlesse they be sent as S. PAVL being one himselfe that was (i) Act. 13 2. separated vnto the worke doth say Doubtlesse order beinge once broken (k) Vide Leonem ep 87 ad Epis Afr. Greg. li. 4. ep 52. Dion cap. 5. eccles hier and Priesthoode taken away the Hierarchie and princely disposition of the Church consisting as well of Priests and other ministers as also of Bishoppes rightly ordered woulde come to decay Neither shoulde the Churche be that which it is called a Campe sette in battaile araye (l) Cant. 6 9. nor the true and lawefull Ministers of the Church should be discerned the office and authoritie of teaching would become contemptible the dispensation of the Sacramentes woulde be vnfaithfully and preposterously performed yea and altogither frustrate finally the functions of the Church woulde bee perturbed and as the proofe it selfe too much doth shewe newe and false Doctrines would increase and swarme by the means of these newe and false Ministers of Christ his spouse wherby the Church would often be shaken with sore deadly coÌ„motions as we doe in our daies feele by experience And for that cause the Apostle (m) 1. Cor. 12 28. Saint PAVL hath not only set down diuerse degrees of Ministers in the Church but hath also shewed howe holesome and necessarie they be in so much that hee affirmeth that they were giuen by (n) Ephes 4 11. God vnto the church as it hath bin said before To the consummatioÌ„ of Saints vnto the worke of the Ministerie vnto the edifiing of the body of Christ that nowe wee be not children wauering and carried about with euery winde of Dostrine in the wickednesse of men in craftinesse to the circumuention of error And certes this is a most euident sure note of the Church in that we see that perpetuall and neuer as yet at any time interrupted sucession of Bishops of lawefull orders in the same which God hath placed there-in for the perfect gouernment of this his kingdome And therefore this institution of Ministers as a most firme (o) Iren. lib. 3 cap. 3. lib. 4. cap. 43. Optat lib. 2. cont Douat Aug. ep 165 42. con epist Fund c. 4. in Psal cont part Donat. Tert. de praescript c. 36. knitting together of the Church and a most pretious bonde to preserue vnity is the more carefully to be retained and euen in the euill Ministers of the Church as we said before because of Gods ordinance is euer to be honored Which S. AVGVSTINE well vnderstanding saith Into that (p) Ep. 165. vide l. 2. con lit Petil. c. 51 order of Bishops which is deriued from PETER himselfe euen to ANASTASIVS who nowe sitteth in the same Chaire If any Traitour had in those daies crept in it had beene nothing preiudiciall vnto the Church and vnto Innocent Christians for whom our Lord was so carefull and prouident that he saith of euill Prelates (q) Mat. 23 3. whatsoeuer they say doe yee but according to their workes doe yee not Thus farre Sainte AVGVSTINE OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY 1 What is Matrimony MAtrimony is a laweful (a) Aug. li. de fid op ca. 7. lib. 1. de nupt coÌ„cup cap. 10. 21. lib. de bono coÌ„iug ca. 24. Amb. in c. 5. Eph. Pet. Damia ser 1. de dedic Lucius 3 in 5. Decret tit 7. c. 9. CoÌ„stant Conc. ses 15. artic 8. Trid. ses 24. can 1. coniunction of a man a woman instituted by God that they maie leade together an vndeuided society of life I say lawefull that there may be mutual (b) GeÌ„ 24 57 Tob. 7 15. Amb. de instit Virg c. 6 consent of both partes and that there be not found betweene them the degrees as they call them of (c) Calixt 1. ep 2. Later can 50. Trid ses 24. can 3. 4. de refor Matr. c. 2. sequ Consanguinity Affinity and other thinges of the like sort either prohibiting or disanulling Matrimony Of which Matrimoniall Coniunction if thou wouldest knowe the first author it is (d) Gen. 2 23. Mat. 19 6. 1. Cor. 7 10. Eph. 5 21. God himselfe most excellent and mightie who ioyned the first Couple and Parents of mankind in Paradise it selfe and honored them with his benediction But if thou regard the ende why it was instituted it is no other but the propagation of (e) Gen 2 23 Fulg. ep 1. cap. 3. Isid lib. 2. offic cap. 19. mankind to the glory of God and a familiar and faithfull liuing together (f) Chry ho. 20 ad Eph. in moral exhort ho. 5. in 1. Thess of Man Wife And finally the auoiding (g) 1. Cor. 7.9.10 Aug. li. 9. de Gen. ad lit c. 7. Chry. in Ps 43. ho. 3. de verb. Isaiae vidi DominuÌ„ of fornication in this imbecillitie of a corrupted nature 2 Howe is Matrimony a Sacrament IN that the (a) Amb. in cap. 5. Eph. Aug. vt supr
to be punished with death For which cause S. PAVL doth not once only rebuke the liers (m) 1. Cor. 6 9. Rom. 1 24. 1. Tim 1 10 Gal. 5 10.11 with mankinde And he condemneth also vncleane and effeminate persons of which one was Onan (n) Gen. 38 9. Hier in cap. 5. epist ad Ephes sonne of Iudas who could not escape the present reuenge of God for that he sinned against his owne body and worse then any beast would violate the honestie and order of nature 4 What doth the scripture propose touching the oppression of the poore Thou shalt not make sad the stranger saith our Lord neither shalt thou (a) Exod. 22 21. Deut. 15 9. 24 10. Eccli 35 16. Hier. 21 12. 22 3. Mal. 3 5. 2. Reg. 12 1. afflict him for you your selues were strangers in the land of Egipt Yee shall not hurte the widdow the fatherlesse If you doe hurte them they will cry out vnto me and I will heare their cry and my fury shall take indignation and I will strike you with the sworde your wiues shall be widdowes and your children Orphanes For which cause the Egiptians were (b) Exod. 7. sequent scourged with so manie plagues and with their most cruell King and Tirant PHARAO who spared not to kil the very Infants (c) Exod. 1 8 of the Hebrues were finally (d) Ex. 14 27 drowned because of their cruelty more then barbarous against the Israelites I haue seene saith our Lorde the affliction (e) Exod. 3 7 of my people in Egipt and I haue hearde their cry because of the hardnes of those that are ouerseers of the workes knowing their griefe I came downe to deliuer them out of the handes of the Egiptians For this cause doth our Lorde threaten by ESAIE the Prophet Woe (f) Esa 10 1 Deut. 27 19 Iob. 24 1. Mat. 23 14. they that make vniust lawes writing haue written vniustice that they might oppresse the poore in iudgement and doe violence to the cause of the humble of my people that widdowes might be their pray and that they might spoile the fatherlesse And in the same Prophet there is extant this complaint of cruell and vniust Magistrates Thy Princes (g) Esa 1 23. Hier. 5 28. Zach. 7 9. Psal 93 3. Amos. 5 11. are Infidels companions of theeues all doe loue bribes they follow after rewardes They do not giue iudgement to the fatherlesse and the cause of the widdowe doth not enter in vnto them Againe their (h) Esa 3 12.14 Collectours haue spoiled my people And there is no doubt but that Cities Prouinces by reason of this abominable sinne which is committed by tirannicall Magistrates are oftentimes brought into extreame danger 5 What finally doth the scripture teach cōcerning the withholding or diminishing of the labourers wages VVE reade in the Apostle S. IAMES how vehemently he doth vpbraide riche men with their cruell sparing and egregious wickednesse in defrauding poore labourers (a) Iac. 5 4. Beholde the hiere of the workemen that haue reaped your feeldes which is defrauded by you crieth And their cry hath entered into the eares of the Lorde of Sabaoth And (b) Eccli 34 25 7 22. Ecclesiasticus writeth in this manner The breade of the needy is the life of the poore man he that defraudeth him is a man of blood He that taketh awaie the bread in sweate as he that killeth his neighbour He that sheddeth bloode and he that defraudeth the hired man are brethren Therefore it is decreed by the law of God Thou shalt not deny the (c) Deut. 24 14. Leuit. 19 13 Tob. 4 15. Mal. 3 5. hiere of thy poore needie brother or of the stranger that abideth with thee in the land and is within thy gates but the very same day thou shalt render to him the price of his labor before the sunsette because he is poore and thereby he sustaineth his life least he cry against thee to our Lord it be reputed to thee for a sinne 6 To what ende is all this discourse of sinnes to be referred and what is the vse and commoditie thereof THis discourse belongeth to the first parte of Christian Iustice which consisteth in knowing and fleeing of euils And the vse commoditie thereof is rightlye to discerne and being discerned vtterly to eschew those thinges which are verely euels contrary to God pernitious vnto men and if in case any of them be committed then diligentlie to endeuour to purge the same Heereby we learne also how a wise man differeth from a foole a iust man from a wicked person For a wise man (a) Pro. 14 16. feareth and declineth frō euill but a foole leapeth ouer and is confident For (b) Pro. 18 2 a foole doth not receiue the words of wisdome except thou speake those thinges which his hearte is sette vpon as witnesse the SALOMON who also writeth thus The pathes of iust (c) Pro. 4 18 persons as a bright shining light proceedeth and encreaseth euen vnto a perfect day the way of the wicked is darke and obscure they know not where they fall Many certes are (d) Aug. de gra lib. arb cap. 3. lib 3. de lib. arb cap. 22. Bern. epi. 77. ad Hugon Chrys hom 26. in epist ad Rom. shamefully ignorāt of those pernitious plagues of the mind the sinnes that we haue declared others althoughe they know them neuer so well yet doe they not auoide and detest them But worst of all are others who are obdurate (e) See before of obstinacie Aug. in Enc. cap. 80. with the custome of sinne of which kinde it is thus said A wicked (f) Pro. 18 3 man when he is come into the bottome of sinnes contemneth but shame and reproch doth followe him And this kinde of men doth contemne those thinges espeaciallye which Christian Iustice dothe require not only for the marking and discerning of vices but also for the necessary auoiding and purging of the same OF THE PVRGING OF SINNES Conc. Trid. sess 5. can 3. ses 6. cap. 2. 7. 1 And by what meanes are sinnes purged HEere first of all it is out of controuersie that Christ is vnto vs a (a) Ro. 3 24. 1. Io. 2 1. 4 10. 1 7. propitiatour and that Lambe (b) Io. 1 36. Mat. 1 21. 1. Cor. 1 30. 1. Tim. 2 5. Heb. 1 3. 9 12. Act. 4 12. of God that taketh awaie the sinnes of the world who only could deserue for vs remission of sinnes make purgation of the same Then is it most certaine that God doth purifie mennes hearts by Faith as (c) Act. 15 9. Heb. 11 1.6 Gal. 2 16. 3 8. Rom. 3 24. Luc. 7 50. Ephes 2 8. Trid. sess 6. cap. 8. S. PETER saith because that without Faith which is the dore and foundation of mans saluation none can obtain or hope for
remission or purging of their sinnes And as touching Faith they are vtterly destitute (d) Aug. tra 67. in Ioan. Leo. ser 4. de Nat. Dom. therof who not consenting with the Faith of the Church doe with a certaine vaine (e) See before of presumption pag. 315. confidence promise vnto themselues and others remission of sinnes and grace of Iustification through Christ But they that perseuering in the Faith and vnitie of the Church doe desire to bee deliuered from their sinnes haue many waies proposed vnto them in Scripture for the taking away of their (f) Orig. ho. 2. in Leuit. Aug. l. 2. cōt Cres cap. 12. Chry. Conc. 4. de Lazar. in finc ho. 6. in Io. sinnes amongest which the principall is the Sacrament of Penance Which beeing despised it is to no purpose to vse any (g) See before of the Sacrament of Penance pag. 196. other remedies for deadly sinnes For this hath Christ the Phisician of soules ordained not onely as a present but also as a necessary medicine to bee of force against any leaper of sin whatsoeuer commēding the same he hath said to the Priests Whose (h) Io. 20 22 sins you shall remit they are remitted them Secondlie sinnes are cleansed and purged by Almes because it is written Almes (i) Tob. 4 8. 12 8. Eccli 3 15.33 Pro. 13 8. 15 27. 16 6. Luc. 11 41. deliuereth from all sinne and from death and will not suffer a soule to goe into darkenesse Therefore the Prophet giueth this admonition (k) Dā 4 24 Esa 1 17.18 Heb. 13 16. See after of Almes Redeeme thy sinnes with Almes and thy iniquities with the mercies of the poore Thirdly sins are remitted when although wee haue beene neuer so much wronged yet we do forgiue our brother the offence our Lorde haueing saide If (l) Mat. 6 14. Luc. 6 37. Mar. 11 25. Eccli 28 2. you will forgiue men their offences your heauenly Father will forgiue you also your offences Fourthlye the same effecte is wrought whē by admonishing our brother that sinneth we doe winne him and bring him to amendment as it is written He (m) Iac. 5 20 which maketh a sinner to be conuerted from the error of his way shall saue his soule from death and couereth a multitude of sinnes Fiftely hereunto belongeth the aboundance of syncere Charitie which is very puissant mightie to obtain accōplishe al good things For which it is said of MARY MAGDALEN Many (n) Luc. 7 47 sinnes are forgiuen her because shee loued much For (o) Pro. 10 12. 1. Pet. 4 8. Charity couereth the multitude of sins Sixtly hereunto is auaileable the Sacrifice of a contrit (p) Ps 50 19. Luc. 18 13. Mat. 18 32. Eccli 21 1. hart which God neuer despiseth an humble knowledg of a mans selfe confession of his sins For our Lord hath respect (q) Psal 101 18. vpon the praier of the humble and doth not despise their petitions In somuch that hereupon holy DAVID also testifieth of him selfe (r) Psal 31 5. I haue saide I will confesse against my selfe my iniustice vnto our Lorde and thou hast remitted the impietie of my sinne And S. IHON generally to al that doe truely confesse promiseth this grace (s) 1. Io. 1 9. If we confesse our sinnes saith he he is faithfull and iust for to forgiue vs our sins to cleanse vs from all iniquitie Therefore the Niniuites (t) Ionae 3 5 Mat. 12 41. Luc. 11 32. 3. Reg. 21 29. Sap. 11 24. Cypr. ep 40.8.26 when they did earnestlye perseuer in workes of humilitie and Penance appeased the present wrathe of God and turned away the imminent destruction of their Cittie and cuntrey And therefore of them we reade it thus written God (v) Ione 5 10. Num. 25 11 Psal 105 30. sawe their workes because they were turned from their euill waies God tooke compassion of the euill which he had spoken that he would doe to thē did it not Thus finally we learne by the testimonie of holy Scripture that by (x) Pro. 10 2 Act. 8 22. 2. Cor. 7 10. these other meanes offices of true pietie done by the grace of Christ this effecte is wrought that the sinnes of faithfull penitents in the Church as wee saide before are purged and taken away in regard whereof the Apostle warneth Hauing (y) 2. Cor. 7 1. 2 Tim. 2 19.21 therefore these promises my dearest let vs cleanse our selues from all inquination of the fleshe and spirit perfiting sanctification in the feare of God And with no lesse vehemencie speaketh S. IAMES (z) Iac. 4 8. Ezec. 18 27. Cleanse saith he your handes you sinners purifie your hartes you double of minde Be miserable and mourne and weepe let your laughter be turned into mourning and ioy into sorow Be humble in the sight of our Lorde and he will exalte you For it is not sufficient for a man to amende his manners to leaue his misdedes that we may againe vse the wordes (a) Hom 50 ex 50. cap. 5. in Ench. cap. 70. Cypr. de lapsis in fine others as before of Satisfaction pag. 209. of S. AVGVSTINE Vnlesse by the sorow of penance by the sighings of humilitie and by the sacrifice of a contrite harte together with the cooperation of almes satisfaction he made to God for those thinges also that haue bene committed Otherwise who so shall knowe that any mortall sinnes doe beare sway in him as the same (b) Se◠41. de Sanctus Saint writeth except he worthely amende himselfe if he haue space doe penance along time and giue large almes refraine from the sinnes themselues he cannot be purged with that transtorie fire whereof the Apostle (c) 1. Cor. 5 15. Aug. lib 16. ex 50. Ench. ca. 67. de fid op ca. 16. quaest 1. ad Dulcitium hath spoken but shall be tormented without any redresse in the euerlasting flame For not deadly sinnes but litle sinnes are purged and clensed after this life 2 And what conceipte ought we to haue of litle sinnes Aug. Ench. cap. 78. li. 21. ciu 5.27 Isid lib. 2. de sum bo c. 18 THis surelie that such lighter sinnes as the wandering of the minde an idle worde immoderate laughter and such like which are called quotidian or veniall sinnes and without the which this life is not past ouer for in (a) Iac. 3 2. 1. Io. 1 8. Eccles 7 21. Pro. 24 16. Psal 31 6. many thinges we offend all as we also noted before although they are not deadly and do seeme litle in outward apparāce yet they are not to bee (b) Aug. de 10. chord c. 11. in Pse 129. ser 244. de tēp tr 12. in Ioan. contemned For somuch as they displease God or as S. PAVL speaketh they (c) Eph. 4 30 Chry. ho. 87. in Mat.
these we are (i) Ephes 2. created destinated in Christ as the which thinges God hath prepared that we may walke in them For these thinges done (k) Mat. 25 34. Io. 5 29. in charitie the iust shal be receiued into the euerlasting kingdome And for neglecting of the same the vniust shall be cast hedlong into hell fire And as it is Pharisaicall (l) Luc. 18 11. and full of vanitie with the contempte of others to iustifie himselfe and to trust to his owne (m) Ro. 10 3. Trid. sess 6. cap. 16. workes so is it Christian like and lawfull that a man with humilitie diligentlye attend vnto good workes and if at any time he will glorie to glorie in (n) 1. Cor. 1 31. 2. Cor. 10 17. our Lorde who worketh in vs to will and to accomplishe as witnesseth the (o) Phil. 2 13. Apostle 4 What is fasting THis worde hath not one simple signification A greate and generall faste S. AVGVSTINE (a) Aug. tra 17. in Io. l. 2. quaest Euang ca 18. calleth to abstaine from vices and vnlawfull pleasures of the worlde Then is there a philosophicall Fast as some name it consisting in a spare diet temperance of meate and drinke and morall sobrietie wherewith the very (b) Hieron lib. 2. aduers Iouin c. 9. Heathens according to the rule of right reason do liue teÌ„perately Thirdly there is an Ecclesiastical Faste (c) Clem. Constit Apost l. 5. cap. 12. 14. 17. 18. 19. Isid lib. 1. offic c. 36. sequ Raban de instit cler lib. 2. c. 17. sequ Iuo part 4. cap. 25. sequ Burch l. 35. to wit when according to the certaine custome prescript of the Church we forbeare fleshe diet vpon some certaine daies are content with one only repast Which kind of Fast is after a Godly Christian manner (d) Cypr. de Ieiun teÌ„tationibus Christi Athan. de Virg. Chrys ho. 1. 2. in Gen. serm 1. 2. de Ieiun Bas orat 1. 2. de Ieiun Aug. de vtil Ieiun cap. 2. 3. Amb. in lib. 1. de Helia Ieiun epist 82. Leo. in ser de Ieiun 7. 10. mensis Pentecostes quadrag vndertaken to performe Gods seruice more religiously to tame the fleshe and make it subiect to the spirite to yeelde the worthy fruites of penance to exercise obedience finally to obtaine any grace fauor at Gods handes 5 But What answere is to be made vnto those that doe reprehend contemn the law of the Ecclesiastical Fast FIrst such persons are to be admonished that they doe not fasly attribute vnto Catholicks that which the Apostle doth (a) 1. Tim. 4 1. Ccl. 2 16. Deut. 14 3. Can. Ap. 50 52. Conc. Gang. can 2 1. Tol. in assert fid Bracâ—r 1. can 14. 32. detest and the Church hath euer in the Iewes Maniches Priscilianistes condemned for that either according to the law of MOYSES or of superstition they do abstain from certain meats For Catholicks as S. AVGVSTINE aunswereth (b) Lib. 30. Con. Faust cap. 5. de mor. Manic c. 13. 14. Con. Adim cap. 14. Theod. in epito diuin decr cap. de Abstinen Bern. ser 66. in Cant. Isid l. 1. de offic cap. 44 GeÌ„ 1 29. 2 16. 9 3 Leu. 10 8. Num. 6 3. Iud. 13 7.13 Hier. 35 6. 18. Dan. 1 8. 10 2. Mat. 3 4. Mar. 1 6. Luc. 1 15. Act. 15 20.29 Ro. 14 20. 1. Cor. 8 13. 1. Tim. 5 23 6. Syn can 56. Greg. ad August teste GratiaÌ„ distinct â— et Iuon par 4. c. 29. Athan. in vita Antonij Hieron in vita Pauli Erem Hilarionis Epiph. in compend doct Eccles Cathol FAVSTVS the Manichee Whereas they abstaine from fleshe they doe it for to tame their bodies and to restraine the more their soules from such motions as be contrarie to reason not for that they thinke the fleshe it selfe to be vncleane neither doe they abstaine from fleshe onely but also from some certaine fruites of the earth either alwaies as a fewe or at certaine daies and times as in the Lente for the most part euery one Thus writeth S. AVGVSTINE And before him the same also EPIPHANIVS teacheth where he confuteth the Aerian heresie which will haue the sett (c) Haeres 7â— Aug. haeres 53. Damase de haeres Fastes of the Church to be at euery mans discretion and no man to bee bounde thereunto But in that the order of time is obserued in (d) Hieron in ep ad Gal. cap. 4. Leo. ser 3. 4. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 4. de quadrag Baâ— orat 2. de Ieiun publike Fastes as also in Praiers holy daies that doth confirme setforth and aduance the order and publike concorde in the Church Besides priuate Fastes fewe woulde impose vpon themselues as being hindered from such endeuours with a naturall loue of the fleshe and care of the bellie Nowe that it is of great importance and of assured meritte reuerently to imbrace and diligently to obserue such kinde of Fastes (e) Lib. 2. c. 5 10.11 Aug. haeres 22. Amb ep 82. S. HIEROME proueth it so plainlie against IOVINIAN that none can doubte thereof any more Vnto which may be added those thinges which we haue taught before concerning the obseruance of the precepts of the Church that for the auoiding of (f) Aug. ep 118. ad Ianuar cap. 2. Scandall and retaining of publcike discipline Neither only for wrath but also for conscience sake as the Apostle (g) Ro. 13 5 hath saide And it is manifest as the writers (h) Aug. ep 36. Epiph. in compend Calixt ep 1. ad Bened. Leo. ser 1. et 2. de Pent. et ser 8. 9. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 8. de Ieiun 10. meÌ„sis Raban l. 2. de instit Cler. cap 24. Conc. Mog cap. 34. Salegun cap. 2. Bern. in vigil S. Andr. in all ages doe proue that this is both the perpetuall Discipline Custome Tradition and decree of the Church and hath beene euer from the beginning that vpon certaine daies especially of the (i) Ignat. ad Phil. Epiph. in compend Theoph. Alex. lib. 3. Paschali Maxim in serm de quadrag Amb. Aug. Leo. Bern. de eadem Orig. ho. 10. in Leuit. Isid 1. offic cap. 36. Aug. ep 119. cap. 15. in Psal 110. Lent this Fast of the Church shoulde be obserued So doe the (k) Can. 68. Canons of the Apostles and the most holie (l) Laod. c. 50. 2. Brac. c. 9. 4. Carth can 63. Tribur c. 35 Agath c. 12 Councelles teach The Councell of (m) Can. 19. Mogunt can 35. Gangra certes pronounceth them accursed that doe contemne the common Fastes of the whole Church And the Toletane (n) 8. Tolet. c. 9. vide Telesph in epi. ad vniuers Theoph. Alex l. 3. Pasc Aug. ser 64. de temp Niceph. l. 17.
c. 32. Chrys hom 6. ad pop 1. 2. in Gen. Councell willeth them to bee excōmunicate who without vneuitable necessity euident weakenesse doe eate fleshe in Lent And the holy Fathers zeal is most singular in commending vrging requiring (o) Bas ho. 2. de Ieiun Aug. ser 62. de temp Amb. ser 23. 25. 34. 36. 37 Fasting espetially that of Lent which they will haue accounted as instituted by the (p) Hieron ep 54 cont Mont. ad Marcell Apostles From this spirite of the Fathers are they farre off that doe disburden themselues others of the Lawe of Fastes taking vpon themselues the Patronage not of Euangelicall liberty but of licentiousnes of the fleshe These fellowes will not haue the fleshe with the (q) Gal. 5 24 vices and concupiscences to be crucified therefore they (r) 1. Cor. 2 14. sauor not those thinges that are of the Spirite but doe rather extinguishe (s) 1. Thes 5 19. Maxim in Litan the Spirite contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostle They do also resist the holy Church our Mother yea (t) Aug. in ep 86. ad Casul Christ also speaking gouerning in the Church (v) Luc. 10 16. Mat. 18 17. 1. Cor. 14 37. 1. Thes 2 13 Act. 15 28. Hier. 35 6.18 2. Mac. 6 19 7 1. his Spouse wherfore they purchase vnto themselues (x) Ro. 13 2. Leu. 23 27. 1. Reg. 14 24. 3. Reg. 13 16. Conc. Trid. sess vlt. Aug. tract 73. in Ioan. Amb. ser 25. 36. Chrys hom 12. in 1. ad Tim. Raban lib. 2. de instit Cler. cap. 25. assured damnation wheras they abrogate reiecte the holy holesome ordinance of Fastes alwaies commēded vnto vs by the Church 6 What doth the holie Scripture teache concerning Fasting Iud. 20.26 1. Reg. 7 6. 31 13. 2. Reg. 1 12. 3 35. 12 16. 22. 3. Reg. 21 27. 1. Par. 10 12 2. Par. 20 3. 1. Esd 8 21. 2. Esd 1 4. IT is the voice of Almightie God himselfe which by the Prophet IOEL cryeth out vnto sinners (a) Icel 2 12 1 14. Be yee conuerted vnto mee in your whole heart in Fasting Weeping and Mourning And a little after (b) Ibid. 2 15. Greg. ho. 16. in Euang Maxim ho. 1. de Ieiun quadrag Sound the trumpet in Sion saith hee Sanctifie a Faste call the company assemble the people together or as others do reade Sanctifie a Faste preache the curing That hereby we may learne that Faste is sanctified by other good woorkes and being sanctified is (c) Aug. ser 60. 62. 69. 230. de tēp Bern. ser 4. de quadrag Hier. in c. 6. Danielis auailable to the curing of sinnes as S. HIEROME doth (d) Lib. 2. adu Iouin cap. 11. interpret For as the same holy Father gathereth our of holie (e) Ibid. vide Aug. ser 65. de temp Chrysost in homil de Iona. write by Fasting DANIEL a man of (f) Dan. 9.3.23 10 3.11 desires knewe thinges to come And the Niniuites appeased the wrath (g) Ionae 3 10. of God And (h) 3. Reg. 19 8. ELIAS and (i) Exod. 24 18. 34 28. Deut. 9 9.18 MOYSES with fortie daies hunger were filled with the familiarity of Almighty God our Lord (k) Mat. 4 2. Luc. 4 2. himselfe Fasted so manie daies in the wildernesse that he might leaue vnto vs solemne daies of Fasting And hee taught that the fiercer sort of diuels cannot be vanquished but by (l) Mat. 17 21. Mar. 9 29. Praier Fasting the Apostle saith that he (m) 1. Cor. 11 27. Fasted often And in the Psalmes the Penitent saith I did (n) Ps 101. eate my breade as ashes and did mingle my drinke with teares And when (o) Psal 34. they were troublesome vnto me I did weare heare cloth I did humble my soule in Fasting What is more manifest then that which Christ affirmeth shoulde come (p) Luc. 5 35. Mar. 2 20. Mat. 9 15. ibid. Hier to passe that when he the Spouse most deare vnto his disciples should be taken away then they thoughe full of the holy-Ghost (q) Act. 13 3 14 22. shoulde Fast Therefore S. PAVL exhorteth all the faithfull Let vs (r) 2. Cor. 6. Luc. 2 37. Mat. 6 16. Tob. 3 10. Iudith 4 8. 8 6. Esth 4 3. 14 2. Hier. 36 9. Bar. 1 5. 1. Mac. 3 47 2. Mac. 13 12. exhibite our selues as the ministers of God in much patience in watchinges in Fastinges in chastitie For they (s) Gal. 5. that be Christes haue crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences 7 What is Praier IT is a deuoute affect of our mind towards God wherby we do faith fully demand (a) Damasc l. 3. orth fid c. 24. Aug. l. 2. de ser Do in Monte. c. 3. ser 230 de temp Bas in Iul. Chrys ho. 30. in Gē Nyss in lib. de orat whatsoeuer things are holesome for vs and others and whereby we doe praise celebrate the grace and power of Almightie God or by any manner of meanes exhibite our selues (b) Ex. 35. c d 2. Par. 29. g deuoute before that soueraigne eternall maiestie So that heerunto belongeth not only beseeching but also (c) Mat. 4. b adoration (d) Mal. 1. c Esa 56. c Ioan. 4. c oblation or Sacrifice (e) Ro. 10. c inuocation (f) Psal 17. a 145. a praise and (g) Esa 56. c 1. Tim. 2. a Aug. ep 59 ad Paulin thankesgiuing The (h) Aug. tract 73. in Euang Io. Bas in cap. 2. const Monast Bern. ser 4. 5. de quadrag in ser de 4. modis orandi maner and exact forme of praying Christ hath (i) Mat. 6. b Luc. 11. a See before of our Lordes Praier prescribed as we haue already declared And there is no worke more (k) Ps 140. a Tob. 12. c Act. 10. a Ex. 32. c Ps 105. d Hier. 7. c 27. d ibid. Hieron epist 12. ad Gaudentiū c. 3 cōmended in holy scripture none more familiar with deuoute and holy persons none that of more persons and more often with greater diligence and more necessarily is to be exercised in this life than is praier It is a true saying (l) Eccles 35. d Ps 105. c 36. alud 9. d The praier of him that humbleth himselfe shall pearce the cloudes Also (m) Lu. 18. a Eccli 18 c. 1. Thess 5. c it behoueth alwaies to praie to wit with a zealous affect of harte and without hypocrisie or respect of the praise (n) Mat. 6. a of men that is to saie in spirite (o) Io. 4. c. truth Notwithstanding they that doe praie doe often vse an externall (p) Tert. in apol aduers Gent. c. 30 Aug. in l. de cura pro mort cap. 5 Hieron adu Lu. if cap. 6 in vita
f g souldier of Christ doth ofte encourage others to true and Christian fortitude My beloued (g) 1. Cor. 15 g 16. c 9 d Ro. 11. c Gal. 6. c 2. Thess 3. c Teb 2. c Eccles 10. a Eccli 4. d 5 c 11. c 2. Par. 15 b Iac. 5. b Heb. 10. f Mat. 10. c 24. b Bern. epist 129. ad Ianuenses brethren saith he be stable vnmoueable abounding in the work of our Lord all waies knowing that your labour is not vaine in our Lorde And againe Brethren be (h) Ephes 6. b Esa 40. g Pro. 14. c 2. Paral. 16. c lac 4. b 1. Pet. 5. c Vide Prosp l 3. de vira contempl c. 20. Amb. l. 1. offic c. 35. seq strengthned in our Lord and in the might of his power Put you on the armour of God that you may stand against the deceiptes of the Deuill and resiste in the euill day and stand in all thinges perfite Of a man that hath Fortitude these are the proper speeches I haue (i) Ps 55. a c trusted in God I will not feare what fleshe can doe vnto me Our (k) Ps 26. a Lorde is the protectour of my life of whom shall I tremble If whole armies stand against me my heart shall not be affraide If I (l) Ps 22. a shal walke in the midst of the shaddowe of death I wil not fear euils bicause thou art with me Who (m) Ro. 8. g shall separate vs frō the charity of Christ (n) Phil. 4. c I cā al things in him that strengthneth me This is that which the most couragious King DAVID (o) 1. Reg. 17. d 2. Reg. 14. d 16. b c 17. b 23. a Psal 17. c as it were soundinge the allarume to al the sonnes of god his fellowe souldiers doth say Doe (p) Psa 30. d manfully and let your hart be comforted all you that trust in our Lorde In god (q) Ps 107. d Heb. 11. f g Dan. 3. b 1. Mach. 2. b f g 2 Mac. 7. a f Act. 4. c 5. f g Apo. 2. b c g 3. a c d we will doe vertue and he will bring to nothing those that trouble vs. But that certes is a life worthie of a Christian man wherein we do liue wisely iustly temperately and with fortitude Hence is it that golden (r) Bern. lib. 2. de consid cap. 10. mediocritie that we do nothing too much nor too little This is that which the Scripture meaneth when it saith Doe thou (s) Pro. 4. b not decline either on the right hand or on the lefte OF THE GIFTES AND FRVITES OF THE HOLY GHOST 1 How many giftes of the holy Ghost be there THey are found in ESAIE the Prophet (a) Esa 11 a ibid. Hieron Amb. lib. 1. de spiritu sancto c. 20. Aug. ser 209. de temp c. 4. 17. de sanct c. 2. Item l. 1. de ser Do in monte c. 3. 4. l 2 de doctrina Christ c. 7. Greg. ho. 19 in Ezech. lib. 1. moral cap. 28. lib 35 cap. 7 Bern. in ser de donis Spir. Sanct. and the Fathers of the Church to be seauen The Spirite of wisdome of Vnderstanding of Councell of Fortitude of Science of Pietie finally the spirite of the feare of our Lorde Which giftes certes or spirites are found to be after a more perfite (b) Orig. ho. 3. in Esa ho. 6. in Nū manner in CHRIST IESVS our Lorde than in any other For he is full of grace (c) Io. 1. b and truth In him doth inhabite all the fulnes of the Diuinitie (d) Col. 2. b corporally Of his (e) Io. 1 b fulnes we all haue receiued who hath also giuen (f) 1. Io. 4. c vnto vs of his holy spirite And if (g) Ro. 8 b any man haue not the spirite of Christ he is not his if we beleeue the Apostle 2 How many are the fruites of the holy Ghost THey are of the same Apostle S. PAVL (a) Gal. 5 d vide ib. Hier. Theop. c. numbred Twelue The first is (b) Col. 3 c 1. Ioan. 4 c Aug. tra 87. in Euang. Io. Hier. in c. 5. ad Gal. CHARITY the most excelent kinde of fruit the roote also of all good thinges Without the which (c) 1. Cor. 13. a Aug. in ep Io. tra 5. all other good things cannot profite which cannot herselfe be had without all other good thinges whereby a man is made good as saith (d In Euāg Io. tract 87. S. AVGVSTINE An other fruite is (e) Phil. 4 a IOY excelling in this that a spiritual man doe serue God cheerefully with alacritie The third is PEACE (f) Luc 2 b Phil. 4 b Psal 118 ◠which seruethe to this ende that in the stormes of this worlde the tranquilitie of the minde be kepte The fourth is (g) Luc. 21 d Iac. 1 a PATIENCE which consisteth in suffering aduersitie The fifth is LONGANIMITY (h) Aba 2. a 2. Cor. 6. b Mat. 10 c which doth declare the greatnes of the minde in expecting good thinges to come The sixt is GOODNES which (i) Eph. 5 b hurteth no man wisheth well to all The seauenth is BENIGNITY (k) Col. 3 b inuiting to familiaritie sweet in speach temperate in manners The eigthe is MILDNES (l) Mat. 5 a 11. d Pro. 31 d which doth qualifie and mitigate al the motions of anger The ninthe is FAITH or FIDELITY (m) 1. Tim. 3 c Pro. 12 d towards our neighbour that we be faithfull and obseruers of all couenantes and promises The tenth is MODESTY (n) Phil. 4 a which excludethe all suspition of haughtines and arrogancie The eleuenth is CONTINENCY (o) Eccli 37 d Tob. 1 b 1. Thess 5 d whereby we doe not only abstaine from meate but from all manner of wickednes The twelueth is CHASTITY (p) Sap. 4 a 1. Cor. 7 f which keepeth a chast minde in a chaste bodie 3 How may we rightly vse the doctrine concerning the giftes and fruites of the holy-Ghost BY this means surely if with gratful mindes we acknowledge frō whence they come vnto vs and feele the effectuall vertue and vse of them in ourselues and shew forth and preserue the same They proceede certes from the fountaine of all grace that Father (a) Iac. 1 ◠of lightes who in the same commendeth vnto vs his infinite goodnes and charitie whilest through Christ he doth so (b) Tit. 3 b aboundātly powre his spirit vpō vs For (c) Ro. 5 ◠the charitie of God as witnesseth the Apostle is powred forth in our hartes by the holy Ghost which is giuen vs to witte according to this seauen folde grace Christ so deseruing in our behalfe He that (d) Io. 7 f beleeueth in me saith he as the scripture saith out of his bellie shall flowe riuers of liuing water And this hee saide
of the Spirit that they should receiue which beleeued in him as the Euangelist himselfe expoundeth Otherwise without Christ as S. HIEROME (e) In c. Esa 11. hath saide neither can any man be wise nor intelligent nor a counselour nor couragious nor learned nor godly nor full of the feare of God And the vertue and vse of these spirituall goods doe tende to this ende that the vertues Theologicall and Cardinall which we haue spoken of maye readilye performe their force and proper operation in vs. Also they bring to passe that men doe verie willingly and with sweetnesse followe euerye where the (f) Psa 142 c 50 c Sap. 1 a b holy Ghost as guid and by him beeing mooued and strengthned doe without fainting runne forewarde in the way (g) Ps 118 d of the Commaundements of God are made truely Spirituall and the children of God (h) Rom. 8 ◠Whosoeuer are leade by the Spirite of God they are the Sonnes of God as witnesseth the Apostle Of these giftes it were too long to discourse in particular but from thence doe proceed the most sweet fruites of the holy Ghost which do commende and set vs forth as fruitfull (i) Psal 51 c trees in the fielde of the Church according to that saying Euery (k) Mat. 7 c Hier. in cap. 5. ad Gal. good tree yeeldeth good fruits and the euill tree yeeldeth euill fruites therefore by their fruites you shall knowe them Which fruites also doe bring this commodity that a christian mā be furnished cōfirmed as it were with a certaine spiritual armour against the works of the flesh For the rule of the Apostle will neuer faile Walke in the (l) Gal. 3 c spirit and the works of the fleshe you shall not accomplishe And in an other place it is written If by the (m) Ro. 8 c spirite you mortifie the deedes of the fleshe you shall liue 4 Which are the workes of the fleshe THose whereof the Apostle thus discourseth (a) Gal. 5 c d vide Aug. li. 14. de ciuit Dei cap. 2. 3. The workes of the fleshe be manifest which are Fornication Vncleannesse Impudicity Leacherie seruing of Idols Witchrafts Enmities Contentions Emulations Anger 's Brawelles dissentions Sectes Enuies Murders Ebrieties Commessations and such like Which I foretell you as I haue foretolde you that they which doe such thinges shall not obtaine the kingdome of Heauen And afterwarde he addeth in the same place And they (b) Ibid. d that be Christes haue crucified their fleshe with the vices and concupiscences Then in another place They (c) Rom. 8 b Aug. de ver Apost ser 6. cap. 9. 11. that are in fleshe to wit they that walke acording to the desires of the fleshe cannot please God Therefore the same Apostle giueth this admonition Be not (d) Gal. 6 b deceiued God is not mocked For what thinges a man shall sowe those also shall hee reape For hee that soweth in his fleshe of the fleshe also shall reape corruption but he that soweth in the Spirite of the Spirite shall reape life euerlasting OF THE EIGHT BEATITVDES 1 Which are the Beatitudes of the Law of the Gospell THose certes Vide Aug. lib. 1. de serm Dom. in monte cap. 2. sequent Chroma◠Episco in declamatione de octo Beatitudinibus Greg. Nyss de Beatitudinibus Leo. ho. in omnium Sanctorum Item Bern. ser 1. de festo omnium Sanctorum ser 4. de Aduentu Dom. which Saint AMBROSE calleth (a) Amb. in 6. cap. Luc. our Lords Beatitudes Benedictions which in (b) Mat. 5 a ibidem Hilarius Chrysostomus Hieronymus Chromatius Theoph. Euthym. Anselm c. S. MATHEVVES Gospell are in this manner recounted eight in number 1 Blessed are the (c) Luc. 6 c Esa 66 a Iac. 2 a Mat. 18 a poore in spirit For theirs is the kingdome of Heauen 2 Blessed are the (d) Psa 36 b Mat. 11 d Psal 26 d meeke for they shal possesse the Lande 3 Blessed are they that (e) Luc. 6 c 16 f 1. Reg. 15 g Io. 16 c Esa 61 a Mat. 26 g mourne for they shall be comforted 4 Blessed are they that (f) Sap. 1 a Psal 15 b 61 d Esa 65 b hunger and thirste after Iustice for they shall haue their fill 5 Blessed are the (g) Psal 40 a Pro. 11 c Eccli 29 b. Luc. 6 c mercifull for they shall obtaine mercie 6 Blessed are the (h) Ps 23 a Psal 50 c cleane of heart for they shall see God 7 Blessed are the (i) Ps 36 d Ioan. 14 d peace-makers for they shal be called the childrē of god 8 Blessed are they that (k) Luc. 6 c. 1. Pet. 3 c 2. Tim. 3 c Act. 14 d Aug. de ser Do. in monte l. 1. cap. 5. suffer persecution for Iustice for theirs is the kingdome of Heauen 11 Why is this doctrine of the Beatitudes to be obserued BEcause it is the chiefest greatest part of the Law of the Gospel which Christ our (a) Esa 53 d Iac. 4 c Mat. 5 a law-maker deliuered vpō the Hil with his own most sacred mouth that euery man might consider what is contained required in Christiā Iustice besides Faith then also that they might vnderstande howe vnto iust persons a crowne of Iustice as Saint PAVL (b) 2. Tim. 4 b calleth it or a full and (c) 2. Io. ep c Luc. 6 c eternall reward doth not come without (d) 1. Cor. 3 b Mat. 11 b Luc. 16 d labour For heereupon doth S. IAMES also affirme Blessed is (e) Iac. 1 b the man that suffereth temptation For when he hath beene proued hee shall receiue the crowne of life 3 And what is principally to be noted about the doctrine of the Beatitudes FIrst of all certes ought to bee obserued Amb. in 6. cap. Luc. that there be certaine distincte degrees amongest them as appeareth both by their number order Then in euery degree there are iointly proposed two thinges whereof the one is the very acte of vertue or the merit and the Beatitude as they call it of this life the other is the rewarde of life euerlasting aunswerable to his proper and peculiar merit which wee may call the Beatitude of our countrey And as the first part offereth labour and difficulty to the beleeuers so the latter which in each degree is presently adioined by the greatnesse of the proposed reward doth afford consolation easeth the laboures sweates and agonies which euerie man must sustain in Christian warfare For no man (a) 2. Tim. 2 a shall be crowned vnlesse hee striue lawefully Euery one (b) 1. Cor. 3 b shall receiue his owne rewarde according to his owne labour What things (c) Gal. 6 b a man shall sowe those also shall hee reape as constantly affirmeth the doctor of the Gentiles And therefore our Lord before he come to sitte in (d) Heb.
10 e g Act. 17 g dreadfull iudgement ouer the world stirreth vs to the expectation of his comming with these wordes Beholde I (e) Apoc. 22 c come quickely saith he my rewarde is with me to render to euery man according to his workes He that (f) Apoc. 3 d Mat. 19 d. Luc. 22 c. shall ouercome I will giue vnto him to sitte with me in my throne which finally is the most high eternall and absolute beatitude happines But most (g) Eccles 2 a b 5 c 11 c d Ps 143 c d Sap. 2 a b vaine is the iudgement of the worlde touching beatitude and happines by which in the meane season many are deceiued and brought to destruction For commonly and for the most parte are accounted happie the rich and the mightie those that excel in glory autoritie those which abound with the goodes of fortune those which giue themselues wholly to pleasure But Christ laieth a double woe (h) Luc. 6 d Esa 5 b c d 65 b c Amos. 6 a b vpon those men And boldly thus (i) Esa 3 c doth ESAIE crie out My people they that call thee happy they deceiue thee and bring to nought the way of thy footesteptes (k) Ps 143 d 32 c et ibid. Aug. conc 2 in Ps 118 concione 1. Blessed is the people to whom our Lord is God to wit that in liuing well and happely he may alwaies praise and magnifie his auctour and creatour OF THE EVANGELICALL COVNCELLS 1 Which are called the Euangelicall Councells THose (a) Aug. ser 65 de temp in ench c. 121. Item l. 1. de adult coniug c. 14 l. de sanct Virg. ca. 14. Item l. 2. q. Euang. c. 19. et Paulin. ad SeueruÌ„ ep 4 surely which though they be not absolutely necessarie for the getting of saluation yet to the intent that wee may haue a more ready and easie way to procure the same they are proposed counsailed by our Sauiour Christ For which cause the difference that the Scripture hath sette downe betweene Preceptes (b) 1. Cor. 7 d Mat. 19 c 16 d Luc. 19 f and Councells is very diligently to be noted that we may vnderstand that the first are prescribed as necessarie to be obserued but the other are counsailed and voluntarilie (c) 1. Cor. 9 b c Mat. 26. a Mar. 14. a 3. Reg. 8 b Gen. 8 d Num. 6 a vndertaken as furtherances of the perfitte obseruation of the coÌ„mandements Hereupon the Apostle when hee woulde giue instruction about the leading of a single life pronounceth this sentence As concerning (d) 1. Cor. 7 d Cypr. in ser de nat Chri. Virgins a commandement of our Lorde I haue not but counsell I giue as hauing obtained mercie of our Lorde to be faithfull And to this end is that which S. AVGVSTINE hath plainelie saide A Counsell is (e) Serm. 61. de temp one thing a Commandement is an other Counsell is giuen to conserue Virginitie to abstaine from wine flesh to sell all that we haue to giue it to the pore but there is commandement giuen to keepe Iustice to turne from euill and to doe good And againe He that shall willingly heare and fulfill a (f) Ibidem counsell shall haue the greater glorie He that shall not fulfill a commandement vnlesse he be holpen by penance he cannot possiblie auoid punishment Vnto S. AVGVSTINE consenteth S. AMBROSE when as he writeth thus That is not commanded (g) Amb. ep 21. ad Eccles Vercellens vide cund in lib. de viduis which is aboue the lawe but is rather persuaded by a counsell being giuen and that which is the safer is shewed vnto vs. Also Counsell inuiteth them that are willing the Commaundement bindeth euen them that are vnwilling And of the same mind was S. HIEROME as these his words do declare (h) Lib. 1. aduers Iouin cap. 7. Wher counsell is giuen there is the free choise of the offerer Where a commandement is giuen there is necessitie of a seruant But that deserueth a greater rewarde saith he which is (i) Ep. 22. ad Eustoch de Virg. cust cap. 8. not constrained and yet is offered 2 How many Euangelecall Counsells are there TO Recounte them all in this place it is not needefull but there are three principall of embracing professing Pouertie Chastitie ObedieÌ„ce as the Fathers haue gathered out of holy scripture Pouertie (a) Mat. 19 c d â— Act. 4. g Vide vitam S. Marci Cypriani Anthonij Hilarionis Chrysost Paulini Augustini Gregorij Iosaphat cap. 35. Damascenâ— c. appertaineth to those that once doe forsake al worldly things that after the example of S. PETER the Apostles they may perfectly followe Christ Chastity (b) Mat. 19. b Euseb l 2. hist c. 6 Nyceph l. 2. cap. 16. ex Philoâ—e de vita conteÌ„platiua belongeth to those that haue cutte themselues for the Kingdome of heauen And as TERTVLIAN hath (c) Lib. 1. ad vxorem c. 6. saide doe shewe theÌ„selues voluntarie Eunuches And they do performe obedience who to the intent they may fully deny theÌ„selues (d) Mat. 16. d Luc. â— c. are not only vtterly auerted froÌ„ all cupidities but also from their owne wil as the scripture (e) Eccli 18 d Gal. 5 e Bas in regulis breuiorâ—bus quaestione 96. admonisheth whilest they doe wholly submitte theÌ„selues vnto his wil whom in the steede of Christ they haue chosen to be their superiour Such kinde of Counsells Christ the absolute example of Euangelicall perfection hath not only taught in word as we will presently shew but hath also confirmed the same vnto vs by the example of his most holy life who when he was riche (f) 2. Cor. 8 b for our sakes became poore not hauing where (g) Mat. 8 c to lay his heade who (h) Esa 7 c borne of a Virgin perseuereth a Virgin and the (i) Hier. ep 22. ad Eustoch c. 1. 6. Amb. lib 1. de Virg. ser 90. spouse of all most holy virgins who finally was so diligent in exhibiting obedience that being subiect to his (k) Luc. 2 g Mat. 17 d mother a Virgin yea that which is more vnto a Carpenter and being obedient euen to (l) Phil. 2 b Mat. 26 d Rom. 5 d the death of the Crosse he witnesseth of him selfe I descended (m) Io. 6 d 4 c 5 c from heauen not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me 3 In what place is Euangelicall pouertie taught by Christ IN S. MATHEVVES (a) Mat. 19 c Gospell it is declared in that place which followeth the rehersal of the diuine preceptes Of which preceptes it is saide to euery one with out exception If thou wilt enter into life keepe the commandementes And then after is the counsell proposed of vndertaking (b) Hier. ep â— ad Helled c. â—litem in â—â— 19.