exclameth the Ecclesiasticus Of (k) Eccli 5 4.5 Eccle. 9 1. vide Aug de perf lust cap 15. de corr gra c. 13. ho. 41. ex 50. ser 3. de Innoc Greg. li. 16. mor. c. 3. the remission of sinne be thou not without feare neither doe thou adde sinne vpon sinne And doe not say the mercie of our Lorde is great he will haue compassion vpon the multitude of my sinnes For mercie and anger doe soone approche frō him his anger doth looke vpon sinners rightly therfore saith the Prophet I will sing mercie (l) Ps 100 1. Bern. ser 52. ex paruis ser 6. in Cāt. Aug. de vtil poenit c. ult iudgement vnto thee o Lord. then in an other place The (m) Ps 98 4 honour of the King loueth iudgement 4 How doth a man sinne against the holy Ghost by desperation VVHen the contrarie vice vnto presumption Aug. ser 58. de temp in Psal 50. Greg. lib. 5. mor. c. 14. Isid lib. 2. de sum bo c. 14 Chry. ho. 2. in Psal 50. Ber. ser 5. de nat Dom. whereof we spake before doth so possesse the minde of a man that he casteth off all hope either of obtaining pardone before God or of attaining vnto life euerlasting After this sort sinned CAIN by despaire as himselfe testifieth by his speeche when he saith (a) Gen. 4 13 Bern. ser 11. in Cant. Greater is my iniquity than that I may deserue pardon Thus sinned also IVDAS that Traitour (b) Mat. 27 3. Act. 1 18. Ephes 4 19. 2. Reg. 2 26. vnto Christ at what time he being moued with despaire of saluatiō like an vnhappy wretch hanged himselfe But doubtlesse (c) Ezec. 18 21.27 33 11. 1. Io. 1 7.9 2 1. Hier. 3 1. Esa 1 18. Ps 144 8. Eccli 17 20.27 there is no penance too late as is manifest by the (d) Luc. 23 40. Aug. li. 1. retr c. 19. de cor gr ca. 15. ser 181. de tēp c. 16. Leo. ep 91. ad Theo. Conc. Trid. ses 14. cap. 7. example of that thiefe which vpon the Crosse euen in those last momentes of his life obtained great grace heauenly glory at the handes of Christ 5 When doth hee that oppugneth the trueth sin against the holy-Ghost VVHē * Leo. ep 10. ad Flau. c. 1. Aug. de Gē ad lit l. 7. c. 9 tra 18. in Euang. Ioa. de vtil cre ca. 1. l. 18. ciu ca. 51. lib. 21. c. 25. that trueth which cōcerneth the estate of Faith Religiō not of ignorance but of malice is purposely impugned that thereby the sinceritie of Catholike veritie may be blemished Of this sinne were the Pharisies (a) Mat. 12 24. 15 2. 21 45. 22 15. Io. 7 48. 12 10.19 guiltie whose chiefest care we see to haue bene as malitiously as falsly to blaspheme Christ to persecute the doctrine of the Gospell and to suppresse the testimonie (b) Act. 4 16. 5 18. of the Apostles and that euen against their own consciences Not vnlike vnto these are they that are said by the Prophet to sitte in the (c) Psal 1 1. chaire of pestilence and are called by S. PETER (d) 2. Pet. 2 1 lying maisters that doe bring in Sects of perdition Finally by S. (e) Tit. 3 10. PAVL Heretickes men corrupted (f) 2. Tim. 3 8. in mind reprobate concerning the faith attending (g) 1. Tim. 4 1. to spirites of errour subuerted condemned by their owne (h) Tit. 3 11 iudgement Among whom may be numbred that same seducer ELIMAS whom S. PAVL publikelie reprehending saide with great vehemencie O full (i) Act. 13 10. of all guile and all deceipte sonne of the deuill enemie of all iustice thou ceasest not to subuerte the right waies of our Lorde To this kind also is referred Blasphemie (k) Mat. 12 31 of the Spirite which sinne Christ doth greatly rebuke in the Iewes and maketh it worse then other sinnes And woulde to God that this sinne did not raigne in these our daies For against the holy Ghost doe they also blaspheme as writeth DAMASVS (l) Apud Gratianum 25. quaest 1. violatores who against the holy Canons of the Fathers endited by the instinct of the holy Ghost doe any thing willingly or malepertly or presume to speake or wilfully giue their consent to thē that haue a minde so to doe For it is manifest that such a presumption is one kinde of the blasphemies against the holy Ghost thus saith DAMASVS 6 How is Enuie of brotherly grace a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. li. 1. de ser Dom. in monte cap. 22. 1. retr cap 19. VVHen we are striken with a greate greife and sorowe because of the splendor encrease of vertues Gods guiftes in which our brother doth excell Which sinne seemeth to be rather proper vnto the Deuill than vnto man whereas the Deuill doth most wrathfully take the encrease and continuance of (a) Sap. 2 24 the grace of God in man and for that cause he is not only an accuser (b) Apoc. 12 10. of our brethren but also an implacable aduersarie (c) 1. Pet. 5 8. of God of all good men who as a roring Lion goeth about seeking whom hee maye deuour There were among the Iewes such sonnes of Satan who did altogether enuie vnto the Gentiles the lately springing grace of the Gospell as we read in the Acts (d) Act. 11 2. 13 45. Gen. 4 5. of the Apostles 7 What kind of obstinacie is that which is a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. in Enc. cap. 83. in Ps 58. conc 1. Greg. ho. 11. in Ezech. Bern. li. 1. de consid ca. 2. in ser de conuers ad Cler. cap. 4. THat certes which beareth an obstinate minde against him that giueth him good admonition so that he will not suffer him selfe by any meanes to be withdrawne from his damnable course With this sinne was King PHARAO (a) Exod. 7 seq Aug. quaest 18. 24. in Exod. ser 88. de temp Gerg 31. mor. c. 11 l. 11. ca. 5. notably attainted who although he were so often admonished by MOYSES and sometimes afflicted with very sore scourges frō God yet notwithstanding in his tirannicall purpose he (b) Exod. 14. obstinatly persisted and perished Famous also was that (c) Hier. 5 3. 8 5. Esa 48 4. Zach. 7 11. Gen. 49 7. incorrigible obstinacie of the Iewes whom S. STEVEN painting out as it were in their colours saith With a (d) Act. 7 51. hardnecke and with vncircumcised eares you haue all waies resisted the holy Ghost And not vnlike vnto them are those at this day that being addicted vnto new sectes may not abide so much as to heare or reade anye Catholike instructions but euen like to the serpent (e) Psal 57 5 called
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
the grace of Baptisme but also by the medicine of Penance the hope of life euerlasting might be repaired that they which had violated the benefite of regeneration condemning themselues in their owne iudgement might come to remission of sinne the succours of Gods goodnesse being so ordained that pardon cannot be had at Gods hands but by the supplication of Priests For the Mediator of (g) 1. Tim. 2 5. God and Men Christ Iesus hath giuē this power to Prelates of the Church that they might both admitte vnto Penance those which confesse and receiue them beeing purged with holesome satisfaction to the Communion of the Sacraments by the gate of reconciliation 7 What ought we to thinke of Satisfaction TRuely thus much Greg. in cap. 9. lib. 1. Reg. Bas q. 12. in reg breu that there is one kind of Satisfaction proper vnto Christ our Redeemer and an other common to all faithfull penitents That was once accomplished in the (a) Heb. 9 25. Eph. 5 2.26 4 32. 1. Ioan. 2 2. Ioan. 1 29. body of Christ crucified when that immaculate Lamb tooke away the sinnes of the worlde that they which by nature were the Sonnes of (b) Eph. 2 3. 2. Cor. 5 18. Cypr. ep 59. 10. Tert. de paenit ca. 5. 7. 8. 9. Conc. Trid. sess 14. cap. 8 9. de sacr Paenit wrath might bee reconciled vnto God but this which belongeth vnto penitentes is done euery day in the church by the mēbers of Christ when beeing sorie for our sinnes we doe after Confession performe those thinges which the PRIEST when hee gaue absolution enioined or when of our owne accorde wee doe bring forth the worthy fruits of penance wherby we may in some part at the least recompence the faults and offences of our life past This is a certaine (c) Exod. 32 31. Nū 12 9 14 19.27 20 10.24 Psal 98 6.8 2. Reg. 12.7.13 Aug. l. 2. de pec mer. c. 34. l. 22. cont Faust c. 67. Greg. l. 9. mor. c. 27. 2. Reg. 24 10 Prou. 11 31. Eccli 5 2. Aug. tract 124. in Ioan Satisfaction both of reuengement of purgation and it is so farre from obscuring the benefit Satisfaction of Christ our Redeemer that it doth more commend set forth the same For that Satisfactiō of his going before especially cooperating (d) Chry. ho. 80. ad pop with vs we do according vnto the Scripture vse (e) Esa 56 1. Ezech. 18 21.27 Hier. 22 3. 2. Cor. 7 9. Ps 50 1.6 Chrys ibid. in Mat. 3. iudgement and Iustice taking reuengment vpon our selues for our sinnes and cleansing the relickes of sin that remaine in vs procuring and deseruing for our selues the more plentiful grace of God finally professing by these meanes that wee doe willingly embrace the Crosse of Christ denie (f) Luc. 9 23. Mat. 16 24. Ro. 6 2.6 Eph. 4 22. Col. 3 9. our selues mortifie our fleshe and being striken with an hatred of olde ADAM in vs doe endeuour to perfection whilest we do with feruent zeale and courage striue against the motions of a depraued minde After this sort did holy (g) 2. Reg. 12 13. 1. Paral. 21 16. Ps 34 13. 98 11. Ionae 3 5. 3. Reg. 21 27. 1. Mac. 2 14. 3 47. 2. Mac. 3 20. Mat. 11 21. Luc. 10 13. Iudith 4 8.16 7 4. 8 5. 9 1. Ioel. 2 12. Dan. 9 3. Iob. 42 6. Hier. 6 26. 4 8. 25 34. 48 37. 49 3. Ezech. 7 18. Thren 2 10 DAVID the Niniuites and others giue themselues to Satisfaction whome it is manifest to haue done Penance in Sackecloth Ashes Sighing Mourning Fasting and other afflictions they are read to haue bin grateful and approued vnto God therefore And this part of Penance the Scripture confirming and commending vnto vs crieth out (h) Ioel. 2 12 Turne ye to me with al your heart in Fasting in Weepeing Lamentation And in another place (i) Ezech. 18 30.31 Conuert and doe Penance for all your iniquities And iniquitie shall not be vnto you in destruction And S. PAVL teacheth also that the sadnesse which is according to God doth worke Penance (k) 2. Cor. 7 9. And hee giueth generall admonition that If (l) 1. Cor. 11 31. we did Iudge our selues wee shoulde not be Iudged of our Lord. And for that cause we shall not neede to discourse of the name of Satisfaction which certes in the Fathers is verie familiar seing that the thing it selfe is expressely set down in holy Scripture 8 Let vs see some sentences of the Fathers touching Satisfaction SAint CYPRIAN that most holy Martyr teacheth in this manner Looke howe much (a) De lapsis Idem ep 55. ad Corn. ep 10. ad Clerum Almightie God is prone to pardon by the piety of a Father so much is hee to bee feared by the Maiesty of a Iudge Let a deepe wounde haue diligent and long phisicke Let not the Penance be lesse than the faulte wee must pray more earnestly passe-ouer the day in lamenting the nightes in watching and weeping spend the whole time in mourneful teares lie vpon the ground in ashes and wallowe in sackeclothe and filthe And againe the same God is to bee (b) De lapsis vide eūd de elecmos beseeched and to bee pacified with our satisfaction our sinnes must be pondered our actions and secreat intentions surueied and the deserts of our conscience waighed And a little after The way of Penance which the Prieste sheweth vs let vs imbrace let vs vse the vitall remedies which he taketh out of heauenly Scriptures and laying open the burden of our conscience before him let vs demaunde the holesome medicine for those secreat woundes which we haue confessed And let vs not ceasse to doe Penance call vpon the mercie of our Lorde least that which seemeth but little in the qualitie of the sinne be augmented by the negligence of Satisfactiō And (c) Ho. 50. ex 50. cap. 5. vide in Ench. cap. 70. 71. 65. Saint AVGVSTINE hath saide verie plainely That it is not sufficient for a man to amende his manners to leaue his misdeeds vnlesse by the sorrowe of Penance by the sighings of humility and by the Sacrifice of a contrite hart together with the cooperation of almes Satisfaction be made to God for those thinges also that haue beene committed Then in S. HIEROME we find it thus writtē (d) In Epita Paul cap. 7. Chry. ho. 10. in Mat. The body is to be afflicted which hath spente much time indelicacy long laughter must bee recompensed with continuall weeping the softe linnen pretious silkes must be changed into the sharpenesse of haire-clothe To this end also is this speache of (e) Lib. 2. de paenit c. 5. et li. 1. cap. 16. S. AMBROSE He that doth Penance ought not only to washe away his sinne with teares
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.
iustly soung (i) Ps 111. b Chry. ho. 55 in Gen. He dispersed he gaue to the poore his rightuousnes remaineth for euermore 13 What is mercie IT is as S. AVGVSTINE (a) Lib. 9. ciu cap. 5. Isid de summo bono lib. 3. cap. 64. Nys in l. de beatitud affirmeth a certaine cōpassion in our harte of an other mans miserie whereby we are compelled to yeelde succour if it lye in our power Which name of mercie is wonte very often to be taken for Almes And all manner of mercie as witnesseth the diuine scripture (b) Eccli 16. b shall make a place vnto euery man according to the merite of his workes Very often and wonderfully doth Saint CHYSOSTOME (c) Hom. 32. in epist ad Heb. ho. 9. de poenit 53. in Mat. 36. ad pop Ant. commende the same and he doubteth not in a certaine place to say (d) Chrys ho. de miser duabus viduis Mercie is the fortresse of saluation the ornament of faith the propitiation of sinnes she it is that approueth the iust persons confirmeth the holy setteth forth the seruants of God Yea and if we beleeue Saint AMBROSE (e) In ep 1. ad Tim. c. 4. vide eund in Luc. 3. the wholle summe of Christian discipline consisteth in mercie and pietie 14 Are the workes of Mercie of one kinde only THey are (a) Aug. lib. de mor. b. Eccles Cathol cap. 27. 28. Ench. c. 72. ser 203. de tempore found to be of two sortes for asmuch as some be corporall some spirituall Some are certes called corporal because they are exercysed for the releeuing of the corporall miserie of our neighbour other spirituall for that in them we doe well prouide and lauour for the spiritual good of our neighbour Of this diuersitie of mercie the most bountifull IOB giueth a most cleare example who witnesseth of himselfe (b) Iob. 31. b ibid. Greg. From my infancie hath mercie encreased with me and from my mothers wombe she came forth with me I haue bene an eie (c) Iob. 29. c to the blinde and a foote to the lame I was the father of the poore and the cause which I knew not I did diligently search out I did consume the grinding stones of the wicked man and out of his teeth I did take the praie Also The stranger stood not without (d) Iob. 31. d dores my dore was open to the traueiler 15 How many workes of mercie be there both corporall and spirituall THere are seauen accounted of each kind And first certes the corporall workes are these (a) Mat. 25. d To feed the hungry To giue drinke to the thirstie To cloathe the naked To redeeme the captiue To visite the sicke To harbour Pilgrimes (b) Tob. 1. d 2. a b 12. c 2. Reg. 2. a Aug. lib. 1. eiu cap. 13. de cura mor. cap. 3. To burie the deade And the spirituall woorkes are these To correct (c) Mat. 18. b 1. Tim. 5. c. those that sin To teach the (d) Eccli 18. b 2 Tim. 4. a Esa 52. b Hier. 15. b Dan. 12. a Iac. 5. d Gal. 6. a Chrys ho. 3. 10. in Gē Clem. Alex. lib. 1. strom Bern. ser 36. in Cant. Greg. ho. 17. in Euang. ignorant To giue good counsell (e) Pro. 17. b Eccli 5. c to them that are in doubt To praie (f) Mat. 5. g Iac. 5. d to God for the welfare of our neighbour To comforte (g) Eccli 7. d 2. Cor. 1. a the sorowfull To beare iniuries (h) Tit. 3. a 1. Thes 5. c Rom. 15. a patiently To forgiue (i) Mat. 5. d 6. b 18. c d Mar. 11. c Eccli 28. a offences Which offices of humane pietie are so plaine and euident espeacially vnto Christians to those which are not altogether barbarous that they neede not any long discourse 16 How are these declared in holy Scripture VEry plainly certes and in euery place as notablely those words of ESAY or rather the precepts of God doe declare (a) Esa 58. b Breake saith he thy bread to the hungrie the needie and wandring bring into thy house when thou shalt see a naked man cloathe him and thy fleshe doe thou not despise Of which offices the great profite and commodity is after annexed in the same place (b) Ibid. c Then thy iustice shall goe before thy face and the glory of our Lord shall gather thee And Saint IOHN who wholly laboureth in cōmending vnto vs brotherly charity and mercie amongest other thinges teacheth (c) 1. Io. 3. c Iac. 2. c Bas ho. 7. in diuites auaros Amb. ser 81. apud Gratia dist 86. idē lib. 3. offic cap. 6. 7. Greg. 3. p. curae past adm 22. Greg. Turō in glor Cōf. cap. 108. Hee that shall haue the substance of this worlde shal see his brother haue neede and shall shut his bowels from him how doth the Charity of God abide in him And not cōtent with this speech he concludeth in most excellent manner My little children let vs not loue in word and in tongue but in deede and trueth In this we know that we are of the trueth These are the works of the faithfull and of those that are truely iust which in the (d) Mat. 25. d Luc. 14. c last iudgement Christ wil acknowledg publikely approue for the which he wil allot the promised kingdome rēder a crowne of Iustice vnto the merciful whom also himselfe calleth Iust Which workes (e) Greg. vbi supra adm 21. Amb. lib. 1. offic c. 30. l. 2. c. 21. 25. Chry. ho. de miser duabus Viduis hom 30. in 1. Cor. certes doe afford so much the more of true praise and eternall rewarde by how much the more syncerely cherefully and liberally they are done by a Christian minde Which then is performed when there is as little respecte as may be vnto humane vanity and desires but they are wholly directed vnto the glory of God and the profite of our neighbour who is benifited To this end are those speeches of holy Scripture to be obserued He (f) Ro. 12. b that giueth in simplicity he that sheweth mercy in cheerefulnesse (g) Tob. 4. b Turne not away thy face from anie poore man According to thy abilitie be thou merciful God loueth a (h) 2. Cor. 9. b cheerful giuer In euery (i) Eccli 35. b gifte make thy countenance cheerfull Pleasant (k) Ps 111. a is that man that taketh compassion and profiteth Christ certes in S. LVKE describeth such (l) Luc. 10. f a Samaritane as may be a notable example of exhibiting willingly the highest kinde of courtesie and perfect mercie euen vnto strangers and (m) Nazian orat 19. in funere Patris Chrys ho. 21. in ep ad Rom. ho. 35. 37. ad pop Ant the vndeseruing But He that (n) 2. Cor. 9.
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.
Mat. ad Deme triad de seruaÌ„d virg epist 8. c. 7. quaest 1. ad Hedib epist 150. ad Pammachium super obitu Paulinae ep 26. c. 3. 4. Bas quaest 9. in regulis fusius disputatis Damasc in hist Barlaam Iosaphat cap. 1â— Chrysost in illud Pauli Salutate Prisc Aquilam voluntarie pouertie with a particuler forme of words annexed which might leaue it to the free wil of him which choseth the same For our Lorde saith IF THOV WILTE (c) Ibidem Luc. 18 c Marc. 10 d ibidem Bedâ— Theophylact. be perfecte goe sell the things that thou hast giue to the poore and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen and come follow me Where our Lord doth not only giue this counsaile but addeth also as it were a spurre and to the intent that men might be more willing to embrace this couâ—saile he proposeth the greatnes of rewarde wherby he may allure and comforte them promising that so it shall come to passe that he which by leauinge all for Christes sake is poore shall haue a treasure in heauen shall receiue a hundred folde (d) Mat. 19 d ibidem Hieronym Euthymius Anselm item Theophylact Beda in Mar. Luc Cassiancollat 24. c. 26. Greg. ho. 18. in Ezech. Bern. in declamat de deserendis facult DamiaÌ„ in ser de S. Bened. possesse life euerlasting which otherwise is very (e) Mat. 19 c harde for rich men to come vnto Such (f) Luc. 6 c ibid. Amb. Leo. in ser de omnibus Sanctis Chromat in câ— 5. Mat. Bern. ser 1. in festo omnium Sanctorum Tert. lib. 4. cont Marcionem cap. 14. practisers professors of (g) Aug l. 17. de ciu Dei c. 4. pouertie were the Apostles in whose name S. PETER said boldly vnto Christ Behold (h) Mat. 19 d we haue lefte all thinges and haue followed thee Of this number also were the Christians of the Primatiue Church who as (i) Act. 4. g 2. g Hier. epist 8. ad Deme. c. 7. in catal viror illust de Marco Aug. in ep 89. ad Hilar. Possidon in vita Aug. c. 5 Cassian l. 7. c. 14. 17. collat 3. c. 6. S. LVKE testifieth did sel their possessions and applied the money that came thereby to the common vse so that no man called any thing his own because nothing was priuate but al thinges remained common amongest them But this pouertie requireth that it be a voluntary and full resignation of Ritches whereof no (k) Act. 5 a Hier. epist 8. ad Demetr cap. 7. Bas ser 1. de instit Monach in coÌ„stit Monast cap. 19. 35. Item quaest 85. in regulis breuiorib Aug. ep 109. ser 49. ex diuers c. 1. seq Item lib. de morib Eccles Cathol cap. 31. Hier. ep 22. ad Eustoch cap. 14. Greg. 4. dial cap. 55. lib. 10. epist 22. proprietie may be retained And heere taketh place that famous (l) Genna de Eccles Dogmat. cap. 71. Amb. 1. offic cap. 30. Hieron aduers Vigilantium cap. 5. 6. Prosper lib. 2. de vita contemplatiua cap. 9. Aug. lib. 1. de bono coniug cap. 8. sentence approoued by the auncient Fathers It is good by portions to giue a mans substance to the poore but it is better to giue all at once with an intent to followe our Lorde and beeing free from care to bee poore with Christ. 4 Where is the Councell of Chastity commended BOth in the Gospelles and in the Apostles writings For Christ commendeth those (a) Mat. 19 b. Esa 56 b ibideÌ„ Hier. item lib. 1. adu Iouin cap. 7. Bas de Virginit Epiphan haeres 58. cont Valesios Aug. de SaÌ„cta Virginit ca. 24. 25. kindes of Eunuches that haue gelded themselues for the kingdome of heauen And least we should thinke that this is rather a Commaundement than a Counsell he addeth presently He that can take it let him take it In which speech our Lord doth as it were exhorte as wel doth S. HIEROME (b) Hier. in c. 19. Mat. l. 1. adu Iouin cap. 7 Cyp. in tract de disciplin habitu Virginum interprete and inuite his souldiers to the rewarde of Chastity as if he saide He that can fight let him fight let him conquere triumph This caÌ„ he do vnto whoÌ„ it is (c) Sap. 8 d giuen and it is giuen to all as witnesseth the same (d) Ibid. Orig. tract 7 in Mat. Aug. lib. 6. Conf. c. 11. Chrys hom 63. in Mat. Nazian in â—rat 31. holy father that will aske that will desire that will labour for to receiue For to euery one that asketh it shall be (e) Mat. 7 â— Luc. 11 b Trid. ses 24. can 9. giuen and he that seeketh shall finde and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Thus saith S. HIEROME And to this Chastity holy (f) Sap. 3 c 4 a Eccli 26 c Mat. 13 a c 22 c Mar. 12 c Luc. 20 f Scripture assigneth certes a reward but to the Chastitie of Virgins it promiseth a particular and singular rewarde For they that (g) Apoc. 14 a Esa 56 b Psal 44. c d Cyr. catech 4. 12. 15. illum Martial in ep ad Tolosan c. 8. 9. 10. Cypr. in tract de disciplin habitu Virginum Hier. in epist ad Philem. Aug. in lib. de sancta Virginitate cap 14. 27. sequeâ—â— Greg. in 3. parte curae pastor admonit 29. haue not beene defiled with weemen but haue remained Virgins doe stande without spotte before the throne of God and doe singe a newe Songe before God and the Lambe doe followe the Lambe whither-soeuer he shall go And the Apostle hath saide expressely It is (h) 1. Cor. 7 a good for a man not to touche a woman And againe as concerning (i) Ibidem e vide Hier. l. 1 adu Iouin c. 4. seq Amb. in 1. Cor. 7. ibid. Theod IteÌ„ cund in ep diuin decret cap. de Virginit Chry. in lib. de Virginit c. 9. seq Virgins A Commaundement of our Lord I haue not but Councel I giue as hauing obtained mercie of our Lorde to be faithfull I thinke therefore that this is good for the present necessitie because it is good for a man so to doe And againe writing of the widdowe Let her (k) Ibid. g Iudit 8 a 15 c Luc. 2 e marry saith he to whom shee will only in our Lorde but more blessed shall she be if she so remaine according to my counsell And I thinke that I also haue the spirite of God Vnto the Apostle very finely accordeth S. AMBROSE (l) Ambr. in epist 83. ad Syricium Papam 82. ad Vercellenses when he writeth in these wordes Iustly certes is the good wife commended but more rightly is the deuout Virgin preferred the Apostle saying He that ioineth (m) 1. Cor. 7 g Legatur ideÌ„ Amb. de
condition age sexe or degree soeuer they were Kinges and Princes submittinge theire Regall crownes and scepters vnto them Finally RELIGION in that wee deuoutly honour God who is gloriouse in his Saintes and them also in that degree and honour which is fitte for the excellencie which Almightie God hath bestowed vpon them not truely to yeelde diuine worship to their relickes or images For we neuer heard of any that praied thus Holy relicks holy images saue me or pray for me much lesse of any which did attribute vnto their relickes or images the worke of our Redemption and saluation wrought onely by CHRIST our mediatour But this mediation being once wrought we desire by the Saintes intercession to haue the vertue of Christes blood applied vnto vs by the bestowing of his graces and true repentance no otherwise than when wee desire the same by the intercession of those which are aliue Which S. Paul hauing vsed Ro. 15 30. Ephes 6 â— 1. Thes 5 25. 2. Thes 3 1. Col. 4 2. Heb. 13 18. See pag. 69. the scripture commended is free from all superstition and Idolatrie warranteth the like toward those which raigning with Christ are more vnited vnto him lesse care full of themselues and more charitable vnto vs. And if sometimes deuoute people vse these wordes S. Peter haue mercy vpon me Of these wordes S. Peter haue mercie on me S. Peter saue me S. Peter saue me it must be vnderstoode in the true and lawful meaning which it may haue For wheras mercy as was See page 377. saide aboue out of S. Augustine is a compassioÌ„ in our hart of another mans misery whereby we are compelled to yeld succour if it ly in our power As God may aboue all vnderstanding shewe mercy by giuing grace grace and glorie so may his Creaatures also according to their measure by imparting vnto others that which they haue receiued from the fountaine of all goodnesse Whether it be in Temporal or Spirituall thinges according vnto that which hath beene saide Pag. 379. aboue of both kindes of workes of mercie So likewise although Christ by his bloud be the chiefe author of our saluation yet doth he vse Creatures as his instrumentes For so are wee saide truely to bee saued by the 1. Cor. 15 2. Gospell by Luc. 7 30 Faith by Ro. 8 24. Hope by Tit. 3 5. Baptisme yea and sometimes by Men. If by any meanes I may saue some of them Ro. 11 14. Saith Saint Paul And 1. Cor. 7 14. Howe knowest thou woman if thou shalt saue thy husbande And againe Ibid. 9 22. To all men I became all thinges that I might saue all Againe 1. Tim. 4 16. This doing thou shalt saue both thy selfe and them that heare thee And Saint Iames Iac. 5 20. He shall saue his soule from death Finally S. Iude. Iud. vers 23. And these certes reprooue being iudged but them saue pulling out of the fire And on other haue mercie in feare Where he vsing both speeches of sauing hauing mercie warranteth those which with true vnderstanding Faith in the earnest desire of their heart doe so vtter their affections to Gods holy Saints Of kneeling to Saintes without anie intention of diuine houour Neither doth kneeling before an Image or Relicke betoken diuine worship For our bodie being so limited as it is wee doe by that very outwarde coÌ„position signifie diuerse honours in our minde and that lawefully to our Parents to Bishoppes to Princes Finally to God and his Saints alwaies in our mind respecting the diuerse dutie though the externall action be the same The Hereticks charge vs wâ—th Idolatrie all their forefathers most grossely and vnnaturally And here am I enforced to bewaile the barbarous rudenesse which HERESIE hath brought our Countrey vnto For many shall you finde of al sortes of calling though thankes be to God not of the ciuilest conditions who will not sticke constantly to affirme that their forfathers kneeling and knocking their breastes and vsing othet laudable acts of deuotion before Images at holy places did verily thinke that those Images were Gods did absolutely powre out their praiers vnto the Images themselues A thing in my opinion that argueth in those which auouche it a want not onely of piety but of all ciuility For if one called the Parents of these men Theeues or Extorcioners or of vile and base conditions voide of Gentry Nobilitie then woulde they storme and rage and repute it an intollerable iniury And yet both they theÌ„selues will resolutely thinke and giue others leaue to suppose and saie the same that theire forefathers were Fooles and depriued of common sense vnderstanding which were as much as to call them Beastes in humane shape and figure And surely to thruste their auncestours out of Heauen as they must needs if they think them Idolatours were somewhat excusable because God wil haue mercy on whom he thinketh good and giueth Heauen to a fewe whome he hath specially chosen but to expell them from the participation of a common vnderstanding whereby only man differeth froÌ„ beasts is a thing altogither intolerable and a woonder which none but vnkind Heretickes 2. Tim 3 2 without affection as Saint Paul calleth them coulde affirme And to worshippe Idolles to repute Creatures as Gods when the faith of one God which made Heauen and Earth the tidings of the Gospel was neuer heard of although among the wiser sorte of men none euer had such opinion as S. Augustine sheweth of Plato Cicero Lib. 8. ciu cap. 6. lib. 4. cap. 30. 31. yet was it in the common sorte of people an humane frailtie whose vnderstanding darkened by Adams fall could hardly arriue to anie suspition of God much lesse to a perfecte knowledge of his Maiesty But what Brutishenesse must there be in those who hauing heard of Christ and beleeuing in him knowing the articles of their Creed esteeming of Christ his Saints as his frindes and in Heauen gloriously raigning with him yet must forsooth of necessity thinke their Images whom they reuerence to be Gods Since Christs comming the publishing of his Faith in the worlde no Nation which otherwise fell from Christ returned to Idolatrie as may bee seene in the Turkes yet the Church of Christ alwaies professing his Faith vsing his Sacramentes keeping his Scriptures and Reading them yea and Preaching him to countries of Infidels conuerting them vnto him must bee thought to haue most grieuousle haue fallen of all other into Brutishe ignorance and most senselesse Idolatrye But this lamentation is more fitte for the secrete chamber of the heart humbling it selfe before GOD for the sinnes of his people This surely must I needes thinke that they who thus esteeme of the beginners of their houses and families are theÌ„selues voide of all Nobilitie and Ciuility yea and all Humanity onely breathing by the proude spirite vnsauory vapour of Heresie sente forth out of the pitte of hell what honor we