notes very well vpon that same very place of the Apostle conformable to whom Tena ibid. Father Hurtado prooues and preacheth quòd quando quis Verba facit apud hominem ignorantem suae linguae propriè loquendo non loquitur the reason hereof is quia actualis loquutio est actualis significatio rei expressio non est autem actualis significatio sine actuali perceptione audientis and hee confirmes it by this example quia ramus appensus non significat aliquid actu nisi quando actu ex illo cognito deuenitur in cognitionem Vini nec ramus est signum iumento sed potatori From all this heretofore expressed I collect that the Pope more through force and feare then consent or will propoundeth the Scriptures in the Church to the people and this he doeth in Latine to the end they may not conceiue and vnderstand them Wherein he goes quite contrary to the order and course helde in the Primitiue Church before he began to exercise his tyrannies vpon men which very order of the Primitiue Church is now obseru'd in England and throughout all the Reformed Churches both conformable to reason the Commandements of God and Apostolicall instruction which already we haue sufficiently prooued and will doe more at large if God permit me in another place Out of all this formerly produced I conclude that the Pope forbids the holy Bible to the common people not so much to reprehend them within the bounds of sobrietie as to retaine them in grosse and palpable ignorance not to preuent errors in the faithfull as to nourish and maintaine his owne not to benesite soules but to emptie purses not to bridle the pride of his Subiects but to loose the raines to his owne vnbridled appetites and of a priuate Romane Bishop to make himselfe the absolute spirituall Head and high Priest of the whole world thus like another Lucifer he erecting and raising vp himselfe aboue all that which is called God Neither doeth he prohibite the Bible the precious pearle of Gods word because it ought not to be giuen to swine but in that himselfe is one and would haue others to be so too not because the same is darke and obscure but in that he like a close and slie theefe loues darkenesse better then light for the attaining to his proper ends and desseignes and the more easily to tyrannize ouer the world But they that are desirous and zealous of their saluation ought with a gratefull and cheerefull heart to receiue so high and inexplicable a benefite out of Gods diuine bounty conferred on vs in declaring vnto vs by the sacred word his heauenly will and pleasure which is pleasing and acceptable to him and the same odious and offensiue to the other that so following the one and flying the other we may both liâ—â— and die in his loue and fauour and by this meanes attaine to be partakers of his glory the greatnesse of which benefit and supereminencie of which honour Moses declared vnto the people in these expresse words What Nation is there so noble and happy that enioyes the same Ceremonies Iudgements and Lawes of God which I will this day set before your eyes And in the Psalme 148. the royall Prophet yeeldeth praise vnto God saying that hee had denounced his word to Iacob and his Iudgements to Israel which grace and fauour he had not shewed to any other nation of the world So as this high and speciall fauour shewed vs by God in communicating himselfe vnto vs by his holy word ought to bind vs to be the more carefull in seeking him out euen as he commandeth vs and that we might the better doe it hee gaue order they should be diuulged in our vulgar tongues and the holy Doctors exhorts to the same moouing vs thereunto by the example of those in the Primitiue Church and others that liued many ages after and also we are hereunto inuited by the rare and innumerable benefits which doe daily proceed therefrom deriued from the true knowledge we haue therein of God and of his Sonne Iesus Christ if we desire to be knowen of him with approbation and acceptation and that note vs to be his elect through the obligation wherein wee all stand bound to obserue his sincere seruice and worship submitting all those temptations which ordinarily assaile vs to his holy will and most sacred Law if we meane to obtaine victory ouer our enemies grosse ignorance and blindnesse and without which this light must needs haue a great power and domination ouer vs. Finally it binds vs neuer to let this sacred booke of the holy Scriptures to be out of our hands the reading and meditation therein being our most important felicitie and happinesse as may plainely appeare by all that which hath beene said and Fonseca teacheth no lesse Fonseca segunda parte tratado del amor de Dios fol. 57. who is yet liuing in the Spanish Court and esteemed for one of the greatest Diuines and rarest Preachers of our time Laus Deo Los Libros de que he sacado lo que en este tratado se contiene son los que se siguen The Bookes out of which this Treatise is gathered are these following HIstoria Pontifical y catclica compuesta por el Doctor Yllescas en Madrid AnÌ„o 1613. Tesoro de ignorantes compuesto por el P. Fr. Chrystoual Marquez impresso en Madrid AnÌ„o 1614. Bienes del honesto trabaâ—o y danÌ„os de la ociosidad por el P. Pedro Guzman en Madrid AnÌ„o 1614. Guia espiritual del P. Puente en Madrid AnÌ„o 1614. Obras del Maestro Gracian en Madrid AnÌ„o 1616. Tomo primero de la historia general de EspanÌ„a por el P. Mariana en Madrid AnÌ„o 1623. Consideraciones sobre los mysterios de la missa por el P. Francisco Antonio en Madrid AnÌ„o 1598. Tomoprimero del Arte de bien viuir por el P. Maestro Aluardo en Valladolid AnÌ„o 1613. El Maestro Christiano del Maestro Reynosa en Valladolid AnÌ„o 1618. Obras morales del Maestro Fr. Manuel Rodriguez en Valladolid AnÌ„o 1621. Luz de las marauillas que Dios obra en el alma por el P. Maestro Fr. Leandro de Granada en Valladolid AnÌ„o 1607. Segundo Tomo de la perfecion por el P. Puente en Valladolid AnÌ„o 1613. Los Nombres de Christo por el P. Maestro Fr. Luys de Leon en Salamanca AnÌ„o 1603. Suma del P. Maestro Fr. Pedro de Ledesma en Salamanca AnÌ„o 1589. Catorce discursos sobre el Pater noster por el P. Fr. Balthasar Pacheco en Salamanca AnÌ„o 1594. Vigilia magna del P. Fr. Nicolas Brauo en Salamanca AnÌ„o 1605. Libro del Rosario de nuestra senÌ„ora por el P. Arinzano en Salamanca AnÌ„o 1903. Tratado del officio Ecclesiastico Canonico por el Doctor Don Bernardino de Sandoual en Toledo AnÌ„o 1568. Primeraparte de las excelencias de la castidad por el P. Fr. Ioseph de Iesus Maria en Alcala de Henares AnÌ„o 1601. Primera parte del Libro de la vanidad del mundo por el P. Estella en Alcala de Henares AnÌ„o 1597. Insinuacion y demonstracion de la Diuina piedad por el P. Maestro Fr. Leandro de Granada en Seuilla AnÌ„o 1616. Philosophia moral de Principes por el P. Torres en Burgos AnÌ„o 1596. La introduccion del Symbolo de la Fe por el P. Maestro Fr. Luys de Granada en Lerma AnÌ„o 1619. Tratado del Purgatorio contra Luthero por Fr. Dimas Serpi en Barcelona AnÌ„o 1611. Historia de la adoracion y vso de las Imagines por el Maestro Prades en Valencia 1597. Segunda parte del tratado del Amor de Dios por el P. Maestro Fonseca en Valencia AnÌ„o 1608. Tomo tercero y quarto de la perfecion Christiana por el P. Puente en Pamplona AnÌ„o 1616. Segunda parte del Monte Caluario por Don Antonio de Gueuara en Anueres AnÌ„o 1559. Con Preuilegio Isagoge in totam sacram Scripturam Autore Ludouico de Tena Episcopo Dertusensi en Huesca AnÌ„o 1622. FINIS LONDON Printed by THOMAS HARPER M. DC XXIV
Father Gusman recordeth that he wrote to a Father and in another place to a mother Guzman en su libro de los bienes del Innesto trabajo fol 24 that they should enure their daughters to reade and vnderstand the holy Scripture Gregorie Nazianzene saith Father Reynosa aduised out of his great experience Ad laetan de institutione filiae that the Bible should neuer part out of the heart nor out of the mouth Reynosa fol. 87. del maestro Christiano nor out of the vnderstanding nor out of the tongue by reason of the admirable benefits which redounded from the assiduous vse of it S. Chrysostome amongst all the rest of the Fathers is very admirable in this point and particularly in his third Sermon that hee made of Lazarus where he answereth to all the obiections that the Papists at this day make against the free and vulgar vse of the Bible The Reader may please to peruse the Exhortation which most learned and godly Cypriano de Valera made to perswade men to reade continually the holy Scriptures where hee shall find the maine and principall summe collected of whatsoeuer S. Chrysostome deliuers in that place Besides that formerly deliuered we doe prooue the precise necessitie and obligation wherein all the faithfull stand bound to reade the holy Scriptures because in the Primitiue Church and many ages after all sorts of people did so and it was counted a great offence not to reade them and that this reading was very behoouefull and profitable for them the most learned Doctor Leon affirmes most clearely saying Leon en el Prologo de los nombres de Christo In the first ages of the Primitiue Church and many yeeres after it was esteemed a great fault in the faithfull not to be often conuersant in the perusing and reading of the Diuine Bookes and Ecclesiasticall men and those whom we call Secular both learned and vnlearned for this reason treated so much of this exercise and study that the carefulnesse herein of the vulgar sort stirred vp in Bishops and Prelates a greater study and practise in the same who ordinarily in their Churches in a manner euery day expounded the sacred Scriptures to the people because the particular reading of them by euery one in their houses by the light of that publike doctrine being illuminated and gouerned as it were by their Masters and Teachers voice might be free from errour and be a cause of the greater and more important benefit which in very deed was so great as that order and gouernment was religious and zealous and the fruit was answerable to their sowing of the seede And Master Prades confesseth as much in this point as Leon in these words In ancient times the holy Scriptures were propounded to the people in the vulgar tongue that so all sorts of people might reade them the which was very profitable and as such approoued of many holy and very learned men That the said Reading of the holy Scriptures prooued very profitable Prades en el Prologo de la adoracion de las imagines many Spanish writers affirme and confesse but amongst all therest Father Torres auerres the same admirably with wonderfull examples of many who were cur'd and reform'd by the same The which I will heere expresse and set downe with all possible breuitie Torres lib. 25. de la Philosophia de Principes Cap. 2. that the propounded veritie may more euidently appeare The first example produced by Torres is of the Eunuch seruant to Candaces Queene of Ethiopia who by the meanes of reading the Prophet Esaias attain'd to the knowledge of Christian veritie The second is of S. Eugenia who desiring to be assur'd of the infallible knowledge of her saluation the Epistles of S. Paul came to her hands this would not haue happened to her if shee had beene in Spaine vpon the doctrine whereof she considering and meditating she in such sort grew to discouer the falsities and deceits of the Gentiles and the veritie of Christian wisedome that she was not onely conuerted to the faith and beliefe of our Lord but further shee was martyred in defence and for the confession of the same The third example that he propoundeth is of that illustrious Domina who was a Martyr of Iesus Christ who being a Gentile no lesse prudent then honourable and being brought vp in the Palace of the Emperour Maximian by chance she met with a booke of the same Epistles and with the History written by S. Luke of the Acts of the Apostles in whose doctrine she discouered the errors of Infidelitie and so becomming a Christian shee embraced a cruell death to keepe possession of that shee had vndertaken To the former examples he addes this other of that most illuminated S. Augustine who being plunged in a thousand doubts and ambiguities it was said vnto him Tolle lege Take and reade and hee obeying this voice not knowing from whom or whence it came hee tooke the Epistles of the Apostle and opening them the first which presented themselues to him were those wordes written to the Romanes Chap. 13. Not in eating and drunkennesse but put yee on our Lord Iesus Christ c. And these reasons so farre preuailed with him that presently abjuring his heresie hee was conuerted to the Lord. The last example propounded by this Author is incomparably beyond all the rest and sufficient to mooue vs neuer to be without the holy Scriptures in our hands which is the same of the most holy Virgine the Mother of him that is Lord of heauen and earth who at the same time when she felt in her sacred entrailes the most diuine mysterie of the Incarnation by the comming of the Angel S. Ambrose sayes that shee was reading and meditating on the Prophesie of Esaias Chap. 7. Ambros lib. 2. in Luc. cap. 1. Ecce Virgo concipiet pariet filium c. whereunto Torres addes That wee may conceiue how the reading of the holy Scriptures was a singular preparation for the receiuing of such a fauour and grace the which he confirmes and this renowmed S. Augustine obserues in the blessed Virgine amongst whose many excellencies hee specifies one namely that she was very well read and conuersant in the Prophets Many other examples the same Father Torres mentions which heere I omit to auoid prolixitie and because these aboue declared euidently demonstrate that the vse and reading of the holy Scriptures hath euer beene common and commendable in all the faithfull and that the perusing of them hath brought foorth wonderfull effects which is the same we aimed at in the beginning and which for more efficacie we now briefly confirme by the example of S. Gertrudis with whom if wee may beleeue the Papists blasphemous fiction our Lord did marrie and moreouer that our Sauiour Christ sayd Masse on the day of his nuptials that they might be the more solemne and authenticall For this blessed Nunne is wonderfully exalted by Master Granada
temptations of our enemies doe send vs to holy Scripture thence to take weapons wherewith to fortifie vs and withstand them because it is the armour of the Christian warrefare that to it all the faithfull should repaire because all are obnoxious to temptations and that if the Pope dispoile the common people of these diuine weapons it is that he may warre against them and sell them at his pleasure whereof I will elsewhere discourse In confirmation of the precedent Argument I thought good to prooue more at large the sufficiencie of the sacred Scripture in all things necessary to our saluation that it may appeare the better that its worthy to be frequently conuersed in by all seeing it compriseth all that is necessary to all The holy Scripture containeth all things whatsoeuer is necessary for Saluation DOctor Aluarado clearely teacheth this truth Aluarado tomo primero delarie de bien Viuir fol. 454. who when hee affirmed that God had constituted in the Church the necessary and fit meanes to obtaine the same and these meanes are reduced to seuen speciall heads hee sets them downe in order saying The first is true faith and the knowledge of the true God and our Mediatour and Redeemer Iesus Christ The second meanes is his holy Law which comprehends all the commandements of things requisite and necessary to enter into eternall life and all the instructions which may assist vs to attaine vnto it with security and perfection The third is Religion and the sincere worship of God with such externall rites and ceremonies as are belonging to God The fourth meane are the Sacraments The fift are seuen rare and excellent vertues faith hope charity prudence iustice fortitude and temperance together with seuen speciall gifts and endowments of the holy Ghost The fixt is internall doctrine and the light of inspiration and illustration from the holy Ghost and for the exterior it must proceed from learned Masters and Doctors who both by example and doctrine teach whatsoeuer is expedient to bee knowen or vnderstood for to rayse soules vp to heauen The seuenth meane is the diuine and sacred Scriptures wherein are reuealed all things by vs formerly mentioned Whatsoeuer hath beene deliuered comes from this Authour who though he were a blacke Monke by Order and profession yet heerein he hit the white of Christian verity and truth and of the sufficiencie and validity of the holy Scriptures As also Father Torres Teetino which is a lesuite deliuered this trueth I te atino which in Spanish signifies as much as I embrace this trueth when he said that S. Paul referred Timothie to the Scriptures wherein he might learne whatsoeuer was fit and conuenient for him the which if the Pope would preach and teach to his disciples and followers all those traditions which hee sels vnto vs for necessary faith and are not to be found in the Scripture would be superfluous and of no moment at all For if in the Scriptures wee meete with all things necessary there is nothing out of them that can be esteemed necessary As a philosophicall Axiom plainely prooues which sayes qui totum dicit nihil excludit Brauo en la Vigilia magna fol. 78. Doctor Brauo manifestly acknowledgeth the former truth propounded in these words The holy Scripture is a glasse wherein a man may clearly perspicuously discerne whatsoeuer is requisite in an humane life for the true seruice and worship of God But beyond all these Authors Father Puente is admirable vpon this subiect as in other arguments Puente toro 3. de la terfecion fol. 711. so in this more especially against the Church of Rome for not in one but in many places he auers and prooues this veritie with words very significant and most preualent reasons I meane not here to set downe all that I haue read and obserued throughout his bookes about this particular point in that I would not willingly be prolix as also because I conceiue that what I shall hereunder mention will be more then sufficient And in the New Testament he first saith that all the Law Euangelicall was fully declared Whereupon it must needes of necessitie ensue that in the New Testament is comprehended whatsoeuer is necessary for saluation For of this there is no doubt to be made but that the Law of the Gospel is sufficient in it selfe to saluation This Author in another place saies Idem en la guia espiritual fol. 291. The sacred Scripture is the clearest glasse where we may best see and behold those countenances which we haue set downe that is to say the glorious countenance of God that of our Sauiour Iesus Christ then our owne Because in the same are reuealed all those vertues which appertaine to the perfect knowledge of these three things Moreouer it prescribes vs remedies against vices armes against temptations aduice and resolution in doubts consolation in sorrow ease and relaxation from labours and troubles and due Meanes whereby to attaine to the perfection of all vertues For as S. Dionysius saith that is the table which diuine wisedome placed in the Church plentifully furnished with Bread and Wine For on the same is set the bread of life and of vnderstanding which are the solid and firme truthes from whence the vertues take their life and essence and the knowledge of things eternall as also there is the wine of ardent and zealous affections mingled with the water of wholsome knowledge to giue saluation vigor and ioy vnto the heart It is the Pantry of the King of Heauen and the Cellar of his most precious wines whereinto hee brings his elect and there he quencheth the hunger and thirst they haue of Righteousnesse It is an open shoppe full of medicines for all maner of spirituall infirmities and a tower like that of Dauid replenished with all manner of armes against euery kinde of temptation For in that it is a table full of delicates Psal 22. it is placed as Dauid speakes to defend vs against those that vex and persecute vs. For which cause S. Paul said that all Scripture inspired from God 2. Tim. cap. 3. is profitable to instruct to conuince correct and inable to euery good worke that euery man of God may be perfect and well instructed in euery good worke as if hee had said It is very effectually to teach vs necessary trueth for our saluation and to conuince such enemies who with false and colourable reasons pretend and seeke to deceiue vs and to correct our vices and exorbitances and to fortifie vs in the exercise of vertue and good works that so we may attaine to that perfection whereunto wee are called and to the end thereof which is eternall life which is said to bee found in the holy Scriptures which manifest him who is our eternall life and the meanes left vnto vs to purchase him All this aboue mentioned is set downe by Father Puente the which though in it selfe it be much yet is