religion of whose communion and felowshippe the founders of other religions or the reformers of our Churches faith if they more desire to be so called were once and went out and consequently their doctrine newer and lesse auncient then ours and therefore as we beleeue not the good Mat. 13. 2â— seede but the cockle that was sowen after And that wee neuer going out of any knowne christian societie for the whole world can not tell your Grace out of what church we departed when how and where as did the former the Apostolicall markes of false beleeuers namely To goe out from others 1. Ioh. 2. 19. Iude v. 19. Rom. 16. 17. To segregate themselues and To make dissensions and scandalls contrary to the doctrine they had learned can not belong to vs by any possible application nor by any sleight or deuise shifted from them 4. A religion whose first Instituters except Christ and his Apostles or after-deuisers cannot be named by any of our Aduersaries nor can they all shew that peece or fundamentall point of our faith either of late or sithence the Apostles time defined which * This is witnessed in the Councel of Ephesus in epistola Synodi contra Nestorium in the Councel of Calcedon act 4 5 6. Item generali 6. act 4. 10. genera 7. act 2. And by Athanas of the Nicen. Councel in epist. ad Afros in epist. de Synodis Arimini Seleuciae And by Socrates of the Councel of Alexandria in historia ecclesiast lib. 1. ca. 5. and others was not formerly beleeued and the contrary thereof neuer taught by the Romane Church Wherefore in our vnderstanding it is euident that the religion we professe is not as it is slandered to be a deuise or inuention of man nor euer was contrary to it selfe in doctrine but whatsoeuer hath beene in latter ages explicitiuely defined the same was alwayes not only holden true from the beginning in our church but also implicitiuely beleeued for the infallible authoritie thereof 5. A religion that hath confuted and outlasted seuerall hundreds of heresies which manifoldly diuided in themselues 488. after Prateolus account did yet euer giue hands to the ouerthrow of this one but neuer found other rocke than it on which they were broken or tooke their confusion by Which seemeth infallibly to demonstrate That the weapons of our Churches warrefare are not 2. Cor. 10. 4. carnall but as Saint Paul writeth of the true doctrine mighty to God vnto the destruction of munitions destroying Counsells and all loftinesse extolling it selfe against the knowledge of God And that our church and religion euer conquering their oppositors and neuer conquered by them is that kingdome which the Prophet saieth Shall breake in peeces and consume Dan. 2. 44. all other kingdomes and it selfe stand for euer 6. A religion that erected and built all the Churches Hospitalles and ancient Colleges in Christendome indowed them with liuings instituted the Vniuersities and Seminaries distinguished the multitude into parishes proportioned the Tithes annexed the glebeland founded the Bishoprickes limited the Dioceses decreed Ecclesiasticall lawes and immunities enacted all the olde Lawes of our Realme and did for that they would not be vacant without fruit as the Apostle aduiseth 2. Pet. 1. 8. in the knowledge of our Lorde Iesus a thousand good woorkes besides of which the religion regnant reapeth daily benefite and could not without such our churches prouision and ordinaunces euer haue carried the exterior shew it doth 7. A religion that in three ages together had not three 9 10 11. Centenaries open aduersaries in the christian worlde who contradicted or impugned her doctrine or beleeued another forme of faith then that which she then and now teacheth And the Wisedome of the eternall God alluding to his Church affirmeth that in the multitude of people consisteth the glory of a King and Pro. 14. 28. Glossa interlin in hunc locum in the small number the ignominy of the Prince 8. A religion whose chiefe professors and spreaders thereof to other Nations were alwayes of a knowne holy life and semblable death and the protoparents of all other religions men of a much contrary note and we are sure by the testimony Matt. 7. 20. of Gods word that the good and bad tree are to be knowne by their fruites 9. A religion to which the famousest a Constantinus Magnus Iauianus with aboue fortie Emperours of the East Maiorianus Carolus Magnus with full neere fortie other Emperours of the Weast Emperours and b Clodoueus Childibertus with aboue threescore Kings of Fraunce Ranimirus Sanctius with almost twenty other Kings of Aragon Pelagius Fasila with at least fortie other Kings of Castile Alphonsus Sanctius with many moe Kings of Portugall Geyza Stephanus with aboue thirtie Kings of Hungary Besides the Kings of Polonia Bohemia Denmarke Norway Suetheland Gothland Dalmatia Baiorta Germania Alemannia Morauia Loraine Burgundy Prouince Lomberdy Italy Naples Sicily Sardinia Nauarre and the Kings of Affrike as of Aethiopia Nubia and others Likewise the Kings of Canaria Manicongus Benopotama Angola Guinea Bentoninus Quiloa Melinda Mozambique the Kings of Asia as of Ciprus Armenia Hierusalem Tartaria and some Kings of the Agarens and Saracens many Kings of the Heruleans Iberians Alanes Abasgorians Lazorians Scithians Persians and others Kings of the world haue bowed their Crownes c As Constantinus Magnus Emperour Dagobertus Carolus S. Ludouicus and other Kings of Fraunce Alphonsus Ranimirus Alphonsus the great Ranimirus â— and Alphonsus 6. with other Kings of Spaine Stephanus and Ladislaus Kings of Hungary Miscelstaus Boleslaus Casimirus sanctus and Casimirus Magnus Kings of Polonia and many moe Kings of other Nations presented their giftes d As Iustinus Emperour the person of Pope Iohn Iustinianus of Pope Constantine King Pipin the person of Pope Stephen the second Carolus of Pope Leo the third â—udouiâ—us of Sergius the second and of Pope Nicholas Henry the fourth of Pope Paschal the second and others reuerenced her Prelates e As Philippus Arabs Emperour the Censure of Pope Fabian Euseb lib. 6. ca. 27. histor eccl the Emperor Theoâ—osius the excommunication of S. Ambr. Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 17. hist. eccl Sozom. lib. 7. ca. 24. the Emperour Otho the third the inioyned penaunce of Râ—mualdus Abbat Petr. Dam. in vita Romual To which may be added the deuoute readinesse of Henry the second to accept and fulfill the sentence of Pope Alexanders Legates touching the death and murthering of Saint Thomas of Canterburie Nâ—ubrigens libr. 2. cap. 25. obeyed their censures yea and hath at this present many of the greatest monarchs and potentates on earth to her Professors patrons and foster-fathers So as of the Romane Religion onelie these ensuing passages and propheticall praedictions of holie Scripture must of force take their verification or remaine as yet being the latter yeares or euening of the Church vnfulfilled The Gentiles shall feare thy name O Lord
of the Prophet is verified Thy friendes ô God Psal 138. 17. are very much honoured of mee Likewise that saying of Ecclesiasticus fulfilled Nations shall declare his wisedome and the Ca. 39. 14. Church speake forth his praise and also the rites of friendship and true loue obserued which is to loue our friends friend for our friendes sake and incomparably more the Saintes of God for their and our loue towards God 17. A religion whose refuse and reuolted priestes are deemed lawefull and sufficiently ordered to preach the worde of God to minister Sacraments and to exercise all spirituall iurisdiction in the protestant and Puritane Congregation A proofe which seemeth vnanswerable that our Church is the true Church for were her doctrine false she teaching in many pointes as she doth it must needes followe that shee is the synagogue if not the arch-synagogue of Sathan and consequently â—e hath nor can possibly haue God and the diuell being so contrary authoritie to initiate and make lawfull and compleate Ministers for exercising spirituall faculties in the true Church Neither is the Protestant Minister or Bishop comming to our Catholike fraternitie as many come of the first sorte reputed other then for meere lay men without orders 18. A religion to whose antiquitie and veritie of most parte of her doctrine controuersed the fashion of euery Church Chappell and Chancell the recordes of euery Hospitall Colledge and Abbey decayed yea euery auncient sepulchre church-window and graue-stone do bring and giue apparant euidence as thinges all wearing her badges and contestifying her elder childrens faith deuotion and pietie 19. A religion whose groundes and foundation are so rockie and sure and the proofes and testimonies alike infinite ample aboundant and vnanswerable as the Protestant himselfe assayled by the Puritane and other sects knowes not how to defend positions encountred but by flying to the strengths and impregnable arguments of the catholike Romane church and her doctors 20. A religion that teacheth not a Mat. 7. 13. the broade and large but the narrow and straite way such as holy writte affirmeth the way to heauen to be as annuall b Ioh. 20. 23. confession to a Priest c Psal 6. 7. Matth. 32. and 11. 21. Mar. 1. 15. Luk. 13. 3. 2. Cor. 12. 21. Act. 1. 38. and 26. 20. pennance d Leuit. 5. 16. Luk. 19. 8. restitution e Ezech. 8. 30. Ioel. 2. 12. Matth. 3 8. Luk. 3. 8. 1. Cor. 11. 32. satisfaction prescript fasting dayes set times of abstinence f Leui. 23. 21. Psal 75. 12. Eccles 5. 3. 1. Tim. 5. 12. performance of vowes g Ephes 4 5. one vniforme stinte of faith h Rom. 8. 13. Colos 3. 5. mortification of the old man and the like Iniunctions neyther obserued nor imposed by other Religions but rather libertie in their stead and yet all of them directly and plainely prescribed in holy Scripture except onely the appointment of prescript time for confession fasting and abstinence a power and prerogatiue left to the wisedome and ordering of the Catholike Church of whose Prelats our Sauior himself saith i Luke 10. 16. He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me Which authoritie also was giuen to the Bishops of the olde Lawe and of consequence more to the chiefe Prelates of the new Law He that Deut. 17. 12. shall waxe proude refusing to obey the commandement of the Priest shall die by the decree of the Iudge 21. A religion for whose defence the Title of Defender of the Faith was first giuen to the Kinges of our Nation the Title of Most Christian to the kings of Fraunce of Most Catholike to the kings of Spayne the still retayning of which Titles doth argue the allowance of her iurisdiction And there is no one of the auncient Fathers who doth not vnderstand these wordes of the Prophet to be onely meant of this Church The Nation and Kingdome that will not serue thee shall Esa 60. 12. perish 22. A religion into whose societie and profession whosoeuer truely entreth by and by liueth in more awe of God and feare of sinne and changeth his former life to the better and of the other side whosoeuer leapeth out and departeth from her fellowship and communion beginneth incontinent to leade a worse life then whiles he liued her childe and frequented her Sacramentes Of both which there bee store of examples and of the latter too many verifying what is sayd and not vnknowne to thousands yea the case is so familiar as it is now growen into a Prouerbe with many That the Protestant religion is good to liue in but the Papist religion good to die in 23. A religion which now hath and had in all ages the most famous men for wit learning reading iudgement vertue and true pietie qualities of all other likeliest to discerne and abandon error to her Teachers and Doctors and euer enioyed the like store of such lights as our Oppositors had neuer reason to compare with or if they do the extant monuments in schoole positiue mysticall diuinitie and in all other literature will quickly shewe the inequalitie and disproportion of the comparison 24. A Religion whose publike and Church seruice is executed with that maiestie honorable grauitie and reuerence and the seuerall parts and ceremonies thereof so aptly and admirablie composed and ordred for annuall commemoration and representing of our Sauiours incarnation birth life passion buriall resurrection ascension of the comming downe of the Holy Ghost of the mysterie of the Trinitie and of other passages as well of Christ our head as of his members the Saincts as it begetteth feedeth and reneweth singular deuotion in the actors and hearers and is also so comfortable in her Sacraments especiallie so easing and acquieting soules in the Sacrament of Penance as no testimonie or demoÌ„stration vnder heauen is or can be of like feeling proofe for the real goodnes and veritie of that Sacrament as is the supernaturall sweetest and diuine consolation tasted therein and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist 25. A Religion whose secular and religious Cleargie liue without wiues free from care of prouiding for children and the later sort no way distracted with the affaires and encumbrances of the world but encloistered passe their whole time in prayer watching fastin in continuall studie of scriptures and in daily exercise and dispute for full and perfect vnderstanding of them Helps that do most further the attaining of truth and such as are not found in the aduerse partie and which in common reason Catholick Diuines being not inferior to other Diuines in wit or other talents shew that our teachers God being no acceptor of persons are more likely to haue vsing fitter meanes for the same the true intelligence and vnderstanding of scripture then are our aduersaries or contradictors 26. A religion of which the foure acknowledged Doctors of holie Church were both professors and stout defenders as their owne works
nothing in proper nor in common and beg their foode from dore to dore as do the Capuccines some attend the sick in all diseases assist them with ghostly counsell prouide them Sacraments and burie their dead bodies as do certaine fraternities some clense vlcers and festered sores nor refuse any office how base and loathsome soeuer about impotent criples and lazars as do the Nunnes of S. Elizabeths order And all these with other diuers orders that after another manner labour to mortifie themselues and do good to others he vpon no other beds but of straw rise at midnight sleepe little and spend much time in prayer and meditation Which are no conditions of life that either a Rom. 13. 14 make prouision for the flesh in concupiscences or b Galat. 5. 16. do seeke to accomplish the desires or c Titus 3. 3. serue the voluptuousnesse thereof sinnes which the Apostle forbiddeth but rather formes of life that d Galat. 5. 24. crucifie the flesh with her vices and concupiscences do e Galat. â— 19. naile them to the Crosse with Christ and render both f Galat. 6. 14. the world crucifide to those that so liue and them to the world Vertues which by the testimonie of the same Apostle g Galat. 5. 24. make their dooers the seruants of Christ and h Galat. 2. 20. to liue now not they but Christ in them Effects of no false religion 30. A religion from which Countries eyther departing or mingling other doctrines with it made present wracke of their former felicities falling eyther into flatte Apostafie or most lamentable bondage or both The instances are The i Theodoretuâ— lib. 4. cap. 32. Sozomen lib. 6. cap. 37. Goths while they remained Catholike florished and enlarged their territories but becomming Arians were shortly expelled thence by the Hunnes then Infidels The like and by like occasion befell the k Iornandes de rebus gest Dacians Mysians and Pannonians by inuasion of the Hunnes Gepides and Rugians The l Ex Aenea Siluâ—â— in Eur. cap. 16. 17. Anto. Sabel Enne 10. lib. 6. ex Chronicis earundem Nationum alijsque Historijs Dalmatians Gaulls Britanes Spaniards and the Africans by superinducing or mixing one the heresie of Manichaes another the herisie of Vigilantius the thirde the heresie of Pelagius the fourth the heresie of Priscillian the last the heresie of Donatus with the catholike religion were conquered and supplanted the Dalmatians by the Turke the Gaules by the French the Britaines by the English the Spaniardes by the Goths the Africanes by the Vandals To which may be added the Germanes wasted and subiected by Aâ—tila to the seigniory of the Hunnes after the Arian heresie had rooted it selfe in seuerall quarters and prouinces of their Countrey The inhabitants also of the citie Iulinum who being conuerted to the Ortelius in Rugia ex Saxone Helmoldâ— Cranâ—zio Romane faith and falling againe from it were all consumed both cittizens and cittie with fire from heauen Touching the Countries in the East after they beganne to dishonour themselues with newe doctrines they so fast ratine headlong therein an inseparable propertie of all heresie because they are vnbounded and lacke a defining and binding power that in short while after to witte in the raigne of Heraclius the Emperour there were on foote d Nicâ—ph lib. 18. 45. Iacobitans Georgians Theopaschite Armeniaens Monophysites Agnoetans Staurablatans Monothelites Seuerites Aphtarthodocites Phantasiasts Manichaes Tetradites Tritheites Arians Nestorians sixteene seuerall sortes of beleefe but what followed First Chosroes king of the Persians sacked Ierusalem and much weakened the Empire Then Heraclius the Emperour turned Monothelite Mahomet that infernall monster being made the Captaine of the Saracens tooke Syria and Aegypt Anno Dom 635. Mesopotamia An. Dom. 639. and afterward all Africa Finally we thinke that in the reuolution of the fifteene first ages the Nation or kingdome cannot be named which forsaking the catholike Romane religion or not keeping it whole and inuiolated was either not conquered or miserably torne by ciuill diuision and slaughters 31. A religion whose professant companie or congregation hath bene euermore since the first planting thereof very visible and perspicuous as the seuerall resemblances parables and figuratiue speeches vsed in holy Scripture doe cleerely testifie that the true Church and Spouse of Christ should euer be comparing her to a a Psal 18. 5. tabernacle placed in the Sunne to a b Esa 2. 2. mountaine prepared in the toppe of mountaines to a c Matth. 5. 15. Citie scituated on a hill to a d Matth. 3. 12. Luke 3. 17. Floore to a e Mat. 13. 47. Nette a f Iohn 10. 16. Sheepefolde a g Luk. 14. 16. great Supper a h Mat. 21. 33. Luke 20. 9. Vineyard c. and her doctrine to a i Matth 5. 15. Candle put vpon a candlesticke shining to all that are in the house that is in the world as k Tract 2. in epist Ioan. S. Austen vnderstandeth the place things that are all most visible and obuious to weakest sense and therefore doe proue that the true Church ought to be alwayes visible and apparant to the view of others Neither is the word Church to be found throughout the whole body of Scripture to signifie other then a visible knowne multitude and the reason is plaine why it must so signifie because it were otherwise impossible for any one to ioyne himselfe to the true Church perseuere therein obey the head and be subiect to the Prelates thereof which all are bound to doe by the expresse word of God lawe of nature and vnder heauiest Matth. 18. 17. Ephes 5. 23. Hebr. 13. 17. curse and censure of damnation if the Church were or could be inuisible or not remonstrable For vnto things hidden inuisible there can be no repaire no adherence nor homage of duetie or tribute of obedience defrayed Nay to deny the perpetuall visibilitie and duration of the Church were in great parte to euacuate Christes passion and plainely to robbe him of the ende he suffered for namely to sanctifie and cleanse his Church as S. Paul witnesseth and to render Ephes 5. 26. it glorious vnto him It were the Church being as the same Ephes 1. 23. Apostle writeth Christs bodie and the fulnesse of him to make Christ a head bodylesse and take as it were his totalitie or perfection from him it were to diuorce our Sauiour from his dearely beloued spouse formed out of his side vpon the crosse Ephes 5. 29. and inseparably ioyned in marriage with him it were to bereaue his omnipotent Maiestie of his house kingdome lotte and 1. Tim 315. Colos 1. 14. Psal 2. 8. heritage vpon earth for such is his Church vnto him and so callâ—d in holy Scripture yea It were directly to charge the Prophets the Apostles and euen Christ himselfe either with vntrueths or absurdities The Prophets because these words are read
vnlike the enterprise being to be paralleled by many examples to attempt the ouerthrow of the Protestant and bring the kingdome especially the Ecclesiasticall state to a paritie or popular forme of gouernement if the Catholike perchaunce the powerablest let thereof were once extinguished and to extinguish him no meane more potent than to forbid and punish the exercise of his religion And what confusion hauocke and effusion of blood such an attempt would worke in the commonweale it is easie to coniecture whiles the Puritane with his complices and such as thirst an infinite number to haue matters in scuffling to impugne on the one side and the Bishops Deanes Canons and the greatest possessors of Spirituall liuings with all those that do adhere to them defend on the other side and either partie stiffely and violently persecuting other as is the custome in such commotions without regard of God or country Which disastrous and most deadly mischiefe can not in probability approach or euer growe to head so long as the Catholike findeth fauour with your Maiestie in enioying the free vse of his religion Or put case the Puritane should euer aduenture to make such an attempt yet the oddes against him he hauing two sorts of aduersaries the Protestant and the Catholikely affected by the foresaid fauor are much much greater then any way in reason or likelihood the victorie may be iustly doubted of 3. Moreouer toleration of Catholike religion seemeth very conuenient for strengthning and securing your Maiesty against all worldly attempts foraine and domesticall Against forraine in respect the cause why any such trouble should be once intended must needes be in all probabilitie the restoring of Catholike religion which pretext or cause is quite remooued by your Maiesties graunt of the free exercise thereof Or if it should fall out that notwithstanding the happinesse of the said most soueraigne fauour any forraine Prince or Princes confederated either on enuie of your Maiesties greatnesse or vpon feare of what consequence the vnion of the three Kingdomes might prooue in time should be so intemperate as either to incite companies within the Realme or inuade vpon the aboue named pretence no doubt but all Catholikes would eftsoone disclose the practise and most willingly straine the vttermost of all their possible forces and resistaunce for withstanding the said enterprise made by whomsoeuer and vnder what shadow of title or authoritie soeuer And if intestine warre or any vproare should happen thorow any disloyaltie of the subiect or other accident there can be likewise no doubt the Catholike religion teaching all temporall obedience to Princes and more seuerely censuring and punishing all sortes of rebellion then doth either the Puritane or the Protestant doctrine but that all Catholikes would presently flocke to the banner of your Maiestie and with the effusion of their best bloud first guarde and protect your royall person and then defend all and singular your Highnesse rightes and prerogatiues A bounden duety as our selues doe right willingly acknowledge and the contrary a most detestable and treasonable offence neuerthelesse the readinesse and performance of our seruices heerein can not but increase your Maiesties strength and safetie of the Crowne and Realmeâ— the things we desire to haue beleeued and would remonstrate 4. Furthermore both the auntient Philosophers and the States-men of latter time doe write and common sense proclaymeth that the glory puissaunce and stablenesse of a kingdome consist more in the true vertue and goodnesse than in the store and multitude of subiectes because vertue begetteth glory and is the cherisher of fortitude both which disdaine nothing more than treachery and basenesse of mind the common Slewces which conuey into all estates all that is dishonourable And it is seldome if euer seene most noble King that they who are constant obedient and faithfull to God in the religion they beleeue are not likewise true subiectiue and faithfull to their King in all duties appertaining For as grace the feare of sinne and the loue of heauen doe worke them to the performing of the one so will the same grace feare and loue the neglect being of equall damage in both induce them to obserue the other Nay they both are so neerely allied depend so absolutely one of the other and are alike essentially lincked together as the one can not be either laudably or indifferently fulfilled and the other not accomplished How constant and faithfull the Catholike hath carried himselfe in the religion hee professeth it appeareth by this that neither the paying of twenty pounds a moneth only for not going to the Protestants church or where his ability could not affoord so much there the leesing of two partes of his liuings and the vtter forfeiture of all his goodes nor making of Priestes the feeders of their soules to be traitors and their receiuers felons lawes and penalties that neuer had similitude of instance or president in the world either did or could make him to denie or exteriorly to disguise his religion or relinquish to practise it proofes in all vnderstanding most sufficient to conuince that he dreadeth God feareth to offend his conscience and that he christianly seekes to saue his soule And if so then as we thinke there cannot iustly be made any doubt but that he will likewise shew himselfe obedient and duetifull to his Soueraigne in all things that belong to temporall alegeance or wherein soeuer the omission may taint or endanger the safetie of his soule Of that which is said wee would vnder your Maiesties gratious leaue inferre that the Catholike subiect is if any other the glory strength and perpetuitie of the Kingdome because he principally seeking heauen in this world and will not for the worlde be diuerted cannot be treacherous or disloyall or vnduetifull to your Highnesse but in euery seruice and distresse occurring valiant resolute and most faithfull By which it seemeth manifest that if the Lawes of our deceased Queene should not be repealed but more if they should be re-established a rigor which in it selfe presently imbarketh vs into all calamities alas your Grace doth not only thereby depriue your Imperiall crowne and realme of the best meriting affections and suppressingly disable those your subiects who otherwise woulde for their qualities stand your Maiestie and their Country in good seruice and do much long for opportunitie to make knowne their readinesse that waye but your Highnesse by the same shall also giue occasion to the frailer sort of aduenturing their Soules to euerlasting damnation by dissembling their faith and religion Which inconstancy and vnmanly part of theirs how little credite or reputation it ought to bring vnto them or is cause of trust to your Maiestie wee leaue that prudent and heroicall example to informe your Highnes which Nicephorus and others record Niceph. li. 6. cap. 35. of the Emperor Theodoricus who seeing a speciall minion of his to haue changed his religion thereby to please and wind himselfe into greater fauor iudged him to lose
and all the Psal 101. 16. Psal 71. 11. Kings of the earth thy glory Againe All Kings of the earth shall adore him all Nations shall serue him And in an other Prophet Esa 49. 23. Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy Nurses And againe Gentiles shall walke in thy light and Kings in the Esa 62. 3. brightnesse of thy vprising Places which to our iudgement most euidently conuince that not onely some Kings of the earth shall professe and cherish true religion but that the greater number of all christian Kings shall embrace and aduaunce the same Now it is most certaine and as cleare as noone day by all Antiquities Proofes and Chronicles of the worlde that there was neuer Emperour nor till this age any one King vnder heauen that intertained or professed Protestant religion 10. A religion that from the first floure of her infancie euer had and still hath to her beleeuers infinite multitudes of either sexe professing Pouertie Chastitie and Obedience the three a Matth. 19. 21. marc 19. 12. 1. cor 7. 25. math 16. 24. chiefe Euangelicall counselles obserued of the b Matth. 19. 27. August de Ciuit. lib. 17. ca. 4. Hieron lib. 1. contra Iouinia Apostles practised by those c Saint Anthony Hilarion Benedict Francis Dominike Bernard and thousands moe who were counted of greatest holinesse most highly commended by all d ¶ Of Pouertie Hieron epistola prima ad Heliod ca. 6. item in cap. 19. Matth. ad Demetria de seruanda virginitat epist 8. ca. 7. Quaest ad Hedib epist 150. ad Pammachum super obitu Paulinae epist 26. ca. 3. 4. Basil quaest 9. in regulis fusius disputat Damascen in histor Barlaam Iosaph ca. 15. Chrys in illud Pauli Salutate Priscam Aquilam ¶ Of Chastitie Hieron in cap. 9. Matth. lib. 1. aduers Iouin ca. 7. Basil de virginitat Epiphan haeresi 58. contra Valesios Aug. de virginitat ca. 14. 24. sequentibus Greg. in tertiae parte Curae pastora admonit 29. Ambros Theodoretus in 1. Cor. 7. Amb. in epist 83. ad Siricium Papam 82. ad Vercellenses in tribus libris de Virginib alibi Damasc lib. 4. orthodoxae sid ca. 25. Athanasius Basilius Nazianzenus de Virgint Fulgent epist 3. ad Probam ca. 9. 10. Ignatius ad Philadelphi Cipri de bouo Pudicit Isodor libr. 2. de sum bono ca. 40. Cassian coll 12. ca. 4. 7. ¶ Of Obedience Aug. libr. 14. de Ciuit. ca. 12. Hieron epist 8. ad Demetriad ca. 10. Greg. libr. 35. moral ca. 12. in 1. Reg. li. 2. ca 4. li. 4. ca. 5. li. 6. ca. 2. Cassian li. 4. ca. 10 Collat. 2. ca. 11. Coll. 4. ca. 20. Bernard in serm de 3. ordinib eccle item ad milites templi ca. 13. in serm de virtut obed Basil de Constit. monast ca. 23. Philo in lib. de vita contemplat Iosephus lib. 18. antiquit ca. 2. Epiphan haeresi 29. Dionisius de Ecclesiast Hierarchia ca. 6. Euseb lib. 1 de demonstrat Euangelic ca. 8. Nazianzenuâ— orat 20. Athanas in vita Anthonij Sulpitius in vita Martini Isodor li. 2. de eccles officijs ca. 15. Sozomenus lib. 1. hist. ca. 12. Chrysost aduers Vituperatores monast vitae Hom. 5. ad pop â—um sequentibus infiniti alij Antiquitie not onely as diuine helpes to perfection but also as beautifull ornaments in Christs Church raising the professours to supreame degree of grace and glorie 11. A religion that hath bene testified by the bloud and sanctitie of such Martirs and Confessors as our Aduersaries themselues allow of and hold them glorious in heauen and either all the points of her doctrine or the most controuerted and weightiest witnessed by euidence of most authenticall Collected in part by Bredenbrachius in suis collationib miracles by the records of all ages and by the discussing censure and approbation of general Counsels the highest consistory on earth and oracles of greatest infallibility as being the sentences of all the best learned in the worlde assembled together and holpen in the affaire by the a Mat. 18. 20. 28. 20. presence of Christ our Sauiour by the b Ioh. 14. 16. 16. 13. Act. 15. 20. assistance of the Holy Ghost and by c Ioh. 17. 17. Luk. 22. 31. our Lords promise and prayer 12. A religion vnchanging and of admirable consent in her doctrine hauing euermore the same bounds of faith in all places and not varying in euery countrie and state as do other religions which haue not one supreame head and an acknowledged power to define but make the letter of scripture misinterpretable by euery contentious spirit the onely touchstone and chiefe Iudge of all differences in faith whereby so many opinions and formes of religion may be squared out as there be priuate fancies raigning 13 A religion which by the graunt of our Aduersaries hath had for the last thousand yeeres and more the custodie of the sacred Bible of the Apostles Athanasius and the Nicene Creede and preserued them from perishing by Pagan Iewe or heretike yea and from whose handes or Treasure-house the Religion nowe established not onely receiued all the partes of Scripture she maketh vse of but also learned the forme of Christening Marrying Churching of women Visiting the sicke Burying and sundry other like as their books translated out of ours doe declare And therefore our religion must needes be the elder Nor can it bee tolde as wee can easily tell all other sortes of Religions what former Societie we did euer supplant or inuade or tooke from it eyther our first possession of the Scriptures forme of Sacraments or any other Ecclesiasticall rites or ceremonies 14. A Religion that instituted the feastes the fasting dayes and all the goodly ceremonies and solemne obseruations which are yet vsed though many other pared away and commaunded in the Protestant religion as the festiuities of Christmas Easter Ascension Whitsontide and the Eues and feastes of the Apostles likewise the fastes of Lent and Ember dayes abstinence on Fridayes and Saturdayes much holesome and very commodious to the Common-weale Semblablie the rites and sacred formes kept in Coronations installements and in all other sortes of solemnities that carrie eyther state decency or veneration with them 15. A religion that founded the Ecclesiasticall censures and sortes of discipline as suspension interdiction excommunication irregularitie degradation and the like and was also the author of the Cannon lawe studied throughout the vniuersall Christian world and many pointes both of her censures lawes and discipline practised by the Protestants themselues 16. A religion that onely hath canonized her professors for Saintes after death and celebrateth their annuall memories whereby their names euer liue in honor and all posteritie incited both to glorifie God for his graces bestowed on them and also studiously to imitate their vertues Whereby that asseueration
assigned Bishop of Antioch h Aduersus haeres lib. 4 ca 32. 34 lib. 5. ca. 2. Irenaeus scholar i Feu-ardentius in vita eius to S. Policarp and he scholar to S. Iohn Pope k Epist 1. cap. 2. Anacletus the fourth from S. Peter Pope l Epist 1. cap. 4. Alexander the second from Anacletus Pope m Epist ad omnes vniuersaliter cap. 2. Telesphâ—rus the second froÌ„ Alexander with others their next successors n Apud Gratianum de consecratione distinctione 1. cano omnes Basilicae Higinus o In Codice 5. librorum li. 4. ca. 117. Pius p Apud Burchardum lib. 5. ca. 29. Iuonem part 2. cap. 98. Anicetus q Apud Gratianum de consâ—crati dist 1. cano hoc quoque Soter all receiued Saincts and Martyrs Also the Liturgie of the church of Rome deliuered by S. Peter the Liturgie of the church of Hierusalem written by S. Iames the Liturgie of the church of Alexandria composed by S. Marke the Liturgie of the church of Milan made by S. Barnabas The Liturgie of the church of Cappadocia compiled by r Ploruit circiter annum 370. S. Basil The Liturgie of the church of Constantinople set forth by S. Å¿ Floruit anno Christi 380. Chrysostome And likewise the Liturgies of the Aethiopian Syrian and Armenian churches which all with some other do most cleerely witnesse the sacrifice vse and veneration of the Masse and do also approue the ceremonies and diuine mysteries represented and expressed therein In like manner for proofe and direct euidence of the ancient practise fruite and obligation of auricular Confession S. a Apostolicar constitut lib. 2. cap. 33. epist 1. ad Iacobum fratrem Domini Clement S. b Epist 8. ad Demophilum Dionysius S. c Aduersus haereses lib. 1. ca. 9. floruit circiter an 160. Irenaeus d Homil. 2. in Leuiticum Hom. in Psal 37. floruit 230. Origen e Lib. de paenitentia cap. 10. 12 floruit 200. Tertullian S. f Lib. de lapsis floruit 250. Cyprian g Li. 4 diuinar constitution ca. 17. floruit 320. Lactantius who so highly aduanceth Confession as he maketh it one distinctiue note h Idem cap. vlt. eiusdem libri of the true Church S. i Serm. in illa verba Profecti in pagum qui cuâ— aduers c. floruit circiter annum 340. Athanasius S. k Canone 18. in Matthaeum flor 346. Hilarie l Lib. de paenitentia confess flor 350. Pacianus S. m In regulis breuiâ—rib regula 229. 288. Basil S. n Tom. 5. lib. 2. de sacerdotio Chrysostom S. o Epist 80. ad episcopos Campaniae epist 91. ad Theodorum Foroiulij episcopum flor 450. Leo with other writers of best note in euery age since Christes time hitherto And as the primitiue and ancient Fathers and Saincts do yeeld their abundant testimonie in confirmation of these two points so do they vndoubtedlie also afford if this place would giue leaue to particularize very ample euidence in all the other points before mentioned and in question betweene vs and our oppositors Nay if we may be so bold as to deliuer our opinion plainely without concealing ought in this matter the maner that our aduersaries vse in citing places out of the auncient Fathers against vs is but the studie of meere wrangling and no other then a demonstratiue token of an exceeding contentious spirit wilfullie affecting to blindfold and mislead it selfe For were they sincere and loued truth aboue all things they could not possible dismember wrest and pick out sentences of their works in the order and to the purposes they do not letting to rack their words to a sense which the writers neuer meant yea contrarie oftentimes euen to the generall scope and drift of those bookes whence they cull the peeces they alleadge contrarie to the euident letter and plaine passages of their other writings contrarie to the faith they professed liued and died in contrarie to the religion of the age they wrote in contrarie to the doctrine of the Church that first admitted them for Doctors or receiued them for Saincts contrarie to the profession of their liues and state of vocation contrarie to the language and nature of their owne deedes to the titles and dignities they held and to the opinion and censure which all former ages retained of such their parcels of writing So that words and words commonly disioynted from that went before or followeth after must ballance and beare more sway and credit for condemning vs of error then the writers liues selfe deedes their practise profession other their works or neuer so many apparant testimonies of theirs to the contrarie for the truth of our religion 27. A religion of whose doctrine and communion in Sacraments all the Saincts in the Kalendar the patrons of Churches countries conuerters of nations to Christianitie all personages of either sexe memorable for holines for renouncing the world for mortifying their appetites for surrendring their wills or for any other excellent and true virtue were and so liued and died as the authenticall legends of their liues and other ecclesiasticall writings do testifie and beare apparent record to the whole world 28. A religion not destitute of any kinde of proofe but her positions confirmable by Scriptures by Apostolicall institutions by Counsels oecumenicall and prouinciall by Fathers Doctors reason histories chronologies prophesies visions reuelations miracles traditions and by all these and other like heads we say confirmable without wrest straine or flying to tropes or figuratiue speeches So as these words in the Canticles seeme only verifide of our church and religion Thy neck that is the puissance of Christes Church is as Cantic 4. v. 4. the towre of Dauid which is built with bulwarks a thousand shields hang on it all the armour of the strong 29. A religion which a Act. 2. beginning at Ierusalem hath as a riuer through the length of her course euer more and more increased and spread it selfe as it was prophesied that the Church of Christ should b Psal 2. 8. I will giue thee saith God the Father to God the Sonne nations to thine inheritance which is his Church and the ends of the earth to thy possession c Esay 2. 2. All nations shall run vnto her d Dan. 7. 14. All people tribes and tongs shall serue him e Esay 60. 10. The sonnes of strangers that is of the Gentils shall build vp her walls and their Kings do seruice vnto her Now that these and innumerable other like predictions and prophesies are only found true and fulfilled in our Catholick Roman church and religion both the seuerall conuersions of nations vnto her and the infinite multitude dispersed euery-where of her beleeuers do as nothing can more clearely testifie And how greatly it spred it selfe euen when it first put
not nor can be euer proued to haue bene fulfilled in any other Church saue only in the Catholike Romane Church and in it most apparantlie demonstrable by the Ecclesiasticall histories of all ages and by the short space or rather momentarie blast of time that all other religions compared with ours haue indured 34. A religion whose doctrine is to be traced euen vp to the Apostles chaire by true and lawfull succession of Bishops euery one of them holding vnitie with his predecessor and keeping still as the Apostle directeth the depositum that descended from hand to hand vnto them Which vninterrupted line of succession neuer leaping ouer the head of any one age or yeare and drawing his originall from the Apostles can not but necessarily proue that our Church is only the true Apostolicall Church and that we continue and contend Coloss 1. 23. phil 3. 16. iude vers 3. as we are commanded in and for the faith which was first preached And it is also euident by the irrefragable authoritie of S. Paul that the Romanes had once the true faith affirming d their faith to be renowmed in the whole world and common to Rom. 1. 8. cap. 16. him and them Likewise it is euident by the vniforme report of all Ecclesiasticall histories and by the writings of all the Fathers a Theodoretus in ca. 16. epist ad Rom. Prosp carmine de ingr in principiâ— S. Leo de Nâ—t Petri. Aug. contr epist Fund ca. 4. Orosius lib. 7. ca. 6. Chrisost in Psal 88. Epiph. har 27. Prud. in hym 2. S. Laurentij hym 12. Optatus lib. 2. contr Donatist Ambr. lib. 5. epist de basilicis tradendis Hiero. in Catalogo Lactantius lib. 4. ca 21. de vera Sapien. Eusebius hist Eccle. li. 2. ca. 13. 15. Athanas de fugasua Cipria epist 55. nu 6. Tert. de praesâ—r nu 4. li. 4. Contr. Marcio nu 4. Origin in Gen. apud Euseb lib. 3. ca. 1. Irenaus lib. 3. ca. 3. Hegesippus lib. 3. ca. 2. de Excid Hierosolym Caius Papias Dionis Episco Corinth citati per Euseb lib. 2. ca. 14. 24. Ignat. epist ad Rom. Concil Calced act 3. and others Greeke and Latine yea and by the very sence and sight of sundrie monuments yet extant that S. Peter was at Rome suffred death there and was the first Bishop of that See Now if our Counterpleaders can sufficientlie shew as we are sure the whole world cannot either that the Romanes haue since that time left the faith which S. Paul commended in them or that any of the succeeding Bishops to S. Peter in that See haue changed the first faith by paring away any part thereof or by adding any new doctrine contrarie to the rule of the former or what was not taught before by the Fathers and after explicitiuely added as a more cleare and particular declaration of the same if this we say can be sufficientlie shewed by naming the Pope or other man who in such sort changed the primitiue faith and the point or points of faith that were so changed together with the time and place when and where the change was first made we yeeld our selues to be prophane Nouellers yea Heretikes and most worthie of the fagot 35. A religion whose doctrine so generallie symboliseth and holdeth the like absolute consent with all parts of holie Scripture that were euer receiued of the Christian world with the decrees of all confirmed Oecumenicall Counsels and with the ioint assertions of all auntient Fathers as she is not driuen like b The Lutheran and Caluinist reiect Baruch Tobie Iudith the booke of Wisdom Ecclesiasticus the Machabees certaine Chapters of Esther the last part of Daniel And the Lutherans the Epistle of S. Iames S. Paul to the Hebrews the Epistle of Saint Iude the second of Saint Peter the second and third of Saint Iohn other Religions for defending her positions to reiect either Scripture Councell or the vniforme opinion of Doctors but taketh the approbation of her doctrine from them all and teacheth all her children out of S. Augustine c Epist 118. ca. 5. Disputare contra id quod tota per orbem frequentat ecclesia insolentissimae dementiae est To call the lawfulnesse of that into question which the whole Church frequenteth throughout the world is most insolent madnesse 36. A religion which no persecution coulde any time vanquish nor the conioyned forces malice and machination of Pagan Iewe or other her most powrefull enemies nor yet that which is infinitely of far more force to this end the wicked liues of seuerall her professors and chiefe rulers either haue hitherto or shall to the worlds end as we assuredly beleeue euer be able to extirpate it wholie or so to darken the visibilitie or beautie thereof as to make it no where to appeere or not to shine Nay God hath alwayes bin so strong on her side as the more she was persecuted the more she multiplied An obseruation that long since caused a In Tryphone Iustinus to resemble our Churches persecution to the pruning of Vines which maketh them the more fertile and likewise moued b Cap. vlt. Apologetici Tertullian to call the bloud of her Martyrs the seed of Christians one dying and many rising thereof Neither can it be well doubted but that if our religion to speake with c Act. 5. 39. wise Gamaliel had bin of men and not of God it would haue bin dissolued long ere this as all other sects haue perished in much shorter while agreeablie to the saying of the Apostle S. Paule d 2. Tim 3. 9. They shall prosper no farther and to that of S. Peter e 2. Petr. 2. 3. Their perdition slumbreth not Sith therefore our Church is not only not sunck or obscured by any might or neuer so violent stormes of opposition but rather as the Arck of Noe the greater the deluge and waues the higher and more illustriouslie she mounteth it followes that of all others she must be that very Church against which by the promise of our Sauiour f Math. 16. 18. Hell gates that is the power and hatred of man and deuill shall not preuaile 37. A religion some of whose Professours haue had alwayes vpon euery neede occurring power and grace to cast out diuels of the bodies of the possessed the first of all other signes which our Sauiour himselfe gaue for hauing his true Mar. vlt. v. 17. beleeuers distinguished from others And this gifte is so well knowne by continuall execution thereof to reside in the Romane catholike church and neuer found in the companies of any other Professions as there needeth no recitall of particulars Pius Quintus Pope of late memorie dispossessed tactu Onuphrius de vita Pij quint. stolae data benedictione onely by touch of his stole and by giuing his benediction And how frequent these effectes not onely vpon persons possessed but in driuing away diuels
also from the places they most infestuously haunted haue bin euen newly wrought in both the Indies where no other religion professing Christ is knowne but the catholike Romane religion onely Petrus Martyr Gonzalus Ouetanus in their histories of the Indies and Gonzalus Mendoza in his historie of China doe giue most ample testimonie 38. Finally a religion that we descend to no more particulars which by more meanes and stronger then any other kinde of religion keepeth by the nature of her doctrine and holy ordinances the subiectes in due allegeance to their temporall Lordes teaching that a D. Tho. 1. 2. q. 96. art 4. Concil Ephes to 4. ca. 16. Pâ—ltano interpr the iust lawes of Princes do binde in conscience and some kindes also of vniust lawes vpon feare of scandall and likewise decreeing b Concil Tolet 5. ca. 1. Concil Meldense ca. 14. 15. that all such as moue sedition against their Soueraigne or obstinately impugne or disobey his lawfull commandements should be pâ—esently excommunicated and all the faithfull debarred to keepe them companie And a religion which hath euermore blessed the kings that were her louers and children with more peace with more loue of their subiectes with more prosperitie with moe victories with more true glory with more temporall and eternall renowne then other Princes who were her enemies or aliens at any time attained to as the registers of former ages and the memorials of the present are most cleere and vndeniable witnesses Nor are these ô most gratious Soueraigne the onely respectes that thus embolden vs to become humble suiters at your Highnesse foote for toleration of catholike religion but our manifolde dangers vnder-gone our seuerall losses and indignities sustained and the store of catholike blood that hath beene shedde for affecting your mothers Rightes and Title and for seeking how to succour her piteous distresses and person the worthiest Queene that many ages enioyed liuing a long imprisoned Confessor dying a most glorious Martir serue also to pleade and crie to your Maiestie for commiseration of our case and graunt of the Petition we make And as our true loue zeale and tribute of seruice did not then dilate and extend it selfe onely towardes your Highnesse deare mother but in and through her reached also to your sacred Maiestie so since the time of her happie Crowne of Martyrdome our wishes indeuours and actions haue euer leuelled as much as lay in our power to the most aduancing of your Maiesties Title Yea the pressures and afflictions loaded on vs for this cause were in a sorte comfortable or not discomfortable vnto vs in hope of the relaxation and ease wee assuredly expected by your Highnesse actuall arriuall to the Crowne So that now if your excellent Maiestie may not be moued to permit the free exercise of the catholike Religion Oh our hopes fedde on are not onely frustrate and our long expectations vaine but our temporall lottes by reestablishing of penall lawes against vs become more abiect seruile desperate and forlorne then euer before Puritanisme differing from Protestancie in 32. articles of doctrine as their owne bookes and writings doe witnesse looketh vp spreadeth and is neither suppressed with penalties nor oppressed with indignities but her professors receiue grace and holde high authoritie in the gouernement onely the catholike religion whose professors suffred most for your good Mothers sake and euer least offended your Maiestie is despised troden vnder foote maligned punished and must be alas by all violence abolished without regard of her venerable antiquitie or respect of the large dominions shee otherwhere hath to her dowery or of the innumerable conquests shee hath made ouer all other Sectes from Christes time hitherto or of the multitude and impregnablenesse of her proofes which her professors are ready yea presse and doe most earnestly long to bring in publike Dispute for testimonie of the doctrine she teacheth And that which mooueth not the least admiration herein is for that neither the inward beleefe of the catholike Romane faith nor the outward profession or defence thereof in wordes seeme to bee the transgressions which are so sharpely animaduerted but rather the onely fault which is punished and neuer sufficiently as some thinke punished in vs is the vndissembled profession of our inward faith in refusing to goe to the Protestant church A necessitie which vnder guilt of deadly sinne and breach of our churches vnitie all are bound vnto that beleeue the veritie of the catholike religion and purpose still to keepe themselues her children bicause the vnity therof consisteth in the a Aug. de doctr Christian lib. 3. cap. 6. epist. 118. cap. 1. Basil in exhort ad baptism connexion of the members together by an externall reuerence and vse of the same seruice and sacraments and is broken by hauing communion in either with any other contrary religion And it is an axiome among all Diuines that b Aug. de vnit Eccles cont Petil. ep cap 2. contr lit Peti lib. 2. cap. 38 in Euangel Ioan. tract 118. in ser sup gest cum Emerito vltra med epist 152. Cypr. de Simplic Praelatorum extra ecclesiam non est salus there is no hope of saluation out of the church To which Lactantius most plainely subscribeth saying c Lib. 4. cap. vlt. diui Instit Sola ecclesia catholica est templum dei quo si quis non intrauerit vel à quo si quis exierit à spe vitae ac salutis aeternae alienus est The catholike church is onely the temple of God into which if any shall not enter or out of which if any shall depart he is an alien from hope of life and eternall saluation Neither doâ—h the Apostle affirme lesse in sense where he saith that d Ephes 5. 23. Christ is the Sauiour of his bodie and that e Ephes 1. 23. Ephes 4 5. Cantic 6. 8. the Church is his bodie Nor is it possible to be conceiued in any vnderstanding that two such repugnant and contradictorie manners of seruing God there being but one Lord one trueth one faith one Church as the Catholike and Protestant obserue in their churches can be both good or not one of them very vngodly and in no case to be communicated with vnder paine of eternall damnation By the little which is saide your princely Wisedome may easily perceiue that our abstayning from Church is in vs no formall act of disobedience much lesse of selfe-wilfulnesse or contempt of your Maiesties lawes aspersions with which many would distaine our refusall but a true â—eall obligation of meere conscience especially for so long as wee holde the inward perswasion we doe in respect an erroneous conscience Rom. 14. 14. 23. Chrisost hom 26. in ep ad Râ—m est sententia comâ—â—nis omnium Thelogorum in 2 Dist 30. D Tho. 1. 2. qu. 10. art 5. bindeth as strongly and vnder equall payne as doth the conscience