haue come downe euen from the first Seate of S. Peter the Apostle to the present Bishop of Rome Anastasius that holdeth the Seate at this day thus he Reyn in his confer with M. Hart. pag. 443 The which saying of S. Aug. being vrged by a Catholike Writer Mr. Hart against Mr. Reynoldes He maketh him aknowledge that the Succession of the Romane Bishops was a proofe of true Faith in the time of S. Augustine Epiphan Optatus Tertullian Irenaeus The like acknowledgmēt or answere thereto is made by many other Learned Protestants as by Mr. Ridley in Mr Fox his Acts Mon. pag. 1359. by Mr. Iewell in his Reply to Mr. Harding pag. 246. by Caluin in his Instit li. 4. ca. 2. Now if Possession and Succession of some hundred yeares were so esteemed of by those holy Fathers yea euen by our aduersaryes themselues as a proofe of true Faith and Apostolicall doctrine Shall not the Possession with a continuall not interrupted Successiō of 239. Bishops during a thousand sixe hundred and odde yeares be of great force valew and shall not such a Prioritie of Possession receaue fauour in your lawe seing it is but the last day and as yet within your owne appointed time of Limitation since we in this kingdome were thrust out of our former rightfull so long continued possession all contrary to the Auncient lawes of Nations condemned of crime and transgression in the matter of Religion not so much as hauing our accusers before vs nor place to defend vs concerning the crime But our Aduersaryes beeing not able to denie this Succession of Bishops in the Sea of Rome for so doing it were to oppose themselues against all writers both sacred prophane they Imagine a supposed change of Religion during the fore said succession Pleaseth it therefore your wisedomes we shew further demonstration of her not change in this point mentioned in our application neither in any Article of Faith by manifest testimonie of our learned aduersaries It is generally confessed by our Aduersaries that our now professed Cath. Faith concerning Cath. Priesthood likewise all other needfull points of Faith professed not only by the Catholiks of England but of all Nations where the Cath. Faith is professed is one and the same which hath beene taught defended these last 1000. yeares euen since our conuersion from Paganisme to the Christian Faith by S. Austine the Monke sent by Pope Gregory into England that it was most vndoubtedly our now professed Cath. Faith it remaineth yet to this present day euident in two speciall respects As first by our established continuance in our Cath. Faith without any other noted or known beginning thereof or of any one part thereof from this present age vp to the first time of our first conuersion for otherwise could the English Cronographers of euery of those meane ages make dalie mention of the other Alterations changes which happened in this Kingdome either in temporall or Church affaires could could they recite in particular the noted heresies arising As the heresies of Lollards Wicklifists the rest arising in England noted by the ancient Historiographers by our late Writers Mr Stow Holinshead Fox and the Century-writers in the fifth chapter of very Ctntury of foundations of so many Bishops Seas cathedrall Churches colleges Monasteries c. as are noted by Mr. Harrison in his description of England Cap. 2. pa. 140. Togethr also with the alteration of our temporall lawes and so many mutations in gouerment by Saxons Danes Normans and otherwise the many battailes fought the many rebellions attempted the succession of Kings times of their deathes the creation of nobilitie the onerthrow of noble families and be withall yet wholy silent in that so great change of Religion Mr. Godwin in his catalogue of the Bishops of England reporting distinctly the very names succession in so many seuerall Seas of our English Catholike Bishops euen from this present age vp to the foresaid Augustine once Bishop of Canterbury reporting likewise their actes good or euill yett makes no mention of any change or innouation brought or assented to by any one of these many Bishops so much as but in any one point of our now professed Catholike Faith Whereas on the contrary part we are able to shew to them the beginning contradiction of the aduerse doctrine not only of these innouatouts here in England as of Wicliffs Tindall their old new Apostles but likewise of all haeresies Innouation Contradiction with the time place thereof euen since the Apostles times Your wisedomes therefore may discerne that our now professed Cath. doctrine thus perpetuating it selfe by the hand of time with a current not interrupted successiō but cōtinued euen from the Raigne of King Henry the 8. vp to the first time of our said cōuersion demonstrateth it selfe most plainly therby to be the same vndoubted Cath. Religion whereto we Englishmen were first conuerted by S. Austin Secondly this point is made as yet much more certaine euident in that sundry of our aduersaries yea the most learned amongst them as D. Humfrey Humf. in Iesuit part 2. ra◠5. p. 5 Carion l. 4. in Cron. p. 567. Luke Osiander in his Epit. hist Eccl. cent 6. pag. 289. 290. the Century-writers of Magdeburch Cent. 6. cap. 10. col 148 others do describe the particulars of Religion so then taught professed by S. Gregory S. Augustine writing and affirming the said particulars to be Altars Vestiments Images Chalices Crosses Candlestickes Censars holy Vessels holy water the sprinkling thereof Reliques Translation of Reliques Dedicating of Churches to the bones ashes of Saints consecrating of Altars Chalices Corporalls consecration of the Font of Baptisme Chrisme Oyle Consecration of Churches with sprinkling of holy water Celebration of Masse the Archbishops Pallatt solemne Masse-time Romane Masse bookes a burden as they terme it of ceremonies Free will Merite and Iustification by workes Penance Satisfaction Purgatory the Vnmarried life of Priests publique inuocation of Saints and their worship the worshipping of Images Exorcismes Pardons Vowes Monachisme Transubstantatiō Praier for the dead the Romane Bishops claime exercise of Iurisdiction and primacy ouer all Churches and lastly euen the whole Chaos of Popish superstition as these Protestant Writers blasphemously terme it So farre the foresaid writers affirme these particulars to haue bene taught by the Churche of Rome and in the which the English men were first instructed by S. Augustine sent by S. Gregory Printed at Basil 1558. as Io. Bale in Act. Rom Pont. pag. 44. 45. 46. saith that Augustine was sent from Gregory to season the English Saxons with Popish faith Euen here Right honorable wise might we make our stand and so presume without all further proceeding humbly to offer vp to your graue considerations whether it were not a point of high Iudgement altogether vnworthy your mature learned iudgements to
first preached against And Mr. D. Field of the Church answereth our demaund in this manner saying Pag. 8◠The errours of the Church of Rome were so brought in that both they that were the Authors of them others that neuer fell into them were of one Communion and therefore it is most absurd to require vs to shew these circumstances viz concerning any beginning of our Catholike doctrine since the Apostles times But I appeale to your honors graue Iudgments if the answer of this diuine be not more absurd then the demaund But such euasorie arguments as these be all we can gett of our Aduersaries Hier. 33.18 The Prophet Hieremie speaking of the Pastors of Gods Church saith that they shal be multiplied to minister vnto him not with interrupted seasōs but continually euen as the Prophet Isay saith from month to month Isa 66.21 Dan. 2.44 from Sabaoth to Sabaoth neither saith Daniell shall this kingdome of the Church be giuen ouer to another people but shall stand for euer Isay 60. Againe Isay saith in plaine termes that Kings shall minister vnto the Church her grates shal be continually open neither day nor night shall they be shutt that men may bring to her the riches of the Gentiles Hence it is that one of your writers confesseth The saying of one of their late writers that if our faith hath bene interrupted quoth he since Christs time so much as one yeare month or day-were sufficient to proue vs no part of the Church of God so Mr. VVhite in his booke the way to the true Church pag. 86. Matth. 16. The like promises are mentioned in the new Testament Vpon this Rocke saith our Sauiour will I build my Church and hell gates shall not preuaile against it Againe Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world And S. Paul Matth. vlt. speaking of the priuiledges granted to the Church saith He gaue some Apostles and some Prophets Eph. 4. and other some Euangelistes and other some Pastors and Doctors to the consummation of the Saints vnto the worke of the ministrie vnto the edifying of the body of Christ vntill we meete all vnto the vnity of faith knowledge of the loue of God into a perfect man into the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ That is according to all Expositors euen Protestants Cal. Inst ca. 8. Melan. in loc com Fulk against the Rhem. Testam vnto the worlds end But those ministeriall offices of Pastors and Doctors c. cannot be exercised where the Pastors know not their sheepe nor the sheepe their Pastors which could not be when the Church was inuisible withdrawne from open assemblies to the harts of particular godly men for the space of 1260. yeares as Mr. Napper affirmeth on the reuel pag. 161. Neither can it be said which D. Field in his foresaid Answer affirmeth that they who where of the true Church and they that were not were of one Communion seing that no man can be saued that inwardly houldeth one Religion and onwardly professeth another as our Sauiour teacheth Math. 10 and the Apost Rom. 10. For so Mr. D. Field will haue mē to be in the true Church yet not be saued Which implieth a flat contradiction and so he imagines absurdities in other mens sayings but he seeth not the contradictions in his owne If S. Austine were aliue he would deale in no better termes with these our aduersaries then he did disputing against the Donatists for maintaining of a pretended inuisible Church these be his wordes Aug. in Psa 101. Belike saith he that Church which was the Church of all Nations is now no more she is gone she is lost this say they that are not in her ô impudent speech she is not because you are not in her take heed least thou thy self be not therefore for she shal be though thou be not And then doth he bring in the Church speaking thus How long time shall I be in this world Tell me for their sakes that say there hath bene a Church but now there is none she is become Apostata she is banished away from all nations It was shewed me Who shewed me euen the way himself When Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world Neither can it be said that S. Austine speaketh of a Church inuisible for that neuer to haue perished the Donatists did willingly admit as here also he testifieth What other argument I pray you did Luther vse against the Iewes to proue that the Messias was come but that these promises of the Prophets were fulfilled not in their Sinagogs which were for so long time together scattered these be Luthers wordes Quomodo hoc quadrabit Luther lib. de Iudae is Tom. 7. printed at Wittemb legem ipsorum esse duraturam in aeternum cum iam annis plus 1500. sacerdotium templum cultus omnia deleta funditus euersa iaceant supra modum vehementer ridiculum est quod nos Gentes Iudaei persuadere volunt ad suam inter-mortuam absoletam legem quae nunc per annos 1500 antiquata abolita est c. Was not this pretended latencie and Inuisibility cause of the reuolt of sundry of the learnedest men among our aduersaries Bernardine Ochine whom all Italy could not match for learning Cal. lib. de scād as Caluine saith hauing entred but into examination of this forsaid scruple began here vpon to stagger become perplexed saying When I did consider how Christ by his power wisdome Bern. Ochin in praef suorum Dialog and goodnes had founded estabished his Church washed it with his bloud enriched it with his spirit and againe I had discerned how the same was vtterly ouer throwne I could not but wonder and being desirous to know the cause I found there had bene Popes In so much as hee proceeded from this conceipt of the Popes preuailing further to teach Circumcision and Poligamie in defence of the which last point he wrote a booke in Italian In hist Georgij Dauid is printed at Anno 1568. Dauid George the Hollander considering the promises made by God himself of the continuance of his Church not fulfilled in the Protestants Church became a blasphemours Apostata affirming our B. Sauiour to be a seducer saying If the doctrine of Christ his Apostles had bene true perfect the Church which they planted c. should haue continued c. The like befell vnto Sebastian Castalion a learned Caluinist Castal in the preface to his Latin Bible who staggering in his Religion fell to doubtfull searches of our Christian Faith Neither is England wanting examples of diuers Professours who haue in the end denied the diuinitie of Christ whereof in Q. Elizabeths time two were burned at Norwich Rogers of the Church of England pag. 9. By these examples your VVisedomes may easily perceiue the inueterate and more then
as Hospinianus in histor Sacram fol. 131. part altera Hospin Io. Regius Ioannes Regius considerat censurae pag. 123. Neither was this conference betweene the Deuill Luther spirituall only or a dreame but as Balduinus Balduinus a follower of Luther lib. de disput Luther cap. 4. pag. 83. saith a reall truth written by Luther saith he not hyperbolically but seriously and according to the truth of the history And if we looke to Luthers life after his Apostacie we shall find it answerable to his doctrine both tending to libertie it needeth not any other testimonie then that which the Protestants themselues acknowledge For say they Luther became so arrogant Ioac Camar de conâ—ugio Lutheri Conrad Regius de caena Dom. insolent and possessed with the sinne of Pride that God therefore did withdraw his true spiritt from him This we may manifestly gather out of his owne writings Tom. 2 Germ. Fol. 9. praefat lib. de abrog Miss where he acknowledged his conscience accusing him condemning him of singularity against the whole Christian world all times places persons and authorities These be his owne wordes how often hath my heart panted reprehended me obiecting against me what art thou only wise can it be credible that all others do erre haue erred so long time haue all generations so often euer bene deceaued What if thou dost erre bring so many into errour that shal be damned for euer art thou only he which hath the true pure word of God Hath no man in the world thesame but thou that which the Church of Christ hath hitherto defined and so many yeares obserued as good dost thou ouerthrow it as though it were euill so dost dissipate by thy doctrine both Ecclesiasticall ciuill common weales Thus his coÌ„science so long as he had any coÌ„demned him thus he repented his disobedience and said in praef in tom 1. Germ. Ientacul that he hoped the bookes which he had written would be burnt infect no more but when the bridle of Obedience was altogether broken his conscience extinguished and the plumes of pride sensualitie had mounted so high and carried him so farre he behaued himself in his apostacie Suet. as by the testimonie of Suetonius in vita Iul. Caes Iulius Caesar did in his temporall Rebellion against the Roman state who in the beginning doubted whether he should go forward or no Luther in colloq Mensal fol. 241. Tom 5. Germ. 121. Osiand cent 13. lib. 1. cap. 4. pag. 329 The ceÌ„t writers cent 13. cap. 5. Fulk in his retentiue pag 124. MelaÌ„ct loc coÌ„ de potest Ecclesiast Whitak cap. 18. Osiand Epist cent 16. pag. 86. Conrad in Theol Caluinist in proaem but when he had cast of shame he brake out into this speech Iacta est alea my chance is throwne So Luther wheÌ„ shipwracke was made of shamefastnes vttered his vnreasonable resolution of obstinate persisting in these termes Because saith he I haue entred into this cause now I must looke vnto it of necessity say it is iust If you aske a reason Doctor Martin Luther will haue it so sic volo sic iubeo sit pro ratione voluntas And thus much briefly of Sathans labouring by the ministry of Luther to impugne the Masse and neuer knowne to haue bene in any age before impugned otherwise then by the Albigenses Apostolici Almericus VVickliffs and such other as in regard of their other opinions were coÌ„fessedly euen in the Iudgment of our very aduersaries all of them noted knowne heretikes whose opinions in this other particulars were priuate by the said parties afterwards recanted called backe or else died with them And as for Carolostadius Zuinglius coÌ„temporanean to Luther whome Protestants name brethren their proceedings to impugne the Masse was not different from that of Luthers viz by illusions of Sathan as Protestants themselues do with dislike report of them Luther in loc com class 5 pag 47. speaking of Carolostadius calleth him a man giuen ouer into a reprobate sense and of Zuinglius he saith he condemned auoyded him with all his hart as despayring of his saluation as Hospinianus witnesseth in histor Sacram part Whitak contra camp rat 8. alt pag. 187. And the same they thinke of Luther So well agree the Fathers the Brethren as Protestants call them SECTION XII THE CONCLVSION PARDON me therefore Right honorable Reuerend learned if I be so bould now to appeale to your VVisedomes graue and mature Iudgement Vt sup whether Luthers doctrine concerning the Masse which had its growth in this age by apparitions from the Deuill as him self his dearest Schollers do accordingly confesse be of greater credit authority then that doctrine Religion whose vndoubted proofes are answerable correspondent to the like receiued principles groundes of your owne lawes then that ReligioÌ„ which remaineth in it self beautified with manifold confessed ornaments from ancient and memorable testimonies of your owne nation of all Christian nations of all precedent times then that Religion whereto the English nation was in the Apostles times confessedly first conuerted Then that Religion which hath founded your ancient municipall lawes and courts of iudgement erected your Churches Bishops-seas Religious houses Colledges Vniuersities and many other knowne monuments of pietie Then that Religion to which so many Kings Kingdomes of Gentils haue bene conuerted according to the sundry plaine praedictions of the Prophets had in that behalfe of Christs true Church which said praedictions otherwise then in by this Religion are yet hitherto coÌ„fessedly left vnperformed Then that Religion whose Priesthood and sacrifice was foretould by the Prophetes and acknowledged by the Apostles Then that Religion which is answerable to the doctrine of those Religious Iewes who liued before Christ Then that Religion which euen then long since was vniuersally professed in the Christian world Then that Religion in which was then also confirmed to vs from heauen with testimony of vndoubted miracles Then that Religion Faith approued of by the consent of so many Generall Nationall and Prouinciall Councels by the Iudgment of so many holy learned ancient Fathers practise of all times and ages and euen by the confession of our aduersaries Then that Religion against which all Sects heresies whatsoeuer howsoeuer deuided otherwise amoÌ„gst themselues do yet generally conspire Then that Religion to which our aduersaries afford to the members Professours therof the hopefull promises of saluation Then that Religion which only is ratified by all authoritie all Scriptures Traditions Prophetes Sibills Rabbins before Christ by the Apostles Euangelists all holy learned Fathers Historians Antiquaries and Monuments all Sinods Councels lawes Parliaments Canons decrees of Popes Emperors Kings Rulers all Martyrs Confessors and holy Witnesses by all Friends Enemies euen Mahometans Iewes Pagans infidells all former Heretikes Schismatikes and these Protestants themselues when they were most probable to speake truth and all Testimonies that can be deuised not only in this world but of God of Angells and glorified soules whose euidence cannot be vntrue of deuills and damned soules in hell condemned for their contempt or negligence thereof of soules in Purgatorie and whatsoeuer can be cited for witnesse in such cases as is most euident in this brief treatise In respect whereof your knowne Wisedomes in other matters cannot be wanting or transported herein with generall preiudice of our cause but obseruing your owne principles and abandoning all preiudice of opinion try the spirits if they be of God and proue all things houlding that which is good as S. Iohn saith in his 4. Chapt. To the reading therefore carefull examinatioÌ„ of this our Application do we humbly request you and that by the tender care had of your countrey by the deare respect of your saluation by your Christian zeale vnto true Religion by whatsoeuer else is sacred and holy Your poore Countryman M.E. A TABLE OF THE SEVERALL points handled in this treatise diuided in to 12 Sections as followeth The first Section THe lawe tearmes in generall perused in this Applicacation pag. 1. Sect. 2. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councells all of them being within the first 400. odde yeares after our Sauiour Christ pag. 5. Sect. 3. The testimony of twelue lawfull credible witnesses pag. 14. Sect. 4. The Confession of twelue of the leardenest of the aduersary party pag. 25. Sect. 5. Of Priority of Possession pag. 41. Sect. 6. Of Prescription pag. 56. Sect. 7. Of Continuall Claime pag. 61. Sect. 8. Of the doubtfulnesse of the statute law pag. 69. Sect. 9. Of high courtes of Iudgment pag. 73. Sect. 10. Other Proofes pag 80. Sect. 11. A discouery of the contrary doctrine pag. 87. Sect. 12. The Conclusion pag. 92. FINIS
therefore after a more then ordinary manner appropriate them selues to your iudgment An exposition of certaine difficult obscure words termes of the lawes of this Realme printed A 1602 Fol 25. Fol 26. For if I mistake not but do rightly informe my selfe from your booke of The termes of the law your procedings in case of Attainder are threefold as by Outlary where the partie doth not appeare to answere the law by Verdict which is the triall of honest Iurors vpon his appearing to answere the law and by Confession which is the parties owne acknowledgement of his offence Also in case of Title to temperall possessions there be certaine receaued grounds in your law of great force to demōstrate the right as faire ancient vnsuspected Euidence the Testimony of credible witnesses and euen Praescription it selfe where of no memory occurreth to the contrary In so much as by the statute of Limitation no man is inhabled to commence prosecute suite Fol. 140 for any landes whereof him selfe or his Ancestors haue not bene before seised within a certaine time in that behalfe limited The only Priority of possession receiuing also this fauour in your law that to the partie disseised of such his possession you afford speciall remedy by VVritt of Assise Fol 24. Fol. 47. Fol. 47. allowing him also the benefit of his Continuall Claime to preuent Descent vpō the other parties dying seised Moreouer where the letter of your Statute law appeareth to be in some cases doubtfull you are reported to hold that sense and vnderstanding thereof for most reasonable which is found most agreable with the knowne answerable Practise of ensewing times Besides all this there are established with you for the finall ending of all arising cōtrouersies High cours of Iudgment to giue definitiue sentence and the same so giuē not by the law it selfe but by your selues placed as Iudges to pronounce determine what is the law Against which sentence so once orderly giuen No VVritt of errour or Appeale lieth Fol. 82. whereby to support the partie so cōuicted in the farther humor of his vnsatisfied and endles contention Of all which I haue informed my self partly from your foresaid booke of the Termes of the law and some by conference with others So as I am to craue pardon if exceeding herein the boldnesse of my profession I haue mistaken or not dewly obserued the apte proprietie of wordes retaining yet I hope the substance of the matter And for as much as these your ciuill obseruations prescribed for the inquiry setting forth of right are in themselues no other then as liuely resemblances imitations of those maine grounds which facred Theologie affordeth to the demonstration of Truth I am now likewise to craue further leaue to entreate you of your serious retired view of your leasurable Iudicious and graue considerations of this our short Application of some principall parts thereof to the like answerable grounds and principles so plentifully abounding in proofe of our Catholike Religion But least I should be tedions to your honors attention I will but set downe one point for the which Catholikes are so often commanded to appeare before your honors to answere to the law are dailie deiected disgraced Impouerished The point is knowne to you all to witt for entertaining of Massing Priests SECTION II. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councels al of them being within the first foure hundred od yeares after our Sauiour Christ FIrst therfore concerning your proceeding by Iurors if that may be esteemed to be a true Verdict which is so by such giuen you haue then here the same giuen in the fore said point which might be giuen in other points likewise of our Catholike Faith by the Ancient Fathers who being assembled in Generall Councells Synodes sworne vpon the perill of their soules haue in this other many speciall cases directly found for vs. to that effect that those of our Iury may be the lesse suspected of you we will bring them of the first 400. yeares after Christ the which Ages euen your owne Doctors being Iudges were freest from all corruption alteratiō of the true Religiō Faith deliuered by the Apostles D. Fulke in his Answere to a counterfaite Catholike pag. 36. saith The Religion of the Papistes came in preuailed the yeare of God Anno 607 in the which time saith he The Reuelation of Antichrist with the Church fled in to the wildernesse to witt in A o. 607. And Simō de Voyō one of your Protestāte Doctors Simō de Voyō in his epist to the Reader in his discourse vpon the Catalogue of Doctors in the Epistle to the Reader post medium affirmeth that Anno 605. VVhen Pope Boniface was enstalled in the Papall throne Powell pa. 105 then falshood gott the victory And Mr. Gabriel Powell in his Considerations of the Papists reasons saith I grant that from the yeare of Christ 605. The professant Companie of Poperie hath bene very visible and perspicuous Perkins 307. And Mr. Perkins in his exposition of the Creed affirmeth That during the space of 900. yeares the Popish heresie hath spread it selfe ouer the whole earth Whit. p. 35. And Mr. Whitaker de Antichristo contra Sanderum saith During all that time to witt of 600. yeares The Church was pure and flourishing and inuiolably taught defended the faith deliuered from the Apostles And the like acknowledgement is made by many other learned Protestants which were tedions to your honors In his booke of Institut set out in frēch printed at Geneua 1562. to sett downe in this our short Application Only we will conclude which Caluine your cheife man who albeit he doth not graunt the florishing estate of the Romane Church the full space of the first 600. yeares after Christ yet doth acknowledge that no chāge of Faith was made vntill the times of S. Augustine Epiphanius Optatus c. which was for 440. yeares after Christ These be his owne wordes in his booke of Institutions set forth in French It was athing saith he notorions without doubt that after the Apostles age vntil those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties Thus Caluine Therefore hauing freed our iury from all suspition euen our enemies being our Iudges Whitg in his defence p. 330. we wil place as Fore-man of our Iury that notable and famous Councell of Nice the which saith Mr. Whitgift a protestante writer is of al wise learned men reuerenced esteemed embraced next vnto the Scriptures themselues The 1. Coūcell of Nice can 3. This Councell was celebrated the yeare of Christ 325. at the which was present 318. Bishops who did decree that Priests that did say Masse offer sacrifice It is not let at liberty to marry because exception is taken at women but the mother etc should not keepe cōpanie with any womā
but with their mother sister fathers sisters and mothers sisters but should liue chaste And in the 14 Canon it makes mention of Priests that do sacrifice as S. Basile expoundeth this Canon in his Epist to Parcorius Epi. stry As appeareth in the third Canon and acknowledged by all the Doctors of your Church And not only this point is approued by this Councell Theod. li 1 hist cap. 8. Doctrina de Baptis Can 69. ca. 10. ca. 11. but likewise sundry others As 1. vnwritten Traditions 2. that the Sacraments by the institution of Christ do conferre grace 3. that extreame Vnction was a Sacrament The Reall presence Indulgences with many other points of Catholike Doctrine maintained to this day in the Church of Rome Your honors then do see that this Councell which we haue placed as Fore-man is altogether for vs cōcerning Catholike Priesthood many other points of Religion in controuersy at this day 2. Conc. Arelat An. 330 For the second Iuror we shall place the Councell holden at Arles called Arelatense Concilium celebrated shortly after the Nicene Councell as some do thinke Anno 330. in the 2. 3. Canon doth prohibite the marriage of Priests therefore is reproued by Szegedin a protestāt writer This Priesthood can be vnderstood of no other Priesthood In locis com p. 327. then the Catholike Priesthood our aduersaries being Iudges With many other points of Catholike Doctrine making most of those Canons out of the Nicene Councell a manifest proofe that the Nicene Councell did not leaue the matter at libertie of priests marriage The third Iury man shall be the Romane Councell Anno 324 Can. 81. the which maketh mentiō of Cardinals Bisshops Priests Deacons Subdeacons Acolytes Exorcistes Readers and Doore-keepers The which sacred Orders are no where to be found but in our Catholike Church Which is acknowledged by the Centurywriters Cent. 4. col 873. mē much esteemed of by the Church of England disclaimed by others as by Mr. Fulke in his Retentiue in these words pag. 67. VVith all our hart we defie abhorre detest spit at your greasie Antichristian Orders But you may see by these his wordes that he is vnmindfull of the Antiquitie of these sacred Orders The fourth of our Iury shal be the Councell of Neocaesarea holden Anno 314. and approued by the Councel of Nice which doth decree Can. 1. Can. 1. That Priests who do marry should be deposed of their charge with many other things concerning maners good life The fift of our Iury is the Councel of Laodicea celebrated about the yeare 364. The which decreed Can. 13. that the Priest should not bee elected by the people Pacteolus in Sene Concil Also Can 19. concerning certaine Rites in publicke seruice time as namely some prayers in silence others pronounced then the Pax or kisse of peace to be giuen and the oblation to be offered And Can. 21. That the Subdeacon might not enter into the Vestry and handle the holy vessells And Can. 48. that the Baptised after Baptisme should receaue holy Chrisme And Can. 50. the fift of lent and an 52. not to marry in lent All the which Canons Osiander a learned protestant disclaimes from rebukes bitterly albeit vndeseruedly Osiand Cent. 4. p 393. Now if this Councell maketh for vs Catholikes or you of the Church of England I Appeale to your graue Iudgment and serious considerations The Sixt of our Iury is your Councell called Elibertinum Anno 305. no lesse antcient then the fore said Councells this Councell can 27 can 33. decreed most plainlie against priestes who marry after they haue taken vpon them priesthood This Councell was celebrated about the yeare 305 in Spaine The which Councell the Doctors of your Church vse to obiect against Catholikes concerning Images mistaking the intention of the Councell Anno 396. sub Suiciovt quidem volunt The Seuenth of our Iury is the 2. Councell of of Carthage Anno 386 wherat S. Austine was present subscribed therto which doubted not in like manner to ground this point vpon antiquitie and the Apostles doctrine so that in the 2. Canon it saith these wordes Omnibus placet c In pleaseth vs all that Bishops Priests and Deacons c shall obsteine from wiues which the Apostles did teach and Antiquitie did keepe let vs likewise obserue many other points doth this Councell decree for Catholiks The eight of our Iury is the 3. Councell of Carthage celebrated in the yeare Anno 397. 397. at the which likewise S. Austin was present subscribed therto alloweth of Confession made to a Prieste can 32. and likewise of other points of Catholike doctrine as of Purgatory can 29. c. Anno 398. The 9. of our Iury is the 4. Councell of Carthage in the yeare 398. to the which subscribed S. Austine being there present Asoc vult anno 418. This Councell decreeth can 5.6.7.8.9 for the inferior Orders of Readers Exorcist Acolyth doorkeepers and Subdeacons further mentioning there according to the offices yet vsed a booke of Exorcismes for the Exorcist the Church lightes for the Accolite patten chalice litle cruets full of water and Towell for the priests handes All which are confessed and reproued by the Protestant writer Luke Osiander in his Epitom cent 5. p. 4. The tenth of our Iury is the famous and Generall Councell of Ephesus celebrated about the yeare 431 by 200. Anno 431. Bishops which amongst other Articles and points of our Cath doctrine saith in plaine wordes Incruentam celebramus in Ecclesiis sacrificii seruitutem we do celebrate and offer vp in our Churches an vnbloody sacrifice and in the wordes following approoues euidētly the reall presence Concil Nic. cap 10. causing the Canōs of the Nicene Councell to be publickly read with these wordes Incruentum c. The eleuenth of our Iury is the first Toletane Councell in the yeare 405. which decreed can 20. Anno. 405. sub for consecration of Chrisme by a Bishop and his sending therof to the Priests through his diocesse at easter yearly Also can 1. for the dailie offering Sacrifice c to the great dislike of the Protestant writer Osiander who saith therupon Cent. 5. p 46. who commanded them to offer vp Sacrifice euery day The twelft of our Iury is the Councell Mileuitane about the yeare 416. Anno 416. which decreed can 12. that Masses prayers and ceremonies should not be vsed but such as where allowed by the Councell so doth the Councell of Chalcedon Anno 451. can 15. The second generall Councell of Nice in the 3. tom act 6. saith in most plaine termes Neuer any of the Apostles or Fathers did call our vnbloody sacrifice meaning the masse done in commemoration of the passion of our Sauiour to be the signe or figure of his body for he did not say take you eate you the signe of my body but take you eate you
this my body c Albeit be sore the wordes of the Fathers did call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the symbole or figure of his body So plainly doth the 350. Bishops assembled in this Councell deliuer their sentence in our behalf You see Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned Lords the compleate number of our Iury at whom no exceptions can be taken euen the Doctors of your Church being Iudges they being all not only within the first 600. yeares in which time was no corruption in Religion according to the confession of many of our aduersaries heretofore alleadged but in the most florishing estate of the Church Of which time your chiefe man Caluine saith It was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time Lib. 4. Instit cap. 2. §. 2. viz to S. Austins daies nothing was changed in doctrine Also in his booke of Institutions in French printed at Geneua by Conradus Badius Anno 1562. he saith expresly That it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties So plainely do our learned Aduersaries acknowledge that no change of faith was made by the Romane Church from the Apostles age vntill the time of S. Austin Epiphanius Optatus c. which was 440. yeares after Christ Mr. Fulke followeth his Maister Caluine in this pointe saying in his Retentine Pag 85. The Popish church is but an Hereticall assembly departed from the vniuersall church long since Augustines departure on t of this life This is the most common opinion of all Protestant writers And thus much with your good fauours concerning the application of your terme of law called Verdict which is the Triall of honest Iurors SECTION III. THE TESTAMENTI SECONDLY if you respect VVitnesses you shall find all the Ancient Fathers for our cause in so much that sundry of our learned Aduersaries doubt not therefore to make generall disclaime in the ancient Fathers Hence it is that Mr. Whitaker a Learned Protestant affirmeth cont Duraen p. 423. The Popish Religion to be a patched couerlett of the Fathers errors In libel vita I wely printed Londini pag 212. idâ—m Fulk in his petent pag 55. Stratag Satanae li. 6. pag. 296 sowed together And that also Mr. D. Humfrey did greuously reprehend Mr. Iewell for his so bould appealing to the Fathers affirming therefore of Mr. Iewell that herein he gaue the Papists to large a scope that he was iniurious to himself and after a manner spoiled himself the church And Iacobus Acontius in his Treatise dedicated to Queene Elizab. speaking of the bad successe that Protestants writers had in citing the Fathers exhorts them to for beare the citing of them saying Equidem perniciosissimam omninoque fugiendam hanc esse arbitror consuetudmem Certainly I hold this custome viz of c. to be very dangerous wholy to be auoyded viz of citing the Fathers to the writers disaduantage But for feare of suspicion of our VVitnesses we shall bring men so indifferent to our aduersaries vs that we may say of them as S. Aust in like case disputing against the Pelagians saith of the Fathers before his time August adu Iul. Pelag. lib. 2. prope finem lib. 3. cap. 17. lib. 4. cap 12. Neque nobis neque vobis irati sâ—nt c They be angrie neither at you nor at vs what they haue found in the Church that they haue held they haue taught what they haue learned and what they haue receaued from their Forefathers they haue deliured to posterity In so much as your owne learned writers are not wanting in their like answerable commendation Caluine speaking of them saith They indeed speaking of catholikes Caluin Instit lib. 4. cap. 2. Sect. 3. alleadging Antiquity sett forth their churches very gloriously c they report out of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen Augustin others how highly they esteemed this succession wherto he there answereth giueth his like reason therof saying considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning vntill that time nothing was chaÌ„ged in doctrine the holy Doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors to witt that they viz the Heretiques oppugned the doctrine which euen froÌ„ the very Apostles themselues had beene inviolably with one consent retained And Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his replye to Mr. Harding pag. 266 saith The godly Fathers meaning them before S. Austins time sought to the church of Rome which then for puritie in Religion and constancie in thesame was most famous aboue all others this fore said time was the first 440 yeares after christ Therfore for the further satisfaction of our aduersaryes wee shall bring for witnesses euen them who liued within the fore said time viz. within before S. Augustin his time If need were we might bring for witnesses S. Andrew the Apostle In Epist ad Eccles Achaiae cap. 1. who in a booke made by himself and written by his disciples and generally receaued for authenticall by the whole Churche Christian world these wordes are recorded to haue beene spoken by himself I daylie sacrifice to Almighty God the immaculate lamb who notwithstanding that he is truely sacrificed and his flesh truely eaten by the people yet doth he still remayne whole liuing S. Clemens Epist 3 no priest ought to say mask without the Bishops leaue S. Martial Epist ad Burdegalensis cap. 3. A sacrifice is offered vpon the Altar is God the creator not to man or Angell Of the said S. clement there is mention made in the Apostle S. Paule his Epistle to the Philippi caâ— 4. vers 3. where he is numbred among the followers of S. Paul and who was third Pope after S. Peter who did write many things which he had oâ— verball tradition of the Apostles who liued about the yeare 80. The afore said S. Martiall was sent by Saint Peter into France who afterwards was Bish. of Limoge in France who liued in the yeare 50. of whom Baronius doth write Likewise may be alleaged the fiue liturgies or Masses of the Apostles In Mart. 30. Iun. Proclus de Tradit diuina The first of S. Peter in defence of which Willaim Lindane a learned Catholike writeth an Apologie The second of S Iames the greater alleaged by S. Proclus Patriarch of Constantinople who liued in the yeare 460 The third of S. Iames the lesser alleaged by the fore said proclus wherof mention is made likewise in the Councell of Trull in the yeare 680. The fourth the liturgie of S. Mathew which the Aethiopians do vse and is called in their language Corbon that is Missah in Hebrew and in Latin Oblatio of this Liturgy or terme of Masse writeth Genebrard Gen. in finc primia saeculi Vbi sup The fift is that of S. Mark vsed long time in
thing superfluous thervnto MR. WILLET antilog pag 144. assureth you that diuerse of the Romane Church not only of the ignorant but of the Learned be saued and Saintes in heauen His wordes be these It is not denied by any Protestant but many renowned Kinges Queenes who might not plead ignorance of the Romane Faith are saintes in heauen And speaking of his maiesties Mother he attributeth such holinesse and truth to her Religion and her that it preuailed with God not only for her self but her sonne our soueraigne also his wordes be Willet antilog Engl. praef to the K. The child of such Prayers and teares cannot possibly fall away Now if to assist at the celebration of the Masse is to committ idolatry as our aduersaries would haue it Mr. Willet could neuer haue accounted these Kinges and Queenes to be saintes in heauen whose cheiffe and dayly exercice of deuotion was to assist therat D. Couell writeth of the Churche in these woordes in his def of Mr. Hooker pag. 30 art 4. That which by her Ecclesiasticall authoritie she shall probably think and define to be true or good most in congruity of reason ouer rule all other inferior iudgments whatsoeuer to theÌ„ that out of a singularitie of their owne aske vs why we thus hang our iudgments on the Churches sleeue we answere with Salomon Two are better then one for when in matters of lesse moment it was neuer thought safe to neglect the iudgment of many and hassly to follow the fancy and opinion of some fewe Now but that the Church of Rome hath had the definition of generall Councells and consent of Fathers in behalf of Catholike Priesthood and other pointes of Religion contradicted this day neither D. Couel nor any man euer douted hence it is that D Couel vbi supra pag. 73. concludeth thus It is strange for any man to deny them of the Church of Rome to be of the Church D. Murton part 2. apol pag. 340. lib. 4. cap. 18 auoucheth confideÌ„tly that a generall CouÌ„cell is highesâ— iudge so doth the Bishop of Winchester B. Bilsoâ—â— suruey pag. 85. and others but all men know thâ— Protestants not to be able to produce any generaâ— Councell consisting of meere Protestantes as thâ— Protestant Relator of Religion Relat. of Religâ— cap. 47. ingeniously confesseth and let it suffise tâ— Catholikes to bring the late generall Councell of Trent at the which Protestants Religion was nominatim condemned as heresie by six Cardinals foure Legates three Patriarches two and thirtie Archbishops 228. Bishops and 4. Abbots And so D. Morton must acknowledge the highest iudge to be for vs. D. Doue pleading for an vnion betwixt Catholikes and Protestantes speaking in fauour of the Church of Rome saith No Church can be condemned and adiudged hereticall by any priuate censure but it must be publicke by a generall Councell D. Doue persuas pag. 14. and pag 27. 28 he saith that according to the Catholikes definition of a Sacrament there be as many as they teach and this shall not breed any such iarre betwene vs that therfore we should refuse to communicate togeather and transubstantation it selfe shall be no bar The Bishop of Winchester in his suruey B. Bilsons suruey pag. 85. writeth thus The ancient consent of Godly Fathers is with great care to be scearched and followed of vs cheifly in the rule of faith Now seing the ancient Fathers make for vs in this point as hath thertofore beene shewed it followeth the B. of Winchester must allow of this point in controuersie seing it is there doctrine Mr. Parkes against Limbomâ—stix pag. 86. citeth and approueth the Councell of Lateran as a rule of Faith but that this Councell alloweth of transubstantation Can. 1. of Confession to a Priest Can. 21. Celebrating of Masse Can. 58. of Reliques can 62. may easely be seen by any man who will but read this Councell D Downam lib. 2. Antichrist pag. 165. graunteth with S. Aug. and Victor Vticensis that to adheare to the Church of Rome was a marcke of a true Catholike in those times But what the Church of Rome held in those dayes concerning Catholike Priesthood and other pointes of controuersie it may be seen by that which hath beene heretofore said But not to seeme tedious to your wisdomes I will conclude this section with the reporte which one of our aduersaries theÌ„selues maketh of Catholikes and of their Religion Relation of the stat of Relig. cap 48. the Authors wordes be There are among them vndoubtedly in great multitude men vertuous Learned fraught with the loue of God and the truth aboue all thinges men of memorable integritie of harte an affections cap 6. in their Sermons much matter both of Faith and piety is eloquently deliuered by men of wonderfull zeale and spirit c. Ibidem The outward state and glorie of their seruice doth ingender quicken increase and nourrishe the inward reuerence respect and deuotion which is dve vnto Soueraigne Maiestie power cap. 9. there deedes of charitie are exceeding cap. 48. we find amongst them excellent order of gouerment singular helpes for increase of godlines and deuotion for the profiting of vertue SECTION V. OF PRIORITIE of possession RIGHT wise and Learned Iudges we are not ignorant but that Prioritie of Possession amongst you receaueth this fauour in your lawe that to the party disseised of such his possession you afford speciall remedy by Writt of Assise allowing him also the benefitt of his coÌ„tinuall claime to preuent discent vpon the other parties dying seysed Therefore we require your graue considerations concerning this pointe of Prioritie of Possession how it maketh for vs and against our aduersaries euen they being Iudges The holy Fathers doubt not vpon this ground of Prioritie of Possession to vrge the Succession of the Romane Bishops as a strong vnanswerable argument against the Heretikes of those times So Irenaeus against the Heretikes of his time you ought saith he to obey those Irenaeus lib. 3. adu haereses cap. 3. who haue their Succession from the Apostles c So Tertull. lib. de praescript aduersus haeres let haeretikes set forth the beginnig of their Churches let them recount the order of their succeeding Bishops if they can And after setting downe in ranke the Bishops of Rome from S. Peter to Eleutherius he saith Confingant tale quid Haereticiâ— c. let Heretikes bring forth any such thing S. Hier. vnic Lyr. c. So S. Hierom in Apol. 1. adu Ruffinum So Vincentius Lyrinensis adu Haereses Commendeth the Romane Church for maintayning alwayes with so great force study and contention Susceptae semel Religionis integritatem the puritie of ReligioÌ„ which it first receaued So did S. Austin against Manichaeus these be his wordes August coÌ„t Ep. Manich cap. 4. Tom. 7. Multa sunt quae in Ecclesiae gremio me iustissime teuent c. I am held in the besome of the Church by the SuccessioÌ„ of Priests Bishops that
condemne reiect and make penall Catholike Priesthood and that faith so long continued not only in England by English Catholikes but likewise throughout all Christendome whervnto we Englishmen were conuerted by S. Greg. one of those Fathers by whom Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his publique Sermō at Paules Crosse desired to be tried which neuer the lesse the bouldest aduersary as I belieue dare not performe Neither did our now professed Cath. Faith take its beginning in S. Gregories time but reached vp euen to the Apostles times which appeareth also by conferring our foresaid confessed Religion taught vs by S. Greg. and S. August with that primitiue Faith whervnto the Brittains of VVales were conuerted in the Apostles times For whereas our learned aduersaries do affirme that our neighbours the Britains of VVales receaued the faith of Christ by the preaching of the Apostles and held that Faith at Austins comming so affirmeth Mr. Camden in his Britannia Pag. 40 Mr. Harrison in his description of Britannie volum 1. p. 23 Mr. Fulke his booke against Heskin Sanders Pag 561. c. by Godwin in his Cata og of Bishops pag. 1. Mr. Foxe in his Acts and Mon. pag. 463. saith The Britains after the receauing of the Faith neuer forsooke it for any manner of false preaching of others nor for torments c. Againe Mr. Midleton in his Papisto-mastix proueth by ancient Authors that the Gospell was taught preached there by Simon Zelotes Ioseph of Arimathaea S. Paul the Apostle More ouer Beda hist 2. ca. 2. Holmist vol. 1. li. 1. ca. 21. it is also recorded by the Protest writers that vpon conference betwixt S. Augustine the British Bishops then had at a place called in S. Bedes time Austin-izet of the which place maketh like mention Holinshead in his great Chronicle of the last edition The greatest difference then stood vpon betwene Austine and them were expresly and only mentioned to be certaine tolerable differences viz Their dissent from the vse of the Romane Church in their Ceremonies or ministring of Baptisme keeping of Easter Beda in his history reporteth how Austine said to the Britaines viz Li. 2. ca. 2. Si in tribus his obtemperare mihi vultis vt Pascha suo tempore celebretis vt ministerium baptizandi quo Deo renascimur iuxta morem Romanae Apostolicae Ecclesiae compleatis vt genti Angelorum vna nobiscum praedicetis verbum Domini caetera quae agitis quamuis moribus nostris cōtraria aequanimiter cuncta tolerabimus By which their so earnest dissenting about these only matters of smaller importance is most plainly signified their full agreement in all other substantiall and head points of Faith for the Brittaines who contradicted Austine so earnestly in these so few smaler points would neuer haue bine silent but much the rather haue with-stood him in the other so many incomparably much greater points of Faith had they in like sort disagreed from him therin which thing is also as yet more certainly euident aswell in that the Brittain Bishops then confessed that it was the right way of Iustice righteousnes which Austine taught as Bede doth testifie Bed hist li 2. ca. 2. Fulk in his conf of purg pa. 335. As also for that Austine did as Mr. Fulke affirmeth at the last obtaine the aide of the British Bishops to the conuersion of the Saxons The same affirmeth Holinshead heretofore alleadged So euidently therefore doth that Faith which S. Austine taught vs and which our aduersaries acknowledge for Popish demonstrate in generall to be consonante and agreable with that Primitiue Faith whereunto the Brittains of VVales were as is confessed conuerted in the Apostles times Which pointe is also made euident by like further obseruations of so many other remote nations conuerted in the Apostles times as namely of Graecia as appeareth by S. Pauls Epistles to sundry of that nation as to the Corinthians Ephesians Thessalonians of Armenia by S. Bartholomew of India by Saint Thomas which although they be in some things departed from the faith wherunto they were first conuerted yet by their remnant of Religion to this day preserued sufficiently appeereth which faith it was whether Catholicke or Protestante whereto they were at first cōuerted witnes hereof are the seuerall publike Liturgies of the Graecians Armenians c. the which trauailers affirme make so knowne certaine as impudencie it selfe may not deny it Andrew Theuet an Author of greate credite in his Cosmographie vniuersall Printed in French at Paris Anno 1575. Tom. 1. Fol. 137. affirmeth vpon the experience of his trauailes that he founde at Hierusalem in the holy Passion weeke more then 4000. Christians of seuerall Nations as Abissines Armenians Monouites Georgians of Persia Nestorians Iacobits Sirians Iauians Butirians Darians men of Quinsay most remote of all the Orientall India c. himselfe being sole among them with an Almaine of the Romane Church The which Nations saith he Chantent la Messe auec pareille opinion sur le Reall praesence du corps sang de nostre Seigneur cōme nous la tenons that is Do celebrate Masse holding the like opinion of the Reall presence of the body and bloud of our Lord as we of the Latine Church hould Nothwithstanding saith he that they do not acknowledge either Pope or Cardinall King or Emperor of ours but professe themselues to haue receaued their sacred misteries from the Apostles The like testimonie giues the Protestante writer Pag. 22 D. Philippus Nicholai in his comment de regno Christi of these remote Nations by which foresaid examples of so many remote Nations so farre distante each from other conuerted vndoubtedly in the Apostles times and agreeing so farre with vs and against our aduersaries in so many principall points of Faith is not obscurely signified that our now Catholike Religion is that Primitiue Faith which the Apostles themselues first planted in all Nations The Antiquitie and Prioritie of this our Possession of our professed Catholike doctrine thus shewed and handled but in generall is also made as yet much more probable or rather euident throughout each particular by that which our learned aduersaries themselues do acknowledge chardging the most ancient Fathers their opinions in these points as errours To go through euery particular would be ouer tedious But the Reader for better satisfactiō may read the Protestants Apologie Tract 1. Sect. 3. Subdi 1 where he shall finde all things at large set downe most cleerly and euidently handled Forbearing therefore all other points we will giue instance only in that pointe vndertaken chiefly in this our Application viz of Cath. Priesthood The Priesthood of our spirituall Pastors in this out Cath. Churche who as S. Aug. saith are now not improperly but properly called Priests in the Church De ciuit Dei li. 20 cap 10. to whome therefore the word Presbiter and Sacerdos are indifferently referred as likewise S. August there affirmeth
exposition of the creed affirmeth that from Gregories daies to Luthers which was 900. yeares the Popish heresy had spredd it self ouer the whole earth The like acknowledgement doth make Simon de Voyon Mr. Fulk others heretofore cited Nap. pag. 68. Mr. Napper that so greatly commended aduersary in his Treatise vpon the Reuel dedicated to the K. Maiesty granted vs 1260. yeares of prescription saying that betwixt the yeare of Christ 300. 316. Anti-christiaÌ„ raigne began raigning vniuersally without any debatable contradictioÌ„ 1260. yeares thesame affirmeth Mr. Brocard vpoÌ„ the reuelatioÌ„ Mr. Gifford against the Brownists pag. 38. graunteth vs 1300 Fo. 110. odder yeares saying to offer oblation for the dead was generall in the Church loÌ„g before the daies of S. Austine as appeareth in S. Cyprian Tertull who liued about the yeare 240. Hamelmannus de Traditionibus Fol 741. reacheth vp to S. Denis of Areopag who liued in the in the Apostles times saying that Denis did write much of Churches of Altars of places sanctified of Consecrations Monkes and sundry Ceremonies Sebastianus Francus Epist de abrogandis statut Eccles saith that immediatly after the Apostles times the Masse begun Hospinianus in hist Sacram. lib. 1. ca. 6. affirmeth that it was euen in the Apostles times they being yet aliue Mr. Ascham a prime protestant in his Apol. pro caena Dom. pag. 31. acknowledged that no beginning therof can be shewed Mr. Gab. Powell pag. 43. in his consideration of the Papistes Supplication being prouoked that if our Catholike doctrine be errour then to tell vs when it came in who was the Author of it c. Answereth thereto acknowledging and saying We cannot tell by whome or at what time the Enemie did sow it neither indeed do we know who was the first Author of euery one of your blasphemous opinions And Mr. VVhitaker in Resp ad Camp rat 7. pag. 101. confesseth that the Romane Churches change cannot easily be tould Now if that rule Aug Ep. 118. or proofe of Apostolical doctrine of S. Aug. be true viz. Whatsoeuer opinion is not knowne to haue begun since the Apostles times thesame is not new or secondary but receiued it is originall from the Apostles themselues The which Rule saith Mr. VVhitgift some times Archb of Canterb. in his defence pag. 352. was of credit with the writers of our time namely with Mr. Zuinglius Mr. Caluine Mr. Gualter and surelie saith he I thinke no learned man doth dissent from them the which Rule he likewise vrgeth against Mr. Cartwright his Puritane Brother in defence of the names Metropolitanes Cartwr ag whilg pag â—03 352. and Bishops to whome Mr. Cartwr answeareth saying I appeale to the Iudgement of all men if this be not to bring in Poperie againe to allow of S. Augustins saying c. Further he affirmeth that therby a window is open to bring in all Popery Therfore seeing according to S. Augustins rule the opinion doctrine whose beginning is not knowne whose Antiquity cannot be found is a proofe of Apostolike Doctrine it followeth that the opinion whose beginning is knowne the Antiquity Author therof found is a sufficient proofe of false doctrine And hence it is that S. Hierome saith To reduce an heresie to a beginning is a confutation of it Hiero. ad Clesiphont And seing that our aduersaries caÌ„ shew no beginning or Author of the foresaid pointe of Catholike Priesthood yea not of any one necessary and essentiall Article of Catholike doctrine on the other part seing we caÌ„ reduce euery pointe of aduerse doctrine to his beginning Author time place froÌ„ Christ to this day according to the promise made by God himself to his Catholike Church that Pastors Eph. 4.12 Isa 6â— 6 Doctors must be in the Church till the Consummation of Saints who shal be as watchmen all the day and all the night for euer they shall not hould their peace but shall alwayes resist false opinions innouations with open reprehension CoÌ„sequently it followeth this our Catholike doctrine wherto we were so many Ages since conuerted to be no new or secondary since the Apostles times but truely primitiue and vndoubtedly Apostolike And contrariwise our aduersaries doctrine to be new secondary false and Apostaticke And this concerning Praescription SECTION VII OF CONTINVALL CLAIME IF Continuall Claime be a matter amongst you wherby Right title are preserued It is more then euident that this our Catholike Church hath bene euer waking ready euen within the yeare day so to preserue her right in this and other points against all Sects and heresies whatsoeuer and howsoeuer deuided otherwise among themselues did generally conspire to oppose themselues as against their capitall enemie This is euident to this day in Anabaptistes Swenckfeldians Libertines Antrinitarians etc. Who thinke the reformation of Religion to consist specially in the abnegation of our Catholike Faith terming themselues in such respect reformed Churches and euery one of them thinking themselues so much more reformed then others by how much they are further then others dissenting from our Catholike Religion it needeth no better proofe then that of the Protestants Puritanes in England We haue not bene wanting to this Continuall Claime before Luthers time by reason of our former confessed quiet possession euen in the iudgement of our very aduersaries And our need since his time hath bene but in some countries in which our Claime hath bene so dailie continued as we hould it needlesse to proue the same so that our aduersaries are forced to say their Church was for many yeares inuisible contrary to that promise made by God himselfe to his Church Esay 62.2 saying vpon thy Walles ô Hierusalem haue I set watchmen all the day night for euer they shall not be silent Pag. 191. 188. Mr. Napper in his booke vpon the Reuelation dedicated to the Kings Maiestie affirmeth that this abiding of Gods Temple so long latent and obscure is most certaine Noe true visible Church nor sincere doctrine publiquely opened that any man may haue accesse vnto Againe from the yeare of Christ 316. Pag. 161. God hath withdrawne his Church from open assemblies into the harts of particular godly men where it abode inuisible to these our daies the space of 1260. yeares acknowledging likewise that during the foresaid space of 1260 yeares the Catholike Romane Church did possesse the foresaid Continuall Claime affirming that from Constantines time till those our daies euen 1260. years the Pope his Clergie haue possessed the outward visible Church of Christians Pag 43. Mr. Gab. Powell in his consideration of the Papistes supplication saith We cannot tell by whome or at what time the enemie did sowe c. meaning our Catholike doctrine Mr. Fulk in his Reioined Pag. 265. being vrged with this demand I answeare quoth he my text saith it was a misterie not reuealed therfore could not be at the
Vatinian hatred wherwith preiudice of opinion hath so strongly possessed our Aduersaries against our Church Religion that not discerning themselues able to iustifie their owne Church in accomplishment hitherto of those praedictions which are fore told of Christs true Church many and not the meanest of them yea rather then they would yeald to preserue in this common danger their Christian profession by acknowledgment of our Catholike Church in which the said praedictions are most clearly accomplished haue finally ô tempora ô mores betaken themselues to most dreadfull Apostasy Therefore we appeale to your graue Iudgemente and serious considerations if this solate entry since King Henry the 8. time only made by our aduersaries at their owne hand on this our possession be not against all course of law and they conuict of secret and stolne Disseisnie And thus much briefly concerning Continuall Claime SECTION VIII OF THE DOVBTFVLNESSE of the statute law MOREOVER if where the letter of your Statute law appeareth to be in some cases doubtfull you hould that sense and vnderstanding therof for most reasonable which is found most agreable with the knowne answerable practise of the ensuing times Then your Wisdomes shall find the doubtfull letter whether of scripture or of certaine obscure sayings of the Fathers made plaine on our part by the answerable practise of all succeeding times concerning this pointe of Catholike Priesthood and other points of our forsaid Catholike doctrine by consent of Councells iudgment of Fathers and confession of our aduersaries as hath bene most plainly heretofore throughout demonstrated For what fairer euidences can be desired then the consent of 18. Generall Councells viz of Nice vnder Pope Siluester about the yeare 325. at the which were present 318. Bishops Of Constantinople the first vnder Pope Damasus in the yeare 384. Of Ephesus the first vnder Pope Caelestine about the yeare 434. at the which were present 220 Prelates Of Calcedon vnder Pope Leo the great about the yeare 454. at which were present 630. Bishops Of Constantinople in the yeare 553. ended vnder Pope Vigilio at which were present 165. Bishops Of Constantinople the 3. in the yeare 681. vnder Pope Agathon being there present 290. Bishops Of Nice the 2. vnder Pope Adrian in the yeare 781. there being present 370. Bishops Of Constantinople the 4. in the yeare 819. vnder Pope Adrian the 2. at which were present 375. Bishops Of Lateran the first vnder Pope Calist the 2. in the yeare 1119. at which were present â—â—00 Bishops The 3. Councell of Lateran vnder Alexander the 3. in the yeare 1180. there being present 300. Bishops The 4. Councell of Lateran vnder Pope Innocent 3. in the yeare 1215. in which were present 1200. Bishops The first CouÌ„cell of Lions vnder Innocent 4 in the yeare 1245. at which were present 140. Bishops The 2. Councell of Lions in the yeare 1274. vnder Pope Greg. the 10. being present there 700. Bishops The Councell of Vienna vnder Clement the 5. in the yeare 1311. there being present 300. Bishops The Councell of Florence vnder Eugenius the 4. in the yeare 1459. there being present 141. Bishops The 5. Councell of Lateran vnder Pope Leo the 10. in the yeare 1517. being present 114. Bishops The Councell of Trent in the yeare 1545. vnder Paul the 3. and continued vnder Iulius the 4. Marcellus the 2. and Paull the 4. and finished vnder Pius the 4. in the yeare 1563. These be all Generall and approued Councells one succeeding another from age to age Neither were there wanting throughout all these Centuries of yeares Fathers Doctors who did maintaine this our Catholike doctrine For in the 1 Century were Martiall Denis of Areopag who were in the first hundred yeares after Christ In the 2. Centurie Ignatius Policarpus Iustinus Irenaeus In the 3. Cent. were Clemens Alex Cyprianus Arnobius In the 4. Cent. Lactantius Victor Afer Hilarins Athanasius Cyrillus Basilius Epiphanius Gregorius Niss Gregorius Nazian Optatus Ambros Ruffinus In the 5. Cent. were Chrysostomus Hieronimus Augustinus Paulinus Cassianus Theodoretus Chrysologus Hilarius Leo Magnus Prosper Fulgentius In the 6. Cent. were Eusebius Emiss Cassiodorus Climacus Gregorius Turonensis Euagarius Gregorius Magnus In the 7. Cent. Leontius Sophronius Isidorus Hispal Leander Branlius Hildephonsus In the 8. Cent Venerabilis Beda Ioannes Damascenus Paulus Diaconus Alcuinus Vsuardus Paulinus Aquiliensis In the 9. Cent. Haymo Rabanus Ioannes Diaconus Theophilactus Anastasius Hincmarus In the 10. Cent. Odo cluniac Ado Viennensis Lintprandus Radulphus Rathodius Abbas Floriacensis In the 11. Cent Petrus Damianus Humbertus Lanfrancus Anselmus Algerus Oecumen Bruno Iuo In the 12. Cent. cedrenus Rupertus Bernardus Euthymius Gratianus Richardus de S. Victore In the 13. Cent. caesarius Alexander de Hales Albertus Thomas Aquinas cantipratensis Durandus Scotus Bonauentura In the 14. Cent. Nicephorus Paludanus Aureolus Occam Lyranus In the 15. Cent. Thomas de Kemp Laur. Iustinianus Bernardinns Bessarius Tostanis In the 16. Cent Ioannes Eccius Thomas Morus Roffensis A castro Sanderus Hosius Alanus Driedo Baronius Bellarminus Suarez Salmeron and many others by the testimonies of these Fathers renowned for their vertue pietie learning throughout all the world euen our aduersaries being Iudges their workes bearing witnesse you shall find the doubtfull letter of Scripture or of certaine obscure sayings of some Fathers made plaine by the answerable practise of all these precedent ages concerning this point of Cath. Priesthood yea they being Priests theÌ„selues Now as Tertullian lib. praescr adu haeres confingant tale quid haeretici Let heretiques deuise such a prooffe SECTION IX OF HIGH COVRTES of Iudgment BESIDES all this there are established with you for the finall ending of all arising controuersies suites of law high Courts of IudgmeÌ„t parliameÌ„t to giue definitine sentence and thesame so giuen not by the law it selfe but by your selues placed as Iudges to pronounce determine what is the law against which sentence so once orderly giuen in your highest court of Iudgement perliament no writt of errour or appeale lieth wherby to support the partie so conuicted in the further humor of his vnsatisfied endlesse contention Therfore if high Courtes perliament be authenticall and of so much credit with you then you shall find on our behalf so many generall Councells iudgemente of Fathers euen in the time of the primitiue Church concerning this point of Catholike Priesthood other points of controuersie pronunced and determined against Nouellists and heretikes of those ancient times S. Ambrose witnesseth of the Nouatians Lib. 1. de Paen. cap. 2. who denied that Priests could remit sinnes And S. Augustine of Aerius for denying the sacrifice of the Eucharist for the dead Haer. 53. For the which D. Field a Protestant diuine saith Field of the Chur. l. 3. c. 29. pag. 138. that Aerius was iustly condemned All these twelue Councells before alleaged by vs in setting downe of our Iury are most plaine in this point
by S. Austine Epist 86. Aug. and that in a very proper sense to sacrifice Christs body vpon and so called of them in respect of the said body sacrificed Fourtly this is euident by the institution of the Euchariste it selfe for Christ commanded his Apostles in them there Successours to do the same which he did But he did truely sacrifice as performing the office of a Priest according to the order of Melchised King of Salem who offered vp bread and wine Therefore necessary it was that Christ should institute an vnbloudy sacrifice vnder the formes of bread wine and that to continue in his Church vntill the worlds end because he otherwise could not be truely said to be a Priest for euer for Priest Sacrifice cannot be asunder Neither is he Priest that hath no Sacrifice to offer vp as S. Paul saith Heb. 5.8 and seing the sacrifice of the Crosse was to be performed as once and cannot be againe repeated it must follow consequently that there is in the Church some other sacrifice which Christ the high Priest may be said to offer by his Ministers for euer which can be no other then the Sacrifice of the Masse once offered vp by himself instituting the Euchariste and now by his Ministers Fiftly seing the figures of the old testament as the Paschall Lambe the bloud of the Testament generally all the sacrifice of the old law were according to the vniforme doctrine of all the ancient Fathers signes and figures of the Euchariste But they were truely Sacrifices therefore the Euchariste no lesse otherwise it should follow the figures to haue bene more perfect then the things figured Sixtly Act. 4. If Miracles in all ages haue bene of great force to confirme true doctrine as we may see in our Sauiour in his Apostles so that S. Aug. Aug. cont ep Manich. cap. 4 lib. 8. de Ciuit. Dei placeth thesame among these things which most iustly held him in the Churches besome Then who will but read the Fathers shall find them plentifull euen in Miracles wrought in confirmation of the Sacrifice of the Masse S. Austine reporteth of his owne time and countrey Aug. de Cant. Dei lib. 22. cap. 8. how that one Hesperius hauing his house infested with wicked Spirites to the affliction of his beasts seruāts desired saith S. Austine in my absence certaine of our Priestes that some would go thither c. one went and offered there saith he the Sacrificie of the body of Christ praying what he might that the vexation the might cease God being therupon mercifull it ceased Chrys Greg. In like manner S. Chrysostome lib. 6. Sacerd. S. Gregorij lib. 4. Mor. and S. Bede hist lib. 4. cap. 22. do report sundry miracles to this same effect Seauently reason nature do confirme this For Religion Sacrifice are so conioyned together that the one cannot be without the other for neuer was there yet any nation in the world that had not some kinde of Religion and worhipping and that did not thinke Sacrifice necessary to the worship of God seing Sacrifice is the highest externall worship that can be exhibited by man to God for things are more excellēt then wordes specially whose substance is consumed vpon Gods honor But certainly the vniuersall consent of all nations proceedeth from the instinct of nature Lastly the more sober and learned sort of our aduersaries do afford to vs Catholikes the hopefull promises of saluation affirming this to be the iudgment of all learned Protestants as D. Some affirmeth in his defence against Penry the Puritane pag. 176. D. Som. Couell This same auerreth Mr. Couell in his defence of Mr. Hooker pag 68. accusing his brethren that affirme the contrary Cassander of ignorant zeale Georg. Cassander lib. de officio pij viri pag. 14. saith The Church of Rome is to be reuerenced as being the true Church and temple of God Hooker Mr. Hooker lib. 5. pag. 188. saith in his Eccl. Policij that the Church of Rome is to be reputed a part of the house of God a limme of the visible Church of Christ c. So saith Mr. Bunney in his Treatise tending to pacification sect 8. pag 109. Bunney Baro. Morton So Mr. Baro in one of his sermons serm 3. So Mr. Morton in his Treatise of the kingdome of Israel of the Church pag. 94. So Mr. Field in his Treatise of the Church lib. 3. cap. 46. And Mr. Couell in his treatise published by authority dedicated to the Lo. Arch. of Canterbury defended this opinion at large and concludeth saying VVee affirme them of the Church of Rome to be parts of the Church of Christ and that those that liue and die in that Church may not withstanding be saued SECTION XI A DISCOVERY OF CONTRARY doctrine THIS then Right honorable Reuerend Graue and learned being our confessed Religion Catholike doctrine thus made so euidēt by so many conuincing arguments irrefragable proofes I am now likewise most humbly to intreate you not to seeme offensiue or tedious if also I make bould to put your Wisedomes in remembrance by what instinct this soo generally confirmed receaued continued doctrine of the Masse it selfe become as now to you so odious to vs by your lawes so penall hath bene now of late so impugned traduced The principall man most notorious was an Apostata Monke Martin Luther Luther Whitak in resp ad rat Campi Iewell in his def pag. 426. Alberus contra Carolstadianos Powell in his cōsiderations Luther tom 7. Wittēb an 1558. lib. de Missa priuata fol. 443 whome Protestants reuerence and name their Father and a most excellēt man sent of God to lighten the whole world and whome the Lutherans gloriously vaunt to haue bene the first that impugned the Masse Mr. Powell a Protestant writer termeth him holy S. Luther But by what instinction or genius from what ground worke I pray you it was which so directed Luther to impugne the Masse not by any other but by the suggestion and perswasion of Sathan with whose affrighting and apparitions he had bene infested from his youth For it chanced that vpon a certaine time as himself reporteth the matter he was sodainly awaked about midnight then saith he Sathan began this disputation with me saying Hearken right learned Doctor Luther thou hast celebrated priuate Masse the space of 15. yeares c. And so the Deuill with arguments which Luther himself there at large setteth downe endeauoring to dissuade Luther any more to say Masse but as yet Luther standing in defence therof iustifying to the Deuill his saying of Masse Tom. 7. Wittēb of anno 1558 fol. 229. But saith Luther Sathan replied more vehemently c. Thervpon in the end Luther yeldeth and embraceth the doctrine so deliuered by Sathan ther vpon now altogether abandoneth the Masse This is confessedly defended euen by Luthers dearest Scollers