from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises of our Religion haue beene neyther so frequent nor so publike as now it is eyther in place or persons was the persecution of Poperie and the generall corruption of the Papacie which as a Leprosie infected and as a Myst obscured the Times so that sometimes not the true beleeuers themselues such I meane as are come to our knowledge were void of error in euery point though they firmely held the foundation And if it pleased God in processe of time to giue more libertie to the persons and more puritie to the Doctrine why are wee vnthankfull and why should any enuie if the Truth hath growne more ripe in our Age And if there be any yet among vs I would to God there were not too many such who stand as Newters and lookers on not regarding any Religion nor caring to ioyne themselues to either side vntill they see the sequell and issue whether the Protestant or Popish Church is likeliest to be most praeualent To such I say as Elias said to the people of Israel How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1. King 18.21 If the Lord be God follow him But if Baall then follow him Let them consider and call to minde whither of the two Religions sauour more of grace and of the spirit of God whether doth attribute most to God whether hath beene most fauoured by God Let them consider the damnable positions the horrible combustions and hellish proiects of Poperie and the sauing counsels peaceable prosperity and heauenly blessings which haue accompanied ours let them as the Apostle counselleth proue all things 1. Thess 5.21 and hold fast what is good If they doubt whether of them carrieth greatest shew of either veritie or Antiquitie I say vnto them as it was said to St. Augustine at the time of his conuersion Tolle lege Take vp this booke and reade or rather as the Lord speaketh by his Prophet Ieremie stand in the waies and see Ierem. 6.16 Aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and yee shall finde rest for your soules Lastly to the true members and vnseduced Protestants of our Church I say with the Apostle to the Corinthians Brethren you see your calling 1 Cor. 1.26.27 28. albeit not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and weake things to confound the mightie c. yet some noble some learned some Worthies haue embraced the same Religion together with vs and that in all ages and times of the world What would wee haue what can wee desire more we haue Verity and Antiquitie for vs we haue the Patriarkes the Prophets and Apostles on our side we haue the company of innumerable Martyres who haue scaled the Truth thereof with their blood we haue the fellowship of many Churches in diuers Nations Being therefore Compassed about with so great a clouds of Wanesses Heb. 12.1 let vs follow the footsteps of those who haue walked before vs in this way of righteousnesse and runne with patience the race that is set before vs. What though Papists raue and rage and plot and seeke by all meanes to bring our Religion into disgrace yea If it were possible to cut of the name of Israel Psal 83.4 that it might be no more in remembrance Psal 82.12 Yet these aduersaries of the Lord shall be found lyers but the true Church of God shall endure for euer Consider what great things God hath done for vs and how mightily alwaies he hath defended and approued our Religion how miraculously did he preserue it manger all the furie of the Lyon and the wilde Boare of the Deuill and Antichrist euen in the time of their greatest persecutions how wonderfully hath he from time to time detected and defeated all plots and proiects conspiracies and trecheries of the enemies what strange deliuerances hath he giuen vnto vs By this wee may know that God fauoureth vs because our enemies preuaile not against vs. Psal 4â— 11 Psal 46.11 The God of Iacob is with vs the God of Hoasts is our refuge he hath giuen vnto vs a Dauid a man after his owne heart to rule ouer vs a Iehosophat whose heart is set to seeke the Lord a Iosias whose chiefest studie is to build vp Gods house and whose chiefest Title is to be the Defender of the Faith he hath taken away our feares by the happie returne of our most hopefull Prince redoubled our ioyes in his forward zeale for the furthering of true Religion he hath blessed vs with an Honourable assemblie of States in the high Court of Parliament and vnited their hearts and mindes to seeke the promotion of his glory and the publike welfare of the Common-weale he hath stirred vp the hearts of all faithfull Subiects within this Iland to pray and cry Grace Zech. 4.7 Grace to that Parliamentarie assembly What now remaineth but that as the Apostle counselleth Wee stand fast in that libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free Gal. 5.1 and as our Sauiour doth admonish vs that wee be faithfull to the death Reuel 2. â—0 constantly professing and religiously perseuering in that Religion which we haue learned out of the Scriptures and which hath beene practised so long agone in all Ages by so many Patriarkes Prophets Apostles Bishops Confessors and holy Martyrs That so wee may glorifie God and stop the mouth of the aduersarie and both by life and doctrine confound Poperie till that misterie of Iniquitie bee fully reuealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnesse of his comming which we beseech the Lord to hasten Euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly Amen FJNIS
if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12 13. why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aequis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people Bell. de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coâ—ter Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 but of many it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visibl of the Church D. Field of the Church D. Whites way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellar. not ecclâ—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bâ—z sign eccles lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 21. but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.57 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent periph hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul-times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Campian Bell. de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isleben in Saxony Massâ—â— lib. 2â— Casp pencer l. 5. Abbat Vsperg Iob. Sleidun Martyrol Anglic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh
23. In Jerusalem Cyrillus who was an enemie to the Pompe of the Clergie and had more regard to feede the Poore and to the Preaching of the Word then to the outward garnishing of Churches Zozomen lib. 5. c. 25. Jn Constantinople Nectarius a man of noble birth Bishop of Constantinople in whose time Auricular Confession was abrogated in Constantinople vpon occasion of Adulterie committed betweene a Penitentiarie and a woman confessing her sinnes vnto him Socrat. lib 5. c. 19. The Councell of Chalcedon Where was the Emperor Martianus himselfe in person and of Bishops and reuerend Fathers 630. These in plaine tearmes gaue the Sea of Constantinople equall Priuiledges with Rome and in causes Ecclesiasticall to be aduanced as farre as Rome Concilium Chalced. Act. 16. In Armenia Letoius Bishop of Meletina in Armenia a bitter enemie to Monkish Profession whose societie hee was wont to call a Denne of Theeues Theodot lib. 4. c. 11. Jn Affrica Optatus Mileuitanus who liued about this time and doth accord with vs first in the Scriptures that they are the Iudge of Controuersies Lib. 6 lib. 1. de Script secondly about the Sacraments Lib. 6. lib. 1. Câ—bus ibi est spiritualis potus spiritualis In the Point of Regeneration Lib. 2. 7. In the Point of the Catholike Church Lib. 2. aduersus Parmen Jn Europe Hilarius Bishop of Poitiers in France who tooke great paines to purge the Countrey of Fraunce from the Arrian Heresie and to withdraw the people from Superstition Ruffin lib. 1. cap. 31. Histor Magdeb. Cent. 4. cap. 10. Betweene the yeeres 300. and 350. Councels THe Councels of Ancyra Nice Tyrus Gangra in which was condemned the Heresie of Eustasius speaking against Marriage eating of Flesh c. Eliberis Carthage where the Bishop of Rome was stoutly withstood Antioch and Sardica were all summoned at the commaundement of the Emperours not of the Popes Tom. Concil Fathers Basilius Magnus Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in his Writings hee much confirmeth our Faith and Doctrine and complaineth of the pride of the Westerne Churches and condemneth their affectation of the Supremacie Basil transmarin Epist 77. Epist 10. ad Eusamos Gregorius Nazianzenus who reuiued the true life of Preaching when the Truth of GOD seemed to haue beene buried and inueighed against the pride of Prelates seeking Supremacie ouer others Zozom lib. 7. cap. 5. Gregorius Nyssenus a married Bishop Niceph. Callist lib. 1. cap. 19. whos 's Writings albeit the Papists doe alleage in many places to patronize their doctrines and opinions yet beeing well considered they make nothing for them but rather much against them Vide Sculleti examen locorum ex Nysseno a Pontif. citat in medulla Patr. Macarius Aegyptius a learned Writer is altogether with vs in the point of Iustification Hom. 11 in the certaintie of Saluation Homil. 19. 20. against the Reall presence Hom. 27. against Purgatory Hom. 30 44. 22. against Free-will Hom. 2 27.15 46. Eusebius Caesariensis a learned man and writer of many Bookes agreeth with vs against the Papall Supremacie Lib. 2. de vit Const. 3. 37. about the Scriptures Lib. 5. Histor Ecclâ—s c. 14. about the Sacraments Lib. 1. demonst c. 10. li. 5. cap. 3. about Iustification Lib. 1. Histor Eccles cap. 5. against Images Lib. 3. de praep Euang. against Popish Iniunctions of Fastings Lib. 5. Eccles Hist c. 23. Epiphanius borne in a little Village of Palestina called Barsanduce hee wrote much and in his Writings agreeth with vs concerning the Scriptures Lib. de mens and power of the Catholike Church Haeres 35. about Marriage and Virginitie Haeres 48. about Fasting Haeres 33. against inuocation of Saints Haeres 78 79. against Images Haeres 19. against the Masse Haeres 55. against Purgatorie Haeres 59. against celebrating of Priests Haeres 61. against Lay-Baptisme Haeres 76. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria whose name was famous in the elder Church wrote much and agreeth therein with vs Against Traditions Epist de Synod Niceu Decr. against Inuocation of Saints Epist ad Adelph against their seuen Sacraments Orat. 2. contra Arrian against Images Orat. contra Gentes against the Supremacie Epistol ad Solit. and many other such like points Paphnutius a Bishop in a Towne of Thebaida himselfe an vnmarried man opposed himselfe in the Councell of Nice against the inhibition of Priests marriage and caused the same to bee stayed Socrat. lib. 1. c. 11. Lactantius Firmianus Didymus a Doctor of the Schoole of Alexandria Acholius Bishop of Thessalonica Osius Bishop of Corduba Asclepas in Gaza Philogonius Bishop of Antiochia Hermogenes Bishop of Caesarea James Bishop of Nisebis in Mesopotamia and diuers others Thus haue I shewed the fore-runners of our Religion aboue two hundred yeeres before Poperie began and the Professors of the same in the time of the Churches flourishing estate before the Church of Rome declined to that Apostasie in which now for these many yeeres it hath continued Whereby wee may discerne how impudent our Aduersaries the Papists are Campian rat 5. in challenging all the ancient Fathers as theirs and making no end of boasting of the Fathers Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 291. one of them saith The Protestants in the Questions of Faith should enquire on what side the Fathers stand that it being knowne they might embrace the Doctrine which the Fathers of old iudged to be true Wee haue done as hee aduiseth Wee haue asked the Fathers and they haue told vs our Elders and they haue told vs That they haue professed and maintained the same Doctrine and Religion which wee professe True it is indeede wee dare not follow euery one of them in euerie step or tye our selues to euery one of their Opinions The Fathers themselues were men and beeing men might haue yea had their Errors Onely the Canonicall Authors as the Iesuit himselfe confesseth as being from aboue Heauenly and Diuine Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 329. doe alwayes hold a perpetuall and stable constancie in their Writings But other holy Writers are inferior and humane failing sometimes and now and then contrarie to the course of Nature Epiph. de not bring foorth a Monster Origen taught many things against the Faith and mis-applyed many things in Scripture Epist ad Iub aduers Prax. August d. 9. Negare Cyprian held Rebaptization Tertullian Montanisme And which of them had not his faylings Augustine himselfe saith I cannot denie but that there are many things in my workes as there are also in the writings of mine Ancestors which iustly and with good discretion may be blamed The Fathers themselues haue denied what some of their Fathers haue held before them yea some of them vpon better consideration haue retracted their owne errors we therefore according to Marsilius his aduice receiue whatsoeuer they bring consonant to the Scripture Marsil Defensor pacis p. 413. but what they bring dissonant from it we reiect with reuerence It is a false slaunder
5.23 True markes of the Church Act. 2.4 Eph. 2.10 Act. 5.8 Christ alone the head of the Church Eph. 1.22 4.16 Act. 4.11 1. Cor. 1.11 Ecclesiasticall discipline 1. Cor. 5.7 2. Thes 3.14 Tit. 3.10 A promiscuous company Eph. 5.25 26. 1. Ioh. 2.19 False markes Math. 24.23 Popish monarchie 2. Thess 2.4 6 7. Reuel 13.8 Popish Hierarchy pardons and suspensions Act. 11.28 2. Cor. 10.4 Sanctification Sanctification Jn true holines and newnesse of life Rom. 16.4 Luk. 1.75 Eph. 1.4 Philip. 1.12 Coloss 1.22 Jn obseruation of dayes and meates Coloss 2.16 Rom. 14.14 Faith Faith An assured confidence Mark 5.7 2. Tim. 2.8 vpon knowledge Heb. 11.1 2. Cor. 13.5 only in the elect Ioh. 6.35 A beliefe in generall Rom. 10.14 Jmplicite Iam. 2.19 in hereticks and wicked men 2. Thess 3.2 Repentance Repentance The gift of God Genes 8.21 Rom. 8.7 Necessarie Iam. 1.7 1. Tim. 2.21 Confession to God Math. 3.6 Freewill 1. Cor. 2.14 Coloss 2.13 Meritorious Rom. 4.5 6. Auricular confession Luk. 5.21 Good workes Good workes Must spring from Faith Rom. 8.8 Galat. 5 6. Tit. 1.15 Hâ—b 11 6. Are our dutie Matth 7.17 2. Pet. 1.10 Before Iustification Matth. 12.33 Luk. 6.43 Rom. 11.17 Merit of them Rom. 5.12 Galat 3.11 Heb 11.17 Subiection to Powers Exemption from obedience Rom. 13.1 2 3. Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 1. Tim. 2.1 2. Iude 1. Places after this life Purgatorie Only two Heauen and Hell Reuel 14.13 22.13 Luk. 23.43 2. Cor. 12.3 4. I Might instance in many more yea in all the differences betweene vs and the Papists wherein I might as clearely prooue the consent of the Apostles and those Primitiue Christians together with vs and their dissent from the Papists and consequently prooue effectually our Church to haue beene in that ancient Primitiue Church But these proofes may suffice in stead of many and by these wee may learne what wee are to iudge of the rest referring the tryall of our whole Religion in all and euerie point thereof wherein wee differ from the Papists vnto the touchstone of the doctrine of our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles and to that which in the writings of sacred Scriptures is commended vnto the Churches which indeede is the onely true rule to examine by and to end Controuersies But our Romanists will none of that for they cannot endure their Religion to come vnder this tryall of Gods word neither will it content them that wee make triall thereby See the Fisher caught in his owne Net which was the reason that Fisher in the late conference neither could denie that Christ and his Apostles taught the same faith and doctrine which the Protestants now professe nor would abide the triall by it but fled from that to the practise of ensuing times and more remote Canus loc li. 3. c. 3. p. 151. for Canus a Writer of their owne confesseth That the most points of the Roman faith are not contained in the Scripture Andrad Orth. Exp. lib. 2. And Andradius speaketh plainely That many points of the now Romish faith would reele and totter if they were not supported by the helpe of Tradition Therefore our Masse Priests will not endure the resolution of the now depending controuersies between vs and them should be tried by the authority of the Scriptures Take from them saith Standish their English damnable translations Standish ca. 6. pro. 3. and let them learne to giue as much credit to that which is not expressed as to that which is expressed in the Scripture Brist Mot. vlt. And Bristo teaching his Scholler how to deale with a Protestant biddeth him First get the weake and proud heretick out of his weake and false Castle of onely Scripture into the plaine field of Traditions and then like cowards they shall not be able to stand Alas what small foundation hath that Religion of theirs which is onely supported by Traditions what comfort can there be in that Religion which is afraid to be tried by the Scripture Hitherto I haue shewed the ascent of the Protestants Church from before Luthers dayes euen to the time of our Sauiour Iesus Christ his Apostles and found our Church which the Papists traduce as a Nouice euen in the primitiue Church our Religion which they taxe as a new Religion to be the first Religion Christian I could now deriue it from an higher straine and shew it in a more auncient time before Christ was manifested in the flesh euen in the daies of the Prophets whose agreement with vs and disagreeing from the Papists I might euidently conuince out of their Writings Before them in the time of Moses and vnder the Law Before the Law in the Patriarchs Before them and before the Flood in Noah Enoch Abel and so bring it to the very beginning euen to the time of Adam But this would be a needlesse labour for if we proue as already hath beene proued That our Church hath beene as auncient as the time of Christ and his Apostles the other must needes follow That it is as auncient as Adams time and from the beginning Cantic 6.9 Ephes 4. Because the Church of Christ is but one and there is but one Faith one Lord one Baptisme The Fathers before the Law 1. Cor. 10.3 4. and those who liued vnder the Law though they and we differ in some outward Rites and Ceremonies 1. Cor. 3.11 yet for substance embrace one and the same Religion haue one and the same Truth one and the same Foundation Eph. 4.11 That Church which was founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Iesus Christ himselfe being the head corner stone euer was from the beginning shall euer be to the end of the world Such is ours and such is our Religion Therefore we conclude That our Church and our Religion is no vpstart but the true Church of Christ the ancientest and only Orthodox Religion And now O ye seducing Papists ye Iesuiticall Fry and Seminarie Frogs which are crept vp out of the mouth of the false Prophet and sculk abroad to seduce people what haue you to say for your selues with what face can you impute nouelty to vs Reu. 16.14 15. how dare ye buzze into the eares of your Proselites That our Religion was neuer heard of vntill Luthers dayes peraduenture you take your ayme at this because the name of Protestants came in neere about that time The name indeede arose vpon occasion of a Protestation made by the 14. principall Cities and diuers Princes of Germany at the Dyet of Noremberg Ioh. Sleid. lib. 3. Hist of the Trent Councel lib. 1. p. 48. appealing from the Pope vnto the Emperour and to a generall Councell in which protestation was contained a declaration of their faith and of those grieuances which they had against the Church of Rome for which by their aduersaries they were termed Protestants Now wee although wee are not ashamed of that name yet stand not so much
vpon the name glorying in no name so much as in the name of Christians And that such protestations were made such declarations of the same Faith which wee professe by the Bohemians Waldenses c. alreadie hath beene made manifest But how long time is it I pray that the name Papist whereof of late they were ashamed and wherein they now so much glory was knowne or acknowledged in the world Act. 11.26 Optat. Mileuit lib 2. cont Parm. or whence is it that leauing the auncient name of Christians they rather with the Donatists appropriate vnto themselues the name of Catholicks Doubtlesse howsoeuer they bragge and boast of Antiquity wee may apply that of Bildad vnto them They are but of yesterday Iob. 8.9 for how could a man know what it was to be a Papist Trent Councel concluded An. dom 1563. or what was the body of Religion before the Councell of Trent had defined it which was since Luthers time Let them shew where their Papall Supremacie was before the time of Pope Goodface the third Platina or their Latine Seruice before the yere 680. Iacob de Vorag in vit Gregor Exposit Rom. ord ann 1215 1222. ex Act. Rom. Pontif. 1414. or their Romish Masse before Adrian the 1. Anno 780. or their Agnus Dei before Pope Sergius an 700. or their Transubstantiation before the Councell of Lateran or their eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament before the time of Honorius the third or their receiuing of the Communion in one kinde onely and the absolute forbidding of the contrary before the Councell of Constance Iohan. Scot. lib. 4. dist 17. artic 3. Idem ibid. or their absolute necessity of Auricular Confession before Innocent the third in his Councell of Lateran or the prohibition of Marriage to the Clergie before the same time I might instance in many other points of Poperie which howsoeuer they may carrie some shew and shadow of Antiquity yet being duly considered they will appeare to be but late inuentions peeced and patched together by their Popes as each of them in their succession was minded to adde something to make vp the full measure of the mysterie of Iniquity Neyther let them boast as of commonly they cracke of the ancient Church of Rome Rhem. annot in Act. 11. sec 4. Idem in Eph. 4.13 so famously renowned by the Writings of the Apostles and commended and appealed vnto by the auncient Fathers for the name and shew of the Romane Church See M. Fox his description of the difference of the now Church of Rome and the old Acts and Monum first 26. pages is but an emptie shew of Names and Titles this present Romane being in a manner wholly departed in the Questions controuerted from the auncient and retayneth nothing but the Title The true auncient and Apostolike Church of Rome so much commended by the Fathers and sought to by the World professed another kind of Faith then this doth and the same that we now defend against them That Church affected no such prowd and swelling Titles it vsurped no such transcendent Iurisdictions it obserued no such foolish Superstitions it maintained contrarie Doctrine to their now Errors To what purpose then should any sticke vpon the name of the Romane Church when the true Faith is changed Or what doe the Prerogatiues and Royalties of the auncient Church concerne this that is turned to another Religion Or who regardeth an House of stately Building or anticke memorie of auncient Antiquitie when the Plague hath infected it and Theeues possesse it Leaue therefore yee Romanists to cracke of your Antiquitie or to traduce vs of Noueltie wee may take vp the words of Nicephorus Concil Ephesin pag. 307. the Patriarke of Constantinople in an Epistle to Leo Bishop of Rome Wee also haue the Name of Rome the true and auncient Faith of Rome among vs being built vpon one and the same foundation of Faith in matter of Faith we follow them Wherefore let S. Paul glorie and reioice in vs also and ioyning new things with old and comparing vs in Doctrines and Preaching let him glorie in vs both alike for wee as well as they following the Doctrines and Institutions wherein wee are rooted are confirmed in the confession of our Faith wherein wee stand and reioyce c. As for you my poore seduced Countreymen who suffer your selues to be seduced and mis-led by these Popish Circumcellions take heed and beware how you fauour these Merchants of the Romish Strumpet who vnder fained pretences and subtile insinuations goe about to make merchandise of your soules 2. Pet. 2.5 These latter dayes saith the Apostle are perillous times and these Popish Priests and Iesuits I may say are perillous seducers â— Tim. 3.1 6 7. They of this sort creepe into houses and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes and led about with diuers Lusts euer learning and neuer able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Listen not vnto them It is not good for Eue to fall to conference with the Serpent Genes 3. no nor for Adam neyther to suffer Eâ—e and the Serpents parley or to encline vnto them least hee also be partaker in the Transgression Consider what is the end they ayme at not Religion but the Soueraigntie of their high-towring Church not the Consciences of men yeelding to their Ceremonies and Superstitions will satisfie them vnlesse they haue their wills in ouer-ruling all and bringing them vnder their Antichristian Yoake How doe they disturbe Thrones and fill the World with Anarchie and Confusions and whose soules they should winne to God by ministring the Word and Sacraments their bloud they sacrifice to the Deuill by stirring them vp to Treason and Rebellion Beloued 1. Ioh. 4. â— beleeue not euery Spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God or no A Foole saith Salomon beleeueth euery thing Prou. And surely it is their folly who suffer themselues to be seduced by giuing too easie credit to the slauering insinuations of these Popish Teachers and are hereby brought into a great dislike of our Church because they beleeue their words and doe not make search and enquirie after the truth of the same Beware least that dreadfull iudgement of God fall vpon you 2. Thess 2 10 11. Because they receiued not the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saued therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes You will say That you are no Changelings That yee are of the olde Religion That you keepe the olde Faith and will liue and dye in the same Religion which your fore-fathers professed Poore soules Popish Religion is not the oldest Religion but a late vpstart a Modell of Superstition your Popes Catholike Church is but an Impostume growne in the Church Wee confesse that for a long time the Christian World hath beene annoyed with it yet euen in the time and before the time of this declining
Catalogus Protestantium Or THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER Containing A SVRVIEW OF THE PROTESTANTS Religion long before Luthers dayes euen to the time of the Apostles and in the Primitiue Church BY GEORGE WEB D. of Diuinity and Preacher of the Word of God at the Bathe LONDON Printed for Nathanael Butter 1624. An Epistle written by a Friend to the Author in his absence CHristian and discreet Reader It were a great defrauding the Store-house of Religion to conceale that for any priuate respect which concernes a publike benefit Aug. Confess lib. 12. Veritatem celare est aurum sepelire To conceale the Truth saith St. Augustine is to bury Gold and to smother any ancient Sacred testimony of Antiquitie were to hide that treasurie in the bowels of the earth which is the inestimable Dowre of Gods Church Now of all truth and of all testimonies deriued from the roote and record of Antiquitie none ought to bee more sought after then the retayned puritie of Apostolique Doctrine resplendent in all Ages since our Sauiours plantation euen in the gloomie and darke dayes before Luther Our Priests and Jesuites for their vnpleasant clamorous and obstriperous sound not vnfitly resembling Frogs and Locusts haue of late dayes beene croaking and throtling out this harsh note and noyse to euery Protestant passenger Where was your Church before LVTHER Thinking belike so to choake vs with this Question as that not giuing vs leaue to fetch breath wee should not possibly bee able to deriue our Religion from any ancienter Author But alasse poore Romanists Though it would serue our turnes to answer with Ignatius the Martyr Jgnat Epist ad Philad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IESVS CHRIST is my Antiquitie Yet it shall appeare vnto you that Almightie GOD hath not left his Truth howsoeuer opposed by your impious rabble and malice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee without sufficient witnesse in all Ages as may appeare by the Writings of many Christian Antiquaries who haue deliuered the Lampe of knowledge and direction to vs and for the future benefit of the Christian World is now more plainly expressed by the Learned labour of this Reuerend Diuine out of whose large field of obseruation and Reading hee hath affoorded you so faire a Kalender and plentifull Catalogue of Names as may suffice to point out a Protestant successiue Church from Age to Age. Yea it is hereby easily seene that the Church of England hath not wanted multitudes of well disposed hearts at all times howsoeuer the publike authority at some time lacked to maintayne the open Preaching of the Gospell As for the worthinesse of this worke worthyest these times let the goodnesse of God bee duely glorified and the Authors paines-taking therein acknowledged so shall the doubtfull bee better informed the weake confirmed and many a soule benefited Thy welwiller in Christ IOHN GEE THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER Deuteronomie 32.7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he will shew thee thine elders and they will tell thee WHen the Athenians had consulted the oracle of Apollo Pythius what Religion it were fittest for them to professe Xenophon They receiued this answer That they should follow the religion of their Ancestors and when they againe had replyed that their ancestors had often changed their religion and therefore they knew not in such an often alteration which to follow the Oracle resolued them M. Tull. Cleere de natura Deorum Illud optimum quod primum That is best which was at the first The maine controuersie at this day in the world is about religioÌ„ in the great variety whereof among Iewes Pagans Turks and Infidels yea among those who call themselues by the name of Christians many weake and vnstable soules stand as in a maze and know not where to settle themselues Augustine Arnobius Now albeit as both Augustin Arnobius well obserue Religion is not so much to be weighed by time as by truth neither is it so much to be enquired after wheÌ„ it began as how it is to be followed yea it cannot be denied which Tertullian doth auerre that the Antiquity of Religion doth much serue to testifie the verity therof â—â—enul and the longer time it hath had of continuance the more it claimes our obseruance and ties vs to obedience The Heathen Hesiod could say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The old law is best Hesâ—od And the best and most diuine of all the Philosophers Plato Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ancients are best as comming neerest vnto God And it is a rule among Lawyers Qui prior est tempore potior est iure He that is first in time hath the chiefest right Iob 8.8 9 10. hence is it that Bildad thus aduiseth Iob 8.8 9. Inquire I pray thee of the former age prepare thy selfe to the search of their fathers for we are but of yesterday and know nothing because our daies vpon the earth are but a shadow shall not they teach thee and tell thee And Iere. 6.16 Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the waies and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and ye shall find rest for your soules Deut. 32.7 And in the song of Moses Deut. 32.7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he shall shew thee thine elders and they will tel thee This tryall of our Religion by Antiquity I vndertake in the following discourse not so much against the Athiest who shaketh off all religion Philip Mornie treatise of the truth of religioÌ„ as if there were no vse of it at all for I could shew him that religion had a being so soone as there was any being and that before men were tyed to any obedience by humane Lawes before they furnished their mindes with any Arts before they wore cloathes on their backs Religion was in vse Neither against the Turks Pagans for I could shew them the Antiquity of true Religion long before their new deuised superstitions Clem. Aleâ— that whatsoeuer light they had of Religion Campian Greg. de Valeâ— Fisher in conference with D. Feally whatsoeuer shew of goodnes they haue in their seuerall Religions they haue borrowed or rather like theeues filched it from hence but my tryall Apologie is framed against the Papists who exclaime against vs as Nouelists and condemne our religion as a late vpstart challenging vs to shew where our Church where our religion was in former times which challenge of theirs howsoeuer it hath been answered to the full at diuers times by diuers learned Worthies in our Church D. Field of the Church D. Morton Cathol Ap. D. Vsher de contin flat eccles Archb. of Canterb treatise of perpet visib of the Church Patrick Symson Richard Bernard August de Trin. lib. 1. c. 3. de mendac c. 6. of late hath receiued a full satisfaction
haue they of Ambition which they taxe in him or indignation for want of preferment in those times L. Archbishop of Canterb p. 66. Ex Archiu Colleg Baliol. Oxon. for neither was his preferment so meane he being both Publike Reader of Diuinitie in the famous Vniuersitie of Oxford and also head of a Colledge in that Vniuersitie And also hauing beene employed as an Embassadour with certaine other Lords and men of great esteeme by King Edward the third sent into Italie Martyrol p. 390. to treate with the Popes Legats concerning the affaires betwixt the King and the Pope Ibid. p. 393. 412. with full Commission The Copie whereof Extat Acts Monum p. 390. Moreouer what dignitie or preferment here in England could haue beene wanting vnto him had he ambitiously affected the same Jbid. p. 393. 412. hauing such especiall Patrons as the King himselfe the Duke of Lancaster Earle Percie Lord Marshall the Earle of Salisburie and diuers others of the greatest in Land who continually tooke his part and stood with him Moreouer as concerning his great Learning wee haue the confession of Frier Walden his most cruell and bitter enemie who in a certaine Epistle written to Pope Martin the fift saith Walden Epist ad Martin 5. That he was wonderfully astonished at his most strong Arguments with the places of authoritie which he had gathered with the vehemencie and force of his reasons c. And for further Testimonie both of his life and learning heare the publike Testimoniall of the whole Vniuersitie of Oxford giuen vnto him and his memorie The Copie whereof followeth VNto all and singular the Children of our holy Mother the Church to whom this present Letter shall come the Vice-Chancelor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford with the whole congregation of the Masters wish perpetuall health in the LORD For as much as it is not commenly seene that the Acts and Monuments of valiant men nor the praise and merrits of good men should be passed ouer c. Hereupon it followeth that the speciall good will and care which we beare vnto Iohn Wichliffe sometime childe of our Vniuersitie and Professor of Diuinitie mouing and stirring our mindes as his manners and conditions required no lesse with one minde voice and testimonie we doe all witnesse all his conditions and doings throughout his whole life to haue beene most sincere and commendable whose honest manners and conditions profoundnesse of Learning and most redolent Renowne and fame we desire the more earnestly to be notified and knowne to all the faithfull For that we vnderstand the maturitie and ripenesse of his conuersation his diligent labours and trauailes to tend to the praise of God the helpe and safegard of others and the profit of the Church Wherefore we signifie vnto you by these presents that his conuersation euen from his youth vpwards vnto the time of his death was so praise-worthy and honest that neuer at any time was there any note or spot of suspition noysed of him But in his answering reading preaching and determining He behaued himselfe laudibly and as a stout and valiant Champion of the Faith vanquishing by the force of the Scriptures all such who by their wilfull beggerie blaspheamed and slaundered Christs Religion Neither was this said Doctor conuict of any heresie or burned by our Prelates God forbid that our Prelates should haue condemned a man of such honestie for an Hereticke who among all the rest of the Vniuersitie hath written in Logicke Philosophie Diuinitie Moralitie and the Speculatiue Art without peere The knowledge of which all and singular things wee doe desire to testifie and deliuer forth to the intent that the fame and renowne of this said Doctor may bee the more euident and had in reputation among them vnto whose hands these present Letters testimoniall shall come In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our Letters testimoniall to be Sealed with our common Seale Dated at Oxford in the Congregation house the 5. day of October in the yeare of our Lord. 1406. Thus farre of Doctor Wickliffe and of the cauils which the Papists doe obiect against him The next that especially they except against in the Catalogue before recited are the Waldenses Exceptions against the Waldenses Laziardus Volaterranus Syluius And what haue they to except against these Waldenses These Waldenses say they were a beggerly raskall sort of people ignorant and vnlearned seditious factious followers of euill opinions and among the rest they would haue all things common among them To that exception of Papists against the pouertie of these Waldenses wee answer 1. Apologie for the Waldenses That pouertie can be no disgrace vnto them who liue vprightly and maintaine the truth in sinceritie Prou. 19.1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then the rich that is peruerse hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith Iam. 2.5 and heires of the kingdome of heauen 2. Neither yet were they all in such pouertie Histor Waldensium for Waldus whom they call the ring leader of them was a man of great substance Reymund Earle of Tholouse and diuers other great Potentates adhered to them and their Religion 3. Neither was their number so small or themselues such vagabonds as the Papists doe traduce them Ibid. for though the fury of persecution did disperse diuers of them and caused them to flie from place to place yet they followed their callings and many times valiantly defeated their enemies To the want of learning and grosse ignorance which the Papists obiect against them I answer first with that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.26 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. Not many wise men after the flesh not many mightie not many Noble hath God called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise c. 1 Cor. 2.1 And againe That they are best learned who haue learned to know Iesus Christ and him crucified Secondly wee denie that they were all so illiterate or vnlearned Reâ—nerus a Writer about that time and a bitter enemie of theirs in a long processe wherein hee describeth their Doctrine testifieth that hee heard of one who did know the partie Reyner de Waldens that a certaine hereticke of this sect so it pleaseth him to stile them to conuert a certaine person to his faith in the night and Winter time swamme ouer the Riuer Ibis to come vnto him and to teach him Moreouer so perfect saith hee were they in the Scriptures that hee himselfe did see and heare a man of the Countrey vnlettered which could recite ouer the whole booke of Iob word by word without booke with diuers others which had the whole new Testament perfectly by heart And although some of them rather merrily then vnskilfully expounded the words Iohn 1.12 Sui non receperunt cum Aenaeus Sylu. Bohem. hist de Waldens dogmat Swine did not receiue him yet were they
nor so ignorant and voide of learning but that in Reynerus his time they had 40. Churches at the least and Pastors to instruct them Reyner resp and in one Parish called Cammach there were tenne open Schooles of them And whereas they are taxed by Aeneus Siluius to sauour of an Anabastinill communitie Martyrol 209. that they had all things common among them This is a malicious slander of a papall Parasite Indeed because they being thrust forth both of Countrie and goods and compelled to make the best shift as they could for themselues they did not intend their owne priuate commoditie but euery one did helpe each other to the vtmost of his power the most part of them being made through the Tyrannie of their persecutors very poore and hence they were called Pauperes de Lugoâ—â—o Or the poore men of Lyons Their Doctrine howsoeuer the Papists after their vsuall manner mis-report of it and speake worse of it then it is yet cannot be brought by them within the compasse of Heresie or be confuted by the Word of God The Booke of Inquisition doth thus describe them and their manners Ex Inquisitorio quodam libello de moribus consuetudine Waldens The manner of the Waldensis is this They kneeling vpon their knees doe continue in their prayers with silence so long as a man may say thirtie or fortie Pater-nosters And this they doe euery day with great reuerence being among themselues and such as be of their owne Religion both before Meales and after likewise when they goe to bed and in the morning when they rise and at certaine other times also as well in the Day as in the Night Also they haue and vse the seuen Articles of Faith concerning the Diuinitie and seuen Articles concerning the Humanitie and the ten Commandements and seuen workes of Mercie which they haue compyled together in a compendious Booke glorying much in the same and thereby offer themselues readie to answere any man for their Faith Before they goe to meat they haue this Grace Benedicite Kyrie eleyson Christe eleyson Kyrie eleyson Pater-noster Which being said then the elder amongst them beginneth thus in their owne Tongue God which blessed the fiue Barley Loaues and two Fishes in the Desart before his Disciples blesse this Table and that which is or shall be set vpon it In the Name of the Father of the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Amen And likewise when they rise from meat the Senior giueth thankes saying the words of the Apocalypse Blessing and Worship and Wisdome and Thanks-giuing Honor Vertue and Strength to God alone for euermore Amen And addeth moreouer God reward them in their Bosomes and be beneficiall to all them that be beneficiall to vs and blesse vs And the God which hath giuen vs Corporall Feeding graunt vs Spirituall Life and God be with vs and wee alwayes with him To which they all answere Amen And thus saying Grace they hold their hands vpward looking vp to Heauen After their Meat and Grace thus said they teach and exhort among themselues conferring together vpon their Doctrine c. Hitherto the Booke of Inquisition made against them doth testifie of them Let vs adde hereto the Testimonie of Reynerus their professed Enemie who when hee had said all that he could in deprauing and impugning them yet is driuen to confesse this of them Reyner Hist de Waldens Ex Orthuin Gratian. This Sect of Lyonests so hee calleth them of the place where-hence first they sprang hath great shew of Pietie liuing vprightly before men and beleeuing all things aright concerning God and all the Articles of the Creed onely they hate and blaspheme the Church of Rome c. Thus farre by way of Apologie for the Waldenses The like Apologie I might make for all the rest of those famous Worthies which together with vs long before our dayes or the dayes of Martin Luther haue professed the same Religion which wee now professe But because these before-mentioned are the parties against whom our Aduersaries the Papists especially doe except and whatsoeuer else they doe or can alleadge against any other particulars are the same things which haue beene answered vnto the former exceptions I will surcease from further Apologies especially seeing that I labour to be briefe This which this way hath beene spoken may suffice to cleare these Auncients of our Religion whom wee haue alreadie prooued to haue beene of the same Faith and Religion which wee now hold and the Papists themselues call the fore-runners of our Faith from those slanderous Calumniations which they asperse vpon them and to prooue them such famous and worthie Instruments of Gods glorie that wee need not be ashamed to follow them in that holy way which they haue gone before vs. Hauing now cleared the way and traced the footsteps of our Protestant predecessors backward from the dayes of Martin Luther vnto the very time when Poperie that great Mysterie of Iniquitie began to display it selfe in her colours from the time of King Henry the eight vnto the dayes of Phocas the Emperour for the space well-nigh of a thousand yeeres I now returne againe to prosecute this Catalogue and to shew a farre higher ascent of the same from the time when Poperie was set on foot vnto the dayes of the Apostles and the time in which our blessed Sauiour did manifest himselfe in the flesh Which labour albeit it might well be spared for as much as the Controuersie being betweene vs and the Papists Which of the two Churches is the most auncientest wee hauing alreadie shewed the continuance of our Church euen from the time when first their Church if wee may call that a Church which they haue turned into a Court began wee haue done alreadie to stop their mouthes and to free our selues from that imputation of Noueltie which they obiect against vs Yet for the more ample manifesting of the Point now in Controuersie and wholly to stop the mouth of the Aduersarie that it may appeare that our Religion is yet of farre greater Antiquitie a farther demonstration shall be made wherein it shall appeare that our Religion that which is now professed by the Protestant Churches is that same Religion which was taught by Christ and his Apostles professed and maintained by all the Orthodoxe ancient Fathers Martyrs and Confessors that liued in and since the Primitiue Church to the time that Poperie was first hatched out of his Cockatrice Egge Which to make plaine wee must by the way take notice That in the first six hundred yeeres there was no substantiall or fundamentall Innouation receiued in the Church the present Romane Faith touching the Points controuerted betweene them and vs being as yet eyther vnhatched or not receiued by knowne Heretikes 2. Thess 2.7 Onely the Mysterie of Iniquitie that began to worke in the Apostles time Euseb Hist lib. 3. cap. 32. lib. 4. cap. 23. encreased by the Heresie Ignorance and Superstition of some
that dayly corrupted the Truth Stories remember vs of a saying of Hegesippus Niceph. lib. 4. cap. 7. That the Church continued a Virgin vndefiled as long as the Apostles liued but when that generation was past the conspiracie of wicked Heresie through the seducing of those who taught other Doctrine tooke beginning Hereof the Apostles gaue warning Act. 20.28 Philip. 3.18 Basil Ep. 70. and the auncient Fathers complayned and that with teares It is our Taske now to prooue that all those faithfull Christians who liued either in the primitiue purest times or afterwards kept themselues orthodoxe vnspotted from then-broached heresies till the heresie of heresies Poperie was set on foote were of the same faith and religion with vs and were of our side for the triall whereof as we haue already looked into the dayes of olde Deut. 32.7 and considered the yeares of many generations which are past and gone so now let vs aske our Fathers and they will shew vs let vs aske our Elders and they will tell vs. And here as the Papists challenge vs to shew where our Church was before Luthers time wee will shew our Church before the time of Pope Boniface the 3. who was the first that tooke vpon him the name of the vniuersall Bishop and at whom and not before the Popish Church as now it is doth take her beginning This Boniface about the yeare of our Lord 507. with much adoe obtained of Phocas the Emperour Otho Frisingen Chron. lib. 5. c. 8. Marian Scot. in ann 608. Vsperg in Phoca that he might be made the vniuersall Bishop of the world The which authority say the Romane Chroniclers his successours haue not onely held fast with their teeth but also wonderfully encreased Before this time or before there was euer any who vsurped any such Ecclesiasticall Supremacie wee haue many that tooke our part as may appeare by this Induction Betweene the yeares 450. and 500. In Rome GRegory the 1. who albeit hee did much decline from the sincerity of his pious predecessours and was a patâ—on or many superstitions yet was an earnest opposite against the papall Supremacie calling it vaine proud profane blasphemous mischieuous Antichristian against the commandements of God and the decrees of Councels lib. 4. Epist 32.34 affirming him to be a follower of Sathan fore-runner of Antichrist who assumeth that title Epist 38.39 24. Bishops and 34. Presbiters in a Councell at Rome Anno Dom. 595. Jn Constantinople Euphemius who was so firme and constant in his Religion that he would not annoint Anastasius Emperour before he had sealed a writing that he would make no innouation in Religion Theod. lib. 2. Jn Alexandria Iohn called Tabenesiota who kept the true saith and was banished by Anastasius because hee would not damne the counsell of Chalcedon Magdeb. cent 6. In Antiochiae Gregorius who ministred in Antiochia 25. yeares how he adhaered to our Religion see Euagr. li. 6. c. 18. Betweene the yeares 400. and 450. Jn Rome LEo at the first a Deacon afterwards Bishop of Rome among whose constitutions there is a sharpe decree against the ambition which euen then beganne in that sea Hist Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Jn Constantinople Iohn Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople who liued in the dayes of Arcadius Honorius In whose writings we may find most part of those points wherein wee differ from the Papists confirmed As for example Atticus another Bishop of Constantinople who next saue one succeeded Chrysostome in that sea was a bitter enemie to superstition for perceauing that diuers of the people of Constantinople sorted to the Sepulchre of Sabbatius to pray to do some worship to your defunct he caused that body in the night season to be raised and to be buried in another place vnknowne to the said superstitious people that so they might leaue off their Idolatrous praying Hist Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Accatius another Bishop of Constantinople succeeded Gennadius and gouerned that sea 17. yeares In his time the Roman Church contended for superiority This Acatius resisted the fame and little regarding the pride of the Romane Bishop excommunicated Foelix and razed his name out of the roll of Bishops Histor Magd. Ibid. Jn Syria Theodoret Bishop of Cyrus a Towne in Syria liued vnder the Emperours Theodosius Valentinian Martian Among other things wherein hee agreeth with vs hee is directly against transubstantiation Theod. dial 1. c. 8. Jn Affrica Augustine Bishop of Hippo one of the most learned of all the auncient Fathers his Religion was the same with vs as may appeare in these ensuing articlâ—s about 1. The sufficiencie of Scripture lib. 2. de pec meri c. 36. lib. 2. de doct Christ 2. The Laities reading the Scripture confes lib. 6. c. 5. in Psal 33. sess 2. 3. The markes of the Church de vnitat eccl c. 2. 4. O iginall sinne enchirid ad laur c. 92. 5. Good works in Psal 102. 6. The Sacraments tract 15. in Ioh. de symbol ad catech tract 30. in Ioh. contra Adamant c. 12. tract 30. in Joh. de ciuit dei lib. 21. c. 25. 7. The authority of Bishops and Councels Ser. 2. epist 162. 8. Inuocation of Saints tract 19. in Iohn contr Faust Manich. lib. 20. See farther S. Augustines agreement with vs in the maine points of faith and doctrine in a Treatise lately set forth to this purpose entituled S. Augustines Religion wherein are proued 62. points of our and his concordance Jn France Eleutherius Bish of Lions Saluianus Bish of Marsell Hilarius first Bishop of Arles afterwards of Vienne opposed himselfe directly against Leo Bishop of Rome and would acknowledge no iurisdiction of that Sea ouer the Churches of France he came to Rome and withstood the Pope to his face Leo ad Gal. Episc epist 77. 89. Vincentius Lirinensis Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Prosper Aquitanicus Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Martinus Turonensis Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Betweene the yeeres 350. and 400. In Jtaly AMbrose Bishop of Millane whose accord with vs in the maine points of our Religion may appeare out of his writings viz. Hierome borne in Stridon a Towne of Dalmatia brought vp in learning at Rome who although hee wanted not his errours and enclined much to diuers superstitions which began about those times yet accorded in many things with vs as may appeare by his writings Jn Antiochia Flauianus against whom Damasus Syricius and Anastasius Bishops of Rome were mighty opposites who misinformed the good Emperour Theodosius against him before whom when Flauianus had appeared he freely and wisely spake to this effect O Emperour if any man blame my faith as peruerse or my life as vnworthy I am content to bee iudged by my very Aduersaries But if the Disputation be onely concerning Principalitie and eminent places I will not contend with any man but denude my selfe of all Superioritie and commit the charge of Antiochia to whom yee like best Theodor lib. 5. c.