Controuersies handled in this booke 1. Of the Popes supremacie Article 1. through out 2. Of the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Alter Article 2. chap. 1. 2. 3. Of the Sacrifice of Masse Art 2. chap. 3. 4. 5. 6. 4. Of the Popes dispensations Article 3. through out 5. Of Original sinne concupiscence Article 4. through out 6. Of merit of good workes Art 8. through out 7. Of the distinction of mortal and venial sinns Art 6. through out 8. Of the sufficiencie of the holy Scripture Art 7. cap. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. Of the difficultie of Scripture Ibid. chap. 6. 10. Of the vulgar peoples reading of scripture in vulgar tonges Ibid. c. 7. 11. Of the translating of holy Scripture into vulgar tonges Ibid. c. 8. 12. Of Traditions Art 7. chap. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Of the authority of late general counsayles ibid. chap. 13. 14. Of the oathes of Bishops Ibid. chap. 14. 15. Of the possibility of keeping Gods commandments Art 8. through out TO THE MOST HIGHE AND MIGHTIE PRINCE IAMES By the grace of God King of great Britanie France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith YF S. Paul Most Gratious Soueraigne being accused of the whole Synagog of the Iewes by their Orator Tertullus of diuers heynous crimes both against Gods and the Princes lawes found notwithstanding such equitie in the heathen President Festus as that he answered his aduersaries that it was not the Romans custome to coÌ„demne Act. 2â— any man before he haue his accusers present and place to make his answer and also such fauour at the The like reporteth Plutarch of K. Alexan. the great Act. 26. Iewish King Agrippa his hands as he both licenced him to speake for him selfe afforded him fauorable audience Much more cause haue your Maiesties Catholique Subiects being accused of the ministers by a hyred spokesman Bel to expect the like yea greater fauor equitie at your Graces handes For if the Romans though Heathens thought it iniustice to condemne any particular man at the clamors of a whole nation before his accusers were present and his defence were heard And if King Agrippa albeit He killed S. Iames and emprisoned S. Peter Act. 12. a Iew persecutor of Christians deemed it notwithstanding a Princes part to geueÌ„ audience to one accused of that Religion which he both hated and persecuted How much more wil a Christian Prince forbeare to condemne the vniuersal cause of his Catholique subiects at the slaunders and outcries of ministers one hyred Proctor before their accusers be brought face to face and they haue time and place graunted to answer for them selues wherein we shal account our selues more happy then S. Paul because we shal plead our cause not before a Iewish but a Christian King such a one as better knowerh the questions and customes of the Christians then King Agrippa did of the Iewes VVherfore seeing that of late Thomas Bel a fugitiue once from Protestants religion as he is now from Catholiques hath not only accused but also malitiously slaÌ„dered the vniuersal Catholique cause in a booke which he hath dedicated to your Maiestie termed it the Dovvnefall of Poperie and withal challengeth dareth yea adiureth in which case our B. Sauiour Matth. 26. though with danger of his life made answer al English Iesuits Seminary Priests and as he speaketh Iesuited Papists to answer him I haue presumed vpon your Gratious fauour to accept his chaleng and am ready to performe it hand to hand if your Maiestie graunt licence and in the meane time to dedicate to your Name this my confutation of his arguments and slaunders VVherin I speake not for my selfe as S. Paul did before King Agrippa but for the religion of your owne Progenitors and Predecessors for the faith of our Forefathers for the cause of al Catholiques and for the good I dare say of your Maiesties owne person kingdoms For though Bel calumniate Christian Kinges and pag. 17. Emperors with opening the window to al Antichristian tyranny and Catholiques generally with thinking p. 1. 22. Christ to be killed a thousand times a day and the like yet especially he slandereth the Popes with vsurping power proper to God and to depose Princes and dispose of their kingdomes at his pleasure therby to alienate your mind from the Sea Apostolike wherin he not onely abuseth your patieÌ„ce with telling you vntruths but greatly harmeth and endamageth your selfe and Realme by endeuoring through Vir Apostata prauo corde machinatur maluÌ„ omni tempore iurgia Seminat â—ouer c. 6. his false slanders to auert your minde from the Popes who haue bene the most ancient most assured and most beneficial frends which the Kinges Realme of England euer had VVhich thing that I may make manifest vnto your Grace I humbly beseech you geue me leaue to set downe some praticular examples of the mutual amitie kind offices benifites which haue euer bene betwixt the Popes and the Princes of this land VVherein if I be somewhat longer then men in Epistles The loue benefits of Popes to England and Kings therof S. Peter P. vse to be I hope that the varietie and profit of the matter wil make requital Not long after the Apostolike Seat was settled in Rome S. Peter the first Pope about the 63. yeare of Christ came hither as not only Gretians but Metaphrast tract de Pet. Paul apud Lippoman Cambden in descrip Britanâ—â— p. 52. And Nicephor as he saieth Protestants also confesse stayed here a long time conuerted many Nations to Christs faith erected Churches ordered Bishops and Priests and being admonished of an Angel returned from hence to Rome to suffer Martyrdome Neither was this loue to our Countrie extinguished by death but as he promised to some so he had it 2. Pet. 1. also in mind after his death and miraculously assisted it in the greatest distresses So that truly wrote S. Sergius Malmesbur lib. 1. Pont. Angl. p. 209. 1. Pope vnto our Kings of England almost a thousand yeares agoe that S. Peter was mindful of them Pope Alexander 3. to King Henry 2. â—ugubin de donat CoÌ„st that England was vnder S. Peters protection euer since Christs name was glorified there For when our country about the yeare 611. began to Apostatate from the faith of Christ and the Bishops were determined to forsake the land S. Perer appearing to Sainct Laurence Arch-bishop of Canturbury did seuerly rebuke and scourge him because he would abandon the flocke which I said S. Peter coÌ„mitted vnto thee This miracle is so certaine as some ProtestaÌ„ts confesse it though Gadvvin in the life of S. Laurence some others wil not beleue it because they haue neither seene nor put their singers into S. Laurence his wounds yet it may suffice any indifferent man that it was auouched by S. Laurence beleeued by King Edbald his people lib. 2. hist
concluded thus I vvil not gaine Bed lib. 3. c. 25. Bar. An. 664. say such a Porter as this is but as far as I knovv and am able I vvil couet in al points to obey his ordinance And in the yeare 670 he bare saith S. Bede such loue and affection lib. 4. cap. 5. to the Apostolike Sea of Rome as if he might haue eskaped his sicknes he purposed to goe to Rome and to end his life in those holie places there But what he could not through death performe the valiant Prince King Cedwalla did in the very flour K. Cedualla An. 689. of his age and prosperity For in the yeare 689. forsaking his kingdome saith S. Beda he vvent to Rome thinking it to Beda lib. 5. c. 7. be a singular glory and renovvme for him to be regenerated vvith the Sacrament of Baptisme at the Sea Apostolicke And vvithal conceaued hope that as soone as by baptisme he vvas cleansed from sinne he should depart from this vvorld to immortal ioy VVhich by Gods prouidence was perfourmed and he honourablie buried by the Pope in S. Peters Church Not long after him to wit in the year 709. two English Kings Coenred and K. Coenred and Offa. 709. Offa forsooke their kingdomes went to Rome and there became Moncks Lib. 5. cap. 10. Baron 709. Huntingt l. 4. p. 337. Malmesb 1. reg c. 6. Marian. chro VVestmonast 710. Sigeb 707. Polid. lib. 4. Fox l. 2. K. Ina. An. 726. Lib. 5. cap. 7. Baron 726. Ethelvvead l. 2. c. 13. Huntingt l. 4. p. 338. Malmefbur l. 1. Marian chron Stovv 685. Fox l. 2. VVestmon An. 727. Geneb 741. Polid lib. 4. Stovvv in Ina. continuing saith S. Beda at the Apostles tombes in praying fasting dealing almes vntil their dying day Ina al. Hun successor to K. Cedwal in his kingdome succeeded him also in his deuotion to the Sea Apostolike for after he had raigned saith S. Beda 37. years he gaue ouer his kingdome vvent him selfe to the tombs and monuments of the Apostles in Rome as in those daies many English both of the Nobility and Commons spiritual and temporal men and vvoemen vvere vvont to doe vvith great emulation Neither went he only to Rome but became there a Monke and was the first that paied the Peter pence appointing that euery householder of his kingdome who English Seminary in Rome almost 900. years agoe had thirty peny worth of Cattel of one sort should pay yearlie one penny to Rome which money was partlie for the P. partlie for the maintenance of an English schoole or Seminary which VVestmon A. 727. 794. he then built in Rome for bringing vp of English youths there in vertue and learning Not long after about the 750. yeare S. Richard K. forsooke his kingdome S. Richard K. A. 750. Sur. 7. Februar Baron 750. leauing his two sonnes in Germany with S. Boniface an Englishman the Popes Legate there went him selfe in Pilgrimage to R. but dying in the way at Luca is there honourablie buried And the yeare 775. King Offa though K. Offa. An. 775. Fox l. z. Martyr a warlike Prince gaue ouer his kingdome went to Rome and there became a Monke and imitating the example of King Ina increased the English See Malmesbur l. 2. reg c. 2. p. 38. VVestmon An. 794. Bar. 775. Polid. l. 4 Hunting l. 4. p. 342. Greg. 7. l. 8. epâ—st vlt. Baron A. 782. Seminary begun by him and imposed the like pension of Peter pence vpon his kingdome of Mercia as Charles the great about the same time imposed vpon France the like tribute to be paid to Rome The loue and affection of King Kenulph a worthie K. Kenulph An. 808. Annal. Fran. Baron 808. Malmesbur 1. Reg. c. 4. p. 30. 33. Prince and successor to King Offa appeareth by his redeeming the Popes Legate taken of Pirats in the yeare 808. and by his submissiue letter to the Pope wherin he humblie craueth his blessing as al his predecessors had desireth to be adopted for his sonne as I saith the King loue you like a father embrace you vvith al obedience And protested to be willing to spend his life for the Pope After him King Ethelwolph in the K. Ethelvvolph An. 855. VVestmon Baron 855. Ethelvverd lib. 3. cap. 3. Srovv Ingulphus yeare 855. went to Rome tooke with him his best beloued sonne Alfred for to be instructed saith westmonaster of the Pope in manners and religion where he abode a whole yeare and procured his sonne to be crowned of the Pope and adopted of him for his sonne he also notablie repaired the English Seminary Malmesb. l. 2. cap. 2. p. 38. Stovv Ann. 839. at Rome which had bene burnt a litle before and confirming guifts of K. Ina and Offa imposed Malmesbur sup Marian. 877. Platina in Leone 4. the pension of Peter pence vpon al England which was afterward paid vntil the later end of K Henry 8. About the same time King Burdred leauing K. Burdred Ethelvvead l. 4. c. 3. Malmesb l. 1. c. 4. p. 33. Ingulph Stovv 875. K. Ganute a Dane 1032. Malmesb. l. 2. cap. 1. Ingulph Polid l 7. Huntingt lib 6. Stovv in Canute Marian A. 1033. his kingdome went to Rome and was there buried in the English schoole Neither would King Canute though a Dane be found vngrateful to the Sea Apost but went to Rome in the yeare 1032. confirmed the payment of the Peter pence gaue great guifts of golde siluer and pretious things to S. Peter obtayned of Pope Iohn immunity for the English Seminary And finally K. Edward Conf the last but K. Eduard Conf. An. 1056. Ealted in vit eius one of the Saxon bloud would haue gone to Rome in Pilgrimage had not his people vpon feare of the Danes inuasion hindred him yet sent he Embassadors to the Pope with great presents and confirmed al the dueties customes belonging to him in England And thus continewed the English Kings al the time of their raigne in singular affection and deuotion to The loue benefits of the NormaÌ„ Kings the Sea Apostolicke To whom as the Norman Princes succeeded so they followed them in their piety and religion For beside that they paid the Peeter pence in particular K. william Conqueror hauing K. VV. Conqueror An. 1066. Stovv in Herald subdued England and slaine K. Herald in the yeare 1066. sent straight his standard to the Pope as to his peculiar K. Henry 1. Malmesb. l. 1. Pont. p. 226. friend And K. Henry 1. professed by his Embassadour to P. Paschal 2. that England was a peculiar prouince of the Church of Rome and paid vnto her yearlie tribute King Henry 2. about the yeare K. Henry 2. An. 1180. Genebr in chron 1180. 1180. together with Lewis King of France ledde P. Alexanders horse and with great pompe conducted him K. Richard 1. Polid. lib. 14. Genebr 118. Stovv through
impossible Wherefore what some say that Clergie men be exempted from the power of Princes is not to be vnderstood vniuersally but of their coactiue power which they haue to punishe the laity And of late Bilson Superintendent of Winton confessed to certeine Catholiques if I be not misinformed that the King is but a ceremonial head that is either a head onely for fasshion sake or onely in matters of ceremonies not in al ecclesiastical causes And albeit they subscribe Supplicat to the King in April 1603. to the supremacie yet perhaps they doe that onely in respect of time as a thousand ministers testifie that diuerse of them did to the communion booke some vpon protestation some vpon exposition some with condicion albeit it conteyned as they say enormities and abuses not agreable to Scriptures rather forsooth then the Church should be depriued of their labours but in deede rather then they shoulde be depriued of the Churches lyuings 3. The true difference therfore betwixt Catholiques and English Protestants if these durst vtter their mindes as strangers doe would not be whether the Prince or Pope but whether the Pope or ministers ought to be head of the Church wherein I appeale to any indifferent mans iudgement whether be more agreable to Gods word that the successour of S. Peter vpon Matth. 16. Ioan. 21. whome Christ built his church and committed his sheepe vnto should be head of the Church or they who are successours to none but beginners of them selues who as S. Ciprian writeth no man creating them Cyprian lib. de simpl praelat Bishopes made them selues Bishopes And wether be more secure to Princes that he should be accounted head of Gods Church Constant in edicto Constant 5. Phocas Iustinian C. de summa Trinit l. vlt. Valentinianus epist ad Theodosisi See cap. 6. parag 6. 7. Conference p. 79. 4. and 20. whom the whole Christian world hath euer acknowledged for such and vnder Whome the mightiest Monarches haue and doe liue as securely as any Protestant Prince whatsoeuer or they who if they were permitted would erect such a Presbitrie as agreeth with a Monarchy no better then the diuel with God who haue kept Kings without state and honor c. and of whom some beardles boies haue braued Kings to their faces and excommunicated them when they came within ther parish CHAP. III. The opinion of Protestants touching deposition of Princes LIKWISE touching the deposition Germany Luther See Surius An. 1525. ProdromuÌ„ Staphil p. 75. of Princes Luther as Sleidan testifieth wrote to Princes That subiects neither cold nor would nor ought any longer to suffer ther gouerment And benig asked his opinion touching the league of Protestans against their Emperor Charles 5. answered Because at this time so Sleidon l. 8. Sur. An. 1531. doubtful perilous many things may hapen that not only right it selfe but necessity of consience may reach vs weapons we may make league for defence whither the Emperor him selfe or any other make war And a litle before his death said VVho Sur. An. 1546. taks not armes whils he may vseth not things giuen him by God And the Protestant Princes in their rebellion against the Emperor set forh Proclamation wherein they write Because the Emperor endeauoreth to dostroy religion Sleidon l. â—â— liberty he giueth vs cause to assaile him with good conscience And againe we renounce ô Emperor lib. 17. the faith and duty vvherwith vve are bound vnto thee This did German Protestants 2. In Swiserland Zwinglius teacheth vs. Svviserland Zvvingl to 1. art 42. That vvhen the King shal deale perfidiously and beside the rule of Christ he may in Gods name be deposed Againe VVhiles naughty Kings are not deposed the vvhole people is punished of God And as for the Protestants of Sweueland their opinion SvveuelaÌ„d is manifest by their excluding the Catholique King of PolaÌ„d from succeding his Mercur. Gallobelg An. 1603. Holland late father And the Holandish Protestants wholy or cheefly defend their long rebellion against their Prince by coolor of religion France Caluin in epist ante lib. institut 3. In France Caluin their Arch-maister teacheth that who reigneth not to serue Gods glory ruleth not but playeth the theefe And in an other place Earthly Princes depose them In cap. 6. Daniel selues whyls they rise against God yea are vnworthy to be accounted men And his scholer Beza accounteth them Martyrs who dyed Beza in Praefat Bibl. 1564. Pantaleon Responsum trium ordinum BurguÌ„diae 1563. Michael Fabritius ep de Beza fal 62. Goodly Canons of Ministers Protestants svvorne to rebel depose Princes in batel against their King for religion and at Cabilon in France 20. Ministers in a Synod decreed to distroy the Church Nobility Magistrats And againe at Berna 1572. set forth Canons of this matter and decreed Can. 3. That in euery City al swore that they their posterity shal obserue firme and inuiolated the points following Can. 40. Vntil it shal please God in whose hands are the harts of Kings to change the hart of the French tyrant and restore the state of the Kingdome to better order raise vp some neighbor Prince whom we may know by his vertue notable marks to be the deliuerer of this miserable people in the meane tyme euery Citty shal choose a maior to gouerne them as wel in warre as peace Can. 40. Let al the Captains leaders haue this axiome as an vndoubted and most certain Oracle neuer to trust to them the King and his who so often and so notoriously haue broken their promise the publike peace and quietnes Nor euer let them lay downe weapons as long as they shal see them persecute the doctrin of saluation and the disciples of the same Item But if the euil be incurable if Gods wil be to roote them natural Princes out then if it please God to raise some Christian Prince to take reuenge of their sinnes and deliuer his people let them subiect them selues to that Prince as to an other Cyrus sent to them from God In the meane space let them gouerne them selues by these rules which we haue prescribed vnto them as laws Behould the verdit of French ministers assembled in Councel O if such rules had bene made in Seminaries what traitors and rebels had the authors bene What exclamations would Bel and his fellow ministers haue made against them 4. In Scotland Knox vttereth his and Scotland his fellow ministers mind herein in his appellation to the nobility people of Scotland Knox. p 36. That I may say bouldly the nobility gouerners iudges and people of England ought not Protestants bond to kil Princes by Knox. only to resist and withstand Mary Iezabel whom they cal their Queene but also put to death her her Priests and al others that ayded her as soone as openly they began to suppresse Christs Gospel And he setteth
downe titles of books which he would after publish whereof the p 78. third is this If the people haue rashly preferred one manifestly wicked or ignoraÌ„tly chosen such a one who afterward sheweth him selfe vnworthy of gouernment ouer Christian people for such are al Idolaters and cruel persecutors the same people may most iustly depose and punish him 5. Finally in England if we had asked England our ministers of what minde they were while the Septer and sword was in Catholique hands Goodman in his booke intituled Goodman c. 9. p. 118. how we ought to obey superior Magistrats telleth vs But if they Prince Magistrats do boldly transgresse Gods lawes and See Couel of Church gouernment cap. 4 p. 35. hovv this doctrin vas Caluins the learne lâ—st Protestants of that tyme. c. 13. p. 180. 181. 184. command the same to others then haue they lost that honor and obedience which otherwise subiects were bound to giue them nor are hereafter to be accounted Magistrats but to be punished as priuat men But who must punish them he answereth the common people If the Prince and al Magistrats do resist Gods law you people haue expresse testimony of Gods vvord for your part and God him selfe wil be your Captaine leader vvho commandeth not only Peers and Magistrats to take euery euil from them selues whither idolatry blasphemy or open iniury but requireth this of the whole multitude to vvhome the svvord of iustice is in part committed VVherfore if al Magistrats together vvil despise iustice and Gods lavves it is your part o coÌ„mon people to defend and conserue them vvith as much violence and strife as you can against Magistrats and al others For this God requireth of you Exod 17. this burden lieth vpon the vvhole people to punish euery idolater vvhatsoeuer none is excepted vvhither Princes must be haÌ„ged according to Goodman King Queene or Emperor And a litle after That fact is recounted number 25 it is a perpetual example for al eternity and a certayne and sure denouncement to the people that in like reuoult from the vvorship of God they do carry to the gallous and hang their gouernors vvho lead them from God 6. And in particular touching Wyats rebellion l. 14 p. 203. he saith None but Papists can accuse VVyat of treason or disobedieÌ„ce it vvas the duty of Protestants duty to rebel according to Goodman VVyat al others that amongst you professe Cbrists Gospel to take in hand that vvarre and they vvere true traytors vvho ether kept not promise to him or ayded not his part O most noble VVyat thou novv liuest vvith God and these noble men vvho dyed vvith thee in that cause Yea noble men and Counsellers Traiters vvho do not rebel according to Goodman did not you condemne your selues as manifest and base minded traytors not only to VVyat but euen to God him selfe O Gospellers is this the loue of Gods vvord you pretend haue you so learned the Gospel 7. And albeit ministers hauing now gotten the Prince on their side do in words coÌ„demne Goodman yet that their minde abhorreth not from this opinion may appeare by the partial vertue and seditions notes to much fauoringe of dangerous and trayterous conceipts Conference p. 47. as of allovving disobedience to Kings and taxing Asa for deposing his mother and not killing her which his Majesty obserued in their English Bybles And thus I hope the Reader seeth that Bel had litle cause to charge Papists alone with deposition of Princes but much better wil he see it if we compare Papists and Protestants opinions herein together 8. Catholiques say Kings may be deposed Knox Good man sup Protestants say they may be deposed and hanged Catholiques say it should be done after due tyme and admonition giuen the Lateran Councel prescribeth a years Lateran â—3 c. 3. de Haerâ— Knox sup respit Proetstants say so soone as they begin to suppresse Christs Gospel Catholikes say it must be done by the Pope the Kings spiritual Pastor and Father who as a Father louingly and as a Prince aduisedly and as a stranger dispassionatly wil proceed in so weighty a matter Protestants say it may Goodman sup be done by coÌ„mon people the Kings owne subiects who as common people rashly and headely and as subiects insolently and passionatly are like to behaue them selues in controuling and correcting their Princeâ— as the lamentable examples herefter touched can testify Besides what Catholiques say of Kings the same they say of the Pope that he may as wel be deposed for heresy or infidelity as Princes and what they say vnder Note this in differency of Catholiques and partiality of Protestants an heretical Prince they defend vnder a Catholique Whereas Protestants change their tune according as the Prince fauoreth or disfauoreth their religion Now let vs see the practise of Protestants CHAP. IIII. The practise of Protestants touching deposition of Princes CONFORMABLE to their doctrin haue bene the practises of Protestants For in Germany vnder pretence of religion Germany first the common people being Protestants Sleidon l. 4. 17. 19. Sur An 1522. 1525. rose against the nobles in which insurrection there were an hundred thousand of the common people slayne many castles and towares spoyled and burnt And soone Sur An 1530. 1534. after the nobles rose against their Emperor gathered an army of eighty thousand foote Apud Sleid. Et sur 1526. ten thousand horse and 130. feeld peces And George Duke of Saxony wrote to Luther that there was neuer more rebellions against Magistrats then through his Gospel Erasmus l. 3. de lib arbit And Erasmus a holy Confessor in Foxes calender giueth this testimony of them Many disciples of Luther are so vnapt to publike quiet as the Turk is said to detest the name of Luthereans for sedition Testimonium hoc verum est 2. In Swiserland Zwinglius togeather Svviserland Sur. An 1531. with Protestantisme sowed sedition and brought his country to three pitcht battels in one moneth and was him selfe slayne in one of them In Denmark Protestantisme Denmark was no sooner settled then the Commons Staphil apol art 3. rose against the nobles the nobles against their King whom they deposed and after Sur. An. 1532. long banishment cast into prison whereas it is reported they poysned him In Sweuland Svveuland Mercur. Gallobelg An. 1603. the Protestants haue lately excluded their natural lawful and crowned Prince the present King of Pole-land and chosen his vncle In Flanders they elected Francis Holland Duke of Alanson for their Prince and haue depriued two of their lawful Princes from a great part of the Low countries made warre against them almost 40. yeares 3. In France Protestants haue rebelled France against three of their natural and anoynted Kings Francis 2 Charles 9. Henry 3. they Genebrard chron Sur. An. 1563. Furores Gallici
Michael Fabritius in epist de Beza tooke by treason or force many of their cheefest cities Roane Orleans Lyons and others made league with the enimies of France and giuen townes into their hands they haue leuied great armies of subiects brought in great bands of Strangers and fought foure mayne battels against their King they deposed their King and chose an other and coyned money in his name with title of the first Christian King of France They Sur. An 1560. opened the tombs of two of their Kings burnt their bones They conspired to murder the King two Queenes his wife and his mother with his brethren nobility and had executed their designments if they had not bene preuented by their massacre They slew the King of Nauar Father to the Fabritius sup fol. 61. 66. French King now regnant And their horrible outrages in al kinde of dishonesties cruâ—â—ties and Sacrileges are vnspeakable 4. In Scotland the Protestants first took Scotland arme against the Queene dawager Grand Sur. An. 1560. mother to his Majesty then regent of Scotland and by their rebellions and tumults hastened her death which his Majesty great Conference p. 81. ly lamented in the conference Likwise after infinit indignities and perils they driue Queene Mary of blessed memory his Majesties Mother their natural and lawful Prince oâ—â— of her kingdome and country forced her to surrender her crowne and Scepter to a bastard murthered her husband his Maiestes Father and therof infamed her wrongfully as was proued at her iudgment in England had murdred both her selfe and his Maiestie then in her womb if a charged pistole put to her womb would haue giuen fyer And at last by Protestants she was put to death against law of nations And his Maiesty coÌ„fesseth of him selfe that in Scotland he vvas a King vvithout state vvithout Conser p. 4. and 20. honor vvithout order vvhere beardles boyes vvould braue him to his face and keept for the most part as a vvard And in what present danger he was of being murdered by the Protestant Earle Gowry and his brethren no man is ignorant And otherwhere gratiously acknowlegeth Basilicon doron That he found none more faithfil to him selfe then such as had bene faithful to his mother who were Papists and them he foâ—nd faithles to him selfe vvho had bene such to his mother and an honorable person yet liuinâ— and Q. Elizab. vvoords confidence of Catholiks worthy of credit and hard it can testify that Queene Eelizabeth did oftenâ—ymes say to my Lord MouÌ„tague a famous Catholique of worthy memory That if she â—el into danger she vvould sooner put her life into his hands and others of his profession theâ— of any other subiect she had And if Queene Elizabeth though she were far more seuere towards her Catholique subiects thâ—n al Protestant Princes together haue hiâ—erto bene towards theirs did neuertheles put more affiance and trust in them euen after she had bene deposed of the Pope then in any Protestant what assurance may that Prince His Maiesties speech to the Parlament 19 Mart. 1603. England haue of the loyalty and fidelity of Catholiques who hath vsed great lenity towards them and nether is nor like to be deposed of the Pope 5. Finally in England Protestants rebelled twise that in one yeare against their Queene Mary once vnder the conduct of the Dukes of Northumberland Suffolk erecting a false Queene so excluding as much as lay in them the Succession of his Maiesty And againe vnder wyat and at both times she was defended by Catholiks The things I rather touch then relate because they are fresh in memory of many or to be found in many histories 6. Now let vs compare the practise of Protestants and Catholiques practise compared 1 Carolus 5. 2 Francis 2. 3 Carolus 9. 4 Henricus 3. 5 Philippus 2. 6 Philippus 3. 7 Christiernus 8 Sigismundus 9 Maria Ang. 10 Maria Scot. Protestants touching the deposition of Princes with the practise of the Pope since the tyme that Protestants began They haue within this 70. yeares partely deposed partly attempted as far as lay in thir power one Emperor three French Kings two Kings of Spaine one of Denmarke one of Pole-land one Queene of England and one of Scotland They haue slayne one King of Nauar one of Denmarke one Queene of Scotland one Queenes husband and burnt the bodies of two other Kings atteÌ„pted to murder one French King two French Queenes one King of Scotland Whereas the Popes neuer slew any Prince at al but haue saued the liues kingdomes of many since ProtestaÌ„ts began haue deposed one onely King Henry 8. and one Queene Elizabeth and spared both King Edward the 6 many Kings of DeÌ„mark Sweâ—land besids a great number of German Princes And his Maiestie is so far from danger of being deposed by him as he hath already censueed See D. Giffords commission and Mons Bethunes letters Proclamation 22. Februar anno 1. Note this al those that moleste or disturbe his maiesty and his maiesty gratefully acknowledgeth him selfe beholden to the Pope for his temporal cariage and diuers kind offices towards him euen then when ther was lesse cause of such kindnes then now is Yea which is a point worthy of consideration Neuer did any Pope depose any King or Prince merely for not professing the Catholique religion if he had not before embraced it If any obiect that the Pope hath beside King Henry and Queene Elizabeth deposed the present French King I answer that it was before he had the Crowne of France and was onely titulo tenus King of Nauar besids that the Pope vpon his amendment hath both restored him to his dignity and shewed him many great and extraordinary fouors And thus much of Bels dissembling the opinion and practise of Protestants touching the Supremacy or deposition of Princes Now let vs come to his proofs of his Assumption CHAP. V. Bells proofes of his Assumption answered BELLS proofs of his Assumption I might let passe as nothing pertayning to vs seeing we teach no such doctrin as he therin affirmeth to be false Neuertheles because the Reader may iudge whither he be a more fond disputor or false reportor I wil set them downe and answer them seuerally His first proofe is out of their famous Bel p. 2. saith he Pope Gregory the great lib 2. epist 61. where writing to the Emperor Mauritius he calleth him Soueraigne Lord and professeth him selfe subiect to his command and to owe him obedience Whereupon Bel inferreth that for 600. years after Christ Popes liued vnder Emperors in al dutiful obedience that is as he vnderstandeth in al causes Ecclesiastical and ciuil 2. Marke good Reader how many and how grosse errors he committeth in this one silly proofe First he sheweth smal skil in chusing Authors for his purpose because none make more against him in this matter then S. Gregory For he
had once deceaued you in a mony matter you wold beware how you trusted them again and wil you beleeue them stil they hauing by their owne confession hitherto deceaued you both in your Church seruice Bible commending the one to you as diuine seruice and the other as Gods pure word and now condemning them both Open your eyes for the passion of Christ and seeing publike conference wil not be graunted where we might lay open vnto you the deceits of your Ministers help your selfs as wel as you may read with indifferency such books as are written for this purpose make earnest intercession to God to see the truth grace to follow it when you haue found it which God of his goodnes graunt Farewel 2. Februar 1605. Thy seruant in Christe IESV S. R. A TABLE OF THE ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS ARTICLE I. Of the Popes Superiority BELS argument against the Popes superiority answered diuers his vntruths and dissimulations therin discouered Chapt. 1. The opinion of Protestants touching Princes supremacy set down Chapt. 2. The opinion of Protestants touching deposition of Princes Chapt. 3. The practise of Protestants touching deposition of Princes Chapt. 4. Bels proofes of his assumption against the Popes superiority answered Chapt. 5. Bels answer to an argument of Catholiks for the Popes superiority confuted Chap. 6. Some of Bels slaunderous vntruths disproued Chapt. 7. Certain fals steps of a ladder which Bel imagineth the Pope had to clime to his superiority disproued Chapt. 8. The rest of Bels fals steps and slaunderous vntruths in this article disproued Chap. 9. ARTICLE 2. Of the Masse Bels reason against the real presence of Christ in the B. Sacrament answered his vntruth and dissimulation therin discouered Chapt. 1. Authorities alleadged by Bel against the real presence answered Chapt. 2. Masse proued Bels argumēt against it answered his manifold vntruths therin disproued Chap. 3. The rest of Bels arguments against the Masse confuted Chap. 4. Berengarius his recantation explicated and S. Austins authority answered Chap. 5. Bels imaginary contradictions in the Masse answered and true contradictions in his communion shewed Chap. 6. ARTICLE III. Of the Popes Dispensations Chapt. 1.  ARTICLE IIII. Of original concupiscence in the regenerate The Catholike doctrin touching concupiscence explicated and proued Chap. 1. Diuers vntruths of Bel disproued his arguments out of S. Paul against the doctrin of the former Chapter answered Chap. 2. Bels arguments out of S. Austin touching concupiscence answered Chap. 3. Bels arguments out of S. Ambros S. Bede S. Thomas touching concupiscence answered Chap. 4. ARTICLE V. Of the merit of good vvorks Of the Protestanis enmity to good works and frendship with euil Chap. 1. Of Bels positions touching good works Chap. 2. The Catholiks doctrin touching merit particulerly set downe and proued Chapt. 3. Bels arguments out of Scripture against condigne merit answered Chap. 4. Bels arguments out of holy Fathers against condigne merit answered Chap. 5. Bels arguments out of late Catholik writers against condigne merit answered Chap. 6. ARTICLE VI. Of the distinction of mortal and venial sins The true distinction proued and Bels obiection answered Chapt. 1. A text of S. Ihon epist 1. explicated Chap. 2. ARTICLE VII The Catholike doctrin touching sufficiency of Scripture propounded proued certaine vntruths of Bel disproued Chap. 1. Bels arguments out of the old testamēt concerning the sufficiency of Scripture answered Chap. 2. Bels arguments out of the new testament touching sufficiency of Scripture answered Chap. 3. Bels arguments out of Fathers touching sufficiency of Scripturs and Traditions answered Chap. 4. Bels arguments out of late Catholik writers touching sufficiency of Traditions and Scripture answered Chap. 5. Of the difficulty or easynes of Scripture Chap. 6. Of the vulgar peoples reading Scripture Chap. 7. Of the translation of Scripture into vulgar tongs Chap. 8. Of Apostolical Traditions whether ther be any or none Chap. 9. Of the certainty of Apostolical Traditiōs Chap. 10. Of the examination of Traditions Chap. 11. Bels arguments out of Fathers about the examination of Traditions answered Chap. 12. Of the authority of late general Coūcels Chap. 13. Of the oath which Bishops vse to make vnto the Pope Chapt. 14. ARTICLE VIII Of keeping Gods commandements The possibility of keeping Gods commandements explicated and proued out of Scripture Chap. 1. The possibility of keeping Gods commandements proued out of Fathers and reason Chap. 2. Bels arguments out of Scripture against the possibility of keeping Gods commandements answered Chapt. 3. Bels arguments out of Fathers against the possibility of keeping Gods commandements answered Chapt. 4. THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE POPES SVPERIORITY CHAPT I. Bels arguments against the Popes Superiority ansvvered diuers his vntruthes and dissimulations therin discouered BEL like a man in great choler and very desirous to encounter with his enemie beginneth his chalenge very abruptly hastily yet not forgetting his scholerschip or ministerie he geueth the onset with a syllogisme ful charged with vntruthes dissimulacions You Papistes saith 3. Vntruthes 2. dissimulations he tel vs that the Pope is aboue al powers and potentates on earth that he can depose Kinges Emperours from their royal thrones and translate their empires and regalities at his good wil and pleasure But this doctrin is false absurde nothing else but a mere fable And conseqently Romish Religion consisteth of meere falsehoods fables flat leasinges 2. Not without cause gentle Reader hath Bel proposed these bloudy questions of the Popes supremacie and deposition of Princes in his first article and placed them in the forefront of his battel for he hopeth that they wil be his best bulwarke and surest defense in the combate that in such lystes he shal not fight alone but assisted with the Princes sworde wherein he dealeth with Catholiques as Puritanes which Conference at Hampton Court pag. 82. 83. his Maiesty prudently obserueth doe vvith protestants vvho because they could not othervvise make their partes good against protestants appeale to his supremacie And as the old Arians Ambr. epist 32. victor lib. 1. de preste◠vandol did who euermore accused the Catholiques as iniurious to the Prince which they al learne of the Iewes who being vnable to disprooue Christs doctrine endeuoured to bring him into the compasse of treason and Matth. 22. v. 17. at last procured his death as enemy to Cesar Wherfore ymitating the example of our Sauiour when the like question was propounded to seeke his bloud I answere Bel briefelie That what is Cesars we ought to Luc. 20. v. 25. geue to Cesar and what is Gods to God and what is Gods Vicars to Gods Vicar Onely because Bel in his said syllogisme chargeth Catholiques most falsely withal dissembleth the opinion of protestantes touching the supremacie and deposition of Princes I wil disproue his vntruthes and discouer his dissimulations and afterward compare the opinion and practise of Protestants Catholiques touching this matter
auoucheth That ordinarily he can not depose Princes euen for iust causes 7. But let vs heare Bel disproue him self Anatomy of Popish tyrany in the Caueat to the Reader and lib. 2. cap. 4. §. 10. c. 9. 1. Contradiction Secular Priests saith he write plainly and resolutly that the Pope hath no power to depriue Kings of their royal Scepters and regalities nor to giue away their Kingdomes to an other In which opiniō likewise the French Papists do concurre iump with them Item The Seculars although they acknowledge the Popes power supereminent in Spiritualibus yet do they disclaime from it in temporalibus when he taketh vpon him to depose Kinges from their empires and translate their Kingdomes And least we should thinke these few Priests who wrote so were no Papists Bel him self testifieth that they are the Popes deare Vassals and professe the selfe same religion with Epistle to the King other Catholiques 8. The third vntruth conteined in the proposition is that we teach the doctrine of his proposition as a pointe of our faith wherevpon he inferreth in his conclusion our religion and faith to be false Because we teach no such doctrine at al and much lesse as a point of our religion or faith And the grauest best learned amongst Catholiques attribute to rhe Pope onely spiritual superiority ouer Princes and power to depose them in that case wherin our Sauiour said Math. 18. that it were better for a man to be cast into the sea then to liue to wit when they so scandalize others as their deposition is necessary for the saluation of soules as I haue already shewed out af Bellarmin Bel. parag 29. whose testimony in this matter Bel can not refuse seing he calleth him the mouth of Papists and auoucheth his doctrin to be the Popes owne doctrin And this doctrin good Christiā Princes account no more preiudicial or iniurious to their estates then they do the like doctrin of S. Paul 2. Cor. 10. where he professeth him self to haue power to destroy al loftines extolling it self against the knowledge of God to be ready to punish al disobedience 9. Wherfore to requite Bel with a syllogisme like vnto his owne I argue thus you Bel tel vs that we Papists saie the Pope is aboue al powers and potentates on earth that he can depose Kings and Emperours and translate their empiers at his good wil and pleasure But this your tale is a very tale false absurd and nothing else but a mere fable and consequently your late chalenge consisteth of mere falsehoods fables flat leasings The proposition is your owne wordes the truth of the assumption appeereth by my answer to your argument And thus much touching Bels vntruthes vttered in his proposition and proofe therof now let vs come to his dissemblinge CHAP. II. The opinion of protestants touching Princes Supremacie set dovvne LVTHER an Euangelist as he termeth him selfe or as other accompte him Luther lib. cont stat eccles in prologo in glossa cont decreta Caesar Ex Sur. An. 1531. 1539. Pope of Recusamy p. 31. 32. Magdeburg praefat Centur 7. Caluin in c. 7. Amos. an Apostle a prophet a third Elias a beginner of protestantisme in his booke of secular power condemneth those Princes who prescribe laws to their subiects in matter belonging to faith and the Church Magdeburgians his first and cheefest childeren write thus Let not Magistrats be heads of the Church because this Supremacy agreeth not to them Caluin saith they were blasphemers who attributed the supremacy to King Henry 8. And lest we shold think that only forayne Protestāts are of this opinion Antony Gilby in his admonition to England and Scotland Gilby calleth King Henry a monstrous bore for taking the supremacy that he displaced Christ was no better then the Romish Antichrist made him selfe a God And lately VVillet cōtract 791. part 1. and 3. p. 269. 270. Willet auoucheth That Bishops and Pastors haue a spiritual charge ouer Kings that Kings ought to yeeld obedience to those that haue ouersight of their soules That Heathen Princes had the same power and authority in the Church which Christian Princes haue and yet soone after affirmeth That heathen Princes cold not be heads of the Church that is to haue the Souereingty of external gouernment Againe That the King is nether mistical nor ministerial head of the Church that the name of head is vnproperly giuen to the Prince and if any think it to great Kings not so much is ministerial heads of the Church by vvillet a name for any mortal man we wil not saith he greatly contend about it So we see he denyeth both name and authority of the head of the Church to Kings 2. And his Maiesty perceaued that Reanolds and his fellows aymed at a Scottish Presbitry which agreeth with a Monarch Conference p. 82 83. as wel as God and the diuel page 79. and acknowledged his supremacy only to make their partes good with Bishops as Knox his fellow ministers in Scotland made his grandmother head of the Church therby to pul downe the Catholique Bishops Yea that the whole English Clergy is in their harts of the same opiniō appeareth by their open profession to agree in religion with forayne Protestants who plainly deny the supremicy of Princes by their writing and Apologia pag. 28. teaching that Christ alone can behead of the Church by their condemning Catholiques for attributing such authority to man and finally by their Synodical explication of the article of supremacy which they expound thus That Princes should rule al estates Lib. 39. Artic. art 37. and degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or temporal and restrayne with the ciuil sword the stubborne and euil doers wherein we see no power in Ecclesiastical causes granted to Princes but only ouer Ecclesiastical persons And we deny not that Princes haue any power ouer Ecclesiastical persons yea in the very canon of the Masse as priests pray for Papa nostro N. and Antistite nostro N. for our Pope and Byshop so they pray for Rege nostro N. acknowledging the one to be their King as the others to be their Prelates and consequently both to haue power ouer them For as S. Augustin said and it is euident Rex à Augustin in Psalm 44. 67. regendo dicitur a King is so called of power to gouerne And as ecclesiastical persons be ciuil or politique members of the common wealth wherein they liue so haue they See Stapelton relectione Controuersiae 2. q. 1. a. 1. ad 2. Victoria relectione de potesta ecclesiastica sect 7. the same politique or ciuil head which that commonwealth hath for otherwise either ciuil members should haue no ciuil head at al which were monstrous or not be vnder the head of that body whereof they be members but onely vnder a ciuil head of an other body which is
confirmed the elected touching the apointing of electors is confessed by Bel pag. 14. and touching the confirmation is contested by many histriographers and practized by as many as are crowned Emperors The last parte vz that Emperors haue acknowledged the Popes superiority Bel him self confesseth page 17. where he sayth That some Cbristian Kings and Emperors haue vpon a blynd Zeale humbled them selues to the Pope yea which is more haue yeldeed vp their soueraigne rights to him And shal not the Pope be superior to them who haue humbled them selues yeelded their soueraingties vnto him 5. But what shift hath Bel to auoide this pag. 17. O dolor fraudata sunt tali magisterio tempora antiqua August lib. 1. cont Gaudens c. 19. forsooth that those Christian Princes were blynd O most blynd answerer not seing that he graunteth more then his aduersary requireth Catholiques argue that Kings and Emperors haue acknowledged Popes their superiors this Bel graunteth in confessing their humiliation to Popes which is neuer done but to Superiors and addeth that they haue yeelded vp their Souereigne rights which is more then the obiection contayneth And what he addeth of blynd zeale maketh nothing to the purpose Because the question is not vpon what cause Kings and Emperors humbled them selues to the Popes but whither they did or no. And because they haue so done as Bel confesseth Catholiques infer the Pope to be their Superior Vnles perhaps Bel think blynd zeale to disanul euery fact or gift and so say the Iewes persecuted not the Church because they did it vpon blynd zeale Ro. 10. v. 2. nor our Catholike auÌ„cetors gaue any liuings to Churches because they did it vpon blynd zeale as Bel must think for maintenance of Papistry Neuertheles because the Reader may see whither is more likly to be blind a dooble turne coate Minister or so many Princes as haue humbled them selues to Popes I wil name onely a few Emperors omitting for breuity sake both Christian Kings and the Cassiodor Miscell vid. Baron anno 452. Euseb lib. 6. c. 25. Nicephor lib. 13. c. 34. Bel p. 1â—3 EdictuÌ„ Constantini heathen Attilas miraculously made to reuerence Pope Leo. 6. Philippe the first Christian Emperor about the yeare 246. reuerenced Pope Fabian Constantin worthely faith Bel syrnamed the great held the stirrop to Pope Siluester about the yeare 323. Soone after in S. Ambr. de dignit sacerd c. 2. Chrisosto hom 4. 5. in illud Isaiae vidi Dominum The lâ—ke S. Hilary l. cont Constant Gelas 1. ep ad Anastas S. Greg. in 4. Psal paenit Baron anno 536. ex Anastas Miscell zonora Naucler General 18. Platina in CoÌ„stantino Naucler general 24. Concil Florent per Iouerium Platina in Adrian 1. Naucler general 26. Centur. 8. c. 10. col 724. Platida in Stephan 4. Naucler general 28. Platina in Nicolao 1. Platâ—na in Gregor 7. Naucler general 36. S. Ambrose and S. Chrisostomes tyme as them selues witnes Emperors bowed their necks euen to Priests knees and layd their heads vnder their hands the same testifieth Pope Gelasius of Anastase Emperor of his tyme and S. Gregory of Emperors before his tyme. Iustin about the yeare 525. humbled him self to the ground to Pope Ihon 1. Iustinian 534. humbled him self to Pope Agapet and worshiped him Iustinian the second about the yeare 710. kissed the feet of Pope Constantin Ihon Paleologus wold haue kneeled to Pope Eugenius 4. in the yeare 1438. And thus did the Emperors of the East 7. Of the western Emperors Charles the great about the yeare 773. cold not be held by Pope Adrian I. from kissing his feete Lewis his sone sent the honorablest of his court to meet Pope Steuen 4. him self went a myle and as soone as he saw him lighting from his horse with great veneration brought him into the city in the yeare 817. Lewis 2. went a myle to meet Pope Nicolas 1. and putting his hand to his horses bâ—ydle brought him into his Camp about the year 860 Henry 3. 1077. baresooted in the depth of winter attended vpon Gregory 7 Henry 4. IIII. kissed the feet of Pope Pascal 2. Frederick 1. about the year 1155. held the stirrop to Pope Adrian 4. and Platina in Pascali 2. Naucler general 38. Platin. in Adrian 4. Alexand 3. Naucler gener 40. Onuphrius in chron Plat. in IoaÌ„ â—2 Naucler general 48. Surius in coÌ„mentar 1177. kissed the feere of Pope Alexander 3. Sigismund 1418. prostrate on the ground with most great veneration kissed the feete of Pope Martin 5. Charles the 5. 1530. 1538. kissed the feete of P. P. Clement 7. Paul 3. and wold haue held the stirrop of Pope Clement 7. of al these Christian Emperors it is recorded in publik histories how they humbled them selues to Popes and of no Catholique Christian Emperor is written that he refused to do the like 8. Let now any indifferent Reader be iudge whither the Pope haue reason to think him self to be Superior to Christian Emperors seing so many and they the most wise most valiant and most famous of al euen the very first and last of them haue acknowledged him their Superior And whither it be likly that Bel shold see and al these Christian Emperors together with their Counsellors Nobles Prelats Diuins Commons be blind yea so blind as they shold not see that their humiliation to the Pope opened the window sayth Bel p. 17. to al Antichristian tyrany 9. Vsual it is for Heretiks to condemne See S. Austin lib. 2. cont Iul. c. 10. to 7. not onely former Catholiques but euen Heritiks of blindnes if they disagree from them So the Caluinist condemneth the Lutherian the Puritan saith the same of the Protestant the Brounist of the Puritan And King Edward sixtimes coÌ„demned K. Henries religion of blindnes and those found the like measure in Queene Elizabeths Petition exhibited to his Maiesty in April 1603. time and she had fared a like if more then a thousand ministers who condemne her proceding of Enormities Superstitions and abuses contrary to Scripture had obtayned their petition But of them al we may say as Tertullian said of Heritiks in his time Tertull. lib. de praescrip To these alone and to these first was the truth reuealed forsooth they obtayned greater fauor and fuller grace of the diuil For light they haue but 2. Cor. 11. v. 14. Conference p. 71. such as cometh from him who transfigureth him selfe into an angel of light and brag of it til as the Kings maiesty said of the Scottish ministers they goe made with their owne light And thus much of the Catholiques obiection and Bels answer therto Now let vs come to his sleunderous vntruthes CHAP. VII Some of Bels slaunderous vntruthes disproued BEL perceauing that the slightnes of his forsaid answer would haue easely appeared if it had bene set down immediatly after the Catholiques obiection without dazeling the Readers eyes before with some other matter though best
to haue celestial arbitremēt what wil he say to S. Chrisostome Chrisosto hom 5. in illud Esaiae vidi Dominum homil 4. item hom 60. ad populum worthely in his own iudgment Sirnamed the gouldē mouthed doctor auouching that the Priests throne is in heauen that he hath authority to iudge of celestial busines and that God hath put the verie Princes head vnder the hands of the priest to teach vs that the priest is a Prince greater then he And in an other place affirmeth hom 83. in Matth. Hom. 2. in 2. in Timoth Gregor lib. 4. epist 31. S. Ciprian lib. 3. epist 9. noteth that the beginning of Schismes Heresies is by contempt of Priests and Bishops Themistius in l. consul apud Socratem l. 3. c. 25. Arian Bishops more for the palace then for the Church Hilar. l. cōt Constant a Deacon to haue greater power then an Emperour and aduiseth vs that vvho dispiseth the Priest at length falleth to contemne God and S. Gregory writing to the Emperour him selfe saith priests are certaine Gods amongst men and therefore to be honoured of al euen of Kings But Bel in debasing priesthood and too too much exalting Princes sheweth him selfe to be a right Apostata from priesthood and a right heretike who as Themistius said honour not God but Princes And thus much of Bels eight steppes 32. Thus thou seest Christian reader that of these eight steps which Bel imagined the Pope had to climbe to his superiority ouer Princes two of them to wit the first and secōd were steps rather to fal then to climbe by three vz. the fourth sixth and seauenth were euident acts of such authority alreadie enioyed acknowledged by Princes the third was but a recouery of his auntient libertie the fieft is no more a step for the Pope to climbe then temporal liuings are to other bishops And the eight and last is a manifest vntruth But the true step he Matth. 16. v. 18. Ioan. 21. v. 17. omitted which is Christs promise to S. Peter to build his Chruch vpon him and his commission to feed his sheepe by vertue whereof al S. Peters successours challendge to be spiritual superiour to al that are in Christs church or be his sheepe be they Princes or subiects as is euident out of the Bonif 8. extrauag vnā sanctam de maioritate obedientia Sed epist Ioan. 2. ad Iustinianum Imper. Gregor lib. 1. epist 24. Bel pag. 17. Bel slandereth Princes foresaid decree of Boniface 8. 33. Bel hauing thus as you haue heard slandred Popes thought not to let ether Kings or Emperors passe free but saith that some of them haue opened the windovv to al Antichristian tyrany Greater iniury he could not do to Christian Princes then to accuse them of such horrible impiety of opening the window not to some but to al Antichristian tirany No maruel if he spare nether Pope nor Priest who thus handleth Princes If one ask proofe of his slander he bringeth none but it suffizeth that he hath said it his word alone is sufficient to condemne many Kings Emperors This is the respect Protestants beare euen to the greatest Monarches when they are against their proceedings So Luther said Princes for Luther lib. de saecular potest edit 1523. lib. cont duo edicta Caesaris 1524. Lib. cont Henric. Regem Angl. the most parte were ether the veriest fooles or arrantest knaues And againe The Turk is ten tymes better and wiser then the Emperor and other Princes whome he cals idiots doults madde furious and frantik fooles and namely King Henry 8. he reuileth with such shameful such spitful and scurrilous tearmes as I am ashamed to write And amongst Protestants nothing more vsual then to cal Princes Antichrists and slaues of Antichrist 34. Bel not yet satisfied with iniuring pag. 17. vntruthe 26. the Pope addeth that he hath made it sacriledge to dispute of his povver which is a manifest vntruth disproued by him selfe art 2. p 26 where he affirmeth that the Pope alloweth Bellarmins works who at large disputeth of his power And because Sigebert whome Bel vntruly calleth the Popes deare fryer vntruthe 27. Trithem in Sigebert for he was his vtter enemy and to his power fauored the schismatical and Excommunicated Emperor Henry 3 in whose behalfe he fained diuers things as Baron proueth Baronius tom 9. An. 774. reprehendeth them who taught the people that they owe no obediēce to euil Kings Bel inueyeth against Catholiques Whereas Catholiques vtterly Art 15. damnat in Concil Constantien defie such Doctrin condēned it lōg since in the Protestants great grandfather wiclife and haue learned of the first Pope S. Peter to be subiect in al feare not onely to good and modest 1. Pet. c. 2. v. 18. Cap. 3. parag 4. 5. 6. maisters but also to way ward But Protestants teach that and worse Doctrin as appeareth by what hath bene sayd before and by Godman who as Couel writerh published to the world that it was lawful to kil Couel of Church gouernment c 4. p 35. vvicked Kings and whitingham a deane of no smal account in his preface before Godmans booke of firmed it to be the doctrin of the best learned meaning Protestants think it lavvful to kil euil Kings Bel pag. 18. 28 vnttuth 29 vntruth 30 vntruth as Couel thinketh Caluin and the rest 35. Finally because the end of this article should not be vnlike the beginning he concludeth it with three vntruthes as he began it saying That the Popish religion hath bene alwaies condemned of great learned Papists If he had named the men and points of religion as he told the tyme the three vntruthes wold haue appeared in their likenes As I guesse he meaneth of the Popes power for deposing Princes which I confesse some Papists haue denyed but nether were they the greatest learned men nor alwayes were there any such nor hath he proued it to be a point of Popish religion And thus much of Bels first Article VVherfore remember Bel from whence thou art fallen and doe pennance Apoc 2. THE SECOND ARTICLE TOVCHING THE MASSE PREFACE Bel deuideth this Article into foure members in the first wherof he impugneth the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist in the second the sacrifice of the Masse in the third he inueigheth against the recantation which Berengarius made when he adiured Bels heresie and in the fourth he treateth of apparent contradictions which saith he are in the Masse And the like method we wil keepe in our answer CHAP. I. Bels reason against the Real Presence of Christ in the B. Sacrament answered his vntruth and dissimulation therin discouered S Paul prophetied That in the 1. Timoth. 4. v. 1. last tymes some shal depart from the faith attending to the spirits of errors and doctrin of diuils Which prophecy is most manifestly fulfilled in these heretiks who impugne the Catholique doctrin of the B Sacrament For