true Church may some time faile to be visible Scarpe de Iustif Cont. 5. The members of the visible Church The whole visible Church may faile In the vttermost extent may faile yea the whole visible Church as such Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 136. Whence it followeth that the visible Church of Christ not onely in a great parte but euen whole taken in the vttermost extent may for sometime faile from the true faith and be wholy obscured Againe The externall Church of Christ may be obscured and faile More of their like sayings may be seene in my foresaied booke c. 4. THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainly teacheth that the Church of Christ cannot be hidden and biddeth vs to tell and heare her The same say Catholiks Protestants plainly teach that there is not alwaies a visible number of those who piously worshippe Christ that the Church may haue no apparent for me is not alwaies seene with eyes sometimes faileth to be visible that the whole visible Church as such may faile that the whole visible Church taken in her vttermost extent may faile from the faith that God oftentimes will haue no visible Church on earth Which are so opposite to Scripture as Protestants sometimes confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART VI. WHETHER THE CHVRCH be infallible in faith SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Isaie 59. vers vltim This is my couenant with them saieth Gods spirit euer in the mouth of the Church our Lord My spirit that is in thee and my words that I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouth and out of the mouth of thy seede and out of the mouth of thy seeds seede saieth our Lord from this present for euer Mathew 16. vers 18. And the gates of hell shall not preuaile Gates of hell preuaile not against her against it Ioan. 16. v. 13. But when the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth 1. Tim. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God the The pillar of trueth pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. qu. 2. art vnico The Church in her determinations of faith is euer must certaine and infallible PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 4. cap. 3. God hath not promised to his The vniuersall Church may erre In necessarie matters The whole Church Church that she should not erre The vniuersall Church may erre The whole Church may erre It is euident that the true Church may for a time erre euen in necessarie matters Yea after Christs ascension and that descent of the Holie Ghost vpon the Apostles it is manifest that the whole Church did erre about the vocation of the Gentils and not onely the common sorte of Christians but euen the very Apostles and Doctors And quaest 5. cap. 17. The Church may for a time erre in some fundamentall points Beza de notis Eccles vol. 3. If some particular Church may erre euen in some principall head of Christian religion and yet leaue not therefore to be a true Church why may we not say the same of all particular Churches taken not onely seuerally but all together for this is the Catholik Church And the margēt The Catholik Church and in fundamentall points The whole Churrh saieth Some errors may creepe into the Church euen in some fundamentall head of saith Daneus Controu 4. l. 3. c. 17. The whole Church all Pastors generally may erre The whole Church may be deceaued slippe and erre Author Resp ad Theses Vademont p. 503. The Catholik And grieuously Church may erre and that sometimes most grieuously The like they teach commonly THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely teacheth that Gods spirit and his word shall neuer departe from the mouth of the Church that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her that the Holie Ghost teacheth her all trueth that she is the pillar and ground of trueth Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely teach that the Church the true Church the vniuersall Church the whole Church may erre most grieuously and in some fundamentall and necessarie matters that the whole Apostolik Church euen after the descent of the Holie Ghost did erre Which is so repugnant to holie Scripture as sometimes Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART VII WHETHER THE CHVRCH be to be heard simply in all things SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 18. v. 17. If he will not heare the Church let him be Church simply to be heard to the as the Heathen and the Publican Luc. 10. v. 16. Who heareth you heareth me and who despiseth you despiseth me CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 4. q. 2. art 3. We must simply and absolutely obey the voice of the Church in doctrine of faith PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 3. c. 3. We must not simply receaue whatsoeuer Not simply to be heard the Church teacheth but whatsoeuer she is commanded of God to teach and proueth by Gods authoritie And q. 5. c. 5. The Church is to be heard not simply in all her sayinges decrees sentences and commandments The same he hath Cont. 2. q. 4. c. 2. and l. 1. de Scriptura c. 11. Bucanus in Inst Theol. loco 43. Must we simply heare the voice of the Church and receaue whatsoeuer she teacheth No. Reineccius to 4. Armat c. 3. We must beleiue the Church in Not simply to be beleiued all things not taken simply and absolutely but relatiuely and with condition as farre as according to Scripture and out of that she proposeth diuine trueth THE CONFERENCE Scripture simply and absolutely biddeth vs to heare the Church and saieth that who heareth her heareth Christ The same say Catholiks Protestants denie that she is simply to be heard or obeyed ART VIII WHETHER TRVETH IN respect of vs do relie vpon the Church SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Timoth. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God Church the pillar of trueth the pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. quaest 2. artic vnico The Church according to the ordinarie course is for faithfull men the pillar of all reuealed trueth and for faith it selfe the ground For the faitfull relie vpon the teaching of the Church as an vnmouable pillar PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contru 2. q. 4. c. 2. The trueth of faith doth not Not pillar in regard of vs. relie vpon the Church as a foundation no not in regard of vs. Trueth doth not relie vpon the authoritie of the Church Againe If the trueth of faith did relie vpon the authoritie of the Church in respect of vs who then c. Bucer in Disp Cantabrig It is manifest enough that no Sustaineth not trueth Church is to be termed the pillar and ground of trueth as if she did sustaine and conserue trueth Melancthon in locis c. de Signis Eccles to 3. Faith doth not relie wpon the
For from whence might they better draw their dreggs So plainelie he confesseth that his doctrine in the foresaied points contradicted the bookes of Machabes Tobie and Ecclesiasticus And notwithstanding S. Austin whome †Caluin 4. Instit c. 14. §. 26. Protestants account the best witnesse of antiquitie clearelie testifieth that manie ages agoe the holie Church held the bookes of Machabes for Canonicall Scripture For thus he writeth of them lib. 18. de Ciuitat c. 36. Which not Iewes but the Church holdeth for Canonicall And the like he saieth lib. 1. cont Gaudent cap. 23. Lib. de doctrin Christ c. 8. l. 2. Retract c. 4. and otherwhere Besides manie Protestantt as Caluin in Antidot cit p. 266. Whitaker Contr. 3. q. 6. c. 3. Perkins de Symbol p. 787. and also Hyperius Zanchius Lubbertus Hospinian Rainolds Feild and others alledged in the Protestants Apologie Tract 1. Sect. 3. confesse that the Councel of Carthage where S. Austin was present and subscribed thereto did reckon the bookes of Machabes in the nūber of Canonicall Scripture And to omit all other arguments drawne out of the Scripture and Fathers for the infallibilitie of the Church the Protestants themselues eftsoones confesse that the Church can discerne true Scriptures from false and that we are bound to yeeld to her iudgment For thus saieth Luther l. de Captiuit to 2. fol. 84. This indeed hath the Church that she can discerne The Church can discerne the word of God Hath authoritie to iudge the word of God from the word of men as Austin confesseth that he beleiued the Ghospell being moued by the authoritie of the Church The Confession of Wittenberg cap. de Eccles The Church hath authoritie to iudge of all doctrines And cap. de Concilijs She hath an assured promisse of the perpetuall presence of Christ and she is gouerned of the holie Ghost Melancthon Respons ad Acta Ratisbon tom 3. pag. 732. We acknowledge this authoritie of testifying the Apostolicall Scriptures or discerning the writings of the Apostles from counterfait doth agree to the true Church Caluin de vera ref p. 232. I denie not but that it is the proper office of Church to discerne true The proper office of the Church Scriptures from counterfeit Peter Martyr Praefat. 1. Epist ad Corinth We will easily graunt that the ancient Church was indued so much with the holie Ghost that by his leading and directiō they easily discerned betwene those which were proposed to them which were the true and sincere words of God and by this spirituall power they distinguished the Canon of Scriptures from apocryphall bookes And in locis Class 1. c. 6. § 6. We acknowledge the office of the Church to be that being indued with Gods Spirit she may distinguish the true and sincere bookes of holie writ from counterfeit and apocryphall Iuel in Defens of the Apologie pag. 204. The Church of God had the spirit of wisdome She hath the spirit of wisdome Can discerne true Scriptures whereby she might discerne true Scriptures from false Fulke in his Answere to a false Cathol p. 5. The Church of Christ indeed can discerne true Scriptures from false Perkins de Serm. Dom. tom 2. col 252. The Church hath the guift of iudging of greatest matters She can iudge of the booke of Scripture Hath the guift of iudging which are Canonicall which are not of the spirits of men and of their doctrines and therefore surely can iudge which companie of men is the true Church which is not Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 3. c. 1. pag. 315. We denie not that it belongeth to the Church to approue to acknowledge to receaue to promulgate to commend the Scriptures to all her children and we say that this testimonie is true and ought to be admitted of all Cap. 2. pag. 316. It is the office of the Church to iudge and discerne true sincere and right Scriptures from false counterfait and bastard And for to discharge Hath the spirit of Christ to distinguish this office she hath the Spirit of Christ by which she may distinguish trueth from lyes she knoweth the voice of her Spouse she is most iuditious and can discerne spirits Cap. 5. p. Her tradition conuinceth 322. I denie not that the Tradition of the Church is an argumēt by which it may be cōuinced which kookes are Canonicall which not Canonicall cap. 6. pag. 323. The Church hath the Spirit of God by which being taught she heareth the voice of he Spouse and acknowledgeth his doctrine cap. 7. pag. 324. Indeed we may Her authoritie cōpelleth be compelled by the authoritie of the Church to acknowledge the Canonicall Scripture I say as I often saied before that we are compelled by the authoritie of the Church to beleiue these bookes to be Canonicall And cap. 9. pag. 326. We graunt with Ireney A sound demonstration that the authoritie of the Church is a sound and breife demūstration a posteriori of Canonicall doctrine And l. 1. de Scriptura c. 1. sect 9. he affirmeth that the testimonie of the Church ought to be receaued and who receaueth it not is guiltie of sacriledge And lib. 2. cap. 4. sect 4. p. 227. I say the testimonie of the Church is sufficient to refute and conuince those who thinke amisse of the Scriptures The like he hath ib. p. 218. 228. and and other where often Out of which confessions of Protestants of the authorite and power of the Church to discerne and distinguish true Scripture from false we may thus argue It belongeth to the Church yea it is her function and proper office to discerne true Scriptures from false she hath that she can distinguish the word of God from the word of man she is taught of the holie Ghost indued with Gods Spirit hath the guift of iudging the spirit of wisdome for to discerne by her tradition it may be conuinced which bookes are Canonicall which not by her authoritie we may be compelled to acknowledge the Canonicall Scripture her authoritie is a sound demonstration of Canonicall doctrine her testimonie ought to be receaued of all and who receaueth it not is guiltie of sacriledge But this holie Church manie ages agoe hath iudged the bookes of Machabes to be Canonicall Therefore they are such The Maior or first Proposition is the confession of Protestants now rehearsed and the Minor is confirmed by the foresaied testimonie of S. Austin and the confessions of the forenamed Protestants And howsoeuer Protestants The Cath. aduantage ouer Protest will delude this argument they must needs confesse that Catholiks haue the aduantage of them in that Protestāts produce no testimonie which forceth Catholiks to reiect anie booke which anie Father testifieth to haue beene anciently held of the Church for Canonicall as Catholiks produce the testimonie of S. Iames which maketh the Lutherans to reiect his epistle which other Protestants confesse to be Canonicall and an other testimonie out of the bookes
sect 8. In all these things the Apostles did alledge their testimonie and themselues also as witnesses of that trueth which they tought And l. 3. sect 3. The Apostles were witnesses of their doctrine and they gaue authoritie to their doctrine See him Cont. 4. l. 8. c. 9. PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 1. q. 3. c. 11. God alone is a sufficient witnesse None but God is a sufficient witnesse of himselfe And l. 3. de Scriptura c. 13. sect 3. The people did not beleiue Moises for himselfe but for that diuine and great miracle Beleife was giuen to Moises and Paul not for themselues but for Gods authoritie which appeared in their ministerie And ib. sect 1. The testimonie of the Church as of the Church is but humane And Contr. 1. q. 3. c. 11. cit The iudgment of the Church is humane The same followeth euidently of that which they saied in the former article For if the Apostles doctrine must be examined it is manifest that they are not sufficient witnesses of their doctrine The same Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 4. c. 3. Yea after Christs Not the Apostles ascension and that descent of the Holie Ghost vpon the Apostles manifest it is that the whole Church erred about the vocation of the Gentils and not the vulgar Christians onely but euen the very Apostles and Doctors These were great errours and yet we see that they were in the Apostles euen after the Holie Ghost had descended vpon them THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely affirmeth that the Apostles had the holie Ghost giuen them to testifie of Christ that they were ioyned with the holie Ghost witnesses of Christ that they were witnesses appointed of God that their testimonie is true that all may beleiue through Saint Ihon that the faithfull beleiued God and Moyses The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that none but God is a sufficient witnesse of the trueth that nether Paul nor Moises were to be beleiued for themselues that the testimonie of the Church is but humane That the Apostles erred and that greatly euen after the holie Ghost had descended vpon them ART VIII WHETHER THE APOSTLES learnt anie point of Christian doctrine after Christs ascension SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Ihon 16. v. 12. Yet manie things I haue to say to you but you The Apostles learnt some thing after Christ cannot beare them now but when he the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Ioan. 16. v. 12. By this testimonie is clearly proued that Christ tought not all by word of mouth but that both the Apostles and the Church learnt many things of the Holie Ghost PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contr. 1. q. 6. c. 10. The holie Ghost did suggest no They learnt nothing other things then those which Christ had tought Caluin in Ioan. 14. vers 26. Marke what all these things are which he promiseth that he Spirit shall teach He saieth He shall suggest or bring to mind whatsoeuer I haue saied Whence it followeth that he shall not be a coyner of new reuelations And 4. Institut c. 8. § 8. That limitation is carefully to be noted where he appointeth the holie Ghost his office to suggest whatsoeuer he had tought by worde of mouth Beza in Ioan. 14. v. 26. The Apostles nether learnt nor tought any point of Christian and sauing doctrine after the departure of the Lord. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that manie things were tould to the Apostles which they could not beare in Christs time that the holie Ghost was to be sent to teach them all trueth The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely teach that the Apostles learnt no point of Christian doctrine after Christs departure that the Holie Ghost reuealed no new thing to them that he suggested no other thing then Christ had tought ART IX WHETHER IVDAS WAS TRVELY a disciple or in the true Church of Christ SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 10. v. 1. seq And hauing called his twelue disciples Iudas was truely a disciple of Christ together he gaue them c. And the names of the twelue Apostles be these The first Simon who is called Peter and Iudas Iscariot who also betrayed him Et c. 20. v. 14. 47. Marc. 14. v. 10. 43. Luc. 22. v. 3. 47. he is called one of the twelue Ihon 12. v. 14. One therefore of his disciples Iudas Iscariot Actes 1. v. 17. Iudas who was the captaine of them that apprehended Iesus who was numbred among vs and obtained the lot of this ministerie v. 25. Shew of these twoe one whome thou hast chosen to take the place of this ministerie and Apostleship from the which Iudas hath preuaricated And the lot fell vpon Mathias and he was numbred with the eleuen Apostles CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Card. Bellarm. l. 3. de Eccles c. 7. Iudas was once of the true Church for he was an Apostle one of the twelue and called a Bishop of the Prophet Dauid psal 108. Which could not be true vnlesse he had beene of the Church PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 2. q. 1. cap. 7. I answere that the reprobate Iudas neuer of the Catholik Church Iudas was neuer of the true Catholik Church He held for a time a principall place in the outward societie of the Church because he was an Apostle but this made him not of the true Catholik Church But how he was one of the Apostles Austin telleth Tract 61. in Ioan. That how he was one in number not in merit Neuer an Apostle indeed Neuer true member of the Church are in shew not in vertue But what is in shew seemeth to be but is not indeed Daneus Controu 4. c. 2. Iudas Iscariot and Simon Magus were neuer true members of the true Church of God Of the same opinion are Protestants commonly who denie that anie reprobate can be in the true Church as we shall see hereafter c. 8. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that Iudas was one of Christs disciples one of the twelue Apostles was numbred amongst them obtained the lot of their ministerie had the place of Apostleship which S. Mathias afterwards had The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that Iudas was neuer of the true Catholik Church seemed to be one of the Apostles but was not indeed ART X. WHETHER IVDAS WAS a Bishop SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Actes 1. v. 20. For it is written in the booke of psalmes Be Iudas was a Bishop their habitation made desert and be there none that dwell in it and his Iudas Bishoprick let an other take CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE C. Bellarm. cited in the former article Iudas is called a Bishop of the Prophet Dauid PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 1. c. 7. Iudas was an Apostle therefore no He was no Bishop Bishop because the Apostles were no Bishops The same say other Protestants who denie that the Apostles were
dead of praier to the dead of forbiddacne of marriage and other such like doctrines This consent we denie to be a note of the Church for in all these things they did dot consent with the Ancient fathers with mutuall consent Apostolicall Church Duditius in Beza epist 1. saieth thus If it be trueth which the ancient Fathers haue professed with mutuall consent that is all on the Papists side Thus they touching their dissent from the Fathers In like manner they confesse that they dissent from the Church and Councells For thus P. Martyr in 1. Cor. 3. That The Church alwaiâ—s praied for dead The ancient Church The Church at 500. also vseth to be obiected to vs. That the Church hath alwaies praied for the dead which truely I doe not denie Whitaker CoÌ„t 2. q. 5. c. 7. I answere True it is that Caluin saieth and the Centurie writers that the ancient Church erred in manie things as of limbus of free will of merit of works and the other things before rehearsed Agayne I say that the Church which was 500. or 600. years after Christ did not hould in all points the doctrine of the Apostles For she held some errors Casaubon epist ad Cardin. Perron It was a most ancient custome that in the publike praiers of the Church remembrance should be made of the The ancient Church dead and rest praied for them of God The ancient Church by this means approued her faith of the resurrection to come Zuinglius in Elencho tom 2. speaking of the ceremonies In the beginning of the Church Generall Councells of baptisme saieth We know that in the beginning of the Church these things were vsed The like they confesse touching Councells For thus Confessio Anglica art 21. Generall Councells may erre and sometimes haue erred euen in the things which belonge to the rule of pietie Vrban Regius in Interpret All Councells The ancient Councels loc to 1. It is more cleare then the light that all Councells haue pernitiously erred Caluin 4 Insit c. 9. § 10. There is some thing wanting euen in those ancient and purer Councells There was a notable example hereof in the Councell of Nice Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 7. c 7. auoucheth that the Councell of Nice and Chalcedon haue erred Nether doe Protestants onely dissent froÌ„ the vniforme consent of Fathers Councels and Church but also they make small account thereof For thus P. Martyr in loc Tit. Not Fathers euen agreing Script § 16. But at least say they then are the Fathers to be allowed when they agree amongst themselues No not then alwaies Et lib. de votis As long as we abide in the Fathers we shall alwaies remayne in the same errors Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 5. c 8. The agreing exposition of the Fathers is no rule of expouÌ„ding Not witnesses without exceptioÌ„ Scriptures Cont. 2. q. 7. c. 7. We denie not but the Fathers be witnesse of the trueth but so as they be not without exception for all haue erred l. 6. cont Dur. sect 3. The consent of Fathers is not sure and free from error Et ad Demonst 7. Sanderi Not the whole Senate of Fathers Nether will we thinke that thou hast demonstrated any thing though thou couldest bring the whole Senate of Fathers against vs. Rainolds in his Conference p. 151. Trueth is not to Not all be tried by consent of Fathers Psal 150. If not one or twoe of the Fathers but all haue thought it nor thought it onely but haue written it nor written it onely but thought it not obscurely but clearely nor seldome but often nor for a time but perpetually yet their consent were not secure And he termeth vniuersalitie antiquitie consent rotten postes Yea in his 5. Thesis he will haue the Roman Church to be no true Church because she forbiddeth the Scriptures to be expounded contrarie to that sense which our holie mother the Church doth hould or contrarie to the vniforme consent of Fathers By which forbiddance saieth he are often reiected those senses which the spirit by the tenor of the words and sentences doth teach to be the meaning of the holie text MortoÌ„ in Apol. part 1. l. 1. c. 69. Sometimes neglecting the persons of the Fathers it is most safe to fech the prime antiquitie out of the Apostolicall writings Which is saieth he the Protest defense to reiect the Fathers prore and puppe of the Protestants defense Caluin 4. Instit c. 9. § 12. Let no names of CouÌ„cells of Pastours of Bishops hinder vs that we trie not all the spirits of them all with the square of Gods word for to finde whether they be of God Daneus CoÌ„tr. p. 289. Touching the saying of the Fathers this is our breif answere to them all We regard not what the Fathers haue saied but how Saying of Fathers not reguarded truely Et Cont. 5. p. 698. We must not looke what the Fathers haue written but what they should haue writteÌ„ Vorstius in Antib p. 395. The Protestants doe not thinke that they ought much to care what the ancient Fathers haue thought or written of this Not to be cared for matter Pareus l. 5. de Iust c. 5. I say that Scripture is to be expouÌ„ded by Scripture not by Fathers Et l. 2. de Grat. c. 14. Though all the Fathers agreed well yet were it weake Reineccius to 1. Arm. Not all fathers together c. 9 WheÌ„ all Doctors of the Church with a common consent doe teach some thing to come from Apostolicall tradition is that to be beleiued to be Apostolicall tradition No. Gerlachius disp 22. de Eccles The Fathers haue straied from the path of trueth not in these onely wherein they disagree with themselues and with others but in those also which they haue vniformely deliuered Celius Secundus de Amplit regni Dei lib. 1. Should then the Their authoritie nothing at all authoritie of so manie ancient Fathers the consent of ages auaile nothings Nothing at all Polanus in thes part 3. p. 546. We cite them â—estimonies of Fathers â—specially when we handle points of religion controuerted with Papists not for our sake but for Papists that we may refute Papists by the Fathers whome they haue Fathers cited as Heathens made their iudges as in ould time the Fathers refuted the HeatheÌ„ by the testimonies of the Sybills of Poets Philosophers orators and Heathen Historians As therefore the Fathers vsed the testimonies of Heathens against HeatheÌ„s So we produce the testimonies of Fathers against Papists Muscul in loc tit de Scrip. As for me I require not the testimonies of Fathers for to giue authoritie to Canonicall Scripture and to make distinction betwene it and the Fathers writings contenting my selfe with the authoritie and canon of the Scripture it selfe But because our aduersaries endeauour to trouble the trueth by pretext of Fathers I well alledge them where they are against their endeauours but when they cite any thing
teacheth that Christ praied that S. Peters faith should not faile which vndoubtedly he obtained The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely teach that S. Peter lost his faith erred from faith did not retaine faith did apostotate that his faith failed that infidelitie preuailed against him Which is so open a contradiction of Scripture as diuers Protestants confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART V. WHETHER THE APOSTLES were foundations of the Church SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Apocalip 21. v. 14. And the wall of the cittie hauing twelue The Apostles foundations of the Church foundations and in them twelue names of the twelue Apostles of the lambe Ephes 2. v. 20. You are citizens of the Saintes and the domesticals of God built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the highest corner stone CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 1. de Pontif. c. 11. All the Apostles were foundations of the Church PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 4. q. 1. c. 2. It is contrarie to the analogie Not foundations of the Church of faith that any man should be a foundation of the Church Moulin in his Bucler p. 380. The Apostles were not the foundations Peter Martyr in locis clas 4. cap. 3. § 4. If we read in the Fathers as we do in the Apocalips that there are twelue foundations here foundation is not put for the route of the building but for great stones which are next to the foundation Beza in Ephes 2. vers 20. The Apostles and Prophets were builders of this temple that is of the Church of God as also now faithfull Ministers are but not the foundation it selfe Herbrandus in Compend Theol. loco de Eccles The Apostles are not the foundation of the Church but by their doctrine of Christ they laied the foundation THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that there are twelue foundations of the Church and in them written the names of the twelue Apostles that we are built vpon the foundatiō of the Apostles Christ being the cheefe corner stone where there is manifest distinction made betwene the foundation on which we are built and Christ Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely say that the Apostles were not foundations that they were not foundations of the Church but builders not foundations but great stones next to the foundation that no man can be a foundation of the Church Which are so contrarie to the Scripture as some Protestants confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART VI. WHETHER THE APOSTLES were simply to be heard or beleiued without examination of their doctrine SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Luc. 10. v. 16. He that heareth you heareth me The Apostles were simply to be heard 1. Thessalon 1. v. 12. We giue thankes to God without intermission because that when you had receaued of vs the word of God you receaued it not as the word of men but as it is indeed the word of God The same also is proued by the testimonies cited in the next article CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Defens cont Whitak l. 3. sect 5. It is absurd to iudge of the Apostles doctrine Antidot Act. 17. v. 11. Christ hath ioyned his trueth and the Apostles preaching so narrowly as he saied who heareth you heareth me Why then not also who examineth your doctrine examineth my trueth PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Controu 2. quaest 5. cap. 11. If the Apostles be not simply to be heard but to be examined according to the rule Not simply to be heard of Scripture and to be receaued so farre forth as they agree with it and to be reiected as they differre much lesse c. And l. 2. cont Dureum sect 2. When Paul preached to the Berheans they examined the Scriptures for to know fully whether those things which Paul tought agreed with Scriptures And this their example is allowed with the highest testimonie of the holie Ghost and proposed to all Christians to be imitated Caluin in Actor 17. vers 11. The Thessalonians did not take vpon to examin whether Gods trueth were to be receaued or no onely they examined Pauls doctrine to the line of Scripture For the Scripture is the true touchstone by which all doctrins are to be examined And seing the Spirit of God praiseth the Thessalonians it prescribeth in their example a rule for vs. It was lawfull for the disciples to examine Paules doctrine And 4. Institut c. 8. § 4. The Apostles in their verie name do shew how farre their commission stretcheth Forsooth if they be Apostles let them not prate what they list but faithfullie deliuer his commandments who sent them Luther Praefat. Assert Artic. to 2. If S. Pauls Ghospell or the new testament must haue beene tried by the ould Scripture whether it were so or no what did we who would haue the Fathers sayings examined by the Scripture Daneus Contr. 4. p. 611. It is most false that he writeth that the doctrine and sentence of the Apostles was not examined of the disciples and auditours Yea Christ himselfe commandeth his owne doctrine to be so examined Io. 5. 39. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that who heareth the Apostles heareth Christ that their word is not the word of men but the word of God and as such receaued of such as are faithfull The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that the Apostles are not to be heard simply but first to be examined that all Christians ought to imitate the Betheās in examining S. Pauls doctrine that the Apostles must not prate what they list that the Ghospell must be tryed by the ould testament ART VII WHETHER THE APOSTLES were sufficient witnesses of the trueth SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Ihon 15. v. 27. The Spirit of trueth shall giue testimone of me The Apostles were sufficiēt witnesses and you also shall giue testimonie because you are with me from the beginning c. 21. v. 24. This is that disciple which giueth testimonie of these things and hath written these things and we know that his testimonie is true c. 1. v. 7. This man came for testimonie to giue testimonie of the light that all might beleiue through him Actes 1. v. 8. You shall receaue the vertue of the Holie Ghost comming vpon you and you shal be witnesses vnto me in Hierusalem and in all Iewrie and Samaria and euen vnto the vtmost of the earth c. 5. v. 32. And we are witnesses of these words and the Holie Ghost whome God hath giuen to all that obey him c. 10. v. 42. Him God raised vp the third day and gaue him to be made manifest not to all the people but to witnesse preordinated of God to vs who did eate and drinke with him after he rose againe from the dead 3. Ihon. v. 12. And we giue testimonie and thou knowest that our testimonie is true Exode 14. v. 31. And they beleiued our Lord and Moises his seruant CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Defens Contr. Whitaker l. 1.
properly Bishops THE CONFERENCE The Scripture expressely saieth that Iudas had the office of a Bishop which an other Apostle tooke The same say Catholiks The Protestants say that Iudas was no Bishop THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER OF SAINT Peter and the Apostles Out of that which hath beene rehearsed in this chapter it clearly appeareth that the Protestāts in an other māner describe S. Peter and the Apostles thē the holie Scripture and Catholiks doe For the Scripture and Catholiks teach that S. Peter was first of the Apostles that he was the rock on which Christ built his Church that he had the keyes of the kingdome of heauen that his faith did not faile All which Protestants denie Besides the Scripture and Catholiks say that the Apostles were foundations of the Church were simply to heard without examining their doctrine were sufficient witnesses of trueth learnt diuers things of the holie Ghost All which are denied by Prorestants Moreouer the Scripture and Catholiks say that Iudas was truely a disciple and Apostle of Christ and also a Bishop which Protestants in like manner denie Wherefore Protestants steale from S. Peter his honour that he is the first of the Apostles his authoritie that he is the rock of the Church and his power of the keyes and stedfastnesse of faith And frō the rest of the Apostles they steale that they were foundations of the Church simply to be hearde sufficient witnesses of truth and that they learnt any thing of the holie Ghost CHAPTER VI. OF PASTORS OF THE CHVRCH ART I. WHETHER THERE BE ALwaies pastors of the Church SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. HIEREMIE 33. v. 21. Thus saieth the Lord If my Pastours alwaies couenant with the day can be made voide and my couenant with the night that there be no day and night in their time also my couenant may be made voide with Dauid my seruant that there be not of him a sonne to reigne in his throne and leuites and preists my ministers Ephes 4. v. 12. And he gaue Pastours and Doctours to the consummation of the saintes vnto the worke of the ministeric vnto the edifying of the bodie of Christ vntill we meete all into the vnitie of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in 1. Cor. 15. v. 15. Impious Caluin doth bouldly and often times say that Pastours Doctours Prelats Bishops Maisters of Churches all vniuersally for manie ages haue wholy straied from the Christian trueth and beene seducers PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther in psal 129. to 3. The Church vnder Antichrist had no true ministerie Caluin de vera reform p. 322. Not without cause we auouch Not alwaies that for some ages the Church was so torne and scattered that it was destitute of true Pastours And p. 322. I graunt indeed that it can neuer come to passe that the Church perish but when they referre that to Pastours which is promised of the perpetuall continuance of the Church therein they are much deceaued Beza de notis Eccles vol. 3. Forsooth it fell out that the lawfull order was then wholy abolished in the Church as it is manifest that it hath beene now for some ages not so much being left as the smalleste shadow of the cheifest partes of ecclesiasticall vocation Sadeel ad Art abiurat pag. 533. It is false that the externall ministerie must be perpetuall Daneus Controu 3. p. 426. The Church eftsones hath no man Postour And Controu 4. p. 757. The true Church hath ofte wanted Prelats Lukbertus l. 5 de Eccles cap. 5. We say that for some short time the Church may be depriued of Pastours CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that there shal be Pastours as long as there shal be day and night that Pastours are giuen vntill we meete all in one faith The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that the Church may be depriued of Pastours that Pastours may perish that the ministerie must not be perpetuall that the Church sometime had no true ministerie was for some ages destitute of true Pastors that lawfull order was for some ages quite abolished in the Church not so much as the slēderest shadow of the chiefest partes of ecclesiasticall vocation being left Which are so plaine against Scripture as sometimes Protestants confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART II. WHETHER AVTHORITIE of gouerning the Church be in the Pastours them selues SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 16. v. 18. seq Thou art Peter c. And to thee I will giue Pastours haue authoritie to gouerne the keyes of the kingdome of heauen Actes 20. v. 28. The Holie Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule the Church of God 1. Cor. 4. v. 21. What will you In a rodde that I come to you or in charitie and the spirit of mildnesse 2. Cor. 13. v. 10. These things I write absente that being present I may not deale hardly according to the power which the Lord hath giuen me And c. 10. v. 6. Hauing in readinesse to reuenge all disobedience 2. Tim. 1. v. 11. I am appointed a preacher and Apostle and Maister of the Gentils Hebrews 13. vers 17. Obey your Prelats and be subiect to them CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Triplicat cont Whitaker c. 13. We see that Paul putteth the authoritie in the Prelats PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker l. 1. de Script c. 13. sect 12. The authoritie is not Authoritie is not in the Pastours in the Prelats but in the worde for whose administration the Prelats do serue Againe I acknowledge no ruling which the Church hath All the authoritie is in God and in his word the Church hath nothing but mere ministerie Spalatensis l. 5. de Repub c. 2. n. 40. Church gouernours are most like to Phisitiās The Phisitian appointeth holesome things and forbiddeth vnholesome prescribeth diete c. but hath no They haue no iurisdiction iurisdiction or cōmand ouer the sick As it is the Phisitians office to gouerne the sick that is without iurisdiction So it is the office of the ecclesiasticall rectors to gouerne the Church that is the faithfull Caluin 4. Instit c. 8. § 2. We must remember that what authoritie or dignitie the Holie Ghost in the Scripture doth giue to Preists or Prophets or Apostles or Successours of Apostles all that is giuen not properly to the men themselues but to the ministerie whereof they are officers or to speake brefly to the word whose ministerie is committed to them The same he hath in Ioan. 16. v. 8. in Math. 20. v. 25. and in Iacob 4. v. 12. Beza in Math. 20. v. 25. What then will you say Haue the No power at all ouer consciences Ministers of the word of God no power at all None truely they no not ouer cōsciences for instructiō whereof they are appointed But they are legats of Christ to say and doe in his name sacred not ciuill matters who alone hath all right of commanding and
are to be had and kept especially in Churches PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Iuel art 14. sect 2. The Iewes had no manner of Image nether painted nor grauen in their temples Luther in Deuteron 7. to 3. I do not much loue images and would they were not in Churches Zuinglius l. de ver fals relig c. de Statuis Images must Not in tēples be taken out of Churches Sadeel ad Art 59. Abiurat God abhorreth images Peter Martyr in locis tit de Cult Imaginum § 22. We must not suffer that Images be had in Churches And in this point the Protestants doctrine is well enough knowne by their deeds yea some of them goe so farre as they denie that we may paint any Images of Christ or the Saints For thus saieth Leo Iudae in Zuinglius to 2. f. 627. If Christ and his Saints be in heauen it is wickednes euen to make their images With whome agreeth Zuinglius ib. 630. Hoffman also ib. f. 631. saieth That good man thinketh that images may be kept and suffered so that none do adore or worshippe thē But this opinion is contrarie to the testimonies of Scripture wherein the Lord commandeth that we shall not make them The same intimateth Confessio Heluet. c. 4. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that God commanded twoe Images of Angels to be made and put in the Oracle that Salomon made twoe others and put them in the middest of the inner temple The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that God abhorreth images that they are not to be suffered in Churches no that the Images of Christ and his Saintes are to be made that the Iewes had no manner of Images in their temple ART IV. WHETHER THE HEATHENS or Idolaters did thinke their Idols to be Gods SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Exod 32. v. 8. God himselfe thus speaketh vnto Moises They haue made to themselues a molten calfe and haue adored and immolating hostes vnto it haue saied These are thy Gods Israel that haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt Actes 19. v. 26. Demetrius a Heathen hath these words Heathens thought theirs Idols to be Gods Sirs you see and heare that this same Paul by persuasion hath auerted a great multitude not onely of Ephesus but almost of all Asia saying That they are no Gods which be made by hands CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 2. de Imagin c. 13. It is false that the Heathens did not thinke the idols to be Gods PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Caluin 1. Instit c. 11. § 9. Nether are the Heathēs to be thought They thought not so to haue beene so blockish as that they knew not that God was an other thing then stones and stockes Daneus Controuer 7. p. 1394. It is a lie that the Heathens did beleiue the Images of their Gods to haue beene their Gods themselues Zuinglius in Resp ad Valentin to 1. f. 247. The Heathens did no more account their Idols to be Gods then now we vse to account of our Images The like say Peter Martyr Controu Gardiner col 396. and Sadeel ad art 59. abiurat THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely teacheth that the idolaters did say that their molten calfe was their God that Demetrius a Heathen reprehēded S. Paul because he tought that they were no Gods which were made by mens hands The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that the Heathēs did not thinke stocks or stones to be their Gods that it is a lie that they thought the images of their Gods to be Gods themselues And yet these men who against the plaine testimonie of Scripture do defend the Heathens do accuse the Catholiks that they make Images their God THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER OF TEMPLES or materiall Churches Out of that which we haue rehearsed in this Chapter it appeareth that Protestants haue other kind of temples then the Scripture and Catholiks haue For the Scripture and Catholiks teach that temples or Churches are also for priuat praier that they are to be adorned and that images of Angels or Saintes are to be put in them all which Protestants denie and consequently they robe the Churches of one of their ends for which they are instituted and of their ornaments and holie Images CHAPTER IX OF BAPTISME ART I. WHETHER WATER BE necessarie to Baptisme SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. I HON 3. v. 5. Vnlesse a man be borne againe of Water necessarie to baptisme water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ephes 5. v. 26. As Christ also loued the Church deliuered himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it cleansing it by the lauer of water in the word CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent sess 7. com 2. If anie say that true and naturall water is not necessarie to baptisme be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Beza Epistola 2. vol. 3. Theol. Though water be wanting if Not necessarie the baptisme of one cannot nor ought to be differred with edification surely I would as well baptize with any other liquor as with water Polanus in Sylloge Thes part 2. p. 556. The externall and sensible matter of baptisme is water and that wanting an other liquor proportionable Festus Homius in Disput 45. We do not greatly denie but where no water can be had there some other liquor which hath the some vse that water hath and is very proportionable thereto may be vsed in the place thereof Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 367. Bellarmin and his do more restraine this essence of baptisme then our men are wonte to doe Whiles he auoucheth that pure water and that solemne forme In the name of the Father c. is simply in all places and times precisely necessarie Agayne Extraordinarily and in some most rare and vnusuall cases we do not deny but that some other kind of liquor which hath the same vse that water hath may be vsed The same teacheth Luther in Colloq Mensal cap. 15. and Riuet iudgeth it probable tractat 3. sect 3. Nether is it disliked by Saddel ad Artic. abiurat 11. CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture plainely saieth that vnlesse one be borne againe of water he cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen that Christ cleanseth his Church with the lauer of water The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that water is not simply necessarie that extraordinarily and in case of necessitie one may baptize in other liquor as well as in water that where water wanteth an other liquor proportionable may suffice Which is so euident a contradiction of Scripture as Protestants themselues sometimes confesse it See lib. 2. cap. 30. ART II. WHETHER INVOCATION of the holie Trinitie be necessarie in baptisme SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matthew 28. ver 19. Going teach ye all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holie Ghost CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Catechismus ad Parochos cap. de baptismo Pastors shall teach that this is the perfect and absolute
name of vertue Of the same opinion are all ProtestaÌ„ts who as we shall see in the next chapter thinke that all our good workes are defectuous and sinfull For in this the same reason is of faith and good workes THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that some faith is great full abundant consummate in hope against hope nor weake and more pretious then tried gould The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that euerie faith is imperfect none perfect none of anie worth or value euerie one needeth pardon is sinne is defiled with manie spots worse then the law requireth lame polluted defiled with infidelitie like a most filthie leprous and scabbie hand and not truely worthie of the name of vertue ART VIII WHETHER FAITH BE CONsummate or perfected by good workes of charitie SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Iames 2. v. 22. Seest thou that faith did worke with his workes Faith perfected by workes and by workes the faith was consummate CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 2. 2. quaest 4. artic 3. Charitie is called the forme of faith in that by charitie the act of faith is perfected and formed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther in Gal. 2. to 5. f. 296. The true Ghospell is that workes Workes no perfection of faith or charitie are not the ornament or perfection of faith Bullinger Decade 3. Serm. 9. That opinion is altogether vnworthie of a Christian which affirmeth that our faith is perfected by workes that is that by workes is supplied that which wanteth to faith Caluin in Iacob 2. v. 22. Faith is saied to haue beene perfected Faith not perfected by workes by workes not that it taketh its perfection thence but because thereby it is proued to be true The same say other Protestants commonly THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that faith is consummate or perfected by workes The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that faith is not adorned or perfected by workes that workes do not perfect faith that faith taketh not her perfection from workes ART XIV WHETHER BY FAITH WE do onely know that we are iustified SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. Luc. 7. v. 50. And he Iesus saied to the woman Thy faith Faith maketh safe hath made thee safe goe in peace Rom. 1. c. 17. The iust liueth by faith The same is Galat. 3. Giueth life Hebr. 10. Abacuc 2. Rom. 3. v. 30. For it is one God that iustifieth circuncision Iustifieth by faith and prepuce by faith c. 5. v. 1. Being therefore iustified by faith let vs haue peace towardes God Act. 26. vers 18. That they may receaue remission of sinnes and lot among the saints by the faith that is in me Gal. 2. ver 16. We also beleiue in Christ Iesus that we may be Saueth iustified by the faith of Christ Ephes 2. v. 8. By grace you are saued through faith CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE C. Bellarm. l. 1. de Iustif c. 17. Let vs proue that true faith is not as our aduersaries would a bare and sole apprehension of iustice but a cause and that it hath vertue of iustifying PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Zuinglius in Exposit Fidei to 2. f. 557. We say that sinnes Faith onely makeâ—h vs certaine of forgiuenesse are remitted by faith whereby we meane nothing els then to say that onely faith maketh a man certaine of the remission of his sinnes De Prouidet c. 6. to 1. f. 371. Iustification and Saluation are attributed to faith whereas they proceed onely from Gods election and liberalitie and faith followeth the election so that who haue it may know as it were by a signe and pledge that they are elected Et in Rom. 8. to 4. If we will speake properly election Faith saueth not saueth not faith but because faith is a certaine signe that thou art an elect it is attributed to faith which pertaineth to election Sutclif l. 2. de Eccles c. 6. The iustice wherewith we are iust Iustification dependeth of no act of ours before God doth not depend of anie temporall act of man but of the eternall decree of God and is then indeed when a man beginneth to beleiue The like hath Perkins in Serie Causarum c. 57. Abbots in Diatribam Tomsoni c. 4. He should remember that before God we are actuallie iustified from all eternitie in We are iustified from all eternitie Faith perswadeth vs of our iustification whome yet this is not reuealed and manifested but in due time Piscator in Thesibus l. 2. loco 8. When we say we are iustified by faith we meane that by faith we are certainely perswaded that God imputeth iustice to vs or remitteth our sinnes for the satisfactioÌ„ and obedience of Christ. Of the same opinioÌ„ are they who as we shall see in the next article denie that faith is necessarie to iustification or saluation For that sheweth that in their opinion faith hath no other function in iustification then to know it and to make vs certaine thereof And perhaps for this cause they both call faith an apprehension of iustice and define it to be aknowledge of Gods will towards vs as Caluin doth 3. Instit c. 2. § 6. and in Cathecismo c. defide or a persuasion of iustification or saluation as do Bucer and Beza cited art 2. For knowledge or persuasion doth no way cause the thing but onely maketh vs certaine of it THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that we are iustified by faith receaue remission of sinnes by faith that we liue by faith are saued by faith that faith maketh vs safe The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that we are actually iustified from all eternitie that our iustification dependeth of no temporall act of ours that our iustification is then reuealed wheÌ„ we begin to beleiue that to be iustified by faith is to be perswaded that God imputeth iustice to vs that sinnes to be remitted by faith is nothing els but men to be made certaine by faith that their sinnes are remitted ART XV. WHETHER FAITH BE NEcessarie to iustification or saluation SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Marc. 16. v. 16. He that beleiueth not shal be condemned Faith necessarie to saluation Ioan. 3. v. 18. He that doth not beleiue is already iudged because he beleiueth not in the name of the onely begotten Sonne of God Et v. 36. He that is incredulous to the Sonne shall not see And iustification life but the wrath of God remaineth vpon him Hebr. 11. v. 6. Without faith it is impossible to please God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. c. 7. Without faith none was euer iustified PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Willet Cont. 12. q. 5. p. 574. Christ dwelleth in Infants by his Not necessarie to iustification Holie Spirit though they haue no faith The same he repeateth Contr. 13. q. 1. p. 592. Et Cont. 12. cit p. 569. Infants haue nether faith nor charitie Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 6. c. 3. Baptisme infuseth not faith or any
neighbour that euerie good worke is to be directed onely for chastizment of our bodie or profit of our neighbour that it is not amōg the dueties of a Christian man which profiteth not our neighbour that before God we must cease from workes that our workes are to be directed to man onely and not to God Which sometimes Protestants themselues confesse to be contrarie to Scripture See l. 2. c. 30. THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER OF GOOD workes in generall The things which we haue rehearsed in this chapter do clearly shew that Protestants teach farre otherwise of of good workes then Scripture doth For the holie Scripture and Catholiks with it teacheth that good workes of the iust are not sinnes are a sweet sauour before God are intirely good are iust or iniust worthie meritorious vnequall not all commanded of God profitable and necessarie to iustification and saluation cause of saluation testimonie of iustice and election a cause why God loueth vs that we ought to do good workes and for Gods glorie and that we may also do them partly for reward All which are denied of Protestants They also shew that in this matter of good workes What Protest steale from goost workes if in anie whatsoeuer Protestants playe the thieues and steale For from the workes of sinnes they steale all goodnesse And from the workes of the iust they steale intire goodnesse true goodnesse true iustice sweetnes worth and merit before God who iudgeth of them as they are indeed They steale away also their necessitie and vtilite of iustifying and sauing their causalitie of saluation o◠of Gods loue towards vs their force of testifying iustification or election our obligation to do them and the end for which they are to be done to wit reward and Gods glorie And consequently they take out of the world all true vertue or iustice and the sweetnes thereof and also the worth the commoditie the efficacitie the testification and end and in their steed bring in mere sinnes mere iniquities stenches dung vnpleasant to God vnworthie of God and vnprofitable to vs yea hurthfull and pernitious And yet these men take it in euill parte to be called enemies of good workes or that they speake contemptuously of them But how I pray you can they speake more contemptuously of good workes they Protest enemies of good workes callling them ill sinnes mere sinnes mere iniquities mere pollutions stenches and dung in the sight of God who iudgeth no otherwise of them then they are indeed Or how can they be greater enemies of good workes then by taking away or denying that there are any true good workes in the world and by putting in their places their quite contraries that is euill workes and sinnes And hitherto of good workes in generall Now of them in par-particular CHAPTER XIV OF GOOD VVORKES IN PARTICVLAR ART I. WHETHER IT BE GOOD not to marrie SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. CORINT 1. cap. 7. vers 8. But I say to the vnmarried Good to abide vnmarried and to woddows it is good for them if they so abide as I also And vers 1. It is good for a man not to touch a woman vers 26. It is good for a Not no touch a woman man so to be CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 2. de Monachis cap. 9. Paul absolutely pronounceth that it is good not to touch a woman PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Caluin in 1. Cor 7. v. 1. The Lord calleth it euill to want a Ill to want a wife wife In Gen. 2. v. 18. Maniethimke that single life is good for them and therefore lest they should be miserable they abstaine A wicked suggestion of Sathan from marriage But let the faithfull learne to oppose this sentēce of God against the wicked suggestions of Sathan Peter Martyr in thesibus p. 1002. It is not good for a man Not honest to be single to be single for it is not pleasant not honest not profitable And hereupon they condemne the vow of chastitie or single life Luther de votis to 2. fol. 273. Vowed chastitie is quite contrarie Vow of chastitie contrarie to the Ghospell Imptous to the Ghospell Zuinglius de Relig. c. de votis All vowes of chastitie are impious Caluin in Refutat Cathalani prg. 384. The vow of single life is a rebellion against God Perkins in Galat 2. tom 2. The vowes of perpetuall countinencie pouertie and regular obedience are indeed the state of abhomination CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture plainely saieth that it is good to abide single and not to touch a woman The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that it is euill to want a wife that it is a wicked suggestion of Sathan to abstaine from marriage that it is not good to be single and that the vow of chastitie or single life is nought ART II. WHETHER VIRGINITIE BE a vertue or a good that is honest SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Cor. 7. v. 35 after the Apostle had exhorted to virginitie Virginitie is honest or vertuous and single life he saieth And this I speake to your profit not to cast a snare vpon you but to that which is honest and that may giue you power without impediment to pray our Lord. Et v. 34. And the woman vnmarried and the virgin thinketh Holines in bodie and spirit Better then marriage More blessed on the things that pertaine to our Lord that she may be holie both in bodie and in spirit ver 38. He that ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth well and he that ioyneth not doth better v. 40. But more blessed shal s be be if she so remayne Math. 19. v. 12. There are Eunuchs which haue gelded themselues Desired for heauen for the kingdome of heauen CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 22. q. 152. art 3. Virginitie is a speciall vertue hauing it selfe to chastitie as magnificence to liberalitie PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker ad Ration 8. Campiani Virginitie is not simply Virginitie is not simply good good Againe Of them who can alwaies keepe virginall chastitie virginitie is to be desired not altogether but for those troubles which ordinarily follow marriage Tindal in Fox his Actes p. 1141. Keeping of virginitie and Virginitie in the religious is diuelish A thing indifferent It is nothing chastitie of the religious is a diuelish thing Apologia Confess Augustanae cap. de votis Obedience pouertie single life are things indifferent Bidenbachius in Consensu Iesuit Christian p. 769. We thinke that virginitie widdowhood and marriage are nothing Caluin in Math. 19. ver 12. It is a foolish imagination that No vertue single life is a vertue for of it selfe it pleaseth God no more then fasting nor deserues to be reckoned among the dueties which he requireth of vs. Et de vera reform p. 321. Nether is virginitie praised as if of it selfe it were a vertue Beza in Confess cap. 4. sect 16. There is a thirde kinde
here to wit so farre as that the spirit do struggle against sinne but not ouercome Of the same opinion are others who as before we saw do teach that we ought not to doe good workes For if we ought not doe good workes surely we ought not to ouercome sinne THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that we ought to thinke our selues dead to sinne that sinne ought not to reigne in vs nor we ought to obey the concupiscences thereof The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that the spirit ought to struggle against sinne but not so as it ouercome it ART V. WHETHER ANIE THAT SERVE the flesh do also serue God SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. Rom. 8. v 13. If you liue according to the flesh you shall die Liuers according to the flesh shall die Please not God Are of the Diuel v. 8. They that are in the flesh cannot please God Math. 6. v. 24. No man can serue two Maisters 1. Ioan. 3. v. 8. He that committeth sinne is of the Diuel CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE D. Stapleton in Math. 6. v. 24. Who serue God can nether serue the Diuel nor the flesh PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Caluin in Math. 6. v. 24. It is surely true that the faithfull are neuer so wholy obedient vnto God but that now and then they are withdrawne by the vitious lusts of the flesh but because Some seruer◠of the flesh are approued of God they mourne vnder this miserable slauerie and dislike themselues nor serue this flesh otherwise then against their will and striuing their desires and endeauours are approued of God euen as if they did afford him entire obedience In Rom. 8. v. 5. The Apostle testifieth that he accounteth not them carnall who do aspire to heauenlie iustice but who are wholy giuen to the world Beza in Praef. ad Pastores Basil vol. 1. pag. 427. To nill euill and yet to doe it is the parte of Saints who do wrastle Pareus l. 2. de Iustif c. 7. Sonnes of the Diuel are not simply Not all grieuous sinners Sonnes of the Diuel grieuous sinners but obstinat sinners l. 4. cap. 17. Nether the faithfull who sinne by chance or of themselues by weaknesse but such as of themselues giue themselues to sinne serue the Diuel and ought to be called sonnes of the Diuel Scarpe de Iustif Contr. 13. They onely are saied to serue the Diuel and to be his sonnes in whome sinne reigneth and who commit sinne with a full will but the faithfull do not so sinne See also what they say in the next article THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that who serue the flesh shall die nor cāplease God that none can serue twoe maisters that whosoeuer committeth sinne is of the Diuel The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that euen the sonnes of God serue the flesh that the Apostle accounteth none carnall but such as wholy giue themselues to the world that onely obstinat sinners are sonnes of the Diuel that the the faithfull sinning ether of infirmitie or wilfully serue not the Diuel that to nill euill and yet do it is the parte of Saints that they onely serue the Diuel who with full will commit sinne ART VI. WHETHER BY GRIEVOVS sinnes the faithfull fall from grace SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Ioan. 3. v. 8. He that committeth sinne is of the Diuel v. 15. No murderer hath life in him Sinne maketh to fall from grace You know that no murderer hath life euerlasting abiding in himselfe Gal. 5. v. 4. You are euacuated from Christ that are iustified in the law you are fallen from grace CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Session 6. cap. 15. We must teach that grace of iustification once receaued is lost not onely by infidelitie but also with anie other mortall sinne though faith be not lost PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contr. 4. q. 6. c. 2. But it is more absurd which he S. Peter did not leese grace saieth that Peter by denying Christ lost grace Et Concione vlt. p. 696. To goe from grace that is to obey the concupiscence of the flesh and to resist Gods motions and admonitions is farre from falling from grace Perkins de Baptismo to 1. col 819. This is most worthie of remembrance that the Apostle calleth the Galathians euen in that verie time when they erred in the foundation and euen were gone to an other Ghospell Sonnes of God saying you all are the sonnes of God For hereupon we may truely conclude that not No enormious sinne obscureth grace any enormious sinne nor euerie errour which is committed against the foundation obscurreth the grace and regeneration which maketh the Sonnes of God much lesse extinguish it In Serie Caufarum c. 42. By falls grace and faith are not taken Sinne taketh not away grace away but illustrated cap. 51. It shall appeare out of the word of God that it is farre otherwise thē that grace is extinguished by euerie mortall sinne And de Sermon Dom. tom 2. col 391. he saieth that Dauid and Peter euen when they sinned as they did were by regeneration the Sonnes of God and the grace of God remained in them Abbots in Diatribam Tomsoni c. 22. Dauid was not yet Dauid iust when he committed murder quite spoiled of spirituall life not yet depriued of iustification but worthie to be depriued Againe Guilt of sinne doth not take away iustification doth not extinguish the Holie Ghost doth not exclude the right of inheritance to the kingdome of God but onely the vse thereof The vniuersitie of Zurich apud Zanchium tom 7. col 74. Seing the strife of the spirit with the flesh is alwaies in Saints it followeth that the spirit doth alwaies remaine in them though sometimes they be ouercomen with the weight of the flesh Caluin in 2. Petri 2. v. 21. The faithfull also sinne but they Faithfull in grace euen when they sinne fall not from grace Beza in Colloq Montisbel p. 388. Whosoeuer is elect albeit Fall not from grace by sinne he sinne grieuously as is saied of Dauid yet he falleth not frō grace into which God once receaued him In Confess c. 4. sect 20. The Holie Ghost did testifie to their Dauid Peter spirit that they though they had most fouly fallen were not withstanstanding accounted in the number of the Sonnes of God And in Colloq cit When Smidelin had saied I aske whether Dauid Dauid adultering kept the holie Ghost committing adulterie lost the Holie Ghost or no Beza answered He lost him not but kept him Which p. 381. he expliteth by this exāple As druncknesse can for a time take away the vse of reason but yet not reason it selfe So sinne cā for a time take away from the elect the vse of the Holie Ghost and of grace but not grace and the Holie Ghost himselfe who abideth in them and departeth not from them as nether he departed from Dauid Et 2. part resp ad Acta Colloq Montisbel p. 71.
It is a vaine Nether veniall nor mortall sinnes exclude the holie Ghost distinction betwene veniall and mortall sinnes For nether the one nor the other cast of the Holie Ghost but interrupt his efficacie Zanchius de perseuerantia tom 7. col 359. saieth that it cannot be saied without blasphemie that Saints by sinning leaue to be the sonnes of God leese all right of euerlasting life Et col 150. The Holie Ghost departeth not but is contristated with our sinnes Pareus l. 3. de Iustif c. 14. denieth that ether Dauid by adulterie and murder or Salomon by idolatrie or S. Peter by denying Christ lost iustification And l. de Amiss Grat. c. 7. When the spirit ouercometh the flesh there ceaseth not to be flesh in Saints but it abideth tamed In like sorte when the flesh ouercometh the spirit as in Dauid when he fell the Spirit doth not cease to be in Saints but abideth ouercomen and troubled Et c. 11. Reconciliation grace loue adoption not euerie one nay neuer a sinne of the faithfull can dissolue THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that who sought iustification in the law were euacuated from Christ were fallen from grace who committeth sinne is of the Diuel and and that no murderer hath life in him The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that the faithfull by sinning do not fall from grace that Dauid in adulterie and murder S. Peter in deniall of Christ Salomon in idolatrie lost not iustification that the sinnes of the faithfull take not away the Holie Ghost but onely the vse thereof that the Holie Spirit is in the faithfull when they are ouercomen of the flesh that no sinne of theirs can dissolue grace that no enormious sinne extinguisheth grace Which some Protestants confesse to be against Scripture See lib. 2. cap. 30. ART VII WHETHER SINNE CAN stand with iustice SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. 2. Cor. 6. v. 14. What participatiō hath iustice with iniquitie Iustice and Iniquitie stand not together or what societie is there betwene light and darknesse and what agreement with Christ and Belial Wisdome 1. vers 4. Wisdome will not enter into a militious soule nor dwel in a bodie subiect to sinnes CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE C. Bellarm. l. 1. de Amiss Grat. cap. 12. Sinne fighteth with grace and cannot remaine together with iustice PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Abbots in Diatribam Tomsoni c. 25. Sinne dwelleth together Iustice dwelleth with sinne Faith with infidelitie with iustice in vs. Perkins in Galat. 5. True faith is alwaies mingled with contrarie incredulitie in so much as they who beleiue feele much incredulitie in themselues Luther in Gal. 3. to 5. f. 335. A Christian is together iust and a sinner a freind and enemie of God Et Assert art 31. tom 2. If therefore euerie one be also a sinner whilest he is iust what can A worke partely good partely nought Life death together follow more euidently then that a worke also is partely good partely euill Caluin cont Franciscan libertin p. 471. Behould how contraries may be together in one subiect For life is begun and much of death remaineth In Math. 17. vers 24. Seing faith is no where perfect it followeth that we are partely incredulous In Luc. 1. vers 6. The iustice which in them is praised dependeth of Gods free pardon and therefore he imputeth not that iniustice which remaineth in them Beza lib. Quaest vol. 1. pag. 672. In one and the selfe same Puritie and filth light and darknesse together subiect but in diuers respects are puritie and filth light and darknesse faith and incredulitie Pareus l. 4. de Iustif c. 17. I answere that there is no absurditie that faith hath sometimes dist ust or incredulitie mingled with it and so by accident that faith is sinne l. 1. c. 14. A sinner Faith is sinne by accident The same man iust and and wicked The same worke good and euill beleiuing is in the first moment of iustification iustified by grace and wicked by nature Et lib. 4. cap. 17. Workes are good and not good and worthie of reward and punishmēt but in diuers respects Good in so much as they are of God and done of the regenerate according to the law by faith and to the glorie of God Euill as much as they are defiled by the impure flesh and other sinnes Againe They are worthie of reward in the courte of mercie but worthie of punishment in the courte of Gods iustice THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that there is no participation of iustice with iniquitie no societie of light and darknesse that the Holie Ghost dwelleth not in a bodie subiect to sinne The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that a man is at once iust and wicked freind and enemie of God that life and death puritie and filth light and darkenesse faith and incredulitie sinne and iustice can be in the same man together yea that the same act can be at once good and ill in the same act faith and incredulitie Which same Protestants confesse to be contrarie to Scripture See lib. 2. c. 30. ART VIII WHETHER SINNES MAY be redeemed by good workes SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Daniel 4. v. 24. Redeeme then thy sinnes with almes and Sinnes redeemed by almes thy iniquities with the mercies of the poore perhaps he will forgiue thine offences Prou. 15. v. 17. By mercie and faith sinnes are purged Et c. By mercie 6. v. 6. By mercie and trueth iniquitie is redeemed CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 2. de Paenit c. 3. Catholiks teach that the temporall paines of the other life may be redeemed by fastings praiers almes and other pious and painfull workes of this life PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Confessio Anglica art 12. Good workes cannot putt away Sinnes not redeemed by all mes our sinnes Confessio Wittemberg cap. de Eleemosyna What need had there beene of the passion and death of Christ if sinne could be blotted out by the merit of almes Hunnius de Iustif pag. 197. Should not Christ haue dyed in vaine for sinnes if they could be redeemed by almes Herbrandus in Compendio loco de bonis operibus If sinnes were redeemed with almes God should seeme iniust condemning the poore for sinnes because he had not giuen them riches as he did to others wherewith they might redeeme their sinnes Caluin 3. Instit c. 4. § 25. Papists say there are manie helps Nor by good workes or charitie whereby we may redeeme our sinnes as tears fasting offerings duties of charitie To such lies I oppose c. In Luc. 7. v. 50. By this speech is refuted their errour who thinke that sinnes can be redeemed by charitie Sadeel de ver peccat remiss p. 113. If expiation of sinnes be giuen to mens workes then is Christ dead in vaine Aretius in locis part 1. f. 90. Inward clensing cometh not of almes If it had beene possible to redeeme sinnes by almes Christ had died in
Consciences are bound with Gods law onely Zuinglius in Explanat artic 28. It is no sinne which God forbiddeth not Mans additions cannot make anie thing to be good or euill Art 24. No Christian is bound to those workes which Christ hath not commaunded Caluin in Iacobi 4. vers 12. It is God alone who hath the conscience subiect to his laws In Refutat Cathalon p. 384. No mortall man can make lawes which binde the conscience and make men guiltie of Gods iudgment De necessitate reform pag. 58. We teach that consciences are free and quite from mens lawes In Confess fidei p. 109. Men haue no power to binde the consciēce vnder mortall sinne The like he hath 3. Instit c. 19. 4. c. 10. Beza in Confess c. 5. sect 33. God hath reserued to himselfe alone all this power of binding the conscience with lawes cap. 7. sect 9. It is lawfull to God alone to impose lawes vpon the conscience Peter Martyr in locis classe 4. cap. 4. § 5. The Apostles No sinne to breake the Apostles laws without scandall did decree that Gentils conuerted to Christ should abstaine from strangled meate and immolated to idols and from blood If anie had eaten of them without offense of others he had sinned nothing in conscience Daneus Controu 3. p. 509. Mens commandment can not bind our consciences Contr. 5 pa. g1125 No law but Gods can binde vs in consciencience THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that who resisteth the Magistrate resisteth Gods ordinance and purchaseth damnation and that we must be subiect to him for conscience sake Catholiks say the same Protestāts expressely say that Magistrates cannot binde the conscience that God alone can binde the conscience that breakers of the Apostles precept without contempt or scandall did not sinne THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER of mans law What hath beene rehearsed in this chapter plainely proueth that Protestants teach contrarie to the Scripture concerning mans law For the holie Scripture and Catholiks withall teacheth that there is superioritie among Christians that men haue power to make lawes and that their lawes may binde the conscience all which are denied of Protestants It proueth also that Protestants euen in this matter keepe their ould custome of stealing For they take from Christians all superioritie all power of makinge lawes and from their lawes all power of binding the conscience CHAPTER XX. OF FREE VVILL ART I. WHETHER MANS WILL BE free in indifferent matters SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. NVMBERS 30. v. 14. It shal be in the arbitrement Man free in things indifferent of her husband whether she shall do it or not do it Iosue 24. ver 15. Choice is giuen you chuse this day that which pleaseth you 2. Reg. 24. vers 12. Choice is giuen thee of three We haue choice things chuse one of them which thou wilt 1. Corint 7. vers 37. For he that hath determined in his hart being setled not hauing necessitie but hauing power of his owne will c. CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Concil of Trent Sess 6. Con. 5. If anie shall say that mans free will is after Adams sinne lost and extinct or a thing onely in Title or a title without the thing finally a deuise of Sathan brought into the Church be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Luther art 36. tom 2. Free will after sinne is a thing onely in No free will after sinne Title And in assert eiusdem articuli Free will is a deuise amongst things and a title without the thing because no man hath in his power to thinke any good or ill but all things fall out of absolute necessitie There is no doubt but that by Sathans teaching this name Free will came into the Church The same Luther de seruo arbit to 2. f. 434. Mans will is Mans will is like a beast set in the middest as a beast if God sitte vpon it it willeth and goeth whither God will if Sathan sitte vpon it it willeth and goeth whither Sathan will Nether is it in his power to runne to ether rider or to seeke him but the riders themselues striue about We do all things of necessitie him whether shall haue him fol. 435. It is certaine that we do all things of necessitie and nothing by free will The like he hath p. 461. 486. and otherwhere often Melancthon in locis editis An. 1521. apud Bellarm. l. 4. Men haue nether free will nor reason de Grat. lib. arbit c. 5. Men vse the name of free will which is most different from the holie scripture from the sense and iudgment of the Spirit And out of Plato his schole is added the word Reason as pernitious as that Againe Seing all things that fall out fall out necessarily according to Gods predestination there is no libertie of will What then will you say is there no chance in things no happe no fortune The Scripture say that all things fall out necessarily And if there seeme to thee to be some chance in humane matters thou must here command the iudgment of reason Which words of his also are repeated by Zanchius de Praedestinat c. 5. to 7. col 435. Zuinglius l. de Religione c. de Merito to 2. Gods prouidence taketh away both free will and merit The verie name of free will disliked Caluin l. 2. lib. arb p. 153. The name of free will displeaseth me and I would it were taken away Et p. 154. Who mantaineth free will vseth an other lāguage then the Holie Ghost doth 2. Instit c. 2. § 8. Because I thinke it name of free will cannot be kept without great danger and that it would be great good to Church if it were abolished nether will I vse it and I should wish others if they will heare me to forebeare it Et l. 1. cap. 15. § 8. Who do yet seeke will in mā lost and drowned in spirituall perditiō do plainely doate Et in confess p. 108. We nether grant merit nor free will No free will in indifferent things Polanus in Disput priuatis disput 34. A sinfull man hath no free will in indifferent and ciuill matters CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that man hath freedome in choice to doe that he hath choice to chuse what he will that he hath not necessitie but power of his will The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that free will is a deuise a thing onely in title or title without the thing that there is no libertie no chance in things that all things fall out of absolute necessitie that mans will is like a beast that a sinfull man hath no free will in indifferēt and ciuill things Which some Protestants confesse to be contrarie to Scripture See lib. 2. c. 30. ART II. WHETHER MANS WILL BE free in morall matters that are good or badde SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Gen. 4. v 6. Why art thou angrie and why is thy contenance Free will in
them publicans and harlots haue beene saued nether if they be knowne make they a man better Finally they vse to vnderstand the Saintes departed this life by this terme The dead For so doth the Apologie of the Confession of Auspurg c. de Inuocat Sanctorum The confession of Saxonie c. 21. Melancthon in locis c. de Sacramentis c. de Caeremonijs c. de scandalo c. de libertate Whitaker l. 9. cont Dureum sect 36. Wherevpon Kemnitius 3. parte Examinis p. 228. saieth that the Saintes departed are vsually termed The dead CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that the soule cannot be killed and that it returneth to God The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that the soule dieth that it is a Popes decree that the soule dieth not that it is a monstruous thing to say that it is immortall they adde also that it is by transfusion that after death it feeleth nothing that all or most infantes perish as beasts that the knowledge of the state of soules after this death is not necessarie to saluation nor maketh a man the better ART II. WHETHER MANS SOVLE BE the forme of his bodie SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Gen. 2. v. 7. Our Lord God formed man of the styme of the Soule forme of the bodie earth and breathed into his face the breath of life and man became a liuing soule CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 1. parte q. 76. art 4. A reasonable soule is vnited to the bodie as a substantiall forme PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther cited in the former article I giue leaue that the Not substantiall forme of the bodie Pope make articles of faith to his followers Such are That the soule is a substantiall forme of the bodie In psal 22. to 3. f. 348. It is not determined according to the spirit of trueth nor according So also Farellus to the authoritie of Scriptures but by the Popes reed according to vaine traditions of men That the essence of God is nether generated nor generateth That the soule is a substantiall forme of the bodie That bread and wine are trāssubstantiated on the altar that one kinde is to be giuen to lay men for the whole Sacrament and like monsters Polanus in Sylloge Thesium parte 2. p. 518. Mans soule is No forme of the bodie no forme of the bodie against Bellarmin Bucanus Instit loco 8. p. 89. The soule is in one onely mēber Not in euerie member of the bodie and place of the bodie THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saith that the soule was infused of God into man and that by it he was made a liuing creature The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that mans soule is no forme of the bodie that it is monstrous to say that it is the forme of the bodie that it is in one onely parte and place of the bodie and not in the whole bodie ART III. WHETHER THERE BE ANIE resurrection of the dead SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Cor. 15. v. 16. For if the dead rise not againe nether is Christ The dead shall rise risen againe And if Christ be not risen againe vaine is your faith 1. Thessalon 4. v. 14. For if we beleiue that Iesus died and rose againe so also God them that haue slept by Iesus will bring with him And the same is most plainely taught in innumerable places CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Catechismus ad Parochos in Exposit Symboli As we beleiue that manie haue beene raised from death so we must beleiue that all shal be raised to life PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther l. de seruo arbit to 2. fol. 442. Behould experience what the most excellent witts amongst the Gentils thought of the life to come and the resurrection How much more excellent they were of wit did they not the more thinke the life to come and resurrection to be ridiculous Finally to this day the most Luther not free from denying the resurrection of the dead by how much they are of greater wit and learning do they not the more laughe at that article and accoūt it afable and that opēly And I would to God thoum y Erasmus and I were free from this leauen So rare is there anie faithfull soule touching this article Brentius apud Reginaldum cited in the first article Yea such wordes fall from diuers Protestants by which they signifie No resurrection of the dead that they beleiue not the resurrection of the dead as well when there are drunken as when they are sober in their familiar talkes Vorstius in Apologetica resp ad Homium p. 41. writeth thus Let them see who will enquire these things more curiously what amongst our men Caluin himselfe sometimes thought of this matter in his epistles p. 85. Where Farellus plainely enough Caluin denied the resurrection of the flesh telleth that he not onely doubted of the resurrection of this flesh but thought plaine contrarie from others at that time And neuerthelesse none accursed him therefore of heresie Yea among the Lutherans Iames Schegkius in Antisimonic sect 9. p. 420. Schegkius denied the resurrection of these bodies Openly denied that the same bodies should rise hereafter And yet he was curteously excused of his parteners and it no where appeareth that he was for that condemned of heresie ether of his owne men or of ours Caluin Epistola 104. thus writeth to Laelius Sozinus Sozinus denied the resurrection of the flesh whome Camerarius in vita Melancthonis much commendeth I see that you are not satisfied about the resurrection of the flesh Farellus who was the first Minister of Geneua and whome Caluin and Beza highly cōmend and his picture is put amongst the worthies of the new reformers denied the resurrection of this flesh For thus writeth Caluin to him as reporteth M. Reinalds in Caluinoturcismo l. 3. c. 22. It is no meruaile that the resurrection of this flesh seemeth a Nether Caluin maruaileth at it thing incredible to thee Thou thinkes it sufficeth if thou beleiuest that sometime we shall haue new bodies Behould the first Apostle of Geneua thought the resurrection of this flesh a thing incredible nether that seemed anie meruaill to his Coapostle Caluin Besides all they who as we rehearsed cap. 3. artic 20. denie that Christs blood rose againe denie that there was a perfect resurrection of Christ of whome his blood was a parte and consequently they must denie that the blood of other men shal rise againe and so there shall not be a perfect resurrection of men Moreouer Caluin in 4 c. 1. § 27. saieth that those Corinthians who denied the resurrection were not excluded from Gods mercie Sadeel and Theses Posnan c. 12. pag. 806. Protestants account deniers of the resurrection to be members of the Church and children of God and faithfull that they kept the name of a true Chruch which also saieth Riuet tract 1. sect 39. Beza 2 parte respons ad Acta Montisbel pa. 253.
Paul speaketh not simply but by way of contention or arguing Let vs therefore remember that here he disputeth not of ceremonies taken in their true and naturall signification hut wrested to false and wicked interpretation not of the lawfull vse of them but of their superstitious abuse Diuers times also they are forced to say that the Scripture speaketh after a humane manner and according to the mynd capacitie or errour of others not according to the nature of the thing For if we proue that reward is giuen to almes because Christ saieth Luc. 16. v. 9. Make vnto you freinds of the mammon of iniquitie that when you faile they may receaue you into the eternall tabernacles Caluin excepteth that Christ speaketh After a humane māner after a humane manner If we proue that some are truely iust because Math. 1. v. 19. it is saied Ioseph her husband for that he was a iust man Illyricus vpon that place answereth Here he is called iust after the common manner that is honest and desirous to be honest If we proue that God giueth sufficient means of saluation to some who yet are not saued because he saieth Isaiae 5. v. 4. What is there that I ought to do more to my vinyard and haue not done Pareus l. 1. de Grat lib. arb cap. 11. answereth He speaketh not as God but after a humane manner like a vineroll The like saieth Caluin lib. de Prouident pag. 744. If we proue that Christ hath bought euen those who denie him because it is plainely saied so 2. Pet. 2. v. 1. Grossius Professour at Basel in Apol. pro Disput inaugurali saieth The Lord is saied to haue bought such both according to the custome of Scripture which according to the iudgment of charitie saieth that all are redeemed saints and cleansed from sinne whosoeuer are baptized and professe Christ albeit they be not all such before God as also according to their owne opinion Scripture speaketh according to mens false opinion After a humane māner and boastes For whome the Lord hath indeed bought they neuer denie him Zuinglius in Exposit fidei tom 2. fol. 558. writeth this Worke◠do not merit but when the Scripture promiseth reward to workes it speaketh after a humane manner Because men giue to thē that haue well deserued and the guifts are called rewards God also calleth his guifts reward or recompense The like hath Bullinger in Rom. 2. And Reineccius tom 4. Armaturae c. 7. saieth that those words of the Angel Tob. 12. I offered thy praied to our Lord are spoaken after a humane manner For saieth he there is no need that Angels should offer our praiers to the Lord for God is not farre of Caluin 3. Instit c. 18. § 9. answering to that place Math. 19. v. 17. If thou wilt enter to life keepe the commandements saieth As if it were not manifest that Christ did accomodate his speach to them with whome he had to doe Polanus in Disput priuat 38. saieth This place in which Christ commandeth to keepe the precepts of the law is to be vnderstood in According to mens supposition parte to wit according to the supposition of the yong man Masculus in Ioan. 6. saieth In that Christ calleth faith a worke of God it is an application wherewith he accomodateth According to mens words himselfe to the words of this people And Luther in Galat. 2. tom 5. fol. 317. Paul through too great zeale and indignation By too much zeale and indignation of spirit calleth Grace a law whereas in trueth it is nothing els but the greatest and infinit libertie in Christ. Beza in Cyclope vol. 1. pag. 306. The Apostle Hebr. 7. v. 18. calleth the former precept vnprofitable But he speaketh vpō In supposition of aduersaries the supposition of his aduersaries So delt Christ with the Capharnaites Christ according to their supposition saieth his flesh profiteth nothing And in Ioan. 6. v. 31. But here agayne Christ speaketh vpon their supposition with whome he discourseth Et in Dial. cont Heshus vol. 1. p. 285. 306. and cont Westphal p. 241. saieth The Apostle in all that treatise of the ould sacraments according to his aduersaries supposition considereth the ceremonies a parte from Christ and by themselues The like hath Tilenus in Syntagmate cap. 57. But Gratianus Antiiesuita tom 6. doctrinae Iesuit part 2. pag. 3. speaketh yet worse saying According to this impious supposition the According to an impious supposition Scripture speaketh contemptibly of the Sacraments and calleth Circumcision some where Prepuce other where Concision other where vnprofitable and Manna also viuificall bread If therefore we proue the keeping of the law to be necessarie to life because Christ saieth Luc. 10. ver 28. Doe this and thou shalt liue Caluin ib. in ver 26. answereth Christ speaketh here about obtaining life as he was asked For he According to the demand telleth not plainely as he doth otherewhere how men may come to life Christ in this answere doth accommodate himselfe to the lawyer and respecteth the demaund See also Whitak l. 8. cont Dur. sect 38. If we proue that the Eucharist is a nobler food then manna because Christ saieth Ioan. 6. v. 27. Worke not the meate that perisheth but that endureth vnto life euerlasting Caluin 4. Instit c. 14. § 25. answereth Christ accommodateth According to the grosse opinion his speach to the grosse opinion of the Capharnaites The same he hath in Ioan. 6. versus 50. If we proue that the Eucharist is of more vertue then Manna was because Christ saieth Ioan. 6. v. 58. Your fathers did eate manna and died he that eateth this bread shall liue for euer Caluin 2. INstit c. 10. § 6. answereth The Lord spoake According to carnall mens capacitie to heares who onely sought to be filled with meate of the bellie and cared not for the true food of the soule doth somewhat accommodate his speach to their capacitie but especially he maketh the comparison of manna and of his bodie according to their meaning And in 1. Cor. 10. v. 3. Christ accommodateh his speach to the meaning of the hearers We see that the Lord speaketh Not according to the nature of the thing not there according to the nature of the thing but according to the meaning of the hearers If we proue that Christ added somewhat to the rigor of the law because he saieth Math. 5. v. 22. You haue heard that it was saied to them of ould Thou shalt not kill c. But I say vnto you who soeuer is angrie with his brother shal be in danger of iudgment Caluin ib. answereth Christ indeed To the capacitie of the valgar sorte To their grosse error To the capacitie of the common people bringeth the words of the law but he accommodateth himselfe to the common capacite of the vulgar sorte And in Rom. 2. v. 26. The Apostle doth accommodate his speach according to their
the elect And againe It is certaine that the places which promise saluation vniuersally belong onely to the elect And Beza in Ioan. 6. v. 40. It must not be taken for an vniuersall but for an indefinit proposition Caluin vpon the place cited saieth It speaketh of kinds of men not of all persons And Perkins in Serie causarum c. 52. We must know that this proposition is not generall but indefinit If we proue the same out of these words 2. Pet. 3. v. 10. Not some but all that is Some Not willing that anie perish but all to returne to pennance Beza in Colloq Montisbel p. 422. in respons p. 231. and De Praedestinat cont Castel p. 355. answereth It is plaine that Peter speaketh onely to the faithfull Zanchius l. 5. de Nat. Dei cap 2. It is vnderstood onely of the elect And Bucer in Math. 6. It is ment of them onely whome he hath chosen for to be conuerted and liue If we proue that God calleth all because Christ Math. 11. ver 28. crieth Come to me all that labour and are burdened All that is Some and I will refresh you Beza l. quaest resp vol. 1. p. 699. answereth But yee will say the calling and promise is vniuersall But vnderstand it indefinite and that in regard of certaine circustances of which we spoake and thou shall thinke more rightly For otherwise behould with how necessarie reasons that vniuersall calling is refuted wherefore not an vniuersall calling but onely an indefinite can and must be defended If we proue that God hateth euen the faithfull when they worke iniquitie because Psalm 5. v. 7. it is saied Thou hatest all who worke iniquitie they will except the All that is Some faithfull as appeareth by what we rehearsed l. 1. c. 2. art 9. If we proue that all things are possible to God because so it is saied Math. 19. v. 26. Beza Dial. cont Heshus vol. 1. answereth That saying of thine All things are possible to God hath some exception Of Christ if we proue that he died for all because it is Touching Christ saied 2. Cor. 5. ver 15. If one died for all then all were dead and Christ died for all Beza ib. answereth Sith it is here spoaken All that is Some of the Church or of the elect onely considered vniuersally we must needs restraine All to that whereof the speach is Et Contraremonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 131. That All wherewith it is saied Christ died for all is expounded not to be extēded vniuersally to all and euerie and none excepted but is to be restrained onely to the faithfull If we proue that Christ is the propitiation for the sinnes of all the world because 1. Ioan. 2. v. 2. it is saied He is the All the world that is Some propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the whole worlds Zanchius in Summa Praelect tom 7. col 264. answereth When he saieth Christ is the propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world we are not compelled by name of the world He amitteth whole to vnderstand all men vniuersally Agayne Christ is the propitiation onely for the sinnes of the elect of the whole world Caluin vpon this place Nether had Ihon anie other meaning then to make this good common to the whole Church Beza ib. By the name of the world He also omitteth whole are vnderstood all the elect of all ages degrees and places If we proue that Christ is the Sauiour of all men because it is saied 1. Timoth. 4. v. 10. Which is the Sauiour of All that is Some all men especially of the faithfull Author Resp ad Theses Vademont p. 482. answereth This pertaineth to the elect onely Of the Church if we proue that she erreth not in anie Touching the Church point of faith because Christ saieth Ioan. 16. v. 13. When he the spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 4. c. 2. expoundeth it thus That is All trueth that is Some all necessarie trueth Agayne I answere that Christ and the holie Ghost teacheth the Church all trueth simply necessarie but yet oftentimes leaueth some error The like hath Rainalds thesi 2. and Bucanus loco 41. But Daneus Contr. 4. p. 632. saieth Properly and truely this promise of Christ pertaineth to those twelue whome he then spoake vnto Wherefore it is a personall blessing which must not be extended to anie other then to those twelue Apostles The like hath Moulins in his Buckler pag. 51. If we proue that wicked men may be in the Church which is the bodie of Christ because S. Paul saieth 1 Cor. 10. v. 17. For being manie we are one bread one bodie all that All that is Some participate of one bread Beza dial cont Heshus p. 280. answereth That All that participate cannot be extended to the wicked Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 1. c. 11. saieth The Apostle speaketh onely of the good and godlie the wicked do not participate that bread whereof the Apostle speaketh If we proue that all the Corinthians and Galathians baptized were in the Church and had put on Christ because 1. Cor. 12. v. 13. it is saied For in one Spirit we were all All that is Some baptized into one bodie And Galat. 3. ver 27. For as manie of you as are baptized in Christ haue put on Christ Whitaker Contr. 24. 1. cap. 8. answereth The Apostle in these places speaketh not of all the Corinthians and Galathians but of those onely who were endued with the spirit of Christ and true faith Touching Sacraments If we proue that Baptisme is Touching Sacraments necessarie to all because Christ saieth Ioan. 3. v. 5. Vnlesse one be borne againe of water c. Pareus l. 6. de Amiss Grat. c. 1. answereth The proposition is to be limitated And commonly One that is Some they except infants If we proue that baptisme is effectuall also in the reprobate because Galat. 3. ver 27. For as manie of you as are baptized As manie that is Some in Christ haue put on Christ Beza ib. answereth It is added As manie for to take away the difference of nations states and sexes And 2. part resp ad Acta Montisb p. 62. By no colour of reason it can be vnderstood vniuersally of euerie baptized person Zuinglius in Elencho tom 2. fol 13. saieth It is spoaken synechdochically All did eate the same spirituall bread when as they onely eate it who were spirituall If we proue that the bound of marriage dureth all the life of the married parties because it is saied 1. Cor. 7. v. 39. A woman is bound to the law so long time as here husband So long that is for a time liueth Peter Martyr ib. answereth When he writeth that a woman is bound to hir husband so long as he liueth the exception which Christ hath must be added to wit vnlesse adulterie be committed
they change into particulars whensoeuer they make against them Which is so great and so manifest an abuse of Scripture as What some Protestants thing of turning vniuersall propositions into particulars some of themselues crie out against it For thus Iacobus Andreae in Colloq Montisbel p. 418. speaketh to Beza It is impietie to exclude anie man from this vniuersall promise p. 419. It is manifest impietie and abhominable doctrine contrarie to the expresse letter to make a particular promise of an vniuersall Et pag. 421. It is horrible to heare so manifest an vniuersall proposition to be made a particular Wherefore I thus frame my eight argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are compelled in so manie and so great matters to change so manie and so manifest vniuersall propositiōs of the holie Scripture into particulars they are to be iudged to gainsay the true sense of the Scripture But Protestants do so Therefore c. And the more forcible this argument ought to be against them because themselues teach That as often as there is an vniuersall proposition in Scripture it must not be limited by anie distinction vnlesse that be grounded vpon certaine and cleare words of Scripture For otherwise euerie doctrine may be deluded by subtilitie of distinctions So Gerlachius tom 2. disp 24. CHAPTER IX THAT PROTESTANTS DO LIMITATE manie vnlimited Propositions of the Scripture MY ninth argument that Protestants contradict the true sense of Scripture I will take frō thence that they are forced to limitate manie vnlimitated propositions of Scripture touching great matters as of God of Christ of the Church and the like For if we proue that God doth not at all tempt to euil Touching God because S. Iames saieth absolutely c. 1. v. 13. God is no tempter of euill and he tempteth no man P. Martyr in locis clas 1. c. 15. § 9. answereth When Iames denieth that God tempteth he denieth it not altogether but in that sorte in which those carnall Christians of his time did affirme him to tempt as if they when they sinned had not beene in fault Caluin vpon this place He speaketh here of inward temptations which are nothing but inordinate desires which prouoke vs to sinne And he rightly denieth God to be author of them Pareus l 2. de Amiss Grat. c. 8. Iames doth not remoue from God simply all temptation but onely the inward temptation and such as may make a man excusable If we proue that God willeth not iniquitie at all that is nether for it selfe nor for anie other thing because ps 1. v. 5. it is saied without anie limitation Thou wilst not iniquitie they limitate this saying manie waies as that God willeth not iniquitie for it selfe or by his word or by allowance or delighte in it as appeareth by what we rehearsed l. 1. c. 2. art 1. If we proue that God of himselfe willeth not the death of anie man because he saieth Ezech. 33. v. 11. I will not the death of the wicked and c. 18. v. 32. I will not the death of him that dieth Zanchius l. 3. de Nat. Dei c. 4. q. 4. answereth If thou vrgest the word I will not the death of a sinner and that God speaketh of his good pleasure I say that place is to be vnderstood of the elect onely Beza 2. art resp ad Acta Montisbel p. 196. That restriction of conuersion sheweth that this is to be vnderstood onely of them to whome is graunted the grace of conuersion which surely is proper to the elect Piscator in Thesib l. 2. p. 187. The Prophet speaketh not here of euerie sinner but of him onely that is conuerted But Luther lib. de seru arbitr tom 2. fol. 450. saieth God willeth manie things which by his word he sheweth that he willeth not So he will not the death of a sinner to wit by word but he willeth it by his vnsearchable will If we proue that God willeth the conuersion of euerie sinner because he saieth without limitation Ezech. 33. v. 11. I will not the death of the wicked but that he be conuerted and liue Caluin l. de Praedest p. 786. and de Prouident p. 737. answereth God is saied to will life as he is saied to will pennance and this he willeth because by his words he inuiteth all to it but this is not contrarie to his secret counsaile wherein he hath decreed to conuert none but his elect Piscator in Thesibus lib. 2. pag. 236. saieth That God speaketh there of the wicked who is conuerted If we proue that Christ euen as he is God would gather those who will not be gathered because he saieth absolutely Math. 23. v 37. How often would I gather together thy children as the hen doth goth gather together her chickins vnder her wings and thou wouldest not Perkins de Praedest tom 1. col 157. answereth I say that Christ speaketh here not as he was God but as he was minister of the circumcision The same saieth Luther lib. cit fol. 451. and others If we proue that God calleth euen the reprobate because he saieth without limitation Apocal. 3. v. 20. I stand at the dore and knock Perkins loc iam cit answereth Those at whose dore Christ standeth are the faithfull and the conuerted If we proue that God euen by inward vocation calleth the reprobate because without all limitation it is saied Math. 23. v. 37. How often would I gather thy Children And Isaiae 65. v. 2. I haue spred fourth my hands all the day to an incredulous people And c. 5. v. 4. What is there that I ought to doe more to my vineyard and haue not done to it Et Prou. 1. v. 24. I haue called and you haue refused Contra-remonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 245. seq limitate all these sayings onely to outward calling And Pareus l. 1. de Grat. lib. arb c. 11. to onely calling by outwarde means After which manner Protestants also limitate those words Math. 22. v. 14. Manie are called but few are chosen If we proue that men may resist the holie Ghost speaking within them because without limitation it is saied Acts 7. v. 51. You haue alwaies resisted the holie Ghost Caluin ib. answereth They are saied to resist the holie Ghost who obstinately reiect him speaking by the Prophets for here is no speach of inward reuelations which God inwardly inspireth to anie but of the outward ministerie If we proue that Christ did not teach his Apostles all Touching Christ the points of faith because himselfe saieth Ioan. 16. v. 12. Yet manie things I haue to say to you but you cannot beare them now But when he the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth they limite this to rites and discipline Beza ib These words are to be vnderstood of those things which pertained to the execution of the Apostolicall function and foundation of Churches If we proue that Christ was Mediator of
If we proue that God doth now cleanse vs from all iniquitie because it is saied 1. Ioan. 1. v. 19. He is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and cleanse vs from all iniquitie Caluin ib. answereth If anie obiect that whilest we liue in this life we are neuer cleansed from all iniustice for so much as belongeth to reformation that is true indeed but Ihon teacheth not what God doth now perfect in vs. If we proue that in this life some are made iust by the merits of Christ as by Adams demerit they were made iniust by these words Rom. 5. v. 19. As by the disobedience of one man manie were made sinners so also by the obedience of one manie shal be made iust Pareus l. 2. de Iustificat cap. 3. answereth In this life we are made iust imperfectly in the next we shal be made perfectly iust Hereupon perchaunce Luther saied Disput 3. tom 1. We thinke that a man to be iustified is not to be yet iust but to be in the way and course to iustice If we proue that faith without workes is alwaies dead because it is saied Iames 2. vers vlt. Faith without workes is dead Schlusselburg to 8. Catal. p. 526. answereth The saying of Iames touching faith dead without workes is to be vnderstood of ehe time after iustification So that he will not haue faith to be dead without good workes whilest it iustifieth If we proue that God alwaies will all men to be saued by those words 1. Tim. 2. Who will all men to be saued Perkins in Cases of Conscience cap. 7. sect 3. answereth God will all men to be saued vnderstand now in this last age of the world If we proue that Saintes in heauen aske mercie for the faithfull because they aske reuenge vpon their persecutors by those words Apocal. 6. vers 9 I saw vnder the aultar the soules of them that were slanie for the word of God c. and they cried with a loud voice saying How long Lord holie and true iudgâ—st thou not and reuengest not our blood on them that dwell on the earth Confessio Wittember c. de Inuocat Sanctorum vnderstandeth this onely of praiers made whiles the Saints were on earth In the Apocalypse the soules of the Saints that were slaine do crie that their blood be reuenged not that now resting in the Lord they are desirous of reuenge after a humane manner but because the Lord euen after their death is myndfull of the praiers which whiles they yet liued on earth the made for the deliuerie of themselues and the Church If we proue that in this life we fulfill the law doe the will of God and obey Christ by those words Rom. 8. v. 4 God sent his Sonne c. that the iustification of the law might be fullfilled in vs. Et Math. 6. Thy will be done on earth And Hebr. 5. vers 9. Christ is made the cause of saluation to all that obey him Scharpius de Iustif Contr. 12. answereth Out of these places nothing followeth but that the faithfull fulfill the law but it followeth not that they fulfill it in this life Wherefore I thus make my fourtenth argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture will not expound the words of Scripture on that time whereof it speaketh do contradict the true sense thereof Protestants doe so Therefore c. CHAPTER XV. THAT PROTESTANTS OF MANIE sayings of Scripture make one MY fiftenth argument shal be because Protestants are forced to confound manie sayings of Scripture in one and so make one of manie For if we proue that God will not the death of a sinner but willeth his conuersion by those words Ezechiel 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that he be conuerted and liue Caluin l. de Praedest pag. 706. answereth If as we ought to doe those twoe be read ioyntly I will that a sinner which is conuerted liue the cauill is easily refuted The some hath Beza 2 part resp ad Acta Montisbel p. 196. If we proue that God would haue al to be saued and come to the knowledge of the trueth because it is so saied 1. Tim. 2. v. 4. Beza lib. quaest respons vol. 1. Theol. p. 684. saieth Those twoe To saue and to come to the knowledge of trueth are to be ioyned that so God may be vnderstood to will that they be saued whome he will haue to come to the knowledge of the trueth So also he answereth in Respons ad Acta Montisb p. 194. And there p. 196. in the same sorte expoundeth that Ezech. 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that be conuerted If we proue that Christs baptisme was different from S. Ihons because Actor 19. S. Luke telleth that some who haue beene baptized with S. Ihons baptisme were baptized againe of S. Paul Beza ib. ver 5. saieth that these are not the words of S. Luke telling who were baptized of S. Paul but of S. Paul telling what was the baptisme of Saint Ihon. Caluin l cont Anabap. p. 415. saieth There is saied that Paul baptized them in the name of Christ then to explicate what this meaneth is added that he laied hands vpon them and the holie Ghost descended Wherefore the same thing is diuersely expressed by twoe wayes as the Scripture vseth Et 4. Inst c. 15. § 18. Luke doth not tell twoe different things but keepeth the forme of relating vsed of the Hebrews who first set downe the summe of the matter and after explane it more at large If we proue that we must be borne againe both of water and of the holie Ghost by these words Ioan. 3. v. 5. Vnlesse one be borne againe of water and the holie Ghost c. Caluin ib. answereth It is one simple sentence that we must be borne a new for to be Gods children and that of this second birth the holie Ghost is author Therefore he put water and Spirit for the same thing And in this manner they confound manie things which the Scripture distinguisheth and say that ether they be Synonimies or that one exegetically expoundeth the other Wherefore this is my 15. argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are compelled to confound manie different sayings of the Scripture in one those are also opposite to the true meaning of the holie Scripture Protestants doe so Therefore c. And hitherto we haue seene how manie and what kind of Propositions of Scripture almost in all kinds of controuersies Protestants doe change and depraue and that no kind of speach can be so plaine strong and forcible as it can recall them from their errours but that they break through delude depraue all Now let vs see how they deale will the wordes of Scripture For as Tertullian saieth cont Hermogenen It is the Heretiks custome to wreste all simple words CHAPTER XVI THAT WORDS OF SCRIPTVRE WHICH signifie the working or doing of a thing
Iustification writeth thus Sanctification by the blood of the couenaÌ„t Heb. 10. v. 29. is not the inward cleansing of the heart from sinne To receaue the holie Ghost Act. 19. v. 2. With them is not to receaue grace but some speciall guifts Caluin ibid. Here is not spoaken of the spirit of regeneration but of speciall guifts In like sorte by The holie Ghost ib. Nether haue we heard that there is a holie Ghost is not meant the holie Ghost For thus Caluin ib. How could it be that Iews had not heard of the holie Ghost Et Beza ibid. It were most absurd to thinke that they knew not that there was anie holie Ghost To be sanctified Hebr. 10. v. 29. is not to be truely sanctified For thus Contraremonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 391. Nether yet can it be concluded thereof that they were truely faithfull and indeed sanctified To fall from grace Gal. 5. ver 5. With them is not to fall from grace but to fall from the hope of obtaining it Contrare monstrantes loc cit p. 388. These are saied to fall from the grace of iustification not that euer they were partakers thereof but because they are excluded from al hope of obtaining it so long as they wil be iustified by the law Touching baptisme To be baptized Act. 19. v. 3. In whome Touching Baptisme then were you baptized with them is not to haue receaued baptisme but other guifts Beza ib. We must needs graunt that here is not treated of baptisme but of guifts wherewith God was wonte specially to adorne those whome he made rulers of Churches Gualâ—erus ib. hom 125. These words must not be expouÌ„ded of the baptisme of water but of the baptisme of fire Likewise Baptisme 1. Pet. 3. with them signifieth not baptisme but Christ Zuinglius resp ad Huber tom 2. It is certainely euident that Peter in that place by Baptisme vnderstandeth no other thing but Christ. Water also Ioan. 3. v. 5. Vnlesse one be borne agayne of water signifieth not water but the holie Ghost Caluin ibid. I can no way be persuaded to beleiue that Christ speaketh of baptisme And in Refutat Serueti This pertaineth nothing to baptisme but the name of water is metaphorically attributed to the holie Ghost Zuinglius vpon this place By water here he meaneth not that element but the word of God grace of God heauenlie water that is the illustration of the noâ—â—e Ghost And in the same manner other Protestants commonlie Touching the Eucharist Is in the words of consecratioÌ„ Touching the Eucharist with them is not Is but Signifieth nor Bodie giuen for vs Blood shed for vs is the true bodie and blood of Christ but onely figures of them as appeareth by what hath beene saied lib. 1. cap. 11. art 1. To eate the flesh and drinke the blood of Christ so often repeated Ioan. 6. is not to eate or drinke but onely to beleiue P. Martyr cont Gardiner part 1. col col 866. We still say that to eate to wit the flesh of Christ is nothing els then to apprehend it by faith as giuen for vs as price of our redemption Which also he hath col 863. And Luther Postil in Dom. post Natiuit To eate and drinke his flesh and To eate 1. not to eate but to beleiue blood is no other thing then to beleiue that Christ truely tooke these for our sake and repaied them agayne at death The like hath Zuinglius in Ioan. 6. and in Histor passionis and l. de Relig. c. de Euchar. Bullinger Dec. 5. serm 9. Vrsinus in Catechism q. 76. Flesh in those words of Christ Ioan. 6. My Flesh. 1. not flesh but diuinitie flesh is truely meate with them is not flesh but the Godhead Zuinglius in Exegesi to 2. fol. 333. He saieth his flesh is truely meate meaning surely not his flesh but his better nature which had taken flesh The Bodie of our Lord in those words 1. Cor. 10. The bread which we breake is it not the participation of the bodie of our Lord with these men is not the bodie of Christ 1. Christians Christ but Christians Zuinglius lib. cit Thou mights haue seene at the first how that Communion and Bodie are not taken Bodie of Christ 1. men for distribution of Christs bodie but for men themselues Finally Luther was so bould as to set downe a Canon Luthers CanoÌ„ of expounding Words by coÌ„traries of expounding the words of holie Scripture by coÌ„traries For thus he writeth in Ps 5. to 3. fol. 171. Let this be a Canon for thee Where the Scripture commandeth a good worke to be done do thou so vnderstand it that it forbiddeth thee doe good workes seing thou canst not but that thou maiest sanctifie the Lord be dead and buried and suffer God to worke in thee Which Canon Protestants do well follow as appeareth by what hath beene related in this chapter and before in the sixt and seuenth chapter where we shewed that in the weightieste matters they expounded the words of holie Scripture ironically and according to others meÌ„s mynde These and innumerable the like doe Protestants of which we might easily gather not onely a chapter but a booke full But out of these which we haue rehearsed it clearely appeareth First how great hereticall libertie as Tertullian speaketh is which turneth the words of holie Scripture this way and that way in to this forme and that and tosseth them vp and downe like tenis balls Secondly how easie it may be for euerie idiote with this libertie for to defend what heresie soeuer though neuer so contrarie to Scripture For who cannot expound the words of Scripture by diuerse by disparate and contrarie things Thirdly how impossible it is if this libertie be admitted to refute by Scripture any heresie at all or to proue anie thing by anie words whatsoeuer ether of God or man Fourthly how that Protestants by this kinde of dealing do more dishonor God and the holie Scripture then if they should quite reiect it For if they should reiect the Scripture they should onely reiect Gods word and trueth But by this manner of dealing they doe not onely reiect Gods trueth and meaning but also in steede thereof foist in the contrarie vntrueth and so as S. Hierome speaketh In Galat. â— of the word of God they make the word of the Diuel Fiftly it appeareth that these expositions of Protestants are like to that which Luther merly deuised for to shew the Sacramentaries how they expounded the words of consecration in Defens verb. cenae to 7. fol. 384. where he A fit exaÌ„ple of Protest expositions writeth thus Surely they doe a great and weightie matter But no otherwise then if I should denie that God made heauen and earth wheÌ„ one should obiect that of Moises In the beginning God created heauen and earth I should expound Moises words in this sorte God that is a Cuccou Made that is deuoured Heauen and earth
conferre places and adioyne thereto some humane principle and make an argument for to draw in what manner soeuer their doctrine out of Scripture which conference of places adiunction of a humane principle and discourse seing it is not made by the Scripture but by Protestants by their guift of Interpretatation they must needs graunt that the Scripture hath need of Interpretation for to determine all the controuersies that are betwixt vs and them And for this cause albeit Whē Protest will haue expresse Scripture when consequence thereof when they put vs to the proofe they vse to crie Nothing is to be beleiued which is not expressely in Scripture yet when they are to proue they will haue it suffice that it may be gathered out of Scripture by good cōsequence For so say the Lutherans in Colloq Ratisbon Sess 3. 13. Kemnice in 1. part Exam. p. 320. Beza in Resp ad Acta Mōtisb part 2 p. 46. l. de Notis Eccles Daneus Cont. 1. p. 86. Pareus l. 1. de Iustif c. 16. Piscator de Iustif l. 1. c. 5. Riuet in Contr. tract 1. sect 18. and others commonly And seing this Inference by good consequence is not made by the Scripture but by themselues by their Interpretation they must needs say that besides the Scripture there is necessarie some Interpreter for to know all points of faith Now that Protestants haue no infallible interpretation of Scripture is manifest First because they confesse that Protest haue no infallible interpreter that they haue no infallible Interpreter of Scripture Pareus in Colleg. Theol 2. disp 1. The word of God cannot abide anie infallible Interpreter besides God himselfe who inspired the Scripture Secondly because they denie that the whole Senate of Fathers the Catholik Church or generall Councels haue the guift of infallible interpretation in all points of faith and therefore ridiculously should they arrogate this guift to themselues And seing they teach that all Pastors together and all the true Church whichsoeuer it is may erre in matters of faith they cannot chalenge to their Pastors this infallible guift Thirdly for if they doe infallibly interprete the Scripture in all points of faith ether they doe it by means or without means Not without means for such interpretation were Propheticall by immediate reuelation from God or rather Enthusiasticall by illusion from the Diuel Whereupon saieth Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 4. c. 5. If the holie Ghost teach the Church to interprete these places of Scripture without means Protest require means to interprete this is Enthusiasticall and Anabaptisticall and extraordinarie For the Spirit teacheth now onely by meanes nether must we now looke for new inspirations or reuelations Et Cōt 1. q. 5. c. 9. Now must we treate of the meās to finde the sense of Scripture For sith the Scripture hath not a liuely voice for vs to heare we must vse some means for to finde out which is the sense and meaning of the Scripture Agayne The Church hath alwaies vsed some means for to expound the Scripture But if they expound the Scripture by means then according to their owne opinion if their means be fallible their interpretation also must be fallible For thus Whitaker c. 3. cit If by means then such as the means be such must needs the interpretation be But the means which Protestants haue are but humane and fallible For as they graunt they are no other then such as the Catholik Church holie Fathers generall Coūcels haue vsed For thus Whitaker c. 3. cit But the means of the Church to expound obscure places are vncertaine doubtfull and ambiguous And they must needs say so because otherwise they must confesse that the Church is infallible in expounding the Scripture Secondly because the means Protest meās but humane which Protestants vse are these Pondering of circumstances of the stile and Phrase of Scripture conference of places recurring to the Hebrew and Greek text praier and the like as yee may see in Rainolds Confer lib. 2. diuis 2. Confes Heluet. c. 2. Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 5. c. 9. Humfrey ad Rat. 1. Camp and others But all these means are humane for they be our pondering our conference our recurring our praier And all humane means are fallible as euerie man is subiect to lie Thirdly because no where in Scripture is there promised infallible assistance to them that vse these means And if anie say that it is promised to praier whatsoeuer we aske first he maketh onely praier an infallible meane Agayne it sufficeth not to pray how soeuer but we must pray well and perseuerantlie For Iac. 4. v. 3. it is saied Yee pray and obtayne not because yee pray ill But it is not praied well that euerie priuat man by him selfe should vnderstand the Scriptures but rather ill because the Scripture saieth Malac. 2. The lippes of the Priest keepe knowledge and they shall require the law out of his mouth and Ephes 4. He hath giuen Pastors and Doctors for the consumnation of Saints Fourthly because all vse these means Catholiks Heretiks Iews and yet all doe not attaine to the right sense of Scripture by them Fiftly because Protestants themselues doe insinuate Their means not infallible that these means are not infallible For Whitaker besides the words already related saieth Cōt 1. q. 5. c. 9. 10. That we must vse these means rightly and thereby declareth that these means are not infallible vnlesse they be rightly vsed and yet he doth not set downe the meane how to vse thē rightly Et c. 10. cit addeth that all these means must be accommodated to the rule of faith Which be clearely enough sheweth that of themselues they are not infallible Rainolds also loc cit saieth that all their means are vaine Vnlesse God giue eyes to see Sixtlie these means are not onelie fallible but also insufficient Their means not common to all For we must not onelie know to conferre places but also what places are to be conferred and what not and with what places they are to be conferred and with what not Besides we must know how we must cōferre For otherwise as Tertullian saied of examining Scriptures we may say of conferring As if hauing ill examined all we may not fall into error by making choice of some euill But the foresaied means teach vs not this Finally these means are not common to all the faithfull For thus writeth Whitaker c. 9. cit The vnlearned know not how to vse these means rightly and Rainolds libr. cit cap. 5. diuis 1. Because the infirme and vnlearned sorte of Christians haue no skill to discerne the right sense of Scripture from the false he Vincent accommodateth himselfe to their infirmitie and giueth them externall sensible means to know it I aske therefore whether vnlearned Protestants do truely know the right sense of Scripture by means or without means If without means they are Enthusiasts If by means there are others then those