that all those that beleeue in him should haue life euerlasting Such was the godly death of Luther As for Ignatius Layola the founder of your secte I finde that hee was giuen to nouelties and vnstablenesse in religion caryed away as â—â— Paule saieth with euery puffe or blast of vaine doctrine I finde that hee â—â—braâ—td superstition and Idolatrie being marked with the Character of the beast in the Reuelation and licenced to buy and sell traditions and to traffique in the kingdome of Antichrist Touching any good y â— he did or any soules y â— he geined or any sound doctrine that hée deliuered vnto the people of God I finde no mention And now vnto that which I haue especially determined with my selfe I am to display for the furnishing of your Banner the doctrine which your societie generally establisheth the which you as yée say vnder the Banner of obedience doe so we abroade The poynts being many the labour great and my leasure small I will not wearâ—e the Reader with tedions discourses and autorities of men but wade in the holy scriptures so farre as mention is made of the matters called in question and where the word of God is silent and of the other side doctrine is vrged there to giue the Reader to vnderstand that it is the deuise and inuention of man and therfore as easily consuted as confirmed I finde in your workes as followeth 1. The Iesuites doctrine HOly scripture is a lame maimed and vnperfect doctrine Again holy scripture in the very same doctrinâ— and precepter which it containeth and setteth forth is as it were a nose of waxe not yeelding any certaine or imoâ—able sentence but such a one as may be drawne or wrested afterwhat 〈◊〉 ye will Censur Colon Andrad Orthod Explâ—â— Lib â— pag. 104. 105. 106. Againe Thou shalt finde many thinges which cannot bee s◠〈◊〉 by 〈…〉 of the holy scripture but that they 〈…〉 of the Church o◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 pag â—0 Againâ— To depriue hâ—â—y scripture of the testimonies of traditions and authoritie of the Church is as much as may be to ouerthrow holy scripture to caâ—t downe the chiefest 〈◊〉 thereof and â—o bring â—â—e whole fayth into open periâ— Pag. 8â— the same 〈…〉 that which others 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 the Fathers of Coleâ— finding 〈◊〉 places in holy scripture the true sense wherof could not easily be gathered but that euery one might wrest it â—â— hiâ— plesure they I say haue by a most 〈…〉 of wax and Pigâ—â—â—â— called it â— leadeâ— rule pag 〈◊〉 He yéeldeth a reason of their doinges 〈◊〉 they dâ—â— it for two causes The one for the vncertâ—intie of the sense the other because that Heretikes wrested the same and in an other place The catholike â—ayth is not to bee strayned and limited within the bondâ— of holy scripture that we may imbâ—ace and beleeâ—e nothing which is noâ— written in holy scripture For al that the christian saith beleeâ—eth and religion honoureth is not contained in holy scripture Pag. 126. 1. The Catholikes doctrine HOly scripture is a perfect sound sufficient absolute doctrine The doctrines precepts therin cotaiâ—ed are sure certeine It contayneth al things necessarily to be beleeued to saluation The Patriarkes Priests and Prophets deliuered nothing to the people but that they were commaunded by the holy Ghost the Prophetes begiâ—ne with The word of the Lorde the vision which God shewed c. Christ the sonne of GOD affirmed that hée spake nothing of himselfe Paule glorieth that he was called to be an apostle not of men neither by man but by Iesus Christ y â— he preched not himself but christ cruciâ—ied no new doctrin but y â— which god had promised by the Prophetes Peter saieth Prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost Wee followed not deceiueable fables when we opened vnto you the power and comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ For all doctrine to bée edified for all doubtes to be resolued and abuses to bée reformed God would haue vs to haue recourse to his word Unto the Pharises it is sayd you erre not knowing the scriptures Will not my people saieth the Lorde enquire at their God will they not haue recourse to the lawe and testimonie Abraham woulde haue the rich mans brethren receiue Moses and the Prophets and heare them Christ conuinced the deuill with scripture hée defended his Disciples against the Pharises by scripture After his resurrection hée rebuked his incredulous Disciples opening vnto them throughout the scriptures all that concerned him In the law prophetes and psalms the sufficiencie perfection therof appeareth in y â— it is called the fountain of wisdom the word of truth the words of euerlasting life y â— lead into al truth SolomoÌ„ saith in the person of God al the words of my mouth are righteous ther is nothing lewd or froward in theÌ„ they are al plain to him that will vnderstaÌ„d straight to theÌ„ that would finde knowledge Againe All the wordes of God are pure and he is a shield to those that trust in him Saint Paule saieth The worde of GOD is liuely and mightie in operation and sharper then any two edged sword and entreth through eueÌ„ vnto the deuiding a finder of the soule the spirit of the ioynâ—es and the 〈◊〉 and is â— disâ—â—rner of the thoughtâ— and the inteâ—tes of the 〈◊〉 The Authour of the 〈◊〉 of Wisdome writeth Thy word O Lorde healeth all thinges Now are ye cleane saieth Christ through the word which I haue spoken vnto you The Prophet Dauid is full of testimonies tending to the confutation of the Iesuiticall sect The way of GOD is vncorrupt the word of the Lord is tryed The lawe of the Lorde as the Septuagintes tranâ—â—ate it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnblameable or perfect conuerting the â—oule The Testimonie of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple The statutes of the Lord are right and reioyce the heart the commaundement of the Lord is pure and giueth light vnto the eâ—es by them is thy seruaunt made circumspect In Syrach wee read A man of vnderstanding walketh faythfully in the law and the law is faythfull vnto him O Israell we are blessed saieth Baruch for the things that are acceptable vnto GOD are manifest vnto vs Iesus sayd vnto the â—ewes which beleeued in him if ye continue in my word ye are verely my Disciples and shall know the trueth and the trueth shall make you free S. Paule exhorteth Tymothy to continue in the doctrine deliuered him For in doing this saieth hée thou shalt both â—aue thy self and them that heare Again Thou hast knowne the holy scriptures of a childe which are able to make thee wise vnto saluation through the fayth which is in Christ Iesus For the whole scripture is giuen by the inspiration of God is profitable to teach
to improue to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Search the scriptures sayeth Christ for in them ye thinke to haue eternall lyfe What soeuer thinges are written before time are written for our learning that we through patience comfort of the scriptures might haue hope Iohn the Euangelist closeth vp y â— whole where he seaseth to write saying Many other signes also did Iesus in the presence of his disciples which are not writâ—eÌ„ in this booke but these things are written that ye myght beleeue that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that in beleeuing ye might haue lyfe thorow his name As much to say though other miracles were wrought by Christ and not here layd down yet as much as is thought necessarie for yée to beléeue is here written Whereby wée gather the sufficiencie of holy scripture to saluation And whereas the woman of Samaria confessed the opinion then generally receiued saying I knowe well that Messias shall come which is called Christ when he is come he will tell vs all thinges Iesus sayd vnto her I am he that speake vnto thee In an other place to his Disciples hée saide All thinges that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Againe where hée promiseth his Disciples to sende them an other comforter which shoulde teach them all thinges and shoulde bring all thinges to their remembraunce that hée had tolde them the same after the the ascention of Christ rested vppon the Apostles in the forme of fire tongues and was plentifully shed in the heartes of the faythful and continueth vnto the end assuring the children of God that they are his and dayly opening lighting vnto them y â— laÌ„tern caÌ„del of his word Lastly least any should surmisse any fradulent dealing or imperfection to rest after the departure of the Apostles that they spéed not their commissioÌ„ in so ample a maner as they were inioyned by our Sauiour saying Goe teach all nations c. Teach them to keepe all thinges that I haue commaunded you Their own protestations shall stand for sufficient euidences Paule for himselfe and his fellow labourers saieth The thinges which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neyther came into mans heart c. GOD hath reuealed them vnto vs by his spirite Againe wee haue the minde of Christ In an other place taking his leaue of the Elders of Ephesus hée saieth Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia after what manner I haue beene with you at all seasons and how I kept back nothing that was proffitable but haue shewed you and taught you openly and throughout euery house In a while after hée saieth Wherefore I take you to recorde this daye that I am cleare from the blood of all men For I haue kept nothing back but haue shewed you al the counsel of GOD. The conclusion is this Séeing that the holy scriptures of the olde and new testament which we imbrace are vndoubtedly the worde of GOD séeing the holy men of olde haue deliuered none other to the posteritie séeing that the sufficiencie thereof and euery parcell therein contayned is such as the premisses declare to make the man of GOD perfect séeing that the Messias is come and reuealed all things séeing that the promised comforter is become our guide and assureth the faythfull consciences séeing the Apostles and Disciples of Christ haue receiued the sense and meaning of Christ and deliuered the same simply and fully as their Euangelies and Epistles doe testifie wée are to reiect the Iesuiticall opinion receiued at Rome and to confesse in the trueth of Gods spirite that the holy scripture is no nose of ware no leaden rule no lame maimed neyther vnperfect doctrine but a perfect sounde sufficient absolute and contayning all thinges necessary to saluation I neede not stand confirming the same with testimonies of fathers the scriptures themselues are copious enough in this behalfe 2 The Iesuites doctrine THe want that is in holy scripture must be supplied by peecing therevnto traditions Censur Colon. This doeth Andradius the Iesuite defend allowing of the former sentence where hée writeth The brethren of the Societie of Iesu meaning the Censurers of Colen haue defined both godly and wisely that the traditions of the church are necessarily to bee annexed vnto the holye scripture Oâ—hod explic lib. 2. pag. 101. The late councell of Trent hath most blasphemously made traditions of equal authoritie with the scriptures Their wordes are these All the bookes of the old and new testament yea and also the traditions appertayning as well vnto fayth as manners as if they had beene vttered by Christ and endited by the holy Ghost conserued by continual succession in the catholike Church this Synode doeth receiue and honour with lyke affection of pietie and equall reuerence Sub. Paul 3. sess 4. cap. 1. The same also is found in the Censure of Colen and in the Catechisme of Canisius allowed in the councell of Trent 2. The Catholikes doctrine THe holy scriptures are perfect sufficieÌ„t of theÌ„selues and neede not to â—e pâ—â—ced with traditions This dependeth vpon that which goeth before therefore it requireth not so large a discourse There are too wayes to attaine vnto the knowledge of GODS worde the one inward by inspiration of the holy spirite the other outwarde by reading and hearing of the scriptures the thirâ— place I finde not for traditions toâ—â—â—d neyther may they bée ioyned as 〈…〉 to drawe in the viâ—â—eyarde of the Church Israel was charged not â—â— plâ—we with an Oxe and an Asse not to make their garmentes of linsie wolsie the Passoâ—er was to be eaten with swéet bread the leuen of the phariâ—aicall traditions being sayde aâ—â—â—â— The Prophet complayneth that the fountaine of the water of lyfe was leâ—t and that the people had dâ—gged them broken cesterâ—â—s Ieremy would haue the chaffe of mens dreames seuered from the wheat of Gods word S. Paule woulde not haue the faythfull ioyned with the infidell righteousnesse and vnrighteousnesse light and darkenesse Christ and Belial the temple of God and the groue of Idolles as much to say in the whole the worde of God may not bée linked with the traditions of man To this effect are the iniunctions of the holy Ghost so oft repeated in holy scripture Beware of false Prophetes beware of the leuen as the Disciples vnderstand it the doctrine of the Pharises and Saduces Become not the slaues of men O Tymothy keepe that which is committed vnto thee and auoyde prophane and vaine bablings Persistin those things which thou hast learned For other foundation can no man laye then that which is layde which is Iesus Christ Euery plant saieth Christ which my heauenly Father hath not planted shalbe rooted vp He turneth him vnto the forfathers of these Iesuites saying Why doeye transgresse
〈…〉 the proselytical Papists that they 〈…〉 â—e in gâ—â— hope the 〈…〉 religion woâ—â—◠〈…〉 presently in England and yet if not generally they doubted not but thats Church or a Chappell should bée graunted them Uaine is y â— hope of theÌ„ that trust not in the lord The Pope maketh his belieue that they whome hée calleth Heritikes haue no power to withstand his practises But more is the pitie where god hath his church there y â— deuil hath his Chappell But if you will néedes builde there is a mount triangl wise cituated not fare from London consecrated by D. Story who enioyed the virginitie of the syole a fit place for â—he 〈…〉 tâ—rs of his religion to possessâ— As for your â—â—uâ—â—â—â—lying 〈…〉 are assured that 〈…〉 plant which â—he heauenly 〈…〉 â—ot planted shall 〈…〉 vp by the 〈…〉 if it be of God it will standâ— otherwise it will come to naught Tertullian saide of the H 〈…〉 that if they would pitch their tents in holy scripture 〈…〉 d therby desire to be tryed they could not 〈…〉 stand Therfore is it that of late one Maister Pound being â—â—â—ght in the pitfal of folly allenged with your brother Andradius the Iesuite certaine reasons why the Papists will not be tried by the scriptures which were of late learnedly confuted This is also the compendious way which Pighius shewed Pope Paulus â— that it was notâ—â—â— the Church of Rome to deale with the Lutherans in scriptures for in so doing she had oftentimes had the worseâ— but flatly to lay downe this as principle whatsoeuer the Byshop of Rome decréeth or commaundeth the same is to be receiued and beléeued without enquirie whether it agrée or impung holy scripture I 〈…〉 no reason of reiecting the scripture but thin shée that 〈…〉 will hateth tâ—elight Such are the shifts of Heretikes to vphold the kingdome of Satan Carion saith that by imitation of some going before there sprong vp many orders which commonly commeth to passe as oft as new thinges begin to be had in admiration But as there is nothing amonge humain things firme and permanent in his former state so at this day we see many orders of Monkes to lay aside their state and doctrines The Church of Rome héeretofore at sundry times hath set vp diuers orders of Monkes Fryers and religious men whâ—se rules are now â—â—ale and crebit worne away with the stripping of of their counterfeit wéede and dayly decaieth so that Babylon her self hath her foundations of idolatrie and superstition shaken and the Angell in the Reuelation is at hand casting her as it were a milston into the bottomlesse sea of her endles confusion Your order lastly steps forth martching like ioly champions bâ—mbasted with the traditions of men and reuiuing the old dregs of the Romish religion but ye are alredy espyed your persons your packes your pinnes are poynted at with the finger Your father was Ignatius Layola your name Iesuites your number how many soeuer it forceth not For many are called but few are chosen The vow and Oth of the Iesuites Cap. â— IT is greatly to bée 〈◊〉 that the church of God for 〈◊〉 christ hath pur 〈◊〉 libertie by y ◠〈…〉 price of his most precious blood should be so clogged 〈◊〉 with tradiâ—ions of 〈◊〉 as vowes and other 〈…〉 y â— which satan by 〈◊〉 of his hypecâ—iâ—icall ministers hath brought in to tye snare she coÌ„sciences of â—â—lly christiâ—s And whereas the holy men of old â—â— Nicephorus writeth had rules at their â—hoyâ—s and frée wil of â—ating drinking fasting working and 〈…〉 selues as it séemed best vnto them selues yet al wayes a moderation and decencie retained the age following brought in arestraint first in apparell then in meates afterwardes in speciall poyntes as it appeareth in the substance of their orders set forth with sundry superstitious ceremonies First of all good christian reader I will display what I finde written in late writers of this new found order and vpstarting Iesuites Afterwardes what there of is to be considered Afore this order was confirmed by Paulus y â— third when as Ignatius Layola his companions wents on pilgrimage to Ierusalem there were seauen of them shorne Priestes at Venice by Verallus Archiepiscopus Rosanensis and there as Andradius writeth Perpetuam spent ◠〈…〉 Deo aâ—tè eius pedes promiserunt They vowed vnto God at his feet perpetuall willing pouertie Agayne the 〈◊〉 writeth thâ—â— vnto 〈◊〉 Whosoever in our societie the which wee desire to be honoured with the name of Iesu will play the souldier of God vnder the banner of the crosse and serue the onelie Lorde and his Vicar on earth the Bishop of Rome After hee hath taken vppon him the solemne vowe of perpetuall continencieâ— let him consider with himselfe that hee is a portion of a societie chiâ—â—lie for this purpose ordayned that hee spâ—cially applye him selfe to the benefite of soules in life and christian doctrine the spreading of the fayth by publike Sermons ministerie of the worde of God by spiritual exercises and works of charitie and namely by instructing of children and the ruder sort in Christianitie and by hearing of confession giuing Ghostly comforte vnto the faythfull Also let him first haue a care of GOD. next of his order which is a kinde of way vnto him alwayes laying before his eyes this end ordayned of God for him and with all might of him to bee attayned vnto Yet let euery one behaue himselfe according vnto the grace ministred him of the spirite the proper degree of his calling least that some shew a zeale and not according vnto knowledge Let the iudgement or sentence touching euery proper degree the bestowing and the distributing of Offices lye in the hande of the Prouost or Prelate whom wee haue too choose that decencie and order may bee kepte in euerye societie that is well established A perillous sorte of people Beholde howe they woulde creepe into fauour with this fayre shelve of holinesse They serue GOD as they say and they 〈◊〉 also the Pope they will take vppon them too preach and so thrust in traditions 〈…〉 confession and so vnderstand secretes they will be Schoole 〈◊〉 and so 〈…〉 they will play small game â—ather then they will 〈…〉 to the Pope and hâ— to 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 teh Toham ◠〈…〉 â— The â—hole bodie of the societie beside the general who is head and principall of this order conteyâ—eth in in all sixe sortes of men â— here of the first doe professe foure 〈…〉 the second professe three 〈◊〉 the third are coaditâ—â—â—s spirituall The 〈…〉 The fifte schollors The sixt 〈◊〉 The Professors of foure vowes are so called because that beside the three common vowes of pouertle thastitie and obedience they vowe peculiarly first to the Bishope of Rome obedience c. Next to their â—ather generall the renouncing of honour that they may not become cardinalles
not your nature be estraunged neyther goe yée about to thrust into this land for reine power such people as curse not only y â— ground wée tread vpon but also our bodyes and soules and are ready to cut all English throates if they might haue accesse vnto vs. Yée say ye haue vowed yet heare what your law saieth In malis promissis rescinde fidem in turpivoto muta decretum quod incuatè vouisti ne facias impia est promissio que scelere adimpletur In euill promises breake thy fayth in a shamefull vowe alter thy minde which thou hast vnaduisedly vowed doe not that vowe is wicked which is performed with mischiefe The rules of your order are not as yet come to my hands but the oth which all you take that professe the Romish religion I may not conceale from the reader and reading it I cannot chuse but lament to sée your flauerie and bondage and the liuely caracter of Antichrist therby imprinted not onely in the hand of the labourers but in the forehead of professours and consciences of all those y â— buy and sell traffike in his countries dominions In english thus I. N. do firmly admit embrace the Apostolike and Ecclesiasticall traditions and the rest of the obseruations and constitutions of the same church Also I doe admit the holy scripture according vnto that sense which the holy mother the Church hath and doth hold it to whome it appertaineth to iudge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy scriptures neyther will I euer receaue or interpret it but according vnto the vniforme consent of the fathers I doe also professe that there are truely and properly seauen sacraments of the new law ordayned by Iesus Christ our Lord and for the saluation of mankinde though not all to euery one necessary To wit baptisme confirmation the Lords supper penance extreame vnction order and matrimonie and that they conferre grace and of them baptism confirmation order without sacriledge may not be reiterated I doe also receiue and admit the receiued and allowed rites of the catholike church in the solempne administration of al the aforesaid sacraments I doe embrace and receiue al euery the things which of original sinne and iustification haue beene defined and decreed in the holy synode of Trent I professe in like sorte that in the masse there is offered vnto god the true proper propicia tory sacrifice for quick dead And that in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist there is truely really and substantially the body and blood together with the soule and diuinitie of our Lord Iesus christ and that there is a conuersion of the whole substance of bread into the bodie and the whole substance of wine into blood the which conuersion the catholike church calleth transubstantiation I confesse with all that vnder one onely kind whole and perfect Christ and the true sacrament is receiued I doe constantly hold purgatory and that the soules there detayned are relieued by the prayers of the faythful and in like sorte that the Saintes raigning to-together with christ are to bee honoured and callled vppon and that they pray vnto God for vs and that theyr relyques are to bee worshipped I doe firmely auouche that the Images of Christ and the mother of God alwayes a virgin and also of other Saintes are to bee had and retayned and that we are to giue them due honour and worshippe I doe affyrme that the facultie of pardons hath beene left by Christ in the church and that the vse of them is very wholsome to christian people I doe acknowledge the holy catholike Apostolike church of Rome for the mother and mistresse of all churches I doe promise and sweare true obedience to the Byshop of Rome successour of blessed Peter prince of the Apostles Vicar of Iesus Christ I do also vndoubtedly receiue and proâ—esse al that haue beene delyuered defined and declared by the holy cannons generall councelles and specially by the holy Synode of Trent and withal al things contrary and haeresies whatsoeuer haue by the church beene condemned reiected and accursed I also doe condemne reiect and accurse This true catholike fayth without the which none can be saued the which I doe presently willingly professe and truely holde the same wholy and imaculate vnto the last gaspe most constantly to retaine teach and preach as much as in me shall lye I the same N. do promise vowe swere so God me helpe the holy Gospels of God New commeth Pope Impius 4. with his farewell Let it not be lawfull therefore for any man at all to infringe this page or leafe of our ordinaunce inbibition derogation will statute decree and commaundement or with rash enterprise to contrary the same if any therfore presume to attempte the same let him knowe that he incurreth the indignation of almightie GOD and of blessed Peter and Paule the Apostles Dat. Rom. apud 5. Petrum Anno 1569. Id. Noâ—em Pontific nostri annâ— 5 Good God what periurie Idolatrie heresie blasphemy there is contained in the aforesaide oth And the spirit of Antichrist is plainly reuealed in the cursed conclusion folowing after In trueth such traditions as are contrary and besides the word of God though they be called Apostolike are not to be receiued that sense and exposition of the scriptures which the Church of Rome deliuereth is not the right and perfect vnderstanding the Church and especially as you deliuer it the Church of Rome is not iudge of the scriptures there are but two Sacraments Baptisme and the Lordes supper the rest by you added art of an other kinde and nature in which sense wée may say as Ierome saide of the Reuelation Looke howe many wordes we finde there so many Sacramentes there are The Sacraments confer not grace as you imagine Ex opere operato the rites in the administration of the Sacraments retained in the Church of Rome are childish superstitious and impious that doctrine of originall sin and iustification lately decréed in the councell of Trent is plasphemous and abhominable The Masse is an Idoll and the sacrifice there pretended for quicke and dead is a deceiuing of the people the Eucharist is not reall substantiall with the soule and diuinitie of Jesus Christ neither transubstantiated the Sacrament is not perfect when it is deliuered vnder one kinde Purgatorie is a fable neyther are the soules of the departed relieued by the prayers of the lyuing the Saintes are not to be inuocated their reliques are not to be worshipped neither Images to be adored Popes pardons are to no purpose but a deluding of Gods people and the filling of the poke Rome is neither catholike apostolike nor the Lady and mistresse of al other Churches the Pope is not the true successour of Peter neither the Uicar of Jesus Christ to receiue what Rome receiueth and condemne what shee condemneth is â—o deliuere Barrabas and crucifie Christ to embrace