Two Treatises Against the Papists, Article rebutted 5
The fiueth article conteyneth 3. demandes.
1 Againe, what Church is that, which hath exercised by Christes appointement, Discipline, vponupon offendors in all degrees?
ONelyOnly the Church of Christ, by Christes appointement, hath exercised true discipline vponupon offendors, Although by meanes of persecution, she could not alwayes practise the same as she would.
2 And for that purpose, hath continually executed lawes and Canons Ecclesiasticall, with Excommunication, Degradation, suspension, and such like.
THe Church of Christ only, hath had lawful authority to exercise discipline: but as it is said before, she hath not continually practised the same, because she could not, being hindered by persecution, and dispersion. Concerning excommunication, she hath practised it according to the word of God, and against such offendors, as the scripture iudgeth worthy of that seuere punishment: As for degradation, and suspension, it may be doubted what you meane by them: If you vnderstand by degradation, that such persons as the Church hath tried vnmeet, either for doctrine or manners, to execute the office of preaching, and ministring the sacraments, she hath displaced and reiected from that charge: she hath also practised drgradation: And if you meane by suspension, that when the accusation of a mans doctrine or life was vncerteine, that she hath willed him to cease from executing his office, vntill his cause were tried either good or euill, she hath also vsed suspension: but if by degradation and suspension, you meane those foolish and wicked ceremonies, which the popish church now vseth and so termeth, I deny that euer the true Church of Christ had to do with such degradations and suspensions.
3 Proue me this geere to procede from Protestants, or from any other Church than the Catholike, and I recant.
IT is proued before, that true discipline belongeth to the true Church, wherof we are a part, which Church is sufficiently proued to be the spouse of Christ, because she is ruled in all thinges by his onelyonly voice: And therefore all congregations of heretikes, which departe from the true worde of God, though they take vponupon them, to exercise discipline, by excommunication or otherwise, it is not to be regarded, and lest of all the Popish church, where remaineth nothing of discipline and excommunication, but the very names: for what call you popish discipline? is not that it which they vse in Lent, whisking men on the heades, and women on the handes, with white roddes which they them selues call discipline? Or is it the seuere punishment that they vse against offendors by excommunication, suspension, interdighting &c. First, it is manifest they hauehave no excommunication by Christes appointment, for neither it is executed by the persons appointed by Gods worde, nor against such offendors only as God his word appointeth: for wheras our Sauiour Christ appointeth the order of that discipline, to the Congregation of such as are wise, godly, and carefull of mens health, which first shal labor by fatherly admonition and wholesome exhortation, to bring the offendors to repentance, whome if they refuse to heare, they are to be reputed for hethens and publicanes, the Pope contrariwise referreth the same to profane and vnreligious officers, which are more desirous to gaine the fees of absolution, than by bringing the party to repentance, to saue him from excommunication. Moreouer whereas by Gods worde, excommunication is the last and most greuous punishment, that the Church can enioyne against any, of whom there is any hope of saluation, and therefore ought not to be practised but for haynous offences, the Popish church maketh it serue for eueryevery trifling matter, yea for pettie debts and all, then commeth in interdightings & suspensions of places, as churches and townes, yea whole realmes, for one mans faulte: what likelinesse hath this vntounto the discipline of Christes church set forth in the scriptures, and practised by the fathers? with what face can you Papistes affirme, they hauehave discipline, in their Church, whē all penaunces for most horrible offences, may be bought out for money, and an open market thereof set vp at Rome, with the prices rated, what men must pay for eueryevery thing that they buye: as absolution for him that hath killed his father, or mother, brother, sister, or wife Turones 4. Ducat. 1. Ca. line. 5.8. For an heretike before he hauehave abiured 36. Turones. and 9. ducates. For a witche 6. Turones. 2. ducates. For a priest that is a Sodomite, or hath lyen with brute beastes 36. Turones. 9. ducates. For a nonne that hath bene a common whore both within and without her Abby, with dispensation that she may be able to receiue any dignitie, in her order, yea to be Abbesse, 36. Turones. 9. ducates. And so for all other offences, with dispensations, inhibitions, rehabilities, licences, relaxations, commutations, confirmation, perinde Valeres Marcamas and the deuill and all for money: wherefore except you be to impudent, to acknowledge this to be Christian discipline, be as good as your promise, and recant.