Justification of the Religion Now Professed in England, Title page – Preface
ƲINDICIAE ECCLESIAE ANGLICANAE: OR A IVSTIFICATION OF THE RELIGION NOW PROFESSED IN ENGLAND.
Wherein it is prooued to be the ſame which was taught by our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, and by his holy Apoſtles; written for their vſe that hauehave deſired ſuch proofe.
BY W. T.
Acts 24.14.
This I profeſſe vntounto thee, that according to the way which they call Hereſie, ſo doe I ſerue the God of my Fathers, beleeuing all things which hath beene written in the Law, and in the Prophets.
Vigilius againſt Eutyches: lib. 1.
This is the Catholique Faith and Profeſsion which the Apoſtles hauehave deliuered, which the Martyrs hauehave confirmed, and which the Faithfull preſerue euen to this preſent age.
Printed at London by T. C. & R. C. for Michael Sparke, dwelling at the blue Bible in Greene Arbor. 1630.
Ad Lectorem.
COurteous Reader, this booke comming forth into the world, offereth it ſelfe to thy view: the very title whereof may inuite thee to reade it: and may iuſtly promiſe (if not challenge) future hopes of matter worth the obſeruation. It is entitled a Iuſtification of the Religion profeſſed in England; and the worke doth make good the title: for in it thou ſhalt finde theſe propoſitions learnedly proſecuted againſt the Pſeudo-Catholiques.
1. That the adoration of Images repreſenting the perſons, either of the Trinity, or of Saints, or Angels, is diſſonant to the word of God.
2. That Diuine Seruice ought to bee adminiſtred to the people in the vulgar tongue (not in an vnknowne language) according to the practiſe of Chriſt and his Apostles.
3. That the word of God (not Phariſaicall traditions, or the Legends and Fables of men) ought to be read, and expounded to the people, according to the cuſtome of the Scribes and Phariſes: who while they ſate in Moyſes chaire read and interpreted the Law and the Prophets.
4. That the Sacraments of the New Teſtament are not ſeauen, as Anti-Chriſt that ſeauen-headed beaſt affirmeth: for Chriſt inſtituted but two; Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper; which ſucceeded thoſe two Legall ones; Circumciſion, and the Paſcha.
5. That Baptiſme, ought to be celebrated according to the commandement of Chriſt, without Exorciſme, or any ſuperfluous and ſuperſtitious Ceremony.
6. That the Lords Supper ought to be adminiſtred to the people in both kindes, without Eleuation, Adoration, Reſeruation, and pompous carrying it abroad in the ſtreets: and that in it there is neither Tranſubſtantiation, Conſubſtantiation, or Reall preſence.
7. That Prayer ought to be made onelyonly to God, by the onelyonly mediation of Ieſus Chriſt: And that it is an horrible impiety to make gods of creatures, in giuing them Gods worſhip: or to mocke with Chriſts mediation, in ſeeking for new Interceſſors, whether Saints or Angels.
8. That the Martyrs of the Primitiue Church ſuffered vnderunder the prophane Emperors, for the ſame Religion, which we now profeſſe: To which our Martyrs, as Cranmer, &c. (not Garnet and his adherents) hauehave borne witneſſe, vnderunder that Whore of Babilon, euen to the death; laying downe their liues for the Testimony of Ieſus.
A defence of theſe Truths, thou haſt here in a ſhort view; compriſed by a learned Author, whom I neuer knew, but in his workes; whoſe writings doe ſeeme to beare witneſſe to his labours, and indefatigable paines in Study: The fruites or effects whereof doe in part appeare in this, which hath beene locked vp in priuate Cabinets, like ſire raked vp in aſhes, almoſt buried in obliuion; but now comes forth to ſee the light for the publike good. Firſt reade, then cenſure.
Thine in all Chriſtian duties: A.B.
The Contents of the ſeuerall Chapters of this Booke.
CHap. 1. The ſumme of our Religion profeſſed in England. pag. 1.
Chap. 2. The particulars of our Religion profeſſed in England. pag. 3.
Chap. 3. Diuine Seruice is to bee adminiſtred in a language which the people vnderſtand. pag. 18.
Chap. 4. Of the reading and expounding to the people, the word of God, and not the Legends and Fables of men. pag. 29.
Chap. 5. Of Preaching. pag. 35.
Chap. 6. Of Sacraments. pag. 41.
Chap. 7. Of Baptiſme. pag. 43.
Chap. 8. Of the Lords Supper. pag. 44.
Chap. 9. Of Prayer. pag. 56.
Chap. 10. Of Martyrs. pag. 68.
FINIS.
The vvriting occaſioning this Treatiſe.
I Deſire to hauehave it proued, that the Religion now profeſſed in England is the ſame which our Sauiour Chriſt taught his Apoſtles, and they preached ouer all they world, and conuerted thouſands at one Sermon vntounto.
Jf it be the ſame, then there may bee ſome named that ſuffered for it: For it is not likely that ſo many thouſands which were conuerted to the true Faith ſhould all be deſtroyed, and no mention made of them in ancient Hiſtories.