A Catholicon, Part 2

A Catholicon · Part 2

p. 175THE PROTESTANTS DIET PRESCRIbed, in discerning the true religion and Church from the false.

LIke as nothing is more profitable to preserue health, and to keepe the bodie in a cōstant state, then carefully to looke vntounto the diet, to refrain such meates as are enemies to nature, and to feed of those which are of wholesome nourishment: so the welfare of the soule is happily procured, when as erroneous and corrupt doctrine, as contagious and hurtfull meate is shunned & auoided. And as eueryevery man should be so well acquainted with his owne state, as he neede not aske of the physitian, what meate is fittest for his stomacke, whether his pulse doth beate strongly or remisly, whether in sommer or winter he fare better for his health: for this were, as though p. 176a man should be ignorant, what is done in his owne house. So in matters of religion, eueryevery one should be able to discerne in some measure betweene truth and errour, and not to depend altogether vponupon the iudgement of their spirituall physitians. Therefore S. Paul wisheth this grace to the whole church of the Philippians, that they may discerne things that differ. Philip. 1. 10. Tiberius Caesar is reported to hauehave saide, that it was ridiculous for a man after 60. Plutarc. lib. de …. …uend.yeares of age to require helpe of the physitian: nothing thereby that in all that time a man should gather experience & knowledge, what is good for his owne bodie: but it is a greater shame for a man of long continuance to be ignorant, what is profitable, what hurtfull to his soules health.

Therfore, that eueryevery man may in some sort learne to iudge betweene a false and true religion, and may be expert to discerne of the best diet for the soule, I hauehave here set downe certaine markes and notes out of this epistle of S. Iude, whereby the true worshippers of God from hypocrites may be distinguished, and truth from errour and superstition selected and seuered.1. Note. Not making the knowledg of faith common.

The first note then is this: that whereas the Apostle writeth of the common saluation, v. 3. which is therefore called common, p. 177because it ought not to be kept from the knowledge or notice of any: hereby a false religion is descried, which hideth the depth and secrets of their sect from their common followers and fauourers, & locketh The Church of Rome keepeth the knowledge of faith secret.it vp in the brest of their professed Rabbines. From hence then I reason thus: Whosoeuer will not hauehave their religion commonly and vniuersally knowne, but kept from the knowledge of the people, are suspected to be false teachers: but such are the Papists. Ergo:

The first part is thus proued, 2. Cor. 4. 3. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid only to thē which are lost. The Apostle would not hauehave the Gospel hid to any. Heb. 8. 12. Ali shal know me from the least of them to the greatest. Origen saith, vponupon those words, Drinke waters out of thine owne fountaine. Tenta & tu Hom. 12. in Genes.auditor proprium habere fontem, & proprium puteum, vt cum tu apprehenderis librū scripturarum incipias e…iam ex proprio sensu proferre aliquem intellectum. Trie also thy selfe (O hearer) to hauehave thy proper fountaine and well, that when thou takest into thy hand the booke of scripture, thou maist begin out of thine owne sense to bring forth some venderstanding.

The assumption is true: the Rhemists allow not the scriptures to be indifferently read p. 178of all. Prefac. sect. 6. nor the Scriptures to be in the hand of eueryevery husbandman, artificer, prentice, &c. sect. 7. they mislike that women should be reading or talking of scripture. 1. Timoth. 1. 12. so they would hauehave their people misled still in ignorance, that they should not perceiue their grosse errours.

The Apostle saith, v. 3. the faith once 2. Note. Changing of the ancient faith.giuen: signifying, that faith is certen, neuer to be altered or chaunged, but as Christ and his Apostles hauehave left it, it must continue to the worldes ende. 1. Timoth. 6. 14. I charge thee, to keepe this commandement without spot and vnrebukeable till the appearing of our Lord.

They then which alter and change the Apostolike faith, are not the true Church:

Such are the Papists. Ergo:

The proposition is euidents the assumption is thus prooued: by particular induction: 1. the Apostle teacheth that we are iustified by faith without the works of the law, Rom. 3. 28. the Papists hold we are iustified by works.

2 The Apostle condemneth praiers in an vnknowne tongue. 1. Cor. 14. 16. How shall he that occupieth the roome of the vnlearned say Amen at the giuing of thanks, seeing p. 179he knoweth not what thou saiest? but the popish seruice is saide in the latin tongue not vnderstood of the people.

3 The Apostle would hauehave the communion celebrated publikely: We that are many are partakers of one bread, 1. Cor. 10. 17. the popish Church vseth priuate communions, when as the priest receiueth alone, excluding the people.

4 The scriptures forbid idolatrie, 1. Ioh. 5. 2. Babes, keepe your selues from idols: but the popish Church worshippeth images of gold and siluer, which is idolatrie. Deut 4. 15. Takeheede to your selues: for ye saw no image in the day the Lord spake vntounto you, that ye corrupt not your selues, and make you a grauen image.

5 The scriptures testifie, that Christs bodie is in heauen, and there shall remaine till the comming of Christ to iudgement, when all things shal be restored. Act. 3. 21. the Church of Rome holdeth, that Christs bodie is in the earth in the Eucharist present carnally.

6 The scripture teacheth, that all are sinners, and none righteous, Rom. 3. 10. Christ onelyonly is excepted, Hebr. 4. 15. the Papists hold the virgin Marie free from all both originall and actuall sinne.

p. 1807 The scriptures acknowledge no Mediatour, or aduocate of our praiers but Christ, 1. Ioh. 1. 2. The popish church maketh saints our mediators, & praies vntounto thē

8 The Apostle saith, that Christ was once offered to take away sinne, Heb. 9. 28. the Papists hold, that he is daily offered vp in the sacrifice of the Masse.

9 The Apostles make marriage honorable amōg all men, Heb. 13. 4. the papists say it is a profanation of orders, and that it is vnlawfull for Ministers to marrie.

10 The Apostle teacheth that we hauehave no power to thinke a good thought, 2. Cor. 3. 5. they hold, that a man hath freewill by nature to doe good.

In these and many other points hath the Church of Rome presumed to alter and change the Apostolike faith, as I hauehave Tetrastyl. 2. pill. par. 2.els where set downe at large.

It may likewise be shewed how they hauehave declined from the faith and doctrine of the elder Church, a tast whereof I will giuegive by these few instances in stead of many. The Church of Rome hath altered the faith of the primitiue Church.1. In the first Nicene Counsell it was decreed, that the 4. Patriarchal seas should hauehave like authority, and Alexandria amōg the rest: quia Roma vrbis episcopo parilis mos: because the like custome the B. of p. 181Rome hath, can. 6. but nowe they hold the contrarie.

2. In the same Synod where a restraint was mooued for the marriage of ministers, Paphnutius by his wisedome staied it, and the whole synode commended the sentence of Paphnutius and left it free.

3. About the same time, which was anno 300. or there about, was held the Eliberine Councell in Spaine, where it was decreed, Ne cerei in coemiteriis, aut publice incendantur: That waxe candles should not be be burnt in the churchyards or openly, can. 34.

4. Can. 36. Placuit picturas in Ecclesia esse non debere: It seemeth good that pictures should not be in the Church, least that which is worshipped be painted in the walls.

5. Can. 77. Concerning those which died without baptisme, it was thus concluded: Fide qua quis credidit poterit esse iustus: By faith wherewith one beleeueth he may be iustified: they affirme no absolute necessitie of baptisme, as the Papists hold.

6. Can. 55. Sacerdotes qui sacrificantium coronam portant, &c. Priests which carrie a sacrificers crowne two yeares must abstaine: that is, from the communion: but the contrarie is practised in the popish Church, for their priests do weare shauen crowns.

p. 1827. Concil. Gangrens. celebrate about ann. 324. can. 4. Quicun que discernit, &c. Whosoeuer maketh difference in regard of a minister or Presbyter, that hath a wife, that he wil not receiue at his handes, let him be accursed: but such are not suffered to minister in the popish Church.

8. Can. 2. Si quis carnem comedentem, &c. If any condemne one eating flesh in faith, let him be accursed. But in the popish Church, eating of flesh vponupon fish daies was condemned as a wicked and impure thing & the flesh cast away as an vncleane thing: as Frebarnes pigge was buried by B. Stokeslies sumner in Finsburie field. Foxe p. 1184.

9. Ibid. c. 17. Siqua mulier crines attondeat, &c. If any woman doe pole or clippe her haire for the seruice of God, as shee thinketh, and so taketh away the matter or signe of her subiection, let her be accursed: but poling & shauing of Monkes and Nunnes is defended by the Rhemists, 2. Thess. 3. v. 10.

10. In the Councell of Laodicea, held ann. 364. cap. 59. there are 22. bookes only of the old testament decreed to be Canonicall: whereas the Church of Rome maketh the nine Apocriphall bookes, of Tobie, Iudith, Ecclesiasticus, Machabees, p. 183with the rest, of Canonicall authoritie.

In these and many hundred such points the Church of Rome is swarued and degenerate from the faith of the Primitiue Church: so that this note of the Apostle doeth discouer them to be of the false Church.

Uers. 4. There are certaine men crept in, Romanists creepers in. 3 Note. Creeping into houses.&c.] These which creepe in corners and despise the publike assemblies of the Church, are false teachers and seducers. Such are popish professours. Ergo:

The first is prooued by Saint Paul, 2. Tim. 3. 6. Of this sect are they which creepe into houses, and lead captiue simple women, &c. Ioh. 3. 20. They hate the light, neither come to the light, least their euill deeds should be reprooued. Concil Gangrens. cap. 5. Si quis docet domum dei contemptibilem, &c. If any man teach that the house of God is contemptible and the assemblies kept therein, let him be accursed.

The second part is euident: for popish priestes, seminaries, Iesuites, doe secretly creepe into houses, to seduce, and despise the assemblies of the Church among vsus.

Uers. 4. Which turne the grace of God into 4. Note. Doctrine of …icontiousnesse.wantonnesse.] so doeth the popish church, by granting pardons and indulgences so p. 184commonly, yea for the time to come, whereby people are made more secure and carelesse. Gelasius long since complained of this abuse: Date nobis veniam, dum in errore duremus, &c. GiueGive pardon, while we continue in error still. He calleth it one of the monsters of the world, to forgiue sinnes for the time to come: Remitti culpa de praeterito potest; Sinne may be remitted for the time past, &c. epist. ad Faustum. Likewise Opusc. Tripartit. lib. 3. cap. 8. this complaint is renewed. Quaestuarii praedicatores quaedam brevia habent, &c. The pardoners hauehave certaine briefes vvhichwhich they leaue in eueryevery parish; wherein so many indulgences are contained, that good men doe wonder, that euer they could be graunted with the Popes knowledge. The further abuse hereof is confessed by Roger Holland sometime a papist: I was of this your blind religion, saith he, that now is taught, &c. hauing libertie vnderunder your auricular confession, I made no conscience of sinne, but trusted to the priests absolution, he for money doing also some penance for me, which after I had giuen, I cared no further, vvhat offences I did, no more then he cared after he had my money, whether he fasted with bread or water p. 185for me or no. Foxe pag. 2040. Thus we see how they turned the grace of God in pardoning of sinnes to a further libertie of sinning.

They denie the Lord Iesus Christ. So 5. Note. Denying of Christ, offices.doeth the popish Church denie Iesus Christ, in denying of his offices; for they make other Mediatours beside Christ, other sactifices beside his death, and so denie his priesthood: they make another head and lawe giuer, to make lawes to binde the conscience beside Christ, as namely the Pope, and so denie his kingly office: they make the Apocriphall bookes Canonicall, and their vnwritten Traditions equall to the word of God and so denie in that they empaire and diminish his propheticall office. And therefore as Augustine saith of Peter, quicquid eius negauit, ipsum negauit: what soeuer he denied of Christ, he denied Christtract. 66. in …oann. And as Ambrose, Gratia dei tota repellitur, si non tota suscipitur: The grace of God is wholly repelled or wholly receiued. epist. 84. Wherefore the Church of Rome denying any part of the offices of Christ, denie Christ, and then consequently are not the true Church of Christ.

p. 186Uer. 6. The seducers and deceiuers whome the Apostle writeth against, he resembleth 6. Note. Pride of Lucifer.to the angels, that fell for their pride; whence this argument may be framed:

They are not of the Church of Christ, which are led with the spirit of pride, and exalt themselues against Christ:

But so doeth the Pope the head of that bodie: Ergo:

The first is proued by S. Paul, that Antichrist shall sitte as God in the temple of God, and be exalted against all that is called God, 2. Thess. 2. 4. Eusebius saith, Hoc est argumentum eos edisse deum, &c. This is an argument that they hate God, because they would hauehave themselues called Gods: de preparat. Euang. l. 7.

The second is euident, not onelyonly in that the Pope hath exalted himselfe against kings and Emperours, which are called Gods in earth, causing them to kisse his feete, to hold his stirrop, to lead his horse by the bridle, treading vponupon their neckes, &c. But also in suffering most blasphemous titles to be giuen vntounto him, as one Christofer Marcell. said to the Pope in the late Councell of Laterane, Tu es alter deus in terris. Thou art another God on earth. p. 187sess. 4. Cardillus the Spaniard, calleth the Pope terreum Deum: an earthly God. pro Concil. Trident. in the bull of Clem. 6. for his yeare of Iubile, he thus saith, Mandamus angelis, &c. We commaund the Angels to carrie their soules to heauen that come to Rome this yeare, &c. This Luciferian pride is an euident argument and badge of Antichrist.

The next note of false teachers is out of the 7. verse, they are likened to Sodome 7. Note. Strange ….for following strange flesh: which whether we take it for that sinne which is contrarie to the morall lawe, as of adulterie, fornication, incest: or for that which is against the lawe of nature, such as was the sinne of the Sodomites, and of the heathē, where of Saint Paul speaketh, Rom. 1. 27. When the men burnt in lust among themselues (for both these are counted strange flesh.) It is notoriously knowne, that the Romanists hauehave exceeded in these strange lusts.

For as Bernard did well foresee the mischeifs like to ensue, where lawfull marriages is forbidden, thus writing: Tolle de Ecclesia Reples e…m concubinarii…, seminifluis, incestuosis, masculo…u con… bito…ib.honorabile coniugium, &c. Take out of the Church honourable marriage, and the bedde vndefiled, and you fill the same with p. 188concubine louers, incestuous, vncleane persons, and abusers of the male sexe: so hath it fallen out in the Romane Church.

To let passe former examples, as of Sergius 3. that had a sonne by afamous harlot aaPlatina.Marozia: of Ioann. 10. that vsed bbLuitprand.Theodera: of ccPlatina.Iohn 13. that was slaine in adulterie: of ddBeano.Gregorie 7. that was familiar with Mathild otherwise then became him: of eeAppendix c…cil. Const.Iohn 23. that was accused in the Councell of Constance to hauehave committed incest with his brothers wife, and fornication with Nunnes and virgins.

To come to nearer times, Sixtus the fourth did erect brothell houses for both Agrippa de vanitat. scient. …. de leno….sexes, and graunted to a certaine Cardinall the vse of vnnaturall venerie for certaine monthes, he had also his Ganymedes. Petrus Riarius.

Innocentius 8. had diuers bastards, & was the first, as Volaterrane saith, that boasted Volaterran. geograph.of his base sonnes and aduanced them to great riches.

I am ashamed to rehearse the incest of Alexander the 6. with his owne daughter Lucretia: of the monstrous and vnnaturall Guicciardin. 1. 3.venerie of Iulius the 2. of Paulus the 3. his incest with his owne sister, daughter Constantia, p. 189Lib. 7.and his neece Laura: I say here with Bernard, It is a shame to speake what is done of these Bishops in secret, I thinke it better to dissemble and conceale these things: Serm. in concil. Rhemens.but why should I be ashamed to speake that which they are not ashamed to doe? Againe he saith, of the patrimonie of the crosse of Christ, Nō facitis codices in ecclesia, sed pascitis pellices in thalamis. Ye make not bookes in the Church, but ye feede harlots in your chambers.

As were their heads, such was the rest of the bodie: their Monasteries and Monkish cells were detected of most infamous incests, fornications, Sodomitrie, as may appeare in the Inquisition made Vid. Prae fat. Balaei de actis Roman. pontif.in the time of Henrie 8. And Gregorie 12. giueth this testimonie of certaine monasteries of Phrysia: All religion and feare Libido & carnis corruptio inter ipsos mares & moniales, &c. Theod. Niem▪ tract. vnion, 6. cap. …4.of God is departed, carnall lust and filthinesse betweene the Monkes and Nunnes, vvith other vices are growne vp in stead thereof.

This inconuenience Bernard in his time did foresee: cōplaining how one attēpted to place certaine Nunnes not far frō a monastery, though he were instantly intreated not to do it: saith Bernard, ne seminariū scā dali posteris parerent relinquendū: least they p. 190Epist. 253.should beget a seminarie or seede-plot of offence, and leaue it to their posteritie. Yea he further saith concerning the force of lust: Non aspernatur tuguria, non reveretur palatia, vtinam sola caenobia fugiat: it despiseth de inter. dom. cap. 29.not cottages, nor feareth palaces, I would it did onelyonly scape Monasteries.

Thus it is euident, that if the following of strange flesh be a proper note of a false religion: hereby the popish profession may worthily be called in question.

v. 8. Likewise notwithstanding these dreamers.] 8. Note.If dreaming & following of fables, Following of fables.be also a fit marke to know a false prophet by; the Romanists in this kinde shall not giuegive place to any. For if they should leaue out their fained miracles and coined lies, they should want some of their best arguments, for the carnall presence, purgatorie, adoration of images, and such like.

For the proofe of this I will onelyonly produce the acts of the second Nycene Councel, which denied the worship of images: there it is euident, what grosse fables and old wiues tales are alleadged to establish that grosse superstition. In the fourth action, one steppeth vp and telleth this tale: how a certaine Iew succeding a Christian p. 191in his habitation, found there an image of Christ, which he with other Iewes inuited to supper espying, ran at it all at once, and thrust it through, and presently there issued forth such a quantitie of bloode, that it filled a great hydria, or waterpot: such as mention is made of, Ioh. 2. 6. which contained about fifteene gallands a peece.

Likewise in the same action, they tell of a monke beeing tempted of a spirit of incontinencie, the deuill appeared to him, thus saying, If thou wilt not hauehave me to tempt thee, worship this image no more: which was the image of the Virgin Marie: as though the deuill hated the worshipping of images, which is his owne inuention.

A certaine man of Cyprus striking out with an oxe goad the eye of the image of the Virgin Marie, had his owne eye smitten forth with the same staffe breaking into shiuers and lighting vponupon his eye.

A certaine Saracene did beate out the eye of an image, and presently his owne eye fell to the ground.

Such stuffe was then produced to confirme the superstitious adoration of images: and such fables are their festiuals and p. 192legends full of, who list to peruse them … and thus as Nicolaus Lyra complained, aliquando in ecclesia fit maxima deceptio popu… in miraculis fictis à sacerdotibus, &c. sometime in the Church the people is greatly deceiued by miracles fained of the priests, and their adherents for lucre sake.

vers. 8. They despise gouernment:] This note also most fitly agreeth to the Sea of 9. Note.Rome. For they hauehave despised and abused Despising of gouernment.the greatest Potentates and gouernors in earth; as Gregorie 7. made Henrie 4. Emperour, with his wife and childe to p. 784. to p. 789. Marty tolog. Fox.waite three daies and three nights in the colde winter at his gates. Alexander 3. did tread vponupon the necke of the Emperour Frederick 1. Pope Celestine crowned Henrie 5. with his foote, and with his foote spurned it off againe. Fredericke 1. was rebuked for holding Pope Adrianes stirrop on the wrong side.

Neither hath this beene the insolencie onelyonly of some Popes, but it is prescribed as a rule and order in the Popes booke of ceremonies; That the Emperour must Lib. 1. cerem. sect. 5. c. 4.beare the Popes chaire on his shoulder; shall beare vp the Popes traine; bring the basen and ewer to the Pope; shall carrie sect. 13. c. 2.the Popes first dish, shall beare the Popes p. 193first cuppe: What is it to despise gouernment if this be not? to make vassailes and slaues of Kings and Princes. So that we see that to be fulfilled in this Sea, which Gregorie spake of: Rex superbiae Lib. 4. epist. 38.in foribus est, The king of pride is at the doores.

vers. 8. They speake euill of them, which 10. Note.are in authoritie:] This hath beene an vsuall practise in poperie, not to spare to reuile Speaking euill of princes.and speake euill of the sacred Maiestie of kings and princes.

Gregorie 7. accursed the Emperour Henrie the fourth, accusing him of diuers crimes, sending forth his bull of excommunication against him, wherein he calleth him sonne of iniquitie. Martyrolog. p. 181.

Innocent. 3. denounced his great curse against king Iohn: forbidding vnderunder the same curse all persons to eate or drinke, or talke with him, yea his owne seruants to doe him any seruice either at bedde or board, in Church, hall, or stable. pag. 251.

Thus Gregorie 9. vsed Frederick 2. comparing him to the beast rising out of the sea, full of names of blasphemie, and charging him with atheisme. Martyrotyrd. p. 194Fox. pag. 307.

At the instigation of Paulus 3. Cardinal Poole wrote a contumclious & infamous libell against Henrie 8.

Pius 5. and Sextus 5. hauehave in their wicked bulls of excommunication vttered most vile blasphemies against her Maiestie.

And that saucie and beastly frier Feverdentius, hath published a most vile slaunder of her Highnesse, Dialog. 1. pag. 12. lin. 30. They rayle of Princes.shewing himselfe to be a filthie bird of that vncleane nest. Wherefore these popelings, can not be right members of the Church of Christ, nor yet are lead by his spirit, which contrarie to the commandement of God, Exod. 22. 28. Thou shalt not speake euill of the Ruler of thy people, are so shamelesse and impudent to open their mouthes against the Lords Annointed.

Some of our Runagates, apostataes from the church, and traytours to the state, hauehave most wickedly affirmed, that heresie in England, is diademate regio ornata, adorned with the princely crowne, and most trayterously compare their Soueraigne to Herodias, &c. Gifford, Reinolds in secund. praefat. ad Calvinoturcis. which rayling libell p. 195of theirs is learnedly alreadie answered; I D. Sutliff. de turcopapism. cont. Calvinoturcism.onelyonly note how fitly this marke set downe by the Apostle agreeth vntounto them, that they speake euill of them which are in authoritie.

v. 10. These speake euill of those things, 11. Note. Slaunder of Christs seruants.which they know not.] This also is a commō thing with our aduersaries to blinde both the persons and religion of Protestants, when they know not the one, nor vnderstand the other.

Thus the Sorbonists in Paris slaunderously reported of the Christian congregation there: that when they assembled, they put out the candles, and went togither after a beastly manner; that they maintained there was no God; that they denied the immortalitie of the soule, the resurrection of the flesh, and such other false crimes they obiected. Fox. pag. 927.

Thus hauehave they railed vponupon the faithfull seruants of Christ, whose neither liues nor deaths were knowne vntounto them: as that aaB…lla… ▪Luther died of drunkennesse, bbSurius.Bucer denied Christ at his death, that ccPolsecus.Calvine gaue his soule to the deuill.

In like manner doe they speake euill of p. 196the doctrine of the Protestants, that we leaue nothing but bare bread in the sacrament; that we make God the author of euill; Protestants b…li…d.that by the doctrine of predestination we take away all choise of things, and say it is no matter to saluation or damnation, Se…m. B. Watson con…r. Bucer. Fox. p. 1963.what a man did in this life.

They are not ashamed to belie vsus, that we denie Christ, and take away the Gifford. praef. 2. ad Calvinoture.Trinitie.

But of all other Feuerdentius a fryer of Paris is most impudent in coyning lies, and imputing most blasphemous heresies to the Calvinists, as he calleth the Protestants.

As that they denie the three persons of Dial. 1. p. 27.the Trinitie.

That they mislike the inuocation and adoration of the Trinitie.p 37.

That they denie God to be omnipotent, or to hauehave absolute power.p. 89.

That they charge God with lying, inconstancie, mutabilitie.p. 115. 119.

These and an hundred more such hereticall opinions he falsly obiecteth against the Protestāts: wherein they either against their conscience belie vsus, or speake euill of those things they know not: that they may appeare to be of that sect which is here by p. 197the Apostle described.

Uers. 11. They hauehave followed the way of Caine.] What the waie of Caine was Saint Iohn 11. Note. …oul… of …she weth: he slew his brother because his owne workes were euill and his brothers good, 1. Iohn. 3. 12. So hauehave the Romanists persecuted innocent and good men, onelyonly of enuie and despite against their vertuous and honest life.

Brewster & Sweeting burned, because the one said to the other, reading certaine good things out of a booke, the sonne of the liuing God helpe vsus: the other answered, the Lord so doe. Fox. p. 818.

Ioānes de Cadurco, because he brought forth this posie at a feast, Christ raigne in our heartes, was put to death. Foxe p. …97.

Thomas Sanpaulinus, because he reprooued a man for swearing, was iudged to be a Lutheran, and thereupon examined and condemned, p. 904.

Thomas Thomkins a deuout man, who when any man came to talke with him, would alwaies beginne with praier, was cruelly handled of Bonner, his face buffeted, his hand scorched with a torch, and after his bodie burned. Foxe, page, 1534.

p. 198A monke burned in France, ann. 1525. for marrying a wife, p. 896.

These and many other were through the enuie of Caine brought to their ende: for thus he enuied the pietie and innocencie of his brother Abel.

Uers. 11. They are cast away with the deceit of Balaams wages.] The Apostle here 1…. Note. Couetousnesse of the Romane Church.maketh couetousnesse a badge of a false church, when they may be hired with promise of reward as Balaam was, to giuegive wicked counsel, beeing corrupted themselues Balaams wageswith money, and corrupting others.

Alexander 6. beeing hired of the great Louic…. Turk. …ist▪ lib. 1.Turke with no small summes, caused Gemes the Turkes brother to be poysoned.

Parrie was induced by the great promises of Gregorie 13. to attempt his wicked conspiracie against her Maiestie: so likewise Lopez was enticed with the king of Spaines gold to doe the like.

And as they play Balaacks part to corrupt others with money to serue their turne: so also they of the court of Rome as Balaams may be wrought with money to any purpose: as one saith, In Romana curia omnia possunt pecuniae: Money can doe all things in the court of Rome.…. p…risiens. …. 1247.

p. 199Another saith, Romanus Pontifex laetatur spolijs ecclesiarum, quaestum omnem reputat Io…n. … ▪ lib. 6. c. 24.pietatem: The Bishop of Rome is delighted with the spoile of Churches, he counteth all manner of gaine, godlinesse.

Yea one of the Popes darlings saith, Roma facta est meretrix & prostituta pro Thom Eec… in epist. ad A… chiepisc. Moguntin.mercede: Rome is become an harlot, & for money is set to sale.

And that it may yet more fully appeare how like they are to Balaam, who gaue counsell to Balaack for his hire, to entice the Israelites to commit fornication: it is notoriously knowne, that in Rome by the licence of the Pope many thousand harlots Iewel. defens. apolog p 424.are permitted, and that Paulus 3. had in his tables the names of 30. thousand courtesans, of whome by way of pension he yearely receiueth 30. thousand ducates, Constitut. Othou. de concubini… cleric. remouend.which the Popes marshall hath charge of. This is the right deceit of Balaams wages, which he had also for giuing counsell to commit fornication.

Uers. 12. They perish in the gaine saying of 14. Note. Rebellio….Core.] Like as then Core, Dathan, and Abiram, with their confederates resisted the authoritie of Moses, so the Pope and his adherents hauehave continually practised against princes often inciting the subiects p. 200against them, and raising and causing tumults and rebellions.Pope autho… of rebellion.

Thus did Gregorie 7. first sette vp Rodolphus against the Emperour Henrie 4. Vrsperg…s. an. …105.and afterward raised Henrie 5. the sonne against his father: the same Pope doeth in his bull release all the subiects of the Emperour of their oath and fealtie.Fox. p. 179.

Thus did Innocentius 3. serue king Iohn, sending ouer his Legate Pandolphus, who accursed the king, and assoyled all his Nobles, Barons, Knights, Fox. p. 252.of their seruice, homage, and fealtie toward him.

The like attempted Gregorie the 9. against Frederick 2. enticing his souldiours to rebell against him, and writing to the princes of the Saracens, that they should make no truce with him, nor deliuer to him the crowne and kingdome of Fox. p. 302.Ierusalem.

Paulus 3. stirred commotions against Henrie the eight, and sent Cardinall Poole to perswade other princes to take part against him. Pius the 5. was author of the rebellion in the North, by his agent Morton. Gregorie the 13. by his wicked instrument Saunders procured the sturres in Ireland. Thus in all respectes they shew p. 201themselues to be the disciples of rebellious Core.

Uers. 12. Without all feare feeding themselues.] Those hypocrites of whome the 15. No…Apostle speaketh, were men giuen to their appetite, greedie and vnsatiable feeders; whose bellie is their God, as Saint Paul saith: such bellie gods and pamperers Bellie god… Gal 2….Gal 2of the flesh if euer any secte could affoard, popish monkerie shall therein exceede. Of such slowe-bellies Hierome beganne to complaine in his time, Post Idle monke… fil-bellies.coenam dubiam Apostolos somniant: After they hauehave well supped, they dreame of the Apostles. Siquando dies festus venerit, Epist. ad E… stoch.saturantur ad vomitum: If an holy day come, they are filled vp to the throat. And he further sheweth what manner of fasting some hypocrites vsed in those daies: that they would eate no oyle, and abstained from bread, yea resused to drinke water: ad Nepotian.yet they did eate figges, pepper, nuttes, dates, & sorbitiunculas delicatas, betarum que succum sorbere: and suppe delicate brothes, and the iuyce of beetes. This was the right guise of the fatbellied monkes, they would refuse to eate flesh or drinke wine, but in stead thereof they had marmolet, sucket, iollies, and all other daintie delicates.

p. 202With such curious dishes did the Lord Cromwell at his first beginning insinuate Fox. p. 1878.himselfe to the presence of Iulius the 2. & so pleased his tooth with his fine deuises of dishmeate, that he obtained his Boasten pardons.Boston.

Iulius the 2. loued his tooth well, when beeing forbidden by his physitians to eate porke, he called for it with great indignation saying in the Italian tongue, GiueGive me it in despite of God: at another time missing a cold peacocke, he chafed and fumed, saying, B…laeus in vita …. ….if God were angry with Adam for eating an apple, may not I his Vicar be offended for a peacocke?

Like vntounto this bellie godhead were the other rabble of idle Monkes, who, for the most part of them, as it is well knowne to the world, gaue themselues to eating and drinking, and to all kind of pleasure: in so much that they were constrained to make lawes to stint them, and put them to a certaine allowance by the day; as in a certaine councell it was prouided that the regulars should eueryevery day be allowed foure pound of bread and fiue pound of wine, or if the Aquisgran…c. 121. Accipiant per singulos dies, 4. libras panis, & 5. libras vini.countrie were not fruitfull of wine, three pound of wine, and three pound of ale or beere. It should seeme they exceeded before, p. 203yet this was a sufficient proportion for a reasonable man.

In the councell of Collen certaine fraternities p…rt. 9. c. ….were dissolued, In quibus tam clerici, quam Laici commessationibus & ebrietatibus vacant: Because both the Clergie, and La…e sort did giuegive themselues there to gluttonie and drunkennesse.

Who will not now say, considering the voluptuous and riotous life of these monasticall persons, that this note of the Apostle fitly agreeth vntounto thē, without feare feeding themselues?

Uers. 12. Cloudes they are without water carried about of the winde] Here the Apostle 16. Note.noteth the vanitie of false teachers, Cloudes without water.which though they professe and promise much to their followers, yet are able to yeeld no true comfort, but are as cloudes Popish doctrine without true comfort.that make shewe of raine, yet they let fall no drops.

Such in all respects is the profession of poperie: for though they boast of the true Catholike faith, and that none of their Church can be saued: yet if a man looke into their doctrine, he shall neuer finde his conscience setled therein, but still to remaine in doubt. They teach that God hath elected none but conditionally, so p. 204they beleeue: Rhemist. 1. Tim. 2. sect. 4. that Christ died for all men, for Turkes, Iewes, infidels: that a man cannot knowe, neither ought discusse, whether he be in the state of grace. Rhemist. 1. Cor. 4. sect. 4. that it is a damnable and false illusion & presumption for any particular man, to be sure of his saluation: Rhemist. Rom. 8. in v. 38. they hold generally that faith may be lost, that no man can be sure that he shall perseuere or continue to the ende.

These and such like comfortlesse doctrines are held and maintained in poperie: so that according to their rules, the most deuout papist can neuer be sure that his sinnes are forgiuen him, or that Christ died for him, more then for a Turke or Iewe, or that he finally shall be saued. The faith of the Apostle was not so, who was fully perswaded, that nothing could separate him from the louelove of God, Rom. 8. 38. and that there was a crowne of righteousnesse laid vp in store for him, 2. Tim. 4. 8. and that God would preserue him to his kingdome. v. 18. For as Hierome well saith, Ut quid rogo, medicus noster inter librorum suorum loculos tot cōstituit pigmentorum Obiurg. in Euagr.genera, si nihil est ex emplastris eius, quo possit sanari vulnus? &c. Why I pray you hath our p. 205Physitian appointed so many medicin…s in his books, if there be no plaister to heale the woūd which the enemie hath made? Wherefore that is the true faith and religion, which is able to applie comfort to a wounded and distressed soule: and carrieth water in the cloud to moysten and supple the barren and drie clots of the pensiue heart, not that which leaueth the soule plunged still in despaire without any firme hope and assurance of saluation, as the popish profession doth.

v. 13. Foaming out their owne shame.] 17. Note.Thus doe our aduersaries foame out their shame in their writings, wherein they raile Rayling.against and reuile the Protestants, calling them caitiffs, Sathanists, reprobates, miscreants, fooles, deuillish, heretiks, as I hauehave shewed before in the exposition of this verse. This hath alwaies beene the practise of false teachers, to raile and reuile: so was Augustine handled of the Donatists: Dum oves domini mei perditas diligenter inquiro, spinosarum linguarum veprebus laceror. While I diligently seeke the lost sheepe of my Lord, I am torne with the brambles of Contr Petilian. 3. cap. 11.thornie tongues. And Origen in like manner was vsed of Celsus: saith he, Philosophus viriste, cum nos instruere velit, convitiatur. p. 206This philosopher, going about to instruct vsus, rayleth. lib. 7. Such is the vsuall style of papists: thus plaieth Harding; the Rhemists in their annotations; Gifford in his vile libell which he entituleth Calvinoturcis. and all the sort of them can almost doe no other but rayle: the truth is not so defended: this foame of their mouthes bewraieth a foule & vncleane heart: & as is their cause, such is their manner of defence.

vers. 13. They are wandering starres.] Such wandering starres were the Pharises, 1…. Note. Wanderers.that compassed sea & land to get one proselyte, Math. 23. 15. Thus hath the church of Rome their wandering starrs: the Pope hath his Cardinals, whome he sendeth abroad as his factours and agents, his Seminarie priests and Iesu…s, that are dispersed into all countries to winne disciples, and to corrupt the saith of the simple: they insinuate themselues into Princes courts, and noble mens houses, and are those …ogges spoken of in the Reuelation, which came forth of the D…a…on…mouth to goe vntounto the Kings of the earth. They change the… ha…ite dissemble their profession, alter …, as occasion …erue…: like as Ambrose reporteth of Auxentius the Ar…ian, Ne congnosceretur quis esset, mutavit … p. 207& induit lupum: alius in Scithiae partibus dicebatur, alius hîc: nomina pro regionibus habet. Least he be knowne what he is, he hath changed his name, but not his treacherie: he putteth off a wolfe and putteth on an other: he is called by one name in Scythia, by an other here: for eueryevery countrey he hath a name. This Auxentius was a right wandering starre, that wandered from Italie to Scythia, from the south to the North, from the East, to the West, changing his name and habite, but not his conditions: such wanderers are popish priests and Iesuits, that are sent abroad into the world, and trauell frō countrie to countrie, changing their habits and names, but not their conditions.

v. 16. These are murmurers and complainer….] 19. Note.Such are the Romanists, that shew thēselues male contents, complaining with open…sse of the hard de…ling of the state toward them, and of the great persecution of Catholike … Whereas … …ath dealt most gently with them in respect of their … against Recusants, or capital… aga… Seminarie priests and Iudasites, for … space of twentie yeares of her Maiesties …

p. 202With such curious dishes did the Lord Cromwell at his first beginning insinuate Fox. p. 1178.himselfe to the presence of Iulius the 2. & so pleased his tooth with his fine deuises of dishmeate, that he obtained his Boasten pardons.Boston.

Iulius the 3. loued his tooth well, when beeing forbidden by his physitians to eate porke, he called for it with great indignation saying in the Italian tongue, GiueGive me it in despite of God: at another time missing a cold peacocke, he chafed and fumed, saying, B…laeus in vit a …. 3.if God were angry with Adam for eating an apple, may not I his Vicar be offended for a peacocke?

Like vntounto this bellie godhead were the other rabble of idle Monkes, who, for the most part of them, as it is well knowne to the world, gaue themselues to eating and drinking, and to all kind of pleasure: in so much that they were constrained to make lawes to stint them, and put them to a certaine allowance by the day; as in a certaine councell it was prouided that the regulars should eueryevery day be allowed foure pound of bread and fiue pound of wine, or if the Aquisgran c, 121. Accipiant per singulos dies, 4. libras panis, & 5. libras vini.countrie were not fruitfull of wine, three pound of wine, and three pound of ale or beere. It should seeme they exceeded before, p. 203yet this was a sufficient proportion for a reasonable man.

In the councell of Collen certaine fraternities part. 9. c. 11.were dissolued, In quibus tam clerici, quam Laici commessationibus & ebri…tatibus vacant: Because both the Clergie, and La…e sort did giuegive themselues there to gluttonie and drunkennesse.

Who will not now say, considering the voluptuous and riotous life of these monasticall persons, that this note of the Apostle fitly agreeth vntounto thē, without feare feeding themselues?

Uers. 12. Cloudes they are without water carried about of the winde] Here the Apostle 16. Note.noteth the vanitie of false teachers, Cloudes without water.which though they professe and promise much to their followers, yet are able to yeeld no true comfort, but are as cloudes Popish doctrine without true comfort.that make shewe of raine, yet they let fall no drops.

Such in all respects is the profession of poperie: for though they boast of the true Catholike faith, and that none of their Church can be saued: yet if a man looke into their doctrine, he shall neuer finde his conscience setled therein, but still to remaine in doubt. They teach that God hath elected none but conditionally, so p. 204they beleeue: Rhemist. 1. Tim. 2. sect. 4. that Christ died for all men, for Turkes, Iewes, infidels: that a man cannot knowe, neither ought discusse, whether he be in the state of grace. Rhemist. 1. Cor. 4. sect. 4. that it is a damnable and false illusion & presumption for any particular man, to be sure of his saluation: Rhemist. Rom. 8. in v. 38. they hold generally that faith may be lost, that no man can be sure that he shall perseuere or continue to the ende.

These and such like comfortlesse doctrines are held and maintained in poperie: so that according to their rules, the most deuout papist can neuer be sure that his sinnes are forgiuen him, or that Christ died for him, more then for a Turke or Iewe, or that he finally shall be saued. The faith of the Apostle was not so, who was fully perswaded, that nothing could separate him from the louelove of God, Rom. 8. 38. and that there was a crowne of righteousnesse laid vp in store for him, 2. Tim. 4. 8. and that God would preserue him to his kingdome. v. 18. For as Hierome well saith, Ut quid rogo, medicus noster inter librorum suorum loculos tot cōstituit pigmentorum Obiurg. in Euagr.genera, si nihil est ex emplastris eius, quo possit sanari vulnus? &c. Why I pray you hath our p. 205Physitian appointed so many medicines in his books, if there be no plaister to heale the woūd which the enemie hath made? Wherefore that is the true faith and religion, which is able to applie comfort to a wounded and distressed soule: and carrieth water in the cloud to moysten and supple the barren and drie clots of the pensiue heart, not that which leaueth the soule plunged still in despaire without any firme hope and assurance of saluation, as the popish profession doth.

v. 13. Foaming out their owne shame.] 17. Note.Thus doe our aduersaries foame out their shame in their writings, wherein they raile Rayling.against and reuile the Protestants, calling them caitiffs, Sathanists, reprobates, miscreants, fooles, deuillish, heretiks, as I hauehave shewed before in the exposition of this verse. This hath alwaies beene the practise of false teachers, to raile and reuile: so was Augustine handled of the Donatists: Dum oves domini mei perditas diligenter inquiro, spinosarum linguarum veprebus laceror. While I diligently seeke the lost sheepe of my Lord, I am torne with the brambles of Contr Petilian. 3. cap. 11.thornie tongues. And Origen in like manner was vsed of Celsus: saith he, Philosophus viriste, cum nos instruere velit, convitiatur. p. 206This philosopher, going about to instruct vsus, rayleth. lib. 7. Such is the vsuall style of papists: thus plaieth Harding; the Rhemists in their annotations; Gifford in his vile libell which he entituleth Calvinoturcis. and all the sort of them can almost doe no other but rayle: the truth is not so defended: this foame of their mouthes bewraietha foule & vncleane heart: & as is their cause, such is their manner of defence.

vers. 13. They are wandering starres.] Such wandering starres were the Pharises, 18. Note. Wanderers.that compassed sea & land to get one proselyte, Math. 23. 15. Thus hath the church of Rome their wandering starrs: the Pope hath his Cardinals, whome he sendeth abroad as his factours and agents, his Seminarie priests and Iesuits, that are dispersed into all countries to winne disciples, and to corrupt the faith of the simple: they insinuate themselues into Princes courts, and noble mens houses, and are those frogges spoken of in the Reuelation, which came forth of the Dragons mouth to goe vntounto the Kings of the earth. They change their habite, dissemble their profession, alter their names, as occasion serueth: like as Ambrose reporteth of Auxentius the Arrian, Ne cognosceretur quis esset, mutavit nomen, Ambr. in Aux.sed perfidiam non mutavit, exuit lupum p. 207& induit lupum: alius in Scithiae partibus dicebatur, alius hîc: nomina pro regionibus habet. Least he be knowne what he is, he hath changed his name, but not his treacherie: he putteth off a wolfe and putteth on an other: he is called by one name in Scythia, by an other here: for eueryevery countrey he hath a name. This Auxentius was a right wandering starre, that wandered from Italie to Scythis, from the south to the North, from the East, to the West, changing his name and habite, but not his conditions: such wanderers are popish priests and Iesuits, that are sent abroad into the world, and trauell frō countrie to countrie, changing their habits and names, but not their conditions.

v. 16. These are murmurers and complainers.] 19. Note.Such are the Romanists, that shew thēselues malecontents, complaining with open crie of the hard dealing of the state toward them, and of the great persecution of Catholikes in England, and of the seueritie. yea crueltie of the state against them. Whereas her Maiestie hath dealt most gently with them, in respect of their desert. 1. There was no law made either pecuniarie against Recusants, or capitall against Seminarie priests and Iudasites, for the space of twentie yeares of her Maiesties p. 208raigne: for against the first it was decreed ann. 23. against the other ann. 27. and not before. 2. The Recusants are not put from their liuing, as Protestants were both from liuing and life, but paying the penaltie of the statute, they enioy the rest. 3. Whereas the Seminaries and Iesuits are by the law subiect to capitall punishment, some of them onelyonly are imprisoned, some onelyonly banished, some hauehave greater libertie, if it would make them honest men and good subiects: and yet for all this, they are not contented. But herein they are like to the old Donatists, that complained of Romanists with the old Donatists complaine of persecution.persecution as they doe, and vsed the same shift that Papists doe, Non pertinere ad Imperatorem de religione iudicare, that it belonged not to the Emperour to iudge of religion. Whereunto Augustine answered excellently. 1. Primo ostendant se non esse hareticos, &c. First let them prooue they are not heretikes or schismatikes, and then let them complaine of uniust punishment. 2. They may say as well, that the Ciuill magistrate may not punish Idolaters, witches, &c. as heretikes: for all these are reckoned in the same number, Galat. 5. 20. 3. How came it to passe, that they excelled the Maximinianists (which were a certaine p. 209sect or schisme of the Donatists) by the Emperours authoritie? and so did the August. contr. ep. st. Parm l. …. c. 7.Papists persecute the Protestants by the magistrates authoritie: what reason hauehave they to take exception against that power which they are content to vse to serue their turne? 4. saith he, Tribunus non est persecutor vester, sed persecutor persecutoris Contr. Gaud…. cap. 10.vestri: the Magistrate doth not persecute you, but persecuteth your persecutor, that is, your errour. 5. Lastly he saith, Si vniversarum contra vos latarum legum severitas, &c. if the seueritie of all lawes made against you be compared to your lawlesse crueltie, it will seeme to be lenitie: and so he concludeth, Legibus latis catholica magis mansuetudo commendatur, quam haeretica Contr. Cresco…. lib. 3. c. 44.immanitas plectitur. By these laws which are made, the Catholike gentlenesse is rather commended, then hereticall peruersnes punished. Wherfore they complaine without cause, and so this note also doth well beseeme them.

vers. 16. Whose mouthes speake proud 20. Note.things.] Neuer did any heretikes speake more proudly, or giuegive more arrogant titles, They speake proud things.then the Romanists doe vntounto the Pope: as that he is a God aaa Marcell. in Concil. Lateran. s…st. 4.in earth; that he is the wonder of the world, neither p. 210God nor bbClement. in prooem. in glos….man: that the Pope hath power ouer purgatorie: that he may ccFelinus.command the angels of God: that he is ddinter decret. Adrian. tom. 1. concil.Lord of lords, king of kings: for so the Emperour is called the Popes seruant: that no mortall man may eedistinct. 40. c. 6.reprooue the Pope, though he carrie innumerable soules to hell. Thus also they proudely and blasphemously extoll their priesthood, saying, that eueryevery priest is after the order of Melchisedeck, which the scripture onelyonly affirmeth of Christ, and that the sacrifice vponupon the crosse was ffHeskin. lib. 1. c. 15.after the order of Aaron and not of Melchisedeck. One Nitinghal parson of Croudon in Kent vttered this blasphemous speach in his sermon, that the Fox p. 1560.lord Cardinals grace had made him as cleane frō sin as he was at the fonstone: & thereupon he fell downe dead out of the pulpit. Who now can denie, but that their mouthes speake proud things, and so may be rightly discerned by this note, not to be be of the true Church?

vers. 16. Hauing mens person in admiration, because of aduantage.] If flatterie be a 21. Note. Flatterie.marke of an hypocrite and false teacher, as here the Apostle saith; the Romanists are here comprehended, who are most grosse and palpable flatterers of the Pope. For p. 211they doe all hold, that he cannot erre, that he sitteth in Peters chaire: they call him the most holy father: though some of them were heretikes, as Honorius, some idolaters, as Marcellinus, some sorcerers, as Gregorie the seauenth: some periured, as Gregorie the ninth accused of periurie 3. Math. Paris in Henr. 4.by Frederick the second: some infidels, as Iohn 22. that denied the immortalitie of the soule: some murderers, as Vrbanus 6. that caused certaine of his Cardinals to be sowed in sackes and cast Theodor. Nie…. lib. …. schism.into the sea: some adulterers, as Alexander 6. some incestuous, as Paulus 3. Sodomites, as Sixtus 4. yet all of them are iustified by Bellarmine and the rest, to be holy fathers, and right good men. But as Augustine well saith, Nec malam conscientiam sanat praeconium laudantis, nec bonam vulnerat convitiantis opprobrium: neither do…h a flatterers commendation heale an euill conscience, nor yet a raylers defamation woūd a good conscience.

v. 18. There shall be mockers.] Mockers and scorners are not of the Church of 21. Note.Christ: for they are persecuters, as S. Paul Mockers.saith, Ismael persecuted Isaak, Gal. 4. 29. because he mocked him, Genes. 21. 9. But such are the Romanists, deriders and p. 212mockers of religion, and of the seruants of Christ: for it is well knowne, that an idiote or foole in Italie is noted by the name of a Christian: the Rhemists call our communion a feast of Ceres and Bacchus: another with a scornefull spirit calleth it an oyster table: one Simōs a persecutor of Anthony B White apud …o…um.Persons, when the Martyr said vntounto him standing at the barre, that at the last day it should appeare, which of them had best deserued that place, answered scoffingly shall I hauehave so long a day (and held vp his finger) then I care not, saith he. From Fox. p. 1218.this scorning spirit proceede all those tearmes of Zuinglians, Lutheranes, Caluinistes, precisians, puritanes, Hugonites, which the Papists doe giuegive in disdaine and scorne to Protestants. This marke then of mocking and scorning beeing so proper vntounto them doeth descrie them not to be gouerned by the spirit of Christ, and so consequently not of his Church. We say then vntounto them, as Origen concerning the scornful writings of Celsus: Si grauiter & Lib. 6. contra Celsu….modestius haec tractaret, plus forsitan suasionis sunt habitura, sed cum per risum & scurriliter multa eloquendo deliret, &c. If he handled these things grauely and modestly he were more like to perswade, but seeing he by p. 213laughter and scurrilitie vttering many things sheweth his madnesse, I say for want of better wordes he is fallen into this braweling vaine. &c.

Uers. 19. These are makers of sects.] This can not be more truely affirmed of 23. Note. Romanists se… makers.any, then of the Church of Rome: for neuer had any profession so many sundrie orders, of Monkes, Nunnes, Hermites, Anchorites, Friers, blacke, gray, white, blewe, and I knowe not of what coloures, nor of howe many orders, Augustines, Benedicts, Franciscans, Dominicans, Carthusians, Caponchians, Carmelites, Brigets order, barefoote friers, Caelestines, Loc. 25. …. 10.Hieronomites, Charterhouse monkes, with a great number more: Heshusius reckoneth 65. orders of them, and M. Foxe an hundred. So many, as that they were p. 259.constrained to make a publike decree in a generall councell, that no man should bring in any newe religion; yea some of Concil. Later. … sub Innocent. part. 3. c. 3.their owne side hauehave much misliked this multiplicitie of sects, as Nicholaus Cusanus a Cardinall thus writeth: Fallacia illorum qui sub habitu Christi apparent, vix potest sciri ob suam varietatem: nam alius quidem sub hac vesle, alius sub illa, &c. The deceit of those that shewe themselues vnderunder the p. 214habite of Christ, cannot be knowne because of their varietie: One saith vnderunder this garment, another vnderunder that, that he is Christs souldier when as they all seeke not the things that are Christs, but their owne.

Uers. 20. Praying in the holy Ghost:] 24. Note.The Apostle hauing described the qualities and conditions of corrupt teachers, Liplabour praier.nowe he turneth himselfe to describe the true members of the Church of Christ, whome by this note as one he would hauehave knowne: they doe pray in the holy Ghost, that is, with feeling and vnderstanding, for such are the praiers of the spirit: this difference our Sauiour Christ maketh betweene true and false worshippers, Iohn, 4. 22. Yee worship that ye knowe not, we worship what we knowe, for saluation is of the Iewes. But the members of the Romane Church knowe not what they worship, nor what they pray, speaking in an vnknowne tongue; and therefore wanting the true and right vse of praier, they are not the true Church of Christ: for in the Church of God there is the true inuocation of the name of God, and there are the true worshippers of God in spirit and trueth, Ioh. 4. 24. but liplaboure is no true worship of God, such as are all praiers p. 215made without vnderstanding in an vnknowne tongue: as Ambrose saith vponupon these wordes of S. Paul, My minde is without fruite, 1. Cor. 14. 14. Quem fructum habere potest, qui ignorat, quae loquitur? What fruite or profit can he hauehave that knoweth not what he saith?

Uers. 23. Hate the garment spotted of the flesh:] This is another note of the true 25. Note.religion, that it retaineth not carnall rites & ceremonies, which are here vnderstood by the fleshly garment, such as the Apostle speaketh against, Coloss. 2. 2. such traditiōs as consisted in touching, tasting, hādling, which things perish with the vse.

But such is the popish profession altogether adorned with the vesture of the flesh: for most of their carnall and ceremonious rites and vsages they hauehave borrowed partly from the Iewes, partly from the Gentiles.

From the Gentiles they hauehave learned, their adoration of images, praier to the dead, multiplicitie of saints, purgatorie, setting vp of waxe candles & burning of tapers, with such other infinit rites, the original whereof is deriued from the heathē, as Moresin. de origin. papat.a learned scottish writer hath lately shewed in a treatise onelyonly of that argument.

p. 216From the Iewes they hauehave their palme, salt, oyle, holy water, obseruation of daies, difference of meats, with such other; therefore we can not iudge that to be sound religion, which vseth such traditions, which are after the cōmandements of men, Col. 2. 22. and so I conclude this point with Augustine: De aqua, frumento, vino, oleo in seruitute veteris populi multa celebrari imperatasunt, quae nobis tantum intelligēda traduntur. Ang. de cele…at. pasch.Many things concerning corne, wine, oyle, were commanded to be obserued in the seruitude of the olde lawe, which are onelyonly so be vnderstood of vsus.

Thus hauehave I by these 25. notes gathered out of this epistle consisting of 25. verses, declared howe the true religion and Church from the false may be discerned: which also may serue as a caueat & aduertisement to the Reader, concerning a certaine seditious popish pamphlet lately dispersed, called a quarterne of reasons, wherin the libeller by his 25. reasons would impugne the credite of our Church and religion: which booke, as I vnderstand, is very sufficiently answered by a studious young man, and learned diuine, and is readie for the presse. Thus I end exhorting the reader according to S. Pauls rule: to trie all p. 217things, and hold that is best. And so I conclude with that saying of Augustine: Excipite verba contradicentium respuenda, non Tract. 9. in … am.transglutienda, & visceribus danda, facite inde quod fecit Dominus, quando illi obtulerunt amarum potum, gustauit & respuit, it a vos legite & abiicite. Receiue ye the words of gainsayers to refuse them, not to swallow them & keepe them in your bowels, but doe with them as our Lord with the bitter potion which they offered to him, he tasted and refused: so doe ye… read their errours and reiect them.

Praise, honour, glorie, and power be vntounto him that sitteth vponupon the throne, and vntounto the lambe for euermore. Reuel. 5. 13.

FINIS.

Amend the faults thus.

PREFACE.

BOOKE.

End of the text · Andrew Willet, A Catholicon (1602)