The Weather Cock of Romes Religion, Text

The Weather Cock of Romes Religion · Text

THE WEATHER-COCKE OF ROMES RELIGION: WITH HER SEVERALL CHANGES.

OR: THE WORLD TVRND TOPSIE-TVRVIE BY PAPISTS.

LONDON: Printed by George Purſtowe for Iohn Marriot, and are to be ſold at his Shop in Saint Dunſtanes Churchyard in Fleet-ſtreete. 1625.

p. 1THE WORLD TVRN'D TOPSIE TVRVIE BY PAPISTS.

IN old World, The Biſhops of Rome preached painefully, and ordinarily, as may appeare by the Homilies which are extant vntounto this day, vnderunder the names of Leo the Firſt, and Gregory the Firſt: But à multis ſeculis vix quiſquam (ex Romanis Pont.) reperitur è Cathedra docuiſſe: It can hardly bee proued, that any one Biſhop of Rome, for many of theſe hundred yeeres laſt paſt, were ſeene in a Pulpit, asaaDe Rege ex li. 3. cap. 2. p. 225. Ioh. Mariana confeſſeth.

In old World, The Biſhops of Rome were Cenſu pauperrimi, eruditione diuites▪ Poore in purſe, but rich in wiſdome and goodneſſe: But, nunc aliquoties contingunt Rom. Pont. aerario locupletiſſimi Apoſtolicis opibus, hoc eſt, ſacrâ doctrinâ, & pietate nudiſſimi: In theſe latter dayes wee hauehave many Biſhops of Rome, rich in purſe, but as poore in p. 2learning and piety, as Iob of wealth, in his greateſt miſery, asbbScholijs in Ep. Hieron. ad Demet. de virgin. ſeruand. To. 1. operum Hieron. Eraſmus witneſſeth, In pontificibus nemo hodiè ſanctitatem requirit: No man, in theſe dayes, lookes for honeſty in a Biſhop of Rome, asccDe verb. Epiſc. l. 6. in vit. Iuly 3. pag. 401. b. Muſſonus confeſſeth.

In old World, All Biſhops, and ſuch Presbyters who were of any ſpeciall note for their honeſty and learning were called Popes, asddPanopl. lib. 4. cap. 80. fol. 4…2. Lindan, eeTract. de vocū obſcur. Eccleſ. Interpret. ad finem Plat. de vit. Pont.Onuphrius, ffDe ſuc. Eccleſ. miniſt. ac benefic. lib. 1. cap. 10.Duaren, andggNot. in Martyr. Ro. Ian. 10. c. Baronius confeſſe. Saint Cyprian, Biſhop of Carthage; Saint Auſtin, Biſhop of Hippo: Saint Athanaſius, Biſhop of Alexandria, were called Popes. But now the Biſhop of Rome claymes it in his ſole right to be called Pope.hhAd ſin. Epiſt. 55. Greg. 7. apud Binn. To. 3. Conc. part. 2. pa. 1196. Gregory the Seuenth, about the yeere 1073. (a little after the Diuell was let looſe) made a Decree to that purpoſe, prouiding: Vt Papae nomen vnicum eſſet in vniuerſo orbe Chriſtiano, nec liceret alicui ſeipſum vel alium eo nomine appellare: That there ſhould bee but one man in all Chriſtendome called Pope: and that no man ſhould dare to ſtyle himſelfe, or any other, with the name of Pope.

In old World, The Biſhops of Rome were ſtyled by other Biſhops with ſuch Titles as argued good fellowſhip among them, and no ſuperiority in one ouer another. iiEp. 52. Anton.Saint Cyprian tearmed Cornelius Biſhop of Rome, frater, Collega, Coepiſcopus, Brother, Colleague, and fellow Biſhop. ThekkTheodor. Hiſt. lib. 2. cap. 8. Biſhops aſſembled in Councell at Sardica, ſpeaking of Julius Biſhop of Rome, gaue him no other titles, than that of Brother, & Colleague: which they gaue indifferently to Athanaſius, Aſclepas, and all other Biſhops to whom they writ, and of whom they had occaſion to ſpeake. In like manner, thellTheodor. Hiſt. lib. 5. cap. 9. Biſhops of Conſtantinople vſed Damaſus Biſhop of Rome, Brothering him, and Colleaguing him, as they did others, to whom they writ as well as to him. But now the Biſhop of Rome is called,mmBell. l. 2. de Ro. Pont. cap. 31. Vniuerſalis Epiſcopus, nnMoſconius de Maieſt. milit. etc. lib. 1. part. 1. c. 1. de Rom. Pont.vniuerſalis Paſtor, ^o vniuerſalis Iudex, ppSalm. Commēt. in Matt. 16.Matt 16Prorex Coeleſtis, ^q Ʋice-deus, rrIoh. Ang. Panthaeus in arte & Theoriae tranſmutat. Metall. ad …on. 10. impreſſ. Uenet. 1518.Deus mortalis, ſſStaplet. praefat. doctrin. princep. ad Greg. 13.Opt. Mar. ttIbid.Supremum in torris numen, ^u Caput totius Eccleſiae, ^u Pater Eccleſiae, ^x Sponſus Eccleſiae, ^y Mater Eccleſiae, ^z Rex regum, & Dominus dominantium: The vniuerſall Biſhop; the vniuerſall Paſtor; the vniuerſall Iudge; the Vice-roy p. 3of heauen; a mortall God; the beſt, and the greateſt; the higheſt power on earth; the head of the whole Church; the father of the Church; the Churches husband; the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

In old World,Cicarell. in vita Sixti 5. ad finem Platinae. The Biſhops of Rome ſtood not vponupon ſuperſcriptions of Letters, but receiued ſuch as were ſent vntounto them, how euer they were indorſed: But now they hauehave made a Decree in conſiſtory: Ne poſt hac ab vllis Principibus miſſae recipiantur literae, quae debitis Titulis non ſunt inſcriptae: That no Letters be receiued from any Prince, vnleſſe they giuegive the Biſhop of Rome his due titles.Conſtantinus Melchiadi. Euſeb. Hiſt. lib. 10. cap. 5.

In old World, When Emperours writ to the Biſhops of Rome, they prefixed their owne names before the Biſhops:Conſtantio Liberius apud Baron. Annal. Tom. 3. ad Ann. 354. nu. 2. and when the Biſhops writ to the Emperour, they ſet their names after the Emperours: But hic ſtylus impraeſentiarum in Rom. Curia exoleuit: This manner of writing is out of vſe in the Romane Court in our dayes. In literis ad nos miſſis nomen tuum nostro praeponis, Alcial. in Codic. Iuſtinian, de ſum. Trinit. & fide Cathol. c. inter claras.in quo, inſolentiae, non dicam arrogantiae, nomen incurris: In the letters which you ſent vntounto vsus, you ſet your owne name before ours: whereby you incurre ſuſpition of inſolency, I will not ſay arrogancy, ſaith Pope Adrian to Fredericke the Emperour.Append. ad Radeuicum quae habetur apud Baron. Annal. Tom. 12. ad An. 1159. nu. 5. And, Falſum-praeſumi reſcriptum, in quo non legatur ſummi Pontificis nomen ante caetera: That is ſuppoſed to be a falſe writ, in which the Popes name is not ſet in the firſt place, ſaith a Popiſh Lawyer.

In old World,Guilielm. in ſpec. de praſed. Re ſcript. teſte Alciato loco citato. Apud Baron. Annal. Tom. 12. ad. An. 1159. nu. 4. They who writ vntounto the Pope, vſed words of the ſingular number, thou-ing hint, as they did others. But Pope Adrian tooke that in great ſnuffe at the hands of Fredericke the Emperour: And ſince that, no man dares thou the Pope.

In old World,aaGreg. 8. Epiſt. lib. 2. Indict. 11. Epiſt. 61. The Pope of Rome acknowledged the Emperour for his Lord and Maſter: But in theſe latter times, the Popes of Rome hauehave taught the Emperour to acknowledge them for his Lord and Maſter.

In old World, euen till Gregory the Firſt his time (by bbDiſt. 63. Tibi Domino.Bell. his confeſsion) Imperator dominium temporale in vrbem Rom. ccLib. 2. de ſum… Pont. cap. 28.habebat: The Emperour had the temporall gouernement p. 4of the Citie of Rome: But now the Pope … taken it into his owne hands. The Emperour hath not ſo much as a Gooſe-gate in the Citie of Rome.

In old World, the Popes were not wont to giuegive armes, as Princes and Noble-men did: Veteres Pontifices talem, morem non leguntur habuiſſe: The ancient Popes had no ſuch cuſtome, ſaithaaInſtitut. Moral. part. 2. cap. 43. Col. 941. Azorius: But, about the yere 1040. this cuſtome was taken vp, and is continued, Vt Ro. Pont. inſignibus Gentilitijs vterentur, ſaith the ſame Azorius.

In old World, till Silueſters time, Cardinalium nomen non legimus: wee reade not ſo much as of the name of Cardinall, asbbInſtit. moral. part. 2. lib. 4. ca. 1. 4. quaer. Col. 604. Azorius confeſſeth; yet now the name is common.

In old World, there were Cardinals in other places, as well as at Rome. ccOnuph. Tract. de obſcur. voc. interpretat. & Moſcon. de Maieſt Eccl. Milit. lib. 1. part. 1. c. 5.There were Cardinals at Rauenna, at Piſa, at Millan, at Naples in Italy, at Compostella in Spaine, atddEpiſcopus Elienſis reſp. ad Bell. Apolog. cap. 4. pag. 103. Pauls Church in London: But now, as the Biſhop of Rome hath robb'd other Biſhops of the name Pope: ſo hath hee robb'd other Cardinals of the name Cardinall. Pius 5. in ſuo deplomate Anno 1568. penitùs hoc nomen in omnibus alijs Eccleſijs praeterquam in Rom. extinxit: & ſolummodo Cardinalis nomencompetere voluit Cardinalibus S. R. E. à Papacreatis. Pius the 5. in his Bull, bearing date 1568. hath cryed downe the name Cardinal in all other Churches but in Rome: and he hath decreed, that ſuch onelyonly as are created Cardinalls of the Church of Rome, by the Pope, ſhall be called Cardinals, as is witneſſed byeeLoco ſuprà citat. Moſconius, Vicar generall to the Arch-biſhop of Bononia.

In old World, the Cardinals of Rome were inferiour to Biſhops: in ſo much, that a Cardinall-ſhip was but a ſtep to a Biſhopricke▪ But now Cardinals are ſuperiours to all Biſhops. A Biſhopricke is a ſtep to a Cardinal-ſhip, asffLib. 1. de Clericis, cap. 16. Bell. himſelfe confeſſeth.

In old World, it was decreed,ggConc. Narbon. ſub Necca. Rege, Anno 589. apud Bin. Tom. 2. Conc. p. 722. Vt nullus Clericorum veſtimenta purpura induat: That none of the Clergy ſhould weare purple: But now the Pope and his Cardinals are clad in purple: AndhhTom. 8. Annal. ad Ann. 589. Baronius iuſtifies them therein.

p. 5In old World, it was decreed,aaMater Hiſtor. Ne deinceps Ro. Pont. & Cardinales vterentur Equis & Mulis ſed tantum Aſinis, Chriſti, cuius videri vellent vicarij, exemplo: That the Popes of Rome, and their Cardinals, ſhould not ride vponupon Horſes or Mules, but on Aſſes, as our Sauiour Chriſt did, whoſe Vicars, they ſay, they are. ButbbChronolog. lib. 4. ad An. 1294. Genebrard vponupon mention of this, cryes out, O legem nunc prodigiosè euersā! O excellent Law, but as now quite out of force!

In old World, it wasccGreg. lib. 4. Epiſ. ep. 55. decreed, That no Arch-biſhop ſhould pay any thing for theddPlatina in vita Leon 2. Pall which they receyued of the Biſhop of Rome: ButeeSleidan Comment. lib. 13. de Archiep. Mogunt pallio. now it ſtands ſome, ere they can get it home, in 30. ferè millibus aureorum, almoſt 30000. French Crownes.

In old World, it wasffAnaſtaſ. in vit. Bonifacij 3. & Baron. Annal. Tom. 8. ad An. 606. decreed, vnderunder pain of the great Curſe; That no man ſhould dare ſo much as to talke of electing a new Pope or Biſhop of the City wherein he liued, niſi tertio die depoſitionis eius, but the third day after his buriall: But ſince the making of this,ggMaſsonus de vib. Ep. in Coeleſt. 3. Plat. de vit. Pont. in Leo 3. they hauehave choſen new Popes at Rome, ere the former Popes were buried, yea, ere their bones were throughly cold.

In old World, euen in Chryſoſtome, Ambroſe, Auſtin, Leo the Firſt, Gregory the Firſt his time, all Biſhops, euen the Biſhops of Rome, were choſen by the Clergy, and people of their Cities, ashhLib. 1. de Cl… ricis, cap 9. Bell. confeſſeth: But now the iiSu. Pol. Virg. de Inuent. rerum, lib. 4. cap. 10.Biſhop of Rome is choſen by the Cardinals onelyonly: and all other Biſhops are choſen by the Biſhop of Rome. A cuſtome ſo abſurd, thatkkIn ſumm. verb. Lex. 13. quaer…. Silueſter Prierias did note it in theſe words: Hodie, quando ambitio & laſciuia totam Eccleſiam deturpauit, Papa reſeruat ſibi collationem omnium dignitatum, (.i.) Patriarcharum, Metropolitanorum, Epiſcoporum, &c.

In old World,llIn Ioh. cap. 6. Annot. 27.John 6 as Cardinall Tolet confeſſeth, Prohibita fuit ſub vna ſpecie communio, & iniunctum Catholicis, vt ſub vtraque communicarent: It was forbidden the Laitie to communicate in one kinde, and enioyned them to receiue in both kindes: But nowmmConc. Irid. ſeſſ. 24. Can. 2. the Laity among the Papiſts, receiue in one kinde onelyonly:nnConc. Conſtant. ſeſſ. 13. The Prieſt who deliuered it to a Lay-man in both kindes, is excommunicate.

p. 6In old World, Euchariſtia ſub vtraque ſpecie … lita: The Communion was reſerued in both kindes, … aaAnnal. Tom. 5. ad An. 404. nu. 32.Baronius confeſſeth. ButbbIbid. now the Popiſh Church hath taken order it ſhall be reſerued in one kinde onelyonly, to wit, in bread.

In old World, the words of Conſecration were vttered openly,ccTho. Aq. Sum. Theol. part. 3. q. 78. Art. 1. Hardings Anſwer to Biſhop Iewells challenge, 16. Article. as the Papiſts generally confeſſe. ButddConc. Trid. ſeſſ. 22. Can. 9. now, ſubmiſsâ voce proferuntur: they are vttered in ſecret.

In old World,eePainel. Annot. in Cyprian. de Lapſis, nu. 82. It was the cuſtome to deliuer the Sacrament of Chriſts body into the hands of the Receiuer. ButffIbid. & Durantus de ritibus Eccl. lib. 1. ca. 16. nu. 12. now (by Papiſts) the Sacrament is put into the Receiuers mouth, and not giuen into his hand.

In old World,ggGreg. dial. l. 2. Cap. 23. the Deacon was accuſtomed to bid then depart, who did not communicate.hhChryſoſt. Hom. 3. in Epiſt. ad Eph. They were reputed impudent, and wicked wretches, who looked on, & communicated not. But now Papiſts allow lookers on.

In old World, It was the cuſtome to communicate … uery day: Nomo Catholicus inficiari poteſt fuiſſe Apostolorum, & S. Rom. Eccleſiae conſuetudinem, imo inſtitutum vtque ſancitum ab Anacleti temporibus, viz. vt omnes quotidiè cō municarent: No Catholique can deny, but that it was the cuſtome of the Apoſtles, and of the Church of Rome, euer ſince Pope Anaclotus dayes: yea, no Catholique can deny, but it was an Ordinance and Decree of the Apoſtles, and of the Romane Church euer ſince Anacletus dayes, That men ſhould communicate eueryevery day,iiDe frequenti communione c. 4. ſaith Madridus the Ieſuite. But now, Videtur relictum arbitrio cuiuſlibet: it ſeemes to be left to eueryevery mans choyce, whether he will doe ſo or no, as thekkIn cap. peracta de conſecrat. d. 2. Gloſſer notes.

In old World, this Canon ſtood in force,llConc. Agathenſe, Can. 18. Seculares qui in Natali Domini, Paſcha, Pentecoſte, non communicauerint, nec inter Catholicos numerentur: Thoſe Lay-men who doe not communicate at Chriſt-maſſe, Eaſter, and Whitſuntide, ſhall not be called, nor held for Catholiques. But their Decree conſuetudine abrogatus eſt; is repealed by a contrary cuſtome,mmInſtit. Moral. part. 1. lib. 5. cap. 19. ſaith Azorius.

In old World, they were wont to breake the Sacramentall bread. And, Eccleſia Graeca, & Ethiopica reti… p. 9veterem illam conſuetudinem: The Greeke and Aethiopian Church retaines that ancient cuſtome ſtill,aaComment. in Act. 2.Acts 2 ſaith Lorinus. But now, Non vſurpatur fractio, ſed ſinguli panes, ſeu minores hoſtiae conſecrantur ad vitandum periculum decidentiū micaerum; there is no breaking of bread vſed, but little Wafer-Cakes are conſecrated, and deliuered whole, for feare, that if they were broken, ſome crummes ſhould fall to the ground,bbIbid. ſaith the ſame man.

In old World,ccChryſoſt. Hom. 18. in 2. Cor. the people had as good a ſhare of the Communion bread as the Prieſt had: But now the Laity and ſuch of the Clergy as conſecrate not, are taught, That they muſt be content with a leſſer Hoſt than that which the conſecratingddIorinus loc. citat. Prieſt hath.

In old World, the tradition of the Romiſh Church was ſuch,eeInnocent. 1. in Epiſt. ad Decent. cap. 4. That they did not conſecrate vponupon any Friday or Saturday thorow-out the yeere. But now, the Papiſts conſecrate eueryevery day, ſaue only on Good-Friday.

In old World, the Papiſts (on Sheare-Thurſday) might hauehave celebrated the Communion, though they had not bin faſting: for, vt Sacramentum Altaris non niſi à ieiunis hominibus celebretur, excepto vno die anniuerſario, quo Coena Domini celebratur, wasffCan. 29. decreed by the third Councell at Carthage. But now, hac Decreti poſterior pars abrogatur: this latter part of the Decree is repealed,ggAnton. Aug. de Emendat. Grat. lib. 1. Dial. 16. pag. 138. as Papiſts confeſſe.

In old World (as Papiſts ſay) it was decreed, That ſuch as receiued the Sacrament, ſhould faſt certaine houres after. But this, hodiè non ſeruatur, ſed paulò pòſt comedi poteſt, ſecundùm Thomam, ſaithhhIn Sum. verb. Lex. 13. quaeritur. Silueſter. Conſuetudo ſiue praecep…um nihil comedendi poſt ſuſceptionem Euchariſtiae, per contrariam conſuetudinem abrogatum eſt: The cuſtome or commandement of not eating after the receiuing of the Sacrament, is abrogated by a contrary cuſtome,iiPart. 1. quaeſt. in 4. Sentent. q. de ſuſcip. Euch. difficult. 4. ſaith Ioſephus Angles.

In old World, Omnes ſimul pſallebant in Eccleſia: All Chriſtians ſung together in the Church. Yet now, ſoli Cleri…i canunt: the Clerkes onelyonly ſing, askkLib. 2. de verbo Dei. cap. 16. & lib. 1. de boni… …peribus in partio. cap. 16. Bell. confeſſeth. Yea, though thell… To…. Conc. Not. in Conc. Iaodic. Can. 11. p. 293. Papiſts confeſſe, that it was giuen in p. 10commandement by Saint Paul, Vt fideles in ſuis conuentibus Pſalmis & Hymnis alternatim corde ſimul & ore decantatis Deum laudent: That the faithfull in their Aſſemblies ſhould in their turnes prayſe God with heart and voyce, by ſinging of Pſalmes: yetaaIdem. ibid. they tell vsus, that Eccleſiaſtica inſtit optimè prouiſum eſt, ne praeter certos ad hoc inſcriptes, alij in Eccleſia pſallerent: It is excellently well prouided for by the orders of the Church, that none ſhall ſing but a ſet number appoynted for that purpoſe, viz. Prieſts, Clerkes, and Quiriſters.

In old World, euen ab initio naeſcentis Eccleſiae, populus post recitatas preces, respondebat, Amen: from the firſt birth of the Church, the common people at the end of prayers, ſaid Amen, asbbDe Rit. Eccl. lib. 2. cap. 17. nu. 2. ſer. Baron. Annal. Tom. 1. ad An. 60. nu. 28. Durantus proues. But now with Papiſts, the Pariſh-Clerke onelyonly ſaith Amen.

In old World, the Bible was tranſlated into knowne Languages, asccBell. lib. 2. de Verbo Dei, c. 16. Papiſts confeſſe. But now, Id ipſum fieri omninò non expedit: It is not meet it ſhould be ſo,ddAlfonſ. de Caſtro aduerſ. haer. li. 1. cap. 13. Sixt. Senenſ. lib. 6. Annal, 152. ſay they.

In old World, it was ordered, That no bookes ſhould be read in the Church, niſi ſolos libros noui & vet. Teſt. but the Bookes of the Old and New Teſtament. But, hodiè quorumlibet ſomnia, imò muliercularum deliramenta leguntur inter diuinas Scripturas: At this day eueryevery idle bodies dreames, and old wiues fancies are read with the Canonicall Scriptures,eeSchol. in Catal. ſcript. Eccl. Hieron. verto Ephraen. ſaith Eraſmus.

In old World, Patres dicebant, ad Hebraicos vel Graecos codices recurrendum eſſe: The Fathers ſaid, wee ought to hauehave recourſe to the Hebrew or to the Greeke Copies, ſaithffInſtit. Moral. part. 1. lib. 8. cap. 3. Azorius. But now, Non eſt quòd ad Hebraica vel Graeca ex…mplaria recurramus: There is no reaſon why we ſhould doe ſo, ſaith**Ibid. the ſame man.

In old World, Biſhops and Presbyters read all manner of bookes; hereticall as well as orthodoxall: by theggVelofillus Aduertat. in 9. tom. Hieron. ad 9. quaeſitum p. 171. Papiſts confeſsion. Yet at this day, they are agreed vponupon this poynt, Haereticorum libros non eſſe legendos hodie, niſi ſolùm ad illis, quibus ex ſpeciali licentia ſummi Pontificis id conceſſum fuerit: hhIbid.That no man may reade in theſe dayes p. 11any hereticall bookes, except they hauehave a ſpeciall licence from the Pope. Quod partibus antiquiſſimis licuit, nobis non licet; It is not lawfull for vsus to doe that, which it was lawfull for the ancient Fathers to doe,aaIbid. ſay Papiſts.

In old World, he was thought to wrong a Martyr, who prayed for him: for it ran currant of old, Iniuriam facit Martyri, qui orat pro Martyre. But now, the Papiſts pray for them whom they account Martyrs, for, pro celeberrimis illis Carthuſianis in Anglia Martyribus, totus, ordo Carthuſiae per orbem Chriſtianum diffuſus, conſuetas pro defunctis preces ad Deum fudit; The whole Order of the Carthuſian Monkes thorow-out the world, ſaid their ordinary prayers for the dead, for thoſe famous Carthuſian Monkes who were martyred in England, ſaithbbReſp. Quodlibet ad 3. quaeſt. dict. Louanij 1568. cap. 6. Molanus: concluding, that pro nostri temporis Martyribns abſque iniuria oratur: Men may pray for the Martyrs of theſe dayes without wronging them: giuing this pretty reaſon hereof, BecauſeccIbid. plerunque ſunt imperfecti Martyres: The moſt of the Martyrs in our time are poore Martyrs, ſuch are all your Tyburne Martyrs.

In old World, Leo the Firſt ſaid,ddEpiſt. 63. tom. 1. Conc. apud Binnium, pag. 970. Non permittendum eſt vt quiſquam extra Sacerdotalem ordinem conſtitutus, gradum ſibi praedicatoris aſſumat: It is not to be ſuffered that any who is not Prieſted ſhould preach. But now the Popes of Rome diſpence with Ieſuites, Lay-Ieſuites, who are not Prieſted, to preach, aseeDe Ritibus Eccl. Cathol. lib. 2. cap. 25. num. 7. Durantus witneſſeth.

In old World, Imperator congregabat Concilia: The Emperour called Councells, ſaith affFranc. Zabarel. de ſchiſmat. P…nt. Cardinall of France Tempore magni Conſtantini & aliorum Auguſtorum ad congreganda Concilia non quaeſitus eſt magnoperè Roman aſſenſus Papae: In the time of Conſtantine the Great, and other Emperours, the Biſhop of Rome his aſſent was not greatly required to the calling of a Councell, ſaithggDe geſt. Conc. Baſil. lib. 1. p…. 20. Aeneas Siluius. But now it ishhBell. lib. 1. de Conc. cap. 12. ouer-ruled, That calling of Councels belongs to the Pope, and not to the Emperour.

In old World, A tempore Apoſtolorum per multos annos, etiam per aliquot ſecula, Presbyteri et Diocam omnes ad Concilia vocabantur: From the Apoſtles times, for many yeres, p. 12yea for many ages, all Elders (Prieſts if you will) & Deacons were called vntounto Councels, asaaLib. 1. de Cleicis, cap. 16. Bellarm▪ confeſſeth. But now, eyther few or none are called. Now Biſhops onelyonly are the Domini facientes totum.

In old World, Reges ac Imperatores non adfuiſſe tantùm Synodo, ſed praefuiſſe legimus: Wee reade that Kings and Emperours were not onelyonly preſent at Councels, but as Preſidents of them,bbDe ſuc. Eccl. Miniſt. li. 1. c. 20. ſaith Duaren. And ſo much may be gathered out of Marcianus the Emperours words, which are to be found inccd. 96. Nos ad fidem. Gratian. ButddBell. lib. 1. de Conc. cap. 19. now, the Pope muſt needes be Preſident, eyther in his owne perſon, or by his Deputy.

In old World, primis ſexcentis veloctingentis annis, ſummi Pontifices cogebant Concilia Nationalia Epiſcoporum Italiae: for the ſpace of ſixe hundred or eight hundred yeeres after Chriſt, the Biſhops of Rome, for the weightier matters of the Church, called Nationall Councels of the Biſhops of Italy, aseeLib. 1. de Clericis, cap. 16. Bell. confeſſeth. But now they hauehave left that. Now the Pope and his Cardinals diſpatch all, as ffIbid.Bell. tells vsus.

In old World, before Gregory the Firſt his dayes, Lent alwaies began on that day which we call the Firſt-Sunday in Lent, asggInſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 7. c. 12. 2. quaeritur. AZorius proues well. But now, all men know, theirs begins on Aſh-Wedneſday.

In old World, Lent was thought to end vponupon Palme-Sunday: for Quadrageſima impletur ad Feſtum Palmarū, ſaithhhQuaeſt. in ſcript. q. 77. Col. 98. Tom. 1. Bibl. vet. pat. edit. 3. Anaſtaſius Nicaenus. But now, theirs is thought to end vponupon Eaſter-euen.

In old World, it was decreed,iiGratian. d. 4. Statuimus. That the Clergy ſhould hauehave one weeke more in their Lent than the Laity. But now this Decree is out of force, ſaithkkInſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 5. cap. 19. pag. 399. Azorius: Clerici hodie non ſeruant, ſed initium faciunt i…iuniorum vt Laies: The Clergy keepe not this Decree, but begin Lent when the Laity begin it, ſaithllDe emendat. Grat. lib. 1. dial. 16. pag. 134. Antonius Auguſtinus.

In old World, Wedneſday was commanded to be a Faſting-day, asmmLib. 2. de bonis operibus in partie. cap. 17. Bell. andnnInſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 15. 3. quae…itur. Azorius proue fully. But now, a man may eate fleſh vponupon Wedneſday, by both their confeſsions.

p. 13In old World,aaSer. Bell. de bonis operibus in partic. lib. 2. cap. 20. they faſted at Rome in the time of Aduent. But now they vſe not to faſt then.

In old World, they might drinke no wine on Faſting-dayes; for veteres Canones vinum interdixêre diebus ieiuniorum; The old Canons forbade wine on Faſting-dayes, ſaithbbDe Abſtinant▪ doctrin. Cathol. cap. 4. Alfonſus Piſanus. ButccAzorius inſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 10. 7. quaeritur. now Papiſts drinke, and may drinke wine, hold belly, hold.

In old World,ddPiſanus loco citato. veteres Canones interdixêre ſiceram, & omne quod inebriare poteſt, & mulſam, & cerui…iam: It was not lawfull to drinke any liquor which might intoxicate a mans braines. ButeeAzor. loco citato. now no liquor is exempted on faſting-dayes.

In old World, veteres Canones interdixêre Piſces: the ancient Canons forbade fiſh on faſting-dayes, ſaithffIbid. Piſanus. But now, Piſcibus vti licet: a man of their Church, may lawfully eat fiſh, ſaith the ſameggIbid. Piſanus.

In old World, they who faſted, ate but one meale on a day: for, Ʋnicam in ieiunio refectionem eſſe debere, exempla Scripturarum, teſtimonia Patrum, & perpetua conſuetudo fidelium probant: The examples in Scriptures, the teſtimonies of the Fathers, and the continual practice of the faithfull, proue they ſhould hauehave no more, ſaithhhLib. 2. de bonis operibus in pertit. cap. 2. Bellarmine. ButiiAzor. inſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 8. 4. & 7. quaeritur. now, ouer and beſides a dinner, men may hauehave at night refectiunculam, or collationem, as ſome of them call it: indeed, a banquet (for it conſiſts of fruits, & ſweet-meats) vponupon a faſting-day. Yea, they may hauehave this, though refectiunculae nocturnae veteribus prorſus ignotae: Such night-banquets were altogether vnknowne to antiquity, ſaith kkLoco ſuprà citato.Piſanus.

In old World, they vſed not on faſting-dayes to take their meale before night, or toward night; Apud veteres inauditum eſt prorſus vt ante horam 9. quae eſt tertia poſt merid. ieinnium quodcunque ſoluatur: It was neuer heard of among the Ancients, that any Faſt ended before three of the clocke in the after-noone, ſaithllLoco ſuprà citato. Bell. But now, Jeiunium in veſperam vſque prorogari ſolitum, in meridiem tranſtulit Eccleſia: The Popiſh Church allowes men on faſting-dayes to take their meale at noone, which was wont to be▪ p. 14taken at night, asaaIn Epiſt. de delectu ciborum ad Epiſc. Baſil. cap. 11. loco ſuprà citato. Eraſmus notes. Suppers are changed into dinners, ſaith Bellarmine.

In old World, Ʋt conſtat ex Patribus, praeſertim Ambroſio, Auguſtino, Leone, ieiunia cum Eleemoſynis, precibus & vigilijs de more coniung ebantur: Faſting was accompanied with Almes, with prayer, with watching, as the Fathers teſtifie, eſpecially Ambroſe, Auſtin, and Leo, ſaith bbInſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 20. 9. quaeritur.A Zorius. But now, Vſu & more vigiliae ſunt ſublatae, & conſuetudine factum eſt, vt ieiunia noſtra careant illis comitibus quos extra ſolebat habere, nimirum precibus, & ele…moſynis: Watching is out of vſe, and ſo is prayer, and almes: faſting walkes by it ſelfe: it hath loſt his old companions, as the ſameccIbid. Azorius confeſſeth.

In old World, Formula ieiunij priſci verè Chriſtiana: The manner of faſting was truely Chriſtian. But, Ieiunia Catholicorum paſsim Epicurea: the manner of faſting obſerued by Papiſts at this day, is Epicurean-like, asddPanopl. lib. 3. cap. 11. Biſhop Lindan confeſſeth.

In old World,eed. 93. à Subdiacono. Abbots were inferiour to the meaneſt of the Clergy, euen to dog-keepers, or doore-keepers, as they call them. But now, Abbots are next to Biſhops: and ſome of them are Biſhops fellowes,ffCaſſan…eus Catal. gloria mundi, part. 4. conſid. 31. intituled not as the ordinary ſort, Reuerend… Patres, Reuerend Fathers: but Reuerendi Patres in Chriſto; Reuerend Fathers in Chriſt.

In old World,ggd. 93. à Subdiacono. Monkes were vnderlings to Abbots: euen then when Abbots were vnderlings to doore-keepers. But now Monkes hauehave gotten the precedency of moſt of the Clergy, ashhInſtitut. moral. part. 1. lib. 12. cap. 19. 11. quaeritur. AZorius confeſſeth.

In old World, Monkes liued in Wilderneſſes, remote from all preſſe of people, as out of the world: which the iiDu…ren. de ſac. Eccl. Miniſt. ac beneſic. lib. 1. cap. 20. Polyd. Virgil. de inuent. rerum lib. 7. cap. 1.Papiſts themſelues are driuen to confeſſe, as ſufficiently proued by Saint Hierom: for,kkEpiſt. ad Paulin. de inſtitut. Monachi. Si cupis eſſe quod diceris, Monachus. 1. ſolus: quid facis in vrbibus, quae vbique non ſunt ſolorum habitacula, ſed multorum: If thou deſire to be that indeed which thou art called, a Monke, that is, a ſolitary perſon: what doſt thou meane to liue in a City, which is not a place for ſolitary perſons, but for ſuch as louelove good-fellowſhip, ſaith Saint Hierome? VponUpon which a Popiſh p. 15kkIn cap. 16. q. 1. Si cupis.glozer …, Quòd Monaſteria non ſunt conſtrai… in vrbibus: There ſhould be no Monaſteries in Cities. But now there are Monaſteries in Cities: and as much good fellowſhip among Monkes, as among good-fellowes of the Towne. The caſe is now altered. A Monke is a merry fellow.

In old World,aaSocrates hiſt. 4. cap. 1…. Duaren. lib. & cap. ſup. citat. Monkes liued by the labour of their hands. The Monke that laboured not with his hands for his liuing, was reputed a Theefe. But now Monkes liue eyther altogether idly, or after another manner than in old time. They cannot away to worke.

In old World, Monkes were in no degree of Church-Miniſtery. Monachos vſque ad tempus Euſebij, SoZimi, & Siricij, Monachos ſimpliciter & non Clericos fuiſſe, Eccleſiaſtica teſtatur Hiſtoria: The Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories witneſſe, that til about. EuZebius, Sozimus, and Siricius dayes, Monkes were Monkes onelyonly, and not of the Clergy, ſaith bbCap. 16. q. 1. poſt. cap. 39. Hinc eſt.Gratian: Primùm Monachi omnes, etiam Abbates Laici erant: At the firſt all Monkes, yea and Abbots, were Lay perſons, ſaithccInſtit. moral. part. 1. lib. 12. cap. 19. 11. quaeritur. Azoriu…, ddLoco ſuprà citato.Duaren, and others. But now, eeAzorius loco citato.Vſus obtinuit vt Monachi, ijſdem atque Clerici muneribus & Officijs in Eccleſia fungerentur; The Monkes are turned Clerkes, and doe all the offices belonging vntounto the Clergy.

In old World, Monkes were of ſparing dyet: for, Conuiuia fugias, ſit vilis & veſpertinu… cibus, &c. Take heed of feaſting, and let thy meat be of the worſt, and eat it towards euening, &c. ſaithffEpiſt. ad Paulin. de instit. Monachi. Saint Hierome: giuing his opinion how Monkes ſhould be dieted. But now Monkes hauehave ſo pleaſant and large fare, and ſo many meales, that their fatneſſe and great bellies are growne into a prouerbe.

In old World, Monkes were not notorious by ſingular weed, but eueryevery … ware ſuch apparrell as hee thought good, ſo it were decent. They were not tyed to this or that, which made them markeable in the ſtreets as they went: for, in veste nulla diſcretia, nulla admiratio: vtcunque placuerit incedere, nec detractionis eſt, nec laudis, ſaith ggEpiſtol. ad Marcellum, vt cōmigret▪ Bethle…m.Saint Hierome, ſpeaking of a Monke. But now, as there …

In old World▪ aaAuguſt. de … reſ. ad Quodvul… Deum, h…r. 40.Monkes might marry, and injoy … poſſeſ… Monke marry, its tho… deſerues hanging. … hee may hauehave no propri… goods.

In old World,bb… in ſpec▪ … &c. cap. 3…. …, Monkes … not vrged to vow. They might goe or ſtay at their pl… ſure. And if they reported them of what they had do… they might returne to their former trade of life asccDe In…t…t. i… rum, lib. 7. cap. 1. … dor Ʋirgil andddScholijs in Epiſt. Hier…. …d Ruſticum Monachum. Eraſmus witneſſe▪ But now they … bound by-Vowes, &c.

FINIS.

End of the text · Alexander Cooke, The Weather Cock of Romes Religion (1625)