The Old Roman Catholic, To the reader
THE EPISTLE, To the Ingenuous and Impartiall Reader.
IT it not without cause, that the Whore of Babylon Rev. 17. 4spoken of in the Revelation, is sayd to hauehave her abominations, and filthiness of her fornications, covered in a golden cup; Rev. 13. 11.and that the Beast that speaketh lyke the Dragon, the more cunningly to deceaue, taketh vponupon him, to be horned lyke the Lamb; yet being his direct opposit. Also, That devouring wolues are fore-told to be found most dangerous, when they are in sheeps cloathing, Satan ever that Prince of Darkness, prevailing most when hee changeth himself into an Angell of Light: and foulest practises being most vsually masked, (lyke these of Simeon and Levies, Ioabs and Iudases,) with fayrest pretences; which may be seen most clearly, by all who hauehave eyes to see in the crafty seduction of many poor souls, going after that Antichrist spoken of in the Revelatiō, as the seduced Israelits did after Absolon, in the simplicity of their hearts: being drawn away, and held on in the way of damnable Errour, and gross Idolatrie, by this principle and pretence, that the church can not erre. And that this infallible church, is the Roman only: and again, that this Roman Church, is that same for integrity and stability of trueth, which it was in the Apostles tyme, (when for her fayth shee was famous throughout the whole world,) and in the tymes of their immediate Successours. Which, indeed; if it were so, and that the faythfull Citie had not become an Harlot, (as Isaiah speaketh:) yea, a mother of harlots, Isai. 1. 20as shee is called, Rev. 17. 5. It were for any, a sure and short courss for resolution, to know vntounto what society, (amidst so many differences,) any should betake themselues & adhere, as to the only true Church: out of which, there were no Salvation. And in all poynts of Fayth and practise of worship, without farder hesitation to embrace the breasts of such a Mother, and chaste Spouse to her Husband CHRIST, believing and practising as such a Church doeth: of whose infallibility there were so great certaynty and evidence.
But if after due tryall, and impartiall witnessing, it be clearly found, and no less clearly may be seen by all, who wilfully, (as it were at noon day,) will not close their eyes agaynst inforcing light; that de facto shee hath left that Primitiue Trueth, that either PAUL taught her, or her Primitiue Bishops Successours to the Apostles, for diverss hundreths of years, did lykewyse preach and profess: and so that of Bethel the houss of GOD, she hath become, since that tyme Bethaven, the houss of Vanitie, Errour, and Idolatrie; forsaking her first louelove, and cleaving to Baall. I hope, then, that there are none who would not perish with her, but will leaue her, in so farre as she hath left ANCIENT TRUETH, and imbraced the Noveltie of after succeeding Errour, lyke the super-semination of the Tares in the LORDS Field, by that envyouss man, whyle the Servants were asleep: and that as our Saviour reduced Math. 19 8.these that were misled by the Pharesees corrupt doctrine; to consider that which was ab initio, or from the beginning, Iude 3. 4.which the Apostle calleth that Fayth which was once delivered to the saincts: Ier. 6. 16.So they will according to the Prophets advyse, and exhortation, ask for the OLD WAY, which is the GOOD WAY, and walk therein; that they may fynd rest to their soules. That is, ask and try what was the doctrin which was taught from the beginning by PAUL to the Romanes; and to the Church of CHRIST there in His tyme, and the tymes of her next primitiue and succeeding Pastours in these poynts controverted, now-a-dayes: and accordingly adhere thereto, disclayming all contrary, if they would be accounted true Roman Catholicks: that is, the Professours of that Apostolicall Trueth & Religion, which was Universally then taught to the whole Church of CHRIST in generall, and to the ROMANES at that tyme in particular.
For which end, I hauehave set down in this short Treatise, the summe of that doctrine collected only out of the Epistle of PAUL TO THE ROMANES: as also out of the writs of one for all of their ancient Bishops, beyond all comparison of greatest account amongst them, Pope Gregory the first, for his Pietie and Learning, surnamed by them The Great; who lived in the six hundreth year of CHRIST. To which if they adhere, then they must quyte that doctrine of the Church of Rome, now-a-dayes: because it is in direct tearms as contrary thereto, as Light to Darkness, GOD and Beliall; as shall bee shown here-after. Or if they wilfully will adhere to that doctrine of the Romane Church, now-a-dayes, (which is Apostaticall and false,) then they must quyte that doctrine of the Church of Rome, which was taught by PAUL TO THE ROMANES, and by her primitiue Bishops, (which was Apostolicall and true:) For as Eliah sayd to the people of Israell; They can not halt 1. King. 1… 21.between two opinions: If the LORD bee GOD, then follow Him: But if Baal bee god, then follow him. Even so say I; If Pauls doctrine be true which he taught the Church of Rome, then follow it: but if they will bee that absurd to think the Popes doctrine to be true which he teacheth, and is contrarie to Paulls, (as the ensuing particulars proves,) then follow him. For there is no midst, neither let them think it strange or improbable, (let bee impossible,) that the Church of Rome, who pleadeth such infallibilitie, should make Apostasie, and fall from the trueth, (as Ierusalem farre more priviledged and renowned than shee, of a faythful citie became a harlot:) elss, what needed the Apostle, Rom. 11. 20. to set before her eyes the example of the cutting off, of the Iewish Church, who were the natural branches for their Apostasie: and therefore, to exhort her who yet stood by fayth, not to be highmynded, but fear. Which exhortation had bene altogether vnnecessary, if by her priviledge of infallibility, (which is greatest high-myndedness,) she had no cause to fear.
Agayn, what needed him to vse this fore-warning of her, verss 21. 22. Behold GODS Goodness towards thee, if thou continue: otherwyse, thou shalt be cut off: which commination also had bene vnnecessary, if shee had this priviledge, that shee could not erre, but continue. And, therefore, for any Apostasie could never be cut off, neither should he hauehave spoken conditionallie, or doubtinglie, after this manner, (if thou continue,) but particularlie excepted her as one, that could not but continue in the fayth, and not erre therefra.
Next, if without contradiction it bee evident that both in head and members, shee hath erred de facto, and fallen from the fayth, by the witnessing of Romanists themselues. It will be much more than evident, that de jure, shee may erre, and fall from the fayth. But that de facto she hath erred, is cleare by these few instances.
1. Pope Gregorie the great, speaking of the title of Universall Bishop, he calleth the assuming of it by any who-so-ever, to bee the assuming of a new, prowd, prophane, perverss, and Antichristian style; and a name of Blasphemie, which he, nor none of his predecessours, would ever assume: and that, In isto scelesto vocabulo Greg. l. 4. regist. epist. 39.consentire, nihil aliud est, (sayeth he) quam fidem perdere: that is, to consent to this most wicked style, it is no other thing, than to lose the Fayth, or Platina in vita Bonifacii. 3.make Apostasie therefra. But so it is, that from Boniface the third, his tyme, who by great opposition to him by sundrie, (sayeth Platina the Popes Secretarie,) obtayned from the Emperour Phocas to be styled so, all the latter Popes hitherto, hauehave vsurped the same, (the whole latter Roman Church, consenting thereto.) Whence it followeth, That according to Gregories own words; Fidem perdiderunt; or they hauehave fallen from the fayth, both the Pope, and the Church vnderunder him.
Agayn, the Pope, (as Pope,) whom they call the Virtuall Church, de facto hath erred: Ergo, hee and the Church following him, may erre. The Antecedent is proven by the testimonie of many famous Romanists themselues, as Nilus, Card. Cus. l. 1. de Cō cordan: cathol. c. 15. Amb. cath in Gal. 2. Lyra in Mat. 16. Erasm. in 1. Cor. 7. Consil. Basil. ep. synod. 3. Alf. à Castro, adv. haeres. l. 1. cap. 4.Gerson, Almain, Alfonsus à Castro: and (which is to be noted,) Pope Adrian himself, (as Bellarmine acknowledgeth, lib. 4. de Pontif. Rom. c. 2.) The lyke doeth Cardinall Cusanus witness, Ambrosius Catharinus, Lyra, Erasmus, and the Councell of Basill: who in their 34. Session, deposed Eugenius the fourth, as hereticall. So did the sixt Generall Councell of Constantinople, condemne Pope Honorius, as a Monothelite, (as Bellarmin confesseth, lib. 4. de Pont. c. 11.) That Pope Liberius also, was an Arrian; and Pope Anastasius, an Nestorian, no man will doubt, (sayeth Alfonsus à Castro,) who hath read histories: also that Vigilius was an Eutychian, that Zepherin was a Montanist; See the Historie of the Popes lyues; Turrecremata, l. 2. de ecclesia, c. 103. Occum part. 1. l. 5. c. 28. Card. Cus. concord. cath. l. 2. c. 5.and that Iohn the 23, denyed the Resurrection, is evident by most famous Histories of their own witnessing.
2. Lykewyse, to come to poynts of Doctrine, wherein by their own confession, they hauehave erred, and departed from the Ancient Fayth: I will instance first, the Roman Churches prohibition of the people to reade the holy Scriptures. And if it be asked, whether in this poynt shee hath erred, and departed from the fayth and practise of the Primitiue Church? Their own Bishop Claudius Espencaeus, on Titus 2. will tell them, saying; It is manyfest by the doctrine of the Apostle, Col. 3. 4. And, by the practise of the Church, (sayeth hee,) that of old the vse of the Scriptures, was permitted to the people. Here, then, a confessed departure from the Ancient Fayth.
3. The Roman Church hath decreed, That all publick Prayers and Worship, bee in a tongue vnknown to the people. And if it bee asked, Whether herein shee hath erred, and departed from the Ancient Fayth? Their own Cardinall Cajetan, will tell them, saying; By the doctrine of Saynct Paull, it is to bee held; that it is farre better for the edifying Cajet. in 1. Cor. 14.of the Church, that the publick Prayers which are vttered in the hearing of the people, bee sayd in a language that is common and known, both to Clergie and people. And, that this was lykewyse, the practise of the Primitiue Church. This both Lyra and Aquinas testifieth. Here then agayn, a confessed Lyra & Aquin. in 1. Cor. 14.departure from the Ancient Fayth and practise of the Primitiue Church.
4. The present Roman Church, teacheth Invocation of Sayncts. And if it be asked, Whether in this they hold the Ancient Fayth, taught by the Apostles, or hath departed therefra? Their own Eckii Enchirid. c. 15.Eckius, Luthers great Antagonist, will tell them, saying; Besydes that we hauehave nothing hereof in the Old Testament. In the New, lykewyse, the Apostles nor Evangelists, neither taught by word, (sayeth hee,) nor left any such thing by writ, that the Sayncts departed, should be invocated; nor would the holy Ghost by whose inspiration they spake, suffer them so to do, (sayeth he:) and yet (as Paull testifieth,) they taught the whole Councell of GOD. Whence it followeth, Act. 20. 27.that the Invocation of Sayncts, is no part thereof: And consequently, a departure from the Ancient Catholick and Apostolicall Fayth, and practise. Iustly accursed by GOD; For if an Angell from Heaven (sayeth the Apostle,) teach any Gal. 1. 8.thing besyde that which wee hauehave preached vntounto you, let him bee accursed.
5. The Church of Rome now teacheth, That the people should not participate of the consecrated cup in the Communion. And if it be asked, If herein they follow CHRISTS Institution, or the practise of the Primitiue Church? Not only doeth their own Lyra and Aquinas Lyra in 1. Cor. 11. Aquin. in Ioh. 6.ingenuously confess, That shee hath departed therefra: But also the whole Councell of Constance, holden anno 1414. Sess. 13. confesseth clearly, That CHRIST indeed instituted this Venerable Sacrament, in both kynds of bread and wyne; and gaue it so to His Disciples. As also, that in the Primitiue Church, (say they) the same was receaved by the Faythfull in both kynds. And yet for certayn causes, the Roman Church hath ordayned the contrary. Here, then, a clear confession of a gross departing from the Ancient Fayth, and practise of the Primitiue Church.
6. The present Roman Church, teacheth Transsubstantiation of the bread into the Body of CHRIST in the Sacrament of the LORDS SUPPER. And if it bee asked, If this bee the Ancient Catholick, and Apostolick Fayth? 1. The Apostle [1. Cor. 11. 26.] will teach them the contrary; affirming, That after Consecration, the bread remayneth in substance: Even when it is eaten. And if next to the Apostle, they will heare one of their most ancient Popes, (whom they say cannot erre.) Gelasius Gelas. cōt. Eutychen. de duabus Christi naturis.will tell them playnly, saying; tho the Sacrament bee a divyne thing, becauss therein wee receaue the body and blood of CHRIST; yet the substance and nature of the bread and wyne ceasseth not still to remayn, (sayeth hee.) And as for the Words of CHRIST, whereby they would proue Transsubstantiation, if they will hear the exposition of them out of their Popes Canon Law, De Consecra. dist. 2. c. 6. 2. hoc est, in glossa.it will tell them, saying, The Heavenly Sacrament, which truely REPRESENTETH CHRISTS FLESH, is called, CHRISTS BODIE, but improperlie. So that in this mayn poynt, we see they hauehave departed from the Ancient Fayth, which was taught by the Apostle, and believed by their own ancient Popes and Canonists.
7. The present Romane Church, teacheth; That after this lyf, for soules of them that are saved, there is a fyre of Purgatorie. And if it bee asked; If this was the Ancient Fayth of the Catholick Church? Their own Fisher Bishop of Rochester, will tell them, That in the Western Roffensis cont. Lutheram, art. 18.or Roman Church, it is but Sero cognitum, or lately only known. And as for the Eastern or Grecian Church, even vntounto this day, (sayeth hee,) they never did belieue Purgatorie. Here, then, a clear confession that the present Roman Church holdeth not the Ancient Fayth of the Catholick Church, Eastern nor Western: but hath swerved therefra.
8. And, if by farder witnessing, they would be informed of the defection of the Church of Rome, by Fathers, & others, (a matter indeed wherein they are lyke to Thomas, hard of belief,) let Ierom testifie, what progress it had made even in his tyme, (which was a mystery of Iniquity, working even in Pauls dayes,) who about the four hundreth year of CHRIST, wryting to Paulinus, sayeth 2. Thess. 2. 7.thus; When I was in Babylon, (calling Hieron. ad Paulim. in lib. Didymi. de Sp. sancto praef. tom. 9. ad finē.Rome so,) and lived an inhabitant of that Purple Whore, I desyred, as it were, to prattle somewhat of the holy Ghost, and to dedicate my work to the Bishop of that Citie, (to wit, Damasus:) and behold the Assembly of the Pharisees, there cryed me down: amongst whom there was not any learned Scrybe; but the whole faction of ignorance conspyred agaynst mee; as if I had proclaymed some Doctrinall Warre agaynst them, &c. Which words (even vntounto admiration,) calling Rome Babylon, the Scarlet Whore. The Clergie whereof were a faction of blynd Pharisees; who cryed downe all Godly and Learned Men, for advancing themselues only, and their own credit, would seem rather to bee a Protestants speach of Rome, now-a-days, Fran. Petrarcha, l. 1. epist. rerum seniliū. epist. amico, cui titulus, calamitatem vrbis Romae describit.than Ieroms words of Rome in his tyme.
To whom I wil adjoyn (amongst many others) but one of latter tymes, that famous Florentine, and so much extolled Petrarcha, who lived in the 1300 year of CHRIST; and who out of experience speaketh thus of Rome, wryting to his Freind, saying; Behold, now, thou seest with thyne eyes, & groapest with thyne hands what a Citie, this last spoken of Babylon is, hot and burning in Lust, &c. And therafter there thou maist see a people not only an enemy to CHRIST: but which is worss, vnderunder the Banner of Christian Profession, rebelling agaynst CHRIST, & militating for Satan, drunk with the blood of the Members of CHRIST: for what (I pray thee) is not dayly done amongst these enemyes of CHRIST, & the Pharesees of our tymes? For do they not here on earth buy and sell, and make merchandise of CHRIST Himself; whose Name night and day they with high prayses extoll, whom in His images they cloathe with Purple and Gold, decketh with precious stones; and whom they salute and worship: and yet they blyndfold (as it were) the same CHRIST, as if Hee could not see, they crown Him with the thorns of their ill gotten goods: they pollute Him with the spittinges of their most vnclean mouth; with their viperous mockings they persecute Him: they pearce Him agayn with the speare of their poysonable actions: and so farre as in them lyeth (sayeth hee,) mocked, naked, poor, whipped: they draw Him agayn to Calvaerie: and by a wicked conspiracie, they crucifie Him over agayn. O, shame! O, grief! O, indignitie! Of such men consisteh Rome this day, as I hauehave sayd. Where Iudas himself shall bee admitted, if hee bring with him the thirtie pieces of silver, the pryce of blood; and poor CHRIST shall be thrust out of doors: which thing to bee notourlie true, there is no Christian but may know; and yet none lamenteth it, and none revengeth CHRISTS quarrell. And where the head thereof the Pope, acteth not (sayeth he,) the part of an Apostolick, but of a robber, nor is famous for signes of vertue or miracles; but for militarie ensigns, and is stored with threatning legions; as if thou wouldest think him another Hanniball, nor a successour of PETER. With which Petrarcha notably jumpeth, also Platinae the Popes own Secretarie, speaking of the Popes and Romane Clergie, in the lyf of Marcellinus, Gregory the fourth, and Paull the second: where he sayeth, That by Envy, Pryde, and Malice, they exercysed rather Tyrannie, nor the Office of Priesthood, altogether having forgotten Christianitie, and prophaning holy mysterie. And vntounto whom I could adjoyn a cloud of mo witnesses, of their own most famous wryters; as Baptista Mantuanus, de calamitatibus temporum; Nicolaus Clemangis, de corrupto Ecclesiae statu; Marsilius Patavinus, in his Defensor Pacis, AEneas Sylvius: Afterward, Pope by the name of Pius secundus, in his Epistolae familiares; and of late Claudius Espencaeus, a Spanish Bishop, and others. But what hath bene adduced, may bee sufficient to such, who without a prejudice agaynst Trueth, hauehave not wedded themselues so to Errour, that lyke Babell they will not be cured: being so inebriated with that bewitching cup of the Filthiness of the Whores Fornications: that (as the Apostle sayeth;) GOD hath sent them strong delusion, to belieue a lie; because they would not 2. Thess. …. 10. 11.receaue the louelove of the trueth, that they may be saved.
But as for others, concerning whom the LORD hath a purpose in MercieMercy, to call out of Babell, (as he had to Abraham, whom hee called from idolatrous Ur of the Chaldees,) I doubt not but such (following the Berean practise,) without prejudice wil yeeld an obedient ear to hear, and heart to belieue that Ancient Roman Fayth; which they fynd so clearly set down in Scripture: and, especially, that Epistle written to the Romanes; that so they may bee, truely esteemed, Catholick and Apostolick Romanes, indeed: and no more followers of that Beast, horned lyke the LAMB, but who speaketh lyke the Dragon, to their own perdition.
And, as for vsus, to whom the LORD hath revealed His Trueth, and preserved from the deceavableness of Errour, (as the Apostle speaketh,) we are bound alwayes to prayse the LORD; That Hee hath chosen vsus from the beginning vntounto Salvation, thorow Sanctification of the Spirit, and Belief of the Trueth; wherevnto He hath called vsus by the Gospell of CHRIST. Of the which Blessing, the LORD grant wee may walk worthie, adorning our Profession, by an holy lyff, to the Glory of GOD, good example of others, and the Salvation of our own soules, in the day of our account:
AMEN.