A Pattern of Popish Peace, Form
THE FORME OF ABJUration of Heresie, and confession of faith, which they which have swarved from the Faith, and pretend to be received into the Church, ought to make.
THIS IS THE ABJƲration which they caused al of the Religion to make in France, to save their lives. Printed at Paris by Nicolas Roffet, dwelling in the new street of our Lady, at the sign of the Mower: With the Kings Privilege.
FIrst, they which have swarved from the Faith, and desire to returne into the compasse of our holy Mother Church, ought to present themselves to their Curates or Vicars to bee instructed of that which they ought to do: that done, they shall be sent unto the reverend Bishop of the Dioces, or his Chancellour, or Officiall, to make the said Abjuration and Confession in manner and forme following.
I. N. Borne at, &c. in the Dioces of, &c. and dwelling, &c. Acknowledging by the grace of God the true Faith Catholike and Apostolique, from the which I have through my fault gone astray, and separated my selfe since, &c. and desirous to returne to the flocke of Christs true Sheep-fold, which is the Catholique, Apostolique, and Romish Church, confesse to have Abjured and cursed all the errours and heresie of the Lutherans, Calvinists, and Hugonots, and all other Heresie whatsoever, where-with I have heretofore beene defamed or touched: And I agree to the Faith of our holy mother the Church, and desire you in the name of God, of His Sonne Jesus Christ, and of the glorious Virgin His Mother Mary, and of all the Saints of Paradice, that it would please you to receive me into the flock and Sheepfold of Gods people, which live under the obedience of the Pope, ordained our Saviour Jesus Christs Vicat in the said Church, submitting my selfe patiently to abide, and willingly to do the Penance which it shal please you to enjoyne me for the absolution of my faults committed, whilst I was in the fore-said Sects, whereof I aske and require pardon of God, and of his said Church, and of you (that be appointed my Pastors by God the Creator) absolution, with such penance as you shall judge to be wholesome for the satisfaction of my sins and offences. And to the intent you should know that I have and do make this Abjuration from my heart. I confesse moreover before God and you, that I beleeve that which is contained in the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles, and Athanasius, and other Confessions of Faith made and approved by the whole Councels of the Catholique, Apostolique, and Romish Church, that is, I beleeve in one only God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son engendred by God the Father before the constitution of the world, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, engendred not Created, Consubstantiall with the Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men, and for our salvation, descended from Heaven, &c. as in the Beliefe of Morning Prayer. I beleeve likewise, acknowledge and confesse all that which is contained in the Bookes, as well of the old, as of the new Testament, approved by the said Holy and Apostolique Church of Rome, according to the sense and interpretation of the holy Doctors received by the same, rejecting all other interpretation as false and erroneous. I acknowledge the seven Sacraments of the said Catholike, Apostolike and Romish Church, that they were instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that they be necessary for the salvation of mankind, although that all of them are not of necessity to be conferred to all, that is to say, I confesse that the said seven Sacraments are these, Baptisme, Confirmation, Eucharist, which is the Sacrament of the Altar, Penance, extreame Ʋnction, Order, and Marriage, and that the said Sacraments confer grace, and that of them, Baptisme, Confirmation, and Order, cannot be reiterated without sacrilege. That the said Sacraments have the effect which the said Church teacheth, & that the forme & usage wherewith they bee ministred to Christians, is holy and necessary. I acknowledge also that the holy Masse is a sacrifice and oblation of the very body and bloud of our Saviour Jesus Christ, under the forme of bread and wine mingled with water, which substances of bread and wine under the said formes (are in the Masse by the words wch serve for consecration, said and pronounced by the Priest) transubstantiated and transformed into the substance of the said body & bloud of Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding, that the qualities and accidents remaine in the said formes after the said consecration, & that the Masse is holesome and profitable as well for the quick as the dead. I acknowledge and confesse the concomitance, that is to say, that in receiving the body of Jesus Christ under the forme of bread alone, I likewise receive the bloud of Jesus Christ. I confesse that Prayer and intercession of Saints for the quicke and the dead is holy, good and healthful for Christians, and is not contrary (for any respect) to the glory of God. That prayers made in the Church for the faithfull which are dead, do profit them for the remission of their sinnes, and lessening of their paines incurred for the same. That there is a Purgatory where the souls abiding are succoured by the prayers of the faithfull. I confesse that we must honour and call upon the Saints which reigne with Jesus Christ, and that they make intercession for us to God, and that their Relikes are to be worshipped. That the Commandements and Traditions of the Catholique, Apostolique and Romish Church, as well they which pertaine to the forme & ceremonies of divine Service, and to assist the same, which I think be to draw Christian people to piety and turning to their God, as fasting, abstaining from meats, observation of Holy-dayes, and Ecclesiasticall policie, according to the tradition of the Apostles and holy Fathers, continued since the Primitive Church till this time, & afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of Councels received in the same of long and ancient time, or of late, be good and holy, to the which I will and ought to obey, as prescribed and appointed by the Holy Ghost, the Author and director of that which serveth for the keeping of Christian Religion, and of the Catholique Apostolique and Roman Church. I Beleeve also and accept all the articles of originall sin, and of Justification. I affirme assuredly, that we ought to have and keep the Images of Jesus Christ, of his holy Mother, and all other Saints, and do honour and reverence unto them. I confesse the power of Indulgence and Pardons to be left in the Church by Jesus Christ, and the use of them to be very healthfull, as also I acknowledge and confesse the Church of Rome to be the Mother and chiefe of all Churches, and conducted by the Holy Ghost: and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same, come of the suggestion of the Devill, the Prince of dissention, which would separate the union of the mysticall Body of the Saviour of the world. Finally, I promise straightly to keep all that was ordained at the last Generall Councell of Trent, and promise to God and you, never more to depart from the Catholique, Apostolique, and Roman Church: and if I do (which God forbid) I submit my selfe to the penalties of the Canons of the said Church, made, ordained, and appointed against them which fall back into Apostasie. The which Abjuration and Confession I have subscribed.