THE I. REASON . If the Prophecies of the Holy Bible be true , ( as they be most true ) then must the Religion of the Protestants needes be false .

BEFORE the comming of the MESSIAS , there was not any people , or nation which did serue the true and liuing God , but only the Iewes , all others whatsoeuer being ouerwhelmed in a Sea of blindnes , & worshipping false Gods , which indeede were Diuels , and therevpon the Maister Diuell LVCIFER was tearmed Princeps huius mundi : that is , Ioan. 12. Prince of this world , for that hee was honored and worshipped in all Lands , & Kingdomes , Iewrie , and that in part , only excepted : which miserable state & condition God of his infinite mercie greatlie pittying , promised in time to send a Sauiour , which should Redeeme all nations & people , free them from that pittiful seruitude and blindnesse , and bring them to the knowledge of true and right Religion , by suffering death , and consequently by planting a Church , to the which al nations should repaire . This he did foretell by diuerse & sundry Prophets , as by Esay , Cap. 2. who saide the Church should be as a mountaine , to the which , All Nations should flowe . And many people shall goe and say : Come and let vs ascende to the mountaine of our Lorde : and after , Idolles shall vtterly be brused , and to be briefe , all this Chapter , yea all the rest in a manner fore-shewe the same matter , declaring most plainely the conuersion of all Nations to the Church of the Messias , Cap. 49. & 60. Dan. 2. & 7. I●sal . 47. Mich. 4. and how Kings and Queenes should come and doe homage vnto it , & that it should euer continue without interruption , and that it should be most ample & large the Prophet Dauid most manifestly foretelleth , Luc. 1. Psal. 71. saying that it should extend , From Sea to Sea , and from the riuer to the endes of the world , and howe the Aethiopians shoulde fall downe Before the Messias , with the kings of Tharsis , Arabia , and Saba , and to be short , all kings , and people should acknowledge this Church , as innumerable propesies of the olde Testament doe plainely foreshewe . Heereupon it was that good men thirsted , & longed so greatlye for the comming of the Messias , knowing that by him all people which sate in darckenesse , and in the shadowe of death , should be lightened , deliuered , and set in the right way to Heauen . And so our Sauiour himselfe beeing now in the way to Ierusalem to suffer , saide . Nowe the Prince of this world shall be cast out : Ioh. 12. and If I shall be exalted from the earth , I will drawe all to to my selfe ; meaning by his Passion to drawe al people from heathenish Idolatry to serue him . Nowe if the Religion of the Papists ( as these new men tearme them ) be false and erroneous , then is it against the Messias , and consequently it is a Religion of the diuels owne inuention , and he the master & inspirer thereof , and so by it he is serued and worshiped , and then must it needs followe that the Prophets were false , yea Christ himselfe said not truelye , in telling his Disciples , That the Prince of this worlde , that is , the diuell should then be cast out , and that hee woulde drawe all to himselfe , for that since his Passion , the diuell hath had a more large and ample dominion than he had before . For before the comming of the Messias , the people of the Iewes , and Gentiles , and almost all Nations , Trybes , and Kingdomes , haue beene euer in Lucifer his thraldome vntil this our age , in which Luther came to expell Lucifer , and to ridde all the worlde out of his captiuity . And so the Passion of our Rēdeemer auailed little or nothing at all for the space of these fifteene hundred yeres , & for a thowsand yeeres together he was not so far from drawing all vnto him as he saide he woulde doe , Ioh. 12. that he drewe not so much as one person , that any man can name . And in our owne Countrey there of England , it is most manifest that all were Papists , without exception , from the first Christening thereof vntill this age of King HENRY the eight . Luther . in postil. Ger 1537. part. 2. fol. 141. And so the Protestantes affirme of other Countries , and boldly say , that vntil this age , the Gospel lay in the dust , and was hidden vnder the benche , & CHRIST was vnknowen . Which to say ( as the protestants must needes say , & blush not so to say indeed ) is meer madnesse , & flat infidelity , and a plaine denying of Christ , & no small establishement of Mahomets religion . For the Protestants & Mahometanes agree in this , that the Church which Christ founded , fell some fiue or sixe hundred yeeres , after his Ascension , into most horrible errours , and then ( say the Turkes ) the Angell Gabriell was sent from God to Mahomet , to teach him how he should reforme the saide Church , because it woulde not stande with the wisedome , and goodnesse of Almightye God , to suffer his Church to vanishe away through errous , & superstitions , without sending in time to reforme it . And in this out of doubte the Turkes haue far greater reason than the Protestantes haue , which Protestantes by their Doctrine make Christ the most simple , and most improuident Lawegiuer that euer was in the world . For neither Plato , Solon , Lyeurgus , nor any other Lawe-maker whosoeuer , was so simple and improuident , as to fashion and plant a common wealth , which before it were well setled , should vanishe away , and come to nothing , hauing no sufficient meanes to preuent errours , and such abuses as would ouerthrowe their Lawes , and destroie their common wealthes . And therefore if Christ be God , and the Holie Bible true , the religion of the Papists , must needes be that religion which he ordayned , and lefte to all generations , and consequentlye , the onelie true and right religion .

THE II. REASON . The name of Catholikes .

NO man can iustlie deny , but that they who euer haue holden the name of Catholikes , and haue beene knowne thereby , were vndoubtedlie of true religion , for that they had euer on their side the Scriptures , Miracles , Fathers , Councells , and Martyrs , and for that euery one which was against them , was euer accounted , & reputed for an Heretike . And the same Catholikes were euer taken as the trounke , or as the bodye of the tree , and all others bearing the name of Christians , as braunches , or boughs cutte off the same tree . Nowe all the worlde knoweth , that whosoeuer in any age , was a member of the Romane Church , & vnder the obedience of the high Bishoppe thereof , hee was euer taken for a Catholike , and so termed , although in these our daies it hath pleased the protestants , to cal such by the name of Papists , which indeed is all one with the name Catholikes , for that it signifieth such as followe & imbrace the Doctrine of that Church which hath for her head vnder Christ the Pope . And it is not amisse as Saint Chrysostome saith , Hom. 33. in acta . to be named of them who gouerne the Church in Christes steede , so that they take not their name of any particular man , as Heretikes doe . But yet the Catholikes are not called Papists , but only of a fewe Lutheranes in Germany , and of some others their adherents in other countries neere about , for in Greece , Asia , Affrike , & in the Indies , as in Italy , Spain , Sicily , and in other countries of Europe , the name of Papistes is vtterly vnknowne . The name therefore of Papists is no name commonly vsed , but only of a fewe , and neuer heard of before Luther inuented it , for that hee coulde not call them after the proper name of any one man , because there was neuer anye such in the Church , which either brought vp anye newe Doctrine , or chainged the Religion of his Predecessours , whereas contrariwise , heretikes haue euer taken their names of some one who began that heresie : as the Nestorians , of Nestorius , the Pelagians , of Pelagius , Lutherans , of Luther , Caluinists , of Caluin , &c. And although Luther tearmed them Papists , yet knewe he so well in his conscience , that they euer had beene , and ought to be called Catholikes , as that he caused his folowers to chainge their Creede , in saying : Brist . Mo. 1 I beleeue the Christian Church , and not : ☜ I beleeue the Catholike Church : for feare least they should bee thought to confesse that they beleeued in the Church of Rome , which euer was called Catholike . And it seemeth that the Protestants knowe in their owne consciences , the name of heretikes to bee so proper to themselues , as that in their translations of the Bible , where the name Heretike occurreth , they put in place of it , a man that is the author of sects : assuring themselues that the Reader finding the worde Heretike , or Heresie , woulde presently iudge it to be meant of them . As for their own name , whereby they tearme themselues protestants ( which name they take from certaine Lutheranes in Germany , who first named them selues so , differing , and disagreeing altogether from these Protestants in Doctrine ) it is newe , and neuer heard of before in the world , and of the same quality and condition , that the name Zwinglians is of . And therefore I conclude with the saying of Saint Hierome . Aduers . Lucif . Chrysost. in act. hom 33. & Iust. in Tryph. If any where thou heare , them , which are sayed to be of Christ , to be tearmed , not of our Lord Iesus Christ , but of some other , as Marcionites . Valentinians , Hil-brethren , or Fielde-breethren , be thou sure , that they are not the Church of Christ , but the Synagogue of Anti-christ .

THE THIRD REASON . Vnity and Consent .

THE Catholike Romane Religion beeing receiued by so manie Nations , in Affrica , Asia , & Europa , & in this last age in both the Indies , hath notwithstanding such varietie of wits , such diuersity of manners , such multitude of tongues and languages , such distance of places , such numbers of matters to be beleeued , yet euer kept Vnity , & Concord in such peaceable and consonant manner , as neuer anie one in England or Ireland , which are the vttermost parts of the west-world , dissented , or disagreed in anye point of Doctrine , concerning Faith , from him which liued in the vtmost parts of the East . But whosoeuer they be , or in what place , or region soeuer they remain in al the world , if they be catholikes or papists ( if you will call them so ) they all haue one Faith , one Beleefe , one Seruice , one number of Sacramentes , one Obedience , one Iudgement in all , with other like pointes of Vnion , and Vnitie , which maketh a generall vniformitie also in the peace of mens mindes , and to be briefe they haue all one heart , and one soule : But on the other side , Act. 4. if you look into the doinges of Protestantes , you shall see such discentions , such diuisions , such schismes , such contrariety of opinions ; as the like was neuer among the Arrians , among the Eutychians , among the Donatists , among the Nestorians , among the Valentinians , no nor yet amongest the most iarring Heretikes that euer were . So as you may plainely beholde in Luther his seed the selfe-same thing that the Poets faine of Cadmus his sowing ; you may see the Madianytes & Amalekites in one tent against the people of God ; Ouid. Metam . lib. 3. Iudic. 7. builders of the tower Babell , accusars of chaste Susanna : for they are not only different , and deuided from the generall body of Catholickes in Christendome , with whom they were vnited heretofore : but amongst them selues they haue implacable warres . I would you did but see , what I haue seene in these Countries , as concerning the deadly hatreds , contentions , and discentions of Luther his ofspring : as of the Muntzerans , Anabaptists , Adamites , Steblerians , Sabbataries , Clancularians , or Gartenbrijder , Manifestarians , Daemonians , Commonholders , Byslipers , Howling Anabaptists , Dauidgeorgians , Memnonites , Polygamistes , Signifiers , Figurers , Valewers , Pledgers , Presentaries , Metamorphists , Iudaists , Neutersacramentaries , Image breakers , Zelous Lutherans , Soft Lutherans , or Interimistes , New-Arrians , Trinitaries , Hell-maisters , Hell-tormentors , Antidaemonians , Amsdorfians , Antadiaphoristes , Antosiandrians , Anti-Swenckefeldians , Anti Caluinists , Hand-impositors , Bisacramentarians , Sacerdotales , Inuisibilists , Scripturians , Adiaphoristes , Trisacramentarians , Quadrisacramentarians , Luthero Caluinists , Semiosiandrians , Maiorists , Penitentiarians , Noui-Pelagians , Politicke-Lutheranes , Swenckefeldians , Osiandrians , Stancarians , Antistancarians , New-Manichees , Sternbergers , and of such like : all which haue sucked their errors out of the dregges of Luthers Doctrine , and yet forsooth , will be sound Protestantes all . And what diuisions you haue there in England you may in some sort know , who doe ( as I thinke ) now and then heare preachers of different doctrine . What combats your Bishops , Councellours , & moderate sort of Protestants haue to defende their Parlimentarie Religion , and the QVEENES Proceedinges as they tearme it , against Puritans , brownists , & other suchlike good fellowes , that by shew of Scriptures impugne it , you can not but know & see with your eyes . Neyther can it be aunswered , that the Sectes heere rehearsed differ one from another onlie in matters of small moment , for they differ and disagree in weightie pointes of our Saluation , as might heere easilie be declared , but that it would not benifit this mine intended breuitie so to doe .

This Vnitie of CATHOLICKES , and discorde of PROTESTANTES , most manifestlie sheweth , that as the Apostles were they , for whome our SAVIOVR prayed to his FATHER , and was heard of him : Holie Father , keepe them in thy name , whome thou haste giuen mee , that they may be one , as wee also be one , Iohn seauenteene : so they of the CATHOLIKE ROMAN Religion , be they , for whome in the wordes following hee prayed , and was heard : Not for them doe I aske onely , but also for them , which shall beleeue , by theyr preaching in mee , that all may be one , as thou Father in mee , and I in thee , that also they in vs , may be one : and hereof it necessarilie followeth , that they be of the true CHVRCH , for that none but they obserue and keepe the Vnitie which hee obtained for them of his Heauenlie FATHER . Aug. l. 18. de ciuit . dei . C. 41.

And surelie it can not proceede but from the HOLIE GHOST , that all Sacred writers of the CATHOLIKE ROMAN CHVRCH , although being men of diuers Nations , Times , and Languages , yet haue so wonderfullie consented , and agreed amongest themselues , as wee see they haue done .

And lastlie , it is wonderfull to behold , how all decrees of lawfull Councels , and of Popes doe agree in all points of Doctrine , one with another , although they were made by diuers men , in diuers places , at sundrie times , vpon diuers occasions , & against Heresies , not only most different , but oftentimes contrarie one to another . This , no doubt , is the finger of God .

THE IIII. REASON . Conuersion of Countries .

IT is most plaine and manifest , that all Countries , which euer beleeued in Christ , were first conuerted to his faith by such , as eyther were precisely sent , or at the least-wise had their authoritie from the Pope , which liued in the time , in which they were conuerted . This thing is so openly set downe in the Historie of the first conuersion of euery Countrie , as no Protestant , were he neuer so impudent , can without blushing denie it . True it is , that Heretiks haue corrupted such as were Catholikes before , but that they euer conuerted any Heathen Nation to Christianitie can neuer be shewed . I know very well that Iohn Caluin to get glorie , sent certaine of his Ministers into new-found landes , but I neuer could heare that any of them euer conuerted so much as one sillie woman to their Ghospell in those partes . The truth is , their agreement in doctrine was so great , that one destroying anothers buildings , they became laughing stocks to the Heathens , & so were glad to depart with shame . But who knoweth not that the Catholikes , as they haue conuerted all to Christianitie that euer were Christians : so in this age they haue brought infinite numbers to the Christian faith in the East and West Indies , by the meanes and labours of the most happie & holy Fathers of the holy Order of S. Frauncis , of S. Dominick , & of the blessed Society of IESVS , which blessed Religious men in our owne Countrie there of England , onlie in regard of theyr Sacred function , are executed as Traitors . And haue not these I pray you theyr authoritie from ROME ? I will not here speake of the infinite number of Miracles wrought by Catholikes in the conuersion of countries , & namely of those which are now done in both the Indies by the Holie Fathers aforesaid , for that I reserue that matter for his proper place , but I would aduise you here diligentlie to weigh the sequele of the Assertion of the Protestants ; how that if Papistes be not true Christians , & of the right religion , then doth it necessarilie follow , that neither Spaniards , nor Portingales , nor Sardinians , nor Sicilians , nor Italians , nor Germanes , nor Transyluanians , nor Hungarians , nor Polonians , nor Danes , nor Flemminges , nor Scots , nor Irish , nor English , no nor any Nation vnder Heauen had euer true Religion , before Fryar Luther married Nonne Bore , before Iohn Caluine runne away to Geneua , before Peeter Martyr with his Fustelugges came to teach at Oxford , and before a number of such like good companions , ledde only by sensualitie , & carnall zeale dishodded themselues , and became such spectacles to the worlde as euerie man knoweth . Which thing to affirme , is flatlie to denie Christ , & all Christianity , as I shewed in my first Reason . And surely I am greatly confirmed in the Catholike Religion , beholding the Heauenly maner vsed by the professors thereof in gayning soules to Almightie GOD , for that I see them neyther to spare goodes , nor labours , no nor theyr owne liues , so that they may winne people to Heauen .

GREGORYE the thirteenth Pope of that name in these our dayes , spent all the renennewes of the Popedome in founding SEMINARIES & COLLEDGES in diuers Landes and Prouinces , thereby to restore the Catholike religion .

Manie Holie and Religious Priests doe goe dayly into Germany , into Hungary , into Greece , into Palestina , into Aegypt , into Syria , into Aethiopia , into Africa , into Moscouia , into Ireland , into Scotland , into England , and into other heretical & heathen countries , yeelding themselues to all daungers by sea , and land , and to all worldly miseries , hauing mortified all theyr carnall affections , renounced all riches , honors , and kindred , and hauing made themselues most ready for their graue , and consequently for another world , moued only by the zeale of sauing soules . And it mooueth mee not a little to see what patience , mildnesse , and quietnesse these men vse in all theyr dooinges . And I see also on the other side , that no protestant euer had so great zeale of his Religion , as that he would for spreading abroade the same , forgoe any worldly commodity , either by founding Seminaries , or Colleges in Countries , or by going , or sending where any difficulty or daunger was , but as one wholly respecting this worlde , he walloweth in wealth , & pleasures at home , or if by any accident he be compelled to flie into forraine Countries , hee may not trauaile except his preatie parnell goe with him ; but such a one to goe simplie , & as they say , bona fide , to conuert others was yet neuer seene . And if by anie occasion offered vnto such , they goe about to plant theyr Ghospell anie where , they doe it in such a turbulent , and mutinous maner , and not by Epistles after Saint Paules vse , but by Pistols as Beza did , as euerie one may see what spirit pricketh them forward . Neyther doe they take anie other course in theyr proceedinges , but to destroy States and Kingdomes , & to displace lawfull Monarchies and Magistrates , as the Low-Countries , Germany , and Scotland can sufficientlie witnesse , and euer theyr beginning is of Pride and Enuie , as Luthers was ; or by abusing them-selues in theyr former estate , as Sir Iohn Caluin did , or by yeelding themselues slaues to ambition , as they did in Scotland , or by following Lust and Leacherie , or of some such like brutish occasion , and neuer indeede vpon anie good ground , vsing their religion only as a serueturne , when other meanes faile to atchieue theyr vnlawfull desires . It is plaine therefore in my iudgement , that the Catholiks are they , who euer fished simplie and syncerely , with Saint Peeters Net , and therein haue enclosed myraculous multitudes of fishes , and that the Protestantes , by theyr extraordinary , and late angling haue caught none , but such as were in a better , and more sound maner taken before . And although Freculphus writeth , In Chron. tom. 2. li. 4 cap. 20. that the Arrian heretikes conuerted the whole nation of the Gothes from Paganysme to the Faith , in the time of Valens the Emperour ; socrates . lib. 4. cap. 27. sozom. l. 6 cap. 37. Theodoret. lib 4. cap. vlt. yet it appeareth by Socrates , Sozomenus , and Theodoretus , that the greatest part of those Gothes were Catholike Christians before , and afterward seduced by the Arrians : for Heretikes cannot possiblie conuert anie to such faith as may make the conuerted better then they were before , for that they hauing indeede the Scripture in some sort , yet haue not the true sense thereof , which properly is the sword of the spirit , and the wordes are rather the scabard , in which the sword is sheathed . And therefore they fighting only with the scabard , without the sword , cannot wound the harts of Infidels . And no meruaile though they peruert Catholikes , for that men are prone to libertie , and to loosenesse of life , which by such doctrine is permitted . So that they are indeed most aptly by S. Augustine likened vnto Partridges , lib. 13. contra faust . cap. 12. which gather together young ones which they begot not ; whereas contrariwise the Holy Church is a most fertle Doue , which continuallie bringeth forth new Pigeons .

THE FIFT REASON , largenes of Dominion through the multitude of Beleeuers .

THE Church which the Messias was to plant , must be ( as is aforesaid ) dispersed throughout al nations & kingdomes , as the Holy Prophets most plainely foreshewed , and namely the Royall Prophet , speaking of the Apostles , and Preachers , which should Succeede them , saieth : Psal 18. Theyr sounde went foorth into all partes of the Earth , and theyr wordes vnto the endes of the circle of the earth . And most manifestlie doth he foretell the largenesse of Christian Religion in the 71. Psalme . And S. Iohn saw the foure beasts , Apoc. c. 5. & the foure and twentie Elders fall downe before the Lambe , singing thus : Thou art worthie Lord to take the Booke , and to open the seales therof , for thou hast bin slaine , & hast redeemed vs to God in thy Blood , Cap. 7. out of euery Tribe , & people , & Language , & Nation : & in another place : After these things , saith hee , I saw a great companie , which no man was able to number , of all Nations , & Tribes , and Peoples , and Tongues . These thinges with manie such like in Holy writ are no wise verefied in any Religion vnder Heauen , but onely in the Romaine Catholike Church ; for that none but it ( as euerie man knoweth ) hath had any large scope to account vpon in any age . And it hath beene for these thousand yeares at the least throughout both the Hemyspheres , in such sort as the sunne stretcheth not his beames further then it doth , and hath done : yea , there is no tongue nor people , nor climate in the worlde , which hath not heard of , & in some measure receaued the Catholike Romaine Religion . Neither can the Protestantes say , that the Church now beginneth to flourish , and to dilate it selfe in the worlde after so many ages ; for that now it is growen olde and aged , as is most plaine , & to say that she increased not in her younge yeares , but now in her olde age is to make her a monster . She must therefore of necessitie , haue growen , & increased , & occupied , if not all the world , yet no doubt the greatest part thereof , and so hath the Catholike Romaine Church , and none but she done : Colloss. 1. for in the Apostles time shee began to fructifie in all the world . And in S. Irenaeus his time , Irenaeus . l. 1. cap. 3. Tertul. li. contra Iudaeos . ca. 4. Cyprian de vuit . eccles. Athanas . lib. de humanit . shee was spreade all ouer the world then knowen , as she was afterwards in Tertullian his time , and in the dayes of S. Cyprian , Athanasius , Chrisostome , Hierome , Augustine , Theodoretus , Leo the great , and Prosper , who in his booke De Ingratis hath these wordes .

verbi Chrisost. & Hieron . in Mat. 24. Aug. in Epist. 78. & 80. ad Hesychium . Theod. lib de legibus Leo. Mag. ser. 1. de S S. Petro & Paulo . Sedes Roma Petri , quae pastoralis honoris , Facta caput mundo , quic quid nos possidit armis , Religione tenet . Which thus may be Englished . Rome , Peters seate , whose Bishop is of Prelates Peereles Lord , Religion Lady makes of all , which armes do not afford .

But the Protestantes peraduenture , will graunt that the true Church flourished in those dayes , but not afterwardes vntill this age , in which they haue reformed the same : yet is it most manifest , that it flourished afterwards euen vntill this our time , no lesse then it did before , if not more : for in Saint Gregory his dayes it was spread all ouer the world , as appeareth by his Epistles to the Bishoppes of the East , of Afrike , Spayne , Fraunce , England , Sicilie . And by Saint Bede in cap. 6. cantic: : In vita S. Bernardi . lib. 2. ca. 7. as also by Saint Bernard , who disputing before Rogerius King of Sicilie , auouched that in those dayes , the East , all the West , Fraunce Germanie , England , Spaniardes , and manie barbarous nations obeyed the Bishop of Rome . And in these dayes , it is all ouer Italie , all ouer Spayne , and in Fraunce , in most parts of Germanie , in Poleland , Boheme , besides England , Hungarie , Greece , Syria , Aethiopia , Aegypt , in which Landes are manie Catholikes ; and in the newe world it flourisheth mightily , in al the foure parts of the world ; Eastward in the Indies ; Westward in America : Northward in Iaponia , Southward in Brasilia , and in the vttermost parts of Afrike . And to name somewhat more in particular some Countries , in which it is happely receaued of many , if not vniuersally of all , but yet in many lands it is receaued of the greatest parte of the inhabitants , in Goa , in Malabar , in Cochin , in Bazain , in Colam , in Tana , in Daman , in Ciaul , in Coran , in Salsetta , in Pescaria , in Manar , in Trauancor , in Cogiro , in Bugen , in Cicungo , in Cicugne , in Oian , in Gomotto , in Gensura , in Xichi , in Ormuz , in Ternate , in Momoia , in Ambonio , in Macazar , in Cerignano , in Siligan , in Butuan , in Pimiliran , in Camigu , in Supa , in Sian , in Bacian , in Solar , in Malacca , in Tidor , in Selebi , and in the Ilandes of S. Thomazo , S. Domingo , Madera , and in all those innumerable Islandes , which the King of Spayne there possesseth : So that the Catholike Romaine Religion hath had , and hath yet a far greater sway in the world , then any other religion euer had , or hath . And worthie it is to be noted , that in no land nor countrie vnder Heauen euer was , or is , any persecution , of any moment against Papists ( as you terme them ) or against the Priests of that religion , in regard that they be Papists , or Priests made by authoritie from the Sea of Rome , but only in England . And in verie deede , the whole world doth wonder , that little England dare , and is not ashamed to doe that , which neuer was seene in the world before : for let a Seminary priest ( as they cal him ) keepe him out of England , and hee is safe enough in any region vnder heauen . This I say by the way , for that it greeueth me at the very hart , to heare that my deare country doth persecute that religion , which all the world hath ioifully embraced , or at the least , doth willingly tolerate , as though she were wiser then all the world besides is , or euer hath beene , or then al her Elders . Or , as though Englishe Protestantes knewe , and sawe more , than all the whole Learned men of Christendome haue done for so many ages together . And I pray you , tell me , if an hearbe should be presented to you to eat , that al learned Physitions for a thowsand yeeres together , haue iudged to bee rancke poison , & only some one or two of later yeeres , haue begun to teache the contrary , without actuall experience whether it be so or no , but onlie by discourse , and newe arguments , of their owne braine , would you abstaine to eate it or no ? Or if an action should be offered you there in England , which by all old Lawyers iudgement of former times hath beene taken for high-treason Ipso facto , & consequently losse of life , and lands , though some newer lawyers were of contrary opinion that nowe it is not , woulde you not looke twise before you would leape , except you were out of your wittes ? But in this other case , although all auncient Diuines , and Doctours , for aboue a thowsand yeres together , haue taught the Catholike Romane Religion , to be true indeede , and only Friar Luther a loose Apostata , and Sir Iohn Caluin , a seare-backt Priest for Sodomy , haue begun in our daies to teache the contrary , for feare of beeing punished by the Magistrates of the said Catholike Religion , for wicked , and badde life , yet will they Protestants rushe out , & cast at all , and will hazarde Hell , and all Eternity of tormentes thereon depending . Who will denie this to bee headlong , and hare-braine dealing ? Surely this vniuersal consent of Christendome , against two or three so contemptible authors of nouelties , are more than sufficient to induce anye man of reason to looke about him , and to consider what hee doth , and whether he may aduenture his soule vpon such inequality of testimonies , as this is betweene two , or three Nouellants , and twenty millions of holy & graue auncientes , and no doubt in Westminster hall this difference of witnesses woulde preuaile with anye equall , and discreet iudge or iurie . Neither may the Protestantes nowe at length glory in their great number , as some of them haue donne , for that their Religion , is there in England , & in Scotlande , and some thereof in Irelande , Apol. Eccles. Ang. and in the Lowe-countries , & in some parts of Germany , and a fewe of them in Fraunce , for they neuer yet passed into Asia , nor into Affrica , nor into Greece , nor into many places of Europe , much lesse into the Indies . But indeed if you rightly scanne their Doctrine , you shall finde that your Religion Protestantine of Englande , is no where in the worlde else , & that Englishe seruice contained in your boke of Common praier is vnknowen , & condemned of all other Nations , and people vnder the cope of Heauen . So that in very deed the doctrine of your Protestantes is taught , or receaued , no where but in Englande , and the Puritane Doctrine of Scotlande ( the contrarietie thereof duelye considered ) is no where but in Scotlande , the Lutherane Doctrine taught in Denmarke , is no where but in Denmarke , and in a fewe places of Germany , the libertine Doctrine taught in the Low-countries , is no where but in the Low-countries , and the like may be said of other sectes .

Lastly , I doe heere consider with my selfe , if I should refuse the Catholike Romane Religion , so vniuersallie taught , receaued & professed through out all the worlde so many ages together , and embrace any of these newe silly sectes , aduenturing my soul therupon , what all my progenitours & ancestours , if they were here againe , and sawe me doe so , would say vnto me , I gesse they would vse such speeches as these : what doest thou condemne all our iudgementes , and doings ? Doest thou maligne that Religion , which we so highly esteemed and sought to aduaunce ? Doest thou sende vs al to hel and damnation ? Wilt thou iudge thy selfe wiser and more in Gods fauour than any of vs were ? And many such like speeches I thinke they would vse .