SEeing it hath pleased God to appoint you the meane of my being in the world , by whose holy ordinance you may iustly chalenge , as of your right from me , all sincere affection , dutie , and observation ; and besides the bond of Nature , my obligacion being much encreased by your most louing , and continued care of me , even from my childhood , it is now my part ( and that vnder perill of a curse , if I neglect it ) by all meanes I may to yeeld comforts to your yeares , and from my hart and soule to wish , that when your temporarie daies on earth shal end , you may by the mercy of God take possession of the eternall ioyes of heaven . I know ( and haue witnesses of this , so many as haue knowne you ) that your intentions haue ever aimed at this mark , your life and actions haue beene a rare patterne to your sexe , alwaies well declaring your devotion & zeale to the service of God : The which being the principall end of our creation ( howsoever the generalitie now in this state of corruption , transported with the cares , the pleasures , and enticements of this life , lay it not to the heart ) it is without question a blessing incomparable ( whereof none can judge , but they that feele it ) when God of his meere mercie by his holy Spirit , shal moue the heart of a sinful creature , who before delighted only in the way of his owne destruction , sincerely to seeke and serue him : for this we may build vpon , as a truth that must admit no question , that never any shall haue their place in heaven , whose hearts by grace haue not beene truely moued to this duty heere on earth . Since then the time of this life is the moment wherevpon dependeth etermitie of weale or woe , it behooveth every Christian that desires salvation , seriously to consider of the way he walkes in ; especially seeing we learne from our Lord & Master Christ himselfe , that the way is narrow that leadeth vnto eternall life , and that they are but few that finde it . Yet this difficultie of finding the way to heaven riseth from the passengers wilfulnesse , or want of care : for the truth is , that of the small company that make profession of Christianity in the world , the greatest part ( howsoever they disguise themselues in acting their parts on earth with a maske of religion ) yet never aiming sincerely at salvation for their end , wholly neglect the meanes , and so runne the broad way to hell . Others better weighing the shortnesse and instability of this present life , and well foreseeing their future mortality , in a state most blessed , or no lesse accursed , desire earnestly the joyes of heaven , yet never attending diligently to attaine them by that way , which God hath directed for that end ; but relying vpon guides , whom they choose themselues at adventure to conduct them , are carried blindfold at the last thorough vncertaine by-paths to their certain ruine . It is true that God hath never failed in every age to send faithfull guides into the world , to direct his servants in this earthly passage ; but it is likewise found true by woefull experience , that the Divell hath heere his swarmes of agents likewise to mislead vs , and of those , very many who haue learned the skill of their master , the Prince of darknesse , to transforme themselues into the shape of the messengers of light . If wee looke to the Church , consisting of the Iewes alone before the comming of Christ , we finde it recorded by the holy Prophets of God , that it was in continuall danger by reason of false prophets , and seducing Pastors , that did infest it ; who a a ler. 14.14 . prophesied in the name of God , when he sent them not ; so that as the Prophet Esay complaineth , b b Esay 9.16 . The leaders of this people caused them to erre , and they that were led by them , were destroyed . When Christ our Saviour came into the world , who were they that most opposed him , but the Scribes , the Pharisies , the high Priests , who were then esteemed , and tooke vpon them to be the guides and leaders of the people : nay to discourage their Nation from receiving the doctrine of their salvation , they thought it enough to presse this , question ; c c Ioh. 7.48 . Doe any of the Rulers , or of the Pharisies beleeue in him ? but this people that know not the Law , &c. In the time of the Gospell wee are forewarned of false teachers , that shall rise vp in the Church , who shal come neverthelesse in the name of Christ , taking vpon them to be our guides ; nay some of them shall put on so faire a vizard of outward carriage , as that they shall seduce ( if it were possible ) Gods chosen children . So that it will concerne vs no lesse then the losse , or salvation of our soules , to be wary in our choice of the guides we follow , for though it be certaine , that the blinde , and seducing teacher , shall for his hire haue his portion in hell with his Master , for whom he laboured ; yet must the seduced likewise know , that they cannot escape the judgement of God ; & so the one with the other fal at last into the pit of eternal ruine . But herein to make vs the more inexcusable , almighty God , out of his infinit care of mans salvation , hath not only forewarned vs of these noysome weeds , that shall daily spring vp in his Church , to the endangering of the corne ; but to make vs able to discerne betweene the true Pastors of his flocke , and those impostors that endeavour to delude vs , he sends vs none to treate with vs in this great affaire concerning our saluation , but with instructions in writing , and those open to our view ; requiring vs , to whom these messengers are sent , to haue an eye to their commission , d d Esay 8.20 . To the Law and to the Testimony ; if they speake not according to this rule , it is because there is no light in them . It is true , that from the first creation of the world , for divers ages there was no written Word , but as God himselfe was pleased to bee the immediate teacher of our first parents , so afterwards from time to time he raised vp preachers for his people , whom in divers manners hee inspired with knowledge , and enabled for this worke of instructing others in his true feare and service . But when once it pleased God in his wisdome to appoint Moses , that holy man , to be the faithfull pen-man of his everlasting Law , which he gaue for the government and direction of his Church : it is required as a duty of the people of God , e e Iosh. 1.8 . That this booke of the Law depart not out of their mouthes : That they meditate therein day and night , To observe and doe according to all that is written therein . And to restraine vs from wandring out of the compasse of this written law , this charge is giuen , f f Deut. 4.2 . That wee put nothing to the Word which hee commands vs , nor take ought therefrom , that wee may keepe the Commandements of the Lord our God , which are commanded . And although the Prophesies were penned after at sundrie times by men vndoubtedly directed by the holy Ghost , yet shal we find no new article of doctrine delivered in them : but they serue many times to explaine the law . They Prophesie of Christ to come , the accomplisher of the law ; and generally they are all Gods Heraulds to denounce his iudgements , and heavie wrath , against the transgressors of the law of Moses . But in the fulnesse of time , when Christ came into the world , of whome Moses and the Prophets wrote , the Gospell was published , which was no other but a cleare declaration of the prophesies , and the law ; whereof a learned Father aptly giues this note , g g August . de Carichisand : Rud. That in the olde testament the New is hidden , and in the new is the manifestation of the olde . And this Gospel was first preached , but after ( as one other of the Ancients observeth well ) h h Iren. advers. haeres . l. 3. c. 1. was by the will of God delivered in the Scriptures , to be the pillar and foundation of our faith . And in this sacred booke is wonderfully set foorth vnto vs the infinite wisdome of the supreame Law-maker of the world : for as in the civill government of earthly Kingdomes , those lawes are ever commended most , that leave least to the discretion of the Iudge , and never hath any common-weale had laws so exactly framed , but with time they haue bin sound sensibly defectiue in this point ; so certainely this perfection is peculiar only to the written laws of the Lord of heaven , so farre foorth , that for the ministers of this law to adde or alter any one thing , respecting the religious dutie and service wee owe to God ( though but in offering strange fire before the Lord , as did Nadab and Abihu the sonnes of Aaron ) makes them liable to his wrath and malediction , for their presumption . This moued Saint Augustine that reverend Father ( alluding to the words of the blessed Apostle ) confidently to pronounce , i i Contra Lit. Petilian . lib. 3. cap. 6. That whether concerning Christ , or concerning the Church of Christ , or concerning any thing that pertaineth to our faith and life , we will not say , if we , but if an Angell from heaven shall preach vnto you , but what you haue received in the Scriptures of the Law and the Gospell , accursed be hee . The consideration of this gaue me occasion to forsake my communion with the Church of Rome , in whose bosome I receiued the first instruction for matter of my salvation , as you your selfe ( deare Mother ) can well remember . But after divers yeares , when by accident this principle had taken impression in me , k k Rom. 10 . 1● . That faith commeth by hearing of the word of God , and then calling to mind , that many points of the religion I haue embraced , were not to bee found within the volume of Gods sacred booke ; I began to question with my masters of that Church ( whom I did then reverence and admire as men wholly composed to devotion and sinceritie ) by what authority they could approve them ; where after many passages ( with the relation wherof I thinke not fit to trouble you ) their resolution was , That a great portion of Gods word was not l l Little of Gods word is committed to writing , the greatest part of it is come to vs by tradition . Hosius Confess : Polon : pag 383. contained within the holy Scriptures , but delivered in safe custodie , to passe from hand to hand by tradition : for the truth and certainty whereof , they tolde me , I must depend vp●n the credit of their m m Alphons : 2 Castro advers. haeres . l. 1. c. 5. Church ; the which , after much debate , they resolved at the last into the bosome of the n n Mater Ecclesia per os● summi pontificis loquens . Bellar. Apol. contra praef: monito : serenissi Reg. Iac. pag. 78. Romane Bishop : when I considered this , and perceiued in the end the weaknesse of the grounds that must warrant the truth of these vnwritten verities ( as they style them ) I thought it no longer safe-to commit my selfe for direction to those guides , my masiers , I meane , of the Church of Rome , of whom in my conscience we may complain , as the Prophet Ieremy did of the false teachers in his dayes , o o Ierem. 8.9 . They haue reiected the word of the Lord , and what wisedome is then in them . For although it cannot be denied , but they reteine and publish some principles of our Christian profession , according to the truth of Gods holy word ; yet even those truths they recommend vnto vs , vpon as perillous & false a ground , as if a man should therfore beleeue Christ Jesus to be the Sonne of the living God , because the Divell did confesse it . To this purpose ( deare Mother ) I beseech you to note , that whereas Gods sacred word is left vnto vs to be the rule and foundation of our faith and religion , my masters of Rome intending to build a new , thinke it proper first to lay a new foundation , & in place of the holy Scriptures to be the rule & direction of our faith , they advance their Church , the which neverthelesse being rightly vnderstood , holds no resemblance with the Church in truth . And the rather to invite vs to pin our faith vpon this their Church , they tender vs some formes of truth , the which when wee haue embraced vpon their Churches authority , shee will not leaue vs so ; but this Church that teacheth vs to worship God , by like authority wil then require vs to worship p p Seeing Christ is to be adored with divine worship , his Image also is to be adored with the same adoration . Tho: Aquin : part : 3. q. 25. art: 3. Images . Shee that teacheth vs to pray to God , wil command vs likewise to pray trourblessed Ladie , and the q q The new Creed published by Pope Pius the fourth . Saints . Shee that teacheth vs , that Christ by one offring of his body , once made in sacrifice vpon the Crosse , hath purchased remission for our sinnes , requireth vs likewise to beleeue that she offers dayly vnto God the same reall body of Christ in sacrifice ( which himselfe offered vpon the Crosse ) as a r r I consesse that in the Masse is offered to God a true , proper and propitiatory sacrifice for the quicke and the dead : ibid. propitiation for the sinnes of the quicke and the dead . She that teacheth vs that Christ hath madesatisfaction for his sin by blood-shedding and bitter passion , will teach vs withall , that our selues must make satisfaction for some sort of our sins , by our workes of penance ; the which if wee neglect , that then wee must satisfie Gods justice for them after this life by suffering paines in a purgatory fire , vnlesse this holy Mother out of compassion shall free vs by her indulgence , á favour she sometimes affords to her zealous children , if my masters of s s Rhem : annot: in Lue : cap. 23. v. 24. Rhemes bee not deceived . Shee that teacheth vs to doe good workes , wil make vs beleeue they are t t The heaven'y blessednes , which the Scripture calleth the reward of the iust , is not give them of God gratis , and freely , but is due to their workes : yet God hath set forth heaven to sale for our workes . Andraed : Orthodox : expl : ● lib. 6. meritorious ex condigno , and so turne our Christian duties into glorious sins . Shee that teacheth vs that Gods written Word is true , will haue vs beleeue withall , That it containes u u Can: loc. l. 3. c. 3. not all the doctrine of our salvation , and commaunds vs not to x x Index libit proh : Pij quarti , Reg. 4. reade it without her leaue , nor vnderstande it but according to the sence y y No man may giue other exposition of the Scriptures , there such as might agree with the doctrine of the Church of Rome . Concil: Trid : Sess: 4. she giues vs . So that ( if we marke it well ) shee doth no more then the enemy of mankind is observed to doe , who many times for a vantage vtters truth , that after he may finde the fairer passage to delude with error . And if the grosse absurdities , now currant in the Roman Church , apart from these formes of truth , were laide open to the view of all men , I am perswaded in my conscience , there is not so simple a Christian living at this day , that makes any care of his dutie to God , but would abhorre them . But herein my masters of Rome declare themselues ingenious in their craft , who wel foreseeing that this coine cannot passe for currant in the light , vent it ever in the darke ; so that of many thousands that receiue it , scarse any one doth vnderstand it in particular ; and if any Lay-person , more curious then others , come by chance to know it , yet admitting the principles which he must learne withal , it is no more possible for him to judge of it , them for any man in the darke to discerne of colors : for as the eye of the body is not vseful at al , but in the light , no more is our vnderstanding enabled to distinguish betweene truth and errour in the doctrine of christianity , but in the glorious light of the holy Scriptures . The ignorance of these is assigned by Christ our Saviour z z Mat. 22.29 . to be a reason of error , and we are taught by the Prophet David , That the a a Psal: 119. vers. 130. enterance of Gods word giueth light , that it giueth vnderstanding to the simple . With him the blessed Apostle accords , b b Tim. 3.15 . and tels vs , that the holy Scriptures are able to make vs wise vnto salvation . This wisedome my masters of Rome approue not in the Laytie : they like best that scholler , that soonest learnes and contents himselfe with the c c Recorded and commended by Staphylus , Hosius and others . Colliars Creede , To beleeue in grosse , as doth their Church , without being able to render a reason of any article of the religion hee professeth . It is gravely delivered by the Rhemists in their annotations vpon Saint Lukes Gospell , d d Rhem : annot: on Luk: 12.11 . That if a Catholike man being called before the commission , answere , that he is a Catholike man , and that he will liue and die in that faith , which the Catholike Church teacheth , and that this Church can giue them a reason of al the things which they demand of him , hee answeres enough , and defends himselfe sufficiently . Now the better to prepare the Laytie to this sufficiencie , they permit them not to reade the Scriptures , but with licence , and never but with this caution , to admit no other sence of what they reade in them , but such , as these my masters vnder the name of the Catholike Church shall recommend vnto them : By which wily sleight , they deprive them of al vse of their judgement in the matter of their salvation , and of the Scriptures , both at once ; and in place thereof leave them furnished only to maintain the doctrine they haue embraced , with the pretended name and authoritie of the Catholike Church . For instance in this , giue me leave ( deare Mother ) without your offence to appeale to your selfe ; if it were demanded of you , by what warrant you hold it lawfull to pray to Saints , to worship Images , to pray for foules departed , and the like ; your answere I presume would be , that herein you follow the doctrine of the Catholike Church , which being ever directed by the holy Ghost cannot deceive vs . I must confesse , the authority of the Catholike Church rightly vnderstood , ought much to moue vs , consisting in a generall sence of all that company which in all ages , & places of the world , haue joyned in profession of al the principles of the true religion . But if to chalenge to our selues the name of the Church were of it selfe enough , without question it would follow , that God should haue as many Churches , as there haue bin heresies in the world . For never haue there been any authors of those impieties , but haue endeavoured to giue them countenance vnder the shadow & name of the Catholike Church . I wil not enter here into any discussion of the doctrine mainetained at this day in the Roman Church , which were , but to weede in a field of tares : the absurdity of it is made visible to the world , by the learned labours of many reverent and worthy Pastors of our Church : I will only in this place declare , in what sence my masters of Rome vnderstand the Catholike Church , with the sound whereof they continually fill your eares , as being the maine supporters of al they teach you : And first this principle is worthy to be noted well , which we learne from the most eminent writer of the Papacie at this day , e e Bellarm: de effect : sacram : lab. 2. cap. 25. That the truth of all ancient Councels , and of all points of faith , dependeth vpon the authoritie of the present Church ; where , if we desire to know , what he meanes by the Church , the Cardinals interpreter plainely tels vs , f f Gretser . defens . Bellarm: com . 1. pag. 1450. B. That when they affirme the Church to be iudge of al controversies of faith , by the Church they vnderstand the Bishop of Rome , who for the time governes the shippe of the militant Church , and by liuely voice doth clearely and expressely expound his iudgement to them that seeke to him . To this purpose , another great Rabbin amongst them delivereth plainely , g g Gregor: de Valent. in Tho. 22. tom . 3. Disput. 1. punct. 7. q 5. That the Apostolike Church is therefore said to be infallible , because he is over it , who by himselfe hath infallible authority . And if wee would knowe who that He is , that hath this infallible authoritie , we may learne from the Jesuite Swares , h h Suares in 3. Thom. tom. 1. disput. 44. sect. 1. pag. 677. That it is the Pope whose determination he affirmes to be the truth , and were it contrary to the saying of all the Saints , yet to be preferred before them , nay if an Angell of heaven were opposed against him , yet the Popes determination were to be preferred . This man ( the Pope ) they style the visible head of the Church , and affirme to bee alwayes so infallibly directed by the Spirit of God , as that whensoever either of himselfe alone , with a purpose to enforme the Church , or affisted with an assembly of the learned , hee shall resolue any question concerning faith , or the service of God , it is i i The Pope is the master of our faith , and cannot but attaine the truth of faith , nor can be deceived or erre , if as chiefe Bishop or master of our faith , he set downe his determination . Zumel : disput: Var : tom. 3. pag. 49. impossible he should bee deceived . If you aske of anie one of my masters of Rome , what he meanes by the Church , which he proposeth to you to bee the rule of your faith , hee will mannerly define it at the first to consist of the Pope with a Councell ; but if you shall further vrge him to confesse , what you must doe in case the Pope shal dissent in iudgement from the Councell , howsoever he faulter in his speech a while , he must acknowledge at the last , k k Capistranus de autor . Papae . p. 105. That if the Councell , and the Pope , publish constitutions that be different , that of the Popes must bee preferred , as being of greater authoritie . l l Alvar. Pelag. de Planc : Eccl. lib. 1. Artic. 6. To whose iudgement alone ( if wee may beleeue another of that crew ) wee are rather bound to stand , then to the iudgement of all the worlde besides : who himselfe ( as m m De Christo . lib. 2. cap. 28. Bellarmine mainetaines ) without any Councell may decree matter of faith . So that by this ( deare Mother ) if you weigh it wel , you may plainely see , that howsoever my masters of Rome dazell your eyes with the Churches name , the Pope alone beareth away the game , in such sort , that the fairest certainety you can haue to secure your conscience in the religion you professe , must wholly depend vpon him : yet is it worthy of your ob●ervation to note , how the learned amongst them descant vpon this visible head , and infallible director of their Church . They will acknowledge , that the Pope may be as wicked a man in life , as any other in the world , and by experience it hath bin found , that sundry of them hauescarse had matches in this kind , as for instance of one , Pope Alexander the sixt , whom Guicciardine ( though himselfe a Papist ) doth thus decypher . His manners and customes were dishonest , little sinceritie in his administrations , no shame in his face , small truth in his words , little faith in his heart , & lesse religion in his opinions : all his actions were defaced with vnsatiable covetousnesse , immoderate ambition , barbarous crueltie : he was not ashamed , contrary to the custome of former Popes ( who to cast some colour over their infamie , were wont to call them their nephewes ) to call his sonnes his children ; and for such to expresse them to the world : n n Guicciards lib. 3. The bruite went , that in the loue of his daughter Lucretia , were concurrent not only his two sons , the Duke of Candy , and the Cardinall of Valence , but him selfe also , that was her father : who as soone as he was chosen Pope , tooke her from her husband , and married her to the Lord of Pesare , but not able to suffer her husband to be his corrival , he dissolved that mariage also , and tooke her to himselfe by vertue of Saint Peters keyes o o Lib. 6. : It was amongst other graces his naturall custome to vse poysonings , not onely to be revenged of his enemies , but also to dispoile the wealthy Cardinals of their riches : And this he spared not to doe against his dearest friend , till at the last , having a purpose at a banquet to poison divers Cardinals , and for that end appointed his Cup-bearer to giue attendance with wine made ready for the nonce ( who mistaking the bottle , gaue the poisoned cup to him ) was thus himselfe dispatched by the just judgement of God , that purposed to murder his friends ; that he might be their heire Thus far the historian : Now as in life , so is it not denied by my masters of Rome , but that the Pope may erre in his private opinions ; Nay Bosius ( though most affectionate to the Sea of Rome ) confesseth , p p Tom. ● . de signis eccles: lib. 28. cap. vlt. That hee may be an Heretike , as was Pope Honorius , whose heresie is condemned of record by q q Sinod . 6. act. 4.12.14 . Sinod . 7. act. vlt. Sinod . 8. act. 7. three lawfull Councels . Pope Iohn the 23. was condemned in the Councell of Constance , for maintaining the opinions of his master Epieurus , r r Concil: Constant . Ses. 11.12 . That there was no eternall life , no immortality of the soule , nor resurrection from the dead . Yet if Pope Alexander the sixth at leasure from his lewdnes , or Pope Iohn with his fellow , shal from their privat follies transforme themselues into publike teachers , and pronounce a resolution in any question , that may be moued of any article of Christian religion , purposely to direct the Church ; In this case , by the doctrine of my masters of Rome , you shall bee bound to beleeue them no lesse , than if God himselfe had taught you . To which purpose , Stapleton the Priest hath left this for a principle , s s Stapleton , praef. princip. ●●d . doctrin . That the foundation of our religion is of necessitie placed vpon this mans teaching , in which we heare God himselfe speaking . To this fallacie , vnder the Churclies name , they adde another , whereby they endevour to delude you , framed vpon a false position , namely this , That all our forefathers haue embraced the same religion in every point , which themselues professe and teach you : from whence they prepare a question , the which they recommend to their schollers to oppose adomnia : Shall we thinke our selues wiser then all our forefathers ? If a professor of Mahomets impieties ( which haue bewitched a great portion of the world , for many hundreds of yeares now past ) being perswaded by my masters of Rome to become a Christian , should question thus , shal I thinke myselfe wiser then my forefathers , for these thousand yeares now past , haue bin ? I know their judgement would serve them to reply , that he must not follow his forefathers , vnlesse they had beene followers of the truth of God : My masters of Rome will tell you , that this holds no resemblance with them , who dare giue you their words for assurance , that every article of their doctrine is derived from our Saviour Christ and his Apostles . Questionlesse their art of begging is but a vagrant fashion , but if it shal please you to see some trial of the truth of this , I dare presume it shall be made evidently to appeare vnto you in the presence of any that would oppose it that their principle concerning the Popes spirit of infallibility ( being the maine supporter of all religion at this day in the Church of Rome ) is not so ancient by many ages in the world , as is the Alcoran of that accursed Mahomet . If the foundation be proved new , what rule can they propose to secure your conscience for the antiquity of the building : their continued Priesthood , their daily sacrifice , their satisfactions for sinne , their workes of merit , their reall change in the Sacrament , their adoration of it , their mangled communion , their worship of Images , their prayers to Saints , their Auricular Confession , their Purgatory fire , with all that trumperie besides , which they tender vnder the name , and disguised habite of Church traditions ? Certainly all these are terrae filij : If they seeke to the Scriptures for their originall , they will be sent packing with we know you not : Possibly it may be demanded , what I thinke of our forefathers , who liued in the latter ages of the world , while these mists of Popery lay thicke vpon the face of the visible Church , in these Westerne parts : Were they damned all ? God forbid , that any man should be so savage to write or think so : I verily beleeve , and haue beene alwaies taught so , that as well the Church of England , as other of forraine parts , when the tyranny and corruptions of the Papacie did most oppresse them , were neverthelesse portions of Gods vniversall Church , and sent many soules to God . For even in these , when they were most obscured with errour and ignorance , yet all essentiall points of Christian doctrine were to bee learned , touching the invocation and worshippe of God , touching our redemption by Christ Iesus crucified , touching our observation of Gods commandements , & so the rest : so that concerning out forefathers this may suffice , that as wee are bound in Christian charitie , to hope the best of their salvation , that before vs embraced the faith of Christ ( though possibly divers of them might approue in grosse some errors of the time wherein they liued , never apprehending in particular the scope & meaning of them ) so yet is it no way safe for vs to make our forefathers our rule of faith . In the Church consisting of the Iewes before Christs comming into the world , the holy Prophets of God were so farre from making their forefathers a rule to follow , as that to the contrary we shal finde nothing more familiar with them , then to warne the people of God , That they walke not in the ordinances of their fathers . t t Psal. 78.8 . Not to be as their forefathers , a faithlesse & stabborne generation : a generation that set not their heart aright , &c. and to like purpose in sundry places . But for resolution of this point , it is our part to follow the direction of Saint Cyprian , that holy Martyr of the Church : u u Lib. 2. Epist. 3. If Christ onely bee to bee heard , not to listen what any man before vs hath thought fit to be done , but what Christ hath done , who is before all , for that wee are not to follow the custome of men , but the truth of God . My masters of Rome ( if there be no remedy ) will assent to this position of Saint Cyprian , marry then you must giue them leaue to begge and assume this truth of God , to bee the proper inheritance of the Bishop , and Church of Rome ; but if you shall deale so vnfriendly with them , as to presse them to shew their evidence , they wil trouble you with much discourse , but in the end , for your satisfaction , this answere must content you , or none at all , dixit Ecclesia , themselues will tell you so . The Pastors of the present Church of England , will likewise make claime of this truth of God , to rest with them ; but herein they wil deale more ingeniously with you , then the other , they will desire you to beleeue them no farther in this point , then by plaine demonstration out of Gods holy word they shall be able to make good their claime . In this confusion and difference betweene our teachers ( pretending of either side to haue the Church and truth of God ; and yet impossible , but that in so direct a contrarietie as resteth betweene them , of one side they must needs abuse vs ) possibly ( deare Mother ) you will aske , what meanes are left for vs , that are but learners in the schoole of Christ , to discerne betweene them ? To censure their doctrine by their liues and actions , were an vncertaine way , a reason whereof wee learne from Saint Chrysostome , an ancient Father of the Church : x x Homil. 49. in Matt. oper. imperf. Because whatsoever kinde of holines the servants of God haue in truth , the servants of Satan may have in likenes : for the divell hath his that be meeke and humble , that be chast , and giue almes , that fast , and doe every good deed , which God hath appointed for the salvation of mankinde ; and these formes of godlines hath the Divell brought in , to seduce vs ; that a confusion being made betweene good and counterfeit ; simple men , which know not the difference betweene goodnes indeed , and goodnes in shew , while they seeke the good servants of God , might light vpon the Divels seducements . Of this mind are likewise the learned of the Church of Rome , y y Part. 6. pag. ●9 . You know ( saith Master Harding in his confutation of Bishop Iewels Apologie ) it is no good argument to reason from manners to the doctrine : who would not hisse and trample you out of the schooles , if you make this argument : The Papists liues be faultie , Ergo , their teaching is false . I know that howsoever my master of Rome like not ( as you see ) to haue their doctrine measured by the line of their liues and actions , yet themselues will offer crooked measure in this kind : there is nothing more familiar with them in their publike writings , or private discourse with their schollers , that admire them , then to traduce and vilifie the Pastors of the Church of England , of whom certainly many there haue beene , and are of excellent merit and example in the Church , and no doubt but some in so great a number may be found scandalous in their places , who can expect no other , but a feareful judgement in the end . But if this were an argument , wee need not seeke for proofe from any adverse to the Church of Rome , but from their own records ; as for instance in one , I pray you ( deare Mother ) note , what Aventine a learned historian of their owne discloseth : z z Annal. lib. 6. in initio . The Pope setteth over the flocke of Christ goates , wolues , lustfull persons , adulterers , ravishers of Virgins and Nunnes , cookes , muleters , thieues , bankers , vsurers , drones , game hunters , lecherous , perfidious , periured , ignorant asses : He committeth the sheep to wolues and hypocrites , which only provide for their own bellies : Nay , hee setteth boyes and wantons to rule the lambes : I am ashamed to say what manner of Bishops we have : with the revenews of the poore they feede their hounds , horses , whoores , they quaffe , they loue , the fly learning as infection , &c. thus farre the Historian . But my masters of Rome will tell you , they haue an vndoubted way to assure you of the doctrine they teach you , to bee the truth of God ; which is , by meanes of the miracles , they boast to be frequent with them : I wil confesse ( if we may beleeve them ) it hath been as easie and familiar with them to worke a wonder , as it hath been with the Pope to make a Saint , and yet I must tell you , some doctors of his owne a a Canus , loc. l. 5. c. 5. q. 5. Concl. 3. Cajetan likewise . make doubt , whether al be Saints in heaven , that the Popes have canonized for such , and thrust into the Romane Calender . But to the miracles , which they can chalenge as proper to their Church , since their Bishops of that Sea haue ascended into the seate of their Vniversall Soveraignetie , if they were all true ( as for the most part questionlesse they are but fables & impostures , such as those of the Legend are observed to be , by men judicious , and learned among themselves , as Canus , that plainly stiles the writer of them b b Canus , loc. l. 11. c. 6. a man of a brasen face , and a leaden heart ; Espenceus that affirmes , c c 2. Tim. 4. digr. 25. No stable to be so ful of dongue , as the Legends are ful of lies ) yet could this prove no certaine meane to assure vs of the truth to be with them , seeing ( as Stapleton , one of their Priests confesseth ) d d Stapleton . prompt . mor: part : astiu : in Dominic 24. post Pentecost . For the more triall of the godly , not only Antichrist himselfe , and his forerunners ; but all heretikes also may doe true miracles , by the permission of God ; as the Sorcerers of Pharaoh did . And greater , I presume , my masters of Rome cannot boast of in these later times , then Baronius the Cardinall hath recorded to be done by Simon Magus , that instrument of the divel , e e Anno : 63. num. 22. That he made Images to walke , and would lye in the fire without hurt , that hee would flye in the ayre , and make bread of stones , that he could open doores fast shut , vnloose bonds of iron ; that hee had many shadowes following him , as it had bin men , &c. The like we may reade of others of that kinde . But for resolution of this point , I will here set downe a discourse of a learned Father , the which is well worthy of your observation : f f Chrysost: oper. imperf: num. 49. Since Heresies have gained place in the Church , there can bee no proofe of true Christianitie , neither refuge for Christians willing to know the truth , but the holy Scriptures : Hereto fore it was by many means declared which was the Church of Christ , and which was Gentilisme ; but now there is no way for those that are willing to know which is the true Church of Christ , but by the Scriptures only : wherefore ? because all those things that properly belong to Christ in truth , Heresies likewise haue in schisme : they haue churches , they haue the holy scriptures they haue Bishops & other orders of the Clergie : they have Baptisme , the holy Eucharist , and all other things , yea Christ himselfe : whosoever therfore is willing to know which is the true Church of Christ , how shal he know it in the confusion of so great resemblance , but by the Scriptures only ? Heretofore it was knowne by miracles , which were true Christians , which false : by what means ? The false , either could not work signes as the true Christians did , or at least not such as true Christians could : But now the working of miracles is wholly ceased , and it is observed , that counterfeit signes are more wrought with them that are false Christians : Nay Peter in Clement hath foreshewed , that Antichrist shal haue power giuen him to work true miracles . Heretofore by the outward conversation the Church of Christ might be knowne , when the lives of Christians , either all or the most part were holy , such as it was not with others : but now Christians are become as bad , or worse , then heretikes or Gentiles : nay there is a better outward carriage many times observed amongst those that are in Schisme , then amongst Christians . Hee therefore that would know which is the true Church of Christ , how should hee know it , but only by the Scriptures . Our Lord therefore knowing that so great confusion of things would happen in the last dayes , commands Christians , that desire to receiue assurance of true faith , to fly to nothing but the holy Scriptures . If they looke to other things they shall be scandalized and perish , not understanding which is the true Church , and thereby shall light vpon the abomination of desolation , which shall stand in the holy places of the Church , &c. Thus far St. Chrysostom . My masters of Rome ( howsoever they glose it ) like not the language of this learned Father . To wish them to expose their Church and doctrine , to bee judged by the holy Scriptures , were a hard saying , & with the Capernaites g g Ioh. 6.60 . in good reason they may tell you , they cannot beare it . But if St. Chrysostome had dealt so friendly with them , as in place of ( onely Scriptures ) to haue named the word of God , defining that word to consist as well of vnwritten traditions , as the written word ; & had withall assigned the Church of Rome , with her supreame Pastor , to be the trustie treasurer of vnwritten verities , and the only infallible interpreter of the written word , whereof the Cardinals conclusion might haue beene made good , h h Hosius de express . Dei verbo . pag. 38. That which pleaseth the Church is Gods expresse word ; and at the last resolving this Church into the Pope i i Vnder the name of church , we vnderstand her head , that is to say , the Rom. or bishop . Greg. de valent . in Tho. tom. 3. disput. 1. quaest. 1. punct. 1. alone , questionlesse they would haue taken it as a kindnes at his hands . But if he will insist vpon only Scriptures they will never giue over cavelling at this point : First they will tell him , k k Canus loc. l. 3. c. 3. that many things belong to Christian faith , which are contained in the Scriptures neither openly , nor obscurely : St Chrysostome it seemes was of another mind , who affirmeth , l l In Mat. hom. 45. That whatsoever is required to salvation is all , accomplished in the Scriptures , neither is any thing wanting there , that is needfull for mans salvation : which mooues another of the antients to advise , m m Isidorus Pelusiota lib. 1. ep. 369. That we refuse whatsoeuer is taught , vnlesse it bee contained in the volume of the Bible : a reason whereof , Cyril , a learned Father giues , n n lib. 72. in Ioh. haec autem scriptasunt , &c Because such things are written , as the Apostles saw suffïcient for our faith and manners . Possibly , if they be intreated much , in good nature they will acknowledge at the last , ( as Bishop the Seminarie doth in his Tract against M. Perkins of Traditions ) o o The scriptures containe not the resolution of difficulties which the learned must beleeue , if they will be saved : Bishop the seminary of traditions against Mr Perkins . That the doctrine of salvation ( at least so much as every simple Christian is bound to beleeue vnder perill of damnation ) is contained in the holy Scriptures ; though not so for himselfe , and his learned brethren : but then will they taxe the Scriptures with obscuritie , & discourage you from medling with them , vnder that pretense affirming , that they cannot be comprehended by the capacitie of the vulgar & vnlearned reader . To this I oppose the iudgement of S. Austin , who plainely tels vs p p Enarrat . i● Psal. 8. That God hath howed downe the Scriptures , even to the capacitie of babes and sucklings ; That when proud men will not speake to their capacitie , yet himselfe might . To like purpose S. Chrysostome , q q Homil. 3. de Lazaro . That God hath penned the Scriptures by the hands of Publicans , Fishermen , Tentmakers , Shepherds , Neatherds , and vnlearned men ; that none of the simple people might haue any excuse , to keep them from reading ; and that so they might bee easily vnderstood of all men , the Artificer , the Housholder , and widows woman , and him that is most vnlearned , &c. thus he . To the resolution of these learned Fathers , my Masters of Rome will reply with a question ; If the doctrine of salvation be so plainely proposed in the holy Scriptures ; how it should come to passe , that it is so diversely vnderstood ? Arrius reads it , & denies the divinitie of Christ ; Eutiches reads it , and denies his humanitie ; the Graecians read it , and esteeme it folly ; The Jewes read it , and are offended at it . It is read at this day in the Church of Rome , as likewise in the Church in the communion whereof wee liue , and different opinions are collected from it ; yet of either side , it is true , there are men of excellent gifts , both for wit , & learning . As if my Masters of Rome were ignorant , that wit and learning ( if not guided by the holy Ghost ) were so farre from being means to further vs to a right vnderstanding of Gods word , as that the more they abound in any man apart from grace , the more irrecouerable many times they plunge him into errour & delusion : for as the light of the Sunne though visible , yet is not discerned by a blinde man , even so , although it bee true ( which S. Austin teacheth ) r r De doctr. Christ . lib. 2. cap. 9. That those things which concerne our faith , & conversation , yea all things necessarie , are plainely , and manifestly set downe , in the holy Scriptures ; yet the doctrine of salvation contained in them , being the obiect of faith , not of witte , and humane learning ( which faith is the speciall worke of the holy Ghost in man ) and never rightly , and vsefully vnderstood , & beleeved of any , but such only , as sincerely applying themselues to the outward meanes of seeking instruction , by hearing , and reading Gods holy word , obtaine withal by hearty prayer , the direction of Gods blessed spirit : s s 1. Cor. 2.14 . for the naturall man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God , for they are discerned spiritually ( as the Apostle tels vs . ) My masters of Rome wil heere be carping with a question , whether every reader or hearer of the scriptures , may assure himselfe to haue the spirit of God ? I say not so , spiritus vhi vult spirat : but this I say , and am assured that I say the truth , t t Rom. 8.9 . that he that hath not the spirit of Christ , the same is none of his : and in an other place we are plainely taught , u u Rom. 8.14 . That they that are governed by the spirit of God , they are the children of God : from al which this conclusion wil cleerly follow , that as it is impossible for vs ( vnlesse by hearing , or reading , we acquaint our selues with the language of the holy scriptures ) to distinguish with the sheep of Christ , between the shepheards voice , and the voice of strangers ; so it is our part , seriously , and from the heart , to seeke to God to enlighten our understanding by the gift of his holy spirit ; without which , this everlasting word of life proues to none , but the savour of death to their eternall destruction My masters of Rome I presume will be intreated to acknowledge this , that there is no true servant of God , but hath in this life the holy Ghost for a pledge of his adoption e e Rom. 8.15.16 . which testifieth to his spirit that he is the child of God : and shame ( I thinke ) will not suffer them to make it questionable , whether this spirit of God , that was so powerfull with the blessed Apostles , as from vnlearned Fishermen ( as diverse of them were ) to enable them for teachers of the world , may likewise bee now of power , to prepare the heart of the simplest hearer , or reader of Gods holy word , truely to apprehend therein the mysteries of his salvation . But how shall any man ( say they ) be certaine , that he hath the spirit of god ? I must confesse , the truth of this is felt before it can be learned : yet as the man that hath his bodily sight being demanded how hee can bee certaine that bee hath his eyes ? could giue no other answer , but that by seeing he is assured that he hath his eyes ; and by his eyes he is assured that he sees ; even so the spirit of God being the eye whereby the soule discerneth in spirituall things , the inward light of vnderstanding in Gods faithfull seruants , apprehending and beleeuing the grounds of faith deliuered in the holy Scriptures , assures them , that they haue the spirit of God abiding in them , and by the same spirit revealing vnto them out of Gods holy word ( which is infallible the doctrine of salvation , their consciences are secured , that they vnderstand and beleeue the truth . Yet would I not be thought to hold , that every faithfull Christian in this life , did attaine to a perfect knowledge of all the deepe mysteries that are to be found within the booke of God : I knowe there is depth for the Elephant to swimme , and safe place for the Lambe to wade in , and it is most certaine , that ( since the Apostles , & Evangelists left the world ) the holy Ghost ( to hold the children of God in humility , & to moue them the more carefully to attend the subordinate meanes prescribed for the gaining of Christian learning , as fervent prayer , with diligence in hearing Gods word preached & taught by the pastors of his Church , and seeking to them for their helpe and instruction vpon all occasions of doubt , hath tempered their knowledge with such measure , as that they shall but vnderstand in part ; yet shall they never faile to vnderstand so much as shal suffice to bring them to a sauing faith . But here a question may be moued , seeing it is true ( as in part I haue noted ) that God by his ordinance hath assigned the ministery of the Church ( I meane the instructions of her Pastors , both private & pub-like ) to bee one meane , to bring his children to the knowledge of his truth , whether it be imposed vpon vs that are of the Laitie , and learners in Gods Church , as a duty , to beleeue the doctrine our Pastors teach vs , without examination ? My masters of Rome , if you shall bee pleased to demaund of them , whether it may bee lawfull for you to examine the doctrine they recommend vnto you , their answere you may see in the annotations of the Rhemish testament , y y Rhem : Annot. act. 17.11 . That you must not try , and iudge , whether your teachers doctrine be true or no , neither may you reiect that which you finde not in the scriptures . If you shal reply , and demaunde of them , to what purpose the holy Ghost then forwarned vs of false Prophets , that shal come into the world ; of ravenous Wolues , that shal invade the Church ; of seducers , that shal so plausibly carry themselues , as that they shal deceiue ( if possible ) Gods chosen children : they wil ful wisely tel you that al this hath no respect to them , who ( vpon their words wee may beleeue them if wee list ) are the true pastors of the Catholike church , which cannot erre ; whereas ( God wot ) like petty chapmen they vent no other , but the deceiptful wares of the great merchant , the Pope of Rome , vnder the counterfeit marke & name of the Catholike church . But to the point in hand , it is the precept of Christ in general to al his servants , z z Mat. 7.15 . That they beware of false Prophets , to a a ● . Ioh. 4.1 . try the spirits , not to beleeue every spirit . Al which of necessity must presuppose some examination , wherein we are not to follow our owne reason , fancie , or private spirit , but to be guided by that rule , which for this purpose the body Prophet doth direct , b b Esa. 8.10 . the testimony and the law : from precept if we passe to example , wee shal finde it recorded to the perpetual praise of the men of Berea , c c Sect. 17.11 . that when the Apostle preached Christ vnto them out of the law and the Prophets , they diligently searched in the holy scriptures , whether those things be delivered were so or no. And was it lawful & commendable in these good Christians to examine the doctrine . which was taught the by that elected vessel of God ; and wil these Lucifugi of Rome make you beleeue it s since for you to hold the like course with them : It may be my in afters of Rome for once wil beare with these men of Berea , and yet not approue their doing , as a rule to follow : Possibly they wil not stick to tel vs , that in the Churches infancie they were not so wel instructed in good manners , as since the scholler● of the Romame church haue bin : But shal women ( say they ) shal men vnlearned be fit & able to iudge of their pastors instruction ? I would know of these my masters , whether Lydia the purple seller , the woman of whom it is written , d d Act. 16.14 . That God opened her heart , were then fit & able to judge between the doctrine of the Pharifies refusing Christ yet advancing the law of Moses ; & the Apostles instruction ; the blessed messenger of the Gospell of Christ● were Priscilla with her husband Aquila , fit and able to judge of the doctrine of a worthy Pastor of the Church , e e Act. 18.26 . Whom , after they had heard , they tooke privately vnto them , and instructed in the way of God more perfectly ? Questionlesse if any Priscilla should be so bould at this day with the meanest of my masters of Rome , she should bee sent packing with the scornefull phrase of Scripturist , Scripturian , doctoresse , Apostolesse , or some such foolery : But Wisdome is justified of her children : wee are taught by the , blessed Apostle , f f 2. Tim. 3.16 . That the Scriptures are able to make vs wise vnto salvation ; & the Kingly Prophet accords with this and telleth vs , g g Psal. 19.8 . That the testimony of God is faithfull , and giueth wisedome vnto little ones . This wisedome my masters of Rome haue found fatall to them , and therefore , although for feare of the people , they dare not in plaine tearmes entertaine the holy Scriptures , ( when they are encountred with them ) with such a greeting , as Ahab that wicked King gaue the Prophet Elias , h h 1. Kin. 21.20 Hast thou found vs , o our enemie ? Yet is it worthy ( deare Mother ) of your obsertatiō , to note by what wily sleights & straines of wit they haue practised to depriue the world of all vse of them . First , they like not to have them translated into the vulgar tongue of euery nation , whereby the vnlearned and common sort might come to know them . To this purpose I pray you marke a Iesuites language : i i Azotius . Instit. tom. 1. l. 8. c. 26. It is demanded ( saith hee ) whether the sacred Scriptures may be translated into the mother tongue of every nation , that every one may the better reade & vnderstand them ? I answere that Lutherans & Calvinists are in that heresie , that they affirme the sacred Scripture ought to be translated into the vulgar language of all nations , against whom the Councell of Trent hath made a solemne decree : and with this Iesuite agrees our countriman Reynolds the Priest . k k Calvino-turcismus . p. 825. It seemes to me ( saith this Seminary ) that this prophane revealing of the divine misteries is odiously contrary to the will of God , and to the nature of the mysteries themselues . l l Ibid. p. 831. The manifold and great mischiefes , which by the translation of the Scripture haue risen against the Maiestie of God , against the holinesse of the Scripture it selfe , against the tranquilitie of States , against the faith and good conversation of men , should haue force enough vtterly to suppresse these translations , yea albeit they were supported by divine or Apostolicall authoritie : Thus he , My masters of Rhemes notwithstanding this ( wisely taking into their considerations m m In their preface to their translation of the new testament . the present time , state and condition of our countrey , vnto which divers things are either necessarie or profitable , and medicinable now , that otherwise in the peace of the Church were neither much requisite , nor perchance wholly toller able ) haue sent vs a translation , such as it is , yet durst they not send it abroad alone , but vnder safe custodie of their peevish Comment , which like a theefe lyes lurking by , to steale from the Reader the true sence of this holy word . Thus you may see , how vnwillingly and against their appetite , they haue beene brought to translate the Scriptures into our vulgar language : Their next sleight to bee noted , is the practise and devise they vse to restraine and discourage vs ( that are of the Laitie ) from reading in them : For whereas we finde it to haue beene familiar with Christ and his Apostles ( while they were conversant on the earth ) to direct their schollers with n n Ioh. 5.36 . search the scriptures , o o Luc. 10.26 . how readest thou , p p Coloss. 3.16 . Let Gods word dwell plentifully in you , & to such like purpose ; Peresius a Popish Bishop declaimeth thus , q q De tradit . p. 45. shall no bounds be set to popular , rude , and carnal men ? shall old men before they haue put off the filth of their minds , and young men that yet speake like children , bee admitted to read the Scriptures ? I suppose verily ( & my opinion fayles me not ) this ordinance vnder the pretense of piety was invented by the divell : Another of the same plume , to feare vs from reading Gods holy word , tels a story of certaine men , that were possessed of a divel ; r r Thirrac : de demoniacis , c. 21. th . 157. because being but husbandmen , they were able to discourse of the holy Scriptures . s s Index lib. prohibi : Pij . 4. Reg. 4. It is true that by the rule of Pope Pius the fourth , such of the Laitie may read the Scriptures as haue licence from their lawfull Ordinary so to doe . t t Ibid. But if any Lay person shall presume to looke into the holy Scriptures without such licence , he must knowe his penaltie to bee no lesse then to be dented the pardon of his sinnes : The late Pope Clement the 8. better belike considering , how well it went with their triple crowne , when they kept the Laity wholly from searching into the book of God ( as in u u Linwood in const. t. prov . l. 5. titulo de Magistris : § quin. times past they indeavoured ) carpeth at the rule of his predecessour , and resolueth at the last , x x The observa●●●●s of Pope Clement the 8. 〈◊〉 the r●le of Pope P●●● the 4. that notwithstanding this constitution of Pope Pius , Bishops haue no power at all to grant any such licence to the Laitie of reading Gods holy words . Neverthelesse betweene the enterfiering of these holy Fathers , it passes in priat by my Masters of Rhemes , y y In their ●●e● . to their transla● . of the new Testament . That such of the Laitie may be readers in Gods word , as are permitted by their Ordinaries vpon certificate from their parish Priest or Confessour , that they be humble , sober , and discreet persons , &c. But I beseech you note the vpshot of all . First , this discreet Lay reader must admit this for a principle , z z Hosius Confess . Polon . p. 385. That little of Gods word is committed to writing , That the greatest part of it is come to vs by tradition ; the which we must receaue from ours Catholike Mother declaring her selfe by the mouth of our holy father , the Pope of Rome : The next rule this discreet Lay reader must learne to follow , is , a a Concil. Trident . Sess. 4. That no man must giue any other exposition of Scripture , then such as might agree with the doctrine of the Crurch of Rome ; a reason whereof Andradius ( that great defendor of the faith of Trent ) can giue vs , because , b b Defens . sid. Trident. l. 2. All power to interpret the Scriptures , and reveale the hidden mysteries of our religion , is giuen from heaven to the Popes , and their Councells . Where , though the Councells be placed as a page to attend the Pope , yet the resolution of all is this ( as before I haue noted ) that if the Councell shall dissent in iudgement from the Pope , c c Sententia Papae praeferenda est sententiae omnium aliorum : Turrecremata : sum : de Eccle l. 3. c. 64. concl . ● . The iudgement of the Pope is to be preferred before the iudgement of all others ; saith the Cardinall Turrecremata . Of whom another writer of the Roman Church in plaine toarmes affirmeth , d d Zumel disp : var : tom : 3. pag. 49 : That he is the master of our faith , and cannot but attaine the truth of faith , nor can be deceaued or erre , if as chiefe Bishop , and master of the faith , he set downe his determination . From all which it is evident ( if you marke it well ) that although these e e Paulo 5. Vicedeo . &c. a dedication to the prefet Pope . Vicedet of Rome could never compasse wholly to suppresse the sacred Scriptures ( as with good discretion possibly they might haue bin contented , considering how eagerly this holy word pursues then still with hue & cry ; which was well obserued by Pope Leo the 10. when in his familiar discourse with his friend the Cardinall Bembus , he vttered this vnsavory speech ; f f Quantum lucri apportavit nobis & Curiae nostrae fabula ista de Iesu Christo : Baleus de act. Rom. pontif . in Leone . l. 7. what profit hath this fable of Iesus Christ brought to vs or our court ) yet by vnspeakeable sleights and art accompanied in these later ages of the world , with strange successe by Gods permission , they haue indevoured , to bring the sence of the holy scriptures in safe custody to themselues alone ; & then locking it fast with a rabble of grosse inventions ( styled the Churches traditions ) in the closet of their breasts , of both together they haue ingeniously framed the ladder wherby they haue mounted into the throne of their vsurped soveraignety , in spiritual , and earthly dominion ; & then taking vpon themselues alone to be the only never-erring oracles of Christian religion , when their children haue come to craue bread of them , in place of that they haue given them stones ; wherewithal neverthelesse for g g Although the Pope being negligent of his own and others salvation , drawe with him innumerable soules to hell , there to bee tormented for ever ; yet may no mortall man repraue him for it , for that he is to iudge all men , & himselfe to bee iudged of no man : dist. 40. si Papae . manners sake their hungry soules must rest contented , although in the meane time they pine to death for want of the true food of life . Possibly you wil thinke I write in humor , and misreport them : O that I might be so happy , as that you would giue me leaue , to avow the truth of these things before you , in the presence of any one of my masters of Rome , that would oppose it : They wil tel you , they may not be seene without peril of their liues , as the case stands with them at this day in England ; and it is true , that the lawes sound out severity against them , but in execution they finde them remisse enough : for my part I know , from my first acquaintance with them , they can equivocate in apparel , as wel as language ; and seeme to bee any thing , saving what they are ; & for this purpose , I would surrender my iudgement to mine eies , and take them for such , as their habit should declare them . God is witnes with me I mallice not their persons , I will confesse I cannot but condemne their craft , and pitty such as are inchaunted by them . The truth is they are cruel Iaylors , and mure vp your vnderstanding in these things , as their close prisoner ; wel knowing , that if once they giue you but libertie to heare freely what might be said against them , they are sure to loose you . I beseech you ( deare Mother ) for the loue you beare to God , to thinke maturelie of this great affaire . It concernes your soule , & that for eternitie ; and your day of preparation , by the course of nature , is far declining . Certainly the fault of my masters of Rome ( who mislead you ) is inexcusable , yet wil not their fault proue your excuse : The account for your soule wil be required at your own hands : ignorance ( without question ) will prove no answere at the judgement day : It is not only a feareful sin , when it misleads vs from the way of our salvation , but a grievous punishment that pursues mankind for the first transgression . I know your zeale to the service of God is great , but zeale without knowledge carries with it in the holy Scriptures a just reproofe : I cannot expect you should vpon my saying abandon the religion you haue so long embraced , this only shall be my humble request , & that for his loue that suffered a bitter & ignominious death , to bring vs to a life of glory and eternity , that you would resolve speedily , to lend an indifferent eare to some debate of this point , by persons learned of either side , for which purpose ( although the meanenes of my condition may chalenge nothing from this state of merit ) yet would I hope to finde the favour , for so charitable a worke , as the good of a soule , which a kingdome cannot redeeme , that some learned Priest of the Romish fashion , without perill of the lawe might be suffered to haue accesse to you ; so that you would be willing to admit with all the presence of some moderate , graue , and learned man of the contrary part , betweene whom , if it might please you to stand but attentiue with a mind free of preiudice , my hope would be , and my vnfained prayer should concurre with it , that God would bee pleased to open your heart , as he did of Lydia that good woman , and make you able to discerne betweene his truth delivered in his holy word , and the impostures of the present Church of Rome . If you should consult herein with any one of my masters of Rome , I know he would disswade you from this course ; he would sing Syrene-like , pretending this care , that it is not now safe for you to disquiet your conscience with questions of this kind ; wheras in truth his aime only would be , to hold you stil a captiue in the bonds of error , ignorance & security . But God ( I trust ) in his good time wil disappoint their drifts , to whom from my heart I will daily pray ( as charity , conscience and duty binds me ) that in mercy he wil be pleased to direct your good intention with a true vnderstanding of his will ; that so your commendable desire of salvation ; being accompanied with a right endeavour in the way , may carry you through this pilgrimage of sorrowes , into the place of everlasting joyes .