VNDERSTANDING by good intelligence , of the generall well liking , and gratefull acceptation , that your Honors and Worships haue had , of the Booke of Meditations , of the Reuerend Religious Father F. Lewis de Granada , published of late by me in our English tong , and dedicated vnto you , I haue bin thereby much the rather prouoked to dedicate also vnto you this booke of the same Godly Author , A commendation of this booke . intituled A Memoriall of a Christian life : which among all his bookes of deuotion , is accounted most profitable for all sortes of persons : because it containeth all such godlie instructions , as are necessary for euery Christian , from the time of his conuersion , from his sinfull life , vntill he attaine vnto the perfection of a Christian life .

And truelie , the Methode & order that the Author hath taken therein is so excellent , and the doctrine and instructions ●o singulerly wel treated , for direction both of the learned and vnlearned in spirituall life , ( wherin the Author hath very discreetly framed his stile to serue both their capacities , and especially of the vnlearned , ) that diuers godly learned Diuines intending to treat in like manner of the same arguments , haue plainely , & with great humility confessed , that he writeth with such a rare vertuous spirit , and hath such a singuler gift in explaning his instructions , and in pearcing the hart of a Christian reader , with his zelous godly aduises , & perswations , that they haue therefore eyther a bridged or translated his bookes , and directed them vnto diuers noble vertuous personages , that requested them to treate of those matters .

And for mine owne opinion , hauing read a great number of spirituall bookes in diuers languages , ( all worthy certainly of great commendation , ) yet could I neuer find any , whose spirit and wise order of writing hath so well liked my taste , and iudgement , as this godly Authors books , and especiallie this Memoriall of a Christian life .

In which booke he is greatly to bee commended , for that in treating therein of the due reformation of our liues , and consequently of the whole Christian State , he hath followed the godly order of proceeding of S. Iohn Baptist , Mat . 3. ver . 2.6.8 Mar. 1.5.15 . Mar. 6.12 . Luk . 13.1.5 Luk . 24.47 . Acts. 2.38 . Act. 19.18 . Act. 26.20 . Heb . 6.1 . and of our Sauiour Christ , & of all his Apostles , Bishopes and Priests , in founding the Christian religion in all countries , that haue bin conuerted to the faith of Christ : I meane by preaching to the people , to doe Pennance for their sinnes , and to Confesse them , & to shew fruits worthy of Pennance , by doing austere painefull workes of Satisfaction for them .

And would God , that the late Apostatas , Luther , Zuinglius , Oecolampadius , Caluin , Beza , and other their Schollers , pretending now to be reformers of Christs Catholicke church in this our corrupt age , had followed the same godly order of proceeding in their manner of preaching Reformation .

For in my simple iudgement , the right assured way to reforme christendome , being at this present so far corrupted in euery country , is not by force of Armes , nor by terrour , and constraint of grieuous penall lawes , for feitures , confiscations , and executions , with terrible deaths : because the christian common wealth in such a generall corruption of all estates cannot by any other meanes bee duely reformed , maintained and preserued , The right assured way to reforme christendome but by such as it was at the first founded , and increased . As by the Bishops and Pastors preaching of Pennance , contempt of the world , mortification of the flesh , and giuing themselues apparant good example thereof to the common people , and shewing more christian charitable zeale in their deeds , than in their words , which was the godly order of proceeding of the Apostles , and auncient holie Bishops their Successors , in founding and increasing the christian religion in the Primitiue church .

And the like godly order of proceeding for Reformation of the christian State , hath in some ages afterwards bin vsed by S. Benedict , S. Barnard , S. Dominicke , S. Frauncis , and by all the saints , which haue in their times by their wonderfull extraordinary godly example of leading holy penitentiall liues , in vtter contempt of the world , & mortifying their flesh , by continual fasting , watching , praiing , wearing of haire cloth , disciplining and whipping their bodies , and other austere vsage thereof , conuerted many thousandes in euery countrey of christendome , some from Schisme , and Heresie , and some from their dissolute licentious carelesse liues , whereby the whole christian State that seemed in their times in a manner incurable , and vnpossible to be reformed , Not one of the auncient Christians that builded our Churches Colledges , & other ho●… foundati●… ns , were of the Caluenists religion . did recouer a godly reformation , & thereupon deuotion hath in such wise generally increased among al christian people , that they haue builded such a number of goodly churches , chappels , Monastaries , Hospitals , Colledges , and other holy foundations in euery christian countrie , remayning euen ●et for the most part vntill this our time . So as our ●auiour Christ hath bin much glorified by the same & the christian Religion held in wonderfull admira●ion , euen amo●g the Iewes , Turkes , Sarasins , an● other Infidels , that were otherwise professed deadly enemies vnt● it .

But we see that the ●●t● Apostatas , L●ther , Zuinglius , Caluin , Beza , and ot●er new preten●ed reformers of Christes Cathol●●ke church , would in no wi●e followe the auncie●t h●lie Bishops , Pastours , and Religions persons , & oth●r saints in their godly order of proceeding for Reformation of the christian State , and the●efore their fruits haue proued accordingly . For these late Apostatas , hauing addicted them-selues vtterly to discredit all the auncient vertuous Bi●hops , Pasto●rs , & Gouernours of Christs Catholicke Chur●h , in all ages and countries since Christes time , yea and most of the christian doctrines beleeued and p●ofessed by our auncient holie forefathers , haue maliciouslye endeuored , by procuring Schismaticall innouations in religion in diuers countries of Christendome , & by infecting the ignorant artificers , and other simple people , with their new hereticall licentious doctrines , to abolish away thereby the Catholicke religion , and in place thereof to found a new deuised politike licentious Religion , Note that in our age , the seuerall for - consisting of manifold different sects , that as professed enemies to al vnity , & vniformity in religion among there , by the Prnce in all Monarchies . in all spirituall and ecclesiasticall thinges or causes , of whatsoeuer Sexe , Age , or Religion the Prince is , yea , albeit the Prince bee but a succking babe in his or her cradle , and cannot speake , and consequently cannot directe all the Archbishops , Bishops , and Pastors , within his or her Monarchie , in gouernement of all their churches in all spirituall , and Ecclesiasticall thinges or causes .

And in all free cities ( where many Magistrates doe gouerne the common wealth ,

Gouernment of the church by manie Magistrates in all fre cities . Caluin . in his Institutions . li. 4. Cap. 3. Sect . 8. Beza in his booke of diuorces page . 161

Most Caluinists wold haue theyr Churches to be gouerned by the Ministers and Seniors in euery parish Church , exempted from all authority of Bishops Archbishohs Pope , and ●… l others , & ●… one to con●… role them but onely God .

And yet Caluin and Beza , and all the caluinists of the citties of Geneua , Rochel , and of all other caluinisticall citties in Fraunce and Sauoy , as also , all the caluinisticall Ministers in Scotland , Holland , Zeland , Flaunders , and in all other of the Seauenteene Prouinces of the Low Countries , and all the Puritans of England , will haue their new churches gouerned perpetually in all Monarchies , Cities , Townes , and Villages throughout christendome , not by anye Prince , Magistrates , or other Gouernours of their common-wealthes , albeit they bee Caluinistes : but only by the Minister , and a Consistory of Seniors , in euery seuerall Parish church , which be commonly artificers , and craftesmen , that in regard of their vehement furious zeale vnto noueltie , and heresie , are specially chosen to bee gouernors of their new churches . And so euery light headed Minister , ioyned with a few ignorant Sineors men of occupation or husbandry ( moste parishes hauing none other ) would rule as it were a Pope and so many Kinges , or rather tirants in euery seuerall parish church , that thereby they may haue free liberty of theyr loose consciences , daylie to deuise , coyne , and set forth to the common simple people , newe hereticall opinions , and innouations in Religion , without any controlement of any Prince , Bishop , Archbishop , or Pope , eyther for heresie tirranie , or any other wickednes , and none to correct and controle them for the same but onely God . Which tumultuous forme of gouernmet of euery parish church by Seniors , would ingender in euery country & state , as many schi●maticall factions & sects in religion , as there bee seuerall parish churches , & therefore it is vtterly misliked , not onely by all the politicke Caluenists of England , and Lutherans of Denmarke & Swethland , but euen also in all the Lutheran Princes countries , and Protestanticall Cities of Germany . Yea , and the cittie of Zuriche likewise , Gualter in his Commentaries vppon 1. Cor . notwithstanding they be zealous Zuinglians , will in no wi●e admitte that disorderly , & contemptible forme of gouernment by Seniors , in any of theyr pretended reformed parish churches , as Gwalter the Minister afformeth . And in all Popular States , ( as among most of the Switzers , Gouernement of the church by all the people equally in all popular States which were a monstrous ●umultuous head of the church without a bodie . And though such imperfection of equall gouerment by al the people may be permitted in gouernment of some common wealth , ye● the like cannot bee in gouernment of the church in any countrie , without most horible confusion to the church . Gen. 4. v. 7. Psa . 83. ve● 11 . Psal . 94.8 . Mat . 23.37 Luk . 10.42 . Acts. 7.51 . Rom. 12.21 Ad Philemonem . 14. Apo. 22.17 . Caluin vpon S. Mat . 27. Ezech . 18. verse . 24.26 Psal . 5.7 . Psalme . 50.12.13 . Mat . 6 . 24. ●… ohn . 8 . 34. ●… uk . 7 . 37. ●… om . 12. ve . 2 . 23. 〈…〉 . cor . 3 . 16.7. ●… phe . 4 . 30. 〈…〉 . Iohn . 3. v. 〈…〉 . 15 . ●… eh . 3.14 . Apo. 21 . 7.8 ●… he Puri●… ans in their ●… irst reply a●… ainst D. ●… bitgift p. 34. affirme ●… hat it is all ●… ne to haue ●… aith , & to ●… ee Elect of God : but Si●… on Magus ●… eleeued , & ●… et hee was ●… ot elected . ●… ee Acts. 8 . ●… ers . 22 . 24. ●… nd See D. Whitgiftss ●… efence . pa. 611. 243. Mat . 16.17 Si vis ad vitam ingredi serua mandata . and Grysons , ) where all the people haue all equall authoritie , and voyces in gouernment of their common-wealthes , and doe all gouerne in common , thereby the English caluinists newe deuised politicke doctrine , all the common people must be equally Head of the church , as they are all equally head of the common-wealth , and so no body at all vnder the head , which were a monster . By meanes of which newe pretended reformation of the gournment of Christes catholicke church , ( which before our wicked age was not variable in euery countrey and state , but vniforme in all christian countries , and states , ) the caluinists haue and , and doe yet still endeuour fowlie to deforme Christes catholicke church in all countries and states throughout christendome , with moste horrible diuision of ●undrie sectes , and heresies , tending all to a meere confusion , and plaine Atheysme , vnder the gay colour , and deceitfull pretence of reforming Christs church in euery countrey and state , according to the puritie of the Gospell .

And to proue moreouer , that the wicked intention of these late Apostatas , is vtterlie to abolish and change the state of Christs catholicke church , and not to reforme it , it appeareth plainly by their preaching of so many hereticall dissolute licentious doctrines in Germany , England , Fraunce , Scotland , Holland and Zealand , whereby they began in this our wicked age their new order of pretended reformation of Christs church , not by preaching of Pennance as Saint Iohn Baptist and Christs Apostles , and the ancient godly Bishops their Successors did : but by teaching the people diuers curious heretical new doctrines concerning predestination , & reprobation , and perswading them contrary to the holy scriptures , that man hath no free will : nor that any christian is able with the assistance of the grace of God to keepe God his commandements , & that a christian ought not to be afraid of his account for his workes at the dreadfull day of iudgement : for that as they falsely teach , Christ will not examine the sinnes of christians at the day of iudgement , but that onely Faith iustifieth a man before God , and onely Infidelitie condemneth before God , and no other sinne whatsoeuer shall condemne any christian , hauing Faith in Christ , whether it bee sacriledge , incest , murder , adultery , fornication , theft , periurie , vsurie , nor any other sinne , be it neuer so horrible . And that all the sacrileges , sodomites , incestes , murders , adulteries , theftes , periuries , and all other horrible sinnes committed by anie of the Elect & Predestinate of God , ( as euery one of the Lutherans , Caluinists , Puritanes , and Anababtists hereticall sects doe assure them selues most certainely to be of that number , ) doe not at the very same time when they commit them , put them out of the grace and fauour of God , and that ( as the Puritan Caluinists doe affirme ) it is all one to haue faith , and to be elect of God : & that therfore euery christian ought to beleeue and assure himselfe most certainely , & infallablie , yea , euen as certainely and infallably as he beleeueth that there is a God , that by his only faith in Christ , he is iustified in the sight of God , and is also one of the Elect & Predestinate of God vnto saluation . These and other the like condemned hereticall doctrines , preached and defended now openly in bookes and pulpets , by these new pretended reformers of Christs catholike , church haue perswaded an infinite number of christian people , both in our Realme of England , & in diuers other countries , to account the way of vertue to be impossible , and consequently not to endeuour to follow the same , and that they are not bound ( as our Sauiour Christ requireth of them in the Gospell ) to keepe God his commandements , nor to be sorrowfull for theyr sins : yea , and withall , that christians neede not so long as they haue faith in Christ , to pray daylie to God to graunt them pardon & remission of their sinnes : but according to the new doctrine of iustification by only faith in Christ , ( taught now by these new pretended reformers , ) to account the daylie saying of our Lords praier , called the Pater noster , & praying to God daylie therein to graunt vnto christians pardon of their sins by saying daylie vnto him , dimitte nobis , debita nostra : forgiue vs our sinnes , to be as vaine & as idle a prayer for a faithfull christian to pray daylie to God , as to pray dayly to God to graunt him Baptisme , or any other request , which he is most certainely assured that God hath already graunted vnto ●im . Forsomuch as christians are now taught by the●e new gay reformers , to belieue most certainely & infalliblie before they begin to pray to God , by ●aying our Lords prayer , Beza in lib contra Sycophantam ai●… Tam certi sumus nos 〈◇〉 Deo electo quam si presentes aeterno illius consilio interfuissemus . dimitte nobis debita nostra , forgiue vs ( O Lord ) our sinnes , that by their only faith in Christ they are alreadie iustified in the sight of God , and that they are of the number of the Elect and Predestinate of God to saluation . Whereupon it followeth consequently , ( if this their new licentious doctrine were true , ) that neither Christs Apostles had any neede , nor christian people need not now , so long as they haue saith in Christ , to say dailie our Lords praier , for to pray to God dailie therein , to graunt vnto them pardon and forgiuenes of their sinnes , ( according as our Sauiour Christ himselfe in the Gospell hath commanded them , Mat . 6. ver 12. ) in case they be most certainely and infallibly assured before they begin to pray , that they haue alreadie obtained the same of God , by their onlie faith in Christ .

And therefore let no man maruaile , that these new Preachers doe neuer preach to the people , to doe pennance for their sins , and to fast and pray for them , In the Printed Englis●… book of disputation with F. Campion in the Tower , in the fourth dayes conference● folio . 102. Dd iiij . Gen. 15. ve . 1.15 . Exod . 33. ver . 17.19 . 4. Reg . 1. Luke . 1.28.30 . Luk . 10.20 Ioha . 14.3 . Iob . 9.28 . Rom. 8.17 . 2. Cor . 4.10 Gal● . 5.24 . 1. Cor . 11.13 . Luke . 9.23 . 1. Iohn . 2.6 . Phil . 2.12 . 1. Cor . 9.27 Psa . 118.120 . Iob . 31.14.23 . Ioel . 2.11 . Amos . 5.18 Mat . 12.36 Mat . 16.27 Lu . 12.4.5 . 2. Cor . 5.10 Apoc . 14. ve . 6.7.13 . Apo. 22.12 seeing all their Doctrines beeing wholly grounded vppon theyr new hereticall licentious doctrine of iustification by only faith , ( which new Doctrine they now tearme to be the soule of theyr new caluinisticall church , ) are directlie contrarie to dooing of Pennance , and vnto all kinde of spiritual exercises of an austere vertuous life , and doe breed in all their followers only an arrogant presumption of security of their owne peculiar election , Predestination , Iustification , and Saluation , whereby they are moued to sing Psalmes in their Schi●maticall congregations , and at home , onely to thanke God for the same . As though almighty God had reuealed vnto euery Caluinist and Puritan , by such a speciall diuine reuilation , that euery one of them is of the number of the Elect , and predestinate vnto saluation , as hee reuealed by a speciall diuine Reuilation vnto some few of his Saintes , as vnto Abraham , Moyses , Elias , and to the most blessed Virgin the mother of God , and to the Apostles , that they were Elect and predestinate to be saued : and as though all Caluinists & Puritans were already raigning & triumphing in this mortall life with our Sauiour Christ in hys glorious kingdome of heauen , and need not here in this vale of miserie , to mortifie theyr rebellious flesh , and to iudge themselues , and to carrie dayly their Crosse , and to worke their saluation with feare and trembling , as all christians are commanded in the holy scriptures , and as though there were no day of iudgement for christians to expect & feare in regard of their sins .

And it is wonderfull , that the diuell hath so bewitched these Apostatas of our time , that hauing so arrogantly presumed without any lawfull vocation and authoritie of the gouernours of Christs catholicke church , and before they haue reformed their owne liues , to pretend to reforme all the Ecclesiasticall state of Christs catholicke church , and hauing proceeded therein with such a new & strange order of preaching of reformation , grounded vpon their new hereticall licentious doctrine of iustification by only faith , contrary to the order of preaching of pennance , and of confession , of & austerity of life , vsed by S. Iohn Baptist , In D. Whitgifts defence against the Puritans . page . 176. See the Puritans Epistle to the church of England , in their second reply against D. Whitgifts defence . The fruites of the caluists religion . and by our Sauiour Christ , and his Apostles , & the ancient christian Bishops and Pastors of the Primitiue church , and now perceauing themselues by their own palpable experience , as both the Caluinists and Puritans in England , doe in their printed bookes plainly confesse , that the people of our Realme are not more sanctified in their liues by their newe order of pretended reformation , than they were before their Schi maticall departure from the vnitie and obedience of Christs catholicke church , but are & doe dayly grow still worse and worse in pride , arrogancie , blasphemy , glotony , drunkennes , adulterie , periurie , vsurie , detraction , lying , and in al kind of deceitfull and false dealing , yea , euen vnto a contempt of all the holy misteries of the christian Religion , and to be vtterly careles of their owne saluation , and to become Atheists , yet will they proceed in their new disorderly manner of reformation of Christs church , and with an intollerable shamefull impudencie , doe so proudly vaunt and bragge in vaine commendation of themselues , and of their new caluinisticall religion , euen in a printed English book published of late with priuiledge against the Puritans , See D. Whitgifts defence against the Puritans . page . 472. 473. 526. that they affirme therein without blushing , that their new caluenisticall Bishops ( notwithstanding they be notoriously knowne to be exceeding fleshly , and couetous ) are for honesty of life , not only to be compared vnto , but euen also to be preferred before the auncient holy Bishops of the Primitiue church : And also that no Bishoppes in any age since the Apostles time haue taught and held so sound and perfect doctrine , as their new Bishops in England doe at this time , and that their doctrine in England at this day is much more perfect and sound , by many degrees , than it was in any age since the Apostles time : and that the Sacraments be now more sincerely ministred in England , than they were in S. Iustine , Tertullian , & S. Cyprians time , being so neare the Apostles .

Whereas , if ( as our Sauiour Christ himselfe affirmeth ) euery tree must be knowne , Mat . 12. ver . 33. Luk . 6.44 . Mat . 7.19 . and iudged by his fruite , and euery tree that beareth not good fruite ought to be cut downe , & cast into the fire , verilie , if we compare the euill fruites , that haue proceeded in this age from the tree of this newe caluinisticall pretended reformed religion , Wee may iudge whether the catholicke religion or caluinists religion be good or euil by theyr fruites , that haue proceeded from them . & professors thereof , with the good gratious Christian fruites , that haue from age to age proceeded from our ancient christian forefathers , who liued & died in former ages in the faith , vnitie , and obedience of the catholicke religion , and haue so manifestly approued it , and glorified Almightie God in it by their so manifold good christian fruites , and holie charitable works , hauing built in all christian countries , so many goodly churches , chappels , and religious houses for the seruice of God , so many hospitals for reliuing the poore , so many colledges for maintenance of poore mens children in their studie for learning , with so many other holy foundations for marrying of poore young Virgins , and for other workes of pietie , & charitie , the which these new pretended reformers of Christs church haue , and doe yet endeuour to the vttermost of of theyr power , to deface , destroy , and plucke downe , as supersttious , and hipocriticall works , insomuch that all the Estates of our realme perceauing by experience , that their new Bishops & Ministers are not Spirituall men , but very worldlings , and no reformers of the Church ( as they guilefully promised to our whole realme , ) but manifest deformers , destroyers , and pluckers downe of the church , and doe seeke only to inrich themselues , their wiues , and children , with the spoyle & ruine of our churches , and Ecclesiasticall liuings , haue therefore complained very grieuously of them in an Act of Parlaiment lately agreed vpon , and published in print with the full consent of all their said new Archbishops , In the Acts of Parliament , Anno 13. Reginae Eliza . cap . 10. &c. 17. and Bishops that haue accused them therein of many horrible wicked crimes , to the perpetuall infamie of them , and of all other their new Ministers , and pretended reformers of Christs church , vide licet , that they haue euen now of late yeares not only suffered the ancient Pallaces , Mansion houses , and other buildings belonging to their Ecclesiasticall liuings , to runne to great ruine , & decay , and in some places vtterly to fall downe to the ground , conuerting the timber , lead , and stones , to their owne priuate lucre , and commoditie : but haue also made deedes of gift , and coulourable alenations , and other conuayances of their goodes & cattels , in their liues time , of purpose to defeate , & defraud their Successors of their iust actions & remedies against their Executors , and Administrators : And haue likewise made long and vnreasonable leasses , and vsed corrupt and indirect dealinges , in transferring Ecclesiasticall liuings to other vses : And haue graunted Pentions , and Rents out of them , to the great defacing of the Ecclesiasticall State , and decay of spirituall liuings , and Hospitallitie , and vtter impouerishing of all their Successors , and to the euill president , and example for others . All which most shamefull dishonest dealinges , being euident demonstrations of their euill consciences , and dishonest liues , and consequently of the euill fruites of their caluinisticall licentious religion , and being also very far different from the godly deuotion , and carefull prouision of building and mainteining of such a number of churches chappels , monistaries , hospitals , colledges , and other holie foundations , which the auncient godly Bishops & Pastors had , that liued in the Primitiue church , and in all ages afterward , vntill these late Apostatas began their new pretended Euangelicall reformation of the church in this our corrupt age , if I say we will be indifferent Iudges , and giue iudgement according to the fruites that haue proceeded from both the religions , we must needes say & affirme , that the auncient catholicke religion is a good blessed holy christian tree , Luk . 6. ver . 43.44 . Non est arbor bona , quae facit fructus malos : neque arbor mala , faciens fructum bonum : vnaqueque enim arbor de fructu suo cognoscitur . for that it hath brought forth in all christian countries , such a infinite number of good christian holy fruites , to the honour and glory of our Sauiour Christ , and of his deare and louing spouse the catholicke church , & that this new caluinisticall pretended reformed religion appeareth now euidently to all men , that be not vtterly bewitched with their licentious Heresies , to be a cursed euill tree , hauing brought forth euen now in the prime , and first springing forth of their new caluinian church , such an infinite number of most horrible stincking pestilent weedes , & of so wicked & scandalous axamples , that it is now manifest euen to Hell it selfe , that our Sauiour Christ hath cursed that tree , I meane their new caluinisticall pretended reformed religion , as hee did the vnfruitfull figtree mencioned in the Gospell , Mat . 21. vers . 19. becau●e it beareth only leaues of bare wordes of the Gospell , and no manner of good fruite , worthy the name of christian fruit . But what excuse think your Honours and Worships , is now alleadged by the schollers of these Apostatas , to withhold them still from reconciling them-selues vnto the auncient christian religion of our holy christian forefathers ? Of late one of their chiefest Ministers in England , treating for Pacification in religion betweene them and vs , in an English booke , examined , allowed , & published openly in print in the citty of London with priuiledge , M. Edmund Buny Minister , in his Treatise of Pacification . There was neuer any church before Luthers Apostacie , that had the like variable formes of gouernment & like doctrines , and like order of ministration of Sacraments , as the caluinists new Scismaticall church hath at this daie . If they can finde out a like Church to theirs herein in any former age , I offer to be then a Caluinist . and dedicated vnto their Archbishop of Yorke , blameth many of his own fellowes of indiscreete zeale , for vrging their separation and departure from our catholicke church , and for denying vs and them to be all of one true Catholicke and Apostolicke church . For that ( saith hee ) otherwise we make our selues answerable for to finde out a seuerall and distinct church from them , from which wee discend , which hath continued from the Apostles age to this present : els ( saith he ) that needes we must acknowledge , that our church is sprung vp of late , or at least since theyrs . I protest before God , that I am verie hartily glad to vnderstand by this printed English Treatise for a Pacification in Religion , that the new caluinisticall Archbishops , and Bishops of England doe now at the length so solemnely recant , and vtterly mislike the Apologie of their new church of England , published also in print , both in Latine and English , in the first beginning of her Maiesties raigne , with like aduise and allowance of all their new Archbishops and Bishops . In which Apologie of their new English church , vpon indiscreete zeale , as now it is plainely confessed by them in print , & vpon a dispitefull rancour , and enuie against the Bishop of Rome , and other Catholicke Bishoppes , for condemning the chiefe authors of their newe Sects , for Schismaticks and Hereticks , and burning diuers of them for the same , they then vrged , and protested very vnaduisedly , and passionately , to defende their separation and departure from our Catholicke and Apostolike church , as from the church of Antichrist .

But being now ( God bee thanked ) so plainelie granted & confessed by them , in an English booke allowed and published in print with Priuiledge , & sold openly and freely , now more than a whole yeare together , vnto all our whole realme , for an ouerture of a Pacification , & Reconciliation in religion betweene them and vs , that our church is the true Catholicke and Apostolike church of Christ , and sithence all the caluinists will needes be accounted now faithfull members of our true Catholicke & Apostolicke church , and perswade vs whether we will or no , that they be neyther departed , nor separated , nor deuided from our true Apostolicke Church , notwithstanding their proclaymed manifest Schisme , and disobedience , with sundry damnable Sectes and Heresies , and apparant Schismaticall departure , separation , and diuision from vs , by their new variable gouernment of theyr churches in euery country and state , and new schismaticall deuised order of ministration of Sacraments , and by their open despitefull rayling these many yeares in all theyr pulpits and bookes , The Calui●… ists chiefe ●… xcuse , and ●… mpediment why they ●… efuse a pa●… ification , & reconci●… iation with Christes Ca●… holicke and Apostolicke ●… hvrch . Ioel . 2. ver . 12. Mar. 2.20 Marke . 13.33 . against our church , and cruell persecuting of all the Pastours , Bishoppes , Archbishoppes , and other gouernours thereof , yea , & of all others that professe the doctrines of our Catholicke Religion , calling them all members of the church of Antichrist , and of Satan , as the experience is notorious vnto all the world , let vs heare yet , what they alleadge in their Treatise of pacification for one of their chiefest impedimentes , why they refuse now to ioyne in religion with our true Catholicke and Apostolicke church .

For that ( say they in this Treatise of pacification ) among other thinges they should then bee bounde to Confession and Pennance : which thinges say they are burdensome , and abhorring from mans nature . Let vs admit now , that in the regard of the corruption of mans nature they bee so indeede , in like manner as all other spirituall exercises are , that tend to the mortification of our flesh , as fasting , Luke . 5.35 . Luke . 18.1 . Mat . 12.36 Mat . 16.27 Lu . 12.4.5 . 2. Corint . 5. ver . 10.11 . Matt . 10. ver . 32.33 . Luke . 14. ver . 26.33 . Mat . 5.44 . watching , long prayers , and the feare of our account at the dreadfull day of iudgement , and the feare of the paines of hell , and to haue a willing minde to loose all our landes and goods , yea , & our life also , in defence of the honour of our Sauiour Christ and his catholicke religion , and not to bee reuenged of our enemies and persecutors , but to pray for them , and loue them : all which vertuous acts our Sauiour Christ in the Gospell requireth of all christians , besides their faith , howsoeuer mans nature abhorreth them , as burdensome vnto it .

But to comfort nowe these zealous men , that seeme to bee so desirous of vnity in one vniforme christian faith , and religion among all christians , in all christian countries throughout christendome , and are so greatly hindred in their so earnest desire of a Pacification , and reconciliation in religion , with our true catholike & apostolike church , by reason of them it requireth confession of theyr sins , and dooing pennance for them , which as they say , their mans nature greatly abhorreth , as burdensome vnto it : I doe assure them , that if we consider mans nature only by it selfe alone , without the asistance , light , and strength of the grace of God , which reformeth and strengthneth the frailtie and weakene s of our nature , the mans nature of all catholikes likewise is generally very prone to fauour their licentious caluinisticall religion in this respect . For that of all thinges in the christian religion , our mans nature findeth most difficultie & repugnancie to yeeld to confesse our secret deadlie sins to a Priest our Ghostly Father , as to the Vicar of Christ , and to doe Pennance for them . And whosoeuer will dilligently peruse the auncient councels , shall find therein , that the auncient christian Bishoppes , and other Gouernours of Christs catholicke church in former ages , haue beene more troubled in deuising good Ecclesiasticall lawes and ordinances , to reforme the negligence of christian people , concerning confession of theyr sinnes , and doing Pennance for them , than for any other matters appertaining to the christian religion .

And as I haue beene credibly informed by diuers godly learned Priestes of our Seminaries , that haue trauailed of late yeares in diuers parts of our realme , with great christian charitable and Apostolicke zeale , to conuert the Caluinists and Puritanes from their damnable Schisme and Heresies , to the faith , vnity and due obedience of Christes Catholick church , Caluin . aduers . Anabap . In Do . Whitgiftes defence against the Puritanes . page . 260. & 74. ( out of which , as euen Caluin in his booke against the Anabaptists , and Doctor Whitgift in his defence against the Puritanes doe affirme , there is no remission of sinnes , but men beeing out of the church doe then as they say become diuels , and fall from error to error without any stay , ) our Seminarie Priestes haue found most difficultie , and repugnancie in conuerting the Schismatickes and Heritickes , when they endeuoured to perswade them vnto Sacramentall confession of their sinnes , and to doe Pennance for them . Lutherus in lib . de captiui . babyl . ait homo Christianus etiam volens non potest perdere salutem suam quantiscunque peccatis nisi nolit credere . Because their corrupted mans nature being so fraile and weake , and accustomed so many yeares together to presume to be secure & most certaine of their election , predestination , iustification , and saluation , by their only faith in Christ , and not to bee afraide of their account at the dreadfull day of iudgement , for that no other sin but infidelity onely would condemne any christian before God , as their new Hereticall Preachers haue falsely taught them , what maruaile is it , if they haue bin , and be still vnwilling to confesse their sinnes , and to doe Pennance for them , sithence they looke onely vnto the burden thereof , ( as it seemeth to the fleshly consideration of theyr corrupted mans nature , ) and know not as yet the inestimable great spirituall profit that would come vnto them thereby ? And therefore we may easely conceaue , that our godly Priestes haue beene exceedingly encombred these late yeres , to perswade the common people of our miserable countrie to due reconsiliation to the catholike church , by confessing their sinnes , and doing Pennance for them , sith euen the new caluinisticall Bishops and Ministers are not ashamed now to aleadge the same excuse , as a principall impediment of their ioyning in a Pacification in Religion with vs. For say they ( in their treatise of Pacification , ) confession of sinnes , and doing Pennance for them , is burdensome , and their mans nature abhorreth it .

But vnto this their fleshly consideration of the corruption and weakenes of mans nature , without any spiritual consideration of the inestimable great light and force of the grace of God , which remoueth away the great hardnes and difficultie , that is in keeping God his commandements , wee may say vnto the caluinistes and Puritanes , as our Sauiour Christ said vnto the Pharisees , Vos secundum carnem iudicatis . You doe iudge according to the flesh . Ioh . 8. v. 15 1. Cor . 2.14 And as S. Paul writeth to the Corinthians . The sensual man perceaueth not those things that are of the spirit of God , for it is foolishnes to him , and he cannot vnderstand , because they are spiritually examined . And withall , wee must put them in remembrance of those notable sayings of S. Paul to the Romans . They that are according to the flesh , Rom. 8. ver . 5.6.26 are affected to the thinges that are of the flesh , but they that are according to the spirit , are affected to the thinges that are of the spirit , &c. And that the wisedome of the flesh is death , and an enemie to God , for to the law of God it is not subiect , neyther can it be . And that the spirit of God helpeth our infirmity .

If we had such liberty graunted vnto vs by Almighty God , No other religion but only a licentious fleshly religion wil content and perswade the caluinists & Puritans , to agree vnto a pacification with Christs catholicke church . as to deuise and chuse such a religion as should be best liking to mans nature , & not burdensome vnto vs , I see then wee might agree with all the Lutherans , Caluinists , and Puritanes vppon a Pacification in religion . For then should we easily agree together to haue no fasting , no watching , no long prayers , nor any sorrow , confession , nor satisfaction , nor any obseruation of vowes of chastitie made to God , nor any louing of our enemies , and persecutors , nor any iudging of our selues , nor any chastising or mortifying of our rebellious flesh , nor any working of our saluation with feare and trembling : but we might then agree together , to lay all vpon Christs Crosse , & account our selues as faithfull members with Christ , without carrying our Crosse dayly with Christ , and without following his painefull footsteps , Luke . 9. verse . 23. 1. Iohn . 2.6 . Rom. 8.17 . 2. Cor . 1.7 . 2. Cor . 4.10 2. tim . 2.11 1. Pet . 2.21 1. Pet . 4.1 . and we would then be glorified with Christ , without suffering with Christ , & be secure , and most certaine of our election predestination , iustification , and saluation , by our only faith in Christ : and no other sin should then condemne any christian , but infidelitie only : and then woulde wee come to church , onely to praise and thanke the Lord , with singing some Geneua riming Psalmes , for such a licentious fleshly Religion , as were void of all painefull austere workes , and wee might then condemne all the austere penitentiall liues of S. Iohn Baptist , & of all the holy Heremits , Monkes , and other Saintes that were in the Primitiue church , as foolish and superstitious .