THis Assertion is very Answer . confusedly set downe . As it stands without limitation , it is utterly untrue ; and besides , nothing to the purpose ; For , society of such as are of a false religion with those of the true Religion , hath been often very profitable to them , alwaies lawfull . And the Religion of the reformed Churches is not a contrary religion to that of the Romane obedience , but onely different , as pure and corrupt , reformed and deformed .

For the discovery of the truth , the words and termes are to bee opened . This terme Religion , is not alwaies used in the same meaning : Sometime it is put for the perswasion of the minde and judgement , touching some divine nature , and the devotion of the heart toward the same : as the Iewish religion , A●… . 26. 5. So religion of Angels , Col. 2. 18. sometimes it is put for some more speciall observance and ceremony , as the Religion of the Paschall Lambe , Exod. 12. 26 , 43. According to which sense , the rules of Saint Benedict , Saint Basill , and others have Vulgat . edit . quae 〈◊〉 ista religi●… ▪ been called religions ; although they had not a divers faith or perswasion touching God , nor yet a different worship in the substance , but onely in circumstances , as apparell , formes , and houres of praier , and such like . Contrary Religions therefore are such as have a contrary faith touching the God they worship ; as Iacob and Laban , Gen. 31. Or a contrary manner of worshipping him in matter of substance . Circumstances and differences in opinions , government and ceremonies , doe not make a diverse , much lesse a contrary religion ; as appeares in the religion before and after the Law written , before and after Christ . These were different , as an infant , a childe , and a man of yeares , yet the same person .

As for the terme Society , it is likewise of divers sorts ; one in the duties of religion , another in common life . Wherein againe some is necessary , and not at our choice and discretion , as the society of parents and children , servants and masters , subjects and princes , citizens , neighbours , kinsfolkes , passengers in the same ship , guests at the same table ; yea , every man with another , in that hee is a man . Some againe is voluntary , and at pleasure , as of contracting marriage , friendship , familiarity , choosing our habitation and company with whom we will consort our selves . These explications premised , I answer in these five propositions .

First , society in the worship of God with true beleevers , professing pure 1. religion , is lawfull and necessary , and when it may be had , cannot long bee omitted without sin , Psal. 122. 1. I was glad when they said unto me , let us goe into the house of the Lord , Psal. 133. 1. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity , Act. 2. 42 , 44. The Christians of the primitive Church are said to have continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship , and in breaking of bread , and in praiers , and were together : and Vers. 46. And they continuing daily with one accord in the Temple , and breaking bread from house to house , did eate their meat with gladnesse , and singlenesse of heart . Heb. 10. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together , as the manner of some is .

Secondly , society with men that worship the true God , though in some 2. points ignorant or misbeleevers , may be holden so long as they are not obstinate , and God is not dishonoured : Act. 19. 9. Paul resorted to the Synagogue of the Iewes , till they were hardned , and blasphemed the way of the Lord , then hee separated the Disciples . See also 1. King . 8. 41. where Solomon praieth for the stranger that was not of Gods people Israel , but came out of a farre countrey , and should come and pray towards the Temple , that God would heare , and doe according to his request , that all the people of the earth might know his Name , to feare him as Israel did .

Thirdly , society with men that worship 3 a false God , or the true God with a false and Idolatrous worship in the exercise of their religion , is utterly unlawfull , Deut. 12. 30. Take heed to thy selfe , that thou bee not snared by following them , after that they be destroyed from before thee , saying , how did these nations serve their gods ? even so will I doe likewise . Thou shalt not doe so unto the Lord thy God . How neer so ever they be ; Deut. 13. 6 , 7. If thy brother , the sonne of thy mother , or thy sonne , or thy daughter , or the wife of thy bosome , or thy friend , which is as thine owne soule , &c. So Exod. 32. 27. The Levites are bidden by Moses from the Lord , to slay every man his brother , and every man his companion , and every man his neighbour , that had committed idolatry by worshipping God in the golden Calfe .

Fourthly , civill society with men of a false religion , or wicked life , to 4. whom we are necessarily bound by the Law of God , or man , must be holden , and cannot bee broken without sinne : as that of the subiect and the Prince , Rom. 13. the husband and the wife , 1. Cor. 7. 10. servant & master , 1. Pet. 2. 18. yea , Iew & Samaritane , Luk. 10. 37.

Fiftly , civill society , such as is unnecessary with men of a false religion 5. or wicked life , albeit sometimes it be turned to good , yet it is hazardous to the professours of the truth , as 2. Chron. 18. 31. and Chap. 19. 2. where Iehosaphat hardly escaping with his life , is thus reprooved , Shouldest thou helpe the ungodly , and love them that hate the Lord ? And Gen. 19. 15. Lot is sent out of Sodome in haste , with this terrour , Lest thou be consumed in the 〈◊〉 of the city . And Peter , while he would associate himselfe with the servants of the high Priest needlesly , fell into the snare of the Devill , and denied his master , Matth. 26. 58. 70. And 1. Cor. 10. 27. If any of them that beleeve not b●… you to a feast , and ye will goe , &c. Hee doth not absolutely forbid it , but implies the danger in going to the feasts of Idolaters . And 2. Cor. 6. 14. expresly forbids entermarrying with such ▪ Bee not unequally 〈◊〉 with unbele●…vers , &c. But let us examine his proofes .

THis is very true , but nothing to our present purpose ; for neither Answer . doth it appeare by the text , that these wicked people were of a contrary religion , and the children of God entermarried with them , which was to hold unnecessary fellowship with them , whereby they were drawn away to their corruptions , vers . 11 , 12.

THe professours of true religion never Answer . esteemed much where their bodies were buried after death , as being assured , whatsoever became of them , they should have a glorious resurrection . Neither were there in Abrahams time , Churches or Church-yards to be buried in , nor was it the use to be buried all in one place ; every man was buried in his owne possession : So that the burying of Sara , in a field purchased by Abraham , is very fondly attributed to a desire of separation from the Canaanites . Abraham had not till then a foot of land in the countrey . And whereas Iacob and Ioseph gave charge of their buriall in the land of Canaan , it was to confirme their posterity in the faith of Gods promise , that he would give it them for an inheritance , Gen. 50. 25.

THe strangers , for whose buriall a field was bought with the money Answer . which Iudas received for betraying our Lord , for any thing in the text , might be Prosely●… , and not of a contrary religion . Howsoever , the wicked murtherers of Christ ( if there had been any religion to bee put in the not burying the strangers with Gods people ) would not of likelyhood have been the ●…st , nor are the most commendable Authors of this practise . Let them glory in this president , that dig up the bodies of the dead , and cast them out into the fields , or bury them in dunghills , or burne them to ashes . How much more likely is it , that the holy Ghost would typically set forth by this story , that the price of our Lords blood should procure to the Gentiles , ( who were strangers from Ep●…s . 2. 12 , 13. Act. 1. 19. the Common-wealth of Israel ) a place of sleep and rest ; though the Priests purchase was to them and Iudas , a field of blood . As touching the Samaritans , and the Israelites separation from them ; first , the originall of the Samaritanes is not rightly referred to the time of Ieroboam , 3. Reg. 12. Samaria it selfe was not then built , nor the ten Tribes carried away captive , in whose place the 〈◊〉 came above two hundred yeares after Ieroboams reigne . These Samaritanes were not onely Schismatickes , but Idolaters also , 2. King . 17. 4. The cause of the Iewes separation from them ( even after they had a Priest of Aarons line , See Ioseph . A●…t . l. 9. c. 14. & l. ●…1 . ●…hap . 8. & l. 12. cap. 7. and a Temple and service like to that of Ierusalem , erected by Sanballat , for Manasses his sonne in law , upon mount 〈◊〉 ) was the expresse commandement of God , appointing Ierusalem the place of worship ; besides many other respects ▪ religious and civill . But our Lord Iesus Christ , even in the place here alleadged , communeth with a woman of Sa●…ria , asketh drinke of her , and after , giveth to her and the men of the Citie , water of life : And elsewhere impersonateth in a Samaritane the duty of mercy , which a Priest and Levite had neglected : And rebukes the preposterous zeale of Iames and Iohn , which would have called fire from heaven upon the Samaritanes that received them not ; giving us rather an example of meeknesse and gentlenesse towards all , howsoever exasperated against us , then of further enraging and setting off those that are separated .

THe rebellion of Korah and his company , against Moses and Aaron , Answer . is very plainly referred to the seeking the Priest-hood , vers . 10. As for the offering incense , it was by the commandement of Moses , vers . 17. I see not what this example makes to the purpose , unlesse it teach men not to rend themselves from the Church of God , or joyne in the despising of government , with them that seek worldly glory , and not the glory of God .

ROme , for her holding the people Answer . of God in captivity , for her pride & cruelty answerable to the old Babylon , ( wherout Ieremy called Gods people in his time ) is the mysticall Babylon , whereof Saint Iohn speakes in his Revelation . Which is plaine from her scituation upon seven hills ; her rule over Revel. 17. 9. the kingdomes of the earth ; The great city where our Lord also was crucified , Chap. 11. 8. ( viz. ) by the authority of a Romane Deputy , and a Romane death . Her merchants are the great men of the Chap. 18. 23. earth ; her merchandize is not onely slaves , but also soules of men , whether wee take it of mens lives , which the court of Rome sets to sale ; or the soules deceased , which they chaff●…r by indulgences and pardons . Out of this Babylon Gods elect people are exhorted to Vers. 4. come ; these are properly the Church of Rome , not the faction which beareth the name of it , over which the Pope is now styled Monarch . To receive his Agnus De●…s , hallowed Pictures , Beads . Medalls , is to receive his marke , Chap. 13. 17 in token of speciall devotion to him , and his Court ; and not to bee content to bee a Christian Catholick , unlesse ROMANE be added to it , is to beare the number of his name .

THe place of S. Matthew doth not Answer . speake of an Heretick , but of a brother wronging his brother , and after private admonition , refusing to obey the Church : which may bee understood of an assembly , as well Civil , as Ecclesiasticall . As for the avoiding him , no lesse then a 〈◊〉 in the service of his false gods , it is a very false exposition of the text , as is piaine by the word be●…hen the Publican . For the Publicanes being such Iewes , as farmed the publick toles and customes of the people of Rome , came to the service of God in the Temple , as is evident by the Text , Luk. 18. 10. Such a one was S. Matthew , before his calling . These were in ill conceit with the Iewes , as were also all Gentiles , whereto our Saviours words are to be referred . A Heathen and a Publican , is no more then Publicanes and Sinners , Chap. 11. 19. and Mark . 2. 15 , 16. The Iewes did not lodge , or eate and drinke with men uncircumcised , Act. 11. 3. 18. In the text of Saint Paul , I thinke very shame made the Author of these Collections to leave out cleane all the former part of the verse , which according to the Remish translation is this , Ye cannot drinke the Chalice of our Lord , and the Chalice of devils : unlesse it were some respect rather , lest if hee had set it downe , he might seem to have blasphemously called the celebration of the holy Supper of our Lord , according to his institution , entire with the distribution of the Chalice , the Chalice of Devils ; although the blasphemy is the same , if he account the Communion table , the table of Devils . The Apostle speaketh plainely of the feasts made in honour of Idols , and in the 2. Cor. 6. of marriage with Idolaters and Infidels . Me thinkes very shame , if not charity and the feare of God , should restraine men from applying these texts to them which beleeve the Catholick faith , and are farther from all shew of Idolatry then themselves .

THe Apostle speaketh of such as lived idlely , & busied themselves Answer . about those things that pertained not to them , as many Iesuites are by Romish Priests and Catholicks said to doe : such he would have to be avoided in ordinary conversation , yet accounted brethren , Uers. 15. But the Romane charity , though they cannot lay to our charge , that we walk not according to the doctrine we have received of the Apostles , accounts their even-Christians , Hereticks , Schismaticks , Dogs , Infidels ; and requires this of those whom they teach , To pursue them with Stapleton . Orat. 30. all their might , as the most certaine and detestable plagues of Christendome , and fasre and wide to chase them out of their coasts .

EVen these Texts are misapplied to our present purpose . The Apostle Answer . in the former place teacheth Titus , whom he left to order the Churches in Creet , how to behave himselfe towards an heretick , that is , such as perversly and obstinately overthrow the foundations of religion ; he bids him forbeare to deale further with him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . after he had once or twice admonished him , and give him up as incorrigible . The second Text , Rom. 16. speaketh of society in conversation , not to be had with those that make dissentions and scandals , contrary to Christs doctrine . Now let all Christians decline such .

THe doctrine whereof Saint Iohn Answer . speakes , is not the Popes Primacy ; or that God is to bee served in Latine ; or the Scriptures not to be read by the lay-people ; or that they may not receive the cup in the Lords Supper ; or Purgatory , Indulgences , and such trumpery : but that which he mentioned in the seventh verse , when he saith , Many deceivers are entred into the world , which confesse not that Iesus Christ is come in the Flesh. Such a one was Cerinthus , who said , That Iesus was not borne of a Virgin , but the son of Ioseph : and that after his Baptisme Christ descended into him ; and that when Christ withdrew himselfe from Iesus , then he suffered , but Christ suffered not . With him as ( * * Ireneus lib 3. cap. 3. Yet Epiphanius saith it of ●…bion . Policarpus reported ) Saint Iohn would not abide in the same bath , for feare lest it should fall downe , whiles Cerinthus the enemy of the truth was in it . Such ●…n other one was Marcion , whom Polycarpus called , The si●…st begotten of Sathan . S. Iohn speakes of such overthrowes of the Gospell . With what conscience is this applyed to them , whose whole endeavour is , to persist in the rejecting the unnecessary additions thereto , for which the Court of Rome doth cunningly style them Hereticks ?

THis place is very truely interpreted of the profession of our faith . Answer . And yet the sole Iudge and Interpreter of the Scriptures , if wee beleeve the Romish faction , expound it of Confession of sinnes , in the ●…acrament of Penance . Thus Pope Benedict the eleventh teacheth the whole Church out of the Chaire of Saint Peter , in a Decretall Epistle [ Extravag . com . l. v. de privileg . c. inter cunctas . ] And this ridiculous interpretation , the Author of these Collections , if ever he have professed his faith by the rule of Pope Pius the fourth , hath sworne to admit . But sith profession of faith is so necessary , why doe they withdraw Catholicks from this duty , which is performed twice every day in the Common-prayers of the Church of England , in a tongue understood , in the very forme wherin it was professed in their names at their Baptisme ? And every Sunday and Holy day in the Creed of the Romane Church ; thirteen times in the yeare in Athanasius Creed , the conclusion whereof hath these words , This is the Catholick Faith , which except a man beleeve faithfully , he cannot be saved . I think this Author could not have chosen a fitter text to diswade from Recusancy then this is , which sheweth the necessity of making profession of our faith , if wee will be saved . The truth is , these men have no respect to the glory of God , or the salvation of soules , but onely to the maintaining of their owne faction .

IT is marvell he could not remember Answer . another speech of our Saviours in the Gospell , He that is not against us , is for us . So much the more , because the occasion thereof was a case very like unto ours . One cast out Devils in Christs name , and the Apostles forbad him , because he followed not with them ; Forbid him not , saith our Lord , for he th●…t is not against us , is for us , Luk. 9. 49. What then ? Is he contrary to himselfe ? No doubtlesse : But in the one he teacheth us to admit and receive all that prosesse his Name into our society ; yea , and if they will be singular , yet to rejoyce that his Name is preached , with Saint Paul , Phil. 1. 18. In the other , when it is slandered and blasphemed , as it was by those which said , He cast out devils by Bel●…ebub , not to be neutrall , but to undertake the defence of truth and innocency against malice and falshood ; for in that case , not to confesse him , is to deny him . Now since the reformed Churches doe not onely speak nothing amisse of our Saviour , but are ready with S. Paul to die for his Name , what rage is this of the Court of Rome , to cast them out , to forbid them to preach , or others to heare them , or pray with them ; to persecute them with sire and sword , as if they were worse then infidels and misbeleevers ?

THe Scriptures proove no more then hath before been admitted . Answer . Men of a false religion may communicate with those of a true ; men of the same true religion for the substance , with those that in circumstance doe differ from them ; Latines , with Greeks , Aethiopians , Russians . Where he saith , the contrary is observed in other countries , I am verily perswaded this is utterly untrue , there is never a one of these , and joyne the Romists to them , which if not for reason of conscience , esteeming themselves to have the truth , and rejoycing that another enclines to embrace it , yet out of desire to encrease their owne partie , is difficult to any that resorts to their assemblies , as desirous to joyne with them . That which he addeth touching the Councels , besides that after the Scriptures , it is as vaine a labour as to light a candle in the Sunne ; it is a meer crack of names , to proove that which no man denies , that Catholicks may not frequent the companies of blasphemous hereticks ; yet he sets not downe any one Canon of all these for the purpose ; and he mentions that of Sardick for a generall Councell , where it was but a particular ; and that which wee now have , not that which was anciently in Saint Augustines times . But none of all these forbad the hereticks to be admitted to heare Sermons , or to be present at the praiers of Catholicks ; yea , the fourth of Carthage expresly Can. 84. enacts , that they should not be forbidden . And the Councell of N●…ce receives the Can. 8. Novatians without difficultie , yet promising , they would communicate with these that had married the second time , and such as had fallen in persecution . The latter of which two being the o●…ly th●…ng for which the Donatists refused society with the Catholicks , they were not onely invited , but by the terrour of Lawes ●…ged thereto , no lesse then Recusants are with us . A plaine argument that then it was holden , That where the Catholick faith is rightly confessed , society in Gods worship is to be maintained . Where he addeth , that God ordained this meanes , that we may know which was the faith first taught by the Apostles . I doe not thinke he understands himselfe : what meanes could this be to discerne which was the faith first taught , when as the Apostles tould before , that of themselves should arise men , speaking perverse things , which would not faile to challenge to themselves the names of Christians , and separate from their opposites . And it is a speech unworthy of a man of any ordinary capacity , that the faith could not be discerned from heresies but by names .

THat which must be a mark to discerne Answer . two things one from the other , must not be common to them both . A Pagan therefore that desired to imbrace Christianity without errour , how should he know by separation whither to repaire , if Arrians doe no lesse separate from the orthodoxall Christians , then they from the Arrians ? And at this day , if as he said right , now Lutherans and Calvenists doe as well separate from others , as others from them ; how can this be a note to discerne without errour where true Christianity is to be found ?

THis is as true as the golden Legend excelleth all other books ; as much as Answer . gold all other mettalls . I marvell out of what Countrey the Lutherans went into New France , or by what way they were sent home againe . The Author of this fiction seems to have imagined , that New France is as neare and accessible to France and Germany , as the Frank County ; and the Infidels there as able to discerne what makes a different faith , as the Colledge of the holy Inquisition at Rome . But , the blinde swallows many a flie .

IN the multitude of opinions there is but one truth . And among sundry Answer . truths there is but one necessary to salvation , that wherein the holy Scriptures ( as the Apostle saith ) are able to Tim. 3. 15 make us wise by the faith in Christ Iesus . The Keeper of this truth , and of the Scriptures in which it is treasured , is the Church : not of one City , but the Catholick Church , that is , the fellowship of Saints dispersed through the whole world . This is that Church , in which onely are Gods people . In this he hath ordained the commemoration of Christs Sacrifice , till his comming againe ; with a service , not now consisting in rites and ceremonies , but reasonable , as the Apostle teacheth , Rom. 12. which for the particular manner of it may bee divers in divers places ; but for the generall , must be with understanding and edification , 1 Cor. 14. 15 , 26 and with comelinesse and order , vers. 40. Such is ( God be praised ) the service used among us in the Churches of England .

HItherto hath been the endeavour Answer . of the Authour of this Collection , to proove it unlawfull to hold society with those of a contrary religion . Now hee goes about to shew , that the Church of England is of a contrary religion . But herein he behaves himselfe so superficially and sleightly , as if he would have it presumed and taken for granted , or received upon his word without proofe . And for the former , hee hath alledged some twenty texts of Scripture , though some of them very impertinently , as hath been seen : For this , there is not so much as one word of Scripture where there was most need , both in respect of the matter , being the convincing of heresie : and the men , against whom hee deales , ever resting in the authority of Scripture , and appealing to that rule and Touch stone .

He saith , the new invented Service of God is schismaticall .

This , if he meane it of ours , is a slanderous speech without proofe .

That it is so , he bids us , See the fathers of the primitive Church . Why ? how should the Fathers ( if our service be newly invented ) condemne that which they never saw or heard ? This is to trifle , and presume his Readers are simple Innocents , that will take such generall proofe as this [ See the Fathers of those daies ] What if they be no Schollers ? What if they have no leasure ? What if they be told , that the Fathers of the Primitive Church doe , by their describing the service of God in their owne times , as it were in a table , picture out ours ? That for the See Mornay of the Eucharist . l. 1. c. 3. B. Iewell in his Sermon at Pauls Crosse upon 1 Cor. 11. 23 present service of the Romane faction , of all the old Fathers they have not one ? Well , yet in this his modesty is to be commended , that he would not say , the service of God which we use is hereticall , but schismaticall . We take his Confession ; and sure it proceeded not from want of will to speak the worst , but from lack of matter to furnish out his accusation , if he should have said otherwise . For the substance of our Service being a Confession of our sins ; the pronouncing of Absolution to the penitent beleever , according to the commission of the Gospel ; the Psalmes ; the Lessons out of holy Scripture ; the Hymne of Saint Ambrose , called Te Deum ; that of Zachary , the blessed Uirgin , and Simeon ; the Apostles , and Athanasius Creed ; the Lords Praier ; the Collects , for the most part the same which themselves use , but in a tongue understood ; Slaunder it selfe never yet durst accuse it of heresie . The like may be said for the celebration of the Sacraments , and the rest of the acts of the publick Ministery .

And here I desire the Reader to consider , how he shuffelleth in this second part of his Argument ; for he began with men of a contrary religion , and hereticks ; now he falls to such as have a schismaticall Service . Which of the Fathers ever accounted difference in Service hereticall or schismaticall ? when as neither any particular forme was prescribed by our Lord Iesus 1. Christ , nor delivered by the Apostles , or yet ordained by any generall Councell , to be used in the Catholick Church .

The liturgies of the Greek Church , which goe under the names of Saint 2. Iames , Saint Mark , Saint Basil , Saint Chrysostome , are extant , differing each from other , and from those of the Latine Church ; whether the later of Saint Gregory , or the ancienter of Saint Ambrose . In Gregories time it is plaine , that the Churches of France had not 3. the same service with the Church of Rome ; for when as Austen , whom he sent to plant the faith among the English , demanded , why there was one custome Interrog. 3. of Masses in the Romane church , and another in the churches of France ? Saint Gregory bids him , That he should chuse , whether in the Romane , or any other Church whatsoever , might most please God , and establish it in the new Church of the English . In this Church of England , even to the day of the reforming 4. the Service , we had divers orders , as of Sarum , York , Hereford , Bangor . And so had they in Italy it selfe , till Pius Quintus reformed the 5. Breviary and Missall , after the Romane 1568. & 1570. use , enjoyning all Churches to follow that , unlesse where they had for above 200 ▪ years , a custome to celebrate otherwise . And Pius acknowledgeth , that in the reformation of his Breviary , those 6. things that were impertinent and uncertaine were remooved , and the Missall Aliena & incerta . restored to the ancient rule and rite of the holy Fathers . Which reformation notwithstanding , and that Pius decreeth by his Bull prefixed , that nothing should at any time be added , taken away , or altered ; yet in the time of Clement 8. it was again corrected , & in some things corrupted , as Marsilius , one of the Uenetian Divines , sheweth in his answer to Card. Bellarm. Loe , the Schisme that we are blamed for . The Church of England , finding in the Service of God , divers things impertinent and uncertaine ( as themselves confesse ) endeavoured to restore it , according to the ancient rule & rite of the holy Fathers ; as they also after her pretend . She hath brought the whole Realme to one use , which they also imitate . She hath taken , upon diligent survay of the service of all Churches , whatsoever seemed most pleasing unto Almighty God , as Saint Gregory adviseth . She hath appointed it should be in a language understood by the people , as both the use of the Primitive Church warranted , and Saint Paul expresly commandeth ; and the very light of reason requireth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .