The hunting of the Romish foxe Presented to the popes holines, with the kisse of his disholy foote, as an odoriferous & redolent posie verie fit for his grauitie, so often as he walketh right stately, in his goodly pallace Bel-vidêre.

❧ THE HVNting of the Fox .

The first Hounde .

GIue me leaue O holy father of Rome , to tell you in the way of charitie , what your owne beloued vassales , haue in printed books reported of your holinesse , Gods spirit no doubt enforcing them thereunto . Thou O disholy Pope , fearing that thy Antichristian vsurped primacie , would in time be turned vpside downe , if euery man might frely examine thy doctrine & tyrannicall constitutions , according to Gods sacred worde the true touchstone of veritie ; hast by an abhominable decree in thy detestable canon-lawe , made it flat sacriledge to dispute of thy power , I will forge nothing of mine own brayn , I will deale sincerely in euery point , euen as I will answere at the dreadfull day of dome , and therefore do I exhort the gentle readers , to marke well what I say . Franciscus a victoria , one O pope , of thy dominican Fryers , and the learnedst diuine that euer Spaine brought forth doth constantly thus report the matter ; non spectat ad subditos determinare aut examinare Victoria rel●ct , 4. de potest . papae & concilii , propos . 16. quid possit Papa aut quid non possit , & quomodo teneantur parerevel non , quia sacrilegium est disputare de poteutia principis , & praecipuè Papae . It belongeth not to popish vaslals , to determine or examine what the pope may doe , or what he may not doe , and wherein they ought to obey , or not ; because he hath made it sacriledge by his lawe , to reason & dispute of his power . Consonant hereunto is a decree of the late counsell of Trent , by which it is made vnlawfull aswell to the clergie as to the layicall people , to read either the olde or the newe Testament translated into the vulgar tongue ; and that vnder the paine of the Popes curse , vnlesse such person or persons be by him Pius . 4. in bulla synod , Trident. licensed thereunto . Yea , it is strictly inhibited by the said counsell , that no person or persons whosoeuer , shall print , read , keepe , or lend any booke at all ; saue such only as are not oriously knowne to be allowed by the Pope , and why I pray your holinesse , did you make this most cruell law ? doubtlesse , because if learned bookes might be allowed publiquely , your heathenish late Romish religion , woulde soone receiue a deadelye wound . For notwithstanding this your tyrannicall law , & many other decrees of like sort , your own dearest hounds do still hunt your holinesse , euen to very death .

The second Hounde .

THy hellish glosses O Pope of Rome , do tell vs manifestly that thou canst change the nature of things , that thou canst apply the substantiall parts of one thinge to another , and that thou canst make of nothing somthing ; & consequently , that thou canst make thy selfe another God . For although it may seme a wonder , that any not bewitched by the maister Deuill of Hell , woulde euer vtter such folly and open blasphemie ; yet doe I neither say any thing of malice , neither vrge any one iote against thee O Pope , but those very things , which thine owne The Popes treachery is discouered by his own dearlings . deare Doctors , haue in printed bookes published to the worlde , and this I obserue to my great comfort , wishinge al Christian readers to note the same seriouslie ; that thou O Pope with thy late predecessours , wouldest long sythence haue musseled the mouthes of these houndes , if the holy Ghost for the good of his elect had not appointed the contrarie to be done , thus therfore O Pope writeth thine owne approued glosse , euen vpon thine owne decretals ; sic Papa dicitur habere caeleste arbitrium , et ideo etiam G●●sa , ●iq . 1 decretal tit , 7 , Cap , 3. naturam rerum immutat , substantialia vnius rei applicando alij ; et de nihilo potest aliquid facere . So is the pope saide to haue celestiall arbitrement , & therfore doth he change the nature of things , by applying the substantiall parts of one thing to an other ; and he can make that which is nothing , to be something . Beholde here most execrable blasphemie , that euer was or henceforth can be , for it is proper to God alone to make something of nothing by his peculier worke of creation . This to be so , neither euer did , or can any diuine denie .

The third Hound

Tell me O Pope , haue not thy sworne vassals written of you , that Christ him selfe hath engrauen in thy thighs , that thou art king of kings , & Lord of Lords ? as this also , O sweete Iesus , that though thou carry a thousand soules to hell , yet may noman say to thee , why doest thou so ? sundry I knowe haue so written , but Iohannes Gerson shall speake for himselfe and the rest ; I will not alter one worde or syllable that he saith . Thus doth he write ; Sicut Christo collata est omnis potest as in caelo et in terra , siceam Christus omnem Ioan : Gerson de potest ate ecclesiae concl . 12. part . 3. Petro suisque successoribus dereliquit , vndo nec Constantinus Siluestro papae contulit , quod non esset prius suum , sed reddidit iniuste detentum . Porro ; sicut non est potestas nisi a Deo , sic nec aliqua temporalis vel ecclesiastica , imperialis vel regalis , nisi a Papa ; in cuius faemore scripsit Christus , Rex regum , dominus dominantium ; de cuius potestate disputare , instar sacrilegij est ; cui neque quisquam dicere potest , cur it a facis ? mentior , sinon inueniantur haec scripta , ab illis etiam qui sapientes sunt in oculis suis. As all power was giuen to Christ , in heauen and on earth ; so Christ left all that power , to Peter and his successours ( for euer . ) Wherefore the Emperour Constantine gaue nothing to Pope Syluester , which was not his owne before , but he onely restored that , which was vniustly kept from him . Further , as there is no power but of God , so is there neither any temporall nor ecclesiasticall , neither imperiall nor regall , but only of the Pope ; in whose thighes Christ hath written , the King of Kings , the Lord of Lordes ; of whose power to Behold , here the blasphemy of Antichrist . dispute ; it is euen as sacriledge ; to whom no man may say , why doest thou so ? Let me haue the lye if these things be not found written , euen by those that seeme wise in their owne conceites . Thus writeth Maister Doctor Gerson , who though he liued in the altitude of Popedome , yet coulde hee neither digest nor conceale these antichristian blasphemies , ascribed to the Pope against the Sonne of GOD . Neuerthelesse , the Popes themselues did chalenge the same , & tooke no small delite therein . For thus writeth Pope Gregorye the ninth of that name ; ad firmamentum caeli , hoc est , vniuersalis ecclesiae , fecit deus duo magna luminaria , idest , duas instituit Gregor. 9. lib. 1. decret , tit , 33. Cap , 6. dignitates , quae sunt pontificalis authoritas & regalis potestas ; sed illa quae praeest diebus , idest , spiritualibus , maior est ; quae vero carnalibus , minor , vt quanta est inter solem & lunam , tanta inter pontifices & reges differentia agnoscatur . To the firmament of heauen , that is , of the vniuersall Church , God made two greate lightes , to witt , hee ordeined two great dignities , which are the authoritie of the Pope , & the power Marke here the Popes goodly sermon . of the Kinge ; but that power which ruleth spirituall things , is greater , & that which ruleth things carnal , is lesser ; that there may be as great difference knowne betweene Popes and Kinges , as there is betweene the Sunne and the Mone .

The fourth Hound .

TEll me O Pope , is not thy Romishe Purgatorie so sotted and senselesse a thinge , as it can neither be proued by the scriptures , nor yet by the ancient writers ? haue not thyne owne renowmed children , Syluester Prieras , who was somtime maister of thy sacred pallace , and for his profounde knowledge surnamed Absolutus Theologus , as also thy glorious so supposed Martyr Iohn Fisher our late Byshoppe of Rochester , vttered so much in printed bookes to the viewe of the worlde ? I wote it is so , and that all the worlde may knowe the vanitie and abhomination of late Romish religion , I will set downe their expresse wordes . Thus therefore writeth Syluester ; Indulgentia nobis per scripturam minime innotuit , licet inducatur illud apostoli , ( si quid donaui Syluester de indulg. vobis , ) sed nec per dicta antiquorum doctorum sed modernorum , the Popes pardons were not knowne to vs by the holy scriptures , although some doe alledge S. Paul for that purpose ; nether knowne by the auncient father , but onely by the late writers . Loc , pardons , and consequently purgatory being the ground thereof , cannot be proued out of the scriptures . My Lord of Rochester hath these expresse Roffensis con , assert , Luther , arti 18. prope initium . wordes ; sed & graecis ad hunc vsque diem , non est creditum purgatorium esse . Legat qui velit graecorum veterum commentarios , et nullum quantum opinor , aut quam rarissimum de purgatorio sermonem inueniet . Sedneque Latini simul omnes , at sensim , huius reiveritatem conceperunt : & paulo post ; non absque maxima sancti spiritus dispensatione factum est , quod post tot annorum curricula purgatorij fines , & indulgentiarum vsus ab Orthodoxis sit receptus ; quamdiu nulla fuerat de purgatorij cura , nemo quaesiuit indulgentias , nam ex illo pendet omnis indulgentiarum existimatio . Si tollas purgatorium quorsum indulgentiis opus erit ? his enim si nullum fuerit purgatorium , nihil indigebimus , contemplantes igitur aliquandiu purgatorium incognitum fuisse , deinde quibusdam pedetentim , Partim ex reuelationibus , partim ex scripturis fuisse creditum , atque ita tandem generatim eius fidem ab orthodoxa ecclesia fuisse receptissimam , facillime rationem aliquam indulgentiarum intelligimus . Quum itaque purgatorium , tam sero cognitum ac receptum ecciesiae fuerit vniuersae , quis iam de indulgentijs mirari potest , quod in principio nascentis ecclesiae nullus fuerat carum vsum ; caeperunt igitur indulgentiae , post quam ad purgatorij cruciatus aliquandiu trepidatum erat . The Greeks to this day , do not beleeue there is a purgatorie . Reade who will their commentaries , Loc , a great learned man and a famous popish byshop and Martyr , doth plainly tell vs , the vanity and late birth of Romish pardons . and he shall finde either verie seldome mention of purgatorie , or rather none at all , for neither did the Latine Church , conceiue the veritie of this matter all at once , but ley surelye by little and little ; neither was it done without the great dispensation of the holy ghost , that after so many yeares Catholicks both beleeued purgatory , and receiued the vse of pardons generally ; so long as there was no care of purgatorie , no man sought for pardons . For of it dependeth all the estimation , that we haue of pardons . If thou take awaie purgatory , to what end shal we need pardons . For if there be no purgatory , we shall need no pardons . Considering therfore how long purgatory was vnknown , them that it was beleeued of some by little and little , partly by reuelations , and partly by the scriptures , and so at the last beleeued generally of the whole Church , we doe easily vnderstande the cause of pardons , synce therefore purgatory was so lately knowne , and receiued of the whole Church ; who can now admire pardons , that there was no vse of them in the Primitiue Church . Pardons therefore began after the people stoode in some feare of purgatorie . Thus O Pope , writeth thine owne deare Byshoppe , whose testimonie must needes be of great credite with thee . Whose wordes notwithstanding , if they be well marked with the due circumstances thereof , are able of themselues without more adoe , to perswad any man liuing , to detest all popish religion . For first we learne here , that the 1 greekes neuer beleeued purgatory , no not to the daies of this Byshoppe , who liued within these three score yeares last past . Secondly , that the church of Rome 2 ( now the mother of all superstition , ) did not beleeue the said purgatory , for many hundreds of yeares after S. Peters death , whose successour for all that , thou O Pope , boasts thy selfe to be . Thirdly , that 3 this purgatory , which is now the foundation of papistry , crept by little and little , not all at once , into the Latine 4 Church . Fourthly , that purgatorie was found out by reuelation from heauen , 5 ( or if you had rather so thinke , from the deuell of Hell , . ) Fiftly , that pardons came not vp , vntill purgatory was found out : the reason hereof saith our popish Byshopp , is this ; because forsooth , if there be no purgatory , all popish pardons are needlesse . Sixtly , that pardons were not 6 heard of , nor knowne to the Primatiue 7 Church . Seuently , that pardons then began , when men began to feare the paines of purgatorie : but of this matter I haue written more at large , in my booke of Motiues .

The Fift Hound .

TEll me O Pope , hast thou not imposed vpon thy Monkes , Friers , and Nunnes , such an heauie yoake , as they are not able to beare ? Is not the prohibition of matrimonie , contrarie to Christs institution , to the doctrine of the Apostls , & to the practise of the Primitiue church ? was not Pope Syritius the first man , that made any setled law for that purpose ? was not the mariage of priests allowed in the Church , for one thousand yeares after christ ? doth not thine owne Gratianus tell vs , euen out of thine owne approued decrees , that many priests sonnes haue beene Popes of Rome ? Doth hee not name , Bonifacius , Agapitus , Theodorus , Syluerius , Faelix , Hosius , Gelasius , Densdedit , and many others ? Doth not thine owne glosse vpon the same text , thinke it better to say they were all bastardes , then to graunt them to be legitimate children , lawfully begotten in holie wedlocke ? doth not the same glosse alledge for his excuse , that vit in tollitur per successionem , the fault is taken away by vertue of their holy succession ; commeth not the same Gratian roundly vpon the glosse , and affirmeth plainly , that priests might marrie lawfully euery where , vntill the late inhibition made by Siritius ? doth not Socrates that famous Greeke historiographer tell vs , that Byshops of the east Church , did in his time beget children of their lawfull wiues , and that euen in the time of their priestly function ? This thing I haue prooued so effectually in my booke of Suruey , as all the papistes in Europe are not able to disproue the same . Here onely I will adde the flatte testimonie of Socrates out of his ecclesiasticall historie , whose expresse wordes are these ; non pauci illorunt ( Episcoporum ) Socrates , hist , lib , 5 , Cap , 21. dum Episcopatum gerunt , liberos ex vxore legit tima procreant ; Many of them saith Socrates speaking of Byshoppes , doe beget children of their lawfull wiues , euen in time of their Episcopall or Byshoplike functions . these wordes are so plaine , that they neede no glosse .

The sixt Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , doe not so many intollerable excommunications , & so many dissolute dispensations , come daily and hourely from the chuch of Rome , as therby the state of vs Christians is now become more seruile , then was of olde the condition of the Iewes . I wote it is so , thine owne doctors , Uictoria , Syluester , Fumus , Gerson , Rhenanus , and Geilerius affirme the same , as I haue proued at large in my booke of Suruey . One onely Victoria I will here alledge , whose expresse wordes are these : videmus quotidie a Romana curia tam largas , imò omnino tam dissolutas dispensationes profectas , vt orbis ferre non possit , Victoria de potest , Papae et con , relect , 5 , pag , 139 , non solum in scandalum pusillorum , sed maiorum . Wee see dailye so large , yea altogether so dissolute dispensations come from the court of Rome , that the worlde cannot endure it , neither is this dissolution to the scand all only of the weake , but euen of the perfect sort , and those that are the wisest among the rest . Againe he writeth thus ; ego vbisupra Pag. 149. nullam dispensationem in particulari condemno , sed video duo ; primunm , quid in fine anni sunt tot dispensationes factae , vt nescio an sint tot qui legem seruent , secundo , video quod omnes qui petunt adferunt dispensationes . I condemne no dispensation in particular , but I see two thinges ; First , that in the ende of the yeare there are so manie dispensations gotten , that I knowe not if so many keepe the lawe : secondly , I see all that aske , bring dispensations with them . In another place , the same Victoria hath these words ; Paulatim ad haue i●temporantiam deuentum est , vbisupra pag. ●51 . & hunc tale in statum , vbi nec mala nostra , nee reme●●a pati possumus . Da mihi The Church of Rome is now brought to a most miserable state . Clementes , L●●s , Syluestros , & omnia permittam arbitrio eorum . Sed vt nihil grauius dicatar in recentiores Pontifices , certe multis partibus sunt priscis illis inferiores . By little & little we are brought to these inordinate dispensations , and to this so miserable state , where we are neither able to endure our owne griefes , nor the remedies which shoulde mitigate the same . Yet giue me Clements , Lines , Syluesters , and I will commit all thinges to their charge . But to speake fauourably of our late Popes , they are doubtles farre inferiour to Popes of old time Loe , the Chuch of Rome is not now , as it was in old time .

The seauenth Hound .

TEll me O Pope , haue not thy predecessours made their beginning like Foxes and theeues and in the end dyed like dogges ? haue not thine owne religious Fryers , made report of this veritie ? I wote it is so , and Carranza together with thy sweete Platina shall witnesse the same with mee . Platina hath these expresse wordes ; qua quidem bearitudine Ioanes caruit , fur certein pontificatu● , & latro ; non enim vt par fuerat , per ostium intrauit . Which happie life Pope Iohn Platina in vit●● Ioan , 18. wanted , as who was a theese and a robber , for he entered not in by the doore , as he should haue done . Againe , in an other place the same Platina writeth in this maner eo enim tum pontificatus deuenerat , vt qui plus largitione & ambitione , non dico Platina in vita Syl , 3. sanctitate vitae et doctrina valeret , is tantum inde dignitatis gradum , bonis oppressis & reiectis obtineret , quem morem vtinam aliquando non retinuissent nostra tempora . For to that passe was the Popedome now brought , that who so could excell others in giuing bribes , & in ambition , I say not in godly lyfe & sound doctrine , Extortion and ambition is the life of popery . ( for that was farre from them , ) he onely should haue the degree of honor , and good men should be reiected ; which vsage would to God it had neuer bene in our time . Herken O Pope , is it not now with your Byshops of Rome , as it was with Annas , Caiphas , & others of old time among the Iewes ? thy holines can it not denie , but let Carranza byte thee in the haunch , whose expresse words are these : intrauit vt Vulpes , regnauit vt Lupus , mortuus est vt Canis . He entred as a foxe , he Carranza in summa con. sol . 369 reigned as a Wolfe , he died as a dogge . He spaketh of Pope Boniface , the eight of that name . This Carranza , albeit he were one of the Popes deare Friers , is for all that a well mouthed Hound .

The eight Hound .

TEll me O Pope , can not thy holines with plenitudine potestatis , euacuate hellish purgatory , and deliuer all soules tormented there , & send them streight away to heauen ? nay , canst thou not free all men from all punishment due to their sinnes here on earth ? I am sure thou canst , for thy deare doctors Fumus , Syluester , & Vignerius , haue so affirmed to mee . Fumus shall speake for all , whose expresse wordes are these ; Papa posset liberare omnes animas purgaporij , etiam si plures essent , si quis pro sis faceret Fumus in verbo , Papa , 11. quod iuberet , peccaret tamen indiscretè concedendo ; & in hoc sensis dicunt Doctores , quod non potest spoliare Purgatorium . The Pope coulde deliuer all the soules out of purgatory , albeit they were very manie , if one did that which he appointed to be done , marrie the Pope should sin , for his vndiscrete dealing therein . Thus writeth our holy fryer , who addeth well in the ending , that the Pope wanteth somtime his capp of discretion , to which The Pope doth somtime want his cappe discretion . I will make another addition , if percase it may stand with the Popes good liking , to witte , that since as Popery telleth vs , the fire of purgatory is the selfe same in nature with the fire of Hell , if therefore his holinesse had but one droppe of charitie , he would neuer suffer so many soules to abide that doolfull miserie . Yet I must needes graunt , that in so doing his holinesse should want discretion ; because forsooth , if there were no soules in purgatory , then for trentals , diriges , and Masses , men woulde not bestowe one quatrine vpon his vassals .

The ninth Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , canst not thou Free a man by thy plenary pardon ; from all punishment due in this life and in the life to come ? I know thou canst doe it , because thine owne deare Syluester so affirmeth . These are his expresse words ; qui plenariam indulgentiam rite assecutus Syluester . de indulg , par. 33 est , si eo instanti moreretur , euolaret statim ad caelum . He that hath orderly gotten the Popes plenarie pardon . if he should dye presently , he should flie to heauen out of hand . Thus writeth Syluester the Popes Theologus absolutus . Where now , if it were not sacriledge to dispute of the Popes power , as I haue proued it to be ; I would aske this one question , why ; any soules abide in purgatory , since a plenarie is sufficient for their discharge , Pardon my boldnes I pray your holinesse . which for all that , the Pope grauntteth vsually , as a thinge verie frequent during mine owne aboade at Rome , Is it because he cannot ? that is contrary to his owne doctrine . Is it because it standeth not with discretion , there is asmuch discretion to doe it for the deade , as for the liuing . Is it because he will not ? so it seemeth , and then he wanteth charitie , as I haue already said .

The tenth Hound .

TEll me O Pope , doth not thy sottish religion tell vs , that thou maiest erre as a priuate man , but not as Pope or a publicke Person ? as if it were saide , thou maiest sitte in thy pontificalibus , O monster of the world . thou mayest ride vpon thy white Palfrey , thou mayest talke and write they pleasure , and that euen while thou art Pope , and so vtter heresies and blasphemies whatsoeuer , and yet for all that canst thou neuer teach or define any errour or heresie , as beinge Pope indeede . I wote it is so , thy chiefest Doctors haue so tolde mee . Vignerius hath these expresse wordes ; si dicatur , summus pontifex errare potest , & vigner de potest , condendi symbolum , pag , 337. in animo suo concipere aliquem articulum Orthodoxa fidei contrarium , & etiam priuatim proferre , vt legitur de Anastasio secundo . Si ergo posset nouum symbolum edore , fides ecclesiae vnius hominis periculo subiaceret ; dicendum , quod summus pontifex vt priuata persona errare potest , non tamen vt est summus pontifex . Ideo si vt priuata persona symbolum edere tentaret , non esset symbolum ; maximè vbi a vera fide deuiaret . If any say , that the Poope may erre . and conceiue in his hearte any article contrary to the Catholike faith , and also vtter the same priuately , as we read of Pope Anastatius the seconde : If therefore hee coulde make a new creede the faith of the Church shoulde be subiecte to the hazzard of one man . We answere saith ( Vignerius , ) that the Pope may erre as a priuate person , but not as Pope or the hie Byshoppe . Therfore if hee should make a creede as a priuate man , it should be no creede at all ; especially , where hee swerued from the right faith . Beholde here gentle reader , vpon what rotten stuffe the Papistes woulde haue vs to ground our faith . Wee must say they , beleeue that the Pope cannot erre , and yet are wee sure that hee can erre , and that hee hath alreadie erred in verie deede . Wee must likewise beleeue , that he cannot but teach the truth ; and yet must we also beleeue , that hee can both teach heresie , and be an heretike himselfe . We must furthermore beleeue , ●hat heart will not derest Popery . as you haue already heard ; that it is sacriledge to dispute of the Popes power , and yet must we both dispute of his power , and straitly examine his doctrine , as also know constantly , whether he speaketh publiquely as a publike man , or priuately as a priuate man . And neuertheles when we haue done all that we can , we know no more what to thinke or say of his doctrine , then when we haue an E●le by the taile . For when he shall tell me , I must beleeue this and that ; then if hee speake as a priuate man , where is my saith ? but let vs here the cry of some other houndes . That famous papist Ioh●ures Gerson , sometime the chancellor Iohn Gerson in serm , de pasch. part . 3. of Paris , hath these expresse wordes ; hoc fecit latroni , qui verisimiliier nondum compleuer at paenitentiam pro omnibu peccatis suis , qui fuit illa hora propria beatificatus , & vidit deum facie ad faciem , sicut sanctiin Paradiso . Propter quod insuper apparet falsitas doctrinae papae Ioannis 22. quae damnata fuit cum souo buccinarum coram rege Philippoper Theologos Parisienses , & credidit potius Theologis Parisiensibus , quam curiae . This hee did to the theefe , who by likelihoode had not yet accomplished pennance for all his sinnes , who was blessed in that verye houre , and sawe GOD face to face , as doe the Saintes in Paradise , by reason whereof , further appeareth the falshoode of the doctrine of Pope Iohn , which was condemned with the sounde of Trumpetes , before king Phillippe by the diuines of Paris , and the king beleeued the diuines of Paris , rather then the court . In which wordes we haue to note . First , that Maister Gerson auoucheth the theefe crucified with Christ , to haue seen God face to face in that houre , and so to haue beene blessed . Secondly , that he reproueth the false doctrine of Pope Iohn . Thirdly , that his doctrine was condemned with the sound of trumpets , in the presence of the king of France Fourthly , that the king gaue more credit to the diuines of Paris , then to the iudgement of the ( Pope , ) or court of Rome . Fiftie , that neither the king , nor the learned Papists , did at that time graunt to the Pope such power and authoritie , as the Pope this day doth insolently chalenge to himselfe . Sixtly that the Pope taught false doctrine euen in a weighty matter of saith . Which thing not onely Gerson affirmeth , together with the diuines of Paris , as you haue heard ; but Pope Adrian himselfe testifieth the same , as the zealous papist Alphonsus de castro , Alphonsus , lib. 3. adubaeres , prope finem . reporteth in these expresse words ; sexta haeresis docet nullam animam ante diem iudicij , esse beatam , quum vt ait , nulla anima an●e illum diem videt deum . Huius haeresios authores sunt Armeni , eandem etiam tuentur Greci , post istos surrexit Iohannes , 22. huius nominis pontifex . Sed ne verbis meis aliquis in hac parte deroget , verba Adriani papae referam , qui in suo quarto sententiarum , in calce cuiusdam quaestionis de sacramento confirmationis , it a ait ; nonissime fertur de Ioanne , 22. quod publice docuit , decla rauit , & ab omnibus teneri mandauit , quod a nimae purgata aute finale indicium non habent solam , quae est clara & facialis visio dei ; & vniuersitatem Parisiense ad hec induxisse dicitur , quod nemo in ea poteraet gradum in Theologia adipisci , nisiprimitus hunc errorem iurasset se defensurum , & per petuo ei adhaesurum . Haec Adrianus . The sixt heresie teacheth , that no soule is in eternall blisse before the day of dome , because as it saith , no soule before that day , seeth God , the Armeni are the authors of this heresie , and the Greekes holde the same . After these rose vp Pope Iohn , the 22. of that name . But least any man distrust my words in this point , I will receite the words of Pope Adrian , who in his fourth booke of sentences , in the ende of a certaine question of the sacrament of confirmation , saith thus ; last of all , it is reported of Pope Iohn the 22. that he publiquely taught , declared , & commaunded The Pope commandeth his Vassals , to sweare to false doctrine . all men to held ( this opinion ) that the soules of the iust , haue not before the day of dome , the sole , which is the cleare and faciall sight of God . And it is said , that he induced the Vniuersity of Paris to this ; that no man should take degree in the same , but , he that first did swear to desend this error , & to mantain the same for euer . Thus saith Adrian , who was him selfe the Byshoppe or Pope of Rome , and the most excellently learned Byshoppe , that euer was in that sea . And it will not serue the turne to say as the Iesuite Bellermine doth , in the defense of popish faith : to wit , that Pope Iohn erred as a priuate man , but not as Pope , for that distinction doth not onely want a good foundation , whereupon it should be built , but also it flatly destroyeth the plain text : the reason hereof is most euident , euen to euery childe . First , because 1 Pope Adrian saith , ( docuit , ) hee taught . Secondly , because he saith , 2 ( publice , ) publiquelie . Thirdly , because 3 he saith , ( mandauit , ) he commaunded all to holde it . Fourthly , because none coulde be made graduate , saue onely he that held 4 this opinion . Fiftly , because euery graduate 5 did swere , to hold & defend it foreuer . So then , the Pope may erre , not only as a priuate man , but also in the publike decree of faith , & that euen by the consente & testimonie of Adrian , who was Pope himselfe ; yea , who for learning & knowledge as the papists themselues confesse , was one of the rarest Popes that euer came at Rome . But of this point , I haue spoken more largely , in my booke of Motiues .

The eleunth Hound .

TEll me O Pope , doe not thy Doctors deare , wrest the scriptures most cleare , that so they may serue thy turne ? thou must for shame confesse it , for thine owne sworne vassall Polydorus Virgilius , doth witnesse it to be so ; these are his expresse words ; Non secus isti iurisconsulti Polydorut . lib. 4 cap. 9. aliquoties detorquent sacras literas quo volunt , ac sutores sordidas solent dentibus extendere pelles : These popish Legistes and Canonistes , doe nowe and then so wrest and writhe the holy scriptures ; euen as Coblers doe gnaw with their teeth , and stretch out their filthy skinnes . Out of these wordes I note first , that this 1. Polydore was a great papist himselfe , and so this testimonie must needs be of great force against the papistes . I note secondly , 2. that he speaketh not of the meanest and basest sort of papistes , but euen of the best , and of their renowmed Doctors ; because he meaneth Hostiensis , their grande and famous Canonist . I note thirdly , that their mangling and wresting of the holy scriptures , is most intollerable ; The papists wrest the scripture , and that without the same , they cannot possibly maintaine their wicked doctrine .

The 12. Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , doth not Dominicus Soto thine owne Dominican Frier , tell vs with open mouth , that no soules abide in Purgatorie aboue tenne yeares ? Doest not thou for all that , giue pardons Soto in 4. lib sent . dist. 19 q. 3. arg 2. for tenne thousand yeares ? doe not thy Romish priestes take money , to saye Masses for those that were dead and buried , seuen thousand yeares agoe ? the vsuall practise which my self haue knowen , doth proue it to be so ; I haue also proued the same in my booke of Motiues and more at large in my booke of Suruey .

The 13 Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , doest not thou teach thy children , that they are iustified by their owne merites , and by their workes of supererogation ? and yet doth not thy deare Frier Iohannes de Combis , oppose himselfe roundlie against that wicked heresie , Gods holy spirit mouing him so to doe ? I wote it is so , for these are his expresse words ; Hoc patet , quiae Deus semper remunerat supra Ioan ▪ de Combis lib ; 5. theolog . verit . cap. 1● meritum , sicut punit citra condignum . All this is euident , because God euermore rewardeth vs aboue our merites , and also doth euer punish vs , lesse then we deserue . For which respect , Saint Austen saith grauely , Ue etiam laudabilvitae hominum , si remotae misericordiae discutias eam . Woe , euen to the best liuer of all , if thou ( O GOD ) Aug. lib. 9. confess . cap. 13. shall examine his life , thy mercie set apart .

The 14. Hound .

TEll me O Pope , doth not thy famous Canonist and most reuerend Bishop , Couarruuias , tell vs without blushing , that albeit the doctrine of thine Angelicall Doctor Aquinas , be confirmed for Authentical by sundry Popes afore thee , The Popes doings & doctrine , must needs be defended . yet must the contrary opinion be defended of necessitie ? because forsooth saith Couerruuias , the life of popery cannot otherwise saued bee . These are his expresle words ; Nec me latet D. Thomam praevia maxima deliberatione afferere , Couern . To. 1. ca. 20 part . 11. in ●ed . col. prima . Rom. pontificem non posse propria dispeae satione continentiae solenne votum monathorum tolere , & paulo post , oportet tamen primam opinionem defendere , neque passim fiant , euertantur omnino . Neyther am I ignorant , saith Couerruvias , that Saint Thomas affirmeth after great deliberation , that the Bishop of Rome cannot with his dispensation , take away from monks their solemne vow of chastity , this notwithstanding , we must defend the first opinion , least the common practise of the Pope be turned vpside downe . Out of these wordes , sundry very necessarie 1 obseruations may be gathered . First , that the best learned Papistes , doe not agree 2 about the Popes Authoritie . Secondly , that great learned papistes among whom Aquinas is one , doe deny the Popes resolution , iudgement , and authority , and that euen in the highest points of doctrine . Thirdly , that false and absurd opinions 3 must be defended , for the credite and safegarde of the Popes religion . What a beggerly thing is poperie . Fourthlye , that most miserable is the Popes religion , which must haue such beggerly shiftes , for the maintenance of the same .

The 15. Hound .

TEll me O Pope , doest thou not reiect the sixt generall synode , because it prescribeth limites to thy holinesse ? doest thou not like wise reiect one parte of the generall counsell of Constance , for that it preferreth the authority of the counsell against thee ? doth not thine owne Iesuite Bellarmine , reiect the Epistle of Damasus to Hierome , and an other of Hierome to Damasus ? doth Loe , how roundly the papists reiect the fathers . not thy renowmed canonist Nauarre , reiect the common opinion , so often as hee disliketh the same ? doth not Cardinall Caietanus contemne a whole multitude of Fathers , when they seeme to him to holde against the scriptures ? doth not Melchior Canus a most learned papist , oppose himselfe against the Thomistes and the Scotistes ? Against all both olde and newe writers ? all this is true , I knowe it well , and I haue proued it , in my booke of Motyues . One or two testimonies I will heere set downe , because they are verie profitable for the Reader . Caietanus hath these expresse wordes ; Si quando occurrerit nouus sensus textui consonus , Caietan . in praefat. in quin que lib. Mos. nec à scriptura sacra , nec ab ecclesiae doctrina dissonus , quamuis à torrente doctorum sacrorum alienus , aequas se praebeant censores . Memineriut ius sum vnicuique tribuere , solis scripturae saecrae authoribus reseruata est authoritas haec , vt ideo credimus sic esse quod ipsi ita scripserunt , nullus itaque detestetur nouum sacrae scripturae sensum , ex hoc quod dissonat à priscis doctoribus . Sed scrutetur perspicatius textum ac contextum scripturae , & si quadrare inuenerit , laudet Deum , qui non alligauit expositionem scripturarum sacrarum priscorum doctorum sensibus , sed scripturae ipsi integrae sub catholicae ecclesiae censurae . alioquin spes nobis ac posteris tolleretur exponendi scripturam sacram , nisi transferendo ( vt ainnt ) de libro in quinternum . If at any time a new sense occurre , which is consonant to the text , & not dissonant from holy writt or doctrine of the Church , although it swarne from the opinion of neuer so many fathers ; yet let the Readers iudge there of indifferentlye , and according to equitie . Let them remember to giue to euerie one his right , because this priuiledge is onelie graunted to the writers This testimonie of Caieta●● , is worthye to be noted . of the holy scriptures , that we must therfore beleue it to be so , because they haue written so , Let none therfore loath a newe sense of holie scripture , because it dissenteth from the old Doctors , but let him exactly consider the text and context of the scripture , and if he find it to agree , let him praise God , who hath not tyed the exposition of the holy scriptures , to the opinions of the olde Doctors , but to the integritie of the scripture it selfe , vnder the censure of the Catholique Church . For otherwise , neither we nor our posterities shall haue any hope to expound the scripture , but onely to translate out of one booke into another . Thus we heare the crye of a well mouthed hound ; to wit , the verdict of our learned Caictain , our great Thomist , our religious The holie scripture ought to be the triall of euerie doubtfull question . fryer , our Cardinall of Rome . By whose graue resolution , well worthy to be written in golden letters , it is euident to euery child , that no sense , though neuerso new ; no exposition , though neuer so strange , no opinion , though different from neuer so many fathers , must , or ought to be reiected , if it be agreable to the holy scriptures . And consequently it followeth by the said resolution , that euerie trueth is to be tryed by the scriptures , and none at all by the fathers . Melchior Canus an other learned papist , is of the selfe same opinion . These are his expresse wordes ; Vbi ego si Thomistae Canus de locis , lib. 8. cap. 5. Ep. 245 omnes cum Scotist is existant , si cum antiquis iuniores vellent contra me pugnare , tamen superior sim necesse est , non enim vt nonnulli putant , omnia sunt in the logorum authoritate . Wherein , though all the Thomistes stand with the Scotists , though the olde writers with the younge fight against me , yet shall I of necessitie haue the vpper hande ouer them . For all thinges doe not as some thinke , rest in the authoritie of diuins . And why shoulde any man , depende vpon the iudgement of men , seeing O Pope thine owne sweete Iesuite Bellarmine , doth tell vs plainely , that all Bishops doe so dissent among themselues , and so swarue from the truth of the scripturs , as he knoweth not in the worlde whom to followe . These are his expresse wordes ; At sine dubio singuli episcopi Bellarm. lib. 2. de conc . cap. 2. errare possunt , & aliquando errant , & inter se quaudoque dissentiunt , vt nesciamus quisnam eorum sequendus sit . But without all doubt , all Byshops may erre one after an other , and they sometime doe erre , and sometime dissent one from an other , so as we cannot in the worlde tell , whome it is best to followe . Out of these wordes , I note first , that God 1 who caused Balaams Asse to speake , hath enforced our Iesuite against his will to Nu , 22. 28. confesse the truth . I note secondly , 2 that there is no Bishoppe in the worlde , but he both may erre , and sometime doth erre , and consequently , that the Pope of Rome is eyther no Bishoppe at all by his owne Iesuites graunt , or else that he both may erre , and doth erre in deede . Of which testimonie I make the the greater account , because it proceedeth from a Iesuites mouth . For none more forcible weapons can be vsed against Popish doctrine is most forcible against it selfe . the papistes , then to beate them with their owne swordes . I note thirdlie , that by our Iesuites confession , euerie 3 Bishoppe hath so manie errours , that the people cannot tell whom to followe . I note fourthlie , that since euerie auncient 4 father both may erre and doth erre , and that by popish grant , there is no reason , why the papistes shoulde vrge vs as they doe , to stande to the censure of the fathers in euerie thing , Nay they ought to giue vs leaue to examine their writinges , Ad amussim scripturarum , according to the true meaning of the scriptures : because the greate papistes , Caietanus , Canus , and Bellarminus , doe all three graunte the same , as is alreadie prooued . Adde heereunto the sente of the nexte hounde .

The 16. Hound .

TEll me O Pope , doest not thou take awaye all freedome and libertie graunted of olde time to all assemblies and synodes . Doest not thou denie voyces , and definitiue sentence , to all persons in all counsels , euen to the Emperour himselfe , admitting none , though neuer so learned , but Bishoppes onely , to iudge of doubtes in faith or religion ? doest not thou absente thy selfe from all counsels , and yet reseruest all iudgement to thy selfe , sitting in thy chaire at home ? doest thou not with all this , take thy Bishops sworne , euen when they are made Bishops , to defende thy papall Tyranny and lawes whatsoeuer ? I wote it is so , and I haue proued it in my booke of Motiues . I will neuerthelesse in this place briefely shewe the same , by the testimonie of three Romish Houndes . The first hounde is Gregorie , who was himselfe the late Bishoppe of Rome . His expresse words in his decreetals , are these ; Ego N. episcopus , Greg. lib. 7. decret. lit . 24. cap. 4. ab hac hora sidelis ero S. Petro , sanctaeque Romanae ecclesiae , dominoque meopapae N. eiusque successoribus Canonicè intrantibus . sequitur ; papatum Romanae ecclesiae , & regulas sanctorum patrum , adiutor ero ad defendendum & retinndum contra omnes homines ; sic me Deus adiuuet , & haec sancta euangelia . I ( Iohn Fisher ) Bishoppe , will from this day forwarde be faithfull to saint Peter and to the holy Church of Rome , and to my Lorde ( Boniface ) the Pope , and to his successours chosen canonicallie , and I will bee an helper to defende the popedome or papall authoritie , and the rules of the holie fathers against all people ; so God me helpe , and the holie Gospell . Out of these wordes , it may be easilie gathered , that the decrees of late Romish counsels , are in these our daies of no force at all . The reason is euident , because none but Bishops haue definitiue voyces in the saide counselles , neyther can the saide Bishops decree any thing , against eyther the Pope or the Church of Rome . For as we see by the Popes tyrannicall constitution nowe alledged , all Bishops are sworne to be faithfull to my Lorde the Pope , and to defend whatsoeuer he hath set downe , against all people in the worlde . Te second hound is Bellarmine our Romish Iesuite , whose expresse wordes are these ; Istum iuramentum non tollit Episcoporum libertatem , Bellarm. lib 1. de conc . cap. vlt. quae in conciliis necessaria est , iurant enim se fore obedientes summo Pontifici , quod intelligitur donec Pontifex est , & dum iubet ea quae secundum Deum & sacras canones iubere potest ; sed non iuràt se non dicturos quod sentiunt in concilio , vel se non deposituros ei● si haeretioū esse conuincant , This oth taketh not away the liberty of Bishopps , which in counsels is necessarie . For they sweare that they will be obedient to the Pope , which is to be vnderstood , so long as he is Pope , and while hee commaundeth those thinges , which he may commaund , agreeable to God and the holy cannons ; but they sweare not , that they will not speake what they thinke in the counsell , or that they will Marke this doctrine of our Iesuite . not depose him , if they proue him to be an heretique . Out of these wordes of 1 the Iesuite , I note first , that he sawe right well , that this oth bringeth no small discredite , to the late Romish religion ; in regarde whereof hee seeketh many shiftes , to saue the Popes credite if it might bee . I note secondly , 2 that all clergie-men admitted to giue voyces in counsels , are sworne wholy to obey the Popes constitutions . 3 I note thirdly , that the said persons are sworne to beleeue , that the Pope cannot erre in his iudiciall decrees of faith or manners , that no counsels are of force , without the Popes confirmation ; that all counsels confirmed by him , are approued by the holy Ghost : that he can excommunicate and depose , all Emperours , Kinges , Queenes , and Bishops in the Christian worlde : that hee can deliuer by his free pardons , all soules out of purgatorie , and a thousand other thinges , of like homelie qualitie , for all such matters are contayned , in the Popes holie holie cannons , and consequently , in their most lamentable othe . I note fourthlye , that they 4 are sworne to admitte his decrees , who as they beleeue , may be an heretique . I note fiftlye , that they are sworne 5 to admit his iudgement in all matters of faith , whome yet them selues maye iudge and depose for heresie . ( Fie , fie vpon all filthy popery . ) I note sixtly , that the popish fundamentall article , in appointing the Pope iudge ouer all controuersies ; is quite ouerthrowne & turned vpside downe in this Bellarminus his explication . For when hee saieth , ( while he commaundeth &c. ) he granteth euery Bishop freedome , to examine and to iudge of the Popes constitutions . Which libertie , if they would constantly performe , all true christians would agree with them . For none that beleeue rightly Would to God this were obserued amongest the papistes . in God , will deny obedience to the Pope , When soeuer he preacheth or teacheth any thing , which is ag●eeable to God & holy cannons . But true christians finding his canons to be disholy & his decrees to be against God ; thinke as Bellarmine heere teacheth them , that they may iudge his bad dealing , and are not bound to obey him . The thirde hound is Melchior Canus , whose Canus , lib. 5. de aut●or , conc . cap. 5. pag. 102. expresse wordes are these ; Decreta quoe a legatis contra sedis apostolicae traditionem apprebentur , non habent Romanae ecclesiae authoritatem , nec aliter se habent , quam si a consilio sine legatis prodijssent . Sequitur , solidam auctoritatem , quam in confirmandis & fratribus & dogmatibus Petrus habet , in legatos transferre non potest . The decrees which the legates shall approue against the tradition of the Church of Rome , haue no authoritie from the Church of Rome , neither are they of any more force , then if they had proceeded from the counsell without consent of the Legates . The sound authority which Peter hath in confirming his brethren and decrees , he can not transferre vnto his Legates . Thus writeth Canus , that great piller of Popishe Doctrine . Out of whose wordes I note first , that decrees of counsels 1 be of no force , without consent of the Popes Legates . I note secondly , that 2 the decrees of counsels , euen when they haue the consent of the Legates , are for all that of no force , when the Legates condiscend to any thing against the Popes minde . I note thirdly , that the 3 Pope cannot giue or translate his authoritie to the legates ; and consequently , that the Pope doth no little abuse the whole world , when he calleth together Late Popish counsels are of no authoritie . all Byshoppes in the world . and yet will allowe nothinge that they do , vnlesse it be the same that he decreth in his chaire at home .

The 17 Hound .

TEll me O precursor of Antichrist , if thou be not that Antichrist himselfe ? doest not thou take vpon thee to depose Kings , and to dispossesse them of their Scepters and regalities ? doest not thou chalenge authoritie to make Kings ? doest not thou tell them , that they haue not their power from God , but through thee and thy meanes ? I wote it is so , thy domicican Fryer Syluester reprooueth it , thy Iesuite Bellermine confirmeth it , and thy sworne Vassals , Campion , Ballard , and their complices , did put the same in execution . Syluester hath these expresse Syluester . de papa , par 2. wordes ; nec obstat , quod potestas imperialis est adeo concessa secundum multa iura , quia est a deo mediante Papa ; quia eam concedit non vt homo , sed vt vicarius dei . Nec sunt sic distinctae potestates , spiritualis scilicet & temporal●s , quin vna alteri subaliernetur ad instar solis & Lunae ; nec sunt distinctae , quasi semper sint in diuersis , sed quia sunt ordinata ad distincta , scilicet spiritualia & temporalia ; & in vno eodemque summo pontifice , est vtraque in summo . It skilleth not that many lawes affirme imperiall power to be of GOD . For it is but from God doth not make kings but by the Popes meanes . GOD , by the Popes meanes who granteth it not as man , but as the Vicar of GOD . Neither are the two powers , the spirituall and the temporall so disti●ct , but that they remaine subordinate the one to the other , after the resemblance of the Sunne & the Moone . Neither are they distinct as being alwaies in diuers subiectes , but as ordeyned to distinct thinges , spirituall and temporall . For they both are in one and the same Pope , euen in the highest degree . These wordes gentle Reader , neede no interpretation , they are full of open blasphemie , as all that haue eyes may see . Bellerminus hath these wordes ; Childericum deposuit Papa , & in eius locum Pipinum Caroli magni patrem Bellerm , de tom , pontifice , lib , 5 , cap , 8 , & , lib , eod , cap , 7. regem creari iussit . The Pope deposed Childericus , and commaunded to place Pipinus father to Charles the great , in his throne . Againe in an other place , the same Bellermine hath these expresse wordes ; at si isti ijdem principes conantur auertere populum a fide , omnium consensu possunt & debent priuari suo dominio . But if these princes goe about , to auerte the people from the faith ( of the Church of Rome , for so he meaneth , ) then by the consent of all , they may and must be dispossessed , of their scepters & Regalities . Againe , in the second Chapter he saith Bellerm , cap , eodem . thus ; quod si Christiani elim non deposuerunt Neronem , & Dioclesianum , & Iulianum apostatam , ac valentem Arianum , & similes ; id fuit , quia deerant vires temporales Christianis . If the Christians in time past , did not depose Nero , Diocletian , Iulian , Valens , and such like Emperours ; the cause thereof was this , because they wanted power and force , and were not strong enough for that attempt . Againe , a little after hee hath these wordes ; at non tenentur Christiani , imò Bellermin . cap , eodem . nec debent cum euidenti periculo religionis , tolerare regem infidelem . But Christians are not bound to tolerate a King that is an infidell , ( or not a papist , as the Ie suite vnderstandeth the worde , who will haue none to be christians : but papistes ; ) nay , they must not tollerate such a one , with the euident perill of religion . And our Ie suite hath this reason , to perswade vs thus to thinke ; because forsooth saith he , de iure humano est , Bellerm . vbi super . quod hunc aut illum habeamus regem . It is by the law of man , that we haue this or that man to be our Kinge . This is the doctrine of our Iesuite , and consequently of the Pope himselfe . Out of which disloyall and most vnchristian assertion , I inferre . First , that the Pope and his 1 Iesuites would most willingly , depose our most gracious Soueraigne from her royall throne and regalitie , if they were of force and power so to doe . I inferre secondly , that our Iesuite doth here approoue 2 peremptorily , many naughtie & abhominable factes ; aswell in the sight Loe , the fruites of popery is flat & open treason of god , as in the eyes of the worlde . First , the diabolicall excommunication of Pope Pius . Secondly , the disloyall fact of Murton , who brought the same into this Realme . Thirdly , the publishing thereof by Felton . Fourthly , the practising of the curse or excommunication , by Sanders , Fitz-Morice , Ballard , and others their sedicious complices . Fiftly , the renewing of the printe , & the dispercing of the copies at Rome , by our Iesuites , Persons and Campion , which thing was done during mine own abode at Rome , as a very compendious preparatiue , for their more commodious entrance into this land . I inferre thirdly , that all subiectes are by this doctrine , styrred vp and encouraged to manifest rebellion , as also to haue no scruple of conscience in so doying , the reason hereof is euident , because if kinges receiue their authoritie from man , as this Iesuite auoucheth ; then may kinges indeede be displaced by man , as Romish parasites & irreligious Pollitikes , do beare the world in hand . But God himselfe telleth vs another tale , by his annointed kinge Salomon the wise ; per me reges Pro , cap , 8 vers. 15. regnant , & legum conditores iusta decernunt . By me kinge doe reigne , & Princes decree iustice . By me princes rule , and all nobles , and iudges of the earth , And the apostle saith , non est potestas nisi a Deo . There is no power but of Rom. 13. 1. GOD .

The 18 , Hound .

TEll me O holy disholy father of Rome , how thou hast aspired to thy Lordes titles ? wilt thou holde thy peace ? must I needes speake for thee ? doubtles the glossers of thy Canons , gaue thee all thy Lordle titles , themselues being blind bayards , and very beggerly fellowes . For by reason of their pouertie , they flattered and sought to please ; and by reason of their ignorance , they writt many things , which they did not vnderstand . The great papist Franciscus a Victoria , hath these expresse wordes ; sed glossatores iuris hoc dominium dederunt papae , cum ipsi essent pauperes rebus & doctrina . But the glossers Victor , de potest : ecclae , relect. 1 sect , 6. pag , 39. of the popish Canon-law , gaue this dominion and these royall titles to the Pope , when them selues were blinde bayards and beggerly fellowes . O noble birth of Poperie .

The 19 Hounde .

TEll me O three headed Cerberus , who blasphemously namest thy selfe the Vicer vniuersall of Christ Iesus ; who was he that first gaue thee , the primacye Popish primacie began with bloude & is mainteyned with fire . and the headship of the Church ? was it not that blodie Phocas the parricide ? did he not rauish many godly matrons , and murder the godly Emperour Maur●ius together with his wife & children ? didst not thou shortly after obtaine of him , that the church of Rome might be called the head of all churches ? I am sure it was so : for so write thine owne zealous Papistes and renowmed Cronographerss ; Sigebertus , Plalmerius , Bergonensis , Polidorus , and others . Sigebertus hath these very wordes ; post quem Bonifacius Romanae ecclesiae presidet . Hic obtinuit Sygebert , in cron. apud Phocam ●mperatorem , vt ecclesia Romanacaput esset omnium ecclesiarum , cumprius Constantinopolitana id vsurpare tentasset , After whome Boniface gouerned the Church of Rome . He obtained of the Emperour Phocas , that the Church of Rome should be the head of all Churches ; and this he did , because the Church of Constantinople writt it selfe the head of all Churches . by whose testimonye it is most euident , as yee see , that the Church of Rome neuer sought for the primacie ouer other Churches , vntill the church of Constantinople proudly chalenged that name . For which proude appellation . S. Gregory surnamed the great , that holy and learned Byshoppe of Rome , stoutly withstoode Iohn the Byshoppe of Constantinople , tearming him Antichrist , and the Gregor. lib. cap. pe. 6 194. name Antichristian . And because his owne assertion plainly recited , is most forcible to perswade the reader , I will set downe his owne expresse words , which are these ; ego autem fidenter dico , quia quis quis se vniuersalem sacerdotem vocat , vel vocari desiderat , in elatione sua , Antichristum praecurrit . I speake boldly , that whosoeuer either calleth himselfe vniuersall Priest , or desireth so to be called , is for his intollerable pride , become the precursor of Antichrist . So then , the Church of Rome for the space of sixe hundred yeares after Christ , continued in equalitie and vniformitie with other Churches ; euen vntill the yeare of our Lord , 607. at which time Bonifacius A. D. 607 the third of that name , was proudly exalted by Phocas as is already saide .

The 20 Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , thou that makes thy selfe the foundation and rocke , vpon which the Church is built ; doe not thine owne deere darlings affirme boldly , that the church is neither built vpon Peter , nor vpon thee , but vpon the faith and confession that Peter made ? I wote they doe so , and thou shalt heare their expresse wordes : Dyonisius carthusianus Dionisius Carthus . in 16. cap. Math. hath these wordes : super hanc petram quam confessuses , hoc est , super meipsum lapidem angularem , montem altissimum , de quo ait apostolus , fundamentum aliud nemo potest ponere , praeter id quod positum est , quod est Christus Iesus . Vpon this rock which thou hast confessed , that is , vpon mine owne selfe the corner-stone , the 1. cor. 3. 11. high mountaine of which the Apostle speaketh : another foundation can no man lay , then that which is layed , which is Iesus Christ , vpon this rocke I say , will I builde my church , that is , the congregation of the faithfull . Thus writeth thine owne Fryer , and thy deare Doctor . Nicholaus de Lyra confirmeth this verdict in these expresse wordes : & ego dico tibi , pro te & pro socijs tuis , quin tis es Petrus . 1. confessor verae petrae quae est Christus . Et super hanc petram quam confessus es , id est , super Christum , aedificabo ecclesiam meam , & portae inferi , id est , persecutiones tyrannorum et tentationes spirituum malignorum non praeualebunt ad uersus eam , a vera fide subuertendo . ex quo patet , quod ecclesia non consistit Iyran , in 16 , cap. Mat. in hominibus ratione potestatis vel dignitatis ecclesiasticae velsecularis , quiamulti principes , & summi pontifices , & alij inferiores , inuenti sunt apostatasse a fide ; propter quod ecclesia consistet in illis personis , in quibus est notitia verae , & confessio fidei , & veritatis .

And I say to thee for thee and for thy fellowes , that thou art Peter that is to say , the confessor of the true rocke which is Christ . And vpon this rocke which thou hast confessed , that is , vpon Christ , will I builde my Church , and Hel-gates , that is , the persecutious and tentations of wicked spirits , shall not preuaile against The Church is built vpon Christ , & confiteth not of wicked Popes , but of those persons that confesse the faith of Christ . it in subuerting it from the true faith . Whereby it is euident , that the Church doth not consist in men , by reason of power or dignitie , either ecclesiasticall of secular ; because manie both Princes and Popes , and others of the inferiour sort , are founde to haue reuolted and made an appostasie from the faith , for which cause , the Church , consisteth in those persons , in whom there is true knowledge , and confession of the faith and veritie . Loe , by the verdict of Lyra a great learned papist , that which was spoken to Peter , was spoken to him , not as to himselfe alone , but to him for , and in the behalfe of his fellowes . And the rocke vpon which Christ promiseth to builde his Church , is not Peter , but his owne person , euen our Lord Iesus . But this point is handled atlarge , in my booke of Suruey . To which as also to my booke of Motiues , the papists would ere this , haue framed some answere , if they knewe in the worlde , how to deuise the same . But the truth must needes in time , haue the vpper hand .

The 21 Hounde .

TEll mee O pope , thou that bearest the worlde in hand , that the particular Church of Rome can not erre ? is not that Church which cannot erre , the whole congregation of the faithful ? I wote it is so , and thine owne children doe testifie the same against thee . Panormitanus a famous popish Archbishope , & thyrenowmed canonist , hath these expres wordes ; ecclesia uniuersitatis errare non Panormit . apud Silu. deside , s. 9. potest , scilicet in fide vel articulis fidei ; & pro hac tantum christus in euangelio orauit ad patrem . The church vniuersall cannot erre , to witte , in the faith , or in the articles of our beleefe ; and for this church onelye was Christs prayer when he prayed to his Father in the Gospell . Syluester hath these wordes : & sicintellige glossam dicentem , quodecclesia quae errare non potest , dicatur non papa , sed congregatio fidelium , Siluefter , de eccles. 5 , 4. quae silicet tenet fidem , quam Petrus cum aliis populis docuit . And thus must we vnderstande the glosse which saith , that the church which cannot erre , is not the Pope : But the congregation of the faithfull , that is , such as holde that faith firmely , which S. Peter with other ( godlye ) people taught . By which testimonie , euery one may see that hath eyes , that all the auncient writers , euen the papistes themselues , did euer more both thinke and write , that the church which could not erre , was onely and solely the whole companie of the faithfull , which thinge our Iesuite Bellermine , as one that forgetteth himselfe , confesseth , vnawares in these expresse wordes : secunda opinio est , pontificem etiam vt pontifex , posse esse baereticum & Peller , lib. 4 de rom , pont cap. 2. docere haresim . sequitur , hanc opinionem tuentur aliquot Parisienses , vt Gerson & Almain in libris de potestate ecclesiae , nec non Alphonsus de Castro , libro primo , cap. 2. contra haereses , et Adrianus sextus papa . The second opinion is , that the Pope euen as Pope , may be an heretique and teach heresie . Certaine doctors of Paris follow this opinion , as Gerson and Almaine , Alphonsus also & pope Adrian him selfe . Loe both papists & the Pope himselfe tell vs , that the Pope euen as Pope , may be an heretique & teach vs a false The Pope as pope may teach a false faith , and flat heresie . faith , & yet must we beleeue , that whatsoeuer he desireth or teacheth as Pope , is as true as the Gospell , or else be reputed heretiques for our refusall in that behalfe , and if it rest in the Popes power , be also burned at a stake .

The 22 Hound .

TEil mee O monstrous Pope , doe not all thy priestes in all their absolutions , ascribe remission of sinnes & eternall life , to the merites of mans works ? I wote they doe so , I know your practise right Polanchus de modo aud●en●● . onsess . well , and Polanchus our Iesuire hath published the same in print . These are his expresse worde ; passio D. N. I. Christi , merita , B. V. Mariae , & omnium sanctorum , & quicquid bonifeceris , vel mali sustineris , sit tibi in remissionem peccatorum tuorum , in augmentum gratiae , & praemium vitae aeternae . The passion of our Lord Iesus Christ , the merites of the blessedvirgin Marie , & of al Saints , whatsoeuer good thou shalt do , & what punishment soeuer thou shalt suffer , be to thee for remission of thy sinnes , for increase of grace , & for reward of eternall life . Thus doth our Iesuite truely set downe , the vsuall practise of the Romish Church , & of all popishe Priestes dispersed whersoeuer . This practise is agreable to the hymne made of Thomas Becket late Bishop of Canterbury . In hymne Tho Caut. These ar the words ; Tu , per Thomae sanguinem quem pro te impendit , fac nos Christe scandere , quo Thomas ascendit . By the bloud O Christ , which Thomas for thee did spend make vs come thither , whither Thomas did ascend . Which doubtles , is blasphemy intollerable .

The 23. Hound .

TEll me O Pope , if it like your holines ; what malice , hatred , and dissention , hath bene among you Popes , and that in most weighty and important matters ? euen in matters of faith , & fundamentall points of your religion ? did not Pope Stephanus the sixt of that name , persecute the very name of Formosus ? did he not disanull his giuing of orders ? did he not degrade them , that had receiued orders by him ? did not Pope Romanus , abrogate the whole Actes of Pope Stephanus ? did not Sergius the third persecute the very Carranza , in summa concil . Fol. 354. & fo. 355 name of Formosus ? did he not cause his head to be cut of , after his body was laid in the graue ? Carranza and Platina doe so write of thee & thy brethren , O holy father of Rome .

The 23. Hounde .

COnfesse the truth O cruell Pope ; disssemble no longer with the worlde . Doe not thy wicked lawes , charge all men , women , & children of mature age , to make auricular confession of all their Caietan . in summual . Pag. 590 : thoughts , words , & deeds ? doth not for all that , thine owne Cardinall Caietaeine tell thee , that it is a thing impossible to be done ? did not Iohannes Geilerius a very graue and reuerend diuine , who was a long time the preaher at Argentoratum , complaine , oftentimes to his trusty friends that it was impossible for men to make their confessions , as the Popes lawe required ? I wote he did so , and thine owne deare friend Beat us Rhenanus doth so affirme . I haue set downe his expresse words , in the 12. chapter of my Suruey . And heere I note by the way , that there were euer some good men amongst the The truth is & euer was confessed by some , euen among the papistes . papistes , as this Godly Geileirus , who disliked and reproued as farre as they durst ; the absurdities and abhomination , of late Romish doctrine .

The 24 Hound

TEll me O Pope , is not thy late Romish religion , like to a patched beggars cloake , with clouts vpon clouts ? doe we not knowe , how euery clout was put one to an other , by whome and at what time ? I wote we knowe it , and my selfe haue proued it ; in my booke of Suruey . If any papist can deny it ; let him answere that , that I haue written there .

The 25. Hound .

TEll me O pope , doest not thou make hauocke of Christes gospell ? doest not thou dissolue that matrimonye , which Christ himselfe pronounceth to be indissoluble ? doest not thou dispense with persons lawfully married , that the husbande may take an other wife , and the wife an other husbande ? I wote thou doest it , and thine owne deare Doctors Nauarrus and Couerrunias , doe testifiye the same against thee Nauarre hath these expresse words , Diuiditur ( matrimonium ) ante consummationem per dispensationem Papaeinsta de can sa factam . Matrimony is dissolued before Na●arr . in . 〈◊〉 . cap. 22. par. 21. consummation ( or carnall copulation ) by the Popes dispensation , if it be granted vpon iust cause . And the same Nauarre auoucheth boldy in the place already quoted , that Paulus the third , and Pius the fourth late Bishops of Rome , did giue such dispensations in his time to certaine married persons , at the same Nauarrs request ; Couerrunias hath these words ; Nec me latet Paulum quartum summum ecclesiae pontificem , an : 1558. hac vsum fuisse dispensatione Couarrau . t●m 1 cap. 7 par 4. ● . 3. 〈◊〉 . quibusdam ex causis , quas iustissimas esse idem summus ecclesiae praesul existimauit ; idem paulo ante Iulius tertius fecerat in eodem matrimonio , cum ecclesiae vninersali presideret . Neither am I ignorant , that Pope Iulius the fourth put this dispensation in practise , for certaine causes which the same Pope thought to be most iust . The Pope doth dissolue ●●●trimony at his pleasure . Iulius the third likewise when he was Bishop of Rome , granted the same dispensation in the same matrimoniall contract See more herof , in my booke of Motiues .

The 26. Hounde .

TEll me O Pope , dost not thou teach vs , that the Virgin Mary was conceiued without sinne hast not thou for that end appointed the feast or festiuall day of her conception ? doth not thine own sweete Beholde flat Idolatry , inpopish solennity . Bernard forsake thee herein ; doth not he sharply reproue the Carhedrall Church of Lyons , for the self same thing ? doth not he terme that practise , the nouelty of presumption , the mother of temerity , the sister of superstition , & the daughter of leuitie ? do not S. Austin , S. Ambrose , S. Chrisostome S. Bede , Eusebius , Remigius , Anselmus , Bonauentura , Aquinas , Hugo , and all the resti , sing the selfe same song ? are anye with these idolatrous Pope ) in this point of doctrine , saue onely thy late hatched Iesuites and Seminaries ? few or none I The Pope and his Iesuites , are against all the fathers assure thee , as I haue proued in my Suruey , and in my booke of Motyues . To which bookes I earnestly wish , that some of thy vassals would once frame some answere

The 27. Hounde .

TEll me O pope , thou that commaundest thy Church-seruice , to be said and song in a vnknown language which the common people , & the greater part of the priests cannot vnderstand ; were not all prayers & other seruice of the Church , in the vulgar tongue as well in the primitiue Church , as many hundred years after Christ , I wote it was so , & I haue proued it in my booke of Suruey . But harken O Pope what thine own Lyra telleth thee he is a wel mouthed hound , take heed lest he bite thee , for these are his words ; ( Cae●erum si benedixerit . ) 1. Tu sacerdos vel episcope ( spiritu ) 1. absque hoc quod populus intelligat ( qui Lyra. in 1 cor. 14. supplet locum idiotae quasi diceret , quid proficit populus simplex & non intelligens q. d. nihil aut modicum , quia nescil se conformare tibi qui estainister ecclesiae , respondendo Amen . Propter quod in primitiua ecclesia , benedictiones & cetera communia fiebātin vulgari . But if thou shalt blesse , that is , thou that art priest or Bishop ; ( in spirit , ) that is , so as the people vnderstand not what thou saist , what pro fit shal the simple & igno●●● people haue ? truly eyther very little or none at all , because they cannot conforme themselues to thee , who are the minister of the Church , in saying Amen to thy giuing of thanks . For which cause both praiers & other common the church seruice ought to be in the vulgar tongue . things , were done in the vulgar tongue in the primitiue church . Out of which words I note first , that the church-seruice in old time , was made in the vulgar tong , which all the people vnderstood . I note secondly that the church seruice ought to be in the vulgar tongue , according to S. Pauls doctrine . I note thirdly , that the people receiue no profit by the church seruice , when it is made in a tongue , which they do not vnderstand . I note fourthly , that the people ought to pray together with the minister & to answer Amen to this blessings . I note fiftly , that the people in the Romish church , cannot this day performe that which their own Lyra a learned man indeed , auoucheth very constantly to be the doctrine of S. Paul . I note sixtly that the late Romish religion is farre different & nothing like , to the olde catholike religion and practise of the primitiue Church .

The supplement , for the solace of the well affected Reader .

FIrst , the Church-seruice was made in the vulgar tongue , in the old ancient , and primitiue Church . Secondly popish primacy began , in the yeare , 607. by the tyranny of the Emperour Phocas , at the earnestsuit of Boniface the bishop of Rome & third of that name . Thirdly , the Popes pardons were neuer heard of , vntill the yeare 1300. Fourthtly , the mariage of priests was not prohibited , till the yeare 385. at which time Syritius then Bishop of Rome , made a wicked lawe in that behalfe . Fiftly , popish purgatory tooke no roote in the Romish Church , till the yeare 250. sixtly , popish pilgrimage began in the yeare , 420. seuenthly , the merit of works , de condigno , was disputable about the yeare , 1081. eightly , the inuocation of saints & adoration , was not known or hard of , till the yeare , 370. ninthly , the communion vnder both kinds was neuer thought vnlawfull , till the yeare , 1414. tenthly , the Popes Buls were not authenticall , till the yeare 772. eleuenthly , auricular confession was not established , till the yeare , 1215. twelftly , generall counsels were euer summoned by the Emperours . These & many other important matters , are proued at large in my book of Suruey ; & here noted briefly for the helpe of the simple vulgar sort .

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