WITH the doctrine of scriptures , both the Canons of councells , and writings of the fathers of the Church do also well agree . And with them all the lawes of godly Christian emperors doe concur . the Canons of the Apostles , c. 11. doe pronounce him excommunicate , that prayeth or talketh with an excommunicate person . c. 45. they forbid cleargie men to communicate with heretikes . The councel of Laodicea c. 31.32 . and 33. dooth directlye condemne communion with heretiques , either in mariage or prayer .

The fourth councel of Carthage c. 70. forbiddeth cleargy men all feasting and felowshippe with heretikes and schismatikes .

So zealous likewise haue the fathers shewed themselues against false teachers , that they haue bothe shunned theyr companie , and disallowed all participation with them , and their followers . Tertullian in Scorpiaco wold haue such compelled , and not praied , to do their dutie .

Athanasius de Synodis writing of heretiks , spreading theyr erroneous doctrine , How I pray you ( saith hee ) are they not woorthye of all punishmentes , when they write such things ?

When impietie beginneth to shewe it selfe openlie , sayeth Gregorie Nazianzen , in orat . pro pace , wee oughte to resist it as much as we may by sword , fire , or by any other meanes , least we be partakers of euill leuen , or consent vnto such as he infected with pernicious doctrin . And againe , in homil. in dict. euangel. Cut off sayeth he , the Arian impietie , cut off the pernicious error of Sabellius . This I speake to lay men ; this I speake to the cleargie ; and this I speake to the Magistrates . My wordes fighting for the holy trinitye shall not haue so much efficacye , as thy edict shall , if thou wilte represse such as are infected with pernitious opinions .

Hierome in cap. 5. epist. ad Galat. sheweth , that as soon as the sparkes of heresie appeare , they must presently be extinguished , and that Arrius in Alexandria was but one little sparke , yet because he was not presently oppressed , that the flame arising thereof consumed the whole world .

Saint Augustine epist. 48. ad Vincentium , proueth , that Christian men are to be forced to embrace truth , both by the example of Paul , that by violent compulsion was conuerted to Christe , and by these words of the Gospell , compell all that you find to come in . The same father , Epist. 50 , ad Bonifacium sayth , that Kings then serue god , when they forbid , and punish with religious seuerity those things , which are done against the commandements of god . The like sayings and arguments he hath , lib. 2. contra Gaudentij epist. c. 17. and lib. 4. contr. Crescon grammatic . c. 2. & contr. lit . Petil. lib. 2. c. 83.

To these fathers we may also adde the testimonies of Ambrose epist. 32. ad Valentin . imperat . and in orat . ad Auxentium de Basilicis non tradendis , & in Luc. c. 10. of Chrysostome homil. de auaritia , and of . Optate of Mileuis contra Parmenian . lib. 3. and of diuers others . But what need many proofs in matters so apparant ?

Irenaeus aduers . haeres . lib. 3. c. 3. sheweth , how Saint Iohn the Euangelist fled out of the bath , wherein the heretike Cerinthus was , least it should fall vpon him . There he sheweth also , howe the ancient fathers refused to communicate so much , as in speeche with such , as adulterated the truth : Eusebius lib. 7. hist. c. 6. by the authority of Dionysius and Heraclas proueth , that such as conuerse with hereticks are excommunicate .

The pious Christian Emperors did likewise establish that by law , which the fathers by their doctrine and practise taughte . Constantin the great was no soner setled in his state , but he forbad idolatrous sacrifices , & caused idoles to be defaced and demolished , as is testified by Eusebius in diuers places of his books de vita Constantini . Augustine lib 1. contr , Parmen. c. 7. and contra Petil. lib. 2. c. 92. testifieth , that he disabled heretiks tomake any testaments . Eusebius de vita Constantini lib. 3. c. 62. & 63. declareth , that he prohibited the exercise of all hereticall religions , and held heretikes and sectaries to be no better , then traitors to himselfe , and enemies to truth .

The Emperors Gratian , Valentinian , and Theodosius l. 1. Cod de sum . trinit. & fid , Cath. commaund all their people to embrace one religion , the somme whereof they do set downe in forme of a law . and in the law omnēs . C. de haereticis . they commaund all heresies to keep silence . omnes vetitae legibus diuinis & imperialibus constitutionibus haereses , say they , perpetuò quiescant .

Arcadius and Honorius , as appeareth by the law . Cuncti . C. de haeret . & Manich. tooke away all churches from heretiks , least they shold teach or doo the exercises of their false religion in them .

Theodosius the yonger and Valentinian his consort , made diuers lawes against heretikes , as we may read in Codice Theodosiano . The like course was held by Martianus and Iustinian , as is euidentlye declared by their lawes yet extante in the Code and nouells .

Finally , if at any time Christian Emperors grew cold , eyther in setting forth the true faith , or in punishing or suppressing errors ; then we find that the auncient fathers fayled not both to admonish them of their duty , and to reprehend them for their slacknesse .

THE gentils by the light of reason perceiued , that religion was not lightly to be changed and god dooth therein taxe his people by his prophet , that they were more easily induced to change the euerliuing god , then the Heathen nations were to change their gods . They considered , that ther was but one truth , & constantly beleeued , that their religion was true . This was the reason why the Romanes did so violently persecute the primitiue christians , and refused the superstitious rites of Bacchanalia , which priuilie began to creepe in among the people .

But Christians proceede vpon better groundes of policie in prohibiting the exercise of all false religions . For firste they consider , that the wrath of god is reueiled from heauen against such , as with-holde the truth in vnrighteousnes . But who doe herein offend more greeuously then they , which either grant liberty to false teachers , or winke at the exercises of a wicked and false Religion ? doe not they manifestly giue way to errors and stop the course of truth ?

Secondly they know , well that god despiseth those , which despise him , as we reade , 1. Samuel . 2. and that hee casteth such out of his fauour , as are neither hote nor colde . Jf then such as regard not to see god rightly serued , rest despised , and luke-warme professors are reiected : how will it goe with such , as are colde in setting forth true Religion , and care not what false doctrines are stirring abroade in the world ?

Thirdly they vnderstand the greeuous threatnings of the law against all idolatrous & false worship of god . I am a iealous god saith the Lord , and will visit the sinne of the Fathers vpon the Children to the third and fourth generation of those , that hate me .

Fourthly as there is but one god , so they know , that there is but one true religion . Christian policie therefore may teach them to admit no religion , but that , which is founded vpon the writings of the Apostles and Prophets , and which they are resolued is most true .

Fiftly diuersities of religions breed distractions of mens minds and diuers seditious stirres , and tumultes , as the leagues of France , and practises of the popes agentes in France , Flanders , England , Scotland , Germany and other countries doe declare . of late the Papists seeking to replant their superstition in England , went about to set the land on a flame , and to drown true religion in blood . But wise politicks are by all means to roote out these seedes of Ciuil dissension .

Sixtly all changes in matters of state are dangerous . But admitte a false and erroneous religion , where nothing but the true faith hath been professed . & then no doubt but the change will be great .

Finally nothing is more absurd , then to change lawes with out cause , and to admitte a religion condemned by lawes , and to restore such as are condemned by the state . For that is rather a subuersion , then an alteration both of lawes and state . If then we respected nothing but the danger of state in the mutation of religion ; yet woulde all pollitick and wise men bee well aduised howe they admitted a newe and false religion contrary to that which hath formerly beene receiued by the state .

BVT where the Pope and his adherents may fit as iudges , little reasoning may serue , to perswade them to dislike of toleration of diuers religions . For not onelie their doctrine , but also their long continued practise condemneth it . in the Chapter ad abolendam de haereticis , They adiudge them Hereticks that dissent from the Romish church in the doctrine of the sacramentes , and such both by ecclesiasticall , and by ciuill lawes they persecute to the death . Nay oftentimes without forme & colour of law , they massacre them , empoyson them , & by all means seek to root out the race & memory of them out of the earth . Their goods they confiscat , their liuings they take away , their bodyes they burne , and although malice doth oftentymes end with death , yet such as are of a contrary religion , & all those that fauour them , they persecute both aliue and deade , killing those whom they can ouercome , and cursing whome they cannot kill . In France they massacred many thousands without forme of law , and gladly wold they haue massacred vs in England , if theire treasons had not beene discouered .

Bellarmine lib. de laicis , C. 18. determineth , that it is not lawful for any magistrate or prince to grant libertie of conscience , or toleration of religion to his subiectes . He saith further , that hee oughte to defend one onely religion with all his force . Non licet vlli magistratum vel principi saith he , conscientiae libertatem , seu pacem religionis subditis suis concedere , sed vnam tantum religionem sum ma vi defendere tenetur .

Posseuin his consort lib. 1 select biblioth. , 2.6 , doth not onely deliuer the fame doctrine , but also sheweth reasons , why two religions may not in one state be tolerated . Firste hee saith it is a diuelish inuention . 2. that it is contrary to gods ordinance . 3 that it repugneth against the law of nature . 4. it is contrary to the substance and property of the christian faith . 5. that it taketh away the truth and certainty of christian religion . 6. that it taketh away the certaintie of gods deuire worship and of the Church : 7 , that it taketh away christian discipline . 8. that it cutteth asunder the vnit ye of the church . 9. that it is contrary to the worde of god . 10. that it is repugnant to the practise of the Primitiue church , the authority of fathers , and lawes of christian Emperours . and finally that it prouoketh the wrath of God againste the Authors of it .

Neither neede we to make any question of the practise of Papistes in this behalfe , if wee looke anto the actions of the pope and his bloody Jnquisitories . In Italy they tolerate no religion contrary to Popery . in Spaine they persecute such christians with fire and sword , as are contrary to theire faction .

Jn the Low countries the cause of troubles proceeded principally from hence , for that the people would not admitte the bloody inquisition of Spaine , that was thoughte to be the fittest meanes to rooote out all religions but one .

Although then papists now think it no inconuenience in England to tolerate diuers Religions , and to admit another religion then that , which is alreadie receiued , and stick not in plain termes to saye so yet it is apparant , that they speake againste their conscience , and that they contradicte their owne docttrine and practise .

I Might , if J list , enlarge the former discourse , with diuers other reasons against toleration of diuers religions . but what should further demonstrations neede to proue that , which no papist will , as I thinke , deny ? let vs therefore shewe , because these apologeticall petitioners stand much vpon the trueth and honesty of their religion , that beside the former generall reasons , there are diuers other particular matters to be obiected against popish religion , euery one sufficient to crosse their desires . For first it is a false and erroneous religion . Next the same is superstitious and idolatrous . Thirdly it is , composed of diuers hereticall positions . Fourthly it is a pack of nouelties . Fiftlie it conteyneth diuers doctrines full of Blasphemies . Sixtly it is enemie to kings , and greeuous to their subiects . Lastly it conteyneth many pointes of doctrine condemned by the aduersaryes themselues : and alloweth diuers practises disliked by all nations .

That Popery is a religion false and erroneous , we prooue firste by the falshood of the groundes thereof , and next by the erroneous positions and doctrines , whereof it is composed . Stapleton in his book entitled , principia doctrinalia , doth deliuer vnto vs . 7. grounds or principles of popish religion . The first is the church of Rome , the second is The Pope . the third the meanes vsed by the Pope in iudgement , the 4. the Popes infallible indgement in causes of controuersy . the fist his power in taxing or consiguing the canon of holy scriptures . the sixt his certain interpretation , when he expoundeth scriptures . the seauenth the churches or popes power , in deliuering doctrine not written . The which grounds , as they are defectiue , not mentioning the canon of scripturs , as a ground of fayth , nor reputing the decrees of councels , and writings of Fathers to be any matter of moment deseruing to be placed among the principles of our aduersaries fayth : so they are most absurde and false . For first howe can the church of Rome be a principle or foundation to it self ? and againe why shoulde the Church of Rome , where Peter taught be more a foundation or principle , then the Churche of Hierusalem , where our sauiour Christ himselfe taughte and suffered ? the apostle Rom. 11. doth threaten the Romanes , and signifie that the Roman church was a branch , that mighte bee cut of . And Saint John Appocalyps . 17. sheweth , that the whore of Babilon , which was a figure of Antichrist , should haue her seate in Rome .

Secondly the Popes doctrine is notoriously declared to be erroneous , and that in many materiall pointes , as for example in the questions aboute the lawe , the sacramentes , transubstantiation , the gouernement of the Church , and diuers other important points . But were it not a matter already knowne and resolued ; that the Pope cannot be supreme iudge in matters of religion ; yet the papists haue no reason to thinke , that a blind man can iudge of colors , or an ignorant man of Artes . Furthermore the pope hath no greater priuiledge , then the high priest of the law , Yet he erred in condemning Christ and his doctrine . Lastly both the fathers shew , that diuers bishops of Rome haue bene Herreticks , as Liberius and Honorius : and Adrian the. 6. in his booke de sacrament . c. de confirmat . confesseth , that the pope may determine falselie by his decretall .