THERE is nothing so sacred , which is not in some sorte infested by impietie , or so pure and vndefiled , that man his malice endeuoreth not vpon occasion to pollute & corrupte . But for that suche practises are in their oune proper shapes and natures passing vglie and detestable , therupon wilie witt in them playeth conning pranckes , and laboreth earnestlie to make that seeme holie , which is plotted against all sanctitie , that to appeare shining bright , which is ordained to oppresse and extinguish the verie beames of the sunne with an infernall vampe of error and foule transgression . Which manner of craftie maliciouse intendement is in no one kinde , as more ruefull to feele , so nether more veuable to beholde , then in the progresse of heresie & heretickes againest faith and children of the Ghospell : whose endeuors either are so couert lie couched in the treanche of deepe dissimulation , or so gorgiouslie sett oute vpon the stage in the fained coulors of hipocrisie , that none shall be able to discrie the treacherouse conceilement of the one , and the false varnished splendour of the other , vnlesse his watchefull Prudence be balased beloe with humilitie , and his humble obedience be reared vp oboue to the height and light of discreete vigilancie .

When Abrahams seruantes had by digging founde oute sundrie fountaines G●n. 26. for the commoditie of cleare water in the soile of Palestina , the inhabitans of the Countrie enuying his successe as it seemed , with violence dammed them vp by quantitie of earth cast into their discouered Springes : the which notwithstanding after by the industrie of his sonne Isaac were cleansed , and in them the liquor was brought againe to wholesome vse , and natiue perfection . Wherupon did then arise a new manner of opposition betwixt the homebred shepheardes of Gerara , and those of his owne retineue : whenas his prophane enimies did not now as before in Abrahams dayse , by strength of arme glutt and stopp them vp , but maintained claime vnder a false title vnto them : & so by sclaunder and emnitie sought to impatronise themselues with proprietie of such preciouse treasures , which before God his people helde in lawfull possession . Orig ▪ Homil 13. in c. 26. Ge. In like sorte what aunci●nt fou●taines of deuine doctrine we haue bequeathed vs from the labors of the P●t●●arckes , and Prophets ; or of later inuention discouered vnto vs by our Sauiour Christ , and his Apostles , some bende their force● with the Iewe and Gentill by earthlie and carnall interpretations , or els by might of perseq●ution , vtt●●lie to abolish , and so to drie vp the water of them euen to the darkenes of obliuion . Others not professing their totall extermination , to wit heretikes , commence suict . againest their trewe owners by clamorouse comba●ments , ir●full inst●um●ntes of furie , to entitle themselues Lordes ou●r ●uch endowments , to which equitie affordeth not them an●e allowable interest , or i●stifi●●le pr●tenc● . Notwithstanding in ishue of effecte , heretickes as th●y st●●●e ag●inest vs Catholickes to be commaunders of the fountaines , so not contente with the lordeshipp of them , moreouer seeke by their vs●● p●tion to defile them : with the Pagan and Iewe accorde in this fi●all pro●ect● , that they , as monumentes and headspringes of faith , be 〈◊〉 vp with clods and rubbish of infidelitie and idolatrie .

It h●●he beene auerred in the precedent Treatise , that our assured assent Au●ust in 〈◊〉 of ●ill and vnderstanding s●●rendred to saith , as vpon rocke and ancher doeth depende vpon some outeward auctoritie , through poyes of remar●keable grauitie pr●u●l●●t with such , who prudentlie are to iudge what is to be b●leued , & what to be ●schewed fals●ly recommended vnto Rom. ●● . them as matter of that heauenlie qualitie . In regard wherof the Apostle S. Paule pronounced , faith to be engendered by hearing , and hearing employed aboute the same , to be directed to the worde of God . Wherefore that faith may be attained by hearing , not on●lie is to be attended a soun●ing Voice of the Preacher , but all so the propertie of him as catechist is to be considered : in that from him onelie are wee dutifullie to heare in this important affaire , who according to a iudiciouse calculation is founde to be a deuine messenger of the holie Ghoste : for otherwise emong manie Doctors and maisters in contrariety , our attentiue hearing should be vncertaine , distractiue , and so liable to the decciptes of forging dissemblers and false Relligionars . Wherefore when we haue by a prudent examine once founde oute the waight and moment of aucthoritie , then in vertue of the same may wee maturelie esteeme the Preachers wordes as the verie wordes of allmightie God , deliuered vnto vs from the mouthe of man , as from his oracle of approued seruice and designed ministerie . For by the worde of God the Apostle in that place did not meane the whritten worde , but rather the worde of the churche in her preaching tradition : in that the worde of the Ghospell was not then registred by letters when he vttered that doctrine : and allso for that , many I●en lib. 1. c. 5. barbarouse Nations conuerted to the faith of Christ , not knouing any recorde of scripture , neuerthelesse in their first conuersions , and originall matriculations in the societie of God his people , as they conceiued faith b● hearing , so allso d●ubtlesse did they ●hen heare the worde of God beleuing . Therefore the most assured , breife and substantiall method how to stick to tr●uth when the ear● , instrument of faith and discipline , is assailed by fals●●ie , is exactlie to discusse , which contradictorie partie is auouched by gre●ter and better aucthoritie , as through more ample number of beleuers , elder profession , orderlie mission , more eminent sanctitie , more famouse explo●tes in the processe of veritie and vertue : then herupon respectiuely it will be approuable by reason , relying on the one , to censure as lighte , weake , not worthie our admirtance suche pretended auctoritie , which in balance of triall shall appear● deuoide of all those prerogatiues of deuine grauitie and maiestie . According to which manner of proceding S. Augustin by waye of ponderou●e aucthoritie doeth not onely excellently well prescribe in generall against all heresie banded in armes to infest the Catholick faith , but moreouer still disputing in particular against the Manichies , the Donatistes , the Pelagians , applieth this capitall Prescription from outward aucthoritie to the present controuerlie : and therby not onelie Theologicallie , but allso prudently , as eache intelligent persone may in like Case , concludeth for the Catholick faith againest their heresies . And vpon this grounde , comperatiuely valeuing the presumptuouse aucthoritie of Protestants with that of Catholickes , it hath beene by me demonstrated , that naturall prudence doth geue sentence for vs againest them : and most euidently haue we made it good , that Protestantes for w●nte of this outeward competent aucthoritie , consequently haue no meanes to setle and ancher themselues in substance , in constancie , in vnitie of beleefe , to conuerte Pagans , to reclaime heretickes , or to condemne their errors as iustely reproueable .

Bu● what semeth in this poincte to me most considerable , is this : that Cir. in exposit Symb. Nicen. wereas the Protestante clearelie perceiueth , that outewarde aucthoritie of grace and worthe stanneth not for him , but rather for vs , and in fronte of hostilitie against his faction , therupon turneth he his batterie to demolish and beate doune this grande outeward aucthoritie diuersely empeaching the same : & so in effecte manifesteth himselfe an auoued souldier of Antichrist . For yf once his impiouse and rebelliouse pride should preuaile against auctoritie in the affaire of faith : yf he shall dismantle faith of the safegard & state of aucthoritie , forthwith must faith perish , as a tree despoiled of the barcke , as a plante depriued of heauens influence , as the conducte wanting the pipe : then must there be no pregnant argumentes lefte to r●concile the infidell or misbeleuer , no supporte remnante to a certaine wauering Christians , no preseruatiue extant againest the infection of heresies and seduction : and then herupon must all Christian pietie and beleefe , as the Protestant formindeth , breath oute their vitall spiritt into atheisme & paganrie . In this respect deseruedly Aetius , as whriteth Socrates , was suruamed the Atheist , for that disdainefully he misprised the aucthoritie of commentaries endighted by the learned Fathers , relying whollie in resolution vpon his owne priuate expositions Socrat l 2. Hist. c. 28. deuising this or that pretenddely , as sense deducted from the sacred Texte . Allso for this selfe same consideration S. Athanasius calleth Arius an Athanasius . orat 2. cont . A●ian . Atheist , all thoughe in counterfeict resemblance he vrged scriptures to fortifie his heresie , in the meane season contemning aucthoritie , and boasting of himselfe as peculiarly illuminated by allmightie God . And as concerning the Protestant , yf we once thincke with him , that the churche , from which in perplexitie we are to receiue assurance , in strife to gaigne repose , to be inuisible , shrouded and buried in the bouells of darcknes , what purpose is it for vs in searche to make repaire to her mansion place or tribunall of iudgement ? Yf we conceipte , as Protestants doe , that the teaching aucthoritie of the churche may erre , and hath often times made lapse into falsitie , whie shoulde we now for the present creditt her definitions , peremptorely auouching , these whriringes to be the very worde of God Ghostly from him inspired : allmightie God to be one in substance , and triple in personalitie : the second persone in the B. Trinitie to be incarnated for the worldes redemption , seing that in these , as well as in others matters by her indifferently recommended vnto vs , she may decline from veritie , and all conformite with the prime & eternall truthe ? Whereupon abandoning churchlie aucthoritie , we must remaine lefte to our owne tiring deuises , and so flitt and wander , as shall please poore reason from her weake vigour changeably to geue vs information . Then at the the first brandeling steppe into a labarinth , shall we entertaine opinion with the Arians , that it smallie importeth our saluation of what secte be our faith in sundrie particular poinctes , so after owne deuised fashion we beleue in God & Christe : who as recordeth Athanasius , thought to be an Athana . orat . 2 con Arian . Epist ad . stud v●● . sol●● . indifferent thing the asse●tion of Arins , & thereupon equallie stiled them good Christians , who followed the same . In like manner shall we consorte with Donatistes , who as witnesseth S. Augustin accounted it a matter meerely disputable the practice of rebaptising . Allso shall we ioyne ●shue with Pelagians Aug ●● ▪ cont. Cr●●con . c. 4. D●●ecc●to o●●g c 2● . denying the necessitie of grace to good life : In whiche thing , sayed they , as aduertiseth vs the same S. Augustin , yf we be conninced to haue erred , yet our errour will not appeare otherwise a faulte , then against ciuilitie . After beeing possessed with this caruing conceipte in matter and obiecte of deuine faith , crying oute with the strumpet Diuidatur , lert variances in beelefe haue free pasportes 3. Reg. ● . to trauaile withoute losse throughe damnation , our priuate deuises in mutiny phantasying this or that , not geuing vs full contentment , doubting of all shall we rushe vpon atheisme , and losing sense and spiritt of heauen , finally die in the hidiouse gulfe therof . And h●re●s staked the dismall and blacke period of Protestancie auiling and neglecting the regardeable Aug. epi. ●●● aucthoritie of the Catholick churche . Que est enim peior mors animae , quàm libertas erroris ? what death ●f the soule worse , then fredome to erre ? For as hathe bene declared againest the Protestante , his misprisall of outewarde aucthoritie concerning i●●efragable iudicature in questions controuersed , importing assured deliuerie of the cathechisme to all desirouse of instruction , openeth the gappe to distrus●e , to dissentions , to all heresies , and at lenght to rennegacie of faith and infidelitie purposed by Antichrist , and his vnuersall bande of enroled complices . Then Christian Reader , I doubte not , but that thou haste vnderstoode by the precedenr parte , firste , that by vertue of naturall prudence , yf for thy direction in the affaire of faith thou resoluest to folloue any teaching auctoritie , thow atte absolutely to followe that , which stanneth for the Catholik Romane beleefe : that of the protestant , in veue and verdicte therof , not beeing equall , or in any sorte comparable . Secondly haste thow learned , how that the Protestā● by diuerse his positions , purposely applied to disgrace all outewarde aucthoritie of the churche , as denouncing , or rather renouncing it as inuisible , as pl●able to error , as subiect to the examine & censure of euerie priuate spirit , as for many hundreds of yeares in seruice of Antichrist to haue displaied his banner of crueltie , of falsitie , of impietie : in defiance of Christe and Christian veritie to haue enacted sundrie Canons and decrees , laboreth hereby to destroy the ordinarie instrument of the Holie Ghoste for the persuading of faith , and nurrishing the same ; & so maketh entrance for rude , blouddie , cruell , sauage atheisme , with barbarouse neglecte of all diuinitie .

Moreouer for that the totall office of a Christian is not abridged in the Lactant lib. 1. I●st● ▪ Chri●o . Homil. quod Nemo laeditur . sole worke of faith , but allso is enlarged to a vertuouse life : and in this respected most eminently , for that our sauiour Christ , guider therunto , in regarde of the deitie of his persone , puritie of his doctrine , and price of his deserte , is most highe , souerane , and efficaciouse , therfore suruay is now to be made , to what p●tche of excellencie in this kinde is leuelled this Catholik beleefe ; then vpon what border burteth the d●siguised credulitie of the protestant . In discussion of which matters are to be employed the ensuing controuersies apertaining to Hope , Charitie , & Relligion .

There is no heresie , the which doeth not , as affirmeth of Arianisme S. Athan. ora ▪ 2. 〈◊〉 A●ian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . c 4 ●pist 166. 〈◊〉 . ●● in Iob ●n . ca ●● C. ● . Ep Dedica●●d Th●od●s●●● Ho. 3. 〈◊〉 Th●●aur ▪ Greg N●ss ● . l de Character Ho● . Christian . Athanasius playe the parte of the subtle serpent , inuesting it selfe in the sac●●d s●ow● o● holy Scriptures , therby in secrecie to make entrie into the paradice of Christ his Catholick churche , and in that place in agencie for Antichrist to ●●●ade Christ , intending to diminish his excellencie , ether in his person , in his meritt , or in his graciouse beneuolence imparted to man kinde . And for that this highe degre of imparted goodnes is espetially aimed at by our sauiour Christ , as ●ruicte and ende of all , to witt that his faithfull children be in worcke and action of life excellently innocent , ritchely abundant , and so , as in a prime sorte conformable to right reason , so allso moste agreable to allmightie God , aucthor and giuer of the same : herupon Heretickes vnder a pretended title of holy writt , and of magnifying Christ , haue s●ily endeuoured to empare in man this perfection of vertue throughe Christ , yea contrariewise , to entice him to impure and dissolute liberty by a priuilege of a fained Ghospell : at laste to force him to the thralldome of Antichristian seruility through sinne and wickednes . Wherefore the Fathers wrighting againest Pagans , emong 〈◊〉 li. ● cent . Iul●an . Aug Epist. 3. 5. other argumentes to proue vnto them our Christian beleefe to bee prudently credible , & to be entertained iudiciously by all , haue vrged this as most pregnant and forcible , that our holy faith aboue whatsomeuer other institutions of humane Philosophy , or coulorable inuentions of painted Poetrie , is most persuasiue and vigorouse for vertue : namely to to combine man with God in pietie , man with man in charitie , and in all integritie of conuersation . Marcke I pray the , writeth S. Augustin to his Aug. ●p● . 202. l. ● . quest. v●● . & N●● . Test . c. 7. Freinde Nectarius , with what prayses in the Catholick Churche are recommended frugalitie , continencie , and in regarde of wedlock fidelitie , and to conclude , all other honest and good manners . In which when anie Cittie dothe excell , it may be truly sayed , that it florisheth . And when as some made argument against the Catholick faith , as preiudiciall to the estates of Princes , and common wealthes , the same Doctor thus discouereth their humor , and preposterouse intended pollicie : Therfore they thinck , or seeme so to doe , that the Christian doctrine is contrarie to the common vtilitie , because they will not , that the common Augu. Epist. 3. waalth doe stande by the power of vertue , but rather by the impuritie of vice . Le●t then suche as auouche the Christian doctrine to be repugnant to the commonwealth , geue me such an armie of men , accordinglie as the Christian doctrine enformeth souldiers , let them geue me such gouerners , suche husbandes , suche wiues , suche parentes , suche children , suche Lordes , suche seruantes , such kinges , suche Iudges : to conclude suche payers of debtes , and exacters of princes rentes , as are appoincted by the Christian doctrine , and then lett them dare affirme the same to be hurtefull to commonwealthes , or doubte to confesse , the same , ●f it b● followed , to be most commod●o●se vnto commonwealthes .

And allthough vertue , in regard that it is a qualitie agreable vnto a reasonable soule , is in a degree most eminently pleasant therunto , and as it were the liquor of hunnie flowing aboute the sense of tast , yet notwithstanding for that the intellectuall inuention of that medioc●it●e , which is the marke aimed at by mans will , in the obiecte therof , is not all Waise easiely discried by euerie minde , and much more harde is it , to holde on that action bente by resolution towardes the same , when sensuall perturbations are a floote , and stande furiously in a●mes for the opposite vice , therfore it semeth , that it is accompanied with contrarieties , as being light and darcke to the intelligence , deliciouse and harshe , facill and troublesome vnto the affection . Euerie man as speaketh the Prince A●●st 〈◊〉 . ●a Moral . ca. ●● of the Philosophers , can drawe forthe a circle , but to po●ncte oute the center therof , is a thinge very difficulte . Wherfore allthough it be an easie matter to discerne in iudgement what is the mediocritie of euerie perturbation , yet to keepe in action this mediocritie , wherby we are made praysworthy , i● a busin●sse passing d●●fi●●ll . And therfore it is a reare thing to be an honest man . It falleth ou●e often times , that the amiable hewe of vertue is shadowed with suche outeward representations , as doe not onlie hide the trew luster therof ●●om the vulgar eye , but allso vnto the same make it contemptible and dispriseable . What sp●ctacle Aug ▪ ●●● . 3 ●n ●● . ●● . more loathsome , sayeth S. Augustin , then martirdome , ●f a man aske the question of his carnall eyse ? yet what thing more ●aire , yf he enquire of the eyse of the haerte ? Whoe can easelie perceiue the splendor of patience shining in holy Iob sitting vpon the dunghill , the carbuncle of zeale in Daniell buried in the lions denne , in S. Peter , and S. Paule emprisoned , tyed in chaines , banished , in wante and indigence , dying violent deathes ▪ or whoe can with Abraham in expedition of a decreed purpose holde vp an arme made cruell with a sworde , to kill his best & onely deare Isaac emong all his wo●dlie delightes and contentements ! wherfore in that Philosophie and Heathenish Poeterie were insufficient to geue vs this direction Ci●●l lib. 10. T●esaur . ca 3. of minde to finde oute vertue , to entertai●e this courage of wi●l to pursue the same , the sonne of God became man , intelligible by his doctrine , and imitable by his ensample , to the ende we might know vertue , and consequentlie be enamoured with the beautie therof . The Pagans as writeth Ioseph . in Pr●●at . A●●iqui● . Iosephus , imputed to their Gods shamefull factes , and hereupon encreased the malice of euill disposed persons for the accomplishment of all wickednes . And as vpon reuew of histories wee may easely proue , that the ciuil●st and sue●est sorte of people , liuing euer vpon the earth , to haue be●e Christians , so may we know , that oure profession beefore all other hath ariued therunto , in reconing that it hath beene addicted to vertue in all excellencie , which intelligenceth the minde , and ridding the will of all harshenes , sweteneth it in amitie , pietie , charitie ; and so draweth the whole man from the leese of sensualitie , That , as speaketh S. Augustin , As the beautie of the bodie Augu T●● . 32. i● 7. c. Iohan. 2. P●t. 1. is the soule , so the beautie of the s●ule be allmightie God . Happie and desired lucifer , expected by the sacred Apostle S. Peter , to arise in the haertes of all trew beleeuers ! No glittering masse of goulde or siluer , no riche Iuellrie of pearl●s and precio●se stones yea as speaketh Aristotle , no princelie empire , by which mortall men doe much r●semble allmightie God , bringeth Arist. l. 1. Mag Mor. c. 4. & 6. man to that top a●d tipe of dignitie , to that degre of honor and ciuill respecte , to which vertue causeth him to mounte and aspire . Vpon which consideration , Courteouse Reade , in regard of Ciuilitie , thou a●●e diligentli● to marke and ponder , which faith stanneth more effectuallie for documentes to enforme the vnderstanding , for restraincte , and incicitements allso of the will , to inure the same in all vertuouse actions : for hereupon dependeth thy coll●ctiue conclusion , to censure which faith and relligion are truly ciuill and politicke , and which balefull thereunto . And withoute all doubte , the ende and drifte of nature drauing men to vnitie and combination of Cittie , and common wealth , was not only by reciprocall commerce to enriche the inhabitants , to make them abounde in pleasure , but espetially that they should be hereby vertuouse , & that in a better manner , then they coulde be liuing sauadgely in distraction and vagrancie : for otherwise vertue set a side , greater calamitie , and sharp●● miserie , will accompanie Citizens , Rulers , and subiectes , then yf they liued in sequestration vpon mountaines , in wodes or dennes : for that the malice and luste of man are then moste potent , when they be armed with dissimulation , with crafte , where the partie assailing may contriue what he liste : which trickes of vnnaturall pollicie haue commonly for schoole the cour●e where vertue is wanting , for feelde and theater the common wealthe , for vpsho● barbaritie , and hatefull disunion . Farthermore yf in this affaire , not relying on reasons discourse , we will solely beholde the pole st●r of heauen the prouidence of allmightie God , we shall euen by experience know , that only vertue is ciuill and politick ; in that vertue only is mother of loue , of honor of prosperitie , with oute which no tricking descant , or odiouse coosenage of a barbarouse politician , can make any common wealth truly ciuill , or for wisdome commendable . What braue and greate exploites , I pray you , are brought to passe by this new glosse , by this forged coyne , by his ●ascar●e altering nature in false viso●s , by these clokes , which strike no thing but that which is not ? where are at home their aboundance , their contented and vnited mindes , their trustefull repo●●s in each others ●●●iance ? where are abrode their trophies of armes , and letters , of redoubted puisance & renoume , of faithfull leauge and amitie ? where is their same , which maugre death , and the whole heape of its funeralls , glo●●fi●th the name against lenghte of time , or enuie of the wicked ? what is then the summe ? A litel time to be dissolute , by litel and litel in time to dissolue all : and after time to be eternally and miserably tormented . Heare the iudgement of Iosephus , a sage Historiographer emong tha leues . We may vnderstand , Ioseph . Prae●at An●iq . tha● such commun●ties as are obedient to the will of allmightie God , and are afraied to violate lawes well decreed , to be prosperouse in all suc●esse aboue humane c●nc●ipte : to whom allmightie God for reward proposeth ●elicitie . But contrariewise yf the departe from the obseruance of th●m , their deuis●s finally come to no good ende : moreouer their endeuors , which vnto them seeme good , expire in most remedilesse calamities .

Wherupon in dewe consequence doeth it follow , that as the Christian Pla●o li● ▪ de Repub A●ist . ● 〈◊〉 . ca. 1. ● Po●t C●c●●o ●● de leg●bu● X●ophon ●● C●●o Arist. in Magnis Mo●al ● . 1. c. ● . beleefe is wonderfully auayleable vnto vertue , as to iustice , to charitie , relligion , continencie , fo●●i●ude , and temperance , so is it most effectually profitable to ciuilitie , and humane commercement in societie . No famouse Philosopher endoued o●ely with the light of reason , as commendable to posteritie , hathe hetherto written of ciuill institution , who hath no● laied dou●n as grounde of such discipline vertue , and that good abearance betwixt man and man , which is conform●ble to right reason , and by meanes therof auaileable to the communitie : allso supposing fell barbaritie , opposite to ciuilitie , to be no thing els but a frouard distraction of man from man through vice and wickednes , ●ther ou●ewarely breaking into furie , or closely conceiled vnder the resemblance of probiti● , infestingst artifically all honest decencie of life and comportement : for as well ( to geue an example ) stanneth in opposition against iustice the ingenering Burglar , attempting his enterprice in the dearckenes of the night , Dissimilite● nocent sed non dissimilit●r ●●piunt Aug P●aef . in Psal. 9● . as the open theefe attending his booty on the highe way side . Most apparant is it then , the new founde kinde● of pollicie , attributed by some to theese our dayese , as to a sager age , vaunted and vented forth from the pen of Nicholas Ma●●●●uill , to be naught els but an artificall introduction of barbarisme , the nourcery in deede of all vice , the torment of of mens soules and bodies , the impeachement of the communitie , bicause it beareth strong heade against vertue , the pillar and ho●●combe of ciuill life & conuersation . Yf the Rulers securitie must be founded vpon the deboshementes of the bodies and soules of his subiectes , as vpon their luxurie , their incontinencie , their roietousnes , their prodigalitie : Yf his assured staye must arise from their disagremente , their ●uspitions , treacherise , riualitise , hostilitise , in recknoning of diuersitie in relligions or otherwise emong them : yf his wealth is to be purchased from their penuries , their bondage , from their base couardely & ignorant dispositions : as that Florentine Scribe aduer●●seth Princes , iust according to the●enor of Barbarisme , excellentlie described and politickly reiected by Aristotle , Ari l 5. Po●it . cap 1● . then suppose wee , that freinde and freinde , mayster and seruant , lauwer and client , P●●sition and patient , souldior and ●ustick , marchant and gentleman , husband and wise , be thus likewise aff●cted correspondently to the Idaea of a Prince towardes his subiectes , and theese towards him , ( as one will certainly ensue of the other ) and then tell me in this mutiny of vice , in this ●nisprision of vertue , in this anxietie of feare and dreade , in this egar pu●●uicte ofter priuate luste o● lukar , what ci●●litie will remayne in a common wealth , what bonde in●olablye combining citizens ▪ or rather 〈◊〉 be confessed , that sauagenes will make her trophey , as vpon the spo●les of vertue , so vpon the ou●rthroe of ●rew sounde and solid 〈◊〉 . In which respecte , cour●eouse Reader , thou shalt vnderstande , of what importe is it , to entertaine & embrace the Catholick Romane faith , euen ciuill state of humane societie meerly considered , it recommeding vnto the so eff●ctually vertue , the sole instrument of good pollicie , and repressing so pouerably iniquity , the proper engine of cruell and disorderly 〈◊〉 .

Withoute all doubte yf we shall in seuerall by ioincte and member anato●●se he belefe of Protestants , we shall beholde it according to the whole 〈◊〉 therof , to haue progenie , as mightely biased with carnalitie and 〈◊〉 , from these three Heades : to witt for the vnderstanding , that it be freed from commaunding aucthoritie of menn : that the will be licenced in liberty from conscionable subiection to Princes : and that sensuall concupiscence beare sway as not controble by remorse of conscience , or opinion of spirituall hurte from any sinfull transgression : all which are so many elementes and letters , which spell barbaritie . Of the former hath beene made a su●●icient remonstrance in the precedent parte : the other to we are easely strained from the pregnancie of their doctrine . In generall it is the humor of an Heretick , to be barbarouse in furiouse and ●bidinouse outerage , resembled by those horses in the Apocalips , whose hurtfull mighte was In their mo●thes , and in their tailes : wherupon very elegantly thus S. Gregorie : Theese horses , that is naughty Preachers , Apoc 9. Greg l 33 in ●ob . cap 29. running euerie where by the instincte of carnalitie , haue power in ther mouthes , and in their tailes : for that preaching peruerse thinges , and beeing borne oute by the temporall magistrate , they exalte them selues by ba●kward and wordly meanes . Were not Luther and Calmn in this respecte barbed horses of Antichrist , to induce barbarisme , whose rebelliouse mouthes breathed out a relligion contrarie to the whol churche then beeing regnante ? whas not their tailes allso pouerable , when promising men securitie in all lustefull liberty , drew many to the carion of their dunghill ? wicklefth , that disgraciouse monster of our nation , did he not poyson the aire , bane the bodies and soules of millions with incitementes to turpitude of life , auouching that God is aucthor and ordainer of sinne ? and yet to Caluin , and Luther , to Luther lib de l. arb. Calum . l. 1. Inst cap. 3. all Protestantes he seemeth in this an Euangelister ! Doe not theese infernall harpies teache no sinne in vilany , in barbaritie , to endamage an apprehending Protestanter , no good worcke of vertue to be puetly good , or good in puritie , no obseruance of the lawe to be possible or nedefull ? and whie ? but that men loyter , flying from labor in vertuouse endeuors , and lull themselues a sleepe in securitie , where all sinnes abounde , where the wormes of wicked factes breake oute of the liuing bowelles of pampered panches ? where is emong them the christall fountaine of profounde speculation ? where is any curbing restrainte to withdraw the will from sensuall disportes ? wher is any forcible inuitement to liue a vertu onse life , which be the three principall instrumentes of ciuilitie ? Suerly that eye , which can not clearly take a veue of theese wantes emong Protestants , liueth in Egypte , and knoweth no darckenes : he nedeth the Chelidonian stoone to restore dec●ied nature , beeing far from any accidentall endoument , or excellency in this respecte : he that perceiueth not theese de●ectes to be occasioned througe the very genius and drifte of Protestancie , well may he be proude , but not for excesse in science , but rather for extremity of follie and ignorance .

Wee are then for the present , to proue to we thinges against the Prostant : first that the whole purpose of his doctrine tendeth to the disgrace of Christ his metitt , empareth such meanes of his bountie , as hathe beene by the same purchased for vs to attaine vnto perfection of life , and diuine beatitude : as it were damming vp the flude of God his mercies through our Sauiour Christ , by which is conuayed to the paradice of his churche the liquor of heauenly dewe , the force of Christian grace , to fertilise our soules , to clense vs from impuritie , to carie vs along in good action contrarie to the maine current and streame of our decaied and depraued natures : so that his steps forewarde of his pretended hope appeare nothing els , but so many proude presumptuouse passages ishuing from his folly , and determining in his oune ruin , his moste miserable and lamentable destruction . Secondly shall wee make a most cleare remonstrance , that his doctrine in the affaire of Christian hope doth so ▪ blemish and defile with the excrements of hell , disgorged from the mouthes of olde infamouse heretickes , of Antichrist that man of sinne , the beautie of vertue , that men crediting him , shall haue no iust cause to be inamoured therwith , to make any espetiall regard therof , no● trouble them selues much as atcheue the same : and that contrariewise endeuoring by sundrie Positions to maske and excuse the deformitie of vice , to lessen the greuouse and hatefull harme encurred therby , doth consequently encourage mortall menn to accomplish their f●ll course in all iniquitie , and barbaritie , the doughter of loose disportefull carriage . Lett them glose or the will , guilde as the like , the ordu●e of defiled consciences , whilest they seeme to repose on Christ alone for recouery and recure : lett them flatter them selues in the meane season with the inheritance of a deuised libertie , of a refined Ghospell , and of a spatiouse place to daunce the currant of their recom●o●ts : lett them glorie , that in their garden they gather nothing but roses withoute thornes , the course there aboute the allies and mazes withoute restraincte : the rest and sleepe on the verdure of their late inuented pleasant Phancies : yett this is , and shall bee the vpshott , and I hope Epitaphte read by the world of their doctrine , and endeuors , That men cont●mne vertue , and d●eade no vice .

Contrariewise as our Catholick hope is passing stronge , so is it allso excedinglie pure and vertuouse : the former is caused by this , that we hope throughe deuine grace , the which is most potent and firme : the other procedeth from sych meanes as Christian hope vseth to attaine her ende and purpose . Let man his hope sayeth S. Augustin , so be setled on God , that he Aug Ena● ▪ a in Psalm . 90. nether be allured from him by pleasure , nor broken throughe feare . There be towe principall affections , against which vertue is to striue : that is wanton and vaine loue , and allso drouping dreade . By loue we trespasse against vertue , preferring before it the opposite and forbidden delight : by feare of losse we leaue our station , & performe not that , which is apoincted Arist. in mag. Mor. ca 8. Apoc. 16. by vertue . Wherupon thus concludeth Aristotle : wherfore vertue is employed aboute pleasures , and dolors . Therefore that is a preposterouse hope , yea an inhumane and deformed expectation , which loketh for beatitude without all dependance of vertue and trew ciuilitie : as yf one might through Christ ariue to eternall blisse , and yet permit his loue to yelde to concupiscence , suffer his feare to worcke the omission of that good office , which is prescribed by vertue : and in deede suche a hope as this is , founde in the Protestant , is no thing els , butt the witch Circes her cupp to transforme men into beastes , and in deede that goble● , which the Babilonian strumpet , daughter to Antichrist , and mothermistresse of all Protestantes , tendreth to all , whose liquor droncke by them turneth their estates to that condicion , which is proper to the bratts and slaues of the beast , that man of sinne Antichrist . Our Christian hope then ought to be puisant and resolute ; yet pure and honest ; and in that respecte more pure and honest , because it is not Philosophicall , but Christian , not humane , but deuine . Consider th●n , I beseeche the G●ntle Reader , first , what reliance hath the Catholick hope on vertue , whose ancher taketh holde on the goodnes of allmighty God , and allso vpon the goodnes of life & action , allthough in a diuerse qualitie : not presuming with an vncleane repose , as sinfull touche , to lay holde on puritie it selfe . On the other side seriouslie way with thy selfe , how a Protestant by eficacie of his pretended hope is not onely defiled , but likewise emboldened by sacrilegiouse conceipt , as yf from heauen he were assured that his hope diuorced from vertue were sufficiently auaileable to a●cheue his finall ende of happines . wherupon must thou nedest conclude , that faithe to be accepted of the , which bringeth forth a vertuouse Hope : and such auouched faith to be reiected , which boldly lanceth in to the debth of all iniquitie : which acertaineth men of their saluation , when suarming with vices they looke in presumption for that croune , which is ende & period of all mans endeauors .

In what pittifull plight must then be plunged that common wealth , in which , with Machiauilian pollicie concurreth and accordeth Protestantish Theologie ? The Machiauilian will aduertise the Prince , that his assurance of estate dependeth on the sinnes and basenes of his subiectes , as vpon their disagrementes , vpon their voluptuouse riott and effeminacie , vpon their si●plicitie , slauerie and ignorance : then the Protestantish minister will preach ▪ bothe to Prince , and subiecte , that no wickednes is to be ●mputed ●nto a beleuer , that the law of God and nature is impossible , that vertue is nether commendable , nor priseable , that ciuill l●wes oblige not the conscience , that sinnes by abolishment are neuer assoiled , that the Rule of faith is eache mans priuate spiritt enterpreting the worde , that allmost no heresie is damnable : That the splendor and substance of outeward Relligion is superstition or idolatry : & so when all are possessed with theese principles of courte , and Pulpit , the hearers and crediters as they will be lauish for vice , and disdainefull towards verue and heauen , so finallie their manners , besides offence against God , & trespasse against Nature , besides mi●prisall of the crosse of Christ , will be resolued into barbarisme : for as nothing is truly ciuill but learning , and vertue , so nothing balefully barbarouse but ignorance , and iniqui●ie . Alas , what la●dable maiestry is it in waye of pollicie , to induce the rude popularitie into a relligion , & to confirme them in the same , which is gratefull to sense , proportionable to the inclination of flesh & bloode in their distempe●atures . The Turchishe discipline of gouernement dependeth principally vpon these thre apoinct●ments : first that the vnderstanding bee not troubled with any difficultie in matter of faith : then that sensualitie be gratified by free acce●se , with all indemnitie , of carnall pleasures : lastely , that presentement of horrible penalties ●nforce bodies & soules into slauerie and vtter dastardie : all which serue as instrumentes to retaine in office and dutie that base generation . Contrariewise a thing prayesable is it , and worthy a ciuill gouernour so to dispose the haertes of subiectes , that willingly they submitt their mindes to obiectes of beleefe , which exceede naturall reach , and as it were trauerse the course therof : then to encline their affections to such obseruances , as be austere , ircksome , and afflicti●e to concupiscence : finallie to make vertue so powerable with them , that terror do not so much moue them to good abearance , as a cordiall loue of vertue , and espe●ially , an inflamed charitie towardes God and man . This , This was the course of pollicie , which our auncient and renoumed fore fathers haue held , so gloriouse vnto them , & auailelable to vs , enioying now the fruictes of their ra●e wisdome & constitutions .

It shall suffice then , gentle Reader , that I a farr of crie thee aime , and geue thee intelligence by the dutie of a faithfull Sentinell , and a louing Patriott , in that prefession most assuredly pleadged , and stronglie obliged euer to remaine thyne for thy chefest good and abletterance in what he may