SECT. I. The frailetie and pronenesse of man to sinne , after the fall of Adam .

BVt after our protoparent made forfeiture of that tenure , & broke conditions with God , our Writte of Priuiledge was reuoked , and Citty of refuge taken away , and humane nature left to it selfe , naked , and disabled among so many enemies , and allurements of iniquitie , came to that impotent and poore degree wherein we are ; insomuch , that Philosophers , and such as were onely conuersant in naturall affaires , prouing by pittifull experience , the still continuing and vncured scarres of that combat , ignorance , errour , concupiscence , sinne , sickenes , death and other afflictions which they found in themselues , and vnacquainted what they had lost in their first ancestor , Aug. lib. 4. contr. ●ulian . Cicero lib. ● . Reipubl . Clem. Alex. lib. 3. ●trom . Plutarch . ●b . natur . amor . ●a rent . & l. in●ust . animal . Plin. ●rooem . li. 7. hist. ●actant . firm . l. o●fic . c. 3. & 4. deplored the state of man so much , that they affirmed Nature onely in the production of him , behaued her selfe like a stepmother , and not as a naturall mother ; such were the complaints of Cicero , Homer , Empedocles , Heraclitus , Plinius , and others : and it was the primordiall stumbling blocke to the blockish and beastly Epicures , ( as Lactantius witnesseth ) to deny the prouidence of God , and all religion of man vnto him . And although this complaint was vniust , and proceeded of ignorance , yet the wound which was then inflicted , hath so festered in the whole posteritie of Adam , 1. Cor. 15. that vntill this corruptible hath put on incorruption , and this mortall , immortalitie , and death , ( whose companions they are ) is swallowed vppe in victorie , in the triumph of our glorious resurrection , there is no hope of cure . And touching sinne and iniquitie , which as it was the most deadly and deepest sore , so most to be bewailed : the transgression of the first law-breaker was so venomous a seede , to bring foorth wickednesse , and disobedience in the race of man , that neuer any law-maker , magistrate , or superior , Iob 9. Rom. 3. Rom. 2. Psal. 50 Rom. 5.2 . Reg. 12. Iob 7. Philip. Bergom hist. fol. 7. Iosep l. antiq. Polidor Virgil. de inue● l. 2. c. 1. Diodor. l. 6. Virgil l. 4. ● ne●d . Plin. l. 7. Stowe , Grafton Fab. Foxetom spirituall or temporall , either by example in themselues , as a president to subiects , or any law , ordinance , reward , or preferment for vertue , penalty and punishment for vice , or any other engine or instrument could roote it out ; no Bohemas among the Bohemians , no Tuball among the Spaniardes , no Belus among the Assyrians , no Ceres or Rhadamanthus , no Draco or Solon among the Athenians , Mercurius among the Egyptians , no Minos , Lycurgus , Charandes , Phoroneus , Romulus , Pithagoras , or Apollo among the Cretensians , Lacedemonians , Tyrians , Grecians , Romans , Italians , Arcadians , no Mulmutius Dunwallo , Alfrede , Edward , or any other politicke or vertuous king , ruler , or law-maker in England , or any other Nation could weede it vp : Genes. 3. & 4 , 7 ▪ 12 , 19. Iob ● Exod. Leuitic Num. Deut. neither any spirituall law promulged and deliuered , either by Adam the first , which knew best the difference of the estates of innocencie and sinne , hauing prooued both , and preached it first to the primitiue world , or Noe to those that were drowned in the deluge , or Abraham , Lot , Iob , Moses to the Cananites , ●53 . Iob 19. ●●b 2. & 4. Act. Hebr. 9. & 11. Timoth. 2. Sodomites posteritie of Esau , or others . And Christ Iesus the sonne of God , wisedome of his Father , and God himselfe , the most prudent law-maker , perfect exemplar , and president without all sinne , and exception , although he became our Priest , sacrifice , and redeemer , and offered so rigorous a ransome , that the least drop of his immaculate and vnvaluable blood , or the meanest of his so many infinitely meritorious operations , had beene both able and woorthy , to haue washed away and cleansed , not onely the malice and venome of sinne , but the whole poyson and infection of all other infirmities and defects , yet it pleased that diuine wisedome to leaue them as a perpetual penitential memoriall of our former demerite , Corinth. 1. ●atth. 20. ●ar . 10. ●phes . 1. & 4. to continue in this state of pilgrimage ; and as they were contracted in our first fall from innocencie in Paradise , so perfectly to be remooued in our last resurrection to endlesse glory and happines : so that all times and places more or lesse haue beene infected with infirmities , all sexes and ages , men , women , and children ( except some one or few excepted by a speciall writing of diuine exemption ) little or much , originally and actually haue beene defiled . ●m. 5. psal. 50. ●eg. 12. ●p 4. ●4 . ●ab . in Gen. Thom Aqui. ● . q 61 magis . ●ist. 2. scholast. 〈◊〉 . Gen. 3. 〈◊〉 . 1.18 , 19. 〈◊〉 c. 8. The law deliuered to Angells was transgressed in heauen . If we follow the common opinion , that Angelles were created in that imperiall Pallace ; the Law giuen in the state of innocencie was broken in Paradise , the vnwritten Lawe vnder the Patriarckes , the written Lawe of Moises the Euangelicall and most perfect lawe of Christ hath too oft beene violated in earth . Of this all ages , times , and places haue complained , God & Angelles from heauen complained , Exod. 16. & 32 Gen. 13. Num. 2● Prou. 20. Is. 3.59 Hierem. 7.16 . Amos 5. Ose 4. ● Rom. 5. Galat. 3 Iacob . 1. Senec. carefull and vertuous Kings , Regents , and Gouernours haue complained , the Patriarkes before the Lawe , the Priests and Prophets vnder the Lawe , Christ his Apostles , & all holy men in the time of grace , & remedy of originall offence haue complained . The first man complained , the last will make complaint ; and ( as Seneca saith ) heereof our elders before vs haue complained , wee complaine , heereof they which liue after vs will complaine .

SECT. II. How this age of Protestants exceedeth all others , both in respect of errors , and practicall impieties .

YEt notwithstanding all this ( most honorable Peeres ) the vnfortunate deluge and inundation of manifold notorious impieties , that haue surrownded and ouerflowed the manners and conuersation of all men , estates , times , and places , where it made irruption , since the violent streams of strange doctrines Martin Luther brake out into the world , hath left so manifest vncleane arguments in the liues of those it inuaded , that I am bolde to affirme , this vnhappy age since then , hath hatched farre more errours and heresies in the vnderstanding , and brooded vp more other sinnes and wickednesse in the will , and executiue powers of men , then euer any age or generation did in the schoole or regiment of Christ and those which professed him . I will passe ouer the complaints of Catholickes in this controuersie , lest they might be had in suspition , and in the cause of Protestants vse their owne witnesse for euidence . ●at . in parl. 1. Eli. In England , the Protestants haue a rule , the Court of Parliament , and her Maiesties Supremacie , to keepe in some kinde of vnitie , those , that wil not be in double degree of disobedience ; ●rrors and sects ●ong Prote●ants . first to the Catholicke Church , which they haue forsaken ; secondly , their Princes proceedings , to which they haue made submission . And yet I appeale in this question , ●owe histor in ●e yeere 1551. ●554 . & 1561. ●o●lensh . Graft . ●oxe & Regist. ●ondon . Norw . ●nod . Lond. anno ●62 . stat. 13. ●iza . art. 1. art. 2. art. 3. art. 4. art. 5. art. 7. art. 26 to our Protestant historians , to the Recordes and Registers of London , Norwich , and other Citties , to the first Protestant Synode vnder our Queene Elizabeth , subscribed twice by all Protestant Archbishops , and Bishops of England , ratified by her Maiestie , and confirmed in parliament to be authenticall , wherein so many heresies and infidelities then raigning in our Countrie , are condemned ; what Arrians , Eunomians , Vigilantians , Nestorians , Eutichians , Gretians , Donatists , Iouinians , Henricians , Wicklefists , Berengarians , Catharists , Anabaptists , Maniches , Ialians , Aerians , Brownists , Barrowists , Ketists , Antichrist● damned Crew , Pretenders of themselues to be Prophe● yea Christ himselfe , Epicures , Atheists , and oth● haue beene disclosed in this time , and remaine to this day , as iustly may be suspected .

What errours are like to bee in Germany , the mother and nurse of this vnluckie childe , where both the temporall and spirituall regiment are diuerse , hauing no common rule among them , euery man may coniecture , ●h . to . 3. Ient . ●ma fol. 340 ●ol. 144 Nich. ●l in thesib . ●hol . Selnecc . com . in psal. 131. & praef. in catalog . concil . Alberus contra Carclo 1. Swing contra Luther . Tolsan Schutz 〈◊〉 serpent . antiq. Georg Hamfeld in mon●rat . Sle● dan histor. lib. 1● Mansieldens in confess fol. 89. & fol. 226. & ●7 Caluin ep. so. 57 See Casp Vlenb. l. 22. caus. c 9. and the Woorkes of Luther himselfe , Nicolaus Gallus , Selneccerus , Alberus , Swinglius , Schutz , Hamfield , Sleidan , Caluine , and other chiefe Protestants beare testimonie , euery one condemning other to hell for heresie & infidelitie , in the greatest questions of iustification , Sacraments , originall sinne , free-will , predestination , of faith , of the Lawe , of the Gospel , of the nature of Christ , his discension into hell , ascending to heauen , his glory there , properties of the diuine and humane nature , of penance , confession , resurrection of the body , mediatorshippe of Christ , and other essentiall thinges . Such be the Lutherans , Antinomians , Stancarians , Maierists , Flaccians , Synergists , Adiaphorists , Vbiquitaries , Substantiarians , Accidentarians , Anabaptists , Carolostadians , Swinglians , Oecolampadians , Puritans Caluinopapists , Clancularians , Politickes , Causarians , Consistorials , Nonconsistorials , Muncerians , Apostoliks , Separates , Catharists , Silentiars , Enthusiasts , Ectasists , Free brethren , Adamites , Hutites , Augustinians , Monasterians , Bocaldians , Hoffmanists , Georgians , Memnists , with the rest , amounting to the number of two hundred and three score knowne Sects , by the computation of Caspar Vlenbergius , Casp . Vlenber . 22. Caus. Rainold . Caluin● Pantal. in Oec● lam & apud Cas● Vlenberg . and others aboue twelue yeeres agoe ; and who will doubt , but the number is farre greater , than hee , or any priuate man could gather together ; especially if he considereth what Oecolampadius ( that so highly esteemed Protestant , calling him selfe the light of the house , as his name in Greeke which he tooke doth signifie ) writeth within nine yeeres of the reue● . of Luther , that there were then about seuentie seauen diuisions and dissentions among them ? And no wonder , where euery citie , towne , borough , and almost village , or particular person , hath , or may haue at pleasure , a particular religion ; which Luther himselfe was not ashamed to write to the Citizens of Antwerp , within eight or nine yeeres of his new doctrine , Luther ep. ad Antuerpens . tom. ● . Germ. Ient . fol. ●01 . in these wordes . There be almost so many Sects and Religions among vs , as there be men : there is no Asse in this time , so sottish , and blockish , but will haue the dreames of his owne head , and his owne opinion accounted for the instinct of the Holy-ghost , and himselfe esteemed for a Prophet . What the floud of practicall impietie hath beene in England , Practicall sinnes among Prote●ants . I appeale for triall heereof to the testimony of Iudges , Recordes of Courts , Indictments , Iudgements , & Executions , in most fowle & vnnaturall offences ; for matters of dissentions , disagreements , and contentions betweene Lords , and Tenants , Tenant & Tenant , Lord & Lord , and other vnkinde proceedings among kinsfolks , brethren , parents , and children , and such vnnaturall sutes and debates , to the courts of law , where they be still depending and encreasing ; to the newly and strangely encreased number , and rich estate of so many Lawyers , grounded vpon other mens losses , quarrells and vnquietnes ; and your Honours farre more often than your Catholicke predecessors , haue beene molested with the hearing , examining , and condemning disordered riots , ●ut . in Perliam . ● . 8 . from an. 23 ● . Ed. 6. & stat. izab . and misdemeanours . Lastly , I call for my record herein , the publike statutes and acts of Parliament , since the reuolte of king Henry the eight from the See of Rome , vnto this day wherein , ( without feare ) I affirme that more vices and vnsufferable abuses in all kindes of people , not onely vnknowne heretofore in Catholike regiments , but intollerable in any Pagan , or Ethnicke common-wealth , both for number and strangenesse , haue beene recorded and condemned , then euer were in all the Parliaments of her Maiesties christian predecessors ; the lawes be extant , I haue compared them , euery man may examine my comparison . Edict . Geneu . Edict . Basil Wittember . Pet No renbergens . ad Carol. 5. Imperat apud Sot . 4. sent. & Diego de stell Com. in Luc. Luther colloq. mensal . Germa folio 224 For forreine countries I cite the Edicts , complaints , decrees , and prouisions of the Protestant Princes , and free states of Germanie , Switzerland and other places ; or if the testimonie of the prime Apostles of Protestancie , Luther , Caluine , Andreas Musculus , Iacobus Andreas , Iohn Riuius , and such may be admitted , you shall heare their owne words . Luther affirmeth , that the scholers of his Schoole , for the most part , are Epicures , and onely seek to spend their dayes in pleasure . Caluin . ep. ad H●phel ser. 10 & serm. 30 Caluine speaketh of his fellowes in these termes , They are portents and woonders of Knaues , such as are no where else to be found , they are called reformed , when they seeme indeede rather to be diuells incarnate . The saying of Musculus is this ; Andreas Musculus libro prophet Christ : 1 The matter is come to that passe among them ( speaking of his fellowe Protestants ) that if any man desireth to see and behold any company of knaues , vsurers , dissolute persons , and deceitfull men , let him enter into any citty of Professors of the Gospel , and he shall finde enow of such : among Pagans , Iewes , and Turkes , and other infidelles , men can scarcely be found so disobedient or stubborne among whom all honestie , and whatsoeuer doth sauour of virtue , is dead , and no reckoning is made of any sinne . Iacob Andreas conc. 4 de planet . fol. 140 141 Iacobus Andreas vttereth his opinion of them in this manner , among them no amendment or emendation is thought vpon , they liue an Epicurean , and altogether beastly life , in place of fasting , a custome of eating , and excessiue rioting in banquetting , and bawdery hath succeeded ; in place of almes , oppression and extortion ouer the poore ; for prayer , blasphemy against the holy name of God . insteed of humilitie , pride , elation , and most filthie exceeding superfluitie . ●ohn Riuius ep. And Mauric . Duc. ● . ●xon . in l. de ●oenit . Io. Riuius saith , that the wickednes of them hath encreased to the astonishment of all men ; No man seeketh after God , no man blusheth at the violating of his commandements , euery mans life is polluted with great sinnes , and wickednesse . I dare affirme ( saieth hee ) that in this corrupt and wretched age of ours , all manner of vices haue so encreased , that hardly greater wickednesse can be : for what sin or wickednesse at this day is wanting , ●t c. 4. sup. which if it raigned , this age might be saide to be more vngodly for that respect ? and although to iudge rightly hereof , in euery age there hath beene riotousnesse , sumptuous feastings , costly dinners and suppers , surfetting , drunkennesse , whoredome , adultery , oppression , iniury , neglecting of well dooing , and other such wickednesse , which euery man in his time hath found fault withall ( as Seneca saith ) and no age that hath beene voyde of sinne : yet loosenesse of life , neglect of order , and discipline , outrageous wickednesse , hath in this our age so encreased , and gotten strength , that it appeareth euen Atheisme and Epicurisme hath inuaded the life of man , ●n Praefat. sup. and as it were , beareth dominion among Christians , lawes take no force , lust ruleth altogether : for what ? thinke you they beleeue the soule is immortall , who liue in maner as beastes ? or bee they perswaded there be either rewards for the godly in heauen , ●en . Sim. de Lu●he● fid. pag. 324 ch●md . cont. Germ in verbo Christ . Luc. 21 ●uc li. 1. de Reg. Christ . c. 4. Wi● and in adm. bon. ● mal . Germ. 11. ●al . or punishment in hell appoynted for sinners , who in euery thing dread not to violate the commandements of God , & run altogether headlong into sin , euen as thogh they did either thinke , that God were but a vaine and fained thing , or beleeue , that when the body dieth , the soule likewise perisheth , and commeth vnto nothing . such be the testimonies of Nennon , Simonius , Schinmideline , & others of the chiefest originall Protestants , of their fellow professors . I will cite more hereafter , when I will prooue those which giue this euidence of the rest , to be worst of all themselues .

SECT. III. How all these errours and abuses proceede by dis-vnion from the Catholicke Church .

WHerefore that which so many priuate and publike writings affirme abroad , and at home , which euery man seeth and feeleth to be true , and those principall Protestants recorded of their Disciples , in the prime and flourishing time , the very zenith and highest of their exaltation , when the reformers of others should haue giuen some example and shew of reformation in themselues , I trust it will not be offensiue for me , a Catholike subiect of England , after so many yeeres of experienced encrease of their impieties , and in their withering and decaying age , euery thing with them growing worse and worse , to affirme to be true . Then ( most Noble ) as ordinary effects proceede from ordinary causes , so extraordinary and straunge things ( such as this kinde of iniquitie , so wicked , so vniuersall , and erroneous is ) must haue some vnwonted cause , more than is vsuall in christian men . I will not be so seuere a Sentencer against them , as their confederate Iohn Riuius is , to say , that they be Atheists , Epicures , and deniers of the soules immortalitie , and thereby thinking there is no religion in the worlde , no life after death , no reward of vertue , or penalty for vice haue giuen themselues ouer to all kinde of sinne . Neither wil I enter to so bloody a iudgement in this place ( reseruing it to bee discussed heereafter ) against these men , Conuoc . Lond. ●nno Dom. 1562 ●rt . 12. Qu. Eliz. ●etters pat. stat. ●n parl. 13. Eliz. art . a. Resolut . as their owne generall and common approoued doctrine , especially in England , that true faith and good workes are inseparable , condemneth such men for infidells , and misbeleeuers . But to reserue these and such arguments as may be inforced by that which is spoken , to their proper place , and prosecute my present intent ; it is manifest by the Babilonical diuision , which is in the vnderstanding of this people , that they haue forsaken the true faith , religion , and rule thereof , which can be but one ; and by the grosse impieties which haue taken so quiet possession of their liues , that they are so far from al interest , either of reforming errors of the mind , or abuses of life in others ( by which in the beginning they claymed title to a new religion ) that they haue beene the onely cause of so many infidelities , Atheismes , Epicurismes , Iudaismes , Mahumetismes , and other intollerable sinnes , & offences which are daily by their owne confession before , practized among them : for when and where the infallible rule and censure of supernaturall difficulties is denied , and euery man left to his owne priuate deduction , and deceiptfull iudgement , farre vnable to descipher supernaturall mysteries , what hope can be had of truth ? what probabilitie of agreement ? who wil be encoraged to seeke for veritie , where it is impossible to be found ? If it were in naturall arts , and sciences , which be connaturall , and proportionable to humane capacitie , if there were so many opinions , diuers and contrary , as are among them in religion , so that before hee could follow any , hee must learne to confute all the rest , what man would willingly professe that art as true , though it were neuer so gainefull , if it were obtained , about learning whereof there is such dissention , that three hundred to one hee should be deceiued ? By that reason , in Arts , Alchimie of making gold is ordinarily refused , hauing brought so many to errour and beggery , by the vncertaintie thereof , although in it selfe it is woonderfull commodious . For matters of antiquitie , the diuersity of opinions about the originall of the Brittans in this land , hath caused many to thinke there neuer was any Brute at all . Hierom. lib. de vir illustr. l raen . lib. 3 c. 3. Euseb. lib. 2 hist. c. 14. Arnob l. 2. contra Gent. Epiphan. haer 27. Chryso . in psal. 48. Paul . Oros l 7. hist. 6. Leo ser. 1. de natal apost. Ignat. ep. ad Rom. Dionys. Corinth . apud Euseb. lib. 2. Egesip . lib. 3. exe . ca. 2. Theodoret. epi. ad Leon. Ter tull . li de prae . script . Lact. lib. 4 Ambr lib. 5. ep. Sulpit. lib. 2. hist. lib. 7. &c. Synod . Lond. artic. 6. It is as manifest both by al Histories and Monuments , that Saint Peter liued long and died at Rome , as that William of Normandy surnamed the Conquerour came into England , and subdued it , or as any such antiquity can be ; and yet bicause ( as Protestants say ) there is difference betweene Saint Hierome , Orosius , and Fasciculus temporum , about the time of his comming thither , ( although they agree with the rest , that hee liued and died there ) some Protestants are not afraide to affirme he was neuer at Rome . For a like cause , the whole Protestant Cleargie of England in their authorized Conuocation , deny the Bookes of Machabees , Iudith , and Tobias , to be canonicall scriptures . So it chanceth in Sciences , where controuersie and multiplicity of opinions is . Then how much more true is it in things so eleuated aboue naturall vnderstanding , as the mysteries of religion be ? What a palpable prouocation and allurement of delightfull atheisme , epicurisme , and infidelitie is it to carnall mindes , to see so many diuisions , and no agreement ? For can any one particular voluptuous man or other in iudgement thinke himselfe wiser than so many great companies and congregations as hee is most sure are all deceiued ? And if hee shoulde aduenture to beleeue , and be religious , as others doe , there is oddes , three hundred to one , he shall be brought into errour , because he seeth so many religions erected & defended , against whatsoeuer he shall chuse to followe , the pleasures he should forsake are certaine , sensible , and forcible to mooue affection ; that which hee should beleeue is most vncertaine , ineuident , and without motiue to be followed , as it is proposed in these mens proceedings . Barnard . Lutz . ●catol . haer. Or if that man bee of reading and iudgement to consider former times , he shal finde foure hundred more religions contrary to any that is now professed in the Schoole of Protestants ; so that it will more than double the former danger : and the same man shall vnderstand , that the Catholike Church , for whose election , calling , preseruing from errour , and consummation , the whole mysterie of Christ was wrought , Concil. Florent . ●n vnion . Concil. Const. in Wick . Husse &c. Concil. Trid. Iohn 3. Reuel . 21. Luke 5 ● . Tim. 3. Iohn 14. & 16. hath condemned and vtterly extirped all those foure hundred , and by the same infallible authority , and censure in diuers generall Councelles , where the whole christian worlde was assembled , reprooued , and anathematized those that raigne in Protestants : So that if a man in case of religion , will deny the voyce of that spouse of Christ , that piller of trueth , and societie assisted by the promise of Christ , from falling into error , it is euident , that a thousand to one he shall shal be seduced & damned . Who then wil wonder if many infidels & atheists are entred among these men , when at the worst their atheisme , and that only in the end , can bring but to damnation ; & in the meane time brings al pleasures and delights ; and their professing of religion in such vncertaine maner : first , most certainly depriueth of those plesures , & 1000. to one brings to the same damnation ? Or who wil maruel if those that be not come to this , perfection of policie , & nullifidianitie ( as I trust ther be but few , one being too much in a christian nation ) be far more careles , negligent , & vnduetifull in liuing well , then such as doe liue in the vnitie of the whole Catholike worlde , wherein there neuer was , or is any disagreement , or contradiction in matters of belieuing . For if ( as I shewed before ) a man might , would , or should , in reason , doubt to giue assent to any religion , where there was so manifest and apparant daunger of a false election ; if it be true in a speculatiue consent of faith , onelie exacting an agreement of the vnderstanding , howe much more doubt and difficultie will bee made , for men of reason to aduenture so great paines and labours , as holy Scriptures prescribe to be vsed for obtaining heauen , when by reason it is euident , before they begin , that a thousand to one , al their labors will be lost , and their indeuours rewarded with euer-during damnation in hell ? Will any man now muse if the song of Epicures is so often tuned , and so much impietie put in practise ? If it were in the execution of daily and ordinary affaires , no man woulde labour much for that , which so many affirme he could not get , but contrariwise , euery one in reason should and would contend for principall preferrement and commodity , which all men graunt he might obtaine : hee that by consent of all , hath vndeniable title to a kingdome , or meaner dignitie , will refuse no aduenture to winne it ; he , whome all , or most deny to haue such interest , either will not at all , or faintly take it in hand , hauing little or no hope to bring his attempt to passe ; euen so in these spirituall affaires . For although the Crowne and inheritaunce of heauen proposed to Christians , is incomparably more excellent , than such terrene preferments ; yet being a spirituall and supernaturall reward , and not so proportionate to the manner of humane knowledge , and affection in this life , ( depending of sence and imagination ) as temporall aduauncements and pleasures are , and being so vncertain , vnprobable , or rather vnpossible to be obtained , as these men make it , it can be no matter of admiration , that so much wickednesse doth rule , and so few aduenture so certaine and painefull a worke , for so vncertaine and doubtfull recompence . Lact firm . lib. 1 , 2 ●iu . instit. Andr. de la cur . ●ist . Turc . ●eonic . Chal. ●cond lo Fab. ●arth . Georg. pe●egr . lib. de afflict . Christi &c. Mich. ●oirer . lib. 1. bell . ●anon . ma● . Thus it alwayes chaunced in temporall things , so it euer did , and will come to passe in questions of religion , whether it be true or false . The Idolatrous state of the Gentiles when they were most diuided for their diuersities and placalities of gods rites , and sacrifices , were farre more wicked , then when fewer pretended title to be worshipped . The Mahumetans , though euer lewd and impious , yet after the Persian schisme and diuisions among them , they daily fell to be more wicked than before ; and the Iewish people sometimes the true seruants of God , and religious , Bact . lib. 2.3 . Reg. 12 , 13 , 1● so long as they remained in vnitie among themselues , after they were diuided into Sectes , became more carelesse of seruing God , as is manifest , not onely in the schisme betweene the houses of Roboam and Ieroboam recorded in holy Scriptures , but most euident in their last desolation . For at the comming of Christ ( the time of the Messias being expleated ) they were diuided into many Sects and Religions , who should be hee , and what they shoulde beleeue . So that , besides Christians the true worshippers , there were , Iob 2. See Caes . Baron , tom . 1. Ioseph . li 17. antiquitat . 8 li. 18. c. 1. &c. 2 lib. 20. c. 26. at that time , in that nation , Samaritanes , Pharises , Sadduces , Essenes , Baptists , Herodians , Galileans , Ezechians , Atongists , Theudists , Egiptists , Barrownosbonists , Vespasianians , and other sects , whereby that nation so vertuous and religious , when it was vnited in true worship , was come to that carelesnesse of religion , and liuing well , that they were drowned and ouerwhelmed in such monstrous and erroneous iniquities , Ioseph . lib. 7. b● Iudaic. c. 7. that their owne Historian Iosephus affirmeth their sinnes to haue beene so great , that if the Romanes had not come to take such extraordinary reuengement vpon them , he did thinke ; Authiatu terrae deuorandam fuisse ciuitatem , That their Cittie Hierusalem would either haue beene swallowed vppe of the earth , or drowned with some deluge and inundation , or be consumed with fire and lightnings as the Sodomites were . In like manner it alwaies happened in all times , places , and persons polluted with hereticall Sects and diuisions , as all Antiquities and Historians witnesse .

SECT. IIII. The scope and intent of the Authour to teach a most vndoubted certaintie and vnitie in religion .

WHerefore ( right Honourable ) as it is so euident that it can not be denied , but such troupes of errours and impieties haue embatteled themselues in the camp of Protestants , and by ample reasons may bee had in iust suspition , that many doubters , or rather deniers ( at least in affection ) of all Worship , as euer in like times haue beene , are entred in : So , seeing contraries are , and must be cured by contraries , and certaintie and true vnitie in religion is the onely remedy of such intollerable and prophane abuses , as haue proceeded from want thereof , I haue written a compleate confutation of all enemies to true reuerence , of what condition soeuer , Atheists , Epicures , and such as be deniers of all worship ; or externall infidells and aduersaries of Christ , Pagans , Iews , Mahumetanes ; or internall ennemies as the heretikes of all ages , eyther past , present , or to be heereafter , which I haue named , A Resolution of Religion , because therein , not onely all doubtes and difficulties , eyther pretended by any of those misbeleeuers , or by any means to be imagined , or conceiued , are loosed and resolued , but euery article and question of that most holy and approoued Religion , which I defend , is solued from all errours , and resolued to the most assured and infallible word and reuelation of God , which by no possibilitie can either be deceiued in himselfe , or be cause of errour vnto others . Whereby euery point and proposition of religious duety will be prooued to be so certaine , that no infidell or false beleeuer can make it doubtfull . So certaine as Saint Chrysostome writeth , Chrysost. homi . 8 in ep. ad Rom. Augu. lib. 7. Confess . c. 10. as any naturall demonstration is ; or to folow saint Augustines phrase so vndoubted , that a man in iudgement should sooner doubt , whether himselfe doth liue , than call any article of that faith into question . So that , as nothing can be more holy , credible , and woorthy to be beleeued , then that doctrine which I am to teach ; so nothing can be more irreligious obstinacie , and wilfulnesse , than to deny , and not embrace it : and as great madnes to follow any other false profession , being as resolutely proued , that they are all most vaine , false , erroneous , and resolued to the lying spirite of the Diuell , and wicked deceiuers and seducers .

SECT. V. The certaintie , excellency , and dignity of Catholike Religion .

AND lest any Reader should maruaile , that in a time of so great question and vncertainty of true Religion , I should so peremptorily vndertake to so great personages , and with so much securitie , to shew any Religion so vndoubted and certaine , as I haue assumed : Resol . part 1. tract. 1. arg. 1 , 2 , 3 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. Philip. Bergom . hist. Fox tom . 1. Mon. part. 2. chro . I do not meane thereby , any of those erroneous professions , either affirming or denying reuerence . Not the blasphemous impietie of Diagoras , Lucretius , Epicures , and Epicurians impugning all Religion , to whose sacriligious liues and sentences , God and all creatures are so repugnant ; to which all reasons dissent ; to whom no Argument or authoritie of any Country , Citty , Towne , Villadge , or particular man , not mad with passions , or frantickly distracted by pleasures , in so many thousands of yeares , as the world hath beene , and in so many kingdomes and countries thereof , Resolut . Relig. part 1. tract 2.1 argu 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 Mahum . in Alcoran . Thal. Iud. Pet. Maff hist. Ind. Lact. 7. firm . libt . diu . instit. yet agreed . Neither any of those Infidelities of Iewes , Mahumetanes , Brachmans , and Pagans so often by that Religion I will defend , both miraculously and otherwise confuted and condemned by their owne confessions ; and withall , maintaining either pluralities , or corporeitie , mutation , change , and dishonourable imperfections in God , to whom Religion is belonging , haue in all reason spoyled him of all worship , and reuerence , for none can be due to such a God or Gods as they imagine : besides so many irreligious errours against the light of nature it selfe , which are vnpossible to be taught of God , and yet be rewarded in the chiefest Rules of these Religions . Resolut . Relig. ●art 2 arg. 1 , 2 , 3 ●que ad 114. & ●tim . Neither any of so many hundreds of expleaded , or nowe raigning heresies , or any that shall arise hereafter , not the Religion of Martine Luther so often professed , and both priuately and publickly recanted , altered , changed , doubted , and redoubted by himselfe , Foxe tom . 2. Monum . fo. 971 , 972 Luther to . 2. Ger. Ient . folio 9. & in colloq. mensal . folio 10. & to . 1. Ient . Germ. fol. 4. colloq. mensal . fol. 244. fol. 158 & fol. 273. Sur of holy discipline . Hamelt . hist. Fox tom. 2. fol. 1486. as his owne workes and all protestants doe witnesse , neither of licentious Caluine , and a few artificers of Geneua , or of Knekes that gally slaue of Scotland , or of Edward Seymer duke of Somerset , or King Edward the sixt , a child of nine yeares old , without any assent or assembly , either of parliament or other ( as Fox himselfe is witnes ( the wil and testament of K. Henry the eight being violated , and his Bishops and Clergy committed to prison , or depriued . Neither of the Protestants of this time , which without disputation , or aduise of any learned or parliamentall diuine ( all such then depriued ) by the consent of some vnlearned Noble men , Stowe hist. anno 1. Elizab. statut. 1 Elizab. cap. 1 Knights of Shires , and Burgesses of the townes of England was enacted and decreed . Nor any other builded vpon the deceitfull deduction of any priuate man , or framed vppon any such feeble and false foundation : for so I should committe my selfe , and bring my Readers to the same pittifull danger , whereof I complained in those professors . But I defend that Religion and Worship , Bellar. in Chron pantal . in chron. Philip. Barg . hist. Tom. Concil. Resol . Relig. part 2. per mult . arg. which all most learned and vertuous men of the whole christian worlde , as well priuately by themselues , as twenty times gathered together in generall Councells , haue euer concluded out of holy Scriptures , which many thousandes of nationall and prouinciall Sinodes , euerie one of far more authoritie than any Protestant assembly , all vniuersities , colleges , schooles , and places of learning , the Lawes of all christian Princes , spirituall and temporall haue decreed . For although wee ordinarily defend the infallible definition of POPES in controuersiall questions of Religion , when Councells and such Remedies cannot be called and vsed ; stat. Elizab. as in temporall , yea spirituall causes the Queenes Maiestie by her new taken prerogatiue proceedeth without Parliament ; yet all doubts and difficulties betweene Protestants and vs , Resolut . Relig. part 2. argum . scrip . trad. we defend as defined in general Councels out of holy Scriptures , and yet the definition of any Pope in such cases , by al moral iudgement , is vnpossible to be false : for neuer any did , or doth , or will define any sentence , but that that was , or shal be the common opinion of al schools , & vniuersities , with the assent of the best learned of the world , & such examination , as the difficulty to be adiudged requires . I defend that Religion , which only is ratified by all authoritie , all Scriptures , Traditions , Prophets , Apostles , Euangelists , Sybils , Rabbins before Christ , all holy & learned Fathers , Historians , Antiquaries , and Monum . al Sinodes , Councels , Laws , Parliaments , Canons , and Decrees of Popes , Emperors , Kings and Rulers , all Martires , Confessors , & holy witnesses , by al friends & enemies , euen Mahumetans , Iewes , Pagans , Infidels , al former Heretikes , Schismatikes , & these Protestants themselues , when they were most probable to speake the truth , and al testimonies that can be deuised , not only in this world , but of God , of Angelles , and glorified soules , whose euidence cannot be vntrue ; of Diuels and damned soules in hell , condemned for their contempt or negligence therof , of soules in Purgatory , & whatsoeuer can be cited for witnes in such cases ; as wil be most euident in my particular arguments , not onlie of the Titles heere recited , but many others . I defend that Religion which hath confuted al forreine aduersaries , Atheists , Epicures , Iewes , Pagans , Mahumetans , Magicians , Bernard . Lutz . ●atol . haer. Philosophers , which hath conquered & left without memory , aboue foure hundred Sects of internall and domesticall heretikes , subdued all nations , and brought to subiection , all that haue opposed themselues against it : not any Religion builded vppon the deceitfull and vaine coniecture , or blowne abroade to be beleeued , with the whirling spirite of priuate men , Luther tom. 2. germ . Ient . f. 101 part 2. Resolut . arg. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 79 , 80 , &c. Sur. of holy discipline Peter Frarin . orat . cont. Sectar . Cocl . in vit. Luth. Stowe hist in H. 8 Fox tom . 2. Mon. in Henr. 8. Grafton in cod . Sleid. comment . Quot capita , tot religiones , so many heades , so many religions , as Luther saide , vnlearned , deniers of Scriptures , and their sense , at their pleasure , liers , deceitfull , false translators , corrupters and forgers of holy euidence , deuisers of new Doctrines for temporall pleasures , and respects , to be exempted from obligation , and vowe of obedience , chastity , pouertie , to be obeyed , liue in lasciuiousnesse , and pompe of wealth , without any other argument at all , as those innouators did . But a Religion founded vpon the most certaine and infallible worde and reuelation of God , expounded by those vndeceiuable Rules before remembred , and that holy and euer-during society and Church of Christ , for which he gaue himselfe , and ordained Religion ; where so much virtue is practised , such obedience , chastitie , pouertie , and contempt of all impediments of heauen is vowed , and professed , which societie , if it might erre , no preseruance of true Religion is to be hoped : for where none shoulde truely beleeue , all should be in errour . I defend that religion which in all times and places hath beene witnessed and approued with such Arguments , as are disabled to be vntrue , by infallible and vndeceiuable signes , by thousandes of supernaturall miracles and wonders , which by no meanes could be counterfaite , or falsely reported , So many naturally vncurable blinde restored to sight , deafe to hearing , lame to going , sicke to health , dead to life , by most famous and notorious knowne Catholikes , or Papists , ( as it pleaseth Protestants ) which all Philosophers agree , no naturall cause or arte of Diuells themselues could bring to passe , neither God graunt vnto man , for confirming falshoode . Not that Religion , Luther saep . in disput● Lypsic . Luther l. de Miss. ang. tom. 6. lent . Germ. folio 281 c. 5 folio 485 to . 2 folio 77 colloq mens. Germ. folio 274 , 275 Bed . l. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 hist. Greg. l. Dialog. Palad . l. hist. Foxe tom . 1. Monum . Pantal. chr. Cocl . in vita Lutheri , vita Calum . Stowe in chron. which as it was taught of the Diuell , father of lies , as the Authours themselues shall witnesse , and certainely by all arguments of reprobation , condemned them , their fellows and followers to hell . But that which by all testimonies and vndeceitfull arguments , brought the professors thereof to heauen , and the most earnest and zealous therein , as religious Heremites , Monkes , Freers , Nunnes , Priests , Bishops , Popes , as all Calenders , Histories , and approued Recordes giue euidence , to the greatest happines . Not that Religion which made those that before were good , chaste , obedient , and contem ners of the world , to be wicked , and giuen to al impietie , as their owne writings witnesse ; but that Religion which those it reclaymed from false worships , Hier. in vita parr . Eusebius in histo. pantal . in Chron. Foxc tom. 1. Mo. Bed . li. 1 , li. 2 , lib. 3 lib. 4 , lib. 5 hist. Greg. lib. 1 , 2 , &c. Dialog. Greg. tu● 10 Ruff. socr . Sozomen . tom. 2. Sleid. contra Fox Booke of Articles anno 1562 stat. H. 8. Ed. 6. & Elizab. Reg. Iniun . stat. Booke . made them so holy and such Saints , that all creatures haue done homage and duety vnto them ; the sea and waters against nature supported them , the wilde , sauage , and deuouring beasts adored them , the rauening foules in desarts nourished them , the windes , tempests , ayre , fire , earth , all elements , simple , compounded , sensible , and vnsensible things , the Diuelles themselues those triumphing and tyrannicall enemies against humane nature commaunded and ouer-ruled by authoritie , with trembling obeyed them . Not a Religion tossed and tennised vp and downe , with so many boundes and reboundes , choppes and changes , vniuersally both in head & members , containing so many falsities by their owne proceedings , so many contradictions in essentiall things , as there bee essentiall questions . Neither , doe what it could , hauing the temporall sword and all iurisdiction in it selfe , hath hitherto condemned vs , such as I will proue the Religion of English Protestants , Resol . Relig. part 1. arg. 5 , 6 , 7. and others to be ; but a Religion which in this space of almost 1600. yeeres , neuer chaunged one poynt of Doctrine , neuer admitted errour in faith , or the least contradiction therein , eyther in Decree of Pope , or confirmed Councell , but clearely condemned and confuted all misbeleeuers . Not a Religion , that contrarie to the name , nature , and office of true Religion , separateth man from his God and Creator , by so many sinnes and iniquities , and yet hath no grace no Sacrament for men of reason and actuall offences , no meanes or preseruatiue to preuent them , no helpe or remedy to redeeme them ; but suffereth man to lie loaden vnder so mighty a masse of impieties , and to be drowned in hell ( for that instrument of their iustifying faith can be no benefit to them , Part 2. Resolu . Relig. arg. 1 , 3 , 4 , 5.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 12 which as before by their owne grounds haue no faith at all ; and as I will demonstrate heereafter , haue not one property or condition of true beleeuing , or matter tending to mans saluation . ) But that Religion , which as it teacheth and counselleth the way of perfection vnto all , by renouncing Honours , and wealth , 1 Timo. 6.1 . cor. 7. luke 9. the Temptations and snares of the Diuell , as the Apostle calleth them , by professing Chastitie , more perfect and better then the matrimoniall state , as the same saint Paul witnesseth , and by abnegation of a mans owne will , and forsaking terrene and temporall dignities , which might hinder his heauenly iourney , such as our Sauiour his Apostles , the Primitiue Church , all reason and experience teacheth to be the path of perfection , and readiest way to Heauen ; when , and where nothing is left to hinder it . Matth. 28. Marke 16. Rom. 6. Gala. 3.1 . Peter 3. Acts 2.8.10 . Coloss. 2. Actes 8 & 19. Iohn 14 , 15 , 16 Art. 11. Concil. acel . 1. c. 8. Ar. 2 17. Concil. 6. gener . Floreut . Trident . Iohn 20 Trid. sesi . 14. c. 1 6. Florent . in Bull. Eng Iacob 5. Florent . in vnion . Arm. Trident. 5 14. 1 Acts 6. & 13 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 12 1 Cor. 12 Hebr. 6. Concil. Calce . c. 2 Concil. Bta. 2. cap 3 Concil. Triden . 5.23.2 , 3 Ephesians 5 concil . Trid. fess. 24 can . 1. Eucarist . ●p. 1. Tertull. lib. ●2 . conc . Carth. 4 ●c . 13. Ambros . ep. ●70 . Ciril . ep. 1. c. 4 Innoc. ep. 9. That Religion , which taking compassion of the frailetie of man to sin , in euery state hath a stay to keepe from falling , and a remedy for those that haue offended . For the state of all , vntil they came to such discretion and iudgement , as may be cause of sinne , the Sacrament of Baptisme , both taking originall offence away , and arming the soule against new and actual infection . To confirme the former grace of that tender age , and enable vs against so many temptations and persecutions as Christians haue , the Sacrament of Confirmation . To feede and foster all estates in the whole course and circuite of this life , the foode of diuine Eucharist , and Sacrament of the most holy body and blood of Christ : and ( seeing all are subiect vnto sinne ) the Sacrament of Penaunce , for the cure and comfort of all offenders . And because the agonies and temptations at the time of death be vrgent most against vs ; the Sacrament of Annointing , or extreame vnction , to remooue the relickes of sinne , and giue strength in that extremitie , And for the particular helpes and assistance of particular states , particular Sacraments ; the Sacrament of Orders to dignifie the calling of Clergy men , and make them worthie and fit instruments to performe so many holy & supernaturall functions , as are belonging to that preeminence . And lastly , for the consolation and defence of married people , such as encomber themselues with the cares of the world , and practical life , the Sacrament of Matrimony , giuing grace and strength against the difficulties and cares of that condition . No state , no sexe , no age , no time , no place , order , or degree among men is left vnprouided of spirituall comforte , and protection . Not a Religion , whose grounds and principles ouerthrowe all christian and true Religion , where God is made author of all sinnes , and thereby worthy no Religion , where the decision of spirituall doubtes appertaine to temporall and vnlearned Princes , men , Resolut . part 2. argum. 5.6 . stat 1 Elizab. 13. Eliza. 5. Elizab. Com. Booke . Conuoc . London . 1562. women , or children ; where such sentences , although neuer so much disagreeing euen to them selues , and apparantly false , must be obeyed for the infallible woord of God , where man hath not libertie and freedome of will , where our good workes are necessitate , where the predestination of God taketh away all election and indifferencie ; By which , and such like positions , as Protestants teach , it followeth , that no Article of Religion can be certaine ; no Religion can be ; nothing is to be accounted sinne , nothing reckoned for vertue . For who can certainely beleeue that , which most certainely is vncertaine or false ? or who can either praise or discommend , that which is doone whether the doer wil or no ? How can such actions be rewarded or punished ? How can that soule be immortall , and performe religion , which should want free and reasonable operations , the arguments and pledges of immortality ? But I defend a religion so measured , as before , that by no possibilitie any Decree can be vntrue , a Religion that so concordeth the eternall praescience and predestination of God , with the temporall cooperation of man , that it both leaueth the first infallible , and yet prooueth the temporall action , appetite , delight or consent to any things , to be voluntary , free , and in the power of man , to be effected or omitted , praised or discommended , rewarded or punished , as the nature thereof deserueth . Not that Religion which hath raised such dissentions , that it hath taken all vnitie and communion of Saints away , diuided the millitant and triumphant Church , and dishonored both , depriuing Angells and glorified soules of that honor their excellencie and dignitie with God requireth , men in earth , the militant church of that helpe and assistance it needeth , and alwayes had from them , as inferiour causes from superiour , all pitty and compassion of those that liue and be in state of merite , from the patient Church of the faithfull departed , and spoyled them of that reliefe they euer receiued of those that liue , and made such hauoke and confusion euen among the liuing , that no man regardeth other , euery one almost of a different and diuided minde from the rest in these things , and neuer at concord with himselfe , but vppon euery new conceipt differing from his former assertion , in continuall combate and controuersie with his owne will and vnderstanding ; and so no communion and participation one with an other , no care of offence , and iniuries , no minde of satisfaction for wrongs and iniustices , no combination of comembers , no penance , no restraint from sinne , where the passion of Christ hath bin so long vaunted and triumphed of , that except in most sacrilegious and blasphemous swearing by the instruments of our redemption , no memorie at all thereof is left ; no signe or token to put vs in minde , no image or representation , no commemoratiue sacrifice , or signification of so many paines , miseries , and mysteries , as our Sauiour indured and wrought for our redemption ; where no order or hierarchicall subordination , no consecration , or distinction of callings and vocations is , Statut. Elizab. except the letters patents of a temporall Prince can giue that to others , which is not , & cannot be in the giuer . But that Religion , which as it is vnited , and one in it selfe , in earth consisteth of a most perfect hierarchicall regiment , of Pope , Patriarkes , Archbishops , Bishops , Priests , Deacons , Subdeacons , Acolathists , Exorcists , Lectors , and other Vnder-officers , euery one in his roome and dignitie , and the meanest of all , by calling and consecration , of greater honour than any ministeriall preferment among Protestants , being no reall thing , but an ens rationis , an Idoll of the minde , as the making of Pursuvants , Apparators , and such Officers appoynted by others ; where our POPE which is so odious in England , is so ample in iurisdiction in all the worlde , that no temporall Prince christian or infidell , no ruler or professor of regiment in ecclesiasticall and spirituall causes , at this time ; or any heeretofore , either is , or was ' by many degrees possessed of so large a regimēt· And our priuate Priests , namely , the most reuerend and learned Fathers of the Societie of IESVS , ( so contemptible in our country , ) are honoured of the greatest Princes of the world , & by their preachings & paines haue added so many kingdomes both to the spirituall regiment of Christ , and temporall gouernement of Catholike kings . Our Catholike kings be most mightie , and they which regarde vs most , the most rich , puissant , and greatest Princes of the worlde . Our religion religeth and bindeth together , ( as the name importeth ) not onely kingdomes and menne in earth , but God , and his Catholike seruants , the triumphant , militant , and patient Church ; no duety is omitted , no compassion or pitty wanting : where the mysterie of our redeeming is so esteemed and remembred , that no festiuitie , no office or parte of diuine seruice is celebrated in the yeere , but representeth vnto vs one benefite or other , no ceremony is vsed in the holy sacrifice of Masse , no action of the Priest , no ornament or attire hee weareth , no benediction hee giueth , no signe of the Crosse hee maketh , but hath his religious signification , and preacheth vnto vs ; his introite to the Altare , his actions there , his returne from thence , the very vestments wherewith he is adorned , the putting of them on , the wearing of them in that celebration , his putting them off , his Amice , Albe , Girdle , Manciple , Stoale , Vestiment , and all hee vseth , speak nothing but Christ crucified , the maner of his oblation , the cloth wherewith he was blindfolded , the white garment putte on by Herode , the cordes and whippe wherewith hee was bound and scourged , the purple vestment wherwith he was deluded , and that mysticall and most holy sacrifice , his bloody and cruental oblation vppon the Crosse ; no action , gesture , prayer , or the least ceremony , either in word or deede , silence , or otherwise , but bringeth a religious lesson and meaning , and tendeth to instruction ; no benefite that Christ bestowed vppon man , from the first instant of his conception , left vnremembred , but one time or other celebrated . Not that Religion which denieth al things , and properties of Religion , as their opinions all negatiue doe witnes , that hath taken away and conuerted from common and spirituall religious vses , to priuate and temporall pleasures and preferments , all monuments , and foundations of deuotion , and places of religious exercise , leauing , and vsing nothing necessary to mans saluation . But that Religion whose opinions against these men , are all affirmatiue , professing deuotion , and one acte of pietie or other ; that hath founded Churches , Schooles , Colledges , Monasteries and places , where Christian learning euer was , or is exercised at this day : that obserueth all things , and wanteth , or omitteth nothing belonging , Resolut . Relig. part. 2. or that can be required to true Religion . I defend that most holy and religious worship , which I will prooue by aboue an hundred arguments , and all kinde of inuincible reasons , diuine and humane , naturall and supernaturall , to be the onely true and lawfull reuerence which we owe to God , by which we were labij vnius , Sleid. com anno 1517. Stowe hist. in H. 8. Pant. in Luth. &c. spake one language , and one Religion , vntill that confused Babel was begunne in Germany , from whence so many different tongs , and confusions in Religion haue proceeded .