And that it may bee seene what reason we haue of this our assertion , Sect. 2. wee first shew , that the estate of the faithfull was frequently so , before the comming of Christ . For when it lay as hid in some fewe persons , within the single Families of the old Patriarks , before and after the Floud , what great boast could there bee made of it ? Nay , when the Commonwealth of the lewes was much setled , into what straight was it brought , when Dauid complained , c c Psalm 12. 1. Helpe Lord , for there is not one godly man left : for the faithfull are fayled from among the children of men ? This being spoken , as it is most probable , in the dayes of Saul , aster the dayes of Samuel , and the d d 1 Sam. 22. 18 slaughter of the Priests , how was it euen in Iudah and Ierusalem , when Esay cried out , that e e Esay 1. 5 , 6. the whole head is sicke , and the whole heart is heauy , from the sole of the foot vnto the head , there is nothing whole therin ? The estate of the Church being then most miserable , and all depraued , not onely in manners , but in Religion , Idolatry being plentifull , as is manifest by the wordes in the same vision , f f Esay 1. 29. For they shall be● confounded for the Okes which you haue desired , and yee shall bee ashamed for the G●rdens you haue chosen : which intendeth the trees and pleasant places where they vsed their superstitions . Call to mind the dayes of Ieremie , when hee sayd , g g Ierem. 5. 1. Runne to and fro by the streetes of Ierusalem , and behold now , and know , and inquire in the open places thereof , if yee can finde a man , or if there bee any that executeth Iudgement , and seeketh the Truth , and I will spare it . And those of Ezech●l , testifying in this sort : h h Ezek. 22. 30. I sought for a man among them that should make vp the hedge , and stand in the gap before mee for the land , that I should not destroy it , but I found none . These things were spoken of Iudah and Ierusalem , where alone at that time was that Church which was ; the Israelites for their grieuous sins , being long before caried away into captiuitie . You may adde to this , if you will , the complaint of Micah , i i Mich. 7. 1. Woe is mee for I am as the Summer gatherings , and as the Grapes of the vintage : there is no cluster to eate : my soule desireth the first ripe fruites . The good man is perished out of the earth , and there is none righteous among men : they all lie in wait for blood : euery man hunteth his brother with a net . If the Priests & people had not almost generally gone astray , and the whole face of the visible Church had not seemed to bee defaced , would these Prophets thus haue particularized , that one godly man was not left , and that one was not to bee found , who had not declined from truth ?

Wee doubt not but in those times the Lord had many faithfull ones in secret , Sect. 3. as hee had seuen thousand in Israel when k k 1 King 19. 18 Rom. 11. 4. Elias liued , of whom neither the enemies of the trueth , nor scant that Prophet , did take any notice . l l Ezek. 9. 4. Apoc 7. 3. The marke in the forehead is sometime knowne to few , but onely to him that imprinted it there ; yet this is a good holde for the Elect , m m 2 Tim. 2. 19 The Lord knoweth who are his . But vpon what might those , who were Gods secret chosen outwardly build , when diuers times the Princes and people had corrupted their wayes , and the Temple it selfe was polluted , and made a sinke of Idolatrie ? For wee finde that things stood vpon those termes in the dayes of Manasse , when in the House of the Lord , euen that house , whereof the Lord had said , n n 2 Kin. 21. 4 , 5 In Ierusalem will I put my Name , hee built prophane altars : and in the two Courts of the House of the Lord hee built Altars for all the hoste of Heauen . Iudge where in those dayes was the glorie of the visible Church , or where it was a prettie while before that , when the Priest o o 2 Kings 16. 11. Vriah was as ready to set vp in the Temple an Altar after the fashion of that which was in Damascus , as the King Ahaz was ready to commaund it . And then the Prince and Priests conspiring , there was scant any kinde of grosse Idolatry , which was not plentifully committed , Ahaz himselfe making his sonne to p p Verse ● . goe through the fire after the abominations of the Heathen . And least it should bee thought , that the people at least , did amend somewhat which was amisse , in the very next chapter it is witnessed in generall , q q 2 Kings 17. 29. Yet Iudah kept not the Commaundements of the Lord their God , but walked according to the fashion of Israel , which they vsed . And by most probabilitie , this outrage vnder r r Esay 1. 1. Ahaz was the time , against which Esay so inueighed in the Vision before remembred . These things are so plaine , that the greatest pillars of the Papacie cannot deny them ; and therefore they are forced to another shift , as the Rhemists when they say , Rom. 11. 4. That there is a great difference betweene the Christian Church , and the Iewes , ours resting vpon better promises then theirs ; which is a very poore euasion , in as much as euery Diuine may know , that there be as large and many promises , that the Church of the Iewes should last vntill Christes appearance in the flesh , as there bee that the Congregation of Gods Saints shall continue among the Gentiles vntill the day of Iudgement . And ●auing onely for the time of the Babylonish captiuitie , there was one set externall place of Gods eminent seruice , that is , the Temple at Ierusalem , supported with such words , t t Psal. 13● . 14 This is my rest for euer , heere will I dwell , 〈◊〉 and u u 2 Chro. 33. 4. In Ierusalem shall my name 〈◊〉 euer : the like whereof through●● all the continuance of the New Testament , is not warrantable o●● of the Word for any one place wh●●●euer . Now it cannot bee so much as superficially maintained out of the Scripture , that Rome it selfe hath any such promise , but rather out of the Reuelation of St. Iohn , there are many substantiall matters which make to the contrary .

But because by the strong shot of Trueth they bee beaten from the Bulwarke of the Iewish Synagogue , Sect. 4. and flye to the next hold of the later Testament ; let vs follow them thither . When our Sauiour Christ was borne , and for the most part afterward , till he was baptized , where shall we conceiue was the visible Church ? The Scribes and Pharisees possessed all the shew , and they were no better then a a Math. 23. 24. 2 Mach. 4. 8. 24. c. 11. 3. blinde leaders of the blinde . The Priesthood was long before and after bought and sold ; Ioseph de Bell. lud. 4. 5. & lib. 5. 9. and in Christs owne time it is euident out of the Scripture , that the highest spirituall dignitie going b b Iohn 11. 51. by yeares , Annas and Caiphas , and other vnworthy men of that rabble did enioy it . Vpon the birth of Iesus , they were not glad , who should haue most reioyced in it : but all c c Math. 2. ● . Ierufalem was troubled at it . And how they persisted afterward till Christ did manifest himselfe fully , may bee guessed by diuers circumstances , which the Euangelists do mention after his birth . But when hee came first into the world , of whom doe we find speech made , but of some Shepheards in the field , of Simeon an old man , of Anna a most aged woman , both ready to goe into their graues , of Ioseph and Marie , Zacharias and Elizabeth , and very few others ? and of these some might bee soone dead , others might liue out of the way at Bethlehem , or Nazareth , or in Aegypt , and the Shepheards were in the fieldes about their Trades : but where there was the appearance of a visible Congregation can hardly bee imagined . When our Sauiour had selected out his Apostles , they then were termed by the name of a Flocke ; but yet by their Master they were called but a d d Luke 12. 22 Rhem ●Annot , ibidem . little flocke , where the Rhemists do confesse , that in the beginning it was little indeed . At the death of Christ , when his body hanged on the crosse for our sakes , and his Disciples were all e e Math 26. 56. fled , no man daring to shew himselfe . f f Iohn 19. 25. Nich. de Clem. de Mater . Concil. Mary and Iohn , and a fewe women were all the faithfull that now appeared vpon earth : and afterward while the Apostles & their followers walked very priuately , or were assembled g g Acts 1. 13. in a chamber , the Priestes , and Scribes , and Pharisees were they who ruffled it in the streetes , and bore the sway in the Temple ; so that if a weak body had enquired for the Church , he might rather haue been directed to them , who had the Law , and the Altars , and all sacred things in their custody , Actes 8. 2. then to any other . When Steuen had been stoned , and for feare of the persecution which was at Ierusalem , the Disciples were all scattered ; besides the Apostles , it may well be presumed , that for a time they which remained in the citie where Steuen had lost his life , did not walke very openly . Truth it is , that after these things the Church was better setled , and the truth was more spread ; but yet neuer was there any such priuiledge bestowed vpon it , but that in the dayes of persecution , or some grieuous apostacy , the faithfull might bee brought to a small visibilitie .

Our Sauiours wordes intend so much , Sect. 5. when alluding to the time of his second appearance , to iudge the quicke and the dead , he asketh , i i Luke 18. 8 Neuerthelesse , when the Sonne of man commeth , shall he find faith on earth ? as meaning , that very little should then bee found , in comparison of the Floodes and Ocean of iniquitie which euery where should abound . But God , to the end that he might not haue vs ignorant but warned before hand into what straights the Church should bee brought , informeth vs by Saint k k 2 Thes. 2. 3. Paul , that the Lord shall not come , except there first bee an apostacie , or reuolt , or falling away , wherein Antichrist with great pride and disdaine should shew himselfe . This is solemnly spoken of by the Apostle , and by all both old and new , intreating of it , is obserued to some matter of great note , that is to say , some maine declining from somwhat . Many of our Papists fearing to touch this sore , which can in no case turne them to good , would haue that interpreted , to note nothing else but the slipping of diuers regions & countries from their subiection to the Romane Empire . But Gregory Martin , and the other Rhemistes being ouercome with the euidence of truth , are heere a little more honest then ordinary , and speake to other purpose . Indeed they cannot tell how it will be taken at other Papists hands , that contrary to the custome of their fellowes , in a matter of such moment , they should giue way vnto vs ; and therefore they doe vse these words in way of excuse , ● Rhemes . in 2. Thess. 2. ● . Be it spoken vnder the correction of Gods Church , and all learned Catholiques . But to the poynt concerning the Apostacie , they deliuer this : It is very like , that this great defection and reuolt shall not bee onely from the Romane Empire , but especially from the Romane Church , and withall from most poynts of Christian Religion , ( in the Margent it is , and from most Articles of the Catholique Faith . ) Heere they would haue vs take the Romish beleefe for the Christian Religion , and Catholique faith : but that deserueth a long pause : we rather obserue out of them , that this reuolt is in matter of faith , and not onely from the Empire ; then which Glosse , nothing can be truer . Well then , if there must bee so egregious an Apostacie , it will follow , that Antichrist so domineering , as by the Apostle he is described , will not bee negligent so to represse the publike seruice of God , that it shall not carry any liuely head , or countenance , where hee hath to doe . So that certainely our Rhemistes yeelding to this Exposition , doe in substance confesse so much , as that the apparancy of Gods Congregation , in the time of the great defection , must bee mightily ecclipsed . Now the Lord , to the end hee might establish his faithfull , and arme them to expect this paucitie of beleeuers , and inconspicuousnes of his Church , and yet not be discouraged for that which should bee past , present , or to come . And againe , that there might bee no doubt in a matter of this moment , letteth vs further know , that the m m Ap●c . 12 ▪ 6. woman fled into the wildernesse , where shee hath a place prepared of God . It is not doubted of betweene the Romanists and vs , but this Woman doeth represent the Church , concerning whom , being in the wildernesse , it doth manifestly follow , that for the time of her abode there , which the Almightie had decreed , she should not be discerned ; that is , by her enemies , who did & would chase her : notwithstanding , it is not to be doubted , but shee knew where her selfe was . If the Romanist therefore , and persecuting aduersary , did not euer see the Professors of the Gospell , it was no wonder : the woman was to remaine in the Wildernesse a part , and hidde from them . The euidence of which matter is such , that as n n In Prefat. super Apocal. Master Fox obserueth , for feare of diuers things in the Reuelation of Saint Iohn , ( whereof this may worthily be one scant any Popish Writer for many yeares together , durst aduenture to comment any thing vpon the Apocalyps , vntill our Rhemistes being desirous to shame the Pope , and themselues , with all who are wise , and adventured to set pen to paper . Hauing then a purpose to set forth and corrupt the New Testament , partly by their Translation , but most of all by their Annotations , they could not choose but say somewhat of the Reuelation , although they professe , that it is as o o In Argument . Apocal & in Apoc. I. 1. sparingly as may be , and as briefly ; which is not for that the Volume of the Rhemish Testament groweth great , as they would colour it , but for feare least they should too much lay open their owne weakenesse , which while that Booke is in the Bible , will neuer bee concealed . Howsoeuer therefore , through their Volume , in many maine matters , they bee very silent where they should most speake , as of the Question of imputed righteousnesse , where the p p Rom. 4. 6. Apostle doeth most handle it , ( a sore argument of their owne conscience distrusting their cause , and euen sinking vnder the waight of that chapter ) yet here God ouer-ruling them , to say the truth , as hee did q q Ioh● 11. 15. Caiaphas , they interpret the woman to be the r r Apoc. 12. 6. Church , flying from the great persecution , which shall be in the time of Antichrist . Indeed , to keepe peace with their Lord and Mastes the Pope , they will not haue this flight to bee but in the very ending of the world ; and so they would fetch it with a backe Racket , that the woman should continue so in secret , but three yeares and a halfe , which ( to keepe all vpright ) they assigne to be the time of Antichrists raigne , and then the Iudgement must come ; which is a most fond evasion , seeing by that meanes men liuing at the appearance of Antichrist , should be able precisely to tell when the day should be , to wit , three yeares and a halfe after Antichrists entring . f f Mark . 13. 22. But of that day and houre knoweth no man , no not the Angells which are in Heauen , neither the Sonne himselfe , saue the Father onely . It can neuer be made good , that the t t Apoc. 11. 2 , 3. & 12 ▪ 6. & 13. 5. & Dan. 7. 25 time , times , and halfe a time , the two and fortie moneths , and the thousand , two hundred and sixtie dayes , are so literally to bee taken , as that they should containe exactly three ordinary yeares and a halfe . Your Romane Bishop in his declination , hath already been in the world much longer , and he is the greatest Antichrist that euer yet was manifested among men , and on whom many things in the Scripture signified , touching Antichrist , doe directly and vnauoydably light .

Well , Sect. 6. this reuolt taking place , and the woman , the Church being in the wildernesse , it is not to be doubted , but here and there be diuers , which serue God aright , the very gates u u Math. 16. 18. of Hell not being able to preuaile against them . And as these in generall wheresoeuer dispersed , doe make vp the vniuersall militant Church : so where any few of them , euen in the smallest number , are assembled together , they may be said to be a particular Congregation , or Church . Where three are , saith w w Tertull , exhort , ad chastit . Tertullian , there is a Church , although they bee Lay persons . It is likely , that he alludeth to that saying of our Sauiour , x x Math. 18. 20 Where two or three are gathered together in my Name , there am I in the middest of them . He is with them as with members of his Church , to guide them and heare them , to blesse them , and preserue them . And that such little assemblies are not vnworthy the name of the Church , is plaine by S. Pauls words to Philemon , where he sendeth greeting , not only to Philemon , and Appias , and Archippus , but a a Phil. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Church in Philemons house : for so the Rhemistes themselues translate it . In dangerous and Apostatating times , such petty assemblies doe make vp the generall , and they belong vnto the same mysticall body , although they not onely be not knowne to their persecutors , but many of them haue no acquaintance with other . They haue the same Head , the same Faith , the same Charitie , the same Spirit , the same Holy Ghost is giuen to all Saints , ioyned one to the other in loue , whether they know each other corporally , or doe not knowe them , saith b b De Baptism . contra Donatist . 6. 4. idem spiritus 〈◊〉 ea dimit tit ( i. peccata ) quod datus est 〈◊〉 sanctis , &c. Saint Austen . The want then of Acquaintance each with other , may keepe the godly asunder , as well as the rage of their persecutors ; both which are to be found in the case of Elias . But directly to follow further this Argument of the Ecclipse of the Churches glorie , may it not bee thought to be brought to a low ebbe , when it is said of the second Beast , That c c Apoc. 13. 16. he causeth all both small and great , rich and poore , free and bond , that he should giue them a marke in the right hand , or in their foreheads , and that no man might buy or sell , saue hee that had the marke , or the name of the Beast , or the number of his name . And what else is signified , when so d d Cap. 17. 2. & 21. many are mentioned to haue commerce with the Whore of Babylon ; yea , e e Cap. 8. 3. all Nations are reported to haue drunken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication . The ancient Fathers were not ignorant , that such times these might bee , when they so oft compared the Church to the Moone , as Saint f f S. Ambr. Epist. lib. 5. 31. Ambrose . The Moone it selfe , whereby in the Oracles of the Prophets , the countenance of the Church is figured ; when at the first rising againe , shee is renewed into the ages of the Moneth , she is hidden by the darknesse of the night , and by little and little filling her hornes , or right ouer against the Sunne ending them , doth shine with the light of cleare brightnes . g g S. August . in Psal. 101. S. Austen in one place doth for diuers respects liken the church vnto the moone , and expoundeth the moone to signifie it . h h Serm. 134. de Temp●re . In another place he hath the Sun is Christ , the Moon the Church ; which as one the one side it doth intimate vnto vs , that the Moone hath no light but from the Sun ; and the Church no light nor beauty , but from God : so on the other side it doth most liuely put vs in mind , that as the Moon continueth at the same stay , but increaseth and decreaseth , waxeth and waneth , is ecclipsed by the interposition of the earth between her selfe and the Sunne , and somtimes in the change cannot be seene , although it is neuer to be doubted but there is a Moon : so the church of Christ , whilest this troublesome world doth last , is now glorious , then shadowed ; in one age in beauty , in an other age kept vnder ; vnder some Princes in peace , vnder others in persecution ; yea , sometimes so pressed with the extremity of the malicious , as that she is glad to remaine retyred into secret places , & not to appeare openly to the malignant , albeit shee neuer is nor can be extinguished , but hath a continuall being . Vnto which it may bee added , that since faith doth much consist of i i Hebr. 11. 1. things which are not seene ; and we beleeue the holy Catholike church as an Article of our faith , it may follow , that it need not euer be eminently visible , and apparantly sensible vnto vs .

For the better exemplification of this verity , Sect. 7. it may be remembred what hauock was made by the Heathen Romane Emperors , and their deputies , against the flock of Christ , in the ten first persecutions : that in the Roman dominion , there was scant any to be heard of , who professed Christianity , but he was soone cut off by the sword , or otherwise . Did they in those times suffer any potent visibilitie of true Professors , or when they once knew where they were , did they not forthwith labour to extirpate them ? But in the dayes of Constantius , when the Arrian Heresie had once gotten the head , where in the world did there appeare any sencible Congregation , maintaining the Orthodox beliefe ? Hieroms testimony of those dayes was , k k Hiero aduersus Luciferi●nos . The whole world did sigh , and wondred that it selfe was Arrian . The words are but few , but they are to the purpose . So said Saint Gregorius Presbyter , writing the life of Gregory Nazianzen , The Sect of the Arrians had almost possessed all the coasts of the world , the power and impietie of the Emperour ministring vnto it . The words of Constantius himselfe in L L Theod. Histor. Eccles. l. 2. 16. Theodoret , do giue testimony vnto this . Neither doth Liberius the Roman Bishop say ought to the contrary . The speeches of the Arrian Emperour against him and Athanasius are these ; The whole world doth thinke that this is well . The whole world hath giuen sentence of his impietie . Thou alone doest embrace the friendship of that wicked man . And a little before that : Doeth so great a part of the world reside in thee Liberius , that thou alone doest dare to come in ayd to that wicked man , and disturbe the peace of the vniuersall world ? Whereunto Liberius did not take exception , saying , that the visible Church stood for him , and Athanasius , but rather giueth another reason , to make good his being alone ; Be it that I am alone ; notwithstanding for that the cause of the faith is not the worse : for a great while ago●e , there were three onely found , who would resist the Kings commandement . Heere the Church for any external shew , was low brought : for if any body held it vp , it was Athanasius , who then played least in sight , and durst not appeare . For this Liberius , who did for a time second him , did afterward shrinke . He went at first into banishment in defence of the truth : but after that , he was solicited , and laid at by Fontunatianus , that he relented and condiscended to subscribe to the Arrian heresie , as m m In Catalog . Scripter . Eccles. Hierom witnesseth , who liued in that age , and was long conuersant in Rome , and therefore could better report what was the issue of Liberius his constancie , then some others who doe relate it otherwise . What can be said for him , Bellarmine hath : but yet inforced by n n Bellar. de Pont. Rom. 4. 9. the euident testimony of Athanasius , Hillary , and Hierome , he confesseth so much as I haue here set down ; but couer it he would , that he only consented to the externall act of subscribing , but remained in heart Othodox . Why should it then bee a maruell , if in processe of time , Antichrist growing to greater strength , the Church should bee in couert ? It is no more then often fell out vnder the Iewish Synagogue , & hath bin exemplified to haue been since among the Christians , and was so euidently foretold before . In so much that by the example of the o o Apoc. 12. 6. woman , it can not bee the true Church , vnlesse it should be hidden in the wildernesse . Which while our Popish teachers deny to agree to their Romish Church , but professe that it hath euer been in sight , they themselues doe by a consequent proclaime , that they are not the pure and vndefiled flying woman , but another painted harlot and strumpet . The true Church is for a time out of sight in the wildernes ; but so say they , was their Church neuer : and therefore will they , nill they , their Church is not the true Church .

And here , Sect. 8. to the end that the slaunderous calumniation of our aduersaries may the more be manifested to all those , who wil not wilfully close their eyes against truth , I will a little shew the vanity , & yet maliciousnes of their obiection , when they say there was neuer any of our faith before the daies of p p Camp. Ref. 10. quint. Euangely Pr●sessores . Luther , who in the yeare 1517 , began for his part to display the kingdome of Antichrist . Where , I pray the Reader to consider , that the most part of those whom I shall cite , are Popish Writers , and no way partially affected towards vs . We say then , that Martine Luther was not the first brocher of those points which he taught again't papistry ; but as he did originally deduce them from the Scriptures , & out of the works of the ancient Fathers ; so he did derine them also hereditarily from other , who immediatly before him had taught the same doctrine , & left it both in books , & the hearts of men recommended vnto him ; as principal parties herein I name Iohn Hus , & Hierome of Prage , and all such as were their schollers , in or about Bohemia ; who before Luthers time oppugned the beliefe of the church of Rome , & their profession was not extinguished vntill his dayes , howsoeuer it before had bin mainly assaulted . If we could learne this no where els , yet q q Histor. l. 13. Fr. Guicciardine , an Italian , & Florentin Historiographer , would informe vs of it , who writing of the yeare 1520 , saith plainly , that Luther did set abroad the Heresies ( as he tearmeth them ) of the Bohemians ; and hee nameth there Hus and Hierome as former diuulgers of the same : and r r In vita Wenceslai . Petrus Messias a Spaniard therein agreeth with him , who mentioning the opinions of Hus and the Bohemians , saith , they were the seed of those errours , which were afterward in Germany , alluding to the doctrine of Luther . There is no man whose testimony in this behalfe may be of more worth then Ioh. Histor. Cochlei de Hussitis . Cochleus ; First , because he wrote a large story of purpose concerning the Hussites , & therfore by his long search , reading , and writing , in that argument may be persumed to know as much as any . Secondly , because it may be well imagined , that he would fain nothing to do Luther good , in as much as he also wrote a volume purposely against that worthy seruant of God , Histor. de actis & scriptis Mar. Luther . intending to rip vp his whole life from yeare to yeare , and to censure all his works ; yet this enemy of his , in the Story of the Hussites , doth plentifully satisfie vs about the matter now in question . One where he telleth vs , L. 2. that Hus did slay soules for an hundred yeares together ; neither yet doth he cease to slay them by the second death . Within an hundred yeares after him came in Luther , according as the said Iohn Hus did a a Iobannes Fox . in Hist. Eccles. prophecie not long before his death . And when it is added , that yet he doth not cease to slay ; it is manifest , that his Doctrine remained till the dayes of Cochleus . b b Cochleus . l. 2. In another place he relateth , that Luther did stirre vp seditions in Germanie , by the Books of the Hussites . Afterward he calleth those , who were in Germany in his time , New c c Ibidem . Hussites . And againe , Hus did so rent the vnitie of the Church , that vnto this day there remaineth a pitifull diuision in Bohemia . He proceedeth in the same matter elsewhere , L. 3. saying , That the people of Germanie are now by Luther partakers of the Heresies of Hus , and Hierome . One sort of the followers of this Iohn Hus , did call themselues Thaborites ; and these were they , who most dissented of all from the Doctrine of Rome : Of these he speaketh thus : e e Cochl . lib. 8. Vnto this day remaineth the Sect of the Thaborites , in many places of Bohemia , and Morauia , vnder the name of Picards and Waldenses . Lastly , the same f f L. 12. Cochleus , in the yeare 1534. doth wish that hee may see the remainders or leauings of the Hussites to returne to the Church , and the Germanes to cast out all new Sectes . What can bee more euident , then that the Doctrine of Iohn Hus was sensibly and apparantly continued somewhere , euen till the dayes of Martin Luther ? Vnto which may bee added , that whereas Luther began to shew himselfe but in the yeare 1517 , that very yeere , was g g Centur. 16. l. 1. 20. ended the Councell of Laterane held at Rome , and finished by Pope Leo the tenth . And there consultation was had of reforming the manners of the Church , and of recalling the Bohemians to the vnity of the Church of Rome .

And as these Testimonies doe conuince , Sect. 9. that the Christian Confession of Hus was not extinguished at the comming of Martin Luther : so may there be good reason assigned , why it did so long continue , in as much as it was imbraced by many , and earnestly maintained euen vnto the death . When Hus began first to preach the people which vsed h h Cochleus l. 1. handy craftes did with great desire heare his sermons , & did read the scriptures , being turned by him into their mother tongue , so that they could dispute with the Priestes ; which the very women were able to doe ; m m lbide● . yea , and one woman did make a Booke . Not long after three of the schollers of this Preacher did affirme , that the Pope then liuing was Antichrist ; who had proclaimed a Croisado against a Christian King ; that was Ladislaus , King of Naples , then infesting the lands of the Church of Rome . These three persons were martyred for this speech , and tooke their death patiently . In small processe of time , this Doctrine so multiplied , that as n n In Tabulo Concilii ante Platine Hist. Onuphrius hath , the Councell of Constance was called principally for two things ; the one was against the Hussites , the other to take away the Schisme between the Popes . These of liklihood grew great , that now a generall Councell was called against them . Neither did the people only agree in faith with Iohn Hus , but the Nobles of Bohemia stood apparantly for him ; in so much that they sent two o o Ioh. Fox . in Concil Constant. Histor. seuerall and solemne supplications to the Councell of Constance in his behalfe . And when these their request were neglected , and Iohn Hus , and Hierom of Prage ( contrary to the p p Cochl . l. 4. Emperors safe conduct giuen to the former of them ) were burnt , the Nobles of Bohemia did mightily murmure against the Fathers of the Councell ; in so much that Sigismund the Emperour , to giue them satisfaction on his behalfe , did write vnto them , excusing himselfe touching the death of these men , and laying the fault vpon the Councell . But this gaue not contentment vnto the Bohemians , now robbed of their principall Pastor , but being mooued at the perfidiousnesse of those at Constance , they assembled themselues together , Ibidem . to the number of thirtie thousand ; and in the fields vpon three hundred Tables erected for that purpose , they receiued the Eucharist in both kindes . Afterward , they rushing into the Churches and Monasteries , Zisca ad locum quem cruci● appellant profectus est , ibi supra quadragint a millia vnorum ex●ere● icis conuenere . did breake downe the Images there . It was not long after , but that vnder q q Cochleus l. 5. & Pe●us Messias in Sigismundo . Iohannes Zisca , a Noble and victorious Warriour , these Hussites grew to bee of Souldiers fortie thousand in one armie , who got into their hands the Castle of Prage , the chiefe Citie of Bohemia . Then not long after did Pope Martin the fift publish a Croysado against these , whom hee called Heretiques , promising remission of their sinnes to such as could destroy them . Notwithstanding , these hated persons did still prosper , getting many Victories vnder Procopius , and other Captaines , but especially vnder Zisca , who was of that dexteritie , and felicitie in his Warres , as that r r L. 5. vix vlla Graeco● um , Hebreo●●que . aut Latin●ou●● Historia talem ref ducem qua●●s Zisca fui● . Cochleus almost amazed at his strange successe , sayeth , That scant any Historie of the Greekes , or Hebrewes , or Latines doeth mention such a Generall as Zisca was . Hee built a new Citie , as a refuge for his men , and called it Thabor , whereof diuers embracing the Doctrine of Hus , were afterward called Thaborites . A s s L. 6. second time did Pope Martine proclaime a Croysado against them , graunting remission of sinnes to all who did either fight , or contribute money against them . Vpon which , there were at one time t t Ibid. quis putasset quadraginta millia aequitum Germanicae nationis tam leuiter compelli posse &c. nolo hic temere iudicare sciens iudicia Dei esse oc . culta , &c. fortie thousand Germane Horse men gathered to destroy them : but such was the terror of their name , that vpon the approaching to them , the Horsemen of their owne accord turned their backes and fled . The Popish Authour saith , that there was in this some secret Iudgement of God , but hee thinketh the cause of their ill successe , was , that they had Bishops and Priests to their Leaders and Captaines . By this time came on the Councell of Basil , which as u u In Tahul . ante Platin. Onuphrius saith , was held against the Hussites . This sheweth that there were many , which may also appeare , in that the Fathers at Basil , did by an Indulgence graunt to the Bohemians this dispensation , That contrary to the Act of the Councell of x x Sess. 13. Constance , they might receiue the Eucharist both in Bread and Wine . y y Lib. 4. Chronog . Genebrard , who was euer a true seruant to the Pope , confesseth so much : but addeth withall , that the Cup was permitted vnto them , because that alwaies before had beene their custome so to communicate : yet saith he , all was on that condition , That they should not finde fault with the contrary vse , nor seuer themselues from the Catholique Church in other Rites and Doctrines . y y L. 7. Cochleus nameth no such condition . Nay , to shew that simply and directly it was yeelded vnto them , hee reporteth , that the Legates of the Councell of Basil , did thus expound that which was concluded in the Bohemians behalfe . The z z L. 8. Councell doeth permit the Eucharist vnder both kindes ; not tollerating it onely as a thing euill , as to the Iewes was permitted a Bill of Diuorce ; but so , that by the authoritie of Christ and his Church , it is lawfull and profitable to the worthy Receiuers . Where is it likely , that vnlesse the Bohemians now after Husses death had beene a strong partie , the Antichristian rabble would haue yeelded to their importunitie , so directly against the Canon of the next precedent Councell ? Indeed the a a Ibidem . Emperour Sigismund did afterward take a course to lessen their number , when he sent many of them into Hungaria against the Turkes , that there they might either conquering winne to him victories , or being conquered themselues , so be destroied and perish . He who list to see more concerning the multitude of these Professors , Histor. Bohem. c. 35. & 50. 〈◊〉 . 130. let him but looke on diuers places in the workes of Aeneas Syluius , who was afterward Pope , by the name of Pius the second , and hee shall finde him reporting of his owne knowledge , as trauailing himselfe into Bohemia , that they were many , and very earnest also in their Religion .