The Pamphlet . The copie of a Letter , written by a Catholike to a worshipfull Protestant Gentleman his speciall friend , concerning certaine reasons , why the Protestants Religion is false and absurd .

LOued and relouing friend , I haue receiued your courteous letter , wherein you greatly wonder , that I wondred so much in our last discourse ; that any man in England endued with a good iudgement , conioyned with a religious conscience , could either accept , or affect the Protestants new coyned Gospell . You request me to set downe briefely such reasons as induced me thereunto : the which suite I could not deny : for both religion and affection vrged me to satisfie so iust a desire . For I must confesse , I loue you as a man , and as an honest ciuill Gentleman , and most gladly I would haue occasion to loue you as a Catholike Gentleman : for it is great pitie that such a multitude of detestable errors , and heynous heresies should lodge in so rarely qualified a soule . I haue penned them after an vnaccustomed manner following the fashion of schooles , in most of them after a syllogisticall method : to the intent that if you should shew them vnto your Ministers , which swarme about you , they might not haue such free scope and libertie , to range abroad with their idle discourses ( as they vse to take ) veiling their confused conceits with a multitude of affected phrases : thereby more easely to deceiue the simple , and loathe the learned . Wherefore I beseech you if any such itching spirit shall attempt an answere , to intreate him to performe it briefly , orderly , and seriously . This I request , for that I perceiue that Protestants cannot answere with breuitie , because their Religion lacketh both certaintie and perspicuitie : And extreame hard or impossible it is to replie without perplexitie , where there is no truth nor veritie . And therefore I request you as you loue me , to will them to consider well , before they answere ill : and not to replie with rashnes , least they retract with deliberation , to their vtter shame and confusion . And that you may perceiue how my wonder rather deserued approbation then admiration , and for that order is a fauorite of memorie : I thought good to reduce all my reasons into two heads ; wit and will , knowledge and affection , faith and good life : because the nature of heresie hath euer been such as did not only inueagle the wit with errors , but also seduce the will with occasions of inordmate affections . I say the that no excellent goodwit , linked with a religious conscience , can accept nor affect the Protestants new coyned Gospell : for good wits and iudgements , assisted with Gods grace , may easily conceiue the truth , yea by the force of their very naturall faculties , they may iudge credibly of the truth once proposed ; and without great difficultie discorne the absurdities of an vntrue religion . Vertuous and well inclined affections which are the base of quiet , secure , and religious consciences , abhor and detest such principles as either dishonor God , abase mans nature , occasion sinne , fauor iniquitie , or any sort diminish deuotion , or pietie : And therefore all the insequent articles shall stand vpon these two foundations , to wit , that the Protestants religion debarreth the wit from right vnderstanding the true faith , and the will from following of any vertue or godlinesse .

Answere .

YOu wonder that any man in England endued with a good iudgement , conioyned with a religious conscience , can either accept or affect the Protestants new coined gospell . But why do you not shew what is the new coined gospell , which the Protestants preach and professe . The Gospell is the good and ioyfull message of our saluation , through Gods mercies purchased vnto vs by Iesus Christ . This Gospell God preached to Adam , that Iesus Christ the seed of the woman should breake the serpents Genes. 3. 16. head . This he renued to Abraham saying , in thy seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed . This Gospell was Genes. 22. 18. preached by all the Prophets , who beare witnes vnto Act. 10. 43. Christ , that through his name all that beléeue in him , shall receiue forgiuenes of sinnes . Now if you can prooue that we preach or maintaine any other gospell then this , then you may well call it a new coined gospell : if otherwise , take heed you do not belch out blasphemie , in calling this old and true gospell of Iesus Christ , a new coined gospell . And let the Christian reader , which tendereth his owne saluation well consider who they be that coine a new , false , and counterfeit gospell . Do not they which teach vs to ascend into heauen by the bloud of Thomas Becket , coine a In the popish Primer printed 1557. new and false gospell ? Tuper Thomae sanguinem &c. which they englished in Queene Maries dayes thus : By the bloud of Thomas , which he for thee did spend , make vs Christ to come , whither Thomas did ascend . Againe , Iesu bone per Thomae merit unt nostra nobis dimitte debita : O good Iesus for the merits of Thomas ( Becket ) forgiue vs our sinnes . Do not they , which teach vs to seeke to be deliuered from the fire of hell by the merits and prayers of Saint Nicholas , mainetaine a new coined gospell ? Thus they prayed : Quaesimus vt eius meritis & precibas à gehennae incendijs In the same Primer . liberemur : Graunt we beseech thee , that by his merits and prayers we may be deliuered from the fire of hell . Do not they which say and beleeue of an Agnus dei , that is to say , a peece of waxe and balme consecrated by the Pope , Tollit & omne malignum , peccatum frangit , vt Lib. 1. Caeremo . titul. 7. Christi sanguis & angit , It taketh away all euill , it breaketh and strangleth sinne as doth the bloud of Christ : do not they ( I say ) coine a new , false , and blasphemous Gospell ? Yes surely , for to attribute remission of sinnes , or any part of saluation to the merits of any other , but only of Iesus Christ crucified , is to coine a new and false gospell : for it is not that gospell of God , which he promised afore by his Prophets in the holy scriptures , which is concerning his Sonne Iesus Christ , our Lord &c. To conclude this point , I say woe , woe vnto them that accept or affect any new coined gospell . And whereas you wonder that men indued with iudgement and a religious conscience , could affect or accept the gospell that we preach , which you falsely call a new coined gospell : we may well wonder , that any man that hath any sparke of knowledge or conscience should beleeue these foresaid false gospels . We may also wonder that men indued with reasonable soules and senses , being the handy worke of God , should bow downe and worship a stone and stock , which hath neither soule nor life ; hath eyes and seeth not ; eares and heareth not &c. and is the workemanship of mans hands , especially being so plainely and expresly forbidden in Gods commaundements , Psal. 115. & 135. & infinite places of the scriptures . We may wonder that any man should be so mad , as to worship , and thinke that which he doth eate , to be his God and maker : which is so absurd , that euen Tully not without reason could say , sedecquem tam amentem esse putas , qui illud quo vescitur deum Cicero de Natura deorum lib. 2. credat esse ? Doest thou thinke any man so mad as to beleeue that to be his God , which he doth eate ? yet into this madnes , by a spiritual phrensie , be these men fallen . We also may wonder , that they should beleeue such false fables , and lying miracles , as abound in poperie : as for example , ( to cast the dung of their abominations vpon their faces ) That Images did speake , did sweate did roll their eyes , did bleede : that the head of a dog being cut off from the body by theeues , which vpon Saint Katherines day came to rob Inter sermones discipuli Serm. de S. Katherinae . a Priest , who was a deuout worshipper of her , did still barke ? That the virgin Mary did for many yeares in a Nunnery keepe the keyes , and supply the place of one Beatrix , whilest she went away and played the whore . These and many such absurd fables were preached , published , printed , and beleeued , as may appeare by Sermones In promptu . discipuli . discipuli , Antoninus the Archbishop of Florence stories , Mariale , Summa praedicantia , the festiuall Vitas patrum , and that monstrous booke the Legend , written by Iacobus Supplementuns Chronicorunt Bergomens . de Varagine , Archbishop of Genua : Which yet was in so great reputation with them , that it was published in print in the English tongue , when the holy Bible was suppressed , lib. 13. fol. 205. and had this title set before it , The golden Legend : for as gold excelleth all other mettals , so this booke excelleth all other bookes : to the which title that worthy and right worshipfull Knight Sir Andrew Corbet of blessed memory , did adde these words , In lying , and so of a false and blasphemous title , made it a most true title . Yea I haue a booke in English in Folio , translated out of French , and printed in London in King Henry the 8. dayes Anno 1521. intituled , The flower of the Commaundements , fully fraighted with such sottish and worse then old wiues fables , which yet in those dayes were preached and beleeued . And we may wonder that men of any wisedome ; knowledge , or iudgement , should be deluded and mocked with such false , fained reliques , as were and are in Popery , as with Saint Peters finger at Walsingham , as big as if it had been of Erasmus in Colloquio . peregri . ergo . some Giant : and also the virgin Maries milke there , which seemeth by Erasmus to haue been the white of an egge and Blondus de Rema instaurata lib. 3. propefinem . chalke mingled together , and a vessell of the same at Rome as writeth Blondus : the bloud of Hales , the which was proued and declared at Paules Crosse by the Bishop of Rochester in King Henry the 8. dayes , to haue been clarified Holingshead in Henry 8. p. 946. Caluinus admonitione de reliquijs . honey coloured with saffron . In Geneua there was worshipped for the arme of Saint Anthonie , that which afterward was proued to be the pisle of a Stagge , for a peece of S. Peters scull , that which was found to be a pumish stone . But this will not be beleeued of this writer and of his fellowes , because Caluin did write it . But why Caluin should write and publish euen in the French tongue in Geneua , such a thing of Geneua , vnlesse it were true , which the Inhabitants thereof might know to be false , I see no reason : it could purchase no credit to him or to his doctrine . But why might not that as well be true , as the things before alleaged , or as that which Gregorius Turonensis who liued Gregor. Turonens . lib. 9. ca. 6. sundry hundreth yeares past , writeth that there was found in a boxe of reliques , of a certaine Sainct , rootes of trees , the teeth of a Mole , the bones of Mice , and the clawes of Beares , which were worshipt for holy reliques . But of these iuglings I will write no more at this present , God may giue occasion hereafter more largely to intreate of them . At these things we may wonder , but yet we do not ouermuch meruaile and wonder at them , for that the spirit of God by Saint Paule hath foreshewed vs , that the time would come , when men should turne away their eares from 2. Timoth. 4. 4. the truth , and be giuen to fables : and that the comming of Antichrist should be by the effectuall working of Satan , 2. Thessal. 2. 9. with all power and signes , and lying wonders , and in all deceiueablenes of vnrighteousnes , among them that perish , because they receiued not the loue of the truth that they might be saued , therefore God should send them a strong delusion to beleeue lyes , that all they might be damned which beleeued not the truth , but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes . Whereas you request that he that shall answere this your pamphlet , will do it briefely , orderly , and seriously , I will indeuor to do the two last as God shall inable me . But concerning breuitie , I will vse my libertie , and peraduenture more largely lay downe your absurdities , then you would be willing I should do . But whereas you say , that you make this request , for that you perceiue that the Protestants cannot answere with breuitie , because their religion lacketh both certaintie and perspicuitie : I say that with one breath you do vtter two vntruthes , or to speake plaine English , lyes . The first that we cannot answere with breuitie , which how vntrue it is , let it be tried first by the briefe and pithie answeres of that great learned man Doctor Fulke : who answering many of their bookes , which yet to this day stand vndefended , how briefely and pithily he answered the same , let any man that hath but a graine of indifferent iudgement , consider and iudge . And particularly I referre them to his answere to Rishtons challenge , and to Allens booke of Purgatorie , both in one volume : yea many times in his writings he called them from long and impertinent discourses , to short syllogismes , whereunto he could neuer bring them . How closely that pretious Iewel and excellent ornament of this Church of England did hold himselfe to the matter , and how vnlike he was to Doctor Harding in his long discourses and digressions , who in his booke intituled , A detection of lyes , &c. discoursed two hundred and sixe whole sides of paper , onely in preambles and prefaces , before he once stept into his matter , as Maister Iewel truly told him ; let the vpright reader indifferently iudge . The like I may say of that worthie Preface to the defence of the Apologie , edition 2. man of famous memorie , Doctor Whitakers , who how briefely , soundly , and learnedly he hath answered Campion , Saunders , Duree , Stapleton , William Reynolds , and Bellarmine , any man that hath an incorrupt eye may see and discerne . And if T. W. be the author of this pamphlet ( as I nothing doubt but he is ) he may remember that one which had conference with him , did write a briefe epistle vnto him , and did therein set downe short syllogismes concerning the controuersies of prayer to Saints , and the sacrifice of the Masse , and required to haue the like short syllogismes set downe of him for the defence of his assertions , and could not receiue one , but a long tedious discourse concerning prayer to Saints , which was confuted , and neuer defended . But whether answers be briefe or long , it maketh no matter , so that they be learned , sound and true , to the effectuall confuting of the errour , and satisfying of the reader . Now as touching certaintie which you say , but do not shew , that our religon lacketh : I answere and auonch that out Religion is farre more certaine ; consonant , and agreeable to it selfe , then the doctrine of the Church of Rome is : the which if I do not effectually proue hereafter in place more conuenient , I will not require any man ( to vse your owne words ) to accept , or affect it . But with what forehead can this man charge our doctrine with want of perspicuitie , seeing he cannot be ignorant how obscure , darke , and intricate the popish religion and doctrine is ; as may appeere by their manifold , both turious questions , and intricate distinctions , which be their chiefe shifts , to elude the plaine truth . And if any would see how darke the doctrine and writings of Papists are , let him looke into the Schoolemen , Tho Aquine , Io. Scotus , Alexander de Hales , Gabriel Biel , and many such other , amongst whom he may finde as much certaintie , vnitie , and perspicuitie of doctrine , as he may in holl . But how we study for perspicuitie , and seeke to make all matters plaine , both in our preachings , and in our writings , auoyding all curious questions , and intricate and needles distinctions ; we appeale to the consciences of all that reade , and heare vs . As touching your method concerning errours in doctrine , and inordinate affections in maners , if you can prooue that our wits be inueigled with them , and our liues stained with these , more then we can prooue euen your holy Fathers the Popes , forsooth Peters successors , and Christes vicars haue been , you shall winne the victorie , You seeme to attribute too much to our very naturall faculties , to the iudging and discerning of truth proposed , not considering the corruption of our naturall faculties by sinne , how both the minde is blinded , and the will peruerted . Our Sauiour Christ saith , The light shineth in darknes , and the darkenes Iohn 1. 5. comprehendeth it not : Saint Paul saith , that animalis 1. Cor. 2. 14. homo , the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God , for they are foolishnes vnto him : neither can he know them : because they are spiritually discorned . But of this I forbeare to speake any more , and also will leaue the other wait words in your letter , and do come vnto your articles of faith .

The Pamphlet . The first article concerning knowledge and faith . The Protestants haue no faith nor neligion .

THe Protestants haue no faith , no hope , no charitic no repentance , no justification , no Church , no altar , no sacrefice , no Priest , no Religion , no Christ : the reason is ; for if they haue then the world was without them ; for a thousand yeeres ( as they themselves must needs confesse : vid elicet all the time their Church was eclipsed ) and 1500. as we will proue by all records of antiquitie , as Histories , Councels , monuments of ancient Fathers : Whereby it plainely appeaneth , that the synagogue of the Iewes was more constant in continuance , and more ample for place , then the Church of Christ : For they haue had their s●nagogue visible in di●ers countries , e●en since Christ's death and passion euen vntill his day ; which is the very path to lead man into Atheisme , as though Christ were not as yet come into the world , a a Isa. 60. 11. whose admirable promises , are not accomplisheds b b Matth. 16. 18. whose assistance hath failed in preseruing his Church , vnto the worlds end c c cap. 28. 20. whose presence 〈◊〉 absent many hundred years , before the finall consummation : and consequently they open the gap to all Machiuillians ; who say that our Sauiour was one of the deceiuere of the world , promising so much concerning his Church and performing so little .

Answere .

LOoking in this first article to haue found a syllogisme , which this worthie writer vseth in some articles following , but heere for want of a good medium ( as it may seeme ) to frame one by , hath omitted , I found a false assertion , and a foolish probation . The assertion , that we haue no faith . Haue we no faith ? The Deuils haue some faith : Saint Iames saith , The Deuils beleeue and tremble , and haue we no faith ? we are much beholden vnto you for your charitable opinion of vs . You are by Iam. 2. 19. the doctrine of Saint Paule , not to thinke so euill , but to 1. Cor. 13. 7. hope the best of them that professe Iesus Christ , and his holy Gospell . But to this your false and slaunderous assertion , I will oppose a true affirmation and confession . We beleeue all that God hath deliuered to vs by Moses , the Faith . Prophets , and Apostles , in the old and new Testament : yea we beleeue the contents of the Creeds of the Apostles , Nicene , and Athanasius : and yet haue we no faith ? We hope Hope . to passe hereafter from death vnto life , and to be partakers of that kingdome of glory , which God hath promised , and Iesus Christ hath purchased for all those that truly beleeue in him . We trust that we haue charitie , and loue both towards God and man , although we confesse not in such Charitie . full and perfect measure as we ought to haue : we with Saint Iohn say , He that loueth not his brother abideth in 1. Iohn 3. 14. death . We acknowledge repentance to be one of those chiefe heads wherein the summe of Christianitie is comprised . Repentance . Saint Marke setting forth the summe and substance of Christes doctrine , comprehendeth it in these two , Repent and beleeue the Gospell : so did Saint Paule , witnessing Marke 1. 16. Acts 20. 21. both to the Iewes , and to the Grecians the repentance towards God , and faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ . We beleeue to be iustified not by our owne works of righteousnes ( which we vnprofitable seruants , and prodigall children haue done ) nor by the merits of any Saints in Iustification . heauen or in earth , but by the mercies of God , purchased Luke 17. 10. & 15. 21. vnto vs by the blessed and bloudy merits of Iesus Christ , and applied vnto our soules by the hand of faith , by the Iohn 3. 36. Rom. 3. 25. & 4. 5. which Christ doth dwell in our harts , and is made ours . We beleeue that we are true members of that holy Catholike Ephes 2. 8. Church , which is Christes mysticall body , and Ephes. 3. 17. Church . whereof he is the head : which is his spouse , and he the bridegroome : which is his flock , and he the shepheard : which is the heauenly Hierusalem the Mother of vs all : Galath. 4. 26. finally , which is the number of Gods elect and chosen people , that shall rest with Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , in the Kingdome of Heauen . And we know that we haue perticular Matth. 8. 11. and visible Churches , wherein Gods word is more truly preached , the Sacraments seales of the word , are more purely ministred , and Gods name more faithfully inuocated and called vpon , then in any or all the Romish Synagogues . Indeede we haue no Idolatrous altars , to offer either carnall or externall sacrifices vpon , as though Altas . Christs sweete smelling sacrifice were not yet offered : but we haue Mensam Domini the Lords Table , whereupon we minister the Supper of Christ , which is a holy Sacrament 1. Cor. 10. 21. of Christs body and bloud giuen for vs , a memoriall of his death and passion , and a pledge of our redemption and saluation purchased thereby . We haue that sweete smelling and sufficient sacrifice , which Iesus Christ by his Sacrifice . Heber. 9. 14. eternall spirit offered without fault vnto God , to purge our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God . As for the sacrifice of the masse , as being iniurious to the said sacrifice of Iesus Christ , which he once , for all , and for euer offered vpon the Altar of the Crosse , we deny , and defie . We haue no thauen nor greased priests to offer the said false and forged sacrifice of the Masse : but we haue Priests . priests , pastours , or ministers , howsoeuer we terme them , according to the ordinance of Christ , to preach his holy Gospell , and to administer his sacraments to his Church . We haue and vse that religion which hath the testimonie Religion . Rom. 3. of the law & prophets , and wherein the true worship and seruice of God , according to his will reuealed in his holy word is contained : your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and superstition we flee and forsake . Finally , we haue that Christ , which came into this world to saue sinners , and which is that Lambe Christ . 1. Tim. 1. 15. Ioh. 1. 29. of God , that taketh away the sinne of the world , whom we acknowledge more soundly to be our onely high prophet , Matth. 17. 5. to instruct vs in the will of his father , whose onely voyce we must heare ; our onely high priest , with the sacrifice of his body and bloud once offered to redeeme vs , and reconcile vs vnto God ; our onely mediator and intercessorto sit for euer at the right hand of God to make intercession for vs ; and our onely high king , to deliuer vs out of the hands of our enemies , to giue lawes vnto our consciences , and to rule vs with the scepter of his holy word , then the Pope , and all his adherents doe . This our true confession whereunto God and our consciences be witnesses , we oppose to your false and slaunderous obtrectation and accusation , saying with Saint Paul , We passe very 1. Cor. 4. 3. little to be iudged of you , or of mans iudgement : and with him also exhort you not to iudge before the time , vntill the Lord come , who will lighten things that are hid in darkenes , and make the counsels of the harts manifest , and then shall euery man haue praise of God . Further I doe exhort you that take vpon you so seuerely to censure and iudge others , carefully to take heede to your selues , that you haue not a false faith grounded not vpon Gods promises , contained in his word ; but vpon mans deuises and traditions , which as Epiphanius saith , as worse then no Epipha . in Ancorato . faith . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : and that you be not voyde of true hope , by teaching the doctrine of doubting ( whereof I shall speake hereafter ) and by fearing to be after death throwne into the firie torments of purgatorie : and that you want not true charitie , in iudging so falsely and maliciously , and persecuting vs so cruelly , as you vse to doe , when time and power serueth you : and that you haue no true repentance , nor remorse of conscience for sinne , in persisting so , obstinately in damnable doctrine , and abominable idolatrie : and that by leaning to your owne righteousnes , and the merites of other men , which were sinners themselues , you lose not that true iustification which is the righteousnes of God , by the faith of Iesus Christ vnto all and vpon all that beleeue , which is onely able to stand and discharge vs , before the iudgement seate Rom. 3. 22. of Iesus Christ , and is the onely strong staffe to leane vpon , to leap ouer the ditch of damnation , and beware ( I say ) that you leaning vpon the weake reede of your owne merites and others , fall not into the middest thereof , from which there is norising : take heede you be not of the malignant Church , which heareth not the voyce of Christ , and wherein that man of sinne , and sonne of perdition sitteth and raigneth : and that you haue not such Idolatrous altars , as Ieneboam had , against which the man of God cried , and vpon which the like iudgement of God fell , 1. King . 13. 2. as hath done vpon yours now : And that you haue not a false forged sacrifice , which appeaseth not , but daily prouoketh Gods wrath against you , and that you be not without priests to teach the law of God truely , but haue swarmes of such priests , as say not where is the Lord , and Ierem. 2. 8. know not God , but prophesie in Baal , which haue gone Malach. 2. 8. out of the way , and haue caused many to fall by the law , &c. Beware that you be not without religion , remembring the saying of Lactantius : Quare non est dubium , quin Lactant. de origi . erroris lib. 2. cap. 19. veligio nulla , sit , vbicunque simulachrum est : that is , wherefore there is no doubt , but that there is no religion , wheresoeuer an Image is . Finally , I say againe and againe , beware that you forsake not the true Christ , and worship Antichrist , sitting in the westerne Babylon built vpon seuen August . de ciuitate dei lib. 18. cap. 2. hilles , which in the dayes of Saint Iohn raigned ouer the Kings of the earth : wherefore be not so rash in iudging Apoc. 17. 9. 18. so hardly and vncharitably of others , but examine and iudge your selues , that you be not iudged of the Lord . But I now come to your pithie probation of this your vncharitable 1. Cor. 11. 31. and shameles assertion . The reason you say is : For if they haue , then the world was without them for a thousand yeares ( as they themselues must needes confesse , videl. all the time their Church was eclipsed ) and for 1500. as we will proue by the testimonie of all records of antiquitie , &c. Whereunto I answere , that if we take the world in that sense , which the scripture sometimes doth , for the multitude and societie of them , whereof the Diuell is prince : which hateth Christ and his true disciples , which Ioh. 14. 30. is set vpon wickednes : for the which our Sauiour Christ 2. Cor. 4. 4. refused to pray saying , I pray not for the world : and Ioh. 15. 18 19. where of Iudas ( not Iscariot ) did say , what is the cause , that 1. Ioh. 5. 19. thou wilt shew thy selfe to vs , and not vnto the world ? In Ioh 17. 9. this sense I may grant that the world hath not had these Ioh. 14. 22. gifts of Gods grace these thousand yeares , and put another thousand and more vnto them . But if we take the world more generally for this great globe , and all the inhabitants thereof , then proue by the testimonie of all antiquitie that the doctrine which we teach and professe hath not been these 1500. yeares in the world , and we will yeeld , and you shall winne the victorie . But it is vsuall with you and your fellowes to make great and braue bragges to amaze the simple and ignorant ; and to bring small and poore proofes ( as you doe here none at all ) to perswade the wise and learned : great braggers are no great doers . In deede we confesse that the Church is well compared by Saint Augustine to the Moone . For as the August . in Psal. 10. Moone receiueth her light from the Sunne : so doth the true Church receiue her light from Iesus Christ the sunne of righteousnes . And as the Moone is sometimes in the Malach. 4. 2. full , and shineth in full brightnes , and sometimes is in the waine , and sometimes is eclipsed , and doth little appeare : euen so the Church is sometimes in the full , and shineth in full brightnes and glorie as in the Apostles times , and diuers hundreth yeares after it did : sometimes it is in the waine and eclipsed , as for many hundred yeares last past it hath been , in which that Apostasie from the faith is come , which Saint Paul by the spirit of God foreshewed , and the euent hath proued by Mahometisme in the East , 2. Thes. 2. 3. 1. Tim. 4. 1. and Papisme in the West . During which time although the Church hath been driuen into the wildernes , and the Apoca. 12. light of true doctrine ( which is the soule of the Church ) hath been eclipsed , yet they haue neuer vtterly perished . For in all ages God in mercie hath reserued a remnant according to the election of grace , by whom the light of his Rom. 11. 5. truth hath been preserued , and in whom those admirable promises of his mercie haue been performed . These haue been , not proude Popes treading vpon Emperours neckes , deposing them from their Crownes and Kingdomes , raysing bloudie battels , and pouling and spoyling Christian countries with greeuous and horrible exactions and deuises , as might be shewed : not carnall Cardinals Princes peeres , hauing 200. and 300. benefices apeece , as Gerson Gerson tom . x. de defect . Virorum ecclesiast. Nicol. Clama . de corrupto statu ecclesiae . and Clamangis Parisian Doctors before named doe affirme , not popish blinde prelates , Abbats , Monkes , priests , &c. wallowing in all worldly wealth , and for the most part in great filthines of life , as hereafter I will shew : but such as the Apostle speaketh of , that haue been tried by Heber. 11. 36. mockings and scourginges , yea by bondes & prisonment , which were stoned , hewen asunder , tempted , slaine with the sworde , wandred vp and downe in sheepe-skinnes , and in goates skinnes , destituted , afflicted and tormented , whom the world was not worthie of , which wandred in wildernesses and mountaines , and dennes , and caues of the earth . Such were those good people ( in the time of the foresaid apostacie ) the Waldenses and Pauperes de Lugduno dispersed in diuers countries , as namely Calabria , Sauoye , Prouence in Fraunce , of whom many both long agoe in sundrie places and diuers times were burned , as it is written in the old booke called Fasciculus Temporum : and also Aetate 6. fol. 84 of late yeares were most cruelly and vnmercifully persecuted in Merindoll , the valley of Angrone , Luserne , and See Acts and monuments tom. 2. Saint Martin : Such were they that were called Begardi , of whom to the number of 114. were burnt at Paris , as the foresaid booke Fasciculus Tempo . sheweth . Such were Ibidem fascicul . temporum . they that were called Albingenses inhabiting especially about Tholossa in Fraunce , of whom by the procurement of that false Frier , and superstitious Hypocrite Dominicus Vincent . Bella. Specu . Histor. an hundreth thousand were destroyed , as writeth Bernardus Lutzenburgus , and an 180. were together burned , lib. 29. cap. 103 Anton. hist. . as both Antoninus the Arch-bishop of Florence writeth , and Bellarmine himselfe confesseth . Such were they of part. 3. titul. 19. cap. 1. §. 4. whom Albertus Crantius writeth , which in Sueuia publikly Crant . in Metropo lib. 8. cap. 18 & lib. 10. cap 9. preached , that the Pope , Bishops and prelaces were heretikes and Simoniakes ; that the begging Friers did peruert the Church with their false preachings , for the which they were persecuted and some burned . Such were they in Bohemia and Morauia in great number , with whom Aeneas Syluius ( who was Pope called Pius the second ) hauing had conference , writeth thus of one of them . Finitis sermonibus istis assurrexit vnus de primoribus Thaboritarum , & animo satis inflato , quid tu nobis , inquit , apostolicam Aeneas Syluins epist. 130. pag. 677. sedem tot verbis amplificas ? Nos Papam & Cardinales anaritiae seruos nouimus , impatientes , inflatos , tumidos , ventri ac libidini deditos , ministros scelerum , diaboli sacerdotes , & Antichristi praecursores , quorum deus venter est , pecunia caelum . That is , when these speeches were ended , there did rise vp one of the chiefe of the Thaborites , and with an hautie minde said , What dost thou amplifie to vs in so many wordes the Apostolicall seate ? we know that the Pope and the Cardinals be slaues to couetousnes , imputient , proud , arrogant , giuen to the bellie , and filthie lust ; the ministers of wickednes , the priests of the diuell , and the forerunners of Antichrist , whose God is their bellie , and whose heauen is money . Such also was Arnoldus Brixianus , persecuted by that proud English Pope Adrian the fourth , anno 1155. Iohn Rochetailada burnt at Auinion by Pope Frosard fol. 54. Clement the sixt 1345. Michael Cesenas burnt 1322. Iohn Wickliffe , who died 1387. and after his death his body was burnt . Two Franciscan Friers burnt at Auinion by Pope Polychron . lib. 6. Innocent the sixt 1354. Two others burnt at London 1357. William Swinderby burnt 1401. William White burnt 1428. Polidor Virg. lib. 19. Peter Clarke , and Peter Paine 1433. persecuted and forced to flee into Bohemia . Thomas Rhedonensis burnt at Rome 1430. Mattheus Palmerius burnt at Florence , as witnesseth Anton. part. 3. titul. 22. cap. 10. Sabellicus . Dulcinus of Nouaria and Margaret his wife burnt about the yeare of our Lord 1304. Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prage burnt at Constance 1415. 1416. Hieromus Sabel . Enne . 10. lib. 4. Sauonarola burnt at Florence 1499. These and many such other that might be produced with their faithfull fauourers and followers , were the true Church of God , in whom his mercifull promises were performed . These are they that haue mourned in Zion , that haue lamented and cryed for all the abominations that haue Isa. 61. 3. been don in Ierusalem , or rather in Rome , that were killed Ezech 9. 5. for the word of God , and for the testimonie which they Apoc. 6. 9. 19. maintained , and which came out of great tribulation , and haue washed their robes in the bloud of the Lamb. But Apoca 7. 14. these now haue beautie for ashes , the oyle of ioy for mourning , Isa. 61. 3. the garment of gladnes for the spirit of heauines , and are trees of righteousnes , the planting of the Lord , in whom he is glorified , they be now vnder the altar , and Apoc. 6. 9. are in the presence of the throne of God , and serue him day and night in his temple , and he that sitteth on the throne doth dwell among them , neither doth the sunne light on them , neither any heate . But this man will say , 7. 15. that these were condemned and punished by the Church for heretikes . I confesse they were so , euen as the Prophets of God , Christ our Sauiour , and his holy Apostles were before them condemned by the prelates and priests of the Church of Israel , which caried the countenance of the Church of God , as much and more rightly then the Pope and his prelates now doe . Neither were these so few in number , but that by confession of some popish writers , the Romish false faith was sometimes in danger to haue been subuerted by them . Wernerus a Charterhouse Monke of Colen in his foresaid booke called Fasciculus temporum Fascicu . Temps . aetat. 6. fol. 78. writeth thus : Fuerunt nihilominus postea quidam subtilissimi haeretici , qui istam haeresim Waldensium defendere conabantur , & plura regna & populos deceperunt : that is , notwithstanding there were afterwards some most subtill heretikes , which went about to defend this heresie of the Waldenses , and deceiued ( or rather truely instructed ) many kingdomes and nations . And againe , hauing made mention 1233. of certaine popish doctors in those dayes , as Hugo Cardinalis , &c. he hath these words : Quos diuina bonitas Fol. 80. misit pro fidei defensione , alioquin tota pene fides perijsset propter haereticorum multiplicitatem , & subtilitatem simul & potentiam : that is , whom God sent for the defence of the faith , for otherwaies it had like wholy to haue perished by reason of the multitude , subtiltie and power of heretikes . It appeareth by the testimonie of this popish Monke , that in those dayes there were verie many of them whom he falsely calleth heretikes . And whereas these detested the enormities and abominations of the Church of Rome , and maintained the same substantiall and fundamentall points of doctrine that we doe , ( as it appeareth by the articles obiected vnto them that they did ) how doth this man say that our religion was not these 1500. yeares in the world ? It was in the world , but hated of the world , which hated Christ : yet was it constantly confessed Ioh. 15. 18. 19. euen to death of them whom God the Father hath giuen to Christ out of the world . Hereby it may sufficiently appeare , Ioh. 17. 6. 9. that the Synagogue of the Iewes hath not bin more constant in continuance , nor more ample in place , then the true Church of Christ hath been . In deede it may be , that the Synagogues of the Iewes haue continued in some certaine places more constantly , then the true Churches of Iesus Christ haue done : Yet hereupon it doth not follow , that either Gods admirable promises haue not bin performed , or that the true Church hath perished . It is not the Synagogue of the Iewes , but the true Church of God , that is clothed with Christ the sun of righteousnes , treadeth vnder Apoca. 12. 1. her feete earthly things , which be mutable as the moone , and is adorned with the Doctrine of Christs twelue Apostles , which is forced to flee into the wildernes . Chrysostome Chrysostom in psal. 114. saith well : Ecclesia est tabernaculum à deo fixum non ab homine : ab vno loco in alium fugit , sed non à pietate ad impietatem fugit . that is . The Church is the tabernacle which God hath pight and not man , she fleeth from one place to another , but she neuer fleeth from godlines to impietie and wickednes . As Barrabas found here more fauour with the prelates and priests of Iudah and Ierusalem , then Iesus Christ the son of God did : So the Popes and Iewes Synagogues haue found more fauour , and more quietly rested in this wicked world , then the true Church of Iesus Christ hath done . As euen in Rome the Iewes , professed and open enemies of our Sauiour Christ , haue had and yet haue their Synagogues , and liue ( paying their tributes ) in as great quietnes and safetie , as the Curtizans & Whores of Rome do , which pay yearely Cornel. Agrip. de Vanitate Scient. cap. 64. to the Pope twentie thousand duckates . It is written in the pontificall , that at the coronation of the Pope , and in his procession to the Church of Laterane , the Iewes vse to meete him , and making curtesie do offer the law to him , to whom he giueth a gentle answere . But whereas the foresaid Arnoldus Brixianus a great learned man reproued the errors and enormities of the Church of Rome , Adrian the foure our Platina in Adriano . 4. proud countriman ( who rebuked the Emperor for holding his wrong stirrop ) would not go vp to the Church of Laterane to be consecrate , vntill he were driuen but of Rome . Platina in Honorio . 2. There was also one Arnulphus in Rome a godly man , whom many of the inhabitants thereof acknowledged for a true disciple of Christ , that was there murthered by the priests for inueighing against their wickednesse . Also in a towne Platina in Paulo . 2. neere Rome called Pole , the lord thereof with many others Sabellicus Ennead. 10. lib. 7. were counted heretikes , for saying that none of them which followed Peter were the true vicars of Christ , but such as followed the pouerty of Christ . These Pope Paulus the second persecuted and contumeliously intreated , as Platina and Sabellicus doe write . Hereby we see that it is a thing more allowable in Rome , to denie Christ as the Iewes doe , then to meddle with the Popes triple crowne , or to reproue his pride , and enormities .

This our doctrine of performing Gods admirable promises not in proud Popes , and wicked worldlings , but in the faithfull which feare God , tremble at his word , and are for the most part hated and persecuted in the world , doth neither shew the path to Atheisme , nor open the gap to Machiuilian deuises , which by the testimonie of some papists themselues are no where sooner learned then in that schoole , wherein T. W. the author of this slanderous libell , hath bin ( as I suppose ) too much and too long trained . I meane the schoole of Iesuites , of whom William Watson a popish secular priest in his booke of Quodlibets lately published doth thus write ; Many Atheal paradoxes be taught in Quedlib . 1. art. 9. pag. 21. Ibidem . the Iesuites conclaue , or close conuenticles . Aga. Questionles the Iesuits want neither art nor euill will , nor yet malitious meanes to effect it , as hauing vsed from the beginning more Machauilian deuises , and Atheal practises in secret conference by their inferior agents with schismatikes , yea and with our common aduersaries , then with catholikes . Againe : It must needes follow , Quodlib 4. art. 4. pag. 112. that there is not a Iesuite in all England this day , but hath a bitter smack of father Parsons impiety , irreligiosity , treachery , treason , & Machiuilian Atheisme . Again neither Machiuel , nor any that euer yet was in Europe came neere Quodli . 9. art. 7 pag. 314. vnto the Iesuites for Atheal deuises to preuent the stopples of their stratagems , and to further their proceedings . Againe : But I call them Iesuiticall ( that is , the faction of In the appendix to the Quodli . pag. 346. the Iesuites ) by abbreuiation to auoyde circumlocution , in one word expressing them to be a factious , seditious , ambitious , auaritious , treacherous , traiterous , Machiuilian , Atheall consort , that abusing the rules of their societie , &c. By the iudgement of this popish priest , let the good reader consider who they be , that shew the path to Atheisme , and open the gap to Machiuilian deuises .