The weather-cocke of Romes religion: with her seuerall changes. Or: The world turn'd topsie-turuie by papists

THE WORLD TVRN'D TOPSIE TVRVIE BY PAPISTS .

IN old World , The Bishops of Rome preached painefully , and ordinarily , as may appeare by the Homilies which are extant vnto this day , vnder the names of Leo the First , and Gregory the First : But à multis seculis vix quisquam ( ex Romanis Pont. ) reperitur è Cathedra docuisse : It can hardly bee proued , that any one Bishop of Rome , for many of these hundred yeeres last past , were seene in a Pulpit , as a a De Rege ex li. 3. cap. 2. p. 225. Ioh. Mariana confesseth .

In old World , The Bishops of Rome were Censu pauperrimi , eruditione diuites ▪ Poore in purse , but rich in wisdome and goodnesse : But , nunc aliquoties contingunt Rom. Pont. aerario locupletissimi Apostolicis opibus , hoc est , sacrâ doctrinâ , & pietate nudissimi : In these latter dayes wee haue many Bishops of Rome , rich in purse , but as poore in learning and piety , as Iob of wealth , in his greatest misery , as b b Scholijs in Ep. Hieron . ad Demet . de virgin . seruand . To. 1. operum Hieron . Erasmus witnesseth , In pontificibus nemo hodiè sanctitatem requirit : No man , in these dayes , lookes for honesty in a Bishop of Rome , as c c De verb. Episc. l. 6. in vit. Iuly 3. pag. 401. b. Mussonus confesseth .

In old World , All Bishops , and such Presbyters who were of any speciall note for their honesty and learning were called Popes , as d d Panopl . lib. 4. cap. 80. fol. 4●2 . Lindan , e e Tract . de vocum obscur . Eccles. Interpret . ad finem Plat. de vit. Pont. Onuphrius , f f De suc. Eccles. minist. ac benefic . lib. 1. cap. 10. Duaren , and g g Not. in Martyr . Ro. Ian. 10. c. Baronius confesse . Saint Cyprian , Bishop of Carthage ; Saint Austin , Bishop of Hippo : Saint Athanasius , Bishop of Alexandria , were called Popes . But now the Bishop of Rome claymes it in his sole right to be called Pope . h h Ad sin . Epist. 55. Greg. 7. apud Binn . To. 3. Conc. part. 2. pa. 1196. Gregory the Seuenth , about the yeere 1073. ( a little after the Diuell was let loose ) made a Decree to that purpose , prouiding : Vt Papae nomen vnicum esset in vniuerso orbe Christiano , nec liceret alicui seipsum vel alium eo nomine appellare : That there should bee but one man in all Christendome called Pope : and that no man should dare to style himselfe , or any other , with the name of Pope .

In old World , The Bishops of Rome were styled by other Bishops with such Titles as argued good fellowship among them , and no superiority in one ouer another . i i Ep. 52. Anton. Saint Cyprian tearmed Cornelius Bishop of Rome , frater , Collega , Coepiscopus , Brother , Colleague , and fellow Bishop . The k k Theodor. Hist. lib. 2. cap. 8. Bishops assembled in Councell at Sardica , speaking of Julius Bishop of Rome , gaue him no other titles , than that of Brother , & Colleague : which they gaue indifferently to Athanasius , Asclepas , and all other Bishops to whom they writ , and of whom they had occasion to speake . In like manner , the l l Theodor. Hist. lib. 5. cap. 9. Bishops of Constantinople vsed Damasus Bishop of Rome , Brothering him , and Colleaguing him , as they did others , to whom they writ as well as to him . But now the Bishop of Rome is called , m m Bell. l. 2. de Ro. Pont. cap. 31. Vniuersalis Episcopus , n n Mosconius de Maiest . milit. etc. lib. 1. part. 1. c. 1. de Rom. Pont. vniuersalis Pastor , ᵒ vniuersalis Iudex , p p Salm. Comment. in Matt. 16. Prorex Coelestis , q Vice-deus , r r Ioh. Ang. Panthaeus in arte & Theoriae transmutat . Metall . ad ●●on . 10. impress . Uenet . 1518. Deus mortalis , s s Staplet . praefat. doctrin . princep . ad Greg. 13. Opt. Mar. t t Ibid. Supremum in torris numen , ᵘ Caput totius Ecclesiae , ᵘ Pater Ecclesiae , ˣ Sponsus Ecclesiae , ʸ Mater Ecclesiae , ᶻ Rex regum , & Dominus dominantium : The vniuersall Bishop ; the vniuersall Pastor ; the vniuersall Iudge ; the Vice-roy of heauen ; a mortall God ; the best , and the greatest ; the highest power on earth ; the head of the whole Church ; the father of the Church ; the Churches husband ; the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords .

In old World , Cicarell . in vita Sixti 5. ad finem Platinae . The Bishops of Rome stood not vpon superscriptions of Letters , but receiued such as were sent vnto them , how euer they were indorsed : But now they haue made a Decree in consistory : Ne post hac ab vllis Principibus missae recipiantur literae , quae debitis Titulis non sunt inscriptae : That no Letters be receiued from any Prince , vnlesse they giue the Bishop of Rome his due titles . Constantinus Melchiadi . Euseb. Hist. lib. 10. cap. 5.

In old World , When Emperours writ to the Bishops of Rome , they prefixed their owne names before the Bishops : Constantio Liberius apud Baron . Annal. Tom. 3. ad Ann. 354. nu. 2. and when the Bishops writ to the Emperour , they set their names after the Emperours : But hic stylus impraesentiarum in Rom. Curia exoleuit : This manner of writing is out of vse in the Romane Court in our dayes . In literis ad nos missis nomen tuum nostro praeponis , Alcial . in Codic . Iustinian , de sum . Trinit. & fide Cathol. c. inter claras . in quo , insolentiae , non dicam arrogantiae , nomen incurris : In the letters which you sent vnto vs , you set your owne name before ours : whereby you incurre suspition of insolency , I will not say arrogancy , saith Pope Adrian to Fredericke the Emperour . Append. ad Radeuicum quae habetur apud Baron . Annal. Tom. 12. ad An. 1159. nu. 5. And , Falsum-praesumi rescriptum , in quo non legatur summi Pontificis nomen ante caetera : That is supposed to be a false writ , in which the Popes name is not set in the first place , saith a Popish Lawyer .

In old World , Guilielm . in spec. de prased . Re script . teste Alciato loco citato . Apud Baron . Annal. Tom. 12. ad . An. 1159. nu. 4. They who writ vnto the Pope , vsed words of the singular number , thou-ing hint , as they did others . But Pope Adrian tooke that in great snuffe at the hands of Fredericke the Emperour : And since that , no man dares thou the Pope .

In old World , a a Greg. 8. Epist. lib. 2. Indict . 11. Epist. 61. The Pope of Rome acknowledged the Emperour for his Lord and Master : But in these latter times , the Popes of Rome haue taught the Emperour to acknowledge them for his Lord and Master .

In old World , euen till Gregory the First his time ( by b b Dist. 63. Tibi Domino . Bell. his confession ) Imperator dominium temporale in vrbem Rom. c c Lib. 2. de sum● Pont. cap. 28. habebat : The Emperour had the temporall gouernement of the Citie of Rome : But now the Pope 〈◊〉 taken it into his owne hands . The Emperour hath not so much as a Goose-gate in the Citie of Rome .

In old World , the Popes were not wont to giue armes , as Princes and Noble-men did : Veteres Pontifices talem , morem non leguntur habuisse : The ancient Popes had no such custome , saith a a Institut. Moral . part. 2. cap. 43. Col. 941. Azorius : But , about the yere 1040. this custome was taken vp , and is continued , Vt Ro. Pont. insignibus Gentilitijs vterentur , saith the same Azorius .

In old World , till Siluesters time , Cardinalium nomen non legimus : wee reade not so much as of the name of Cardinall , as b b Instit. moral . part. 2. lib. 4. ca. 1. 4. quaer . Col. 604. Azorius confesseth ; yet now the name is common .

In old World , there were Cardinals in other places , as well as at Rome . c c Onuph . Tract . de obscur . voc. interpretat . & Moscon . de Maiest Eccl. Milit. lib. 1. part. 1. c. 5. There were Cardinals at Rauenna , at Pisa , at Millan , at Naples in Italy , at Compostella in Spaine , at d d Episcopus Eliensis resp. ad Bell. Apolog. cap. 4. pag. 103. Pauls Church in London : But now , as the Bishop of Rome hath robb'd other Bishops of the name Pope : so hath hee robb'd other Cardinals of the name Cardinall . Pius 5. in suo deplomate Anno 1568. penitùs hoc nomen in omnibus alijs Ecclesijs praeterquam in Rom. extinxit : & solummodo Cardinalis nomencompetere voluit Cardinalibus S. R. E. à Papacreatis . Pius the 5. in his Bull , bearing date 1568. hath cryed downe the name Cardinal in all other Churches but in Rome : and he hath decreed , that such onely as are created Cardinalls of the Church of Rome , by the Pope , shall be called Cardinals , as is witnessed by e e Loco suprà citat . Mosconius , Vicar generall to the Arch-bishop of Bononia .

In old World , the Cardinals of Rome were inferiour to Bishops : in so much , that a Cardinall-ship was but a step to a Bishopricke ▪ But now Cardinals are superiours to all Bishops . A Bishopricke is a step to a Cardinal-ship , as f f Lib. 1. de Clericis , cap. 16. Bell. himselfe confesseth .

In old World , it was decreed , g g Conc. Narbon . sub Necca . Rege , Anno 589. apud Bin. Tom. 2. Conc. p. 722. Vt nullus Clericorum vestimenta purpura induat : That none of the Clergy should weare purple : But now the Pope and his Cardinals are clad in purple : And h h Tom. 8. Annal. ad Ann. 589. Baronius iustifies them therein .

In old World , it was decreed , a a Mater Histor. Ne deinceps Ro. Pont. & Cardinales vterentur Equis & Mulis sed tantum Asinis , Christi , cuius videri vellent vicarij , exemplo : That the Popes of Rome , and their Cardinals , should not ride vpon Horses or Mules , but on Asses , as our Sauiour Christ did , whose Vicars , they say , they are . But b b Chronolog. lib. 4. ad An. 1294. Genebrard vpon mention of this , cryes out , O legem nunc prodigiosè euersam ! O excellent Law , but as now quite out of force !

In old World , it was c c Greg. lib. 4. Epis. ep. 55. decreed , That no Arch-bishop should pay any thing for the d d Platina in vita Leon 2. Pall which they receyued of the Bishop of Rome : But e e Sleidan Comment. lib. 13. de Archiep. Mogunt pallio . now it stands some , ere they can get it home , in 30. ferè millibus aureorum , almost 30000. French Crownes .

In old World , it was f f Anastas . in vit. Bonifacij 3. & Baron . Annal. Tom. 8. ad An. 606. decreed , vnder pain of the great Curse ; That no man should dare so much as to talke of electing a new Pope or Bishop of the City wherein he liued , nisi tertio die depositionis eius , but the third day after his buriall : But since the making of this , g g Massonus de vib . Ep. in Coelest . 3. Plat. de vit. Pont. in Leo 3. they haue chosen new Popes at Rome , ere the former Popes were buried , yea , ere their bones were throughly cold .

In old World , euen in Chrysostome , Ambrose , Austin , Leo the First , Gregory the First his time , all Bishops , euen the Bishops of Rome , were chosen by the Clergy , and people of their Cities , as h h Lib. 1. de Cl●ricis , cap 9. Bell. confesseth : But now the i i Su. Pol. Virg. de Inuent . rerum , lib. 4. cap. 10. Bishop of Rome is chosen by the Cardinals onely : and all other Bishops are chosen by the Bishop of Rome . A custome so absurd , that k k In summ . verb. Lex . 13. quaer● . Siluester Prierias did note it in these words : Hodie , quando ambitio & lasciuia totam Ecclesiam deturpauit , Papa reseruat sibi collationem omnium dignitatum , ( .i. ) Patriarcharum , Metropolitanorum , Episcoporum , &c.

In old World , l l In Ioh. cap. 6. Annot. 27. as Cardinall Tolet confesseth , Prohibita fuit sub vna specie communio , & iniunctum Catholicis , vt sub vtraque communicarent : It was forbidden the Laitie to communicate in one kinde , and enioyned them to receiue in both kindes : But now m m Conc. Irid. sess. 24. Can. 2. the Laity among the Papists , receiue in one kinde onely : n n Conc. Constant . sess. 13. The Priest who deliuered it to a Lay-man in both kindes , is excommunicate .

In old World , Eucharistia sub vtraque specie 〈…〉 lita : The Communion was reserued in both kindes , 〈…〉 a a Annal. Tom. 5. ad An. 404. nu. 32. Baronius confesseth . But b b Ibid. now the Popish Church hath taken order it shall be reserued in one kinde onely , to wit , in bread .

In old World , the words of Consecration were vttered openly , c c Tho. Aq. Sum. Theol. part. 3. q. 78. Art . 1. Hardings Answer to Bishop Iewells challenge , 16. Article . as the Papists generally confesse . But d d Conc. Trid. sess. 22. Can. 9. now , submissâ voce proferuntur : they are vttered in secret .

In old World , e e Painel . Annot. in Cyprian . de Lapsis , nu. 82. It was the custome to deliuer the Sacrament of Christs body into the hands of the Receiuer . But f f Ibid. & Durantus de ritibus Eccl. lib. 1. ca. 16. nu. 12. now ( by Papists ) the Sacrament is put into the Receiuers mouth , and not giuen into his hand .

In old World , g g Greg. dial . l. 2. Cap. 23. the Deacon was accustomed to bid then depart , who did not communicate . h h Chrysost. Hom. 3. in Epist. ad Eph. They were reputed impudent , and wicked wretches , who looked on , & communicated not . But now Papists allow lookers on .

In old World , It was the custome to communicate ●uery day : Nomo Catholicus inficiari potest fuisse Apostolorum , & S. Rom. Ecclesiae consuetudinem , imo institutum vtque sancitum ab Anacleti temporibus , viz. vt omnes quotidiè communicarent : No Catholique can deny , but that it was the custome of the Apostles , and of the Church of Rome , euer since Pope Anaclotus dayes : yea , no Catholique can deny , but it was an Ordinance and Decree of the Apostles , and of the Romane Church euer since Anacletus dayes , That men should communicate euery day , i i De frequenti communione c. 4. saith Madridus the Iesuite . But now , Videtur relictum arbitrio cuiuslibet : it seemes to be left to euery mans choyce , whether he will doe so or no , as the k k In cap. peracta de consecrat . d. 2. Glosser notes .

In old World , this Canon stood in force , l l Conc. Agathense , Can. 18. Seculares qui in Natali Domini , Pascha , Pentecoste , non communicauerint , nec inter Catholicos numerentur : Those Lay-men who doe not communicate at Christ-masse , Easter , and Whitsuntide , shall not be called , nor held for Catholiques . But their Decree consuetudine abrogatus est ; is repealed by a contrary custome , m m Instit. Moral . part. 1. lib. 5. cap. 19. saith Azorius .

In old World , they were wont to breake the Sacramentall bread . And , Ecclesia Graeca , & Ethiopica reti●●● veterem illam consuetudinem : The Greeke and Aethiopian Church retaines that ancient custome still , a a Comment. in Act. 2. saith Lorinus . But now , Non vsurpatur fractio , sed singuli panes , seu minores hostiae consecrantur ad vitandum periculum decidentium micaerum ; there is no breaking of bread vsed , but little Wafer-Cakes are consecrated , and deliuered whole , for feare , that if they were broken , some crummes should fall to the ground , b b Ibid. saith the same man .

In old World , c c Chrysost. Hom. 18. in 2. Cor. the people had as good a share of the Communion bread as the Priest had : But now the Laity and such of the Clergy as consecrate not , are taught , That they must be content with a lesser Host than that which the consecrating d d Iorinus loc. citat . Priest hath .

In old World , the tradition of the Romish Church was such , e e Innocent. 1. in Epist. ad Decent . cap. 4. That they did not consecrate vpon any Friday or Saturday thorow-out the yeere . But now , the Papists consecrate euery day , saue only on Good-Friday .

In old World , the Papists ( on Sheare-Thursday ) might haue celebrated the Communion , though they had not bin fasting : for , vt Sacramentum Altaris non nisi à ieiunis hominibus celebretur , excepto vno die anniuersario , quo Coena Domini celebratur , was f f Can. 29. decreed by the third Councell at Carthage . But now , hac Decreti posterior pars abrogatur : this latter part of the Decree is repealed , g g Anton. Aug. de Emendat . Grat. lib. 1. Dial. 16. pag. 138. as Papists confesse .

In old World ( as Papists say ) it was decreed , That such as receiued the Sacrament , should fast certaine houres after . But this , hodiè non seruatur , sed paulò pòst comedi potest , secundùm Thomam , saith h h In Sum. verb. Lex . 13. quaeritur . Siluester . Consuetudo siue praecep●um nihil comedendi post susceptionem Eucharistiae , per contrariam consuetudinem abrogatum est : The custome or commandement of not eating after the receiuing of the Sacrament , is abrogated by a contrary custome , i i Part. 1. quaest. in 4. Sentent . q. de suscip . Euch. difficult . 4. saith Iosephus Angles .

In old World , Omnes simul psallebant in Ecclesia : All Christians sung together in the Church . Yet now , soli Cleri●i canunt : the Clerkes onely sing , as k k Lib. 2. de verbo Dei . cap. 16. & lib. 1. de boni● 〈…〉 peribus in partio . cap. 16. Bell. confesseth . Yea , though the l l 〈◊〉 To 〈…〉 . Conc. Not. in Conc. Iaodic . Can. 11. p. 293. Papists confesse , that it was giuen in commandement by Saint Paul , Vt fideles in suis conuentibus Psalmis & Hymnis alternatim corde simul & ore decantatis Deum laudent : That the faithfull in their Assemblies should in their turnes prayse God with heart and voyce , by singing of Psalmes : yet a a Idem . ibid. they tell vs , that Ecclesiastica instit optimè prouisum est , ne praeter certos ad hoc inscriptes , alij in Ecclesia psallerent : It is excellently well prouided for by the orders of the Church , that none shall sing but a set number appoynted for that purpose , viz. Priests , Clerkes , and Quiristers .

In old World , euen ab initio naescentis Ecclesiae , populus post recitatas preces , respondebat , Amen : from the first birth of the Church , the common people at the end of prayers , said Amen , as b b De Rit . Eccl. lib. 2. cap. 17. nu. 2. ser. Baron . Annal. Tom. 1. ad An. 60. nu. 28. Durantus proues . But now with Papists , the Parish-Clerke onely saith Amen .

In old World , the Bible was translated into knowne Languages , as c c Bell. lib. 2. de Verbo Dei , c. 16. Papists confesse . But now , Id ipsum fieri omninò non expedit : It is not meet it should be so , d d Alfons . de Castro aduers . haer . li. 1. cap. 13. Sixt. Senens . lib. 6. Annal , 152. say they .

In old World , it was ordered , That no bookes should be read in the Church , nisi solos libros noui & vet. Test . but the Bookes of the Old and New Testament . But , hodiè quorumlibet somnia , imò muliercularum deliramenta leguntur inter diuinas Scripturas : At this day euery idle bodies dreames , and old wiues fancies are read with the Canonicall Scriptures , e e Schol. in Catal. script . Eccl. Hieron . verto Ephraen . saith Erasmus .

In old World , Patres dicebant , ad Hebraicos vel Graecos codices recurrendum esse : The Fathers said , wee ought to haue recourse to the Hebrew or to the Greeke Copies , saith f f Instit. Moral . part. 1. lib. 8. cap. 3. Azorius . But now , Non est quòd ad Hebraica vel Graeca ex●mplaria recurramus : There is no reason why we should doe so , saith * * Ibid. the same man .

In old World , Bishops and Presbyters read all manner of bookes ; hereticall as well as orthodoxall : by the g g Velofillus Aduertat . in 9. tom . Hieron . ad 9. quaesitum p. 171. Papists confession . Yet at this day , they are agreed vpon this poynt , Haereticorum libros non esse legendos hodie , nisi solùm ad illis , quibus ex speciali licentia summi Pontificis id concessum fuerit : h h Ibid. That no man may reade in these dayes any hereticall bookes , except they haue a speciall licence from the Pope . Quod partibus antiquissimis licuit , nobis non licet ; It is not lawfull for vs to doe that , which it was lawfull for the ancient Fathers to doe , a a Ibid. say Papists .

In old World , he was thought to wrong a Martyr , who prayed for him : for it ran currant of old , Iniuriam facit Martyri , qui orat pro Martyre . But now , the Papists pray for them whom they account Martyrs , for , pro celeberrimis illis Carthusianis in Anglia Martyribus , totus , ordo Carthusiae per orbem Christianum diffusus , consuetas pro defunctis preces ad Deum fudit ; The whole Order of the Carthusian Monkes thorow-out the world , said their ordinary prayers for the dead , for those famous Carthusian Monkes who were martyred in England , saith b b Resp. Quodlibet ad 3. quaest. dict. Louanij 1568. cap. 6. Molanus : concluding , that pro nostri temporis Martyribns absque iniuria oratur : Men may pray for the Martyrs of these dayes without wronging them : giuing this pretty reason hereof , Because c c Ibid. plerunque sunt imperfecti Martyres : The most of the Martyrs in our time are poore Martyrs , such are all your Tyburne Martyrs .

In old World , Leo the First said , d d Epist. 63. tom . 1. Conc. apud Binnium , pag. 970. Non permittendum est vt quisquam extra Sacerdotalem ordinem constitutus , gradum sibi praedicatoris assumat : It is not to be suffered that any who is not Priested should preach . But now the Popes of Rome dispence with Iesuites , Lay-Iesuites , who are not Priested , to preach , as e e De Ritibus Eccl. Cathol. lib. 2. cap. 25. num. 7. Durantus witnesseth .

In old World , Imperator congregabat Concilia : The Emperour called Councells , saith a f f Franc. Zabarel . de schismat . P●nt . Cardinall of France Tempore magni Constantini & aliorum Augustorum ad congreganda Concilia non quaesitus est magnoperè Roman assensus Papae : In the time of Constantine the Great , and other Emperours , the Bishop of Rome his assent was not greatly required to the calling of a Councell , saith g g De gest . Conc. Basil . lib. 1. p● . 20. Aeneas Siluius . But now it is h h Bell. lib. 1. de Conc. cap. 12. ouer-ruled , That calling of Councels belongs to the Pope , and not to the Emperour .

In old World , A tempore Apostolorum per multos annos , etiam per aliquot secula , Presbyteri et Diocam omnes ad Concilia vocabantur : From the Apostles times , for many yeres , yea for many ages , all Elders ( Priests if you will ) & Deacons were called vnto Councels , as a a Lib. 1. de Cleicis , cap. 16. Bellarm ▪ confesseth . But now , eyther few or none are called . Now Bishops onely are the Domini facientes totum .

In old World , Reges ac Imperatores non adfuisse tantùm Synodo , sed praefuisse legimus : Wee reade that Kings and Emperours were not onely present at Councels , but as Presidents of them , b b De suc. Eccl. Minist. li. 1. c. 20. saith Duaren . And so much may be gathered out of Marcianus the Emperours words , which are to be found in c c d. 96. Nos ad fidem . Gratian. But d d Bell. lib. 1. de Conc. cap. 19. now , the Pope must needes be President , eyther in his owne person , or by his Deputy .

In old World , primis sexcentis veloctingentis annis , summi Pontifices cogebant Concilia Nationalia Episcoporum Italiae : for the space of sixe hundred or eight hundred yeeres after Christ , the Bishops of Rome , for the weightier matters of the Church , called Nationall Councels of the Bishops of Italy , as e e Lib. 1. de Clericis , cap. 16. Bell. confesseth . But now they haue left that . Now the Pope and his Cardinals dispatch all , as f f Ibid. Bell. tells vs .

In old World , before Gregory the First his dayes , Lent alwaies began on that day which we call the First-Sunday in Lent , as g g Instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 7. c. 12. 2. quaeritur . AZorius proues well . But now , all men know , theirs begins on Ash-Wednesday .

In old World , Lent was thought to end vpon Palme-Sunday : for Quadragesima impletur ad Festum Palmarum , saith h h Quaest. in script . q. 77. Col. 98. Tom. 1. Bibl. vet. pat. edit. 3. Anastasius Nicaenus . But now , theirs is thought to end vpon Easter-euen .

In old World , it was decreed , i i Gratian. d. 4. Statuimus . That the Clergy should haue one weeke more in their Lent than the Laity . But now this Decree is out of force , saith k k Instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 5. cap. 19. pag. 399. Azorius : Clerici hodie non seruant , sed initium faciunt i●iuniorum vt Laies : The Clergy keepe not this Decree , but begin Lent when the Laity begin it , saith l l De emendat . Grat. lib. 1. dial. 16. pag. 134. Antonius Augustinus .

In old World , Wednesday was commanded to be a Fasting-day , as m m Lib. 2. de bonis operibus in partie . cap. 17. Bell. and n n Instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 15. 3. quae●itur . Azorius proue fully . But now , a man may eate flesh vpon Wednesday , by both their confessions .

In old World , a a Ser. Bell. de bonis operibus in partic . lib. 2. cap. 20. they fasted at Rome in the time of Aduent . But now they vse not to fast then .

In old World , they might drinke no wine on Fasting-dayes ; for veteres Canones vinum interdixêre diebus ieiuniorum ; The old Canons forbade wine on Fasting-dayes , saith b b De Abstinant ▪ doctrin . Cathol. cap. 4. Alfonsus Pisanus . But c c Azorius instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 10. 7. quaeritur . now Papists drinke , and may drinke wine , hold belly , hold .

In old World , d d Pisanus loco citato . veteres Canones interdixêre siceram , & omne quod inebriare potest , & mulsam , & cerui●iam : It was not lawfull to drinke any liquor which might intoxicate a mans braines . But e e Azor. loco citato . now no liquor is exempted on fasting-dayes .

In old World , veteres Canones interdixêre Pisces : the ancient Canons forbade fish on fasting-dayes , saith f f Ibid. Pisanus . But now , Piscibus vti licet : a man of their Church , may lawfully eat fish , saith the same g g Ibid. Pisanus .

In old World , they who fasted , ate but one meale on a day : for , Vnicam in ieiunio refectionem esse debere , exempla Scripturarum , testimonia Patrum , & perpetua consuetudo fidelium probant : The examples in Scriptures , the testimonies of the Fathers , and the continual practice of the faithfull , proue they should haue no more , saith h h Lib. 2. de bonis operibus in pertit . cap. 2. Bellarmine . But i i Azor. instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 8. 4. & 7. quaeritur . now , ouer and besides a dinner , men may haue at night refectiunculam , or collationem , as some of them call it : indeed , a banquet ( for it consists of fruits , & sweet-meats ) vpon a fasting-day . Yea , they may haue this , though refectiunculae nocturnae veteribus prorsus ignotae : Such night-banquets were altogether vnknowne to antiquity , saith k k Loco suprà citato . Pisanus .

In old World , they vsed not on fasting-dayes to take their meale before night , or toward night ; Apud veteres inauditum est prorsus vt ante horam 9. quae est tertia post merid . ieinnium quodcunque soluatur : It was neuer heard of among the Ancients , that any Fast ended before three of the clocke in the after-noone , saith l l Loco suprà citato . Bell. But now , Jeiunium in vesperam vsque prorogari solitum , in meridiem transtulit Ecclesia : The Popish Church allowes men on fasting-dayes to take their meale at noone , which was wont to be ▪ taken at night , as a a In Epist. de delectu ciborum ad Episc. Basil . cap. 11. loco suprà citato . Erasmus notes . Suppers are changed into dinners , saith Bellarmine .

In old World , Vt constat ex Patribus , praesertim Ambrosio , Augustino , Leone , ieiunia cum Eleemosynis , precibus & vigilijs de more coniung ebantur : Fasting was accompanied with Almes , with prayer , with watching , as the Fathers testifie , especially Ambrose , Austin , and Leo , saith b b Instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 7. cap. 20. 9. quaeritur . A Zorius . But now , Vsu & more vigiliae sunt sublatae , & consuetudine factum est , vt ieiunia nostra careant illis comitibus quos extra solebat habere , nimirum precibus , & ele●mosynis : Watching is out of vse , and so is prayer , and almes : fasting walkes by it selfe : it hath lost his old companions , as the same c c Ibid. Azorius confesseth .

In old World , Formula ieiunij prisci verè Christiana : The manner of fasting was truely Christian . But , Ieiunia Catholicorum passim Epicurea : the manner of fasting obserued by Papists at this day , is Epicurean-like , as d d Panopl . lib. 3. cap. 11. Bishop Lindan confesseth .

In old World , e e d. 93. à Subdiacono . Abbots were inferiour to the meanest of the Clergy , euen to dog-keepers , or doore-keepers , as they call them . But now , Abbots are next to Bishops : and some of them are Bishops fellowes , f f Cassan●eus Catal. gloria mundi , part. 4. consid. 31. intituled not as the ordinary sort , Reuerend● Patres , Reuerend Fathers : but Reuerendi Patres in Christo ; Reuerend Fathers in Christ .

In old World , g g d. 93. à Subdiacono . Monkes were vnderlings to Abbots : euen then when Abbots were vnderlings to doore-keepers . But now Monkes haue gotten the precedency of most of the Clergy , as h h Institut. moral . part. 1. lib. 12. cap. 19. 11. quaeritur . AZorius confesseth .

In old World , Monkes liued in Wildernesses , remote from all presse of people , as out of the world : which the i i Du●ren . de sac . Eccl. Minist. ac benesic . lib. 1. cap. 20. Polyd. Virgil. de inuent . rerum lib. 7. cap. 1. Papists themselues are driuen to confesse , as sufficiently proued by Saint Hierom : for , k k Epist. ad Paulin . de institut. Monachi . Si cupis esse quod diceris , Monachus . 1. solus : quid facis in vrbibus , quae vbique non sunt solorum habitacula , sed multorum : If thou desire to be that indeed which thou art called , a Monke , that is , a solitary person : what dost thou meane to liue in a City , which is not a place for solitary persons , but for such as loue good-fellowship , saith Saint Hierome ? Vpon which a Popish k k In cap. 16. q. 1. Si cupis . glozer 〈…〉 , Quòd Monasteria non sunt constrai 〈…〉 in vrbibus : There should be no Monasteries in Cities . But now there are Monasteries in Cities : and as much good fellowship among Monkes , as among good-fellowes of the Towne . The case is now altered . A Monke is a merry fellow .

In old World , a a Socrates hist. 4. cap. 1● . Duaren . lib. & cap. sup. citat . Monkes liued by the labour of their hands . The Monke that laboured not with his hands for his liuing , was reputed a Theefe . But now Monkes liue eyther altogether idly , or after another manner than in old time . They cannot away to worke .

In old World , Monkes were in no degree of Church-Ministery . Monachos vsque ad tempus Eusebij , SoZimi , & Siricij , Monachos simpliciter & non Clericos fuisse , Ecclesiastica testatur Historia : The Ecclesiasticall Histories witnesse , that til about . EuZebius , Sozimus , and Siricius dayes , Monkes were Monkes onely , and not of the Clergy , saith b b Cap. 16. q. 1. post . cap. 39. Hinc est . Gratian : Primùm Monachi omnes , etiam Abbates Laici erant : At the first all Monkes , yea and Abbots , were Lay persons , saith c c Instit. moral . part. 1. lib. 12. cap. 19. 11. quaeritur . Azoriu● , d d Loco suprà citato . Duaren , and others . But now , e e Azorius loco citato . Vsus obtinuit vt Monachi , ijsdem atque Clerici muneribus & Officijs in Ecclesia fungerentur ; The Monkes are turned Clerkes , and doe all the offices belonging vnto the Clergy .

In old World , Monkes were of sparing dyet : for , Conuiuia fugias , sit vilis & vespertinu● cibus , &c. Take heed of feasting , and let thy meat be of the worst , and eat it towards euening , &c. saith f f Epist. ad Paulin . de instit. Monachi . Saint Hierome : giuing his opinion how Monkes should be dieted . But now Monkes haue so pleasant and large fare , and so many meales , that their fatnesse and great bellies are growne into a prouerbe .

In old World , Monkes were not notorious by singular weed , but euery 〈◊〉 ware such apparrell as hee thought good , so it were decent . They were not tyed to this or that , which made them markeable in the streets as they went : for , in veste nulla discretia , nulla admiratio : vtcunque placuerit incedere , nec detractionis est , nec laudis , saith g g Epistol. ad Marcellum , vt commigret ▪ Bethle●m . Saint Hierome , speaking of a Monke . But now , as there 〈…〉

In old World ▪ a a August . de ●●res . ad Quodvul● Deum , h●r . 40. Monkes might marry , and injoy 〈…〉 posses 〈…〉 Monke marry , it s tho 〈…〉 deserues hanging . 〈◊〉 hee may haue no propri● goods .

In old World , b b 〈◊〉 in spec ▪ 〈◊〉 &c. cap. 3● . 〈…〉 , Monkes 〈…〉 not vrged to vow . They might goe or stay at their pl●●sure . And if they reported them of what they had do●● they might returne to their former trade of life as c c De In●t●●t . i●rum , lib. 7. cap. 1. 〈◊〉 dor Virgil and d d Scholijs in Epist. Hier●● . ●d Rusticum Monachum . Erasmus witnesse ▪ But now they 〈◊〉 bound by-Vowes , &c.

FINIS .