WE read Acts 27.20 . when Saint Paul was tossed with the Tempest , that neither Sunne nor Starres for many dayes appeared : This may passe for the dolefull Embleme of the dismall darkenesse in the depth of Popery , wherein Berengarius lived , the subject of our ensuing discourse , and before whom , from the expiring of the Primative Age till his entrance into the Church , little considerable light of knowledge shined amongst many Errours and much ignorance .

2 We have not been idle in seeking , but unsuccesfull in the finding the date of Berengarius birth ; and can likewise give no account of his Parentage and extraction . Herein he was not unlike the River Nilus , unknown and obscure for its Fountaine , but famous and renowned for his Streames ; and his birth may seeme to be eclips●d , by the resplendant lustre of his life . And Towres in France seated on the river Loyer , was his native City , wherein he was borne about t●e ye●r of our Lord 1020. as by proportion of Cronologie may probably be collected . And it is observable , that as the City of Towres gave the first being to Berengarius , so ● Gate of that City called Saint Hues gate ( in , at , and neere which , they used to meet ) gave the denomination to the Hu●anites , or modern French Protestants , which in the point of Transubstantiation succeed to the opinion of Berengarius or rather to the truth of the doctrine it selfe .

3 Here we must not omit , that some have m●intained that this Berengarius came over with William the Conquerour into England , and by his bounty received the Castle of a a Camb. Brittan in Northhampton . Barnewell in Northamptonshire for his possession . But the mistake ariseth , by confounding him with another Berengarius his namesake , surnamed Le M●igne , or the Monke , ( which also added countenance to their first error ) though indeed he was a Martiall man , and no Ecclesiasticall person , on whom the King conferred that Castle . Thus , though we should have ●eene right glad to have had this worthy Schollar our Country●man , though not by birth yet by habitation , accounting it Englands honour that he was infeofted with faire demeynes therein ; yet because all is grounded upon an Errour , no counterfeit credit , nor false favours shall be assumed by us on others mistakes .

4 Having profited in the Schoole above his equals under Fulbertus his Master , the World began to take notice of his abilities , and at last he was preferred to be Archdeacon of A●giers ; a man of a bold spirit , and daring resolution , as God alwayes suits men for the worke they undertake . We may observe in B●ttels , that they set those who are best arm'd ●o charge in the first ranke , and order them to follow who are not so compleatly weaponed : God in like manner , in his wisdome appointed that suc● Confessours of the Truth , who were to make the firs● Breach into the Armies of Antichrist , should be accoutred Cappa●pae with undaunted courages ( such as this Berengarius and Luther were ) though men of meeker mindes and milder dispositions may afterwards be well used in the same service .

5 For his life and conversation , it was so blamelesse that therein he starved the malice of all his adversaries , the long teeth of whose spight could finde nothing to feede upon . He is reported not to have suffered any woman to come in his sight ; not because he was a hater of their sex , but because he was to deale with dangerous adversaries , he would warily cut off all occasions of suspition ; and in some cases we may say , that over-much warīnesse is but even measure and caution , if it be not too much , will be too little .

6 The maine matter wherein he dissented from the current of the Roman Church , and is honoured for a Champion of the Truth , was , in the point of Transubstantiation ; an Errour which crept one of the last into the Church , and was the first that was most vigorously opposed . It took the rise from some extravagant expressions of Damascene and Theophilact , who endeavouring to shew the reality of Christs presence in the Sacrament , scattered such florishing language to that purpose ( flowers , though they cannot feede , may sometimes infect ) that though well intending , yet ill interpreted , gave occasion to their unskilfull R●●ders , who more minded the words then the matter , from such Rhetoricall premises to conclude a Dogmaticall point of the Elements being corporally transubstantiated , against the very being and nature of a Sacrament .

7 The first that effect●ally opposed this Errour was Leuthericus ( remark●ble for his name , confining on Lactherus ) Archbishop of Senes in France . But the French King ●o kept him under with his heavy weight upon him , that he never grew up to any generall notice in the world . More active was the undertaking of our Belengarius ( who is challenged by Baronius for reviving the opinions of Leuthericus ) and would not be taken off by the smiles or frowns of any who endeavoured by all meanes possible to perswade him to desist in his opposition .

8 There was one Adelmanus Bishop of Brixia schoole-fellow with Berengarius , who by most loving letters perswaded him to be reconciled to the Romish Church ; he often in his Epistolary addresses intituled Berengarius ( even when little better than under the Popes curse ) sancte Frater , holy Brother ; and addulced his discourse with all luscious expressions unto him . Moreover , he minded him of the counsell which Fulbertus their Master often gave him in horto , in the Garden ; who suspecting the activity ( nick-named by him turbulency ) of Berengarius , often forwarned him with teare● , not to innovate any thing in matters of Religion , and humbly to submit his judgement to the censure of the Church . Nor were promises of preferment wanting , on condition he would comply with the Court of Rome ; who , on the revocation of his opinion , might easily have turned his Arch-deaconry into a Bishopricke . But all was in vaine , he still persisted loyall to his first principles , and no golden promises could bribe his judgement against his conscience .

9 Here it is no part of our imployment , much lesse of our purpose to be advocate for all the fauls of Berengarius . It being madnesse in any man , who is unable to pay the score of his owne faults , utterly to breake himselfe by being surety for the offences of others . Onely we submit the ensuing particulars to the judgement of the impartiall Reader ; that when he meets with the manifold charges drawne up against this party accused , he would be pleased to take what followeth into his serious consideration .

10 First , that he was a man , and so subject to errour : And therefore he is no man who will not afford him a pardon of course , for those failings proceeding from human infirmity . Secondly , that he lived in a darke age ; and therefore was more obnoxious to stumble . So that we need not condemne him that his errours were ●o many ; but rather praise Gods goodnesse , that they were no more ; yea , this I dare bouldly affirme , that if the morning grow so proud as to scorne the dawning of the day , because mixed with darkenesse , Midde day will revenge her Quarrell , and may justly take occasion to conteme the Morning , a● in lustre infiriour to her selfe . Thirdly , Berengarius was vexed with oposition , which makes men reele into violence , and no reason it is , that the constant temper of his soule , should be guessed from som ague-fits ( as I may terme them ) of his passion , and that his positive opinion should be stated from his polemicall heate , when he was chafed in disputation . Lastly , to render him whilest living , and his memory when dead more odious , his Adversaries have fastened many false accusations upon him .

11 We that live in this distracted age , know too well how ready men are to cast aspersions on thos● who differ from them in point of opinion : which should make us more charitable in passing our verdicts on those in former ages , which dissented from the received opionions . Wherefore , when we read Baronius calling him hominem mendacissimum , impudentissimum , with other epithets to the same sence , we know how to defalce our credit accordingly . True it is , one fault he was guilty of , which we are so far from excusing or extenuating , that we would throw the first stone against him our selves , but that consciousnesse to our owne frailtyes commands us to hold our hands , lest hitting of him we wound our selves , as subject without heavens especiall support to the same infirmiti●s . However seeing God is gloryfied in his servants weaknesse , and every stumble of man is a steppe to Gods throne , we will plainly and simply set downe the unexcusable inconstancy of Berengarius .

12 Being summoned to appeare before Pope Leo the ninth , at first he refused to obey his command , therein following the Councell of Peter de waldez ( from whom the Waldenses received their names ) but afterwards being otherwise advised , and wearied with the importunity of his adversaries , he not onely made his personall appearance before the Pope , but also solemnely in the presence of the Councell at Rome retracted and abjured his opinions . Indeed formerly he had set forth a worke in the nature of an Expedient , wherein he did much qualifie and mitigate his expressions , abating much of their edge and sharpnesse , if possibly he might have made them comply with the Sence of Rome . But this proving ineffectuall and not giving expected satisfaction to the Conclave , he was last faine in terminis to renounce and recant his opinion in the presence of 113. Bishops .

13 But having got out of the reach of his enemies pawes he reassumed his Tenents again , remitting nothing of his former zeale , but rather asserting them with more ardour and vehemency then before . But alasse , no sooner was he seazed on the second time , but that he again abjured his opinions in the Lateran Councell under Pope Gregorie the seventh , to the indeleblest staine of his name for his inconstancy .

14 After his second Recantation , we find little of the manner of his demeanour unto the day of his death . And we easily conceive , that clouded with shame for his former fact , he affected obscurity , and lived as invisible as might be in the World . We find not that he excepted of any preferment in the Church , or that any was offered him . A presumption that he was not re-estated in the favour of the Popish party , not confiding in him as thorow paced in their Religion . Charity commands us to hope that at the crowing of the Cocke of his Conscience , he might awake out of his former sleepe , and weepe bitterly with him , who on his repentance was received into Christs favour .

15 Two especiall adversaries Berengarius had , Guitmundus , and Lanke Franke a Lumbard , the latter of more learning than Piety , more parts then learni●g , more pride then both , was well rewa●ded for his paines for disputing and wri●eing against Berengarius with the rich Arch bishopricke of Canterbu●y . But B●rengarius never mounted higher then his Arch Deaconry of Angiers where he died on Epiphanie or Twelfe day , Anno 1088. D●fferent is the judgement of learned men concerning his finall estate . Heildebert bishop of Maine and our William of Malmesbury , say that he died homo novus , a reclaimed man , and dandle him in the lappe of the Romish Church as a true childe thereof . But Cardinall Baronius lookes upon him under the notion of a Hereticke , accounting his Recantation but superficiall indited rather from his Cowardise then Conscience . O●r Illyricus , in His catalogue of the witnesses of the Truth , affords him a principall place therein . We leave him to stand or fall to his owne master , according to that concluding Disticke , which we find in an Aauthor : Cum nihil ipse vides propria ●uin labe laboret , Tu tua fac cures , caetera mitte Deo . Seeing nought thou seest but faults are in the best , Looke Thou unto thy selfe , leave God the rest .

16 Remarkeable are his words wherewith he breathed out his last gaspe , which Illyricus reporteth to this Effect : now am I to goe , and appeare before God , either to be acquitted by him as I hope , or condemned by him as I feare . Which words , as they savour not of that full assurance of Salvation which God vouchsafeth to many of his servants , so they carry not with them any offensive Breath of Despaire . And it is no contradiction in Christianity , to rejoyce before God with trembling . And in this Twilight we leave Berengarius to that mercifull God , who knoweth whereof we are made and remembereth we are but dust .

Besides these , he writ many of Philosophy , and translated the Bible into the English tongue , making Prefaces and Arguments to every Booke : he also translated the twelve Bookes of Clement , the Parson of Lanthon , containing the harmony of the Evangelists : And thus went out this Lampe of England : of whom one thus hath said : With our old English writers rare , John Wicklief , justly might Compare ; For Learning , Life , and solid Witt , And many Works he rarely Writt ; Contending stoutly , 'gainst Romes Errours , Nere daunted by their threats or terrours ; But , to his death , still , fought faiths fight , And thus went out this Lamp of Light . But , being dead , Rome did so rave , 'Gainst this Faiths Champion , that from 's grave , They digged-up his Bones , with ire , And burnt ( as Hereticks ) in fire . Thus was Romes Folly , Rage , exprest , To burn dead Bones , of Soules , at rest .

THE faire fruit of effects , is vertually couched in the small seeds of their causes .

1 Iohn Huss is a pregnant instance thereof , whose inconsiderable , yea contemptable beginning , improved it selfe to give a blow under the fift rib in Scripture alwaies observed mortall to the man of sin .

2 It would have given much satisfaction to the reader , and more to our selves , could we present him with exact Particulars of Huss his birth and extraction . But alas we are so far from having a starre going before us to direct us to the place of his nativitie , that we finde not the least candle-light to guide us to the notice thereof . In or neere Prague we conceive him to be borne , in which University he had his education .

3. Now the learning of that age moved in a very narrow circle , in Case and Controversiall Divinity . The Schoolmen wanting the wings of the learned tongues , therewith to mount into the meaning of the Scriptures in their originall , onely employed themselves in running round in the beaten path of common questions : whilst such amonst them as were of extraordinary parts , impatient to be confined within , yet unable to exceed the foresaid compasse , let out their soules , and made roome for the activitie of their mindes , by digging deepe into curious inquiries , where their best results are either unnecessarie , or certaine , or both . Wherefore Iohn Huss declining such intricate labyrinthes , betooke himselfe to finde out the right way to heaven describ'd in Gods word .

4 It happened about this time , that Richard the second of England married Anne sister to Wencelaus King of Bohemia ; and although he had no children by her , yet the conversion of Bohemia may fitly be stiled the issue of this their mariage . Indeed this Queene Anne , taught our English women modestie in riding on Side-saddles ; in exchange whereof the English taught the Bohemians true religion ; first discov●ring the Romish superstitions unto them . For her Courtiers here did light on the bookes of Iohn Wicklief , and carried them into their owne Country , where Huss had the happinesse to read , approve , and disperse the same . See here the pedegree of the Reformation , wherein Germany may be counted the Son , Bohemia the Father , and England the Grand-father .

5. Huss hereupon began zealously to preach and propagate the truth , which for the soundnesse thereof was welcome to many , for the novelty to more . But as the Jewes Acts 22.22 . heard Saint Paul pati●ntly , untill that passage , That he was sent to the Gentiles , which inraged them beyond all modesty and measure , crying out , away with such a fellow from the earth , for it is not fit that he should live ; so even some Friers lent attentive eares to Huss his Sermons , till their profit began to be concerned in his confuting the gainefull errours of Rome , and their malice mustred all opposition against him . First , by order from his holinesse , the Arch-bishop of Suinco was commanded to suppresse him ; but all in vaine , his commands prevailing no more with Huss , than the peoples prohibitions to Bartimeus comm●nding him silence , Marke 10.48 . which onely made him cry out the more a great deale . In so much that the Pope himselfe was faine to take the matter in hand .

6 Here happined a most remarkable Accident , very advantagious for the propagating of Husses doctrine . A Scisme happened in the Church of Rome betwext three Popes at the same time , so that Peters chaire was like to be broken betwixt so many sitting downe together . This conduced much to the benefit of Huss , who hereupon took advantage to decline ( so good a witt having an usefull Theame , would loose nothing , in handling it ) against the Chuch of Rome : Pleading that having three , it had no leagall head : That this monstrous apparition of the Man of ●in , presaged his life was ●hort ; that these three Anti-Popes made up one Antichrist . In a word , there was opened unto ●im a great doore of utterance , made out of that cracke or cleft , which now happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome .

7 It was now high time a generall Councell should be called . The Church was growne fowle with long want of scowring : however the vicious Court of Rome declined it ( wonder not if theeves be unwilling to heare of an Assises ) expecting that there their faults would be discovered and censured . All the world stood on the Tiptoes of Expectation , what the Councell would produce . Where for a while we leave them with the three Popes tugging one against the other ; where all Three at last were deposed and Pope Martin substituted in the roome of them .

8 Huss during the beginning of this Counsell remained at Pargue , constantly preaching in his Church of Bethlehem . Where his adversaries chose out of his bookes and preaching severall Articles , which they charged against him for Hereticall . And it may seeme wonderfull , how variously the number of them is rekoned up , some times eight errours , sometimes nine , sometimes one and twenty , sometimes five and fourty , which numbers the doctors and Masters of the University of Prague , collected and objected against him . Yet none need justly admire at this difference , as if Huss his opinions were like the stones on Salsbury plain , falsely reported that no two can count them alike . The variety ariseth , first because some count onely his primitive Tenets , which were breeders ; whilest others count all the yong Frye of Consequences derived from them . Secondly , some were more industrous to seeke , capatious to expound , malicious to deduce far distant Consequences . Excellent at the inflaming of a Reckoning , and to discover an infant or Embryo , errours which others over looked . Thirdly , It is possible that in processe of time , Huss might delate himselfe in additionall and supplementall opinions , more than what he maintained at first . His principall accusations were , that he maintained , the Sacrament was to be ministred to the peopl● under both Kings . Secondly , That Priests in a mortall sinne might not minister the Sacrament . Thirdly , That the Popes power above other Priests , was onely invented for covetousnesse . Fourthly , That Priests once ordained are not to be forbidden preaching &c.

9 For these Tenets Huss was excommunicated by Cardinall Del●hunna , a sure prop of the Romish Church . But all in vaine , seeing the Gentry and Nobility of Bohemia did highly favour him . Whereupon he was brought to the Counsell of Constance under the Safeguard of the whole Empire , and a solemne Conduct of the Emperour Sig●smun●'s double written , both in Latine and Almane , ( that whether learned or unlearned might pretend ignorance thereof ) drawne in a most favourable Latitude for him , and strongest legall forme , given at Spire the eighteenth of October Anno Dom. 1414. Yea when the Pope wa● informed by a Bohemian Gentleman , what liberty Huss had granted him to remaine in Constance , without any trouble , vexation , or interruption : his Holinesse replied , that if Huss had killed his brother , no violence should be offered unto him during his abode in this City .

10 But as the man possessed with a Divell , Mark 5.3 . None could binde him , no not with chaines : So strong was the uncleane Spirit of Cruelty in the Romish Court , that no duplicates or double cords of safe Conducts in Dutch and Latine , granted and accepted , could protect the innocence of this godly man : but that contrary to the solemne faith formerly pledged , he was persecuted and imprisoned .

11 And now , what can be sacred , what armour of proofe against the Artillery of malice , when such Conducts are shot thorow ? In vaine do men make Contracts , and stipulations when faith publickly given , the best waxe of all Inden●ures , and fairest seale of waxe , shall thus be prostituted to private designes . Had these great pretended Schollers read and seriously consider Davids Psalmes 15.4 . He that sweareth to his owne hurt and changeth not , ( and did not the Emperour passe on his honour , and Popes word speaking alwais in verbo sacerdatis amount to an oath : ) yet had they but wayed the answere of Festus a Pagan , Acts 25 , 16. It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to dye before he that is accused have his Accusers face to face , &c. They could never had adventured on so unexcusable a Marter .

12 Here we conceive we shall not unprofitably bestow our paines , if we tender a catalogue of the principal friends and Enemies of Huss , that Posterity may know who added the part of helpfull Onesiphorus to this Paul in bonds , and who were like Demetrius the Copper-smith , the active persecntors of him .