¶ A NOTABLE discourse of the happinesse of this our age , and of the ingratitude of men to God for his benefites :

Written in Latine by that godly learned man Iohn Riuius , and now newly Englished for the comfort , and commoditie of the vnlearned , by W. W. Student .

Imprinted at London , for Tobie Cooke , and Philippe Eede . 1578.

THE wonderfull varietie , and diuersitie of opinions and iudgements amongst the Philosophers concerning mans summum bonum , or chiefest happinesse in this life , is not vnknowne to your Honour , and other learned men , how that some said it did consist onely in vertue , othersome in beautie , othersome in honour , othersome in wealth , othersome ( and that no small summe ) in pleasure , and some in a certeine mixture , or medlie of all these . It were needlesse to reckon vp in this place all their idle fansies , & fond dreames about this one point . Howbeit , I would certifie the simpler sort of this thing , how that all of them erred , and wandered in bywayes , how that euerie seuerall sect and familie of Philosophers shot farre wide of the marke . For , as S. Paule testifieth : Rom. 1. 21. They became vaine in their thoughtes , and their foolish heart was full of darknesse . When they professed themselues to be wise , they beecame fooles . We Christians , that haue bene trained vp in Christes schole , haue learned a better profession of our Maister , and Sauiour Iesus Christ . We know , and are taught so to say , that God 1. Cor. 1. 20. maketh the wisedome of the world foolishnesse . We are instructed , and so we stedfastly beleeue , that the onely true felicitie of this our life , and the true happinesse of this our age , standeth in the publishing , and preaching of Christes Gospell , which is to the Iewes a stumbling blocke , to the Graecians foolishnesse , and to the Papistes new learning : but in deede the power of God to the saluation , and the wisedome of God to the instruction of as many as are called both of the Iewes , Graecians , and Papistes . This glorious Gospell of our God was first preached here on earth by our Redeemer , and Sauiour Christ himselfe : then , after his ascension , it was carried into all partes of the worlde by the Apostles , and their successours , with such successe , that Christes spirituall kingdome was by the scepter of his worde enlarged farre and wide . Which thing the deadly enimie of mankind Sathan greatly enuying , & knowing that the flourishing state of Christes kingdome would be the decaie , and downefall of his , laboured by all meanes possible , to beare downe his scepter , and scepter bearers by force and violence , which thing he after a sorte brought to passe , by raising vp the ten bloudie persecutions against the Christians vnder the ten Tyrantes , or Emperours of Rome . But the Diuell , seeing that this his former policie would not preuaile , & seeing that the Christians the more they were tormented for their faith , the more they grewe , and multiplied , deuised to deale no more by violence , and bloudshed : but chaunging himselfe into an Angel of light , sought meanes how in time of peace he might withdrawe men by little and little from the true Religion of Christ , to the counterfeit and hypocriticall religion of Antichrist . This craftie counsell , and pestilent practise pleased the subtile Serpent well , which wrought this effect , that it eclipsed , and diminished the fulnesse , & beautifull light of Christes kingdome , which was onely mainteined by the sworde of the spirit , that is to say , by the worde of God . And because he might the more easily leade the people out of the way of trueth , his purpose was wholy hitherto bent , to ouerwhelme the candle vnder the bushell , to darken the light of the Gospell , which he brought accordingly to passe , by corrupting , and infecting the Priesthood with the glorious pompe , The originall of the Pope and poperie . and vanities of the worlde , with the wanton delightes , and vaine pleasures of this present life . Then , euen then , he set Antichrist of Rome in his royall seate as his vicar , The Pope setled in Sathans seate , not in Saint Peters chaire . and lieftenant generall , there to rule , and reigne as God of this world in the children of vnbeliefe , bewitching them with strong delusions , that they shoulde beleeue lies , that all they might be damned , which beleeued not the trueth , but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse . This is that man of sinne ( by which is ment not one particular 2. Thes. 2. 3. 4. 9. 10. Daniel . 7. 5. man , but a succession of men , as by the beare in Daniel is not ment onely one King of the Persians , but a succession of Kinges , ) this I say is that man of sinne , and that aduersarie that exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God , or that is worshipped : so that he doth sit as God in the Temple of God , shewing himselfe that he is God . This is that wicked man , whose comming is by the effectuall working of Sathan with all power , and signes , and lying woonders , and in all deceiueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse among them that perishe , because they receiued not the loue of the trueth , that they might be saued . By this meanes Sathan lulled ( as it were ) the worlde a sleepe , for the space of these seuen hundred yeeres last past . Now some man will maruell much how the Pope should growe to such an vnbridled authoritie , as he hath gotten . Surely we can assigne no other cause but this : such was the will of God , and such was the depth of his secrete iudgement for the contempt of his Gospell Was it not , I pray you , reuealed to S. Iohn , that Apo. 17. 2. 4 the purple whoore of Babylon shoulde make all the Kinges and Princes of the earth , and the inhabitantes thereof to drinke of the golden cuppe of wine , full of the abhominations , and filthinesse of her fornication ? The verie beginning , and foundation of Antichristes kingdome was laied euen in the Apostles time . For S. Paule writ to the Thessalonians , that the mysterie of iniquitie 2. Thess. 2. 7. began then to woorke : but it was then hindered by the brightnesse , and puritie of doctrine receiued in the Primatiue Church . Afterwardes it grewe vp by degrees , and specially by three steppes . First , by the great Flowe the Primasie or Popedome of Rome grewe vp . errors of the heretikes in the East Church , which Chrysostome doth call the armies of Antichrist . Secondly , by the lamentable contention , and emulation amongst the Christian Bishoppes in the Orientall partes . Thirdly , by the superstitious deuotion ( for I will not call it liberall donation ) of Princes , and Emperours . For , after that the wicked parricide Phocas , Emperour of Constantinople , Phocas , who had murdered Mauritius the Emperour was the first Pope maker , for before that time the Pope was not taken for the vniuersall head of the Church , nor yet for Christes vicar . had geuen the Primasie , or name of vniuersall Bishop vnto Boniface the third , the Popes authoritie , or rather tyrannie increased excedingly . Then they sought not onely to be Lordes within themselues , but also to be aboue all higher powers : yea , aboue the Emperour himselfe . This kingdome of Antichrist from that time forward grew mightily , specially vnder the Emperours of Constantinople : and namely , vnder the Emperour Constantinus Pogonatus or Barbatus : and vnder the Emperours of Germanie Henries , and Frederikes . Now in this time of darkenesse it is much to be maruelled , vnto what vile slauerie , and thraldome . Emperours and Princes were brought by the Bishop of Rome . Some of Emperours brought by the Pope into shame full slauerie . them , being resolutely persuaded by the Romish Cleargie , that the Pope was Christes vicar , & vicegerent : yea , halfe a God , refused no Popish subiection . One waited at his gate barefoote , and barelegge : another was tied fast with chaines vnder the Popes table , there to picke vp crumbes like a dogge : another suffered him to set his feete vpon his necke : another held his stirrop , when the Popes holinesse vauted vpon his horse : another was thrust into a Monasterie , and made a Monke . In such slauish subiection were Princes in those dayes . Then in The true Churche of Christ hath not alwayes bene in a visible gouernement . deede the Churche of Rome , the whoore of Babylon , was gloriously in open rule : but the true Churche of Christ was not in any visible gouernment , no more than it was in the time of Elias the Prophet . And this was , that the Scriptures might be fulfilled and founde true , which say , that there should be an Apostasie , or defection 2. Thess. 2. 3. Mat. 24. 12. Apo. 13. 15. from the faith , that is , a generall reuolting from true Religion : that iniquitie shoulde haue the vpper hand : that no man should haue the libertie of his life , but he that should take vpon him the character , or mark of the beast . O wofull , and lamentable times . O most miserable , and vnhappie dayes . And yet the Papistes at The common crie of Papistes at this day , which call vs to their holy whoorishe Church of Rome . this day crie with open mouth most impudently , The Catholike church , The Catholike Church , saying , that it hath alwayes bene to be sene at Rome . They tell vs with shame inough , that the Pope can not erre , that his faith is Catholike , and pure without all blot , or blemish , and that if we beleeue iumpe as he beleeueth , we shall surely be saued . But we will neuer beleeue Antichrist , nor run to Rome ( albeit sometime a faithfull citie ) to inquire after our faith , and Religion . We wote well , that now it is , and hath bene a great while , the sinke of all sinne and iniquitie in the world , the verie seate , and habitation of Antichrist himselfe . We will not haue that proude Italian Priest to be our Doctour , and generall Scholemaister , a man made of all abhominations , and whoredomes . We will not lay the foundation , or ground-worke of our faith vpon the glorious name of any mortall man whatsoeuer . We see the end of all Poperie to be ignorance . We see they derogate , and detract all from Christ and his Passion , and attribute their saluation to Masses , to mens merites , to Saintes prayers , to Pilgrimages , to vowes of virginitie , to their owne good workes , and to a thousand other trifling toyes . We see they preferre mens traditions , & inuentions before the truth of Gods word . We can shewe , if neede be , at what time , and by which Popes euerie parcell of Papistrie was deuised . He that will make a true Anatomie of it , and examine it from point to point , shall finde , that it tendeth wholy to gaine , and no whit to godlinesse . To be short , we knowe by the Scriptures of God , that their Religion which forbiddeth marriage and meates , is a doctrine of Diuels . This was the miserie , and infelicitie of former 1. Tim. 4. 1. ages , in which times notwithstanding God had his Church , though not alwayes subiect to mans senses : in which ages God raised vp euermore some good men , which inueihed bitterly against the Popes intollerable In euerie age some withstoode the Popes proceedings , though they had not such light of the trueth as we haue now . pride , and tyrannie , as namely Hilarie Bishop of Vienna in Fraunce , Paulus Cretensis , and Iohannes Lampeon , both Bishoppes denied his supremasie , the Church of Rauenna in Italie , would not acknowledge the Pope for her head . Nilus Archbishop of Thessalonica writ a learned booke against the Popes primasie . Afterwardes in Italie , yea euen in Rome Arnoldus Brixianus , an eloquent man , oppugned stoutely the Popes primasie , and tyrannie . Counsels , and Synods condemned the Popes supremasie , after whom God raised vp here in England a valiant , & stoute souldier Iohn Wickleffe , and in Bohemia Iohn Hus , & Hierome of Prage , with many others , as histories record and witnesse .

But at the length , when it pleased the great goodnesse , The happinesse of this age generally . and riche mercie of God , to take compassion on the world then drowned in darknesse , he renewed the heauenlie light of his Gospell , by which Antichrist of Rome should be reuealed , and by little and little vtterly destroyed . Then he raised vp mightie Capteines to make warre against that spirituall Pharao , whom he appointed like Moses , and Aaron , to safe conduct vs out of the land of Aegypt , out of the house of bondage , out of the sorowfull seruitude of Poperie , in comparison of which , that Aegyptiacall slauerie was great libertie . To this end and purpose he raised vp in this most happie , and blessed age , sundrie learned Diuines , as namely , Martin Luther , The best learned Diuines of this our age . Zuinglius , Oecolampadius , Caluine , Peter Martyr , Bucer , Bullenger , Gualter , Theodore Beza , Chemnisius , Hemingius , Riuius , Zanchius , Daneus , Cranmer , Ridley , Latimer , Hooper , Bradford , M. Iewell , M. Nowell , M. Iohn Foxe , with infinite others both Englishmen , Scots , Frenchmen , Germanes , Italians , Spaniards , and Danes . Surely this the happie age , which Chrysostome fortold , speaking of the last times : Ad nullam rem fugient , nisi ad Chrys. vpon the 24. of Matthaew . Scripturas : alioqui incident in abhominationem desolationis . Then ( saith he ) will they flee vnto nothing , but vnto the Scriptures : otherwise they shall fall into the abhomination of desolation . To whom agreeth S. Hierome , writing vpon the Prophet Nahum . And Gregorie prophesieth Hierom vpon Nahum . Gregorie vpon Iob. plainely of our time thus : Ecclesia post eosdem dies , quibus deprimitur , tamen circa finem mundi grandi praedicationis virtute roborabitur : The Church ( saith he ) after those dayes , wherin she is depressed , and holden downe , shall for all that about the end of the worlde be strengthened with the great power of preaching . Which thing is come nowe to passe in these dayes , as we may see , how that the preaching of the Gospell hath greatly preuailed against all the raging persecution of the Papistes : the Lordes name be praised for it . As oft as we thinke vpon this Gospell , we dare auouch , that these latter times are better times , that this age is a golden age . For if Aristides the iust was called Graecorum foelicitas , that is , The happinesse of the Graecians , we may more worthily call Christ our felicitie : and if the age , wherein he liued , was called Aureaaetas , that is , A golden age , because iustice flourished in it , verelie we may more iustly call this our age a golden age , because the glorious Gospell of God shineth nowe most clearely in the eyes , and soundeth most shrilly in the eares of all Israel . O that men would therefore praise the Lorde . O that men would acknowledge Psal. 107. 15 before the Lorde his louing kindnesse , and his wonderous woorkes before the sonnes of men . Thus we haue seene the chiefest happinesse of this our age , to be the preaching of the Gospell of God amongest vs . A part also of our happinesse at this day may consist in the Our age happie for that nowe all good learning flourisheth with the Gospell . garnishing of good learning , which is come to a wonderfull ripenesse . I pray God that for our vnthankfulnesse it decaie not . And not onely liberall artes , and sciences excell nowe more , than euer they did , by reason of Printing ( which as wise men say is of all Gods externall benefites one of the greatest ) but also Manuall or Mechanicall trades are come to such a perfection , as the like was neuer heard , or read of before . But because there is no great doubt of this , which our aduersaries also doe confesse , I will stand no longer vpon it .

In the happinesse of this our age , the Lord in his manifold Of the happinesse of England specially . mercie hath made vs Englishmen most happie of all other nations vnder the Sunne . For first , whereas before we sate in darknesse , and in the shadow of death , he hath blessed vs with the light of his holy Gospell , so that now we are a people set at libertie , to the end we should ● . Pet. 2. 9. shewe foorth the vertues of him , that hath called vs out of darkenesse into his maruellous light . Secondly , he hath blessed vs with a gratious , and a religious Prince , a Phoenix amongst women kinde , vnder whom we haue had the Gospell in great peace these twentie yeares : the Lorde frame our obedience to it in all holinesse , and blesse our Souereigne with a long , prosperous , and zealous reigne ouer vs . Thirdly , the God of all peace hath blessed vs with a straunge , wonderfull , and miraculous peace . For we sit here quietly , when as all the worlde beside ( almost ) is in an vprore . Our Halcionij dies , our calme and peaceable dayes doe farre surpasse and excell the ciuil peace , either of Solomon in Israel , or of Augustus in Rome . Fourthly , God hath blessed vs with maruellous prosperitie , and plentie of all things , such as our enimies enuie at .

God graunte that England may bee thankfull for all these spirituall , and temporall blessinges : and that Italie , Spaine , France , Flanders , and other nations , may in his mercie bee partakers of his Gospell , and of our peace with the fulnesse thereof , rather than in his iustice so to punish vs , as to make vs againe companions of their spirituall darkenesse in the last place , and greatest measure . This most happie state of ours , forreigne nations doe enuie , and specially Papistes , who haue banded them selues together in an holie league ( as they tearme it ) to roote out Gods Gospell from amongst vs , and to bring in againe Mariana tempora . But , the Lord The Papistes golden day shall neuer come I trust to hinder our happinesse . bee thanked , their Kalendar doeth fowly faile them : their golden day ( or rather bloud red day ) in their Rubricke is not yet come : I beseech almightie God , who is able to confounde their deuises , and wicked practises against his Churche , that it may neuer come .

Your Honour is not ignorant , howe that there bee some , whose wisest parte in them is their hoarie haires , who so highly aduance , and commend the former ages , that like vnthankfull wretches , they vtterly mislike , and discommend this our age , wherein we liue . In this consideration I thought good to oppose , & set this booke of Riuius against them , entreating of the happinesse of this our Age : whiche Argument , as I thought it woulde bee most acceptable and gratefull to your Honour : so I now am bold to present it vnto your fauourable protection , as a seale and sure testimonie of my louing duetie towardes your Honour , not doubting but that you will mightily mainteine , and defend the happinesse of this our age , against all malicious Papistes , carnall Gospellers , and wrangling Sycophantes . This I trust you will doe , being enabled ( as you are ) not onely with great learning , but also with great authoritie , which your Honour hath well deserued . The Lorde giue vnto you , as he did vnto Solomon , an vnderstanding heart to iudge aright & to discerne betwixt good and bad , betwixt happinesse and miserie . The Lorde keepe and continue your Honour safe , and sounde , that you may be still a stay vnto Religion , a godlie wise Counseller vnto your Prince : finally , a fauourable Patrone , and friendly Maecenas to all good learning , and learned men .