A copy of a letter, vvritten by M. Doctor Carier beyond seas, to some particular friends in England. VVhereunto are added certaine collections found in his closet, made by him (as is thought) of the miserable ends of such as haue impugned the Catholike Church. To which also is annexed a briefe exhortation to perseuere constantly in the said Catholike Church, what opposition soeuer may occurre, and the danger of liuing out of the same; and lastly, a few examples of the admirable prosperity, of such as haue defended the Catholike Church Carier, Benjamin, 1566-1614. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B11964 of text S118628 in the English Short Title CatalogTextual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 83 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 22 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B11964 STC 4621 ESTC S118628 99853835 99853835 177554 2240894618

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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. B11964) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 177554) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1060:13) A copy of a letter, vvritten by M. Doctor Carier beyond seas, to some particular friends in England. VVhereunto are added certaine collections found in his closet, made by him (as is thought) of the miserable ends of such as haue impugned the Catholike Church. To which also is annexed a briefe exhortation to perseuere constantly in the said Catholike Church, what opposition soeuer may occurre, and the danger of liuing out of the same; and lastly, a few examples of the admirable prosperity, of such as haue defended the Catholike Church Carier, Benjamin, 1566-1614. [2], 42 p. English Secret Press], [England : 1615. Place of publication and press from STC. "The miserable ends of such as haue impugned the Catholike Church" has separate dated title page; register and pagination are continuous. Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library. eng Catholic Church -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800. eebo A copy of a letter, vvritten by M. Doctor Carier beyond seas, to some particular friends in England. VVhereunto are added certaine collections found i n/a 1615 43 15056 30 0 0 0 0 0 19.93 C The rate of 19.93 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2013-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2013-12 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-02 Sampled and proofread 2014-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A Copy of a Letter , written by M. Doctor CARIER beyond Seas , to some particular friends in ENGLAND .

Whereunto are added certaine collections found in his Closet , made by him ( as is thought ) of the miserable ends of such as haue impugned the Catholike Church .

To which Also is annexed a briefe exhortation to perseuere constantly in the said Catholike Church , what opposition soeuer may occurre , and the danger of liuing out of the same . And lastly , a few examples of the admirable prosperity , of such as haue defended the Catholike Church .

1615.

Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis .

MY most deere and louing friends , if the times were such ( as when it shall please God they may be ) I would much rather choose to haue a poore Vicarage , where I might preach the truth amongst you , then a rich preferment in any part of the world besides , where I might not enioy your company and friendship . But seeing it is otherwise , I will lay the fault vpon no body ; but rather haue compassion vpon all , for such is the violence of the streame , that no one man , no not the Master of the ship himselfe , is able to stirre the ship out of the streame : and yet the course that is held , is certainely very dangerous ; not onely for all the passengers that are therin , but euen for the whole vessel wherin they are carried . If the losse of me might haue helped it , I had beene happily bestowed at home : but seeing that my presence did nothing but procure great danger to my selfe euery way , and great anger to them , whose game I seemed to marre as a stander by : I thought it the surest way to saue my selfe , and to becken to as many of my friends as may please to beleeue me ; that they would also looke well about them , lost they be ouertaken with death , as with a storme , that in such sommer times doth often come , when it is least looked for ; and therfore against all aduentures to conuey themselues into a surer ship . I do not desire they should follow me , and leaue their lands and liuings , their friends and Countrie , and the presence of their deare and dread Soueraigne : ( and yet if there be no remedie , for the honor of Christ and his truth , all must be forsaken : ) much lesse doe I allow , that any man should withdraw his allegiance and true seruice from King IAMES , and to bestow it vpon any other Prince , or Prelate in the world . Only for the dutie I owe vnto God , who hath called me to the knowledge of his truth , and the loue I beare vnto my Countrie , and to all my friends that are therein , I doe most humbly and hartily desire them , that they would seriously consider and looke to the state of their soules , which being immortall , cannot be saued by any such religion , as is temporall , mutable , and dissonant in it selfe : And seeing no man can be saued that dieth out of charitie with his neighbour ( for that an vncharitable soule cannot be altered , and made charitable after it is departed . ) Let euery good soule take heed , how by the railing slanders of ignorant , malicious and proud men , it be brought and held out of charitie with a whole Church , and especially such a Church as cannot bee deemed to be the mother of that Church , that is in England ; and being a mother Church , it is worthy at least to be heard quietly to tell out her tale at length , before she be condemned by the outcries of those that either of malice , or of custome , doe raile vpon her : which I write not that I would haue the Church of Rome gaine by the goods of England , for I know she intends it not , and the State may prouide against ; but that I desire the soules of England should gaine by the Church of Rome , which if you might freely heare her speake , you would certainely desire also . And although she may not be suffered to speake to you , yet you may enquire of her : and heare what indifferent men without choler or passion doe say and write of her . And if you doe find her indeed to be the true Mother , suffer not the Diuell to possesse your vnderstanding by heresie , nor your wills by malice , for any worldly respect whatsoeuer ; but vnite your vnderstanding to the understanding of the Church by faith , and your affections to the wil of the Church , by loue & charitie : and if it be possible , vnite your outward man also to the authority of the Church , by the participation of the Sacraments , and by al spiritual obedience . But if you finde impossibilitie therein , then hauing done your best to helpe the Catholike Church by your faith & charitie ; as S. AVGVSTINE exhorteth in his booke de vera relig. cap. 6. Call vpon Christ , who is the immortall Priest and Bishop of your soules , that hee would vouchsafe by his absolute power to supply the want of his owne ordinance , and to doe that by himselfe without Sacraments , which you vnfainedly would , but cannot haue done by any Priest of his sending , and by the Sacraments that he hath appointed : And there is hope that he will doe it , as Saint BERNARD writeth in his booke de Anima . This was the Course I tooke , vntill God gaue me oportunitie to take a better ; for which I humbly thanke his heauenly Maiestie , and am desirous to giue all good men satisfaction , that haue any religion at all . But I doe consider that there are , as you may easily see amongst your selues , foure sorts of Christians in the world out of the Catholike Church .

1 Some doe not beleeue either hell or heauen , and therefore they are content to goe to any Church , and be of any religion ; but care for none at all .

2 Some do beleeue that there is hell and heauen ; but that all things fall out by absolute predestination , as by fatall destiny , and therefore there is no Church , nor religion can doe a man good , but only to reade Scriptures and heare Sermons and to beleeue that a man is predestinate .

3 Some doe beleeue there is hell and heauen , and that Some religion is necessarie ; but it is no great matter what ; so a man obey the Kings Lawes , and liue like an honest man . For , they say , euery man may be saued in his owne religion . All these I am out of hope to satisfie , although their follies be against the light of naturall reason , but they haue lost reason .

4 Some there are that beleeue there is hell and heauen , and that there is no way to auoide the one , or attaine the other , but only true Christian Religion , which they would gladly embrace , if they could know which it were . To them , and for their sakes , I would take any paines to giue satisfaction . And I am certaine , if they will heare mee with patience , they will be satisfied .

And for the ground of this question ; I thinke it will bee granted on all sides , that , that only is the true Christian Religion which our Sauiour Christ did teach himselfe when he was vpon the earth , and which , as he promised , shall continue vntill he come againe .

Then the maine care is , to find what religion our Sauiour taught whilest he was vpon the earth . And heere I would pray euery man of reason to consider :

1 That our Sauiour did leaue nothing in writing , but taught his Religion to his Apostles by word of mouth .

2 That he commanded not his Apostles to write his Religion , but to teach it , ite praedicate .

3 That of twelue Apostles , seuen did leaue nothing at all in writing , but taught their successors the Religion of Christ by word of mouth .

4 That Saint MARKE , Saint LVKE , and Saint PAVL , who wrote most of the new Testament , were not of Christ his company whilest he was vpon the earth , and therefore must needs learne their Religion of the Church , before they wrote it .

5 That diuers others did write the Religion of Christ , as they did apprehend it , but their Gospels and Epistles were reiected by the Church , LVKE 1. 1.

6 That at the day of Iudgement , there will be no writing to trie true Religion from Heresie , but only the eternall truth of Christ in the soules of his Saints .

7 That the Scriptures were written by men of the Church ; admitted Canonicall by Councels of the Church ; preserued from Tyrants by the care of the Church , and euer , vntill of late , expounded by the consent of the Church .

8 How few men are able to reade and expound the Scriptures any way , and whether it be not easier to beleeue the Church , then to beleeue a few priuate men , that say they can expound Scriptures better then the Church .

9. That all sorts of Heretikes haue alwaies boasted of Scriptures , and despised the Church .

The Heretikes haue euer beene wont to pretend Scriptures , the more easily to deceiue the simple . They know full well , that all the Fathers , all Doctors , all ancient Writers , all generall Councels , Canons , Traditions , all Ecclesiasticall Histories , all Chronicles and monuments of Antiquitie , all Martyrs , Confessors , Virgins , and all testimonies both in heauen and earth are flat against them ; and therefore they will pretend the word of God , which they know is a plausible perswasion to the simple ; and so they delude , and deceiue them more easily . These Scriptures they misinterpret , corrupt , falsisie , and abuse most shamefully to serue their turnes , as VINCENTIVS LI●INENSIS most excellently sheweth in his golden treatise , Contra prophanas haeresum nouitates , against the prophane nouelties of heresies .

Vpon these considerations any man may assuredly pronounce , that whosoeuer beleeueth not the Church of Christ , can neuer come to know what is the Religion that Christ did teach ; and which he hath hitherto maintained .

And therefore it is impossible for such a man to know which is the true Christian Religion . The meanes then to know which is the true Religion of Christ , is to enquire which is the true Church of Christ . Heere it cannot be denied , but that that is the true Church of Christ , which Christ himselfe did found whilest he was vpon the earth , to continue vntill the worlds end . And whatsoeuer Church is founded by any other authoritie , then that which Christ left vnto his Apostles only , cannot be the true Church of Christ , although all the Princes in the world would agree to make it so , and cause all their subiects to sweare it were so .

Now to know which is the true Church our Sauiour did found , we must obserue that this word Church doth signifie diuers things .

1 Sometimes the Church doth signifie the building or house of Gods seruice ; in this sense our Sauiour founded no Church by himselfe , but gaue power to his Apostles and Disciples to found and consecrate Churches , as countries should be conuerted .

2 Sometime the Church doth signifie the Congregation of all those that are baptized , as the Church of Corinth , Rome , &c. in Saint PAVLS Epistles . In this sense our Sauiour founded no Church by himselfe , for he baptized none , but gaue power to his Apostles and Disciples to baptize .

3 Sometime the Church doth signifie the Clergie or Spiritualtie , chosen out of the number of all Christians , to dispence the grace of Christ committed to them , for the benefit of the whole bodie : In this sense our Sauiour did by himselfe immediatly found a Church , when he did call and send his Apostles , and did giue them the same power which himselfe , as Man , had receiued of his Father , Sicut pater misit me , sic ego mitto vos , Ioh. 20. qui audit vos , me audit , Luke 10. quorum peccata remiseritis , remittentur eis , Ioh. 20. mittam vobis Paraclitum quivos ducet in omnem veritatem , Ioh. 14. Super hanc Petram aedisicabo Ecclesiam , &c.

Then to know which is the true Church , we must enq●●●● which is the Clergie that was founded by Christ , and continueth in the vnitie of the Church by perpetuall Succession from the Apostles , & so from Christ himselfe : & for your certaine resolution hereof , you haue three infallible arguments .

1 The report of Chronicles and Histories , whereof there is great variety , that can tell you the beginning and occasion of euery Schisme , if you doe but turne the bookes ouer .

2 The vniuersalitie , antiquitie and consent of Doctrine taught in the true Church , and the variety , nouelty and repugnancie of Doctrine taught in Schisme , & herein you may inquire of the most learned , and most honest to informe you .

Of the old Testament , to which our Sauiour sends vs , IOH. 5. Scrutamini Scripturas . By those S. Augustine proues the visibility of the Catholike Church against Donatists . Of the new Testament : by which is proued the perpetuity of the Catholike Church . Portae inferi non praeualebunt . Matth. 16. Vsque ad consummationem seculi . Matth. 28.

Consider then , deare friends , what a happy thing it is for a man to liue in such a Church , that is , with such a Clergie , as being lawfully called , and continuing in the vnity of the Church , haue the very same power that the Apostles themselues ; yea that Christ himselfe , as he was Man , had to forgiue sinnes vnto the penitent ; to conuey grace by Sacraments , as Christ conueyed it himselfe sometime without Sacraments , to exhibite the Reall presence of Christ vnto the faithfull , and to preach the glad tidings of saluation both by word and writing . And on the contrary side , what an vnspeakable misery it is to haue such a Clergie , that is , such a Church as hath no calling but from a Ciuill Magistrate , and consequently no power from Christ , no remission of sinnes , no grace in Sacraments , no Reall presence of Christ amongst them , nor warrant from Christ either to preach or expound the Scriptures ; although they talke of them neuer so much . I will not determine against the succession of the Clergie in England , because it is to me very doubtfull ; but although the successions were neuer so good , if there be not vnitie , there can be no grace conueyed from the head vnto such parts of the body as are by Schisme cut off , and with hostilitie opposed ; as you see most of the Clergie of England to be . Whilest my selfe was amongst you , I did what I could to reduce vnity , and to withstand Schisme , and therefore I hope God hath conueyed some grace by my Ministrie amongst you ; but if you consider duly of the premisses , you cannot condemne me for taking a surer course for my selfe , especially seeing you cannot be ignorant how much I was maligned , and opposed by the Masters and maintainers of Schisme . It is a continuall griefe to me , that I cannot preach vnto you : And I pray God so moue the hearts of his Maiestie and the Parliament , that it may not be treason , nor felonie to be a Catholike Priest , nor to maintaine the succession of Saint PETER . nor to preach Catholike Doctrine ▪ as it is held in the Church of Rome , according to all antiquitie , with one vniuersall consent . And if euer I may be so happie to heare such newes , I will thinke my selfe most happie that I may serue you , and liue and die amongst you . Otherwise I will continue as I doe , euery day to remember you at the oblation of Christs body and bloud , and with my most ardent deuotion to pray for his Maiestie , the Queene , their Children , and Lords of the Councell , my friends at the Court , my louing , and beloued neighbours in the Countrie , and your selfe especially ; and euer so I remaine .

Your most affectionate and true friend and seruant in Christ Iesus . B. A. CARIER . Leidge , February 20. 1614. Stilo Nouo .

The miserable ends of such as haue impugned the Catholike Church : Together With the admirable prosperity of such as defended the same .

Deuter. 32.

Laudate Gentes populum eius quia sanguinem seruorum suorum vlciscetur , & vindictam retribuet in hostes eorum .

You Gentiles praise his People , because he will reuenge the bloud of his Seruants , and will repay vengeance vpon their Enemies .

Esay 60. 12.

Gens , & Regnum quod non seruierit tibi , peribit .

The People and Kingdome , which will not serue thee , shall perish .

1615.

The miserable ends of some notorious Enemies , of CHRIST and his CHVRCH .

REade IOSEPHVS , 7. belli , cap. 18. of the destruction of the Temple , and of the most grieuous punishment of the Iewes , for their barbarous crueltie against our Sauiour Christ . The number of captiues was ninety and seuen thousand . The number of those which were slaine and dead in the time of siege , was eleuen hundred thousand . Idem 7. belli , c. 28. The famine so great , as they were brought to eate their owne and their childrens flesh ; to feede in sinckes and channels . About forty thousand of them had their bellies ripped vp , for the gould they were supposed to haue swallowed , &c. and more had beene so barbarously entreated had not come forth a Prohibition . They were so vile , as thirtie of them were sold for one peny . They haue beene hated and persecuted of all Nations and peoples . Exceeding great numbers of them in one place or other continually murthered . They haue liued in intolerable slauery euer since the destruction of Ierusalem , and euer shall . Ioseph. 7. belli , cap. 28.

IVDAS hanged himselfe with a halter . Matth. 26.

CAIPHAS being weary of his life , killeth himselfe . Clem. Rom. Const. ap. 8. c. 1.

ANNAS also perished miserably , as writeth Nicephor . lib. ● . cap. 40. Iosephus and others .

HERODE ASCALOMITA , as hee sought all meanes to destroy our Sauiour Christ , killed all the men children , abimatu & infra , from two yeares old and vnder : so being most grieuously afflicted with a horrible disease , Ioseph . an . lib. 17. cap. 17. & cap. 8. sought all meanes to destroy himselfe , at last , his dolours being intolerable by Gods iust judgement , he was extinct of a dropsie and corrupt humour , which ranne betwixt the skin and the flesh , and eaten with wormes which crawled out of his skin . Euseb. hist. eccl. li.

HERODE AGRIPPA , who put to death S. IAMES , and imprisoned S. PETER , was soone after in a publike assembly striken from heauen with a most horrible disease , and died eaten vp with lice ; yea his whole stocke , according to Iosephus , which was most ample , within seuentie yeares was cleane rooted out .

HERODE ANTIPAS , which beheaded Saint IOHN Baptist , was first depriued of his dignitie , and with Herodias he was exiled to Lions in France for killing S. IOHN Baptist , as Authors Ecclesiasticall affirme .

PONTIVS PILATVS was diuersly punished according to his deserts , and at last banished to Vienna ; he slew himselfe . Euseb. Cass●odor . Ado. in Chron.

NERO hated of all men for his crueltie , at last forsaken of his souldiers , and despairing euer to recouer his former state , in great perplexitie arrayeth himselfe in vile attire , flieth away , and perceiuing hee was pursued , killed himselfe . Sueton. 25. Dion . in Nerone .

DOMITIAN , for his barbarous crueltie , generally detested , was stabbed of Stephen , the steward of Flauia Domitilla : Sueton. Philost . trion . and others ; his name and memory was after abolished . Macrob. Satur. lib. 1. cap. 12.

TRAIANVS , a cruell persecutor of Christians , is teported to haue beene poysoned . See Baron .

HADRIANVS , like another Phalaris , raged against Christians . The persecution vnder him was so extreame , as Christians were murthered at the cry of the common people . Neuerthelesse in his time the Church was spread abroad far and neere . At last he was punished with grieuous sicknesse , and so being very weary of his life , sought often to kill himselfe , and finally procured one to slay him . See Baron .

SEVERVS , in regard of his cruelty exercised vpon Christians , was so punished of God almightie , as he saw himselfe most vnhappy in his children : for his sonne Antoninus often attempted to slay him ; and also he was not ignorant his son Geta should be murthered as soone as Antoninus could get opportunitie to doe it . Antoninus slew Geta afterwards in his mothers lappe . Lege Baron . SEVERVS died , being consumed with thought and griefe of minde . See Baron .

DECIVS , a most cruell persecutor of Christians , in the warre he made against the Gothes , together with his sonne was extinct . Anno 2. Imper.

VALERIAN , as long as he fauoured Christians , flourished ; but after he began to persecute them , by the treason of Marrianus a Duke , he was deliuered ouer to Sapores , King of the Persians , who euer after vsed VALERIAN for a foot-stoole to stand vpon when he went to horse , at last hee commanded him to be flayed and salted . Baron .

CLAVDIVS raged most cruelly against Christians , but in the third yeare of his Empire he died of the Pestilence .

AVRELIAN , a seuere bloudie and cruell persecutor , was beaten downe with thunder , and afterward killed of his owne subiects ,

MAXIMIANVS , one of the cruellest persecutors that euer was , hanged himselfe . Anno imper. Const. Panegyr. 4.

DIOCLETIAN , a like persecutor , by the judgement of God was reserued vnto the eleuenth yeare of Constantine , when he saw Christian religion most flourishing , which hee with his fellow Maximian , sought by all meanes they could to extinguish . At last , this yeare suspecting some dishonorable death , it is said he poysoned himselfe . Victor . Also Euseb. lib. 8. cap. vlt. Zozim . lib. 2. Zonor . Cedren , write of his miserable death . See Baron . anno imper. Const. 11.

MAXENTIVS , a most cruell Tyrant , was drowned in Tiber. Euseb. Zozimus and others .

IVLIAN the Apostata vsed all policie and arte he could ( as formerly had done Diocletian and Maximian , to extinguish Christianitie ; but all in vaine : Hee was slaine in the field against the Persians ; vncertainly by whom . S. Gregor , Nazian. orat . 2. in Iulian. ministeri● angelorum occisum affirmat . See Baron . When hee died , hee filled his hand with bloud , and cast it vp into the ayre , saying ; vicisti Galilee , thou hast vanquished me , O Galilean , for so he called Christ Iesus . Nicephor . 10. cap. 3. and also he said saturare Nazarene , &c.

VALENS , a most horrible persecutor , making warre against the Gothes , was burned . See Baron , and others . Hee with his noble men fled into a poore cottage , which was burnt ouer his head , &c.

MAXIMINVS , a most bloudie persecutor , was ouerthrowne and put to flight by Licinius , and at last stricken with a most deadly and horrible disease , his eyes falling out of his head ; he dieth miserably , confessing himselfe worthily punished for his crueltie exercised vpon Christians . Also , his children were put to a most reprochfull death : his statuaes , titles , and other monuments were throwne downe , razed , abolished . Constantini imper. anno 9.

HVNERICVS , King of the Vandals , persecuted Catholikes most cruelly : he caused Catholikes tongues and right hands to be cut off , who , neuerthelesse , by the helpe of God , did speake as well afterwards as they did before . One of these , to wit , Reparatus a Subdeacon , pronounced eloquent Sermons without any difficultie ; for which hee was highly reuerenced in Zeno , the Emperours Pallace ; especially Iustina the Empresse honored him . See the Comp. of Baron . anno 484. fol. 425. There followeth ( fol. 426 ▪ ) the miserable death of this barbarous and cruell persecutor : who , when he prepared to triumph ouer the Catholike faith , which he verily thought to haue rooted out , perished most miserably of wormes which crawled out of euery part of his bodie , the seuenth yeare of his raigne . Victor . lib. 3.

EVARICVS , King of the Gothes , spoileth France of Bishops , &c. vpon desire to propagate Arianisme ▪ hee was a horrible persecutor and enemie of Catholikes , like to Hunericus , as reporteth Ecclesiasticall writers : being stricked from heauen , perished most miserably , as writeth Turon . in the History of France .

LEO ISAVRICVS , a most bloudy persecutor , was taken by an Earthquake out of this life , as writeth Theophanes .

CONSTANTINVS CAPRONYMVS , no lesse cruell against Catholikes , was from heauen stricken with a plague and griefe in his thighes ▪ which in Greeke is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and so died miserably , crying out , and saying ( being yet aliue ) I am giuen ouer to vnquenchable fire . Theophanes and all other Greeke Authors witnesseth the same . See Cedren . in Baron . anno 775.

LEO ARMENVS , a great enemie of the Catholike Church , was miserably slaine neare the Altar , after hee had raigned seuen yeares and fiue moneths . And so perish all which hate Sion .

FOVRE MEMORABLE EXAMPLES FOLLOWING .

L. SEPTIMIVS PLAVTIANVS , from base state , was aduanced to such honor , as he was esteemed little inferiour to the Emperour Seuerus himselfe . This PLAVTIANVS thus exalted in such grace with the Emperour , as the like hath scarcely euer beene seene , was honored with very many statuaes , chosen to be father in law to Antoninus Augustus , the sonne of the Emperour . He married his daughter to Antoninus , with whom he gaue so much riches , and such a dowrie , as had beene sufficient to haue giuen with fiftie , ( should hee haue had so many to haue so highly preferred . ) Hee was so horrible and cruell , as when hee was to goe any whither , some Sergeants or Virgiers were to take order that none should be in his way , or presume to looke vpon him ▪ Of Christians he was a most deadly enemie and cruell persecutor ; with the spoiles of whom ▪ after he had murthered and martyred them , he had infinitely enriched himselfe . But loe , this cruell murtherer of Christians fell from this soueraigne dignitie into extreame infelicity : in so much as he was ( euen in the twelfth yeare of Seuerus Empire , become a wonderfull great laughing-stocke of humane felicitie , and a most dreadfull example of Gods seuere justice ) he was ( I say ) put to a most miserable death , by his sonne in law , Antoninus , his body cast into the street vnburied , his statuaes and monuments pulled downe and defaced , his name scraped out , and abolished . His sonne and daughter were exiled , and at last in great misery made away . So as that of the Psalmist may be verified of him and such like , Inimici domini mox vt honorificati fuerint , & exaltati , deficientes quemadmedum fumus deficient , Psal. 36. The enemies of our Lord forthwith after they be raised to honor and exalted , vanishing away like smoake they shall vanish . See Baron . especially the twelfth yeare of Seuerus Empire , where you shall finde all these , and much more of this horrible persecutor .

EVTROPIVS , a man of seruile condition and lewde conuersation , was so highly exalted vnder the Emperour Arcadius , as he was of all other the greatest Courtier , in greatest grace and fauour with the Emperour . Hee was made Consul , although generally hated of all people . He opposeth against Saint Iohn Chrysostome , Bishop of Costantinople , and impugneth Ecclesiasticall immunities , and liberties of the Church : Against which immunities and priuiledges of the Church in particular , that none flying to the Altar should haue benefit of Sanctuary . But behold the punishment of this Tyrant : It pleased God that Gaynas being alienated from Arcadius , for his so much fauouring and aduancing this EVTROPIVS , as all in furie and rage , he made warre against the Emperour and brought him to this , that the Emperour was glad to admit what conditions of peace Gaynas would offer . Amongst which conditions , this was one ▪ that the Emperour should deliuer into his hands EVTROPIVS , that he might put him to what death it liked him . Whereupon EVTROPIVS was depriued of all his places , dignities and riches , which were exceeding great : and so perceiuing his misery , fled to the Church , layeth hold vpon Sanctuarie , and was for that time protected by Saint Chrysostome , who stood in the defence of the priuiledges of the Church , and would not permit the souldiers to take him from the Altar , before he had caused the Emperour to sweare neither to deliuer him into the hands of Gaynas , nor to put him to death . And although he had beene a great enemy of Saint Chrysostome , and all the people cried to haue him made away . Yet Saint Chrysostome , in regard of the priuiledge , would not condescend , but with an eloquent oration disswadeth the people , and laboureth to saue him . So as it is to be noted , he that opposed himselfe against this holy Bishop , and priuiledges of the Church , had no other refuge , then to the same . Finally , being depriued of so many dignities , honors and riches , his name abolished , his statuaes , ensignes and monuments in all , both publike and priuate places defaced , he was banished into Cyprus ; from whence at the instance of Gaynes he was sent for , and beheaded . All this heere compendiously touched , is set downe in Baronius at large , together with the Authors Ecclesiasticall which write the same . This fellow was exalted and eleuated , as a Ceder of Libanus , but forthwith his place was not to be found . Psal. 36.

CHRISAPHIVS , a most potent Courtier vnder Theodosius the Emperour , patronizeth Eutyches the damnable Heretike ; persecuteth and deposeth Flauianus the holy Patriarke , turneth all vpside downe : perswadeth Theodosius to fauour the Heretike ▪ and to destroy the Catholike Bishop . But God almightie justly punished him . For Theodosius finding out his treachery , repented hee had permitted him to protect this monster , whereby such a pestilent sect long after troubled the Church : and therefore he presently depriueth this potent Courtier of all his places , and substance , and at last putteth him to death . Marcel . l. 14. c. 49. Niceph. Cedren . 〈◊〉 Baron .

BARDAS , who ruled all vnder Michael the third , grieuously persecuted the Church , deposed Ignatius the Patriarke of Constantinople , a holy man , and contrary to the Canons of the Church , intruded Photius . It is wonderfull to consider how hotly euery one of these , as wel the Emperour , who was a most beastly monster , persecuted Gods Saints , and all holies , as also the vsurper Photius , and the tyrant Bardas ; what a horrible Schisme they made . See all in Baron , and other Authors , cited by him at large , for it is most memorable . These monsters most grieuously afflicted the Church for some few yeares : but God almightie , after long patience powred forth his indignation against the factious and schismaticall Princes . Michael the third , which gaue himselfe to nothing but his filthy pleasures , as also Bardas , who swayed all . And first for Bardas , Curopalutes describeth his miserable death , also Cedren , Glicas and Nicetas , doe the same almost in this manner . Bardas had a vision , which was , viz. He saw Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles , and two terrible men assisting , and Saint Peter being set , he saw Ignatius the Patriarke , whom he had expelled out of his See , lying at Saint Peters feete , crying ; O Porter of the Kingdome of heauen , and the Rocke vpon which Christ hath built his Church , for as much as thou knowest how I haue beene iniured , comfort my old yeares , which haue suffered many euils . And Saint Peter saith to Ignatius , shew thy enemy which hath done thee so much wrong . Et Deus faciat vna cum tentatione prouentum , and God will make together with temptation issue . And Ignatius turning to me , pointed me out with his right hand . This Bardas is he , who all aboue others hath offended and iniured me , neither yet ceaseth more and more to afflict me . Then Saint Peter said to him that assisted on the right hand , take away this execrable and cursed Bardas out of the Church , and presently cut him in peeces , and therefore I was led to death . All this Bardas saw in a vision : and moreouer , hee saw him shake his head against the Emperour , saying , Impie sili expecta parumper . This terrible vision Bardas ( himselfe all affrighted , and with teares ) reported to Philotheus his faithfull friend . Who notwithstanding all this , ceased not more grieuously to afflict the holy Patriarke Ignatius for three moneths after ; at the end of which time followed the execution of this vision . When as Bardas , with the Emperour and his armie went into Crete , where being suspected of treason , the Emperour commanded him to be hacked in peeces . Now for the Emperour himselfe , he tooke one Basilius , a Macedonian , to be his consort . This Basilius created Emperour , studying to reclaime Michael from his wicked and detestable manners and conuersation , procured Michael to hate him : in so much as he perceiued the Emperour Michael sought to destroy and make him away , as hee had done Bardas ; and therefore rather desiring to kill , then to be killed , contriueth presently the death of the beastly monster : which act , though it was not lawfull , yet was the persecutor justly punished for his crueltie against Gods Church . Zonoras , Nicetas and others . This Basil sendeth Embassadors to the Pope , restoreth peace to the Church , expulseth Photius the vsurper from the Patriarchall See , and restoreth the true Bishop Ignatius into the same , to the great joy and exultation of all people . Many more like examples might be added to these , but these are most notorious .

As God almightie hath a speciall prouidence ouer his Church in the law of grace , as it shall neuer be destroyed by any impugnation of what enemies soeuer , but shall still remaine glorious , though neuer so much persecuted by tyrants ; which tyrants , and enemies of Gods Church , often perish miserably euen in this world , besides the eternall miseries they fall into after this life , if they die impenitent . So is it to be noted , that the same God almightie had also a wonderfull care ouer his Kingdome and people , euen in the old Testament ; and such as persecuted them , we may see by many examples to what miserable confusion they fell at last .

PHARAO with all his hoast was drowned in the red sea .

AMAN which had contriued the meanes to put to death , and massacre all Gods chosen people vnder Assuerus , was hanged vpon a gibbet fifty cubits high , which he had prepared for Mardocheus . Hest. 7.

IESABEL , which slew Gods Prophets , was throwne downe out of a window , killed with the fall , and eaten of dogs . 4. King . 9.

ANTIOCHVS most grieuously and extreamely persecuted and afflicted Gods people , as we reade in the 2. of the Machabees : but as it is in the ninth chapter of the said book ; God which seeth all , strake him with an incurable and inuisible plague . Hee threatned to destroy Ierusalem and all the people , and God almightie , presently vpon it , laid his heauy hand vpon him . Reade the ninth chapter of the second book , and you shall see the miserable end of this most proud and cruel enemie of God and his Kingdom . He could not go , but was carried : his dolours and anguish was intolerable , and that by the just judgement of God , for he had most vnmercifully tortured and afflicted Gods people ; wormes crawled out of his body , and the horrible stincke thereof annoyed his whole armie : who a little before was so proud and insolent , as he thought he could reach the starres of heauen : him no man can now carry , or come neere , for intolerable stincke . This cruel homicide , and blasphemous wretch miserably ended his life in his peregrination . See more in the Machabees .

In the fourth booke of Kings , and the nineteenth chapter , you may see recorded the miserable dostruction of Sennacherib and his whole armie , which had besieged Hierusalem , blasphemed God , and threatned to destroy the Citie , the holy King Ezechias , and all his people . But God almightie , who knoweth how to deliuer his faithfull people , sent his Angell into the tents of the Assirians , which slew a hundreth and eightie fiue thousand of them in their tents , after which , Sennacherib returned into his owne countrie , where he was slaine of Adramelach and Sarasar his owne sonnes . Reade the seuen and thirtieth chapter of Isal .

It is also worthy to be noted , that such as diuided themselues by any Schisme in the old Law , were most seuerely punished ▪ as for example , Chore , Dathan and Abiron , and their complices , to the number of foureteene thousand and seuen hundreth men , besides many others that perished in the sedition before . These rebelled against Moses their lawfull Superiour .

IEROBOAM , who vpon a diuellish policie drew the people from the true worship and seruice of God to Idolatry and Schisme , God almightie so punished him , as he left not one of his seed to pisse against a wall . 3. King . 14. So as wee may plainly see there is no wisdome , no prudence , no counsell against God . These Politicks take a wrong course to aduance and continue their states and families , for Nisi Dominus aedificauerit domum , &c. Vnlesse our Lord build the house , they labour in vaine that build it , Psal. 126. for these Houses , Kingdomes and States that are founded by such Machieuellian policies , neuer continue long , as appeareth most euidently , Psal. 16. Noli ●mulari in malignantibus , neque Zelaueris facientes iniquitatem , &c. Reade the whole Psalme , wherein it is said , the impious and wicked enemies of God shall wither away as grasse , vanish as smoke , their seed and very reliques shall perish , though for a while they flourish neuer so much , and be neuer so highly exalted , encreased and multiplied in the world ; yet shall they come in short time to confusion and destruction .

As God almighty dealt with IEROBOAM , Author of that notorious Schisme and diuision , so likewise did hee to Baaza , Zamri and Achab , Kings of Israel , for that ( saith the third booke of Kings ) they walked in the wayes of Ieroboam : that is , because they continued the Schisme , and did not reduce the Israelites to the true worship and seruice of God . You shal find that of all those , God almighty left not one to pisse against a wall , for this is the phrase of Scripture in that place . These are dreadfull examples of Gods seuere justice against the Authors , fauourers and maintainers of Schisme against God , his Church and Kingdome .

To these might be added a great many more , which euery where occurre in the old Testament . Reade Psalme 82. where you shall see a great number of Kings and Princes which sought to destroy Gods people , to come to miserable ends . These seeking to ouerthrow Gods Kingdome , doe nothing lesse , but they incurre his heauy wrath and indignation to their owne vtter ruine , confusion , and extirpation .

Of all this before written , wee may gather that God almightie hath a singular prouidence ouer his Church and Kingdome , he neither slumbreth nor sleepeth which keepeth Israel . Psal. 120. Tyrants , persecutors and foolish people may oppose themselues against it , seeke to extinguish it ; but all in vaine . Qui haebitat in coelis irridebit eos , & Dominus subsannabit eos , He that dwelleth in the heauen will laugh them to scorne , &c. Psal. 2. God almightie doth gratiously protect his Church , and though he suffer it to be mightily impugned , yet faciet cum tentatione prouentum , hee will make with temptation issue . The Catholike Church , and Kingdome of our Sauiour Christ , hath by this meanes beene maruailously encreased and propagated , as all Ecclesiasticall writers perspicuously testifie ; as contrariwise the enemies thereof haue most miserably perished , and come to confusion .

CERTAINE MEMORABLE EXAMPLES OF GODS SEVERE REVENGE AGAINST such as were rebellious and iniurious to Priests of the olde Law .

1 OF CHORE , DATHAN and ABIRON , we haue spoken before , how themselues , and al that belonged vnto them , was swallowed vp of the earth . Numb. 16.

2 MARIA the sister of MOSES , for murmuring against him , was punished with a leprosie . Num. 12.

3 SAVL , because he obeyed not Samuel the Prophet , lost his Kingdome . 1. King . 31.

4 ACHAB , for contemning the Prophet Micheas , and cast him into prison , was slaine in warre , 3. King . 22. and Ioram , the sonne of Achab , and all his progeny were slaine by Iehu . That I may reuenge ( saith the Prophet vnto Iehu ) the bloud of my seruants the Prophets , and the bloud of all the seruants of our Lord , from the hand of Iesabel . 4. King . 9.

IOAS , who slew Zachary the Priest and Prophet in the porch of the house of God , was punished most grieuously . Paralip . 24. For the yeare following the Syrians came into Iudea and Ierusalem , and slew all the Princes of the people , and sent all the prey vnto the King of Syria into Damasco : and whereas there came but a small number of the Syrians , yet God deliuered an infinite multitude into their hands , and Ioas they punished with all ignominy and reproch , and left him in great sicknes and misery : And his owne seruants rose vp against him , to reuenge the bloud of the sonne of Ioiad● the Priest , and they slew him in his bed .

AMASIAS , King of Iuda , because hee contemned the Prophet of God , &c. was deliuered into the hands of Ioas King of Israel , being spoiled of all he had , and afterwards slaine of his owne seruants . 2. Paralip. 25.

O●IAS his son , because he vsurped Priestly function and authority , was stricken with a leprosie , 2. Paral. 26. And that which Christ spake in the Gospell ( the bloud of all the Prophets , from the bloud of Abel the Iust , vnto the bloud of Zacharie the Prophet , shall be required at your hands , Luk. 11. ) hath terribly expressed this reuenge of almightie God , for the dispersion of the Iewes throughout all the whole world vntill this day , is nothing else but the just reuenge of almightie God for the bloud of Christ , and all the Prophets .

EXAMPLES OF GODS SEVERE PVNISHMENTS AGAINST SVCH AS CONtemne Bishops and Priests .

BY many example precedent , as also by these ensuing , collected out of Histories Ecclesiasticall and prophane , it may appeare how Emperours , Kings and Princes , which would not be obedient children to Gods Church , but persecuted the same , haue come to miserable ends .

CONSTANTIVS fauouring the Arians , after hee had banished Liberius Pope , Athanasius also Bishop of Alexandria , and many other Catholike Bishops , and had arrogated and taken to himselfe , to heare and know all causes Ecclesiasticall ( as at large sheweth Saint Athanasius , ep. ad . Sol. v. ag. whilest he persecuted Iulian , &c. ended his life in an obscure place , and in great torment of conscience . As at large describeth Ammian . Marcellin . l. 22. hist.

VALENS , who banished the Catholikes into obscure places , and vsed all rigour and seueritie against them , was punished with like measure himselfe , with his Princes in the warre against the Gothes , flying into an old house , was with all his Princes burned , and the house ouer their heads . Ammian . Marcel . l. 31. This Emperour cast the holy religious man Isacius into prison , as Achab did Micheas the Prophet .

VALENTINIAN the yonger , who many wayes vexed Saint Ambrose , to make him yeeld a Church vnto the Heretikes , and threatned to exile him , was hanged by his owne seruants ignominiously shortly after .

ANASTATIVS the Emperour excommunicated of Pope Gelasius , was an extreame persecutor , as well of Bishops as of Monkes , and religious persons , was killed with lightning and fire from heauen .

MAVRITIVS the Emperour , who persecuted S. Gregory the Great , was slaine of a common souldier , his wife and all his children before put to death in his owne sight , and so cried , Iustus es Domine , & rectum iudicium tuum . Thou art just , O Lord , and righteous is thy judgement . Blondus lib. 3. Decad. 1.

CONSTANS , the Nephew of Heraclius banished Pope Martine , for which he was hated of all his subiects , saith Zonoras , and so leauing Constantinople , liued in Cicely , and there was killed in the Bathe of his owne people about him . Paul . Diac. lib. 18.

MICHAEL Emperour , the sonne of Theophilus , which behaued himselfe proudly against Pope Nicholas the first , and most iniuriously deposed Ignatius the Patriarch of Constantinople : when he went drunke to bed one night , standing at his bed side , was slaine of his owne domesticals , Zonor . Annal. tom. 3. in Constante & Michaele .

CONSTANTINVS PROGNATVS , the son of Leo Isauricus , a most cruell persecutor of the Catholike Clergie , was stricken with fire from heauen , and so died blaspheming . Sigeb . ad Ann. 778.

These wonderfull and notable judgements of God Almightie , happened to the greatest Princes in the East , which persecuted Christ Iesus in his Vicars , &c. And there haue beene no lesse renowned in the West .

PERSECVTORS IN THE WEST CHVRCH .

HENRY the fourth , the first of the Westerne Emperours , which opposed himselfe against the Church : after many iniuries offered thereunto , being excommunicate by Gregory the 7. was depriued of his Empire by his owne sonne , and at last forsaken of all , died in great calamitie in exile , out of the limits of the Empire . Nauclerus , vol. 3. gener. 37.

FREDERICVS BARBAROSSA , which for many years persecuted the Church of God , very rebellious and proud against the See Apostolike : when he was bathing himselfe in a riuer for his pleasure in Cilicia , was drowned of a sodaine , and so ended . Naucl. gen. 40.

OTHO the fourth , after exceeding great iniuries done to the Church throughout all Italy , being assaulted in warre , and put to flight by Philip the French King in low Germany ; a little after died a priuate man in Saxony . Staplet . in prompt . mor. in dom. pass. text . 4.

FREDERICVS the second , a most cruell persecutor , not onely of the See Apostolique , but of all the Clergie throughout the whole Empire , excommunicated by Innocent the fourth , was slaine of his bastard sonne Manfrede in Apulia , as some write , poysoned , as others report , hanged : and all his race following the steps of their wicked father , came to the like miserable end . His eldest sonne Conradus , for like cause excommunicated by Innocent the forth , was killed by the same Manfrede in Apulia . And the same Manfrede entring vpon the Kingdomes of Apulia and Sicilia , being himselfe a cruell enemie of the Church , excommunicated by Alexander the fourth , was vanquished and put to flight by Charles , brother to the King of France , whom Vrbane the fourth declared King of Sicilia and Apulia .

CONRADINVS , sonne to the said Conrade , vanquished by the said Charles , was put to death . And Eutius the other son of Frederick the second , after many warres made against the Church , being taken of the Bononians , was committed to perpetuall imprisonment ; and so all the race and stock of the sacrilegious Emperour , great in number and power , in short time extinct , left to posteritie an example of their wicked rebellions against God and his Church .

LEWES the fourth Emperour , twice excommunicate by the See Apostolike , in whose defence against the immunities and priuiledges of the Church of Rome , those Poets and Rhetoritians for this cause infamous , Petrarcha , Dantes , Marsilius , and Io. Occhamus Schoole-man , write so many things : God almightie judgeing this cause ; when he was a hunting , taken sodainly with a palsey of all his members , falling from his horse , died sodainly .

Memorable it is , which Nicephorus writeth of Narcissus Bishop of Hierusalem . Three maleuolous persons falsely accused this holy Bishop , wishing euill to themselues if they dealt falsely : The first , that he would be burnt : The second , that he should die of the falling euill , or some other detestable disease : The third wished his eyes out of his head . But Gods diuine reuenge not sleeping , the first with al his house , kinsfolkes and substance , was burnt by one sparke that fell from a candle : The second was taken with a most grieuous disease , which entred vpon his whole body : The third forthwith confesseth the deceitfull dealing , and fraudulent proceeding , ceased not to weepe and shed teares , vntill he perceiued with his teares to lose the strength and sight of his eyes . These torments of few , may be examples for all .

THE VNHAPPY ENDS OF ARCH-HERETICKES .

ALthough God almighty punisheth and scourgeth his seruants and children ; yet alwayes at last he casteth the rod into the fire : Deut. 32. Laudate Gentes populum eius , quia sanguinem seruorum suorum vlciscetur , & vindictam retribuet in hostes eorum . You Gentiles praise his people , because he will reuenge the bloud of his seruants , and will repay vengeance vpon their enemies .

This thing is manifest by that which is aboue-written . And it may further appeare by the vnhappy and miserable ends of Apostataes and Arch-heretiques . As first of SIMON MAGVS , when he began to flie , he was throwne downe by the prayers of Saint Peter , brake his legges , and a little after died with great ignominy . Hegesip . lib. 3. cap. 2. de excid . Hierosol . & Arnob. lib. 2. contra Gentes .

MANICHAEVS was flayed aliue by the King of Persians , not for his Heresie , or his faith and religion ; but for that taking in hand to cure the Kings sonne , he killed him . Epiphan. haeres. 66.

MONTANVS , THEODORVS , and their prophetesses hanged themselues . Euseb. lib. 5. hist. cap. 16.

Certaine Donatistes , when they did cast the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist to the dogs , were of the same dogs torne in peeces . Optat. lib. 2. contra Parmenianum .

ARIVS , when hee was going to the Church with great pompe , was sodainly troubled with ache in his belly , and so forced to diuert a priuy , or house of office , and there together with his excrements , auoided both his entrailes and his life . Witnesse S. Athanasius Orat. 1. contra Arianos , & Ruffin . lib. 10. histor. cap. 13.

IVLIAN the Apostata was slaine from heauen miraculously : he was neuer buried , but ( as saith S. Gregory Nazianzen in his Oration , made in praise of S. Athanasius , neere the end ) the earth of it selfe opened , and swallowed him vp .

VALFNS the Arian , which succeeded Iulian in persecuting Catholikes , was burned aliue by the Gothes , which also were Arians . Ruffin . lib. 2. hist. cap. 13.

NESTORIVS perished most miserably , his tongue being eaten and consumed with wormes . Euag. lib. 1. hist. c. 7.

ANASTATIVS the Emperour , a fauourer of the E●tichian Heretikes , was killed with lightning , as write Cedronus and Paul the Deacon , in his life .

LEO ICONOMACHVS , that is , Image-breaker , burned sacred Images in the open market place of Constantinople . Presently after which fact , the pestilence consumed three hundred thousand people in Constantinople . See the Chronicle of Matth. Palmer . Anno DCC . XLI .

TO OMIT MANY OTHERS , AND TO ASCEND TO THE MONSTERS of our age .

LVTHER died sodainly , for hauing supped very delicately and pleasantly , being in perfect health , and hauing delighted all his company with merry conceits ; the same night he died . Coclaeus in vita Lutheri .

ZVINGLIVS was slaine in war , which he made against Catholikes , and a little after , his brother Oecolampadius going to bed in good health , one night , was found dead by his wife in the morning . Coclaeus in act . Luth. an. 1531.

ANDREAS CAROLOSTADIVS , the Ministers of Basil write to haue been killed of a Diuell , in their Epistle of the death of Carolostadius .

IOANNES CALVINVS was eaten and consumed of wormes , and died as did Antiochus , Hunery , Maximinus , &c. as witnesseth Hieronymus Bolsecus in his life , who also addeth that the Arch-heretique died blaspheming , cursing , and inuocating Diuels . This Heretique , that besides his other heresies , denied prayer to Saints , at his death prayeth vnto Diuels .

To all these former examples , we might adde infinit more of notorious persecutors , and enemies of Gods Church , which all came to miserable ends : and so shall all others come to confusion which hate Sion , which oppose themselues against Gods Church and Kingdome , which our Sauiour hath built vpon a firme Rocke , and therefore no stormes , windes or tempests can ouerthrow it . Matth. 16. 18. Port● inferi non praeualebunt aduersus eam . The gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against it , as hath promised our Sauiour . Whatsoeuer the diuell can doe by Tyrants , Heretickes , or any other aduersaries against this Church , it standeth immoueable , Deus fundauit eam in aeternum . God hath founded it for euer , Psal. 47. Saint Augustine expoundeth this of the Church of God . This Church is Gods Kingdome , whereof it is said , Luk. 1. & Regni eius non erit finis , and of his Kingdome shall be no end . Of this Kingdome it is said , Dan. 2. In diebus autem regnorum eorum , suscitabit Deus coeli regnum , quod in aeternum non dissipabitur , & regnum eius alteri populo non tradetur , comminuet & consum●t vniuersa regna haec , & ipsum stabit in aeternum . This Kingdome then of God , his Catholike Church , shall stand and continue for euer . No tyrannie nor persecution can destroy this Church , no it cannot diminish , but rather encrease it , as euidently hath beene seene in all ages . And this is that Saint Leo writeth , Ser. 1. de Petro & Paulo , in these words : Non minuitur persecutionibus Ecclesia , sed augetur , & semper dominicus ager segete ditiori vestitur , dum grana quae singula cadunt , multiplicata naseuntur . The Church is not diminished by persecution , but increased , and alwaies our Lords field is clothed with richer graine , whilest the graine , which one by one doe fall into the ground , doe spring vp multiplied .

And although God almighty sometime leaueth some particular country and people for heresie and sinne ; yet he will still haue his Church , he wil raise others , and call other countries , as we may see after the fall of the Church in Africk , and some parts of the East , many other goodly Kingdomes and Prouinces were presently conuerted to the faith of Christ , heere in the West-Church , as in Ecclesiasticall histories may cleerely be seene . And now since the fall of our Countrey , and some other places neere vnto vs , from the Catholike faith , wee know that innumerable people in Africk , in the East and West Indies are conuerted to this same Catholike Church , and true faith of Christ : whereby wee see verified that dreadfull threate of our Sauiour Christ , Auferetur a vobis regnum Dei , & dabitur genti facienti fructus eius . This Kingdome , that is , the preaching of the Gospell , is taken from vs , because we brought not forth the fruits of it , and squared not our liues according to the rules thereof . Therefore God hath take from vs our true Teachers , and lawfull Pastors , hauing lawfull mission and vocation , without which none euer preached or taught Catholike truth , but were brochers of seditious doctrine and pernicious heresie , as we now see by lamentable experience in these parts of Christendom .

This considered , I hope all good Catholikes and seruants of Christ ; which are in the lap of the Catholike Church , will be of good comfort , cleaue vnto this Rocke , the piller and foundation of truth , as the Apostle calleth it . In so doing they shall neuer be drowned in the waues of Heresie and Infidelitie . If some Catholikes , either out of feare of imprisonment , or losse of their temporalties , fall from this Church , God almightie will call others , yea euen Puritanes , and other seduced soules . These will he call to the knowledge of his truth , these will he gather into his Church ; and these once seeing what a singular benediction , what a soueraigne benefit it is , to bee within the house of God , which is his Church , will for euer laude and praise his holy name therefore : Those will say with the royall Prophet , Psal. 83. Melior est dies vna in atrijs tuis super millia . Better is one day in thy Courts aboue a thousand , and beati qui habitant in dome tua Domine ▪ in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te : blessed are they which dwell in thy house , O Lord ; for euer and euer they will praise thee : and Elegi abiectus esse , &c. I had rather be an abiect in the house of our Lord , then to dwell in the Tabernacles of sinners . And therefore vnderstanding the greatnesse of this benefit , they will pray with the same holy Prophet , Psal. 23. Vnam petij a domino hanc requiram vt in habitem in domo domini omnibus diebus vitae meae . One thing haue I besought of our Lord ; and this will I aske againe , that I may dwell in the house of our Lord all the dayes of my life . Out of this house , that is , the Catholike Church , there is no meanes of saluation , neither by preaching , nor by Sacraments ; out of this Church no remission of sinnes , out of this Church no good worke can be meritorious of euerlasting life : Whosoeuer falleth out of this Church , as he cannot merite by any good worke of prayer , fasting , or almes , because he is not in state of grace ; so he loseth the merite of all his former good workes , though neuer so many . What losse can euer be comparable to this ? Whosoeuer falleth out of this Church ▪ Ioseth the communion of Saints , setteth himselfe out of Gods grace , sauour , and protection out of the patrociny of Angels and Saints ; such cannot be Gods children , but his enemies , such can receiue no influence of Gods grace , no sanctification , no justification , no comfort of the holy Ghost : such can haue no peace or quiet of conscience : such as be out of Gods Church , cannot presume God will heare their prayers , according to that , Psal. 65. Iniquitatem si aspexi in corde meo , non exaudiet deus : Such as are not capable of any Sacrament , and consequently , not of saluation : such as die out of this Church , without doubt perish euerlastingly .

If then , as I said before , Catholikes doe not weigh these things , but for feare of temporall losses , or discommoditie , fall out of this Church , God almightie will call vnto him others , which are yet seduced and blinded with heresie and sinne . These after their calling to so great grace , after their soules and hearts are illuminated , will take wonderfull comfort in so inexplicable a benefit , as this of their vocation and justification . These will be feruent and deuout in Gods seruice , these wil neuer cease to laude and praise his holy name : these will neuer suffer themselues to be seperated from almighty God againe : these will contemne life , goods , friends , lands and all , for this inestimable Iewell : these like to the Primitiue Christians , wil neuer be daunted with persecution , but will rejoyce in it , both in respect of grace , Gods greatest treasure they receiue in this life , and glory , that most ample reward they expect in the next world .

And therefore to conclude , let none be discouraged with feare of persecution or troubles : for whatsoeuer thou shalt lose in this life , thou shalt receiue it euen heere an hundred fould , and also a crowne of glory in the Kingdom of heauen . And therfore I say with S. Cyprian , Non vereamur occidi quos constat cum occidimur coronari . Let vs not feare to be murthered , whom when we are murdered , certain it is we are crowned . We should be so far from being terrified with persecution as we should exceedingly reioyce in it : Gaudete & exultate ( saith our Sauiour ) qu●niam merces v●stra copiosa est in coelis . be glad and reioyce , for your reward is very great in heauen . To suffer persecution willingly and joyfully for Christs cause , for the profession of the Catholike faith , is our glory : and the Apostle saith , Absit mihi gloriari nisi in Cruce Domini nostri Iesu Christi . God forbid I should glory in any thing , but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ . The Crosse is the most precious Iewell of our Sauiour Christ : and of this Iewell he alwaies giueth the greatest portions to his dearest friends . Let vs therefore amids our greatest crosses and tribulations be of good comfort ; there is no better signe of our election and predestination , then ( liuing in Gods grace and fauour , and keeping our selues in the vnity and obedience of our holy Mother the Catholike Church ) to be diuers wayes afflicted and persecuted , to be robbed and spoiled , belied and slandered by the enemies of Gods eternall truth . Let vs not suffer for theft , for murther , for other criminall matters , but if it be for Catholike religion , for obedience to our lawfull Pastors , and spirituall guides , which doe watch ouer vs , as bound to render an account for our soules , according to the Apostle , Hebr. 13. 17. Obedite praepositis vestris , &c. Let vs not be ashamed , but esteeme our selues euen blessed in this life , as our Sauiour pronounceth of vs . And the more we shall suffer for so glorious a cause , so much more happy we shall be : for there is no proportion betwixt our present sufferings , and the future rewards . Non sunt condigne passiones huius temporis ad futuram gloriam . The passions of this time are not condigne to the glory to come , that shall be reuealed in vs . Rom. 8. 18. Let vs then reioyce in tribulation , and nothing doubt but that our mercifull Lord who sends it , will likewise send comfort with it . 2. Cor. 17. Sicut socij est is passionum , sic eritis & consolationis in Christo Iesu Domino nostro . As you are fellowes of his passions , so also shall you be of consolation in Christ Iesus , &c. And againe Sicut abundant passionis Christi in nobis : ita & per Christum abundat consolatio nostra . As the passions of Christ abound in vs , so also by Christ aboundeth our consolation , as most excellently writeth the Apostle Saint Paul , 2. Cor. 1. 5. To make an end , let vs reioyce in tribulation , at least esteeme it all joy when we fall into diuers temptations , as exhorteth blessed Saint Iames , chap. 1. 2. But if wee doe finde in our selues this imperfection , that we cannot reioyce in crosses and troubles , neither yet haue that high esteeme of it , as we ought , at least let vs dispose our selues to patience , for such as lose patience , as out of feare fall away : the Angel , or rather our Sauiour Christ saith in the Apocalyps , Their part shall be in the burning lake , Apocal. 31. 8. And that which may most encourage vs , is that comfortable assertion of our Sauiour Christ , often repeated in the Apocalyps , Qui vicerit dabo ei edere Mannae absc●nditum , &c. He that shall ouercome , I will giue him to eate hidden Manna . Qui vicerit dabo ei edere de ligno vitae quod est in Paradiso . Hee that shall ouercome , I will giue him to eate of the tree of life , which is in Paradise . Happy are they that shall feed of this heauenly bread , and that shall eate of this delicate fruite , for they shall liue for euer .

This which hath been said may not only be of great force to confirme the obedient , and resolute children of Gods Church , but also may auaile much to confound such as liue in Schisme , and participate with Heretikes in their execrable seruice and Sacraments , contrary to their consciences . Whom , besides these former points , I beseech in the bowels of Iesus Christ , to reflect vpon the vncertainty of this life , and the vanitie of all earthly things ; vpon Gods seuere judgements executed vpon rebellious and schismaticall people ; vpon the foure last things , to wit , Death , Iudgement , Heauen and Hell : vpon the constancie of innumerable most glorious Martyrs of either sexe , &c. And they cannot , considering these things with serious attention , they cannot possibly ( I say ) continue longer in Schisme , but with all speed reconcile themselues to almightie God and his Church . And that this ( I say ) may take better effect with them . I will conclude with those two excellent sayings of Saint Augustine , most worthy to be noted .

Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites non solum omnes Paganos sed etiam Iud●os , Haereticos ▪ atque Schism 〈◊〉 , qui extra Ecclesiam Catholicam praesentem fini●●●t vitam in ignem aeternum ituro● , qui paratus est Diabolo & Angelis eius . B. August : lib. de fide ad Petrum . Hould most firmely , and in no wise doubt , that not only all Pagans , but also all Iewes , Heretickes and Schismatickes , which out of the Catholike Church end this present life , shall goe into euerlasting fire , which is prepared for the Diuell and his Angels . And the other :

Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites quemlibet haereticum , atque schismaticum in nomine Patris & Filij & Spiritus sancti baptizatum , si Ecclesiae Catholicae non fuerit aggregatus , quantascunque eleemosynas fecerit , etsi pro Christi nomine etiam sanguinem fuderit , nullatenus posse saluari : Omni enim homini qui Ecclesiae non tenet vnitatem , neque baptismus , neque eleemosyna quantumlibet copi●sa , neque mors pro Christi nomine suscepta proficere potest ad salutem , quamdiu in eo haeretica , vel schismatica prauitas perseuerat , quae ducit ad mortem .

Hould most firmely , and no waies doubt , that euery Heretick and Schismaticke baptised in the name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and of the holy Ghost , if he be not joyned to Gods Church , how great almes soeuer hee giue , and although he shed his bloud for Christs sake , can no wayes bee saued : for euery man that holdeth not the vnitie of the Church , neither baptisme nor almes , although neuer so great , neither death suffered for Christs cause , can profit vnto saluation , as long as hereticall lewdnesse perseuereth in him , which leadeth vnto death .

Finally , for such as are within the lappe of the Catholike Church , I beseech them to square their liues according to the precepts and rules of Catholike religion , which induce to holines and perfection of life ; and I say vnto them with the Apostle . Abijciamus opera tenebrarum , & induamur arma lucis , sicut in die honeste ambulemus , non in comm●ssationibus , & ebri●tatibus : non in cubilibus & impudicitijs : non in contentione , & aemulatione , sed induimini Iesum Christum . Let vs cast away the workes of darknes ▪ and put on the armour of light , let vs walke honestly as in the day time , not in banquetting and drunkennesse , not in champering and immundicities , not in contention and emulation , but doe you on our Lord Iesus Christ . Rom. 13. It is not enough to be in the Catholike Church , vnlesse we liue according to the rules of our Catholike religion . If we giue our selues to sensuality and voluptuousnesse , if we sticke not to commit grieuous and enormious sinnes ; yea , if we endeuour not to liue vertuously , godly and vprightly , wee cannot hope to be saued : for as saith Saint Augustine most excellently , Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites non omnes qui intra Ecclesiam Catholicam baptizantur , accepturos esse vitam aeternam : sed eos qui percepto baptismate recte viuunt , id est , qui absti●uerunt se à vitijs & concupiscentijs carnis . Regnum enim coelorum sicut Infideles , Haeretic● atque Schismatici non habebunt : sic Catholici criminosi possidere non poterunt . Hould it most firely , and doubt not any waies , that not all which are baptised within the Catholike Church shall receiue life euerlasting : but they which being baptised liue well , that is , which haue abstained from vices and desires of the flesh . For the Kingdome of heauen , as faithlesse Heretikes and Schismatikes shall not haue ; so sinfull Catholikes cannot possesse . God almighty vouchsafe to grant , that we which be Catholikes , may so order and dispose our liues , as may be to the glory of God , edification of others , and saluation of our owne soules .

PRAYERS FOR CONVERSION OF HERETIKES AND SCHISMATIKES .

OMnipotens aeterne Deus , erue quaesimus Haereticos atque Schismaticos ab erronibus vniuersis , & ad sanctam Matrem Ecclesiam Catholicam atque Apostolicam reuocare digneris . Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum qui tecum viuit & regnat in saecula saeculorum . Amen .

Alia oratio .

OMnipotens aeterne Deus , qui saluas omnes , & neminem vis periro , respice ad animas , diabolica fraude deceptas , vt omni haeretica prauitate deposita , errantium corda recipiscant , & ad veritatis tuae redeant vnitatem . Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum , &c.

Alia oratio .

DEus qui errata corrigis , & dispersa congregas , & congregata conseruas , quaesumus super populum Christianum tuae vnionis gratiam clementer infunde : vt diuisione rejecta vero Pastori Ecclesiae tuae se vniens , tibi digne valeat famulari . Per Dominum nostrum , &c.

OF THE TEMPORALL PROSPERITIE AND FELICITIE OF THEM WHICH haue defended the Church .

WE haue seene to what miserable destruction diuers notorious enemies of God and his Church haue fallen : I could haue added hereunto most memorable examples of meaner , but yet honorable and worshipfull Families , as also of diuers . Countries , Kingdomes and Peoples , which either in respect of their reuolt from the Catholike Church , or their opposition against the same , haue come to vtter ruine and desolation . And is not this that the Prophet Isay , or rather God almightie , by the Prophet threatneth , Isai. 60. 12. Gens , & Regnum quod non seruierit tibi peribit , The Nation & Kingdom which will not serue thee shall perish : that is , such Kingdomes and People as will not subject themselues to the yoke of Christ , and obedience of his Church , shall perish . Were not the most flourishing parts of the world for their fall to Arianisme , Donatisme , Nestorianisme , and other condemned heresies , for a just punishment of God ouer-runne and brought to desolation by the Sarazens , and by infinite barbarous and sauage people , Gothes , Vandals , Hunnes , Alanes , and others ?

All Histories are full of these matters , expressely setting downe the cause of the ouerthrow of so many goodly countries in Asia , but especially Africa ; and in Europe , as Italy , Spaine , France , Germany , England , with other more .

Were not these goodly parts of the world , neere about vs , together with al Africa , ouerrun and destroyed by the Goths , Vandals , and other barbarous people , for Schisme and Haeresie ? Were not the Britons in this Iland , after they were infect with the Heresie of Pelagius , thrust out of their seates , most of them destroyed , and the remnant driuen into the barrennest parts of the Iland by the Saxons ? And I should neuer make an end , if I should proceed to bring so many instances in this point , as are recorded in all sorts of Chronicles and writings extant in the world .

But now let vs relate some few examples of so many of the temporall prosperitie , and happy successe of such Princes as adhered to the Church , honored and defended it .

First , those noble victories are well knowne which are recorded in the old Testament , as the victories of Abraham , Moses , Iosua , Gedeon , Samuel , Dauid , Ezechias , Iosias , and the Machabees .

In the new Testament , that is , in the Law of Grace , Constantine the Great , which first of all the Emperours publikely defended the Church , almost in like sort vanquished Maxentius , as Moses did Pharao ; for Maxentius was drowned in Tyber , as Pharao in the Red-sea . Euseb. lib. 9. hist. cap. 9. Of him speaketh Saint Augustine , lib. 5. de Ciuitate Dei , cap. 25. Constantine the Emperour not suppliant to Diuels , but worshipping the true God , receiued so many gifts and blessings from God , as none durst presume to wish : this one Augustus held , possessed and defended the whole Romane Empire : In administring and making warre , hee was most victorious ; in vanquishing and repressing Tyrants , wonderfull prosperous ▪ being of great yeares , hee died of sicknesse and old age , and left sonnes three , Emperours , to succeed him .

Of THEODOSIVS the elder , in the same place writeth the same S. August . cap. 26. that he had wonderfull successe in all his affaires , because he was very pious and Catholike : that in the battels he fought with his enemies , their owne weapons , darts and arrowes , were retorted vpon the authors , God almighty fighting for him . Moreouer , L. Theodoret , in his fift booke of history , cap. 24. reporteth that S. Iohn and S. Philip the Apostles , appeared fighting for the Emperour Theodosius in the same battell , riding vpon white horses .

Of HONORIVS also , who was a most Catholike Emperour , and most addicted to the Pope , as in his epistles to Pope Boniface appeareth , as writeth S. Aug. l. 5. de ciuit . Dei , c. 23. that God did so fight for him , as in one battell he slew of the Gothes aboue an hundred thousand , and did take Radagaisus the King , with his sons , and put him to death : and ( which was most admirable ) there was not so much as one of his armie either killed or wounded .

Of THEODOSIVS the yonger , writeth Socrat. l. 7. hist. cap. 18. that his armie skirmishing with the Barbarians , and himselfe in the meane space making his prayers vnto God within the city , about an hundred thousand of the Sarazens were beaten and driuen by Angels into the riuer Euphrates , and so perished miserably .

IVSTINTAN the elder , whilest he was Catholike raigned most prosperously , in so much as he restored to the Romane Empire-Italy , Africk and many other Prouinces , as appeareth in Euagrius l. 4. hist. c. 26. & sequentibus . But after he became an Heretike , and purposed to set forth an Edict for receiuing of his heresie , forthwith he died suddenly , and so deliuered the Church from great feare , as writeth the same Euagrius , lib. 4. cap. vlt.

HERACLIVS also , as appeareth in Zonoras , and other Historiographers , whilest he was Catholike got a most honorable and admirable victory against the Persians , and recouered the holy Crosse , at which time the state of the Roman Empire was altogether desperate ; but after he fell into the heresie of the Monothelites , he euer had euil successe , nothing euer succeeding with him , and himselfe was extinct of a new and strange disease .

Also it is manifest by the histories of the Greekes , that the Emperours of the East , from that time , by reason of the dissension about Images , they diuided themselues from the Church of Rome , still decreased in power and authority , vntill at last they vtterly lost the Empire . And in the West it is plaine by the histories of the Latins , that the Emperours did more or lesse flourish , as they were more or lesse addicted to the Church of Rome .

In the time of VRBANE the second , vnto the yeare of our Lord M. xcviij . the Christians in that holy war made by the Pope for the recouery of Ierusalem , when they were in most desperate state , because of the approching of an infinite hoste of the Turkes and Persians , and they were but a few in number , and wel-neare sterued for lack of food ; in so much as euen the most valiant and stoutest men did goe leaning vpon their staues , neither had they but a few horses , so as the principall of them , to wit , Godfrey was forced to borow a horse , and many Princes were constrained to ride vpon Asses : at last God reuealed where was the Launce of Christ , and it being carried before them , gaue victory in the warre , in so much as there were slaine of the Turks an hundred thousand , and scarsely foure thousand of the Christians lost . And there fell from heauen a dewe vpon them , which comforted and refreshed both their bodies and their soules . Finally , there appeared from heauen three holy men fighting for them . See Paulus Aemilius lib. 4. Guill . Tyr. lib. 6. neare the end , and Dodechimus , which continueth the story of Marianus Scotus .

In the time of INNOCENTIVS the third , in France , of eight thousand Catholikes , were slaine in one battell an hundred thousand of the Albigensian Heretikes , as writeth Aemilius , lib 6. hist. Francor .

In our daies , 1531. the Catholikes of Heluetia fought fiue battels in defence of the Catholike faith , against the Heretikes of Heluetia , and in euery one of them the Catholikes got the victory , whereas they were both in number and power farre inferiour to the Heretikes . See Io. Coclaeus in Act. Lutheri . 1531.

CHARLES the fift got a victory against the Lutherans , not without a miracle from heauen . Anno 1547.

Many other miraculous victories which the Catholikes haue got against Heretikes , both in France and other parts , might hereunto be annexed ; but let these suffice .

Regi saeculorum immortali & inuisibili , s●lt Deo honor & gloria in saecula saeculorum . Amen .
THE ENDS OF BVRDEN OF DOVER , AND OTHERS HIS ASSOCIATS , WHICH IN THE beginning of Queene ELIZABETHS Raigne , went to Canterbury from Douer in derision and lewde sort , to take their leaue of diuers Catholikes of Canterbury . Burden was the Controwler of the Custome in Douer .

1 BVRDEN being their Pope , within a few yeares after died at Douer in most lothsome and miserable sort , his friends which came to visite him , were not able to abide the intollerable stincke of his body .

2 STORER a Preacher , which caried the Pix , with some filthy thing in it ; in their Procession died at Maydston in Kent , being the Preacher of that towne ; he rotted from the toe vpwards vntill he died : he did sauour so , as he was lothsome to all that in good will came to visite him in his sickenesse , and so most miserably died at Maydston .

3 ROGER WOOD , the Towne-clerke of Douer being the Crosse-bearer , died in Smith field at London , foming at the mouth , with his tongue hanging out in lothsome sort , as bigge swolne as a bullocks tongue , and died most miserably with his tongue hanging out of his mouth .

4 MINGE ▪ a Iurate of Douer , another of that lewde company , himselfe sitting at table eating , the loft ouer him fell downe , and pressed him to death . His house was at the Peter at Douer , where this befell him .

5 IOHN ROBBINS ▪ a Iurate of Douer , another of this company , being at Dunkyrk in Flanders , and putting his barke from the kaye of Dunkyrk , fell into the water , and bet