T. Stapleton and Martiall (two popish heretikes) confuted, and of their particular heresies detected. By D. Fulke, Master of Pembrooke hall in Cambridge. Done and directed to all those that loue the truth, and hate superstitious vanities. Seene and allowed

CAP. VIII.

Differences betweene the former faith of Catholikes, and the late newes of Protestants, concerning the gouernement and ru∣lers of the Church.

The 30. difference is Synodes of the Cleargie, which is a lewd and impudent slaunder, for we allowe them, and vse them, as all the world knoweth: but (saith he) no conclusion is made in them, but such as pleaseth the Parleament. This is a false lye, for although no constitution made in the conuocation, hath the force of a lawe, except it be confirmed by Parleament, yet many constitutions and Canons haue bene made, that

were neuer confirmed by Parleament.

The 31. difference is imposition of handes, which is a meere slaunder, for that cerimonie is vsed of vs in or∣deining of Ministers, likewise where he saith, that whē all the Popish Bishops were deposed, there was none to lay handes on the Bishops that should be newely consecrated, it is vtterly false. For there was one of the Popish Bishops that continued in his place, there were also diuers that were consecrated Bishops in King Ed∣wardes time, and although there had bene but one in that time of reformation, it had been sufficient by his owne Gregories resolution, Bed. lib. 1. cap. 27. An other example is Lib. 3. cap. 28. of Ceadda Archbishop of Yorke, consecrated by Wini Bishop of the West Sax∣ons assisted by two Bryton Bishops, that were not sub∣iect to the see of Rome: Bicause at that time, there was neuer a Bishop of the Romish faction in England but this Wini, who was also a Simoniake, and bought the Bishoprike of London for money. I speake not this, as though in planting of the Church, where it hath bene long time exiled, an extraordinarie forme of ordaining were not sufficient, but to shewe that the Papistes doe picke quarels, contrarie to their owne pretended recordes of antiquitie, and Catholike reli∣gion.

Where he inueigheth against the vnsufficiencie of a number of our Ministers, which are come out of the shop into the Cleargie, without giftes sufficient for that calling, as I can not excuse them, nor their ordei∣ners, so I dare be bolde to affirme, they are no worse either in knowledge or conuersation, then the huge rable of hedge Priestes of Poperie.

The 32. difference, that such Bishops as were created by the Archbishops of Canterburie and Yorke, were created by the appointment of the Pope. This is a shamelesse lye, for which he can bring no colour, ei∣ther out of the first sixe hundreth yeares, or out of Bedes historie. Where he saith, If it can be shewed by a∣ny

historie, that at any time by the meere temporall authoritie euer any Catholike Bishops were created, he d••re yelde and graunt that ours are lawfull Bishops. For aunswere, that Catholike Bishops of olde by as meere temporall au∣thoritie were created, as any are created among vs, I referre him to Bede lib. 3. cap. 7. & 29. lib. 4. cap. 23. of Agilbert and Wini by authoritie of Sonwalch, Wighard nominated by authoritie of Oswine and Eg∣bert, Ostfor consecrated at the commaundement of king Edilred, beside Wini made Bishop of London for money by Wulfher king of Mercia, which authori∣tie he could not haue abused, except it had bene in him lawfully to vse.

The 33. difference is, that Princes had not the su∣preme gouernement in ecclesiastical causes. For proofe whereof, he alledgeth Gregorie Nazianzen, and Saint Ambrose, both which speake not of chiefe authoritie, but of knowledge of spirituall matters, which is not to be sought ordinarily in Princes, but in the Clear∣gie. Secondly, he citeth Caluine and Illyricus, which do write against such ciuill Magistrates, as thinke by their supremacie, they haue absolute authoritie to de∣cree what they wil in y^e Church, wheras we in England neuer attribute so much to the Princes authoritie, but that we alwayes acknowledge it to be subiect to God and his word. The Papistes right well vnderstand this distinction, but it pleaseth them to vse this ambiguitie of supreme authoritie, to abuse the ignorance of the simple.

The 34. difference is, that the Bishops and godly men in matters of doubt counselled with the Pope of Rome, so did the Pope of Rome with them, while there was any modestie in him, so did Pope Sergius aske counsel of poore Beda. Math. West. Nay, but Saint Hierome so well learned, consulted with Pope Dama∣sus, which entred his See with the slaughter of sixtie persons. I might aunswere, that Damasus also asked counsell of Saint Hierome. So that in him which is

consulted, there is rather opinion of knowledge, then of authoritie. But Hierome confesseth, that he will not separate him selfe from the Church of Rome, &c. Ep. ad. Dam. 2. So long as the Church of Rome was the Church of Christ, there was great cause he should ioyne with it. But nowe is it ceased to be the spouse of Christ, and is become an adulteresse, as the prophete saith of Ierusalem, yea it is become Babylon, the mo∣ther of all abhominations, and therefore that heauen∣ly voice commaundeth all Christians to depart out of her. But concerning the Popes authoritie, I haue aunswered at large to D. Sanders rocke of the Popish Church.

The 35. difference, but I knowe not howe it diffe∣reth, is the Popes authoritie abolished, by whom Chri∣stianitie was first in this land receiued. It is wel known, that there was Christianitie before Gregorie sent Au∣gustine, not of Popelike authoritie, but of godly zeale as it seemeth to winne the English nation to Christe. After followeth a large complaint, for abolishing the Popes authoritie, a Canon inuectiue against discenti∣ons among vs, and slight fortification of the Popes au∣thoritie, for vnities sake, out of Hierome Cont. Iouinian. & Cyprian de simpl. prael. aunswered at large in the disco∣uerie of D. Sanders Rocke.

The 36. difference, Augustine came first in pre∣sence of the king, with a crosse of siluer, and an image of Christ painted in a table. The Protestants beganne with taking away the crosse, and altering the Letanie. But this part is left vnfortified, except it be with a mar∣ginall note, that Chrysostome vsed in Letanies, crosses of siluer, and burning tapers. In deede I reade Chryso∣stome had certaine candlestickes or cressets of siluer, made in fourme of a crosse, to carie lightes vpon them, in the night season, but not of any tapers burning by day, & caried before the crucifixe after the Popish ma∣ner. Socr li. 6. ca. 8. but hereof ye may see more in mine aunswere to Martials replie. Articl. 7.

The 37. difference Augustine and his companie to the num∣ber of fourtie were Monkes. The first preachers of this no faith were runagate Monkes and Apostate Friers. Their learning, godlinesse, and iust cause of departing out of those Cloysters of vncleane birdes, is sufficiently testified to the world.

The 38. difference, the preachers which were traded vp by them, were of a vertuous, lowly, simple, poore, and meeke con∣uersation. Then were they very vnlike your Popish pre∣lates. But Luther complaineth, that his schollers were more wicked, then vnder the pope. If some were so, it followeth not that all are so. Againe, Beza solde his benefice to two men, if he had no confessed it him selfe, Stapleton might neuer haue knowne of it. Af∣terward he raised rebellion for a signe of his vocation, and persuaded Poltrot to murther the Duke of Guise, or else Stapleton belyeth him. What Mallot and Pieroreli were I knowe not, I doubt not, but they were honester then many Popes haue bene. Knokes was a Galley slaue three yeares. The more wicked those Pa∣pistes which betrayed him into the Galley. The ma∣ster whereof was glad to be rid of him, bicause he ne∣uer had good successe, so long as he kept that holy man in slauerie, whome also in daunger of tempest, though an errant Papist, he would desire to commend him and his Galley to God in his praiers. The eiecti∣on of the Nobles from Zuicherland, is as truely im∣puted to the Zuinglians by your authour Staphylus, as al the rest of his slaunders and monstrous lyes are to be credited, which was done by the Papistes in that countrie, almost two hundreth yeares before Zuin∣glius was borne. Christerne King of Denmarke, was expelled his realme for his tyrannie, by all the states, before they receiued the Gospell. Howe dutifull the doing of the Protestants in Fraunce hath bene, let the kinges owne actes of Pacification testifie, which al∣wayes dischargeth them of rebellion, and acknow∣ledgeth all that they haue done, to haue bene done

in his seruice.

The 39. difference, voluntarie pouertie in Augustine not found in the first planters of this newe trim tram. A matter worthie to be aunswered with a whim wham. It were easie to shewe howe many haue forsaken great digni∣ties and liuings among the Papistes, to become poore preachers of the Gospell.

Notes

• Stapleton.
• Fulke.