The bee hiue of the Romishe Church a com[m]entarie vpon the sixe principall pointes of Master Gentian Heruet, a Romish Catholike his booke, which is deuided into sixe partes, as in the argument doth appeare. And an epistle made by the authour of this booke vnto Franciscus Sonnius, late Bishop of Antwerpe. Translated out of Dutch into English, by George Gylpen the elder.

Here followeth the ex∣position vpon the third part of Gen∣tianus Haruets Epistle: wherin is trea∣ted of Auricular confession, of the Sacraments, of Matrimonie, of Con∣firmation, and of the holy Anointment. (Book 3)

The first Chapter. Of Auricular confession, and howe necessarie it is, and of establishing the same by the Scriptures.

* 1.1HEre now doth followe the third part of the Epistle of Gentianus, wherein he doth declare himself great¦lie to wonder, that these new Preachers of the gos∣pell will go about to abolish auricular con∣fession. Cockes populorum! But howe would they go to worke? Where our holie mother hath so straightlie cōmanded vpon paine of damnation,* 1.2 That al such as are of both kindes, to wit, male & female, shall as∣soone as he or she is come to yeeres of dis∣cretion, confesse them selues to their owne Curate of all their sins, at lest once a yere: vnderstanding the same alway of deadlie sinnes only, as is set forth by the glosse vp∣on the text: because daily and perdonable sinnes are with a Pater noster, or with a

sprinckle full of holy water, cleane washed away.

I maruell, howe these Heretikes can speake against this. For were it not euen as much as though they would put out both the eies of our mother the holie church? For vndoubtedly, this auricular confession is worthe two paire of eies to her. For by the one, she can see, perceiue & learne al the secret determinations, counsels, and pre∣tences of all Kings, Princes and Poten∣tates of Christendome: by reason whereof she is come to a peaceable possession & en∣ioying of her authoritie and gouernement ouer all Countries and Kingdomes: And by the other she can see and creepe euen in∣to the verie bottome of the bosomes of yong maides, simple and sorrowful wiues, and widdowes, and so grope out and vn∣derstand all their secrets: and then enioyne them such friendlie penaunce, that their troubled consciences are thereby comfor∣ted, and their sorrowfull heartes made ioy∣full. O good Lord! How often haue these holy Priests and Friers giuen (vnder con∣fession) good wholesome counsell to the sorrowfull barren wiues, whereby they haue afterwardes become blyth mothers,

and haue euer after borne an inward loue towardes their holie ghostlie fathers, euen as though it were to their owne husbands.

Yea, there is at this present a good ho∣lie graie Frier at Brudgesse, called Bro∣ther Cornelius the Whipper, who (by meanes of this holie auriculer confession) did teach a great many of simple womē, to tame and mortifie their fleshe, in this man∣ner: That they for the fulfilling of penance to them inioyned, and to receiue of him ful absolution of their sinnes, haue verie wil∣linglie gon creeping vppon handes and feete, starke naked before that holie ghost∣lie father: and when he did marke anie that the fleshe was not sufficientlie mortified, them did he followe with a rodde in his hand, and whipped thē vpon the bare but∣tockes, till they had thereby done suffici∣ent penance.

By the same token, that hee is yet at this houre called, Brother Cornelis the whipper, and is verie well beloued in the towne of Brudgesse, where the women are verie deuoute to do such penance.

Consider now, if that auricular confessiō had bene pulled downe, howe could he haue brought those good women to such a de∣uout

mortification and penaunce? Howe shoulde our deare mother the holie Church bring into the right path, that goodlie and friendly congregation of women, whiche Pope Clement did commaunde, if it were not by that holie auriculer confession? So that truely, Nectarius Bishop of Con∣stantinople was muche to blame,* 1.3 for dis∣anulling auriculer confession, onelie be∣cause there was a Deacon or a Priest, whiche had shreeuen a woman vnder her smocke.* 1.4 Was not that a straunge matter of the Bishoppe?* 1.5 Surely he must needes haue bene either a Lutherian or a Hugue∣note, seing he had no more regarde too the ordinaunces of his deare mother the holie Church. But I assure you, it goeth now to worke after an other manner, what woulde that Bishoppe haue done, if he had seene brother Cornelis the whipper, and such other good felowes, Surely he would haue driuen auriculer confession with all that baggadge to the gallowes.* 1.6 Seing he was so earnestly moued for such a smell matter. But we will let him alone with a morren. And although Chrisostome was of the same opinion, and did directly with∣stande auriculer confession, yet notwith∣standing

we haue nothing to do therwithal, we will sticke to and keepe fast our auri∣cular confession: yea, and though all the Doctours of the Churche, shoulde runne madde. For when all is saide, it were al∣most as good that the Masse should be put downe and buried for euer, as that there shoulde be no auricular confession. Our deare mother the holie Church will take heede to that, she wil not put downe nor suf∣fer to be ouerthrowen, such a trimme and necessarie thing as that is, to please these Heretikes: especially seeing she can de∣fende it by holy Scripture, aswell as any article before specified, as you may clearly see out of the doctrine of Maister Gentia∣nus Haruet.

* 1.7Is it not written, (saith he,) Whose sinnes soeuer you doe forgeue, the same shall be forgeuen. Now they cannot for∣geue without hauing knowledge first of the matter: and the matter cannot come to anie knowledge, but by confession, made either openly or in secrete. And therefore without doubt (sayth he) au∣ricular or secrete confession is muche more comly and honest, than open cō∣fession. Consider well of this matter

(gentle Reader,) here the matter is so cleare, that a blinde man may see it aswell in the darke as without a candle. For not∣withstanding that Christ speakes there of ministring & preaching the gospel,* 1.8 where∣by the forgiuenesse of sins is pronounced vnto all those that beleeue: as he himselfe doth expounde it, saying: That Paule shall open the eyes of the blinde,* 1.9 to the end they may turne from the darkenesse, to the light, and from the power of the di∣uel, vnto God, so that they may obteine forgiuenesse of their sinnes, and so bee partakers with them, whiche are by be∣liefe in Iesus Christ, made holie. Wher∣vpon Paule plainely sayeth, That he hath folowed this commaundement, not by con∣fessing of women secretly in their eares, but by preaching and setting foorth of the Gospell, and the forgiuenesse of sinnes. And whereas Chrysostome and all the olde Fathers haue so vnderstoode and set it foorth: yet notwithstanding,* 1.10 since that the holie Churche hath vnburthened all Bi∣shops, Priestes, Ministers, and Officers of the Church, of their charge of preaching, and haue geuen the same to images and Sainctes made of stockes and stones, to

be bookes and preachers to the Laie peo∣ple. The time and matter is much altered: And the priestes beginne to finde a good taste in this auriculer confession. They haue blowen this forgeuing of sinnes in at the eares. They geue thee absolution with a Crosse, alledging and setting foorth the woordes of Christ, for proofe thereof. So that it is not to be merueiled at, that our Maister Gentian doeth so glorie of this Text, and will with that plainly prooue au∣riculer confession: Notwithstanding that the holie Churche hath many other cleare Textes of the Scripture, whereby to proue and establish the same.

As for example: whereas Christ sayde to the Lepre, after that he had made him whole:* 1.11 Goe and shewe thy selfe to the Priest, and offer thine offering accor∣ding as Moises hath commaunded. For that is onely thus to be vnderstood: Goe hence and shriue thy selfe vnto thine owne Ghostly Father, and doe such pe∣nance, as he shall enioyne you. And the like,* 1.12 where Saint Iames saith, Confesse your sinnes one to an other, By that did Iames meane nothing else, but onely seeke you out a Priest or a Frier, to whom you

may open your minde, and declare vnto him perticulerly al your euil deedes, and he will quickly geue you absolution, es∣pecially, if you let him see a peece of golde. For (by interpretation of our deare mother the holy Churche) One to an other, is as muche to say, as the Priestes and Friers onely. And therefore, where Sainte Iames following right in the same place saith, And pray one for an other, we may very well vnderstand that thus, as though he would say: Pray onelie for Friers and Priestes, that the world may be cleane cleansed of them, and Purgatorie filled with them.

The .2. Chapter. Treating of the Sacrament of seuen orders, & of matri∣monie, & of the holie oyle or oyntment, and of the number of the .vii▪ Sacramentes.

AFter this commes Maister Gentia∣nus to the rest of the Sacramentes,* 1.13 and sayeth thus: As touching the seuen orders, is there not a playne Texte in Saint Paule where hee sayeth:* 1.14 Doe not neglect that which is in thee, whiche is geuen thee by prophesie, and laying on of handes of the Priesthood,* 1.15 for that is asmuch to say, as Take good heede and

see that you doe not take vppon you to be masse Priestes,* 1.16 before you haue bene Porter, Candle bearer, Chorister, or A∣coluthus, Subdeacon and Deacon, for all these must goe before, if you wil haue the other to followe, as we haue hereto∣fore declared by scriptures.* 1.17

Then he doth further declare, that ma∣trimonie is a sacrament,* 1.18 bicause there is written: This is a greate mysterie, I say in Christ Iesus, and the congregation. But I could be very well content, that gentle Gentianus, had helde his tongue there, and neuer haue written so. It is ve∣rye true, that our deare mother the holie church hath bene accustomed heretofore, to bring in the same for a testimonie or witnesse, before that the common sorte had read or were acquainted with the scriptures: but now the time doth not serue any longer to geue men brickbattes for turfes, or to make them beleeue that the Moone is made of greene Cheese: for eue∣rie one will pretend now to know how the world walkes. Therefore he had better haue held his tongue touching this matter. For, to begin withal, an Asse might haue seene and perceiued, that Paule dooth not

there meane anie thing at all of matrimo∣nie: but of the vnitie betweene Christ and his congregation: which he doth name to be A greate or deepe mysterie farre a∣boue the vnderstanding of all men. And besides this, these scornefull Heretikes, will sowe a paire of Asse eares on maister Gentianus head: seeing he did not consi∣der, That herein he doth speake both a∣gainst himselfe, and against our deare mo∣ther the holie Churche, who hath plainly concluded that matrimonie is fleshly, vn∣cleane, and vnholy: and hath for that cause forbidden, that Priestes shall marrie, in∣somuch,* 1.19 that it cannot be a holie Sacra∣mente: or else it muste followe, that Prie∣stes are not woorthie to enioye so holie a Sacrament. And besides that, these He∣retikes will set a paire of spectacles on maister Gentianus nose, to the ende hee may see and perceiue, that if it be so, that Matrimonie bee a Sacramente, then must virginitie or maidenhoode much rather be a holie sacrament, bycause that by our deare mother the holy Church it is much more esteemed thā matrimony, & so there must be eight sacraments. Yea, widowes will come in for their partes,

and challendge viduitie or widowehoode to be a sacrament. So that men shall at the last be forced to regester for sacra∣mentes, all states and calling of men. Wherevpon must needes follow, that our deare mother the holy church hath erred in setting foorth & teaching, that there were onely seauen sacramentes, vnlesse that shee (peraduenture) will haue it vnderstoode, that by the number of seauen shee dooth meane an innumerable number, as by Gentianus reasons appeareth shee dooth, so that by his argument it must followe, That in all places of the scripture, where this woord Misterium, that is to say a mi∣sterie is vsed, that must streight way bee esteemed for a sacrament: and by that or∣der, also must the kingdome of Antichrist and the beast with seauen heades be ac∣compted for sacramentes: So that in the end, we should haue so many sacramentes, that we shoulde not know what to doe with them: but we must go set them out in the Sunne to dry, or lade a great Hulke with them, and send them into Norway: which out of doubt were a greate disorder, and such as might make open to al the worlde the impudencie and shamefulnesse of our

deare mother the holy church of Rome: see∣ing shee hath resolutely set foorth, that there may be no moe but seauen sacra∣mentes. Which thing she hath likewise fetched out of the coffer of the scriptures with hir Allegoricall or Anagogicall key (saith shee) Seuen deadly sinnes.* 1.20 Ergo must there be of necessitie seuen Sa∣cramentes, which must driue away and ouercome the same seuen deadly sinnes. Item there is mention made of seuen Seales, wherewith the booke of the olde Testament was sealed vp. Also there were seuen pillars, wherewith the church was vnderset: how like are they to be the seuen principall of the new Bishops of the base countrey to wit,* 1.21 The Cardinall Grand∣well, the President Viglius, Franciscus, Sonnius, Petrus Cursius, Ioannes Lin∣danus de castro and Fryer Kniefe, Who (I assure you) sticke to their tackling and holde vppe the Romish Church like faste and sure pyllers and proppes for feare shee should fall into the myre. After this like∣wise is mention made of Seuen washings whereby Naaman was healed of his le∣prosie, and likewise of seuen Basens,* 1.22 which the Sonne of Man held in his right hand,

and of Seuen loaues, wherewith Christ fed the multitude of people: & of seuē times going about wherby the towne of Iericho was ouerthrown▪ of seuē eyes in one stone: and lastely, of seuen candles set vpon the tabernacle. For now (saith our mother the holy church) by all these are signifi∣ed and set foorth the seuen doctours of the Romish church, to wit, the foure principall of the scholasticall theologie or diuinitie, as Thomas de Aquino, Ioā∣nes Scotus, Albertus Magnus, and Oc∣cam, together with the two profound in∣terpreters of the masse, namely Rabanus and Durandus, and the Maister of the Sentences called Petrus Lombardus: all which make iust seuen, who should like∣wise set forth and establish in the church of Rome seuen sacramentes.

There may yet be alledged many other examples for the establishing of the num∣ber of seuen Sacraments, to wit, the seuē Psalmes, which serue the soules in Pur∣gatorie for seuē sacramentes.* 1.23 Item the se∣uen diuels which cam to inhabit the house when they found it cleane & emptie: then the seuen sciences: and also the seuen or fiue wittes of our Doctours of Louen, where∣with

they farre excell all the profounde wit and vnderstanding of the Apostles and Prophets, with many other thinges more, which might be broght in: but our mother the holie church of Rome is satisfied with these examples and figures before specifi∣ed. Although yet me thinkes (vnder cor∣rection of my maisters of Louen be it spo∣ken, to whose iudgements I submitte my selfe) that the number of the seuen Sacra∣mentes may best be applied (for that which is written in the Apocalypse, of the beast with seuen heades: or (as heretofore is set foorth) Irenaeus himselfe hath applied this beast to the Romishe churche. And the num¦ber of sixe hundreth sixtie sixe, which is the number of the beast,* 1.24 doe agree very well in one w^t this Greke worde EKKΛHΣIA ITAΛIKA, Ecclesia Italica, which is to say, The Italian or Romish Church. And there is likewise specially spoken of the Character, or marke of the beast: And now our mother the holy church sayth that there is likewise a Charecter or marke in the sacraments. And last of al it is credibly affirmed that it is a mysterie: to wit, Baby¦lon: And nowe will our deare mother cō∣clude, as is apparāt, that matrimonie is a

Sacrament because that this woorde mi∣sterium is playnely set foorth: and then it must of necessitie followe, that here also somewhat is spoken of Sacramentes, see∣yng that this woorde is likewise spoken of here. And so must the beast with seuē heads, vndoubtedly betoken and signifie the Ro∣mish church with her seuen Sacramentes, and with her character or marke. So that maister Gentianus is herein to be blamed, That he hath (to mainteine his argument) vsed this worde misterium for the purpose of matrimonie to be a sacramēt: cōsidering that our deare mother the holie Church hath alwaies vsed the same for her strōgest bulwarke, alledging the same continually,

But herevpon yet might fall out a great question, to wit, how doeth it happen, that men accompt vpon no more, but seuen sa∣cramentes, seeing that yet our deare mo∣ther the holie Church hath ordeined at the least seuen and seuentie Sacramentes, whereof none is conteined vnder anie of these seuen? For on Easter eeuen, when they do blesse the Easter candels, then doth the holie Church offer vnto God the Fa∣ther Fier, for a great rewarde and a holie Sacrament,* 1.25 saying thus:

Te in tuis operibus inuocantes in hac sacratissima noctis vigilia, de donis tuae suppliciter offerimus Maiestati, non adi∣pe carnis pollutum, non prophana vn∣ctione viciatum, non sacrilego igne con∣tactum, sed cera atque stuppa construc∣tum, in tui nominis honore succenssum ignem, obsequio religiosae deuotionis offerimus. Magnum igitur Mysterium, & noctis huius mirabile Sacramentum, dignis necesse est laudibus cumulari.

That is to say:

Calling vpon thee in thy workes, this holie Eeue of Easter, we offer most hum∣bly vnto thy Maiestie, this sacrifice: namely, a fire not defiled with the fat of fleshe, nor polluted with vnholie oyle or oyntment, nor attainted with anie pro∣phane fire: but we offer vnto thee, with obedience, proceeding from perfect de∣uotion, a fire of wrought waxe & weeke, kindled and made to burne in the ho∣nour of thy name. This so great a myste∣rie therefore, and the maruellous sacra∣ment of this holie Eeue, must needes be extolled with due and deserued praises.

Marke well nowe, here is the holy fire, or else surelie the Eeue it selfe, called (not

onlie Mysterium) but also A maruellous Sacrament, and offered vp vnto God for a great present, whereby he is (as in the end is concluded) made verie ioyfull & merie.

* 1.26Likewise, the signe of the Crosse is also called a Sacrament. For vppon the day called Inuentio sanctae crucis, that is, The finding out of the holie crosse, are song by our deare mother the holie church, in a certeine metricall sequence, these words:

Non sunt noua Sacramenta, Nec recenter est inuenta Crucis haec Religio. Ista dulces aquas fecit, Per hanc Silex aquas iecit, Mosis officio. Nulla salus est in domo, Nisi Cruce munit homo superliminaria.

That is to say:

This is no newe made Sacrament, Nor holie crosse doeth represent a late vpstart inuention: This crosse made bitter water sweete, And floudes from rocke of flint to fleete, by Moses priestly function. All health and wealth is turnd to losse, in euerie house and houshold,

Except the signe of holie crosse be set vpon the threshold.

So that the signe of the Crosse must also be a holie sacrament without doubt.

And the like, when they make holie wa∣ter, they pray thus:

Deus, qui ad salutem humani generis maxima quaeque Sacramenta in aquarū substantia condidisti, adesto propitius inuocationibus nostris, & elemento hu∣ic multimodis purificationibus praepa∣rato, virtutem tuae benedictionis ✚ in∣funde: vt creatura Mysterii tui tibi ser∣uiens, ad abiiciendos daemones, mor∣bosque pellendos, diuinae gratiae sumat effectum, &c.

That is to say:

O God, who hast (for the health of mankind) ordeined and made manie sa∣cramentes of the substance of water, ac∣cept mercifullie our prayers, and sende into this water (which is by manie meanes made cleare) the vertue of thy blessing ✚: So that this creature of thy sacrament seruing thee, may receiue per∣fect strength and power, to chace away diuels, and to driue away all diseases & sicknesses, &c.

* 1.27Here is the water likewise called Crea∣tura mysterii: so that it must needes bee a sacrament, seeing that A Sacrament is no∣thing els, but a holie signe of anie holie thing:* 1.28 or▪ A visible similitude or likenesse of anie inuisible grace or pardon. So that it may iustlie bee said, Accedat ver∣bum ad elementum, & fiet Sacramentū: that is to say: When the worde is ioyned with the element, it is made a Sacramēt. And now, out of doubt, here is an element, to wit, the water: And herevppon commes the wordes of the Priests, by which it doth receiue a gratious power, to participate vnto men an vnuisible gift, euen as well as the holie oyntment, or anie other sacra∣ment of the holie church, ergo is it likewise a sacrament. And herevppon it doeth followe, that the holie ashes also is no lesse. Item▪ the Priestes spittle. Item, the Palmes. Item, the waxe candels, and all other elementes, which our deare mo∣ther the holie church doeth likewise conse∣crate, hallowe and blesse, to the ende they may assist men by some inward power: all such must likewise be sacramentes. Make the reckoning then, and note whether wee shal not haue a notable companie of sacra∣ments.

And whereas some men will say here∣vpon, that there is, or must be a difference betweene these, and the seuen sacraments:* 1.29 because that the seuen sacramentes doe not onelie betoken things, but do also of them∣selues minister mercie and grace, and that the other can not of them selues giue anie grace, neither be the occasion of anie: that is plaine blasphemie against the holie church: as is euidentlie to be seene out of the lectures, readinges, and exorcismies or coniurations, which she doeth vse ouer the saide elementes, whereby they doe receiue as great power at the least, as anie of all the seuen Sacramentes haue: as you may plainly see in the Masse booke. Otherwise men might say that all her lectures or rea∣dinges and exorcismies or coniurations, were vnnecessarie, without power, and of no value: whiche is plaine blasphemie. And if men woulde say then, that all these small Sacramentes are conteined vnder the Sacramēt of penaūce, seing that satis∣faction is included vnder penaunce, and that al these do tend to the doing of satisfac∣tiō for our sins, & therfore are cōteined vnder satisfactiō: that woulde not sound well: for this alegation woulde alway be brought in against it, that baptisme and the holie

oyle or oyntment, and Confirmation, with all the rest of the sacraments, must all like∣wise be conteined vnder penaunce: seeing all they (as is heretofore declared) doe iu∣stifie men Ex opere operato, or by the merites of good workes, and so are recko∣ned for good payment and satisfaction. And therfore as touching this matter, wee must conclude thus: That this remaineth onlie at the will and discretion of our deare mother the holie Church of Rome: so that shee may ordeine and establishe as manie sacramentes as she list, and in the meane space make vs beleeue that there are no more but seuen. And so might it well bee said, that the number of seuen is here to be vnderstood for an endles number, as hath bene written before.

And nowe, as touching the holie oynt∣ment, wherewith they do vse to anoint the sicke, when they lie a passing, Gentianus doeth establish that verie finelie by scrip∣ture, as specially, where Saint Iames saith: If there be anie sicke among you, let him sende for the Elders of the con∣gregation, and let them pray ouer him, and anoint him with oyle, in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of the faith∣full

shal comfort the sicke, and the Lord shall restore him: and if he haue sinned, it shalbe forgiuen him. Whereby our ho∣lie mother doeth vnderstand, that whenso∣euer anie bodie lies a passing, so that there is no more hope of life in him, the Prieste shal then anoint him with holie oyle, blesse him with crosses, and coniure him with certein words, and then he can neuer come in hell: for all the diuels will runne away from before the crosses, like a dogge before a fli••che of bacon. And therefore must hee take vp his lodging, either in the suburbes of hell, or in Purgatorie, where hee shall haue his house hire and firewood free, till such time, as he (with soule Masses and Popes pardons) haue gotten a platte of ground in heauen, to build a house thervp∣pon, of merites and good workes. And this same oyle is of such power, that through it all our sinnes are forgiuen vs, according to that which the Priestes mumble out in their Masse:* 1.30 Per istam sanctam vnctio∣nem & piissimam suam misericordiam, indulgeat tibi Deus, quicquid peccasti per visum, per aud itum, odoratum, ta∣ctum, & gustum, &c. that is to say, Tho∣rough this holie oyntment, and by his

meeke mercie, will God forgiue thee all thy sinnes, what soeuer thou hast com∣mitted, by seeing, by hearing, by smel∣ling, by feeling, and by tasting, &c.

Consider nowe, what can you looke for more to enioye by the pretious bloud shed∣ding of Iesus Christ the sonne of GOD, than that, which the Priestes doe beare vs in hand to giue vs, by the power and vertue of their holie oyle? These Heretikes may (if they will) hold f••st on the offering vp of the bodie and bloud of Iesus Christ: but the good Catholike subiectes of the ho∣lie church of Rome, will in no wise forsake this holie oyntment. We will rather bidde Christ him selfe Adieu, then wee will suf∣fer such a pretious thing to be wroung out of our handes. It is verie true, that these Heretikes doe herein againe mocke with our deare mother the holy Church, saying, that our Priestes are like vnto Apes and Monkies, which will counterfeyte euerie thing that they see done before them, though they haue neither knowledge nor vnderstanding of the matter: and this doe they alledge hereof, because that Marke doeth witnesse,* 1.31 That the Apostles had re∣ceiued the gifte of the holie Ghost, where∣by

they did make the sicke whole with their prayers, and with anointing or lay∣ing on of handes, or by some other appa∣rant token. As it doeth likewise appeare in Paule,* 1.32 who amongest other apparant giftes of the holy Ghost, did likewise deale with this gift of making the sicke whole: and he him selfe did shewe a notable token ouer the dead,* 1.33 falling vpon the dead car∣case, and embrasing it in his armes: As we reade also of the Prophet Eliseus, who did the like ouer the dead childe,* 1.34 stretching forth his feete and his handes, and set his mouth directlie on the mouth of the dead, and his eies on the eies of the dead: and so he with these notable tokens, iointlie with his deuoute prayers, did reuiue that dead carcase. But nowe, seeing there are no more such giftes amongst the Congrega∣tion (for that nowe the preaching of the Gospell hath no neede of anie newe esta∣blishing by signes and miracles) therefore will these Heretikes say, that it is but verie Apes plaie, to vse outwarde tokens, where they haue no inwarde power nor might, which may be shewed with the signe or token. For otherwise the Priestes must rubbe all blind mens eies with spitle and

clay, and stretche them selues out vpon all dead carcases: which were a verie beast∣linesse, seeing they haue not the power to make the blinde see, nor to reuiue the dead: neither can they (with their oyle) make a∣nie sicke man whole. And therefore they were better to burne the oyle in their lampes, or grease their bootes withall, ra∣ther than so to dissemble and mocke with God and his word: This talke these He∣retikes haue, when they are gathered toge∣ther: but we doe not passe for them one haire. For when wee shall finde anie of those, that would grease his shoes with that holie oyle or oyntment: yea, if he will not pray vnto it, and worship it vppon his knees, as though it were God him selfe, him we will burne in steade of oyle, and make a good fire of him▪ For we will stand vnto the wordes of Iames, & the example of the Apostles, whether we haue the po∣wer to make whole or no: we go foorth with our matter, euen as we also grease the chil∣drens eyes with clay and spitle, although we haue not the power to make the blinde see: yea, and although the children are not blinde, it is inough for vs that our mother the holie Church hath so ordeined. Not∣withstanding

it is here greatlie to bee no∣ted, that maister Gentianus hath gone about to declare his innocencie herein, saying, that hee did bring this in onelie by manner of example, and as children playe in iest: For otherwise, if it were in earnest, hee would bring in other manner of stuffe: for hee could say so much to the matter, as hee would quicklie stoppe the mouthes of the Heretikes, as men may easilie iudge by his goodlie vt∣terance, and by his great lear∣ning, which doth appeare of him on all partes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Auriculer con∣fession.
• * 1.2

  These are the very wordes of Pope Innocent the 1. in a gene∣rall councell cō∣cluded, and is set down in the decrees, Chap. Omnis vtriusque sext••s de penieten¦tis & remissioni∣bus.
• * 1.3

  Nectarius.
• * 1.4

  In the yeare 395.
• * 1.5

  This is set out in the storie tripar••ite in the .9. booke. Chap. 28.
• * 1.6

  Chrisostome vpon the .51. Psal. and in the 3. Homelie vp∣pon the .12. chap. to the He∣br. And in the Homelie of penaunce. &c.
• * 1.7

  Iohn. 20.28.
• * 1.8

  Whose sinnes you remit, &c.
• * 1.9

  Act. 26.18.
• * 1.10

  Chrysostome vpon the .23. of Mathewe the .44. homilie.
• * 1.11

  Mathew. 8.4. Marke. 1.44. Luke. 5.14. This witnesse is by Eckius and all other Ca∣tholike writers interpreted to this sence.
• * 1.12

  Iames. 5.26.
• * 1.13

  The Sacramēt of seuen orders
• * 1.14

  1. Tim. 4.14
• * 1.15

  Looke the .18. Chap. of the .2. part.
• * 1.16

  Looke the 19. Chap. of the .1. parte.
• * 1.17

  The Sacramēt of matrimonie.
• * 1.18

  Ephes. 5.32.
• * 1.19

  Looke the 17. Chap. of the •• parte.
• * 1.20

  Looke the .1. chap. of the .2. parte.
• * 1.21

  Seuen bishops in the low coun¦treis Vigilius.
• * 1.22

  Henricus de Vr•••• ma••ia vpon the fourth booke of Sent. dist. 1.
• * 1.23

  Matth. 12. Luke. 11.
• * 1.24

  Apoc. 13 18. For each letter in greek makes one number. 5.20.20.30.2 EKKΛH 200.10.1.10 Σ. IAI 30.1.30.10. TAΛI 20.1. KA Th••s makes together. 666. Apoc. 13.17.
• * 1.25

  Fire a Sacra∣ment.
• * 1.26

  The finding of the Crosse, a sacrament.
• * 1.27

  Water a Sa∣crament.
• * 1.28

  The Maister of sentences in the .1. chap. the dist. and .4. booke.
• * 1.29

  Henricus de V••••∣maria vpon the foresaide texte of the sentences
• * 1.30

  In the Masse booke.
• * 1.31

  Mark. 6.13.
• * 1.32

  1. Cor. 12.2••.
• * 1.33

  Act. 20.10.
• * 1.34

  2. Reg. 4.34▪