The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

The first Chapter, of the Creation, and other things coincident.

The first Section of the creation of Man.

GOd created heauen, the foure elements,* 1.1 and all things contained therein; and this he did of nothing, that is, without any antecedent or preiacent matter. He created man in such state,* 1.2 as he neuer needed to haue sinned: and consequent∣ly, as he might haue liued for euer, al∣though he were indeede mortall. For, as by eating of the tree of knowledge hee sinned, and conse∣quently died; euen so by eating of the tree of life, he might haue preserued his life from time to time. The meate of other trees yeelded food to man; the tree of life as an wholesome medicine, defended him from all corruption:* 1.3 which vertue was either

in the tree by some supernaturall inherent qualitie, as sun drie of the auncient fathers holde; or els the tree was a sacrament of Gods diuine grace, by which man might haue liued eternal∣ly if he had neuer sinned, as other learned writers think. Which latter opinion I preferre for the better, as which I iudge to be saint Austens;* 1.4 yet the former is probable, and can not easily be refeiled.

The second Section, of mans sustentation.

Meate was necessarie for mans sustentation, euen in the state of innocencie; and it should euer so haue continued, albeit man had neuer sinned: for to this end did God plant so many trees in paradise,* 1.5 giuing man leaue to eate thereof: neither after sinne came any newe necessitie to eate, but a speciall modification of eating was annexed thereunto: for, before sinne, man did eate without labour; but after sinne, he was appointed to eate with the sweate of his browes.

The third Section, of eating flesh.

* 1.6Albeit the eating of flesh before the floud was not in vse, as not then approued for good; yet after the floud, to eate flesh was granted vnto man.* 1.7 Why it was then prohibited, and after the floud granted, no infallible reason can be alleaged; yet two pro∣bable coniectures may be yeelded in that behalfe: the one, be∣cause in the beginning mens bodies were stronger, and so nee∣ded lesse norishment; the other, because in those dayes, the earth brought foorth better, and more wholesome fruits.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Genes. 2. vers.
• * 1.2

  The state of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his creation
• * 1.3

  The vertue of the tree of life
• * 1.4

  ••ugust. de ciuit. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3 cap. 20.
• * 1.5

  ••enes. 2.16. ••enes. 3.19.
• * 1.6

  ••enes. 1.••9.
• * 1.7

  ••enes. 9.3.