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 obseruation.

The papistes here babling after their woonted maner, tell vs a tale of Robin hoode and little Iohn: that forsooth Con∣stantine was baptized in Rome of Siluester, that the very font in which he was christened, is this day to be seene there, and many other fabulous illations grounded thereupon. To which I answere first, with their owne deare frier and learned schoole∣man Victoria;* 1.1 that such doctrine was first inuented by their flattering and beggerly Canonistes. I say secondly, that

their owne canon law in the 96. distinction, termeth this kinde of doctrine,* 1.2 false, counterfeite, and not worthy of any credite. For the verie inscription it selfe, auoucheth roundly and boldly, that that which followeth, is but chaffe. Out of which wordes I note first, that the pope hath a long time seduced the worlde, [ 1] with fabulous vanities in printed bookes. I note secondly, that [ 2] the foundations vpon which all poperie is built, is nothing els but chaffe. For to these foundations, set downe in the 96. di∣stinction of their owne decrees (I doe not belie them, reade the place who listeth, and he shall finde it to be true) the popish Ca∣nonists make this plaine inscription, (Palea, Chaffe:) as if they should say; Gentle reader, be no longer seduced with such doc∣trine; for that which followeth, is but chaffe. If any liuing can yeeld a fitter exposition, I desire to know his skill. I note thirdly, that since the papists are enforced by the spirite of God, [ 3] to acknowledge the counterfeite groundes of the very principal articles in their religion published to the viewe of the worlde in their owne decrees and canon lawe; euery discreete and wise reader may easily perceiue, what credite ought to be giuen to their popish written vanities, Decretall epistles, Edictes, Ca∣nons, extrauagantes, & the like; wherwith they haue these many yeres,* 1.3 bewitched and dazeled the eyes of many men. I answere thirdly, that although they would haue vs to beleeue as an ar∣ticle of our Creede, that Constantine was baptized at Rome by Siluester. whereupon they ground many absurd consequentes; yet doe most holy, learned, and ancient writers, (S. Hierome, Eusebius, Socrates, Theodoritus, Sozomenus, Pomponius, and Cassiodorus,) affirme the same to be a fable, and that Con∣stantine was christened at Nicomedia.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Victor. in relect. 1. de potest. ec∣cles.
• * 1.2

  Dist. 96. cap. Constantinus.
• * 1.3

  Poperie hath long bewitched vs.