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.

CHAP. XV. Of certaine popish sects, which they terme the or∣ders of religious men.

WHatsoeuer I shal set down of these sects or religious or∣ders, as the papistes must needs haue them termed; shal be truely and sincerely collected out of these popishe historio∣graphers: to wit, Martinus Polonus, Philippus Bergomensis, Polyd. Ʋirgilius, Palmerius, Platina, and Ar. Pontacus Burde∣galensis. Which I here for once admonish, least the often repe∣tition thereof should be tedious.

Benedictus an Italian, the father of all monkes, erected an Abbay in the mount Cassinum, and instituted the sect of the Be∣nedictines; about the yeare 527. These monkes in a short time began to be dissolute, and were deuided into many new sectes; whereof same were called Cluniacenses, some Camalduenses, some Vallisumbrenses, some Montoliuotenses, some Grandimon∣tēses, some Cistertienses, some Syluestrenses. Al which being most variable in life, maners, & obseruations, wil for al that be right Benedictines. Euē forsooth as our late popes must needs be S. Peters successors, thogh they be as like as York & foul Suttō.

This sect of the Benedictines far altered from the first insti∣tutiō, was reformed in y^e yere 1335. For as Polydore grauely reporteth, monks do not lōg obserue their monastical institutiō.

The sect of the Carthusians, was ordained by one Bruno, in y^e yere 1084. How this sect had the first originall, it is worthy of due attention. This is the story. While Bruno was the rea∣der of philosophy at Paris in France, it chanced that a friend of his being a man of good external life, died; who lying dead vpō the coffin in the church, soundeth out these words in the eares of the said Bruno, I am damned by the iust iudgment of God. By

which miracle Bruno was so terrified, y^t hee knew no way how to be saued, but by inuenting the sect of the Carthusians. Behold here the subtletie of the deuil, who wanteth no means how to set vp superstition & idolatry. For if the story be true, as I think it was in deed, then doubtlesse the voice came from the diuel, as which brought forth y^e spirit of pride & not of humility. I proue it, because this Bruno could not be cōtent to be a monk amongst the Benedictines, but he must be Lord Abbot of a new sect. For since the order of the Benedictines, was the ready way to heauē, as popery taught him: either he condemned his own religion, & consequently his own institutiō, or my consecution must be ad∣mitted. Let what papist as list reply▪ my reason can not be cō∣uinced. And here I note by the way, the formal deformitie of al the sects or orders in poperie; to wit, that the papistes ascribe merite and saluation to the same. Let therefore this story of our holy father Bruno neuer be forgotten.

The order called ••raemonstratensis, began the yeare 1119. The first authour thereof was one Norbertus by name. Who doubtles either con••emned the former orders, at the least of im∣perfection; or els was puffed vp with the spirit of pride, as were his predecessors his fraterculi before him.

The sect of the Carmelites began in y^• yere 1170. & was insti∣tuted by one Almericus y^e bishop of Antioch. This sect, though it had the original in the time mentioned; yet was it not in full perfection, for the space of 40. yeres to come.

The sect of Dominicans (whereof Tho. Aquinas, surnamed Angelicus was one,) began in the yere 1198. The authour of this sect was one Dominicus Calaguritanus, a Spaniard borne. The sect it selfe was termed, Ordo fratrum praedicatorum.

The sect of the Franciscans began in y^e yere 1206. Of which sect was Io. Scotus, surnamed D. Subtilis The author of this sect was one Franciscuss Asisiates, an Italian born. The sect it self was termed, Ordo fratrum minorum. Thus we see y^t these Romish sects were multiplied, as if it were swarmes of Bees.

The sect of the Iesuates, began in the yeare of our Lord 1371. the author of this sect was one Ioannes Columbinus Se∣nensis; the sect it selfe was termed, ordo Iesuatorum.

The sect of the Iesuites, began in the yeare of our Lord 1540. The author thereof was one Ignatius Loyola, a souldier

and a Spaniard borne. The moonkes of this sect, as they were hatched after al others, so doe they in pontificall pride exceed al the rest. This sect is termed, ordo societatis Iesu; the verie name expressing their proud and hauty mindes. For no name of so many sectes before them, nor any other appellation could content them; vnlesse they be termed fellowes, and compani∣ons with Iesus Christ. They are indeede so proud and stately, that where euery other Romish sect hath some cardinall to be their protector; they only (to die for it) wil haue none at al. And why? because forsooth they will depend vpon none, neither sub∣mit themselues to any, saue to the pope alone: to whom I weene they wil be subiect, because they can no other doe. They are not only proud, but very factious people. They are hated generally of all sortes of men: they cherish themselues, and seek to ouerrule all others. They employ some of their sect to no o∣ther end, but only to looke into matters of state: that so by para∣siticall informations made to the pope, they may leade all the world in a string.

The Perioch.

First therfore, since popish primacie began in the yere 607. [ 1] Secondly, since priests marriage was neuer prohibited, til the [ 2] yere 385. Thirdly, since popes pardōs were neuer heard of til [ 3] the yere 1300. Fourthly, since popish purgatory tooke no root [ 4] in the Romish church, til the yere 250. Fiftly, since inuocation [ 5] of saints & adoration was not known, til the yere 370. Sixtly, [ 6] since popish pilgrimage began in the yeere 420. Seuenthly, [ 7] since the merite of works de condigno, was disputable about the yere 1081. Eightly, since the communion vnder both kindes [ 8] was neuer thought vnlawful, til the yere 1414. Ninthly, since [ 9] the popes buls were not authenticall, til the yere 772. Tenth∣ly, [ 10] since auricular confession was not established, till the yeere 254. Eleuenthly, since general councels were euer summoned [ 11] by the emperours, & many like matters of importance, as may appeare by this smal volume; I may reasonably conclude, that al men careful of their saluation, wil detest from their hearts al popish faction. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Notes

• The first Sect.
• Ann. Dom. 527.
• The pope must needes be S. Pe∣ters successor.
• Ann. Dom. 1335.
• The second Sect.
• 1084.
• The ab••ominati∣on of sectes in po∣perie.
• The third Sect.
• Ann. Dom. 1119.
• The fourth Sect.
• 1170.
• The fift Sect.
• 1198.
• The sixt Sect.
• 1206.
• The seuenth sect.
• 1371.
• The eight Sect.
• 1540.
• The sect of our Romish Iesuites, is not yet three-B••••ore yeres old.