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 conclusion.

* 1.1The common people about the yeare of our Lord, 420. were so addicted to sundry kinds of superstition, partly by the instinct of Satan, partly by the negligence of some Bishops, and partly by the vndiscreet doctrine of othersome, that S. Au∣sten was at his wits end, not knowing which way to turne him, or what to do, because he vtterly condemned many things in his heart, which he durst not freely reprooue & speake against. This conclusion will seeme strange to many a one,* 1.2 but S. Au∣sten doth himselfe deliuer it to vs, whose expresse words are these: Quod autem instituitur praeter consuetudinem, vt quasi obseruatto sacramenti sit, approbare non possum, etiamsi mul∣ta huiusmodi propter nonnullarum vel sanctarum vel turbulen∣tarum personarum scandala vitanda, liberius improbare non audeo. Sed hoc nimis doleo, quòd multa quae in diuinis libris salu∣berrima praecepta sunt, minus curantur, & tam multis praesump∣tionibus sic plena sunt omnia, vt grauius corripiatur qui per octauas suas terram nudo pede tetigerit, quam qui mentem vino∣lentia sepelierit. Omnia itaque talia, quae neque sanctarum scripturarum authoritatibus continētur, nec in concilijs episco∣porum statuta inueniuntur, nec consuetudine vniuersae ecclesiae roborata sunt, sed diuersorum locorum diuersis moribus innume∣rabiliter variantur, ita vt vix aut omnino nunquam inueniri possint causae, quas in eis instituendis homines secuti sunt; vbi facultas tribuitur, sine vlla dubitatione resecanda existimo. Quamuis enim neque hoc inueniri possit, quomodo contra fidem fint, ipsam tamen religionem quam paucissimis & manifestissi∣mis celebrationum sacramentis misericordia dei esse liberam vo∣luit, seruilibus oneribus premunt, vt tolerabilior sit conditio Iudaeorum, qui etiamsi tempus libertatis non agnouerint, legali∣bus tamen sarcinis, non humanis praesumptionibus subijciuntur.

I can not approue that, which beside custome is ordeyned to be obserued as an holy thing, albeit to auoid the scandall of some persons that are either holy or troublous, I dare not freely reprehēd many such things. But I am very sory for this, that many wholesome precepts in Gods bookes are little re∣garded,* 1.3 and that all things are so full of presumptions, that he is more sharply reprooued, which toucheth the ground in his

octaues with his bare foote, then he that shall lye drunken in the streete. All things therefore which neither are contayned in the holy scriptures, neither in the decrees of bishops, neither established by the custome of the vniuersal church, but are infi∣nitely varied by the diuersitie of maners in diuerse places, so that seldome or neuer the causes can be knowen, which men re∣spected in the ordinance thereof,* 1.4 I thinke they are to be taken away without any stop, where power and authority is at hand. For although it cannot bee found, howe they make against the catholike faith, yet doe they clog the religion with seruile bon∣dage, which our mercifull God would haue freely celebrated with verie few and manifest sacraments, so that now the con∣dition of the Iewes is more tolerable, who though they haue not acknowledged the time of libertie, yet are they subiect to legal burdens, not to humaine presumptions. Thus saith holy and learned Austen. Out of whose words I note first, that S. [ 1] Austen for feare of scandall and other humaine respects, durst not speake all he thought, nor freely reproue euerie abuse as he wished in his heart. I note secondly, that al the bishops & lear∣ned [ 2] fathers of the church, did not at all times like and approue all things, which were publikely done in the church, thogh they spoke not flatly and openly against the same. Which point if it be wel noted, doth more then a little gall our papists.

I note thirdly, that Gods word was little regarded euen [ 3] in Saint Austens time, and that superstition in steede thereof raigned euerie where; and therefore no maruell if so much Ro∣mish trumperie, did after Saint Austens time abound in their visible church.

I note fourthly, that euen in Saint Austens dayes odde [ 4] conceits of superstitious trumperie, were more regarded then the chiefest points of religion.

I note fiftly, that manie superstitious errours, haue crept into the church, the causes wereof neither are nor can bee [ 5] knowen, and therefore by Saint Austens iudgement all such trumperie ought to bee cut off by the authoritie of the Magistrate.

I note sixtly, that the church was brought into seruile bon∣dagt, [ 6] by reason of beggarly ceremonies, & other superstition; so

as in S. Austens time the state of the Iewes was more tole∣rable, then the condition of faithful christians. I note seauenth∣ly, [ 7] that the christian libertie of the new testament, may not bee charged with superfluous ceremonies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno Dom. 420
• * 1.2

  August. epist. 119 ad Ianu••••. in fine tom, 2.
• * 1.3

  Saint Austen for feare dissem∣bled many things
• * 1.4

  This is a graue saying worthy to be written in golden letters▪