Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

The Papists.

COncerning tithes or their equiualent due to Christ & the priesthood of the [error 81] new Testament, Rhemist. annot. Heb. 7.4. this then is their opinion, that the

priesthood of the Gospell being more excellent then the priesthood of the Law and their sacrifice, which they offer vp in the Masse, being of greater worthi∣nes, they may with better right challenge tithes, then the priests of the law did for their seruice at the altar: So that tithes are due to the Church onely because of the priesthood, not for any other duetie appertaining to that office, as prea∣ching the word, ministring the sacraments, or any such.

Abraham payd tithes, they say, to Melchisedech, which was the priest of the most high God in offering the formes of bread & wine, wherein Melchisedech did sacrifice: Ergo, tithes are now due to the priests of the Gospel and new law, which are all after the order of Melchisedech, Rhemist. Hebr. 7. sect. 4. & 8.

Answere: First, Melchisedechs priesthood consisted not in offering bread and wine to God, but brought them foorth to refresh Abraham: neither were they formes of bread and wine onely, as you imagine, but very materiall bread and wine: for if Melchisedechs priesthood had consisted therein, the Apostle would not haue omitted the chiefe thing, wherein Christs priesthood was shewed forth, as he doth, making no mention at all of it. Heb. 7. Secondly, a∣gaine it is great blasphemie to say, that euery popish priest is after the order of Melchisedech,* 1.1 nay that the proper act of Christs priesthood consisteth in the per∣petuall offering of his bodie & blood in the Church: for by this reason euery im∣pure priest doth more properly offer the body of Christ in the Masse, then it was offered by himself vpon the cros: thē the which, what greater blasphemie can be vttered? And yet they are not ashamed to speak it: yea the sacrifice of Christ vp∣on the crosse, (say they) was after the order of Aaron; and not after the order of Melchisdech,* 1.2 and so they preferre euery popish priest offering in the Masse, before Iesus Christ sacrificing himself vpon the Crosse: contrary to the scripture, which maketh this difference between the priesthood of Aaron and the priest∣hood of Melchisedech; that the priests of the law were many, because they were taken away by death: But Christs priesthood is eternall, because he dieth not, Heb. 7.23. But if there should be many priestes after Melchisedechs order, there should heerein bee no difference at all: Wherefore seeing Melchisedechs priesthood onely resteth in Christ, and is not translated to any other; and that there is now no sacrifice left but spirituall, of prayse and thanksgiuing, Heb. 13.15. it followeth that by Melchisedechs right no tithes are now due vnto the Church, neither in any such regard ought to be challenged.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rhemist. Heb. 7. sec. 8
• * 1.2

  Fulk. Heb. 7. sect. 9 12