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 THIRD PART, CONCERNING VOLVNTA∣rie vowes, whether they be any part of the worship of God.

The Papists.

[error 86] AL voluntarie vowes (say they) made by Christians, as not to eate flesh, not to drinke strong drinke, or to liue vnmarried; doe concerne the worship of God, and thereby men are made more acceptable vnto him, Bellar. cap. 16.

1 Iacob vowed to pay tithes, Genes. 28. Dauid to build a temple vnto God, Psal. 131.2. But neither of these two were commanded them, and yet they were properly referred to the seruice of God.

Ans. First, we denye not, as we haue sayd, but that in the law and before there might be such voluntarie vowes, yet it followeth not, that there should bee any such now. Secondly, both those dueties were necessarie, and commanded in generall, though not in particular. As first, Iacobs vow was that the Lord should be his God, vers. 21. No man can denye, but this was necessarie, and a comman∣dement: Then seeing the Lord is his God, it is also necessarie that he should ac∣knowledge him by some externall worship, as by appointing the Lord an house in that place, and bringing oblations vnto his altars: these are but particular du∣ties, that doe followe that generall commandement.

Secondly, Dauid did vow that, he was bound to doe being King of Israel, namely, to haue a care of the temple of God: for thus he sayth to Nathan the Prophet, I dwell in an house of Cedar trees: but the Arke of God remaineth within the curtaines, 2. Sam. 7.2. This belonged to the King of duetie, as it was generally commanded all Israel, Hagg. 1.4. but that Dauid was discharged of this care, by the especiall warrant of God by the Prophet.

2 Hebr. 13.16. To doe good and to destribute forget not, for with such sacri∣fices God is pleased. Intelligitur (sayth Bellarmine) de eleemosyna non praeceptae: it must be vnderstood of almes which is not commanded.

Ans. As though all kind of almes and releeuing of the poore be not comman∣ded: for the works of charitie, and to doe good are alwaies enioyned vs. Againe, this place serueth nothing at al for vowes: It seemeth he was hard bestead, that had no better choise of places.

The Protestants.

WE grant that there are other kind of vowes then before we spake of, which doe not directly concerne the worship of God, neither are of things com∣manded vs, nor yet is God thereby the better pleased: but they serue onely as helps, to make vs more fit vnto Christian dueties: As a man that seeth he is by nature giuen to dronkennes, doth vowe that he will take no strong drinke, lest he should offend that way: Another purposeth to fast, thereby to tame his flesh, and the more feruently to pray: As Iob made a couenant with his eyes not to looke vpon a maide, 31.1. But these things of themselues, by the outward act, are not the more acceptable vnto God, neither is God by eating or not eating, or looking or not looking, the better worshipped, as these things are conside∣red in themselues. Wherefore by the word of God we condemne all voluntary and superstitious vowes of men, inuented to serue God by, as vowes of chasti∣tie, of going in pilgrimage, offering to Images, and such like.

1 S. Paul condēneth al voluntary worship of God which is inuented by man, as vnprofitable, though it haue a shew of wisedome in humblenes of mind, and not sparing the bodie, Coloss. 2.23. As such are the ordinances of the world in worshipping of Angels, and in abstinence, Touch not, tast not, handle not. But such are all popish vowes, a voluntary seruice of God, euen in the same things which the Apostle taketh exception against, for they make vowes to Angels, to Saints, vowes to keepe daies holy, and to fast in them: Ergo, they are vn∣lawfull.

2 Rom. 14.23. Whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne, that is, grounded vpon knowledge out of the word: Ergo, all voluntarie vowes made to serue God by are to be abandoned, because they haue no warrant out of Gods word. Bellar∣mine answereth, that the place is not so to be vnderstood, but rather, by faith, is meant the conscience of man, and so whatsoeuer is done against the conscience is sinne.

Ans. By faith, is not vnderstood any conscience, but the assurance of a right conscience, which must needes be builded vpon the word: for vers. 22. S. Paul saith, If thou hast faith, haue it with God: This cannot be spoken of a corrupt conscience which is not able to abide Gods trial, but a right conscience establi∣shed out of the word.

3 Let vs heare Augustines iudgement: Sunt multi, qui vouent, alius pallium, alius oleum, alius ceream ad luminaria noctis, alius vt vinum non bibat per aliquot annos, alius vt ieiunia certo tēpore faciat, alius vt carnes non comedat. Non est istud votum optimum neque perfectum, adhuc melius volo: non eligit Deus nec speciem tuam, nec oleum tuum, nec ieiunium tuum, sed hoc, quod hodie redemit, ipsum offer, hoc est, animam tuam. There are many that vow, one a cloake, another oyle, an∣other a waxe candle, another that he will drinke no wine, another that he will fast, another that he will eate no flesh. This is not the best kind of vowing: God neither careth for thy comely apparell, nor for thy oyle, nor for thy fasting: but offer that vnto him, which he hath redeemed, that is, thy soule, De tempor. ser. 7. We see by this, what account Augustine maketh of superstitious voluntarie vowes, made with an intent to please God thereby.