A view of the marginal notes of the popish Testament, translated into English by the English fugitiue papists resiant at Rhemes in France. By George Wither

PHILIPPIANS.

Philip. 1. ••7.

The text.

And in nothing be ye terrified of the aduersaries, which to them is ∴ cause of perdition.

The note.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a manifest proofe and euidence.

The answer.

We thinke you can interpret a Gréeke word right if you list, as you haue done this.

Philip. 2. 16.

The text.

Conteining the word of life ∴ to my glorie in the day of Christ, bicause I haue not runne in vaine, nor in vaine labored.

The note.

Such as haue by their preachings gained anie to Christ, shall ioy and glorie therein exceedinglie at the day of our Lord.

The answer.

And what shall they do that gaine from Christ to Antichrist?

Philip▪ 2. ••7.

The text.

But and if I be ∴ immolated vpon the sacrifice and seruice of your faith, I reioice and congratulate with you all.

The note.

Pastors ought to be so zealous of the saluation of their flocke, that with Saint Paul they should offer themselues to the death for the same.

The answer.

Such example gaue the prince of pastors, such strength hath God giuen to a number of faithfull ministers, as our eies haue séene, and infinite multitudes are able to testifie, and the booke or monument of martyrs hath recorded to all posteritie.

Philip. 2. 21.

The text.

For ∴ all seeke the things that are their owne, and not the things that are Iesus Christs.

The note.

Manie forsake their teachers when they see them in bonds and pri∣son for their faith, bicause most men preferre the world before Christes glorie.

The answer.

This is verie true, and yet the text rather speaketh of them that should be carefull ouer the flocke, that a number of them shranke away after the world, and prouided rather for them selues then for the flocke. And consider you well vpon this spéech, whether Peters being at Rome then, when Paul wrote this were likelie or no, when Paul had there none like minded to him selfe. And it is a very simple shift to say that Peter might then be absent from Rome for persecution or for businesse, séeing that both the actes of the Apostles, & the Epistle to the Romains, & euery epistle that Paul wrote from Rome, minister good rea∣sons against Peters being there, so that if he were bishop so long as your stories testifie of him, he was a notable non Resident: but I had rather imagine that he came thither, but a litle afore his death.

Philip. 3. ••.

The text.

See the dogges, see the euill workers, see the ∴ concision, for we are the circumcision which in spirit serue God, &c.

The note.

By allusion of words he calleth the carnall Christian Iewes, that yet boasted in the circumcision of the flesh, concision: and himselfe and the rest that circumcised their hart and senses spirituallie the true circum∣cision. Saint Chrisostome. Theoph.

The answer.

Either you should set downe nothing without authorities al∣ledged, or els if you would spare your paines in anie place, you should do it in those whereof the sense is not in controuersie, but confessed on both parts.

Philip. 3. 1••••.

The text.

And may be found in him not hauing my iustice which is of the Lawe, but that which is of the faith of Christ, which is of God iustice in faith, to know him and the vertue of his resur∣rection, & the societie of his passions configured to his death, ∴ if by anie meanes I may come to the resurrection, which is from the dead.

The note.

If Saint Paul ceased not to labour still, as though he were not sure to come to the marke without continuall indeuour, what securitie may we poore sinners haue of heretikes perswasions, and promises of securitie and saluation by onlie faith?

The answer.

We are verie sure that they which after they are called to knowledge do not continuallie indeuour to walke in those good workes, which God hath prepared for men to walke in, shall not come to the marke of life euerlasting, which is set before all chri∣ans. And we know none but papists that teach such securitie, to make men trust to that faith which is idle, and doeth not worke by loue a diligent indeuour of obedience to Gods holy lawes. And yet this continuance of our indeuour, is no argument of doubt∣fulnesse of our saluation, neither yet of trust in our deserts, but that Christ liueth in vs, and by his spirit leadeth and guideth vs effectuallie. And it is not to be passed ouer, (though you be not disposed to sée it) that the Apostle for all his indeuour, yet flieth from his owne righteousnesse to the righteousnesse of Christ, which God hath made his by faith: so that it is euident, that the Apostles confidence rested vpon the righteousnesse of Christ im∣puted to him.

Philip. 3. 17.

The text.

Be followers ∴ of me brethren, and obserue them that walke so as you haue our forme.

The note.

It is a goodlie thing when a pastor may say so to his flocke. Neither is it anie derogation to Christ, that the people should imitate their Apo∣stles life and doctrine, and other holie men. Saint Augustine, Saint Benedict, Saint Dominicke, Saint Frauncis.

The answer.

It is a verie good thing, when the Pastors are examples to their flocke in life and doctrine, but yet the best men are to be fol∣lowed with exception, namelie, no further then they follow Christ. As for your frierlie fathers whom you recken and whom you follow in wilworship, are vnméete to be matched with Paul and others, partners of Christian obedience to them, among whom they liued.

Philip. 4. 3.

The text.

Yea and I beseech thee my sincere companion, helpe those

women that haue laboured with me in the Gospel, with ∴ Cle∣ment & the rest my coadiutors, whose names are in the booke of life.

The note.

This Clement was afterward fourth Pope of Rome, from Saint Pe∣ter, as Saint Hierome writeth according to the common supputation.

The answer.

This is to be marked, that the reckoning and supputation of Popes succéeding one another, is a matter not agréed on, though it be the maine foundation and principall pillar, whereupon the Romish church will séeme to staie her selfe. For as it is a matter verie vncertaine, whether Peter was euer Bishop of Rome, so is it also vncertaine, who was first, second, third, or fourth. If we may beléeue the constitutions ascribed to the Apostles, (the testi∣monie whereof you can not refuse, citing the authoritie of them in other matters verie often) then Peter was neuer Bishop there, but Linus was the first ordeined by Paul and not by Pe∣ter, & Clemens the second. Eusebius reckoneth Clemens third, and Euaristus fourth, after both Peter and Paul. For I do not perceiue that he reckoned one of them more for bishop there then the other. Nicephorus maketh Peter the first, Linus the second, and Anacletus third, and Clemens fourth. Hierome reckoned in the same order, sauing that he addeth, that manie of the Latines did count Clemens next after Peter. Sabellicus writeth that Peter, Linus, Cletus and Clemens were all Bishops of Rome at once, and striketh quite out Anacletus out of the number. Ire∣neus reckoneth next after Linus, Anacletus. And Optatus Mi∣leuitanus setteth him, that is Anacletus, next after Clemens. And thus your famous succession whereof you so greatly glorie, resteth vpon a rotten vncertaine foundation, the progresse there∣of if it were examined, is more diuerse and vncertaine and that manie waies, and therefore no maruell though so vncertaine a succession must serue to vphold so vile a congregation, as the church of Rome is at this day: which bicause you know, you re∣ferre the matter to the common supputation, which must be that which you commonlie at this day follow.

Philip. 4. 10.

The text.

And I also reioiced in our Lord exceedingly, that once at the length, you haue ∴ reflorished to care for me, as you did also care: but you were occupied.

The note.

This reflorishing is the reuiuing of their old liberalitie, which for a time had beene slacke and dead. S. Chrysostom.

The answer.

This was Paules thankfulnes, as well for the care they pre∣sently had of him, as for their liberalitie afore time bestowed on him.

Philip. 4. 1••

The text.

And you know also (O Philippians) that in the beginning of the Gospell, when I departed from Macedonia no church cō∣municated vnto me, in the account of gift and ∴ receipt but you onely, for vnto Thessalonica also once and twise you sent to my vse.

The note.

He counteth it not meere almes, or a free gift, that people bestoweth on their pastors, or preachers, but a certaine mutuall traffike as it were, and interchange, the one giuing spirituall, the other rendering temporall things for the same.

The answer.

Your note is true, though the pastors of your church giue stones for bread, for fish scorpions, and in stead of milke strong and ranke poison.

Notes

• Clemens lib. 7. cap. 16.
• Ecclesiast h••st. lib. 3. cap. 34.
• Tomo 3. cap. ••.
• In catalog•• scriptorum.
• Libro. 3. contra haereses. cap. 3. Lib. 2. aduersus Donatistas.