The second part of the Protestants plea, and petition for preists and papists Being an historie of the holy preisthood, and sacrifice of the true Church of Christ. Inuincibly prouing them to be, the present sacrificing preisthood: prouing also the sacrifice of the Masse, vsed in the Catholike Roman church: and that these were promised, and foretold by the Prophets, instituted by Christ, and exercised by all his Apostles. Morouer that they haue euer from the first plantinge of Christianitie in this our Britanye, in the dayes of the Apostles, in euery age, and hundred of yeares, beene continued and preferued here. All for the most part, warranted by the writinges and testimonies of the best learned Protestant doctors, and antiquaries of England, and others.

THE FIFTHE AGE, OR HVN∣DRED YEARES OF CHRIST.

THE XIX. CHAPTER. Wherein is manifestly proued, that all this fift age, the sacrifice of Masse, massing preists and Bishops did continue in honor in this our Britanie.

THe first Pope which offereth himselfe in this next and fifth hundred of yea∣res, to speake as a late protestant writer doth, was Innocent of Albania, or Scotland. (Edw. Grimst. est. of the church of Rome Pope 41. pag. 44. an. D. 402.) and commonly it is written of him, both by protestants and others. (Rob. Barnes in vit. Innocentij & Io. Bal. in eodem.) that by contrie hee was Al∣banus, or of Albania, the old common and receaued knowne name of Scotland. And if hee was of this our Albania, it might be occasion that the Scots and Britans of this kingdome did more frequent Rome at this, then other times. But whether hee was of Northren Albania, that is in the east, or of

Alba in Italy, or whencesoeuer, sure wee are, that many of this nation which pro∣ued holy preists, and Bishops also, had their education, and instruction in Religion, at Rome in these dayes, by the massing and sa∣crificinge preists, and Popes in that place. Such were S. Teruanus made Archbishop of the Picts, by S. Paladius the Popes Legate in Scotland, about the yeare of Christ 432. as our Scottish writers testifie. And that he was instructed in the faith at Rome, I ga∣ther from the same Authors, affirming that S. Paladius baptized him, beeing an Infant. Teruanum Infantem lustrico lauerat fonte Pal∣dius. (Hector Boeth. l. 7. histor. foli 133. Pos∣seuin. in appar. To. 2. pag. 452.) which must needs bee at Rome from whence S. Palla∣dius was sent into this kingdome, in or a∣bout the yeare of Christ 431. & died soone after his cominge hither. And so hauinge for his Master and Tutor in Religion, that massinge preist, and Bishop, and the Pope also then being the like, this man could not bee instructed there in any other Religion, different from that. And in the same age, before this, S. Ninian who was also brought vp, and instructed by the massinge Popes,

and their disciples at Rome, was sent from thence, to teach the same and other holie doctrines of Christian faith to the same people, and was theire Bishop, as all anti∣quaries Catholicke and Protestant testifie. (Bed. hist. Angl. l. 3. c. 4. Bal. l. de scriptor. cent. 1. in Ninian. Capgrau. in eod. Theat. of great Brit. l. 6.) whose successor S. Terua∣nus was, and about the same time as our Scottish and other histories tell vs, S. Ser∣uanus was made Bishop of the Orchades beinge instructed and consecrated by the massinge Bishop Paladius, which that fa∣mous massinge Pope S. Celestine sent his Legate into this nation, of whome herafter. Hector Boeth. Scotor. histor. l. 7. fol. 133.

2. Besides these extraordinary, the ordi∣nary Archbishops, and Bishops with their whole cleargie perseuered in these holy do∣ctrines, none to contradict them herin but in other questions moued by Pelagian he∣reticks. And that S. Innocentius the first Pope in this age vnder whome our remem∣bred Bishops had theire education and in∣struction, was a massinge Pope, our prote∣stants assure vs, testifyinge that hee confir∣med the ceremonie of giuinge the Pax in

Masse. Vt pax in Missa daretur ordinauit. The like they testifie of Pope Sozimus, and Bo∣nifacius, which were betweene S. Inno∣centius, and S. Celestine, that sent so many Bishops into this kingdome, affirming how they both maintayned sacrificinge preist∣hood, and holy Masse, with the ceremonies thereof, and the supreamacy of the see of Rome. (Io. Bal. l. 2. de act. Pont. Rom. in In∣nocent. in Sozimo & Bonifacio. Robert. Barne in vit. Pontif. in eisdem.) And for the sacri∣fice of Masse, that it was, Missa papistica, the papisticall, or, papists Masse, such as Catho∣licks of this time (whome they call papists, and their Masse preists and Religion papi∣sticall) doe vse. (Bal. supr. lib. 2. in Caelestino.) before the dayes of Saint and Pope Cele∣stine, who as they say added some thinges to the papisticall Masse, vsed before his pa∣pacie. Papisticae Missae inseruit. And yet this sacrificinge massinge and papisticall Pope was hee, by all antiquities, on whome Bri∣tanie in those dayes did cheifly depend for direction, and instruction in matters of Re∣ligion.

3. Therefore to make all peace, and at∣tonement, wee may by the proceedings and

institutions of this holy Pope, and our Ma∣ster and Pedagogue in Christ, let vs learne of our protestants themselues, what were the things he added to the sacrifice of Mas∣se, whether any matter essentiall, or that may be excepted against. They haue told vs, that before his additions, the Masse was papisticall, and concerninge his additions, In initio sacrificij, vt psalmus, Iudica me Deus, & discerne causam me am &c. à sacrificaturo di∣ceretur ordinauit: graduale in Missa ordinauit. He ordeyned that the psalme, Iudge mee ô God & discerne my cause, should be said in the beginning of the sacrifice, by the preist that offereth the sacrifice: and he ordeyned the graduale should be said in Masse. (Rob. Barn. l. de vit. Pontif. Rom. in Caelest. Magdeb. cent. 5. in Caelest.) so write others of these pro∣testāts, amōg whom one a Bishop saith: Cae∣lestinus introitum, graduale, responsorium, tra∣ctum, & offertorium, vt propria inuenta, papis∣ticae Missae inseruit. Pope Celestine did put into the papisticall Masse, as inuentions of his own, the introite, graduale, responsorie, tract and offertory. (Iohn Foxe Tom. 2. in Q. Mary. Cartwright admon. Whitg. answ. to the admonit. pag. 94. sect. 1.2. Io. Bal. l. 2. act. Pon∣tif.

Roman. in Caelestino.) which wordes of his, vt propria inuenta, as his owne inuen∣tions, are the euident forgery and inuen∣tion of this protestant, for all these thinges are plaine wordes of holy scriptures in all places, and so the inuentions of God him∣selfe, and not Pope Celestines; And if hee meaneth that the placing them in the Mas∣se was his inuention, which hee doth not insinuate, why was it not lawfull for him to vse the scriptures in Masse? otherwise no prayer or part of Masse, or whatsoeuer li∣turgie or publicke office of any church could bee lawfull, nothinge could be law∣full, for nothinge is more lawfull or war∣ranted then the word of God and scripture. Yet it was not S. Celestines inuention, to place any one of these in the Masse, but they were all vsed therin, before his time, euen by the confession of these protestants them∣selues. For first concerning the introite, it is one of the psalmes of Dauid the 42. by the Latine accompt, and by the Hebrue 43. and such kind of introite to the holy Masse, was in vse longe before this Popes time, as our protestants acknowledge, wherof one thus confesseth.. (Io. Foxe To. 2. Act. and Mo∣num.

Q. Mary pag. 1401.) Chrisostome in the eleuenth homely vpon the Ghospell of S. Mat∣thew, saith, that in his time, and before his time, the vse was to singe whole psalmes till they were entered and assembled together: And so belike Caelestinus borrowed this custome of of the Greekes, and brought it into the Latine church. Therfore by these men S. Caelestine was not the Author of this custome: yet if he had bene, no protestāt or Christian will say, that sayinge or singinge holy psalmes, so warranted in scripture, is an vnlawfull, but a lawfull and godly exercise.

4. The same protestant Author maketh the graduale, response, and tract of as aun∣cient standinge, when hee thus speaketh of the graduale and consequently of the others belonging vnto it. (Foxe supr.) the graduale the people were went to singe when the Bishop was about to go vp to the pulpit, or some high∣er standinge, where the worde of God might be better & more sensibly heard at his mouth, readinge the epistle and the ghospell. Which custome hee maketh as auncient, or more auncient, then the time of Pope Alexander, in the Empire of Traian. Touchinge the laste which is the offertorie, it is euident by

these protestants, and al testimonies before, that it was, and of necessitie must needs be vsed from the begininge, for where there is Masse sacrifice, and oblation offered, there must needes bee an offeringe or offertorie thereof, otherwise it could not bee offered. Foxe supr. Therefore this protestāt acknow∣ledgeth it to haue bene vsed before the time of S. Irenaeus so neare the Apostles, and that hee thus doth remember it. Iren. l. 4. cap. 18. pro diuersis sacrificiorum ritibus simplex oblatio panis & vini fidelibus sufficiat. In stedd of di∣uers rites of sacrifices in the olde lawe, one oblation of breade and wine serueth. Ther∣fore I will conclude with these words, of a protestāt Archbishop. Celestinus was a godly Bishop, and the church of Rome at that time had the substance of the Sacraments, according to Gods word, neither was there any supersti∣tion mixed with them. Iohn Whitg. def. of the answ. to the admonit. pag. 588.

5. And in this opinion are, and ought to bee, all our English Protestant antiquaries, and diuines, which generally hold, & teach, that the Britans of this kingedome, inuio∣lablie kept the true faith and Religion of Christ, in all things, vntill the cominge of

S. Augustine, and his companions from S. Gregory the great Pope of Rome, in the la∣ter end of the sixt hundred yeares: for most certaine and vndoubted it is, by all antiqui∣ties, that this nation at this time of S. Cele∣stine, being infected with the Pelagian He∣reticks, learned and subtile in disputation, this holy Pope sent many holy Bishops hi∣ther to confute that heresie, instruct the ig∣norant, repaire the decaied discipline of our church, and reforme many abuses growne by reason of that heresie, and the Saxon Pagans, which then were entered into this Iland. Which Legates of this holy Pope, must needs bee adiudged to bee of the same faith, and Religion with him, that sent them, by his authoritie and direction to ef∣fect those holy labours. He sent the two ho∣lie Bishops S. Germanus, & Lupus into this part of Britanie, S. Palladius into Scotland, S. Patricke and Segetius into Ireland. I haue spoken of S. Palladius before, how by his power from the see of Rome, hee placed sa∣crificing and massinge preists and Bishops amonge the Scots, and Picts, in the north parts of this kingdome, of vnited great Bri∣tanie. Prosper. in Chronic. ad An. 432. Rob.

Barnes l. de vit. Pontif. Rom. in Caelestino. Io. Bal. l. 2. Act. Pontif. Rom. in eod. Bal. l. de scriptor. Brit. cent. 1. in Leporio Agricola.

6. Also I haue shewed out of our aun∣cient Brittish Manuscript & otherwise be∣fore, how both S. German and Lupus were massinge preists, and Bishops, and obserued the auncient forme of Masse composed by S. Marke, therefore beeing sent by autho∣ritie from that massinge Pope, S. Celestine, they neither did, nor might vary and dif∣fer from the opinion, and practise of him, that sent him, as S. Prosper who liued at that time, and others write, to supply his owne place and parson in ordering and re∣forminge the church of Britanie. Papa Ce∣lestinus Germanum Antisiodorensem Episco∣pum voce sua mittit, vt deturbatis haereticis Britannos ad Catholicam fidem dirigat. Hee consecrated many massinge preists, and Bi∣shops in this kingdome, among whom the cheifest was, that massing Saint Dubritius Archbishop, the cheife Doctor, Primate & the Popes Legate. (Prosper. in Chronic. An. D. 432. Io. Capgrau. in S. Dubritio. Matth. Westm. Galfrid. Monument. hist. Brit. l. 9. cap. 12. Rob. Caenal. l. 2. M. S. Gallic. antiq. M. S.

antiq. & Io. Capgrau. in vita S. Dubritij.) Episcopos in pluribus locis Britanniae consecra∣runt: & dextralis partis Britanniae beatum Dubritium summum Doctorem & Archiepis∣copum statuerunt: a protestant Bishop wri∣teth: Dubritius was made Archbishop by Germanus and Lupus, and they appointed his see to bee at Landaffe. (Godwin. Catalog. in S. Dauide.) this holy Archbishop by the heauenly direction, did consecrate that no∣torious massinge preist S. Sampson Arch∣bishop of Yorke, in whose consecration a miraculous vision appeared to confirme his callinge and Religion, and both S. Dubri∣tius and others did see a piller of fier mira∣culously proceeding from his mouth as hee celebrated the holy Masse, and hee himselfe all his life had Angels ministring vnto him in that blessed sacrifice. Angelus Domini beato Dubritio apparens, Sampsonem ordinari Episcopum praecepit. In cuius consecratione qui aderant, columbam celitus emissam im∣mobiliter super eum stare videbant. Eodem die Sampsone celebrante, Dubritius cum Mo∣nachis duobus, columnam ignis de ore eius procedentem rutilare perspexit. Ille vero om∣ni tempore vitae suae Angelos dum celebra∣ret,

sibi assistere, & in sacrificio ministrare meruit. (M. S. antiquit. & Capgrau. in S. Sampsone Episcopo.) what massinge prei∣stes and Archbishops the immediate suc∣cessors of these two renowned Archbis∣hops were, I shall lay downe herafter more at large.

7. And such as these were, such also was the Archbishop of London S. Vodinus, and all Bishops and preists vnder him, and so consequently in all Britanie at that time: which aswel appeareth, by their owne his∣torian, S. Gildas, venerable S. Bede, as also Matthew of Westminster with others, who speaking of the miserable and generall per∣secutiō of the christian Britans, in al places quasque Prouincias, amonge other cruelties they tel vs, these infidels martyred the Brit∣tish preists, as they were standing at the al∣tars where they said Masse. Sacerdotes iuxta altaria trucidabāt. (Gild. de excid. & conquest. Brit. Matth. Westm. an. gratiae 462. Bed. l. 1. histor. Eccles. cap. 15.) therefore the prei∣stes generally then, were altare, sacrificinge and massinge preists, otherwise they could not haue beene thus cruelly put to death, at the altars, and places of saying Masse, in all

all parts of this nation at that time. Neither could there possibly, at that time bee any other preists, but massinge preists, except they would turne hereticks (which we doe not reade) and leaue the doctrine and Reli∣gion of their both Archbishops, Bishops, and Masters in diuinitie, which in this time were by all testimonie both of Catholicks, and Protestants, either the onely or princi∣pall, S. Dubritius of whome I haue spoken before, S. Iltutus, and S. Gildas, all moste holy and miraculous men, and knowne massinge preists. For concerninge S. Iltutus he was (as a Protestant Bishop with Vicen∣tius, and Antoninus confesseth) scholler to the renowned Popes Legate and massinge Bishop S. German, spoken of before, Io. Bal. l. de script. Britan. cent. 1. in Ilchtuto alias Iltuto. And to proue him a massinge preist, and all his schollers after him, that were preists, to haue bene massinge preists, Nen∣nius our moste auncient (exceptinge Gil∣das) writer which wee haue left, testifieth in his Manuscript historie, that there was in a church which this massinge Saint Iltutus builded, a miraculous Altar, susteyned only without any propp, or foundation by the

power of God, altare quod nutu Dei fulcitur. (Nennius histor. M. S. in fine post nomina ci∣uitatum Britanniae.) and this miraculous al∣tar so inuisibly susteyned, did remayne in Nennius time, & manet vsque in hodiernam diem altare potestate Dei fulcitum.

8. To proue S. Gildas to haue beene of this opinion, and practise, his historie, de excidio Britanniae, often cited in this treatise, is full of altars, massinge and sacrificinge preists, and maketh their irreuent sayinge of Masse, and often neglect of celebrating that holy sacrifice, to haue beene one of the cheife causes of Gods indignation against them, and depriuinge them of this kinge∣dome, and giuinge it to the Saxons theire professed enemies. And hee was one of the renowned schollers of his massing Master, S. Iltutus, as S. Sampson the great massing Archbishop of Yorke, of whome I haue spoken before, and S. Dauid, that moste holy sacrificinge and miraculous Archbi∣shop of Caerlegion, of whome hereafter, and S. Paulinus were: as both Catholicks and Protestants are witnesses. (M. S. antiq. de vit S. Iltuti. Ioh. Capgrau. in Iltuto. Ioh. Bal. centur. 1. de scriptor. Brit. in eod.) what

this Paulinus was, and whether hee that was sent hither with S. Augustine I dare not affirme, yet considering the longe time S. Iltutus liued, as many then did, and hee beeing liuinge as diuers write. (Bal. supr.) in the yeare of Christ 520. hee might haue in his olde age a scholler, that might liue longer then S. Paulinus death, that came with S. Augustine, and was Archbishop of Yorke: for many our holy Bishops as S. Kentegern, and S. Dauid liued longer, and we finde no other renowned Paulinus here in those times. And Nennius who saith ex∣pressely, that hee omitteth of purpose to speake of those that came with S. Augu∣stine, and were not of this nation, yet ma∣keth a most honorable memory of that Pau∣linus Archbishop of Yorke, saying that hee baptized 12000. at one time, and ceased not baptisinge fourtie dayes together. Nennius in histor. M. S. prope finem.

9. So that it is not vnprobable but this holy man S. Paulinus, was the scholer of S. Iltutus, and leauinge his contry (as manie did in that rage of the Saxons) wēt to Rome and liued to come hither againe to accom∣plish so holy labours, as hee did with those

other massinge preistes sent hither at that time. Which hee might well performe, if wee allowe him, to bee 20. yeares old, at the death of his Master S. Iltutus, as be∣fore in the yeare 520. and as an other Pro∣testant Bishop writeth. (Godwin Catalog. Yorke 1. pag. 558.) to haue died in the yeare 644. which accompt maketh him but 124. yeares old, two yeares yonger then his fel∣low scholler S. Dauid by all antiquities ma∣kinge him 146. yeares of age at his death. Post 146. aetatis annum, vt omnes eius faten∣tur historiae, mortuus. In the yeare of his age, 147. anno aetatis suae centesimo quadragesimo septimo. And twenty one yeares yonger then S. Kentegern by all histories, dyinge when hee was one hundred eightie and fiue yea∣res old, cum esset centum octaginta quinque annorum. Ioh. Bal. centur. 1. de scriptorib. Bri∣tan▪ in Dauid Menenien. Ioh. Capgrau· Ca∣tal. in S. Dauid. M. S. antiq. in eod. S. Asaph. in vita S. Kentegern. Capg. in eod. Io. Bal. centur. 1. de script. Brit. in Kentegern. Elg∣nen. Godwin Catalog. in S. Asaph. and Pro∣bus the auncient writer of S. Patricks life, dedicateth it to Paulinus, about that time S. Paulinus was Archbishop here, which ar∣gueth

that Paulinus had some acquaintance with, or reference to S. Patricke, otherwise an Irish Author would not haue dedicated his worke to one in England.Those scholes were here of high authority approued both by the Popes & Kings of Britanie, as Cam∣bridg teacheth. Prebus in vita S. Patricij in∣ter opera S. Bedae. Io. Caius l. antiquitat. Cam∣tab. pag. 147.148.

10. Now let vs come to S. Patricke, who although he was cheifly sent by S. Celestine to the inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland, yet hee was a Britane borne, and by many antiquities preached much, and by some many yeares together before his death li∣uinge in this nation, died here. Therefore wee may boldly apply him as a Master and witnes in this busines. This man being sent by the massinge Pope S. Celestine, was so farr also a massinge preist, and Bishop, that as the auncient writer of his life, not S. Bede but Probus an Irish man more aunciēt then S. Bedes time, witnesseth. (l. 2. de vita S. Patricij in fine.) the inchaunters and magi∣ciens of that contry, especially three which he called Locri, Egled, and Mel, did tell to the Kinge and nobles of that contry beinge

idolaters, diuers yeares before the cominge of S. Patricke thither, that a certaine Pro∣phet should come thither with a new Reli∣gion, that though it was hard and austere, yet it should quite destroy theire auncient worship, and there continue for euer. And to speake in this auncient Authors wordes of S. Patricks sayinge Masse in particular: praecinebant quasi in modum cantici lirico modo compositi ante aduentum Sancti viri duobus aut tribus annis decantantes de eo. Haec sunt autem verba cantici secundum linguae illius Idioma in latinum conuersa, non tamen mani∣festa. Adueniet artis caput, cum suo ligno prae∣curuo capite: ex eo omnis domus erit capite perforata: incantabit nephas ex sua mensa ex anteriore parte domus suae, respondebit ei sua familia tota, fiat, fiat. Quod nostris verbis po∣test manifestius exprimi. Adueniet totius ar∣tis Magister cum signo crucis, & quod omne cor hominum compungitur, & de altari Sacra∣mentorum conuertet animas ad Christum, & omnis populus Christianorum respōdebit Amen. Quādo erunt haec omnia regnum nostrum gen∣tile non stabit. Quod sic totum completum est. They did singe before the cominge of the holy man S. Patricke a songe made lyrick∣wise

of him two or three yeares. And these are the words of the song according to that language turned into latine, but not mani∣fest. The head of art will come, with his staffe with a crooked head, with that al the house shall bee bored in the heade: he shall singe wickednes from his table from the former part of his house, all his householde shall answere, so bee it, so bee it. Which in our words may be more manifestly expres∣sed. The Master of all art shall come with the signe of the crosse, and all the harts of men shall haue compunction, and from the altare of Sacraments hee shall conuert sou∣les to Christ, and all Christian people shall answere Amen. When all these things shall bee, then our heathen kingedome shall not stand. All which was so fulfilled. Io. Cap∣grau. in Catalog. in S. Patricio.

11. Iohn Capgraue and others in S. Pa∣tricks life thus set downe this prediction of S. Patricke, adueniet homo cum suo ligno cuius mensa erit in oriente domus suae, & populus e∣ius retrorsum, & ex sua mensa cantabit, & familia respondebit ei Amen. Hic cum aduene∣rit, Deos nostros destruet templa subuertet, & doctrina eius regnabit in seculū seculi. A man

shall come with his staffe, whose table shall be in the east part of his house, and the peo∣ple behinde him, and hee shall singe from his table, and the companie shall answere vnto him Amen. He when he cometh shall destroy our Gods, ouerthrowe our temples, & his doctrine shall reigne for euer. Where wee see an euident prediction, and foretel∣ling, how this great Apostle should be a sa∣crificinge massinge preist, his altar should bee in the east part of the church, as altars vsually are, and the people should answere Amen. How deuout a sacrificinge massinge man hee was, the historie of his life is wit∣nes, and of many miracles to proue the san∣ctitie and holines, both of that sacrifice, and the sacrificer; Amonge which a sorcerer o∣uerthrowinge his chalice when hee said masse, the earth opened and swallowed him vp. Factum est alto die cum Patricius Missam celebraret quidam magus effudit calicem suam, & statim terra aperiēs os suum deuorauit eum. (M. S. antiq. in vit. S. Patric. Capgrau. in eod.) and the altare on which hee vsuallie said Masse, healed diseases and wrought o∣ther miracles. And this moste holy Saint by all testimonies both of Catholicks, and

Protestants. (Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. in Pa∣tric. Prob. in vita eius. Capgrau. & al in eod.) was so great a promoter of the blessed sa∣crifice of Masse, and sacrificinge massinge preists, and Bishops, that for the honor and propagation of them, to insist in the words of Nennius. (Nenmus M. S. hist. in S. Patri∣cie.) hee founded 345. churches to that vse. Hee consecrated so many or more Bishops, en∣dued with the spirit, of God, and ordered 3000. massinge preists. Ecclesias numero fundauit 345. ordinauit Episcopos trecentos quadragin∣ta quinque aut amplius, in quibus spiritus Do∣mini crat. Presbyteros autem vsque ad tria millia ordinauit.

12. Therefore this massing Archbishop liuinge and rulinge in Ireland and Britanie vntill the yeare of Christ 491. by a Prote∣stant Bishop makinge his age 122. yeares, and longer by Capgraue, & others, saying hee was, annis centum triginta, an hundred and thirty yeares old, & by Probus an hun∣dred thirtie two, and more, when hee died. (Bal centur. 1. de scriptor. Britan. in Patri∣cio. Capgrau. Catal. in eod. M. S. in vita S. Patric. Prebus in vit. eiusd.) this kingdome of Britanie could not bee without Masse,

and many massinge preists, and Bishops in this age. And as the great recited number of massinge preists and Bishops, especially Bishops, aboue 340. could not bee wholly employed in these kingdomes, which neuer had so many in so short a time, we may be bold to extend his mission of such massinge men, to a larger circuite, and say hee sent diuers of these his massinge disciples, euen into Armerica it selfe: for wee finde in the aunciently written life of S. Brendan 1100. yeares since. (M. S. antiq. & Io. Capgrau. in vit. S. Brendani.) of whom one of the Ilands of America still beareth name, that in his longe and tedious trauailes, hee founde in those parts, diuers massinge preistes, that did vsually say Masse, and had most sump∣tuous Altars of Christal, who affirmed they were disciples to S. Patricke, and by him directed thither. And were most holie and miraculous men, and amonge other things then prophesied to S. Brendan, how that contrie should bee descryed, and visited a∣gaine by Christians, to their great good & comforte after many ages, as happily wee finde it was: Post multa annorum curricula declarabitur ista terra vestris Successoribus,

quando Christianorum superuenerit persecu∣tio. Written in many Manuscripts manie hundreds of yeares before the late discoue∣rie of America, and by Capgraue & others published longe before that time.

THE XX. CHAPTER. Wherein is proued by protestants and others, that the church of Britanie and Rome, ac∣corded in this age in these misteries: and how all the Popes beeing massinge preists and Popes, yet no one of them made any ma∣teriall alteration in this sacrifice.

THus hauinge shewed both by Catho∣licke, and Protestant authorities, that the holy sacrifice of Masse, massing preists, and preisthood generally, and inuiolablie continued in Britanie all this age and hun∣dred of yeares, because it is confessed this nation was still hitherto directed in Reli∣gion, by the see Apostolicke of Rome, and there want not protestāt aduersaries, which say the Popes there in this time also added, and altered diuers things, to, and in the sa∣crifice of Masse, wee will now proue by

these protestants them selues, that not anie one Pope altered, or added any one mate∣riall, or leaste essentiall thinge therein in this age. The first Pope after S. Celestine which these men accuse for addinge, or al∣teringe in this matter, is that moste learned and renowned Pope, S. Leo, against whom a Protestant Bishop thus exclaimeth. (Bal. l. 2. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in Leone 1. Robert. Barns in vit. Pont. in cod.) Leo primus Thus∣cus, in canone Missae, hoc sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam, & hanc igitur oblatio∣nem, non sine magna Dei blasphemia addidit. Pope Leo the first, a Tuschan by birth, did add in the canon of the Masse, not without great blasphemie of God, this holy sacrifice immaculate offeringe, and therefore this ob∣lation. To this I answere, and first to the pretended addition of the prayer. Hanc igi∣tur oblationem: That as our renowned con∣tryman S. Albinus with others, proueth. (Albin. Alcuin. l. de diuin offic. cap. de cele∣brat. Missae.) this prayer, especially the first part which hee taxeth, is as auncient in the Masse, as the Apostles time, and was vsed both by S. Peter and others of that sacred order: Missam Petrus Antiochiae dicitur cele∣brasse,

in qua tres tantum orationes in initio fidei proferebantur, incipientes ab eo loco, vbi dicitur; Hanc igitur oblationem. Therefore S. Leo added nothinge in this prayer, beeing for the first part vsed by the Apostles, and others in their dayes, which is that, this Protestant Bishop excepteth against: and for the later end thereof, which hee taxeth not, was by this man himselfe, and others, both Catholicks, and Protestants, added longe time after, and then, first by S. Gre∣gorie the great and first Pope of that name. Baleas l. 2. de Act· Pontfic. Rom. in Gregorio 1. Rob. Barnes in vit. Pontif. Rom. in eodem. & alij communiter.

2. So that it is euident S. Leo neither did, nor could add any part of this prayer, to the sacrifice of Masse as his owne addi∣tion or inuention, all that hee did, or possi∣blie could doe therin, was to take order that the decree or custom of the Apostles should be obserued, which cannot be either great or little blasphemie of God, as this barba∣rous mouth affirmed, but honor vnto God in that behalfe. To make all sure, I will cite the whole praier then vsed thus in English: Therefore ô Lord wee beseech thee, that thou

wilt be pleased to accept this oblation of our ser∣uice, and all thy family through Christ our Lord. The rest being added by S. Gregory, is thus: and dispose our dayes in peace, and com∣maund wee may bee deliuered from euerlasting damnation, and numbred in the flocke of thy elected seruants. In which addition of S Gre∣gory there is not any one word, of matter now in controuersie, but al holy and allow∣able, by Protestant Religion. And in that part, which I say with S. Albin or Alcuine, was vsed by the Apostles, there is not one word, except, oblation, which is, or can by protestants bee called into controuersie, by them or any Christiā; Therfore to answere that & hoc sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam, together; If S. Leo added these wordes, to the canon of the Masse, then the canon of the Masse was before S. Leo his pretended additions: and in other places of this canon of which no protestant doth, or will pro∣duce any Author, beeing as is proued be∣fore apostolicall, this Liturgie of Masse is called. (in can. Missae antiq.) donum, munus, sanctum sacrificium illibatum, oblatio benedicta, adscripta, rata, rationabilis, sacrificium, hostia pura, hostia sancta, hostia immaculata. A pre∣sent,

a guift, holy sacrifice vnspotted, an oblation blessed, adscribed, ratified, reason∣able, a sacrifice, a pure hoste, an holy hoste, an immaculate hoste.

3. And this Protestant Bishop himselfe hath testified also, that the offertorie was vsed in S. Celestines time before: which is this in English: O holy Father omnipotent eternall God, receue this immaculate sacrifice, or oblation, which I thy vnworthie seruant doe offer vnto thee, my liuinge and true God, for my innumerable sinnes, and offences, and ne∣gligences, and for all here present, as also for all faithfull Christians both liuinge and deade, that it may bee to mee and them for saluation to eternal life. Suscipe sancte Pater omnipotens aeterne Deus, hāc immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi Deo meo, viuo, & vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis, & offensionibus, & negligentijs meis, & pro om∣nibus circumstantibus, sed & pro omnibus fide∣libus Christianis, viuis atque defunctis: vt mihi & illis proficiat ad salutem, in vitam ae∣ternam Amē. So likewise it was for the cha∣lice: offerimus tibi Domine calicem salutaris: ô Lord wee offer vnto thee the chalice of saluation: And I haue proued in all ages be∣fore,

from Christ, euen with the allowan∣ce of our protestants, that Masse was an ho∣lie sacrifice, and all truely consecrated prei∣stes, did euer in all times and places still of∣fer that moste holy sacrifice, both for the liuinge and faithfull departed, and that this was so an vndoubted and generally rece∣ued custome, & truth in the whole church, that by our protestants graunt, it was iustly condemned to bee heresie, to deny it, and this longe time before S. Leo was borne: Therefore none of those names could bee by any possibility his inuentiō in this kind. Which this protestant accusing Bishop him selfe to confound and contradict himselfe, teacheth in the same place, when hee saith of S. Leo, Missae sacrificium approbanit. Hee did approue the sacrifice of Masse: therfore Masse was termed and knowne to be so ac∣cepted a sacrifice, before his time, and ap∣probation. For a thinge approued, or to bee approued, vnseparably carrieth with it a precedency to the approbation, that which is, not cannot possibly bee approued, as a thinge past or present, and euery such al∣lowance or approbation necessarily suppo∣seth the thinge to bee so allowed or appro∣ued.

And this will suffice for S. Leo.

4. After whome in this age the onely Pope which is produced by these men to haue added, or altered in the Masse, is Ge∣lasius: of this Pope a protestant thus wri∣teth. (Robert. Barnes in vit. Pontif. in Gela∣sio.) praefationem Missae, verè dignū & iustum est, instituit. But this is euidentlie vntrue, as I haue proued before, for S. Ciprian, and before him Tertullian informe vs, it was in vse in the church before their times; and S. Ciprian alleadgeth it is an apostolicall, common, & known custome of the church. (Ciprian. l. de orat. Dominic.) and Foxe the protestant proueth. (Io. Foxe Tom. 2. in Q. Mary.) that this could not bee any inuen∣tion of Gelasius, for that both the auncient Greeke church before that time, and both S. Ciprian, and S. Augustine so agree it was in vse before. Ciprian. sup. Aug. de vera Re∣ligione cap. 3) therefore followeth therein the opinion of Thomas Waldensis, that it could not bee the inuention of Pope Gela∣sius. And Pope Vigilius which liued not longe after Gelasius, who writinge to the Bishops of Germany and Fraunce, desirous to know the order which the church of

Rome obserued in the prefaces of Masse, answereth in this maner. (Vigilius epistola ad Episcopos Germaniae & Galliae.) Inuenimus has nouem praefationes in sacro catalogo tan∣tumodo recipiendas, quas long a retro veritas in Romana Ecclesia hactenus seruauit. Wee finde that these 9. prefaces are to bee rece∣ued in the holy catalogue, which truth hath longe time from former ages hitherto ob∣serued in the Roman church. And thus hee recōpteth them: one of Easter, another of the Ascension of our Lord, the third of Pentecoste, the fourth of the natiuitie of our Lord, the fift of the apparition of our Lord, the sixt of the Apostles, the seuenth of the holy Trinitie, the eight of the Crosse, the ninth in Lent. And thus concludeth: has praefationes tenet & cus∣todit sancta Romana Ecclesia, has tenendas vo∣bis mandamus. These prefaces the holy Roman church obserueth, these wee commaund to bee kept by you. And Houeden as our protestants haue published him, reciteth all these, out of the same authoritie to haue bene receued in England in a councel of our Bishops ma∣nie hundred yeares since, setting downe the begininge of euery one of them, and addeth the tenth of the blessed Virgin, decimam de

beata Virgine. Roger. Houeden in annal. part. posterior. in Henr. 2.

5. And our English Protestants them∣selues by their highest parlamentary autho∣ritie in such things with them, vse the same prefaces, except that of the Apostles and blessed Virgine, in their publick church ser∣uice, their communion booke. (Protest. communion booke titul. communion.) and yet in that of the blessed Virgine which see∣meth to haue beene added after the dayes of Pope Vigilius, there is no inuocation of her, nor any matter now questioned by pro∣testants found in it. And concerninge that of the Apostles of matters questioned there is onely this clause, or petition vnto God, for preseruing his church: vt gregem tuum Pastor aeterne non deseras: sed per beatos Apo∣stolos tuos continua protectione custodias, vt ijsdem Rectortbus gubernetur, quos operis tui Vicarios eidem contulisti praesse Pastores. That God the eternall Pastor will not forsake his flocke, but keepe by his blessed Apostles, with continuall protection, that it may bee gouerned by the same Rulers, whome Vicars of his worke, hee hath appointed Pastors to rule it. Which is not a prayer immediatlie to the Apostles,

but to God for the protection of his Apo∣stles, and such as our protestants themsel∣ues in their publick seruice, on S. Michael his day, doe vse for the protection of An∣gels, as is manifest in their collect or prayer of that feast, being the old Catholick pray∣er word by word translated into English. And yet if there were any immediate pray∣er vnto the Apostles, or any other Saints or Angels, in any ōf these prefaces, I haue proued before, that it was the receaued do∣ctrine of Christs church, from the begin∣ninge.

6. And if wee should allow vnto pro∣testants, that Pope Gelasius did add in the prefaces, all that clause, verè dignum & ius∣tum est: vnto, per Christum Dominum no∣strum. What is there in it, but holy, and al∣lowable, and still practised by themselues in their church seruice. This it is: verè dig∣num & iustum est aequum & salutare nos tibi semper & vbique gratias agere Domine sancte Pater omnipotens aterne Deus, per Christum Dominum nostrum, ô Lord holy Father om∣nipotent eternall God, verely it is a thinge worthie and iust, right and belonginge to saluation, that wee alwayes and in all pla∣ces

giue thanks to thee by Christ our Lord. Are not all Christians in all iudgements bound to bee of this minde, and this being a dutie so bindinge and belonginge vnto al that beleeue in Christ, is it not the better, the oftner, and more publickly it be ack∣nowledged? o•…•… if it be good by protestants, and in their publick practise, how can it be ill in Catholicks, or could bee so in Pope Gelasius? And if hee had added, Te igitur clementissime Pater per Iesum Christū filium tuum Dominum nostrum supplices rogamus ac petimus: Therefore ô moste mercifull Fa∣ther, wee aske and beseeche thee, by Iesus Christ, thy sonne our Lord. It is the same reason, as before, this beinge a very Chri∣stian, and holy prayer, by Protestant Reli∣gion, to aske all things of God in the name of Christ as hee himselfe said: whatsoeuer you shall aske in my name, that will I doe. (Io. c. 14. v. 13.) and whatsoeuer yee shall aske of the Father in my name hee may giue it you. Io. c. 15. v. 26.

7. Whereby these men may see, that nei∣ther the primatiue church which vsed in∣uocation of Saints, nor the present church of Rome insistinge therein, did, or doe di∣minish

any honor, or dutie to Christ, by honoringe them, which honor him, and are honoured by him. Yet S. Remigius witnes∣seth, this prayer, Te igitur clementissime Pa∣ter, to haue beene vsed from the Apostles. (Remig. in epist. 1. ad Timoth. cap. 2.) Wher∣as some protestants write of Pope Gelasius. (Balaeus l. 2. de actis Pontif. Rom. in Gelasio.) Gelasius hymnos, prefationes, gradualia, collec∣tas & orationes praescripsit: Pope Gelasius did prescribe hymnes, prefaces, graduals, col∣lects, and prayers: I haue proued by these protestants, that all these were vsed in the church, and laudably longe before: and by the word praescripsit, hee did prescribe, what hymnes, prefaces, graduals, and collects, or prayers were to bee vsed, it is euident, these were before, and he being Pope, and cheife, prescribed the order how they should bee vsed: which proueth, he rather tooke some away, then added any, for amonge them were before, praescripsit, he prescribed, which, and no others should bee vsed. And wheras there is a controuersie, by some, whether this prescription and orderinge these things was by Pope Gelasius, or one called Scho∣lasticus; Master Foxe the Protestant histo∣rian

decideth this question. (Io. Foxe in Q. Mary pag. 1403.) teaching out of, vetusto quodam libro de officio Missa, an old booke of the office of Masse, that these were both one, and Gelasius, beinge Scholasticus be∣fore, was made Pope: Gelasius Papa ex Scho∣lastico effectus in ordine 48) And thus much of Gelasius.

8. After whome, for an intermedler in these affaires, our protestants propose Pope Symmachus. (Barnes in vit. Pontif. Rom. in Symmacho. Bal. l. 2. in eod.) who commaun∣ded, gloria in excelsis Deo, to bee sunge vp∣pon sondayes, and feasts of Saints. In Do∣minico die & Sanctorum natalitijs, gloria in excelsis canendum esse dixit; or by an other, praecepit. But if they meane the first part, of this holy hymne, it was the songe of the Angels, at the birthe of Christ, and recom∣mended vnto vs in scripture, and by one of these protestants, vsed at Masse by the com∣maundement of Saint, and Pope Telespho∣rus, who liued in the Apostles time: gloria in excelsis Deo &c. in Missa canendum praece∣pit. (Rob. Barnes in vit. Pontif. Rom. in Te∣lesphoro. & S. Petro) and if they meane the whole canticle, as it is now vsed, their bro∣ther

Iohn Foxe, with others, thus testifieth. (Iohn. Foxe supr. in Q. Mary.) The hymne, gloria in excelsis, which was sunge of the An∣gels at the birth of our Sauiour, was augmen∣ted by Hilarius Pictauiensis, with those words, that follow, singing it first in his owne church, which was an. 340. & afterward brought into other churches by Pope Symmachus. And our histories testifie it was vsed here in Britanie by S. German in his time. And our English Protestants vse it, in their publicke church seruice, at this day, by publicke authoritie. Engl. Protestant communion booke morninge prayer.

9. That which a Protestant Bishop wri∣teth of this Pope, that he reduced the Masse to forme, Missam in formam redegit. (Bal. l. 2. Act. Pontif. Rom. in Symmacho.) is his for∣mall forgery, or foolery, confounded by many vndeniable instances graunted by protestants before, as the forme of Masse of S. Peter, S Iames, S. Matthew, S Marke, S. Clement, S. Basile, S. Chrisostome, and Popes of Rome longe before this time, as amonge other witnesses this Protestant Bi∣shop himselfe testifieth of S. Innocentius, Syricius, S. Celestine, S. Leo and Gelasius.

(Bal. in Act. Pontif. Rom. in Innocent. Syric. Calestino Leon. Gelas.) therefore without e∣uident contradiction, and wilfull errour, he cannot intend, or affirme, that Pope Sym∣machus did first bringe the Masse into or∣der. Therefore of necessitie to keepe him∣selfe from these absurdities, he must vnder∣stand, that Pope Symmachus confirmed, or allowed of the forme of Masse, formerlie vsed in the church, which all Popes & good Christians euer did, and ought to doe.

10. And here endeth the fift hundred yeare, at which time, and longe after, as with others, our protestants assure vs, that S. Dubritius that great massinge Prelate, and Archbishop primate here, & the Popes Legate, and great Master of diuinitie, toge∣ther with S. Iltutus priuiledged in the same facultie by papall authoritie, and S. Gildas by whome all Britanie and other contries receaued instruction were liuinge, and con∣sequently agreeing in all thinges with the church of Rome. (Bal. cent. 1. in Dubritie Iltuto Gylda Albanio. Godwin. Catal. in S. Dauids. Capgrau. Catal. in Dubrit. Iltut. Gild.) About which time also amonge diuers o∣thers those three great lights of our Brittish

church knowne massinge preists, and Bi∣shops S. Dauid that succeeded S. Dubritius in his archiepiscopall dignitie, S. Thelians and S. Patern, began to florish, and went that great Pilgrimage to Hierusalem. (M. S. antiq. Capgrau. Catal. in S. Dauid. S. The∣lian. & S. Paterno & alij. M. S. S. Theliai apud Godwin. Catal. in Landaff. 2.) and both in going and returninge through Italy and those places, and ordinarily sayinge Masse, must needs vse that order and forme ther∣of, they found to bee vsed at Rome, and all places receauinge direction from thence in such affaires, and so here I end this age, and centenary of yeares.