An harmony of the confessions of the faith of the Christian and Reformed Churches which purelie professe the holy doctrine of the Gospell in all the chiefe kingdomes, nations, and prouinces of Europe: the catologue and order whereof the pages following will declare. There are added in the ende verie shorte notes: in which both the obscure thinges are made plaine, & those thinges which maie in shew seeme to be contrarie each to other, are plainelie and verie modestlie reconciled, and if anie points doe as yet hang in doubt, they are sincerelie pointed at. All which things, in the name of the Churches of Fraunce and Belgia, are submitted to the free and discrete iudgement of all other Churches. Newlie translated out of Latine into English. Also in the end is added the confession of the Church of Scotland. Alowed by publique authoritie.

THE FIFTEENTH SECTION. OF ECCLE∣SIASTICAL MEETINGES. (Book 15)

THE LATTER CONFESSION OF HELVETIA.

Of holie and Ecclesiasticall meetings. CHAP. 22.

ALthough it be lawfull for all men, priuate∣lie at home to reade the holie Scriptures, and by instruction to edifie one another in the true religion; yet that the word of God maie be lawfullie preached to the people, and prayers and supplications publique∣lie made, & that the sacraments maie be lawfully ministred, that collectiō may be made for the pore, and to defray al necessary charges of the Church, or to sup∣ply the wantes, it is very needful there should be holy mee∣tings & Ecclesiastical assemblies. For it is manifest that in the Apostolike & primitiue Church there were such assemblies frequented of godly men. So many then as do despise them, and separate themselues from them, they are contemners of true religion, & are to be compelled by the Pastours & godly▪ Magistrates, to surcease stubbornelie to seperate and absent themselues from sacred assemblies. Now Ecclesiasticall as∣semblies must not be hidden and secret, but publique, and common, except persecution by the enimies of Christ & the Church will not suffer them to be publique. For we know what manner assemblies the primitiue Church had hereto∣fore

in secret corners, being vnder the tyrannie of Romane Emperours. Let those places where the faithfull meet toge∣ther be decent, and in al respects fit for gods Church. Ther∣fore let houses be chosen for that purpose, or Churches that are large & faire, so that they be purged from al such things, as doe not beseeme the Church. And let all things be orde∣red, as is moste meete for comelines, necessitie, and godlie decency, that nothing be wanting which is requisite for rites and orders, and the necessarie vses of the Church.

And as wee beleeue that God doth not dwell in temples made with handes, so we know that by reason of the worde of god, & holy exercises therin celebrated, places dedicated to God and his worship are not prophane, but holie, and that therefore such as are conuersant in them, ought to be∣haue themselues reuerentlie and modestlie, as they which are in a sacred place, in the presence of God and his holie Angells. All excesse of apparell therefore is to be abando∣ned from Churches and places where Christians meete in praier, together with all pride, and whatsoeuer else doth not beseeme Christian humilitie, decencie, & modestie. For the true ornament of Churches doth not consist ••n Iuo∣rie, golde, and precious stones, but in the sobrietie, godli∣nes, and vertues of those, which are in the Church. Let all thinges be done comelie and orderlie in the Church: to conclude, Let all thinges be done to edifying. Therefore let all straunge tongues keepe silence in the holie assemblies, and let all thinges be vttered in the vulgare tongue, which is vnder∣stood of all men in the companie.

Of prayer, singing, and Canonicall houers. CHAP. 23.

TRue it is, that a man maie lawfullie praie priuatelie in anie tongue that he doth vnderstand: but publique praiers ought in the holie assemblies to be made in the vul∣gare tongue, or such a language as is knowne to all. Let all the prayers of the faithful be powred forth to God alone through the mediation of Christ only, out of a true faith & pure loue. As for inuocation of Saints, or vsing them as in∣tercessors, to intreat for vs, the priesthod of our Lord Christ & true religion wil not permitte vs. Prayer must be made for Magistracie, for Kings and all that are placed in authoritie,

for Ministers of the Church, and for all necessities of Chur∣ches in anie calamitie, and speciallie in the calamitie of the Church, prayer must be made both priuatellie, and pub∣liquelie, without ceasing. Moreouer wee must praie wil∣linglie, and not by constraint, nor for anie reward: neither must we superstitiouslie tie prayer to anie place, as though it were not lawfull to praie but in the Church. There is no necessitie, that publique praiers should be in fo••••e & time the same or alike in all Churches. Let all Churches vse their libertie. Socrates in his hystorie saith, In anie countrie or na∣tion wheresoeuer, you shall not finde two Churches which doe whollie agree in prayer: The authors of this difference I thinke were those which had the gouernment of the Ch•• ••hes in all a∣ges. If so be anie doe agree, it deserueth great commenda∣tion, and is to be imitated of others.

Besides this, there must be a meane and measure, as in e∣uerie other thing, so also in publique prayers, that they be not ouerlong, and tedious: let therefore the most time be giuen to teaching of the gospell, in such holie assemblies: and let there be diligent heede taken, that the people in the assemblies be not wearied with ouerlong praiers, so as when the preaching of the gospell should be heard, they through wearisomnes either desire to go 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselues, or to haue the assemblie wholly dismissed. For vnto such the sermons seeme to be ouerlong, which otherwise are briefe inough. Yea and the Preachers ought to keepe a meane. Likewise the singing in sacred assemblies ought to be moderated, where it is in vse. That long, which they cal Gregories song, hath manie grosse thinges in it. Wherefore it is vpon good cause reiected of ours, and of all other reformed Churches. If there be any Churches which haue faithful praier in good manner, and no singing at all, they are not therefore to be condemned for all Churches haue not the commoditie and opportunitie of singing. And certaine it is by testimonies of antiquitie, that as the custome of singing hath bene verie auncient in the East Churches, so it was long or it was re∣ceiued in the West Churches.

In Auncient time there were Canonicall houres, that is, knowne prayers framed for certeine houres in the daie, and chaunted therein, oft repeated, as the Papists manner is:

which maie be prooued by manie of their lessons appointed in their houres and diuers other arguments. Moreouer they haue manie absurde things (that I saie no more) and ther∣fore are well omitted of our Churches, that haue brought in their stead matters more wholsome for the whol Church of God.

Hitherto also perteineth the beginning of the 25. Art.

Of Catechizing.

THe Lord inioyned his ancient people to take great care and diligence in instructing the youth well, euen from their infancie, and moreouer commaunded expressely in his Law, that they should teach them, and declare the mysterie of the Sacraments vnto them. Now for as much as it is eui∣dent by the writings of the Euangelists and Apostles, that God had no lesse care of the youth of his new people, seeing he saith, Suffer litle Children to come vnto me, for of such is the kingdome of heauen; Therefore the Pastours do verie wiselie, which doe diligentlie and betimes Catechise their youth, laying the first groundes of faith, and faithfullie teaching the principles of our religion, by expounding the ten com∣maundements, the Apostles Creed, the Lordes praier, and the doctrine of the sacramentes, with other like principles and chiefe heads of our religion. And here let the Church performe her faithfullnes and diligence in bringing the Children to be catechized, as beeing desirous and glad to haue her children well instructed. That which followeth in this Article, is conteined in the sixteenth section.

Also, CHAP. 28.

Of the goodes of the Church, and right vse of them.

THe Church of Christ hath riches through the boun∣tifulnes of princes, and the liberalitie of the faithful, who haue giuen their goods to the Church: for the Church hath need of such goods: and hath had goods from aun∣cient time, for the manteinance of thinges necessarie for the Church. Now the true vse of the Church goods, was, and now is, to manteine learning in schooles, and in holie assemblies, with all the seruice, rites, and buildinges of the

Church: finallie to manteine teachers, schollers, and mi∣nisters, with other necessarie things, and chieftelie for the succour and reliefe of the pore. But for the lawfull dispensing of these Ecclesiasticall goods, let men be chosen that feare God, wise men, and such as are of good reporte for go∣uernement of their families. But if the goods of the Church by iniurie of the time, and the boldnes, ignorance, or coue∣tousnes of some be turned to anie abuse, let them be resto∣red againe, by godly & wise men, vnto their holy vse: for they must not winke at so impious an abuse. Therefore we teach that Schooles and Colledges, whereinto corruption is crept in doctrine, in the seruice of god, and in manners, must be reformed, that there must order be taken, godly, faithfully, and wiselie, for the reliefe of the poore.

OVT OF THE FORMER CONFESSION OF HELVETIA

Holie meetings.

WE think that holie meetings are so to be celebra∣ted, * 1.1that aboue all things the word of God be pro∣pounded * 1.2to the people euerie day publiquely, in a publique place, and appointed for holie excercises: also that the hid∣den thinges of the Scripture maie dayly be searched out and declared▪ by those that are fit thereunto: that the faith of the godlie maie be exercised, and that we maie continu∣allie be instant in praier, according as the necessitie of all men requireth. As for other vnprofitable and innumerable circumstances of ceremonies, as vessells, apparell, vailes, torches or candelles, altars, golde and siluer, so farre forth as they serue to peruert religion; but especially Idolls, which are set vp to be worshipped, and giue offence, and all pro∣phane things of that sort, we do remooue them far from our holie meeting.

Of Heretikes and Schismatiks.

* 1.3 ALso we remooue from our holie meetings all those, who forsaking the propertie of the holie Church, do either bring in, or follow strange, and wicked opinions, with which euill the Catabaptistes are chiefelie infected: who, if they do obstinatelie refuse to obey the Church and

Christian instruction, are in our iudgement to be bridled by the Magistrate, lest by their contagion they infect the flocke of Christ.

OVT OF THE CONFESSION OF BOHEMIA.

Of Catechizing. CHAP. 2.

IN the second place they teach the Christian Cate∣chisme, that is, a Catholike doctrine, and an instructi∣on made with the mouth, which agreeth in Christianisme, with the auncient Church and holie fathers: and this do∣ctrine or instruction is the inward or secret thing, and the marrow, and the keie to the wholl holie Scripture, and con∣teineth the summe thereof: It is comprehended in the 10. commaundements, in the Catholike, Christian, and Apo∣stolique Creed, wherein be 12. Articles, which are expoun∣ded and confirmed, by the Nicen, and Athanasius his creed, and by godlie, Catholike, and generall Councells: also, in the forme of praiers, to wit, of that holie praier which the Lord appointed, and in a summarie doctrine touching the sacraments, and such dueties, as we owe, or be proper, re∣garde being had to euerie mans place and order, in diuers and distinct kindes of life, whereunto he is called of God: and there is an open confession and profession made, that this Christian doctrine is that true, full, perfect, and well pleased wil of God, necessarie to euery faithful Christian vn∣to saluation.

This Catechisme, which doth conteine in it the ful & Ca∣tholike doctrine of Christianisme, & the knowledge of most weighty things spokē of before, our preachers do vse in stead of a sure rule, method, & table of al those things which they teach, & of all their sermons & writings: & this they do faith∣fully care for, and bestowe all their labour therein, that this wholl ordinarie doctrine of the principles of true faith, and Christian godlines, and the doctrine of the foundation, may be imprinted in the bottome of the heartes of Christians, & throughlie ingrafted in the mindes and life of the hearers, and that after this manner. First that all maie know, that they are bound to yeelde an inward and outward obedience

to the law: and therefore they must endeuour to performe and fulfil the commaundements of God, both in their heart, seeing that the law is spirituall, and in their deedes, by lo∣uing God aboue all things, and their neighbour as them∣selues.

Secondlie, they must well learne and beare in minde, and be able readilie to rehearse, & to beleeue from the heart, to keepe, and to professe with the mouth, the chiefe points of the Catholike, Christian, and Apostolike Creed, and to te∣stifie a christian pietie by actions, or manners, & a life which maie beseeme it. Therefore they do also in their sermons, by expounding it, laie open the true and sound meaning, and euerie mysterie, which is necessarie to true and eternall sal∣uation, and is comprehended in the Articles of faith, and in euerie parte thereof, and confirme it by testimonies taken out of the holie scriptures, and by these holie scriptures, they doe either more largelie or brieflie declare, expound, and laie open the meaning, and the mysteries. And in all these things they do so behaue them selues, that concer∣ning the order which the Apostles brought in and propoun∣ded, they labour to instruct not onelie those which be of ri∣per yeares, who being come to lawfull age, are able present∣ly to vnderstand; but also so to teach litle children, that they being exercised, euen frō their childood, in the chiefe points of the couenant of god, may be taught to vnderstand the true worship of god. For this cause, there be both peculiar Eccle∣siasticall assemblies with children, which doe serue for the exercise of catechizing▪ and also the parents, & those that are requested of the parents, & vsed for witnesses (who are cal∣led Godfathers, and Godmothers) at Baptisme, are put in minde of the dutie, and faith, which they owe, that they also * 1.4may faithfully instruct their beloued children, train them vp in the discipline of the Lord, and from the bottome of their heartes, praie vnto God for these, and all other the chil∣dren of the faithfull of Christ. But chiefelie they which are newlie instructed, before they be lawfullie admitted to the Supper of the Lord, are diligentlie taught the christian ca∣techisme, and the principles of true religion, and by this meanes they are furthered towards the obtaining of sauing repentance, vertue, and the efficacie of faith. Afterward, all

the rest are also instructed, that all together being lightned with the knowledge of God, and of the Sainctes, euerie man maie walke, with all honestie and godlines, in his place, and in that order, whereunto he is called of God, and ma••e by this meanes sanctifie the name of God, and adorne the true doctrine.

Thirdlie, in the catechisme these thinges are taught, to inuocate one true God in a sure confidence, in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ, to praie, and that not for themselues onelie, and their priuate affaires, but also for the whole Christian Church, in all countries, for the ministers of the Church, and also for the ciuill Magistrate, whoe is ordained of God, and chiefelie for the Emperours and your Princely Maiestie, for his moste noble children, and wholl posteritie, for his counsellers, and all those that be subiect to his go∣uernment, praying, that it would please our gratious God to graunt and to giue vnto your Princelie and his Royall Maie∣stie, a long life, heaped with al good things, and a happie go∣uernement, and also a bening, gentle, and fatherlie minde & affection of the heart toward al those that behaue them∣selues vprightlie, are well affected, do humblie obaie, doe shew themselues faithfull and louing subiectes, and those that doe in trueth worshippe God the Father, and his sonne Iesus Christ. And, to be briefe, we teach, that prayers maie be made faithfullie for all men, for our friends and enimies, * 1.5as the Doctrine of our Lorde Iesus Christ and his Apostles doth commaund vs, and as examples doe shew, that the ve∣rie first and holie Church did. For which cause, we are al∣so instant with the people, that they would diligentlie and in great numbers frequent the holie assemblies, and there be stirred vp, out of this worde of God, to make earnest and reuerent praiers.

Now whatsoeuer is contrarie to this Catholike and Chri∣stian kinde of catechizing, all that we doe forsake and re∣iect, & it is stronglie confuted by sure reasons, and such as do leane vnto the foundations of the holy Scripture, so farre forth as God doth giue vs grace hereunto, and the people is admonished to take heed of such.

OVT OF THE FRENCH CONFESSION.

VVE beleeue because Iesus Christ is the onelie Ad∣uocate * 1.6giuen vnto vs, whoe also commaundeth vs to come boldlie vnto the Father in his name, that it is not lawfull for vs to make our praiers in anie other forme, but in that which God hath set vs downe in his worde: and that whatsoeuer men haue forged of the intercession of Saints departed, is nothing but the deceites and sleightes of Satan, that he might withdrawe men from the right manner of praying.

These thinges were also set downe in the 2. Section but for an other purpose and the other parte of this Article is to be founde in the 16. Section.

OVT OF THE ENGLISH CONFESSION.

VVE make our praiers in that tongue, which all our * 1.7people, as meete is, maie vnderstand, to the ende they may (as S. Paull counselleth vs) take common commo∣ditie by common praier: euen as all the holie Fathers, and Catholike Bishoppes, both in the olde and new Testament, did vse to praie them selues, and taught the people to pray too: lest, as Saint Augustine saieth, Like Parotes, and Oules we should seeme to speake that we vnderstand not.

OVT OF THE CONFESSION OF SAXONY.

Article 14. which is intituled, of the Supper.

GOd will haue the ministerie of his Gospell to be pub∣lique, he will not haue the voice of the Gospell to be shut vp in corners onely, but he will haue it to be heard, he will haue himselfe to be knowen and inuocated of all man∣kind. Therfore he would that there should be publique and well ordered meetings, and in these he will haue the voice of the Gospell to sound, there he will be inuocated, and prai∣sed. Also he will that these meetings, should be witnesses of the confession and seuering of the Church of God from the

sects & opinions of other nations. Iohn assembled his flocke at Ephesus, and taught the Gospell: and by the vse of the Sacraments, the wholl companie did declare, that they im∣braced this doctrine, and did inuocate this God, whoe deli∣uered the Gospell, and that they were seperated from the worshippers of Diana, Iupiter, and other Idoles. For God will be seen, and haue his Church heard in the worlde, and haue it distinguished by many publike signes from other na∣tions. So no doubt the first Fathers, Adam, Seth, Enoch▪ Noe, Sem, Abraham, had their meetinges: and afterward the ci∣uill gouernment of Israel had manie rites, that their separa∣tion from the Gentles might be more euident. Also God gaue a peculiar promise to his congregation, Math. 18. Wheresoeuer two or three be gathered together in my name, I will be in the middest of them. Also, What soeuer they agreeing together, shall desire, it shall be done to them. And in the 149. Psalme, His praise is in the Church of the Saintes. And the promises, where∣in God doth affirme that he will preserue his Church, are so much the sweeter, because we knowe that he doeth pre∣serue, and restore the publike ministerie in wel ordered mee∣tinges: as also in the verie wordes of the Supper this pro∣mise is included, where he commaundeth, that The death of the Lorde should be shewed forth, and this Supper distributed, till he come, &c.

Hitherto also pertaineth the last parte of the 12. artilce of this confession, where these thinges are founde, touching the reuenues of Monasteries.

IN manie places the Churches want Pastours, or else Pastours want liuing. These men ought chiefelie to be relieued, out of the reuenues of rich Monasteries: then the studies of those which be poore must thereby be furthered, and in some places Schooles maie be erected, especiallie se∣ing that it is necessary that the church should discharge the expences of manie poore, that they might learne, that so out of that number Pastours and ministers may be chosen, to teach the Churches. Also hospitals are thence to be re∣lieued, wherein it is necessarie, that the poore, which haue beene sicke along time, should be nourished. A great parte of the reuenues in these countries is by the goodnes of god transferred to such vses, which are indeede godlie, to wit, to

nourish Pastors, the poore, and Schollers, to erect Schooles, and to relieue hospitales: that wich remaineth is bestowed in euerie Monasterie vpon the guiding & ordering of thinges partaining to their houses: and to think that this is not verie sumptuous, it is but foolishnes. As for the richer Abbotes in these daies, vpon what vses they lauish out the reuenues, the examples of manie doe declare▪ whome we could name, who doe both hate learning, Religion, and vertue, and doe waste th••se almes rauenouslie▪ and either set no Pastours ouer their Churches, or if they haue anie, they suffer them to statue.

OVT OF THE CONFESSION OF WIRTEMBERGE.

Hitherto pertaineth first the 11. Article, Of this confession.

WE thinke that it is moste profitable, that children and young men be examined in the Catechisme by the Pastors of their Church, and that they be commen∣ded, if they be godlie and well instructed, and that they be amended, if they be ill instructed. The rest is to be seene in the 14. sect. where the confirmation vsed in Papisticall Baptisme is handled.

Hitherto also perteineth the 16. Art. ss. 2.

Of Praier.

BY praier god is inuocated, and true inuocation is a work of faith, and can not be done without faith. Now faith doth behold Christ, and relie vpon his merites onelie. Wherefore, except thou shalt applie vnto thy selfe the me∣rit of Christ by faith, praier wil stand thee in no stead before God. Now praier is necessarilie required for this purpose, that by a due consideration of the promises of God, faith may be stirred vp & kindled in vs. Therfore it is not absurdly saide, that sinnes are cleane taken away by praier: yet must it not so be vnderstoode, as though the verie worke of praier, of it owne merit, were a satisfaction for sinnes befor God; but that by praier faith is stirred vp and kindled in vs, by which faith we are made partakers of th•• merit of Christ, and haue our sinnes forgiuen vs, onelie for Christ his sake. For before that we doe by praier inuocate God, it shall be necessarie,

to haue the merit of Christ applied to vs, and receiued by faith. Therefore it can not be, that praier should be such a worke, as that for the merit thereof we might obteine remission of our sinnes before God. Psalme. 108. Lette his praier be turned into sinne. But it is not possible that praier should be turned into sinne, if of it selfe it were so worthie a worke, as that sinne thereby should be purged. Isa. 1. When you shall stretch out your hands, I will turne my eies from you: and when you shall multiplie your praiers, I will not heare you. But God would not turne awaie is eies from praier, it of it owne worthines it were a satisfaction for our sinnes. Au∣gustine vpon the 108. Psal. saith: That praier which is not made through Christ, doth not onelie not take awaie sinne, but also it selfe is made sin. Bernard de Quadrages. Ser. 5. saith: But some per∣aduenture doe seeke eternall life, not in humilitie, but as it were in confidence of their owne merites. Neither doe I saie this, let grace re∣ceiued giue a man confidence to praie: but no man ought to put his confidence in his praier, as though for his praier he should obteine that which he desireth. The giftes which are promised doe onelie giue this vnto vs, that we maie hope to obteine euen greater things, of that mercie which giueth these. Therefore let that praier, which is made for temporall things, be restreined to these wants onelie: also let that praier, which is made for the vertues of the soule, be free from al filthy, & vncleane behauiour: & let that praier, which is made for life eter∣nal, be occupied about the onelie good pleasure of God, and that in all humilitie presuming, as is requisite, of the onelie mercie of God.

Of Almes. CHAP. 18.

WE doe diligentlie commend almes, and exhort the Church, that euerie man helpe his neighbour, by euerie duetie that he may, and testifie his loue. But where∣as it is saide in a certaine place, That almes doe take away sinne, as water doth quench fire, we must vnderstand it according to the analogy of faith. Eor what neede was there, to the taking away of our sinnes, of Christ his passion and death, if sinnes might be taken awaie by the merit of almes? And what vse were there of the ministerie of the Gospell, if almes were ap∣pointed of God for an instrument, whereby the death of Christ might be applied to vs? Therefore, that Christ his honour may not be violated, and the ministerie of the Gos∣pell may reteine it lawfull vse, we teach, that almes doth

thus take away sinne, not that of it selfe it is a worthie worke, whereby sinne may either be purged, or the merit of Christ applied, but that it is a worke and fruite of charitie toward our neighbour, by which worke we doe testifie our faith and obedience, which we owe vnto God Now where faith is, there Christ alone is acknowledged to be the purger of sins. Therfore, seing that almes doth testifie, after their manner, that Christ doth dwell in the Godlie, it doth also testifie that they haue remission of sinnes. For except almes be a worke of charitie, which may beare witnes to faith in Christ, it is so farre from signifying, that man hath remission of sins through Christ, that it doth euen stinke in the sight of God, If I shall distribute (saith Paull) all my substance, that it may be meate for the poore, and shall not haue loue, it profiteth me nothing. Therfore we teach, that good workes must be done necessa∣rilie, that God is to be inuocated, and that almes is to be giuen, that we may testifie our faith and loue, and obeie the calling of God. But in true repentance, we teach, that we obteine remission of sinnes, onelie for the Sonne of God our Lord Iesus Christ his sake, through faith, according to that which Peter saith, To him doe all the Prophets beare witnes, that through his name, euerie one that beleeueth in him doth receiue remission of sinnes.

Of Canonicall howres. CHAP. 27.

AVgustine writeth in a certaine place, that Ambrose the Bishop of Millane▪ did ordaine, that the assemblies of the Church should sing Psalmes, whereby they might mutuallie com∣fort themselues, whilest they looked for aduersitie, and stirre vp them selues to beare the crosse: lest the people, saith he, should pine awaie with the yrckesomnes of mourning. This singing, because it was vsed in a tongue commonly known, it had both a godlie vse, & deserued great praise. And by the Canonical decree it ap∣peereth, that those houres, which they call Canonicall, were an appointment of certeine times, wherin the wholl holie Scripture should be publikelie ouerrunne euerie yere, as in the schooles there be certain houres appointed for interpre∣ting of authors. Such a distribution of houres was peraduen∣ture not vnprofitable for that time, & in it self it is not a thing to be condemned. But to appoint a special kinde of priests, to chaunt out those Canonicall hours, & to sing them in a strange

tongue, which commonlie is not known to the Church, or is not our countrie tongue, & that in some place in the night, & in the day time without any intermission, new singers very often taking one an others course, & to make hereof a wor∣ship, not to this ende, that by patience, and the comforte of the scripture we might haue hope, as Paul saith, but that by the merit of this worke a man might mitigate the wrath of God, and purge the sins of men before God; this is it that is contrary to the meaning of that Church, which is in deede Catholike. 1. Cor. 14. When ye come together, according as euery one of you hath a psalm, or hath doctrine, or hath a tongue, or hath re∣uelation, or hath interpretation, let all things be done vnto edifying. Hierom vpon the Epist. to the Eph. Cap. 5. saith, Singing and making melody to the Lord in your heartes. Let yong men heare these things, let them heare, whose office it is to sing in the Church, that we must sing to God, not with the voice, but with the heart, and that the throate and the iawes are not to be greased with some sweete li∣quore, as they vse to doe, that play in Tragedies, &c.

Now that which was spoken, touching the vse of a tongue that is commonlie knowne, it must be vnderstoode, nor on∣lie of the singing of Psalmes, but also of all the partes of Ec∣clesiasticall ministerie. For as Sermons and praiers are to be made, in a well knowne tongue to the Church, so al∣so must the Sacramentes be dispensed in a speach that is knowne. For, although it be lawfull at some time to vse a strange tongue, by reason of the learned, yet the consent of the Catholique Church doth require this, that the necessa∣rie ministeries of the Church be executed in our countrie speache. 1. Cor. 14. I had rather in the Church to speake fiue words with my vnderstanding, that I mayalso instruct others, then ten thou∣sand wordes in a strange tongue. Innocentius the third, De offi. Iud. Ord. C. Quoniam, saith: Because that in many partes within one Citie and Diocesse, there be people of diuers languages mingled together, hauing vnder one faith diuers rites and customes, we doe ••••reictlie commaund, that the Bishops of such Cities, or Diocesses, doe prouide fit men, who, according to the diuersitie of ceremonies, and language, may execute among them the diuine dueties, and minister the Ecclesiasticall Sacraments, instructing them both by the worde, and by their example. Therefore they are to be said to doe godly and Catholiquelie, who doe so appoint the dispen∣sation

of the Sacraments, the singing of Psalmes, and the reading of holy Scripture, that the Church may vnderstand that which is said, read, or sung, and the spirit may receiue fruit, therby to comfort the minde, & to confirme the faith, and to stirre vp loue.

OVT OF THE CONFESSION OF SVEVELAND.

Of the singing and praiers of Ecclesiasticall men. CHAP. 21.

ANd for that cause, to wit, that men should not wincke at that offending of God, which might be commit∣ted vnder a colour of his seruice, then which nothing can of∣fend him more greeuouslie, our Ministers haue condemned the most of those things, which were vsed in the singings and praiers of Ecclesiasticall men. For it is too too manifest that these haue degenerated from the first appointment & vse of the Fathers. For no man, which vnderstandeth the wri∣tings of the auncient Fathers, is ignorant of this, that it was a custome among them, wisely to rehearse, also to expound a few Psalmes with some Chapter of the scripture, whereas now adaies many Psalmes are chaunted, for the most parte without vnderstanding, and of the reading of the Scripture, there be onelie the beginnings of Chapters left vnto vs, and innumerable things are taken vp one after an other, which serue rather for superstition, then for godlines. Therefore our ministers did first of all detest this, that many things, which were contrarie to the Scriptures, are mingled with holie praiers and songs: as that those things are attributed to Saints, which are proper to Christ alone; namelie to free vs from sinne, and other discommodities, and not so much to obteine, as to giue vs the fauour of God, and all kinde of good things. Secondlie, because they are increased so infi∣nitely, that they cannot be sung, or rehearsed with an atten∣tiue minde. Now it is nothing but a mocking of God, what∣soeuer we doe in his seruice without vnderstanding. Lastlie, because that these things also were made meritorious works, & to be sold for no smal price, that we may say nothing hereof, that against the expresse commanndement of the holy ghost, al things are there said and sung in that tongue which not onely the people doth not vnderstand, but many times also, not they themselues, which do liue of those kinds of singing and praiers▪

Notes

• * 1.1

  Art. 23.
• * 1.2

  Looke the 1. obsetu. vp¦on this con∣fession.
• * 1.3

  Art▪ 24.
• * 1.4

  Eph. 6. Col. 3.
• * 1.5

  1. Tim 2.
• * 1.6

  Art. 24.
• * 1.7

  Art. 1••.