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THe people of God which are called and come out of Babylon need not a new plantation of a Church, but a Reformation only.* 1.1 In which respect the term of the Reformed Churches is very fit and godly, and the proceed∣ing accordingly. Whereas the course of the Anabaptists, and all such as
either begin all anew, or averre such Assertions as do necessarily imply it, is not only preposterous, but exceeding sinfull and erroneous. Johnsons Christian Plea, pag. 137.
Gerhard in his Catholick Confession, lib. 1. General. part. 1. cap. 4. saith, That Luther in his work of Reformation, Non fuisse novi alicujus dogmatis inventorem, sedantiquae fidei assertorem; nec fuisse novae Ecclesiae autorem, sed pristinae repur∣gatorem. Junius noster dicere solebat, Papistas ita in fundamentis errare, ut à funda∣mentis non aberrarent, cui ego plane assentio. Walaei Epistolae Antonio Walaeo Hugo Grotio.
Gerhard in his first General Book of his Catholick Confession, chap. 6. speaks of Luther the instrument of Reformation, and chap. 7. of the occasion of Reforma∣tion, the immoderate extolling of the Popes indulgences, and the excessive gain of those that vented them.
The Prophet Zachary saith, The man whose name is the Branch, he shall build the Temple of the Lord: Because, 1. The Temple is Christs house, Matth. 16.18. Heb. 3.6. 2. Christ hath undertaken this work.
* 1.2This appears in the work of Reformation, because they which were the chief Reformers did not communicate their counsels to one another; and likewise if we consider the instruments, by Luther a Monk, and other mean men in Germany, and by Edward the 6th a childe in England, and by a woman Q. Elizabeth, that such a glorious work should be effected.
Also if we observe how our cause from the beginning against the will of Empe∣rours, and m••••y Kings, maugre the malice of Popes, hath taken increase, and by little and little ••pread into all Countreys.
Quibus armis obsecro vos intra annos 58. plus minus, expugnatum ferè est Anti∣christi regnum in tota prope Europa: Regnum vero Christi longè lateque propagatum per homines imbecilles atque inermes, per Lutherum cum suis in Germania, per Zuin∣glium in Helvetia, per Calvinum in Galliis, perque alios, aliis in locis, nisi vi verbi & Spiritus Sanctus, qui in ipsis locutus est, suasque exeruit vires, adversus omnem mundi, & Satanae potestatem? Zanch. Orat.
* 1.3The Church of Rome was so unsound in Doctrine, and corrupt in worship, that it was no schism but a duty then to separate from it.
The means taken by the first Reformers for promoting the work of Reformation of Religion.
1. They searched diligently into the Word of God,* 1.4 and so discovered the er∣rours of Popery. Their care was after to translate the Bible into vulgar languages, and to interpret it to the people, and illustrate it with ample Comments.
2. They were carefull to educate children in the Principles of Christian Religion and Piety. It is a piece of Luthers counsel, if ever you would have a good Refor∣mation look to the Reformation of children.
3. They were ready to dispute with their Adversaries in all places, and speedily to reply to their writings.
Nonne tot disputationes Witembergenses, Ratisbonienses, Augustanae, Spiren∣ses, Wormantienses, Bernenses, Possiacenae, Londinenses, Cantabrigienses, Ox∣onienses testes esse possunt locupletissimae: quo animo, qua doctrina, qua veritate cau∣sam Religionis nostrae propugnaverimus. Whitakeri ad Rat. primam Camp. Respons.
Chamier hath answered the Papists generally in his learned Panstratia Ca∣tholica.
Bellarmine is well answered by Junius, Ames, Whitaker.
The Rhemist Testament and the Notes are well confuted by Cartwright and Fulk.
Casaubone hath written learned Exercitations against Baronius.
Bishop Morton, Doctor Fulk and Whitaker have answered the Treatises of se∣veral Papists.
Rivet and Blondel and Moulin have answered Cardinal Peroon.
Bishop Vsher, Bishop Andrews, Bishop Ab•••••• Doctor Prideaux, and others of our Divines, have stou••ly opposed other Papists.
The Reformed Religion is well defended by the English and French Divines. Some much commend three Epistles, that Epistle or Preface of Calvins to his In∣stitutions: That of Casaubons to his Exercitations against Baronsus; and that of Thuanus or Guicchardine before his History. That of Calvins is a succinct and pi∣thy Apology for the Protestant Religion.
Juels Apology was generally liked by the Reformed Churches.
Daillè, Croyus, Blondel, Jacobus Capellus, Amyrot, and Gentilettus, have written in French or Latine in Defence of the Reformed Religion.
4. They diligently compiled the Histories of those times and actions, and especi∣ally Martyrologies of such as rendred by their deaths a testimony to that truth which was persecuted in them.* 1.5
As we ought highly to reverence the Fathers for their Antiquity, so in our times we owe much respect to many famous Writers, because by their most learned La∣bours they have given great light to the right understanding of the holy Scripture. We have the same instruments which they had, viz. the holy Scriptures, and far greater help.
Zuinglius, Luther, Calvin, all those learned men are to be loved and highly honoured, as those that have well deserved of the Church; their Books are also to be diligently read, and to be preferred before the Volumes of many of the Fa∣thers, as those which have more truly interpreted the minde of the holy Ghost then the Fathers, which have illustrated the Christian Doctrine brought out of darknesse with wonderfull perspicuity, have comprized it with wonderfull brevity,
and explained it in an excellent method. Zanch. Prolegom. in Esaiam.
* 1.6Illustres illi viri, nec unquam sine summa honoris praefatione nominandi, quorum Deus in religione restauranda, opera usus est.
Upon the view of the Doctrine of the Church of England, compiled by them in the XXXIX Articles, translated into Latine in the dayes of King Edward the 6th, and sent abroad into the whole Christian world, it was said abroad, Puritas doctrinae viget in Anglia.
* 1.7For the first ten years of Queen Elizabeth, most of the Papists of England came to our Churches, prayed our prayers, heard our Sermons, and received our Sa∣craments, untill by the instigation of the Jesuites, Pope Pius Quintus excommu∣nicated Queen Elizabeth, and enjoyned all the Papists not to resort to our Churches. So they did in Ireland till 88, some Spanish Priests then landing there, told them, it was condemned in the Councel of Trent.
This is that Religion which (since the first Reformation of it, Anno 1. Edw. 6.) above one and twenty several Sessions of Parliament, as learned, as wise, as religious as ever were in this Kingdom,* 1.8 have allowed and approved.
Mr Baxter in his Confession of Faith, Sect 41. saith thus of the late Assembly of Divines at Westminster; I so highly reverence that Assembly, that I think this Nation since the Apostles dayes, had never any that excelled it for Piety and Abi∣lity: and Sect. 3. he much magnifies both the Confession of Faith, and the Short∣er Catechism put out by the Assembly. I truly professe (saith he, Sect. 5.) I take the Labours of the Assembly, especially these three Pieces (the Confession of Faith, the larger and lesser Catechism) for the best Books, next my Bible, in my study.
What Kingdom in Europe is there which hath not yielded eminent Scholars, and famous Martyrs of the Reformed Religion.
France had Calvin, Farel, Viret, Sadeel, Daneus, Marlorate, Beza, Mornee, Chamier, Rivet, Peter du Moulin, Daillè, and many others.
Italy brought forth and cast out (because it was unworthy of them) Peter Mar∣tyr,* 1.9 Zanchy, also Immanuel Tremelius, and Deodate.
Spain had John Diaz, Austen Cacalla, and also other Martyrs.
Germany had Luther, Melancthon, Joachim Camerarius and Chemnitius, Zuin∣glius, Oecolampadius, Martin Bucer, Wolfangus Capito, Caspar Hedio, Musculus, Hyperius, Foster, Avenarius, Mollerus, Pezelius.
Helvetia had Bullinger, Gualter, Pellicane, Leo Judae, Aretius, Wolfius, Simler, Bibliander, Stuckius.
England was fruitfull of Martyrs and great Scholars, Barns, Rogers, Cranmer, Latimer, Ridlie, Hooper, Philpot, Haux, Bradford, Juel, Rainolds, Whitaker, Fulk, Perkins, Morton, Davenant, Twisse, Prideaux, and divers others.
Denmark brought forth Palladius, Hemmingius, and many others.
* 1.10Polonia brought forth Johannes à Lasco. Servavit te huc usque Deus, ut sicut Lutherus suae Germanias, Zuinglius suae Helvetiae, Calvinus suae Galliae, ita tu tuae Poloniae sis Apostolus. Zanch. Epist. l. 2. ad illum.
Scotland was made famous by the Martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton, and by the Doctrine of John Knox, and Robert Rollock, Andrew Melvin, Cameron, Baronius, Forbes.
This may suffice to answer that calumny of the Jesuites, as if the Protestants had no Scholars amongst them.
The Papists call us Hereticks: This was ever an old and cunning trick of Pa∣pists, and their fore-fathers, if any did complain of their errours and faults, and desired to have true Religion restored, to condemn such for Hereticks, as men new∣fangled and factious.* 1.11
They reproachfully nick-name us Lutherans, Zuinglians, Calvinists, whereas we
maintain not any private or proper Doctrine of theirs. They called us in England heretofore Lollards, either because they cried Lord, Lord unto their God,* 1.12 as Mr Fox saith in his Acts and Monuments, or rather from Lolium, which signifies Cockle, and such like weeds, whereas indeed they endeavoured to extirpate all pernicious weed: And them in France Huguenots, of which term, see Thuanus his History, Tom. 4. lib. 24. and Pasquiers Recherches de la France. l. 8. c. 55.
I will not rehearse the several opinions about the original of that word, because Heraldus a learned Frenchman saith, Vnde Huguenoti appellati fuerint, nec nos ad∣huc satis liquido scimus. Animad ad Arnob. adversus Gentes, l. 1. As the Jews were in times past called by the Gentiles Sabbatarians in contempt; the Christians Galile∣ans by Julian the Apostata, so now they which imbrace truth of Doctrine, began to be called Huguenots.
They term us those of the pretended Reformed Religion, whereas it is truly Re∣formed according to the word of God.
They acknowledge themselves to be Papists, and from the Pope, and glory in the title.
Luther saith, Primum oro ut nomen meum taceatur, & nemo Lutheranus sed Chri∣stianus appelletur.
They suffer Turks and Jews which deny and persecute Christ, but put to death those of the Reformed Religion who believe in Christ.
They say, that the Heathens (which had no knowledge of Christ) by their mo∣rality may be saved, and yet deny that Protestants, who have a knowledge of Christ, and exceed them in their morality, may be saved.
Marcus Antonius de Dominis Arch-bishop of Spalato said in the hearing of some of our Bishops, Before God, and Christ Jesus my Redeemer, I will acknowledge from my heart, and professe openly, That the Church of England is a true and or∣thodoxal Church of Christ. His shiftings in Religion.
The Papists urge two things much against the Reformed Religion:
1. Our divisions and differences amongst our selves, as Fitz Simons in his Bri∣tannomachia ministrorum, in plerisque Fidei fundamentis, & Articulis dissiden∣tium.
Secondly, The Novelty of our Religion, as if it were no ancienter then Lu∣ther.
To the first, I might answer with Zanchy * 1.13, That this is rather an Argument that we are the true Churches of Christ. For there are (saith he) three kindes of Churches,
1. Where God onely reigns without contradiction: This is the Triumphant Church in Heaven.
2. Where Satan only reigns: This is the Church of the wicked and Idolaters, such are the Turkish, Jewish, Popish Churches.
3. Where God truly reigns, but not without the snares and assaults of Satan. This is the true Church of Christ, which is called Militant. This alwayes fights with the flesh, the world, Hereticks, and the Devil.
The Confessions of Faith of the Churches professing the Gospel, having been long ago exhibited to the several Princes of the Countreys, States and Kingdoms, where these Churches are, are now of late very profitably published, to the con∣viction of all such as slander the Reformed Churches to be variably distracted and
rent in sunder with infinite differences of Faith. Travers answer to a Popish Treatise written to the LL. of the Councel.
Amyraldus de Secessione ab Ecclesia Romana, pag. 67. saith, The chief controver∣sies inter Evangelicos, may be reduced to four heads,
Dr Hall in his Peace of Rome, shews, That Bellarmine acknowledgeth and num∣bers up above three hundred differences of opinions maintained in the Popish Church, and that Navarre confesseth near threescore differences amongst their own Doctors in one only point of their Religion.
There are many Sects risen since the Gospel was first published, but none are so guilty of division as the Papists, though they extoll their own Church for Unity. They unchurch all the Churches of Christ through the world besides themselves, the Greek Church and divers others. What a State were all former ages in before the Popes Supremacy was acknowledged? The pure and primitive times. The reading of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongue is condemned amongst them as a ca∣pital crime in Spain and Italy, but allowed in England and France.
Albertus Pighius dissents from Cajetane, Thomas from Lombard, Scotus from Thomas, Occam from Scotus, Alliacensis from Occam. Their nominals disagree from their reals.
What difference is there between the Franciscans and Dominicans concerning original sinne in the blessed Virgin.* 1.15 What difference among the Jesuites and other Papists, concerning Councels being above the Pope. The Jesuites hold, that the Pope is above a Councel. Bellarmine confesseth lib. 2. de Concil. cap. 17. parag. 1. that Proposition, That the Pope is absolutely above a Councel, is not simply de fide, and those are not Hereticks properly who hold the contrary.
The Pope in two Councels (those of Constance and Basil) was declared to be in∣feriour to a Councel.
* 1.162. For the other Objection, of the Novelty of our Religion, as if it were no ancienter then Luther.
I answer, there are books * 1.17 written to refute this calumny.
The Waldenses for divers hundred years before Luther successively opposed Po∣pery, professed the truth of the Gospel, and sealed it with their bloud.
Campian in his third reason cals them Majores nostros. Vide Gerhard. Epist. Ded. ad Confess. Cathol.
Illyricus in his Catalogus Testium veritatis, and Wolfius in his Lectiones Memora∣biles, & Reconditae. And Gerhard in his Confessio Catholica sufficiently refute this Objection.
Errours often lie hid under the venerable Cloak of ancient custom, Matth. 5.21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43. But on the contrary sound and orthodox Doctrine is undeserved∣ly taxed with the crime of novelty, Mark 1.27. Act. 17.19. therefore judgement is to be made of both by Scripture, Act 17.11.
Secondly, We may retort this Question on them, Where was your Religion be∣fore the Councel of Trent?
Cardinal Contarenus holding the same with us for substance in point of Justifi∣cation, and many of those learned and modest men which are reckoned for Papists, groaning under the corruptions of their Church, and desiring a Reformation of many abuses as well as we.
Bishop Jewels challenge of the Papists is commonly known,* 1.18 with which Peter du Moulin also accords.
There is rather a conspiracy amongst the Papists then true union: as on the con∣trary, the difference amongst us is rather a diversity then a division, in circumstances or things of lesse moment, and among persons rather then generally.
We are reproached beyond Sea for our unsettlement in matters of Religion, and for the diversity of opinions and sects now in the Land.
Some amongst our selves also will be ready to object, That there are so many religions and opinions, that they know not which course to take.
1. Such should therefore take the Scripture onely for the rule of their faith and life.
2. They should study faithfully to know the plain meaning of the Scripture, they should reade it diligently, seek Gods direction, come to it not with forestalled con∣ceits, but with love of the truth.
3. They should resolve to obey what they shall finde upon such diligent inquiry to be the plain minde of God beyond dispute. They should practice what all Chri∣stian Sects agree in, they all confesse that God is above the creature, and to be pre∣ferred before it, that the pleasures and profits of this world are far short of the glo∣ry to come.
Des le regne du Roy Henry, La Religion auoi•• commencè de poindre, qui par ses Sectateurs fut appellec Re∣formee, comme celle qu ils disoient avoir reforme les abus de nostre eglise, & par les autres plus retenus en ancionuetè, opinion novelle Pasquier Des Recherches de la France, l. 8. ch. 25. Vera Christi Ecclesia semper fuit etiam in Papatu, inter dirus me∣retricis Babylonicae tempestates: perinde ut in Veteri Testamento fuit verus Israel in mediis Baaliticis cultibus inter tyrannicas idololatricorum regum persecutiones. Melch. Adam. in vita Gobelini. Fundamentum retinuisse semper aliquos, in regno Pontificiarum & restitisse erroribus, atque Idololatriae paulatim invectae, declarant scripta, quae extant, Augustini & dis∣cipulorum ejus ac sectatorum, Prosperi, Fulgentii, Vigilii, Martyris, Rustici, Diaconi, Bedae, & qui tempora Ca∣roli magni secuti sunt, Rabani Mauri, Bertrami, Pascasii, Falberti, Berengarii, Fulberti Discipuli, qui omnes dolo consecrati panis, & propiciatorio ••acrificio missae se opposuerunt. Gasp. Penc. de Divinat. generibus, p. 211. Vide plura ibid. Et Gerhard. Confess. Cathol. l. 1. General. l. 1. par. 1. c. 4.
Id eo magis commemorabile est, quod Zuin∣glius, & Lu∣therus, & Cal∣vinus qui sucrūt in Reformatio∣ne principes, confilia inter se non communcea∣runt. Zuinglius enim viam ad Reformationem in Helvetia affe∣ctaverat anno integro ante quā Lutherus in Germania appa∣reret. At conatus illius fama ad Lutherum non manaverat, & quum primum adversus Indulgentias praedicare incoepit, quid rerum istarum Tiguri gereretur penitas ignorabat. Calvinus utroque paulo junior, & exortus cum utriusque fama jam in Europa percrebuerat, non potuit quin de alterutro, vel de utroque aliquid inaudisset, antequam Pontificis Romani auctoritatem in Gallia convellere adoriretur. Neque vero negavit unquam quin signum ab aliis sublatum, & procul à se conspectum secutus sit. Amyrald de Secess. ab Eccles. Rom p. 44, 45. Anno 1553.6. Julii ex hac vita migravit Edvardus Angliae Rex, adhuc juvenis, Henrici octavi unicus filius, pius doctus, & optimae spei princeps. Hic patris sui inceptum ac confilium delendi ni∣miam Pontificis Romam in Anglia auctoritatem, sedulo peregit, Religionisque statum, patriciorum & Senatorum Regni maxi∣mè autem sui avunculi, Ducis Somerseti, Confilio reformavit, viros doctos, è media Germania evocabat inter alios Joannem Bucetum, Petrum Martyrem, Joannem Alasco, Emanuelem Tremelium, in quorum gratiam Belgis, Galiis, Italis propter Religione profugis, Templum Londini quod fuerat Sancti Augustini donavit, ut lingua patria profiteri possent refor∣matam Religionem. Meteranus de rebus Belgicis. l. 1. Ante centum annos, reformationis novae opus aggressurus Christus non purpuratum aliquem praesulem, neque nominis fama florentissimos adhibuit Cardinales, sed Martinum Lutherum Monachum: Augustimanum, Thillppum Melancthonem, Graecae Linguae, in Accademia Wittebergenfi, Professorem, & duos infimi subl••llii sacrificulos, Huldricum Zuinglium, & Joannem Oecolampadium, suscitavit, Sculteti Concio Secularis de Evangelii Doctrina. Vbilegisset Albertus Crantzius Theses Lutheri, dixit: Se quidem eas approbare, sed tamen me∣tuere ne tantis conatibus impar, à potente Papa supprimatur: Ideoque de Luthero ait, ô frater, abi in cellam tuam, & dic Domine miserere mei. Wolf. Lect memorab. Tom. 10. Cent. 115.
Cùm Deus initio Luthe∣rum, & alios excitavit, qui nobis facem ad reperiendam salutis viam praetulerunt: & quorum Ministerio fundata sunt, & institutae nostrae Ecclesiae, dicimus ca doctrinae capita, quibus Religionis nostrae veritas, quibus purus & legitimus Dei cultus, quibus salus homi∣num continetur suisse propemodum abolita: Diomus Sacramentorum usum multis modis suisse vitiatum & pollutum: dicimus Ecclesi. gubernationem in speciem foedae & nonferendae tyrannidis fuisse conversam. Calvinus de necessitate Reformande Eccle∣sie, Nulla est major inter nos concertatio, & in qua nobis pertinacius reclament adversarii nostri, quam de justificatione: fide ne an operibus eam consequamur. Nullo modo patiuntur hunc Christo honorem tribui, ut justitia nostra vocetur, nisi in partem simul veriant oper••m merita. Non disceptamus hic de bonis operibus, an praestari à piis debeant, an accepta sint Deo, an mercedum apud cum habcant: sed an concilient nos Deo sua dignitate, an acquzramus eorum pretio vitam aeternam, an compensationes sint quae ad collendum reatum Dei judicio solvantur, an collocanda sit in ipsis salutis fiducia. Id. ibid.
They are fitly therefore called Evangelici, from their great respect to the Gospel, and the whole Scripture.
Quod verò ve∣terum doctrinam ita extollis, ut nostri temporis homines, neque pietate, neque eruditione cum ipsorum minimo conferendos esse censeas, id mi∣nimè ferendum est. Nam quamvis nostra tenuitatis con∣scii, id de nobis meritò possimus ac debcamus fateri, de multis tamen id, sine magna in Deum ingratitudine, & in homines injustitia dici non potest. Quam∣vis enim Patres antiqui sua habuerint ad eruditionem subsidia, duobus tamen maximè necessariis ad solidiorem sacrarum litera∣rum notitiam comparandam adjumentis, librorum copia & liuguarum doctoribus, caruerunt. Nam primum quum Cyprianus, Hieronymus, Augustinus ad scribendum accederent, pauca de Christiana Religione quibus uterentur, extabant, & ••b de∣scriptionis difficultatem rara & cara erant exemplaria: Nostrum verò seculum eò feliciùs est, quod plurima etiam ab illis Pa∣tribus caeterisque paulatim sint conscripta, & typographiae (olim ignotae) beneficio, magna copia & tolerabili pretio comparen∣tur: Adcò ut quae longo tempore & maximo labore à veteribus indagata sunt, ea cito ac facilè ex scriptis eorum possint addisci. Deinde verò quam pauci ex Latinis Patribus ullam Graecas lingua notitiam habuerunt, quam rari ex omnibus Patribus Hebraeae Linguae fuerunt pariti? quam pauca (ob librorum & fidelium praeceptorum inopiam) ad eam rem habuerunt auxilia, ex variis S. Hieronymis testimoniis apparet. Atque hinc factum est, ut à genuina Spiritus sancti sententia longius, praesertim in Veteri Testamento, laepius aberrarint. Nostris verò temporibus, Hebraei Graecique codices sunt in numeri & linguarum periti professores non pauci quorum beneficio ita sacrae literae illustratae sunt, ut quàm plurima, quae Patrum memoria erant obscura, luce clarius videantur. Gomari. Anti-Costerus, l. 2. c. 8.
Ep. Andr Opusc. post de decimis. Some much approve of the Articles of Religion for Ireland.
Deresormationis Genevensis hi∣storica occasione. Vide Veidelii Epist Dedica. ad Commentarium De Tempore utrius{que} Episco∣patus S. Apostoli Petri.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland appro∣veth the As∣semblies Con∣fession of faith for orthodox.
Vide Pezel. Mellef. Histor. par. 3. pag. 438, 439, 440. de progressu Evangelii in Europa, & Sculteri concio∣nem secularem De Evangelii Doctrina.
Semomislaus Polonorum Rex, filium habuit coecum qui die quodam cum visum gratiâ divina reciperet, Rex ab ariolis, quid hoc sibi vellet. sciscitatus est; cui responderunt: sicut hic filius tuus gratia Deorum est illuminatus, sic per eum Polonia brevi illuminabitur: quod & paulò post per lucem Evangelii factum fuit. Miesco enim coecus mortuo patre baptizatus, & Christianus factus, ad veram Dei agnitionem pervenit, & idola omnia è Templis ejecit. Hic Rex pius instituit, ut dum E∣vangelium praelegitur, singuli virorum gladiis ad medium è vaginis depromtis testarentur, so propter Evangelium Christi ad mor∣tem usque decertare paratos esse. Wolfii Lect. memor. Cent. 10.
Bellarmin. lib. 4. de notis Eccl. cap. 4.
Nos inter haere∣ticos reponit, & dicit nos vocari Martinistas, Lutheranos, Zuinglianos, Calvinianos. Nos autem, inquit, ab aliquo certo homine nemo unquam voca∣vit. Notoriam injuriam nobis facit. Scit Lutherum quosvis graviter obtestatum esse ne suum usurpa∣rent nomen. Scit neminem unquam se Cal∣vinianum aut Zuinglianum vocasse, atque eorum imbecil∣litatem impro∣bari, qui hoc nomine gaudent. Vedel. exercit. in Epist. Ignat. ad Magnesios, c. 10.
Judaei Romae vivunt summa libertate, & ••hristum impunè vocant Impostorem & planum: hoc enim est inter capita Iudaicae Religionis. At si quis sacram Scripturam lingua vernacula legere ausus sit, aut aliquid mutire contra Purgatorium aut ••mponationem Indulgentiarum, statim ut piacularis victima destinatur ignibus & inquisitorum judicio exquisitimis cruciatibus necatur. Molin. de Monach. temp. Pont. Rom. c. 7.
Epist. lib. 1. ad Dudith. Ausim equidem affirmare nullam essetantam inter Evangelicos in Doctrina de gratia & prade∣stinatione dissen∣sionem quam esscimer Jesui∣tas & Prado. terminantes, quorum nunc Jansenius An∣tesignanas esse videtur.
Amyrald. de Successione ab Eccles. Rom. pag. 41. Mo•• dissidium aliud inter Evangelicos ortum est, nonidem omnibus de coena Domini sentientibus. Zuinglius enim Tiguri substantialem corporis Christi in coena Domini praesentiam negavit; quam Brentius cum Luthero & aliis adservit. Duravit id certamen magno cum scandalo doctrinae annis aliquot: Ac ne∣scio, an ulla res alia, magis causae obfuerit, cursumque doctrinae calestis impedierit, quam odiosum hoc à Satana excitatum bellum Sacramentarium: quod omnes pii doluerunt plurimum, & tollere atque componere studuerunt. Melch. Adam. in vita Brentii.
Lavater hath written an History, De ortu & progressu controversiae Sacramentariae. See also his 3d Decad of Ep. epist. 6. he saith in that Epistle, There is not one point in all Divinity (except those wherein we accord with them) wherein they all speak the same.
Cardinalis Ca∣meracensis, Gerson, Almain, Cusanus, Pa∣normitanus, Cardinalis Florentinus, Abalensis, & alii dicunt. Cathol. Conci∣lium esse supra Papam. Gerhard. Confes. lib. 1. General. part. 2. cap. 3. & 10.
Ubi suerit Ecclesia ante Lutherum? in qua orbis regione vel angulo latuerit.
Lennards Luthers Fore∣runners. Birbecks Pro∣testants Evi∣dence.
Quòd novam appellant no∣stram doctri∣nam, Deosunt vehementer in∣jurii, cujus sa∣crum verbum novitatis insimulari non merebatur. Illis quidom novam esse minime dubito, quibus & Christus novus est, & Evangelium novum: sed qui illam Pauli concionem veterem esse noverunt, Jesum Christum mortuum pro∣pter peccata nostra, resurrexisse propter Justificationem nostram, Rom. 4.25. Nihil apud nos deprehendent notum. Quod diu incognita sepultaque latuit, humanae impietatis crimen est: Nunc quum Dei benignitate nobis redditur, saltem postliminii jure suam antiquitatem recipere debebat, Calv. praefat. ad Instit. Nos novatores non sumus, sed vos estis veteratores, said Scaliger. Ac ferme verum est quod quidam magni nominis Theologi prodiderunt, omnia quae vera sunt, & quae nos cre∣dimus, eadem à Papistis agnosci: sed addi insuper falsa alia, quorum quadam sunt talia, ut cum primis illis agnitis veris non possiut consistere unde sequitur, reducta religione ad ea in quae omnes Christianae Ecclesiae omnium temporum consentiunt, collabi Papisutum, ut qui conflatus fit ex privatis opiniobus. Wal. Epist. Antonio Walaeo. Hugo Grotius. Peter du Moulin in his Anatomy De la messe. l. 1. ch. 22. & 23. speaks sufficiently to this Objection.
Nous sommes prests de sabir toute sorte de punitions, si en cinq cens ans apres Jesus Christ, & (pourrious descendre plusbas) il se trouve un seul homme qui ait en une Religion tant soit peu approchante de la Religion Romaine telle qu' elle est auiourhui. Anatomie de la Messe par Pierre du Moulin. l. 1. ch. 22.