The orthodox faith and vvay to the Church explaned and iustified in answer to a popish treatise, entituled, White died blacke; wherein T.W. p. in his triple accusation of D. White for impostures, vntruths, and absurd illations, is proued a trifler: and the present controuersies betweene vs and the Romanists are more fully deliuered and cleared. By Francis White Bachelour in Diuinitie, and elder brother of Doctor Iohn White.

Vntruth 11. Doctor White challenged, for saying Papists are more vicious then Protestants.

T. W. For the extenuating and lessening of the sinfulnes of the Protestants, the Doctor much extolleth their imputa∣tiue and supposed vertues, and as much depresseth the liues of Catholikes in generall, and thus he intituleth that leafe, The Protestants people as holy as the Papists.

Answ. You begin this Section with vntruth, and pro∣secute the same with falsification throughout.

1. Doctor White neither extenuates the sinfull liues of Protestants, nor mentions imputatiue vertues: and

whereas you couertly reproach the Protestants, teaching the imputation of Christs obedience in the matter of our redemption and iustification, Esa. 53.5. Rom. 5.19, it had beene more reasonable for you, 1. to haue consulted Augustinea and Bernardb, yea sundry of your owne Doctorsc, before you had quarrelled vs. 2. To haue considered whether it be not more credible, that Christs merits are imputed to the paenitent and beleeuers, then that the vertues of Dominicke, Francis, Katherine, and o∣ther Saints are imputedd.

2. You affirme, that most of the testimonies produced by the Doctor from Popish Authors against your wic∣ked liues, are found in Sermons or exhortations, vttered in the heate of amplification, and deliuered generally, and without any reference or comparison to the liues of Protestants.

Answ. Two of those testimonies onely are alledged out of Sermons; the rest are positiue and Historicall spee∣ches, seriously vttered by famous Papists, who testified that, whereof themselues were eye and eare witnesses.

T. W. I will proue from the Protestants owne confessions, that the liues of Catholikes are generally more vertuous then the Protestants: for Luthere saith; The world is growne worse and worse, &c. and whereas in Popery people did willingly follow good workes, now they doe contrarie, &c. And Iacobus Andreaf complaineth; That they do not exercise any good workes, but in stead of fasting spend their time in drinking, and turne praying into swea∣ring, &c.

Answ. You haue filchedg these stale and ouerworne al∣legations from Brierly, and both he and you peruert the same against the Authors meaning, who intend not ther∣by to censure all Protestants, as delinquent in this maner, but they accuse onely the hypocriticall and imperfect members of the Church, which appertaine to the same, as the chaffe and tares to the Wheat. And such reproofes as these, are vsuall in the primitiue Fathers, who notwith∣standing intend not thereby to disgrace the godly mem∣bers of the Church, but onely to rebuke the wicked. Cy∣prian saithh; All sorts of people gaue themselues to worldli∣nesse, and forgetting what the faithfull did in the Apostles daies, and what they ought at all times to do, they gaue them∣selues to increasing their patrimony with insatiable couetous∣nesse, and there was not any sincere faith to be found in Priests, nor any mercy in mens deeds. And Chrysostomei; The Church in former daies was a very heauen, the diuine spirit guiding all things in it, &c. but we haue onely some smal remnants hereof. And the Church seemeth to be like a woman, which is decayed and falne from her ancient happinesse, and retaineth onely chests and old caskets, as tokens or badges of the treasures and happinesse, which are wasted and lost.

2. The said Authors words being vttered by Rheto∣ricall amplification, in sermon fashion, must not be set vpon y^e tenters, but confined to their true meaning, which was rather by such inuectiues, to deterre people from sin, and to set before them the vglinesse of sinne, in those who were lately come from Popish superstition, and pro∣fessed

reformation: In whom euen ordinarie offences were hainous, by reason of this circumstance.

But we are able to produce literall assertions, both out of your Doctors and Stories, which directly and histori∣cally charge the main body of your Popish Church, with generall and monstrous wickednesse.

Bernard saithk; We haue not onely lost the vertue of anci∣ent religion, but we retaine not so much as the apparence thereof. And Gersonl; The state of the Church in our daies, is wholly become brutish, and all the vigor of Ecclesiastical dis∣cipline is languished, withered, and faded away; and the Churchmen which should reforme the world, are become more vile then any other: and from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foote, the ouzing matter of filthinesse hath ouer∣spread the whole body. Mathew Parism: The Church of Rome is become like a shamelesse and common strumpet, con∣founding right and wrong, setting all things to sale, regar∣ding neither iustice nor honestie, accounting vsurie for small, and symony for none offence.

And many moderne Papists testifie the like. Dubliui∣usn saith; Euen among our selues the ancient flame of chari∣ty is not only cooled but extinct, and there seemeth to be left no small tracke or footstep of former pietie and faith. And Fati∣us the Iesuiteo; There is such penury of men, liuing after the rule of reason, that one had need haue a candle to finde them out.

T. W. Let vs a little enter more particularly into the cour∣ses of such our Ministers, as from whom we are to expect the greatest satisfaction in this point: that so in an euen libration of the matter, the Reader may rest fully satisfied, and Maister White more clearely and irrepliably conuinced of his former vntruth, &c. I wil content my selfe onely with the example of Zuinglius and other Ministers of Heluetiap, who preaching our new Euangelicall doctrine to that Common-wealth, peti∣tioned to the State in this manner: We earnestly request, that the vse of marriage be not denyed vnto vs, who fee∣ling the infirmitie of the flesh, perceiue that the loue of chastitie is not giuen to vs of God: for if we consider the words of the Apostle, we shall finde with him no other cause of marriage, then to fulfill the lustfull desires of the flesh, which to burne in vs we may not deny, seeing that by meanes thereof we are made infamous before the con∣gregation; for the loue not of lust, but of chastitie, lest that the soules committed to our charge, by example of our sensualitie, should be any longer offended. Where∣fore seeing we haue made tryall, that the weaknesse and infirmitie of our flesh hath bin (O the griefe) the cause of our falling, &c. hitherto we haue tried, that the gift of cha∣stitie hath beene denied vs. We are not otherwise of such vnciuill conuersation, that we should be euill spoken of among the people committed to our charge, this one point excepted. We haue burned so greatly, that many things we haue committed vnseemly: we cannot be char∣ged for any wickednesse, this point onely excepted.

They insisted further with the Heluetians in the like Dia∣lect, &c. Since according to the doctrine of our reue∣rend Father Luther, (which we are bound to teach and practise) nothing is more sweete and louing vpon earth

then a woman: Alas, why should we, who haue of late re∣uealed y^e Gospel of Christ, heretofore so long eclipsed, be recōpensed therefore with the want of that most delight∣full and naturall comfort of a woman, being forced to imitate the superstitious Papist, in imbracing a votarie & barren life? Or why should the Heluetian state so seuerely exact at our hands, that we who only vncorruptly preach the Christian faith, should onely herein be depriued of our Christian libertie? Heu quanta patimur!

Answ. Here this Painter hath vsed his blacke art, in pourtraying a Chimaera or Idoll for his friends to stare vpon. For the discouerie of whose falshood, the Reader is to be aduertised of these particulars.

1. That he hath plaied the falsarie in translating and al∣ledging the words of Zuinglius, & y^e rest. They say the de∣sire of chastitie, meaning by chastitie single lifeq, (that is, a mind and purpose to leade a single life) is not giuen vs by God. The Popish Priest racketh their words, as though they affirmed, they had no loue of honestie or chastitie in generall.

2. He produceth them, as saying; There is no other cause of marriage deliuered by Saint Paul, but to satisfie the lustfull desires of the flesh; and then despitefully en∣stileth them illuminated brethren. But the Ministers say, If we consider the words of Paul, 1. Cor. 7. we shall in him find no other cause of matrimony, then the boiling heate, or burning of the flesh to lust: that is, Saint Paul writing to the Corinthians, doth in that seuenth Chapter mention no other cause of vsing matrimony, but to be a remedie to restraine inordinate lust, in such as haue not obtained the gift of continency from God: as if he should say; although single life haue many commodities,

and in these times of persecution, especially be very pro∣fitable, yet I preferre honestie before any other commo∣ditie, and thereupon for the repressing of inordinate lust, I allow matrimony to all such as haue not the gift of con∣tinency. And other necessarie cause of marriage (at this present) I make none but this.

See how wretchedly this Impe of Antichrist peruer∣teth their words; for that which they say of repressing lust, he detorteth to the satisfying of the lusts of the flesh. The Heluetian Ministers reason in this manner: All people ought to haue liberty to embrace that state of life, where∣in they may vse the meanes which God hath appointed to preserue them from sinne. But the meanes appointed by God, to preserue such as haue not the gift of conti∣nency, from secret burning or open filthinesse, being sin, is matrimony; and Saint Paul nameth no other cause of choosing wedlocke before single life, but onely this. Therefore both Ministers and all other people, according to Saint Pauls doctrine, are to be permitted their Christi∣an libertie in the matter of wedlocke, for the repressing of sinne.

3. The third abuse of this Popish Priest, is yet more impudent; for in the last place he hath himselfe coyned and composed, an abusiue speech, which he produceth as vttered by the Heluetians; and then flings dirt and dung about him, crying, libidinous, and goatish Mini∣sters, &c.

But if the Reader please to peruse the writings of Zuingliusr, from whence this sycophant hath pared his broken sentences; he shall, if he carrie an honest minde, find nothing vttered lewdly or vnseemly; yea, the whole discourse breathing honestie and vertue: The Ministers

esteeme and honor single life, in all such as haue the gift of continencys, and require no more but that, whereas in poperie the Cleargie by sale or permission, generally retained Concubinest, and liued in brothelsome impuri∣tie with many women, that they might haue the libertie of marriage, and leade a chaste and honest life.

Concerning the speeches in particular, I answer, 1. These men particularly confesse their incontinencie: and did not Dauid and Paul acknowledge, the one his adul∣terie, the other his blasphemie and persecution of Christs Church? 2. They desire to liue in a married state of life, according to Gods ordinance and commandement. 1. Tim. 3.2. 1. Cor. 7.2. That they might neither defile their owne conscience with burning and filthinesse: nor by scandalous and dishonest life, discredit their profession and offend others.

3. They vtter not much more of themselues in this matter, then some ancient Fathers haue done: and popish Votaries and Saints haue said farre more.

Gregory Nazianzeneu, complaineth that in his old age, he was vexed with vnchast and libidinous motions, and had much adoe to keepe his body in subiection, S. Hierom saithx, that he reckoned it no shame to confesse his frailtie: acknowledging that his mind burned with vncleane desires, and that the flames of lusts boyled within him, and he profes∣seth more then once that he was no virginy. Bernard saith, that he was neuer able to flie the lusts of the flesh, and that they did alwayes pursue him. Anselmez confesseth, that

he had lost his virginitie, and defiled his soule with fornica∣tion, and wallowed in the dungeon of vncleannesse, and bene perfidious to God, periured (or a vow-breaker) and an adul∣terer to Christ, &c. S. Francisa the deuout limitor, was so oppressed with lust, that he was faine to lie naked in the snow to quench his flame; and to cast himselfe into a pond in a great frost, that so he might subdue his bosome enemie. The golden Legend reporteth, that Popeb Leo the first, by the meanes of a woman kissing his hand, was so vehemently tempted with lust, that he was faine to cut his hand off: but the virgin Ma∣rie, hauing compassion of her high Priest, ioyned the hand to his bodie againe.

T. W. Libidinous and goatish Ministers, whose very pens spumant venerem, and with whom, euen to meditate of a woman, is the center of your most serious thoughts, &c. wholly absorpt in lustfull and fleshly cogitations.

Answ. Ignatiusc saith, Whosoeuer traduceth lawfull mar∣riage and procreation of children, by the name of vncleane∣nesse or defilement, the same nourisheth in his bosome the apo∣stating Dragon the Diuell. The infamous termes of libidi∣nous and goatish, agree to the brothelsome impuritie of the Popish Synagogued, with whom it is more honest to keepe 600. queanese, then to liue with one wife: of which Bernardf speaketh; If you take away out of the Church honorable wedlocke, and the vndefiled marriage bed, you fill the same with Concubinaries, ribbalds, incestuou•• per∣sons, Seminifluansg, and Gonorrhoeans, yea with male Sodo∣mitry, and all kinde of vncleannesse.

Notes

• a

  Aug. in Psal. 118. conc. 3. & enchirid. c. 41.
• b

  Bern. in Cant. c. 23. & epist. 190 Omnes mortui sunt, vt vnius sa∣tisfactio omni∣bus impute∣tur.
• c

  Vega de iustif. l 15. ca. 2. Stapl. de iustif. l. 7. c 9. Aliquid singulare est in illa iustitia, & o∣bediētia Christi, qua pro nobis satisfecit, &c. illa enim per communicatio∣nem sic nostra est, vt perinde nobis impute∣tur, ac si nos ipsi satisfeciste∣mus, &c. Less. de iust. iur. l. ••. c. 1. d. 2. Vo∣luntas Christi, qui est caput, ipsis (in fantibus) veluti membris tribuitur, cū aliā habere nequeunt. Greg. Val. to. 2. d 8. q. 5. p. 4. Infantes, & ij qui perpetuo caruerunt vsu rationis, &c. Vt per alienam Christi voluntatem & obedientiam iusti constituantur, &c. pag. 1304.
• d

  Azor. instit. mor. 1. l. 4. c. 11. Anton hist. p. 3. tit. 23. c. 2. §. 1. Vide Conrad. Cling. loc. com. l. 3. c. 52.
• e

  Dom. 26. post Trin. Dom. 1. Aduent. Serm. conuiual. pag. 55.
• f

  Conc. 4. in c. Luc. 21.
• g

  Cocc. the saur. Cath. l. 8. ar. 12. Canus loc lib. 6 c. 8. Quasi non à Prophetis saepe populus argua∣tur, in quo multi essent, ad quos repraehensio, nullo modo at∣tineret.
• h

  Cypr. de lap∣sis. n. 4. & ep. 8. Fecit Dominus noster volunta∣tem Pat••is, & nos non faci•• us Domini volun∣tatem. patrimo∣nio & lucro stu∣dentes, superbiā sectantes, aemu∣lationi & dissen∣tioni vacantes, simplicitatis & fidei negligen∣tes, saeculo ver∣bis solum, & non factis re∣nunciantes, v∣nusquisque sibi placentes, & omnibus displi∣centes.
• i

  Chrys. hom. 36 1. Cor. Aug. Psal. 30. Qui sunt ini∣mici Ecclesiae? Pagani, Iudaei. Omnibus peius viuunt mali Christiani, &c. Chrys. 2. Cor. hom. 27. Sicut corpus mortuum Ecclesiae video multitudinem abiectam, & quemadmodum in corpore recens mor∣tuo, est videre oculos manus, pedes, ceruicem & caput, sed nullum membrum facit quod debet: ita & hic omnes fideles praesentes, sed non est efficax fides. Feruorem enim extinximus, & cor∣pus Christi mortuum fecimus.
• k

  Apolog. ad Gulielm. Abbat.
• l

  Gers. p. 1. serm. de Circumcis. consid. 1. Et de potest. ec∣cles. lect 10. Et part. 2. serm. de vita Cleric. Et torn. 4. epist. Brugis scripta.
• m

  Hist. Ang in Henric. 3. pag. 353. & 441.
• n

  Hodoepor. Hierusal. pro∣log. ad lector.
• o

  De mortif. c. 4. pag. 35. Vide Stell. in Luc. 17. pag. 182 & 205. Espenc. com. Tit. 1. digress. 2. pag. 71. Adam Sasboth. hom. 3. super Scriptur. Eritis mihi sancti. Innocent. 3. serm. 1. fest. Pentecost. Ecce mundus fere totus liquefactus est vitijs, fere liquefactus totus in peccatis. Nam superabundauit iniquitas, & refriguit charitas multorum, &c. Bergom. supplem. chron. lib. 13. ann. 1218. Tanta clericorum & improborum hominum licentia, vt nulla religionis facies, in ecclesia Dei dignosceretur, &c. Ruard. Tapper. orat. 10. pag. 373. Agnoscimus, & inge∣nue consitemur, &c. in corpore ecclesiae, à planta pedis vsque ad verticem capitis, non esse sanita∣tem, & corrupta esse omnia, &c.
• p

  Zuingl. tom. 1. supplic. euangel. ad ep. Constant. Et paraenes. ad com. Heluet. ci∣uitat.
• A slander. These words are none of theirs.
• q

  Studium ca∣stitatis, &c. Socrat. hist. l. 1. c. 8.
• Altisiod. sum. l. 3. tract. 7. c. 6. q. 6. Tempore Apostoli erat matrimonium ad remedium tantum.
• r

  Tom. 1. parae∣nesis ad com. Heluet. ciuit. Supplic. ad epise Constant.
• s

  Castitatem ipsam, praecla∣rum rarumq́ue donum Dei esse non negamus, & illis magno∣pere cong••atu∣lamur, qui tan∣tam in seipsis gratiam experi∣untur.
• t

  Vetus Helue∣tiorum institu∣tum, qui nouum aliquem sacro∣rum antistitem recepturi, iniun∣gere eidem con sueuerunt, vt cō¦cubinam habeat propriam, ne aliarum vxores vaga libidine comprimat. Nos non libidi∣nis oestro exci∣tati, sed hone∣statis veraeq́ue pudicitiae amo∣re permoti. Quod si volup∣tati hac in re voluissemus in∣dulgere, nun∣quam essemus passuri, capistro vxorum impli∣cari, &c.
• u

  Greg. Naz. carm. aduers. carnem. & carm. de rebus suis. Baron. ann. 389. n. 13.
• x

  Epist. 22. ad Eustoch.
• y

  Ep. 50. Virginitatem in coelum fero, non quia habeam, &c. Epist. 43. Ego lapsus sum.
• z

  Meditation. Tu anima mea perfida Deo, periura Dei, adultera Christi, de virginitatis sublimitate miserabiliter demissa es, in barathrum fornicationis, &c. Delectatus es in volutabro turpitudinis.
• a

  Legend aur. de S. Francis. Bonau. & Sur. de eod. cap 5. Antonin. sum. hist. tit. 24. c. 2. §. 1.
• b

  Legend. aur. c. 83. de sanct. Leone.
• Greg. Naz. o∣rat. 4. in sanct. Baptism. Purita∣tis tibi ratio, etiā inito matrimo∣nio constabit, &c. nec enim quia honore praestat virgini∣tas, idcirco tur∣pe & ignomi∣niosum est ma∣trimonium, &c.
• c

  Ignat. ep. ad Philadelph. Aug. con. Iulian. lib. 5. c. 10. Bern in Cant. ser. 66. Turpitu∣dinem in solis existimant re∣putandam vxo∣ribus: cū vel sola sit ea, quae cum vxore est, quae turpitudinem excusat, &c.
• d

  Bern. de conuers. cler. c. 29. Ber. in concil. Rhem. Quae in occulto fiunt ab episcopis turpe e•• dicere, &c. masculi in masculos turpitudinem operantes &c.
• e

  Auent. annal. l. 5. Pro vna vxore, sexcentas mulieres inire licebit. Coster. de coelib. c. 17. prop 9. Gr. Val. op. de coelib. in fine.
• f

  Bern. in Cant. ser. 66.
• g

  Gers. par. 2. de pollutione diurna, & de pollut. no∣cturna. Nauar. Man. c. 16. n. 6. 7. Siluest. verb. pollutio. Tolet. instruct. ••ac. l. 5. c. 13.