A reply to Fulke, In defense of M. D. Allens scroll of articles, and booke of purgatorie. By Richard Bristo Doctor of Diuinitie ... perused and allowed by me Th. Stapleton.

j. Where he chargeth them with many poynts together.

Now further that the true Church did also in dede erre, & first in the same poyntes wherein our Church now erreth, as they charge it, thus he saith:* 1.1 Many abuses and corruptions were en∣tred into the Churche of Christe immediatly after the Apostles time, which the diuel planted as a preparatiue for his eldest sonne Antichrist. By Antichrist he meaneth (God forgiue him his blasphemie) the vicar of Christ him selfe, and so consequently by that preparatiue he meaneth such poynts of the Popes religion as are found agaynst the Protestantes in antiquitie. Where to minister him some light by the way (if it may please God to open his eyes) let him consider that he must confesse no lesse,* 1.2 yea much more, that the Arian, Sabellian, Nestorian, and infinit other old Heresies detested now of both our parts, were a preparatiue for Antichrist: and therfore séeing that Bonifacius the third, and the other Popes after him, haue not receiued those confessed heresies, that it followeth necessarily therof, that the Popes are not Anti∣christ. But that I stray not further from my matter, but rather reserue euery thing to his proper place: he cōmeth else where to particularities, and saith:* 1.3 And this was a great corruption of those auncient times, that they did not always weigh what was most agreable to the worde of God, but if the Gentiles or Here∣tikes had any thing that seemed to haue a shew of pietie or cha∣ritie, they would draw it into vse. What, any thing, without ex∣ception? Go too then, and name somewhat for ensample. So they tooke the signe of the crosse from the Valentinians. What more? Oblations for the days of death and byrth, of the Gentiles. Foorth a Gods name. Prescript times of fasting, and vnmeasurable ex∣tolling

of Sole life in the ministers of the Church, from the Mani∣chees, Tacianistes, and Montanistes. And yet what more? Prayer for the dead, of the Montanistes. Forth agayne? Purgatory fire, of the Origenistes. Say on still: Yea Ieronym was almost fallen into the heresie of Tertullian, in condemning seconde mariage. Once more to ease that stomacke: Yea euen the name of sacrifice which was commonly vsed for the celebration of the Lords sup∣per, they tooke vp of the Gentiles. All these eyght poyntes he so noteth in the Fathers of Gods Church together in one place. A∣gaine in an other place after the sayings of Iustinus Martyr and Ireneus alleaged:* 1.4 The other writers of later yeres (saith he) we are not afrayd to confesse that they haue some corruption, wher∣by you may seeme to haue colour of defence for Inuocation of Saintes, prayers for the dead, and diuers superstitious & superflu∣ous Ceremonies. And that to the same they were no lesse addicted then we are, he confesseth plainly, where he graunteth that they accounted the contrarie for no better then heresie.* 1.5 You may per∣chaunce (saith he) note the names of them, that preaching the truth of our doctrine, against your receiued errors, were accounted of the world for Heretikes. And a litle after: I wil not dissemble that which you thinke the greatest matter. Well then confesse the truth: Aerius taught that prayer for the dead was vnprofitable, as witnesseth both Epiphanius and Augustinus, which they count for an error. Also he taught that fasting dayes are not to be ob∣serued. if he espied the superstition of fasting dayes, and reproued it, that was no error at all. And who els? Iouinian affirmed that virginitie was no better then mariage: which if it be well vnder∣stood, is no error at all. And if he taught further, that suche as could not conteine, though they had vowed virginitie, should ne∣uerthelesse be maried. Moreouer, if he taught that fasting, absti∣nence from certaine meates, and other bodily exercise, of them selues profite litle: it was no error, he saith, and yet S. Ieronyme was a most bitter enemie vnto Iouinian. Any more? Last of all Vigilantius wrote agaynst Inuocation of Saintes, superstition of Reliques, and other Ceremonies. Him Ieronym reproueth, or rather rayleth on him:* 1.6 for his reasons are nothing worth that he hath against him. Therefore howsoeuer Ieronym esteemed him in his rage, if he had none other opinions contrary to the trueth,

we doubt not to acknowledge Vigilantius (as many godly and learned Bishops of his time did) for a true preacher and reprehen∣der of that superstition whervnto Ieronym was to much addict. He said afore that he would not dissemble, and yet you sée his ifs, and Hierome alone against many godly and learned Bishoppes. Therefore to make it yet more playne, howe in clearing these Heretikes he chargeth the Fathers, I must report what he hath likewise in other places.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ar. 35. Si patrem f. Beelzebub vocauerun•• quanto ma∣gis domesti∣cos eius•• Matt. x.
• * 1.2

  Infra c. 11. cont. 8.
• * 1.3

  Pu. 419.
• * 1.4

  Ar. 60.
• * 1.5

  Ar. 44.45 46.
• * 1.6

  Modestly.