A quartron of reasons, composed by Doctor Hill, vnquartered, and prooued a quartron of follies: by Francis Dillingham, Bachelour of Diuinitie. August, in Senten ...

The fifth reason: largenes of dominion through multitude of beleeuers. (Book 5)

That the Church which the Messias was to plant, must be di∣spersed throughout all nations, and kingdomes, as the holy Pro∣phets most plainly foreshewed, we acknowledge: neither needed the Doctor to haue produced so many testimonies. I may well say of the Doctor, as did Aristippus of Dyonisius his liberalitie: Tutò Dyonisius, inquit, liberalis est his enim qui multis indigent, pauca mittit, Platoni verò qui nihil accipit, plurima. Dyonisius, saith Ari∣stippus, maintaineth all his liberalitie well enough, for to the nee∣die he sendeth fewe things, but to Plato which lacketh nothing,

many gifts. Euen so the Doctor in needelesse matters heapeth vp many testimonies: but in matters of question, he hath no proofe, but bold assertions. If he had prooued that these prophesies are verified in no religion, but onely in the religion, which now the Papists hold, he had done well; but hic labor, hoc opus, this is such paines as would make the Doctor sweat. As the Prophets foretold the largenes of Christs religion,* 1.1 so Paul prophesied of an Aposta∣sie from the same: as the Rhemists confesse, and as the same men write vpon the 12. of the Rev. where S. Iohn foresheweth that the Church shall flie into the wildernes, that now in England,* 1.2 (be∣cause it hath no publicke state or regiment, nor open free exer∣cise of functions) may be said to be fled into the desart. so say I of our Church in the raigne of Antichrist. And thus I conclude:

• As the Papists Church is now in England, though not visible, so was the Protestants in Antichrists raigne:
• But the Papists Church is now in England. Ergo.

The proposition is manifest by S. Iohn, who foretelleth the flight of the Church into the wildernes. Let Reinerus speake,* 1.3 who was a popish inquisitour, he saith that the poore men of Lyons were more pernitious to the Romish Church, then all other sects, for three causes: first because it hath beene of longer continuance: for some say that it hath endured since the time of Sylvester, others say it hath endured since the Apostles time. The second cause is, because it is more generall: for there is almost no land in which this sect doth not creepe. The third cause is, for that all other sects doe bring in an horrour with their heinousnes of their blasphe∣mies against God. This sect of the Leonists hath a great shewe of godlines, because they liue iustly before men, and beleeue all things well concerning God, and all the articles which are contai∣ned in the Creede, they blaspheme and hate onely the Church of Rome. This is the testimonie of a cruell enemie and persecutor of them: whereby euery man may see the Church to haue conti∣nued maugre Antichrist. These men are knowne to haue conti∣nued in Bohemia, Calabria, Piemont, and other places. Their faith is printed in the booke called Fasciculus rerum expetendarum, where who listeth may read the same. But now I reduce his argu∣ment into a syllogisme:

• They which haue the largest scope are the true Church:
• But the Papists haue the largest scope. Ergo.

The proposition beseemeth an Ethnicke better then a Christian: might not the heathen haue made the same against Christ? The Pharisies argue indeede after the same manner, Ioh. 7. Doth any of the Rulers beleeue in Christ? so the Papists say, Doe any Popes, Cardinalls, embrace Luthers doctrine? In the 1. King. 22. there are foure hundred Prophets against Michaiah, yet Michaiah had the truth. In the third of Daniel three onely resisted the Kings e∣dict.* 1.4 The Prophet Esai affirmeth, that except the Lord had reser∣ued a remnant, they had bin as Sodom and Gomorrah. Elias com∣plaineth that he was left alone. In the daies of Achab, the altar of God was remooued and an idolatrous altar by the high Priests consent was set vp. 1. king. 16. and chap. 17.19. it is said that Iudah did not keepe the Lords commandements, but walked in the er∣rours of Israel. Likewise Manasses and Amon built an idolatrous altar, 2. king. 21.4, 5. and 22. v. might not they haue made the same argument?* 1.5 Well saith Seneca, Non tam benè cum rebus humanis agi∣tur, vt meliora pluribus placeant, argumentum pessimi turba est: It is not so well with humane affaires, that most men like the best things; the multitude is an argument of the worst. Bellarmine hath this ingenious confession, Si sola vna provincia retineret veram fidem, adhuc verè & propriè, diceretur Ecclesia Catholica. If onely one Prouince should retaine the faith, yet that Prouince should be the true Church. Therefore largenesse of dominion is not a note of the true Church. But it is worthie to be noted, first that this Doctour reckneth the largenesse of the Romane religion but for a thousand yeares: for space then of sixe hundred yeares our Church had large dominion: antiquitie then is with vs. Verily, if our Church was ample for sixe hundred yeares, I make no doubt of our religion: and indeede the largenesse which the Prophets foretold was verified of the Apostolicall Church, and by conse∣quent of ours. Let the Scriptures iudge whether we teach the same doctrnie, that the Apostles did or no. I would not haue the Doctour to thinke that for a thousand yeares we had no church: for that we alwaies had a Church, I prooued before out of their owne writers. Images were reiected by many Bishops seauen hundred yeares after Christ: Ministers were likewise married, as I shewed before, for a thousand yeares. And not to name many o∣ther points of doctrine, Bellarmine prooueth the seauen Sacra∣ments out of Peter Lombard: is not this goodly doctrine which

can bring no better authors for it then the master of sentences? Barnard denieth merits, Bellarmine answereth that he did it of hu∣militie: at sancti, humiles esse debent, non mendaces; Saints must be humble, not liars. In the yeare of our Lord, one thousand, one hundred and seauen, the poore men of Leodium prooued Pope Paschal to be Antichrist:* 1.6 Hactenus interpretabar (say they) ideo ve∣luisse Petrum per Babilonem, significare Romam, quia tunc temporis Roma confusa erat Idololatria & omni spurcitie, at nunc dolor meus interpretatur, quod Petrus prophetico spiritu dicens, ecclesiam in Ba∣bilone collectam praedicit confusionem dissentionis, qua hodie scinditur ec∣clesia. I was wont to interpret that Peter by Babylon, would signi∣fie Rome, because Rome at that time was confused with idolatrie and filthinesse, but now my sorrow doth interpret vnto me, that Peter calling the Church gathered togither in Babylon, foresaw by the spirit of prophesie the confusion of dissention wherewith the Church at this day is rent in pieces. And in the yeare of our Lord 1240.* 1.7 many preachers in high Germanie did freely preach against the Pope. Crantzius a man who greatly fauoured the Pope, saith thus of them: Quidam pulsatis campanis & conuocatis baronibus terrarum, certaine ringing the bells and calling the Ba∣rons of the countries, are affirmed to preach publikely, that the Pope was an heretike, his Bishops and Prelates Symonists and heretikes. Bertrame eight hundred yeares after Christ was an ene∣mie vnto Transubstantiation: but you haue purged him to your perpetuall shame, as testifieth your Index expurgatorius: the title is, vt liber Bertrami, how the booke of Bertrame beeing amended may be tolerated. But let it be graunted that the truth of doctrine was not publike for many yeares, yet might there be a Church. For at the comming of our Sauiour Christ the Pharisies had the gouernement and were blinde guides, yet was there a Church, and a number of chosen people, as Ioseph, Ma∣rie, Simon, and Anna. In Elias time when religion was cor∣rupt, the Lord had thousands which neuer bowed their knees to Baal.

But I returne the argument:

• Largenes of dominion is a note of the Church:
• But for many hundred yeares after Christ, our Church had largenes of dominion.
• ...Ergo.

Secondly the Doctor fearing least our Church should flourish and dilate it selfe, affirmeth that the Church is now old, & to make her flourish in her old age is to make her a monster. Verily we ac∣knowledge that shee flourished in her young age, (if these titles of young and old may be attributed to her:) but shall not the Church flourish in her old age, as you speake, M. Doctour? what then is become of largenes of dominion? If largenes of dominion be a note of the true Church, then it shall be alwaies ample and large. Indeede thankes be to God, our Church now is ample, as testifie England, Scotland, Denmarke, Suetia, Saxonie, Helvetia, and o∣ther countries, and therefore the Doctour varieth in this point. But that Antichrist shall be reuealed, and the Church increase, it is plaine out of the 2. Thess. 2. where Paul prophesieth, that the Lord shall consume him with the spirit of his mouth. This to be done we see it daily with our eyes, for by the preaching of the Gospel Antichrist is continually lessened. Moreouer in this reason the Doctour affirmeth, that persecution of any moment is not against Papists, but onely in England. The persecution of Papists in England is for treason, as their owne writings testifie. The title of the booke is this, Important cōsiderations which ought to mooue all true Catholikes to acknowledge that the proceedings of her Maiestie since the beginning of her highnes raigne, haue bin both mild and mercifull. The Rhemists are contrarie to this Doctour, for they writing vpon the 20. of the Rev. affirme Catholikes to be persecuted not onely in England, but also in Scotland, Flaunders, and other places: thus well heretikes agree amongst themselues. To be briefe: the Papists are so persecuted, that they are benè habi∣ti, well liking as all men know, and haue affluentiam honorum, store of goods. But the Doctour desireth to be told whether against all learned Physitians, and against all Lawyers, one or two of later yeares are to be credited. I answer, if they haue the truth on their sides, they are. Might not Michaiah haue beene posed with this question, who was but one against foure hundred prophets? Did not Paphnutius stand vp in the Councell of Nice, and teach that a heauie yoke should not be laid on those which were dedicated to the ministerie. Here was one against that famous Councell. This question might well haue beene demaunded of Eugenius, who would not obey the Councell of Basill.* 1.8 Aeneas Silvius writeth thus, Neque in Concilio dignitas patrum, sed ratio spectanda est, in a

Councell the dignitie of men is not to be regarded, but reasons. And againe, Non ergo cuiusvis Episcopi mendacium quamvis ditissimi, veritati praeponam pauperis praesbyteri. I will not preferre Bishops vntruths, before an Elders truth, though one be rich and the other very poore. What should I speake of Athanasius condemned in the Councell of Millan? Panormitane is plaine,* 1.9 Plus credendum est vel simplici Laico scripturam proferenti, quàm toti simul Concilio. A lay-man is more to be beleeued, alleadging scripture, then a whole Councell. Hierome translated the scriptures according to the Hebrew, whereas before the authoritie of the 70.* 1.10 interpreters was currant: yet saith Sigebert, praevaluit authoritas Hebraica veritatis: the authoritie of the Hebrew truth preuailed. Hieroms act was a∣gainst inveteratum vsum Ecclesiae, the auncient custome of the Church. Whereas he calleth Luther a loose Apostata, and M. Calvin a soare backt priest for Sodomie, I doubt not, but that for such slaunders of these men, good men shall more and more ab∣horre poperie. And for thy satisfying, Christian Reader, I desire thee to read that which Erasmus hath written concerning Luther: and that which is printed by Beza concerning Calvins life. Sodo∣mie is too common among Papists, as witnesseth Picus Mirandu∣la in his oration to Leo the tenth, in these words, Sacrae aedes ac tem∣pla lenonibus ac calamytis commissa: Churches and temples are com∣mitted to bauds, and boies abused contrarie to nature. With Picus agreeth Mantuan,

Sanctus ager scurris, venerabilis ara cynaedis. seruit honorandae divum Ganymedibus aedes.

The Church lands are giuen to common lesters, the sacred altars allotted to wantons, the temples of Saints to boies prouided for filthie lusts. Lastly whereas he faith, that if he should refuse the Catholike Romane religion, his Ancetours would vse such spee∣ches as these; doest thou condemne all our doings? doest thou send vs all to hell? &c. I answer that God hath not referred vs from his word to our fathers: Walke not in the precepts of your fathers,* 1.11 neither obserue their manners, nor defile your selues with their Idols, saith the Lord. We condemne not our fathers, except they con∣demned thēselues. Dei iudicia occulia, sed semper iusta, Gods iudge∣ments are secret, but alwaies iust. If our fathers held the foundati∣on, (as I hope many did) they might be saued. Ignosci potest simplici∣ter erranti: he that erreth of ignorance, sinneth lesse then he to

whome knowledge is reuealed. I conclude with Cyprian, Si solus Christus audiendus, if onely Christ must be heard, we must not re∣gard what any before vs hath thought meete, but what Christ himselfe hath done: for a man must not follow custome, but Gods truth. And with Prudentius, who answereth Symmachus his ob∣iection, Nobis sequendi sunt parentes, we must follow our fathers. frustrà igitur solitis prava observatio inhaeres, in vaine dost thou cleaue to custome ô wicked obedience.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Thes••. ••.
• * 1.2

  The Church Catholike.
• * 1.3

  Catal. test. ••ec.
• * 1.4

  Esa. 1.9.
• * 1.5

  Lib. de bre. vitae.
• * 1.6

  In epist. ad Pas.
• * 1.7

  Cran••. lib. ••. Met. 18.
• * 1.8

  1••00. de gest. conc. Ba.
• * 1.9

  Whi••ak. 34. p. cont. Dur.
• * 1.10

  Ann. 39••.
• * 1.11

  Ezek. 20.