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TO passe further:(1) Melancthon, Illy∣ricus, Bibliander, and others affirme thus in expresse Words: Alcoranus ex veteribus Haeresibus consuitur: The Turkish Alcoran is wouen, or sewed toge∣ther of the Old Heresies. This these Prote∣stants did affirme, because they perceaued,
that Mahumes and Sergius did hould certaine opinions, condemned for Heresyes by a∣thanasius Austin. Ierome, Gregory, and other an∣cient Orthodoxall Fathers. Thus the Alcoran de∣nieth the Trinity with(2) Sabellius; It rea∣cheth with Arius, and Eunomias, that Christ was a mere Creature; With Carpocrates, and Nestorius, that Christ was not God, but only a holy and diuine Prophets with the Mani∣chees, that Christ was not crucified, & with the Donatists it denieth many Sacraments and the Church. Now the reason, why Melan∣cthon, Illyricus, & Bibliander, and others hould these opinions of the former men to be He∣resyes, is, in that they were condemned for Heresies by Athanasius, Austin, Ierome, Grego∣ry, and finally by the consent of the whole Primitiue Church of those dayes.
Here then I say, that it is an inexpugna∣ble Truth, that many Article of Fayth, be∣lieued at this day by Protestants, were in like fort condemned for explorate Heresies (& accordingly ranged in the Catalogue of Heresies) by the foresaid Fathers, I meane, Athanasius, Epiphanius, Austin, ••erome, Gregory, and other pious, and learned Fathers of those Ages. From hence then I irrepliably euict, that Mahumets Alcoran, and the new Gospellers do conspire and agree together in this point; to wit, that the Religion of Mahumes, and our Innouatours are engen∣dred and compounded of diuers ancient comdemned Heresies, though not altoge∣ther of the same Heresies. If then Mahume∣tisme,
and Lutheranisme do agree in this one Commons point, must not their affinity & assotiation be great, since that saying is true: Quae conueniunt in vno tertio, conueniunt in∣c••rse? I meane, that they do agree in this par∣ticular thing, though in some other points different; for I grant▪ that two faces may be a like to a third face, yet dislike in seuerall proportions in themselues.
But now to proue, that diuers Positions maintained by Luther, Swinglius, Caluin, Beza, and other Sectaries of this Age, were ana∣thematized by the former ancient and lear∣ned Fathers, is so easily accomplished; as that seing the proofe thereof ought to pre∣uaile much with any Man, not blinded with Preiudice; I haue therefore seposed a short Appendix, annexed to this Treatise for the demōstrating of the same; In the which the Reader▪ shall find the former ancient Fathers, and others of the same tymes, to be most luxuriant (as I may say) and riotous in condemning many (yea very many) points of Lutheranisme, for most hatefull, & execrable Heresyes.
And thus as this Treatise (as I expressed in the beginning) is the Glasse, wherein you Hugenots of France may behould diuers of your impious Opinions, conspiring alto∣gether with the fayth of the Mahumetans, Sa∣racens, and Turks, so this subsequent Appen∣dix I may well terme your Second Glasse (as I haue intimated elswhere) which will exhi∣bite to you the face of the ancient Here∣syes,
condemned by the Church of God for such, and yet the same Heresies are now en∣tertayned, and belieued by you of the refor∣med Religion. Thus I will furnish you with a double Glasse to see your blemishes the rein. I cannot say with the wise Man, that it is Speculum(3) sine macula, seing it is fraught with deformities, partly of the Turks, and partly of the Old Heretiks; all which said scarrs, and sedities do remaine at this day v∣pon the face of your New presumed Ghospell.
Melanth. l. 3. Illyric. in Apolog.
Prateol••••••∣n 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Blench. Haeresil. 11•• c. 3••
Wisdom c. 7.