iJ 
 
xi*' 
 
 
 / 
 
 DUKE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 l\} , LIBRARY 
 
 Treasure %oom 
 
 a 
 
DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 REFORMED CATHO- 
 
 LICKE of M.'w. Perkins, 
 
 lately deceafedy dgalnjl the hajlard 
 
 Counter-Catholickc of 
 
 Z). Bijhcf^ Seminary 
 Prien. 
 
 The First Part: 
 
 For anfwer to his calumnintions generally framed againft the fam^ 
 
 and againrt the whole Religion and ftateofour Church, 
 
 in his Epirtle Dedicatory to the Kings mod 
 
 excellent Maierty. 
 
 JVherem is to befeenetheaHdacioufneffe and imfudmcie cfthefi 
 Jiomi(h brokers in their Sftpp/tcations and Dedications to his 
 Highneffe : their religton is difmasked of that anticjtttty 
 yrhfc h they pretend for it : the religion ejtab/t/hed in 
 our Church by iarv is iufitfied to be no other 
 but what was anciently received tn the 
 church ,and namely in the an- 
 cient Church of 
 Rome, 
 
 By Robert Abbot Do(Jl. ofDiuinitic. 
 
 ^ttguU.de emit. Dei, lib. l.caf. i. 
 
 Eorum dida contrnria fi coties i efcllerc vclimuSjquotics obnix* 
 
 frontc ftatuci unt non curare quid dicant dum qiio- 
 
 cunq; modo noftris dift>utationibu$ 
 
 contradicant, inhnitum 
 
 tflet. 
 
 L O N D I N T 
 
 Imfenfis GeorgiiBishof» 
 
 1606. 
 
Tt.I 
 
 ^ 
 
TO THE MOST 
 
 PVISSANT AND 
 
 M I G H T I & A4 G N A R C H 
 
 our mofl dread and fouc-- . 
 
 reigfie Lord , I a m e s 
 by the grace of 
 God 
 
 /(V?g o/' Great Britaine, France ami 
 
 Ireland, Defender of the 
 
 Fatth^ f^c. 
 
 ^^oooYf gj Mongft the manifolde be- 
 nefits which the Diuinc 
 prouidencc hath yeclded 
 vnto vs by the happy en- 
 trance of your molUacrcd 
 Maieftie to the Imperiall 
 crowne of tliis Realme, 
 we can not but moft fpcci- 
 ally recognile that which 
 we take to be the pillar that vpholdcth all the reft. 
 The preferuation of true Religion and continuance of 
 the preaching of the Gofpel of Chrift. Which albeit 
 
 l^ 3 it 
 
The Epist le D EDI cato rie. 
 
 it be a fingiilar&ineftimablc mercy ofGod, yet there 
 is found amongfl: vs a Vipers brood, a malc-contcntcd 
 Samaritan generation which neuer ceafcth whining 
 and repining thereat, accounting this blefling of God 
 to vsja great wrong to them,whilcft by a cachexie and 
 corrupt dili^ofirion of ftomackc dicy better brooke the 
 Onions and Garleeke ofjegyptthan the Manna of hea- 
 ucn^t/je bread of Angels ; and haue eares more dch'gh- 
 ted with the Mermaids notes and inchantin^ Muficke 
 ofthe whore of Babylon, than with the Plain-long of 
 true religion direded by the fimplicitie ofthe word of 
 God. Therefore as inthedayes of our late moft gra- 
 cious Qneenc , (whofe memoric God haih eternized 
 both inheauenand earth) they neuer refted working 
 to bring this land aj^ainc vnder the (lauery and bon- 
 dage ofthe man offinne: fb fince your Maiefties com- 
 ming to the Crowne they haue been ftiil plotting the 
 iamc, notonelyby attempting your HighnefTc fub- 
 iedsj but alfo labouring in their Petitions and Dedi- 
 catory Epiftles to draw your Maieftie one way or o- 
 therto confortwith them in their damnable and ac- 
 curfeddeuices. AndasMountbanks do fet forth ba(e 
 wares with magnificall and lofty words, fb doe they 
 with brauc termcs labour to grace a counterfeit and 
 balhrd faith, and in their fupplications haue vanted to 
 your Maicf^ of^ religion^ and ncucr red: to commend 
 a religion ^\\\\\&i indeed in the queftioned part thereof 
 ' isTJO other but a refined herefie , compounded of fun- 
 dry ancient hercfies , oncly clarified hy fchoole-tricks^ 
 from the more feculent and groflc parts. Amongft 
 the reft, oneDoclourBifhopa fecularand feminary 
 Prieft, a man of fpcciall reputation among them , and 
 
 chofen 
 
The Epistle Dedicatorie. 
 
 chofcntobe a mainc fticklcrin the late contentions 
 of the fcc'jlars againft the Icfuitsjiath taken vpon him 
 to foHcit yoiirMaicfly in that behalfc, and hauing ap- 
 prehended a fpecch or two dclincredfrom your iViaic- 
 ftics owne mouth in the Conference at Hampton Ccurt^ 
 would makeyou beleeuc5that if you \vil Itand to what 
 yourfelfchauedeliuered, you muft needs admittlieir 
 CAtxcAthoUcke\xd,di\i\ow to be the C«i//W/a6"rj'id true 
 faith. Whofe Epiftle to yOur MaieftiCj w hen I WaA 
 perufed and examined, (the anfvvering of the whole 
 booke being by Authoritie vndcr your Maieftie com- 
 mitted vnto mc) I couldnotbut woonder that the au- 
 thourofitdurft offer it, bcingfo fullof fahLoodand 
 childifh folly , to a Prince fo learned and well able to 
 iudge thereof; but that I confidcrcdjihat one vnirueth 
 muft vpholdc another, and he that hath vnderiaken a 
 bad caufcmultvfeworfc meanesforthe maintcining 
 of it. He chargcth the Religion eftabliilied andpro- 
 fcfTcd by your Highneflc with hercficsj impieties jbla- 
 (phemies, abfurdities, and what not, that malice and 
 ignorance can deuife to fpeakc ? And this is the com- 
 mon ftile of the reft of them, who when they crme to 
 prooueand excmplific what they fpeake , theyllicw 
 themfelucs to be but Sycophants and hirelings to the 
 Pope, for whofe fake they muft fpeake to gall and dis- 
 grace, howfoeuer there be no truth in that they fpeak. 
 And if they dare thus impudently carythemfclues in 
 Print, and to your Maieftie, what dare they not fay m 
 corners to the entrapping and (educing of (imple and 
 vnkarned men ? By which mcancs ma^sy of your Ma- 
 iefties fubieds are intangled in a mifconfcience of rc- 
 ligiooj and thereby withdrawcn from the/rue conlci- 
 
 cnce 
 
The E n s t l e D e d i c a t b-n i f. 
 cncc af their- loyalty towards your Highneflc their 
 Hcge and fouercigne Lord, and arc madcbiicflax and 
 towforthcfirc of their ledkiouspraaifes , w hohaii« 
 beene bolde ahcady to rcViyour Maielty , That if you 
 will not yeeia the vn what they defirc , God knowes 
 DBiil'of! ^ ^ f<^^cible weapon of necefiitie will driue them 
 tfi/iu.^ vnto^t length .- therein verifying of themfclues that 
 ^bich ^ Aiiftin fayd of the Donatifts their predecef^ 
 ^»^ufi. I n Icj'tj r s I where they- cxn riot by file (^ Wtly ^ouJinAg-e creepe 
 like ajpes ^ there with open profejjed violence thfy ra^e 
 like Itons, Some effed whereof your Maieltie hath 
 feene in that barbarous and Scythianhke attempt late- 
 ly made for the deftru«5lion of your Higneflcperfbn 
 and bloud , and perpetuall fubuerfion and ouerthrow 
 of the whole Realme. Which as it differeth from the 
 pradilc of all ancient Chriftians and Chriftian Chur- 
 ches which vndoubtedly were of God, fb it plainly 
 declareth that that do<5lrine which profcfleth not a 
 lawfuInelTe only, but a merit infuch attempts, is vn-^ 
 doubtedlyoftheDiuell, and notof God. Thebroa- 
 chers of which monltrousand vrinaturall villanies , as 
 they haue long time liued in exercife of that malice, (b 
 will ftill make it appcarethat thcy^i'e notyetdifgoi>i 
 ged of the poifon of it. Whereof fith they haue gi-- 
 pen fo great argument and aflfurance byabufingy<:>ur 
 Maiefties lenitie and patience towards them , when 
 lawes might more leuerely haue proceeded againft 
 them \ our prayer to God is , that your Maieitie may 
 henceforth take tli^fe things fo farrc to heart as fhalbe 
 needfull for the fafety of your roy all perfon, your po- 
 fterity andtheRealme. As for vs , true it is, that our 
 icaloufie ou«r th^ foules of your fubicds^and gricfeto 
 
 fee 
 
Ot.f,f 
 
 The Epistle D n di c at oh r e. 
 /cc tliciii fo reduced and beguiled , hath long mndc vs 
 CO fay out of the Apoflles arfcaion , as he did of the 
 faKeapo'dlvS, IVouldto ^ol they were cuen ct^t Cjfthit c.ai 
 trouble yo:i , being well aliiiicd rh jc their adu.inrape 
 gotten by your Maicllics patience to\\ ards then), 
 would in the end be d![adiiantar;c to your {t\(c. But 
 yet we could iior bur fubfoibe to your Maiclhes mn{\ 
 religious and Princely care, firii togiue ihcniinftru- 
 clion andfarisfa^ftion, to trie whether rccciuircduc 
 anluer to thofc things which to your Maielviethey 
 haue alleaged , they would be reclamed frojii that 
 headilrong prcfumption which hitherto ^omi^htily 
 hath pofTcircd them. Wherein if they by rheinuto- 
 Icrable treacheries liaiic alrcredyourMaielbcs intent 
 of fauour vnto them ,and the State conceiue iiifl cau'c 
 with ail feueritie and rigour to proceed immediatly a- 
 gainft them, the guilt lieth vpon themfelues, and they 
 muftconfcife that they themfelues haue draw en the 
 fWord to be imbrued in their owne bloud. Yet the 
 courfe by your HighnciTc intended hath fiili moft nc- 
 ceffary vfcfor the difcoucring of the impudencicof 
 thefc Petitioners, for the gaining of fuchas may be 
 gained to the acknowledgement of Gods tructh , and 
 that as S. Bernard fayrh, Though the henticke an fe not 
 fro?n his filth, yet the Church mxy he confirmed' in the f '"'""'•* 
 faith. Toapartof whichbufineflcfinceithathplea- '^ * 
 fed them to whom your Maicft ie hath committed the 
 care thercofio callnie the meaneft of many other , al- 
 beit by rcafon of fomeififirmiry in mine eyes I haue 
 not yet bccne able to performc the whole that was ai- 
 figned vnto me , yet for the time to giuc Ibme parr of 
 fatisfaaion to many ofyour Maieflie's fubiciflsjwhom 
 
 A 
 
 Cunt. 
 
 IC 
 
The Epistle Dedicatobie. 
 
 it hath much mooued to fee the ftate of our Church 
 with calumnious Hbels (o traduced &: (landred, I haue 
 publilTicd this anfwer to Dod. Billiops Epiftle, there- 
 in caryingmy felfe faithfully and vprightly, as to God 
 and my Prince , though my abilitie not fuch as that I 
 may thinke my felfe to haue attained to that that the 
 matter doth require. But that which my final! talent 
 will y eeld , in all humble duety I tender to your Maic- 
 fticsmoft gracious and Princely fauour, hoping that 
 your Highnefle acceptation of thcfe endeuours (liall 
 ftirrc vp thofe that are of greater gifts to yecid greater 
 helpes for the vpholdingand further building of the 
 Church of Chrili:. The Lord preferue your mofl: ex- 
 cellent Maicfty, and as he hath hitherto done, (b con- 
 tinue ftill to difcouer and bring to nought the dcuices 
 andcounfels of them that imagine euill againftyouj 
 and as of his infinite mercy he hath implanted in your 
 Maieftiethe knowledge and loue of his true religion, 
 fo goc forward with his good worke, to water that 
 which he hath planted, that it may bring foorth 
 plentifulltruittothe publicke aduancement 
 of the glory of God , and the priuate 
 comfort of your o wne foulc 
 at the day of lefus 
 Chriil 
 
 Tour Miticfties mofl loyafi 
 
 and dut'i full juhic[i 
 
 Rob. Abbo t. 
 
To The Christian 
 Reader. 
 
 Et it be no offence vnto thee^ 
 \good christian Reader , thu 
 )for the prefent I giue thee m 
 ^ anfxver to a Dedicator j Epislle 
 I injiexd of an anfwer to a whole 
 ^ booke. It vp^ now in lanuarie 
 ^ lajl afullyeerefince Doctor Bi- 
 (l)ops booke Wiufent vnto me by 
 the molt reuer end Father in God the L. i^rchbifhop 
 ofCanturbtiriehis Grace , my very good Lord , with 
 direction to vfe the best expedition that I could for 
 the anfwer of it. It found me at that time vnder the 
 Surgeans hands for agrieuom infirmitie in mine eies-, 
 by meanes whereof for Jome good (face , and indeed 
 longer than I expe^ed, I was hmdred from able- 
 nejfe to intend in any conuenient fort to anyfuch im^ 
 port ant worke. But taking thefooneft and be ft oppor^ 
 t unity that I could ^ after that I had gone ouer fome 
 good part of the booke, to furnip^myfelfe with fuch 
 matter a^flwuldferuefor confutation of it \ at length 
 tbout the beginning of lull e being defimfs to bring 
 
 ^ i fomewhat 
 
To the Cliiiilian Reader. 
 
 fimewhat to efftci , / addreffed my felfe with all in- 
 jlant indeuour to g'ue anfiverto his EpifllcDedicato- 
 rie to the Kings moji excellent Maiejl'te. Which as I ac- 
 counted the prirjcipa/l matter in the booke , fo I held it 
 my duetieto 'vje very (pecial! care for thercjiulft^gof 
 thoje calumnies and (landers which the Authour hath 
 gathered, and contriued into it. IVhich being finiJJjed 
 at Michaelmas , hath beenef.nce thought fit to be pub- 
 lifnedfor the time^ till the refi of the worke^ wherein 
 as time hath fer tied 1 haue hitherto further proceeded^ 
 may fully be performed. JVow the Treatife againii 
 which M. Lifioop writeth is commonly knowen^ entitii' 
 led J A reformed CatbiOlickc, drc. jvriften by one M, 
 Perkins , fince deceajed , a man of very commendable 
 ijualitie and urell defer uing for his great trauelland . 
 paines for the furtherance of true religion and edify - 
 ing of the church, ^gainft this booke M.Btflo op fo 
 bendeth himfelfe in his Dedicatorie Epif.le ^ as that- 
 withall^ he traduceth the whole docirine of our churchy 
 and with fuchmotiuesand reafvr.s asabad caufewill 
 Symmach, affoord him ^plaieththepart of Symmachmthe Pagan, 
 pastArr^!"' i^^^^f^^^^g'^^der the nar^d of i^int quity tobringm 
 brof.epift. jdolatrte ^arid to perfivade his Maieftie, that that is 
 lib. y. Catholickc religion , which indeed is nothing els but 
 
 error (^ fuperjiition. In the due examination where- 
 of^ weighingwell the fandie and ftpperie foundations 
 whereupon he buildeth ^ I pre fume , gentle Reader^ 
 that thou wilt be ofmyminde , That he didnotthinke 
 heerehy to preuaile any vphit with his mojl excellent 
 Maiejlie^ but only vfedthepretenje of this Dedication 
 tc credit hisWooke with them who he knew would take 
 ^^ .^^: All 
 
To the Chriftiaa Reader. 
 all that hefiyd hand ouer he.idvpon his owne hare 
 word. Surely if he had nctprefumedof i rry wcln'il- 
 Imgandfiiendlj/ Readers^ he would neuerhaue dr ea- 
 rned to gaine any credit by writing in this fort. What 
 hts Eptjtle is, thou may eft here fee \ concerning the rejl 
 <vsyt 1 1 will not fay much ; mly I adttertife the and do 
 affurethee.thattfthoudidjliikeofM. L'erkins hooke 
 be fore, thou haft no catife by M. Bifl)op to diftike it now. 
 Thou JJjalt fee it affaulted with ignorance, with impu- 
 dency^ with vntruthandfafijood, with gro fie and pal- 
 fable here fie , and that which he commendeth to thee 
 for the marrow and pith of many large volumes, In hisPrc- 
 thou fl)alt fnde to be nothing els but a far die of bfr- f^cctothc 
 gage and rotten ftufc. Forfometafte whereoflctme^''^^^''' 
 intreat thee to take well in worth for the time this an- 
 fwer to his Epijile 3 and for the reft to haue me excufed 
 as yet, both in rejfefl of that weakneffe whereby J haue 
 beenefo ?nuch withholden from the following- of this 
 worke^ as alfo for the carethat ihaue afwelltogiue 
 thee full fat isfanion in the que flions here dif cuffed, as 
 to ft op the xducrfaries mouth, that he may haue nothing 
 further to reply. I haue propounded to my felfe the 
 . ruleof'Tertullian, in fuch bufneffes alwayes to be ob- 
 ferued\ Deccr veritatcm toris vti viribiis fiiis, non vt r v a 
 laborantem ; Truth is to \ (e it whole itrcngth , and Marclib.j. 
 not to fare as if it had much adoe to defend it kVit. 
 1 am loth therefore to come haflily into the field , and 
 with mine cwnefvord oncly to make an vncertaine 
 fight , but to take conuement time to leuiefuch troups 
 and bands , as that I may not need to doubt of the vi- 
 £fory 5 and it may appear e vnto thee that notwithftan- 
 
 Lx/ 3 ding 
 
To the Cliriftian Reader. 
 
 din^the crakes and brags of thefe Romij}}fyco^hxnts^ 
 i.Kin^.6.i6j^f ^^^^ ^^^'^^J ts^that they that are with vs are mo rhan 
 they that are with them. In the tneane time let it not 
 trouble thee that they are flill writing ofbookcs\for 
 their hooks are nothing els in trueth but the laying tO' 
 gethcr of the rubbifh ofthofe walks which by vs haue 
 already been broken downe^or at the mofl butfuuports 
 (jr props to flay them awhile fromfalling^which other- 
 wife arefo battered as that theyfeem vnltkely tofland 
 long. Some men flagger and are much moued thereat^ 
 becaufe being in the darke and their fight not well fer- 
 uing them , they thinke euery fear-crow to be a man of 
 war re i but fob er and admfediudgemcnt will eafily 
 conceiue that they who hitherto haue neuer beeneable 
 to keepe the f eld , are very vnlikely now to haue any 
 meanes left to gaine thebattell. They breake eutfomC' 
 times by ambufht^-cut off whom they can from vs^ but 
 whenthey are once difcouered ^ they are gone. K^nd 
 this thou fhalt fee ^ if God will^in the examining of that 
 PamphletofDo5l. Bifrjop : only for that that is yet be- 
 hindegiue me for a while thy gentle patience^ remem- 
 Ohaenin ^^^^g '^^^^ Origen fayth : Wounds arc quickly gi- 
 Ezechiel. ucn , but curc Will askc a longer time : albeit Ipre- 
 fume thaty my infirmity confidered^lfhalnot befo long 
 in gitiing thee the anfwer as he was in writing the 
 booke. I haue prepared already for the moll part fuh- 
 tegmen &:licia, both woofe and warpc,^i//»r^w<? 
 ler.adi i- (p^aj^^ffj.^ yeeldme thy prayer to God to continue my 
 flrength , and to profper me in his worke , and I will 
 endeuour to the vttermoll ofmy^owerfpeedily to 
 ye eld thee a per fed web. 
 
 ner. 
 
The j^eciall contents of this 'Booke* 
 
 OF the name ofCATHoncKE chvrch and Catho- 
 1 1 c K s vfurpcd now by the Papifb , as of old by the Dona- 
 tifts ; and that the rehgion now piofeflld in the church of Rome 
 is not the Catholicke and Apostolicke faith, fed. 3 . 
 
 That the Church of Rome that now is doth in very many articles of 
 faith and religion croGc the ancient church of Rome , and main- 
 teinethdiueis hercfic? by the fame anciently condemned, fed. 4. 
 
 That we arc iuftified by faith only, and yet holineflc of hfe is ncceC 
 0ry to faluation. fe<ft. j . and that imputation of rightcoufncfle al- 
 wayes implicth regeneration and holineflc bcgunne, though not 
 perfcd.fed. 17. 
 
 That our dodrine offrce will r ondemneth both the Manichces and 
 Pclagianhercticks, andis the fame with the doftrinc of thefirft 
 church, feet. 6. 
 
 That the afl'ertion of finne remaining after baptifme imputed by 
 M. Bifl.op to Proclus the hereticke was the Catholicke dodrine 
 of Methodius biftiop of Tyrus , and is the very trueth according 
 to the doiftnne of the ancient church. fc(ft. 7. 1 7. 
 
 That virginity and mariage in themfclues are equall, with God: 
 that the preferment of hnglehfeisonly inthe vfeofit, and that 
 the do ftiine of louinian concerning that point was no other but 
 what the church ot Rome profelfed both before the time of Hie- 
 rome and louinian, and at that very time.fcd. 8. 18. Z4. 
 
 That our doetiine concerning failing is iuflificd by the ancient 
 chuuih of Rome. fe(5t.4. 8, 1 8. 
 
 That prayer to faintsandworthipping their reliques is contrary to 
 the ancient religion : the latter luftly repi oucd by VigilantiuSjand 
 notauouched byHicrome, fed. 9. and that without offence we 
 giuc them fometimcs the name of Dead men. fecfl, 1 y. 
 
 That th.; church at firfl did not pray for the dead at all, and in what 
 meaning it was afterwards tr.ken vp ; Purgatory, vpon which the 
 Papifts build it, being altogether vnknowen. fed. lo. \6.'6. 
 
 That Traditions vnwrirten as touching the fubftancc of faith are 
 condemned by the ancient church, fed. 1 1 . 
 
 That 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 Tint the worfiipping of imngesishcnthenifh an J herciicnil by the 
 docbinc ot the ancient Chmcli, and that the Pnpills thereby arc 
 IdoLiteiS.r. d. u. 52. 
 
 That npoibde growt th by ftcrlth : with the noting of the ori.-inall 
 ofdiiiers Popill. hcrclics. fecft. 1 5 . 
 
 Ofddicrs damnable and wicked poluicns & dotSi incs of the church 
 otUome.red. 14. See the like as touching the Scriptures, fed. ii. 
 and for inducenn.nt of treafoii ao.ii.ift Piinccs fed. :^ z, 
 
 Thatthe Church of England neither nukcih God the aiiihourof 
 linMenorchargethChiift h\ h:s paflion with defj^r-ire or doubt, 
 fed. 1 4. 
 
 Of gluing a mansqoods to thepoorCj that he may giuc himfelfe 
 wholly to prayer and fiftmg, and that the Papifts h uie borowed 
 their dodrme thereof from the MaH'^lianhereticks.fcc^. 1 8. 
 
 Of the impoflibility of perfed fidfiihng the Law , and the iinperfc.- 
 dionofgood v^orksjauouchedoutofthe dodi me of the ancient 
 Church, and of M. Bill.ops filly and childiiii coUcdions made 
 thereof, fed. 19.10. 
 
 ThatConftantine theEmperourwas no Papift.fcfr. ir. 
 
 Of the figne of theCrofle, and that the Church of England hath 
 taken that courfc as touching the fame, as is fittelt both to lulhtic 
 Cohltantineand the ancient Church in the vfe , and condemne 
 the Papifts in the abufe ofit. fed. u. 
 
 How Churches were built by Conftantine, and are by vs named to 
 thehonourofthc Apoftles.fed. 15. 
 
 That the factifice of the MalFe and Tranfubftantiation were vn- 
 knowento Conltantinc and the ancient Church, fed. 27.31. 
 
 That Conftantine was not acquainted with Popifiiabioiuaonand 
 foigiiienefTc of finnes. Cc£t. 28. 
 
 ThatConftantine cxercifed fuprcmc authority and iurifdidiono- 
 uer Bifliops and in caufes of the Church, fed. 29. 
 
 That Archbifiiopricks, and Biiiiopricks, and Church-Iiuings, were 
 not fii ft founded for Popery , but for the religion now eftablilLed, 
 andwhatfoeucrfince hath bcenerdded by Popery , isiuftlyim^ 
 ployed to the maintenance of our religion, fed. 31.3^. 
 
 That Rccufantshaue no iuft exception againftcomming to church, 
 and that luftly the law procccdeth againft them according to the 
 examples of the lawcs of ancient Princes, and of the good that 
 commcth thereof, and that the toleration ofthcm were neither 
 godly, norfafe, nor ftanding with Chriftian mercy, fed. 32.33. 
 
 35.37. 
 Of M Bifi. ops threat to his Maiefty grounded vpon a pradifc of 
 Popciic quite contrary to the pradife of the ancient Chiirdi, 
 fed 34. 
 
A VIEW OF M. 
 
 BISHOPS EFiSTLE 
 
 Dedicatory to the I\i]igs 
 moil excellent 
 
 T O T H E M O S T P V I S S A N T, 
 Prudent and reno wmed Prince, I am e s 
 
 thefirU , hy the grace of God ^ IQng of 
 EnglandjScotland jFrancc and 
 
 hthnd^Defender of the 
 Faithj &c. 
 
 Oft grdtioiii and, dread Soueraifne, 
 < Albeit y mjflender skill cannot affoord 
 any difcourfe vroerthy the vierv of your 
 E xcellency, neither my deaddcd, and 
 daily interrupt ed.and perfcctitcdfiu- 
 dies, rvilUtMe me leaue to accompljjh 
 that httle, rvhich otheryvife 1 might 
 vndertake and ferforme: Tet being 
 emboldened, both by your high Cle- 
 mency, andGraticwfamur, euerfhewed vnto all good Itttera- 
 tiire.ejfcciaHy concerning D immtte : and alfo vrged by mine 
 ovene be Hndcfi dfUie, and particular ajfe^ton: Iprefnmetopre- 
 
 B fent 
 
% n^e Anfwer to D. 'Bi/hops 
 
 Cent vntoyoHr Highnc^e thi^ (hort enfmng treat ife. For your 
 exceedtng clemencie^milden'jfe, and rare modeflie, in the mo fi 
 tminent eBate of ft mightie a Monarch : 04 it cannot but rvm 
 vntoyoH great loue , in the harts ofallco*iJiderAteSuh!etls:f0 
 OH the other fide doth it encourage them cofidentlj to open their 
 mindef, and in dutiful/ manner to vnfold themf elites vnto their 
 fo louing and arable a Soueraiqne. And \vhere^i{to the r>o vul- 
 gar ^r at fe of your AIaiefliesftetie)you haue made open and of- 
 ten profejjion of your v'tgilancie and care, to aduauncc the diume 
 honour of our Sauiour Chrifl , andhts mosl [acred Religion: 
 Then what fait hf nil Chrtfitan Jhouldflagger , or fcare to lay 
 e^e»,and deliuer publikjly, that which he affureth himfelfe to 
 be very expedient , necejfarie , and agreeable towards the fur- 
 nifhmg,Andfetting forward of fo heauenly aworke ? Moreo- 
 tter^^ I your Maie flies poor cfuhieBt hanebyfludie at home, 
 Mndtrauaile abroad, attained vnto any [mall talent of learnings 
 Hnd knowledge : to whom is the vfe and fruit thereof more due, 
 then vnto my fogratiom, and withall, fo learned a Liege ? Fi- 
 nally, for a proofe of my fncerity, affeSiion, and duti full loue to- 
 wards your Maieftte, this may ItuFllyfay, that in ttme of vn- 
 certainefortune ( when ajfured friends are mofl cert ainlj/ tried) 
 J bothfuffereddifgrace, andhinderancefor it , being flded in 
 Print, A Scotift in fa6^ion : therein farther employing my 
 pennein A two-fold d'licoux^Q (which I hope hath beene pre^ 
 fented to the view of your MaieUie ) theoneeonteyning a de- 
 fence of your Highnejfe honour : the other of your title ^ and 
 interejl ofthecrewne of England. Andif then my ^.eale and 
 loue of truth, and obligation toyour Maieflie, drew me out of 
 the compajfe of mine owne profejjion, to treat of law courfes : I 
 trust your benigne Grace will now licence me , out of the fame 
 fount aine offeruencie and like <.eale vnto Gods truth , no lejfe 
 re^eUtngyour Maiefltes eternall honour , andheauenly inhe- 
 ritance -ijomething to fay in matters of Diuinitie : hauing beene 
 the beflp^jrt ofmyftudie^ for more then thrift feauenyeeres, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
Epiflk to the IQn^. 
 
 
 
 R. ABBOT. 
 
 'v€^ T were a thing worthy to be known 
 ?^^fi/ what was the drift of Al.Bifliopjand 
 .■-'"^d the marke whereat he aimed in the 
 ^fN / Ml Dedication of this his Bocke to the 
 ¥^i^ 1 kines Hmhnefle. When I looke to 
 g^i^s^ thole goodly inhnuations whereby 
 r:H^|-^hc feemeth defirous to windchim- 
 '^^^ 'ielfcinto the good opinion of his 
 
 moll excellent Maieftie , and conlider the motiues and 
 realons which he plcadeth irecrely for himfelfcandihc 
 reilofhisfadionand conrpiracic , ine thinkcs his intent 
 fliould be according to his pretence, togainelbrrefaiiour 
 at his Maiellieshandcs for toleration of Romifh idolatric 
 and liiperftition, that without contradi6^ion of lawes they 
 may freely, if not exercife, yet profetl'e and follow the 
 fame. But when on the otherfide I confider his excepti- 
 ons and allegations againll his Maieftiesproceedings,and 
 againlhhc GofpcUotChnft and his true religion embra- 
 ced by his Maiellic, and by lawes publikely ellabliflied a- 
 mongftvs, I grow to another conceit, thatlurely he pro- 
 pounded fome other matter to hiir.lelfe then the obteining 
 ofthatwhich he feemeth fo carneftly to entreat for. For 
 hauingtodocwithaiudiciousand learned Prince, who 
 is well able, God be thanked , rightly to cenllire what 
 he writeth, without doubt if he had made this his proie6l 
 to compaflc the obteining of his requcll , he would hauc 
 dealt fmcerely andfaithtully ; he would haue forborne 
 our church all vniull and fiaunderous imputations : he 
 would not hauc fought by apparant vntruth and falfhood 
 to iuftifie his bad caufe 5 he would haue had care fo to cary 
 himfclfe that his Maieftie feeing nothing but true and 
 plainc dealing might conceiuc what is amifle ro haue pro- 
 ceeded onelyfrom fimplicitie oferrour, not from any ob- 
 
 B a ilinate 
 
4 Ti)e Anfmer to T>, Sip?o^s 
 
 ftinate and wilfull malice againrt the truth. But he hnth 
 takenafarre other courlcj and feckcth very Icudly by lies 
 and tales to abufethekingcs mort excellent Maicllic , by 
 pretending antiquicic for thofe things which by antiquitic 
 were condemned : by fathering their ovvne balbids vpon 
 the Fathers, by wrerting and forcing their fayings to that 
 which they neiier thought,yea when Ibmetimcs in the ve- 
 rie places which he alleageth they haue taught thec&ntra- 
 rie to that that he would approoue by them; by deprauing 
 onr religion with odious conleqiiences of herefies, impie- 
 ties , blafphemies; whereof notwithllanding I make no 
 doubt but he himfelfe in his own cofciencedoth acquit vs. 
 Whereby itmay feemethathowfoeuerhewerewiilingto 
 put his requeft to the aduenture,yet being himfelf without 
 all hope or opinion of fuccefTe in itjhis fpeciall rerpe6^ was 
 to lengthen the expe6lation of his Catacathoh'cke follow- 
 ers, that they might not vtterly defpaire of that with the 
 hope whereof they haue lb long deluded them; to fettle 
 theminthofc herefies and irreligions whereto they haue 
 fo long inured them ; to continue them preft and readie 
 to thole intents and purpofes whereto they thinke they 
 may heereafter haue occafion to vfc them ; to prouide by 
 *^<ff.i9.ij. thcfc meanes with ^ Demctrus-s that his andhisfellowes 
 craft and occupation might be maintained which was now 
 inieopardy togrowvtterly to decay ; and Jaftly to adde 
 feme grace to his booke the better to ferue all thefe turns 
 whilelt it fliould carle the name to be dedicated to the 
 king : no man imagining, the cafe ftanding as it doth,that 
 he would prefume to offer it to his Maieltie but that 
 doubtlelTehe thought fome exploit to be performed by 
 him therein. 
 
 And that he thought fo indeed, appeareth by his owne 
 wordes in the Preface to the Reader, commending this 
 treatife vnto him vndec thefe termes, that he fljall find here- 
 Pi the marorv and pith of many Urge volumes comraUed and 
 drdwen into a narrow roome. By his owne coaceit therefore 
 
 he 
 
Epiftle to the t\jng, 5 
 
 heharhfencvs the ilrcngth of their ftrength , the choiTe 
 of their learning, theflowre of their a'-guments; fo that 
 thisbookc is asic wcrca Go/tahomoi ihehoftof thcPhi- 
 lillims f^nt to dcfie the holl of Ifrael, and to require a con- 
 combatant at one fight to trie the matter, prefnming that 
 . in all Ilracl is not a man to be found that dare vndertakc to 
 anfwer the chalcngc. Whereby appearcth that it is but for 
 fafliion fake that hefpcaketh (o modelHy in the begin- 
 ning of his cpilllc^excufinghis ilenderskilljand complai- 
 ning that his dead auddaily interruptedartd perfecntcd fludtes 
 v>iU-/:&t g%:ie him lenuc to accomplip) that httle irhich otherxaife 
 he fnight vndntizke ''''^d performc. Surely he neither wanted 
 skillnorlcifure,asicreemeth, that could thus gather the 
 marow and pith offb many large volumes. As for his llu- 
 diesjif hewillconfcirethctrueth, he muft acknowledge 
 that they hauebcene more /»r<fr/'»/jffd^ by their contenti- 
 ons with thelefuitesj then perfecuted by vs : albeit great 
 reafon it is that he and his fellowes fhould be perfecutcd,if 
 he will fo tern le it, by reftraint of body, that abufe their li- 
 berty when they are abroad to the perfecuting andde- 
 llroying of other mens foules, withdrawing them from the 
 fcruiccoflefusChrift, and by their illufions andinchant- 
 ments bewitching them to doaievponAntichrift, extin- 
 guifliing in them the true confcience ofallegeance to their 
 Princ"e,and preparing them to the execution of their fedi- 
 tiousandtraiterousdefignments, ashath in fome part ap- 
 peared to his Maieftie already, and I doubt not but fome 
 further experience will make it yet further to appearc. 
 
 Now It is well in the meane time that he acknowledg- 
 Cth in his }A2l\c'^[Q exceeding clemencie, mi/denjfe, modeflie, 
 letim<^ and arable difpofition , lingular ornaments of a 
 prince and wherein is fpcciall token of aking whom ^ the ^"Pfal^.^, 
 Lord hat hchofen. But his threatning words towards the V^t^ ^"** 
 end of this cpiftle doe prefage that heereafterthey willal- HotJ'liinde"^ 
 terthisftilc, and cry out, as they did in the daiesof our menlfuQ^u. 
 moftnobleQuccnedecealed, of cruelty, tyrannie, extre- «'»i;. 
 
 B 3 micie, 
 
6 The Anfiper to D. ^ijhops 
 
 mitic, of perfecations and martyrdomes , when by their 
 dilloiall and (editious courfes they fliall draw from his 
 Maicltic grea'er fcuericie and fliarpenelTe of executions 
 then his princely nature is of it felfe inchned vnto. Then 
 fhall this acknowledgement of his be an vpbraiding of 
 them that they thetnlelues haue made the rod wherewith 
 they are fcourged : that his Maiertit hath beeiie kinde and 
 louingtothem , but they hauebecne vnkindeand crucll 
 to themfelues. But this clemency and kindncfle, albeit ic 
 bean encouragement to good and faithhill iubie6^s in du- 
 tiful! manner to vnfoldvnto his Maiellie their iull gree- 
 uancesand requefts, yet ought it not to embolden euill 
 affe£ted pcrfons with calumnious libels to interrupt the 
 peaceable courfc of his Maielbes gouernment, and to 
 ieckc according to their drunken humoursand fancies the 
 alteration ofthellate and admittance of thofe things, the 
 building whereof they themfelues know not how to fettle 
 vpon any llire ground. And this is the thing that M.Bipwp 
 
 •w^fl.ij.io. laboureth for, leeking with £/y»?.j^ the forcerer' lopernert 
 the flreiirht rvases of the Lord : and whereas his JMaieftic as 
 he confefleth, hath made open andof ten profcjjion of his vigf 
 laneie andcare to aduaunce the diuine honour of o fir SAuiour 
 Chrtjf and hh mojl facredr^ligion , he would infteed there- 
 
 ^Dan.ii,i%. ofdrawhimtoaduaunccthcidoll '^ MaHz.zimihe^o6.oi 
 
 •i.Vet.i.i. Antichrift, and to eltabli fli ' damnable herefies by him^n- 
 
 'yerf.i . fti/te brought in, whereby his agents and fa6^ours ^ thron^h 
 
 ctuetofiffteffe mth famed rvordes doe mal^e marchandife of the 
 
 t Tit.i .1 1, fifties of men y ^ (p eating things which they ought not for filthy 
 Iftcresfakf. And thishedoth vndcr a colour o'i delmerirtg 
 what he affurethhirnfclfe to be very expedient , necejfarie and 
 agreable towtirds the furnifhitig and feiting forward of fo hea- 
 uenly arvork^hy his Maiclly intended. But it is notinougfr 
 that hcafTurc himfelfe , vnlefle he could by good ground 
 aflurehis Maiellie alfo of that which he laboureth to per- 
 fwadc,which he hath not done nor indeed can do:&thcr- 
 fore as couching his furniOiing and letting forward of this 
 
 workc 
 
EpiHle to the Kjng. ^^ 7 
 
 worke wc anfwer him as the princes and fathers of /«<^4/; 
 &5<?w4w/.fanAvcrcd their viiderminingaducrraiies: '' // ),^^^^. 
 is not for joh but for vn» haild the hcufe v»to our God. You 
 Samaritans, you Papilh are mungrels taking vpon you to 
 ' feare the Lord, and )afernwg tdots alfo 5 neglefting the 1 ^ x/w^^iy 
 ordinances and commandements of the Lord by which ^j. 
 ihishoulcistobebuilded, anddoatingvpon your " old ^yerf.i^. 
 ctisiome, and therefore ' haMing no portion mr right nor me- & ^o, 
 
 morullm Icrufalem nor in this heauenly worke and feruicc ^ "".i-io- 
 of lefus Chrill. Indeed it is true which he faith, that what- 
 {oQUQt talentof Uarmng orhnoxlcdge he hath attained vnto, 
 the v/^ dnd fruit thereof is due to his Maieftie; but the grea- 
 ter IS his finne to withdraw it from him to whom it is due, 
 being fo farre engaged to the Pope as that his Maieftie 
 cannotprclumcot any true and faithfull vfe thereof. As 
 for the proofe that he alleageth of his fincere and dutifull 
 affe6lion and loue, it is altogether vnfound. And to this 
 purpofe I may wclldemaundasdid Conffantitti the Em- 
 pcrour the father of the great Confiamtne: " //(w /hoft/d '^ Fuftk.dtyitM 
 they he deemed fatt hfull vnto their prince , rcho Are found to he ^^^?' l.i.f.u. 
 ferfidiom andvnfaithfjlltowArds God ? It appeareth by that 
 fccret that he vttereth in this epiltle towards the end , that 
 hisloue is according to the rule of Z?/.ty, if at lealt it were 
 his, " (icama tancjuamaUcjuando ofnrn^i : Loue fo m being fer- ■ TuUi.dtMm- 
 haps in time to hAte. Certaine it is , whatfoeuer hcprcten* ''""'• 
 deth, that neither he nor his cuer meant his Maieftie any 
 good, vnleffe they could gaine him to be that that they 
 would haue him to be. Butwhat is that proofe of his iin- 
 ccritie that healleageth ^forfooth tn time of vncert awe for- 
 tune, when, he faith, afjitredfiendsare moji certainly tried, he 
 hothfujfred cltfarace and hmderance for his hue towards hie 
 Afaiejtie, hetng Jliled tn print, A Scotisi mfaBton. Where 
 we lee \S\M afilfc merchant needeth no broker. How cun- 
 ningly he gloleth the matter to makefliew of great loue 
 where indeed there was noneat all. What^ was it for his 
 Maiefties caufe that thofe hard fortunes,that difgrace and 
 
 hmderanct 
 
8 ^Jn Anfivcr to D. 'Bi[J70hs 
 
 hindcrancedid befall him c* Nothing lelTe. The lefuites 
 foiiboth and rhe Secular priefts, vvhileft ech (eeke llipe- 
 riorityouerother,falI together bv the cures. ThcIefuW^s 
 procure an Archpriert, one that Hiould be at their deuoti- 
 on, to be fet ouer the Seculars. The Seculars rcfufeto 
 yceld himfubicflion and by appeale refer the matter to 
 the Pope. FortheprofccutingofthisappcalcM. B'Pjoo 
 with another of his company arefcnttoRome. Thereby 
 the procurement oi Parfons both he and his fellow are 
 clapped vp in prifon 5 and continuing there for many 
 weekcs were at length by the fcntence of their Prote£lour 
 banilhed England, and the one of them confined to Lor- 
 rainc,and the other to Fraunce. This is the mainc tragedy 
 o^ M. Bipyops misfortunes, not concerning the caufe of 
 thekingsMaiefbieany whitarall. Onely in the managing 
 of thefe matters it came to pafie according to the pro- 
 uerbe , that Tvhea theeues full out , true ntcn come by their 
 goods. For whileitech part fought to prouide the better 
 for themfelues heere in England for the time to come, the 
 lefuits for their aduancement laboured to entitle rhe Lady 
 Infanta of Spaine to the iucceffion of the crowneof Eng- 
 land. But the Seculars prefuming that if the Infayjta were 
 fet vp,they mult certainly go downe, and chufing rather 
 to aduenture themfelyes vpon vncertaine hope , then to 
 giueway to vndoubtedandcertainedefpairc, flirowded 
 themfelues vnder the acknowledgement of his Maiefties 
 iuft title, not for any loue to his Maieftie, but for hatred to 
 the Iefuits,and for the preferment of themfelues. For ima- 
 gining that things vpon the death of Queene Elizabeth 
 would grow troubleibme, and mtending to make offer to 
 his Maiertie of their helpc forfooth fortheobteiningof 
 thecrowne, they thought by capitulations and conditi- 
 ons, his Maieftie preuailing, tomakeallfjrc for their parr, 
 thinking that thelefuitsby their traiterous practifeshad 
 fet a fufficient barre againft themfelues, and Ihould be no 
 let vnto them, Heereupon they fall to writing one againft 
 
 another, 
 
Episilc to the t\hi^, 9 
 
 anothcr,ancl M.Bitliop is ftiled in print e^ Scctif} m fa- 
 Rion , and to picke a thanke with his Maicllicj writeth his 
 WofouU difcourfe, one for defence of his Hijlhnejf. homur, the 
 other of his title to thecrorvne of England. A worke of liiper- 
 erogation for his part: for his Maiertie needed no fiich 
 proftoursasheis, neither was the wrangling of a compa- 
 nicof bale fiigitiiics fuflficient toqiicllion cidierhisMa- 
 icllieshonour, orhistitletothccrowne. And how little 
 hold there was in thefe his defenfes may appeare by the 
 examples ofhisfellowes,Watfon and Gierke, whotooke 
 part with him in this a6lion, and the one oFthcm wroteas 
 much in the kings defence as M J3iniop didjand yet when 
 they faw vpon his Maiellics entrance that things were 
 likely to goe otherwife then liked them, immediately they 
 fall to confpiringand plotting againll him : the cafe was 
 filtered : they were not now the men that they were be- 
 fore. The like is M. Bifliops fidelitie & louc,and he him- 
 felfe afterwards plainly giueth hisMaidlie to vnderlland 
 that he may hope no otiierwife of him then he hath alrea- 
 diefoundinthcm. Yet heere he prefumeth thatfith/;Af 
 <.eale and loue to his Afatejite hath hceretofore drawenhim 
 vithout the compajfe of hn profeffion to treat of Uxt coMrfes\ 
 therefore his Grace mil licence him out of the like zxale vntt 
 gods trmh^tofay fomthingin matters ofDiMinitie.Bltt furely 
 ifhebyhis law courfes defended his Maiefties caufe no 
 better then by Diuinitie he hath defended his ownc, he 
 might very well haue fpared that labour , and left it to 
 them that were fit to doe it if occafioH had requiredjwhich 
 indeed he was not. Butthisisthcmalepartnellcand faw- 
 cineflcofthcle bafcvaflals and runnagates both lefuites 
 and Seculars to thrull thcmlelues into matters that be- 
 long not to their profefllon or condition j they are tam- 
 pering with cau(es of kingdomes and flatesj they will de- 
 termine of titles and inheritances of crowncs and fcepters. 
 This is their arrogancie and prefumption alTumingvnto 
 ihemfeluesas if they were able for all things : al their gcefe 
 
 C be 
 
lo An Anfiver to D. 'Sijlwps 
 
 befwannc-s inotanaQcamongrtchimbnt is woortby to 
 ftand wjth the kings horfes : not one ofrhcm I warrant 
 you but is fiiff.cicnt enough to be aCounlellonr to a 
 Prince. They are theonely high (pirited men , of great 
 conceit, of deepe reach , ot noble rcfoliuionjofmoltrpc- 
 ciall and fecret intelligence, of braiiedilcourfe, that can 
 tell great tales of Bomuomackides CltmyslaridyJ.ircbides 
 the great Gurgpifitdor.ian empcrotfr j eiien like Narciiliis, fo 
 farre in lone with themftlwcs that they arc drowned in 
 their owne pride. But we know them well enough ; we fee 
 their fooleric and laugh at it.'when they come to trial! they 
 are for the moil: part bgt emprie barrels ; all this great 
 nolle prooueth in a manner nothing but mcere winde. 
 Onely we are forie for that as the herecikes of old by 
 • Hmon.tpiTl. » ftiange deuifed words and names llnpefied and amazed 
 ^uTuff dths- "f^pl<^2ind Ignorant people, andbythatmeanes gather- 
 rtf^. ' ingto themTelues great admiration, drew many to their 
 hcrefies ; fb thefe feducers with bold faces and big lookes, 
 and branadoes of prating and cogging doe make feely 
 loules, vnrtable fooles, but fpecially women to admire 
 thcmand grow inlouewith them, fotobccaried by them 
 blindfolded to their owne dellrucf ion. But hecrewearc 
 much to obfcrue that by law courfcs onely M. Bifliop de- 
 fended his Maicftics title to the crowne; by Diuinitiehe 
 could fay nothing, for his marterBellarminehad taught 
 r BeUarm.de J^jp^ that it IS but ^ de itfre hummo cjuod ht-mc aut illtim habe- 
 vyw. on ij. I. ^jj^^ regent : it is b'Ut by the l/irvof mun that we haue thi^ or 
 f/?(^7rzw^»r(?Zf<>.vr/^';?^, and therefore, as he argueth , bc- 
 caufe the law ofGod is robe preferred before the law of 
 man,he that by the law of man is to be king,vnlcfle he will 
 be a mainteiner of popifli religion , a vaHal! & llauc to the 
 Pope,by the law of God he mull be no king. This is M. 
 BifliopsDiuiniiie, & by this Diuinitie hisMaieftiemuft 
 haue been ordered, if ( for our iudgemcnt)God had fuf- 
 fered him to fal inro their hands. As touching his Diuinity 
 orherwifc which he faith hath bin the bell part of his lludy 
 
 mor« 
 
EpiHle to the Khig, 1 1 
 
 more then thrife leuenyeeres, how well he hath profited 
 therein, weftiallfee by examining the particulars of this 
 booke. 
 
 2. W. Bishop. 
 
 Whcreititd I may conueniently enter with that^oldett fen~ 
 tence , v?tth which your Maieflte began the Conferenc* , hoi- 
 den'tn UitHc.ryUfiy betvoeene certAine of your (ubieUf^ ahuf 
 fomecontroHerfie in Religion: A louc principium: or con- 
 fsrmdle to that in holy rente, I am Alpha, and Omega, that ^ ^ ^ 
 
 *>, The beginning and the end , y^/r/j e;/rZor^: ^Wrf/jp/y- 
 in(r it vnto Princes, I may be bold to fay, that nothing U mors 
 expedient and nfccjfinrj for Kings , nothing more honourable , 
 and of better ajfurancefor their cflate, then that in the very be- 
 ginningof their raigne, they tal^elpeciaH order , that the fu- 
 preame, and mofl pmjfant A^onarch of bcatten and earth, be 
 purely, andvprightly jerned J af\rell in their orvne examplare 
 lines, at throtighout their dominions. For of Almightie God 
 his m?erebountie and great grace , they receme dndhold their 
 Diadems and Princely Scepters : and cannot po^e^^e and enioy 
 them (thsirmightie Forces J and raojl prudent Counfailes not- 
 tvithfiandin^ ) one day longer, then dnring hk diutne wtll and 
 pleafftre. Which that wife kjng xvi^nejfeth, jpeakfng in the per" 
 'foHof'Godsv-ifedome, PermcReges regnant. Byrne Kings 
 doeraigne. AndNahuchodonozcrfometimekJngof Baby- iifouerh.^. 
 ion, w,u turned out togKtjfe with beafts, for fenen yeeres , and p^n.^. 
 ntadt to hjow and confejfe , that the highefl doth command 
 ouerthekjngdomesofmen, anddtjpofeth of them, aspleafeth 
 his diuine mfedome. But I need nftflandvpon this point , be- 
 irjgfoyvellkffowen, and due ly confeff.dby yonr Maieflte , 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Plutarch rcporteth that * the nobles of Laccde- *TIutaTchM 
 mon approouinga fpcech ihatwasdeliueredby a manof -^«^'"e»'. 
 euili behamonr, canled the fame to be vttcrcd by another 
 
 C a of 
 
1 2 Ai Anfwer to D, (Bipops 
 
 of honcft life and conuerfation , that it might carie the 
 greater weight when it proceeded from a triaii whole do- 
 ingsotherwife were anfvverable to his words. M. Bifhop 
 hath here vttcred a very good (peech, but it foiindeth not 
 cffe^taally from his mouth or pen 5 it were fit that fome 
 other man of other profelTion and comportment fliould 
 be the writer or fpeaker of this matter,for he denieth to hi$ 
 Maieftie that fupreme gouernmenc in caufes ecclefialli- 
 call whereby he fhould take vpon him to doe that that he 
 perfwadeth him, and being f\vorne to the Pope he cannot 
 k -/f < r ^utmainteine thole lawesof his, whereby he inhibitetla 
 imp t *" ^'"§* '^"^ princes to meddle with matters ofrehgion 
 
 and of the church , and referueth the lame wholy to be or- 
 dered by himfelfe and his prela[es, and as for princes they 
 mult receiue and pra6tife the fame according to his order. 
 As touching the reafon alio thathealleageth why princes 
 fhould take efpeciall order that God be purely and vp- 
 rightly ferued, becAufe of hismeere hohntiedttd grace they 
 receiue and h old their diadems andprincely fcepters , t h e Pope 
 denieth that they hold the lame immediately from God, 
 but arc to receiue them by his medijation and approbati- 
 on,and no longer to hold them then they conform them- 
 '"BttUa T^. ^. felues to hislawes : ' Ecce ms cenJlitHtifhrnm fuper gentes 
 f^demaitr.^ (^reffna,^c, ^ffW</, faith the Popc, vpe are fet oHernAtions 
 itbed.c4p.Fnam andkingdomss, to hutldvp and to plant , to pnll vpdndtode- 
 [Milam. jlroy.&c. andthercfore what the ^^<s^<7Wif of God faith 
 ^Prow.s.if. asM.Biftiopalleagcth/ 57w<ri^/'«^/r<?/^«-!', thefamethe 
 •Cenmtn.tidt. Popcblafphemoully applieth to himfelfe : ' Permereges 
 ^mM.ucaf.%. regK4»t:Byme kings do retgne.'Jhusihe Pope would hauc 
 Princes as very hearts as Nabuchodonofor was, not to 
 know ofwhom they hold their crownes and kingdomes, 
 but to thinke that all dependeth vpon him.But M.Bifliop 
 heere acknowledgcth the truth that of God they hold the 
 fame, and therefore Ihould make it their fpeciallcare that 
 the fame God be honoured accordingly. And heere vna- 
 wareshciultifiechour do6lrine as couching the Princes 
 
 fupreme 
 
Efijlk to the Kjng. 1 5 
 
 fiiprcme anthoritie for the goucrnmenc of our church, the 
 efteft whereof wc teach to be this, to prouideby lawes 
 and to take elpeciall order that God be purely and vp- 
 rightly ferucd; that idolarrieand fuperllition be remoo- 
 ued; that the word of God be truely and fincerely taught? 
 that the Sacraments be duely adminiftrcd; that theBi- 
 fhops and Paftours diligently performe theleruice and 
 duety that doth appertaine vnto them, that the comman- 
 dementsofGodbe notpublikeiy and fcandaloully bro- 
 ten. For ihefe things we acknowledge the king to be rn- 
 derChrift i\\t fuprentf gouernoMr of the churches withia 
 the dominions that are rubie6l vnto him, and this duetic 
 AI.Bifliopconkflcth to appertaine vnto him. And thus 
 did the good kings of ludah, Dauid , Ezechias , lofias, 
 6cc. Thus haue Chriftian cmperours and princes done: 
 thusandnootherwifedid Queene Elizabeth*, and yet for 
 the doing heereofflie was profcribed by the Pope, and fb 
 much as in him lay depriucdof hcrcrowneandfcepter; 
 But the good hand of that God whom flie ferued was 
 continually with her, and fheprofpered thereby: whileft 
 he that was the beginner of that tragcdie anddiuers other 
 his fuccellours and confederates went to hell fhee reigned 
 with vi6torieand glory : fliecwasatcrrour to the nations 
 about her : fliee died in peace, wasburied in hononrj left 
 her kingdome fafeiy to be entred and enioyed by his Ma- 
 iertie, and herfelfcnowreignethin heaucn triumphantly 
 for euer. Iti the fame lleps his Maieftie walketh ; and the 
 fame God will be his guid and defence, and we doubt not 
 but will moreand more eftablifh the throne of his king- 
 dome to himlclfe and to his roiall pofteritie vntill the day 
 of Chnft, that that Samaritan generation may gnaw their 
 tongues for anger and enuie to fee the walles of lerufalem 
 afccnding, and the temple of God buildedvpand his 
 true religion and feruice flourifhing andincreafing more 
 and more. 
 
 C 3 3. W. B iSHOP. 
 
1 4 Tl)e Anfiver to D. Bifl?o^s 
 
 3. W, Bishop. 
 
 Bnt fithence there bein thisonr mosl mifcrahlea^e, freat 
 dkt&fittes of ReUqioK.s , find but ofte on:-ly, whereveith Godt^ 
 . . trueiyferfied Aijd f leafed , <ts faith the Apojl/e. Onebodic, 
 
 ''^ •''** one Spirit, as you are called into one hope of your voca- 
 tion, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifme : Mymojihum- 
 hie ffitte and fuppiu\ition to jonrhtgh Ait^ieflie u^ that you to > 
 yoHr-eterHA.ll good, will embrace, rnaintair.e, andfet foorth that ■* 
 oHely trfte, Catholike, and Apofioltke faith , wherein all your 
 mofi roiall'progenitors lifted and died: or tfyoa cannot be vconne 
 fofoone^ to alter that religion in rvhich it hath beeneyour mif- 
 fortftHe, to hahe beene bred and brought vp : That then in the 
 ffie^He feafon, you mUnotfo heauily perfecate, thefmcere pro- 
 fejfors of the other, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Hero' 
 
 Horn M. Bifliop propoundcth briefely to his maiefty 
 
 the fum of his petition, the foundation whereof he laieth 
 
 in a principle which we acknowledge to be a truth, that 
 
 whereas there be great dinerficics of religions in the world, 
 
 there is but one only ^vhereiv it h Godt^trnelfferMcd. Here- 
 
 vpon he frarrteth his humble fuite andfupplicatioil that 
 
 his maieftie will embrace , maintaine andfet foorth that onlic 
 
 trne ^ Catholickeand <iyipoftolickefiith. But that needeth 
 
 nofuitenorfupplication ofhis : for his maieftie alreadie 
 
 doth embracc,maintaine and fct foorth that one only true, 
 
 Catholicke and Apoltohcke faith. ForwhatisthcC/??/:?;?- 
 
 licke faith but the faith of the Catholicise church? And which 
 
 » At4gufi. de then fliall we take to be the CathcUcks chfirch ? Snrely the 
 
 ynit.ecclefc.i. Catholicke churchhy thevery fignificationof the word is 
 
 To ' the vnit^r fall chfirch AocsUcd^ q:2iavcrtot/:me(l: , becaufe 
 
 '^'JuTuff in ^t^omr aiLcr through ailthcworla , and. snot tiedtoanie 
 
 vfa^6.' countrie, place, perfonor condition of men, '' not this 
 
 church 
 
Epiflle to the Kjng, 1 5 
 
 church or that chttrch , as Saint Aulleii fpeaketh , but the 
 church dtfper feci through the nholc world , and not that which 
 confiflethinmen nor? j>re(cntly litiing, but fo as that there be- 
 long toitboththof!? that h:me he ene before vs and that (halbe 
 afiervsto the ^^orldes end. Whereby we (ec how abfurdly 
 the church of Ronierakcth into it the name of the Catho- 
 /icl^ church, and how abiurdly the Papiftes take vnto them 
 the name of CathoIickes.Thc Cathohcke church is the v- 
 niuerlal churchjthc church of Romcis a particular church: 
 therefore to laic 5 the Catholkke Romane church is all one 
 as to lay the vniucrlall particuLir church. To fpeake by 
 their rule, the Romane church is the head, and all other 
 churches are members vnto k, but the Catho/tcke church 
 cornprehendethall : therefore to faie the Romane church 
 is the Catholicke church, is as much as to lay , the head is 
 thewhole body. Neirher doth it heipe them, that of old 
 particular churches were called by the name oi Cathohcke 
 churchy itbeing noochcrewife donchmsL^wtotofmilari, 
 in A body where all the party are of the fame nature, where eue- 
 ry part hath the name of the whole , and no one part can 
 chalengc the fame more then any other, as in theelemcnts 
 eucrypartofthe fircisrirc; eucry part ofthc water water; 
 euei y part of the earrh is earth, and cuery part by like rea- 
 fon carrying the fame name. Forfoeuery church where 
 true faith was taugHc was called todirtinguifh it from hc- 
 reticall aflemblics.The ' Catholicke church , and eueric « Cont. epiff. 
 Bifhop offuch church was called a Billiop oftheCatho-/«*n'/'«w.rrf.4. 
 Jicke church, and no one church more then other alTii- 
 iT)cd vnto itany prcrogatiue of that title. Therefbrethey 
 called the Cathclickf faith xhe faith tiiatwas rcceiued by 
 thechurch throughout the whole world, and trueChri- 
 ftians were called Catho/l^t, •* ex comtr^umone tot'tmorbls\ ij,.„tifi 
 by hfi.fiing communion (:nd fcllonfiip off nth with the church of tvifij^i. 
 theivho e'.vorld. It is therefore a mcerc viurpation, where- 
 by the Papilles call the Romane church the Catholicke 
 churchy and the very fame that the Donarirtesofolddid 
 
 Yle. 
 
1 6 Tl?e Anfwer to T>, !BiJJ70ps 
 
 e f^jj vie. They held the Catholtcke church to be at ' Cartema in 
 
 Africa, and the Papiftes hold it to be at Rome in Italic. 
 
 They would hauethe church to be called Cafho/uke, not 
 
 by reafbn of the communion and fociety thereof through 
 
 UbiJ. & the whole world, but ^ bjreafon of the pcrfeSlton of doSlrme 
 
 BreuiccoUat. ^facraments,\\\\\c\\ they falfely challenged to themleluesj 
 
 (umDonausi. and the fame pcrfc6lion the church of Rome now arro- 
 
 taf.i. /e.j. gatgth to it felfeand v^nil therefore becalled theCatho- 
 
 licke church. FromCartcnna the Donatiftes ordeined 
 
 «Co»t.c«yco». Bifhops to other countrieSjCuen ^ to Romeitfelfe j and 
 
 Grrtwwdt./f.z. from Rome by thePapiftes order muftbifiiops be autho- 
 
 <'»^37• rifed to all other churches. They would be taken to 
 
 *»/'/il.48. be ''Catholickes for keeping communion with the church 
 
 ofCartenna*, and fo the Papifts will be accounted Catho- 
 
 Iickcs for keeping communion with the church of Rome. 
 
 * Ihii. They held that ' howfocuer a man beleeued he could not 
 
 be fauedvnlelTe he did communicate with the church at 
 Cartenna ; and the Papifles hold that there is no faluation 
 likewife but in communicating with the church of Rome. 
 The Donatiftes were not foabfurd in the one, but the 
 Papiftes are as abfurd and ridiculous m the other. There 
 was reafon why Auftin fliould be moued with the name 
 k Cont.eptTl °^ ^ Catholicke when they that were called Cat hoUckes had 
 fundament. c.^, teftimony of their faith from the communion andlbciety 
 of the church throughout the whole world , and were 
 
 * BreuiccoUat. therefore fo called ' ijuia commnnicant ecclefu toto orbe dif- 
 eumDonat. ff^j-^ . yecatife , faith Saint Auftin, they communicate rr$th 
 dte.^.cap.z. the chnrch ^read oner the rphole world : butmoftfottifhiy 
 
 is it alleaged for a motiue vnto vs, being now Donatifti- 
 cally applied to one particular church of Rome and men 
 bearing the name of Catho/ickfs onely for communicating 
 with that church. Surely asthe name of lewes wasofold 
 aname ofhonour and the proper title ofthe people of 
 God , but afterwardes by their aportafie who bare it was 
 ■iJ/i.^j.if. left for a " name ofcurfc and reproch : fo the name of Ca- 
 tholickeswas an Honourable name and the peculiar title of 
 
 the 
 
EpiUletotheK^ng. 17 
 
 the true children of the church but now by their abufc 
 whohaue vniuftly taken that namcvntothemielues , it is 
 become a name of curfe and fliame with the people of 
 God , and the proper badge of Apoftataes and here- ^ 
 tickcs. AndastheApoftlcdenieththenameot " lewcs ^»*^^*- 
 to them who yet according to the letter were fo called be- ^ 
 caufcofthe circumcilionof theflcni,andappheth " the ^""•/•^i'* 
 truth ofthc name to them who wcrefo according torhc 
 rpirir,albeit according to the letter they were not fo named : 
 lo the name of Catholickes indeed belongcth not to the 
 Romidi ta6lion,who according to the letter take vpon 
 them to be fo called , but the true meaning thereof be- 
 longcth to thcm^who although they ioy not in the ktcrall 
 ' namejbeingnow become by abufc accurled andrcproch- 
 ful,yctdo tollow the fame faith which they followed who 
 firtt were called by the name of Cathchckes. Let them 
 haue the fliell, fo thatwehauethekernellj let them vaunt 
 thcmlelues of ihe empty letter fo long as we haue the true 
 vcrtue and fignification of the name. The name m his true 
 vfeimporteth them that embrace the faith of the Catho- 
 Ijcke,rhatis,thevniuerfill church that hath bene from the 
 beginnmg of the worldjthat is throghout the whol world, 
 & (hall be to the words end. Now as of this Catholicke 
 church fi 6 the beginning to the end there is,as appeareth 
 in the words cited by M.Bifliop,but'' ow^''^'^/,euen as ow rEphtf.^.^.' 
 
 Lord, cue Cod and Father of all, fo is there alfo but 'low^j^i- J »^'<'- 
 rit, one hope, one faith, one ba^tifme, one ' jpiritHoll meat and ^ ' «»"• 10.3. 
 (^r/V^, one religion. Let vs then looke vnto thofe that 
 hauebeene before vs,3nd confider Abet, Noe, nyibrahamy 
 Ifaacjacob and the rell of the Patriarches and Fathers ; let 
 vs looke to Mo^cs and the Prophets and the whole gene- 
 rations of the righteous and faithfull of the old Tefta- 
 ment and fee what their faith was ; what was their religion 
 andleruiccofGod. Vndoubtcdly wefindeno: a Papift 
 amongft them all : we finde no (liadow of that which they 
 now obtrude and thruft vpon vs vnderihenameofCa- 
 
 D tholicke 
 
 Q 
 
1 8 The Anfwer to D, -(Bipops 
 
 tholickc religion. They did not worfhip idols and images; 
 they did not comming after pray to the faints that were 
 dead before > they vfed no inuocation of angels; they 
 knew no merits nor works of fupercrogation; they vowed 
 no vowes of nionkerie ; they neither fold nor bought par- 
 dons , nor made praicrs for foules in Purgatorie ; they 
 made no pilgrimages toreliques and dead mens bones* 
 they knew no Hirift nor abfoIiition,norany of that rif-raifc 
 ftulTc wherein the fubftancc of Catholicke religion is now 
 imagined to confill. But what they did, the fame doe we: 
 as they worO.ippcd God,{b,fai'ing ceremoniall obferuati- 
 [ i.CoM.ij. ons.wealfo wotfliip him; as they bcleened/o by 'the fame 
 jpirit offaith we alfo beleeue ; as they praied , fo and with 
 the fame words we alfo pray ; according to the approoued 
 example of their life_,wealfo teach men to line. Therefore 
 notPoperie but our religion is the Catholicke religion, 
 becaufeitis that which the Catholicke church hath pra- 
 £lifedfrom the beginning of the world,andPopifh religi- 
 onisnotfo. The famefaithand religion which they fol- 
 lowed and no other our Sauionr Chrift at his comming 
 further confirmed and onely Gripping it of thofe types and 
 (hadowesj wherewith it pleafed God for the nme to cloth 
 it, commended ihefametohis Apoftlesfimply and na- 
 *TtmUe kedly to be preached to the nations. They did fo : " thej 
 frxfaipt.adu. added nothing of their oren : they preached onely ' the Gojpell 
 hxret. fromtfed before by the prophets in the holy Scriptures : " fay- 
 
 «5^*Tii ^^^^ ^^"'^ °^^^ things then thofe which the prophets andAiofes 
 J Irenjiiu didfayjhou/dcome. ^ The Gojpell which they firfl preachedy 
 (4f,\'' afterwards by the rvi/lofGod, as Ireneus faiihythey de/iuered 
 
 tovs in writing to be the pillar and foundation of our faith . 
 Thus then what Chrift deliuered,the Apoftles preached: 
 *rmu\. it what the Apoilles preached, they wrote: whatthey wrote, 
 fr*f(ript.adu. we tccciue and beleeue, and ^ beleeuing this, asTertulIian 
 ^'"'"* - faith, we defire to beleeue no more,becaufe we fir f} beleeue that 
 Ut'rSiUr*' f^^^^ ^^ nothing elfefor vs to beleeue. And therefore as Saint 
 Mp.tf. * •' Auftin faith, * If any mm, nay if an angellfrem heauen jhaH 
 
 preach 
 
Epi/lle to the IQn^. 19 
 
 preach vnU vs coacernmg Chrt/7, or concermnj^hi^ church , cr 
 concernmr any thing pertaining to our faith & life but vchat we 
 Ltue vecelnedtn the Scriptures of the Law and UoJpe/,accurfed 
 be he.Oux faith therfore, becaufe it is that which the Apo- 
 ftles committed to writing, is the ^pofloitcks faith , & our 
 church '^ ex confangutnitate doSIrina , by confanguimttc <^^^ 7'J^ '"* 
 agreement ofdoElrSie is proued to be an A^ofiohcks church. ■'"'"'*' 
 Of this our ApofloUcke church his Maiefty is the principal 
 member,and vnder Icf iis Chrill the luprcme gouernour : 
 this ApoAoIicke faith heembraceth,maintainethandfet- 
 reth foorih,and this is the onely true Catholuke and ApoFio- 
 iicke faifh. As forM.Bilhops religion , it cannot be the 
 Catholickerchgi on, becaufe it is not that which the Ca- 
 tholicke church, that is, the faithful! of allageshauepra- 
 aifed : his faith is not the Apollohcke faith, becaufe it is 
 not that which the Apoftles left in writing. They make 
 no mention of the Pope, ofhislbpremacic, of his par- 
 dons, of worlliipping of images, inuocation of Saints,pil- 
 grimages,and a thouland fuch other trumpef ies. 
 
 Now whereas he alleageth that all his Maiefties moft 
 roiall progenitours haue liued and died in that which he 
 calleth the Cathohcke and Apolblicke faith, he plaieth 
 the partofSymmachus the Pagan Sophirter, whoby the 
 like argument would haue perlwaded Valentinian the 
 Emperour to reftore their heathenifli idolatries and abho- 
 minations/^^ are to follow mr fathers , fdnhhe.nhomth '^mbrof.epijf, 
 happtnef and feltcitie followed their fathers. Thus men haue '/ J^^"^^^ "'• 
 hardened thenrJelues in their hcrefies laying, ** P ^rentes /^^^-pfai,^^ 
 metcjuodfuerunt, hoc & ego. What my father and mother 
 rvere before me, the fame mil I be. But his Maicltiewell 
 knoweth that in matter of religion the example of parents 
 isnobondtothcchildren, but the triall thereof is, "tore- fcyprian.li.t, 
 turne to the roote and originnllof the Lords tradition , as Cy-'/'/J?.3. 
 prian fpcaketh , not regarding rvhat any before vs hath 
 thought fit to be done, but uhat Chrifi hath done rvho ts before 
 all. itisnotvnknowne to his Maieltie that there fliould 
 
 D 2 b« 
 
lo T})e Anfwer to D, 'Bi/J?o[)s 
 
 ^Abtt.ij, tc a time when the kj^ges of the earth ^ fhoulAgiue their . 
 
 13.17. tower andkinadome to the beafl vntillthenfordofGod beffilfi!~ 
 
 /ed,3nd with ^i^rohoorejittwgvpon ruayy waters (hofitdhend 
 
 lyerf.n^. thctnielucsto ^ fight ag^tifift the Larnh. Wherein if any 
 of his progenitours or predecellourshauc erred ,he lea- 
 uechihemtothecounlellofGod, but by the worde of 
 
 ^ vtrfi6. God learnethhimfeUc tobe one ofihem that ''y7^.v/VWtf 
 the rchoore and make her de/o/ate axd nak^d, and fhcilletur 
 her fiefh and hurr.eher nithfire. Albeit it is vtterly falfe 
 , which hee afBrmeth that all his Maicllics progeni- 
 
 tours, kings of thefe Realmes of England and Scotland li- 
 ued and died in the Romilh faith that now our Rorriifli 
 favours fo much labour to fetvp. Indeed he and his fel- 
 lowe-: are woont to be very lauidi in their fpecches of this 
 matter, as if from king Lucius of Britaine and Donaldus 
 of Scotland the onely religion that had bcene profeflcd 
 had bene the RomiOi idolatrie and fuperlhtion that now 
 ispra6lifedbythem} whereas it fhall afterwards plainly 
 appeere, that at the comm.ing in of Auftin the Italian 
 monkc, foure hundred yeeres after the receiiiing of the 
 faith into thisIland,theBi(hops 6c churches of Scotland 
 ioyned with the Britaines againft thole new obferuations 
 which the fame Aurtin brought from Rome, and would 
 by no meanes admit thereof, and for the fpace ofa hun- 
 dred yeeres at baft, refufcd to communicate with the 
 EngliOi that had receiued the fame. Yea and in the time of 
 
 ^Math.Tarif. * king Henry the third , twelue hundred yeeres after the 
 inUenrici. incarnntiou ot Chrift, when the Popes Legate would haue 
 tmno\ri%. entred into Scotland to vifitc the churches there, the 
 ^^^^' kingofScots,AIcxanderthefecond,forbadhimfotodo, 
 
 alleagingtharnoneofhispredeceflbrshad admitted any 
 luch.ncither would he fuller it, and therefore willed him 
 at his owne perill to forbeare j fo long was it before the 
 Popes authori ie could gaine any acknowledgement in 
 thatkingdome, which his agents would make vsbeleeuc 
 hath bcene in all ages vniuerfally and vnqueftionably re- 
 ceiued. 
 
Epijlle to the -^Vg. 1 1 
 
 ceined. But they care not indeed what they fny'or write, 
 lb that it may carrie a magnificallandbraueniewto da- 
 zcll the eies of them that are not well acquaiated with 
 thcit lewd and naiightie dealjng. 
 
 But M.Bifhop being out of doubt that he fhould not 
 pveuaile in this Hi rt part ofhisliiite, therefore addeth the 
 lecond : OrtfjoiiCMnet bcveonie [o ^oone' to alter that reltgton 
 inxvhtch it hath beene your m:sfortMne tohaue beene bred and 
 brot^irjit vp, that then in the me:ir,e feafon jou rptUnotfo heaut^ 
 ly persecute the fi'icere profejfors of the other. Where we fee 
 thep:-criimptionofa bale and beggcrly vaflall (I forget 
 beere that he is a Doctor of Di Jinitie, I confidcr him as a 
 fubiec\) thus to vpbraid his prince with misfortune in hu 
 brcedir.gand bringing vp , whereas his Maiefties bringing 
 vp by the fingiilar prouidenceand difpofition of almighty 
 God hath I'orted to make him high Sc admirable amongft 
 other princes , and he hath learned thereby to be indeed 
 a kingvby calling ofFchdt yoke of bondage, whereby fun- 
 dry othei princes areenthralled to a beait : yea and by his 
 bringing vp is fo well able to defend and maintcine the 
 relgion that he profclleth, that M . Bifhop muft Itand be- 
 fore him like a dumbc alle able to fay nothing, but oncly 
 to repeate their old cuckowes fong, The church , the 
 church : the fathers, the fathers , albeit he can make no- 
 thing good neithcrby church nor fathers. Buthisfute is 
 that his Maiertie will leaue off /o/7^rtwi7j' toperfecute them, 
 complaining before he hauecaule, & entreating his Ma- 
 iellic to haue off before he haue begun. And dothadif- 
 fembling hypocrite taike of /;r.t«; perfccfttiononely forea- 
 fie imprilbnment and ammerciament of goods, when 
 they in molt barbarous and cruell lort by infinite vexati- 
 ons and torments , by rackesand llrapadaes , by fire and 
 fword, hauefpih and deftroied thebloud and liues of fo ^ ^. „. 
 many thoufandsofours onely for the profefllon of the ^^^-^^^^^ 
 Gofpell of Chrirt c* But no otherwifc doe they complaine c tm^ inC4^ 
 ofperfccutionsthendidofoldthe '' Donatiftsandrunna-*-*/*)^. 
 
 D 3 gate 
 
tz Tl^e Jnfwer to D. 'Strops 
 
 ,j „ .^ gate CircumccIIions , and we fay of them as Saint Aufbn 
 jy fti^a, ' did of thfc other : ^ Theyftijferperfecmion ; fedprofatmate, 
 '^Trtm.zt.x'i.fyovAmtdte'- but it ii for fodterjr\ it iiforvanitie, '"Feolipj- 
 nejfcis boHndinthe heart of a chi/de, faith Solomon , but tha 
 rod cf corre5tion /ha/l driue it away from htm. Indeed they 
 doe for the moft part but play the children *, it is but their 
 will, or rather their wilfulnelTe for which theyfuffer; they 
 can giue no reafon why they fo doe , but what ignorance 
 affoordeth them, they muit follow the church : ihey will 
 doe as their fathers and forefathers haue done. It is fir that 
 achildesftomackebefubduedwitharod , and necelfarie 
 that fomc courfe be taken for thefubduingand reforming 
 of their will. 
 
 4. W. Bishop. 
 
 Very many vrgeyit, and forcible reafons might be produced^ 
 infauour and defence of the Catholiche Roman Religion ^veher^ 
 sf diuers haue beene in moTi learned treatifes, tendered to your 
 Afaiefliealreadie. fV here fore I will onely touch three : two of 
 them chofenout of the fubieH of thi.s booke-' The third feleU:ed 
 from a fentence of your MateTltes , recorded in the afore fxid 
 Conference. 
 
 And becaufe that argument if, at moflfenpble, fo beB af- 
 
 fured, which proceedeth fi-om a principle that U either euident 
 
 in it felfe, or elfe granted, and confejfed for true : My fir si 
 
 froofe Jhall be grounded vpon that your Maiefhiei oxvne refo^ 
 
 "P^iTi' lute, and conflant opinion(as it a^peareth in t he fatd conference) 
 
 fowitte: That no church ought farther to fcparace it felfc 
 
 from the church ofRome J either in do6lrine or ceremo- 
 
 nie, then (he hath departed from her felfe, when fhe was 
 
 inherflouiifliing, andbeftcrtate. From whence I deduce 
 
 thii reafon: The principallpillers of the church of Rome in her 
 
 ntofl flourtjhing efiate , taught in all points of kcligton , the 
 
 fame DoHrine, that fjce how holdeth and teacheih j andmex- 
 
 frejfe tearmes condemnethfor errour and herefte, mofi ofthofe 
 
 ArticUs t which the Proteflamsefleeme to be the principaU 
 
 parts 
 
Ep'iHle to the IQ»^» 1 2 
 
 fart J of their reformed^ Gojpell: Tho'efere if your Maiefii* 
 yvillrefolutely embrace, and conjtantly defend that doBrme, 
 tfhich the Roman church mamtatned in her mofl flourtfhmg 
 eft ate : you ntuftforfake the Proteftant, and take the CathoUcke 
 into J our Princely proteSiion. 
 
 R, Abbot. 
 
 You talkc M. Biniopjofmany vrgent and forcible rea- 
 fons, but you ta!ke as your fellowes doc like Mountc- 
 baukes and iuglers : you haue much prating and manic 
 wordes, bur your realons when they arc duely examined 
 areas light as feathers before thewindc. . Neither would 
 they feeme other to your ownc followersjbut that you be- 
 witch them to this principle that they murt rcade nothing 
 written on our part for anfwere of them. We (ecyour vr- 
 gent and forcible reafbns in this bookc which you tell vs is 
 the marrorv and fith of many large volumes. I doubt not 
 but by that time I haue examined the fame, yourownt 
 pupills and fcholers, if they reade the anfwer, wil account 
 youameerefeducer, acofenerand abuferofthem, and 
 will dcteft you accordingly. But to beginne withall, you 
 offer three reafonstohis Maiefty in your epilUefor the 
 iuftifyingofyour Romifli religion and for theempeach- 
 ingofours : tv^ochofen outofthe fubieU: of thu booke : tht 
 third feletled from afentence of his Maufty deliuered at the 
 Conference. Now if thefe reafons prooue reafonlefle,then 
 yourreafon,^4. Bilhop, fliould haue taught you more 
 manners and duetie then thus to trouble his mollexcel- 
 lentMaieily with your reafoniefl'ercalbns. To examine 
 them in order, his firll reafon \% grounded vpo a principle 
 moll iudicioully and fcundly affirmed by his Maiefty at 
 the Conference aforefaide : ' That no Church ought fur- *conftr.par. 
 thcrtofepjirate it felfefrom'-the church of Rome in doSlrine or 7j. 
 Cercmonie,thenfl}ee hath dep.irted from her fe/fe vr hen (he ere 44 
 inhrr flouripjiKgand beft fftate,and, which is fubtilly left out 
 by M. Biihop,from Ckrift her lerd and head. For feeing it 
 
 cannot 
 
24 TJ^^ Anfwer to D. ^ijhops 
 
 cannot be denied but that the church of Rome was once 
 ibiind and vpright in the faith , the Aportle bearing wit- 
 b j.^^ J ^ ncHe that *" there fnth wm pnbltPjed throughont the rehote 
 vcorli , it muft necdes follow that what fliee hath not fince 
 that time altered is ftill vpright and found, and therefore 
 to be imbraccd. Now from hence M. Biihop argucih 
 thus i\\2Lttheprincipall pillars of the church of Rome in her mofi 
 floorifliing eflate tatight in all points of Religion the fame do- 
 Hrins thoj/hee now holdtth , andm exprejjetermes did con-, 
 demnefor errom andherefe themollofthe articles of our 
 religion : therefore if his Maicllywill embrace that do- 
 ftrine which the Roman church maintained in her moit 
 flourifh; ng eftate be muft forfake the Proteilant & receiue 
 the Catholicke into his princely protc6tion. Bur foft and 
 faire Mafter Bifhop , there is no haft . Your propor- 
 tion yet remaineth to be prooued , which yon cannot 
 prooue, and it is indeed groily and abfjrdly falfe. We 
 hope you will not deny but ihatthc Apoftle Saint Paul 
 was one principal pillar of that church, who there (bed bis 
 blond for the witnelfing of the faith. Hewrotancpiltle 
 to the church ofR.ome at that time when the faith thereof 
 was moft renowmed through the world. He wrote at 
 •TheoJoret. ^'^'g^ comprehending therein as Thedoret I'aieth ' Omnis 
 frttfat, in eptTl. generis doUrinam et accnratam copiofamcu dogmatum pcrtra- 
 Tauli, Uat'tonem : doUrine of all fortes , orallh^deofdollrins, end 
 
 very exatt and plentifull handling of the points thereof. Now 
 in all thatepirtle what doth he fay eithe: for you or againft 
 v$ c* nay what doth he not fay for vs againft you c* He con- 
 ^Ty^m.i.ii. <3emneth ^ thechangingofthe glorieofthe incorruptible god 
 ' ^•"■/•*5' into thefmiithde ofthe image of a corruptible man, and ' wor- 
 pjipping the creature tn(leedvf the Creatour. Itisforvsa- 
 gainftyou : for you by your fchooie trickes doubt not 
 to teach men by the image of a man to worfhip God, 
 and by religious deuotions of praiers and offerings to 
 worfhippe Saints and Saints images in fteed of God. He 
 ,'75?"»-M 7' faith,and we fay the fanie,that ' the right eofifnejfe of God is 
 
 front 
 
Eftjlle to the I\uig, 25 
 
 fiomfatth to filth. Youfiy otherwifc that it is from faith 
 toworkcs : that faith is but the entrance toworkes, and 
 that inworkcs thcrighteoufnelfe of God doth properly 
 confill: . The Apoftlc in cxprclle termes afhrmeth * im~ si^ni.±6. 
 toMtationofriirhteoufnejfe without nork^s j we doe the fame, 
 but yon protefledly difpute againft it. He teacheth vs 
 that ^ etcrnall hfeii the gift of God throitjrh lefis Chr'tfl our ■" Ti^m.S i^. 
 Lord : but you, M. Bifliop,telI vs that all ' that are ofyeeres ' "^^1-9^- 
 ofdifretion muj} ctther by their good CAriage defer ue et email 
 life, or elfefor their bad behauiour be dtfir.heritcd. He jelleth 
 vsagaineand againethat ^ concupifcenceisfnne ,toluflis ^w.-j.t^, 
 tofuine^ and chat by theUxv itisknowen loto be : we fay ^'* 
 the fame , but you goe about to rnake vs beleeue that it is ^ 
 not finne. He (aith of the 'y^/Wr ofads^^ticn , thejkmejpirit ^"'** '^ 
 benreth wttnejfe mth oMrfpirit that rvi- are thefomus of God: 
 but you fay we haue no fuch v\ itnefle whereby wc fliould ^ 
 belecuc that we are the fon.3C3 0j God. He faith the "/»/- ^ 
 ferin^s of this time are not \rvnr:hj of the glory thatjhalbere-' 
 ucdlcdvnto vs: but you fay they are woorthy , He laith no- 
 thing for thofe points for the deniall whereof Al.B]fliop 
 condemneth vs ; nothing for iudificaticn before God by 
 workes , nothing for free will 5 nothing for reliqucs > no- 
 thing for the merit of finglciife ; notliing forpraier for 
 the dead ; nothing for Tridirionsj nothiiigforany ofthe 
 reit. Now in this cafe , M. Bifhop , it had bcene iit that 
 you fliould by very good reafon hauefatisfied his A;a:cl{:y 
 how it IhouU be probable orpo(T;bIe that the Apoftlc 
 writing at large to the church of Rome, flioulJ not once 
 mention anyof thofemaine points wherein thv-rcl.^^Jun 
 ofthe church ofllorr.c now wholyconfill'ethji the church 
 ofRome were then the fame that now it is : thathi-fl^cuM 
 faynothingoftheprerog-'tiue of thu church, nothingof 
 the Pope, ofhis pardons, ofthe Mafic, of tianfrbf:jn- 
 tiaticn, of jMoonkiih vowes , ofimagcs, ofpil;'-ifr/rf,:s, 
 ofpraier toSainres , of all the reft ol your baggngcrtntTe: 
 inawordtharheihouldbeaPapiil , aadyet.iouldwiit^i 
 
 E incliing 
 
z6 Tloe Anfwer to T),'BiJhops 
 
 nothing but what in (hew at lead ferueththe Proteftants 
 •l^iem.TfJi. turnejonly wemurt beperlwadcd forlboththat ° trherc 
 ar'um.ufthe a„y thmgJoHndeth contrary to the Rowpjfauh , vee faile of 
 tfift.ingene- fhe right fertfe. But vndoubtedly,M. Bi(hop,cither Saint 
 Paul was aProteftantjOr elfe he dealt vciy n<'giigently in 
 yourbehalfe. Saint Peter was another principall pillar 
 of that church , the founder and,head thereof as you per- 
 fuade vs. What, would he alio forget the triple crownec' 
 would he lay nothing of all thofe things :* Notaworde. 
 There is nothing hindereth in either of his epillles but 
 that he alfomuft betaken foraProrcftant. Methinkes 
 '>trafm,dt rat. here you fliould fare as in another cafe ' Robertm Ltcienjis 
 conciQn.Ub.i, ^jj J bcforc the Pope. You (hould fpit and cry out ,fievp'- 
 on Peter, fie vpon Paul. Would they not thinke thele trafli 
 and trinkets ofoursfo much woorth as to fpeakeof themC 
 Ah thefe Proteftants , thcfe heretickes , they fay all for 
 them, and nothing at all for vs. But alas, Peter and Paul 
 had not heard of any of thefc things and therefore no mar- 
 uell that they wrote nothing of them. Ihey read Mofes 
 and the prophets ; they preached as Chrilt did according 
 tothefcriptures : the Catholicke religion that had bcene 
 from the beginningofthe world they continued : betwixt 
 the old and the new teftament we fee a woonderrull agree- 
 ment , but concerning Popery wefee nothing. 
 
 Well, M.Bifhop, lervsleaue Peter and Paul for he- 
 retickes : letvs fee whether thofe that fucceeded did all 
 teach the fame do6lrine that the church of Rome now 
 teachcth. Eleutherius the Bifnop of Rome being lent vn- 
 to by Lucius king ofthisrealmc for a copy of the '' Roman 
 rHthnfijM- conftitutions for thegouernement of his new conuerted 
 taine'tapT ^^^urch and of the Imperiall lawes for the better ordering 
 ^nntf/; »/£»?- of his common wealth about 1 50 yeeres after thedeathof 
 Uud iy uhn Chrift, for anfwere writeth vnto him : that ham>m receiued 
 Stovt, in his ki^gdomethe larf and faith ofChrifi, atidhaHtngnow 
 
 the old andnew tefiament^hefhouldby a Councellofhis realms 
 take larvesfrem thence togouerne thereby : that he veas the vt~ 
 
 car 
 
Epislle to the King. 27 
 
 car of God in hU kingdof?9es\ that the feofie AndnAtions ofthe 
 l^n^dome ofLntatne were his , euen hU children : thatfuch 
 acrperedmided he pjould gather them together vnto the law of 
 Chrifl : hii ho/y church to peace and Concord : and Jhoff/dche- 
 rijff, 7nu>JtAine,frote[l,goucrne and defend them. &c. But 
 now the religion of Rome hach altered thatftilc and tel- 
 leth vs that not the king but the Pope is "^ Gods vicar vpon ^ Sixt.froxm, 
 earth, his vicar generall for all kingdomes : and as for '"i'"/'*- 
 the church , the matters and gouernement thereof belong 
 not to the king : who if he make any lawes concerning 
 religion//;^ chalengeth to himjclfe another s right , that is,the ' ^>fi'9^'fi 
 Popes j becaufe God would not hour the worke ofChrifhan '"f""*'^- 
 reli(rion to be ordered hy pnhltcl^ larves or by the JecHla>' ponders 
 bi4t by Popes and btPjopf. Anacletus Bifliop of Romfe and 
 after him CalixciiS ordeined ^ that confecrat ion being done ^DiJI.i.E^fa- 
 allfljo'ild ccmjnun'cate orelfe be excommunicated : P^^^f^^^f 
 iay they , the Apoflles didfet donne and the holy church of 
 Rome obferneth. But the church of Rome that now is ma- 
 keth itiawfullforthepricll to recciue alone j thepeoplc 
 in the meane time fland gazing and looking on 5 and the 
 light only mufl fufFice them. Julius the bifliop of Rome 
 dilallowed ' intinflam Eucharifliam,the dipping of the Eu' ^ De conftcrttt. 
 c^^r;y?thcf;Kramentof Chrifts body in the cup , becaufe iifi.r.Cum 
 mwitnejfe hereof was brought otit oftheGoffell, but therein """"• 
 mentioned the commending of the breadbj itfe/fe, and the cup 
 by itfelfe . But now by the Canon of the made the prieft 
 mull " dippethethirdpartoftheconfecratedhoflinthcjacra- o£r(ffiar.l^m. 
 ment cf the blood and then praieth that this mixture may be in Canone 
 healthff-ill to himfclfe and alt the rcceiuers vnto euerlafiing ^'ff^- 
 life. Gelafius Bifliop of Rome faith as W'> fay that " in the ' GeUf.eont, 
 ficrament is ce/ebratedan image orfemblance of the body and "^^^ '* ^ 
 blood of Chrifi , and that there ceafeth not to be thefubjiance 
 or nature of bread and wine : But now theRomifh religion 
 maketh them heretickes that fay the lacrametts the image 
 or femblance of the body and blood of Chrill and not the 
 body and blood it felfe, or will not beleeue that the bread 
 
 E 2 and 
 
28 The Anfwer to T>. ^ijlwps 
 
 and wine are fubllandally and really turned intothefame 
 
 body and blood , albeir they belecue with the lame 6V/.:- 
 
 • y7«Jthat the ha^mtntis a dhnyje thin^^and th.-nbrreiy rre 
 
 are mAdep.irtaksrs nfihe dtmne fJAtt<re', eiicn of Chnll him- 
 
 felfe , leally and (iiblkncially, but yet Ipiriiiually , with all 
 
 his riches bccomming ours, and being eaten of vs, not 
 
 byourrLethintoourbel'iieSjbuc by faith into our hearts 
 
 vnto eucrlaftinglife. The lame Geltfiuwhcn he Viider- 
 
 y Df coi'ffcr. iloo J rhat fome •" rece'tuing ondj the portion of the [acred bo^ 
 
 diTi.i.Cvm- dj of Chi'ifi, ildforbe.irethcfyipofhisfacrcdhhody didfor- 
 
 perimus. \yi^ that fhper/ltt ion, and Willed that either theyfhoald re- 
 
 ceiuethe S-irr^imentuhoie-, or be l^ept from the whole, becanfe 
 
 the dimdingof one andthe fame ?nyfterte ccmntt come vctthos<t 
 
 great facriledge: but now the church of Rome is fo farre off 
 
 from acknowledging the diuiding of that myrtcrie to be 
 
 ^Comil.TrL facriledge as that fliee pretendech to bemooued "■ rrtth 
 
 dentfe/f^. iuf} cattfes mdreafofis (fuchasChriilAndhis Apoftles and 
 
 san.i. the primiriue church had neuerthe witteto conlider of) 
 
 toadminifterthe facrament to the people ^;7f/)' /';?&;?<:' /vW, 
 
 and pronounccth them accurfed that fay Ihce trreth in lo 
 
 dooing. Leo bifliop of Rome fpcaking of the Martyrs 
 
 '*Ltotfi^,%i. faith ^ » that although the death of many faint s hath beene 
 
 treciotu in the Lords fight , yet the death of no innocent 
 
 perfon hath beene the propitiation of the trorU ; that the rtgh- 
 
 teoiis receiuedcroirnes but gaue none, and that of the fortitude 
 
 of the futthfun haue greven examples of patience, not gifts of 
 
 rtghttoufneffe : that their deaths OA they were feuerall pcrfons 
 
 n^ere fcuerull to cuery ef themfelii.es, and that none of them by 
 
 his death paied the debt of any other man, bfcaafeit is oriely 
 
 kR ff J 1 our Lord feftts Chrij}inivhom all rrere crucified, all dead, all 
 
 duhent.l.i.i.i. ^^^^^^^ all raffed againe from the dead: but now the church 
 
 i{hem.yinmt. of Romc hath changed that language, and te'lcth vs that 
 
 7» Co/. 1.14. there are ^ fsipcraben^iding pajpons and fat i^f it titans of the 
 
 Extrauag.de p^^^f^^ whercin they haue luffered more then 13 due for 
 
 iemllTXi- ^^^^'" ^^^"^ finnesj and which doe (erue to llipplie the ne- 
 
 ^enitHs,' ceilitie and want of others, and that they doe ihevehy pay 
 
 the 
 
EpMe to the Khig. 2p 
 
 /^^^.4/oFothermen} that hccrcofis growcna treajure 
 in thechnrch of Rome winch is tobc difpenfed and di- 
 fpofcdbythcPope , and th..t hence his Indi.l^sncet and 
 jo»2r/^o-?ihaiieiheir ground. The iaine Leo did not rake 
 vpon himtocaHoenerall Councels, but when occafion 
 ofthehcrcneot tutychcs fo required, made requell to ^ 
 thcEmpcrour ThcodoluiS that he would ' commaund ' ^"''^J^*^' 
 a Counccli , and often entreated that hee woulde ap- 
 point the (a me m ibnie place ot 1 raly , which notwithflan- 
 dingtheEinperoiir would not butcommaundcdit lobe djrp,;y7.j, 
 holdcnat ' Ephefus, and Martianus after at' Chalcedon, c tp,fi,^cf, 
 and that when ' Leo againc would haue had it deferred to f LpiTi. 41.47. 
 a better opportunicie, as indeed the " affaires of the Church 48. 
 after that the Empcrourswere CkrifJUnsJeemedtodcpendvp- * '^"f/ff '"'^* 
 on their will , avdat tbar /tl^^fnjT the g^rcatejt Ccuncells were a/- proeemio. 
 femhlcd as Socrates witneflcth ; " [ccundHmfanFlionem im- ^ sjmi 6. 
 ■bcrialcm \ per mpcrialcm fanffiofiem, as the fixt fynod in Co njiaiumopo* 
 TrHilo ' often rcpcatethi yea and lb as that the Emperour ''f-^/'-i- 
 at his plenlure was prcfidcntoftheCouncelljasinthat ^ 1"]^,/^]^^ * 
 fixt lynod was Conllantinus the toiirth : but now thecal- 1.^^^ ^r^^^ 
 ling and prcfidciicie and confirmation of Councellsis dc- demeeodfm 
 fended to belong wholly to the Pope : asforChriftian /«^«''"«« 
 cmperours and princes they haue nothing to doe but ^<^^,''^{^^""'"' 
 fend when he calleth , and to recciue what he conhrmeth. ^ ^y^^j^ ^^'^y^' 
 The lame Leoprofelled ' his obedioicetothe empfroursap- ad conSUntin, 
 f ointment a'. J iri'l, to Theodofuisand iVLartianus, and JynoU fi ail/^. 
 
 med : " the (m<)crour bci-/>^^bo?som-ecl-&ccorAm^io theanti- cU Major. ^' 
 ent dodlimc of the church m next to God Cr mfertcr to God o6cdicn.ca.jo~ 
 i>«//; but lince that time the Romi(lido6lrine is,thatlooke ''J't- 
 "hswm'Jihthe Mocne si/effe then the funne , fo?nHch iithe ^^^^^^ exRade- 
 Emperofir mfcriom to the Pops , and therefore they haue t,,co. 
 written him "^ the Popes men , and niade him '^ to hold his <j Sai.r. certm. 
 ftirrop , and appointed him to hold the bafin to him, and ealts^^m, 
 
 E 3 to 
 
J o The Anfwer to D, 'BiJl?ops 
 
 to doe fundry other offices of feruice, and to make all 
 ^ ,. fure the Pope hath made him to ■■ (weare fidelity and alle- 
 
 domn'ir ^ ' ' ?>^^^^^ vnto him. ' Inhere is no doubt, faith the Pope, but vee 
 f clement. dt hauefupenorltif ouer the empire. ' fVhodoubteth but that 
 sppellat.caj). PrufisAre thefKthers andmAsiers ofkl^igs andprwces ? It is 
 Tafturdltt. mifer able mndm^e for the children to goe about to fitbieU to 
 ■ '{■'^^'^^ them their fathers, or fcholers their Tn.^fleri: An(\ therefore 
 
 dubKet. u^;-/? n r r ■ n I i -r^ 
 
 » DiS. 96. (i Chrtjfiari emperotirs mHitJubtett their executions to the EC'* 
 
 imperator. clejiajlicall prelates, a}id net prefer them. Pcla f^ius the bifhop 
 
 » DiTi.iiM of Rome, the firft of that namCjadmitted a maried man to 
 
 Sj/racufsm. j^g « biOiop of Syracufa, onely piuting in caution that he 
 
 fliouldnoc dilapidate the church goods, andtransfene 
 
 the fame to his wife and children, the danger whereof he 
 
 fignifieth was the caufe cfthat confiitutton which did forbid a 
 
 man hauing rvfe and children to be preferred to abiPjoprtcke, 
 
 yGloJf4.ihid. '' othervoije a man is not repelled for wife and children , Ihith 
 
 the glolTe, becaufe the j4poJilepermitteth the fame : but now 
 
 the church of Rome will by no meanes admit married 
 
 mcntobebifhopsor priells , not for that they would a- 
 
 uoide the dilapidating ot the church goods , (for that is a 
 
 , . thing common with the Popes themfdues to applie all 
 
 ^r* \o' ' ^t°f*f^fi'f^^^^^^<^^'^^jf<^^"'^(^o^^^°f*f^''f['^rf^^^^'''^f^'^*^^^^^> 
 
 j^^ ' their brethren, their nephexves, vnderwhichname comonly 
 
 go their baftards) but becaufe they afcribe to mariage,as 
 
 *BelUrmdt ^j^^ old heretickes did/p^-ZA/r/o;? andv?Kleannes,\\\\\c\\ can- 
 
 tap 19. ' notftand with the fan6litie and holincHbof the prieftly 
 
 function. TheEmperoursofRomeTheodofiusand Va- 
 
 lens according to the do6trineof thcauncient church of 
 
 ^Vet.CrinitJe Rome * vpon Care of preferring tpjerchgijn of the high God, 
 
 htneTi.difci- did forbid the makjng, ^rauing, or painting of the Cnfcifx, 
 
 pltnalib.9 ca.9. and command^dit vpoK penaltic to beahohjljed wherefoeuer it 
 
 tvoi foun k : but now not the making onely but alfo the 
 
 worlhipping of the Crucifix with dluine honour and wor- 
 
 fhip is a marrer of high religion in the fime church of 
 
 «> Cttpr.Mo. j^oj^e^ Greeory bifhop of Rome taught '' thatalltheme- 
 
 ^.^ rttofourvertHe. all oHrri^mecufneUe , 14 but vice and vn- 
 
 nghteoHjnejje 
 
Eftjlle to the IQiig, ji 
 
 rightcoufnejfc if it bcftrtUly exAmined: it neeaeth therefore 
 praier iifter riffhteorif}je(fe,{A\lhhCf thAtroherea^s being fif ted 
 it would cjnaile, it mnj by the oncly mercy »f the mdge fiattde 
 for good: Yea atid Bernard by the lamedo6^rine of the 
 <:hurch of Rome faith,that ' mem merits are not fuch di that 'BerMrdjn 
 eternal/ Itfe fli^pdd be dne vnto them of right , or that God ^nnundat. 
 fliould d^e ureng if he did not gme the fame \ ° they are the ^ •^* ., 
 , irayto theh'nqdome. fjith he, but not the caufeofobtetmnqthe ' ' r 
 kingdome: but now the church or Rome attnbuteth fb 
 great perfection of righteonlhcireto good works, as that 
 ' they ftilly fat i-ifie the bvv of God , and ^ rvoorthcly deferue ^ Trident. Sj- 
 eternalUtfejyeiL they afTirmc them to he^fofarmeritoriow, nti.ftff.e.t.iS, 
 ai that Godfhouldbe vniufl tf he rendered not heauen for the ^ 1^'m.Annot, 
 /iwfjchargingtheiurticcof Godnotinrefpeflofhispro-'"^-^'"!*''^-^' 
 mife as the Apoftledothjbut in refpeft of the merit &de- ' ^"^' '^■**** 
 fcrt of works.Thelame Gregory affirmeth,that'*yI<Aj(7i,f/;f •• Citaturint. 
 maffe rt-a^ fo called forth At thryrreretobedifm-fed, or fertt '^"^'^'"" '""f*"- 
 atvay by the deacon that did not receiue the holy commptnion:'**. '^^ ' 
 for that they that fhotddnot beprefent at the celebration of the ^^ nturv ' 
 facrament were commanded to goefoorth : therefore ^ faieth Cttrf. Cajfan- 
 he J vnlelTe at the voice of the deacon after the manner of our dri, 
 AMHceflours they that doe not communicate be willed to ooe 
 foorth , the feruice which u calledthe Afaffe u not rightly per- 
 formed : but now the Romifli mafle is thought to be right- 
 ly and duely performed albeit no man communicate but 
 the prielt.and without any difmirilngof thcm^thatdo not 
 addrefle themfclues to the conimunion,the people,as was 
 faid before, being but oneiy fpe6latours and lookers on. 
 The fame Gregory aflirmed that ' whofoeucr called himfelfe ; ^ j, 
 err de fired to be called the vniuerfall bijhop , was the forerunner ;,/,_ 6% 20.' 
 of^ntichrifi , and '' dtdtropofe to himfelfe to follow him who 
 defpijing the legiens of^ngells that were placed in focietywith '' ^ 'J 
 him did ende Hour to grow vp to the top offingulartty, that he 
 might feeme to be vndcr none and himfelfe alone to beabone all: 
 he calleth it^ new name , a name of err our , nfondename^ 
 pr^udf peruerp, rajh, wicked, prophane, which, faith he, 
 
 none ^ 
 
g 2 The Anfwer to D. ^ipops 
 
 none of my predecejfotirs confetJted to vfe : by trhich no man 
 
 hath pre/umedto be called thatrvM intruthaholjman : but 
 
 foone after ihe time of Gregory the Bifliop of Rome 
 
 r' tooke vpon him that hatefull name, and hath fince 
 
 ^^l^J''^'f' continued the fame, challenging the ' who/e tvor/d to 
 
 ttnti.faj>.Lictt. ^^ ^^ dioccjje , and is growen to that height of pride 
 
 ^Exirauag. dt 2lS that hee doubteth not to proclaime that tt "^ fland- 
 
 piaior. tSr obid, g(fj .^p^^ necejfiij cf faluatioH for eucry Jcule to bee fub- 
 
 'aim"*"^^""' ^^^ ^^ '^^ ^'^'"^. "f^^^^- Grcgoric the ninth Bifhop of 
 Rome,thoughluiingin latter time ofg rent corruption jVet 
 by theauncientdo6liiaeofthcchurchofRome could fay 
 » Grtz.tpiJi'ad that" f/;f not knomagofthe fcriptHres by the tejiimonie of truth 
 German, ^r- ftplfff ts the occajion of errours , and therefore that n is ex- 
 (hiep.Cuntiint. tedientfor aUmen to read or h^are the fame-hut. now the Ro- 
 *{"*^jj^*^''' mifli do6lrinc is that it is pernitious for thepeople to med- 
 terth '"" d^cwi^h thefcripinres j that the reading and knowledge 
 thereof is the breeding of crrour and herefiejandasdogs 
 from holy thingS;fo i!ie people mul\ be lecluded from the 
 readingand vlccfchcm. Hieromcand Ruffinusbythc 
 do^rine ofihe church ot Rome exclude from the Cano- 
 nical! fcriptures the lame bookes that we doe ."thebookes 
 •Hifronin' ^^° Indtth, Tcbiti , IVifed'jme ^ Etclefiajlicm, Baruch,a.nd 
 prolog.Galeato. ihcreft : thcv fay plainly : Ncnfuntt:^ Canone : nonfunt 
 f^I^iffinin Canonict : they are not Ct^nmicall ortn the Car.on : ^ the 
 txpofit.fynib. chfirch readeth them for infirHclion of manners.^ not to gme any 
 ■ ITW authoirty toany ecclefi.-'.fticaUdoJrine : but now the church 
 rm.T{»ffin.yt orKomewill haucthem tobereceiuedandbeleeued for 
 fupra. 1 Canonicallicriptures , and oFcquall and like authority 
 
 iCottcil.Trid- ^jt}-, all the Other bookes. Vigiiius borne at Rome and 
 dtiu.§ejf.^.c.i. BiiliopofTixnt ciccordingtothe do(5lrineof the church 
 , ., ofRomethat tKeiiVvanafiirmcth that ' thebodyofChrtfi 
 
 * yml.cottt. , . ; ' . . Ill 
 
 K. ••«;;. .. ; ,. x when it ivas vpon i he earth was not tn hcauen, and t oat now be" 
 
 canfe tt ts tn hi.:y.en , tt if not vpon toe e.Vfih : but now the 
 
 ' Counceil of Trerit nnQ church of Rome would perfuade 
 
 'Concil.Tril yg ^^3^ the vcry hod/ of Ch:ift 'ho.'gh it be in hcauen yet 
 
 •^'•^■^•■'*"* is really and fubiUuually here vpoi* the earth alfo, vpon 
 
EpiHletotheKjng. jj 
 
 the altar,and in the pyxe and in the priefts belly and in the 
 bellies of as many as arc partakers of the facramenr. Ter- 
 tiillian being ' for enuy of the clergy of Rome fallen to the *Hitttnj.m 
 hercfieof Montanusand thereupon oppugning \.\\q do- Catal.fcrift, 
 6^rine of the fame church, declareth what the faid church *"^*fi*^' 
 then taught concerning fading, ofpurpofe todiljsute a- 
 gainftit ; " They fay y lairhhe, ihatmenareto fajiwdijfe- ^^"J.f^jl 
 rently at thetr dtfcretion , not hj commautidcmem 5 euerte 'pfyfii^ff^ ' 
 tnxn according to hi-s owne times and occafiOKS : that the ^po- 
 Jlles didfo obfcrue, impofing no yoke ofJ}andwgfa[}isandJtich 
 afpjofild in common beksptofall : that in Xerophagijs , in our 
 fijlcsyrith bread nr.dirater there is fomcrvhat necreto heat he- 
 nijfj ftiperjlttion , perfcurmwg the purifications of Apis , Jfis, 
 and Cjbcle by the forbearing cfcertaine meates : nhereas 
 faith beir.gfrce inChrifl owcthnot tothe IcrviPj latvthefm-- 
 h earing of any meates , being at once admitted bythe ApoftU 
 into thevoholepiambles \ the fame Apofilc being a deteficrof 
 them that forbid to marry and commaund to abfiaine from 
 meates created of god, and therefore that we irere noted in them 
 thai pjould in the iaft times depart from the faith. & c. fo they 
 fay that vcealfoare reproottedwith theCalatians Oiobjer tiers 
 of dates andmoneths andyeeres. They alleage alfothat Efay 
 faied , The Lord hath not chofenfuch afafl , that is , notfar- 
 hedring of meates but trorkescfinflice , which he there fettetb 
 dovpne : yeaand that the Lord himfelfe inthegojpellanfwe-- 
 reth briefly oi torching all fcrupulofity concerning our liuelte- 
 hood , that a man is not dtfiledwith thofc things that enter into 
 his mouth , but with thojc things that come out of the mouth: 
 he himfelfe eating and drinking fo as that they noted him for it\ 
 Behold a gluttcn and a drinker of mne : that the Apofllealfo 
 teacheth that meat com>?fendeth vs not to God , neither hauing 
 . the more ifwc eate , ncr the lejfe tfwe eatc not. It u needefull 
 that with almy hart I bdseue and loue God, and hue my reigh « 
 hour as myfcjfe : forinthefe twc commaundenrents fl^ifidcth 
 the whoh hw and prophets , and not ik the er/iptincffe of my bel- 
 ite. See M. Bifhop how likeaPrctcftanc the church of 
 
 F Rome 
 
5 4 Tl^^ Anfiver to T>, BiJIyops 
 
 Romefpake in thofe dales. Would you not thinkethat 
 Luther, or Caluin, or Beza were the authoiir of thofe 
 wordesc'How lightly doe you regard thefe arguments 
 X TtrtuUe ^"^^^ V5 which thechurch ol- Rome fourcteene hundred 
 ieiur.io. yeeres agoc vfed to the very ramepurpofe that we nowc 
 
 y Ibid. T^nex Joe j'Bntthe church of Rome hath learned now to fina 
 '",",'""' another Tone : (he condemned theherefieof Montanus 
 
 fed ex atttotiO' , , n lt l-\,it>- 
 
 „,.„ r,fl, then, butnowlliec mamtaineth it. lauouchit, M. Bi- 
 
 dio fed exoffi- liiop, that Concerning fafting , neither you nor all your 
 tio: Hon reijct- fellowes are able to acquit the church of Rome that 
 mmfeddiffeu- j^Q^y fg of ^hg herefie of Montanus. The xMonraniftes 
 ^itidprxdam ^PP^i^ted " certaiue and (landing daies for fafting and 
 nansLmUcs forbearing ofcertaiuemeates : fodoethePapiftes. The 
 perpetuam 46- Montaniftes did nottakeany creature or meate to be'' vn- 
 fiificmampra- cleane ,but did Only by Way 'ofdeuotion as they preten- 
 «/'/«r9f ad de- ^jg^jforbeareat certaine times: and the Paplfts alio doethe 
 fi^kienda%eZ ^^^^- The Montauiftes being vrgcdwith the place of 
 creatoris: qua- Saint Paul to Timothy, ohhem tkit com}?jar:ndtoabflMfie 
 les apud Mar- fi-om meates, anfwered that thatpiace touched ^ Marcion 
 tionemiafud ^^^ Tatianus & fjch other who condemned the creatures 
 'IpUVMade^ ^^ euiUand vncleane, not them who did not reieft the 
 turn. creatures, but only forbearethevfeofthem atfometimes: 
 
 'i^hem.'^nnot. ' the fame an(were giuethePapiftes. The Montaniftes 
 i«i.r/OT.4.j. tooke their veryfaftingsto be a '' feruice andworlbip of 
 7eimftHoL ^^^ ■ ^o^o^fhe.' Papiltcs. The Montaniftes thought 
 tia^nduiara- that their fafting did ** merit at Gods hands : that it was a 
 detus. inhono- fatisfa6tion for finjan expjation of (inne : thatemprineflc 
 ttm creator is. pf belly did much auailc with God, and made God to 
 * BeUarJebon. jwellwith man : the fame efFe6>s doe the Papifts teach 
 WztlT^"^* of their fuperftitionsTaftes. Lookcwhat arguments the 
 d TertuLibid. Papiftcs vfefor'thcir faftings, the very fame Tertullian 
 j^atio prome- vfedforiheMontaniftes. Looke what cauills and calum- 
 rendideumtex- niations thePapjftcs vfeagainftvsoffeafting infteedof 
 5J''^^'^^J^'"= falling, of Epicuri(^me and pampen 
 dldeTmtretur. Tertullian being 3 Montanill vfed againft the do6lrine of 
 ^. * thechurch of Rome thai then was,whereas neither that 
 
 church 
 
EfiHletothel^ng. 55 
 
 church then, nor wc now do reieiSt that true fading which 
 thcfcripturc tcacheth, but only thofe opinions otfarting 
 which theMontanillesfirft deuilcdand the Papiftshauc 
 receiuedagainllthelcripture : to forbcare continually by 
 way of rehgion fuch andfuch daies , from fuch and llich 
 mcates with a minde therein and by their vcrie forbea- 
 rance to do a woifiiip to God,to fatisfie for fmnc, to merit 
 and purchafe the forgiuenelVc thereof and to deferue eter- 
 
 nalllife. , , ^^ 
 
 BnttotheherefieofMomanus the church ofKomc 
 hath added the piaaifeand defence oflundiy other he- 
 relics which were condemned ofoldby the lame church. 
 The Collvridians wereadiudged heretickesfor \l%rfhip- 
 ing the Virgin Mary and offering vnto her : Epiphanius 
 caTlino it ' amckedandlfla(bhemoHs^aEl,adeHtltf}Workeand • Efifh^n.Ur, 
 the dotirme of the vndeane ffmt : afhrming that jhee wm ^^^^ 
 notgiuen v stole n^orfhipped j that becatijemcnfljonldjiotto r jitm.hgr.7$. 
 much admire er thinks to highly of her, therefore hejpaketo coUytdidti, 
 /f<?r in that fort in the GofpcII, fVoman , rchathaueltodoe 
 rvith thee ? that none of the prophets taught to worpjtp any niany 
 therefore not a woman : that if Godwonldnot haue the Angells 
 tol^eworfhipped, much lejfe arvoman : that the fonne of God 
 tookeflejh oft he hoi) virgine, but not that Jljeefhould therefore 
 be worpjipped , not to make her a God ; not that rve fjeuld offer 
 in her name : thatJJ7ee/houldbe in honour , but yet let no man 
 Vforfhipher, Ihithhe : let them not fay , we doe honour to the 
 ^eene cfheauen. Yet the church of Rome that now is 
 worfhippeth the V^irgin Marie, praieth and offercth vnto 
 her vnder the name of the ^ueenc ofheauen , and accoun- 
 tcth them heretickes that will not To doc. •* Carpocrntes g jft„iii,^j, 
 and his minion Marcellina were condemned for herct;cks cj 14. ^u^ufJ, 
 for worOiipping as other images fo namely the images of ^^^ I'^refM 
 lefusChrill : yetnowthePapilhdoctheiamc, and not- Q^o'*^'*^"'' 
 withftandingwilbe accounted Catholickes. The councell 
 of Laodicea,approoued by the old church of Rome, did ^ Theedont. im 
 forbid ^ to pray to A^Jgclls ortoworpnp them, and ihey that ep.colcjf.z. 
 
 F z did 
 
^6 The Anfwer to D. 'BiJInps 
 
 ^jiuiJthtttf, did fo were accounted ' heretickes, bucworflilpand prai- 
 
 5?. er to Angells is a part of Catholicke dodrine with the 
 
 church ot Rome that now is.The Councell of Gangra ap- 
 
 prooued likewife by the old church of Rome condemned 
 
 theEuftathians for heretickes for taking exception againll 
 
 maried pricfts,and to that purpofe let downe this Canon: 
 
 ^ConciLGangr. ^ Ifcny man except againfi apriefi that is married, (U by occO' 
 
 f*pA' (ion of his mariage that he ought not to minifler ^find. doth there- 
 
 fore forbcare from his oblation or celebratioyi, accurfed be he ; 
 
 but the latter church of Rome excepteth wholly againft 
 
 ^Math.Tarif. maried prielb , and namely Gregoric the feuenth ' for- 
 
 •»;^<fl»Wi»ff.i. badalllaiemen to beprefent at the celebrations of any 
 
 fuch j^ierts as were maried , 4« example veryftrange, faith 
 
 Mathew Parif. and very vnadwfed as many thought. The 
 
 ■jr*n.;.i.MS. Yalentian heretikesand Heracleonites were condemned 
 
 EpiMh^r.',6 . ^^^ ^j^ ^^ j^ ofRome for vfing ■» expiationsand rc- 
 
 1^. demptions by annointing men when they were about to 
 
 die } yet thereof hath the church of Rome now framed to 
 
 themfelues their facramentof extreme vnUion. It was he- 
 
 refie in the Pelagians with the old church of Rome to af- 
 
 « Hieron.aclu. firmeinthislifeapoHibilicie perfe6tly to fulfill the law of 
 
 TeUg.l.i.i'^.God, and " S.Hierome as touching this point exprelly 
 
 &ai ctefi- difputeth againft them : but now it is herefic with the 
 
 fhoatem. church of Rome to affirme and teach the fame that Hie- 
 
 romedid,as M. Billiop afterwards giueth to vnderftand. 
 
 The fame Pelagians were accounted heretikes for faying 
 
 • Hieron. adu. ^^^^ ^ ^^^ -^^ ^^jg |jfg j^ight be a'raf.cwf TXTcf, " mthoMtfwtJe, 
 
 "^f^ji^'^t.^' ^"^ '^^' ^y baptifme he becommeth fo : but now the 
 
 2. ff/J?*. ' church of Rome teacheth the fame, and M. Bifliop in 
 
 'Ptlag.U.t^.c.j . plainetermestellethvsthat ^ there is no more (innekft in 
 
 Orof. ^pologet. fl,g nexvly baptiz^edman^then re as in Adam in the fiat e ofinno- 
 
 ^*^^'''^^^"** cencie : to which ftate of baptifme they alfo equall a man 
 
 - ^^*^*' whenheisfliriuentotheprieft, andof himhathreceiued 
 
 abfolution from his finnes. I referue the Pelagians do- 
 
 ftrinesof free will and fatisfad^ion to theirdue place, 
 
 where God willing it (hall appcare that therein alfo the 
 
 now 
 
lEfiJUetotheKtng, J7 
 
 now church of Rome npproueth thofe points as Catho- 
 licke and true for which the ancicntchurch of Rome con- 
 demned them. Yea Ibfarreis the PeKigianhcrefie in re- ^^i^^^^j^n^, 
 queft with thePapifts, as that *i Fuiirtus a bifhop ofpfr^./ow.i.d*- 
 Fraunce at that time a mainteiner thereof , is by fomcof /»/W»fe4»- 
 themreco^dedforaSalnt, and hisbook'€Avhich he hath t^- Aifhabtt, 
 written in behalfe thereof, is cillcd ' op/u infyKr, ^"°f^^l^\'J^]^j,^.^ ' 
 worke: and by other ^ fomethedodlrineof S. Auftin a- rofor.de'iHJli' 
 gainll the Pelagians concerning pfAfdcIlination is oppug- ti4,lii>.9, 
 ned , which of old was acknowledged by the church of 
 Rome to be the Catholicke doftrme ofthe church. 
 
 I omit many other matters that might lieere be added, 
 perfwading my lelfe that I li.4Je faid enough to trouble 
 M. BiO-iop in the proouing of that that he hath propoun- 
 dedjthat thcprtKcipa/piLUrs ofthe church of Rome m her mo[i 
 fioriJhm'T ejVttc, taught in all points ofrel't^im the fame doUrin 
 that fhe'now holdet'h and teachcth,&c. Onely for conclulion 
 let me askc him what bifliop of Rome there was for the 
 fpaccofathoufandyeercs after Chritl that pra^ifed or 
 taught that concerning Pardons, which is now pra^lifed 
 and taught in the church of Rome; that theBifhop of 
 Rome hath any authorine to giue fuch libels of Pardon, 
 or that it is in him to giue faculties and authority too- 
 thers to graunt the like with releruation of fpeciall cafes 
 to himfelfe ? or that he can for faying fuch or fuch praicrs, 
 or foe doing this or that relcafe a man from Purgatory for 
 fo many hundred or thoufand yecresc' What bifhop of 
 Rome was there that did proclaime a lubilee with pro- 
 mife that all that would come to Rome to vifite the chur- 
 ches that yeerelhould hauefull and perfeft forgiueneffe 
 of all their fmnesc* or that did charge the angels as did 
 * Clementthefixt, thatwhofoeuerlhould diein hisiour- ^BakminCl** 
 ney thitherward, theyfliouldbringhis foule into the glo- '"""•^* 
 rie of Paradife : which of them did take vpon him the an- 
 thoritie to be Canonizer of Saints :* who euer beleeucd or 
 taught as it is now receiued in the church of Rome, that 
 
 F 3 the 
 
g 8 TIr Anfwer to D. Sijhops 
 
 ^Sext.prexm. the ' hijhopsyieJJing'M the forgiuencfl'e of veniall finncs i 
 
 ingloffa. Other innouations I Will pafleouer to further occarion : 
 
 ^itm.Annot. j^^^j concerning thefe matters in this place , I would pray 
 
 '"''''*' '■^°' M.Bifliop to let vs be fatisried how the principal pillars of 
 
 the church of Ronaehaue in all^o'mts taught the fame, that 
 
 the church ofRometcacheth now .The truth is,thata$ the 
 
 * Bedin. Je rtf). name of * Thefeus hi,s Jhippe continued d long time when 
 
 lii.utMp.i. as it was fo altered by putting in of new planks <5c boords 
 
 as that it had nothing left of that that was in it when it was 
 
 firft builded by Thejem : fo the church ot Rome Ibll conti- 
 
 nueth her name,and would be taken to be the fame, albeit 
 
 by chopping and changing fl>ee is come to that palle, that 
 
 fhee hath in a manner nothing left of that dodtrine for 
 
 which (he was firft called f/?(? church of Rome. But M. Bi- 
 
 (hop takcth vpon him to prooue the contrarie : let vs now 
 
 examine what his proofes arc. 
 
 5. W. Bishop. 
 
 To demonflrate vnto^yeur Afaieflie , that we now hold in 
 
 MllpoiMts,the very fame dotlrme ,rvhich the ntoFl approoaed an- 
 
 Ctent DoBors and holy Fathers held anddelinered : Becaafe it 
 
 is too long for an Eptfile , /refe^ue it to the booke it felje^ for 
 
 the points it handbth j andvcill heere briefly note out of tt , fome 
 
 fuch old reproofied errors , that the Protefiants doereniue, re- 
 
 cetHe,andauowe, as the very Jinnewes of their GojpcU. JVlartitl 
 
 Luther the ring-leader ofihenervpreiendedreforraat'tonjaieth 
 
 for the ground-ivorke of his Religion y That man is iuftified 
 
 by onely faith : and in this he is applauded and followed of all 
 
 P rot eH ants : and yet as teHificththe mo fi found ivitnejfe of an- 
 
 jiujefde^ ri^«;>/c, ^.Auguftine, //^^? onely faith is fuflficienttofal- 
 
 *r'" • 4* uation, vpoi an error Jprof7g vp in the Apoflles dates) againlt 
 
 yphichythe Catholicke Epiftles ofS. Peter, andS. Tames, and 
 
 S. lohn ^ftvere principally dire fled. And the author of that er~ 
 
 Caf.io. yor was that tnfamoits forcerer Simon Magus , as the blejfed 
 
 Martyr Ireneus hath recordcdinhlsfirfl books againsi he- 
 
 rejies. 
 
 R. A^BOT. 
 
Bf^Jlle to the J^ng. j ^ 
 
 R. Aeeot. 
 
 ]Vi. BiOiops proofcs are dcmonfiratioKs at the leaft , aod 
 thole are refcrucd to his booke. We mult thinke that he 
 would notvnd'. r thenameof<V<r«;o»/?/'4//<7«jhaue tende- 
 red them to his JVlaierty bur that they are very forcible 
 and ftrong. ButifhisPo/cnVwr/had had their due when 
 time was, he would hauc learned Ariltotlcs poflenom-s the 
 better, and then wc fhouldhauehad htiiCT demonfirati^ 
 ons then he hath lent vs. This great talke oivrgcm andfor- 
 ciblc reafons and demon jlr at lom maketh me to remember 
 what once M. Philpot martyred in the time of Queene 
 Marie in great heat of I'piritaniwered toD.Chadley V A- * A^mni 
 fore Go^ ,1'aith he, Te are hare arfed in all your religion. So it is Manuments th* 
 Al.Bifliop amidltall voux reafons :xx\dL demon firatiom vow 'r'**^',"*'* 
 lie opento the whippejit IS nncaiic matter to Icourgeyou: ■* ^ 
 
 there is nothing in them but vncertainty and vntruth. But 
 what your demonltrations are we fhall here fee by the 
 forerunners of them :for here you will ?7ote out of jour booke 
 fovte oldre^rooucd errors which the Proteflants doe reviue (fr 
 auow aithez-jryfinnexvesoftheirgoffell. Goe on, M.Bi- 
 fhop jlet vsheerewhatitisthatyouhauetofaie. Martin 
 Luthtrthe rtMgleader of the netv prcterJed reformation. You 
 miftakcat the very firlt , M. Bifliop: Chriltwasthe ring- 
 leader: the followers were his Apollles : Luther was only 
 the man or rather oneofrhemenby whom God did ad- 
 uertife vs what Chrirt and his Apoftles had (aid and done. 
 Welooked into the Gofpell and into the writings of the 
 Apoftles , and we found it to be true which they laid, and 
 therefore did embrace it. We neither beleeued Luther 
 nor any other more then we will beleeueyou, M. BiDiop, 
 ifyee ftiew vs the fame authority that Luther did. It is not 
 therefore a pretended reformation which wehauc rccei- 
 ued but a reformation indeed , whereby our church hath 
 becne purged and denied from thcfe idolatries , and ab- 
 
 hominations 
 
42 T7;f Anfwer to 7), ^tfhops 
 
 hominations which by the vfiirpation and tyrannic of An- 
 tichrift had beene brought into it. But what is it where- 
 with M.Bifhop is To offended towards Luther c'Torfooth 
 heUiedfor thegrenndof his rel'tgion that man isiujitfiedby 
 only faith. This was Luthers herefie , and yet this was of 
 *l^ow.5.i4. old the do6irineof the church of Rome, that '' amanisin- 
 ^^Rl)t Ted [^'■f^'^^^^^^y ^^^t ii, " freely, for go darner cy, for nothing, and 
 txt>licAtK>n 'of ^^^^ h ^^^ ^^^^^ of God through faith wtthont the rvorkes of the 
 ttrtaine wordijavp. Whereupon S. Hietome 3 member of the churcb of 
 Crf. intheend. Rome faith that " the Apoflle manifeftly flievceth that ittfiice- 
 ni^i^Tt, "^ righteotifneJJ'e conffieth not in mans merit , but w t he grace 
 ^ ' ' ' of God who without the rvorhes of the law receiueth the faith of 
 them that beleeue. Or if that be not plaine enough, Am- 
 •Amhx'.f.in brofe Will make it more plaine ; ' Frcelj , becaufe by faith 
 ^"*'"^3• only they are iujlified by the gift of God. And again} ^ ?VithoHt 
 - " labour or any obfernatton vee are luftifiedin the fight of God by 
 
 tin I . Cor. c.i . only faith. And againe : ^ He that beleeueth m Chnfi , doth 
 freely by faith only receiae forgiuenejfe offinnes, fo faith Ba- 
 ^ B^ftl.hom.de {\\ : ^ Amanps tol^now himfe'fe voideoftruerighteoufhejfe, 
 humilit. animi. ^ fjj^f ^^ ^ iu/lified by only faith in lefiu Chri/l. So Chryfo- 
 ""JJJ "/ ■"' fto tnc , ' He hath iufifed vs : vfing no rvorkes thereto but re- 
 '* quiring faith only. Let thcfe ferue infteede of many places 
 and authours that might be alleaged : forby thefeitmay 
 appcare that in the auncient church it was taken for no er- 
 rourtofay thata man isiuftified byfaithonly. Yeabut 
 S. Aufimihe mofl foundrvitneffe ofantiquitie tefltjieth that it 
 VPOt an errourjprong vp in the ylpojlles daies , that only fatth is 
 fufficienttofaluntion. But what is that to Luther or to vsC* 
 For wc alfirme that faith ovly isfuffcient to iu/lif cation , not 
 tha: fuith only fufficeth tofaluation : yea Luther himfelFe vp- 
 on thecpirtle to theGalathians hauing in the fourcfirft 
 chapters at large difcourfed that faith only auailctbtoiu- 
 ^Luther inef, ftificaiion , yet vpon the fifth chapter determineth that *", 
 ad GaUt.C). j^aiih erly is not fnffxient tofaluation. Albeit to auoid am- 
 bjgui"}'itmuft bcvndcrllcode ^z.tfal nations fomecimcs 
 taken for the beginning of tha: benefice of God ^ as where 
 
 ic 
 
EpiHIe to the fQ^f^- 41 
 
 kisQi\d o^ Zachefu : ' thtsd^tyf.ilHatiQniscpntetotki^hofife, ^lue.19.9, 
 and of the woman thatwaflicd Chnfts fccre, '" thy faith "'^wt-y.jo. 
 hath fatted thee. Sometimes it is taken for the pcrtciSlion 
 and accomplifhment thereof, as where it is faid, " ^<?^'"<? »i.7>,u.5. 
 kept l^j faith v»tofa/ffationivhtch if prepared to be Pterved in the 
 bf tone. Sulfation the firil way is all one \\\ clleft with iu- 
 ftiHcatioo, and in that fenfc It is true that hith only fufft- 
 ceth to laloation. Butvnderftandit asvfually and com- 
 monly wcdoe forthefull accorr)pljfhmentof raluationiu 
 the lite to come, and then hiithonly fnfJ-ceth nottolal- 
 nation , but out ot faith by the regeheranonof thelpirit 
 iflueth ran6lificarion and that " holweffev.ithoHt^vhtch , as , 
 the ApoiHe faith, ;?ow4»77>.t//yf^r/^fL<?^^. The kingdome '* '^'*' 
 of God is an '' vndefiled inheritance-, he will not bring in- p i.Vet.\j^, 
 to It "^ fomicatcrs ^ adulterers y drtml^rds , coHetomferjons, oi.Cor.e.^. 
 O'C.^ mthiKT that i-fflthy or vrJcleanePjall enter there. And '•^po^'^^-t-^J 
 therefore whom God laueth , h^caUethvitha ^ holj calr 
 linn ; he ' po\rrcth vponthem the cleane WAtcrs (ofhtsfpirit) i-' '^-i-?* 
 that they may becleane^ he atueth them 01 neti? heart and \y(rr-i(, 
 pHtteth a newjpirit vrithm them , and ' CAttfcth them to walke « rerf.zj. 
 inhisfiatMtes, andtokeepehi^iudgements^ andlhus^' makcth ^Col.i.iz. 
 them meet'eto be partakers of the inherttance of the Saints m ' Harmony of 
 light. ' Our churches therefore vniuerfally doe determine ^^"j^JJ-f'" 9- 
 that not only taithto iurtification, butalfo ' repentance ifieb.fi x, 
 fom dead vporkes, ^ nervnejfe of life, ' the patting off of the old •> l^.tn.e.j^. 
 man and pitting on fhene)v,xhe perfourmance of thofe °geod ' Efh.^.zi, 
 ■ workes which God hath prepared fir vs to walke tn are necef- ^pf''^'^°- 
 farietofaluation, notasthecaufeor merit of faluation, 
 butasapartofthatworkeofGod whereby he hath ap- 
 pointed to bring vs ro that faluation which he of his owne 
 mercy doth bellow vpon vs. Whereas therefore the ann- 
 cient church condemned them that out of the Apo- 
 ftles wordes of infiificatton by faith without workes did , „ . - 
 
 gather that ' fo long as they beleened in Chr iff , albeit they d':d a-;<tjt.T(.'.^ J< 
 e'/.m ^ and lified -ntckedlj and lewdly , yet by faith onelytheyfijf^cpir. 
 m^ght befnued^^c doe the fame that the auncient church, f 'j'' h« 
 
 G did, 
 
42 T);^ Anfwcr to D^^ijl^ops 
 
 did, and out of the fame epiftles of Peter, lames nnd 
 Iohn,princfpally as S. Aullin faith written againft luch , as 
 alio oiK of all the re!l of holie Scripture we preach againft 
 that defperate and diuellifli fancie, neither doth any part 
 of our do6lane, trtiely vnder{l:ood,giue patronage or al- 
 lowance to any (bch men. Now therefore, M.Bi(hop,we 
 fee as touching this firfl: article of your proofes, that there 
 was no fault in MXuthers do6lnne, but the default was 
 in the weakenefle ofyour head, that could not rightly vn- 
 derftand the fame. Albeitl will notimagincyour weake- 
 nefle tobcfuch as that you vnderlland vs not in this be- 
 halfe, but rather thinke thatmalicioully and wilfully you 
 renue your old (launders, which to your iuft confuiion 
 haue beene anfwered and repulfcd athouiand unies. 
 
 6. W. Bishop. 
 
 e/^» other principallpi Her of frjer Lu th er« religion 'con- 
 TeJl.Sotr. l.\ . ffieth in demall of freercill j rvhereinhe iumpethmth the old 
 hifl.ca^.i7.s, rottenheretiks Manes, </ »'^^«?//;<?Manicheans werena- 
 
 "*'* R. Abbot. 
 
 Itisftrangethatj'onfhould vfe the name o^ Frier fo 
 fcornefully,M. Bifhop, being a birde of the Popes hatch- 
 ing, your moft holy father, and knowing that Luther 
 was a Frier with you one! y, but with vs no Frier. But I fee 
 your llomacke towards your Frier lel'uites is not appea- 
 led, and youdo buttaketheoccafionofLuthersnameto 
 giue them ibme afperfion of reproch. As for the matter 
 ofyour obie6lion, it putteth me in mind of a prety peece 
 of folly & ignorance (Viewed by Frier Campian in the very 
 fame matter,who challenging our church for the denial,of 
 ^<ftf W/Zoppofctli Aullen againil vs,and asketh how we cart 
 like of him? And why? * fcrippt de lihero drbitrio libros tres: 
 '*C4mp.ritt.^. foriboth hervrot three bookes concerningfeewill. He had 
 read the title of thole bookes , but knew not the contents 
 
 thereof 
 
Epi/lle to the I\ing- 4? 
 
 thereof,andasthcfooIethat thinketh cuery horfelhathe 
 fceth to be his marters horfe, fo finding there the name of 
 freewi/ihc dreamed that it was the Csimefree »?'/7/thac his 
 Maftcr the Pope had recommended to his defence. You 
 areeuen vp and downe the fame man : you hauG heard 
 that the Manichees denied ^^<?)v/// and in your ignorance 
 you imagine that that mult needes touch v s who likewile 
 hand indcniallof/V(r<?n'///. But the reader will eafilyfee 
 your foohfli malice if he vnderlland that in the auncient 
 church there weretwo forts ofhcietickesconccrningthis 
 point oifreg null. The Maniches denicd/r^*? >r/7/ : the 
 Pelagian heretickes affirmed it, and both were condem- 
 ned by the Catholicke church. The Manichees denied 
 /wn'/y/infmneandinthecommittrng ofeuill : the Pela- 
 gians affirmed a power and ablenes of/9-^<r»'i7/for the per- 
 formance ofrighteoufneile and doing of good. Now I 
 pray you, M.Bilhop, tell vs without dillcmbling whether 
 you doe not thinke that Frier Bellarmine and yourfclfe 
 doe moreneerely iumpewith the Pelagians in the aff[T- 
 vrim^oi freewill J then Frier Luther and we doe with the 
 Manichees in the denial! of it. Surely in that meaning 
 wherein the Manichees denied ^<r<f wtll, wee affirme 
 and teach /rd-c willy and in that meaning did Saint Au- 
 ftin write his bookes of free will purpofelie againft 
 the Manichees : wee deny freewill onelie in that mea- 
 ning wherein firlt the Pelagians and fince the Papifts haue 
 aflfirmedit, in which meaning Saint Aullin alfo notably 
 wrot againrt ir. The herefie of the Manichees was mofl 
 wicked and blafphemous. The beginning of it as touch- 
 ing this pouitwasby occafionof thequeltion, Jndewa- 
 ium ? whence wm the orinwuU or he<jjnnmg of euill or (inne ? 
 They held, as the Marcionites had done before them, "• 
 that there were from euerlafting '' two contrarie powers, ^^^^ -, 
 theoiicgood which they called the good God; the other ^^^^ ^^^,^1 
 euiil, which was termed by them^^f^j tenebrarum : thens- yuUd. ^ia 
 tio;iofdayk»ejfe» They dreamed that betwixt thcie twoT>MJ40» 
 
 G z contrary 
 
4 tj. Thejnfwer to 2). 'BijJ^ ■ '.:■; 
 
 coturarypowcfSihcrchapnedanrcatfighr, and that the 
 good god rearing theapproching of tl'.e iKUion cr power 
 ofdarkcnefie dilp^iled and thrult abrcid the members 
 and parts of his ownelublliincc , and ining'ed the lame 
 with tbe fubitancc ol- die power of darkenes,d: that thus 
 thepartsofihe good god were imprilbned by the con- 
 trarie euill power, and that heereof was the creaion of the 
 world. Therefore they taught that man conlii-teth of thefe 
 two contrary fubllances; that he hath a ^i'y^/o^/ which is a 
 partof theiubltance ohhc good ^od,Sc an ef.'tllfou/i-, which 
 with thefleOiandbodieisofthefubllaiice of the porverof 
 darkefifjfe, and that th^it good Jotile being a part of the good 
 god, IS holden prifoner by ihc emllfoHle, and by it forced 
 and compelled to doe all euill. So that linne, they faied, 
 came not in at firll by mans will, but by condition of crea- 
 tion , and that it was a part of the very fubllanceof man 
 by that predominating part chat is in him of the nati- 
 on of darkenelle. And Ibnowwhvitlbeuerimneheecom- 
 mitteth , it is not by any free power or difpofition of his 
 ownewill,butit ishisveryeflenceandfubilanceand part 
 of his created being. By reafon whereof they taught that 
 that which is euill in man is not capable of any alteration, 
 neither can of euill be made good, but the part of the 
 good god receiuing enlargement, the reft as a fcueral and 
 diftini^ fubftance remaineth perpetually euill, and by the 
 verieeflence andbeingof itneceflTarilyabideth that that 
 is. Nowofthisblafphemous fancie,they made excufe for 
 themfelues, when they committed any villanie or wicked - 
 • ^ugttfi.in neflc : ' Non egoficcamfedgens tenebrarum : It is not 1 that 
 TfaU^o. fj,^^^ finned, httt the nation ofdurkenejje ; vphatfoetter finneffe 
 Are ff.tde to doe, it is the nation of darkertejfe that doth it, 
 • Thiswasthe Manichees deniall oifn-eypill, and can any 
 man vnderftanding this, butwoondcratthebralen face 
 ofthisJmpudentSophifterthatdurrtotferit to the kings 
 molt excellent Maieftie, that Luther and we m the denial 
 oifi-te VPill, doe lum^e wtth the herefie of the Manichees^ The 
 
 truth 
 
Epiiilc to the K^ng, 45 
 
 truth is, MBiOiop, that a very great leape will not fee 
 you rotarrefVoni thehcrcfieof the !-*cLigiaMS, as wcwi h- 
 cutainmpe, thankes be to God , are from the herefie of 
 theManichees. 
 
 Againfi this herefie of the ManicheeSjthe cathol-'cke 
 church determined by the word of God, aswedoe, that 
 God in the beginning created man righteous andiuft in 
 all integntie and pcrfe6lio:i of mnocencie according to 
 ** the imaq^e and l;kjnej[eof God htmfclfe : that helefthim in ^Gen.i.i6.ij. 
 the hand of his ownecounfell, and in the power of his 
 owne free mil, ' that fo the image of God might the ^Tertititont, 
 more cleerely fliine in him, in that albeit hee could MartienJA.x, 
 nor by condition of nature which he was to receiue of 
 God , yet he might by ele6^ion of will wherein he was left 
 to himlelfe be after a fort good of himlelfe,and hauing the 
 Lordfliip and rule of nil other things committed vnto him 
 he mighthereby firll Ihew himlellelordand ruler ofhim- 
 felfe. They (hewed that man beingihusleft tohimfelfc 
 and to his owne ^<f<? )v;// did voluntarily and by his ownc 
 fiee jr/Z/fall away from God by harkemng to the luggefti- 
 onsofthewilyferpcnt, and hereby diuelted himlelfeof 
 all the glory and happineflc whereto God had enftalled 
 him in his creation. This they teach to haue beene the o- 
 riginall and beginning of mans finne, whereby he deftroi- 
 ed his owne^ir<r mli, and ^ i>y apply mg itvolmtariljtothat ^ 
 thatrvas eutll, lojithepowei- of apply in^ttr- that that is good; j-i ^^' "''^■^** 
 fo that now ^ freewill being Ct%ptiuetofinns Auailetht^riothmg b Cow/. 2 t^iSi. 
 hm only to ewll. Therefore as by free will was the begin- VtUg.l.i. m.8 . 
 ning of finne , {o they hold thatinj^/"*? Jii/Zisaifo the con- 
 tinuance thereof, becaufe man though of jinfclfche doe 
 nothing but fiiineyetfinneth not byanie intorccmentor 
 compulfion,butol hisowneaccord *, ol his owne free and 
 voluntary difpolirjon j ha!)ingfo corrupted himlelfe as ^^^j^^^'^n 
 that he hathno wiiito wilLmy thingelle but that that is f^'*^^^^^^ 
 cuill. Which corruption notwirhflandinghath notfode- iulia'n.Vtla<r' 
 ftroied nature but that it hath left therein, *• poffe hderefi- Hb.i. 
 
 G 3 dem^ 
 
4^ 77;^ Anfwer to D, (BiJJ^ops 
 
 dem , pojfe habere charitatem : ci capacity of faith , a capacity 
 ©/"/(j^iT and all other vcrtueand goodnelle whereto it was 
 firft created. Which capacity and pofTibility of nature 
 whileft they declare againfl: the Manichees , they fpeake 
 indeed fometimesfomewhat obfcurely of/r^'^n'i//, but as 
 in the Catholick church where they prefumed they fhould 
 'i4w.i.i7. not be vnderltood but according to the rule of faith that' 
 *P/;»/.i.i9. allgoodneffeisofGod, andthatto '' beleeoeandtowill 
 ^1.13. that that is good proceedeth only frorrihis gifr,andther- 
 fore that whatfoeuer they faid concerning free will to righ- 
 ^Ctnt.z.tpiU. teoufnes fliould be conreiued of ' vpillmtfree ofitfelfc htit 
 Telag.l.^.c.7. made free by the grace of God : whatlbeuer they laid of na- 
 „ ^ „ tures poflibility to faith and louCjyet " to haue faith andto 
 fan{i(ap.<. ' haueloue fliould be conceiued to be the worke of ^r<2C/f. 
 And becaufe they acknowledged the corruption of na- 
 ture by originall finne, they thought no man would vn- 
 n ^nhr.tt>.\6. derftand them but by this rule, ° who is able to change 
 nature ^ but hee that f/si created nature ? becau(e tliey 
 praied to God for infidels and vnbelecuers that they 
 p ^uzufl ie "iJght repent and be conuerted vnto God, " they thought 
 fr<tdtfi fanCl. noman would conceiue but thatto repent and turne to 
 f4/>.i4. Goddidarife from the grace and gift of God. There 
 
 were '' none yet fprungvp that did openly oppugne the 
 ' grace of God,and therefore they fpakc the more fecurely, 
 
 and bent themfeluesmainely to theconuincing of thofe 
 heretickesagainllwhom they fpake. But when Pelagius 
 the her-eticke arofe and began to affirme and teach that 
 man hath of himfelfe and in his owne nature a free mil to 
 that thatis good , that he hath in himfelfe a freedome of 
 will to confent to the Gofpell and calling of God, the 
 fame church that before refilled the Manichees, refifted 
 him alio, and bauing affirmed againft them zhat free will 
 .„ was the beginning of fmne, and that by free rvtll man ftill 
 VeUi.Lz.ia,z committeth finne denied againft him that mans will is 
 fir deconept. '^ free Oi touching r'ighteoHfnes or in that that is good, vnttllhe 
 z^grat.cap.i. be made free bj him that hath fiid)If the fame jhall mak£ jou 
 
 free. 
 
EjnJlktotheF^ng, 47 
 
 free^thendreyee free indeed. Now by reafon of this herefic 
 the fathers thencefooith began to fpeakc more warilic, 
 and fomewhat to abb ridge and con eft that Iibertie which 
 either they themlelues or their forefathers had vfed be- 
 fore. Whereof we haue very notable and pregnant exam- 
 ple in S. Aullin himfelfe, who before the arifing of the Vq- 
 lagians doubted not to fay, ' Z)'/«7?if^»'(f drff<?w;w4Wf(^, , . 
 and by natnre rre iMue ponder to lone jpir it nail things. But af- ^^^ f,,,^ *^^J 
 terwards considering of thofewordsjhe faith, ^ It may bee nkh.ca.xi. 
 Aiked, why I [aide, by nature n>e haue power , and not rather, ' KftraCHib.i, 
 by grace ire haue porver. But the qnefltonwa^ again ji the Afa-^^f'^^- 
 nichees concerning nature, Andfurely this doth ^,'ace labour^ 
 thatn>hat our nature being corruptedcannot doe, it may being 
 healed be able to doe by him that came to feehe andtefaue that 
 that WAS lofl. In another place he had faid j ' All men may be- '^' CtnefMn, 
 leeue God, and turne themjelues tothek^eptngof his comman- ^^'**^"'^*f'*^- 
 dements if they mil. But afterwards he expoundeth him- 
 felfe, " Let not the Pelagians thtnke thatitts Jpoken to their *l<ftr4£l,lib.i. 
 meaning. For it is true that all men may fo doc $f they will, but "^*o• 
 the will is preparedof the Lord, andjofurnifhed wtththegifi 
 of charttte, that they may be able to that they will.-which there 
 was not jpoken becaufe it was not necejfarie to that ^uefiion that 
 was in hand.^gi\n he laith/ // is in the power of man to chagc ^Cout.JA- 
 his will to norkjhat that is good : but he corrcfteth it } ^fed '"'*»' •f'»^*^• 
 eapotefias nulla efi nijt a deo detur : but that power it none at r I^tr<tClMh.i, 
 al except it be giue of God,ivho by framini^ 9r preparing the wtl t*p,%z, 
 giueth that power. Nowthefefayingsof the fathers againft 
 theManichecs being intended to flicw what either na- 
 ture was in it felfe by creation, or being corrupted what 
 itis capable of by grace, the papills lay hold of & thereby 
 labour to vphold the dotlrine of the Pelagians that in this 
 corrupted rtateofman there is remaining a free wilto af- 
 fent vnto the calling of God,whichis a faculty of nature it 
 felfe,& not the workeof the grace of God. But the rigour 
 of the fayings of thofe former fathers we muft regard to 
 qualifie by Saint Auftins example and rules, and by 
 
 the 
 
4? Tl^e Anfwer to T>. Sipojs 
 
 the declarations of them to whom God gaue occafion by 
 thchcrefieofthe Pelagians further to enquire and fearch 
 the verity of that point. Albeit in the handling of that que- 
 ftion it Hialbe flicwed ,God willing , th'at they themfelues 
 hauefufliciently freed themll'lues fro that which the Pa- 
 pills lb much labour to hang vpon them. But as touching 
 the teftimonies of the fathers which heallca^eth here they 
 nothing nurt vs. Socrates reporteth it for the Manichees 
 herelie :o deny free will . We fay it was fo, and that it was 
 PelagiushishenfietoafFirmeit :wedirclaime them both. 
 Hierome inhispref^.ceofhis bookesagainlt the Pelagi- 
 ans alleageththat it was the dotage of the Manichee'^to 
 take away free will^and in thebookes themfclncs difpuceth 
 againll free Will in that meanino wherein we deny it j lay- 
 * Hiertn . adti. jng ^ that/^^ u mans greateJT rtnhteoufneffe to thtnkethat 
 Te ag. I .1. ivhatfoeuer vertue he haih^ it is -not h'is own bht theLords that 
 ^Lih.t. huth giHcnit'-i ' th.tt all the goodwe doe ts Gjds: and by occali- 
 
 ^ler.z^.6.7. onofthe words of the Lord bytheprophetleremVj ^Iwil 
 fLird them that they may not be rooted ottt crlwillgiue ihem a 
 'Hieronjhid. hart to know me : " Jf, faith he, minde a?idthott^htbegmen 
 of God , and the "jriderflandwg of the Lord grow from the 
 rooteofhim thatistobekiiotven ^rvhereis then that fo^roud 
 vaunting of free rrtll ? As for S. Aurtin no man hath troden 
 theparh for vs fo plainly and fully as he hath done. He 
 condemned the Manichees : fodoewe. He condemned 
 ijiwr nioan the Pelagi-ins and in the Pelagians condemned the Pa- 
 trafft'). ' pii'^esjandfodowe. Heraith,and outofhimthe Arau- 
 Conjil. ^raujk, ficaneCouncell faieth : '' Nomanhath of hU oxvnbnt only to 
 i.(a}}.ii. lyeandtojinne. ' What is a^man by that that is his orvne , but 
 ' -"^^V^ft- '^'*' what he * by his orvne fin ? As for free will ^ it readily run- 
 f p^ ',,f'^{(n ^^^^ a»dfloiveth to nauahnmjfe , bu t 'free will to hue God rt^e 
 ^"rat.ca^. lofibythegreatnejfeof^damsJi!7ne, " v:>hoabufing his free 
 s F.piTl.107. will Is/} both himfelfe ariditaljo : (o that now ' mtn labour, 
 Enchir.ca 30, fajth hc, to fwde in our will fome ffooAthat is oar own which we 
 epeccat. ^^^^^ ^^^ of God\ by.t hov.^ to fi»de it, I h^ovo not. No more doc 
 U.c.ii. we.IfM.Bifliop can find it let hiorawearcitjbut whether he 
 
 can 
 
Epijlle to the I^ng, 49 
 
 can or not we fhall finde when wc come to the handling of 
 that queltion. In the meane time let him know that this 
 obieftion of his is but the olde rotten cauill of the Pelagi- 
 an heretickes againfl: the Godly Bifliops and paftoursof 
 Chriltes church, whom for denying iheir/r^ ^ mil they ^ re- ^ ContJtuu tp. 
 frochdwith the name of A£zrjk he s, and (aid that they them- ''<''K«^'»«''J« 
 feluesmiantcincd the CAthoUcki faith agAinfi theprofaneKcs 
 of the Manichees. To whom S. Auftin anlwercd as wc nowc 
 anfvvere iiim : ' The Mamchees deny that to man being made i ihid.eap.i, 
 good the beginning of eutll XT a,i by free roill. The Pelagians fay y 
 that man being novo enillhAthfree willfufficiently to kjepe the 
 cowmandemem that is good. The catholicke church reprooueth 
 them both, f'^y^"g ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ Godmade man iufl , and to the 
 other. If the Sow:e fijall m^ksyoa free then are yc^ free indeed, 
 T\\is freedome we teach as he doth, as heereafter fliall ap- 
 peare. 
 
 7. W. B I SHOP. 
 
 0«f Proclus an erroniota Ons,cm({taughtthatJinne wa^ Epiphhtr,6/i, 
 not taken arvay in Baptifme, but onely couered,as is recorded ^"K'"' 
 by that holy man, andauncient Father Epiphanius. M.P e R- ^"^•'''9' 
 K 1 1>J s (m the name of the church of England) ajfirmeth in like 
 manner, the originalljlnne rcmatnethjiill, and raigneth in the 
 regenerate^ Albeit it is not imputed vmo them, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Heere M. Bifliop vnwares hath flieathed a fword in 
 his ownc fides, citing vnder the name of Proclus the here- 
 tickc the wordcs of Methodius a Catholickc and godly 
 bifhop againft the hcrclie of Proclus and his maimer Ori- 
 gen : He law in Epiphanius, fec^uuntf.r nunc Vrsch verba, 
 Hcerc follow norv the vcon'cs of Proclus , and hii lips hang- 
 ing in his light, he coulH not fee but that all the difcourle 
 following was ihe vvordes of Proclus } whereas the words 
 ofProclus are but a few linesm the beginning, and then 
 
 H foUoweth 
 
^o The Afifwer to D, 'Btjhops 
 
 followcth by Methodius a large refutation thereof. Now 
 M.Bilhop though ngainrt his will acknowledgeth that the 
 author of thole words , howfbeuer hee millooke hiiDjdid 
 teach the very felfe fame that M.Perkins and the church 
 of England doth concerning finne remaining after bap- 
 tifme, as indeed he doth. It foUoweth therefoie by M. 
 Bilhopsowne acknowledgement againft his will that the 
 do6^rine of the church of England by the tellimonie of 
 JVkthodiiisbifhopofTyrus, approoued alfo by Epipha- 
 nius, istheauncientdo6^rineof the Catholicke church, 
 and that the do6^rine of the church of Rome which M. 
 Bifhop defendeth is new, hereticall and falfe. Now for la- 
 tisfacHon of the Reader, itisto beobferuedthat Proclus 
 according tothedoftrine of Origen did teach that the 
 foule had a being before the body , and being firft crea- 
 ted did finne, and for the finne that it did was put into the 
 bodyasintoaprifon, and that this is tobevnderftoodin 
 » Gen.^.ir. that it is faide after mans fall that God made them * gar- 
 ments of skinnes, that is, faidethey, he made them bo- 
 dies. Therefore he held that this body being the prifon of 
 thefoulefubie6tto finne and corruption, and feruing but 
 for the vfesofthislifeis not that body wherewith we (hall 
 rife againe,but that ic rtiall be another of more diuine fub- 
 " lifhUr.e^. ^^^^^^ a f^ore excellent and fpirituall body.To this " Me- 
 thodius anfwereth and fheweth by the Stripture that man 
 confirted of body and foule before his fall, and that the 
 body was compartnerwith thefoulc in finne : that the bo- 
 die cannot be faide lohQ the prifon ohh^iouXc i for a pri- 
 fon is a place of reftraint, butthebodieisnotto the foule 
 any reftraint, but rather the inrtrument and helper thereof 
 in finne: therefore thutxhc coates of sktunes coxA^noum- 
 port the making of bodies^but did rather import the clo- 
 thing of the body with morralitie and death, and that for 
 that caufe God did caft man out of ParaJife that he might 
 die. The end whereof in part (hould be, that in death the 
 cuill and finne which man had wrought in himfelfe might 
 
 die 
 
Episile to the K^ng, 5 1 
 
 dieaIfo,anclvcterIy beabolifhcd j for as whenatreegrow- 
 ctli in a wall, faith he, the jpreading of the roots thereof 
 dillolneththertoncsand iointsof the wall, but thellones 
 being taken alunder, and the tree being pulled out , the 
 wall IS of the fame rtones repaired and made new agai.jc; 
 eiicn fo finnc hauing fpread it rootcs largely in man, by 
 dilfolution of death jsal'b diflolued, andthel^oJy euen 
 of the fame parts is raifcd vp againe immortall,(iane being 
 wholly and vtterly deltroicd ; Then follow the wordes 
 which M. Bifhop intendeth. Fcrfo long ,u the bo^y Iiueth 
 andvmilltt (ite , fmnemuji: nesdes line -trithall, imvard/y hi~ 
 ding in vs the rootes oftt .albeit omivardlj by the checkcs ofcha- 
 Jlifcmcnts and ttdmomt ions it be bndcledandreframcd. Other- 
 veife it tvould not fall oHt that nfter o»k Hlptwm.ition xvee jhould 
 do vmnjlly ifjlnne were voholly and c/earely takpt from vs. 
 B tit novp after that rre belcene, tandarebapiifed , vre are often 
 fouiidt» (innes, TVherefore certatne it if ^ that ftnne is not* hol- 
 den piort and laicd a Jleepe-hy faith, that it may not bringfoorfh 
 >i oi fame fr nits, but it is not pulled vp by the rootes. ^nd now 
 indeedne holdbacks our euil thoughts and Iftftes as thefprotttf 
 thereof that no bitter root fprtnging vp may tnfefl vs^notfujfer- 
 ing the bnds th.it are chfedvp nithin to be openedjo com toa- 
 nygrorrth,infi/-uBio}iofdoHrine euen as a bill hewing andcut- 
 ting at the deepe Ipn'nging roots. But then the very thtnktng of 
 naughtmes Jhalbedone array. And to fay the truth, this (peeeh 
 Tvantcth not tejlimonteofthe Scripture:for thea^oflle ack»oxf>~ 
 fedgeth that the root of fin is not wholly taken from men,fayini^, 
 Jk^oty thatin me, that ts,in myflefh d^velleth no good thing: for 
 terrilisprefenfn'ithme,butnottodothatgood: For I do not 
 the good that I would ^but the eutll that I would not that do /j 
 Now if I doe that I would not, tt u not I that doe tt , but finne 
 that dwelleth in me . I delight then in the lavo of God ai touch- 
 tngthe inner man, but J fee another laxv in my members rebel- 
 ling ag-amft the law of my minde , and holding me capttue vnto 
 the la'V of ftnne which is tn my members. Sofarre is finne from 
 ■bangquite and vtterly rootedotit: for it it not yet quite dead 
 
 H 2 but 
 
52 Tl?e Jnfwer to D. !Bifhops 
 
 butlmsth,&c. Thus Methodius plainly affirmeth, that 
 finne is not wholly taken away inbaptifinej thatit is kept 
 in, and the fproutes and weedes thereof are (till nipped 
 and checked , but yet the roote ftill rernaiiieth hidden 
 within, and that it dieth not till wc die, and prooucth it 
 bythefamewordes of theApoftle which we alleage to 
 the lame purpofe. Now where were M.Bifhops wits,that 
 could thinke that thefe words were the words of ProcluiC' 
 Surely he read theplace veryearely in the morning be- 
 fore he had his fuUlleepe , or late after fuppcr when hee 
 ihouldhaucbeene in bedde, or elfe he borrowed them 
 from fome of his mailers the lefuites , who make as little 
 confciencc what they fay as he doth. We niuft be content 
 with fuch ftuffe as he can yecld vs : the broker can offer no 
 other wares then he himfelfehath receiued of the mer- 
 chant. Yet we are beholding to him, that ifwe had wan- 
 ted teftimonie of antiquitie to prooue that finne remain- 
 eth after baptifine, as God willing he (liall fee heereaftcr 
 * ireuMttMr. we doe not, hee would doe vs the picafureto furniflivs 
 W,4.M/> .14. therewith. ' Thati^ atrueproofetind without contradiction, 
 faith Ireneus, which bringeth tokem for the teflify'mg of it 
 fro the very adnerfaries themfelnes. But we will not thanke 
 him for it,becaufe his purpofe was to abufe and deceiue 
 his Reader, and by the name of an hereticke to traduce 
 that which was indeed the profelTed doftrin of the church. 
 Now he was very loth that one lie fhould goeheere 
 alone without a fellow , and therefore to make vp the 
 pairCjhe faith that M.Perkins in the name of the church 
 ofEngland affinneth , that origimll fime remaineth llill 
 andraignethinthcr^*gei">erate, whereas M. Perkins and 
 the church ofEngland artirmeonely the remaining^ and 
 nottheraigmm of fin in the regenerate, according to that 
 that the Wordes of Methodius hauebeforc defcribed. So 
 ^'P4g.i7, M. Perkins plainly faith ^ that that very povper or ftrength 
 Yfiherchyjinmraigncth in man, u tdken arvay in the regene- 
 rate, and in the page quoted by M, Biihop affirmeth no- 
 thing 
 
EpiHIe to the I^ing, 5 ^ 
 
 thing to the contrarie. Wee take for our dire6^ion the 
 wordes of the Apollle, ' Lrtyiot fiKneraigneinyour mortall * j^c»jy.ii. 
 body. Whereupon S.Auihn faith, ' He/atthnet , let mt i jtuguft.in 
 jinne be, but let not jinne rAtgne in jour mortall bcdie, [» long eu loM.txa^^x, 
 thoH liue(ljifine mnfl rteedes be in thy members : let the ratgn- 
 ing thereof yet be taken auray: doe not wlfAt it biddeth thee. *^ 
 
 Thus M. Bifhop euery way confoundeth bimfelfc, and 
 can finde no place where to ftand fure. 
 
 '■ ' -8. W. Bishop. 
 
 louiniaa vets nccoMntedamonJler by S. Auguftine,/<?r <^- .^ ,. 
 
 fending honeflmarri/ige to be of ecjuallvertite , and merit rrith c.^^',^h^tT,i^, 
 chafle Virgmtie c and faith further that this herejie rvoifo fot~ Terk^im 
 tJ/h andflfjh/y 5 that it could not deceiue nny one learned priefi, ^''S'J^S*.!* 
 bf4t onely fame few Jimflc and cartjall rromcfi. Yet this our Eng- s.'s'V^ 
 
 lip) champion bluOjeth nottoafjirme that mariage it rtotonelj 
 equally but better alfo in diucrs rejpe^s then J'irginitie,. 
 - The feme old reprobat e here tike, barked alfo againji' approo- 
 uedfeafts andfaftwg daies,fo 4ce moji of our Mtnifleriot thU 
 time. . i . 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Hitherto M. Bifhop hath foiight with (licked an4 
 {ira\vcs,butncwhcfbeginnethtofallomvvhathandr(Jme-^ 
 ly to his weapon .The name ofAuftincarieth with it (omc 
 preiiidice,and fomemcn happily maybe fomewhac moo- 
 ued therewith in this matter,but yet we muft confider that 
 this note was long lince giuen of him,and he by hi« bookes 
 t)f Retra6^ations harh confirmed it : '1 While fl he'jf'ake of a Ctnnad.Ca- 
 fnany mntiersit 'befell htmrphicb the holy ghojifaieth by Salor tal.iUitJi.ynor, 
 mon : In much Ipcccka man cannot efcapefome fault. Ag^ine 
 it is here to be remembred that the queftion is not here of r-tn sb.; - 
 S. Aulhns opinion,butof theDo6^rine ofthechur.chof 
 Rome. And albeit S.Aurtin doe fay that the lame church i^^^^nj>,_. 
 of Rome did ^ mighttly rejiji loutnMikn yet how ihsim^ter trdOM.i^dli,- 
 
 H 3 " went 
 
54 Tl'^ Anfwcr to 2). 'Biflyofs 
 
 went we (hall better vnderrtand by S. Hierome', who bc- 
 ' ing then a member ofthe church otRorae was a principal 
 'Ef4/'^*»<ir»i»-3S^"^^"th*^*^^"^^' ' Hralmus obleruethtruely that nu- 
 tHftitM. adl. ftin chargeth louinian with lome ecrours whereof Hie- 
 jouinian.aMi romc makcth no mention, who would not haue palled by 
 Huron. themifloHinianhad taught them , whereby it ^/?/>(f<«/'£'/^, 
 
 as he colle(fteth, that Aullin had Kchher re^d loHtnuins 
 hookesntr Hteromes bookcsagainfi lonman^but only l>y peoples 
 rumoHrs ^ talke had learned that that he k»ew concerning to- 
 uiman, and therefore: he muft needesbe theleire abb to 
 iudge or report concerning him. Moreouer it is not to 
 i'..Mm»*^^ bomittedthatEpiphanius in his catalogue ofherecickes 
 hath not reckoned louinian amonglt them though lining 
 atthefometime. Hemakethmcntion offomenotashe- 
 ^ipTffc.F^rfy.^Ji rttickes but as being ** tn-or^fthe c^«rc/j,onIy f erming them 
 ^ffioUc, ^(^Q Yifmijfe andfoft^ viHoo didperfyfade womvn to gincouer or io 
 YeaU t^he Accomplt(hmgor conttnitmg of that cotrrfe of per feci i-^ 
 on, asitwascalled,invirginirieandfinglelife. Wliereby 
 cerc^rreitisthat thisihiputation of herefie was laied vp- 
 otiJouinian by the priuate opinion oflbrpe, and not by 
 the vniuerfalliudgement of the church* Asfor S.Aultia 
 to yeeld him his due he hath cuery where fpoken holily Ik 
 reuerently concerning mariage as it became him to doe of 
 thie /acred ordinance and inrtitution of almightieGod; 
 neither doth he by commendation of virginity breake 
 fotfrth ihtothofe rude and vndeccntfpeeches thereof, as 
 Hiefolneand fomc other haue done ;and indcede as 
 touching theverie ftatc of mariage and virginity there is 
 Ifttie or no difference betwixt him and vs. We acknow- 
 -t.. . V ledgcthegift ofvirginity and continency tobeanexcel- 
 
 .u , .\.. lent gift ,but yet a gift of external! preemmcnce with n^n, 
 'Jittta gift of internal and fpintuall nghteouineflc towards 
 •^»^.(/</<»7i/>.iG<j4 ^ ofthofe -goodglftes " imd&factai bene , noncju^te 
 ftrm.z^6. facut»Ph(»Mm , ivhence thou mmfl doe good , not whtchtkem- 
 Z'':!!ltL,v<r'ff^^^f^oe'makethtg^ood.as S. Auftin diilinguifhath , orac- 
 Hkzxap.i-i.. . J«o4'<iitjgto<ano£her-dmm6tion,of thofegooid things, e/fti" 
 
Eptjlle to the i\ing. 55 
 
 hm male vtitur main.*, mn (^ttorwn nuilHi:vfH4 tjfe nonpotffiy 
 which an cntll w.vt vfeth ttittly , m y^'herfcf there canic tio iH 
 vfe at c.lL Such are rlie gift of prophecy , the gift of mira- 
 cles, the gift of tongues and interpretations of tongues, 
 which not by prerogatiue in hauing them , but by iighte- 
 oufnes in vfingthem doc yeeld a man acceptation and re- 
 ward with God. For euill men many tunes haucthefe 
 gifts andfuch other hke, and are no whit the better for 
 them ; they excel 1 other men thereby and are not the nee- 
 rer towards God. So amongll the heathens the r-f/?*</t/;r- 
 ^wconfecrated to idolls, and in the gofpcll ihefoolS vir^ 
 ginsy ifwewiIHotakeit, had ' thetKtegntyofthejicflj.hMt s^ur»/iM^ 
 with God it yeelded them neither fauour nor defence. If W/.35. 
 therefore the quertion be betwixt the maried and the vn- 
 maricd webriefely afrirme that caters farihu, nil other 
 thmq^shewi^ cqualUrid uUke , finglelife addeth nothing to 
 the one with God which mariagc detraOieth from the o- 
 ther. S.Auftin fuppofech as the vefie ground of his afler- 
 tionthat in virginitie and Tingle fife there is greater holi- 
 nefle and deuotion towards God by being withdrawen 
 from the bufineflics and troubles of the world,that the vn- 
 maried '' doe thinkevpon him more flemifHlly-, doe ferHe him h j^efanfl.yir^ 
 more inftamlj ; doepleafe htm more attentuicly. Which be- ginit.caf.17. 
 ing fuppofed we will notdenie but that inrewarde with Etdebono «»- 
 God the preferment (halbegiuen to fingle life. Forcuen '"S^^.u- 
 amongft the maried he that doth the greateft fcruice fliall 
 haue the greateft reward , ' euery man his rva^es according i \.Cor.i%. 
 to huvrorke. So therefore if virginitie exceed mariage in 
 duetie and fernice vnf o God,it fliall exceed alfo in recom- 
 pence of reward : but if mariagc equall virginitieinthe 
 workeofGod;, we doubt not but reward of glorieflialbe 
 to both alike. Indeede fingle life in it felfeyeeldeth more 
 conuenient liberty toferue God, and therefore where it 
 maybehohlyobferoedis tothatcnd iuftly to be prefer- 
 red. But mariagc and fingle life are notalwais & to euerie 
 man the fame that th^y aw confidered in themfclues to 
 
 be 
 
5 ^ '^^^ Anfwer to D. 'Bljhops 
 
 be. Forfometimes the vnmaried careth more for the thiyigs 
 of the world then the maried doth : and fometimes the 
 maried careth more for thethinges of the Lordt]\^n doth the 
 vnmaried. The maried many times is not lb much diftra- 
 fted by occafions of the world as is the vnmaried by wrall- 
 hnge and ftriuing to preferue the integrity of the flefh." 
 
 ^Greg.1{dXid. ^Neither maria,genorfmglelifefdi\xS\ Nazia'/izene, isfuchby 
 
 *" ^'*'*'^- ^**2' natfire tts can either tyevs whoHy to God or the world, or vp holly 
 keepe vsfom either , but it ii the minde that rightly vfeth the 
 fam& andworketh either of them to vertue. As fingle life is 
 not alwaies a helpc, ^o is not mariage alwaies a hiademnce 
 to holinefle & deuotion towards God, as when in maried 
 eftateandinthe affaires of this world the heart is framed 
 
 ^x.C»r ,7.10. to the rule of the ApolUc, ' that they which haue vrines be as 
 though they had none , and they which tveepe although they 
 wept not , and they that reioyce oi though they reioyced not, and 
 they that buy as though they pojpjfed not, and they that vfe this 
 world ai though theyvjed it not'-, and men bemg bodily em- 
 ploied here vpon the earth , yet cary their aftc6lionsfb as 
 
 ■'PW/.3.20. that their " conuerfationisinheauen. In a word we arc to 
 conceiu« the fame of fingle life and marriage as of free- 
 dome and bondnge. FreedomeisamorebleiTedandhap- 
 pjc ftatc , and giueth a man greajerpower of himfelfe to 
 beftow himfelfe to the Lords vle,and therforc the Apoftlc 
 
 ■i.Cor.r.ir. faith to him that is bound, " If thou maiefl be free vfe it ra- 
 
 ^G4l.$.i^. ther. And yet the lame Apolfle tcllcth vs that * in Chriji 
 lefm the-ireis neither bend nor free : that neither frcedome 
 commendeth a man the more to God , nor bondage any 
 whit empeacheth him , bdt either ol tliem is molt prefer- 
 red with God as either of them is belt bcfto.vcd to the 
 
 »i.C«r.7.4o. g^o'^y of God. So is thcfreedomcoffi:iglelire''W(7^'<f ^/<?/l 
 fed then the bondes cf mariage ; and yet where n:ari2gcis 
 alike in feruice ofGcd,iris alike iccepred with Godasfin- 
 glelife. This do6lr;nc Touini:;nta.!ght inRomc againft 
 the fupeirtitious conceipr that was the:"" in growing that 
 there can be no holinclie in mariage comparable to the 
 
 holinelle 
 
EpiHle to the I\ing. 57 
 
 holineffe of profelTed fingle life. He affirmed that albeit 
 in refpeSI; of the encumbrances and troubles and cares that 
 are incident to manage virginitie were to be preferred, (in 
 regard whercofhehimlelfcalfoliued a fingle life as "^ Au- <» Aug.htt.ti, 
 Ibne witnelleth ) yet that virginitie of it fclfe isa thing 
 meerely indifferent.and with God for it fclfe hath no pre- 
 ferment before manage ; and by the examples of holy 
 men and holy women mentioned in the Icriptures , patri- 
 arciies , prophets , priefts and their wiues perfwaded that 
 manage was as holy an eftate and as pieafing vnto God as 
 finglelife. He taught by the words of the Apolllethat it 
 u ' better to ?narry then to ^«^-w<f .better openly to enioy hul- r^ xor.-j.^, 
 band or wife then fecretly by incontinency to be diftra^^ed 
 inmindeorto giiie place to Satans temptations byiilrhy 
 luft. His preaching tooke that Q^(i6t in Rome that lundry 
 both men and women hauing profclled virginitie and 
 contineucy did thereupon leaue the profeffion thereof 
 and bctooke themfelues to mariagc, as both ' by Hie- ^Hitron.Hiu. 
 rome and Auftin doth appeare. louinian had written ^<''*"»'^'^«*-M 
 fomcwhatof this and other matters, which "^fome brethren^ ^^„„y?^ h£r.%i. 
 as Hieromecallcth them, fent from Rome to him hzmg ^%ttrd(l.l.x, 
 then as it feemcth in Paleftina. Prefcntly Hierome with all cap.n. 
 indignation andrtomacke writethhistwo bookcsagainft ^LibiMu. 
 louinian , and to fay as the truth is whileft he yeelded to ^"*"'* 
 much to his owne humour for commendation of virginity 
 he wrote very bafely and prophanely concerning manage. 
 Pammachitts ^^emlcmRn of Rome, a friend of Hierome, 
 a man of great learning, lighting vpon thofe bookesand 
 taking view of them, conceiuingwhatolfence anddillikc 
 they were likely to breed to their authour " laboured to " Huron. epiSf. 
 fupprefle them, that before they wentany further abroad pJier.adTam' 
 Hierome himfclfe might better conlider of them and a- '^^H^'^^^^' 
 mend what inight feeme aniillc. But it would not be : ** "' "*"'""'• 
 abroad they went, and raifed in Rome exceeding oblo- 
 quies and clamours againft him , and fcant anyfpeechof 
 any hcreticke had beenemore od ioully taken,as may feem 
 
 I by 
 
* Wtrott.ad 
 
 pohg.pro lib. 
 
 yjhid. 
 
 htref. 
 
 * TtrtuU.eX' 
 
 hertat.ad Ca- 
 
 fiitat. 
 
 fc Origin, apud 
 Tampbil.in 
 tApohgia, 
 « In Math. 
 
 * Comil. tom.l 
 
 Can.^^Jiol. 
 
 otp.6. 
 
 5 8 Tl)e Anfwer to D. 'Bifhops 
 
 by that that Hierome himfelfe rcporteth then was that 
 that he wrote. Heereupon he wrote to Pamniachius an 
 " iApologie of thofebookes to amend the matter fo much 
 as might be,and to qualifiethe offence taken. In that A- 
 pologieit appeareth that Ibmc there were indeed that 
 blamed louinian, butcuen they alfo blamed him : Etme 
 ^ aduetfariumpotriter re^rchendttnt j They^ finde fault rvitfj 
 me^andwtth mine aduerf arte alfo. And what was theoccafi- 
 onofallthistragedie:' What was the matter for which 
 hefufteincdall this difpleafure .'' '' Grande puailHm 'yeuer- 
 fejHfJt ecclefid, ; orbii an dire non pot eft ft vtrgmita.tem dtxi- 
 mm mundiorcm effe quam HHptitu : A hamons offence : it if 
 the omrthrow of the church } the rvorld cannot endure to heare 
 it, that I Piould fay that Virginitie u of greater purity and ho-' 
 lineffethenmariedcflate. Behold heere, M. Bifhop, the 
 church of Rome greatly offended to heare itjand accoun- 
 ting itas a ftrange doftrine , t\\2iX.virgtnme fhould be affir- 
 med to be a more holy eflateoflife then m^iriage ui . "^^a & 
 before that time the fame church of Rome in codemning 
 theMontaniit heretickes condemned this opinion alfo. 
 For the Montanills did not onely reie6l * fecond mariage, 
 as Auftin noteth of them , but they accounted mariage 
 ^ wholyto be a more prophane and vnholy rtate then 
 might ftand with the perfection of Chriftian life. This 
 Ongen vpbraideth them with as faying thereby ineffedV, 
 ^ Come not neere me, for I am holy, for I take no trifey but am 
 a Na^^arite of Gods a man vowed and feparated vnto God j 
 which the fame OrigeHelfewherecallech '■ an immoderate 
 or vnreajonablepnritie and clcannes . TheaffeSnon of which 
 puritie and cleannefTe -cuen by bifliops aira prielb was 
 cenfurcd by the auncicnt Canons which in the church of 
 . Rome did goevnder the name of the Apoftles. "^ Thatif 
 any bifhop or prie^ diddtfmijfe his wife vnder pretence of pie tie 
 or deuotion towards God, h* fhould be excommunicate, and if 
 he did t her em perftfi, fhould be degraded. Jt was therefore an 
 odious matter, ?nd plaine herefie in the opinion of the 
 
 auncienc 
 
Eftflle to the ^ng, ^ o 
 
 auncicnt church of Rome to attribute any fuch preroga- 
 tiueand fpeciall title of holinefl'e to fingie life. And it is 
 heeretobeobferuedthat ' Hierome in his Apologic to •uierom^ai 
 Pammachiusfeekingto excufc himfelfe by examples oiTanmach.ji~ 
 others who had faide the like as he had done, alleageth a- poiog.pro lib. 
 mongrt others TertuIIian , whereas Tertullian being then '«''♦•''"«'»'«»• 
 become a JVlontanill wrote that for which he citcth him 
 euenby hisowneconfelhon ' again(lthedo6lrineofthe f catal.tcdef. 
 church of Rome. And verily Erafmus trucly faide, that Script. mTert. 
 s in the writings ef Hierome Are to be found eucn the fame ^ £»''*/'».'*'/«». 
 words tkn are vfedbj Tertullian, tvhsfor the fame had beene "l^^^l'. ^'^^' 
 condemned for an hcretici^. ' ' •*"" ' 
 
 Now whereas M.Bilhopfaith out of Auftin that loui- 
 nians opinion WMJoJottiflj andpjhly that it couldnot deceiue 
 Any onelearnedprieftbut onlj afeyvfimpls andcamallwomeny 
 he racketh the words of Auften too far .He faieth indeed 
 nec^ddeceprtonem aU^uorumfacerdotumpotuit peruentre : it 
 could not preuaile to the deceiuing ofanjpricfis , l^ut he doth "''*' 
 
 not lay that it preuailed onlyvpithAfew flmpleandcarnallrvo- 
 menjAS M. Bilhop faieth. For, that this is very vntrueand 
 falle it may appeare very manifeltiy by this, for that Pam- 
 machius would not hauc had that regard to prclerue the ,,,•>." 
 ertimation& credit of Hierome againlllouinian onlyi*"' 
 refpe^i of a few fimpic and carnall women. Againe by Hi- 
 erome himfelfe itis as manifeftly dilprooued, who againe 
 and againe repeateth that '' louinianhadmay dffcip/es'y that hfjlennMH. 
 rnany agreed to his opnion\that many did runne after htm: ' that louinian. lib. %. 
 gentlemen gaue him the way , that the wealthy flroked him on f^f'fiftm. 
 the head.hnd for a few fimple and carnall women he would ' ^'^''»«^''**'^* 
 not haue vfed that expoftulation^ '' f^yhat ? was there ne- *"*'"'''"' '•^'^* 
 Her a country m the whole world that would receiue t he preach- tur caput, 
 %ng ofplcafure ( fo he fpeaketh reprochfiilly according to * ii»«/. 
 his manner)^«r that which thedoElrineofPeterhadfomded 
 vpon Chrij} therocke ? Againe he fpeaketh generally to the 
 Citie of Rome as calling the fame to repentance for this 
 matter, ' Thou mighty city y thou city commended by the i jbid. 
 
 I 2 ypordes 
 
6o The Anfwcr to DStjhops 
 
 vardes of the ^pofile tha$t mmejl by repentance auoide that 
 curfe , rvhich ow Sauiour threatneththeeinthe Apocaljpfe. 
 Crc. Thus he makcth a great cry of a fniall matter , buc 
 tcrtifieth by the way that that city , that church that was 
 commended by the voice of the Apollie approouedthe 
 doftrine of louinian , and difclaimedhis aflerrionto the 
 contrarie that virginity is of greater purity and, holine^'e then 
 mariedefiate. Now whereas S. Auftin faieth that louinians 
 opinion found no approbation or allowance with anie 
 Priefts or Bifhops , or as M. Bifhop laieth with any leivrned 
 ■priefi , it is certaine alfo by S. Hierome that Auften there- 
 in was deceiued, and that there were bifhops alio and 
 priefts at that time of the lame minde. It is true indeed 
 .„. . . . that '" Siricius then bifhop of Rome with fome few o- 
 epifi.z.Concti. ^n^f of his owneconlort, in a pnuatemeermg of their 
 tom.i.&apud owne did giuclentence againft louinianjand togithcr with 
 ^mirof.ep.io. him Condemned " Attxentius, Genialis, Germinator^ Fe- 
 " ■''"'«• lix , Prontinm, Martianm , lanuariHi , Ingemofuj of the 
 
 church of Rome, teaching the fame that he did, as did al- 
 *Amb.tp.Z%. fo " Sarmatiomin^BarbatiayiHs,n\oviktsoit\\cchviXc\\oi 
 Millaine j (o vntrue is it which M. Bifhop faith,that there 
 were none of louinians opinion but onely a fervfimple and 
 carnallwomen. But that Siricius was a nouclleranda man 
 fTolyd.f^ir*il. inthiscafe partially and priuatelyaftc6led, by whom it 
 deinuent.re- may fceme likely that louinian tookcoccafion to teach in 
 rumM.^.(a.^.-^Q^Q that that he did teach 5 the fatr.e Siricius being no- 
 inThtodof" ' ^^^ ^° ^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^ forbad mariage to Priefts & Dca- 
 » Hieron.^poi cons,and 1 caufed them that were maried to line as *" they 
 ddTammach. then did, feparated from their wiues, directly contrary to 
 ^To i.adt».iouin. jj^g '"apofthlicke Canon before mentioned ,&to the deter- 
 Umiifomi'^ minationof theNiceneCouncell, ' yeclding to the iuft 
 fSocratJiifi'. ^"^ go^'y motionof Paphnutius againft that vuiuft and 
 Ui>.i.e4p.i. vnlawfullfeparation. The grolfc and abfiird ignorance of 
 * Strict fifije- that Siricius appearcth in that he applieth " againft ma»- 
 trttA.Caml. riage thofe things which the Scripture fpeaketh to com- 
 *""'^* mend hotineffe, as if there were vnholineffe in that which 
 
 the 
 
Epiflle to the K^ng, 61 
 
 theholy Ghoftcalleth ' t he vjjdrfi/ed if ed.AgMnd manage ^Hth.i^.^. 
 hevfeththewordcsoftheApoftle, '' they that are in the 'f^ow.S.g. 
 flcpj camot ple^.fe God, as it" Abraham , Jfaac, lacob and 
 the other nghtcous Fathers didnocpleafe God becaufe 
 they were maried, wheras the Apoftle faith generally to al 
 the faithful,as wel maried as vnmarried, ' Tee are not in the ^ihii.ytrf.^. 
 ^efljbtitiHthejpirity becaufe the jpirit of God dwelleth inyou. 
 But notwithftanding that fcntence of Siricins the church 
 of Rome ftillcoiitinued to approoire the do6lrine of loui- 
 nian, asappeareth by thole things that I haue alleagcd 
 out of Hieromes bookcs agaiull louinian , which were 
 written after the denouncing of that fentence.Yeaand that 
 not onely the Laitie buttheCIergiealfoperfifted after- 
 ward in that opinion againft the fentence of Siricius is 
 manifeft by Hieromes owne wordes in his Apologie : -pa^ath 
 * Albeit Secular men be amended that they are put in lower de- jipoUv, p^o /li, 
 ^ree then virgins, yet 1 rroonder that Clergy men , Alonkes ailu.Uuimm, 
 andfuch as profejfccontincnc'te, doo not comntend that rphich 
 they themfelues doe. They k^epethemfelues from their wines 
 that they may imitate the chaflitie of virgins , and mil they 
 haue it that married ivomcn are the fame that virqins are ? 
 Now what will M. Bifhop fay to this :" We haue here the 
 Clergie, theMonkesandfuchasvfedcontinencie in the 
 church of Rome, receiuingitilillagainltthe opinion of 
 their vnlearncdbifliop lidem efje maritatat quod virgines^ 
 that married vptues are the fame that virgins arc^ that betwixt 
 mariageandvirguii lie there isnodiuerfe degree or diife- 
 rence in the fight of God . For although by the tyranny of 
 their bifliop as it ibemeth they were compelled toforgoc 
 the company of their wiues , yet they continued ftiU to 
 approouc the fame do6lrine that formerly hadbeene re- 
 ceiuedin the fame church. Yea anditisphiinethat there 
 were bifhops alio of the fame opinion that louinian was. 
 For when Vigilantius foone after mainteined the fame ^ 
 that louinian did, Hieromecrieth out, '' Proh nefas, ^•' y,^ii^„f 
 pifcoposfui fc-fleru dtcttur habere confortes : abhominahle 
 
 I 3 matter' 
 
62. ^ TheAnfwertoD.'Bipops 
 
 matttrt heisfaid to huHtbifhofi fortakers rtith htm in hit 
 mckedopnion : as he in ftomacke termeth their defence of 
 mariage.And of thofe bifliopi he declareth t\\zx.they v^ould 
 ordernone r/ii»ijiers w deacons , but onely fitch m v^sre firfi 
 married: fbfarre were they from M. Bilhops conceit of 
 mariageorvirginitie, becaufe they fawthefihhyandab- 
 «Hieri>n.t{>.ai hominable fruites that vowed virginitie did vfually bring 
 S37i*^ foorth, whereof 'Hierome himlelfeclfewhere and be- 
 "^Tertuljeve-^^^^^^^ ^ Tertullian did complaine. Yea fo farre were 
 Und.yirg. they from approouing the opinion of Hierom.e or of Si- 
 riciusthebifliopofRome, as that direftly and flatly in 
 their praftife they oppofed themlelues againft it. And 
 whereas Hierome to reproonc thele bifliops by examples 
 of other churches, alleageth to that pnrpofe thQ,cJpurches 
 'Socrat hid rf fbf EaJ}{heCidc the no other but the church^c^^me) 
 W.j.c<.*ii. ' ' Socrates who wrote his ftorie within leiTe tKelMSSjjype 
 .f£/)//>/;./7<er.f9. twentie yeeres after the death of Hierome, affirmcth of 
 Cttharor. thofcEafternechurches which ' Epiphanius alio an Ea- 
 ftcrne bifliop euen in the time of Hierome of fome parts 
 thereof, acknowledgeth xhsttthe prief^s and brfhops thereof 
 vpere not forced by any law to forbeare their tviftes , ayjd that 
 many of themwhtleH they were bi/Ijops had children borne vn- 
 to them by their latvfull married rviues , fo little regard had 
 they ofthefentence and decree of Siricius, and fo little 
 conceit of any fuch holinefTe in virginitie aboue mariage, 
 but that the holy calling of a bifhop or prieft ftandeth in- 
 differently agreeing with either of them.Thus,M.Biniop, 
 I hauewreitcd your weapon outof your hands, and haue 
 charged it very ftrongly againft your relfe,and haue made 
 it plainly to appeare that in denying virginitie to be of any 
 g rearer hohnejje, vertue or mertt rvith God then marriage, \iQ 
 teach Lhe fame, that not louinian onely with a few fimpic 
 and carnall women , bur generally the church of Rome, 
 not the inferiour Ibrt onely,but the nobles and great men, 
 no: the Laity onely but the Clergy of i:hat church, the 
 monkes and fuch as profelTed contincr.cie , and the bi- 
 
 Hiops 
 
Episile to the I\ing. 6^ 
 
 fliops alfo ofthatchuch before, and of other churches 
 then approoiicd and receiiied, and that thePapiftsnow 
 teaching the contrarie, doe contrarie the receiued do- 
 ftrine of the auncjent church of Rome. 
 
 But it further otfendeth M.Bifhop that M. Perkins 
 doth not onlyequall mariageto virginitiebut affirmeth 
 that infome rcfpeUs it is to be preferred beforeit. ButI 
 maruell that he fliould be offended thereat/eeing itisa 
 cife vlball that the lefler good mjome re^e^s is to be pre- 
 ferred before the greater. Thephilofopher is to be pre- 
 ferred before the husbandman, and yet if we refpe6^the 
 tillage of the land the husbandman is to be preferred be- 
 fore the philofopher. Gold is better then iron , yetif we 
 rcfpei^ the fl^ooing of a hor(e, iron for that vie is better 
 then gold. Therefore albeit it be granted to M. Bifhop 
 that virginitie ablblutelic is better then mariagc, yet no- 
 thing hindcrcth but that mariage in fome rerpe6ls may be 
 betterihen virginity. The refpe6ts that M. Perkins tllea- 
 getharetwo. Oneincafeofincontinency. And doth iVl. 
 Bifhop doubt but thac to them that cannot conteinc mari- 
 age is better then virginitie, when the Apoftle fo plainlie gi.cer.7^. 
 faith: ^ Itis hettertomarnethentobHrne? The other re- 
 fpe6l is for that WArriageis thejeminarieof the Church and 
 commonwealth , and bringeihfoorth aJeedafGodfortheen^ 
 larking of huk^ngdome. And is M. BiOiop fo mad as to 
 make queftionofthis ^ furely virginitie to this refpe6la- 
 vaileth nothing,and therefore in this refpe6l mariage mult 
 needs be better then virginitie. But fomewhat he mull 
 needes fay : he wilbe ftill biting and gnawing though it be 
 to the hurting of his owne teeth. 
 
 Now whereas he fairh further of louinian that he bar-- 
 kedat approouedfeajls a*jdf^flmg dates : as touching the for- 
 mer of them it appeareth not by Hicrome or Auftin or 
 any other ofthar time that he (pake any thing at all, and 
 therefore Ipal?e by it as a tale. As touching the other 
 point of/?/?iw^S. Auftin reporteth thathe taught, " non ^Hxt,%t. 
 
 frodejfe 
 
^4 T^^^ Anfwer to T>. Sijhops 
 
 frodelfe ietunU et a cthis diquibiu abfl'tnentiam,that fajles an A 
 forhear'mg ofcertame meates are th'r/tg^s not attaiIeable,\A/heTe~ 
 in if his meaning were, as appeareth it was,to condemn fee 
 andcertaine dales of (landing faftes,with that fuperftitious 
 fancy that itfhouldbca matter of merit with God thole 
 daies to forbeare fome certaine kindes of mcate more then 
 other, he erred nothing therein, neither did he teach any 
 other thing then the Church of Rome^as hath beene be- 
 fore fhewedjhad long before taught againft the herefie of 
 Montanusjwhich herefic although it were at the firftrefi- 
 fted by that church, yet fuch was the ierpentinellippernes 
 thereof through the goodly colours and faire fhcwcs of 
 church-order and deuotion that were let vpon it,as that 
 afterwards it found very eal'y admittance and entrancc,and 
 thofe opinions which Tertullian as a Montanilt defended 
 againft the church , and namely the church of Rome, the 
 fame wereapproucd and receiued in the fame church ; Co 
 as that Hierome though he confelfe that Tertullian being 
 fallen to the herefie of Montanus wrot diners booksj'^<?rt- 
 ally again/} the chffrch,yct doubteth not fomtimes to auouch 
 fome points by him mainteined inthofebookes, and to 
 fpeakeas helpeaketh ; yea and Auftin in fettingdownethc 
 herefie of the Montanifts mentioneth for herefies, fetting 
 afide his Parae/etus, hut onc]y one point conteinedinthc 
 famebookes. But what he wrote as touching farting, it 
 went Imooth and currant, andlouinian, Aerius, Vigi- 
 lantius, and others for (peaking againft the fame were re- 
 iefted as heretickes though they faied nothing in that 
 point but what the church ofRomehad faied before.Now 
 fith theminifters of our church lay the fame and by the 
 lamearguments that tha^auncient church of Rome did, as 
 I haue before declared , it is manifeft that the apoftafie is 
 not on our part but onM-BiOiops, who now by the au- 
 thority ofthechurch of Rome mainteineth that which the 
 bereticke of old mainceiued and defended againft the 
 church. Theminiltersofour church condcnine notfa- 
 
 ftins 
 
EpMe to the l^mg, 6^ 
 
 ftingbut fuperftitiousfafting. We blame men' nMcjuin • Hermrlm 
 ab[lir,entfedt^Htah<creticeAbftment ; not becanfe they ahfieine Cant.ftrM. 
 but becaafe they nbfieine rrith an hereticall opifiion of their ab^ 
 fitnence , asBernaid well fpeaketh though he apply it ill. 
 We oblcrue farting daies as we call them , by aollinence 
 from flcfli (indeed not f,.-:fiin^ dales hut * fi/h daies , as the *^»»»<.Elix. 
 law doth rather call them) not with any opmion either for '""f- ^-^^ridg- 
 thed.iyorforthcabftinencd of anyholinefle therein, or *^"'^'*"P"P 
 religion towards God, but onely by way of obedience to "^""*^* J* 
 politicke lawes , and dutie to our prince, thelawitfelfe 
 profeflmg it felie to be ondy * po/tticke/y intended, and dif- *ilid, 
 claiming '(nperftttton to be Maintained in choife of meats, and 
 denying this eating offipj , or forbearing of flcjlj to be thefer- 
 mce of God,otherwtJe then are otherpohtkkf /awes.But other- 
 ■■wife we teach f^y?/«(T, either priuate or publicke, not tied 
 to daies or times, but to occafions either priuare or pub- 
 like, whereby God calleth vs thereunto , the church then 
 vfingitownelibertie, to appoint to that end either ihofe 
 fijhdaies or any other daies, one or more , or many as oc- 
 cafion ftiall require : as when lately by reafonof Gods vifi- 
 tation, there was a fart commanded ordinarily to be ob- 
 ferued through the whole land, that praier and fupphcati- 
 on might be made the more inllantly vrrto God for the 
 auerting and turning away of his fearefull hand , and as 
 '' Tertullian by way of obieftion tertifieth, that at that ^^TertuUt 
 time in the catholicke church the bifhopvpon like occa- /W^w/o. 
 fions did folemnely call the people to a fart. And this fart 
 confiiliech in abrteiningeither wholly or extraordinarily, 
 but not inabrteining from fuch & fuch meats. Forwhen 
 the timeofrepartcomethjwe hold it alone towards God, 
 whether a man eate fidi or rierti, becaufe ' cuery creature ofi zxim./^./^, 
 God /<s good and nothing to be refufed, if it be receiued vptth 
 thankefgtuing ^ and "' nothing that entreth into the month ^MAt.\<i.\\, 
 defileth aman. As for the po pi (li fart we hold it fenlelcfle „ ^ „. n^ 
 and abfurd, and like to the farting of the old ° Manichees. ^5„|_ Manich; 
 A man filleih himfelfe with marmolcls, and fuckets, and iib.%.(at>.iz. 
 
 K and 
 
• ^Hijf.ze. 
 
 V Cont.Faup. 
 Manich.l.^o, 
 rap.S. 
 
 VheedMTf. 
 fan£l .patrum. 
 cap.^. 
 
 'Socrat.hifi. 
 tib.$.(ap.n. 
 
 fTertul.dtie- 
 iunio. 
 
 66 The Anfwer to D. ^i/J?ops 
 
 and prefcrues , and fine cakes and fugred wines , onely he 
 forbearethflefh, and he is a Cathohcke, he hath done a 
 good and meritorious worke, he hath kept a fall to God, 
 andthisisafatisfaotiontorhisfinnes. A poore labouring 
 mancomming from his workeeatcthapeece of lalt ba- 
 con, and feedethvery barely and fparely thereof, and 
 this man is anheretickeforfooth, hcis vncleaneand muft 
 for this caufe be condemned to the fire. Thisisanhereti- . 
 calldeuifej deftroying true faith, entangling the confci- 
 ence, and hauing no (hew of any warrant or teftimony 
 from the word of God. S. Auttin concerning farting tcl- 
 lethvs, that "^^ pondering the matter tnhia mhide , hee firtdeth 
 that there m precept of faflif^gm the iz-ritrngs of the Enange- 
 lifis and Apofi:les , bptt, faith he , vehat dates tofaji , or not to 
 fafi I doe not finde it fet downe by any precept of Chri(i or hi^ 
 Apoftles. Therefore he fheweth that the old libertie of the 
 church was this, to abfteine ^more or/ejfeas etterj man ei- 
 ther tpHI or can : becaufe/<«/?/«^,as Marcianus told Auitus, 
 is inamansowne power and athts ownewt/i : and becaufe 
 ' there is^othing found roritien a^toHchingit, faith Socrates y 
 itismanifefi that the Apoflles left free power to ettery mans 
 will and difcretion in that behalfe^ xvithom neceffnie or fear e to 
 doe that that pjould be good. To be fliort , the auncienc 
 church ofRome acknowledged the fame, that according 
 to theobferuationof the Apoftles, ^ men are to fafi at their 
 orone difcretion J according as eftery mans times and occajions 
 doe recjuire : that the A^oflles impofed noyol^ of prefcr'tpt and 
 fiandtng fafis that fhould in common be perfonrmedby alh that 
 toperfomme afift certorumeduliorum exceptions rvith ex- 
 ception taken to cert aine meats , as the Montanifts did q:^- 
 ceptag^mi\ fle(h,and broth,a»d wine, fauoreth very ftrong- 
 lyofheathenifhfuperftition. They acknowledged there- 
 fore in this point of falling the fame that we doe. 
 
 As for feall daies we doe nor know that we hane re- 
 ic6led any that are certainly found to hauebeene approo- 
 ued ill the auncient church of Rome. If thebimop of 
 
 Rornc 
 
EpiBb to the IQng. 67 
 
 Rome haue fince fuperftitioufly multiplied the number 
 of them, and added new and falie conceits of worDiip end 
 -. ^ grace, and hohneflevnto them, and hauethereby laied 
 *% voke of vaffalrie and bondage vpon the church, wc haue 
 li^ertie to (hake off his yoke, neither are we heerein to be 
 chargedwicli varying from theold church of Rome, but ic 
 is the new church of Romeicfelfc that ha.h varied from 
 theold. Ifany Miniltersamonoft vs doe impugne anie 
 fealt daies by pubhcke authoritie ellabhfhcd in our 
 church, they beare their blame, but whereas iVl. Bifliop 
 faith, themoflofoHrmmjhers, thereafonis,becaufe/f^/>r<f«- 
 tibm octilis frignlaris Incerna nnmerofa efl. 
 
 p. W. Bishop. 
 
 Vigilantius wufjharpely reproouedbj Satnt Hierome, in a 
 hooke rvritten aaainji him ^and hath hecnc cuer fmce vnt$ this 
 diiy, efieemedarvtckedheretick^, for denjin<T prayer to Saints^ 
 AndhonoHr to be done vnto their Relikes : And yet , what point 
 ofDoclrineis more cnrrmt among the Pretejlames, then thii ? 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 M. Bifhop faith that Hierome doth fliarpely rcproouc 
 Vigilantius, but faith Erafmus and very iuft!y, * he doth •^'■<''"»»J. 
 foraile of him as that I cannot bHtrvtfh that hee had Jhewed ' '** "* '^*' 
 mort modeflte. I would he had dealt by argument onely and had 
 forborne railing ipeeches. Hierome himlelfe elfewhere cal- 
 \Ql\\VigttantiHf^'fanEliJfimHmprfhyterum, a very holy prie/}, ^Hieron.tf.ad 
 and indeed in that that he wrote for ought appeareth he "Paulm. 
 wrote nothing but what might well befeemea very religi- 
 ous and holy man, being olfended ' /<?/??, as he faith , in '^IpudHieron. 
 a manner the cuflomes oft he heathens vnder pretence ofrelin^i- ^'^'*'^'gilant. 
 01 brought into the church. One thing that Vigilantius re- 
 proued was their cuftomeof77^//f& night watches at the 
 fepulchcrs or relikes of martyrs, vnder pretence whereof 
 
 K 2 many 
 
^8 H^eAnfwertoD.SiJhops . 
 
 many lewd a6^s & villanies were done, yet B'terome main- 
 
 teineth the fame very ftiffly . But that notwithftanding th© 
 
 church afterward not following the mind of Hierome but 
 
 ^Erafmitiarrf. rather of Vigilantius^abolifhed thofe Vigils,&madeic 
 
 Uh. adit. Vigi- to oppcatc that Hierome had more contenrioully then iu- 
 
 Unt. diciouljy written in defenfeofthem. Yea and by Hierome 
 
 ^ifiu'cann himfelfeit appeareth that bifliops there were that tooke 
 
 eab.ij, * part with Vigilantius, and approoued that which he 
 
 taught, whole names if they were knowne might happilie 
 
 carry as great authority as S. Hicromes doth. Ijlu ro come 
 
 to the matters that M.Bifliop fpeaketh of as touching 
 
 praier to Saints Hierome faith nothing at all. He only rea- 
 
 foneth that the Saints or martyrs doe pray for vSjbut faith 
 
 nothing to argue that we fhould pray to them. Neither 
 
 did Vigilantius qucftion that matter : for whereas he dc- 
 
 maundeth 5 be the fonles of martyrs alvpaies prefent at their 
 
 afljes , Icaflifanycometofray , they Jhould not beare them be- 
 
 ingabfent , hemeanethit not of any commingto pray to 
 
 the martyrs themfelues, but to pray to God at the places 
 
 oftheirRelikes. Forthey vfedtopray toGod ' adme- 
 
 '"^"l; *" mortar ntartyrum,atthe memorial places of the m(irtjiri,\\\\\c\\ 
 
 ecc ej.ca.i .^ ^^^ ^ ^^^.^^ ^^ lulian the Apodata obiefted to the Chri- 
 
 ^Cyril cont. ^^^^"^ • ' 7°^ callvpon God at thefepulchers ofycttr martyrs, 
 iHlianJikio. who would rather haue obie6ied praying to the martyrcs 
 themfelues if he could fo haue doue.But hence they grew 
 in time to conceiue fuperftitioully that the martyrs hea- 
 ring them at their relikes praying to God did recommend 
 their praiersby their interceltion and make them more ac- 
 ceptable vnto God. But that praier to Saintes was no do- 
 ftrinepublickly receined in the auncient church is hereby 
 infallibly and ineuitably prooued , for that the auncient 
 church though not at the firft yet afterwards three or four 
 hundred yeeres after Chrift did in their publickeliturgie 
 and feruice pray for the Saints. Now to pray for them and 
 to pray to them cannot poiTibly ftand together.That they 
 prayed for them appeareth by Epiphanius his defcnie 
 
 thereof 
 
% EpiJlletotheI\ing, 6^ 
 
 thereof againft Aeriiis , * fir tht righteota ,fir thefathers, stfifhjitr.y^, 
 the patriarchs, the prophets , the Apojlles , Etianqeltfts, mar- 
 tyrs, confejfoars , B'/^JOps , Anchorttes and the whole ranke of 
 the chm-ch. In wha: meaning they did it fhall appeare here- 
 after, but thereby itismanifeit that as yet there were no 
 praiers publickly vied to the (aints. And ahhoughthc 
 fathers indeed doe in diuers places feeme to giuecounte- 
 nance to this fuperllicion whil'^ll caricd away with popular 
 andplaufibledeuotions thcyfearch nothowitmayrtand 
 with other points of Chrillian faith , yetfometimesvpon 
 occalionstheyfo cut away the whole foundation thereof 
 as that the rcll of the building neceffanly muft fall after to 
 the ground. For whereas the end of praying to Saints is to 
 vfe their mediation and intercellion vntoGod , they doe 
 fo challenge this office of intercediue mediation wholly 
 and onlie vnto Chtift as that the Saints mull needesbe 
 wholly excluded from any part thereof. And to this pur- 
 pofe S. Auften notably Ipeaketh '' Hets thepriejlwho heifjg b jtugujiju 
 entredmthin the veile , [aim tbi ex his cjui carnemguftatieruftt P/4/.64, 
 intarpelLitpro nobis j^ only he of them that haue tafied theflefh 
 that there maketh intercejjion for vs. In figure whereof amongfl 
 that firfl people and in thatfirjl temple only the high priefi en- 
 tredintothe holy place ayjdall the people ftoodvptthout. And 
 therefore againft Parmenian the Donatift hereticke ma- 
 king theBirtiop amediatour betivixt Godand thepeoplehe 
 faiethoftheAportleS. lohn : ' tf ^^^'P^ouldthns fajjfanie ij^^fl f^^^^ 
 manfinne yjo'A haue me a mediatotir yeith the father , andltpip.Varmcn, 
 7nake interceffion or 1 entreat e for yourjinnes , what good <^W^'^•-•"^8• 
 faithfuH Chrijlian rcould endure hint ? vchovpouldlookevpon 
 htmasthc dtfcipleofChrijlandnot rather 04 Antichrifi htm^ 
 felfe ? He is the only and the true mediatotir that maketh in- 
 terceffion for aland, none for him. Neither doth Paulmake him- 
 felfe a mediatotir betwixt God and the people, c^c. Tor if Paul 
 were a mediatotir , then (hottldthe rcfi of his fellow ^peftlesbe 
 fo alfoandfo there fhof.ldbe many mediatours^andthereafon of 
 Paul himfelfc- fljonldmt jiandgood whereby hefaied, There is 
 
 K 3 one 
 
70 Tl?e Anfwcr to D. Sifhops « 
 
 tne God and cne mediatour heixv'txt God and man. ^^. Which 
 peremptory aflertion of one mediatour forintercefl'ion 
 vnto God doth vtterly oiierthrow whatfoeuer M. Biiliop 
 canalleage for defenfe ofpraier vnto Saints. And that 
 this was the auncient faith and religionofihe church ic is 
 kQfitren.eont. p^^ine by Origen alfo teaching ^ that God only is to he rcor- 
 Celfttm.lib.%. (hipped and that onr praters are to be tendered or.lj to the only be^ 
 (rotten fonne of God^ that he as the high Priefi may bring the 
 fame to hii God and o^.r God. ^c : \.\\Qi Chrijlians did make 
 ^Lib.$, their praters only to God by lefi44 Ch-n[i : that ^ although the 
 
 an a e Hi befo dititne andexcelUnt in nature Oi that the fcrip lire 
 jomettmes calleth them Gods ^ and they doe brinq^ vnto vs the 
 gifts of God , yet that roe are not for all that to vcorfhip them or 
 to doe diuine honour vnto them, but that all praiers, allfup- 
 plications , and inter ceffuns andthankjgiuings are to be defii- 
 nated vnto God the Lord of alt things , by the high priefi^ the li- 
 ning wordwho ts God greater then all angells : that no man 
 fhould dare to o^er praiers but only to the Lord God ( who alone 
 ts abundantly fuffcient for all ) by ourfautour thefonne of God. 
 Thus that firrt church knew no other praiers butfuchas 
 we make according to the example of all the Saints and 
 faithfull from the beginning of the world only to God by le- 
 fuiChrifl. They would not pray to angels : muchleffe 
 « Thetdoret. in to Saints. The Councell of Laodicea decreed " nepreca- 
 C»Uj[f.cap.i. rentur antelos , that men fhouldnot pray to angells : much 
 lefle did they intend that men fhould pray to men. But 
 the Papirtes doe both and that for a reafon and vndera 
 pretence which the au^icient church condemned in them 
 ^The»d.ihtJ. thatallcagcd it , " that by angells and SsLints they mufi make 
 "uimbrof.in yp^yforthemfeluestothefai^ourofGod, ° euen as by nobles 
 I^m.cap.i. fin^^eat men weproctm accede vnto the king , notconfide- 
 ring,as Ambrofe wel noteth, that as it is treafon vnder the 
 colour offeeking accede to the king by a noble man to 
 giue vnto the nobleman the honour of the king, foitis 
 alfo treafon to God & much more vnder pretence offee- 
 king fauour andaccelle to God by Saiiits and angels to 
 
 giiic 
 
. Epijlle to the K^n^. 71 
 
 giue vnto them the honour of God by making praiers vn- 
 to them.. Yea the aundcntchurch although they didfo 
 conceiue '' that the angclIsas»?/«//?>'/>?^j^/>/V/and w<?//^»- torif.eont, 
 gers doe cxhibite our praiers vnto God by the high pjrieft Celf.ab.S, 
 lefusChrill, and doe themfdiies praie for them thatare 
 committed vnto ther.i 5 yet did relolue that *> invocarenn- q^j^^j. 
 geles , to make frMcrsto theaMgells themfelues is aniniurie 
 vnto God , that the angells ftand well affefted towards vs 
 for doing as they doc, toworfliip God only, and that ' as rjct.g. 
 when the body is moued , thefliadowisallomoued, and 
 which way the body goeth the fame way thefliadowgo- 
 eth, fohauing God fauorable and grations to vs by our 
 due and faithful! worfhipping cf him and calling vpon 
 him J the angels which arc but as his fhadowes are likewife 
 friendlieand louing tovs,lbthat we ncede not fcekcto 
 gain them by any other meanes. And if they thus refblued 
 againrt praier to angels ( exprclly contrary to the do- 
 ftrine of the church of Rome ) much more (hould were- 
 folue the like againft praier to Saintcs of whom we are 
 taught that ' /^(^^wH't/j^^^.-ofwhom wehaucno ground (■ _^ ^ 
 to bcperlwaded that theyhaue that entercourfe betwixt ^* 
 
 God & vs, as the angels hauc,or do any thing for vs as the 
 angels doe.- in whom becaufe they are but onely men, 
 Tertullians argument concerning Chrift muft necdes take 
 place : ' IfChrtn be onely man, why is he in our praiers called ^ . , 
 vpoaaia ntcdtatour , feeing the inuocatwn of. a wan is of no ■j'rmit<€te 
 force to jeeU faluation ? Being onely men they can be no 
 mediatours for our praiers: our praying to them can be 
 nowhithelpefull toourfaluation. Vigilantius therefore 
 in denying prayer to Saints, if he did fo, brought no he- 
 refie or new opirfion into the church, but ontly fought to 
 reduce it to the true faith and integrity of the firft church. 
 A s touching the other point concerning Rcliques, Vi- 
 gilantius was iuftly offended, not thatthefamewereho- 
 ■ouredj but that they were honoured too much, and m 
 other fort then honour was due ynto them. The faalt that 
 
y 2 Tlie Anfiver to D, Sijl70ps 
 
 he found , was that men did worfhip them, and for that 
 « HieroH.*i caufe he rightly termeth them that lb did, " anerarios & 
 J^parittm. idoloUtras ,ap}mongers andidol<jtcrs. For if worfhip and fer- 
 uiceofreligionbenotduetotheSaintsthemfelues, as of 
 praicr we haue already feenc, then furely it cannot be due 
 to their offals and reliques , to afhes and rotten bones, 
 much lelle to their fliooes and (hirtes , and girdles , and 
 fuch other bale and paltrie ftuffc. And plainly it appeareth 
 - that little reckoning they make of preleruing religion en- 
 tireandpure, whoofworfliip which is peculiar to God 
 onely, doe make fo common a thing as to beftowitthus 
 indifferently not tomenoncly, but to mens bones , and 
 to euery thing that by occafion hath beenc vfed by them. 
 Now this worshipping of reliques Hierome wholly dif- 
 Kiiu,Vi£il. claimeth/ayingto Vigilantius : "" Thou maddeman^ who 
 hath at any time worjhipped the martyrs ? who hath gone about 
 efa man to make a God ? plainly rtiewing that to worrtiip the 
 reliques of martyrs, is of men to make them Gods. Yea 
 fEp,ad^i{»tr. he f^th further, "^ fVe doe not adore or worpjip the relicjues 
 of martyrs , no nor the Sume , nor Afoone , nor Angels^ nor 
 [Archangels, nor Chernbim, nor Seraphim, nor any name that 
 is named in this veorld or in the rvorld to come , leaji we poould 
 feme the creature rather then the creatour , who is blejfed for 
 euer. So that as touching the maine point Hierome fub- 
 fcribethto Vigilantius,that the reliques of martyrs are not 
 to be worfhipped, and therefore his teftimonyis cleere 
 and pregnant againftthe Papifts , who doe profeUe the 
 worjhippmg of reliques, and therein as he faith, are guiitie of 
 tfor/hipping the creature in feed of the creatour who is Go A 
 blejfed for euer. Now what conlcicnce is there in thefe men ' 
 to alleage Hieroms contention againft Vigilantius to 
 giue a colour to their rcorfuippwg of reliques , when the 
 words ot Hierome do fo flatly and exprelly condemne the 
 fame C* In all tlieir bookes Hierome ftill is oppofed againft 
 vs, when in the point for which he is alleaged , he (aith no 
 otherwifethenwefay. Nay he doth not onely fay but by 
 
 the 
 
Epijlk to the K^ng, 75 
 
 the Scripture prooueth it alfo. For to flicw t^iat martyrs 
 and reliqnes of martyrs be not to be worfhipped he oriiio- ^ 
 eth the example of ^ Peter , who when CorneHus fell ^^^^ •i<=>«^?' 
 dovvne at his fcete and worpnffed him, lifted him vp i>y the 
 hand.andf.iidvrjto him, itArife,for I alfoamAmxyi.Vi Pe- 
 ter were not to be worHiipped, much lellc are wc to wor- 
 fliipareliqueofPerer. IfPeterfaidetohim thatwoifliip- 
 ped him. Stand vp, for I am but a man, lurely Peters re- 
 liquc if it could IpeakcjWould fay to the woifliippcr ther- 
 of, Stand vp, fori am not a man, lam butaflies,Iambut 
 a bone, much lelle therefore vvorfliip mc : thou (halt wor- 
 (hip the Lord thy God, andhimoncly thou flialt fcrue, 
 whom oneIy&: no other heworOiipped andferuedwhofe 
 relique I am , and himfelfc by no meanes would be wor- 
 fliipped. ' God teacheth f/,faicth Origen, that he himjelfe *Ori^.coHt. 
 cnelj is to ^er^orpjipped : other things arc nothingor rvhatfoe- ^*(/'''^i» 
 fier they are, they are woorthy of honour onely, not ofdeuotion 
 and iPor/hip, which c,w he yeeldedto no creatHre but frith ini'tvy 
 vntoGod. M.Bifliop indeed hcere nameth onely thM}o~ 
 nour ofrelifjites, willing perhaps by a more tolerable word 
 toqualifie thegrofenelleand odioufiieflcof the matter, 
 but the thing that they contend for, is ^ cultu6 dr veneratia *» BeUarJei^. 
 relicfniarum 5 the vporfhipping ofreltques j tumalorum ^ fe- ^"l**''*f*"^-<^'i 
 pulchrorum adoratio : the adoring and ivorpmping offepul- "' ^^' "^'*'"* 
 chersandrehques. If it were but the ^<?««'«r/;?^ of them, the 
 cafe were much different, ' Etiery one that worfjtppeth a 
 thing, honoureth the fame, but etiery one that honoareth doth '^ ^ugu{i.ei>nt. 
 notvporflnp, faith Auftin. But they contend to haue re- ^"■'"' *^'"""""'' 
 liques to be worfliipped, which not wee oiiely , but Hie- "^*^* 
 ronie himlclfe flatly pronounceth to be idolatry. • 
 
 Now whereas Hierome denieth that :iny fuch adora- 
 tion or worfhip was done to reliques,as if Vigilantius had 
 therincalumnioully flaundcred them of whom hefpake, 
 it is manifcll that Hierome was decciued, and that Vigi- 
 lantiushadiurtcaufetofayashedid. For Gaudentius a 
 bifhopofthe fame time that Hierome was, is found to 
 
 L hauc 
 
74 The Anfwer to T>, 'Bijhops 
 
 ^Gduient.in hauc reprooucd feme as gnilcie of ** idolatry , for that to 
 
 Exid.trail.i^. the reliques of their dead and at their fepulchers^ they 
 
 madefeafiifig facrificef, according to the manner of the 
 
 Gentiles. Which Bcllarmine cannot denie , but onely 
 
 * BeBar.de Rt- ^ualifieth the matter, that they werebutfome few, "foma^ 
 
 hq.cat).^. fevf per h.ips, fmh he J did/acrifice to the de^d. But whether 
 
 they were tew or more that skilleth not; cerraineitisthat 
 
 Vig'lantiushadcaufetofpeakeof fome that did wcr/fj:p 
 
 tothefepulchers and relques of the dead. And that they 
 
 were not a/<?ir onely but many, Saint Aullen fhall be a wit- 
 
 j fl . neflTeagainrtBeliarmineinbehalfeofVigilantius. ^ /j^ww 
 
 mortbm eccUf. faith he, that there are mcnj worPnppers offe^ulchers : that 
 
 Ub.i-eap.i^. there are wmy that very luxHrioujly drwke oner the dead^ 
 
 and 7naki*Jg feafies to their car keijes ^ (their reliques) doe 
 
 htirie thernfelnes vpon them th-tt are buried, and repute 
 
 this their furfeiting and drnn^enne^e for a matter of religion, 
 
 Hierome then was to blame fo to raile atVigilantiusas 
 
 if he had deuifedataleofhisownc head, in reproooing 
 
 fomc that were worfhippers of the reliques of martyrs and 
 
 dead men, feeing it appearcth fo plaiwly by Gaudentius 
 
 and Auftin that there were many that did fo. Hierome 
 
 therefore acknowledging that this ought not to be done , 
 
 iuftifieththe fpeech of Vigilantius, andcondemneththe 
 
 papifts for doing that which Vigilantius by Hieromes 
 
 owne teftimoniedidiuftly reprooue. 
 
 Another thing that Vigilantius dilliked , was the fet- 
 sHimffjr.tfi* tingvpof tapsrsandcandelslightedatnooncday. °' We 
 ^'^ feealmoft the cufiome of the Gentiles, faith he, vnderplow of 
 
 religion brought into the church that the Sunne-brcad fhining 
 numbenof tapers are liahted^ Sic. Thefc men doe great ho- 
 nour to the martyrs^tothinkethatthey rKHsh hafie Itghtyecl- 
 ded them by paltrie candels, when oi the lambe tvho is in the 
 widdefi of the throne with all the bright ncjje of his m.ne^y doth 
 giue them light. Which doth no: feemc to be the fpeech of 
 an hereticke, but rather ofa fnithfull Chriftian man, due- 
 ly and rightly perf^aded of the blelled ftate and portion 
 
 of 
 
EpMe to the IQ}ig. 75 
 
 of the Saints. The fettingvp of candels lighted in the day 
 tJmc,Tertr.lIian noteth to haue becneamatter of folemni- 
 tie amongft the heathens , and denieth that Chriftians 
 did '' lucernis dtem infrw^ere , hy candle li^ht gee about to ^TtrtH\,^fiU. 
 difamtHtheday, New if Ambrofe thought fit to aboh'fli ''*•3J• 
 tho^e night watches and mortnnriefeailes before fpokcn 
 of,notoncly for the aiioidingof furfeitingand drunken- 
 ne{re,biitaIfo ' cjuUillat^u^f j>arent alia fuperff it torn gemi^ ^^urConftfT 
 IthmejJeKtJimtlUma, l^eautfe the fame in the wanner of parcn- hke.Lp.x, 
 tallfacrificcs were altogether like to thefuperjlition of the Gen- 
 tiles : might not the lame reafonfufficiently excufc Vigi- 
 lantius for being offended to fee men by their dij-candle- 
 light to le: before them the, cnftome of the heathens to 
 be followed \n thechurch : efpecially feeing the CounccU 
 ofEliberis had before flatly decreed that iwen^Jhouldnot HomU.Elil,tr, 
 hy dAy-hght fet vp tapers or candels lighted in their church- f'*'».34« 
 yurda?^ But the beft is,that Hierome himfclfe difdaimeth 
 this alfo : '/^^-jfaiih hc^doenot ticndcandels hj day-light^ as , , ^ .. 
 thoHwithoHt caufe accufefivs, but that by the comfort heereof '^'^'**^'^'Sf^' 
 we may delay the darkenejfe of the night , and may rratch by 
 the light thereof, <S:c. Onely headdeth : If any of ignorance 
 or fimpUcitie either Jecular men or deuout tromen , of whom vpe 
 may truely fay , They haue the z,eale of God but not according 
 tokriowledge, doc this in the honour of martyrs , Vfhat lojfe ts 
 thdttothee? This he gocth about prepofteron(]y to ex- 
 cnfe by the example ofiMarie Magdalens annointingour 
 Sainour Chnd, and by their intent ofdcuotion,perucrting 
 tothatpurpofeafentenceoftheApoftle, as if he had left 
 euery man in Inch matters to follow his owne minde, and 
 asif itwcrenotamifle, which as we haue heard S. Am- 
 brofe fb mncadiliikedj todoethat to martyrs now in de- 
 uotion, which was done to idols before time. But yet we 
 fee hcere that what Hierome denieth tobedoneby him- 
 felfc or others fuch as himfelfc: what heimputech to ig- 
 norance and fimplicitie , and confelleth to be done by 
 none but fuch as haue the zealc of God,buc not according 
 
 • L 2 to 
 
'J 6 Tl^e Anfwer to 2). !Bip)ops 
 
 to knowledge , and fceketh rather to excufe then to de- 
 fend, that now the Papiftshaue taken vp, andvjeitasan 
 important ceremonie or religion, to burnc day-light with 
 candels before their Samts and leKqucs ; and yet pretend 
 Hieroms authoritie and ex-^.i^iple for the doing of it. Sure- 
 ly M.Bilhop we might woonder at thisj but that we kirow 
 a badcanfecanhaiieno better defence , and fuch game- 
 ftcfsas you are canno: thrinebut by falfeplay. 
 
 Asforthetruehonoucthatis due to the Saints and 
 „- . ' . their relicksAverefufe not to yeeld it vnto them. The ho- 
 Ctlfum.ub.S. nouitnat is duevnto their bodies is f/^^" "" folemfjehomurof 
 'CyriUonUu' bur'toll , asOrigen termethit, " mtto leme their relickes 
 Uan.Ub.io. or dead bodtes n(ik£d,or care/ejlj to caji them on the ground, but 
 decently and in good order to comr or hide the fame in the 
 •2.K/ff?.z3.i8 bofome of thetr mother ^ the defth of the earth, and there ° to 
 let themalone andnot toremooue their bones. Thus the pa- 
 triarchs and righteous men ofthe.old Teftament honou- 
 red their dead concerning their bodies. : and although la- 
 cob and lofeph embracing by faith the promife of God 
 pGe».47.i9. concerning the land of Canaan and '^ deliring euen in bu- 
 ^ jo-if • riall to enioy the fame as the figure and pledge o£the hea- 
 uenly and cnerlafting reft , were according to their defire 
 earied thither to be buried , yet where they were once bu- 
 ried, there they were fuffered to reft. They were not firft 
 ^ Gw.jo.7. buried in one place & after remoued to another , but "^ la- 
 cob wascaried thither prelently vpon his death , and lo- 
 'Geu.^o.t^.t€ fephs body being in the n^eane time 'cmbaumedandput 
 tExodA^.j^, jntoacheftwas '' taken with the childreji oflfrael when 
 » hfuahjU.p, they went o ut of Egypt and afterward ' buried in the lot 
 of his inheritance , and thencefourth they were no more 
 medledwith : menkeptnopeecesofthem, they vfedno 
 worfhip or deuotion towards them , they made no pilgri- 
 mages to tbem , they fought not for any help or comfort 
 *z.lC/fl.i3.ii. by them. And although afterwards by the " bon|[Sof 
 Elizeus a great mitacle was wrought by raifinga dead man 
 to life agame p yet were they not hereupon taken vpand 
 
 caried 
 
Episik to the K^ng. 7*7 
 
 caricd with folemnitie from one place to another, but 
 where they were buried there thef^remainedlbll. Thus 
 in the new teftament the bodie of " lohn Baptift was ho- *Mat.\^.iu 
 nourcd,andthebody of • Steucn^and no ocherwife. Nei- '^<^.8.a. 
 therdowefindany exarr. pies that make for the who cary 
 not the bodies of Saints from one place to another at fiiit 
 to bury them, but diggethtmvp from the places where 
 they are alreadie buried : nordoeremoue them to anie 
 ipeciall place fm^lified by the promife of God as the land 
 of Canaan was, but thinke by them to make the places 
 more holy to which they remooue thcnv,which lacob and 
 lofeph intended not. Kowmuchlefiefliallwe findcanie 
 examples toiullifie thePapiftes whodigge vp dead bo- 
 dies, & either whole orpeccemealckeepcthem vnburied 
 to bccaried about and fliewed, and fcei).ej& touched, and 
 ki(red,and honored by gifts and offeringes , and worfliip- 
 ped,and praied vnto and leforied vnto for heahh and 
 helpe with fundry other deuotions whereby they vfe them 
 rather as the idols of the heathen then as the dead bodies 
 of holy menc* The word of God taught the church of old 
 l\\a.Vf recto Hi inthe fight of the Lordt-s the death of his Saints, % ■pfal.u6.i'). 
 and yet hath it not taught any fuch deuotions towards 
 them, and we are dainty toadmittthatforan honour of 
 Saints and their relickes whereof we findeneither precept 
 nor example either amongit theparriarkesand prophets 
 oftheoldTeftament, ortheEuangelifts andApoftlcsof 
 the new. 
 
 Now as for other monuments either of apparell or o- 
 iher implements that haue beene in the vfe & occupation 
 of martyrs and holy men,to kcepe thefameas memorialls 
 
 . and tokens of remembrance and loue, may eafely be yeel- 
 ded to the (atisfa6tion and pleafing of humane fancy , as 
 * Antony the eremite kept a garment of Paul the eremite ' ^'«»'«»- '»'>"■- 
 his predeccnor, and " AthanaHus the like of the fame An- '"^f '' ^I'""' 
 tome, but to keepethe iame by way ofdeuotion, and to-^,/^ ^ntmij, 
 
 -lay them vp in houies of reljgion,to haue worfbippe done 
 
 L 3 vnto 
 
78 The Anfwer to D. Hipops 
 
 vnto them it can be acaOiDg;ed no other but plaine heathc- 
 ^ nifmeandidolarry. Balbd^h^inthiskinde ofrelickesand 
 
 in the rel icks of Saints bodies fuch haue bcene the notable 
 impofturesandcofinagesandvillanies wherewith the di- 
 uell by the fa6^ours of the church of Rome hath abufed 
 and deluded theworId,asthattheyhaiieiuftIytherby de- 
 ferued to be holden accurfcd both of Go4and menj nei- 
 ther canwe account M.Bifhop and his fellowes any other 
 but a Ci ue of moft impudent and fhameles men,who after 
 fo plaine difcouery thereof doubt not liillto perfeuerein 
 the defenfe of fuch horrible abhomination . As for any fur- 
 ther honour to Saints or Relickes befidc that we haue fpo- 
 ken of, we know none, but to commend their vertues,^* 
 « Heh.S.it^^ "folloTv their good confierfat'ion , xhetrpdth Mjd. ■patience, their 
 J 3 •7« conftancy in '^ twt iou'mg their lines v^to death for the tefltrKO- 
 
 ^^pof.iiii. ^yoflefw Chrifi]hut no more are wee to worfliipthem 
 then we our felues looke to be worftiipped of others here- 
 after, or then they worfliipped others that were before 
 them. To conclude what Cyrill of old taught againrtthe 
 calumniations of lulian the Apoftata concerning the mar- 
 * Cyriltm. tyis, the fame wee teach, and neither more nor lelle " that 
 lulian. lih,6, thej are to he honoured with perpetuallpyaifes^ hut r;either doe 
 we call them gods, neither are rvervoont to worfhiptkem.The 
 do6i:rine therefore that is currant amongft theProtdlants 
 isyet found to be no other but what of old was currautiti 
 the true church, and therefore the imputation of apoftafie 
 lieth not vpon vs,but vpon them,who contrary to the do- 
 ftrineand pra6iife.oftheauncient church worfliippe Re- 
 lickes, and pray vnto them, and though they fay not, as 
 f BelLir.de ^■' Bellarmine excufeth the matter , ^ O holy Rchckes pr^yfor 
 ^"^ •"•*'w, fand no more doe they fay to their Images, G holy 
 JwAges pray for vs ) yet as they worfliip Images lb worfhip 
 Relickes, and as they pray to Images, fo pray to Relickes, 
 euenasto themwhofe Relickes and Images they be and 
 in both commit that idolatry which antiquiry would haue 
 accurfed to hell fire. 
 
 10. W. Bishop. 
 
Ep'tjlk to the i^Vg. 7^ 
 
 I o. W. B I s H o p. 
 
 /» Itkefortf , one Acrius to the Arrian herejie , ad^cA this j^^ ^ i ^. • 
 ofhisovpne ; That we muft not pray for thefoules of our hxuf.u.' 
 friendes departed;.?^ S. Augiiftinc hath re^iflrcd. Anddoe 
 not all Protejlants embrat e and earnejllj defend thefame? 
 
 R. Ad EOT. 
 
 I Hiould hauc woondered , jM. Birtiop , if you had 
 omitted praier for thedelij, being the fairell flower in the 
 Popes|ardcn , a mainc fupportcr of his kingdomcand of 
 the ti'w^ipjnd of his triple crowne. Soone would a great 
 partofycpf occupa;(yon grow to decay if ye did not hold 
 men in this perfwaiion that the deadftand in neede of 
 thepraiers anddeuotions of them that are aliue. As for 
 vs M feemeth very ftrange to vs that if it be fo no mention 
 fhould be made thereof amongft fo many examples as are 
 fct downe in holy fcriptuie of them that haue died , wiucs 
 from their husbandes , parents from their children , chil- 
 dren from their parents, kings from their fubie6ls, friends 
 from their friends; neuer was there any of them praied for 
 fince the world began. It is more llrangc thatMofes in 
 the law fliould prclcribe no part of this demotion, no prai- 
 crs, nofacrificesfor thedcad : and yet fliould charge the 
 people of God as to take nothing from the Law , lb to * , p 
 adde nothing to it. And though Mofes and the prophets 
 had lb negligently omitted it , would Chrift and his Apo- 
 ftles be io forgetfull as not to vfe one word to recommend 
 fonecefTary a matter to the prac^ife of the church f yea 
 would Paul, whom the Pope for very pure loue hath 
 made hisfword-bearer,would hepurpofely fetting downe 
 inftru6lions concerning '' the dead be fo careles as not to ^i.rhtff.e^ 
 wifli that they fliould be praied for :* But as touching this i^.^f* 
 Epiphanius refolueth vs that praier for the dead is a mat- 
 tes 
 
8 © 77;e Anfwsf to V.Sipops 
 
 *£piph.h£r 7< ^^^ ^^ ' f^^^'^^^^" ^^^ ^^ ordinance of the church , and there- 
 * fore freeth vs from any trefpalle againll any thing that 
 Mofes or the prophets or Chriltand his Apolllesinthe 
 fcriptures haue deliuered vnto vs. Yea but M. Bifliop teU 
 leth vs out of S. Auftin that Aerius was adiudged an here- 
 ticke for denying praierfor the dead. Indeed Auftinfo 
 found icin Epiphanius and accordingly he hath deliucred 
 it , butit being confefled that praier for the dead is a tra- 
 dition and ordinance of the church, there growcth a que- 
 ftion whether a man for trefpallmg an ordinance of the 
 church be to beTeputed anhereticke c'Nay indeed it is no 
 queftion : for herefieftandeth not in matter of fa6l but in 
 matter offaith. Thechurch prefcribed this tobedone, 
 but the do6lrine offaith had prefcribed nothing to be be- 
 leeued thereof. We condemne Aerius for an hereticke 
 iBafii.de fbir. fo^that whichas '^ Bafil witnefieth hetaught againftthe 
 fan^.cap.z. faith , if at leaft it were the fame Aerius ; but we dare not 
 fo thinkeofhim for denying praier for the dead, becaufe 
 therein he (aid nothing againlt the faith. For the do6trine 
 *^boc 14 12 offaith is that they '' ivhtch dye or are dead'm the Lord are 
 *JE/i.57,2. hlefjed and doe refi from their lahoff/s j that they arc ^ in 
 tvhil.i.zi. peace'ythaz ° death is adftantage' vnto them^bcc^Luic to them 
 'very: 23. fo^^ •• dijfo/f^ed tj to he rvkh Chrtfi , and ' toremoone cm of 
 * ^•^'"'•^ • the body us todrvell rvith the Lord ; that the Angells doe at- 
 tend them to carie their foules as ihey did the fouleof La- 
 ^Luc.id.iz. zarus ** into Abrahams hfor/te, that is to fay ' into the ki^g- 
 ^Mat.^.ii, dorne of hearten. Ifthisbetheir (late , asitis, then are our 
 praiersof noeffc6l vnto them 5 they neede them not and 
 becaufe they neede them not , we are not to vfethcmjM. 
 ^T4gi%. Bifliop hiiiifelfebearing witncllethatitis '" fond and fri- 
 uoloustopray for eternalllifetobe giuentothem which 
 arealreadyin full and aflured poffeHion of it. Andfurely 
 the auncient church at the firft intended nothing contrary 
 to this faith. They vfed folemnity for thefaithfull decea- 
 fed , but that was only commemoration and thankfgiuing 
 to (hew that they prefumed of their blille and happinefle, 
 
 not 
 
Epijlle to the J^ng, S r 
 
 not any praier whereby to procure them ca^e and ddiue- 
 rance from Purgatorv panics. And this appeareth mofl: 
 plainly by the wordcs ofOrigcn. " iFe <, LnhVic , ace mt ,^ ' 
 celel^ratc any Inrth d,.ij , hecaufc t hat is the entrance of for owes 
 afjd temptations : hntive celebrate the day of death oa being the 
 putting away of all for owes and the efcaping of all temptations. 
 We celebrate the day of death, becaufe they dye not whtch fecme 
 to dye. Par that canfe alfo rre obferue memorialls of the Saints 
 and deuotitly kcese remembrance of our parents and friends dy- 
 ing in the fitth, a: Ta?ellreioycingat theirrcfrrfymtnt dndeafe, 
 as cratiiniT^fcr ourfelues a Godly confummatton in thefatth.JVe 
 celebrate it calling tcget her deuotit perfons n ith t he priejls ; the 
 faithfull brethren togither rvith the clergy ,. itjuiftng moreouer 
 thepoore and needy, feeding the orphanes andividoives that our 
 folemnttie may be for a memorialloj refltothefoules departed 
 Vfhofe remembrance we celebrate ^and to vs may become afveet 
 favour in thefght of the euerUfling God. This is a perfect 
 de/cription of their vfhgctowards thedead : they imagi- 
 ned nothing but reft tothcfoules of them that were de- 
 parted in tile faith, and therefore rcioyced ouer them, but 
 vfed noprnier for them. And therefore they comforted 
 men to die without fearc or doubt, and with certaine ex- 
 pe6lationofrcftandpevice, as " Cyprian doth : and ac- " Cyp.de Mer- 
 cordiUgly gaue comfort as touching the dead , that they '"'• 
 vrere "" not to be bev:>ailcdas bcinq in mtferie, but that they haue ,. . " ' ' 
 
 ; tirntia. 
 
 attetned their def re : 'i thatwe are not to put on blacky mo fir- "xcypr.dtmor- 
 ning garments ffth they haue put on white : that they hue »ith tdu, 
 God^andthatwe fljoHldhaflen to cometo them. With much 
 more which Cyprian moll notably Tpeaketh to that pur- 
 pofe; but of Purgarorie or praier for the dead no intimati- 
 onatall. Yea and although ahcrwardthankefgiuing for 
 thedead were in Tome part turned to praier for the dead, 
 yet wasnottharpraierfor the dead intended for any dcli- 
 uerancefrom Purgatorie paines , without which Popifh 
 praier for the dead hath no vfe at all,bnt it ferued partly to 
 teftifietheaft'eclion of theliuingtothedead j and partly 
 
 M to 
 
8 2 The Anfwev to T>, 'Sijhops 
 
 toexprclTe to the liujng what hope there remaineth in 
 death, for them that Iiuc and die faiihfull to the Lord. 
 And this plainly appeareth by him than was the author of 
 ihQEcclefiaflicaUHieriirchit vnder the name oi DUnyftiu 
 Areopagtta, whofettingfoorth the vfageof the church in 
 'Dyonlf.^reo- thisbehalfc, faieth that the man dying '' as betngnow come 
 f"'g- " ^J' "~ to the laft aci of all hi-s comitates , is fe^leniflos^ with a holy 
 reioycmg , and vetth gr^M cheenfuineffe entreth the ivaj of 
 the holy fecond i>irth, that is , the Tefarre^ion 5 tvell knove- 
 itigthat hep^allwholly when he hath ended hi-s life , atteine 
 tofxveete and p leaf ant reft , and therefore heholding cleerely the 
 Tvajthiit bringethtoimmortahtie, as mere at hand he pratfeth 
 the gift of God and is filed with dmine ioy, becaufe hefeareth 
 not any change to tvoorfe^ bntfurely knoweth that hefliall haue 
 fare and euerlaflingpojfe/pon of thofe good things tvhich he /hall 
 atteine vnto. Where we are firft duely to obferue with 
 what mmde the faithful! then died, who feared no change 
 to woorfe , butrefolucd thcmfslues that they (hould goe 
 to ioyfull and pleafant reft; and therfore neuer once drea- 
 med of any Purgatorie , nor did befpeake any maffes of 
 Requiem, oxDiri^ees, or pardons , or any other fuch Po- 
 pim meanes to be deliuered from thence. Now it follow- 
 eth huthev , The friends of him that is dead, faith hc^accofint 
 him, oi he is,blejfed,for that he hath according to his defire at- 
 teinedto the end of his vi&oric , and with fi^gjyjg they gitie 
 thanks to the amhour of that vt^orie , and farther rpip} the 
 Itks re/i v>7to themfelues. In all this we fee them as farre 
 from any opinion of Purgatorie, as the Popes purgatorie 
 isfarrefromheauen, neither would they haue wifhed the 
 like refl vnto themfelues if they,had put the cafe that per- 
 haps the dead had no better reft then Purgatorie fire. Af- 
 ter this he flieweth that the dead was caried to the bifliop 
 or minifter, that that mightbe done which wasaccufto- 
 medattheburiallofthedead. The congregation was af- 
 fembled, the nouicesinfairh were difmiffed, but fuch as 
 ftoode excommunicate for euill life were admiited, be- 
 
 c^ufe 
 
EfMetothetQng. 8| 
 
 caufe it might happely doe them good when thej fljouldfee that 
 he that dted holilj w^is holily recommended , Ai i^cwgpartal^et* 
 with the holy men or Saints that hatie beenc from the beqJK' 
 ning, and they might be taught thit trtiely b/ejfed is the death 
 whereby a man dieth in Chrifl. Then followed the praier, 
 that Godtrou/d forgive to him that 'iVits dead all the finncs that 
 he had committed by humaae f-ailtte, and n-ohld brine him 
 into the light and lan\ of the huing , into the bofome of ylbra- 
 ham, Ifaac.and htcob, into the place from ir hence flicth allCor- 
 rorv , heuuinefje, andm-ofo-ning. Where we fee no Popifh 
 praier for the uead to be dcliuercd from Purgatory pains, 
 nor any othcrmeanes vied to that purpofe. And that we 
 may fully know that ifo liich thing was mcnt , he himfclfe 
 n^ooueththequtftion, why the Bifhop or the minifter 
 doth fopray , that God would forgiile to the dead his 
 fins, Sc giuc him the hk^ inhciitaiicc with them that haue 
 followed the Lord , feJeing God hath alt^.idy appointed 
 Uich reward to thofe that dictohim. Where if any Pur- 
 gatoriehadbcenebelceuedjithad beene the place to an- 
 fwcrjthat indeed God had promifed fnch lewards: but yet 
 firrt a man mullgoeto Purg.ltorie rirCjthereto Huisfie for 
 thofe offences for whidhhehath not madeful fatisfa6fio 
 whilelf heliued, and that this praier was vfed to deliuer 
 thedeadfromthatgrieuous tormenting fire. Buthe an- 
 fwereth no foch matter, botthatthe bifhop or pricftthus 
 praieth, to decLtreto Godwhoi^ the loner of goodmen, that he 
 is affeSledtorvardstkemin like fort : and being the interpreter 
 of the coHnfell of God, to fet foorth to them that are prefent the 
 rewards and goodthi'f'gsvcbfch fjall befallto holy men ; andac^ 
 cording to the crmmijjicn efChrtJl'-, JVhatfoeiter yee binde on 
 earih pjatl be bouKdinheaHen,(3~c. to fetter the forts of men 
 and 04 thepoytet^ to admit and let in to Godthofe that arc beloo- 
 ttedofhim, and exclude' and fittt ortt vrichedmen: becaufe 
 this pra^er was not comrhon to aljbut vfed onely for them 
 in rejpecl of whom he had the promtfc of God that he Jhouldbe 
 heafd, and therefore he prated not for prophane or vnhcly men, 
 
 JN'l 2 ° but 
 
84 Tl?e Anfwer to D, 'Bifhops 
 
 h fit for fuch (U had lined iuflly and hotily , and hudjheveed 
 themfelueswoorthy tohe prated for. Seemq^ therefore God hath 
 vromifed a moji gloriom and dtui.ie hfe to them that lined 
 heere a holie life ( hit k^ndenejfe and merctfult goodnejfe 
 paffing by the blottcs n^hich humane frailiie hath cafi vp- 
 on the?n ) hee prajeth that thefe thinges may accordingly 
 come to pajfe , and as Gods interpreter dcclareth that thofe 
 thinas which by a f acred and holy injittutton he here rehearfcth 
 Jh all verily befdl to them rrho in a Godly life depart oat of this 
 rporld.WWich declaranbn taken out ofthe cxprefle words 
 ofDionyfiiis doth make it euidentand plainethat their 
 praier for the dead ferued only for a teilification ofthe 
 promifeof God to the righteous , and to declare that the 
 lame did appcrtaine to the deceafed , and therefore to the 
 notice and fight ofthe church to inueftand inter him to 
 the poflfcirion thereof, thatasakinghauingihc rightand 
 polTeiTionof his kingdome.yetby folemnity of coronati- 
 on receiueth full inueftmcnt to his throne, fo the faithf ull 
 enioying in death the piomiled blille andhappinellcof 
 the Saints might by this folemnity andashecalleth it sxict- 
 vcov hfav Jh'sii>j the aiuing ofthe f acred crovi>nes, receiue in the 
 cies of the church alfoa fullteftimony and confirmation 
 thereofjthe bifhop praying for none but for luch to whom 
 he knew God hadpromilcd to doe that which hepraied 
 for. Albeit, becaufe he faith that in this a6lion 'wasma- 
 tjAged the vphole falaation ofthe rvhole man, and the fgnif cati- 
 on ofthe refurreciion from the dead.and it could not be but 
 that they had a refpe^vnto the body ofthe departed ly- 
 ing bebretheir eics, apreparation w hereof to the refur- 
 region they Ihadowed by annointing it now going to the 
 ground} moftcertaineitisthatintheir praicrthey had a 
 fpeciall referencethcreunto that as they beleeued that the 
 foule now according to the promifeof God receiuedreft 
 and bliOTe with God , fo the whole man , both body and 
 foule iointly mightat theiefurre6^ion receiue the fruitc 
 and benefice ofthe for£iuen£lTe offinnes and place with 
 . Abraham, 
 
Epifilc to the I\ing, 85 
 
 Abrahnm , Ifaac and lacob in the kingdcme of hcauen* 
 In all which diicourle lo l.irgely let downe by Dionyfios, 
 whatfoeuer he vvere,to declare thecuftcmeotthc church 
 at that time wherein he liucd , we finde nothing butrelt 
 and peace and blidc and happinefleto the deccafed for 
 whom they praied,according to the promifeof God to the 
 righteous that in death they fhould be partakers of euer- 
 lalling lifej but as for Purgatory or M.Bifhops prayer for 
 the dead to be deliuercd from the paines thereof, there is 
 not fo much as one fyllable to import it. The like praier 
 for the dead Epiphanius mentioncth, ^ Fortheiufi , the ^ T^plplumMr, 
 fathers, the patriarchs, the prophets, the ApeFiles , EpMMge-Ti* 
 Itjli ^martyrs, confejp>t4rs. c^c. And why fFor they doubt- 
 ed not of all thcle but that they were in heauen : why then 
 did they pray for them < Marrie cuen for that caufe as the 
 church before had Aowc^that it might thereby bevnderflood 
 that the f aithf till deceafed are not peripyed bm arc ftill being and 
 liuingmth the Lord. Another realbn he telleth vs, vt do- 
 mmum lefum Chriftiim nb homimtm or dine fepar emus , Qrc, 
 that we m^y [encr our Lord lefw Chrifi ficm the ranke of all 
 other men by the honour that we doe vnto him^ and may yeelde 
 him worfhip, cofidering t hat though a man Hue a thoufand times 
 righteoujl/yjet he u not Uke vnto him : importing hereby that 
 Chrift only was perfedly righteous, but for others, there 
 was no man, howfoeuer righteous he were, but that his 
 righteoufnefle needed entreaty to God for mercy, and 
 therefore whereas Chrilt was to be praied vnto , all other 
 were fuch as that they rather needed to be piaied for: 
 whence I inferred before and that by neceilanc confe- 
 quence, that becaufe the auncient church did pray for the 
 Saints, without all controuerfie they did not pray vnto 
 them. Thus were they putto fliiftsto deuife realbnsof 
 their praier for the dead , and yet could neuer light vpon 
 that reafbn which is the only fupport of that praier for the 
 dead, which M. BiOiop feekcth to approoue. Albeit Epi- 
 phanius herein (heweth that fome alteration there was 
 
 M 3 from 
 
86' The Anfwer to D. ^ifiops 
 
 from the auncienterchurchjbecauferhey had now begun 
 toprajfor mercy for fmners after their death, that is for pub- 
 lickeand notorious finnerSjwhich.Dionyfius iaiththefor- 
 mer church was not woont to doe. But with what minde 
 or for what caufe they did fo,Epiphanius fbeweth notjnei- 
 ther can it be gathered by his wordes : for deliuerance 
 from Purgatoiie it could not be, becaufePurgatorie,as 
 t^hhonfJe thePapiftes themfelues confelle,was ' not receuicd or be- 
 Cafire adu.htr, Iceueci in the Greekcchurches, whereof Epiphanius was, 
 lib.s.tit.de In- nor haih becnctill thisdaie. And liively dilputingpur- 
 p 'fT^r- po^*^^y againft Acrius in the defenic of that cuftome of 
 detnlem.'lf- P'^^V'^g ^^"^ thedcadjnothing had been fo ready to Itoppe 
 rum. lib.s.ca.i. his mouth and to vphold that cuftome as the allegation of 
 txBoffenf, Purgatorieif anyfuch thing had beene then receiuedin 
 the church. Butic was only humane afteftion that pre- 
 nailed herein ; it was thought to be a goo-d minde to wiOi 
 well tothcdcad , andwhiieftmengaueway to thei.rowne 
 fancies in this behalfe (liperftition grew more and more, 
 and that which with Dionyfuis was peculiar to iuft and ho- 
 ly men togiue them in fome rortridmillionto heauen be- 
 came common and Indifferent to alland had other deuo- 
 tions added vnto it with opinion to mkigate, if need fo re- 
 quired, the very paines ol: hell. This Aenus fpake againlt", 
 and mdeed fpake againlht with greater reafon then Epi- 
 »<:4^4ni.Co»-p|^gi^jyj^^j.j^ j^Pgj^Jgjjj.. ycathetruthis,as " Callander 
 
 fleratMin'x. confefled to Maximilian the empeiour,that it , can notbe 
 
 gathered by any conftantagreementofthedo6^rineofthe 
 
 church at that time whatcertaine vfethey meant to make 
 
 ofthcir piaiersand deuotions for the dead, or what was 
 
 thecondition andftatcof thefoules for which they prai- 
 
 ed. The cuftome thereof was vfuall inthe church , but 
 
 men'knew not what thechurch might intend in the doing 
 
 thereof. Hereupon Dulcitiusmocued thequeftionto 
 
 r A „ n J ' Auftin ^ M^hether the offerint^made for the dead dtA anjgood 
 
 %Elo tuaft DhI- ^° the'tr joules ^feeing it is cuident^ faith \\Q.,ihat it is by our owtfe 
 
 tit^.^.z. deedes that we are either helped or hmt , and vee read that in 
 
 hell 
 
Episile to the i\in^, 8y 
 
 hellno MAM can m^ke confejjion to God. He knew no purga- 
 tory ,he knew nothing for the dead bnt heaiien or hell 5 o- 
 therwifehc hadbeene well enough able to anlwerehim- 
 lelfeas touching this point. Now foranfvvere hereof S. 
 Auftin telleth him that r,^iiny indeede didfay m touching this 
 poifity ifth 're were any good to be dm in this behalf e after death ^ 
 horvmtHhmircjhould the fonle it fetfe procHre eafefor ttfelfc 
 byttovone confejfmg of fnnes there , then by any oblation that 
 here is procured for the eafe thereof. Therefore by S. A urt in 
 himfelfe it appeareth that there were many that did then 
 difpute againll that vfage and cuftome of the church, 
 whom he condemneth not , he chargeth them not with 
 anyherefie, hegoeth not about to confute their faying: 
 nay he reciteth their opinion nooiherwifebutas probable 
 and likely to giueDulcitius fatisfa6tion ofhis demaund. 
 But yet finding that cuftome ofpraiersand oblations in 
 the Church he laboured to make the bell of it , that there 
 rpos no doubt but fome good came to the dead thereby ^ butbe~ 
 canfe it rvasfaid that ive/hould alrcceiue according to the t kings 
 that we haue done inonr bodies , it vp as to be vnderfloodthat 
 this good redounded to none but to thofe that had ledftich a life 
 in the body oi that thefe things might doe them good. Thus be- 
 caufe he would not haue mentopreiudicate theobferua- 
 tion of the church hewillhaueit thought that there com- 
 methfomegood ofthcfe deuotions, but when hecom- 
 meth to fetdowne what that good is he cannot tell cer- 
 tainly what to fay. Either thej atiailetofuttremiffion^ or 
 elfejurely to procure a more tolerubJe damnation. A veri'e 
 doubtfullanfwercjand one part thereof the Papiltcs them- 
 felucsreie6l as altogether falfe. For '' they deny that prai- yzetdtVur 
 er for the dead extendeth to the damned, and therefore '\igatJi.z.(itf.\%, 
 cannot procure for them any mitigation of their damnati- 
 on. Asfor forgiueneileof finnes there can be noneafter 
 this life , for where there is no repentance there can be no z cyprian.adu, 
 torgiueneffe ; but ^ after that ne are gone from hente there Vemetriatt. 
 tsttoplAce, faith Cyprian j /or Any repentance j there is no 
 
 bootc 
 
88 The Anfwer to D, 'Sifiops 
 
 * jtmhTof.ie ^^"'^ of any fatisfaEiion : no place therfore is there left for 
 ioHtmort.c.i, anyforgiueneffe. Therefore Ambrofe faith that * Dautd 
 . f rated to haue his Jins forgiuen him before he departed t hts life^ 
 kecaufe , faith he , he that here receiaeth not forgiuenejfe of 
 finnes, Jhallnot be tn the inheritance cfrhe Saints : for he can- 
 not come to eternail life , begaufe eteri'MUhfe is theforgitienejfe 
 offinnes, that IS, isatteined vntobyforgiuenelleoffinnes. 
 Yea and what finnes they arethatfliouldbe forgitcen after 
 ^jtw.itcwit. this life, S. A lift in profefieth that ^ byallthefearchthathe 
 "Dei. li.ii.c.f/. couldvfe he ceuldneuer atteineto ^'?orr. The Papirts tell vs 
 that they are only veniall finnes 5 but S. Auftinlaithin that 
 place that they are fuch finnes by which amandierhiu 
 cafe to be call into hell fire, becaufe he roakeththevieof 
 thofe praiers and intercefnons to be this, "Jtne'mignem 
 e^Mif^ mittatur sternum, that a r/ian may not be cajl into euer- 
 lafitngfire , whereof there is no danger with the Papiftcs 
 for their vcniall iinnes. Thus S. Aulbn and they agree 
 like harpe and harrowjhc neither laith as they fay,nor they 
 as he. Heafrirmeth that vfeofpraier for the dead, to free 
 men from euerlalling fire or to giue them eafe therein, 
 which they vtterly denic j and they aftirme that vfeof 
 praier for the dead to deliuer men from Purgatorie fire, 
 which heneuer knew. For of Purgatorie fire he anfwereth 
 nothing, which had ferued moit pregnantly for the deci- 
 ding of all that doubt. Indeed there wns begun in that 
 time fomefpeech thereof, but he pLuhly l]ieweththathe 
 «D 8 I? could not-tell what to thinke of it. He thinketh it 'not r«- 
 DitlcitJq.\ . ' ^^^^i^l^ tkatffich a purgatorie fire may be after this life, and it 
 maybeciuefiionedf(divC(\\\Q.y\vhether it be fo. And againe, 
 < D« ciu.Dei.U. ^ J jpeake not againfl it, faith he, becaufe perhaps it isfo. And 
 2i-cap.i6. againe in another place he leaueth it as vncertainc, ' whe- 
 * Defide ^ ffj^j^ Qy^^iy ^^ ^^^ i^jg menfu^er , or whether there follow fame 
 tfer.ca.i . y^^^ temporalliudgements after this life . Now feeing he was 
 fb vncertaine & doubtfull heerein, becaufe it was indeed a 
 matter of humane tradition and deuice, how much better 
 & morefafely flial we follow him there;, where being fom- 
 
 times 
 
EpiUle to the K^ng, 89 
 
 times vntangled from the regard of cuftomcs received in 
 the churchjhc percrr.ptorily dcrermineth according to the ^ 
 truth of the word of God. ' There is mt any middli place for ^.^ Ir"^''^'" 
 any ma?i, faith he , that he cm be my vrhere hut with the dinell /,/,] j ^^ ^■^[' 
 thatts not with Chrifl. ^ He that V9,dead^ cither husfoule e intpifi.ioan. 
 ieyethin the hofome of Ahr^tham , or elfe ^Trantng a little t^^'^.io. 
 water in enerlafiiM'T fire. * ^ny third place we k»ow not, nay .^^/"'.?'*'''*'5>» 
 wepnde m the Scriptures that there is nojuch. I he Joules ^^^ ^ g^ 
 of the godly being departed from the body are in refl , but the 
 fohles of the vnq^odly are in puniPjmcnt vntill the bodies of the 
 one reMue to et'o-laflmg life, and the bodies of the other to euer- 
 laiimq death. '' All mer.s (aula when they are zone from the ... ^ 
 
 body hatie their diuers places ej receit : the good, haueioy , the -^ 
 emit haue torment. But when the refurrefltonflja/icome, both 
 the ioj of the q^oodjhall be greater, and the torments of the euill 
 /hall be more grieuom , Szc. Thus S. Aultin Ipake as wee 
 Ipeake, there is no anibiguitic in his words: hemaketh no 
 more places offoules butheauen and hell , and therefore 
 excludeth all vie of praier for the dead , which by the 
 ' Papiihowneconfe(l:oncan neither adde any thing to ^BeBamJe 
 the blille of them that are in heauenjnor take away any part Turgat.Hb.i, 
 of puniflin-<cnt from them that are in hell.Now by this that ^"t^^^* 
 hath beene handled, itappeareth that in denying praier 
 for the dead,we vary nothing at all from the faith or pra- 
 ^\(e of the molt auncient church : in pra6^ile we varie 
 fomewhat from the church in the time of the fuppofed 
 Dionylius Areopagita, but in faith and do6irine concer- 
 ning the ftate of the dead, nothing at all. What opinions 
 thereof grew aftcrwardesj itisnothmg tovs: there were 
 thofevlesconceiued of itwhichthePapiltes themfelues, 
 as hath beene Oiewed, doe now wholly deny , and indeed 
 Popifh praier for the dead is not to be found in all thole 
 times. For popiOi praier for the dead cannot flande but 
 withtheftandmgof Purgatorie: but Purgatorie by the 
 auncient church hath nocertaine ftanding : and therefore 
 Popifli praier for the dead for any helpe that it hath ftom 
 
 N the 
 
Maximintt 
 
 p o Tf?e Anfwer to D. 'SiJJ?ops 
 
 the auncient church muft necenfarilie fall , neither doth 
 our church in the deniall of it denie any thing that hath a- 
 ny certaine approbation from that church. 
 
 II. W. Bishop. 
 
 Lih.i.cap.io. ^ common cufionte it woi of the Arrnm^ and of other more 
 Lih.x.con. aunctent heretickes y foretell all traditions , andtorelie onely 
 vponthevi>rittenrvord,aste(}ifieth i'.Ireneusand S. Augo- 
 ftine. Doe not ours the fame, reieEling all traditions j as mam 
 inuention, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 *" M. Bifhop in the three former diuifions hath taken it as 
 agreatpreiudice tovs, thatlouinian, Vigilantius, and 
 Aerius were condemned by the auncient church or rather 
 by fome few of the auncient church , forfomc articles of 
 do6trine which wc now mainteme. But yet he knew that 
 his hold was not fall enough, vnlefl'ehc added this point 
 of traditions , becaufe they were condemned onely for 
 oppugning traditions, and not for any thing which they 
 maintained againft the written wordc of God. VnleiTe 
 therefore the authentic oiTradmons be made good , he 
 feethwell enough that it maketh nothing at all for him 
 that they were condemned. Whereupon he telleth vs 
 that the Arians and other herctickes were condemned of 
 oldforreic^^ing traditions, and relying onely vpon the 
 written word. This he taketh vpon him to proouc by Irc- 
 neus and Auften, but his proofc is fuch, as that if we were 
 in any diflike of traditions before,we hauc great caufe now 
 to like them woorfe. ButhedothashisM.Bellarmine is 
 woont to doe 5 (ct it downe, it is no matter whether it be 
 right or wronge : acornes and draffe be fit enough for 
 fwine, and lies arc good enough for them that are readie 
 tobelecuethem.Thetraftof Ireneustowhich he refer- 
 reth vs, is very pregnant to ferfoorthvntovs in the olde 
 hefttickes, the very courfe which the Papiils now vfc as 
 
 touching 
 
EpiHle to the IQng. 9 1 
 
 touc^iing the Scriptures. In the firft chapter of thatbooke 
 which is the chapter before that that M. Bifhop citeth 
 Ircneusbeginneththiis : * pyehauemtreceiy.edthe way of •irenji.'^.ca.i. 
 fAlutition b) any other but by them by tvhom the Gojpell came 
 vnto vs, nhtch i>idecd they then preached , but aftemrards by 
 the will of God del'tun-edthe fame vntovsm the ScriftHresto 
 be the foundation and ftllar of our fAtth, Behold heere the 
 written Gofpell commended vnto vstobc the foundation 
 and pillar of our faith, and that this was fo ordered by th: 
 mil of God, that we may know it to be vrterly vntrue which 
 thePapifts teachjthat'' Chrifidid mtlooke that the Gojpell^ '^"<^^'^-^^' 
 fhould be committed to xvrtting, but that onely by rverd it/hou/d ' ? '"* "* ' 
 bepubbjhedto all creatures : and do we not thinkc that this 
 helpeth M.Birtiops traditions very muchcHe goeth on & 
 (heweth that the Apoflles and Euangehlh were by the ho- 
 ly Gholl endued with perfect knowledge to doe that they 
 did , againft lomc which tooke vpon them to be emenda- 
 tores Apoftohrum, Corre^oursofthe ^poflles ; that by this 
 infpiration Matthew, Markc, lohn and the reft wrot that 
 which they wrore,& therforethey which did notaflent to 
 thefe being thus partakers of the ipirit ofthe Lord,did de- 
 fpile the Lord Chrift himfeife, and the Father, which 
 faith he , allheretickesdoe. For , laith he, n>hen they arere- 
 proouedby thefcrtptures thej fall to finding fault n>ith thefcrip- 
 tures as f they were not right nor were of' authority , Mndthat 
 they are diuerfiy taks" , ^^"dthat by them the truth cannot he 
 foundoutoffuch A4 doe not k»ovp tradition : becaufe the truth 
 was not delmered by writing but by word. How glad would 
 you be,M.Bi{hop,if Ireneus had faied any thing to touch 
 vs Jo far as this toucheth you ?' But let vs firft fee the end; 
 for when they thusftiiftedolTthefcriptures<Sc refufedtri- 
 all thereby, he and others that dealt againft them were 
 driuen to another courfe, and that was to examine what 
 the doctrine was that was deliuered from hand to hand by 
 the BiOiops and paftours ofthe church from the time of 
 the Aportles , not minding any other do6trine then was 
 N 2 conteincd 
 
92 The Anfwer to D. 'Bijlpops 
 
 conteined in the fcriptures , butbecaufe they reuifed the 
 fcripcures they would (hew thatthe do6trine which they 
 taught them by the fcriptures was no other bat what had 
 beene the continual tradition and deliuery oFthe rcachers 
 of the church ruccsiliuely from thetimeofthe Apoftles, 
 and therefore the very trutli that was firft deliuered to the 
 church. But,(aieth ht^v^henwe call them bewgindeed againfi 
 tradition to that fruditicn which is from the Apojiles which by 
 fuccejfion ofBiJhopsis k^ptayid conttnuedm the churches they 
 will fay that thej themfelaes being xeifer not only then the bipjops 
 of the church but aljo then the Apoflles themfeUeiJoAHe found 
 OHtthe flncere truth. Hereupon notwithftandingtogiue 
 fatisfa6tionto them that would befatisfiedinthisbehalfe 
 he reckoneth the whole ranke of theBilhops of Rome vn- 
 till his time ftiil continuing the fame tradition from the A- 
 • E»feh.hisi. poftles. ' For they allfuccvj/iuelj , as Eulebius rehearfeth 
 <c(l. h.^.ca.zi, Qm; of Egefippus, taught as the law and the prophets And the 
 Lord had preached, Hebringeth in alio Polycarpus and 
 alleageth his epiftle to the P/7////?/';<i««/,deIiuering the fame 
 forme of faith, of whom Eufebius bringeth him in alfo gl- 
 uing this witneiTethatin all his fermons and narrations he 
 ^Eufth.hiTi. deliuered ^ cun^afanBls fcnpturii confona : all according to 
 W.y.M/>.i8. the fcriptures. Laftly he produceth the church of Ephcfus 
 founded by Paul, and where lohn the Apoftle continued 
 till the time of Traian the Emperour as atruewitnejjeofths 
 tradition of the Apofiles. ftAndwhat, faith he, if the Apoflles 
 had left not hing in writing, fhuld we notfolkw the order of that 
 tradnion which they deliuered to them to whom they committed 
 the churches j whereto many nations of the Barbarians agree 
 hauing nowrnin^ and yet diligently keeping the old tradition? 
 Now whatis thit tradition ? For here is the full point. Be- 
 leeuing , faith Ije , in one God maker ofheauen and earth and 
 of all t hinges that are therein by lefus Chrifi thefonne ofGod^ 
 who for his exceedinggreat lone towards his creaturewas cor>- 
 tent to be borne of a virgin , in himfeife vniting man to God, 
 whofufferedvdder Pontius Pilate androfeagaine, and was re- 
 
 (eiued 
 
Epijllt to the Kjng, o ^ 
 
 Ct'tHedvf in glorie ,Andvcith qlory p}al come thep.mOHr of them 
 that are failed n-fid the tptdge of them th^t (tre mdged, and {hall 
 fend into et email f re the corrupters of his truth , and the de/pi- 
 fers of his father and of his camming. This faith they haue he- 
 leeHedvcithotitrrriting, and by re^^fan of this auncient traditi- 
 on of the iy4po(i/es they admit not into their mind any eft he 
 m.o-'i/Irousjpeechef of thefe heretickes. dec. Pardon me 1 be- 
 feech thee,gentle Reader, iFI be Ibmewha: tedious in the 
 rchearlall ot'thefe things. It is for thy liuisfaftion that thou 
 inailt fee that Ireneus did not intend by tradition to com- 
 mend aiiydirtin^t partot'do6lrine befide the fcripture, 
 but only appealed to tradition as awimefle of the onlie 
 true do6lrinc which is coteined in the fcripture.His Apo- 
 ftolicall tradition, thou feeft, conteineth no point of faith 
 but whereof the fcripture doth plentifully inftru6t vs, nei- 
 ther doth he go about in his whole booke to auoiich vnro 
 them any other point but what he feeketh by the fcripture 
 to approoue. Nay I pray the duely to obferue that it was 
 theheretickeonely thatalleagcd vnwritten tradition be- 
 iide the fcripture to empeach that faith which Ireneus iu- 
 ftified by the fcripture , and for no other caufe fought t6 
 prooueit by tradition but becaufethey refufed the triall 
 of the fcripture. How canft thou thenbuttakehimfora 
 lewde impoftour that would make thee beleeue that Ire- 
 neus by tradition recommendeth adirtin6t part ofdo- 
 6^rine befide, nay indeed contrary to the i'cripture? The 
 tradition that he fpeaketh of is the fame with S.Paules: 
 ^TradidivobisfecundumfcriptHra4 : I deUueredvntoyeu\my •i.C«r.if.3.4, 
 tradition veoi to yon according to thefcripthres . * That which trapn 2? 
 IreceiuedoftheLordy tradidtvobi-s ^ I de littered vnto yeu\ ' 
 that was my tradition z/ntoyoH, and in writingeexprefleth 
 the fa me. And to this meaning faide Cyprian when by 
 Stephanus the Bifhop of Rome he was vrged whith tradi- 
 iion : ^ fVheneeis this tradition ? Commcth ttfromthe au- ^ ^ , y 
 thority of the Lord or of the Gojpeli ? or from the precepts and •pomPeim* 
 epifilts of the Affiles, For thofe things that are written God 
 
 N 3 hmfelfe 
 
94 17;g Anfwcr to V.Bipops 
 
 himfelfe tefiifieth that they are to he obferued. If therefore it he 
 comrntundedintheGolpeUy or beconteined in the Epijiies or 
 atls of the Apo^les , then far cly let thu tradition be holily oL^ 
 fertied. So fay we to M. BiQiop ; let him rtiew vs his tradi- 
 tions by the Scripture , and wee are ready to admit them 
 religioully and holily to be obferiied. And fo farreis Ire- 
 neus from auouching any other traditions as that hec 
 teacheth not onely that the written Gofpellts the foundari^ 
 ^' . g on and pillar of our faith, as before, but alio that '' the ndeof 
 " ' ' fyffth is to be taken from thofe thinges, ^uxaperte (fr fme 
 ambiguo ipfs diSitonibtu pojita funt in Scriptaru ; Which 
 plainly andwithoHt (imbtguitieinverj words arefet don>ne in 
 the Scriptures : the greater is M. Bifliops finne to go about 
 to force him to the patronage of fuch traditions as neither 
 . . plainly nor obfcurely are to be found therein. But I can- 
 
 difcou'ery of 'the "°^ ^"^ woonder that Mafter Bifhop would rcferre vs of 
 En^liflj tran- all Other to this place of Ireneus , who in defcribing heere 
 Jlations. the fafliion and dealing of the old herctickes, doth fo 
 ^B}itm. 7>y?<*. liuely trace out the path wherein thePapiftshauc walked, 
 To the reader' ^^ if beforehand he had prophccied of them. For as hee 
 I sylu^/i. Tri- ^3'^^ the old hcretickes did, euen- fo they when they were 
 eri.de poteSi. reprooucd by the Scriptures, began to cauill thereat, that 
 'Pap£ cm. the Scriptures were not ' rightly tranllated , that the 
 ■ 7> ^ ■ e ur ^ ^'■^^^^ ^"*^ Hebrew copies were corrupted ; yea the 
 Httrar?Pr*fat. authoritic of the Scriptures was not fuch but that ' the au- 
 adTattl.^.^ thoriticofthe church and bifliop of Rome isaboue them, 
 lib.i.cap.i.i^. yea and doth " giue authoritie Canonical! vnto them : 
 »T>tghibtd.c.i. ji^gj jj^gy ^gj.g not written that our ° faith fhould be in 
 mntiTf/'"' ^i^bieftion to them, but that they fhould be fubie6t vnto 
 f ct'nfu'nico. Jt } yea one of them doubted not to fay , that " Paules 
 hn.Dialog.^. Epiftles but onely that the Doftoursof thcchurch had 
 Ttgb.afw.dM- giuen fome authoritie vnto the, were no more to be fet by 
 .:^p! then ^fopes fables.They alleagcd that no certainty could 
 ,^;^]^^^"^'^^ be gathered by the Scriptures, becaufe they were ^ like a 
 j»e»f./»6.z3.f<enofcofwaxe, afquircofleadj that might be turned anic 
 •rat.vinauij, way ; thatthe Scripture is but '^ a dead and adumbe thing, 
 
 and 
 
Eftjlk to the f\ing. P5 
 
 and there muft be adioyned to it a iudge to determine of 
 thetrucLh :thatitisvnperfeft and doth not deliuer vnto 
 ts all things that we are to beleeiie and to doe, but it mull 
 be ""fuppliedand expounded by traditions, and if we will *M.BiPiof. 
 know the trueth , we muftgoc to the old Councels and f^g.i^.jtifhd- 
 Fathcrs of the Church , and learne of them what wee ^'*'*' 
 mult beleeuc. Well, wee haue beene content to fol- 
 folowthem : we haue iuftifiedour religion by the tradi- 
 tion of the auncient church : wcauouchnopointofdo- 
 ftrine whereof we haue not fliewed tertimonie and appro- 
 bation in the auncient councels, and fathers and ftories of 
 that time. Why then forfooth ' wearefairte , fay they,r<7 ^ndtx Expur- 
 heart with mAtij errenrs in the old Cathohcke twiters ,■ but we gat. in Ctnfma 
 extentMte and /cjfcn them'^rve excnfe and make the befl •fthem Setrami, 
 by fome deuifed fhtft j wefet a goodmeaning^ on them when they 
 areoppofed in difpntations or tn controuerRes with our aduerfa- 
 ries. ' Aiarry the certaine trmh or ajfurance of ad the old coun- *BeB4rm.tlt 
 celfand §fall doSirinesor definitions tf faith dependeth vpon the /"<■>'•"*•'«.*• 
 teflimony of the church that now is. For we haue not any infal- '^'' ' 
 Itb/e teflimony that there were anyfuch councels or that they 
 were la:wfull fir did determine thU or that, but that the church 
 which now is andannot errefo thinl^th and t cache th. For 
 whereas fome htflorians make mention of thcfe councels ^ it can 
 breed but humane bcleefe wherein there may befa/fehood.'Xhm 
 they reduce all to their church and tothemfelues,and nei- 
 ther care for fcnpturcshor tradition nor councels nor fa- 
 thers but as it feemeth good to their church to approoue 
 and like them. And although in veriewoords they doc 
 not fay as thole heretickes did that they are wifer then the 
 Apoftles themrelues,yet in deede and pra^^ife they fay as 
 much , laying thofe things which the Apoftles neuer faid, 
 and doing thofc things which they neuer did , and with 
 "i\7b« «4/^<««r(fvnraying andvndoing thofc things which rc5„„7f„_ 
 Chrift and his Apollles haue faied and done. With fuch pant.fejf.ir. 
 men we haue to doe , extremely impudent , Ihameles, 
 confcicncelefle, like to ftubburne and wilfull theeues and 
 
 malefa6tours 
 
pS The Anfiver to T>, 'Bipops 
 
 malefa£^ours who knowing themfelues guilty refufethc 
 common triallby Godandiheiir countrey, and will no 
 otherwifc be tried but by their owne words. 
 
 M.Bifhop further comparethvs for denying Traditi- 
 ons to the ArianSjplay ing Ihll the part of Medius Alexan- 
 ders parafite : if he cannot accufetruely, yet he will lie for 
 life, prefumingthat though the wound be cured,yet there 
 ^ *^ugufi.h*r. will remaine afcarre. The Arinns denied " Chrilt to be 
 /^^.aiQnoi^ oiomand the fame nature and fnbflance with the father a>id 
 yultd. ffj^ holjghofl. Againrt them by the Commandementof 
 
 Conftantinc was alfembled the councell of Nice 5 to which 
 - Conftantine himfelfegauethis direction ; ^ The booker of 
 I Ci'\c'aT ^^^ Buangelifis and Apofles and the ordclesof the annctent 
 prophets doe vnell'mfrH^ vsofthe vrillofGod : therefore fel- 
 ting afde all enmity and difccrd let vs ttsl^e out oft he wordes in^ 
 Jptred of God the explication of the (^ueftions in hand. They 
 accordingly by the wordeofGod andteflimoniesofthe 
 fcripturc prooucd againft the heretickes that Chriftisof 
 the fame fubftance or eflence with the father and the holy 
 gholl, and this they thought good to expreffe briefely by 
 that one worde kj-^r.oi or o^Aa'-.m? , confnbfantiall, ofonefub- 
 finnce. The Arians though at that time conuinced of er- 
 rour yet began afterwards to fpurne at the definition of the 
 councell , and one cauill againft it was that they vrged vp- 
 onn:^n to belceue fuch things as were not written in the 
 fcriptures : for in all thefcriptures , the word o/i/iarof they 
 faidwas not to be found, and fo they anfwered of other 
 Lkewordesasoccafionferued. SofaidMaximinusthcA- 
 - rian Bifliop j '^ we mil in no cafe receiue n-crdes that are befide 
 Max^mi hbi. t^^ fi*'''p^(*>^'- So ikied Conftantius the empcrour being 
 *wiar.cont. brought tobea mainteiner oftheArian herefie, ' J will 
 Confiant. haue no words v fed that are not written » Now what was this 
 butmeerecauillation and fhifting : for though the word 
 ly.^Tio<i be not found in the fcripture yet the matter and fig- 
 nification of the word iscontcined in the fcripture, and 
 thereby is Chrift prooucd to he 'oi^<no^^of the fame fnbflance 
 
 with 
 
Epistle to the .i\i}i^, • ^ ^% ' . - 
 
 with the father. So Athanafius anlwered : tl^efe vrcruei'^-^*^^^^'f-*t' 
 though they be mt found w thefcnftHres , )ft Liue the fame |*" ^^^ 2Yi«»* 
 Tfteamngthat thefcripturesiKtende , andimportthe fiime with ,o>,^r«M verbtt 
 tfjem whofeearcs arc rightly ajfetled to here the truth. \he funtexfnfiKt, 
 fame anfwere doth Cynllgiue, and by ' fiindrk other ex- '' cyrddtj^H 
 aniples fliew^th that wordes are rightly and trueiy vlld ''"•*'"»''^' 
 concerning God according to the meaning ot the Icr'p- 
 tures which yet literally are not found there , a5 that God 
 is iMcomfrehcnJihle, v^P^ape.tb/e^ incorpontll. C^c. 1 here to re 
 did Bafill prol-eflc that in intrcatingorthe faith he would 
 vfe '^ rvordes that )rcre not written,l;Kt yet not dtfagreetrigfrom ^'P}-*^'^^* 
 the meaning of the/cripture, words which arc not hterally them- '^ '' 
 felftesfet do-.rne infcripturcs , but yet doe retainc thcfcnfe and 
 vnderfiandin^ thereof. Now M .Bifhop knew well enough 
 that wejapprooue all thefe things as rightly fpoken againll 
 the Arians : that we doe not lb rely vpon the written word 
 as that wc deny whatfociicr is not in very letters and fyHa- 
 bles exprefled therein , but only fuch points the matter 
 and meaning whereof cannot beinftifiedby thelcripture. 
 We fay \\\ih Gregory Naz,iiinz,en , thzit^^^ny ' things are "J^"'^^"'^"- 
 conteined i*i thefrnpturc which yet arc notjpakfn there , and * ' ' "" ' 
 therefore by thofe things which rvcreade^ as Aullin faith to 
 Maximinus, weconcetne fame things that we doe not read. 
 OurSauiour ^ alleageihthefcripturetoproouethercfur- ^Afanh.ii, - 
 ie6i:ion of the dead , lam the Godofty4braham , the God 3*'i*« 
 oflfaac,the God oflacob : yet it is not there written in thele 
 words: the dead PmU rife againe. S.Paul ^ difpatedby the s^il.iT.i.^. 
 fcriptures that lefm wojs Chrtfi the JVleffias , andthat he was 
 to fujfer and rife agatne from the dead : yet he found it not in 
 very words ier downe that leffn wm Chrtf} q^c. So iM. Bi- 
 fhop knoweth that wc profelTe in tlie godhead Trinity and 
 Fnity , though wc doe not finde the wordes Trinity and 
 fnity any where in the fcripture, becaufe we 'tiw^Q in fcrip- 
 turethe matter and mcaninge for fignihcation whereof 
 thele'wordes haue beene recciued. So he knoweth and \\t 
 is offended at it that we teacii that a man before God is iu- 
 
 O itified 
 
p8 Tl)e Anfwer to D. 'Bijlyops 
 
 ftified byfiith only , bccaufe the fcripture in cfTecl faith fo, 
 
 though by the very words o^fatth only it be not ib cxpref- 
 
 fed. So in our churches we proft lie Chrill to he vjioinf, con- 
 
 Jtibjlantiijll ^ oftheJamefub(tance vctth the fat her and the holy 
 
 ghofl,2in^ therefore do not take part with the Arians in re- 
 
 ie6^ing what is not literally expreHed in the fcripture , be- 
 
 caufe we know the intent and iignification ofthatwordis 
 
 conteined therein. Now therefore what fhould be rhe 
 
 caufe that fliou id moueM.Bifhop to chaliengvs as taking 
 
 part with the Arians in that cauillc' Surely I can gelle none 
 
 but that being buficd in the Ihidy of higher diuinityhe 
 
 hath forgotten the ninth commaundenient 5 ThoufhaU 
 
 not beare falfe mtnejfe a^ainfi thy neighbour. But we will 
 
 dealefrindly with him J he fhallfeewebe no Arians : let 
 
 himfhew vs the matter andeflfe6t ofhisTV^^^/r/^w/inthe 
 
 fcriptures,as the fathers did concerning S.f^a^'J^, and wewil 
 
 neuer contend about the wordes, we are ready to accept 
 
 and embrace the fame. Though we neither finde in the 
 
 fcripture Afajfe nor Purgatory, nor Popff,yei let them fhew 
 
 vs in the fcripture the thinges which they meancbythe^ 
 
 words and they fhall finde vs ready to accord with them. 
 
 So for the reft let them doe the like , and we wilbe Pa- 
 
 piftesaswcllasthey. Iftheycanrwtlb doc, theauncient 
 
 jiwrup.cnnt, do6lrine of the church teacheth vs to beware of them. ^ If 
 
 lit Vetiliani. any man^ faith h.\X%X\yetther concerning Chriji or concerning 
 
 lib,^ .tap 5. /j^ church or concerning any thing pertatning to our faith and 
 
 life Jhal preach vnto vs any thing but what we haue receiued in 
 
 thefcriptures of the law andthegojpell, accurfed be he. And 
 
 « De ioCi. why :' Becaufe ' inthofe f^j«^/,faith he, which are plainly fet 
 
 Chrift.l i.e.9. dorvne in thefcriptures are found all thinges that belongtofaith 
 
 kBaftlEthk ^"'^behauiourofiife. And '^ if, fikhBzfiljWhatfoeueri^ not 
 
 re(r.Zo. offaithbefnne, and faith come by hearing, and hearing by 
 
 the word of God, furely whatfoeueru be fide the holy jcripture, 
 
 ^iJemftrm. becaufe tt is not of faith, itisfinne : fothat icis ' atnanifefi 
 
 dtjidt. t'rejpajfe of faith and aplaine finne of pride either toreie^ anie 
 
 thing that is conteined inthe fcripture or to bring in anie thing 
 
 that 
 
Epiftk to the IQngi ^p 
 
 that ii Mat written therein. " Let him fherv that it tiVi>rittefty*TertuU.4i»» 
 faith Tertullian : Jfit be not vorittenlet himfeare the vpoe that Htrmogen, 
 u pronounced to thtm that adde or tal^ away . For ° mU things nrif^rn • 
 are clcere and pi nine hj the holy Script hres, laith Chrylo- iThfifal,' 
 Home ; fVhatfoer4er things are neceffarie ^ they are manifeff. hom.^. 
 Yea and fince ° herejieshattegotten pltcetnthc church ^thcre ° Op.imperftO, 
 isnotrialloftrue Chrtfiianitie, nonft^gefor them that de fire '" ^^'""•''<"*' 
 toknowwhtch ii the true faith, bmonely the Scriptures of 
 God : no way to k^ow which k the true church of Chr/fi , but 
 onely by the Scriptures. Our Lord lefui knoi\ing that there 
 xvouldbeinthe UH daies great confufion , doth therefore will 
 that Chriflians d: firing to haue ajfttrance oftruefatth, fhould 
 fie to nothing but to the Scriptures. Othcrtvifetf they looke 
 to other things, they Pnillfitmihlc, andfi!l,andpertpJ,not k^oxV" 
 ingrrhich is the true church, and thereby lightmgvpon the ab - 
 hominationofdefolation , which fljMl fl^indm the holy places of 
 the church. This is chc thing ,]Vi.Bifliop, that you fecke 
 for, to bring vs to dertrii£lion 5 to make vs bondmen to 
 Antichrift, towinne vs to approoue and honour as you 
 doe the abhorrmation ofdefolation, which hath Icated it felfe 
 in the holy places oF the church. You bring a woe and a 
 curfevpon your felfe, according to the wordes of Auftin 
 and Tfrtullian , and you defiie to haue vs partakers with 
 you therein. But God forbid that we fliould hearken to 
 you therein , and therefore according to the in(tru6lion 
 andaduileofthefeauncient Fathers, we will admit no- 
 thing for matter offaith, but what may beiullified by the 
 Scriptures, yet not reie6^ingany doft^rine for any vnwrit- 
 tcn wordes or tcrmes , fo long as the matter and meaning 
 thereof may be warranted by that that is written. 
 
 12. W. B 1 SHOP. 
 
 XenaiaS /i^.tr^Trt;^^ Perfian indeed, yet injhew a counter- Tijefpl^M.io, 
 feited Chrtflian ; is noted for one of the firfi amsng Chtiffians, "^i7• 
 that inueyed againfi the Images of Saints^ and the worjhip done 
 
 O2 by 
 
lOo The Anfw:r to T>, Sijhops 
 
 by true Chriflia>is v.nio them ; oi both Nicephorus , W Ce- 
 . drenusincornpendioi^(?<?;'rc<?r^. The reprobate lenes in- 
 deed before htm, a^duftereaenvntjllthi^ d^y , the mtfcreant, 
 Turkes (enemies of all Chrifitamtj) doc dw ell fHll in the fame 
 error : Aidyet is not thi4 m jfl vehemntly anerred by our Pro- 
 teftants, and all Caluinirts ; although they cannot deme but 
 thataboHC ^co. yeeres a^oe , in the fecond aeaerMl CoHncell 
 holdenat Nice, they are by the canfem of the befl,andmoft lear- 
 ned of the world , for etier accitrfed, that doe denlerenerence 
 and worjijtp, to be gmen vnto the Images of Saints, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 In idle tales they haue beene woont to fay, that howfo- 
 euerihediuelldifguilehimldfc, yet he is to beknowne 
 by a polt-foote. Howibeuer it be m the appearance ohhe 
 diueljwearelbre that it is fo in his inftrumentS(Sc agents, 
 * a.Ccf.ii.15. thathowfoeucr * they tvAns forme themfelues as tfthey rcere 
 themmtflers of righteoufnejfe , yet one way or other they 
 bewray themfelues by what fpint they fpeake. Stsrelie, if 
 there were nothing elie that did dilcouervnro vs that M. 
 Bilh ?p is a teacher of hes and fallhood, yet this point that 
 heere he fpeakech of, isibfFicient fully to alTiirevs there- 
 of. He letteth before vs heerc to eate the very excrement 
 & filth of Annchrill,the (linke whereof is lo lothfome that 
 it cannot but be extremely ofFenfiue to any man that hath 
 any true feeling of a Chriftian heart. What , would bee 
 haue vs from the light of God to returne to that groll'e 
 l» Uftant. ;H-and palpable Egyptian darkenefTe, as that like fenlcle{]c 
 piiutM i.'oj>, beifts wefhould he tumbling againe before dumbe idols, 
 ^•^lemuO <ont atid wot Oiiprtockes and rtones, and lift vp ourhandesto 
 a. Fpifl.Vela.r, piay CO that which is the worke of the handes of another 
 /it. ;,M/7 4. man f irirre bt it from vs eiier toyeeld our hearts to fo 
 «» Jtu^ufi.coPt. Yile and hatefull abhomination, fVtth worfmp anddmie ef 
 loHfi. Ma.Kh. ^^l^^^Qy^^ 33 b La^^^ntius and ' Auflin teach, -eceferue onelj 
 I»t.i4.«p.ii. ^i^^^y^gQ^^. ^ xheJpo(lJeMih the fame S. Auftin, for- 
 
 biddeth 
 
Epijile to the ^ng, i o i 
 
 hiddeth re/i'^iotts wor/htp to bs giuen to any creAture , neither 
 
 can icbeappliwd coany ' withoHtrerongandmwrytothedi' ' On^^tn. font. 
 
 m»e wdtejln-'y ' nozto martyrs cr SMMts , not to the » ^/(f/^ ^ '/"«''■ ''^-i. 
 
 fedvi>qinM.iriet. not'' to A'-'Oels nor Arcbanq,ls , nor ame ' ^'^'"'^" ^'"'*- 
 I J I- ij ■ / /J n y>"Mmt C-i ,11. 
 
 name thMts named tn this vtorld or m the •aorldto come, l^eter ^ . , . 
 
 rerulcth tobeworlhippedJayingtoCornehus, ' An^'e.fcr ub.e. 
 fueni iJfo um I m.M . The Ai'gcII lehileth to be wor- * .'ml'toC. a'e 
 (hipped, faying to S. lohn. '' Doe tt not , for lam thy fellow %*■ [""(^^Jtb. 
 ferufxtit : rvorjhip God. As 1 applied it betore to rehques, h"?,'^ ' *"-y r- 
 ib mnft I hecre to images what would they fw iF they far'um." 
 could (peake to the woilhippers thereof:' Worfliip not On^en cont. 
 vs, for we are wocife then men j we arc Idle then iiA-CrljMI'.i.erK 
 lowferuantsj wee are but woode and llones ; naie the ' -^^^-'O'^^. 
 'froege and the moufe, andthemoule and the bat and ■ ;^f'^'*-^^'9' 
 eucry wornie is better then we are.becaufe they hauelife inVmiep. 
 andlenfeandwehauenone, andifitbea fliame lo^ot- ^uouft.invfu. 
 fliipthem, much morefliame isitto worfbipys thatare l^3•"''f•*• 
 butblockesandihm^pesoftrees. Thereforepray notfor 
 helpcto vSjfor wearenotabletohelpeour lelues : ""' ihc^BAr.6,ii.<A^ 
 owles and birds hght vpon vs and bcray vs and we cannot 
 dnue them away : the fire confumethvsand we cannot 
 withftand the heate thereof. Some men cloth and decke 
 vsand other fome robbeand Ipoilevs, and being fome- 
 times ° ofgold and filiier our owners for their neceffitie ■ Tertul^po- 
 pawne vsand fellvsj orbeing ofbrafle orother mettall %«^"^I3. 
 wc are turned topofnets, and potts and pannes, and we 
 hane no knowledge what any of them doe vnto vs. Ifye 
 will not ° worfhip them that haucmade vs, much lelfe • ^ugufiin.m 
 ihinke it fitt to woi fliip vs. And indeed a very brutifliand ^M M9" 
 fenfelelTedeuotionitisforareafonablemanto ''babbleto *" ^^il"*-""^' 
 the walles and to talke vnto dead things, and being him- /iJi'^ ' 
 islte "1 the image ot God to abiect hirr.fclte to worfhip the Vrotrept. 
 image of a man, nay the very eaiththathe treaderh vn- '^ Laa.inJlitHt. 
 der his feete j for what are images but vile earth and dnllc" ''^' *•'"/''• » 8. 
 which ' for their faOiion and beauty are behonldmgc to the ,',„'^/^7</tf *" 
 workcmaii that made them, and therefore fliould them- Lan.infliuUb, 
 
 O 3 leliics i.cap.i.^j^ 
 
I o z The A'lfiver to 2). 'Bi/hops 
 
 felues rather worfhip hiin at whole mercy they ftood whe- 
 ther to make them troughcsfor the fvvine or faints for the 
 church. I wore well what they arere-«dy hereto anfwer, 
 that they worlhipnot thelm;iges themfelncs but by the 
 images ihey doe worfhip to the Sjints. Wherein they (ay 
 t Origen contta nothing buc ^ what the idolatrous gentiles of old faied in 
 C«ifi*m.uh.^, defenfe of their idolls. But as the auncient church anfwc- 
 red thole idolaters , fo doe we anfwere to idolatrous Pa- 
 t La^.inftitHt. pifts, if they ' belcui? the Saints whom they worfhip to be 
 Hh.i.cdp.t. inheaueiij why doe they not lift vp their cies thither if 
 ^rmk. contra jj^gy ^ji[ necdes WO. (hip them to worflup them where 
 Gmts^ltb.e. ^i^^y arejwhoarenor tobeworfhipped if they fee not what 
 men doorheare not what they pray ; and if they thmke 
 they doe fo, why doc they notdire6tlybut thusbyatrur- 
 ney and at fecond hand performe their deuotions vnto 
 them , as if they could not ("ec but by there eies that can- 
 notice, norheare but by their cares that cannot hcare, 
 nor know what men doe vnto them bn t as they lie wallow- 
 ing at the feeteof dumbeand fenlelesidolIbC' Andifwc 
 
 * Laff.ytfu^. thmke him out of his witc that " ftandeth babling fo a 
 
 mans pi6lure or image when he fliould and may ipeake to 
 the man himfelfe, why is it not thought a ftiipid and fenfe- 
 lelle thing,contumelious and reprochfull vnto the Saiiits, 
 to fit mumbling of praiers to (tockes and blockes that are 
 intended tothem,and in honor and worfliip to equal), as 
 they dojCuery bale and vile idol to thofe hcauenly Sc lAeC- 
 
 * ^rntb.cotit. fed foulesc' And how do they "know that their images are 
 Gantesyhh. 6. j^j^^ ^^ them whole names they beare, or that a ridiculous 
 
 errour be nor comroirted to worfliip lohn a Noke by that 
 
 that is more like lohna-Stilej or that as Praxiteles made 
 
 the image of Venus by the countenance of Cratina, and 
 
 many other by Phryne ,who both were renowmed harlots; 
 
 riud.riuesde or zs '' thepaintermcntioiied by Ludouicus Viues pain- 
 
 ttnfur.yeri. ltd a\\ Women like to his owne wife: fo the workeman 
 
 •'• hauemadc the image of our Lady to thelhape of (ome 
 
 minion or curtifan that he himfelfe is in louewithall, and 
 
 fo 
 
Epiflle to the I^7ig, i o ^ 
 
 Co it come to pafie that * (cruice bee done to a harlot ^ ^^mo.vtfup. 
 m ftecde of a Samt , and this piufull deuotion by falfe 
 counterfeits be dcludecc' It is indeed a pitifull deuotion > 
 forthe Saints whom they profcflc toworfliip ' know vs *Efai.6^.i6. 
 nor, nor are acquainted wichvsj and therefore thewor- 
 (hip thatisdonetothcirimagesn-.iirtnccdcs determine in 
 theimagesthcmkhjcs. Anu though thvy did know vs or 
 were with vs, yet, as before hath bcene fliewed , we wee 
 not to pcrforme vnto them any fpiritiiall dcuorion of reh- 
 ligion, bnt to their images much lelle. And furely fo farre 
 were the firft Chriitians from liking of the worfhipping of 
 images, as that they wholly dilliked the ^ arte of image- ^cltm^Ux. 
 making, and thought it not lawfull to be pra6tired by inVmrept. ' 
 them. Itwas ^ JVlarcellinathe itrumpet of Carpocrates '^'■^s*""""''' 
 thehereticke, that firft after the •" Simonians brought jn ^'^■/''^•^'^•^• 
 amongrt Chriirians the worfliipping of images, bearing q^,7^^IJ''* 
 men in hand, that ' Pilate tooke the pi6^urc of lefus when h^r. 7. 
 he was vponthc earth , and flicc had the counterfaites '' E«[eb.hiftor. 
 thereof, which with the images of Paul and Homer, and ^'^- ^-^"f^h 
 Pythagoras and others Hiee deuoutlyferued. It was con- JJ*"*^"''' '^' 
 tinued afterwards by the ^ Collyridian heretickes, and in{ip,p{,a„.htr. 
 them condemned by Epiphanius. They made images ofj^.CoUyiJia*. 
 the virgin JVlarie, and worfliippcd them, and offered to 
 them, which he termeth a diuelhfh pr^i^ltfe, and auoucheth 
 that fo to doe is 10 goe a rvhoonngfrom God. S. Aulhn men- 
 rioneth s Ptf.lttrayHm adoratorcs , rvorjhippers ofpt&ures ; i^MTuflin. it 
 noting them for ignorant and [Hperjluiom perfons and con- rrouhui tccUfis 
 demnedb-^ the church. In the time of Gregorie the bifliop Catholic*.lib.i. 
 ofRome the fupeillitious vfe thereof began to grow fur- *^''^3+• 
 ther. The images of Saints began to bee fet vp in the 
 churches and to be worlhipped . Serenus the bifhop of 
 Mali, lia was mightily offended heerc:it, andcaufcth the 
 images to be broken andcal^ away, '' Gresorie writcth ^^ ,., 
 tohimthathe would not haue had himtobreake them, £;,,;?. 109.(3^ 
 becaufe they might feme as he thought forforneinllru- W.9.£fiy?.9. 
 6^ion and remembraunce to limple people, but yet 
 
 commendeth 
 
I04 . TIjeJnfwertoD.'Bljhops 
 
 commcndeth his zcale that he would not endure that axie 
 
 tloir.gjhould be worfjipped that is made with hands , and tel- 
 
 leth him that he p-jould forbid the people the worfjifpwg of 
 
 them : that they were not to be fet in chinches tc be vcorpnppedy 
 
 becaufeitiswritteny Thou Coaltvcorpnp the Lord thy God and 
 
 him only thou fhjltfeme.Ycz afterv/ards theBifliop of Rome 
 
 fetting vp the kingdome of Annchrillwith ftrong hand 
 
 ,r madeway for this abhominabl^ idolatry, andfetleditin 
 
 Jedrj-uil the church: and ahhough the' T^icWm vengeance of God 
 
 denounced by theApollIe for this fmiie hauefince emi- 
 
 iRom.i,n,z6. nently lighted vpon them, God ' deliueringthcmvp to vile 
 
 affeolions, fo that the ftmkeof their vncleane & fiKhy lult, 
 
 their Sodomy and ynnaturall beaillinefi'e was growen 
 
 lothfome both to God and menj yet they continue llill to 
 
 defend this horrible facnkdge, that the prophecy ofS. 
 
 jt^. ^Q lohn may be verified in them : ^ The remnant of men which 
 
 rfierenotkllled^vtththefepUgiies \A\exeo\\\e\\2i'C!\^exei^o-' 
 
 ken, repented net of the veork^s of their handes that they might 
 
 notrverpjip diuels andtdolh of gold andof (ilMerandofbrajfe 
 
 and ofjione andofwoodywhich neither can fee nor heare mrgoe^ 
 
 calling it the worfliippingof^wr/jas Vlofcs did when he 
 
 Dmt ji. 17. fa;ejj pf the Ifralires , ' They ojfered to dtaels and not to Gody 
 
 not according to the intention of theperfons , butaccor- 
 
 '^Mxuft.eont. ding tothetruih ofthething " becaufe diucls arepreft 
 
 Faup. Matuch. and ready at idolls and images to recciue the honours that 
 
 lth,ii.ca^,i7. are done rnio them vnder pretence ofdoing honour and 
 
 wojfliippe to Saintes in heauen. And thus M.Bifliop 
 
 maketh himlelfe a patron and defender of this worfliip- 
 
 ingofdiuels, andvfeth the bell witt he can to perfwade 
 
 his moft excellent maiertytobe a promoter and furthc- 
 
 rer thereof. But his colours are falfe and deceitfull,neithcr 
 
 can he fovarnifh his idolls but that his Maieftieisableto 
 
 difcerne that they are but bafe and rotten lluffe. Firfthc 
 
 faith thzz Xenaias abarbarom Perfian rooi the firft that in- 
 
 * Cmtil l^cfn. veiffhed again/} thert^O'P^iping of Saintf images : but this fee- 
 
 ficunti,^^fi, I . ineth to be a meere dcuife of the idol monger " Tharafios 
 
 in 
 
E^i'tjlle to the I\t}ig. 1C5 
 
 in thcfccond Nicenecouncell thereby ro call: a" preind ice 
 againlhhem thatfliouldreproue that idolatry tor that fo 
 bad a man as XckuLu did the like, for this " Xenaitu was ^HuMgJnft, 
 an Eutychianhereticke, a very Icditicus & turbclent man, //^.j.c*.,!.' 
 thatoppofcd himfelfc r^gainll thecounccllofChalcedcn 
 inbehalfeot Entychesaiid Diofcorus, asrray appcarein 
 Euagrius by an cpiftltr ofthe monkes ofPalclbna concer- 
 ning him. Biitortliis matter ofinueighing againftu'or- 
 Ihiping of images thtrfe is nothing recorded till long after 
 by Nicephorus &l Ccdrcnus who were too ready to enrer- 
 taineany tale that might fcruc for the furthenng of their 
 idolatry. And indeedc there was no reafon ofhis niiieigh- 
 ing againft worfliiping of images , inafmi:ch as it isnoc 
 found that there was anieChriltian church in the world 
 wherein images were vfed to anyTuch ende. And if vp on 
 occafionhchadlo done, hecouldnot inthofedaicshaue 
 bene accounted an hcrcticke font, bicaufethe whole cur- 
 rent of the fathers of that time with fulland maincllreamc 
 runneth thefameway : fovttcrly vntrueis it whichM.. 
 Bifliop faith thatrr/.v ChrifiirM then dtdworfljfp toim.ii^es of 
 faints, neither can he bring any pregnant example thereof 
 throughout the whole world. Another preiudicc by him 
 alleagcd is, that lewes and Turkes hnue condemned and 
 doc condemne the worOiipping of images. But had Friar 
 Bellarmineand hisfcholcrM. Biflioplo little vnderfcan- 
 ding,astothinkeita good argunient for the worlliipping 
 ofimages thatlewesand Turkes doc condemns it:" We 
 conceiue there is reafon to argue another way, as our Saui- 
 ourChrift did from the example of the Niniuites againft 
 the lewes, •" Themcnof Nwittejhdl rifein'mdgcment with '^Mauh.ix./^x, 
 thi^ generation and /hall condemne it, fir they repeated at the 
 preaching of IoiaSyC^-c. Or as Aullm doth from the ex- 
 ample of the lewes againit the Arjans : '^ Eccc, intcUignnt iMgnTt.in 
 Iud£i ^mdnon intelligent Aria;n : fee, the lerces 'vnderfland ^"""^ "■'"^' ^7* 
 that Yi4jich the Ari.ins doe not virderfland , that Chrilt affir- 
 meth himfelfeto beequall to the Fatlier, It was no reafon 
 
 P why 
 
10^ Tl?e Anfwcr to D.'BiJho^s 
 
 why theAriansfliouIdnot beleeuethatChrift was equall 
 to the Father, becaufe the Icwes fo conceiued ot the 
 words of Chrift j but it was rather an argument of their ex- 
 ceeding great blindneife that in Chrifts wordes could not 
 fee that which the lewes (aw. In like fort we may ky 5 Be- 
 hold, Turkes and lewes fee that which theleblinde Pa- 
 piil:es cannot lee. They difcerneby the commaundement 
 of God that it is an abhominable thing to fall downe to an 
 image, toworfhipitandpraytoic, andfuchis the grofle 
 darkres wherein Papifts dvvell,as that they take it to be a 
 matter of great deuotion. -Therefore Turkes and lewes 
 fhailrifeiniudgementagainlhhcPapids , and fliall con- 
 demnc them, becaufe they haue learned by Gods laweto 
 hate that idolatrie which the Papifts againft the plaine law 
 of God fowilfulfullymainteine. And well may I fay wil- 
 fully, when in all their Catcchifmes wilfully and of pur- 
 pole they fuppreffe the fecond Commaundement , where- 
 by the people fhould learne to deteft thatabhomination. 
 ^Laft of all jM. Bilhop telleth vs in behalfe ol his idols,that 
 we cannot deny y but that SihouGgco.yzcres agoe in the fe- 
 cond general Councel holden at Nice they are by the cofent 
 of the befl andmofi learned of the world for eueracmrfed that 
 do deny reuerence c^ r>corfbip to be giueto theimages of faints, 
 Butiree,M.Bi(liop,thatyoudoenotknowwhat we can 
 doe. We both can and doe denie thai they were the bell 
 or moft learned of the world that pronounced that curie, 
 vnlefleyou x^tzn^thevporld as Chrilt doth when he faith, 
 ' The children of this rvorld are yvifer in their generation 
 
 »Z»\.i^.8. flJgy^ fijg children of light. Wc deny not butfuch a Coun- 
 cell there was, by the procurement of Eirene, that idola- 
 trous and wicked Emprefle, but it was like the Councell of 
 Ahabs foure hundred prophets, of whomMicheas faide 
 
 ''/.Ki»g;.ix.a3. vntohim, ^ The Lord hath ^m a lying jpir it in the mouth of 
 all thefe thy prophets. It might well be faide of them that 
 
 •£/<». 19.T4. God ' hadmingled amongfi them the jpirtt oferrour, fo that 
 
 ^m.\ I .». ^^^ j^^^ ^^^ ^^ drunken men 5 that he " hadgiuen them the 
 
 jpirit 
 
Epijlle to the f\in^. 107 
 
 Jpirit ofjlfimber, and " fent themjirong delujion td beleeue and *i.Thtff,t,tU 
 to make lies. There is that wreftingand abufingof holic 
 Scripture, fuchfalfifyingof the writings of the Fathers, 
 fuch allegations ofabfurd and lying woondcrs, fo manie 
 brainlickcandwitlefleconclufions, as that it may well be 
 thought, thatGodby iulliudgcmentgauethemvpto a 
 reprobate fenfe, and deprived themof common vndcr- 
 ftandingjfofarre were they from fhewing themfelues the 
 belt or moll learned of the world , as M. Biftiop would 
 hauevs to thinkeofthem. Let oneofthem, Idoubtnot 
 butM.Bifhop wiillay thebeft, ferue for example of all 
 the reft. ^' Adrian the bilhop of Rome for the commen- yi{jcen. Ctncil. 
 ding of images citeththefe places of Scripture: '■ Itjthati-^^.i"£["^- 
 dayJhalithealtaroftheLordhetn the middrfl of the land of-^^"**"^^'' 
 Egypt, nndii pillar by the border thereof vnto the Lord. ^Glo- »p/^[go*<j, 
 rie and honour are befre him. Lord, ^ I hauc loticd the beauty b -pfal.ie.i, 
 of thy houfe ^ andthepUce yphere thy glory dwelleth. ' 7'hy '17.9. 
 face Lord will I jeehe. ^ All the rich of the people pjall rttake "* 45- ' *• 
 their fuppltcationbeforethee. No doubt he was a profound 
 clerke that could diue lb deepe into thefe texts as to find 
 images therein. But againft this idoll- gracing conuenticlc 
 and confpiracie , there was gathered Tbone after in thefe 
 Wefterne parts at Franckford in Germany another Coun- 
 celi, fummoned by the Edift of Charles the Great, 
 wherein were a great number of Bifhops of Germany, 
 Fraunce, and Italy, who determined by tbe worde of. 
 God, and teftimonies of the former auncient' Church 
 againft the worlhipping of Images , and decreed that 
 that Nicene Synode which had eftablifhed the fame 
 (hould bee holden for no other but Tfeudofynodm ^ m 
 falfe Councell or Jynode : they examined all the allegati- 
 ons of the fame Councell and fliewed them to be im- 
 pertinent and falfe 5 and of the a6!s thereof, becaufe 
 Charles the Empcrour was a dealer in the matter him- 
 felfe , was a booke put foorth vnder his name , Ltber Ca- 
 roH JUagni contra fynodum de tmaginibus:the hooke of Charles 
 
 P2 tht 
 
I o 8 Tl?e Anfwer to D, T^'iJIjops 
 
 the greAt Agawfl the counccll th.u decrcedfor images. The 
 « v^ott.lHout. fanic ' Charles at the fame limefent ouer into this Hand 
 Am continim. of jjntaine a copy of the lame Nicenc councell to haue a 
 ' 70j' * judgement thereof, which Aloiniis fingularly confuted 
 by authoritieot holy fcriptiiresj ashauing decreed that 
 which n\ts (iccurfed bjthe church of God ^ and the famean- 
 fvverc was fent ouer in the name of the Bifliops and princes 
 of this land. Yea and before that Nicene councell there 
 was a councell holden by the Err.perour Conltantinus 
 Copronymus of which there is mention made in the fame 
 fjft.c^.Tljcen. 'Nicene councell which fo much detefted the worfhiping 
 CoHcU.z. otimagesasthatit decreed the abandoning ofthem alto- 
 gether. We haue therefore two councels againltM.Bi- 
 Ihops one, and in his one councell we finde nothing to 
 mooue a man well aduifed to worfhip an image, but in the 
 other we find AifHcientinftruftion from the word of God 
 to learne to deteft the fame. Andthus we are at length 
 come to an end of M. Bifliops herelics wherewith he 
 thoughtgood to chargethedo6lrine of our church : and 
 hitherto we fee his breath is no gun fnot : helaboiireth 
 much and auaileth little; flieweth a great deale of malice 
 and a fmall deale of wirt thus to cry out herefe herefe, and 
 able.toprooue no herefie at all, it being madeapparant 
 that our church in the matters whereof he fpeaketh doth 
 affirme nothing for which it hath not the cxprefie tefli- 
 mony and warrant of the old church . 
 
 13. W. Bishop. 
 
 1 will omit fiindrie othr heads of the Protefiants Religion," 
 by allapprooHedamic^mtiereprooMed, andfondemntd ^ that I 
 pajfe not the bounds of an Efislle, andfeeme ouer tediom vnto 
 your Adaiefite.E IP e daily cofidxring that thefe arefuffictent, to 
 conuince that thofefoints ( xoherem the Vrotefiants affrmeihe 
 frefent Church of Rome, to haue fo farre degenerate from the 
 anncient j are the very ejfential/ parts ^ of faith , then maintai- 
 
 tied 
 
EpMe to the iQng. lo^ 
 
 fted^jtheRom.-ins: And the c out r arte opinions mthirtg elfe, 
 butroicVedherefles, cj cld.inuented^ andohfiinatcly held a- 
 gaiMJi the fame Roman Sea , euen en they arc now in ottr time : 
 and of old alfo condemned by the fame Church in her moji 
 flottrtfhiugand hefl e fate. Where fore your mofl exceHent Aiaie' 
 ftte, being relaluie in that fingular good opinion, (that no church 
 ought further to depart from the Church of Rome , thcnfoceis 
 departed from herfelfein her fiorrn thing eflate)mufi: needs re- 
 call the Church of England y from fuch extrauagant opinions, 
 to io)ne Tviih the Roman church in the aforefaid articles^ nhich 
 Jhee iti her he (I time held for parts of pure faith : And in all 
 other s^alfo n-hichthey cannot direltly prooue (in a/anftdl di- 
 Jputatton bcfsreyottr Alaiefiie ) to haue bccne altered by her, 
 particularly namingthe point of DoU:rine \ the author of th* 
 chaunae : the time and place, where and when he liHcd\ who 
 followed him, who reffiedhim , andfuch other like circumftan- 
 ces, which all be eafely f jewed in eueryfuch reuolt or wnouati- 
 on : becanfethe vigilant care of the Paflors ofChriJis fiocke, 
 haue beenc alwaies fo great ^as no juch things could be vnknown, 
 letfippe, Qj^vnrecorded. 
 
 Thm much for myfirfl reafon, coMUdfrom the vntruth of 
 the Frotefiams religion. 
 
 R. Ab.bot. 
 
 Now that we haue taken away M. BiOiops premifles it 
 is no hard matter to gefle what will become of his conclu- 
 (ion. He dreameth he hath conuinced much againft vs, 
 when indeed all that heehath done, is but to conuincc 
 himfelfe of ignorance & folly. We are agreed that the an- 
 cient Roman faith be mainteined. It hath beene iuftificd 
 that the faith which wc profeflc is the auncient Roman 
 faith. Now therefore his mofl excellent Aiaieflte being re- 
 folute in that fingular good opinion ^ that no Church ought fur" 
 ther to depart from the church of Rome then fhee ii departed 
 from her f elf e in her floHrtfjingeJlate , mull necdes deteft 
 
 P 3 Poperie 
 
no Tl)eAnfwer'toD,'Bip?ops 
 
 Poperied's a wicked Apoltafie from the auncient Ro- 
 mane faith, and continue the Church of England in 
 the religion alreadic cftablifhed by law according to the 
 prefcript rule ofthe word of God,and the example of the 
 mod auncient Roman church. Now he would makchis 
 Maiclly beleeue that there atefundrj other beades of our re- 
 ligion wherein he could Ihew that wehaue fwaruedfrom 
 the old faith; wonder but he would tellvsasBriftowdid, 
 » Br/H. D«- that we haue renewed * tTventyfiHe old. hercftes at the leafl^ 
 •Mwnrf 30. (inddcHtfedat leafla thoufandofoHYOvpne. They are noble 
 ladds and will not loofe the whetllone for wan t of tongue. 
 But indeed M.Bjfhop hath (pitt the worft of his poifpn al- 
 ready and by that that he hathiaied we haue caufe lightly 
 to elteeme ofthe reft that he can lay. But the reft that he 
 can fay Ifeeis butlittle : his purpoleis to put vsto the 
 iumpetofayforourfelues ; for he would haue his y^^iV- 
 jiy to iotne vp'tth the church of Rome in allother articles vohich 
 we cannot direElly prooue in alawfttH dijpmation before his 
 JUfaiefiie to haue heene altered hy her , particultrly mtjningthe 
 point of doHrine ^ the author of the chaunge , the time and place 
 vphereand when he lined, who followed htm , who reffledhim, 
 And fuch other hke circumflances. What C* and muft we 
 haue all this adoeto prooue an alteration K IfthePhyfi- 
 cion hauing left M.Bifhop well in health in the beginning 
 ofthe yeere come tohi;n intheende andgiuehimtovn- 
 derftand that he is oucTciken with the iaundice or the 
 dropfie, will he no: beleeue himvnleffe he can tell him 
 when & vpoa wh/- occafion he began to change :' When 
 I(ec the hand ofthe ciall remooued from one to two, 
 dial I be lo rr.adde £S to thmkc it ftandeth ftill where it was, 
 bccaule 1 could not dkc.ne rheftirringofit :* Polititians 
 oblernethar corruption- are bred in common wealths as 
 diferu.sare in bodies : they are not difcerned but in their 
 .grcwih, iind infenfibly theyproceede many]times tillic 
 *Zw.D«,i, come to p.iilc which Liuie Hiid ofthe Roman ftate : ^ Nee 
 W.I* viitA Kojira nee Yemediaf(m' I'ojfnmi'ie: We cm neither endure 
 
 otir 
 
EpiBle to the IQiig, . 1 1 1 
 
 oar faults nor the redreljeofthem.ls it fo '\n common wealths 
 & is it not io in churcheiC'was it fo i:i the empire of Rome, 
 and might it not be fo in the church of Rome C*© no , by 
 nomeanes .- allcircumflancesbeeafdyfhoreciy (nithM. Bi- 
 fhop, ineueryfuch reuolt orvAnnuation^beca'Afe thevi^tUnt 
 care of the P aft ours ofChrifls fockj hath beene alfvaiesfo great * 
 
 Ainoftichthin^escoHld bevnkpowen , let Jlippe or vnrccorded. 
 But how then tlandeih thatthat our SamourChrifttelleth 
 vsinthe Gofpellthat ' ^yr/^^yZ^^-ZJ/w^ of the husbandman *Matth.t7 14. 
 the enemy fliould take his opportunity to fow tares in the 
 Lords field C How is it that in //;<? ^ forehead of the rohoore ijpot.J7.<. 
 of Babylon ts written , A myfleric , and that the woiking of 
 Antichrilt is called *" A myflcr'te of iniijtmy , but becauie » -r-i jr 
 myftically, coucrtly,fccretlyhcfhalIwindehisabhomi- ' '^'*' ' 
 nations into the church of Chrilt if euen as the Apoftle 
 S.Peter faith ofthe/?^;'A-<?y?^fj that fhould come that '/>r/- , 
 uily theyp}.illbrinain damnable herejies. S. Auften faith that jnoHol^'ovn 
 in his time "^ alltvasfMllofhtimAneprefumptions mththefer- tAugufi.epiji, 
 uile burdens whereof menvperefo prejfed as that the feires eflate n?. 
 vnder their le gall ceremonies vooi more tolerable then the (late of 
 Chrijlians. Now M . Bilhop belike can tell that which S. 
 Auftin could not tell by whomthefeptefumptions came 
 intothechurch, what they were, the time and place when 
 and where they began , who followed and who rclirted 
 them, beciule the vigilant care ofrhepuflors ofChriflsflockf 
 hath alwaies beene fuch as no fuch things fhould be vnkMorven^ 
 let jlippe orvnreccrded. Nay to comencerer to him what 
 might be the caufe that '' Pope Sixtus the fift and Clement •■ BthHayul^at. 
 the eighth coiTe6ledlb many things in the Vulgar Latin '''^"•^'""*'""'» 
 text of thefcriptures ^ If there wercany enours therein, ^'"'' '^^°' 
 furely M.Bifhop , I trow can tell vs by whom they firft ^^^^•^^^^' 
 camein,whGreandwhcntheyfirft began, and who found 
 fault th erewith , bccaufe the -vigilant care of the pafiours of 
 Chrtflsflockjjath beene alrraies fuch of nojuch things could be 
 vnhjQwcn , let jlippe or unrecorded. What was the caule of 
 the late reforming of their Portcfles and Primers when for 
 
 verie 
 
I iz Ti)C Anfwer to T>, 'Bifhops 
 
 vcrie fliame they vrould no longer continue to vfc them as 
 i Tr*fat.o£lc. ^^ey had done c* Was it as the Pope faide, that ' rheji were 
 he it.Mar.virg. filled mth vawe and fu^erfiit torn errours ^ and that manie 
 mfet rtform. things weie d'cpt into them which were '' ftiii ofvncert(tin^ 
 
 ^Prxfat.hett!.^^^^"'^^'^^^'^^'''If'^ • ^^tit appecre, M.Bi(hop,by whom 
 
 Pv?w. reformat, thofs fuperltitions were brought in, where and when they 
 
 firft grew, who followed them, who refilled them, or elie 
 
 requiietohaiieyourPorteflesinhkefortasyouhadthem 
 
 before that ftiU you may fing of Thomas Beckec : 
 
 ^ Bfemar.tn I j'HferT'hom^ fangti'me'/nqtiein^YO teimfcidit 
 
 ranj a. . p^^ „^^ Chr'tfle fcandcre quo Thomui afcendit, 
 
 £y the bioud of Thomas which jo^r thee he did jpcnd, 
 Afa^e vs O Chrijl to cl'tmhe whether Thomas didafcendf 
 
 becailfe the vi^nlaKt care of the Pafiors of Chrifies flocke 
 hath alrviites bcem fuch m that no ftich hmouiithns could 
 be vnknovpen , let jltp^e, or vnrecerded . Or if the care of 
 the Pallors of the Church of Rome haue not bcene 
 fuch but that fo manie Ibch enormities of corruptions 
 and fuperflitions grew into the very text of Scripture, 
 and the PorteHeand church-feruice, may we not thinke 
 that much more in other matters by want of care and vigi- 
 lancy in the pallours, corruptions and errors might fpring 
 vp in the church and haue hberty to fpread and grow 
 therein :* Now we doubt not but fuch hath beene the 
 watchfulneffe of Satan that he hath omitted no occafions 
 tharpoffibly might be taken to aduantagc himfelte to get 
 ground,andgaine tohisfonncAntichrill akingdomein 
 the church. Who laying continuall fiege to this leruralem 
 ' the city of God hath beene woont Lkc a poiincke warriour 
 with maine force tcadault it on fome one fide that the 
 ftrength of the citie being gathered thither for defence he 
 might the niorcfecurely vndermine it other-where. For 
 thiisby notCri'ous heretickesthe Carpocratians , Valen- 
 tinians, Bafilidians, Ajarcionites, Alanichees, Aiians 
 and others oppugning the great towers and fortreflesof 
 
 Chrillian 
 
EpiHie to theKjng, 1 1 ^ 
 
 Chriftian faith, he n.ighiilie bufied the fathers of the 
 church that whilcft chey were forced to lookjas I may faie, 
 to the maine chance and therefore were perforce the Idle 
 heedy otherwife , he might take hisopportiinity Itcaling- 
 ly to get m firita fingcr,and then a thuinbjand then a hand 
 and an arme and (o the relt till at length he had by h;s lieu- 
 tenant fully feared hinifelie in the temple of God , and 
 brought the outward Itate ofthe church ma manner who- 
 ly in fubiec^ion to himfclfe. And to this purpole he laied 
 his foundations eucnin thetimc ohhe Apollles^fo that 
 they giue to vndcrftad that "" the myflery ofimcjmtywM then mi^rhef.i r 
 ■n>orki!i^,and that " Anricbrijl eucn thsmras alre^.dy wthe »iJo/;m4.3. * 
 VKorLi. Then did he labour by the falfc Apodles to cor- 
 rupt the doctrine of iullincarion by taith,as appearethby 
 the epiltle to the Galatians. Then did he fceke to peruerc 
 men by coun.;erfeit mciiages and \vritin£;es vnder the" ''-•^^'/!*-i. 
 nameotthe Apoilles. Then did a certain epricilwri tea 
 fable, as before was laid , of i* the ^cret^rmatwn of Paul and ^'^'^*'*^'<^' 
 Tcc/a for the commenda'ion of virgimtv.and bcinc there- f,'^"^'"''*. ^ 
 ot conuitted by the huangelill S. lohnwasdepolcdfor /-%. ecd. 
 his paines. But well is Jt noted by Egclippus that '^ folong fcri}tjuc<u. 
 M the ApofiUs lined the chnrch continued a virgin and vncor- *••£*/«*• 'f^*/^ 
 THpt, falfe teachers for that time /urktn^ rifccret, becaufe '"^•''^•3«f'«-»? 
 they found the Apoilles llill ready to chcckeand crolle 
 their attempts : but when the Jpofiksveere dead and that ge- 
 neration was gone which had immed'.ately with t heir ovrne eares 
 heard their preaching offaUation , then a coufbiracy oftrtcked 
 errottr heganhy the fedtiCimcnts cffpich Oi dcltnered flrange 
 dothine ^^ and boldly preached a falfely-named-knoirkdnc a- 
 ^ainjfthe preaching of the truth , becaufe there rva4 mns of the 
 jipoftlcs regaining to coy;n-o!lthem. Then fieely did there 
 ily abroad an infinite number of counterfeit and apocry- 
 phall writing?, ' thegojpelfofTaddei^, ofMaihias,of'GcUf.decrtt. 
 Peter, of lames, of Barnabas , ofthomM, of Andrew : the <^' •^Mypf'- 
 AEls of Thorns , of Andrew, of Philip : the ReaeLttions of 
 Paul, of Thomas, of Stephen : the books ofthenatiMty of cur 
 
 C^ Satiioftr 
 
1 14 TIjc Anfwer to T>. Sijhops 
 
 Sdmofty attdcfMn^y and her midwife , and a great number 
 more of f.ich dcuifes. Then wenc deceiueis abroad to 
 fEufeh.eabf. report what *" yirJnv^ and Peter inndp hihpiznd the re (1 had 
 htfl.Ui.ca.i6. latJe md dosiey to whom ' Papiasgaue care and vasby 
 ** ' * them di-awneinto errour, and himlelfe by that mcanes 
 
 ^9UQ occajlon of erronrtofiurny Ecclejiafiicali men that rejj'e^ 
 tied h:mfcr his cmtcj-iitie ^^nd for that he wasfb ncereio the 
 very iirr.eoftheApoft'es. In like fort thofe balbrdvvri- 
 tinp.s '.vhich i'jftly deferned ro be confumed in the firCjyec 
 many riiTc*; go: credit with the Fathers of the Chinch, as 
 »Chryfofl. rp, ^.j^Vj Chrvfoilome " the^crcqrin.nion of peter , fathered vp- 
 **!il^r7i^n' ^^' C!er/ient5 with AmbrofeA' Cyprian the ^ fable of Z>- 
 g j^ ' ' '' cli : with Origen/ the gofpelUccordwg ts the Hedrcrves, the 
 Cjfrkn.oTAt. Epijlle cfBarnnhit: and lundry Oihcrj with Clemens Alex- 
 frof:artyr.pr andrinus '■ the preaching cf Peter: with whole Churches 
 fHbdief,*IJU. the'Re^jc/ation of Peter and the ludger^m of Peter, and 
 jOriz-inMat. '^^^ ^ ^'•'^ PafioHr^ fo that they were read pub'ikcly there- 
 tra(l,Z, ^in in, by meanes whereof the poifon which Satan had cun- 
 Lfuit.hom.io. ningly conuciedintofucli counterfeit books was recciued 
 ^cont.Celf. aswholfomefood , andfundryerrours and fuperllitious 
 « ciem Mcxa f^nciesofvowed virginitie, ofpraier for the dead, of free 
 firomat.lib.6. ' wi^j ofiuuocation of Saints, of Antichriil, of the Af- 
 « Sixt.Senenf. fumption of Mary,and ilich like by little & little go: foot- 
 hibl. Sand. lib. j^g m thcChutch. And here was indeed the true begin- 
 l'^"^"^''' ning of many do£lnne5 of Poperie , when in fuch famed 
 PfitSymb. ocriptures many things were commended to the church, 
 which m the trueicripiurcs of iheapollles were not men- 
 tioned at all, which M- Bilfioppleadeth to be ancient, 
 andwedcnieitnot, btcaufe weknowthediuellisaunci- 
 ent, that was the deuifei of them. Some afperfion whcrc- 
 « EffZ*/! 11.11, ofhis care was to call vpcn the ' makers of the ajfem^/ies, 
 theDo6toursand teachers of the church , and with hu- 
 mane refpe^ts to miftand dazle t:hcir eies,as knowing that 
 it would litrleauaile him to plead the value of meanc per- 
 fons and notorious hcretikcs, and therefore feeking to 
 grace hisdeuifes with the credit and authoritie of gieater 
 
 names } 
 
Epijlle to the J^ng, 1 1 5 
 
 names *, but fo as that by the prouidcncc of almighty God 
 there remainech a fbfficient light amongft them for the 
 re6lifying ofthofe things wherein they i'warued from that 
 ftreight and euen path which the Aportles had trodcn 
 out for dire6^ion vnto them. Which God willing fliall 
 be made very prcgnnnr<&: clecrcm the handling otthofe 
 pointSj wherin M-BiHiop hath taken vpon him in behaUe 
 of the Romilh chinch tpoppugne the doctrine of our 
 church. Albeit there are fome things in their pra6lifeand 
 defence wherebvrhcir ihameislaiedopenin all the reftj 
 whereof the firll Church which receiued "* all the corwfell ^ ^(l.%o.zj» 
 ^TfCfji^, yet neuerrecciued any thing, nor euer gane anie 
 approbation ac all. The woiniipping of idols and images 
 had neuer fo much as any (hew of allowance from that 
 church: Itwaspra^tifcd as before was fhewcd by the Si- 
 monian heretickcs, rhc Carpocratians , the Collyridians, 
 and in the time of Grcgorie /I-/<«^/7;/^ began publickly to 
 beatlc6^ed, and wasihenrefiftod.by Scrcnus bifliop of 
 JVlariilia,and condemned by Gregoriehimfelfe, and ne- 
 uer got head till after that time by the idolatrous Ibcond 
 NiceneCouncell, andyer was then a'fo withftood by a 
 CouncellatConftantinopIe, and by ten ortwclueChri- 
 ftimEmperours fucccliiuely inrheEnlt, by Charles the 
 Great, and the Counceli of- Franciord in the Well, but in 
 the end by the vfuipation and tyrannic of Andchriii was 
 fully cltablilhed in the Chi;rch : for ihe con^etonirrg 
 whereof ' Alphoniud de Caliro iniputerh errour f.- ihc * ^ipi.„cjg 
 aunclent Father Epiphanius •, fo cert une is itthu by him hxr.Uh.'i.ut. 
 in name of the Church it was condemned at tV.a" time, imu^o. 
 Now Satan hamng had fogood fnccclle in ou? point of 
 idolat.ie, went prefendy in hand wit!-) another, and kra 
 footcthedocciineoFTranrubltanri.i'ion, ct^cn about ti;c 
 time ofthatfecond NiceneCouncell, a'lmolt < i.^ht hun-' 
 dica yc-erss aftJ-r the birth of Chrifl. Tlic fvn- wa ; '.hba- '^/■■^^'"^W. 
 t:d to and fro , till at lengrh ' Carolus CJuus !..:ng of ^/;';;.^;'^; 
 Frauncc, taking knowledge of i: ^ {iemio lodmic: B^nra- v.m!m, ''** '^' 
 
 0^2 Win 
 
''Index Ex 
 "Pu.yiratcr.in 
 taptgat.Bet' 
 tram. 
 
 X x6 71:: A:ifv2r to D, ^iflrj^s 
 
 r^V'Jraprieft, atnanfamom far "his learning, to know his 
 iudgcnicncdicrcof } who then wroreagainll ir his hooke 
 De corpc7-e Q^ jdnafsins Dcmm ; Ofthchodjaud hlvmof our 
 Lord'j aiio by rtrong argiimcnrs and au'hontjo? oF the 
 Fathers, impngnedthat new deuil'eiwhich bookethe Spa- 
 nifn Cciilours would not haue to be wholly lupprelled 
 , ^ i>ccaufe (odooih v^cfbouLifiot fay that they mAuc awoij fmlj 
 writings of amiqyAtie ds did m^ike fcr vs , but yet to leciire 
 thexlelues, they haue taken out fnch fpcciall arguments 
 as made agiinft them, and appointed the booke (o to be 
 Printed, Ihamcfully abufing the Reader, to make him 
 thinke he hath that which he hath nor, becaufe thebooke 
 " wanteth that that it fhould haue. At that time Jiuedallb 
 lorinnes Scottiiy not he that was furnamed D^:ms , bur ano- 
 ther, a man for his lingular learning highly elleemcd with 
 the fame ChaiIes,who wrot allb a tre:i tjle De EuchArif^.ta) 
 OftheEucha>ifiorSacrnmentohhe Lords Supper, pur- 
 pofely againft that point. The newnelTe of which do6lrine 
 may hecreby be conceiued , notonely forthat Gelafius- 
 the bifhopofRome determined flatly againft It, that ^ l>j 
 the Sacraments which rte rece'me of the hcdj and blond of 
 Chriji we are made partakers of the diuifje nature, and yet 
 there ceafeth not to be the fnbfiance or nature ofbre^td and 
 wine', butalfo for that they thcmfelues confefle that in the 
 auncient writers there is ^ feldome mention of it , indeed 
 none at all; and that as touching the iecrets thereof of <3(i?- 
 cidents without any fnhic^ , and accidents onely nottrifhing and 
 feedtngwithout any fuhiiance, and fi'chlike, '" Pojtcrior<etas 
 per Sp. S anclum addidit j hicr tir/te addedthem by the inftnEi 
 of the holyghofl: whereas Chryfoftome telleth vs , that " if 
 « Chry [,/?}. de any 'of them that arefa'tde to haue the holy Ghofl d.oe fpeake of 
 Sar.Sl. ^ himfelfe and not out of the Gojpeit, he is not to be bcleeued : If 
 erand.fp:riiu, ^^ read It not written, butfpe^.k^e of himfelfe , // is mpjiifeB 
 'ixZmTon- ^^^^ ^^ ^"^^^ n$t the holy Gh4^ Yea ' Scotus , Camcracen- 
 tiixrid'ent.de ^s, aiid Others doe plainly confelle that Tranfubitantiati- 
 Trdnfti'A' o^ cannot be enforced by the Gofpell , no nor by any te- 
 
 ftimonics 
 
 '^Linfram.d 
 Sacram.EH- 
 char. ' 
 
 ^Gelaf.cont, 
 Eutych, ^ 
 
 1 JlfonfJe 
 CaTl.lib 8. 
 tit.lndulg. 
 
 *» Iniex Ex. 
 <r4t, Bertram. 
 
Ep'isik to the i^Vg. 1 1 y 
 
 ftimonicsoftheaiincicnt church, and ^ ?>cotusaiTirnieth fBeli^r. d^Sa- 
 as Bel!.irii)inc bim!elfc confelleih, thjiC (yefore the LatnAn "•^^'- ''"''"": 
 C ounccli it rv as ny article of filth. And \t is woorthy ro be ' •S-'-'S* 
 obfcrncd d:b th.it the {a:v,e Bclhrmineackiiowledgeth, 
 ^ that it rriiij wctt be doubted ivhcther there beany p/ace of s jhi. 
 Scripture euidcKllj to j,rooHe TranfibflMniation othemife 
 then tkM their ciftrchl-athdccL^red it fo to be, becattfe vcne 
 learned^ and acute mcn^(t:ch as Scot us rvoiy doe thmke the con- 
 tmrie. Ir had ncncrpiiblickc approbation for a thouland 
 yeeres after the time of Ch lift, nor cucrfii I! confirmation 
 vntill the Conncellof Laterancj which was two hundred 
 yeercs fr.orc ; where wz^pLn^cf^rhi, nfall cenrt for thcre- 
 ceiuing and fetcing vp ofthe idoll * Mao^'-m , the Gcd of * Dan.n.^i. 
 Ancichrilt, thenccfoorthwith dii.iine honours to be ado- 
 red & woffliippcd of aliCTcgether herewith grew the no- 
 table abufe ofthe celebration ofthe Lords Supper, which 
 many ages ofthe fi; It church were ncuer acquainted with: 
 the facramcnt ordinarily to bereceiuedby the Priell only, 
 and when it is receiucd by the people to be receiued only 
 inonekiudc. Looke the old councels, thefathers, the 
 ftories ; leethedclcriptionsofchurch-feruiceinDionyfi- 
 us, luftiniis Martyr , in the Liturgiestrue or feigned of 
 lames, ofBalil , of Chryroltorne,of Ambrofc or whatlo- 
 euer other ancient records '^ it is not found euertohauc 
 beene fo ordered in any church throughout the whole 
 Chrirtian world. Yea fomc of ihcm confeile that ' ttis not 'C^Jter. Emhi- 
 knovcen when the cr^fiomoi t\\i[x halfe communion began: ^"^''^"i'^^' 
 that it crept in firf} by cufj-otuf by the conninence ofthe Bipjops [.J^'^l j^ ^^ 
 andafcrtva^ confirmed a-Mefiabifued by Uw , To idle a fancy (hanji.^ap. lo, 
 is it which M. Bilhop doteth vpon , that the vigilant care 
 ofthe pajlof^rs ofChrtftsflocke hath alvares bcencfuch oa that 
 no fuch innonations could be vnknowcndet fltppe or i/nrccorded. 
 Their Purgatorie fircwas fcant kindled foiire hundred 
 yeeres after the time of Chrilt , and when it washcgunnc, 
 yet ior many hundreds cfyeeres akcr it woo licuertakcn to 
 be the iurifdi6lion ofcheBilliop of Rome that hcfhould 
 
 0^3 haue 
 
1 1 8 The Anfwer to T), Sipops 
 
 hauc power hirnfclfe orfhould giue power toothers by 
 Indalgences and pardons todeliuer fbulesfrom thence: 
 lb that they being put to giue a reafon how it fhould be 
 that the Pope fliould haue fuch a power of pardoning and 
 there fliould be no vfe noreximple thereol: For a thou{and 
 yeefcs afcerChrift, likefliameles and ynbluihing harlots 
 (Eliem.jimot. and hypocrites they tell vs , that "^ informer aq^es of the 
 *" ^f°^^\ ^l ' church great penartce andfatisfaEiion was eniojned and willtng-^ 
 (Iro adu hicreC. ^J f'ff^^^^^^ i and then KvoA the lejfe pardoning and fewer indtil- 
 lib.S .tit. Iifdul- g^^ces, becaiife m that voluntary vfe and acceptation ofpunnijh^ 
 gentia. tnent , anci great K,eale andfernor offpirit everts jnanf'dfJled 
 
 his penance and few asJ^d pardon, Now in the fallof dcuotionj 
 and lothfomenes that men commonly haue to doe great penance y 
 though (he finnes be far greater then etter before , yet our hcrlie 
 mother the Chureh l^owin^with the ^pojlle the cogitations of 
 fatanjjow he would tn this delicate time drtue men either to d^f- 
 perationSor to forfake Chrifl itndhis church and allhcpe offal- • •* j 
 uation, rather then they -would enter into the courfe of canonical: (UJtl W f ^ ^ 
 emoynethfmall penance andfcldome vfeth extremity with cffen-^ 
 ders , but condefcendcth to the weaketicjfe pardoneth exceeding \ 
 
 often and mi^ch not only allenioynedpenance-Jbut alfo all or qreat 
 parts ofwhattemporallpunnifhmentfo euerdue or deferucd ei- 
 therin this ycorldorin the next. Ah fwecte mother church, 
 *Be!l*mde ^^^jj f^^^ thy heart that hall gotten fuch a rich ' treafure 
 lihi ^ t>z ofthefuperfi^ities of the ft-, fferinges of the Virgin Aiary and all 
 the Saints, Inch as Peter and P..n)lnci3er knew, nor any old 
 father or Bifliopihroughont tl;e whole world euer drea- 
 med otj thereby to rdicuc thy dclicareand tender babes 
 in this latter .ar;c& to kccpc them bolh from purgatory in 
 the world loco-r.c, and f.orndoingtcomi:ch penance in 
 this world." Nowoonder ifthy obedient children make 
 much Oi fc kinds and ; 'tii\i]l a mother. Swcctc mother, 
 did I {.'.yc'nayfiithyanu vnii?.tur.:!} ibum pet which ^o\(o- 
 neth herowr.e children , a^d .';eccrli them withalhesin 
 fteedc oFbrcr.d : which fr.akech rheni to vw'h to her Par- 
 dons for deluiciiince £ om Pi"-satory iii'e that for wan: of 
 
 the 
 
Efljlk to the I'\ing, 1 1 9 
 
 the true pardon they maybe cjftinto hell fire. Shame- 
 lefTe harloL rvonUfj} thou iipsabotit , I will not lay ^fttrfoure 
 /E?/^«i/rfflj'v'-t';f/a3Hicromeraid;,biitafcerathoufandyecrcs, ^ 
 " to te.ich mo; i IjM which they ncner kr.cvo before / fcottldefl thoH „ ^"''p^-* 
 bring foorth to the nrr/dth.it rvhich Peter cud Paul wouldnot Ocran.de crnr. 
 dclmer or teach f tor a thoufaRd ycercs the Chrijiim worU Ongen. 
 •fvtii rvithotn thefedoclriiies , without thy Pardons and Jubi- 
 lees, without thy puppets and mammets, thy Agnus dcis, 
 thy halowed graines , thy halowcd beadcs and iuch other 
 excremeut:<illh]fte,ap.d dcell ihou now tell vs in theende 
 of the world thitt thele things archelpfull to our foultSj \^^T"t'"* 
 and further vs to the rcrriiii ion and forgiucnedeofrmnesr' j£xt7au.'de 
 Itwas thirtcene hundred yecresafter the birth oiChnA pcemt.o-rt- 
 thattlie yecre ofAVW^r was deuilcd by Boniface the eight w//7:'4,>/^«n- 
 ^ aman vifbca'C^''h thrfflinj after aoldhowfoeHer it w?re qot- ?"'"■'""• 
 ten ; ' who tookc vpon him to grant to eucry one that ^^j^ ^ cavOm- 
 would come roRomethacyeereand viiitethe churches of „« chri/urus, 
 Peter and Paulehc fhould haue mofl full and perfe6^ re- ^TUtin.inEo- 
 million of all his finncs ;alwaies prcfuppoled that ^ mnsAn "'/"f-j. 
 mttfla^^eare before the Lordemjity. And to make way to . ^^*';^'''''*"'« 
 that authoritic whereby he might doc this, and the Pope " p///,*^. Creir^ 
 alwaies what he hll it was another of the fame name Boni- detranf.epifeo. 
 face thethird that obteinedofPhocas themurtherer to be ('t.Qnanto. 
 * /^<?/?f<«^4/?<^vniuerrallBiniopofthc church, whence the ** cUmmt. 
 Canonirtes did firll lift him vp to be " vicarim dei in terris, ^TTv'"^ 
 Cody lieutendnt gcnerall vpon the earth , and peiTuaded him ftiiat.cap.p4~ 
 'thathewns not a meere man : '^ he was neither GodfiormanporAlif. 
 but a mangrellbetTvixt both, whereupon he hath taken rpon ^ 5'fA-:. de Setf 
 him ' fnperioritj oucr e?Kpercfrrs and l^ngs and chalengethto ''""' c^^'Wi- 
 himfelfe authority ' to depofethcm^ and haih required them 'p^f^l]^ ; ' 
 to ^ frvearefide/itie and allegiance to him , 2nd relcaled *" e DiJi.6i.Tihi 
 othes of fidelity and'aUcagiance to them , that ir might be d'.mm. 
 Mawfullfor their fubicils :o rife in amies and to rebel! a- ^^^xt.ytfa- 
 gainftthem ; thingcs fo impious, foncwandfirangeand^*'*' 
 lb wholly repugnant to the conceipt and p.ailife c>'thCf,„"..'J„^,JJ;}y_ 
 auncieiK church as that we may woondcr at the iron fore- T^i'jeify^ 
 
 heades 
 
1 2 The Anfwer to T), 'BifJ?ol)s 
 
 heades ofthefemen , who (etting their eies full vpon the 
 funne take it vpon their ioule that it fhine; h not: and when 
 their nouclticsarc Ibch as cannot be denied yet will fay, as 
 IVl.Bifhop dothfth3ittheCh(irchofR/)me now teacheththe 
 fame in all points ofrelicr^ton thatjhee cUd cf old in her heft and 
 Mofi fioorifhing ejldte. What is it but the fchoolemens no- 
 ueltic to aflirine feuen iacramcnts C' what is bur nouelty to 
 attribute fo much to the merits of Moonkes anki Fryars as 
 ^ Math.Tarif.^^i they can '' d^^re particifiurfi bonorum operiim JHorum: 
 inHenr.T.de mfiks Other men partakers of their good nork^ f Whatis it but 
 CijQcmenfih, nouelty that Ho fius relleth vs ' that if a man hatte the inter- 
 tre^a'dnyi^-' f^^^^^^°'^ of the church of Rome of am pLtce offcrtptnre he hath 
 4,, . the very norde of God , thouah he doc not fee hove ttfandeih 
 
 with the n ordesf^A/hat is it but nouelty to make the Bifhop 
 oiRorr.e the oracle of the church , tbathis definitiuefen- 
 tence lliould be the ending of all co'ntrouerfies of faith for 
 if It were lb taken in the primitiue church what needed that 
 trouble oi generall councels to aflemble the Bifhops from 
 all partes of the world, whenall might bricfely be deci- 
 ded by the word of his mouth c'atleallwhy didthcynot 
 glue reafon of their alTembling themfclues in tliat forte 
 when matters mighthaue been ended by a fhortcr courlec" 
 Now fincc by thefe and fuiidde other fuch noueUies it 
 plainly appeareth that there is lb great difference of the 
 church oi Rome that now is from that that was of old , it 
 (hall not be material! to looketo alithofc circumftances 
 that M.Bilhop fpeakerh of to ex.imine when or how or by 
 whom thofe differences firft began, neither will we betray 
 our owne faluation by forgoing the true faith oi the aunci- 
 cnt church of Rome becaufcmen hauehinfparingto lay 
 open their owne fliamc by acknowledging their innoua- 
 ticnsin the new. As for thofe corruptions for which they 
 can pretend fome fhew of antiquitic they haue therein alfo 
 plaied their parts, andhatjcincreafcdablillertoabotche, 
 and ohi light itch haue made a fouleleprofie, and turned 
 crrours into hcrcfici , andcuftomes ofobfcruarions into 
 
 meritorious 
 
EpiHle to the I\in^, ii i 
 
 meritorious workes of religion, and hane in a manner ex- 
 tingiiifhed al true confcience and comfortable vfe of Chri- 
 ftran faith. And thus much concerning M. Bifhops firft 
 reafon, wherein he tookc vpon him to flicw the v ntru th of 
 the Prorellants religion , and in the examination thereof 
 is found to leaue truth to the religion ol:' the Proteftants, 
 and to take vntruth to his owne ; the Proteftants religion 
 teaching nothing but what accordeth with the faith and 
 religion that hath beenc formerly embraced in the aunci- 
 ent church of Rome, though wholly exploded in the 
 new. 
 
 14. W. B isHOP. 
 
 The fecondflidlbe grounded v^on thevngodlweffeofit^ 
 where I rvtll let pajfe that hifh^owt ofimpietie, that they make 
 God (who is goodnejfe it fe/fe ) the author of allwkk^d aSlions^ 
 dor}': in the world: Andwnll be fides jay wthwT of that their 
 blajphemie againU our Sattmtr lefus Chrifl , that he oner- 
 comewith the paines of his faffionvpon the Crojje, did doubt, 
 (if not d/U?atreJofhis owr.e fuluation : being vnixilltfif to touch 
 any other points , then fuch as are afietwards difctfjfcdin this 
 bookf, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 The fecond reafon was not vfed by M. Bifhop with a- 
 ny opinion to moouc thereby his mofl excellent Nlaielty , 
 becaufehc knew that his Alaiellie being a profefloiir of 
 theProtcllantreligion , and well vnde.itanding what he 
 profefleth , is able to acquit the lameof allvngodlmelTe, 
 and therefore cannot but take him for aliar.ind llaunde- 
 rer that cha-gcthimpijtie there where indeed there is no 
 fuch thing. I3ut he would wriceitnotwithliindingto con- 
 tinue in his Catacatholicke ^ blinde- obedient z^ihcy them- tP,^/-,,,^, 
 feUiesiurtly rcrmethem, adeteftation of religion, v. hi!c(l:, jc-fuLs^ipo- 
 fcely foules.they bclceuethefelewdecai'ifeSj buz-^.^'^Mn- lo^u. 
 to their eares lies and talcs ofimpietiesand blafp'-'emies, 
 
 K wliich 
 
I z z The Ajifwcr to 2). 'Sijhops 
 
 which neuer any man imagined or dreamed of. Who if 
 
 they knew the impieties and blafphemies that are truely 
 
 charged vpon Poperie, they would Ipit in the faces of 
 
 thefe harlots, and decertithofeabhominations which now 
 
 through their delufions and of ignorance they fo deuou t- 
 
 ly dee embrace. Is it not a horrible impietie that ftandcth 
 
 ^Extraua. /a- written in their law , ^ Our Lord God the Pope? Tobelceut 
 
 anH.ii.Cum //,^^ g^^y j^py^ Cod the Pope might not fo decree as he hath de- 
 
 ^'Tk '"/r^"' creed , fhould be accounted hcrefie. Is it not impietie that 
 
 Tapa, they fay, ihut ' ifthePopebein^'carele^e of the fil nation of 
 
 his brethren, doc draw inriumerable foules with him to hell by 
 
 heapeSjjet Komorta/tman may prefume to reproone his faults^ 
 
 <Sccf Is it not impious which is fo often repeated by their 
 
 ••D /? le- Canonifts, that '' the Pope may dijpenfe againfi the j4po[}lcy - 
 
 aor.ingUjfa. or which Bodine himfelfe a Papift hath oblerued as a rule 
 
 %^. Sunt qui- of theirs, that "" he is fafe enough yvith God, who by the Pope 
 
 daminglojfa. ^ fy^^^ fcor/t the Uroes of God ? Are they not to be dete- 
 
 ^'' . fted as impious fpeechcs, which before hauebeenemen- 
 
 pitbllib.i cll tioned whereby they feeke to difgrace the Scriptures of 
 
 God c* Is it not an impious paradoxe which iM.BiOiop 
 
 ^ 2'rfg.32. Ji3[h fet downe, ^ that m the man -ne-ivij ba^tizedthere is no 
 
 more/innerhenrvoi in Ad^.mintheflate ofiymocencie^ or that 
 
 8r/;o.^5«/w. which other of them haue taught, that ° the entrmgintd 
 
 A-f'"ttnt,difi,/\ ycii(Tious orders and putting on of a monkes corrJe is of the 
 
 ^%^m"''^] fr^' ^-f^/^^ and grace that Eaptifme is ? What doe you 
 
 ^!S.cap".ii'tx thinke M. Bifhop :" is it not impietie and bla(phemie 
 
 Hem. Kune. which was broachcd by '' Thomas ^Ac^uinoi , one , you 
 
 •"Pd^.iS. f^y J of the prmcipall pillars of the Romiflj church ^ and by 
 
 'Thom.^quin. yourlchoolcmen his followers maintained, thsit' tf a dogge 
 
 Nj-^°'*'^^' cr a moufedoe eate the confecratedhofi , k is the very body of 
 
 ^'^ '^' • Chrifi which the dogge eatech : or if it be cart into the 
 
 dirt , it is the very body of Chrift that lierh in the dirtjor if 
 
 afpider oranie poifon be cart into the confecrarcd cup, 
 
 kjtBtonXum». ^^^^ u ^^^ ^^^^ ofchrifi , as Antoninus faith , tsinfeSied 
 
 {7ui^.'p.2 Ji ' there-with 5 or i fa man cajl vp thefacrament or voide it before 
 
 defdLMijJ'a. digefiioH into the draught that it t^ fiill the body andbloudof 
 
 Chrifi } 
 
Epijlle to the Kjng, i 2 j 
 
 Chrift *,or * if a wicked man doe eate the facramcnt, the 
 body of Ch rift is ttill in his belly as long as bread is before ^Th/H.^qu'w. 
 it be digellfdj or that he '" Pjouldbe commended m a man ofytfuprainctrp. 
 great zeale that would eate the lacramcnt being voided or '"•^"»»'«. >t 
 taken out of the belly of a man or a moufe , or a dogge, as ^"^'^'*' 
 one Godemnm did when a leper vrith filthy phle^me had cafl it 
 vp fO execrable villaineswhofortlie maintenance of their 
 monller of rranfubftantiation haue made themlelues the 
 authours of fo prodigious and accurlcd fancies! Doe you 
 know thefe things in your owne bookcs , M.Bifhop , and 
 would you goe about to obie6l impiety of doftrine to v;.:' 
 But yet tell vs further, I pray : will yc not giuevsleauero 
 hold it for an impiety which Harding and Bellarmine in fa- 
 uor of the Popes reuenue of harlotry doc tcl vSjthat pub- 
 licke ilewes are " amce(f.iry eiit'L;^x\di\\^t " themififfrate '^"^"^'^XCou- 
 finnethnot tK.ippoiatingApUce for them 'f May we not take ^pp/^^; 
 it for an impious and vngodly dod^rine which ,you teach "Btutrm.de 
 that '^ it is better <md lefjejltme for a man that hath vowed ft»- ^mi/Jion. grat. 
 fie life to k^epe a concubme orayvhoore,x\2iy mar.y rvhooresthen ^ •'*'** f>cccat, 
 to marry awtfe ? Is it not a fingular point of impiety and '^QlflerEmhir 
 facriledge which you affirme that '' the cmctfixe '^ ^''^f cap.i-j.'profo.^'. 
 worfliipped iv'tth the fame worpiip that is due to the holy Trwt- Slndju. Comm. 
 ty ? Is it not a damnable do6^iine which is deliueredby H^Xampa^. 
 your fchooleman Holcot : ' that a mm may merit by an er- ^^.'^f '"*'* "'"* 
 rontons a::d tvronj^ faith albeit it fall out that thereby he rcr^rflnp J'^^i^j, futr.' 
 the dwell ? Was it not a notable impiety and blafpheniy ^J..l■irAi.Qt'~ 
 that was deliuered by your friend Teccliusthepardoner,?'' -•*/'/"«»'• 
 that his pardons were of that vertuethat '' ifamxnh^dde-'l'';'^' ' "' 
 filedthrbklJedyirainiiKdoottenher'.mthchtldhefniohtbythe ^1 ' " ?!' . 
 paiwe;:t of many be freed tntrcby ? Arethefe floures tound rem. iiuwfred. 
 tohauegrowcn in the garden of the fathers ? Areyou t'-.cy dt^na^^otiita 
 that in all points tench the fame do6^rinctha; the church ^^'^'-p-^Z'"- 
 ofRoroe did when Iheewas inherbcil cftare ? ' Tefer- '.'°', 
 pems, ye gcneratims of Vipers bo-ix> jhof^liiye efi\ ipe t he dcmra- „. „ ;, (, , , 
 tionofheli ? "" ye haue alivaies reefed the holy ghof}- , andl^U- t.Wj.Mj.33. 
 died ' toperncrt thefirdght rraiesofthe Lord. Yea cry out, " ^47.7.5 r. 
 
 R 2 antiquitte^ 
 
124 '^•'^ Anfwer to T>. 'Bifhops 
 
 AMtiquitie^ (tntieju'ttie, when y c haue made a monfter of that 
 faith that was profefledby antiqiiirie. But goe on, fulfill 
 the meafure of your forefathers , that ye may receiuc a full 
 meafure of reuenge at the handes of that God whoie truth 
 you haue wilfully blafphemed and railed at. Now the firft 
 point of vngodlinefle wherewith this Llymas chargeth 
 our religion isjthat we r/mke Godthe author ofallmcked atli- 
 o/isthat are done in the world. But it was woonderthat he 
 ilaied there , and did not vary the words as did his fellow 
 rjtrtl'ksar Wright that foulcMiouthcd ciogge , ^ that the froteflants 
 forcible rea- f»al^ Gcd the authour ofjinne, the only canfe sffwne , that 
 y«»*. mAnfv/welhuot j that God L xrorfethcn the dhtelL A filthy 
 
 finnc who wallowing in the muckeand dirt of Popifh ig- 
 norance hath hiseies fo daubed vp iherewi:h that he feeth 
 not his owne way. But his head is crufhcd and he hath no 
 more to fay : yet M.Bifhopto kecpe their occupation 
 going rubbcLh here againe vpon the Hime place. He tel- 
 lethvsthat we make God the aptthor ofallrfUkedalltoKsthat 
 aredaneinthervorld. But where doe ye finde that JVl.Bi- 
 fhop ? (hew vs the place!; fetdowne the words ; doe not 
 bringe vs your colle6lion but our owne aflertion : for you 
 are like fpiders and toades which gather venimc and poi- 
 fon from iweete flowers and wholfome herbes. Vndoubt- 
 cdlyyou will incurre the brand for charging vpon vs that 
 that you cannot prooue. Ourbookes deny that that yon 
 fay : in our churches and fchooles we determine the con- 
 trarie. We fay and you will fay no lefle, that God is the 
 Mrt.i7-i8. authourofalla6lions in the world jfor * tn himvpelmeand 
 mooue and haue our beings and Without him we liue not, we 
 moouenjt, we haue no being. Yet we lay, that/inne is 
 wholly and only ofman himfelfe,ncither can we challenge 
 God tor any part or parcell thereof. Diftmguifli the acci- 
 dent from the fubieft j the fmneof the a6lion from the 
 a£^ionitre!fe : God in the one fnall be glorified, and man 
 (hall iurtly be condemned for the other. If M.Bifhop lend 
 M. Wright a lame horfe, and the hoife halteth as hec 
 
 goeth, 
 
Episile to the I(ing» 125 
 
 goeth, would he nor thinke much that M. Bifliop !(houlcl 
 challenge him for making his horfe to hair:' Hee maketh 
 the horle to goe, and guidcrh him to goc this way or that: 
 but to qoe h.ilring and lame is the faul: oFthe horle, and 
 not of him. Huen lo God by common pronidcnce moo- 
 ueth and llirreth all men, and by a moi c Ipeciail hand or^ 
 dereth their way and courfc that they Iba'l goe: but the in-. 
 iquitie and fume which they bewray inthemenne time, 
 cucnashalcingand lamcnerteisof themfeluesand not of 
 him. Hevfeth chewickcdnesofman,and dilpofethit to 
 fuch ends<i^v purpolesas he thinketh good, and fomctimes 
 iniultiudgcmcnttakcth occafion to proi.ioke it, and to 
 draw out ot man that that ism him , but he is not ihe au- 
 thor of it. And is this our dcuifec'are we the firlt that hauc 
 taught thus c* doc wefpeake anyoiherwife then the aun- 
 cient church hath fpokcn , or then both they and we are 
 by the holy Scripture diiccled to fpcakeC 'C7p^,laithOri- »0ri<ren.iH 
 gen, h.it/j not wrought m^ms ivic^dfiejfe , but being frocured liHmer.hem, 
 er wrought by hiwfelfe , God though he be able (oto dee , yet ^* 
 hinderethitnot, bm vfeih the fame togither with them from 
 whom It commcthfor necejjariepurpofes. He m^l^th not men 
 wicked ^ but being wickfd , he by the ittfl and vnfpeakeable 
 coHrfe of his promdence according to their oxvnc dijhoftion, or~ 
 dereth and difpofeth of them: becaufe '' he k^op-eth how to ^Cont.Ctlfnm, 
 i>fe to good purpofe the rvickfdncjfe of fnch as are fallen av:'aie ^'^'^' 
 from him. To the fame purpole S. Au^len alfo notablie 
 fpeaketh : ' It « $n the power ofeudlmen tofinne,but in finning 
 
 by their wichedne^e to doe this or tkn it i.< net tn their power, L^'*Fa c * n 
 I I />. ; ; ,- lift ^ ' ■ Vr£deft.SaiKlm 
 
 tfit tnthe power Of (jodxihojeparateth the datkeneffe ^ andor- (ap.i6, 
 
 dereth iheftme, th.it etten in that which they doe againfi the 
 
 mllofCod, yet not any other thing br^t what God mli maybe 
 
 done. ^ HedithnjtmakethewtlsofmeHeinll, butvfeth ihe ^ContUlum. 
 
 famenot'.rithftAnding xihcwdl\ ' tncliningar.dmooHtnir their T'dai i 5 r^ 3. 
 
 wd. that he may doe by thcmwhat hewill doe by them, andvn- * ^'^'''*'- ^ 
 
 Uifllywillcih nothing. '■ Thiu he vfed ludas to betray Chrif},'l^/^'/f;'^^^^^ 
 
 Ofid the lewes to crftcifie Chrif^: they \ffeicmckedoi ihcm- 
 
 R 3 klues> 
 
tz6 Tl?e Anfwer to D. 'B'tjhops 
 
 fclucsjbuthevfed their wickednelTe to thokcn^s^ thereby 
 to works goo^^ fo themthAt afte-rcvardflioulAbeleeue in him. 
 And thus for vnthankfulnefle, and wilful! contempt of 
 his goodnclfe and glory, God \x\ fe^rcfull iudgcment 
 Tfcththewickedncfleof menagainll then-jfelues to their 
 owne greater confufion, giuing them ouer to runne head- 
 long thereby to greater finnes, that they may receiue the 
 ei«/;M 11.40. greater damnation, * bhndingtheireies and hardniKg their 
 Tfal.^iA 1. hearts, ^ giuing them vp to thetr o-xne tmagmatioyis , ' to vile 
 ^ yow.i.i .1 . ^^g^igy,^ ^fo Are^robate fenfe, fendingthem ^ lying faints andi 
 J ' "^ fii^°"g dsliifion that they may be lee tie lies ; '''' caitfing i>2 them 
 
 1 z.Thejf.z.iJ. perucrfea^lfc aiid frowiirdnejfe of heart , not to hearken to the 
 '^Aug.cont, trueth that ii jpoken to thcm\ and all this not by work- 
 i»/i4«/i. 5.^.3. jj^g g'^y j^g^ wickedncUe in them, but by pronoking 
 and miniltring occafions to that wickedncd'e that is m 
 them of thcmlelues : the occ.dions not being euill, nay 
 tcrtding of themlelues to good , but they being like to 
 the forrie grounde that turneth fvvectc rainetohurtfull 
 weed'jjLke the corrupt llomacke that ofgoodfoodgrow- 
 *£*o</.i.9.io. cth more fickc 5 like the carion that by the comfortable 
 •i.K/^.ij. fun-fliine ftinkeththe more; as " to Pharaorhe refpeiSl 
 I H- of J the benefice of his common wealth, anoccafion to 
 
 w£ntr''°PP''^'^^ the people of God; to ° leroboam the vn- 
 rx.Kin^iVj^' fortunate death of the Prophet by whom hee was re- 
 II. la. proouedothisidolatry, anoccafion to him of continu- 
 
 ing therein ; to '' Sennacherib the king of Afiyria his fuc- 
 iprfl». j.ji. celfe againllidoll Gods , an occafion to blalpheme the li- 
 Orhenje f>rin~ uingGod : to wicked men commonly ^^ the patienccof 
 cip.iib.^.cap.i. Q^j ^ their profperousertarean occafion tomakethem 
 '^wr.comM- worfeand worle : To befliort there isadreadfiili iudge- 
 uerf.leg.dc }>ro- mcntaud mav notoc d;-:ni,^d wlicu God takethcourfe'^'t// 
 fhet. U^uca.z^. cri'mini crimimbiu vi^duemi/r^etfupp/icapeccatortim mn tor- 
 TKer.tafmt fed r/irrcmen^a vifiornm : th<^t ftmes be reuenged 
 With finnss , a,id the pHniJh?ne:':ts of emit doers be m torments to 
 th;mb'At additions to their eudl doings : all wlwch notwith- 
 f PMyi.'J' (landing we fo-tcach according to the fcriptincs and ac- 
 knowledge- 
 
Epijlle to the K^ng* ilj 
 
 knowlcdgcmcntof the church as that *" GoAiiittflffiedin 
 hiiftyings andfound cleirewhen he tnudged ^ andthefootfi 
 of finne affirnied to grow from no other but only from the 
 heart of man. So that this firft point of impietie where- 
 with M.Bifliop chargeth vs is nfruite of hismi\licc, fto ' 
 fault of our do6lrine , and the fccond is theHkc : thmour 
 SauioHr Chn(i oner come with thefdtnes ofhii ^ajjion vpon the 
 crojfe did doubt (if not defpaire ) ofhii orvyje fa/nation. A great 
 lie is as cafily told as a httlc,and becaufe it is your cuftome 
 we muft beare with you. We neither fay that Chrift was 
 ouercome with the paine;:ofhis palhon, nor that he did 
 tichcr defpaire or doubt of his ownefaluation. We bc- 
 lecue that the anguifli and paineswhichChrillfufferedfor 
 vswere vnfpeakcable, and the vtter.mofl: that the frailc 
 nature ofman was capable of 5 whilellhe gMtmtonly ^/^ ^ J""- "«'♦•"'"'• 
 body for our bodies bttt ^hisfonledfoforourjoafcs, and " de^ oHi/i^r.in 
 fcendcdeuen to the depth of death ^ andalltheterrour ofthdtVfal.fS. 
 tempejl that raged agair,Jl "OS lighted vpon him : whilelt ' in'^thanaf.de 
 himfelfe hedidbe^re the wrath thafnuu conceined a^aif}l?vs"*'"P"''^-f^^' 
 forfr}f7e , euen " the bttterncjfe of that wrath which arofeby the f,^n-^ *' 
 tran(greJJion of the law , that he might fvallow it vp andm,iks '^ D'.mini. 
 w;W^towardi vs ; fo as that rightly \t might vfe the words 'PfaiM.fiue 
 ofthePlalmc , * Thine indignation lirth hardvpon me a»d^^ '^"^S>-^7"^r~ 
 thou hafi vexed me tvith all thyflormes : that is as Hieromc ""^"J" ""!^* 
 expoundcth it j * Thon hafl brought vpon me that wrath and tj,^ ^jj/i^ '^^ ' 
 Jlormeofthyfury and iadianation which thoH wonldeJi hattechnTt, 
 poured out vpon the n^ ions, becaufe I hauetah^ii vpon me their *fi'erDn.in 
 ^nnes. The burden ofwhich wrath lay fo heauy vpon him ^V^'.^y- 
 as that it prelled him euen to the gates ot helj& his ftate bpp/.gg 
 for prclent feeling was as if God had '' abloorredhis foule: 
 yet fo as that in the middell of all rhat anguiOi he was fup- 
 ported with an inuincibleadurancc of his lathers loue.and =^/7,2.24. 
 conftauly expeftcd iht'loofngoftheforows of death, know- 
 ing it tobe impojj/blethat he fhoiAi beholden thereby ; and 
 therefore betwixt both vtiered that moll bitter complaint ^Mat,i7.^\6^ 
 vpon the crolle ; '^ My God, my God why hafi thoHforfa- 
 
 ken 
 
128 77;e Anfwer to V.Sipops 
 
 k^nme : according to faith faying, Mjgod, my god: ac- 
 cording to prefent feeling , why hafi thoaforfnke*ims?T\\'\^ 
 doe we teach and no otherwile,no nor Caluin vpon whom 
 *'Calu\n.infli^yo\i are woont lewdly to father this blafphemy of your 
 ut.Ub.i.ttt.i6. owne , who plainly faith : ' Althotighforamomentoftintf 
 mm.i 1. fiyg ^ifffiig porVer oftht fpirit did hide it felfe togtue place to the 
 
 roeakeMejfe of the flepj , yet mufl vce k»orv that the temptation 
 hy feeling offorov andfeare vposfttch as n>ai not aga.ir.fi faith: 
 Vphen he felt him felfe Oi it were for fakett cfGod , yet he did no- 
 thing atallfwarnefrom thetrufiofhisgoodncffe. Whereby 
 we may fee what kinde of men you are with whom wee 
 deale, cuenlikethe caynfesand mifcreantsofthe bafelt 
 fort of people which make it no care what they fpeakeor 
 how vntruely they report j but only to vtter ihebitter' 
 nefle of their llomach and for the prefent toferue their 
 owneturne. If the feare of God were in your harts, you 
 could not lye in this wilfuli manner as you doe againft the 
 {ffriffii^ii. Lord and his truth : you would remember that that is 
 (aid: ^ The mouth tktt telleth lies, Jlaieth-thefoule. And 
 yet though Calmn had vied any Aich hard or inconuenient 
 ipeechjor if either he or any other particular writer ofours 
 doe runne into any priuate or (ingular opinions what is 
 that to vs 'f why fliould this be impute i to the church of 
 England or the do6lrine eftablilhed by publicke authori- 
 ty therein , when as it teacheth or mamtcineth no fuch 
 thing ^ Orifyou will thus vpbraidevs with any manspri- 
 uate fancies you mull giue vs leaue by the fame rule 
 to charge this fora blafphtmie vpon yon, deliuered by 
 ' ** . Ferus your owne preacherat Mentz, who plainly affir- 
 
 tTertts.in Mat. , ( , ^t r , i i t- r,r i n 
 
 cap Z7 meth that " Chnfi did take to himfelfenot only our fuwjh- 
 
 ment 3 bt4t alfodefperation:m Koflram , our defp aire : that he 
 
 tooke vpon htm the,pfinipjmcnts of fume ^ feare , trembling, 
 
 horrotir of death aadheil, dejpaire, death and hell it felfe, that 
 
 byfc.vr: he migk onercomc feare, (^j horroi^r he might omrccme 
 
 horrour, by de[\:aireher/nqht9pteycome d(^aire. Sec. Isrhis 
 
 found in your owue bockes and dcliuered by a preacher 
 
 of 
 
EpiUk to the J^ing' 120 
 
 oFyour owne and doe you make vs the authors of it :* Yet ^Caluin.Harm. 
 wedoubt notto acquit Ferus ofblafphemy becaufewee '"•*^'"^7.4^. 
 thinke he mcnt no otherwile then Caluin did j •• He wra(i- VH^,**'^ , , 
 lea nniyj aepaire hut yet irai net ouercome : tn this (rreeuom ■„ i .„ . 
 
 , •'L , -^ » I I / " in i)i>n any mo— 
 
 torment hn faith \va.i vntoHchea, that thoiioh deploring him- uom ofdff^air 
 [elfe tobe forJak^n,yet he rvas cuMfrdeMt thnt the helf.eof God but tluu the 
 Wiuneercat hand. And thus much of the two Hi ft iiupie- g'^'^^'^-^'^ hiding 
 ties which M. Bifliop forfooth would let p^JJ'e, when ma- "Jj^'J^'Jl]' 
 Iicio (ly and wickedly he nameth them , and had nothing „,,Jhi„, f///,^, 
 with any Ihew of tructh to fpe.ike further of them : now let for%rneani 
 vs fee what he hath further to lay as touching points af-/''^/'»V'''^'"«> 
 terwarddifcuilcdinhisbookc. there mioht 
 
 fe.me to be 
 
 1 5 . W. Bishop. muter And oc^ 
 
 cajiotithtrevf. 
 The triumphafjt Citizens cfheatten ( who enioy the tore- 
 fence of God, andhappiefi life thdt can he imagined ) are by 
 Prot£(lu>}ts dtfdai>3fnlly terf;'ied, Dead men jandej^remed nei- 
 ther to haue credit with God to obtaine Any thtr.g, nor any care 
 or compajjian en men, among whom they once lined and Conner^ 
 fedfokindlyt 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 WcfpeakenotdTdainefullyof the Saints in heaiicn, 
 butwedildaincth.uthe Saints in heaucn are heerc vpoti 
 earth, not bytiicirdclault, butby the fliult of idolatrous 
 and iupcrftitioiis will- worfhippcrSjConfortedahd matched 
 with the God oHieauen. And if in this refpecl wee call 
 them Jfi?cy?«r«, to abafc them in comparifonofthe liuing 
 Godjtliatall worOiipandfcruiceofrcIigionmay beyeel- 
 ded onely to him, wc doe them no wrong , nor any other 
 thing then what the example of the auncient church hath 
 warranted vs to doc. The auncient Father Epiphaniusto 
 condemnc the Collyridian heretickes tor worfliipping the 
 virgine JVhriCjthough in farre Icffe degree of worfliip then 
 fince the Papiftshaue alcribed vntoher , citeth againft 
 them as out of the Apoillc,defcribing the " apoftafiethat » i.r/w.4.1. 
 
 S (liould 
 
I J o The Anfwer to D. %[hops 
 
 *£/»//>/;4«.fc<r. fliouMbeinthehrtrimethefewords J ^l:^cx>VTtj yap viK^n 
 
 78. ^nudtcom. ^ATpi'Jovn<;they Pjallhe worpuppirs of de.zdme». hnd whereof 
 
 as they made images of her .0 wo'ftiip rheni. for reproofc 
 
 * f ■"'f'^^' thatablurd deuonon he (aith: ' Thej are deadtha: are wor- 
 '^ y ^ • pjipped'^and^theyinngi/itheirir/iages to be norpiippedivhich 
 
 netier xverealme, their mind aoina a r-.hocrtno from the one c^ 
 Oily God^euen 06 acommonhurlot giuen 10 are.it ahfurditte of 
 manifold formcation^ and that hathforgoKe the tanperancie of 
 the Uvfiillm^n-iage of one ntAn. Now if Epiphanius might 
 Jawf(7lly Ipeakethus concerning die vn-gine Marie with- 
 O'.u dilparagement ordifdaine, weprelumeth.it without 
 offence we may fpeake m like lort of the relidueof the 
 Saints. Neither do we Ipeake any otherwilethen S.Audin 
 *jiu(ruJlM did j Nonjit nob a religio cultus hommum mortHorum. Let it 
 ysra re//^.f. JJ. not be wtth vs a point of religion to rvorihip deadmeyiforif they 
 hane lt»ed godly , they are not thought to fee^e fuch honours ^ 
 but would h^.ue vs to vrorjhip hir^j , by vehofe light they reioyce 
 
 • D« tmt, Det, ffj^f j^g arefollorvers of their good rvorkj. ' H^t biidd not tepleSy 
 
 **'"*^'^°' faith he, to the martyrs asiftheyrrere Gods, bat m^ikf re?»em- 
 brancesfor t hem as dead me>)ivhofe /pints liuemth God. And 
 againe as touching Chriftian martyrs heanfwerethMaxi- 
 ^Auguji.ep.e^/^, mus the Pagan'y' l^on' thou thM no Cathohcks Chnfiiandoth 
 rvorfhip any d^adman. La6tantius arguing by three reafbns 
 eufiant.in- againll the idolatrie of the gentiles vfeth this for one, '' be- 
 fttt.i.i.fa.io. canfe the imiges which they vporjhtped were the images of dead 
 men , andvnmeete it is that man being the image ofGodJhould 
 worjhtp the image of a man. Which if thus barely propofed 
 itferuedagamll: the gentiles without rei"pe6^to thequali- 
 tieofthe men, Iwouldhaue M.Bifliop togiuevs Ibme 
 good reafon why we may not vnder thefame termes with- 
 out any default diipute againftthcidolatry of the Papiltes. 
 Weyecldto theSaints whatloeuerisduevntothem j we 
 acknowledge them happie and blefied, and doe ftriue 
 ^Vltl.xi.xy tocoxYiQ ^ tothofejpirits ofinflandperfeElmenf ^ which are 
 ' -^/"»f.7-9. clothedin white and ^ felloe the Lambe whither foeUer he go- 
 »4-4. cth J but yet we make no Gods of them neither may wee 
 
 yeeld 
 
Epijlle to the K^n^* i j i 
 
 yceld to worfliip them. As for \\\t\i credit vrith God , \Vee 
 
 doubt not but ic is fjch as It conccrneth then) to hauc;buc 
 
 our credit with the, as before 1 noted out of Origen, mull 
 
 be ' to woi fhip only that God whom only they hauc wor- /'."^"''fV'g 
 
 fliippcd; to acknowledge that only mediator whom only ''* *'* * 
 
 th;.y haue acknowledged. Neither doe wc neede their 
 
 credit to obtaine anything of God, becaule Chrifthath 
 
 promiled vs j '" fVh'atjoeuerje asketnmynume , tkhUwilll '"JoIihi^ax, 
 
 doe , float the father may be glorified , not in the Saints , but 
 
 in his only begotten Sonne . As forcaieandcornpaii.on 
 
 ofvs here vpon the earth we doe not btiecuc that their 
 
 blisfuU peac-e IS interrupted therewith. They may wi(h 
 
 their owne conlummation and the confbciation of the 
 
 whole church, but as foi particularities we bcleeueas the 
 
 fcnpture hath taught : " /ibrah.im l^:o-vcthvs net, and If- ■^>*.^3'»^« 
 
 reel is not acq-tAitited with vs. In a word, ail this matter nf 
 
 credit vrtth Gcd itnd care arA compajfion of- men vpon earth 
 
 they are idle fpeculations of vour owne fooljfli deuoti- 
 
 ons, and hauc no flicw at ail of ground from the wordof 
 
 God. 
 
 \6. W. Bishop. 
 
 ^nd Its for the poorefoiiles departed , who in Purffatorie 
 frep.iy dc^:re for ihetr former delights andpleafurcs : they de- 
 prmc them of all hummc fnccoitr , by teaching the world to be- 
 leeue tkit $Jjere is nofnch matter. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Alas poorefoules that are foftrongly holdcn in with 
 paper walles, and fo grieuoully tormented with painted 
 fire, Whata crueil Landlord haue they , that being but 
 tenants ar will, and now not in cale to pay, yet cannot 
 without a fine har.e libcrtic to le.me their holdec' What 
 ftiailwethinkeofthePopec' ishenotamcrcile.ic man, if 
 he be a mao , that hailing power ouer Purgatorie at his 
 
 S a own« 
 
132- 77;e Anfivcr to D. 'BiJJ?o[is 
 
 ownepleafure, and haning authoririetocommaund the 
 Angels to fetch the foules out from thence, and to gnide 
 • BaliM.in them intoparadifcjas " Cleinent -he lixt did, wil noiwith- 
 cUm.6. tx {landing fuffcr them, poore foiiles, to lie frying nnd broi- 
 luUaeiufdm. ling there, andallbecaufe there friends will not be at coll 
 to piirchale their rcleafe and eafe ? Is he not a heard harted 
 Phyficion that keepeth his patients thus continually iw 
 grieuous torture, being able m a moment to aflwage their 
 painc,and to fend the Ibules finging vp to heai.ienc'Kcepe 
 you,M.Bifl"iop, vnderhishandeslbll, ifyouwi!!*, but as 
 forvswe arewariemen, and had ratherlaueour money 
 for fomething then giueitaway fornothing. Indeed you 
 fay true, that we teach men, to beteenethat thereisnofuch 
 matter > and good reafon , becaufe God himfelfe hath 
 taught vs no luch,and we beleeue onely what he teacheth. 
 We beleeue no other p/!<^-^^/?<?« from finne , but onely by 
 ^ , the " bloud of lefus Chrilt through the ' fan6lification of 
 
 i.iohn'uj. the holy Ghoft; and howfoeuer you gloflethe matter ,thc 
 •Tit.i.-i. affirmingofyourPurgatorie, cannot be without theem- 
 ^lohn i.ip. peachrnent of ** the lambe of God that talzeth away the (inne 
 ofthercorld.li argueth awant & weaknesinhis payment, 
 if after it we be liill left j to pay deere for our fclues. You 
 deriueyour Piirgatorie from the auncientpraier for the 
 •Augdei. deadjbut amongll fundry reafons which they gaue of their 
 qutft.DtiUit. praier for the dead, Purgatorie was none,as hath been be- 
 ^u£/Li.o-de forefliewed. After foure hundred yeereSjS.Aullin knew 
 "abvj* ' no other vfe of praier for the deadjbut " either to be freed 
 ^chryfifi.in from being caft into hell, or to haue mitigation of the 
 Affjy.m.zi, pamesofhell. ' Chryfoftome made the fame end thereof 
 ti^enat.Lan- ^^^ deliuermcn after they were dead/r^w eneylnftwg death. 
 TertuUdehL. ^"^ hereto agree thofe tales of Damafcen,that s/-<«/co«///^ 
 tscDAtnafcen. ' by the praiersof TVc/^ wasdeliuered outofhell}&7>rf/<*« 
 fer. de Mortuit by the praicrs of Gregorie. Which feeing you altogether 
 erati>ntadiu- i> Jcnie to be the effea of praier for the dead, you cannot 
 ^'i^d vu but acknowledge this for an errour in the Fathers, and 
 mu/^L/is' therefore confeife, that in this behalfe there is nothin 
 
 a 
 
 but 
 
Eptfllc to the Kjng. 1 5 ^ 
 
 butvncertaintietobe found in them. And ifpraier for the 
 dead mult argue Purgatory, then you m!:lt needs confclle 
 that alltheSamts, all that are dead in the faith, are m 
 Purgatorie, becaufe you your fchics doe thus praie for iillj 
 ' O God of the faithffill , the maker and redeemer of Ml men, ^^rfuiar.fe^ 
 giue to the foules of all the faith full deccafed , remijfion ^/"'.^.^^'^^'"^f'*" 
 all their flnnes , th,\t by gjdlte praters they may ohteine the monuor * 
 pardon which they altvaies defred through Chri/l our Lord, 
 And againe ; ^ Lord tve btfcech thee la thepr.iier of thy kjnj^ 
 humble fey Hants be hclpcfull to the foules of all the faith- 
 full deceafed , that thou maijl both releafe them from all 
 their Jinnes , and mal^ them partakers of thy redemption , 
 who Ituejl . Sec Yea and you pray for Leo whom you 
 hauemadeaConfefl'our that by your ' office ofattonement \j„f^f^^r^„^^ 
 vpon his day a happy rcrrardmaybe with htm. Now if you uonU, 
 thus pray for the dead of whom notwirhftanding you pre- 
 fume that they arc free from Purgatorie, how can you de- 
 niebut that the church in former time without any opini- 
 on of Purgatory might notwithftanding vfe their praier for 
 the dead :* But to be fhort, becaufe I haue handled this 
 point before, the huhershaue vfed onefpeciall argument 
 to proouc the refurre6lion from the dead, which if it itand 
 good then your Purgatory cannot ftande. For if in courfe 
 ofiuiliceirbe '" necellary that the body which hath beenc »7.,,,„^^^^„, 
 partaker with the fouleofallthat hathbcene doneeitherfwmfl /or«M. 
 inrightcoufnelVo orfinne, be alfo partaker ofihereward •^''""'/'.'/'»^«- 
 of either , and hereby there be enforced neceffarily a re- ^"'•'^ "'"'''"■• 
 furreaion of the body to be loined with the ^oiAciohQ^^^'^^'' '"J!^' 
 partaker thereof, wemuft fromthefame principle of iu- '"' ' '^'^'*'^ ' 
 ttice conclude tliatifthere were a Purgatorie , itfliould be 
 as well for the body as the foule, becaufe the body hath 
 beene partaker ofthok pleafuresand delights for which 
 you tell vs that the foules pay deare in Purgatorie fire. But 
 you deny any Purgatory for thebody, and therefore we 
 conclude that you cannot truely a^irmcany fuchPu ga- ji^pi^han.h 
 tory for the Ibule. ° Thus pjall the iudgemcm cfGodbc tuft, Amom*\ 
 
 S 2 faich 
 
1 34 Tlie Anfwer to D. ^ijhops 
 
 faith Epiphanius, rohttfjlboth participate either pumfhrnent 
 forfinne^ or reward for vertue. Which iuftiudgementvou 
 greatly impeach by laying vpon thefouleonly thepunifh- 
 ment of thofe fiunes which haue beene committed by the 
 whole man. You cannot auoide but either you mullfor- 
 goe your Purgacorie^or elfelay that the fathers erred in 
 dilputing this point. 
 
 17, W. Bishop. 
 
 Concerning vs Chr'tfiians yet lining on earth, there is no lejfe 
 imptette in their opinions : For they teach that the befi Chrifli' 
 4n ii no better in effeB , then a wh'tted Sepulchre, being inward- 
 ly full of all vr'tck^dncffc and mt (chief e ; and onely by an out- 
 ward imputation o/' C h r i lie S right eoHfne(fe vnto t hem, are ac^ 
 ceptedofGod for ind. To thinke that there ts inherent in the 
 foule of Man^ any fitch grace of God, oi doth clenfe it from 
 Jinne y andmik^ themaninfl in his fight \ is tvfth them , to 
 ra<.e the found-ition of Religion , and to make Chnf^aVCca- 
 dochrift: rvherein, I knotf not vrhsther th?y be more eniiioHS 
 againfi the good of Man, then thij are iniurtom, either to the 
 inefUmablevdneof Chrtflef blond, as though it could not de- 
 ferne any better eflate for his fauorites : or vnto the vertue 
 and efficacieofthe holie Ghofl \ as not being able ( by likeli- 
 hood ) to purge mens Joules from Jinne , andenduc them with 
 fhch heauenly cjuahties. I omit the difgrace thereby done to 
 the Blejfed God-head it felfe , making the Hoiic of Holies, 
 rather rvillinir to couer and cloaks our tnttjuitte, then to cure it: 
 Andcontrari? to his infinite aoodnejfe , to loue them whom he 
 Jeeth defiiedmth allmaner ofabhominations. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Whatfoeuer we teach of others, M. BiHiop, wc 
 vndoubrcclv know it of you that you are no other bura 
 whited iepuicher , fliewing a fweete face like a Mo maide 
 
 in 
 
E^islktotheKvig, IJ5 
 
 in the entrance of youicpiftle , and bewraying a falfe and 
 treacherous hart in the whole proceilethereot, eiienlike 
 a Harpyiebeiv.ying all chat you la e hand on , and malici- 
 oiiily and wilhilly depramng thole things which are no o- 
 therwife buccrucly and tighrly fpoken. ^Dijperdet deui ^TfaiiL^, 
 labia ?f)^<£mlo^::a er bmmam dobfam. We lay indeed that it 
 is only the obedience and righteoufnes of Chrill perfor- 
 med for vs whereby we aretoiland as righteous and luft 
 before the Judgement feat of God. Which is a truth i'o 
 pregnant and cleere as that 'Pighius though a heaiiyenc- ^ vi^h.Je fij« 
 my to the Protellanrs religion yet could not butacknow- &-iufiificat. 
 ledge it , and hath difputed it by fuch realbns and proofes ""'"»•*• 
 borowcd from vs as the whole rabble of yoiir feculars and 
 lefujtes are not able to lemooue. But we doe not by this 
 iullification leaue a man noMetter then a nhitedfepuUher in- 
 wardly f;4/ofallivtckfdnejfeandmifcheefe,hecauk wcaflRrme 
 by the words ofChriltthat ' repentance is thefirftfteppe ci^ci^,^^^ 
 to the obteiningofit , andthe faith whereby wedoeob- 
 teine it is fuch as '^ rvhereby Goddoth purifie the hearts, and '^"•^J-?* 
 whereby ^ we receim the promife ofthejptnt, by which we ^^^1.^.1. 
 * are borne againe"^ through the nord of Godto the ** lifeofGody 'iohn^.<). 
 hauinq ' Chrijl limn^and ^ dwellmgin our hearts ^ whobetn^ ^ i.P^M.zj. 
 invs , the ' body ii dead MtouchingJinne,butthefpirit ii Itfe .g'!*"' * 
 /orr(^^/^o«/»^jf/^y^^,becanfe there being '" anevo heart and kfpi,\[\j[ 
 anewfpirit, there muftneedes be new alle6^ions, newde- '/(ow.S.io. 
 fires, new delighes, " /z netvm uncreated according to Godin " E7^ch,^6.i6. 
 r'tghteoufnejfe and holj/nejfe of truth, " toeing in the law of God, 'F-pl>'A-^'i' 
 and '' approouiug that that is acceptable tff the Lord J and"' en- p^^'J** 
 deAHOuring to haue alivaies a clcere cojctence both'-toivards God ,, ^^.i^.iV, 
 and towards men. Thusdoe we teach the people of God 
 bythewordeofGod : thusandnoothcrwilcdoewe dc- 
 fcribe the condition and qualitie of the iullifiedman.This 
 cffe6l we alT.rme to be infallibly wrought ineuery man 
 thatisiurtified , and where it is not thereisnoiurtificati- 
 on ; but yet we fay that this worke is perfe6l in no man fo 
 long as we liue in thii llate ot mortalitie and corruption. 
 
 For 
 
156 Tl?e Anfwer to T), Sipops' 
 
 For albeit the iuftified man delight m the Imv of god as touch' 
 ' 1^0^.7.45; ing ths inner man , yet he hath Itill in "" hh- members the kw 
 'Hei.ii.i. offinne^ ^ hanging fafl on , and "" Ikfiinq^and rehellim^atrdrnji 
 
 * Gtf/.j. 1 7. the law ofchejpirtt of life , fo that he hath within him " an ar- 
 1 I "^"h"^*' myofvitioiisdejtres as Aiiilin laithof Anibrofe, continu- 
 *Bernard/n ^^^V ^'^ ^g^^ agaioft J which are as the " lehnjite, who vpillw^e^ 
 Cttnt.ferni.'i^. nillt^'e, dwelleth within our borders ^ yet m,r>j befubdued though 
 y Cyprian Je fjg cannot be driuen out j as a raging ^' beafi offltnkina breath , 
 f^f-"^^'*^<^'f' yet tied and chained Z'p in the vttermofpajptges ofthefoule : as 
 
 ^'^■' ■ ' 2ico:xu^VrootefltllfproHtingomTveedcs, bv.tjetfo nipped and 
 checked that they cannot haue their growth. Now albeit 
 by reafon of this remainder offinnehebe greatly kt and 
 '•G^/.f.ir. hindered * that he cannot doe the thing that he vcouldy not 
 can walke fo expeditely andvprightlyinthewayofrigh- 
 teoufnefleas is required, yet the thing that preuailethin 
 
 * Hilar, in him is " voluntas infiitid , a will anddefire of right coufneffe, 
 Tfal.^i. he ' hfifigreth andthirfieth after it , the drift and purpofe of 
 '■Mat.'i,6, j^jg life tendeth wholly vnto it 5 itisgreeuanceto him that 
 
 he faileth to perfourme it, and maketh himtocry oKr, 
 
 ^ T^om.-j. 14. ** f^yr etched man that I am who Ihalideliuer me from thu bodie 
 
 of death f And thereforealthough hefinneyethelinneth 
 
 * Origen.in. HOt ' mAhcionJly , purpofely , With defre and delight m linne, 
 Tfa!.-}6. hmof ignorance an d infirmity , ^ hyoccafon andbythe cree^ 
 t^mhref.m pir.g and flealinff of fime vpofj htrtf. Now wc would gladly 
 et'<^!m'mm. •'^"^^ ohM.Bilhop whether it be all one to haue finne in 
 lorn 10. VS ^ ftipprejfed ^ a'^id kfptjhort , though not cjuite dead , and 
 sEfiphan-d?' tO be inwardly ffill of allrvickedneffe and mifchiefe : whether 
 BerrMrd. ytfu- jq refill CwwQ and fight againft it be all one as to giue it 
 f* way, and willingly to harbour it. Anditistobeoblerued 
 
 alfothat it is theveryfame which M.Bifliop and we both 
 " doehold roremaine in the regenerat man. Welayitis 
 fmne, and he faith it is not finne, but it is one ar^d tlic fame 
 thing, the concHpifcence orhijlofthepfrj. How then doth 
 he lav that we in aff.rming the remaining hereof doc make 
 as it the regenerare man were inv. ardlyfullofallwick^dnejfe 
 mdmtfchieje, whcii he himfelfe confelleth the inward re- 
 maining 
 
njlle to the ^rig, ' \^j 
 
 mainingofthefame. A man canno t be faid to be full cf<?^ 
 vffichedne^^e andmifchicfs for hailing or bciiifjairaultcd with 
 the lufts thereof, but (or applying and giuing his will and 
 confenc vntothciii. Cyprian delcribing theltate ofour 
 life here, faith: '^ f^Ve hanc to fight mth concioufnefe , rrith 0'"'«f''-'^« 
 vnchafiity , with wrathfuhcfje ^ withamhitio'i , ivtthcArysall '^ ' ' 
 vices t -iviththeenttfementsoftheworld. cp-c. Hereof S.Ail- 
 ilen faith : ' God for/^ai that n>e/Ijou/dth:fiks '-i^iy Cyprian to , , « 
 h.iue bcencccnetotii hcc.ttifc he fought n-ith coffctaujhcjfe, or i,, j^n i^f z 
 vnchnfl hc.iufe he fought rvith v>trha[}itie ^ or rcr nth full be- 
 caufe he fought againfl wrai h, or ambKious beca'tfe be had con- 
 fiEl irith a>itbnio-fi,or carn.tH becaufe he had ccmbate with car- 
 nail vices , or a loner of this ',vorld becattfe he had fight with the 
 emifements thereof. Nay therefore vcoi he none ofallthefe^be- 
 caufc heflrong'j re fifled the feeutl motions cowmtng^xrtly font 
 crrginMl cofidinc'n , part/yficm vfeof corucrfcnion , notyeel-. 
 din^ to be that rrhich they pre fifed him to be. Wi 11 VI , Bifliop 
 nowgiwe S.Aiillinthelye and tell him thatbythehauing 
 of tliele motions and lultes of finne Cyprian was inwardlie 
 full oFall wickednes and mifchiefe f If he will not, why 
 doth he fo charge vs who lay no more of the iulhficd man, 
 thenAurten here fpeaketh concerning Cyprianf Butin- 
 deed it is his malice and not his wict that leaderh him to 
 thefe calumnious and leudecoiledtions. Asforthecom- 
 parifonof ^ awhtted fepulcher ^ it is vfed by our Sauiour 
 Chrill againft them who did infiifiethetnfehes before men, ^Mat.z^.zj, 
 and made great femblanceof holinelfe outward ly^ when 
 there was in their hearts no fyncerityor truth aniwerable 
 thereunto. But we doe not thus affirme the condition of 
 a true Chriftian man, but doe make the inward man anlwe- 
 rablcto the outward, fo that there is notonly afliew of 
 righteoufiieileinthcfaceto men, but alio a truth thereof '^''^■^•'^• 
 in the conicience to God , cuen as it is faid oiZachaneand "'^^"^^^f'^^. 
 Elizabeth : ' Both rrere iufi befoye God , walling in' ^i^f^'^e^llt'vJlV.' 
 comnjAHndements and ordinances of the Lordnithont reproofe^ ^ CdeftJib.i. 
 to import ^s Aullinlaith "" their commendable contterfation t^pA^- 
 
 amomrsi 
 
ij8 ' The Anfw2rtoT)3iflnps 
 
 MHongH men,which ns man could, iufily accufe or bUme.V/h'ich 
 therefore thej are /aid to haue had before Godbccaufe they did 
 not by dtffimulation deceiue men therein, but vehat they appea- 
 red to men , the fame they were l^orven to be to the eies of Ged> 
 Now although there beatruth(&vnfeigned fimplicityin 
 this behalfe,yetif the matter be waighed in rigour and ex- 
 tremity, who can free himfelte from being touched with 
 »Pro.io.9. Tome blemifli of this corruption c" " vchocanfay, My hart 
 •^sm.i.d,. is cleaned of whom doth it not take hold which is laid j " All 
 fHieron.adu. men are Uars ? ^ Which of vs , faith S.Hierome, doth not 
 "Pt.ag.lib,!. xva[h the out (ides of the cup and oft he platter , and hath the in- 
 ner Jide not defiled with vncleanneffe ? who can auoide the hke- 
 nejfe offepulchers vrhited without jthat our Lord lefm may not 
 fayvntovs : Tefeeme outwardly righteous to men , butwith- 
 inye arefullofhypocrifie andiniqtiitie. zy^lbeitve may be f-ee 
 fi'om other fatihes ^ jet to haue no blot of hypocrifie is a thing 
 found in few <7r»i?«f^frt//. Thus by theiudgment of S.Hie- 
 rome M.Bifhop cannot acquithimfelfe from being 4»'^/- 
 tedfcpulcher full of hypocrifie and iniquity , that hereafter he 
 may not vvoonder at vs for teaching that thereremaincth 
 in the regenerateman afpot ofinfc6lion and corruption, 
 M<*r.co»f.j«-vvhichas S.Auftin faith/ <?«/y/»r thatitis invs,pyouldhold 
 w"; ;■ A "^^ ^^ death and bring vs to euerlafiing death j but that the 
 ** ' ' '^' quilt thereof by for giueneffe of f,nnesin baptifme id pardoned 
 vnto .vs. 
 
 Bythatthat hathbeene faiedthe anfwereisplaineto 
 al the reft of M.Bifhops tale.For we do not denie but that 
 there is inherent in thefouleofeuerie true Chriftian (i)ch a 
 grace of God as fcructh toclenfeit from finne, and to 
 <'Ei>h.^.i7. make the lame iuft in h is fight , " without ipot or wrinkle or 
 tl{om.i.z _ any fuch thtng^his God now bcginneth by thc'^ fr/ifruites 
 ofthefpirit i and in death he will accomplifh by the full 
 meafure thereof. But to fay that now it is fo , is a Pelagi- 
 an fancy, contrarie to experience, contrary to confcience, 
 coritrarietoourowneconfelTionsto God , and contrarie 
 to the word of God. Thenlhall the foulebe without Jpot 
 
 or 
 
Eftjlk to the Kj^ig* I ^ Q 
 
 erwririhlf^ that is, iult in Gods fight, ' when it Jhalhe g!ori~ *MguS}.dt 
 om , as S.Aurtin fpeaketh of the church. The time of ■^"^'^'^•'V''' 
 glory is not now, but " vphen Chrtfl which is our hfeJhalUf- nro"/ J* 
 peare, thcnOmll wealfo appeareivith htm in glory ^ and then 
 fliall the foulejeuenthc whole man be fully iuft in the fight 
 o( God. In the meanc time he is in hand rviih the cure an d 
 healing of vno wakevsarovfto that jpotlejje ^ VfiflMnedglo- 
 rie. So that the iuftified man is yet as Auftin faiih , " ntun- ^j„^uTlj„ 
 dm et mund.mdi'U : clean fi>i part, and yet in part to be made jtaiutra^lfio. 
 ilcane : notfo cleanewhilclt heliuethhcrc, but that hee 
 mull ftill hearken to the Apoltle ; '' Clenfe your felnes from y ^ ^^,. ^ 
 alldsfilcment ofthef,cJh andof thejpirit : notfo cleanebut 
 that of ^ common and ongiKtill vnclcanMeJfe or m.}licioH/MeJ]t! zfjiUr^pud 
 there is that yet rticking^^^for which Chrill may lay to vs as ^ugu/i com, 
 he did to his Apollics, Ify-: ' beingeiull, doel^otv togtue l^'iau.'PcU^. 
 good gifts to your children.Qrc. And true it is indeed , that ''^'•*' 
 to aPurmeman now to be in himlelfe luftand cleane in the ^^^'-'^•^ '• 
 fightofGodjistoiulHeChrilloutofhisplacej and to take 
 away from him that title of honour which the fcnpture 
 hath giuen him to be called} ^ The Lord our rtghteoufncffc. \,i„(„.. j^ 
 It is to defcate the worke of God "-by whomc he is made vn- « i.for.i.:o. 
 to vs right couffiejfe , not by working in vs inherent iuftice, 
 but'' ^7 theforgifteneJfeofotirJiKftes.Wc belceue thai Chrill <iB>:rnarJ.in ' 
 is vnto Vi Icfm , a Smlour^ by lauing vs immediaclie c^wf/fr.zi. 
 himfelfe, not by giuingvs power to laue our felucsorto 
 be ourownefauiours. And therefore therightecufneile 
 whereby we are faced is not therighteoulhcs which wcby 
 him doe for our felues , but that which he in his owne 
 perfon hath wrought for vs : not but that v/e alio by him 
 doe worke righteonfnelTe according to the grace that is gi^ 
 uentovs, but this rjghteoufncile is through our corrup- 
 tion and frailty too we.ikc & bale to Aand before God for 
 vs to be fuied thereby. Neither are we herein enuious to 
 thegoodofmc;n;OriniuriousiO theine'ilimab'e value of 
 Chrilts bludjbecaufewe acknowledge that by^hevcrtue 
 of his merit andbloud-flicding ' (jodhathbicffedvsnHth •Eph.j i. 
 
 Tz a!l 
 
^ 140 T\)Z Anfwer to D, ^iJl?ops 
 
 ^Caf. 1.^.6, allmdnner Ipirituiill blijfwgsin heauenly things , and ' hath 
 ^uicl^ied vs together with hi?n , nyidraifed vs vp together Msd 
 made vs^t together in heauer.ly -places : yetas S. Aullin faith, 
 
 t AH^.itha\)t. iJ^ondMm in re fed in fbe : not yet by agnail heinf but by 
 hope '^ ^ vecatije wcertntne avdajjitr€ahope\renovc> lj(ir4€ ana 
 
 ^Cotit TtinTi. ^^^<^ '^''^ vi'hich ifjdeed^s yet 10 come. And thus r-<>e ' bphe 
 
 MamchMb.ii. Ifirit ivaitfor the hope of right ccsifuc^e tkrof'igh faith : vre^ 
 
 cap.S. hunger and thirjl after rightecuftrefle looking to he fit is fed )aC" 
 
 Gtl.^,'). cau je ' according to hispromife we iockefor a nerr> heaucn anda 
 
 ]*p ' ' neiv earth rvherein righetotifnejfe drvclleth. Chrift therefore 
 hath purchaled for his fauorites amofr high and happy 
 ftate,but M.Bidiop is too haity if he wil needes challenge 
 that to prefcnt pofleriion which God hath deferred to fu- 
 tureexpe6lation, whereof wee haue but the beginnings 
 now for pledge and afliiranceofthe whole hereafter fullie 
 to be giuen vnto vs. And thus we detra6l nothing from 
 the verLueand efficacie of the holy ghoitj for weconfelTe 
 that he isable to purge mens Ibules from finne and to en- 
 due them with beauenly qualities : nay he is n or only able 
 to do it ,but we affirme that he already doth it in part and 
 will doe it fully and perfe6tly hereafter , as before hath 
 beene declared. But if we only re/pe6t the timcprefent, 
 
 , where is that freedomc from finne and that excellency of 
 
 heauenly qualities that M.Bifliop ipeaketh of c* Is there 
 fuch difference betwixt them and vs that we (hould neede 
 ' to woonder at them fot their heauenly qualities c" Are 
 there fuch heauenly qualities in their Popes and Cardinals 
 ^ho are the benchers for this pleading of the perfe6^ion 
 of inherent iuftice :" Inthefc latemortall warres betwixt 
 thelefuites and the Seculars I wonder on whieh fidethofe 
 heauenly quahties were found. Surclywe know that the 
 power of the holy ghoft is able to worke in them heauenly 
 qualities, but in truth we fee none: andforyouM.Bifbop 
 if your heauenly qualities be nobetter then according to 
 the' qualijie of your booke , I am fure they are ftarke 
 naught. And^tillwc fee better qualities in you then we 
 
 doe. 
 
EpMe to the I'Qfig^ 14 1 
 
 doe, we mud rake this matter of hcaucniy qualities to be 
 buta bable Forfoolcs to play wi h: an idle fpccnlation , 
 whereto iiQ.thing at all aiifwereth in efFe6l. Lait of all we 
 doc no difqruce to the blcffed Godhead, becaufe we teach 
 no Gtherwife then he hath dirededv-s, not that he cloaks 
 eth ourintqiiitie onely and doth not cifreit , but that hcefo 
 cloakcth it for the time as that hee cureth it for ciier. 
 He cloaketh and couereth our miquitie with the righ- 
 teoulhefle of Chrilt, "' rvhkh t< not afhort cloaks '^^^' cannot n, ^ermti in 
 c<?//i?rtwo,ia!th S.Bernard, h/4tl?cii(ra large ayideHeriifttrKT cantic.f<r.6i, 
 righteoufnejfe, it -nili largely couer hath thee and m?. And in me 
 itP}allcoHera?nitltit!<deoffn»es, hit m thee, O Lord, what 
 hut thetrcafMres of -pictie , the riches of(roodneffe^ Thus S. 
 Bernard acknovvledgeth in himfclfe that which M. Bifliop 
 fcorneth , the cloaking of hii ^r,mes with the right eou/Ke(fe of 
 Chrtfl. Now I hope he will notdenie but that he taketh 
 S. Bernard to hauebeene a man beloued of Godjand will 
 he fay that becaufe God did cloake or couerhisfinnes 
 that therefore he loueda man hefaxv defilcdrvith almamer of 
 abhominations f But this is but the wideneiTe of M . Bifhop's 
 mouth that cannot kccpe it felfe within any duephrafe& 
 compadeoffpecch. Let him take his anfwer as before by 
 occafionof the like words. But the end of this couering 
 and not imputing of (innes is that they may not (land as 
 abarre bctwix:: God and vs, but that the grace of God 
 mayhaue accelTevnto vs , for the working of that cure 
 which M.BiHiopfpeaketh of. Concerning which, lan- 
 fwer him as S.Aullin anfwered the PeIagians,ohie6^ing as 
 hedothjthat God is able to cure alh^" Indeed God is dootnga^s ^AuptfiM 
 to cw'e all, but he doth ttat his orrne difcrction, and doth not re- "K^tura^ 
 ceiue at the patients handan order for his cure. He is now in S*''*'*"/''*7' 
 hand to hcalc our infirmities and ficknelfes, buthewilnot 
 perfe6l the cure " vWthis mortall doe put on immortahtie, oj^^^^ j- -. 
 and this corruptible doe put en ihcoyruption.anddeath be f\r Al- 
 lowed vpinto viEiofie , that with triumph we may fay, O 
 death where is thjfitng : hell where is thy viUorie : Thanks 
 
 T 3 be 
 
1^1 Tl?e Anfwer to D, ^Ipops 
 
 hevmoGodwhkhhathgifienvs the v0orie through Chrifi 
 leftu ottr Lord. 
 
 i8. W. B I SHOP. 
 
 Vnto thefe paradoxus, impiom agaifjjl God^anAjlaHnderoui 
 toJUatti ifitfleafeyoHrMateJiieioadde, the prophane car" 
 ftallitie of fome other points of the Protefiants Dotirine ; yoti 
 will (douh/ejfe ) iftfhort timcioath it. As for example: That 
 it is Osgood undgodlj , by ec,tirig, tofeede the body ,a4 to ch^fttce 
 k hyfafiing. That it is as holy^ to fi^lfillthe flejhly de fires of it 
 bj Mariage^ as by Continencte^ to morttfie them 5 yea that it is 
 fiat again^ the word of God to voxve Virginitie : Andalfo coti' 
 trarie to his blejjedrvillto beftow our goods on the foore; and to 
 giue our felues rvholly to praicr,andfaflmg. Al which ^this Ad' 
 tiocate of the Enoltfh Congregation teacheth exprejlie, 
 Tat.i 3 a. ^^ ^^^ thepHntte of the Gojpell? Or is it not rather the high 
 
 i6z. i64. way to Epicurifme, and to allworldly vanitie^ and iniquitie, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 You dcale with vs, M. Bifhop, enen as you forefathers 
 
 theMontanillsdid with the auncient church of Rome, 
 
 as if there were no ir.eane betwixt fuperfticious falling 
 
 andcontinuallfeaftingi betwixt virginitie and carnality. 
 
 TertuIIian taking part with Montanus, and writing in bc- 
 
 halfc of his heredc againrt the church of Rome, du ecieth 
 
 » TertulJele- it againft them in this llile, ' Contra Pfycichos : Again]} the 
 
 iunioaduerfus camaltfles. He calleth their do6lrine, ''i^/W^«;<?«/>M2/(f;w, a 
 
 Tfyeichios. camall d.oBrine. of faith j mtdtittorantiJt ^ multinubeniict 
 
 Ibid. prcnar/} : gifien to nutch feafling and often maryiffg. la his 
 
 words ngaind the Clergieof Rome then we may heare a 
 
 * ^^'■'/./'♦^ Papift Ipeaking-a^ainll: a ProtePcan c now : ' Thy ielij is thy 
 
 ^" "** Godythy hinges his tew pic, thealturth-^'pMrnch, the cooksthe 
 
 priep, the fatty f;if»e of thy me^te the holj Ghofl \ thy farvces 
 
 thy If irltuall gifts y thy belching thyprophecie : thy lone boileih 
 
 ra 
 
Epistle to the Kjn^, 142 
 
 in thy kettle, thy faith rvarmeth iytthjkitchin, thy hopelieth 
 in thy meafe. Who is holiefi among^ youbut he that feajfeth 
 moFfi and of delicate fare is promdedbefi^SiC. An apple is 
 notfolikeanapple, oraneggefo Iikcancgge, asAl. Bi- 
 fliop and his fellowes are to Tertulhan and theMonta- 
 niftes. As for our doclrine it importeth no prophane 
 carnalitie. We teach men both in meates and in marriage 
 tovretcmperancicandfobrietie. Wewarnemen ^ to take ti^i^^ 
 heede that thetr hearts be fjot opprejfed with furfeiting and 
 drtinkenne^e ^ lejl the day ofChnJl come vpon them vnarvates: 
 that ' ineattKg vph.it their heart difircth , they doe not fo fill 'T>etit.jz.io. 
 the belly a^ ^ toforget 6W:chatthey ^ foeatemddrinke , as '^^''/■••^•i** 
 that they doe all to the glory of God, We fay as TertuIIian g ^ ' 
 clfewheretruely laieth : " Sapient lamopimitaiimpedit, exi- ^TtnulM^ 
 lit as expedtt : fatnejfe andf»/nejfe is a hinderance to vcifcdome, ^nina. (af.i o. 
 Jparenejfe IS a furtherance ; and as Hicrome faith oirtof the 
 greeke proucrb : ^ Pingnis venter nongigmt mcntem tennem, i^-^ .^ 
 f till feeding nester brecdah quichjvnderfiandmg : but as Am- adlStp^Jai. ' 
 brofe faith , ^Jpare diet he/pet h to lift vp the minde on hiqh. ^^mbrof.pre- 
 We teach maried men asthe Apollledoth : ^ Eueryman'^'-f"""^", 
 to popjfe his vejfell in Iw/incjjc and honour , and not in the Ittfl ^ •■^'•"'j^4-4-' 
 ofconoupifcence 04 doe the gentiles that know not Gcd. We 
 fay as Ambrofe (aith that"' mtcmperancy in mariage is akin de ^jimhroC, apui 
 of adultery, and with Origcn and Hieromc, that ° doatwg ^u^^up.tcnt. 
 lone is diflioneft in <i rn^in euen towards his ovcne wife. But vet J^^'^^-'Pela^. 
 we teach not as M .Bifnop would haue vs to teach. And 'j**** 
 why fo ^ Beciufeas did the auncient church , fo doe we p?/"-^ g"' "* 
 °reprooHc thofc maflcrswho cruelly andveithout mercy with- Uinon.'adu. 
 cm rvaighwa mens flrcngth dee inioir.e them thinges greater lomnian. lib.i. 
 then their jfrcngth y at who forbid tomarrie , md force them "Origtn.in 
 from that that is expedient adimmoderatammrtnditiam ^ ioa ^'^'*^*^' M* 
 cleanneffe or holmejje beyond meafure or more then ncedeth. 
 who alfo teach men to abjlane from meates and other fuch 
 things to which the faithful! fhould 71 ot be forced'-, andthmby 
 the worde of their expofitiondoe binde heauy burdens without 
 the wiltofChriflyanddoe lay them vpon mensjhottlders by their 
 
 words^ 
 
1 44 The Anfwer to D. ^ijhops 
 
 tfords , bovfiingthem dorvf7e , and mak^ig them tofallv»der 
 the burden of their heany imnn^ioyis hecak'fe they are notable 
 to beare thefame. This is the caule why M.Billiop is offen- 
 ded atvs becaufe we condemne the proceedings of the 
 church of Rome in prefcnbing rules of counterfeit hoiy- 
 neiie which God hath not taught and laying heauier bur- 
 dens vpon men thereby then they are able to beare , and 
 which become vnto them an occaiion offinne. Wherein 
 to contrary vs he faith that wee teach f^^^f it is m good arid 
 godly by eating to feed the body as to chafitze tt byfiflmg. In- 
 deed we fay that to eateand tofaftin their due vfc are to 
 «/(jw,i4.(?. Godequallandalike J when ^ hethateateth , eatcthtothc 
 Lordy and he that eateth not , cateth not z/nto the Lord , nei- 
 ther doe we doubt but that the Apoftles and holy fer- 
 uantsofGod hauebeenc as good and godly in their ea- 
 ting as they hauebcenein their fafting. For it is not eating 
 ii.ConS.S. or not eating that '' ^ommendcthvs toGod^.o^'\i(Q\'ie ,hui 
 in their godly end and vfe they areapprooued , and as he 
 offendeth that eateth when he fliould fad, lb he ofFendeth 
 » Cil.i.i^. ^j^Q j.j-j^f falleth when it is fitt to eate. There is ' af^jeiv of 
 n>tfedoffieinnotJparing the body , andnot hattirtg it in honour 
 tojatirfie thefiefh,^'-, if the very emptinefle of the belly were 
 a facrifice to God. Which whileft fome haue fondly ad- 
 mired they haue brought themfelues to that weaknes thac 
 they haue not beene able to perfourme the duty of the 
 places whereunto the Lod had called them to ferue him. 
 In this cafe moderate feeding of the body is better and 
 more godly then affe<I^ed fallinge , becaufe being a fer- 
 uant i'L n^.ult be kept m cafe to ferue that a man by it may be 
 in cafe to fcrue the Lord. Therefore S.Auften giuech a rule 
 .f^w-r.e/j.iop. of failing ^ as health will permit and ' a^ntaybewithoiitthe 
 *£p/^7o. hurting of the body. Againethereisa time when fafting is 
 ^Mat.^.i'i. rnore godly then feeding, " v^henthe bridegfoomc u taken 
 ■ -r*'^^'^** fromvs', "" when the Lord of hoftescalleth tomoptrnwgand 
 Tveepifjg and put ting onofftckcjoth , when inftecd of failing 
 to fall to eating and drinking is a contempt of God and an 
 
 iniquitie 
 
Eftflle to the i\ing, 1 45 
 
 iniquitfe which he voweth not: to forget. There is an oc- 
 calion of falling rofupply others wane of necelTary feeding 
 of which it is rightly laid; ■ Blcjjedn he thatfajleth fh.'.'t he TOn<ren in 
 mayfeede thepoore. There is occafion of fading to '^ Scare Kuithem.io. 
 do-.rne the body aiid briTig tt into fubicaiovi, that it may be em- *i.Cor.^.ij, 
 ploiedasaferuantandnot feruedasa mailer ; and when 
 this occafion rcquireth we lay it is not Co good or godly by 
 eatina to feed the body m to chnfltfe it byfifirrg-y^ind vet to this 
 purpofe we Ipecially commend the laying of S.Hierome, 
 ■* jparefeeditjg and a belly Jfill l^ept i-'ith hy.ngry nppetite n pre- 
 ferred beforefajiifigthree dates together. But irj farting three *umon tp.Ai 
 things there are which we condemne in the church o( ruriam, 
 Rome accordingly as by the aimcient church they were 
 condemned. Firlt that lafting is made in it Iclfe aworfliip 
 of God, and a worke ofrighteoulhelle,whcrcnsit is of the 
 number of thole thingcs which are not '' If^Jltti<tipfc ,[ed hOrhen.m 
 condttura infiitiarum\ not matters of riqhteotffnes in them- Maib.trai},i^. 
 feints, but [eruing for thepovrderi^g andjeafoni-'!g of the rvorl^ 
 cfttghteoufne'fje, and therefore is to be apph'ed * to praier 
 and medttntio*} of aods rrord, and to exercife of Ipiriiuall de- l^"^ '"/•«« 
 notion, without which itisbuta matter othypocnlie and caio 
 mockerie, andhathno acceptation in the fight of God. 
 Secondly , that it is lo religioudy tied to fixed and certaine 
 daies y whereas the true farting is but ** pro tewpcnbit^ (jr ^TertulM 
 cmfis, as times and oecafions dee reqttire, as was before deli-' w;«w/o. * ' 
 neredourofthc ancientdoftritieofthe church of Rome. 
 Thirdly, that it is thought to be perfourmcd by forbear- 
 ing oneiy Hvfh,when orherdelicatcsand moiecoftlypro- 
 uifions are not forborne, which isfuch dsHieromeiullly 
 calleth ' afuperfiitiotuff. How in themeane time they ^Hitrony.ai 
 chartife the body, the world fceth well enough, we are fure 'H*i>f>tian. 
 they are not of the number of them of whom S. Hicrome 
 faied for their falling 5 ' They of our compame arc heathy loo- ^Hieron.adtt, 
 kfd, pale f teed, carfl'.Jly attired, Uke fir angers in the n^cr/^*,'""'''-''^'*- 
 and though they fay nothingtntvords yet by behauiour they fay ^ 
 AIm that my p'.lgrimageu prolonged. When matters were 
 
 V fo 
 
6 Grtg.tfijt. 
 
 ^ Hier. tfifi-ai 
 
 I'rv:»i.8.i5. 
 'l.Pe/.z.li, 
 
 'Tertut.ddu. 
 Matciolib.<i. 
 
 • LihJeVu- 
 did 1 14, 
 
 P Seerat. hifi. 
 lib.i.cap.2. 
 'iT irtitl.de a- 
 
 146 . Tl)e Anfwer to T>. Sifhops 
 
 fo hot betwixt the Tefaites andtliePiifcllcs, both fides 
 could vfe one part of Gregorieswordesagainli: the Patri- 
 arch of Contlantinople, » Oiirmmdesfnsil:vtthj;y'ide^ but 
 neither part could vie the other : OjJ'i mnKtjs arent, our 
 hones are dricK'ithfafliiig. They are fuch ^' gooJly mafiers , 
 asHierome fpeaketh of, vphkh lone to talke of faft'mg, vchen 
 they haue their bellies full. 
 
 Another carnalitie of do£trine wherewith he vpbrai- 
 deth vs, is that we \.e?Lch,Thatit is ai holy to fti/jill theflrfljlj 
 dijires of the body by mariage , af by cornnencie to morttfie 
 them. Where the vncleane bcall I:ke other Twine of his 
 fraternirie, maketh * thevyidcfledhcdof-mariage, the ful- 
 filling of fieflily defires, as if the precepts oi ^ mortifying 
 the hjles of the flefh , and * a^fleimng from fiepj/y Infles , 
 could not ftand with thevfe of lawfull marriage, where- 
 as the Apoftlereckonethfor lu^soi ihc^^^V'formcntion, 
 adultery, tnordinate concuptfcence 5 but neuer dreamed that 
 mariage fhould be accounted the fulfilling of firjhly IhH, 
 Yea Tertullian albeit he had begun to (peak the language 
 ofMonranus, yet could fay, " that the v:ry Gentiles did not 
 account flefhly Itiflin mariage ^ but in diforderedar.d vnnaturall 
 courfes. And it appearethbyhim what the auncient do- 
 6^rineof the church of Rome was in this behalFe when 
 by way of vpbraiding them he faith j ° Moderatio libidt- 
 nnm pudicttia creditor: With thetn moderation of hfi , by 
 keeping it within the compafle of lawfull manage, ts dee- 
 med chaflitie, when he being further befotted with the pro- 
 phecie of Mcntanus thought, as Bifhop doth, that mari- 
 age was to be reckoned a fulfilling of fleflily lull. But what 
 the church of Rome then thought was after condefcen- 
 dedvntointhefirltNiceneCouncell, that '' theconjpanie 
 ofama?nvith hisovrnsvpifcL chafiitie, becaufe as Tertullian 
 could fay when he was yetfober ^'^ It is not the condition of 
 the thingit felfejbut vnh.\rfttll hfi that defleth the companie 
 of man andr^oman, andvnchafiitie is not in the ft ate but in the 
 exceffe anddiforder thereof by adtilterie^whooredome and com- 
 mon 
 
EpiHle to the ^mg. 1 4*7 
 
 monficrves. Now therefore we doubt norbutthatinmaN 
 riage is as great holinelle, as there is in fingle hfe, and nei- 
 ther ofthem for it feUeis more acceptable to God then 
 the other is, neither doe we otherwife conceiue heereof 
 thenwasreceiuedby the auncient church of Rome, as 
 bath bccne before (liewed. We doubt not but that thepa- 
 triarches, and prielts, and prophets, and the firllChrilli- 
 <»ns, huedmore holily in marriage then doe M. Bifliop 
 and his fellowcs in fingle life. And we cannot be pcrfwa- 
 ded that there is a fpeciall kinde of holy life , that was ne- 
 uer commended to the people of God forthcfpace of a- 
 bouefonrethoiifandyeercs, nor was eiier heard ofvnder 
 the name of greater puritie& lan6^itie, but onely amongit 
 fuperllitious heathen men. There was a time when ' le- , . x, 
 remiewaswjllcdforthetime,»i?.*f«r*2/^<iir;y>, becaufe of 
 the great calamitic that wastobebll the landof ludah, 
 euen as the Apollle S.Paiil giueth counfell to forbeare ma- 
 riage when without euill it may be forborne ^ becaufe of 
 any frefcnt neceffity ox iorx,\o\d\v.^ trouble w thefie/h : but g-^'"'-^'-^- 
 that the not taking of a wife (honid be a feruice to God or ^ * 
 an acceptable holmeflb with him , the church of ihofe 
 times neuer learned , which we fuppofe knew all workes 
 of holinelle towards God. In a word fingle life though 
 it lelfe be not a matter of holinetfe , yet where the gift of 
 continency is,giueth greater opportunity otholy emplci- 
 ment, inthat itvoideth a man oftroubles and cares that 
 are incident to maruige , and fo according to the manner 
 of things indifferent is refpcc^iuely to be preferred. But 
 where the gift of continency is not, becauic thcreftles 
 pallions of incontinency by foliating and diftra6^ing the 
 mind doe bereaueit of thattranquiiline and peac;^ which 
 in any condition or Itate of life is ncceflary to ferue God, 
 there manage is moie helpfullto the feeking and feruice 
 of the Kingdonicof God .• and the vndcrtaking of the 
 care^atid ttoubies thereofonly for keeping peace otcon- 
 icience towards God is as fwcei a facnfice to God as anie 
 
 V 2 doth 
 
1.4S The Anfwerto. D. ^iJl)Qps 
 
 doth arife of finglc life. And therefore the auncient church 
 
 , albeit there had paiTed a vow of Hngle life yet thought it 
 
 '^'"•y-^'^ ({^(q^i\^q(y^^ fPfffarn thatcou/d-/7ot " orivoiildfiotcoMteme, 
 Dcmcirtad. . / ■ r ■ ■ 1 j r j- 1 
 
 "Cyp l.i.ei'.ii.^^ c'etfigi^^ffer tore.cettie tttagement and ccnjures.oj tkctr 
 
 ' Epi;h, J)£rtf, Uf^htaejfe Tvith men, then wtthfecret darts offatun to be vpohh- 
 6i.^pJioH:. dc'd euerj day towards God \ fofarre were they from that fil- 
 thy Popilh paradoxc which before is mentioned, that it 
 llioi^Id be better in that cafe to kecpe a harlot then to mar- 
 y^tf^w/?. <or.t, ry alawfpll wife. ^ Incominency , iaithS.Aullen, mnflbe 
 l^Uan.l.-^.c.io, ^^^pp^^y^g^ y^lj^ l^QfieJl jjturiaq^e that it rHnne not headlong to 
 damnable fime. Now becaufe the gift of conteining is 
 not in the power of man,therefore 35 touching M.BiOiops 
 third point we fay indeed that it is contrarie to the word of 
 God to vovp virginity, becauleit is contrary to the word of 
 ^ tccUf.^.^. God ro "" [nffcrthj mouth to caufe thyflrPj ro^/iK^e, and ' raJJj- 
 'V.i. ly to ytter athifigto God\\h\c\\ thy power feructh not toper- 
 
 ^Mat.19.11. fQi,i-nie^ b Jii f^i^ncamot receive thiithirgS^^^'^ovirS^im- 
 our, bat they to whom it is gtuen , and is it not finne to vow 
 to God when amanhath no warrant of the gift of Godc* 
 ^jiwrufl.it "For they to whom tt u not ginen , either kme nowillio that 
 ^atia & hb. they vow , or fade of fitlfillino rvhat they are willing to. "^ /fall 
 ■ arh.cap.e,. ^^,J^ be virgins, faith Hierom,(?;/r Lcrrdwould not haitefaid, 
 7..„...-,„ ;./. r ~ He that car: recetue tt , let him resettle it , neither vromae the 
 A^oftlehauebeeKefo fare fill to perjyvadett. Iheretore tt is 
 found in ma»y to begin it, but it is found in few to perfeuere, 
 and what is it but wickcdneffe to' make all vow when To 
 few are found to perleucre c* But the belt is, they vow 
 againftmaiiageoncly, but againlHornication and adul- 
 tery they make nc vow. They vow contincncie no fur- 
 *HoJhin!anJe (her but ' M humane infirmiiieirtll permit, and therefore it 
 cri^ Mcnacha. f^j.^.^^ with thcui as it hath bccnewoont With other here- 
 iEpi'fh.hJ'.6i. tickes : ' They reieci marriage , but jet they ceafe not from 
 Origeti. ' filthte lufi. Therefore without breaking of his vow , Pope 
 malt inStrgr^ Scrgius the third might keepe * MarozAa Earle Guido his 
 ex Luitbprand. ^y^fg ^ 3]-, J oqi of hci" in czternant ret memori.im, another 
 Pope lohn the twelfth , who fliould ncuer haue beene 
 
 Pope 
 
Epijlle to the Kjfig, 1 49 
 
 Popeifhe had beene a prielbfonne, biutobea Popes 
 baliard ic was no let. And thus might John rhe cicuenth 
 moitifietheflcfhjwith '' keeping his minion Theodora j& ^idtminin^ 
 lohn the thirteenth with hi3 ' two damiels Rainera and anne.w. 
 Anna; &Hildebrand "' with MachtyldistheCountelle", 'Symd.F^m. 
 whoforfooth was called S.Peters t^aughter-^^ Ahx^ndcr '*t'*'^ ^"''^'P''^ 
 the fixt ' exceedingly addiSied toxromcn^ might Ibrne his li.]. ^ 
 faint Vannocia, and might bellow a Cardinallliip to con- ^^y j 
 tinnctheloiieof '" InliaFarnelia , and might make bolde'i 0;»«;^;r.i» 
 with his owne daughter Lucretia. So Paul the third Hi- ^'exand.6. 
 iiing his vow might receiiic a llab for being taken in adul- ''/''"^^^'»''». 
 terie with his kinfwonKin " Laura Fainefia,& might poi- ;^f,// r"^*""' 
 fon his daughters husband Bolins Sfortia, that hee might 'iJgtnibid' 
 the more freely haue the vfe of her , a^ he had alio of Julia 
 his owne lifter: fuch paines doc the!e holie fathers take 
 tomortifietheii rielblydelircs ,thr.t iris woonderthatwe 
 fhouldnotthinke that the manage of Pioteftant Alini- 
 ftersisnot for hohnelfe to be compared to their fingle 
 life. It was without breach of vow, 1 warrant you , that 
 the ' Cardinall of Cremona the Popes Legate a latere, ^ 
 comminn hecreinro England to take order agamftpriefts ° if*'' '"^^' 
 wiues and concubinesvind in afolcmne aflembly inueigh- 
 ingagainltthem, and fhewing what a hainous offence it 
 was, to rile from belide a harlot to confecrate the body of 
 Chrift, was the lame night after taken with a harlot in his 
 owne bed. T^:e matter )r.?j rfdlknov. «<?, faith iVlathew Parif. 
 and could not be dented: Should wo not thinke it was for ho- 
 JinelTcand mortification of fleflily lullcs, that the *■ Btp-jops p SkU. Cettint. 
 of Germany n'ere iroo?it for }^io!jey rogif.epriejts leaue tokcepe ''^ 4- '*■ <"■'»^ 
 concubines, when they might by nomeancs marrie wiues:' ^]'^^^^«^^^'"'" 
 Was there not in their Ciergie rxcccding great hoii- 
 neife, by vowiog virginitie, when thnt prouifo tooke 
 place in their lawcs: "' They fay commonly that a prieft "^^'P'^^' 
 tsnotto be aepojea for Jimple jsrnic<iti<7n, bccauje there ^^^ infrioffa 
 few found without that fuult: yea and a rcalbn giuen of ^ Bifi.Sz.Vref- 
 thatfauour, ' Becaufc the bodies of men fire more frailem^v b;)termgloJfi.- 
 
 V 3 then 
 
150 Tf)e Aifwer to D, 'Bijhops 
 
 thenofold they hatiebeene, frailtiewasacaiiiewiththemto 
 beare with fornication , which is the worke of the diuell, 
 but by no meanes to permit marriage, which is the ordi- 
 nance of God. But what their holineficwas S. Bernard 
 was a witnelTe in his time , giulng to vnderftand, that 
 tBernttrd.de ^ after formcattons , aifilteries, incefls^ihey fell to vnnacurall 
 Comerf.ad and monfttous lulls, for which God dellroied Sodome 
 C ir.(ap. p. ^^^ Gomorrah, forbearing theremedyof Urrftill mivrUge^ 
 Andthencefoorth rnnning headlong into all hatnopti fit hinejfe^ 
 And oftheperfons that were guilty hereof he laith : They 
 cannot be hid they are fo many , nor care to be hid they are fo 
 tTert dere- *^P^'^^'^^' Imayhcrevfe [enolh^nsepiphonenya: ' Hxc 
 Uniyimnib. ddmittit flagitia conEia & inHttc. v.rgimtas : fuch horrible 
 vcickednefe ts therein confreined and forced virginity . This 
 is theholineflc, M.Bifhop, that you recommend to his 
 moft excellent Maieitie to be pia6^ti!c:d by his Clergie. 
 Thefe are the workes of your mortification , the fruites of 
 your vowed virginitie, as if you had laid with them ofoldj 
 » ulmuPJe " Pfccatacarnts dem non curat ; God caret h notforthcfepeC" 
 yerb. Dotn.fer. cadilloes oftheflefli : and with Plato , ' Infuch kinde ofplea- 
 !<?• fures it IS b fit aveniall finne for a man to forftveare himfelfe. 
 
 "vUtoapud pi^ yp^j^ y^^^ ^ gg yp^j^ yQ^^ filthie harlots , the feede of 
 
 Uan Ub6^ " ^^^ diucU , abhominable hypocrits : you are they that tell 
 vsthat there is that " tmppirttie andpolUition in the vjcof 
 »BeIl.de cleric. mariage,m * thet;«^(f/7/(?^^if^^asthe holieghoft tcrmeth it, 
 (ap.19. which cannot ftand withthe fan6llty and holynes of your 
 
 «H*6,i3.4. prieitly executions •, when in the meane time the impuri- 
 ties and pollutionsof your filthy whooredome and Sodo- 
 my are extremely lojihrome both to God and men ; 
 which (6 prouokedGodin the time ofthe height of An- 
 tichrilt as that foriull reuenge thereof he fent into the 
 world that horrible difeafc of the French pockj •, whicli, as 
 *,. »/•• /3- *Phvr!ciansconfefre, former aees had neuer had any ex- 
 mediciixe. pencuce of . Whav fhall I fay c^for fhame talke no more of 
 continency and virginitie : itisamatterforhoncllmento 
 fpeake ofhoncllly , as for you the world ibnketh of you 
 
 already, 
 
Episile to the I^)ig> 151 
 
 already , and the more ye llirre the worfe it will ftinke ftill. 
 Another point for which M-BiDiopqueilionethourdo- 
 6lrine is for that we teach,as he faith, that it is contrary to 
 the will of God to beflotvour acodson thepoore andto j^iue our 
 felucs wholly to prater nndfdfltni^. But the thing that weteach 
 isthis,that when the keeping of our goods ftandeth not 
 with the calling of God, and the performance of the fer- 
 iiice whereunto he appointeth vs , then eucrie faithfull 
 Chriftianis toflicwhimfelfe readyroforgoc all, father, 
 mother, wife, children, brethren, fillers, lands, linings, 
 and vvhatlbeiier elfe, knowing thntotherwile '' he cannot 
 be the difctple cf Chrijl. If Chrilt fay to vs as he did to the ., **'' *' * 
 yonguen^.an m the Gospel ^^ Goe, fell all that thou haft and 'Mat.z^^ix. 
 gitte to the poor c, andcorae and follow nte, then not to doe it 
 is a token of an vnfaithfull heart, that fetteth more by 
 the world then by God ; morebythetranfitorie goods 
 of this life, thenbytheeuerlafting riches of lefusChrift. 
 Thus * Abraham, God focommaunding, forfooke the *Gen.ii.i,4.. 
 countrey and inheritance of his fathers, to goc to theHft.ii.8. 
 place that the Lord fhould fhew him. Thus " Barnabas ^^^.^.16, 
 Ibid all to follow lefns Chnft, in yeelding his helpc to the 
 Aportles for the preaching of the Gofpell through the 
 world. Thus the firlt Chrillians endured ' mth toy the *Heb.io.^/^. 
 fpoiltng of their goods, rather then to forfake the teftimony 
 of lefus Chrirt. Which cafes not befalling vs , wee yet 
 perfourme thatcommaundementof Chrillmmindcand 
 affc6lion, when in abundance happily of riches and pof- 
 fefTions we haue our hearts (o weaned from the loue 
 thereof, as that we ;tcconnt ^ all thtnges but leffe for the i-phil.-), 8. 
 excellent k^ovflednefal^ of Chriji leftu our Lord, ' not fet- * 'Pfal.6z.io. 
 twg our hearts vp on them, ^ p^fffffing them as if Vfe pojfejfed ^iCor. 7,^0. 
 themnot, vfingthem iViif tvce vfcdthemnot 'j that though ^^* 
 occasion of leaning all be wanting to our will , yet our 
 will be not found wanting if there were occafion. But 
 without this occafion from God voluntarily and of our 
 ownc heads to fell allandgiuetothcpoorcvnder pre- 
 tence 
 
152. The Anfwer to V, Sifhops 
 
 tencc ofgiuing ourfelues toprai'erandfaftingisaworke 
 of fuperllition and errour, a renouncing ofthe Iteward- 
 fhip which God hath-commuted vntovsj a carting offof 
 theyokeof Chriftin whom wearenew borne not to line 
 s^m.it.^. to ourfelues but to be ^ members one ofanoiher, and 
 • p */'/^*8 ^^y loy.e toferne one another : it is the very herefie ofthe 
 MajTaUani. ' ' ^'^jpi^t^s ot Euchjtes^wiho bccaufc the fcripture teacheth 
 ^LtK. 1 8. 1 . SS^ to fray continually and not to waxe v:eary , d i d th ereforc 
 i.Tbejf.^Aj, renounce the world , forlboth , and departed fiom their 
 goods ih^x. they might attend wholly to praier , and did 
 ^^uguTi.ad ^pray/o much indeed as faith S. Auilen, a^ dtdfeemeincre- 
 QHody»ki. ^^yi^ ^^ ^y^^ ^y^^. ^^j ijcare ofjt. And ifthe dueties of prai- 
 er and faftingwhich the fcripture requireth be not tied to 
 any feparate kind of life, butconcerne men generally , as 
 indeed they doe in the places and callings wherein God 
 hath placed them , furely then vnder pretence and colour 
 ofgiuing ourfelues topraierand fafting to leauc our pla- 
 ces and callings and to goe into corners from other men, 
 is an abfurd tancie of will- vt^orjhip and hath no ground of 
 Gods word to warrant our confciences for the doing of it. 
 Abraham did not fowhen God had enriched him af er 
 his departure from his countrey, who notwithftanding 
 ">J^o»>.4.H.ii. is called *" thefatherof the faithfull, inthe fieppes ofwhofe 
 Hci .zz. y^ifij, ^g ^yg fg Tva^i^ that ° into his bofome we may be gathe- 
 red. Cornelius did not fo, who without leaning his charge 
 "^rt.io.jo. "vied praierand falling in fuchiort as that he found the 
 fauour at Gods hands to haue an angel fent with ameflage 
 to him For meanesofhis furtherinrtru6lioninthewayof 
 life. Neitherintheoldnor in thenewteftamencisthere 
 one man found that hath don it, howlbeuerM.Billiop ac- 
 count ita tnartcrof great holinelleand perfe6lionj and as 
 forvswe wiilnoc takcvpon vstobe wilerinthss behalfe 
 then they whom God himfeUe hath recommended vnto 
 vs for true examples ofholineie and perfection. But now 
 1 ftippofe there is a fecrer in this matter which cuery man 
 dgth not lee. If Ai.Billiop were demaunded who be the 
 
 poore 
 
EpiBk to the I(ifJg. 1 5 J 
 
 poorewhomheheeremeaneth, Idoubthe would famble 
 and ftagger in his anllver. The diuell was in ic that Wac- 
 {on in his ^uocWi^as in great malice of the lefuircs hath 
 difcouered theknauene of this whole matter, and/o dil- 
 coueredit as m.ight be a good warning to many fceiic 
 fooles to t^ke heed how they commit themfeluesintothe 
 handes of thefe vultures and gryphes, who vnder pre- 
 tence of fauing mens foules, deuour their bodily goods, 
 and fend them headlong to deftru6lion , both of bodie 
 andlbule. Is is not a pretielefuiticallexercife which hec 
 hath made knowen to the world, that men arc by them 
 drawen to lell their landes , and to put the mony into the 
 handes of thefe poore fathers, that (b being freed from 
 the cares and troubles of their worldly ftate, they may 
 goe lightly beyond Tea, there to attend to praier, becaufc 
 they muft begge, and to fading becaufc they haue naught 
 to eate 'f yea and to bee difpatched , God knoweth how, 
 that they may haue no toong to complaine,that anie man 
 hath done thcmharme c* In the meane time thefe holic 
 fathers make merry with that they haue gotten : this is 
 Propter bonum foctetatis , though it be in ordme ad diabo- 
 /«;w.Thus M.Bifliop you all praie vpon other mens prai- 
 ers and feall vpon other mens falbng , and whlleft you 
 liue no otherwile indeed but like thceues and naughtie 
 packes deuouring other men to mainreinc your felues 
 like gallants , you exclaime againft prophane carnali- 
 litieasinvs, that fuch tame fooles as will trult you being 
 pofTcfled with opinion thereof againft vs , may take no 
 notice of that lewdc prophanenelle and carnalitie that 
 is vniuerfally currant amongft you. Wewote well howc 
 vnder pretence of pouertie you haue gotten into your 
 handes the wealth of the world to maintcineidle lozels 
 and filthy belly-gods, who know nothing but carnalitie: 
 how the lefuires vowing pouertie in proprierie haue in 
 communitie gotten that riches into their handes within 
 theffethreefcoreyecres, that they are able thereby to doe 
 
 X more 
 
i54 T^^^ Anfwer to DSipops 
 
 more then many Princes can doe. Is this the hoIinelTeof 
 Poperisi' Are thefethefruitesofyour v owes c* We will 
 content our felues with that holinelTe which we haue lear- 
 ned by the word of God, but as for your holinefife wee 
 Icaueit to your felues being knowen well enough by the 
 fruites of it to be theinucntion of the diuell. 
 
 ip. W. Bishop. 
 
 I need not ioyne heereunto, that they teach it to be impof- 
 fible to kecpe Gods Commanndements S and therefore in va'tne 
 togoe about it : And farther^ that the beji worke of the riohte" 
 ousmany is de filed with finne. Wherefore y 04 good for him to 
 leme allvndone^ as to doe any. 
 
 Nay, ifthispofition of others were true, it woi^id follow ne- 
 cejfarily, that all men rp ere bound vnder paine of damnation, 
 neuer to doe any good deed, fo long as they hue : for that their 
 good deed being ftatnedrvith finne , cannot but defer ue the hyre 
 J(o».6. offinne, which according to the Apoftle^ ; Death euerla- 
 
 iling. If your Mate flies important ajfaires, would once per- 
 mityoutoconfider maturely of the fe impieties ^ and many other 
 like abfurdities, wherewith ths Protefiants DoUrine is fluked: 
 I dare be bold to fay that you would jpeedtly either commaund 
 them, to reforme themfelues, and amend their errors j or fatre' 
 ly gtue them their Congie. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Here M. Biftiop performcth a worke oifupererogati- 
 on doing that that he faith he need,e not doe. And indeed he 
 faith truely that it is more then ncedeth, andwerehenota 
 man of a ftupide & fenfeles confciencc he would not haue 
 made any mention ofthis point : fo fully multhisowne 
 heart necelfarily be polTelfed with the acknowledgement 
 of the truth ofthat we fey,but that for the loue wherewith 
 he is bewitched to doat vpon Anuchrift he laboureth wil- 
 fully 
 
EfiflktotheI\mg» 155 
 
 fully to quench the light thereof. We doe not reach that 
 it is impoffible to kcepe Gods commaiindements, but 
 we teach that itisimpoffibleto keepeGodscommande- 
 menrs perfeftly to full righteonfnene and iuftification in 
 the fight of God : we teach that it is impoflibleforvsfo 
 long as mortality and corruption lalleth to atteine to that 
 defcriprion of vnfpotted holincde and lighteoufncs that is 
 conteined \n the law. We faithfully teach men to kcepe 
 the commaundcnients of God. We teach wichS.Iohnj 
 * He that faith J l^oiv him , and kecpeihnot hii comrrtatinde- * i.2o/;» 1.4. 
 ments is a liar and the trttth is not in him. We neuer ceafe 
 to propound the words of Chrift tying the truth ofour 
 loueto the keeping of his commaundements, '' Ifye lone ^loh, 14.1j.2x 
 me keepe my commdandcments : He that hath my commaun- 
 dcmcnts andkeepeth them the fame is he that loueih me. But 
 to ' the keepinjrofthe commandements it appertaineth tojay^ •^ugu/f, 
 forgiuevs ourtrejfaffcs , that is, our breaking of thy com- 
 maundements. Itisin effe6t tolay : ^fldndnotinitidge-iDermfar, 
 mcnt with vs to require ofvs all that t hou hafl mlledand com- fer.^^. 
 maunded : for thou fljalt fnde vs guilty if then enter into iudg- 
 mentivithvs : wehane therefore neede of thy mercy. Now 
 itisnotpofllble forvs fo to liue but that wemuftfolong 
 as we liue here make this confciTion and praier vnto God. 
 Therefore itisnot poiTiblefor vsfolong as we liue here 
 perfe6lly to keepe the commaundements of God. So 
 long as we cannot ' hue the LordourGodrvtth all our hart, ^^ 
 with allourfouL% tvith all our minde , with all ourfirengthSo 
 long we cannot keepe all the commaundements of God. 
 hot ^ fb long as there is any car nail concupifcence or lufl tohe , „ . 
 bridlfd and rejirained rve cannot lone the Lord our God with '^H perfju/iit. 
 eurfoule : for the flrfj btfleth not without the foule albeit tt he i^atiociy. 
 fated that the flepjlufleth becaufe the fettle lufieth fefhly or 
 carnally : therefore fo long as concupifcence lalleth we 
 cannot keepe all the commaundements. But fo long as 
 we liue here it is ilil! true in vs, ^ the flejh lufeth againfl the e Cal^.rj. 
 Jj'irit : folong therefore as Ave liue here we cannot keepe 
 
 X 2 all 
 
1 5^ T}?e Anfwer to D. Si/hops 
 
 all the commaundementsof God , and Co much the lefTe 
 
 •'J^8w.7.7. becaufe one of Gods commaundementsaUb is, "^ Thou 
 
 ^Hilar.inTfal jhalt mtlufl. '' There are m^my [candails of the -acrid y l.iith 
 
 1 18. Ut, Gimtl. Hilary , Jvhich doe hinder tn vs thepcrfetl keeping of the com- 
 
 maundements : to fay nothinaofthe nature of our bodies which 
 
 partly hy infirmity , partly by the motions orprouocations ofvi- 
 
 ciom affeSfions doe force vsyet to be vnperfeEh. Now I will 
 
 fay to M.Bifliop in this matter as Hieromelaied of old to 
 
 the Pelagian hereticke defending the fame that M.Bifliop 
 
 ^Hieren.efiji. J^jh ; '" Thou tellefi vs that the commaundements of God are 
 Md Ctefifbom. ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ j-^-^j^ j^ gjj^^p ^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ 
 
 bring foorth no man that hath kept them all. TV hat a reafon ts 
 this tofaj that it i^poffible which neaer was , and may be done 
 rvhich thou artmtneffe neuerany man did , and to make it a 
 thing for euery man to doe which in the patriarchs and prophets 
 and Apoflles thou art notable to approoue f He runneth oucr 
 ^Mu.VeUg. many fcripti: res ' to (herv , as he faith , that no man hathfuU 
 • filled the law and by the law all the commaundements that are 
 
 conteined therein. In a word he determincth thus out of the 
 experience of men excelhng one in onevertue andano- 
 *Mu,Telag. ther in another, " God hath commanded thir.gespoffible, 
 "^'^* Jconfejfe : b'it ech man cannot atteine to all thefe things albeit 
 
 they bepoffible , not by any vn^blerfeffe of creatednature , that 
 any cauilfhould thereby be m^de to God'-jbut by weakenes of our 
 ownemind and will which cannot together and at once receiue 
 all vert ues. Thus Hierome difpatcheth vs of thisquelbon, 
 teaching,as we do, that God hath commaunded nothing 
 but what is polTible , but the impofTibiliry of keeping the 
 commaundements arileth from vs , from our weakcnefte 
 and frailtie, who although we may excell in fbme one or 
 two or fome few vertues morally , yet euen in morall con- 
 uerlation to men cannot atteine to all vertues , and there- 
 fore muchlefle toan(\verc theftri6l examination of the 
 iudgcment of God. So that we affirme nothing in this 
 behalfcbut what the ancient church defended againft the 
 Pelagian hereticke; and that which M.Bifliop feeketh to 
 
 perfwade 
 
EpiHIe to the i^w^. 1 57 
 
 pcrfwade his molt excellent maierty isnothing burwhac 
 the Pelagian herenckes of old prefumed againll the 
 church : much grace to him to be found thus directlie 
 walking in their Iteppes. Let S.Bernards words feruc for 
 the endiiig otihis point; " The /arv-mak^r was not tgnoruKt "BernarJ.im 
 that the ivaif^ht oft b e comm.tunciemevt did exceed theflrcngth Cant.fer, 5 o. 
 efmatj , hut he ludgedtt profitable that thereby mer. fhou Id be 
 adnertifed of their orene inffiffjefjcy , a^d indeed might kl^ovp to 
 what end of right eoM/nejfe thry might flriue to the vttermofl of 
 their firen'ith. Therefore by commaunding things impojfible 
 (to vs'^hemcnt not to m^kc vs tre(pajfers,bnt to humble vs that 
 enery mouth may be flopped and all the world may be brought in 
 ffilteclion to God : for receining the commanndement andfee- 
 Img our otrne defeff ne foall cry to heauen and God vcilbe mer^ 
 cifttHtovt^andne fhallknovp at that day that nstforthevporkes 
 ofrighteonfneffc xvhtchwe hanedofie bitt of his owne mercy he 
 hathfatiedvs. Where he doth not only affirme the im- 
 poflibility of fullandperfc6l keeping ofthelaw, butgi« 
 ueth reafons alfo why God notwithftanding held it profi- 
 table for vs that he fliould giue the law, and in euery point 
 (peakerh fully and exprclly the fame that we doe. Now 
 if to this do(Strine we apply M.Bifliops conclufion,we flial 
 finde him to be that that indeed he is. We cannot in this 
 lifeperfe6lly fulfill the commaundements of God; ther- 
 fore,faith hc,:t is in vame to goeabout it. As if he fhould 
 fay : A man is not yet come tothegoalc ; therefore it is 
 in vainefor him to rnnne 5 the fcholer cannotalreadc write 
 in print j therefore it is in vainefor him tolearneto write: 
 the husbandman hath not his haiucll already in hand; 
 therefore it is in vaine for him to fow his feede. Pcrfefit 
 righreoufiielle entertaineth none but whom it meeteth 
 trauelling to come vntoit. We here (bw the feedesofic 
 that we haue the full growth of it otherwhere. The foun- 
 dation is laid on earth that theconfummation may be in 
 heaucn. Rightly doth S.Hierome fay: " Non fmt contemn »H»>m>.»/^ff. 
 nendu tanqi*<im partiafwe qt^ibm magna ejfe ncnpojfufit : rve ad L4tam. 
 
 X3 are 
 
15 s Tl?e Anfwer to D. (Bijhops 
 
 are not to dejpife thofe thm^s <ufmd mthout vphich great things 
 cannot hs. Though we feeme hecre to haue learned but as 
 it were the ABC, yet is it not in vaine , becaufe this 
 ABC is the introdu6lion to the whole Booke of God. 
 T ji.' ^ ° Better it is for a man feekinff perfection to die by the tvaiey 
 iaith Ungerii then not to goefoorth to feekett at all. Agame, 
 M.Bifliopchallengeth vs for teach ingf^^z? theheHwc^ke 
 of the righteous man ts defiled withfmne. Wherein we teach 
 the fame that Hilarieof old taught, and was by AulHn 
 *Hilar abui ^pprooucd according to the auncient do6lrine of the 
 \AitzujiJ»nt. church of Rome againll the Pelagian heretickeSjfA^r '' our 
 lulian.Velag. bodies are the matter of all vices, by reason rvh ere of being pot- 
 Uh.i. lated and defiled rve haue nothinq^in vs cleane , nothing inno- 
 
 cent. Whereto belongeth the acknowledgement of Gre- 
 gorie bifhop of Rome , mentioned before, that ^ all op.r 
 iGreiror.Mo' righteoftfncjfe is found to be vnrighteoufncffe if it be jirtHly 
 rdMb.xi.c.i^. and narrowly (if ted. And furelyleeing the cafe lb ftandeth 
 withvsjthatbymeanesofcarnall concupifcence fbll pof- 
 felTing vs no good that we doe can haue all our heart 
 and all our foule to acconipanie it vnto God , it muft 
 needes be that in the bell worke there is a maime , and in 
 the greateft righteoufnefle a want of fomewhat that it 
 ought to haue if God in rigour do examinethe fame. And 
 t£x»d,i2AZ. therefore as in the law of Mofes the *■ htgh Prieft did beare 
 the inicjuitie of the holie ojfertnges of the children of Ifrael to 
 make them acceptable before the Lord ^ fowe muftvnder- 
 ftand that euen our holiert offerings and works of righte- 
 oufncfle haue fuch defe6ls and wants, fuch blemifhes and 
 ftains of our corruption, as that they need the mediation 
 of our high Pricft lefus Chrift^to acquit the iniquity ther- 
 of, and to procure them faucur and acceptation in the 
 fight of God. Nowheereof M. Bifliop inferreth then as 
 good to leatie allvndoue 04 to doe any. As it he fhould laie, If 
 a man cannot but goe lame, then it is as good for him not 
 togoeatall: if a man cannot prate, but to be interrup- 
 ted with by-thoughts, then it is as good for him not 16 
 
 pray 
 
Eptjlle to the K^n^. i^p 
 
 pray at all : if a man cannot but ftutte in fpeaking, then it 
 is as good for him not to fpeake at all. WitlelTe Sophirter, 
 is it all one wilfully to rebell and vnperfe6^1ytocbcy:'is it 
 all one to a neccdarie defc(5l, to adde a proud and volun- 
 tariecontempt c* we haue to doe with a mercifull God 
 whoinlefus Chrift acccptethour affe6lions foraftions, 
 our beginnings for perfe6^ions, and ^ if there h frsi a fi.Cer.S.ii. 
 VPtllin^ minde , rejpetleth vs acco>'Amgto that that rve hane, 
 not accordina to that that rree hatte noty euen as a louing 
 father who ioyeth in his childe when hee feeth him 
 willing to learne , though hec fault \\\ the dooing of 
 the thing that he commaundeth ,and fliallwefay, ttUas 
 good to leaue a// goodrvorl^s vndofje Oi to doe aKy,hccaiiCe\\'e 
 cannot but admit fome default in the doing of them:* 
 Whereby appeareth the grode ignorance of this blinde 
 Do6lour, who in his next wordes inferrcth , that// 
 this po/irion of ours hee true , it wottld follovo necejfari/y that 
 all men were bound vnder paine of d^.mfiatioft neuer to doe 
 any good deede jo long Af thej hue . And why I praie 
 you S* For that their good deede being flained with Jlnne 
 cannot but deferue the htre offinne , vhicl) accordina to the A^ 
 fojlle is death e!<erlafiirg. This rcafon M-Bifhop hath bo- 
 rowed from M.Wright , lannes from his fellow lambres^ 
 who amongft other of his articles or forcible reafonsa- 
 gainft vs propounded this , That the Protefiants are bound 
 in confcience to auoide allgoodworkes, and that according to the 
 Protejiants religion all men are bound vponpaine of eternall 
 damnation to avoide allgoodrvorkes. We fee malice is blinde 
 and euery drunken fancy feemeth to it a forcible reafon ta 
 oppugne and ouerthrowthe truth. But howlmaruell 
 (houldthis come to palle f Forfooth euery man is bound 
 vponpMne of eternall damnation to auotde allmortalljinnes: but 
 aUgood worhes according to the Protefiants religion are mortall 
 jinnes , therefore. &c. Butlmaruell whatM.Bifhoptd- 
 kethhimtobe who foran ire-mole or a blackefpotaffir- 
 meth a white (hcete to be a blacke hairecloth i Is the good 
 
 worke 
 
worke itfelfe becomeamorraIlfinnc,becaurebyanacci- 
 dcntall blemifhic receiuethfomedifgrace c" Ifhecanput 
 difference betwixt the fubie^l and the accident , then he 
 may vnderftand that an accidentall default in the doing of 
 a commaunded good worke taketh not away the obligati- 
 on to the deede, and to refule the doing of the good 
 worke forauoiding ofthedefadltisfor theauoidingofa 
 trefpalle to commitatreafon, and from a pardonable er- 
 rour of humane imperfe6lion to runne into a heauie iudg- 
 *jlu^ttfi.cont. mcnt of wilfull oppofition. S.Auftinfaich : "■ Infideliter 
 lulitu* Tela^. ffjiT^fgj'i, <i;ifium eji , peccatum ej} : to vje comfajjion ivtthout 
 A'^PS' ^;^^ iifinrse. The finne arifeth not from the a6t of compa- 
 fiion but from the priuation of faith. And will M.Bifliop 
 hereof inferre that an infidell is bound vnder paine of e- 
 ternall damnation not to vie compafTion, and by a defe6l 
 in circumllance force an obligation ncgatiucagainftthe 
 fa6l J* To vie compafTion without faith is (inne, but not to 
 fhew compairion is \ far greater finne. To fliew mercy in 
 «»?^o>».z.iy. infidelity yeeldeth " rW^^/f/^Ar/if/JW for doing a part} 
 not to fiiew mercy brecdeth accufing thoughts for neglef)-- 
 ing all J and for crolTing the worke of the law rvrnten in their 
 hearts for the dire6tion of their outward a6lions. Now 
 therforc in the good works of the faithfuU thereisaftaine 
 of finne , but in the not doing of them at all fliould be a 
 double finne : there is a guilt of damnation if God in ri- 
 gour fift and examine the lame, notarifing from the good 
 worke but from the ftaine of finne; but to leaue the worke 
 altogethervndoneisatreblecondemuation. But God in 
 lefus Chriil remitteth the guile, and imputeth not the 
 ftaine of finne but grarioully accepteth the worke as per- 
 fect and good and accordingly rewardeth it. And there- 
 fore from an inuincible default which God hath promifed 
 toforgiue to argue the omitting of the worke which God 
 hath commaunded to do, is a colleftion fo fottiOi and ab- 
 furd as that it cannot be but that cither meere ignorance or 
 extreme malice mud needesbe theauthour anddeuifcr 
 
 thereof. 
 
Epijlle to the Kji^g^ 1 6 1 
 
 thereof. And yet this wile man as it he had fpokcn -fbrnc 
 worthy matter telleth his moll excellent Maicl^ie that*/ 
 his AiAieflics importam affliires -ivoHld^erma kim to csifidsr 
 maturely 'o{- thefe impieties md many other liks *fy(»rdttiis 
 tvhcrewnh theprotefliHH doUnne is ft tiffed , htxvoi^idjjxede^ 
 ly commaund vsto rt forme ohy felnes and amend our crrnurs . 
 Bat his Maielhin thcmiddeil of his important aftaircs 
 well aduifeth ot'thele matters, knowing that iheprefcrtin- 
 tion of true leligion is a matter ofgrearelt in:portancejbe- 
 caufeas theChnllian empcroursofold haiiefaid, ' The *Theedof.f^ 
 Jiate of the common ircilih dcpey;deth vpo'j m.nr.tcfi.'Utce p^' '''<^""«"'f«< 
 true piety towardi God, His Maicllie know cth well inongh ^^^ j " '^" *' 
 that it is Imall adi^antage to inioy a kingdotne vpon carrh, 
 and for want of true fa:th towards God to h;; excluded 
 from the kingdoirie of lieaucn, H j haih therefore t.^.ken 
 rcfolufton thcicol iTorn God himlclfe, and on your part, 
 Al.Bifiiop, findeih nocln'ng to mooue him from that 
 whereof he is rcloiued. You deuife impieties where there 
 are none : otthe anncient do(5lrines of the church yon 
 make abfurdities bccaufe they fit not the humour and pro- 
 ceedings ofyour latter Synagogue. Your allegations arc 
 idle, youranfweres are empty, your arguments wholly in - 
 conlequent, and fit it were that after your thrife fcuen 
 yecresyou Ihuuld be recalled forfeue'nycercsmoretothe 
 lludy notof diuinitie onlybut ofLogicke alfo that you 
 may not aniemore interrupt his Maiedies important af- 
 faires with fuch loofe and friuolous colIe6tions as here you 
 haue prelentcd to his view. Whereof we fliall yet lee fur- 
 ther experience in that that followcth for the clofingvp 
 ofthisyourfecond rcafon. 
 
 20. W. Bishop. 
 
 J xri'l clofe vp this my [econd reafon, with this Epi- 
 phoneme. ThatitisimpoiTiblcforaProtcftant, firmely 
 cleaning to the grounds of his owne Religion, to hope 
 
 Y for 
 
1 6z The Aifwer to D. 'Bipj^js 
 
 for any faliiation. For they dec, andneeoksmuji nraum,thAt 
 no man can befaued nvthoat a hiieljfcith ; <■ \i iilj'o thai aliue^ 
 ly faith cannct be xvithout churitte, for oihenr'feit tx^erc de.id: 
 Now then to thepurpofe'j No Vrotefljznt cc.nhaf-ieiiv!ritie:for 
 j.Ei>iTi.ca.s.^. M ivitneffeth S. lohn. This is thecharitieof God, that 
 ^wAi. we kecpe his commaundcments. But it u imprjjlble (accor- 
 ding to the Proteflants ) to keepe the comm.tHhdcments : there- 
 fore dfo impoffible to haue charitic ; wh ich is the fu !ne(Ie of 
 the law: and cmfequemly tmpoffihle to haue a Im Ij faith y 
 which cannot berrithoHt ckaritte. And fo finally through want 
 of that liuelj feehng faith , whereby they fhould lay hold on 
 Chrtftsrtghteoufnejfey to hale and apply that vnto theinfebies ^ 
 they Ciifj haae no hope at alljof any f^KOHr J and grace at Gods 
 hands : Without which they muji needes ajf^re themfelnes of 
 eternjil damnation, in fteede of their pretended cet iaintie of 
 faluAtion. 
 
 R. Ae EOT. <s 
 
 The Apoftle faidc of fome ,and M. Bi/hop is one of 
 »X.r<w.i.7' them, ' Th'yvfouldbe doUours of the lavo.andynvnderfland 
 not what they fpeake, neither whereof they affrrme. It is tmpof- 
 fibleforfoothfor a Protefiamfirmelj cleaning to the grounds of 
 of hits otvne religion to hope for any filuatioK. And why fo I 
 pray you if for no man can befaued without a liuely faith, and 
 aliuely fatth cannot be without char itie, andno Proteflatttcan 
 haue chfiritie. No can f but what is the let thereof:' For- 
 (both S.Iohn faith, that the chantie of Godts this , thctt wee 
 k^epeh'.s Commaundements, and it tj impoffihh according to 
 the I'fOtefiantsto }{C(;pe the commaundements : therefore it is 
 imp'ijfibletohauecharitie. Now a night-cap of ftrawe for 
 fuch a braine that could reafonfo piofoundly ngain:|-rhe 
 Ptoteftams. Butdidyourheadneuerferueyou rov.^.^er- 
 ltandthattheiearediucrs degrees of charicie, andcon- 
 iequently ditiers degrees of keeping Gods commaunde- 
 ments < and therefore ihat the denying of the highcft de- 
 gree the:s,s)f uketh not away the amrnung of the reft f 
 
 Did 
 
Didyoutiotfindein Auflinthat there is '" cktrihts maior, ^^uf.tt.i^, 
 and charitM minor , greater chnritie a-rdiejjcr chnrttie inci> 
 dent to this life, ^ndphr.ijpmach,iri^ JftlUndperfeUcha' 
 i iae, not to t?c found «; «?«)' nrun fo long (v: he litteth bcerc^ but 
 dificrred till ' then when wefljoHfee God <is he is ? I he fame 'De perfeff. 
 Aullinrpeakingofniherenirighceoufneirc which confilt- '«Ji't,^t.9. 
 eth in the keeping oi God-: commaundcir.encs delcribcth 
 
 theic degrees both in the one and in the other; ' Cha-irj j^^ 
 l^egfr-i :s right eoufues bcgm : chant tcairrcctfcd is right eotffr.cs .rratcap^ 
 erjcrcaftd: great ch.tritie is great riJ}teo::fncPj€:pcrfttl: chart ^ '^' ' 
 
 tie isperfift ngbteotifneife M:>\v pcrfe6l charitie,as before, 
 hath not his place in this life, and therefore in this Ii;'e is 
 no perfc(^ ri^hreournclle , aad therefore no pcrfecl keep- 
 ing of :!iecotr.i).aundcmen;3 of God, which oncly is ic 
 which the Proreit;!nt5denie: bntcharitic there is in this 
 life, and righteoufnefle there is, and a keeping of Gods 
 commannd.ii-ienr there IS, begun, encreafed, waxing 
 g^eat , in diue s perfons ojuetily : and therefore by the 
 Protertants do6irine there is no let buttharaman may 
 haiiea hnelyuiuhjand thereby allured hopecfeuerlalting 
 life. For hccrcby indeed he Ijieth hold on the rightcouf- 
 nelfe ofChrilf, not to hale it to himfelfc according to the 
 phrafe of this Lucian doggc, bn t to receiue it being offrcd 
 andgiiienby thepromi(eofGod ; whereto becajfeeter- 
 nall life is dne, therefore in receiuing it,he receiueth eter- 
 nalllife, according to the wordesofChrill, ' Whofoeuer '2=h.6.$^, 
 catethmyflepjanddri»k^thmyblof4dhatheicryJAllhfe,'af}d I 
 ^iHraifehimvpat theiaj}day, hot meaning that we fhonid 
 earehisfiertuvithourmouthes, ordnnke his blond into 
 our bellies, but ^ infirHUing vs to become commumca*.tsofhis !^„^„n jg 
 pajfion, cr hcdthftilly and profit My to Liy vp m our m^nh'tr.at dnaxhrift. 
 hs fi'JJ} vtKts crncified and rvoundedforvs , to the end that lib.^.cap,i6, 
 all righreo'jfiiede being peifourmed in his obedience for 
 vs, the fame might be reputed vnto vs for the acteinment 
 of eternalllifc. And thus weare come totheendofM. 
 Bifliops fecond reafon, wherein as in thefirllwefee no- 
 
 Y 2 thing 
 
i64- The Anfwer to D, (Bipops 
 
 thing but vnlearned prefumption and folly , and a great 
 countenance fetvpon a mattei-of naught j much audaci- 
 oufnefl'e of words, buDin waightandlubrtanceakogtJther 
 nothing. Letvsnowcometo theexaniining of his third 
 rcafon,\vherewelhall findeliim no changeliwg, but i1:iU 
 one and the fame man, or rather a (liadow for a man. 
 
 21. W. Bishop. 
 
 - To thefetvoo arguments , gathered out of the treAtife fol- 
 
 lowing, I add,; a third, coUeEied from thefe yonr oxi>He memo- 
 
 "Par 69 y<^^^f rvordes related in the abouenamed conference : viz. Arc 
 
 we now come to that paffcjthat we muft: appeach Con^an- 
 
 //■»(? of Poperie and luperllition:* IVhich argueth that your 
 
 JVfaiepiie indgeth them^ tohane little regard of either pet le or 
 
 cimlttie, thatwouldadmit fruh a thought into their mmde , 04 
 
 that the fi-^fl Chrtfiian Emperotrr (our tnofl renonmed comK' 
 
 triman) Jhonld be nonfed and brought vp infuper/}ition^wher~ 
 
 inyoitr Aiaiejiiehath oretit reafon , for he xvoi mofi careftillj 
 
 inflrnBed, and tanght the Chrifiian Religion , byfftch holie 
 
 ConfeJforXy vehofe jinC'^ritie in faith had .beene tried in the hot 
 
 furnace of many [IranqeperfecHtions: Andhe farther hadthe 
 
 qoodhappe to fee ^ and hear e together in the firfi generall Coun- 
 
 cell of Nice , many of the holicft andbefl learned Bifhops of 
 
 Chnjlendome. Therefore it is meft 'Vnhkely thatfo royallaper- 
 
 fon, d^uotedio Religicn , and hamngfo good meanes to attaine 
 
 to theperfeB l^orrled^e thereof ^ as no man could haue better 5 
 
 , fhoHldriet^erthelcf'fin thepi^refl timeofit , be mif-lcdde into 
 
 errour.,andfr'perfttt',on. If then^ it jnay be proofed , that this 
 
 moj} Chriftian Emperour (theg/ittering ornamef/t of our nobis 
 
 Ilard)did beleenc fuch articles cftkeprefcntRoy.'can church, a$ 
 
 the Protef^ants teach not to be beleeued: Will no' yopir Maieflie 
 
 rather ioinc in faith withfo peerelejfe a Prince , rrho by the cen- 
 
 fent ofallanticjuitie , rvKsfor certain? right r^ellenformed, then 
 
 with thefe, whom ( doubt leffe) mofl men deeme to bepittifnlly 
 
 deceiftedi'Ncrv that Coni^Mtme watof thefame~opimon, i» 
 
 matter 
 
Epiflle to the Kj^ig* i ^ 5 
 
 matter of Rcngi.f»i ,yvsth theprrfcfit Church of Rome ^w Ay etU' 
 demly he gathered out of this thatfollori'eth, 
 
 R. A B B o T. 
 
 We c.innot,M.Bi(hop,butgiuemoft humble thanks 
 toalmightic God tbrgiuing vnto vs a king of fo great vn- 
 derftanding and iiidgemenc, for deciding anddercmii- 
 ning the caulcs and controiierfics ot the church. Whofe 
 princely wifcdone in thatbehalfe as ic appeared in that 
 conference many waies , foin this not leaftofall that htf 
 MaicltiC thought fie that aniiquitie flioiild honourably be 
 iegarded,and chat PopiOi nouehies onely being reieiled, 
 things (liould be reduced to their primitiue vie without 
 any necdIcHc departure from that path which the firfl: 
 church hath troden out vnto vs. Wherein there was great 
 caufe tiiat his Maiellic (liould haue a Ipeciall refpedl vnto 
 the timcof Conrtantine theEmperour, as wherein hee 
 could not doubtbticthattheaireof thechurch wasverie 
 free from that extreme infeftion and iilih wherwith it was 
 poifoned afterward. No marueli therefore if hisAlaieftie 
 acquitted that noble Emperour from Poperie and fu- 
 perjlition , and iuft caufe was there fo to doe ; (o farre 
 are wcfrom dilTenting from that principle which IVl.Bi- 
 fliop laieth downe^that it (liould be vnlikely that he fliould 
 at that time be noullcd vp in errour and misbelcefe. 
 Which principle notwithrtanding he driuethto aniffue 
 wholy contrary to his Maiefties intention and fpeech. For 
 whereas his Maiel^ies p^rpofe was to cleereConlbntino 
 ofPoperie,M.Bi(liopgoeth about to appcach him there- 
 of. But Condantine indeed was no Papifl:; hencuerlet 
 the triple crown vpon the Popes head , nor euer kilTed the 
 Popes foote. He did not thinkethe Bifhopof Rome to 
 be fuperiour to him(elfe, or that the Bidiop of Rome 
 might vponoccafion depofehimfrom his legill throne, 
 ■ ijor difcharge his fwo»n fubie^ts from their allegeance and 
 
 Y 3 duety 
 
1 66 71)6 Anfwer to T>, 'BiJJ?ops 
 
 duety to him , nor held his fcntence to bethe oracle of the 
 church ; which had he thought he would not haue called 
 thecouncellofNice , but with lefieadoe would haucfent 
 to Romefor rtTolunonagainft Ariusihe hercticke. He 
 did not thinkethat it belonged to the bifliop of Rome to 
 call generall councells or to direft order tor their procee- 
 ding, butcommaundeth thecouncelihinifclfe, andpre- 
 fcribeth them a rub to follow, notaccordingtotheman- 
 •CtntilTrid. net ofthe Popes councels which proceede ■* hy fcriptures 
 ff/f.^.c^p T' /3«^f/-^i//w«>-, indeede by traditions only againlllcnpture, 
 * Tiwdhp. bur '' they are the bookcs of the Eui'.ngehfls ^atid ofi he Jpofiicf, 
 Ub.i.iajf.7. |-g-^|j j^g ^ ^^^ ^^^ oracles oft he o/d prophets vehtch djs plainly 
 inflruB vs what to conceme concervung Guds matters : therefore 
 fetting ajide all enmitic and difccrd let vsfom the vcordes t^Jpi- 
 redofCodtak^ the explication ofthofe things that are in qtte- 
 jiion. He ner.er fought ro the Pope for pardon, he was 
 neuer fliriuen toany prieft,heneucrworfliippedidolInor 
 image, ncuerferued S. nordirine, neuer knew the MalTe 
 nor tranfutftantiarion jnorhalfecomiT.union : ifhefaw 
 the religion that is now at Rome he would woonder at the 
 change. YetM.Bifhop will needes perfwadc hismoft 
 ' excellent maielly that Conlf antine voas ofthefame opinion in 
 matter of Religion with the prefent church of Rome, but his 
 arguments to p:ooue It are fuch as may well make vs to pi- 
 tiethefimplicityoftheman.He mull bring betterproofes 
 then he hath broughtjOrelfeConftantinelhalbeftill ours 
 and none of his. 
 
 22. W. Bi Si^op. 
 
 Ftr(l, he wa^ foaffeclionate vntothe (igne oft he Crojfe^ 
 
 that he tvouldhaue itglorioy.fy appeare, both abroad in his ban^ 
 
 nerSy and at home in his i^allace : and in the miMefl of the Ci- 
 
 Bufeh.dtyita ^/^ of Rome , with this Poefie : In this figne of faluation ,1 
 
 ConfinnAtb-i, haiie dcliucrcd the Citie. J^ith it alfo he ble(}ed his vifage. 
 
 '"M- R.Abbot. 
 
EpiUle to the IQn^, 1 6j 
 
 R. Abeot. 
 
 Tbcfignc of the crollcto which Conftantine was fo 
 much afKf^lioiKd was indeed ' //.'(fyr;Tw of i he name of our *fuf*hjeyha 
 SanioHr , confi'.tiiig of the two Grecke letters ;/ and /> ,in C:n/!.:ni.li'j.i, 
 forme ofacrolie ^, which arc the two firft letters of the "^ *^* 
 name of Chnll , and did t?7ipoft thefame nhole nc.me , by 
 the light whereof in the skicConftantiiie wqs aducrtifed 
 that '' h Chrifi he m-fc conr^uere and ouercoyne. To which ^ ii'<''Wi'.it« 
 name of Chrirt rt prefentcd to Conftantine his moft excel- 
 lent Aiaiellicgiucth the u^me honour that Conftantine 
 did repofing tnv..cin the whole truft: of his vi6lone and 
 fafetie both ipirituall and corporall , and knowing that' w ^ - 
 other name IS giften vnderheaaen byvphichrpemufihefiucdy 
 but only the name of leftis Chrift. And as for the fignc 
 of the crofle which M.Bifliopintcndethjbecaufe it hath 
 beenc vfed as a monument and profeffion ofthepafTion 
 ofChrilland his death for vsvpon the croffe, hisiVJaielty 
 taketh thatequall courlcthat may both approoue the pi- 
 etie of Conftantine in the vfingofit, and yetfhewhisde- 
 tellation of thole corruptions wherewith the Papilles haue 
 abufed it. The figne ofthe croffe hath honourable place 
 vpon hi Maieltiebimperiallcrowne; itftandcth publick- 
 lieto be beholden in the higheftftrcete of his imperiall 
 city : hisIVlaiellieseolignes and banners wearc it both by 
 feaand land : our churches and market places commonly 
 (hew it throughout this whole land : in the celebrarion of 
 baptifre it is by publicke order appointed rtivv. ics tobe 
 vfed. Whatis then the figne of the croll'e to proouc Con- 
 ftantine tobe ofrw fame opinion m matierof rel.^ion nith 
 the frefent Romane chnrch , when we vfethe lamt fig^eof 
 the croffe and yet are adueifaries to the iamc church < Yea 
 but M.Birhop will fay that we vieir not lo far as ConlUn-> 
 tine didi for vrich it , faith he, Conflantixe bl fed ''^ vifage. 
 Where hcabufethhisMaieftiewithfalletranlUtion, the 
 
 itory 
 
1 58 T(?e Anfwer to D. ©//7;o/)y 
 
 *Eufel\de v«M ^ory makingno mention o^blejfmg but only that ' he did 
 Ctnjiant. hh i.f.gne his face with thefigne of the croiVc. Wherein his Alaie- 
 c«^^^. rty an5 our whole church do forbeare to do the lame that 
 
 Conltantinedid; notastocondemne Conil:antii}e<!s:the 
 firll church forthc doing ofit, butcotake away all (liew 
 of that fuperltition and abhomination wherewiih latter 
 time , fpecially vnder the tyrannic of Antichrift hath defi- 
 led that that Conlbntine.did , the Papiiles hauing attri^ 
 buted tothecroflethevertueandpowerofblsfimgjwhich 
 Coftantinelbught for only in him whom he only remem- 
 *Difi.6^ CA^. bred and profelled by the crolfe. Now ' tfo'^rf;redecef- 
 t^ta, fours haue done fome things vphtch at that time might be vpith- 
 
 oM fault and aftetrvardes be turned to err^nr and, fuperflition^ 
 YPe are taught, faith the law ^bj Ez-echim bre^kingt he brafen 
 ferpent that the pojieritie rKay abohpj the fame voithcftt ante 
 delay andrvith great authority. We doubt not but that the 
 firft church lawfully vfed the figne of the croffe to proteft 
 their faith in Chrift crucified againll ihe defpjghts and re- 
 proches of Pagans and infidels , and in that fimplicityof 
 the vfe thereof we doubt not but that fometimes miracu- 
 lous workes were yeelded to the faith of them by whom it 
 f* . r J /. vvasvfcd. We doubt not but that blamclelly alio they 
 
 ^Ttrtul.deCt- ^ ,. . . . j L i 'i, j i 
 
 renamUttis. v'^dit in priuate and ordinary behauiour, Ijtng dovrneand 
 
 rifng vp , go^ng out and comming in , at the table , at Ceindle 
 lighting , at puttingo^ and on their clothes , and what foe Her 
 they went abotit , but no otherwife but for a remembrance 
 tCol.^.17, ^whatfoeuer they did either in word or deed to doe allinthe 
 name ofonr Lord leftu Chriji , giving thankes to God ctien the 
 father bj htm. Wherefore when lulian accounted the 
 Chrirtians^^/^ andvprelched mcnforfigmng their houfes and 
 their foreheads tyith the f one oft he croJJe,Cyv\\ anfwered that 
 it was his Ignorance to blame them for that, becaufe he knew 
 ^Cv'dcant. notthe meaning of it. ^ For the Lord and Sawour of ally 
 lHUam.Ub.6. faith hcjalbeit he might haue fitten fill in the throne ef his God- 
 head e^uallto God, yet humbled him felfe, tak^ngvponhtmthe 
 forme ofaferufint^and dejpifng thefhame he indured the crojfe 
 
 , that 
 
Efijlle to the l\m^, 16 g 
 
 that he might aboUpj the power of corruption : dyingAtonefor 
 all And. ratfedfiom the dead that he might deliuer mankjnde 
 fiom the fnares of death , that he might defiroy the tyranny of 
 finne which raigned invs 5 that he might ahhridge the law of 
 finne raging in the members ofeur bodies , and might make vs 
 Ipiritnall xvorPnppers ^ and mortifyinginvsthelufioftheflejh 
 might make them the children of God that doe belceue in him^ 
 andfanFtifie them by the fpirit, thatfo he might bereaue jatun of , 
 
 his tyranny oner all, vill thefe things the f one of the eroffe ma- 
 kjth vs to remember and willeth vs to thinke of that which the 
 ylpoftlefaithyOne died for all that they which liue f-jould hence- 
 foorth not line tothemfelues bfttvntehim vehich died for them, 
 androfe againe. Againe 'vrevfe ^ laith he , thefgne of the 1 iaii, 
 eroffe for a rcmembr, ince of all goednejfe and allvertue. This 
 only was the firit vfe of the figne of the croflfe , and fo long 
 as it kept wittiin this compalFe, there was no caufc of the 
 refufingofit, neither lliould werefufcitif vponthc like 
 occafion_,and with the like fimplicity and fobriety we might 
 vie it as they did. Butfince theHarpyie of Rome hath 
 had the handling of ic, and made ita matter of magical! 
 inchauntment , and through the currant ofherprppha- 
 nations it hath runne into the handes of coniurcrs , char* 
 mcrs, witches to be defiled with their diucilifh and dam- 
 nable pra6liles , wehauehad a religious care tocleerfethc 
 firft church in the vfing ofic, but no further to vfe it our 
 felues then it may bewaflied from the foileand filth of 
 thofeabhominations. Now therefore Conftantines vfing 
 of the figne of the croiTe prooueth him not to haue bcenc 
 alike minded with the prcfent church of Rome, becaufe 
 we alfo approoue Conftantines vfing of the croflc,and yet 
 hate thedo6lrine of the prefent church of Rome. 
 
 23. W. B isHop. 
 
 ffithfajlingand other corporall affii^lion, hechaftiZjcdhis Eufth.dtylta 
 body, that he might pleafe God. Confiji, i,*.i4, 
 
 Z R. Abbot. 
 
1 7© Tf)e Anfmr'to D.'BiJhops 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 M.Bifliop might euen as well haue argued out of the 
 fame chapter, Confiamifte pr^kd for the laluation of his 
 enemies, therefore he was of the fame opinion in matter 
 ofreligion with the prefcnt church of Rome. The words 
 *Eitfeh.devita q{i]^q llorie are thele ; ^ Before the hegimingof the battel 
 Conffant. lib.z. ^^^ EmperoHr according to his manner in a tent apart beflowed 
 '* at'tmefreefdrtioix'ringfoorth fraiervntoGod : he called him- 
 
 Jelfe from all itcentiotii and inxuriouj courfe of life \ xvithfafl'wg 
 and MiBing of the body he chaftened hiwfelfethat he might 
 finde-. God appeafed towards h.mbj his humblepraiers^anda 
 kmde helper vnto him , andfo he might performe thofe things 
 that Godjhouldpm into his minde. Now what a blinde rea- 
 fon haue w^ here , Cor^ftantine farted and praied before 
 he went into the battcll , therefore Conftantine was of the 
 fame opinion in religion with the prefent church of 
 Rorne :* As if he fliould fay,The Protelb nts by publicke 
 order faftedand praied at the timeof theSpanilhinuafi- 
 on, therefore the Protertants then were Papirtes. The 
 Proteftantes fafted and prayed at the time of the great 
 plague, therefore they were of the fame opinion in mat- 
 ter ofreligion with the prefent church oBRome. Was he 
 difpofed to dally "with his prince that he would bring in 
 thefe ridiculous conclufions c* But it'is with hint as it is 
 with pooi-emcn , whobauingbuta Utile muft make the 
 ' moft of that they haue. 
 
 24. VV. Bi SHOP. 
 
 lih 4 M> i6. ^^ ^'^^ ir^redtble admiration , honoured prefeffed Vtr- 
 
 ^inSj and made lawesttj their faueur, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 True and chafte virginitie albeit in it felf a thing meerly 
 
 indifferent 
 
Ep'tjlktothel'^ngir'^^' 171 
 
 indifferent to God-wardjyet as anexcellenrgifrof Godi 
 inthevfe of it for theieruice of tloe- ^- k^indtmcvfljfattens^ *Mat.z9.ti. 
 and ^ toclcAHe to the Lord rvithout iit/h-afiu>n or- fep^ratiorf,' ''I■C<'^7.3^ 
 deferueth to be admired and honoured amongrt men. M 
 therefore Conftantine bringing the church out Of thoftf 
 horrible llormes of per(ecutions, did findcthereip-Fn^ny- 
 who to keep themrelties the more (eciirc with quiet minde 
 to feme lelus Chrilt, had betaken themielues to that ' 
 courfeoffiuglclifc, hehad iu(tcau(eto yeeld them th^t 
 honoiir.ind regard that did appertainevnto them. Bur he \ 
 
 neuer had any thought to approoueyour ('uried blafphe- 
 miesjthatfinglelife'lhouldbe ' themeritoferernall Jife, 'Thh.controu. 
 a fatisfai^ ion lor (inncSj a 'ivorke of ftjpererogarion tt)r re^- 1 4. % vot.nu- 
 demptionofothcrinensfinnes; he honoured rhcmone- ""^r 
 ly for vfing the opportnnitie thereof the moreenriiely t<:>l2f''s'^"'''^'^' 
 feme the Lord. Neither doc they want tht-ir admiratioh alZun'yniut 
 and duecommendntion amongllvs, whohauing ^owerrhg^mar. 
 ofthemfeluesgiuen vntothemof God doe vfethe Jamc'O"'. 
 to the forbearing of marriagej, thatin their places and caH^ 
 lings the>^ may with greater libcrtie and fecuritie nppliii' 
 themlciijesto feme the Lord. As for rhe^lawes which Ml^ 
 Bifliop' faith Conftantine made in the fauour of virgin^,' 
 rh^yar^notfuchas thathefhouldhaue thought it worth" 
 the while for his purpbfe to fpeske thereof. For dfll'this 
 law-making was no more but the abolifhing of an oid vn-^ 
 iull law, which did interc(*ptthe!ands and poilefficns of 
 fuchas died without childrefi, that^ they ftionldno?go to 
 their kinsfolkc or friendes to whom they were willing to 
 bellow them, butlliouldbc confifcate to-tbe common- 
 wealth. And this law- making did as much concernc mar- 
 ried perfjns fo dying without ilVuc, as it did virginsjfo lee- 
 ly a hcipe hath M . Bilhop heere for the fauopr of his vit^ 
 gins. But by this lawitappeareththat thevif-gins which 
 Conftantinorelpe6^ed were no fjch as M. Bjflmp •J''-'='im- 
 eth ofj they were no cloirter-nunnes'5 tllfeV^'W:^ not 
 fequcftred into corners j they did not forgo? what they 
 
 Z 2 polTclTedj 
 
pofTdled 5 they liucd in their owne houfes , or in the 
 boufes of .their parents and friendes, and did fuch du- 
 ties as might concerne them in the places where they 
 were. And albeit much vncleanncfle then was committed 
 vnder pretence of virginiiie , whileft many of curiofi- 
 tie and pride betooke themfelucs to the profeffion there- 
 *Catal.teJ}.ve- of , yet much was it encreafed by M. Bifhops virgins, 
 rit. tx E(berto. whofe cloiftcrs were the verie "* lime-twi^g^ andgimes cffa- 
 Clemaag.de cor- ^^^^ not fanfluar'ies of God, buthoufesofVenm , an^ cur fed 
 c t ' M tde'.fl^^^^ °f^^'*^^^^^^^^°^^' 'I'^ceptdclesofvpa.Kton and vnchaFle 
 hiin.ii cat.6. yongue men, for the fulfill wg of their flthy lufies , fo that to 
 tsi imnt. vtile a maide for a virgin was the fame in a manner 04 to fet 
 * J^oJpinUn. de herfoorthtoheaftrtimpetf and ' common fornication was ca-- 
 crk.Monacbat. ^^^^^^^ f^ j^g accounted a holy ftate. It was by the iuil iudge- 
 **' * ment of God that their dwellings did fpue them out for 
 the horrible abhominationsandfiltheries that were found 
 amongft them . Our church therefore not condemning 
 what was fimply done in this behalfe from the beginning, 
 and leaning to /ingle life the due commendation of it 
 whereitisdeferued, yetconfidering the poifoned fruites 
 thatprofefledvirginitiein all times hath brought foorth, 
 taketh no courfe to drawany vntoit, norforceth anie to 
 continue therein,butleaueth Gods inlbtution of marriage 
 freeforpreferuingof puritieand holinefletowardes God. 
 We haue well oblerued how the Apollles though hauing 
 *tJltren.adu. ( ^ fearefally indeed as Hierome faith) commended wid- 
 jouin. lib. i. <Jowhood and finglc life , and hauing faied of widowes 
 » i.Cor. 7.39' eftate, ^ ftjee is at Uhertie to marrie'^tth vnhomjheevtll, one' 
 ly'mthe Lord'y but fhee ismore ble^edif fhee fa abide, in my 
 iudgement : yet when by occafion heereof many had em- 
 braced widowhood , who afterwards plaied the wantons, 
 and from the fham« of their lightnelle , proceeded to the 
 denying ofthe faith of Chrilt, to take away all occafion 
 ^J»i.r>».5,i4. heereof, gaue this for a Canon: '' I vctll that the yotinger 
 fpidorvs mu?rse and beate children and gouerne the hottfe, and 
 ttHc no fccafion to the adaerfaric tojpeakf emll.And therefore 
 
 by 
 
Epiftle to the Kjng. 17 j 
 
 by his example from the abftra6led fpeculation of the pre- 
 ferment of finglelife in prioritie of gift, we haue fallen by 
 experience and neceflitie to the approbation and ppa6>ife 
 of another rule. Now therefore feeing in theverie point 
 wee approoiie the fame that Conrtantinc didapprooue 
 (that they are woorthie of admiration and honour , who 
 occafion fitting doe preferre fingle life for the oppor- 
 tunitieofhohnelTc towards God) andonelyby occalion 
 taken from experience , doe forbeare in part the pra6life 
 ofthat which he approoued, M.Bifliopmayas well fay 
 ofvsashemayofConllantine, that we are of the fame o- 
 pinion m matter of religion with the prefcnt church of 
 Rome, when indeed we vtterly deteft and abhorre the 
 fame. 
 
 25 W. Bishop. 
 
 He hmldedmany Churches in honour of the ^ Afo flies y AtjA EufehJeyim 
 Martyrs, andxi S. Chryfoftome recordeth : Hethatrvasre^ Conflant. /ifc.5. 
 uefledm purple, xrent to embrace the Sepulchers of S. Peter, ^'ll'fj^f^ 
 andS. Paul , and ^It Princely flate laide afide , flood humhlie 66?Jd{>op'!^'a. 
 fraying vmothe Saints, that theynouldheintercefforsfer htm tioth, 
 vnto God. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Wee builde Churches when and where neede is vn. 
 honour of the ApolHes and martyrs, and where they 
 are alreadie builded we retaine the names whereby they 
 were firft named to their honour, S. Maries church yS, 
 Peters church. &c. And if he will heereby prooue that 
 Conftantine was aPapift he may fay the like of vs. The 
 honour that we intend to the Saints heereby is the fame 
 that Conftantine intended, * celebrate martyr ummemori- 'Btfth.deyit* 
 as, to renowme the memories of the martyrs. It is the honou- ^°"fi'^*' ^^-h 
 rable remembrance of their names , not the religious i^^Jja ^^ 
 worlhip of their perfons, euenas S.Auften faith that ^i»dmt%iM. 
 thefememorialls there vf as a naming of them in their place and ii.cai>.io. 
 
 Z 3 order 
 
174 ^■'^ Anfwcr to V.SiJl^ops • 
 
 or^^if^at the celebration of the (:scr2LVC\tnx. hut no intiocation 
 of them. M.Birtiop would haue inuocarion and worfliip 
 done to the Saints in their churchesjbut Ccnftantine yeel- 
 ded no fuch feruice vnto them , and we accordingly deny 
 • /<i'w "«'. the fame . Nay they that ' l>fii/d tefKp/es to Angels or to any 
 Mdxmi.An- creatures in that fenfe, or name them bv their names as 
 
 d»./*6.I.<J«.ir. .J ,' r }t r ' III 
 
 Arheodoret.m ^ncrc to praj vnto them^ are accurjed hy the anncient riottrch, 
 Colojf.cap.z. becaufe they jeelAthcrehy to the creature that feruicethat be- 
 longeth to God only , which to impute to that Chriftian and 
 godly EmperoLT were no other but an in-^pious & wicked 
 tlaunder. Yet IVLBifhop takech vponhimto prooueby 
 ChryfoftomethatConftantine did yeeld fuch honour and 
 worfliip to S.Peter, and S.Paul by praying vnto them. 
 He that is repu'fled in purple goeth to embrace thefepulchcrs of 
 S. Peter and S. Paul and allprinecly Jiatelaied aftdef^andcth 
 humbly praying vnto the Saints that they vcouldbe intercef- 
 fours vnto God for him . VVh erewedenynotChryfoftome 
 to be the aiithour of the wordes which he citeth , if he had 
 truely tranllated them. For though the Hrft parr of the 
 homily whence he citeth them bee vndcubtcdly coun- 
 tcrfeitc, asappeareth by the matters offtory \x\ the be- 
 « In i.tpisi.ad ginning which cannot agree to the time of Chryfo- 
 Corint.Jym.i6. {\q^q ^ yQ^ thc authour of the beginning hath taken - 
 the latter and greater part thereof out of a ' fermon 
 of Chryfoltome otherwhere ; but the wordes th^t hee 
 citeth are not fpoken of Conrtantine as he pretendcth 
 them to be. Which to colour and h;dethat his Reader 
 might not take knowledge of it , he altcrcth the Ten/e 
 wherein Chryloftome fpeakech. Chryfoftome faith, He 
 that is retiejled : M.Bifhop faith , he that >?<^/. Chryfo- 
 ftome faith , hegoeth-, M.Bifliopfiiith j l.c rvcnt. Chrylo- 
 ftome faith, heflandeth : M.Blfliopljith, heftoidkuTr.bly 
 praying, err. which albeit thccourleofhis fpecch (ecTieth 
 to require, yet inafmuch as vnder pretenfe therof he plain- 
 ly altcreththe meaning of Chryfoilome , he cannot be 
 excufed of dealing fiilfcly with hisMaidly in citing him 
 
 in 
 
EpiFHe to the ^n^, i y 5 
 
 in that (brt. For Chryfoftonjefpcaking in the prefect ten/} 
 doth thereby pJaineiy Hiew diat he meaneLh that which he 
 faith, asindccdc he doth of the Hmpevour that then was 
 when hefpakc the(e words whjch was the Emperour Arca- 
 dius, abouc threelcorc yecrcs after the death of Conitan- 
 tine. For foonc after the beginning of the reigne of Ar- 
 cadius Chryfoflomc,being before a pried of the church of 
 Antioch,luccccdedNe£tariusintheBifl]oprickeofCon- 
 ftantinople where iie deliucred thefe words. Of Arcadius 
 then Chrylbftoni lai[h that which hefaith : ofConftan- 
 tine he faith it not. But of Conflantinc it is that we en- 
 quire; for what others did after the time ofC©nrtantine, 
 fuperrtition more and more increafing, it nothing concer- 
 neth him . Yea and howfbeuer Chryibitomethere, to am- 
 phfie the glory of the Martyrs, which is the matter that he 
 bath in hand jdoc alleage what the Emperour defaHo did, 
 yethis owue groundcsofdoftrinc otherwhcreareftsffici- 
 entto perfwade vsthat he himfelfe approoued notanie 
 fuch fuperl^itious inuocation j thereby fliewing that in 
 thatallegation he dealt butasOratouis arewoonttodoe 
 who apprehend ciiery thing that may probably make for 
 the prelentturne, howfbeuer the fame happily bcnotfo 
 confonant to their owne precepts othcrwife. For he him- (chrj'^ff.how. 
 felfc teacheth that to God, to lefus Chrift ^ ne neede no por- j 7. ex yar^s in 
 ter , no medtatour , no officer , but euen tofaj , Haue mercy MathMi*. 
 vponme , and he "nvllfoorthrvith heprefent vnto vs. And 
 for example hereofhe commendcth ^ the wife dome of the tim, 
 vt>07nan of Canaan •> thatfbee intreatednot Um^s ^ nor made 
 requefi to John , nor went to Peter , nor looked to the whole 
 company oft he Apofles ^ nor fought for any mc diat our , bttt 
 tooke repentance to be her aduocate , and fotvent to the verie y\ijomdtpro- 
 fountaine. He teacheth that ** w$th Godrveneede m inter- fcClMmn^er^ 
 cejfours , wehai4e no necde tointreate others ^ hutthenq^ha tom.i^, 
 man be alone and haue nopro^our to jjteakefar him, but by 
 himfelfe pray to God, he Pjalbe made partaker of hu re^tiejl. 
 But what opinion the ancient church had of worfliipping 
 
 of 
 
176 Tl:>e Anfwer to V, Si/hops 
 
 of (epulchcrs and inuocation of Saints it hath been before 
 declared ; itisfufficiemhere that we acquit Conrtantino 
 from the opinion and pra6^ire thereof. But the thing that 
 isfpokenofConrtantinein the place cited is,that /^^s-y^^w 
 thought it a great honour that he might lay his fathers body in 
 the porch or entry ofS. Peter. Which fpeech howfbeueric 
 proceeded from Chryfoftome is much different from the 
 certaineandvndoubtedftory of Conftantines buriall, of 
 whomEufebius declareth that building a fumptuousand 
 ftately church fora memoriallof thetwelue Aportles he 
 * £t*f*^'^' '»'*'* did there alio ere6l ' trveiuegood/y pillars , & lb placed them 
 Con/Unt. W.4. ^g ^^ hauein the middeft a tombeand buriall for his owne 
 ' body. This Conftantine aflumed to himfelf as a matter of 
 
 his own difpofition and agreeing to his imperiall llate^and 
 leftitnotasanhonorof religious courtefie to be procured 
 by his fonne. And therefore we cannot fee how Chryfo- 
 ftome (hould iuftly fay that his fonne thought it an ho- 
 nour done to his father, that he might lay his body in 
 S.Peters porch, vnlefle we fhould thinke that they did 
 him an honour to lay him in the buriall which he himfclfc 
 hadprouided forhimfelfe. But let this pa (Teas being no- 
 thing to the purpofe : onely let M.Bilhop remember that 
 he hath done Conftantine wrong in making Chryfoftome 
 to report of him that which indeed he reported not, and 
 therefore as yet we haue no proofe that Conftantine was of 
 the fame opinion in matter of religion with the prefent 
 church of Rome. 
 
 EufdJeylta i<5. W. B I SHOP. 
 
 Conflant. lih,\, 
 
 caf>.6o. He further took^ order for the hurying of his orpne body, in the 
 
 lhiJ,ca^.7i. middefl of the Tombes of the troelue A^ofilts , that after his 
 <iM/^A<rw«^^/^<? partaker of the praiers, which fhould be 
 thereoffercd in the honour of the Apoftles. Neither vcm 
 hefruHrAtedofhis holy defire, for oi it follow eth in the 71. 
 Chap* of the f Arm books ^at his funerals, the people ioining with 
 
 the 
 
the Prlefii , with many teares, and great fgheS j pOWrcd OUt 
 praiers tor the good Empcroursloule. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 Thorcrw»<-/r/(?j!>///4rj before-named, erc£led by Con- 
 ftantinc to anfwer the number of the twelue Apollles, 
 
 .wherewith for princely ftate he enuironed the place of his 
 owne burial!, M.Bjfliopby his skill of metamorphifing 
 liath turhcd into the tombesofthe tveclae ApofiUs , whereas 
 therewas not any one of the Aportlesbuned or entombed 
 there. Againe, he goeth about to perfwadehisIVJaieftic 
 a matter 35 of Conliantines intention, which was indeed 
 
 .no other but the hillorians im.udiciousandprefumcdap- 
 phcatioujandyetasitisllandeth M. Bifliopinnoltcede 
 atall. LethirngKiemeleaue tocenfureEulebius a little, 
 becaufeihe ■" Canons of his cwne cluirch haue ccnfurcd * Gtfaf.i.dtm 
 him much move. Byliufebius himfclfc it is plaiue that "■".'^'*^/"'^• 
 Conltantineatthchritacquamted no man with nis pur- j^g,am. 
 pofein the building ofthofe twelue pillars 5 but iorfboth 
 ''(^t the lafl tt n\is platKly found by allmtn what he ment ther- i» EufehMfito 
 by. Yet Confcantine did no more but onely take order Conflant.Ub.^. 
 that his body fliould be buried there, but Eufebius ma- f''^J9• 
 kethconrtru6tionwhat bethought thereof long before, 
 when by his owne confefpion he faidc nothing. Couftan- 
 tinepraiednotforhis ' fathers foule atthe performance l^'^j''*^*"^ 
 of his funerals , nor wiflied any praiers to be made after "''''" * '• • * 
 his death for his owne Ibulc , buthauingreceiuedbap- 
 tifme newly before his death, profefled a ftedfall hope 
 that needed tio fuch after-praiers ; '* Notv Ik*Jowth^t I am ^ihid.hh./^, 
 indeed a bl. [fed and happy man \ that God hath acconntcd me cap.6y 
 xvoorthy of tmmortalUife, and that I am now JT^ade partaker 
 of the light of God. And when they that rtood about him 
 
 ■ wiOicd'him longer life, heanfweied ' that he had mo)v at- 'ihid, 
 tetned the true life, and that none but himfclfe did z-fider[}and 
 of what happmejfehe was vutde partaker , and therefore that 
 
 A a he 
 
178 Tl)e Anfwer to T>. Bijhops 
 
 he haflened.tnd vco'jld rM deUj his going to his God. Thus 
 Conilannne died outrighr a Proieilant.he craued no prai- 
 ers for his Ibule, he dreaded no Pjrgatore 5 he died wiih 
 full refoludon of going in^raediately to h. 5 -God. And 
 ^IbKl.up. 4. ^^^^^ Hulebius fpenketh ot him j ' ^h^t nooMe, faith ht^he 
 iva^t'il^eivpto Gody leat4irjg to the ground the mortalt part of 
 hrinfelfe, bpit a^toitcioi'ig the vnderfl.zrdhg Joule , the more 
 dinimpATt heingioined to his God, But why then did the- 
 peoplcpraie for his foule :* Surely not to dehiier him 
 from Purgacotie ; no man did imagine him to be broi- 
 ling there 5 noman madequeftion but that the foule of 
 Conib.niinewasinheauen. They praicdonelytoteftifie 
 their lone in wifliing well to him to whom further they 
 could doe nothing , euen as many amongft vs , who talk- 
 ing oFf.iends departed,are wooot to fay, God refl his fonUi - 
 Gods feace be with his foule, who yet notwithftanding de- 
 ride and dcfpife both Puigatorie and the Pope : euen as 
 
 MM 'ca7' ■^'^^^'" P*"^^^^ ^^"^ h'5 mother Mowica,and yet faith, «/^<f- 
 J U' '9- ' y ^^^^^ ^^^j ^y.gj^ Q j^^^^ f^^j^ already don that that I retjuejl, but 
 
 dothcuarjprotiethefreexviloffringsofmy mouth-.cuei) as Aftl- 
 
 brofe praied for the emperor Theodofius, and yer faith of 
 
 ^^tnhrifJe \i'i^^ I" xheodojihs beingffeedfrom doubtful fight doth novo en- 
 
 tt.Tbt»do/ti. ^^^ f%eltght euerlajlit-g, contwualltrancjuilittte c^peace,&for 
 
 the thinges that he dtdin the body rcioiceth novo in the fruits 
 
 of Gods rewtird : becaufe he loued the Lord his God,he hath ob- 
 
 tetned the compani:? of the Saints : euen as Charles the Great 
 
 ^xi'^* n ^vroie to king Offa of this land, ' to hatte interceffion made 
 
 prop'ifintoi' ' ^^^ Adrian the bifhop ofRome being dG^dino: doubting, 
 
 fairh hQf^b'it that his Joule » at reji, but yet tojheiv our faith- 
 
 fu/n({f' a^id Lfte tofo deare^a friend. It is Pu rgito rie that M. 
 
 Bl^^ep^rckerhfor;i^praier for the dead. It Puigatory be 
 
 notPipraicriorthcdcad, itfeiuethnot histurne. But in 
 
 then p'-?iieri n-j Pjrgatonc was implied, as was before 
 
 mori; at lagc declared 5 thev ferucd to profcde their be- 
 
 k'.'fs as '>jc.'i'..g the hope of the faiibfull in death, 
 
 and Lo exprciie their ioue to them ^ whom they were 
 
 vn<doubtedlie 
 
Epijlle to the IQfi^* 1 7^ 
 
 vndoubtedlie pcrlwaded , that they were alreadie With 
 the Lord. 
 
 27. W. Bi<;hop. 
 
 j4gflifte at a folanne feafl nh-ch he h^ldat tht dedi'-atiofi of 
 the Church butlt hy him in Uufalem ; jome of ha c/erqtt 
 p-re^chedamicxpound-d the ho^'e Scr:prt^yes: and other jon^e ji,^^ j^ . 
 with vnbloLidie Sacrifice, and Myrticallcor'ccrations,^^- Coifi: i,c. ^. 
 ped/ed the Godhead^afjd prated fur the heJih Oj the prtnce, «. 4 j . 
 
 t- R. Ab B C T. 
 
 This is as much as if M, Billiop fliorld (ay, that y^oxi 
 the Coronation day oi his MaiefliCjO'ir minili:cri,aiui c!cr- 
 gie in our folemne a'iembJies do preach t!ic Wv^rd of God, 
 and adminifter the holy co;nmu".ion wjth thankCgining to 
 God for his mercy , and bv this memoriall of the paJi ; on 
 of Chrill entreating God for the fcrgiuenelle ofourljns 
 and continuance ofhis goodnefletowards vs ; therefore 
 both his Maiellic and we all are ofihe lame opinion in 
 matter of religion with the ptclent church of Ronie. Let 
 him vfethe beltftrength he can, yet fliall he not by the 
 words of Eufebiusproone any other thuig then done vn- 
 dcr Conftantine , but what by vs vnder his mofl: excdient 
 jVlaiefty is done at this prefent time. For what :* becaufe 
 Eufcbius mcntioneth vnbiondy funfice muft we hereby 
 conceiue to be men t the facnfice of the Mafle , a true and 
 reall facrifice wherein the very body and blood of Chrill 
 really and fubllantially prefent is offered to God for pro- 
 pitiation of finnes both of quicke and dead c* Eulebiuswas 
 very farre from any luch meaning teaching vs that ' Chnfi * ^'''*^' **'^'' 
 hauin^ offered a fnArnelotis facrifice and mojl excellent oblation "■^ , • * 
 for OKY falUiition did dehuer vntt vs to offer vnto god amemo- 
 riall or remembrance thereof mfieed of a facrifice. The re- 
 membrame of nhich facrifice , he faith , we haue learned to 
 
 Aa 2 performe 
 
i8o Tl)e Anfiver to T), ^i/hops 
 
 performe at his table bj theJJ.gncs of his body and blond. So 
 that whereas M.Bifhop would haue vs to belccue a reall 
 iacrifice, Eufebius telleth vs only of^ remcn/brance in deed 
 offacrifice : and wherer.s iM. Bilh^p would hauc the facri- 
 fice performed by the verie body and blood of Chrilt, 
 Eufebius tellerh vstharic is performed hy the flgyiesofhk 
 body and bloudt The manner ofthe fathers indeed is to call 
 the celebration ofthe facrament by the name oiafacnjice, 
 k ^ugttji.efifi. becaufe as S. Atiilin obleructh touching that point , °Jk- 
 ^3* craments do take ihen:^mes of the thihgsn'hereof they arefh- 
 
 craments becanfe ofthe refcjnhUnce that they haue to t he fame 
 thirin-s'^ ey.en oa the facr.^ment ofChrifres body is in jams fort hit 
 body , and the ficrament of Chrifles blond is w fame fort his 
 blond , andthomh Chrififuffercd btu once , yet becaufe ofthe ■ 
 celebration of the facrament it is cald the duy of Chrtfls p:''.Jfion 
 whcreinwekecpe thememoriall thereof, andthcMah Chnflin 
 himfelfe rrerefacrifced but once, yet in a facrament crmyfxerie 
 he pseuery daj facnficed for the people ; not in himielfe , but 
 c Com.Vaufl. i^amyfierie : euen as clfewhere he faith : that ' theflejh md 
 M-ini(hJi'j,zo. blood ofChrifis facrtfice wasgtt^.en in his p^iffion in vary truth, 
 M-ii' b'it after his afccnftonis celebrated by a facrament rfremem- 
 
 ^"<««r<?.And thus the fathers themfeiues declare their owne 
 * chryfsp. ^ meaning piirpofely and profefi'edly , '^ vce offer Kot another 
 ^mbrof. in facrifice but ahvates the fame, yea rather we worke the remem- 
 ^ 1^°'. . brance of a facrifice : ' TVe offer him the fame ahaies orr rather' 
 H b lo ' vnemahe aremembrance of^he ojfcrina of him as if he were 
 fTheodartt.in "^'^ offered orfacrtficcd : ' IVe doe not offer another facrifice 
 Hft.8. but doe perforK^e a rcmcrr^bra-nceofthM cneandfuuingfacrt- 
 
 fice, that by beholdmn thejigitrcs or fjgnes xre may Ccdlto minde 
 thefufferings that he vndertocke forvi. And hereto lerue 
 » Cypr. lih. x, the wordes of Cyprian 5 ^ In allottr f'icrificcs ivem.il^emeniu 
 «p'fi> 3. on oft he Lords paffion , for the paffion oft he Lord is the facri- 
 
 fice which we offer. For it the paffJon ofChrifi be the iacrificc 
 which we offer , our facrifice cannot be a (acrincc now re- 
 ally offered, becaufe Chnft now fiiffereth nothispaffion 
 really, and therefore it is but only a memoriallof thefa- 
 
 cdfice 
 
EpiHle to the KJng. 1 8 1 
 
 crifice of hispaflion , of which S. Anftintiuely faith, '^^ 'j;^,;^f ;/""'* 
 thejo-ieratgne a.nd only true fdcrifire the blond of Chy.-f} wdi IrophiTuica 
 fi:edf<jrvs, that we may vndcrlhmd that //j'i' /^rWw^ (jf 18. 
 Chrtjh b/oadjwhich was oniMy vpon thecrot]e,\vas the on- 
 ly true iacrificc, and our iacriHce only lo called for that it is 
 the refemblancc and remembrance thereof. Which is 
 ineuitabiyand inuincibly deduced froma principle which 
 BcIIarmine himlclte cannot but acknowledge and veeld 
 
 Vnto. ror * to a rrtic a»d real/ facrificc there is necefjarie a ^ BeUarw.Je 
 traeandrcjill death or dcflrojivgofthe thmgfucrificed. But Mt/fahb.i.ca, 
 there is now no true andrcall de.uli or delboyingofthe *c2^i7. 
 body of Chrill, and tliiicpforc now there can be no true 
 and reall llicrince thereoK With which argument the 
 gredc IcUntc is Ib-ticJubled £S that he llaggcreth like a 
 drunken man, and indeed knowech not what tolay, nei- 
 ther can iVl. Bifliop with allhisfellowcsdeuilea lalueto 
 helpe that fore. Theltfuite telleth vs for anhveare to the 
 matter that Ij co:<ifecrationthebodyofChr}fiisordetnedtoA 
 true, real ^ & cxter:,aR alteration and deflriiU:ion. Byconfe- 
 cration then the body of Chart is ordeined and prepared 
 tothatdeilrutlion, biirnot yetdcftroied , and therefore 
 inconfecracion is no lacriHce, and how then rtandethic 
 which afterwards he faith that the Jpofiles dtdfacrifice by 
 confecration ? He telleth vs that by coj-fccration thebodieof 
 Chrtj} receiucth thefor?nc of food , and food is ordeir.edfor ea- 
 ting, and confcqHcmhc for alterattonar.d defirHUion. But then 
 there can be no facrifice till it be food indeed, bccaufe ti:l 
 it be food there can be no alteration nor Gcftru6)ion. So 
 that the facriiice dcpendeth vpon that which theprieitca- 
 tcth , and if the priell eat not j then there is no facrifice. 
 And what if he doc eate and according to the cafes that 
 they put doe after his mafiecailitvp againe before it re- 
 reiue any alteration; is there then a facrifice or not :' For 
 Thomas Aquinas telleth vs that '' thebodieof ChnfinrMt- ^T'''*'"-^?'"'". 
 
 neth m t he (io?nackf Co lona as the fub fiance of bread would re- '^^^' ^ ' ^' °' 
 . •- J I J art, z, tncoTpt 
 
 maim iftt were there j (o that if before digertion he call vp 
 
 Aa 3 that 
 
I S2 The Anfwer to J). B'lfwps 
 
 that which he hath eaten; it i< ftili the body of Chrift ; and 
 I vvoulii then know whether there hauc Leene a (acnfice or 
 not ^ BjIIarminetellethvs that the altering anddeftroy- 
 ingofthe bodyof Chrill which mull make itafacrifice, 
 confilleth in this that it doth amittere tjje facramentaUy 
 loofe the facrcimentdlbeinT^oj It . But in this cafe it hath not 
 yetlort his facta mental! being \ therefore as yet it cannot 
 be afJirmed to be a facrifice. Yea and the looting of that 
 iacranientall being is no true and recall delvroyi;;o ofthe 
 body of Chrift : how then is there a tiueand reall lucnfice 
 ofthe fame body :" And how is thisloofingofthe/rcr^- 
 mtntde being thereof^ forfooth dcfimt ejfe m altar i: it aafeth 
 to be vpoM the altar. Butitmuft hauethebeingofaf^rriiice 
 vpon the altar or not at all. For thete it is a JacriHce \vhere 
 it 13 oiTered; but vpoH the altar it is olferedjihcreiore vpon 
 the altar it mufthaue the condition oi a facrifice, and not 
 by being taken from the altar. And what if it be not taken 
 from the altar at all , fliall this againe hinder thciacrificc ^ 
 Howfoeuer that be, ftiall we fay thatthe ceafing of the bo- 
 dy ot Chrirt to be vpon the altar is a trueand reall deftroy- 
 ing thereof:' When Ifaac was bound and laid vpon the al- 
 tar, and was then againe vnbound and taken from the al- 
 tar, might it be fajd thereupon that he was truly and really 
 deftroied:' He addeth further , '^i'lf/T^^^r ejfe cibuifen/tbtlt^y 
 it eeafc-th t^befenfiblsfood. But thatit ceafeth not to be but 
 in the pricfts beUy j fo that in the prietls belly is th« a6^ of 
 facrifice,oj: ebe there is no faaificc at all. A goodly matter 
 that the Pricfts belly is become the altar where Chrift 
 muft be lacnficed for the forgiuenefle ofthe fins ofquicke 
 and dead. Let vs heare, M. Bifl^p, how you free your felf 
 from this imputation : nil the leiiiites learning could not 
 do it, let vs fee what help you can yeeld him in this behalf. 
 Now as the name offaci*' fire , fo the name oivnbkftdyfu- 
 crffice hath a tar other meaning with the fathers the M. Bi- 
 fliop gatlisrerh thereof,not being oppofcd to the facrifice 
 of Chrift vpo the crofle, but to the bloudy iacrifices ofthe 
 
 lewes 
 
Epi/ik to tJ?c IQ}Jg, 183 
 
 lewcsin the killing cfdieep and oxen and fuch other like, 
 
 th'-ispiainbyrhcaurhoiirofchei^poltol.keajnftirutions 
 vnclcr the name of C/i w^»/, who making a compdnibn be- 
 t\\i:^ithclev» £3 and vsnmone'l other points (ctteth down , . , 
 
 this. Injtced of hloudj facriji^c he [.uUh ordeined a reaj onuble^ Confum Uh 6, 
 vnhloptry and myjhcall j'acrtficfj vrhtch for mtnvrull of the cap.i^. 
 Lords dcaik is celchrnted by the fgnes of his body Andbloud^ 
 cxpre'.ly -.othefamc pnrpofras rufv^hiushath Lcforcipo- 
 lien. Where albeit he appliethenatiieof '<:;»^A7.'r^jC;r>'/- 
 j^c-ftotheLordesfDpper, vet how Farre From the meaning 
 ofa true and rcallfacrifice , let lurtmus Martyr reach vs, 
 who laiih , " that prMcrs and th.inke'git^rngs are the etdy fxcri- " J«"''»-W«'''. 
 pees that C^'riflians h.me recciucd to offer yhct by their arte and .'*' * *"" ^^' 
 moijl nourifhimnt ( that is the outwai d elc rnents of bre^d 
 and wine ) they may be admonijhcdoftheje thlngsyvhuh God 
 thefonneofGod hath fu^ered for them ^ plainly inftriifting 
 vs that in the lacramentofthe body and blond" of Chrilt 
 there is nothing elie rr.ent by the name oivnblcudyfacrifice 
 butonly praierand thankful! remembrance ofthat facri- 
 fice which Chrillthe lonnepf God haih offered for vs. 
 In a word very euidentand plaineit isthatby thename 
 o\vnblot4dy fdcr flee they noted the whole fpirituall wor- 
 fti!pot God, which is recomiT>ended vnto vs without that 
 cariiallferuice which by bloud was -performed in the law. 
 So Cyril iaieih^hat " God h.tr.wgcut off all blcttdy facrifices ^ <^y^'^'""*' 
 hath taught vs by Chrifl toiDrarOnp htm m ffirit and truth, ^'*^^"'" •*• 
 and thereby giucth vsto vndcrrtand that to offer the -z/';- 
 blotidy /^fr/^-f isto worfliip Gcl^\\■\ jprrtt andt> mhj\\\v.c\i 
 he further cxprcllah in another plact" faying ' that we ha~ v hh. 10. 
 u'wgleft thegrejje.-ird carnaUferfitce ^f.hc icrt^tsdofvfejfiri- 
 tualltindmenta-lfacnfices , oifcrin^ to God for a (veeetcfaueur 
 faith, hope, charity, wftice , co-itimncy , cbedi:t:ce , gen- "iOtcumtn.m 
 tlenejje , continuallpraf/es tind othervcrtucs. Thiii.OeCU- H^'-.ij. 
 menius de finer h ' tf)r vr.blctidyfacrifif.c to c(yr\(\\\/..vowcs '^■■'*'^^-^' ^*- 
 andhymtiesandprmers vnto Cod, andEulebius ' ^^f^^y'^^*'^- uwgMb'.i, 
 
 holy 
 
1 84 Tl?c Anfwer to T>, 'Btpops 
 
 - ' ' holy n-orl^s , and confounding it fo often with *" the reafo- 
 
 nuble femke of God commended to vs by the Apoftle S. 
 
 *R?»w.ix. I. P^u') teacheth vs that it (landeth ' in giuwjT^vp our bodies to 
 
 he a Immgfacri^ce holy and acceptable vnto God, and at large 
 
 defcribeth it thus j H^'efacrtficeandbmneinccnfe , anevpaj 
 
 celebrating the remembrance of that great facrijlce by themy- 
 
 fleries vfhich he hath dchuered and gining thofil^sfor ourfaU 
 
 nation , and offering religiom and det-iont hyr}$nes andpraiers 
 
 to God : another way confen'ating our felues rrhollj vnto him, 
 
 and dedicating our f clues both m body andfoule to his high 
 
 priefi enen the v:ord lefits Chrtfl. Thus Cyril faith that 
 
 ^Cjrildere- " Chrifl hath innumerable inheaucn that doe offer vntohim 
 
 ^^K\ "^t^' JP'^^f^^^^ avdvnblondj facnfices, and we hope that M.Bi- 
 
 gt». t'.ccj . ^^^p w'lllnot hereupon gather thatthe Saints lay MalTe 
 
 inheauen,butwill zakGihQi'iimciorhjmnesandpraifesand 
 
 thanks^iuings J as by Cyril himfehSi it is expounded. By 
 
 all which it is plaine andeuident that the nanie of vnblou- 
 
 dyfacnficein the language or thefathersfonndeth nothing 
 
 but what is approoued and followed in the do6^rineand 
 
 pra6lire of our church. 
 
 As hrmyfiicallconfccration it is but that which S. A u- 
 
 ^Jttgup.in ftififpeaketh of concerning baptifme, * the adding of the 
 
 loan. traH.do. -^gy^ (g fljg outrrard element to rmhe thereof a facrament, 
 
 whereby the thing that in nature is common becommcth 
 
 y Theod.dial.u ^nyfticall in vfe , ^ niit by changmgthe nature thereof ^but by 
 
 addinT grace vmo nature. And thus bre^vd and wine by 
 
 confecration ot fancttfication through the word oi God 
 
 become fffy/iica/l/ignes of the body and bloud ofChrift, 
 
 *TbeodJial,x. yet ' they doe not hereby depart from their nature of bread 
 
 and win e, but they com Inueflill in their former fub fiance and 
 
 figure and forme , though vnderllood to be that they are now 
 
 made , myflicallfgnes of Chrilh body and bloud , and 
 
 • chryfojivm. therefore vfed with reucrence accordingly. For ^myfleries 
 
 itti.Cor.h(,m.7. ^ygp, called, as Chryfoftom fai^h, becaufe we doe not fee 
 
 therein that irh'ch n'e be/eeue, b/^t vpefce one thing andbeleeue 
 
 an^i her, 7 he vrtbelecket , faith he , hemng of the voater of 
 
 bcpiifme 
 
EpMe to the ^n^. 1S5 
 
 haptifme taketh it to he meerely water , hut I doe not barely fee 
 thai whtch Jjee ,hut I heboid therein the clen^wg ofthefonle by 
 the holy ^hofi. To which purpofeit isfaid by theNicenc ^ 
 counceil , ** Our b^pttfme tnMJlbe conjtderednot ^^ff h bodily ^. J exCutl 
 eies but vf'tth the eies of the mi^de. Thoufeifi water, but conf- i,f,t^ TonfiAll, 
 der theporver of God hidden in the rvater. T'hi^l^e the water to 
 be full of the Jan^ifiCiition of the holy ghojl and ofdiutne fire, 
 Sothc^efcre ' the ficraments whrchtve receiueof thebody * ^"''/•""'' 
 andbloudofChrtfl are to our faith by this mylb'call confe- all"^^^''^ " 
 crskXXon adiume thlng,andwe thereby ( hG\x\^dut\y Y'^xidktxs 
 thereof)/*^*? made par rakers of the dttnne nature, and yet there 
 ceafeth not to be the Jtibjliince or nature of bread andnine. 
 Wherefore neither in vnbloudy facnfire mr tnmjfttcallcon- 
 fecration hath M. Bifliop found anything tohelpehim- 
 felfe,norhathyetany good ground whereupon to aflirme 
 that Conftantine was of the famf opinion in matter of re- 
 ligion with the prelent church of Rome. 
 
 28. W. Bishop. 
 
 Aforeeuer this z,ealotu empcrour reprehended A cafius , (a Socmen, lib, r, 
 NoHatian hereticl^e ) for fay wg, that it rvat not tn the power of^^ft' t.ccl, csp, 
 Priejls, but of God onely toforgtue fmnes, *** 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 If M. Bifhop had but the common honefty of a man, 
 he would nor thus feeke to delude any man, much iefl'c 
 deale thus vndutifully and dilloially with his prince. He 
 cannot but know if he know the llorie at all , but that \t\ 
 this matter of Acedus there is nothing cither for him or 
 agamlt vs \w any controuerfie betwxit vs and them. In the , fheeJoret. 
 timeofDecius theemperonr ■" there were maniethatfor/,^rrf. f4/-«/./», 
 feare and by extremitie of torment did renounce their ^. in TsiouatK 
 faiih,and yeelded to facriHce vnto idols. Of thefe there 
 grew queilion afterwards ^ whether they were vpon 
 
 Bb their 
 
iy4 ^^^ Anfwir to V.'BiJljops 
 
 their repentance to be admitted to the communion of the 
 church or not. Nouatus defended that they were not to 
 be any more receiued to the fello wfliip of the church, and 
 added furtherthat no manfotaih'ng could be purin hope 
 ^Ettftb. hifl, of falnatio, '' albeit he did ^ftcrvcards all things ^ertanuyiq to re- 
 lied. Ub. 6. pentance andconfejfion of the faith of Chrift. Heereupon he 
 «<.42" and his followers firlt withdrawing themfelues , were ex- 
 
 communicated and feparated from the church. Acefius 
 afterwards at the time of the Nicene Councell was a bi- 
 * SofM«. hift. fijQp of this faftion. ' Conltantine defirous to bring all to 
 *^' "*7 J vnitie and concord j fent for the fame Acefius to be pre- 
 i^cap.zu ' fent at the Councell, andtili being there ended, asked of 
 him how he did approouethofc things that were agreed 
 vpon concerning the rule of faith and obferuation of Ea- 
 fter. He fignified his liking thereof as which had teftimo- 
 nie from the verie timeot the Aportles. Theemperour 
 demaundeth why then he did not communicate with the 
 church:' Acefius heereupon reporteth the whole matter 
 that belell vpon the perfecution of Decius the emperour, 
 and propoundeth theobleruation of a very rigorous Ca- 
 non, that they rvho after Baptifme did fall into that l^wde of 
 ftnne rvhtch the Script fires call the finne vnto death , pootildnot 
 be partakers of the holy myfleries, but fhould bee exhorted ts 
 repentance and expert the hope offorginenejfe, not at the prices 
 hands but of God, who both can and hath authoritie toforgiue 
 fins. To whom Conftantine anlwered, fVhy then, Acefpu, 
 fet vp a ladder fcrr thjfelfe, c^go thou alone to heanen. VA^herc 
 wearefirrtto obferue that M. Bifhop mifreportcth the 
 wordcsofAcefius,as if hehad wholly denied to the mini- 
 fterie of the church the power olr emitting fmnes , whereas 
 J . he denied onely the power ro remit ■* r/Wj!?(?<rc<^/f^r««;/, 
 
 flff4/.^ 0- ^^^^ , ^^^^ offmne , meaning thereby mortalland ereenous 
 nnnc,mirunderltandingtothat purpole andmilapplymg 
 •i.lo&u.f.i^. the words of S. lohn, ' There is a finvnto death, for which 
 I fay not that men fhonld pray. In which point we altogither 
 differ from Acefius,amrming that the church doth not 
 
 forgiQc 
 
EftftktotheKtng. 187 
 
 forgiue leHer finnes onely, but alfo greater j yea with Am- 
 brole we make greater finnes the more fpcciall fubieft of ^ ^^^ - ^^ 
 this remiinon, becaufe ' greater fals areto befu^portcdwtth ^^„,-,„,^,/;-^, ,, 
 r/?^ ^yfiatcrflaies, and men in moft hainous finnes do moft cap. i. 
 hardly yecldfatisfaClion and comfort to thernlelues. A- 
 gauK, we are to note, that rlie matter hecre Ipoken oi is 
 not tha-popiOi priuateabfolurion which M.Bilhop hcere 
 deceitfully recommendcth to his Maiertic,a thing which 
 neither Conlhminc nor Accfiiiscuer imagined or drea- 
 med of, as it IS now pra6liled in the church of Rome, bur 
 it is rather the publickeabfolution and forgiuenelTcofthe 
 church whereby men excommunicated or debarred from 
 the communion for notorious ortences, were vpon good 
 fatisfa6^i6 Sc alTurance of their true repentance receiued a- 
 gaiiieto be partakersofthetablcof the Lord. And this 
 appcareth plainly by the phrafes whereby they noted [his 
 forgwenej]}, s concedere facem,to i^fatint reconcilemem : ^tri- ^ Cyprian, dt 
 bmre commmkationem, tojeeldpHblkke fellowjh'tp : ' red-- ^^^^'.'^^ 
 dcre cortimumonem, togiue them the communion agawe. But iz j ^mirof. ie 
 appeareth more plainly by that which S. Aultin affirmeth pcenitent,lth. i. 
 to haue beene ^ a wane and (rood vrorafo of theaiincienf'*.!. 
 church verynccrtothe Canon which Acefiusvrgcd,that ''•^''5'*./^*'/"^' 
 in notorious and great offences ' repentance, and conic- i%,„at.hifi. 
 qucmly firiri'ienejje Ihould begranntcd but onclyonce, /j^.^. m.i^. 
 which M. Bilhop will not conceiuc of forgiuing of finnes, 
 and by the church it was not denied to leaue hope of 
 Gods forgiuenelle, and therefore muft needs be vnder- 
 doodoi church-forqiuencfje, to be admitted to the com- 
 munionagaine. Now Acefius wholly denied that after 
 baptifme any fuch forgiuenelle might be yeelded to noto- 
 rious offenders : headmitted them lohc penitents ,^ and 
 would haue them exhorted to true repentance, and io left 
 to God, but he.e graunted them no reconcilement nor 
 reftitution to the church. What is this then to vs, 
 who denie not but that the Minifleiie of the Church 
 hath, authoritie as to binde and feparate, ib to loofe 
 
 Bb 2 and 
 
1 8$ Tl)e Anfwer to T>. T^ipops 
 
 ■i.C«f.i,7.io. and toreceiue againe, °' toforgme, to comfcrt, * to re- 
 *Gal.6..i. l^orfi them whom the forrow of their linnes hath caft 
 downe th^itthey ifuij not bcfwallorfedvp rvith onernmch hea> 
 uinejfe , and that not only in fmall but in great (nines alfo, 
 not onceonly as theauncient church did, but as Chryfo- 
 'Socnt.hifi. ftomeagainft that auncient Canon laid, " Enter tfthoH re- 
 Jo. t.ca. 19. p^^^ ^j^^j^ ^ thoftfand times. But ihisfor^tacfieffe in foro eccle- 
 yJWbeing apart of the publicke dilciplineof the church 
 was not nor is in it felfe that \\\\\ch properly we csMforgiue- 
 fjcjfe ofjinnes inwardly by irfclfe to acquit the conicience to 
 God. Albeit we deny not but that the faiihfull penitent 
 vpon confcicnce of his true icptnrance, by profellion 
 wherof he is acquitted on earth , apprehendeth mforo con- 
 [cientiA that by Chrifthe is alfo acquit ed in heauen , be- 
 fAf4». 18.18. caufe he hath faied , ^ vphatjoeuer ye binde on earth, fhalbe 
 boHnd in heauen, andn^hatfoeuerye/oo/evpoft earthjha/be /oo- 
 fedin heauen. But the aflurance o( this forgiuenefe offwncs 
 is gathered only by a confequent of that which the mini- 
 ftcr doth,and confifteth not as the popifh prieft imagineth 
 in the very a6l it felfe of miniilcnall abfolution. The of- 
 fendour by excommunication is cut oft from the body of 
 the churchjwherein only isforgiueneileof finnes, and out 
 of the focicty whereofthere is no forgiueneiTe. Which 
 cutting off notwithftandingis no other but the notificati- 
 on of the lentence of God whereby he ftoode cut off be- 
 fore from thefirftaftingofhisfinne. And this is to him 
 fo long as he fo continuech an afliirance that he (tandeth in 
 theftate of condemnation, becaufe Chrift hath (aid vrhat- 
 , foeaer J e hinde on earth fljalbe hound in heauen , and "^ nhofe 
 
 n. 0. 3. y^j^^^j^^^ retame they are reteined, albeit it be notby their 
 a6l tha: he is fix^boundin heauen, who before was bound, 
 and (hould be bound in heauen though in earth he be not 
 bound jbut their a6t is only the publication and tertimonie 
 thereof. But when God toucheth his heart with vnfemed 
 repentance , the cafe is foorthwith altered with God, nei- 
 ther doe we doubt but from thefirft moment he is with 
 
 God 
 
EpiHle to the -^Vt^. i Sp 
 
 God freed from his finnc , and reunited to the body and 
 fellowfhip of the church ; yet the notification and know- 
 ledgof thisreleafe is to betaken from thefentenceofthe 
 church by being by the abfolution thereof rcllored againc 
 to that communion and fellow (hip to which properly ap- 
 pcrtaineth the benefitc ofremi/jlofj offinnes. Whereof if 
 the pen; tent by occafion faile , yet as Ambrofe laid of Va- 
 lentinian the Empcrour dyinge without baptifme that 
 ' therefore hs v:ai m if he had it, becaufe he dtd dejire /V ; fo the ' -^^^M'^t •- 
 penicents dcfireof forgiuenclTe for reconcilement to the '^^^"»^»*» 
 church fipplieth the want thereof, becaulethea6lofthe 
 church isnot thcaftof Godsforgiueneffe, butthetclli- 
 monynnd declaration of that which beforehand isalrea- 
 die done with God. Which therefore is nothing with 
 God if there be not in the party ablblucd that penitencie 
 that Hiould reconcile him vnto God , and though out- 
 wardly he be, yet is he not fpiritually reconciled to the bo- 
 dy of the church. And yet if afterwards he fliall vnfei- 
 nedly repent, he hath thereby allured hope of forgiue- 
 jaelTe with God, becaufe there ftandeth not againlt him 
 any barre ofdifunion from the fociety of the church , the 
 former relcafe taking effect without iteration, euen as 
 baptifme though coanterfeitly taken hath effeft to ingraffc 
 into the body of the church without any rebaptifing when 
 the party baptifed fliall afterwards by true conuerfion 
 approoue the fame. Thus therefore (pintHallyto forqiue 
 fmnes properly beiongerh to God only , neither doth the 
 church therein take viiro it any focicty or fellowfhip with 
 him.Therfore Ambrofe no:cth'thazrvheChriJi'iFo.'i/dpar~ ^ ^mhrof. >. 
 dofi the/inne of the adultrefl'e inihe GofpelI^<? ahoae alone, f'fl'l^' 
 For it IS not the emba^udour , it u not the mejjenger, faith he, 
 hntthe Lordhimfelfe ihut hath fined his people. He abide th 
 alone becaufe tt cannot be common to any man n>ith Chrifl to 
 forgiuefinnes, Thu ts the office of Chu^fi only who hath ta^en 
 away the flmiet of the world. And this whole matter plainly 
 appeareth by Cyprian who profelfedly fpcaking of the ab- 
 
 Bb 3 (olution 
 
ipo Tl^e Anfwer to D, ^tjhops 
 
 folution and forgiuenedc of the church by occafion of 
 feme who ouer cafily had obteincd the fame that they 
 might not flatter themfeliicsthat they were thereby dil- 
 charged , wholly to ouerthrow M. Bifhops craft and oc- 
 ^Cyprlan.de cupation offorgiueingof linnes, vfeth thefe Words ' Let 
 lapfi}. no man deciue himfelfe^ let no man bem'tle himfflfe •* it ii the 
 
 Lordonely that cm fherp mercy \ it k he onelj that can pardon 
 the Jtnnes that are committed agains} him , who himfelfe bare 
 ourjinnes, n^hoforrovcedfor vs , whom God delmered for our 
 Jinnes. Alan cannot be greater then God , neither can the fer- 
 uant by his fan'our remit or pardon that which by great tref- 
 pajje is committed againjl the Lord , lefl to the former fall this 
 be added for another fai4 It to be ignorant of that that is faide^ 
 Cwfedis the man that truflcth m man. The Lord is to be in- 
 treated who one'y hath recemed all iudgement of the Father. 
 Thus Cyprian fpakc , than whom no mandifputed more 
 earnefllyagainllthe Nonatian & Acefianheretickes: hce 
 challengeth the power of forgiuing finnes, as it is proper- 
 ly vnderrtood to God onely iheyeeldeth rotheMinifle- 
 rie a power to remit and forgiue , bnt lb, as it remaineth to 
 • ihid.fub God "■ to make good that which for penitents is done by tht 
 finem, Pr/V/? or by the minillerieof the church. Speaking pur- 
 
 pofely of the abfolution giuen bythechurch , he woulde 
 neucrhauefo abfoliitely difclaimed the forgiuenefle of 
 linnes, ifhe had taken the Priefts abfolution to be as the 
 Popirti Priefl: takcth it , an immediate and actuall 'orgrne- 
 neilein the fight of God. But heneuerknewM. Bifhops 
 facultie of forgiuing finnes , a meere deluding and dc- 
 rtroyingoffoules, hewasneuer acquainted with his po- 
 pirti fhrift or auricular confeliion. VVe approoue the fame 
 that he did J we fet no barreagainft any mans reconcile- 
 ment to the church. We pronounce forgiuenefle of finnes 
 bytheworde oftheGofpell generally to all that repent. 
 Particularly alfo to euery man affli6ted in confcience, and 
 ^Matt.f.z. truely repenting him thereof we fay, " Be of good comfort j 
 yi««OT. 31.34. thy Jinnes are forgiuen thee ■' forfo Godhath ^ promtfed, and 
 
 to 
 
Epijlleto thel\ing, ipi 
 
 to '' lefm Chrifl all the prophets benre mtmf[e that through his « u4^s. lo, 43. 
 ft.ime alUhAt behei'.e m him pjull hafie forgiuenejfe of Jinxes. 
 And thatindillrelVcofminde byoccafion of any reeighty 
 w^r/^rhcmay thcmorc fully and erte6lually apprehend 
 the comfort h ereof ,Chrift hanmg gii'cn anthority for the 
 reconcilemenr of firuicrs to the body of the Church in the 
 fociety thereof to he partakers oftheforgiuencflcoffins, 
 becaufe out of that fociety there is no forgiuenefle, wc 
 doubtnottofayintheiTiinidciie o f the church, '/rt^/<7/«/(f » Cemrmn. 
 thee from al thy fins ,v\oi as tr.f crly by this our aft to acquitc hool^mthe *»- 
 him in heauen^but hereby toalliire him that Chrillacqui--^''''""' "Z*^'* 
 tcth him in heauen, becaufe he hath promi(ed , that what ^'^^'' 
 we loofe on earth Ihal be loofed in hcaucn , as before was 
 faid. But otherwife or in other meaning to fay asthcPo- 
 pifli Pried faith , lahfolue thee from all thy fins, we hold it a 
 prefumption of Antichrift, and no authority giuen thereof 
 by the Gofpcll of lefus Chrift. 
 
 25?. W. Bishop. 
 
 Finally, toward true Bifhops, the larvfullPafiors ofChrifis 
 Church, hecariedfucha reuerend rejj?e^ : that being in the 
 CouncellofNice, he rvottld not fit downe, before they had beck:- 
 nedvnto himfo to doe. And wasfofarre from tahtngvpon him 
 tobefupreameiudge^ in caufes Ecc/efiafiicall', that he openly 
 there profeffed, that it did not belong to him to iudge ofBifijotff 
 but to be fudged by them. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 The fingular modeftie and humilitie of this moft no- 
 ble ChriftianEmperour is by M.Bifhop Angularly abn- 
 fed to his wronge,and to the derogation of all other Chri- ^ 
 ftianprinces, andisvreedasainltthepraftifeofhimfelfe. \ T !7"* 
 He was orlo lowly carnage, as that he called ^■«<?r^<r o«<? „* j,^ 
 his brother and fellow fnuAfit , and therefore no jnarucll if 
 
 cowards 
 
1^1 Tl)e Anfwer to T>, Sijhopf 
 
 towards fo many graue and reuerend bifhops he dcmea- 
 ♦i£i</,f4|F,io, nedhimfclfe in very modeft wife. He fat not downe till 
 thcbilhopsbeckned on him, butyethcfate ^ mthehigh^ 
 eji fiace on afeate 0^ gold ; they all rofeto himathiscom« 
 ming in , and fate not downe till he was let , and his low- 
 ly behauiour towards them did not make them forget 
 their duetie towards him. When he was (etc they bring to 
 him their libellsand articles one againll another ; he for 
 loueand quietnedefakerefufeth to meddle therewith : he 
 telleth them that he were fitter to be iudged by them then 
 they by him , andfo caufcth all their fcrolesandbils to be 
 caftmtothe fire, and bendethhimlclfe toperfwade them 
 all to concord and peace. But therein we fee the Bifliops 
 acknowledging him to be their fupreme iudge, and there- 
 fore referring their quarrels and controuerfies to him jand 
 from their aft fhould we rather argue for the fupremacy 
 of the prince , then from his modeit refulall for thedeny- 
 5»W, ca, 13, ingof it. But it plainly appeareth in the ftory that he late 
 asprefidentandmoderatourofthatcouncell , ' receming 
 enery mans opinion , helping fometimes one part , jomettmes a- 
 tiother : reconciling them when they K>ere cententtoHJly wrang" 
 ling ; gently and curteottjly talking to euery man , appeafing 
 feme , perfwading others , prdtjingothersttllbe brought them 
 t«a concord and agreement in the faith ; yeaandwhcnjthc 
 *eap,it, Bifhops of Egypt afterward grew to contention againe 
 « €ap.i$. d Ijfi^ferpofed himfelfe as arbitral our of their controuerfies. 
 Yea and afterwards he by his letters is faid ' to haueprefcri- 
 bed to the BifljopsfHch thmgesas belonged to the good of Gods 
 chftrch. And that M.Bilhop may know thatConlkntine 
 trhttdoret. held himfelfcthe fupreme ludgeouer bifliops , let him 
 hifijib,i,ca.i9. heare Conftanrine himfelfe faying concerning them : If 
 rrehaue holy bi/hops, of right bcleefe , and men endued with 
 humanity xpe foalbe glad'y but if any aitdacioujly and vtfadni' 
 (edlyfhallg^ow te the comm^ndingof thofe pefitlent herejiesjois 
 I Awrufi. epifl. infotehcj (hulbe rep*-eff<;d by the ex-CHtivn of God.s ^erumt^euen 
 \bxf by me. Therefore he accepted ofappeales when they were 
 
 made 
 
EplHlc to the IQh^. i^ j 
 
 made to him ^ from the Judgement of the hipjeff y andci- g^«ff.eKi^», 
 thcr heard matters himfelf or appointed thofe that ftiould 
 hearethem. And fovrc finde that '' Felix abtjhephythe y^ilid. 
 commandement'of the fame Emperour had his caufe heard 
 A»d v?M acquit ed before hu proconfull or lieutenant , And 
 when the DonatJlb faid that a btfnopfhould not haue hu pur- 
 gation before the lieutenant, S. Aiiftin anfw'ereth , ' -^^^fiibii 
 laith he , the btfhop htmfclfe hadfo taken courfefor himfelfe, 
 andthe emperour had not commanded that the matter pjould 
 be foen<]iiiredof , torvho/e ch^.rge (ivhercofhewxstogiueac- 
 ^coHHt to God) that matter dtd IP eciallie belong. And lb doth 
 hefendforthebidiops thatby his commandement were 
 aflembled in a councell at Tyrus *■ tooiue account to him of k sotrat. Ufl. 
 that they had done there , and in his hearing tofljew how trulie Uh. i . m. 12. 
 and Jjncerely they had caricd themftlues tn their iudgement, So7omei$.lib,i, 
 Whereby as by many other like arguments it is manifetl '"' *^* 
 to all men that Conrtantine held himfelfe to haue a fupre- 
 macieouerbifliops andtobeiudge oftheiriudgcments, 
 and thatM. Bilhop fecketh meerely to abufe his moft ex- 
 cellent Maicftiein alleagingthe example of Conftantinc 
 
 againft him. 
 
 30 W. Bishop. 
 
 z. 
 
 If then this right Pu'Jfant Emperour, andmoflfyncen j^tfjijiy^ x^ 
 Chrifiian^ reuerenced the Sacrifice of the Afajfe , and beleeued htft, ta^, 
 that there wa^ power in Priejls to remit fins , that Saints were 
 to bepraiedvnto^ and that prater tvO'S to be made for the dead, 
 andfuch like, as appeareth by the euident tejhmony, ofmofi ap- 
 proued AnthourSy that Ituedrvith him : hath your Maiefly any 
 caufe to doubt, but that in matters of faith, he agreed with the 
 prefent Roman church ? Wherefore my hope andtrufl in ^yil' 
 mighty God is , that you in your high mfedome , vpon mature 
 and due conjideration^how many old condemned errors the Pro- 
 teflants holdiand wit hall weighing that the whole fame of their 
 Docirinetendeth to the difgracing of God, and hh Saints , /* 
 
 Cc thg 
 
i<^4 T^^^ Afifwer to D. IStpo'^s 
 
 theAifcouragement of men , front vpelldoing,avddoth(ai k were 
 loofentheremei vnto allfiejhhilibente : veill in timcthakea 
 ntofl Godly reiolmujn, to r^Wiate thatfamom Empeyohr Con- 
 ftatltine. /-/<■ contrane M hU former education, embraced with 
 AllhU porrer thitfarnc Romane Religion , which rve now pro- 
 feffe : ^'^nd('»vht' h u woriUe to be obferned) he feared nothing 
 the contrarie d!fp'>ftio,i of the multitude , or greater part cfhy^ 
 GibieUs, th ^' ^^y i^hi^'i) led another way . But following the 
 blejjed example cf loi, .7}o(i'^^^if^o^^°^^^^ ^ • Helena, re~ 
 pfcdhtmielfein thefov^erfHliypih^^eofthe Almighty , and 
 ch'ifed ."^11 ot her Rel'to ions into corners , fetttng ^^ andjirmely e~ 
 Jiahhfhmg the K oman. There can be no caufe allcadged ^ j»- r^^ 
 your Aiatefly may not do the like, if it (halt pica fe God ejfe^ifially 
 tofhf*<vp your groitiom m: -de , and to bend your h<&rt to vnder- 
 takett :for at that time there woi more Itkelyhood of ref fiance^ 
 then now : and now much more helpe at hand , if any refifiance 
 fhoftldbe offered, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 You are an cj^ellent man M. Bidiop , at a conclu/ion. 
 If you could furnifli and fecure the premillesasyoucan 
 enhaiince & amplify the conclusion we fiiould be terribly 
 troubled with you. But it is truelie faid j Debilefnndamen- 
 tttmfalht opw : a fliaht foundation rndk^s a falling houfe : you 
 might eafilyhauc prcfumed that his Maiefty is of more 
 found and fetled Judgement then to be moued with luch 
 bale and beggerly collc6lionsWc cannot findc in your al- 
 legations e;rucT your facrifice of the Mai1e,or youi Popifh 
 power to k/igifelinnes, or any other of the points which 
 either you haue heierepetcd or before propounded. We 
 hca eyoiTrayitbutwecauRotfeeyouproueit J thatCon- 
 ila:inc in matter ot faith agiced with the pxefent Roman 
 chu.ch. Indeed hee neuer knew the fairh chatisnowin 
 Ko!nc:if he were now ahue he would fpit in yonr faces that 
 ■^o about CQ make him partaker of yournew& abhomina- 
 
 blc 
 
Kptjlle to the IQng, i p^ 
 
 bledeiuies. And thcreforeas touching his moft excellent 
 Maiefty \vc doubt not but that finding your forcible rea*^ 
 Ions to befriuoIous<& vainefollies^yourpetiiions&lnp- 
 piicationstobenothingelfe but Donatifticall importuni- 
 ties,he will itill embrace the truth which he hath rccciued, 
 and as hchath hitherto detected your impious and wicked 
 procecdingSjlohe will detcft them more and more, and 
 by all mcanes endeuour to keepe his people free from 
 thofe damnable idolatries and (nporllirions whereto you 
 labour to entrappcthem. In which cour(c' his Maiellie 
 hath great cauie to allure himlcite of :he ready ail illance 
 ofalmighty God, hauinghad lb good and notabfcexpc- 
 ricnce thereof in himfelfe , and beholding it lb cleercly in 
 cue late renowmed Qcicene, whole miraculous prcferua- 
 tionagamliromanybloudycounrels and attempts of fe- 
 cret and open enemies , and namely of this viperous and 
 ferpcntme generation of Icluires and Romifh piiells,may 
 iulily giue his Maiellie encouragement to doe a§ fhee 
 did, lledf^iiUy to continue m that which by the word€ of 
 God hee hath lcarned"^ndoiibredly to be the tru-^h of 
 God. Yourobicclionsof herelies and dilgracing God 
 and his Saints are clceredbeiv^ re. As touching good life 
 andconuerlation,wefeenotfuch fruirsof your doftrine 
 asthat wecan thinkeyou haueanycaufeto bragge there- 
 of. If there were of vs any fuchmifcrcanrs, fuchmonfters 
 and diuels incarnate ,as there hauc been ot your Popes and 
 Cardinals, his Maiertie would nor forbeare to fhcw him- 
 felfe /6(?y?r»4«f or officer ofCtj^jasConilantine called him- 
 felfe, to be aucnged of luch doings. SuchAthcirts, fuch 
 dogges there were neuer found many decouileof men. 
 Machiauell the malterofthem could lay ' that there is no * Machlauel. 
 
 where leffe piety or religion than in them that dtvell tje^reflto '""^ ' 
 
 1 L ^ L • J r L. reb.Ub.i.ca.lZ. 
 
 Rontey and the common prouerbe imported lomewhat, 
 the neererthe church the further from God. It is Co me to b Ucthin. de 
 that pa.'le with them that the name of a Chri^ian is a word e'ig.Monach. 
 ofreproch, andisvfedmthe Italian tongnc to note " * -Jii. 6. kj. e^. 
 
 Qc z blo<,k!pead 
 
1^6 The Anfwer to T>, Sijhops 
 
 hhckhead or foolg. You fayourdoftrinetcndcth toflefhiy 
 liberty, but it is your do6lrine of abfolutions and pardons 
 that is the verie fountainc of all wickedneffe and iinne. 
 • Mttrfil. Va- Marfilius Patauinus could fay of it of old, 7^^/^/ was a per- 
 tauin. defenf. Mtciotu and brainjlcke doSlrtne, and thefeducwg offotdesyfnch 
 fatU^far. a. ^ all Chrijliansjhould take heedof, whereby the Gcrmanes 
 d*' ^^' complained , '' that all piety woi abandoned and cxtingttifhed 
 
 uam German ^*'^ them, Kv hence proceeded whooredomes , incefls, adulteries, 
 art. 3 . afiud ll- periuries, murthers, theft, extortion , vfurj and all manner e- 
 lyric. inCatal. f,iis, Matthew Paris could fay of the time wherein your 
 ujl.yertt. <3o6lrine bare fway , ' He is in thefe times accounted a very 
 « Matt ?. ^"J'gg^ ^^^ fi^^f If not flarke naught. As touching our felues 
 *" * weconfeirethatwearenotfuchasweoughttobe,neither 
 
 doth our thankfulnefle in due fort anfwer Gods goodnes 
 towards vs,but yet we hope we are farre from being fo bad 
 as your owne flories haue reported you to be. Pardon vs, 
 M. Bifhop : we ftand vpon our reputation in this behalfc. 
 We can neither hcare of forren nations, nor fee in the belt 
 of your Catholickes among vs that there is any caufe for 
 you to take vpon you in conuerfation to be preferred be- 
 fore YS. 
 
 * 31. W. B isHop. 
 
 Fardon me deare Soueraigne , if before Ifinijhthts argu- 
 ment^lfeemeouer-bold heere to prefentvnto jour memories 
 that all your mofi gratious and go dl-j Progenitors^ and all our 
 holy PredecejforSj who now (affiiredly )J}and before the trtbu- 
 tfallof God; doedemaundandexpetl no lejfe at your handes. 
 For they founded not Bijhoprtckij Deaneries ^ and other Jpiritu- 
 dlliuings : they butlded not Colleges , and Sch»oles , for Prote- 
 fiants or their fauourers. Ponder vnell therefore I befeech your 
 Afaiejiiei vehethertheydoenot , or may not tufily chalengeof 
 joHt (to whom the adminijlration of iujiice belongethj ) to fee 
 andprouide: thatfuch Churches, Church-ltutngs,and jpiritU' 
 nllrewardsof learningy attheyere^edand bequeathed to Ro^ 
 
 man 
 
Epijlle to the I{in^, jay 
 
 nMHSiJho^s, and Priejies, hediffofedof, andheflorred accw- 
 dtng to their ereEttons , and foundations . Jfitfhallfleafethe 
 FrotefiAntsto eretl any new Churches , or hefiotv any other rc' 
 Mennes towards their Minijlers maintenance , let them hant 
 them hardly, and entoy them cfuietly : onelylet them be content ^ 
 fiut of their eqmtte : to leane vs that rvhtch rvoi provided for i/J, 
 andbeqHtathedvnto vs bytur mofl Reiigi9m Aunceflors, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 We fee what it is, M.Bifliop, thatyou would haue: 
 you plead hard for Bifhoprickes and Deanries, and furely 
 you need not doubt but if you can make good that which 
 you haue written , you fliall haue what you defire. You 
 fay that all his Maieflies Godly frogenitours and holy prede- 
 ceffours doe expcfl at his hands to efiablifh the Romane reli- 
 gion •, but how come you to know their minde , or where 
 haue you beene to aduife with them of that matter f* Sure- 
 lie if they were asked their aduife for our dire6^ion, they 
 would fay as Abraham faid, * They hone Mofes and the ^lhc .16.19. 
 prophets J let them heare them. ^ They haue afure word of the *». Tet. i.j^, 
 prophets and Apofllet j let them looke to it 04 to a c<mdle fhining 
 sn a darks place. Yea but you tell vs that Bifhoprickes and 
 Deanries J and churches and churchliuings were by them 
 cre6^ed and bequeathed toRomane BifliopsandPriefts, 
 not to Proteftants and their fauourers. But you fpeake 
 partially, M.Bifhop, and we cannot beleeue you therein. 
 By hiftorieit appeareth plainly that 'Auftinthe blacke c^tdahiRt 
 Monke athis comming mto this Ilandnccre fixe hun< cUUentAt^ 
 dred yeres after the incarnation of Chrift found here ma- hb^taf.!, ' 
 nie Bilhops and Prieftsand very learned men farre diffe- 
 ring from Romifli Pricfts, infomuchBthat they reie6^cd ^Galfrid.Mo^ 
 his traditions which he brought from Rome, detefted his f"*^<:tenf.lih.i, 
 pride, renounced his authority and would nor accept him "*';♦• . _ . 
 for their Archbifhop as he defircd to be. There were f^iXX 
 thfi ^ Abbies a great number in which the flocke of Chrift efer.miw'r,' 
 
 Cc 3 (being 
 
i^'.S Tl)e A}^werU.lX'\Brfl)o^s 
 
 (being ind^d'e'ofrtucl^nts imDimoiHe) was kept irt good 
 Qiaef^ ;A'nio igrtoihers thetc\v.as*i[,Baagorin Wales.a 
 cbjich ota thoufkiid two hundred Menkes, notPo- 
 goifti IVloiikes and idle belly-gods, bun all iiuuig with 
 the labour of their handes, and bellow ing the time olrelV 
 from theirlabours in praier and medication ofthefcrip- 
 tures ,Outofthischur<:h Ipng before that time went' Pe- 
 *Balevtfupra. j^gj^j^ the hereticke, whole do6lrine of free will then not 
 only the Britons but al Romifh prielH detelKd and abhor- 
 red, which now is rtifflie maintained by Romilh Pnefts. 
 Ouer that church at Auftins comming wasone Dinochus 
 a very learned man 5 who when Aulfin required the bi- 
 foldEn^li/h fiiopsiOrbe fubie^ tojii^RomjIh authoritie ^ perfwaded' 
 chromde cited, tberp bv ^jucis ^rgumentsthattfeeytdid not ow^him any 
 h s- iewd.de. fu^'hruDleciion,.. Whereat Aollin being offended,prouo-' 
 i"i/'^^art H.e<iking Ethclbert againftthem, bywhofeprocurcment 
 tn'the ^f'Ttn- ' a^^armie of Infidels was lent to llaiethem , who cruellie 
 ninr. ^ andfjVnnr.ercifully perlprmed the liaughter , not ^ fparing 
 them Wjhoiti. their (hirtst.camefoorth tothemto/iritrcat' 
 E C(ntur.May-_ njercy. Attlvit time wa? there one s DaganHs a bifhop of- 
 *^''''^5v•'5^#^,Sco':l^^dthafhadbcene brought vp in thatcoUedge of 
 jo.e* BrfH i3^(.gor^ ^vho alfo refilted the proceedings of that Romifli 
 Aif,: .Lishop , and would not admit ot alteration from 
 tfidrf oLf^;; uatipns w^ich from the firft receiuing of rcligi* 
 oij4iadbccnerGt^jned ampngft them ; Yea comming intoc- 
 E^ng!and,(4rrer the death of; Aullin, hee refufed to eate 
 ^UoUnPi. hiii. with " Laurentius (ucceeding ,ui the place of Auftin and 
 cf England. with,Mellitus and lurtus , all of Autlins companie and 
 cpnflition, toijgnifie his dcteftationof thofe nouelties 
 and luperi^itions that were brought in by them. Then it 
 fhpuldleeme that our Birtioprickes and fpirituall liuings 
 wercnot firfbfoundedJorRomifti prielts, linc'e a Romil'h 
 pn^l^-cpuldhaue np entertainment amongll the bilhops; 
 iBeda htSi.ec- ^^at wcrc hccre bcfore^ and by the meanes of thatRomilh 
 (lef.gent.:Angl prieft lo, fnany were martyried for refufingto recciuehiin. 
 iA.i.cai>,io. yjEaand a longtime, aftetthe' Britons lliilrefufed tho^e 
 
 gfifiO, 
 
 ) Romilh 
 
EpLHk to tlx ^}}g- I p J 
 
 Romi flrii{Miclues,atid\vith-ti5t€tTi icJmcd air(>tfc4if-hwj€h€«l 
 and billiaps of SoDtlJad, as:^«:Ai4;inQS;;^^maBt»}iCitofi|ff t^j^.j ^.y 
 and many bthers;,A>fwhaTnitheldid^ Ajiitttiipia^tt'i^fiW ^^^^ ,.' ' 
 io renowmed for His learrimngjiid piprib^ 'as/idiat Oi^vhlH ^Ba[efcript^^,^ 
 king of NcMtliumberland Tent .t:<Jr;h,ni ro'Iifei^iw.'rldking Ji-iian-cept^i. 
 ofScocs,and made hjma biOiop in hifi-idbBJiwey.'Novv-ati "h^^"*"^- '. 
 though Auiten by. that ihac he then bi-brjghiijffoim Rj^n^6 
 didiomewhatconraminatc^h^taKhof;.j|Gbih<^^f«' Was it 
 nothing to the filth andabhommaLinn that-'^vWtA^'af'ds'Wte 
 brought in j la that the na^tiC of an^iomrJl> ]p^i^ttjs' ii 
 meere equiuocation betwixt the prieth th^t iiqwtife' and 
 tholethatwercthcn. Forthen did the kings of thts lande ... 
 ftill retcine their ruprcmacie in ranf^s cccldiaftitallj they 
 founded bilhoprickesand^nuclted to thfu^i al'thcir |>lea*- '^^^ 
 
 fnre,asdid " tdward the ConfeHour rheb!(>iopricke'of*^'ow?ij)fti-^ 
 Exceter, and himlelfewith \ih Qiieei;MsrrtUdted;W itLeo^ »ds,inS,rd^ 
 fricus : they made law es for the order and gotfef-iimcrtt of 
 thechurcb,asis.tohereenebytheIawesGf " Edward, ^^ ajioxtjElt 
 Alfred, of Ethelllane, of Canutiis and other princes be*- andMomm. 
 fore thGConiqucll , and many lawes aUomadeby print^s yoiiintheeaH, 
 ."fince the conqueft againlt the vliirpitionsandintrufi- "^rf^'" •/S't 
 onsofthePopc. ThenwerettieScripairesin '' foure Je'- ^'^" ""^ 
 uerall languages offo many feuerall nations in this Hand, fStd.hifi.cf- • 
 befide the Latine tongue common to them all, thereout f/f/:^fnf. ^wj/. 
 to learch the knowledge of Godstruth. Then were they iil'-icap.\. 
 in monarteries i comn;aunded to bee exercifed in the *-^'"^^"'f . 
 reaaing ot the Scriptures, and euene one was required to ^thtiUid. 
 learne the l.ordes praier and the Creed in the HngMi 
 tongue. Then was the Communion mimllred to the peo- 
 ple in both kindes, fo that ' fouidiours goirtg ro bat- t Math. Tart f. 
 laile receiued it in that fort according as from the be- mHartld.^ 
 ginning was accuftoired in the church. 1 henwasTran- wfl.K"/"- 
 fubllantiation aitoeither vnknownCi and when u- be- ''^"^-^^^ ""* 
 
 1 f I J 1 r f ^ ,/- 1 Monumtnti ex 
 
 gan to bee broched or not long alter, ^ ElfvcHs then avchiuit mU, 
 ArchbiOiop of Canterburie , amongft n^anie Sermons »-,^orn. gr 
 which hetranrtated out of Latininto the Saxon tongueto £«e». 
 
 be 
 
1 QO Tl?e Anfwzr to I),SiJI?ops 
 
 be read publickely in the church, tranllated one to be read 
 vpon Eafter day , expreily contradi6ling that new deuife, 
 and confequently ouerthrowing the facrifice of the mafie. 
 *^^erHoueJ. Xhendid 'thebifhopsandprincesofthislandcondemnc 
 partA.dMo ^"^^^cond Nicenc councellas idolatrous and Contrary to 
 79*! the true faith for teaching the worfliipping of images} ha- 
 
 uingreceiued thebooke of that councellfentvntotheni 
 from Charles the great, and writing to the lame Charles 
 an epillle fubAantiaUy grounded out of the authoritie of 
 holy fcripture in reproofe thereof. Then were tithes and 
 oblations giuen to married Prierts and fo continued till 
 nMath.Varif. the time of Hildebrand , " y^he l^y an example new and 
 inwiU.Con- _y?r^«»g and contrary to the expreflecanon of the ' coun- 
 ^»tji. cell of Gangra , did remooue them from domg dimneferuicc^ 
 
 ^"'"S'* whence grev? oreater fcandall then etiergrew hyany herejiein 
 '"*'^' thechtirch- leaand our moll auncientcathcdrallchurch' 
 
 es were places for maried Prielts , not for Popifh filthie 
 Votaries J as by theauncient recordesof diuersofthem 
 and namely ofthe church of Worcefter appeareth vntill 
 rsalt.fcript. this day. It was king ^ Edgar that firft expulfed them al- 
 ^ritan,ct»t.t. mofta thoufand yeeres after Chrift,Qnd that againftthc 
 **r^^*^ht ^'^^ °^^^^ nobles and commons , when they ' iuftly plea- 
 MiAfwHm, ^^'^ ^^^ themfeluesthat being the auncien.t polleflburs, 
 exGuilielm.Jt they could not without wrong be ciefi^edfrom that they 
 regibMb.i. hadfo long holden, and therefore were by * Alfermz 
 *l<i"»«^^»Jf' Duke of the Mercians and other nobles and great men a- 
 briM nfi. gainc reftored to their former places. It is plaine then 
 ithatthe moll: auncient foundations and donations were 
 intended to vs , M.Bifliop ^ and not to you , and there- 
 fore that we haue not therein vfurped any thing of yours, 
 but recouered the poflefTion of our owne. As for latter 
 ere6lions they haue beeneoftwo forts ; fomehauingref^ 
 peeled m them a benefiteto themfeluesj others aiming 
 at the benefite of church and common wealth. Men 
 weregrowen to the opinion that the building and indow- 
 ingot religious houfesfliould be the redemption of their 
 
 finnes. 
 
EftUle to the Khig, loi 
 
 finnes, and the purchafe of their foules healrh. By reafon 
 whereoFthey became maddc in giuing , andasout ofhis 
 experience ; he duiell could fay , " sktuttefor sktme , and all f> id, i,^\ 
 that a mart hath ivill hegiue for his life , and as God him - 
 fclfehath recorded the humor of men to be , * togiuehis * Mid. 6.7, 
 Hr [I borne for Ins tranjnrefjion , eneti the frtute cfkii body for 
 the/iyir.e of hi-i fo'/.le , lb it befclihere that men burdened 
 with their llnncs and diltrelkd in confcience, and wanting 
 the light ohhefunnc ofnghtcofifucjfc ro giiie them the light 
 of true comfort did fpare no coll, though to the wrong of 
 iheu- children and pollerity,ro light vntothemftiucs this 
 vvaftingcandlcoffalic and deluding hope. Nowbecauie 
 thefe foundations tended ducclly to the diflioncnr of le- 
 fus Chrill and to the empeachment of his glorious re- 
 demption , an d " comriiina from the n\tge.i of a harlot did re- '* ^' 
 turne iigavie to harlotsnuiges being ernploicd to the nourifh- 
 mentand pra6fifcof vncleane and filthic life, therefore 
 the handot God and hisiudgement wasvpon their, and 
 they were dellroied with thedertru£^ionct Babel vtterlie 
 to fall and neuerto rileagaine. Other donations ande- 
 ie£fions there were, wliich although they were intanglcd 
 with the fuperftition of thofe times, yet in their true and 
 proper end were referred to the aduauncement of learning 
 for the good of church and comoion wealth. Some men 
 preferred to high place finding the want of learning to be 
 a maimc to th cmfelucsjwer e mooued thereby to^i^^ke the 
 fupply thereof in others. Other fome without doubt 
 were greatly offended to fee the horrible decay of learning 
 in monaderies and houles of religion which we/cwoont 
 tobethc Ichoolcsand nourferies thereof. Forafrerthe 
 x:omming in of the fwarmes of loculles , that RomiHi ver- 
 mine of ^,?^(^;«;^/j-^^^-^^ all good artesanc literatuie were _■'{. , 
 abolifhed , thcskie was euen darke with the foggy miftes ],i^'6. ca.iS,' 
 of barbarous ignorance, audit came to prtfle that it was 
 taken vp for a common prouerbe, Aiotmrho tndoUior', 
 more vnh(»-ncd then a monke. Wherefore God dt'termi- 
 
 P d ning 
 
iOi Th?AifwertoT),%Jh)'p5 
 
 ning theruine andouerthrow ofthat Sodome and Go- 
 morrah raifedvp thelpiritsof fomeby whom he would 
 prouidcbetter for thebuildingof his church. And hence 
 arofe thole noble foundations of our Schooles and Vni- 
 uerfities, not intended for Romi fh Priefts, but for learned 
 men to ferue the Itate in all occafions of emploimenr, 
 which by whomfoeuer they were builded are moretrulic 
 put to their vie by vsthen they were by others that haue 
 beenebeforevs ; ourColledgesalfo being broughtin lat- 
 ter times by their abufeto meere fophiftry and barbaririe, 
 to iludies ot Necromancy and wicked arts : to the rea- 
 ding of the Mafter ofthe Sentences in rteede of reading 
 the holy fcriptures , and the true vie ot learning leldoir.e 
 to be found. Nowif withallany thing hath come to vs 
 which wasdire6^1y intended to the maintenance ofRo- 
 mifh idolatry and lliperftition , we take the lame as the 
 fpoile of Egypt wherewirh to build and furmfh theTaber- 
 nacleof the Lord,: andasyou, vi.Bfhop, inyourapo- 
 ftafie vfurped tholedonations that were fi, ft menntrovs 
 and our religion ; lb giuevs leaue by tht gift of our God 
 iurtly toinioie that that by the meaning of the founders 
 waspurpofedtoyou. Which our Princes by their lawes 
 J ,T ft tbifi a^»gfii"g to vs haue done asChriftian Emperoursofold 
 -Q^ "^ did, who in like fort * didpafje to the true c.thoUcke church 
 
 thie churches and reucnties ih^ii were founded and giuenby 
 Donatjftcs to herefie and Ichifime. And as the church 
 atfirftdid wh;ch entering vponthc temples and polTef]!- 
 ons of heathen idolaters conutrted the lame to theler- 
 uice ofthe rrue God. neither did they thinkeitafufficienc 
 reafbntorelinquilhthefame to the maintenance of idola- 
 try becaufethcy were at lirlt intended to thatvfe. And 
 f MnobMu. furely in thefe magnifical dcuotions the Papilles can chal- 
 pnt.iib.^. Jenge no more to themleluesthen ofold the heathens 
 B^'ITT^ might, who builded infinite ^ ftately temples and altars, 
 iTertHU.dt^' and bedecked with '' gold and filuer the idols andin-.ages 
 bapufmo. of their Gods, and performed their idolatrous ' lolem- 
 
 nities 
 
EpiBle to the ^)i^* 205 
 
 nities with great preparation and coft , and * offered large » rertut,^pol, 
 and continiiallotlerings, and endowed their prielh with f«»^4». 
 '' lands and polTeirions,the glory whereof made them de- ^"'' 47- ii. 
 rpile the bali-nes as they tooke it ot Chnllian religion, and 
 they vpbraided them to hc'^ Frtutlcsmcn, men that did no J"*"'- '^/'•- 
 good , bccaulethi.'y fawnofuch matters to proceed from '='" "'^'^ ' 
 them, lerruUian aniwcring, "' Vhumfumit mifencordia 'tlit. 
 ttojira vicattm quam vcjha religio tempUtim ; Oftr mercy be- 
 flovret h More w t he flreetes then your religion doth in your tem- 
 ples. Yea and at this day they lay that the Turkes ceifc 
 not to bethrre ihemfelues in buildmg of religious houfes 
 for their Monkcs and Prieils to performe fiich fiiper- 
 rtitions as then' wicked Mahomet hath directed them, 
 being perfuadcd by him that by ftich merits they muft at- 
 tcinetoheauen. In all ages indeed it hath beene found ^ h r J 
 true which S. Ambrole laiih : ° fy^^f^^^^^l^'g^^'^ J>^^fi^^s. lanClo.'iib. 
 Ur glares cjyam ad Jal^tem fidles fu»t : A'tijhelceutrs ^ire ■^_ca^,\%^ 
 more f'M of largeffe toJacrtLdgc andt.lol.itry thc^ are the fait h- 
 ftill lothofe thirties that conci.rneJult^atton , becaule as men 
 naturally doe more regard their owne children then Gran- 
 gers , foare they naturally moie llrongly polklled with 
 humane deui/esas their owne, thcmhofc ihings which 
 areofGod, which are fo much ihem.ore llrangebyhow 
 much the more of natures corruption doth llillremaine. 
 Now therefore on the one fide the largcfle ot Popery to 
 the vfe of their religion is no argumet of the truth therof, 
 becaule Turkes and heathens doe the lam.e : and on the 
 other fide as it Conllanrinople were brought vnder the 
 iurildiclion of the Pope he would not thinke it realbn 
 that thofe things which were conllcrate toTurkifhfuper- 
 ftition (liould Therefore remain- ftiU to the fame vie; fo 
 no realbn is irthit thofe things which were fii It intended 
 to Popifh idoLitnc amongllvs ftiould for that caufe be 
 lh!l co!itinued to the maintenance thereof. luftifie your 
 religion to be ot God, aiid wc are ready to yeeld vnto you 
 themallerfliip and rule ot all. Butthat you cannot doe, 
 
 Dd 2 and 
 
2 o4 77;^ Anfwer to T>. Sijhops 
 
 and therefore we Hiy as Ifrael laid of old to the king of 
 ,. I Ammon : ° ff^on/de^ mt thou pojfejp that rvhich Chemojh 
 
 "-*"*' they God gtueth thee to foffeffe ? fa whom foet4€n'ae Lord otir 
 
 God drineth out before vs them will we pojjejje. 
 
 32. W. Bishop. 
 
 Jfdll thefe reafcnSfaftd exceeding many other rvhich wight 
 hentHJiered, mdf reduced to the fame furpofe , xvtllmtfujfce 
 to effect in your Maieflie , alotieanddefire , to embrace that 
 auncient Rom^n faith, which all your renoxvmed Progenitors ,fo 
 highly reaerenced, lotted, and ejiecmfd. Tet let me(profirate 
 on my knee ) moji humbly befeech your Htghncjfc , in the 
 name ofthoufandes: thatfo farrefcorlh they may prettailc with 
 you, a<you will not permit thofe rigor oi-i^s luwcs, framed againfi 
 Recufant Cathohckfs, to be put in pyaB:ize and executed. For 
 how can it fee me conformahle to reafon , tn your Maiefiies 
 deepe wife dome , andiudgement? that your louing Subictis 
 fhould by compul/ion ayid coK/lratnt, vnder that int alterable pe~ 
 f/altie of /offe of all thar goodes , conforme themfdues to fuch 
 articles cfReliTion, that by thepureft annijuitie were ccnfured 
 to be errcnioui andexecrahle ? And what ?niferie , and pit tie 
 were it ^ to driue them perforce y either tofwatllow donne the 
 deadly poifon of their foules, or el fe to endure be fides the dif 
 greceofthejiate^ the loffe of their worldly we^ilth and liberty? 
 •■■' Confider andweighmth your felfe, my mojl gratioui Liege, 
 
 yphether it will not be thought ouer great feueritie , to prcffe 
 men( euenatrmnFi humane nature and condition,) with pati- 
 ence to heare their owne prof e^fJon and beleefe , both vntruely 
 flaundered, andmofl bitterly reuilcd and inueighed againf : 
 Of in mojl Mtnislers fcrmons it is commonly. Tea togiue p.itr- 
 ent earetothem that blaflimtpublickely, to call our bleffedSa- 
 mows body in the holy Sacrament, an abhomtnable 
 Hole \ his (jjoriom aniimmortall Saints, fenfeleffe dead Men j 
 his Viiar andVtcegerent on earth Kx\i\<:\\(\^ ^ (md euery Ca- 
 tholick^ an Idolater. IVtth infinite other intoUerable reproches^ 
 
 Our 
 
Efijlle to the i^Vg. 205 
 
 Onrconftant hofeyCitenyet, (tPjough a<^MHj}hope)ti,that your 
 Jiduiejlie out of yonr onae fipeet n^turall dtjj}ofitio>i , ^m4 moji 
 tnildc carrlxge in go tier am ent hitherto, will not onely moderate, 
 hittfujpend.illfnch extreamitie : And notfujfer'tt to be extett- 
 dedagai'fiftthem, whom fm'mer don!; if nil times, rv ere (m man- 
 ner ) the ami) men, thrit defcrjdcd arid made manifefl to the 
 tvorldy joHr Title a^id wterefl to the Crorvne of Englauds ahd 
 Tvere no lejje rvillwgtorcceiueyof4, when the time came : anda4 
 forirardto haueafffledyou (if needa had reejuired )a4 any fort 
 of Sni>iens tvithtf) the /and. Andnener fince irittingly ojfen- 
 ded yottr frxrcd Afaiejfie in any thing. It may be obtetiedthat 
 they doe not conforme themfclnes vmo a flatute law made a- 
 gainfl their religion : Be h (o. Then their Religion toward God^ 
 not any contempt of their lawftdl Supertour, doth commaund 
 them from the conformitir, rehich is pardonable. Considering 
 that they be -no inuenters, or followers of nouelttes , but onely 
 hold on and perfeuere in the faith of thetr forefathers. And 
 vhat (ubicEi is there among the mofh dutifull, that doth not of- 
 ten tranfgrejje andgr^e offence to one flatute law or other : yet 
 for no other law , men are fo hardly dealt mthall , albeit they 
 •violate many of them togither, Onely Catholikes are for the 
 tranfgreffing of one , hufpeled and handled as though they rvtre 
 fome heynom rebels , and tray tors: JVho( beit fpoken with- 
 out dijparagewcnt to others ) are ( by them that hue neere 
 them )efleemed commonly , the mofl orderly fubieUs ; oi true of 
 theirvrcrdcs, m found in their decdes, of as great charity and 
 hojpitalitie to^rards their neighbours, and compajfion of the 
 foore -.briefly^ of as moderate and ciuill carriage and behaui- 
 our, as moji men in their Country : So that to beggerand vndoe 
 thsm ( oi the execution of that law efl.^blifhed , mufi needs da 
 the poorer fort of them, ) wotdd be little leffe then tovndoe dnd • 
 deflroy all good order, andDifcipline in the commm-wetle, 
 
 R. Abbot, 
 
 You mufter often, M. Bifliop, but by all your mufter- 
 
 Dd 3 ing 
 
2 d6 T7;^ Anfwer to D. (Bijhops 
 
 i'ngyoucannotleuieaftrongarmie. Your fonlJiours are 
 dwarfesto fight with Pygmees and hoc with men , and 
 therefore no marucU if you neuer gaiiie the field. You 
 leeme llrong to children and foolcs, butmenotVnder- 
 flandingcanlee that your itrongelt Iwordes are but reeds, 
 and your beft armour but hke Adams fig-tree leaues. You 
 call thofe rigorous /atves that are framed a^amjlrecufam Gi- 
 tholtckef, but therein you play the part ofa lewd hypocrite. 
 For are our lawes rigorous againlt you for mulc^ of 
 goods, when your lawes proceed againft vs rothe fiied- 
 dingofour bloudl'You demaund how it (houldjcemecoK- 
 form^ble to reafon, that his Alatefiies (ubielis (hotdd, by com' 
 pulfion andconfiramt conforme t hem fe lues to fuch articles of 
 reltqjon 04 by thepurefi antiqmty were cenfrrrcdto be erroneous 
 mdexecrable f But I demaund of you how thofe his Maic- 
 fties fubiecls of whom you fpeakc doe know that die arti- 
 cles to which they are required to conforme themfelues 
 are by the purell antiquitie cefured to be erroneous & ex- 
 ecrable:* Are they conuerfant in the reading ofantiquitiesi* 
 doe they perufethc writings of the fathers and the Itories 
 of theaunciiint church < Nothing lelfe : they conceiue 
 nothing but only as you informe them,and you gull them 
 with your lies ; with goodly wordesyou feduce and be- 
 guile them : you tell them tales of the moone-lliine in 
 the muftard-pot , and to keepe them in the beleefe there- 
 of you vfe an art to frame them to this principle that they 
 muilreade nothmgthar is written by vs for difcouery of 
 yourvillanie andfUfehood. You know well inough that 
 if they vfe their liberty to read our bookcs , your cake will 
 loone prooue dough , and you fbalbe found to be coze- 
 ning and falle harlots 5 but they are content in their feeli- 
 • Vrou, 7. ^^. fclle to goe * likefooles to the flocks , they know not whi- 
 ther , andvpon yourwordeto recciuc that whereot they 
 know nothing whether it be right or wronge. But how 
 doth It appearc that the Articles ofreligion whereto they 
 are required to conforme themfelues are focenfured by 
 
 the 
 
Epiftle to the I\ing. 207 
 
 the pureil antiquitic to be erroneous and execrable c* We ^ ^ ^^ 
 are taught that ^ rhehou/ho/d ojGodare btalded vponthe 
 fot4Mdatior)S of the Apofl/es and prophets , (thatis, ^ the»eiv ' yfmhrof.in 
 'tmdoldtefiument ) lejii-s Chrifi htmfelfe btin^ the head corner f-p''-^'*- *• 
 Jione, This is the purellantiqnitie, and ohhis antiquity 
 Cyprian laith : " IfChnjlonlybe to be heard then arewee ''C7/.y*«./ii. 
 not toltflen rvhat any man before vs hath thought fitt to be ' ^•' ^' 
 done , but what Chrift hathdofje whs is before all : For we are 
 not tofjllow the cufivme ofmen but the truth of God. Doe yoil 
 finde then that Chi ill: by his Prophets and Apollles in the 
 old or new tcltair.ent hath ccnliircd thoic articles where- 
 to they are required to conformc themfelues to be erro- 
 neous and execrable :" They are required to come ro the 
 church where we call vpon one God inthenameoflefus 
 Chrill 5 we read only thefcriptures and wordeot Godj 
 we adminiitcr the facraments according to the very tenure 
 and letter of the Golpell , and are thde the things that 
 arecenfured to be erroneous and execrable C* Peter and 
 Paul were the firlt auncitnt founders of the Romane 
 church ; they are a part ot the piucll antiquity j fhewvs, 
 M.Bifhop, what a. tide there IS in our diuinc feruicethat 
 Peter and Paul hauecenlured to be erroneous and execra- 
 blec'The annquiry that Followed is not the pftrefi antic^uity^ 
 foryouyour lelues lay that you arefaine ' lobearewith ' Inifex expur- 
 many errourf tn the amtient Catholtcke writers , and yet-'^'^'-"' '^"fl^if*^' 
 what IS there incur feruicc which anyone of them hath 
 ceniurcd to be erroneous and execrable c" You are they, 
 JV4. Bilhop , that iuiHy deferue the rigour of the law who 
 dealethustraiteroully with his Maieftie and treacheroully 
 with his rubie6ts to pcrfwade them that thole things by 
 the pureit antiquine are cenfured to be erroneous and ex- 
 ecrable which indeedeare framed to the triiepatterneand 
 example ok the purcll antiquity m the leruice of the 
 church. Now whereas you lay that hereby they aredri- 
 Men to frr allow do'.rne the deadly poifon of their foules , 1 can- 
 not better anfwere you then by the wordes of the Pro- 
 phet, 
 
2o8 71)3 Anfwer to 2). ^ifhops 
 
 I Eft, J. zo, phet , ' IVo vnto them that call (rood enilland euilloood. ef c. 
 It is not deadly poifon which we deliiier exprelly and on- 
 ly by the word of God, but that is deadly poilbn which 
 you haue drawcn from the fihhy lakes and puddles oi the 
 deuifeof man. Butyou ^^Wcageth^tk is ouergrcat/eueritie 
 totrejfemcn , eHenag<^tnfl htimnnenAtHre andccnditionx¥ith 
 patience to he jrf their orvn pyofejjlon and beleefe bothvntruly 
 jlaundered and mofi bitterly reutled attd ir<ueighcd agamjtk. 
 But is that an argumentfor you ift England vvhich is no ar- 
 gument forvs in Italy andSpaine :" isitan argument for 
 you with vs in the time of King lames, which was no argu- 
 ment forvs with you in the time of QueenelVjarie c" Was 
 it not againit humane nature and condition to prcHe vs to 
 here our profeHionandbelcefevntruely llandercdorelle 
 to lofe our liues , and is itagainft humane nature and 
 ■condition to prefleyou toiieareyourprofeiTionandbe- 
 leefeinueighedagainll, and for default to endure onely 
 a penaltie or your goods :* But your argument vnlelTe you 
 had better props for your profefi ion will not ferue your 
 turnc. Franticke men mutt not goe at lihertie, becaule it 
 offendeth them to bebounde. The maladies of children 
 mull not be neglected and let alone, becaufe it is gree- 
 uous to them to endure the cure. luftly are men to be for- 
 ced to heare the difcouerie of yourprofeihon, that they 
 may ynderllandthewickednelfeandabhomination ther- 
 of. And whereas you fay that the fame is vatruely jlw.jide-- 
 redbjourmimjlcrs, you lay vntrueiy therein. "For there is 
 not one Miniiteramongil: vs, who in his fermons doth fo 
 throughly lay foorth the viiianie and wickednefl'e of your 
 profeliionasintructh ihecaufc and matter rhereofdoth 
 require. You giue vs inllancc oflbme of your greeuances 
 that we call fir bleffc.'' oAHionrs lodj in the Sacrament an ah- 
 hominable ldoll% but we call not the body of Chrirt an ab- 
 hominablejdollj v.ccalhhatau abhominableidol which 
 you fallly terine rheboJie oi Chnft , and vnder that pre- 
 tence falldowne before it and worfuip it, and call it your 
 
 Lord. 
 
EpMc to the l\iH^, 2 o^ 
 
 Lord and God. Wefayas the ApofHchnth tat'ghtvs.and 
 anriqiTitichathrcceiiicdiliatrhcSacramennsinrulftance 
 bread, and oncly - m nam: and po)rcr and ttfur ^ Acertatns 
 m.xnrcr ts ticeoHKtcdthe body of Chrtfl ^ » y.ot the very Lod:e. '•••'^'"'Ui : 
 Utawjperieofhubody, thoughluch a myftcrie as doth full%fiec- 
 
 trucly exhibirc the body ofChriftrobc/pirirup.lIy rccci. 'i-f-if'.if.f.^i. 
 
 v./odot a pecceof bicad, and vndcrthenameol tlic bo- >mr.T;ia.bm. 
 dieot Chrift , let vp amdollin the church:" your lecond i'. 
 greeuance that wc call theglormu and immon ail Saints d?nd 
 r,i!ti, is anAvcred before. Yourrcnfclcireaddition is your 
 ownc exaggeration: u-c vfe no other ternics of dead Sjints 
 then occalioiirequireth to challenge due honour to the 
 immortall God. i heir images indeed which you worHiip 
 in their Heed, we iultly call lenfeleilc blockcs , and highly 
 condcmneyourdupiditicandfcnlelerncne \n doing Reli- 
 gious duetieandferuicevnto them. Againe, you are oF- 
 tcndcdthat ^tcxWChrtfies vtcar and Vicegerent on earth 
 Antichrifl. Indeed we call the Pope Antichrift , and doe 
 affirme him thcrforc fo to be, becaufe he hath taken vpon 
 him to be Chrirtes vicar and vicegerent vpon earth, and 
 hccrein doth your lingular impudencieand obltinacieap- 
 pearc , that you will giue him that title which neuer anie 
 prophet or Apoftle, neuer any auncientFather,orCoun- 
 cell, or Itorie either in name or in nature, either in worde 
 or in meaning hath attributed vnto him. Wc haue heard 
 before how Eleutheriui b'Hiop of Rome, acknowledged 
 the title of Gods vicegerent to be the title of theprince^and 
 therefore he condemneth you of dilloialtie that will tranf- 
 ferrethc iull title of your prince to an vniuftly vfurping 
 foneinc Pried. But that the Pope is AntichrilUuen that 
 great Antichrift that was ^orefpoken of by Saint Paul and y^^''''''^' 
 S. lohn , I haue vndertakcnio defend. The ' booke is cZfJT 
 abroadjletyouand me ioine vpon that iiluc} vntill yoa Tomifc^c, 
 
 Ec dilprooue 
 
1 1 o The Anfwer to V, 'Biflmiis 
 
 ci'proouc our proofes , you muft giue vs leauc ftill to fay 
 that the Popeis Ant!chrift, and that ycuinferuing him 
 doc make your lelucs vallals and llaues to the man of fin. 
 For that matter I fay content your feU'e that we call a 
 I'pade a fpade: all the water in Tiber will noi wafh the 
 Pope From thatblot, as afterwards ai(b fliail in feme part 
 appcerc in cxaminingthe entrance ofyour boci.e. Laltlie, 
 you are grieued that we call euerie Cnthclicke an idoUtcr, 
 and indeed we call your Catacatholickes idolaters, we call 
 cuericPapirt an idolater, and that luftlyvpon good war- 
 ir tut de rant .For it ' confecratiort ofmaget be /dolatricwhaz is euery 
 idolouL Papill but an idolater that confecrateth images and vfeth 
 them confecrated to worfliip them C* What is he but an 
 »^/4 44 19. idolater thatboweth to the "^ jiocheof a /;-f(?, and ' wot' 
 n Cdf.x.'}.. fnf^eth the worke of his owne handcs , which hU owns fingers 
 •P/4/.! I J. hAticTnudc, whereofit is truely faid , " Thn haae cies And 
 5 •^- fee r.ot , eares kwe they and heare not, Sec C Thus the Scrip- 
 
 ture defcribeth idolatrie : this euery Papift doth_,and ther- 
 forc euery Papift doth that which the Scripture pro- 
 nounceth to be idolatrie. And why doth this fo much 
 r Grr^Jct^d. trouble you , M. Bifliop , feeing ^ Gregoriede Va'entia 
 l"*<tde^id^'l-' ^''^^b' confedethj that you all commit idolatry.and there- 
 lltru.<a 7. fore muft nccelVarily be holden to be iddaters ; onely by a 
 newpar.idoxehewillperfwadc vs that all idolatrie is noc 
 forbiddenby thewordof God. But your fhame is appa- 
 rent in this matter, and lieth open to ail eies that will not 
 refufetofce. This is one of thofegroiTe abhominations 
 wherein he that cannot or wil not take knowledge of your 
 apoliafie, flieweth himfclfeeithertobea veryblinde or a 
 very wilfull man , and no rcafonis there thatyou (hould 
 hope that his ?»4aieftie will ilifier his rubic6ls freely to^*- 
 thn6 '''■ UdbijoHto dumheidoli todoe therx fermct ^ and by 
 them to goc a \rho.oring from ihetrue God. •■- -^ ' : 
 
 Yet you pleadc further for hnoux in ih^tjouh former 
 AouhtfrAl times mere in n?£nner the only men that defended and 
 madt kno\ren to the rvorld hM Maiejiies Title andifiterefi to the 
 
 Crorsfie 
 
 'i.Or.12.1, 
 
Epljlle to the ^fig' 2. 1 1 
 
 Crovsrne of England. Which it you fpcakc ofyour ftlfc yon 
 haue your anfwere before. If you exrtnd it generally to 
 Recufants you know well enough that you fay vntruelic. 
 For thcRecufants generally were lb lelijited as that you 
 leculars were brought almoft to Icape at a crulljand great- 
 ly dillrefled for want of necellarie fuccour and rclieie. 
 And which way the Icfuites looked it is kncwen well 
 enough , and hath beenefuff ciently djfcoMeredborh by 
 you and by themfelucs. And therefore if the Rccufaut 
 Papiltcshadhad their will,alcfuitcd Queene,notaProtc- 
 Ihnc King, mull haue had the wearing of the crowne. 
 How willing yon were to receiue his Maielty appeared by 
 the attendance that foj many ofyougaue bimadiiscom- 
 ming in, riding dilguifed that you might not beknowen, 
 which to what purpofeit was foone after was (eene by your 
 companions Watfon and Gierke, whom oncly to name is 
 luincientforanrwcrtothefc Crocodiles tr Ares , wherewith 
 you feeketo gainefauour at his Maiefties hands by falfelie 
 pretending loyaltie and loue vnto him. But much more 
 (hall the remembrance ofyour lately intended milchiefe 
 giue full aiTurance to his Maiellie that there is no fidelitic, 
 nothing buttrcacheric and villanie to be found amongll 
 you. You would, you (zy^hnue bceve Mreao.y toh^ue ajjifted 
 his Alaiejly, if need had required , <u Any [on offuhieth tn tht 
 land. Butblefled be God that his Maielly had no need of 
 any of your adillance. Bellarmine hath difcouercd it for a 
 principleofyours' thAt-yoHottyhnct totolemtea mijhelee- ,g ii^„„jf 
 ntrtg king,{\^ch as you take his iVlaiefty to bc,& therefore if r^m. Vomtif, 
 he had relied vpon your alTiftance either he mull haue lA.^.taf.-j, 
 daunced after your pipe or elfe haue leaped without the 
 crownt. It was not his Maicilies righr that you refpe6lcd s 
 it was onely the fcruing ofyour owneturne. You fay thac 
 yeu haue not fifice fjfcnded his Matefijf in 4ny thin^ j b'utthat 
 is not true. You and your fcllowes offend his Maiefly day- 
 ly in the highell degree in fcckingto inueglcbis rubie(^s 
 and to draw them to the admiring and admitting of a for- 
 
 E e 2 ren 
 
2 1 1 The Jnfmr to VSijhofs 
 
 rcii ii:rirtli6lion and they otiend his xMaiellie inlikcfoit 
 inbciugcoHieac to be iniieighled and ledi'.ccd by you. ft 
 may he obiccied , fay you , that they doe not conformc thtm^ 
 fellies, to aflct.'ite Lirv m^ds agM/tfl their religton ; bu t we ob- 
 ject ch-Jt they deny true Icruice to God and conformity to 
 
 ^^itt'uji.tf.^o, ^'= lavvcs : to which ' Pi iiices arc on Godsbehalfe by laws 
 andlbtutts tocompell them. Yet heercby you qualific 
 their offence »» psrdon,ibU for th.tt then- reltgion towards 
 God, net any contempt ofthcir UrrfAll fuperiotir doih command 
 than from the conformity . As if all lewes, and Turkes, and 
 Pagans and hererickss could not plead that exception for 
 theaifllucsas well as you. When Conllantine by his e- 
 cichandllatuteididfctvp Chnlh true religion and did 
 driucall other religions into corners as you faide before, 
 
 ^jiii^.t^ i^%, decreeing very fharply "^ againfi the facrifices ef Pagans vpon 
 pAine of death , againll wilfull hcretickes and fchilmatickcs 
 vpoH confifcat^on of their goods , had it beene a fu flF cient de- 
 fence for refra6tarie pcrlonsto lay that their religion to- 
 wards God, not any contempt of their lawfullfuperiour 
 did command them from conformity to his lawes t* If it 
 were no anlwcr then , wc mull likewile conceiue now that 
 it is a contempt of their Prince that the regard of his lawe« 
 doth not draw them duely to examine the religion which 
 they profefle that they may fee the filchincffe and abhomi- 
 nation thereof and how iullly ic is to be deielled and ab- 
 hor, ed. For ic is their vfuaii manner to vndertake that re- 
 ligion hand ouer headland fcarfe is there one ofathonfind 
 amongft them that is able to giue any reafon why he belee- 
 ucth lb rather then cthcrwife. Which flialbe your iull 
 condemnation with God^M.Billiop, that doc condcmne 
 
 , f^pj j3 ^l, men for being ' blinde- obedient in a caufe againll you, and 
 
 ;*/wj/iy#p»;oi'j^. doe tench them to he blindc-obedierd to you in a caufca- 
 gainll God. But you alleadge further for their excuferi??**/ 
 they be no inaentors or followers ofnotidties but only hold on and 
 perfenere tn the faith of their forefathers. And that could the 
 Pagans and heathens alleadge for themfelues alio, thac 
 
 they 
 
Bpi?{lv to the Kjn^. 2 1 J 
 
 they wcrenoinucntours or followers of nouelties,bi)t that 
 their fathers and forefathers for hundreds and thoufands 
 ofyeercshad continued thefamefuperltirions. So maya- 
 duhercrsand whoorcmongers , drunkards, thceues and 
 other malefa6f ors excufe themfelues that they are not the 
 firll inuentoijrs ofthole linncs, but that their fathers and 
 forcfathci s were the fame, and that thcfe behauiours hauc 
 bcencaccullomed fince the world began. But fompulfi- 
 on of lawes mull driue them to come whciethcy may be 
 taught, that whereas without queftion many of them fay ^ 
 With themfelues as did the Donatilles , " Jt is true indeed ^ '*^"^ •'^'•' * 
 that joH fay ^yve cannot teltvphutto anfiver , but it r< hard for vs 
 toleaue the tradition of onr fathers, they may be (haken from 
 that hcauie drowlinelVe that holdcth them and may Icarne 
 togiuegloryvnto God and fay with the Gentiles, '' furely "^'^ i^. '?• 
 our father thtwe inherited Ites and vavatj wherein there u no 
 prop : and may hearc God faying vnto his people : ^ fVr./l^ f F.x^ch. i«. 
 yemt in the ordinances of yonr fathers , neither obferue their *^' 
 munners, nor defile ptirfelues with their Idols : lam the Lord 
 yottrGod'y walkeyein my flat tit es and i^epe my itid^ements 
 snd doe them ; andagajne calling them out of Babylon, 
 " Goe out of her, my people, that ye he not partakers in htr^ns, 'y/^'. i8. 4. 
 andth^ftye receiue not ofherplagnes. But where you fay that 
 the things which they followare nonoHelttes, you fay vn- 
 truely. For your IcILjs Pfaher and Ladies Pfalter which 
 commonly you put into their hands whatarethey but no- 
 ueliiesc'your Agnus deies, your hallowed beads & grails, 
 your pardons, yourdifpenlations, your reconciling to the 
 biHiop of Rome, your babies and puppets, and other fuch 
 like witcheries & forceiies what are they but nouelties f let 
 vs fccthepraftifeof any of this trumpery in the ancient 
 church.But indeed there is no Oiadow therof:ihcy are new 
 deuifcs of Antichrirt,& the bajis of his fpirituall fornicati- 
 ons toinchaunt and intoxicate limpleand vnlbble foules. 
 You go forward and tell vs that amongll the mofl daetif/dl 
 there is none but offendeth ngmft one flatutt or other, yet only 
 
 £03 Catholtckes 
 
L 14 Tl^e Ahfwer to D. 'Bijhops 
 
 CathoUck^sarefoythe tr.in^greffiytgofonehulJjeledftndhMd- 
 ledxithoHgh theyrverejome hAtnoHirchtlUs and traitonrf. Ah 
 tender chickens how you are hufpeled and handled ! how 
 would you complaine, Itiow, it we pra6^i(ed that which 
 • Aftc. 1%. 6. God hathfaid vnco vs, ' Rcwitrdher euenMJhee hath re- 
 WiirdedjoK , andgiHchcrdonblc according to her ttorkfs, a»d 
 in the cup rvhichjljee hath filled toy oh , fi/iher the double ? But 
 Other lawcs and lUtutcsare looked vntoas thecaulere- 
 quireth and tranfgrellours receiue due punirtiment ac- 
 cording todefert : butlawes for religion as they are of 
 higher nature and greater con{equence,foniould more 
 rtraightly ^cfeucrely be put in execution for challenging 
 due honour vmo God , and for the welfare andfafcty of 
 the publicke Hate. Where indeed the default is that 
 lawcs are not To throughly and effe6lually purfued againil 
 you as caufeisthey (houldbe. For howfoeuer you cleerc 
 the matter with as though they were fame ha'mow rebels and 
 traitours, the very truth is that in making men Papiftcs 
 you make them either a6tually traitours-, or if not a- 
 £tually becaufe they know not yet the fecret of your oc- 
 cupation , yet/« Potentia proxima to be wrought vpon for 
 •» Decretal. ^^V traiterous executions^ For the fundamentall points 
 Grez.de tr4Pp. ofyout reLgion are meerly trcafon,thatthe Popcis" Godt 
 eptfe.c4.Quan. -vicegerent ^^^» earth, and therefore fuperiour to your 
 '"• Prince ; that it is.in the ' Popes power to depole his iMa- 
 
 'ettl'^XreiHh'- ieftieanddepriue himof hiscrowne : that he may ** ab- 
 (at4. cap. M lolue his fubie6ls from their oth ofallegeancc to him; that 
 ^po^oiicx.Bul- ^athis commaundement they are to take armes againll 
 ta Tij f. cont. hj^i j that ' Gatholjckes ought not to tolerate a misbelee- 
 miT^beth. Tt~ uingKing , as they accounteueric one that beleeueth not 
 '^V>»i. with them : that ' where their religion is in hazard , no 
 
 *2;n^rnije faith Oi fidelity 13 to be performed. Which pofitions 
 i{ojrt.v»ntif.U of yours doe very well delerue that all fcuerity of lawes 
 ^.e^f.7- fhould be vfed to preieruc his Maicfties fubie6ls from be- 
 fnHenric Z ^"8 •"f'^^^ed with the vcnime and poifon thereof. And I 
 doubt not but that his Maierty doth now very well fee and 
 
 ^onceii^^ 
 
Bpifile to the I(jf{^, L 1 5 
 
 concJeiuethatit is very neccflary thac by due ex'fe<rut!on 
 thereof your wicked enterpriles be more ftrongly crofleJ 
 and hindered then hitherto ihey banc bcene. You com- 
 mend your Rccufants Vi^ejleemed by them that line nee'rt 
 tkem the rmfl ordcrljfubieUs. What < and none lb ordcr^* 
 ly as they < We fee the prouerbe to be true : 
 
 ^Imfquis Amat rafiam , ranAm fhtat efje DianofH : 
 H'hoioHesthefro^mfihhyii'ike 
 He thtukesthcfro^ Di<ina-hke. 
 
 You lc\[vst\\M they art a.i true of thetrrvords, ^fannd 
 ui th:ir deeds , of m great char it j andholpitalny towards their 
 Metghboiirs ^ and ccmp.tjfion ofthepoore 'y of m moderAfe and 
 ctHtlliCariage andbehuuiour m moflnun in their coHntrte. And 
 indeede it is true that many of them are fitter far vs then 
 they are for you , and we arelorrie that they canncr be 
 gotten to awake out of their (Iccpc and to wipe away that 
 needles d;fgrace which by their owne wilfulnefle doth 
 hang vpon them. But there are n)any moreofthennvho 
 arc fitter for you then they are for vs , men that had needc 
 to hue vnder a fliiiuinge and pardoning religion , being 
 ■ notorious for grodc and abfurdfinncs, whooremongers, 
 drunkafdes, fwcarers, full of bitingc and cruelty, of 
 fali'ehood and villanie , farrefrom any fuch commendati- 
 on as you giue them , and yet thcle forfootii are they who 
 in their ioylitic at their tables and vpon their alebenches 
 talkeof iuftificitionby workes , andofcommingtohea- 
 uen by meritts and crie out vpon the Proteftant do6^nnc 
 as opening a w<:yto licentious and euill life. We know 
 the.n , M.Bifliop, as well as you ; and we know there is 
 no caufeat allto giuechem any fuch commendation of 
 behauiour aboue other forts of men. Your conclufion is, 
 that lo begqer twdv/tdoe them ( at the execution of that laiv 
 ffhabliPjcd mafi r.cjdes doe the poorer fort of them ) iron Id be 
 little lejfe i heft to v/jdoe and defiroy all good order and difciplint 
 in I'c common-vreale. Where we fee you jpcake for a fee 
 and therefore ftickc not to (p«akc at large. ButyoHmuft 
 
 vndcribnd 
 
% 1 4 The Anjwer to T>. Sljhcp 
 
 vnderftand that the good order and difciplinc of the 
 common wcale might lland well enough without them. 
 Though they were, where their hearts are, vnder tlic 
 Popes protei^ion, yet we could haue good order and dii'* 
 cipline in our common-weale , and lo much the better by 
 how much the more it fhould be freed from being dilhir- 
 bedbythem. Asforbeggering&vndoing them, itis not 
 the law that doth it,but they begger & yndoathemftiucs 
 Ly their owne blind wilfulnes, in that they doe not lubie6l 
 themfeluestoihelawwhcn notwithihndingthey can gme 
 no good realbn why they fhould be againft the law. And if 
 they were bcggered and vndone as touching their bodily 
 goodsit were the better for the common-wealth and for 
 ihemfclues,becaufc thereby they (hould be freed fro fuch 
 copefmats as you arc who noulle them in their difobedi- 
 ence to God and to their princes law j who vfe your witts 
 to craue for them immunity of mul6^ and paiment to the 
 tjHg.ep.6i. Prince that they may haue their eftate free to beltow the 
 more hberallyvpon you : who like the* Donatiftes would 
 not haue them to loole their goods, and would haue 
 them at liberty to loofe Chrift : who would haue their wils 
 and tellaments made good by the lawcs of the realme,and 
 them fuffered to difanull the will and teftament of Chrift ; 
 who would haue prote6lion for them to enioy what they 
 huie, and would haue Chrift to haue no prote6}ion to 
 hold them whom he hath bought ; who would haue them 
 quietly to liue at theit owne home, and in the mcane time 
 ^^4u^.tp.^9. freely permitted to banifli Chrift. The execution of the 
 l^ntut^vTn ^^^ '^ iuftand godly, and by what arguments •• S. Auftin 
 W.i f.68.8 J. defended the like of old againft Pelagians and Donatifts 
 tmtiuUan.Vt- and Other hcretickes, by the fame doe we defend it as ne- 
 UgAti\y<a'\' ccfl'arie againft you. 
 
 33 W. Bishop. 
 
 Before Intake aft enJ, I l^efeech your Maiefiie , that the 
 old vpoorthjfajjingofdA^iSm may be diUgently examined: Cui 
 
 bonum c* 
 
Eftflk to the IQn^, 2 ij 
 
 bonnni ^ For whofe ccmmoditi: , to v:hat e^d Artd purpofe 
 mtijiftich numbers ofmofi cinil ftwieBs.befo grieuoMfly ntcie- 
 fled ? fVhat is the canjCyX^^hy pur peaceable (^ toy full gcttcrtt' 
 ment Jhould be Jo mtngledxrtthpich bitter flarmes ofpcrfectiti- 
 on? Is it to exti-figmpj the Cathohck^faiih? It Iteth not in TKans 
 power to fttpprejjr and deflroy that , rrhtch the v^lmi^htie fttp' 
 porteth and m.tintcineth. The garcs of hell llialj not pre- Matth.16, 
 uaile againrt the Catholicke Church. Jnd let but thofe 
 g^-HHc andrvtfe CounfaiUrs , (ivho haue mam-gcd thefiate tn 
 cur late Qjtecncs dates ) en for me your Alaifftie nh ether all 
 thefe terrible per fccuttons that then were mcfl vehemently pur- 
 fued, dtdanyrvhitat all, dimwifn the number of Rccujants: 
 or rather did not gre.it ly multiply andencreafe them , from one 
 at thefirfl to an hundred and moe in continuance. But it may be, 
 they entendby thofe penal! U\res, to emichjour Alaieflie , and 
 to fill your cojfers : Surely the receiis rrtll fall out much too 
 pjort , to grow to any fuch reckoning. Ard what delight to 
 enrichyour treafurie, andfluffe your coffers nith regrets y and 
 outcries of the ht^band^ rvtfe, children, n^idoiv es, and poore in- 
 fants, vchena^thebcfl and moflajfuredtreafurieofaking, u 
 (by the prudent eflecmed ) to confifl in the loue, and heartie af- 
 fect ton of his people ? Or are thefe penall latves, and forfaitures 
 ordained for retvards vnto fuch dependents , 04 for thefe cr 
 the like doe follovtyou ? Butthereuenues , preferments , and 
 offices, belonging to your crowne of Er.gUnd, are abundant" 
 ly able to content and reward them , that /hall defe rue rvell of 
 the common-veale ,vrithcut thatfo heauie aggrieuance ^ hart- 
 bleeding of others your A<Iaiefl its good fubieUes, Andyottr 
 Adaieflies highrrifedome, andlonq^ expsrxencetn gouernment^ 
 canbefl remember you, that fuch men are not fo mindefull of 
 benefits receiued, as the daily irant andmiferie, will centinual- 
 l] renue and reuiue the memone of the opprejfed. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 The end and purpofe of the Iaw,M. Bi(liop, is eafily 
 F f aniwercd 
 
*Matt.\6.iS. 
 
 2 iS Tloe Anfwer to D. 'Bi/Jjops 
 
 anrweredoutofyourownewordes. Icisof ciuillfubiefis 
 to make religious, that iiisWaicilie may haiieihcm his, 
 uotby halfes but wholly j not outwardly onelv by con- 
 ftreined and forced obedience, but inwardly for confci- 
 encelake 5 which thereisnohope toatteinefo long asftj- 
 curely they relhied in confciencetothe forreinciurifdi- 
 6lionofthePope, whoaccording to the pretie cmbleaie 
 that he hath beenewoontto fet vpon hismnmmerries, 
 fi/i da mihf cor tunm Q^ fujjicit, fonnegtue me thy heart t^nd it 
 fHJjiceth)2hQ\.\tQt\\./ebnijicJiantihM.j,\.o podelle the hart til 
 opportuniticferue that he may gaine the whole. But you 
 quertion the matter, Is it to extingufflj the C'ltho/icke fiinh? 
 No, no, M. BiOiop : it is to exringuidi your Cacolike and 
 countercatholicke fancies. Indeed it lieth not in mans po- 
 wer to dellroy the true Catholickefaichj thealmightic 
 fnpporteth and mainteineth it s * the gates of hell fhall not 
 freuaileagainfiit. YourPfeudocatholicke apoftafie fee- 
 nied indeed to haue gotten the mafterie of it, and to haue 
 fetyouvpakingdome foreuer; but when you thought 
 foreuer tohaueimprifoned the ArkeofGod, your Dagon 
 fell downe before it, and brake his necke : the Angell Ib- 
 dainly cried from hcauen 3 the lightning of the Goipell 
 
 M/of.iS.i. Ihining round about him, ^ It is fallen, tt u fallen, euenBa- 
 hjlon the great citie. The captiuitie of the church was dif- 
 fblued, the profeflours of Chrises Gofpell were multi- 
 plied from one to a rhouland, and from r. thoufand to ten 
 thcufartd , and from ten thoufand to whole nations and 
 peoples, fo againft all expe6^ation, as that lannesand 
 lambres and the reft of the Egyptian forceiers, haue been 
 
 <Biod 8 19 forced to lay m their hart?, ' // is the finger of God j the Lord 
 
 ta-j 14.25. ' fightethfor Ifrael agciinfi vs.^UQn as one of the Spanifh cap- 
 tiues could fay of the battell fought by fea at their attemp- 
 ted inuafion, that Chrift in all that battell fliewedhim> 
 
 ^jpccaZt. felfeaLutherane. Bytbismeanesthe ^tvhoore of Babylon 
 that laied to herfelfe, I fit hke a ^ueene, and am no rviddorVy 
 
 Uap.17.16. andpmllfeemmom-mng, isbecomeeuen ' defokteandna- 
 
 kfd 
 
Einflle to the J^Jtg. iip 
 
 hd in comparifon of that dice uns , and her defolations 
 (lial' 'TOW more and moretill he iha hath begun ' xoci,n- ^i.Thjf.i.i. 
 fumXrwithth: breath of his momh, daeabcl-fl^ hey vnerij 
 r*tth the brf^hi^fP of h,s commtr.g. Flatter not youHelfe, 
 M.Biniopt^ nlith^y th.it forfak: the Lord /ha// pff^h; the ^Vf-^^-Jh^^' 
 Lord will dcilr^ydl them that commit forKicatton^ga-.njl him. 
 But you wi(h his Maicllie to be mformed by thofe 
 crane andmje Comicclonrsirho mAn.qedihePtewoitr late 
 C)Hcenes d^.ies^vheihcra!ltho/e terrible perfectinonst^oM then 
 77rcmofl vehcmemljpnrpieddid anyn-hit at all di^hrfj the 
 mmberofreaifants, or rather d^d not greatly WHluptj wd 
 increafe them from one at the frfl to ^ hmJ.red .wd more 
 in cominmncc. O terrible per [ecutiom and moll vehement- 
 ly purlued , and yet by your " owncconFel'.ionnotaman y^^^tf^^ 
 ofvou put to death but for cauleoftrcalon againll the Quoi\t\>tu 
 Qiieeneand thellate. Which confellion the prouidence 
 of God and his hand wrought from you by a bone call 
 betwixt the lefuires and you tor the electing and iuftifymg 
 of the proceedings of the ilatc, taking no courfe in meere 
 cafe ofreligionbut thntwhichS. Aullin acknowledgeth 
 to be ' th:obfc7m>ig ofChnflianlcmty ayidmeckenejfe , not ,. ^^„..,^.jo. 
 toptmiOirecufantsby deaihbutbji pecuniary midland by 
 reftraint or bannt(hment ofthcmbywhom others were hard- 
 ned in that courfe. We would haue thought the fame to 
 beChrilban lemtieandgentlenelfein thenmeofQiiecne 
 Marie when nothing buthfeand bloud would giue con- 
 tentment, and thiswretched hypocrite hauing (old his 
 tongue and his confciencetothePopeis not afhamed to 
 c^iliUcrnbleperfeciirion. And yet in the execution of the 
 law they that paied the muia , fofarreenioicdihe benefit 
 and liberty ot the fta^e as that they thriued in the payment 
 of it, and could hnde enough bcHdcs to gii^e harbour aiid 
 entertainment to nighf-walking traitours that were ft.H 
 plottine both ag.linll the poacH.onofthe Qi'^enethat 
 then was, andthcfuccellionofhis Maielbethatnowis, 
 which no Prince without admirable patience could euer 
 
 F f 2 haue 
 
110 Tl:e Anfwcr to T), "Bijhops 
 
 baue endured. Many of them by waies and wiles dipt 
 themfeluesoutof the collar, and paid nothing at all , and 
 being winked atjdid euen deride the remiflc and iauoura- 
 ble proceedings of the realme,in that they could make the 
 lawes like fpiders webs to take no hold of them. Many of 
 them vfed their liberty altogether , and found no checke 
 or controiement oflawatall. Yea and you that were in 
 durance liued at your harts eafc 5 youwerefat and frtfli 
 andfaire, your triday-nights drinkings were better then 
 the Sunday dinners of many better men then you are : 
 there was too free accede and refort to you ; you could 
 quertion one another for fhrewd and fufpicious behaui- 
 ours : you could twit one another with gallantieand bra- 
 uerie of apparell : you had harts to contend one with ano- 
 ther like tigers and beares , and yet like the filthy full-gor- 
 ged friaryou crie out? Ecct ms qua^tta patimur pro Chnfio ; 
 fee howTve areperfecutedfor Chrtftsfake. Ah vnthankefull 
 caytifcs that thus abufe the goodnes of Princes to the euil! 
 oftheir rubie6ts, and whilelt they permit fafety and quiet- 
 nefle to you, doe labour night and day to procure ruinc 
 and ouerthrow to them. And yet thofe honourable Coun- 
 fellours of whom you Ipeake can well enforme his Maiefty 
 thatthat mild execution that then was,did procure much 
 fecurity and eftablifliment to the ttate, and recalled excee- 
 ding many whom your treacherous allurements had alie- 
 natedand inueighled another way. They found the hu- 
 mours and conditions of men to bee the fame that S. Au- 
 ftin of old noted in the Donatiftcs,and that their procee- 
 dings wrought the fame effects which hetheacknowledg- 
 ^Ml.tf.\%. ed concerning them. ^ SoTnerverewilliMg,(2iV^\^Qitoccmf 
 to the vmty of the Catholuke church, hcwg moouedby mun'ifeji 
 truth, andyet fearing the o^ence of their friends dtdpat tt o^ 
 from day to day. Some were hound not by truth but by a hard 
 knot of obdurate cp*fiome , in whom the fajingof Godveoifidfl- 
 ied, iy4 bad feruant will not be amended with wordes : though 
 he doe vnderjiand,yet will he not obey. Many thought that part 
 
EplFUe to the ^>f?* 211 
 
 to be the true church, becanfe carclefnejje mAde them flow and 
 flugcnjlj to take knovr ledge of the C^tholicke truth. Alar.y were 
 kept out by thefulfe rHmours dtid tales oj lying men , who told 
 them that we at the Lords 'table did vfe fome JlroKge dealings 
 which tvePiOH'd not doe. Af any thought itrvM no matter fo 
 that they were Chriflians on whatflde they were , andthere- 
 fore continuedJHch becaufe they had bcenefo borne and no man 
 forced them to doe othervetfe. Now the terrottr ofUwes, in the 
 fubltjhwg whereof princes ferue the Lord,hath done this good, 
 that fame fay , We were willing to thu before y btitthankesbe 
 to God that hath giuenvs occaf on infant ly to doe tt ^ and hath 
 CHtoff' all occafons of delay. Others fay , Wcknow thU to bt 
 true before , but we were holdcn I l^ow not how to that where- 
 to we had bee fie long accuftomed , nowthank^s be to God who 
 hath broken our former bondesand hath tranjlated vs to the 
 bond ef peace. Others fay, IVe did not k^ow that the truth was 
 on this part , neither did we care to learne the fame ^ butfeare 
 made vs regardfull to k^ow it whilcfl we doubted leafi wee 
 fhouldfuflein lejfe of our goods temporal and be no whit the nee~ 
 rer to things et email : Thankes be to God who by thejpurreof 
 feare hath drtuen a^vay our negleU: , that in care wejhohldfeeke 
 that which bein^fecure we would neuer regard to know. Others 
 fay , We were byfalfe rumours terrified and made afraid to 
 come to church, which we had not kriowen tobefalje hut by 
 our camming thither , and had not come thither , v» lejfe wee 
 had beene compelled thereunto. Thankes be to Godwho by the 
 fcourge hath taken away our feare , and hath taught vtbyex" 
 periencewhat vaine andfalfe tales lying fame hath reported of 
 his chtir ch . Others fay, We thought tt skilled not on what part 
 we profejfed the faith of Chrijl , but thankes be to God who 
 hath gathered vsfromfchifme , and hathpiewed vs that it is 
 aqreeing to one God that wefhouldinvnity worjhip him. Thefe 
 good cffefts were wrought by thofemilde proceedings 
 that were vfed in the daiesof Queene Elizabeth ,when 
 things (landing as they did i-: was mamcll that any good at 
 allfhould becife6^ed thereby. For you wereiliil buz- 
 
 Ff 3 zing 
 
122. Tl)e Anfwer to T>, Strops 
 
 Jntomens earesthe alteration ofihe ftate, and by your 
 pbrs and deuices your confederates expected it from 
 day to day, and thereupon by your promifes hoped for 
 preferment (Sd countenance in that new monarchic, euery 
 manatleaftacalfewithawhitcface, if they fhould conti- 
 nue conftant and ftedfalt on your part. This was in their 
 heads vpon euery feuerall treafon 5 very rtrongly at the 
 - Spanifli inuafion 5 but vndoubtediy refolued of whenfo- 
 
 ' cuer the Queenes day /hould come. By thistraiterous 
 
 baite you gained veric many, and encifed many to go be- 
 yond the leas, who in hope of a golden haruell doubted 
 not to endure fome fmall winter ilormes. But now that 
 this hope, thanks beto God, is taken away ,we doubt not 
 but one feuen yeeres praciife and execution of his Maie- 
 fties lawes will turne your trade a beggings and make you 
 
 •PAy9.14.1J ^ ^tinne like dogges^aMdrunneheere and there for meate , and 
 ^udgeiftbeyhenotfatujfied-. We doubt notbura number 
 ofthcm will in fhort time curfe and deteft your trecheric 
 and villanie J who by your finiltei- and falfe talcs haue 
 frighted them from dooing that whereto rcadilie they 
 would haue ycelded otherwile. 
 
 You goe forward faying that it way be that they Intey.dby 
 thofe penall /arves to inrich ht-s Maiefly and to fill his cofers. 
 But you are an vnfit man to make confl:ru6lion of their 
 doinns, and if that were the thing that his Maieftie re- 
 fpe(^ed , he would take with your recufants a quicker and 
 
 »r.Cor.iz.T4. rouudcr ^ouffe. ButhisMaieily " feeketh not theirs but 
 
 ^iiguli.ep.<io. th^n-j ^ jin^j if ,s ^eii knowen how hardly his Highnefle 
 hath beene drawen tovfe any proceeding at allagainft 
 them, defirousby patience and mildenelTe to win them; 
 and findingthat they abufe his patience to fortific them- 
 felucsagainfthim, both his Maieftie and his moft ho- 
 nourable Counfcllydoe beare the minde thatboth the 
 godly Emperours and Princes, and theirfairhfall officers 
 togiiher with the godly Bifhops and Paftours of the 
 churchpdid beare in the execution oftheir Imperial lawes, 
 
 °fVhofoe(4er 
 
EpiHk to the IQng, ii j 
 
 ■ fVhofoeuer hy occ^Jicrtof this Un' "nhichthe Princf feruing "^«'^.«/'.48. 
 Chrifi doth pubiifli for therejoxining of your impctie, doth co- 
 uctouflydeflre anygoodsofjoms^vceltk^ htm Kct. JVhofoer^er by 
 occafion oft his lawpttrfaethyopt, Kot if} loue to amendyou, but in 
 hatredto frailifc enmitte ^gainfi yofi, weiik^himmt. There 
 will be more contciKmenc taken in their conformitie and 
 due obedience, then in all the riches and treafurcs that can 
 redound to his AJaitrtie by their contumacie and refi- 
 ftance. As (or fluffing his M>itel}ies cofers ivith ff greets and 
 outcries of the hnfband^ ^tfc, children^ nvid-orees and poor e in' 
 fants, it is an amplification of your witte, without any ex- 
 ample : they finde meanes commonly to prouide better 
 foithemfelues, then to haue any occafion toweepe for 
 that matter. If by careful execution they were brought to 
 that hazard, wcfhould find better order with them then 
 now we doe. Neither fhould they for their weeping blame 
 the lawcs , but themfelucs, that vpon felfcwill and do- 
 macke doe crolle the lawes. And better it is that they 
 fliouldwcepe, then that other fliould be forced toweepe 
 by them :better that they be beggered & vndone,then that 
 by their impunity any danger fliould grow to the com- 
 mon ilate :good that fome endure extremity that others 
 therebymay be brought " toconflderofthe matter and fm- oAugufijUd. 
 ding that there u no canfe rrhy they fliouId forbeare the 
 church to endnrefo great lojfe , may tvithoht dijfcdlty retime 
 to our church againe. In a word let them weepe tor lode 
 ofgoods by iuft execution of law who without ltibie6^ion 
 to the law haue no reafon to enioy the fame. You fay that 
 the befl andmofi affr-fred treaftsry of a King doth conffi'mthe 
 loHeandhartyajfeltion of his people. Which indeed is true, 
 and therefore doth his Maiertie iulHy pun.fli them who 
 dointhemfelues and labour in others alio to defeatehim 
 of that treafure ; this lore of his people being fuch as haue 
 beftowcd their loue and hartyaffe6^ion othcrwife then to 
 him , neither can he prefumethereofjas he well knoweth, 
 lo long as by mif-confcicnce ol: religion they f'and ib 
 
 detpely 
 
224 T7;i? Anfwer to T>. 'Btjhops 
 
 dcepely obliped to another Lord . Who as he hath their 
 har:s, fofliouUhaue their purl'ts and goodesalfb, ifop- 
 portuniry did rcrue,\vhich therefore moll iullly and right- 
 fully (houldbc pr-occupated and intercepted tobetter 
 vfc. Fiiriher very malapertly and faucily you demand, /^rr 
 thefepenMl /awes and forfeitures ordetnsd for rewards vnto fuch 
 d'-fendsnts as for the fe or the like do follow yoti ? lanfwer you 
 •againe that thefe penalllawes and forfeitures are made to 
 the fame end to which Conftantine made his law as was 
 f yiitgtiji.ep. beforefaid, that ^ the goods of wilfullheretickesrefufing 
 ^ tocome to the vnitie of the church ftiould be confifcatc to 
 
 q rpifi. 50. the common Treafury, and to which '^ Thcodofius made 
 a law that euery hereticall prieft or bifhop wherefoeuer he 
 'deeemUhrif werc found ftiould forfeit ' tenponnds. I anfwer further 
 durimulSla- ^y jj^^ vvords of S. Aollin, that/ it Is not to he encjuired who 
 ' hil hane the goods ofheretickes , bttt-who abide in thefoctetj of the 
 
 yarrA/i///. For as heretickes doe iiiftlielofe their goods, fo 
 whofoeuer haue them byafiignment of law or donation 
 of their Prince , thev iulUy haue them if they continue in 
 the focicty of the church, becaufeashefaith, therighteotu 
 do receiue the jpoiles of the vngodlj^andthe riches of the wicked 
 are laidvp for the tuft. Tobefliortfuch penalties aid for- 
 feitures together with othersare returned to the Exche- 
 quer of the Prince , thence at his Maiefties good plea- 
 lure iuftlie to be difpofed, as for other occafions and af- 
 faires of his Realmeand Princely ftate , fo when occafi- 
 on requireth for reward to them who by loyall and 
 dutifull feruice dclerue the fame. As for your other 
 wordes oiheauy aagreettance and hart-bleeding ^n^want 
 and miferie, if there were occafion thereof, you were to rc- 
 f£/4.t8. i^. member that which the fcripturc faith, ' ^jfliEiion giueth 
 ymlr.ytrf. vnderfianding, but " eafefaieth the vnwife and the pro(perJtie 
 •Prow. 1.3*. offoolesdefiroieth them. And as touching vnthankfulnelTe 
 and not minding of benefits receiued,his Maiefty cannot 
 exp,e6^ the like at the hands of any as of you , whom nei- 
 ther confcience of oathes nor of benefits receiued can fb 
 
 felt 
 
Efijlle to the ^ng, 21^ 
 
 faft tie vnto him but that you are at any time to be vnticd 
 by the difpenfation and authority of the Pope. 
 
 54. W. Bishop. 
 
 ^»ii when they ftyall fee no hope of remedy , thejlate being 
 now fetledyat2d(tccntinttallpofterity like to enfne of one nature 
 and condi(to;j : Godk»(nveth what that fire eable v.eAponofne- 
 cejjitie mAy confraine and drwe men vnte at length, 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 In this pcriodeM.Bifhop thought to flievvhimfelfet 
 politicks wile man,3nd contraiie to his cxpe6lation all his 
 fellowes condcmnehim for afoole. They had but one 
 rpeciallfccretamongH: them and he hath plaied the part of 
 Tom Tell- troth toreucileit. What, M.Bin)op,areyou 
 fuch ablabbe thatyc cannot keepcyour owne and your 
 fellowes counfellj but mull needes out withallc* And had 
 ye no other body to whom to difcouer it,if ye muft needcs 
 fodoe, but thus bluntly to blunder it ro the kingc :* But 
 yet be of good cheere, man; let not this diicomfort you 
 too much : fatisfie your fiicndes and allure them vpon our 
 worde that we knew yourmindebcfore. Weknewyou 
 were no chaungclings, but what ye haiic beenc, the fame 
 ye continue rtill, treacherous, faifchearced , faiihles, 
 waiting but for time nnd opportunitie, if power would 
 ferue , to compell his Maieltie to your order. Theflate 
 nowfcilfd, you fay , ^nda contmuallpoflerity hke to cnft^eof 
 one nattire a:id rondkion. O this is it that greeueih youj 
 this is ir that maketh you to gnaw your tongues for anger, 
 and to fare I;kemcn at their wits end that know not what 
 way to take. The vnlctledncilc of the (late made you be- 
 fore to hope for a day. The ynfetlednerteoftheliatcwas 
 th: common trap wherein you catched mcntoihedcuo- 
 tionofthcPopc. What a trouble is it now to you to crie 
 outjOJpcjfalUces : Ofalfe and vainc hope ? And now that 
 
 G g there 
 
zzji The A}ifmer to 2). P^jhops 
 
 thi^fj^ii^-y^ hope of remedy G&dkHoiveth, you fay j what that 
 forcible weapQn ofnecejfity may canfiraine anidr'me men vnto 
 At length. Falfc traitour , bafe fugitiue , doclt thou take 
 vpan thee to threaten thy Prince < What c" of a prea- 
 ching Priefthaue we now a Herald at arrnes if he cannot 
 perJwadc his religion, to denounce war c'ls this the Ca- 
 tholicjke reh'gion that you commend to vsi' Did Peter & 
 Paul dealcin that fort to tell princes that if they would not 
 giuethem way, God k»oweth what that forcibhrreapon of 
 neceffiiy rn'ght cojlreine & drme men vnto at ler}gth?V^2iS this 
 the language or ftile of the firfl churchfBut what do'I aske 
 you of Peter & Paul, or of the firft chucrch c' God knowes 
 they arcftrangcrs to you and you to them : you loueto 
 taike of them, but little do ye care to be guided by them. 
 *Tertul^po-'J\iQ firft church could fay to their perfecu tours : ^ If we 
 loget, tap. j7. jygf,/^ deale with you not byfecret rspienge but by open enmitie, ~ 
 ♦ doe wewiim thereto either number or flrength ? iVeareforrei^ 
 
 ners to you, andyetwe hatte filed allpUcei of jours, your ci- 
 ties ^ ilmds , caftles , boroughs^ meeting places , your tents, 
 tribes , bands , paLces , yourfenate and court. What warre 
 reeve we not ft for^ though vneqaallm power, whofo wiHinglie 
 yeeld ourfehtes to be f line , but that with vs more tolerable it is 
 to bekilied thentoktil. And Co S.Aurtin fpeaketh thereof 
 ^Jti^^uft.Je ci- that '' the city of Chrifi albeit tt had troupes of mighty peoples^ 
 ttit . Deiy lib .11. yet dtd notfghtfor tcmpontll life, but for the obteining ofetrr- 
 '^^ ^' nallltfe it did not refft. Their fighting for life woi nothing elfe 
 
 but for their Sauioursfike todefptjelfe. Thus they were 
 ableto relcuethemfclues and their reh'gion , yetnoforci- 
 hie weapon ofneceffitie could moue them to rebell and to 
 takearmes againll them by whom they were opprellbd, 
 and this was then thought to be the proper condition of 
 the. faith of Chrill. Where we are to note the lingular 
 impudcncie and impiety of the traitourfather Icluite, 
 trjtBam. de - who feing the example of the firllChriftianstobecontia- 
 l{ovi.ift.Vc-nt. rie to their pra6lifenow, colourably mentioneth it and by 
 lib. -i.cip. 7. roeeie faliehood feeketh to avoidc and fliift it ofi: ' That 
 . . Chrijlians, 
 
Ep'tUle to the I\ing, i2'^ 
 
 Chriftims , faith he, of old depofednot Nero and Dior'MipA 
 andltdiAn the^fojlatac.nd Valensthe Ar'h*n andjtith lil'^; 
 the CiWfeWM for t kat they nrMed ffmperfi.li power , avilifthey 
 h^d had povrer they rvouldhaae dorie it \ direcily contrary to 
 that which they themfelucs tdhfie of themleliieSjthac they 
 had power fufHcient, buchelditvnlawfuiltorcbell. And 
 thus here the young Crab gocth accordino to the gate of 
 the old Crab and tcileth his' Maieftie that if they can gee 
 ftrcngth ihcy will perforce winne that that his Maiellie by 
 intrearievvili notyeeld, and biddeth himineffeft looke 
 for the prad^ife of their rule, that ^ if Prmes gee nbottt to 
 turne aivaj the people from thetr RomiJ^jfakh, by dl their con- a ing^ 
 fer.ts they may and ought to be deprined of their dominions. 
 Which as he bid him looke for then , (o to (hew that hee 
 fpake no otherwifc then he and his fellowes meant, they 
 hauefince pra6^iled accordingly, plotting, and deuifing 
 not to trouble themfclues much, but at once and by a ve- 
 rie fliortcourfetoblowvpand difparch both Prince and 
 progeny ,<ScNobles,and Birhops,& ludges, & Knights^d^ 
 BurgedcSjand a whole court of ParIiamenr,together with 
 all officers ,and fuitcrs, and feruants to other courts. Oac-' 
 curfedvillaincs, woorthie whole names fhouldbeengra- 
 uen in bralTe, that all pofteritie might take notice of them 
 and for euer abhorre to vfe them, euen as the name of lu- 
 dasthetraitour ! nay rather woorthie to be buried in per- 
 petuall obliuion and filence , that it may not be noted as 
 theinfamieof this age to haue brought foorth itjch mi- 
 fcreantSjfuch mcnfters,fuch diuels,fuch an vnnaturall pe- 
 ftilenceof their countrey ! what tearmes fhould I yfe to 
 expred'e the vnconceiueable wickedneffe of this vipers 
 broodfWas this the eftedf of your cor^ljltatioat Do way 
 vpon thenewesof the proceedings of his Maiclties firll 
 Parliamentc' What were you all fo fully poiTefled with the 
 diuell,a3 that he fhould preuaile to draw you to lb dam- 
 nable a pra6life, to the pcrpetuall ruine of your natiue 
 countrey c* Of thofe fcuen which were fpecially cholen to { 
 
 G g 2 deuifc ^. 
 
tt% Tl)e yinfwer to V. 'Bifhops 
 
 deuife the meancs of your reucnge was tl:ere not ohe 
 in whom was remaining any fparke of nature or grace to 
 detelt fo barbarous and vnnaturall enterprifec' And was 
 this the courfe that Chriftians of old toofce when the 
 edi6ls of Emperours were fent foorth agai nft them,to lay 
 their heads togither to deuife which way to be reucngcd i 
 They laide, Armanojlrafum preces c;^ lackrymtt : Our \rea- 
 pofjs are praters and teares :hiKyoaha.ue altered their ftile, 
 and fay, O ^r weapons are fire and gUTipovrder. They iaidcto 
 *TertHl.^po. their periccutours,* Onenightwiiha little fire r:onld firue 
 '**'*■' ^'*' 57- ^s lay gel) to he reuenged , if with vs it were tatrfull to requite 
 euillwith euill : but God forbid that Gods ycIki^iok fliould bee 
 mainteined with the fire of men, or that itfhould griene tofuf^ 
 fer thatwherby triad u made ofit.^myou fay. fire or J word, 
 or whatfoeiier, let vs vfe any meanes to be reuenged : we 
 ate of the Roman religion, letvsnotfpareany treafonor 
 villanie, orcrueltietomainteineit. O if the Proteftanrs 
 hadvfedany fuchpra6lifeinFraunce, in Spaine or anie 
 where clfc, what hideous noifcs and exclamations would 
 the(e men haue raifed thereupon :' how would they haue 
 traduced our religion, and laboured to make it hatc- 
 full to all the world c* howe would they haue bent their 
 force with all extremitie,vtterly to extirpate not onely the 
 perfons guilrie, but all that had carried the name of that 
 profeffion:' And yet forfooth they are Catholickesj they 
 are ofthe onely auncient and true religion. Ah wretched 
 milcreants , who (o firre depart from all the example and 
 pra6life of all antiquitie , and yet goe about to peifwadc 
 men that they kecpc the onely auncient rteps , and teach 
 nothing bur whatthe Chriftian church of old hath taught! 
 But their pofirions and pra6^iies in this behalfe doc fliewe 
 their religion to be of the diuell , and not of God. They 
 giue all honelf and ingenuous hearts occafion to detell 
 them, and that religion that is the mother andnourfe of 
 J. fuchdiuelli(h deuiles. This hath beene their courfe thefe 
 
 %. fortie yeeres, and i^lbeit their plottings haue beene fo 
 
 0?iraculoully 
 
Epijlle to the F^n^. itp 
 
 TT.iraculoudy difcoucrcd and presented from time to 
 timCj as that they hnue iuit caule to fay with the forcerers 
 oiEoypt* jfts tiYji.igtrr of Goi^thAtv/oThcihagamdvsiyet * Tjeoi. 8. ij, 
 as the diucil howi'ociicr he be defeated of his purpofes, & 
 fee himlelfe vnable to preiiaile, yet by an infinitie of ma- 
 lice, rtill bendeth himlelfc againll God 5 fo thefc accurfcd 
 wretches will by no meanes rcale from their malicious 
 and dcfperate villainies , and doe giue the ftate iull oc- 
 cafion to vfe all txtremitie for the rooting out of fuch 
 (piritiiall mailers as drawe his Maiellies Iubic6^s to be 
 partakers of fuchdefignmenrs. And in this malice they 
 boile rtiil *, they fare eucn as the Beare that is robbed 
 of herwhclpes , they breath out thrcarningsand (laugh- 
 ter both of Prince and fubieds. But their threates we 
 doubt not fliall be as ' thcblaft of afiormeag^Ainfi afione •£/*.: j.4, 
 wally and ftiall come to nought as hitherto they haue done. 
 God will catchc thefe foxes in their owne wiles and fmite 
 the chaw bones of thefe raging lions and turnethe mif- 
 chiefc that they intend vpon their owne pate. Ovi6^ori- 
 ous and triumphant Quccne Elizabeth the mirrour of 
 Princely magnanimiry &courage,who waft ncuer moued 
 therewith to tread one ftep out of the way j whom nei- 
 ther the curfes of Balaam , nor the power of Balak, nor 
 any confpiracies and pia6lifes of this vipers broode, 
 this baftard-Catholikc generation could cuer ouercom to 
 giue the leall way to their idolatries and abhominations / 
 O noble kinge laiiies the iiift inheritour of her crowne and 
 true fucccdonrof her fortitude and Princely vertucs,who 
 for the obteining of a glorious kingdomecouldeft ncuer 
 be wonne toyceld thy felfetobeinrangled in their fnares, 
 butrcfting thy affiance ^ in that Godrrho alwaksfapioareth ' (^ettnhiKor 
 thfrij7^ht,aud in the loialty and fidelity of an ingenuous and '^"e.^^'l'l'. a. 
 noble people haftdcfpilcd the fawning and pick-thanke ^'**^'" ^''' 
 offers andincroachings of chofeland-Sirenes andtroden 
 vnder foote all dread and fcare of their intended oppofiti- 
 ons , to giue glory to the Lord chy God and to keepe thy 
 
 Gg 3 faith. 
 
2 31 o Tl?e Anfwer to ©. 'Bijhops 
 
 faith entire and vnfpotted before hin?. The Lord thy God 
 fhalbe with thee , and our hands with our hearts are lift vp 
 for thee to the God of heaiien that he will make good the 
 worke that he hathbegnnnein thee to Itablifh the throne 
 of thy kingdome in thy hands in righteoufnefle and truth ; 
 and to this end to blelTc that noble llemme ofPrincelie 
 grace, and to hide the fame as an arrow ofchoife in the 
 quiuer of his proteftion that the almond-tree in the death 
 of the ftocke may ftill liue and floorifh in the branch vniill 
 the day of the Lord lefus Chrift. As for thefe murmuring 
 and repining Efauites which long faid in their hearts con- 
 
 eC«». Z7. 41. cerningvs, ^ The dates ofmournmgfor Queene Elizabeth 
 Tevtllcome (hortly ^andthenjljall we haue the kl^^ivg arid murthe- 
 ringofthem, and cannotyet finde timctodifgorgcthem- 
 felues of that malice , let them fait thebitternefle of their 
 ownegallj let [them imagine dcuiles and not performe 
 them till their eies be confumed in their heades. Let their 
 roote be rottennelTe and their bud as duft, and let the 
 weapon of their neceflitie be gorged in their owne bow- 
 els, whileft they intend and plot euill againft the Anoin- 
 
 *>Pfal.Bp. za. ted of the Lord. ^ Let thy hand , O Lord, hold himfafi^ 
 and let thine armefirengthen him , that the enemy may not be 
 able to doe him violence , and that the fonne of rvickednejfe 
 
 ' Vfa, 20. 9 . may net hnrt him. ' Sane Lord and heare vt, O kjng ofhea- 
 HeHy whenrve callvponthee , 
 
 3 J. W. Bishop. 
 
 If then there be no greater reafon ofroaight and momente 
 why ftich datifHil and well\defermng Subte^s , fhould beefo 
 grecHoHJly affiiSledfor their confcience. Let others conceiue 
 at they pjallpleafe , / will ne Her fuffer myfelfe to beperfvaded, 
 thatyofir Afaiefiie rvi/leuer permit tt, before [fee it done : If it 
 be further obiehed, rvhyjhould not your Maieftie afxvellpunifh 
 Catholickesinyourhingdomes, as Catholiches doe Proteflants 
 in fame other Countries : I anfwer, that m all Countries where 
 
 mnltitudet 
 
r E[)i/lle to the Kjng, 2 j i 
 
 multitudes of both forts are mixed , at it is in England : The 
 Protcfiardsare trlcrMed, iU in Friwce, Pc Ionia, Bohcmta, the 
 CdthcUckeJlates ofCeymi>ny , and Car.toanes , according to 
 th.'it ofthi Gofj'e!l,SiiflcT both tlie wheat & cockle to grow Matth. 13. 
 vntill hariieft. InSp^iine, andlt,i/ie, wherefcarfeanj Prote- 
 fiantsbe^thecafeii i.thcrmfe. Bsitvohat is that to England? 
 PVherc are very many Catholickj recf^fants^ and Catholikely 
 ajfeUcdtn enery degree^ not otJj of the Tcmporahie, bttt m the 
 Clcrgie alfo , hardly of the hi^hefl degrees of hcnorir to be ex- 
 cepted : therefore for their number and qualitie to bee tolera- 
 ted. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 His moft excellent MaJefly may wel conceiue by your 
 verylaltwordes before that you are tarre off from being 
 dpttiefull andfvcll deferningfibie^s , and therefore iuftly ta- 
 keth courfe to bring you, if it may be, to that that you in 
 effc6lconfelTe, you fliould be , which you can neuerbefo 
 long as mif-periiialion of religion doth hinder true confci- 
 enceofyour duty towards him. But you know well that 
 your petition is liable to iuft exception, for that in Italic 
 and Spaine it is thought intolerable that Proteltants 
 (hould be permitted any vfe or cxercife ot their religion, 
 and therefore the like fijould be conceiued of Papirtes a- 
 mongftvs. Towhichyour diftin6tion ofmanyorfewgi- 
 uethnofufFicientanrwcr. For if toleration of conirarie re- 
 ligions be a matter of piety , it holdeth as well for few as 
 formany : and ifthe words of our Sauiour Chrift ^ fnffer ^Matt.i^.io. 
 both the wheat ^mdthe cockle togrow together tillhartiefl be to 
 be vnderilood thereof as you would make vs belecuc,thcy 
 murt giueruleas well for fmall numbers as for great mul- 
 titudes 5 and your Pope and other Princes euen by your 
 owneruledo violate Chrills commandcment in that To 
 furioudy they bend thcmfelues aga inrt the Protedants \n 
 their dominions vtterlyto extirpate and roote them out. 
 But they doe that which they doc in debarring the Prote- 
 
 ft^ints 
 
2 J 1. Tl^e Anfwer to D, ^IJhoj^s 
 
 ftants do£lrine vpon a principle which indeede is true,and 
 though mifapplied by them againftvSjyetiuftly and right- 
 ly by his Maicity to be returned againft you. For lookc 
 what rch'gionis the truth, that alone and only is to be lee 
 vp : but what is vntrue and falfe, that is wholly to be fup- 
 
 f>reired. It is neither charitie nor piety to giue way to ido- 
 atrie and falle worfhip, becaufe it is the dilhonor of God, 
 andthepoifon of the foules of rr.en. Now they thinke 
 thattheirsis the onely true religion, and therefore they 
 determine thai; our religion is not to bee endured. His 
 Maieftieaduredly knoweth that their religion is vntrue, 
 and that the faith which is taught amongil vs, is the oncly 
 truth of God , becaufe God himfelfe hath taught the 
 fame, and by euidence of his owne wordes approoued 
 it 5 snd therefore rightly concludeth that your fuperfti- 
 tious and falfe woifli^ps are by all meanes to be aban- 
 doned. So Conlfantine did adnance one only true religi- 
 on, not your new Romifli deuiles but the ancient Romane 
 faith , and as you before faide chafed all other religions 
 into corntrs. Sith therefore you propound to his Maiefty 
 to follow the example of Conft antine you mulf be contec 
 that hefet vp that only true religion which Conftantine 
 did , the auncient Roman religion which S.Paul tnaghc 
 in his epirtleto the Romans, and therefore chafe as all o- 
 ther fo namely your new Romifh religion into corners. 
 And herein he followeth the ftcppes of tho(e godly kings 
 ofludah, Dauid, Afa, lehoihaphat, Ezt;chias, lofias 
 and the like w ho are (pecially recommended in holy fcrip- 
 ture , who vpheld one only true worOiip of God, and ad- 
 mitted no toleration ofllrange religions ^ infomuchthac 
 *i.e6ro.t5.i6. '' jAfadfpofeti Maachah his mother fr or'. ')r.-regencie, becaufe 
 Jhee hadmade her an idollin agrotte, and h^ike downs her idoll 
 and (lamped tt vnderhafcete av.dbtrrnt it , vfingall n^eanes 
 to (hew his deteftation of fuch corruption. H;i Maieftie 
 wellknoweih how ieuerely Cod by his law did i'orbid the 
 tolerating of any were they neucr fo necre or ncuer Co 
 
 deere 
 
EpiRlc to the B\in^, i j j 
 
 deere that fhould ' fecretlj entice or openly dr<m arrajf from c Dfut. 13.1?. 
 the true feiuice of God to the falle woiHiip ofitrange I^ 
 gods. The man or woman that did it was to be "^ ftoned ''^'"■' 9. Jo. 
 to death : the city that admitted any inch entifements was 
 ' vtterhe to be deltroied, the inhabitants and their cattell * '»'"'• ^^ ^^• 
 were to be ll line with the Iword , the fpoileoftheciiy to 
 be biirnr in the firj , the honles thereof to be made a heap 
 and neuer to be built againe. How then (honid his Ivlaic- 
 fty beare with your ' fG»»esi>fBe/iii/,your fcminarie prielb ' t?''. 13* 
 and lelbites that they fhould feduce his fubiects and with- 
 draw them to the woiiliip of your new deuiicd gods, your 
 altar-god Afuoz,im ; your cruciHxe-god , your god- iaints, 
 your Capitolian god of Rome, your image-gods of gold 
 and filucr and wood and itonc, which indeed you call not 
 gods but yet make them gods by giuiugvnto them the 
 woiihipthat belongeth onely vnto God. If by cccafion 
 -of that law ^ Ifrael were fo italous for the fcttingvpofa ^ '<!/«♦ ". ". 
 ftrange altar belide the altar of the Lord, and with great '^* 
 jndi[^narion gathered themfelues to warrc againil their 
 bretnrenihatictitvp, though pacified when they heard 
 thctruen-icaningofit , howHiouldhis Maieftie buteuen 
 in zeale ofthe honour ot God andfortheauoiding ol his 
 fearefall wrath prohibite a religion fo wholly rtrange to 
 that which God by his Prophets and Apollles in the law 
 and in tlie gofpell hath commanded vs '^ And if no tolera- 
 tion betobe approouedofwhooredome, drunkennelic, 
 witchcraft, inchauntment, how (hould there be a tolerati- 
 on ofthisfpirituall'' whooredomeanddrunkeneiiejtbefe ''^poc.ij.t. 
 fpirituallwithcrafts andlorceriesofthe whooreof Baby- _ 
 Ion to whom God hath threatned to ' ^^h^e the cup of the * ^'*^ ^^- ^9* 
 vri'tie ofthefirfrcemr of his nr.ith? As for the place which you 
 alleadgc oithe cockjegronh^ ntth the wheat\\i hath his true 
 vnderitandingofgoodand bad growing together in the 
 kin^dome ofheauenyihzi is in the piofelTion of t; ue rehgion: 
 it gmeth no warrant to tolerate any falle. Now I need nor 
 ftand to difputethis matter in policy that the toleration of 
 
 H h Popery 
 
Popery tendeth to the empeachir.ent of his Maiellies im- 
 periall crowneand dignitie, it hauing beene before (hewed 
 that the fuiidamcntall grounds thereof are meerely traite- 
 rous, and dofi]bie6i:his Maieftictobeatthc deuotion 
 and difpofition of another head. Surely in thofe kiug- 
 domea and countries where you, M. Bilhop, tellvsthat 
 Proteftants arc tolerated , his IVlaielhc feeth as in a glaflb 
 that ifPopery grow to fufficientftrcngth for the managing 
 of itfelfe he muft either be content to loofe thecrowne or 
 yeeld to you to make fhipwracke of his faith. For howfo- 
 euer Proteftantes haue beene there tolerated becaule 
 for their number they knew not how to fupprefle them, 
 and in the tolerating of them they found nothing dange- 
 rous or preiudiciall but rather beneficial to their elbte,yec 
 the Princes themfelues muft haue no part in this tolerati- 
 on nor can without rcfiftance and rebellion of the Popifli 
 fa6lion enioy their crowns and dignities whatfoeuer right 
 ortitle they haue, vnlefl'e they renounce their religion if 
 they be Proteftants,and become vaflals and feruants to the 
 Pope. The late example whereof in the kingdome of 
 Francemaybeafufhcient caueat to his Maieftie to take 
 order againll the growth and increafeofyour part that by 
 toleration ofyou the like danger grow not to himfelfe or 
 to anyofhispofteritie after him. As for your number hi- 
 therto it is not fo great, thankes be to God,as thai his Ma- 
 iefty hath any caufe to feare it , or for it to purchafe vnto 
 himfelfe that certaine danger which of toleration of your 
 Popery ineuitablyenfueth.-it is more in your account then 
 it isin truth, & that thatis isgreater in tale thain ftrength: 
 and a number haue growen Recufancs either vpon falfe 
 hopeSjOr of curiofity and nouelty and becaufe they would 
 feemefome-bodie by being fingular and different from o- 
 thermen,whom the fmart of a rod will eafily reclaime and 
 caule them to returnc to the church againe. Whereas you 
 alleadgeyour CatboUcl^lj ajfeSied in euerie decree mt of the 
 Temforaltj only butdfo of the Clergie , hardljthehighejide' 
 
 grefs 
 
Eptjlle to the IQng. 2^5 
 
 j^rees of honour to be excepted^ we fee you arc willing to 
 grace your felfe though it be but \rjth a lie : you wouldc 
 fainc haue their company that detell to haueany of yours: 
 itisbutoneofyouraccuftomed prejumptions, and you 
 yonr felfe haue no confidence of that you fay. 
 
 16. W. B 1 SHOP. 
 
 Lajlljitif there ivere no other canfe, hit the inntimernble 
 benefits which euery degree and order of men throughout Eng- 
 land, haue, and do daily receiue fromourmofl Catholicke Aun- 
 cefiory: yis theconjiituting of fomarty helfome /awes 'j foun- 
 ding of fo many honourayie, andrich rewards of learnina, as 
 Bijhoprtckcs, Cathedral! Churches, Deanertes, j^rch-deaccn- 
 hes, Rffidencies jPrebendes, and Benefices : the ereBtng, and 
 building, of fo goodly Schoeles, Col/edges , and Hojpita/s, and 
 endorsing of them u>tthfo ample pojfeffions, which all proceeded 
 out of the bowels of the true wifedome, pietie, andvertue of their 
 Catholicke religion: Is not thtts much more then a fujfcient 
 motiuewhythetr heiresinfaith, fljouldbemofi benignly ^ and 
 Uuirtgly dealt mth? and not for the prof efjlon of the fame 
 Religion, fo feuerelj af[ltfi-ed? Let the Proteflants in thofe 
 countries , where they are mofi molefied, appear e andjhevf, 
 that their predeceffors in beleefe , haue beene fo beneficiall vn^ 
 to thepubltke weale : And I dare undertake , that forthetr 
 eyfunceflors fake , they /ha/l finde much more fauour , then 
 we fue for. Wherefore they can haue no iufl caufe , to repine 
 at your Maieflies goodneffe , if vpon men of that Keligioit, 
 which hath beene fo beneficiall vntoyour whole Realme , yon 
 take extraordinary compaffion. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 This argument ofyours, M. BiHiop, is common to 
 others as well as you , and cannot aduantage you but ic 
 mull by likereafon aduantage them. God brought his 
 
 Hh 3 people 
 
^^6 Tl?c Anfwer to D, 'BiJl?ops 
 
 people oflfraelinto the land of Canaan, and there gaue 
 • Dmi.^.io.i I- thcin ■" ^^rcat and goodly cittes which they htiilded not : hotffei 
 fn II of all manner of goods which they fided not 5 and rrcff dtgqcd 
 trhichfhej digged y.ot ] vineyards and oltue trees wh.ch they 
 plantednot, and ye: gane them charge to dell:; oy thofe na- 
 tions and to giiic no roleration oF rheir abhominations, 
 from whole hands [hele benefits did redound vnto them. 
 Chriih'an religion hath receiiied much benefit &iiength 
 from fecular and prophane arts and learning, which hea- 
 then men haucpol (lied and ritred to our vie. Inrefpecl 
 bjia^ufl.de whereof, thegodly fathers of the Church ^ hauemuch 
 dofl.chrip.il . recommended the knowledge of thole (Indies, as verie 
 Birti'arr': ai ^u^ileable to prepare a man to the feruice of the church, 
 adolef(t»t(s ' which lulian the Apodata well perceiuing, gaue fooiih 
 (Sre. anediclthat ' Chnlliansfhould be barred from the vie 
 
 Ori^en-inExoi QfPoet.ie, and Rhctcricke , andLogicke, and other arts 
 l°^'^\ in of Phllolophie ; ''for out of o^irl^'^okes, iAidhe, tkr/l/orrovf 
 lib. 7. cai?. 10. rveapoKsw'jcreby theypgbt againjt our je hies. And yet it is 
 ^rhiodoret. HOC any fufhcient reafon to tolerate beaihcnifii fuperiliri- 
 hiji.Ub./^.ca.S. qj-,3^ becaufe they were heathens from whom thele hclpes 
 of]earni;-ig haue delcended vnto vs. So haueChnrtiaii 
 flates receiucd from the heathen Romanes their crnll 
 /^rrfj^and therefore what ihoui'd, M. Bidiopgaineat our 
 hands it ir were confeiled , that at the hands of their Aun- 
 ceilourswe haue receiuedthc confl-itmion of many vchole- 
 yii/WcfAniw.But indeed they were none of your Annceltors, 
 M. Bilhop, from whom wee haue receiued our auncienc 
 lawes. For our auncient lawes make the Prince Gods 
 /■-^if^^<?rf;^//in thiskingdomc, as hathbecne before laide. 
 Our auncient lawes and cuftomes of this realmedifanul- 
 led the enchroaching authoritie of the bilhop of Rome, 
 •Mj/f/i.Pdyi/. for refilling of which lawes ' Thomas Becket was holden 
 inHenr.i, £qj. atraitour in the time of king Henry the fecond, and 
 had it beenc by courle of law was lullly for that caufe 
 put to death. I haue alio before declared what dilte- 
 rence there is betwixt the religion of old profefied^vn- 
 
Efiftk to thel\vig» 237 
 
 der the protcclioi-'. of ihe lawes of this realmc , and the 
 
 rcligi->a rhac is nowvrged by you , fothat the founders' 
 
 of thofe iawesarenottobcncconnted ofyouikinde. Of 
 
 Bilhoprickes and ArchbiQiopnckcs Imav anrwere as of 
 
 lawes 1 haue done. For when religion firll was publickly 
 
 jcceuicd and eftabliriicd in this land in the time of king 
 
 Lucius it found hecre of heathen inftiturion eight and ^ ^^^..^ 
 
 twentie ' flimh:ef and three Archtjlumines. 1 he places of ^^^^^^ ^* ^^^_ 
 
 the /Z^wrwj the king turned tofo-many biflioprickes ; ihe^/^„,/_ 
 
 places of the Arch)jl.>:?'r^csio (o many Archbiflioprickesj'^ 
 
 the one at London tranllated afterward toCanterburie; 
 
 the other at Yorkc ; the third at Caerleon in Wales, 
 
 where leuen of thole bifiicprickts wuh this Archbiflio- 
 
 prickc were remaining at the comming of Auftin the 
 
 monkeintothiskuid., whereofmenrion was made before. ^ .^^^^ 
 
 Here were ^^ Temples alfo builded for thcworfiiip of 
 
 Paymm Gods, of which he made cWf/^r/ for the feru ice 
 
 of icfusChrili Neither can it be doubted but that there 
 
 were here Ichoolcsand places of learning and rewardes 
 
 thereof, inafmuch as wc Hnde that there were here learned 
 
 men the " DrHy:lcsAn(\ ' Er^vyjcs^QZ the managing of ^ ""/'"A'/''- 
 
 _ .11 » /- t -J Uript.of Bti~ 
 
 their Pagan law, which without (uch opportunities and '^^^^'^^ ^ 
 incouragements could notbe. To be fliorr, very little is it i ^^m^i, of 
 thatM.Bifhopcanallcage ofbenefites deriued to vs from i'hnStowi» 
 the profefibursof theirnow Romifli religion , which the ^""w*- 
 Pagans alio might notalleage to haue bcene before deri- 
 ued from thcm'ro the maintenance and vfc ol Chriiban 
 faith. Andifthat were no realon to tolerate thole impi- 
 eties to which thofe benefites were firft intended by the 
 Pagans, thenAi.Billiop mull firft lullifie his religion to 
 bc°he truth before he can iulHy require any toleration 
 of It orthofc commodities that wereailigncd to the vfe 
 thereof But that our biihoprickes and Archbifhoprickes, 
 our cathedrall churches and churchliuings & other bcne- 
 fires of learning in the.firitChrirtian vfe of them had no 
 intendment oUhe Romifti religion that no w is, but lerued 
 
 Hh 3 indeed 
 
2^8 Tl)e Anfwer to D. ^tffyops 
 
 indeed for the maintenance of the religion that is now 
 taught by vs , I haue before fufficiently declared , and 
 neede not here to repcate, neiiher would M.Bifhop haue 
 hcerefpoken thereof againe but that itleemeth his heart 
 was ftronglie potlelled with fome longing delire to haue 
 fome part in thele preferments. Which it you haue, M. 
 Bifhop, IwouIdwiHi you torcFormeyour opinions, to 
 embrace that truth which you are not able to oppugnej to 
 renounce all iurifdi6tion of forreine power , and to ac- 
 knowledge to your Princethatfoueraigntie which by the 
 word of God, bytheauncient lawesofthis realme, and 
 by examples ofauncientcmperours and princes, is iuftly 
 due vnto him, and you need not doubt but that his Ma- 
 ieftie will gracioufly regard in good and conuenient fort 
 to fatisfie your defire. As for your daring to vndertake thttt 
 the Protejiants in thofe countries where they are moji molefled, 
 (hall finde more fauoHT thenyofi fue for y if they can fhexv that 
 their predecejfours in beleefe haue beenefo beneficial to the pub^ 
 lickeweale , we hold it a feigned liberalitie fondly prefu- 
 med vpon other mens curtefie, and you a very fillie man 
 to vndertake fo great a matter. The cafe hath beenewith 
 othercountriesasithathbeene withvs j howfoeuer Po- 
 pcriehaue fincevfurpedand abufed all things, the aunci- 
 cn t cmploimcnt of thofe ccclefiaflicall benefits which you 
 ipeake of, was to the aduauncement of that religion which 
 was deliuercd by the Scriptures, and from thence taught 
 by the auncient paflours and%hers of the church , which 
 partly appcareth already, and in the examining of your 
 booke (hall appeare further to be the felfe-fame that the 
 church of England now profeffeth and mainteineth, not 
 that which you would vrge vpon vs by the pretended au- 
 thoritie ofthe church of Rome. 
 
 37. W. Bishop. 
 
 It lying thin tnyour Maiefiiesfree choife and eleUion^ 
 
 "whether 
 
EpiUletothelQng. i?9 
 
 whether yomvill enlarge and extend your Roy all fauonr , vnto 
 Anmfinite ymmberof yourmofi dHtifulUnda^e^tonate Sub-^ 
 ie^s, who are themofi vmvilling mthe n^orldto tra>ifgreffe 
 any one of your Ur^es, were they not thereunto compelled ty the 
 lar^ofGod: orelfevttcrlytoheggerandtovndoe, both them, 
 and theirs , for tlmr ccnfiant pro\effion of the Amcient Roman 
 faith. My confidence in thefiveet promdence of the Almightte 
 u , that he mllmercifully incline your Roy all heart , to choofe 
 rather to pardon , then to puniflf \ becaufe the way ofmercie, 
 confer teth better wtthyonr kjnde and tender nature : tttsof 
 better ajfurance to conttntdeyow peaceable ^profperom ratgne: 
 it Trill pptrchafe merde at Gods hands, according tohts owne 
 ;»r^w//?, BleHed be the merciful!, for they (hall obtaine 
 
 mcrcie. 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 
 The ground of your requeft of fauour is but petith 
 firwa;//, a begging of the point in queltion, or rather a 
 wilfull piefumption of the trueth of that which without 
 queftionisfalle. You fay you are compelled by the Uwe of 
 Cod to tranfgreffe your princes law , in refufing to Con- 
 forme your Velues to the religion commaunded thereby. 
 But where is that law of God 1 Shew vs in the old or new 
 Teftament any law or word of God that may giue your 
 Rccufants any Oicw of reafon why they (hould denie to 
 come to church. Who is there amongft them all that ei- 
 ther can or doth alleage out of the law of God anic 
 thing to that purpofe C No, no, you by your wiles are be- 
 come to them the law of God: you keepe from them the 
 *hy of knowledge: you concealefrom them the lawe of »i«f.ii.y». 
 God, and fright them from medling'.wiih the holy fcnp- 
 tures, and vpon the aduantage of their ignorance yo" en- 
 tangle them with your lewde and vngodly dcuiles, which 
 fallly and wickedly you entitle the law of God. It is the law 
 of Antichrift, the law of "^ the man of finne , thechilde of b ^xhtlf.i. 3 
 perdition, that keepeth them from affembling themfelues 
 
2 40 Tl?e Anfwer to T>, Sip?ops 
 
 with the church of God , that they may be partakers with 
 
 him of the fame deftruclion. And h you likev.ife delude 
 
 them as touching theprofeffion oftheauncient Romanefaithy 
 
 whereas in their protcliion there is nothing like to that 
 
 faith which theApollIe hath comprifed in his epiftle to 
 
 *G<jZ. j.ii. theRomans. Ahcayrifes , ahmifcreants ' ivf/^/i^foG'oi/ 
 
 jee wereenen cutojf that thus trouble the people of God, 
 
 "ip/d/, 14 8. ^^ath^ them vp/tk^ head bymakingyour com modi tie of 
 
 them ! The mercy thar fliould be ll^ewed to you is the 
 
 «i.K(«2. iS. Htme thatElias Ihevved to the ' Prieftsoi- Baal to cut you 
 
 40« off that you may no further encrea/e your finne by caufnig 
 
 the Lordes people to trelpafle againllhim. Asforthoie 
 
 that are thus feduced by you , his Ma:elf y doth intend vn- 
 
 '^ tothsm the mercy of God, though not that mercy that 
 
 you require, yet the mercy that Saint lude commsn- 
 
 fj«if. */)//?. ver.Jeth J ' to fcific them by terruur end fears pulling them by 
 
 "^l' force out of the fira. It is rightly and truely noted by 
 
 g ^i*"/*;?.*/'//?. Saint Aurtin that there is '" a cn^eltj fowetimes in (ha- 
 
 J4. r'wg , and a mercy fornet'tmes in ptirMpuir-.g . \i is a worke 
 
 of mercy which our Sauiour commaundeth in the Gof- 
 
 •• lwf.14.13. pell 5 *" Compell them to come in that my honfe may be piled. 
 
 ijiugu(i.«f.<iO' 'ifrne-.irveredvaellir.gin a houfe, faith Saint Aultin, r.'hich 
 
 rpe certainly ^erv rvoald pill , and they vceet/d not beleene vs 
 
 rvhen roefljoHldtell thcmpo, but wonld continue in the fame fitll, 
 
 ft) ere we not to be adiudgedcrptelland vncharitnble menifha- 
 
 uingit in our pcftverrve fjoMldforbeare topttllthcmoHt ? An-d 
 
 if being many fonte of therrj be hcadjhong mndTunlineeds deftroy 
 
 themfehies y it it not mercy yet to faue fome or any one oft hem? 
 
 This is the mercy that hisMaielty perforoieth to your 
 
 Recufants that feing them to confort ihenifelues with An- 
 
 tichrift and thereby to procuretheirownedelfruc^ion, he 
 
 may by violence draw them fromvnderthepawesofrhe 
 
 Lion , and if not all , yctfo many as to whom God (hall 
 
 blefle the meanesand endeauour that he fliall vfe for them, 
 
 '/"!/?. 0^' knowing '• th;:t medicine is not to be 7i?gl:'cled. though Jor/ie be 
 
 takfn mth apeflilence that i<s incurable. And in th is d oing 
 
 his 
 
EpiHlc to the i^Vg. 241 
 
 hisMaieftie may lockefor mercie, becanfe he flieweih rjjf^,^ ^ - 
 mercy, according to the words of Chrilt, ^ B/eJfcd h the 
 mercifHll,for theyflmllohte'me mercy ; whereas he fhoiild be » ^«.„« ,^in 
 accounted mercilclleand ciuellit '" he jhouldfu^erfranuke t^%, 
 ^mn to rumte hcadloMgand to dcfrroy themfelties. Let the me- 
 dicine be lliarpe , To that ic may workeaciire : let the law 
 beggar many wilfnllptrlons to the world, that fome at 
 lealtniay thereby Le enriched towards God. As for your 
 tern'.es aiduti full and affeliicnctfHbiecis, we hauc feene be- 
 fore that they arc wordes of hypocrifie and notruth , and 
 that (Dcn of your deuotion cannot pofiibly be duely af- 
 fc6led to their Prince. And whereas you vfe wordes of 
 better ajfurance to cohtitiue his Adaiefiies peaceable and profpe" 
 rom raigr.e, the tructh is, whatfoeuer you pretend , that if 
 his Maieftie be mercifull to y ou m that fort as you defire, 
 hcmuftfliew himfelfe cruelland mercilelle to himfclfe, 
 neithcrcan he cxpc6l a peaceable and profperous raigne, 
 if once you grow to that rtrength, that he may rcceiae a 
 checke from you. Let the adder freefc without doores: if 
 he be harboured and warmed at the fire, hewillllinghim 
 that hath entertained him, "and then it will be but a mat- 
 ter of flou te, ° dniflis inccndium quo nunc ardetis :jee haue » Liuj Detad, 
 feddethefireyourfelfe \ be content now to he burned tn it, 
 38. W. Bishop. 
 I neednot addcTvhat a ConfoUtion, andcornfonitwiUbey 
 to ntaryfcore thoufands of your fubiccls, aud thegreatefi obli- 
 gation that can be deuifed , tobindethemtoyoti, and yours for 
 euer: Now what appUfife, andcongratulationfromforrenCa- 
 thoUcke countries ^ wouldfollow this your famous Fail. Vn^ 
 doubt edly all the glorious companie of Kings and Queens (novif 
 inheauen) ofxvhomyou are Imeally defcended : and among all 
 the refi,namelte,yourmofi (acred and dear e Mother, that en- 
 duredfo much for her confluncie in the fame Catholtcke faith, 
 cannot but take it mof- kindly , iffir God aidtheir fakes , yon 
 take into your Princely proteWion their follgrpers in the Roman 
 faitht and defend them from oprrejfon. 
 
 li R.Abbot, 
 
t^Z The Anfwer to V, Sijhops 
 
 R. Abbot. 
 No (cores of thoufandsjM.Bifliop , to whom it will 
 be a comfort, but hundreds of thoufands to whom it will 
 be a difcomfort to fee harbour giuen to the vipers brood 
 to cate out the bowels of their ownemother. And as for 
 ohltgation to bindethem to his Aiaiefiie and his for ener , it is 
 euident by the principles that haue beene before laied 
 downe, that there is tjp obligation whereby hisIVlaieftie 
 may be fecure of them, nor any bond whereby they may 
 be (b tied to him, but that they arc alwaies to be readier 
 to another to whom they are tied with a farter bond. You 
 promife great applattfemdcongr^tHlation fam forraine Ca^ 
 tholicke countries, but his Maiertie findethfarre greater 
 comfort in the cleereneffe of his owne confciencc , en- 
 lirelie aduaunceing the trueferuiceof God , and in the 
 congratuIationsohhctruelyfaithfuU, both of his owne 
 fubie£ts within his dominions , and many Princes and 
 thoufands ofpcople in other countries ; whoarefarremo, 
 reioicmg to fee his Maiefties refolution and conltancie 
 in the truth, then there will be to take knowledge , as of a 
 fauour done to them by his Maiefties relenting and decli- 
 ning therefrom. Andof yourCatholicke princes it may 
 be there are fome,who would gratulate themfelucs if they 
 might attaine to that kingly foueraigntie which his Maie- 
 ftiebytruereligon dothcnioy, which becaufe they can- 
 not, they would be glad for companies fake to fee him en- 
 clinetoyour requeft, in hope to haue him brought to the 
 like feruitude and bondage as they are in. Which how- 
 foeuer it be to you afamomfad, yet in truth is fo infa- 
 mous and diflionourablc as that there is little caufe for 
 you to hope that his Maiefty fliould euer yeeld to the do- 
 ing of it. As for Kings and ^eenesin heanen taktMg ki»dlj 
 the doing e/that which you defire; his Maiefty will beleeuc 
 it when you (hew him warrant that they haue made you 
 the interpreter of their mind , or deliuered you any fuch 
 mellage to doe vnto him. Which if yon doe not,he know- 
 
 eth 
 
EpiHle to the Kjng. ' ^ 42 
 
 cthwell inough that thefearc but idle words ofyour to«^ 
 lifli Rhetoricke and far from any force to fcrue your turne. 
 But whereas you make mention of h is Maicfties mother j 
 if there were no other caufe yet the very remembrance of 
 hermight be fufficientto makehim dctcftyoualltothe 
 pitre ot hell ; by whole fediicemcntsand promiles, and 
 continaallprau^ifesandpronocations fticwasbroi^ghtro 
 thatwofulland vnprincelyfalljtuen as toyoUr villany was 
 tobee imputed the lollbofthebloud offo many nobles 
 and gentlemen that was (hed in thedaies of Qiiecnc Eli- 
 zabeth, of whom many (had th.ey been free from your en- 
 trapments) had lined good lubicclsvntill this day. Ihe 
 famemuftweiay of themwhofince his HighnclTecom- 
 mingto thecrowne, andTpecially oflate hauebeen.* in- 
 tangled in your nets :o the vtrer contr lion and onerrhrow 
 both ofrhcm and theirs. So that not oncly his Maielly 
 hath caule to hare you but alfo all they thathaue had any 
 inccrert in a-iy of that bloud, yea this whole (late which by 
 you hath bccue bcrcaucd offo many Ipcciall m.embers 
 
 that might haue done great feruice and helpc vnto it. 
 
 1 
 5p. W. Bishop. 
 
 Thus mojl htimhlie crAu'mg ^ at don of your Uij^hneffe , if J 
 haui- in any thing exceeded the limits of my bounden duty, I be- 
 feech our i>/ejfed Sat^iour to endueyou,hoth with the true know- 
 ledge of his dinine verity , andrvtth the jpirit of Fortitude , to 
 emhrace and defend it confiantly j or that at the leaJi,gratiouJly 
 to tolerate and permit it. 
 
 Your moll Excellent Maicfties , moil 
 ^ obedient, and loyallfubieft, and 
 feruant. fV. B. 
 
 R. Abb oT. 
 Indeed M. Bifhop iuft caufe there is that you (hould 
 askcpardon of his Maieftyfor exceeding the limits of 
 your bounden dutie^not for the length of your epiftle but 
 
 li 2 for 
 
Il?e Anfwsr to T),'BtJ]?ops 
 
 j^^^^c matter of it. IF vpon adiiercifemcnc and further 
 "exaiTiination oi that that you haue written you do nor aske 
 hisiMaierty pardon and uibmit your felfc to his mercy, 
 you fhew your fdfe to be a lewd and a naughty man. You 
 haue written to his Maieilie that which you are net able 
 toiuftifie ', or if you caniurtifieit, letitappeareandlwill 
 crane pardon of his Maieftyto ioine with you. Butte- 
 caufe you c.innot,and To indeed I auouch that you cannot, 
 therefore as touching your praier I anfwer you with Ter- 
 *r«r««/ Mi' tulhans words ; ""Efloreligiojm m Deum.qHt vi^silh^m Impe- 
 hret. cap. 3 4. ratori propitmm : Tom that wtllprajf to God for hit goodr.ejfe to- 
 yvards your Prince , bee flrfi your felfe truelj reltgiom tovcdrds 
 God.Qodi regardeth none of your praiers as now you pray: 
 your Prince can expeft no true praiers from you,becaule 
 you haue no true affeftion towards him. You haue fought 
 to delude his Maiefty with lies and falfliood, to perfwade 
 him that that is the dimne verity which indeed is your he- 
 refie. You haue alleadgcd no one thing wherein you haue 
 notplaied the cozener and either wrefted it to that to 
 which it was neuer meant, or concealed that that (hould 
 feruc to reftifie the meaning of it , and therefore haue not 
 (hewed your lelfe his mofl exctlhnt Mate flies moflloyallfub-^ 
 ieB as you vnderwrite your felfe. And how fhould his Ma- 
 icfty expe6l to haue you loyall and true to him , whom he 
 feeth thus vntrue and falfe to God. In a word you are one 
 ^jH^ufiJe of them whom Saint Auftin dcfcribeth '' nvho impudently 
 tiu. btif lib, z. refolue not to care what you fay, faue horofoener to contr-'irle that 
 that rvefay. God open your eies to fee your owne folly and 
 giue you an humble hart to yeeld to him. 
 
 Seme few faults efcaped I pray thee gentle 
 Reader to correU: thus. 
 
 Pdg.l t.l.ziMtJitdtion, read mediation, p. I4.I.17. Hew^r. Heere. p,<:Z. 
 t^o.afeeiionr.'afeflatian. p. 61. l.l6.0fKome, r.cf^gyptand 
 l^ome. 1. 17. put out and Jeiypt. p. 89. /.?. incrauing r, iicratting, 
 /).I04 L 10. faithfull r.fearefuU. p. 118. /. 19. r. CanonicaU difci- 
 pline. p,ibid.l.ll.r.conitfcendingtotheir. p. l^z.hl 4. /imtr.ftciM, 
 f. 184, /. z6, r. 9f their forgmng. f. lii. /. 1 S.j/r/j^, r. t}7atye. 
 
 ;-** 
 
 ta.j. 
 
•IP' - ■