¶ A brief Treatise against certain errors of the Romish Church. Very plainly, notably, and pleasantly confuting the same by Scriptures and ancient writers. Compiled by Gregory Scot 1570 Perused & lisenced according to the queens majesties Injunction. 1574. ¶ Imprinted at London by john Awdeley. ¶ The Printer to the Christian Reader. THough volumes great and learned works, Of famous men hereof be rife: Whereby both Papists, jews and Turks Have deadly wounds, for all their strife. And though these sects have not such life, In these our days, as late they had: Yet (gentle Reader) take in brief, This treatise 'gainst these errors bad. Which for the truth in plain discourse, And pleasant verse, by sense well tried, Of such as are learned and wise: I thought therefore not it to hide. But publish it, to daunt the pride, Of them that still will hold the same, 'Gainst God and truth, and therein bide, Regarding neither truth nor shame. But chiefly for the simple sort, This is set forth, in form most plain, In pleasant wise, and order short, That they may view with lesser pain, And in their mind the same contain, As for the learned though they know, These errors all, and them refrain, For others skill doth this allow. The Author to me as unknown, To thee good Reader I commend, This work out set, and now forth blown, Shall show forth that he did intend. Which was (I hope) some folk to mend, Who wander in these errors ill, Thy favour then to him extend, Accepting this as his good will. And praise thou God for this his light, Which in our days doth now so shine, Who opened hath the minds and sight, Of many learned, for profit thine. To God alone therefore resign, These praises due, and not to men, Yet in thy prayers have in mind, Their good estate, and thank God then. But chiefly pray thou for those states, By whose good means this light we joy, As namely Prince and Magistrates, Which keepeth us from all annoy. The Pastors eke, for them do pray, And frame thy life in virtues trace, In humble wise them love and obey, So shalt thou quit their laborious case. FINIS. ¶ A brief treatise against certain errors of the Romish Church. HOw is the faithful City changed, Esay. i. e from that it was before? Where righteousness sometime did sit, now bloodshed reigneth more. Rome once it had renowned praise, Roma. i e. for Truth therein did devil: A faithful City once it was, and others did excel. But now ungodliness doth reign, Mantua. in Roma. ex primo lib. Syluarum. where faith did then abound: Their wicked and most loathsome lives throughout the world doth sound. Rome is a cage of Birds unclean, Apoc. 18. a a sink of filthy sin: Few errors have the Church infect, that did not there begin. From thence they spread over the earth what place could once be found, Apoc. 18. a, 14. b That free was from infection? in Europe none was found. Where canker once hath taken root, it creepeth over all, Herein that wicked mother church we may to witness call. Which once declining from the truth, and from the perfect way, Hath ever since more errors bred, and further gone astray. Of these errors my purpose is, here briefly to entreat, But not of all, for that were much, the number is so great. I mean of such as you yourselves, by whom mayntaynd they be, Gala. iij. a Rom. xj. b Deu. 29. a Might soon perceive (so plain they are) if eyes you had to see. This serveth for the ignorant, whom you do most infect, The learned know your errors well, and have them all detect. Deu. xix. b 2. Cor. 13. a john. 8. b Three witnesses confirm a truth, yet more that witness bear, Thereby you are more guilty found, your errors more appear. The errors be so catholic, in your religion, That order there is none at all, but great confusion. Which is the cause that orderless, herein I do observe, Although to some it be offence, less blame it doth deserve. Therefore mine entry where to make, my mind is much in doubt, Such heaps of errors do I see, your Romish church throughout. ¶ Against Images and Idolatry. But worshipping of images, a gross and grievous sin, Because it is a custom old, with it I will begin. In things against the law of God if that you do offend, Then plead you custom commonly, your errors to defend. But yet such custom here you have, you may put in your plea. Why should it not take place? it is of such antiquity. Euseb. ecclesi hist. lib. 7. ca 14 Hieron. in jere. ca 10 Well-nigh for age it rotten is, your Idols show the same, The old heathen they used it long, from thence this custom came. But chiefly how they first began, Genes. 31. c and since have taken root, (Although yet some were long before) this briefly shall you note. Wisd. 14. b The Father mourning for the death of his beloved Son, An image to remember him he wild to make anon. In time, this custom so prevailed, incrreasing more and more, That rites and offerings were devised the Image to adore. And tyrants did by cruel law, compel men so to do, The beauty of the cunning work, did much entice thereto. Though Father only for his Son, this image did devise, Of small beginnings yet we see great mischiefs may arise. But though Idolatry, among the Heathen thus did reign: Yet of long time in Christ his church, no place it did obtain. Until next after Christ his death, four hundredth years were passed, No Image than was worshipped, nor yet in churches placed. But when the Apostles of the Lord, Euseb. ecclesi. hist. lib. 3. ca 31 and their Disciples true Were taken hence, and few were left their preachings to renew: The Church began then to decline, true knowledge did decay, Then Images crept in withal, and lead them more astray. But as I said, these Idols came from Gentiles, that did use The Images of worthy men, Wisd. 14. b such as themselves did choose. Of whom some memory to keep, (by error so deceived) They honoured their Images, for benefits received. These Heathen convert unto Christ, Euse. lib. 7. cap. 14. like error keeping still, They caused Images to make, in sign of their good will, Of Christ, of Paul, and other more, and kept them reverently, Thus first amongst the Christians, began idolatry. Nothing in scripture is forbidden, so much as Images, Exod. 33. e. Yet to no sin more prove we be, then to such wickedness. But most ungodly is this work, whereby you would express, The living God in outward form, of graven Images. Moses' giving charge hereof, this evil did foresee, Deut. iiij. c Thou heardst the voice of God, he saith no Image didst thou see. Take heed therefore unto thy soul, always remember this, No Image make unto thyself, Deut. 7. d. a damned thing it is. The godhead is not like to gold, nor like to silver bright, Act. xvij. ● It is not like to wood or stone. nor subject to the sight. Exod. 33. d Who hath seen God at any time? john. i b. the workman did but guess, When like an old man he him made, of bigness more or less. Belike his years they now decay, job. 10. ● who can be always young? His old grey beard doth seem to show he cannot sure live long. The glory of the immortal God, Roma. 1. c. whose shape was never seen, To Images of mortal men, Exod. 33. d thus have you changed clean. But whereof be their Images? Esai. 46. b Dani. 14. a Act. xvij. f. Wisd. xv.c. of God they can be none, For he doth live even of himself, and giveth life alone. Abac. 2. d Wisd. 13. d The Image hath no life nor breath, nor cannot move at all, Barn. 6. c It cannot once get up again, if that it chance to fall. 2. Par. 2. b Moreover God is infinite, and measured cannot be, His breadth, his length, how can you show in metal, stone, or tree? job. 11. b Not carnal substance is in God, such thought have not in mind, john. 4. c God is a spirit, and who can an Image thereof find? Athana. contra. Gentium. Esa. xlvi. b No likeness then there is of God, in image wrought by art, In substance, nor in outward form, nor any other part. Wis. xiiii. a Therefore accursed is the work, reproachful unto God, Acts. 17. f Whereby the Godhead you compare unto a piece of wood. Yet here my meaning is not such percisely to refuse, All Images of creatures, or none at all to use. For carving and eke painting are good gifts we not deny, In similitudes of creatures, to use them lawfully. As Birds, or beasts and of such like as here our eyes do see, Pictures of men some use they have, if story written be. Except some pleasure to the sight, else profit bring they none, If that the story be not showed, but Images alone. Of jesus Christ though man he were, great danger is therein, To carve or paint similitude, so prove we are to sin. For human body to such end, our saviour did not take, That Carvers should lisentiously, such Image thereof make. But having wrought salvation, the same he took away Into the heaven, out of our sight, Acts i b. until the judgement day. john. 16. c His own Disciples did depend so carnally upon Christ's body when it present was, Luk. 24. g He did departed anon. john. 16. a It was not then expedient, his body here to be, What help to faith with carnal eyes joh. 20. g. his image now to see? Esai. 46. b Deut. 4. c. Image at all unto our God we are forbidden to frame, To Christ who is both God and man how may we do the same? Yet be they not his images, for monstrous then he were, For of a thousand, not one like another, doth appear. What great offence, and what abuse, through Images have been, Experience doth teach to well, our eyes they have it seen. The Painters did to much reproach unto the Saints of God, To paint them so lassiviouslye, upon a stock of wood. Or if they were plain on the wall, all did with gold so glitter, They looked like wanton Paramours, Barn. 6. a I could judge them no better. The blessed Virgin in her life, both Peter, and the rest, Had they such precious garments then wherewith they now be dressed? These pearls and rings they used not, they lived soberly, But Papists think no shame hereof to uphold idolatry. jere. iij. a. Full well they know these things entice when all doth shine so bright, Wisd. xv. a The foolish people think it is, a comely pleasant sight. For this they seek for cunning men, the Image to set forth, The offerings else, for which they gape, they would be nothing worth. Thus of good creatures, Wisd. 14. b they are made snares to catch men in, Intrapted have they many one, since first they did begin. Epiphanius in an Epistle to john bishop of jerusalem. Therefore an Image may not stand, in temples where we pray, Of true religion they have been, always the great decay. Lactant. lib. 2. de origine erroris. c. 19 Aug. lib. lib. de. 4. de civitate dei. Yea not religion can there be where Images be placed, The fear of God they take away, and bring contempt at last. Yea of the Heathen some there were, that could not them abide, But as vain works of Crafts men, they did them often deride, Augu. in lib. de vera religione. Barn. 6. ● Socrates, he did more esteem a Dog by nature wrought Then Image made, which he despised even as a thing of naught. A Dog rather would he worship then Image wanting breath, Wherefore at length the people, did put him to cruel death. Ambr. in lib. 2. de virginibus. When Dionysius went into the temple of his God jupiter, where richly decked his gorgeous Image stood. The Idol he despised so, he did command anon, His golden garment to take of, and gave a woollen one. Saying, that gold in summer time to heavy was to bear, And in the winter season so, to cold it was to wear. He took also from Images great dishes wrought of gold, Which fastened were within their hands, their offerings for to hold, And said, he took nothing but that the Gods did freely give, So mocking them, of all their gold, he did them thus bereave. Barn. 6. a Though some in churches would them have no honour being done, Augus. in episto. ad Deogratias. 14. Yet where it standeth so in sight, the Image tempteth soon. As painted Harlots they allure, Wisd. xv. a their pleasant looks entice, If that they stand there any while, more evil will arise. Herein few can themselves refrain, so corrupt we be all, Exod. 32. c Without enticing prove we are, into such vice to fall. S. Hieron, Epiphanius. etc. Therefore the Fathers would not have, an Image any where, In churches where the service was, nor Picture painted there. Full well they did the evil foresee, that shortly after came, Idolatry would take her leave, if we would do the same. In the definition of the second Nicene: council, anno. 781 S. Jerome translateth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, simulachris 1 john. 5. & so in sundry other places. Erasmus in his annotations upon the, i, Cor, 8 But for excuse this is alledgde, that Images alone, They have set up within their church, but Idols they have none. But though an Idol, and Image, do differ in outward sound, Yet all one thing to signify, in Scripture they are found. The one a Greek word well is known the other Latin is, Great difference who else do make, therein they judge amiss. Then may we call them Idols plain, term you them what you will, Such as long time the Heathen used, and such as you use still. What Idol worship hath been done, by Infidels before, But to your Idols you yourselves, have done as much, or more? Temples they builded for their use, Acts. xix. e and chapels in likewise, They made them shrines and altars there for daily Sacrifice. Act. xvij. e They bowed their knees and fell down flat, Apocal. ix. d Baruc. 6. a Dani. iiij. a 3, King, 11, b they kissed them reverently, Their goods they offered, and withal, incense abundantly. They prayed devoutly unto them, Wisd. xiii. d xiv. a for all kind of disease, With flowers and garlands they were trymd the better them to please. They had also to honour them, their candles burning bright, Which far would have delighted them, if they had had their sight. Baru, vi, b But this discomfort Idols have, and greater they have none. Baru. 6. b Apoc. 9 d, They be all blind, and see as much, at midnight as at one. Roma. ij. a These heathenish works compared with yours, where do they disagree? Yourselves how can you then discharge of like idolatry. In the definition of the second Nicene council. Again, their Idols to adore, some of them do deny, They worship God, or else the Saints, whom they do signify. But God will not be worshipped by Image made with hand, john. 4. a In spirit and truth do worship him, for so he doth command. Augu. in lib. de vera religione. cap, 55. Baruc. 2. d Esai. xlij. b Nor workship to the Saints of God, in no wise may be done, All glory, worship, and honour, is due to God alone. They are they say, but stocks & stones, we know as well as you, Think not then that we are so mad to them our knees to bow. For that you know them so to be, and yet offend herein, This knowledge doth augment your fault. Luke. 12. l. the greater is your sin. The Heathen so know well-enough their Idols what they were, Acts. 19 f Even Images of feigned gods which they did worship there. As of jupiter, Apollo, Mercury. etc. They were not yet so fond to think, that stones or wood so wrought, Can be the gods whom they did seek, this was not in their thought. The Israelites that made the Calf, Exod. 32. a they witted it was of gold, For of their earrings it was formed, their eyes might this behold. They did not take that Calf for God, which did them so deliver, But as a sign, Exod. 32. e their god in deed the better to remember. Yet were they all Idolaters, 1. Cor. 10. a you can it not denay, Though vain excuses here be made, Augu. in Psal. 113. you be as ill as they. For though you say you mean it not to th' Image that is there. Yet what your meaning is in deed, by this it may appear. For where no Idol present is, there present few will be, To offer, or to knock, or kneel, there candle none we see. Therefore since Idols were removed, all pilgrimage is gone, Crouches, ships, nor men of ware, the people offers none. Those Idols have these evils wrought and caused to offend, Destroy them all, and such abuse, will soon be at an end. But sundry means the Devil hath taught these Idols to uphold: Gregorius the second. They serve (they say) for Lay men's books when they do them behold. john. v, f 2. Tim, 3, d, Roma, j, c Psalm, xix, But knowledge of God and of Christ, the Scripture doth us teach, His power and wisdom infinite, all creatures do preach. These are good books to learn upon, these God appointed hath, But Images accursed are, Deut. 17. c Wisd. 14. a and do provoke his wrath. If any would be ignorant, of God his holy will, These books will stand them in good stead, so to continued still. How Christ for us was crucified, the scripture doth it show, The Sacraments in memory, the same doth often renew. These are true witnesses of Christ, his death they set forth plain, Galat. 3, a These be good means to think on him until he come again. Error and vanity is taught, jere. 10. a Abacu. ij, v by Images of wood, They be all dumb and cannot speak, nor teach aught that is good. Baru, 6, a But when the Pastors waxed dumb, Esay. 56, d and true light did decline, Their office to those Images, the Pastors did resign. For if that preaching had been used, and people truly taught, Those lying and dead Images, they needed not have sought, For jesus Christ cannot be known, by sight of eye so clear, Rom. x. d But faith and truth obtained is, by hearing of the ear. Augu. in Psal. 113. When th' Image stately stands a lost more power it hath to crook The wretched soul, them truth to teach to serve for any book. Athanasius contra Gentiles. Therefore unworthy is the work, ungodly is the intent, To know the living God thereby, an Image to invent. For if a mortal living man, whom God himself hath made, To know God or remember him, cannot at all persuade: Then dead men carved out of wood, how can they move thereto? Abacu. ij. d Apoca. 9 d That have no speech, no sight nor life to stir them to or fro? No knowledge then can come thereby nor any good at all, Baru. vj. e wisd. xiii. d 14. b They are most dangerous stumbling blocks occasion of great fall. Wherefore for warning briefly take, and keep it well in mind, The fearful curse that God doth give in Scripture as we find. Deut. 17. d Accursed be the man that shall a molten Image frame, wisd. 14. ● In any metal, or by art of carving, do the same, And shall it place, so being wrought, in secret corner then, All people with one free consent, shall thereto say, Amen. ¶ Against the sacrifice of the Mass and the wicked adoration. GOD hath his love unto mankind Rome, ●, b, john. iij. b. 1. joh. 4. b declared in sundry wise, But most when Christ his Son he gave for sin a sacrifice. Such was the grievousness of sin, such wrath it did deserve, No sacrifice that ever was Psa, xiviij could man from death preserve. Until Christ jesus offered up Heb. ix, c, d his body on the tree, An everlasting Sacrifice Heb, x, b, c for all our sin to be. Apo. xiii. b Christ is the only Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for sin, And in full force remained, since the world did first begin, Hebre, x, a Hebre, ix, f. Heb, seven, d The sacrifices that have been, and offerings long before, They were but figures of this one enduring evermore. This sacrifice was offered once, Hebre. ix. ● Hebr. seven. d Christ was the Priest alone, To offer up himself for us, more Priests he needeth none. How dare you then so wickedly this office to you take, Hebre. u a To offer up the Son of God new sacrifice to make? Though malice let you to confess, wisdom. ij. d your error yet is plain, No Priest on earth aught to presume, Hebr. ix. g to offer him again. Both bread and wine for Sacraments we offer thankfully, Theodoretus in Psal. 110. Heb, xiii. c Phi, iiii, d Psa, xlix, d Rome, xii, a Eph, iiii, e Malac, l, d Apo, viii, a Psa, exli, a We offer alms for the poor, with praise to God on high. An offering of ourselves we make, renewed in heart and mind, Our prayers so presented be, such offerings do we find. To offer these the Priests themselves God doth not only choose, For Priests we all appointed are, i, Pet, two, b Apocal, i, b such sacrifice to use. Hebr. ix. b Esai. liij. b john. x. c But Christ was never offered, nor yet shall be again, But once, when he did yield himself to death for to be slain Therefore herein your wicked will, your purpose doth bewray, You would again him crucify, if in your power it lay. Or else why then do you attempt, to offer so in vain Hebr. ix. g Christ's body? which yet cannot be, except he die again. You say your sacrifice doth purge both sins of quick and dead, Hebr. ix. e But no forgiveness can there be, except some blood be shed. Heb. ix. b By blood into the holy place, the high Priest entered in, By blood our Saviour purchased remission of our sin. And if your Mass such merit have for living and for dead, Undoubtedly Christ's sacrifice doth stand in little stead. What have we got by Christ his death but Mass can it obtain? From sin, from hell, it can discharge, and from etternall pain. Such holiness is hid therein, that only hearing Mass, No danger can us then assail, all things come well to pass. Such Mass we may blasphemous call if blasphemy there be, Yea full of wicked sacrilege, full of Idolatry. Of all abomination, it is the wicked head, Your god on earth, you need not look for other in your need. The sacrifice of Christ you make no better in effect, Then Ox, or Calf, or then the Gaote, Hebr, ix. u x, b whose blood are now reject. For those before were offered, but could not sin remit, Hebr. 10. ● Remembrance only they did bring of sins we did commit. As feeble make you Christ his blood from sin us to redeem, Else would you not so virtuous your wicked Mass esteem. Hebr, x, c ix. d But Christ hath found redemption, that perfect is in deed, For evermore sufficient, none other do we need. And being yet upon the cross, our ransom to fulfil, And yielding up the Ghost, such were the words of his last will: Man's health and his salvation, john. ix. c Hebr. 10. c it is now consummate, And perfectly is finished, your Mass it comes to late. Hebre. i, c johnl, x. c i, Pet, two, Why do we then his words mistrust, a Strangers voice to hear? And leave our Christ, who all our sins Esay. liij. b did in his body bear? The small virtue of your patched Mass you might perceive by this, The often repeating of the same doth prove how weak it is. For if it were of such a force, as could remove our sin, Once being said, Hebre, x, ● you needed not again it to begin. This was the cause that sacrifice was often done before, Hebre, x, a Hebr, ix, b Hebr, seven, ● Because they could no man again to righteousness restore. Besides a number here untoutcht, this error is therein, About the year of our Lord 1226 Your carnal adoration, which late you have brought in. Whereby you do with danger great the Sacraments adore, The creature for Creator, Roma. i. ● what error can be more? What worship due is unto God, what unto Christ the Lord, Is not by man's will measured, Rom. xv. ● two, Pet, i, d but by God's holy word. Such strange worship as you do teach was never known before, In bread and wine here upon earth, Christ jesus to adore. Mat. 26, c Marinell, 14, c Luk xxij, b i, Cor, xi, f Take, eat, and drink, and do ye this in memory of me, And this divide amongst you all thus often we charged be. But mention find we none at all, of honour to it due, This doctrine had not been forgot, if that it had been true. i, Cor, xi, f The Apostle did deliver all received of the Lord, Yet of this adoration, he speaketh not a word. Your idle brains hath set awork, the people so to do, You have a spirit revealed you this, with many other more. john. 16. b Galat. j d, But not the spirit of God, for that, doth always well agreed, With gods pure word that written is, your errors it doth fly. Our saviour departing hence, hath left a pledge behind, Of his great love and benefits, which he wrought for mankind. Even Sacraments of bread and wine the which our eyes do see, The virtue of his body and blood, to teach us sensibly. By bread our body strengthened is, Augus. in episto. 22. ad Bonifacium. john. vi. f and nourished to live, Christ's body so unto the soul, the only life doth give. As wine the heart it doth rejoice, and cheerfulness doth bring, His blood so comforteth the soul, john. vi. f above all earthly thing. Therefore the bread and wine do bear (we need not think it strange) The names of things they signify, Gelasius contra Eutichen. yet substance doth not change. The outward visible Sacraments, the mouth doth taste alone, Augu. in Psal. 98. But spiritual food is given thereby, which faith must feed upon. Of Christ to be partakers here, it is no let at all, August. tract. in johan. 50. Though in his body he remain, in place celestial. The sun in substance is above, yet feel we here below The heat and power thereof to work, on all things that do grow. Augu. ad Dardanū●. epist. 67 So though Christ's body be in heaven, yet here if is by grace, Through working of God's holy spirit, as if it were in place. Phil, iii, d Not carnal presence then believe, lift up thine heart on high, There worship Christ on God's right hand Colo, iii, a if danger thou wilt fly. These creatures he willed us, with thankfulness to take, Luke. 22. b In memory of that his death, he suffered for our sake. With Christ his Institution wherein doth Mass agreed? What he commandeth, that you break and do clean contrary. Luk. xxij. b Christ in remembrance of his death, these Sacraments hath made, But for the sins of quick and dead, your Mass is daily said. Christ's Supper, both the Sacraments of bread and wine doth give, But of the cup, your wicked Mass the faithful doth bereave. Where we these sacraments should take, as of his only gift, You offer them to God for sin. as ransom in his sight. That he was once an offering made, Christ's Supper teacheth plain, But Mass doth daily offer him, for Sacrifice again. Christ's Supper common aught to be, for all to feed thereon, jeronimꝰ in episto. ad Cor. 11. But Mass is private to the Priest, to eat and drink alone. And when he hath devoured all, (to show his wickedness In mocking them) with empty cup he doth the people bless. You use the words like to a charm, as if with your intent, They had the power substance to change where Christ it never meant. What strange gesture use you therein, with turning to and fro? You bless and cross on every side, you beck and bow thereto. You mock, you mow, you breath and blow, with conjuring among, No marvel though wonders be wrought your breath it is so strong. You stand some time as in a trance, your fingers in your ear, Psal. lviij. Which sign doth show you have no mind the truth at all to hear. You speak the words all to yourself and that most secretly, Lest other should your cunning learn, to make your god thereby. You lift the Sacraments aloft, above your shaven crown, Then when the Idol is erect, the people falleth down. You hung him in a rope of hemp, A sign of small good will, If any danger make you fly, your god there hangeth still. And so doth stand in great distress, himself he cannot save, As Laban's gods were stolen from him, Gene. 31. c such help your God may have. You keep him till he mould again, where be you taught these things? Then do ye him for sin apply, to such as money brings. He was by judas sold but once, Mat. 26, b when he did him betray, judas herein you do excel, you cell him every day. Your mass doth darken Christ his death and drives it out of mind, If in the same as you do teach, forgiveness we may find. Christ's testament of giving life, Hebre. 8. d 9 d and pardon of our sin, By death it was confirmed once, nothing to change therein. His testament you have defaced, Hebr. 10. e his death you do deny, For every Mass doth it not grant, new righteousness thereby. And new forgiveness of our sin, even for the work once wrought, What else do these new testaments, but set the first at naught? But if you will have them to stand, and ratified to be, Hebr, ix. d To make them perfect Christ must come yet once again to die. This was the cause that numbers great your Mass so did embrace, As bringing all salvation, alone in every place. So beautiful it did appear, and shined all so bright, The simple man (bewitch) did think, it was a heavenly sight. But who so thoroughly doth it know, and looketh well thereon, A damned thing most detestable, will it confess anon. These few may serve but for a taste, what of the rest to hold, For of the errors of the Mass, the third here is not told. ¶ Against the praying to Saints. WHat profit of true prayer is, 1, King, 1, ● Psal. 51. d Baruc, 3, ● no tongue can well express, What comfort to the heavy soul, oppressed with carefulness. Thereby our God he present is, Psal. 50, ● Psa. 145. d Mat, 26, d when danger is at hand, Defending and eke strengthening us, temptation to withstand. His heavenly grace he granteth soon, Esay. 65. d Mar. 11. c Heb. iiij, d Math. 7. b if prayer do complain, Thereby forgiveness of our sin, and peace we do obtain. As walls the town doth compass safe, Chrisost. de precatione. when enemies force is bend: So prayer doth the soul preserve, when Satan doth us tempt. But of all these great benefits, the faithful you bereave, That in the Saints of God do teach, the people to believe. All contrary to Christian faith, so leading them away, jeres. 17. e Esai. 49. b From God the giver of good gifts, our only hope and stay. And so a wicked faith reposed, than prayer did succeed, Whereby their names were called upon for help in time of need. By this we know your church to be all false and counterfeit, Apoc. 17. a ij. d Even that same whore in scarlet read where Satan hath his seat. Dani. 9 c Esay. 43. a For where the church of Christ remains there God alone is known, His only name who calls upon, Baru. 2, d those people be his own. But with your Romish church it is Jere, 11, c worse, then with juda was, Because the number of your gods doth all your Cities pass. For no disease nor danger is, but there was ever one, To whom you did ascribe the power of curing it alone. Saint Mary and saint Margaret for women great with child, Saint Barbara from fearful stroke of thunder, did us shield. Saint Loy was leech for all your horse, saint Patrick for your Ox, Saint job he had the only gift for healing of the pox. Saint john, and so saint Benedict all poison could expel, Sebastian, and saint Roche for plague all others did excel. Saint Blaze for swelling of the neck, Otilia for the sight, Saint Steven also was prayed unto, to save us in the night. Saint Clement and saint Christofer from drowning could preserve, For pain of teeth the only praise Appoline did deserve. For headache Anastacius, Urban was God of wine, For sudden death s. Mark was sought saint Antony for our swine. For ague was Saint Petronell, Cornelis had the skill, Of falling sickness dangerous, to save us from the ill. Saint Valentine for the kings evil, saint Laurence for the fire, All prisoner's saint Leonard prayed, to grant them their desire. The Hunters had Eustachius, the whores had Magdalene, Unto saint George in time of war. what seeking hath there been? These be your gods and many more, on whom the people call, jerem. two. c These be your stinking cisterns, that no water hold at all. Esa. viii. d When you thus ran like Infidels, to seek help at the dead, 4. Kin. 1, a You thought no doubt in Israel there was no God to dread, Esay. 50. b 59, a You thought his power was very weak and yet do think the same, Esa, xliiii, Else would you not put confidence, in any other name. But Papists and the Heathen both, in this faith do agree, If many gods they have to help, the safer shall they be. This fond opinion was the cause, Augu. de consensu evangelistarum, lib. 1. cap. 18 the romans would not choose The God of Israel, nor consent his service for to use. For than they knew that for their God him only they should take, Exod. xx. ● Deut. vi. a But grant they would not, for one God all other to forsake. The first commandment doth charge in one God to believe, To praise him, and to pray to him, all worship so to give. These are chief points in serving God, these things if we apply, Or give to any Saint at all, our God we do deny. Therefore this one thing must you do, if prayer you will make, To Saintes departed, and yourselves, to their defence betake: First found the means to make them gods then all this strife shall end, Such prayer and such service done, they may you well defend. Gregory the ix. canonised, saint Dominick and saint Frances An. 1240. Your Pope he can canonize Saints, yourselves do teach it plain, Perhaps he hath even as great power to make them gods again. Until you bring this thing to pass, in vain you call upon Esay. 63. d The names of Saints, for they know not the things that here be done. wisdom. 1. b 1. Kin. 16. b 3 Kin, 8, f Apoca. ij. f They know not yet the thoughts of men, nor power have they none. To search man's heart, how can they then grant help to any one? This is not to despise the Saints, Apoc. 14, b Esai. 42. b Aug. lib. de civitate dei. c. 10 Aug. lib. de vera religi. ca 55. Act. 14. c as you make some believe, But this unto God is his due, honour and praise to give. But you do them most injury, for they yet never did Seek that belonged unto God, nor to be worshipped. Therefore those blessed Saints each one in whom you now do trust, When Christ shall come to judge us all will then accuse you furst. john. u ● And where you make them Advocates to God in time of need, That through their intercession, we may the better speed: Such intercessors for mankind, 1. joh. 2. a Roma. 8. g God hath appointed none, As means to bring us unto him, but jesus Christ alone. i, Tim, 2, b He is the way, he is the door, joh, 14, a by whom we enter all, The door it serveth for true men, joh, x, a, b but thieves do climb the wall. As thieves we may you then account, john, x, b such false ways to invent, If you meant wall, with Christ alone, then would you be content. He is the Mediator of all intercession, Aug. lib. contra Parmenianon, 2. cap. 8. i joh, 2, a And not only (as you do teach) of our redemption, Of praise which is perpetual, you thus do him bereave, And that which was but temporal you are content to give. Hebre, x, c For once he wrought redemption, but reigning now on high, Roma. 8. g 1. joh. ij. a He there remaineth an Advocate for us continually. The Apostle having prayer taught, he showeth orderly, One Mediator jesus Christ of God and Man to be. And lest that error should remain or any doubt at all, john. ij. a Saint john also, jesus alone our Advocate doth call. Roma. 8. g On God's right hand he that doth sit, doth intercession make, Angel or Saint, how can you then for Intercessors take? Exod, 32, f Ephe. vi. c Philip, j, a Gone, 18, c Yet prayers which the faithful make, as long as they do live, One for another in distress for godly we believe. But those are wicked which you give, and offer to the dead, Or when you seek more Advocates, than Christ in time of need. Our only Priest is in the heaven, Augu. in Psal. 94. and there doth pray for thee, Who here on earth, even for thy sake contented was to die. The power and virtue of his death which did us all redeem, This intercession whole doth work, Hebr, xii. ● so God doth it esteem. Then Christ appeareth so for us, before the heavenly throne, That even the merit of his blood, two, Cor, i, d can speak for us alone. All promises that God hath made, john. vi, ● xiv. b in Christ he doth fulfil, What thing we ask in Christ's name he granteth with good william. Chriso in homi. de pro●ectu evangelii tom. 6. Ambr. in episto. ad Roma. None other patron need we seek, nor long discourse to make, But if by Christ we come to him, he can us not forsake. In him if prayer do not end, and so with him begin, Augu. in Psal. 108. Such prayer doth nothing avail, but turned is to sin. Ambr. de Isaac et anima. He is our mouth, by whom alway to God we may be bold To speak, he is our eye also, whereby we him behold. So our right hand he is, wherewith we do ourselves present, joh xiv, a The way to life they do forsake, that other means invent. Apoc. iij. b The key of David he it hath, that can both ope and shut, Mat, 28, d Mat, 11, d All power is his, therefore for help to him we aught to suit. Psal. 50. c Call upon God in thy distress, seek his power ever more, Psa. 105. a Psal, 36. He will defend thee, and thou shalt yield him the praise therefore. Psal. 18. b His name it is a tower most strong, to all in time of need, joel. ij. g Roma. x. c Who so his name doth call upon, hath promise for to speed. The man is cursed that flesh doth take, jer. xw. a to be his arm and strength, And in his heart from God the Lord departeth at the length. Psa. 127. e ¶ Against the justification of works. FRom Adam even as from the root, Roma, v, c viii. b 4. Esd. 3, c sin hath spread over all The branches that be of his stock, through that his grievous fall. Such is the poison that from him all mankind hath received, That since we all be borne in sin, Psal. 51. d and so in sin conceived. Therewith came all our misery, therewith did enter in Death, both of body and of soul, Roma, v, c Rom. vj. d the just reward of sin. Then entered hate, and ignorance of God, and all distrust Of heavenly grace and righteousness, thus Man was spoiled furst. Ephes. ij. a Gone, j, d 4. Es. 7. d Eccl. 17. a And so become the child of wrath, once loved entirely. O Adam if thou hadst remained in that felicity, Wysd, 1, d Then hunger, cold, nor yet disease, had never man assailed, Roma. u b Then Satan's power, sin, death, nor hell had never so prevailed. Roma. u b But sith the Devil such wickedness into the world hath brought, Ephe, ij, c And so betwixt God and mankind, such enmity hath wrought: Of our religion greatest point, truly to learn is this, How man to perfect righteousness again restored is. two. Cor. v. d Roma. v, c Tho. Aq. in episto. ad Heb. 13 Nicol. de Lyra me pistol. ad Phil. ca, 2 And how God's favour is obtained, from whence we were exiled, The mean we seek to understand, how man is reconciled. Your Romish church doth falsely teach in works of men to trust, And righteousness in vain to seek, through merits of the just. But Scripture teacheth contrary, Esay. 43. d Rom. iii, b that righteousness is none, Whereby man can be justified, Galat. two. d in works that here be done. But righteousness that shall avail and ever more remain, Rom. iii, e Psalm, 118 By faith in jesus Christ his death, Gala, iii, a alone we do obtain. Before God he is justified whom God for just doth take, Phil, iij. b Gala, iii, b Ephesi. i. a Acts, 13, f And doth acquit as Innocent, even for his mercy's sake. This justification than is wrought, Ambr. in Psal. 118 serm. 10 Acts. 13, f 2. Cor. 5. d when God doth sin forgive, And doth impute Christ's righteousness to such as do believe. When man to grace God first did call his mercy for to show, 2, Tim, 1, c Augu. in Psal. 31. What work of man did once him move such mercy to bestow? He chose us of his own accord, Esai, 43. d Ambr de vocatione Gent. lib. 1. ca 5. not as he did foresee The worthiness of any work that afterward should be. Math, 7, c The tree thus being all corrupt, what good fruit can it bring? jam. iij. c What water clear once can proceed from foul and filthy spring? Psal, 13. a Even such is man with all his thoughts Rom. iij. b Augus. in Psal. 31. his words and works he hath, All is corrupt, and doth deserve of God nothing but wrath. Apoc. 17. d Esay. 36. c Chriso in episto. ad Rom. ca 1 If any thing be worthy praise, if any work be good, By grace the same is wrought in us, the praise is due to God. The natural strength of man's free will joh, xv, a whereof so much you boast, Phili. ij. b Not one good work can work in us, that freedom now is lost. Eccle. xv. c Augu. de verbis Apost. sermo. 2. When man was created, than he had the power of free will, To stand in grace, and had the choice, so to continued still. Augu. in inchir. ad Laurentium. ca 29 But so his will he did abuse, he lost himself withal, That rise he could not by his strength, his will he made it thrall. Therefore what Satan moveth to, Roma, 6, c Gen. viii. d we do it readily, As captives all he doth us lead, Christ only maketh free. joh. viii. a His holy spirit doth give the grace all godly works to choose, Roma, v, a Gene. xx. Ezech. xj. d jere. 31. c It is his only gift also that sin we do refuse. Were it not to great injury, the inheritance to claim, Of lands or goods that were but lent, a while to use the same? Not less trespass it is to God, to challenge as our right, Deut. 8. d The power to work a godly work, which is his only gift. james. i c Then seeing no good work we have, Esai. 43. d jere. 13. d Rome, iii b what righteousness can be? What merit, where nothing doth reign but great iniquity? Yea though we be regenerate, john. iij. a and borne in Christ again, No work yet here so perfect is, Esa. 64. b Luk, 17, c God's favour to obtain. Esa. 64. b Psal. 51. c Our righteousness all stained is, whose heart is pure within? Who liveth here so innocent, job. ix. c that daily doth not sin? job. 25. c The stars that be in firmament, are not pure in God's sight, joel. ij. c The Sun and Moon compared to him, at all they give no light. job. xv. b xxv, a Aug. lib. 9 confessionum. Then Man that is corruption, how can he justify Himself, when God as judge shall sit, his righteousness to try? But when we have done what we can Luk. 17. c even then both more and less Unprofitable servants all ourselves let us confess. Our duty for we have but done, nothing here can be found. Of supererogation, in works that doth abound. If any thing we do beside, that God doth not require, It is but sin, and doth deserve nothing but wrath and ire. A free gift is our righteousness, Rom. 6. d. Chris. in episto. ad Rom. ca 1 Ephe. two. b Rom. iii d obtained all by grace, Lest any man should boast himself, our works here have no place. For where to works reward is due, there grace is none at all, Gala. u a The work once done, the workman may by right for wages call. Rom. iii a Thus make you God in debt to man, if that without delay The hire that we have laboured for, Ro. iiii. a he do not truly pay. But those that in the vineyard wrought a penny did receive, Not as their labours did exceed, but as the Lord it gave. So our inheritance in heaven, by promise free we have, Gal. iii c Mercy doth measure all reward, Rom. ix. d no merits can it crave. Their righteousness who leaneth to, Christ's righteousness doth lose, Rom. x. a All works reject, the Publican by faith the Lord did please. Luk. 18. c Gene. xv. b And Abraham his righteousness by faith he did obtain, Rome, 4. b Because to God his promise made constant he did remain. Rom. iij. d So freely are we justified by Christ's redemption, Through faith sure fixed in his blood we have remission. As jacob did his father please the garment having on That was his brothers, and thereby the blessing got anon: So in God's presence when we shall at any time appear, Christ's righteousness the garment that we must only wear. Ambros. lib. 2. de jacob et vita beata cap. 2. The sweet savour that Isaac felt our faith doth signify, The smell whereof so pleaseth God, it doth us justify. Galat. two, d Ambr. in episto. ad Rome, ca 3 Faith is the hand wherewith we reach forgiveness of our sin, For this we say our righteousness only doth stand therein. faith only therefore and no works Augu. in Psal. 31. Chris. in episto. ad Rom. ca 1 doth sinners justify, Because Christ's righteousness to us alone it doth apply. Faith it doth purify the heart, Act. xv. b Hebr, xj, a Augu. in Psal. 31. than God doth us accept, From Faith if they do not proceed, all works he doth reject. Abel therefore God did regard, Gen. iiii. a Hebre. xi, ● his offering he did choose, But Cain and his sacrifice, as wicked did refuse. Yet mean we not of such a Faith, as fruit hath none at all, For that which dead is without works jame. two, c true Faith we cannot call. But Faith which is effectual, Galat. v, a Abacu. ij. a whereby the just doth live, As fire his heat always doth yield, Jame, ij, d so good fruit doth it give. As time doth serve, and need require, i, joh, 3, c Galat. v. a so Faith doth work withal, Therefore good works through only Faith are not destroyed at all. jam, two. c, Galat, v, oh Rom. iij. c iiij. a The company of godly works, Faith evermore doth love, But when our Faith doth justify, then works we do remove. Roma, x, b For unto Faith is promised all our salvation, Galat, il, c Which to obtain, no works can help, but power of Faith alone. But here the slanderous tongue doth say, good works we need not have, It is lost labour to live well, sith works no man can save. But faithful works they have this end to glorify our God, Math. v. b When other seeing them so shine, his praise doth spread abroad. Psal, 18, a The Sun, the Moon, and eke the stars, they all created are, The glory of God throughout the world here daily to declare. Then might the love of God alone move us continually, Rom. two. d To show forth fruits of godly works, his name to glorify. Besides the help the needy have, Mat. 25. ● by works commanded here, Our faith by such her fruits is known Phil. 25. d Galat. u a and living doth appear. For Faith doth show obedience, jam. ij. c in outward righteousness, Else dead it is and counterfeit the faith that we profess. We are now saved from our foes, Luke. i. g from danger and distress, To serve the Lord without all fear in perfect holiness. Darkness we are no longer now Ephe, ij, d but clear light in the Lord, In newness of a godly life i 1, Cor, 6, c Titus. 2, b to walk with one accord. These may persuade unto good works though not to trust therein, 1. Pet. 1. c i The. 4. a i Pet. 4. a Our calling unto grace doth move a new life to begin. And lest we should faint by the way, Hebr. vi. c Phil. two. c Hebre. x. g Apoc. is. c or think our labour vain, Unto good works is promised reward of heavenly gain. Esay. 43. d Not for the work of his reward, nor yet for our desert, Ephe. ij, b But doth proceed of mere good will, not due in any part. Chriso. in episto. ad Rom. ca 1 Aug. super joh. trac. 3 For as good works they be his gift, when God doth them regard, So doth he crown his own in us, when he doth them reward. Dani. ix, b Barn. ij. b Apoc. iij. d Osea. xiii. c To us nothing belongeth, but shame and confusion, To thee O Lord the praise is due of our salvation. Apoc, iij, d Therefore as we be poor in deed, and destitute of grace, Even so let us confess the same, in truth, before his face. Who craveth alms being rich, of silver having store? All beggars show their poor estate, thereby to move the more. Apoc. iii, d So if we come as rich in works to God, how can we speed? i, Pet, v, b Such beggars proud he doth refuse, to help in time of need. The tree doth lift itself aloft, that hath lest fruit thereon, But where great plenty groweth most it boweth down anon. So are we proud, and yet but poor, Esa, xliii, ● Roma. 7. c no goodness we have here, Though we live well, yet evermore let us fall down in fear. Dani, ix, b And so not in our righteousness, Baru, ij, d Psal, 50, c but for his mercy's sake, To God in time of troubles great, Bar, iij, a our prayers we will make. As unto godly works in Christ, Ephe. two. b Ephe. v. d Hebr, xii. g we all be created. So let us warily walk therein, as God hath ordained. Forsaking all our former sins, i, Pet, 4. a renewed in heart and mind, Lest unto Christ our Saviour, Eph, iiii, ● Colo, iii, ● we show ourselves unkind. Who by his death did us redeem, Gala, 4, ● Apoca. v. c two, Cor, two, c Roma. 7. ● not to ourselves to live, But unto him, his life for us, that did so freely give. Psalm. 67 O God be merciful to us, and bless us plenteously, The brightness of thy countenance show us continually. Esay. 52. That we on earth thy ways may learn and ever think thereon, And that all nations here may know thy saving health alone. FINIS. qd Grig. Scot Imprinted at London by john Awdeley, dwelling in little Britain street without Aldersgate. 1574