even of Idols to bee lawfull, and by the same reason Saint Paul also may bee said to allow of some adultery, or some theft, and the like; because he biddeth us to have no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darknesse. (Ephes. v. 21.) From hence may we therefore conclude, that some workes of darknesse are fruitfull, wherewith wee may have fellowship. Concerning the two Sacraments of Baptisme, and the Eucharist, It is most evident (saith Bellarmine:) but concerning the rest of the Sacraments, it is not so evident. And saith Canus †, The Divines speake so uncertainly of the matter and forme of Matrimonie, that they doe not resolve, whether it gives grace, or not. Lastly concerning the undoubted truth in the Church of God: The Scriptures are written (saith the Evangelist) that we might have the certainty whereof wee are instructed. (Luke i. 4.) But it is uncertain, whether Traditions and unwritten verities delivered from hand to hand, having no foundation in the Scriptures, do not vary from their first institution. * Bell. de Sacr. in gen. l. 1. c. 9. † Can. lib. 8. c. 5. Graviter peccarent in rebus ad salutem anima pertinentibus, &c. eo solo, quòd certis incerta præponerent. Aug. de Bapf. contr. Donat. lib. 1. cap. 3. SECT. SECT. XI. THE TESTIMONIES OF OUR ADVERSARIES TOUCH ING THE GREATER SAFETY, COMFORT, AND FROM the certaine way I will proceed to the safer way, wherein it shall appeare, that as our doctrine is more Catholique, more stable and certaine; so likewise it is more profitable, more safe and fruitfull (or to use their owne phrase) of greater merit, even by the testimonies of their best learned amongst themselves. Looke upon the all-sufficiencie of the Scriptures: All those things are written by the Apostles (saith Bellarmine) which are necessary for all men, and which the Apostles preached generally unto all. And although this Cardinall will allow the Word of God to be but a partiall, not a totall rule, yet, saith hee, Regula credendi certssima, tutissimaque est, The Scripture is a most certaine, and most safe rule of beleeving t. So that it is a safer way to relie wholly upon the Word of God, that cannot erre, then upon the Pope or Church, which is the * Bell. de verbo Dei non scripto. lib. 4. c. 11. + De verbo Dei. lib. 1. cap. 2. authoritie authoritie of man, and may erre. It is a safer way to adore Christ Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, then to adore the sacramentall bread, which depends upon the intention of the Priest, and may faile. It is a safer way, and we live more in safetie (saith Austen) if we give all unto God, rather then if wee commit ourselves partly to ourselves, and partly unto God. Wee will, but it is God that worketh in us to worke, according to his good pleasure. This is behoovefull for us both to beleeve, and to speake; this is a godly, this is a true doctrine, that our confession may bee humble and lowly, and that God may have the whole*. Looke upon the Communion in both kinds, and the Deane of Lovaine will tell us: "It were better the Communion were administred in both kinds, in respect of the perfection thereof, for it were more agreeable to Christ's Institution, and it best agrees with the corporall feeding, which is both in Bread and Drinket." And saith Vasques, "Their opinion alwayes seemed to bee more probable, who say, that greater fruits of grace are reaped by the Communion in both kinds, then in one‡." And saith Cassander, "Although the Communion in both kindes bee not simply necessary, yet it is much to be preferred before the Communion in one Probabilior sententia semper mihi visa est eorum, qui dicunt majorem fructum gratiæ ex utraque, &c. Apud Chamier, tom. 4. de Euchar, lib. 9. cap. 10. sect. 2. kind, albeit it be thought not to be contrary to Christ's precept." And their owne Schooleman, Alex. ab Hales, professeth, Though the order of receiving in one kinde be sufficient, yet the other of both kinds is of greater merit, of greater fulnesse and powert. Look upon Private Masse, and it will appeare by a generall confession, that the Communion of Priests and People together, is more safe and profitable, then private Masset. It is the confession of the great and generall Councell of Trent: Optaret quidem, &c. The Councell could wish the people would communicate together with the Priest, because it would be more fruitfull and more profitable§." The like confession is made by M'. Harding; "I deny not (saith hee) but that it is more commendable and more godly on the Churches part, if many well disposed and examined would be partakers of the blessed Sacrament with the Priest." And lastly, Bellarmine himselfe is forced to confesse: "Because the celebration of the Masse is ordained not onely to offer sacrifice to God, but also the spirituall * Cass. de Com. sub utraque specie. + Ille tamen, quæ est sub duabus, est majoris meriti. Alexand. Hal. in 4. Sentent. qu. 53. membr. 1. Greg. de Val. likewise affirmeth the same. De Legit. Euch. usu. ca. 6. sect. 2. - quod hujus sanctissimi sacrificii uberior fructus proveniret, &c. § Concil. Trid. cap. 6. can. 8. Jewel Artic. 1. in Private Masse. food food to the people, therefore it cannot bee denied, that it is a more perfect and lawfull Masse, where the Communicants are present, then where in the private Masse, the Priest alone receiveth*." 66 Looke opon the Marriage of our Ministers, and it will appeare by their owne confessions, that it is the safer way, to live chastely in Matrimony, then by a single life to hazard their soules by Incontinencie. It was the opinion of Æneas Sylvius, afterwards Pope Pius the Second ; Perhaps it were not the worst, that many Priests were married, for by that meanes, many might bee saved in married Priesthood, which now in barren Priesthood are damned f." And Panormitan a great Canonist, was sensible of the dangers that accompanied a single life, and thereupon resolves; "It were good and behoovefull for the soules of many, if Priests might marry; because we find by experience, the Law of single life hath brought forth contrary effects." And Cassander, who well understood the life and conversation of Priests, proclaimes it to his Church; "If ever, certainely * Quia Missæ celebratio non solum ad sacrificium Deo offerendum, sed etiam ad populum nutriendum spirituali pabulo ordinatur, proptereà ex hac parte negari non potest, quin sit magis, perfecta et legitima Missa, ubi communicantes adsunt, quàm ubi desunt. Bell. de Missa. lib. 2. c. 10. + In gestis Concil. Basil. 1. 2. Credo pro bono et salute animarum statutum, ut non valentes continere, possint contrahere, quia experientia docente, contrarius prorsus effectus sequitur. Panor. de Cleric, Coniug. ca. cum Olim. Cass. de Cœlib. Sacerd. Art. 23. |