there are crept into the church superstitions, errors, and abuses; that the salt of the earth is unsavoury, that is, that the ministers of the churches are by sloth, ignorance, and wickedness become unseasonable; and that all discipline in the church is fallen to ruin. Bernard Clarevallensis', being one among many, is a notable witness of the things and condition. And for that cause there have been many councils of priests celebrated, at the calling together of the bishop of Rome, together with the mutual aid of many kings and princes. But what became of them, what was done in them, and what small amendment or correction of doctrine, teachers, and discipline there was by them obtained, the thing itself (the more it is to be lamented) doth plainly declare. For the more that councils were assembled, the more did superstition and error prevail in doctrine, abuse in ceremonial rites, pride, riot, covetousness, and all kind of corruption in the teachers or priests, and a foul blurring out of all honest discipline. For such men were made presidents of the councils, as had need first of all themselves either to be brought into a better order, or else to be utterly excommunicate out of the congregation of the saints; and they being presidents did in the councils handle causes neither lawful nor lawfully. For the word of God had among them neither due authority nor dignity; neither did they admit to the examination and discussing of causes those men whom it was decent to have chiefly admitted, but them whom they themselves did think good to like of; and in them they sought not the glory of God and the safeguard of the church, but sought themselves, that is, the glory and pleasures of this transitory world. Therefore in the holding of so many general councils we see no amendment or reformation in the church obtained, but rather errors, abuses, and the kingdom and tyranny of the priests confirmed and augmented". Christians at look for by And even at this day, although we would wink and not what see it, yet we cannot choose but even with our hands feel this day may what we may look and hope for in a general council. There general shall at this day no council have any authority, unless it be [4 Bernard largely complains of the pride and corruption of the clergy, De Offic. Episc. capp. VII. Ix; in Cantic. Serm. x. § 3, LXXvii. § 1.] [5 hujus rei, Lat. ; and condition, not in Lat.] [6 See Bullinger Von den Conciliis, Par. II. cap. 11. Zurich, 1561.] councils. lawfully (as they expound lawfully) called together. None seemeth to be lawfully called together but that which the bishop of Rome doth call together, and that which is holden according to the ancient custom and laws received; namely, that wherein they alone do sit, and have, as they call it, deciding voices, to whom power is permitted to determine2 and give sentence in the council; and to them who shall think it an heinous crime, and directly contrary to the oath that is given them, to do once so much as think, much more to speak, anything against the bishop and see of Rome, against the decrees of the fathers, and constitutions of the councils. What therefore may you look for in such a council? That forsooth which I told you that now by the space of 400 years and more the afflicted church of God, to the detriment of godliness, hath seen and felt; namely, that the sincere doctrine of Christ being trode under foot, and holy discipline utterly oppressed, we see that every day more and more, with the great and intolerable3 tyranny of the see and church of Rome, there do increase and are confirmed unsound and faulty doctrine, most filthy abuses, and too too great licentiousness and wicked living of the priests. They forsooth do cry, that it is an heresy to accuse the pope of error, in the chest of whose breast all heavenly doctrine is laid up and contained. They cry that all the decrees of the apostolical see must be received even so as if they were confirmed by the very voice of Peter himself. They cry that it is a wicked thing to move any controversy, or to call into doubt the doctrine and ceremonies received and used in the church of Rome; especially touching their sacraments, whereof they to their advantage do make filthy merchandise. They cry that the church of Rome hath power to judge all men, but that no man hath any authority to judge of her judgment. There are in the decretals most evident canons that do set out and urge these things, as I have told them". Now what manner reformation shall we think that they are likely to admit, which stand so stiffly to the defence of these things? Truly, they would rather that Christ with his gospel, and the true church his spouse, should wholly perish, than they would depart one inch from their decrees, rites, authorities, dignities, wealth, and [1 hucusque consueto, Lat.] [2 residendi, Lat.] [4 as I have told them, not in Lat.] pleasures. They verily come into the council, not to be judged of others, that they may amend those things which even their own consciences and all the world do say would be amended; but they come to judge and yoke all other men, to keep still their power and authority, and to overthrow and take away whatsoever withstandeth their lust and tyranny. For afore, there were sent out horrible thunders against the accusers or adversaries of the see apostolic; that is, of the papistical corruption: after, followed the hot bolts of that thunder, even sentences definitive of excommunication. The secular power hath now by the space of thirty years and more been called on, and persecution hath been everywhere raised up against guiltless Christians", not for committing heinous crimes and defending naughtiness, but for inveighing against mischiefs and mischievous men, and for requiring the reformation of the church: and yet even at this day most eruel edicts are out, and cruelty is exercised every day more and more, against them that confess the name of Christ: yea, such is their impudency and brasen-faced boldness, they dissemble not that the council, if any must be celebrated, shall be called for the rooting out of heresies; yea, they do openly profess, that the council, once held at Trent, was to this end assembled. Now since these things more clearly than the sun are perceived to be most true, thou shalt, most holy king, do wisely and religiously, if, without looking for the determination of a general council, thou shalt proceed to reform the churches in thy kingdom according to the rule of the books of both Testaments, which we do rightly believe, being written by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to be the very word of God. for every church to out of order. But now, that it is lawful for every christian church, much It is lawful more for every notable christian kingdom, without the advice christian of the church of Rome and the members thereof, in matters reform things of religion depraved by them, wholly to make a reformation. according to the rule of God's most holy word, it is thereby manifest, because Christians are the congregation, the church, or subjects of their king, Christ, to whom they owe by all means most absolute and perfect obedience. Now the Lord [5 adeoque, Lat.; and so.] [6 conabuntur, Lat.; they will use every effort.] [ homines, Lat.; men. The bull of Leo X. against Luther was issued June 15, 1520.] 1 B. 1504. $1575* gave his church a charge of reformation: he commended unto [1 as-into it, not in Lat.] [2 hic, Lat. omitted; in this matter.] [5 Nam cum statutum sit omnibus nobis, et æquum sit pariter ac justum, ut uniuscujusque causa illic audiatur, ubi est crimen admissum; et singulis pastoribus portio gregis sit adscripta, quam regat unusquisque et gubernet, rationem sui actus Domino redditurus: oportet utique eos quibus præsumus non circumcursare, nec episcoporum concordiam Josias. But letting pass the testimonies of men, we do now come to the testimonies in the book of God. The most holy Holy king king Josias, most godly prince, may alone in this case teach you what to do and how to do, with the warrant and authority of God himself. He by the diligent reading of the holy book of God, and by the contemplation of things present, and the manner of worshipping God that then was used, did understand, that his ancestors did greatly and very far err from the plain and simple truth; for which cause he calleth together the princes and other estates of his kingdom, together with all the priests, to hold and celebrate a council with them. In that council he standeth not long disputing whether the examples of the elders ought rather to be followed, or God's commandment simply received: whether he ought rather to believe the church, or the scripture: and whether all the judgment of religion ought to be referred to the high priest. For laying abroad the book of the law, he submitteth both himself and all his unto the sacred scripture. Out of the book of the law both he himself doth learn, and biddeth all his to learn, what thing it is that pleaseth God, namely, that which was commanded and learned in the reading of the law of God. And presently he gave charge, that all men should do and execute that, not having any regard to the ancient custom, or to the church that was at that time: he made all subject to the word of God. Which deed of his is so commended, that, next after David, he is preferred before all the kings of Judah and Israel. be reformed word of Now your royal majesty cannot follow any better or safer Faith cannot counsel than this, considering that it proceedeth from God, but by the and that it is most fit for the cause which is even now in God. hand. The disputation is of the reformation of religion, and the true faith of Christ. You know that that doth spring from heaven, namely, that it is taught by the word of God, and poured into our hearts by the Holy Ghost; for Paul saith: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Rom. x. Christ." Therefore as true faith is not grounded upon the word of man, so is it not taught or planted by the same. For in another place the same apostle saith: "My preaching was 1 Cor. ii. cohærentem sua subdola et fallaci temeritate collidere; sed agere illic causam suam, ubi et accusatores habere et testes sui criminis possint. -Cyprian. Opp. Epist. LIX. p. 136. Oxon. 1682.] [6 ipsius etiam ecclesiæ, Lat.] |