Luthers progenies differ as much in opinions of Religion, as Paynimes doe in their false Gods.Athanasius. Name we like countries, prouinces, cities, and townes in these parts of Europe, where Luthers scholers haue set their feet, consider the forme of Religion and opinions which they hold, and we shal see as vnorderlie beginnings, & as horrible dissensions in heresies in c. 11. Osee.('which S. Hierom calleth the Idols of the New Testament) as the ancient fathers haue discryed in Paganisme. For Lutherans or Protestants hauing no lawful generation, but proceeding of bastards race, vpstarts of vnknowne progenie, are no lesse at discord among themselues, only al agreeing against Catholikes, like syncretisantes against their common enemies, or Herod, Pilate, and the Iewes against Christ. Sects in England diuers from Luther, and each one from the rest. And in England alone are diuers sects without possible meanes to agree in one. For albeit the ciuil state endeauoureth prudently and seriously to bring al to vniformitie, at least in publike shew, yet they are but like manie faces vnder one hood, euerie sort keeping their owne opinions; yea almost euerie Preacher and meane scholer (to say nothing of artificers and common ministers) arrogating to be his owne Iudge, contemneth to stand to Luther or Caluin, to Geneua or Parlament, to Conuocation or Synod of their owne, but to his owne only vnderstanding and interpretation of holie Scripture. Proud & contentious spirits are hardly perswaded to the truth.
Vnlearned Catholikes belieue the same faith in al points with the learned.Nor yet to that alwayes; for when he is pressed with that he once said, he wil forget it, or eate his owne word, if he haue not written it, or that you haue readie witnes against him, so hard it is to make a deceiued Protestant or Puritan confesse that he is conuinced, except by very pregnant meanes you can first cast out of him, or bind fast the spirit of presumption, dissension, and contention: wheras the simplest Catholike in the world hath the selfe-same faith in al points with the whole Church, in which he remaineth, and vpon whose iudgement he dependeth.
To returne therfore, from whence we are not vnnecessarily digressed, we conclude with S. Augustine: li. 16. c. 10 ciuit. When Moyses had shewed the beginning and progresse of Nemrods earthlie citie, leauing it in Babylon, that is confusion, as needles to prosecute it further, he returneth to declare the perpetual succession of the Citie of God, the Church, as before the floud from Adam to Noe, by the line of Seth, so after the floud from the same Noe, The succession of Patriarchs from Noe to Abraham. by the line of Sem, Arphaxad, Sale, Heber, Phaleg, Reu, Sarug, Nachor, Thare, and Abraham. The rest of Sems children, and al the progenies of Iapheth and Cham, as not pertaining to this purpose, omitted, so connecting those in order of generations, Abraham a principal Patriarch.by whom the succession is directly brought to Abraham, Prince of the elected people, a most special Patriarch, to whom new and great promisses are made of multiplication of his seed, and possession of the land of Chanaan, but especially of Christ our Redeemer, and the same manie waies confirmed, as wil appeare in the next age.
