An Ansvvere to a Romish Rime lately printed, and entituled, A proper new Ballad wherein are contayned Catholike questions to the Protestant. The which Ballad was put foorth without date or day, name of Authour or Printer, Libell-like, scattered and sent abroad, to withdraw the simple from the fayth of Christ, vnto the doctrine of Antichrist the Pope of Rome. Written by that Protestant Catholike, I. R. [i.e. John Rhodes] |
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The Protestants answere to the Papists
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 | An Ansvvere to a Romish Rime lately printed, and entituled, A proper new Ballad |  |
The Protestants answere to the Papists
large conclusion.
By
this time you are out of breath.
such periods may breede your death:
But I will set out with such pace,
as shall, and may, I hope, winne grace
With God, with Christ, and all good men,
that euer wrote with inke and pen:
The goale I trust to winne at last,
and when I haue it, hold it fast,
Unto the honour of his name,
that gaue me power to winne the same.
such periods may breede your death:
But I will set out with such pace,
as shall, and may, I hope, winne grace
With God, with Christ, and all good men,
that euer wrote with inke and pen:
The goale I trust to winne at last,
and when I haue it, hold it fast,
Unto the honour of his name,
that gaue me power to winne the same.
The most of these I might reuert
vpon your selues, which can peruert
Both word and history of times,
to cloke your lewd and open crimes.
But some thing briefly I will say,
for that which you cast in our way,
As stumbling blocks for euery one,
to stumble at, where you make mone.
Consider well, that you therefore,
are euen those men whom ye abhore.
vpon your selues, which can peruert
Both word and history of times,
to cloke your lewd and open crimes.
But some thing briefly I will say,
for that which you cast in our way,
As stumbling blocks for euery one,
to stumble at, where you make mone.
Consider well, that you therefore,
are euen those men whom ye abhore.
You are false prophets, teaching lies,
you weare sheepes clothing, to disguise:
You runne and range, not being sent,
for which you ought still to repent.
You are those theeues that enter in
to Christ his Church, and neuer lyn,
Till you haue stor'd your selues with good,
& fild your selues, like wolues, with blood:
You enter not by Christ the doore,
but by the Pope, that Romish whoore.
you weare sheepes clothing, to disguise:
You runne and range, not being sent,
for which you ought still to repent.
You are those theeues that enter in
to Christ his Church, and neuer lyn,
Till you haue stor'd your selues with good,
& fild your selues, like wolues, with blood:
You enter not by Christ the doore,
but by the Pope, that Romish whoore.
You blind mēs eies with outward showes,
and say that you are no mans foes:
You fast from flesh, to eat good fish,
with fruits and many a costly dish:
You pray on beades, and prey on men,
you doe deuoure maids and women:
You seldome preach, and that but lies,
the Pope and Popelings to suffice:
Your doctrine comes frō the Popes schoole,
where many a wise man proues a foole.
and say that you are no mans foes:
with fruits and many a costly dish:
You pray on beades, and prey on men,
you doe deuoure maids and women:
You seldome preach, and that but lies,
the Pope and Popelings to suffice:
Your doctrine comes frō the Popes schoole,
where many a wise man proues a foole.
Your doctrine comes not from Gods booke,
but you on lyes and Legends looke:
On festiuals, and liues of Saints,
which you haue made with your owne paints:
Gods word you count of little force,
and to the same haue small remorse:
Your people from it you disswade,
because that like two-edged blade,
It doth deuide, and eke descry,
mans sinne and Popish trechery.
but you on lyes and Legends looke:
On festiuals, and liues of Saints,
which you haue made with your owne paints:
Gods word you count of little force,
and to the same haue small remorse:
Your people from it you disswade,
because that like two-edged blade,
It doth deuide, and eke descry,
mans sinne and Popish trechery.
Your doctrine is but darnell sure,
vnto this graine, Gods word so pure.
What is the chaffe vnto the wheat?
what is mans wit to wisdome great?
Your gold is brasse, your siluer tinne,
your teaching drosse, your deeds but sinne.
Remember what you taught and did,
before that your bad tricks were spi'd:
Remember persons, time and place,
and so repent, and call for grace.
vnto this graine, Gods word so pure.
What is the chaffe vnto the wheat?
what is mans wit to wisdome great?
Your gold is brasse, your siluer tinne,
your teaching drosse, your deeds but sinne.
before that your bad tricks were spi'd:
Remember persons, time and place,
and so repent, and call for grace.
Whereas you charge our liues for bad,
we grieue thereat, we are not glad:
If you did rule, it would be so,
and ten times worse, full well I knowe.
This Realme is very populous,
and you like night-birds hinder vs.
Christ said, you know, that in each land,
sinne it would get the vpper hand.
Let all men striue therefore, say I,
against all sinne and Popery.
we grieue thereat, we are not glad:
If you did rule, it would be so,
and ten times worse, full well I knowe.
This Realme is very populous,
and you like night-birds hinder vs.
Christ said, you know, that in each land,
sinne it would get the vpper hand.
Let all men striue therefore, say I,
against all sinne and Popery.
You liue at ease, and as you will,
like Epicures your selues you fill,
Your belly is your God in deed,
your puffed cheekes your hands doe feede.
The best of all things in eche land,
by flights you got into your hand.
Thus did you fast, thus did you prey
on men and women night and day.
A thousand waies your gaines came in,
through Antichrist that man of sinne.
like Epicures your selues you fill,
Your belly is your God in deed,
your puffed cheekes your hands doe feede.
The best of all things in eche land,
by flights you got into your hand.
Thus did you fast, thus did you prey
on men and women night and day.
A thousand waies your gaines came in,
through Antichrist that man of sinne.
You would no wiues, for that was ill,
but whoores and harlots at your will:
No woman must come in your sight,
vnlesse it were some Nun by night.
Your common Stewes you still maintaine:
for why? they bring the Pope much gaine.
When Monasteries brake vp here,
then did your filthynesse appeare:
Thousands of Infants heads were found
in ponds and priuies, which you drownd.
but whoores and harlots at your will:
No woman must come in your sight,
vnlesse it were some Nun by night.
Your common Stewes you still maintaine:
for why? they bring the Pope much gaine.
When Monasteries brake vp here,
then did your filthynesse appeare:
Thousands of Infants heads were found
in ponds and priuies, which you drownd.
Like dogges and foxes therefore, you
did lead your liues, it is your due:
Like swine, like wolues, like sathans brood,
that neuer did Gods people good:
Like hypocrites in euery place,
you liued, and doe without Gods grace:
You make poore people to beleeue,
that you can all their sinnes forgiue.
It were too long to make relation,
how you and yours deserue damnation.
did lead your liues, it is your due:
Like swine, like wolues, like sathans brood,
that neuer did Gods people good:
Like hypocrites in euery place,
you liued, and doe without Gods grace:
You make poore people to beleeue,
that you can all their sinnes forgiue.
It were too long to make relation,
how you and yours deserue damnation.
But where you say, that we doe write
of this our faith, which you despite,
That it was found, and did appeare,
to be the trueth sixe hundred yeare:
We say, that from Christ his Assension,
for our fayth was no such contention,
As Papists make now at this day,
nor in that space of yeeres we say:
But this our faith it euer stood,
euen since that Abel lost his blood.
of this our faith, which you despite,
to be the trueth sixe hundred yeare:
We say, that from Christ his Assension,
for our fayth was no such contention,
As Papists make now at this day,
nor in that space of yeeres we say:
But this our faith it euer stood,
euen since that Abel lost his blood.
On Gods sweet word we doe depend:
for it shall iudge vs in the end;
It is our wisdome and our ioy,
and mans traditions are a toy.
Though some things hard doe there appeare,
the rest we read in all the yeare:
And find, that it sufficient is,
to guide all men to heauenly blisse.
What would you more, but that you stand,
for Popish trash in euery land?
for it shall iudge vs in the end;
It is our wisdome and our ioy,
and mans traditions are a toy.
Though some things hard doe there appeare,
the rest we read in all the yeare:
And find, that it sufficient is,
to guide all men to heauenly blisse.
What would you more, but that you stand,
for Popish trash in euery land?
Now, where you aske of Popery,
when it began, and to sit hie?
I answere will to your demand,
both readily and out of hand.
It bred in the Apostles time,
and so increaste by many a signe:
Great strife then grew three hundred yeres,
as in Church stories it appeares,
For many things, but chiefly one,
who should be supreme head alone.
when it began, and to sit hie?
I answere will to your demand,
both readily and out of hand.
It bred in the Apostles time,
and so increaste by many a signe:
as in Church stories it appeares,
For many things, but chiefly one,
who should be supreme head alone.
All Bishops wrote against this thing:
no emperour would euer bring
Any one Bishop to the same,
till wicked Phocas time, by name:
But he a wicked murtherer,
vnto this act was furtherer,
That none might checke him for that deede,
of killing father, mother, and seede.
Thus did proud Bishop Boniface,
third of that name, set in highest place.
no emperour would euer bring
Any one Bishop to the same,
till wicked Phocas time, by name:
But he a wicked murtherer,
vnto this act was furtherer,
That none might checke him for that deede,
of killing father, mother, and seede.
Thus did proud Bishop Boniface,
third of that name, set in highest place.
And now the other Bishops three,
that made vp foure of one degree,
Were first made vassall vnto Rome,
from whence all Popish trash doth come.
When Boniface was thus aloft,
he playd his part, and wonders wrought:
And so did all of Rome beside,
vntill they grew to their full pride;
And were of late vnhorst agayne.
by Christian Kings that them disdayne.
that made vp foure of one degree,
Were first made vassall vnto Rome,
from whence all Popish trash doth come.
When Boniface was thus aloft,
he playd his part, and wonders wrought:
And so did all of Rome beside,
vntill they grew to their full pride;
And were of late vnhorst agayne.
by Christian Kings that them disdayne.
The true Church was eclipsed then,
and had in scorne of carnall men:
The Prophecies fulfilled were,
of Daniel, who prayd in feare:
And those in Reuelation,
which God did giue vnto S. Iohn:
A thousand yeeres this held out so,
that Christs true flock you could not know,
But by their persecution sharpe,
which they endur'd with willing heart.
and had in scorne of carnall men:
The Prophecies fulfilled were,
of Daniel, who prayd in feare:
And those in Reuelation,
which God did giue vnto S. Iohn:
A thousand yeeres this held out so,
that Christs true flock you could not know,
But by their persecution sharpe,
which they endur'd with willing heart.
Yet still Christ and his Gospell stood,
in persecution and in blood.
The Popes left off to preach and teach,
and after worldly things to reach.
In time they grew so fierce and fell,
that no good man with them could dwell,
They put down Kings and Princes hie,
abusing them to slauery;
And what they said or did, was lawe:
thus euery one was kept in awe.
in persecution and in blood.
The Popes left off to preach and teach,
and after worldly things to reach.
In time they grew so fierce and fell,
that no good man with them could dwell,
They put down Kings and Princes hie,
abusing them to slauery;
And what they said or did, was lawe:
thus euery one was kept in awe.
In all your Popes, true faith did faile,
and hell it selfe did much preuaile:
The salt his sauor lost in them:
Christ was in trueth reiected then:
Yea, all his death and glorious passion,
was turn'd into another fashion:
Each Pope a new toy did deuise,
to blind and bleare the peoples eyes:
Fooles, Apes, and Asses still they made,
of Gods poore people, by this trade.
and hell it selfe did much preuaile:
The salt his sauor lost in them:
Christ was in trueth reiected then:
was turn'd into another fashion:
Each Pope a new toy did deuise,
to blind and bleare the peoples eyes:
Fooles, Apes, and Asses still they made,
of Gods poore people, by this trade.
The second question that you make,
I answere will for each mans sake,
That cannot answere readily,
your Arguments and Sophistry.
Where was our Church, you say, that time?
where did the beauty of it shine?
Where did our chiefest Pastour sit?
who kept our keyes? who rulde our ship?
You bid vs shew you Churches built,
as you can shew those we haue spilt.
I answere will for each mans sake,
That cannot answere readily,
your Arguments and Sophistry.
Where was our Church, you say, that time?
where did the beauty of it shine?
Where did our chiefest Pastour sit?
who kept our keyes? who rulde our ship?
You bid vs shew you Churches built,
as you can shew those we haue spilt.
To these in order as they lye,
I will in few words now reply:
Where is the Sun, the Moone the Stars,
when clouds & darknes make them wars?
Doe they not shine still where they be,
vnder those clowdes? Euen so did we.
Our chiefest Pastor he is Christ,
and he sits in the heauens highest:
He hath the keyes and guides our ship,
and laughs to scorne our little wit.
I will in few words now reply:
Where is the Sun, the Moone the Stars,
when clouds & darknes make them wars?
Doe they not shine still where they be,
vnder those clowdes? Euen so did we.
Our chiefest Pastor he is Christ,
and he sits in the heauens highest:
and laughs to scorne our little wit.
For Churches, first we answere you,
by Churches of another hiewe.
How many Churches hath Christ built,
and you the blood of them haue spilt?
Of other Churches that you speake,
God in his iudgement doth them breake,
Euen as he did Hierusalem,
for killing of his Prophets then:
And as he did the hill Alters,
and Groues of all Idolaters.
by Churches of another hiewe.
How many Churches hath Christ built,
and you the blood of them haue spilt?
Of other Churches that you speake,
God in his iudgement doth them breake,
Euen as he did Hierusalem,
for killing of his Prophets then:
And as he did the hill Alters,
and Groues of all Idolaters.
You aske what are become alway,
of all that dyed to this day?
We are no Iudges in this case,
we leaue them to the Throne of grace.
Idolaters may aske you so,
of those that haue dyed long agoe.
What answere can you make therein,
but this, that God, for all their sinne,
May iustly damne them, if he will,
or saue, where he likes not to kill?
of all that dyed to this day?
We are no Iudges in this case,
we leaue them to the Throne of grace.
Idolaters may aske you so,
of those that haue dyed long agoe.
What answere can you make therein,
but this, that God, for all their sinne,
May iustly damne them, if he will,
or saue, where he likes not to kill?
When Abram was with Cera he,
his father deare, as children be,
And God cald Abraham away,
what, should he not Gods call obay?
Or should he answere as you doe,
As my friends did, I will doe too?
But you will say you be none such,
when yet you vse like things too much:
Try by the Scriptures well, and see,
who comes neer'st Idoles, you or we.
his father deare, as children be,
And God cald Abraham away,
what, should he not Gods call obay?
Or should he answere as you doe,
As my friends did, I will doe too?
But you will say you be none such,
when yet you vse like things too much:
Try by the Scriptures well, and see,
who comes neer'st Idoles, you or we.
You aske how you might find vs out,
to answere things that were in doubt?
I say, that euen as wolues by kinde,
the sheepe and lambes in field can finde;
So you did find vs to our cost,
or else how were our liues so lost?
First, in the persecutions ten,
and in the rest succeeding them,
In England, Scotland, & in Fraunce,
and euery place you taught that daunce.
to answere things that were in doubt?
I say, that euen as wolues by kinde,
the sheepe and lambes in field can finde;
So you did find vs to our cost,
or else how were our liues so lost?
First, in the persecutions ten,
and in the rest succeeding them,
In England, Scotland, & in Fraunce,
and euery place you taught that daunce.
But when the day of count shall come,
that you shall answere all and some,
When Christ the Master of the sheepe,
shall reckon vs, as it is meet:
Then from the blood of Abels time,
vnto the last of such like crime,
You and the rest shall answere all,
vnto your sorrow, griefe and thrall:
Unlesse you doe repent with speed,
your count will fearefull be indeed.
that you shall answere all and some,
When Christ the Master of the sheepe,
shall reckon vs, as it is meet:
vnto the last of such like crime,
You and the rest shall answere all,
vnto your sorrow, griefe and thrall:
Unlesse you doe repent with speed,
your count will fearefull be indeed.
Till Luthers time, you say that we
heard not of Christ: but you shall see,
That we, not you, haue heard of him,
as onely pardoner of our sinne.
Thrise happy Luther and the rest,
(except some faults which we detest)
And ten times happy euery land,
that hath receiued with strong hand,
The Gospell pure of Christ on hie,
and haue put downe all Popery.
heard not of Christ: but you shall see,
That we, not you, haue heard of him,
as onely pardoner of our sinne.
Thrise happy Luther and the rest,
(except some faults which we detest)
And ten times happy euery land,
that hath receiued with strong hand,
The Gospell pure of Christ on hie,
and haue put downe all Popery.
You aske, who kept all Scripture then?
who made our Priests, & all Church-men?
We answere, that our God, of loue,
did saue and keepe it from aboue,
As in the time of Ieremy,
when it was burnt by Iehudy.
And as the Arke deliuered was,
from Philistims, as came to passe.
And finally, as God can make
all creatures serue his Church and quake.
who made our Priests, & all Church-men?
We answere, that our God, of loue,
did saue and keepe it from aboue,
As in the time of Ieremy,
when it was burnt by Iehudy.
And as the Arke deliuered was,
from Philistims, as came to passe.
all creatures serue his Church and quake.
Now for our Churchmens ordination,
we know the Scriptures good relation:
And so were made our Bishops all,
our Ministers both great and small.
Salomon made Sadock he,
Priest in Abiathars roome to be:
So in the stead of Popish priests,
our Queene sent Ministers for Christ:
And though a time some were but weake,
yet now a number can well speake.
we know the Scriptures good relation:
And so were made our Bishops all,
our Ministers both great and small.
Salomon made Sadock he,
Priest in Abiathars roome to be:
So in the stead of Popish priests,
our Queene sent Ministers for Christ:
And though a time some were but weake,
yet now a number can well speake.
And where you say, you maruell, how
we did receyue such, as did vow
Themselues your Priests of Popish order,
to serue with vs in any border?
My answere is, that you might see,
what men of mercy Protestants be,
Which would receiue all to saluation,
and not condemne them in your fashion.
You did deuise, you know, to keepe
all men from feeding of our sheepe.
we did receyue such, as did vow
Themselues your Priests of Popish order,
to serue with vs in any border?
My answere is, that you might see,
what men of mercy Protestants be,
Which would receiue all to saluation,
and not condemne them in your fashion.
You did deuise, you know, to keepe
all men from feeding of our sheepe.
An ordination may be good,
though some men, guilty of soules blood,
Unworthy be in Church to serue,
for punishment that they deserue.
Some thing tooke ill inhand also,
at first, may yet in time, we know,
Proue good againe, and so may this:
the Church-mens calling is for blisse.
If yours not so, or be not right,
amend your fault, beare vs no spight.
though some men, guilty of soules blood,
Unworthy be in Church to serue,
for punishment that they deserue.
Some thing tooke ill inhand also,
at first, may yet in time, we know,
Proue good againe, and so may this:
the Church-mens calling is for blisse.
If yours not so, or be not right,
amend your fault, beare vs no spight.
And to conclude, you bragge, and say,
that Austin first did here bewray
The trueth of Christ: but it's not so,
true histories doe name vs moe:
But graunt, that hee first taught this land:
were all things good came from his hand?
No, no, he taught much Popery,
but not so much as now doth fly:
Simon Zelotes and Saint Paul,
are said to teach vs first of all.
that Austin first did here bewray
The trueth of Christ: but it's not so,
true histories doe name vs moe:
But graunt, that hee first taught this land:
were all things good came from his hand?
No, no, he taught much Popery,
but not so much as now doth fly:
Simon Zelotes and Saint Paul,
are said to teach vs first of all.
Till you these things doe well disproue,
I wish all men in tender loue,
To note what I haue sayd herein,
to turne to God, and leaue their sinne.
To trust no Popish Iesuite,
nor yet in Masse-priests to delight:
For certainely their Hierarchy,
their kingdome and their policy,
Shall, will, and must, of force fall downe:
for Christ abhorres the triple Crowne.
I wish all men in tender loue,
To note what I haue sayd herein,
to turne to God, and leaue their sinne.
nor yet in Masse-priests to delight:
For certainely their Hierarchy,
their kingdome and their policy,
Shall, will, and must, of force fall downe:
for Christ abhorres the triple Crowne.
This Christ in mercy therefore saue
our Queene and vs, with that we haue,
Our children and posterity,
and keepe vs from all Popery:
His holy Gospell graunt vs still,
and frame vs to his holy will:
That we may know and loue the same,
vnto the glory of his name.
Pray, heare, and read continually,
that from this truth we neuer flye.
our Queene and vs, with that we haue,
Our children and posterity,
and keepe vs from all Popery:
His holy Gospell graunt vs still,
and frame vs to his holy will:
That we may know and loue the same,
vnto the glory of his name.
Pray, heare, and read continually,
that from this truth we neuer flye.
Amen.
| An Ansvvere to a Romish Rime lately printed, and entituled, A proper new Ballad | |