Memoires of Mr. Des-Ecotais: formerly stiled in the Church of Rome the most venerable Father Cassianus of Paris, priest and preacher of the Order of the Capucins. Or, The motives of his conversion. Divided into two parts. I. That the doctrin of the now Roman church is not grounded neither upon the Holy Scripture; neither upon the belief of the primitive church or the authority of the Holy Fathers, which is more particularly and more evidently verified in the examination of the belief of Rome concerning the Eucharist. II. That the church of Rome is not the true church; that it doth not enjoy, as absolutely its own, out-shutting all other churches, neither the antiquity of the belief, neither the multitude of the people, neither the true and lawful succession of the bishops; that the authority thereof is not infallible, and that it is full of errors and corruptions.

Author:	Des Ecotais, Louis.
Title:	Memoires of Mr. Des-Ecotais: formerly stiled in the Church of Rome the most venerable Father Cassianus of Paris, priest and preacher of the Order of the Capucins. Or, The motives of his conversion. Divided into two parts. I. That the doctrin of the now Roman church is not grounded neither upon the Holy Scripture; neither upon the belief of the primitive church or the authority of the Holy Fathers, which is more particularly and more evidently verified in the examination of the belief of Rome concerning the Eucharist. II. That the church of Rome is not the true church; that it doth not enjoy, as absolutely its own, out-shutting all other churches, neither the antiquity of the belief, neither the multitude of the people, neither the true and lawful succession of the bishops; that the authority thereof is not infallible, and that it is full of errors and corruptions.
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Print source:	Memoires of Mr. Des-Ecotais: formerly stiled in the Church of Rome the most venerable Father Cassianus of Paris, priest and preacher of the Order of the Capucins. Or, The motives of his conversion. Divided into two parts. I. That the doctrin of the now Roman church is not grounded neither upon the Holy Scripture; neither upon the belief of the primitive church or the authority of the Holy Fathers, which is more particularly and more evidently verified in the examination of the belief of Rome concerning the Eucharist. II. That the church of Rome is not the true church; that it doth not enjoy, as absolutely its own, out-shutting all other churches, neither the antiquity of the belief, neither the multitude of the people, neither the true and lawful succession of the bishops; that the authority thereof is not infallible, and that it is full of errors and corruptions. Des Ecotais, Louis. London:: Printed by W. Godbid, and are to be sold by Moses Pitt ..., 1677.
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title page

DEDICATION.

A MONSEIGNEUR Illustrissime et Reverendissime HENRY, Evéque de LONDRES, Doyen de la Chapelle du Roy, Et un des SEIGNEURS Du Conseil Privé de sa Majesté.

To the Right Honourable AND Right Reverend Father in God HENRY, Lord Bishop of LONDON: Dean of His Majesties Chappel, AND ONE Of His most Honourable Privy Council.

TABLE.

INTRODUCTION.

PREMIERE PARTIE. Que la Doctrine de l'Eglise Romaine n'est point fondée ny sur les Escritures, ny sur la Creance de la Primitive Eglise, ny sur l'Authorité des Saints Peres.

CHAP. I. Commant j'ay connu que la Doctrine de l'Eglise Romaine n'est point fondée sur l'Ecriture.

CHAP. II. Commant je connûs qu les Articles de foy de l'Eglise Romaine ne sont point fondés sur la Creance de la Primitive Eglise, ny sur l'Authorité des Saints Peres.

INTRODUCTION.

Section I. Que la Creance de Rome touchant la Pre∣sence Reéle au sens de la Transubstatiati∣on, est une Doctrine nouvelle dans l'Eglise.

Section II. Que ceque l'on enseigne du Sacrifice dela Messe dans l'Eglise Romaine, est une Doctrine contraire àla Creance de la Primitive Eglise.

Section III. Que la maniere d'Administrer l'Eucharistie dans l'Eglise Romaine est tout à fait differente et bien opposée à celle dont on se servoit dans les premiers Siecles de l'Eglise.

Conclusion de cette Premiere Partie.

Seconde Partie. Que l'Eglise Romaine n'est point la verita∣ble Eglise, que son Authorité n'est point Infaillible, et qu'elle n'est remplie que de Corruptions et d'Erreurs.

INTRODUCTION.

CHAP. I.

Section I.

Section II.

Conclusion.

CHAP. II.

Section I. De l'Ambition des Papes.

Section II.

Conclusion de cette Seconde Partie. Que l'Eglise Romaine n'estant fondée que sur les principes que j'ay rapportés cy∣devant, est tombée dans la Corruption et dans l Erreur.

Conclusion Generale.

TABLE.

INTRODUCTION.

FIRST PART. That the Doctrin of the Roman Church is not grounded neither upon the belief of the Primitive Church, or the Authority of the Holy Fathers.

CHAP. I. How I understood that the Doctrin of the Roman Church is not grounded upon the Scripture.

CHAP. II. How I understood that the Articles of Faith of the Roman Church are not grounded upon the Belief of the Primitive Church, nor upon the Authority of the Holy Fathers.

INTRODUCTION.

Section I. That the belief of Rome about the real Presence in the sense of Transub∣stantiation, is a new Doctrin in the Church.

Section II. That that which is taught of the Sacri∣fice of the Mass in the Church of Rome, is a Doctrin contrary to the belief of the Primitive Church.

Section III. That the manner of Administring the Sacrament in the Roman Church is quite different, and very much op∣posed to that to which they were used in the first Ages of the Church.

Conclusion of the First Part.

Second Part. That the Church of Rome is not the true Church; that it's Authority is not Infallible; and that it is full of Corruptions and Errors.

INTRODUCTION.

CHAP. I.

Section I.

Section II.

Conclusion.

CHAP. II.

Section I. Of the Ambition of the Popes.

Section II.

Conclusion of the Second Part. That the Roman Church being grounded only upon the Principles which I have rehearsed, is fallen into Cor∣ruption and Error.

General Conclusion.

part 1

half title

MEMOIRES.

INTRODUCTION.

§ 1. Les Raisons qui m'ont engagé d'écrire ces Memoires.

§ 2. Que la Conversion d'un homme qui a vescu dans les erreurs de l'Eglise Romaine, est un tres grand Mi∣racle.

§ 3. De quelle Mainere et par quels Degrés l'Esprit de Dieu m'a fait con∣noistre mes Erreurs.

PREMIERE PARTIE. La Doctrine de l'Eglise Romaine n'est point fondée, ny sur les Escritures, ny sur la Creance de la Primitive Eglise, ny sur l'Authorité des Saints Peres.

CHAP. I. Comment j'ay compris, que la Doctrine de l'Eglise Romaine, n'est point fondée sur l'Ecriture.

§. 1. La Lecture de l'Escriture Sainte me disposa à reconnoistre les Erreurs de Rome.

§. 2. Les Erreurs de l'Eglise Romaine, dont J'estois persuadé, me firent trouver dans les Escritures bien des Difficultés, bien des Insuffisances, et bien des Contradictions.

§. 3. Circonstances qui contribuerent à l'avancement de ma Conversion.

§. 4. Conclusion de ce Chapitre: Que les Articles de Foy de l'Egli∣se Romaine, ne se peuvent prou∣ver par l'Escriture.

CHAP. II. Comment je connûs, que les Arti∣cles de Foy de l'Eglise Romaine, ne sont point fondez sur la Cre∣ance de la Primitive Eglise, ny sur l'Anthorité des Saints Peres.

INTRODUCTION. La lecture des Livres de la Perpetuité de la Foy, sur le sujet de l'Eucharistie, fut cequi me donna occasion d'exami∣ner en particulier la Creance de l'Eglise Romaine, sur cette Matiere.

Division des Erreurs de l'Eglise de Rome, touchant l'Eucharistie.

SECT. I. La Creance de Rome, touchant la Presence Reéle, et la Transub∣stantiation, est une Doctrine nou∣velle dans l'Eglise.

I. Premiere Preuve tirée des Argu∣ments, dont les Peres de l'Eglise se sont servis, en disputant contre les Idolatres.

II. Seconde preve tirée des Raisons, dont les Peres se servoient, pour disputer contre les Heretiques.

III. Troisiement Pruve, tirée de la ma niere dont les Peres s'exprimen sur le sujet de ce St. Sacrement.

IV. Quatriéme Preuve, tirée de la Nouvauté de cette Doctrine de la Transubstantiation.

SECT. II. Ce que l'on enseigne, dans l'Eglise Ro∣maine, du Sacrifice de la Messe est une Doctrine contraire à Creance de la Primitive Eglise.

I. En quel sens, il est veritable de dire, que le St. Sacrement est u Sacrifice.

II. Que le Pretendu Sacrifice Propitia∣toire de l'Eglise Romaine, est con∣traire à l'Escriture.

III. Ce qui a donné occasion à cette Erreur, et les degrez de Cor∣ruption, qui ont avancé cette Creance.

IV. Que l'Abus épouvantable, qui s'est glissé dans l'Eglise Romaine, d'offrir leurs Sacrifices en l'honneur des Saints est une Pratique contrire à celle de la Primitive Eglise.

SECT. III. Que la Maniere d'Administrer l'Eu∣charistie, dans l'Eglise Romaine, est tout à fait Different et bien Opposée à celle, dont on se ser∣voit, dans les Premiers Siecles de l'Eglise.

I. Du temps des Apôtres et dans les Premiers Siecles de l'Eglise, on Com∣munioit le Peuple sous les Especes du Pain et du Vin: on Adoroit point l'Hostie: et l'on Celebroit les Saints Mysters en Langue Vul∣gaire.

II. L'Origine de toutes les Erreurs de l'Eglise Romaine, en l'Admini∣stration du Sacrement.

1. De l'Origine due Retranchement de la Coupe.

2. L'Origine de l'Adoration du Sacre∣ment.

3. L'Origine de la Celebration de l'Eucharistie, en une Langue, que le Peuple n'entend point.

CONCLƲSION DE CETTE PREMIERE PARTIE. Que les Articles de Foy de l'E∣glise Romaine, ne se peuvent prouver, ny par la Pratique de la Primitive Eglise, ny par le Témoignage des Anciens Peres.

MEMOIRES.

INTRODUCTION.

§ 1. The Reasons wherefore I have been engaged to write these Memoirs.

§ 2. The Conversion of a Man who did live in the errors of the Roman Church, is a very great Miracle.

§ 3. After what manner the Spirit of God made me understasnd my Errors.

FIRST PART. The Doctrin of the Roman Church is grounded neither upon the Scripture, nor upon the belief of the Primitive Church, nor the Authority of the Holy Fathers.

CHAP. I. How I understood the Doctrin of the Roman Church to be not grounded upon the Scripture.

§. I. The Reading of the Scripture disposed me before-hand to acknowledge the Errors of Rome.

§ 2. The Errors of the Roman Church, whereof I was perswaded, made me find in the Scriptures many diffi∣culties, many insufficiencies, and many contradictions.

§. 3. Circumstances which did contribute to hasten my Conversion.

§. 4. The Conclusions of this Chapter. How I came to know that the Articles of faith of Rome, cannot be proved by Scripture.

CHAP. II. How I understood the Articles of Faith of the Roman Church not to be grounded on the belief of the Pri∣mitive Church, neither on the Au∣thority of the Holy Fathers.

INTRODUCTION. The Reading of the Books concerning the Perpetuity of Faith in the Eucharist, was an occasion to me to examin in particular the belief of Rome about that matter.

Division of the Errors of the Roman Church concerning the Matters of the Eucharist.

SECT. I. The Belief of Rome about the real Presence with Transub∣stantiation, is a new Doctrin in the Church.

I. First proof drawn out of the rea∣sons wherewith the Fathers of the Church were used to dispute against the Heathens.

II. Second Proof drawn out of the Reasons wherewith the same Fathers were wont to dispute against the Hereticks.

III. Third Proof drawn out of the man∣ner whereafter the Fathers were wont to speak of this Holy Sacrament.

IV. Fourth Proof drawn out of the No∣velty of the Doctrin teaching Transub∣stantiation.

SECT. II. The Belief of Rome about the Sacrifice of the Mass, is contrary to the belief of the Primitive Church.

I. In what sense it is true to say that the Holy Sacrament is a Sacrifice.

II. The pretended Propitiatory Sacrifice of the Roman church, is contrary to the Scripture.

III. What has given occasion to that Error and the Degrees of Corruption which brought forth that Belief.

IV. The horrid abuse of the Roman Church to offer Sacrifice in the honour of Saints, is a practice contrary to that of the Primitive Church.

Sect. III. The Manner of Administring the Sacrament in the Roman Church is quite different and very much opposed to that which they used in the First Ages of the Church.

I. In the time of the Apostles and the First Ages of the Church, they gave the Communion to all the People under Both Kinds, they Worshipped not the Host, nor celebrated the Holy My∣steries in an Unknown Tongue.

II. The beginning of all the Errors of the Roman Church in the administra∣tion of the Sacrament.

1. The beginning of the abridgement of the Cup.

2. The Beginning of the Worshipping of the Host.

3. The Beginning of the Celebration of the Eucharist in an unknown Tongue.

CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST PART. The Articles of the Roman Church cannot be proved, either by the Practice of the Primitive Church, or by the Authority of the Ancient Fathers.

THE SECOND PART.

SECONDE PARTIE. Que l'Eglise Romaine n'est poin la Veritable Eglise, que so Authorité n'est point Infailli∣ble, qu'elle n'est remplie qu de Corruptions & d'Erreurs.

INTRODUCTION. La Providence fit naistre des occasion qui me firent prendre la resoluti d'examiner serieusement les Pri cipes, sur lesquels est fondé l'Artic de l'Authorité de l'Eglise Romaine

1. L'occasion, qui fut cause que j'e minay de nouveau tous les Arti de Foy de l'Eglise Romaine, lesqu je reduisois tous à l'Authorité cette Eglise.

2. L'Occasion que j'eus de douter de l'Infaillibilité du Pape, me fit pren∣dre la Resolution d'examiner de nouveau & sans Passion, sur quoy est fondée l'Authorité, dont l'Eglise Romaine se vante si fort.

3. Les Circonstances avec lesquell je commancay de faire cet Exame & quel est mon dessein dans le R cit que j'en fais icy.

CHAPITRRE I. Des pretenduës Fondements de l'Authoritè de Eglise Romaine.

SECTION I. Que l'Antiquité, la Multitude & la Succession, ne sont point des Privi∣leges que l'Eglise Romaine posse∣de, pardessus les autres Eglises.

§ I. Que l'Eglise Romaine n'est pas la plus Ancienne de toutes les Eglises.

§. 2. Que la Multitude n'est pas du costé de l'Eglise Romaine.

§. 3. Que d'autres Eglises, aussi bien que la Romaine, ont leur Succession d'Evéque en Evéque depuis les Apôtres.

SECTION. II. Que ny l'Antiquité, ny la Multitude ny la Succession ne sont point des Mar∣ques Infaillibles de la Veritable E∣glise, & par consequent qu'une Eglise peut avoir toutes ces marques, & ne pas laisser d'estre Heretique.

§. 1. Que l'Antiquité n'est pas u∣marque Infaillible de la Veritab

§. 2. Que la Multitude n'est pasune mar∣que Infaillible de la Veritable Eglise.

§. 3. Que la Succession n'est pas une mar∣que Infaillible de la Veritable Eglise.

CONCLUSION. Que c'est la Succession de la veritable Doctrine depuis les Apôtres qui est une Marque Infaillible de la Veri∣table Eglise, & que l'Eglise de Rome qui n'a point la Succession de la veritable Doctrine, n'a pas sujet de se vanter, ny de l'Antiquité, ny de la Multitude, ny de la Succession.

CHAPITRE II. Des Fondements veritables de l'E∣glise Romaine d'apresent.

SECTION I. De l'Ambition des Papes.

§. 1. Le Pape s'éleve au dessus des Roys, au lieu que de droit il deve∣roit leur estre soûmis.

§ 2. Le Pape s'éleve au dessus de toutes les Eglises en s'attribuant in∣justement la Primauté & le Tî∣tre d'Evéque Ʋniversel; & que s'attribuer ce Tître c'est un Blas∣pheme & une Apostasie dans le Christianisme.

§ 3. Que l'Ambition des Papes va jus∣qu'à l'Impieté.

1. Que le Pape s'attribue une Autho∣rité aussi grande que celle que l'on attribue à Dieu.

2. Que le Pape s'attribute même des Tîtres que l'on attribue qu'à Dieu & à Jesus Christ nôtre Seigneur, vray fils de Dieu.

SECTION II. De l'Avarice des Papes.

Conclusion de cette seconde Partie. Que l'Eglise Romaine n'estant fon∣dée que sur les principes que j'ay rapportez, est tombée dans la Corruption & dans l'Erreur.

§. 1. Corruption horrible dans ses Moeurs.

§. 2. Erreurs extremement grossieres dans la Doctrine de l'Eglise Romaine.

CONCLƲSION GENERALE. Que j'estois engagé de sortir de l'Eglise de Rome, aprés que Dieu m'en eut fair connoistre les Erreurs par les degrez que j'ay marquez, dans les deux Parties de ce Discours.

§. 1. L'occasion d'un Sermon que je pré∣chay sur le sujet du Sacrement me rappella dans l'Esprit toutes les idées que j'avois des Erreurs de Rome.

§. 2. Les repugnances que je souffris & les difficultés qu'il me fallut sur∣monter.

§. 3. Les Raisons que je meditay pour retarder ma Conversion.

§. 4. Dieu me fit vivement compren∣dre le grand peché que c'est que de s'opposer au Saint Esprit, & ainsi acheva ma Conversion en me faisant genereusement abandonner la Com∣munion de Rome.

SECOND PART. The Church of Rome is not the true Church, its Authority is not in∣fallible, and that it is full of Corruptions and Errours.

INTRODƲCTION. The Divine Providence brought forth some occasions, which made me re∣solve to examine the very first grounds of the question concerning the Autho∣rity of the Roman Church.

1. The occasion I had to examine a∣new all the Articles of Faith of the Roman Church, which I reduced all to the Authority of the same Church.

2. The occasion I had to doubt of the infallibility of the Pope, made me resolve the examine again and with∣out passion, upon what the Autho∣rity, which the Church of Rome boasts so much of, is grounded.

3. Circumstances wherewith I began to examine the Authority of the Roman Church, and what is my design in the rehearsal of them.

CHAPTER I. The pretended grounds of the Authority of the Roman Church.

SECTION I. Antiquity, Multitude, and Successi∣on are not Priviledges of the Roman Church, above all other Churches.

§ 1. The Roman Church is not the Eldest of all the Churches.

§. 2. That the Multitude is not of the Roman Church's side.

§. 3. Other Churches, as well as the Roman, have their Succession from the very Apostles.

SECTION II. That neither Antiquity, nor Multi∣tude, nor Succession are infallible marks of the true Church, and con∣sequently that one Church may have them all, and, with them all, be an Heretical Church.

§. 1. Antiquity is not an infallible mark of the true Church.

§. 2. Multitude is not an infallible mark of the true Church.

§. 3. Succession is not an Infallible mark of the true Church.

CONCLƲSION. That it is the Succession of the true Doctrine from the Apostles, which is an Infallible mark of the true Church; and that the Church of Rome which hath the Succession of Doctrine, hath no reason to boast neither of its Antiquity, nor of its Multitude nor Succession.

CHAPTER II. The true Grounds of the now Ro∣man Church.

SECTION I. The Ambition of the Popes.

§. 1. The Pope exalts himself above all Kings, whereas by right he ought to be submitted to them.

§ 2. The Pope exalts himself above all Churches, taking unjustly to him∣self the titel of Universal Bishop; That it is a Blasphemy, and an Apo∣stasie in Christendome to take upon him such a title.

§ 3. That the Ambition of the Popes extends it felf as far as Impiety.

1. The Pope takes to himself as great an Authority as that of God Almighty.

2. The Pope takes upon himself the same Titles that we use to give but to God Almighty, and unto Jesus Christ our Saviour, the true Son of God.

SECTION II. The Covetousness of the Popes.

Conclusion of the second Part. That the Roman Church being founded upon the principles which I have rehearsed, is fallen into Corruption and Error.

§. 1. Horrid Corruptions in its Man∣ners.

§. 2. Some extreamly gross errors in the doctrine of Rome.

GENERAL CONCLUSION. That I was engaged to go out of the Church of Rome, where∣of God Almighty made me know the errors by the degrees I have rehearsed in the two parts of this discourse.

§. 1. The occasion of a Sermon about the Sacrament called again in my mind all the notions I had of the Errours of Rome.

§. 2. The difficulties I suffered and the oppositions I had to overcome.

§. 3. The reasons which I thought upon in my mind to defer my conversion.

§. 4. God makes me understand, how great sin it is to withstand the Ho∣ly Ghost, anso makes an end of my conversion, and brings me out of the Communion of Rome.