The ladder of hell, or, The Protestants libertine doctrine being the broad way which leadeth the followers of it to their eternall ruine and destruction in hell / set foorth in prose and verse. Covbridge, Cranmer. 1618 Approx. 20 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A19456 STC 5879.5 ESTC S1685 21469809 ocm 21469809 24025 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19456) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 24025) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1708:7) The ladder of hell, or, The Protestants libertine doctrine being the broad way which leadeth the followers of it to their eternall ruine and destruction in hell / set foorth in prose and verse. Covbridge, Cranmer. [16] p. Birchley Hall Press?, [Lancashire? : ca. 1618] Dedication signed: Cranmer Covbridge. Imprint suggested by STC (2nd ed.). Marginal notes. Signatures: A⁸. Reproduction of original in the Upshaw College (Durham, Eng.). Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Protestantism -- Controversial literature. Conscience -- Early works to 1800. 2006-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-10 Jason Colman Sampled and proofread 2006-10 Jason Colman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE LADDER OF HELL . OR THE PROTESTANTS LIBERTINE DOCTRINE , BEING THE BROAD WAY WHICH leadeth the followers of it to their eternall ruine and destruction in Hell. Set foorth in Prose and Verse . ISAI . 5. 20. Woe vnto you who call euill good , and good euill ; putting darknesse light , and light darknesse . Permissu Superiorum . CRANMER COVBRIDGE , MINISTER OF THE WORD IN CVMBERLAND , to the zealous Protestants his Brethren , concerning the Printing , Title , and vse of this admirable Ladder , worthily called The Ladder of Hell. COnsidering that this Ladder was first framed and entituled The Ladder of Hell , by a Papist , to the great disgrace ( as hee conceined ) of our Protestant Religion ; I imagine that some of you ( dearely beloued Brethren ) will wish that it had been quite suppressed , and neuer seene light : yet , ( in regard it containeth nothing but a collection of certaine sentences set downe in the publike bookes of twelue principall Pillars of our Church ) I thought it not amisse to set it forth , just as I found it , vnder your protection ; knowing well , that euery zealous Protestant can with the dexteritie of his reformed spirit turne all , though neuer so plainly seeming ill , to at least a seeming good sense : as for example , wheras the Papist called this collection of sentences , The Ladder of Hell because in his judgement the beleefe and , practise of it leadeth a soule directly to hell . Yet one of our new learning ( considering that Ladders are made rather to helpe men vpward then downeward ) wil say it may be called The Ladder of Hell , because the beleefe and practise of it will lift soules out of hell . And with reason may this be said , supposing one ground of our new doctrine be true , to wit , that Hell is ( no such locall place in which are fire and other torments , as is said by the ancient Fathers , and the Scriptures themselues , to be prepared for the Diuels and other damned creatures , but ) only a certaine terror and horror of an afflicted conscience , the which may in some measure be felt euen in this world , and is ordinarily felt after sin commited euen by Protestants , vntill by beleeuing firmely , and practising freely the points of doctrine contained in this Ladder , they come by degrees to contemne all things , to wit , all Lawes of God and man : and all scruple of minde and remorse of conscience , and all feare of Death , Iudgement , and Hell , which estate of mind , it is like diuers zealous Protestants haue alreadie attained vnto , esteeming themselues hereby to be not onely freed from hell , but to haue attained a kind of heauen in earth : Marry the doubt is , whether this their heauē wil last alwayes , as true heauen ought to doe , or whether this hastie freeing thēselues frō the hell of care , feare , remorse & sorrow in this life , will not plung them into a most bitter feeling of remorse in the houre of death , and into intollerable torments of the eternall Hell in the next life . The which doubt being in the judgement of some , only a Papisticall scruple , I will leaue to bee discussed at better leasure : It shall suffice my present purpose onely to declare the manifold vses , which for the present time may be made of this excellent Ladder , both by Papists and Protestants . First , I finde that the Papists meane to make this short Ladder serue for an answer of many long discourses made by Protestant Ministers in bookes or Sermons , in which they obiect the ill liues of some Papists ; the which obiections the Papists doe retort more strongly against vs Protestants , who cannot deny , but that since the light of the new Gospell was by Luther brought into the world , men are ( as Luther himselfe coufessed ) more reuengeful , more conetous , more vnmercifull , more vnmodest and vnruly , and much worse then they were in Papistry ; the reason whereof ( say the Papists ) is for that the very doctrine it selfe of the new Gospellers , doth not onely not afford such effectuall restraints and remedies against sinne , as is in the ancient Catholike Religion , but also hath ( as appeareth by the steps of this Ladder ) diuers expresse principles , which doe plainly open the gappe to all licentious libertie of lewde life , far more then can bee imagined to bee done by any principles of the Papists doctrine . Whereupon the Papists conclude that the Protestant Religion , whose doctrine is so vnholy , cannot be a holy Religion inspired by the holy Ghost , but suggested ( as a Luther the first Author confesseth some part of it ( to wit , the deniall of the sacrifice of the Masse ) to haue beene suggested to him ) by Satan himselfe , the enemy of all true Religion and holinesse . The zealous Protestant not much regarding this , or whatsoeuer other arguments made by Papists , find out other vses of this Ladder : as for example . First , it teacheth euery one of them to exercise heroicall acts of their b new-found Iustifying Faith , by which they beleeue that they are just , holy , and of the number of the predestinate , not onely by hauing a good hope , ( as the poore Papists haue ) when they see or feele some of those things in themselues , which by the holy Scriptures they learne to be signes of true Iustice ( to wit , repentance of sins past , carefulnesse to auoid sinne in time to come , diligence in doing good workes ; &c. ) but also by infallible and absolute beleefe , as of a chiefe article of their Christian faith , euen at such times as they neither see , nor feele any such signes , yea euē whē they euidently see in themselues contrary signes , & namely , euen when they actually do those works of the flesh , of which Saint . Paul pronounceth , That they who doe such things , shall not obtaine the Kingdome of God. Zealous Protestants , I say , maugre this threat of S. Paul , are taught by this Ladder to beleeue boldly that they are Saints , and cannot misse saluation , notwithstanding they commit neuer so many most horrible sins . Secondly , this Ladder teacheth them to cast away all feare of God , not onely in respect of his Iustice , in inflicting present or future paines for sinne ( which is called seruile feare ) but also of separation from God , which feare cannot stand with our new Iustifying Faith , in regard we must hold it absolutely impossible that we can bee separated from God , and consequently wee must cast away this fear , although neuer so much commended in Scripture . Thirdly , By this admirable Ladder , zealous Protestants may be deliuered from all inward remorse of conscience , & may come to that highest perfection of our new Gospell , which consisteth in a neglect of al conscience , the which cannot be attained on a sudden , but must be gained ( as Luther himselfe gained it ) by entering into a terrible conflict , and fighting against ones owne conscience ; the difficulty of which combate ariseth out of three heads . The first is the letter of the written word , which seemeth euery where to crosse thi● liberty of conscience , and to forbid the doing of any thing against conscience . But our new spirituall man , who judgeth all things , will oppose against this killing letter of Scripture , which restraineth our freedome , the quickening spirit of this Ladder , which alloweth liberty of neglecting conscience . The second is an old Tradition of the Papists in fauour of conscience , which hath by long custome taken a deepe roote in vs. But the zealous Protestant , who accounteth Papistry a great blindnesse , will easily defie this among other Papisticall traditions . The third is an inueterate opinion and feeling of conscience engrauen in the very nature and flesh of mans heart . But we new spirited men do know old nature to be corrupted , and that the flesh profiteth nothing . Thus my deare Brethrē , you may see what vses may be made of this admirable Ladder . It remaineth that in a word I also declare , why I make choice to dedicate it vnto you , and to put it in print vnder your protection . The reason is , because the authors out of whom these sentences were collected , were all zealous Protestants . Secondly , because none now adaies will ( as I suppose ) stedfastl● beleeue & endeuor to practise according 〈◊〉 these points , but only zealous Prote●●a●s . Thirdly , beause none but such zealous Protestāts , who frame their liues according to this Ladder , can well vnderstand how it is possible that this Ladder can be good , or how it should deliuer one out of Hell , and cōsequently , why it should be stiled in that sense , in which I stile it , The Ladder of Hell. It may be the Papist , which first framed this Ladder , wil play vpon vs with his text , Woe vnto you that call euil good , and good euill , Isa . 5. 20. But wee care not for his text , for we can cry as lowd , and say as fast , Wo vnto him , and although the world will , witnesse that he hath better reason to vse this text against vs , then we against him : yet it sufficeth that our * new Spirit doth beare witnes to our nullity of cōscience that we say true . If the Papist take aduātage at my intitling my self Minist . of the Word in Comberland , saying that we Ministers comber the Land with these libertine doctrines . I can reply & tell him , that it is he & his Seminaries , who comber our consciences with their contrary doctrines , & with putting scruples into our heads , by adding to this Ladder certain sentences , threatning hell and damnation to sinners : for although we professe by our justifying Faith , that we are sure to be saued , and that we neede not feare to be damned : yet I confesse , when I seriously examine my guilty conscience , and by searching , find the holy Scriptures themselues to pronounce plainly eternall damnation to all ill liuers . I cannot choose but be bodily afraid lest the Papist say true , when he telleth vs that the Libertine doctrine taught by our new Gospellers , & set downe in this Ladder , wil most certainly lead the followers of it to their eternall ruine and destruction in hell ; from which I beseech the Lord to deliuer vs all . Amen Your deuoted seruant in the Lord , CRANMER COVBRIDGE . THE PROTESTANTS LADDER of libertie in Prose . Easie it is Hell not to misse . 1 GOD is the Author and enforcing cause of all finne . 2 The ten Commandements are impossible to be kept . 3 The ten Commandements belong not to Christains . 4 Christ hath fulfilled the Law for vs. 5 We need take no paines for eternall life : 6 Dauid committing murder and adulterie , did not lose the holy Ghost . 7 Whosoeuer beleeues , God workes for him . 8 Sinnes are not hurtfull to him that beleeues . 9 We haue no freewill at all , for it is titulus finere . 10 Good works are not necessary to saluation . 11 Good workes are hurtfull to saluation . 12 To teach good workes , is the doctrine of diuels . 1● Let vs take heed of sinnes , yea let vs take heed of good workes . 14 All our best workes are mortall sins , and meere iniquitie . 15 We need not greeue or doe any satisfaction for our sinnes . 16 A thousand fornications and murders a day , cannot withdraw vs from Christ . 17 If thy wife will not come , let thy maid come . 18 A woman is as necessary as meat and drinke . 19 We may haue as many wiues as we list together . 20 To fast and chastise our bodies , is sanctitie for hogges and dogges . 21 Purgatory is a delusion of the diuell . 22 The diuels are but in hell . 23 There is no sinne but infidelitie , no iustice but Faith. 24 No sins are imputed to the faithfull . 25 Sinnes of the faithfull past and future , are pardoned as soone as committed . 26 The more wicked thou art , the more neere to receiue grace . 27 Wee haue as much right to heauen , as Christ himselfe . 28 And wee are all Saints , and as holy as the Apostles were . 29 Wee are certaine of our saluation . 30 We cannot fall from ours , vnlesse Christ fall from his . A larger passage no man treads Then that which to perdition leads . THE PROTESTANTS LADDER of libertie , in Verse . The gates are ●ide And open bide . GOD is of all our sinnes the enforcing cause , It is impossible to keepe his lawes , The Tables two no rules for Christians bee , Christ hath fulfill'd the Law , and left vs free . We need no paines take for eternall life , Dauid Vrias kill'd , defilde his wife , Yet did not thereby lose the holy Ghost . God for beleeuers worke , they ( truely ) boast ▪ To the beleeuer , no sinnes hurtfull are : We haue no freewill , t is a title bare : There 's no necessitie of our good workes , In them much hinderance to saluation lurkes . The teaching of good workes is diuels lore ; Shunne sin , but for good works eschew them more ▪ All our best workes are sinnes and errors soule ; For sinne neer satisfie , nor grieue thy soule , A thousand fornications on a day ; As oft to kill , pulls not from Christ away . If thy wife will not , let thy mayde supply , As meate and drinke , a woman's necessary ▪ Wiues thou mayest take at once al that thou please ▪ To tame the flesh by fasts , or want of ease , Is sanctitie for hogges and dogges to vse , With Purgatorie the Fiend doth fooles abuse . Nor are those damn'd rebellious sprites in hell , No sinne , but want of Faith , no doing well , But to beleeue . No sinnes the faithfull blot Committed , straight they are pardon'd and forgot . The most defil'd , the readiest is for grace ; As Christ , so wee , haue right to see Gods face . The Apostles equalls we are all , and Saints , Our certaintie of saluation neuer faints , What euer soyleth ours , Christs glory taints ▪ They spend their dayes in faring well , And in a tri●e descend to hell . THE BOOKES OF PROTEstants from whence the steppes of the ▪ Ladder are gathered . 1 Caluin . lib. 1. Iustitut . cap. 18. sect . 3. 4. Castalio is witnes , l. de Praed . con . Caluin . Ecker . in fascic . contr . quaest . 2. cap. 7. Paraeus apud Beca in 1. par . c. 16. p. 182. Litt. Bern. dat . Anno. 1555. 2 Caluin . lib. 2. Instit . cap. 7. sect . 5. 3 Luther . Serm. de Mois . & in coloq ●●ns . Germ. fol. 152. 153. Melane . in Loc. Com. edit . 2. pag. 76. Eberus Salmath fecicles cruciger colloq . Altemb . Anno 1568. 4 Willet in Sinop . Papis . pag. 564. 5 Hoffman . de Poenit. 6 Fulke in the Tower disput . 7 Hoffman . de Poenit. 8 Whitaker de Ecclesia . pag. 301. 9 Luther Art. 36. 10 Illiricus in Pref. ad Rom. 11 Amsdorfius quod bona opera sint perniciosa ad salut . 12 Luther de Votis Monast . 13 Luther in Piscatura Petri. 14 Caluin lib. 3. cap. 12. sect . 4. 15 Caluin lib. 3. cap. 4. sect . 38. 16 Luther Tom. 1. epist . fol. 334. 17 Luther Ser. de Matrimon . 18 Luther Ibidem . 19 Luther Ibidem . 20 Luther Tom. 5. Ger. fol. 324. 21 Luther Epist . ad Wald. de Eucha . 22 Luther ad cap. 9. Ionae . 23 Luther in 5. par . post . German . fol. 140. and Tindall alledged by Fox , Actes pag. 1137. 24 Caluin lib. 3. Instit . cap. 4. sect . 28. 25 Wotton in his Answ . to the Popish Art. pag. 41. 26 Luther Ser. de Pisc . Petri. 27 Zwinglius Tom. 1. fol. 288. 28 Luther Ser. de Cruce . 29 Disput . Ratisb . pag. 463. 30 Swinglius Tom. 1 fol. 268. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A19456-e130 Caluin . in c. 30. Isa . Hermonia ad cap. 3. Mat. v. 12. I. Instit . c. 25. n. 12. Luther in Postilla supra Euangel . dom . 1. aduentus . a Luth. de abroganda missa priuata , editione prima . b I call it new foūd , because I finde not in Scripture or in the ancient Fathers that a man is made iust by confidently beleeuing that hee is Iust , but rather by humbly acknowledging ones selfe to be a sinner , as appeareth in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican . Luke 18. Gal ▪ 5. * Which whether it bee white or blacke , Zuinglius himselfe could not tell . Notes for div A19456-e550 Caluin . Caluin . Luther . Willet . Hofman . Fulke . Hofman . Whittaker . Luther . Illiricus . A●●●ders . Luther . Luther . Caluin . Luther . Luther . Luther . Luther . Luther . Luther . Luther . Luther . Tindall . Caluin . Wotton . Luther . Zuinglius . Luther . Caluin . Zuinglius .