the Scripture yea a dexterous comparing of one place with another with a prudent use of the judgement and commentaries of such as have written thereon though not implicitely to rest upon them Qu. Buâ— hath not the Scripture so various senses as necessarily requires a living and visible Judge to decide when to take it in a literal or in a figurative sense Ans It concerns the Romish Church to impose divers senses on the Scripture that it may have none at all though we deny not some figurative expressions the true sense whereof must be understood from what is the obvious intent as the scope of such a Scripture not the very words themselves Such as Mat. 5 29. If thine eye offend thee pluck it out Psal 91 13. Thou shalâ— tread upon the lion and the dragon But it is most clear 1. That one true and genuine sense the Scripture only hath from the words rightly understood which is the literal sense and thence only Arguments can be taken to prove any truth 2. That in truths necessary to Salvation is no thing figuratively expressed but what is with greatest plainnesse to the discerning of all held forth 3. What the Romish Church pleads for of an Allegorick Moral and Typical sense they are no different senses of the Scripture but a different application and accommodation of one and the same Scripture divers ways in the use whereof much caution and sobriety is needful and though a necessarie respect is to be had always to the Type and the thing Typified yet even there is the sense still one and the same SECT IV. Qu. HOw know you the Scripture is of God or can be infallibly sure of its Divinity but by the Church and its Testimony Ans We deny not this to be a peculiar motive and inducement for a high and reverent esteem thereof and a ministerial help to our Faith though with no authoritative Dominion over the same But 1. The Scripture is known by its own light and these expresse Characters and marks of Divinity it bears which convincingly shew whose it is so as the meanest Christian may know this without any humane Testimony 2. There needs also the inward work of the Spirit to beget a firm and through perswasion thereof upon the Soul Qu. But how do you know you perceive such a light in the Scriptures as you speak of Or can make it appear to others that you are not deceived therein Ans None will distrust their own eves though by no Arguments they can perswade those who are blind that they really behold so excellent a light as the Sun But it is strange and absurd to demand a reason of Sense or for a blind man to require him who seeth to prove unto him by Argument that he certainly sees and beholds such things Qu. Is not this torun in a round and circle from the Scripture to the Spirit from the Spirit again to the Scripture when thâ—s you know by the Spirits revealing the Scripture to be the Word of GOD and that revelation to be true by the Scripture Ans No ground is here for any such challenge 1. Because we admit no private or particular Revelation of the Spirit to assure us of the Truth different from what is revealed in the Scripture it self 2. It can be no circle when it is so clear the Scripture and Spirit mutually prove one another by different wayes and not in the same manner for it is by way of Argument that the Scripture proves the certainty of the Spirit holding out such truths whence we know how to discern the Spirit but effectively and as an instrument doth the Spirit prove the Scripture by enabling us to see that marvelous light which is therin 3. As hath been already cleared there are Arguments of another nature and independent on the Testimony of the Spirit by which the Divinity of the Scripture can be solidly known and demonstrated Qu. Can you know the Scripture is Canonical or that these Apocrypha Books which Protestants reject are no part thereof without the Churches decision Ans We know 1. That these were never acknowledged in the Canon of the Scripture by the Jewish Church before Christ to which the Oracles of God were committed nor read and expounded in their Synagogues as their most Ancient Writers and of the greatest credit amongst them witnesse 2. They were not written in Hebrew the language of the Church before the coming of Christ in which all the Books of the Old Testament were generally written 3. Though with that severe caution was the Ancient Church careful to keep the Scripture so as the number of the verses letters thereof was most exactly reâ—koned and lookt to yet none of these Apocryphal Books was ever received or admitted by them 4. By the Primitive Church after the Apostles such were not owned in the Canon of the Scripture though by some allowed to be read for instruction of manners 5. They are convict of notorious falshood in many places both of Doctrine and History which all may see repugnant to Truth and the Analogy of Faith Qu. Bus what certainty can be on the credit of a Translation that all know to be fallible Ans Nothing can be more for moral assurance when it is so clear 1. That the truth of our translations though in divers times and different Languages yet all agree in the maine and substance 2. That solide relief is at hand to go unto the fountains themselves the original Languages and see with their own eyes if the Translations thereof be not faithful and true which by a little pains and diligent use of helps for such an end is in our power to attain 3. It is not on naked words but on the clear and genuine sense thereof in whatever Language held forth that we found our Faith nor can any deny the Scripture truely rendered in English to be the Word of God though not in the very same Characters in which the Prophets wrote the same 4. These evidences of the Scriptures Divinity that it enlighteneth the eyes and converts the Soul with its Authority over the Conscience we know to be no less discernably and convincingly witnessed in mens vulgar Language through all ages than in the Greek and Hebrew SECT V. Qu. IS the Scripture of a sufficient foundation of Faith for a private Christian which according to the Romish Doctrine must have its Aâ—thority from the Church without which it can be no Scripture nor Canonical Ans They are indeed concerned to put down all Divine Record that they may be alone Judges in their own cause But we know 1. That the Apostolick Church had no such claim 2 Cor. 1 24. Not that we have dominion over your Faith 2. That they did bound their Authority within the limits of the Scripture Gal. 1 8. Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach another Doctrine than that we have preached to you let him be accursed 3. Thus should the
THE Truth and Certainty of the PROTESTANT FAITH With a short and plain account of the Doctrine of the ROMISH CHURCH In its visible Opposition to Scripture and the very being of Christianity To which is adjoined some serious Considerations anent Popery the state of that Controversy I. PET. III Ver. 15. And be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you REVEL XIV Ver. 9. If any man worship the Beast or his Image and reâ—eive his mark in his forehead or in his hand Ver. 10. The same shal drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Ver. 11. And the smoak of their torment shall ascend up for ever and ever Printed in the Year 1678. EPISTLE To the CHRISTIAN READER READER THese few sheets adjoyned here against Popery was in part formerly published but being with some further enlargement now reprinted I hope it may not be found unsuteable to set them down here in the close when so convincing necessar a rise from the foregoing subject is clear though such as desire may have it by it self also without the preceeding treatise These grounds did in some measure presse me novv to the present publishing thereof 1. That the import of this controversy betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church concernes the meanest this day no less than the more knowing and learned and that to be a Protestant in earnest must necessarily require a seeing the truth with their ovvn eyes yea such a faith as is the result of a judgment upon diligent search convinced by the Scripture 2. That it is an hour of great trial and of the power of darkness when the Popish Adversary is visibly at work almost every where to sowe tares whilst so fevv even of those who seeme serious in professing the truth can give a clear account of the grosness of Popery and solide grounds of the Protestant Doctrine when thus assaulted but lyâ— naked thereto as without defence though abounding and clearest light hath been held forth for that end and at a sad disavantage to hold fast their Profession by suffering if they should be called thereto as in former times 3. The visible hazard of many young ones in this generation to be made a prey of and easily poisoned vvith Popery vvho but seldome vvork out in their age and riper years vvhat they thus drink in in their youth 4. That such an essay seemed convincingly needful for these whose age vvant of time indisposition to read or loathness too be at expence in buying books is too visible a lett for their improving what hath been more largely written by others 5. That as I hope it shall be found vvhat is of greatest vveight or necessary use to be knovvn in these Controversies is â—ere comprised though in small bounds yet vvith such plainless that the meanest Reader may understand and know the Doctrine and principles of Popery and what Arguments they pretend to be most strong held forth in the Questions here proposed with a clear view of their direct opposition to the Scripture by the Answers thereto so as in a very few houres these for whom this is most designed may by reading it but some times over have it so far impressed on them as to know how to answere and give a soâ—ide account of the Protestant Doctrine and grosness of Popery when assaulted by any Seducers If to any such this small essay might be of use I may then say the Author hath not lost his desire and aime what ever entertainment it should otherwise meet with The time hasteneth when that only vvhich tendeth to a solide peace with Jesus Christ vvill abide and â—y near to the soul vvhen the Testimony of men will be of small value I shall but add that nothing is here charged on the Romish Adversary as their principles Which their own greatest Writers of the Doctrine of the Councel of Trent do not clearly attest The Reader vvould consider that these Sections into vvhich this is divided is vvith respect to the particular Heads of the Romish Doctrine vvhich are there handled There are several Mistakes in words from the press which I hope the judicious Reader will discerne without having the sense darkned thereby and pardon with some visible Mistakes also in the pointing SECT 1. Qu. SEing our greatest interest is to know the truth and certainty of that Religion we profess What is to be understood by the Protestant Reformed Religion as under such a designation it is now held forth Ans The Scripture unto whose trial this offereth it self clearly sheweth that it is no new Doctrine brought in on the World but the truth of Christianity by the good hand of the Lord on the Reformed Church confessed asserted and purged from the corruptions of Popery and hath the very same grounds to prove it which the Christian Religion hath Qu. Is it not of late the Name of Protestant much less as a Church was known and from visible appearances but little to evidence its being and succession in the World when Popery for many Ages had a conspicuous and flourishing State Ans We deny not the Reformation to be late and that name of Protestant which hath its rise from a solemne Protestation of several Princes and Cities against Popery But these also are demonstrably clear 1. How it is the same truth and Religion of the Apostles and Primitive Church wherein they walked though in a great measure after darkned as Antichristianisme grew up which hath been unanswerably proved to the World 2. That in the Scripture no ground can be shewed for a continual visibility of the Church as an unite body and in a flourishing outward state but the contrary is foretold how obscure low her condition should be during Antichrist's reign So as a place of hiding was then prepared for her Rev. 12 6. 3. Yet even in the darkest times there did not want some visibility of the true Church by a continued succession of witnesses to appear for the Truth and against the Romish Apostacie which as a fresh River made its way through that horride Lake without mixing with it Qu. What peculiar grounds are to prove this or enforce a conviction on others That the Protestant Religion this day is the pure and ancient Christian Religion Ans If men shut not their eyes none can deny these grounds as a test of the certainty thereof 1. It s exact conformity to the Scripture and to the genuine and perspicuous sense thereof than which nothing is more clear if we will but compare these together 2. That the Protestant Religion in all the essentials thereof is the very same and exactly agrees with the Faith of the Christian Church in the first three centuries and for
to put a handsome shape on this device or how the World can know upon any sure gronud 1. How Peter was at Rome or that he was setled in a peculiar manner Bishop in that See which neither Scripture nor the most ancient records of the Church gives the least shadow of ground for 2 How the Pope becometh his Successor or upon what warrant yea that this should be an Article of mens faith where the Scripture is wholly silent 3. How that pretended succession to Peter in that particular Diocess of Rome should have a Catholick Power and Headship over the whole Church annexed thereto so as all who succeed in in the one must also in the other 4. How a warrantable Succession of each particular Pope can be made sure to the Apostle upon this pretended right and that he hath lawfully succeeded since if this be nul and the election be unlawful they have then with their own consent no promise of Assistance nor obedience in this case due 5. When it is so clear that the Power of the Keyes were given no less to the rest of the Apostles then to Peter as is express Matth. 18 18 19. yea that Peter claimed no such presidence amongst the rest of the Apostles as may be seen Act. 15. upon what ground can they thus refound so great a claime as this Oh what an amazing infatuation are those in who should take this upon trust the very recital whereof is so obvious a refutation of it self And that on such a pretended Power and Supremacy of Peter the whole weight and superstructure of the Romish Hierarchy must leane yea which is of a higher concerne that on this by undeniable consequence must be rolled over a weight no less than the eternal interest and perishing of many millions of souls who upon this Plenary Power and Infallibility of the Pope thus founded upon such a ground do adventure with such an Acquittance and Absolution as their security into another World 5. That notable device of Purgatory may be a convincing witness to the horrid imposture of Popery than which nothing could have been more subservient to that great designe of a lucrative interest and to keep the people under a continued aw and terror yea what improvement for so many ages they have made of this for their own private gain that it may be seen the Romish Church should lose one of the greatest revenues it hath if purgatory were not kept up amongst them is beyond reckoning by themselves what continued income this hath had quantum haec fabula profuit Romanae Ecclesiae But Oh! such as will thus adventure hereon may have saddest cause to feare that this Purgatory on their immediat parting with time be found a real hell whence no release or Possibility thereof can be though all the treasures of the earth could be given for the same and then shall know this sad verification of this truth 2 Thes 2 11 12. Which so expresly points at Antichristian Popery for this cause God shall send them strong delusion to believe a lye because they received not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved that they all may be damned who believe not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 6. What strange account do their legends give of their pretended Miracles as the most effectual way to gain câ—edit to these Doctrines which they see can have no possible founding 〈◊〉 the Scripture such as that we may judge those who are but in the least knowing amongst them wonder how Credit could be expected from any thereto such as they tell us of S. Francis how he was greater then John the Baptist and better then all the Apostles who in Vision received the Wounds of Christ suffered the same griefs in whom all vertues of the Saints as well under the Old as under the New Testament ar put unitivè conjunctivè and after most blasphemously puts him in the same roome with our most blessed Lord by reason of a scedule which they say Leo the Friar saw descend from Heaven and fell on the Head of Francis whereon was write this man is the grace of God and example of all perfection c. This Book wherein these yea where more horride blasphemies are written called liber conformitatum impressis Bononiae Fol. 3 250. is called by them their golden book with this express clause underneath by a general consent of the Chapter of that Order â—ye have searched this book and found nothing worthy of correction Such an instance also is he whom they call St Dominick of whom they shew that Christ raised three only from the dead but S. Dominick three in one City that he had the Angels at his Service but it may be easy to judge what Angels they were how the Elements did obey him and the Devils trembled at him how he had a star in his forehead when he was Baptized and restored fourty strangers to life that where over whelmed in a ship and long under the water with much more of this kind published to the World by Anthony an Archbishop of his Order Anthon. Arch. Pag. 3 23. but with these famous instances may be sitly joined two Nunes no less known and publick who if they had lived in one time and their order could have allowed it might have been suteably matcht with other the one is Magdalena de Cruce Abbess of a Monastery of Franciscan Nunnes who by the Power of the Devil appeared to Mariners in a storme at sea when invocate and the storme calmed was sometimes lift up into the air and the Sacrament went up visibly out of the Priests hand that said Mass through the air before all that look on unto her was of such repute that not only many ladies in Spain but the Queen also when she was near to be brought to bed sent the mantles wherein the Child was to be wrapt for her to bless yet at length upon clearest discovery and her own confession found to be a witch in express compact with the Devil since she was nine Years old so as the Spanish Inquisitors could not get shifted some forme of Sentence against her Anno 1540. A passage the truth whereof the Romish Church will not offer to disown the relation being so publick and known by their own writers And indeed she was well suted to be an Abbess of S Francis Order The other Instance is that relation set forth by one Stephen de Lusignan dedicated to the French Queen of the great Miracles in the Year 1586 which hapned to the Prioress de le Annonciado of Lisbon in Portugal approved by the greatest Church men there whose names are set down how usually Christ appeared to her and talked with her and had the impress of his five wounds put upon her with many such strange things so as severals were incited through the fame of her to become Nunnes yet at last was by a mervellous providence from the Lord