soon after him he left or at least designed they should leave something to remaine as the ordinary or perpetual means to teach it to others What is meant by the means Where by the means of teaching it I mean not any sort of meanes humanely authorized onely or fallible in its teaching or instrumentall only to some other creature or profitable only or necessary in some respects onely or sufficient to teach some part of it onely or to some creatures onely but the proper principall necessary and sufficient to teach every creature every particular of it and divinely authorized and assisted to that end and so deserving to be stiled in absolute and simple sense the Angel of the Lord or interpreter of his will to humane creatures the guide of mankind in the way to heaven the light of the world the Pillar or ground of the truth the Judge of the Christian Law the Chaire of Christ the Schoole of the Gospell the steward depositary or dispenser of the mysteries of faith the store-house or treasury of divine knowledge wisedome or truth the power or powerfull instrument of God unto salvation of all that believe or use it and its voice doctrine or teaching the word law oracles doctrine or Gospell of God Christ truth grace life or salvation c. the faith the truth the seed of grace the faithful word the sword of the spirit the forme of sound words or doctrine the depositum or treasure of heavenly truth left by Christ or his Apostles the whole revealed will or counsell of God the guide of faith the rule of religion c. Or of which it is or may be said it shall teach you religion if there arise a matter too hard for thee thou shalt goe to it to enquire ask or seek the Law of God at it or its mouth in controversie it shall stand in judgement it shall preserve knowledge it shall shew thee what thou oughtest to doe follow it make it your rule or guide prove all things by it by it we know the spirit of truth and spirit of error it is able to make you wise to salvation or to save your soules or to shew you the way to eternal life he that believes or followes it shall be saved or unto which God Almighty ever said Teach people or teach the Gospell To whatsoever creature these attributes offices properties phrases speeches or any one of them or any other to the same sense is rightfully given or appertaines that 's the meanes I speak of 8. Ground This meanes what ever it be is somewhere or other in H. Scripture set forth and named to us in most plain and expresse manner as being the fundamental of all fundamentals as to us within the Christian religion without which first known and certaine it is in vain for any man to talk of religion or to presume to judge of what is true or false pious or superstitious necessary or not necessary in any matter pertaining to it and which when it is known and certaine no more remaines for any man to doe that desires to know what he is to believe doe or avoid to obteining eternall salvation but only to find it out and hear believe and practice what it teaches comands or forbids as Gospell §. 2. The Question to he handled proposed Hither to you and we agree in our principles as rational men and Christians But then the Question is What is that means And it lies betwixt two The Church and H. Scripture For either he left them in quality of a Society or Community such as our Lawyers call a body corporate to have a permanency by succession and then the Church will be it or they were to leave some writing to teach in their stead or office at their death and then the Scripture will be it or he left them in quality of a Society as to some part of the office and they were to leave the Scripture in the other part and then both will be it By the Church then throughout this treatise What is meant by the Church I meane nothing els but a company or some company of men For this is description sufficient for the intent of this Treatise which is onely to distinguish her from the Scripture and the persons of the Apostles Nor do I mean by her the whole society so called nor any part of her as to any effect of justifying grace or salvation but properly and immediately that part by which she teacheth as I speak by my mouth and a University teaches by her Professors In which sense our B. Saviour used the name when he said Tell the Church Mat. 18.17 and S. Paul the Church is the pillar of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 And so in fine the quaestion is Whether the Church or the Scripture or both be the meanes left by Christ or his order for teaching his Gospell §. 3. The importance of it And it is as appeares sufficiently by what is said already the most transcendently-fundamental one possible to be within the Christian religion seeing by this meanes it is to be taught and all questions in it to be resolved And consequently it is of most transcendent importance what wee hold in it as you will quickly see if you but reflect on the consequences of it For 1. If H. Scripture be it 1. All reading of other books consulting Ministers or Divines going to Church to hear their Catechising or Sermons conferring or arguing one with another or any other acts or meanes whatsoever to this end to instruct or direct our selves in religion will be vain and superfluous yea improper but every one is to goe to the Bible and it alone and by it self alone For supposing it left in this office there will be no denying but it is as plain and intelligible by it self alone to any child or other novice having the use of reason as to the learnedst Divine in the world 2. No creature using it for his guide can offend God by any heresie superstition or prophanesse unlesse he believe or practice contrary to what it teacheth him according to his understanding of it 3. It will be out of the power of the Church to hinder or restraine any creature from reading and using it at his pleasure in any language 2. On the other side if the Church be it 1. all reading of Scripture by the people unto this end will be vain and superfluous yea improper but every one is to seek the Gospel at her mouth and hers onely 2. It will be in the power of the Church to permit or restrain the use of the Bible unto the people more or lesse thereafter as she in her prudence all things considered and not some only and in her charity to their souls shall judge it most expedient for them to their salvation 3. No man though baptized in Christs faith though believing never so humbly and firmly and practising never so fervently all that he finds in Scripture may
to the Church in publishing and dispersing her decrees and to their doctrine that it was by her approved 16.4 4. As they went through the Churches they delivered them the decrees of the Councell for to keep Act. 16.4 which was more then we finde they did any book of Scripture 5. When the good Christians heard what the Councell had decreed they rejoyced for the consolation of being certain now what was true doctrine in that point 15.31 6. And thus were the Churches established in the saith 16.5 8 Proofe Act. 20.20 27 32. 1. The Apostles by word of mouth committed unto the Church all things needfull nay but profitable only for them to know for the full discharge of their office unto salvation of themselves and their flock And so made her the depositary of what Christ had committed to them 2. That which they thus committed by word of mouth to the Church was in simple sense the word of grace nay expressely the whole counsell of God 3. This forme of doctrine thus taught by tradition was left and expressely recommended by the Apostles unto rhe Church for her sufficient rule and guide And now brethren I commend you to the word of Gods grace which is able to establish you c. v. 32. 4. And this at their death or as good as their death when they were never like to see one anothers faces more in this world I know that after my departure c. 5. So at their deaths they left the Church to continue for ever in all the same office and authority for feeding and ruling the flock of Christ wherein they then were or had been at any time afore and namely afore the writing of the New Testament Take heed to your selves and to the flock over the which the H. Ghost hath made you Bishops or as yours prophanely overseers to feed the Church c. CHAP. V. Proving it from the Epistles TO the practice and proceedings of the Apostles in their History accord the rules instructions exhortations and admonitions in their Epistles all setting forth and recommending unto us the Church for our guide and her teaching for our rule in such manner as if there were no such book as Scripture nor to be To name a few of the principal for instance 1 Proofe Rom. 1.1 Gal. 6.6 Eph. 1.13 Heb. 5.12 Iude 3.2 Io. 9. 1. It is their ordinary language to call the Churche's doctrine the word doctrine oracles Gospell c. of God Christ life salvation c. the faith the truth c. in simple sense 2. And not that preached by the Apostles only but by the Pastors among whom it was by accident if any were an Apostle Rom. 10.8 17. Heb. 13.7 Iam. 1.21 3. Nay that which was preached by Pastors of whom the Apostles none for certaine Col. 1.5 3.16 Nor can you say it was so called because it was the Scripture preached or in regard of its consonancy to it For 1. The Old Testament could give neither the matter nor rule for Evangelicall doctrine and very little of the New was written when S. Paul called it so in the first Epistle by him written 1 Th. 2.13 and S. Peter in the first that was written 1 Pet. 1.12 25. 2.2 2. Many Evangelicall doctrines then revealed were not written then to wit those mentioned in S. Iohn's Gospells and Epistles more then are in the other namely the institution of the Sacrament of Priestly absolution Ioh. 20.21 Christ's committing his flock to S. Peter Ioh. 21.15 3. The Epistles themselves expressly require all Traditions to be held unwritten as well as written and not those onely taught by the Apostles but by their Pastors Timothy Silvanus c. among whom it was by accident that S. Paul was one Hold the traditions which you have been taught whether by word or our Epistle 2 Thess 2.15 2. Proof Ro. 1.16 12.6 Eph. 6.16 1 Tim. 3.9 6.20 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 Tit. 1.9 Iam. 1.21 Iude 23. The Churches teaching or doctrine by her taught is called also in simple sense the power i.e. powerful instrument of God unto salvation of all that believe it the rule or as you call it proportion of faith the sword of the Spirit the mysterie of faith the good thing depositum or treasure of heavenly truth the form of sound words or doctrine committed by the Apostles to the Church the faith once delivered to the Saints the faithful word able to save the souls of all that follow it 3. Proof Rom. 10.14 17. The Apostle expressely averrs he knows no means wherby men may come to faith but the word preached and thereupon concludes absolutely Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God As much as to say the ordinary means of faith is hearing the word preached 4. Proof Rom. 12.6 1 Tim. 1.3 3.9 2 Tim. 1.13 3.14 Tit. 1.7 9. The rule of teaching to the Pastors was the doctrine they had received And it was the rule even to Prophets to If any man prophecy according to the analogie rule or as you render it proportion of faith Rom. 12.6 that is the known doctrine of the Church For that it could not mean the Scripture see the reasons given sup pag. 59. 5. Proof Ro. 16.17 2 Th. 3.6 Heb. 13.7 17. Iud. 3.1 Ioh. 2.24 4.2 6. 2 Ioh. 6 9. The rule of belief and holy practice to the people was the doctrine wherein they had been Catechised called by S. Iohn the unction of the H. Ghost 1 Ioh. 2.20 and generally the doctrine or institutes of the Church Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error He that knows God hears us he that is not of God heareth not us 1 Ioh. 4.6 This doctrine of our Catechisme is given unto all Christians supposed catechised by a lawfull Pastor as the Galatians were as a rule of that supream authority and infallible certainty as by it we are to try the spirits of Prophets 1 Thes 5.21 yea even of Apostles or heavenly Angels Gal. 1.8 if possible for them to teach repugnant to it And if a rule whereby to judge of the Apostles preaching of their writing also it being as impossible for them to write as to preach repugnantly to it and their writing being of no greater authority then their preaching Consequently this text Gal. 1.8 which your men use to urge against Traditions gives so great authority to them as it implicitely warnes us on perill of our soul not to beleive or receive any text of H. Scripture it self in any sense repugnant if possible for it to have any as it is not to the doctrine of our Catechisme suppose it given by a lawfull Pastor Nor can you say that this subsists not with what we teach that any particular Pastor yea Pope and all as such may teach false doctrine for we will not say that any lawfull Pastor can doe it which who is we shall see in next Treatise 6 Proofe 1 Cor. 4.1
2 Cor. 5.20 Phil. 2.25 Tit. 1.7 The Pastors in common among whom it was by accident if any one were an Apostle are styled in simple sense the ministers of Christ his embassadors the stewards depositaries and dispensers of the mysteries of God whereof those of faith the first 7 Proofe Gal. 2.1 So supreame at that time was and consequently to worlds end was to be for els wherefore read we the Scriptures now the authority of the Church as God Almighty seeing how S Pauls teaching was with less fruit because opposed by other Teachers who called themselves Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11.13 yea pretended to teach the doctrine of the Church Act. 15.1 willed him by revelation to go up to the chief Pastors residing then by accident at Ierusalem to confer his doctrine with them and procure their approbation to it Nay S. Iohn himself though an Apostle in ordinary for the greater credit and fruit of his Gospel as to the people in regard of the great opposition was like to be made against it by the hereticks that denied Christs Divinitie and were verie malapert against him for asserting it 3 Ioh. 9. was moved by the H. Ghost to procure and insert in the close of it the testimonie of some Pastors we know that his testimony is true Ioh. 21.24 A singular instance to shew in what high esteem and authority the testimonie of the Church even to the truth of H. Scripture it self as to us and much more to the sense of it then was and was left by the Apostles at their death for ever to be amongst all good Christians 8. Proof Eph. 4.11 The Apostle delivers our tenet in almost express words plainly and fully in sense VVhen Christ ascended he gave some Apostles c. for the perfecting of the Saints c. that is as the ordinary means to that end until we all come in unity of faith which will not be till the second coming of Christ c. that we henceforth be no more as children tossed to and fro c. which end is not possibly attainable if those Pastors may be supposed liable to teach an errout in faith 9. Proof 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church is called in simple sense 1. The House of God meaning without doubt that School house for teaching Religion of which Esay foretold Esay 2.2 2. The pillar of truth not of the written truth only but of the truth absolutely that is of all truth revealed And not a pillar upon which Scripture is promulged or notified only to the people as Princes edicts upon some post but such a pillar as is also the foundation to the whole frame of truth Therefore he saith in the next word 3. The ground of the truth Which in simple sense absolutely is the incommunicable attribute of God Almighty the first truth in sense wherein it may be given to any created meanes that is as to us or our attaining to the knowledge or certainty of truth is here given to the Church And so it comprises our Tenet in the fullest highest sense possible and particularly the infallibility of the Church in her teaching For 1. If she the ground of all truth then of this there was a Iesus of Nazareth of this there is a Scripture of this there is a H. Ghost nay of this there is a God 2. If these and other revealed points be infallible truths she the ground of them must be infallible So as if possible for her ever once to totter in the truth of her testimony touching any one point by either affirming something to be Gospell which is not or denying something to be which is the whole frame of the truth and certainty of Christian Religion as to us must necessarily totter with it as any building must whose foundation does and as we could not believe the Scripture in any thing if we found it false in any one thing Nor can you evade this place by saying he gives this attribute here to a particular Church namely that of Ephesus in which Timothy was to behave himself which we will not say was infallible For that Church being then a part of the Catholick though it were not infallible yet he being immediately Pastor of it was mediately a Pastor of the Catholick whose attribute that was As he that came into any gate lane or house of Ierusalem came into the Holy City Mat. 27.53 though that gate lane or house were not so 10. Proof 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 Tit. 1.9 1 Pet. 1.12 The means prescribed and named by the Apostle for preserving to worlds end the knowledge or doctrine of the Gospel was Tradition of the Pastors from hand to hand The things thou hast heard of me commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also A means subject indeed to corruption in tract of time if the depositaries be considered as men but not if as men assisted to the pure and uncorrupt keeping of it by the H. Ghost to that end sent down from heaven upon them Act. 2.3 with such admirable graces as even the Angels desire and are delighted to behold 11. Proof Apoc 2.1 The Pastor of a particular Church is called the Angel of it Consequently by the rule of proportion the whole company of them is the Angel of the Church universal that is the ordinary means under God to illuminate and guide them and interpret Gods will to them in spiritual things 12. Proof Apoc. 21.23 Finally the teaching of the New Ierusalem which in the first sense means without doubt the Catholick Militant Church of Christ in opposition to the Synagogue the old earthly Ierusalem is called the light in which shall walk the nations of them that are saved Acts 2.47 13.48 whose light is not the Sun or Moon any created corruptible means but God himself and the Lamb Mat. 28.20 so as there shall never be any night of error in that City because its Sun shall never set c. Esa 60.20 You see how expresly how abundantly H. Scripture from first to last sets forth our principle It had been easie to have quoted ten times more texts to the same purpose but to whom this is not enough nothing would Now let 's see what you have to object against it THE SECOND PART Defending the Catholick Tenet CHAP. I. Solving Objections against the Churche's authority THe true reason wherefore your Ministers deny unto H. Church this office of teaching Religion is because they are conscious both of their having no title to the church and of being sure to be condemned if they should submit to any judge but a mute one And yet under colour of interpreting Scripture by it self they finde a way to exercise all the same office themselves as they deny to her and with much greater arrogance The pretended reason is because forsooth she is liable to error in her teaching except when she teaches Scripture and therefore is limitted to it as to a bar-rule beside or beyond which
as in that so in this of all things of the sort there spoken of viz. Prophecyings the word next afore 8. Object 1 Cor. 10.15 Iudge ye what I say Leaving his doctrine to be judged of by the people Solution By a judgement of pure approbation For else you must say which I think you will not presume that people are judges even of Scripture it self for so was that which he then bad them judge Object 1 Cor. 4.6 Not to think of men above what is written Solution That is whereas he had named no man but under the borrowed names of himself and Apollos they should not think or guess who he meant by him or him 10 Object 1 Pet. 4.11 If any man speak as the oracles of God Solution That is if any man have the gift of utterance or eloquent speech let him use it as Gods words speech or gift that he may be glorified 11. Object Apoc. 22.18 If any man shall adde unto the words c. Solution Either by corrupting them or holding any thing contrary to them for example that Antichrist shall be a Christian or reign 1000. years or honor Gods Tabernacle or them that dwell in heaven Apoc. 13.6 c. CHAP. II. Solving Objections against her Infallibility 1. Object Exod. 32.4 THey said These are thy Gods O Israel Idolatry taught by the Priests High Priest and all Solution No such matter For 1. Perhaps that was not the Priests saying but the Peoples 2. If the Priests not Aarons 3. If his also enticing to Idolatry migh be without teaching it 4. If he taught it he was not then the Supreme Pastor but Moses 2. Object Ier. 50.6 Their shepherds have caused them to go astray Solution But he doth not say by their teaching 3. Object Mal. 2.8 You have caused many to stumble at the Law Solution But he saith not by your teaching 4. Object Mat. 7.15 24.5 24. Take heed of false Prophets Many shall arise and deceive many c. Solution But he never said Take heed of your Pastors they shall seduce you 5. Object Mat. 13.25 The Church is compared to a field sown at first with good seed afterward over run with tares of errors Solution 1. Perhaps not the Church but particular Churches or souls 2. Grant the Church those tares meant not errors in doctrin but in life or practice 3. Grant erronous doctrines yet 1. Not sown by her or any of hers but the enemy 2. Nor springing up within her doctrine but only within the same field or countrey where it was sown or is growing 6. Object Mar. 14.64 Ioh. 9.22 The very Chair of Moses taught false doctrine viz. that Iesus was not the Christ. Solution But Moses Chair was not then in office further then it was authorized by him who albeit he did authorize it as formerly in all things until his own should be erected yet it is manifest he excepted himself who put all things under it 7. Object Luke 18.8 VVhen the Son of man comes shall he finde faith in the earth Solution Little perfect faith in the world but he shall true and perfect faith believed and professed by all lively members of his church consequently taught by her Pastors that company of his Elect spoken of Psal 89.4 Mat. 16.18 24.24 8. Object Acts 20.30 Even Pastors were to arise speaking perverse things and drawing away disciples after them Solution True particular persons e.g. Luther Cranmer Calvin c. Therefore he said not your selves but of or among your selves Nor did he give any item touching false Pastors to come but unto Pastors onely 9. Object Rom. 11.21 Even the Church of Rome her self is warned of her being in danger of falling from grace and not onely by wickedness of life but by Infidelity as the Synagogue had done Solution Not the Church of Rome for that includes the Pastor of it which then was S. Peter but the generality of particular persons among the Gentiles 10. Object Gal. 2.11 Even Peter himself erred Solution But not in teaching false doctrine 11. Object 2 Thess 2.3 Afore Antichrist's coming there was to be a notable falling away Solution But he doth not say from faith much less of the Church 12. Object 2 Pet. 2.1 There shall be false Teachers among you c. Solution But he doth not say the Church shal become a false Teacher or speak or mean of Teachers coming in quality of her Pastors but of Prophets 13. Object 1 Ioh. 4.1 Try the spirits whether they are of God c. Solution But he doth not say Try every spirit believe none nor doth he mean the spirits of Teachers authorized by the Church much less her spirit but the spirits of such as come in quality of Prophets Now that Christ and his Apostles should so often and so plainly warn people of false Teachers to come in after ages and always speak of them under the name of Prophets and never once give any least intimation of danger possible by believing the Church or their Pastors if any such danger were to be but on the contrary advise and encourage them absolutely to believe and obey them is against the very light of reason Conclusion of the second Part. You see how nothing is to be said against our Principle now let us examine yours THE THIRD PART Examining Protestant Proofs CHAP. I. Examining Proofs for the Tenet YOu say The Scripture was left for the means of teaching the Gospel See if you can finde where it saith any such thing of it self in words or sense 1. Argu. Deut. 30.10 Moses Law is called the Law in simple sense Answer Not in simple sense but onely the Law by him written for else it would exclude the Prophets with which it is often joyn'd Mat. 5.17 nay the Book of Iob which was then written and a multitude of Divine Precepts then not written namely those commanding faith hope contrition for sin c. forbidding drunkenness fornication c. 2 Argu. Deut. 31.10 Thou shalt read this law in their hearing that they may learn to fear the Lord. Answer But he doth not say that it may teach it them nor any of those things above named that contain or imply the sense of your principle compare it with them one by one and you will finde it true as I say 3. Argu. Mark 1.1 S. Mark 's is called the Gospel of Christ in simple sense Answer Not but onely the Gospel by him written for els it would exclude the other three 4. Argu. Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me Answer But he doth not say in them you may have eternal life or they will teach you or any other of the words you are to prove or to the same sense 5. Argu. Rom. 3.2 To them were committed the oracles of God Meaning the Scriptures Answer Not necessarily much less solely there having been many oracles given to them more then
hand of the people yea it's more like Divines all that he saith of it is so far from encouraging or directing them unto it as their guide or rule as it is rather to the contrary 2 Pet. 3.16 in a word to leave that of which it is certain out of Scripture's own mouth that it is most proper by it self alone to teach every creature every thing pertaining to the Gospel for that which is not proper by it self alone to teach any creature any thing Suppose God Almighty should do you the favour he did S. Stephen to let you see the heavens open and Iesus sitting at his right hand and teaching some person standing by and you should hear him say to that party Teach this man meaning you what I have taught you If he believe he shall be saved if not damned and anon after you should see him deliver to him a book saying to him I give thee this that thou maist teach it to him Exod. 24.12 and afterward some one should snatch that book from him and give it to you saying Do not believe him further then is here written he will teach you errors read this your self and guide your self and judge of his doctrine by it c. would you not think it a brainsick act to follow such counsel Sure you would in reason Such very same Counsel is that of your Ministers Neglect the Church follow the Scripture Nay it is more certain to you that Christ spake those words to her concerning you from that record of them Preach the Gospel to every creature Mar. 16.15 then if you should hear or see it now in such a vision by how much the word of Scriture is a more sure word then any sensible vision can be Lu. 16.31 2 Pet. 1.19 Nor therefore may you think or hope God Alm. will upon your prayer to him though never so humble never so fervent by his Spirit direct or inlighten you in the right understanding of Scripture sufficiently to your salvation without the Churche's ministery For he having placed that office in her in the same maner as the office of baptizing Teach all baptizing them Mat. 28.19 he will no more give you the one grace without her ministery then he will the other and therefore to begg of him to teach you himselfe would be an act of as damnable presumption as to begg of him to baptise you himselfe And therefore when S. Paul not knowing then who els he was to goe to begged it of him he sent him to the Church for that grace Act. 9.6 See the reason sup p. 8. VVhat needs any more to be said to such a good soul as I suppose you to be Let it suffice you have hitherto embraced this false principle out of ignorance and beguiling of hereticall Teachers After this admonition you have great cause to fear God will not wink at your ignorance any longer but expects from you exact obedience to this his commandement or ordinance Mal. 2.4 of hearing and following the Church as your Guide in Religion This doing you will soon finde that Rest of soul the Title of this Book promised If you neglect it neither this Book nor the Church will have need to accuse you to your Iudge at the dreadful day there are others to accuse you Moses Mathew Paul c. in whom you trust for had you believed them as you ought you would have believed her for they write of her and much more plainly then any Prophet did of Christ Ioh. 5.45 Nor may you flatter your self with hope upon your faith baptism innocency or holiness great and sensible particular favours of God to you as may seem to you in interior lights consolations assurances of your being one of his c. for unless you be an humble child or scholar of his Church no hope can be built upon them And two reasons among many other might be given are 1. Because without divine faith it is not possible to please God Heb. 11.6 Now your faith cannot be supposed divine because not grounded finally on the Church the ground of all truth and if of all truth of all faith also 2. Because not to hear or believe the Churche's teaching is a mortal sin Mat. 18.17 Mar. 16.16 and consequently inconsistent with holiness without which no man shall see God Heb. 12.14 See more places if you please to the same purpose Mat. 10.14 Lu. 10.16 Acts 2.47 13.48 Gal. 5.20 Heresies Apoc. 21.24 And therefore you may be certain the spirit that guids you to a neglect of her and flatters and comforts in you in it is not God's but the evil spirit 2 Cor. 4.3 What remains then but as you desire to see the blissful face of God and avoid eternal torments you in the first place seriously search the Scriptures or otherwise enquire and resolve your self well touching this first Question VVhat Christ left for your Guide That done to enquire VVhich is she That having found her you may seek his Law at her mouth that if you find they whom you learned your first principles from was not she you may learn them anew of her that is And then you will have some competent rule whereby to judge aright of doctrines and teachers and of the true sense of Scripture which not only you now want but in stead of it use a false one God Alm. of his goodness open your eyes to see in this your day this truth which belongs so much unto your peace The next Treatise by Gods help shall follow as soon as I am able ERRATA Pag. l. read 122 12 barely 127 25 presignified 141 8 that 143 1 think 145 1 c. 1. 147 17 admonish 160 11 duely 166 8 box 171 1 forme 179 19 insinuate 140 12 left 143 27 some 150 4 it 157 7 that hath 160 25 would 163 12 for 166 25 and that 170 1 are 183 15 Joh. 9.16 Pag. 3.20 del 1 King 17 24 pag. 32. lin 26. del unto these words if any c.
hope to see the face of God if he pertinaciously refuse to believe do approve or avoid any one least thing taught or commanded by the Church as necessary to salvation to be believed done approved or avoided although in Scripture not mentioned and die in that state of soule 3. If both be it the part or share of each in the office is to be set out and certainly known by every creature that they may have recourse to each for that which pertaines to its office to the Scripture for its to the Church for its §. 4. The Protestants Tenet in it In the answer to this Question you and we as near as some imagine the two religions to be one to the other differ extreamly For albeit you grant that Christ left a Church to continue for ever in some office of teaching religion and that office of hers proper and in some respects sufficient and necessary yet you will not allow it to be either simply necessary or sufficient or any other then a meer ministery to the Scripture or so much as that with divine authority Consequently your Tenet is Christ left or appointed the Scripture for the meanes to teach us his Gospell This is the prime and maine principle of your religion in proper or as it is distinguished against ours by the name of Protestant or Reformed upon the truth therefore and certainty whereof depends in fine the whole truth and certainty of your religion and consequently of your hope of salvation in or by it as the firmnesse of any whole building does upon the firmnesse of its foundation § 5. What Catholicks acknowledge to H. Scripture We are as forward as any of you can be to give unto H. Scripture what is its Namely 1. That some of the Apostles wrote the New Testament which and the Old make up that holy book called the Scripture or Bible 2. That it is all and every word of it given by inspiration of God and therefore the very word of God of truth most infalible of authority most supreme as to all creatures even the Church her selfe yea in quality and degree of the authority superiour to that of the Church and the only divine written rule now being or ever to be 3. That they left it unto or with the Church as a sacred depositum in the nature following Viz. 1. A rule which she is bound to have an eye unto in all her doctrines and lawes and not only that they be not repugnant to it in more or lesse either by adding to or taking from either the words sense or law of it any one least tittle for supposing that possible and her a Church all of Apostles or heavenly Angels she were instantly to be detested by all as a Synagogue of Satan and all such her doctrines and lawes to be abhorred as will-worship and traditions of men but that they be consonant to it as neer as she may judge of the sense or intent of the H. Ghost as we find the Apostles had such an eye to it in theirs Acts 1.20 15.15 And in acknowledgement hereof in all her Generall Councels she placeth it in the most sumptuous throne at the uppermost end of the assembly above Pope and all as that which is to have the chiefest regard and swaying vote in all her debates and resolutions 2. A meanes excellent proper yea the incomparably principall in the sort and order of inanimate instruments as it is unto the ends for which it was ordained Namely 1. To corroborate by its concurring testimony the authority and doctrine of the Church and our faith to it 2. To preserve in way of a record a world of most admirable truths rules examples admonitions exhortations motives histories genealogies prophecies formes of prayer c. perteining to faith and holines In respect whereof it is a meanes profitable superlatively beyond all that can be said of it by tongues of men or Angels to furnish the man of God or Divine perfectly for doctrine yea of faith for reproof of the adversaries for correction for instruction in righteousnesse and for every other good work proper or perteining to his function 2. Tim. 3.16 And therefore not only doe our Divines give diligent attendance to the reading and study of it and make use of it incomparably for above any other meanes to all these ends yea and to the instructing and guiding themselves for and in the knowledge of truth and resolving cases of conscience and our Bishops in and for the making lawes or determining causes Ecclesiasticall but the Church her self in all General Councells makes her first and chief repaire to it for light and direction nay all her debate and search into former Councells Fathers Schoolmen tradition practice and sense of the Church is to no other end generally speaking then the better to find out and determine its true sense or intent 3. A meanes not only as in the hand of the man of God but as in the hand of every Christian rightly principled firme in faith 2. Pet. 3.16 and reading it in obedience to them that are over him in the Lord Heb. 13.7 with the humble spirit of the Eunuch Acts 8.31 unto the ends for which it was ordeined if ordeined as to him to wit to confirm advance and perfect himself in faith Joh. 20.31 saving wisedome 2. Tim. 3.15 hope Rom. 15.4 charity 1. Th. 4.9 and other Christian vertues singularly proper unto those ends as having from its divine author speciall force and vertue beyond all possible enditings of humane brain to inlighten the eyes and convert the heart of the simple And therefore speaking of it per se or as in the hands of such a one blessed is he that reades and meditates in it day and night Ps 1.1 and makes it a lanthorne to his feet and a light unto his paths Ps 119.105 4. A meanes since its writing necessary unto the Church as by which God will guide her into the truths there recorded without it when it may be had not 5. A meanes perfectly sufficient unto the ends for which it was ordained which is all the perfection of an instrument 6. A record conteining all that man is to believe doe or avoid to the obteining eternall salvation and expresly all the principall In regard of which many and admirable properties and uses of it it is the same in a manner to us as the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night was to the Israelites guiding Moses in the way to Canaan and by him them In a word it deserves to be called by way of excellency the Word Law doctrine oracles or Gospell of God Christ salvation c. the guide of faith the rule of religion the light of the world c. §. 6. The Catholick tenett But then we deny it to be either a proper principall necessary or sufficient meanes to teach religion And so to give unto the Church also what is hers our tenett is that The Church was
words you to worlds end Consequently as the present Church baptises with all the same office and authority as the Apostles did so she teaches also with all the same as they did in vertue of this Commission For whatsoever other powers or priviledges they had of infallibility in more then one the gift of miracles authority of writing Canonicall Scripture c. in any one was not in vertue of this Commission A more plain and full proof H. Scripture hath not for any point of Christian faith nor am I able to devise what other answer you can give to it then this what need any more witnesses But for more aboundant confirmation let 's hear more CHAP. IV. Proving it from the Acts. THe best interpreter of figures and prophesies is their fulfilling and the best comment upon Christ's commission is the practice and proceeding in the execution of it registred in the History of the Primitive Church In which as there is no doubt but the H. Ghost recorded the things of most importance for the knowledge and direction so nor but that he recorded those he did for the patterne and imitation of future ages Consequently what it sets forth to have been then the means for teaching the Gospell is to be supposed to have been left by them in that office Now that the Church was that means is manifest from aboundance of passages in it whereof I shall name some 1 Proofe Act. 2.3 5. The gift conferred from heaven on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost as necessary and sufficient to enable them to their office of teaching the Gospell was not penns though none of them were any great Scribes and the greater part of them for ought appeares not able to write a word but tongues A signe they were to teach religion not by their writing but their speech or utterance 2 Proofe Act 2.14 c. 1. The first and all the means taken notice of in this History used by them in their own persons for bringing Infidells to faith was preaching Peter with the eleven standing up c. v. 14. 2. Such as were moved by it to embrace the Christian Law sought it at their mouth Men and brethren what shall we doe v. 37. 3. Peter taught them their Catechisme Repent and be baptized c. v. 38. without bringing any Scripture proofe as he did afore when he taught them as Infidels v. 16 25 34. 4. The rule afterward of faith worship discipline c. unto the believing people was the doctrine and institutes of their Pastors They continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and felowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer v. 41. Loe here the Church settled and compleated in all her forme of doctrine Worship Sacraments c. afore any syllable of the Gospell was written or for ought appeares intended to be Loe here in the Mother-Church Mount Zyon Gal. 4.26 the assembly of the first-borne Heb. 12.22 the pattern according to which all Churches afterward were to be gathered setled and governed to worlds end 3 Proofe Act. 6.6 7. 8.4 c. All the meanes taken notice of in this History besides their own persons provided used settled declared and left by them for teaching the Gospell was the preaching of others whom they took into their body to that end and sent them abroad over the world Act. 11.19 13.4 and placed some one or more of them in every City and Towne where the Gospell took roote Act. 9.10 13.1 14.22 to instruct and guide the people of those Townes in all things pertaining to religion in the same manner as a sheapheard doth his flock Act. 20.28 4 Proofe Act. 8.4 14 25. 13.4 20.28 These others were Teachers divinely authorised as well as the Apostles they being sent to preach and set over the flock to feed it by the same H. Ghost the Apostles were and their teaching Gods word in the substance of it no lesse then that of the Apostles only with this difference accidentall that in the Apostles mouth it was so originally supreamly absolutely and infallibly in the others subordinately fallibly and no longer or further then they taught what they received from the Church Act. 15.24 Nor therefore can you say that the teaching of these other was called the word of God because they preached Scripture or consonantly to it being here called so Act. 8.14 many years afore a word of the new Testament was written and they could not ground Evangelicall doctrine Christ is come Iesus is he is risen c upon the Old Testament 5 Proofe Act. 8.29 9.6 10.6 16.9 18.9 When God Almighty would have any taught the Gospell he either sent them to the Church or the Church to them Nor was there any difference in the meanes whether Apostles or other Pastors Saul being sent in all the same manner to Ananias as Cornelius to S. Peter and S. Philip to the Eunuch as S. Paul to the Macedonians 6 Proof Act. 11.14 The word thus preached by the Church in which it was by accident if any Scripture were cited to believers was sufficient to save the soules of the people 7 Proofe Act. 15.2 c. 16.4 5. 1. In case the Teachers differed the peoples remedy was to have recourse not to the Scripture then being albeit it conteined rules proper to have decided the question viz. VVhether circumcision was necessary to all that were to be within the covenant of grace made with Abraham and one party of the Teachers founded their doctrine upon the expresse words of it viz. that it was a law given to him for all generations for ever Gen. 17.13 Psal 105.9 and the other party were no lesse then Apostles in extraordinary but to the Church or eminent body of the Pastors in ordinary then by accident residing at Ierusalem 2. These coming together to consider of and decide it founded the decision not upon scripture though in a very fundamentall point of faith but meerly upon their own illumination and guidance by the H. Ghost It seemed good to the H. Ghost and to us v. 28. So their decree his decree theirs as his mouth his as the principall Law-giver and consequently to resist it no lesse sin then to resist the H. Ghost Nor can you say they intitled it to him because part of the assembly were Apostles For as it were purposely to preclude you from this evasion the H. Ghost took care to note 1. That the Apostles sate and voted there in quality of Presbyters as it was a name common then to Priests and Bishops only they the chief therefore named first and singularly 2. That there was much disputing upon the point v. 7. Consequently the Apostles proceeded not to the sentence as Apostles or taught by inspiration but as Pastors or by the ordinary authority of the Church as it was to continue in their successors 3. S. Paul and Barnabas though Apostles thought it an honour to themselves to be officers
New Testament written straglinglie some in one Countrie some in another 500 miles asunder into some one volume c. § 5. From the Gospels n. 1. That our B. Lord ever spake word touching H. Scripture unto anie Christian more then to bring proofs out of it to his incredulous Disciples Luke 24.27 44. or as to anie use wherein it was to be after his ascension Argu. S. Ioh. 5.39 Search the Scripture Was not that spoken to Christians Answer No but to Infidel-Iews and as such as appears by the words immediately afore and after you believe not in me you will not come to me and by the end for which he sent them to Scripture namely to bring them to faith Consequently neither spoken nor meant to any properly or necessarily but infidel Iews n. 2. That he ever intended or foresaw otherwise then as he was God that any one tittle of his Gospel should ever be written And pray note this well §. 6. From the Acts. That any Apostle wrote or intended or knew of or foresaw the writing of any one syllable of the Gospel §. 7. From the Epistles n. 1. That any Apostle at his death knew there was any tittle of the Gospel then written more then by himself except that S. Peter knew of some of S. Pauls Epistles 2 Pet. 3.15 or to be written Argu. 2 Cor. 8.18 S. Paul speaks of S. Luke as famous then for his Gospel throughout Christendom Answer It is certain he spake not of and perhaps meant not either S. Luke or his Gospel or any written Gospel but some companion of his Silas Barnabas or some other famous for his zeal and painfulness in preaching n. 2. That he that dyed last of them S. Iohn left at his death any such volume as is now called the Bible or New Testament or any two Books of the New Testament in one volume yea or in one Countrey except where two Eptstles were written to one Church or person or any original yea or perfectly authentical copy of any one book of Old or New Testament If you can prove none of these you cannot but see how far you are from any hope or likelihood of proving any such thing as your principle THE FOVRTH PART Confuting the Protestant Tenet CHAP. I. Vrging the first argument The silence of Scripture I Hope you see how far the Scripture is from affirming your tenet Which you wil not wonder at when you shal see how much may be said out of it against it which is my next and last work I say then it is against reason to think Scripture was left for the means of teaching the Gospel My reasons are six The first because as appears by the former part it affirmes no such thing touching it self For though a negative argument from it not in Scripture therefore not true be not alwayes good it s always good against you who use it as good against us and in such a tenet as this of yours condemned by the Church and in such a point as this the most fundamental in Religion This silence if it be well considered will appear so strange to any rational man as he cannot imagine it possible had your tenet been true Considerations aggravating the silence §. 1. Of the Prophets First the silence of the Prophets is very strange For 1. There is not any eminent particular pertaining to the exterior form of the Church but we may finde it foretold in some one or other of them and some very plainly and in divers of them this touching the means of teaching the Gospel according to our opinion in almost every one of them and to some minute circumstances when it was to begin in what City in what part of the City in what manner and by what means to spread over the world how long to continue c. strange if Scripture were to be it it should never be so much as mentioned 2. And yet how many how just occasions were there for mentioning it if to be as you say namely when they name the School the master the word or Law of God yea the Gospel though by your Translators rendred profanely good tidings Esa 40.9 compared with Rom. 10.15 when Ieremy came so near the Scripture as to promise the writing of the new Law and to name by whom with and in what it was to be written But then indeed he saith it was not to be by any creature or with ink or in any material tables much less stony ones as the old was but in a more excellent way befitting a more excellent Law by God himself with grace in the hearts of the Pastors teaching it from hand to hand of the people believing it Ier. 31.31 3. Again Ezekiel in his eight last Chapters describing at large the beauty and perfection of the Church whose glory was to exceed that of the Synagogue Agg. 2.9 names all the eminent particulars wherein it was to consist under the name of their types in the Temple of Solomon and among the rest her Pastors very largely and particularly under the name of Sadoc and his sons Ezek. 44.15 c. But upon all the list we finde not the tables of Moses Law albeit that was one of the preciousest jewels of the Temple 1 King 8.9 and the proper type of the New Testament §. 2. Of the Gospels More strange is the silence of our B. Saviour in the Gospels 1. When the Law was to be written good God! what care taken 1. For its writing The principal part of it written by an Angel representing God's person Exo. 24.12 The residue by his special command by Moses 2. For its custody Layed up in the Ark the sacredst Cabinet the world ever saw there kept under the wings of the same Cherubins as kept Paradise Deut. 10.5 3. For the giving copies of it to whom c. Deut. 17.28 4. For the reading of it to the people and at what times necessarily Deut. 31.9 And all these thought fit to be recorded and within the book it self And yet that was to be the law but of that one Nation to endure but a short while to be but a small part of their Scripture was â—either necessary nor available to justifie the observers Rom. 3.20 and beside it they were to have not onely a constant race of Teachers divinely authorized but Prophets all along until the Messiah's coming Mat. 11.13 Christ's Law was to oblige every creature to endure to world's end to be necessary sufficient to justification And can it then be thought in reason he would go hence and leave it to be committed to writing and that writing to be after the Apostles death the onely means as you say of teaching it with authority and never speak any syllable concerning it 2. Nor can his silence touching it be imputed to accident or incogitancy for he could wel remember to take care for the preaching of it who were to preach it to whom what was to be taught c.
3. And how many how tempting occasions had he to have mentioned the Scripture if to be as you say at least in some kinde or other If not as the means of reaching or the matter to be taught or the rule or condition of it yet as a part of the means matter or rule at least as a Record helpful to the office namely when giving the Commission and Instructions to his Church for the teaching of his Gospel when naming the matter to be taught and the means by which he intended for ever to guide her into all truth Ioh. 14.16 16.13 when charging all creatures absolutely to believe and obey her teaching denouncing hell to them that should not assuring heaven to them that thould Mat. 16.16 4. And how easilie how soon had a word been spoken of it in some one or other of these occasions For example to have said write the Gospel or Teach Scripture or it shall guide you into truth or he that believes you or the Church teaching out of or according to it c. Nor can you say he did or might mean that condition though he named it not For besides that this is properlie that adding to and taking from Gods word written which S. Iohn denounces that heavy curse to Apoc. 22.18 by this no greater authoritie is given to the Church that City or House of God of which such glorious things are spoken in Scripture then must be given to any Tinker Woman Childe Heretick nay to the verie Devil himself for we ought to believe him teaching according to Scripture And certainlie any man considering the multiplicitie of Sects in these parts of Christendom and all grounding themselves in Scripture when he the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 never so much as mentioned it in order to Christians or his Law may wel ascribe it to his singular wisdom and goodness that he waved all mention of it for what would have been had he ever referrd us to it in any kinde whatsoever Surely had he ever mentioned it in any of those kindes abovenamed and the New Testament in the form wherein it is and the people judges of the sense of it he had left his Church in a more defective and miserable condition then ever any Prince or Law-giver left Common-wealth §. 3. Of the Acts. No lesse strange is the silence of the Historie of the Primitive Church 1. It was written purposely for a record of what the Apostles did in order to the good of religion most importing posterity to be recorded Among which certainly nothing can import us more then what they did in planting settling and declaring the means for teaching it after their decease throughout all future ages 2. Nor could any thing more or more early deserve and require their industry and sollicitude then the providing and settling the means considering among other reasons their own mortality It cannot be therefore but if a VVriting or Book were to be it one of their first cares and diligences would have been imployed in procuring it to be written the old Scripture being improper to this purpose declaring and recommending it for such to Pastors and people causing copies of it to be transcribed and dispersed over the world securing some original of it in Ierusalem Antioch Rome or other safest City translating it into vulgar Languages for the use of the common people delivering it to Presbyters at their Ordination as the Matter and Rule of their teaching finally causing record to be made of what they did in it either within the book it self or in the history of their Acts nothing possibly to be written of them being of the thousand part of that concernment for the knowledge of future ages as this 3. If they neglected or deferred the doing any thing in it for some years at first whiles together in health at liberty and the Teachers all of one minde yet afterward when they saw S. Iames beheaded and S. Peter without a miraculous rescue like to have been so too Acts 22.1 when they saw Sects springing up apace so as there was need of holding a Council to decide the controversie Act. 15.2 when that was like to be the last time of their ever meeting together in the world when admonished by that example how seasonable and necessary it then was for them to settle and declare the judge and guide of faith if to be any other then the Church how could they delay any longer to do something in it or if they did the Historian not thinking it worth the writing 4. He could note the great zeal and pains of Peter and Paul in visiting the Churches confirming them leaving among them the decrees of the Church to keep ordaining Pastors to feed and guide them instructing those Pastors for the discharge of their office after their death recommending and naming to them the proper and sufficient means to that end Acts 8.32 14.21 23. 15.36 16.4 20 20 28.32 what occasions were these for him to have said something of what they did in writing Scripture or distributing it to the Churches for to keep or recommending it to the Pastors for to teach especially when they came so neer to it as to recommend them the word of God's grace Acts 20.32 5. And yet afore the finishing of this History there were written beside S. Luke's own two of the Gospels S. Mathew's and S. Mark 's most of S. Paul's Epistles and some of them written in that very City and at that very time when he was with S. Paul Col. 4.14 2 Tim. 4.11 and as is likely writing this History yet he takes no notice at all of them §. 4. Of the Epistles Most strange of all is the Apostles own silence in their Epistles 1. They were vvritten some to the Pastors some to the people to give them the best advices and instructions they could either for them in present or to be left upon record for all Pastors and people in future ages Among which none could be more important then to declare and recommend to them the Guide and Rule of Religion after their own decease 2. And how frequent how proper occasions had they to have named the Scripture for it if it were to be Namely when advising the Pastors to teach the Word naming the matter they were to teach the rule they vvere to teach by and coming so neer the Scripture as to cal it the word of truth c. 1 Tim. 1.3 2 Tim. 1.13 2.15 4. 2. Tit. 2.1 c. when describing and enumerating the qualifications of the Teachers 1 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1.7 what was to be committed to them in their Ordination to teach 2 Tim. 2.2 when monishing the people touching false Teachers and giving the marks whereby to know them Rom. 16.17 2 Thess 3.6 1 Ioh. 4.2.6 when charging them absolutely to obey their Pastors follow their faith receive their teaching as God's word with the meekness of new born babes
faith on the earth Lu. 18.8 All the world worshipped the Dragon c. Apoc. 13.4 8. 10. In some Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee Psal 50.15 Every one that askes receives knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7.7 8. Come unto me all c. and I will refresh you Mat. 11.28 VVhosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10.13 In other In the day of trouble they shall call upon me and I will laugh at them Pro. 1.28 They came knocking saying Lord open unto us But he said Away from me I know you not Mat. 25.11 Ye know how that afterward when Esau would have inherited the blessing he was rejected finding no place of repentance in his father though he sought it carefully with tears Heb. 12.17 12. In some Come unto me all c. Mat. 11.28 The blood of Iesus Christ cleanses us from all sin 1 Ioh. 7.9 In other All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men upon their repentance but the blasphemy against the H. Ghost never Mat. 12.31 It is impossible for those who were enlightned c. if they shall full away to renew them again unto repentance Heb. 6.4 To them that sin wilfully after knowledge of the truth there remains no more sacrifice for sin c. Heb. 10.26 13. In some To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given Mat. 13.11 Many are called but few chosen Mat. 20.16 The Lord added daily to the Church such as should be saved Act. 2.47 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed Act. 13.48 VVhom he did predestinate them he called c. Rom. 8.30 Before the children had done either good or evil c. Rom. 9.11 In other Preach the Gospel to every creature he that believes and is baptized shall be saved Mar. 16.15 God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if c. 2 Pet. 1.8 §. 8. Third proof from instances The third and last proof shall be from instances 1. The old Testament was not so plain for that which we by reason we were taught it in our childehood think it to be most plain for that there are Angels and Spirits and a Resurrection to be but that the Sadduces great Divines then denied them all Acts 23.8 and had objections out of Scripture against them Master Moses said c. Mat. 22.24 2. It was not so plain with S. Mathews Gospel added to it for a resurrection to be at the end of the world but that some and no doubt Divines for at that time few others were broachers of heresies Acts 15.24 20.32 Apoc. 2 2 6. said it was past already 2 Tim. 2.18 An opinion so monstrously absurd as were it not in Scripture affirmed one would think it incredible any should be so stupid And we may be sure they fetched their proofs for it out of Scripture For else neither could they have had any colour for such a wilde opinion nor the impudence to broach it among Christians much less the success to overthrow the faith of any as they did of some Which example no doubt God Almighty put there on purpose to shew unto us how that there is no conceit possible to enter into mans brain so absurd or non-sensical but Sectaries will be able to alledge Scripture for it yea and with success too Whereof we have an instance at present in another almost as non-sensical a fancy as that was viz. that Anti-Christ is come already and is a Christian nay sits in S. Peter's Chair 3. The 53. Chapter of Esay was not so plain that Christ ought to suffer for our sins but that the Eunuch reading it and no doubt with a very humble and pious heart lifted up to God to enlighten him was glad to ask one who seemed to him an authorized interpreter of Scripture I pray thee of whom speaks the Prophet this c. And being before asked by him in the general if he understood what he read readily answered How can I except some man should guide me Act. 8.31 34. wherein the H. Ghost would in that first and onely express example of a lay-man reading the Bible insumate unto all lay-readers of it with what disposition of soul they ought to read it to attain the true sense of it 4. It was not so plain notwithstanding all S. Paul could urge out of it for the abolitition of the Mosaical Law but that divers of the primitive Divines yea as is probable of them upon whom the H. Ghost came down at Penticost found it as seemed to them plain to the contrary Act. 15.1 And for certain so it was in express words vid. inf some of the texts named in § 9. n. 2. nor were the Christians of Antioch after they had heard all that could be alledged from S. Paul for it out of Scripture able to know what to believe in it without sending to the supreme Interpreter the Church Act. 15.2 §. 9. Instance in the question touching Christ I shall conclude with one notable instance which I shall set forth a little more particularly and at large because it shews most lively not onely how improper H. Scripture is to determine any the most fundamental points of faith in the hand of any but a Catholick Teacher but how pernicious an instrument it is in the hand of others too much addicted to it with neglect of the Church to lead them into and confirm them in most damnable errors The grand Controversie of faith at the time of our Saviours being upon earth was VVhether he were the Christ He sent them who doubted of it and were obstinate against all other testimonies to search the Scriptures which they believed as testifying of him Ioh. 5.39 His adversaries the Rulers in like maner sent people to them as testifying against him They said to him Nicodemus when they perceived him hang that way Art thou also of Galilee Search the Scripture c. Ioh. 7.52 Nay they were not able to bring any other arguments against him but what they brought out of Scripture Insomuch as it is certain there was no one thing whereby they more steeled their own and the peoples hearts against believing in him then Scripture as they understood it For instance Some said This is the Christ. Others said Hath not the Scripture said c. Ioh. 7.41 Again said they to the Officers when they saw them staggered with the devineness of his doctrine Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him Why not they O forsooth because they knew the Law the Scripture But this people that know not the Law are accursed that is miserably deceived by believing in him to their eternal perdition Ioh. 7.49 Just the same as you say now of our people for their ignorance in Scripture Again
Mar. 16.16 6. Did Christ send some to search it as a witness to his person He sent all to hear her as the Teacher of his Gospel 7. Is he blessed that reads it So is he that hears her word Lu. 11.28 And no reader of it but he that is also her hearer Apoc. 1 3. 8. Is it able to make some Christians wise to salvation by faith in Christ Her vvord is able to save all creatures souls by receiving it Mar. 16.19 1 Tim. 4.16 Iam. 1.21 9. Is it profitable for doctrine c. that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished to every good work She is necessary and sufficient for doctrine c. that every creature may be perfect throughly furnished to every thing pertaining to faith or holiness 10. In a word is it profitable in any kinde to any use vvhatsoever It is only as an instrument in the hand of her or her Scholars So whatsoever can be said of it the same or more excellent may be said of her or the word by her preached But then there are abundance of glorious things spoken of her Psal 87.3 none whereof can be said of it namely all those named supra pag. 13 14 15. The House of God the Angel of the Lord the Light of the VVorld the Power of God unto Salvation the Ground of Truth the Rule of Faith c. VVhich I say not of any intent to extoll her above it absolutely but to beget in you a due esteem of her as in some respects excelling it as it does her in many other 4. Is it because it vvarnes you of some danger possible in making her your guide not a syllable in it to any such sense it doth of danger in making it so 2 Pet. 3.16 5. Is it because it tells you you need not believe or obey her further then she teaches out of or consonantly to it It tells you no such thing but the quite contrary when it calls her the ground of truth For if she the ground of truth we are not to judge of the truth of her doctrine by it but contrarily of its true sense by her doctrine It being possible for it to have divers senses but not possible for it to have any true one repugnant to her doctrine as neither possible for her being the ground of truth to misunderstand it so as to teach any thing repugnant to it Would then any of your Ministers undertake to prove to me by it that she may yea hath at sometime or other since the Apostles death yea at this present does erre in her teaching I would ask him if he would prove it by the express words of it or no. If nay would tell him no implications or deductions though never so evident to reason were to be of force against such express promises as are made to her and those not conditional only so much as implicitely but Prophetical such as that Day and night shall not cease while the earth remains Gen. 8.22 for so saith it If you can break my Covenant of the day and my Covenant of the night and that there should not be day and night in their season then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a Son to sit upon his throne and you will not I hope say that Christ's throne was to judge errors and with the Levites the Priests my Ministers c. Ier. 33.20 Nay God Almighty for our greater assurance in this point expressely declares that no default or wickedness of the Pastors of the Church should ever defease his Covenant with her If his children forsake my law in practice of life c. I will visit their transgressions with the rod c. But my loving kindeness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail c. Psalme 89.30 Such expresse promises are made to her for her immunity from all error in doctrine so long as the world endures Namely for instance these My spirit which is upon thee and my words which I have put into thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Esa 59.21 Again The spirit of truth shall abide with you for ever therefore he spake not to the Apostles but the Church Ioh. 16.3 and guide you into all truth Ioh. 14.16 Now all truth excludes any one least error If he say yea and should which is impossible bring a Text in expresse words against some doctrine or avowed practice of hers I would ask him if those vvords were to be understood in their proper literal grammatical or ordinary Ecclesiastical sense If he say yea afore I admitted him for an Interpreter I vvould ask him for his token vvithout vvhich not our Lord Christ himself vvould desire any one to submit to his Interpretation of it against the Synagogue Ioh. 5.31 15.24 And if which is also impossible he should shew it I mean not a sign Deut. 13.1 Mat. 24.24 but a true miracle Psal 136. 4. Ioh. 3.2 Ioh. 9.31 I would answer him that from thenceforward I would neither believe her nor it Not her because teaching contrary to that which she told me was the word of God Not it because teaching contrary to her who it told me was the ground of truth and her preaching the word of God Weigh then vvell as I said with your self dear Christian Brother what reason you have to make it your guide Nay what an absurd senseless thing it will be in you after this admonition and demonstration to you to leave the fountain of living water for a broken cistern the ground of truth for a quick-sand of errour I mean the Church for the Scripture not in its due nature or use God forbid any such thing in the mouth or thought of a Christian but in its abuse as interpreted to you by your self a man not onely subject to all kinde of error but false principled or by Ministers or Synods such as yours as subject to error and false principled as your self to leave the Teacher unto which our B. Saviour said Do you teach the Gospel to every creature and of which he said to you and me and every creature He that believes her or her teaching and is baptized shall be saved that not believes her or her teaching shall be damned Mar. 16.16 for a book of which he never spake syllable unto Christians or in order to teaching his Law nay of which it appears not that as Pastor of his Church or according to his humane nature he ever intended or so much as foresaw the writing of one tittle of it and of which he to whom he committed for ever after the feeding of his flock Ioh. 21.15 speaking unto Christians purposely of some part of the New Testament then written and by that occasion of the Scripture in general as in the