this we appeal our adversaries to produce one essential difference betwixt the one and the other from the Records of these times or any Writings of the Fathers 3. That no evidence can be given in contending for the Christian Faith against Heathens and to hold forth the certainty thereof which doth not undeniably answer to confirm the Protestant Religion 4. That in the writings of the greatest Adversaries their bitter invectives against Christianity who in the first times did oppose themselves to the same Doctrine the Protestant Church now owns and professeth such as Câ—â—sus Tryphon Porphyrie Lucian c. There is not the least mention of Popery in any of these Articles against which the Protestant Church contends nor of the Romish Supremacy and Infallibility where they could have had so great advantage to object against the Christian Cause and call its Truth in question Nor did the Jews who objected all they could against the Christian Faith in the least once mention any such points as are now controverted betwixt them and us 5. It is clear from unquestionable Historie and confession of our Adversaries that a continued succession of Orthodox Doctors who did confesse and teach the same Doctrine for the substance that we own have in no times been wanting to the Church nor some visible partie to withstand Poperie and keep up a witnesse to the Truth even in the greatest darknesse as the Romish Writers are forced to confesse That the Protestants now are the same which the Waldenses were of old and the Berengarians before them Qu. Doth not the Popish Religion found on such grounds and Principles as can bring a sufficient certainty therewith of its Truth when it hath the Decrâ—es Canons and infallible Decisions of their Church to warrant the same and of the Pope as Supreme Head Ans According to their Doctrine Principles they can have no possible certaintie of their Religion nor of that they pretend to found on When 1. They are not agreed nor ever like to be who that infallible Judge is or in whom such an Infallibilitie as they claim is seated whether in a General Council or the Pope alone So as they are in greatest contradiction to other about the very foundation of their Faith nor is this a controversie amongst a few but one part of their Church with greatest heat is opposing the other therein 2. They can have no assurance if they have any Church at all and whether most of their Popes Bishops and Priests be not without Baptism and still laicks without Ordination when their Doctrine and the Council of Trent so expreslie hold the efficacie of all Sacraments of which they reckon Ordination as well as Baptism to be one to depend on the Intention of the Priest who officiates of which none possiblie can be sure 3. Such have no rational certaintie of what they professe to believe who are with their own consent shut out from all proper knowledge of the Scripture and on the testimonie of men must resolve their Faith 4. Is it not on a matter of fact and most doubtful Relation they ground their Faith and adventure their immortal soul where scarce a Shadow or School-problem is to bear up the whole Fabrick of Poperie which is an alledged Presidence of Peter amongst the Apostles while no demonstration can ever be given that Peter was at Rome or that he was Bishop there or if the same priviledges be intailed to his Successours and how these should be chosen in after-times 5. According to their Principles they have no Bible nor any such Authentick Record to prove Religion but what is a Masâ—e of dead unsensed Characters that hath no articulate voice or intelligible sound until the Romish Clergie put a sense thereon So that the verie Letter of the Scripture is most evidentlie past from For my self I dare say before him who knoweth all things that I would tremble and stand in a we of any deceit or mistake in the matter of Religion and have in greatest earnest sought to be perswaded of the Truth without respect to interest party or education as that wherein I know an eternal salvation is concerned but can see no way to embrace Poperie except men turn Atheists yea quit all Religion and Reason at once Qu Is not Rome the Catholick and Apostolick Church out of which there is no Salvation Ans We know there is a Catholick Church under the Gospel that consists of all who imbrace the Christian Faith whether bond or free Jewes or Gentiles and is to no particular Nation People or language restricted as under the Law But that the Romish Church can have no possible claim here is unanswerable 〈◊〉 Because no Institution is in the Scripture of such a Church as consisteth of all Christians subjected to one humane Head and Supreme Governour under Jesus Christ on the Earth or where subjection to the Pope is made a condition to Salvation 2. It is clear that in the Apostles time and for many Ages after the Christian Catholick Church had a being when it had no dependence on the See of Rome nor was known by any such Test as to own the Pope and his Supreme Jurisdiction except it be averred that there was one Catholick Church before the setting up of Papacy and the other since essentially different from the former 3. There is no accesse to deny that they are more and of greater extent in the world who embrace the Christian Faith and have no communion with the See of Rome or their Doctrine than such who are subjected thereto 4. As there is on Faith and one Lord Jesus Christ so is there but one body which is his Church united to him as her Head Eph. 4 3. 4. Which is the prorogative of the Son of God alone and incommunicable to any to be the Head thereof but he who for this end died and rose that he might be the Lord of the dead and of the living Rom. 14 9. Qu. Yet is not still the same Christian Religion at least for substance held forth in the Popisâ— Doctrine which the Protestant Church owns Ans Whatever in words such pretend their Principles and the known Doctrine of the Council of Trent can too visibly resolve this that these do not retain the Christian Faith in the essentials thereof but have razed the very foudation who resolve not their Faith on the Scripture and its Divine Authority but on a humane testimony and deny religious worship to be due to the true God alone but give it unto Angels and Men also who lay another foundation to build on than Jesus Christ another Purgatorie than his blood to purifie us from all sin another Propitiatorie Sacrifice to expiate sin than his Death who was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9 28 another merite than his obedience by which we are made righteous and thus make void the great intent of the Gospel laying down a way of Life and Salvation on the same
Churches witnesse be of greater credit and weight then the Word of God 4 There is no Authority even the Romish Church can pretend to but what they plead from the Scripture therefore it cannot be dependent upon the Church 5. Should this be admitted the Christian cause were lost in contending against Atheists and Infidels nor any possible access to convince these for what could that Argument of the Church's Authority be to them who own no such thing 6. If on this the Scripture be admitted our Faith should then resolve on the Testimony of men and be but a human Faith Qu. But must every private Man be his own Judge and not the Church to put what sense he pleaseth on the Scripture Ans It is clear 1. That there is a private judgement of discretion the meanest Christian hath to know and discern the Truth that his service may be Reasonable service Rom. 12 1. And his Faith a rational act For every man must prove his own work Gal. 6 4. 2. We deny not a publick and ministerial judgement to the Church which in greater and lesset Synods may be passed where Pastors Elders are assembled by the ordinance of Christ though here no blind obedience is imposed since this only can be according to the Law and in pursuance of it not above it But to the Holy Ghost alone can a Supremacy and a Soveraignty of judgement in matters of Faih belong Since There is but one Lawgiver who is able to save and destroy Jam. 4 12. And no power against the truth but for it 2 Cor. 13 8. Qu. Are we not called to hear the Church Mat. 18 17. and implicitely rely on its sentence Ans That command hath respect to Church-censure and against contumacie but to impose no implicite obedience or subject the Scripture Authority to Men When it is so clear 1. That the furthest observance of the Apostle was to be such as might not go without these bounds Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ 2. This were to divide Faith and Knowledge from one another and an express contradicting of that 1 Pet. 3 15. To be ready to give a reason of faith within us to every who demands 3. Thus Men might be saved without believing there is a Christ and the Gospel 4. Thus many were under a necessity to live and die Infidels if they must only hear what the Romish Church sayes not read the Scripture themselves who in some remote parts of earth or by a close imprisonment may be shut up so as they can have no possible converse with that Church SECT VI. Qu. IS there no Supreme Visible and Infallible Judge placed in the Church upon whose decision we may securely rest in all matters of Faith and Conscience Ans This Article is indeed of great weight to the Romish Church so as their whole interest seems to stand or fall accordingly But it is clear 1. They must bring another Bible than the Old and New Testament to prove this or let us see the least Commission and Warrant for any such Judge there as they plead for 2. It is contrary to the command 1 Thes 5 21. Prove all things and hold fast that which is good 3. None can deny the Apostles were fallible though not in their Doctrine being therein immediatly inspired by the holy Ghost when so ignorant of the Death Sufferings and Resurrection of Christ and it is sure Peter was far from this Infallibility when he denied his Master and after he was confirmed and had that assurance given that his Faith should not fail which is one great foundation of the pretended Romish Infallibility when Paul withstood him to the face Gal. 2 11. 4. This power doth the Pope challeng over the Gentiles as being Peter's successor when it is clear that Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles by the appointment of the Holy Ghost and Peters own consent Rom. 11 17. Acts 13 2. Gal. 2 9. 5. And do not all know what decrees of Councils have been against Councils and Popes against Popes Qu. Is not Peter that Rock on which Christ promised to build the Church Mat. 16 18. Ans It is manifest that by this was expresly meant the Doctrine and Profession then made of Christ's being the Son of God yea that the same power given to Peter was in as expresse termes given to the rest of the Apostles Mat. 18 18. Ioh. 20 22. And where it is said Ye are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2 20. no difference is in the least put betwixt Peter and the rest yet here is the great foundation of their Church Qu. Does not this prove such an Infallibility that the Church is the Pillar and ground of Truth 1 Tim 3 1â—â— Ans This was not said of the Church of Rome or evince her peculiar claim thereto beyond other Churches But here clearlie is shewed the stability and fixednesse of the Christian Church unto which the Oracles of God were committed and no possible reasoning thence for an Infallibility to any Church on Earth Qu. Is there nothing from the Scripture to shew a difference betwixt Peter and the rest of the Apostles as to his Presidence and that the Monarchie of the Church was established in his person Ans We find this was expresly prohibited by Jesus Christ to the whole Apostles without exception that no such absolute Authority should be by any of them claimed Mat. 23 10 Be ye not called masters for one is your master even Christ But if any shadow were for this It might seem more applicable to Paul when he saith Besides these the care of all the Churches came upon me 2 Cor. 11 v. 28. If this had been said of Peter the Romish writers would have made a strange noise as if they had found one demonstration for all to secure that interest SECT VII Qu. CAn the Scripture be a sufficient Rule of Faith and sufficient to decide controversies in the Church without the help of unwritten Traditions Ans It is 1. Because the alone way for being saved is in following what is written there Ioh. 20 31. These things are written that you may believe that Iesus is the Christ and that believing you might have life through his name 2. It is a full and sufficient Rule containing all things necessary both to believe do 2 Tim. 3. 15. From a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Iesus Yea it is there shewed to be Profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 3. It is expresly against the Scriptures to impose any humane Traditions on the Church for subjecting our Faith thereto Deut 4 2. Thou shalt not add to the words which I command thee Qu. But doth not the Apostle command to hold fast the
terms that it stood in the Covenant of works certainly we must either quite the Scriptures or acknowledge that nothing can be more destructive to the Christian Faith revealed there than such Doctrine Qu. Is there no infallible Rule and Judge to determine herein on whose decisive sentence we may securely rest in the greatest controversies Ans If we own ourselves Christians this can be no debate that the Scriptures contained in the Old and New-testament are the supreme Judge The Oracles of God committed to the Church Rom. 3 2. to give Answers in every dark case The Type and forme of sound Doctrine Rom. 6 17. Unto whose sentence we are in all matters both of Faith and Practice expresly referred by the Lord Isaiah 8 20. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them SECT II. Qu. SInce the Rule of Faith must be plain and intelligible can the Scripture be such which according to the Popish Doctrine is a Masse of dead and dark Characters untill their Church put a sense thereon Ans It s own witnesse is clear 1. That it Is such as maketh the simple wise Psal 19 7. And a Light shining in a dark place to which we are called to take heed 2 Pet 1 v. 19. A Lamp to our feet Psal 119 105. 2. We see what is written there was for our learning Rom. 15 4. and given us for that end that it might be understood 3. It is clear the promise of the Spirit to lead us into all Truth Joh. 16 13. doth belong to every Believer as well as to the greatest Doctors of the Church who can pretend no extraordinary Revelation for leading of them 4. We know the Fathers and Ancient Church did still prove their Doctrine from the Scripture as not only of more authority but more clear than their Comments 5. Though some Scriptures be not so plain as others and several Prophecies sealed up until their taking place in the event yet nothing can be more plain than the fundamentals of Christianity and those Scripture Truths necessary to Salvation But the World may see it is not obscurity against which their true quarrel is but a too clear evidence before which their interest cannot stand Qu. Yet is this a sufficient ground for the Scriptures being translated into our own Language so as every Man may read and have access thereto which the Romish Church so expresly forbids as the cause of Error and Heresie Ans We know 1. The command is express for all to read and teach their children Deut. 6 11. 2. That under the Law the Jewish Church had no restraint and should the Church now be in a worse case and live in more darknesse 3. Upon this account were the Bereans so highly commended for examining the Apostles Doctrine by the written Word which they could never have done if any such restraint to read the same had been upon them 4. It is a strange cure to keep from the Light for fear of going wrong and when Christ saith You erre not knowing the Scriptures Maâ—t 22 22. That ignorance thereof should be the way to keep us right Qu. Is it not evident 2 Pet. 3 v 16. How there are things hard to be understood in Paul's Epistles which the unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction Ans It is there shewed 1. Some things are more dark in the Scripture which none do deny 2. We see those who thus stumble are such as wrest the Word and not of a humble sober and serious Spirit by whom none will judge the Apostle here means the whole of Believers within the Church except the Doctors thereof Nor hath it more weight to forbid Christians use of the Scriptures and to read the same than the necessary use of meat because some unsober abuse the same to their hurt Qu. Whâ—t inducement should the Romish Church have to restrain Christians in this if it be so visibly cross to the Rule Ans They have I confess this plea for necessity since their case so stands they must either ruine their interest and be discovered in the greatest imposture that ever was known in the World or have the Bible shut up though to ruine the Souls of many Millions of the poor People nor is it strange such hate the light whose deeds are evil lest they be reproved SECT III. Qu. IS it not to the Church and to no private person That the supreme Authority and power of interpreting the Scripture and to be judge of the true sense thereof doth belong Ans The Scriptures is the alone infallible Rule for interpreting it self And to none but to the Holy Ghost speaking to us there can such Authority be ascribed 1. Because Scripture is the supreme standard by which we are called to prove all things 1 Thes 5 21. and to know the Spirits whether they be of God or not 1 Joh. 4 1. Yea thus must the Doctrine of the Church be known 2. The sense of the Scripture is the Scripture it self which thence only can be sought and understood by the same Spirit that indited it 3. We see by innumerable instances that where in one place it speaks more darkly it doth explain it self in another and thus refers us to its own interpretation yea how with a greater light and plainnesse Truths are opened up in the New Testament which more darkly and as under a Vail were held forth in the Old Qu. But the Scripture is of no private interpretation therefore to the Church only it must belong Ans This only shews the Scriptures Interpretation can be subjected to no humane Comments nor hath its Authority of men and from their private judgements whatever place they bear in the Church but must be sought from the Scripture it self and according to the Analogie of Faith but no ground in the least to deny accesse to private persons to know and seek after the true sense of the Scripture Qu. What assurance can any have that such is the true sense of the Scripture without some authoritative decision of the Church Ans We know 1. That the promise Joh. 7 17. stands good to every one of the Saints If any man do my will he shall know my Doctrine whether it be of God or not And such who object this dare not I am sure restrict the giving of the Spirit for that end to their Church-Doctors onlie 2. If the sense of any thing written can be understood then it is sure the most weighty and necessarie truths of the Scripture are so obviouslie plain as they can bear no other sense and meaning except men quit the very use of Reason and Judgement 3. Where the Scripturâ— is more dark there want not peculiar helps and means for a Christians attaining the true sense thereof such as serious prayer the knowledg of the original languages and repairing to these fountains themselves advertency to the scope and intent of