I cannot better give an Account than in this place It is not long since that with the old design of exposing the Ministers of the Church of England to the Censures of the World as Men who made it their Business at any rate to run down Popery he set forth a malicious Discourse call'd by him 1. Good Advice tu the Pulpits c. In which he rakes together out of the Sermons published in the last years of the late King's Reign whatever he thought would serve to make them odious The Design was well enough laid and the Circumstances of the Times consider'd it were not to be wondred if some things should have pass'd more hot against those of the Church of Rome than was to have been wished But either our Ministers were then as they have always been very moderate or this Author has been a very careless Examiner of their Excesses However his Attempt soon met with a solid Confutation in an excellent Treatise Entituled 2. An Apology for the Pulpits And in which our Divines are fully justified against his Exceptions To this he has lately set forth an Answer called 3. Pulpit-sayings or the Characters of the Pulpit-Papist examined To which there is an Answer called 4. Pulpit-Popery True Popery And hitherto has this first sort of Controversie been carried on A second thing which has given occasion to some Disputes these late years and which for the Affinity it has to the foregoing I chuse next to mention is SECT II. Of a pretended Agreement of the Church of England with the Church of Rome AND this too the Representer is reported to have had a principal hand in It is no very long time since a Book was published in order to this end and called in express terms An Agreement between the Church of England and the Church of Rome Agreement between the C. of E. and the C. of R. I think I needed not have made any change of my former Head for this Treatise there being perhaps not a more foul Misrepresentation in the World than what the great Chastiser of Misrepresenters has made here in such a pretence as this But tho his Title be General yet the main design of his Book was to expose a particular person of our Church D. Sherlock and whom indeed they have all the reason in the world if they can by any means to run down for I know no man that does the and their Cause more mischief by those excellent Treatises which he continues still to publish against them However both the general and the particular design of this new Contrivance has been effectually answered in the two Replies that have come forth to it viz. 1. The Difference between the Church of England and the Church of Rome in Opposition to a late Book intituled An Agreement c. 2. A Vindication of some Protestant Principles of Church-Unity and Catholick-Communion from the charge of Agreement with the Church of Rome By Dr. Sherlock But what this Author attempted in a more general manner the Publisher of Discourses against us at Oxford more particularly endeavoured with reference to the Holy Eucharist in which as he pretends there is little or no difference between the true Sons of the Church of England and those of the Other Communion And which therefore shall be the next General Head of Controversies to which I will now pass viz. SECT III. Of the Real Presence Of the Disputes which have passed these last years concerning the Holy Eucharist And here I. Concerning the REAL PRESENCE THis is the Point in which Mr. W. would fain piece up a kind of Agreement betwixt us though all the World sees nothing can be more different than the Doctrine of the Real Presence as taught in the Church of England and that of Transubstantiation which is the Real Presence believed in the Church of Rome But however it be Mr. W. doubts not to make it appear That our Divines have asserted the very same Presence of Christ in effect in the Eucharist that the Romanists maintain in a Treatise called 1. Two Discourses concerning the Adoration of our Blessed Saviour in the Eucharist And the former of which wholly pursues the pretended Agreement I have now been speaking of To this there came out first a London Answer in which his Quotations were fully examined his Pretences considered and the whole matter largely stated And in return to his Allegations of some of our Church that believed their Real Presence an Account was given of several that have lived and died in their Communion that neither did nor could believe any such thing The Title of it is 2. A Discourse of the Holy-Eucharist in the Two great Points of the Real Presence and the Adoration of the Host Not long after this a Person of great Worth at Oxford publish'd a second Confutation of the same Piece but with this difference That whereas the former Discourse examined at large his Quotations this chiefly consider'd the Principles on which he proceeded and the Arguments he brought to justifie his Pretences It is called 3. A Reply to Two Discourses lately printed at Oxford concerning the Adoration of our Blessed Saviour in the Holy Eucharist And here this Controversie rested till the last Term when Mr. W. publishing another Treatise upon the same Subject viz. 4. A Compendious Discourse on the Eucharist Added to the End of it two Appendixes in answer to the two Tracts that had been written against them It appears by the Heat and Bitterness of these little Satyrs how much those Books had troubled him and how unable he is to command himself even there where he pretends the most to do it One would have thought after what the Representer had done we had seen the height of what a licentious Pen could arise to in matters of such seriousness But indeed this poor impotent old Man has convinced us of our Error and shewn such an indecent Passion in the menage of his Answer as is much more to be pitied than valued But I shall leave it to those who are engaged with him to take notice of these things It is not to be doubted but that in a little time their Answers will be finish'd both the One and the Other being as I am informed already in good forwardness II. Of Communion in Both Kinds COMMUNION in BOTH KINDS Having thus given an Account of what has pass'd as to the Point of the Real Presence the next thing that naturally offer'd its self was the Doctrine of Transubstantiation But there has pass'd so much concerning this Controversie that I was willing before I came to that to consider all the lesser Debates that have risen relating to this Holy Sacrament The occasion of this Engagement was this Monsieur de Meaux having some years since composed a famous Book upon this Argument it was thought fit by those of the Church of Rome to translate that also as well as the rest of his Tracts into
our Language Accordingly we find it to have been publish'd some time since under the Title of A Treatise of Communion under One Kind Now however it might have been sufficient for us to have follow'd their Example in translating that most accurate Answer of the late Monsieur Larrogue to it yet one of our Divines was content to give it a new Consideration in an excellent Book called A Discourse of the Communion in One Kind In Answer to a Treatise of the Bishop of Meaux of Communion c. And here this Flourish ended The Translator whoever he was of the Bishop's Treatise looking upon himself to be no more obliged to defend it against his English Adversary than the Bishop thought himself to be to vindicate it against the Attack of his French Antagonists But tho this Controversie proceeded no farther yet the Subject has been lately again revived by a very Learned Hand who having searched throughly into Antiquity as to this Point has given us an accurate Collection called A Demonstration that the Church of Rome and her Councils have erred by shewing that the Councils of Constance Basil and Trent have in all their Decrees touching Communion in one Kind contradicted the received Doctrine of the Church of Christ III. Of Transubstantiation Of TRANSUBSTANTIATION And now having cleared the way of all other Debates touching this Holy Sacrament we are at last arrived to the great Point in dispute betwixt us the Doctrine of Transubstantiation But how to dispose of my self in so copious a Subject and upon which so many Books have been written is hard to resolve I have already remarked what has passed on the occasion of the Discourse of Transubstantiation the first that began this Debate The next that gave occasion to the revival of this Controversie was the Author of the Dublin Letter who being answered by the Representer in his Second Part cap. 3. a learned man of our Communion made good his Party in an excellent Discourse which he calls Transubstantiation no Doctrine of the Primitive Fathers being a Defence of the Dublin Letter c. And that no pretence to Antiquity might remain unconsidered as to this matter the same Learned Hand has since obliged us with a full view of all that can reasonably be desired from the Primitive Fathers as to this matter viz. A Full Vew of the Doctrines and Practices of the Ancient Church relating to the Eucharist wholly different from those of the present Roman Church and inconsistent with the belief of Transubstantiation c. 2. A 2d sort of Discourses there have pass'd on this Argument in which our Adversaries of the Roman Communion have made it their business to prove the Doctrine of the Trinity to be as full of Contradictions as that of Transubstantiatiom But whether this be more likely to make us Papists or Socinians to believe the Doctrine of Transubstantiation or to disbelieve that of the Trinity I shall not determine However our Divines have resolved to shew that there is no manner of reason for them to do either and the Tracts that have been published on this Occasion are especially these On the Popish Part. A Dialogue between a New Catholic Convert and a Protestant concerning the Doctrines of the Trinity and Transubstantiation On Our Part. 1. An Answer to a late Dialogue between a new Catholic Convert and a Protestant c. 2. A Second Dialogue between a New Catholic Convert and a Protestant shewing why He cannot believe the Doctrine of Transubstantiation tho' he do firmly believe the Doctrine of the Trinity 3. The Doctrine of the Trinity and Transubstantiation compared as to Scripture Reason and Tradition In a new Dialogue between a Protestant and a Papist In 2. Parts 4. Transubstantiation contrary to Scripture or the Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request 3. Other Discourses there have been in great numbers on both sides as to this Point and it shall suffice only to transcribe the Names of them Popish Tracts concerning Transubstantiation 1. A Seeker's Request to Catholic Priests and Protestant Ministers for satisfying his Conscience in the Truth of what he ought to believe of the Lords-Supper 2. The Catholic Answer to the Seeker's Request 3. The Catholic Letter to the Seeker Protestant Treatises against Transubstantiation 1. A Plain Representation of Transubstantiation as it is received in the Church of Rome 2. The Absolute Impossibility of Transubstantiation demonstrated 3. An Historical Treatise of Transubstantiation 4. A Paraphrase with Notes and a Preface upon the 6th Chapter of St. John. 5. A Brief Discourse of the Real Presence 6. The School of the Eucharist 7. Six Conferences concerning Transubstantiation 8. The Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request 9. The Protestant's Answer to the Catholic Letter to the Seeker Or A Vindication of the Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request To which we may add two Books written indeed long since by two eminent Bishops of this Church but thought fit to be Reprinted again since Mr. W's attempts from Oxford about the Real Presence The First is 10. A Brief Declarationn of the Lord's Supper written by Dr. Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London during his Imprisonment With some Determinations and Disputations concerning the same Argument by the same Author 11. Diallacticon Viri Boni Literati c. I mention this Book Of the Notes of the Church tho a Latin one because it is a very excellent Discourse written by Dr. John Poynet Bishop of Winchester in Edward VI's days and was very rarely to be met with till this Reprinting of it SECT VI. Another Subject which has open'd a large field to Disputes between us and has accordingly been frequently insisted upon is the CHURCH with reference to the Marks and Nature and Prerogatives of it I. Of the NOTES of the Church HE must be very little acquainted with the late Methods made use of by those of the Church of Rome in propagating their Religion among us who knows not this to have been all along their great Endeavour to fly as much as possible all particular Disputes and keep themselves within the general Notions of the Church That so applying whatever is or is pretended to have been said of the Church Catholic to their own particular Communion they might more easily deceive unwary and ignorant Men. But in this too as well as in all other Points in debate they have not fail'd to meet enough to encounter their Pretences And to the End it might be better seen how vain a Pretence it is in them to call themselves Catholics and their Church the Catholic Church as if in the words of the Prophet they were alone Isa xlv 6. and there were none besides them One of the first Controversies to be remark'd in this Point is that of the NOTES of the CHVRCH and upon which they undertake to shew theirs exclusive to all others to be the Catholic Church of Christ Militant upon Earth The former part of the State
Controversie and too late to see that Truth and Learning are not to be run down by those who are utterly destitute of the One and as far as we may be allowed to guess by their performances have but very slender pretences to the Other The truth is Propery is a Religion fit only for an Inquisition to maintain and Dragoons to propagate Ignorance and Barbarity brought it into the World Interest and Passion maintain and keep it up No sooner did Learning begin to revive but Popery began immediately to decay and ever since the One has still decreased in proportion as the Other has flourish'd And to think at this time a day seriously to dispute a Nation so resolute and knowing as Ours again into the Errors of it plainly shews either that our Adversaries have a very mean Opinion of our Vnderstandings or I am sure deserve that we should have no very great one of theirs But whatever they once may have flatter'd themselves withal I am confident they now begin to be satisfied That Popery is a Religion that will not thrive in our Northern Climate And tho they are pleased sometimes to divert themselves with our Divisions and it may be did from thence conceive some hopes of promoting their Interest amongst us yet I doubt not but they now see that we are not so much divided amongst our selves as we are all of us heartily united against them As for the Divines of the Church of England how firmly they have adhered to the Protestant Interest is not unknown to any Their Preaching their Conversation but above all their Writings declare it to the World And how fouly by consequence they were heretofore either mistaken or misrepresented when they were exposed by some who I believe wish'd them so as Papists in Masquerade or at least as Popishly affected Never perhaps was there a Controversie more successfully managed than this has been in these late Years Till now these Points were handled in such a manner that if the Learned applauded the performance yet the Vulgar were but little the better for it But in these Discourses Strength of Argument and Plainness of Discourse seem to vie with one another The Arguments so sound as to convince all Gain-sayers and yet the Plainness so great that the meanest Persons may comprehend the force of them And thus have they pursued not one or two Points but I may warrantably say the whole Controversy betwixt us Insomuch that from henceforth we may well excuse them any farther trouble till either our Adversaries shall think fit to answer their Discourses or to advance some other Arguments than those which have already been obviated and confuted But indeed there is no great likelihood of either of these and I dare venture to promise my Reader that let those of the Church of Rome attacque him where they please let them in writing or discourse offer what they are able to him he shall here in this Collection which I therefore on purpose make of several of these Treatises under their proper Heads find more than enough to answer all their Allegations I. GENERAL DISCOURSES Or such as consider the most part of the Points in debate betwixt us 1. The Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome truly Represented 2. Answer to the Bishop of Condom's Exposition 3. Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England 4. Two Desences of the Exposition 5. An Answer to the Compiler of the Nubes Testium 6. The Primitive Father no Papists 7. Pope Pius's Creed with Comments 8. the Additional Articles in Pope Pius's Creed no Articles in the Christian Faith. II. Of RELIGIOUS WORSHIP 1. A Discourse concerning the OBJECT of Religious Worship 2. A Discourse concerning the Devotions of the Church of Rome III. Of PRAYER in an UNKNOWN TONGUE 1. A Discourse of Prayer in an Unknown Tongue 2. A Treatise in Confutation of the Latin Service c. IV. Of the INVOCATION of SAINTS 1. A Discourse concerning the INVOCATIONS of SAINTS 2. Second Defence of the Exposition Artic. III. 3. An Answer to Papists protesting against Protestant Popery 4. Mr. Gee's third Letter to Father Sabran 5. The Primitive Fathers no Papists 6. A Discourse in Answer to Monsieur de Meaux's Appeal to the IVth Age. Paticularly of the B. VIRGIN See several Discourses collected Pag. 52 53. V. Of IMAGES and RELIQUES 1. The Antiquity of the Protestant Religion concerning Images 2. The Vindication of it See above pag. 48. The Fallibility of the Church of Rome demonstrated from the manifest Error of the Second Nicene and Trent Councils in the Pint of Images 4. A Discourse concerning the 2d Council of Nice which first introduced and established Image Worship in the Christian Church 5. Second Defence of the Exposition Part 2. Art. IV. 6. Answer to Papists protesting against Protestant Popery VI. Of IDOLATRY A Discourse concerning the Nature of Idolatry in Answer to the Bishop of Oxon. VII Of MERITS SATISFACTIONS PURGATORY and INDULGENCES 1. Two Discourses of Purgatory and PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD 2. Purgatory proved by Miracles 3. Apology for the Pulpits Appendix of Indulgences 4. The Primitive Fathers no Papists for Purgatory 5. Summary of the Controversies for Purgatory 6. A Discourse concerning the Merits of Good Works VIII Of the SACRAMENTS An Historical Discourse of the Ministers Intentions in Administring the Sacraments IX Of CONFESSION and PENANCE A Discourse of Auricular Consession as prescribed by the Council of Trent X. Of EXTREME UNCTION 1. A Discourse of Extreme Unction XI Of ORDERS 1. A Vindication of the Ordinations of the Church of England 2. Concio ad Clerum c. See Pag. 54 55. 3. A Defence of the Ordinations and Ministry of the Church of England 4. A short Defence of the Orders of the Church of England To these Learned Discourles we shall shortly have added another upon the same good Subject from the Reverend and Leanred Dr. Prideaux Prebendary of Norwich intituled 5. The Validity of the Orders of the Church of England made out against the Objections of the Papists in several Letters to a Gentleman of Norwich that desired satisfaction therein 6. Roman Catholics uncertain whether there be any true Priests or Sacraments in the Church of Rome XII Of the REAL PRESENCE 1. A Discourse of the Holy Eucharist in the two great Points of the Real Presence and the Adoration of the Host 2. A Reply to two Discourses printed at Oxford c. XIII Of TRANSUBSTANTIATION 1. A Discourse against Transubstantiation 2. Transubstantiation no Doctrine of the primitive Fathers 3. Full View of the Doctrines and Practices of the Ancient Church relating to the Eucharist c. 4. Transubstantiation contrary to Scripture 5. A Paraphrase with Notes and a Preface on the vith of St. John. See many other Tracts above from pag. 22. 7. Veteres Vindicati in Answer to Mr. Sclater 8. A Discourse of the Holy Eucharist in Answer to Mr. W. 9. Fourth Letter to a Person of Quality See
Imprimatur Liber cui Titulus A Continuation of the Present State of the Controversie between the Church of England and the Church of Rome Junii 7. 1688. H. Maurice RR. in Christo P. D. Wilhelmo Archiep. Cant. a Sacr. A CONTINUATION OF THE Present State OF THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE CHURCH of ENGLAND AND THE CHURCH OF ROME BEING A Full ACCOUNT of the BOOKS that have been of late Written on Both Sides The Second Edition LONDON Printed for Ric. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard MDCLXXXVIII TO THE VERY REVEREND and WORTHY THE AUTHORS OF THE DISCOURSES here Collected IN Defence of the Church of ENGLAND GENTLEMEN AFter so much Pains as you have taken and so much Good as by the Blessing of God on your Endeavours you have done to that Church of which I esteem it my happiness that I am a Member may it be permitted to a private and obscure hand to return you this small Tribute in acknowledgment of that Sense which not my self alone but I dare say every single person of our Communion has of what we all owe to your Learning and your Integrity I present you here with a short view of your own Labours or rather I offer to the World a small Collection of those Discourses you have written in Defence of our Religion And how unsuitable soever it may appear to usher a few Titles of Books into the World under the protection of so many great Names yet I am confident the Consequence of this Undertaking cannot but be as Honourable to you all as I heartily wish it may and as I am sure it ought to be When it shall be consider'd how vast a Number and of what acurate and learned Discourses is here comprised and for almost all which we are in the compass of about Three Years indebted to you It is indeed a matter of just wonder to all those who are acquainted with your method of living here how persons engaged not only in a laborious attendance on their Parochial Cures and a constant return of painful and acurate Preaching but almost utterly distracted with that multitude of other Business which in these last Years has taken up the greatest part of your time should yet find leisure to discharge all these and at the same time to adorn the Press with so many Books as might alone have seemed more than enough to have employ'd your whole Industry But blessed be God who has raised you up against such a time as this and given us so great an Earnest of his Favour to us that as we had never more need of Able and Honest and Firm Guides than at this day so I may venture to challenge any Age of the Church to shew such a Number of truly Learned and Pious and constant Pastors as the Church of England and especially this City do's now abound with May your Labours and your Examples always find such a success as they deserve and as they have of late met with amongst us And since we cannot now have any excuse for our Apostacy should we renounce our Holy Prosession after so much as you have done to convince even the most ignorant Persons amongst us of the Truth and Purity of it may we ever firmly adhere both to you and it That when we shall appear before the Great Bishop and Pastor of our Souls we may all of us give up our Accounts with joy This as it is my hearty Wish so I am perswaded it is the sincere Resolution of every one of those whom God has committed to your Care. And that in this Firmness we may be all of us established more and more shall be the continual Prayer of him who in all thankful Duty will ever remain GENTLEMEN Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant TO THE READER AS for those who shall please to peruse this Treatise I have but very little to premise to them They will here see an Exact Collection as far as I was able to make it of the Controversie on both sides between our Divines and those of the Church of Rome And in that the Victory of Truth over Error Never certainly was any Cause more entirely baffled than the Popish is at this time Never was a Controversie more fully handled and that in such a manner as to instruct even the meanest Capacities than This has been in these last years Insomuch that now there is scarce a person amongst us so ignorant that is not able to make a Stand against the rudest Attacques of our Adversaries Nay our very Footmen esteem themselves and I think have satisfied the World that they are not mistaken an equal match for Jesuits i. e. for those who would at least be thought the most able Men of their Party and dropt down from Heaven on purpose to oppose the Growth of Protestant Heresie What others may judg of this I cannot tell But for my part I cannot but from thence conclude That certainly the Hand of God is with us for Good. And that He who has given us this Opportunity to understand the Weaknesses and Deceits of our Enemies and endu'd us with so great and general a Resolution never upon any Account whatsoever to depart from our most Holy Religion will also crown all our future Endeavours with such a Success that the Generations to come shall rise up and call us Blessed When they shall see our Firmness and our Labours in the Lord and receive from our hands that pure and uncorrupted Truth which I am persuaded those excellent Treatises I here mention shall deliver down even to the very End of the World. THE CONTENTS THE Occasion and Design of this Continuation Page 1 The Whole Divided into II. Generals Page 2 FIRST PART Of the Cases against Popery begun in the late King's Time. ib. The Catalogue of them reduced to the following Heads 1. Preliminary Discourses Page 2 3 2. Of the Church Page 4 3. Of the Rule of Faith. Page 5 4. Of Particular Points ib. An Account of the Disputes that have arisen on the Occasion of the Discourse against Transubstantiation Page 8 SECOND PART Of the Discourses that have been publish'd in Defence of the Church of England since the Time of His Present Majesty With an Account of the Popish Treatises that occasioned them Page 9 These reduted to the several following Heads SECT I. Of the REPRESENTING Controversie The Papist Represented and Misrepresented Page 10 The Bishop of Condom's Exposition Page 12 Good Advice to the Pulpits Page 16 And the Disputes occasioned by these Treatises SECT II. Of the pretended Agreement between the Church of England and the Church of Rome Page 17 SECT III. Of the Disputes concerning the Holy EUCHARIST 1. Real Presence Page 19. 2. Communion in One kind Page 20 3. Transubstantiation Page 22 SECT IV. Of the Disputes concerning the CHURCH Page 25 1. Of the Notes of the Church Page 26 2. Of the Unity and Authority of the Church Page 27 3. Of
Late Worthy and Learned Author of the Defence of the State and View of the Controversie before mentioned II. The Expounding Controversie It was not long after the beginning of this that the better to promote the same design another Engagement of the like kind was set on foot under the Title of An Exposition of the Doctrine of the Catholick Church in matters of Controversie I need not say that this piece was Originally written in French and published many years since by the Bishop then of Condom now of Meaux The prosecution that has been made of this matter in the Books that have been published on both sides have given a very large Account of this to the world and what is farther necessary for the understanding of the design of it may be seen already set down in the former part of the * Pag. 15 16. Present State of the Controversie I will therefore only perfect the catalogue of what has past in this Enterprize also on both sides by adding to that already given those other Treatises that have been publish'd since the former State was sent abroad 1. An Answer to the Bishop of Condom's Exposition c. with Reflections upon his Pastoral Letter And concerning which I shall observe only what was before remarked That to this day no attempt has been made of returning one word in Answer to it 2. An Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England in the several Articles proposed by the Bishop of Condom in his Exposition of the Doctrine of the Catholick Faith. To this in a little time came out an Answer Intituled 3. A Vindication of the Bishop of Condom 's Exposition with a Letter from the said Bishop And to that not long after a Reply called 4. A Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England against the Exceptions of the Bishop of Condom and his Vindicator And here this Controversie rested for some time and it was by many supposed would have ended But at last both the Bishop and his Vindicator resolved once more to venture into the world and so after a long expectation an Answer was published to this last Treatise viz. 5. A Reply to the Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England With a Second Letter from the Bishop of Meaux To this there have been two Treatises already returned and we may in some time expect a Third to be added to them as soon as the Author has discharged himself of a new ‖ O. W's Appendix in answer to the Discourse of the real Presence and Adoration of the Host Adversary which has since attacked Him on another account The Vindicator it is hoped will not think much of a little delay in this matter especially since I am Commissioned to promise him that let Him make what hast he will the last Part shall be got ready for Him before He has finished any reasonable Answer to those already published If it be enquired here Wherefore this last Defence was divided into so many Parts I presume this account may be given of it That the Vindicator having run his Answer into a greater length than the ordinary rate of these Discourses usually allows of either no just Reply must have been made to it which our Expositor was unwilling they should be able to object to Him Or if there were He thought it would be much more acceptable to the world as well as less burdensome to Himself to publish his Answer at several times than to be opprest with so large a Volume as it would have amounted to all together What is already finished will be found under these Titles 6. A Second Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England against the new Exceptions of Monsieur de Meaux and His Vindicator Part I. In which the Account that has been given of the Bishop of Meaux 's Exposition is fully Vindicated the dictinction of Old and New Popery Historically Asserted and the Doctrine of the Church of Rome in point of Image-Worship more particularly consider'd Part II. In which the Romish Doctrines concerning the Nature and Object of Religious Worship Of the Invocation of Saints and Worship of Images and Reliques are consider'd and the Charge of Idolatry made Good against those of the Church of Rome upon the Account of them And thus far our Expositor has carried his Reply whilst the Second of these Parts was writing the Vindicator attacked the First according to their Modern way of Controversie in a sheet and half yet call'd it A Full Answer to the Second Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England in a Letter to the Defender But the Author of the View of the Controversie being at that time engaged in a Reply to the Representer and finding some congruity that the Answer to both of them should come out together for the reasons given in the Preface to His Treatise the Defender was left at liberty to go on with his design and yet the Vindicator not suffered to complain for want of Consideration The Reply I have in part mention'd before but I will now give the Title of it at its full length An Answer to the Representer's Reflections upon the State and View of the Controversie With a Reply to the Vindicator's Full Answer shewing That the Vindicator has utterly ruined the new design of Expounding and Representing Popery III. Having now given account of those two principal Controversies that have of late been carried on among us of Expounding and Representing the Points in debate betwixt us and the Church of Rome I cannot better close this Point than with this remark That in a very little time after the Bishop of Condom's Exposition was set forth by the Vindicator we were also obliged with the Translation of another of that Prelate's Pieces called A Pastoral Letter to the New Converts of his Diocess It is not necessary to say that the Bishop in this Piece pursued still the design of his Exposition That has been already shewn in the Answer to it which I before remarked at the end of the other Reply that was made to His Exposition and which still continues Unanswered That which has made more Noise is his open declaring to the New Converts of his Diocess that they knew there had been no such thing as a Persecution in France And the falseness and unsincerity of which declaration has been sufficiently exposed both in the former part of the ‖ Pag. 22. Sec. Defence Answer to the Bishops Letter State of the Controversie and in the second Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England And thither I shall remit those that desire to inform themselves more particularly of this matter IV. Good Advice to the Pulpits I should here have dismissed this Argument had not the great Misrepresenter that began this Point lately pursued it in a new Undertaking and of which
Catholics in Matters of Faith. Written in French by Monsieur Maimbourg 2. Seek and ye shall find or a search into the Grounds of Religion c. 3. Monsieur de Meaux 's Conference with Monsieur Claude concerning the Authority of the Church SECT V. To these Disputes concerning the Church I do not know any that I can so sitly subjoin as those which regard the pretended Priviledges and Authority of St. PETER and of the POPES as His Successors IT is now some time since an Eminent Person of the other Communion Dr. Godden began the Contest as to this matter in a Sermon Preach'd by him in the Queen Dowagers Chappel and called A Sermon of St. Of S. Peter and the Pope Peter preached before her Majesty the Queen Dowager June 29. 1686. In requital of this a very Learned Man of our Church set out a Sermon which he had occasionally Preach'd in his own Church the very same Day upon the same Text intituled A sermon Preach'd upon S. Peter 's Day Printed at the desire of some that heard it with some Enlargements by a Divine of the Church of England I will not say any thing more of these Two Discourses than this That whoso shall please to read them will find what is to be urged from that famous Text Thou art Peter c. on either side and when they compare them together may judg as they shall find the evidence of Truth to incline them But of this large Subject much more has been set forth and it shall suffice to give a very brief Account of it 1. The Catholick Ballance or a Discourse determining the Controversies concerning 1. The Tradition of Catholic Doctrines 2. The Primacy of S. Peter and the Bishop of Rome 3. The Subjection and Authority of the Church in a Christian State. 2. The Antiquity of the Protestant Religion with an Answer to Mr. Sclater 's Reasons and the Collections of Nobes Testium 3. A modest Enquiry Whether S. Peter were ever at Rome and Bishop of that Church 4. Sure and Honest Means for the Conversion of all Hereticks Of St. Peter and the Popes Supremacy and wholesome Advice and Expedients for the Reformation of the Church 5. Dialogues between Philerene and Philalethe These are I think the chief Discourses that have been Published by our Divines relating to the Prerogatives and Authority that some pretend to in behalf of St. Peter and the Bishops of Rome his Successors As for those which have been sent abroad on this Head by those of the Other Communion these are the Principal that have come to my Knowledg 1. St. Peter 's Supremacy faithfully discuss'd according to Holy Scripture and Greek and Latin Fathers By Mr. Clenche 2. The Popes Supremacy Asserted from the Considerations of some Protestants and the practice of the Primitive Church in a Dialogue between a Church-Divine and a Seeker In Vindication of Nubes Testium Concerning this last Discourse you must observe that it does belong to the Controversie about the Nubes Testium betwixt the Representer and the Divine of our Church who answered that Collection The Representer made a very faint defence of his Nubes against that Answer but gave it a good Title calling it The Primitive Fathers no Protestants To which Mr. G. shortly after replied in his Primitive Fathers no Papists after which that Controversie rested till the Representer peept out again with this Tract in defence of one point only of his Nubes Testium but whoever will take the pains to look into it will find that the Representer's Stock is quite spent and therefore he is forc'd to patch up these Learned Dialogues out of his own Nubes Testium and the Appendix with the addition only of a few bold strokes which F. Sabran would have call'd Calumnies about Dr. Sherlock c. So that this Book deserves no Answer at all however a very Learned Person of our Church having undertaken to answer Mr. Clcuche's Book and Dr. Godden's Sermon about the Pope's Supremacy hath condescended to consider this Tract also and the world will very speedily be obliged with a Compleat and Learned Answer to them all under this Title A Discourse of the Popes Supremacy in Two Parts The First In Answer to a Treatise Entitul'd Saint Peter's Supremacy faithfully discuss'd according to Holy Scripture and Greek and Latin Fathers And to a Sermon of St. Peter Preach'd before her Majesty the Queen Dowager on St. Peter and St. Paul 's day by Tho. Godden D. D. The Second In Answer to a Discourse Entitul'd The Pope's supremacy asserted from the Considerations of some Protestants and the Practice of the Primitive Church in Vindication of Nubes Testium SECT VI. Such have been the Treatises that have pass'd on both sides concerning the Popes Authority The next Point which seems to follow the nearest upon these and which indeed is chiefly founded on Arguments drawn from the Pretences before mention'd is that of our unwarrantableness in separating from the Church of Rome and Chair of St. Peter And concerning which much has been done on both sides AS for our Divines the Treatises they have publish'd in Vindication of our Reformation from the Charge of SCHISM and HERESIE have been these that follow 1. A Vindication of the Church of England from the foul aspersions of Schism and Heresie unjustly cast upon her by the Church of Rome In two Parts Of the Charge of Schism and Heresie 2. An Answer to a late Printed Paper given about by Some of the Church of Rome In a Letter to a Gentleman 3. An Answer to the Considerations which obliged Dean Manby to embrace what he calls the Catholic Religion 4. Notes upon Lucilla and Elizabeth 5. An Apologetical Vindication of the Church of England in Answer to those who reproach her with the English Heresies and Schisms or suspect her not to be a Catholic Church upon their account 6. A few plain reasons why a Protestant of the Church of England should not turn Roman Catholic 7. An Answer to the Spirit of M. Luther and the Original of the Reformation lately Printed at Oxford 8. Animadversions on Mr. W's Discourse of Church-Government In two Parts 9. Reflections on the relation of the English Reformation lately Printed at Oxford and on the Oxford Theses Two Parts 10. An Answer to a Book Intituled Reason and Authority or the Motives of a late Protestant's Reconciliation to the Catholic Church Together with a brief Account of Augustine the Monk and the Conversion of the English 11. The State of the Church of Rome when the Reformation began as it appears by the Advices given to Paul III. and Julius III. by Creatures of their Own. 12. The Queries offer'd by T. W. to the Protestants concerning the English Reformation Re-printed and Answer'd Nor have those of the Roman Communion been sparing in this Argument but have made this a Great Subject of Contention against us As will appear by the following Account 1. Lucilla and
above p. 48. 10. Transubstantiation the peculiar Dictrine of the Church of Rome see p. 50. XIV Of the SACRIFICE of the MASS 1. A Discourse concerning the Sacrifice of the Mass XV. Of the ADORATION of the HOST 1. A Discourse of the Adoration of the Host XVI Of COMMUNION in BOTH KINDS 1. A Discourse of Communion in One Kind in Answer to the Bishop of Meaux 2. A Demonstration that the Church of Rome and her Councils have Erred touching Communion in One Kind XVII of the RULE c. of FAITH 1. A Discourse concerning a Guide in Matters of Faith. 2. The Protestant Resolution of Faith. 3. Of the Authority of Councils and of the Rule of Faith. XVIII Of the Holy SCRIPTURE 1. An Answer to the Request to Protestants 2. A Summary of the Principal Controversies betwixt the Church of England and the Church of Rome 3. The Lay-Christian's Obligation to read the Scripure 4. The Peoples Rights to read the Scripture 5. The Protestant and Popish way of Interpreting Scripture impartially compared in Answer to Pax Vobis See other Discourses above p. 38 39. XIX Of TRADITION Discourse about Tradition 2. An Historical Discvourse concerning Tradition 3. The Council of Trent examined and disproved by Catholic Tradition See more Discourses above p. 40 41 42. To which I must add an Excellent Treatise omitted in its proper place but which ought not by any means to be forgotten called 4. A Treatise of Traditions In 2 Parts XX. Of the CHURCH 1. A Discourse of the Unity of the Catholic Church maintained in the C. of E. 2. A Discourse of the Charge of Novelty brought against the Ch. of E. 3. The Notes of the Church See above p. 26. 4. Of the Unity and Authority of the Church See Discourses above p. 28. To which we must add a Book since published which ought by no means to be forgotten being as we are assured the Genuine Issue of the Great and Admired Bishop Sanderson It is called 5. A Discourse concerning the Church in these following Particulars 1. Concerning the Visibility of the True Church 2. Concerning the Church of Rome 3. Concerning Protestant Churches 4. An Answer to the Question Where was your Church before Luther 6. Of the Autority and Infallibility of the Church Several Discourses p. 29 30 31. 7. Two short Discourses against the Romanists by Mr. Dowell XXI Of St. PETER and the POPE 1. A Sermon Preach'd upon S. Peter's Day 2. The Catholic Balance 3. A Discourse of the Pope's Supremacy in two Parts To which we may add a Tract since Printed with this Title 4. Pope Gregory the Great his Opinion of the Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome taken from his own Writings See other Discourses above p. 32 33 34. XXII Of the REFORMATION 1. Two Discourses concerning the Necessity of the Reformation 2. An Answer to the Spirit of Martin Luther and the Original of the Reformation 3. Reflections on the Relation of the English Reformation Printed at Oxford See other Discourses above p. 35 36. XXIII Of SCHISM and HERESIE 1. A Vindication of the Church of England from the foul Aspersions of Schism and Heresie 2 Parts 2. An Apologetical Vindication of the Church of England c. See other Discourses above p. 35 36. XXIV Of the CELIBACY of the CLERGY 1. A Discourse of the Celibacy of the Clergy 2. An Answer to a Discourse concerning the Celibacy of the Clergy Printed at Oxford SECT XII And now after so full an Account of these Discourses and of the several Controversies that have been handled in them I have only remaining for the Close of all to give a short Account of that Excellent Undertaking in which our Divines are at this time engaged and which being finished I do not see what more can be desired in order to our full Satisfaction in this Matter I Have before recounted how by a joint Labour they run through the Consideration of the pretended Notes of the Church on which the Romanists establish their usurped Authority No sooner were those ended but they presently resolved upon another and a more useful Project which was to search into our Adversaries Books and collect all those Passages of Scripture which are usually alledged by them to maintain their Errors And by giving the true Explication of them at once to secure their Flock from their false Glosses and let them into a better understanding of those Sacred Books In this Undertaking they have already made a considerable Advance as will appear by the following Catalogue 1. POPERY not founded on SCRIPTURE Or The Texts which Papists cite out of the Bible for the Proof of the Points of THEIR RELIGION examined and shewed to be alledged without Ground After which follow the Texts themselves which they bring for 2. The Obscurity of the Holy Scriptures 3. The Insufficiency of Scripture and the Necessity of Tradition 4. The Supremacy of St. Peter and of the Pope over the whole Church in Two Parts 5. Their Doctrine of Infallibility 6. The Worship of Angels and Saints departed In Two Parts 7. The Worship of Images and Reliques 8. The Seven Sacraments and the Efficacy of them In Two Parts 9. The Sacrifice of the Mass Two Parts 10. Transubstantiation 11. Auricular Confession 12. Satisfactions Two Parts May they go on with Success to finish this Good Work whilst we for whose sake they take all these pains encourage their Endeavours by a firm adherence both to them and to their Doctrine and by our constant contending for the Faith we have received from them declare to all the World that their Labour has not been in Vain in the Lord. FINIS A Postscript of N. N. to Mr. John Sergeant occasion'd by his Letter to the Continuator of the Present State of the Controversie Mr. Sergeant Having perused your Letter to the Continuator of the Present State of our Controversie I perceive that you are mightily concern'd at the Historical Discourse concerning Tradition which he mentioned to be wirting and that you Letter to the Continuator c. p. 13. would gladly find some way to save our Friends this vast labour and excuse them from this Impossible Task of answering you I quickly apprehended your meaning that you had a great desire not to be answered and therefore in pure Complaisance to you the first time I met with the Author of the Historical Discourse I desired him in yours and my own Name that he would excuse himself the writing of that Book and told him That I understood by your Letter that you would take it extreamly kindly at his hands if he would not give himself the trouble of answering you But this Courship would do no good upon him so that I was forc'd to alter my strain and began to thereaten him Sir said I if you dare to answer Mr. Sergeant he will be reveng'd of you for he has a plaguy sharp Pen and will not spare you All the answer I had to my Threats was
first under this Title 6. Dr. Sherlock's Preservative considered First Part with its Defence c. By Lewis Sabran of the Society of Jesus This Answer was writ in such a violence of Passion and does charge the Reverend Master of the Temple at such a rate with Ignorance Calumny and God knows what that he hath at last condefcended to chastise this ignorant Jesuit himself and the World will very speedily see that never Man set Pen to Paper with such a stock of Ignorance and Considence together as this Father Sabran After which if he shall still continue to write in spite both of good Learning and of good Manners it is to be hoped that at least we shall be excused by all those who have any share of either if we do not give either our selves or them the trouble of any farther Replies to him A Vindication of both Parts of the Preservative against Popery In Answer to the Cavils of Lewis Sabran Jesuit By William Sherlock D.D. Master of the Temple II. Of the CHURCH 1. A Discourse of the Unity of the Catholic Church maintained in the Church of England 2. A Discourse about the Charge of Novelty upon the Reformed Church of England made by the Papists asking of us the Question Where was our Religion before LUTHER 3. The Protestant Resolution of Faith being an Answer to three Questions 1. How far we must depend on the Authority of the Church for the true Sense of Scripture 2. Whether a Visible Succession from Christ to this day makes a Church which has this Visible Succession an Infallible Interpreter of Scripture 3. Whether the Church of England can make out such a Visible Succession 4. Two Discourses concerning the Necessity of Reformation with respect to the Errors and corruptions of the Church of Rome There was a Third Part intended by the Reverend and Learned Author of these two Discourses which we have hopes that it will be published ere long under the same Title III. Of the Rule of Faith. 1. A Discourse about Tradition shewing what is meant by it and what Tradition is to be received and what is to be rejected 2. A Discourse concerning a Guide in matters of Faith with respect especially to the Romish pretence of such a one as is Infalliable IV. Of Particular Points 1. A Discourse concerning the Object of Religious Worship or a Scripture-proof of the unlawfulness of giving any Religious Worship to any other Being besides the Supreme God. 2. A Discourse concerning the Devotions of the Church of Rome especially as compared with those of the Church of England In which it is shewn that whatsoever the Romanists pretend there is not so true Devotion among them nor such rational provision for it nor Encouragement to it as in the Church Establish'd by Law amongst us 3. A Discourse concerning the Invocation of Saints 4. Of Prayer in an Unknown Tongue 5. Of Auricular Confession as it is prescribed by the Council of Trent 6. A Discourse against Transubstantiation 7. Of the Adoration of the Host These are the several Discourses mention'd in the former †Present State pag. 5 6 7 8. Catalogue to these I must add several others that have since been publish'd 8. Two Discourses of Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead To which I may subjoyn a Discourse just now publish'd viz. 9. Purgatory proved by Miracles c. 10. A Discourse concerning the Sacrifice of the Mass 11. Of Extreme Unction And here it may not be improper to observe that the Author of this Accurate Discourse thought fit to premise to it an Address to the Vindicator of the Bishop of Condom upon the occasion of some things just then publish'd by him in his Reply to our Expositor relating to this Argument but especially concerning Cardinal Cajetan's confessing that their only Text for this pretended Sacrament that of St. James made nothing for it To this the Vindicator gave a half-shee Reply called A Letter from the Vindicator of the Bishop of Condom to the Author of a late Discourse concerning the Sacrament of Extreme Unction And this produced another Letter in Reply to it Intituled A Second Letter from the Author of the Discourse concerning Extreme Unction to the Vindicator of the Bishop of Condom Which put an end to this Debate Though the Vindicator made us hope for a Reply to that Excellent Discourse but I presume will not esteem himself obliged to be as good as his word 12. A Treatise in confutation of the Latin Service practised and by the Order of the Trent Council continu'd in the Church of Rome 13. Of the Authority of Councils and the Rule of Faith. 14. Of the Celibacy of the Clergy 15. Of the incurable Scepticism of the Church of Rome 16. A Discourse concerning the Merits of Good Works 17. An Historical Discourse concerning the Necessity of the Ministers Intentions in administring the Sacrament I shall perhaps be look'd upon to have referr'd many Tracts to the number of these Discourses against the Papists that did not enter into the first design that was laid for them But I know not to what Head I could so properly refer them as to this and if they help to make up the Collection of Particular Points in Debate betwixt us it matters not by what Occasion or with what Design they were first composed I do not know that any more of these Treatises have been particularly attack'd by those of the other Communion except that one only against Transubstantiation which having after some years being let alone given at last occasion to a formed Controversie yet in agitation I will before I go any farther remark what has hitherto passed concerning it The first that appear'd in Answer to it was a Hot New-Convert under the Glorious Title of Reason and Authority or the Motives of a late Protestant's Reconciliation to the Catholic Church together with Remarks upon some late Discourses against Transubstantiation But the Performance was so mean so disproportion'd to the Strength and Merits of the Discourse he had undertaken to attack that it is to be presumed the weakness of the New Convert obliged some more able Controvertist to appear as his Second and to publish not long after a new and better Answer call'd Transubstantiation Defended and proved from Scripture in Answer to the First Part of a Treatise Intituled A Discourse against Transubstantiation And to make all sure a Third about the same time undertakes the same Cause in a Discourse which he calls An Answer to a Discourse against Transubstantiation It is no part of my Design to give any Character of these Treatises I will only observe that the Second which seems to have been written with the most care continues still unfinish'd the Author whoever he be having not yet thought fit to publish his 2d Part. Now this I the rather remark to satisfie those who have long expected our Reply to these Treatises what has been in some measure the Cause of the deferring
it tho the multitude of other Discourses that have since been published on this Subject may well excuse so small an Omission However since after almost a Years attendance there is now but little Hopes of any thing more to be expected from this Antagonist I may venture to promise the Reader that he shall not continue much longer without the Answer that has been prepared to what is already published and which might long since have been finished had not the Reverend Author desired to acquit himself of all his Task at the same time And this may serve in short to have been remarked concerning the first Part of this Design of the Discourses which our Divines began to publish in the late King's time upon the Points in Controversie between us and the Church of Rome We must now pass to a more troubled and perplex'd Undertaking and endeavour to reduce to the clearest Method we can those many Tracts that have since come out in Answer to one another on both sides and the number of which is now so great that it is no easie matter to give an exact Account of them And for the doing of this I shall consider them not in the Order of their coming out but reduce them as near as I can to the several distinct Subjects to which they refer Now the first Thing that began all our Late Disputes was the Pretence so much insisted upon of our MISREPRESENTING the Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome And it shall therefore be the first kind of Discourses I will here consider SECT I. Of the Treatises that have been Publish'd on the Representing and Expounding Controversie I. WHAT the Occasion and Design of this Uundertaking was Present State p. 10. has already been remarked in the First Part of the Present State and therefore I shall not need to say any thing to it here The Treatises that have passed on both sides may be consulted in this following Order I. The Representing Controversie A Papist Misrepresented and Represented R. The Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome truly Represented in Answer to a Book intituled A Papist Misrepresented and Represented c. II. Reflections upon the Answer to the Papist Misrepresented c. R. A Papist not Misrepresented by Protestants being a Reply to the Reflections c. III. Papists protesting against Protestant Popery in Answer to a Discourse intituled A Papist not Misrepresented by Protestants R. An Answer to a Discourse intituled Papists protesting against Protestant Popery containing a particular Examination of Monsieur de Meaux 's late B. of Condom 's Exposition of the Doctrines of the Church of Rome in the Articles of the Invocation of Saints and Worship of Images IV. An Amicable Accommodation of the difference between the Representer and the Answerer in return to his last Reply R. An Answer to the Amicable Accommodation of the difference between the Representer and the Answerer V. A Reply to the Answer to the Amicable Accommodation R. A View of the whole Controversie between the Representer and the Answerer with an Answer to the Representer 's last Reply And here the matter rested when the first State of the Controversie was published and it was then generally believed would have done so But the Representer had by this time got too much assurance to be easily put out of Countenance and tho by the longer time he took in his Answer to this last Treatise than to either of the foregoing and which his Performance sufficiently shews was not for any extraordinary pains he resolved to take in his Reply to it he seems to have struggled a little with himself before he could get the better of his Conscience in going on at so pitiful a rate of Vindicating his pretences yet at last there came out something that was to be called an Answer to our last piece in a Preface to a further Continuation of his unjust Pretences against us viz. VI. The Papist Misrepresented and Represented 3d part with a Preface containing Reflections upon two Treatises the one the State the other The View of the Controversie between the Representer and the Answerer But to this too the worthy Author of the View of the Controversie soon returned such an Answer as I find has not a little discomposed the Representer and I believe no less troubles the Vindicator too of the Bishop of Condom's Exposition viz. R. An Answer to the Representer's Reflections upon the State and View of the Controversie c. To this the Representer has now satisfied us that he never intends to reply for having lately set out an Answer to another Discourse of which we shall speak hereafter viz. The Apology for the Pulpits he adds triumphantly in the Title that it is not only an Answer to that Discourse but also A Vindication of the Representer against the Stater of the Controversie But such a Vindication as this could certainly never have come from any other Pen but the Representer's and is by the same figure a Reply to this Treatise by which he heretofore told us that his Papist Represented and Misrepresented was enough to answer not only all our late Discourses against Popery Papist Misr part 3. Pref. but a great part of all the Books and Sermons that had ever been writ or preached against them The truth is I can hardly forbear here to leave a while my design of pursuing the Treatises that have been Published on this Controversie to expose the Confidence of this vain Man But since the worthy Author of that Book which he pretends to answer has thought fit to give him up as a Priviledged Person who is past either sense of Modesty or hopes of being reclaimed I shall pay that deference to his Judgment as not to trouble my self with any Vindication of his Discourse against so trivial and occasional an attempt against it But if there be any of this Author's Communion who shall think fit in good earnest to attack this or any other of those Discourses which he has published against them I will then take the liberty to promise That tho to our great regret the incomparable Author of them be now in his Grave Dr. Claget and no longer in a state to vindicate his own Works yet neither his Labours nor his Memory shall want a Defence and let his Adversaries whenever they please begin the experiment And here I suppose we may now take a final leave of this first Controversie The Papist Represented and Misrepresented I will only add That since this first attempt of his began he has carry'd it on in two other parts under the Title of the catholick Representer The second of which coming out weekly in several Chapters has received a very full and I suppose a satisfactory Answer there being no care taken to reply to what our Divines have with great care and learning return'd to it The third has been consider'd as far as was thought necessary by the
of the Controversie gave an account of the beginning of these how our Divines engaged themselves to a weekly consideration of them till they had past through the largest Catalogue we have yet had of these Notes viz. that of Cardinal Bellarmin They were then advanced to the third only but now the whole is finished and those little Exceptions which our Aaversaries thought fit to make to them are fully answered and they altogether compose a just Volume and plainly shew that were the Church indeed endued with all those Prerogatives they pretend it is yet would it stand them in no stead seeing that according to their own Notes the Church of Rome cannot possibly be the Catholic or Vniversal Church The Notes which on this occasion have been particularly examined are these 1. An Examination of BELLARMIN's First Note concerning the Name of Catholick 2. His Second Note Antiquity 3. His Third Note Duration 4. His Fourth Note Amplitude or Multitude and Variety of Believers 5. His Fifth Note The Succession of Bishops 6. His Sixth Note Agreement in Doctring with the Primitive Church 7. His Seventh Note Vnion of the Members among themselves and with the Head. 8. His Eighth Note Sanctity of Doctrine 9. His Ninth Note Efficacy of the Doctrine 10. His Tenth Note Holiness of Life 11. His eleventh Note The Glory of Miracles 12. His Twelfth Note The Light of Prophecy 13. His thirteenth Note Confession of Adversaries 14. His Fourteenth Note The unhappy End of the Church's Enemies 15. His Fifteenth Note Temporal Felicity To which is prefixed A Brief Discourse concerning the Notes of the Church with some Reflections on Cardinal Bellarmin's Notes And annexed A Vindication of the Brief Discourse concerning the Notes of the Church in Answer to a Late Pamphlet Intituled The Vse and great Moment of the Notes of the Church as delivered by Cardinal Bellarmin de Notis Ecclesia Justified A Defence of the Confuter of Bellarmin 's Second Note of the Church Antiquity against the Cavils of the Adviser II. Of the UNITY and AUTHORITY of the Church Of the Unity and Authority of the Church This is another Argument that has exercised the Pen of a very great Person amongst as The occasion of his entring on the Debate was given by the publishing of some Papers of His late Majesty and which are in every Bodies hand called 1. The two Papers written by the late King Charles the Second To these an Answer was published Intituled 2. An Answer to some Papers lately Printed concerning the Authority of the Catholick Church in matters of Faith and the Reformation of the Church of England It was not long before two of the other side appeared about the same time in defence of the Royal Papers The one very light and in some places even ridiculous and which shews that the Author's Talent lies towards Controversie no more in Prose than it appears by the Hind and Panther that it do's in Verse called 3. A Defence of the Papers written by the late King of Blessed Memory The other much ore solid and grave than the former Intituled 4. A Reply to the Answer made upon the Three Royal Papers To both of which the Learned Author returned a most accurate and elaborate Discourse viz. 5. A Vindication of the Answer to some late Papers concerning the Unity and Authority of the Catholic Church and the Reformation of the Church of England And thus far this Controversie proceeded But there have been some other Discourses besides these published on this Subject In particular the excellent Discourse just published by the Reverend Dr. Sherlock with this Title A Discourse concerning the Nature Unity Of the Authority and Infallibility of the Church and Communion of the Catholick Church Wherein most of the Controversies relating to the Church are briefly and plainly stated Part 1. by William Sherlock D. D. Master of the Temple To these for the Affinity of the Subject I cannot do better than adjoyn III. Such other Treatises as have been publish'd relating to the AUTHORITY and INFALLIBILITY of the Church Where first I will beg leave to mention some short Picces which have passed betwixt a Country Parson and a Bomish Missioner The occasion as I am informed was this The Minister having observed some Endeavours to seduce his Flock thought it his duty to give them some seasonable directions which he therefore published under this Title 1. The Country Parson's Admonition to his Parishioners with directions how to behave themselves when any one designs to seduce them from the Church of England In which Tract he advises his Parishioners as far as possible to avoid all Disputes about Religion But if the Importunity of others shall force them to it he then directs them how to bring the matter to a short issue viz. by putting them to prove the pretended Infallibility of the Church of Rome And this he manageth under the Title of 2. The Plain Man's Reply to the Catholic Missionaries I ought not to conceal how acceptable those little Pieces have been to the World nor what good they have done among those for whose use they were chiefly designed Of the Infallibility of the Church And this those of the other side have been so sensible of that they have thought it worth their while to set out a pretended Confutation of them both called 3. The Plain Man's Answer to his Country Parson's Admonition Together with the Missionaries Answer to the Plain Man's Reply To which the worthy Author of the Two first Treatises has lately replied under these Titles 4. A Defence of the Country Parson's Admonition 5. A Defence of the Plain Man's Reply And here I think this Controversie has ended If any Answer has been published to these last Papers It is more than I have yet seen or heard of and I believe there is none As for those separate Discourses that have come forth relating to this matter the Principal if not all are these that follow On the Part of the Church of England 1. The Pillar and Ground of Truth a Treatise shewing that the Roman Church falsly claims to be THAT Church and the Pillar of THAT Truth mentioned by S. Paul in 1 Tim III. 11 15. 2. A Discourse concerning a Judge of Controversies in matters of Religion 3. A Plain and Familiar Discourse by way of Dialogue betwixt a Minister and his Parishioner concerning the Catholic Church 4. Reasons why a Protestant should not turn Papist in a Letter to a Romish Priest 5. Monsieur Claude 's Conference with the Bishop of Meaux Of the Authority of the Church 6. An Historical Examination of the Authority of General Councils 7. Of the Authority of Councils and the Rule of Faith. 8. A Sermon on S. Mark 's Day by Dr. Patrick 9. Doubts concerning the Roman Infallibility 10. A Short Discourse concerning the Church's Authority in Matters of Faith. On the Church of Rome 's Side 1. A Peaceable Method for the re-uniting Protestants and
of Nubes Testium To which our Author has replied in 4. A Third Letter to a Person of Quality being a Vindication of the former in Answer to a late Pamphlet Intituled A Discourse of the Vse of Images And to that in pursuance of his First Design has lately added a Fourth which he calls 5. A Fourth Letter to a Person of Quality being an Historical Account of the Doctrine of the Sacrament from the Primitive times to the Council of Trent shewing the Novelty of Transubstantiation To conclude this Head I shall only add one General Discourse on this Subject which I have before mention'd and can never name too often viz. Of the Authority of Councils and the RULE of FAITH SECT VIII Of the Nature of Idolatry Having hitherto pursu'd the business of the Rule of Faith and the Treatises that have been publish'd on the Occasion of it we will now go on to the more special Examinations that have been made by both these Rules viz. Scripture and Tradition of the particular Points in debate betwixt us And because I have just now mention'd some such Examinations of the two great Rocks of offence to us The Worship of Images and the Invocation of Saints it may not be amiss first of all to see what has been further done upon these Arguments and the other instances of what we esteem The IDOLATRY of the Church of Rome THere is perhaps nothing in all our Disputes with those of the other Communion which they so unwillingly care to enter on as this They look upon the very Name of it to be a kind of Reproach to them and would be thought as heartily as we our selves can desire to detest the Guilt of it But yet 't is too evident to be deny'd that our Charge is very justly brought against them and by consequence that it ought not to be doubted but that our Separation from them must have been most reasonable if it can indeed be made appear as we are perswaded we have plainly shewn that we could not have continued in their Communion without joyning with them in the Practice of one of the greatest of Sins viz. Idolatry But before we come to the Particulars in which this Charge is brought against them it is fit we should first state the general Notion of IDOLATRY and this has been effectually done but very lately The Reverend the Bishop of Oxon having in a Treatise which he published for the abrogating of the Test and Penal Laws given us just occasion to do so This Book is so well known and the Answer to it was so lately published that I shall not need say any thing more of either but only add their Titles which are these viz. 1. Reasons for Abrogating the Test 2. A Discourse concerning the Nature of Idolatry In which a late Author's true and only notion of Idolatry is consider'd and Confuted I must not forget to observe also that the Bishop in his Tract pretending to give a new and very strange Account of the Romish Doctrine of Transubstantiation that part of his Book received two particular Considerations the one in the Preface to the Reverend Dean of Paul's Book Entituled The Council of Trent examined and disproved by Catholic Tradition The other in a Learned Discourse under this Title 3. Transubstantiation the Peculiar Doctrine of the Church of Rome I am told we owe this Book to a very ingenious Nonconformist and as we cannot but thank him for the Discourse he has given us so he deserves to be thanked for his design of answering the other part of the Bishop's Book about the Nature of Idolatry in which he was prevented as I am told by the other Discourse about the Nature of Idolatry coming out while that good design was under his hands I cannot but wish that our Brethren had begun sooner to assist us in such a large Controversie as we have been obliged to manage and that others amongst them would follow the Example which this Learned Author has so worthily set before them Another Writer hath given us a very ingenious short Answer to both parts of the Bishop's Book and calls it 4. A Discourse concerning Transubstantiation and Idolatry being an Answer to the Bishop of Oxford's Plea relating to those two Points As for the particular Instances wherein we make good this charge of Idolatry against them I have before mentioned that of the ADORATION of the HOST See above Page 6. 19. and the Discourses that have been published on that Argument The two Points remaining and of which something was said under the last Head are the WORSHIP of IMAGES and the INVOCATION of Saints I. Of the WORSHIP of IMAGES Upon which Point Of the Worship of Images besides the two Letters written in Answer to the Nubes Testium the following Discourses have also been set forth viz. 1. The Fallibility of the Roman Church demonstrated from the manifest Error of the second Nicene and Trent Councils which assert That the Veneration and Honorary Worship of Images is a Tradition Primitive and Apostolical 2. A Discourse concerning the second Council of Nice which first introduced and established Image-Worship in the Christian Church Anno Domini 787. For the other Point II. The INVOCATION of SAINTS Many Discourses have been Published and a full account given of this Matter and if we may judge by the slender Returns that have been made to them Of the Invocation of Saints little is to be said in Vindication of this Superstition The Treatises that I have seen are these that follow 1. Speculum B. Virginis A Discourse of the due Praise and Honour of the Virgin Mary 2. A Discourse concerning the Worship of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints with an Account of the Beginning and Rise of it among Christians in Answer to Monsieur de Meaux 's Appeal to the ivth Age in his Exposition and Pastoral Letter 3. Wholesom Advices from the B. Virgin to her indiscreet Worshippers This Piece was only a Translation which an Ingenious Lay-man of our Church put into English and set a large Preface before it To this the Catholic Representer gave an Attack in the 4th Chapter of his Second Part and thereby obliged our Author to make a smart Reply upon him called A Letter to the Misrepresenter of Papists 4. An Account of the Life and Death of the B. Virgin according to the Romish Writers with the Grounds of the Worship paid to her 5. The Life of S. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi a Carmelite Nun with a Preface of the Nature Causes Concomitants and Consequences of Extasie and Rapture and a brief Discourse added about discerning and trying Spirits whether they be of God. 6. An Abridgment of the Prerogatives of S. Ann Mother of the Mother of God. 7. The Enthusiasm of the Church of Rome demonstrated in some Observations upon the Life of Ignatius Loyola 8. The Virgin Mary Misrepresented by the Roman Church c. Part I. Wherein Two of her
Feasts her Conception and Nativity are considered We are in hopes that the Excellent Author of this most ingenious and diverting Discourse will e're long oblige the World with a Second Part and teach the Papists at length to grow ashamed of their intolerable Superstitions towards the Virgin Mary As for those of the other Communion it is but little they have published in particular on this Subject besides what I have already mentioned But two Pieces there are which I ought by no means no forget viz. 1. Contemplations on the Life and Glory of H. Mary 2. An Apology for the Contemplations by Dr. I. C. Which Apology was fully answered in the ingenious Preface to the Book called An Account of the Life and Death of the Blessed Virgin. SECT IX Of the Validity of Orders in the C. of E. I shall mention but one Particular more on which we have of late as heretofore been attack'd by those of the Roman Church and effectually Vindicated our selves both against their Calumnies and their Reasons and that is as to the Validity of ORDERS in the Church of England THE Occasion of reviving this Matter was given by a little Scurrilous Libel that went abroad under the name of The Church of England truly Represented And in Reply to whose Calumnies Three Discourses have been Published two of them new the other only reprinted viz. 1. A Vindication of the Ordinations of the Church of England in answer to a Paper written by one of the Church of Rome to prove the Nullity of our Orders 2. A Defence of the Ordinations and Ministry of the Church of England in Answer to the Scandals raised or revived against them in several late Pamphlets and particularly in one intituled the Church of England truly Represented c. 3. A short Defence of the Orders of the Church of England as by Law establish'd against some scattered Objections of Mr. Webster of Linne But this Subject hath been most largely and learnedly handled by the Learned Mr Brown of S. John's College in Cambridge in his Sermon ad Clerum and in another Sermon Preached before the University on Commencement Sunday Translated into Latin and both together Printed at Cambridge under this Title 4. Concio ad Clerum habita coram Academia Cantabrigiensi Junii 11. An. 1687. pro Gradu Baccal in S. Theologia Vbi vindicatur Vera Valida Cleri Anglicani Ineunte Reformatione Ordinatio Cui accessit Concio habita Julii 3. 1687. de Canonica Cleri Anglicani Ordinatione Latine reddita aucta a Th. Brown S. T. B. Coll. D. Joh. Evang Soc. annexum est Instrumentum Consecrationis Matth. Parker Archiep. Cant. ex MS. C. C. C. Cantabr I hear the worthy Author hath been very earnestly requested to Translate these Latin Sermons into English and I am told that he delays it only upon the account of some Answer that the Papists have been talking they would give to them being desirous to make his Translation and Vindication one trouble I cannot therefore but in the behalf of those who are so desirous to have these Sermons in English request our Adversaries That if they have any thing to say to them they would make a little more haste with it And for the mighty Master of Controversie who I hear hath resolved to answer a Paragraph in one of them I must needs tell him That Nine Months is more by Eight and an half than an ordinary Controvertist would have taken to answer such a Piece in But in this Controversie we have not been merely upon the Defensive Part but have attack'd their Orders as well as defended our own This a Learned Man of our Church hath done in a Book under this Title 5. Roman Catholics uncertain whether there be any true Priests or Sacraments in the Church of Rome Miscellany Treatises SECT X. Having thus reduced the Principal Treatises that have been set forth to their Particular Heads as far as in so great a Confusion of Matter I could well do it it remains only to add here such Treatises on both sides as I have before pass'd by or could not be so readily brought to any special Consideration NOW those of this kind which have been set forth by the CHURCH of ROME are these 1. Question of Questions 2. Why are you a Catholic 3. Popery Anatomized or the Papists clear'd from the false Imputation of Idolatry and Rebellion 4. Veritas Evangelica or the Gospel Truth asserted in xvi useful Questions 5. Pope Pius Profession of Faith vindicated c. 6. Dr. Sherlock sifted from his Bran and Chaff 7. The Pharisee unmask'd 8. Assertio vii Sacramentorum by King Henry viiith against Luther 9. A Reformd Catechism by P. Manby 10. Animadversions on the Rishop of Bath's Sermon c. To these they have because not at leisure to write new Books or for some other better Reason added an old Book written by one F. Huddleston a Benedictine it is called 11. A Short and Plain way to the Faith and Church c. To this there is an Answer almost finished by a very Learned Person who will demonstrate to the World how little that Book had in it to convince On Our Part have appear'd of this Miscellany kind these that follow 1. Remarks on Popery Misrepresented with reference to the Deposing Doctrine 2. Pope Pius's Creed with Comments 3. The Additional Articles in Pope Pius's Creed no Articles of the Christian Faith. 4. A few plain Reasons why a Protestant of the Church of England should not turn Roman Catholic 5. Thirty plain but sound Reasons why Protestants differ from Popery 6. A Discourse shewing that Protestants are on the safer side notwithstanding the uncharitable Judgement of their Adversaries and that their Religion is the surest way to Heaven 7. A Pacifick Discourse of the Causes and Remedies of the Differences about Religion which distract the Peace of Christendom 8. The Missionaries Arts discover'd 9. A Request to Roman Catholics to answer certain Queries on several of their Tenets mention'd 10. A Brief Account of the first rise of the Name Protestant c. 11. An Historical Relation of several great and learned Romanists that have embraced the Protestant Religion 12. A Catechism truly representing the Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome with an Answer to them 13. The Plausible Arguments of a Romish Priest Answer'd by an English Protestant 14. A Discourse between two Protestants in Answer to a Popish Catechism call'd A Short Catechism against all Sectaries 15. A Plain Defence of the Protestant Religion fitted to the Meanest Capacity being a full confutation of the Net for the Fishers of Men. 16. Some Queries to Protestants Answer'd and an Explication of the Roman Catholic 's Belief in Four great Points consider'd 1. Concerning their Church 2. Their Worship 3. Justification 4. Civil Government 17. The Judgement of Private Discretion in matters of Religion defended in a Sermon at S. Paul 's Covent-Garden By Mr. Kidder 18. The
Protestant Resolved Or a Discourse shewing the Unreasonableness of his turning Roman Catholic for salvation 19. A Discourse wherein is held forth the Opposition of the Doctrine Worship and Practices of the Roman Church to the Nature Designs and Characters of the Christian Faith. 20. Two short Discourses against the Romanists by Mr. Dodwell Cambden Professor in the University of Oxford 21. An Answer to a Discourse concerning the Celibacy of the Clergy printed at Oxford 22. A Letter to a Lady furnishing Her with Scripture Testimonies against the principal Points and Doctrines of Popery In return to the last of these Discourses Father Darrell the Jesuit has been pleased to set out a Single Half Sheet which he calls A Letter to a Lady wherein he desires a Conference with the Gentleman who writ Her that Letter This is indeed a new way of answering Books and becoming the busie assuming spirit of that Society One would wonder after so little Success as they have hitherto met with in these Encounters what should move this Reverend Father to be so forward to come into the same List with Goodwin Pulton and a few others of the same Character For tho abundance of Noise in a Conference and of Misrepresentation after may help out a weak Cause and an Illiterate Defender of it when they are sure before-hand of the person for whose sake it is held yet methinks they should be more wary than to run upon such Hazards where in all probability they are not like either to gain their Proselyte or to have the opportunity of these kind of Subterfuges to assist them However tho I have neither the Honour to know the Lady or the Author of that Letter yet for this good Father's satisfaction I will venture for once to promise him That if her Ladyship does desire it not only the Author of that Letter will be ready to meet him but to shew how willing we are to encourage a hopeful Design let him chuse his Gownman between Blackwall and Hide-park Corner and I dare say there is not one among them all that on this or any other occasion will decline to shew him how little reason he has for his forwardness I am now hastning to an End of this Vndertaking and I think I cannot better finish it than with a short Account of a Controversie which made no small Noise in the World between the Reverend Dr. Tenison and Father Pulton the Jesuit About Michaelmas last they met at a House in Long-Acre on the acount of a Boy whom Mr. Pulton had perverted from our Religion Great things were presently talked as usual on such occasions concerning this Conference and the Papists fail'd not to boast of a mighty Conquest made over the Doctor This forced him to resolve on a Publication of what passed tho otherwise as little fit as designed to be communicated to the world Each Party set forth his own Account and first Mr. Pulton his in two Books called 1. A true Account of the Conference c. 2. A true and full Account of a Conference held about Religion between Dr. Thomas Tenison and A. Pulton one of the Masters in the Savoy Dr. Tenison's was Entituled 3. A true account of a Conference held about Religion at London Sept. 29. 1687. between A. Pulton Jesuit and Thomas Tenison D. D. This was followed on the Jesuit's part with a new Discourse called 4. Remarks of A. Pulton upon Dr. Thomas Tenison 's late Narrative with a Confutation of the Doctor 's Rule of Faith and Reply to A. Cressener 's pretended Vindication To which Dr. Tenison reply'd in a second Treatise viz. 5. Mr. Pulton consider'd c. And this produced another Discourse from another hand viz. Mr. Meredith who was present at the Conference called 6. Some farther Remarks on the late Account given by Dr. Tenison of his Conference with Mr. Pulton As for what is added in Mr. Pulton's 3d. Treatise in Answer to A. Cressener the meaning of it is this Mr. Cressener a Schoolmaster being present at the Conference Mr. Pulton in his account of it gave him some occasion to complain of his Relation as to that part of it which concerned him and therefore to justifie himself he published a short Treatise to which Mr. Pulton there refers viz. 7. The Vindication of A. Cressener Schoolmaster in Long-Acre from the aspersions of A. Pulton Jesuit and Schoolmaster in the Savoy And thus this Controversie ended but yet I must not leave it till I have taken notice of another that it begat and that no less memorable than the foregoing For upon the occasion of this Conference a Paper was taken notice of much used by the puny Controvertists of our days called 1. Speculum Ecclesiasticum Or an Ecclesiastical Prospective Glass Written as we are told by a Souldier of that Party T. Ward and to which Dr. Tenison procured a young Man a Friend of his to write an Answer which he did Entituled 2. The Speculum Ecclesiasticum consider'd in its false Reasonings and Quotations But before this was published the Doctor obtained a Copy of a Defence which the Soldier had prepared of his Quotations but was not yet come from the Press and to finish all at once an Answer was set forth to that too at the same time ere it could appear abroad in the world This the Soldier resented and expressed his sense of it in a Letter to Dr. Tenison which together with a Reply to it were published under the Title of 3. An Answer to the Letter of the Catholic Souldier in a Letter from C. D. to A. B. the Examiner of his Speculum However not long after the Defence was publish'd with a dreadful Name viz. 4. Monomachia Or A Duel Between Dr. Thomas Tenison Pastor of St. Martins and a Roman Catholic Souldier And so I think this worthy Controversie ended SECT XI Having now run through the several Heads of Controversy that have of late exercised the Pens of our Learned Men in Defence of our Religion it may not be amiss to stop here awhile and by a brief Recapitulation of the Whole see what more remains to a compleat Vindication of our Selves against all the Tricks and Artifices as well as against the Arguments of our Adversaries IT is sufficiently evident from the foregoing Collection what slender Returns those of the Church of Rome have made to the many excellent Discourses which themselves without any provocation of ours have extorted from us And what prejudice they have hereby done to their Religion I am confident they themselves are not unsensible I need not say what a Number of Disputes they have altogether let fall how many of our Books to this day remain Vn-answered and are ever likely to be so In a word what Trifles many times they have set forth under the arrogant Title of FULL ANSWERS to those they have thought fit to take Notice of And now at last to compleat all they seem to have utterly deserted the