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
is clear 2 Cor. 5 21. Qu. Is not Heaven held forth is a Reward so as our works do merit by bargain and covenant Mat. 20 12. Ans No reward of debt can be found there as that which is in strick Justice due but to shew it is only of Grace and no proportion betwixt that which is given and their working We see these who came in at the last hour had the same measure with them who had wroâ—ght all the day Math. 20 9. Nor can any Merit be in that claim and reckoning the greatest labourer must still say when he hath done all that he can That he is but an unprofitable servant Luke 17 10. Qu. Is it not promised Rev. 3 4. That some shall walk with Chrest in white because they are worthy Ans There it is clear the Lord doth account them so whom he hath accepted in his Son and for whose sake alone it is 1 Cor. 4 7. For who makes thee to differ from another and what hast thou which thou hast not received then if thoâ— didest receive it why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received Qu. Is there no necessity of works here even in order to salvation Ans We know 1. This is the way in which God hath commanded us to walk for our attaining Salvation 2. Though they be not causes of our Justification yet they are necessarily required in the subject and person justified as the inseparable fruits of justifying Faith by which it is made evident to others Jam. 2 16. 3. They are of singular use for a Christians comfort and assurance 4. They bring much honour to God Joh. 15 8. But it is sure nothing can be more clear than the Doctrine of the reformed Church is in asserting this SECT X. Qu. IF there be no humane Satisfaction and Merit what safe adventuring can be on the overmeriting of some for others and that Treasure in the Church of Romes hand from the works of Superrogation whereon their Absolutions and Indulgences depend Ans So horrid an Imposture may let us see what it is to be given up unto strong delusion When it is so clear 1. That the wise Virgins could spare no oyl out of their lamps to others Matt. 25 9. 2. That Every one must prove his own work and bear his own burthen Gal. 6 6. 3. If we credit the fulnesse of Christs Satisfaction and its Infinite value as the Scripture holds it forth Heb. 10 14. Who by one offering hath perfected for ever those who are sanctified and Heb. 7 25. That he is able to save to the utmost then no use can be alledged for this supply of humane Satisfaction 4. Let men but exercise Reason and consider how this possibly can be known that such an overplus of Merit is sure or more than they need themselves and where any Rule can be found which the Scripture never shewed how to apply the same or in whose hand this trust is to be put Qu. Is not the Satisfaction of Christ only for the guilt of mortal sins and to free us from eternal punishment but not of temporal therefore we see a filling up of what is behind of the Sufferings of Christ for his body which is the Church Col. 1 24. Ans 1. It is clear that Jesus Christ made a perfect reconciliation for sin Dan. 9 24. John 1 29. And no mite left for us to pay by him who answered the full price 2. What the Apostle there shews none can aver was of Christs expiatory sufferings but to shew that as his sufferings were the price of our Redemption so were they a seal and witness to the truth Joh. 18 37 In which respect the Saints also have their share in all following ages to fill up the sufferings of Christ in his body which is the Church as a testimony to the Truth which the great Witness himself did seal and confirm with his Blood who before Pontius Pilate gave a good Confession Qu. Yet may not this warrant such plenary Indulgences and Absolutions of the Romish Church and a power to apply the Merit of others which is so express Joh. 20 23. Whose soever sins ye remit shall be remitted Ans It is a sad commentary destroying the Text which here hath respect to Church-Censures and is to shew what Authority the Ministers of Christ are cloathed with and impowered by their Masters commission to declare sinners bound or loosed from their sins according to the validity of that declarative sentence thus ensured as they follow that rule for the same in the exercise of Church Discipline but not the least ground is here for such plenary Indulgences they pretend or to absolve and relieve Souls out of Purgatory SECT XI Qu. IS there not clear ground for the Doctrine of Purgatory whereon a great stress of many of the Romish principles visibly lyes that though there be an acquittance from eternal death for the truely penitent yet is there a place after this life where they must for a time be tormented and suffer these pains of Purgatory to expiate venial sins which their Prayers and Pennances here could not do Ans The Scripture hath revealed no such thing but thence it is clear 1. That sin by the Blood of Christ only can be expiated and is his alone work who hath purged our sin himself Heb. 1 3. 2. That forgiveness from the Lord to those who repent is with no reserve of venial sins or a temporal punishment for such to satisfie justice Ezeck 18 22. All his transgressions which hath committed shall not be mentioned Heb. 8 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousnesse and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more 3. From the Scripture we can know only a two fold state of men after this life Joh. 3 36. And two wayes that accordingly lead thereto Matth. 7 14. Strait is the way that leadeth unto life and the way to destruction broad The Apostle sheweth that no middle place is betwixt the Saints being vncloathed and cloathed upon 2 Cor. 5 1 2. 5. The unconverted Theif found no Purgatory by the way who had no Pennances nor Church Indulgences to lead him by the same if the Infinite Merits of Christ were not sufficient for all In a word this doth manifestly charge God with Injustice as exacting double satisfaction for sin one from Christ the other from the sinner Qu. But doth not the Apostle shew there is a being saved yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3 15. Ans Nothing can be more plain if any read that Scripture than that there is a figurative expression and the same with verse 13. The fire shall try every mans work Which none can expound to be Purgatory but that not without temporal loss so as to have their work burned these shall escape Qu. Are not some venial sins which a temporal punishment may be sufficient to expiat and therefore such paines do follow sin here as might evince a Purgatory after this
Ans It is sure 1. That the wages of sin is death Rom 6 23. And no difference there is shewed betwixt venial and mortal 2. If a full acquittance from the guilt and punishment of sin be by Jesus Christ and that he hath payed the whole price no Satisfaction to Justice can be of use for temporal punishment 3. It is clear the most sharp chastisements of the Saints in this life are for healing and no effect of Vindictive Justice nor can give the last ground to plead for humane Satisfaction or such a thing as Purgatory after this life SECT XII Qu. BUt is there no Scripture warrant for the Romish Mass as a real external Sacrifice propitiatory for the living and the dead and that wherein the body of Christ is really offered up Ans It is clear 1. That not the least footstep of a Sacrifice or of Christs offering his Body and Blood was in the first institution of the Eucharist nor in these Offices given to the Church of Apostles Pastors Teachers c. Rom. 12 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 12 28. is there mention of any such as a sacrificer of Christs Body 2. No external Sacrifice can be now under the New Testament these under the Law being only typical of that which was accomplished in Jesus Christ who offered himself but once Heb. 7 27. And by this one offering hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10 18. So as this denies the perfection of Christ's Offering and his everlasting Priesthood 3. No sacrifice can be propitiatory which is without blood since without that There is no remission Heb 9 22. 4. It is clear in a true Sacrifice the thing sacrificed must be destroyed in the act of sacrificing which none dare say of the blessed Body of Christ nor can it be conceived how a repetition of the Offering up of Christ should really be and not of his Sufferings also Qu. Can it be denyed but some Offerings are even under the New Testament unto God Ans We know in the Lords Supper there are Offerings of praise and love with a solemn commemoration of Christ death but no external Sacrifice there or the least shadow of ground from the Scripture for it Qu. Did not Melâ—hizedeck offer Bread and Wine who was the Priest of the most High God Gen. 14 18. Ans His bringing it forth to Abraham is there shewed but nothing to shew his Offering of it or what could give ground for the Idolatrous service of the Mass though on this they lay its greatest weight Qu. Are there not Priests now in times of the Gospel as under the Law Ans We know One only eternal High Priest who is such as can have no successour and it is clear Heb. 7 26. that the Priest and Offerer under the New Testament should be holy undefiled and separate from sinners which I judge they dare not own But what do they mean thereby since it must either be to repeat over again Christs Sacrifice which is impossible and blasphemous or to present what was then done by him which is a Sacrament and no Sacrifice yea even in this are they manifestly divided to give an account wherein the action of sacrificing consists whether in the words of consecration This is my Body or in putting it on the altar Qu. Yet may not some be present there with a safe Conscience when no evil is intended Ans We ought not from these grounds 1. The scandal and offendâ—ng of our Brother which is not to be judged from our intention but from what is manifest to others in our doing such a thing 2. The hardening of Papists in their way this being a special symbol of their profession whereby they are discerned 3. It were an obvious dissimulation before God and with the adversary in that professed communicating with them in an external part of worship SECT XIII Qu. IS it not an essential of the Christian Religion that such a precise number of Sacramenâ—s is and neither more nor fewer than Seven as is the Doctrine of the Romish Church Ans It is indeed an essential of their Religion but such as could never shew its warrant from the Bible where two Sacraments only can be found of Christs appointment Baptism and the Lords Supper as having these requisites to a Sacrament of the New Testament 1. An external visible element 2. That it be of expresse Divine institution 3. To have a promise of Grace and Pardon annexed thereto which is not only signified but offered and sealed to all who rightly partake thereof 4. That it be perpetual unto the Worlds end Qu. Are these other five Sacraments of the Romish Church but of humane invention to wit Confirmation Pennance Extreme unction Orders and Marriage Ans Since Divine Worship must be according to the Rule given us by the Lawgiver it is clear these have not the least impress of a Divine appointment thereon Qu. Is not Confirmation an ancient practice of the Church Ans It was a custom in the Primitive times to bring Children Baptized and after they came to some years before the Church to put them in mind of their Baptism and engagements they were under which they now turn into a Sacrament and therewith use Chrism which is Oyl mixed with Balm putting it on the forehead in the form of a Cross with these words I sign and confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation giving them a blow on the face with other foolish rites by which they say the fulnesse of the Holy Ghost is given But how this is a Sacrament or by what Institution ordained or what promise of Grace and Pardon is annexed hereto must be sought elsewhere than from the Bible Qu. But is not Penances a part of Repentance and a visible sign thereof Ans The publick profession of Repentance for publick scandalous sins is a duty but no such outward sign was ever instituted in the Word as Whipping Pilgrimage c. Yea nothing more contrary thereto than their declared meaning of this to be a Satisfaction to justice and Compensation of the wrong done unto God thereby nor can they agree among themselves about the Sacramentality thereof if the form be in the act of the Priests Absolution or not Qu. Are not Marriage and Orders unquestionably of Divine appointment Ans None will deny that Marriage and these Offices appointed by Christ in his house have their Warrant in the Scripture but not as Sacraments yea is it not amazing how the Romish Church should assert this who maintain the use of these Sacraments to be necessary to Salvation when all of their Church are by their own Doctrine excluded from one of them the whole Laity from Orders and the Clergy from Marriage Qu. Is there not yet ground for extreme Unction Jam. 4 14. In which with the Oyl of Olive they anoint divers parts of the bodies of those who are in death bed with such words I anoint such a place that wherein thou hast sinned
what pretext so ever for any to be Popish Nor is it strange that after such abused light hell becometh now more hot and more inevitable than before whilst so much of the Christian World who own that name and Profession do shut their eyes and ears at so clear and distinct a sound from the Scripture seemes to roll over all certainty hereof to the decision and irrevocable Sentence of the Great Judge CONSID. II. SEcondly Can it be in the dark this day if this be not upon Choice that the great interest of the Reformed Church in contending against Popery is a most express appearance and contending for the Truth of Christianity and Doctrine of the Scripture delivered to us in the Old and New Testament And is so discernable upon these great Heads 1. That there is but one Mediator betwixt God and Sinners against such direct opposition thereto in the Doctrine of the Romish Church that brings in a plurality of Mediators and the Worshipping of Angels and Saints departed for that end 2. In behalf of the reality of Christs humane nature which by the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is subjected to have a new created being in their consecrated Hostia at each time every where at the pleasure of a wretched man which is in effect a most express denying of his blessed body to be humane and finite 3. It is clear how expresly concerned the Protestant Church is in opposition to Popery to contend for the reality of Christs death and suffering for his Elect. And that this time is come and past no more possibly to be repeated again wherein he once appeared in the end of the world to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9 26. And by one offering hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified Heb. 10 14. Against that horrid blasphemy of the Mass which they own as a repeated offering of the blessed body of the Redeemer by the hands of the Priest unto God as a Propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead which is so evident a subverting the foundations of Christianity and to make void the infinite value and efficacy of the death and suffering of Christ once offered and for ever in behalf of his Elect whilst they thus own a continued offering of his body which as the Apostle shewes Heb. 9 25. that if Christ had offered himself often he behoved to have fuffered often 4. And is it not clear that great interest of truth the Reformed Church is now pressed to appear upon against Popery is the Doctrine of Christ delivered to us in the Scripture as that whereon we must found and resolve our faith and not the Authority of men which they so expresly oppose and deny so as it is no less than the Christian cause and quarrel for which all who loves the truth are called to contend and that we should not be berest of that blessed infallible rule and standart of truth by those whose great aime is to have it denuded of all Authority but what is precarious and dependent on them nor to be so much as intelligible and to have an articular voice until they cause it speak and put what sense thereon they please CONSID. III. THirdly It may be astonishing and is surely one of the greatest depths of the Judgment of God this day to see what of the world with their own consent is subjected to so visible and notour an imposture as Popery is whilst such as it would seeme not conceiveable how men can exerce reason and not as in a deep sleep and have this hid from their eyes the obvious deceit and imposture of such a way where no Religion but a compound of humane Policy with their own private interest and gain is wholly intended About which I shall offer I hope I may with some confidence say it 's for the truths sake a short touch here at in some undeniable justances 1. None will debate how this way is framed for such an interest that there may be a gâ—aunt and allowance from the Pope for any sin and to transgress the express Lawes of the great Lawgiver yea this put to sale Oh what a strange device that for money men may have a liberty to destroy themselves Whilst on the other hand nothing is followed with more severe threatnings then an absolute subjecting â—o their arbitrary Commands so that one may safely disobey the holy God and this with a warrant but not the Pope and his Clergy under the hazard of condemuation 2. That such a stock and treasure of merites should be in keeping by the Romish Church and under their trust to dispose of as a thing deposited into their hand by such who had more than enough for themselves to serve for the use of others And thus at their disposal to give out thereof to satisfy divine Justice for those who have not sufficient merite of their own this only being necessarily provided that these who get a share of such a treasure compense it by somewhat equivâ—lent and buy it ere they have it but herein could they never resolve the world how to be sure if these merites were truely more than such whose they were needed themselves or how they came into their hand or was intrusted by them to apply or if their strength be not long since spent and exhausted by so long continued application in such innumerable indulgences given out of that treasury Oh! what a deplorable contrivance is here which I confess should be owned as one of the greatest Master pieces of cheatry as ever the world knew if it were only to cheat men of their purse but this goes further to those great interests of the immortal soul and yet so many will not see the visible intent of this trade and merchandice that it is indeed the merchandice of the souls of men so expresly foretold by the holy Ghost Rev. 18 13. 3. Their taking on them to change the condition of the dead and ensure to their friends the happy estate of their soul upon some large offerings to the Church for this As likewise that respect and veneration they require from men to the reliques of the Saints deceased whereto they ascribe such power both against fin and for healing diseases of the body yea most of these pretended reliques such as must necessarily plead some extraordinary miracle to be wrought for their continued preservation that thus they may with confidence perswade the world their having some bone or scull of the Apostles Primitive Saincts to be still seen if any have a heart to give a price for it 4. That the Romish Pope is the true Successor of Peter and thus Christs Vicar as they tearme him upon the earth which men must needs take upon trust with an implicite faith from such whose preferment and gain in the World should be other wise ruined if this be not taken off their hand whilst yet it is so undeniable at what a strait they are