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
the Infallibility of the Church Page 29 SECT V. Of the Prerogatives of St. Peter and the Popes as his Successors Page 31 SECT VI. Of the Reformation of the Church of England and the Imputations of Schism and Heresie laid against us on the account of it Page 34 SECT VII Of the Disputes concerning the Rule of Faith And in particular 1. Of the Holy Scripture Page 38 2. Of Tradition Page 39 SECT VIII Of the Disputes concerning the Idolatry of the Church of Rome Page 49 1. In General Page 50 2. In Particular Worship of Images Page 51 Invocation of Saints Page 52 SECT IX Of the Disputes concerning the Validity of Orders In the Church of England Page 54 In the Church of Rome Page 55 That the Papists are upon their own Principles uncertain whether they have any true Priests in their Church ib. SECT X. Of other Particular Points in Dispute betwixt us Popish Treatises Page 56 Discourses of the Church of England Page 57 A full Account of what pass'd on the occasion of the Conference between Dr. Tenison and Father Pulton the Jesuit Page 60 SECT XI In which the several Treatises before mention'd are reduced to their distinct Arguments for the direction of those who would fully satisfie themselves in any Particular Point in Dispute betwixt Vs and those of the Church of Rome viz. Page 63 1. General Discourses Page 65 2. Of Religious Worship Page 66 3. Of Prayer in an Unknown Tongue Page 66 4. Of the Invocation of Saints Page 66 Particularly of the B. Virgin. 5. Of Images and Reliques Page 67 6. Of Idolatry Page 68 7. Of Merits Satisfactions Purgatory and Indulgences Page 68 8. Of the Sacraments Page 68 9. Of Confession and Penance Page 69 10. Of Extreme Unction Page 69 11. Of Orders Page 69 12. Of the Real Presence Page 70 13. Of Transubstantiation Page 70 14. Of the Sacrifice of the Mass Page 71 15. Of the Adoration of the Host Page 71 16. Of Communion in Both Kinds Page 71 17. Of the Rule c. of Faith. Page 72 18. Of the Holy Scripture Page 72 19. Of Tradition Page 73 20. Of the Church Page 73 21. Of St. Peter and the Pope Page 74 22. Of the Reformation Page 74 23. Of Schism and Heresie Page 74 24. Of the Celibacy of the Clergy Page 75. SECT XII In which the whole is closed with an Account of the Present Undertaking to examine the Texts of Scripture alledged in favour of the Popish Errors Page 75 A CONTINUATION OF THE PRESENT STATE OF THE Controversie IT is now some time since it has been very much desired That a Full Account might be given to the World of the several Tracts that have these late Years been publish'd on the Points in Controversie between the Church of England and the Church of Rome The Present State of the Controversie set forth about two years since being become very Imperfect and serving rather to raise Mens expectations of some further Account to be given of this matter than to satisfie their desires with what is there offer'd I will not pretend to have been so diligent an Observer of these Things as not to have let many Discourses slip in such a number as have appear'd on both sides And must therefore humbly entreat the Representer's favour to me if He find some defects in my present Undertaking and that he will not impute that to a spirit of Misrepresentation in me which really proceeds only from my Ignorance or Inadvertency What Discourses have come to my Hands I will faithfully give an account of and if He or any other for Him will put forth an Appendix of what is wanting here it will be much more to the satisfaction of the World than to run over once more The Cases against Popery his Common Place against me as a New and Vpstart sort of Misrepresenter and fancy that the Eyes of all the World are set upon him to chastise me for my Unsincerity The present State of the Controversie gives an Account how the Divines of our Church at the time of the late King's death were engaged in a Design of publishing some Discourses on the several Points in Controversie between Vs and the Papists correspondent to what they had done not long before with reference to our Disputes with our Brethren the Dissenters And how the favourable Reception their former Attempt had met with from these encouraged them to hope their Labours would not be altogether unacceptable to those But the Catalogue of what they have done in pursuance of this design is imperfect and it may not be amiss before I proceed any farther to give a more compleat one here A Full Account of the Cases that have been published on the Points disputed between the Church of England and the Church of Rome I. PRELIMINARY DISCOVRSES 1. A Preservative to an Ingenuous Tryal of Opinions in Religion 2. The difference of the Case between the Separation of Protestants from the Church of Rome and the Separation of Dissenters from the Church of England 3. A Preservative against Popery Being some plain Directions to unlearned Protestants how to dispute with Romish Priests In Two Parts By the Reverend Dr. Sherlock Master of the Temple I place this Discourse here because I do not see to what other Class it could more properly have been reduced thought it is but just now publish'd and perhaps was never design'd by its learned Author to add to the number of this kind of Treatises But that which is more pertinent for me here to observe is That the former part of this Undertaking soon met with such an Answer as is now commonly given to our Books when any at all is given viz. one single Sheet from Father Sabran the Jesuit and who is now well known by his late little Encounters of this Nature It was called 4. An Answer to Dr. Sherlock's Preservative against Popery c. To this an exact and solid Answer was return'd by a Protestant Footman one W. Giles and who may justly be offer'd to the World as an Instance of what use our late Discourses have or might have been for the Instruction even of the meanest Persons in the matters in Controversie between Vs and the Church of Rome The knowledge which this ingenious and diligent Man obtain'd being entirely due to them and yet how considerable it is I shall leave it to any one to judge that will but have the Curiosity to examine his Performance It is called 5. A Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Preservative against Popery in Reply to a Jesuit 's Answer By W. Giles a Protestant Footman living with Madam H. in Mark-lane This Defence and the Preface of the Publisher of it did put the Jesuit quite out of all Patience and Decency and made him forget himself so far as once more to provoke the Reverend Dr. Sherlock by publishing an Answer to both Parts of the Preservative against Popery and to the Footman's Defence of 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
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