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
THE Truth and Certainty of the PROTESTANT FAITH With a short and plain account of the Doctrine of the ROMISH CHURCH In its visible Opposition to Scripture and the very being of Christianity To which is adjoined some serious Considerations anent Popery the state of that Controversy I. PET. III Ver. 15. And be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you REVEL XIV Ver. 9. If any man worship the Beast or his Image and reâ—eive his mark in his forehead or in his hand Ver. 10. The same shal drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Ver. 11. And the smoak of their torment shall ascend up for ever and ever Printed in the Year 1678. EPISTLE To the CHRISTIAN READER READER THese few sheets adjoyned here against Popery was in part formerly published but being with some further enlargement now reprinted I hope it may not be found unsuteable to set them down here in the close when so convincing necessar a rise from the foregoing subject is clear though such as desire may have it by it self also without the preceeding treatise These grounds did in some measure presse me novv to the present publishing thereof 1. That the import of this controversy betwixt the Romish and Reformed Church concernes the meanest this day no less than the more knowing and learned and that to be a Protestant in earnest must necessarily require a seeing the truth with their ovvn eyes yea such a faith as is the result of a judgment upon diligent search convinced by the Scripture 2. That it is an hour of great trial and of the power of darkness when the Popish Adversary is visibly at work almost every where to sowe tares whilst so fevv even of those who seeme serious in professing the truth can give a clear account of the grosness of Popery and solide grounds of the Protestant Doctrine when thus assaulted but lyâ— naked thereto as without defence though abounding and clearest light hath been held forth for that end and at a sad disavantage to hold fast their Profession by suffering if they should be called thereto as in former times 3. The visible hazard of many young ones in this generation to be made a prey of and easily poisoned vvith Popery vvho but seldome vvork out in their age and riper years vvhat they thus drink in in their youth 4. That such an essay seemed convincingly needful for these whose age vvant of time indisposition to read or loathness too be at expence in buying books is too visible a lett for their improving what hath been more largely written by others 5. That as I hope it shall be found vvhat is of greatest vveight or necessary use to be knovvn in these Controversies is â—ere comprised though in small bounds yet vvith such plainless that the meanest Reader may understand and know the Doctrine and principles of Popery and what Arguments they pretend to be most strong held forth in the Questions here proposed with a clear view of their direct opposition to the Scripture by the Answers thereto so as in a very few houres these for whom this is most designed may by reading it but some times over have it so far impressed on them as to know how to answere and give a soâ—ide account of the Protestant Doctrine and grosness of Popery when assaulted by any Seducers If to any such this small essay might be of use I may then say the Author hath not lost his desire and aime what ever entertainment it should otherwise meet with The time hasteneth when that only vvhich tendeth to a solide peace with Jesus Christ vvill abide and â—y near to the soul vvhen the Testimony of men will be of small value I shall but add that nothing is here charged on the Romish Adversary as their principles Which their own greatest Writers of the Doctrine of the Councel of Trent do not clearly attest The Reader vvould consider that these Sections into vvhich this is divided is vvith respect to the particular Heads of the Romish Doctrine vvhich are there handled There are several Mistakes in words from the press which I hope the judicious Reader will discerne without having the sense darkned thereby and pardon with some visible Mistakes also in the pointing SECT 1. Qu. SEing our greatest interest is to know the truth and certainty of that Religion we profess What is to be understood by the Protestant Reformed Religion as under such a designation it is now held forth Ans The Scripture unto whose trial this offereth it self clearly sheweth that it is no new Doctrine brought in on the World but the truth of Christianity by the good hand of the Lord on the Reformed Church confessed asserted and purged from the corruptions of Popery and hath the very same grounds to prove it which the Christian Religion hath Qu. Is it not of late the Name of Protestant much less as a Church was known and from visible appearances but little to evidence its being and succession in the World when Popery for many Ages had a conspicuous and flourishing State Ans We deny not the Reformation to be late and that name of Protestant which hath its rise from a solemne Protestation of several Princes and Cities against Popery But these also are demonstrably clear 1. How it is the same truth and Religion of the Apostles and Primitive Church wherein they walked though in a great measure after darkned as Antichristianisme grew up which hath been unanswerably proved to the World 2. That in the Scripture no ground can be shewed for a continual visibility of the Church as an unite body and in a flourishing outward state but the contrary is foretold how obscure low her condition should be during Antichrist's reign So as a place of hiding was then prepared for her Rev. 12 6. 3. Yet even in the darkest times there did not want some visibility of the true Church by a continued succession of witnesses to appear for the Truth and against the Romish Apostacie which as a fresh River made its way through that horride Lake without mixing with it Qu. What peculiar grounds are to prove this or enforce a conviction on others That the Protestant Religion this day is the pure and ancient Christian Religion Ans If men shut not their eyes none can deny these grounds as a test of the certainty thereof 1. It s exact conformity to the Scripture and to the genuine and perspicuous sense thereof than which nothing is more clear if we will but compare these together 2. That the Protestant Religion in all the essentials thereof is the very same and exactly agrees with the Faith of the Christian Church in the first three centuries and for
14 9 10. as should cause men to tremble who are not under a strange height of induration and now since the breaking up of so great a light and these clear discoveries of the truth are the Waters become bloody Revel 16 3. Qu. Yet can all this make out the charge of Antichristianism or that the Pope is the Antichrist who is so expresly foretold 2 Thes 2 3 4 Ans To resolve such a thing these are undeniably clear 1. That the Holy Ghost in the Scripture hath been in a more than ordinary way particular in pointing Antichrist out by such notorious marks and characters that after ages might know him if they will not shut their eyes and that a most exact portraicture is there drawn of such an adversarie what should be his form and shape with the manner of his appearance 2. Except we deny our Senses it is certain that we see with our eyes such an one as is there shewed forth so as none ever knew the face of a Man by his Picture drawn to the life in a frame better then the Church this day may know Antichrist and that this is he who so clearlie answers all these marks which in the Scripture are given of him even he Whose coming shall be after the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath appointed to be used with thanksgiving who sitteth in the Temple of God and exalteth himself above all that is called God bewitcheth the Kings of the earth with his inchantments and is drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Christ Iesus yea whose Traffick and Merchandice is not onlie Gold and Silver but The souls of men Rev. 18 13. And can we be in the dark to know or discover who this Antichrist is whose Doctrine is stated in so direct an opposition to Jesus Christ and the great design of the Gospel 3. Antichrist must be already come and revealed else according to the Scripture that Prophecy can never have its accomplishment since even in the Apostles times this Mystery began to worke and he who for a time did withhold his coming the Heathen Empire of Rome hath been long since taken out of the way and as the Scripture points his first coming and appearance in the first times of the Church so his last close and final ruine to be near the second coming of the Lord 4. It is thus undeniable that this adversarie can be no single person or of a short continuance but is a politick Bodie and Kingdom centred and united in one supream Head and with a succession for many ages 5. It is clear that these expresse Marks and Characters given by the Scripture for the Churches knowing of Antichrist could answer to no Adversarie else which Jesus Christ ever had under the New Testament either Pagan or Mahumetan Qu. Since Antichrists fall must be by the Word as is clear 2 Thes 2 4. whom the Lord shall consume by the breath of his mouth can it be now applicable to the Romish Church whilst Popery is so spreading even in those Parts where the Word is most powerfully preached Ans This needs not be strange if we consider 1. That Antichrists fall according to the Scripture must be by degrees as his rise was 2. That where the truth is not received in love 2 Thes 2 18. it cannot long want judicial effects to be given up to strong delusions 3. It is easie to see how such as at this day have fallen off to Poperie are not upon debate or by arguments to their judgement engaged but it is the visible product of a licentious time and from an unusual growth of Atheism and Ignorance yea those only are found to change their Religion who never in earnest embraced any 4. Yet can none deny those great and extraordinarie effects the preached word hath had to recover the Church from Antichristian darknesse in these last ages to which those famous Plantations of the Gospel in Britain Ireland France Germany the Low countries c. are to this day a witnesse where the greatest Atheists may see an immediate appearance of God and something above nature with that convincing increase of light as enforceth such even to gnaw their tongue with pain who do nor cease to oppose the truth Some serious Considerations further anent Popery and the import of that great controversie betwixt the Romish and reformed Churches at this day THough there seems small grounds of hope to convince such who in the holy judgement of God are given up to that strong delusion of Popery and ceaseth not to oppose themselves to the clearest discoveries of the truth yet this being so sad and deplorable a sight to see how much of the Christian World thus Perish who will not once open their eyes and is so clear that under the greatest of judgements this way must involve them if the Scripture of God have any weight or credit with such yea since this is so grave and concerning a duty now in these last times to beaâ— witness against Antichrist and pursue without ceasing that call whatever success it should have that men would come out of Babylon and hasten from under approaching wrath and judgment I shall here add to what is premitted before upon this subject some serious Considerations concerning Popery with an appeale to the Conscience of the Adversary yea to their reason and judgment if they will allow its free exercise herein anent the truth thereof CONSID. 1. FIrst At what a rate by clear and undeniable consequence from the Romish Doctrine and principles one can be Popish conforme to their way and what is necessarily imported in being a Roman Catholick as they thus terme themselves which is not more strange and astonishing in it self than may be clear in these particulars 1. That it is to deliver up their reason and judgment to the conduct of such of whom they must see true cause to feare adventuring upon in the smallest of their outward interests And where it is so visible its money for merite and that all can be sold at this market upon such a price yea where the poore only must be left hopeless who thus hath not to expiate their guilt and purchass a plenary indulgence as Petrarch of old was enforced to say that if Judas could come with the price of his Masters blood to the Romish market he might be welcome to buy an absolution where no sin needs want a dispensation to allow it or a pardon for its commitment if their purse can possibly answere thereto 2. This is to quite that judgment of discerning given them of God and be shut out of all Proper knowledge of the Scripture with their own consent except these of the Clergy so as they must not trust their own eyes but others in the great interest of their eternal state and thus take the Romish Authority for their Bible yea such whom they cannot