we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 John 2.1 And Jesus Christ says John 14.6 I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me Q. But may not Saints and Angels be also Mediators A. No For St. Paul says 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Jesus Christ Q. This passage seems to be altered for in the Greek it is There is one Mediator and not one only Mediator A. The Greek word as in this Context signifies one only as also Ephesians 4.4 5 6. And they of the Roman Church in the Louvain Version have turned it so in the next Chapter Verse 2. That a Bishop must be the Husband of one Wife they have it of one only and it is clear that in that place it should be taken so for the Apostle would have us to understand that there is one Mediator as there is one God now there is but one only God there is therefore also but one only Mediator Q. It is true there is but one Mediator for redemption but there may be more for Intercession A. Not as Intercessor is to be understood in this question for one who can procure us the favour of God by his own Merit and Intercession and so those of the Roman Church understand the word when they pray God in the Mass to hear them for the Merits of the Saints whose Relicks are under the Altar Now there can be no such Intercessor but Jesus Christ only who alone hath reconciled us to God by his blood and is the only Advocate and Propitiation for our sins 1 John 2.2 And it is in this beloved that God accepteth us Eph. 1.6 Q. Why may not glorified Saints Pray to God in Heaven for us as well as Believers Pray for one another on the Earth have they less Knowledge and Charity in Heaven then they had on Earth A. Glorified Saints may pray for the Church in general but not for particular Believers not for want of Charity but for want of knowledge of the persons and their necessities for though their knowledge be much more perfect because of their seeing God yet have they no more communication with Believers here on Earth as it hath been said before that they have no more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sun Q. But is it not expedient at least to make use of the Intercession of Saints to go to Jesus Christ for us A. No For he commands us to come to himself Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden SECT XIII Of Images Quest IS It not lawful to make Images of God A. No for the Prophet Isaiah sheweth us that God cannot be represented Chap. 40. Vers 18. To whom will ye liken God or what Likeness will ye compare unto him And Deut. 4.15 Moses speaketh to the Israelites saying Take ye heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of Similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire 16. Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a Graven Image the similitude of any Figure the likeness of Male or Female Q. Nevertheless God hath often appeared to Believers under the Old Testament in humane shape as to Abraham and Lot Gen. 18. 19. A. Extraordinary Appearances of God are not to be the Rule of our Actions but his Commands and though God appeared in Humane Likeness yet the Church of Israel never made any such Representation of him Q. Is it lawful to make Images of Saints and give to them any Religious Worship or Honour A. No for God hath forbidden us to bow down before any Image whatsoever in his second Gommandment Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath Thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them Q. This word should he translated Idol and not Image for God forbids there only the Pagan Idols which did represent false Gods and not Images of Saints A. Images both of Saints and Angels are forbidden for he forbiddeth to make any Likeness of any thing that is in Heaven Q. Why then did God command to put Cherubims upon the Ark and in the Tabernacle which did represent Angels A That was a Command of the Ceremonial Law which since hath been abolished by Jesus Christ but the forbidding to worship Images is a Command of the Moral Law which is eternal and indispensable Besides they were not put there to be worshipped by the people for there were two Veils between the people and them so that the people could not see them and there was moreover an express Command to make Cherubins whereas there is none to make Images of Saints and to put them into the Church Q. Is it lawful to worship the Relicks of Sainis A. No We should have a respect unto the Sepulchres of the Saints and Martyrs since their Bodies have been the Temples of the Holy Ghost but to give them any Religious Worship is to leave the living God to serve dead Idols And God hid the body of Moses lest the people of Israel should have committed Idolatry with it Deut. 34.6 SECT XIV Concerning Praying for the Dead Quest MVst we pray for the Dead A. No Because we have neither Command nor Example in the Word of God and since the Scripture speaks only of two places Heaven for the Righteous and Hell for the Wicked our Prayers cannot draw the Wicked out of Hell for their Torments are to be Eternal nor can they add to the Happiness of those in Heaven because it is already Compleat Q. Yet we have an Example in the 12th Chapter of the 2d Book of the Maccabees where Juda and his Men prayed for their Brethren which were slain and under whose Garmenâ—â— were found things consecrated to Idols that their sin might be pardoned A This Book is not Canonical nor was ever acknowledged as such by the Church of the Jews and there were many Superstitions sliden in among the Jews in the time of the Maccabees so their Practice cannot be an Example to be followed neither did they pray that they might be delivered out of Purgatory but that they might be happy at the Resurrection as it appears from Vers 44. SECT XV. Of Purgatory Quest DO You believe that after this Life the Souls of all Believers go to the fire of Purgatory for many years to be tormented that they may be purged and cleansed from their sins A. No For the Scripture speaking of the Condition of Believers after this Life tells us Isa 57.1 That the Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come and shell enter into Peace and Rev. 14.13 that Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord from henceforth yea said the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do
No Popery OR A CATECHISM AGAINST POPERY WHEREIN The Heretical Doctrins Idolatrous Worship and Superstitious Practices of the ROMAN CHVRCH ARE Briefly yet Plainly Refuted and the Protestant Principles Proved by Testimonies of Holy Scripture and Evidence of Reason By a Minister of the Gospell Little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 Joh. 5.21 LONDON Printed for the Author and Sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1682. TO THE READER AMongst the various Methods of Instructing such as are weak and ignorant none hath been found more useful than that by way of Question and Answer And as Christianity did at first diffuse it self by this way of Teaching so the Truth and Purity of it have been best preserved when Pastors have effectually applyed themselves to Conscientious Catechising of those under their Care and inspection By this means did the Waldenses and Albigenses maintain the Doctrine and Worship of the Gospel among them when Error Superstition and Idolatry had overspread the face of the Western Churches Nor was any thing more useful to the promoting the Reformation than the Catechisms of several Eminent Persons whom God employed in that Blessed Work For tho' Preaching be a very good way of pressing known principles upon the Consciences of men yet Catechising doth much excell it in conveying Light and Knowledge into their minds And through the woeful and universal neglect of this does Ignorance come so much to abound even where Sermons are most frequent as well as plain and practical For through want of Acquaintance with the points and subjects concerning which Ministers treat in those continued Discourses they are incompetent Auditors of what is delivered and so lose much of the benefit of it And as the present decays in Religion are to be ascribed to no one thing more than a faileur of Catechising so the Ignorance which thereupon ensues is that which betrays multitudes to be imposed upon and perverted by such as lye in wait to deceive For next to the being strangers to the power of that Religion which we do profess the want of being well grounded in the Doctrines of it is that into which the revolt of so many to Popery is to be issued and resolved And as the apprehension of our security from the Re-introduction and Establishment of the Romish Religion in these Nations hath occasioned our sloth and negligence in unmasking and detecting the folly of the Tridentine Faith so the just fears we are brought under of its obtrudeing its self once more upon these Kingdoms do bespeak all who desire to approve themselves faithful to God and the Souls of Men to concern themselves more in discovering the falshood of all the Articles of the Romish Creed And as the difference betwixt the Professors in Britain and those that profess the Reformed Religion in France is to be admired with respect to that Ability which appears in them beyond what is in us to refute and expose the Papal Tenents so their present stedfastness in the Doctrines of the Gospel when they are called to suffer the Loss of all things for them is much owing to their having been instructed before hand in all the Principles that lye in Controversie between them and the Papists For tho' the Transcript of Gospel Truth upon our Hearts will be our best Preservative in a day of Trial yet the being able to give an account of the reason of our Belief is needful as well for the honour of our Religion as the prevention of our Apostacy when we come not only to be accosted with Arguments against it but threatned with Fire and Faggot unless we renounce and abandon it And tho' there be many Discourses wrote with great Strength and Learning both to inform and fortifie our minds in the Belief of the Doctrines which we profess yet there are but few Discourses in Print either of that brevity or accommodated for manner and plainness to the Capacity of the weak as is necessary The want whereof as it recommends the seasonableness of this Catechism and familiar Treatise so if People will but consult their own Souls they will have reason for being thankful to God for the provision which is here vouchsafed them In which as they will find the Errors of the Romish Church truly represented so they will find them as nervously confuted and overthrown The Order of Sections Sect. 1. OF the Scripture pag. 1 2. How the Scripture may be known to be Divine 4 3. Of the Authority of the Scripture 7 4. Of the Perfection of the Scripture 10 5. Of the Reading of the Holy Scripture 14 6. Of the Church 17 7. If the Church can Err. 20 8. Of the Marks of the true Church 24 9. Of our Separation from the Roman Church 30 10. Of the head of the Church 32 11 Of Invocation of Saints 36 12. Of the Intercession of Saints 42 Sect. 13. Of Images 45 14. Concerning Prayers for the Dead 47 15. Of Purgatory 48 16. Of human satisfactions 52 17. If the Sufferings of Christ were accomplished in the Cross 56 18. Of Pilgrimages 58 19. Of Monkish Vows 1. of that of single life 59 20. Of Vowing Poverty 61 21. Of Vowing obedience 62 22. Of Lawful Vows 63 23. Concerning Fasts 64 24. Of Holy Days 68 25 Of the Providence of God 69 26. Of man's free will in the state of Sin 72 27. Of man's free will in the state of Grace 74 Sect. 28. Of Justification 77 29. Of Merits 81 30. Of Predestination 84 31. of Perseverance 86 32. Of the certainty of perseverance and Salvation 88 33. Of Sin and if all men are Sinners 92 34. Of venial and mortal Sins 95 35. Of the Works of Supererogation 97 36. Of Repentance 100 37. Of Auricular Confession 101 38. Of Absolution 103 39. Of Satisfactions and Indulgences 105 40. Of the Sacraments 106 41. Of Confirmation 107 42. Of the Sacrament of Penitence 109 43. Of Marriage 110 44. Of Extream Vnction 112 45. Of the Sacrament of Orders 113 46. Of the Order of Priesthood 115 47. Of the Sacrifice of the Mass 118 48. of Baptism 122 49. If original sin continues after Baptism 124 50. Of the Necessity of Baptism 125 51. Of the Lords Supper 126 52. of the Communion under both kinds 134 ERRATA PAge 3. line 22. read imaginations pag. 9. l. 26. r. have p. 22. l. 9. 10. for interted r. interrupted p. 25. l. 24. for in r. ing pag. 31. l. 13. r. Schisme p. 38. l. 15. r. God's p. 59. l. 21. after resolution r. in p. 66. l. 8. r. Tim. p. 69. l. 1. r. of signal p. 72. l. 21. for freely r. spiritually p. 74. l. 5. r. calling ibid. l. 24. r. John 8. p. 80. l. 27. r. justifies p. 82. l. 4. r. cannot p. 88. l. 18. blot out the i. p. 99. l. 5. r. young ibid. l. 9. for hath r. hast p. 109. l. 8. r. you p. 113. l. 1. r. being p.
That he had said no other things than these which the Prophets and Moses did say should come and to Teach us that these things did contain all that is Necessary to Salvation he assures the Ephesians Act. 20 27. That he had declared unto them all the Counsel of God Q. Yet the Church believes many Doctrines which are not contained in the Scripture as the perpetual Virginity of the Holy Virgin the Baptism of Children the translation of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday the number of the Sacraments to be but two A. For the perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin the Church receives it not as an Article of Faith necessary to Salvation but as an Article becoming the honour they think themselves obliged to render to this Sacred Vessel But for the other points they are taught in Scripture if not in formal terms at least by necessary consequences St. Peter Acts 2.38.39 would have all the Jews Baptized because the Promise was to them and to their Children and we see that in the time of the Apostles Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 Believers Assembled themselves for Prayer and to make Collection the first Day of the Week which St. John calls The Lord's Day And the Church may well conclude there are but two Sacraments since they see not in the Scripture that Jesus Christ hath instituted any more SECT V. Of Reading the Holy Scripture Q. IS it Lawful for all Persons to Read the Scripture A. Jesus Christ Recommends the Reading of it indifferently to all John 5.39 Search the Scriptures and Deut. 17.18 19. God Commandeth Kings to have the Book of the Law and to read therein every day and the Apostle St. Paul 1 Thess 5.27 Charges that his Epistle be read to all the holy Brethren and 2 Tim. 3.15 he praises Timothy because from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures And the Eunuch of Queen Candace did Read in the Chariot Esaias the Prophet Acts 8.28 And in all the Synagogues the Law and the Prophets were read every Sabbath-day Acts 15.21 17. The believing Bereans having heard the Doctrine of St. Paul compared it with the Scriptures to know if it was as he had said And tho' the Revelations be the most obscure Book in the Scripture yet the reading of it is recommended to all Rev. 1.3 Blessed be he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie Q. It seems notwithstanding that it would be expedient to hinder the simple People from the reading thereof St. Peter tells us that there are in the Epistles of St. Paul things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction A. Upon the contrary the simple and ignorant are to read the Scriptures that they may become wise to Salvation and Jesus Christ tells us that the ignorance of the Scriptures is cause of Errors You Err not knowing the Scriptures said he to the Sadduces Mat. 22.29 And David Psal 19. says That the Law enlightens the Eyes and maketh wise the simple And tho' there be some ignorant and unstable that wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction yet it hinders not St. Peter from recommending in the same place to Believers the Epistles of St. Paul And in the first Chapter of the same Epistle he tells us That we have a sure word of Prophesie whereunto we do well to take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place For because those that are Prophane abuse the Word of God and his Graces the Children of God must not be forbidden the Use thereof Q. What Profit then do Believers receive from the Reading of the Scriptures A. By them they are instructed in the Knowledg of God fortified in the Faith and Expectation of their Salvation comforted in their Afflictions furnished against Temptations of Satan the World and the Flesh For whatsoever things were written afore-time they were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Rom. 15.4 SECT VI. Of the Church Quest WHat signifies this word Church A. An Assembly Q. How many ways is the name of Church taken in the Scripture A. Four ways principally 1. For the Church of the Elect. 2. Generally for the Universal Visible Church and they that make profession of Faith in Jesus Christ And it is this Church St. Paul speaks of when he says That in a great house there are not only vessels of Gold and of Silver but also of Wood and of Earth because that this Church is composed of good and of evil ones 2 Tim. 2.20 3. The Church signifies an Assembly of the Leaders of the Church which Jesus Christ speaks of Matth. 18.17 When there is a quarrel between two Brethren he will have the party offended tell it to the Church 4. The name Church is given to each particular Christian Assembly which is a part of the Universal Visible Church such in the time of the Apostles was the Churches of Corinth of Ephesus of Rome c. to whom St. Paul directs his Epistles Q. What is meant by the Church of the Elect A. It is the Assembly of all Believers that Goth hath Elected in Jesus Christ of which some are Glorified in Heaven others are yet Combating on the Earth others are not yet born or called to the Faith but must be in their time and subsist already in the Counsel of God of these Jesus Christ speaks John 10.16 saying Other sheep have I which are not of this fold they also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Q. Where doth the Word of God speak of this Church of the Elect A. The Apostle Hebrews 12.23 calls it the Heavenly Jerusalem the General Assembly and Church of the first born It is this Church which St. Paul calls the Body of Christ for Christ cannot have dead Members 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 4.12 Colos 1.24 and the Spouse of Christ Ephes 5.32 for Christ cannot have an Adulteress for his Spouse St. Peter 1 Epist 2.9 call this Church A chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People Q. Which Church is spoken of in this Article of the Apostles Creed I believe the Holy Catholick Church A. Of the Church of the Elect for we believe things that are not seen as the Apostle Heb. 11.1 says Faith is the Evidence of things not seen And after those words I believe the Holy Catholick Church is put the Communion of Saints in this Church that the Profane may be excluded Q. Why is this Church of the Elect said to be invisible since it is composed of men who are Visisible A. Not only because the Glorified Saints are out of our sight and that those who belong to the Election of God and are not yet born cannot be seen but also because that though the Elect that live upon the Eatth are visible men yet it is not visible that they are
combated Satan Matth. 4. He proved the Resurrection from the dead to the Saducees Matth. 22.23.29 31 32. And showed to his Disciples the necessity of his Death and of his Resurrection Luke 24.46 By them John Baptist proved his Mission Matth. 3.3 And by them the Apostles overcame the Jews and shewed powerfully that Jesus was the Christ Acts 9.22 and Acts 18.28 Q. Hath God commanded us to consult the Scriptures as our Judge A. The Prophet Esay 8.20 sends to the Law and to the Testimony and if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them And Jesus Christ commands the Jews to search the Scriptures because they testified of him John 5.39 and Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them And St. Peter after having mentioned the voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased adds We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed 2 Pet. 1.17 18.19 Q. But when there is a difference about the interpretation and sense of the Scripture is it not necessary to have a Judge who can judge Infallibly and with Authority of the meaning of the Scripture and declare it to us for our agreement A. God hath not given this power to any in the world but Scripture must Interpret Scripture one passage must be Interpreted by another as they did in the time of Esra who made them understand the Law by Reading of the Scripture Nehem. 8.8 Q. How can you decide matters of Faith by the Scripture since it is obscure A. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost of whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds even Unbelievers 2 Cor. 4.3.4 But it is not obscure to them who have received the Spirit of God that they might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2.12 And to accuse the Scripture of obscurity is to accuse it falsely for David Psal 119.105 says Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Q. Yet St. Peter says in the 2 Epistle 3.16 That in the Epistles of St. Paul there are some things hard to be understood A. I grant there are many obscure places in the Scripture to exercise the Faith of Believers and keep the most Learned humble but God hath so ordered that all things necessary to Salvation are clear and easie to be understood Q. But since St. Paul would have Believers to judge of his Doctrine 1 Cor. 10.15 I speak as to wise men judg ye what I say Why should not the Church assembled in Council hvve that Authority A. There are two kinds of judgment one is a judgment of Authority the other of discretion by which particular Believers ought to try the Spirits whether they be of God and discern the true Doctrine of Christ from lies and of this judgment Paul speaks when he says judge ye what I say but for the judgment of Authority God hath not given it to any Mortal man not to the Councils themselves which have no power to make any Canons or Decisions to oblige the Consciences of any but so far as they are conform to the word of God Jesus Christ only hath Soveraign Authority in the Church as the well beloved Son that the Father hath commanded us from Heaven to hear Matth. 3.17 and John 5.22 Jesus Christ says that the Father hath given all judgment to the Son SECT IV. Of the Perfection of the Scripture Q. IS the Scripture the perfect Rule of our Faith A. Yes Because all the Articles of Faith and Doctrines necessary to Salvation are contained therein and therefore St. Paul 2. Tim. 3.15 says That the Holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Q. St. Paul speaks there only of the Books of the Old Testament for the New was not then writ so it follows by your reason that the New Testament is superfluous since the Old is sufficient for to instruct us to Salvation A. Upon the contrary St. Paul speaking of the Books of the Old Testament only fortifies strongly our reason for the sufficiency and perfection of the Scripture for if the Books of Moses and the Prophets were sufficient to make the Church wise unto Salvation Why may not the Scripture be sufficient now since to Moses and the Prophets God hath added the Evangelists and the Apostles Besides it follows not that because the Books of the Old Testament were sufficient for the Church then that the New is Superfluous since God hath pleased to give it us to manifest the Doctrine of Salvation more clearly and fully as 2 Tim. 1.10 Paul says That Jesus hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel Q. Is all Tradition to be Condemned A. No for this word Tradition signifies nothing but a Doctrine given from hand to hand the Scripture it self is a Tradition and the Doctrine of Salvation before it was written was a Tradition and hath been called Scripture since it was put into Writing and St. Paul calls the Doctrine of the Gospel Tradition which is written 1 Cor. 15.3 I have given unto you that which I have received viz. That Christ dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures Q. What Traditions then are to be condemned A. All Traditions of men wherewith they pretend to bind the Consciences of men and give them for Articles of Faith which S. Paul Colos 2.8 would that we should take heed of Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Traditions of men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ Such were the Traditions that the Pharisees added to the Law which Christ condemns Matth. 15.3 Why do ye transgress the Commandement of God by your Tradition applying to them what God says of Hypocrites Esay 29.13 In vain they do Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandements of men Such are the Traditions which the Roman Church hath added to the Gospel as Worshipping Images and Praying to Saints which tho' they have no foundation in the Scripture but are formally condemned therein yet the Council of Trent hath commanded them to be received with the same Devotion and Piety that the Scripture is Q. Nevertheless St. Paul 2 Thess 2.15 Commands the Thessalonians to hold the Traditions that they had been Taught by Word or Epistles and 2 Tim. 2.2 He recommends to Timothy to commit to faithful men the things which he had heard in presence of many Witnesses A. I Answer that those Traditions and Instructions of St. Paul are not Traditions of men but the Word of God as he himself says 1 Thess 2.13 And the Instructions he gave Believers by Word and Living Voice are the same he hath writ in his Epistles and that we may be assured that his Doctrine is not Traditions of men he protests to the Jews Acts 26.22
seems to be hidden or to be vanished from the Earth as when she was Captive in Egypt and in Babylon shut up in the Family of Abraham and when many days passed in Israel without the True God and without a Teachin Priest and without the Law 2. Chron. 15.3 and when Idolatry was publickly introduced into the Kingdom of Juda and into the Temple of Jerusalem Q. But the Christian Church having received more authentick promises for extention and splendor it is not likely to be invisible and that City set on a Hill cannot be hidden Matth. 5.14 A. It is true that by the calling of the Gentiles the Christian Church is more extended than that of the Jews was and there shall always be a Visible Christian Church in the World but it is not necessary to a particular Churches being pure that it be Splendent and Visible The seven thousand men that had not bowed their Knee to Baal were the true Church though they appeared not in Israel and since the Church of Jerusalem ceased not to be the True Church when Revelation 12. she was forced to fly into the Wilderness to shun the persecution of the Jews and Rev. 12. Wings are given to the Church that she might fly and hide her self in the Wilderness And Chap. 13. there is spoken of a time wherein all the Earth should Worship the Beast Jesus Christ says Luke 18.8 When he shall come he shall find no Faith in the Earth and they of the Church of Rome themselves say that Antichrist will make the Sacrifice of the Mass to cease for three years and a half Q. May not perpetual duration be a mark of the true Church A. No because perpetual duration is a thing not known but hoped for and there is no particular Church hath received any promise from God to endure for ever Q. But some will say we wonder not that you reject those precedent marks seeing it is two hundred years agoe only since you appeared in the World so that you cannot show your Succession nor where you were before Calvin and Luther A. We do not boast of our Succession but of our Truth yet we prove sufficiently that our Religion is not new but the first and most antient in making appear that we have the same Religion that Christ and his Apostles had and being truth it self by consequent it could not be interrupted Truth being Eternal and immutable and there must needs therefore always have been some Church in the World that hath made profession thereof for the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church Those then that ask us where our Religion was before Luther and Calvin we will ask them where theirs was in the time of Christ and his Apostles both of us begin the History of our Religion at that time Q. May not multitude be a good mark of the True Church A. No more than the rest for it agrees better-with a false than with a True Church Jesus Christ commands us to enter in at the strait gate for broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in there at Matth. 7.13 and Luke 12.32 he calls his Church the little flock and Exodus 23.2 we are forbidden to follow a multitude to do evil in short multitude cannot be a good mark of the True Church since Pagans and Mahumetans are more in number than the Christians and amongst the Christian Churches the Hereticks are commonly more numerous than the Orthodox as Christian Catholicks were fewer than the Arians Q. What think you of Miracles A. That we have reason to suspect that Mark since Jesus Christ hath foretold us Matth. 24.24 That false Christs and false Prophets shall arise shewing great signs and wonders and St. Paul foretels us 2 Thess 2.9 That the son of perdition will come with signs and lying wonders Q. How know you that the Miracles of the Roman Church are lying wonders A. First Because they give Authority to lies as Worshiping of Images and Praying to Saints Secondly Because often they are not done in the Name of God and Jesus Christ as the Miracles of Jesus Christ and his Apostles but in the name of some Images or Saint Thirdly Because they are feigned inventions and contrivances to deceive the simple and credulous and to keep them in their Superstition therefore they do them not in publick before those they call Hereticks to Convert them but secretly without Witnesses Q. Hath the True Church no Miracles A. Yes Those of Jesus Christ and his Apostles which having sufficiently comfirmed the Doctrine declared to us we have no need of new Miracles to give Authority thereto an Evil and Adulterous Generation seeketh after a sign Matth. 12.39 16.4 Signs are not for them that believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14.22 Q. May the titles of Catholick and Holy be marks of the True Church A. No Because names are not essential properties and an Heretical Church may as well assume these Titles as the True one besides the Title of Catholick or Universal can be no mark of any particular Church Q. What think you of Vnion A. That it is not an absolute mark of the Church for it is found in false and Heretical Churches which are well United but Union in Faith and Conformity to the Word of God is a true mark of a Church but if destitute of Truth it is only a conspiracy against God Q. What judgment make you of Holiness A. That is the only right mark of the True Church provided that Holyness in Doctrine be understood as well as in manners SECT IX Of our Separation from the Roman Church Quest WHy have you separated from the Church of Rome A. Because our Conscience would not suffer us to partake of her Errors and Superstitions since we find not in her the only mark of the True Church which is Conformity to the Word of God nor the pure Administration of the Sacraments Q. But ought not Christian Charity and the love of peace make us bear with their errors St. Paul tells us that Charity beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 and should the infirmities and faults of our brethren make us separate from them and break the Vnion of the Church by a Schism A. We must bear with our Neighbours faults but we must not consent to them now we cannot continue in Communion with an Heretical Church but we must consent to their Errors 2 Cor. 6.14 What Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness and what Communion hath Light with Darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols And it were not just that to please our Neighbours we should defile our selves with their Superstition St. Paul recommends Truth to us as well as Charity and Ephes 4.3 he would have us to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Q. But may not our separation be justly accused of Schesm A. No For it is not absolutely Separation which makes
Schism but that which is the cause of Separation now our Separation being upon a just account cannot be called Schism for the Errors and Superstitions of the Roman Church made our Separation necessary for God having discovered them to us by his Word we could not without bringing guilt upon our selves neglect that Commandment of God Revel 18.4 to come out of Babylon that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues besides it doth not become them to reproach us with our Separation and to accuse us of Schism since they first thrust us from amongst them by their Excommunications and all sorts of violence and we may much more justly call them Schismaticks they having so unworthily separated from Jesus Christ and his Apostles and from the purity of his Doctrine by so many Heresies which they teach Q. Yet could you not for peace sake have dissembled and contented your selves with distasting them in your heart A. No For God vomits out of his Mouth those that are luke warm Revel 3.16 and would have us to glorifie him as well in our bodies as in our spirits which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 and that as we believe with the Heart unto Righteousness we should with our own mouth make Confession unto Salvation Rom. 10.10 SECT X. Of the Head of the Church Quest WHo is the Head of the Church A. Jesus Christ only for St. Paul says Ephes 4.5 There is one Lord and one Faith and Chap. 1.22 he says that God hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his Body Now as Jesus Christ hath but one mystical Body viz. his Church also this Body can have but one Head Q. But hath not Jesus Christ established under him one here upon Earth to be the visible Head of the Church A. No for the Word of God hath made no mention thereof and Ephes 4.11 St. Paul rekoning up the Offices in the Church says He gave some Apostles and some Pastors and Teachers but says nothing of this pretended Head which should have been the first And Jesus Christ forbids all Superiority of Authority amongst his Disciples Luke 22.25 26. The Kings of the earth exercise Lordship over them but ye shall not be so and Matth. 23.8 Be not ye called Rabby for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are brethren Q. It would seem that Jesus Christ looked on St. Peter as a Head Ordinarily he is first named in the Gospel and Matth. 16.18 Jesus Christ says to him Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church A. His being named first doth not import any Superiority of Authority or Jurisdiction but of Honour and Order because of his Age or Gifts and when Jesus Christ says upon this Rock will I build my Church he had not regard to the person of St. Peter but to his Doctrine and the Confession he had made in the name of the other Apostles saying Thou art Christ the Son of the living God and on this consideration not only Peter but the rest of the Apostles are called the Foundation of the Church as we are taught by St. Paul Ephes 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself beeing the chief corner stone Q. But Jesus Christ in the same place promises to give him the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and that whosoever he shall bind on Earth shall he bound in Heaven A. In those words he gives no Authority to St. Peter which he gives not to the other Apostles to whom also he hath given the Keys and the power of binding and loosing and of remitting and retaining sins John 20.21 As my Father hath sent me so send I you verse 23. Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted But supposing it were as true as it is false that Jesus Christ did in this passage Establish Peter Visible Head of the Church it would not follow that the Bishops of Rome are his Successors in that Office since we see no warrant for it in the Scripture neither hath the other Apostles had any Successors in their Offices as Apostles Q. But since the death of Jesus Christ and his Ascension did not the Apostles acknowledge St. Peter for their Head A. No on the contrary Acts 8.14 the Apostles send him with John to Preach the Gospel in Samaria and St. Paul says 2 Cor. 11.5 That he esteemeth not himself a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles and Gal. 2.9 Naming James before Peter he says James Peter and John gave him the right hand of Fellowship and proves at length in the same place that he was not called to be an Apostle by any but by Jesus Christ alone and 1 Cor. 1.12.13 He reproves those amongst the Corinthians that did choose to themselves any other Head or Patron but Jesus Christ every one of you says I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ Is Christ divided Was Paul Crucified for you Or were you Baptized in the name of Paul To acknowlege then another Head than Christ is to divide Christ Neither can we acknowlege any other Head but he who was Crucified for us and in whose Name we are Baptized St. Peter himself takes no other Title in his Epistles but that of Apostle and Elder and speaks to the Pastors of the Church not as having Authority over them but as their comparison in service 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders that are among you I exhort who am also an Elder SECT XI Of the Invocation of Saints Quest MVst we pray to Saints A. No Because we have neither Command nor Example in the Word of God for it and when the Apostles desired Jesus Christ to teach them to Pray he injoyns them to pray to God only Luke 11.2 When you Pray say Our Father which art in Heaven c. Now that which is without the Word of God is without Faith Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God It is then a sin to Pray unto Saints since it is to Pray without Faith which is required in Prayer James 1.6 Let him ask in Faith nothing wavering Q. But is not Praying to Saints expresly forbidden in the Word of God A. Yes For God hath commanded us to Adore and Serve him only Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve now praying is one of the chief and principal Acts of Religious Worship and Service and St. Paul teaches us that we cannot call on those we do not believe in Rom. 10.14 How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed then we are not to Pray to Saints since it is not lawful to put our confidence in them for God declares them cursed that put their trust in man Jerem. 17.5 Cursed be the the man that trusteth in man Q. It is true we are to serve God
only with the service of Latria but may we not serve the Saints with the service of Dulia A. The word of God admits not of this distinction and Gal. 4.8 St. Paul condemns the Pagans that they gave service of Dulia to those which by Nature were no Gods Now however excellent the Saints are yet they are not by Nature Gods Q. But why may we not as well pray to the Saints in Heaven as we desire the Prayers of Believers here on Earth A. Because we cannot Pray to Saints which are at such a great distance from us and have not Ears to hear our Voice but we must acknowledge them to be searchers of our Hearts and to know the intended thoughts of our Souls which is to attribute to the creature that which is only due to the Creator 2. Chron. 6.30 For thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men Q. It is true there is none but God that can immediately know the hearts of men but Saints may know them when God reveals them to them as he did to Elisha what his servant Gehazi did to Nahaman 2 Kings 5.26 A. I grant God can do it but it is not sufficient to Pray in Faith that we be assured of the power of God but likewise of his Will but we are so far from having ground to believe that God will reveal the Prayers of men here below to the Saints in Heaven that on the contrary the Scripture tells Eccles 9.5.6 That they have no more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sun and therefore Elijah bids Elisha ask what he would before he was taken away 2 Kings 2.9 Presupposing that it would be in vain to ask him any thing after and God having extraordinarily made a Revelation of this kind to one of his Prophets to give Authority to his Ministery cannot be drawn into a general consequence for all Saints Q. Nevertheless it would seem that seeing God who knoweth all things they should see all things in God as in a Glass A. That doth not follow for the Angels who see the Face of God know not the time of the day of Judgment Matth. 24.36 And if they who see God should see all that God seeth and knoweth they would become Gods seeing that they would have infinite knowledge Saints see nothing in God but what is necessary to make them happy Q. Yet Jesus Christ says Luke 15.7 That there is great joy in Heaven over a sinner that repenteth then Saints must know the repentance of sinners and consequently their thoughts and inclinations A. Jesus Christ speaks not of Saints but of Angels as he explains himself verse 10. saying There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteh Now we need not wonder that the Angels have some knowledge of mens repentance since they are sent hither for that end as the Apostle tells us Hebr. 1.14 Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Q. But what say you of the Letter Elija writ to Joram after he was taken up into Heaven 2 Chron. 21.12 A. That Elija writ not that Letter after he was taken up but before having writ it by a Spirit of Prophesie and left it on the Earth and so was given afterwards to Joram by some Prophets to whom Elijah had committed it Q. Nevertheless glorified Saints must have some knowlege of the condition af Believers here on Earth since they take care for their Salvation and St. Peter promises to Believers 2 Epist 1.15 That after his death he would endeavour that they might remember the things that he had taught them A. This passage is not well and rightly translated so for St. Peter says not that he will endeavour after his death that Believers should remember those things but that they should remember them after his death Q. At least it is lawful to Serve and Pray to Angels which assist us and are near to us A. Not at all for Revel 22.9 and 19.10 St. John was going to Worship the Angel and the Angel rebuked him and took him up saying See thou do it not I am thy fellow servant worship God and St. Paul rejects Worshipping of Angels as superstitions Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen Q. Yet we see that under the Old Testament Believers have often worshipped Angels and Prayed to them Abraham bowed himself towards the ground before them and a little after Lott Gen. 18. and 19. A. I answer Abraham and Lott did not think they were Angels but men that were strangers for whom they make ready Meat therefore this homage was only Civil and acccording to the Eastern custom when they meet one another but when they knew one of them was the Lord they Worshipped him and Prayed to him likewise as God Q. What think you of this passage in Gen. 48.16 Where Jacob dying blesses after this manner the children of Joseph The Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the Lads and let my name be named on them and the names of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac for it would seem that in this passage Jacob prays to an Angel and that he would have the children of Joseph pray to Abraham and Isaac A. I answer this was no Created Angel but Jesus Christ whom Malachie calls the Angel of the Covenant Chap. 3.1 And one of those that appeared to Abraham and Lott who is oft times in the 18. and 19. Ch. of Genesis called the Lord and he with whom Jacob Wrestled Hosea 12.3 4. the Prophet says Jacob by his strength had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed and Jacob's desiring that his name and the names of his Fathers should be named on the Children of Joseph is not that he would have them to Pray to him and his Fathers but that the Children of Joseph to wit Ephraim and Manasseh should be called by his name as Children of Jacob and be partakers with them as two different Tribes which was observed when the Land of Canaan was divided but besides this it is in vain for the Doctors of the Roman Church to alledge passages out of the Old Testament for the Invocation of Saints since they think that the Saints were shut up in the Limboes of the Fathers and did not then see the Face of God which is the principal ground they have for their Invocation of Saints SECT XII Of the Intercession of Saints Quest WE being miserable sinners how can we draw near to the Divine Majesty if we do not imploy some of Gods friends for Mediators as when we will speak to the King we adress our selves to some of his Favorites A I grant we dare not approach to God but by a Mediator but we need not for that end employ Saints for if we have sinned
the Church by some great sins to confess and testifie their Repentance before the assembly of Pastors and Elders 2. That a sinner who finds his conscience burdened with some great sin should confess it to his Pastour to ease his oppression and by this seek consolation and assurance of the forgiveness of his sins after this manner they came to John Baptist Matt. 3.6 confessing their sins Q. What do you blame then in the private Confession of the Church of Rome A. 1. That it is tyrannical and a torture to the consciences of the People obliging them upon pain of damnation to pour forth all their thoughts in the ear of a man and to discover unto him not only all their sins but likewise all the circumstances which vary the nature of sin of which if they omit any thing knowingly their Confession is without fruits and their Absolution void which obliges man to a thing impossible and which the word of God obliges him not to 2. That they Confess their sins to Saints 3. That by their Confession they pretend to merit Salvation Q. But S. James obliges us thereunto James 5.16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another A. He says Confess one to another and not to the Priest he speaks of a mutual Confession that Believers should make one to another of their reciprocal offences even as they ought to pray unto God one for another SECT XXXVIII Of Absolution Quest HAve Priests power to absolve from and to pardon Sins A. Priests being criminal themselves have no Authority to remit Crimes and to exempt those that are Criminals with them from punishment There is none but God to speak properly that can forgive sins for he only is the Party offended as David says Psal 51.4 Against thee only have I sinned It is God alone that is the Soveraign Law-giver to save or to kill according to his good pleasure and to inflict punishments upon the Transgressors of his Laws there being none but he only that knows the sincerity of the Sinner's Repentance so none but he can absolve the Penitent It is I says the Lord Isa 43.25 even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy Sins Therefore the Pharisees were in the right to conclude when Jesus Christ forgave the Sins of him that was sick of the Palsie Mark 2.7 That he did attribute to himself a Divine Power Q. Nevertheless Jesus Christ promised to his Apostles and in them to all Pastors that whosoever sins they remitted they should be remitted Joh. 20.23 A. Pastors remit and retain tie or untie not by Princely Authority of Jurisdiction but by Ministerial Declarative Authority as Heraulds and Ambassadors for Christ declaring from him forgiveness of sins to those that Repent and Believe in Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 And declaring on the contrary the wrath of God against the Unbelieving and Impenitent besides they pardon and remit sin with respect to Ecclesiastick Censure that they impose or mitigate as they find expedient for the humiliation or consolation of the sinner Q. When Jesus Christ says whose sins ye remit they are remitted doth he not give Pastors authority without limitation insomuch that God obliges himself to ratifie all kind of absolution or condemnation that they pronounce to sinners A. No for God obliges not himself to ratifie all sorts of Sentences and Judgments of Pastors which are very often rash and contrary to Justice and Charity but this general sentence must be understood with the same restriction that the general promise that Jesus Christ made us Joh. 16.23 That whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you to wit when the things we ask are necessary to salvation and according to his will so God promises to ratifie the Absolution and Pardon that Pastors pronounce when it is done according to his word and when they assure penitent souls of the forgiveness of their sins SECT XXXIX Of Satisfactions and Indulgences Quest HAth a Pastor power when he giveth absolution to a sinner to impose any pennance upon him as Alms Deeds Fasting and such like things to make sarisfaction for his sins for which he hath received Absolution upon his Confession A. No for the word of God teaches us on the contrary that God pardons us all our sins only for Christs sake Colos 2.13 And our Saviour when he pardoned the Woman taken in Adultery did not inflict any punishment upon her but only said to her Go and sin no more Joh. 8.11 Besides it is a great abuse to impose alms praying and fasting as a punishment which are good works and ought to be done with pleasure and delight Q. What do you believe concerning the Indulgences of the Church of Rome and of the treasure of the Church from whence the Popes draw the superabundant Satisfactions of Jesus Christ and of the Saints for the comfort of Sinners in this life and the Dead in Purgatory A. That this Doctrine is nothing but a chimera and an invention of the covetousness and ambition of the Pope to rule over the Consciences and Purses of Christians those pretended favours not being communicated but to those that stretch forth their helping hand as they speak and I acknowledge no other satisfaction but the free Redemption of my Saviour nor any other Indulgences but the Mercy of God which pardons all our Offences freely for Jesus Christ's sake SECT XL. Of the Sacraments Quest WHat is a Sacrament in the Christian Church A. It is a visible Sign instituted by Jesus Christ in his Church for to represent his Person his Death and his Graces that he hath purchased for us by his death Q. How many such Sacraments do you acknowledge A. Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. Why do you acknowledge no more A. Because that in reading of the Gospel I see only these two instituted in the Church Q. Yet the Church of Rome besides these two believes five others Confirmation Pennance Marriage Extream Vnction and the Sacrament of Orders A. I cannot acknowledge them for Sacraments because they have not the Conditions necessary to the lawful Sacraments of the Christian Church Q. What are the Conditions of a lawful Sacrament A. 1. That it be instituted by Jesus Christ 2. That it be a visible sign of an invisible Grace 3. That it represent Jesus Christ and his Graces 4. That they be common to all Believers 5. That it be conferred by a lawful Pastor SECT XLI Of Confirmation Quest WHat is the Sacrament of Confirmation A. It is a Sacrament of the Church of Rome which cannot be reiterated and is done by a Bishop which Bishop greases the face of a Child in form of a Cross saying in Latin I mark thee with the mark of the Cross and confirm thee with the Crisme of Salvation in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And the End of this Sacrament is