Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n
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A89813
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The plain mans defence against popery: or, A discourse, shewing the flat opposition of popery to the Scripture. By J.N. chaplain to a person of honour
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J. N.
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1675
(1675)
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Wing N22; ESTC R9788
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31,034
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79
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The Plain Mans DEFENCE AGAINST Popery OR A DISCOURSE SHEWING The Flat Opposition of Popery to the Scripture Fitted for the use of the meanest Capacities and such as have not time to read Great Books By J. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst And are to be sold at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1675. Christian Reader THou wilt find in this little Tract an Account of the proper and chief Doctrines of the Romish Religion and their Contrarietie to the express Texts of Gods Word though indeed there is not one Point in which Papists differ from Protestants wherein they are agreed among themselves I shall only desire this of thee that thou be willing to submit thy Soul and Conscience to the clear and obvious sense of Scripture-Propositions and Testimonies J. N. THE CONTENTS 1. OF the Scripture Q. 1.2 3 4 5. 2. Of Antichrist Q. 6. 3. Of Controversies in Religion Q. 7.8 4. Of Reading the Scripture Q. 9. 5. Of the judgment of Discretion Q. 10. 6. Of the Apocrypha Q. 11. 7. Of sin Q. 12.13 8. Of Separation from the Church of Rome Q. 14. 9. Of Idolatry and Image worship Q. 15.16 17 18 19 20. 10. Of Toleration Q. 21. 11. Of the great danger in Tolerating Popish Idolatry 12. Of good works Q. 23.24 13. Of Assurance of Grace Q. 25. 14. Of Prayer Q 26.27 28 29 30. 15. Of Aequivocation Q. 31. 16. Of St. Peter Q. 32.33 17. Of the Head of the Church Q. 34. 18. Of the most wholesom Doctrine of justification by faith only Q. 35.36 37 38. 19. Of the lawfulness of Ministers Marriage Q. 39. 20. Of private Confession to a Priest Q. 40. 21. Of Christ's Satisfaction and merit Q. 41. 22. Of Popish pardons Indulgences Jubilees Q. 42. 23. Of Purgatory Q. 43. 24. Of the Sacraments Q. 44.45 46 47 48 52 53. 25. Of the Horrible Idolatry and Blasphemy of the Popish Masse and danger of going to it Q 49. 26. Of Transubstantiation and the damnable Idolatry of Papists in giving Divine worship to their Breaden God Q. 50.51 A plain Discourse shewing The flat opposition of Popery to the Scripture 1. Q. ARE People at first moved and induced to an high esteem of the holy Scripture by the Testimony of the Church A. The Church is the Pillar and ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Note the Apostle doth not say that the Church cannot err for the purest Churches under Heaven are subject to Errours but it holds forth and makes known Gods word and truth as Pillars hold forth the Proclamations and Edicts of Magistrates and Princes 2. Q. Are there not greater evidences for our belief of the Scripture to be the word of God than the bare Testimony of the Church which is but a humane Testimony and so fallible A. If we rceive the witness of men the witness of God is greater 1 John 5.9 When the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth John 16.13 The anointing teacheth you of all things and is the truth 1 John 2.27 The Gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thes 1.5 Note our full perswasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine Authority of the Scripture is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts Yet he doth not cause us to believe by Enthusiasme without any reason or evidence but he enlightens the understanding removes the blindness and depravedness thereof and makes us see what clear evidences and reasons there are to satisfie us that the Scripture is the word of God 3. Q. What are those clear evidences and reasons that prove the Scripture to be the word of God A. Declare things to come that we may know ye are Gods Isa 41.22 When the word of the Prophet shall come to pass then shall it be known that the Lord hath truly sent him Jer. 28.9 We know thou art a Teacher come from God for no man could do the miracles which thou dost except God be with him John 3.2 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul Psal 19.1 The word of God is quick and powerful sharper than any two edged Sword a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 Through comfort of the Scripture we have hope Rom. 15.4 Note Besides the Testimony of the Church Five things especially evince the Scripture to come from God 1 The antiquity of it far exceeding the most ancient humane writings 2. It s miraculous preservation in all Ages against the rage of Satan and persecution of Tyrants 3. The wonderful and supernatural effects of it convincing converting and comforting the Soul 4. The marks of Divinity and Lineaments of Heavenly wisdom that plainly appear in it viz. Its Majesty purity perfection scope profound and glorious Revelations excellent rewards dreadful punishments c. 5. The seals of divine Authority annexed to it viz. 1. The spirit of Prophesie foretelling future events 2. The power of working famous and illustrious miracles to confirm the Doctrine of it 4. Q. Are all things necessary for mans salvation set down in Scripture either expresly or by necessary consequence A. The holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise to salvation that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3.16 The Law of God is perfect Psal 19.7 see Gal. 6.16 Isa 8.20 John 20.31 Deut. 12.32 Note The Scripture is called a Testament the chief property of which is to declare the whole will of the Testator Note The Papists teach that there are unwritten Traditions necessary to salvation because otherwise they know the main points of Popery must needs fall to the ground as having no proof of Scripture for them And because many things held and practised by them are not only besides but also repugnant to the Scripture they will not endure to have their Religion tryed by the Scripture Note In the age next to the Apostles Papias introduced the errour of the Chiliasts under Title of an Apostolical Tradition In like manner under the same Title the Papists have brought in an infinite number of corrupt Superstitious Idolatrous opinions and practices Note The ancient Fathers do oft by the name of Tradition understand the Doctrine contained in the Scripture and sometimes by unwritten Traditions they mean such things which are found in the Scripture not in express words but are contained therein by right and just consequence Note St. Paul 2 Thes 2.15 Doth not say that he did Preach or deliver any thing by word of mouth that is not set down in the Scripture The Popish argument runs thus all things necessary to salvation are not written in the Epistle to the Thessalonians therefore all things necessary to salvation are not contained in the Scripture This pittiful argument they manage with as much
Triumph and Insultation as if they had wone Carthage 5. Q. Are all things necessary to salvation plainly and clearly propounded and opened in the Scripture so that even the unlearned in a due use of the ordinary means may understand them A. The entrance of thy word giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 The commandement is not hidden from thee neither is it far off it is nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy breast that thou mayest do it Deut. 30.13 Rom. 10.8 Thy word is a Light unto my feet and a Lanthern to my path Psal 119.105 We have a sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well to take heed as to a light shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 Note the Scripture is called a light and what is more clear and perspicuous than light Note the Papists deny the Scripture to be plain and intelligible by believers even in things necessary to salvation because 1. They would set the Authority of the Church of Rome above the Scripture 2. Bring all Christians to a blind belief of what ever they say 3. Discourage people from reading the Scripture 6. Q. What places of Scripture demonstrate the Pope of Rome to be the great Antichrist A. That day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed who exalteth himself above all that is called God sitteth in the Temple of God c. 2 Thes 2.3 c. I beheld another Beast and he had two horns like a Lamb he deceiveth them that dwell on Earth and exerciseth all the power of the first Beast Rev. 13.11 c. The great whore upon a scarlet coloured Beast having seven beads and ten horns upon her forehead was written mystery Babilon c. Rev. 17.1 2. see also 1 Tim. 4. 1. Dan. 7.20 Dan. 11.26 2 John 2.22 Note How could Daniel St. Paul St. John draw a Picture so like the Pope and never think upon him yea the Papists themselves and the ancient Fathers generally acknowledge that the great Antichrist is described in the forementioned places 2 Thes 2. Rev. 13. Dan. c. 7. c. 11. and it 's almost generally agreed by all that in Dan. c. 7. c. 11. Antiochus Epiphan is described as a Type and figure of Antichrist Note The Roman Empire when it was in four did hinder the Popes rising but the Empire decaying the Pope seized upon Rome and exalted himself upon the ruines of the Empire that this is the meaning of St. Paul in 2 Thes 2.7 He that letteth c. is generally granted by the ancient Fathers Note The seat of Antichrist is notably described Rev. 17.1.2 to be Popish Rome Note By the Dragon Rev. 12.3 understand the Devil as the Pagan and Heathen Roman Empire by the Beast with ten horns Rev. 13.1 understand the Christian Roman Empire corrupted with Popish Idolatry as the two horned Beast or false Prophet Rev. 13.11 is evidently the Pope Papists themselves grant this Beast to be Antichrist by the two witnesses Rev. 11.3 understand a succession of holy men testifying against Antichrist in the whole time of his Reign Antichrist shall Reign 1260. years as expositors generally agree and prove by Rev. 11.3 Rev. 13.5 Though there is difficulty when to begin his rise and Reign Prophetical dayes are years 1260 dayes are 1260 years Prophetical months are so many years as there are dayes in a month 42 months reckoning for every month 30 dayes are 1260 years so long Antichrist shall Reign and the witnesses Prophesie Therefore when the Papists ask where was the Church before Luther's time we answer it was in and among them though it was not of them in the several ages under the Reign of Antichrist some still opposed his Errours 7. Q. What is the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture A. No prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 Let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith Rom. 12.6 To this agree the words of the Prophets as it is written Acts 15.15 Note When there is a question about the true sense and meaning of any Scripture it must be known by comparing it with other places which speak more cleerly so that the Scripture it self is the only infallible rule of expounding the Scripture 8. Q. Who is the supreme Judge by whom all controversies in Religion are to be determined is it the holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture A. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Esa 8.20 They searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Acts 17.11 Search the Scriptures John 5.29 Note The Papists contend that the Church is the supreme and infallible judge of Controversies in Religion and interpreter of the Scripture but being asked what they mean by the Church they confess they mean not the people but the Pastors the Church representative that is Bishops and Prelates assembled in Counsel And being asked what they understand by Councils they are forced to answer that all Counsels may err and so are no infallible judges nor certain interpreters of Scripture unless they be allowed and approved by the Pope whom they would have to judge in and of Counsels and so they resolve all power of judging and interpreting into him who they say cannot err and thus the supream and infallible judge of the Scripture and all controversies in Religion according to the Papists is the Bishop of Rome But he cannot be the supreme and infallible judge because 1. Their own Histories confess that many Popes have been Hereticks 2. Many have set forth contrary Decrees 3. Many Popes have beengrosly ignorant of the Scripture and in their Decrees have ridiculously and absurdly misapplyed it 4. Many of them have been prophane impious wicked and addicted to Magick and Sorcery 9. Q. Ought not the Scripture to be set forth in the vulgar and common speech is it dangerous for people to read the Scripture will it make them fall into Heresie or ought all people to be diligent readers of the Scripture what saith our Saviour what say the Prophets and Apostles concerning this A. Search the Scripture John 5.39 Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures Matt. 22.29 Thy testimonies are my delight and my Councellers Psal 119.24 Seek ye the book of the Lord and read Esa 34.16 They were more noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily Act. 17.11 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Luke 16.29 From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 Let the word of God dwell richly in you Col. 3.16 Sitting in his Chariot he read Esaias the Prophet Acts 8.28 Take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6.17 Note The true reason why the Church of Rome forbids people to read the Scripture is because it would make people abhor the Popish Religion it being so plainly