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
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
Elizabeth or the Donatist and Protestant Schism Parallel'd 2. The Sum of a Conference had between two Divines of the Church of England and two Catholic Lay-Gentlemen in 1671. 3. The Church of England truly represented according to Dr. Heylin 's History of the Reformation 4. The Gonsiderations which obliged Peter Manby Dean of London-Derry to embrace the Roman Catholic Religion 5. Schelstrate his Dissertation against Dr. Stillingfleet concerning Patriarchal and Metropolitical Authority As to this Book since Mr. Schelstrate's Friends heve ventured to expose it in a Translation here the Reverend and Most Worthy Dean of Paul's will not fail if God continue him health and opportunity to give an Answer and I am sure the world will not be angry with me for raising their Expectations of the Dean's Answer since they are satisfied that he will make them sufficient amends for them 6. A discourse concerning the Spirit of Martin Luther and the Original of the Reformation 7. Church-Government Part V. A Relation of the English Reformation and the lawfulness thereof examined 8. Some Queries to Protestants concerning the English Reformation by T.W. 9. The Schism of the Church of England Demonstrated in Four Arguments formerly proposed to Dr. Gunning and Dr. Pearson the late Bishops of Ely and Chester by two Catholic Disputants in a celebrated Conference upon that Point This little Paper with a large Title was the other day Reprinted at Oxford by the Converts there The foul dealings and egregious disingenuity concerning that Conference as well as the weakness and falseness of its Arguments have been fully shewn in an Answer we have received just now from Cambridg from a Reverend Person who was particularly related to one of those abused Bishops The Title of his Answer is The Reformation of the Church of England justisied according to the Canons of the Council of Nice and other General Councils and the Tradition of the Catholic Church being an Answer to a Paper Re-printed at Oxford c. SECT VII And these are the chief Treatises that have been publish'd on these more General Points We come now to examine what has been done on the more particular Controversies And first we will begin with that which is the Ground of all The RULE of FAITH MAny have been the Debates concerning this both with relation to what we suppose to be the only Divine Rule viz. The HOLY SCRIPTUR Of the Rule of Faith. and with reference to that other which those of the Church of Rome have added to it viz. The TRADITION of the Church And 1. As to the Point of the HOLY SCRIPTURE these discourses have pass'd of late concerning it On the part of the Church of Rome 1. The Protestant's Plea for a Socinian justifying his Doctrine from being opposite to Scripture c. 2. Protestancy destitute of Scripture Proofs 3. A Request to Protestants to produce plain Scriptures directly Authorizing xvi Tenets held by them 4. The 6th 7th 8th 9th and 10th Chapters of the Second Part of the Catholic Representer 5. An Address to the Ministers of the Church of England 6. A Clear Proof of the Certainty and Usefulness of the Protestant Rule of Faith. 7. The Catholic Scripturist 8. Pax Vobix On the Protestant Part. 1. The difference betwixt the Protestant and Socinian Methods in Answer to a Book written by a Romanist and intituled The Protestant Plea for a Socinian 2. An Answer to the Request to protestants to produce plain Scriptures directly Authorizing their Tenets 3. A Summary of the Principal Controversies between the Church of England and the Church of Rome in Answer to Protestancy destitute of Scripture proofs 4. The Lay-Christians Obligation to read the Holy Scripture 5. The Peoples right to read the Holy Scripture asserted in Answer to the 6th 7th 8th 9th and 10th Chapters of the 2d part of the Popish Representer 6. A Treatise proving Scripture to be the Rule of Faith writ by Reginald Peacock Bishop of Chichester before the Reformation about the year 1450. 7. An Answer to the Address presented to the Ministers of the Church of England 8. A Vindication of the Answer to the Popish Address presented to the Ministers of the Church of England In reply to a Pamphlet abusively Intituled A Clear Proof of the Certainty and Usefulness of the Protestant Rule of Faith. 9. Some Dialogues between Mr. G. and others with Reflections on a Book called Pax Vobis To which I must add another and fuller Answer preparing to that same little Piece not yet Publish'd viz. 10. The Protestant and Popish way of Interpreting Scripture impartially compared in Answer to Pax Vobis 2. For what concerns the other Point TRADITION it has been the great Endeavour of some of late to set up once more the Infallibility of it But none with more Noise by an accident which I am now to recount than Mr. G. and the great Master of Controveesie and Patron of this new Hypothesis J. S. It happen'd about a year and half since that the forwardness of Mr. G. to engage in a Dispute wherein he was sure to have the disadvantage both in the Point and in the Person that was to manage it against him led him into a Conference with the Reverend and Learned the Dean of Pauls I need not say what passed there the whole haying since been published The Subject of the Debate was the Infallibility of Oral Tradition The Conference being over Mr. G. according to the perpetual Custom of the vain and assuming spirit of that Party began to make great Boasts in the Coffee-houses what Feats he had done and how great a Victory he had gained tho the Gentleman for whose sake the Conference was held declared himself much more confirmed in the Communion of our Church than he was before and resolved to continue in it This enforced the Dean to publish a short Expostulatory Letter called 1. A Letter to Mr. G. giving a true Account of a late Conference at the D. of P. In return to this Mr. M. who was with Mr. G. at the Conference returned a Letter or two to Dr. Stilling fleet concerning the Conference and these produced a second from the Dean of St. Pauls called 2. A second Letter to Mr. G. in Answer to two Letters lately Publish'd concerning the Conference at the D. of P. One of the Answers to the D. of P's first Letter was called 3. A Letter to the D. of P. in Answer to the Arguing part of his First Letter to Mr. G. To this a Person not yet concerned put in a Reply Intituled 4. A Letter to a Friend reflecting on some passages in a Letter to the D. of P. in Answer to the Arguing part of his first Letter to Mr. G. And here Mr. J.S. was thought fit to be entrusted with carrying on this weighty Controversie which he did in several Letters which he calls Catholic Letters in Answer to the former Letter to the second of the Dean's and to a Sermon which
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
our Language Accordingly we find it to have been publish'd some time since under the Title of A Treatise of Communion under One Kind Now however it might have been sufficient for us to have follow'd their Example in translating that most accurate Answer of the late Monsieur Larrogue to it yet one of our Divines was content to give it a new Consideration in an excellent Book called A Discourse of the Communion in One Kind In Answer to a Treatise of the Bishop of Meaux of Communion c. And here this Flourish ended The Translator whoever he was of the Bishop's Treatise looking upon himself to be no more obliged to defend it against his English Adversary than the Bishop thought himself to be to vindicate it against the Attack of his French Antagonists But tho this Controversie proceeded no farther yet the Subject has been lately again revived by a very Learned Hand who having searched throughly into Antiquity as to this Point has given us an accurate Collection called A Demonstration that the Church of Rome and her Councils have erred by shewing that the Councils of Constance Basil and Trent have in all their Decrees touching Communion in one Kind contradicted the received Doctrine of the Church of Christ III. Of Transubstantiation Of TRANSUBSTANTIATION And now having cleared the way of all other Debates touching this Holy Sacrament we are at last arrived to the great Point in dispute betwixt us the Doctrine of Transubstantiation But how to dispose of my self in so copious a Subject and upon which so many Books have been written is hard to resolve I have already remarked what has passed on the occasion of the Discourse of Transubstantiation the first that began this Debate The next that gave occasion to the revival of this Controversie was the Author of the Dublin Letter who being answered by the Representer in his Second Part cap. 3. a learned man of our Communion made good his Party in an excellent Discourse which he calls Transubstantiation no Doctrine of the Primitive Fathers being a Defence of the Dublin Letter c. And that no pretence to Antiquity might remain unconsidered as to this matter the same Learned Hand has since obliged us with a full view of all that can reasonably be desired from the Primitive Fathers as to this matter viz. A Full Vew of the Doctrines and Practices of the Ancient Church relating to the Eucharist wholly different from those of the present Roman Church and inconsistent with the belief of Transubstantiation c. 2. A 2d sort of Discourses there have pass'd on this Argument in which our Adversaries of the Roman Communion have made it their business to prove the Doctrine of the Trinity to be as full of Contradictions as that of Transubstantiatiom But whether this be more likely to make us Papists or Socinians to believe the Doctrine of Transubstantiation or to disbelieve that of the Trinity I shall not determine However our Divines have resolved to shew that there is no manner of reason for them to do either and the Tracts that have been published on this Occasion are especially these On the Popish Part. A Dialogue between a New Catholic Convert and a Protestant concerning the Doctrines of the Trinity and Transubstantiation On Our Part. 1. An Answer to a late Dialogue between a new Catholic Convert and a Protestant c. 2. A Second Dialogue between a New Catholic Convert and a Protestant shewing why He cannot believe the Doctrine of Transubstantiation tho' he do firmly believe the Doctrine of the Trinity 3. The Doctrine of the Trinity and Transubstantiation compared as to Scripture Reason and Tradition In a new Dialogue between a Protestant and a Papist In 2. Parts 4. Transubstantiation contrary to Scripture or the Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request 3. Other Discourses there have been in great numbers on both sides as to this Point and it shall suffice only to transcribe the Names of them Popish Tracts concerning Transubstantiation 1. A Seeker's Request to Catholic Priests and Protestant Ministers for satisfying his Conscience in the Truth of what he ought to believe of the Lords-Supper 2. The Catholic Answer to the Seeker's Request 3. The Catholic Letter to the Seeker Protestant Treatises against Transubstantiation 1. A Plain Representation of Transubstantiation as it is received in the Church of Rome 2. The Absolute Impossibility of Transubstantiation demonstrated 3. An Historical Treatise of Transubstantiation 4. A Paraphrase with Notes and a Preface upon the 6th Chapter of St. John. 5. A Brief Discourse of the Real Presence 6. The School of the Eucharist 7. Six Conferences concerning Transubstantiation 8. The Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request 9. The Protestant's Answer to the Catholic Letter to the Seeker Or A Vindication of the Protestant's Answer to the Seeker's Request To which we may add two Books written indeed long since by two eminent Bishops of this Church but thought fit to be Reprinted again since Mr. W's attempts from Oxford about the Real Presence The First is 10. A Brief Declarationn of the Lord's Supper written by Dr. Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London during his Imprisonment With some Determinations and Disputations concerning the same Argument by the same Author 11. Diallacticon Viri Boni Literati c. I mention this Book Of the Notes of the Church tho a Latin one because it is a very excellent Discourse written by Dr. John Poynet Bishop of Winchester in Edward VI's days and was very rarely to be met with till this Reprinting of it SECT VI. Another Subject which has open'd a large field to Disputes between us and has accordingly been frequently insisted upon is the CHURCH with reference to the Marks and Nature and Prerogatives of it I. Of the NOTES of the Church HE must be very little acquainted with the late Methods made use of by those of the Church of Rome in propagating their Religion among us who knows not this to have been all along their great Endeavour to fly as much as possible all particular Disputes and keep themselves within the general Notions of the Church That so applying whatever is or is pretended to have been said of the Church Catholic to their own particular Communion they might more easily deceive unwary and ignorant Men. But in this too as well as in all other Points in debate they have not fail'd to meet enough to encounter their Pretences And to the End it might be better seen how vain a Pretence it is in them to call themselves Catholics and their Church the Catholic Church as if in the words of the Prophet they were alone Isa xlv 6. and there were none besides them One of the first Controversies to be remark'd in this Point is that of the NOTES of the CHVRCH and upon which they undertake to shew theirs exclusive to all others to be the Catholic Church of Christ Militant upon Earth The former part of the State
of Nubes Testium To which our Author has replied in 4. A Third Letter to a Person of Quality being a Vindication of the former in Answer to a late Pamphlet Intituled A Discourse of the Vse of Images And to that in pursuance of his First Design has lately added a Fourth which he calls 5. A Fourth Letter to a Person of Quality being an Historical Account of the Doctrine of the Sacrament from the Primitive times to the Council of Trent shewing the Novelty of Transubstantiation To conclude this Head I shall only add one General Discourse on this Subject which I have before mention'd and can never name too often viz. Of the Authority of Councils and the RULE of FAITH SECT VIII Of the Nature of Idolatry Having hitherto pursu'd the business of the Rule of Faith and the Treatises that have been publish'd on the Occasion of it we will now go on to the more special Examinations that have been made by both these Rules viz. Scripture and Tradition of the particular Points in debate betwixt us And because I have just now mention'd some such Examinations of the two great Rocks of offence to us The Worship of Images and the Invocation of Saints it may not be amiss first of all to see what has been further done upon these Arguments and the other instances of what we esteem The IDOLATRY of the Church of Rome THere is perhaps nothing in all our Disputes with those of the other Communion which they so unwillingly care to enter on as this They look upon the very Name of it to be a kind of Reproach to them and would be thought as heartily as we our selves can desire to detest the Guilt of it But yet 't is too evident to be deny'd that our Charge is very justly brought against them and by consequence that it ought not to be doubted but that our Separation from them must have been most reasonable if it can indeed be made appear as we are perswaded we have plainly shewn that we could not have continued in their Communion without joyning with them in the Practice of one of the greatest of Sins viz. Idolatry But before we come to the Particulars in which this Charge is brought against them it is fit we should first state the general Notion of IDOLATRY and this has been effectually done but very lately The Reverend the Bishop of Oxon having in a Treatise which he published for the abrogating of the Test and Penal Laws given us just occasion to do so This Book is so well known and the Answer to it was so lately published that I shall not need say any thing more of either but only add their Titles which are these viz. 1. Reasons for Abrogating the Test 2. A Discourse concerning the Nature of Idolatry In which a late Author's true and only notion of Idolatry is consider'd and Confuted I must not forget to observe also that the Bishop in his Tract pretending to give a new and very strange Account of the Romish Doctrine of Transubstantiation that part of his Book received two particular Considerations the one in the Preface to the Reverend Dean of Paul's Book Entituled The Council of Trent examined and disproved by Catholic Tradition The other in a Learned Discourse under this Title 3. Transubstantiation the Peculiar Doctrine of the Church of Rome I am told we owe this Book to a very ingenious Nonconformist and as we cannot but thank him for the Discourse he has given us so he deserves to be thanked for his design of answering the other part of the Bishop's Book about the Nature of Idolatry in which he was prevented as I am told by the other Discourse about the Nature of Idolatry coming out while that good design was under his hands I cannot but wish that our Brethren had begun sooner to assist us in such a large Controversie as we have been obliged to manage and that others amongst them would follow the Example which this Learned Author has so worthily set before them Another Writer hath given us a very ingenious short Answer to both parts of the Bishop's Book and calls it 4. A Discourse concerning Transubstantiation and Idolatry being an Answer to the Bishop of Oxford's Plea relating to those two Points As for the particular Instances wherein we make good this charge of Idolatry against them I have before mentioned that of the ADORATION of the HOST See above Page 6. 19. and the Discourses that have been published on that Argument The two Points remaining and of which something was said under the last Head are the WORSHIP of IMAGES and the INVOCATION of Saints I. Of the WORSHIP of IMAGES Upon which Point Of the Worship of Images besides the two Letters written in Answer to the Nubes Testium the following Discourses have also been set forth viz. 1. The Fallibility of the Roman Church demonstrated from the manifest Error of the second Nicene and Trent Councils which assert That the Veneration and Honorary Worship of Images is a Tradition Primitive and Apostolical 2. A Discourse concerning the second Council of Nice which first introduced and established Image-Worship in the Christian Church Anno Domini 787. For the other Point II. The INVOCATION of SAINTS Many Discourses have been Published and a full account given of this Matter and if we may judge by the slender Returns that have been made to them Of the Invocation of Saints little is to be said in Vindication of this Superstition The Treatises that I have seen are these that follow 1. Speculum B. Virginis A Discourse of the due Praise and Honour of the Virgin Mary 2. A Discourse concerning the Worship of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints with an Account of the Beginning and Rise of it among Christians in Answer to Monsieur de Meaux 's Appeal to the ivth Age in his Exposition and Pastoral Letter 3. Wholesom Advices from the B. Virgin to her indiscreet Worshippers This Piece was only a Translation which an Ingenious Lay-man of our Church put into English and set a large Preface before it To this the Catholic Representer gave an Attack in the 4th Chapter of his Second Part and thereby obliged our Author to make a smart Reply upon him called A Letter to the Misrepresenter of Papists 4. An Account of the Life and Death of the B. Virgin according to the Romish Writers with the Grounds of the Worship paid to her 5. The Life of S. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi a Carmelite Nun with a Preface of the Nature Causes Concomitants and Consequences of Extasie and Rapture and a brief Discourse added about discerning and trying Spirits whether they be of God. 6. An Abridgment of the Prerogatives of S. Ann Mother of the Mother of God. 7. The Enthusiasm of the Church of Rome demonstrated in some Observations upon the Life of Ignatius Loyola 8. The Virgin Mary Misrepresented by the Roman Church c. Part I. Wherein Two of her
Controversie and too late to see that Truth and Learning are not to be run down by those who are utterly destitute of the One and as far as we may be allowed to guess by their performances have but very slender pretences to the Other The truth is Propery is a Religion fit only for an Inquisition to maintain and Dragoons to propagate Ignorance and Barbarity brought it into the World Interest and Passion maintain and keep it up No sooner did Learning begin to revive but Popery began immediately to decay and ever since the One has still decreased in proportion as the Other has flourish'd And to think at this time a day seriously to dispute a Nation so resolute and knowing as Ours again into the Errors of it plainly shews either that our Adversaries have a very mean Opinion of our Vnderstandings or I am sure deserve that we should have no very great one of theirs But whatever they once may have flatter'd themselves withal I am confident they now begin to be satisfied That Popery is a Religion that will not thrive in our Northern Climate And tho they are pleased sometimes to divert themselves with our Divisions and it may be did from thence conceive some hopes of promoting their Interest amongst us yet I doubt not but they now see that we are not so much divided amongst our selves as we are all of us heartily united against them As for the Divines of the Church of England how firmly they have adhered to the Protestant Interest is not unknown to any Their Preaching their Conversation but above all their Writings declare it to the World And how fouly by consequence they were heretofore either mistaken or misrepresented when they were exposed by some who I believe wish'd them so as Papists in Masquerade or at least as Popishly affected Never perhaps was there a Controversie more successfully managed than this has been in these late Years Till now these Points were handled in such a manner that if the Learned applauded the performance yet the Vulgar were but little the better for it But in these Discourses Strength of Argument and Plainness of Discourse seem to vie with one another The Arguments so sound as to convince all Gain-sayers and yet the Plainness so great that the meanest Persons may comprehend the force of them And thus have they pursued not one or two Points but I may warrantably say the whole Controversy betwixt us Insomuch that from henceforth we may well excuse them any farther trouble till either our Adversaries shall think fit to answer their Discourses or to advance some other Arguments than those which have already been obviated and confuted But indeed there is no great likelihood of either of these and I dare venture to promise my Reader that let those of the Church of Rome attacque him where they please let them in writing or discourse offer what they are able to him he shall here in this Collection which I therefore on purpose make of several of these Treatises under their proper Heads find more than enough to answer all their Allegations I. GENERAL DISCOURSES Or such as consider the most part of the Points in debate betwixt us 1. The Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome truly Represented 2. Answer to the Bishop of Condom's Exposition 3. Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England 4. Two Desences of the Exposition 5. An Answer to the Compiler of the Nubes Testium 6. The Primitive Father no Papists 7. Pope Pius's Creed with Comments 8. the Additional Articles in Pope Pius's Creed no Articles in the Christian Faith. II. Of RELIGIOUS WORSHIP 1. A Discourse concerning the OBJECT of Religious Worship 2. A Discourse concerning the Devotions of the Church of Rome III. Of PRAYER in an UNKNOWN TONGUE 1. A Discourse of Prayer in an Unknown Tongue 2. A Treatise in Confutation of the Latin Service c. IV. Of the INVOCATION of SAINTS 1. A Discourse concerning the INVOCATIONS of SAINTS 2. Second Defence of the Exposition Artic. III. 3. An Answer to Papists protesting against Protestant Popery 4. Mr. Gee's third Letter to Father Sabran 5. The Primitive Fathers no Papists 6. A Discourse in Answer to Monsieur de Meaux's Appeal to the IVth Age. Paticularly of the B. VIRGIN See several Discourses collected Pag. 52 53. V. Of IMAGES and RELIQUES 1. The Antiquity of the Protestant Religion concerning Images 2. The Vindication of it See above pag. 48. The Fallibility of the Church of Rome demonstrated from the manifest Error of the Second Nicene and Trent Councils in the Pint of Images 4. A Discourse concerning the 2d Council of Nice which first introduced and established Image Worship in the Christian Church 5. Second Defence of the Exposition Part 2. Art. IV. 6. Answer to Papists protesting against Protestant Popery VI. Of IDOLATRY A Discourse concerning the Nature of Idolatry in Answer to the Bishop of Oxon. VII Of MERITS SATISFACTIONS PURGATORY and INDULGENCES 1. Two Discourses of Purgatory and PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD 2. Purgatory proved by Miracles 3. Apology for the Pulpits Appendix of Indulgences 4. The Primitive Fathers no Papists for Purgatory 5. Summary of the Controversies for Purgatory 6. A Discourse concerning the Merits of Good Works VIII Of the SACRAMENTS An Historical Discourse of the Ministers Intentions in Administring the Sacraments IX Of CONFESSION and PENANCE A Discourse of Auricular Consession as prescribed by the Council of Trent X. Of EXTREME UNCTION 1. A Discourse of Extreme Unction XI Of ORDERS 1. A Vindication of the Ordinations of the Church of England 2. Concio ad Clerum c. See Pag. 54 55. 3. A Defence of the Ordinations and Ministry of the Church of England 4. A short Defence of the Orders of the Church of England To these Learned Discourles we shall shortly have added another upon the same good Subject from the Reverend and Leanred Dr. Prideaux Prebendary of Norwich intituled 5. The Validity of the Orders of the Church of England made out against the Objections of the Papists in several Letters to a Gentleman of Norwich that desired satisfaction therein 6. Roman Catholics uncertain whether there be any true Priests or Sacraments in the Church of Rome XII Of the REAL PRESENCE 1. A Discourse of the Holy Eucharist in the two great Points of the Real Presence and the Adoration of the Host 2. A Reply to two Discourses printed at Oxford c. XIII Of TRANSUBSTANTIATION 1. A Discourse against Transubstantiation 2. Transubstantiation no Doctrine of the primitive Fathers 3. Full View of the Doctrines and Practices of the Ancient Church relating to the Eucharist c. 4. Transubstantiation contrary to Scripture 5. A Paraphrase with Notes and a Preface on the vith of St. John. See many other Tracts above from pag. 22. 7. Veteres Vindicati in Answer to Mr. Sclater 8. A Discourse of the Holy Eucharist in Answer to Mr. W. 9. Fourth Letter to a Person of Quality See