the Reformed to that Reason That is false 1. For the Sixth African Council and the Chalcedon Council had their Authoritie without the Pope 2. And Emperours Patriarchs and Bishops have Confirmed Councils 3. And the Council of Constantinople by Letters desired the Confirmation of the Decrees from Theodosius the Emperour Fraud This is a Fraud of the Church of Rome in Regard of another of her Principles That is the Catholick Church That because the Scripture maketh Honorable Mention of the Church The Roman Church is that true Church of Christ of which the Scripture speaketh so often 1. VVE Reformed acknowledge That both in the Old and New Testament there is every where honorable mention made of the Church And that it is called A Holy City A Fruitful Vineyard An High Hill A Direct Path The onely Dove The Kingdom of Heaven The Spouse and Bodie of Christ The Pillar of Truth The Multitude unto which the Holy Ghost being promised poureth all things needful to Salvation The Congregation against which the Gates of Hell shall never so prevail That they shall utterly extinguish the same The Congregation which who so Repugneth though he confesse Christ with his mouth yet hath he no more to do with Christ then hath a Publican and a heathen man 2. The above-said Titles do not belong to the now Church of Rome 1. FOr on the contrary It is the Babylonish Whore A Branch cut off from the true Vine A Den of Thieves A broad way leading to Destruction The Kingdom of Hell The body of Antichrist A Sink of Errors A great Mother of Fornication The Church of the wicked out of which every Christian ought to depart which Christ shall one day fearfully destroy and give her the just Recompence of all her sins 2. In vain then do the Popish Writers reckon up the praises of the Church unlesse they can demonstrate that they are proper to the Church of Rome 3. Which they shall never be able to do so long as Rome standeth As the Church of Rome is Fraudulous in regard of the Principles of Faith and Worship that she doth produce So is her Doctrine false concerning these Principles 1. Concerning the Traditions that she calleth Apostolical 2. Concerning the Church 3. Concerning General Councils 4. Concerning the Ancient Fathers 5. Concerning the Pope And therefore such Principles are justly excluded by the Reformed from the Rule of Faith 1. The Reformed justly exclude from the Rule of Faith the Traditions called Apostolical by the Papists 1. FOr the Popish Apostolical Traditions are but forged and devised Things and therefore no stay for a man to settle his Conscience upon 2. That they are not such as the Papists sayes Let them tell us if they can which be the Apostles Traditions how many and where they may be found If they cannot satisfie this Demand as they cannot indeed How may they then make any Reckoning of that whereof they have no certain knoledge How can They without falling Build their Faith upon Fantasies such as they are 3. The Apostles Doctrine we have in Writing The Apostles Doctrine we have in writing 4. Other Traditions of the Apostles we receive none for our belief The Scripture is the onely Rule of Faith and not Traditions a part of the Rule of Faith that is That Scripture is a perfect Rule 1. THat I prove in this manner 2 Timoth. 3.15 Apoc. 22.18 1 Cor. 4.6 John 20.31 2. That is the onely Rule whereunto the chiefest properties of a rule do solely belong But the properties of a true and certain rule do onely belong to the holy Scriptures in matters of Faith The rule of Catholick Faith saith Bellarmine must be certain and known De verb. Dei libr. 1. cap. 2. Now there is nothing better known or more certain then the Scripture which appears Because Traditions are far more uncertain than the written word and because many of them are false and uncertain 3. The written word is a Rule of Traditions From whence it follows that it is the onely rule That the written word is a rule of Tradition appeareth by the Doctrine of our Adversaries who acknowledge that no Traditions must be admitted but such as agree with the Scripture Bellarm. de verb. Dei libr. 4. cap. 3. And which are derived from the Scripture and the writings of the Primitive Fathers Bellarm. de Script libr. 4. cap. 3. But those Traditions which are derived from the Scriptures have the same to be their rule And there is nothing more common in the Primitive Fathers then to subject all their writings to be Regulate by the holy Scriptures Therefore such Traditions as are found in the works of the holy Fathers have the holy Scripture to be their rule from whence it followeth that the Scripture is the onely primitive rule of Faith 4. It is that which is acknowledged by some of our Adversaries Gabr. Biel Can. Miss Lect. 71. whereof Ferus saith expresly The holy Scripture is the sole rule of veritie and whatsoever differs or contradicteth the same it is error and cokle with whatsoever shew it come forth Ferus in Matth. lib. 2. in cap. 13. pag. 248. col 1. And another saith The Doctrine of the books of the Prophets and Apostles is alone the foundation of truth and the rule c. Villavincen de formand Concion lib. 2. cap. 2. 2. The Reformed justly exclude from the Rule of Faith the Catholick Church 1. VVE Reformed do Reverence and Love The Catholick Church as the Spouse of Christ 2. But we know that her duty is to hearken only to the voice of Christ her Husband And that she hath no Authority to adde so much as one iota in his Word or any waies to dissent from it 3. And further we know That the Romish Synagogue is not that Catholick Church of Christ whereof we speak 3. The Reformed justly exclude from the Rule of Faith General Councils 1. VVE Reformed doe esteem and regard General Councils in their place We thank God for them We Read Allow and Commend them so far forth as they agree with Gods Word 2. Let therefore their Decrees be examined by Gods Word 3. And if they agree let them be received for that Agreement 4. If not let them be rejected for the contrary 5. But the Argument holdeth not in this Form such a Council decreed so and therefore so must we believe 6. If this Principle were set down for certain and perpetual in Divinity we should have strange Beliefs enow yea surely scarcely should we retain any one true Belief 7. Two famous General Councils have been held in Nice The First And the Second In the First is condemned the Popes Supremacie Can. 6. In the Second is established the Idolatrous Worship of Images The First Belief the Papists will not allow The Second is detested by us Reformed 8. Let Councils therefore be esteemed as they deserve 9. And let them be tried as hath been said § Objection of the Popish
the Pope 2. I say 1. That the Papists take all Authority quoad nos from the Scripture which appears in that they teach that it is not the ground or pillar of truth Nor properly and of it self any Cause or Means of Belief or of Charity And that God doth not immediately speak by it Neither is the Holy Ghost joined with the writing of the Scripture And that the Church is not subject to the Scripture And that put case any person living out of the Communion of the Roman Church do read or study the Scripture it is not the word of God to them or of greater Authority then Aesops Fables 3. I have said 2. That the Papists give all Authority to the present Roman Church This appears in that they make it the onely External ground and pillar of Truth The sole Judge of Controversies The principle or first ground and foundation from whence the Scripture in regard of men receiveth all Authority 4. I have said 3. That the Papists give the Churches Authority to the Pope And no Papist in these daies can or will deny This. For 1. the Positive Speeches of their greatest Doctors thereupon manifestly confirms it Ecelesiae nomine saith Gregorius de Valentia intelligimur ejus Caput Romanum Pontisicem Tom. 3. Dist 1. q. 1. part 1. pag 30. And Bannes 9.2 q. 1. Ar. 10. Animadvertendum est cum Cajetano c. quod apud Thomam pro eodem omnino reputatur Authoritas Ecclesiae universalis Authoritas Concilii Et Authoritas Summi Pontisicis 2. The same Assertion followeth upon the main principles of their Doctrine which are That the Pope is the prime subject of Ecclesiastical Authority And that the whole Authority of all the Body and of all the Members thereof is derived by and from him And that the promise of the perpetual Assistance of the Holy Ghost And the Infallible judgement and the Supream Authority And other Priviledges are intailed upon his Tribunal The 2. of those Fraudes is That The Pope also is Taught by the Papists To be the true and Lawful Interpreter of the Sense of the Scriptures And the Supream Judge of Controversies Concerning Faith and Divine Worship 1. IT is most clear that the Jesuites make both the Scripture it self and the Interpretation of it to Depend upon the Authority of the Church 2. And the Church they call not the whole Multitude of Christians and Faithful Men 3. But they Restrain both the Name and the Nature of the Church 1. unto their Bishops 2. If Thereupon we Reformed object That their Bishops may Differ touching the Sense of the Scriptures so shall we be uncertain and shall not resolve which of them to Believe but they help this and Answer That General Councils must Decide and Determine all Questions and Controversies 3. Shall we then Rest in them No more then in then the other For the Pope must be Judge over the Councils 4. So in the Conclusion The whole Interpretation of Holy Scriptures is transferred to the Pope and must be fetched out of his Breast yea and as a proper Right he so challengeth the Power of Interpreting of the Scripture That whatsoever he thinketh That must be accounted the Sense and Meaning of them Refutation of this Doctrine of the Jesuits by the Reformed Doctors 1. THat which hath been said above is the Jesuites constant and perpetual property and disposition in interpreting the Scriptures 2. Which is full of Dotage Error and Falsehood void of Advise Knowledge and Wisdome 3. For what an Absurd and horrible Thing is it that the Sense and Meaning of the Holy Scripture should depend upon one mans Judgement and Voice 4. Specially being such a one as commonly the Bishops of Rome have been Unlearned Wicked Heretical 5. And hence have proceeded all the following goodly Interpretations 1. Take Eate That is you Priests say Private Masses 2. Drink ye all of This That is onely the Priests must Drink 3. Be ye Holy for I am Holy Therefore it is unlawful for the Ministers of the Word to marry a Wife Exception of the Jesuites Which of the Popes or what Catholick Writer ever concluded this out of that place Answer to this Exception Pope Syricius did first of all so Collect And after him Pope Innocent As it may be read in Gratian Dist. 31. cap. Tenere and Dist 82. cap. Proposuisti cap. Plurimos 4. This is another like Interpretation Give not holy things unto Doggs Therefore the people must be forbidden to read the Scriptures 5. What should we number up Innumerable more of the Popes and Papists Interpretations By which they do nothing but pervert and wrest the Scriptures In Particular These be the Frauds of the Church of Rome Concerning Her first Principle Which is the Scripture 1. Fraud The Papists making Shew to Receive the Scriptures for Ground and Rule of Faith Do Disgrace Them in Joyning Traditions with Them 1. FOr as the Scriptures are Grounds And Rule of true Doctrine So are They onely Grounds And Rule 2. And as in Matters of Faith Arguments ought principally to be drawn from Them so such Arguments onely conclude necessarily As even the Schoolman Thomas Aquinas doth Directly confesse 1. Part. 1. Quaest. Artic. 8. Ad. 2. 2. Fraud The Church of Rome which Produceth Scriptures for one of Her Principles And Rules hath indeed no sufficient Scriptures FOr in making an old rotten Translation which we may boldly call so being compared with the Original Word of Scripture to be the Authentical Word of God and denying the Original Faithful Texts which Moses the Prophets the Apostles the Evangelists did write to be the Word of God What doth she else but plainly as it were with one dash of a Penne Cancel the whole Scriptures 2. This Homely Latin Translation is the Papists Scripture 3. Coined and Canonized of late in the Councel of Trent And never before 4. And other Scripture have They none §. Of the Corruption of the vulgar Latine Translation more Fully 1. THe Reader of the vulgar Latin Translation may manifestly perceive That in it are manifold and almost infinite Faults of all sorts 1. By Adding 2. By Oâ—â—â—â—ing 3. By Misâ—â—â—ing Of Letters Of Points Of 〈◊〉 And 〈…〉 4. By wrong interpreting the Original Text. 2. Whâ—â—â—â—â—â—lts The Popish Doctors shall never 〈…〉 â—â—prove or Justifie Though They 〈◊〉 thâ—â—selves never so much with Traveling and â—â—â—ing and seeking some Defence 3. When They have said what They can say for Maintenance of These Corruptions it shall for all that Appear By all Learning and Evidence of Reason that They have Neither the Old nor the New Testament in the Entire and Original Truth thereof Refutation of the Excessive Praises that the Semiminarie Priests of Rhemes gives to the English Rhemish Translation 1. 1. LEt the Seminarie Priests of Rhemes give what Commendation they will to their English Translation 2. We Reformed say against it That that Translation is the worst of all the Translations
and other Popish Writers that in the Religion and Doctrine of the Reformed their is no Stay or Certainty 1. WHat greater stedfastnesse in Religion can be required then to hold Gods Word which we Reformed profess to be the Ground we build our Faith 2. If the Popish Doctors can shew wherein we swarve from it we will not refuse their Instruction 3. But that they cannot do for we plant not our Religion in mans Judgement and in the uncertainty of Traditions in vain Ceremonies and Devices as the Papists do 4. But in matters of Faith and Religion we depend upon God who in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament hath delivered to his Church one certain Uniform and perfect Doctrine to which we add nothing from which we take nothing away in which we settle and ground our selves §. In matter of Points of Religion the private Judgement of some few is not to be objected by the Popish Doctors against the consent of a whole Reformed Church And therefore conclude that in our Reformed Religion we have no certain staie 1. FOr then may we Reformed in like manner and by as good reason argue against the Papists for a thousand such matters wherein hath been no small dissention among the Popish Divines That the Papists have no certain ground of their Faith 2. That appears by the following Examples 1 A Cardinal of Rome hath openly defended and taught that the Apostle S. Paul permitteth one Wife to Priests and to others more And that plurality of Wives is not forbidden either by the Law of God or by the Law of Nature This Cardinal was Caietan the Popes Legate in Germany and the great Adversary of Luther Katherine hath noted this among his manifold Errors 2. And another Popes Legate writ and published in print a Treatise in commendation of a foul sin for which he was greatly and grievously punished by the Pope being preferred to a great Archbishoprick 3. Pighus saith that Justice in us is a Relation wherein he hath exceedingly offended the other Popish Doctors and Writers 3. May we Reformed Now by the Papists Example hereof conclude that this is the Doctrine of the Roman Church That thus the Papists do believe generally or else that there is no stay in their Religion Refutation of this Accusation of the Jesuites and others Popish Doctors that in the Reformed Churches There is no Vnity but great Differences 1. WE Reformed say that greater Difference shall not the Popish Doctors find among the true Professors of the Gospel and Reformed Churches then may be amongst the children of God 2. When such bitter Dissention was between the East and the West Churches about the day of Passeover and the same continued so many years with great offence and Alienation among the Faithful yet they ceased not for all that to be the Churches of Christ 3. Neither is it ever to be hoped for that such perfect concord shall be among the Professors of Christs Religion that they shall agree most joynly together in the Truth or in every particular point thereof 4. Yet let us add That although the Tyrannical and the worldly and the carnal provisions for keeping of Unity above Represented be not amongst the Reformed Churches notwithstanding through Gods grace and blessing all Churches Reformed agree soundly in all Articles of Faith that are substantial and necessary to Salvation and shall so do unto the end Refutation of this Accusation of the Jesuites and other Popish Doctors that in the Doctrine and Religion of the Reformed Churches many Paradoxes are to be found and that in General 1. HIerome said that he would not have any man to be patient if he were suspected of Heresie 2. And therefore in so much the worser part do we Reformed take it that so many Paradoxes false and horrible be by the Jesuites and other Popish Doctors objected against us 3. And indeed those Jesuites and others of the Popish Clergy that do object them to us do in this place manifest an horrible Impudence and audaciousnesse for unlesse they had quite and clean put off both all Religion of God and Reverence towards Men they would never have admitted so much Impudencie into themselves as to upbraid us with these monstrous Opinions 4 But we perceive what they intend for they hope that by slandering boldly somewhat would alwaies cleave fast which one of them was wont to say 5. For sith they lack true Imputations whereby they might oppugn our Churches it remained that either they should leave off writing which were their honestest way or at least devise some slanders which they would cast like venomed darts upon us 6. Which thing is both in it self very filthy and also a sure Argument of their desperatenesse 7. When we handle in particular the Controversies that are between us by Gods grace we shall so wipe away these their Paradoxes and Impossibilities that all men shall perceive that they are ascribed to us by them most falsly and most impudently 8. In the mean time we intreat the Reader to observe this That those pretended Paradoxes are either such things as that nothing can be truer then they or else that they are craftily and treacherously wrested by them in a perverse meaning §. It is the Doctrines and Religion of the Church of Rome that many Paradoxes are to be found 1. THe Jesuites publish that there are Paradoxes in great number in the Reformed Religion and Doctrine and do endeavour to manifest it by many Instances which they propose But although they have stirred this Puddle to the bottome with all their diligence yet they have found so much as one Paradox or a piece of a Paradox of the Reformed 2. 1. BUt now if the said Reformed should but a little make search into the most filthy Puddles of the Popish Writers as to reckon up what they have affirmed Of God Of the actual Providence of God Of Predestination Of the Person and of the Offices of Christ Of Original Sin Of the Law Of Righteousnesse and Justification Of Purgatory Of the Pope of Rome Of the Sacraments And of the rest of the greatest Matters in Reliligion how many Carts should they fill with Paradoxes horrible to be spoken or thought 2. We forbear at this present handling but general Observations to stirre this common Sewer but we will do it hereafter by Gods grace when we take in hand the particular Controversies about the said common places that have been mentioned The Renowned Doctors of the Reformed Churches are impudently accused of Ignorance by the Jesuites and others of the Roman Clergie 1. FOr we Reformed do ask of these Jesuites and their fellows and demand to know of them what Learning is wherein it consisteth and how it may be gotten 2. Unlesse they have some special means and as it were some secret way to attain unto it which others have not The said Reformed see not why the Jesuites and others such like Popish Doctors should think that they