to regulate Evangelists and Note three 1. Pastors both in their fixed residences so we have it Tit. 15. as also in their necessarie excursions and delegations for although as Gillesp. q. 4. Miscell well notes for latitude the office of the Evangelist was commensurable with that of an Apostle yet so they were not for power of Commission or jurisdiction 2. is That accordingly Paul indeavours to be usefull now that is 2. by Epistolick CoÌ„mission to supply the want of his Personall presence comforts and conference Thus the Fathers of the ancient kirk did as said is and this is to lesson us now that as occasion is offered from Providence we imitate him in this 3. is That 3. hence I finde no warrant for Roman-Rescripts or papall Decretalls now for it were in consequent to argue from the power of Apostolick Delegations to that of the present Roman tyrannicall Dayes wer that Roman delegations to sister Churches as to Carthage Antioch Millan Alexandria were wholsome but the case is altered as is well noted by Spalato lib. 4. cap. 12. Rep. eccl Qâ—eolim fuit legatio sana postea valetudinaria tandem mortua facta First it was sound then languid lastly dead and null As for the Third unto thee whether to him as an Evangelist III. To whom or as an ordinarie Pastor at EPHESUS it matters not much Onlie this he as an inferiour was to receive Orders from a potestative Superiour as the same Spal writes l. 4. cap. 1. Justin Martyr and Beza hold him out as the Angel of the Church of Ephesus or that he was Moderator Bishope and President amongst the Elders there I shall now onely marke what good account Paul gives of him in Scripture And first see his Linage birth and breeding 1. Who he was II. Tim. 1. 5. secondly his Calling II. Tim. 4. 5. thirdly his gifts and abilities II. Tim. 1. 6. II. Tim. 3. 15. I. Tim. 3. 14. Fourthly his diligence and fidelitie in imployments see Phil. 2. 20. Fifthly his strict walking insinuated I. Tim. 5. 25. Whence I note this Where all these concurre it is an evident signe of an inward CALL The Madeburg Centur. lib. 2. Câ—nt 1. cap. 3. hold as others also That Hee with Onesimus Dion Areopag were executed at ROME by Domitians command Use to be made hereof is this Since Paul writes to him then Vse Timothy must reade this script both to make him wise to salvatioÌ„ as also to behave himself as becomes in Gods house Are not all scriptures Gods epistles to men so August on psal 90. The scripture is Gods letter dated from that City to which as pilgrames wee travell The first Nicen Councel decreed That no Christian want a Bible CHRYSOST 3 Hom. on Lazar. bids the people take the Bable and reade it HIERON in the epitaph of Paul and in his epistle to Laeta Theodora c. affirmeth it to be unlawfull for women to be ignorant of the scriptures or that one day should passe without learning something out of them daylie Whose testimonies I the rather cite against these two most erroneous bold assertions of the Iesuite Stapleton Relect. Cont. 5. q. 3. a. 4. First That the Translation of Scriptures is the seminarie of heresie 2. That the reading of scriptures by the Laicks is impious and pernitious O heavens be astonished at this The INTENT is to come shortly to them Anent this comparative 2. his purpose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I note that some as Aretius referre it vnto his writting but others to the nearest his comming But the maine Observe of Critiques here is That this Comparative addeth much to the simple signification of the absolute so it is Joh. 13. 27. so Act. 25. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so II. Tim. 1. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Since then wee finde his Resolve is for Ephesus the question is Did hee indeed by a locall motion returne to it Although some for the affirmative ground on the words Act. 18. 23. yet the most are for the negative and if so yet his Intent is rationall and for why to come good vse as is well observed by judicious Calvin and learned Danaus as 1. to represse insolent and contumacious Spirits and to sober their minds upon the supposall of his speedy returne 2. To refresh the present incumbent with a comfortable hope of injoying his personall presence to ease and relieve him 3. To excite Timothy and stirre him up to further diligence to and attendance on his Calling see the like I. Tim. 4. 13. 4. To demoÌ„strat Pauls continued care of the welfare of all the Churches of Christ Now to this vers 15. bee subjoines a PROVISO If his occasionall affaires should retard him yet in the interim make use of this written Directory Now these words But if I tarry long are very well rendered Verse 15. by Chrysost on the place thus Whether I come sooner or later or in Providence not at all yet by these I minde thee of this HOW TO BEHAVE THY SELF c. do thou duty follow these precepts thus set down or further to be set down applicable to all Pastors Churches as to Timothy and Ephesus Here wee may take notice of those I. Obser two 1. by this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wee see his promised returne to be conditionall but not absolute as is well noted by Estius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayeth Chrysost on the place For though all prima 〈…〉 were sufficiently revealed to the Apostles yet all future and emergent Circumstances were not clearly revealed Then waite on duty submit to providence referre events to God Distinguish between Gods disposals and 2. Obj. is an vse mans proposals The spirits impulse admitts of no repulse see a cleare instance of this Act. 16. 7. there the Holy Ghost did forbid them to preach the word in Asia and the spirit did not suffer them to go to Bithynia But to passe this as lesse Materiall Let us consider what the 1. The end of writting Church is in which a behaviour sutable is required In which observe these two 1. The end of his writting that thou mayest know how c. 2. The Churches dignity which is the object of this comely behaviour by way of Panegyrick beyond all that can be given to all Arts or sciences In the which are those two 1. Who is the Proprietary of this House and of the Church 2. What is the property or rather office of this house and Church that is to be the ground and pillar of the trueth Now because the Object well known moves and excits to the 2. A description of the Object duty we shal insist on these two first Namely why the Church is called the house of God the Church of the living God with some vses of either then in what sense the Church is indeed and justly so called the pillar and ground of trueth As for the first of these two titles
as an Embleme of a judgement so Gen. 19. 26. 4. For Strengthning and supporting great buildings so Judg. 16. 29. 5. Wee reade I. king 7. 21. that Solomon erected two pillars in the Temple porch called Jachin and Boaz interpreted by the seventy Interp. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Direction and Protection or as others Light and Integrity They were as the Vrim and the Thummim purity of Doctrine and sanctity of life a sound faith and pure living a sound head and charitable hands sound precepts good 6. practise by the which God directeth establisheth his Church 6. Amongst the Romans were Pillars erected to Conquerours after warres for Triumph so in Foro there were new Obelisks and in Campo Martio such pillars and high statues But the pillar 7. here mentioned is not a Materiall but a Metaphoricall not a reall but a figurative not an Architectonicall but Politicall not simply but comparatively so that is in respect of men locking leaning to it As to the question first to bee answered to wit What is the 2ly What Church is this pillar Church that is this Pillar I Ans first in generall 1. Each true Church is this Pillar yea each individuall Believer is a pillar in a sound sense as Revel 3. 12. But secondly If the Quaere bee to which this attribution chiefly and primarly belongs that is whether firstly to the Catholick or to the particular Churches Then I answere thus That since the Catholick Church is first in Divine Intention and in Institution and in Priviledges and in Authority and so in Dignity and Perfection yea and since the Federall Promises are first made to the Church Catholick as is well proven by J. Hudson Hence it is that I affirme that the Notion the denomination the qualifications of a pillar do all belong primarly to the Church Catholick It is well said of Jerome even to this very point Orbis major est urbe This is a cleare trueth every affection applicable or rightly applyed to the Catholick is not straight and still to be applyed to each particular as to be infallible or to be The Mother of us all it were incompetent to apply this to each particular though both these in act not erring are this Pillar yet with more and lesse yet with subordination yet as of the higher and of the lower degree Which I the rather insist upon to refute that new conceit of Independents who hold no kirk to be a Pillar of truth but their particular Congregations This is just as the Papists say No true kirk but that of Rome and as the Donatists before them said No true kirk but in Africa but both are mistaken not knowing the true affections of II. Why to be a pillar is attributed to the church the true Catholick Visible Church Now to cleare the second That is Why this Title is given to the Church I shall first negativè shew in what sense the Church is not a Pillar then positive shew in what sense it is a Pillar As to the first that is well cleared by D. Feeld lib. 4. cap. 4 of the Church 1. IT is not the Pillar of trueth as if divine trueths for their entitie and beeing did depend on the Church nay sayes 1. In what sense it is not the pillar of truth CHRYSOST well The Church depends on these trueths 2. Nor is it a Pillar as if our faith depended on Church-Authority To which purpose Irenaeus sayes well lib. 3. cap. 1. Inst. The Apostolick writes are the Pillars of our faith and cap. 2. the Gospell is the Pillar of trueth and not mens Authority The Church is not the authour or procreant cause of our faith 3. Nor is the Church a Pillar as if God could no other wayes reveale supernaturall trueths but by its Ministry as by necessity invincible No These have been revealed both by Himselfe immediatly to this or that private man and by Angels 4. Nor is it as if the Kirk were in no sense subject to ignorance or the least errour in its decisions and so to appeale to it as the supreame infallible Judge to whose discretion appertaineth the differencing between 2. In what sense it is the pillar of trueth trueth and falsehood Yet I affirme the Church to be a Pillar of trueth with Calvin Beza Davenant Chamier c. 1. As Custos it is a keeper to which divine saving needfull revealed trueths are concredited To which purpose heare what these three Fathers say to this point Irenaeus lib. 3. cap. 4. The Apostles laid up in the Church as in a rich treasure all trueth and she keeps the Apostles faith preaching Tertullian The Kirk keeps the scriptures which are Christs heirship Lactant. lib. 6 Instiâ— The Catholick Church onely keeps the true worship of God it onely is the fountaine of trueth if any enter not into it or go out of it he is a stranger to salvation without are errours fancies and lies 2. As Tutana as a defendresse that is supporting and maintaining it as CHRYSOST Hom. 11. on Tim. explicats this well when he sayes The Kirk by its Ministry and preaching supports and upholds the trueth as it were on its shoulders 3. As PRâ—CO as an Herauld proclaiming promulgating professing it and bearing witnesse to it which no society on earth doth or can do but the Church 4. As REGISTRATRIX a Recorder transmitting it to posterity successively so it is a Thesaurer a Tutrix an Herauld a Notar keeping defending proclaiming recording divine trueths which moved Ravanella rightly to say That In Ecclesia prostant Veritates Catholicae And as Aug. said before him lib 3. cap. 6. contra DONAT Every Kirk should leade men to the faith But yet to make the justnesse of this predication more cleare I say That as of old the Egyptians and the Romanes and in ordinary Magistrats now erect Pillars posts to the which they affixe their Edicts Lawes Wills or to which of old were joined their Tabulae pensiles in the which Proclaimations carrying their minds are expressed notified and insinuated so the Kirk to Written Trueths it is not they but it demonstrats them even as the Pillars or broads affixed to them are not the LAW' 's in recto so it is with the Kirk according to that saying of the same CHRYSOST Trueth establisheth the Kirk and not the Kirk the Trueth HAMMOND in his Notes to this well explains this The vsefulnesse of a pillar is from the basis on which it stands else it will down If the basis be so set that it sinke not the pillar being firmely fastened on it and standing upright it is able to beare a vast weight of building upon it and so these two though severall in themselves as contiguous not continuat yet joining together and so as it were consolidated together in one they do as one not severally support what is laid on it so that as said is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
The house of God the 1. The house of God Church in scripture is compared to a garden inclosed to an Army to a City and here to an House but to that of God CHRYSOST affirming the Apostle here to allude to Bethel and to the Temple of the Lord. Here first consider Why the Church hath this denomination then give some vses of it As to the first The very origination or signification of the I. Why the Church is so called word in the Hebrew Greeke and English relates to it as of God In the first it is building in the second it is dwelling in the third it is defending IT is well remarked by D. HaÌ„mond this is a phrase taken froÌ„ that speciall place of Gods presentiating himself For as Ambrose sayes Thoughall the world be his Dominion yet the Church is onely his House For here Hee dwels here hee delights to meete with the pious devout soule here hee receives their addresses here hee answers their petitions here he is worshipped Three-fold hous of God 1. Materiall and without this house is no such communications no such intertainment But further to cleare this the word House of God relates either 1. to the Materiall house whereof reade I. King 8. ordained as an adminicle to advance Prayer praise sacrifices in it Or Sedgwick on psal 23. mantaines this to Of this hous ar these places meaned luke 19. 46 Eccl. 4. last be Gods house both for operation and for separation in that divine duties and services are performed in it and so to be set a part as not to be a Stable or an Aile-house The primitive Christians after the publick peace of Christendome sutably had their Auditories and Oratories which the Grecians and Latines called Basilicae and Dominicae 2. Is the Coelestiall whereof we we reade 2. Cor. 5. 1. 2. and Joh. 14. 2. 3. Is the Spirituall yet 2. Coelestiall Militant the true Church on earth both visible and invisible this is here and of this house are also these places Heb. 3. 2. 6. 3. Spirituall I. Pet. 4. 17. Psal 69. 9. Luk. 1. 27. Ephes 2. 19. Gal. 6. 10. This is that house where fatnesse is psal 36. 8. this is that house wher satisfying goodnesse is psal 65. 4. this is that house of David luk 1. 33. this is that house built on the Rocke Matth. 7. 24. this is that house where holinesse is seemly psal 93. 5. here wee inquire psal 27. 4. here he remains by ordinances and his spirit see I. cor 3. 16. I. Cor. 6. 19. II. Cor. 6. 16. Augustine yet further holds out the resemblance thus 1. A house hath the ground the walls the roofe so the Church hath saith to be grounded upon hope to bee erected by and love that covereth c. 2. A great house hath severall Office-bearers so that the Church I. Cor. 12. 28. Ephes 4. 11. 12. 3. A great mans house hath vessels and vtâ—nfiles of all and for all sorts Now as God is a great Honsholder Matth. 20. 1. so hath he in the Catholick Visible Church vessels of diverse frames II. Tim. 2. 20. 4. In a great house is provision for young and old poore and rich weake and strong so it is in this house see Heb. 5. 12. 13. 14. I. Pet. 2. 2. Matth. 15. 26. Marke the Differences between God his house ours 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 27. 5. In a great house there is but one Head and Lord so here it is Ephes 33. 22. Eph. 5. 24. Col. 1. 18. But yet further to inlarge the point marke the great differences between Gods House and our houses in these 1. Our houses keepe and defend us but God keeps and defends His House psal 121. 3. 5. 6. psal 125. 2. Isai 40. 2. Isai 27. 2. 3. it is not with Gods house as with that of dagon I. Sam. 5. 4. 2. Our houses locally comprehend us but no house coÌ„prehends God as I. Kings 8. 27. 4. Wee may be absent from our houses elswhere but it is not so here see psal 24. 1. Matth. 28. 20. Isai 43. 2. Heb. 13. 5. 5. The strongest of our houses they decay weare away and are perishing as Amos 6. 11. Psal 49. 11. 12 but not so here All true Members of this lower house or Militant Church though now they be Viatores shall be of the vpper house or of the Triumphant Church and Comprehensores see psal 84. 11. The Lord will give grace and glory 6. O how farre is this House surpassing all the magnifick Structures all the sumptuous fabricks of the most curious and exquisite Architects of this world if wee either regard the eminent Structure the situation the accomodation the contrivement the duration the perfection of its beauty see psal 87. Isai 26. 1. 2. Heb. 11. 10. Rev. 21 c. Never talk of the Persian Hispaan the Ethiopian Amara the Egyptian Pyramids the Adrian Mole or the Lorenzo in Spayn for in comparison with this They are but as the drope of the bucket compared to the sea or as the dust of the ballance compared to the whole earth Vses 1 Now in so much That sutable to this House of God behaviour is required my first vse is this Laboure to be within this house Do as David psal 23. 5. I will dwell in it for ever This is the Mother of us all This must be to us as the Ark of Noah not onely to be in it but abide in it see Joh. 15. 6. 7. I. Joh. 2. 19. Away with separation needlesse and unjust IT is a good word of CYPRIAN He that hath not the Church for his Mother he hath not God for his Father If we be Members of this House it shall be our best behaviour to 2. Vse carry so as becomes the house wee are come off Let us look out like vessels of honour fitted for the Masters use a peevish or a ranting behaviour argues a vessell of dishonour Remember that of ps 93. 5. Holinesse becomes thy house O Lord it is good word of Nehemiah chap. 6. vers 11. Should such a man as I flee Should one inrolled in the King of heavens Family carry basesly idlely divisively Remember who are without Revel 22. 15. c. If civill carriage bee much required and looked after in a great mans house how much more is christian and spirituall behaviour required in this great Lords House Then in particular Let each Member minde the welfare and 3. Vse standing of Gods house Augustine being interrogated how this should bee Answered Orando juvando condolendo congaudendo for which acts see these scriptures psal 122. 9. 7. 8. 9. Amos 6. 6. Rom. 12. 15. I. Cor. 12. 26. psal 42. 4. psal 27. 4. c. Our greatest joy and glory shall be to contribute our talents hither to repaire breaches to restore paths to dwell in Then in speciall Let Ministers looke to their behaviour in this house No house requires so wise
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one here is described by two that is the pillar upon the base firmely sustaining that which is built and erected upon it so the Church firmely built upon the basis of trueths to the which the body of divine trueths are delivered holds them out to her Children Since the Trent Papists the Rhemists and other Iesuits pervere 3 The due vindication of this place from the Iesuits cavills this place I wipe off their Objections 1. Say they If the Church be the pillar of trueth but in the sense now delivered then it is rather a Chist unto Trueth and not the Pillar of it thus it is but as a Book-sellers Shope containing many Trueths in it Answ 1. The Church is both that is both an Ark wherein are the Tables of the Covenant as also a Pillar 1 Ob. in the sense given these are well consisting 2. The Church acts that which no Chist or Book-sellers Shope can do it not onely keeps but it promulgats transmitts the truth to ages 3. The Church is not onely Index but also a Vindex of the trueth yea in a sound sense it is also a Judex of it to wit secundarie ministeriall and accountable Well doth Altingius L. C. p. 2. pag. 588. distinguish The Church is a pillar not in regarde of inherent infallibilitie in every thing but in respect of its office adhering to it that is keeping discerning interpreting preaching the truâ—h Here the Iesuite Becan lib. 1. cap. 3. of his Man assumes then even according to our sense The Roman Kirk is a true kirk because it acts all the wayes wee allow to a pillar Here I deny the Antecedent it smothers and opposes revealed trueths as shall be proven Then when he arguments thus whatsoever Church acts these foure wayes now set down that is a true Visible Church but the Roman kirk acts thus Here againe I grant the proposition and deny the assumption Bellar. lib. de eccl Milit. cap. 12. 13. reasons thus The Pillar 2 Ob. of trueth is infallible but the Visible Kirk is the Pillar of trueth ergo it is infallible Answ I may grant both the Propositions with no disadvantage to our Cause 2. In the Iesuits sense I deny them both 3. Whether I grant or deny both yet the Elench is not inferred What is this to the Roman kirk where at they aime in this dispute But Bellarm indeavours to strengthen his inference thus 1. Upon this ground onely and no other was the Roman kirk called the Mother and Mistresse of all Churches that it is and was the Pillar of trueth Whence also it was that Ambrose writting of this place hath these words Though all the World be Gods yet the Church onely is his House and pillar whereof Damasus Bishope of Rome is Rector this day Hence it is sayes he that the Roman kirk was so esteemed for the emitting transmitting infallible trueths to all Christian Churches Now to all this I might answere as Isaias chap. 33. 23. said of the Assyrian forces Thy tacklings are loosed they could not well strengthen their mast Yet in particular I answere 1. to argue from Rome now Apostaticall to what it was when Apostolicall is very inconsequent 2. It was not so stiled by any antient Writter of the first 600 years for then was no supremacy over other Churches theÌ„ it and other Churches were sisterly associated collaterall then it was coÌ„mended as Solidata super Petram which Rock according to Cyprian Hieron August others is Christ. 3. It is flately denied That the kirk of Rome emitts all saving trueths though it retain some trueths if hee except then it is a true Church in so far as it retains some trueths even wee being Judges and in so farre is a Pillar I Ans 1. Be it so but as we say of a man he may be a man essentially as consisting of two essentiall parts soule and body who yet is not so for the trueth of integrity if there bee either excesse or defect maimed or monstruous and for the trueth of Perfection he may yet be farre lesse a man as if a Foole if witlesse if mad so I say of the present Roman Church or as our Divines distinguish A Man may be a true man Metaphysically as for entitie who is not so morally that is for honesty As we say of a Theefe he is truly a man for essence though he be noâ— a true man for fidelity so the Roman kirk is a true kirk equivocally being for parts integrall and for perfection a most false Kirk 4. As to that passage of Ambrose the very flattering Canonists with their Dominus deus noster Papa Christus noster servator nostor Papa do confesse these Commentaries to be spurious and not to be Ambroses at all but granting them to be his yet as is well marked both by Feeld and Cartwright they are thus to bee read whereof Damasus is a Ruler but not the Ruler for so are all Bishops and Pastors as Cyprian well sayes there is one Bishoperick wherof each hath a part But what a Rector even this Damasus was the bloody Contests between him Vrsacius about that Idoll of Rome the Chayre the Supremacy historians do testifie 4. Some observations and vses 1. Now ere I come to the last title Anent this That the Church of the Living God is the Pillar of the trueth I observe 1. Whatever Society it is that either expressly or by just consequence opposeth revealed trueths that is not the Pillar of trueth whence I inferre That the Roman kirk cannot be this Pillar of trueth since it enerrats divine trueths what by addition what by detraction Hieron hath a trimme speech when he sayes Sanctorum Congregatio est dicta columna c. that is The company of saints is called a pillar both for soliditie and for stabilitie and Theodoret. The company of Believers is called the pillar of trueth because being grounded on the Rock they remaine stable unmoveable so preach dogmatick trueths But so it is the Representative of the Roman Kirk doth not hold out infallibly divine revealed trueths as Tirinus would have it Our learned Divines have much holden out the trueth of this negative by the induction of the chiefe particulars as anent the Mediation of Christ Justification Free-will number and efficacy of Sacraments Traditions equalled if not preferred to Scripture the Nature and Notes of the Scriptures All which Doctrinalls of faith are by them fearfully depraved Wherefore passing these I offer to hold the point out meerlie in these two heads at this time 1. Let any consider the XII Articles of the new Tridentine Faith approven by Pius IV. P. called the new Symbol now dayly urged by the Spaynish Inquisition wherein are so grosse additions supperadded to that wee finde in Scripture or which wee call the Apostles Creed that any Reader that compares shall easily finde them as is well both observed by Crakenthorp H.
the Word of GOD thus they unavoydably slide into the Circle most filthily dauncing in a ring The faith c. But as for our beleefe to close this point it is thus resolved Wee beleeve the Christian doctrine to be true because the true God is the Authour of it We discerne that God is the Authour of it both by his intrinsicke and extrinsicke seals or attestations of it in that it bearech his Image and Superscription and is confirmed by his undoubted uncontroled Miracles and other effects which leade us to the Cause O but say the Rhemists and Bellarm. and others The Presence Ob. 4. the Promise the Prayers of Christ to and for the Church the assistance of the Holy Spirit to and with the Spouse and Body of Christ and former experiences towards his inheritance may make us conclude that in a proper and strict sense the Church is the ground of trueth so infallible that it cannot erre in the decisions of trueth else to what end are all these its Priviledges Ans Answer Let us yeeld all these priviledges to and of the Church but what is that to the present Roman Church which is their aime what a slight including argument were this O Timothy know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in Gods house the kirk of Ephesus because the Kirk of ROME is the ground of trueth because to it ar the promises because to it is given infallibilitie Is not this a meer begging of the question The point here is never proven One particular Church hath no more particular priviledges then another Ephesus is now an Apostate so hath Rome also apostatised To cleare my Answere yet further I propose these two queries 1. How can the present Roman Kirk be a ground of trueth since Quer 1 it disagreeth so much with it self anent both the nature number of fundamentalls neither dare its Doctours define either of these My second querie is Where is the seat of infallibilitie Quer 2 Who it is that is the infallible Judge The papists of France hold that a Generall Councell is above the Pope that it is it that is infallible so do these WRITERS Cusanus Cameracensis Garson Almain Florent Panormitan c. The Italians maintaine the flate contrare and most of the Jesuits O but sayes BELLARM Christs prayer for Peter was for faiths infallibilitie both to him and all his successours in that Chayre but that is flately denied no more is in Luk. 19. but a prayer and promise to Peter against heart-unbeleefe but not a word anent the words of his mouth nothing anent his pretended successours But here yet they object this against vs Can that be a true Church or a safe Religion or way to walk in which is fallible but the Protestant Church is such according to our confessed tenet I Ans 1. by these distinctions 1. I distinguish between a man that may be deceived and a man that is deceived 2. between infallibilitie in the Object in the Subject 3. between infallibilitie in the absolutely necessar points and in some inferiour smaller matters as is well marked by Baxter p. 43. 44. Therefore wee say 1. Suppose wee should deviat yet wee have an infallible Rule the Word though there be much weaknes in the Recipient yet there is still infallibilitie in the Object the Scriptures 2. I affirme all Churches to be infallible that they cannot erre in fundamentalls in sensis composito that is while they remaine true Churches and deny no essentiall of Faith but the same in sensis diviso are fallible that is when they leave the Objects infallibilitie that is the holy Scriptures as the Rule of trueth 3. Wee make a difference between that Cui subesse potest falsum and that Cui actu subest falsum A man may be deceived who yet is not deceived None is falsus or actually deceived when he beleeves the doctrine of the Protestant Religion that is the holy Scriptures A man may be actually not mistaken when he is not absolutely infallible But lastly here they object a passage of August who in his Epist 162. sayes that in Romana Ecclesia semper viguit Apostolicae Cathedrae principatus To which I answere 1. Distinguish between what Rome now is when it was sound Then was no Supremacy then no visible Monarchie then no power of both the swords then the Principalitie was in the profession of a sound faith in the practise of piety in in prayers in charity in tears c. So that this makes nothing for the establishment of the tyranny of the present Roman Church Now of what I have said I give these generall Observes and 1 Observe vses And the first shall be this 1. Wherever this divine trueth really is and is sincerly professed there is a true Kirk Boyd in his Comment on Ephes pag. 335. hath a note apposite to this Trueth is the forme informing of the Church and the Church is the matter informed even as the Candlestick holds out the Candle so its light so doth the true Church hold out the light of trueth And no lesse hath Hensius a pertinent note on the place to this Where God is there is trueth where trueth is there is the ground of trueth Our God is a God of trueth psal 31. 5. and Christ is trueth Ioh. 17. 14. 6. and trueth comes by him Ioh. 1. 17. and the gospell is the gospell of trueth Gal. 3. 1. and all Worshippers should worship Him in spirit and in trueth Ioh. 4. 23. and where men are begotten by the Word of trueth I am 1. 18. there I say we may warrantably conclude is a true Kirk Then let this be the first use wee make of this point IT is incumbent to all the true Members of this true Kirk to be for 2 Vse the Trueths holden out and professed in it II. Cor. 13. 8. For this end follow these precepts and practises of holy men here mentioned As 1. Choose the trueth with DAVID psal 119. 30. 2. Love the trueth with ZECHARY chap. 8. 19. 3. Buy the trueth with SOLOMON prov 23. 23. 4. Pray for its propagation with CHRIST himself Ioh. 17. and 17. psal 43. 3. 5. Speak the truth with PAUL Eph. 4. 25. 6. Walk in the trueth as GAIUS Ioh. 3. 3. and psal 86. 11. 7. Pray with David to be lead in the trueth psal 25. 5. 8. Execute the judgement of trueth ZECHAR 8. 16. 9. Beare witnesse unto the trueth as John Baptist did Ioh. 5. 33. 10. Have your loines girt about with the girdle of trueth Eph. 6. 14. 11. And be yee established in the present trueth II. Pet. 1. 12. 12. Teach the way of God in trueth Matth. 22. 16. II. Cor. 4. 2. Therefore my third vse is Let Ministers learne to divide the word of trueth aright in this do as Paul bids II. Tim. 2. 15. and in this do as Paul did see 3 Vse II. Cor. 4. 2. and II. Cor. 6. 4.