doth who many times hath in his net a true and liuing Larke indéede but it is onely to deceiue the Larkes and the more easily to catch them in his net So they professe Christ haue his Word and Sacraments among them but it is onely to deceiue simple people and to make a prey of them DIALOGVE 4. C. Doe they teach any other thing conâ—arie to any other Article of the Creed M. Yes diuers things In the Article we professe to beléeue that Christ was conceiued by the holy Ghost and so he and he onely was conceiued without originall sinne They teach that the Virgin Mary was also conceiued without originall sinne and that by this meanes it came to passe that Christ was frée from all spot Concil Trid. Sess 5. cap. 1. de peccato originali And so héerein they doe altogether ouerthrowe this Article of Christs conception by the holy Ghost to whose onely power the Scripture doth impute Christs holines not to the Virgin Mary which was no lesse then all others conceiued and borne in sinne and did néede Christ to be her Mediatour aswell as the rest of mankinde There was a long time a foule stirre in the Church of Rome betwéene the Dominicans and the Franciscans about this point Acts and Monuments page 732. It was the common opinion of Fathers and Writers vntill Lumbards time which was about the yéere 1150 that shée was conceiued in Originall sinne Perkins 2. Vol. 596. In the 4. Article we professe that Christ suffered c. by which he hath made a full and perfect satisfaction for the sinnes of his elect and for the whole punishment thereof both eternall and temporall The Popists teach that Christ hath satisfied for sinnes going before Baptisme but concerning sinnes following Baptisme the fault is remitted by the passion of Christ and the punishment which of infinite is made finite is to bee satisfied for by men themselues eyther heere or in Purgatorie that is men themselues must satisfie the iustice of God for the temporall punishment of their offences eyther on earth or in Purgatorie There is say they a certaine infernall place in the earth called Purgatorie in the which as in a prison-house the soules which were not fully purged in this life are there clensed and purged by fire before they can be receiued into heauen Bellar. de Purgat lib. 1. cap. 1. and cap. 3. lib. 2. cap. 6. Rhem. on 1 Cor 3. Sect. 4. They say also that it is an Article of faith to beléeue that there is a Purgatorie and that he which beliues it not is sure to go to Hell Bellarm. ibid. lib. 1. cap. 15. But this is so farre from béeing an Article of faith as that it is a méere fable and contrary to an Article of faith The bloud of Christ is the Purgatorie of our sinnes 1. Iohn 1.7 Afflictions are called the fiery triall 1 Pet. 1.7 4.12 whereby we are clensed from our corruption as gold is from the drosse by fire No other Purgatorie is to bee found in the Scriptures The Scriptures mention but two sorts of men beléeuers and vnbeléeuers and but two places after this for them heauen for the one and hell for the other Luke 16.25 26. Iohn 3.36 Reuel 20.14 15.21.7 8. They that die in the Lord rest from their labours which cannot bee true if any of them goe to Purgatorie Their workes follow them that is the reward of their workes Reuel 14.13 If any man should haue gone to Purgatorie then the thiefe vpon the Crosse had gone thither who repenting at his end wanted time to make satisfaction for the temporall punishment of his sinnes but Christ said to him To day shalt thou be with mée in Paradise The doctrine of Purgatorie came into the Church out of the heathen writers for the Philosophers and Poets were the first that euer wrote of it Popish Purgatorie was vnknowne to the Fathers many hundred yéeres after Christ Perkins 2. Vol. 568.569 C. If Purgatorie be but a fable contrary to an Article of faith then what is the cause that the Church of Rome so stifly maintaines it M. There is great cause why they should so do for it kéepes in the fire in the Popes Kitchin for if the fire of Purgatorie were not great the fire in the Popes Kitchin would bee but small for by this meanes they haue store of money for Pardons Masses Diriges and other such like trumperies DIALOGVE 5. C. Doe they teach any thing else contrary to the Creed M. Yes The sirth Article saith that Christ ascended into heauen c. and the Scriptures say that the heauens must containe him c. Acts. 1.11.3.21 They teach contrary héereunto namely that Christ is corporally present in the Sacrament and that in many places at once The which is contrary to the nature of a true body and contrary to the nature of the Sacrament which is a remembrance of Christ Vigilius against Eutyches lib. 4. saith thus When it that is the flesh of Christ was on earth it was not in heauen and because it is now in heauen it is not on earth This is the Catholike faith and confession It is an Article of faith to beléeue the Catholike Church and faith is the euidence of things not séene Heb. 11 1. Therfore the Catholike Church is alwaies vnto the world inuisible and not to be espied but by the eyes of faith because things seene are not beléeued The Papists teach that the Catholike Church is and hath but alwaies visible Rhem. on Mat. 5. Sect. 3. The Church is said to be Catholike that is vniuersall because it is not tyed to any one speciall place but is spred abroad ouer the face of the earth They tie it to Rome alone which can be but a particular Church and not vniuersall In the Church there is a Communion of Saints and these are they that are sanctified by the blond and Spirit of Christ hauing the perfect holines of Christ put vpon them by imputation of faith and the quality of imperfect holines powred into their heart by the Spirit of sanctification And such are the faithfull heere on earth 1. Cor. 1.2 Psal 16.2 The Papists acknowledge none to be Saints but such as are in heauen They teach that the Pope can canonize Saints whereas to make one a Saint is onely the work of God 1. Cor. 11. The Pope hath canonized many that indéede were neuer true Saints of God but wicked men and rank Traitors to their Princes as Becket with many others This canonizing of Saints was neuer heard of with the Fathers vntill the yéere 880. and then Adrian took vp this authority And Alexâder the Third after him confirmed it in his decrées In the Créed we professe to beléeue the forgiuenes of sinnes that is I beléeue that God for Christs sake doth fréely forgiue the sinnes of his elect and my sinnes also And héerein consisteth our iustification namely in the frée forgiuenes of our sinnes and the
A. Because he doth sanctifie and make vs holy 1. Cor. 6.11 Q. Who are they which are sanctified by the holy Ghost A. The holy Catholike Church Ephe. 5.26 27 Q. What is the Catholik Church A. The company of Gods elect and chosen 1. Pet. 2.9 Q. What are the benefits bestowed on the Church A. The Communion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes The resurrection of the body and the life euerlasting Q. What is meant by the communion of Saints A. The fellowship which we haue with Christ by faith 1. Ioh. 1.3 6 7 and amongst our selues by loue Q. What is meant by the forgiuenes of sinnes A. That god for Christs sake doth freely forgiue vs all our sinnes Rom. 3.24 Ephes 1.7 Q. What is meant by the resurrection of the body A. That the bodies of the faithfull shall bée raised vp from the dead 1. Thes 4.16 Phil. 3.21 Iohn 6.39 40 by Christ their Sauiour and ioyned to their soules Q. What is meant by the life euerlasting A. That the faithfull both in body and soule shall liue for euer with Christ in heauen Mat. 25.46 Ioh. 17.24 Q. What is required of vs that we may be partakers of Christ his benefits A. A true and liuely faith in Christ Ioh. 1.12.3.26 Acts 16.31 Q. What is this faith A. A true perswasion of the heart grounded vpon the frée promises of God Rom. 10.10 Rom. 4.3 21 Q. In whom are the promises made to vs A. In a 2. Cor. 1.20 Christ Iesus as our b Heb. 7.7 22 surety Q. Who doth worke this faith in vs A. The holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.3 Q. By what meanes doth hee work it in vs A. By the hearing of the Word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. Are we then saued by this our faith A. Yes by faith onely Rom. â— 28 Ephes 2.8 Q. Wherefore then do the Sacraments serue A. For the strengthening of our faith Rom 4.11 Q. How many Sacraments bee there A. Two Baptisme and the Lords Supper Q. What is a Sacrament A. An outward signe and seale of an inward grace Gen. 17.11 Q. What is the outward signe in Baptisme A. Water Mat. 3.11 Q. What is the inward grace A. The bloud and Spirit of Christ Mat. 3.11 Q. What is signnified by the washing with water A. The washing away of our sins by the bloud of Christ Acts. 22 16 1 Iohn 1.7 Q. What else A. Our new birth by the holy Ghost Titus 3.5 Q. What are the outward signes in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine Mat. 26.26 27. Q. What are the inward graces A. The body and bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 11 24 2â— Q. What is signified by the giuing and receiuing of Bread Wine A. The giuing and receiuing of the body and bloud of Christ Q. How doe wee receiue the body and bloud of Christ A. By a true and liuely faith Iohn 6.35 63. Q. If it be done by faith wherfore doe we receiue the Sacrament A. For a remembrance of Christs death and for the strengthening of our faith 1 Cor. 12.24 25 26 Q. What things are required to the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament A. A true faith in Christ repentance and loue Q. What are we to doe in the receiuing thereof A. Wee are then to meditate on the death of Christ Q. What are we to doe after our receiuing of it A. We are then to giue thankes to God for our redemption by the death of Christ Q. Is it enough in words to bee thankfull onely at that time A. No we must also shew our thankfulnes to God Luk. 1.74 75. by good workes all the dayes of our life Q. What are the good workes which we must doe A. Such as God hath commanded Leuit. 18 5. Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Deut. 10.4 Q. Into how many Table are they diuided A. Into two Deut. 9.10 Q. What doth the first Table concerne A. Our duty towards God Q. What doth the second Table concerne A. Our duty towards our neighbour Q. Which is the first commandement A. Thou shalt haue none other Gods before me Q. What is the meaning of it A. That God onely is to be worshipped with the inward and spirituall worship of the heart Mat. 4.10 Ioh. 4.24 Q. What is the second Commandement A. Then shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What is the meaning heereof A. That God is not to be worshipped after any other manner Mat. 15.9 then as he himselfe hath commanded Q. Which is the third Commandement A Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not any way dishonour the name of God Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we in all things giue God his due glory 1 Cor. 10 31. Q. Which is the fourth Commandement A. Remember that thou kéepe holy the Sabbath day c. Q. What is required of vs heerein A. That euery one be carefull to spend the Lords day aright Q. Wherein is that day to bee spent A. In the exercises of religion and in doing the workes of mercy Q. Which is the sift Commandement A. â—â—nour thy Father Mother c. Q. What is the meaning of it A. That children and other inferiours must loue feare and obey their parents and superiours Q. What else is required of them A. That they doe also relieue and maintaine them if need require Q. What is the sixt Commandement A. Thou shalt not kill Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not hurt either our owne life or the life of our neighbour Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we be carefull to preserue both our owne life and the life of our neighbour Q. Which is the seuenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not commit adultery Q. What is required heerein A. That fornication and all other vncleannes is to be auoided Q. What else A. That we be carefull to preserue chastity both in our selues and others Q. Which is the eightth Commandement A. Thou shalt not steale Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not riotously waste our owne goods nor get goods vniustly from others Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we get goods by iust and lawfull meanes and that wée doe good therewith to others Q. Which is the ninth Commandement A. Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not any way hurt eyther our owne or the good name of our neighbour Q. What is commanded heerein A. To bée carefull to preserue the good name of our selues and others Q. Which is the tenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not so much as desire that which is anothers Q. What is commanded
a Col. 3.10 knowledge in b Ephes â— 24 righteousnes and true holines Q. Did God onely make man and all other creatures A. No hée doth also by his prouidence rule gouerne man and all other things Pro. 16.33 Mat. 10.29 30. Q. What was mans estate by creation A. A most happy estate frée from all misery 30. Q. VVhat is our estate now by nature A. A most miserable estate Eph. 2.3 for we are all by nature the children of wrath Q. How came this to passe A. By the fall of Adam and Eue. Q. How did they fall A. By the a Gen. 3.1.2 inticement of the diuell and their owne willing b Gen. 2.17 3.6 disobedience in transgressing Gods Commandement Q. What if they thus offended what is that to vs A. Yes very much for wée all did fall in Adam Rom 5.12 Heb. 7.9.10 and are partakers of his fault Q. VVhat else hath followed hereof A. We also by imputation are become guilty before God Rom. 5.18 Q. Is this all A. No the corruption of nature is also by generation Gen 5.3 from Adam conueied to vs. Q. VVhat is meant by the corruption of natue A. Originall sinne Q. VVhat is originiall sinne A. A want of originall righteousnes Q. VVhat else A. It is corruption ingendred in our first conception Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.23 whereby euery faculty and power of soule body is prone and disposed to euill Q. VVhy is it called originall A. Because it was from the beginning assoone as Adam fell Gen. 3.7.10 Q. VVherefore else A. Because it is the beginning of all actuall sinne Mat. 15.19 Q. VVhat is actuall sinne A. Euery inward and outward action contrary to the Law of God yea the leauing vndone of such good things as the Law requireth Q. VVhat is the reward punishment of sinne A. All kind of a Gen. 3.16 17. miseries and b Rom. 6.23 death in this world and c Reuel 21.8 eternall condemnation in the world to come Q. Are all without exception subiect heereunto A. Yes generally all Rom. 3.9.23.5.12 44. Q. Can we of our selues escape this death and condemnation A a Psal 4â— 7 8. No but onely by b Acts. 4.12 Iesus Christ Q. What is Iesus Christ A. The second Person in the Trinity the onely Sonne of God Q. Where is this contained A. In the second Article And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord. Q. Why is he called Iesus A. Because he is A Sauiour Mat. 1.21 which doth saue vs from all our sinnes Q. VVhat signifieth Christ A. Anointed Q. VVhy is he so called A. Because God anointed him with the holy Ghost Acts. 10.38 and with power Q. Whereunto was hee thus anointed A. To bée a a Acts. 3.22 Prophet b Heb. 5.5 6. Priest and c Luk. 1.33 Heb. 1.8 9. King for vs. Q. VVhy is hee called the onely Sonne of God A. Because hée alone by nature is the Sonne of God and very true God Q. Why must our Sauiour be God A. Because none other was able to abide and ouercome the wrath of God and the punishment due vnto sinne Deut. 4.24 Q. VVhy is he called our Lord Acts 20.28 A. Because hée hath redeemed vs with his bloud 1. Pet. 1.18 19 and purchased vs to bée a peculiar people to himselfe Titus 2.14 Q. VVas not Christ very true man also A. Yes a Ioh. 1.14 but yet without all b Heb. 4.15 spot of sinne Q. In what Article is this contained A. In the hird Article Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary Q. VVhat is the meaning heereof A. That the Sonne of God by the working of the a Luk. 1 3â— holy Ghost took the very nature of man of the flesh bloud of the b Gal 4.4 Virgin Mary and was in all c Heb. 2.17 things like vnto man d Heb. 4.15 excepting sin 57. Q. VVhy must Christ bee very true man A. That he might die and satisfie the iustice of God for our sinnes Heb. 2.17 Q. VVhat kinde of death did hee die A. An accursed kinde of death Deu. 21. â—â— euen the death of the Crosse Q. VVherefore died he this kinde of death A. Toredéeme vs from the curse of the Law Galat 3.13 Q. In what Article is this expressed A. In the fourth Article Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hel. Q. VVhat was Pontius Pilate A. A Iudge and the gouernour of Iudea Luke 3.1 Q. VVhy was Christ arraigned before a Iudge and condemned by him A. That we might not be arraigned and condemned in the day of iudgement Esay 53.8 9 10 11 12 but might receiue the sentence of absolution and be saued Q. VVhat is then the summe of the fourth Article A. That Christ in his humane nature did suffer for vs Esay 53.4 5 6 most grieuous torments both of body and soule Luke 22.44 Mat. 27.46 Q. Did Christ onely suffer and die for vs A. No hée rose againe likewise from the dead Rom. 14.9 Q. In what Article is this contained A. In the fift Article The third day he rose againe from the dead Q. VVhat is the meaning of it A. That Christ by his diuine power rose againe in the very same body wherein he died Iohn 2.19.10 18 Q. VVherefore did Christ rise againe A. That he might ouercome death and make vs partakers of that righteousnes Rom. 4.25 which by his death he had purchased for vs. Q. How long did Christ continue on earth after his resurrection A. The space of fortie daies Acts. 1.3 Q. VVhat did he then afterwards A. He ascended into heauen Acts 1.9 Q. In what Article is this contained A. In the sixt Article He ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almightie Q. What is meant by his ascending into heauen A. That Christ in his humane nature by the power of his God-head went vp into heauen Q. VVherefore did he ascend into heauen A. To a Ioh. 14.2 prepare a place for vs b Heb. 9.24 to appeare before God and to make c Rom. 8.34 intercession for vs. Q. What is meant by Christs sitting at the right hand of God A. That Christ hath a Mat. 28.18 all power and authority giuen vnto him and that hée doth b Eph. 1.20.21 22 Phi. 2.9 10 11 rule gouerne all things in heauen and earth 74 Q. VVhen shall Christ come againe from heauen A. In the end of the world Acts 1.11 Q. What shall he then doe A. Hée shall iudge both the quick and the dead 2. Tim. 4.1 Q. Shal all generally come to iudgement A. Yes the faithful shal come into the a Mat. 25.34 Ioh. 5.24 iudgement of absolution and the wicked into the iudgement of b
merit of the person is as they say a dignitie in the person whereby it is worthy of life euerlasting The merit of the worke is a dignity or excellencie in the work whereby it is made fit inabled to deserue life euerlasting for the doer of the worke See Rhem. on Rom. 8. Sect. 5. We now do renounce our owne personall merits and all merit of our owne workes and rely onely vpon the merits of Christ and wee hold that no workes of ours can merit That no man by any workes of his can merit may bee proued by the properties and conditions that must be in a worke meritorious and they are fiue First the worke must be absolutely perfect but all our workes are vnperfect aswell in parts as in degrées of accomplishment In parts because we omit many things which the Law prescribeth and doe many euill things which the Law prohibiteth In degrees because the workes of the Saints are vncleane Esay 64.6 Phil. 3.8 Secondly a man must doe the worke of himselfe and by himselfe for if it bee done by the hélpe of another the merit doth not properly belong to the dooer But the good workes which we doe are not ours but are wrought by God in vs. Thirdly a man must doe the worke of his owne free will and pleasure not of due debt for when we doe that which we are bound to doe we doe no more but our duty But whatsoeuer we doe we doe it as poore debters nay we are worse then poore debters wee are miserable bankrupts wee haue nothing wee haue lesse then nothing to pay Luke 17.10 Fourthly the worke must bée done to the benefit and profit of him from whom we looke to be repayed But no man by any worke of his can bring any profit vnto God Iob 22.2.35.7 Psal 16.2.50.12 Wée may benefit men but wée cannot benefit our Maker from whome wee haue receiued life and limbe soule and body and all that we haue wee can giue him nothing and therefore can deserue nothing from him Ro. 11.35 36. Lastly the worke and the reward must be in proportion equall for if the reward be more then the worke it is not then a reward of desert but a gift of good will But there is no proportion betweene our workes which are altogether vnperfect and the excellencie of those great blessings and benefits which the Father giueth vs freely in his Sonne Rom. 8.18 And therefore in this and the former respects there can bee no merit in any meere man wherefore it is no lesse absurd to say that wee merit saluation at Gods hands by good workes then if one should say Thou hast giuen mee an hundred pounds therefore thou oughtest to giue mee a thousand C. Was not this doctrine of merit taught in the times of ancient Fathers M. Merit being taken in his proper sense for due and iust desert was neuer allowed of the sound Professours for a thousand yeeres after Christ Perkins first Vol. 574 575. second Vol. 535 536 Such therefore as will be iustified and saued by their owne workes and challenge eternall life by their merits do shew themselues to be most proud and vnthankfull persons and deserue most iustly to bee condemned eternally C. The Papists at their end doe renounce their owne merits and professe that they look to be saued only by the merits of Christ M. If there were nothing else but this it were enough to proue their doctrine of merit to be a false doctrine for if it were a truth then a man is not only in his life time to professe it and maintaine it but also in his death yea rather to dye for it then to deny it But séeing they in their life professe it and maintaine it but at their death renounce it it is a manifest argument that euen they themselues do know that it is not a true but a false doctrine C. If they know that it is not a truth what makes them then in their life time so stifly to maintaine it M. It serues greatly to maintaine and vphold the Popes kingdome for they teach that the ouer-plus of Christs merits and of the merits of Saints and Martyrs is the treasure of the Church which being gathered together and put into a store-chest is in the Popes custodie and he alone hath the plenary opening and shutting of this Chest and the ordering and disposing of these merits by vertue whereof he giues out Indulgences and Pardons when and to whom he will So that such as haue not merits enow of their owne may haue them from thence And so héereby he maintaines and vpholds his kingdome for heerby comes in infinite wealth and reuenewes Perkins 3. vol. 1. part page 165.2 D. 2. vol. 590. 2. a. In these and many other particular points the Papists teach contrary to the Articles of the Créed and therefore are no true Catholikes neither doe they belong to the Catholike Church as is thus proued Whosoeuer haue not the Catholike faith doe not belong to the Catholike Church but the Papists haue not the Catholike faith therefore they do not belong to the Catholike Church That they haue not the Catholike faith is plaine by that aforegoing DIALOGVE 6. C. Doe they teach any thing contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments M. Yes many things Christ ordained but onely two Sacraments The Church of Rome hath added to them fiue more namely Confirmation Penance Matrimonie Orders and ertreme Vnction C. Are not these Sacraments indeede M. No surely for there are foure things necessarily required to make a Sacrament First the authority of Christ commanding it Secondly the element or outward signe as the matter of it Thirdly the word of institution as the forme Fourthly the end and vse to bee a scale of our faith for remission of sinnes These foure things are not to be found in their fiue latter Sacraments and therefore they are no Sacraments indéede Master Attersoll on the Sacraments page 119. to 150. Synopsis Papis Controu 14 15 16. C. May not the Church then institute and ordaine Sacraments M. None may ordain a Sacrament but only the Lord. As none may put a signe and seale to a mans last will and Testament but onely the maker of the Testament so none may ordaine Sacraments which are signes and seales of the new Testament and couenant of grace but onely the Lord which made the couenant And therefore the Church of Rome in doing the contrary proues her selfe not to be the true Church of Christ but rather the Church of Antichrist They doe also in many other things teach contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments As First that the Sacraments doe giue grace and namely remission of sinnes ex opere operato by the worke wrought Rhem. Acts. 22. Sect. 1. Secondly that not onely faith doth iustifie but the Sacraments also Rhem. Rom. 6. Sect. 5. Whereas Sacraments me signes and seales of iustification Rom. 4.11 Thirdly that Infants dying without Baptisme cannot bee saued