Epis 55. affirm's That infidelity or false faith is inconsistent with the Church of Rome S. Austin Epis 66. auer's that our lord hath plac'd the doctrine of truth in the office and Chaire of the Roman Church and S. Bernard Epis 190. to Pope Innocentius against Abailardus writeth thus We must refer to your Apostle-ship all the scandalls and dangers which may happen in matters of faith for there defects in order to faith ought to be remedied where faith cannot faile for to what Other see was it euer said I haue pray'd for thee Peter that thy faith faile not Although Bishops of Rome that succeed in the Chaire of S. Peter may personally err as priuate Doctours neuertheless none euer did or shall err iudicially or definitiuely that is none of S. Peters successors haue or shall deuiat from the truth in their consistories Courts Councils consultations held concerning matters of faith Religion and generall manners because Christ's prayer I haue pray'd for thee Peter that thy faith faile not protects them Wherfore the ancient Fathers recur'd to Rome and applyed themselues to the Chaire of S. Peter in all matters of controuersy pertaining to Religion and faith namely S. Austin and the Bishops of Affricke vnto Innocentius the first and vnto Celestinus Epis 90 95. S. Chrysostome had recourse to the same Innocentius Epis 1. 2. S. Basil to the Pope in his tyme Epis 52. S. Hierom to Damasus Epis 5. 7 58. and S. Cyprian Epis ad Cornelium expresly affirm's that the cause of all schisms and heresies proceeds from want of obedience to the supream Pastour Nec aliunde saith he haereses obortae sunt aut nata sunt schismata quam inde quod vni Sacerdoti Dei non obtemperatur nec vnus in Ecclesia ad tempus Sacerdos ad tempus Iudex vice Christi cogitatur From disobeying of lawfull Pastours began the notorious schism of Core Dathan and Abyron who rose vp against Moyses and Aaron whome God had appoynted Chief Rulers ouer them and the rest of the Children of Israël puft vp with proud thoughts of their own abilities and conceipted worthiness they were troubled and grieu'd at the establishing of priesthood in the family of Aaron onely and therefore arrogated to themselues priestly function against the ordinance of God and to the vpholding of their schism coind a new Theology teaching that Moyses and Aaron tooke too much vpon them lifting themselues aboue the people of our lord saying all were alike holy and our lord with euery one of them alike after the same manner all schisms and heresies down from our Sauiour Christ till these dayes haue sprung vp against God's ordinance in euery age some one or other wanton schollar hath drawn Disciples and gathered Accomplices together against the supream Pastour that is the Bishop of Rome and our true Aaron as S. Bernard calleth him l. 2. de consid c. 8. pretending that he tak's too much authority vpon him lifting his own chaire aboue all others seeing that the spirit of God is with euery one of them to teach preach and administer the Sacraments without dependence of him Their intent and aime in rising thus against the supream Pastour of the Church is to persuade the vnlearned that the speciall priuiledges of Pasce oues meas confirma fratres tuos which Christ cōfer'd on S. Peter doe not descend on his successors alone in consequence of which they conceiue it needless to seek to the Bishop of Rome for Confirmation of their new opinions or to value any condemnation in order thereto that proceeds from that Apostolicall Chaire and as all wanton schollars which coyne new notions of Doctrine in order to the mysteries of Christian Religion seditiously rise against the supreame Pastour of the Church so they speake contemptuously of the schooles of orthodox Doctours in regard these be the supream Pastours chiefest consistery and the Churches sanctuary that keeps the Originall Cycli and weights of all Christian doctrine where with they weigh all coyns of new Theologies and such as are found too light are laid aside for the high Priest to condemne and anathematise lest the vnlearned learned be deluded thereby And indeed since the first erecting of scholes Cōnexae sunt saith the learned Canus scholae contemptio haeresum pestes contempt of scholes and heresies are inseperably connected together For example Luther afraid of the originall weights kept in the scholes of Orthodox Doctours sharpned his tongue against all the Vniuersities of those dayes which he called Lupanaria Antichristi the stews or Brodel houses of Antichrist and t' is common alike to all such as coyne or follow new opinions to haue an extream abhorrence from the scholes of Orthodox Doctours But woe to all such wanton schollars as goe out from the rest into seuerall sects for they perish in the contradiction of Core They are clouds without water carried about of winds Trees of Autumne without fruit raging waues of the sea foming out their owne shame and confusion wandring starres to whom is reseru'd the storm of darknes for euer Ep. Cath. Judae because they despise the scholes of Orthodox Doctours rise against the authority of their supream Pastour and cut out of their own braines vnauthorized Models of new sects and Religions As the Prince of darknes by diuine permission transforms himselfe into an Angel of light so he guideth the pencils of Ambitious schollars vnto setting forth false resemblances of true faith The extream wantonness of heady and high mynded Teachers by the crafty dealings of Satan has euen in our dayes turn'd Christianism into great disorder and confusion As the People of Rome through the delusions of Simon Magus were diuided in order to the true Selene some conceiuing her to appeare from one window some from an other and some from as many windowes as darted seeming resemblances of her so very many Christian people especially these of our own nation fince they haue let goe their hold of S. Peters Chaire that is since their falling away from the obedience due to the Church of Rome that first conuerted them to Christianism are of different iudgements as to the true faith deluded by the subtill sleights of new Teachers which according to the seuerall lustes of their high mynds haue diuided them into seuerall sects some be Lutherans some Caluinists some Protestants some Anabaptists some Independēts some fift-Monarke men some Quakers some Deists and some Atheists There are now as many faiths as wills whiles either faith is represented as new Teachers will or as they will so is interpreted and whereas according to one God one Lord and one baptism there is also but one faith men of these dayes are faln away from that which is the onely faith and begin to belieue that there is none at all confounded with the great variety of seeming faiths The ground wherof as t is afore intimated is in regard Non vnus in Ecclesia ad tempus Sacerdos ad
that is to say such as are not mēbers of Christs Church haue no right to the mysticall meate and drink which is the reall body and blood of Christ 11. The corporall and linnen clothes that couer the Altar doe signify the linnen cloath that wrapped the sacred Body of Christ when he was laid in the sepulcher Io. 19. Furthermore besides the many religious visible ceremonies God commanded to be employed in exhibition of diuine worship during the continuance of the old law Exod. 29. Christ Authour of the new law instituted sundry ceremonies and rites which be of necessity namely washing with water in Baptism imposition of hands and anoynting with consecrated oyle in the Sacrament of Order c. Yea Christ himself practised visible ceremonies for he fell on his face and prayed Io. 26. lift vp his eyes and prayed Io. 11. lift vp his hands and blessed Luc. 24. Besides when he found in the Temple which is a sensible ceremonie too deputed vnto diuine worship those that sold oxen sheep and doues c. Io. 20. he was offended to see his Fathers howse made an howse of marchandice Hereby is euidently plain that Christ when in his conference with the Samaritan Woman Io. 4. said the hower cometh and now is when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and truth he did not meane that he was come to take away sacrifice Sacraments prayers Churches and all other sensible ceremonies practised in the seruice of the new law but for as much as the cited Text is often tymes alledged by ancient and moderne sectaries especially against all visible rites of christian religion it will conduce greatly to vndeceiuing the deceiued in the sense and meaning therof if they consider duely that the Samaritans were Schismaticks as Luther and Zuinglius religious men both and Priests illegally and sacrilegiously marryed against the holy Canons and vowed chastity went out from the catholick Church in the time of Henry the eight king of England and began a schism in Germany likewise as Ballev Peter Martyr Martin Bucher c. Apostat-wedded-priests also in the reign of Edward the Sixt a childe began the schism in England countenanced and supported by Bishop Cranmer specially to which Henry the eight king Edwards Father had opened a doore only so a certain Priest of the Iews called Mansses to retain and enjoy an vnlawfull wife fell from the society of the faithfull Iewes at Hierusalem and broached schism in Samaria Besides as Luther and those other afore mentioned to establish their schisms leaped * Ioseph l. 11. Antiquit cap. 8. est propriū inquit Haereticis Schismaticis transilire capita antiquarum Ecclesiarum vt suam reddant Religionem antiquissimam ouer the heads of all christian Churches then and for many ages before establish't pretending that these were not agreeing with Christ and his Apostles in the essentialls of doctrine worship and gouernment and in consequence thereof made reformation the disguised end of their leape in like manner Manasses to render his schism plausible and taking with that people he leaped ouer the Prophet Moyses to Iacob the Patriarch and ouer the Temple in Ierusalem to the Temple of the Samaritans in Mount Garizim tying thereto the sacrifice of the Iews religion vpon pretence that the said Patriarch Iacob had therin adored long before the Temple of Salomon was built or the law giuen to obtain superiority in his schism he gaue the preeminence in Church-seruice to the place wherin he began it This was the true cause that moued the faithfull Iews to abstain from the company and conuersation of the Samaritans who maintained their adoring in Garizim to be more ancient then the worship of the Iews in Ierusalem In regard of this contention about the Temple in Ierusalem and the Temple in Garizim the Samaritan woman conceiuing Christ to be some Prophet for as much as he had reuealed vnto her the secret passages of her whole life propounded vnto him a Theologicall question touching the afore said controuersy on design to be informed to which of the two publick (e) According to holy scriptures by publick solemn adoration is meant proper sacrifice namely Joan. 12. and There vvere certain Gentils amongst them that came vp to adore at the feast And Act. 8. the Euneuch came vp to adore in Jerusalem in both these scripture-places by adoration which was publick and solemn is vnderstood proper sacrifice that was offered onely in Ierusalem but all other adorations outward and inward might be vsed in any whatsoeuer place besid's Ierusalem adoration or sacrifice was tyed and confined saying Our Fathers adored in this mountaine and ye say that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to adore that is to offer sacrifice to which Christ replying (f) The Iews and Samaritans contended about the place of sacrifice and for as much as both of them were in fault therefore Christ form'd his answere in order to both Although the Iews sacrifice was the true sacrifice neuertheless it was vnprofitable being not able to procure sanctifying grace but the Samaritans sacrifice was erroneous for they were schismaticks and adored that is offered sacrifice where God would not haue had them that is they offered sacrifice out of Gods Temple in Ierusalem and therefore Christ said to the Samaritan woman Yee adore vvhat yee knovv not said woman belieue me the houre cometh when ye shall neither in this mountaine nor at Ierusalem adore the Father c. Wherby he for'told her that the adoration or sacrifice as to both the Temples should shortly cease and be disannulled and that the true sacrifice suddenly to be instituted in room therof should not be tyed to one place or nation but should be offered in all the parts of the world according to the Prophecy of Malachias cap. 10. and instructed her with all concerning this new sacrifice signifying that is should not be a gross and carnall adoration exhibited in and by the flesh and blood of goates sheepe oxen c. as afore but that it should be a clean adoration or sacrifice containing in it selfe spirit grace and life which the others wanted yea that it should be the verity it self wherof all former sacrifices were shadowes and figures only wherefore Christ told her that the new adorers should adore the Father in spirit that is to lay should offer to God a sacrifice giuing grace and life Christ did not inculcate adoration of God in spirit to condemne adoration vnder whatsoeuer sensible rites and ceremonies but to exclude the carnall adoration or sacrifice of the Iews that wanted spirit to giue life to the soul In like manner Christ did intimate adoration of God in verity to condemne the erroneous worship of the Samaritās who albeit they did adore the true God of Israel neuertheless being Schismaticks they did not adore him in verity because they adored him out of the communion and vnity of the faithfull Iews and in the mountaine of Garizim
where God would not be adored by sacrifice this being confined to the Temple at Ierusalem Wherby followeth euidently that such as worship or adore God otherwise then he will himself be worshipped or adored doe not worship or adore him in verity or Truth Sithence God will be adored in one sole Church founded on the merits of Christ all Schismaticks and Hereticks that abandon the communion and vnity therof doe not adore God in verity vnto saluation howeuer they may flatter themselues with their mountaine of Garizim that is with their own fancied worship founded on the mountaine of pride wherfore to such worshippers may be said both according to reason and equity you adore what you know not for saluation is of one Church and such only doe pray worship and adore * Aug. in psal 130. ipse inquit in spiritu veritate orat qui in pace Ecclesiae orat in spirit and truth which pray worship and adore in peace and coÌ„munion of one catholick and apostolick Church wherunto is tyed and coÌ„fined the sacrifice worship and seruice of the new law vnto iustification of life Again though sundry Church-ceremonies be neither commanded nor mentioned (g) The Council of Trent sess 21. c. 2. declares that God hath left power vnto the Church to ordaine and institute what she shall think expedient and conducing to the reuerence of the Sacraments and the aduantages of such as receiue them wherfore Church-gouernours are called dispensers of the mysteries of God 1. Cor. 4. in the holy scriptures farther then vnto an implicite faith neuertheless they are not to be condemned for many things appertaining vnto diuine worship doe not of necessity require an express ordinance Noah built an Altar to God on which he offered a sacrifice of euery clean beast all eit he had no * Noe non iussus altare construxit vt notat S. Ambrosius warrantable authority by speciall precept Abel in like manner vnbidden offered sacrifice that was * Respexit Deus ad Abel munera eius acceptable to the diuine Majesty According to the dictates of nature God is to be worshipped Priesthood to be instituted Hosts to be immolated ministers to be deputed for exhibition of diuine scruice and speciall ornaments are to be ordained and appointed as holy signes to distinguish them from the rest of the people moreouer works of speciall commande euen executed aright are not so pleasing in the sight of God as works * Vulgare apud Theologos est dictum Deus imperat minora de maioribus dat consilium counselled only if they be done according to the rule of a discreet zeale A good work that is done in and for as much as God doth counsell the doing therof is more laudable and noble then a commanded worke because of a greater alacrity and promptitude that is required to the performance of a good work vnbidden Christ * Hierom. l. 1. con Iouia ait Christum plus amare Virgines quia sponte tribuunt quod jis non fuit imperatum bears a more speciall affection to Virgins that doe consecrate vnto him their virginity without a speciall command and indeed it is a more noble action in a man to giue an almes which he is not obliged vnto then to giue it vpon the score of an obligation Furthermore Church-ceremonies ought not to be counted * Augus Epis 40. quaes 3. dicit non esse câ—nsenduÌ„ superstitiosum omne quod christiani cum infidelibus quomodocunque habent communâ— superstitious though Pagans and other Infidells doe vse the same or the like vnto superstition for according to that argument christians should condemne vowed chastity because the Pagans had their vestall Virgins that did binde themselues by vow to a single chast life Christians should pull down Churches because Pagans built Churches christians should abolish sacrifice because Pagans offered sacrifice christians should despise all manner of prayers because Pagans vsed prayers christians should not reuerence honour and worship one true God because Pagans reuerenced honoured and worshipped many false Gods To conclude christians should not weare breeches because the Turks which be Infidells weare breeches howeuer truly according to Tertullian it is an * Pudeat inquit Tertullianus insulsos christianos quod ab Ethinicis IdoloruÌ„ suorum solemni pompa religioso gestu officio superentur exceeding great shame vnto Christians to vse less solemn pompe less ceremony and less reuerence in the seruice of the true God then is vsed by the Heathens in the worship of Idols CHAR. VI. OF BAPTISM THE CONTENTS Baptism is the sole door that openeth a passage into the Church of God The kingdom of Heauen is for euer shut against the vnbaptized that is no man can come to the clear sight of God that is not washt sacramentally afore with naturall water vnder an express invocation of the blessed Trinity de facto or in desire The sanctity of holy faithfull parents cannot render their children that dye without Baptism Heirs of Heauen coheirs and brothers of Christ Through diuine mercy those which dye without Baptism and haue nothing of any other guilt are not punisht with sensible pain after their death they are banisht the court of Heauen onely S. Austins opinion as to this point cleard Baptism ministred aright imprinteth an indelible character or marke in the soul of the baptised Anabaptism confuted Ceremonies pertaining to sacramentall baptism set down and explicated BAptism is a Sacrament of new birth or regeneration vnto iustification of life through the washing of (a) Sensible naturall water is the proper remote matter of necessity requisit to the Sacrament of baptism and accordingly the Council of Lateran haith defin'd it out of the third Chapter of S. Iohn Except that a man be born again of vvater c. and from thence is named a Sacrament of regeneration which is conform to the doctrine deliuered by the Apostle ad Tit c. 3. where he calleth baptism the vvashing of a nevv birth and indeed washing is the immediate and water the remote matter onely so that neither yee hail or snow vnless they be made fluid and thereby proper to wash are a sufficient matter of baptism naturall water vnder an expresse invocation of (b) The true form of sacramentall baptism is I baptise thee in the name of the Father son and holy Ghost which is cut out of Christs own words Mat. 28. Where is required a distinct inuocation of all the three diuine persons Wherefore Pelagius the Pope dis 4. can multi de consecra reiectes baptism administred in the name of Christ only And S. Cyprian Epis 73. ad Jubaia affirmes that the Apostles neuer baptised de facto in the sole name of Christ howeuer he grant's that S. Peter and the other Apostles named Iesus-Christ in the conferring of baptism together with the other diuine persons For example saying J baptise thee in the name of the Father and Jesus-Christ his son
CHVRCH MILITANT THE CONTENTS God hath giuen to his Church on earth the keeping of all truth that we may not be as children wauering carryed about with euery wind of doctrine by diuine institution pastorall functiōs are of necessary and perpetuall vse in the Church vnto teaching christian faith and deciding controuersies pertaining thereto without being liable to errour God hath inuested Church-Gouernours with autority to make laws and ordinances and exacte obediēce vnto them the Church cannot lie hid priuat spirits haue nothing of power to interprete scriptures or to judge matters in debate concerning faith and religion the outward testimony of the Church is the ordinary expedient necessary to the receiuing of christian faith answeres to sundry obiections vrged by sectaries in fauour of a priuat reuealing spirit holy scriptures were neither primarily intended nor primaryly deliuered as supream Judges of controuersies in order to christian faith and religion profoundnes ' of mysteries plenteousnes and shortnes of sentences render the scriptures obscure and intricate to infer the Churches infallibility from the autority of scriptures and scriptutes infallible autority from the infallible testimony of the Church implies no circle of errour faith as to the assent thereof is resolued into the Church and not into the scriptures the four principall marks of the true Church taken joyntly agree with the Roman Church onely which is the one holy catholick and Apostolick Church that neuer deuiated from truth THe Church militant is the grownd and piller of truth 1. Tim. 3. as the foundation of an house supporteth and hindereth it from falling So the Church of God sustaineth and preserueth truth that is the doctrine of christian faith from perishing wherefore whosoeuer desireth to find out truth vnto saluation must seek it in the Church which is the certaine keeper and faithfull Guardian thereof the supream prouidence hauing put therein Some Apostles and some Prophets and some Euangelists and some Pastours and Teachers for the consummation of the Saints for the worke of the ministery and for the edification of the body of Christ vntill we all meet together in the vnity of faith and the knowledg of the son of God vnto a perfect man and vnto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more children wauering and carryed about with euery wind of doctrine by the wickednesse of men and crastines of Satan whereby they lie in waite to bring vs into errour Ephes 4. where the Apostle plainly asserteth pastorall function together with the office of teaching christian faith to be of necessary and perpetuall vse in the Church for the administring of Sacraments auoiding of errours and the confirming of such as shall wauer in religion and truly it cannot be conceiued as to reason probable that Christ coming into the world to be Gouernour of souls and to make vnto himselfe a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle Ephes 5. should not departing out of the world leaue necessary helps to preserue it in holynes (a) god instituted in the old law Deut. 17. à supream Tribunall consisting of Priests for the deciding of matters in debate in order to his people to the end that if inferiour Iudges should differ in iudgment or deuiate from the truth they might recur to the Council of Priests where one chief Iudge that is the high Priest was appointed to prouounce sentence and all others bound to giue obedience therto the law condemning those of pride which resisted or refused the high Priests decision in matters of controuersie again God so specially assisted the said Council with his spirit of truth that the high Priests sentence was infallible though himselfe might erre as a priuat person Wherefore Christ Mat. 23. commanded the people to doe what the Scribs and Pharisies said in regard they sate in the Chair of Moyses And S. Iohn cap. 11. ascribes not the truth of Caiphas prophesing that Christ ought to die for the safety of that nation vnto his speaking as of himselfe but to his speaking as high Priest of that same yeare which rendered him infallible in speaking in consequence of which seeing that God so directed the high Priest in the old law that he could not speake an vntruth from the Chair of Moyses it follows of necessity that Christ in his own new law of grace so specially assistes the high Priest his grand Vicar and supream head of the Church which he built on his beloued Apostle S. Peter that he cannot tell a lye from the Chair of the same S. Peter the first high Priest of the new law after Christ Wherefore the Churches supream Gouernour that succeds in that Chair cannot erre in his decrees that concerne matters of faith or generall manners notwithstanding that he were as wicked as Caiphas From hence plainly appear's the manifest weaknes of sundry sectaries which will haue the supream Priests sentence no longer to bind then hee pronounces sentence in conformity to the word of God for there is no warrantable authority saue that of the supream Pastours Tribunall which can assure vs of the diuine word for the scripture would not be belieued if it were not warranted from the infallible Chair of S. Peter Moreouer sundry sectaries say vnaduisedly that in the old law the sentence of the high Priests concerned only ciuill matters in debate and not controuersies pertaning to faith and religion for as to this point both the second book of paralipomenon and the 24. Chapter of Exodus giue clear euidence against them Besides God hath not vsed lese care in instituting the christrian Church established in a law of grace then in forming the Synagogue of the Iewes established in a law of bondage wherefore * Deus cum primum instituit Cathedrā Moysis in Deutro promisit omnes singulas eius definitiones fore veritatis infallibilis ideo Aug. l. 4. de doct chris ait Pharisaeos scribas id est Pōtisices Mosaicos iudicantes ex Cathedra Moysis non pot uisse malè definire quamuis mali essent quia ad bene definiendum cogebantur à Deo since this had diuine authority and assistance to interpret and teach the old law of Moyses as likewise to decide all controuersies concerning the Iewish religion Deut. 17. doubtless he hath not prouided in a lesser measure for the Church of Christ in order to teaching and interpreting the new law and determining all matters that might be in debate about christian religion Again Christ being about to leaue this Church in order to his visible presence for as many ages as the world shall endure was as prouident and carefull to preserue it pure from schism and heresy as was Moyses to preserue his when he was to absent himselfe from it for a shorter time but Moyses being to goe vp vnto Mount Sinai and there to abide forty dayes and forty nights onely constituted * Exod. 24. exspectate hic inquit Moyses donec reuertamur ad vos
re shall hind vppon earth shall be bound in Heauen which is meant of ecclesiasticall Censures the greatest of which is excommunication Again Act. 15. when the new christians referred their controuersie concerning circumcision and other ceremonies of the law of Moyses to the Apostles at Ierusalem sentence of iudgment was declared by one accord thus It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to vs to lay no more burthen vpon you then these necessary things c. Wherby it is cleare that the Apostles then the representatiue Church were inuested with authority to make ordinances (c) It appeares plainly by the sacred text Act. Jt seems good to the holy Ghost and to vs to lay no more burden vpon you then these that the Apostles had authority to commande and exact obedience to their ordinances For the particles it seems good to vs to lay no more burden Shew euidently that they were superiours inuested with authority to commande and exact obedience from the people who were bound to obey them But here is obseruable that as to the matter in debate mentioned in the Chapter set down viz. whether the conuerted Gentils were obliged to obserue the law of Moyses S. Peter in that Council cald to determine it was supream Iudge for t' is written that after much dispute Peter rose vp and as head of all spoke first and decided the controuersy in fauour of the said conuerted Gentils deliuering them from the bondage of the old law and all the multitude saith S. Hierom Tom. 2. Epis 89. Augus cap. 2. kept silence and into Peters sentence or definition the Apostles S. Iames and all the Priests past with one accorde and euer since the Popes of Rome as S. Peters lawfull successors haue had precedence and the deciding suffrage in all Councils which are of credit and authoritie in the Church of God and to oblige the faithfull in the obseruation of them for the words It seemed good to vs to lay no more burden vpon you doe signify the authority of superiours to commande inferiours and the obligation of inferiours to obey their superiours Thirdly that the Church is liuing visible and speaking which is the third propriety of this Iudg is clearly expressed Act. 20. take heed to your selues and the flock wherof the holy Ghost hath made you Bishops to rule the Church of god which he hath purchased with his own blood and Again Math. 5. (d) According to S. Aug. trac in 1. epis Ioan. those are blind which cannot fee so great a mountaine and shut their eyes against the clear light put on a candlestick which is the Church of God the Church is stiled a Citty that is set on a mountaine which cannot be bid but no man can conceiue how Bishops can gouerne a Church which they see not or how a Citty set on a high mountaine can lie hid Besids all the Church offices ioynt and seperate do declare it visible liuing ad speaking neither matters it that the Church is known by faith which is of things not seen for the Apostles when they conuersed with Christ vpon earth they both saw and belieued him to be Christ As the Apostles saw Christ to be aman and belieued him to be God soe wee doe see the Church to be a congregation of men outwardly professing the faith of Christ and doe belieue that it is directed by the infallible assistance of the holy Ghost and as it cannot be euinced that a man is inuisible because an inuisible soul gouerneth him soe neither can it be euinced that the Church is inuisible because the supernaturall gifts of the holy Ghost namly faith hope and charitie wherby the Church is gouerned and men made children therof be inuisible From the premises is euidently deducible (e) S. Austin li. 10. de doct christ disputing against such as pretended to the knowledge of holy scriptures by speciall reuelations dissuades euery man from so proud and dangerous a tentation as to presume that he is taught of God and not of men and this caueat he vrgeth by many examples that the priuate spirit which is to say the particular reuealing spirit wherby as many sectaries conceiue euery priuate belieuer is enabled to interpret scriptures and iudge all matters concerning faith and religion hath no good claime to the office of this suprem Iudge beeing neither seen nor heard to speak clearly nor known certainly to be infallible in what it reuealeth to each particular belieuer in priuat for it may prudently be doubted whether it be a good spirit or not since false ministers can transforme themselues into Apostles of Christ and Satan himselfe into an Angel of light 2. Cor. 11. in consequence of which no wise and iudicious man can rely his eternity on such a priuat reuealing spirit Again God according to his ordinary way doth not immediatly himselfe reueale verities of faith to euery one in particular or iudge himselfe between party and party from the begining of the creation down to these times his prouidence hath ordained men to declare his ordinances vnto men appointed men to teach men and constituted men suprem Iudges of men for the determining of all hard matters in debate concerning faith and religion In the law of nature Abraham was made Teacher of men I know speaking of Abraham that he will command his son and family after him that they keepe the way of our lord Gen. 18. In the written law Moyses was constituted to teach the people of God the diuine ordinances and to shew vnto them the way wherein they were to walke and the worke they were to doe Exod. 18. and Deut. 17. the Priests of the Leuits were deputed supreme Iudges of controuersies which might rise about religion also Malac. 2. it is written the Priests lips shall preserue knowledg and they shall seek the law from his mouth In our new law of grace the Apostles were sent into diuers parts of the world to preach christian religion Mar. vltime Act. 8. God appointed Saint Philip to teach the Eunuch of Ethiopia Act. 9. Christ sent Saul to be instructed of Ananias and Act. 10. Cornelius the Centurion was admonished by an Angel to repaire vnto Saint Peter that he might learn of him matters of câ—ristian faith wherfore Saint Paul says Rom. 10. Faith is by heating and hearing by the word of God and how shall they heare without a preacher because ordinarily God teacheth men by men the verities of faith and Gal. 1. the same Apostle doubted not to prefer the doctrine he preached before the doctrine of an Angel from Heauen that should preach otherwise and truly if it were lawfull for euery man to follow and adhere to his own priuate spirit there would rise almost as many contrary religions as there are men liuing vpon the earth and consequently in room of that peace that Christ hath promised to the Church nothing but disorder and confusion would happen wherfore both in the old and new law this
prinat spirit is condemned for example in the old law Numb 12. God was angry with Mary Moyses Sister and Aaron because they had detracted from Moyses she saying hath our lord spoken only by Moyses hath be not spoken also by vs and Ierem. 23. Heare not the words * S. Hieron ait falsos illos prophetas referre baereticos qui sequuntur spirituÌ„ suuÌ„ quia nequaquam inquit diuino instinctu sed proprio corde vaticinantur of the Prophets that prophesie vnto you and deceiue you they speak the visions of their own hearts and not out of the mouth of our lord and Ezech. 13. God saith thus woe vnto the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit yet say the lord saith it albeit I haue not spoken likewise in the new law this priuat spirit is condemned for in the primary age of the Church (f) Eusebius l. 3. hist Eccles cap. 12. attests that Cherintus besides his other prophane nouelties fained subtil delusions as reuealed vnto him by the ministery of Angels and according to the same Eusebius l. 5. cap. 15. Montanus and Maximilla were carried away with delusions of the like nature for among the reasons why they were cut of from the Church of God one was because they pretended vnto speciall reuelations and the Church declared that it was a thing contrary to the custom and practice down from the Apostles till those times that any particular person should presume to haue a priuat spirit reuealing vnto him matters pertaning to christian faith Cherintus was counted an Heretick for pretending vnto priuat reuelations in the spreading of sundry absurd doctrines and in as much as he asserted that Iesus-Christ was not come in the flesh Saint Ioan. Apostle Epis 1. cap. 4. writeth to the faithfull against him thus Dearly beloued belieue not euery spirit but trie the spirits whether they are of God for many false prophets are gon out into this world hereby you shall know the spirit of God euery spirit which confesseth that Iesus-Christ is come in the flesh is of God and euery spirit that confesseth not that Iesus-Christ is come in the flesh is not of God Yet althought the Apostle vsed that analogie in order to this true article of faith Iesus-Christ is come in the flesh as a certain signe to shew the falshood of Cherintus assertion neuertheless he did not mean to establish it for a generall rule to distinguish euery good from euery ill spirit or euery true from euery false doctrine for the Pelagians and sundry ancient sectaries are counted Hereticks both by Lutherans and Caluinists albeit they acknowleged the mistery of the Incarnation But the generall rule for the trying of spirits Saint Iohn clearly expresseth a very little after in his same Epistle saying Wee Apostles are of God he that knoweth God heareth vs he that is not of god heareth vs not hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour In regard his first particular rule was not sufficient enough to discerne between euery true and false doctrine that is to say between all true and false Teachers therfore he addeth this generall rule viz. To heare or not to heare vs Apostles Gouernours of the Church alluding to Christs own words set down I uc 10. He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me Saint Iohn spoke in the person of all the Apostles and their successors in Church Gouerment with whom is deposited christian doctrine receiued from the mouth of Christ and truly it is very probable that no one of the other Apostles was aliue when Saint Iohn writ his Epistle yet what Christ promised Mat. 28. behold I am with you alwayes untill the end of the world remained then in him and euen now in the Prelats of the Church that succeed the Apostles in the administration therof wherby it is cleare that the office of supream Iudge of coÌ„trouersies in debate concerning faith and religion is proper to ecclesiasticall authoritie only howeuer in as much as no man can come vnto Christ except the Father which hath sent him draw him Ioa. 6. inward grace of the holy Ghost is necessarily required to belieue in and loue God aright vnto the obseruation of his ordinances and law of which is meant the prophesies Ierem. 31. I will put my law saith our lord in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Isa 50. and all thy children shall be taught of our lord to witt by inward grace which excludeth not outward Teachers for faith is by heareing and hearing importeth outward Teachers Moyses and the Prophets of those daies taught the people in as much as they declared vnto them outwardly the lawes of God affording nothing of inward help to the seeking of them but Christ truly God cloathed with human flesh taught by himselfe in our new law both outwardly preaching the doctrine of faith and inwardly instilling into the hearts of his people inward grace for the embracing of it and afterward before his ascention into heauen appointed outward visible Teachers and promised withall his own inward inuisible concurrence with them to the end of the world Wherfore doubtless the alledged scripturs will show only the maiority of Christ compared to Moyses and the Prophets in order to teaching matters of faith and religion together (g) According to holy scripture Io. 1. the law was giuen by Moyses but grace and truth came by Iesus-Christ The old law pointed at sin onely and made it known but the new law furnishes grace to fulfill it and purge out of our souls the leauen of sin with the plenteous measure of grace especially annexed to the new law in respect wherof it is stiled the law of grace neither is this necessity of outward Teachers excluded by the saying of Saint Paul 1. Cor. 2. he that is spirituall discerneth all things and he himselfe is iudged of noe man Ioa. 1. Eps cap. 2. ye need not that any man teach you but as his vnction teacheth you all things and it is true and is notlying and Saint Ioa. 1. Eps cap. 5. he that belieueth in the son of God hath the testimony of God in himselfe for as to the first text Saint Paul spoke of the spirituall man only that is to say of such beliuers as were perfect and knowing of christian doctrine and therby apt to discern false opinions and conceiue the high mysteries of faith declared by word of mouth or writing which is not to exclude outward Teachers and that this is the true meaning appeareth by the Apostle himselfe because he says in the very same Chapter set down We speak wisdom among them that are perfect and we speake wisdom in a mystery wherby he seâ—teth the spirituall maÌ„ against the naturall man that is versed only in the wisdom of the world or in the knowledge of naturall things and in the third Chapter of the same Epistle
scripturae and comfort of the scripturs may haue hope Rom. 15. although they doe not define and iudge all matters of faith and religion yet they (l) The Apostle 2. Timot. 3. Saith that all scripture is giuen by inspiration from God and is profitable to teach argue correct and instruct in iustice That is according to the ancient Fathers to resiste conuince and condemne false doctrines Wherfore according to the same Apostle ad Tit. l. a Bishop must be vnreproueable embracing the faithfull word and sound doctrine that he may be able to exhort and conuince those which say against it conduce mainly therunto tending specially to christian instruction and erudition besides they stir vs vp to ioyne vertue with faith and with vertue knowledg and with knowledg temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godliness and with godliness loue 2. Epis 2. Pet. which is the consistency and plenitude of the law Scripturs are liud * S. Ambros Epis 19. vocat sacras scripturas fontes viuos qui saliunt in vitam aeternam fountains springing vp vnto euerlasting life but the keeping and dressing of them is cōmitted only to the Church of Christ that was the rock whence they sprāg it is the christian catholick Church taught of the holy Ghost that cōprehēdeth the bredth lenght depth and hight of these heauenly fountaines which is to say it is a speciall prerogatiue giuen to the Church of Christ to interpret infallibly and iuridically the holy scripturs (m) According to S. Hierom Epis ad Paulum S Chrys hom 40. in Ioa. S. Austin l. 4. de doct christ cap. 3. the hardness of holy scrpitures proceeds from the profoundnes copiousnes compendiousnes therof in consequence of which a right vnderstanding of sundry passages of necessary depends of tradition as well obserues S. Austiu l. de fide oper and S. Hierom in his scripture prologue ingeniously confesseth that he could not vnderstandand the holy Prophets Isaias Ieremy and Daniel again S. Irenaeus l. 3. cap. 7. Orig. in explic Epis ad Rom. and S. Austin l. de fide oper cap. 14. confess with one accorde that S. Paul is hard to be vnderstood and especially in regard he vseth frequent hyperboles which proceeded from the vehemency of the spirit that guided his pen. which profoundness of misteries plenteousness of senses shortness of sentences haue rendred obscure hard and intricate as plainly appeareth by the holy writers of the old law namely Isay Ieremy Ezechiel Daniel and of the new law Saint Paul especially according to the testimony of Saint Peter 2. Pet. 3. wherein he speaketh of his writings thus * S. Irenaue l. 3. cap. 7. scribens de Haereticis testatur Paulū hyperbolis vti frequenter propter impetu spiritus qui in ipso fuit Idē sentiūt Origines explicat Epistolae ad Rō Aug. de fide operibus cap. 14. 15. our Brother Paul in all his Epis mentioneth things in which Epistles some things are hard to be vnderstood which they that are vnlearned and vnstable wrest as they doe also others scripturs vnto their own perdition for further proofe of this catholick assertion may be alledged the perpetuall contention between one sectary and an other concerning the interpretation of scripture Texts in reference to controuersies of faith for example from the words This is my body Luc. 22. Lutherans doe argue the true and real presence of Christs body in the Sacrament together with the substance of bread contrariwise Caluinists infer a meer figure of Christs body Anabaptists deduce out of the commission Christ gaue vnto his Apostles Math. 18. goe and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father c. That baptism ought not to be administrated but to such as are de facto apt to receiue instruction And the Arians misinterpreting that saying of Christ Io. * Apud S. Joan. dicit Christus Pater maior me est alibi ego Pater vnum sumus Posterior textus explicatur ab Arianis de vnitate consensus conformitate voluntatū My Father is greater then I denied his Godhead the holy scriptures are a great light of christian doctrine for they are the dictates of the holy Ghost yet not sufficient enough to let vs see the way to euerlasting life vnless they be set on the cādlestick of the * Vt luceat omnibus qui in domo sūt Mat. 5. Church it is not the same thing to be a light and to enlighten a light vnder a bushell is a light and shineth there howeuer it doth not giue light to all that are in the house but when it is put on the candlestick Math. 5. euen so the scripturs light put vnder a bushell that is vnder the interpretation of priuate wits continueth a shining light in it selfe neuertheless doth not enlighten vnto euerlasting life but when it is put on the candlestick of infallible authority proper to the Church of Christ Again the scripture is a booke written within and on the backside Apoc. 5. the outward writing is the letter that killeth the inward the spirit that giueth life 2. Cor. 3. as the soul quickneth the body (n) S. Austin ser 70. de tempore expounding the sacred Text Epis ad Cor. the letter killeth the spirit quikneth If saith he thou follow the true sense of scripture which is the spirit that giues life to the soule it will bring thee vnto saluation but if thou shalt neglect the true sense adhering to the outward letter presuming the true sense to be therein it will often tymes lead thee into errour And according to Tertul. l. de resur carnis Heresies spring vp in regard the scriptures are misinterpreted And he speaking of S. Pauls Epistles affirms that it ought not to seem a hard thing or any way strang that from thence errours should arise since heresies must be 1. Cor. 11. which notwithstanding would not be if the scriptures were interpreted aright Heresies must be not becaus God hath appointed that they should be but because he permitted that they might be and mans free will together with pride and malice makes them to be against Gods positiue will howeuer the supream prouidence from euil heresies draws good things soe the spirit or sense of the scriptures quickneth the letter but to come vnto the spirit of necessity there is required the opening of the booke which the Church onely can doe trusted with the key of authority that openeth it wherfore in as much as many men down from the begining of christianity to these times haue adhered rather to the letter then to the sense of scripture and thence cut out vnauthorized interpretations of their own many heresies haue sprung vp to the distruction of infinit souls wherof Christ prophesying said heresies must be He fore saw that euen of such as were incorporated into his Church would men rise * S. Cypri Epis 55. ad Cornelium Nec aliunde
inquit haereses obortae sunt aut nata sūt schismata quam quod Sacerdoti Dei non obtemperatur nec vnus in Ecclesia ad tē pus Sacerdos Iudex vice Christi cogitatur teaching peruerse things to draw disciples after them wherby is euidenced that no priuat man is an infallible interpreter of holy scriptures neither can know certainly that scriptures are the word of God laying aside the Churches authority For example credence is not giuen to the canon or caralogue of scriptures because of scripture testimony which no where attestes that catalogue in so much that Luther and Caluin down from the begining of their defection to the departure out of the world contended about the number of canonicall scriptures and their adherents of these dayes respectiuely continue in the pursuance of the same dispute Moreouer there is greater reason that the christian faith should rely rather on the Church which * S. Cypri in trac de vnitate Ecclesiae adulterari inquit nō potest sponsae Christi incorrupta est pudicae is an infallible ground and piller of truth then of sole scriptures which are liable to mutations corruptions and false interpretations howeuer scriptures cōsidered in themselues precisely do chaleng equall authority with the Church the same diuine spirit that directeth the tongues of the supream pastours in speaking (o) God by his absolute and extrrordinary power can himselfe alone or by an Angel instruct men and reueale matters of faith and christian religion without the ministery of the Church And doubtless the Apostles had noe other master but God himselfe as to sundry mysteries of christian faith and Christ himselfe confesseth that S. Peter came to the knowledge of his diuine nature by reuelation from God the Father Caro Sanguic non reuelauit tibi sed Pater meus guided the pennes of the Apostles and Euangelists in writing and as the Church beareth witnesse of the scriptures infallible doctrine so the scriptures do witness the Churches infalible authority yet so as that faith in order to its acte of assent is resolued into the Church and not into the scriptures for noe man can prudently belieue any scripture to be the word of God if the Church that is the ground and piller of truth should not declare it for such howeuer Catholicks who doe infer the Churches infallibility from the testimony of scripture and the authority of scripture from the testimony of the Church are noe more guilty of committing (p) According to Euclide a mathematicall circle taken in the proper sense is the passing of one and the same line from and the repassing vnto the same point and by the same way a circle of errour then are Philosophers that assert mutuall causalities or doe argue from a cause its proper effect and from an effect its proper cause for example from the rising of the sun is proued the existence of the day and againe the existence of the day proueth the risiing of the sun wherin there is noe circle of errour which properly consisteth in the coming again of the same thing vnto the same thing from whence it came and by the same way it came but the way of one cause is not the way of an other cause nor the way of an effect is the way of the cause wherof it is the effect in like manner the way of the Church which is a cleare speaking Iudge is not the way of the scriptures which consiste in mute elements of characters and although we belieue that the Church is an infallible proposer of all matters pertaining to faith because of the scripture testimony neuertheless if the scriptures had borne noe witness therof there is euidence of credibility enough to induce vs prudently to belieue the Churches infallibility which euen before the writing of scriptures was beliued neither do we recur to scriptures to proue it (q) In disputs or conferences with such as deny holy scriptures motiues of credibility haue weight with them and that one which S. Austin vseth l. con Epis Faus cap. 4. seems of greattest moment Many things saith he keepe me fast in the bosom of the Catholick Church for example the vnanimous accord of people and nations authority confirmed by miracles .... by antiquity strengthned and the succession of Bishops dovvn from S. Peter the Apostle to vvhom our lord committed the feeding of his sheepe vnto the present Episcopacy but when we haue to doe with such as admit them and euen then we doe not alledge scriptures as the formall cause the Churches infallibility is known by for that is diuine reuelation but as witness of it only for we doe not belieue precisely that the Church is infallible because the scripturs do say it but in regard of many other motiues which do moue vs to giue our assent thereto neither was the church intended for the vse of the scriptures but scriptures for the vse of the Church besides no man without manifesting extream weakness can except against the mutuall testimony that Christ and S. Iohn Baptist gaue of one another or against the disciples of both who belieued their masters to be such as their masters reciprocally had declared theselues to bee The principall marks or tokens of the true Church * Quatuor illa signa dilucide constant ex sacra scriptura ex symbolis Apostolorum Nicae S. Athanasij expressè habentur in sym Constātinop cuius Patres voce apostolicam diuinitus addiderunt are foure set douwn in that Article of christian faith viz I belieue one holy catholick and apostolick Church Albeit that the true Church consisteth of many members yet it is but one body 1. Cor. 12. of Christ in vnity of faith and baptism One lord one faith one baptism Ep. 4. nor can Christ be an author of diuision that is a God of vnion Likwise it is holy for as much as it is the body of Christ that is the fountain of all holyness and enioyes a sacrifice and Sacraments which confer sanctity neither matters it that sundry members of his body are guilty of mortall transgressions For as such as profess any art are counted artificers though they doe not act according to the principalls or rules there-of so the said members in regard they put on Christ (r) According to S. Austin in psal 85. if all christians and true belieuers are baptized in Christ they haue put on Christ as the Apostle reacheth Gal. 3. and if they be made members of his body and say they are not holy they do an iniury to the head whose members are holy by Baptism and become the chosen people of God by faith are called holy although they doe not obserue the ordinances and lawes of either For example 1. Cor. 1. the Corinthians are said to be sanctified in Christ IESVS and holy neuertheless there were among them both the naturall and carnall men The true Church militant is (ſ) According to the Euangelist
5. asserteth touching children that die immediatly after baptism notwithstanding they will receiue aduantages in order to their bodies in the day of generall resurrection But as to Onesiphorus Mr. White perhaps will answer that the Apostle supposeth him dead because in the same Chapter t is said Our lord giue mercy to the house of Onesiphorus Yet that form of speech doth not make him dead for the Apostle sayeth Rom. 10. salute them which are of Aristobulus his house and Mr. White cannot make it appeare by any orthodox writer that then Aristobulus was dead again the same Apostle 1. Cor. 10. writeth thus now brethren I beseech you ye know the house of Stephanus and Fortunatus be you obedient vnto such and yet it is certaine that Stephanus and Fortunatus were liuing at that time for the Apostle saith in the same Chapter I am glad of the coming or presence of Stephanus and Fortunatus Howeuer the Latine and Greek Martyrologes ought to carrie more weight with wise and iudicious men then Mr. Whites meer asserting the contrary But let his supposall be admitted gratis what doth he infer thence Mary that the soul of Onesiphorus bath not already found that mercy the Apōstle prayed our lord might grant vnto him because the Apostle praid that Onesiphorus might find it in illo die in that day In earnest a manifest weake inference in regard it relies on a false supposall as the former did viz. that of necessity by illo die thay day is meant the day of generall iudgment neither doth Mr. White produce any proofe besids his own bare assertion to shew that to be the Apostles meaning nor indeed can he produce any for both the words that day as likwise euen the words the day of our lord doe commonly signifie in scripture and namly 1. Cor. 5. 2. Cor. 1. Philip. 1. 1. Thes 2. as doe * Doctores Rhemenses in Annot a. super cap. 3. Epis 1. ad Cor. obserue Catholicke writers either the particular or generall iudgment And doubtless the mentioned Text of the Apostle is truly very fied in respect of particular judgment where vnto euery man is liable immediatly after his death because euery one shall be iudged in the generall iudgment according to the account he giues after his death at the particular tribunall of diuine Iustice and not only the fauour that a soul findeth in the generall iudgment but also the fauour that it finds at the particular iudgment is called in the scripture mercy both the one and the other being shown vpon the score of good works which proceed from the mercyfull grace of God through the merits of our lord Iesus-Christ Hereby plainly appeareth the vnquietness of Mr. Whits hawty spirite for as much as through a sacrilegious ambition he endeauours to wrest the Apostles words to ouerthrow the common practice of the whole Church of God Moreouer in persuance of his vnquiet ambition he passeth from this scripture-text vnto Church Lyturgies bearing himselfe confident to euidence thereby that the vnanimous consent of antiquitie witnes plainly on his side Let S. Iames be our first witness saith he in his lyturgy of the Hierosolymitan Church be mindfull lord God of the spirits and their bodyes whom we haue commemorated or not commemorated who were orthodox from the iust Abell to this present day Thou grant them there to rest in the region of the liuing in thy kingdom in the delights of paradise And to assure the reader that the Hierosolymitan Church which by origine is the Cheif in as much as she begun from the iust Abell could not exclude any he produceth S. Cyrills testimony for which he citeth his first catechesis next faith S. Cyril for the holy Fathers and Bishops departed and of all vniuersally who are dead from amongst vs. The second witness S. Basils Mass or lyturgy Bee mindfull also of all who haue slept in hope of resurrection vnto life euerlasting The third witnes S. Chrys Mass or lyturgy For the memory and remission of their sins who were the founders of this habitation worthy of eternall memory and all who haue slept in thy communion in the hope of resurrection and life eternall our orthodox Fathers and brethren The fourth witness S. Marks Mass or lyturgy Giue rest our lord our God to the souls of our Fathers and brethren who haue slept in the faith of Christ mindfull of our Ancestours from the begining of the world Fathers Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Bishops Saints and iust men all the souls of Those who departed in the faith of Christ and moreouer of those whose memory this day we celebrate and our holy Father Marke the Euangelist to the souls of all these giue rest our supream lord and God in thy holy Tabernacle c. and he concludes saith Mr. White to their souls grant rest and admit them to the kingdom of Heauen The fift witnes S. Greg. the great his lyturgy Remember also o lord thy seruants who haue gone before vs with the sign of faith and now rest in the sleep of peace To them our lord and all that rest in Christ wee beseech the grant a place of ease and light and peace From the witnesses set down Mr. White argueth thus So many Patriarchall Churches continually in their publick lyturgyes beseech God in generall tearmes to giue saluation to all the faithfull departed assigning them a place of ease light and peace and where none is excepted all are included and in our case eminent Saints particularly named we cannot therefore doubt but that prayer was anciently offered for the blessed that is to say we cannot doubt but that the ancient Churches offered prayers for such as departed in the faith of Christ that they might find mercy saluation place of ease light and peace euen after their souls were beatified these aduantages according to Mr. White being the motiues on which ancient Churches grounded their prayers suffrages and sacrifices which they offered for such as were already blessed that they might find mercy place of ease light and peace which implies manifest weakness for he contradicts himselfe since blessedness is a clear sight of God importing of necessity saluation mercy place of ease light and peace Wherfore it seems a strang thing that vpon such premises he should conclude with soe much confidence as if the point were euidently clear that the anciēt lyturgyes acknowleged prayers for the blessed as to procuring them mercy saluation place of ease light and peace besides it s not as to reason consonant that the said lyturgyes should require the prayers and sacrifices of the faithfull on earth for the aduantages of the blessed in Heauen since these (m) As to the Churches lyturgyes it is obseruable 1. That in Saint Iames lyturgy these words are set down Let vs celebrate the memory of the most holy immaculate most glorious Mother of God and euer Virgin Mary and of all the Saints that through their prayers vve may obtaine
mercy Whereby it is euident that the Apostle did not conceiue that our prayers might benefit the Saints vnto the obtaining of mercy or an encrease of glory but that wee might be saued and glorified through their prayers 2. S. Basil in his lyturgy prayeth thus O lord let none of vs receiue the holy body and blood of thy Christ vnto iudgment or condemnation but vnto finding of mercy and grace in the society of all the Saints vvhich haue been pleasing in thy sight Patriarcks Prophets Apostles Euangelists Martyrs Confessors .... specially the holy Immaculate Virgin blessed lady Mother of God through vvhose intercession visit vs o God After the same manner S. Chrys prayeth in his lyturgy but Mr. White conceals these parts of the lyturgyes as all moderne sectaries haue done afore altering the lyturgyes as he doth to proue that souls departed are not translated into Heauen before the generall resurrection Nicolaus Cabasalas a Greek Author who about 300. yeares agoe set forth an exposition of the Greek lyturgy affirms cap. 33. that to offer sacrifice for the Saints is to giue God thanks for them For the Saints saith he the Church offereth this rationall vvorship and honour as a thanks giuing to God and especially for the blessed Mother of God vvho exceeds all others in sanctity from whence he infers that a Preist prays not for the Saints but prayeth them that he may be assisted by them in his prayers And cap. 49. saith expresly that if a Preist should properly pray in the Mass for the Saints it would follow that he should pray for the blessed Virgin who is aboue all intercession and more holy by many degrees then the Apostles themselues Besids in the whole Chapter 49. he impugnes those who taught that a Preist prayeth in the Mass for Saints and shews clearly that the Latin praeposition pro. in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in English for is not alwaies a token of intercession but sometymes of thanksgiuing which he proues euidently enough from the words of the lyturgy Again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometymes signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the room of an other so that to offer sacrifice for the Saints may signifie to giue thanks to God in the name or room of the Saints in order to the many graces and benefits which his diuine goodness hath confer'd vpon them And though this Author was a schismatick neuertheless he deliuered plainly the sense of the Greek Church and his authority is warrantable being put with the ancient Fathers lyturgies giue clear euidence of prayers and intercessions made to the blessed Saints for the releife of all the faithfull both liueing and dead that stand charged with any guilt or defiled with any vncleanes Again to shew the extreame wantonnes of Mr. Whites witt in order to singularitie t is certaine that down from the first age of the Church to these times he cannot produce one amongst all the ancient and moderne orthodox writers that interprets the said Masses or liturgyes in his sense to wit of prayers and sacrifices offered for the aduantage of the blessed these hauing noe need in regard they are satiated with the plenty of the house of God satisfyed with the fountaine of life conforted with the son of light and inebriated with euerlasting pleasurs Psal 35. wherby t is euidently manifest that although blessed Saints be commemorated in the lyturgyes of the Church and the August sacrifice of Christs precious body and blood is said to be offered for them Neuertheless it is neuer said or meant that such commemorations and offerings were done to benefit them and indeed to offer the Churches sacrifices for the ancient Fathers Patriarcks Prophets Apostles Euangelists Martyrs according to the approued interpretation of all orthodox writers is thereby to celebrate their memory vnto honoring and reuerencing them and to beseech God that through their prayers and intercessions he will heare our prayers and supplications We all saith S. Cyrill Hierosoll catechesi 5. mystigogica where he explaines the words of the Greeke lyturgy beseech thee and offer vnto thee this sacrifice in commemoration euen of those who are dead from amongst vs. First of the Patriarcks Apostles Martyrs that God through their intercessions may receiue our prayers After the same manner speaks S. Austin in his 17. Sermon vpon the words of the Apostle 'T is saith he the practice and custome of the Church which the faithfull know that when martyrs are commemorated at the Altar of God we pray not for them but for the rest commemorated which are dead from amongst vs wee doe pray because it is an iniurie to pray for a Martyr to whose prayers we ought to be recommended Hereby is further euidenced that albeit the lyturgyes especially some of those which Mr. White alledges on his side seem to direct the suffrages of the Church wherof the sacrifice of the Altar is Cheife euen to the helping of such as be departed in the faith of Christ rest in peace and are counted for eminent Saints already Howeuer that seeming apparence ought to be ascribed to the intricacy of the lyturgyes wherin words and sentences are obscurly set down and the meaning of the Church thereby is to be vnderstood in order only to such faithfull departed as haue need of helpe Wherfore S. Tho. supp q. 71. art 8. teacheth that the blessed Saints in regard they haue full enioyment of all things in as much as they are satisfied with the fatnes of the house of God haue noe need of the Churches suffrages and S. Cyrill Cateches afore mentioned where he explicats the words of the Greek lyturgy writeth thus We pray to God for the common peace of the Church for the tranquility of the whole world for kings for souldiers for the sick for the afflicted in sum for all which haue need of help Which shows euidently enough that the ancient Churches neuer offered their suffrages for the helping of the blessed Saints that suffer nothing of want But lord God what crafty dealings Mr. White vseth to bring the stream of Church lyturgyes to run on his side some words he cuts of others cites amiss and especially omits what concernes the B. Mother of God as likwise the ad dresses the Church maks to the Saints of God for helpe through their supplications and intercessions besides to proue more particularly that S. Iames lyturgy of the Hierosolomitan Church allows of prayer for the benefit of the dead vniuersally in as much as it saith be mindfull lord God of the spirits and their bodyes whom we haue commemorated or not commemorated who were orthodox from the iust Abell to this present day Mr. White addeth these words But let vs consider more particularly the point of praying for the blessed the Hierosolymitan Church is by origine the Chief the begining from the iust Abell cannot certainely be supposed to exclude any and S. Cyril the Heire of S. lames in his first Catechesis will assure vs she