were put over them for their rule and direction they might be perfectly join'd together in the same mind and same judgment 1 Cor. 1. 10. That they might be preserv'd in the Unity of Peace and be no more Children rossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine Ephes 4. 14. And that the People or Flock might have no scruple or solicitude upon them for fear of being led into Error by these Apostles and Pastors but might securely and without anxiety of Spirit rest under their Guidance and Direction Christ did most solemnly promise the said Overseers the Apostles and Pastors the assistance of his Holy Spirit I am with you always even unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 2c The Comforter the Holy Ghost shall teach you all things Jo. 14. 26. By which effectual Promise they were constituted Guides were taught all Truth and all those secur'd from Error who committed themselves to their Instruction The Catholic Church being thus constituted and ordian'd by Christ himself and provided with Apostles and Pastors divinely assisted for the instructing the Flock in the Mysteries of the Christian Faith with an obligation on all that heard them to believe upon pain of damnation He that believeth not shall be damn'd Mat. 16. 16. it is certain that all such as did separate themselves from the Communion of the Apostles either by contradicting or disbelieving their Doctrine or being refractory to their Government did in this most heinously offend the Divine Majesty and exclude themselves from the hopes of Salvation the former by rejecting the true Faith without which 't is impossible to please Him Heb. 11. 6. the latter by disobedience resisting the Ordinance of God They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 1. 2. This was the Face and Constitution of the Church of Christ in the time of the Apostles Salvation being promis'd to those that believ'd He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and Damnation threatned to disbelievers He that believeth not shall be damned Mar. 16. 16. So that 't was no Uncharitable but a most Evangelical Assertion in the Evangelist to say The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Act. 2. 47. And the declaring that there was no Salvation out of their Church was nothing but a necessary Doctrine The Church being thus by Christ himself founded the Pillar and Ground of Truth 2 Tim. 3. 15. consisting of Pastors and Teachers to instruct and of the Flock under an indispensable obligation of receiving and Submitting to their Instruction it was so to continue to the end of the World Christ's Spirit being to abide with her for ever Jo. 14. 16. The Promise of his assistance being not limited to the Persons of the Apostles but annex'd to their Function As therefore St. Paul when he left Ephesus Act. 20. 28. appointed others to oversee and rule the Flock with their Commission from the holy Ghost So he and the other Apostles when they departed this Life had others to succeed them for the Direction and Government of the Faithful And as those who cut themselves off from the Communion of the Apostles incurr'd the guilt of Damnation by unavoidably in so doing erring in Faith or Disobedience so likewise all those who separated from the Communion of their Successors it being at all times most certainly true that there was no true Faith nor true Charity in any that separated themselves from the Doctrine and Government of the Church of Christ over which the Apostles were Overseers and Rulers for their time and their Successors to be so after them to the end of the World. This as to the Apostles is evident from the severe censure of Deceivers pronounc'd against all those who endeavour'd to make Divisions in their time Ephes 4. 14. where they are said to work by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive And 2 Tim. 2. 18. Such as dissented from the Apostles are condemn'd for erring concerning the Truth and overthrowing the Faith. And Tit. 3. 11. They are said to be subverted and in sin and to be condemn'd of themselves And as to their Successors the Practice of the Primitive Church in the time of her confess'd Purity is a most convincing Argument there being none that in the first three or four Centuries ever separated from them either in point of Doctrine or making Schisms tho under the most colourable pretext of Reforming Errors or rejecting Innovation but were declar'd Innovators as men to be avoided as cut off from the Mystical Body of Christ by the Pastors and Overseers then in being The Rule of St. John 1 Joh. 4. 6. being always the standard-Measure of the Church He that knows God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error Here then 't is evident that the Catholic Church in the time of the Apostles as also of their Successors was the Depository of the true Faith and that to dissent from her in Faith was to fall into Error to divide from God He that hears you hears me and he that despises you despises me Luke 10. 16. If he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen and a Publican Matth. 18. 17. and consequently no Promises of Christ nor Salvation to be expected by such who were not of her Communion This same One holy Catholic Church he believes to have continued in all Ages it being at all times true what has been always said by the Faithful in the Creed I believe the holy Ca-Cholic Church and that 't is to remain to the end of the World assisted by the Spirit of God and preserv'd from teaching errors according to the Promise of Christ Matth. 28. 20. Joh. 14. 16. So that as then so now at this time there is a Church succeeding that of the Apostles which teaches all Truth and from which none can separate without erring in Faith or incurring the guilt of Schism Sins altogether inconsistent with Salvation And because after most serious Considerations and the weighing of all Reasons he believes this Church to be that in whose Communion he is he do's not question but what is truly affirm'd of the Church of the Apostles and succeeding Ages and those that fell from it is most true of the same Church now in being of which he 's a Member and of all those who separate from it upon what pretext soever And however this may be painted out for Vncharitablenss yet 't is certainly the very Doctrine deliver'd by the Apostles and the Practice of the Primitive Church And when the worst has been made of it yet still he do's not come short of Dr. Tillotsons Charity for notwithstanding all this yet so much Charity he has and he desires always to have it as to hope that a great many of other separate Perswasions who live piously and have been
and that as every Man has a Head of his own so he has generally a Reason or way of Reasoning of his own nay are not Men so Inconstant even with themselves too that what is Reason to them at one time is Vnreasonable at another How then can you set up a Thing so Slippery so Weak Various Wavering Changeable Inconstant as you see Private Reason is to be rely'd on by every man as his Guide in Scripture and Judge of the word of God Christian Faitb◠as you know from St. Paul Ephes 4. 5. is but One and all Christians are directed by the same Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 10. to meet in this one Faith to be of one Spirit and one Mind to say all the same thing to avoid Divisions Now how can you imagine it possible for all Christans to concur in the same Belief whilst the Scriptures being but One which they read their Private Judgments give differing and contrary Interpretations of it and carry them several ways If Faith be to follow every Man 's Private Reason is it not impossible for the Faith to be One whilst their Reason is so different If the word of God as it is One in it self were also One and the Same in every Man 's Private Judgment 't would certainly produce in all the Same Belief without distinction or Division But as long as the Scriptures are no otherwise in people's Heads and Hearts than by the Interpretation they make of it their Faith must necessarily be as Various as their Interpretations which being conform to their Private Reasons there can be little grounds for Vnity of Faith whilst in their Reason there 's so little agreement 'T is said of the Manna that the Taste of it was not the same to all the Israelites but that it relish'd according to that kind of meat which was most grateful to every ones Palate Now if the Israelites in Canaan had receiv'd a Command of bringing forth that sort of Meat whose Taste should be like that of the Mánna they eat in the Desart is it possible they should all agree in their Dish since tho the Manna was the same they all fed on yet the Relish was as different as their Tempers and Palates This is our Case All Christians that read the Holy Scriptures look upon themselves commanded to produce in their Hearts a Faith conform to that they are taught in the Scriptures which they read And what is special here in this Faith they are all without exception commanded to agree to be of one Mind one Spirit Now how is it possible their Faith should be the same in all since the Scriptures do not make the same impressions on all but as variously as are the Interpretations they frame of it these being as different as their Private Judgment their Reasons and Imaginations Misrepresent You set up Reason then against Scripture and by your own Private Reasoning overthrow both You are a very Reasonable Creature it seems but no body will think so besides your self The very Frogs and Crabs are a sufficient confutation of all your Pretences either to Sence or Reason Represent Whether's the Man run now Where about are you Misrepresent Not one step beyond Somerset-house and St. James ' s. I have only a mind to make you blush with the sence of your own stupidity whilst you are so loudly laying claim to Reason Is not your imposing upon the People with Crabs and Frogs for the Souls coming out of Purgatory on the Anniversaries of the Dead a convincing Argument that your Phancies are too big with Absurdities and Nonsence to have much Reason amongst you Represent I am still in the dark and see not where you are Misrepresent You are taught to deny what you are asham'd to own but the matter of Fact is beyond all question I know a Gentleman that would not lie for the matter who saw the Crabs at St James 's in Black Crape Cases the last year upon the edges of the Hearse-cloth and immediately came and told it to an Acquaintance of his in the Pall-mall Another Gentleman a Friend of mine upon the same day being invited by Curiosity into Somerset-house to see the Ceremony after several other diversions at last espied great numbers of little Moveables upon the Mourning Black Cloth that cover'd the Pavement diverting him with an uncertain mixt Motion something betwixt Tumbling and Crawling He could not here chuse but ask what they were and a good well meaning Catholic that stood next told him the Fathers were praying for the Dead and those were the Souls releas'd out of Purgatory by their good Prayers This put an edge to his Curiosity and Invention and he never left them till coming near the Altar he laid hands on One that was there a stragler and cunningly slip'd it into his Pocket Represent There 's no coming for any Spectator within three or four yards of the Altar the Rails keep all at a distance Misrepresent Oh! I know nothing of that matter he was a Crafty Blade and I am sure he did It and by degrees making his way out he went strait to a Tavern where some Friends were waiting his coming He made them a Relation of the whole matter and immediately with great earnestness they were all for having the Soul making its appearance and seeing the inside of it Whereupon One more courageous than the rest ventur'd upon it and having Vnripp'd the Case presently something nimbly skipp'd out to their great surprise They began to fear now the Soul was fled but a joyful Frog falling on the Table glad at the release from its Purgatory-bag put an end to the Comedy filing them with laughter and sport but most of all with Contempt of the Papists who by such silly Inventions deceive the World and cheat the Poor harmless people Represent And this is Gospel now I 'll warrant you amongst your Flock Well if there were nothing else in Popery to assure one of the Truth of that Religion so Nick-nam'd yet to consider with how many Wicked Lies Malicious Inventions Oatish and Bedloish Fables 't is attack'd assaulted and undermin'd is enough to convince any one that the Devil is its greatest Enemy who by such Engines of Hell is so industrious for its overthrow Were it so neer allied to Satan as you confidently delude your Followers these Lies would be then indeed necessary to uphold but not to defeat it 'T is strange to all Good Christians how that at all times you can so keep alive a Continued Popish Plot in the Brains of some Protestants that for every Fiction and Lie of yours you have your Affidavit-men ready you have always some in a Tavern a Coffee-house at a Dinner or Supper with Friends that attest the Truth of your Malicious Reports and stand for Eye-Witnesses of what had never any other Being but what You gave it in Your Committee of Lies These Crabs these Frogs these Christmas-Cradles the Rockings and Nursings and warming of
upon the same grounds turn Christianity out of doors and own it to be built on no better foundation than the Ignorant Zeal and Confidence of its Asserters The Motive of St. Augustin for his embracing the Scriptures for the Word of God was the Authority of the Catholic Church he expresly declaring cont Ep. Fundam That he would not believe the Gospel except the Authority of the Catholic Church mov'd him to it From this same Authority it is he receives every Article of his Faith and since in his very Creed he is taught to believe the Holy Catholic Church he thinks he has Reason enough to do it And whosoever taxes him of Weakness or Confidence for so doing do's nothing less than call him a Fool for believing his Creed and this is only one Remove from telling him that if he 'll be Wise and have good Reasons for what he do's he must be no Christian Others may be so Wise as to believe only Eleven Articles of their Creed for his part he thinks it no reflection upon his Wisdom to believe Twelve he was taught so many when he was a Child and he do's not find he has outgrown any one of the number This Catholic Church which by the Creed every Christian is bound to believe is as was explicated in our last the Congregation of all true Believers under the Government and Direction of Pastors and Teachers in an uninterrupted Succession descending from the Apostles who by Gods appointment are set over the Flock to feed and rule it and whom the Flock is oblig'd to hear and obey and whose Faith they are bound to follow in each respective Age. 'T is thus deliver'd to him by St. Paul Heb. 13. 7 17. Remember them which have the Rule over you whose Faith follow Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves And this way of the Faithful receiving their Instruction in the Christian Belief from the Catholic Church speaking to them by the Pastors and Teachers of the said Church which is the Method he observes as to every Article of his Faith has been always look'd on so sound and reasonable that in the time of the very Apostles and of the Primitive Church there was never any us'd but this 't was by this means the World first became Christian and by the very same Orthodox Christianity has been always preserv'd in its vigour and purity notwithstanding all the oppositions of Subtle Malicious or Self-interested Adversaries He that has but read the Scriptures cannot but have observ'd that the Method prescrib'd by Cbrist himself for the planting and propagating the Mysteries of his Holy Faith in the World was by ordaining and commissionating Apostles and Disciples to inform all Mankind of his Doctrine and Religion and the only Reasonable Means for any at that time to arrive to the certain Knowledge of the True Faith was to hear and submit to the Doctrine deliver'd by Those that were thus sent to Preach and Teach it This is the way by which the Christian Religion was first planted in the World and by this it has been ever since maintain'd The same Pastors and Overseers that were to teach the Gospel having another part of their Charge viz. To stand up in case of any Difficulties or Divisions arising in Point of Faith and by their Decision to put an end to the Controversie So to preserve Unity amongst the Faithful and defeat all the attempts of Turbulent and Presuming Spirits This Method of Pastors and Teachers directing and feeding and the Obligation of the Flock to Submit and Obey as necessary for continuing One Faith amongst Believers he has learnt to be Reasonable and of Divine Institution from the Practice of the Apostles For he finds Acts 15. that a Controversie being started at Antioch concerning the necessity of Circumcision 't was not left to every Particular Believer to think and decide the matter as they judge fit according to the best of their Knowledge and Parts neither did Paul and Barnabas with other Overseers of the Church of Antioch undertake to define any thing in this Particular No what was the Common Concern of all Christians was not to be determin'd by the Rulers and Pastors of any Particular Church but as belonging to All 't was to be remitted to the Consideration and Decision of Those who had All under their Charge that is the Pastors of the Vniversal or Catholic Church And thus did Paul and Barnabas for going up to Jerusalem the Cause was committed to the Hearing and Sentence of All the Apostles and Elders assembled at Jurusalem And as 't was determin'd by Them thus in Body 't was receiv'd by the Faithful with consolation not only at Antioch but in all other Places wheresoever the Gospel of Christ was preach'd by the Apostles who as they went through the Cities deliver'd them the Decrees for to keep that were ordain'd of the Apostles and Elders who were at Jerusalem Act. 16. 4. This was the Practice of the Apostles as it stands recorded in Holy Writ providentially there describ'd that their Successors the Rulers and Pastors of the Church in future Ages from this Authentic President might be provided of a Means whereby to maintain a Vnity in Faith amongst all True Believers however spread throughout the different and divided Nations of the Universe and know how to give a check to all growing Schisms and Heresies As therefore the Apostles put a stop to this Debate concerning the Circumcision by determining in Council in what manner the Faithful were to be taught were to believe and do in this Particular and by this Determination preserv'd the Vnity of Spirit in the Bond of Peace amongst the Faithful and prevented the many Divisions which otherwise might have torn the Flock asunder had they been every one lest to their own thoughts to judge of it as they pleas'd In like manner did the Pastors of the Church succeeding them in their Charge in the like Circumstances for when there appear'd any entring in among the Flock as was foretold by St. Paul Act. 20. 29. and like grievous Wolves not sparing it but speaking Perverse things to draw away Disciples after them The Overseers who were to feed the Church of God and commanded by the same Apostle to Watch and take heed to all the Flock ib. v. 28. assembled in Council and by their Determination declar'd to all under their Charge the Faith deliver'd and directed them which way to believe as to the Point in debate This was the Practice of the Primitive Church when as yet acknowledg'd Pure and Vncorrupted Thus did the Pastors then in the First General Council at Nice decide the Controversie rais'd by Arius thus they did in the Second at Constantinople in the Third at Ephesus in the Foutth at Chalcedon The Faithful always receiving with great Veneration the Determination of their Pastors thus Assembled and looking upon this Submission to their Doctrine as the most Reasonable Means whereby
Clouts and some other Reports that have been warmly carried about this last Month by Men of all Coats came all out of the same Miâ—t And were it not that the People you deal with were so wonderfully short-memory'd when a Lie is discover'd and again so wretchedly Credulous when a Fresh one is Broach'd these Fictions would be your utter Confusion But I 'll tell you the Truth of all this matter There 's a Mourning Hearse indeed plac'd in the Chappels in Memory of the Deceas'd Party and Prayers are offer'd up for his Soul after the Practice of the Primitive Church in the time of her Purity above Thirteen hundred years ago and as 't was then perform'd to Constantine the First Christian Emperour whose Body after his Decease as 't is related by Eusebius l. 4. de Vit. Const c. 71. being expos'd upon a stately Throne great numbers of People together with the Priests offer'd up Prayers to God not without Sighs and Tears for the Soul of the Emperour thus performing a most acceptable Office to their Prince of Pious Memory And this Pious Office was not only perform'd to the Faithful Departed at the time of their Departure but every year at the return of that Day and thus says Tertullian l. 10. de Monog c. 10. speaking of a Christian Widow She prays for his her Husbands Soul and makes Oblations on the Anniversary days of his Departure This is what VVe now do and all that is perform'd in our Chappels but for the Erogs and Crabs they are no where but in your Brains Misrepresent I 'll send some to see within a day or two Represent You have enough ready to go upon such an Errand If they bring you any Crabs or Frogs thence pray let me have a sight of them Publish'd with Allowance LONDON Printed by Henry Hills Printer to the King 's Most Excellent Majesty for his Houshold and Chappel MDCLXXXVI THE CATHOLIC REPRESENTER CHAP. X. Private Interpretation of Scriptures the Occasion of Divisions Some Protestant Divines call in the assistance of Authority and Guides but all ends in the Private Spirit The Question started Where was the Protestant Religion as it is now Reform'd before Luther The Answers of some Protestant Divines Represent YOu broke off my last Discourse with your Dream of Frogs and Crabs But I 'll take it up now and therefore I must tell you I cannot but admire your Procedings in leaving the Holy Bible to the Vulgar to be scann'd and Interpreted by them at pleasure 'T is evident they being of Different Capacities and Inclinations they can never so agree in their Interpretations as to meet in One Faith to be of One Mind and One Spirit as is commanded by St. Paul. 1 Cor. 1. 10. This is too clearly Demonstrated in the Distractions of this our Nation where so many setting up for Interpreters of Scripture there are Religious Sects Divisions Perswasions Faiths and Creeds multiplyed without number to the scandal of the Christian Name every-one pretending to the Truth while yet these being so numerous the true Faith is but One One God and one Faith Eph. 4. 5. And the Reason of these divisions is obvious For tho' the Bible is but one in all their Hands yet this Sacred Book doe's not instruct and direct them but by certain means to be us'd on their part And these Means being according to D. Reynolds and Whitaker The reading it their conference of Places their weighing of the circumstances of the Text their skill in the Tongues their Diligence and Prayer How is it possible they should all agree in their Expositions of H. Writ since these Actions on their behalf are but Humane Endeavours Subject to Error Oversight Infirmity and as different as their several Parts and Capacities Can all compare Texts alike Can they all weigh Circumstances alike Are they all skill'd in Languages alike How then shall they be instructed and directed alike when their Instruction and Direction as to the Christian Faith depends upon these Means And while they thus rely on their own endeavours their own searching and interpreting the Scriptures as the Means whereby to arrive to the True Faith is it not a miserable thing to consider that these Divided Christians having rejected the Interpretation of the Catholic Church do now every one rely on so unsafe Means for their Faith and Salvation that no man dares trust to but themselves that is every Private Person on his own Private Search and Interpretation of H. Writ Which whilst every one depends on for himself yet no body dares trust to besides nor think it sufficient whereon to build their Salvation And the result of this is to bring all to the Private Spirit Misrepresent I have let you run on so long declaiming against the Interpretations of the Private Spirit to see what you wou'd be at And now you have spent so much breath you have at last said nothing but in the air Why We are not for the Private Spirit If you read Mr. Sa. Crispe 's Sermon at the Primary Visitation of the Bishop of Norwich 1686. You 'l see the Guidance of the Private Spirit prov'd nothing better than Enthusiasm p. 6. That it has made so much havock in the World in the worst designs in the murder of Princes the overturning of Kingdoms and Churches that there is nothing so vile or Monstrous Earthly sensual or devilish but if this pretence be admitted may pass for Inspiration And that consequently 't is not to be rely'd on as proper to conduct any to salvation He declares plainly the necessity of a Guide in this affair And that all those who desire not to miss their way must not only apply themselves with due modesty to the searching the Scriptures but must likewise carefully use the Ministerial Aids of the Christian Church And the reason why so many are given over to Strong Delusions and to believe a Lye He says p. 7. is because out of Pride or Wantonness they forsake the Guides of Gods appointment The like application to Church Guides or Ministerial Helps is required by the Author of the Discourse concerning a Guide in matters of Faith p. 38. as likewise by the late Discourse Concerning a Judge of Controversies So that you see These Protestant Divines are not for encouraging the Enthusiasms of every mans Private Interpretation of Scripture No they are for a just deference to Authority and the use of Guides Represent I confess some of them to keep up the Face of a Church do Speculatively contend for Authority and Guides but then in Fact they again defeat all these their Pretensions whilst they own no Authority to be so Great or Safe with them but 't is to be subjected to the control of every Private Examiner and so to be follow'd or not follow'd as every man in his own Private Capacity shall think fit So that the Vltimate Appeal with them is not to Authority but to the Private Spirit They maintain the
he think Bishop Jewel pray'd directly to the Sacrament do's he think He pray'd to the Bible and yet he owns he Worshipp'd them Both And in this WE Worship he expresses himself so like a Witness of the Doctrine of his Church that if our Modern Divines have not prevaricated from their Fathers and brought in New Protestantism being weaâ—y of the Old all the Sons of that Church are oblig'd to Worship them as much as that Prelate and this they may easily find a way to do without any necessity of praying to them directly 'T is not every thing that is any ways Worshipp'd is presently made an Obâ—ect capable of being Pray'd to I shew'd in my Last many things to be in some manner Objects of Worship which to Pray to would be an Absurdity For as Bishop Jewel Worship'd the Sacrament and Bible so we Worship the Bible too and as we Worship the Cross so likewise the Holy Sepulchre the Hâ—m of our Saviour's Garment his Crown of Thorns the very Ground on which his Sacred Feet stood and the Linnen in which his Body was laid not as God nor as Things capable of being pray'd to but as Bishop Jewel expresses it as Things in Religious wise to Christ belonging or as the Answerer has it as Things which have an eminent Relation to God and his Service And Jewel gives the Reason ib. p. 409. The Sacraments be ador'd says he but the whole honour resteth not in them but is passed over from them to the things signified As the Reverence shewn to a Bible or Church or Chair of State resteth not in them but passes over to God and the King. And as the Contempt shewn to a Duke's Picture or Pope's resteth not there but passes over to the Persons Represented This Nature Honest Reason and Practice easily understand however Learned Wranglers whose business is to overthrow not to build up may endeavour to confound it But we must Answer his Queries Quer. Whether the Crosses used in the Religious Service of the Church of Rome be mere Peices of Wood Answ Nothing more capable of being Pray'd to than mere Pieces of Wood. Quer. Whether they may not and are not to adore the Cross though they may not adore a mere Peice of Wood Answ Just as much as Bishop Jewel thought himself oblig'd to adore the Sacrament though he would not adore a mere piece of Bread. Quer. How the Cross which they Pray to Christ to Bless is made the Stability of Faith and Increase of Good Works Answ Just as the Bread and Wine may be to Protestants by being a Figure of Christ's Passion and a Remembrance of his Sufferings Quer. How the Cross upon which Christ hung may be Christ who hung upon the Cross Answ How the Cross may be Christ I can't tell But how the Word Cross may signifie Christ every School-boy knows as David in his Psalms often distinguishes the Earth from the People upon the Earth And yet often uses the Word Earth to signifie the People upon the Earth This is but a poor Cavil and very unbecoming Christians or Scholars to disturb the Nation withal Publish'd with Allowance LONDON Printed by Henry Hills Printer to the King 's most Excellent Majesty for His Houshold and Chappel 1686. THE CATHOLIC REPRESENTER CHAP. VII The Vulgar among the Papists not depriv'd of the Word of God. They are better instructed in the true Sence of it than those of other Perswasions who teach themselves The Vnlearned and Vnstable wrest it to their own Destruction A Papist Misrepresented takes up all his Belief upon trust he is led through all the Mysteries of his Religion by the hand without seeing which way or whether he goes All from begining to end is blindness and ignorance the Scripture which should be his light is taken from him and what knowledg can he have when the Word of God which was ordain'd by the divine Wisdom for the instruction and comfort of poor Sinners is snatcht out of his hand and kept from him A Papist Rerepresented believes as the Church of God teaches and this not blindly but knowingly and understandingly as far as the littleness of humane Reason and his own Capacity will give him leave In order to this his Church has provided him of variety of learned Books explicating to him the Sence of the Scriptures as likewise the Articles of his Creed every Mystery of his Religion the ten Commandments the Sacraments and the whole Duty of a Christian and this in such numbers both in Latin and English and all other Languages that whosoever reproches him with blindness in the midst of so many Lights may with as good Reason prove him to be in the dark when Noon-day shines upon him Besides these Books the Church has given direction to all Parish-Priests to explicate on Sundays and Holy-days the Gospel and some Mystery of Faith to such as are under their Charge and to instruct them how to live vertuously and die holily And now if notwithstanding these helps and assistance some in his Church believe without Understanding and live without the knowledg of their Duty 't is not the Church is to be blam'd which has provided them of sufficient Means but they themselves to be condemned of negligence and sloth who thus carelesly starve in the midst of plenty and die with the Remedy before them Neither does he understand that the charge of being led in blindness and ignorance can be justly laid to any even to the Vulgar of his Communion because they have not the Scriptures permitted them to read and interpret at pleasure since 't is evident to any that has taken a considerate view of the Christian World in those Countries where the Scripture is thus permitted there 's as much Vice as much Blindness as much Ignorance of the Christian Faith and Profession as in any place whatsoever So that tho they have a Light about them they are either not taught how to use it or else approching it with too much Confidence and Presumption come too near it and put out their eyes Besides what danger of Ignorance and Blindness can there be to the Vulgar of his Communion from the not reading the Scripture Since such means are us'd for the instructing them in the Mysteries therein contained that they are not at all depriv'd of it nay since 't is deliver'd to them with much greater advantage and more for the improvement of their knowledg in the Mysteries of Faith and Duty of a Christian than those have it amongst whom 't is promiscuosly thrown to read and judg it themselves For let any one upon a due consideration tell me Which is the Scripture what is properly the Word of God Is it the Words of the Bible or the true Sence and Meaning of those Words 'T is certain the letter availeth nothing 't is the Spirit that enlivens 't is the Sence that instructs to Salvation Our concern then at present is not which have more of the Words of
the Scripture in their Memory more Texts at their tongue's command more of the Books in their hands but 't is where more care is taken for imprinting the true Sence of these Words in the Vnderstanding of the People and where is us'd the most prudential method for the leading them into the truth of all the Mysteries contain'd in that sacred Volume And in this Point the Papist will yield to none for it is an unquestionable truth that when a Book contains high Mysteries of Religion Mysteries superiour to all Sence and Reason and those not deliver'd in expressions suited to every capacity but obnoxious to various interpretations such as may be wrested by the unlearned and unstable to their own Destruction in this case 't is an unquestionable truth I say that that People is in all probability likely to have more of the true Sence of this Book and to be better informed of the truth of the Mysteries it contains who are instructed in it by the Learned of that Communion and taught it by their Pastors Prelates and those whom God hath placed over them to govern and feed the Flock than any other People who have the Book put into their own hands to read it and search it and satisfie themselves For why Are not the Pastors more capable of teaching the People than the People are to teach themselves Or is it commendable in Scripture only and Religion for every one to be his own Master which in any other matter whosoever doe's it shall be esteem'd a Fool We know Moses Deut. 31. 9. gave the Book of the Law to the Levites to keep and read it every seven years to the People and in King Jehoshaphats reign 2 Chron. 17. 9. the Priests and Levits did read it and teach the People so did Jeremy Jer. 36. by Gods command so Isaiah so Ezekiel so the Levits Nehemiah 8. 8. Read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly and gave the Sence and caus'd them the People to understand the Reading And did not our Blessed Saviour Luc. 4. 17. take the Book of the Prophet and read it and expound it to the People And was not this the Office of the Apostles and Deacons to interpret the Scriptures and instruct their Followers what they were to believe and doe For this intention was Ananias sent to Saul Peter to Cornelius and Philip to the Eunuch who professedly own'd he could not understand the Prophet in so necessary a Point as that of the Messias without an Interpreter How can I understand said he except some man should guide me Act. 8. 31. Since therefore the Papists in delivering the Scripture come nearest to this Method commanded by God in the Old Law prescrib'd and practis'd by Christ and his Apostles in the New what People can be better instructed in the true sence of it and understand more of the Mysteries of the Christian Faith than they With what Reason can it be urg'd against the Vulgar of his Communion that the Scriptures are hid from them that they are bred up in blindness and ignorance Do not the Pastors expound the Scriptures to them do not they instruct them in every Point of their Religion and teach them the whole Duty of a Christian Is it not this they do in their Pulpits in their Catechisms in the Confessionaries in so many hundred spiritual Books plainly laying before them their whole obligation both as to Faith and Good manners And is this to conceal from them the Scripture Is the Word of God hid from them because they have their Pastors to instruct them in it Or are they any ways injur'd because they have learneder men than themselves to teach them Is the Multitude a better Judge of Scripture and more able to discover the truth of it than those whom God has plac'd over them Has God so deserted the Pastors and Prelates of his Church and is the Flock of late become so Wise The Faith of Christ was first planted by Christ's Preaching it to the Multitude by the same way 't was propagated by the Apostles and so it is to be deliver'd down to the end of the World Faith comes by hearing By this means many Barbarous Nations saies St. Irenaeus l. 3. adv har c. 3. believe in Christ have the Doctrine of Salvation written in their Hearts by the Holy Ghost without the help of Books and religiously observe the Traditions believing in one God c. Now 't is certain the Truth of this Christian Faith with all its Mysteries is unquestionably preserv'd in Christs Catholic Church and the People are to receive it and not to find out their Faith and Religion every one for themselves If they are afraid of being deceiv'd when they rely on their Pastors for it they run ten times the hazard when they trust to themselves The Papist therefore is taught that since Christ has a Church upon earth in which is conserv'd the truth of the Gospel 't is safer and more prudential for the People to be instructed in this Truth from the Pastors of this Church and by this means come to the Knowledg of the Word of God that is of its true sence and meaning than by committing the Book it self into the hands of the Multitude and leting every one understand it for themselves He knows 't is a very popular thing and acceptable to the prying Multitude to have a Book at command which directs the Way to Salvation but since 't is not the Book is to save him but the Truth and Doctrine which it teaches he believes 't is better learning this from those who are Wiser and are commissionated from Heaven to teach than to venture at it himself without any Authority The unhappy Divisions among Christians sufficiently inform him that to such Readers as St. Peter calls unreary and ignorant however wise they may think themselves Aâ—ianism may be as obvious in this Book as Christs Divinity and that when such an one undertakes the interpreting of it 't is an hazard whether at the end he comes out Quaker Anabaptist Presbyterian Independent Mugletonian Socinian or Atheist 'T is a Venture whether the Trinity shall have place in his Creed or no whether he 'll allow of Baptism or any Sacrament and whether Cruelty cutting of Throats Oppression Tyranny Dethroning of Kings and Murder of Princes shall not with him become a necessary Duty and a true serving of the Lord. For all these and more damnable Doctrines has he seen preach'd up and practic'd by those who have had the Bible in their Banners who have been esteem'd Searchers of the Word of God and presumptuously made their Comments upon this Sacred Text. And is it not this abuse that has occasion'd so many Schisms and almost broken the Mystical Body of Christ into pieces That whereas all his Followers should be of one mind now no body knows what Religion his Neighbour is of but every Wall now parts Religions more than Seas did heretofore And
Authority of the Church as being to decide Controversies of Faith Art. 20. and this is not to ordain or enforce any thing to be believ'd that is against the Scripture But whether that which it decides be against or according to Scripture this every man is to decide again by his own private Reason They maintain the Authority of General Councils But because these may err Art. 21. their Decrees have neither Strength nor Authority unless it may be declar'd that they be taken out of Holy Scripture But whether de facto they be taken out of Scripture or no this every Private Man must judge for himself And this Dr. Burnet asserts positively in his Exam. of Meth. p. 82. The Principle of Protestants with relation to the majority even in a General Council is That when any Doctrines are establish'd or condemn'd upon the Authorities of the Scriptures those who differ from them and do think that the Council misunderstood the Scriptures are bound to suspect themselves a little and to review the matter with greater application Yet if they are requir'd to profess that they believe opinions which they think false if they were never so inconsiderable no man ought to go against his Conscience And if any Synod of Protestants has decreed any thing contrary to this in so far they have departed from the Protestant Principles But the whole matter is more fully express'd by the Author of the Discourse before mentioned Concerning a Judge of Controversy Who p. 11. at the bottom clears it thus If you ask whose Judgment ought to take place the Judgment of the Church or of every private Christian I answer says he and mark it The Judgment of the Church of necessity must take place as to external Government to determine what shall be profess'd and practis'd in her Communion and no private Christian has any thing to do in these matters But when the Question is What is Right or Wrong True or False in what we may obey and in what not Here every Private Christian who will not believe without understanding nor follow his Guides blindfold must judge for himself and 't is as much as his Soul is worth to judge right Don't you see here there 's no Authority so Great and Safe amongst them but what is to be subject to the Censure of every Private Christian And tho' there be the Name of such a thing as a Church yet let that Command prescribe and ordain what it will to be receiv'd as the Truth and Faith of Christ 't is not That is to be obey'd or believ'd but being esteem'd as a piece of Formality not to be relied on every Man when he thinks fit must set himself up above Church and Authority and ee'n judge for himself Is not here every Controversy left to the decision of the Private Spirit And under the Notion of a Church a gate open'd to all the Fanaticisms and Quakerisms in the World By the Creed all Christians are bound to Believe the Holy Catholic Church And St. Paul Heb. 13. v. 7. commands all to Obey and Submit to those that are over them and this not only as to External Government but likewise as to Truth and Belief and therefore says he v. 7. Whose Faith follow But here you see tho' your Divines maintain the Authority of a Church yet there 's no Obligation on any Members of submitting to it as to any Point of Faith They must acknowledge it indeed as to the Governing or Politic part But as to the Christian or Believing part here every Christian as to what he is to obey and what not is to judge for himself And pray now what do's all this end in but the Private Spirit Can it desire any fairer Plea than this Certainly this their Church were it the Catholic Church the Ground and Pillar of Truth 't would not thus be commendably left to be over-rul'd by every Private Man's Reason There would not be this liberty for every one to run astray from it by preferring their own Judgment before the Decision and Judgment of the Church 'T was said heretofore and we know by whom Let him that do's not hear the Church he as a Heathen and a Publican But now it seems That Man alone is as Blind as a Heathen or Publican who do's not rather hear himself than the Church I wonder how long this has been so Misrepresent I le warrant you now you have got in your Head the Question Where was the Protestant Church before Luther But don't reproach this Church and perswade the World she is as yet but in her Infancy If you have seen a Book entit'led The Antiquity of the Protestant Religion You 'l see it there prov'd That the Protestant Religion was Anciently and Generally profest in the Christian World before the Reformation p. 1. Represent You have brought in this Question now by Head and Shoulders But since 't is staâ—ted satisfie me so far as to let me know where this Church was before the Pretended Reformation In what Country or Nation was it Visible Whether in the Eastern or Western World We have a fair Historical account of it from Luther's time to our days But I would willingly know where it was in all those Fifteen Hundred years from Christ's Ascension to the coming of the Prophet Luther as he is styl'd by Slydan Misrepresent Why this Author of the Antiquity of the Protestant Religion asserts it positively and proves That the Protestant Religion was Anciently and Generally profest in the Christian World before the Reformation And sure you that pretend to History and Religion cannot be ignorant Where that Religion was which was Anciently and Generally profest amongst Christians throughout the World. Represent Certainly then This Man must have had some extraordinary Revelation or made some New Discovery For the former Protestants who liv'd nearer Luthâ—r's time knew nothing of this Religion being Generally profess'd â—oannes Regius lib. Apol p. 176 Bishop Jewel Apol. p. 4. c. 4. d. 2. and Mr. Parkins Eâ—poâ— Cre p. 400. confeâ—s that before the days of Luther and Zuingliâ— the Church viz. Protestant was Invisible unknown unheard of that for the space of many hundred years an Vniversal Apostacy overspread the Whole face of the Earth and this Church was not then visible to the World. So that by what I see Authors don't agree in this matter And then besides this in a late Famillar Discourse betwixt a Minister and his Parishioner The Question being propos'd p. 14 Where was your Religion as it is now reform'd when Luther began his Reformation As to this particular the Minister answers It may be 't was in the Greek in the Abassine and Aegyptian Churches amongst the Armenian Christians It may be 't was in a Corner under a Cloud covered with Rubbish What if we say 't was no where Misrepresent Well and what then Represent Nothing but that I see 't is very hard to be found some find it Generally profess'd