him of his Royalty and give his glory to another 3. Their Doctrines tend to the dethroning of Christ the disparaging his performances and lessening the Glory and Praise belonging to him witness their dividing the Soveraignty and Headship betwixt him and the Pope Satisfaction betwixt his Sufferings and their own Merits and Intercession betwixt him and Saints 4. Their Doctrines are against the power of Godliness and rob God of his prime Sacrifice the Heart witness their Tenets that the Opus operatum is enough their prayers in an unknown tongue and their assigning to God chiefly external superficial Service consisting in a rabble of empty childish Rites and gaudy Ceremonies thereby taking from him the nobler part of his Creature without which the Services or Emasserations of the body how splendid or severe soever are no more pleasing to him than the noisom evaporations of a Putrid Carcass to us 5. Their Doctrines tend not only thus to formality and lukewarmness but to open profaneness and dissolute living witness their notion of Venial sins their Pardons Absolutions Indulgences Dispensations c. It being observable that the most ignorant and careless or the most wicked and debauch'd make up the greatest part of their Proselytes nor is it strange since false Principles and bad Lives like Ice and Water mutually begat each other 6. Their Doctrines are absurd 1. Witness their fancy of the Popes Infallibility you can scarce cast your eye on any story where the Villany of Popes is not at large discovered and who can believe that the pure Spirit of God should endow with Infallibility of judgment Monsters so visibly fulsome and abominable We find that the Holy Ghost did under the Law hate and forbid all Impurities though in meer outward Circumstances how then should he under the brighter light of the Gospel suffer himself to be poured out of one unclean vessel into another beginning again with a Conjurer where he left with a Sodomite 2. Witness likewise the Prayer for the dead a practise if I may use so light a comparison altogether as vain and impertinent as that of Bowlers strenuously crying out rub or fly after they have delivered their Cast 3. Witness too their Darling whimsie of the corporal Presence attended with a numerous train of contradictions and incongruities they say it is a Sacrament or sign and can it be at once both the sign and thing signified If it be Christs body really how is it sacramentally If sacramentally how really and corporally They say there is no real and corporal Presence till the Priest repeat the words and if so then the creature and oftentimes a sad one makes his Creator and in receiving the Creator is comprehended by the Creature absurdities nothing short of Blasphemy when our Saviour instituted the Supper and said Take eat c. was the Bread and Wine both the giver and the gift the body blessing and the body blest did the same body hold the same body in its own Fingers Was it eaten in pieces by every one of the Disciples and yet then all whole without them all Mysteries of Religion may be above but never so directly against reason and seriously I admire any man of sense can be a Papist when the chief demonstration of his Religion must be his not understanding it 4. Their Doctrines are dangerous to the Temporal estate and just rights of Princes witness their Usurpations over not to say Assassinations of Kings disposing of Crowns absolving subjects from their Allegiance c. For in short the whole Romish Hierarchy is so far from being suited within the order of the Gospel that the main design of their Popes Cardinals Jesuits and Fryers of many sorts esteemed of the Religious Tribe is but to advance themselves above all that is called God and to gratify their base lusts instead of pleasing of him Directions how you may keep your self from being a Papist 1. STudy to have right notions and due apprehensions of the matter import and chief design of the Gospel be not a stranger to the knowledg of God in Jesus Christ and the blessed Spirit Acquaint your self with the mystery of the Gospel as it lyes in the Person Natures Offices Life and Death of the Lord Redeemer Let the Scriptures be your constant Counsellor without knowledg the heart cannot be good and a bad heart is prepared to suck in bad Principles 'T is not for nothing the Papists make Ignorance the Mother of their Devotion they that have truly learnt Christ and the Gospel will hardly be taught by Romes School-Masters 2. Study a sound and thorow Conversion I never yet knew any man blest with a broken and contrite heart that is a heart broken for sin and a heart broken off from sin that ever was taken with their Relligion 3. Get a faithful and a tender conscience I say faithful for then it will not be satisfied with dross instead of Gold with paint instead of true and sound Piety A faithful conscience will inform you that God is a Spirit and the more spiritual we are in our Devotions the more we please him that 't is not a pompous but a pure worship that he is delighted in And as to expiation of our guilt nothing but the blood of Christ can take away sin that 't is not their blind penances pilgrimages crossings cringings will answer the great end of our Redemption but a heart devoted to his fear and love and a mind fully set upon him 4. Be well acquainted with the plague of your own heart the nature of Original sin how it hath defiled and weakned all the powers of the soul This will let you see the necessity there is for the blessed Spirit to heal and help those spiritual distempers that without him ye can do nothing that 't is he that works in you both to will and to do 5. Look upon Superstition as a fruit of the flesh and that nothing is more grateful to flesh and blood than Idolatry and formality they that know what proneness there is in the nature of man to a carnal sensual vain Religion will not think it strange that the Papists have foisted in so many fulsome things into their Worship to comply with the carnal humours of men 6. Be much in the duty of Mortification and that will acquaint you with the way means and manner of it 't is through the Spirit Believers come to mortify the deeds of the Flesh at best the Popish Penances can but pen up sin but the next temptation will break the hedg Whereas the blessed Spirit lays his strong hand upon the irritating power of indwelling sin and thereby subjects the heart unto himself he heals the pollution of our nature renews us in the spirit of our minds cleanses our affections and thereby causes us who formerly delighted in flesh pleasing vanities to delight our selves in him his word will way c. 7. Know the mischief of Idolatry The setting your self against heart-Idols will keep you from Idol-worship you know who tells us expresly I will not give my praise to graven Images Remember how smartly the Jews suffered for this sin and yet had not such a spiritual dispensation as we that are under the Gospel if it be so dangerous to shape Idea's of God in our Fancies and Imaginations though never so much raised in our invention how dangerous must it be to be in a place where such Images are found in Wood and Cloth Lastly Allow your self in no known sin 'T is the conscience being made deceitful through such deceitful works that makes people forward to cover themselves with those figments of Popery whereas the man that makes it his due care and conscience to keep himself unspotted from allowed evil is the likeliest man to save himself from such an untoward generation of men as would put such a yoke on us as we nor our Fathers were not able to bear Your careful Father L. D. FINIS The two following Books are neâ—â—â— Printed for and Sold by Doâ—â—â—â—â— Newman at the Kings Aâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 the Poultrey LIfe in Gods favour A 〈◊〉 discourse in Death-Thâ—â—◠〈◊〉 times being the substance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sermons upon Psalm 30.5 In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Life By O. Heywood Minisâ—â—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gospel Twenty Sermons Preached 〈◊〉 â—â—veral Texts by that late Reveâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—ous and painful Preacher Mr. 〈◊〉 Nalton Minister of St. Leonard 〈◊〉 lane in the City of London Published for publick good
A Protestants Resolution Shewing his REASONS Why He Will not be a PAPIST Digested into so plain a Method of Question and Answer that an ordinary Capacity may be able to defend the Protestant Religion against the most Cunning Jesuit or Popish Priest Useful for these Times Be ready to render a reason of the hope that is in you c. 1 Pet. 3.15 LONDON Printed for D. Newman at the Kings Arms in the Poultrey 1679. A Protestants Resolutioâ— Question HOw many Religions are there the World Ans Principally four Quest Which are they Ans Pagan Jewish Mahometan Christian Quest Of which of these Religions are you Ans Of the Christian Religion Quest How many parties lay claim to the Christian Religion Ans Two principally 〈…〉 Which be they and how are they 〈…〉 〈…〉 The Papist and the Protestant 〈…〉 Of which of these parties are 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Of the Protestant â—â—est What understand you by a Proâ—â—â—â—â—â—t Ans One who takes part with those â—ho formerly protested against the Errors and Corruptions of the Church of Rome Quest What are those Errors Ans They are very many I am ready to give an account of some of their principal ones Quest What is the First Error Ans In that they forbid the Bible to be read in the vulgar Tongue Quest What is your opinion in this thing concerning the Scriptures Ans The Scriptures were written for the use of the common people and therefore should be translated into known Tognues Quest To what end Ans That they may be heard read and understood of all Quest How prove you that Ans Because the Lord frequently commands the reading of the Scriptures by the people and solemnly charges the reading of them to the people Quest Where is the Command Ans Deut. 31.11 Thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life Act. 15.21 Moses hath in every city them that preach him being read in the Synagogue every Sabbath-day Eph. 3.4 Whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledg in the mystery of Christ Col. 4.16 When this Epistle is read among you cause it that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye also read the Epistle from Laodicea 1 Thes 5.27 I charge you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy Quest What is a Second Error of the Papists Ans Their receiving unwritten Traditions with equal respect and reverence as we receive the Holy Scriptures Quest Wherein lieth the evil of this opinion Ans In this namely in making Traditions of men equal in dignity and authority with the express Revelation of God Quest What is your opinion in this matter Ans That the Scriptures in themselves are a full sufficient and perfect rule Quest How prove you that Ans Because it containeth all things that are necessary for men to believe and do in order to eternal life Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this world it is because there is no light in them Joh. 20.31 These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Eph. 2.20 Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone 2 Tim. 3.16 17 From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus That the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished marg perfected unto all good works Quest What is a Third Error of the Papists Ans That we are to believe the Scriptures upon the sole Authority of the Church Quest Wherein lieth the evil of this opinion Ans It lieth in this namely that men being liable to mistakes may lead me into to errors so that I can never be sure that what I take as my rule is indeed that right one of Gods prescribing therefore the testimony of the Church cannot be the only or chief reason of our believing the Scripture to be the Word of God Eph. 2.20 Built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone 1 Thes 2.13 For this cause thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Quest What then is the chief reason of our belief of the Scriptures Ans The testimony of the Spirit of God in the word it self witnessing it to be of God Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Prov. 6.23 Commandment is a lamp and the law is light Heb. 4.12 The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the Joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts Quest What is a fourth Error of the Papists Ans In asserting the infallibility of their Pope and Church and that every man must submit his faith and conscience to them Quest Do the Papists any where assert this Ans Yes and Bellarmine in particular layeth down this position That if the Pope command the practice of vice and forbid virtuous actions the Church is bound to believe vices to be good and virtues to be bad Bell. de Pontif. Rom. li. 4. cap. 5. Quest What is the Protestant belief in this matter Ans That there is no human supreme infallible Judg in the Church of God to whom all Christians are obliged to submit their faith and conscience in all matters of Religion Quest How prove you that Ans From three Reasons 1. Because it is a greater authority than the Apostles did ever claim 2 Cor. 1.24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy for by faith ye stand 2. Because it is contrary to Christs command concerning tryal of Doctrine 1 Pet. 3.15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1 Joh. 4.1 Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God 3. Because as to matter of fact guides and teachers have caused the people to sin in following them Exod. 32.5 31 When
in the Scriptures and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them Quest What is an Eighteenth Error of the Papists Ans Their Doctrine of Indulgences Quest What do the Papists mean by their Indulgences Ans An absolution from the guilt of punishment by the satisfactions which are contained in the Church-treasury Quest What is the Protestants belief in this matter Ans That Papal Indulgences are the worst of cheats and abominable injuries to Christ and Christians Quest How prove you that Ans 1. Because there is no pardon of sin but by the mercy of God through the blood of Christ Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace 2. Because there is no such thing in Scripture that the merits of one Saint should be able to make satisfaction for the sins of another 3. It is most injurious to Christ who needeth not any Merits of Saints to be added to his satisfaction For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that be sanctified Heb. 10.14 Quest What is a Nineteenth Error of the Papists Ans Their forbidding Priests to Marry Quest VVhat do they speak of marriage it self Ans They do not forbid all marriage but speak disgracefully and contemptuously of it Quest VVhat say the Protestants in this matter Ans That the Popish Doctrine forbidding to Marry is devillish and wicked Doctrine Quest How prove you that Ans 1. Because it is that which God not only alloweth but in some cases commandeth making no exception of the Clergy from others Mat. 19.11 All men cannot receive this saying save they to whom it is given 1 Cor. 7.2 To avoid fornication let every man have his own wife Chap. 9.5 Have we not power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas 1 Tim. 3.2 A Bishop must be blameless the husband of one wife Tit. 1.6 If any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children Heb. 13.4 Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judg 2. Because it leads to much leudness and villany as Fornication Adultery Incest Sodomy Murder c. 3. Because this Doctrine is a badg of Antichrist 1 Tim. 4.1 3 The spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils Ver. 3. Forbidding to marry Quest What is a Twentieth Error of the Papists Ans Denying the Doctrine of Assurance Quest What saith the Papists of it Ans That a Believers assurance of the pardon of his sin is a vain and ungodly confidence Quest What is the Protestants belief in this matter Ans That it is not only our priviledg that we may but our duty to labour after assurance that our sins are pardoned 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall Quest How doth it appear to be our duty Ans 1. From the nature use and end of the holy Scriptures which are a good foundation of assurance Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scrâ—â—tures might have hope 2. From the nature of conscienâ—â— and its power 1 John 3.19 20 â—â— Hereby we know that we are of the trutâ— and shall assure our hearts before him Foâ— if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things If our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 3. Because it hath been attained by others as Job David Paul c. 4. Because God hath appointed Ordinances that believers may have assurance Quest What is an One and Twentieth Error of the Papists Ans Their Doctrine of Seven Sacraments Quest What is a Sacrament Ans A Sacrament is an Ordinance of Christ consisting of visible signs representing sealing and applying Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant to Believers Quest How many Sacraments are there the New Testament Ans Only two viz. Baptism and the â—â—rds Supper Quest Which be those other five which â—â—e Papists have added Ans 1. Confirmation 2. Extreme Unction 3. Matrimony 4. Holy Orders 5. Penance Quest Why may not these five be Sacramental as well as the other two 1. Because there are not sufficient parts in any of them to make a Sacrament Prov. 30.6 Add thou not unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a lyar 2. Because there are no parts of a Sacrament in any of these but what is included in Baptism and the Lords Supper Quest What is a Two and Twentieth Error of the Papists Ans Their Doctrine of Transubstantiation Quest What do they understand by Transubstantiation Ans That by the Consecration of the Bread and Wine there is made a Conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ and of the Wine into the substance of the blood of Christ Quest What Scripture do they alledg for this Ans Joh. 6.51 53 54 55 56. Quest What say the Protestants to this assertion Ans 1. That Christ blessed Bread and Wine therefore did not destroy them 2. That it is bread and wine in the Sacrament which Christ hath commanded his Ministers to administer and his people to receive 3. That the Apostle himself doth no less than three times call it bread and wine after Consecration 1 Cor. 11.26 27 28. Quest What other reasons do the Protestants give against Transubstantiation Ans 1. It takes away the great evidence of the first witnesses to Christianity 1 Joh. 1 That which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon c. 2. It makes void the whole institution 1 Cor. 11.23 24 I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me 3. It will not allow men the priviledg of beasts to judg by their senses as seeing smelling tasting c. Quest What is a Twenty-third Error of the Papists Ans Their denying the use of the Cup to the people in the Sacrament Quest What is the Protestants belief in this matter Ans That every Communicant hath an undeniable right to the blessed Cup in the Lords Supper Quest How prove you that Ans 1. From the institution of this Sacrament and our Saviours command annexed thereunto Matth. 26.27 He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it 2. From the example and appointment of the Apostles Mark 14.23 And they all