imputation of Christs righte ousnesse to vs. The Papists teach many things contrary to this Article First that men are to make satisfaction for their sinnes Now satisfaction for sinnes and forgiuenes of sinnes are contraries If wee satisfie in our owne person we are not iustified fréely if we be iustified fréely as most certainly we are Rom 3.23 then we make no satisfaction at all If a man can satisfie and pay a debt then he néedes no forgiuenes but if the debt be forgiuen him then it is plaine that there is no satisfaction made The satisfaction for our sinnes was made by Christ and not by vs. C. Did not the ancient Fathers teach men to make satisfaction for their sinnes M. The satisfaction which they maintained was an ecclesiasticall and publike mulct or penalty imposed vpon notorious offenders thereby to testifie their repentance and to satisfie the Church whom they had offended Perkins 1. V. 577 c. 2. vol. 165.2 D. 166. The efficient cause of our iustification is God alone It is God only that forgiueth our sins Esa 43.25 Mar. 2.7 Ro. 8.33 They teach that the Pope can forgiue sins and we know that he giues pardons not only for the time past but also for the time to come yea they teach that priests haue full right to remit sins they alleadge these places to prooue it Mat. 16.19 Ioh. 20.23 Now we are to note this that as none can forgiue a debt but the party to whom the debt is due so none can forgiue sins but God only against whom the sin is committed Ps 51.4 The power of binding and loosing committed to the Apostles Ministers of the Word is by declaring the wil and pleasure of God out of his Word both to pronounce forgiuenes of sins to al that are truly penitent and the retaining of them to the impenitent The Pope and his Clergie are neuer able to proue themselues to bee she true Ministers of Christ and therefore they cannot so much as challenge this latter authoritie and power to themselues much lesse she former which is proper to God only The motiue or impulsiue cause which moued God to iustifie vs was not any thing in vs but only the grace of God that is the free good wil pleasure of God Ro. 3.24 Eph. 2 8. Tit. 3.5 7. They teach that we are not iustified by grace only but by works also that is by the merit of our workes And to this end they haue of late yéeres deuised a first and secand iustification The first is when a sinner of an euill man is made a good man and this they say commeth only of Gods mercie by the merit of Christ The second is when one of a good of iust man is made better and more iust and this procéedeth from workes But wee are to know that there are not two kinos of iustification a first and second but one and the same iustification considered in different respects In respect of Gods actuall acceptation of a maus person iustification is absolute but in respect of the actuall application and manifestation of Gods acceptation vnto a mans conscience iustification is by parts and degrées M. Scudder on the Lords Prayer page 303. to 309. And further we are to note that the Papists second iustification is no other then sanctification which is an effect and fruit of iustification the which is imperfect and not able to iustifie vs before God Themateriall cause of our iustification is the actiue and passiue righteousnesse and obedience of Iesus Christ his inherent holines his fulfilling of the Law his death sacrifice and full satisfaction The formal cause or the forme of iustification is the righteousnes of Christ imputed of God vnto vs Rom. 5.19 Rom. 4.5 6 7 8. 1. Cor. 1.30 2. Cor. 5.19 21. Phil. 3.9 The Papists detide this doctrine that Men are iustified by the imputation of the righteousnes of Christ which righteousnes is not in vs but in Christ The Rhemists call it a new no-iustice a phantasticall apprehension of that which is not Rhem. on Ro. 3. Sect. 7. They hold them accursed that so affirm and teach And they teach that the onely formall cause of our iustification is the iustice of God whereby we are not reputed and accounted iust but are made iust indéede and this iustice is that which euery man hath within himselfe and is inherent in him Concil Trid. Sess 6. can 10.11 Rhem. on Phil. chap. 3. Sect. 3. The instrumentall cause of iustification on our part is a true and liuely faith whereby wee receiue and apply vnto our selues the merrie of God Christ Iesus and all his benefits resting vpon him alone for our saluation They teach that faith doth not iustifie as an instrument in apprehending the righteousnes of Christ but as a proper and true cause it actually iustifieth by the dignity worthines and meritorious work thereof Bellarm. lib. 1. de iustificat cap. 17. They teach also that faith is not the only cause of our iustification but that there are other also as hope charity almes-déedes and other vertues yea they say that workes are more principall then faith in the matter of iustification and pronounce him accursed that shall say a man is iustified onely by faith Rhem. on Rom. 8. Sect. 6. and on Iames 2. Sect. 7. Bellarm. lib. 1. de iustificat cap. 13. Concil Trid. Sess 6. can 9. These and other such like things they teach contrary to the doctrine of iustification which is a maine ground of Religion And if there were no more points of difference betweene vs these were sufficient to kéepe vs from vniting of our religions for héereby the Church of Rome doth raze the very foundation C. You said before that we are iustified freely I would know how this can be if we be iustified by the righteousnes and for the merit of Christ M. Because the decrée of God the Father for our redemption is frée and we pay nothing againe to God of our owne And therefore by the word fréely our merits are excluded but not Christs By which it appeareth that in respect of our selues we are iustified fréely of Gods méere mercie and grace without any respect of our owne righteousnes or worthines but yet through Christ and for his righteousnes and obedience imputed to vs both which are signified by the Apostle Rom. 3.23 24. C. Shew mee I pray you what is meant by Merit what the doctrine of the Papists is concerning merit and whether that our works be meritorious or no. M. By Merit we vnderstand any thing or any worke whereby Gods fauour and life euerlasting is procured and that for the dignitie and excellencie of the work or thing done Now the true merit whereby we looke to attaine the fauour of God and life euerlasting is to be found in the person of Christ alone in whom God is well pleased The Papists make two kindes of merit the merit of the person and the merit of the worke The
6. you may terme in plaine English lying and cogging They are not orious lyers slanderers railers and workers Willet on Iude page 195 and 205. 212. They haue falsified mens writings putting in and putting out what they please as is to bee séene in their Index expurgatorius See Perk. 2. vol. page 489 c. There haue bin in times past games appointed for lying If there were any such now the Papists would carry the whet stone from all the heretikes in Christendome The tenth Commandement condemneth originall corruption and the very euill thoughts and lusts of the heart without consent They teach that concupiscence in it selfe is not sinne These are the very words of the Concell of Trent This concupiscence which the Apostle sometime calleth sinne the holy Synod declareth that the Catholike Church did neuer vnderstand to be called sinne because it is truly and properly sinne in the regenerate but because it commeth of sinne and inclineth vnto sinne If any man thinke the contrary let him be accursed Sess 5. cap. 1. de pecc orig Wherein they both decrée against the Apostle himselfe Rom. 7.23 and also they gain-say themselues for if this concupiscence boyle out of originall sin as out of a fountaine and that is damnable it followeth that conrupisence or lust is also sinne before God and doth deserue condemnation They say that in the regenerate it is veniall But this is an vndoubted principle that all sinnes in themselues and their owne nature are mortall And concerning this veniall sinne it was not knowne among the Fathers for 700 yéeres after Christ And thus you see what grosse things they both teach practise contrary to the Commandements of God whereby it plainely appeareth that Popery cannot be of God for thus I reason Whatsoeuer religion doth teach things contrary to the Commandements of God is not of God but Poperie doth so and therefore it is not of God and so by good consequence Papists cannot be good Catholikes DIALOGVE 13. C. Hitherto you haue shewed that the Papists teach many things contrary to the Creed the Sacraments the ten Commandements now tell me I pray you whether they teach any thing contrarie to the Lords prayer M. They doe likewise teach and practise many things contrary thereunto I will but onely name some of them The Lords prayer teacheth vs to call vpon God onely They teach and practise prayer to Saints In the first petition we pray for the hallowing of Gods name They giue vnto Saints departed that which is proper to God and so dishonour Gods name In the second position we pray for the erecting of Gods Kingdom of grace in our hearts and also for the meanes thereof namely the preaching and hearing of Gods Word They hinder the comming of Gods kingdom in reiecting the Word of God and in persecuting such as will preach heere and reade it Contrary to the third petition is their doctrine of frée-will Contrary to the fift petition is their doctrine of satisfaction for sin In the sixt petition we pray for strength to withstand Satan and his temptations They teach people to driue away the diuell with holy water and such like childish toyes These and other such like things they teach practise contrary to the Lords prayer DIALOGVE 14. C. If Popery be so contrary to the grounds of Religion then we may not ioyne with the Papists in their profession M. It is true indéede we must therfore do as the Lord bade Ieremy chap. 15.19 Let them returne to thée but returne not thou to them We may ioyne with them in respect of ciuill societie but not in respect of Religion and yet euen then we are to take héede lest wee bee corrupted by them for hee that teacheth pitch shall bee defiled therewith Some think that our Religion and the religion of the present Church of Rome are all one for substance and that they may be vnited but they are grossly deceiued for a vnion of these two religions can neuer bee made more then the vnion of light and darknes and that because the Church of Rome as hath at large bin shewed hath strooke at the very foundation C. If Popery bee so contrary to the very grounds of Religion then what is the cause that so many yea euen of the more wise and learned sort do embrace and cleaue to it M. One speciall cause of it is that because men will not receiue the loue of the truth therefore God shall send them strong delusion that they should beléeue a lie 2. Thes 2.10 11. A second cause is ignorance of the Scriptures and of the grounds of Religion for if men would well acquaint themselues héerewith they should easily fee the grossenes of Popery A third cause is that Popery is very agreeable and pleasing to mans corrupt nature As for example to be iustified by our good workes to haue Images to worship God in to liue in ignorance to haue pardons for our sinnes to serue God in outward ceremonies as in choice of meat difference of daies c. these are things very agreeable and pleasing to our corrupt nature and therefore one speciall cause why so many embrace Popery A fourth cause is the tyrannie of the Church of Rome whose chiefe meanes to vphold her religion is fire and sword for were it not for this many thousands in a few yeeres would vtterly renounce Poperie A fift cause why so many specially of the Learned doe embrace it is pomp and profit that is ambition and couetousnesse This was that which made the Scribes and Pharises euen against their owne knowledge to withstand Christ and his Gospell And this makes many learned Papists to doe the like They know no doubt that in some things they erre as it doth appeare by the words of Stephen Gardiner on his death bead The Bishop of Chichester séeing him to be in a desperate case comforteth him with the hope of remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ Gardiner héereunto answereth thus What will you open that gape now you may speake it to mee to such as are in my case but if you teach it to the people then farewell all meaning our authority pompe and profit by absolutions Masses c. These are the speciall causes why so many embrace Poperie C. There is one thing more that I would gladly know concerning the Papists and that is whether a Papist may be saued seeing that Poperie is so contrary to the grounds of Religion M. You are then to marke what a Papist is A Papist as the Rhemists on Acts 11. Sect 4. doe describe him is one that cleaueth to the Pope in Religion and is obedient to him in all things Euery one now that is vnder the iurisdiction of the Pope is not to be counted a Papist for their are some euen in Italy Spaine c. that hold the Grounds of Religion doe sigh and grone vnder the Romish yoke and desire to bee fréed from it yea would reioice to
merit of the person is as they say a dignitie in the person whereby it is worthy of life euerlasting The merit of the worke is a dignity or excellencie in the work whereby it is made fit inabled to deserue life euerlasting for the doer of the worke See Rhem. on Rom. 8. Sect. 5. We now do renounce our owne personall merits and all merit of our owne workes and rely onely vpon the merits of Christ and wee hold that no workes of ours can merit That no man by any workes of his can merit may bee proued by the properties and conditions that must be in a worke meritorious and they are fiue First the worke must be absolutely perfect but all our workes are vnperfect aswell in parts as in degrées of accomplishment In parts because we omit many things which the Law prescribeth and doe many euill things which the Law prohibiteth In degrees because the workes of the Saints are vncleane Esay 64.6 Phil. 3.8 Secondly a man must doe the worke of himselfe and by himselfe for if it bee done by the hélpe of another the merit doth not properly belong to the dooer But the good workes which we doe are not ours but are wrought by God in vs. Thirdly a man must doe the worke of his owne free will and pleasure not of due debt for when we doe that which we are bound to doe we doe no more but our duty But whatsoeuer we doe we doe it as poore debters nay we are worse then poore debters wee are miserable bankrupts wee haue nothing wee haue lesse then nothing to pay Luke 17.10 Fourthly the worke must bée done to the benefit and profit of him from whom we looke to be repayed But no man by any worke of his can bring any profit vnto God Iob 22.2.35.7 Psal 16.2.50.12 Wée may benefit men but wée cannot benefit our Maker from whome wee haue receiued life and limbe soule and body and all that we haue wee can giue him nothing and therefore can deserue nothing from him Ro. 11.35 36. Lastly the worke and the reward must be in proportion equall for if the reward be more then the worke it is not then a reward of desert but a gift of good will But there is no proportion betweene our workes which are altogether vnperfect and the excellencie of those great blessings and benefits which the Father giueth vs freely in his Sonne Rom. 8.18 And therefore in this and the former respects there can bee no merit in any meere man wherefore it is no lesse absurd to say that wee merit saluation at Gods hands by good workes then if one should say Thou hast giuen mee an hundred pounds therefore thou oughtest to giue mee a thousand C. Was not this doctrine of merit taught in the times of ancient Fathers M. Merit being taken in his proper sense for due and iust desert was neuer allowed of the sound Professours for a thousand yeeres after Christ Perkins first Vol. 574 575. second Vol. 535 536 Such therefore as will be iustified and saued by their owne workes and challenge eternall life by their merits do shew themselues to be most proud and vnthankfull persons and deserue most iustly to bee condemned eternally C. The Papists at their end doe renounce their owne merits and professe that they look to be saued only by the merits of Christ M. If there were nothing else but this it were enough to proue their doctrine of merit to be a false doctrine for if it were a truth then a man is not only in his life time to professe it and maintaine it but also in his death yea rather to dye for it then to deny it But séeing they in their life professe it and maintaine it but at their death renounce it it is a manifest argument that euen they themselues do know that it is not a true but a false doctrine C. If they know that it is not a truth what makes them then in their life time so stifly to maintaine it M. It serues greatly to maintaine and vphold the Popes kingdome for they teach that the ouer-plus of Christs merits and of the merits of Saints and Martyrs is the treasure of the Church which being gathered together and put into a store-chest is in the Popes custodie and he alone hath the plenary opening and shutting of this Chest and the ordering and disposing of these merits by vertue whereof he giues out Indulgences and Pardons when and to whom he will So that such as haue not merits enow of their owne may haue them from thence And so héereby he maintaines and vpholds his kingdome for heerby comes in infinite wealth and reuenewes Perkins 3. vol. 1. part page 165.2 D. 2. vol. 590. 2. a. In these and many other particular points the Papists teach contrary to the Articles of the Créed and therefore are no true Catholikes neither doe they belong to the Catholike Church as is thus proued Whosoeuer haue not the Catholike faith doe not belong to the Catholike Church but the Papists haue not the Catholike faith therefore they do not belong to the Catholike Church That they haue not the Catholike faith is plaine by that aforegoing DIALOGVE 6. C. Doe they teach any thing contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments M. Yes many things Christ ordained but onely two Sacraments The Church of Rome hath added to them fiue more namely Confirmation Penance Matrimonie Orders and ertreme Vnction C. Are not these Sacraments indeede M. No surely for there are foure things necessarily required to make a Sacrament First the authority of Christ commanding it Secondly the element or outward signe as the matter of it Thirdly the word of institution as the forme Fourthly the end and vse to bee a scale of our faith for remission of sinnes These foure things are not to be found in their fiue latter Sacraments and therefore they are no Sacraments indéede Master Attersoll on the Sacraments page 119. to 150. Synopsis Papis Controu 14 15 16. C. May not the Church then institute and ordaine Sacraments M. None may ordain a Sacrament but only the Lord. As none may put a signe and seale to a mans last will and Testament but onely the maker of the Testament so none may ordaine Sacraments which are signes and seales of the new Testament and couenant of grace but onely the Lord which made the couenant And therefore the Church of Rome in doing the contrary proues her selfe not to be the true Church of Christ but rather the Church of Antichrist They doe also in many other things teach contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments As First that the Sacraments doe giue grace and namely remission of sinnes ex opere operato by the worke wrought Rhem. Acts. 22. Sect. 1. Secondly that not onely faith doth iustifie but the Sacraments also Rhem. Rom. 6. Sect. 5. Whereas Sacraments me signes and seales of iustification Rom. 4.11 Thirdly that Infants dying without Baptisme cannot bee saued