made righteous Rom. 5.19 Christ is made of God to us righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3.28 A man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Christ Gal. 2. â—6 By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified Rom. 3.20 By grace ye are saved through faith not of works lest any should boast Eph. 2.8 Where is boasting then it is excluded by what Law of Works nay but by the law of faith Rom. 3.27 see Rom. 4.2 3 4 5 6 7. Phil. 3.8 9. Note The Church of Rome by their false Doctrine in the matter of justification raze the very foundation of the Christian Religion Gal. 5.4 Note There is a new invention of the Papists of a first and second justification The first justification they call that when a wicked man is at first made holy having a supernatural principle of grace infused into him which doth inherently justifie him A second justification they call that whereby a man being already just doth encrease and grow in his righteousness and so is more justified The second justification they plainly acknowledge is obtained by our merits and the good use of grace already received St. Paul they say speaks of the first justification but St. James of the second justification Rom. 3.28 Gal. 2.16 Jam. 2.24 But this distinction as they explain it is reproachful to Christs righteousness and flatly contrary to the Scripture for both these justifications are built upon a false foundation viz. That our inherent righteousness habitual or actual is that which doth justifie us in Gods sight Now this is a palpable errour for 1. The Scripture doth exclude all kind of works from the business of justification as appears by the frequent disjunction or opposition of faith and works throughout the Scripture 't was the Errour of those against whom St. Paul dealeth in his Epistles to rest half upon Christ and half upon works 2. Our righteousness and best works are imperfect and therefore will not endure the pure eyes of God Hence it is that Gods Children so oft in Scripture disclaim the Plea of their own righteousness Job David the Apostle Paul Job 9.3 Psal 143.3 Phil. 3 9. 3. When we make our own righteousness and obedience the matter of our justification we glory in our selves and detract from free grace by which alone we are justified through the merits of Christ Note St. Paul disputeth how we are justified St. James how we shall evidence our selves to be justified he takes justification for the declaration and manifestation of it Jam. 2.24 Note When the Apostle Paul argueth vehemently against justification by the law he doth yet press the duty of the law Rom. 3.13 So then the Law continueth as a rule though not as a covenant by which we are to be justified though it be not appointed to â—ustifie yet it is commanded as the way we should walk in It is a dangerous Antichristian error when we do good works and endeavour to keep Gods Commandements that thereby God may pronounce us righteous and it 's no less dangerous on the contrary to neglect the doing of good works because Gods order is to Communicate the benefit of Christs righteousness to none but such as shall by faith receive him and walk obedientially in his Commands Note Excellent is the Doctrine of the Church of England which I wish were more carefully observed by some late learned writers of her own Christ is the righteousness of all them that truly beliâ—ve in him he hath paid their Ransome by his death he for them fulfilled the law in his life so that now in him and by him every true Christian man may be called a fulfiller of the low 2. Part of the Serm. of salvation because faith doth directly send us to Christ for Remission of sins and that by faith we embrace the promise of Gods mercy and of the Remission of our sins which thing no other of our vertues or works properly doth therefore the Scripture useth to say that faith without works doth justifie And therefore the ancient Fathers of the Church say only faith justifieth us 3. Part of the Serm. of salvation 38. Q. Can we merit and deserve Heaven and eternal life by good works done by us A. Eternal life is the gift of God Rom. 6.23 When ye have done all say ye are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 If thou be righteous what givest thou to God or what receiveth he at thy hand Job 35.7 Note The Papists arrogantly hold that by good works we bind God to give us eternal life and that for the Dignity and Excellency of the thing done by us and that thereby we are worthy of everlasting life Note Christ alone is the Store-house of all our merits we renounce all merits of our own works and rest only on the merits of Christ Note The Doctrine of merits is most false and Antichristian for 1. The Scripture directly condemns it Eph. 2.8 10. Tit. 3.5 2. Our best works are imperfect 3. There is a vast disproportion between them and the glory to come 4. They are debts which we owe to God 5. As good they proceed from the Spirit of God 6. We do not profit God by them Note Reward is two-fold of Debt and of Mercy life everlasting is not a reward of debt but of Mercy Note Every true believer is worthy not by his own works but in Christ and by his merits and righteousness Note It is a Popish dotage contrary to Scripture to say that Christ by his death merited that our works should merit everlasting life this is to make our selves Christs Partners in the office of Mediation and so become our own Saviours and Redeemers Note The ancient Fathers by merits mean those good works to which God hath promised a reward but utterly disclaim all condignity in such works and with them to merit is only to impetrate and obtain how much they did abhor Popish merits appears by such speeches as these oft used by them If God should deal with men according to their Deserts all must be damned saith one Another holy Father speaks thus The mercy of God is our merit Another thus When the reward comes God will crown his gifts not thy merits Again the righteousness of man is the indulgence of God c. Note The meritorious works the Papists boast of are chiefly the obedience chastity wilful poverty of their Monks and Fryars and people were perswaded by them that to wear a Fryars Coat would deliver them from Agues or Pestilence and to be buried in it might save them and that the merits of these Monks did so abound that they were able to satisfie not only for their own sins but also for all their Benefactors and friends Now 1. For their obedience under colour of obedience to their Father Abbot or Pryor they freed themâ—elves from obedience to their natural Parents and from obedience to
3.1 Exod. 23.20 not of a created Angel for a created Angel did not redeem him from all evil as he saith there 29. Q. Should prayers and the service of God be performed in a tongue unknown not understood by the people what saith St. Paul of this A. Except ye utter words easie to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken how shall the unlearned say Amen in the Church I had rather speak five words to edification than Ten thousand words in an unknown tongue 1 Cor. 14.9.16 19. Note St. Paul in 1 Cor. 14. Throughout disputes against praying and speaking in a strange language in an unknown tongue yet the Papists will have their prayers in Latine though the people understand not one word of them Note The Papists themselves acknowledge that Christ and the Apostles and the primitive Church for more than six hundred years did not use prayers in an unknown tongue Note The Papists have a wicked design to keep people in ignorance and therefore will not suffer them to understand their own prayers 30. Q. Should we pray for the dead A. Now the Child is dead why should I fast and pray 2 Sam. 12.21 Blessed are they that dye in the Lord Rev. 14.13 Note They that dye in the Lord need not our prayers and they that dye in their sins can have no benefit by them Note The Popish Priests get so much money by prayers for the dead that they are unwilling to acknowledge it to be an errour Note For praying for the dead or praying to the Saints we have 1. No command from God 2. No promise to be heard 3. No example in Scripture 31. Q. Are aequivocations of mental Reservations good and lawful A. Ye shall not deal falsly or lye Lev. 19.11 Their tongue speaketh deceit Jer. 9.8 Let your Communication be yea yea and nay nay Matt. 5.37 He that hath not sworn deceitfully shall receive the blessing from the Lord Psal 24.4 An oath is the end of all strife Heb 6.16 Thou shalt swear in truth c. Jer. 4.2 Note If it be lawful to aequivocate if this be not lying as Papists teach 1. The Devil cant be the Father of lies for he could never want a mental Reservation 2. The Martyrs were fools and self murtherers in not saving their lives by this Jesuitical trick 3. There can be no such thing as perjury falshood in any but Idiots and naturals that have not wit enough to aequivocate 4. There can be no sincere faith or trusts in oaths covenants contracts promises leagues of agreement either publike or private for who knowes what secret evasions restrictions men may have in their minds 32. Q. Was St. Peter Prince of the Apostles or had they all equal power and Authority A. Jesus said the Princes of the Gentiles exercise Dominion but it shall not be so among you Mat. 20.25 The Apostles sent Peter and John Act. 8.14 see also Gal. 2.7 2 Cor. 11.5 Gal. 2.9 33. Q. When Christ said to Peter Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church I give unto thee the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven c. Mat. 16.18 Was this spoken to the rest of the Apostles and doth it belong to them as well as to St. Peter A. Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles Eph. 2.20 The City had 12 foundations and in them the names of the 12 Apostles Rev. 21.14 Then Jesus said to them the Apostles whose sins ye remit they are remitted whose sins ye retain they are retained John 20.23 Mat. 18.18 Note St. Peter was never head of the Church or Prince of the Apostles But if he had been so how should the Pope come to be his successor where doth Christ give this power to the Bishop of Rome 34. Q. Is there no other head of the Church but Christ A. Christ is head of the Church Col. 1.18 God hath given Christ to be head over all things to the Church which is his body Eph. 1.22 As the Husband is head of the wife so Christ is the head of the Church Eph. 5.23 The head even Christ Eph. 4.15 Note If the Pope be head of the Catholick Church then 1. St. Paul was greatly mistaken 2. The Catholick Church must be the Popes body and spouse 3. The Church would have no head when there is no Pope 4. The Church must have two or three heads when there are two or three Popes as sometimes have been for several years 5. The Church should have an unsound head when the Pope is Heretical as sundry Popes have been by confession of their own Doctors Note Queen Elizabeth King James King Charles would not be called head of the Church because they thought that title Antichristian entrenching upon the right of Christ 35. Q. Doth the word justifie in Scripture signifie to absolve or pronounce a man righteous not to infuse or put righteousness into a man A. They shall justifie the righteous and condemn the wicked Deut. 25.1 He that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just are an abomination to the Lord Pro. 17.15 Esa 5.23 Note The Scriptures speaking of justification makes it a discharging and acquitting from accusations and so doth legally make just not qualitatively as if to justifie were to make just holy as the Papists contend who confound justification with sanctification Note This is not a vain strife of words for the great Article of our Religion depends upon the right discovery of the use of the word if to justifie signifie to give us an inherent righteousness then by that we may appear before God but if to justifie signifie to acquit us being accused for sin through the grace of God and righteousness of Christ then we are to go out of our selves and to rely upon Christs righteousness nor can the Papists produce any one place of Scripture where the word justifie is put for making righteous by habitual and actual righteousness inherent in us as they would have it 36. Q. Is the Doctrine of imputed righteousness clearly taught in Scripture A. Blessed is the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works Rom. 4.6 That righteousness might be imputed to them also Rom. 4.11 It shall be imputed to us also if we believe Rom. 4.24 Note Christs righteousness is made ours as our sins were made his and that is only by imputation 2 Cor. 5.21 Note We do not say that Christs righteousness is our formal righteousness but it is the matter whereby we stand justified fore God Note The Popish party flout at this Doctrine calling it the putative and chinerical righteousness and yet affirm that the merits of one Saint may be imputed to another 37. Q. Are we accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ applyed by faith and not for our own works and merits A. By the Obedience of one shall many be
The Plain Mans DEFENCE AGAINST Popery OR A DISCOURSE SHEWING The Flat Opposition of Popery to the Scripture Fitted for the use of the meanest Capacities and such as have not time to read Great Books By J. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst And are to be sold at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1675. Christian Reader THou wilt find in this little Tract an Account of the proper and chief Doctrines of the Romish Religion and their Contrarietie to the express Texts of Gods Word though indeed there is not one Point in which Papists differ from Protestants wherein they are agreed among themselves I shall only desire this of thee that thou be willing to submit thy Soul and Conscience to the clear and obvious sense of Scripture-Propositions and Testimonies J. N. THE CONTENTS 1. OF the Scripture Q. 1.2 3 4 5. 2. Of Antichrist Q. 6. 3. Of Controversies in Religion Q. 7.8 4. Of Reading the Scripture Q. 9. 5. Of the judgment of Discretion Q. 10. 6. Of the Apocrypha Q. 11. 7. Of sin Q. 12.13 8. Of Separation from the Church of Rome Q. 14. 9. Of Idolatry and Image worship Q. 15.16 17 18 19 20. 10. Of Toleration Q. 21. 11. Of the great danger in Tolerating Popish Idolatry 12. Of good works Q. 23.24 13. Of Assurance of Grace Q. 25. 14. Of Prayer Q 26.27 28 29 30. 15. Of Aequivocation Q. 31. 16. Of St. Peter Q. 32.33 17. Of the Head of the Church Q. 34. 18. Of the most wholesom Doctrine of justification by faith only Q. 35.36 37 38. 19. Of the lawfulness of Ministers Marriage Q. 39. 20. Of private Confession to a Priest Q. 40. 21. Of Christ's Satisfaction and merit Q. 41. 22. Of Popish pardons Indulgences Jubilees Q. 42. 23. Of Purgatory Q. 43. 24. Of the Sacraments Q. 44.45 46 47 48 52 53. 25. Of the Horrible Idolatry and Blasphemy of the Popish Masse and danger of going to it Q 49. 26. Of Transubstantiation and the damnable Idolatry of Papists in giving Divine worship to their Breaden God Q. 50.51 A plain Discourse shewing The flat opposition of Popery to the Scripture 1. Q. ARE People at first moved and induced to an high esteem of the holy Scripture by the Testimony of the Church A. The Church is the Pillar and ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Note the Apostle doth not say that the Church cannot err for the purest Churches under Heaven are subject to Errours but it holds forth and makes known Gods word and truth as Pillars hold forth the Proclamations and Edicts of Magistrates and Princes 2. Q. Are there not greater evidences for our belief of the Scripture to be the word of God than the bare Testimony of the Church which is but a humane Testimony and so fallible A. If we rceive the witness of men the witness of God is greater 1 John 5.9 When the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth John 16.13 The anointing teacheth you of all things and is the truth 1 John 2.27 The Gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thes 1.5 Note our full perswasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine Authority of the Scripture is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts Yet he doth not cause us to believe by Enthusiasme without any reason or evidence but he enlightens the understanding removes the blindness and depravedness thereof and makes us see what clear evidences and reasons there are to satisfie us that the Scripture is the word of God 3. Q. What are those clear evidences and reasons that prove the Scripture to be the word of God A. Declare things to come that we may know ye are Gods Isa 41.22 When the word of the Prophet shall come to pass then shall it be known that the Lord hath truly sent him Jer. 28.9 We know thou art a Teacher come from God for no man could do the miracles which thou dost except God be with him John 3.2 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul Psal 19.1 The word of God is quick and powerful sharper than any two edged Sword a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 Through comfort of the Scripture we have hope Rom. 15.4 Note Besides the Testimony of the Church Five things especially evince the Scripture to come from God 1 The antiquity of it far exceeding the most ancient humane writings 2. It s miraculous preservation in all Ages against the rage of Satan and persecution of Tyrants 3. The wonderful and supernatural effects of it convincing converting and comforting the Soul 4. The marks of Divinity and Lineaments of Heavenly wisdom that plainly appear in it viz. Its Majesty purity perfection scope profound and glorious Revelations excellent rewards dreadful punishments c. 5. The seals of divine Authority annexed to it viz. 1. The spirit of Prophesie foretelling future events 2. The power of working famous and illustrious miracles to confirm the Doctrine of it 4. Q. Are all things necessary for mans salvation set down in Scripture either expresly or by necessary consequence A. The holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise to salvation that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3.16 The Law of God is perfect Psal 19.7 see Gal. 6.16 Isa 8.20 John 20.31 Deut. 12.32 Note The Scripture is called a Testament the chief property of which is to declare the whole will of the Testator Note The Papists teach that there are unwritten Traditions necessary to salvation because otherwise they know the main points of Popery must needs fall to the ground as having no proof of Scripture for them And because many things held and practised by them are not only besides but also repugnant to the Scripture they will not endure to have their Religion tryed by the Scripture Note In the age next to the Apostles Papias introduced the errour of the Chiliasts under Title of an Apostolical Tradition In like manner under the same Title the Papists have brought in an infinite number of corrupt Superstitious Idolatrous opinions and practices Note The ancient Fathers do oft by the name of Tradition understand the Doctrine contained in the Scripture and sometimes by unwritten Traditions they mean such things which are found in the Scripture not in express words but are contained therein by right and just consequence Note St. Paul 2 Thes 2.15 Doth not say that he did Preach or deliver any thing by word of mouth that is not set down in the Scripture The Popish argument runs thus all things necessary to salvation are not written in the Epistle to the Thessalonians therefore all things necessary to salvation are not contained in the Scripture This pittiful argument they manage with as much
Gods Jer. 2.11 Note the Heathens did excuse their Idolatry with the same distinctions as the Papists now make use of so they did not worship their Images as God but God by Images This appears by the Testimony of many ancient Fathers especially Arnobius Lactantius Augustine Chrysostome in many places 20. Q. What reasons are given in Scripture against the religious adoration of Images and worshipping of God by Images A. I the Lord thy God am a jealous God Com. 2. God is a Spirit they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 To whom will ye liken God to what likeness will ye compare him he fitteth upon the circle of the Earth the Inhabitants thereof are as Grasboppers before him c. Isa 40.18 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you Deut. 4.2 Rom. 1.23 Note Gods glorious and incomprehensible nature cannot be represented to men by any Image but in a way of infinite disparagement to him Note All Popish Images are lyes their Images of God of the blessed Trinity of Christ for he is both God and man and cannot be truly represented and surely it is greatly unbecoming the glory of the Saints in Heaven to set them up in dul and senseless Images The Popish pictures and Images of Christs body are lyes for from whence should they have his true Effigies There being no Images or Pictures made of his body until many hundred years after his death and the Pictures of his body that they now have in several places are not alike in shape lineaments or colour Note Some of the most learned Papists affirm that no Image is to be worshipped properly with that worship which the thing represented is worshipped by for that is Idolatry other Papists no less learned say if an inferiour worship be given to the Image distinct from that which is given to the thing represented it is Idolatry so that which way soever you take you are guilty of Idolatry by their own confession 21. Q. Is the Toleration of Idolatry lawful A. Whosoever will not do the law of thy God and the Law of the King let judgment be executed speedily upon him Ezr. 7.26 If any entice thee secretly saying let us go serve other Gods thou shalt not conceal him Deut. 13.6 Josiah took away all the Abominations and made all in Israel to serve the Lord their God 2 Chron. 34.33 They enterd into a Covenant that whosoever would not seek the Lord God should be put to death 2 Chro. 15.13 Asa cut down her Idol and burnt it 2 Chron. 15.16 Thou sufferest Jezabel to seduce my servants Rev. 2.20 If thou do that which is evil be afraid he beareth not the sword in vain Rom. 13.14 I have something against thee because thou hast them that hold the doctrine of Balaam Rev. 2.20 Note The ancient Fathers observe that false Religions tolerated have a power to kill true Christianity in the Church and that this was the design of Julian the Apostate and valens the Arian in tolerating all Idolaters and Hereticks Note The Papists speak for toleration where themselves are under Hatches yet when they come to sit at Stern they judge and practise quite contrary witness the dayes of Queen Mary Note The Tares to be let alone Mat. 13.30 Signifie not Idolaters obstinate Hereticks for these are Briars and Thorns but such kind of evil persons as are like unto the good and come very near the truth as Tares do to the Wheat and so near that good men may be taken with them again let them alone may be a word of permission by way of providence God in his providence will permit some or other Tares ever to be in his Church not a word of precept by way of Ordinance Note No man is to be persecuted at all because all persecution is for righteousness sake 2. None is to be punished for his Conscience sake though erroneous unless his errours be fundamental or seditiously promoted and tend to destroy the souls of Gods people 22. Q. Is the Toleration of Popish Idolatry more perillous than of any other in regard of the civil peace and spiritual danger it being a mystery of iniquity and poyson in a golden Cup A. The mystery of iniquity doth already work 2 Thes 2.7 She had a golden Cup full of Abominations Rev. 17.4 Note Popish principles are utterly inconsistent with Government Their Councils Decretals and the books of their Divines teach that the Pope may depose Kings and Emperours transfer Kingdoms from one line to another absolve subjects from oaths of Alleigance that a King excommunicated may be killed by any one The Papists have murthered 4 or 5 Kings in this Realm since the Conquest that they are now quiet it is because they are not strong enough to carry a Rebellion Note The Papists pretend they are punished for serving God according to their Consciences but this plea is easily answered for 1. Treason is Treason though men think they are bound in Conscience to commit it one main point of the Popish Religion is Treasonable in it self and tends to destroy all evil Government and that is the Popes supream Authority and jurisdiction 2. The Papists have suffered for plain and evident Treasons and those Treasons were the occasions of making severe Laws à gainst them 3. The civil Government is bound to defend and maintain the true Religion and the publick peace and therefore may and ought to punish and suppress those persons that by any wilfull actions go about to destroy or disturb the true Religion or publick peace though such persons think themselves bound in conscience to do what they do 23. Q. Are there works of Supererogation can any do more than God requires or do all men in this life fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do A. When you have done all say we are unprofitable servants Luk. 17.10 How should a man be just with God if he will contend with him â—ob 9.2.3 Note The Papists distinguish between Commands and Evangelical Councils the doing of the former they account necessary to salvation the doing of the latter highly meritorious for that a man is not bound to do such things But this is repugnant to the Scripture which makes all Divine Councils to be commands Note The pride of Popery they teach that works of Supererogation are more noble and excellent than those of Gods Law Note There is much poyson in this Popish Doctrine 1. Hereby they debase the Law of God 2. Pretend to do all yea more then that the Law requires 3. Insinuate that by works of Supererogation they can help others 4. Affirm that their Monks and Fryars abound in these works c. And so shall have greater glory in Heaven and may satisfie for the sins of others viz. By their vow of single life of regular obedience c. 24. Q. Can any one in this life perfectly fulfill the Law of God did ever any man