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A52371 No popery, or, A catechism against popery wherein the heretical doctrins, idolatrous worship, and superstitious practices of the Roman Church are briefly yet plainly refuted, and the Protestant principles proved by testimonies of Holy Scripture, and evidence of reason / by a minister of the Gospell. Minister of the Gospell. 1682 (1682) Wing N1187; ESTC R19866 57,846 152

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Elected God only knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Q. How understand you that out of the Church there is no Salvation A. First Out of the Church of the Elect none can be saved for they that have no Communion with the Members of the Body have none also With the Head which is Christ and which is the only name by which we can be saved Secondly Out of the Communion of the Catholick Visible Curch there is no Salvation if there be not an impossibility which cannot be overcome as suppose some among the Turks and Pagans Converted to Christ at the hour of death but it is altogether necessary to Salvation when it is possible to be joyned to some Assembly of Christians and make profession of the Faith of Christ for with the heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10.10 But this Maxim may not be understood of any particular Church much less of the Roman Church which is the most corrupted of all the Churches which call themselves Christian Churches SECT VII If the Church can err Quest IS there any particular Church in the world to whom God hath given this priviledge not to err but to be infallible A. There is none which hath this privilege The Church of Israel who before the coming of Jesus Christ was the only Visible Church of God hath erred and fell many times into Idolatry in the 2 Chron. 15. it is said that for a long season Israel had been without the true God and without a teaching Priest and without Law and the Prophets Isaiah 56.10 Reproaches the Church of Israel that their watchmen were all blind and ignoraant Ezek. 20.7 We may learn that the Church of Israel committed Idolatry in Egypt did she not err in making of the Golden Calf Exod. 32. And when Juda had as many gods as Cities Jerem. 2.28 And in the time of Jesus Christ the Church of the Jews was infected with many Heresies and with the evil Leven of the Pharisees and there is not to be found an example of any particular Church from the Apostles time till now that hath persisted in their purity and it was for good reason that St. Paul writing to the Church of Rome bids her take heed least she should be cut off for her incredulity Rom. 11.21 22. For she hath fallen the most heavily and gone the furthest astray from the truth of all others Q. But if it be so that every particular Church hath erred and may err then it follows that all the Church hath failed and then what will become of the promise Jesus Christ made to his Church that the Gates of Hell should never prevail again her Math. 16.18 A. Jesus Christ in that passage speaks not of any particular Church precisely but of the Church of the Elect and gives us assurance by these words that all the machinations of the World and Satan shall never be able to hinder the Church from subsisting in the Earth but that there shall be a company of Believers which shall confess his Name for the Foundation of the Lord standeth sure God knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 and notwithstanding the Corruption of the World there is all ways reserved some who boweth not the Knee before Baal 1 Kings 19.18 And if it happen that some Church fall from the Truth God raiseth up another in whom he manifests his Knowledg Q. What you say seems contrary to your received opinion that the state of the Church hath been interred A. We only understand by this the general condition of the Church in the West which by reason of the Dominion of the Pope and the Supperstitions in the Roman Church hath been interrupted or greatly Corrupted but it follows not that though there were not in the West pure particular Visible Churches that there was not in the East and other parts of the World Q. But though each particular Church may err yet General Councils assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ cannot err for Jesus Christ hath promised that when two or three are gathered together in his Name he will be in the midst of them Matth. 18.20 A. I answer it cannot be affirmed with any certainty of Faith that there hath been any Council that hath not erred in some kind except that of the Apostles Acts 15. because they were immediately and infalliably lead into all Truth as Jesus Christ promised John 14.26 The Church of Israel assemnled in Council erred having condemned Jesus Christ to death as a Blasphemer Many that have named themselves General Councils have manifestly erred as that of Nice 2. which commanded to Worship Images upon pain of Curse and Anathem and that of Constance which took away the Cup in the Sacrament from the people though they grant that Jesus Christ had Instituted it and the Primitive Church had practised otherwise such Councils though they say they are assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ are not so since they Combat his Doctrine Q. What call you then a Council assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ A. These who being assembled by his Authority submit their decisions to his Holy Word SECT VIII Of the marks of the True Church Quest BY what mark know you the True Church since there are so many and so different in their sentiments and each of them pretending to be the true one A. By that which Jesus Christ gives us John 10.27 My sheep hear my voice and they follow me and Chap. 8.31 If you continue in my word then are you my disciples indeed That is then the true Church which is Conform to the word of Jesus Christ and obeys his voice Q. But what say you to Antiquity A. That it is a deceitful mark untruth being little later then Truth An error is nor the truer because it is ancient Antiquity destitute of Truth is but an antient error as an Antient Elegantly spoke Jesus Christ said not I am Custom but I am the Truth John 14. The only Antiquity that we receive is the first Truth which we have in the Holy Scripture to the which we Appeal for the condemnation of all error saying with Jesus Christ In the beginning it was not so Matth. 19.8 Q. What ju●gment make you of Succession in the Chair A. That is also a false mark for Hereticks may also make use of Antiquity and Succession in the Chair without Truth is void We are not to judg of the Truth of a Church by her Succession but upon the contrary of her Succession by the Truth she Teaches The Pharisees in Moses Chair corrupted the Law and at this time the Doctors of the Roman Church in the pretended Chair of St. Peter Combat his Doctrine Q. Visibility and splendor may not it be a mark of the True Church A. No for the Word of God upon the contrary foretels crosses and afflictions to befal the Church and there happens sometimes so much calamity to the Church that she
as they say that the Christian may be confirmed in the Faith and be made a compleat Christian and they would even have this Sacrament observed with greater veneration than Baptism as being done by a more worthy person to wit a Bishop and which hath a greater vertue than Baptism Q. Why do you not acknowledge this to be a Lawful Sacrament A. Because Jesus Christ hath not instituted it and I see no ground for it in the Word of God and it is an extream rash impiety to forge in the Church a Sacrament to which they attribute more vertue and give more Reverence than to Baptism Q. We see though that Jesus Christ put his hands upon Children Matth. 19.13 and the Apostles laid their hands on persons Baptised before that they might receive the Holy Ghost Act. 8.16.17 and 19.6 A. This laying on of hands is no Sacrament of the Christian Church but a Ceremony always used to those that were blessed or received to any Office in the Church So Jacob laid his hands upon Ephraim and Manasse when he blessed them Gen. 48.14 Moses upon Josuah Numb 27.23 The Apostles upon those for whom they implored Grace from God and the assistance of the Holy Ghost but in that there was nothing done like what is done in Confirmation neither as to the sign nor as to the words In the Reformed Churches the laying on of the hands is still observed at the Ordination of Ministers to the end to implore the Grace of the Holy Ghost for them but it is not for that a Sacrament of the Church SECT XLII Of the Sacrament of Penitence Quest WHy do yot not acknowledge Penitence for a Sacrament of the Christian Church A. Because 1. Jesus Christ hath not instituted it for Repentance hath always been necessary since sin and as agreeable to God before Christ came into the World as since 2. It is an absurd thing to make a Christian vertue a Sacrament and exteriour sign 3. In Confession Contrition and Satisfaction there is no material sign visible to represent to us any invisible Grace in Jesus Christ 4. These three parts of their Penitence are not conferred by the Pastour but are the exercise of the person Repenting 5. This pretended Sacrament is not coferred in the Church as other Sacraments but it is practised by the Sinner privately Q. They will tell you that in absolution there is a visible sign of an invisible Grace That in the Priests absolution there is a certain sign of the interior absolution that God granteth to a Sinner A. I say to that 1. That if the sign be only in absolution 't is not in Penitence for absolution is no part of Penitence for Penitence is in the Sinner and absolution is given by the Pastour 2. That in Absolution there is no visible Sign 3. If words may be called visible signs then all the clauses of the Gospels Sermon may be called Sacraments SECT XLIII Of Marriage Quest WHY do you not acknowledge Marriage for a Sacrament A. 1. Because it was not instituted by Jesus Christ for Marriage was Lawful before his coming and was Instituted even before Sin 2. It cannot be a Sacrament of the Christian Church since Marriage is Lawful even amongst Pagans 3. There is not in Marriage any material visible sign nor any word added to the Element the consent of parties being that which makes Marriage for it is not properly the Minister that Marries he only stipulates publickly the mutual obligations and consent of the parties 4. It is not according to the opinion of the Roman Church common to all Believers since Priests ought not as they say to partake thereof And it is an absurd thing that it should be a Sacrament to the People and a Pollution and Sacriledge to the Priest Q. Yet St. Paul calls Marriage a Sacrament Eph. 5.32 This Sacrament is great A. These words are so in the vulgar Latin version but in the Greek it is This Mystery is great and he speaks not there of Marriage but of the Union between Christ and his Church for the Apostle adds But I speak concerning Christ and his Church Likewise it is to be observed That the Latin version usually turns the word Mystery into that of Sacrament and calls the Mystery of Godliness God manifested in flesh a great Sacrament of Godliness 1 Tim. 3.16 And the Mystery of the Woman the Sacrament of the Woman Rev. 17.7 Q. Yet in this passage St. Paul teaches us that Marriage is a Figure of the Spiritual Marriage between Christ and his Church A. It is true but every Figure and Comparison that the Scripture uses to represent to us the Spiritual Graces of God and the union of Jesus Christ and his Church are not Sacraments otherwise a Vine the Light a Door a Shepherd and such like comparisons that Jesus Christ did use should be Sacraments of the Christian Church SECT XLIV Of Extream Vnction Quest WHy do not you acknowledg the anointing of the sick for a Sacrament of the Church since St. James 5.14 15. recommends it Is any sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with oyl in the name of the Lord and Mark 6.13 We read that the Apostles anointed the sick with oyl and healed them A. This anointing was not an ordinary Sacrament and ought not to be continued in the Church because it was done to be a sign of miraculous healing as appeareth by these two passages in which health followed this anointing since the gift of healing is ceased it is necessary that the Sign and Sacrament cease likewise therefore anointing now is nothing but an unprofitable Ceremony not beinp practised for the healing of the Sick but on the contrary when the Sick is near to death and therefore they call it Extream Unction SECT XLV Of the Sacrament of Orders Quest WHy do you not acknowledge Orders for a Sacrament A. 1. Because according to their account there are seven different sorts of Orders there must then be thirteen Sacraments instead of seven 2. Because it is not common to all Believers but particular to Ecclesiastical Persons only 3. Because there is no material sign in it 4. It doth not represent to us the death of Jesus Christ and his Benefits 5. The greatest part of these Orders was not instituted by Jesus Christ as Porters Exorcists Acolyts Under-Deacons 6. It is a great absurdity to make a Sacrament of the ordinary Offices in the Church Q. May not the Imposition of Hands upon a Pastor to establish him in his Office be called a Sacrament since it is a visible Sign of an invisible Grace to wit the Grace of the Holy Ghost A. It may be called a Sacrament but not in the same sense that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are for this Imposition of Hands is not a sacred Sign of the Covenant of God in Jesus Christ it is not common to all Believers and it cannot be
seems to be hidden or to be vanished from the Earth as when she was Captive in Egypt and in Babylon shut up in the Family of Abraham and when many days passed in Israel without the True God and without a Teachin Priest and without the Law 2. Chron. 15.3 and when Idolatry was publickly introduced into the Kingdom of Juda and into the Temple of Jerusalem Q. But the Christian Church having received more authentick promises for extention and splendor it is not likely to be invisible and that City set on a Hill cannot be hidden Matth. 5.14 A. It is true that by the calling of the Gentiles the Christian Church is more extended than that of the Jews was and there shall always be a Visible Christian Church in the World but it is not necessary to a particular Churches being pure that it be Splendent and Visible The seven thousand men that had not bowed their Knee to Baal were the true Church though they appeared not in Israel and since the Church of Jerusalem ceased not to be the True Church when Revelation 12. she was forced to fly into the Wilderness to shun the persecution of the Jews and Rev. 12. Wings are given to the Church that she might fly and hide her self in the Wilderness And Chap. 13. there is spoken of a time wherein all the Earth should Worship the Beast Jesus Christ says Luke 18.8 When he shall come he shall find no Faith in the Earth and they of the Church of Rome themselves say that Antichrist will make the Sacrifice of the Mass to cease for three years and a half Q. May not perpetual duration be a mark of the true Church A. No because perpetual duration is a thing not known but hoped for and there is no particular Church hath received any promise from God to endure for ever Q. But some will say we wonder not that you reject those precedent marks seeing it is two hundred years agoe only since you appeared in the World so that you cannot show your Succession nor where you were before Calvin and Luther A. We do not boast of our Succession but of our Truth yet we prove sufficiently that our Religion is not new but the first and most antient in making appear that we have the same Religion that Christ and his Apostles had and being truth it self by consequent it could not be interrupted Truth being Eternal and immutable and there must needs therefore always have been some Church in the World that hath made profession thereof for the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church Those then that ask us where our Religion was before Luther and Calvin we will ask them where theirs was in the time of Christ and his Apostles both of us begin the History of our Religion at that time Q. May not multitude be a good mark of the True Church A. No more than the rest for it agrees better-with a false than with a True Church Jesus Christ commands us to enter in at the strait gate for broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in there at Matth. 7.13 and Luke 12.32 he calls his Church the little flock and Exodus 23.2 we are forbidden to follow a multitude to do evil in short multitude cannot be a good mark of the True Church since Pagans and Mahumetans are more in number than the Christians and amongst the Christian Churches the Hereticks are commonly more numerous than the Orthodox as Christian Catholicks were fewer than the Arians Q. What think you of Miracles A. That we have reason to suspect that Mark since Jesus Christ hath foretold us Matth. 24.24 That false Christs and false Prophets shall arise shewing great signs and wonders and St. Paul foretels us 2 Thess 2.9 That the son of perdition will come with signs and lying wonders Q. How know you that the Miracles of the Roman Church are lying wonders A. First Because they give Authority to lies as Worshiping of Images and Praying to Saints Secondly Because often they are not done in the Name of God and Jesus Christ as the Miracles of Jesus Christ and his Apostles but in the name of some Images or Saint Thirdly Because they are feigned inventions and contrivances to deceive the simple and credulous and to keep them in their Superstition therefore they do them not in publick before those they call Hereticks to Convert them but secretly without Witnesses Q. Hath the True Church no Miracles A. Yes Those of Jesus Christ and his Apostles which having sufficiently comfirmed the Doctrine declared to us we have no need of new Miracles to give Authority thereto an Evil and Adulterous Generation seeketh after a sign Matth. 12.39 16.4 Signs are not for them that believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14.22 Q. May the titles of Catholick and Holy be marks of the True Church A. No Because names are not essential properties and an Heretical Church may as well assume these Titles as the True one besides the Title of Catholick or Universal can be no mark of any particular Church Q. What think you of Vnion A. That it is not an absolute mark of the Church for it is found in false and Heretical Churches which are well United but Union in Faith and Conformity to the Word of God is a true mark of a Church but if destitute of Truth it is only a conspiracy against God Q. What judgment make you of Holiness A. That is the only right mark of the True Church provided that Holyness in Doctrine be understood as well as in manners SECT IX Of our Separation from the Roman Church Quest WHy have you separated from the Church of Rome A. Because our Conscience would not suffer us to partake of her Errors and Superstitions since we find not in her the only mark of the True Church which is Conformity to the Word of God nor the pure Administration of the Sacraments Q. But ought not Christian Charity and the love of peace make us bear with their errors St. Paul tells us that Charity beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 and should the infirmities and faults of our brethren make us separate from them and break the Vnion of the Church by a Schism A. We must bear with our Neighbours faults but we must not consent to them now we cannot continue in Communion with an Heretical Church but we must consent to their Errors 2 Cor. 6.14 What Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness and what Communion hath Light with Darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols And it were not just that to please our Neighbours we should defile our selves with their Superstition St. Paul recommends Truth to us as well as Charity and Ephes 4.3 he would have us to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Q. But may not our separation be justly accused of Schesm A. No For it is not absolutely Separation which makes