St. John 17.11 Christ prayed that his Disciples should be one and againe 1. Cor. 1.10 I beseech you that you all speak one and the same thing and that there be no Schisms among you but that you be perfect in one sence and in one Judgment if she be why do you deny the necessity of unity 9. Christ when he prayed his prayer took efect or not if not then he in vain prayed that his Disciples should be one if it did then Christâ— people is one UNIVERSALITY Demonstrated to be a mark of the True Church 10. TO be Universal or Coexistant with time and place is a mark of the true Church or not 〈◊〉 if not why doth the Scriptures say in St. Maâ— 28.20 go ye teaching all Natons c. and behould I am with you even to the Consumation of the World and again Eph. 4.12 13 He gave some Apostles c. to the Consumation of the Sts. if it be why do you reject so evedent a mark of the true Church 11. The Church of God is Universal or Coexistant with all time or not if not why do you deny that of St. John 14.15.16 the Paracleet shall abide with you for ever and again that of St. Lu. 1.33 he Christ shall raign in the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end if it be why do you deny Universality 12. Christs Church is Universal or Coexistant with all place or not if not how can that of the prophet be true their sound went over all the Earth oâ— how can all Nations be taught if it be why do you deny Universality 13. The Church of Christ is Universal and Catholick or not if not why do you deny the Apostles Creed if it be why do you renounce Universality SANCTITY Demonstrated to be a mark of the true Church 14. THe Church of Christ is eminent for Sanctity of discipline and doctrine or not if not why do you deny the Apostles Creed which says I beleive in the Holy Catholick Church and again that of the Ephe. 5.17 Christ gave himself for his Church cleansing her by the laver of water in the Word that he might present her to himself a Glorious Church not having spot nor wrinkle but that she might be Holy and unspoted if she be why do you deny Sanctity in the Church 15. The Church of Christ is Sanctifyed or not if not why do you contradict St. Pauls words saying 1. Cor. 6.10 these things ye were but ye are washed but ye are Sanctifyed but ye are Justifyed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God if she be why do you deny Sanctity in the Church 16. The Church of Christ is manifested to be Holy by the Grace of Miracle or not if not why did Christ say in St. Jo. 14.10 he that Beleiveth in me the works that I do he shall do and greater if it be why do you Sacriligiously rob the Church of Sanctity seeing Christ granted her the Grace of Miracle which we prove thus 17. Christ granted true beleivers the grace of casting out Devils and by the imposition of hands to cure the suck or not if not why do you belye the Scriptures Mark 16.17 Those that beleive in me these Signes shall follow them in my Name they shall cast out Devils they shall lay hands on the Sick and they shall be whole If he did you cannot deny the grace of Miracles in the Church 18. Your Church hath the above mentioned Marks or not if not than she is fals if she hath answer to the following Queries 19. Your Church hath been apparent and visible since Christ or not if not then she is false if she has prove your lawful and uninterrupted Succession of Pastors from the time of the Apostles till Mart. Luther and Jo. Calvin 20. Your Church did appear before Luther and Calvin or not if not then she is false if she did in what Kingdom or Nation was your Doctrine preached or by whom 21. Martin Luther and Jo. Calvin was the first founders of your Church or not if not produce any that ever professed the same Articles with you before them if they were then your Church is false 22. Luther and Calvin seperated themselves from the world or not if not who joyned with them or to whom did they adhere if they did then they departed from the visible Christian Religion 23. Your Church hath Unity or not if not then she is not the Church of Christ if she hath why is there so many Schisms and Sects among you 24. All your Reformers did agree in matters of Faith or not if not then your pretended Reformation had no Unity if they did why did they so much differ in most essential Points as we prove thus 25. Luther anâ— Calvin were true Refâ—â—â—ers or not if not theâ—â— you follow false Refâ—â—â—ers if they were why 〈◊〉 they differ in the most â—â—â—ntial Point of the holâ—â—â—â—crament and agaiâ—◠〈◊〉 the Government 〈◊〉 the Church 26. All your Reformations doth agree of not if not then they are false and void of the essential Point of Unity if they do produce any two that agree in all points 27. Your Church is universal or not if not the â—â—â—he is not the Cathoâ—â—â—e Church if she be â—â—hew one of your Preaâ—â—ers in Japonia nay or iâ—â—he Kingdom of Spaâ—â—â— 28. Your Church hath converted Nations or not if not how can she be universal if she hath shew one Nation that she hath ever converted 29. Your Church hath been universal with all time or not if not then she cannot be the true Churh if she hath with what time hath she been coexistant before Luther and Calvin 30. Your Church hath been Universal in place or not if not then she is not the true Church if she hath in what place or nation did she appear before Luther and Calvin 31. Your Church hath Sanctity or not if not then she is not the holy Catholique Church if she hath shew one of your Sect that ever was Canoniz'd 32. Luther Calvin and the rest of your Reformers confirmed their Doctrine with Miracle or not if not then they were not true Apostles if they did shew one of their Meracles 33. The signs which Christ said in Scripture followed your pretended Reformers or not if not then they were not true Beleivers if they did shew one Man they dispossesed or one sick that they restored to health 34. Your Reformers were famous for their virtuous Lives or not if not then they had not Sanctity if they were why did they break their Vows made to God and teach men so to do 35. The Catholique Roman Church and no other stands firm and infalliable as a Rock against all the tempests of Apostacy Heresy and Schism which we prove thus 36. The Romans had once the true Church or not if not then you deny the words of Scripture Rom. 1.8 First I thank my Lord through
agree if not why hath it the Visibe Signe to wit the Penitents Confession and the Priests Absolution of an Invisible Grace which is the Remission of Sins according to St. John 20.23 Whose Sins ye shall â—â—tain they are retained aâ—â— whose Sins you shall forgiâ—â— they are fotven 115. Extream Vuncâ—â—on is a Sacrament or noâ— if it be then there aâ—â— more then two Sacraments if not why then hath it the Visible Signe to witt the Priests Prayer and the anointing with Oyl of an invisible Grace whereof St. Jâ—â— speaks in the 5.13 14 15. Is any Man sick among youâ— let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them pray over him anointinâ— him with Oyl in the Name of â—â—â—cur Lord and the Prayâ—â—â— of Faith shall shall save 〈◊〉 Sick Man and our Lord â—â—â—ll lift him up and if he 〈◊〉 in Sins his Sins shall be â—â—â—given him 117. Holy Order is aâ—â—crament or not if it be then it is no vacuant â—â—rimony if not why â—â—en hath it the Visible â—igne to witt the words of the Bishop and â—he things given to him â—â—at it ordain'd of an â—â—visible Grace according 1 Tim. 4.14 Neglect â—or the Grace which is in 〈◊〉 very Prophecy with the imposition of the hands of the Priesthood 117. Matrimony is a-Sacrament or not if it be then it is not a naked Ceremony of the Popsh Church if not why then hath it a Visible Signe to witt the mutual consent of both Parties of an Invisible Grace and Supernatural Conjunction made by Almighty God St. Mat. 19.6 That therefore which God hath joined let not man seperate And again Ephes 5 31.3â— There shall be two in one Flesh this is agreat Sacrament but I say in Christ and the Church 118. A Visible Signe of an Invisible Grace divinely instituted by Christ is the true Definition of a Sacrament or not if not then you deny the definition which your selves attributes to a Sacrament if it be how can you deny the above mentioned seven Visible Signes of Invisible Graces divinely instituted by Christ to be Sacraments 119. Baptisme and the Lord's Supper is more evidently said in Scripture then any of the other 5 to be Sacraments or not if not why then do you hould those two only and none of the other five to be Sacrament if they be then shews us in what Book Chapter or Verse is Baptisme and the Lord's Supper said to be Sacraments and none of the other five which you so obstinately deny THE APENDIX 120. THat the Sectaries of our Times have no lawful or continued Succession which we prove thus Your Church hath it's Succession from the undernamed Sects or not if not then you cannot have your Succession from any other visible in the World since Gregory the Great about whoss Time you hold the Romish Church fell from her Purity if she hath why do you not profess the samâ— Articles with the undernamed Sects viz. with the Waldenses that Lay-Men and Women may Consecrate and Preach that Clergy Men ought to have no Possessions or Porperties and that Oaths was unlawful in all cases c. which absurdities were condemned by the third Lateran Council in the twelveth Century with Abbot Joachim who denyed the Father Son and Holy Ghost to be one highest Thing Essence or Nature though three distinct Personâ— Can. 3 which Heresy was condemned by the fourth Lateran Council in the thirteenth Century wiâ—â— Bergardes and Begâ—â—ines who held Carâ—â—a Lust to be done out of Temptation to be â—o Sin c. wich adsurdity was condemned by the Council of Vienna â—n the fourteenth Cenâ—â—ry with John Husse 〈◊〉 Wicklif Hierome oâ— Prague that all Priests and Majistrates â—â—ll from their Dignity by any Mortal Sin and ought no longer 〈◊〉 be obeyed that God must obey the Devil and that temporal Lords might tâ—ke away Church Liveings at their pleasure c. which obsurdities were totally condemned by the the Council of Constance in the fifteenth Century your Church had her Succession from the above mentioned Sects or not if you have then you must maintain the same most rediculous Tenets with the above mentioned Sectaries if not then you must have no Succession unless it be from the Antient Roman Catholique Church to the contrary 121. Luther and Calvin had their Mission from the Roman Church or not if not then they had no Mission if they had the Roman Church had the Spirit of God when she gave them theâ— mission or not if noâ— how could she give them lawful Mission not haveing the Spirâ—â—â— of God if she had how could she fall into Errors and why did they depart from the Spirit of God Wâ—â— insist further they haâ—â— their Mission from God or not if noâ— then it was from the Devil if they haâ— why did they not confirm their Doctrine with Miracles â—s God did the unwriten Law Moses the writen Law and Christ Jesus the new Law 122. Luther and Calvin's Doctrine was manifested to be true by Miracles or not if it was by what Miracles did they ever confirm that which they preached if not then seeing you cannot alledg any Texts of sacred Writ to vindicate their Tenets you must of necessity run to your private Spirit for arefuge to the Contrary 123. The Apostles had the private Spirit or not if not then it is not Apostolical but rather Diabolical if they had why then did they call a Council Acts the 15. 124. Your privat Spirit is of God or not if not then it is of the Devil if it be of God why then are there so many disagreeing Sects amongst you 125. A Man endowed with your private Spirt can interpret Scriptures or not if not why then doth rude and unlitarated Mechanicks the meanest of Peasants and in fine all the Plebeian Sort presume to interpret the most difficult parts of Holy Scripture and distinguish the Canonical Books from Apocr if they can what need have you of Preachers or Teachers seeing no Man will believe any thing but what his private Spirit suggests unto him forged by those wâ—â—â— never could learn 〈◊〉 speak or write Truth 〈◊〉 if he doth we Faithfuâ—ly promise by the Graâ—â— of God to paint and also rip up all the Sores of Protestancy not by Imaginary Fancies or rather wilful Falcities as they obtrude against uâ— but even from Protesâ—ant approved History graphers and the present times which all the Impartial and clear sighted Eyes are witnesses of Wee of the Society of Jesus in obedience to the command of our superiors have perused this Book and finding nothing in it contradicting the Catholique Church are in hopes that it may be the Instrument of great good FINIS
A NET FOR THE Fishers of MEN And the same which Christ gave to his Apostles Wherein the Points contraverted betwixt Catholiques and Sectaries are briefly vindicated by way of Dilemma By two Gentlemen Late CONVERTS Mark 1.17 And Jesus said unto them come ye after me and I will make ye to become Fishers of Men. Printed Anno 1686. To Her Most Excellent Majesty Mary Queen of Great Britan. May it please your Sacred Majesty WHat in this little Book is contained being the Motives of of our Conversions to the amient Apostolical Catholique Roman Church we have made bold to Didicate it to Your Serene Majesty and also our Harts Blood and Life to the Service of your Royal Spouse Great James the Second We humbly beg Pardon for presuming to put the Products of so weak Brains under so Princely and Gracious a Patronage acknowledging a Matter of so great Moment not only far above our unlearned Capacities but that rather it required the Learning of St. Hierome the Eloquence of St. Chrisostome the Quick Witt of St. Augustine the Sobriety of St. Ambrose and sweet Stile of St. Barnard But Madam if favourably received by your Great Majesty our Adversaries who will undergo to answer it shall find that Children set upon the shoulders of so High Giants as the forementioned Pious Fathers were shall see farther into Heavenly Religion than he that proudly will not follow Scripture Councils nor Fathers but his own human Inventions and private Spirits after the creuel Example of the Tyrant Proclus who made Men of all Proportions fit the length of his Bed by cutting off him what was too long or by drawing him longer who was too short Most Sacred Madam what is promised if received into Your Majesties Protection which we most humbly beg may be the easier performed because the chast Spouse of the most High wanteth not a thousand Bucklers of Defence Again humbly beging Pardon for this Ambition of avowing our selves Your Majesties Most Humble Most Obedient and Most Loyal Subjects C. J. J. M'C TO THE READER SAcred Writ informs us that in the primitive Times our Blessed Saviour begining to lay the Foundation of his holy Church called Fishermen to the Apostleship and to those he gave a Net which was the Wisdom and Knowledg of the Eternal Father suitable for taking such Fish as swim in the Ocean of Apostacy Heresy and Schisme The Apostles after Experiencing the great good that did â—â—â—own'd to the World by the special benefit of this Net and the many Souls that were caught therein would not prejudice the Church 〈◊〉 robbing her of so â—agnificent a Gift â—ut bury'd the same in the Bowels of holy Scripture where we illuminated by the Father of Light finding so precious a Treasure though â—it to present it unto you Curteous Reader as a pledg of our affectionate Respects it being the only Motive of our Conversions hoping if perused with no more Passion prejudice or Interest then we did who had as great Aversion against the Catholique Church as you or any other can have that it may produce the same effects in your heart that it hath in ours If you acknowledg to be convinced in all Points saving these which we omitted for brevitys sake Viz. the unbloody Sacrafice of the Mass Communion under one kind the Works of Supererogation c. We hope to go Victorious out of the Field But if any will undertake to answer this little Treatise he shall not be the Instrument only of our Recantation but oâ— many more We with all Christian sincerity desire that if you can resolve the following Queries for to annex your Answer thereunto if not we Pray the devine Majesty of his infinite Mercy to iluminate you with the Beams of his holy and saving Grace which shall ever be the Prayers of your well Wishers in Christ Farewel C. I. J. M'C TO The Holy Wisdom of of the Glorious Trinity BLessed Everliving Wisdom Exellent and Supream Intelligence behold us prostrate before the Majesty of your Great and Divine Light to offer up the Hommage of our Persons and Book humbly acknowledging the Nothing both of the one and the other and with all the Powers of our Souls protesting to have neither Spirit nor Pen which is not of Yon and from You who are the Scource of all good Thoughts and Accomplishment of all Honourable and Praise-worthy Discourses A NET For the FISHERS of MEN. First GOD hath a true Church in the World or not if not then Christ left Man without a Medium to Salvation if he hath yours is that true Church or not if not than yours is not the true Christian Church if it be than your Church must have these following marks viz. Visibility Unity Universality and Sanctity which the Scriptures teacheth to be the Signes of Christ ' s Immaculate Spouse VISIBILITY Demonstrated to be a Mark of the true Church 2. THe House of our Lord shall be prepared on the top of Mountains or not if it be why then do you deny that the Church may be always visible if not why do you deny that of Isa 2.2 The Mountain of the house of our Lord shall be prepared on the top of Mountains 3. A City seated on a Hill can be hid or not if it can why do you deny that of St. Mat. 5 14. A City seated upon a Hill cannot be hid if not than the Church cannot be invisible 4. Christ founded a Church on Earth that all Nations may be edified therein or not if not why do you deny that of Isa 2.2 All Nations shall flow unto her 〈◊〉 again Psal 85.9 All Nations whatsoever thou hast made shall comâ— and adore before thee if he did why then do you say the Church may be invisible since all Nations cannot be edified in a Church unseen 5. A Man for not hearing the Church is tearmed in Scripture a Heathen and Publican or not if not why theâ— do you deny the worâ—â— of St. Mt. 18.18 He thâ—â— will not hear thee Church let him be to the as an Heathen and Publican if he be how than shall a Man be termed an Heathen for not hearing a Church that was not visible or yet extant in the World UNITY Demonstrated to be a mark of the True Church 6. A Natural Unity and conection or the parts among themsâ—lves and to the head is necessary for the conservation of the natural body or not if not how can a natural body subsist if the parts be devided and torn from one another from the head If it be why is that natural conection proper to a natural body and not a spiritual conection proper to a spritual body 7. Christ promised that there should be unity in his Church or not if not why do you deny that of St. John 10.16 there shall be made one folâ— and one Pasâ—oâ— if he did why do you deny unity 8. Unity is requisite in Gods Church or not if not why do you deny that of
Jesus Christ that your Faith is spoken of throughout the whole World and again ver 7. To all that be in Rome beloved of God called to be Saints grace to you and Peace c if they had they retain the same Faith still infalliably or not if they do then we agree if not then they must have their fall either by Apostacy Heresy or Schism to the contrary 37. The Ancient Apostolick Catholique Roman Church fell by Apostacy or not if not then she is free from Apostacy if she did what prudent Man will say that she ever renounced the sweet Name of Jesu which she ever hath in so great Veneration 38. The Antient Catholique Roman Church fell by Heresy or not if not then she is free from all Heresy if she did by what general Council was she ever condemned which of the Fathers ever wrote against her or by what Authority was she otherwise reproved 39. The Antient Catholique Roman Church fell by Schism and by deviding her self from some other Church or not if not then she is not guilty of Schism if she did whose company did she leave from what body did she go forth where was the true Church she forsook 40. The true holy Apostolique Catholique Church is Falible and can er or not if not why do you falsly condemn her if she be how can that of Scripture be true 1. Tim. 3.15 the House of God which is the Church of the living God is the pillar and firmament of truth 41. The Church of God is Infalible in all her proposals and definitions of Faith or not if not why should a Man be esteemed a heathen and a publican for not hering afals and eronious Church Mat. 11.18 if she be why do you deny Infalibiltiy 42. Christ being the head of the Church and the holy Gost the soul of the Church guiding and directing the Church in all truth she can er or not if not then she is not falible if she can then Jesus Christ and the holy Ghost is her directors into errors Jo. 16.13 43. Christ is a true Prophet or not if not then you are Blasfemers if he be how then can the Gates of Hell prevail against the Church seeing that he prophecy'd in St. Mat. 16.18 the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her 44. The holy Ghost suggesteth all truth to the Church or not if not why do you deny that of St. Jo. 14.16 he shall teach you all things and suggest unto you all things whatsoever I shall say unto you if he doth then he 'll suggest no errors c. 45. Christ is a wise Man or a fooll if a wise why did he build his house upon the sand and make it subject to the Infernal Tempests if a fool then you are Blasfemers 46. A Congregation of people in dispiseing Christ is guilty of Apostacy or not if not then you deny the true definition of Apostacy if they be how can you clear your selves of Apostacy in dispiseing his Church seeing it is said in Scripture Luke 10.16 he that heareth you heareth me and he that dispiseth you dispiseth me and he that dispiseth me dispiseth him that sent me 47. Your Church is guilty of Heresy or not if she be c. if not how doth the definition of Heresy agree with you in adhereing to so many private and singular Opinions and errors of Faith contrary to the general approved Doctrine of the Catholique Church 48. Your Church is guilty of Schism or not if she be c. if not how then doth the definition of Schism agree with you in dividing your selves from the body of Faithful Christians and in breaking comunion with the Antient Apostolique Catholique Roman Church 49. That Church to which the above mentioned marks doth agree to wit Apostacy Heresy and Schism is a false Church or not if not then you do not esteem Apostacy Heresy and Schism to be marks of a false Church if they be then your Church is false erronious and no Church seeing they so aptly agree with you 50. All that which the Antient Holy Catholique Roman Church holds as articles of Faith is Pious Good and Lawful which we prove thus out of Holy Writ and by common Sence and reason The Pope 's SUPREMACY Vindicated by the most solid Texts of Scripture 51. The Foundation of the Church of God next after Christ was builded on St. Peter or not if not why doth the Scriptures say St. Mat. 16.18 Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church if it was why do you deny Peter's Supremacy 52. Christ bid prefer Peter before the other Apostles or not if not why did he say to Peter only Joh. 21.16 17 18. Feed my Lambs feed my Lambs feed my Sheep if he did why do you deny Peter's Supremacy 53. The Apostles were of like Authority or not if not why do you deny Peter's Supremacy if they were why have you Primates Arch-Bishops Bishops and no equal Authority as they had 54. To whom the cheif charge of feeding Christ 's Sheep was given was cheif of the Apostles or not if not why was the cheif charge given to him if he was why do you deny Peter's Supremacy to whom the cheif charge was committed Oral and Apostolical TRADITION Vindicated by the most solid Texts of Scripture 55. ORal and Apostolical Traditions without writen Books was the means of planting and conserving the Christian Religion or not if not how did the Apostles propagate the Faith of Christ without written Books if it was why do you deny Oral and Apostolical Tradition 56. The number of the Canonical Books is mentioned in Scripture or not if not how do you know the Canonical Books but by Oral Tradition if they be in what Book Chapter or Verse doth it appear 57. The Christians of the Primitive Age on pain of Damnation held nothing for Faith but what they received from Christ and his Apostles for such or not if not why do you condemn that of Scripture Gal. 1.8 Although we or an Angel from heauen preach to you besides that which we have preached to you be he Anathema And again 2. Thes 15. Therefore Brethren stand ye fast and hold ye the traditions which ye have learned whether by word or byour Epistle if they did why do you deny Tradition 58. Apostolical Tradition is the Rule by which we may infalliably be assured both what Doctrine Christ and his Apostles taught and what Books they wrote or not if not how otherwise can we be assured if it be Why do you deny Apostolical Tradition The Blessed EUCHARIST Vindicated to be the most Precious Body and Blood of our Saviour by the most sollid Texts of Scripture 59. THat natural Body and Blood which Christ offered for the remission of Sins on the Cross was the same that Christ gave to his Apostles at his last Supper or not if not why do you deny that Scripture of St. Luke 22.19 This is my Body which