A Compend of the Controversies of Religion, Chapter 2

A Compend of the Controversies of Religion · Chapter 2

CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH.

§. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever viſible to all men, and chieflie to the enemies thereof.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

I. KIngs 19.10. And Eliah ſayde, I hauehave bene very zealous for the LORD of Hoasts: for the children of Iſrael hauehave forſaken thy covenant, throwne downe thine Altars, and ſlaine thy Prophets, and I onlie am left, and they ſeeke my life.

I aske, Where was then a viſible companie of true and publicke worſhippers at this time in Iſrael?

And that the like eſtate of true profeſſours was at one time both in Iſrael and Iudah, is evident out of 2. Chron. 15. p. 328. and 1. King. 15.9. the whole Kingdome of Iudah beeing idolatrous, in Abiiam's latter reigne, and at the ſame tyme whole Iſrael being idolatrous vnderunder Ieroboam.

Againe, 2. Chron. 28.24. it is recorded, how at once both Iudah was altogether idolatrous vnderunder King Ahaz, and the Lords publicke worſhip vtterlie was abrogated, and at the ſame tyme Iſrael was even ſo vnderunder their Kinges Pekah and Hoſhea.

Of this tyme it is ſayde in Hiſtorie, 2 King. 17.16. And Iſrael left all the Commandementes of the Lord their God, and made them molten Images, even two calues, and made a groue, and worſhipped all the hoſte of Heaven, and ſerved Baal. Verſ. 18. So there was none left, but the tribe of Iudah onlie: and Iudah kept not the Commandementes of the Lord their God, but walked alſo in the ſtatutes of Iſrael, which they made. And ſo the Lord reiected all the ſeede of Iſrael, and afflicted them, &c.

And of this tyme alſo it is ſayde in prophecie by Ieremie, (Ier. 5.11.) For the houſe of Iſrael, and the houſe of Iudah, hauehave dealt verie treacherouſlie against mee, ſayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel (23.13.) it is ſayde, that theſe two ſisters in their ſpirituall whoredomes tooke both one way.

p. 33Note then, When both this people, which onelie were then counted Gods Church, made defection with their Kings …n common, to the publicke practiſe of …dolatrie onlie, and abrogated the publicke worſhip of the true God alluterlie, where was then the face of a viſible companie of true profeſſours, having a pub…icke worſhip? Therefore, Zeph. 3.12. the Lord ſayeth of his true Church, Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people, that ſhall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous, and a glorious viſibilitie to all.

Marke 14.27. And Ieſus ſaide vntounto them, All yee ſhalbe offended becauſe of mee this Night; for it is written, I will ſmyte the Shepheard, and the Sheepe ſhall bee ſcattered. I aske then, when this was done, Where was a viſible companie to all of true profeſſours to be pointed at?

Revel. 12.14. And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle, that ſhee might flie into the Wilderneſſe vntounto her place, vvhere ſhee is nowriſhed for a time, and times, and halfe a time, from p. 34the face of the Serpent. This wom… the Romanists themſelues (as Lyra and… thers) interprete to be the true Churc… lurking vnderunder perſecution, (as Elias d… three yeares and an halfe in the W… derneſſe, where hee was miraculouſ… fed.) I aske then, at this ſame time, ſhee could lurke vnderunder perſecution, a… yet bee gloriouſlie and conſpicuouſ… viſible to all? Or, Rev. 13.3. When the time of Antichrists prevaili…g the Earth ſhall follow the Beaſt, wh… ſhall ſuch viſibilitie be? Even no whe… as the Rhemists, on the 2. Theſſ. 2. grant: but a communion in heart onl… and a practiſe of worſhip in ſecret.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

SOmetimes the Church is not app… rent (ſayeth Augustine:) to w… when wicked perſecuters aboue meaſu… rage againſt her. Aug. epist. 80. ad Heſ… chium. Therefore the Church lookin… foorth, as the Moone hath oft times h… eclypſes, ſaith Ambroſe, lib. 4. hexam. c. …

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

THE confeſſion of our Adverſari… is likewiſe thus, that in the time o… Antichrist, the communion of Chriſtian in the true Church ſhalbe onlie in hear… and their worſhip onlie in ſecret; for ſ… ſayeth the Rhemists, on 2. Theſſ. 2.3. So p. 35that our difference is not ſo much in the …ſition of inviſibilitie, as in the appli…tion vntounto perſons and tymes.

… 2. That the viſible Church of Chriſtian profeſſours may erre from the trueth in common, both Paſtours & people, (altho not all and everie one.)

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ISai. 1.21. How is the faithfull citie become an Harlot?

Ier. 5.11. For the Houſe of Iſrael, and the Houſe of Iudah, …aue dealt verie treacherouſlie …gainst mee (ſayth the Lord.)

Ier. 2.8. The Priests ſaid not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the Law, knew me not: the Pastours alſo tranſgreſſed against mee, and the Prophets propheſied by Baall, and vvalked after thinges …hat doe not profit. Loe then, what a generall Apoſtaſie of all ſorts is ſet downe heere.

Againe, v. 26. As the Thiefe is aſhamed vvhen he is found, ſo is p. 36the Houſe of Iſrael aſhamed: they, their Kinges, their Princes, and their Priestes, and their Prophets: ſaying to a ſtocke, Thou art my Father, &c. Beholde then againe: no ſort excepted.

Iſai. 9.16. The leaders of this people cauſe them to erre: and they that are led of them, are deſtroyed.

Note then, that the leaders in a Church, and people that are led, may both make defection: and ſo a whole Church, which conſiſteth of both.

Iſai. 56.10. His watch-men are blinde: they are all ignorant: they are all dumbe Dogs, &c.

Note then, howe generall a defection may be amongſt Teachers in the Church of God: and howe the chiefe Paſtoures hauehave firſt made Apoſtaſie, let theſe examples verifie.

2. King. 16.11. And Vriah the Priest built an Altar, according to all that King Ahaz had ſent from Damaſcus, &c. Againe.

Matth. 26.65. Then the High Priest rent his garments, ſaying, Hee hath blasphemed: what neede p. 37wee Witneſſes anie farder? &c.

Marke 14.64. Yee hauehave heard …is blasphemie: How thinke ye? vvho …ll condemned him to bee guiltie of …eath.

Note then, howe groſſelie alſo the …erie hie-prieſts vnderunder the Law erred, …nd the chiefe Paſtor that ſate in Moſes haire erroniouſlie decreeted with his …hole counſell: the one, in making an …olatrous Altar, and erecting idolatrous …orſhip: and the other, pronouncing …e trueth in Chriſts owne mouth, to bee …aſphemie, and himſelfe worthie to …e. And therefore, how groſlie hee …d his Church may erre, who preten…eth nowe to bee the Chriſtian High-…rieſt, ſee §. 5.

2. Theſſ. 2.3. Let no man de…iue you, by anie meanes: for that …ay ſhall not come, except there come … falling away first, and that man … ſinne bee revealed, the ſonne of …rdition.

Note then, that in the Chriſtian Church … great Apoſtaſie from the Trueth is …re-tolde, before that by the preaching …gaine of the ſame clearlie, Antichriſt be …vealed, and made knowne: So that in p. 38the tyme of his prevayling, no public… exerciſe ſhall bee of the true Chriſti… worſhip, but in ſecret onlie: and this… verie Rhemists on this place confeſſe.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

ANd the poyſon of Arrius (ſaye… Lyrinenſis) did not onlie infect a p… of the Church, but almoſt the whole wo… (Ʋnic. Lyrin. adu. hereſes, c. 6.) So th… the whole world ſobbed, and admired t… it was made Arrian, as teſtifieth S. Iero…

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

OF that time when the Arrian her… domined over the whole world, S. … rome wrote that the ſhip of the Chu… was almost ſunke, ſayth Gregorie of Va… tia, analyſ. lib. 6. c. 4. §. probatio 4.

§. 3. That the Church of Rome in p… cular may erre, and as ſhall… proven, hath erred, by all the p… ticulars enſuing.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ROm. 11.20. Becauſe of v… beliefe, they vvere broken o… and thou ſtandest by faith. Be n… high minded, but feare.

Note, Now then what greater hi… mindedneſſe can the Romane Chur… p. 39ſhow, than to ſay, ſhee cannot erre? and if this were true, what needed her to feare? and yet I hope ſhee cannot exeeme her ſelfe from this Apoſtolicke exhortation, which is ſo expreſlie written to her, and biddeth her feare.

Againe, ver. 21.22. For if God ſpared not the naturall branches, take heede lest hee ſpare not thee. Beholde, therefore, the goodneſſe and ſeveritie of God: on them which fell, ſeveritie; but towards thee, goodneſſe, if thou continue in his goodneſſe, otherwiſe thou alſo ſhalt bee cut off.

Note then, that the Apoſtle ſhoweth, that the Church of Rome, as well as other Churches of the Gentiles, may fall away from the trueth, and bee cut off from being a true Church: otherwiſe, if ſhee had infallibilitie, this his exhortation ſhould hauehave beene altogether needleſſe: neither ſhould hee hauehave ſpoken doubtinglie after this manner, ſaying, if thou continue: but particularlie excepted her as one, that could not, but continue.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

THey hauehave not Peters heritage (ſaith Ambroſe) who hauehave not Peters faith.

p. 40§. 4. That perſonall ſucceſsion to the Chaires of true Teachers, priviledgeth not their ſucceſſours from errour.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

EXod. 32.21. And Moſes ſaide to Aaron, What did this people vntounto thee, that thou hast brought ſo great a ſinne vponupon them?

Loe then, How the verie firſt ſitter in the high prieſt's chaire, falleth filthilie in groſſeſt idolatrie.

2. Kings 16.11.16. And Vriah the Priest built an Altar, according to all that King Ahaz had ſent from Damaſcus, &c. Thus did Vriah the Priest, according to all that King Ahaz commanded.

p. 41Note then, That notwithſtanding of his ſucceeding perſonallie to the office of the high prieſt-hood, hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commandements, and ſo foullie erreth.

Mat. 26.65. Then the high Priest rent his garments, ſaying, Hee hath blaspemed.

Note then, That the high Prieſts ſucceſſion, nor place, freeth him not from erring, in calling CHRISTES trueth, blasphemie.

Mat. 23.2. The Scribes and Phariſees ſit in Moſes chaire.

But yet.

Iohn 7.48. HaueHave anie of the Rulers and Phariſees, believed in him? Yea, more-over.

Mat. 16.6. Then Ieſus ſaid vntounto them, Take heede, and beware, of the leaven of the Phariſees, and of the Sadduces.

Verſe 12. Then they vnderſtood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Phariſees, but of the doctrine of the Phariſees and Sadduces.

p. 42Note then, That notwithſtanding of their ſitting in Moſes chaire, they both rejected Chriſt, and his trueth, and taught contrarie falſehood: neither believing in the Sonne of God themſelues, nor yet truelie teaching the people of God, concerning their MESSIAS.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

NIcephorus doeth teſtifie, that Nestorius & Macedonius, arch-hereticks, ſucceeded to S. Andrew the Apoſtle in the Church of Constantinople, called before Byzantium. Niceph. lib. 8. chronol. cap. 6.

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

THat almoſt all Arch-hereticks were eyther Biſhops or Priestes, ſayeth Belarmine, Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. §. 4.

§. 5. That the Iewiſh Church pretended n… leſſe infallibilitie, than the Romane doeth: and had farre greater, and more particular promiſes, and ye… erred.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

AS for the pretence, wee ſee it ſe… downe, Ierem. 18.18. in theſe wordes, Come, let vsus deviſe devices against Ieremie: for the Law p. 43ſhall not periſh from the Priest, nor Counſell from the Wiſe, nor the …ord from the Prophet. And there…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2.…. which the Papiſts would hauehave thus, The Priests lips ſhall preſerue knowledge, and they ſhall ſeeke the Law …t his mouth, they gather the High …rieſts infallibilitie vnderunder the Law ex …acto, and conclude the Popes infallibi…tie vnderunder the Goſpell ex aequo: allead…ing to the ſame purpoſe that of Deuter…omie 7.10. In lyke manner.

As for Promiſes, it is ſaide, Pſal. …32.14. The Lord hath choſen Sion for an habitation, and hath ſaid, This is my rest for ever. And againe, Iſai. 33.20. Looke vponupon Sion, the citie of our ſolemnities; …hine eyes ſhall beholde Ieruſalem, … quyet habitation: a Tabernacle that ſhall not bee taken downe: not one of the ſtakes thereof ſhall ever be removed: neither ſhall anie of the cords …hereof bee broken.

Note then, And aske, where ever anie ſuch promiſes are made vntounto Rome: but p. 44in the contrarie, a fearfull deſtruction fo… her groſſe idolatrie, is clearlie fore-told; Revelation 18.

And laſt of all, for praiſes, it is ſaid of Ieruſalem, and Gods Church there Pſal. 87.3. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, O Citie of God. But of Rome the moſt glorious thing that is ſpoke… of her, is, That ſhee ſhould bee a gloriou… Harlot, Revel. 17.4.18. And Theſſalonie… equalleth her in that which the Apoſtle ſpake of the faythfull, onelie of his tym… in her; and where-of the Papiſts ſo much glorie: which by collation, & inſpection of the places, is moſte cleare and evident, Rom. 1.8. 2. Theſ. 1.4.

p. 45§. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached (vnderunder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended) is the onelyonly cleare and truest note of a true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

DEut. 4.8. And vvhat Nation is there ſo great, that hath ſtatutes and judgements ſo righteous as all this Law, vvhichwhich I ſet before you this day?

Pſal. 147.19. He ſheweth His Word to Iacob, His ſtatutes, and His judgements to Iſrael: Hee hath not dealt ſo with anie Nation, &c.

Wee ſee then, that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations, and knowne by his word and ordinances, to bee his peculiar Church.

Iohn 10.27. My Sheepe heare my voyce, and I know them, and they follow Mee.

Note then, Where Chriſts voyce ſoundeth, and is believed, and obeyed, there is his Church.

Iohn 8.31. If yee continue in p. 46My Word, then are yee My Diſciples indeede.

Act. 2.42. And they continued ſtedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowſhip, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Note then, That continuance in Chriſts trueth, and apoſtolicke doctrine, with the holie exerciſe of prayer, and participation of Sacraments, is a cleare note to know a true Church.

1. Tim. 3.15. Which is the Church of the living God, the Pillar and ground of trueth.

The meaning whereof the Apoſtle giveth Heb. 3.6. ſaying, Whoſe houſe are vvee, if vvee keepe faſt the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende.

Note therefore, That the Church is ſo called, and knowne to be ſuch, by keeping faſt and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profeſſion, and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts, ſure to the ende.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

THe Church conſiſteth not in Walles, but in the trueth of doctrine, (ſayth Ierome) p. 47ſo that there is the Church where …rue fayth is, (Hierom in Pſal. 133.) and …hey are good Catholicks onelie, who …ollow the right fayth (ſayth Augustine, lib. de vera religione, cap. 5.)

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

THe confeſſion lykewyſe of our Adverſaries is thus, The Church conſiſteth not in men (ſayth Lyra) in reſpect of their power or dignitie Eccleſiaſticke,☜ or Civill; becauſe manie Princes, and Popes too, hauehave beene found to hauehave made defection from the faith. Therefore the Church conſiſteth in thoſe in whome is true knowledge, and the confeſſion of faith, and the trueth of God. Lyra in Matth. cap. 16.

§. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

1. KIngs 19.10. And Elias ſaide, I hauehave beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts: for the children of Iſrael hauehave forſaken thy covenant, cast downe thine Altars, and ſlaine thy Prophets, and I, even I, onlie am left, and they ſeeke my life.

p. 48I aske then, If a viſible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Iſrael? or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with theſe ten, which of them was the greater multitude? or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beſide, which of theſe were manieſt? and conſequentlie, by the note of multitude, who was the true Church?

Iſai. 1.9. Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vsus a verie ſmall remnant, wee ſhould hauehave beene like Sodome, and like vntounto Gomorrah.

Note then, That the true profeſſours are called a verie ſmall remnant: which is farre from being the greateſt multitude of men.

Ier. 3.14. I vvill take one of a Citie, and two of a Familie, and bring you to Sion.

Note then, That one of a Citie being the feweſt that can bee, that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie.

Mat. 7.13. Enter in at the ſtrait gate, for vvide is the gate, and broad is the vvay that leadeth to deſtruction, and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat.

p. 49Note then, If few enter in at the ſtrait gate, that leadeth to ſalvation; and manie at the wide gate, that leadeth to damnation: then paucitie ſhould bee rather a note of the true Church, than anie wiſe multitude; ſeeing Rev. 13. the whole World is ſaide to follow the beaſt.

Luke 12.32. Feare not, little Flocke, for it is your Fathers pleaſure to giuegive to you a Kingdome.

Note then, If Chriſts Flocke bee little, then multitude is no good note to know the ſame thereby.

Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the houſe of Abraham, compared with the reſt of the world, and of the true profeſſours at Chriſts Paſſion, verefie this point.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

THe multitude of Aſſociates ſhall no wiſe ſhow thee to bee a Catholicke, but an Hareticke (ſayeth Ierome, dialog. contra Pelag. lib. 3.) Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes, (ſayeth Gregorie Nazienzen) and contemneth ſo the little Flocke of Chriſt? Oratione de ſeipſo contra Arrianos.

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

THat time when the Church ſeemed to lurke (ſayeth Gregorie of Valentia) being compared with by gone tymes, p. 50it may bee found, that the Church was not with the multitude, &c. Greg. de Valen. analyſ. lib. 6. c. 4. §. probatio. 4.

§. 8. That outward glorie and vvorldlie prosperitie, whereby a Church is viſiblie conspicuous to all, is not a marke of the true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ZEph. 3.12. I vvill leaue in the midst of thee, an afflicted and poore people, that ſhall trust in the Name of the Lord.

Note then, That Gods Church oft times like the 7000. reſerved in Iſrael, or Gods people preſerved till their evocation in the midſt of Babell, or rather a poore and afflicted companie, compelled oft times to lurke as the woman in the Deſart, than to bee ever gloriouſlie conſpicuous, and viſible to all.

Iſai. 54.11. Oh, thou afflicted, toſſed vvith tempest, and not comforted; behold, I vvill lay thy ſtones vvith faire colours, and thy foundation vvith Saphyrs.

Mat. 24.9. Then ſhall they p. 51deliver you into tribulation, and ſhall kill you, and you ſhall be odious to all Nations for my Names ſake.

Iohn 15.20. Remember my vvord that I ſaid to you, The ſervant is not greater than his master: if they hauehave perſecuted mee, they vvill alſo perſecute you, &c.

2. Tim. 3.12. And all that will liue godlie in Christ Ieſus, ſhall ſuffer perſecution.

Acts 14.21. Confirming the hearts of the Diſciples, they exhorted them to continue in the fayth; & that we must vvith much tribulatiō enter into the Kingdome of God.

Note then, Out of all the former, that perſecution rather, which maketh men lurke, is a note of the true profeſſours of Chriſt, than worldlie proſperitie, which maketh men to be gloriouſlie viſible, and outwardlie conſpicuous; and that the one eſtate happeneth farre ofter than the other to the Church of God.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

WHile Antichriſt ſhall reigne (ſayeth Ierome) the Church ſhall be driven p. 52to the Deſart, and given to Beaſts, and ſuffer what-ſo-ever the Prophet deſcrybeth. (In c. 2. Sophoniae, in finc.)

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

WEE ſay not (ſayth Gregorie of Valentia) that the Church ſhall be ever conſpicuous, as if wee would hauehave her ever alike eaſilie knowne: for wee know, that ſhee is ſo toſſed, whiles with the waues of Errours and Schiſmes, and whiles of perſecution, that ſhee is hard to bee knowne to the vnskilfull, that are not prudent to conſider of tymes and circumſtances of thinges. Valentia, analyſ. lib. 6. c. 4. §. propoſitio 4.

§. 9. That Miracles are no note of the true Church, neyther perſonall ſucceſsion, nor Antiquitie.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

DEut. 13.1.2. And if there ariſe amongst you a Prophet, or a dreamer of Dreames, and giveth thee a ſigne, or a vvonder, and the ſigne or vvonder come to paſſe, vvhereof hee ſpake vntounto thee, ſaying, Let vsus goe after other gods, (vvhichwhich thou hast not knowne) and p. 53let vsus ſerue them: Thou ſhalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet.

Note then, That miracles cannot authorize falſe doctrine, nor bee any ſure note of a true Church, or true teachers therein.

Mat. 24.24. For there ſhall ariſe falſe christs, and falſe prophets, and ſhall ſhow great ſignes and wonders: in ſo much (if it vvere poſsible) that they ſhould deceiue the verie Elect.

2. Theſſ. 2.9. Whoſe comming (to wit, Antichriſts) is after the working of Satan, with all power, and ſignes, and lying wonders.

Note then, That Antichriſtianiſme is advanced by miracles in the latter times: and therefore they can bee no ſure note of the true Church; but rather a cleare note of the falſe Church in the latter tymes.

As for Succeſsion, it is alreadie ſpoken of, §. 4: That it can bee no note (except it were in true doctrine:) For ſo the high Prieſt, and erronious Phariſees, who perſecuted Chriſt and His Apoſtles, ſhould hauehave bene the true Church; having their ſucceſſion from Aaron, and p. 54ſitting them-ſelues in Moſes Chaire.

Neyther can Antiquitie nor Duration bee a note of the true Church; for with the verie firſt Preaching of the Goſpell the miſterie of iniquitie began to worke, 2. Theſſ. 2.7. And for Duration, it ſhall laſt to the ende of the worlde, and hauehave ſome beeing: for ſo the Apoſtle teſtifieth, 2. Theſſ. 2.8. That, that man of ſinne, Antichrist, ſhall piece and piece bee conſumed by the breath of the LORDES Mouth; but ſhall bee vtterlie deſtroyed with the brightneſſe of His comming onelie.

2. Witneſsing of Antiquitie.

THe Church is not made manifeſt to bee Catholicke (ſayeth Augustine) becauſe miracles are done in her, de vnit. Eccleſ. cap. 16. Yea, they are more to be found amongſt them who are falſe Chriſtians (ſayeth Chryſostome) beeing lying wonders. hom. 19. in Matth. operis imperf.

3. Confeſsion of Partie.

They would bee rather an hinderance now-a-dayes, (ſayth the Ieſuit Stella) than anie wayes an helpe to adduce men to the trueth, in Luc. 11. p. 64. So alſo ſayeth Stapleton, prompt, morale in dominic. 24. post Pentecosten. Not onelie for the greater try all of the faythfull, may Antichriſt, & his neareſt fore-runners, worke true miracles: But what-ſo-ever other p. 55Heretickes, (ſayeth hee) as inchanters alſo doe by Gods permiſſion. And therefore he ſhoweth, that in the Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtorie wee reade, that the Novatian Heretickes wrought miracles in Chriſtes Name. And the Donatistes vaunted greatlie of their miracles againſt Augustine: to whome hee anſwered, de vnit. Eccleſ. cap. 16.