The Safe Way Leading All Christians, Section 18
Sect. 18. Prouing (according to the Title of the booke) by the confeſsion of all ſides, that the Proteſtants Religion is ſafer, becauſe in all poſitiue points of our doctrine, the Romaniſts themſelues agree with vsus, but in their additions they ſtand ſingle by themſelues.
BVt admit the Proteſtants ſhould allow a poſſibility of ſaluation, to all beleeuing Chriſtians in the boſome of the Roman Church (which neuer yet was granted) what doe our aduerſaries inferre from hence? Therefore (ſay they) It is the ſafer way to perſiſt in that Church where both ſides agree, then where one part ſtands ſingle in opinion by themſelues. Now ſurely, if that be the ſafer way wherein differing parties agree both in one; I will ioyne iſſue with them in this very point, and if in this I make not good (the Title of my book) that wee are therefore in the ſafer way, becauſe they agree in the principall points of Controuerſie with our doctrine, I will reconcile my ſelfe to the Romane Church, and creepe of all foure to his Holineſſe for a pardon.
Firſt then, we ſay there is a Heauen and a Hell; It is true ſay they, but there is a Purgatory, there is a Limbus Infantum alſo; In the firſt part they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay we ſhall be ſaued by the Merits and ſatisfactions of Chriſt Ieſus: It is true ſay they, but there are likewiſe merits of Saints, and ſatisfactions of our owne helpfull and neceſſarie to ſaluation: In the firſt part they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
Wee ſay the Sacrament of Baptiſme and the Euchariſt, are two proper Sacraments inſtituted by Chriſt: it is true ſay they, but there are fiue more to bee receiued as true and proper Sacraments, de fide for an Article of beleefe: The firſt two they confeſſe with vsus, in the latter fiue they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
Wee ſay that Images of Chriſt and his Saints are ornaments and memorials of the abſent, and may in ſome Caſes ſerue for Hiſtorie; It is true ſay they, but there is alſo worſhip and veneration due vntounto them: In the firſt part they agree with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues, And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay with the Euangeliſt: Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him onelyonly ſhalt thou ſerue; It is true ſay they, but there bee Saints and Angels alſo that muſt be inuocated and adored: In the firſt part they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay that Chriſt is the Mediator and Interceſſour betwixt God and Man: It is true ſay they, but the Saints and Angels are our Interceſſors and Mediators alſo: In the firſt part they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues, & that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay that Chriſt is the Head and Monarch of the Church, it is true ſay they, but there is likewiſe another viſible Head of the Church which is the Pope: In the firſt part they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay that Peter had a Primacie of order, that is, a Firſt-ſhip among the Apoſtles: It is true ſay they, but withall he had a ſupremacie of power and Iuriſdiction: In the firſt place they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
We ſay there are 22. books of Canonicall Scripture, It is true ſay they, but there are other bookes alſo, as namely To bit, Iudith, the Machabees, &c. that are Canonicall, In the firſt part they approue all that we hold, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
Wee ſay the Scripture is the Rule of faith, It is true ſay they, but there are Traditions likewiſe, and vnwritten verities that muſt bee added to the Scriptures: In the firſt they ioyne with vsus, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way where both ſides agree.
Laſtly, we ſay there are 12. Articles of the Creed, and this is the Tenet and confeſſion of all Chriſtian Churches: It is true ſay they, but their are 12. Articles more publiſhed by Pope Pius the Fourth, to be receiued of all men: In the firſt place they confeſſe all that we hold, in the latter they ſtand ſingle by themſelues: And that is the ſafer way by our aduerſaries confeſſion where both ſides agree.
Thus by the ample teſtimonies of the beſt learned in the Romane Church, there is nothing taught by the Proteſtants, de fide, for matter of faith, which the Church of God hath not alwaies held neceſſarie to bee beleeued, nothing but that which alone is ſufficient for euerie Chriſtian man to know concerning his ſaluation, nothing but that which is confeſſed by our aduerſaries to bee ſafe and profitable for all beleeuers, nothing but that wherewith the writings of all antiquitie are conſonant, and all Chriſtian confeſſions agreeable.
Now ſince I hauehave brought you into Via tuta, the ſafe Way; Chriſtus eſt Ʋia & veritas.I will briefly commend vntounto you Chriſt and his Apoſtles for your Leaders, the Ancient Fathers for your Aſſociates and Aſſiſtants, and the bleſſed Spirit for your guide, and conduct in your ſafe Way: There are other paſſengers (viz.) Cardinals and Biſhops, and Schoolemen which doe accompanie you part of your way, but they are ſtrangers, and therfore be warie of them and by way of preuention:Ier. 6.16. Stand in the waies and ſee, and aske for the old pathes, where is the good way, and yee ſhall finde reſt for your ſoules.
Δόξα τῶ Θεῶ.
FINIS.
Errata.
Page 17. line. 19. for her, reade the. p. 27. l. 20. for Royall, r reall. p. 34 l 5. for Germ, r. Iohannes Baptiſta Vergerius p 35 l. …5. for in, r. into. p. 36. l. 6. for the power, r. the abuſed power p. 44 l. 12. for hic, r hûc. p. 47. l. …6. for foundation (adde) or openly diſturbed the Church. p. 66. l. 9. for ſucceſſion, beſt ſucceſſion, from heretiques or at beſt from an improbable example of the Nazarites. p. 67. l 13. in Sacerdotibus, &c. as an vncleane Act. (adde) in Marg. Auguſt…. 74. p. 75. l. 20. for Apoſtolicall, r. Apochryphall p. 93. l. 11. for comming, r cunning. p. 99. l 13. dele our. p. 125. l. 5. for proſued, r. purſued. p. 160 l. 10. woman (adde) …ate on a Beaſt which had. p. 192. for Edward, r. Edwin. p. 37. l. 16. for Diuels, r. damned with Diuels. p. 248. l. 2. for Apoſtle, r. Euangeliſt. p. 275. l. 17. cita Ferum in cap. 1 Jo. Mogu…. 1550. p. 34.
End of the text · Humphrey Lynde, The Safe Way Leading All Christians (1628)