A Key for Catholics, Treatise 1 · Chapter 38
CHAP. XXXVIII.
Dètect. 29. ANother of their Deceits, and I think the moſt ſucceſsfull of all the reſt is, Their ſuting their Doctrines, and Government and Worſhip to the fleſhly humours of the ungodly: by which means the Greateſt and the Moſt are alwayes like to be on their ſide: When on the contrary our Doctrine, Diſcipline and worſhip is all ſo contrary to carnal intereſt and conceits, that we are ſtill like to loſe the moſt, if not the greateſt, and conſequently to be a perſecuted people in the world. This is their unanſwerable Argument: By this means they captivate the Nations to their Tyranny. The Moſt are every where almoſt licentious, ſenſual, worldly and unſanctified: Wiſe men and Godly men are few in compariſon of the reſt of the world. And it is the multitude commonly that hath the ſtrength, and the Great ones that have the wealth. So that I confeſs I take it for a wonder of mercy, that they are not Lords in every Countrey, and that the Reformed Catholicks be not uſed every where as they be in Spain and Italy. For where they have but opportunity to ſhew themſelves, the Principles and Practiſes of the Papiſts are ſuch, as will be moſt likely to win the Rabble rout to them, and make them Maſters of the multitude, and of all except a few believing Heavenly perſons: (For the flock is little that muſt have the Kingdom.) And then, when they have got the multitude thus to follow them, and club'd the reſt into priſons, or burned them in the flames, they reckon of this as one of the ſureſt Evidences that they are the Catholick Church, becauſe forſooth they are the greater number (in the Countries where they have advantage,) and it is but a few whom they were able to perſecute or burn as Hereticks that were againſt them. The very Argument of the Jews againſt Chriſt and his Diſciples.
The Reaſons why they have not by this Policie won the Chriſtian world to their ſide, are (under God, the great Defender of the innocent) theſe four; 1. Becauſe in the Eaſtern and Southern Churches they have not had opportunity to lay their ſnares, as they have had here in the Weſt: And alſo thoſe Churches have too many corruptions and neglects at home for the gratifying of the worſer ſort. 2. Becauſe God hath been pleaſed in ſome places ſo to bleſs the endeavours of the ſmaller part, as to enable them againſt the multitude to preſerve ſome liberty. 3. Becauſe God hath ſometime given Wiſe and Godly Princes to the people, that will not be cheated with the Popular deceits. 4. And principally becauſe that the Papal Tyranny is directly contrary to Princes Rights, ſo that its only thoſe that are blinded by ignorance, or ſtrengthened by an extraordinary league with Rome, or forced by the multitude of Popiſh ſubjects and neighbours, that put their necks into the Romiſh yoke. For what by the Popes pretended Power in temporals, at leaſt in ordine ad ſpiritualia, and what by his excommunicating Princes, and his pretended power to depoſe them and give their kingdoms to another, and to abſolve their ſubjects from their oaths and fidelity, (which is an Article of their faith, agreed on by the Pope and General Council, Later. ſub. Innoc. 3. cap. 3.) and what by his exempting the Clergy from their Princes Power, and what by the pilling their Countries for money, and what by their doctrine and practiſes of murdering Princes that are not of their mind, by theſe and many other Evidences, they have awakened many of the Princes of the earth to look about them, and conſequently to befriend the Truth againſt theſe Tyrannous Uſurpers. Had it not been for theſe helps under God, we had not been like to have a name where they can reach, nor to have had liberty to breath in the common air.
It would be a voluminous work to ſhew you how all the Doctrines, Government, and worſhip of the Papiſts is ſuted to the humor of the ſenſual multitude, and fitted to take with ungodly men. I ſhall but inſtance in twenty particulars (which are far from all.)
1. The Reformed Catholicks hold, that none ſhould be taken into the Church by Baptiſm, unleſs themſelves, or their Parents, if they be Infants, do make Profeſſion of the Chriſtian faith, and of an holy life, for the time to come, and ſeem to underſtand what they ſay and do, and be ſerious in it; which exaſperateth the groſly ignorant and ungodly, when we deny them this Priviledge of Believers. But the Papiſts admit of the ignorant, ungodly, and ſuch as believe not explicitely in Chriſt, as you heard even now; and ſo pleaſe the people, and fill their Church.
2. The Orthodox hold, that Baptiſm giveth Remiſſion of ſin to none but true believers and their ſeed. The Papiſts perſwade many millions more, that all their ſins are not only pardoned, but actually aboliſhed ex opere operato, in their Baptiſm, which is comfortable News to ſuch ungodly ſouls.
3. The Proteſtants ſay, that Original ſin liveth after Baptiſm in ſome degree; though it reign not, or condemn not thoſe that are true believers; and that Concupiſcence, that is, all inordinacy of the ſenſual appetite, or inordinate inclination to ſenſual objects is a ſin. The Papiſts tell them that when once they are baptized, there is no ſuch thing in them as Original ſin, and that Concupiſcence is no ſin at all.
4. The Orthodox hold, that none are to be admitted to the Euchariſt and Communion of the Church therein, but thoſe that believe actually (or profeſs ſo to do) the Articles of the faith, and underſtand the nature of the Sacrament, and live according to the Laws of Chriſt. But the Papiſts give it to all, and drive men to the Sacrament; ſo that Albaspinaeus before cited, ſaith, he knows not whether ever any one was kept away in his age.
5. The Proteſtants hold, that men are not to be let alone in ſcandalous ſin, but admoniſhed privately, and then openly before the Church, and if yet they Repent not, and Reform not, to be caſt out; and not to be abſolved or re-admitted, without a Publick Confeſſion and Penitence anſwerable to the ſin: And this wicked people hate at the very heart, and will not endure. But the Papiſts have got a device to pleaſe them by Auricular ſecret Confeſſion to a Prieſt, where if he will but confeſs and ſin, and ſin and confeſs again, he may have a pardon of courſe without any open ſhame or true Reformation. If we durſt but imitate the Papiſts in this one particular, we ſhould do much to pleaſe the people that are now exaſperated: for I find, that almoſt any of them will confeſs in ſecret that they have ſinned, that will not endure the open ſhame.
6. The Proteſtants hold, that every ſin deſerveth death, and that every breach of the Law is ſuch a ſin; (though God will not inflict the Puniſhment on them that have a pardon) But the Papiſts tell us of a multitude of ſins that are but venial, that is, ſins that deſerve pardon, and yet deſerve not Hell, and are indeed no ſins, but analogically ſo called. And they make thoſe to be ſuch venial ſins, which Proteſtants account abominably groſs; as ſome lying, ſome ſwearing in common talk, ſome drunkenneſs, ſome fornication, and the like, are with them but venial ſins, which are properly no ſins (And yet here alſo they are by the ears among themſelves, ſome ſaying that venial ſins are properly ſins, and moſt denying it) Yea all ſins that are not deliberated on, are with them but venial ſins. So that if they will but ſufficiently brutifie themſelves by ſuſpending the exerciſe of reaſon, and will ſwear, curſe, murder, without deliberation, they are then free from ſin and danger. And how eaſie and pleaſing is this to the ungodly? Thoſe are but Evangelical Counſails with the Papiſts, that are the Precepts or Laws of Chriſt to the Proteſtants.
7. The Proteſtants teach men, that it is their duty to ſeek the underſtanding of the holy Scripture, and to meditate in it day and night: but the Papiſts do forbid the Common people to read it in a language which they underſtand, and ſave them all that labour that Proteſtants put them on: Nothing can win the people more then cheriſhing them thus in ſloth and ignorance.
8. The Proteſtants ſay, that a man cannot be juſtified or ſaved without an actual faith in Chriſt (or being the Infant of a believer Dedicated to Chriſt) and that this faith muſt extend to all things that are Eſſential to Chriſtianity. But what the Papiſts ſay of the Juſtification and Salvation of Infidels, if they believe in the Pope, you heard in their own words in the laſt Detection. A comfortable doctrine to the unbelieving world, to whom God hath ſpoken no ſuch Comfort.
We confeſs that thoſe that never had the Goſpel, are under the Law of nature or works, and that the penalty of this is ſuch as God can in ſome caſes diſpenſe with (or elſe we could not be ſaved by Chriſt) and ſo that all Pagans are not under the Peremptory undiſpenſable threatning of the Goſpel againſt final Privative unbelievers: But yet, though God may pardon ſome of theſe, he hath made them no promiſe that he will; and therefore they can have no poſitive hope grounded on a promiſe; nor can any man ſay, that God will ſave any of them, or that he will not; it being certain that they are under the condemnation of the Law, which God can diſpenſe with, in wayes of ſecurity to his Juſtice and Ends, but uncertain whether he will or not; and therefore is to be left among his unrevealed things. The true believer is under a certain promiſe of ſalvation. The unbeliever that hath had the Goſpel, or might have had it and would not, is under the Goſpel ſentence of damnation, which is certain and irreverſible, if he die in that Condition. The negative unbeliever that never had or could have the Goſpel, is under the Condemning ſentence of the Law (of works or nature,) that is, his ſin Deſerveth eternal death; but this ſentence is not peremptory and indiſpenſable; but yet it is ſuch as God will not diſpenſe with raſhly, but on terms that may ſecure his Ends and Juſtice. This is the true mean between extreams in this weighty point.
9. The Proteſtants ſay, that all our beſt works are imperfect, and the ſin that adhereth to them deſerves Gods wrath, according to the Law of works, though he pardon it by the Law of Grace: and that when we have done all, we are unprofitable ſervants, and properly Merit nothing of God for the worth of our works, or in Commutative Juſtice. But the Papiſts take thoſe very works to Merit heaven, ex Condigno, and (for here they are by the ears again) ſay ſome of them, by the Proportion of the work, and in Commutative Juſtice, which the Proteſtants ſay, deſerve damnation for their ſinful imperfections, and therefore need a pardon through the blood of Chriſt. Yea they take theſe works to be perfect, and the man to be perfect, and ſay, that by ſuch works as theſe, they may Merit for others as well as for themſelves. And how eaſie and pleaſing is this to proud corrupted Nature?
10. The Proteſtants think, that no Faith Juſtifieth, but that which is accompanyed with unfeigned Love and Reſolution for Obedience. But the Papiſts make Faith that's ſeparated from Charity, and joyned with Attrition, to be ſufficient for admiſſion to the Sacrament, which ſhall be inſtead of Love or Contrition, and ſo ſhall put away all ſin.
11. The Proteſtants knowing that God is a Spirit, and will be worſhipped in Spirit and truth, do teach people a ſpiritual way of worſhip, which Carnal men are undiſpoſed to, and unacquainted with. But the Papiſts do accommodate them by a multitude of Ceremonies, Images, and a Pompous hiſtrionical kind of worſhip, which is eaſie and pleaſant to fleſh and blood. To have an Image before them, and Copes, and Ornaments, and abundance of formalities, and to drop ſo many Beads, and be ſaved for ſaying over ſo many Ave Maries, or ſuch like words; what an eaſie kind of Religion is this, and how agreeable to fleſh and blood? How much eaſier is it to ſay over their offices, then to Love God above all, and deſire after Communion with him in the ſpirit, and to delight in him, and to pray in Faith, and heavenly fervour?
12. Proteſtants tell men of Hell-fire, as the remedileſs puniſhment of thoſe ſins, which Papiſts ſay deſerve but a Purgatory: and they have hopes of coming out of Purgatory; but there's none of coming out of Hell.
13. Proteſtants tell them of no hope of eaſe or pardon of ſin after this life, if it be not pardoned here. But Papiſts tell them, that when they are in Purgatory, the Pope hath power to pardon them, and the ſaying of ſo many Maſſes for their ſouls, may eaſe them, or rid them out; and the Merits of other folks may deliver them.
14. Proteſtants tell them, that they muſt be holy for themſelves: but Papiſts tell them, that they may hire another man to ſay their prayers for them, which may ſerve turn.
15. The Proteſtants do ingenuouſly confeſs, that they have no way to end all Controverſies in this life, but that we have a ſufficient way ſo far to decide them as is neceſſary to the peace of the ſoul, of the Church, and of the Commonwealth; but no way for a final abſolute Deciſion, till the day of Judgement. The Paſtors of the Church are to be Judges, ſo far as they are to execute: And the Magiſtrates are to be Judges ſo far as they muſt execute: And every Chriſtian hath a judgement of Diſcerning ſo far as he is to execute. But the abſolute final judgement is reſerved to the laſt day; when God will fully end our controverſies. But this ſatisfyeth not men that would have all in hand, and the ſentence paſt before the Aſſizes: And therefore the Papiſts better fit their humour, and tell them (and they do but tell them) of an End of all their controverſies at hand; of an eaſie cheap remedy by believing the Infallible Pope and Council; and ſo putting an end to all diviſions and doubts.
16. The Proteſtants would have none but ſeeming Profeſſing Saints in their Churches: But the Papiſts Canonize a Saint as a wonder; and ſhut them up in Monaſteries, and call a few [Religious] that are ſeparated from other Chriſtians, as Chriſtians formerly were from the world: which brings the people to think that Holineſs and Religion is not neceſſary to all but to a few Devotaries that will be better then they are commanded to be.
17. The Proteſtants bind men to keep their vows, and fidelity to their Governors: But the Papiſts tell them that the Pope hath Power to free them from their fidelity, and diſpenſe with their oaths.
18. The Papiſts teach men to faſt: by eating the pleaſanteſt meats: but the Proteſtants uſe a total abſtinence while they faſt, unleſs in meer neceſſity.
19. The main buſineſs and adminiſtration of Proteſtant Paſtors, is againſt that fleſh that is predominant in the unregenerate, and therefore muſt needs be diſtaſtefull to the multitude of the ungodly. Our preaching is to open mens ſin and miſery, and cauſe them to perceive their loſt condition, and ſo to reveal to them a crucified Chriſt, and then to ſet them on the holy ſelfdenying heavenly life that Chriſt hath preſcribed them. And to ſpeak terrour to the rebellious, and to caſt the obſtinate out of our communion, and to comfort none as the heirs of heaven, either in life or at death, but only the truly ſanctified and renewed ſouls. But for the Papiſts, their Preaching in moſt places is but ſeldome; but they have a Maſs in Latine: And as the old ſaying is, [The Maſs doth not bite.] It galleth not a guilty conſcience to ſee a Maſs, and here a many of Prayers which he underſtandeth not: And when they do preach, when they ſhould ſhew wicked men their miſery, they flatter and deceive them too often by their falſe doctrine: They cannot humble them in the ſenſe of their Original ſin and Miſery, for that they tell them was quite extinct and done away in Baptiſm: And for their following ſins, Abſolution upon their cuſtomary confeſſions, hath done away all the guilt at leaſt: ſo that here is no Miſery for the Miſerable ſouls to ſee: but like a Conſtables preſentment at a Seſſions, an Omnia bene: Unleſs perhaps ſome groſs actual ſin be apparent among them: and then they ſhall have an Oration againſt it, to drive them to auricular confeſſion, and to receive the Body of Chriſt, and be Abſolved. And ſo do they by Ceremonies and Sacraments ex opere operato quiet the Conſciences of unſanctified men, and humour them in all their rites and cuſtoms, and at laſt curn them to Heaven or Purgatory with an Abſolution, and Extream Unction. And how pleaſing a Religion this is to the ungodly people, thoſe Miniſters can tell, that ſee the rage of ſuch, againſt thoſe that deny them even better Forms and Ceremonies when they deſire them; to pacifie their Conſciences inſtead of real Holineſs and Obedience.
20. Laſtly, how the Jeſuites have fitted their whole frame of Moral doctrine and Caſe Divinity to humour the unconſcionable, Montaltus the Janſeniſt will fully ſhew you through the whole (fore-cited) Myſterie of Jeſuitiſm. Thoſe that would eſcape any worldly trouble or danger, the Jeſuites have a help at hand for, even their doctrine of Equivocation, and Mentall reſervation (which makes the Popes Diſpenſation with oaths and promiſes needleſs.) What accommodations they have for him that hath a mind to Murder his adverſary, to calumniate another, to take Uſe without Uſury, to forbear reſtoring illgotten goods, to commit fornication, to rob another, and many the like, you may ſee in their own words cited in the ſaid Book. Yea what comfort they have for a man that loveth not God, ſo he will not hate him. Truſt not my report, but read the Book; for its worth the reading.
So that we ſee the advantage that the Papiſts have to ſweep away the vicious ignorant multitude, and then to boaſt that they are the Catholicks, and we but Schiſmaticks, becauſe they are the greater part: and then they are armed alſo by the Multitude, to oppreſs us by their violence.
Now what remedy to uſe againſt this Fraud, I cannot tell, but only to deal plainly and faithfully, though it do diſpleaſe, and to adminiſter Gods Ordinances as he preſcribeth, though never ſo diſtaſtefull to fleſh and blood; and ſo to commit our ſelves to God, and truſt him with his Church and cauſe, who is able to preſerve it, and is moſt engaged to appear for us when we lay all upon him, and have none to truſt but himſelf alone. Let us not hearken in this caſe to fleſh and blood that would adviſe us to remit the reins of Diſcipline, and to bend our Adminiſtrations to ſome pleaſing complyance with carnal minds. We diſengage God when thus we begin to ſhift for our ſelves out of his way. But withall we muſt acquaint thoſe Princes that are faithfull to Chriſt, how much it is their duty in this caſe to aſſiſt us; not by any cruelty to the Papiſts (that I deſire not) but only by quieting the ungodly part of our People in a ſtate of Catechumens, or expectants, or a Learning condition fitted to their ſtate; and to reſtrain ſuch in the mean time as would take advantage of their diſcontents, to ſeduce them by pleaſing licentious doctrines to their undoing.