Faith Grounded Upon the Holy Scriptures Against the New Methodists, Part 3 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. The Antiquity, Ʋniverſality, and Clearneſs of our Religion; and from whence comes our difference with Rome.
THus have we ſhewn our faith by the Scriptures. The Paſſages are clear, and for the moſt part expreſs and formal; which Rome and Geneva equally acknowledge in their Verſion, which the Eaſt and Weſt, North and South read in common, ſince the firſt times of Chriſtianity to this minute, without their being able to reproach us, that we have violated the Original, abuſed the Pricks of the Hebrew, or the Accents of the Greek. The Conſequences are of ſo evident neceſſity that Children are capable of underſtanding them: So eaſie is it to prove, that the Beliefs which we have juſt now demonſtrated by Scripture, are common to all Chriſtians. The Antients have explained & cleared them in their Symbols and Councils. The Moderns have retained them notwithſtanding all the Changes which has happened in Religion. All the Climates of the Chriſtian world have received them with an univerſal conſent. Rome it ſelf doth not conteſt with us about them; ſhe makes a Profeſſion to believe them alſo. There is but Sabellius, Paul de Samoſate, Arius, Fotinus, Manicheusi, Pelagius, Neſtorius, and Eutyches, every one of whom debate ſomething of them with us, all Heretiques, being cruſhed by the Thunderbolts of the Catholick Church many hundred years ſince. They alone demand proofs of us, the others believe all with us: From whence it appears by the way, how falſe the Calumny of thoſe is, who accuſe our Religion of novelty or particularity. For what is there either more Antient or Univerſal among Chriſtians than thoſe Creeds of which it conſiſts? Who can deny that the Catholique Church hath had them in all Ages? That Rome it ſelf hath them not now? Whether Antiquity hath had any Opinion which I have not, it is another Queſtion; and upon which it falls out to conſider: Firſt, Whether this be a thing which hath been revealed by Jeſus Chriſt, and preached by his Apoſtles. And Secondly, ipreſuppoſing it to be a truth, that it is ſo neceſſary, that one cannot without believing it, have part in the Grace and Glory of God. But as to my Religion, that is to ſay, this faith which I have proved by the Scriptures, it is clear, that all the true Chriſtians both Antient and Modern are agreed in it; who by confequence are all of my Religion, although perhaps I am not of their Opinion in all other things. They hold all my Beliefs, only I confeſs, 'tis better that I hold not all their Opinions; ſee the terms upon which we are with thoſe of Rome. For they profeſs to believe the Articles which we have explained. All the difference ſprings from the Articles which they lay down to the confeſſion of which they would oblige us, and which we cannot receive. This is all our Controverſie. From whence every one may ſee the injuſtice of the new Methodiſts, who preſs us to prove by formal paſſages the points of our faith, controverſed between them and us: Whereas the Points of my faith (Gentlemen) are not controverſed, but thoſe of yours; as for Example, the Queſtion is not whether we ought to worſhip God and Jeſus Chriſt, which is a Point of my faith; but whether we ought to worſhip the Hoſt, which is an Article of yours. The Queſtion is not, whether Jeſus Chriſt is our Mediator, or whether the Oblation of his death is a Sacrifice, which are Articles of my belief; but whether the Saints departed are our Mediators; and whether the pretended Oblation of your Altars is a true, a properly called Sacrifice, which are the Points of your Faith. We do not diſpute whether we ought to call upon God, or hope for Paradice, and fear Hell, which is my belief; but whether we ought to Invogue the Saints and apprehend the fire of Purgatory, which is your Doctrine. 'Tis you then ought to prove your ſaith, & not I mine. Since to diſpute well and lawfully, one ought to prove, not things which the parties are agreed on (which would be a ſuperflous labour) but thoſe about which they differ. Nevertheleſs to content your humour, we have proved our faith by the Scripture. Let us ſee now if you can as eaſily finde yours there, and that which you add to ours, upon which indeed is all your conteſt.