Faith Grounded Upon the Holy Scriptures Against the New Methodists, Part 3 · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV. That the Articles of the Belief of Rome which we receive not into ours are contrary to the Scriptures, and very far from being taught there.
BUt to fill up the meaſure of our proofs, I will add in the laſt place, that the Doctrines believed by the Church of Rome, and rejected by ours; beſides their not being found in any part of the Scripture, ſhake it divers ways, deſtroying certain things which the Scripture lays down, and laying down other things which it deſtroys: This is ſo clear, that whoever will conſider the whole without paſſion and prejudice will incontinently perceive it.
1. Ʋpon the Point of Sacrifice.
1. ROme ſaith, that Jeſus Christ is, and will be every day crucified in an infinite of places, even to the end of the world. The Scripture ſaith, Heb. 9.…5, 26, 27, 28, & 7.27.That he hath not offered himſelf more than once, and that he hath been once offered to take away the ſins of many: So as 'tis ordained for men once to die.
Secondly, Rome ſaith, That Chriſt is now offered for our ſins without ſuffering. The Scripture ſaith, Heb. 9.26.that if he hath been offered many times he muſt have ſuffered more than once.
Thirdly, Rome ſaith, That the remiſſion of ſins is obtained in his pretended Sacrifice, Heb. 9.22. John 19.30. Heb. 1.3. & 9 26.without the effuſion of blood. The Scripture ſaith, that without ſhedding of blood there is no remiſſion.
Fourthly, The Scripture ſaith, that Chriſt dying on the Croſs all was accompliſhed, and before his Aſcenſion into Heaven, he himſelf hath purged away our ſins and aboliſhed them. How then ought he ſtill, as Rome ſaith, to be every day ſacrificed for the ſame thing.
Fifthly, The Scripture ſaith, That none takes the honour of High Prieſt, Heb. 5.4.and poſſeſſeth it, but he who is called of God as was Aaron. How is it then that the Prieſts of the Roman Church pretend this Dignity, ſince they cannot make appear that God hath called them to it?
Sixthly The Scripture ſaith, that Jeſus Chriſt is eternal High Prieſt, Pſal. 110.4. Heb. 5.6. & 7.3.24, 25, 28.that he lives eternally, that he hath a perpetual Prieſthood, that he is conſecrated for ever, that he always lives a High Prieſt according to the Order of Melchiſedec, who remains a Prieſt for ever. Why then doth Rome give Succeſſors to him in this Office?
Seventhly Rome holds, That the Prieſts bleſs and conſecrate the body of the Son of God. How doth this agree with that which the Scripture layeth down, Heb. 7.7.That without all contradiction that which is leaſt is bleſſed by that which is greater? Are then the Prieſts of the Church of Rome greater than the Lord?
2. Ʋpon the Tranſubſtantiation and the real Preſence.
1. ROme ſayeth that, that which the faithful eat in the Eucharist is not bread. The Scripture ſaith that it is bread. 1 Cor. 11.26, 27, 28.Every time that you eat this bread and drink this Chalice, you ſhew forth the Lords death till he come. Wherefore whoſoever ſhall eat of this bread, &c. unworthily, ſhall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man then examine himſelf, and ſo eat of this bread and drink of this Cup. 1 Cor. 10.16.The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of the Lord?
2. Rome ſaith that, that which the Lord made his Diſciples drink in the conſecrated Chalice was not wine. The Scripture ſaith that it was the fruit of the Vine. Mat. 26.27, 28, 29.Taking the Cup he gave thanks, and gave it to them, ſaying, Drink all of this. For this is my blood of the New Teſtament which ſhall be ſhed for many for the remiſſion of ſins. And I ſay unto you, that from this time I will not drink of this fruit of the vine till that day that I ſhall drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom.
3. The Scripture ſaith, that we ſhall not have the Lord always with us here on the earth, Mat. 26.11. John 12.9. Acts 3.21.and that the Heaven muſt receive him until the time of reſtitution of all things. How ſo, if that which Rome holds is true, that his body is yet perpetually kept here below upon their Altars, and in their Pixes?
Fourthly, The Scripture ſaith, that the Lord is above, ſitting at the right hand of God his Father in a Sovereign Glory. Rome ſaith that his holy Body is under the Species of a mean Creature, inanimate and inſenſible, that it enters into the Stomachs of mortal men, yea, ſometimes of the moſt wicked, and is ſubject to many other indignities, which we hardly dare think on. Is this to be in a ſtate of Glory?
Fifthly, Rome believes that the body of the Lord is entire under every crum of bread and in every drop of the wine of the Euchariſt, and that his head, his feet, and all the parts of his body are in one and the ſame place, and that his body is altogether above in Heaven, and here below in a thouſand and a thouſand places of the earth; above viſible, here inviſible. Is this that which the Scripture ſaith, that except in ſin, Heb. 2.17.he is like his brethren in all things; that is to ſay, to the faithful, as every one confeſſeth? is there ever a Believer whoſe body is capable of ſuch accidents? the fleſh of the Believers is a true body, and hath all the properties of it. Now there was never ſeen a body of this nature, which is held in a place much leſſer than its proper quantity.
3. Ʋpon the Adoration of the Eucharist.
THere is no need to add any thing to what I have been ſpeaking concerning the precedent Article. For ſince the Euchariſt is truly bread in ſubſtance, every one ſeeth enough how much this Sovereign ſervice, which they give it in the Roman Church, is contrary to all Scripture, which from the beginning to the end forbids us nothing, more expreſly, oftner, and under more grievous threatnings than the adoration of any Creature of what nature and dignity ſoever. Ex…d. 20.3. Mat. 4.10.Thou ſhalt have no other God before me. Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him only ſhalt thou ſerve.
4. Ʋpon Purgatory.
ROme ſaith, that it often happens that thoſe who die in the faith of Jeſus Chriſt are burnt in a fire as hot as that of Hell. The Scriptures ſaith, Apoc. 14.13. Rom. 8.1. 2 Cor. 5.6, 8.That they are happy, that they reſt from their labours; that there is no condemnation for them; that their earthly habitaion of this houſe being diſſolved, they have a building of God, an eternal houſe not made with hands in the Heavens. That ſo long as they are in this body they are ſtrangers to the Lord: and when they are ſtrangers to the body (which is when they quit it) they ſhall be with the Lord; Luke 23.23.and tells us, that the repenting Thief was with the Lord in Paradiſe the ſame day he died.
2. Rome ſayeth, that this ſubterranean fire purgeth us from ſome of our ſins. 1 John 1.7.The Scripture ſaith, that the blood of Jeſus Chriſt purgeth us from all ſin.
5. Ʋpon Juſtification.
ROme teacheth that we are juſtified partly by faith, and partly by good works. How agreeth this with that Scripture, which ſaith, Gal. 2.16. Tit. 3.5.that man is not juſtified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jeſus Chriſt; and that God hath ſaved us, not for the righteous works which we have done, but according to his mercy, & with that which is aſſerted in ſo many places, Rom. 11.6that we are ſaved and juſtified by Grace, ſince that if it be by Grace, 'tis not by works, otherwiſe Grace would be no more Grace; Rom. 4.4.and that to him that worketh, the hire is not reckoned of Grace but of debt; and with that which is ſaid, that we have not whereof to glory, Eph. 2.9. Rom. 4.2.ſince that he who is juſtified by his works hath (according to the ſame) whereof to glory.
6. Ʋpon the Merit of Works.
ROme teacheth, that we do by our good works ſo much merit eternal life; that if God ſhould not give it to us, he would do unjuſtly. How can this agree with the Language which the Scriptures teacheth us, Luke 17.10.when you have done all the things which are commanded you to do, ſay, we are unprofitable Servants, we have done that which we ought to have done.
2. Rome holds that eternal life is, to ſpeak properly, a reward due to the value of our works. Rom. 6.23. 2 Tim 1.18.The Scripture ſaith, that it is a gift, or a grace of God, and a mercy, and that although we ſhould have kept his Commandments (that which we fail much in) yet he uſeth gratuity and mercy towards us in well-doing.Exo. 20.6.
3. Rome holds, that between the vertue of the faithful and eternal life there is a proportion; and the Scripture ſaith, Rom. 8.18That the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come which ſhall be revealed in us.
4. Rome holds, that the Lord oweth him who hath lived well and holily, eternal life. The Scripture Scripture teacheth us, that God oweth no body any thing: Who is he that hath given him firſt, and it ſhall be rendered to him again?Rom. 11.35.
7. Ʋpon the Worſhipping of Saints.
1. The Scripture condems thoſe men who worſhip (foreign) thoſe which by nature are no Gods. Gal. 4.8.Rome worſhippeth (foreign) the Saints which are no Gods by nature.
2. The Scripture ſaith, 1 King. 8.39.that God only knows the hearts of all men, & that the dead know no more any thing; that they underſtand not whether their Sons are noble or ignoble, Eccl 9.5, 6 Job 14.20, 21. 2 Kin. 22.20.that their eyes do not ſee the evils which God brings upon the places where they have lived. Rome teacheth, that deceaſed Saints know all that is done upon the earth, and that they know the moſt ſecret thoughts of our hearts.
8. Ʋpon the Worſhipping of Images.
Rome fills her Temples and Streets with the Images of God, Father, Son, Holy Ghoſt, and of the moſt Bleſſed Virgin, and of all the Saints, repreſented, as well by flat painting, as in all ſorts of Sculpture. She will have one render to them an adoration and veneration analogical; proſtrate before them, kiſs them, offer them Bougies or Tapers, go a Pilgrimage to the places which are conſecrated to them. How agreeth this with what the Scripture ſaith, Deut. 4.12, 15, 16.You ſaw no ſimilitude in the day that the Lord your God ſpoke to you in Horeb out of the midſt of the fire, lest perhaps being deceived, you ſhould make you any graven Image in the likenes of male or female. Thou ſhalt make thee no graven Image, Exod. 20.nor the likeneſs of any that is in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth. Thou ſhalt not bow down to them nor worſhip them (The Hebrew ſaith, thou ſhalt not proſtrate before them) and ſerve them. Lev. 26.1.You ſhall make you no Idol nor graven Image, nor rear up any Image, nor ſet up any Image of ſtone in your Land to adore it. (It is alſo in the Hebrew to proſtrate before it.)
9. Ʋpon the Monarchy of the Pope of Rome.
1. Rome teacheth, that the Pope is the Sovereign Judge of the world, a Monarch aſſiſted by the Princes of his Court, who governs Kings, who makes the greateſt of the earth kiſs his ſlippers, who wears three Crowns upon his head, who can chaſtiſe the States of Chriſtianity with pains not only ſpiritual but temporal. How agreeth this pretended Power and the manner with which he hath exerciſed it many years ſince before the face of Heaven and earth, with that which the Lord commanded his Apoſtles, The Kings of the earth exerciſe Lordſhip over them, Luke 25.22.and thoſe who uſe authority over them are called Benefactors. But it is not ſo with you, but he that is greateſt amongſt you let him be the leaſt, and he that governs as he that ſerveth. And with that which St. Peter commands, 1 Pet. 5.3.Feed the flock of God which is committed to you, &c. not as having Lordſhip over the Clergy and people of God, but as being examples to the flock by your charity.
2. Rome holds, that the Pope is above the Church. The Scripture ſends back him and every Believer having quarrelled with his Brother to the Tribunal of the Church, and obligeth him to ſubmit to her Judgment. Mat. 18.15, 6, 17.If thy brother hath ſinned againſt thee, &c. tell it to the Church, and if he diſdain to hear the Church, let him be to to thee as a Heathan man and a Publican. And elſewhere, all it ſaith, 1 Cor. 31.21, 22.that all things belong to the Church; and namely, Paul, Apollos, and Cephas; and in another place ſpeaking of the Apoſtles in general, it calls the Servants of the Church for the love of Jeſus.
3. Rome eſteemeth St. Peter the Maſter and Sovereign Lord over the other Apoſtles. How comes it then that the Scripture ſpeaking of him, doth not [name in the firſt place or rank, 2 Cor. 4.5.but in the ſecond only, James, Cephas, and John having known the Grace which was given to me? How comes it that the other Apoſtles ſent him to preach in Samaria? Gal. 2.9.How comes it that St. Paul preached three years without communicating any thing of his deſigne to him? How comes it that even Paul himſelf ſaid boldly, Acts 8.14. Gal. 1.17, 18.that thoſe who were in eſteem added nothing to him? and recounts very freely, that he reſiſted St. Peter in Antioch to his face, Gal. 2.6. Gal. 2.11.becauſe he was to be blamed? Are theſe the terms of a Subject to his Prince? And would they ſuffer now adays that the Biſhop of Hoſtia ſhould treat ſo with the Pope, or from him.
10. Ʋpon the diſtinction of Meats.
Rome teacheth that the uſe of fleſh is wicked and unlawful two or three days in a week, and during all Lent. 1 Tim. 4.1, 2, 3, 4.The Scripture ſaith, that every Creature of God is good; that nothing is to be rejected when it is taken with thanksgivin; and that God hath created food for the faithful, and for thoſe who have known the truth to uſe it with thanksgiving; and calls the Commandment of abſtaining from it, a Doctrine of Devils; and qualifies them who aſſert it with the terms of teachers of Lyes, and deſerters of the faith, abuſing themſelves with lying Spirits; telling us particularly that ſuch will come in the laſt days.
11. Of the unmarried ſtate of the Miniſters of the Religion.
Rome teacheth, that for the Miniſters of the Chriſtian Religion to marry is an impure and unlawful thing. The Scripture teſtifieth that ſome of the Aopſtles were married, as amongſt the reſt St. Peter; Mat. 8.14.and where it propounds conditions neceſſary for a Biſhop, 1 Tim. 3.2it requireth not that he be not married at all, but only that he be the husband of one wife.
12. Ʋpon the retrenching of the Holy Cup.
Rome ſuffers none but him only who hath conſecrated the Euchariſt to drink of the Cup of the Lord, denying the Communion of it to all others. The Scripture ſaith to thoſe who Communicate, Mat. 26.27. 1 Cor. 11.28.Drink all of it: and St. Paul, Let a man prove himſelf, and ſo let him eat of this bread, and drink of this Cup.
13. Ʋpon the Exemption of the Miniſters of Religion.
The Scripture ſaith in general, Rom. 13.1Let every man be ſubject to the Higher Powers, &c. For the Prince is a Servant of God for thy good; but if thou doeſt evil, fear; for he weareth not the Sword in vain. 1. Pet. 2.13, 14.Be ſubject to every order of man for the love of God, be it to the King as Supreme, be it to Governours as to them who are ſent by him, for the puniſhment of evil doers, and for praiſe to thoſe who do well. The Apoſtle Paul knowing this order ſubmitted himſelf to it, Acts 25.10.11.appearing before the Officers of the Emperorour, and appealing to him. Rome holds that all her Clerks even the leaſt of them are exempted from this Subjection.