The Truth and Certainty of the Protestant Faith, Considerations
Some ſerious Conſiderations further anent Popery, and the import of that great controverſie betwixt the Romish, and reformed Churches at this day.
THough there ſeems ſmall grounds of hope, to convince ſuch, who in the holy judgement of God, are given up to that ſtrong deluſion of Popery, and ceaſeth not to oppoſe themſelves to the cleareſt diſcoveries of the truth: yet this being ſo ſad and deplorable a ſight, to ſee how much of the Chriſtian World thus Periſh, who will not once open their eyes, and is ſo clear, that under the greateſt of judgements, this way muſt involve them, (if the Scripture of God have any weight or credit with ſuch:) yea ſince this is ſo grave and concerning a duty, now in theſe laſt times, to bea… witneſs againſt Antichriſt, and purſue without ceaſing that call, whatever ſucceſs it ſhould have, that men would come out of Babylon, and haſten from under approaching wrath and judgment: I ſhall here add, to what is premitted before upon this ſubject, ſome ſerious Conſiderations concerning Popery, with an appeale to the Conſcience of the Adverſary, yea to their reaſon and judgment, if they will allow its free exerciſe herein, anent the truth thereof.
CONSID. 1.
FIrſt, At what a rate by clear and undeniable conſequence, from the Romiſh Doctrine and principles, one can be Popiſh, conforme to their way; and what is neceſſarily imported in being a Roman Catholick, as they thus terme themſelves, which is not more ſtrange, and aſtoniſhing in it ſelf, than may be clear in theſe particulars.
1. That it is to deliver up their reaſon and judgment to the conduct of ſuch, of whom they muſt ſee true cauſe to feare, adventuring upon in the ſmalleſt of their outward intereſts: And where it is ſo viſible, its money for merite, and that all can be ſold at this market upon ſuch a price; yea where the poore only muſt be left hopeleſs, who thus hath not to expiate their guilt, and purchaſs a plenary indulgence: as Petrarch of old was enforced to ſay, that if Judas could come with the price of his Maſters blood to the Romiſh market, he might be welcome to buy an abſolution; where, no ſin needs want a diſpenſation to allow it, or a pardon for its commitment, if their purſe can poſſibly anſwere thereto.
2. This is to quite that judgment of diſcerning given them of God, and be ſhut out of all Proper knowledge of the Scripture with their own conſent (except theſe of the Clergy) ſo as they muſt not truſt their own eyes, but others in the great intereſt of their eternal ſtate, and thus take the Romiſh Authority for their Bible; yea ſuch, whom they cannot but ſee, what Palpable ignorance in ſome, and deceit and falſhood is in others of thoſe they thus implicitely credit, and that the concernes of this earth, and their private intereſt doth for the moſt of ſuch more ſway, than any thing of Religion.
3. It is by cleareſt conſequence manifeſt, that this is a viſible betaking of themſelves to a Covenant of Works, and to ſtand thereby, in the moſt expreſs oppoſition to the great intent of the Goſpel; ſince according to their Principles, it is merite, yea their own Proper merite muſt be the way for their obtaining of heaven; and all they aſcribe to Jeſus Chriſt herein is this, only to give life and Salvation to their merites, which yet are in themſelves, and from their own intrinſick worth, without the imputation of Chriſts merite thereto, thus meritorious; as they terme it, ex …ondigno: And thus only do they admit, a reſtoring again by him of a Covenant of Works on the ſame termes with the firſt; Do this and live.
4. It muſt be at that rate, one can be this day Popiſh, of the groſſeſt Idolatry, and a turning the glory of the inviſible God, into the ſimilitude of a corruptible man, Rom. 1: verſ. 23. with a moſt expreſs counteracting of that great precept of the Moral Law againſt bowing down and Worſhipping of any graven Image, they being no leſs thus guiltie of an Idolatrous Worſhip, than either the Church of Iſrael of Old, or the Pagan world could be charged with; ſince both had a reſpect further than the Image it ſelf, the one to the true God, and the other to their feigned Deity.
5. What ever liberty this way gives to ſin, and to lay the ſtreſs of their inward peace on the Prieſts abſolution; yet it is clear, that at that rate on theſe tearmes can one be Popiſh this day, to ſubject themſelves to a yoke and bondage from men, that without a judicial ſtroke on their Conſcience might ſeeme intolerable; ſuch as Auricular Confeſſion to a Prieſt, of their moſt ſecret ſins, and this under the pain of damnation; their Pennan…es, with that blind and unlimited obedience therein to their Church Guids without acceſs to conſult the Scripture; as if this way of expiating ſin could be a Satisfaction before the holy God, ſuch as their whipping of themſelves, and going in Pilgrimage to ſome Superſtitious place, yea thus meritorious, becauſe they be grievous to the fleſh; but why not rather, an offering up of the fruit of their body for the ſin of their ſoul, as thoſe of old unto Molech, which might witneſs a further degree of doing violence to their own fleſh. If men might thus think by a ſacrifice of their deviſing to appeaſe the Juſtice of God.
6. This neceſſarily alſo muſt follow an embracement of Popery, and ſubjecting to that way; to be put beyond a poſſibility of any inward peace here, or quiet as to their future ſtate in another world, ſince it is undeniable. 1. They muſt have ſome merite of their own, and an humane Satisfaction to confide in, and on that foundation of good works, lay the weight of obtaining life, whilſt ye… according to their own Principles they ſee, there is no poſſible being ſure, if theſe ſhall be found equivalent in value to anſwere this end. 2. That no aſſurance of Salvation is ſo much as attaineable, according to their Doctrine. 3. How ſad a cure, as have no ſuteableneſs therewith to eaſe a diſquiet and awakened Conſcience, does their Principles bring, ſuch as Pennances, their own Satisfaction, the Pop's Pardon, or abſolution of the Prieſt, invocation of Saints and Images, whence it was in the darkneſs of Popery, moſt found themſelves under that inforcement for ſo many dotations, and to ſtretch their ſtate to the furtheſt for ſoul-maſſes, ſince they could find no ground for their ſouls quiet here. 4. And does not this way and Doctrine moſt viſibly purſue men, not unto death only, but beyond it, through theſe tormenting thoughts and fear of a Purgatory to come, and that uncertainty as to the time or terme of releaſe, ſo as at the beſt, death muſt have a terrible and affrighting look.
7. If men would bring this near their thoughts, no leſs can ſerve to be a Popiſh proſelyte than a manifeſt involvement in the blood of all the Saints, which hath been ſhed, and ſerving themſelves Heir to both the guilt and judgment of ſuch horrid and unexpreſſible cruelty exerced by the Romiſh Church on thoſe for ſo many ages paſt, who through grace did reſiſt unto the death, ſtriving for the truth againſt Antichriſtianiſme: for it is clear, how ſuch comes on the ſame ſcore by their virtual conſent, and juſtifying the ſame with as real acceſſion before the Lord thereunto, as though they had actually concurred. Oh what a reckoning will this once be found, to enter into eternity with, before the judgment ſeat of Chriſt?
8, And is it now poſſible for any to be Popiſh, but at that rate of reſiſting the cleareſt diſcoveries of the truth, and an expreſs doing deſpite to the Spirit of Grace, a refuſing to be cured, and to come to the light, now when Antichriſtianiſme is by ſuch undeniable evidences revealed to the world, as men cannot be in the dark, who this great Adverſary is, that does not ſhut their own eyes from it. Oh! what a revenge does hatred and malice at the truth, cauſe, that can turn men cruel againſt themſelves; nor is that ſtroke of judicial blindneſs more ſtrange and amazeing this day on the Jewes, when ſurrounded with ſo clear diſcoveries of the truth, than this now may be, which is upon the Romiſh Church, tha… cannot ſee that deſperat ſtate they are in, when ſuch undeniable light is held out from the Scriptures there anent, nay, it muſt be ſaid, who will not ſee this?
9. I muſt here further add, how evident alſo this is to be Popiſh, and enrolled with ſuch a party, that it is no leſs, than to ſtand under that moſt dreadful peremptory threatning, as is in the whole of the Bible denounced againſt ſuch, as i… theſe times of light ſhall engage with that way, Rev. 14: 9. If any man Worſhip the beaſt and his Image, and receive his mark in his fore head, or in his hand, the ſame ſhall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is powred out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation, and he ſhall be tormented with fire and brimſtone in the preſence of the holy Angels, and in preſence of the Lamb, and the ſmoak of their torment aſcendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night, who worſhip the beaſt and his imag…, and who ſo receiveth the mark of his name. Oh! If men would be ſo far awakned with the dread of this threatning, as once to come and ſee but with their own eyes, to what party this is applicable, and expreſly pointed at by the Spirit of God there: and it is ſure they could not then be in the dark, how deep it drawes, under what pretext ſo ever, for any to be Popiſh. Nor is it ſtrange, that after ſuch abuſed light, hell becometh now more hot and more inevitable than before, whilſt ſo much of the Chriſtian World (who own that name and Profeſſion) do ſhut their eyes and ears at ſo clear and diſtinct a ſound from the Scripture, ſeemes to roll over all certainty hereof, to the deciſion and irrevocable Sentence of the Great Judge.
CONSID. II.
SEcondly, Can it be in the dark this day, if this be not upon Choice, that the great intereſt of the Reformed Church in contending againſt Popery, is a moſt expreſs appearance, and contending for the Truth of Chriſtianity, and Doctrine of the Scripture delivered to us in the Old and New Teſtament, And is ſo diſcernable upon theſe great Heads. 1. That there is but one Mediator betwixt God and Sinners, againſt ſuch direct oppoſition thereto in the Doctrine of the Romiſh Church, that brings in a plurality of Mediators, and the Worſhipping of Angels and Saints departed, for that end. 2. In behalf of the reality of Chriſts humane nature, which by the Doctrine of Tranſubſtantiation, is ſubjected to have a new created being in their conſecrated Hoſtia, at each time, & every where, at the pleaſure of a wretched man; which is in effect a moſt expreſs denying of his bleſſed body to be humane and finite. 3. It is clear, how expreſly concerned the Proteſtant Church is, in oppoſition to Popery, to contend for the reality of Chriſts death and ſuffering for his Elect. And that this time is come and paſt, no more poſſibly to be repeated again, wherein he once appeared in the end of the world to put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf, Heb. 9: 26. And by one offering hath for ever perfected them that are ſanctified, Heb. 10: 14. Againſt that horrid blaſphemy of the Maſs, which they own as a repeated offering of the bleſſed body of the Redeemer, by the hands of the Prieſt unto God, as a Propitiatory ſacrifice for the living and the dead, which is ſo evident a ſubverting the foundations of Chriſtianity, and to make void the infinite value and efficacy of the death and ſuffering of Chriſt once offered, and for ever in behalf of his Elect, whilſt they thus own a continued offering of his body, which as the Apoſtle ſhewes, Heb. 9: 25. that if Chriſt had offered himſelf often, he behoved to have fuffered often. 4. And is it not clear, that great intereſt of truth, the Reformed Church is now preſſed to appear upon, againſt Popery, is the Doctrine of Chriſt delivered to us in the Scripture, as that whereon we muſt found and reſolve our faith, and not the Authority of men, which they ſo expreſly oppoſe and deny; ſo as it is no leſs than the Chriſtian cauſe and quarrel, for which all who loves the truth, are called to contend, and that we ſhould not be bereſt of that bleſſed infallible rule and ſtandart of truth, by thoſe, whoſe great aime is, to have it denuded of all Authority, but what is precarious and dependent on them: nor to be ſo much as intelligible, and to have an articular voice, until they cauſe it ſpeak, and put what ſenſe thereon they pleaſe.
CONSID. III.
THirdly, It may be aſtoniſhing (and is ſurely one of the greateſt depths of the Judgment of God this day) to ſee what of the world, with their own conſent, is ſubjected to ſo viſible, and notour an impoſture, as Popery is, whilſt ſuch, as it would ſeeme not conceiveable, how men can exerce reaſon, and not as in a deep ſleep, and have this hid from their eyes, the obvious deceit and impoſture of ſuch a way, where no Religion but a compound of humane Policy, with their own private intereſt and gain, is wholly intended. About which, I ſhall offer, (I hope I may with ſome confidence ſay, it's for the truths ſake) a ſhort touch here at, in ſome undeniable juſtances.
1. None will debate how this way is framed for ſuch an intereſt, that there may be a g…aunt and allowance from the Pope for any ſin, and to tranſgreſs the expreſs Lawes of the great Lawgiver, yea this put to ſale; Oh what a ſtrange device, that for money men may have a liberty to deſtroy themſelves: Whilſt on the other hand, nothing is followed with more ſevere threatnings, then an abſolute ſubjecting …o their arbitrary Commands, ſo that one may ſafely diſobey the holy God, and this with a warrant; but not the Pope, and his Clergy under the hazard of condemuation.
2. That ſuch a ſtock and treaſure of merites ſhould be in keeping by the Romiſh Church, and under their truſt to diſpoſe of, as a thing depoſited into their hand by ſuch, who had more than enough for themſelves to ſerve for the uſe of others? And thus at their diſpoſal to give out thereof to ſatisfy divine Juſtice for thoſe, who have not ſufficient merite of their own; this only being neceſſarily provided, that theſe who get a ſhare of ſuch a treaſure, compenſe it by ſomewhat equiv…lent, and buy it ere they have it: but herein could they never reſolve the world how to be ſure, if theſe merites were truely more than ſuch, whoſe they were, needed themſelves, or how they came into their hand, or was intruſted by them to apply; or if their ſtrength be not long ſince ſpent and exhauſted by ſo long continued application in ſuch innumerable indulgences given out of that treaſury: Oh! what a deplorable contrivance is here, which I confeſs, ſhould be owned as one of the greateſt Maſter pieces of cheatry, as ever the world knew; if it were only to cheat men of their purſe, but this goes further, to thoſe great intereſts, of the immortal ſoul; and yet ſo many will not ſee the viſible intent of this trade and merchandice, that it is indeed the merchandice of the ſouls of men, ſo expreſly foretold by the holy Ghoſt, Rev. 18: 13.
3. Their taking on them to change the condition of the dead, and enſure to their friends the happy eſtate of their ſoul upon ſome large offerings to the Church for this. As likewiſe that reſpect and veneration they require from men to the reliques of the Saints deceaſed, whereto they aſcribe ſuch power both againſt fin, and for healing diſeaſes of the body: yea moſt of theſe pretended reliques, ſuch as muſt neceſſarily plead ſome extraordinary miracle to be wrought for their continued preſervation, that thus they may with confidence perſwade the world, their having ſome bone or ſcull of the Apoſtles & Primitive Saincts to be ſtill ſeen, if any have a heart to give a price for it.
4. That the Romiſh Pope is the true Succeſſor of Peter, and thus Chriſts Vicar as they tearme him, upon the earth which men muſt needs take upon truſt, with an implicite, faith from ſuch, whoſe preferment, and gain in the World ſhould be other wiſe ruined, if this be not taken off their hand, whilſt yet it is ſo undeniable, at what a ſtrait they are, to put a handſome ſhape on this device, or how the World can know upon any ſure gronud. 1. How Peter was at Rome, or that he was ſetled in a peculiar manner Biſhop in that See, which neither Scripture, nor the moſt ancient records of the Church gives the leaſt ſhadow of ground for. 2, How the Pope becometh his Succeſſor, or upon what warrant, yea, that this ſhould be an Article of mens faith, where the Scripture is wholly ſilent. 3. How that pretended ſucceſſion to Peter in that particular Dioceſs of Rome, ſhould have a Catholick Power and Headſhip over the whole Church annexed thereto, ſo as all who ſucceed in in the one, muſt alſo in the other. 4. How a warrantable Succeſſion of each particular Pope; can be made ſure to the Apoſtle, upon this pretended right, and that he hath lawfully ſucceeded; ſince if this be nul, and the election be unlawful, they have then with their own conſent no promiſe of Aſſiſtance, nor obedience in this caſe due. 5. When it is ſo clear, that the Power of the Keyes were given no leſs to the reſt of the Apoſtles, then to Peter, as is expreſs Matth. 18: 18, 19. yea, that Peter claimed no ſuch preſidence amongſt the reſt of the Apoſtles, as may be ſeen Act. 15. upon what ground can they thus refound ſo great a claime as this? Oh what an amazing infatuation are thoſe in, who ſhould take this upon truſt, the very recital whereof is ſo obvious a refutation of it ſelf: And that on ſuch a pretended Power and Supremacy of Peter, the whole weight and ſuperſtructure of the Romiſh Hierarchy muſt leane, yea which is of a higher concerne, that on this, by undeniable conſequence, muſt be rolled over a weight no leſs, than the eternal intereſt, and periſhing of many millions of ſouls. who upon this Plenary Power and Infallibility of the Pope, thus founded upon ſuch a ground, do adventure with ſuch an Acquittance and Abſolution, as their ſecurity into another World.
5. That notable device of Purgatory may be a convincing witneſs to the horrid impoſture of Popery, than which nothing could have been more ſubſervient to that great deſigne of a lucrative intereſt, and to keep the people under a continued aw and terror; yea what improvement for ſo many ages they have made of this for their own private gain, that it may be ſeen, the Romiſh Church ſhould loſe one of the greateſt revenues it hath, if purgatory were not kept up amongſt them, & is beyond reckoning by themſelves what continued income this hath had, & quantum haec fabula profuit Romanae Eccleſiae. But Oh! ſuch as will thus adventure hereon, may have ſaddeſt cauſe to feare, that this Purgatory, on their immediat parting with time, be found a real hell, whence no releaſe, or Poſſibility thereof can be, though all the treaſures of the earth could be given for the ſame; and then ſhall know this ſad verification of this truth 2 Theſ. 2: 11, 12. Which ſo expreſly points at Antichriſtian Popery, for this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſion, to believe a lye, becauſe they received not the Love of the Truth, that they might be ſaved; that they all may be damned, who believe not the Truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſs.
6. What ſtrange account do their legends give of their pretended Miracles, as the moſt effectual way to gain c…edit to theſe Doctrines, which they ſee can have no poſſible founding … the Scripture; ſuch as that we may judge thoſe, who are but in the leaſt knowing amongſt them, wonder, how Credit could be expected from any thereto, ſuch as they tell us of S. Francis, how he was greater then John the Baptist, and better then all the Apoſtles, who in Viſion received the Wounds of Chriſt, ſuffered the ſame griefs, in whom all vertues of the Saints, as well under the Old, as under the New Teſtament, ar put unitivè & conjunctivè, and after, moſt blaſphemouſly puts him in the ſame roome with our moſt bleſſed Lord, by reaſon of a ſcedule which they ſay Leo the Friar ſaw deſcend from Heaven, and fell on the Head of Francis, whereon was write, this man is the grace of God, and example of all perfection, &c. This Book, wherein theſe; yea where more horride blaſphemies are written, called liber conformitatum impreſsis Bononiae Fol. 3, & 250. is called by them their golden book, with this expreſs clauſe underneath by a general conſent of the Chapter of that Order, …ye have ſearched▪ this book, and found nothing worthy of correction. Such an inſtance alſo is he, whom they call St Dominick, of whom they ſhew that Chriſt raiſed three only from the dead, but S. Dominick, three in one City that he had the Angels at his Service, (but it may be eaſy to judge what Angels they were) how the Elements did obey him, and the Devils trembled at him: how he had a ſtar in his forehead, when he was Baptized, and reſtored fourty ſtrangers to life that where over whelmed in a ſhip, and long under the water, with much more of this kind; publiſhed to the World by Anthony an Archbiſhop of his Order. Anthon. Arch. Pag. 3, 23. but with theſe famous inſtances may be ſitly joined two Nunes, no leſs known and publick, who if they had lived in one time, and their order could have allowed it, might have been ſuteably matcht with other, the one is Magdalena de Cruce, Abbeſs of a Monaſtery of Franciſcan Nunnes, who by the Power of the Devil appeared to Mariners in a ſtorme at ſea, when invocate, and the ſtorme calmed, was ſometimes lift up into the air, and the Sacrament went up viſibly out of the Prieſts hand that ſaid Maſs, through the air before all that look on, unto her: was of ſuch repute, that not only many ladies in Spain but the Queen alſo when ſhe was near to be brought to bed, ſent the mantles wherein the Child was to be wrapt, for her to bleſs: yet at length upon cleareſt diſcovery, and her own confeſſion, found to be a witch, in expreſs compact with the Devil ſince ſhe was nine Years old, ſo as the Spaniſh Inquiſitors could not get ſhifted ſome forme of Sentence againſt her Anno 1540. A paſſage, the truth whereof the Romiſh Church will not offer to diſown, the relation being ſo publick and known by their own writers: And indeed ſhe was well ſuted to be an Abbeſs of S, Francis Order. The other Inſtance is that relation ſet forth by one Stephen de Luſignan dedicated to the French Queen of the great Miracles in the Year 1586, which hapned to the Prioreſs de le Annonciado of Lisbon in Portugal, approved by the greateſt Church men there, whoſe names are ſet down, how uſually Chriſt appeared to her, and talked with her, and had the impreſs of his five wounds put upon her, with many ſuch ſtrange things, ſo as ſeverals were incited through the fame of her, to become Nunnes, yet at laſt was by a mervellous providence from the Lord, diſcovered, and all to be an impoſture, confeſſing the ſame her ſelf, with the whole manner of it, ſo as the evidence thereof did enforce the Archbiſhop of Lisbon, with the Inquiſition to make ſome ſhew of condemning her, as is printed at Seville 1589. but the diſcovery came too late of this, or rather too ſoon for their intereſt; after the relation of her Miracles had gone a broad. Theſe inſtances I only here touch, of which ſo many elſe are known to the world, that it may be ſeene, on what ſignes and lying wonders, this party leanes for the ſupport of their Doctrine, which may not abide the light of the Scripture. But oh! It may be ſad, and amazing in this day, when the truth is ſo clearly ſhewed forth, how ſo much the World ſeemes to have loſt all ſight and impreſſions thereof, yea, turned at that rate Atheiſtical, to be thus impoſed upon, for ſubjecting to that way, where the baite cannot be more diſcernable then the hook, and where men muſt quite both Religion and Reaſon at once, in getting ſuch a ſtile as this of a Roman Catholick.
CONSID. IV.
FOurthly, Whilſt this ſtrange ſight we have this day before us of the Romiſh ſtate and Hierarchy, with that peculiar frame and mould it is caſt in, ſo different from other Kingdomes of the world, of ſuch numerous orders and degrees, reſolving in one Monarch and head the man of ſin; after whom the world ſo long hath wondered. Let us but ſeriouſly alſo conſider what true account antiquitie, on which they ſo much lean, gives of this way.
1. How clear and noture, even to admiration is that diſcovery ſo many ages paſt, of this Adverſary, his ſhape, the way and manner of his appearance, and ſo expreſly foretold by the holy Ghoſt, as we now ſee with our eyes in the event, when upon no principles of Reaſon, or the leaſt of viſible appearances ſuch future emergencies could ever been foreſeen, or have entered into mens thoughts, that it may be demonſtrably evident to all, this only could have been revealed by him, to whom all his works are known from the beginning.
2. As the Scripture ſhewes that early riſe this myſtery of iniquity had, and its beginning to work with the firſt dawnings of Chriſtianity, though then more undiſcernably, and under ground: This we may know alſo, under whoſe hand this monſtruous birth was moſt ripened, and brought forth, to a more Publick View of the World: to wit that horrid and vile wretch Phocas, who then uſurped the Empire, and conſpired againſt his Maſter Mauritius, and as all Hiſtories of that time ſhewes, what a plague and judgement from the Lord he was to the world, ſo as, its related of a holy man, who then lived, after much wreſtlings in prayer with God with ſome ſerious enquiry, why ſuch a vilewretch had been ſet up over the Empire, got in a ſtrange m…nner this anſwere, quia non inveni pejorem. Yet this cruel and brutiſh man Phocas, as the Popiſh writers themſelves are forced to confeſs, was he, for whom Gregory the great by his legate, doth ſo congratulate his advancement, as he ſummonds the Angels and all the Saints in heaven to rejoice therein. After whoſe death, the ſucceeding Pope Boniface did ſo far inſinuate on this Emperiour, as to divide him from the Greek Patriarch, and obtained the granting of that Chartour, upon which their pretended right ſtands, to be univerſal head and Biſhop of the Chriſtian Church; a very obvious ſuteableneſs being here, for one bloody uſurper, as this was, who roſe upon the aſſaſination of that good Emperour and his Children, to make thus way for another; nor a fitter mean could have been found to help the man of ſin to his throne, than this Phocas, for which ſee Baron. 81. an 603. art. 3.
3. It ſhould be remarkable, that concurrance of things was then for the more full diſcovery of this Adverſary, and of his being revealed to be that man of ſin ſhewed by the holy Ghoſt, 2 Theſ. 2: 3. when their own greateſt writers are enforced to tell, ſince this could not poſſibly be hid, how from the eighth Century, and ſeveral ages after, ſuch as exerced the papal power, were for the moſt part, ſo many prodigies of wickedneſs in their time, that thoſe Hiſtories ſeemes to want words to expreſs the horrour and abomination of ſuch as were Popes, for which let any but read Platina himſelf lih. 5. upon Benedict the 4. and many others, of their lives, where he ſhewes, how they were become ſuch, as laying aſide all divine Worſhip, like cruel tyrrants did exerce their malice in the world; but that ſome of them lived not long, God taking them away as ſo many Monſters of men: but more fully doth Cardinal Benno ſpeak to this, yea Baronius alſo in his Annales Tom. 10. how it was then known their ordinary uſe of Magick, conſulting with the Devil, and giving themſelves over to theſe horrid Villanies, as no heathen records almoſt give ſuch an account. And, which are Baronius his own words, though one of the greateſt friends to the Popiſh intereſt, that ſuch was the face of the Romiſh Church, as Sees were changed, Biſhopricks and Church offices given at the pleaſure of the vileſt Strumpets that then bare rule at Rome. Now this is that true antiquity they have to boaſt of to the world, and of thoſe Popes, whoſe infallibility in all matters of faith they would perſwade men to rely on.
4. How undeniable is it from thoſe times, when the Romiſh Hierarchy once began to ripen to its height, what ſoreſt plagues did thus follow and break in on the Chriſtian world, yea, what an inlet of groſſeſt ignorance was therewith, not only of divine things, but of all humane literature, and morality; as from the concurrance of hiſtories then is clear; that with the ſeveral ſteps of the advance of the Popiſh grandour and power, the world did gradually turne worſe, yea, and in a ſtrange manner became barbarous, rude and ſavage, ſo as both Baronius and others of their writers, (who, they know intended no reflection upon their way, further then neceſſity enforced them to ſpeak) ſhewes, ſuch was the face of thoſe times, as it was a matter of ſuſpition to know the Greek language, but to have any knowledge of the Hebrew, was no leſs than hereſie; yea calleth them infaeliciſſima & luctuoſiſſima Romanae Eccleſiae tempora, and that theſe and following ages were ſuch, wherein all things both humane and divine, were in viſible confuſion.
5. And is it not noture to all, who conſults the Church records what a flood not only in diſſolutneſs of practice, but Atheiſme in Principles did remarkeably then break forth on the Chriſtian world, with that advance of the Romiſh intereſt towards its height; ſo as thoſe, who were ſerious in the matters of truth, were almoſt brought to a queſtioning of the whole of the Goſpel, and any ſound founding of their faith in the matters of God, whilſt Religion ſeemed to be almoſt loſt in fabulous traditions, and humane inventions, thus Fredrick the third King of Suily, a religious Prince in ſuch dark times, was ſtaggered about the Chriſtian faith, and made to queſtion if the Goſpel was not ſome humane device, as is publiſhed at length in his conference with Arnoldus de Villanova a learned man, upon theſe grounds. 1. That the whole Clergy great and ſmall conformed their lives no wiſe to the Scripture, had no regard to the ſouls of the people, and diſcharged ſacred offices, for a forme only, or elſe in ſcorne and mockery, which then was ſo noture, as it could not be hid. 2. That thoſe of the more ſevere order of Monks did obviouſly evidence hypocriſy, impiety, wantonneſs, rapine, yea incredulity about the Goſpel it ſelf. 3. That in a Doctrine ſo weighty, and of ſuch conſequence, as the Chriſtian faith, the Romish Church ſeemed ſo little concerned, were intangled in worldly affaires, and no courſe ſet on foot for propagation of the Goſpel, to ſatisfy whom Arnoldus shewed, how expreſly ſuch defection, and theſe corruptions were foretold under the New Teſtament, as that conference published by him ſelf shewes. And beſides, it is known what advantage the viſible groſneſs of Popery gave to Mahumidaniſme, and for many's falling off from the viſible Profeſſion of Chriſtianity; which cauſed Averroes the Philoſopher to cry out, Cum Chriſtiani Deum ſuum manducent, ſit anima mea cum Philoſophis. Yea enforced ſuch, who gave any ſerious look to the Scripture, to ſay, that either the Scripture was not the Word of God, or ſuch as profeſſed the ſame, were not Chriſtians. And when thus Atheiſme may be ſeene to follow Popery as its native effect, and mutually concurre together. Oh! what might be feared from ſuch an obvious conjunction of both in this time, if the truth and faithfulneſs of God were not his Churches ſecurity.
CONSID. V.
FIfthly, Sould it not ſeeme ſtrange, and ſuch, as no reaſon can truely anſwere, why in theſe times Kings & great men of the earth hath given their power to ſupport the Romish interest, when this ſo viſibly is deſtructive to the juſt right, and intereſt of all Magiſtrats; but that we ſee it is of God, in giving than ſo far up in his ſecret judgment, until the Scripture be fulfilled, as is clear, Rev. 17: 17. for Its ſure, otherwiſe theſe things can not be hid from their eyes.
1. That as the grandour of the Romish Church grew up, how the Kings of the earth by giving their power thereto, loſt their own, and by their concurrace in this deſigne were no leſs evidently depreſſed, than the other raiſed; ſo as all, who look in on the hiſtory of ſuch times, may clearly ſee the ſeveral ſteps of the Popes advance, in coming to his height, and of the Empir's declining and fall, both in the Eaſterne and weſterne parts, moſt viſibly meet in one and the ſame hiſtory: yea thus, how quickly Magiſtracy, and the power thereof was turned to an Image and shadow, that it could not further live and act, but as it was enlivened with the Romish breath, yea, how quickly in a few ages after Phocas; the greateſt of the weſterne Emperors were forced to bow at the Popes feet, ſo as Henry the fourth was put to ſtand three dayes in the cold winter barefooted at the Pop's gates, ere he could be reconciled, upon ſome pretended quarrel he had againſt him; yea the Popish writers accounts it their honour to tell the world how Fredrick Barbaroſſa, the firſt Emperor of that name, was made to lay his neck under Pope Alexanders feet, until he trampled thereon, blaſphemouſly making uſe of that Scripture, Pſ. 91. that thus he would tread upon the Lyon and the Dragon: before he could obtain his ſon's liberty then in priſon in Venice, and at the Pop's diſpoſing. And here we may have a conſpicuous Commentar on that Scripture, 2 Theſ. 2: 3. that this let, which was to be taken out of the way of the man of ſin's being revealed, as is there foretold, was not the heathen Empire of Rome only, but the Roman Empire in its integrity and ſtrength even after it was Chriſtian.
2. It is undeniable from the Romish Doctrine and Principles, that power the Pope and Rulers of their Church owns to dethrone Kings, and tranferre their Kingdomes to others, and by there Interdiction to looſe ſubjects from any tye or alledgeance to their Prince, to bind or looſe mens conſciences, as they find their own intereſt ſtand; and by that plenitude of their Churches power, to exempt Eccleſiaſtick Perſons from the Lawes of Magiſtrats, ſo as they may not be judged by theſe, for the moſt horride and notorious Crimes, which the Civil Power ought to punish; whilſt their Church immunities are a City of refuge for retreat.
3. And as the Romish Religion ſtricks at the very roo… of Piety and Godlineſs, when by the Popes Power, yea of ordinary Prieſts, it can diſpenſe with the moſt horride Acts of wickedneis, murther, adultery, rapts, inceſt, ſodomy, and hath their rates ſtated at what price they can purchaſs a full abſolution for the ſame, ſo doth it thus no leſs viſibly ſtrick at the greateſt ſecurity of Government, and that which foundeth the ſtrongeſt Obligations to all Civil and Moral Duties, which is to have the aw and regard of Religion kept up in a nation.
4. It is clear alſo how the Romish Doctrine ſubverts truth and righteouſneſs amongſt men, which is the greateſt ſecurity of all Perſonal intereſts, when it avowedly warrants equivocation both in Oaths and Words, and in ſuch doubtful tearmes to ſweare, as may be directly contrair to the intention of the judge requiring the ſame, ſo as an Oath in judgment cannot be the end of controverſy, yea by their Doctrine expreſly teaches alſo, that a man is not bound to repent preſently for the moſt hainous ſins, but is only neceſſar in the laſt extreame of Life.
5. Are not the Principles of the Romish Religion ſuch as are viſibly deſtructive even to humane ſociety, in ſo profeſſed owning, under a pretended zeal againſt hereſy (for ſuch is the Doctrine of Chriſt unto them) thoſe Prodigies of cruelty, which we should think humane nature, though corrupt, could not but tremble at, without being tranſformed into the very image of the Devil? Such as the French and Irish Maſſacres, the Netherland perſecution under the Duke of Alva, the Spanish Inquiſition, and thoſe bloody years under Queene Mary's reigne in England, do before all the world witneſs; yea, its obvious, how no cruelty, even of the Heathens in the firſt times of the Church can almoſt be found to parallel with Popish cruelty, where they can have a doore opened for this. Oh! That it should be ſo little ſeen and laid to heart at this day, how the common intereſt and concerne of all Princes and Magiſtrats, even upon their own civil rights, is to contend againſt this greateſt adverſary, that ever Jeſus Chriſt had upon the earth, and if now be not believed, ſaddeſt experience may yet make this clear, that in thoſe parts, where the truth hath been received and embraced, and by the good hand of the Lord reſcued from the yoke and dominion of Antichriſt, that its ſure, the ſecurity of the Church and Commonwealth is there neceſſarily conjoyned ſo, that if the Proteſtant intereſt should weare out, and the truth decline, the land cannot poſſibly be ſafe, where once this had been received.
The Romish intereſt now ſeemes to gain ground, yea a ſtrange and unuſual conjūction to promote that way; but its well, we know a more bleſſed and infallible ſecurity, than outward appearances to reſt upon: and with that aſſurance, as we can be perſwaded of an eternal ſalvation by Jeſus Chriſt. It is ſure alſo. 1. That the victory and deciſion of this warre shall be on the Lambs ſide, and thoſe that are with him muſt overcome, when the living God hath paſt his word thereupon, to his Church; and though we may ſet no bounds, as to any particular time, we have ſolide ground to believe that a more remarkeable ſtroke, above all that hath been hitherto, haſteneth upon the Kingdome of Antichriſt. 2. That who ſoever withdraw, and think it their intereſt now to keep a diſtance in any adventuring for the truth, yet light and deliverance shall ariſe to the Church from another airth; but this shall not be their eſcape and outgate: Yea though it ſeeme a ſtrange contradiction to ſenſe and reaſon, it is to be the matter of our faith, that aſſuredly now the riſe and advance of the reformed Church is on foot, and her sharpeſt conflicts and wreſtlings muſt tend thereunto. 3. Though the Spirit of interceſſion and prayer may be too diſcernably found under a ſad reſtraint, as to what hath been in former times in the Church▪ yet this ſure, that many prayers and groans once put up by an innumerable company who now are in heaven, in behalf of the Church, and for that ſolemne day of Babylons fall, yet waits and ſtill cryes before the throne; ſuch prayers, wherein they had greateſt acceſs and liberty by the help of the Spirit, for powring out their ſouls thus before the Lord. 4. It's ſure we are to believe, that inſtruments shall be yet raiſed, and called for that end with a mervelous appearance of God upon them, to execute the judgment written againſt this Adverſary; and O what a bleſſed, and honourable ſervice shall it be? 5. Should this not otherwiſe be made out, but through a ſea of blood, and wounding the heads over many Countries, yea in a way (as we have cleareſt ground to judge) which humane reaſon could never reach. It is ſure, this cannot be wanting, and when the God of truth hath ſaid, ſuch an enemy shall be brought down, his Counſel muſt ſtand, though all the Kingdomes of the earth ſtood in the way thereof; Oh! at what a rate does theſe now run themſelves in the way of his wrath and vengeance, and to be partakers of the ſame plagues with Antichriſt, who yet will not ceaſe, for giving their power to ſupport that accurſed and falling intereſt.
FINIS.
End of the text · Robert Flemming, The Truth and Certainty of the Protestant Faith (1678)