The Ancient Christian Religion, Book 4 · Treatise 1 · Part 2

The Ancient Christian Religion · Book 4 · Treatise 1 · Part 2

p. 26The Second Part sheweth, That the present Papal Church of Rome, is not the Church of Christ, for divers important Causes or Reasons.

WE have heard of how dangerous a Consequence the Papal Opinion is, which leads them to set up their own Authority (under pretence of their being the Church) above the Holy Scripture; insomuch as they allow it no Authority, till it be delivered to us for God's Word, by their Church; so that by this Doctrine, we must find their Church, before we can find the Word of God, as it is contained in the Scripture.

Upon which Consideration, we shall endeavour to shew, That the present Papal Church, is not the true Church of Christ; and therefore what Power soever the Church hath, yet they cannot have it, Because they are not the Church of Christ.

The First Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome, cannot possibly prove her self to be the Church of Christ: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The First Reason maintained.

THe Consequence of the Argument no understanding Man can deny; for unless a Party pretending to be the Church of Christ, can some ways sufficiently prove that they are his Church, they cannot reasonably blame any body that refuses so to account of them. And for the Antecedent, namely, that it is impossible for the present Papal Church to prove her self the Church of Christ, it is evident from this ground, viz. They make both the Scripture, and all other Writings, depend on their Church for their Authority; and therefore they must prove themselves to be the Church without the help of any Authentical or Authoritative Writings; which thing is impossible for them to do.

Being thus divested of the help of all Records, as is more fully shewed above, there remains now nothing for them to lean upon, but their own Evidence, or the Tradition of their Fore-fathers; not that which is contained in any Records, but only that which hath been delivered by word from Man to Man, &c. But alas! What Tradition is this they speak of? Not the Tradition of the Church to us, till the Persons delivering the same, be found to be the Church; which, as before, they cannot be found to be, p. 27without the Scripture. And for their own Evidence, that may not prove them to be the Church to those that contend with them; it cannot avail them, sith each Party contending in this case, will, and may, as reasonably as the Papists, look that their own Testimony should be as available for these, as the other for those.

It is as vain here to tell us, they are the Church, because the true marks of the Church do agree to the Papal Church, and none else. For, first, the true Marks of the Church are confessed by the Papists to be found in the Scripture; which Scripture they receive not, but from the Authority of their Church, (yea, their present Church) Author of the 7 Queries.so that till the Scripture can tell us Authoritatively which be the Marks of the Church, no Church can be found by those Marks; nor can the Scripture tell us of those Marks Authoritatively, till Rome, as a Church, give it us for God's Word: So then Rome must be found the Church, before there be any Marks to find her by; which is impossible.

As for Example; To clear this Matter further, the Papists say, That Holiness is a Mark of the True Church. But now set the Holy Scripture aside, and how shall I know Holiness from Unholiness, without the Scripture? Here the Papists being in a strait, rather than they will let the Law of God, or the Scripture have the preheminence, do answer thus; Author of the 7 Queries.That we have a Law in our Consciences, which dictates what is good, and what is otherwise; and by this Law, even a Heathen may judg our Church holier than any other Congregations of Christians.

What a miserable plunge (of Heathenism or Quakerism) are they brought to here? How do they know that a Heathen may, by the Law of Conscience, judg their Church to be more Holy than ANY other Congregation of Christians? Were they ever Heathens to know this? But alas! What Holiness can a Heathen judg of? Surely not that which is an infallible Mark of the True Church; for this Spiritual Matter is foolishness to the Natural Man; nor can he know it, because it's spiritually discerned. It is true, there is a Holiness discernable by the Law of our Consciences. But this only, is not an infallible Mark, that any Society is the Church of Christ; nor did ever any Man (I am perswaded) hold forth such a Doctrine, that was a faithful Minister of the New Testament, or Spirit.

Again, What of this kind of Holiness, whereof a Heathen (as such) can judg, is there found among the Papists, which may not be found among the Baptists? yea, among those that are opposite to both, as the Quakers and others; yea, among the very Jews and Turks may be found as much of this kind of Holiness as among the Papists, if any credit may be given to Histories.

Sometimes the Papists do object the **It would be here noted, That neither the Marks of Unity, Universality, &c. nor the Creed, do prove a People that have them all, to be the Church; because none of them mention Baptism, without which there cannot be a visible Church.Creed as sufficient, to demonstrate a Man to be a Member of the Church, though he know not whether there be any Scripture. But I answer, How shall this be proved to be the Creed? It must not be its own Evidence; for then the Scripture may as well speak for it self, which the Papists will not allow; nor can the Church of p. 28Rome confer any Authority upon the Creed, till they be found to be the Church: So then this is the Conclusion, Rome must be found to be the Church, before there be a Creed.

I do therefore humbly desire these few Observations may be seriously thought upon by all sober Men, but especially the Papists, that so Men may give to the Holy Scriptures, that which is proper to them; that is, That they may speak, without controul, both for themselves, and every thing else of a Religious Consideration; or else all Volumns of the Ancients, and Societies of Men, pretending to Christianity, (as things stand in our days) must depart into utter silence.

The Second Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome hath no Baptism: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The Second Reason maintained.

BY the word Baptism in the Argument, I mean only the Baptism of Water, in the Name of the Father, &c. or, which is all one, the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of Sins. Now that the present Papal Church of Rome hath not this Baptism; is evident by this Argument, taken from their own Confession, viz.

The Baptism of the True Church is found in the Scripture. But the Baptism of the present Papal Church of Rome is not grounded upon, nor mentioned in the Scripture. Therefore the present Papal Church of Rome hath no Baptism.

The first Proposition is most clear, from Mat. 28. 19, 20. Act. 2. Act. 8. Act. 9. Act. 16. Act. 18. Act. 19. Act. 22. 16. Rom. 6. Gal. 3. 27. Col. 2. 11, 12. Heb. 6. 1, 2. 1 Pet. 3. 21.

And, that the Papists Baptism is not found in the Scripture, I prove thus. Because they themselves do confess, that Infant Baptism is not mentioned in the Scripture, nor grounded upon the Scripture, nor any Scripture for it. See to this purpose, the Works of Bellarmin; and a Book entituled, An Antidote, written by S. N. a Popish Doctor; as also T. B. his End to Controversie. In which Books you will find the very words which I have repeated. Add hereunto the Answer which I received from the Author of the Seven Queries, when I asked him what Controversies in Religion he could resolve without the written Word of God? He assigned Infant-Baptism, as one that was so to be resolved.

So then, we have it pro confesso from the Papists own Mouths, That their Baptism (which is Infant-Baptism) is a Scriptureless Baptism: Therefore say I, it is no Baptism.

No Baptism, I say; because the Church hath but one Baptism of Water, and it is mentioned in the Scripture, and grounded upon it, and much Scripture found for it: so it is not Infant-Baptism which is the Baptism of the present Papal Church. Therefore the Papal Baptism is no Baptism. p. 27How can they defend themselves? Will they say, the Church hath a Scripture-Baptism, and an unwritten Baptism? This they must say and prove, or else deny their Infant-Baptism.

But, secondly, The present Papal Church is so adulterated in the manner of the Administration of Baptism, as that had they a true Subject for Baptism, yet, they could be found to have no Baptism. This will appear as clear as the Light, from the Papists own confession; for they grant, That the Ancient and Primitive way of Baptizing, was, by dipping the party Baptized over the head and ears in Water; and that it was their Church which changed this way, to a little sprinkling upon the Forehead. This is plainly to be seen in a Book, entituled, Certamen Religiosum.

This bold Change, which Men, without any allowance from God, have made in this Ministration of Baptism, is directly against the Scripture, Mat. 3. 16. Mark 15. 9. John 3. 23. Acts 8. 38, 39. Rom. 6. In all which places it's evident, that our Lord Jesus, John Baptist, and the other Baptists of those times, did so understand the Mind of God, in respect of the manner of the Administration of Baptism, as that they thought it could not be done without so much Water as they might go into (both the Person Baptizing, and the Person to be Baptized). And now, do not all that will presume to satisfie themselves in this thing, with a few drops of Water put on the Face only, from a Man's Fingers ends, or out of a Glass in the Midwifes Pocket, lay great folly and ignorance to the charge of Christ and his Primitive followers? Doubtless such, as is not less than the folly of that Man, that hath occasion only for one Gill of Water, and he may take it up at the side of a Brook, and yet will needs wade into the middle of a River to take it up; or a Man that hath occasion to wash his Hands only, which he may perform very commodiously without wetting his Foot, and yet is so simple that he will needs go into the middle of the River to that purpose, especially such a River where there is much Water. I say, the practice of Sprinkling which the Papists and others use, if that answer the Mind of God in the case of Baptism, doth even thus reflect upon Christ and the Christians in those Days. But let our Saviour's practice herein be justified, and all such Practices as tend to the rendring it ridiculous, condemned.

The Papists only Reserve for the defence of Infant-Baptism, is this: They say it is an Apostolical Tradition; that is, a Precept delivered by the Apostles Word, but not mentioned in their Writings.

This I shall shew to be utterly false, for divers important Reasons. First, No Apostolical Tradition, tends to the making Null or Void any Apostolical Writing. But Infant-Sprinkling makes null and void all that is written in the Scriptures, concerning the subject and manner of Baptism, in all that part of the World where the Papists (or such as they) get the Civil Power on their side: Yea, we see that by this means the Sons of Men are great enemies to the Way of God in this matter. How long have many Nations lain destitute of the knowledg of the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of Sins, by reason of the interposition of this cloudy Tradition of Paedo-rantism? How have Men, pretending to be Ministers of Christ, never in many Generations preached Peter's Doctrine, p. 28Repent, and be Baptized, every one of you, for the remission of Sins. Note this Observation well; for although the Baptism of Repentance, &c. hath not been cried down in the Nations of Christendom, (by such as counted themselves the only Preachers of the Gospel) yet it was not for that these Nations had no need of the practice of Baptism; for they daily have practised something under that notion, which is their Infant-Sprinkling: So that it's plain, Infant-Baptism makes void the Apostolical Writings: Therefore Infant-Baptism is no Apostolical Tradition.

Secondly, Infant-Baptism is not an Apostolical Tradition, because no mention is made of it in the first Hundred Years after Christ. Although I am not much read, yet I have used the utmost of my diligence to know the Truth in this Point, and have attained to sufficient satisfaction, that the greatest favourer of Infant-Baptism that yet I have met with, durst not say that ever he saw any Record of Antiquity that mentioned such a thing; and that the Scriptures do not mention it, the Papists grant.

And because the Papists make such boast of the consent which they have in this matter from Antiquity, I will therefore here put in something by way of Evidence to the contrary. For it is certain that Infant-Baptism, as it was not heard of in the first Hundred, so neither was it generally received till above half a Thousand Years revolved from Christ, as is undeniable: for that it is plain, that the most famous (or at least, very famous) Christian Parents brought up their Children without having them Baptized; such were the Parents of Greg. Nazianzen, Ambrose, Augustine, and others; yea, the Emperour Constantius, born of Christian Parents, was not Baptized till he was about **See a Book, entituled, A well grounded. Treatise concerning Baptism.Thirty Years of Age. See also these ensuing Testimonies.

Justin Mart. in orat. ad Autho. pium.I will declare unto you, how we offer up our selves unto God in Baptism. After that we are renewed through Christ, such as are instructed in the Faith, and believe that which we teach them, being to live according to the same; we admonish to Fast and Pray, and we Fast and Pray with them; then they are brought to the Waters, and there calling on the Name of the Father, &c. they are washed in it. So saith Erasmus's Paraphrase on Mat. 28. If they believe that which you teach them, and begin to be repentant of their former life, then Dip them in Water, in the Name, &c.

Jerom. super Mat. 28.Matt 28The Lord commanded his Apostles, that they should first instruct all Nations, and afterward baptize those that were instructed: For it cannot be that the Body should receive the Sacrament of Baptism, unless the Soul have received before the true Faith.

Athan. in serm. 3. cont. A…an.Our Saviour did not slightly command to Baptize, but first of all He said, Teach, and then Baptize, that true Faith might come by Teaching, and Baptism be perfected by Faith.

Haimo saith, Haimo. in postil. sup. text.In this place (Mat. 28.) is set down a Rule rightly how to Baptize, that is, that Teaching should go before Baptism: For, he saith, Teach all Nations, (and then he saith) and Baptize them: For, he that is to be Baptized, must be before Instructed, that he first learn to believe, that which in Baptism he shall receive: For, as Faith without Works is dead; so Works, if they have no Faith, are nothing worth.

p. 29Beda saith, Beda super Acts 19.Acts 19All they that came to the Apostles to be Baptized, were instructed of them, and when they were Instructed concerning the Sacrament of Baptism, they received the holy Administration thereof.

Tertullian, who lived about the time when Infant-Baptism began to appear, did dispute against it, as an unnecessary practice, for divers causes. Tertul. Qui sunt Bapt. parvi.1. For that it is not meet to commit Heavenly things, to those who are not capable of keeping treasure of an earthly nature. 2. For that the Sponsors might be endangered. 3. For that it became them that were to be baptized, to fast, pray, and confess their Sins. 4. Because they that receive Christ, must ask him; let them (that is, little ones) come therefore, saith he, while they are youths, whilst wherein they come, they are taught, &c.

Augustine saith, Aug. de Civitat. Dei.We spend much time in exhorting those whom we baptize — Ludovicus Vives, commenting upon this place, saith, Lest any Man should mistake this place of Augustine, let him know that in old time it was the custom to baptize None, except they were of full Age, and did desire Baptism in their own Persons, and that several times; and did understand what that Mystical Water meant, which we see resembled in our baptizing of Infants.

[Lo here! your Poedo-baptism is not the old Custom of the Church.]

The Third Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome, is a National Church: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The third Reason maintained.

1. TO make the Gospel-Church National, consequently destroys the Doctrine of Conversion, as it is a principle of the Doctrine of Christ appertaining to the beginning of a Christian Man. For, if Men can regenerate, or beget persons to God in their Infancy, then the Word of Regeneration, or New-birth is needless, in order to our admission into the Church of Christ, and so the preaching of Faith and Repentance must cease (as it is a Principle pertaining to a Christian Man) in all those Nations which are called Christendom, which is a great part of the World. And indeed, Experience hath long ago proved this Conclusion to be most true; for since the Church (as they term it) was National, the Word, or Work of Conversion, hath been little known in the life and power of it: Nay, verily, the term [Conversion] is become a reproach among our National-Church-Members. But thus to make the Word of Conversion unnecessary, in order to Persons admission into the Church of Christ, is contrary to the Scripture, John 3. 5. Luke 24. 47. Mat. 20. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 16, 17. Heb. 8. 10, 11. Gal. 3. 26, 27, 28. Mat. 3. 8, 9, 10.

2. To make the Gospel-Church National, puts an end to the Doctrine of Christ touching that Separation, and those Divisions, which for the Gospel-sake must be in Nations and Families, as appears from these Scriptures; p. 30John 15. 19. and 17. 14, 16. Acts 2. 40, 47. 1 Cor. 6. Luke 22. 49, to 54. And therefore in vain doth any Person think to do God service, by compelling Families, Towns, Countries, Nations, or many Nations, to be of one mind in matters of Religion. I say, it is in vain, because the Scripture foresees, and also foreshews, that the contrary effects must follow the preaching of the Gospel; and yet they may, yea, and ought to live in one form of Civil Government: For that is the Will of God concerning every soul, Rom. 13. 1, to 8.

3. The Gospel-Church cannot be National; because that takes away from her Persecution for the Gospel-sake, and makes her become a Persecutor: For it is impossible for a Church to be National without Penal Laws, whereby to force Men to that kind of Worship which the greater part approveth, which may as possibly be false as true. But the true Church must not look to be free from Persecution, if she live godly in Christ Jesus; nor is any thing more ††2 Cor. 5. 20.2 Cor 5:20uncomely for her than to punish or persecute Men in a Conformity to her Faith, or religious practice, John 15. 19, 20. Mat. 10. 22. 2 Tim. 3. 12. Luke 9. 56. And the greatest part of the Revelations do shew, that the Church was to be in a suffering condition, and are therefore bid to be patient, until the coming of the Lord, James 5.

4. A National-Church cannot observe the Discipline of the Church of Christ; for, in the case of withdrawing from disorderly Persons, they do not only separate Men of disorder from the Church, both in Civil and Religious Concerns, but they cast them wholly out of the World, from all Markets and Fairs, yea, quite out of their Livelihoods, &c. which kind of Excommunication the Scripture foresees to be proper to the Churches Adversary, Rev. 13. 16, 17.

5. If the Gospel-Church ought to be National, then she was imperfect in point of Power in the Apostles Days: For she had not then any Power to put Hereticks to death for their Heresie. But to say, that the Primitive Church wanted any Power to punish any Sin, as it concerns the Church to punish it, is to disparage the Apostolical Churches, and is also contrary to the Scriptures, which plainly shew they had Power then to revenge all disobedience, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5, 6.

The Fourth Reason.

The Papal Church encreaseth her self more by the Carnal Sword, than by the Spiritual Word: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The fourth Reason maintained.

THat such Churches as are National, do most encrease their numbers, and keep them also when they have them, by the terror of Death and Penal Laws, both Experience shews, and Reason tells that it cannot be otherwise. How often hath our Nation changed their Religion, with the p. 31breath of a Prince? sometime to Popery, and other-whiles to Protestancy, and under O. Cromwel to a compound of half Presbytery, and half Independency, according to the temper of those that sat at the Stern of Affairs? And now, how are they turn'd again to Prelacy? Of which last change, I say, if any have conformed, as judging it their Duty to God so to do, those (though this doth not justifie their way to be good, yet) are honest Men: But if any for self-interest have done it, they are the very dregs of Men, and will be any thing, and so nothing.

2. I remember a notable saying of Hillary, who lived about the 4th or 5th Century, and in his days the Church was a degenerating from her Regeneral Constitution into a National Form, where he saith, Hil. cont. Auxen.Ambition doth aid it self by the Name of CHRIST; The Church doth fear and compel the People, through Banishments and Imprisonments, to believe her in those things, which she had received through being imprisoned. — She that could not be beloved of Christ if the World had not hated her, now glorieth to be extolled and beloved of the World, &c.

And that the Papal Church hath ordinarily encreased her self more by terror of the Carnal Sword, than the Word of God, doleful Histories do declare; namely these, Sleidan. Comment. A Book entituled, The Indians Tears, or, Inquisition for Blood: as also, Fox his Acts and Monuments.

And here I think it meet to give an Instance from one of their own Historiographers, namely Fabinus. He tells us that after Austin the Monk had gotten a considerable settlement in England, it happened that there was a Council assembled in this Nation, where Austin proposed several things, to which the other Bishops could not consent; but, by your leave, when Austin could not prevail by the Word (or rather, his words) he told them, If they would not submit, they should be compelled, by the wasting that should be made in their Country through War and Misery. This was not Paul's way, 2 Cor. 5. 20.

The Fifth Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome labours to keep the World in darkness, and the Church also: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The Fifth Reason maintained.

THe Consequence of this Argument no Man can deny; for there is nothing more opposite to the True Church, than to love, or cause darkness to seize upon any. And that the present Papal Church of Rome labours to keep all Men in darkness, is thus proved. 1. She forbids almost all Men to read the Scriptures, and thereupon hath greatly withstood the Translation of them into every Tongue, as is evident, partly from what History declares, and partly from that which themselves do say. To omit History, hear what they say themselves. In their Preface to the Reader in the Rhemist Testament, thus they speak:

p. 32Order was taken by the Deputies of the late famous Council of Trent in this behalf, and confirmed by Supream Authority, That the Scripture, though truly translated into the vulgar Tongues, yet may not be indifferently read of all Men, nor of any other than such as have express order thereunto of their lawful Ordinaries. So that we see the Liberty here given, is unlike the Liberty given by Christ to his Enemies, whom he commanded to search the Scripture, John 5. 39. And the rich Glutton's Friends are said to have the Prophets and Moses, Luke 16. 29. Israel was of old indefinitely required to lay up the Book of the Law in their Heart; to talk of it as they sate in their Houses; as they went abroad: they must teach them to their Children, and write them upon the Post of their Doors, Deut. 6. 4, to 9.

Notwithstanding all this, and much more Liberty given by the Lord, both to his Enemies and Friends, to read his Word: you see the Council of Trent will have none permitted, but whom the Ordinaries permit, to read the Scripture, and they are only such as they judg discreet, &c. Pref. Rhem. Test.

Is it not strange that Men, pretending to be Christ's true Followers, should thus contradict him? He allowed that to his Enemies, which they will not allow to his Friends. Sure they have neither heard his Voice, nor seen his Shape, or, at least, not learned of him. Miserable is the Gospel-Church by the Council of Trents Doctrine, they have not that priviledg which Israel under the Law was allowed; and yet they are as strictly bound to bring up their Children in the admonition of the Lord; which they cannot do, unless they have the Law in their Heart, that so they may talk of it to their Children. But surely those that will not let the Law come within the sight of our eyes, have no mind it should ever come into our hearts: So then they labour to keep us in the dark.

What can they say against Mens reading the Scripture, which hath not the same force against the hearing of it preached? Did not some conceive as gross Opinions concerning Christ's saying, Men must eat his Flesh, as some have by reading them? The Jews thought they were so to be understood, as that they might eat his real Flesh; and that was not a greater nor a less Error, than is found in the Papists, who read the same word. It is doubtless a shrew'd sign that those who will not suffer us to see the Law of God, do not intend that we shall hear very much of it; peradventure such Points as talk of Tythes, &c.

Yea, it is evident, that they intend not to let us hear much that shall profit us; for they have devised, that the very Prayers and Services of their Church, be said and sung in a Tongue which the People understand not. Yea, they tell us, That it is enough for the People to understand that the Prayer is made to call upon God in all our desires; and more than this is not necessary, they say: So that the poor People in the Papacy, know not what are the things desired; only they are told, The Prayer is made to God in all that is therein desired. Are not these People kept in darkness? But saith Paul, How should the unlearned say, Amen? 1 Cor. 14.

That which is most strange, is, That the Papists should deliver this dark Doctrine, from 1 Cor. 14. than which no Scripture more requireth an p. 33understanding in those that pray, and in those that joyn with them; nor doth any Scripture more clearly shew us, to how little purpose it is to perform any Service in the Church in an unknown Tongue. Read the Chapter; saith Paul, If I come unto you speaking with Tongues, what shall I profit you? — but in the Church I will speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in an unknown Tongue. These are Paul's words, as the Papists themselves translate them.

Another way whereby they keep Men in darkness, is this, They cumber Mens minds with such a multitude of Ceremonies and Repetitions in their Prayers, that the mind is sufficiently charged to remember how many times over they must say some two or three words; nay, it's evident this is no wrong, witness their Beads which serve to supply the defect of their memories. As I remember, there is not less than fifty Orations and Postulations, &c. which the Priest is to make, and act, before the Bread be Consecrated when they say Mass: Willet. Synops.And the like doings they have in the most of their Services, which I can more desire the Lord would deliver them from, than mention.

The Sixth Reason.

The present Papal Church, is generally (if not only at this day) gathered of Persons unregenerate, or not new born, as the Scriptures do require new birth in that case: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The Sixth Reason maintained.

1. THe Scripture saith, That except a Man (or any one) be born again (so as to be like the Wind that bloweth, and that bloweth in such sort, as the sound thereof is heard) he cannot enter into the Kingdom (or Church) of God: But the many millions of Infants, whereof the Papal Church consist mostly (if not only) in respect of her Members Initiation, are not thus regenerate. So that the Papal Church is gathered (generally) of such Persons as are not so regenerate, as Persons ought to be, and must of necessity be, before they be admitted into the Church of Christ. The Seed of the Woman (or Gospel-Church) are all such as have the Faith of Jesus, and keep the Commandments of God, at least in Profession; for that is the thing that is absolutely necessary, in order to any Persons admission into the Church of Christ, John 3. 5, 6. 2 Cor. 5. 16, 17. Rev. 12. ult. Gal. 3. 26, 27, 28.

2. All the Children of the New Covenant, or Church of Christ, do differ from the Church under Moses, so, as that they, each individual, do so know the Lord, as that they need not, in some sort, teach one another, saying, Know the Lord, Heb. 8. Jer. 31. But either all, or the generality of the Papal Church, differ nothing from the Church under Moses, in respect of their Knowledg, when admitted into their Church; being p. 34such as are not capable of the first, or least degree of the knowledg of him.

3. There appears no more sign of Regeneration, or New-Birth, in the Infants, or Members of the Papal Church, at their admission, than there appears in such as the Papists say are not regenerate. Now where the Spirit of Regeneration is, it is not without some demonstrable operation; for saith Christ, The Wind bloweth, &c. and thou hearest the sound thereof, &c. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. So that I conclude, That the Infants whom the Papists say they baptize, are not born of the Spirit, unless they can give some demonstrative sign of it.

4. There can be no Regeneration in an ordinary way, without preaching the Doctrine of Christ, Rom. 10. But the Papal Church is generally (if not only) gathered without the Word preached, in order to the regeneration of the Members, before their admission. Therefore they are not regenerate in an ordinary way. And if they have an extraordinary Regeneration, let them shew it.

The Seventh Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome maintaineth the Doctrine of Devils, and that so violently, as that they punish the Non-observation thereof with Excommunication and Death: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

This Argument maintained.

THis Reason, or Argument, may seem to be harshly laid down; yet if it be true, there is necessity to propound it. And for the truth of it, I desire you weigh what followeth.

1. To forbid Marriage, and to command to abstain from Meats, which God hath created to be received of such as believe and obey the Truth; this is the Doctrine of Devils. But it is well known that the Papists do forbid the whole Calling of their Clergy to marry; and thousands beside of those that live in their Monasteries and Nunneries, &c. and this under pain of Cursing and Death. You shall hear them speak their own words, wherein they do not only prohibit Marriage for ever to such as enter into the Ministry; but if any be married, and afterwards come into the Ministry, they wholly deprive such of the enjoyment of their Yokefellows. Thus they speak; Rhem. Test. Annot.The cause why the Church requireth chastity in the Clergie, and forbiddeth not only Fornication, but all Carnal Copulation, even in lawful Wedlock, is to the end, that God's Priests be not divided from him by the cl…gs of Marriage, but be clean and pure from all the fleshly Acts of Copulation. And this Doctrine they teach from 1. Cor. 7. where if you read the 4, 5, 6, 7, verses, you may easily learn the quite contrary Doctrine. Again, They teach from 1 Tim. 3. 2. That none shall marry that come into Holy Orders. And, that if any of the Clergie in other Countries had been permitted in times past to enjoy their Wives, yet they p. 35now declare it to be against the Apostles Rule; And this they say is the Sentence of the Council of Nice. But surely Paul's words are clear contrary; for he saith, A Bishop must be the Husband of one Wife, having his Children in subjection, &c.

In further proof of this matter, it is upon Record, That Greg. 7. An. 1070. did enforce Ministers by Excommunication, to leave their Wives. And Urban 2. Anno. 1066. Decreed, Dist. 32. c. 10.That it might be lawful to make the Ministers Wives Bond-women. And Fox recordeth, That it was made Felony, by the Act of the Six Articles, for Ministers to marry Wives, Fox, p. 1135. And this cruelty Bellarmin defends by a saying of Jerome, That a Bishop begetting Children, shall be condemned as an Adulterer.

Now whereas, I say, they forbid Meats, &c. I do not mean that it is not meet for the Church to Fast and Pray, and in such a sense to forbid Meat. But for their Church to forbid one kind of Meat above another; as that we may not eat Eggs in Lent, and divers other Creatures which God hath created, to be received of such as believe. For the true way of Fasting, is a total Fasting for the time (unless necessity deny). And truly, the Papal Fast of Lent is in a manner no Fast, which allows the drinking of Wines, and the eating to the full of such Delicacies as do inflame the Flesh as much as Eggs, &c. which yet the Papists by no means will permit Men to eat. For my Author tells me, That they make the eating of Eggs in Lent a damnable Sin, Fox, p. 1043. I might fill much Paper about their forbidding Meats. But to proceed:

The Eighth Reason.

The present Papal Church of Rome, is Mystery Babylon: Therefore she is not the Church of Christ.

The Eighth Reason maintained.

1. I Know, that generally all that dissent from Rome, do account her as in her present state to be Mystery Babylon: And truly for my part, I have considered of this matter, and I find it is so clearly meant of Rome, that even the Papists do not wholly exempt her from this Name. Yet they deny that Rome, as now considered, is Mystery Babylon; only, say they, it is to be referred to Rome in her Heathenish estate. But thus I reason:

2. If the present Papal Church of Rome be not Mystery Babylon, then either the Papists, or some Body else, can shew us a People which better deserve that Title. But this no Man can do (so far as I have learned) and therefore (as yet) I must say, The present Papal Church of Rome (together with her Daughter Churches) is Mystery Babylon. And for further proof in this Point, I thus reason:

3. The present Papal Church hath the Marks of Mystery Babylon; therefore she is Mystery Babylon.

p. 36I prove it thus,

One Mark of Mystery Babylon, is a Regiment over the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 17. The Woman which thou sawest, is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. This Mark the present Papal Church of Rome hath above all other; witness the Papists own Books, T. B. End to Controv. chap. 26, 27. where he sets up the Pope above all Kings and Emperours; and plainly calls the Popes, Kings and Monarchs; and the Papal Church, he terms an Invincible Empress, &c.

Another Mark of Mystery Babylon, is great Riches and Worldly Pomp. That Rome, in her present Church-state, hath this Mark, her Doctor, T. B. is my Witness. So is Heylin Geog. p. 192, 193. and Napier, Rev. 9. which Authors shew her Riches (even of the Clergy only) to be quite out of the reach of the best Arithmeticians to pass an Entrado upon it. Add to all other Witnesses, that of Experience, and it will shew us, That when their Church had her Domination in this Land, they knew where the best Ground lay; as the Ruins of their Abbeys do evince. Compare all these with Rev. 18. and see if they do not agree.

Another Mark of Mystery Babylon is, She sits upon Nations, Tongues, and Peoples. Rome hath this Mark; T. B. in his End to Controversies, chap. 26, 27.

Another Mark of Mystery Babylon is, She enslaves the Souls of Men, and is drunk with Blood. Now that the Papal Church of Rome hath this Mark, I need only refer my Readers to those large Histories of Sleidan, Fox, and Benzo the Italian.

Lastly, As I noted, it is confessed by the Papists, that Mystery Babylon, Rev. 17. & 18. chapters, is meant of Rome; only they think to free themselves from the force of that blow, by telling us, That it's meant of Rome in her Heathenism, and under the persecuting Emperours. But this is a poor shift, as may appear, by shewing, That the Ancients do write against Rome, as Mystery Babylon, after the persecuting Emperours were down; Fab. Chron.for the Papists say, That Constantine put an end to the Persecution when he was converted, which was about the Year 300, and a few odd Years; at which time the Papists say, That Rome was given up to the Pope. Rhem. Test. Annot. in Rev. 17.Rev 171. Jerome, who lived about the fourth Century, writing to Eustoch. & Marcelus, doth apply these words to Rome, viz. Fly out of Babylon, let every Man save his own Soul: for Babylon is fallen, and is become the Habitation of Devils. Yea, he saith further, as he is quoted by the Protestants, That Rome is the Babylonical Harlot, according to the Revelation of St. John, appointed for the birth of Antichrist, which there should arise, and exercise all Tyranny; and from thence should deceive the whole World with his wicked Wiles.

And Augustine is most clear in this matter, in his Book of the City of God; Aug. de Civitat. Dei, lib. 18.where he calls Rome another Babylon in the West. And Babylon in the East, first Rome: and Rome of Italy, second Babylon. Willing Men to consider, That in the beginning of the City of God, which was in Abraham's time, the first Rome, that was Eastern Babylon, was built in Chaldea: And about what time the first Babylon was destroyed, lest the City of God should want her Enemy, the second Babylon, which is Rome in Italy, was erected.

p. 37Chrysostom saith, Chrys. in Rev. 13.Rev 13Antichrist shall invade the vacant Empire of Rome, and assay to draw unto himself the Empires both of God and Man. Thus it seems that Rome was accounted Mystery Babylon, four or five hundred Years after Christ; and if she be not now, what she was then in that respect, I desire to be informed where that Blood-drunken Fornicatrix, mentioned Rev. 17. is now to be found?

The Ninth Reason.

The present Papal Church hath not those Marks, which they themselves assign as the Marks by which the true Church can only be known Infallibly: Therefore the present Papal Church of Rome is not the true Church of Christ.

Those Marks are;

1. ANTIQUITY.

2. SUCCESSION.

3. UNIVERSALITY (of Time and Place.

4. VISIBILITY.

5. SANCTITY.

6. UNITY.

7. MIRACLES, &c.

These are the Principal.

The Ninth Reason maintained.

THat the present Papal Church cannot have the true Mark of Antiquity, is thus evidenced; viz. The Papal Church is a National Church; But no Gospel-Church was National in the first Age: Therefore no National Church hath the true Mark of Antiquity.

The strength of this Argument lieth in the clear difference of the state of the Church under Abraham and Moses, to what it was under Christ and his Apostles. For,

The Jewish Church, which was to be National, took its form in a National way, even in the very first Family where it began; as appears, Gen. 17. where Parents, Children, and Servants too, must all be brought into that Church-state forthwith, or not be suffered to co▪habit together. Which order must be kept in all the Families of the Jews, as well in respect of their Servants, such as they bought with Money, as their Children, or any other. And so the Jewish Church, both in its beginning and its continuance, acted forth it self in a way suitable to it self.

But when the Gospel-Church began, it is very evident, that it took its beginning in the division of Families, and that by vertue of Christ's Doctrine; Luke 12. 51, 52, 53.Luke 12:51Luke 12:52Luke 12:53who affirms, That he came to send Fire on the Earth; not Peace, but rather Division: For saith he, Mat. 10. 34, 35. Luke. 21. 16. 1 Cor. 7. 11, 13, 15, 21, 22, 23.Matt 10:34Matt 10:35Luke 21:161 Cor 7:111 Cor 7:131 Cor 7:151 Cor 7:211 Cor 7:221 Cor 7:23From henceforth there shall be fire, in one House divided three against two, and two against three; the Father against the Son, and the Son against the Father; the Daughter against the Mother, and the Mother against the Daughter, &c. and all this for the Gospel-sake. p. 38Here a Man must leave Father, Mother, Wife and Children; For this cause ye shall be betrayed, both by Parents and Kinsfolks. For this cause the unbelieving Husband will put away his believing Wife. And for this cause the Servant may refuse to follow his unbelieving Master, being Christ's Freeman, and yet dwell in his Service as a Servant notwithstanding.

Thus it's evident, That the Gospel Church took its beginning in a way quite contrary to the Form of a National Church, even by turning the World (or Church of the Jews) up-side down, which caused the Jews to cry out, Men of Israel, Help.

This is yet more evident, by that thundring Doctrine of the Baptist, when he said, Mat. 3. 9.Matt 3:9Think not, or begin not to say within your selves, We have Abraham to our Father. No, saith Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 16, 17, 18.2 Cor 5:162 Cor 5:172 Cor 5:18We (meaning the Gospel-Church) which are of Faith, are the Seed of Abraham, and Heirs according to Promise. For the Promise, which chiefly is enjoined in the Gospel, was not made to such as were born after the Flesh, but to such as are born after the Spirit; Whereupon he saith, Gal. 3. 2, 6, 29.Gal 3:2Gal 3:6Gal 3:29We henceforth know no Man after the Flesh, [or because he descends from the Loins of Abraham, or any other.] Acts 10. 35. Rom. 9. 6, 7, 8.Acts 10:35Rom 9:6Rom 9:7Rom 9:8For if any Man be in Christ (so as to be a demonstrable, or visible Member of his Gospel-Church) he is a new Creature. Old things are passed away, [yea, the old priviledg of standing in the Church by the Father's interest, though the Seed of Abraham himself] is [now] passed; Behold, all things [in this respect] are become new. Whereupon Peter contributeth his Sentence, and saith, Of a truth, I perceive God is no respecter of Persons; [but] the Persons accepted upon a Gospel account, so as to be his Church, are such as in every Nation fear him, and work Righteousness, [which no Infant can do.] But what? Hath God rejected Infants wholly, that now he will not shew them so much favour as afore-time? God forbid. He hath not shut up his tender Mercies from them wholly, or in part: For as they are such, and dying in their Infancy through Adam's transgression, so in Christ shall they be made alive. Rom. 5. 16, 18.Rom 5:16Rom 5:18Wherefore look how far soever they fall in the first Man of the Earth, so far they shall be restored by the Lord from Heaven; yea, the Gift to them by Christ, shall exceed the loss they had by Adam. But if they live to years of understanding, and become actual sinners against God, then the way appointed for the Remission of their Sins, is, Acts 2. 38. to 41.Acts 2:38–41To repent, and be Baptized, every one of them, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, and so be by it led into all Truth; and attain at the end the salvation of their souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Another Argument whereby it appears the Church of Christ cannot be National, is this; No Man is bound to become a Christian under pain of Corporal Punishment, as Death, &c. but living peaceably as Men, no Man hath power to compel them to be Baptized, or to walk in the Christian Profession, as is clear from the Texts before recited. Now take away Force in matters of Religion, and a National Church cannot stand in an absolute National Form; this is all Experience can testifie.

Again, That the Church of Christ at the first, or in the first Ages, was not Narional (in the first method or way wherein a Church beginneth to be so, namely, by the admission of Infants into the Church) is very evident; p. 39because it is utterly incredible, that the many thousands of Infants, of such as in those days believed, should be admitted into the Church, and not so much as the whisper of such a thing to be found in all the Holy Writings of the Apostles. And besides, I have shewed from the Testimony of Vives, (Augustin's Commentator) That the Church had not the custom to baptize Infants in old time.

It is likewise certain, (if History be true) That the Gospel-Church used no compulsion in matters of Faith for more than three hundred years after Christ. About which time Constantine ordained grievous punishments for such as spake against Christ; and allowed the Christians to use the Unbelievers hardly. Fab. Chron. 4th Part. Yet this Eusebius doth seem to contradict.But God did not bless these doings; for Constantine became an Arrian Heretick, and persecuted the Bishop that Baptized him, as also others that continued faithful.

Hence then I conclude, That seeing the present Papal Church of Rome hath not the true Mark of Antiquity; Therefore they lose at once, the next three, Succession, Universality, and Visibility: For, Antiquity being wanting, no true Succession can be found; because the Root of Succession, if good, must be the Antiquity of it. So take Antiquity from them, and then wanting that first Age, they cannot be found in every Age; and not being found in every Age, especially the first Age, then they lose Visibility, as themselves propose it for a Mark of the Church. And for their Holiness, I have spoken to that before, and surely it is but like their Neighbours. And for their Miracles, I have given you a taste of them from Loretto: And besides, others do claim that Mark as well as they; Willit Synop. Papis.Yea, the Turks produce Miracles; and the Protestants do the like; and others, as the Quakers, the like: And the Baptists can say of a truth, that God hath done for and amongst them, some things which have exceeded the course of Nature. And so their Miracles will not more prove them a Church, than the Miracles of others will prove the contrary, unless they can prove the others to be Illusions.

And that they have not the Mark of Unity, is evident, if History may be heeded; for, saith my Author, there is an hundred Sects of Monks and Fryars amongst them, and some of them so divided, as they burnt one another for Matters of Religion. And for different Opinions, there are no less than three hundred. See Fox Act. and Mon. p. 260. and Willit, in his Book called Tetrastilon Papis.

I know the Papists do make a great deal of noise about their Pastoral Succession, as if they could derive it from Man to Man, up to the Apostle Peter. But I find the learned Protestants making it a great Question, whether ever Peter was Bishop of Rome, or not. And Jerom is said to have seen some old Books, Jerom in Ep. ad Rom.which shew, that Narcissus ruled the Roman Church, when Paul saluted him and his Family, in his Epistle to the Romans.

No small contention is there likewise among the Learned, Whether Linus or Clement were the second Bishop of Rome; So that this Pastoral Succession the Papists pretend to, meets with shrewd Objections in the very first and second Person of that Line.

Against the uninterrupted continuance of their pretended Succession, p. 40many things are objected: as, That there were sometimes three, and sometimes two Popes, and that for more than twenty years time together; so that no Man could tell where the true Pastoral Authority lay. And then comes in that strange disaster of Joan the Female Pope, who for almost three years cut the Chain of this pretended Succession. This thing is famous in History.

Lastly, Although the Papists could prove a continued Succession of Persons claiming the Title of Universal Bishop, yet this would not justifie them all to be the Pastors of Christ's Church. For these two Rules are given us even by the Ancients; 1. That Peter left his Innocency hereditary as well as his Seat; and that he which hath not the one as well as the other, is not Peter's Successor. 2. That it is not the Chair, but the Doctrine that maketh a Bishop. Now, 3. add but Paul's Rule in this Matter, 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. and then I am bold to affirm, That many Popes of Rome were not the true Successors of Peter in Pastoral Authority. For I find it laid to the charge of divers Popes, that they were Drunkards, Whoremongers, Theeves, given more to War than Christ; rooted in unspeakable Sin; furious Men, prophane Scoffers of Christ; incestuous Persons, Murderers, poysoners of their own Parents and Kindred; open Sodomites or Buggerers; Blasphemers, incorrigible Hereticks, Enchanters; Callers upon the Devil to help them to play at Dice; Drinkers of the Devil's Health, and Traitors to Princes. These things are so notorious and evidently true of the Popes of Rome, as that the Papists do not deny them. T. B. End to Controversie, and the Author of the Seven Queries, as you may see in part before. Yea, Bernard was not a little moved with the wickedness of the Popes of Rome, when he called them, Tyrants, Defrauders, Raveners, Traytors, Darkness of the World, Wolves and Devils. And, can we think that Succession to be good which is derived from such? I need say no more. See, for the proof of all that I have said, these Books; Fox, Act. & Mon. Willit's Synops. Prideaux's Introduct.

The Tenth Reason.

The present Assemblies of Baptized Believers, are a true visible Church of Christ: Therefore the present Papal Church of Rome is not a true Church of Christ.

The Explanation of this Reason, or Argument.

THis Reason or Argument is not so to be understood, as if we do shut all Men out of Heaven who are not Members of our Church. No verily: This is the express Doctrine of the Papists: for they say, That out of the Church is no Salvation; and by Church they mean, only those that adhere to the Papal Church of Rome: And hereupon they teach expresly, That without Baptism, or the desire of Baptism, &c. none can be saved: And therefore it is, that they give Power to Midwives to baptize p. 41Children, sometimes between the Womb and the World.

That which we teach is this, That the ordinary way appointed for Men to receive Salvation in, is, Luke 24.Luke 24The preaching of Repentance and Remission of Sins to all Nations, in the Name of Jesus Christ; and the administration of Baptism, as a Pledg thereof, to all that give acceptance to these Glad-tydings; and upon this account this Ministration is called, The Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of Sins. And we do teach, as a most Infallible Doctrine, That without profession of Faith, manifestation of Repentance, and being baptized with Water in the Name of Jesus Christ, &c. no Person can be orderly admitted into the Church or Kingdom of God on Earth. And that therefore it concerns every Man, living to years of understanding, and having the Gospel tendred to him, only to look for Salvation this way, as he will answer it before the Lord, for contemning God's ordinary way, and presuming to challenge the Grace of Eternal Life in a way of his own devising.

Nevertheless, we do not hence conclude, That all Persons shall be damned that seek not Life in this way. For, first, No Infant can seek for it in the way which the Gospel proposeth Life to Men of Years: Yet surely it is a most cruel Doctrine to say, That any Infants dying in their Infancy shall be damned in Hell; Because (as one very well said) God will not damn any Persons for that which they cannot help.

Again, in Rom. 1. 2. Chapters, Paul teacheth, That if the Sons of Men act forth themselves in a way of Love, Fear, Obedience, and Reverence to their Creator, according to the means of Light vouchsafed to them, that this shall be as much as shall be required of them, in the day when God shall judg the secrets of all Men by Jesus Christ, (for God will not gather where he hath not strewed) at which time God will not judg them by the Law that never had it. Howbeit, let all that have it (I mean his written Law) expect to be judged by it. And therefore, though we will not presume to judg the final state of this or that Society of Men professing conscionably this or that Form of Worship, but leave that wholly to the Lord; yet we will not cease humbly to beg of all such Persons, in the Name of Jesus Christ, that they having his Law, would carefully observe the terms whereupon Life is held forth unto them, and become such glad receivers of the Word, as is mentioned, Acts 2. 41. Then they which gladly received the Word, were baptized: and the same day were added to the Church about three thousand Souls. The Argument thus explained, I shall now endeavour to make it good.

The Tenth Argument maintained.

That the present Assemblies of Baptized Believers, are a true Church of Christ, I prove thus: Either the present Assemblies of Baptized Believers, or else some other Assemblies now in the practice of Infant-Baptism, must be the true Church of Christ; because without Baptism, the Papists say, (and say truly too) there can be no true Church of Christ at this day: Now these two ways of baptizing only, (I mean of Water-Baptism) is pretended as necessary in order to a visible Church-state, viz. p. 42the dipping or baptizing Persons upon their personal profession of Faith, as the present Assemblies of the Baptists do practise; or baptizing (or rather sprinkling) of Infants without personal professing of Faith, as the present National Churches do practise.

For most undoubtedly, the true and legitimate claim to this Title of Christ's Church, must be found in one of these two Parties: And that no National Assembly, gathered together by Poedo-Baptism, can fairly claim this Title, I have shewed before, whither now I refer my Reader. And for the evincing yet further, that the present Assemblies of Baptized Believers are a true visible Church of Christ, I thus argue:

They have the true Ecclesiastical Marks of truly Ancient Primitive or Apostolical Gathering, Constitution, and Government: Therefore they are a true Church of Jesus Christ.

These three Points, namely, Gathering, Constitution, and Government, I take (if right) to be the infallible Marks of a true Church. And that the present Assemblies of Baptized Believers have them, will be evident to him that considereth what they were at first, and how they agree with what in these respects is found in the Assemblies of the Baptized Congregations.

The truly Ancient, Primitive and Apostolical Gathering, in respect of the first means used in order thereunto, was the preaching Repentance and Remission of Sins, or the Gospel unto every Creature; and upon their conviction, to command them, as from the Lord, to be baptized, every one of them, in the Name, &c. as appears, Mat. 28. 19, 20. Mark 16. 15, 16. Acts 2. 38. Acts 8. 37. Acts 10. 47, 48. And herein the present Assemblies of Baptized Believers do closely follow Christ's Primitive Ministers.

The Primitive and Apostolical Gathering of the Church of Christ, in respect of the subjects gathered, were only such, as through the virtue and prevalency of the Word preached, are made known, did give a demonstration of their Regeneration by the profession of Faith, and manifestation of Repentance, and being dipped in Water in the Name of the Father, &c. For the proof whereof, I appeal to those several Scriptures alledged against the gathering of Christ's Church of such Persons, as of whose Regeneration no demonstration is or can be given, answerable to what the Scripture doth require, in order to Persons admission into the Kingdom of God, or Church on Earth. And, secondly, I appeal to the practice of the Apostles, acting in pursuance of that Commission given them in that behalf. And, thirdly, I do appeal to the Churches themselves, which were gathered by the Apostles.