The Ancient Christian Religion, Notice – Book 4
To the Nameless Author of the VII QUERIES: And in him, to all the SONS of PAPAL ROME In the County of LINCOLN.
HItherto the things pertaining to Religion, as they concern the Baptized Congregations, (commonly called Anabaptists) and you that are commonly called Papists, have been very little controverted. And whether ever it shall please God to try his Peoples Faith and Stedfastness, by your open opposition, as he hath done it by others, I may not presume to determine; nor doubt I, but if it shall so fall out, he will advance his Truth thereby.
It is most certain, that of those many ways whereby the Ancient Path of the Gospel hath for a long time been opposed, there is not found any more potent than yours; and the rather, because your subtilty is utterly unknown to the generality of Christians in this Age and Nation, where your Religion hath, as it were, lain dormant for many years.
The most dangerous Stratagem wherewith you usually assail your Opposits, is, your denyal of the Scripture, &c. the high doom of Judgment in Matters of Faith; and ascribe that dignity to your selves, under pretence of your being the Church; wherein if you conquer any one, your work is, as it were, wholly accomplished.
Whereupon, I have here presented to the World somewhat of your skill in this important Question, Whether we are to resolve all Differences in Point of Religion, only out of the written Word of God? Yea, I have faithfully transcribed your last Reply to my Answers, which contains the sum of what you said in all your other Papers. Whereby the Reader will discern (if I think right) Wisdom used to the burt of them that have received it. I have forborn at this time to publish all that hath passed between us about the Seven Queries; partly, for that one thing is oft repeated in our several Papers; and partly, and indeed especially, for that it is to little purpose to controvert any particular Point of Religion, till we be agreed about the Judg that must determine our Differences. Now, whereas you do ascribe this Prerogative to your selves, under pretence of your being the Church of Christ, I have therefore laid down several Reasons, by which it may appear that you are not the Church, and so not that Judg whereunto you pretend to be so willing to adhere.
I have likewise shewed, that we, your Opposits, have the true claim to the Title of Christ's Church; that so, if you will appeal to Her, you must then appeal to us; which yet we believe you will not be perswaded to, nor indeed do we desire you should, whilst this is the Question, Whether we, or you, be the Church? No, we are content to say with Augustine, Aug. Contra Max. l. 3. c. 14Ask not us in this Case, we will not ask you, but let this Matter be tryed by the Scripture: Yea, saith he, let the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles be Judg. Yea, we say further in his words, Let Matter with Matter, Cause with Cause, Reason with Reason contend by authority of the Scriptures, not proper to any, but indifferent Witnesses to both parts.
My final Answer to the first of the Seven Queries, I have here published, with as little alteration or addition as possibly I could, to give the Reader a true understanding of the Matters in Difference. And if you publish any thing hereupon, I desire no fairer dealing from you, than you have in this case from me.
I have seriously considered what should be the design of your Queries; and hitherto it appears to be chiefly, to exalt the Authority of Mens Traditions, above the lively Oracles of God, the Scriptures. For though it should be granted (which you can never prove) that there hath continued a True Church at Rome ever since it was there planted; yet would it not follow, that all which your Church holdeth under the title of Ecclesiastical Tradition, must needs be obeyed by us; for it is certain that the Jews did retain the state of a True Church, when yet their Traditions (however by them accounted) were but the Traditions of Men, which both the Prophets and Christ himself, termed vain Worship; especially such of them as made void the Commands of God, as we are sure many of yours do: and therefore, as Christ said to them, Mark. 7.Why do you transgress the Commands of God by your Tradition? The same we are humbly bold to say to you, when you ask us, why we transgress your Traditions? For surely, of none can it more fitly be said than of you, That laying aside the Commandments of God, you hold the Traditions of Men.
THO. GRANTHAM.