The Old Roman Catholic, Title page – Dedication
THE OLD ROMAN CATHOLIK, As at first he was taught by PAUL: In opposition to The new Roman Catholik: As of latter he is taught by the Pope.
The one being Apostolicall, the other Apostaticall.
Descrived and proven only out of the Epistle of PAUL, TO THE ROMANES.
Wherevnto is added a clear probation, that the same also was the doctrine of the Primitiue Bishops of Rome, for the space of fyue hundreth years, and aboue; and chiefly of Gregorie the first: whom they Surnamed The Great.
Discovering to all clearly the Apostasie of that Church, from the ancient Roman Fayth, and Puritie thereof, to the Noveltie of Gross Heresie and Idolatrie, and sufficient to convince, if non convert any Papist, that is not wilfully obdured.
REV. 18. 4.
Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sinnes; and that ye receaue not of her plagues.
By W. GUILD, Principall of the kings Colledge of Old Aberdene.
Printed in Aberdene, by E. Raban, 1649.
The Epistle Dedicatorie, To the Right Worshipfull, and Worthy of all Honour, Sr THOMAS BURNET Of LEYES, KNIGHT BARONET.
IT is no small admiration to the Professours of the Christian name in common, that the Iewes who hauehave the Old TESTAMENT amongst their hands, and dayly therein readeth the Prophesies of the true MESSIAS; but that they may see them in every particular long ago fulfilled in IESUS CHRIST, whom they did crucifie, were not that it is playnlie tolde vsus, that there is a vaile over their hearts; and vntill the tyme that this be taken away, and the fulness of the Gentiles be brought in, that of the Prophet shall be accomplished in them; that they shal hauehave eys to see, & not see, ears to hear, & not hear; and hearts to know, and yet not vnderstand: Even so amongst these agayn, who are called Christians in common. It is no small admiration, in lyke manner, to such who profess the Trueth, in the Reformed Churches of EUROPE, that these of the Roman Church, having both the Old and New Testament in their hands, and reading the doctrine contayned therein: Especially in that Epistle written of old, by the Apostle to the Romanes. But that they may, in lyke manner, clearly see how grosly in every poynt of Controversie between them and vsus, they hauehave swerved from that Ancient Trueth delyvered therein, to the Noveltie of latter sprung vp Errour quyte controdictor thereto: (whereby, as Isaiah speaketh, [Chap. 1. verss 21.] the faythfull Citie, is become an Harlot.) Were not, in lyke manner, that there is a vaile over their hearts; and (as is fore prophesied of such;) That their Errour is not only the deceavableness of vnrighteousness in them that perish: but such a strong delusion, [2. Thess. 2.] that they are inebriated, or made drunk therewith: And so the delusion being strong, is not easily overcome, nor can they be made sinsible thereof; so long as their drunkenness is vponupon them, more nor Naball could be of his trespass agaynst David, (as wyse Abigail well knew,) til his wyne was gone from him. [1. Sam. 25.] The same being also a mysterie of Iniquitie; and mysteries not beeing known, (as David telleth vsus,) till the eyes be opened: [Psal. 119. 18.] Even so, no marvell that this mysterie bee not seen by deluded soulls; altho (as at Sauls conversion) the light shyne as bright about them, as at noon day: [Act. 9.] till lykewyse the LORD open their eyes, and make the scales of their former ignorance and errour, in mercy, to fall off. And, as in curing of Sauls blyndness, it pleased the LORD to vse the Ministrie of a Disciple Ananias, rather than a great Apostle: Even so, it hath pleased the LORD, sometymes, for curing the blyndness of poore seduced soulls, by Poperie, to vse the Ministrie of some who are but weak instruments: That so the greater glory may be his own, amongst whom as one, (as it hath pleased GOD before now to hauehave blessed my weak endevours for that end:) So I hauehave taken the ensuing paynes, to see as yet if by HIS BLESSING, I may reclayme but one poore soull, to come out of Babell, and gayn it to CHRIST; wherein if the success bee according to my hearty and charitable desyre, I shall bless the LORD, whose only work is the bringing back of the strayed sheep, and conversion of a simple soull. But, if it be otherwyse, and that the wilfull ignorant & seduced, say as their predecessours did when the LORD, by His Prophet, [Ierem. 6. 20.] did exhort them, to stand in the wayes, and see, and ask for the old paths, which is the good way, and walk therein; and they should fynd rest to their soulls: But they sayd, we will not walk therein; then it shall bee sufficient to mee, that my work is with my GOD; altho with Ieremie [chap. 6. 29.] I may say, that the bellowes are burnt, the lead is consumed in the fyre, the founder hath melted in vayn, and they hauehave proven reprobate silver.
These pains then (Sir) which I hauehave taken herin, I hauehave dedicated to Your W. as for diverss other reasons; so for this as a main one, that You hauehave joined with piety, & the verbal Profession of the Trueth, such Fruits of Charitie, and reall expression of a true Fayth, as is rare, now-a-dayes; In founding three Burses of Philosophie in that Universitie wherein You had Your breeding, & wherof I hauehave the Charge; which will tend next to GODS Glory, the Poors Comfort, and enlargement of that Seminarie, to the Eternall Honour; Lykewyse, and Memory both of You, and of Your Honourable Houss, whereof You are Head: So that as Your Arms are the Ever-green Holline Leaues, with a blowing Horn, and this Diton, VIRESCIT VULNERE VIRTUS. So shall this Your Munificence, sutablie bee Ever-green and fresh to all ages in memory, and whyle this Houss standeth, Your Prayse and Commemoration amongst Her chief Benefactours, will ever alowd bee sounded therein, with this Diton, VIRESCIT MUNERE VIRTUS. Go on, then, Sir, in an Happy Progress of Well-doing: And, as You sow in Righteousness, You shall reap in Mercy; Which with the Addition of all Honour and Happiness here, shall be the hearty wish of
Your VVorships, in all respectiue and affectioned duety, W. GUILD.