Protestancy to be embrac'd, or, A new and infallible method to reduce Romanists from popery to Protestancy a treatise of great use to all His Majesties subjects, and necessary to prevent error and popery / by David Abercromby, D., lately converted, after he had profess'd near nineteen years Jesuitism and popery.
         Abercromby, David, d. 1701 or 2.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
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         51711
         
           
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             Protestancy to be embrac'd, or, A new and infallible method to reduce Romanists from popery to Protestancy a treatise of great use to all His Majesties subjects, and necessary to prevent error and popery / by David Abercromby, D., lately converted, after he had profess'd near nineteen years Jesuitism and popery.
             Abercromby, David, d. 1701 or 2.
          
           [12], 155 p.
           
             Printed for the author by Thomas Hodgkin,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           PROTESTANCY
           To
           be
           Embrac'd
           :
           OR
           ,
           A
           New
           and
           Infallible
           Method
           To
           Reduce
           ROMANISTS
           FROM
           POPERY
           TO
           Protestancy
           .
        
         
           A
           Treatise
           of
           great
           Use
           to
           all
           His
           Majesties
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           necessary
           to
           prevent
           Error
           and
           Popery
           .
        
         
           By
           
             David
             Abercromby
          
           D.
           Lately
           Converted
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           Profess'd
           near
           Nineteen
           Years
           Jesuitism
           and
           Popery
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           the
           Author
           ,
           by
           
             Thomas
             Hodgkin
          
           .
           1682.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           ,
           HENRY
           ,
           LORD
           BISHOP
           of
           London
           ,
           Dean
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Chappel
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           His
           most
           Honourable
           Privy
           Council
           .
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Was
           once
           fully
           resolved
           to
           side
           first
           openly
           with
           the
           Protestant
           Church
           ,
           
           and
           then
           to
           inform
           the
           Publick
           of
           the
           true
           motives
           of
           my
           Conversion
           from
           Popery
           to
           Protestancy
           ;
           but
           upon
           second
           thoughts
           ,
           
             ad
             obstruendum
             os
             loquentium
             iniqua
          
           ,
           to
           stop
           the
           mouths
           of
           such
           as
           could
           misconstrue
           my
           intentions
           ,
           I
           judg'd
           it
           necessary
           to
           prevent
           the
           reflections
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           surprisal
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           I
           acknowledge
           my self
           in
           this
           Conjuncture
           Accountable
           by
           duty
           to
           two
           sorts
           of
           persons
           :
           1.
           
           To
           the
           Jesuites
           my
           former
           Brethren
           .
           
           2.
           
           To
           the
           Roman
           Catholicks
           of
           my
           familiar
           acquaintance
           :
           I
           was
           looked
           upon
           by
           those
           as
           being
           able
           to
           serve
           them
           at
           home
           ,
           as
           I
           had
           not
           been
           useless
           to
           them
           abroad
           ,
           and
           by
           these
           as
           a
           zealous
           Defender
           of
           Popery
           .
           If
           I
           can
           but
           allay
           the
           first
           heats
           of
           both
           ,
           and
           hinder
           a
           sudden
           rise
           of
           anger
           and
           passion
           ,
           I
           may
           hope
           by
           this
           peaceable
           method
           to
           conquer
           irresistibly
           their
           understandings
           ,
           yea
           ,
           if
           pre-occupation
           stand
           not
           betwixt
           them
           and
           the
           truth
           ,
           
           strike
           at
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           change
           their
           wills
           .
        
         
           My
           Thoughts
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           were
           not
           long
           at
           a
           stand
           ,
           under
           whose
           Patronage
           this
           short
           Treatise
           should
           face
           the
           Publick
           ,
           it
           being
           chiefly
           intended
           for
           the
           Conservation
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Conversion
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Subjects
           from
           Superstition
           and
           Popery
           ,
           I
           was
           of
           opinion
           you
           could
           claim
           a
           peculiar
           right
           to
           it
           ,
           not
           only
           on
           the
           account
           of
           your
           Character
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           but
           particularly
           because
           
           of
           that
           Apostolick
           zeal
           you
           are
           inflam'd
           withall
           for
           your
           Flocks
           spiritual
           Concerns
           and
           Proficiency
           ;
           whereby
           you
           are
           powerfully
           moved
           to
           accept
           of
           ,
           and
           defend
           whatever
           may
           prove
           instrumental
           to
           the
           increase
           of
           true
           Virtue
           and
           Christian
           Piety
           .
        
         
           I
           confess
           ingenuously
           ,
           your
           Deep
           Knowledge
           makes
           me
           somewhat
           apprehensive
           of
           your
           Censure
           ,
           but
           your
           eminent
           Virtue
           puts
           me
           in
           hopes
           again
           you
           will
           easily
           pardon
           whatever
           you
           
           shall
           find
           defective
           in
           this
           method
           ;
           or
           not
           answerable
           to
           your
           own
           Accuracy
           .
           Yet
           I
           have
           call'd
           it
           ,
           and
           hope
           it
           shall
           prove
           such
           ,
           infallible
           for
           two
           Reasons
           .
           1.
           
           Because
           taken
           wholly
           ,
           it
           amounts
           to
           a
           clear
           and
           forcible
           Demonstration
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           each
           Argument
           it
           contains
           will
           not
           prove
           a
           full
           Conviction
           to
           every
           obstinate
           Romanist
           .
           2.
           
           Because
           it
           relies
           on
           Self-evident
           Principles
           ,
           and
           overthrows
           the
           most
           material
           Obstacles
           to
           the
           Conversion
           of
           Romanists
           ,
           
           I
           mean
           their
           preoccupated
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           groundless
           Fancies
           ,
           That
           Protestants
           are
           all
           Reprobates
           ,
           Schismaticks
           ,
           Hereticks
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           retreat
           from
           Popery
           to
           Protestancy
           ,
           Apostates
           ;
           but
           however
           this
           method
           prove
           otherwise
           infallible
           ,
           which
           the
           event
           must
           determine
           ;
           one
           thing
           I
           may
           confidently
           ascertain
           ,
           it
           will
           shew
           infallibly
           to
           Posterity
           ,
           with
           what
           respect
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             MY
             LORD
             ,
          
           
             
               Your
               most
               Humble
               And
               Obedient
               Servant
               ,
            
             David
             Abercromby
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           most
           material
           Contents
           of
           this
           Book
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             THE
             EPISTLE
             DEDICATORY
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             Authors
             former
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             occasion
             of
             his
             Conversion
             .
             
               Page
               1
            
          
           
             III.
             That
             Protestants
             may
             be
             saved
             .
             
               Page
               19
            
             
               
                 Grounded
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     On
                     their
                     Allegiance
                     to
                     all
                     their
                     respective
                     Superiours
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       21
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     On
                     Gods
                     general
                     providence
                     and
                     care
                     to
                     illuminate
                     all
                     men
                     for
                     attaining
                     the
                     end
                     he
                     created
                     them
                     for
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       25
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     On
                     their
                     high
                     sentiments
                     of
                     Gods
                     mercies
                     ,
                     and
                     Christs
                     merits
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       27
                    
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     On
                     their
                     living
                     and
                     lively
                     faith
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       28
                    
                  
                   
                     5.
                     
                     On
                     their
                     belief
                     of
                     all
                     Fundamentals
                     ,
                     and
                     Acts
                     of
                     true
                     divine
                     Love.
                     
                       Page
                       30
                    
                  
                   
                     6.
                     
                     On
                     the
                     Nature
                     and
                     Doctrine
                     
                     of
                     a
                     probable
                     Opinion
                     received
                     by
                     
                       Romanists
                       .
                       Page
                       33
                    
                  
                   
                     7.
                     
                     On
                     this
                     undeniable
                     Truth
                     ,
                     That
                     they
                     are
                     neither
                     Schismaticks
                     ,
                     nor
                     Hereticks
                     ,
                     but
                     true
                     Members
                     of
                     the
                     Vniversal
                     Church
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       44
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
           
             IV.
             That
             Protestants
             may
             be
             saved
             more
             easily
             and
             with
             greater
             security
             than
             Romanists
             ,
             grounded
             on
             their
             not
             admittance
             of
             these
             obstacles
             that
             are
             infallibly
             to
             be
             met
             with
             in
             the
             Profession
             of
             Romanism
             .
             
               Page
               62
            
             
               
                 Such
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Their
                     rash
                     and
                     implicite
                     Faith.
                     
                       Page
                       64
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Their
                     endless
                     Scruples
                     ,
                     caus'd
                     by
                     their
                     doctrine
                     relating
                     to
                     Baptism
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       65
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     Their
                     less
                     apprehension
                     of
                     Hell
                     by
                     their
                     relying
                     on
                     Purgatory
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     mortal
                     sin
                     ,
                     by
                     that
                     dangerous
                     Opinion
                     of
                     theirs
                     ,
                     That
                     all
                     sins
                     deserve
                     not
                     eternal
                     punishment
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       70
                    
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     Their
                     neglect
                     and
                     not
                     reading
                     of
                     
                     Divine
                     Scriptures
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       71
                    
                  
                   
                     5.
                     
                     Their
                     Prayers
                     in
                     an
                     unknown
                     Tongue
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       75
                    
                  
                   
                     6.
                     
                     Their
                     Doctrine
                     of
                     Transubstantiation
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       76
                    
                  
                   
                     7.
                     
                     Their
                     Invocation
                     of
                     the
                     Virgin
                     Mary
                     ,
                     and
                     other
                     Saints
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       95
                    
                  
                   
                     8.
                     
                     Their
                     Image-worship
                     ,
                     Wafer-worship
                     ,
                     Relick-worship
                     ,
                     
                       &c.
                       Page
                       97
                    
                  
                   
                     9.
                     
                     Their
                     renouncing
                     Sense
                     and
                     Reason
                     ,
                     in
                     favor
                     of
                     their
                     Romish
                     decisions
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       106
                    
                  
                   
                     10.
                     
                     Their
                     multiplied
                     Fasts
                     and
                     Abstinency
                     ,
                     under
                     pain
                     of
                     mortal
                     sin
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       107
                    
                  
                   
                     11.
                     
                     Their
                     forbidding
                     Ecclesiasticks
                     to
                     marry
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       110
                    
                  
                   
                     12.
                     
                     Their
                     insnaring
                     Vows
                     of
                     Chastity
                     ,
                     Poverty
                     ,
                     Obedience
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     more
                     than
                     God
                     has
                     commanded
                     them
                     to
                     do
                     .
                     
                       Page
                       112
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
           
             IV.
             Conclusions
             flowing
             from
             the
             Principles
             establish'd
             in
             the
             first
             two
             Articles
             .
             
               Page
               129
            
          
           
             V.
             Charitable
             Advice
             to
             all
             His
             Majesties
             Subjects
             of
             ihe
             Romish
             Persuasion
             .
             
               Page
               145
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Protestancy
           To
           be
           embrac'd
           :
           OR
           An
           Infallible
           Method
           to
           reduce
           Romanists
           From
           Popery
           to
           Protestancy
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           THis
           little
           Treatise
           will
           be
           a
           Subject
           of
           great
           amazement
           to
           all
           such
           as
           have
           known
           my
           former
           Life
           and
           Conversation
           ,
           whereof
           courteous
           and
           curious
           Reader
           ,
           take
           this
           accurate
           ,
           short
           ,
           and
           true
           account
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           I
           was
           bred
           up
           in
           my
           greener
           years
           at
           Doway
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           short
           time
           became
           so
           good
           a
           Proficient
           in
           the
           mysteries
           of
           Popery
           ,
           that
           I
           enter'd
           the
           Order
           of
           Jesuits
           in
           France
           at
           my
           first
           instance
           :
           I
           lived
           amongst
           them
           full
           eighteen
           years
           and
           more
           ,
           and
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           without
           vanity
           ,
           in
           some
           esteem
           and
           repute
           of
           a
           Scholar
           being
           judg'd
           after
           a
           solemn
           examen
           ,
           capable
           to
           teach
           Divinity
           and
           Philosophy
           in
           the
           most
           renown'd
           Universities
           of
           Europe
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Jesuits
           way
           of
           G●aduating
           their
           own
           men
           in
           Divinity
           .
           I
           taught
           in
           France
           Grammar
           ,
           in
           Lorrain
           Mathematicks
           and
           Philosophy
           ;
           and
           being
           graduate
           in
           Physick
           ,
           
           I
           practis'd
           it
           not
           unhappily
           ,
           and
           intend
           to
           practise
           it
           hereafter
           ,
           with
           certain
           hopes
           ,
           God
           willing
           of
           the
           same
           good
           success
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           All
           this
           while
           I
           studied
           more
           to
           the
           endowment
           of
           the
           intellective
           faculty
           by
           humane
           Sciences
           ,
           than
           to
           perfect
           my
           will
           by
           solid
           Vertues
           and
           Piety
           :
           To
           which
           I
           thought
           the
           School-divinity
           ,
           as
           taught
           by
           Romanists
           ,
           was
           not
           a
           small
           hinderance
           :
           The
           speculative
           part
           thereof
           ,
           being
           apter
           to
           beget
           doubts
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           Christianism
           ,
           than
           to
           clear
           those
           that
           men
           may
           ,
           and
           do
           sometimes
           frame
           to
           themselves
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Take
           for
           instance
           ,
           they
           call
           in
           question
           and
           dispute
           ,
           
           if
           the
           Incarnation
           of
           God
           was
           possible
           or
           not
           ;
           if
           God
           can
           lye
           or
           speak
           a
           falshood
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           his
           Omnipotency
           to
           condemn
           an
           Innocent
           soul
           to
           the
           pains
           of
           everlasting
           flames
           ;
           if
           his
           actual
           existency
           can
           be
           clearly
           proved
           ,
           or
           pointed
           out
           by
           the
           light
           of
           a
           true
           demonstration
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           :
           Such
           disputes
           I
           ever
           thought
           ,
           
             Otiosorum
             hominum
             negotia
          
           ,
           the
           affairs
           of
           those
           that
           have
           no
           affair
           to
           busie
           themselves
           withal
           ;
           I
           judg'd
           them
           fitter
           to
           destroy
           than
           edifie
           ,
           to
           nourish
           and
           spread
           Errors
           ,
           than
           to
           increase
           Piety
           and
           dispell
           Ignorance
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           I
           studied
           several
           years
           the
           Jesuit
           School-divinity
           ,
           
           and
           I
           may
           say
           in
           all
           truth
           ,
           I
           reap'd
           no
           other
           benefit
           thereby
           ,
           save
           only
           that
           in
           my
           own
           conceit
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           some
           others
           ,
           I
           became
           an
           able
           Disputant
           ,
           about
           what
           ?
           About
           Chymera's
           ,
           beings
           of
           reason
           ,
           as
           they
           speak
           ,
           Impossibilities
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           whimsical
           notions
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Yet
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           these
           hot
           disputes
           we
           had
           often
           for
           meer
           Punctilo's
           of
           honour
           ,
           and
           a
           vain
           repute
           of
           some
           sharpness
           ,
           I
           felt
           often
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           working
           interiourly
           my
           Conversion
           ,
           by
           the
           secret
           voice
           of
           his
           Holy
           Inspiration
           ,
           which
           caus'd
           me
           often
           to
           break
           out
           in
           these
           or
           the
           like
           words
           :
           
             Quid
             haec
             ad
             aeternitatem
          
           ?
           What
           avails
           all
           
           this
           for
           my
           last
           end
           and
           eternal
           felicity
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           As
           to
           the
           practical
           part
           of
           the
           Romish
           School-divinity
           ,
           relating
           to
           Cases
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           World
           knows
           how
           far
           from
           a
           true
           and
           sincere
           Conscience
           are
           those
           men
           commonly
           called
           Casuists
           :
           I
           read
           several
           of
           them
           most
           exactly
           ,
           but
           was
           still
           displeas'd
           at
           their
           far
           fetch'd
           subtilties
           ,
           invented
           for
           the
           avoiding
           of
           sin
           ,
           but
           in
           reality
           are
           the
           true
           sources
           of
           all
           loosness
           and
           iniquity
           :
           Whatever
           crime
           your
           Conscience
           accuseth
           you
           of
           ,
           consult
           but
           a
           Romish
           Casuist
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           instantly
           indeavour
           your
           repose
           by
           some
           byass
           or
           another
           tending
           to
           his
           own
           interest
           ;
           and
           the
           setling
           
           of
           your
           inward
           peace
           on
           some
           frivolous
           distinction
           ,
           or
           groundless
           precision
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           Such
           sort
           of
           men
           are
           great
           Patrons
           of
           self-love
           ,
           and
           always
           prone
           to
           pronounce
           in
           favour
           of
           our
           corrupted
           nature
           against
           the
           light
           of
           their
           own
           Conscience
           and
           Reason
           ,
           and
           under
           pretence
           of
           shunning
           severity
           ,
           they
           fall
           into
           th'
           other
           extream
           ,
           more
           dangerous
           ,
           by
           yielding
           through
           an
           interess'd
           complacency
           to
           the
           perverse
           Inclinations
           of
           such
           as
           require
           their
           advice
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           I
           had
           great
           intimacy
           with
           several
           Romanists
           perswaded
           of
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           such
           immoral
           Practices
           ;
           their
           common
           by-word
           was
           ,
           Les
           
           
             gens
             d'esprit
             ne
             pechent
             point
          
           ,
           that
           is
           witty
           men
           hardly
           ever
           sin
           :
           Their
           reason
           was
           ,
           because
           sin
           ,
           for
           instance
           Adultery
           ,
           may
           be
           look'd
           on
           as
           a
           double
           fac'd
           medal
           ;
           the
           one
           side
           whereof
           represents
           to
           us
           a
           natural
           act
           ,
           th'
           other
           side
           an
           injust
           act
           ;
           their
           meaning
           is
           ,
           if
           you
           consent
           to
           an
           Adultery
           as
           't
           is
           a
           natural
           act
           precisely
           ,
           you
           shun
           by
           this
           precision
           the
           guilt
           of
           sin
           ,
           since
           an
           act
           as
           natural
           is
           not
           sinful
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           consent
           to
           it
           as
           't
           is
           an
           injust
           act
           ,
           you
           commit
           then
           a
           sin
           ,
           which
           witty
           and
           sharp
           men
           ,
           especially
           Casuists
           ,
           I
           fancy
           will
           never
           do
           ,
           knowing
           how
           to
           distinguish
           in
           the
           same
           individual
           act
           ,
           
             rationem
             actus
             ,
             &
             rationem
             peccati
             ,
          
           the
           
           formality
           of
           an
           act
           ,
           from
           that
           of
           a
           sinful
           act
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           So
           the
           dultish
           sort
           only
           ,
           either
           incapable
           of
           ,
           or
           not
           reflecting
           on
           such
           precisions
           ,
           shall
           commit
           Adulteries
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           sins
           for
           want
           of
           this
           prescinding
           faculty
           :
           Than
           which
           no
           greater
           illusion
           could
           I
           ever
           conceive
           ,
           as
           to
           commit
           a
           sin
           were
           not
           more
           than
           enough
           to
           desire
           an
           ill
           thing
           ,
           or
           what
           is
           necessarily
           tyed
           to
           an
           ill
           and
           unlawful
           object
           known
           to
           be
           such
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           These
           and
           the
           like
           dangerous
           opinions
           which
           we
           shall
           discuss
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           put
           often
           my
           thoughts
           to
           a
           stand
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           examine
           what
           truth
           could
           be
           in
           
           these
           ordinary
           reproaches
           made
           by
           Protestants
           against
           Romanists
           ,
           accus'd
           commonly
           by
           them
           of
           disconformity
           with
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           of
           Novelties
           ,
           Errors
           ,
           and
           Superstitions
           .
        
         
           12.
           
           Being
           thus
           perplex'd
           in
           mind
           and
           as
           Hercules
           in
           Bivio
           ,
           uncertain
           what
           way
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           ,
           I
           came
           to
           Scotland
           ,
           where
           because
           of
           some
           repute
           I
           had
           got
           abroad
           of
           a
           Scholar
           ,
           I
           was
           put
           instantly
           to
           work
           by
           the
           Jesuits
           ;
           against
           
             M.
             Menzeis
          
           ,
           Doctor
           and
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           in
           Aberdeen
           .
           I
           wrote
           then
           in
           a
           short
           time
           a
           Treatise
           of
           some
           bulk
           against
           his
           way
           of
           defending
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           ,
           but
           neither
           to
           my
           own
           satisfaction
           ,
           
           though
           several
           others
           seeing
           things
           but
           under
           one
           light
           ,
           seem'd
           to
           be
           perswaded
           by
           my
           arguments
           ,
           nor
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           most
           Romanists
           ,
           who
           thought
           and
           said
           my
           Doctrine
           in
           some
           material
           points
           was
           not
           unlike
           ,
           or
           the
           same
           with
           that
           of
           Protestants
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           After
           a
           stay
           of
           about
           two
           years
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           after
           an
           accurate
           parallel
           of
           Protestancy
           and
           Popery
           ,
           and
           a
           scrupulous
           scrutiny
           of
           the
           most
           material
           grounds
           they
           both
           stand
           on
           ,
           I
           came
           to
           London
           as
           to
           a
           safe
           Sanctuary
           ,
           where
           I
           might
           serve
           God
           in
           all
           freedom
           and
           security
           .
        
         
         
           14.
           
           The
           extream
           kindness
           of
           the
           Londoners
           to
           all
           distress'd
           Persons
           ,
           and
           their
           late
           unparallelable
           Charity
           to
           the
           Persecuted
           Brethren
           of
           the
           French
           Nation
           ,
           could
           not
           but
           inspire
           me
           with
           high
           sentiments
           of
           their
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           .
        
         
           15.
           
           I
           must
           confess
           here
           ingenuously
           ,
           that
           the
           English
           Nation
           ,
           exceeded
           not
           only
           formerly
           their
           Neighbours
           in
           Warlike
           Exploits
           ,
           and
           would
           yet
           ,
           if
           times
           and
           occasion
           put
           them
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           were
           ever
           ,
           and
           are
           still
           far
           beyond
           them
           all
           in
           beneficency
           and
           works
           of
           Charity
           ,
           the
           genuine
           Characters
           of
           Divine
           Faith
           and
           true
           Christianism
           influenc'd
           no
           doubt
           by
           the
           example
           
           of
           our
           most
           wise
           and
           most
           Gracious
           Soveraign
           ,
           who
           as
           he
           defends
           and
           conserves
           by
           all
           imaginable
           means
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           ,
           so
           favours
           all
           such
           with
           his
           Royal
           Protection
           and
           Friendship
           ,
           that
           conform
           to
           it
           ,
           by
           renouncing
           their
           Errors
           and
           Popery
           .
        
         
           16.
           
           I
           foresee
           this
           change
           of
           mine
           ,
           how
           well
           grounded
           soever
           ,
           will
           stir
           up
           against
           me
           .
           1.
           
           My
           former
           Brethren
           ,
           the
           Jesuits
           .
           2.
           
           My
           nearest
           Relations
           ,
           who
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           and
           ever
           were
           Zealous
           Romanists
           :
           I
           doubt
           not
           nevertheless
           but
           they
           shall
           put
           a
           favourable
           construction
           on
           what
           I
           have
           done
           ;
           provided
           1.
           
           They
           condemn
           me
           not
           ,
           
           
             incognitâ
             causâ
          
           ,
           unheard
           ,
           and
           2.
           
           Suspend
           their
           censure
           till
           after
           an
           impartial
           ,
           and
           intire
           perusal
           of
           this
           present
           Treatise
           ,
           all
           preoccupation
           Mother
           of
           error
           laid
           aside
           .
        
         
           17.
           
           They
           cannot
           say
           that
           any
           other
           motive
           but
           that
           of
           saving
           my
           Soul
           in
           the
           securest
           way
           ,
           caus'd
           me
           to
           withdraw
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           side
           with
           Protestants
           :
           They
           know
           I
           was
           in
           a
           Condition
           amongst
           them
           to
           want
           for
           nothing
           ,
           being
           supplyed
           with
           necessaries
           sufficiently
           ;
           but
           now
           I
           must
           rely
           on
           Gods
           Providence
           and
           my
           own
           Industry
           .
           Yet
           this
           I
           am
           not
           troubled
           at
           ,
           since
           Christ
           has
           said
           ,
           Search
           first
           after
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           then
           all
           other
           
           things
           ye
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           ,
           shall
           be
           added
           unto
           you
           :
           Since
           he
           can
           neither
           deceive
           nor
           be
           deceiv'd
           ,
           may
           we
           either
           think
           or
           say
           without
           Blasphemy
           ,
           he
           will
           disappoint
           such
           as
           have
           setled
           all
           their
           hopes
           in
           his
           infallible
           promises
           ;
           but
           to
           shun
           Prolixity
           ,
           I
           come
           to
           the
           main
           point
           I
           aim
           at
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           give
           to
           the
           publick
           an
           infallible
           method
           ,
           not
           written
           of
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           by
           any
           other
           ,
           to
           reduce
           Romanists
           to
           Conformity
           with
           the
           Reform'd
           Churches
           :
           By
           the
           same
           means
           I
           shall
           lay
           open
           to
           the
           World
           on
           what
           grounds
           I
           have
           forsaken
           Popery
           and
           embrac'd
           Protestancy
           .
        
         
         
           18.
           
           This
           method
           to
           be
           such
           as
           't
           is
           design'd
           ,
           shall
           be
           1.
           
           Plain
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           may
           understand
           it
           .
           2.
           
           Peaceable
           ,
           that
           the
           will
           may
           be
           gain'd
           ,
           and
           by
           it
           the
           understanding
           sweetly
           conquer'd
           .
           3.
           
           Short
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           proportionable
           to
           the
           leisure
           of
           the
           most
           busied
           ,
           and
           none
           through
           Prolixity
           loth
           to
           read
           it
           :
           All
           this
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           perform
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           Protestants
           and
           Conviction
           of
           Romanists
           ,
           if
           I
           make
           out
           with
           the
           clearness
           of
           a
           Noon
           Sun-shine
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Protestants
           may
           be
           saved
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           they
           may
           be
           saved
           more
           easily
           ,
           and
           with
           greater
           security
           than
           those
           of
           the
           Romish
           perswasion
           .
        
         
         
           19.
           
           The
           first
           of
           these
           Principles
           proved
           ,
           will
           cause
           Romanists
           to
           look
           upon
           Protestants
           with
           a
           brotherly
           Love
           and
           Charity
           ;
           the
           second
           once
           establish'd
           ,
           will
           force
           them
           sweetly
           but
           irresistably
           to
           side
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           matters
           of
           Religion
           and
           Divine
           Worship
           ;
           since
           they
           are
           perswaded
           in
           a
           business
           of
           such
           a
           weighty
           moment
           ,
           as
           is
           that
           of
           our
           Everlasting
           Happiness
           :
           
             Tutius
             semper
             est
             eligendum
          
           ,
           the
           safest
           must
           still
           be
           preferred
           before
           what
           is
           less
           secure
           .
        
         
           20.
           
           This
           Treatise
           shall
           contain
           three
           short
           Articles
           ;
           in
           the
           two
           first
           ,
           I
           shall
           prove
           evidently
           to
           all
           Impartial
           Readers
           ,
           the
           forementioned
           
           truths
           ;
           in
           the
           last
           we
           shall
           raise
           such
           inferences
           as
           flow
           naturally
           from
           these
           two
           foregoing
           Principles
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           ARTICLE
           I.
           PRINCIPLE
           I.
           That
           Protestants
           may
           be
           saved
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             NOthing
             makes
             Romanists
             more
             averse
             from
             Protestants
             ,
             than
             this
             groundless
             perswasion
             of
             theirs
             ,
             that
             Protestants
             cannot
             be
             saved
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             sole
             cause
             of
             their
             obstinacy
             in
             Popery
             ;
             the
             
             true
             source
             of
             their
             immortal
             hatred
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             root
             of
             these
             extream
             Rigors
             they
             have
             practis'd
             against
             Protestants
             ,
             where-ever
             they
             happen'd
             to
             be
             absolute
             Masters
             :
             This
             pitiful
             mistake
             wherein
             I
             liv'd
             several
             years
             ,
             was
             as
             a
             veil
             before
             my
             eyes
             ,
             hindering
             me
             to
             see
             the
             truth
             ,
             which
             now
             by
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             I
             see
             clearly
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Because
             this
             Principle
             is
             of
             great
             moment
             for
             the
             Conversion
             of
             Romanists
             ,
             I
             shall
             prove
             it
             to
             perswasion
             in
             two
             different
             ways
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Positively
             ,
             by
             positive
             and
             evincing
             Reasons
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Negatively
             ,
             by
             shewing
             there
             can
             be
             no
             let
             or
             hinderance
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             
             to
             such
             as
             profess
             Protestancy
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             can
             imagine
             but
             two
             things
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             or
             the
             attaining
             of
             Eternal
             Felicity
             .
          
           
             The
             First
             is
             to
             live
             conformably
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             what
             he
             is
             ,
             our
             Soveraign
             Lord
             and
             Master
             .
          
           
             The
             Second
             is
             ,
             to
             live
             conformably
             to
             the
             lawful
             Commands
             of
             such
             men
             as
             have
             their
             Authority
             deriv'd
             from
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             first
             Law-giver
             ;
             such
             are
             Kings
             ,
             Magistrates
             ,
             Princes
             ,
             and
             all
             Superiors
             whatsoever
             ,
             in
             their
             respective
             degrees
             of
             Superiority
             ,
             and
             Authority
             .
          
           
           
             4.
             
             As
             to
             the
             first
             point
             ,
             what
             people
             in
             the
             World
             professeth
             a
             more
             sincere
             allegiance
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             a
             more
             scrupulous
             observance
             of
             his
             Holy
             Law
             ,
             than
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             do
             ?
             So
             as
             of
             old
             it
             was
             said
             ,
             
               Not
               us
               in
               judaeâ
               Deus
            
             ,
             that
             God
             was
             known
             particularly
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             we
             may
             say
             in
             all
             truth
             of
             them
             ;
             there
             is
             no
             where
             such
             a
             general
             knowledge
             ,
             whether
             practical
             ,
             or
             speculative
             of
             his
             Holy
             Law
             ,
             as
             amongst
             Protestants
             ;
             they
             read
             it
             in
             their
             Churches
             ,
             they
             interpret
             it
             in
             their
             Pulpits
             ,
             they
             peruse
             it
             in
             their
             Families
             ,
             they
             make
             it
             the
             Subject
             of
             their
             private
             Meditations
             ,
             of
             their
             more
             serious
             Conversations
             :
             
             The
             Star
             they
             guide
             themselves
             by
             through
             the
             stormy
             Sea
             of
             this
             World
             is
             no
             other
             but
             Gods
             Infallible
             written
             Word
             ,
             whereunto
             they
             conform
             ;
             or
             which
             is
             all
             one
             for
             my
             intent
             ,
             they
             ought
             by
             their
             Principles
             ,
             to
             conform
             their
             Thoughts
             ,
             Words
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             Actions
             :
             Is
             it
             than
             consistent
             with
             reason
             ,
             to
             exclude
             from
             a
             capacity
             of
             Eternal
             Felicity
             ,
             such
             as
             not
             relying
             upon
             uncertain
             Traditions
             ,
             regulate
             all
             their
             steps
             by
             the
             rule
             of
             God's
             Infallible
             Word
             ?
             Let
             us
             lay
             aside
             our
             own
             particular
             fancys
             ,
             and
             renounce
             our
             too
             partial
             and
             preoccupated
             Judgments
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             instantly
             pronounce
             in
             their
             favour
             
             not
             a
             little
             discontent
             ,
             and
             amaz'd
             at
             our
             former
             uncharity
             and
             gross
             mistakes
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Their
             Doctrine
             relating
             to
             our
             allegiance
             due
             to
             all
             Superiors
             ,
             is
             so
             wholesome
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             that
             I
             can
             imagine
             none
             more
             subservient
             to
             the
             interest
             of
             Princes
             ;
             they
             are
             infinitely
             averse
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             reason
             from
             that
             irrational
             opinion
             of
             most
             
               Romanist
               Divines
            
             ;
             who
             teach
             the
             Pope
             of
             Rome
             has
             power
             to
             Depose
             Princes
             ,
             when
             it
             pleaseth
             him
             to
             fancy
             they
             are
             Hereticks
             :
             Whether
             they
             give
             a
             direct
             authority
             to
             the
             Pope
             over
             Kings
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             less
             than
             to
             enslave
             all
             Crown'd
             Heads
             to
             the
             Bishop
             
             of
             Rome
             ,
             or
             an
             indirect
             one
             ,
             only
             to
             depose
             Princes
             in
             certain
             Junctures
             ,
             't
             is
             clear
             they
             take
             from
             Caesar
             what
             is
             
             Caesar's
             ,
             that
             independency
             on
             all
             earthly
             power
             ,
             God
             has
             allowed
             him
             here
             on
             Earth
             .
             Princes
             are
             accountable
             to
             the
             King
             of
             Kings
             for
             all
             their
             actions
             ,
             and
             we
             to
             them
             ,
             if
             we
             forget
             so
             far
             our
             duty
             ,
             as
             to
             refuse
             them
             due
             allegiance
             .
             This
             Doctrine
             being
             confess'd
             and
             profess'd
             by
             all
             true
             Protestants
             ,
             can
             we
             either
             think
             or
             say
             they
             are
             Reprobates
             ,
             or
             not
             in
             the
             way
             to
             Heav'n
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             To
             banish
             such
             an
             unchristian
             fancy
             far
             from
             your
             thoughts
             ,
             remember
             what
             is
             said
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             God
             illuminates
             
             
             
             
             
             all
             men
             ,
             
               illuminat
               omnem
               hominem
            
             ,
             for
             what
             end
             ?
             For
             no
             other
             but
             that
             by
             this
             light
             they
             may
             discover
             the
             way
             to
             their
             last
             end
             ;
             if
             all
             men
             be
             thus
             illuminated
             ,
             are
             Protestants
             excepted
             ?
             Are
             they
             not
             men
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             them
             great
             examples
             of
             vertue
             and
             piety
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             I
             wonder'd
             often
             to
             hear
             Romanists
             grant
             such
             as
             shall
             never
             hear
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             were
             nevertheless
             in
             a
             capacity
             to
             save
             their
             Souls
             ,
             provided
             they
             lived
             conformably
             to
             the
             dictates
             of
             right
             reason
             :
             I
             was
             amaz'd
             I
             say
             ,
             to
             hear
             them
             confess
             this
             ,
             and
             so
             inconsequentially
             deny
             the
             same
             to
             Protestants
             ;
             but
             what
             can
             we
             expect
             from
             preoccupated
             
             judgments
             ,
             but
             in
             just
             Censures
             ,
             uncharitable
             Reflexions
             ,
             and
             illegal
             Conclusions
             ?
          
           
             8.
             
             I
             desire
             them
             here
             to
             consider
             that
             no
             people
             in
             the
             World
             hath
             higher
             sentiments
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             lower
             of
             themselves
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             the
             Reform'd
             Churches
             :
             Which
             are
             confessedly
             the
             best
             Dispositions
             can
             be
             imagin'd
             ,
             to
             render
             us
             capable
             of
             that
             end
             we
             were
             created
             for
             .
             They
             neither
             rely
             on
             the
             Mediation
             and
             Merits
             of
             Saints
             ,
             nor
             on
             their
             own
             good
             works
             ,
             they
             ground
             all
             their
             hopes
             of
             Salvation
             on
             the
             precious
             blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             shed
             for
             us
             upon
             the
             Altar
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             they
             exalt
             highly
             by
             all
             their
             principles
             ,
             Gods
             
             infinite
             goodness
             and
             mercy
             ever
             acknowledging
             when
             they
             have
             done
             all
             they
             can
             ,
             they
             are
             but
             useless
             Servants
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             their
             sufficiency
             floweth
             from
             that
             overflowing
             Fountain
             of
             all
             power
             ,
             goodness
             ,
             and
             mercy
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             And
             if
             without
             faith
             't
             is
             impossible
             to
             please
             God
             ,
             we
             have
             all
             reason
             to
             say
             they
             are
             most
             acceptable
             to
             his
             eyes
             ,
             since
             they
             show
             by
             their
             works
             their
             Faith
             is
             a
             saving
             and
             living
             Faith.
             Who
             ever
             hath
             convers'd
             with
             them
             more
             intimately
             ,
             and
             will
             speak
             impartially
             what
             he
             thinks
             of
             their
             Life
             and
             Conversation
             ,
             shall
             easily
             assent
             to
             this
             ,
             and
             confess
             ingenuously
             they
             are
             the
             best
             representatives
             
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Christians
             ,
             so
             real
             you
             shall
             find
             them
             in
             their
             intentions
             ,
             so
             sincere
             in
             their
             words
             ,
             and
             upright
             in
             all
             their
             procedures
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             How
             than
             can
             Romanists
             without
             the
             guilt
             of
             an
             extream
             uncharity
             ,
             impose
             so
             pitifully
             upon
             the
             ignorant
             sort
             ,
             causing
             them
             to
             believe
             on
             their
             bare
             word
             and
             authority
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             rational
             inducement
             imaginable
             ,
             that
             no
             Protestants
             are
             Elects
             ,
             that
             to
             be
             a
             Reprobate
             and
             a
             Protestant
             ,
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
             thing
             ?
             Are
             they
             God's
             Counsellors
             ?
             Adviseth
             he
             with
             them
             who
             is
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             and
             who
             not
             ?
             If
             a
             rash
             judgment
             be
             a
             sin
             ,
             as
             undoubtedly
             
             't
             is
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             innocent
             ,
             when
             rashly
             and
             upon
             groundless
             grounds
             ,
             they
             condemn
             so
             unmercifully
             their
             Neighbours
             ,
             who
             are
             as
             good
             ,
             if
             not
             better
             than
             themselves
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             Believe
             they
             not
             all
             the
             Fundamental
             points
             ,
             whatever
             is
             contain'd
             in
             the
             Creeds
             and
             Scripture
             ?
             And
             if
             acts
             of
             Divine
             Love
             have
             been
             ever
             thought
             necessary
             ,
             and
             sufficient
             means
             to
             the
             attaining
             of
             our
             last
             end
             ;
             where
             shall
             we
             find
             a
             greater
             aptitude
             ,
             and
             better
             dispositions
             to
             such
             acts
             ,
             than
             amongst
             Protestants
             ?
          
           
             12.
             
             As
             
               Ignoti
               nulla
               cupido
            
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             Love
             without
             Knowledge
             :
             The
             more
             knowledge
             
             we
             have
             of
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             perfections
             we
             discover
             in
             the
             object
             we
             tye
             our
             hearts
             to
             ,
             our
             love
             is
             ordinarily
             so
             much
             the
             more
             ardent
             .
             The
             Reformed
             Churches
             have
             this
             advantage
             above
             all
             others
             :
             They
             read
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             command
             them
             to
             be
             read
             by
             all
             their
             Subjects
             ;
             whereby
             they
             attain
             to
             a
             high
             knowledge
             of
             Gods
             infinite
             Power
             ,
             Clemency
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             his
             other
             attributes
             :
             Their
             understanding
             thus
             enlightned
             ,
             their
             will
             takes
             easily
             fire
             ,
             and
             burns
             with
             a
             flame
             of
             true
             Divine
             Love
             :
             The
             Origine
             whereof
             ,
             is
             no
             other
             but
             that
             not
             ordinary
             knowledge
             of
             God
             they
             attain
             to
             
             by
             reading
             often
             and
             meditating
             frequently
             his
             infallible
             Word
             :
             Which
             I
             know
             certainly
             to
             be
             wanting
             amongst
             Romanists
             ,
             because
             of
             their
             slight
             performance
             ,
             or
             rather
             intire
             neglect
             of
             such
             a
             Christian
             duty
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             Out
             of
             these
             foregoing
             reflexions
             the
             Charitable
             and
             Impartial
             Reader
             may
             easily
             gather
             ,
             they
             go
             streight
             on
             their
             Journey
             ,
             and
             not
             one
             step
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             who
             forsaking
             Popery
             imbrace
             Protestancy
             ;
             and
             if
             any
             Romanist
             doubt
             yet
             of
             this
             self-evident
             truth
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             at
             the
             pains
             to
             convince
             him
             once
             more
             ,
             by
             an
             argument
             beyond
             the
             reach
             either
             of
             a
             rational
             answer
             or
             flat
             denyal
             ,
             it
             runs
             hus
             ,
             
               ad
               hominem
            
             .
          
           
           
             14.
             
             The
             learnedest
             sort
             o
             Romanists
             teach
             it
             lawful
             and
             secure
             in
             Conscience
             to
             square
             our
             actions
             by
             the
             rule
             of
             a
             probable
             opinion
             ,
             yea
             the
             Jesuits
             hold
             it
             safe
             ,
             to
             stand
             to
             that
             opinion
             which
             is
             less
             sure
             ,
             and
             participates
             less
             of
             probability
             than
             the
             opposite
             ,
             though
             in
             reality
             surer
             and
             more
             probable
             ;
             their
             reason
             is
             ,
             because
             a
             man
             so
             doing
             ,
             acts
             prudently
             ,
             and
             consequently
             sins
             not
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             But
             the
             main
             and
             material
             point
             ,
             is
             to
             know
             what
             is
             understood
             by
             a
             probable
             opinion
             :
             The
             Romanists
             generally
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             none
             can
             deny
             it
             ,
             mean
             by
             a
             probable
             opinion
             ,
             that
             which
             learned
             and
             pious
             men
             hold
             and
             follow
             :
             
             For
             if
             they
             be
             pious
             ,
             godliness
             and
             piety
             will
             be
             their
             sole
             aim
             in
             all
             their
             practices
             ;
             if
             learned
             ,
             they
             will
             believe
             nothing
             without
             sufficient
             grounds
             and
             good
             reason
             ;
             this
             definition
             of
             a
             probable
             opinion
             laid
             as
             a
             confess'd
             Principle
             and
             immoveable
             ground-stone
             ,
             I
             build
             thereon
             this
             ensuing
             ,
             clear
             ,
             and
             short
             Discourse
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             Who-ever
             follows
             a
             probable
             opinion
             ,
             sins
             not
             ,
             does
             neither
             rashly
             ,
             nor
             imprudently
             ,
             but
             who
             holds
             that
             Protestants
             may
             be
             saved
             ,
             follows
             a
             probable
             opinion
             ,
             ergo
             ,
             he
             sins
             not
             ,
             he
             neither
             does
             rashly
             nor
             imprudently
             in
             so
             doing
             .
             The
             second
             proposition
             I
             prove
             ,
             
               argumento
               
               ad
               hominem
            
             ,
             invincibly
             thus
             ,
             that
             opinion
             is
             probable
             which
             is
             believed
             ,
             and
             defended
             by
             learned
             and
             pious
             men
             ,
             that
             Protestants
             may
             be
             saved
             ,
             't
             is
             believ'd
             and
             defended
             by
             learned
             and
             pious
             men
             ,
             ergo
             't
             is
             a
             probable
             opinion
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             necessary
             inference
             may
             be
             followed
             and
             believ'd
             without
             the
             least
             appearance
             either
             of
             sin
             ,
             rashness
             ,
             or
             imprudence
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             The
             middle
             proposition
             is
             not
             unlike
             to
             a
             self-evident
             principle
             ,
             and
             on
             this
             account
             can
             be
             denyed
             by
             none
             as
             have
             their
             Wits
             about
             them
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             of
             common
             sence
             and
             understanding
             as
             to
             see
             through
             
             the
             terms
             't
             is
             enounc'd
             in
             :
             Dare
             they
             say
             Protestants
             are
             neither
             pious
             ,
             nor
             learned
             ?
             
               Auditum
               admissi
               risum
               teneatis
               amici
               .
            
             I
             am
             perswaded
             they
             will
             be
             asham'd
             of
             such
             a
             childish
             and
             groundless
             answer
             :
             For
             if
             they
             be
             neither
             pious
             nor
             learned
             ,
             they
             must
             then
             both
             be
             wicked
             and
             ignorant
             ,
             I
             know
             no
             middle
             ,
             this
             must
             be
             their
             inference
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             pitiful
             that
             the
             meer
             recital
             of
             such
             an
             extravagancy
             is
             a
             full
             and
             intire
             refutation
             thereof
             ,
             
               enarrasse
               ,
               refutasse
               est
            
             .
          
           
           
             18.
             
             But
             sure
             I
             am
             ,
             they
             will
             grant
             willingly
             their
             own
             Divines
             to
             be
             both
             pious
             and
             learned
             men
             ,
             yet
             they
             teach
             ,
             and
             I
             was
             taught
             by
             them
             ,
             that
             all
             Protestants
             are
             not
             Reprobates
             :
             To
             understand
             this
             't
             is
             observable
             they
             distinguish
             two
             sorts
             of
             Protestants
             ,
             the
             one
             they
             call
             material
             ,
             and
             th'
             other
             we
             may
             call
             for
             distinction's
             sake
             ,
             formal
             .
             The
             Material
             Protestants
             are
             bred
             up
             in
             an
             invincible
             ignorance
             of
             what
             the
             Romanists
             think
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             as
             the
             belief
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             of
             Purgatory
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             :
             In
             an
             Ignorance
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             invincible
             ,
             because
             living
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             Protestants
             ,
             they
             are
             supposed
             
             to
             want
             all
             opportunity
             of
             instruction
             ,
             and
             so
             must
             rely
             on
             their
             Pastors
             authority
             :
             To
             these
             they
             extend
             their
             charity
             ,
             and
             grant
             they
             may
             be
             saved
             ;
             they
             are
             not
             so
             merciful
             to
             th'
             others
             ,
             who
             live
             they
             say
             in
             a
             vincible
             ignorance
             of
             Catholick
             truths
             ,
             which
             they
             may
             easily
             dispel
             and
             overcome
             ,
             but
             will
             not
             through
             wilfulness
             and
             obstinacy
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             But
             to
             such
             also
             I
             shall
             cause
             them
             to
             be
             favourable
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             parity
             of
             reason
             ,
             
               paritate
               rationis
            
             ,
             force
             them
             to
             impart
             ,
             will
             they
             ,
             nill
             ,
             they
             a
             part
             of
             their
             Charity
             :
             Because
             generals
             produce
             not
             such
             a
             clear
             knowledge
             as
             particulars
             do
             ,
             I
             shall
             take
             
             this
             particular
             ,
             the
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             for
             instance
             :
             The
             belief
             of
             this
             mystery
             ,
             sayes
             the
             Romanist
             ,
             is
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             yet
             confesseth
             a
             Material
             Protestant
             may
             be
             saved
             without
             it
             ,
             because
             he
             liveth
             in
             an
             invincible
             ignorance
             ,
             occasion'd
             by
             his
             want
             of
             opportunity
             to
             be
             instructed
             :
             But
             the
             Formal
             Protestant
             upon
             another
             account
             liveth
             likewise
             in
             an
             invincible
             ignorance
             of
             this
             necessity
             ,
             because
             the
             Reasons
             he
             is
             convinc'd
             by
             are
             stronger
             in
             his
             opinion
             than
             yours
             ,
             and
             so
             you
             shall
             never
             influence
             him
             by
             your
             arguments
             to
             believe
             ,
             acknowledge
             ,
             or
             understand
             the
             contrary
             ;
             what
             then
             the
             
             want
             of
             instruction
             or
             understanding
             worketh
             in
             the
             Material
             Protestants
             ,
             this
             wit
             effectuates
             in
             those
             whom
             for
             method's
             sake
             we
             have
             called
             formal
             :
             If
             those
             ,
             I
             mean
             the
             former
             ,
             be
             guiltless
             ,
             because
             hearing
             nothing
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             they
             cannot
             assent
             to
             the
             existency
             thereof
             ,
             these
             are
             not
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             for
             though
             they
             hear
             of
             such
             a
             mystery
             ,
             yet
             their
             understanding
             is
             conquer'd
             by
             lights
             destructive
             to
             it
             ,
             which
             discovering
             to
             them
             clearly
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             Negative
             ,
             
               there
               is
               no
               Transubstantiation
            
             ,
             remove
             far
             from
             their
             intellective
             faculty
             ,
             the
             knowledge
             of
             this
             Positive
             ,
             
               there
               is
               a
               Transubstantiation
            
             .
          
           
           
             20.
             
             I
             say
             then
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             blam'd
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             the
             will
             to
             force
             upon
             our
             understanding
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             known
             falshood
             ,
             or
             of
             what
             appears
             to
             us
             evidently
             false
             ;
             to
             conclude
             as
             I
             have
             begun
             ,
             
               paritate
               rationis
            
             ,
             by
             a
             parity
             of
             reason
             ,
             since
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             foresaid
             invincible
             ignorance
             ,
             grant
             to
             some
             Protestants
             a
             capacity
             of
             being
             saved
             ,
             unless
             they
             belye
             themselves
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             refuse
             the
             same
             to
             those
             in
             whom
             we
             meet
             with
             a
             like
             invincible
             ignorance
             ,
             yea
             more
             and
             harder
             to
             be
             overcome
             ,
             as
             may
             appear
             by
             what
             I
             have
             said
             .
          
           
           
             21.
             
             I
             foresee
             the
             Romanist
             may
             reply
             ,
             that
             those
             Protestants
             he
             hath
             no
             charity
             for
             ,
             are
             such
             as
             resist
             the
             known
             truth
             ,
             for
             instance
             ,
             they
             are
             perswaded
             the
             arguments
             in
             favour
             of
             Transubstantiation
             are
             better
             grounded
             than
             these
             ,
             they
             oppose
             against
             it
             :
             So
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             saved
             through
             their
             own
             misbelief
             ,
             wilfulness
             ,
             and
             obstinacy
             in
             error
             :
             To
             which
             I
             make
             this
             short
             and
             satisfactory
             answer
             ,
             that
             such
             men
             are
             not
             true
             Protestants
             of
             whom
             only
             we
             speak
             ,
             but
             rather
             abominable
             Hypocrites
             professing
             outwardly
             a
             Doctrine
             they
             judge
             in
             their
             hearts
             false
             and
             erroneous
             .
             This
             Objection
             than
             vanisheth
             ,
             
             as
             being
             
               de
               subjecto
               non
               supponente
            
             ,
             grounded
             on
             a
             false
             supposition
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             I
             Have
             proved
             positively
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             to
             perswasion
             ,
             if
             preoccupation
             be
             laid
             aside
             ,
             the
             undeniable
             truth
             of
             my
             first
             Principle
             ,
             that
             Protestants
             may
             be
             saved
             :
             For
             the
             Readers
             intire
             satisfaction
             ,
             I
             shall
             make
             out
             the
             same
             in
             a
             Negative
             way
             ,
             by
             showing
             to
             all
             not
             willfully
             blind
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             let
             or
             hinderance
             to
             their
             Salvation
             ;
             what-ever
             Romanists
             can
             instance
             as
             inconsistent
             
             with
             their
             attaining
             to
             eternal
             happiness
             ,
             may
             be
             reduc'd
             either
             to
             Schism
             or
             Heresie
             ,
             and
             that
             either
             jointly
             or
             severally
             :
             After
             an
             impartial
             scrutiny
             of
             their
             best
             grounds
             of
             such
             foul
             aspersions
             ,
             I
             found
             them
             all
             to
             be
             groundless
             ,
             unwarrantable
             ,
             and
             insufficient
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Schism
             is
             a
             separation
             from
             the
             true
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             Protestants
             are
             not
             separated
             from
             the
             true
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             ergo
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             guilty
             of
             Schism
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             Schismaticks
             :
             All
             generally
             confess
             the
             Christians
             of
             the
             three
             first
             Centuries
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             the
             constituent
             Members
             of
             Christ's
             true
             Church
             ;
             from
             these
             the
             Protestants
             are
             not
             
             separated
             either
             in
             belief
             ,
             manners
             ,
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
             ,
             this
             I
             could
             prove
             to
             the
             conviction
             of
             the
             most
             obstinate
             ,
             had
             it
             not
             been
             perform'd
             abundantly
             ,
             and
             more
             than
             once
             by
             others
             :
             The
             same
             cannot
             be
             said
             of
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             since
             they
             have
             admitted
             of
             many
             novelties
             never
             heard
             of
             in
             these
             Primitive
             times
             ,
             such
             are
             in
             invocation
             of
             Saints
             ,
             adoration
             of
             the
             consecrated
             Wafer
             ,
             Image-worship
             ,
             Popes
             Supremacy
             ,
             &c.
             
             So
             if
             they
             stand
             to
             the
             same
             Fundamentals
             with
             the
             Church
             in
             her
             purest
             age
             ,
             't
             is
             certain
             they
             have
             added
             thereunto
             ,
             and
             are
             guilty
             of
             divers
             Superstructures
             which
             the
             Protestants
             
             were
             never
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             accus'd
             of
             :
             But
             't
             is
             not
             so
             much
             my
             design
             in
             this
             place
             to
             charge
             Romanists
             ,
             as
             to
             justifie
             Protestants
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             embrace
             Protestancy
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             They
             will
             perhaps
             say
             we
             are
             Schismaticks
             ,
             because
             separated
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             :
             But
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Church
             of
             Rome
             is
             a
             particular
             one
             ,
             and
             a
             member
             only
             of
             the
             Universal
             Church
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             As
             it
             now
             stands
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             our
             rule
             ,
             but
             that
             undoubted
             of
             Christian
             Church
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             without
             spot
             or
             blemish
             .
          
           
           
             3.
             
             This
             aspersion
             of
             Schism
             smites
             rather
             themselves
             ;
             For
             those
             only
             we
             call
             Schismaticks
             who
             are
             guilty
             of
             division
             and
             breach
             of
             unity
             ,
             by
             doing
             that
             which
             is
             the
             true
             cause
             thereof
             :
             That
             the
             meanest
             capacities
             may
             understand
             this
             ,
             let
             them
             take
             notice
             of
             what
             follows
             :
             If
             my
             body
             were
             united
             or
             closely
             joining
             to
             yours
             ,
             would
             ye
             not
             be
             judg'd
             the
             true
             cause
             of
             our
             separation
             ,
             if
             ye
             put
             any
             thing
             between
             you
             and
             me
             hindring
             this
             union
             ?
             so
             you
             are
             the
             true
             Separatist
             ,
             not
             I
             ,
             because
             you
             have
             thrust
             me
             from
             you
             by
             that
             middle
             Obstacle
             you
             have
             plac'd
             betwixt
             us
             both
             ,
             which
             unless
             first
             removed
             ,
             I
             
             cannot
             unite
             my
             body
             to
             yours
             again
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             This
             is
             downright
             our
             present
             case
             if
             well
             understood
             :
             The
             Protestants
             and
             Romanists
             were
             once
             two
             united
             bodies
             in
             the
             pure
             age
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             these
             happy
             times
             when
             Superstition
             had
             not
             as
             yet
             gain'd
             a
             foot
             of
             ground
             amongst
             Christians
             ,
             they
             were
             one
             People
             ,
             
               anima
               una
               corunum
            
             ,
             one
             Soul
             ,
             and
             one
             Heart
             :
             But
             at
             length
             the
             Romanists
             set
             up
             betwixt
             us
             and
             them
             ,
             
               murum
               aheneum
            
             ,
             an
             invincible
             obstacle
             ,
             a
             heap
             of
             errors
             destructive
             both
             to
             union
             and
             unity
             ,
             so
             if
             we
             be
             separated
             now
             ,
             who
             were
             formerly
             united
             ,
             't
             is
             evidently
             by
             their
             fault
             we
             could
             
             not
             persevere
             in
             union
             with
             them
             because
             of
             this
             middle
             wall
             that
             did
             separate
             us
             ,
             let
             them
             throw
             it
             down
             as
             they
             are
             oblig'd
             in
             conscience
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             draw
             up
             together
             and
             joyn
             them
             close
             again
             :
             Since
             then
             they
             gave
             a
             just
             occasion
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             true
             causes
             of
             this
             separation
             ,
             they
             are
             the
             Separatists
             and
             true
             Schismaticks
             ,
             not
             we
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             As
             for
             Heresie
             let
             Romanists
             say
             what
             they
             please
             ,
             it
             can't
             with
             the
             least
             appearance
             of
             truth
             be
             laid
             to
             our
             charge
             :
             He
             is
             not
             guilty
             of
             that
             crime
             ,
             who
             defends
             obstinately
             any
             opinion
             whatsomever
             ,
             else
             all
             School-men
             
             and
             Divines
             standing
             stifly
             to
             their
             own
             fancys
             in
             Doctrinal
             points
             ,
             would
             be
             reckon'd
             Hereticks
             :
             Such
             be
             those
             only
             who
             deny
             flatly
             and
             with
             obstinacy
             Divine
             Truths
             or
             Articles
             of
             Faith
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             impos'd
             upon
             Protestants
             without
             injustice
             ,
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             calumny
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             They
             deny
             indeed
             General
             Councils
             to
             be
             infallible
             in
             their
             decisions
             ,
             but
             their
             infallibility
             is
             no
             Article
             of
             Faith
             ,
             else
             Austin
             was
             a
             Heretick
             ;
             asserting
             ,
             
               General
               Councils
               gathered
               out
               of
               all
               the
               Christian
               World
               ,
               are
               often
               corrected
               ,
               the
               former
               by
               the
               latter
               ;
            
             
             correction
             
             of
             a
             Council
             undoubtedly
             supposeth
             a
             precedent
             error
             and
             a
             Council
             to
             be
             errable
             ,
             as
             every
             one
             understands
             that
             knows
             any
             thing
             :
             On
             the
             same
             account
             he
             speaks
             after
             this
             manner
             to
             Maximian
             ,
             an
             Arian
             Bishop
             .
          
           
             
               Neither
               ought
               I
               to
               instance
               the
               Council
               of
               Nice
               ,
               nor
               thou
               the
               Council
               of
               Arimene
               ,
               to
               take
               advantage
               thereby
               ,
               for
               neither
               I
               am
               bound
               by
               the
               authority
               of
               this
               nor
               thou
               of
               that
               ;
               set
               matter
               with
               matter
               ,
               cause
               with
               cause
               ,
               reason
               with
               reason
               ,
               try
               the
               matter
               by
               the
               authority
               of
               Divine
               Scriptures
               .
            
             
          
           
           
             7.
             
             An
             Article
             of
             Faith
             must
             either
             be
             clearly
             contain'd
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             according
             to
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             declared
             expresly
             by
             some
             of
             their
             General
             Councils
             :
             But
             that
             General
             Councils
             are
             infallible
             in
             their
             Decisions
             ,
             is
             neither
             contain'd
             clearly
             in
             Scriptures
             ,
             let
             them
             tell
             us
             in
             what
             Part
             ,
             Book
             ,
             Chapter
             ,
             Verse
             ,
             nor
             is
             it
             determin'd
             in
             any
             of
             the
             eighteen
             General
             Councils
             ,
             they
             acknowledge
             as
             the
             rules
             of
             their
             Faith
             ;
             none
             can
             be
             instanc'd
             ,
             where
             this
             hath
             been
             decided
             :
             Upon
             what
             grounds
             then
             hold
             they
             this
             as
             a
             Divine
             Truth
             ,
             which
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             fanciful
             opinion
             hindering
             them
             to
             follow
             
             Austin's
             advice
             ,
             to
             set
             
             matter
             with
             matter
             ,
             cause
             with
             cause
             ,
             reason
             with
             reason
             ,
             to
             try
             the
             matter
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             Divine
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             The
             general
             Councils
             are
             so
             far
             from
             pretending
             to
             be
             infallible
             Judges
             of
             controversial
             Debates
             ,
             
             that
             in
             a
             set
             form
             of
             Prayer
             appointed
             to
             be
             said
             after
             every
             Council
             ,
             they
             pray
             that
             God
             would
             spare
             their
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             pardon
             their
             errors
             :
             and
             if
             they
             curse
             and
             anathematize
             such
             as
             reject
             their
             decisions
             ,
             this
             argues
             not
             they
             arrogate
             to
             themselves
             any
             infallibility
             in
             deciding
             ,
             for
             the
             same
             is
             the
             practice
             of
             Provincial
             and
             Particular
             Councils
             ,
             who
             
             neither
             pretend
             to
             be
             ,
             nor
             are
             look'd
             upon
             by
             the
             Romanists
             as
             infallible
             Judges
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             This
             undeniable
             truth
             is
             of
             greater
             moment
             than
             perhaps
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             of
             at
             first
             :
             For
             if
             the
             General
             Councils
             be
             not
             infallible
             when
             they
             decide
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith
             ,
             none
             of
             their
             decisions
             can
             be
             holden
             by
             Romanists
             as
             divine
             and
             reveal'd
             truths
             ,
             unless
             they
             be
             evidently
             conformable
             to
             God's
             written
             Word
             :
             Wherefore
             receive
             they
             not
             the
             definitions
             of
             a
             private
             man
             as
             reveal'd
             Oracles
             ?
             the
             reason
             is
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             he
             is
             fallible
             and
             lyable
             to
             error
             :
             Now
             the
             same
             being
             the
             condition
             and
             fate
             of
             General
             Councils
             ,
             
             they
             must
             of
             necessity
             confess
             ,
             they
             impose
             no
             obligation
             upon
             us
             to
             believe
             their
             decisions
             as
             Articles
             of
             Divine
             Faith
             :
             Who
             then
             rejects
             as
             Protestants
             do
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             Invocation
             of
             Saints
             ,
             Image-worship
             ,
             Power
             of
             Popes
             to
             depose
             Princes
             ,
             Prayer
             for
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             points
             we
             yield
             not
             to
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             deny's
             only
             what
             is
             asserted
             by
             errable
             Councils
             ,
             and
             consequently
             no
             Articles
             of
             Divine
             Faith
             ,
             we
             are
             therefore
             notoriously
             calumniated
             ,
             when
             on
             this
             account
             we
             are
             called
             by
             Papists
             obstinate
             in
             error
             and
             Hereticks
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             But
             how
             sayes
             the
             Romanist
             ?
             shall
             we
             resolve
             our
             
             doubts
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith
             ,
             if
             we
             acknowledge
             not
             the
             definitions
             of
             General
             Councils
             as
             divine
             and
             infallible
             Oracles
             ?
             You
             was
             told
             before
             by
             S.
             Austin
             how
             to
             behave
             in
             this
             case
             :
             I
             repeat
             his
             words
             ,
             set
             matter
             with
             matter
             ,
             sayes
             he
             ,
             cause
             with
             cause
             ,
             reason
             with
             reason
             ,
             try
             the
             matter
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             Divine
             Scriptures
             ,
             never
             yet
             corrupted
             in
             material
             points
             ,
             nor
             ever
             shall
             by
             Gods
             especial
             and
             necessary
             Providence
             over
             his
             Church
             ;
             if
             then
             you
             read
             his
             Infallible
             Word
             with
             true
             humility
             and
             a
             sincere
             desire
             of
             your
             own
             spiritual
             profit
             ,
             he
             will
             open
             your
             understanding
             ,
             resolve
             your
             scruples
             ,
             give
             repose
             to
             your
             
             conscience
             ,
             and
             as
             great
             insight
             in
             his
             Word
             as
             he
             knows
             to
             be
             convenient
             for
             your
             spiritual
             interest
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             This
             method
             is
             better
             and
             securer
             than
             that
             of
             the
             Romanists
             ;
             what-ever
             is
             decided
             by
             a
             lawful
             general
             Council
             ,
             is
             to
             them
             an
             Article
             of
             Faith
             ,
             a
             reveal'd
             truth
             ,
             a
             divine
             Oracle
             ,
             but
             such
             Councils
             they
             hold
             none
             to
             be
             ,
             unless
             the
             Members
             thereof
             have
             been
             really
             baptiz'd
             ,
             which
             they
             can
             never
             be
             certain
             of
             ,
             because
             this
             depends
             on
             the
             uncertain
             intentions
             of
             those
             who
             Baptiz'd
             them
             :
             For
             they
             generally
             teach
             besides
             the
             pronunciation
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             
               I
               Baptize
               thee
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             The
             
             Ministers
             intention
             to
             confer
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             is
             absolutely
             necessary
             ,
             so
             if
             it
             be
             wanting
             ,
             as
             easily
             it
             may
             ,
             the
             Child
             is
             not
             Baptiz'd
             .
             On
             the
             same
             account
             they
             are
             not
             certain
             if
             their
             Popes
             be
             Priests
             ,
             because
             perhaps
             the
             Bishop
             who
             ordain'd
             them
             ,
             had
             no
             such
             intention
             when
             he
             pronounced
             the
             set
             form
             of
             ordination
             :
             Of
             this
             I
             shall
             say
             a
             word
             again
             in
             another
             place
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             But
             if
             the
             general
             Councils
             be
             not
             infallible
             ,
             what
             mean
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             by
             asserting
             ,
             The
             Gates
             of
             Hell
             shall
             not
             prevail
             against
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             Church
             is
             the
             pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             truth
             ?
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ,
             There
             is
             nothing
             here
             as
             is
             evident
             relating
             
             to
             that
             ptetended
             infallible
             decisive
             faculty
             of
             General
             Councils
             :
             The
             first
             Proposition
             signifieth
             only
             the
             true
             Church
             shall
             have
             an
             existency
             and
             being
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             maugre
             the
             opposition
             of
             Tyrants
             ,
             Persecutors
             ,
             and
             all
             her
             Enemies
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             fall
             out
             she
             be
             not
             always
             visible
             in
             any
             Assembly
             or
             Congregation
             :
             As
             it
             happen'd
             to
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             at
             Jerusalem
             ,
             when
             all
             her
             Members
             were
             scattered
             abroad
             throughout
             the
             Regions
             of
             Judaea
             and
             Samaria
             ;
             
             as
             it
             happen'd
             when
             Christ
             was
             smitten
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             were
             hid
             ,
             as
             it
             happen'd
             in
             Elias
             his
             time
             ,
             
             who
             thought
             he
             was
             left
             alone
             ,
             not
             knowing
             where
             th'
             other
             seaven
             thousand
             true
             Worshippers
             of
             God
             were
             ;
             as
             it
             happen'd
             during
             the
             Persecution
             of
             the
             Roman
             Emperors
             ,
             and
             lately
             before
             the
             General
             Reformation
             of
             the
             Christian
             World
             ,
             yet
             the
             Gates
             of
             Hell
             prevail'd
             not
             against
             the
             Church
             because
             she
             was
             ever
             existent
             ,
             though
             not
             visible
             as
             now
             to
             the
             World
             :
             Her
             Meetings
             and
             Assemblys
             being
             of
             necessity
             in
             that
             juncture
             of
             affairs
             very
             secret
             and
             unknown
             to
             her
             Enemies
             .
             She
             is
             said
             to
             be
             the
             pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             truth
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             Gods
             especial
             Providence
             over
             her
             Children
             ,
             never
             suffering
             
             them
             all
             to
             fail
             and
             err
             ,
             but
             still
             stirring
             up
             some
             or
             several
             in
             opposition
             to
             Superstition
             ,
             Idolatry
             and
             Errors
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ARTICLE
           II.
           PRINCIPLE
           II.
           That
           Protestants
           may
           be
           saved
           more
           easily
           ,
           and
           with
           greater
           security
           ,
           than
           Romanists
           .
        
         
           I
           Hope
           the
           foregoing
           Discourse
           will
           be
           an
           occasion
           of
           moderation
           to
           the
           most
           severe
           Romanists
           ,
           who
           reflecting
           impartially
           on
           their
           former
           mistakes
           ,
           rash
           Judgments
           ,
           and
           preoccupated
           opinions
           ,
           will
           convert
           their
           former
           zeal
           ,
           or
           rather
           fury
           
           against
           Protestants
           ,
           into
           Brotherly
           Love
           and
           Charity
           .
           I
           say
           more
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           consider
           a
           moment
           or
           two
           ,
           and
           seriously
           ,
           the
           Contents
           of
           this
           second
           Article
           ;
           they
           shall
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           let
           go
           the
           uncertain
           ,
           take
           what
           is
           surest
           ,
           and
           embrace
           Protestancy
           ,
           as
           the
           easiest
           and
           safest
           way
           to
           our
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ,
           since
           by
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           it
           wants
           these
           lets
           and
           impediments
           to
           be
           met
           with
           in
           the
           Profession
           of
           Popery
           :
           To
           run
           over
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           with
           order
           and
           method
           ,
           we
           shall
           take
           notice
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Of
           their
           Faith
           and
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Of
           their
           Divine
           Worship
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           Discipline
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             Their
             Faith
             and
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THeir
             Faith
             is
             so
             blind
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             heard
             many
             of
             them
             say
             ,
             if
             a
             General
             Council
             had
             defin'd
             white
             to
             be
             black
             ,
             they
             would
             believe
             it
             ,
             whereby
             you
             see
             they
             are
             disposed
             to
             admit
             of
             any
             error
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             authoriz'd
             by
             a
             General
             Council
             ,
             though
             the
             infallibility
             thereof
             be
             no
             point
             of
             their
             Faith
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             proved
             
             evidently
             in
             the
             foregoing
             Article
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             They
             believe
             Baptism
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             none
             a
             true
             and
             real
             one
             ,
             if
             the
             Minister
             when
             he
             pronounceth
             the
             words
             intends
             not
             to
             Baptize
             ,
             which
             no
             doubt
             happens
             frequently
             ,
             since
             his
             intention
             may
             be
             easily
             diverted
             to
             his
             other
             designs
             and
             affairs
             :
             Let
             all
             the
             World
             judge
             if
             people
             thus
             principled
             can
             enjoy
             a
             true
             repose
             of
             mind
             or
             peace
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             the
             only
             foretast
             we
             have
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             of
             that
             to
             come
             :
             For
             how
             can
             they
             know
             assuredly
             ,
             whether
             the
             Minister
             or
             Priest
             really
             intended
             to
             Baptize
             them
             or
             not
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             may
             doubt
             
             if
             they
             be
             Christians
             ?
             for
             such
             they
             grant
             none
             is
             to
             be
             accounted
             without
             true
             Baptism
             ;
             and
             of
             this
             they
             can
             have
             no
             certainty
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             still
             uncertain
             of
             the
             Ministers
             intention
             ,
             judg'd
             by
             them
             so
             necessary
             to
             the
             validity
             of
             this
             Sacrament
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             intended
             only
             the
             meer
             pronounciation
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             I
             Baptize
             thee
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             &c.
             
             The
             Baptism
             could
             be
             no
             more
             a
             true
             one
             than
             a
             bare
             ,
             frivolous
             ,
             and
             insignificant
             Ceremony
             ;
             what
             trouble
             then
             and
             turmoil
             of
             Spirit
             they
             must
             needs
             perpetually
             wrestle
             with
             ,
             while
             Protestants
             as
             to
             this
             point
             enjoy
             a
             perfect
             Tranquility
             ,
             holding
             
             Baptism
             independent
             on
             the
             Ministers
             good
             or
             ill
             will
             ,
             malice
             or
             intention
             ,
             provided
             he
             pronounce
             seriously
             the
             words
             ,
             and
             set
             form
             of
             Baptism
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             be
             but
             sure
             of
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             was
             once
             eye-witness
             to
             the
             cruel
             torture
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             a
             Romanist
             suffered
             upon
             a
             doubt
             of
             his
             Baptism
             ,
             occasion'd
             by
             this
             Romish
             Doctrine
             :
             We
             were
             in
             the
             same
             Ship
             together
             upon
             Sea
             ,
             press'd
             by
             a
             furious
             Storm
             to
             think
             on
             what
             was
             our
             only
             concern
             in
             that
             conjuncture
             :
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             this
             Gentleman
             showing
             by
             his
             melancholy
             looks
             the
             inward
             distemper
             of
             his
             Soul
             ;
             cryes
             aloud
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             been
             beside
             
             himself
             ,
             
               he
               fear'd
               to
               be
               damn'd
            
             :
             I
             question'd
             him
             on
             what
             grounds
             he
             spoke
             so
             rashly
             ;
             because
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             whether
             I
             be
             Baptiz'd
             or
             not
             ;
             I
             doubt
             if
             the
             Priest
             had
             any
             such
             intention
             when
             he
             pronounc'd
             the
             words
             commonly
             used
             in
             Baptism
             ;
             I
             told
             him
             whatever
             I
             thought
             fittest
             to
             convince
             his
             understanding
             and
             quiet
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             but
             could
             not
             prevail
             ,
             because
             he
             knew
             the
             Council
             of
             Trent
             teacheth
             the
             Ministers
             intention
             to
             be
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             the
             existency
             of
             Baptism
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             On
             the
             same
             grounds
             they
             may
             doubt
             if
             their
             Priests
             can
             absolve
             ,
             and
             be
             truly
             
             Priests
             ,
             because
             in
             their
             perswasion
             they
             are
             no
             Priests
             without
             the
             intention
             of
             the
             Bishop
             that
             ordain'd
             them
             ,
             which
             perhaps
             he
             had
             not
             when
             he
             utter'd
             the
             set
             form
             of
             Ordination
             .
             This
             minds
             me
             of
             a
             Bishop
             lately
             deceas'd
             in
             France
             ,
             who
             confess'd
             at
             his
             last
             hour
             he
             had
             ordain'd
             many
             ,
             but
             ever
             without
             intention
             to
             ordain
             any
             :
             I
             was
             intimately
             acquainted
             with
             one
             ordain'd
             by
             the
             same
             Prelate
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             fully
             perswaded
             if
             he
             were
             advertis'd
             of
             this
             last
             confession
             of
             his
             ,
             he
             would
             scruple
             to
             continue
             a
             moment
             in
             the
             function
             of
             Priesthood
             .
          
           
           
             5.
             
             Who
             can
             relish
             ,
             if
             he
             hath
             any
             sentiment
             of
             true
             Piety
             ,
             what
             they
             teach
             of
             their
             Purgatory
             and
             purging
             fires
             .
             This
             Doctrine
             flatters
             sinners
             in
             their
             imperfections
             ,
             causeth
             them
             to
             live
             more
             loosely
             than
             otherwise
             they
             would
             do
             ,
             to
             make
             little
             scruple
             of
             these
             sins
             they
             call
             venial
             ,
             and
             never
             eternally
             punish'd
             :
             On
             this
             account
             they
             are
             not
             so
             apprehensive
             of
             these
             Everlasting
             ▪
             Torments
             we
             should
             ever
             remember
             of
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             sollicited
             to
             sin
             ,
             if
             no
             higher
             motive
             can
             withdraw
             us
             from
             it
             :
             Hell
             I
             say
             enters
             not
             so
             deeply
             into
             their
             thoughts
             because
             they
             rely
             on
             this
             third
             place
             :
             And
             the
             worst
             of
             them
             all
             after
             an
             absolution
             
             got
             from
             a
             Priest
             ,
             hopes
             to
             go
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             if
             not
             streight
             ,
             at
             least
             a
             little
             about
             by
             Purgatory
             :
             The
             Protestants
             who
             believe
             no
             middle
             place
             after
             death
             ,
             out
             of
             Heaven
             or
             Hell
             ,
             walk
             more
             cautiously
             ,
             fear
             more
             God's
             dreadful
             but
             just
             Judgments
             ,
             certain
             if
             they
             dye
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             they
             shall
             rest
             from
             their
             labours
             ,
             if
             in
             sin
             they
             shall
             be
             liable
             to
             his
             wrath
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             Scripture
             is
             the
             true
             Spiritual
             book
             we
             should
             still
             have
             in
             our
             hands
             .
             
               Nocturnâ
               versare
               manu
               versare
               diurnâ
               .
            
             Here
             we
             are
             to
             gather
             that
             
             Spiritual
             Manna
             to
             nourish
             not
             our
             Bodies
             but
             our
             Souls
             ,
             while
             we
             travel
             through
             the
             Wilderness
             of
             this
             wild
             World.
             These
             sacred
             Writings
             are
             capable
             to
             make
             us
             wise
             unto
             Salvation
             ;
             search
             the
             Scriptures
             saith
             S.
             John
             ,
             for
             in
             them
             ye
             think
             ye
             have
             Eternal
             Life
             :
             Yet
             the
             Romanists
             deprive
             the
             people
             of
             this
             Spiritual
             Food
             ,
             forbiding
             them
             severely
             to
             read
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             more
             hurtful
             than
             profitable
             ;
             hence
             't
             is
             they
             live
             in
             a
             deep
             ignorance
             of
             all
             true
             Christian
             Duty
             ,
             in
             indifferency
             ,
             and
             lukewarmness
             ,
             without
             relish
             of
             heavenly
             things
             ,
             without
             true
             devotion
             ,
             which
             is
             never
             more
             stirred
             
             up
             ,
             than
             when
             we
             hear
             God
             speaking
             in
             the
             secret
             of
             our
             hearts
             by
             the
             Divine
             Oracles
             of
             his
             Holy
             Word
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             They
             cause
             the
             People
             to
             contemn
             or
             at
             least
             to
             have
             less
             veneration
             for
             Divine
             Scriptures
             ,
             by
             teaching
             they
             contain
             not
             all
             things
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             they
             are
             obscure
             ,
             they
             are
             imperfect
             .
             They
             seem
             sometimes
             to
             question
             their
             Divine
             Original
             ,
             when
             they
             ask
             how
             we
             are
             sure
             they
             are
             inspir'd
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             as
             if
             that
             were
             not
             known
             to
             say
             no
             more
             by
             the
             Air
             ,
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             Simplicity
             of
             expression
             ,
             proper
             to
             God
             only
             ,
             as
             we
             know
             the
             Kings
             Letters
             and
             Commands
             to
             his
             Subjects
             by
             
             
             
             
             
             his
             Seal
             and
             proper
             expressions
             ,
             none
             but
             the
             King
             uttering
             himself
             after
             that
             manner
             :
             So
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             being
             as
             God's
             Patents
             and
             Letters
             to
             us
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             enquire
             from
             whom
             they
             are
             ,
             let
             us
             only
             disclose
             them
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             instantly
             know
             their
             Divine
             Original
             ,
             
               quasi
               dei
               sigillo
            
             ,
             as
             by
             God's
             own
             Seal
             and
             Characters
             proper
             to
             him
             only
             ,
             without
             having
             recourse
             to
             the
             pretended
             infallible
             decisions
             of
             General
             Councils
             ,
             as
             Romanists
             do
             ,
             who
             must
             run
             back
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             again
             to
             prove
             these
             decisions
             infallible
             ,
             and
             so
             ,
             
               in
               circuitu
               ambulant
            
             ,
             they
             turn
             round
             in
             a
             circle
             without
             advancing
             one
             step
             .
             But
             't
             is
             
             not
             so
             much
             my
             design
             to
             dispute
             and
             quarrel
             with
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             as
             to
             go
             on
             peaceably
             and
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christian
             Charity
             ,
             pointing
             out
             as
             with
             the
             finger
             ,
             the
             great
             Obstacles
             to
             perfection
             they
             meet
             with
             ,
             by
             following
             blindly
             the
             Maxims
             of
             Popery
             :
             I
             add
             only
             here
             their
             Prayers
             in
             an
             unknown
             Tongue
             unfruitful
             as
             S.
             Paul
             saith
             ,
             to
             the
             understanding
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             small
             let
             to
             Piety
             and
             Devotion
             ;
             what
             Spiritual
             Consolation
             can
             the
             ignorant
             sort
             reap
             at
             Mass
             ,
             or
             as
             they
             call
             it
             ,
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             by
             hearing
             the
             Priest
             praying
             they
             know
             not
             what
             ?
             unless
             they
             hold
             against
             common
             sence
             and
             reason
             ,
             that
             ignorance
             
             is
             the
             Mother
             of
             Piety
             and
             Devotion
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             Their
             Doctrine
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             is
             on
             several
             accounts
             dangerous
             and
             ensnaring
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             It
             destroys
             all
             evidence
             grounded
             on
             the
             experimental
             knowledge
             of
             our
             senses
             ,
             and
             makes
             void
             the
             proof
             Christ
             made
             use
             of
             to
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             
             in
             aim
             to
             convince
             them
             he
             was
             not
             a
             Spirit
             ;
             
               Handle
               me
            
             ,
             sayes
             he
             ,
             
               and
               see
               ,
               for
               a
               spirit
               hath
               not
               Flesh
               and
               Bones
               as
               ye
               see
               me
               have
               ,
            
             which
             can
             be
             no
             conviction
             to
             Romanists
             ,
             who
             both
             tast
             ,
             handle
             ,
             and
             see
             bread
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ;
             if
             they
             will
             trust
             their
             own
             senses
             as
             our
             Saviour
             in
             
             a
             not
             unlike
             case
             desir'd
             his
             Disciples
             to
             trust
             to
             theirs
             ,
             yet
             deny
             flatly
             what
             they
             see
             ,
             tast
             ,
             and
             handle
             ,
             to
             be
             Bread
             ,
             against
             their
             own
             and
             the
             experience
             of
             all
             men
             not
             blind
             of
             both
             eyes
             :
             Our
             Saviour's
             Proof
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             not
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             shall
             never
             influence
             a
             Papist
             to
             Conviction
             ,
             for
             though
             the
             Apostles
             could
             both
             see
             and
             handle
             our
             Saviour's
             Body
             ,
             nevertheless
             't
             is
             no
             necessary
             inference
             by
             their
             Doctrine
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             that
             Christ's
             Body
             was
             there
             ;
             may
             they
             not
             say
             the
             Apostles
             could
             touch
             ,
             handle
             ,
             and
             see
             the
             appearance
             only
             thereof
             ,
             as
             they
             handle
             ,
             and
             see
             the
             accidents
             of
             Bread
             ,
             and
             not
             really
             
             Bread
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             in
             their
             opinion
             of
             this
             Sacrament
             ,
             which
             taketh
             quite
             away
             the
             force
             of
             Christ's
             argument
             grounded
             on
             the
             meer
             Testimony
             of
             our
             senses
             and
             favours
             ,
             the
             Marcionists
             denying
             he
             had
             ever
             a
             true
             and
             real
             body
             ?
          
           
             I
             shall
             say
             yet
             something
             more
             surprizing
             ,
             but
             no
             less
             true
             than
             what
             I
             have
             said
             before
             .
             This
             Doctrine
             of
             Transubstantiation
             .
             1.
             
             Establisheth
             that
             old
             and
             odd
             fancy
             of
             some
             doting
             Philosophers
             ,
             who
             doubted
             of
             all
             things
             how
             evident
             soever
             .
             2.
             
             'T
             is
             evidently
             destructive
             to
             the
             whole
             body
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             In
             order
             to
             prove
             apodictically
             these
             two
             Propositions
             ,
             
             I
             must
             suppose
             a
             Third
             one
             ,
             as
             a
             self-evident
             Principle
             ,
             and
             whence
             they
             both
             flow
             as
             from
             their
             only
             source
             ,
             
               That
               our
               Senses
               in
               the
            
             Eucharist
             ,
             
               are
               deceiv'd
               in
               and
               about
               their
               proper
               object
            
             ;
             which
             I
             think
             can
             be
             denyed
             by
             no
             Romanists
             ,
             since
             they
             confess
             ,
             though
             they
             see
             all
             the
             appearances
             of
             true
             Bread
             ,
             that
             nevertheless
             there
             is
             no
             such
             substance
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             but
             the
             Body
             and
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             under
             the
             veils
             of
             Bread
             and
             Wine
             :
             I
             see
             nothing
             ,
             I
             tast
             nothing
             ,
             I
             touch
             nothing
             in
             a
             Consecrated
             Wafer
             ,
             but
             what
             my
             senses
             are
             sensible
             of
             in
             an
             unconsecrated
             one
             ,
             but
             saith
             the
             Romanist
             ,
             I
             must
             not
             
             stand
             in
             this
             case
             to
             the
             judgment
             of
             my
             senses
             ,
             what
             I
             see
             ,
             touch
             ,
             and
             tast
             ,
             after
             the
             Consecration
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             in
             reality
             Bread
             ,
             what-ever
             the
             constant
             and
             experimental
             knowledge
             of
             our
             Senses
             teach
             us
             to
             the
             contrary
             ;
             they
             will
             grant
             then
             I
             hope
             they
             are
             deceiv'd
             ,
             and
             mistake
             their
             own
             proper
             object
             ;
             but
             perhaps
             because
             they
             foresee
             the
             dangerous
             consequence
             of
             such
             a
             Concession
             ,
             some
             will
             be
             apt
             to
             run
             to
             a
             School-distinction
             ,
             in
             aim
             to
             defend
             with
             a
             show
             of
             reason
             this
             self-evident
             falshood
             ,
             that
             our
             Senses
             in
             the
             case
             here
             handled
             are
             not
             deceived
             as
             to
             their
             proper
             Object
             :
             They
             may
             distinguish
             ,
             I
             
             fancy
             ,
             two
             sort
             of
             Objects
             ,
             a
             Mediate
             one
             ,
             and
             another
             Immediate
             ,
             the
             Immediate
             one
             is
             ,
             the
             colour
             ,
             shape
             ,
             quantity
             ,
             and
             other
             accidents
             or
             appearances
             of
             Bread
             ,
             the
             Mediate
             one
             is
             the
             substance
             it self
             ;
             our
             Senses
             ,
             say
             they
             ,
             mistake
             not
             the
             former
             ,
             because
             the
             accidents
             are
             the
             same
             both
             before
             and
             after
             the
             Consecration
             ,
             but
             sure
             I
             am
             ,
             they
             mistake
             the
             latter
             ,
             it
             being
             now
             by
             their
             Principles
             invisibly
             changed
             into
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             :
             This
             distinction
             then
             cannot
             serve
             their
             turn
             .
             Let
             them
             torture
             their
             discursive
             faculty
             never
             so
             much
             ,
             they
             shall
             never
             be
             able
             to
             prove
             that
             our
             Senses
             are
             not
             truly
             deceiv'd
             ,
             representing
             
             to
             us
             as
             Bread
             ,
             what
             really
             ,
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             is
             not
             Bread.
             I
             come
             now
             to
             the
             Conclusions
             springing
             naturally
             from
             this
             granted
             Principle
             :
             If
             I
             mind
             to
             play
             the
             Pyrrhonian
             ,
             and
             doubt
             of
             every
             thing
             I
             have
             from
             the
             Romish
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             a
             ground
             whereon
             to
             build
             this
             extravagancy
             ;
             whither-soever
             I
             direct
             my
             sight
             ,
             I
             can
             ascertain
             you
             of
             nothing
             that
             my
             eye
             sees
             :
             I
             enter
             into
             a
             Garden
             ,
             and
             there
             I
             behold
             here
             Lillies
             ,
             and
             there
             Roses
             ,
             I
             smell
             them
             ,
             I
             touch
             them
             ,
             and
             yet
             I
             may
             question
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             ,
             and
             doubt
             if
             I
             see
             any
             such
             thing
             ,
             what
             if
             the
             red
             of
             the
             Roses
             and
             the
             white
             of
             
             the
             Lillies
             be
             now
             by
             an
             Eucharistick-like
             Miracle
             the
             covertures
             of
             some
             other
             substances
             that
             are
             neither
             Roses
             nor
             Lillies
             ;
             so
             perhaps
             't
             is
             not
             a
             Rose
             that
             I
             smell
             ,
             a
             Lilly
             that
             I
             see
             ,
             Fire
             that
             I
             feel
             ,
             an
             Apple
             that
             I
             tast
             ,
             a
             Trumpet
             that
             I
             hear
             ,
             but
             some
             other
             substances
             in
             their
             shape
             ,
             and
             cloath'd
             with
             their
             Garments
             :
             As
             't
             is
             not
             Bread
             that
             I
             see
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             but
             another
             substance
             ,
             to
             wit
             Christ's
             Body
             and
             Blood
             under
             the
             accidental
             parts
             of
             Bread
             and
             Wine
             ;
             what
             do
             we
             know
             but
             the
             whole
             visible
             Mass
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Objects
             of
             our
             Senses
             are
             nothing
             else
             but
             meer
             accidents
             and
             Superficial
             Representations
             
             of
             things
             that
             perhaps
             were
             and
             now
             have
             no
             foundation
             in
             being
             ,
             or
             never
             were
             ,
             but
             have
             ever
             been
             supplied
             by
             God's
             infinite
             power
             ?
             Thus
             the
             Pyrrhonian
             Triumphs
             upon
             the
             same
             ground
             whereon
             the
             Romanist
             settles
             that
             strange
             Doctrine
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             while
             the
             whole
             Body
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             is
             as
             it
             were
             a
             flote
             and
             carried
             too
             and
             fro
             by
             the
             wind
             of
             this
             uncertain
             Doctrine
             .
             For
             if
             our
             Senses
             may
             mistake
             their
             own
             proper
             object
             ,
             as
             confessedly
             the
             Romanist
             sayes
             they
             do
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             our
             Faith
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             fancy
             and
             uncertainty
             :
             Comes
             it
             not
             by
             hearing
             ?
             
               Fides
               exauditu
            
             ?
             
             if
             than
             one
             sence
             may
             be
             deceiv'd
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             likewise
             the
             other
             ?
             What
             I
             see
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             is
             not
             Bread
             ;
             though
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             perhaps
             what
             I
             hear
             is
             not
             the
             true
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             it
             shine
             with
             all
             the
             Characters
             thereof
             :
             In
             fine
             ,
             since
             our
             Senses
             are
             capable
             of
             an
             errour
             relating
             to
             their
             proper
             object
             ,
             an
             eye-witness
             now
             can
             be
             no
             witness
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             no
             Conviction
             :
             To
             what
             purpose
             then
             did
             our
             Saviour
             show
             himself
             after
             his
             Resurrection
             so
             often
             ,
             and
             to
             so
             many
             in
             the
             day
             of
             his
             glorious
             Ascension
             ?
             In
             
               promptu
               causa
               est
            
             ,
             the
             Answer
             is
             at
             hand
             ,
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             if
             our
             Senses
             could
             mistake
             
             their
             proper
             object
             ,
             and
             what
             so
             many
             eye-witnesses
             saw
             and
             judg'd
             to
             be
             Christ
             ,
             could
             have
             been
             his
             meer
             shape
             and
             figure
             ,
             as
             the
             Marcionist
             pretends
             ,
             with
             a
             clear
             advantage
             over
             and
             from
             the
             Romanists
             whose
             Doctrine
             he
             may
             easily
             make
             use
             of
             in
             defence
             of
             his
             error
             and
             Heresie
             .
             To
             conclude
             ,
             if
             what
             appears
             to
             the
             eyes
             of
             all
             men
             to
             be
             Bread
             ,
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             ,
             what
             has
             been
             sounded
             in
             the
             ears
             of
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             from
             Father
             to
             Son
             as
             a
             truth
             may
             prove
             a
             falshood
             ?
             Our
             ears
             being
             no
             less
             apt
             to
             be
             impos'd
             upon
             than
             our
             eyes
             .
             Which
             looks
             like
             a
             mortal
             blow
             to
             all
             tradition
             of
             equal
             authority
             with
             Divine
             Scriptures
             ,
             
             and
             I
             discover
             not
             yet
             how
             the
             Romanist
             can
             shun
             it
             :
             For
             since
             he
             grants
             we
             may
             all
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             from
             the
             Cradle
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             mistaken
             in
             what
             we
             see
             ,
             may
             not
             we
             likewise
             be
             deceiv'd
             in
             what
             we
             have
             heard
             from
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             they
             in
             what
             they
             have
             heard
             from
             their
             Fore-runners
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             the
             rather
             that
             an
             ear-witness
             is
             not
             so
             much
             to
             be
             credited
             as
             he
             that
             has
             seen
             :
             You
             judge
             by
             this
             discourse
             ,
             what
             extreams
             these
             are
             forc'd
             into
             ,
             who
             deny
             on
             so
             slight
             grounds
             the
             greatest
             and
             most
             sensible
             evidence
             ,
             which
             is
             that
             of
             our
             senses
             :
             But
             Christ's
             Word
             ,
             sayes
             the
             Romanist
             ,
             is
             my
             security
             ;
             he
             assures
             
             us
             the
             Bread
             is
             chang'd
             into
             his
             body
             ,
             I
             enquire
             no
             more
             :
             Who
             speaks
             so
             forgets
             ,
             or
             knows
             not
             what
             is
             said
             elsewhere
             ,
             
               litera
               occidit
            
             ,
             the
             letter
             killeth
             ,
             and
             the
             literal
             Sense
             is
             an
             occasion
             to
             several
             of
             gross
             errors
             and
             pitiful
             mistakes
             :
             Christ
             is
             called
             a
             Door
             ,
             a
             Rock
             ,
             a
             Wine
             Tree
             ,
             a
             Lyon
             ,
             &c.
             
             We
             would
             be
             look'd
             upon
             as
             besides
             our selves
             if
             we
             assented
             to
             all
             this
             ,
             as
             interpreted
             in
             the
             literal
             sence
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             bare
             sound
             of
             the
             words
             :
             For
             as
             the
             literal
             sence
             of
             such
             and
             the
             like
             expressions
             ,
             involves
             not
             only
             obvious
             implicancys
             and
             manifest
             absurdities
             ,
             but
             moreover
             was
             constantly
             contradicted
             
             by
             the
             experimental
             knowledge
             of
             such
             as
             were
             so
             happy
             as
             to
             see
             Christ
             ,
             even
             so
             in
             our
             case
             ,
             these
             words
             ,
             
               this
               is
               my
               Body
            
             ,
             if
             understood
             conformably
             to
             the
             mute
             Letter
             ,
             both
             represent
             to
             our
             mind
             a
             World
             of
             illegal
             ,
             absur'd
             ,
             and
             irrational
             inferences
             ,
             and
             are
             besides
             contradicted
             through
             all
             Ages
             by
             the
             constant
             experience
             of
             all
             seeing
             and
             feeling
             men
             :
             Let
             no
             Man
             nevertheless
             imagine
             we
             ground
             our
             mysteries
             on
             the
             Testimony
             of
             our
             Senses
             ;
             we
             only
             say
             nothing
             can
             be
             suppos'd
             as
             a
             mystery
             that
             is
             point
             blank
             against
             the
             evidence
             of
             sence
             and
             infallible
             experience
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             retorted
             
             against
             the
             mystery
             of
             the
             Trinity
             ,
             for
             though
             we
             neither
             see
             it
             nor
             feel
             it
             ,
             yet
             our
             Senses
             shew
             nothing
             to
             us
             evidently
             destructive
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             on
             this
             account
             this
             mystery
             is
             not
             against
             but
             above
             the
             reach
             both
             of
             Sense
             and
             Reason
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             This
             Doctrine
             inclineth
             the
             meaner
             capacities
             to
             idolatry
             ,
             and
             the
             sharper
             wits
             to
             Hypocrisie
             and
             Dissimulation
             :
             The
             common
             People
             ,
             because
             incapable
             to
             distinguish
             the
             appearance
             of
             Bread
             they
             see
             ,
             from
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             they
             see
             not
             ,
             and
             being
             taught
             to
             adore
             him
             hidden
             thus
             under
             the
             veils
             of
             Bread
             and
             Wine
             ,
             are
             apt
             to
             ,
             and
             no
             doubt
             
             do
             frequently
             adore
             the
             accidents
             they
             see
             ,
             which
             they
             call
             sometimes
             blasphemously
             ,
             God
             ,
             yea
             say
             commonly
             ,
             when
             the
             Wafer
             is
             lifted
             up
             by
             the
             Priest
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Mass
             ,
             
               on
               leve
               Dieu
            
             ,
             God
             is
             lifted
             ,
             their
             understanding
             finding
             no
             passage
             through
             the
             Consecrated
             Wafer
             to
             Christ's
             Body
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             As
             for
             the
             sharper
             sort
             of
             Romanists
             when
             they
             reflect
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             On
             what
             is
             said
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             
             that
             the
             Heavens
             must
             receive
             Christ
             until
             the
             times
             of
             restitution
             of
             all
             things
             .
          
           
           
           
           
           
           
             2.
             
             That
             a
             Body
             can
             no
             more
             be
             without
             its
             due
             extension
             ,
             for
             example
             ,
             of
             five
             or
             six
             foot
             ,
             than
             water
             without
             humidity
             ,
             fire
             without
             heat
             ,
             a
             stone
             without
             hardness
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             the
             Bread
             cannot
             be
             miraculously
             chang'd
             into
             Christ's
             Body
             ,
             because
             all
             miracles
             are
             of
             necessity
             visible
             ,
             as
             is
             clear
             by
             all
             those
             we
             ever
             heard
             or
             read
             of
             :
             But
             here
             the
             substance
             into
             which
             the
             Bread
             is
             converted
             ,
             is
             not
             visible
             :
             This
             visibility
             nevertheless
             is
             necessary
             in
             a
             change
             really
             miraculous
             ,
             as
             it
             appears
             by
             that
             of
             water
             into
             wine
             ,
             of
             Moses
             Rod
             into
             a
             Serpent
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
           
             4.
             
             That
             't
             is
             inconsistent
             with
             reason
             to
             say
             Christ's
             Body
             is
             at
             the
             same
             time
             in
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             in
             as
             many
             places
             as
             there
             be
             all
             the
             World
             over
             Consecrated
             Wafers
             :
             Who-ever
             understands
             these
             absurdities
             ,
             will
             never
             ,
             I
             am
             confident
             ,
             believe
             a
             true
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             though
             he
             profess
             otherwise
             outwardly
             through
             Hypocrisie
             and
             Dissimulation
             :
             The
             Trinity
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             and
             Hypostatical
             Union
             ,
             or
             the
             Incarnation
             ,
             are
             far
             beyond
             the
             reach
             of
             our
             reason
             ,
             yet
             because
             they
             are
             not
             the
             Objects
             of
             our
             Senses
             ,
             we
             believe
             them
             with
             less
             reluctancy
             ,
             and
             more
             easily
             upon
             authority
             ;
             but
             that
             which
             hath
             
             ever
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             evidently
             repugnant
             to
             the
             experimental
             knowledge
             of
             all
             our
             Senses
             ,
             as
             the
             Transubstantiation
             confessedly
             is
             ,
             can
             scarce
             ever
             be
             looked
             upon
             as
             a
             truth
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             make
             use
             of
             their
             discerning
             faculty
             .
             The
             Romanists
             instance
             commonly
             these
             Words
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               This
               is
               my
               Body
            
             ,
             as
             the
             ground
             of
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             which
             they
             say
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             taken
             in
             a
             figurative
             sence
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             Christ's
             last
             Will
             and
             Testament
             ;
             and
             no
             man
             ,
             neither
             ignorant
             nor
             malicious
             expresseth
             his
             last
             Will
             by
             Figures
             and
             Metaphors
             :
             But
             here
             lies
             their
             mistake
             ,
             that
             these
             words
             ,
             
               This
               is
               my
               Body
            
             ,
             are
             a
             true
             
             and
             real
             Testament
             ,
             or
             
             Christ's
             Legacy
             to
             his
             Apostles
             :
             For
             he
             says
             not
             ,
             I
             leave
             you
             my
             Body
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             usual
             manner
             of
             uttering
             our selves
             in
             Testaments
             ,
             but
             ,
             
               This
               is
               my
               Body
            
             .
             'T
             is
             no
             Testament
             ,
             than
             as
             they
             imagine
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             not
             a
             proper
             one
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             Their
             Doctrine
             relating
             to
             the
             mediation
             of
             the
             Virgin
             Mary
             and
             other
             Saints
             ,
             withdraws
             them
             from
             rendering
             to
             Christ
             our
             only
             Redeemer
             due
             Honour
             and
             Glory
             :
             For
             though
             there
             is
             no
             other
             Name
             under
             Heaven
             whereby
             we
             must
             be
             saved
             but
             that
             of
             Christ
             ,
             yet
             many
             of
             them
             pretend
             to
             Eternal
             Happiness
             by
             the
             merits
             of
             the
             Saints
             and
             the
             Virgin
             
             Mary
             ,
             whom
             they
             joyn
             still
             with
             Jesus
             in
             their
             Visits
             to
             the
             Sick
             ,
             either
             crying
             aloud
             to
             them
             ,
             or
             exhorting
             the
             sick
             to
             pronounce
             
               Jesus
               Maria
            
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             judg'd
             Christ's
             merits
             insufficient
             ,
             or
             that
             some
             other
             Name
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             Christ
             our
             Advocate
             ,
             with
             the
             Father
             ,
             could
             be
             a
             propitiation
             for
             our
             Sins
             ;
             hence
             't
             is
             they
             extol
             so
             much
             their
             meritorious
             works
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             say
             ,
             they
             ground
             thereon
             their
             best
             hopes
             of
             the
             other
             Life
             ;
             at
             least
             't
             is
             certain
             ,
             the
             simple
             undiscerning
             sort
             relys
             more
             on
             what
             they
             do
             than
             on
             what
             Christ
             did
             for
             them
             ,
             I
             mean
             more
             upon
             their
             good
             works
             than
             on
             his
             infinite
             merits
             and
             mercys
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             Their
             Divine
             Worship
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THeir
             manner
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             is
             not
             unlike
             that
             of
             the
             ancient
             Heathens
             ,
             and
             on
             this
             account
             is
             far
             from
             the
             purity
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             :
             They
             adore
             God
             in
             Pictures
             and
             Images
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             adored
             by
             the
             Heathens
             in
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             ,
             and
             other
             less
             noble
             Creatures
             ,
             or
             rather
             to
             speak
             in
             their
             own
             terms
             ,
             they
             worship
             those
             Images
             as
             representations
             of
             that
             invisible
             
             and
             Soveraign
             Being
             ,
             we
             call
             God
             :
             Though
             this
             was
             severely
             punished
             in
             the
             Israelites
             worshipping
             the
             Golden
             Calf
             as
             a
             representation
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             I
             cannot
             imagine
             they
             ador'd
             it
             as
             a
             true
             God
             ,
             unless
             you
             suppose
             they
             were
             as
             void
             of
             reason
             as
             it
             was
             ;
             if
             then
             this
             Worship
             of
             theirs
             be
             looked
             upon
             by
             all
             as
             Idolatry
             ,
             what
             may
             we
             judge
             of
             that
             Romish
             Image
             Worship
             the
             very
             same
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             in
             nothing
             material
             differing
             from
             it
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             Images
             are
             commonly
             called
             the
             Books
             of
             Ignorants
             ,
             but
             in
             my
             judgment
             they
             deserve
             rather
             to
             be
             denominated
             the
             Books
             of
             Ignorance
             ,
             because
             they
             occasion
             
             often
             mistakes
             and
             errors
             :
             As
             for
             instance
             ,
             an
             Old
             Man
             representing
             God
             the
             Father
             ,
             a
             Dove
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             are
             apt
             to
             make
             the
             ignorant
             sort
             believe
             they
             have
             indeed
             some
             such
             shape
             .
             I
             shall
             not
             contest
             here
             about
             this
             point
             ,
             because
             it
             hath
             been
             discuss'd
             so
             often
             by
             others
             :
             One
             thing
             only
             I
             shall
             say
             ,
             which
             I
             think
             is
             undeniable
             ,
             that
             Protestants
             serve
             God
             more
             in
             spirit
             and
             truth
             than
             Romanists
             do
             :
             Because
             they
             make
             their
             Addresses
             to
             him
             immediately
             ,
             without
             having
             recourse
             to
             Images
             ,
             or
             imploring
             the
             help
             of
             Saints
             as
             Mediators
             :
             I
             know
             they
             answer
             this
             by
             distinguishing
             a
             relative
             and
             Soveraign
             
             Worship
             .
             The
             former
             they
             allow
             to
             Images
             ,
             the
             latter
             to
             God
             only
             :
             But
          
           
             First
             ,
             This
             relative
             Worship
             was
             condemn'd
             and
             punish'd
             in
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             insinuated
             above
             .
          
           
             And
             Secondly
             ,
             They
             adore
             confessedly
             the
             Cross
             ,
             
               cultu
               latriae
            
             ,
             with
             that
             Soveraign
             cult
             belonging
             to
             God
             only
             :
             What
             then
             can
             they
             instance
             in
             defence
             of
             their
             innocency
             ?
             I
             must
             as
             yet
             tell
             them
             in
             this
             place
             ;
          
           
             3.
             
             They
             fall
             short
             of
             the
             end
             they
             aim
             at
             ,
             in
             covering
             the
             inside
             of
             their
             Churches
             with
             rare
             Pictures
             ,
             and
             Images
             of
             exquisite
             Artifice
             ;
             their
             aim
             is
             ,
             as
             I
             charitably
             suppose
             ,
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             people
             
             thereby
             to
             greater
             devotion
             .
             But
             we
             find
             by
             experience
             a
             quite
             contrary
             effect
             ;
             they
             are
             diverted
             from
             Prayer
             ,
             by
             that
             great
             variety
             of
             alluring
             objects
             they
             have
             before
             their
             eyes
             ,
             you
             may
             see
             them
             in
             their
             Churches
             more
             gazing
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             than
             praying
             :
             At
             least
             ,
             certain
             it
             is
             ,
             the
             common
             sort
             is
             withdrawn
             by
             such
             outward
             shows
             ,
             from
             uniting
             their
             hearts
             to
             God
             by
             fervent
             Prayer
             :
             The
             use
             of
             Images
             then
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             great
             a
             help
             to
             Devotion
             ,
             as
             the
             Romanists
             do
             falsly
             imagine
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Nevertheless
             their
             Image-worship
             ,
             though
             to
             be
             rejected
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             intollerable
             as
             their
             adoration
             of
             the
             
             Consecrated
             Wafer
             ;
             because
             besides
             what
             I
             have
             said
             before
             ,
             it
             may
             happen
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             of
             opinion
             very
             frequently
             ,
             that
             their
             Priests
             either
             want
             the
             necessary
             intention
             ,
             or
             intirely
             forget
             ,
             or
             designedly
             will
             not
             Consecrate
             the
             Wafer
             :
             In
             this
             case
             meer
             unconsecrated
             Bread
             is
             ador'd
             ,
             and
             expos'd
             on
             their
             Altars
             to
             the
             publick
             Cult
             :
             Will
             they
             say
             this
             is
             no
             inconveniency
             ,
             though
             the
             People
             may
             be
             guiltless
             because
             of
             their
             invincible
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             strong
             imagination
             of
             
             Christ's
             Body
             really
             there
             existent
             .
             The
             thought
             of
             this
             accident
             ,
             which
             no
             doubt
             happens
             frequently
             ,
             with-draweth
             several
             Romanists
             from
             yielding
             
             to
             the
             Wafer
             ,
             that
             Soveraign
             Cult
             ,
             due
             to
             God
             only
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             There
             is
             another
             inconveniency
             ,
             not
             unlike
             the
             precedent
             ,
             in
             a
             sort
             of
             Worship
             ordinary
             amongst
             Romanists
             :
             They
             honour
             the
             Relicks
             of
             Saints
             ,
             as
             their
             Bones
             ,
             Garments
             ,
             and
             Parcels
             of
             their
             Bodies
             ,
             they
             expose
             them
             to
             the
             publick
             Cult
             on
             their
             Altars
             ,
             they
             carry
             them
             with
             a
             ceremonious
             pomp
             in
             their
             solemn
             Processions
             :
             But
             what
             if
             these
             Relicks
             be
             of
             Men
             that
             are
             not
             in
             Heaven
             ?
             For
             I
             suppose
             't
             is
             no
             Article
             of
             their
             Faith
             ,
             that
             whom
             the
             Pope
             Canonizeth
             ,
             as
             they
             speak
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             Reprobate
             ;
             since
             his
             infallibility
             was
             never
             yet
             declared
             
             by
             any
             of
             their
             eighteen
             General
             Councils
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             infallible
             ,
             when
             he
             declares
             this
             man
             to
             be
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             that
             Woman
             to
             be
             a
             Saint
             :
             Perhaps
             then
             you
             invocate
             a
             damn'd
             Soul
             ,
             you
             kneel
             before
             the
             Bones
             of
             a
             Reprobate
             ,
             you
             ask
             help
             from
             those
             whom
             God
             has
             rejected
             ;
             than
             which
             I
             can
             imagine
             nothing
             more
             absur'd
             :
             If
             this
             were
             well
             reflected
             on
             by
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             be
             so
             forward
             in
             worshipping
             the
             remainder
             of
             the
             dead
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             'T
             is
             now
             full
             time
             ,
             lest
             I
             exceed
             the
             bonds
             I
             have
             set
             to
             my self
             ,
             to
             speak
             one
             word
             of
             their
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
             :
             When
             I
             consider
             besides
             ,
             
             the
             Written
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             many
             and
             how
             heavy
             Obligations
             the
             Romish
             Church
             imposeth
             upon
             her
             Subjects
             ,
             I
             am
             fully
             convinced
             that
             Popery
             is
             justly
             called
             ,
             and
             without
             exaggeration
             ,
             a
             meer
             slavery
             ;
             the
             Crown'd
             heads
             are
             lyable
             to
             it
             ,
             no
             less
             ,
             yea
             rather
             more
             than
             others
             :
             Most
             of
             Romanist
             Divines
             teach
             without
             any
             warrant
             ,
             either
             from
             Scripture
             or
             reason
             ;
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             have
             power
             to
             depose
             Princes
             ,
             untye
             their
             Subjects
             from
             their
             sworn
             allegiance
             ,
             to
             give
             their
             Dominions
             ,
             
               primo
               occupanti
            
             ,
             to
             such
             as
             can
             conquer
             them
             if
             they
             refuse
             to
             purge
             their
             Kingdoms
             of
             opinions
             judg●d
             
             by
             Romanists
             Heretical
             .
             This
             you
             may
             see
             at
             large
             in
             the
             Council
             of
             Lateran
             ,
             held
             under
             Innocent
             the
             third
             ,
             third
             Chapter
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             The
             Romish
             Church
             enslaves
             so
             far
             the
             understanding
             of
             her
             Followers
             ,
             as
             to
             forbid
             them
             the
             use
             of
             that
             rational
             faculty
             God
             has
             bestowed
             upon
             us
             ,
             chiefly
             to
             find
             out
             by
             its
             light
             the
             true
             Church
             ,
             and
             having
             found
             it
             to
             govern
             our selves
             therein
             by
             the
             same
             ,
             to
             search
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             to
             try
             the
             Spirits
             if
             they
             be
             of
             God
             or
             not
             ,
             lest
             we
             be
             carried
             away
             by
             the
             wind
             of
             all
             sort
             of
             Doctrine
             .
             But
             this
             is
             not
             permitted
             to
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             they
             must
             pull
             out
             their
             eyes
             and
             say
             ,
             
             white
             is
             black
             ,
             if
             a
             General
             Council
             ,
             though
             never
             as
             yet
             proved
             by
             them
             infallible
             ,
             affirm
             it
             :
             This
             occasion'd
             an
             ancient
             Philosopher
             to
             call
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Religion
             of
             Fools
             ,
             not
             because
             they
             believe
             things
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             Humane
             Reason
             ;
             for
             that
             is
             no
             folly
             ,
             but
             on
             this
             account
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             to
             wit
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             believe
             as
             't
             was
             instanc'd
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             or
             Lord's
             Supper
             ,
             that
             which
             is
             contradicted
             by
             the
             experimental
             knowledge
             of
             all
             our
             Senses
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             'T
             was
             a
             Liberty
             and
             Priviledge
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             ,
             
             as
             S.
             Paul
             witnesseth
             to
             the
             
             Corinthians
             ,
             that
             whatsoever
             is
             sold
             in
             the
             Shambles
             ,
             whatever
             is
             set
             before
             us
             we
             may
             eat
             ,
             asking
             no
             question
             for
             Conscience-sake
             ,
             that
             every
             Creature
             of
             God
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             nothing
             to
             be
             refused
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             received
             with
             Thanksgiving
             ;
             the
             Roman
             Church
             has
             taken
             away
             this
             Priviledge
             ,
             and
             commands
             abstinence
             from
             Meats
             ,
             ordains
             Fasts
             observed
             most
             punctually
             by
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             falsely
             perswaded
             the
             best
             part
             of
             Christian
             perfection
             consists
             in
             such
             indiscreet
             Rigors
             ,
             not
             knowing
             that
             true
             vertue
             consists
             mainly
             in
             an
             intire
             Victory
             ,
             we
             should
             endeavour
             to
             get
             over
             our
             own
             Passions
             ,
             our
             most
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             Domestick
             
             Enemys
             :
             So
             many
             commanded
             Fasts
             as
             we
             see
             in
             the
             Romish
             Church
             ,
             under
             the
             pain
             of
             Mortal
             Sin
             ,
             are
             no
             doubt
             ,
             an
             occasion
             of
             sin
             and
             disobedience
             to
             many
             ,
             who
             think
             themselves
             obliged
             in
             Conscience
             to
             observe
             them
             as
             injunctions
             of
             their
             Church
             :
             Cardinal
             Bellarmine
             that
             Renown'd
             Romanist
             ,
             was
             of
             this
             opinion
             :
             'T
             is
             reported
             ,
             he
             was
             wont
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             if
             '
             ere
             he
             happen'd
             to
             be
             Pope
             ,
             he
             would
             abolish
             the
             Obligation
             of
             the
             Lent
             Fast
             .
             No
             doubt
             because
             he
             judg'd
             it
             a
             too
             heavy
             Yoke
             ,
             and
             on
             this
             account
             more
             hurtful
             than
             profitable
             .
          
           
           
             9.
             
             Marriage
             in
             the
             purest
             age
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             was
             not
             forbidden
             to
             Ecclesiasticks
             ;
             saith
             not
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             
             that
             a
             Bishop
             may
             be
             the
             Husband
             of
             one
             Wife
             .
             
             That
             Marriage
             is
             honourable
             in
             all
             ,
             and
             the
             Bed
             undefil'd
             :
             And
             writing
             to
             Timothy
             ,
             
             that
             forbidding
             to
             Marry
             ,
             and
             commanding
             to
             abstain
             from
             Meats
             ,
             is
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Devils
             :
             Was
             not
             the
             Forerunner
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Son
             of
             the
             High-Priest
             Zacharias
             ,
             an
             evident
             mark
             ,
             that
             our
             Saviour
             approv'd
             of
             ,
             and
             honoured
             such
             sort
             of
             Marriages
             ?
             yet
             the
             Romish
             Church
             adding
             
             still
             great
             and
             heavy
             weights
             to
             the
             yoke
             of
             Christ
             ,
             forbids
             expressly
             Ecclesiasticks
             to
             Marry
             ,
             though
             S.
             Paul
             saith
             ,
             
             let
             every
             man
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             whether
             Clergy
             or
             Lay-man
             ,
             unless
             he
             hath
             the
             Gift
             of
             Continency
             ,
             have
             his
             own
             Wife
             ;
             which
             Gift
             is
             always
             suppos'd
             when
             a
             Man
             or
             a
             Woman
             vows
             Chastity
             :
             So
             if
             you
             find
             by
             experience
             ,
             you
             have
             it
             not
             ,
             you
             are
             obliged
             not
             to
             vow
             ,
             or
             if
             you
             have
             vowed
             rashly
             ,
             flattering
             your self
             ,
             you
             had
             this
             Gift
             ,
             you
             are
             no
             more
             engag'd
             by
             your
             former
             vow
             ,
             because
             none
             is
             obliged
             to
             perform
             beyond
             what
             lies
             in
             his
             power
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             in
             no
             man's
             
             power
             to
             live
             continently
             ,
             without
             a
             Gift
             of
             Continency
             ,
             which
             God
             bestoweth
             on
             whom
             he
             pleases
             ,
             and
             refuseth
             it
             to
             others
             as
             he
             thinks
             fit
             ;
             who
             may
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             are
             obliged
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             to
             secure
             themselves
             from
             Sin
             and
             Temptation
             ,
             by
             a
             lawful
             Marriage
             :
             For
             in
             this
             conjuncture
             ,
             
               Melius
               est
               nubere
               quam
               uri
            
             ,
             't
             is
             better
             to
             Marry
             than
             burn
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             'T
             is
             observable
             ,
             the
             most
             of
             those
             that
             enter
             these
             Orders
             ,
             they
             call
             commonly
             Religious
             ,
             make
             their
             vows
             so
             young
             and
             so
             inconsiderately
             ,
             that
             they
             hardly
             ever
             reflect
             on
             what
             they
             undertake
             ,
             several
             of
             them
             protest
             they
             are
             forced
             thereunto
             by
             
             their
             Parents
             ,
             or
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             some
             other
             humane
             respects
             and
             interest
             ,
             and
             if
             afterwards
             they
             renew
             twice
             a
             year
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             customary
             amongst
             the
             Jesuits
             ,
             their
             first
             vows
             ,
             't
             is
             but
             with
             their
             Lips
             and
             not
             from
             their
             Heart
             :
             They
             may
             sin
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             by
             this
             dissimulation
             ,
             though
             I
             am
             perswaded
             ,
             their
             Crime
             is
             none
             of
             the
             greatest
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             juncture
             and
             necessity
             of
             their
             affairs
             ;
             but
             however
             this
             Sin
             communicates
             no
             validity
             to
             their
             vow
             ,
             which
             subsists
             not
             in
             reality
             ,
             without
             an
             intire
             liberty
             ,
             freedom
             ,
             and
             inward
             consent
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             heavy
             and
             insupportable
             Yoke
             it
             lays
             on
             their
             Necks
             ;
             which
             
             in
             this
             case
             they
             may
             shake
             off
             at
             the
             first
             opportunity
             ,
             and
             follow
             that
             sort
             of
             Life
             they
             shall
             find
             most
             convenient
             for
             their
             Spiritual
             concerns
             and
             good
             of
             their
             Souls
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             I
             wonder'd
             often
             upon
             what
             grounds
             the
             Romanists
             call
             these
             three
             vows
             of
             Chastity
             ,
             Poverty
             ,
             and
             Obedience
             to
             their
             Superiors
             ,
             Evangelical
             Counsels
             ,
             because
             I
             had
             never
             read
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             Christ
             exhorted
             ever
             any
             to
             tye
             themselves
             to
             his
             service
             by
             solemn
             vows
             .
             He
             counselled
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             a
             young
             man
             to
             sell
             all
             he
             had
             ,
             and
             give
             it
             to
             the
             Poor
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             make
             a
             vow
             to
             do
             so
             :
             Neither
             could
             I
             ever
             be
             perswaded
             ,
             
             nor
             any
             rational
             man
             ever
             will
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             a
             higher
             degree
             of
             perfection
             to
             vow
             ,
             for
             instance
             ,
             Chastity
             ,
             than
             to
             live
             in
             Continency
             ,
             without
             such
             a
             tye
             and
             obligation
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             This
             is
             nevertheless
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             Romanists
             .
             And
             if
             I
             remember
             well
             of
             their
             chief
             Divine
             
               Thomas
               Aquinas
            
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             commonly
             say
             in
             
               Sorbon
               ,
               Amicus
               Aristoteles
               ,
               amicus
               Divus
               Thomas
               ,
               sed
               magis
               amica
               veritas
               ,
            
             no
             man's
             authority
             is
             to
             be
             admitted
             of
             against
             the
             truth
             ,
             which
             undoubtedly
             sides
             not
             with
             them
             in
             this
             conjuncture
             ;
             because
             their
             assertion
             is
             intirely
             grounded
             on
             this
             weak
             and
             
             illusory
             reason
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             vows
             Continency
             ,
             sacrificeth
             to
             God
             the
             thing
             men
             make
             most
             account
             of
             ,
             that
             precious
             liberty
             ,
             they
             think
             preferable
             to
             all
             the
             Riches
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             he
             that
             lives
             chast
             without
             such
             a
             tye
             does
             not
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             This
             I
             say
             is
             a
             meer
             falshood
             and
             a
             flat
             illusion
             ,
             for
             though
             I
             vow
             ,
             I
             keep
             intirely
             my
             former
             liberty
             .
             True
             't
             is
             I
             can't
             break
             this
             promise
             and
             vow
             made
             to
             God
             if
             it
             be
             a
             real
             one
             ,
             without
             committing
             a
             sin
             ,
             but
             this
             puts
             me
             in
             a
             worse
             condition
             than
             I
             was
             in
             before
             :
             For
             now
             if
             I
             fall
             ,
             I
             commit
             two
             Sins
             ,
             one
             against
             my
             Vow
             ,
             and
             another
             against
             the
             vertue
             
             of
             Continency
             ,
             whereas
             before
             I
             vowed
             I
             could
             be
             guilty
             but
             of
             one
             .
             I
             think
             then
             the
             state
             of
             highest
             perfection
             is
             that
             which
             removeth
             us
             farthest
             from
             sin
             and
             the
             occasions
             thereof
             ,
             which
             certainly
             vows
             do
             not
             ,
             but
             ensnaring
             men
             rather
             because
             of
             their
             great
             weakness
             and
             frailty
             ,
             expose
             them
             to
             both
             by
             that
             perverse
             ,
             though
             inbred
             inclination
             of
             theirs
             ,
             to
             whatever
             is
             forbidden
             them
             ;
             for
             nothing
             more
             true
             than
             
               nitimur
               in
               vetitum
               semper
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             14.
             
             This
             engageth
             me
             here
             to
             the
             defence
             of
             an
             Assertion
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             looked
             upon
             as
             a
             Paradox
             by
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             yet
             if
             reflected
             
             on
             without
             preoccupation
             ,
             is
             a
             clear
             ,
             simple
             ,
             and
             undenyable
             truth
             :
             They
             dry
             up
             all
             the
             veins
             of
             their
             Eloquence
             in
             extolling
             a
             Religious
             Life
             ,
             as
             they
             call
             it
             :
             they
             say
             it
             is
             most
             perfect
             ,
             happy
             ,
             blessed
             ,
             and
             what
             not
             :
             read
             
               Jerome
               Platus
            
             on
             this
             Subject
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             find
             him
             as
             whimsical
             in
             his
             notions
             of
             this
             imaginary
             happiness
             ,
             as
             Plato
             was
             in
             his
             abstract
             Idea's
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             I
             can
             prove
             to
             perswasion
             there
             is
             no
             way
             of
             serving
             God
             more
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             wherein
             you
             shall
             meet
             with
             greater
             obstacles
             to
             your
             spiritual
             progress
             and
             eternal
             happiness
             ,
             than
             in
             these
             pretended
             Religious
             Orders
             ,
             as
             they
             now
             stand
             of
             
             the
             Romish
             Church
             ;
             my
             reason
             is
             clear
             ,
             and
             runs
             thus
             ,
             because
             their
             yoak
             is
             incomparably
             greater
             and
             heavier
             than
             that
             of
             other
             Christians
             ,
             since
             besides
             the
             Commands
             of
             God
             and
             their
             Church
             ,
             they
             tye
             themselves
             to
             a
             numberless
             number
             of
             petty
             observances
             and
             rules
             ,
             which
             though
             they
             confess
             bind
             not
             their
             conscience
             ,
             yet
             they
             teach
             none
             of
             them
             can
             scarce
             ever
             be
             transgress'd
             without
             sin
             ,
             either
             
               ratione
               scandali
            
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             scandal
             ,
             or
             
               ratione
               contemptus
            
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             contempt
             of
             Authority
             ,
             or
             on
             some
             other
             account
             ;
             they
             say
             as
             yet
             something
             more
             strange
             ,
             that
             
               non
               progredi
               ,
               regredi
               est
            
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             enough
             for
             them
             to
             
             observe
             the
             Commands
             of
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             they
             call
             that
             
               non
               progredi
            
             ,
             no
             progress
             ,
             unless
             they
             do
             more
             than
             he
             has
             commanded
             ,
             by
             standing
             with
             as
             great
             preciseness
             to
             their
             Customs
             and
             Rules
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             an
             essential
             part
             of
             Gods
             written
             Law.
             
          
           
             15.
             
             In
             what
             fears
             then
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             a
             timorous
             conscience
             ;
             in
             what
             troubles
             and
             turmoils
             ,
             and
             what
             vexation
             of
             spirit
             they
             live
             in
             :
             for
             if
             so
             few
             keep
             Gods
             Commands
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             said
             the
             Just
             falls
             seven
             times
             a
             day
             ,
             what
             judgment
             may
             we
             frame
             of
             them
             who
             pretend
             to
             do
             more
             than
             he
             has
             ordain'd
             ,
             by
             observing
             a
             number
             innumerable
             of
             petty
             
             Rules
             ,
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             frivolous
             Customs
             .
             On
             this
             account
             I
             have
             heard
             several
             amongst
             them
             say
             what
             I
             believe
             to
             be
             most
             true
             ,
             that
             their
             yoke
             was
             not
             like
             to
             the
             yoke
             of
             Christ
             ,
             sweet
             and
             light
             ,
             
               Jugum
               suave
               &
               onus
               leve
            
             ,
             but
             rather
             exceedingly
             bitter
             ,
             and
             most
             heavy
             ,
             
               Jugum
               amarum
               &
               onus
               grave
            
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             In
             fine
             ,
             I
             may
             affirm
             ,
             without
             deviating
             from
             the
             Truth
             ,
             That
             these
             Romish
             Vows
             are
             rather
             Snares
             to
             intrap
             Souls
             ,
             than
             true
             means
             to
             their
             attaining
             to
             a
             higher
             degree
             of
             Glory
             in
             Heaven
             .
             The
             Devil
             overcomes
             some
             by
             manifest
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             a
             flat
             Proposition
             of
             Sin
             ,
             but
             because
             some
             others
             ,
             desirous
             
             to
             live
             after
             a
             more
             perfect
             manner
             ,
             admit
             not
             so
             easily
             of
             his
             Suggestions
             ,
             he
             catcheth
             them
             by
             their
             own
             inclinations
             ,
             by
             vowed
             engagements
             ,
             to
             the
             pursuance
             of
             a
             Perfection
             ,
             which
             ,
             through
             Humane
             Frailty
             ,
             they
             shall
             never
             reach
             to
             ;
             so
             weary
             to
             swim
             always
             against
             the
             water
             ,
             they
             are
             forc'd
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             to
             yield
             to
             the
             stream
             ,
             and
             go
             downwards
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             Enemies
             sole
             aim
             and
             main
             design
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             Out
             of
             this
             foregoing
             Discourse
             ,
             we
             may
             conclude
             ,
             Protestants
             to
             be
             most
             happy
             ,
             as
             meeting
             with
             none
             of
             these
             forementioned
             Obstacles
             ,
             to
             their
             eternal
             happiness
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             they
             follow
             the
             
             Maxims
             of
             true
             Protestancy
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             Their
             Faith
             is
             not
             so
             blind
             ,
             though
             submissive
             enough
             to
             Church
             Authority
             ,
             as
             to
             hold
             for
             Divine
             Truths
             ,
             the
             fanciful
             Opinions
             of
             fallible
             Men
             ,
             or
             Decisions
             of
             errable
             Councils
             :
             The
             Word
             of
             God
             onely
             is
             their
             Rule
             ,
             to
             this
             they
             are
             taught
             to
             conform
             their
             Faith
             and
             their
             Actions
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             They
             are
             not
             tortur'd
             and
             turmoil'd
             with
             Doubts
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             Baptiz'd
             or
             not
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             the
             Existency
             of
             Baptism
             to
             be
             independant
             on
             the
             Ministers
             uncertain
             intentions
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             They
             have
             no
             Incitement
             to
             Sin
             ,
             by
             relying
             
             on
             a
             middle
             place
             between
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             ;
             they
             hold
             no
             Purgatory
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             powerfully
             deterr'd
             from
             offending
             God
             ,
             through
             fear
             of
             his
             terrible
             Justice
             exercis'd
             in
             Hell
             ,
             upon
             such
             as
             die
             without
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             They
             reject
             the
             dangerous
             distinction
             of
             Venial
             ,
             and
             Mortal
             Sin
             ,
             as
             opening
             a
             door
             to
             Looseness
             ;
             for
             though
             some
             Sins
             be
             more
             heinous
             than
             others
             ,
             yet
             in
             this
             we
             must
             confess
             a
             perfect
             equality
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             all
             offences
             of
             an
             infinite
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             consequently
             deserve
             his
             eternal
             Wrath
             ,
             as
             being
             of
             an
             unlimited
             malice
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             They
             allow
             every
             one
             to
             read
             the
             Scripture
             as
             
             the
             Fountain
             of
             all
             wholesom
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             capable
             to
             make
             us
             wise
             unto
             Salvation
             ,
             as
             being
             a
             Light
             to
             our
             Understanding
             ,
             lest
             we
             err
             ;
             and
             a
             Fire
             to
             our
             Will
             ,
             lest
             we
             wax
             Cold
             in
             Charity
             and
             Love
             towards
             God
             and
             our
             Neighbors
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             Their
             Doctrine
             concerning
             the
             Lord's
             Supper
             is
             spirit
             and
             life
             ,
             it
             gives
             no
             occasion
             either
             of
             Idolatry
             or
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             by
             teaching
             that
             strange
             Novelty
             of
             Transubstantiation
             :
             They
             captivate
             indeed
             their
             understanding
             
               in
               obsequium
               Fidei
            
             ,
             in
             obedience
             to
             Divine
             Faith
             ,
             but
             pull
             not
             out
             their
             Eyes
             to
             believe
             there
             is
             no
             Bread
             in
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             where
             they
             
             see
             all
             the
             inseparable
             Properties
             thereof
             ,
             as
             Colour
             ,
             Shape
             ,
             Quantity
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             They
             rely
             solely
             on
             the
             Merits
             of
             Christ
             ;
             neither
             on
             the
             mediation
             of
             Saints
             ,
             nor
             on
             their
             own
             good
             works
             ,
             fully
             persuaded
             of
             this
             Christian
             Truth
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             done
             all
             they
             can
             ,
             they
             are
             but
             useless
             Servants
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             their
             sufficiency
             is
             from
             Above
             .
          
           
             Eighthly
             ,
             Their
             Divine
             Worship
             is
             pure
             ,
             and
             without
             mixture
             of
             Superstition
             or
             Idolatry
             ;
             neither
             intirely
             without
             Ceremonies
             ,
             nor
             overburden'd
             with
             'em
             superstitiously
             .
          
           
             Ninthly
             ,
             They
             adore
             God
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             ,
             not
             under
             
             corporal
             Shapes
             ,
             and
             false
             Representations
             ;
             they
             adore
             him
             as
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             in
             reality
             ,
             knowing
             perfectly
             all
             their
             spiritual
             needs
             ,
             and
             bodily
             necessities
             ,
             without
             the
             help
             of
             Saints
             as
             Speakers
             and
             Informers
             .
          
           
             Tenthly
             ,
             Their
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
             is
             most
             conformable
             in
             all
             its
             parts
             to
             that
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             ,
             as
             also
             their
             Faith
             ,
             their
             Manners
             ,
             and
             way
             of
             living
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             gathered
             out
             of
             this
             and
             the
             foregoing
             Article
             ;
             and
             every
             one
             knows
             that
             is
             not
             altogether
             a
             Stranger
             to
             Antiquity
             .
          
           
             Eleventhly
             ,
             They
             serve
             God
             in
             all
             freedom
             of
             spirit
             ,
             without
             endangering
             their
             
             Souls
             by
             vows
             of
             Continency
             ,
             true
             Snares
             rather
             to
             Innocency
             ,
             than
             fit
             means
             for
             attaining
             to
             Perfection
             and
             eternal
             Felicity
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ARTICLE
           III.
           
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             1.
             
             Conclusions
             flowing
             from
             the
             first
             Principle
             of
             this
             Method
             .
          
           
             I.
             MY
             first
             Principle
             was
             ,
             
               That
               those
               who
               profess
               Protestancy
               ,
               may
               be
               saved
               .
            
             I
             proved
             it
             to
             Conviction
             ,
             without
             invectives
             or
             bitterness
             ,
             in
             the
             spirit
             of
             Christian
             
             Charity
             ,
             Meekness
             and
             Lenity
             ,
             persuaded
             of
             this
             clear
             Truth
             ,
             that
             Conviction
             of
             the
             intellective
             Faculty
             worketh
             never
             a
             true
             Conversion
             ,
             unless
             the
             Will
             be
             conquer'd
             by
             a
             civil
             and
             charitable
             way
             of
             debating
             .
          
           
             II.
             'T
             is
             Proverbial
             amongst
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             That
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             there
             is
             no
             hopes
             of
             salvation
             .
             In
             what
             sense
             this
             is
             true
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             my
             design
             here
             to
             inquire
             ;
             but
             I
             affirm
             they
             are
             pitifully
             mistaken
             ,
             understanding
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             handful
             of
             Christians
             united
             together
             in
             communion
             with
             the
             See
             of
             Rome
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             unreasonable
             ,
             
             as
             if
             one
             would
             say
             ,
             a
             Particular
             is
             an
             Universal
             ,
             a
             Part
             is
             the
             Whole
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             of
             as
             great
             and
             vast
             a
             bulk
             .
             They
             will
             grant
             then
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             Protestants
             to
             be
             Members
             of
             the
             Universal
             Church
             ,
             but
             dead
             ones
             ,
             destitute
             of
             life
             ,
             spirit
             and
             vigour
             .
             The
             contradictory
             of
             this
             Proposition
             stands
             demonstrated
             in
             the
             first
             Article
             ;
             for
             since
             they
             may
             be
             saved
             by
             the
             merits
             and
             influence
             of
             their
             invisible
             Head
             Christ
             ,
             they
             are
             both
             wholesom
             ,
             living
             ,
             and
             vigorous
             Members
             of
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             III.
             They
             cannot
             be
             accused
             of
             Schism
             ,
             nor
             without
             a
             
             groundless
             Calumny
             called
             Schismaticks
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             still
             contain'd
             in
             the
             Catholick
             or
             Universal
             Church
             ,
             their
             Reform
             being
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             not
             from
             it
             ;
             hold
             they
             not
             all
             Points
             necessary
             to
             salvation
             ,
             and
             whatever
             was
             of
             Divine
             Faith
             in
             the
             primitive
             Times
             .
             They
             separated
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             from
             the
             particular
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             but
             Romanists
             were
             the
             true
             causes
             of
             this
             Separation
             ,
             by
             introducing
             Errors
             and
             Novelties
             ,
             so
             they
             are
             properly
             the
             Separatists
             ,
             not
             Protestants
             :
             Let
             them
             be
             ashamed
             then
             to
             sound
             perpetually
             as
             they
             do
             in
             the
             Peoples
             ears
             ,
             such
             a
             notorious
             Calumny
             ,
             
             which
             with
             greater
             truth
             may
             be
             Retorted
             against
             themselves
             .
          
           
             IV.
             I
             hope
             hereafter
             they
             shall
             prove
             more
             moderate
             ,
             and
             call
             them
             Brethren
             ,
             whom
             they
             have
             thought
             hitherto
             Hereticks
             ;
             for
             I
             am
             persuaded
             they
             are
             convinc'd
             this
             foul
             aspersion
             of
             Heresie
             is
             groundless
             ,
             as
             being
             a
             meer
             illusion
             ,
             and
             the
             product
             of
             a
             preoccupated
             judgment
             .
             The
             Protestants
             ,
             say
             they
             ,
             are
             Hereticks
             ,
             because
             they
             reject
             obstinately
             the
             Decisions
             of
             General
             Councils
             ;
             but
             will
             they
             never
             reflect
             that
             these
             Decisions
             can
             neither
             be
             looked
             upon
             by
             us
             ,
             nor
             by
             
             them
             as
             revealed
             Truths
             ,
             unless
             their
             Infallibility
             be
             either
             grounded
             on
             clear
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             sentiment
             on
             the
             Authority
             of
             some
             General
             Council
             .
             In
             what
             Scripture
             is
             it
             said
             ,
             General
             Councils
             are
             infallible
             Judges
             of
             Controversial
             Debates
             ?
             In
             what
             Council
             was
             it
             decided
             ,
             that
             General
             Councils
             were
             unerrable
             ?
             Here
             they
             are
             amaz'd
             ,
             and
             their
             thoughts
             at
             a
             stand
             ;
             they
             are
             forced
             to
             yield
             ,
             and
             confess
             ingenuously
             ,
             that
             this
             pretended
             Infallibility
             hath
             no
             other
             foundation
             in
             being
             ,
             but
             that
             of
             their
             own
             Opinion
             and
             Fancy
             :
             For
             though
             't
             were
             grounded
             on
             the
             Decision
             
             of
             some
             General
             Council
             ,
             this
             must
             be
             first
             proved
             Infallible
             by
             an
             Evidence
             distinct
             from
             its
             own
             Testimony
             .
          
           
             V.
             But
             because
             my
             onely
             design
             in
             this
             place
             is
             to
             raise
             Inferences
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             frame
             new
             Arguments
             ,
             I
             entreat
             the
             Romanist
             Reader
             ,
             after
             a
             serious
             perusal
             of
             my
             first
             Article
             ,
             to
             reflect
             a
             moment
             upon
             his
             own
             Uncharity
             against
             so
             many
             Thousands
             of
             His
             Majesties
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             other
             Nations
             ,
             so
             commendable
             for
             their
             unstain'd
             Life
             and
             Conversation
             ;
             so
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             because
             of
             their
             Virtue
             and
             Innocency
             .
             Let
             
             them
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             upon
             second
             thoughts
             ,
             repent
             of
             their
             former
             Uncharity
             ,
             in
             condemning
             their
             Neighbors
             so
             inconsiderately
             ,
             as
             
               Schismaticks
               ,
               Hereticks
               ,
               Reprobates
            
             .
             Let
             them
             detest
             from
             the
             bottom
             of
             their
             hearts
             this
             Unchristian
             Rigor
             and
             Severity
             ;
             if
             perhaps
             upon
             such
             groundless
             pretences
             they
             were
             persuaded
             't
             was
             lawful
             to
             persecute
             them
             by
             Treason
             ,
             Fire
             and
             Sword
             ,
             the
             deep
             ignorance
             they
             liv'd
             in
             could
             be
             as
             a
             Veil
             to
             the
             Enomity
             of
             their
             Crime
             :
             But
             after
             the
             perusal
             of
             this
             Treatise
             they
             can
             no
             more
             pretend
             ignorance
             ,
             they
             are
             told
             of
             their
             Errour
             ,
             and
             sufficiently
             
             inform'd
             of
             their
             former
             mistakes
             .
          
           
             VI.
             Neither
             can
             they
             with
             the
             least
             appearance
             of
             Truth
             call
             Apostates
             such
             as
             embrace
             Protestancy
             ,
             since
             they
             retain
             still
             the
             Faith
             of
             that
             Church
             which
             flourished
             the
             first
             three
             Centuries
             after
             our
             Saviour's
             Birth
             ,
             and
             is
             confessed
             by
             all
             Parties
             to
             have
             been
             the
             true
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             They
             admit
             not
             indeed
             the
             additional
             Articles
             of
             
               Purgatory
               ,
               Transubstantiation
               ,
               Image-worship
               ,
               Invocation
               of
               Saints
               ,
               &c.
            
             for
             the
             grounds
             above
             laid
             .
             But
             on
             this
             account
             they
             are
             in
             no
             true
             sense
             Apostates
             ,
             because
             Apostasie
             is
             a
             defection
             
             from
             the
             true
             Faith
             ,
             and
             these
             Points
             are
             either
             gross
             Errors
             ,
             or
             ,
             as
             a
             learned
             Divine
             of
             the
             English
             Church
             calls
             them
             ,
             inferiour
             Truths
             ,
             not
             destructive
             to
             Divine
             Faith
             ,
             whether
             believ'd
             or
             denied
             ;
             though
             they
             be
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             insinuated
             elsewhere
             ,
             not
             a
             little
             prejudicial
             to
             true
             Virtue
             ,
             and
             Christian
             Piety
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             Rashness
             or
             Imprudence
             can
             with
             as
             little
             justice
             be
             objected
             to
             such
             as
             retreat
             from
             Popery
             .
             It
             has
             been
             demonstrated
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             Romanists
             ,
             and
             self-evident
             Principles
             they
             follow
             ,
             by
             professing
             Protestancy
             a
             
             probable
             and
             well-grounded
             opinion
             ,
             That
             worshipping
             God
             after
             the
             Protestant
             manner
             ,
             they
             may
             attain
             to
             the
             end
             they
             were
             created
             for
             ,
             which
             is
             eternal
             happiness
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             2.
             
             Conclusions
             flowing
             naturally
             from
             the
             second
             Principle
             of
             this
             method
             .
          
           
             THE
             second
             Principle
             was
             ,
             
               That
               Protestants
               may
               be
               saved
               more
               easily
               ,
               and
               with
               greater
               security
               ,
               than
               those
               of
               the
               Romish
               Persuasion
               .
            
             I
             shall
             not
             repeat
             here
             what
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             to
             explain
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             prove
             this
             self-evident
             Truth
             ,
             hence
             only
             I
             infer
             what
             is
             evident
             enough
             of
             it self
             without
             any
             formal
             inference
             .
          
           
           
             I.
             That
             
               Romish
               Priests
            
             are
             obliged
             not
             to
             endeavor
             ,
             as
             they
             do
             ,
             the
             Conversion
             ,
             or
             rather
             Perversion
             of
             Protestants
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             a
             sin
             to
             withdraw
             any
             man
             from
             the
             safest
             way
             to
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             Romanists
             once
             convinc'd
             ,
             as
             I
             hope
             they
             are
             ,
             of
             this
             second
             Principle
             ,
             must
             of
             necessity
             renounce
             Popery
             ,
             and
             profess
             Protestancy
             ,
             there
             being
             an
             obligation
             incumbent
             to
             all
             men
             in
             matters
             of
             such
             a
             high
             Concern
             ,
             to
             chuse
             that
             which
             is
             securest
             .
          
           
             III.
             Protestants
             must
             stand
             stoutly
             to
             their
             own
             Religion
             ,
             
             and
             way
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             ,
             and
             cannot
             ,
             if
             they
             regard
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             after
             this
             instruction
             turn
             Romanists
             ,
             because
             in
             so
             doing
             they
             would
             endanger
             their
             own
             Souls
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             forementioned
             obstacles
             to
             salvation
             in
             the
             profession
             of
             Popery
             .
          
           
             IV.
             All
             true
             Protestants
             ,
             and
             more
             particularly
             Those
             who
             by
             their
             Dignity
             ,
             Office
             ,
             and
             Imployment
             ,
             are
             to
             watch
             over
             the
             Flock
             ,
             must
             needs
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             perform
             their
             duty
             ,
             endeavour
             with
             all
             Charitable
             and
             Christian
             means
             the
             Confirmation
             of
             Protestants
             in
             Protestancy
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Conversion
             of
             their
             Popish
             Subjects
             from
             Popery
             ,
             else
             they
             forfeit
             their
             Character
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             as
             neglecting
             the
             spiritual
             concerns
             of
             Souls
             redeem'd
             by
             the
             precious
             blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             committed
             to
             their
             trust
             and
             vigilancy
             :
             If
             I
             have
             been
             my self
             instrumental
             to
             the
             perversion
             of
             several
             ,
             while
             misled
             by
             a
             blind
             Zeal
             ,
             I
             saw
             things
             but
             under
             one
             light
             ,
             I
             shall
             ,
             at
             Conveniency
             ,
             repair
             this
             Damage
             done
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             by
             writing
             in
             my
             spare-hours
             such
             instructions
             as
             may
             be
             subservient
             to
             their
             returning
             homewards
             ,
             or
             useful
             to
             the
             conversion
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             particularly
             
             my
             nearest
             and
             dearest
             Relations
             .
          
           
             V.
             I
             shall
             put
             here
             a
             stop
             to
             my
             Pen
             ,
             and
             an
             end
             to
             this
             Treatise
             ,
             with
             a
             short
             and
             charitable
             Advice
             to
             all
             His
             Majesties
             Subjects
             of
             the
             Romish
             Persuasion
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Charitable
           Advice
           to
           all
           His
           Majesties
           Subjects
           of
           the
           
             Romish
             Persuasion
          
           .
        
         
           YOu
           have
           believ'd
           till
           now
           ,
           as
           an
           Article
           of
           your
           Faith
           ,
           That
           Protestants
           were
           all
           Reprobates
           ,
           Hereticks
           ,
           Schismaticks
           ,
           and
           
           many
           of
           them
           Apostates
           .
           Your
           Faith
           being
           ever
           an
           implicite
           one
           ,
           and
           pinn'd
           on
           other
           mens
           sleeves
           .
           You
           are
           more
           to
           be
           pitied
           for
           this
           gross
           mistake
           ,
           than
           blam'd
           .
           You
           are
           not
           unlike
           ,
           pardon
           me
           the
           freedom
           of
           this
           Parallel
           ,
           to
           those
           that
           are
           blind
           from
           their
           birth
           .
           You
           may
           induce
           such
           men
           to
           believe
           any
           Falshood
           you
           please
           ,
           as
           for
           instance
           ,
           that
           White
           is
           Black
           ,
           or
           Black
           is
           White
           ,
           
           because
           they
           want
           the
           use
           of
           their
           visive
           Faculty
           ,
           and
           solely
           relie
           on
           your
           Authority
           .
           You
           renounce
           not
           only
           to
           your
           reason
           ,
           in
           favour
           of
           the
           pretended
           Council-Oracles
           .
           You
           hold
           not
           only
           your
           understanding
           captive
           when
           Rome
           speaks
           ,
           but
           you
           extinguish
           the
           clearest
           light
           thereof
           ,
           in
           submission
           to
           her
           Decisions
           ,
           as
           if
           you
           were
           quite
           blind
           ,
           and
           understood
           nothing
           ,
           or
           as
           if
           Nature
           had
           not
           bestowed
           
           upon
           you
           an
           intellective
           Faculty
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           discern
           good
           from
           evil
           ,
           falshood
           from
           truth
           ,
           to
           try
           the
           spirits
           whence
           they
           are
           ,
           whether
           of
           God
           or
           not
           .
           The
           Romanists
           ,
           your
           Masters
           ,
           imitate
           those
           ancient
           Heathens
           ,
           who
           ,
           to
           gain
           the
           Peoples
           esteem
           and
           greater
           veneration
           for
           their
           Laws
           ,
           said
           confidently
           ,
           They
           had
           received
           them
           immediatly
           from
           the
           gods
           :
           So
           they
           ,
           to
           hold
           you
           in
           awe
           ,
           and
           tyrannize
           over
           
           your
           understandings
           ,
           as
           by
           a
           principle
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           call
           boldly
           whatever
           is
           decided
           in
           General
           Councils
           ,
           Divine
           Oracles
           ,
           Reveal'd
           Truths
           ,
           Faith-Articles
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           greatest
           Artifice
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           could
           invent
           ,
           to
           spread
           all
           the
           World
           over
           Error
           ,
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           Superstition
           .
           To
           avoid
           then
           your
           being
           seduc'd
           hereafter
           ,
           make
           use
           of
           your
           Reason
           ,
           since
           't
           is
           chiefly
           allow'd
           you
           for
           your
           attaining
           
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           saving
           Truths
           ,
           peruse
           often
           ,
           and
           meditate
           frequently
           this
           Treatise
           ,
           wherein
           you
           shall
           discover
           clearly
           ,
        
         
           I.
           That
           Protestants
           ,
           you
           have
           been
           so
           averse
           from
           hitherto
           ,
           through
           preoccupation
           and
           ignorance
           ,
           may
           be
           saved
           ,
           as
           being
           true
           Members
           of
           the
           Universal
           Church
           ,
           and
           neither
           Hereticks
           nor
           Schismaticks
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           That
           they
           attain
           to
           Eternal
           Happiness
           more
           easily
           ,
           and
           with
           greater
           safety
           than
           Romanists
           ,
           standing
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           Popery
           .
        
         
           III.
           That
           the
           boasted
           of
           Infallibility
           of
           General
           Councils
           is
           no
           Article
           of
           Faith
           amongst
           Roman-Catholicks
           ,
           but
           a
           meer
           politick
           design
           to
           domineer
           by
           this
           persuasion
           over
           all
           Nations
           ,
           for
           the
           increase
           of
           temporal
           Concerns
           ;
           and
           
           that
           as
           Rome
           of
           old
           subdued
           the
           World
           by
           force
           of
           Arms
           ,
           she
           may
           still
           enslave
           it
           by
           Religious
           Scruples
           ,
           and
           strong
           Fancies
           of
           the
           Divine
           Original
           of
           her
           Oracles
           ,
           which
           was
           meant
           by
           the
           Poet
           that
           sung
           thus
           :
           
             Roma
             caput
             mundi
             ,
             quic
             quid
             non
             possidet
             armis
             Religione
             tenet
             .
          
        
         
           You
           have
           pretended
           formerly
           your
           Conscience
           suffered
           you
           not
           to
           
           conform
           to
           that
           Divine
           Worship
           now
           established
           by
           Law
           in
           these
           three
           Kingdoms
           ,
           you
           thought
           it
           not
           lawful
           to
           forsake
           Popery
           ,
           and
           profess
           Protestancy
           ,
           as
           being
           in
           your
           opinion
           nothing
           else
           but
           Heresie
           ,
           Schism
           ,
           Apostasie
           .
           This
           can
           be
           no
           more
           an
           Obstacle
           to
           your
           Conversion
           ,
           you
           are
           now
           informed
           to
           Conviction
           of
           the
           contrary
           ,
           and
           of
           your
           incumbent
           Obligation
           to
           retreat
           from
           Romanism
           ;
           
           of
           two
           Evils
           ,
           the
           least
           is
           to
           be
           chosen
           ;
           and
           of
           two
           ways
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           securest
           ,
           in
           matters
           of
           this
           Concern
           all
           deliberation
           laid
           aside
           ,
           your
           Conscience
           will
           press
           you
           to
           the
           surest
           .
           So
           long
           as
           you
           endeavour
           your
           being
           insensible
           to
           her
           Checks
           ,
           you
           pretend
           in
           vain
           to
           any
           true
           happiness
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           she
           will
           sound
           perpetually
           in
           your
           ears
           the
           extreme
           danger
           you
           are
           in
           through
           your
           
           own
           fault
           ,
           and
           as
           an
           inseparable
           ,
           terrifying
           ,
           and
           threatning
           Ghost
           ,
           disturb
           your
           Repose
           by
           day
           and
           by
           night
           ,
           
             in
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             places
             .
          
        
         
           Omnibus
           umbra
           locis
           aderit
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26615-e1770
           
             Tom.
             6.
             l.
             2.
             con
             .
             Donat.
             
          
           
             Anst
             .
             con
             .
             Maxim.
             l.
             3.
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             De
             ordin
             .
             Cele
             .
             con
             .
          
           
             Acts
             8.1
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A26615-e3370
           
             Luk.
             24.32
             .
          
           
             Act.
             3.22
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.24
             ,
             25
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             1
             Timot.
             3.
             
          
           
             Hebr.
             13.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Timot.
             4.3.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Corinth
             .
             7.2
             .