THE CREED OF Pope Pius the iv OR A Prospect of Popery TAKEN From that Authentic Record.  
With short NOTES.  

IMPRIMATUR,  
Jun. 29. 1687. Guil. Needham.   
LONDON, Printed for L. Meredith at the Angel in Amen-Corner. 1687.   


The CREED of Pope Pius IU. etc.  
THE words, Representing and Misrepresenting, have of late made a great noise among us; some Gentlemen of the Roman Communion having made it their business to persuade the World, that we of the Church of England have entertained a very strange and false Idea of their Religion, and according to our own Notions of it, represented it as theirs, which they tell us is downright Misrepresenting. It is not my design to engage in this Controversy, it hath been sufficiently done by other hands, and so sufficiently, that the Answerer in his Answer to the Amicable Accommodation, I think had good reason to say, that the matter was driven as far as it would bear. Nor is it my intent to justify every thing, which, in heat of discourse or disputation, hath been charged upon that Church by some of our own men; for though perhaps they have said no more than what they have warrant for from some eminent Schoolmen or Casuists of that Church, yet I do not think it reasonable that the particular opinions of private men, though never so eminent in their way, should be charged upon the whole Society of which they are Members, unless they have been owned by some public and authentic act of that Society. Being unwilling therefore to run myself upon that Rock, I have steered another Course, and have made choice of one of the most solemn, public and authentic Acts of their Church. Viz. The Bull of Pope Pius iv printed with the Acts of the Council of Trent, and shall charge nothing upon them but what is owned and contained therein. This Bull was dated at Rome in the year of our Lord 1564. in the Ideses of November, and the Fifth year of his Pontificat. In this Bull a Form of Faith is drawn up, extracted out of the Council of Trent, which every one who enters into Holy Orders is bound by Oath not only to believe, but to maintain and defend, and teach the people under their charge, and that under pain of the displeasure of Almighty God, and of his holy Apostles Peter and Paul. And if we may not take this for the Standard of their Faith and Religion, I must confess I do not know where to find it. But I do not know that this ever was, nor do I think it will now be disowned by them, and therefore from hence you may take a prospect of their Religion, and see what it is that will be required of those who join in communion with them.   

The CREED.  
Art. I. I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  
II. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one Substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.  
III. Who for us men, and for our Salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.  
IU. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.  
V And the Third Day risen again according to the Scriptures.  
VI And ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.  
VII. And he shall come again with Glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end.  
VIII. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets.  
IX. And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church.  
X. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of Sins.  
XI. And I look for the Resurrection of the Dead.  
XII. And the Life of the world to come. Amen.  
Thus far his Holiness thought fit to hold a good correspondence with Primitive Christianity, and thus far we can keep pace with him; All these Articles we willingly receive, and firmly believe, because we have good warrant from the holy Scriptures so to do. But if the Church of Rome, or any other Church shall presume to decree any thing against the written Word of God, or besides the same, and impose it as a new Article of Faith necessary to be believed in order to our Salvation, we must beg their pardon, if we cannot so readily comply with them. For as we believe that Jesus Christ is the Author, so we believe he is the Finisher of our Faith. And as he perfectly knew the whole mind and will of his Father, so did he carefully communicate the same to his Apostles and Disciples: For, saith he, All things that I have heard of my Father, have I made known to you. John 15.15. And as we believe that the Apostles were instructed and commissionated by him to preach that Faith which they received from him; so we have no reason to doubt but that they did faithfully transmit the same to their Successors, the Primitive Fathers of the Christian Church; nor need we to question but that the same Faith hath been carefully conveyed to us, both as it lies dispersed in the holy Scriptures, and as it is summed up in those three ancient Creeds, viz. the Nicene, the Athanasian, and that commonly called the Apostles Creed. Whatsoever therefore we do not find in these Creeds, nor contained in holy Scriptures, nor can be proved thereby, we dare not receive it as an Article of Faith, nor can we think it necessary to Salvation. And here we are left behind, not being able any farther to keep pace with the Church of Rome; but we may comfort ourselves in this, that we are left in good company, having Jesus Christ, and his Apostles, and the Primitive Fathers with us. Here therefore let us take up our stand, and from hence take a view of Popery in the following Articles.   

Continuation of their Creed.  
Art XIII. I most firmly admit and embrace Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and all other Observations and Constitutions of the same Church. NOTES upon it. 
Ecclesiastical Traditions are to be received with equal veneration as the Holy Scripture. Sess. 4. Concil. Trid. Decr. de Canon. Script.— pari pietatis affectu ac reverentiâ, etc.   
XIV. I do admit the Holy Scriptures in the same sense that holy Mother Church doth, whose business it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of them; and I will interpret them according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. NOTES upon it. 
By holy Mother Church you must be sure to understand the Church of Rome, and if the Scriptures do not speak according to her sense, you must by no means admit of them.   
XV. I do profess and believe that there are Seven Sacraments of the new Law truly and properly so called, instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary to the salvation of mankind, though not all of them to every one, viz. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Orders, and Marriage, and that they do confer grace; and that of these, Baptism, Confirmation and Orders may not be repeated without Sacrilege. I do also receive and admit the received and approved Rites of the Catholic Church in her solemn administration of the abovesaid Sacraments. NOTES upon it. 
You must by no means ask questions here, as, In what part of the New Testament may I find that Christ did institute these Seven Sacraments? Or, Where may I meet with the promise annexed, by virtue of which they do confer grace? Or, Where and when did our Lord make all these necessary to salvation? These are idle and frivolous questions, you must believe as the Catholic Church believes, and do as she doth, but by Catholic Church, you must be sure always to understand the Roman Church, though in so doing, you believe a part to be the whole.   
XVI. I do embrace and receive all and every thing that hath been defined and declared by the holy Council of Trent concerning Original Sin, and Justification. NOTES upon it. 
Though St. Paul call Concupiscence Sin, yet you must not do so. Decret. de Peccat. Origin. Sess. 5. Conc. Trid. Though Christ tell you that when you have done all that is commanded, still you are unprofitable servants, you have done no more than your duty. Yet, if you will be a true Catholic, you must believe, that the good works of Justified persons do truly merit increase of grace here, and eternal life hereafter. Sess. 6. Can. 32.   
XVII. I do also profess, that in the Mass there is offered unto God a true, proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and the dead; and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly, really▪ and substantially the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that there is a conversion made of the whole Substance of the Bread into the Body, and of the whole substance of the Wine into the Blood; which conversion the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation. NOTES upon it. 
Though Christ, by being once offered, hath put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, and therefore need not to be offered again, Heb. 9 yet you must believe that he is daily offered, and it may be in 10000 places at once, a true, proper, and propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and the dead. And why should you not believe so, seeing the Catholic (i. e. the Roman Catholic) Church hath defined and declared it to be so? If you say that you find nothing for it, but much against it in holy Scripture, this is to appeal from the Judgement of the Church to your own, which by no means must be allowed: But how do you know that there is any thing in Scripture against it? you will tell me you see and read it there. But do you think it is fit for you to trust your own eyes against so plain a declaration of the Church? Because you see and feel and taste, and thereupon judge a consecrated Host to be really Bread still, do you think it is fit for you to believe so, when the Church hath told you the contrary? Have a care, this is a dangerous point. If you will be a true Catholic, you must resolve to renounce all the evidence of Sense and Reason, in this matter, and to live by an implicit faith.   
XVIII. I confess that under one kind only, whole and entire Christ, and a true Sacrament is taken and received. " NOTES upon it." 
Though Christ left you a whole Sacrament, yet you must be content with half an one. Though Christ, after his Supper, instituted, and administered this venerable Sacrament under both kinds of Bread and Wine, though in the Primitive Church this Sacrament was received by the faithful in both kinds; yet all this notwithstanding, you must now rest satisfied with half of it, and that for divers good causes and considerations, as to instance, lest you spill the Wine upon your Beards, etc. And will you still stick to the Institution of Christ against such a declaration of the Church? have a care, there is an Anathema provided for you, and the censure and punishment of Heretics will fall to your share. Concil. Constant. Sess. 13. Concil. Trid. Sess. 13. Can. 3.   
XIX. I do firmly believe that there is a Purgatory, and that the Souls kept prisoners there, do receive help by the suffrages of the faithful. NOTES upon it. 
Though in holy Scripture there be no mention made of any other place after this life, but either Heaven or Hell; yet holy Church tells you there is another called Purgatory, and why should you not believe her? Though Christ tell you, that when you have done all that is commanded, you are still unprofitable servants, having done no more but what was your duty to do; yet why should not you believe as the Church believes, that some men may do more than their duties, and by an over measure of merits help others?   
XX. I do likewise believe, that the Saints reigning together with Christ, are to be worshipped and prayed unto, and that they do offer Prayers unto God for us, and that their Relics are to be had in veneration. NOTES upon it. 
Though you be not where commanded to pray to any other but only God, though there be but one Mediator between God and Man, viz. Christ Jesus; yet why should you deprive yourselves of the benefit of such powerful Mediators, as the Saints in Heaven may be, when the Church teacheth you to make use of them?   
XXI. I do most firmly assert, that the Images of Christ, of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God, and of other Saints, aught to be had and retained, and that due honour and veneration ought to be given to them. NOTES upon it. 
Though by the second Commandment you are forbidden to make to yourselves any graven Images, or to bow down to them, or worship them: yet this notwithstanding, why should not you comply with the Doctrine and Practice of the Church, in making to yourselves graven Images, bowing down to them, and in praying, lighting Candles, and burning Incense before them?   
XXII. I do affirm, that the power of Indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that the use of them is very beneficial to Christian people. NOTES upon it. 
Though your sins be great and heinous, yet if for a sum of Money you can procure a Pardon; if the price be set, and nothing wanting but to pay the Money with one hand, and receive the Indulgence with the other; Vide Tax. Camer. Apostol. why then should you not comply with the Doctrine of Indulgences, which is so comfortable in itself, and so advantageous unto you?   
XXIII. I do acknowledge the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Roman Church, to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches; and I do promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ. NOTES upon it. 
If you can believe that a Part is the Whole, why should you not believe the Church of Rome to be the Catholic Church? If you can believe that the Church of Jerusalem, and all other Churches in all parts of the world received their Religion from Her, why should you not believe that she is the Mother of all other Churches? If you can believe that any one Church in the world hath a Sovereign Power and Authority over all other Churches; why should you not believe the Church of Rome hath, and consequently is Mistress of all other Churches? If you can believe that among equals there is any Superiority, why should you not believe that St. Peter was Prince of the Apostles? and consequently that the Bishop of Rome, as his Successor, is Bishop of Bishops, and Prince of all Pastors? If you can believe that Jesus Christ did constitute and ordain any particular Person upon Earth to be his Vicar-general in his absence; why should you not believe that the Bishop of Rome, for the time being, is the Man? But if you can believe none of these things, I cannot help it.   
XXIV. I do undoubtedly receive and profess all other things which have been delivered, defined, and declared by the Sacred Canons and Ecumenical Councils, and especially by the holy Synod of Trent; and all things contrary thereunto, and all Heresies condemned, rejected, and Anathematised by the Church, I do likewise condemn, reject, and Anathematise. NOTES upon it. 
If you can believe that all and every thing, which at any time hath been delivered, defined, and declared, by any General Council, especially by that of Trent, doth exactly agree with the Canon of holy Scripture. Or, if you can believe that all and every thing, which at any time hath been condemned, rejected, and Anathematised by such Councils, is really Heresy, and justly condemned by them. Then why may you not believe as the Church of Rome doth, and receive this as an Article of Faith? But if you cannot believe these things, who can help it.   
Thus have I given you a Prospect of Popery without any misrepresentation or prevarication, from a very Authentic Record; viz. The Creed of Pope Pius IU. which is received, professed, and sworn to by every one who enters into Holy Orders in that Church; and in the close thereof we are told, that the Faith contained therein is so absolutely and indispensibly necessary, that no man can be saved without it. The Creed itself, you see, contains Twenty four Articles. The Twelve first of which, we firmly believe and readily embrace, being well assured that they contain nothing in them but Primitive Christianity, and that they are well warranted by the Word of God. The Twelve latter we reject as Innovations and Additions to the Catholic Faith, that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, and which hath been delivered down to us in the holy Scriptures, and the Three Ancient Creeds. In these you have the main Body of Popery, as it stands distinguished from Primitive Christianity; the Novelty and unwarrantableness whereof it were no hard matter to demonstrate, but that hath been done already by better hands, and was no part of my design in these Papers. I intended only to give you a full view of Popery from an unexceptionable Record, and leave you to consider of it. And having this done, I have only this request to make, that those, into whose hands these Papers shall come, would sit down, and seriously consider, whether it be fit or safe for them, to mingle such stuff with their Common Christianity.  
FINIS.    

Books lately Printed for and Sold by L. Meredith at the Angel in Amen-Corner.  
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