A Catholics Resolution, Or, a Serious ENQUIRY Whether it be Better To turn Independent, Presbyterian, Roman? Or continue What I am, Catholic? In Matter of RELIGION? London, Printed Anno Dom. MDCLXVIII. I. Whether Independent OF all Religions I think I could make somewhat among Them; for what Learning I have, will help maintain their Ignorance, and my being a Proselyte, will promote their Confidence. It's probable I could frame as plausible a Discourse of the Reasons inducing me to be of that Persuasion, as some they have admitted: But before I join with them, I shall wait a resolution of the following Queries. And, 1. Whether I can easily join with such, as would Paganize and make Antichristian all the Churches of Christ in the whole world, except themselves? 2. Whether that be a false Church that converts their Members, before they come to be of their Party? 3. Or that which would propound a better way for Ministers maintenance, than God, who hath ordained, That they that serve at the Altar should live by the Altar? 4. And that set up such to be Preachers, as have no art nor knowledge in the Tongues? 5. That make the whole essence of the Ministerial Call to consist in Election of the people, without Ordination? 6. That cry down Bishops, because they cannot preach to all their Flock at once, and yet themselves gather Churches from York to London, so that many do not see the face of their Pastor once in a year? 7. Whether under that Notion all Heresies have not crept into the Church? 8. Whether I shall join to that Party, who never yet could set bounds to themselves; but do still expect some new Discoveries for Modification? and whether my consent go that not be more dangerous than the Oath of & c? 9 Whether I shall submit to that Party, that hitherto neither the most Religious, the most Learned, nor the major part of any Nation ever yet submitted to? 10. Whether the first and best of our Reformers ever thought of or practised such a way? 11. Whether, were I now to die, I could take comfort in their Absolution, seeing not one of them is authorized thereunto? And, 12. That would persuade us that all our Martyrs for the Protestant Cause, did worship God in a wrong way, and therein condemn the Generation of the Just? Can Answer be brought in to this Jury of Questions, That they are Not guilty, I could then better believe them, and relieve myself: For the present, my Conscience not being satisfied, I shall with them Catholic Charity, and pray, That as they would shun the F●ock of Superstition on the one hand: they would likewise avoid the Shelve of Separation on the other: And O thou that alone art an Independent Being, teach all thine to depend upon thee, for counsel and direction, and not to despise the Church's Communion! II. Whether Presbyterian? IT is a Thriving way, and I am poor; the tentation therefore is strong: but better enjoy peace of Conscience, than the spoils of violence; I shall yet propose some cases of conscience, and upon their true Resolves, I shall either shake hands with him, or continue what I am. 1. Whether I do not believe, That Christ taught his Apostles to pray, and say, Our Father which art in heaven? 2. Whether I do not believe, That the Apostles did pray, and say, as Christ taught them, Our Father which art in heaven? 3. Whether I have done well, to expunge and obliterate that Prayer, Our Father which art in heaven? 4. Whether I do not believe; That Christ sent his Apostles, as his Father sent him? Joh. 20.21. 5. Whether I do not believe, That the Father sent Christ to be the chief Bishop of our Souls? 1 Pet. 2.25. 6. Whether I do not believe both these missions to be jure divino? 7. Whether I do not therefore believe, Episcopacy to be jure Divino? 8. Whether I do not believe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to be a different word from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? 9 Whether I do not believe Bishop to be the name of office and dignity, Presbyter to be a name of order and duty? 10. Whether I do not believe Bishops are sometimes called Presbyters, because they were Presbyters before they were Bishops? 11. Whether I do not believe Presbyters qua Presbyters are never called Bishops? 12. Whether I do not believe that St. Paul spoke and did divinely, when he constituted Timothy Bishop of Ephesus, and Titus Bishop of Crect, to oversee, and if need were to rebuke the Presbyters there? 13. Whether I do not believe St. Jerome spoke piously, when he said, Nisi exors quaedam & ab omnibus eminens potestas Episcopo ducetur, tot essent Schismata, quot Sacerdotes; That unless an extraordinary and peerless pre-eminence were given to the Bishop, there would be as many Schisms as Priests. 14. Whether I do not believe King James spoke politicly and prudently, when be said, No Bishop, no King? 15. Whether I do not believe the Primitive Church, and so the Church successively until of very late years, one century and less than an half, was governed by Episcopacy? 16. Whether therefore I do not believe I have done very ill to shoulder out Episcopacy, that I might get into his Chair? 17. Whether I do not believe that Thebulis and Aërius were therefore called Heretics, because they would have had an ecclesiastical parity, Bishop and Presbyter all one? 18. Whether I do not believe, The Canon; of the Apostles distinguished the three degrees of Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons, and gave the superiority to Bishops▪ Can. 4, 6, 7 19 Whether I do not believe Thebulis and Aërius did therefore fancy an ecclesiastical parity, because they could not be made Bishops, which they earnestly affected? Epiphan. Haeres. 75. 20. Whether I do not believe the Church of Jerusalem was called a Virgin Church, and never corrupted, until by Thebulis, because he was not made a Bishop? Eus. l. 4 c. 22. 21. Whether I do not believe Ignatius lived in the Apostles days, and saw Christ in the flesh, and being yet a Bresbyter, writ to the Antiochians, to remember Evodius their Bishop, who first from the Apostles received the superiority above the Presbyters; and after being Bishop himself, and going to suffer under Trajan, writ to the Clergy and Presbyters there, That they would be diligent in feeding their flo●k, until God did show unto them, Him that should rule over them after his death? And in another Epistle ad Sard. thus, Presbyters be obedient to your Bishops; Deacons be obedient to your Presbyters; Laymen be obedient to all: And after all concludes thus: My soul for theirs that observe this order, The Lord be with them. 22. Whether I do not believe Aërius was the first that voted down all Fasts. Vigilantius the first that voted down all Feasts appointed by the Church both Heretics; and therefore whether I may not fear, I am something Heretical in following their steps? 23. Whether I do not believe, that S. James set out a liturgy or book of Common Prayer, for the Church in his time; St. Basil the like in his time; St. chrysostom the like in his time; and so downwards until Mr. John calvin's time? 24. Whether I do not bel●eve, that Mr. John Calvin himself thought well of Common Prayers, and particularly of our Common Prayer Book, when he said, Quod ad formam precum & rituum Ecclesiae, valdè probo, ut certa illa extet, à qua pastoribus in sua functione d●scedere non licet; Concerning a Form of Prayer, and Ecclesiastical Rites, I very well like, that there be a certain and constant one, from which the Pastors of the Church may in no wise depart or vary? 25. Whether I do not believe, That every word in the Common Prayer Book is in the Bible, either literally or rationally deduced thence. v. g. for the Confession. Almighty God, Gen. 17.1. And most merciful Father, Exod. 34.6. We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, Psal. 119.176. We have followed too much the devises and desires of our own hearts, Jer. 18.12. We have offended against thy holy laws, Mat. 7.8. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, 1 Sam. 15.24. And we have done those things which we ought not to have done, 1 Sam. 24.5. 2 Sam. 12.13. And there is no health in us, Psa. 38.3. But thou O Lord have mercy upon us miserable offenders, Luke 18.13. Spare thou them O God which confess their faults, Prov. 28.13. Restore thou them that be penitent, Ez. 18.31. According to thy promise declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord, Mat. 11 18. And grant O most merciful Father for his sake, Joh. 16.23. That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, Titus 2.12. To the glory of thy holy name, 1 Tim. 6.16. 26. Whether I do not believe the Absolution, Almighty God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, be grounded upon, John 20.23. 27. Whether I do not believe the Lords Prayer, with the Doxology, Thine is the Kingdom, Power and Clory, is verbatim in Mat. 6 and without that Doxology in Luke 11. 28. Whether I do not believe, those Versicles, O God make speed to save us, be not in Psal. 102.13. Open thou my lips O Lord. And my mouth shall show forth thy praise, Psal. 51.15. I might be endless: to answer therefore some of your Grand Objections; I ask, 29. Whether I do not believe, Remember not Lord our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, is a sincere prayer for the living, and no sinful prayer for the dead, viz. That God would not visit the offences of our forefathers upon in their children, and grounded upon Exo 20. and Ezek. 18. 30. Whether I do not believe, From sudden death good Lord deliver us, is a fervent ejaculation, no idle desire, that God would not take us away unpreparedly, until we have made ready our Accounts? 31. Whether I do not believe, For all them that travel by land or by water, all women labouring of child etc. is a charitable prayer, and answerable to the Apostles command, Do good to all, Gal. 6.10. Pray for all men 1 Tim 2.3. 32. Whether I do not believe, By thy holy Nativity & Circumcision, by thy Agony and bloody sweat etc. is obtestative, and the sign of our Faith, not affirmative and the sign of an Oath; desiring God by these effectual means of the Actions and Passions of Jesus Christ, to deliver us from those punishments which are due unto us for our sins. 33. Whether I do not believe, the first prayer in the Office of Matrimony, That God would bless this couple, as Isaac and Rebecca, proceeded rather from the holy Ghosts inspiration, than from humane invention; because if from man only, he would have gone upon reason, and made the prayer thus, bless them as Abraham and Sarah, or bless them as Jacob and Rachel; for Abraham was God's first friend, jacob was Gods great friend; yet neither so, nor so, but as Isaac and Rebecca; because Abraham had his Hagar, one Concubine; Jacob had his Zilkah and his Bilkah two at least, Isaac never any but his Rebecca? 34. Whether I do not believe, That that prayer, Prevent us O Lord in all our do, etc. be not absolutely against those great points of Popery, concerning works of preoperation and cooperation, grounded upon that of St. Paul, Eph. 2.8. and so no kin to the Mass Book? 34. Whether I do not believe the Creed of the Apostles is every word in the Scripture, viz. I believe, Mark 9 24. in God John 14 1. the Father, 1 Cor. 1.3. Almighty, Gen. 17.1. maker of heaven and earth, Gen. 1.1. and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Rom. 1.3. which was conceived by the holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary, Luke 1.35. suffered under Pontius Pilate, John 19.1. was Crucified John 19.18. Dead John 19.30. and Buried, John 19.42. He descended into Hell, Act 2.27. the third day he risen again from the dead, 1 Cor. 15.4. He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right-hand of God, Mar. 10.19. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Act 10.42. And in the holy Ghost, Mat. 28.19. The holy Catholic Church the communion of Saints, Ephes. 5.27. the forgiveness of sins, Col. 1.14. The Resurrection of the Body, 1 Cor. 15.35. and life everlasting, John 10.28. 36. Whether I do believe the Feasts of Christmas, Easter and whitsuntide have been observed by the purest and Primitive Churches, and commanded upon as to observe the same? Clem. ep. decret, Telesph. p. 117. Cyprian de Nativ. Christi, Nazian. Orat. 38. Chrysost. hom in Nativ▪ Christi. The Church of Helvetias confess, c. 24. The Church of Bohemia, c. 15. The Church of Bremen, Regist. 2. fine, the Church of Auspurge confess. act. 4. 37. Whether I do not believe, The Lord b● with thee; and with thy Spirit, equivalent to ●●uth. 2.4. 38. Whether I do not believe St. Paul spoke Scripture, when he said, and bid us pray with the spirit a●d with the understanding, and whether I do not sometimes pray without the understanding, when I think I pray by the spirit. 39 Whether I do not believe, That therefore I have done very ill to excommunicate the English Common Prayer Book, which by most Divines hath been called optimum Breviarium, and so instead of it, have set up a Directory, which speaks nothing so much, as the sixth sense, and hath no better Derivation than from the Directarii? But I am in earnest, and earnestly desire of Almighty God, that if the Presbyterian be determined to go on in his opinion; yet that we may join together in all Christian affection, and so meet in heaven, in everlasting Union; for till I am convinced upon the former Queries, I am resolved never to be of their communion upon earth; though I wish them increase of sanctity, while they live; and eternity of happiness when they die, through jesus Chri●t, Amen. III. Whether Roman? I Am as far from Rome, as I am from Geneva; yet finding the Roman possessed with more of the water, & the Presbyterian with more of the fire, I hope some moderation may in time cement England and Rome into the Catholic, so strongly, as never hereafter to be dissolved, or melted by the fury of zeal: You and you only I confess have the face of a Church, and I hope you will not deny us the Form, and Being of a Church; since I believe there is so much ingenuity and wisdom in you, as to distinguish betwixt a Church extinguished and eclipsed or persecuted: The Church of England I acknowledge is under a cloud and eclipsed, but the Candle is not quite out and extinguished: Wheresoever two or three (of the Catholic Church) are gathered together, there is Ch●ist in the midst of them, so was his promise Matt. 18.20. And wheresoever a lawful Priest or Pastor of the English Church is with two or three of his Congregation, I will not, I dare not doubt of the performance. If you have less charity, either in the taking or mistaking of it, I shall propose some few Queries in my own name, as one of you, though I thank God I am none of you, not ever intent to be in opinion, howsoever in affection, because you are my next neighbour; I therefore love you ●s myself. 1. Whether I do believe Roman and Catholic are Termini co●vertiblies? 2. Whether I do believe, I may be saved, if I pray as the Catholic Church doth, and was taught by Christ, Our father which art in heaven; though I do not pray, as the Ro●●n Church doth, and teacheth, O thou mother of God, St. ●●er, St. Paul pray for me? 3. Whether if I do believe as the Primitive and Catholic Church did and doth, and hath taught the Apostles Creed, though I do not believe as the Roman Church doth, the Creed of the Council of Trent, I may be saved? 4. Whether if I endeavour to live after God's Commandments, and obey him, though I do not endeavour to live after my superiors command, I may be saved? 5. Whether if I receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist as Christ Instituted and Commanded me to receive it, in both kinds, Bread and Wine, Flesh and Blood, though I do not receive it as the Church of Rome hath abrogated it, and Commanded to receive, in one kind only, I may be saved? 6. Whether my conscience can be satisfied by the device of concomitants that the Blood is given in the Body, since in the Eucharist the Blood is to be given as shed, not kept, as poured out, not contained in the Body? 7. Whether if I be born again, and made a Christian by true Baptism, and afterward confirmed by a true Bishop, though I am not anointed with oil, I may be saved? 8. Whether if I believe the Scripture, and frame my life according, though I do not equally believe Tradition I may be saved? 9 Whether if I serve and worship God in Spirit and in Truth, though I worship no images, nor God by images, I may be saved? 10. Whether I may not be saved, if I believe in God's mercies through Christ's merits, though I put no confidence in merits of my own works? These Queries with a very few more by moderate and, men, might be brought to a reconciliation, and that they may be, I pray you let us join in one Prayer, till we join in all points. O Most merciful God, who hast made all Mankind of one; O most merciful God, who hast contracted all the Elect of Mankind into one Body, thy Church; and hast given the whole Church but one Soul, thy Spirit; and that Soul but one Life, thy Faith; and that Faith but one prop, one Gospel, one Baptism, one Lords Supper; and this one Body and one Soul, but one Head, thyself, who art but one Lord, and hast again dispersed this Body into several Assemblies and Societies, and hast made each Society and Assembly but one; thereby intimating to us, that we should all have but one Heart and one Mind; In mercy we beseech thee look upon thy Church, and make her as thy Son did leave her, One; one in Opinion and one in affection, that she may be no longer crucified betwixt Heretics and Schismatics, Thiefs of thy Truth; betwixt profligates and hypocrites, thiefs of thy Grace; betwixt Zelots and Superstitious, thiefs of thy Honour: but by virtue of thy Sons Golgotha, dry up Akeldama, and for the merit of Calvary, Deliver, O deliver her from all her present misery; Relieve her from Force without, and Fury within, both against her; Rescue her from civil Enemies, and crafty Children, both which fall upon her; Suffer not Reeds any longer to be thy Sceptres, nor Chairs thy Throne, nor Tricks thy Order, nor Rudeness in one part, nor Superstition in another part, thy Service; nor Miscreants thy W●●shippers, nor Confusion thy Religion, nor Wild- 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Zeal, nor Lunacies thy Resolutions, nor De●… 〈…〉 Spirit; but appear by her once more in 〈…〉 ●●●rit of Peace and Purity, of Sanctity 〈…〉 Wisdom and Sobriety, that all 〈…〉 Church by thy Livery, which though 〈…〉 〈…〉 Love, Peace and Patience; and 〈…〉 may be guided by thy One Church, in the right way of Truth into Heaven, through Jesus Christ Amen. In whose blessed Name and words we further call upon thee, as he hath taught us in his Holy Gospel, saying Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in Earth, as etc. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as etc. And lead us not into Tentation, but etc. For thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory▪ etc. Or iv continue what I am, Catholic? I Desire so to continue, though I starve for it; For I have not took up this Religion upon Tradition or Education, but upon Judgement and Deliberation; And instead of Queries and Cases of Conscience, I offer to myself these Irrefragable Propositions. 1. If I pray aright according to the Patter● of Devotion summed up in the Lord's Prayer, I shall be heard. 2. If I repent aright according to the Prophets and Apostles Direction, with the Contrition of my Heart, with the Confession of my Lips, and the Endeavour of my Life; I shall be forgiven. Joel. 2. 2 Cor. 7. 3. If I do right according to Gods will in his Word, summed up in his Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, though not absolutely and enactly, yet uprightly and Evangelically: I shall be accepted. 4. If I believe aright according to God's Gospel, summed up in the Apostles Creed, without doubting, without distrusting, without despairing, I shall be saved. 5. If I receive Christ's holy Sacraments, as he did institute, and appoint them, not only as Signs, but means of Grace, not only as Assurances of Salvation, but Conveyances of Sanctification, I shall be glorified. And my Religion being so good, I desire not to change but to continue as I am; and for that I praise God's mercy, and pray for God's blessing. My Religion is good, for it is Gods; my Calling is Lawful, for it is of God; my Service is honourable, for it is for God and my Saviour, my message in which I am employed is honourable, for it is of Peace, and to be an Instrument of Reconciliation betwixt God and his People, and my proceeding in it, if it be as it ought to be, in Love, shall be acceptable; Joyfully I may do it, for God will reward it; Freely I may do it, for God will make it good; Boldly I may do it, for God will defend it; and incessantly I should do it, for first or last God will give a blessing to it. But who, who is worthy to do this weighty business? not the best of men, how much more unworthy am I the worst of men and chief of Sinners? Truly of myself I am as unworthy as unable, and unworthy to be enabled, if thou enter in Judgement with me, That thou mayest not, I thus address myself to thy Throne of Grace. Look upon me O my God in the face of Jesus Christ I beseech thee, and for his sake assist me with thy Spirit, That I may speak thy word, lest I be guilty of carelessness; That I may not speak before I Learn, lest I be guilty of Rashness. That I may Learn and Speak, lest I be guilty of idleness; That I may not speak to the Ear, lest I be guilty of Flattery; That I may speak to the Heart, and so be a means of other men's salvation; and when I have preached to others, That I may not be a Castaway myself: Sanctify me with thy Spirit I beseech Thee; That I may aswell live as speak Divinity; Let thy Glory be my chief, Thy peoples and my own safety my next Aim; That I may not bring a woe to thy Flock, Give me Learning; that I may not bring woe to myself, Give me Diligence; that I may not bring Dishonour to thee, Give me Discretion; Deliver me from the misery of Starving thy Flock, for want of skill; Deliver me from the Cruelty of starving thy Flock, for want of will; Deliver me from a fruitless industry in feeding thy Flock, for want of Prudence; make me painful in my Study, powerful in my Pulpit; Fervent in my Piety, Holy in my Conversation, Successful in all; That I may be discharged of the Blood of all those Souls Committed to my Charge: it is a precious People, for thou hast purchased them at a dear Rate, even with Blood, with thy Blood, with thy precious Blood: Let them be precious too in my Esteem, That I may preach to them in Season and out of Season, not only by Speaking well, but Living better: help their understandings in my knowledge of Divinity, better their Wills in my Practice of Divinity; Supply them and myself for th●s Life and the next out of thine own Fullness; and Crown my Labours with the Conversion of such Souls, as thou hast Ordained to Life Eternal, Through Jesus Christ: In whose most Blessed Name and Words, I further call upon Thee, as He hath Taught. FINIS.