A MIRROR OF TRUTH. OF THE HIGHEST CONCERN To all sorts of People, Noble and Ignoble, Rich or Poor, Sovereign or Subject. 1. Rom. 14. To the Greeks and to the Barbarians, to the wise and unwise I am a Debtor. Printed in the Year 167●. A MIRROR OF TRUTH. The Preface. IT is for the Lovers of Peace, and naked Truth, for whom I writ this in a few but substantial words, declaring the grounds thereof, and no more, without the least dispute or Contest with any. The Truth. KNOW therefore that as all things are Vanity of Vanities, but only to Love and serve God: Eccl. 1.2. So all Knowledge which is not to that End is blind ignorance; And all otherwise seeming Truth plain deceit and falsehood. For there is no Truth but that which leads to God, Truth itself the Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega: nor any Error or falsehood, but what seduces from Him. Truth indeed is the chief of all, most to be loved and sought after. Esd. 3.4. All the Earth calleth for Truth and Heaven blesseth it, thus Esdras. And let it be seriously sought after and firmly embraced above all in this foundation and groundwork of all true Virtue and Perfection, Divine Faith, without which it is impossible to please God. Heb. 11.1. Now Faith is the ground of things to be hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen. If this point be rightly understood & well observed the great stumbling-block to Errors & Heresies is taken away. This is St. Paul's definition of Faith, and most true it is. Observe then, that since Faith, a supernatural gift of God, is the Evidence of those things that by no sense or understanding can be perceived, but only through this free and gracious gift of God, why do we so much busy our Understandings to conceive the Articles of our Faith, and believe in a manner Nothing but what we would pretend clearly to know and understand? All which is incompatible with Faith which must have no other Operation of the Understanding, but simple subjection and obedience to that Divine Light. And for this reason He teacheth us to bring into Captivity all Understanding in Obedience to Christ. 2 Cor. 10.5. As if he should say, Good People in vain it is for you to trouble your heads: discussion, and search in these matters will not quiet or satisfy you, The true Rule of Faith. you must simply believe, because God revealeth and the Church proposeth. That which Faith tells you is above your capacity. You may as well put the whole Ocean into a small Pitt, as the least of these high mysteries into your Understanding, you may as well understand the nature of God Himself as the least of them. They are all alike, little and great, high and low as delivered by Faith. We may not therefore search them, Pro. 25.27 Exod. 19.12 For who is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by Glory. And the Beast that toucheth the Mountain shall be stoned. These be Edge-tool's, there is no jesting with them. Humane reason cannot reach thus high. We must simply submit to the Divine Revelatian and the Church's Proposition. All the Disputation in the world is to no purpose in these matters. We must not contend in words, for it availeth nothing but to the subversion of the Hearers. It is not Man's Wisdom can teach us these things, but the plain evidence of the Spirit of Truth. And for this cause St. Paul gave this Admonishment to Timothy, saying, O Timothy! keep that which is committed unto thee, 1 Tim. 6.19 and avoid profane and vain babbling, and opposition of science (falsely so called) which while some profess they have Erred concerning Faith. A Sentence worthy to be written in every Man's heart with indelible Characters for his direction to attain and gain the true Faith, which must be committed by the Church to Him, and he must take heed of losing it again through vain Science (falsely so called) by the curious itching of which we come to break out in Faith, and lose our integrity. How come we then to hear these vain babble and oppositions of Science falsely so called, from many who Esteem themselves right believers, yea Masters in Israel, vaunting of their light from God to know and discern all truth and to dive into the highest Mysteries of Faith; yea assume unto themselves a Prerogative Royal (proper to Christ only and his Substitutes and Commissioners endued with his Holy Spirit) to define what is Faith, and what is not. O Petty Undertakers! who receive no Rule of Faith but their own fancies which they would have all to follow. Saying this is no Article of Faith. How can we believe a piece of bread or white wafor to be turned into the Body of Christ? I see not to what End there should be a continual sacrifice, since Christ hath been offered once for all? How! doth it not derogate from the honour of God to pray to the Saints? what power & virtue can there be in their Relics? what vain superstition is it to use the sign of the Cross? holy water, Beads & c.? How can Man forgive sins? How ridiculous is it to think there is a third place, or Purgatory? with infinite other such like Infidel questions, if they knew what they asked. For by these and the like questions they seem to show they believe no more than they see reason for, according to their own conceits. And so in Truth and very deed they have no Divine Faith at all, which is above humane reason and understanding, and not by it to be judged. Yea these profane voices sound so high, that they themselves will rule and be Judges of that which they constitute the rule of Faith, I mean, the holy Scriptures, admitting and refusing what they please, as the Maccabees, the book of wisdom, the Epistle of St. James, with much more. And why? because they like them not and so judge them not to be Scripture. And the like is not only of the word of God itself, As God himself is inscrutable to our understandings so is his holywrit. Lib. 32. contra-Faustum. 〈◊〉. 19 but also of the true sense and meaning of it, of which they will have no other Judge but their own sense and meaning; so that we may say unto them what St. Augustine said to Faustus, one of their own Crew, You seem to do that (saith he) which taketh away all Authority of Holy Scripture, making every ones Mind the Interpreter of it; As God himself is the Author of holy Scripture so must ●●e be the sole interpreter ●●y His Holy ●nd infallible Church. what in every place he please to make the sense & meaning of it. That is not to be subject to the Scriptures in believing, but to make the Scripture subject to Him. Not liking any thing because it is right, written by Supreme Authority, but therefore it seems to be right written because it likes Him. Thus this Holy sublime wit shows the Truth indeed. observe this ●ruth well. If we interpret Scripture according to our own humane sense and understanding and accordingly believe it, ●e must ●●me to true wisdom by 〈◊〉 Mysterious ●●orance, ●●d to be in ocreated ●●ght by kindness. we thereby make our belief humane conceit and not divine Faith, which must have nothing in it, but the pure Revelation of God and Proposition of the Church guided infallibly by his holy Spirit. To speak Truth I know nothing by which People are more deceived then in taking that to be Faith which is merely humane Conceit and the Invention of Man, having nothing Divine but only a gloss and colour of Holy Scripture, which truly examined proves but Dross and Counterfeit as by what hath been said doth manifestly appear to all that are not wilfully blind. Hereupon St. Augustine saith of such as Obstinately and perversely obtrude and thrust their understandings into these divine Mysteries (to which they cannot by such means reach) That instead of the right Worship of God and Truth, A golden sentence worthy to be written in every Man's Heart. And besides that it is Augustine's it is most venerable for the certain Truth of it. they worship their own Understanding and adore their own Errors. These are his very words, Homini extra Ecclesiam Religio sua est cultus phantasmatum suorum, et Error suus Deus suus. A Man's Religion who is out of the Church is the worship of his own Fancies, and his Error is his God. I wish with all my soul All men would consider and ponder well with true Indifferency and earnest desive to know the truth; this solid Truth of St. Augustine. That those who are in the Church guided ●y the infallible Spirit of God may conti●ue subject to it in true humility without ●y pride of their own understanding: ●nd those who are not may unbeguile themselves and acknowledge their error submitting to her and truly captivating heirunderstandings in Obedience to Faith proposed by, her by whose mouth we must hear it, not otherwise to be learned: and unless we do this by hearing and believing the Church, the Evangelist passeth thi● clear and definitive sentence upon us that we should be esteemed as Heathens and Publicans. Neither can we ever hope to have God for our Father unless we take the Church for our Mother. Much may be said in this matter, And the holy Writers, Fathers, and Saints of God out of their great Zeal to this Fundamental Truth have written abundantly thereof to ground all upon this firm Rock which shall never fail. Much I say may be said to prevent Errors and declare the truth of our Faith, but this little only which I have gathered out of them may suffice and will firmly establish us, if sincerely practised. That is once again in 〈◊〉 word to suppress the curious itching of ou● understanding from meddling with these Mysteries of Faith with which it hath no thing to do by way of searching, but mus● simply believe it's divine light from th● Churches proposing through God's Revelation. The understanding therefore having nothing to do with Faith but only simply to receive it, and propose it to the will to practise upon it: It cannot err about it; and so as to all Errors in matter of Eaith the understanding by this means is debarred and the proud comb of it cut; and these Errors can creep in no other way, God keep them always out, and us in the Truth and true Faith. The Mysteries whereof because we cannot discern them in themselves, we must simply believe them as revealed by God and proposed by the Church without further discussion. That we may not mistake the true Church of God: There are certain infallible \markss, Signs, Notes or Proprieties which be inseparable from It, and agree with None but it, as natural light may evidently discern, if considered and duly weighed even by the simplest Man living, and supernatural light confirms them: so that there can be no mistake of the true Church and consequently of the true Faith; if we observe these visible Notes and Marks. For none, either remains Infidel or becomes Heretic, but who either does not or will not observe them. They are such as St. Augustine made choice of to direct himself. Hear what he saith and follow his example. These worthily (saith he) keep me in the lap of the Church. UNITY THE CONSENT OF NATIONS. AUTHORITY BY MIRACLES BEGUN, HOLINESS. NOURISHED BY HOPE, BY CHARITY INCREASED, BY ANTIQUITY MADE FIRM AND SURE. SUCCESSION THERE KEEPS ME THE SUCCESSION OF PRIEST'S FROM THE VERY SEE OF PETER THE APOSTLE (to whom our Lord after his Resurrection committed the feeding of his Sheep) EVEN TO THIS BISHOP THAT NOW IS. There KEEPS ME FINALLY THE VERY NAME OF CATHOLIC, CATHOLIC. which not without cause amongst so many Heresies, the true Church alone hath obtained. You perceive St. Augustine stuck fast to the Church's Faith after his being an Heretic, and all his bickering with Errors through the Motive of these infallible Marks which are proper to it alone: and relied not on his own Judgement or wit (as great and as strong as it was the like to which perchance was never or ever will be) which he found to be too shallow to dive into these high Mysteries of Faith. If any one think his wit deeper and sounder than this great Saints was: And that these reasons were not sufficient Motives, I will not contest with his over-weened conceit of himself, but let him run headlong whither the spirit, or rather spirit of pride will drive him. I know as the Apostle tells me, Every Man hath not Faith, and that there must be Heresies. But woe to them that are infected with them. They are blind and obstinate and Condemned by their own Judgements. There is no End of disputing with them, and so I leave them and come to propose those Marks which may serve any well minded Man to find out the true Church, Mother of all true Faith and Religion. These are the Marks or Signs of the true Church of Christ. THe Church of Christ must be One. ONE That the true Church of Christ and the Religion professed by it, be but One is most necessary, for since the Divine Providence governs the Church, we must needs grant that the Government thereof is the best of all being the chief of all, as ordered by him by whom Kings reign and govern. And the best Government of a Multitude is Monarchical. That is when One Head and Chief governs the whole multitude. This is manifest by the End and Scope of Government, being the Peace & Union of the Subjects, which is most excellently enjoyed when One governs the whole Church; for by that means all Occasion of Schism is taken away. Moreover the true Militant Church (which is a Company of Faithful Believers under One chief Pastor) is so much the Perfecter by how much more like it is to the Triumphant, What the Church is. and the Triumphant hath but One governor, the Lord God himself. So the Militant Church hath but one head and Chief, God's Vicegerent and Deputy. In the Old Law there was but one High Bishop. Osee. 2. Cangregabuntur Filii Judae & filii Israel pariter & ponent sibimet Caput unum. The Children of Judah, and the Children of Israel likewise shall be gathered together and they shall Place one head over them. Even so in the New Law there must be but one Head and Chief, & fiet unum Ovile & Vnus Pastor. Joh. 10. And there shall be made one Sheepfold and One Pastor. Neither can this be understood of Christ and this time only. For Christ after his Ascension into Heaven would not leave the Church without a Guide, Joh. 12. Pastor and Head; His Flock without a Shepherd; And therefore naming Peter his Vicar, particularly charged him to Feed his Flock, and would have him to Confirm his Brethren as Head: Which Christ very plainly expressed saying, Luke. 21. Tu es Petrus & super hanc Petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, & portae inferi non prevalebunt adversus eam. Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. For no power infernal, either by Tyrants, Heretics or other instruments of Satan could ever extinguish or overthrow this Church built upon Peter and his Successors. And to thee (saith our Saviour) will I give the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven etc. Neither may it be replied, this Power and Dignity was granted to Peter only and not to this successors: For Christ instituted a Church to continue for ever, always to be built and Augmented, and must therefore have always a Head or Foundation upon which it may be built. Christ surely would not have his Church now in a worse Condition then at that time, since the government is always necessary. And as Peter was then Christ's Vicar and Pastor of his whole Church: So must his Successors necessarily have now the same Power and Authority over the true Church throughout the whole world, from which we must receive the true Faith. And whosoever dissents and breaks from the Union with this Church, and declines the Doctrine thereof, forsakes the Truth of Christ, leaves the royal high way, and runs astray i● dangerous paths of his own Invention. Hence ariseth the great disunion and Confusion amongst Heretics, and their division into sundry sects, and Various Opinions, by reason of their uncertain Rule of Faith, which is their own Understanding, and Private Spirit. Whereas the Rule amongst Catholics and true Believers is most certain and solid (to wi● the Judgement of the Church) they having nothing of their own in it. And therefore daily experience shows and teaches us (our adversaries being not able to deny it) that those of the true Church thought of divers Countries and Kinghoms spread through out the whole world in all times and places yet all agreed in the same Doctrine necessary to Salvation, as in One Sacrifice, One Uniform number and Administration of Sacraments etc. The Spouse of Christ the Holy Church hath but One and the same Faith over al● the world in all times and Places. It is worthy observation and the like can never be shown out of the true Church to see the Unaminous concord and agreement betwixt the holy Doctors of the Church in Faith and Doctrine though they taught in divers Ages and Places. St. Gregory. S. Augustin. St. Ambrose. St. Jerom. St. Augustin only and St. Jerom saw each other and were Contemporary. And on the Contrary side amongst those out of the Church, what Discord and Babylonical Confusion, every One following his own spirit, Luther. Calvin. Beza. Zuinglius. so many heads so many Heresies. They are carried on headlong with Giddyness, they yield to nothing but Error. St. Judas describing in his Epistle such misled People and Heretics saith: Judas. 10. But these blaspheam the things they know not, and whatsoever they naturally know as beasts without reason in those things they Corrupt themselves. And no marvel; for as there is but One way to Truth, so there are many ways to run into Error and deceit. Let us therefore cleave close to this Rock of Unity; let us not forsake this One Church which hath no division. It is like our Saviour's garment it must not be divided. Our dear Saviour prayed for his Church that it might be One saying. Jo: 17. Father I Pray not that thou wouldst take them out of this world, but that thou keep them from Evil. They are not of the world as I am not of the world; Sanctify them with the Truth, Thy Word is Truth. I sent them into the world, and for their sakes I sanctify myself, that these also may be sanctified through the Truth. I pray not for these alone, but for them also who shall believe in me through their word, that they also may be One in Us, That the world may believe that thou hast sent me. This Prayer of our Saviour's was heard and granted, and therefore we must be On● in Faith if we will be of his Church. And observe He prayed not only for his only then present disciples, but for them also who should believe through their preaching, their successors even to the end of the world, that they should continue still One without Division. And consider well how our Saviour concluded his Prayer with this strong motive of Unity to belief. Even (saith he) that they may be One in us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. You see our Saviour's reason why they should be One is, that he may be believed to be sent. This Unity therefore is an unanswerable motive to the true Religion, and an assured infallible mark thereof. Where therefore Unity is not, there is no true Religion: And where it is we may there surely trust our souls, and rely on that Faith. And as we are One in Faith so shall we be in Glory: for such was our Savionrs Prayer in the same place saying: Father, such as thou hast given me my will is that where I am they may be also with me, that the may see my Glory which thou hast given me. God therefore grant that through this Unity we may come to his Glory: to which We cannot arrive but by Holiness. And therefore 〈…〉 The true Church as it is One so must it also be holy. ANd this is another Mark as evident, Holiness. infallible, and certain as the former (to wit) Holiness, which cannot be found out of the true Church. For the holy Ghost hath no influence but upon the members of the true Church: by their Fruits we shall know them. I mean not but there are wicked men & misdemeanours amongst the true Beleivers, yet so that there are many also most holy and virtuous, which is sufficient to show the Holiness of the Church together with the Doctrine thereof which is always pure and holy, tending to Virtue. View and Consider the Tenets and practices of Both, true and false, and then judge. The Religion which is true and holy, is that WHich hath Calendars full of approved Known Saints of all Ages and Professions? A kallendar of 〈◊〉 approved known Saints. whose Sanctity none dare or can justly oppose. That which hath wrought evident and true miracles in all Ages from the beginning till this hour, True Miracles. and shall work upon occasion to the Consummation of the Saints. That which hath converted all nations to the Faith of Christ from Judaisme, All Nations Converted etc. Idolatry, Heathenism etc. and whose teachers and Professors have been of known sanctity and holy Life. To name One for all, St. Augustin our Apostle of the holy Order of St. Bennet who converted England to the Faith of Christ from blind Idolatry, and Heathenism: Sent by St. Gregory the great than Pope of Rome of the same holy Order. That which hath built all the Churches, Churches. Monasteries. Nunneries. Hospitals. built etc. Monasteries, Nunneries, Colleges, Hospitals etc. in Christandom, endowed them with rents, instituted the Universities, distinguished the Multitude into Parishes, proportioned the Tyths, annexed the glebe Land, ordained the Bishoprics, lymitted the Dioceses and decreed the Ecclesiastical Laws so full of learning, and Piety, that they are now all good and learned men's Studies: besides infinite other good Works of all sorts. That which from the Flower of her Infancy (the Apostles themselves being such) ever had, still hath, Religious Orders. and ever shall have infinite Multitudes of Beleivers of either sex professing Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience; the three chief Evangelical Counsels, so highly commended and practised by Antiquity not only as Sonveraigne divine helps to perfection, but also as Beautiful Ornaments to Christ's Church, raising the Professors to a supreme degree of Grace and glory. Witnessed. and sealed with the Blood of holy Martyrs and Confirmed by Miracles. That which hath been testified, and sealed with the blood, and sufferings of such Martyrs and Confessors as are allowed by the adversaries thereof, and all Points and Articles of her holy Doctrine confirmed by most authentical and approved Miracles (which no other Contrary Religion ever was, or shall be able to do) sufficient to convince the whole World if they were not extremely blind and perversely Obstinate. That which hath instituted the Feasts, Fastingdays, and feasts. Holy Rites. and wholesome Ceremonies. Fasting days, and all good Ceremonies, and Observations used through out the the whole Church. As Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Whitsuntide, Corpus Christi: the Vigils and Feasts of the Apostles, and other Saints, the fast of Lent, Emberdays, Abstinence from flesh On Fridays, and Saturdads', very wholesome, & commodious even to Common Wealths, and private Families. Rites likewise, and sacred Forms and Ceremonies observed in administering the Sacraments, Consecrations, Coronations, instalments and all other solemnities which carry with them Veneration, State, and decency. That which professeth not the large, The Narrow way of Morification and Penance. and Broadway but the strait, and narrow, such as the holy writ affirms to be the way to Heaven, as Annual Confession to a Priest, Pennance, Restitution, Satisfaction, performance of Vows, Mortification of the old Man, and the like injunctions observed by none but those of the true Religion, Libertinisme being the sole Profession, and the very soul of all Sectaries in One kind, or Other. That unto whose society whosoever truly enters, Change of Manners upon Conversion. lives forthwith in more fear, and love of God, hatred to sin, and changes his former life into a better. That which most hath, The most learned holy and able Men. and in former Ages ever had, and ever shall have the most Famous Men for wit, Judgement, reading, writing, true scholarship, and solid Virtue (Qualities of all Other most likely to discern and abandon errors) to her Teachers, Doctors, and instructers. That which hath excelled in spirituality, True spirituality. and whose beleivers have interiorly Conversed with God in a most experimental and Ineffable way, and thereby satisfied their Propension (not possible to be satisfied out of the true Faith and Religion) and have chosen the best part never to be taken from them. And this is most evident by many Admirable Books written by the Practisers of this spirituality and professors of this only true and holy Religion. That whose public Church-service is performed, Public Church Service. and executed with that Reverence, Venerable gravity & Majesty. And the several parts, and ceremonies so admirably and aptly composed, and ordered for annual Commemorations, and representing of our Saviour's Incarnation, Birth, life, Passion, Burial, Resurrection, Ascension, Coming of the Holy Ghost, the institution of the blessed Sacrament of the Altar, and other passages aswel of Christ our head, as of his Members the Saints. That whose Secular, The single ●ife of the Clergy Secular, and Regular. and regular Clergy live without wives, free from Care of providing for Wife and Children, and the second sort no way distracted with Affairs, and encumbrances of the World, but Cloistered (unless some of the more Able and Virtuous be through special want, and to God's greater Glory called to Episcopal Sees and other employments in the Church) pass their whole time in Prayer, watching, Fasting, Continual study of Scriptures, with daily Conferences for the full and perfect Understanding of them. Add to this that all their Priests, and beneficed Clergy are bound to say every day an Office in their Breviary. ●ound to say ●●e Breviary A Book of that Excellency that none but the Spirit of God could have composed it, and which alone is sufficient to make them Devout, and learned. That finally (though there be many other motives of Holiness in this true Church) which by reason of her Holy Doctrine, Royal, Loyal and divine Obedience & subjection to all Power Civil and Spiritual. and Ordinances keeps all subjects in due allegiance to their Temporal Kings and Princes, and to all power spiritually constituted over them. And hath evermore blessed. Popes, Bishops, Abbots, Superiors, Kings and Princes, Magistrates and Subjects with Constant and permanent Peace, true Happiness, Prosperity and Victories, true Glory temporal, and Eternal together with unfeigned Love One to another, neighbourly and just Commerce. And in a word so that all things go on with Order, Love Justice, and Peace. Now as the true Church and Religion hath these glorious fruits and evident Effects: So have all Heresies and Sects the clear Contrary Foul and monstrous Fruits and Effects: And most apparently abominable to all who are not wilfully blind, and perversely Obstinate. Consider then on the Contrary side how the False Church, and Religion is That which is void of Saints, A Calendar of Hipocritical, ridiculous Saints: Foxes Acts and monuments sufficiently witness and hath no other but vile hypocrites such as after some time even those of the same profession are ashamed off, and do loath their very naming and that with just reason. The Crafty Fox shows it fully in his Acts and Monuments by which he hoped to have erected the Glory of his brainsick Martyrs, and doting Confessors. That by which and whose Professors never any Miracle was Wrought or ever can be. No Miracles That which hath no religious Orders, No religious Orders. or peoplei professing a peculiar perfect state of life through Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. That which is destitute of all wholesome Laws for the Direction of the Ministers and People towards God and his holy Service. No Canon Laws. That which professeth the large, Libertinisine. and broad way leading to Perdition, granting Libertinism to the highest degree of wickedness in One Kind or Other to all Its followers. That into which whosoever enters forsaking the true, Wickedness of life. gins presently to leave all goodness and becomes an outcast and Scumm of the earth as to all wickedness and profaneness. That which enjoys no true Spirituality ●ut brainsick Fancy, No solid true Spirituality. as being void of all true Humility and Mortification, the only sound groundwork and foundation of all true spirituality and interior correspondence with God; and this appears most evidently by the fruits. The divine Book of the Following of Christ. For never any sound spiritual Book hath been written by them, but excellent Ones written by those of the true Religion corrupted by them. They have the Lord indeed much in their Mouth but their hearts are far from him. Mat. 19.8. I wish therefore with all my Soul that all such as have an Interior Propension would seriously ponder this Motive (if they desire to satisfy such their Interior Propension as they must needs be inclined to do) thereby to discern, A good advice. and shun these Sectaryes, and to embosomed themselves in the true Catholic Church, as they love the real and otherwise impossible true satisfaction of their Propension. And they shall receive and experience a more beautifying kind of spirituality then ever they have done, or could do out of the true Church. Remember this again and again you who are called Puritans, and pretend to be spiritual, and come the right way home to yourselves. That whose public and common service is without all Ceremony, Public service. and Majesty, no Commemorations of the mysteries of our faith, no Ceremonies in administration of the Sacraments, or much more truly no Sacraments at all, [and most of all to be noted] no true real propitious Sacrifice, no honour to the Saints. That lastly (though much more may be said of the wickedness thereof) which by reason of its wicked Obstinacy and libertinsme brings all the professors thereof to disobedience, Rebellion, and disobedience. and Rebellion to their Princes, and Superiors, takes away all neighbourly Love and just dealing one with another, and hereby brings Ruin and Confusion upon all Commonwealths, yea Kingdoms and Ecclesiastical power where such sway, and domineer. To all which give evident Testimony, the late bleeding Experience of our own miserable Country, and the General History of former Ages. Read Monarchomachia or Jerusalem and Babel, a Book so called printed in London 1653. and then give Credit. The Church of God as it is One, and Holy, so must it be Catholic. THe true Church must be Catholic that is Universal; Catholic. sprend over the whole world, since by it all must be saved. The sound of it must Come to all men's Ears of what Nation, Rom. 10.17. and Country soever. For Faith comes by hearing. And therefore beginning at Jerusalem, river-like through the length of her Course hath ever more increased, and spread itself from time to time even to this hour, and shall do for ever till it pour itself forth into the triumphant: as the records of all Nations, and Ages, and the approbations of 18. General Councils (the highest Consistories upon Earth, and Oracles of the greatest infallibility: as being the sentence of all the most learned in the Christian world, and assisted by the holy Ghost) bear evident witness. And this is so palpable and Visible that He must be most blind, deaf, void of all sense, and a stupid block who cannot discern it. Look upon the whole world at this present and behold if this One holy Church be not Catholic, that is spread over the whole world a being in Italy, Spain, France, Germany Poland, Portugal, China, the east and wes● Indieses and infinite Other Places of the World which are governed by no other Religion but this; and all consent i● One and the same. Now as St. Augesti● said very well, if any thing be done by the whole Church, to call that in Question is insolent Madness. What Madness i● it then in this Island of England, and Scotland (I must not include Ireland) a little corner of Europe to question no● only some things done, but the very Fundamental Religion of the whole world besides. O insolent Madness to be thus singular and peculiar! which must bring upon our Country singular and peculiar Misery before we can Enjoy the blessing and true happiness which always wait on the true Catholic Faith. This Note & Mark is so proper to the Church that no heretical Congregation, sect, or Company, could ever obtain it, though they have endeavoured much for it, and at this present do, but fail of their enterprise. Wherefore what St. Augustin said of old we may now with truth say, and it will ever with Truth be said, If any ask to go to the Catholic Church they dare not show their Conventicles, Congregations, Churches, or houses. And therefore (saith be) the very Name of Catholic, which not without cause the only true Church hath obtained, keeps me in her Bosom. This Name Catholic no heresy could ever obtain, let them labour never so much for it: and Justly. For how can they be called so, since their Congregations or Churches, are neither One, or holy: And therefore cannot be Catholic. True it is Heresies may be spread over the world & then you may call them Epidemical, that is a general Plague, but not Catholic a general union, holiness, or Blessing. No no: their names are very proper for them which they assume, and style themselves withal, and are so known, and called by Others to wit Lutherans, Calvinists, Protestants, Puritans, Brownists, Anabaptists, Armenians, Socinians, Independants, black and white, with an infinite rabble besides. Lutherans, you shall find few out of Germany, Swedland, and Denmark, Calvinists in Geneva, some places of France, & Scotland, England is not wholly subject to them. Prelatical Protestants no where but in England. Brownists, Anabaptists, Armenians, Socinians etc. are individui vagi, wanderers, skulking in every Corner: but the sink of all and Confusion of Babel is at Amsterdam in Holland. Judge then if there be any Religion Catholic but One true and Holy● And hereupon Cyrillus Jerosolomitan●● said very Learnedly, and to the purpose As the name of Christian doth distinguish the Church from Jews, Gentiles, and Heathens: so the name Catholic from fals● Prophets and peculiar Sects who glory under the name of Christ, and belong not to him And to this purpose said Pacianus, my Name is Christian, my Surname Catholick● This Name therefore is most deservedly put into the Creed of the Apostles a● distinguishing from all Sects, and Heretics, and most proper to the true Church Only. None therefore can miss of the true Church who follow the Catholick● The general name will most certainly inform you, her very adversaries being Judges. Luk. 19.22. Out of thy mouth I Judge thee O wicked Servant. The true Church must be One, holy, Catholic, and Consequently Apostolic. THe Fourth and last mark is Apostolic, Apostolic. showing the true Church and Religion (not taken up at the second hand as many do now a days) to be derived from Christ, and his Apostles, and so to us, as an inheritance from our Ancestors by a continual succession of Bishops from the Chair of Peter to this present Pope, and so to continue without ●ayling: every One holding Union with his Predecessors, True Religion no Inve●tion of Ma●● and keeping still the same Profession of Faith so visibly, and apparently that it is like a City upon a Mountain, or a Candle on a Candlestick to give light to all in the house of God. Whereby it is manifest that it is not the Invention of Man, it never being contrary to itself in Doctrine, but always running in the same Current of Apostolical Tradition, and through this united strength hath out lasted many hundreds of Heresies, which though manifestly divided in themselves, did ever join hands to overthrow this One holy Catholic Apostolic Faith, but never found any other Rock than It, against which they split themselves. And thus we know it to be that kingdom of which Daniel Prophesieth, saying, Dan. 2.44. And in the Days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom shall not be given to any other people, but it shall break and destroy, all those kingdoms & shall stand for ever. Observe therefore I beseech you out of this Mark that those who pretend to be founders of new Religions, Reformers, or what else they please to be called, were once of this Apostolical continued Faith, and went out, and forsook it, and consequently their Doctrine is later or less Ancient, Math. 14. and for this very reason not good seed, but Cockle, which the envious Man soweth after. For these are the Properties of Heretics and false teachers to be inventors of new Doctrine, to divide and separate themselves, to cause dissensions, & scandals against the Doctrine they had learned. The true Faith therefore is Apostolical to be traced up to the Apostles, and Christ himself the fountain, and author of all truth. Now if you desire to know in particular the positive tenants of the true Catholic Faith which I find St. Augustin the Monk of the holy Order of St. Benedict preached and professed, who planted the Christian Faith in England above a thousand years ago in the year 596. in the reign of Elbert, otherwise Ethelbert, King of Kent who married Queen Bertha of France a Catholic: sent by St. Gregary the great the● Pope of Rome: (in that Apostolical Mission) Doctor of the Church, Monk of the same holy Order, who founded seven Monasteries himself, six in Sicilia, the 7th. in Rome dedicated to St. Andrew, of which St. Augustin was Abbot. And in very deed searching into Antiquity, and the Tradition of the Church (by which the Truth infallibly is delivered to us) I find the very same Articles plainly to be traced even to Christ himself, and his immediate successor St. Peter, and so down to us, till this day, and shall be till the world's end visible and Apparent, which is the sure Footing for every one to tread in. They are these contained in the Profession of Faith, received by the Church, to wit. I. N. Do by a firm Faith believe and Profess all & every thing contained in the Symbol of Faith, which the Holy Roman Church useth, viz. I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and Earth, and of all things Visible and invisible: And in One Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and begotten o● his Father before all Agest God of God, Light of Light● very God of very God; begotten, not made, Consubstantial to the Father by whom all things were made● who for us men and for ou● salvation descended from heaven, and was incarnated by the holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, and made Man; was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried; and risen the third day according to the Scriptures● and ascended into Heaven's sitteth at the right hand o● the Father; and shall come again with Glory to judge the quick, and the dead; of whose Kingdom there shall be no End: And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of ●ife, who proceedeth from ●he Father and Son; who together with the Father, and ●he Son is equally adored and ●onglorified, who spoke by ●he Prophets; And One Ho●y Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the Remission of ●●ns, and I expect the resurrection of the dead, and life ●f the world to come. Amen. The Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and the other Observations, and Constitutions of the sam● Church, I do most firmly admit, and embrace. Likewise I admit the Holy Scripture according to that sense which our holy Mothe● the Catholic Church eve● did and doth hold, to which it belongs to judge of the tru● sense, and interpretation o● the Holy Scriptures, neither will I receive or interpret it, but according to th● unanimous Consent of th● Fathers. I profess also that there a●● Seven true and proper Sacraments of the new Law instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and necessary to the salvation of Mankind, though not all to every particular Person, To wit, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, [holy] Order, & Matrimony; And that they do confer Grace, & of these that Baptism, Confirmation, and Order, without Sacrilege cannot be reiterated. The received and approved rites also of the Catholic Church in the solemn Administration of all the foresaid Sacraments I do receive & admit. I do embrace and receive all and every one of the Doctrines touching original Sin and Justification, which have been defined and declared in the Holy Council of Trent. I do in like manner profess that there is a true proper and Propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead offered to God in the Mass by lawful Priests truly ordained. And that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist after Consecration there is truly, really, and substantially the body and blood, together with the soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ: And that the whole substance of Bread is converted into the Body of Christ, and the whole substance of Wine into his Blood; Which Conversion the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation. I acknowledge likewise that under One only form all and entire Christ and a true Sacrament is received. I do constantly hold there is a Purgatory, and that the souls there detained are helped by the Prayers and suffrages of the faithful. In like manner that the Saints reigning with Christ are to be venerated and invoked, and that they offer up Prayers to God for us, and that their Relics are to be reverenced. I do most constantly affirm that the Images of Christ, of the Virgin mother of God, and of other Saints, are to be kept, and had in due honour, and Veneration: That the power also of Indulgences was left by Christ in his Church; and the right use of them to be wholesome and profitable to Christian People. I do acknowledge that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church is the Mother and Mistress of all Churches: And I do promise true Obedience to the Bishop of Rome the Successor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ. This was the Constant Profession of Faith in those days by St. Augustin and all his disciples. Venerable Bedes History set forth by Doctor Tho. Stapl●ton and Presented to Queen E●●zabeth in the Year. 1565. And For Further proof read 〈◊〉 Book Call●● England's 〈◊〉 old Religion set forth by H. B. Printed at Antwerp. 1659. Now that you may not think I impose upon St. Augustin read the History of England written by Venerable Bede 800. Years ago, and other most authentik Histories. St. Augustins' very letter to Pope Gregory before mentioned acknowledging Him chief Pastor, ruled by Him as head and Chief. His life practise and Conversation holding forth both by word, and Example, all and every Article of Faith aforesaid, daily sacrificing, and offering up the Holy Mass even in the same manner as now it is, praying to the Saints, and for the dead, administering the Sacraments, in a word doing all the Catholic Church doth now at this Day, and ever shall. For as I have often said, and say it again, There can be no new Article of Faith. The Articles are always, and ever will be the same. Methinks I hear some Murmur, and mutter, Objection. saying, this discourse tends plainly to Popery, and the introducing thereof. To which answer is already, Answer. clearly & plainly made with this distinction. If they mean by Popery the ancient true Catholic, Apostolic Christian faith, such as Christ and his Apostles planted, and taught, and continueth from Christ to this hour, and ever shall; as is here set down, That is to say again, & again a Truth never too oftento be repeated, The Christian Religion planted by Christ, and his Apostles (as is here set down) derived by infallible Authority of Tradition down to us without Addition, or diminution: Then in God's name let such Popery be introduced every where (if that be Popery) to the Glory of God, and salvation of all men's Souls. But if you mean by Popery, Superstition, Idolatry, and that the Pope is infallible in his Person, That he hath power to depose Kings, and over temporal possessions: I would have no such Popery introduced, I defy! and abhor it knowing it to be novelty and the invention of Men. I am none of that Company, gang, or Crew, I am I hope a good Christian, and Loyal subject. I acknowledge the Pope chief Pastor, Successor of St. Peter, supreme head of the Church, to whom all own Obedience, and Subjection in spiritual things, and from whom as from the Fountain all spiritual Jurisdiction is derived. But as St. Bernard observes well: His Power is over the Sins of the People not over the Possessions of the Earth. Math. 22.21. Give to Caesar what is Caesers, to God what is Gods And here I leave you. and if this be not sufficient to satisfy any indifferent man seeking the Truth of Religion, let their own Conscience be judge, which will give Testimony against them in that day when Jerusalem shall be searched with Lanterns and the Hearts of all made known and manifest, Sopho. 1.12. and the veil of Hypocrisy and vain Fancy taken away from the Face of the pretended Saints. A Prayer. O Our Lord God, most humbly prostrate at thy feet, in this perillo●● time we most hearty supplicate thy divine Majesty as thou desirest not the Death but repentance of sinners be propitious 〈◊〉 thy People returning to Thee that the● remaining devout to thee, Thou may'st mercifully remove the scourge of thy Anger● and absolve us from all Errors whereby w● shall be delivered from the Perdition which hangs over us. Through our Lor● Jesus Christ. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. Ezec. 16.55. Et tu, & filia tua revertimini ad Antiquitatem vestram. And thou, and thy Daughters shall return to your Antiquity. Errare possum, haereticus esse nolo. Err I may, a Heretic I will not be. ECCLESIAE JUDICIO SUBIECTA SUNTO. B. P. S.