A09453:236
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
Doctrine 7 › Objections for Traditions.Doctrine 7 › Obiections for Traditions.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Object. II. That, Scripture is Scripture, is a point to be believed, but that is a tradition unwritten; and therefore one tradition there is not written, that we are to believe. Answ. That the books of the old and new Testament are Scripture, it is to be gathered and believed not upon bare tradition, but from the very books themselves, on this manner. Let a man that is endued with the spirit of discerning, read the several books, withal let him consider the professed author thereof which is God himself, and the matter therein contained, which is a most divine and absolute truth full of piety: the manner and form of speech, which is full of majesty in the simplicity of words. The end whereat they wholly aim, which is the honour and glory of God alone, &c. and he shall be resolved that Scripture is Scripture, even by the Scripture it self. Yea, and by this means he may discern any part of Scripture, from ⟨p. 145⟩the writings of men whatsoever. Thus then scripture proves it self to be scripture: and yet we despise not the universal consent or tradition of the Church in this case: which though it do not persuade the conscience, yet is it a notable inducement to move us to reverence, and regard the writings of the Prophets & Apostles. It will be said, where is it written that scripture is scripture? I answer, not in any one particular place or book of scripture, but in every line and page of the whole bible to him that can read with the spirit of discerning, & can discern the voice of the true pastor, as the sheep of Christ can do.
Obiect. II. That, Scripture is Scripture, is a point to be beleeued, but that is a tradition vnwritten; and therefore one tradition there is not written, that we are to beleeue. Answ. That the bookes of the old and new Testament are Scripture, it is to be gathered and beleeued not vpon bare tradition, but from the very bookes themselues, on this manner. Let a man that is indued with the spirit of discerning, read the seuerall bookes, withall let him consider the professed author thereof which is God himselfe, and the matter therein contained, which is a most diuine and absolute truth full of pietie: the manner and forme of speach, which is full of maiestie in the simplicitie of words. The ende wherat they wholly aime, which is the honour and glorie of God alone, &c. and he shall be resolued that Scripture is Scripture, euen by the Scripture it selfe. Yea, and by this meanes he may discerne any part of Scripture, from ⟨p. 145⟩