A09453:339
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
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.
The difference.
The Papists hold (as the writings of the learned among them teach) that a man being in the state of grace, may not only keep all the commandments of the law, and thereby deserve his own salvation: but also go beyond the law and do works of supererogation which the law requireth not: as to perform the vow of single life, and the vow of regular obedience, &c. And by this means (they say) men deserve a greater degree of glory then the law can afford. Of perfection they make two kinds: one they call necessary perfection, which is the fulfilling of the law in every commandment, whereby eternal life is deserved. The second, is profitable perfection, ⟨p. 237⟩when men do not only such things as the law requires, but over and besides, they make certain vows, and perform certain other duties which the law enjoins not; for the doing whereof they shall be rewarded with a greater measure of glory, then the law designeth. This they make plain by comparison: Two soldiers fight in the field under one and the same captain: the one only keeps his standing, and thereby deserves his pay: the other in keeping of his place, doth also win the enemies standard; or do some other notable exploit: now this man besides his pay deserves some greater reward. And thus (say they) it is with all true Catholics in the state of grace: they that keep the law shall have life eternal: but they that do more then the law, as works of supererogation, shall be crowned with greater glory. This is their doctrine. But we on the contrary teach, that albeit we are to strive to a perfection as much as we can, yet no man can fulfil the law of God in this life: much less do works of supererogation: for the confirmation whereof, these reasons may ⟨p. 238⟩be used. I. In the moral law two things are commanded. First the love of God and man. Secondly, the manner of this love, now the manner of loving God is to love him with all our heart and strength. Luc. 10. 27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, & with all thy strength, AND WITH ALL THY THOUGHT, &c. As Bernard said, the measure of loving God, is to love him without measure, and that is to love him with the greatest perfection of love that can befall a creature. Hence it follows that in loving God, no man can possibly do more then the law requireth: