A09453:43
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 1 › III. Objections of Papists.Doctrine 1 › III. Obiections of Papists.
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.
III. Objections of Papists.
III. Obiections of Papists.
Object. I. First they allege that man by nature may do that which is good, & therefore will that which is good: for none can do that which he neither willeth nor thinketh to do, but first he must will and then do. Now (say they) men can do good by nature, as give alms, speak the trueth, do justice, and practise other duties of civill virtue: and therefore will that which is good. I answer, that a natural man may do good works for the substance of the outward work: but not in regard of the goodness of the manner: these are two divers things. A man without supernatural grace may give alms, do justice, speak the truth, &c. which be good things considered in themselves as God hath commanded them; but he cannot ⟨p. 26⟩do them well. To think good things and to do good things are natural works: but to think good things in a good manner, and to do them well, so as God may accept the action done, are works of grace. And therefore the good thing done by a natural man is a sin, in respect of the doer: because it fails both for his right beginning, which is a pure heart, good conscience, and faith unfeigned; as also for his end which is the glory of God.
Obiect. I. First they alledge that man by nature may doe that which is good, & therfore will that which is good: for none can doe that which he neither willeth nor thinketh to doe, but first he must will and then doe. Nowe (say they) men can doe good by nature, as giue almes, speake the trueth, doe iustice, and practise other duties of ciuill vertue: and therfore will that which is good. I ansvver, that a naturall man may do good workes for the substance of the outwarde worke: but not in regard of the goodnes of the manner: these are two diuers things. A man without supernaturall grace may giue almes, do iustice, speake the truth, &c. which be good things considered in themselues as God hath commanded them; but he cannot ⟨p. 26⟩