A09453:462
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.
Thirdly by this commandment we are taught, what opinion to carry of the present Church of Rome. It is often demanded, whether it be a Church or no; and the answer may hence be formed on this manner. If by this Church be understood a state or regiment of the people, whereof the Pope is head: and the members are all such as do acknowledge him to be their head, and do believe the doctrine established in the Council of Trent, we take it to be no Church of God. Because Babylon, which I have proved to be the Church of Rome, is here opposed to the Church or people of God: and because we are commanded to come out of it▪ whereas we may not wholly forsake any people till they forsake Christ. Some will haply say, the Church of Rome hath the Scriptures and the Sacrament of baptism. I answer first of all; they have indeed the books of holy ⟨p. 334⟩Scripture among them: but by the rest of their doctrine they overthrow the true sense thereof in the foundation, as I have proved before. And though they have the outward form of baptism, yet they overturn the inward baptism, which is the substance of all, standing in the justification and sanctification of a sinner. Again I answer, that they have the word and baptism, not for themselves but for the true Church of God among them: like as the lantern holdeth the candle, not for it self but for others. Secondly, it may be and is alleged, that if the Pope be Antichrist, he then sits in the temple, that is, the Church of God, and by this means the Roman Church shall be the true Church. Ans. He sits in the temple of God, but mark further how: AS GOD, that1 is, not as a member but as a manifest usurper: like as the thief sits in the true mans house. For the popish Church and Gods Church are mingled like chaff and corn in one heap: and the Church of Rome may be said to be in the Church of God: and the church of God in the church of Rome; as we say the ⟨p. 335⟩wheat is among the chaff, and the chaff in the wheat. Again he is said to sit in the temple of God; because the Roman Church, though falsely, takes unto it self the title of the true Catholic church. Some go about to delay and qualify the matter, by comparing this Church to a man lying sick full of soars, having also his throat cut, yet so as body and soul are joined together, and life is remaining still.