A09453:489
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.
5 Again, in that we believe the Catholic church, it follows that the Catholic church is invisible: because things seen are not believed▪ And the answer commonly used, that we believe the holiness of the Church, will not serve the turn. For the words are plain, and in them we make confession that we believe not only the holiness of the church, but ⟨p. 361⟩also the church it self.
5 Again, in that we beleeue the Catholike church, it follows that the Catholike church is inuisible: because things seene are not beleeued▪ And the answer commonly vsed, that we beleeue the holines of the Church, will not serue the turne. For the words are plain, and in them we make confession that we beleeue not onely the holines of the church, but ⟨p. 361⟩also the church it selfe.
6 Lastly the articles, Remission of sins, Resurrection of the body, and Life everlasting, contain a confession of special faith. For the meaning of them is thus much: I believe the remission of mine own sins, and the resurrection of mine own body to life everlasting: and that by the judgement of learned Antiquity. Augustine saith, If thou 1also believe that thou shalt rise again and ascend into heaven (because thou art sure of so great a patron) thou art certain of so great a gift. And, Make not Christ less, who brings thee to the kingdom of heaven, for remission of sins. Without this faith, if any come to baptism, he shuts the gate of mercy against himself. And, Whosoever faithfully believeth, and holds this profession of his faith (in which all his sins are forgiven him) let him prepare his will to the will of God, 2and not fear his passage by death. And, The whole Sacrament of baptism stands in this, that we believe the resurrection of the body and remission of sins to be given us of God. And, He gave these keys to the Church—,