Thirdly the Religion of the Papists at this day is a part of Atheism: we must indeed distinguish it from the two former: for in word they acknowledge the Trinity in unity, and unity in Trinity, & ⟨p. 45⟩their doctrine of the union of Christs two natures in one person, is according to the scripture: But yet if we mark the drift, and sequel of their doctrine in other points, we shall find it to be close Atheism: As may be proved by two reasons: first because the true God who is the creator of heaven and earth, is infinite in Justice, and mercy: But according to the doctrine of the Papists, God is not infinite in Justice, & mercy: And therefore to them is not the true God: for first, Gods Justice according to them is not infinite: for they teach that a man by his own proper works of penance (which be finite & imperfect) may truly satisfy god for the guilt of temporal punishment.1 Secondly, ⟨p. 46⟩they make thou only of God imperfect bya ••pe• cing up the some with mans merits in the work of Redemption: for Gods mercy is either every way mercy or no mercy, as Paul saith.o If it be of grace it is no more of works, or else were grace no more grace, and if it be of works it is no more grace, or else were work, no more work. Secondly▪ the Christ of the Papists is a false Christ; this will appear by plain reason out of their doctrine: for first they spoil Christ of his true manhood by their doctrine of real presence, wherein they hold that Christs body is not only in heaven, but really & substantially in all places, where the sacrifice of the mass is offered, thus they make it ⟨p. 47⟩omnipotent, & so quite take away the nature of a body. Secondly, they disgrade Christ from the three offices of his mediatorship: first from his kingly office, bya placing the Pope in his Room, and stead, as his deputy in Christs presence: for they give power to the Pope to rule the Catholic Church, and to make laws to bind mens consciences, which be things proper to Christ alone: where in they do as much as if they should take the Crown from Christs head, & set it on the Popes: for to claim regency in the presence of the lawful prince is to proclaim rebellion against the prince; for commission of vicegerency ceaseth in the presence of him that appointeth it; now Christ is ⟨p. 48⟩always present with his Church, Math. 28. 20.
Thirdly the Religion of the Papists at this day is a part of Atheisme: we must indeed distinguish it from the two former: for in worde they acknowledge the Trinitie in vnitie, and vnitie in Trinitie, & ⟨p. 45⟩their doctrine of the vnion of Christs two natures in one person, is according to the scripture: But yet if we marke the drift, and sequele of their doctrine in other points, wee shall find it to bee close Atheisme: As may bee prooved by two reasons: first because the true God who is the creator of heauen and earth, is infinite in Iustice, and mercie: But according to the doctrine of the Papists, God is not infinite in Iustice, & mercie: And therefore to them is not the true God: for first, Gods Iustice according to them is not infinite: for they teach that a man by his owne proper workes of penance (which bee finite & imperfect) may truly satisfy god for the guils of temporall punishment.1 Secondly, ⟨p. 46⟩they make thou only of God imperfect bya ••pe• cing vp the some with mans merits in the worke of Redemption: for Gods mercie is either euery way mercie or no mercie, as Paule saith.o If it bee of grace it is no more of workes, or else were grace no more grace, and if it bee of workes it is no more grace, or else were worke, no more worke. Secondly▪ the Christ of the Papists is a false Christ; this will appeare by plaine reason out of their doctrine: for first they spoile Christ of his true manhood by their doctrine of reall presence, wherein they hould that Christs body is not onely in heauen, but really & substantially in all places, wher the sacrifice of the masse is offered, thus they make it ⟨p. 47⟩omnipotent, & so quite take away the nature of a bodie. Secondly, they disgrade Christ from the three offices of his mediatorship: first from his kingly office, bya placing the Pope in his Roome, and stead, as his deputie in Christs presence: for they giue power to the Pope to rule the Catholique Church, and to make lawes to bind mens consciences, which bee thinges proper to Christ alone: where in they doe as much as if they should take the Crowne from Christs head, & set it on the Popes: for to claime regencie in the presence of the lawfull prince is to proclaime rebellion against the prince; for commission of vicegerencie ceaseth in the presence of him that appointeth it; nowe Christ is
- 11. Bellar. Lib. 7 de poenit. c. 7.
- aRhem. on rom. 8. 17. sect. 4.
- oRom. 1. 6
- aRhem. on ephes. 1. 22. sect. 5.
