Sermons preached before his MajestySermons preached before his Maiestie

First, seeing it is the received and approved doctrine of the Papists, That the Church of Rome cannot err in points of Faith and Doctrine; we see how little hope there is that we and they should ever be reconciled, or that one truth should arise from a composition of their and our opinions: for if they yield in any thing to us, it would presently follow, that in that wherein they now yield, before they erred, and so this fundamental point of their Churches not erring, would from thence be overthrown. We may alter our Tenets if we will, but they are strongly engaged to keep theirs without any change or variation; we may go to them, they cannot come to us; witness the Germane Interim, so carefully and often tempered, wherein there were but few of their ingredients left out; yet was it more than Charles the Fifth could do to get it entertainment on either side: and therefore those Cassanders that think by wit and policy to reconcile us, attempt a thing impossible. For of what materials shall any middle course be framed, when neither side can spare the smallest piece of timber in their building? they cannot, because thereby they ⟨p. 16⟩should be argued of erring for merly; we cannot, for true Religion is of a brittle nature, break it you may, bend it you cannot, no not in the least degree. It cannot be accommodated to interests, and respects of policy and serving turns; it cannot be mixed with error, no more than oil with water, iron and steel with clay. Daniel 2. 43. They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men, but they shall not cleave one to another: even as iron is not miset with clay; or as the elements when once they are mingled in a compound body do lose their proper forms; even so Religions, when made ingredients, and compounding parts of any other, do lose their forms, and cease to be religions in Gods account. 2 King. 17. 33. It is said, the mingled people of Samaria feared the Lord and served their own gods, after the manner of the Nations whom they carried away from thence; that is, they jumbled all together, the fear of God, & worship of their Idols, thinking thereby to fit both parties, Jews and Heathens, with a religion wherein both might be gratified. But what saith God? doth he approve this mixture? verse 34.

First, seeing it is thè received and approved doctrine of the Papists, That the Church of Rome cannot erre in points of Faith and Doctrine; wee see how little hope there is that wee and they should ever bee reconciled, or that one truth should arise from a composition of their and our opinions: for if they yeelde in any thing to us, it would presently follow, that in that wherein they now yeelde, before they erred, and so this fundamentall point of their Churches not erring, would from thence be overthrowne. Wee may alter our Tenents if wee will, but they are strongly engaged to keepe theirs without anie change or variation; we may goe to them, they cannot come to us; witnesse the Germane Interim, so carefully and often tempered, wherin there were but few of their ingredients left out; yet was it more than Charles the Fifth could do to get it entertainment on eitherside: and therefore those Cassanders that thinke by wit and policie to reconcile us, attempt a thing impossible. For of what materials shall any middle course bee framed, when neyther side can spare the smallest piece of timber in their building? they cannot, because thereby they