Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

But if our people were truly acquainted how things have gone in the Church from the beginning, it would be one of the most effectual, preservatives against Popery, when now the falsifications are become its strength. I have oft thought that it had been greater policy in the Papists, if they could, to have burnt all Church-History, but specially of the Councils, that the credit might have depended on their bare word: For verily once reading of Crab, Binnius, Surius, or Nicolinus would turn against them any stomach, that is not confirmed in their own disease. But they have overdone Baronius, and now made so great and costly a load of the Councils, as that the deficiency of money, time, wit and patient industry, shall save the most, even of the Priesthood from the understanding of the truth: And such Epitomes as Caranza's leave out most of the culpable part: and yet even such they can hardly tolerate.

But if our people were truely acquainted how things have gone in the Church from the beginning, it would be one of the most effectual, preservatives against Popery, when now the falsifications are become its strength. I have oft thought that it had been greater policy in the Papists, if they could, to have burnt all Church-History, but specially of the Councils, that the credit might have depended on their bare word: For verily once reading of Crab, Binnius, Surius, or Nicolinus would turn against them any stomack, that is not confirmed in their own disease. But they have overdone Baronius, and now made so great and costly a load of the Councils, as that the deficiency of money, time, wit and patient industry, shall save the most, even of the Priesthood from the understanding of the truth: And such Epitomes as Caranza's leave out most of the culpable part: and yet even such they can hardly tolerate.

II. The more moderate French Papists who magnify Councils above Popes, would make us believe, that though Popes are fallible and may miscarry, yet General Councils, have been the universal Church-representative, which have a Legislative and Judicial Universal power, and that our concord must be by centring in their decrees; and all are Schismatics at least, that take not their Faith and Religion upon their trust: But if men knew that there never was a General Council of all the Christian Churches but only of the Empire, and how woefully they have miscarried, it would do much to save them from all such temptations.