A key for Catholics, to open the juggling of the Jesuits, and satisfy all…A key for Catholicks, to open the jugling of the Jesuits, and satisfie all…

And now I come to apply these in answer to the argument. 1. If the Question be of a true particular Church, we grant you that the Church of Rome was a true and noble Church, in the days of Paul and long after; and thus Paul owneth it in his Epistle as a true Church. And to the question when it ceased to be a true Church: I answer, 1. What matter is it to us whether it be reasoned or not any more then whether Corinth, Ephesus, Coloss, Thessalonica, or Jerusalem be true Churches or ceased? In charity we regard them all: but otherwise what is it to the faith or salvation of the world, whether Rome or any one of these be yet a true Church, or be ceased? I know not well whether there be any Church at Coloss or Philippi, or some other places that had then true Churches: And doth it therefore follow that I am not a true believer? what would you say to such a fellow that should argue thus concerning other Churches, as these men do of Rome? and say, e. g. [If Philippi, be a true Church, then England are no true Churches, If it be not, when did it cease to be a true Church?] Would you not answer him, [What is it to me whether Philippi be a true Church or not? May not we and they be both true Churches? How prove you that? And whether it be ceased or not ceased, doth no what concern my faith or salvation, further then as my charity is to be exercised towards them] So say we of Rome: It was a true particular Church in the Apostles days. And if it be still a true Church what hinders but we may be so to? But whether it be so or not, is little to me. It concerneth not my faith or Salvation to know whether there be any such place as Rome on earth, or whether it were consumed long ago. If a man were so simple as to believe a report that Rome was destroyed by Charles of Bourbon, and never inhabited, or had a Pope since, he were but such a Heretic as Pope Zechariah and Bishop Boniface made of Virgilius, ⟨p. 105⟩for holding there be Antipodes (though further from the South.)

And now I come to apply these in answer to the argument. 1. If the Question be of a true particular Church, we grant you that the Church of Rome was a true and noble Church, in the daies of Paul and long after; and thus Paul owneth it in his Epistle as a true Church. And to the question when it ceased to be a true Church: I answer, 1. What matter is it to us whether it be reasoned or not any more then whether Corinth, Ephesus, Coloss, Thessalonica, or Jerusalem be true Churches or ceased? In charity we regard them all: but otherwise what is it to the faith or salvation of the world, whether Rome or any one of these be yet a true Church, or be ceased? I know not well whether there be any Church at Coloss or Philippi, or some other places that had then true Churches: And doth it therefore follow that I am not a true believer? what would you say to such a fellow that should argue thus concerning other Churches, as these men do of Rome? and say, e. g. [If Philippi, be a true Church, then England are no true Churches, If it be not, when did it cease to be a true Church?] Would you not answer him, [What is it to me whether Philippi be a true Church or not? May not we and they be both true Churches? How prove you that? And whether it be ceased or not ceased, doth no what concern my faith or salvation, further then as my charity is to be exercised towards them] So say we of Rome: It was a true particular Church in the Apostles dayes. And if it be still a true Church what hinders but we may be so to? But whether it be so or not, is little to me. It concerneth not my faith or Salvation to know whether there be any such place as Rome on earth, or whether it were consumed long ago. If a man were so simple as to believe a report that Rome was destroyed by Charls of Bourbon, and never inhabited, or had a Pope since, he were but such a Heretick as Pope Zachary and Bishop Boniface made of Virgilius,