Naked popery, or, The naked falsehood of a book called The Catholic naked truth,…Naked popery, or, The naked falshood of a book called The Catholick naked truth,…

Briefly, Judging is one thing, and Teaching is another thing. Before I submit to the Decision of a Judge I must know his Commission or Authority; and I must then stand to his Sentence which way ever he decide the Case. Men be not converted to Christianity by such Judges, but by Teachers; Nor will I believe the Judge if he say there is no Christ, no Life to come, &c. But a Teacher is to make intelligible to his Hearer or Scholar, the evidence of truth which is in the matter taught, and to draw men to believe by telling them those true reasons upon which he did believe himself: And no man takes him for his Teacher that he is persuaded knoweth no more than himself. And the greater reputation of Knowledge and Honesty the Teacher hath, the easier we apply our minds to learn of him, and a humane trust or faith prepareth us to receive that evidence of truth which may beget a Divine Faith by the help of Grace. But still the Learner truly believeth no more than he thus learneth. And I may hear a stranger tell what he hath to say, and be convinced by the evidence that he giveth me of the truth, though I know not of any Authority that he hath to teach me, much less judicially to decide the Case. I little doubt but most that were converted by the Apostles themselves, were persuaded to believe in Christ by the evidence of ⟨p. 174⟩truth proposed (the Spirit co-operating) before they knew of any Authority of the Apostles; much less before they heard what they said in a General Council, or what was the Vote of the Universal Church; or what any Pope said as Ruler of the rest. These things are very plain and sure, and they that will be wilfully blinded by faction, and prejudice, and worldly interest against plain truth, have no excuse if they perish in darkness.

Briefly, Judging is one thing, and Teaching is another thing. Before I submit to the Decision of a Judge I must know his Commission or Authority; and I must then stand to his Sentence which way ever he decide the Case. Men be not converted to Christianity by such Judges, but by Teachers; Nor will I believe the Judge if he say there is no Christ, no Life to come, &c. But a Teacher is to make intelligible to his Hearer or Scholar, the evidence of truth which is in the matter taught, and to draw men to believe by telling them those true reasons upon which he did believe himself: And no man takes him for his Teacher that he is perswaded knoweth no more than himself. And the greater reputation of Knowledge and Honesty the Teacher hath, the easier we apply our minds to learn of him, and a humane trust or faith prepareth us to receive that evidence of truth which may beget a Divine Faith by the help of Grace. But still the Learner truly believeth no more than he thus learneth. And I may hear a stranger tell what he hath to say, and be convinced by the evidence that he giveth me of the truth, though I know not of any Authority that he hath to teach me, much less judicially to decide the Case. I little doubt but most that were converted by the Apostles themselves, were perswaded to believe in Christ by the evidence of