The consequence they will not deny, that which the Apostles & the Primitive Churches went in is only the safe way to heaven (for there are not many safe ways) But that which the Papists as Papists go in, is not that which the Apostles and Primitive Church went in: therefore it is not the safe way. And that the Apostles and first Churches knew not Popery, but it is a new Religion, or new corruption of Religion, appeareth by comparing the particular points with Scripture and Antiquity: For Scripture which is the truest Antiquity, it may give any indifferent man just cause of suspicion that the Papists do so obstinately refuse to be tried by it; which plainly shows that they take it not to be on their side. And for the Councils and Fathers, for the first three hundred years or much more, they ordinarily scorn us for mentioning them to this end, because they say they wrote not of the points now in controversy, and therefore are unfit to determine them. But did not those ages take up their faith on the same grounds as we should do now? ⟨p. 107⟩And can they be all silent about the only ground of faith? If the Pope of Romes infallible authority had been the ground, would they not have told us so? How could they convert the infidels, and confirm believers without acquainting them with the grounds of their Faith? And what they took for the grounds their writings show. Nay he that shall faithfully and impartially peruse the Writers of the first three-or four or seven hundred years, is blind if he see not the novelty of Popery, and in particular of the Popes infallibility, universal headship and Episcopacy, and his pretended authority to be the Judge of controversies, with the rest of his usurpations. Our Divines, Chamier, Jewel, Usher, Field, and many others have manifested this so largely, that it would be superfluous for me to do it after them, and somewhat will necessary fall in with the next dispute.
The consequence they will not deny, that which the Apostles & the Primitive Churches went in is only the safe way to heaven (for there are not many safe ways) But that which the Papists as Papists go in, is not that which the Apostles and Primitive Church went in: therefore it is not the safe way. And that the Apostles and first Churches knew not Popery, but it is a new Religion, or new corruption of Religion, appeareth by comparing the particular points with Scripture and Antiquity: For Scripture which is the truest Antiquity, it may give any indifferent man just cause of suspicion that the Papists do so obstinately refuse to be tryed by it; which plainly shewes that they take it not to be on their side. And for the Councils and Fathers, for the first three hundred years or much more, they ordinarily scorn us for mentioning them to this end, because they say they wrote not of the points now in controversie, and therefore are unfit to determine them. But did not those ages take up their faith on the same grounds as we should do now? ⟨p. 107⟩And can they be all silent about the onely ground of faith? If the Pope of Romes infallible authority had been the ground, would they not have told us so? How could they convert the infidels, and confirm believers without acquainting them with the grounds of their Faith? And what they took for the grounds their writings shew. Nay he that shall faithfully and impartially peruse the Writers of the first three-or four or seven hundred years, is blind if he see not the novelty of Popery, and in particular of the Popes infallibility, universal headship and Episcopacy, and his pretended authoriry to be the Judge of controversies, with the rest of his usurpations. Our Divines, Chamier, Jewel, Ʋsher, Field, and many others have manifested this so largely, that it would be superfluous for me to do it after them, and somewhat will necessary fall in with the next dispute.
