The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholic religion against popery proving…The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholike religion against popery proving…

I do not deny but that many ceremonies, and many controverted doctrines were very ancient: as the use of Chrism, and a white garment, and milk and honey to the newly baptized, exorcism, confirmation by imposition of hands, the Memories of the Martyrs, with prayers and praises at their graves, or places of suffering; the oft use of the sign of the Cross, the observation of Lent (as well as Easter and Whitsuntide) not to kneel on the Lords day, not to eat things strangled or bloody, so the doctrines of the power of Free-will, and predestination upon foreseen faith, and the misuse of the terms [Merit and Justification] the denial of the perseverance of all Saints, &c. were too early and commonly entertained. But these be not the things that we call Popery, nor wherein the great difference ⟨p. 108⟩between us, and the Romanists doth consist. But as for the great points in difference between the Papists and us, it is so evident in all antiquity, that Popery is a novelty, and that they have devised a new way to heaven which the Apostles and the Churches for many hundred years did never know, that only gross ignorance of the Churches records, or a willingness to be deceived, can keep men from the knowledge of it.

I do not deny but that many ceremonies, and many controverted doctrines were very ancient: as the use of Chrisme, and a white garment, and milke and honey to the newly baptized, exorcisme, confirmation by imposition of hands, the Memories of the Martyrs, with prayers and praises at their graves, or places of suffering; the oft use of the signe of the Cross, the observation of Lent (as well as Easter and Whitsontide) not to kneel on the Lords day, not to eat things strangled or bloody, so the doctrines of the power of Free-will, and predestination upon foreseen faith, and the misuse of the terms [Merit and Justification] the denyal of the perseverance of all Saints, &c. were too early and commonly entertained. But these be not the things that we call Popery, nor wherein the great difference ⟨p. 108⟩between us, and the Romanists doth consist. But as for the great points in difference between the Papists and us, it is so evident in all antiquity, that Popery is a novelty, and that they have devised a new way to heaven which the Apostles and the Churches for many hundred years did never know, that onely gross ignorance of the Churches records, or a willingness to be deceived, can keep men from the knowledge of it.