A27015:465
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…
The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholic religion against popery proving that popery is against the Holy Scriptures, the unity of the catholic church, the consent of the ancient doctors, the plainest reason, and common judgment of sense it self / by Richard Baxter.The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholike religion against popery proving that popery is against the Holy Scriptures, the unity of the catholike church, the consent of the antient doctors, the plainest reason, and common judgment of sense it self / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1657
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. 1. This concludeth not the point in Question [That Popery is a safe way to Salvation.]
2. We deny the Major, and blame them that they still thrust it on us without proof. To the particulars, 1. If Mahometans have unity, or if Satan be not divided against Satan, it doth not follow that they have the true Church; men may agree in evil. 2. where was your universality also, when there were scarce seven Bishops left that were free from the plague of Arianism? Universality absolute (so that all errors or other parties should be excluded) the Church hath never had the happiness to enjoy since the beginning of its flourishing in the Apostles days. Universality comparatively, that is, the greater part the Arians had, at least of the Bishops. The doctrine of the Millenaries, with many such like may plead more antiquity than Popery can: And as for succession, there is no doubt but a Bishop or Church in the line of succession may turn Heretical, and have successors in their Heresy. Have none of the Greek Churches, nor Alexandria, Antioch, &c. had a succession till it fell into the hands of a Heretic? and it would have been no good plea for the first Heretical Bishop or Church to plead such succession. If there be not a succession in Apostolical doctrine, the succession of persons will be no proof of the truth or soundness of the Church.
2. We deny the Major, and blame them that they still thrust it on us without proof. To the particulars, 1. If Mahometans have unity, or if Satan be not divided against Satan, it doth not follow that they have the true Church; men may agree in evil. 2. where was your universality also, when there were scarce seven Bishops left that were free from the plague of Arrianisme? Universality absolute (so that all errors or other parties should be excluded) the Church hath never had the happiness to enjoy since the begining of its flourishing in the Apostles dayes. Universality comparatively, that is, the greater part the Arrians had, at least of the Bishops. The doctrine of the M•llenaries, with many such like may plead more antiquity than Popery can: And as for succession, there is no doubt but a Bishop or Church in the line of succession may turn Heretical, and have successors in their Heresie. Have none of the Greek Churches, nor Alexandria, Antioch, &c. had a succession till it fell into the hands of a Heretick? and it would have beeen no good plea for the first Heretical Bishop or Church to plead such succession. If there be not a succession in Apostolical doctrine, the succession of persons will be no proof of the truth or soundness of the Church.