A27045:26
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far heretics are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far hereticks are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
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.
The first I have debated in this and divers other writings, (viz. three Disputations, called the safe Religion, a Key for Catholics, &c. a winding-sheet for Popery, and the true Catholic, and Catholic Church described.) It is one of the reproaches of humane nature, that ever it could be corrupted into so senseless, unreasonable, impious, uncharitable a thing as Popery: And one of the prodigies of misery, in the world, that any save one that Inguinis & capitis quae sunt discrimina nescit, should be fully, and seriously a Papist.
The first I have debated in this and divers other writings, (viz. three Disputations, called the safe Religion, a Key for Catholikes, &c. a winding-sheet for Popery, and the true Catholike, and Catholike Church discribed.) It is one of the reproaches of humane nature, that ever it could be corrupted into so sensless, unreasonable, impious, uncharitable a thing as Popery: And one of the prodigies of misery, in the world, that any save one that Inguinis & capitis quae sunt discrimina nescit, should be fully, and seriously a Papist.
But four things I find are the pillars of their Church, and propagates their corruptions: 1. One is the love of themselves and of the world in unsanctified hearts: which makes them be of the Religion of their Rulers; and resolve to be of no Religion that shall undo them in the world: ⟨p. 9⟩And therefore to escape reproach, and torment, and death, they will do any thing, and as they speak, will trust God with their souls, rather then men with their bodies: The meaning is, they will rather venture on the wrath of God, then of man; and save their bodies, then their souls; and secure this life (as long as they can) then life everlasting.
2. Another is Custom and Education, possessing men with blinding stupefying prejudice, together with a contempt of truth and happiness, that keepeth sluggish souls from that diligent search and trial that is necessary to a conquest of that temptation, and to a saving entertainment of the truth. And the name and reverence of their forefathers, emboldeneth them against the name and reverence of God. Adeò à teneris assuescere multum est. Saith Seneca, Inter causas malorum est quod vivimus ad exempla, nec ratione componimur, sed consuetudine abducimur. Quod si pauci facerent, nolumus imitari; quum plures facere caeperunt, quasi honestius fit, quia frequentius sequimur, & recti apud nos locum tenet error, ubi publicus factus est. Not what God saith, but what man doth, is made the rule of this humane apish kind of Religion. And so the Tyrant Custom ruleth them: Et gravissimum est