The Romanists when they are ashamed of their Doctrine, or think the World will cry shame of it, are wont to disown it. It is like they may do so here, and tell us that these points not being determined by Councils, are not the Doctrine of their Church, but the opinions of particular Doctors. This serves them for a shift in other cases with some colour, but it will be absurd to offer at it here. For though this be not their Doctrine of Faith, which with some generals most about the Sacraments (reflected on in the sequel as there is occasion) is the business of their Councils: yet it is the Practical Doctrine of their Church, if it have any, and f they think their Catholics concerned to be Christians more than merely in opinion. And this under several Heads, I have collected out of such Writings, as are the proper place of it. Therefore to say that this is not the Doctrine of their Church, because the particulars are not found decided by Councils, is to tell us, that they are not charged with it, unless we can find it, where they know it cannot be found, and where with any reason, it cannot be looked for. It is no more reasonable, than if one who hath taken a purse, should plead, though it be found in his hand, that he is not to be charged with it, unless we can spy it in his mouth, when yet he never opens it. That Councils should give particular Directions for Conscience and Practice, in Cases ⟨image 5⟩innumerable, was never attempted, nor ever can be expelled. Their Church leaves this to her Divines and Casuists; and that nothing may pass them but what is agreeable to her sense, no Books are to be published, but with the approbation and authority of such as are counted competent Judges hereof. So that the Doctrine of their authorized Writers, that especially wherein they commonly agree; is the Practical Doctrine of that Church, or else she hath none such, and consequently no care of the lives and consciences of her Members. And though this be not Infallible, or de fide, as they count the Decisions of Councils; yet is it as certain they say, as the nature of the subject requires; nor do they pretend to have any infallible Doctrine, for particular directions herein. Which yet may justly seem very strange to any man that considers that gross faults in Life and Practice are more infallibly damnable than errors in Faith and Speculation.
The Romanists when they are ashamed of their Doctrine, or think the World will cry shame of it, are wont to disown it. It is like they may do so here, and tell us that these points not being determined by Councils, are not the Doctrine of their Church, but the opinions of particular Doctors. This serves them for a shift in other cases with some colour, but it will be absurd to offer at it here. For though this be not their Doctrine of Faith, which with some generals most about the Sacraments (reflected on in the sequel as there is occasion) is the business of their Councils: yet it is the Practical Doctrine of their Church, if it have any, and f they think their Catholicks concerned to be Christians more than meerly in opinion. And this under several Heads, I have collected out of such Writings, as are the proper place of it. Therefore to say that this is not the Doctrine of their Church, because the particulars are not found decided by Councils, is to tell us, that they are not charged with it, unless we can find it, where they know it cannot be found, and where with any reason, it cannot be looked for. It is no more reasonable, than if one who hath taken a purse, should plead, though it be found in his hand, that he is not to be charged with it, unless we can spy it in his mouth, when yet he never opens it. That Councils should give particular Directions for Conscience and Practice, in Cases ⟨image 5⟩innumerable, was never attempted, nor ever can be expe•ed. Their Church leaves this to her Divines and Casuists; and that nothing may pass them but what is agreeable to her sense, no Books are to be published, but with the approbation and authority of such as are counted competent Judges hereof. So that the Doctrine of their authorized Writers, that especially wherein they commonly agree; is the Practical Doctrine of that Church, or else she hath none such, and consequently no care of the lives and consciences of her Members. And though this be not Infallible, or de fide, as they count the Decisions of Councils; yet is it as certain they say, as the nature of the subject requires; nor do they pretend to have any infallible Doctrine, for particular directions herein. Which yet may justly seem very strange to any man that considers that gross faults in Life and Practice are more infallibly damnable than errours in Faith and Speculation.
