The practical divinity of the papists discovered to be destructive of Christianity and mens…

Their praying no good work. The people pray not in the Mass. They neither express nor conceive any Petitions. Nor concur with the Priest, but by presence and posture of the body, as an image may do, or by virtually wishing the Priests prayers may succeed, which they may do, when they are asleep. Nor do their Priests pray better in their public service, unless the bare pronouncing of the words (which is all they count necessary) be praying. How far they acknowledge this, Sect. 2. to page 401.

Their praying no good work. The people pray not in the Mass. They neither express nor conceive any Petitions. Nor concur with the Priest, but by presence and posture of the body, as an image may do, or by vertually wishing the Priests prayers may succeed, which they may do, when they are asleep. Nor do their Priests pray better in their publick service, unless the bare pronouncing of the words (which is all they count necessary) be praying. How far they acknowledg this, Sect. 2. to page 401.

Acts of mercy or charity not necessary with them, but in two cases, which seldom or rather never occur, at least together. One is when they have superfluities both in respect of nature and state, but, they say, it cannot easily be judged, that any secular person (no nor Kings and Princes) ⟨image 18⟩have such superfluities. The other is when the necessity is extreme (except it be such if any had superfluities, they would not be obliged to part with any thing.) When it is extreme, they allow the poor to steal. So charity is not needful but when stealing is lawful. Or then he may be excused so many ways, that he need never find himself obliged to relieve any gratis. Good works not necessary with them, because to act from a good principle, and for a good end, is needless. Their design to satisfy justice, and merit grace and glory by what they do, makes their pretended good works, deadly evils. No necessity of good works upon the account of their being enjoined for penance. So they are not done as good, but suffered as evils. Besides the Priest need not enjoin such. Or the sinner need not submit thereto, or need not perform it. But may be released many ways. Especially by Indulgences. 'Tis counted better to give money for these, than in ways of charity, Sect. 3. & 4. to page 408.