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

Sect. 10. But if all this were otherwise, and any exercise of virtue were needful by their doctrine; yet would there be no necessity of it, but only during the Popes pleasure. For by their principles, if the Pope should determine, that any Virtue were a Vice, all Romanists are bound in Conscience to conform to his judgment, and Virtue must be avoided as if it were a Vice indeed. Bellarmin, their chief Champion (who is wont with so much confidence to deny, or with so great Artifice ⟨p. 182⟩to hide or disguise any thing in Popery which may render his party either odious or ridiculous) delivers himself plainly to this purpose. ^(f)If the Pope, saith he, should mistake in commending Vices, and forbidding Virtues, the Church would be bound to believe those Vices to be good, and those virtues to be evil, unless she would sin against Conscience. The Cardinal would have us think, that he proceeds herein upon an impossible supposition, and that the Pope cannot thus mistake, as to commend Vices, or forbid Virtues; but the world knows, that this is so far from being impossible, that he hath already actually done it, and this in such instances as may well persuade us, that it is not only possible, but likely; that there is not any Virtue, but (if occasion serve, and his interest requires it) he may forbid it, and declare it a sin, yea, and bind the Church in Conscience to avoid it, as if it were a Vice.

Sect. 10. But if all this were otherwise, and any exercise of vertue were needful by their doctrine; yet would there be no necessity of it, but only during the Popes pleasure. For by their principles, if the Pope should determine, that any Vertue were a Vice, all Romanists are bound in Conscience to conform to his judgment, and Vertue must be avoyded as if it were a Vice indeed. Bellarmin, their chief Champion (who is wont with so much confidence to deny, or with so great Artifice ⟨p. 182⟩to hide or disguise any thing in Popery which may render his party either odious or ridiculous) delivers himself plainly to this purpose. ^(f)If the Pope, saith he, should mistake in commending Vices, and forbidding Vertues, the Church would be bound to believe those Vices to be good, and those vertues to be evil, unless she would sin against Conscience. The Cardinal would have us think, that he proceeds herein upon an impossible supposition, and that the Pope cannot thus mistake, as to commend Vices, or forbid Vertues; but the world knows, that this is so far from being impossible, that he hath already actually done it, and this in such instances as may well perswade us, that it is not only possible, but likely; that there is not any Virtue, but (if occasion serve, and his interest requires it) he may forbid it, and declare it a sin, yea, and bind the Church in Conscience to avoyd it, as if it were a Vice.