Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…

7. The great safety and security that there is in committing our selves as to all the concernments of Religion, unto the guidance, rule and conduct of the Pope, is another great principle of this Discourse. And here our Author falls into a deep admiration of the Popes dexterity in keeping all his Subjects in peace and unity, and subjection to him; there being no danger to any one for forsaking him, but only that of Excommunication. The contest is between the Scripture and the Pope. Protestants say, the safest way for men, in reference to their eternal condition, is to believe the Scripture, and rest therein; The Romanists say the same, of the Pope. Which will prove the best course, methinks, should not be hard to determine. All Christians in the world ever did agree, That the Scripture is the certain infallible word ⟨p. 241⟩of God, given by him on purpose, to reveal his mind and will unto us. About the Pope there were great Contests ever since he was first taken notice of in the world. Nothing, I confess, little or low, is spoken of him. Some say, he is the head and spouse of the Church, the Vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter, the supreme Moderator of Christians, the infallible judge of Controversies, and the like; others, again, that he is Antichrist, the man of sin, a cruel Tyrant, and Persecutor, the evil Servant Characterized, Mat. 24.48, 49, 50, 51. But all, as far as I can gather, agree, that he is a Man; I mean, that almost all Popes have been so; for about every individual, there is not the like consent. Now the question is, Whether we shall rest in the Authority and Word of God, or in the Authority and Word of a Man, as the Pope is confessed to be? and, whether is like to yield us more security in our assiance? This being such another difficult matter and case, as that before mentioned, about the Bibles being the Popes book, shall not be by me decided; but left to the Judgment of wiser men. ⟨p. 242⟩In the mean time, for his feat of Government, it is partly known what it is; as also what an influence into the effects of peace mentioned that gentle means of Excommunication hath had. I know one that used in the late times to say of the Excommunication in Scotland, He would not care for their Devil, were it not for his horn;