A95762:118
The judgement of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland. Of Babylon…
The judgement of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland. Of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome. (With a sermon of Bishop Beadles upon the same words.) Of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministry. Of the old form of words in ordination. Of a set form of prayer. / Published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard D.D. and preacher to the Honourable Society of Gray's-Inn, London. Unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late primate.The judgement of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland. Of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome. (With a sermon of Bishop Bedels upon the same words.) Of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministery. Of the old form of words in ordination. Of a set form of prayer. / Published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard D.D. and preacher to the Honourable Society of Grayes-Inne, London. Unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late primate.
London: printed for John Crook, 1659
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.
Yea will some man say, But ⟨p. 68⟩that which marreth all is the Opinion of merit and satisfaction. Indeed that is the School Doctrine, but the Conscience enlightened to know it self will easily act that part of the Publican, who smote his breast and said, God be merciful to me a sinner. I remember a good advice of one of that side, let others (saith he) that have committed few sins, and done many good works satisfy for their sins; But whatsoever thou dost, refer it to the Honour of God: so as whatsoever good come from thee, thou resolve to do it to please God, accounting thy works too little to satisfy for thy sins: For as for thy sins thou must offer Christs works, his pains and wounds, and his death it self to him, together with that love of his out of which he endured these things for thee. These are available for the satisfaction for thy sins. But thou whatsoever thou dost or sufferest, ⟨p. 69⟩offer it not for thy sins to God but for his love and good pleasure, wishing to find the more grace with him, whereby thou mayest do more, greater and more acceptable works to him, let the love of God then be to thee the cause of well-living, and the hope of well-working: thus he, and I doubt not but many there be on that side that follow this Counsel; here with I shall relate the speech of a wise and discreet Gentleman, my neighbour in England, who lived and died a Recusant; he demanded one time, What was the worst Opinion that we could impute to the Church of Rome? It was said, there was none more then this of our merits: And that Cardinal Bellarmine not only doth uphold them, but saith,1 we may trust in them, so it be done soberly; And saith, they deserve Eternal life, not only in respect of Gods promises ⟨p. 70⟩and Covenant, but also in regard of the work it self: whereupon he answered, Bellarmine was a learned man, and could perhaps defend what he wrote by learning, But for his part he trusted to be sav•d only by the merits of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as for good works he would do all that he could; Et valeant quantum volere possint.