Answ. He would have argued better if he had said that my Opinion was worse than the opinion of the Papists: for according to his principles that would have been true: but as he frames his argument, it is a great mistake, tho' he is to be somewhat excused, because I think he hath received this notion by an implicit Faith from Mr. ⟨p. 38⟩Gillespy. But to make good his opinion, he saith, That Estius declares that the Catholics maintain, that Sacraments work Grace in those that do not Obicem ponere, or withstand their operation. And he saith, that Brockmond, a bitter Lutheran, mentions it as a Calvinian error, that Sacraments are not instituted to be means of conferring Grace. But what of all this, doth it follow from hence, that they hold that the Lords Supper is a converting Ordinance. They never teach that the first Grace is communicated by the Lords Supper, but suppose that to be wrought by Baptism, before ever Persons partake of the Lords Supper. The Council of Trent does require a proving of themselves before they come to the Lords Supper; and they curse those that say, That Faith alone is sufficient preparation for the Lords Supper. Hist. Conc. Tri. p. 274, 275. And I challenge Mr M. to bring one Popish Author, that doth assert the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be a converting Ordinance: nay himself doth mention two Popish Authors, Albastineus & Duravdus, p. 40. to show that those who were not holy should not come to the Table of the Lord. Such arguing is a great abuse.
Answ. He would have argued better if he had said that my Opinion was worse than the opinion of the Papists: for according to his principles that would have been true: but as he frames his argument, it is a great mistake, tho' he is to be somewhat excused, because I think he hath received this notion by an implicite Faith from Mr. ⟨p. 38⟩Gillespy. But to make good his opinion, he saith, That Estius declares that the Catholicks maintain, that Sacraments work Grace in those that do not Obicem ponere, or withstand their operation. And he saith, that Brockmond, a bitter Lutheran, mentions it as a Calvinian error, that Sacraments are not instituted to be means of conferring Grace. But what of all this, doth it follow from hence, that they hold that the Lords Supper is a converting Ordinance. They never teach that the first Grace is communicated by the Lords Supper, but suppose that to be wrought by Baptism, before ever Persons partake of the Lords Supper. The Council of Trent does require a proving of themselves before they come to the Lords Supper; and they curse those that say, That Faith alone is sufficient preparation for the Lords Supper. Hist. Conc. Tri. p. 274, 275. And I challenge Mr M. to bring one Popish Author, that doth assert the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be a converting Ordinance: nay himself doth mention two Popish Authors, Albastineus & Duravdus, p. 40. to shew that those who were not holy should not come to the Table of the Lord. Such arguing is a great abuse.
