The affirmatives that we hold, and they hold too, we say they are con- stant from the apostles' time ; they have been in all ages maintained and affirmed.
Our positive points that we ground out of St Paul, and out of the Scrip- tures : we seek the ' old way,' and the ' best way,' as Jeremiah adviseth us, Jer. vi. 16. There was none of the popish trash in Abraham's time, in the patriarchs' time, in Christ's and his apostles' time, or in many hundred years after. They came in by little and little, for their own advantage ; a * That is, patches. — G.
378 COMMENTARY ON
mere policy to get money, and to abuse people. I say, they hold all our positive truths ; but their error is in addition.
Quest. Now this question may bo made, whether their additions may be dangerous or no '? iiecause it may be supposed that some among them ■will say that heresy is not in addition, but in contrariety to the faith, and detracting ; but when one holds more than they should, that is no heresy, because there is somewhat superabouuds ; now we hold the truth, and more too.
Alls. I say it is gross and false ; for if additions did not overthrow the foundation, there sliould never be any idolatry, nor never any heresy in these times. "What was idolatry, especially in the church of God '? Among the Jews was there not the worshipping of the true God ? Yes ! but before an image, their additions, their false manner overthrew the true. There is none of them fundamental points, as we call them, though they make them fundamental. They make their traditions of as much authority as the word of God ; and their fooleries as the articles of faith. They overthrow the main foundation. They are such additions as are destructive, to join with the word of God traditions. To worship God under another species and kind, is to be an idolator. Though they worship the true God, if it bo after a false manner, it is prohibited. St Paul saith, and with a commina- tion. Gal. i. 8, ' If I or an angel from heaven teach otherwise.' Beside, put case it be not plainly and directly contrary, if he teach other things that are not necessary to be believed, ' let him be accursed.' We ought not to go from the Scriptures in any fundamental point of faith, under pain of a curse. Therefore popery is a cursed religion, in respect of their very additions.
Doth not St Paul tell the Galatians they were ' fallen from Christ,' Gal. V. 4, if they added circumcision to Christ ? He doth not say if they did that which was directly contrary to faith : no ! but in adding circumcision and w^orks to Christ, they were fallen from Christ. Whole Chi-ist, or no Christ. In some cases additions are heresies, and overthrow the foundation.
Quest. If this be so, we may answer another question easily : the apostolical doctrine you see is only yea : whether then it be safer to be a papist or a protestant, considering that whatsoever we hold they do hold ?
A7)s. I answer, to be a Protestant it is safer in any man's judgment ; because all that we say, themselves say : it hath been apostolical. We can prove in all ages of the church our affirmatives, we have a catalogue of witnesses in all ages of them that held what we say. It was founded in the apostles, and then came down to all ages. But what they say distinct, and difi'ering from us, they have not the like testimony for : for indeed they are so beaten that Bellarmine hath this, ' The authority of all councils and fathers, and all depends upon the authority of the present church.' Bring to them councils and fathers ! Tush ! tush ! all authority depends upon the present church. What authority gives the present church, when twenty years after the church varies ? What certainty is there, when all authority of former times shall depend upon the present church ?
In those things wherein they differ from us, and that we deny, any under- standing, reasonable man may see that they are novelties and corruptions. As for the pope to depose princes, if a man have but his naturals,* he may see it abominable. To pray in a ' strange tongue,' to debar the people of the wine, when Christ saith, 'Drink ye all of it,' 1 Cor. xi. 25, who that hath ordinary discretion but will think it absurd ? There is nothing that * That is, = the understanding he has as a man. — G.
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. I, VER. 19. 879
we differ from them in, but a man that hath but his naturals will condemn. Therefore ours is safer a great deal by their own confession, the learnedest of them, that it is enough to believe as we do. Do we not believe the articles of the creed ? Do we not believe the first four general councils ? We do. Who then will not say that these are sufficient, being understood and believed, to make a man that he be no heretic '?
Quest. I may answer hence another question, whether a papist may be saved or no ? It is a curious question, you will say ; but it is so ordinary that somewhat I must say.