Thirdly, We suppose this the most schismatical lyrinciple that ever was broached under the sun, since there was a church upon the earth; and that because, — (1.) It is the rOiOSt groundless; (2.) The most 'uncharitahle that ever was; and, (3.) Of the most pernicious consequence, as having a princijoal influence into the present irrecon- cilableness of differences among Christians in the world; which will one day be charged on the authors and abettors of it. For it will one day appear that it is not the various conceptions of the m.inds of peaceable men about the things of God, nor the various degrees of knowledge and faith that are found amongst them, but groundless impositions of things as necessary to be believed and practised be- yond Scripture warrant, that are the springs and causes of all, or
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81)6 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX.
at least the most blamable and sinful, differences among Chris- tians.
Fourthly, We know this pretence, should it take place, would prove extremely hazardous unto the trxith of the promises of Christ given unto the catholic church. For suppose that to be one and the same with the Roman, and whatever mishap may befall the one must be thought to befall the other; for on our supposition they are not only like Hippocrates's twins, that, being born together, wept and joyed together, and together died, but like Hippocrates himself, as the same individual person or thing, being both the same, — one church that hath two names, Catholic and Roman; that is, universal-parti- cular : no otherwise two than as Julius Caesar was, when, by his over- awing his colleague from the execution of his office, they dated their acts at Rome, " Julio et Csesare consulibus;'' for, as thev said, —
" Non Bibulo quicquam nuper sed Ccesare factum est ; Nam Bibulo fieri cousule nil memini."
NoAV, besides the failings which we know your church to have been subject unto, in point of faith, manners, and worship, it hath also been at least in danger of destruction in the time of the prevalency of the Goths, Vandals, Huns, and Longobards, especially when Rome itself was left desolate and without inhabitant by Totilas. And what yet farther may befall it before the end of the world, ©soi; b yovmai xiTrai. Only this I know, that many are in expectation of a sad catastrophe to be given unto it, and that on grounds not to be de- spised. Now, God forbid that the church unto which the promises are made should be once thought to be subject unto all the dangers and hazards that you wilfully expose yourselves unto. So that as this is a very groundless presumption in itself, so it is a very great aggra- vation of your miscarriages also, whilst you seek to entitle the catho- lic church of Christ unto them which can neither contract any such guilt as you have done, nor be liable to any such misery or punish- ment as you are.
Fifthly, We see not the promises made unto the catholic chm'ch fulfilled unto you, as we see that to have befallen your church which is contrary unto the promises that ever it should befall the catholic. Tlie conclusion, then, v/ill necessarily on Ijoth instances follow, that either you are not the catholic church, or that the promises of Christ ' have failed and been of none effect; and you may easily guess which part of the conclusion it is best and most safe for us to give assent unto. I shall give you one or two instances unto this last head. Christ hath promised his Spirit unto his church, — that is, his catholic church, — to " abide with it for ever," John xiv. 16. But this promise hath not been made good unto your church at all times, because it
PRINCIPLES OF PAPISTS ON THE UNITY OF FAITH. S07
liatli not been so unto the head of it. Many a time the head of your church hath not received the Spirit of Christ, for our SavioTir tells U9 in the next words that " the world cannot receive him," — that is, men of the world, carnally-minded men, cannot do so; for he is the peculiar inheritance of those that are called, sanctified, and do believe. Now, if ever there vv^as any "world " in the world, any of the " world " in the earth, some, many, of your popes have been so ; and therefore, by the testimony of Christ, could not receive the Spirit that he promised imto his chm'ch. Again, it is promised unto the chm-ch mystical or catholic, in the first and chiefest notion of it, " that all her children shall be holy, all taught of God;" and all that are so taught, as our Saviour informs us, " come to him" by saving faith. You will not, I am sure, for shame, affirm that this promise hath been made good to all, either children or fathers, of your church. Innumerable other promises made to the catholic church may be instanced in, which you can no better or otherwise apply unto your church tha,n one of your popes did that of the psalmist to himself, " Thou shalt tread on the lion and the basilisk," when he set his foot on the neck of Frederick the emperor. But the arguments are endless whereby the vanity of this pretence may be disproved. I shall only add, —