THE CLAIM OF THE CHURCH OF ROME. 489
Wherefore, this clami of theirs consists of these three parts, or may be reduced unto these three heads: —
1. That they, and they alone, are the church of Christ; all others who are called Christians in the world are heretics and schismatics, who belong not unto it, nor have any interest in it. Howbeit, if the description given us of the church of Christ in the Scripture be right and good, it is almost impossible there should be any society or com- bination of men, on a religious account, more unlike it than that which is called the Church of Rome. This, therefore, must be taken upon their own credit and vehement affirmation by them who have a mind so to do.
2. That this church, which they alone are, is intrusted with autho- rity over the souls and consciences of all Christ4ans, and all that would be so, to be their only guide in all that they are to know, be- lieve, and do in religion; so that whoever gives not themselves up unto their conduct must perish eternall}'^. It were no hard task to manifest that a supposition hereof is destructive unto the nature of evangelical faith and obedience, as also of all the directions and pre- cepts given by Christ and his apostles for the discharge of our duty with respect unto them. But this they must obtain, or the whole present papal interest falls unto the ground. Yet neither will a sup- position that there is such a church secure them, their own pretences to be this church being* openly contradictory to the Scripture. Nor is the power claimed herein derived from the apostles, who professed themselves not to be lords of the faith of believers, 2 Cor. i. 24; 1 Pet. V. 3.
S. They j)lead that hereon no more is required of any man who takes care of his salvation, but that he give up himself absolutely and entirely unto the conduct of their chmxh, believing what it proposeth, and that on this ground alone, that it is proposed by it, and obeying all its commands ; whereby they seem to set this pretended guide " in the temple of God, showing him that he is God."
This is the claim of the church of Rome, — these are the principles wherein to it is resolved; which whether they have any thing in them of truth or modesty, will immediately be made to appear.
Secondly, The holy Scriptiire, with the divine aids and assistances for the understanding thereof which God hath promised unto all that diligently seek him, is pleaded to be the only 7'ule and guide that men ought to betake themselves unto, in case of those important differences in religion which are under consideration. And the plea on the behalf thereof is reducible unto these five heads : —
1. That this Scripture is a divine, supernatural revelation of God, his mind and his will. This foundation is unquestionable, and will never fail them that build upon it. Those of the Roman religion will
490 THE CHUECH OF ROME NO SAFE GUIDE.
propose ensnaring questions about it unto them on whom they design. They will be asking how they know the Scripture to be the word of God, labouring to disprove the evidences they produce to prove it so to be. But this bold artifice is of no use in this case, for themselves confess it so to be: only, they prefer the authority of their church testifying it so to be, as more safely to be rested in and trusted unto than that of God himself; which cannot be unto the advantage of their cause with any considerate persons.
2. That it is a divine revelation of the tvhole will and mind of God, as unto all things that are necessary unto his glory and our salvation. This it frequently testifieth of itself; and, on the former supposition of its being such a divine revelation, its testimony must be granted to be infallibly true. Both these assertions the apostle expressly con- joineth, 2 Tim. iii. 15-17. Somewhat they except here in respect of their unwritten traditions, but dare not positively deny that the Scripture is a sufficient revelation of all things absolutely necessary unto salvation; indeed, to do so will leave no assurance unto any man that he can ever know what is necessary unto salvation. But they have a reserve whereunto they betake themselves on a concession hereof, — namely, that whatever be contained in it, it cannot be under- stood but as the sense of it is declared by their church. But* this is a bold, unproved presumption, contrary unto the design of God in giving us his word, and the experience of all who have been exercised in it.
S. The way, manner, and method of this revelation are such as are suited unto divine wisdom and goodness, whether they please men or no. It is with reference unto these things that they expatiate and enlarge themselves in charging the Scripture with obscurity, and un- fitness thereon to be our only rule and guide; for the Bible, they say, is a book composed of histories, prophecies, songs, prayers, and ej)istles, and is therefore unmeet for any such use or end. But these things are of no consideration in our present case. It is thus given out immediately by God himself, and therefore every way answers divine wisdom and goodness ; whether men are pleased with it or no, we are not at all concerned. He who designed it for the instruction of the church alone knows what was to be the method of its composure unto that end. And it hath been proved on another occasion, that, considering the state of the church in its several ages, the nature of that faith which is to be wrought and confirmed by this divine revelation, with the manner of teaching becoming the authority of God, the holy Scripture could not have been given out unto us in any other order or method than that wherein it is disposed.^