The holy apostles succeeded unto the personal ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, as unto this conduct of the souls of men. Such power was committed unto them by him who sent them, " even as the Father sent him." Such assurance was there in their conduct, through infallible inspiration, and the presence of the Holy Ghost with them in an extraordinary manner, as that all men were bound to give up themselves unto their conduct and guidance. Howbeit they judged that there was no duty more incumbent on them than to make it evident unto all the world that they neither sought nor would accept of any temporal advantages unto themselves by the trust reposed in them ; Imt were contented that their portion in this
ITS WEALTH A GROUND OF SUSPICION. 499
world should lie in all the extremities and calamities of it. And this they willingly submitted unto, that all men might be encouraged to trust them in their everlasting affairs, when they saw what losers they Avere by it in this world, without desire, hope, or expectation of any better condition.
The church of Rome laj's claim to the very same authority over and conduct of the consciences of men in religion as were committed unto Jesus Christ and his apostles. It is as safe, as they pretend, for a man to cast off the authority and institutions of Christ himself as to dissent from those of the pope. " But what," in the meantime, " meaneth this bleating of the sheep and lowing of the oxen?" whence is it that they have managed the pretence hereof to the gaining of power, dominion, wealth, and revenues unto themselves, beyond that of the gi-eatest kings and princes, in this world? Let others do as they shall think fit, I shall never commit the conduct of my soul imto them, who, for aught I know, would never look after me nor any other were it not for the advantage they make by it unto the service of their earthly desires.
It may be said, that other churches and persons do make advan- tages unto themselves by that conduct of the souls of men which they lay claim unto; and if this be sufficient to render such guides suspected, we shall scatter the churches, and leave none to guide them. I answer. It doth no way follow; for the rules, measures, and outward allowances, for and in the name of their labour and guidance, unto the ministers of the gospel, are in general so stated in the Scripture as that men cannot mistake therein unto their pre- judice. But we are not at all concerned in what advantages men make unto themselves hereby, provided that the conduct they pre- tend unto be such as is accompanied with no dotniiiion over our faith, but is proposed only as a help thereunto. Whilst men require not an absolute resignment of our souls and consciences unto them, but leave us unto the perfect liberty of our own minds, to judge upon and receive what they propose unto us, to examine and try all that they instruct us in, — which we may reject or refuse, according as it evidenceth itself to be good or evil unto us, — there is no great danger in our conduct.
This, I say, is sufficient to render this pretended guide, which with so much vehement imjDortunity would impose itself upon us, to be so justly suspected unto all men not forsaken as well of common rea- son as of all due reverence unto the word of God, as that they will not readily embrace it.
Secondly, As what hath been spoken is sufficient to render this pretended guide suspected with all sober and considerate persons, so there are cogent reasons why it ought to be absolutely rejected by
500 THE CHUECH OF ROME NO SAFE GUIDE.
all who take care of their own eternal salvation. The cause peculi- arly under consideration is stated on a double supposition : —
1. That there are such differences in and about religion among us as wherein the eternal salvation of the souls of men are immediately concerned ; for some of them "consist in opinions, principles, and practices, pernicious and destructive unto salvation, as each side doth acknowledge and contend. And it is meet the cause at present should be expressly stated on this supposition, because those of the Roman church design their great advantage from it.
2. That in this case we ought diligently to apply ourselves unto some safe guide which may lead and conduct us in the right wa}^, wherein we may glorify God and obtain eternal blessedness unto our own souls. This also is not only allowed by them, but fiercely con- tended for, as a foundation of their whole cause. Wherefore, to de- termine our thoughts aright in our inquiry on these suppositions, we may consider the things that follow: —
(1.) The first supposition is plainly stated in the Scripture. It is plainly affirmed therein that such things were then beginning in the church, that they would fall out in after ages, and increase towards the end and consummation of all things. See to this purpose Acts XX. 29, 80; 1 Tim. iv. 1-3; 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4; 2 Pet. ii. 1-3; 1 John iv. 1-8, — all in compliance with the holy warnings and predictions of our blessed Saviour himself unto the same purpose, Matt. xxiv. 4, 5, 11, 23-26. In all these places, and many others, the cause, as stated in our supposition, is expressly foretold, with the pernicious effects of opinions and heresies, overthrowing the foundation of faith and de- stroying the souls of men. In this cause is a certain guide necessary in a peculiar manner.