CHAP. XXVIII. Their persuading the people that we are all Liars, that nothing we say and write may be regarded
CHAP. XXVIII. Their persuading the people that we are all Liars, that nothing we say and write may be regarded.
D etect. 19. Another of the Popish devices is, when they have laid their own cause upon so many forgeries, and uphold it by so many false reports, to make the people believe that it is we that are the liars, and that we are not to be believed in anything that we say of them: and that we misreport the Fathers, bely the Roman Catholics, and therefore no man should read our Books, or discourse with us, so as to afford us any credence. So that indeed they get as much by mere persuading the people that we are Liars, as by any way that I know. We cannot tell them what is in their own Writers, but the ignorant people are commonly taught to say, we slander them. Though we cite the book, and page, and line, and tell them that they were printed at Rome, or Colen, or Antwerp, or Paris, by men of their own Profession, yet they believe us not, for they are instructed to hold us for liars, that we may be uncapable of doing them good. If we cite any of the Fathers, they tell us that we misalledge them, or have corrupted them, or they say no such thing. If we show them the books published by their own
Doctors, and licensed by their Superiors, and printed by Papists, yet they
will not believe us. And so they are taught the easiest way in the world to repel the truth, and confute those that would do them good. It is no more but say, you lie, and all's done.
In such a case as this, what is there to be done? Ignorance and Incredulity thus purposely conjoined, are the wall of brass that is opposed to our endeavors. To what purpose should we speak to them that will not hear? In such a case I know but one of these two ways. 1. To endeavor to revive the stupefied humanity and Reason of these men: and ask them, Is Religion the work of a man or of a beast? Of a wise man, or of a mad man? Is it a Reasonable or an Unreasonable course? If it be Reasonable, why then will you go without Reason upon other men's bare words? But if you are so little men as to venture your souls without Reason, me thinks you should not venture against it? Would you rest on the bare word of one of these men, if it went against Reason? If so, then you renounce your manhood. But suppose you will be so unreasonable, yet I hope you have your five senses still? What if a Priest shall tell you that the Crow is white, and the snow is black, or that you see not when you know you see, will you believe him? If you will believe them before your eyes, and taste, and feeling, then I have done with you; who can dispute with stocks and stones, or men so far forsaken of God, as to renounce all their senses? But if you will not believe a Priest against your eyes, and other senses, then why do you believe him that Bread is not Bread, and Wine is not Wine, when the eyes, and smell, and taste of all men say it is? And if your senses tell you that your Priests deceive you in one thing, me thinks you should not be so confident of them in other things, as to believe and hearken to none but them.
2. If this will not serve, try whether you can procure their Priests to discuss those points before the incredulous people, that so they may hear
both sides speak together. Get a conference between them, and some experienced judicious Divine. But this will hardly be obtained. For if it be to dispute with one that is able, they'll presently pretend a danger of persecution: and no promise of security will satisfy them. But if it be a weak inexperienced man that challengeth them, then they will venture, and take the advantage.
If nothing else can be done, it is the best way to offer them some small Book against Popery to read. If they are so captivated that they will neither
Hear nor Read, and their Leaders will not be drawn to a Dispute, I know not what to do but leave them, and let them take what they get by their unreasonable obstinacy: They are unworthy of truth that set no more by it.