CHAP. XXXVIII. They win the Great ones and multitude by suiting their Doctrine and Worship to the fleshly
CHAP. XXXVIII. They win the Great ones and multitude by suiting their Doctrine and Worship to the fleshly conceits and inclinations of ungodly men.
D etect. 29. Another of their Deceits, and I think the most successful of all the rest is, Their suiting their Doctrines, and Government and Worship to the fleshly humors of the ungodly: by which means the Greatest and the Most are always like to be on their side: When on the contrary our
Doctrine, Discipline and worship is all so contrary to carnal interest and conceits, that we are still like to lose the most, if not the greatest, and consequently to be a persecuted people in the world. This is their unanswerable Argument: By this means they captivate the Nations to their
Tyranny. The Most are everywhere almost licentious, sensual, worldly and unsanctified: Wise men and Godly men are few in comparison of the rest of the world. And it is the multitude commonly that hath the strength, and the Great ones that have the wealth. So that I confess I take it for a wonder of mercy, that they are not Lord's in every Country, and that the Reformed
Catholics be not used everywhere as they be in Spain and Italy. For where they have but opportunity to show themselves, the Principles and Practices of the Papists are such, as will be most likely to win the Rabble rout to
them, and make them Masters of the multitude, and of all except a few believing Heavenly persons: (For the flock is little that must have the Kingdom.) And then, when they have got the multitude thus to follow them, and clubbed the rest into prisons, or burned them in the flames, they reckon of this as one of the surest Evidences that they are the Catholic Church, because forsooth they are the greater number (in the Countries where they have advantage,) and it is but a few whom they were able to persecute or burn as Heretics that were against them. The very Argument of the Jews against Christ and his Disciples.
The Reasons why they have not by this Policy won the Christian world to their side, are (under God, the great Defender of the innocent) these four; 1.
Because in the Eastern and Southern Churches they have not had opportunity to lay their snares, as they have had here in the West: And also those Churches have too many corruptions and neglects at home for the gratifying of the worser sort. 2. Because God hath been pleased in some places so to bless the endeavors of the smaller part, as to enable them against the multitude to preserve some liberty. 3. Because God hath sometime given Wise and Godly Princes to the people, that will not be cheated with the Popular deceits. 4. And principally because that the Papal
Tyranny is directly contrary to Princes Rights, so that its only those that are blinded by ignorance, or strengthened by an extraordinary league with Rome, or forced by the multitude of Popish subjects and neighbors, that put their necks into the Romish yoke. For what by the Popes pretended Power in temporals, at least in ordine ad spiritualia, and what by his excommunicating Princes, and his pretended power to depose them and give their kingdoms to another, and to absolve their subjects from their oaths and fidelity, (which is an Article of their faith, agreed on by the Pope
and General Council, Later. sub. Innoc. 3, c. 3.) and what by his exempting the Clergy from their Princes Power, and what by the pilling their Countries for money, and what by their doctrine and practices of murdering Princes that are not of their mind, by these and many other Evidences, they have awakened many of the Princes of the earth to look about them, and consequently to befriend the Truth against these Tyrannous Usurpers. Had it not been for these helps under God, we had not been like to have a name where they can reach, nor to have had liberty to breath in the common air.
It would be a voluminous work to show you how all the Doctrines, Government, and worship of the Papists is suited to the humor of the sensual multitude, and fitted to take with ungodly men. I shall but instance in twenty particulars (which are far from all.)
1. The Reformed Catholics hold, that none should be taken into the Church by Baptism, unless themselves, or their Parents, if they be Infants, do make Profession of the Christian faith, and of an holy life, for the time to come, and seem to understand what they say and do, and be serious in it; which exasperateth the grossly ignorant and ungodly, when we deny them this Privilege of Believers. But the Papists admit of the ignorant, ungodly, and such as believe not explicitly in Christ, as you heard even now; and so please the people, and fill their Church.
2. The Orthodox hold, that Baptism giveth Remission of sin to none but true believers and their seed. The Papists persuade many millions more, that all their sins are not only pardoned, but actually abolished ex opere operato, in their Baptism, which is comfortable News to such ungodly souls.
3. The Protestants say, that Original sin liveth after Baptism in some degree; though it reign not, or condemn not those that are true believers; and that Concupiscence, that is, all inordinacy of the sensual appetite, or
inordinate inclination to sensual objects is a sin. The Papists tell them that when once they are baptized, there is no such thing in them as Original sin, and that Concupiscence is no sin at all.
4. The Orthodox hold, that none are to be admitted to the Eucharist and Communion of the Church therein, but those that believe actually (or profess so to do) the Articles of the faith, and understand the nature of the Sacrament, and live according to the Laws of Christ. But the Papists give it to all, and drive men to the Sacrament; so that Albaspinaeus before cited, saith, he knows not whether ever any one was kept away in his age.
5. The Protestants hold, that men are not to be let alone in scandalous sin, but admonished privately, and then openly before the Church, and if yet they Repent not, and Reform not, to be cast out; and not to be absolved or re-admitted, without a Public Confession and Penitence answerable to the sin: And this wicked people hate at the very heart, and will not endure. But the Papists have got a device to please them by Auricular secret Confession to a Priest, where if he will but confess and sin, and sin and confess again, he may have a pardon of course without any open shame or true
Reformation. If we durst but imitate the Papists in this one particular, we should do much to please the people that are now exasperated: for I find, that almost any of them will confess in secret that they have sinned, that will not endure the open shame.
6. The Protestants hold, that every sin deserveth death, and that every breach of the Law is such a sin; (though God will not inflict the Punishment on them that have a pardon) But the Papists tell us of a multitude of sins that are but venial, that is, sins that deserve pardon, and yet deserve not Hell, and are indeed no sins, but analogically so called. And they make those to be such venial sins, which Protestants account abominably gross;
as some lying, some swearing in common talk, some drunkenness, some fornication, and the like, are with them but venial sins, which are properly no sins (And yet here also they are by the ears among themselves, some saying that venial sins are properly sins, and most denying it) Yea all sins that are not deliberated on, are with them but venial sins. So that if they will but sufficiently brutify themselves by suspending the exercise of reason, and will swear, curse, murder, without deliberation, they are then free from sin and danger. And how easy and pleasing is this to the ungodly? Those are but Evangelical Counsels with the Papists, that are the Precepts or Laws of Christ to the Protestants.
7. The Protestants teach men, that it is their duty to seek the understanding of the holy Scripture, and to meditate in it day and night: but the Papists do forbid the Common people to read it in a language which they understand, and save them all that labor that Protestants put them on: Nothing can win the people more than cherishing them thus in sloth and ignorance.
8. The Protestants say, that a man cannot be justified or saved without an actual faith in Christ (or being the Infant of a believer Dedicated to Christ) and that this faith must extend to all things that are Essential to Christianity.
But what the Papists say of the Justification and Salvation of Infidels, if they believe in the Pope, you heard in their own words in the last Detection.
A comfortable doctrine to the unbelieving world, to whom God hath spoken no such Comfort.
We confess that those that never had the Gospel, are under the Law of nature or works, and that the penalty of this is such as God can in some cases dispense with (or else we could not be saved by Christ) and so that all
Pagans are not under the Peremptory undispensable threatening of the Gospel against final Privative unbelievers: But yet, though God may pardon
some of these, he hath made them no promise that he will; and therefore they can have no positive hope grounded on a promise; nor can any man say, that God will save any of them, or that he will not; it being certain that they are under the condemnation of the Law, which God can dispense with, in ways of security to his Justice and Ends, but uncertain whether he will or not; and therefore is to be left among his unrevealed things. The true believer is under a certain promise of salvation. The unbeliever that hath had the Gospel, or might have had it and would not, is under the Gospel sentence of damnation, which is certain and irreversible, if he die in that Condition. The negative unbeliever that never had or could have the Gospel, is under the Condemning sentence of the Law (of works or nature,) that is, his sin Deserveth eternal death; but this sentence is not peremptory and indispensable; but yet it is such as God will not dispense with rashly, but on terms that may secure his Ends and Justice. This is the true mean between extremes in this weighty point.
9. The Protestants say, that all our best works are imperfect, and the sin that adhereth to them deserves God's wrath, according to the Law of works, though he pardon it by the Law of Grace: and that when we have done all, we are unprofitable servants, and properly Merit nothing of God for the worth of our works, or in Commutative Justice. But the Papists take those very works to Merit heaven, ex Condigno, and (for here they are by the ears again) say some of them, by the Proportion of the work, and in Commutative Justice, which the Protestants say, deserve damnation for their sinful imperfections, and therefore need a pardon through the blood of Christ. Yea they take these works to be perfect, and the man to be perfect, and say, that by such works as these, they may Merit for others as well as
for themselves. And how easy and pleasing is this to proud corrupted Nature?
10. The Protestants think, that no Faith Justifieth, but that which is accompanied with unfeigned Love and Resolution for Obedience. But the Papists make Faith that's separated from Charity, and joined with Attrition, to be sufficient for admission to the Sacrament, which shall be instead of Love or Contrition, and so shall put away all sin.
11. The Protestants knowing that God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit and truth, do teach people a spiritual way of worship, which Carnal men are undisposed to, and unacquainted with. But the Papists do accommodate them by a multitude of Ceremonies, Images, and a Pompous histrionical kind of worship, which is easy and pleasant to flesh and blood.
To have an Image before them, and Copes, and Ornaments, and abundance of formalities, and to drop so many Beads, and be saved for saying over so many Ave Mary's, or such like words; what an easy kind of Religion is this, and how agreeable to flesh and blood? How much easier is it to say over their offices, then to Love God above all, and desire after Communion with him in the spirit, and to delight in him, and to pray in Faith, and heavenly fervor?
12. Protestants tell men of Hell-fire, as the remediless punishment of those sins, which Papists say deserve but a Purgatory: and they have hopes of coming out of Purgatory; but there's none of coming out of Hell.
13. Protestants tell them of no hope of ease or pardon of sin after this life, if it be not pardoned here. But Papists tell them, that when they are in Purgatory, the Pope hath power to pardon them, and the saying of so many
Masses for their souls, may ease them, or rid them out; and the Merits of other folks may deliver them.
14. Protestants tell them, that they must be holy for themselves: but Papists tell them, that they may hire another man to say their prayers for them, which may serve turn.
15. The Protestants do ingenuously confess, that they have no way to end all Controversies in this life, but that we have a sufficient way so far to decide them as is necessary to the peace of the soul, of the Church, and of the Commonwealth; but no way for a final absolute Decision, till the day of Judgment. The Pastors of the Church are to be Judges, so far as they are to execute: And the Magistrates are to be Judges so far as they must execute:
And every Christian hath a judgment of Discerning so far as he is to execute. But the absolute final judgment is reserved to the last day; when
God will fully end our controversies. But this satisfieth not men that would have all in hand, and the sentence past before the Assizes: And therefore the Papists better fit their humor, and tell them (and they do but tell them) of an End of all their controversies at hand; of an easy cheap remedy by believing the Infallible Pope and Council; and so putting an end to all divisions and doubts.
16. The Protestants would have none but seeming Professing Saints in their Churches: But the Papists Canonize a Saint as a wonder; and shut them up in Monasteries, and call a few [Religious] that are separated from other Christians, as Christians formerly were from the world: which brings the people to think that Holiness and Religion is not necessary to all but to a few Devotaries that will be better than they are commanded to be.
17. The Protestants bind men to keep their vows, and fidelity to their Governors: But the Papists tell them that the Pope hath Power to free them from their fidelity, and dispense with their oaths.
18. The Papists teach men to fast: by eating the pleasantest meats: but the Protestants use a total abstinence while they fast, unless in mere necessity.
19. The main business and administration of Protestant Pastors, is against that flesh that is predominant in the unregenerate, and therefore must needs be distasteful to the multitude of the ungodly. Our preaching is to open men's sin and misery, and cause them to perceive their lost condition, and so to reveal to them a crucified Christ, and then to set them on the holy selfdenying heavenly life that Christ hath prescribed them. And to speak terror to the rebellious, and to cast the obstinate out of our communion, and to comfort none as the heirs of heaven, either in life or at death, but only the truly sanctified and renewed souls. But for the Papists, their Preaching in most places is but seldom; but they have a Mass in Latin: And as the old saying is, [The Mass doth not bite.] It galleth not a guilty conscience to see a Mass, and here a many of Prayers which he understandeth not: And when they do preach, when they should show wicked men their misery, they flatter and deceive them too often by their false doctrine: They cannot humble them in the sense of their Original sin and Misery, for that they tell them was quite extinct and done away in Baptism: And for their following sins, Absolution upon their customary confessions, hath done away all the guilt at least: so that here is no Misery for the Miserable souls to see: but like a Constables presentment at a Sessions, an Omnia been: Unless perhaps some gross actual sin be apparent among them: and then they shall have an Oration against it, to drive them to auricular confession, and to receive the Body of Christ, and be Absolved. And so do they by Ceremonies and Sacraments ex opere operato quiet the Consciences of unsanctified men, and humor them in all their rites and customs, and at last turn them to Heaven or Purgatory with an Absolution, and Extreme Unction. And how
pleasing a Religion this is to the ungodly people, those Ministers can tell, that see the rage of such, against those that deny them even better Forms and Ceremonies when they desire them; to pacify their Consciences instead of real Holiness and Obedience.
20. Lastly, how the Jesuits have fitted their whole frame of Moral doctrine and Case Divinity to humor the unconscionable, Montaltus the Jansenist will fully show you through the whole (fore-cited) Mystery of Jesuitism.
Those that would escape any worldly trouble or danger, the Jesuits have a help at hand for, even their doctrine of Equivocation, and Mental reservation (which makes the Popes Dispensation with oaths and promises needless.) What accommodations they have for him that hath a mind to Murder his adversary, to calumniate another, to take Use without Usury, to forbear restoring ill-gotten goods, to commit fornication, to rob another, and many the like, you may see in their own words cited in the said Book. Yea what comfort they have for a man that loveth not God, so he will not hate him. Trust not my report, but read the Book; for its worth the reading.
So that we see the advantage that the Papists have to sweep away the vicious ignorant multitude, and then to boast that they are the Catholics, and we but Schismatics, because they are the greater part: and then they are armed also by the Multitude, to oppress us by their violence.
Now what remedy to use against this Fraud, I cannot tell, but only to deal plainly and faithfully, though it do displease, and to administer God's
Ordinances as he prescribeth, though never so distasteful to flesh and blood; and so to commit ourselves to God, and trust him with his Church and cause, who is able to preserve it, and is most engaged to appear for us when we lay all upon him, and have none to trust but himself alone. Let us not hearken in this case to flesh and blood that would advise us to remit the
reins of Discipline, and to bend our Administrations to some pleasing compliance with carnal minds. We disengage God when thus we begin to shift for ourselves out of his way. But withal we must acquaint those
Princes that are faithful to Christ, how much it is their duty in this case to assist us; not by any cruelty to the Papists (that I desire not) but only by quieting the ungodly part of our People in a state of Catechumens, or expectants, or a Learning condition fitted to their state; and to restrain such in the meantime as would take advantage of their discontents, to seduce them by pleasing licentious doctrines to their undoing.