us most earnestly to contend; and in this doubtfulness, there are fome who embrace none at all.

For we see the Eastern Church disjoynted from the Western and the Western divided into three great Parts, every one of which condemn the other Two: and all of them are fubdivided into feveral little Parties by variety of opinions; for which they contend with the fame zeal, that they do for the Faith of Christ. Which is thereby difgraced; and reputed by fome to be of no greater certainty, than those dubious opinions.

SECT. II.

Divifions among Chriftians no fuch objection against Christianity, as is imagined.

BUT

UT to a confidering Man this will be no occafion of fcandal: but rather confirm him more in the true Chriftian Faith; which every one of us ought to preferve with the greateft care, as a most ineftimable Treasure. For, as this is common to every Religion, to have many difputes about it, and different opinions in it; and as Chrift and his Apostles foretold there would many falfe Chrifts, and falfe Apoftles and falfe Prophets arife (as was faid before in the end of the foregoing Book) who would lye, and fay they were fent, when they were not, introducing falfe doctrines, and calling them by the Name of his Religion; and as they give us a good reafon alfo why it fhould be fo; that Mens probity and fincerity might be tried, and brought hereby to the touch-ftone, and that their dili

gence

gence and care in preferving themselves might be exercifed: So, bleffed be our Lord, the true Christian Religion is still retained, and kept intire every where, by all these disagreeing Parties; notwithstanding the fierce quarrels they have one with another. As appears by this (which is a fhort, eafie, and certain way to our fatisfaction in this matter) that the Faith into which they are all baptized, is one and the fame without any variation. That is, they all enter into the Church at the very fame Gate; and upon the fame terms and conditions, neither more nor lefs, are made Members of Christ, and have a title given them, if they live accordingly to this Faith unto eternal Salvation.

SECT. III.

As appears even in the Roman Church which hath given the greatest scandal.

THE

HE Church of Rome it felf, which now makes the greatest differences in the Chriftian World, requires nothing more at this day to be believed by thofe, that are by Baptifm received into the Church of Chrift; but only those things which are contained in the Creed, commonly called the Apostles. This Creed is recited there by the Priest, and this alone, when he comes to the Font; and he interrogates the Perfons to be Baptifed (if they be adult) or their undertakers (if they be Infants) about no other belief. Upon the profeffion of which, he bids them enter into the holy Church of God, that

they

they may receive the Celestial bleffing from the Lord Jefus Christ, and have a part with him and with his Saints: And having again examined adult Perfons, asking them, Do you believe in God the Father Almighty? &c. and mentioning no other Articles of Faith, he baptizes them ; and declares them to be regenerate, and to have remiffion of all fins. And fo do we here; nor is there any different practice in any other part of the Christian World; but every where it is fufficient to confent to this Creed: which is nothing but a brief explication, what we are to believe concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, in whofe Names we are baptized.

If there were any thing beyond this, which we are neceffarily bound to believe, it should have been then propounded when we were admitted into the state of Chriftianity. For Baptifm gives us a right and title to Salvation (if we do not forfeit it afterward by apoftafie, or by a wicked life) and this Faith with a promise to live according to it) gives us a right to Baptifm.

Herein indeed the Roman Church contradicts it felf in decreeing many other Articles of belief, without which it declares Men cannot be faved; and yet receiving Men at Baptism into a state of Salvation without demanding their confent to any fuch Articles. But fo they do in many other things, and cannot avoid it: while they forfake the ancient Univerfal Rule; and fet up their own private Authority, to impose what they please under pain of Damnation.

SECT.

SECT. IV.

But both contradicts it felf, and departs from the Ancient and truly Catholick Church.

FOR

OR that no fuch things, as they would now oblige all Chriftians to believe, were anciently exacted, it appears moft manifeftly by Irenæus and Tertullian, (to name no others) in feveral places. Who call the Creed now mentioned, the Rule of Truth, and the Rule of Faith: which the Church throughout all the World, faith Iranaus (though it be difperfed to the most extream parts of the Earth) received from the Apostles and their Difciples: and believes, as if there were but one Soul and one Heart, in fo many Men: and with a perfect confent preaches and teaches, and delivers these things, as having but one Mouth. For though there be divers Languages in the World, yet one and the fame Tradition prevails every where: For neither the Churches in Germany believe otherways, or deliver any thing else; nor they in Spain; nor they in France; nor they in the Eaft; nor they in Egypt; nor they in Lybia; nor they that are founded in the midst of the World. But as the Sun is one and the fame in the whole World: So is the preaching of the Truth, inlightning all Men, who will come to the knowledge of it. And neither he who is most eloquent among the Governours of the Church, preaches any thing different, (for no man is above his Master) nor doth he that is weakest in Speech leffen in the least this Tradition. For there being one and the fame Faith, he that hath most to say cannot inlarge it, nor be that hath leaft, diminish it.

Thus

Thus they declared their minds in those early days: when there was no Catholick Man or Woman in the World, required to believe any of thofe Doctrines, now in Controversie between us and the Roman Church: (and fet down in the Creed of Pope Pius IV. as neceffary to Salvation) but they all contented themselves with the fimple belief of those things, which the Apostles have delivered in their Creed; the greatest Men in the Church delivering no more, nor the meaneft faying lefs. And with this, wife and good Men fatisfied themselves in times fucceeding, as appears by this remarkable Paffage of St. Hilary in his little Book, which he himself delivered to the Emperor Conftantius. Where he thus complains, Faith is now enquired after; as if we had none. Faith must be fet down in writing; as if it were not in the heart. Being regenerated by Faith, we are now taught what to believe; as if that Regeneration could have been without Faith. WE LEARN CHRIST AFTER BAPTISM; AS IF THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ANY BAPTISM, WITHOUT FAITH IN CHRIST.

SECT. V.

Christianity therefore is not there in its Purity; but much corrupted.

WHICH is a fufficient Argument to

prove that the Christian Religion is not fincerely preferved in that Church: and ought to with-hold us from joyning with them, in imposing thus upon the Chriftian World; and thereby