The CREED of Pope Pius IV. &c.

THE words, Representing and Misrepresenting, have of late made a great noise among us; some Gen­tlemen of the Roman Communion having made it their business to persuade the World, that we of the Church of England have entertained a very strange and false Idea of their Religion, and according to our own No­tions of it, represented it as theirs, which they tell us is downright Misrepresenting. It is not my design to engage in this Controversie, it hath been sufficiently done by o­ther hands, and so sufficiently, that the Answerer in his Answer to the Amicable Accommodation, I think had good reason to say, that the matter was drove as far as it would bear. Nor is it my intent to justify every thing, which, in heat of discourse or disputation, hath been charged up­on that Church by some of our own men; for though per­haps they have said no more than what they have warrant for from some eminent Schoolmen or Casuists of that Church, yet I do not think it reasonable that the particu­lar opinions of private men, though never so eminent in their way, should be charged upon the whole Society of which they are Members, unless they have been owned by some publick and authentick act of that Society. Being unwil­ling therefore to run my self upon that Rock, I have steered another Course, and have made choice of one of the most solemn, publick and authentick Acts of their Church. Viz. The Bull of Pope Pius IV. printed with the Acts of the Council of Trent, and shall charge nothing upon them but what is owned and contained therein. This Bull was dated at Rome in the year of our Lord 1564. in the Ides of November, and the Fifth year of his Pontificat. In this [Page 2] Bull a Form of Faith is drawn up, extracted out of the Council of Trent, which every one who enters into Holy Orders is bound by Oath not onely to believe, but to maintain and defend, and teach the people under their charge, and that under pain of the displeasure of Almighty God, and of his holy Apostles Peter and Paul. And if we may not take this for the Standard of their Faith and Religion, I must confess I do not know where to find it. But I do not know that this ever was, nor do I think it will now be disowned by them, and therefore from hence you may take a prospect of their Religion, and see what it is that will be required of those who joyn in communi­on with them.

The CREED.

Art. I. I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invi­sible.

II. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the onely begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one Substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

III. Who for us men, and for our Salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

IV. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suf­fered and was buried.

V. And the Third Day rose again according to the Scrip­tures.

VI. And ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.

VII. And he shall come again with Glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end.

VIII. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who [Page 3] with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glo­rified, who spake by the Prophets.

IX. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church.

X. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of Sins.

XI. And I look for the Resurrection of the Dead.

XII. And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

Thus far his Holiness thought fit to hold a good corre­spondence with Primitive Christianity, and thus far we can keep pace with him; All these Articles we willingly re­ceive, and firmly believe, because we have good warrant from the holy Scriptures so to do. But if the Church of Rome, or any other Church shall presume to decree any thing against the written Word of God, or besides the same, and impose it as a new Article of Faith necessary to be be­lieved in order to our Salvation, we must beg their pardon, if we cannot so readily comply with them. For as we be­lieve that Jesus Christ is the Authour, so we believe he is the Finisher of our Faith. And as he perfectly knew the whole mind and will of his Father, so did he carefully com­municate the same to his Apostles and Disciples: For, saith he, All things that I have heard of my Father, have I made known to you. John 15.15. And as we believe that the Apostles were instructed and commissionated by him to preach that Faith which they received from him; so we have no reason to doubt but that they did faithfully trans­mit the same to their Successors, the Primitive Fathers of the Christian Church; nor need we to question but that the same Faith hath been carefully conveyed to us, both as it lies dispersed in the holy Scriptures, and as it is summ'd up in those three ancient Creeds, viz. the Nicene, the A­thanasian, and that commonly called the Apostles Creed. Whatsoever therefore we do not find in these Creeds, nor contained in holy Scriptures, nor can be proved thereby, we dare not receive it as an Article of Faith, nor can we think it necessary to Salvation. And here we are left behind, not being able any farther to keep pace with the Church of [Page 4] Rome; but we may comfort our selves in this, that we are left in good company, having Jesus Christ, and his Apostles, and the Primitive Fathers with us. Here therefore let us take up our stand, and from hence take a view of Popery in the following Articles.

Continuation of their Creed.

Art XIII. I most firmly ad­mit and embrace Apostoli­cal and Ecclesiastical Tra­ditions, and all other Ob­servations and Constitutions of the same Church. NOTES upon it. Note: Ecclesiastical Traditions are to be received with e­qual veneration as the Holy Scripture. Sess. 4. Concil. Trid. Decr. de Canon. Script. —pari pietatis affectu ac re­verentiâ, &c.

XIV. I do admit the Holy Scriptures in the same sense that holy Mother Church doth, whose business it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of them; and I will interpret them ac­cording to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. NOTES upon it. Note: By holy Mother Church you must be sure to under­stand the Church of Rome, and if the Scriptures do not speak according to her sense, you must by no means ad­mit of them.

XV. I do profess and believe that there are Seven Sacra­ments of the new Law tru­ly and properly so called, instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary to the salvation of mankind, though not all of them to every one, viz. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Pe­nance, Extreme Ʋnction, Orders, and Marriage, and that they do confer grace; [Page 5] and that of these, Baptism, Confirmation and Orders may not be repeated with­out Sacrilege. I do also re­ceive and admit the re­ceived and approved Rites of the Catholick Church in her solemn administration of the abovesaid Sacraments. NOTES upon it. Note: You must by no means ask questions here, as, In what part of the New Te­stament may I find that Christ did institute these Se­ven Sacraments? Or, Where may I meet with the pro­mise annexed, by virtue of which they do confer grace? Or, Where and when did our Lord make all these ne­cessary to salvation? These are idle and frivolous questi­ons, you must believe as the Catholick Church believes, and do as she doth, but by Catholick Church, you must be sure always to under­stand the Roman Church, though in so doing, you believe a part to be the whole.

XVI. I do embrace and re­ceive all and every thing that hath been defined and declared by the holy Coun­cil of Trent concerning Ori­ginal Sin, and Justification. NOTES upon it. Note: Though St. Paul call Con­cupiscence Sin, yet you must not do so. Decret. de Peccat. Origin. Sess. 5. Conc. Trid. Though Christ tell you that when you have done all that is commanded, still you are unprofitable servants, you have done no more than your duty. Yet, if you will be a true Catholick, you must believe, that the good works of Justified persons do truly merit increase of grace here, and eternal life hereafter. Sess. 6. Can. 32.

XVII. I do also profess, that in the Mass there is offered unto God a true, proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and the dead; and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly, really▪ and substantially the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that there is a conversion made of the whole Substance [Page 6]of the Bread into the Body, and of the whole substance of the Wine into the Blood; which conversion the Ca­tholick Church calls Tran­substantiation. NOTES upon it. Note: Though Christ, by being once offered, hath put away sin by the sacrifice of him­self, and therefore need not to be offered again, Heb. 9. yet you must believe that he is daily offered, and it may be in 10000 places at once, a true, proper, and propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and the dead. And why should you not believe so, seeing the Catholick (i. e. the Roman Catholick) Church hath defined and de­clared it to be so? If you say that you find nothing for it, but much against it in holy Scripture, this is to appeal from the Judgment of the Church to your own, which by no means must be allow­ed: But how do you know that there is any thing in Scripture against it? you will tell me you see and reade it there. But do you think it is fit for you to trust your own eyes against so plain a declaration of the Church? Because you see and feel and taste, and thereupon judge a consecra­ted Host to be really Bread still, do you think it is fit for you to believe so, when the Church hath told you the con­trary? Have a care, this is a dangerous point. If you will be a true Catholick, you must resolve to renounce all the evidence of Sense and Reason, in this matter, and to live by an implicit faith.

XVIII. I confess that under one kind only, whole and en­tire Christ, and a true Sa­crament is taken and re­ceived. "NOTES upon it." Note: Though Christ left you a whole Sacrament, yet you must be content with half an one. Though Christ, after his Supper, instituted, and administred this vene­rable Sacrament under both kinds of Bread and Wine, though in the Primitive Church this Sacrament was recei­ved by the faithfull in both kinds; yet all this notwith­standing, you must now rest satisfied with half of it, and that for divers good causes and considerations, as to in­stance, lest you spill the Wine upon your Beards, &c. And will you still stick to the Institution of Christ against such a declaration of the Church? have a care, there is an Anathema provided for you, and the censure and punish­ment of Hereticks will fall to your share. Concil. Constant. Sess. 13. Concil. Trid. Sess. 13. Can. 3.

[Page 7] XIX. I do firmly believe that there is a Purgatory, and that the Souls kept priso­ners there, do receive help by the suffrages of the faithfull. NOTES upon it. Note: Though in holy Scripture there be no mention made of any other place after this life, but either Heaven or Hell; yet holy Church tells you there is another called Purgatory, and why should you not believe her? Though Christ tell you, that when you have done all that is commanded, you are still unpro­fitable servants, having done no more but what was your duty to doe; yet why should not you believe as the Church believes, that some men may do more than their duties, and by an over measure of merits help others?

XX. I do likewise believe, that the Saints reigning to­gether with Christ, are to be worshipped and prayed unto, and that they do of­fer Prayers unto God for us, and that their Relicks are to be had in veneration. NOTES upon it. Note: Though you be no where commanded to pray to any other but only God, though there be but one Mediatour between God and Man, viz. Christ Jesus; yet why should you deprive your selves of the benefit of such powerfull Mediators, as the Saints in Heaven may be, when the Church teacheth you to make use of them?

XXI. I do most firmly assert, that the Images of Christ, of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God, and of other Saints, ought to be had and retained, and that due ho­nour and veneration ought to be given to them. NOTES upon it. Note: Though by the second Commandment you are for­bidden to make to your selves any graven Images, or to bow down to them, or worship them: yet this notwithstand­ing, why should not you com­ply with the Doctrin and Pra­ctice of the Church, in ma­king to your selves graven Images, bowing down to them, and in praying, lighting Candles, and burning Incense before them?

[Page 8] XXII. I do affirm, that the power of Indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that the use of them is very beneficial to Christian people. NOTES upon it. Note: Though your sins be great and heinous, yet if for a summ of Money you can procure a Pardon; if the price be set, and nothing wanting but to pay the Mo­ney with one hand, and re­ceive the Indulgence with the other; Vide Tax. Camer. A­postol. why then should you not comply with the Doc­trine of Indulgences, which is so comfortable in it self, and so advantagious unto you?

XXIII. I do acknowledge the Holy, Catholick, and Apostolick Roman Church, to be the Mother and Mi­stress of all Churches; and I do promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Je­sus Christ. NOTES upon it. Note: If you can believe that a Part is the Whole, why should you not believe the Church of Rome to be the Catholick Church? If you can believe that the Church of Jerusalem, and all other Churches in all parts of the world received their Religi­on from Her, why should you not believe that she is the Mother of all other Churches? If you can believe that any one Church in the world hath a Sovereign Power and Authority over all other Churches; why should you not believe the Church of Rome hath, and consequently is Mistress of all other Churches? If you can believe that among equals there is any Superio­rity, why should you not believe that St. Peter was Prince of the Apostles? and consequently that the Bishop of Rome, as his Successor, is Bishop of Bishops, and Prince of all Pa­stors? If you can believe that Jesus Christ did constitute and ordain any particular Person upon Earth to be his Vi­car-general in his absence; why should you not believe that the Bishop of Rome, for the time being, is the Man? But if you can believe none of these things, I cannot help it.

[Page 9] XXIV. I do undoubtedly re­ceive and profess all other things which have been de­livered, defined, and de­clared by the Sacred Canons and Oecumenical Councils, and especially by the holy Synod of Trent; and all things contrary thereunto, and all Heresies condemned, rejected, and Anathemati­zed by the Church, I do likewise condemn, reject, and Anathematize. NOTES upon it. Note: If you can believe that all and every thing, which at a­ny time hath been delive­red, defined, and declared, by any General Council, e­specially by that of Trent, doth exactly agree with the Canon of holy Scripture. Or, if you can believe that all and every thing, which at any time hath ben con­demned, rejected, and Ana­thematized by such Councils, is really Heresie, and justly condemned by them. Then why may you not believe as the Church of Rome doth, and receive this as an Article of Faith? But if you cannot believe these things, who can help it.

Thus have I given you a Prospect of Popery without a­ny misrepresentation or prevarication, from a very Au­thentick Record; viz. The Creed of Pope Pius IV. which is received, professed, and sworn to by every one who en­ters into Holy Orders in that Church; and in the close thereof we are told, that the Faith contained therein is so absolutely and indispensibly necessary, that no man can be saved without it. The Creed it self, you see, contains Twen­ty four Articles. The Twelve first of which, we firmly be­lieve and readily embrace, being well assured that they contain nothing in them but Primitive Christianity, and that they are well warranted by the Word of God. The Twelve latter we reject as Innovations and Additions to the Catholick Faith, that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, and which hath been delivered down to us in the holy Scriptures, and the Three Ancient Creeds. In these you have the main Body of Popery, as it stands di­stinguished from Primitive Christianity; the Novelty and [Page 10] unwarrantableness whereof it were no hard matter to de­monstrate, but that hath been done already by better hands, and was no part of my design in these Papers. I intended onely to give you a full view of Popery from an unexcep­tionable Record, and leave you to consider of it. And ha­ving this done, I have onely this request to make, that those, into whose hands these Papers shall come, would sit down, and seriously consider, whether it be fit or safe for them, to mingle such stuff with their Common Christianity.