REligion , that choise Evangelical Pearle . Matth 13. the best Inheritance , and richest Treasure God hath bequeathed to Christians , though found and strongly guarded , meet 's yet with many who long since , had their weak attempts preuailed , would haue thrown it out of the world . Atheist's deny à Deity , the only fundation of Religion , Iewes oppose Christ , the great Master of Truth , and Heretiques band against an euidenced vniversal Church , that large field wherein this precious Iewel is found . These Aduersaries we encounter , and our design is both to vnbeguile and silence them . In the first place we attaque those grosser Enemies , Atheists , Iewes , Turks , and Infidels . This done , we enter vpon the main matter , and freindly treat with our Modern Sectaries by the force of plain and vndeniable Principles : If these stand ( which none can shake ) Protestancy fall's to nothing . I call this Treatise the Rule of Faith , where you haue the Inducements , which lead to the knowledge of true Religion clearly proposed , and strongly Maintained against all Opposers , whose cauils and Calumnies repugnant to truth , will appear as they are vain and forceles , after due ponderation of the Principles we rely on .

The prudent search after Religion is euer made and first begun with Reason , or à rational discourse , for I hold this Principle indubitable . None can assent to the high reuealed Mysteries of Faith , without preuious euidence had of their Credibility laid forth to reason ▪ Now because Atheists , Arians , and all Heretiques , hold what they teach reasonable , it is necessary to distinguish between false and true Reason , as also rigidly to Examin what euer belongs to that whole Matter , which is amply done in the 14 th 15 th . . and , 16 th . Chapters of the third Discourse , where we prove that Religion is only Reasonable , which Heaven it selfe declares reasonable , by such visible , sensible , and illustrious Marks as haue gained Millions to believe in Christ , and no other but God's Infinite Power and wisdom , can produce . Herevpon , we lay forth the signal Marks of the Roman Catholick Church , clear Cognisances of an Infinite Power and Wisdom , Miracles most euident , Conversions of Nations wrought by Her , Succession of Pastors , euer since the Apostles preached , with à strict vnity of one Faith in all that Professed Her Doctrin . We look next vpon this late risen Protestancy and find it naked , vtterly strip't of all supernatural Motives : No Miracles , no Conuersions , no vnity in Faith to countenance the Nouelty , and therefore conclude that the Professors of it who seemingly stand for Reason , and slight an euidenced Church , are most vnreasonable , and as dayly experience teaches , meer Scepticks in Matters of Religion .

Clemens Rom. in Recog: D. Petri. hereafter cited , gives this wise Counsel to euery prudent seeker after Truth . Before all things examin well by the light of rational Motiues ; whether one that pretend's to speak in the name of God , and call's himselfe à Prophet sent to preach , proues himselfe to be really so . Thus much learned ( and the knowledge is easily gained , because grounded vpon euidence ) belieue boldly all he teaches , though his Doctrin be sublime , and seem's difficult to weak reason . The first conuerted Christians were thus induced by the Lustre of our Sauiours glorious Miracles and other Signal wonders , to own him as he was , à great Prophet , or the true Messias sent from God , and afterward belieued what euer Doctrin he taught , vpon his own Infallible word . Apply what is here said to the Roman Catholick Church , you will find this great Truth made manifest in the following Discourses . viz. That as no Prophet , no Doctor , ever came neer Christ our Lord in the wonders he wrought , so no Society of men since thé world stood , was , or is Comparable in Miracles and other Cognizances of truth , to the Roman Catholick Church . She as I now said , and no other Society , shewes you à Continued Succession of Pastors , of Princes , and People since the first Plantation of the Gospel . She and no other , hath been always reverenced all Nations over , and was neuer opposed by Orthodox Christians . She giues you à large Catalogue of Innumerable Professors eminent in learning , in wisdom , and sanctity of life . In Her the ancient Predictions of Prophets , are literally fulfilled . Her vniuersal extent far and neer , is euident ; The Conuersions wrought by her , Euident . The Courage and Constancy of Martyrs who dyed for her Faith , Euident . Her ancient Possession of truth ( for Confessedly she was once Orthodox ) is vndeniable , And this is the Church , Gentle Reader , our Sectaries would destroy , This Oracle , though signalized with so many Illustrious Marks , and Indications proceeding from God , inspite of Heaven , they iniuriously Calumniate as Idolatrous , and Heretical , And Consequently make those Millions and Millions , who both liuing and dying zealously sought to serve no other but the great God of Truth in this blessed Society , Fools , Madmen , Idolaters , and Heretiques . I say Calumniate , for all they haue done hitherto , or can do for the future , comes to no more but to à flat iniurious Calumny , as is euidenced in the third Discourse . C. 19. where you are told , that whoever impeaches an ancient Church ( once acknowledged Orthodox ) of Idolatry , and proves not his charge , by clear and vndeniable Principles , Calumniates must vniustly , and sin 's damnably , Protestants do so , as is there largely proued , and the truth is manifest in their own writings . They tell vs the Roman Catholick Church though once right in Faith , changed Her ancient Doctrin , we iustly vrge them to prove the Assertion by some vnquestionable Principles , more convincing , or of greater weight and strength to perswade what they assert , then the publick judgement of all sound Christians liuing at that time , to perswade the Contrary ; And Mark à strange Proceeding , the Calumny it selfe is returned vpon vs , without either Proof or probable Principle to vphold it , but their own bare and proofles word . We are told again , there was euer à Catholick Church without blemish , at least in fundamentals , ( for that Article of the Creed . I believe the Holy Catholick Church was true in all Ages ) We seriously demand where , or in what part of Christendom that Orthodox Church ( distinct from the Roman Catholick ) had its being at that time , when the Roman fell from Christ , and became Idolatrous ? There was such à Church which censured and condemned the supposed Roman Errours , or not ; If not , the world vpon those supposed errours , was wholly Churchles . Grant an Orthodox Church distinct from the Roman , She certainly opposed those Imagined false Roman Doctrins , which then began to infect the Moral Body of Christians , and Consequently that Opposition was à thing as notoriously known , as loudly noised some Centuries since , as it is Notoriously known and noised , that our Sectaries haue now espied those false Doctrins . We vrge them to bring to light that publick known Opposition of their Imagined Church , against the Roman Catholick Society fancied à Changling , And what haue we ? Deep silence from some , and from such as dare speak , false Suppositions for Proofs , vnworthy Calumnies for an Answer . Please to se this Argument fully handled . Disc. 2. C. 6.

Time was , the world knowes well , when our Aduersaries auouched they could prove their Protestancy , and refute our Catholick Doctrin by plain and express-Scripture , we come to the true Trial in this Treatise , and in lieu of God's word , find their Books full fraught with meer far-fetcht Glosses . Not one Passage I boldly assert , ( and put Sectaries to the Proof ) fauours this Protestancy , as it is distinguished from Popery , and the known Heresies of former Ages . Now that nothing from Scripture can be alleged Contrary to our Catholick Doctrin , is manifest vpon this one Principle , which none shall overthrow . What Scripture faithfully interpreted teaches in these weighty matters of Religion , some Orthodox Church delivered in foregoing Ages : For example . If Scripture deny Adoration to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament , or Transubstantiation , an Orthodox Church , which cannot clash with the verities of God's word , in some Age or other maintained these Protestant Tenets , and published them to Christians , But no Orthodox Church euer sided with Sectaries , or taught such Doctrins , Therefore their pretence to Scripture against our Catholick Tenets is friuolous , and implies no more but à false supposition for à Proof . And this strain of turning bare Suppositions into proofs , which never go beyond the strength of their own vnproued Assertions , so vniuersally trancends all their Polemicks that I stand astonished , to se men who will be accounted learned , wholly busied in doing Nothing . Reflect I beseech you à little . They haue been told , and I remind them of it again in this Treatise , that whoeuer makes the Roman Church Idolatrous or Erroneous , must hold the supposed Idolatry and errour so remediles an Euil , that none on earth can redress either , because all the Proofs or Principles whereby the Reformation should be made , will euidently appear less ponderous to Euince this Church guilty of errour , then Her sole Authority is to perswade the Contrary , viz. That she neuer erred . Wherefore Sectaries Confessedly fallible men , desperatly adventure to reform vs , and cannot but spoile all they go about to mend , whilst they Euidence not , whilst they plead not , by the Authority of an Antient Orthodox Church which taught that very Protestancy they teach now , and decryed these Supposed Popish errours as loudly as they decry them : But to do thus much is impossible , as manifestly appears by their own writings , For tell me I beseech you , whoever yet heard Protestant in all those weak skirmishes made against Catholick Religion , Say plainly and prove it . Such à Church reputed Orthodox fiue or Six Ages since , taught as we teach , sensed Scriptures as we sense them , Christians then vniuersally belieued no Real Presence , No sacrifice of the Masse &c. Has euer Protestant , I say , gon thus groundedly to work ? No , Most euidently , No. I shall highly extoll the man that will dare to proceed so ingenuously , but find none engaged in this right way of Arguing . It s true , some who leap over the heads of all their more Immediate Ancestors , between Luther and the three or four first Centuries , tell vs those Primitiue Christians were good Protestants like them . Ill luck Say I that Protestancy had , not to be intailed vpon some Successors in following Ages , for most certainly since those dayes , the world neuer saw Protestant before Luther . In à word the Assertion is à loud vntruth , an vnworthy begging of Question , and besides implies à fancied supposition for à Proof . To show this , we reduce these ranging Spirits to a lesser compass , and oblige them to name but one Protestant , neerer their shameful Reuolt from our Catholick Society . Here they stand grauelled , as mute as fishes , and are highly angry , because we touch them where they are most weak .

This want of à Church to ground Protestancy vpon , makes their Polemicks to be as they appear , rambling , faint , shallow , and so dissatisfactory , that great patience is requisite to peruse them . Wonder nothing , they can do no better , Rebells they are against an antient Church , and their handling Controuersies may well be compared with the proceeding of Rebells in à Common wealth , who curiously mark , and diligently attend to what euer may seem welcome to your ignorant , seduced , and disgusted Multitudes , That , be it what you will , is fomented , that 's laid forth , and inculcated . It is no newes to tell you , that our Ministers in England now for à long time , haue had à number of seduced People bread in their own rebellious bosomes , and brought vp in à spirit of Schism , who God knowes haue heard little , but of the Idolatry , of the Superstitions , and wickednes of some Professed Catholicks . O , say these Incendiaries , we will nourish this Popular humour with food suitable to its palate , we will write Books of this Popish Idolatry , we haue tongues and can poyson with delight , we will lay forth in folio what we conceiue of the Roman Superstiti●ns , and the wickednes of Popes . We know well to Cauil , and how to ensnare the vulgar , on whom we depend , when our Cauils are once out , though neither reducible to Principles , nor subiect to the Censure of any Iudge ( for we own none ) let them shift for themselves . Our only care is to talk on , though we prove nothing , And chiefly to be wary in one particular , It is never to mention any thing of à Church which taught Protestancy before Luther , meddle with that Mischiuous difficulty we are vndon , for really we have no such Church . This in à word ( and much worse ) is Protestancy , as is amply declared in the following Treatise , where you also haue the distinctiue Cognisances of Christ's true Church , the Rule of Faith , and the Properties of à Rule explained ; withall , an easy way whereby to put an end to these vnfortunate Controversies . You haue moreover the Infallibility of the Roman Catholick Church asserted , Faith resolued into its true Principles , Mr Stillingfleets grosser Errours discouered , The Reasonableness of Catholick Religion laid forth to euery rational man , And to omit other Questions ( all cannot be hinted at in the narrow compasse of à Preface ) you haue this great Truth proved . viz. That if the Roman Catholick Church hath taught but one false Article , and obliged all Christians to belieue it vnder pain of damnation , there neither is at this day , nor was before Luther any true faith in the world . Wherefore Sectaries who haue made it their chiefe busines to impeach our Church of Idolatry , and Heresy ( and the louder they cryed , the more they thought to destroy vs ) haue done their vtmost to ruin all the Churches on earth , and proue themselues thereby both Faithles and Churchles . But enough for à Preface . Open and read . Approue or condemn , as reason shall guide you . In case you Condemn , please to say , Why , and shew me where I erre in Principles . Pardon the faults of the Printer which are many ( he is à stranger to our Language ) except against mine boldly , if you find any , but do it with Charity , and still , for this I must inculcate again and again , Remember Principles .

My proceeding with you , Sr , is quite contrary , I slight nor your person , but say plainly where your great mistake lies in handling Controuersies . You run head-long into the deep Mysteries of Faith by the ill conduct of your weak , or not well sighted reason , and after à few stagg ring thoughts spent in weighing , and musing vpon the difficulties , which appear to you in the Mysteries , you will needs tell vs what 's true , what 's false , and therefore boldly take , and reiect , as you like best . It is à perplexed way , Sr , which will neuer make , you either Good Christian , good Diuine , or so much as à mean Proficient in Christ's School . In following it , you are just like one ( as I tell you in the Treatise ) that takes wholsome Pills into his Mouth , chewes them , find's them bitter , and spitt's all out . Hence it is , you spit at the Doctrins of Transubstantiation , of Purgatory &c. because forsooth , they are distastful to sense and shallow reason . And truly , Sr , it is wonderful , that you haue not long since by this procedure , cast off the Doctrin of the sacred Trinity , For most certainly might sense and weak reason plead the Cause here , far greater difficulties would occur against that sublime Mystery , then euer Protestants yet proposed against our other Catholick Tenents . In a word , Sr , if you desire satisfaction in matters of Religion , busy not your head with the examination of the Diuine Mysteries Considered in themselues ▪ they are aboue your reach , but contrarywise , consider well , how and by what means they are made Credible to reason , which is done as S. Austin , cited afterward , tell 's you , by first finding out that clear marked , and signalized Church , whereby God speaks , This Oracle once discouered ( and the Discouery grounded vpon Euidence , is easy ) Hear and Believe Her , She is wiser then you , and never think to shake so strong à Fortress , by devising pcrty Arguments against Her Doctrin ( no sooner seen then solued ) because , forsooth , you cannot Comprehend it .

But it is high time to end and I shall do so , with one word more of good aduice . Fooles they say may sometimes give à wise man Counsel . Sr , if you intend to write any more , Consider for your own sake , what you write , weigh things well in your thoughts , before they pass your pen. Haue alwaies this one reflexion in mind . It s easy to Cauil , easy to talk much , but most laborious to make sure what you say , by sound Principles , And Principles your Aduersaries euer haue an Eye to . Had you complyed with this Aduice , the greatest part of your Account ( if not all ) might well have been spared . Never rely on the vain prayses of your vulgar Readers , all is not gold that glisters in their Eyes , nor do they alwayes speak as they think . For as much as concern's your selfe , shew , sr , rather the strength of à Father in louing your works , then the weaknes of à fond Mother that hugg's her Brats , though most deformed . I am told , you imagin it à great Acchieuement , and your selfe the conquerour , in hauing gain'd onc priuate man T. C. to follow your triumphant Chariot , Abuse not your Iudgement there is no such matter , for in good sober earnest by what I haue perused in T. C. his book rather seem's to be an answer to yours , then yours to his . Abstain hereafter from opprobrious Language , lest you meet with some ruffing Adversary that will pay you in your own Coyn. Please to vse your Buckler better in behalfe of Protestancy , and tell me when your Negatiue Articles are thrown away ( as not reuealed ) what essential Truth remain's within the Compasse of Protestancy , reuealed by Almighty God , and necessary to Saluation . If you think it the wisest Course , not to take notice of what is proposed against you in this Treatise , vouchsafe to clear your selfe of the Contradictions charged vpon you . And because I find you much intangled in your Resolution of Faith , and haue laid your mistakes open to publick view ; when the Spirit of answering fall's vpon you again , Answer I beseech you , to the difficulties Obiected in the third Discourse , But aboue all Answer to God with à hearty repentance , for the wrong you haue done his Church , and own me .