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followed。 For it is an hypothesis of the Christian Faith； that
God speaks not in things supernaturall； but by the way of
Christian Interpreters of holy Scriptures。 But what？ Must we
resist Princes when we cannot obey them？ Truly no； for this is
contrary to our civill Covenant。 What must we doe then？ Goe to
Christ by Martyrdome。 Which if it seem to any man to be an hard
saying； most certain it is that he beleeves not with his whole
heart THAT IESUS IS THE CHRIST the Sonne of the living God； （for
he would then desire to be dissolved； and to be with Christ） but
he would by a feigned Christian Faith elude that obedience which
he hath contracted to yeeld up unto the City。
XIV。 But some men perhaps will wonder； if； （excepting this
one Article； that IESUS IS THE CHRIST； which only is necessary to
salvation in relation to internall faith） all the rest belong to
obedience； which may be performed； although a man doe not
inwardly beleeve； （so he doe but desire to beleeve； and make an
outward profession； as oft as need requires； of whatsoever is
propounded by the Church）； how it comes about that there are so
many Tenets which are all held so to concern our Faith； that
except a man doe inwardly beleeve them； He cannot enter into the
Kingdome of Heaven。 But if he consider that in most controversies
the contention is about humane Soveraignty； in some； matter of
gain； and profit； in others； the glory of Wits； he will surely
wonder the lesse。 The question about the propriety of the Church；
is a question about the Right of Soveraignty； for； it being known
what a Church is； it is known at once to whom the Rule over
Christians doth belong。 For if every Christian City be that
Church which Christ himselfe hath commanded every Christian
subject to that city； to hear； then every subject is bound to
obey his City； that is to say； Him； or them who have the supreme
power； not only in temporall but also in spirituall matters。 But
if every Christian City be not that Church； then is there some
other Church more universall； which must be obeyed。 All
Christians therefore must obey that Church just as they would
obey Christ if He came upon Earth。 She will therfore rule either
by the way of Monarchy； or by some Assembly： This question then
concerns the Right of ruling。 To the same end belongs the
question concerning infallibility； for whosoever were truly； and
internally beleeved by all mankinde； that he could not erre；
would be sure of all Dominion； as well temporall as spirituall；
over all mankinde； unlesse himselfe would refuse it； for if he
say that he must be obeyed in temporalls； because it is supposed
he cannot erre； that Right of Dominion is immediately granted
him。 Hither also tends the priviledge of interpreting Scriptures。
For he to whom it belongs to interpret the controversies arising
from the divers interpretations of Scriptures； hath authority
also simply and absolutely to determine all manner of
controversies whatsoever。 but he who hath this； hath also the
command over all men who acknowledge the Scriptures to be the
Word of God。 To this end drive all the disputes about the Power
of remitting； and retaining sinnes； or the authority of
excommunication。 For every man； if he be in his wits； will in all
things yeeld that man an absolute obedience； by vertue of whose
sentence he beleeves himselfe to be either saved； or damned。
Hither also tends the power of instituting societies； for they
depend on him by whom they subsist； who hath as many subjects as
Monks； although living in an Enemies City。 To this end also
refers the question concerning the Iudge of lawfull Matrimony；
for he to whom that judicature belongs； to him also pertains the
knowledge of all those cases which concern the inheritance； and
succession to all the goods； and Rights； not of private men
onely； but also of Soveraign Princes。 And hither also in some
respect tends the Virgin…life of Ecclesiasticall Persons； for
unmarried men have lesse coherence then others with civill
society： and besides； it is an inconvenience not to be slighted；
that Princes must either necessarily forgoe the Priesthood （which
is a great bond of civill obedience） or have no hereditary
Kingdome。 To this end also tends the canonization of Saints which
the Heathen called Apotheosis； for he that can allure forraign
subjects with so great a reward； may bring those who are greedy
of such glory to dare； and doe any thing。 For what was it but an
honourable Name with posterity？ which the Decii and other Romans
sought after； and a thousand others who cast themselves upon
incredible perils？ The controversies about Purgatory； and
indulgencies； are matter of gain。 The questions of Free…will；
Iustification； and the manner of receiving Christ in the
Sacrament； are Philosophicall。 There are also questions
concerning some Rites not introduced； but left in the Church not
sufficiently purged from gentilisme； but we need reckon no more。
All the world knows that such is the nature of men； that
dissenting in questions which concern their Power； or profit； or
preeminence of Wit； they slander； and curse each other。 It is not
therefore to be wondred at； if almost all tenets （after men grew
hot with disputings） are held forth by some or other to be
necessary to salvation； and for our entrance into the Kingdome of
Heaven； insomuch as they who hold them not； are not only
condemned as guilty of disobedience （which in truth they are
after the Church hath once defined them） but of Infidelity； which
I have declared above to be wrong out of many evident places of
Scripture； to which I adde this one of Saint Pauls； Let not him
that eateth； despise him that eateth not； and let not him that
eateth not； judge him that eateth； for God hath received him。 One
man esteemeth one day above another； another esteemeth every day
alike。 Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind； Rom。 14。
v。 3； 5。
The End