that, on the contrary, knowing and believing, as needs they must, such monsters and horrours to be odious and detestable in the sight both of God and man, they should, nevertheless, upon the very brink of eternity, wittingly and willingly cast themselves head-long into an assured damnation, and this at a time when they might have saved both bodyes and souls, by meerly discharging a good conscience in acknowledgthis ing the truth, and becoming honest men; I say is inhumane, and contradictory to all sense and reason to believe.

Now, therefore, I am come to what you so often and so earnestly press me to, viz. to satisfy the world, and cleare myself, my fellowsufferers, and my religion, from the imputation laid upon us, on pretence of such principles, by a true and candid explanation of my belief and judgment, in the main points of faith and loyalty, controverted between Catholicks and Potestants as they severally relate to God and the king:

"Of the Catholick Faith, and Church in general.-1. The fruition of God, and remission of sin, is not attainable by man, otherwise than in and by the merits of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who gratis purchased it for us.

2. These merits of Christ are not applyed to us, otherwise than by a right faith in Christ.

3. This faith is but one, entire and conformable to its object, being divine revelations, to all which faith giveth an undoubted assent.

4. These revelations containe many mysteries, transcending the natural reach of humain wit or industry. Wherefore,

5. It became the divine wisdom and goodness, to provide man of some way or means whereby he might arrive to the knowledge of these mysteries; means visible and apparent to all; means proportionable to the capacityes of all; means sure and certain to all.

6. This way, or means, is not the reading of Scriptures, interpreted according to the private reason or spirit of every disjunctive person, or nation in particular. But,

7. It is an attention and submission to the doctrine of the Catholick or Universal Church, established by Christ for the instruction of all, spread for that end throughout all nations, and visibly continued in a succession of pastors and people throughout all ages: from which Church, guided in truth, and secured from error in matters of faith, by the promised assistance of the Holy Ghost, every one may and ought to learn both the right sence of scripture, and all other Christian mysteries and duties, respectively necessary to salvation.

8. This church, thus spread, thus guided, thus visibly continued, in one uniform faith, and subordination of government, is that self-same which is termed the Roman Catholick Church, the qualifications above-mentioned, being applicable to no other church or assembly what

soever.

9. From the testimony and authority of this church it is, that we receive and believe the scripture to be God's word. And as she can assuredly tell us, this or that book is God's word, so can she with the like assurance, tell us also the true sence and meaning of it in controverted points of faith; the same spirit that writ the scripture, enlightning her to understand both it and all other matters necessary to salvation, From these grounds it followeth,

10. All and only divine revelations delivered by God to the church, and proposed by her to be believed as such, are and ought to be esteemed articles of faith, and the contrary opinions, heresie. And

11. As an obstinate separation from the unity of the church, in known declared matters of faith, is formal heresie; so a wilful separation from the visible unity of the same church, in matters of subordination and government, is formal schism.

12. The church proposeth unto us matters of

faith: First, and chiefly, by the holy scripture, in points plain and intelligible in it. Secondly, by definitions of General Councils, in points not sufficiently explained in scripture... Thirdly, by apostolical traditions, derived from Christ and his Apostles, to all succeeding ages. Fourthly, by her practice, worship, and ceremonies, confirming her doctrine.

Of Spiritual and Temporal Authority.-1. General Councils (which are the church of God, representative) have no commission from Christ to fraime new matters of faith, (these being sole divine revelations) but only to explain and ascertain unto us, what anciently was, and is received and retained as of faith in the church, upon arising debates or controversies about them. The definitions of which, general Councils in matters of faith only and proposed as such, oblige, under pain of heresie, all the faithful, to a submission of judgement. But

2. It is no article of faith to believe, that general Councils cannot err, either in matters of fact or discipline, alterable by circumstances of time and place; or in matters of speculation or civil policy, depending on meer humane judgement or testimony. Neither of these being divine revelations, deposited in the Catholick church; in regard to which alone she hath the promised assistance of the Holy Ghost. Hence it is deduced:

3. If a general Council (much less a Papal consistory) should undertake to depose a king, and absolve his subjects from their allegiance, no Catholick, as Catholick, is bound to submit to such a decree. Hence, also, it followeth :

4. The subjects of the king of England lawfully may, without the least breach of any Catholick principle, renounce, even upon oath, the doctrine of deposing kings excommunicated for heresie, by any authority whatsoever, as repugnant to the fundamental laws of the nation, injurious to sovereign power, destructive to the peace and government, and by consequence, in his Majesty's subjects, impious and damnable. Yet not properly heretical, taking the word heretical in that connatural, genuine sence, it is usually understood in the Catholick church; on which account chiefly it is, that many Catholicks of tender consciences refuse the oath, commonly called the oath of allegiance.

5. Catholicks believe, that the bishop of Rome is the successor of St. Peter, vicar of Jesus Christ upon earth, and Head of the whole Catholick church; which church is therefore fitly styled Roman Catholick, being an universal body united under one visible head. Nevertheless,

6. It is no matter of faith to believe, that the Pope is in himself infallible, separated from a general Council, even in expounding the faith: