FO

OURTHLY, Tis pretended that we are no Church, because we have no true Bishops, Priests and Deacons among us; the Orders of our pretended Minifters being Invalid. To this Objection I anfwer, that fince our Adverfaries do acknowledge, that their own Ordinations were valid at the time of the Reformation 'tis plain, that our Orders which are deriv'd from them, muft alfo be valid, unless we have forfeited our Or ders by the Reformation. Now 'tis plain that we did not forfeit our Orders by a Schifmatical Reformation; for I have fufficiently disprov'd and returned the charge of Schifm in the firft Chapter of this third Part. Nor can it be pretended, that we have forfeited our Orders by any Herefy; fince I have fhewn that thofe things wherein we differ from our Adverfaries, do not make us Heretics, but Profeffors of the Purity of the Chriftian Religion. Nor have we forfeited our Orders by making a Reformation; unlefs the removal of abufes, and reftoring the purity of Religion, can be thought fufficient to null our Orders. Wherefore 'tis plain, that our Orders are not forfeited, but continue in full, or rather in fuller force than

As for the pretended Nag's-head Fable, 'tis abundantly confuted by many learned Men; particularly

by

Ch. III. 353 by Dr. (a) Mafon, Bishop (b) Brambal, and Mr. (c)

Brown.

As for the pretended Irregularity of the Confecration of fome of our Bifhops, I defire the Reader to confider, what Dr. (d) Saywell has faid in anfwer to it. But if it were granted, that the Confecration of them was irregular; yet it was not defective in the Effentials of Epifcopal Confecration. It was only against a certain Canon of a General Council: but not against the Scriptures. And if the Iniquities of the Times, and the Corruptions of the Church, and the perverfeness of our Adverfaries, made fuch fmall Irregularities neceffary; they are not to be charged upon us. However, it do's not and cannot affect the validity of our Orders; tho' it might have feem'd an argument against the manner and fitnefs of our Proceedings, if it had been poffible for us to have acted otherwife.

I fhall add no more upon this Head, tho' the matter might eafily lead me to many Difputes: because I am perfuaded, that what I have already offer'd, is a fatisfactory answer to the whole Objection.

(a) Mafon's Apol. lib. 3. chap. 8. Lond. 1625. (b) Bramhal's Defence of the Church of England, chap. 5. (c) Brown's Conciones dux, Cantabr. (d) Saywell's Vindication of the Reformation of the Church, &c.

N

迎

CHAP.

CHAP. V.

The pretence of greater Safety in the Roman Com munion, than in the Communion of the Church of England, anfwer'd.

ASTLY, 'Tis pretended that there is great

er fafety in the Roman Communion, than in the Communion of the Church of England; because we acknowledge that the Papifts may be faved, but the Papifts do not acknowledge that the Protestants may be fav'd. And therefore 'tis more advifable for a Man to continue in the profeffion of Popery, wherein 'tis granted on both fides, that there is a poffibility of Salvation; than to forfake Popery, without which one Party thinks it impoffible to be fav'd. But this pretence of greater fafety is easily anfwer'd, if we confider why, and for what Reafons, we Proteftans fay 'tis poffible for a Papift to go to Heaven.

That Popery is finful, and in its own nature damnable, we Proteftants are all agreed; and I think, I have fufficiently prov'd it: and therefore if a Man perfift in the Roman Communion, when he has had opportunities of difcovering the Errors of Popery, 'tis as utterly impoffible for him to enter into Heaven, as for a Thief or a Murderer, or any other the greateft Villain. But we are heartily willing to believe, that many Perfons are deluded by the Priefts, and are alfo otherwise excufable in their ignorance: and therefore we do not think it

impoffible for God to have pity on them; and for this reason we hope that a Papist may be fav'd.

But what will this advantage the prefent Obje&tors? If they are not fatisfy'd of the unlawfulnefs of continuing in the Roman Communion, we do not defire them to leave it but if they are fatisfy'd of the unlawfulness of continuing therein, 'tis in vain to pretend a poffibility of being fav'd in it. For tho' fuch as know no better may be fav'd, altho' they continue Papifts: yet fuch as are inform'd and convinc'd of their Errors, are incapable of falvation, if they ftill profefs and maintain them.

Let each Perfon therefore fit down, and confider feriously. Let him carefully weigh the Arguments on both fides, and judge impartially: and then let him determine, and act accordingly. If he does not fee reafon to change his Profeffion, yet let him judge charitably of thofe that differ from him: but if he finds himself to have been in the wrong, let him earneftly endeavor to be in the right. And if thefe Papers may have contributed to his difcovery of the truth, I humbly beg him to pray for the unworthy Author of them.

I fhall conclude with an excellent Collect of the Holy and Charitable Church of England.

Almighty God, who fheweft to them that be in error the light of thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may eschew thofe things that are contrary to their profeffion, and follow all fuch things as are agreeable to the fame, through our Lord. Jefus Chrift. Amen.

The E N D.