An ansvver to the calumnious letter and erroneous propositions of an apostat named M. Io. Hammiltoun. Composed by M. VVilliam Fouler

❧ THE SECOVND. The Kirk of Christ is the sure rock of ver••le, Sa it is impossible Scho can erre in on•• thing pertenand to mens Saluatioun.

Quhat is the meaning of this apostat I sal schortly expone The papists affirmes that the Kirk of Christ, euin in sic thigs as it decreits or decernis without the word of God, can not erre. Our assertioun vpon this head is this, In admitting sa far the Kirk dois not erre, quhen hir awin wisdome being re∣mouit, sho suffers her self through the haly spirit, be ye word of God to be gouernit. the controuersie remains in this point we will haue the autoritie of the Kirk annexit to the word of God, and subiect to the voyce of her Spouse: thay will haue it aboue the word, and consequently aboue the halye Gaist:* 1.1 because inseperablie thay ar cōioynit. Bot to ʒour probatiōs.

ADV. This conclusioun is confirm¦it in S. Mathew, quhair Christ promisit to Peter that the gates of hel sal not preuail against his Kirk.

ANS. We confes that Christ hes promised that the ports and gaits of he sal not preuail against the elect. That is, that thay sall not alluterly ouerthrowe them, albeit in sum things and for a tyme thay may fall.

* 1.2AD. And S. Iohne say is I sall pray the Father and he sal giue them the haly Spreit to remaine with them for euer.

AN. I answer that this promeis of Christ is maid vnto the elect & chosin children. nether ʒit so to them, but they lea∣ning vpoun thair awin iudgement ar oft tymes suffred to fal, baith in doctrinee and maners. Quhilk insirmityes notwith∣standing sal na way preiudge thair saluatioun. As by monye hundereth examples of the seruands of God is prouin. Sa yat the Spreit of God is neuer alluterly remouit from them. Bot ʒit sumtyme thay feil the weight of thair imperfections wher in neuertheles that Heuinly seid of regeneratioun do thar••f∣ter vtter the selfe.

AD And be S▪ Paul to Tim calling the Kirk the piller and sure ground of veritie.

AN. I answer that it is not so called absolntly, & without all respect so pronuncit by the Apostle, for then Christe war not the sure grund & corner stane thairof, quhilk is not only maist absurd to affirme: bot contrair the Epistle to Corinth, and Ephesi. thairfore to ansuer directly: in this respect ye kirk is the sure ground of veritie. Because Gods word, & haly scrip teurs quhilks are the veritie, vphalds the Kirk.

AD. Of this conclusioun it is notoriously knawin to al vneffectionat me, that the mi∣nisters of Scotland a•• blasphemous against Gods promeis▪ quhen they teache & preiche that the Kirk of God may erre in ony head of Saluatioun.

AN. Blasphemous mouth, thy foolish iudgement & blind∣nes conioynit with extreme malice heirby mair suffiàiently is discouered. Our myndes we haue declarit vpon this mater, vnto to the quhilk we adioyne, that Christ hes left his word vn∣to his Kirk, euen as an compas in an Schip. quhairunto if the Mariners haue regard, the Schip dois not erre nor go astray. Let in lykewaise the woord of God suffice for an Compasse quhairby the Kirk may be reulit that sho erre not.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 14 •• 16.
• * 1.2

  Ioh. 14.