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AMONG the other arguments of our Aduersaries this is one that we cannot know certain∣ly which are the Traditions of the Apostles, seing that many Heretikes in times past pretented also that their he∣resyes were agreing to Apostolicall Tra∣ditions. Moreouer they obiect that Tradi∣tions may easily be corrupted and changed, and for this cause, Scripture was ordayned that the doctrine deliuered by word of
mouth might continue the longer with∣out any falsification▪ or corruption. But we answere to this their reason: that the auncient Heretikes also by supposed and false Scriptures which they attributed falsely to the Apostles, did confirme and proue their heresies. Many thinges, saith S. Au∣gustine,* 1.1 were alleadged by heretikes as though they were the sayings of the Prophets and Apostles. But yet for all that they were not iudged to be the most certaine and Canonicall Scriptures.
2. But the Traditions of the Apo∣stles may so certainly and easily be known from supposed and false Traditions, as the Canonical Scriptures may be knowne from the Apocriphall, for they are both knowne by the same meanes and autho∣rity, that is to say, by the authority, do∣ctrine, and testimony of the Catholike Church, which neyther can deceiue any nor be deceyued her selfe.
3. And albeit speaking of humane matters the Scripture is more certaine thē Tradition alone, yet it hapneth other∣wise in matters concerning God, because in these there is the authority of God, and the continuall assistance of the holy Ghost hath place, which doth not suffer the Church to erre, and hence it is, that the Tradition only of the Church which
is not so much written in paper as is prin∣ted in the hartes of Christians, is a most certayne, and faithfull keeper of all the* 1.2 pointes of our diuine •…•…aith.
4. Moreouer, if euen Christ himself had with his owne hand writtē in brasse all the pointes of our faith, they should notwithstanding not haue had so great certainty, as now Ecclesiasticall Tradi∣tions haue, vnlesse the same keeper of the diuine doctrine had byn also present. For that which is imprinted in brasse, may be rased and blotted out, and the brasse it selfe may be consumed by fyre. But those thinges which are imprinted in the hartes of Christians by the holy Ghost, can neuer perish, or be any way changed.
5. And what we haue said of know∣ing the Apostolicall Traditions, is to be vnderstood whether the Church assem∣bled in a generall Councel declared it so, or it became knowne and manifest by the continuall and generall custome of the whole Church. Also, whether the que∣stion be of Tradition belonging to faith, or only belonging to rites and Ceremo∣n•…•…es▪ For of the Tradition belonging to faith (that is to say, of not baptizing a∣gaine those which are baptized once be∣fore by heretikes) are these wordes of St.
Augustine. Albeit indeed of this thing, saith he,* 1.3 there can no example be alleadged out of Canonicall Scriptures, yet notwithstanding we hold the truth of the same holy Scriptures in this matter, when we do that which generally the whole Catholike Church holdeth, the which euen the authority of the Scrip∣tures themselues commend vnto vs: so as, because the holy Scripture cannot erre, whosoeuer feareth to be deceaued by the difficultie or obscurity of this que∣stion, let him go to the same Church for counsell, the* 1.4 which the holy Scripture very clearely sheweth and demonstrateth vnto vs. Hitherto S. Augustine. And disputing in another place against the Donatists, concerning the baptisme of Infants. That, saith he, which the whole Ca∣tholike Church holdeth, nor was ordayned by generall Councells, but yet alwaies kept and obserued by all, is most truly to be belieued to haue byn deliuered vn∣to vs by Apostolicall authority.
6. But of the Ecclesiasticall rites and* 1.5 Ceremonies, the same S. Augustine speaketh in this manner. Is the Catholike Church through the whole world hold and practise any thing, it is a signe of great madnesse to dispute, whether it is to be done so or noe. By which wordes of S. Au∣gustine it may easily be vnderstood what was the opinion and vniforme doctrine of the whole auncient Church concerning this point. For our Aduersaries them∣selues do say, that S. Augustine was a most
faithfull witnesse of antiquity, vnto whome I referre the Readers, if they de∣sire to know certainly any more of the sense of Antiquity,
8 Aug. de Ciuit. Dei l. c. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉. sub finem.
2. ad Cor. 3. V. 3. 4.
S. Aug. Tom. 7. contra Crescon. Grammat. l. 1. cap. penult.
S. Aug. Tom. 7. de baptismo contra Do∣natist. l. 4. cap. 24.
S. Aug. Tom. 2. E∣pist. 118. ad Ianuar. c. 5. Calu. l. 4. Instit. c. 4. sect. vltima sub finem. & l. 3. c. 3. sect. 10. in medio.