Fides Catholica, or, The doctrine of the Catholick Church in eighteen grand ordinances referring to the Word, sacraments and prayer, in purity, number and nature, catholically maintained, and publickly taught against hereticks of all sorts : with the solutions of many proper and profitable questions sutable to to [sic] the nature of each ordinance treated of / by Wil. Annand ...

Quest. 7. How far the Saints be our Rule besides the Scripture.

That the Saints lives ought to be a Rule for us, and that we are to walk according to their steps, is Catholick Doctrine. Heb. 6.12. Phil. 3.17. But how far they are to be followed, is the ground of our Question. That the Saints had failings, haltings and miscarria∣ges, is not to be denied; but in such things they are our Examples for evitation, but not for Imitation. Follow the Saints we must, But

• 1. So farre as they were approved of God; where we can hear God saying, whether in providence or by his presence, Well done good and faithful servant, we may be bold to tread in that step, and to keep in that Road.
• 2. So far as their actions tended to the glory of God. What we can see Abraham, Iacob, David doing which brings in any reve∣nue to the Exchequer of Gods praises, so far may they be our pattern copy and example.
• 3. So far as they gave no just cause of offence to the Church of God. Peter that seemed to be a Pillar, yet in this is not to be fol∣lowed but blamed. Gal. 2 11, 12, 13. In this we must be wary that we tread not in their steps, least we make the enemies of God to blaspheme, and slay him for whom Christ dyed.
• 4. So far as they had the promise of God; we may safely walk in that way wherein wee find God promise to be with them, keep them, blesse them and in his favour to protect them.
• 5. So far as their own hearts did excuse them before God; where we find them doing, and afterwards their hearts smite them for their so doing, let us by their fall look the better to our own way, and by by that blot seek to mend our hand.

Always provided.

• 1. That be not done by us which was but for a time approved; and to some peculiar persons granted; as was was the Offerings, Washings, and Sacrifices under the Law, and Iebu with Elishas go∣ing into Ba••ls Temple.
• 2. That for which God was silent only for a time, as concerning the Saints Polygamy or plurality of Wives he was, &c.
• 3. That which for a season was only granted, that the gospel might not be hindred: as Pauls care in giving of offence, which was in great measure but untill the Jews declared their perversnesse, as is evident by comparing Acts 16.3. with Gal. 5.2, 3. If there were no limitation in this case of giving offence, there would never be an Heretick; Whom we are to reject after the first and second admo∣nition. Titus 3.10.