Exomologesis, or, A faithfull narration of the occaision and motives of the conversion unto Catholick unity of Hugh-Paulin de Cressy, lately Deane of Laghlin &c. in Ireland and Prebend of Windsore in England now a second time printed with additions and explications by the same author who now calls himself B. Serenus Cressy, religious priest of the holy order of S. Benedict in the convent of S. Gregory in Doway.

CHAP. XVII.

The Calvinists, &c. presumtuous re∣nouncing of the Churches authority even in proposing of Scripture: And pretending to an immediate Revela∣tion.

1. BUt before I proceed further to shew how and upon what grounds I found satisfaction in this point of the Churches autho∣rity, after which I could not long remaine unsa∣tisfyed in all other points beside: I have somewhat, though not much, to say concerning the first part of this Conclusion, namely of the Churches being depositary of divine Revelati∣on. I do not remember that the Church of England hath said any thing of it, more then what may be inferred from those words in the 6. Article,

In the name of the Holy Scri∣pture we do understand those Canonicall bookes of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

By which expression She seemes to make the Churches authority the one∣ly ground that may ordinarily be relyed up∣on for the discerning which books are Cano∣nicall, and which not. And this Mr. Chilling∣worth acknowledges in severall passages of his booke.

2. But as for the Calvinist Churches in France (whether the Lutherans agree with them or no, I had not meanes to informe my selfe) I could

not without both indignation and shame read how they have declared their mindes touching this Point in their publique Confession of Faith: Where, after the premising what par∣ticular bookes of Scripture they received as Ca∣nonicall, they adde these words, Nous recognois∣sons, &c. that is,

We acknowledge these books to be Canonicall, and a most certaine Rule of Faith, not so much for the commune agreement and consent of the Church, as for the Testimony and inward perswasion of the Holy Spirit, which makes us able to discerne them from the other Ecclesiasticall books, up∣on which, although they be profitable, cannot be grounded an Article of Faith.

By which expression they do clearly tell the world, that their meaning is (not to ascribe to the assistance of the Holy Spirit this their beliefe, for gene∣rally all Christians doe acknowledge a necessity of such an influence upon the soule, whereby the understanding is perswaded to captivate it selfe to the beliefe, and the will inclined to the love and acceptation of all divine revelations proposed by the Church: But) that they have a new immediate, distinct revelation and testimo∣ny of the Holy Ghost inwardly informing them what bookes are Canonicall and what not: And this not only more certaine then the testi∣mony of the present Church, but likewise contra∣ry thereto, inasmuch as thereby they renounce severall books: which the Church proposes as di∣vine and Canonicall.

3. Was it possible that reasonable men could write such things, and ever hope to finde any other men foolish enough to believe

them? There seems to have been many persons conspiring to the writing, or at least the signing of this Confession: Had all these this testimo∣ny of Gods Spirit revealing to them, and so enabling them to judge and discerne which particular writings are Canonicall, and which not? And does this testimony (which certainly, if not falsely pretended to, is infal∣lible) extend to all the particular passages and Texts in these books, without which the belie∣ving of the books in grosse would be uselesse? VVell, since they may say what they please without feare of being silenced, and so may all their Off-spring; For what other way is left to silence him that sayes he has the Spirit, but only Exorcismes? Yet for those that wrote this Confession to say this both for themselves and in the name of all their faction to the worlds end, and this without consulting any of them to know whether they had received such an immediate revelation or testimony, and without pretending to such an eminent gift of Prophecy, as never was example of the like since the world began, this exceedes all wonder. Good Lord! to what strange times are we reserved, to see a Sect so numerous, so powerfull (as they have shewed themselves up∣on many sad occasions) and not one of them but is a Prophet? What a stupendious thing is this that there should not be found one Calvi∣nist destitute of this so certeine, so divine a testimony, beyond the assurance of all Chur∣ches since Christ, and yet not one Englishman or Frenchman unlesse of that faction, nor any Chri∣stian that I know of besides that knowes any

such thing of himselfe, or dares pretend to it? For surely if any one had it, some would pro∣fesse it, since a man cannot have a Testimony, but he knowes he has it. This is a miracle be∣yond all that Christ and all his (Apostles ever wrought in the Church. But is it not more pro∣bable, nay is it not beyond all probability most certaine, most palpable that all these men knowingly and wilfully deceive themselves, and would fain but cannot deceive others? Is not this apparently a lying against the Holy Ghost? Why may it not as well be expected that in their next Confession (or rather, their Presum∣ption) they should pretend (as at least most particular writers among them doe) for them∣selves and their heires a discerning infallible Spirit to judge of the sense of Scripture, as well as the books? Indeed, what may not be expected from such as having had a hatred to charity, and therefore no true love to the truth, God has justly given over to strong delusions to believe such palpable lyes?

4. But leaving these men miserably pleasing themselves in pretended inspirations, and by that meanes attributing to the Holy Ghost not only all their errours, but likewise their renoun∣cing of Christian Charity & Unity, which is im∣possible as long as they take upon them to believe that it is from the Spirit that they have divided themselves from Gods Church both in opinion and practise: I will returne to my enquiry con∣cerning the authority of the Church.