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. II.

The Roman Church agreeing with Fa∣thers in the same Rule of Faith.

All Sects of Protestants disagree with the Fathers.

1. NOw to the end to confront with Anti∣quity the present Roman and Protestant Churches, that it may appeare which of them are the true legitimate children of those Fathers: Wee will begin with the Roman Church, whose mind we finde clearly expressed in the Decree of the Councell of Trent Sess. 4. concerning Canonicall Scriptures, in these words, Sacro∣san••••a, &c. Tridentina Synodus, &c. Perspiciens hanc veritatem, &c. that is,

The most holy, &c. Synod of Trent, &c. Clearly perceiving that this truth and discipline (namely, the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles) is contained in bookes, written, and unwritten Traditions, which were received from Christs Mouth, or delivered as it were from hand to hand from the Apostles, to whom the Holy Ghost dicta∣ted it, hath arrived even to us: Following the Oxthodox examples of the Fathers, receives

and venerates with an equall affection of duty and reverence all bookes as well of the Old as New Testament, since one God is the authour of both, as likewise the Traditions themselves whether perteining to Faith or Manners, as dictated either by Christs own Mouth, or by the Holy Ghost, and by a continued succession preserved in the Catholique Church. Thus far the Councell of Trent.

2. Whether the Roman Church has indeed made good this her profession, viz. That in this decree shee followes the Orthodox examples of the Fathers, besides so many formall proofes be∣fore alledged, the confession of many learned Protestants will justifie her: As Cartwright (Cartw. Witgift Def p. 103.) speaking of the fore∣mentioned or like quotations out of S. Augustin, saith, To approve this speech of Augustin is to bring in Popery, &c. So likewise Whittaker, Fulk, Kem∣nitius, &c. (Whit. de Laec. Ser. p. 678. 681. 690, &c. Fulk•• con. Purg. p. 362. 397. Kemnit. Exam. part 1. p. 87 &c.) for such like assertions of the Fathers condemne then generally; and by name Cle∣mens Alexandrinus, Origen, Epiphanius, Tertullian, Augustin, Ambrose, Hierome, Chrysostome, Euse∣bius, Baesile, Leo, Maximus, Theophilus, Damascene. &c.

3. In opposition to this decreed Doctrine of the Roman Church, and by consequence to the Orthodox examples of the Fathers, a•••• manner of Sects that have separated from the Church, or from one another since Luthers ••••me, agree almost in no other point unanimously except in this,

That the Scripture conteins in it expresly all things both concerning beliefe

and practise, which are necessary or but requi∣site to salvation. And by consequence that no man is or ought to be obliged to submit to any Doctrine or precept any further then as it can be proved manifestly to him to be con∣teined in the written word of God.

4. The Church of England (Art. 6. of English Church) in particular makes this one of her pe∣culiar Articles,

That the Holy Scripture con∣teineth all things necessary for salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an Article of Faith, or to be thought requisite necessary to salvation. But withall professeth that The three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Atha∣nasius Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed ought throughly to be received and believed.

Moreover that she receiveth the foure first Generall Councells: yet not saying that she thinkes her selfe obliged to the one or other for the authority of Tradi∣tion or the Councells, for if so, she would be obliged likewise to accept of and submit to ma∣ny other Traditions and Councells, as likewise many points and practises confirmed in those Councells, besides the Mysteries of the Blessed Trinity, many of which notwithstanding shee relinquishes, if not condemnes: Yea on the contrary for those three Creeds she gives this reason for her admitting of them

because they may be proved by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture.

And how little or no autho∣rity she allowes to the Church, or Generall Councells shall be shewn in the next Conclu∣sion.

For the present therefore, taking those words of accepting the three Creeds and foure Councells rather for a complement of Civility to Antiquity, then as importing any reall inten∣tion to admit any judge or Rule of Faith, but only Scripture and that interpreted by her selfe, for her selfe at least: Come we to consider how rationall and safe a ground this is,

That no∣thing is to be beleeved but only Scripture.