A papist mis-represented and represented, or, A twofold character of popery the one containing a sum of the superstitions, idolatries, cruelties, treacheries, and wicked principles of the popery which hath disturb'd this nation above an hundred and fifty years, fill'd it with fears and jealousies, and deserves the hatred of all good Christians : the other laying open that popery which the papists own and profess, with the chief articles of their faith, and some of the principle grounds and reasons, which hold them in that religion / by J.L. one of the Church of Rome ; to which is added, a book entituled, The doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome, truly represented, in answer to the aforesaid book by a Prote

HE believes that the Faith of his Church can receive no Additi∣ons; and that he is oblig'd to believe nothing, besides that which Christ taught, and his Apostles; and if any thing contrary to this should be defin'd and commanded to be be∣liev'd, even by Ten thousand Coun∣cils, he believes it damnable in any one to receive it, and by such De∣crees, to make Additions to his Creed. However, he maintains the Necessity and Right of General Councils law∣fully Assembled; whose business it is, not to coin new Articles of Faith, or devise Fresh Tenets; but only, as of∣ten as any Point of Receiv'd Doctrine is impugned or call'd in question; to debate the matter; and examine, what has been the Belief of all Na∣tions (who are there present in their Prelates) in that Point. And this

being agreed on, to publish and make known to the World, which is the Catholick Doctrine, left by Christ and his Apostles; and which the new-breach'd Error. And by this means to prevent the loss of infinite number of Souls, which might otherwise be deluded, and carried away after new inventions; not being capable by their own knowledge and abilities, to distinguish betwixt Truth and Fals∣hood, and discover the subtilties of every crafty Deceiver. And in this case he believes that he is oblig'd to submit, and receive the Decrees of such a Council; the Pastors and Prelates there present, being by Christ and his Apostles appointed, for the decision of such Controversies. They having the care of that stock committed to them, over which the Holy Ghost has made them Overseers, to feed the Church of God, Acts 20.28. and to watch against those men, who should arise from among themselves, speaking perverse things t•• draw Disciples after them. Ib. vers. 30. And he having receiv'd Command, as likewise the wh••le Flock of Christ, to obey their Prelates, and to be subject to them, who watch, and are to render an account for their Souls, Heb. 13.17. with an assurance. That, He that heareth them, hearch Christ; and he that de∣spiseth them, despiseth Christ, Luke 10.16. And withal being taught, that as this way of the Ancients of the Church, and Prelates meeting, in case of any danger threatning their Flock, or any new Doctrine arising; was the means instituted by Christ, and practised by the Apostles, in the first planting of the Church, for the preventing Schisms, and preserving Vnity among the Faithful, and that they should speak and think the same thing, and be perfectly joyn'd together in the same mind, and same judgment, 1 Cor. 1.10 So it ought to be the means in all succeeding Ages, for the preventing Divisions, and conserving Vnity among the Faithful. And that therefore, as that Contro∣versy concerning the necessity of Circumcision, (Act. c. 15.) arising in the Apostles times, was not decided by any private Person, nor even by Paul and Barnabas, who nevertheless, had received the Holy Ghost; and one would have thought, might have pretended to the Spirit, and a Heavenly Light; but by a General Meeting of the Apostles and Elders of the Church at Ieru∣salem, who were consulted by Paul and Barnabas about this Question. So all other Disputes and Difficulties of Religion arising in succeeding Ages, ought to be referr'd to the Successors of the Apostles (whose Charge, Dignity and Of∣fice is to continue to the end of the World, tho' they are dead in Person) who are to consider of the matter, (Acts 15.6.) as the Apostles did; while all the Multitude keeps silence, ver. 12. without any one presuming on any Learn∣ing, Gift, Virtue, Prayers or Inspiration, to intermeddle in the Dispute, or put an end to the Question: This being none of their business or obligation,

but only with all Patience and Humility to expect the Determination of their Prelates and Elders, and receive it with the same expressions, as those good Christians did heretofore, who rejoyced for the Consolation, (Acts 15.31.) And unless this that the Apostles did, and their Obsequious Flock, be taken as a Pattern in all Ages, for the ending such-like difficulties; he believes 'tis impossible that Believers should stand fast in one Spirit, with one Mind, (Philip. 1.27.) and be not carried away with divers and strange Doctrines (Hebr. 13.9.