The doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome truly represented in answer to a book intituled, A papist misrepresented, and represented, &c.

XV. Of Tradition.

1. THE Question is not about Human Traditions sup∣plying the Defects of Scripture, as he misrepre∣sents it; but whether there be an Unwritten Word, which we are equally bound to receive with the Written Word: Altho these things which pass under that Name, are really but Humane Traditions; yet we do not deny that they pretend them to be of Divine Original.

2. We do not deny, but the Apostles might deliver such things by Word, as well as by Epistle, which their Disciples were bound to believe and keep: but we think there is some difference to be made between what we certainly know they delivered in Writing, and what it is now impossible for us to know; viz. what they delivered by Word with∣out Writing.

3. We see no ground why any one should believe any Doctrine with a stedfast and Divine Faith, which is not bottom'd on the Written Word; for then his Faith must be built on the Testimony of the Church as Divine and Infallibe, or else his Faith cannot be Divine. But it is im∣possible to prove it to be Divine and Infallible, but by the

Written Word; and therefore, as it is not reasonable that he should believe the Written Word by such a Divine Te∣stimony of the Church; so if any particular Doctrine may be received on the Authority of the Church with∣out the Written Word, then all Articles of Faith may, and so there would be no need of the Written Word.

4. The Faith of Christians doth no otherwise stand upon the Foundation of the Churches Tradition, than as it delivers down to us the Books of Scripture; but we acknowledg the general Sense of the Chrstian Church to be a very great help for understanding the true sense of Scripture; and we do not reject any thing so delivered; but what is all this to the Church of Rome? But this is still the way of true Representing.

Notes

• P. 30, 31.
• 2 Thes. 2. 13.
• P. 37.
• P. 32.