A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

2. Meditation. Of the Church.

1. COnsider, how absurd a thing it is for God to give a Law, or a Doctrine, and not to leave a means how those whom he would have to know and observe it, should come to it; but more especially whereas Christ our Lord taught i•• with so much labour and grief.

2. Again consider, that the testi∣mony of the Catholick Church is more then humane: For that so many Congregations of men, divi∣ded by such distance of places, and long succession of times, among so many changes of State, even to this day, should agree that these very Articles were delivered unto them

by Christ and his Apostles, could not be brought to pass by any hu∣mane force.

3. In like manner, whereas in the same Church there was, and ever shall be, men flourishing in all Sciences and Arts; that this Do∣ctrine notwithstanding, was never found contrary to any humane Sci∣ence, Art, or either profit or plea∣sure, it could not proceed from the wit or invention of man.

4. That the same Doctrine, when as it contains so many Te∣nets, and they opposite to those dis∣ordinate affections by which men are enslaved, and of which a rea∣son can no wayes be given out of their proper principles, and yet grew up in no age by armes, or by force, and subdued men both wise and vo∣luptuous; and that for so many ages it hath possessed so large a king∣dome, exceeds the industry and force of man.

5. Lastly, that in all Ages there should be continuall miracles, (if

there be any belief to be given to humane History) and that these should be in this Church, and in her alone; it could onely be the work of God.

Conclude, when thou under∣standest that the Catholick Church doth testifie, that she received some Article from God by a suc∣cession of Doctours, to behave thy self in the same manner, as if thou didst hear the same from God thy self, and that thou canst not doubt, or admit any disputes concerning the same Article, without prejudice of the Divine Truth.