Meditations upon the marks of the true Church of Christ: or, Motives of credibility in behalf of the true religion: and, the easiest way to finde it out. / By H.W.
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Title
Meditations upon the marks of the true Church of Christ: or, Motives of credibility in behalf of the true religion: and, the easiest way to finde it out. / By H.W.
Author
H. W.
Publication
Paris, :: [s.n.],
Printed, with licence. 1655.
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Subject terms
Catholic Church -- Apologetic works -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"Meditations upon the marks of the true Church of Christ: or, Motives of credibility in behalf of the true religion: and, the easiest way to finde it out. / By H.W." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A96976.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 8, 2024.
Pages
The second Point.
Consider now, that this honorable name is theirs by right, and only theirs, who have and do adhear to the Church of Rome; the reasons are: First, because ever since the Primative Church, they have held it as their birth-right, and part of that inheri∣tance, which their Ancestors, the Apostles (to whom they only succeed∣ed as lawfull heires) left them: And though many attempts have bin made, by heretical pretenders, to put them out of the possession of this; yet they were never able to effect it: so that now the Roman Catholicks hold it, both by title of inheritance, and also by title of prescription; not of years only, but ages.
Secondly, it is the Roman Catholicks only; because in them only is verified that which the name Catholick im∣ports: The word Catholick is a Greek word, and it signifies Ʋniversal; now
this Universallity may be taken either with reference to time, or place, or doctrine, or communion, all and eve∣ry one of these several acceptions pleads, yea and proves that title to be theirs who hold with the Roman Church; for that Religion only stret∣cheth it selfe out to all times, by its Antiquity; embraceth all Places by its Amplitude or extension of bounds; its Faith and Doctrine is universally one, and the same for all persons; and its communication betwixt the members and the head, is also univer∣sally one, and the same.
Thirdly the generality of all sorts and Sects of people, have in all ages been of this minde; and upon occa∣sion expressed the same in words, that by Catholicks are meant those who are in communion with the Church of Rome. Fourthly, even
the by-name Papist, proves them Ca∣tholicks: for by calling one Papist, they mean (as really the word argues) one who joines in communion with the Pope, and is under obedience to him: Now the Pope is one of that
never interrupted line of Saint Peters successours; and consequently chief pastor under Christ of the Catholick Church. Fiftly, the name of Roman-Catholick (which every one willingly gives them) proves the same that the former reason proves; & the intention also which Sectaries have, in calling these Roman Catholicks, argues the same: for they do it, First to prevent Roman Catholicks from ingrosing the name Catholick wholy to them∣selves: Secondly, out of hopes that these will rest content, with the title of Roman Catholicks, and not im∣pugne others when at any time they terme themselves Catholick, with some such restrictive adjective as Pro∣testant, added to the word Catholick.