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.

The thirteenth Meditation.

Of the name of Catholick.

The first Point.

Consider first, that this noble Sur∣name Catholick, is one of the many Marks, which distinguish the true Church from every particular Sect of hereticks. The Apostles them∣selves, gave Christs Church this signi∣ficant name; for it is specified in that Article of our beliefe: I believe in the holy Catholick Church. The Counsel of Nice also in that Creed, puts this as a Mark of the true Church, toge∣ther with the other three: Ʋnam, Sanctam, Catholicam & Apostolicam Ec∣clesiam. And the Athanasion Creed gives the true Faith the same honora∣ble Appellation.

Consider secondly, that the holy Fathers made use of this nam•• Catho∣lick

(amongst other marks) thereby to prove against hereticks; 1. that the Roman Church was the true Church, because it kept still that name. 2. That Hereticks were not members of the true Church; because they were called not by this, but by some other name. 3. That they them∣selves were members of the true Church; because they were members of that Church which had alwaies borne that name: For Saint Austin after that he had summ'd up many ex∣cellent marks and motives, which like forcible chaines held him in the Ro∣man Church, and made him believe it was the true Church; he thus con∣cludes: Lastly the very name of Catho∣lick holds me in this Church: thus argued he against the Manicheans. And Pacia∣nus one of the Nicen Fathers sayes; Christian is my name, and Catholick my surname. And Hereticks in all ages (whom the modern sectaries imitate in this as in other things) aimed at this name (which they see was a mark of the true Church) with hopes therby to conciliate to their doctrine an

opinion of its being true, if they could get it christned by the name of Catholick.

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.

The third Point.

Consider and ponder, the reason why Sectaries have no right to that honorable and Antient appellation of Catholicks: The first is, because there is no congruity betwixt the sig∣nification of the word Catholick and any one of these sects, for they are not Universall in any of the four wayes

mentioned in the former point; much lesse in them all.

Secondly, they can pretend no more why they should be called Catholicks, than the Donatists, Arians, or other Sects could formerly: which not with∣standing were opposed and confuted in this very point, by Saint Austin, S. Hierom, Saint Chrysostom; as also by Pa∣cianus, S. Athanasius, S. Cyrill, and Justin.

Thirdly, The practice of all sorts of people (yea of those who are of the particular Sects themselves) is to give Sectaries their names, either from the authors name, who first broached that Sect; as the Arians, Pelagians, Donatists, Montanists, Manicheans, Lutherans, Calve∣nists and others: or, else from some principall Tenent which they main∣tain; Hence the Monothelites, Protestants, Puritans, Independents, and Presbyterians have their names; or from some ex∣ploit, or genious of the persons; as the Iconaclasts, Geuses, Quakers: none ever gave these the name of Catholick.

Fourthly, Sectaries do not, nor dare they own the name of Catholick at such times, as fidelity to their Religi∣on

most requires; as first, when they are brought before any Justice, Judge, or Tribunal, either upon score of Re∣ligion, or to give evidence in Court upon any other action: true it is, in time of disputation about the name Catholick, who should have the best title to it; then being constrained by their Adversaries to a forc't put, and positive answer to the question; they will let fall these, or the like proposi∣tions; we are Catholicks as well as you; we are all Catholicks; all Christi∣ans are Catholicks: ungroundedly spoken, and sooner said than proved; unlesse taking the question for the ar∣gument be good proof.

In like manner, when any Protestant, Presbyterian, Independent, or the like (be∣ing about to die) is desired to declare himself in point of Religion; he will not say thus; I die a Catholick, for the spectatours and auditours would im∣mediately conclude that he dyed a Pa∣pist; but he would declare himself thus: I die a Protestant, Presbyterian, or the like; or I die a member of the Church of England; which is in effect to say,

he dies a Protestant: and thus the titu∣lar Archbishop of Canterburie Mr. Laud and some other great Personages that died the same death, before and after him, declared themselves, at that in∣stant, which was both most unseason∣able for dissembling, and at which pe∣riod a man should be serious, if ever; and yet these great Persons, to hold an argument, whilest they were in dis∣course upon who had the best claim to the honourable title of Catholick, would undoubtedly have stood for it themselves.

The fourth Point.

Out of these former points make these ensuing reflections: first, that the name Catholick is, and hath been alwayes esteemed by venerable anti∣quity, a mark of the true Church; yea even Sectaries alwayes esteemed it so, & upon that account would somtimes challenge it, thereby to Patronize and vent their new fashioned Religions the sooner.

2. That those who desire to be ac∣counted Catholicks by all Sects and

sorts of people; yea, and (which is better) by God himself; must joyn with those whom they call Roman Catholicks, in the same Belief, Com∣munion and obedience, to the spiri∣tual Prelates.

3. That the denominations of Ca∣tholick, Papist, or Roman Catholick, are in substance all one thing, and as it were termini convertibiles, or synonima. Now to the ••nd a man may be saved, since it is not sufficient to bear onely the extrinsecall appellation of a Ca∣tholick, but he must lead a life confor∣mable to that name and Religion: therefore,

Grant (good Lord) a large contribution of thy grace, both to all aliens from thy Church, that they may become members of it; and to those also who are adopted into that honourable family already, that they may speake by a good life what they professe in their belief. Amen.

Notes

• L.contra Ep. fund. c. 4.
• Ep: ad Sym∣pronianum.
• Note.
• Note.
• The collo∣quie.