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Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.
Answ. I. Here is not meant either a Nationall, or Prouinci∣all, or Diocesan Synod; much lesse a generall Councell: but Church-officers, or Gouernours in a particular Congregation,
to iudge of priuate offences, as is cleare from the text verses 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
II. Will they say, that the number of two or three assem∣bled, is of an vnerring spirit? Is this such a Councell, as on which men may rest assured that the iudgement thereof is infal∣lible? Neuer any yet durst affirme so much. And yet this text speakes but of two or three gathered together.
III. Here is not a word of not erring, nor of infallibilitie in doctrine, but of Christ his presence with them. But from this it followes not, that they cannot erre. For the Apostle saith, We* 1.1 know in part. But with those which the Apostle comprehendeth vnder the word, Wee, was Christ present. And if they knew but in part (perfection of knowledge not being to be attained vnto here) as the Apostle there teacheth; seeing imperfect know∣ledge may erre, it is euident that they might erre, though Christ be present with them: for he is with his Saints, but he doth not perfectly sanctifie them; his Spouse hath imperfections in this life, neither doth hee perfectly illuminate them, but they haue their mistakes. Christ was with his before his death, yet had they errors: and before his Ascension; yet he found them igno∣rant of his spirituall Kingdome, Luk. 24. Act. 1. And after his Ascension, and comming of the holy Ghost, euen Peter was mis∣taken, Act. 10. and other of the Church, Act. 11. as before is pro∣ued.
IV. What is this text to proue Popish Councels not to erre? For this Scripture speakes of such as are gathered in Christs name, whereas those Councels are gathered in the Popes name. Christ promiseth to bee with those that are gathered in his name: but will it necessarily follow, that hee will therefore bee with those that are gathered in the Popes name? This stands in neede of proofe, especially seeing the Pope is proued to be An∣tichrist, with whom, we may be sure, Christ will keepe no com∣pany.
Ioh. 6. 13. The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.
Answ. I. This is a promise vnto the Apostles, whose prero∣gatiue in their Ministery was not to erre, because they were the chiefe builders and planters of Christian Religion. All other
Ministers are but watere••.
II. It is one thing for a Guide to leade aright, & another for those that should follow, to follow aright. It therefore will not be necessarily concluded, that because a perfect Guide leadeth the way, such as come after, cannot, or doe not goe out of the way. For they may not strictly follow the Guide, but now and then may slip out of the way, through want of eie-sight, or dim∣nesse of sight, or through carelesnesse, looking some other way, not minding the Guide.
3. How can our Aduersaries proue, that this promise is made to their Popish Councels, which are ruled and * 1.2 guided by their Popes, and not by Gods Spirit?
Acts 15, 25 28. This Councell erred not.
Ans. 1. This was a Councell gathered of all the 12. Apostles, of the Elders at Ierusalem, and of the whole Church. 2. This had the guiding of the holy Ghost, as the text witnesseth. 3. This laid the Scriptures for their ground, vers. 15. and the manifest euidence of the worke of the holy Ghost, vers. 8 which they tooke for direction in their decrees. 4. Here was free libertie of disputation, without interruption, one attentiuely hearing another, without by-respect, that the truth might take place. What is this to Popish Councels? Are there any Apostles? Ad∣mit they freely the whole Church? Are they guided by the ho∣ly Ghost, and by the verity of holy Scriptures? Is libertie there granted to euery one to speake freely? If they cannot proue these, this text serues not their turne.
Other Scriptures are obiected, as Mat. 16. 18. Luk. 10. 16. 1. Tim. 3. 15. All which are fully answered before. As for the place in Heb. 13. 17. it is to be vnderstood not simply, but that Teachers are to be obeyed, as farre-forth as they doe teach the truth, and command what God prescribeth.
1. Cor. 13. 9, 10.
See the Hi∣story of the Councell of Trent: and Brocard on Reuel 17. who was at that Councell.