The orthodox faith and vvay to the Church explaned and iustified in answer to a popish treatise, entituled, White died blacke; wherein T.W. p. in his triple accusation of D. White for impostures, vntruths, and absurd illations, is proued a trifler: and the present controuersies betweene vs and the Romanists are more fully deliuered and cleared. By Francis White Bachelour in Diuinitie, and elder brother of Doctor Iohn White.

An obseruation concerning Traditions.

The question of Traditions is one of the principall Controuersies betweene the Papists and vsa 1.1. And be∣cause this Popish Priest doth sundry times in his Treatise intermedle therewith, I will declare the doctrine of both our sides concerning this matter.

Section 1.

The word or name Tradition is in it selfe generall, sig∣nifying any doctrine deliuered from one to another, ei∣ther by word or writingb 1.2. Act. 6.14. 2. Thess. 2.15. and chap. 3.6. 1. Cor. 15.3.4.

But in this present Controuersie it signifieth vnwritten doctrinesc 1.3, giuen by diuine inspiration touching matters of Faith and Religion, which the Apostles by word of mouth de∣liuered secretly onely to the chiefe Pastorsd 1.4 of the Christian Church, to be taught in the same: and the which being not committed by them to writing as the Siriptures were, yet are a part of the rule of faith, and of equall or greater authoritie then the written worde 1.5.

Secondly, the principall matter of these Traditions, are doctrines and articles of faith, precepts of manners, exposition of Scripture, Rites, Ceremonies, and exter∣nall actions, as necessary to Religion as those which are found in the Scripturesf 1.6.

Thirdly, these Traditions are equalled by all our Ad∣uersaries with the canonical scriptureg 1.7: & in some things they preferre them before the same, calling them the foundation of the Scriptureh 1.8, the touchstonei 1.9 and rule whereby to trie the samek 1.10, and they esteeme them more necessarie in the Church then the Scripture, saying; Tra∣dition is of the being of the Church, but the Scripture onely of the perfection and well beingl 1.11. And the Scrip∣tures without the same, were in a manner of no vsem 1.12. They make the scripture a dead letter written in tables; & Tradition an Epistle of Christ written in the heart.

Fourthly, they make the Pope and Romane Church the Register and authenticall keeper of these Traditions, saying they are spiritually writtē in the hart of the church and Popen 1.13, and not in books or parchments, at least ma∣ny of them. And although sometimes they seeme to au∣thorise them by the testimony of the primitiue churcho 1.14; yet they acknowledge, that they are not all of them found in the Records of the Ancient, but may newly in euery age be brought to light by the Roman Church & Popep 1.15;

and so after a terrible ratling and thundering out of names of ancient Fathers and Councels, in the coole of the businesse, the generation of these non-script verities, for the greater part, descendeth from the loynes of our Aduersaries Father, and fast friend the Pope.

Section 2.

The Protestants doe not simply deny Tradition; but first we distinguish Traditions, and then according to some acceptations, with a subordination to holy Scrip∣ture, we admit thereof.

First, our Aduersaries maintaine, that there be doctri∣nall Traditions, or Traditions containing articles of faith, and substantiall matters of diuine worship and religion, not found in the holy Scripture; to wit, Purgatory, In∣uocation of Saints, adoration of Images, Papall Monar∣chie, &c. These and all other such like Traditions, con∣taining new parts and additions of Articles of religiona 1.16, the Protestants simply condemne and refuse; and when we dispute against Traditions, we take the word in this notion: and heerein is the maine difference betweene them and vs.

Secondly, the name of Tradition in the writings of the primitiue Doctors, is taken in three other accepta∣tions.

First, for externall Rites and Ceremonies of decency, order, & outward profession in religion not found in the holy Scripture, but vsed as things adiaphorous, and not of the very substance of worship but accessarie; of which kinde, the primitiue Fathers mention sundry; to wit, The signing with the Crosse, praying with the face to∣wards

the East, thrice dipping in water at Baptisme, ta∣sting of milke and honieb 1.17, &c.

These ceremonies and the like vsed in the primitiue Church, belong not to the substance of religion, but are indifferent things and mutable: and lawfully vsed or o∣mitted, according to order, and commoditie of euery Church, and as they be subseruient to godlinesse, taught in the Scripturec 1.18.

Secondly, the report and testimony of the primitiue Church, concerning matter of fact, and concerning the iudgement and practise of the Apostles; such reports as explicate the meaning, or confirme the doctrine of the Scriptures; to wit, the testimony of the said Church, concerning the number, parts, and integritie of the Ca∣nonicall Scriptures, and that the Apostles did baptise In∣fantsd 1.19, and admit none to the Lords Supper, but such as were first baptised and of elder yeares; That they which were baptized, were afterwards confirmed and receiued imposition of hands, &c. These are called of the Fathers, by the name of Tradition, and depend vpon the holy Scriptures, and maintaine the doctrine thereof.

Thirdly, the primitiue Church receiued from the A∣postles liuely teaching, the summe and explication of Christian doctrine in many principall parts thereofe 1.20; and the interpretation of sundry places of holy Scripture, concerning the Articles of the Trinitie, Incarnation, and

such like: The which Creed, summe of doctrine, rule of faith, and exposition of the Scripture, being compared, agreeth with the written word: also the signification and translation of the words and phrases of the Bible in the seueral languages, is receiued from hand to hand, &c. the Fathers vsually call these things by the name of Traditiōf 1.21.

The Protestants admit these three sorts or kinds of Tradition, according to the doctrine and meaning of the primitiue Churchg 1.22.

First, rituall and ceremoniall about things indifferent, to be vsed or changed according to the lawes of euery Church, and as they serue to edification, or otherwise.

Secondly, Historicall, which confirme and establish the doctrine of the Scripture.

Thirdly, Doctrinall, by way of explication or plaine deliuery of that doctrine, which is verbally contained in the Scripture.

But in the admitting hereof, we require two cautions; 1. That the holy Scripture be the rule of all Traditions whatsoeuer, thus farre, as that vpon examination they be conformable and subseruient vnto the sameh 1.23. 2. That they haue the testimony of the primitiue Church in the prime age thereofi 1.24, and scend to our daies from the

same by the streame of succession, through ages follo∣wing; and were receiued as Apostolike in other Chur∣ches as well as the Romane.

Thus the state of the question betweene the Papists and vs in the Controuersie of Traditions, stands in these three points.

First, whether there be Traditions of equall authority with the Scripture, teaching diuers parts of doctrine, or other articles of faithk 1.25 and religion besides the same?

Secondly, whether any traditions are to be admitted, but such as being examined by the Scripture, as the su∣preame rule of diuine truth, are proued conformable to the same?

Thirdly, whether Traditions wanting the plaine testi∣monie of the primitiue, and other precedent Churchesl 1.26 are to be receiued, vpon the bare credit and asseueration of the Romane Church and Pope?

The Papists in euery of these affirme, and we deny. And they maintaine many dogmaticall Traditions be∣sides the Scriptures: Also, they will haue Tradition of equall authoritie with the written word, and to be belee∣ued absolutely without subiection to the Scripture. And they giue authority to the Pope and Roman Synagogue to obt••ude vpon vs Traditions of a later hatch, and such as were vnknowne and vnheard of by the primitiue Church, yea many which their owne Doctors, not long since haue condemned.

Two Arguments against the Doctrine of Popish Tradi∣tions.

Argu. 1. If Popish Tradition bee a part of the rule of

faith, and of equall authoritie with the written word, then it must haue the same or equall testimonie and con∣firmation therewith. But it hath not such testimony and confirmation.

The written word of the New Testament was confir∣med these fiue waies: 1. By the liuely testimony of the Apostlesm 1.27, God bearing witnesse with signes and won∣ders, and miracles, and gifts of the holy Ghost. 2. By the Scriptures of the Old Testament. 3. The primitiue Church had the very first coppies and authenticall wri∣tings of the Scripture deliuered by the Apostles owne handsn 1.28. And that Church deliuered the Scripture to po∣steritie, witnessing from whom they receiued it. 4. The written word hath the generall approbation and testimo∣ny of the whole Church of Christ in euery age thereof vntill this day, witnessing that the same is diuine. 5. The written word hath many impressions and notes of diuine veritie and grace in it selfeo 1.29, whereby it perswadeth the faithfull, and assureth them that it is the word of Christ: But Popish Traditions want all these confirmations.

First, in speciall or distinctly they haue no testimonie of holy Scripture: The Apostles or Christ himselfe ne∣uer preached them, for any thing we can certainely vn∣derstand; they neuer referred people vnto them, but of∣tentimes both in the Pharises and Gentiles condemne Traditions, which were verie like vnto these of Poperie: Math. 15. Mar. 7. Col. 2. &c.

Secondly, the primitiue Church doth not plainely af∣firme, that she receiued them from the Apostles mouth, as it did the bookes and doctrine of the New Testament. Our Aduersaries alledge some darke and vncertaine spee∣ches of Fathers in proofe of their Traditions: but they

must either giue vs plaine and manifest testimonies, or else acknowledge that the Scripture is more euidently confirmed by the primitiue Church then Tradition; which is the thing I affirme.

Thirdly, the Papists want the perpetuall consent, and generall approbation of the whole Church in euery age for their Traditions, which the Iesuites confesse in regard of sundry of themp 1.30.

Fourthly, our Aduersaries are forced for want of bet∣ter proofe, to confirme their Traditions by the testimo∣nies of counterfeit and bastardly writings, bearing the names of ancient Fathers, Abdias, Martialisq 1.31, Dennis Areopagiter 1.32, Decretall Epistless 1.33, &c. of the credit wher∣of many among themselues doubt. And for want of primitiue Fathers, the Papistst 1.34 make their schoole Doc∣tors liuing within foure hundred yeares, one of their wit∣nesses and meanes to proue Tradition by.

Fiftly, Popish Traditions in themselues, to wit, the Popes royall Supremacie, Adoration of Saints and Ima∣ges, Church-seruice in an vnknowne tongue, single life of the Cleargie, Communion in one kinde, praying to dead men, &c. are repugnant to the holy Scripture: and many Articles of Tradition lately defined by the Trent Councell, were in former times either opposed or doub¦ted of, by learn••d Papists and Schoolemenu 1.35.

And from these premises I reason in this manner: That whose credit and authoritie depends onely vpon the Ro∣mane

Church now being, or vpon the same since the six hundredth yeare, is of inferior credit to the scripture: whose authoritie dependeth vpon the testimony of the holy Ghost, speaking in the Scripture, vpon the plaine testimonie of the Apostles, and vpon the testimonie of the primitiue Church, which receiued them from the Apostles: and lastly, vpon the generall approbation of the whole Catholike Church since the Apostles vntill now, no true Church of Christ euer doubting of them.

The authoritie of Popish Traditions, depends onely vpon the Roman Church, &c. and they want all other plaine testimonie, in regard of such a measure of testifica∣tion, as the holy Scripture hath the same.

Therefore the authority of Traditions is inferior to the authoritie of the written word.

Argum. 2. Those things which proceede from the will of God onely, can be made knowne vnto vs no other way, but by the reuelation of the Scripture. All Articles of Faith and precepts of manners, concerning the sub∣stance of Religion, proceed from the will of God onely. Therefore they can be made known vnto vs by no other meanes but by the Scripture.

The first proposition is deliuered by diuers learned Do∣ctors of Rome: Thomas Aquinas teacheth the same in expresse tearmesx 1.36, saying; Ea quae ex sola Dei voluntate proueniunt, &c. nobis innotescere non possunt, nisi quatenus in sacra Scriptura traduntur, per quam diuina voluntas no∣bis innotescit. The things which proceede from the will of God onely, cannot be made knowne vnto vs but so farre as they be deliuered in holy Scripture, by which Gods will is ma∣nifested.

Gerson the Chancellor of Parisy 1.37, Men must dare to say nothing in diuine matters, but that which is deliuered in the sacred Scripture. The reason whereof is, because the Scrip∣ture is giuen vnto vs a sufficient and infallible rule, for the regiment of the whole Ecclesiasticall body and all the parts thereof, to the end of the world.

The second proposition is manifest, and also testified, Mat. 16.17. 1. Cor. 2.9.10.11.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Canus loc. theol. l. 3. c. 6.
• b 1.2

  Irenaeus. Tertullian. Cyprian. Bella••. de verbo Dei, l 4. ca. 2. Bannes 2 2 q 1. a•• 1••. pag. 167. ••••res. de trad. p. 1. post. 2. ••orin. com. Act. 6.14. Canus loc. l. 3. c. 6. & alij.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 P. Galatin. de arcan. Cath. ver. l. 1. c. 1.
• d 1.4

  Bellar. de verbo Dei, l. 4. c. 2. & 11. quaedam solis prae∣latis, &c. Can. loc. l. 3. c 3. Stapl. Rel. c. 5. q. 5. ar. 2. Gr. Val. to. 3. d. 1 p. 7. q. 1. §. 43. Azor. inst. mor. p. 1. l. 8. c. 4. Bos. de sig. l. 3. c. 6. Grets. def. Bellar. de verbo Dei, pag. 1597.
• e 1.5

  Stapl. Rel. c. 3. q. 3. p. 352. Articulus fidei esse potest non solum quod in Scripturis reuelatur: sed quod traditione ecclesia∣stica ad nos deriuatur.
• f 1.6

  All the for∣mer authors.
• g 1.7

  Sixtus Senens. biblioth. l. 2. pa. 123. Non minus meretur inter ethnicos abijci, qui ecclesiasti∣cas traditiones recusat, quam qui euangelium recusat. Bannes 2. 2. q 1. ar. 10. de trad. concl. 5. Andrad. def. Conc. Trid l. 2. Carb. introd. theol. l. 5. c. 5. Suar. def. fid. Cath con•• sect. Angl. l. 1 c 9.
• h 1.8

  Baron. to. 1. annal. an. 53. n. 11.
• i 1.9

  Can. loc. l. 3. c 2 Lydius lapis, &c
• k 1.10

  Pighius contr. loc. 3. Regula ad quam & Scri∣pturas &c.
• l 1.11

  Bellarm. de verbo Dei, l. 4. c. 4. Nisi Hebionis haeresis, &c. de bene esse, &c. Cusan. epist. 2. ad Bohem. Sander. de visib. monarch lib. 1. cap. 5. Hoc genus potest per se subsistere. &c. (traditio∣nes) non sunt ambiguae, &c. de hijs nulla lis oritur, &c. Plutarchus refert Anachatsin, prudentem sane virum, vehementer operam Solonis irrisisse, quando eum intellexit leges Atheniensibus conscriptas dare velle, &c.
• m 1.12

  Bosius de fig l. ••6. c. 10. Inanis fere & nullius fructus, &c.
• n 1.13

  Co∣ster. enchir. de Scriptur. Bos. de sig. l. 16. c. 10. Can. loc l. 3. c. 3. fundam. 4.
• o 1.14

  Bellarm de verbo Dei, l. 4. c. 9. Driedo de Eccles. dog. l. 2. c. 3. Stapl. Rel. c. 5. q. 5. ar. 2 ad. 6. Bosius, Ca••bo, & alij.
• p 1.15

  Grets. def. Bellar. de verbo Dei, l. 4. c. 9. pag. 1713. & 1715. Azor inst. mor. p. 1. l. 4 c. 11. Bosius de sig. l. 3. c. 6.
• a 1.16

  Bannes 2.2. q. 1. ar 10 de trad. Peres. Aiala. de trad. p. 3. Azor. iust. mor. p. 1. l. 8. c. 4. P. Soto d••f. con∣sell. cath. Cum non sint in Scrip¦tura, necesse est esse apostolicae traditionis. Sander. de visib. monarch. l. 1. c. 5 Orationem pro defunctis: inuo∣cationem San∣ctorum, &c. tra∣ditiones facit.
• b 1.17

  Tertul. de cor. mil. c 3. & in Apol. c. 16. Orig in Num. hom. 5. Ignatius epist. ad Pluladelph. Iustin. apol. 2. & orth qu. q. 118. Euseb. hist. l 3. c. 4 & l 4. c. 22. & l. 5. c. 22. Basil. de Spir. sanct. c. 27. Epiphan haer. 80 in fine.
• c 1.18

  Aug. epist 11. & ep. 86. & ep. 118. & ep. 119.
• d 1.19

  Orig com. 6. cap ad Rom. Ecclesia ab A∣postolis traditi∣onem accepit, paruulis baptis∣mum dare. Hieron. contra Luciserian. An¦nescis Ecclesia∣rum hunc esse morem, vt bap∣tizatis postea manus impo∣nantur, & ita in∣uocetur Spiritus sanctus? Exigis vbi scriptum sit, in Actibus Apostolorum. Etiamsi Scripturae authoritas non subesset totius orbis in hanc partem consensus, instar praecepti, obtineret. Nam multa alia quae per traditionem in Ecclesia vsurpantur, authoritatem scriptae legis obseruarunt.
• e 1.20

  Cassand. de ossic. boni viri p. 7. Qui nobis initio veram hanc, & germanam esse Christi & Apostolorum doctrinam, quae in ijs scriptis continetur, suo testimonio approbarunt, ijdem sane, & mentem ipsam, & intelligentiam corundem scriptorum, quam ex viua ipsa, & amplissima Apostolorum doctrina acceperant, po∣steris tradiderunt. Atque haec est, quae apostolica traditio & veritas non scripta, à nonnullis ap∣pellatur.
• f 1.21

  ••ren. l. ••. c. 4. Tertul. de prae∣script cap 13. Orig. pro••m. l. 1. de princip. ••uscb. contra Marcel. episco∣pum Ancyran. Epipha. haer. 69. Cyril. Alex. apol Concil to. 1. & ad Theodos. de vecta side. Procles epist. ad Armen. ••ren. l. 3. c. 2. &c. 3. Basil. hom. 28. contra Sabel. & Arian.
• g 1.22

  Apolog. Eccl. Angl. Harm. confess. sect 17. Chem. exam. p. 1. de Trad. Caluin. 1. Cor. 11.2. comm. Beza opusc. to. 3. Resp ad Claud. Saintes. pa. 18. & in Colloq. Possiacen. com. Gal. p. 3. Pet. Mart. com. lud. 3. B Bil∣son of subiect. p. 4. pa. 581. & 586. D. Field of the Church, l. 4. Herbrand. disp. pa. 117. n. 17. Lub∣bert. cont. Bellar. de script. pa. 631. Hosiand. cont. Greg. Val. pa. 235. 239. Zanch. de Scriptur. & de oper. redempt. Whitak. controu. de Script. q. 3. c. 5. pa. 223.
• h 1.23

  B. Bilson: Teach what you will by tradition, so it agree with the written word of God, we be not against it. Hosiand. Si eae tra∣ditiones vrgeantur quae in ecclesia virgine suerunt: quae que 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, admittimus.
• i 1.24

  Basil hom. 28. contra Sabel. & Arrian. Ne Spiritum sanctum à Patre & Filio separes, absterreat te Dominica traditio. Dominus ita docuit, Apostoli praedicauerunt, Patres obseruarunt. Marty∣res confirmauerunt, satis tibi sit, vt dicas quem admodum edoctus &c. Tho. Walden doct. fid. l. 2. a••. 2. c. 19. De dubijs fidei debemus inquirere, quid senserūt Apostoli, quid successores apostolorū, & deinceps viri probati vs{que} ad nostra tēpora reliquerūt in scriptis, & secundū quod verba ipsorū concordant sic elicere veritatē. Cassan. de off. boni viri, ex Cath. trad. antiq perp. & vniuersali, &c.
• k 1.25

  Bannes 2.2. q. 1. ar 10. de trad. Orationes esse ad sanctos faciendas, vene∣randas esse co∣rum imagines, &c neque etiam impresse & in∣uolute Scripturae
• l 1.26

  Caluin. contra Pigh. de lib. ar∣bitrio. Non dif∣ficulter inter me & Pighium, in hac de traditio∣nibus contenti∣one conuenire posset: si modo Ecclesiae tradi∣tionem, ex ce••to & perpetuo, sanctorum & orthodoxorum consensu de∣monstraret.
• m 1.27

  ••••n l. 3. c. 5. Discipuli veri∣tatis existentes, extra omne mendacium sunt.
• n 1.28

  Tertul de prae••cript. c. 36. Apud quas ipsae authenticae litu∣rae eorum reci∣cantur, sonantes vocem & reprae∣sentantes faci••m cuiusque, &c. Aug. cont. Faust. M••nich. l. 28. c. 2 & l. 33. c. 9.
• o 1.29

  Horant. loc. Cath l. 2. c. 2. Reuerentiam, sua sibi maie∣state vltro conciliat. Greg. Val. to. 3. d. 1. q. 1. p. 5. Ita lectoris men∣tem commouet vt nulla alia do∣ctrina.
• p 1.30

  Azor. instit. mor. p. 1. l. 4. c. 11. Grets def. Bellar. de verbo Dei, l. 4. c. 9. Fieri po∣test, vt ante actis seculis, res non suerit plane pa∣tefacta, &c. Vt aliquid censea∣tur apostolica traditio, ••on est necesse, vt omni tempore ab vni∣uersis fidelibus creditum sit.
• q 1.31

  Bellar. Recog. l. 2. de monach. Epistolae Marti∣alis Apostoli, & liber Abdiae, de rebus gestis A∣postolorum ci∣tantur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nobis, tum hoc loco, tum alibi, quo∣niam ab aliqui∣bus reciptantur.
• r 1.32

  Gaietan. com. Act 17. An iste fit ille Diony∣sius, qui scripsit libros de diuinis nominibus & coelesti hierarchia, certum non est.
• s 1.33

  Azor. in∣stit. mor. p. 1. l. 10 c 8. Quamuis eiusmodi epistolae decretales, non ita constantem & certam au∣thoritatem apud omnes habeant.
• t 1.34

  Greg. Val. to. 3 d. 1 q. 1. p 7. n. 45. pag 377. Carb. introd l 4 c. 8. pag 472.
• u 1.35

  Biel. 4 d. 17. q 1. alledgeth diuers Schoolmen, doubting of auricular confess••ō. B. Rhenan. in Tertul praef. ad Lector. See Bonau. 4. d. 11. q 2. de Transubstantiatione. Altifiodor, sum. l. 3. tr. 8. c. 5 quaest. 6. of inuocation of Saints. Multi dicunt quod nos nec oramus Sanctos, nec ipsi orant pro nobis, &c.
• x 1.36

  Tho. Aq 3. q. 1 ar. 3. A••••. de doct. Ch••ist l. 2. c 9. 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 D•••••• qua•••••• volun∣tatem e••us. L. 3. c. 1. Homo timeus Deum, voluntatē eius, in Scripturis sanctis inquirit. Bellar. de pec. l. 6 c. 3. Non est de ••ebus quae pen∣dent à diuina voluntate, aliquid asserendū, nisi Deus ipse in Script. sanctis, tale aliquid reuelauerit.
• y 1.37

  Gers. exa. doct. p. 2. consid. 1. Gabr. Can. miss. lect. 71. Verbum Dei sacra Scrip∣tura, quae ab ore Dei procedit, ipsius indicat voluntatem: per quas solas plenam Dei vo∣luntatem intelligere possumus. Gers. p. 1. serm. de Circumcis. Dom. consid. 1. Sacra Scriptura est regula sufficiens pro regimine Ecclesiae.