The second part of the Defence of the Reformed Catholicke VVherein the religion established in our Church of England (for the points here handled) is apparently iustified by authoritie of Scripture, and testimonie of the auncient Church, against the vaine cauillations collected by Doctor Bishop seminary priest, as out of other popish writers, so especially out of Bellarmine, and published vnder the name of The marrow and pith of many large volumes, for the oppugning thereof. By Robert Abbot Doctor of Diuinitie.

15. W. BISHOP.

His other reason is, that if we beleeue vnwritten traditions were ne∣cessary to saluation, then we must as well beleeue the writings of the an∣cient Fathers, as the writings of the Apostles: because Apostolicall tra∣ditions are not elsewhere to be found but in their bookes: but that were absurd, for they might erre.

Answer. That doth not follow for three causes: First, Apostolical tra∣ditions are as wel kept in the mind of the learned, as in the ancient fathers writings, and therefore haue more credit then the Fathers writings. Se∣condly, they are commonly recorded of more then one of the Fathers, and so haue firmer testimony then any one of their writings. Thirdly, if there should be any Apostolicall tradition related but of one auncient father, yet it should be of more credit than any other thing of his owne inuention, because that was registred by him as a thing of more estimation. And a∣againe, some of the rest of those blessed and godly personages would haue reproued it as they did all other falshoods, if it had not bin such indeed as it was termed: which when they did not, they gaue a secret approbation of it for such, and so that hath the interpretatiue consent at least of the learned of that age, and the following for Apostolicall tradition.

But Master Perkins proues the contrary by Saint Paul, who saith, That I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing then that which the Prophets and Moses did say should come. Why make you here a full point: let Saint Paul

make an end of his speech, and tell vs for what points of doctrine he al∣ledgeth Moses and the Prophets: Marrie to proue that Christ should suffer death, and rise againe, and that he should giue light to the Gen∣tiles. For these and such like, which were euidently fore-told in holy writ, he needed not to alledge any other proofe: but when he was to per∣swade them to abandon Moses Law, he then deliuered to them the de∣crees of the Apostles, and taught them to keepe them: As also when he instructed the Corinthians in the Sacrament of the Altar, he beginneth with Tradition, saying: I deliuer vnto you as I haue re∣ceiued from our Lord, not in writing, but by word of mouth. And in the same Chapter putteth downe the contentious Scripturist, with the custome of the Church, saying, If any man lust to striue, we haue no such custome: so that out of S. Paul, we learne to alledge Scriptures, when they be plaine for vs, and when they beare not so cleare with vs, to pleade Tradition, and the custome of the Church.

Notes

• Act. 26.22.
• Act. 16.
• 1. Cor. 11.