Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

The Fifth Reason maintained.

THe Consequence of this Argument no Man can deny; for there is nothing more opposite to the True Church, than to love, or cause darkness to seize upon any. And that the present Papal Church of Rome labours to keep all Men in darkness, is thus proved. 1. She forbids al∣most all Men to read the Scriptures, and thereupon hath greatly withstood the Translation of them into every Tongue, as is evident, partly from what History declares, and partly from that which themselves do say. To omit History, hear what they say themselves. In their Preface to the Reader in the Rhemist Testament, thus they speak:

Order was taken by the Deputies of the late famous Council of Trent in this behalf, and confirmed by Supream Authority, That the Scripture, though truly translated into the vulgar Tongues, yet may not be indifferently read of all Men, nor of any other than such as have express order thereunto of their lawful Ordinaries. So that we see the Liberty here given, is unlike the Liberty given by Christ to his Enemies, whom he commanded to search the Scripture, John 5. 39. And the rich Glutton's Friends are said to have the Prophets and Moses, Luke 16. 29. Israel was of old indefinitely required to lay up the Book of the Law in their Heart; to talk of it as they sate in their Houses; as they went abroad: they must teach them to their Children, and write them upon the Post of their Doors, Deut. 6. 4, to 9.

Notwithstanding all this, and much more Liberty given by the Lord, both to his Enemies and Friends, to read his Word: you see the Council of Trent will have none permitted, but whom the Ordinaries permit, to read the Scripture, and they are only such as they judg discreet, &c. Pref. Rhem. Test.

Is it not strange that Men, pretending to be Christ's true Followers, should thus contradict him? He allowed that to his Enemies, which they will not allow to his Friends. Sure they have neither heard his Voice, nor seen his Shape, or, at least, not learned of him. Miserable is the Gospel-Church by the Council of Trents Doctrine, they have not that priviledg which Israel under the Law was allowed; and yet they are as strictly bound to bring up their Children in the admonition of the Lord; which they cannot do, unless they have the Law in their Heart, that so they may talk of it to their Children. But surely those that will not let the Law come within the sight of our eyes, have no mind it should ever come into our hearts: So then they labour to keep us in the dark.

What can they say against Mens reading the Scripture, which hath not the same force against the hearing of it preached? Did not some conceive as gross Opinions concerning Christ's saying, Men must eat his Flesh, as some have by reading them? The Jews thought they were so to be un∣derstood, as that they might eat his real Flesh; and that was not a grea∣ter nor a less Error, than is found in the Papists, who read the same word. It is doubtless a shrew'd sign that those who will not suffer us to see the Law of God, do not intend that we shall hear very much of it; perad∣venture such Points as talk of Tythes, &c.

Yea, it is evident, that they intend not to let us hear much that shall profit us; for they have devised, that the very Prayers and Services of their Church, be said and sung in a Tongue which the People understand not. Yea, they tell us, That it is enough for the People to understand that the Prayer is made to call upon God in all our desires; and more than this is not necessary, they say: So that the poor People in the Papacy, know not what are the things desired; only they are told, The Prayer is made to God in all that is therein desired. Are not these People kept in dark∣ness? But saith Paul, How should the unlearned say, Amen? 1 Cor. 14.

That which is most strange, is, That the Papists should deliver this dark Doctrine, from 1 Cor. 14. than which no Scripture more requireth an

understanding in those that pray, and in those that joyn with them; nor doth any Scripture more clearly shew us, to how little purpose it is to perform any Service in the Church in an unknown Tongue. Read the Chapter; saith Paul, If I come unto you speaking with Tongues, what shall I profit you? — but in the Church I will speak five words with my under∣standing, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in an unknown Tongue. These are Paul's words, as the Papists themselves translate them.

Another way whereby they keep Men in darkness, is this, They cum∣ber Mens minds with such a multitude of Ceremonies and Repetitions in their Prayers, that the mind is sufficiently charged to remember how many times over they must say some two or three words; nay, it's evident this is no wrong, witness their Beads which serve to supply the defect of their memories. As I remember, there is not less than fifty Orations and Po∣stulations, &c. which the Priest is to make, and act, before the Bread be Consecrated when they say Mass: * 1.1 And the like doings they have in the most of their Services, which I can more desire the Lord would deliver them from, than mention.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Willet. Synops.