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 ...

SECT. III. Of the Second Question, How far Agreements made by a General Assembly do oblige the Churches concerned by their Representative.

To ascribe Infallibility to any Assembly since the Apostles days, as to that Assembly whereof they were Members, Act. 15. must in no wise be allowed; For then it would follow, that the Decrees made in such Synods, must be added to the Scriptures, as the undoubted Dictates of the Holy Ghost, for so were the Decrees of that Assembly, as we see, Act. 15. And thus we should still be receiving New Ora∣cles, and never know when the whole Counsel of God was delivered to us. Wherefore, though we ought to consider with great respect what is concluded by a General Council of Christ's true Ministers, yet may we lawfully doubt of what they deliver, unless they confirm it by the Word of the Lord: For there is not any more reason to believe such Assemblies to be as infallible as that of the Apostles, than there

is to believe that the Succeeding Bishops or Pastors are as infallible as those first Ministers of the Gospel: For as that was infallible in that Writing or Decree set forth in all their Names, so they were in∣fallible also in their Particular Epistles: But so are neither particu∣lar Ministers of Christ, nor yet whole Synods of them, since the Apo∣stles Decease; as is apparent by the Oppositions which have been found among them; to which purpose Augustin saith very well:

And who can be ignorant that the Holy Canonical Scripture, as well of the Old as of the New Testament, is contained within her certain Limits; and that it is so preferred before all latter Writings of Bishops, that it can∣not in any wise be doubted or disputed of, whether it be true or whether it be right. Whatsoever is written in it, is certain: But that the Writings of Bishops which have been written, or are now written, after the Canon is con∣firmed, may be lawfully reprehended both by the more wise Speech perhaps of any man that is more skillful in the Matter, and also by the more grave Autho∣rity, and more learned Prudence of other Bishops; and by Councils, if any thing in them perhaps have strayed from the Truth. And even Councils themselves, which are gathered in every Region or Province, without all doubt must give place to the Authority of General Councils, which are ga∣thered out of all the Christian World, [if indeed it were possible to ob∣tain a Free Council of that Nature.] And that oftentimes the former General Councils themselves may be corrected by the latter, when by any trial of Matters, that is opened which was shut, and that is known which was hidden, without any swelling of sacrilegious Pride, without any stiff-neck of puffing Arrogance, without any contention of cankered Envy, with holy Humility, with Catholick Peace, with Christian Charity.

Thus Augustine, (who with as much modesty and reason as can well be expressed in a matter of this difficulty) and we with him, dare not look upon any Writings or Decrees of General Councils to be infallible, but that they may admit of Correction or Emendati∣on. Yet doubtless they are to be esteemed as the Council of Fathers, and must needs outweigh (ordinarily) the Opinion of private Chri∣stians, at least to quiet strife in the Church about things disputable. And here that Text, Heb. 13. Obey them that have the Rule over you, is of great force, and the Faith of our lawful Pastors is to be follow∣ed, with consideration to be had of the end of their Conversation, and that they follow Christ. For as Augustine again, My consent with∣out exception I owe to no man, be he never so well learned, as to the Holy Scripture. Nor may we receive the Doctrine of an Angel of Heaven, if he preach contrary to the Gospel, Gal. 1. 6, 8.

One thing here we may not intermit concerning the Decrees of that Holy Council at Jerusalem, Act. 15. which though the Infallible Dictates of the Holy Ghost are disobeyed, by those who pretend the greatest Reverence to the Determinations of General Councils, to wit, the Papists, and the Protestants also generally. And it is in the case of abstinence from Blood and things strangled, which is expresly in the said Decrees, Act. 15. 28. prohibited to all that from the Gentiles were turned to God; and it is granted by the Papists, That all Christi∣ans

did obey that Decree with the rest for some Ages after: and yet they presume to violate this Decree, by eating Blood and strangled things, in opposition to the Authority of the Holy Ghost, and this Sacred Council, and against the Evidence of the Scriptures elsewhere prohibiting the same:

First upon a Moral ground, because it is the Life of the Creature, Gen. 9. 5. But Flesh with the Life thereof, which is the Blood thereof, thou shalt not eat. See also, Levit. 17. 14.

Secondly, Upon a Religious account, viz. Because God had reser∣ved it to make atonement for the Soul, Levit. 17. 10, 11. And now,

Thirdly, Prohibited as a necessary thing, even among things not to be dispensed with, viz. The pollution of Idols and Fornication. Now though the Second Consideration should not oblige Christians, yet the First and Third ought, or else a Gap is opened to fall into great Li∣centiousness. Thus men that cry up the Authority of General Councils, do contrary to the Decrees of this best of Councils, and in despite of its Authority (which they pretend was but for a time only, without the least shew of proof) will eat Blood, and things which are strangled; and this they do also in contempt of Antiquity. For;

Tertullian, who lived in the Second Century, in vindication of the Christians who were accused for Enemies to Mankind, and for de∣vouring Infants in their Blood, saith thus: How can that be true in the Christians, whose Custom is to abstain from all Blood and things strangled, so that it is not lawful for them when they feed at their Tables, to meddle with the Blood of any Beast. With what face or conscience can a Papist burn those who cannot obey the Council of Trent in the case of Transubstantiation, and yet justifie themselves and others in eating Blood, against those who religiously obey this Infallible Gene∣ral Council at Jerusalem?

Notes

• Augustine, as alledged by Dr. Fulk.
• Augustine.
• The best Gener. Council disobey∣ed by the Pa∣pists, &c.
• Tertullian, of Blood and strangled things