Presbyteries triall, or, The occasion and motives of conversion to the Catholique faith of a person of quality in Scotland ; to which is svbioyned, A little tovch-stone of the Presbyterian covenant

CHAP. XII. A Reflection on the last, and an Entrance into the Triall of the first supposed Reformation.

HAVING, by the Divine grace, & by the former considerations, discovered, as well the falshood of the forsaid Presbyterian Innova∣ons, as the ancient truth of the Catholique do∣ctrine, I was advised and much encouraged to make the like triall, of the principal points of our first Reformation: as concerning the Com∣mandements, our iustification, & the nature & effect of the Sacramēts. For i••t was represented vnto me, that there was no lesse pretext of pure Scripture, and a like lowd cryes of a great en∣gyring light, for the last; then was for the first Reformation. And seing, by the former triall, I had discovered these, last pretences to be false: Why may not I haue some confidence to do the like, with the first, if I would vse the l ke dili∣gence? And if the last Reformers haue been mis∣taken and misled by passion, why might not also their Predecessours over see themselves too: Or what assurance can any man haue of

their infallibility, more then of the others? The Alterations, that haue been lately made by the Presbyterians do shew (even in their Iudg∣ment) that their first Reformers were not infal∣libly assisted. 2. I was put in mind, that I had found lately some of the most eminent among them, to be Corrupters, or as S. Paul speakes Adulterers; both of the letter and sense of the Scriptures: and therefore, they are not to be altogether trusted, without trial. In a word, great promises and assurances were made to me, that I would, by this triall, find out the fal∣shood of the first, as I had done of the last Re∣formation. &, by that means I might attaine vnto the possession of solid truth, whereon I might safely rely, for the good of my soule. As truth can endure iust trial, and desires nothing more, by which it is more manifested; so falshood can∣not abide triall, but alwayes shuns it, because thereby it's deceits are detected.

* 1.1Lastly, it was showen vnto me that the an∣cient Pastours of the Church, did most wisely reduce the whole substance of the Christian doctrin, which is, of it self, so large and plen∣teous, into these 4. heads: to witt the Apostles Creed, the Sacraments, the Divine Comman∣dements, and our Lords prayer: for all things which belong either vnto the knowledge of God, the creation and governement of the world, or the Redemption of mankind, the rewards of the good or the punishments of the wicked, are contain'd in the Apostolique Creed. The signes and instruments, which

God hath instituted for attaining grace, are the holy Sacraments. The divine Commande∣ments, shew, what we ought to do; and our Lords prayer doth containe all, what we can wish or desire. And therefore, these are (as it were) the foure great Pillars, wheron the whole fabricke of Christianity relyes. Now it was told me, how I had found, by the former triall, that this last pretended Reformation, had overturned two of these Pillars▪ to witt the Apostles Creed, & the Lords prayer; besides the fundamental governement, established by Christ, in his Church. If then, I should find also, that the first Reformation had overturned the other two Pillars: to witt the Divine Com∣mandements, & the holy Sacraments: Then I might Conclude, that the end and intent of these Reformations (what ever was the inten∣tion of the Reformers) hath been, vnder the pretence of Reformation, totall Deformation, and the destruction of the Christian religion, and that, betwixt them, they haue compleated that hydeous worke of Desolation. For, if the first refomation tooke away two, as the next hath taken away other two; Then they both together have subverted (so far as they could) the 4. great Pillars of Christianity: and the last Presbyterian Reformation hath compleated, what the first had begun, and had not perfected.

I begun then the trial of our first Reforma∣tion, with it's doctrin, concerning the divine Commandements, and specially of the impos∣sibility to keepe them: which was taught by

our first, and is yet maintain'd by our last Re∣formers. For it was showen to me, if the Com∣mandements of God were possible to be keept (as all wise and iust lawes are ordain'd for that end) that they may be observed; Then we, by teaching they were impossible to be keep't, de∣stroyed the very end, for which the Comman∣dements were made, and so destroyed the Commadements themselues.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Catoch. Rom. q. 12. Sa pientis∣fime Maiores nostri &c.