The third Consideration.

That there must be some meanes prouided by Almighty God, by which all sorts of men may learne this Fayth, which is necessary to saluation: & what conditions are requisite therto.

AS this one, infallible, and entiere fayth is necessary to saluation in all sorts of men, as well vnlearned al lear∣ned: so we must say that Almighty God,(a) who would haue all men to be saued, and to come to the knowledge of the truth, hath Page  5 prouided some Rule and meanes wherby euery man in all questions and doubts of fayth, may be infallibly instructed and taught what is to be holden for the true fayth: and that the only cause why any man misseth of the true faith, is ey∣ther because he doth not seeke out, and find this rule and meanes, or hauing found it, he will not vse it, and in all poynts submit himselfe to it, as the nature of diuine fayth, and the duty of euery Christian bindeth him to do. To this purpose sayth S. Augustine:(b) If Gods Prouidence rule & go∣uerne humane matters, we may not despayre, but that there is a cer∣tayne authority appointed by the same God, vpon which staying our selues, as vpon a sure step, we may be lifted vp to God: which lif∣ting vp to God is first begun by true fayth: for the finding of which, God hath prouided a certayne authority and meanes, wherby men may come to the knowledge of the diuine mysteryes of fayth.

This rule and meanes to find out the true fayth neces∣sary to saluation, must haue the propertyes following. 1. It must be certayne and infallible, for otherwise it cannot be a sufficient foundation wherevpon we should build our fayth, which is absolutly infallible. 2. It must be easy and playne to be knowen of all men, for if to any one sort it could not be knowen, or not certaynly knowen, it could not be to them a rule or meanes wherby they might direct themselues to the certayne knowledge of the true fayth. 3. It must be vniuersal, that it may not only make vs to know certainly what is the true fayth in some points, but absolut∣ly in all points of fayth. Otherwise it were not a sufficient meanes, wherby we might attayne to an entiere & whole fayth, which absolutly is necessary. 4. It must be continual, and neuer interrupted to the end of the world: for euen as fayth, and the Church do alwaies endure and continue, so must also the ground of fayth, seeing that nothing can con∣sist without this foundation and ground. 5. It must be vn∣changeable, for otherwise truth would somtymes perish, and there would arise some errour against fayth, seeing that nothing can endure and consist, except it haue sufficient ground and foundation.