`TER. zv. Ephefaans, Chap.z. 311 the Jewes foerroneous, the authority oftheir great Rabbies and tra- ditionary divinity, was foembraced by them , asChrìft faith, It islid ofold, but I fay: So in matter ofrites, their ma/hing ofhands with figni- ficatioa,chey call it a conflicution of their Fathers; this was in the Pri- mitive Church continued that many were fo addicted to fome men, that they would receive thethingsfathered upon them, though difcre- pant from the Evangelical] doctrine: So that in Tertulians time many did defend , that the Apoftles did not write all truth for us to know, but that there was a more perfe& Divinity which was traditionary: yeain Irenaus his time before Tertulian, lib. z. cap. 23, 24. For this is the property of Heretiques to calumniate the perfet`tionof Scripture, neither doe they ever flye to it, but only to the barkeof the out- ward fyllables, that they may fo avoyd the fub(tance and matter of it, which is moil manifeft: and the authorityofAntique tradition is fo forcible, that it beguiled fome of the Fathers , drawing them to ufe fomeceremonies utterly ungrounded in the Word, asMilke and Ho. ny inBaptifme, giving the Eucharift to children , not kneeling from Fatter toWhitfun-tide. But howdid Tertulian then thew that tradi- tions were not to be regarded which were befide the authority of the Word,in matters offaith and mannersf Even thus. The Apoftles Nere fent by Chrift;iftherefore they did not publith things faithfully, either theywere unable or not fyncere, andChrilt blame- worthy that wouldfend thofe fo qualified. Wee may fay: either they could and would not: would, but could not: or elfe were willing and able, but might not. That they couldnot, is abfurd, who had the gifts ofthe Holy Ghoft fo abundantly. That they would not, is unlikely , who werefo faithful!, and who fuffered all things, yea death it felfe, for the Churches good. That they might not , left holy things Mould bee toomuch divulged, and fo Peones call before [wise; for Chrift bidde them [peakall things they heardfrom him (yea though in fecret) upon houfe tops: And as for dogs and fwine there is no feare; for the Bible (thoughopen) is a clafped book to them; as for others , all the coun- fell ofGod belongethto them. Be not then deceived with things after the traditions of men. By yf r, this we difcerne the deceived ettate of the Roman Church; for one Be noe doto- egge is notlikeranother then they to thofe old Heretiques: and the dedw,thtrada- principall part of their beliefe andpralife hath no better ground then nano PaP'' humane tradition,without the Word. Secondly,this muff teach us not to Eland too muchupon the autho- 2. rity ofmen, asto pinne faithupon their opinion. omnes Patres tota Stand nor too much on au- Schola , are not the Old and NewTeftament, we all incline to fpeak charity of as they,Which ofthe Rabbits and Dollars ofthe Lawfay thus! and tore. men. jeél that which commeth not ufbered in with humane Teftimonies. Whereas we Ihould not receive any thing,bccaufe men affirme it, nor deny any thing in this regard limply, becaufe great Clerks areofother judgement , ( though wee mutt not on the other extreame paffe lby antiquity and moderne judgements upon a felfe-willed fancy, F Mat.ç.zr.za. as
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