fallible, it follows that the Chriftian Civil Magiftrates, as well as the Chriftian Church, are infallible. But this I fuppofe, will be stifly deny'd by those of the Church of Rome. 4. If this Text prove any infallibility at all, then that infallibility is lodg'd, not only in the whole Body of the Church, but alfo in every fmall Number or fingle Perfon, that shall have been appointed to hear a particular Caufe. But the confequences of this Affertion are ridiculous. 5. Tho' this paffage did really prove the Jewish Church to have been infallible in matters of Faith (which for the reafons alledg'd can never be fhewn) yet it do's not follow that the Chriftian Church is also infallible in matters of Faith. For we cannot challenge to our felves feveral of their Privileges; and we may with as much reafon lay claim to their Urim and Thummim, &c. as to their infallibility; unless we can fhew by fome Text of Scripture, that our Savior has tranfplanted this particular Gift of Infallibility out of the Jewish into the Chriftian Church. 2. They urge our Savior's Promise to the Church, that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, Matth. 16. 18. In thofe Words our Bleffed Lord affures us, that his Church fhall not be totally deftroy'd; but continue either in a profperous, or at leaft in an afflicted State, to the end of the World. Now 'tis freely granted, that the perpetuity of the Church is herein plainly foretold but furely it will never be prov'd, that the Church cannot be perpetual, unlefs it be alfo infallible. They fay indeed, that Herefies may be brought into the Church, and by degrees deftroy all the Articles of the Chriftian Faith, unless the Church has infallibility to prevent them. But we answer, anfwer, that God can eafily preferve his Church from being totally undermin'd and ruin'd by Herefies (which is all that is here promis'd) without the help of Infallibility: and therefore Infallibility is not neceffary to the perpetual duration of it. 3. Because our Savior faies, Matth. 18. 17. If be neglect to bear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen Man or a Publican, they think the Church must be infallible; for otherwife (fay they) a Man wou'd not be obliged to obey it upon pain of fuch a punishment. But I anfwer this with an inftance more than parallel. I fuppose our Adverfaries will allow, that an undutiful Child or a rebellious Subject fhall (unless he repent) be eternally damn'd; and that eternal damnation is as fevere a punishment, as being thought an Heathen Man or Publican: and yet I fuppofe they will not fay that a Parent or a King muft needs be infallible; as if a Child or a Subject 'cou'd not otherwise be damn'd for disobedience. This Text indeed directs to the Cenfure, which ought to be inflicted on those who disobey the Churches authority; but it do's by no means prove the Church infallible, unless there can be no authority without infallibility. 4. Our Savior faies, Matth. 18. 20. Where two or three are gather'd together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them from whence fome Perfons conclude, that if he be present with two or three Perfons, he is much more present in a General Council; and if Chrift be prefent in a General Council, that General Council muft be infallible. To this I answer, 1. that our Savior fpeaks of Men's offering up their Prayers to God, and promifes them that their joint Petitions fhall be gran ted: ted: but he speaks not one word of an infallible determination of Controverfies concerning matters of Faith. This appears from the context; for after he had fpoken of Church Cenfures, he proceeds to Church Prayers, faying, Again I Say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. 2. Tho' this be moft plainly spoken of public Prayers; yet let us fuppofe it spoken of two or three judges met to confider of Ecclefiaftical affairs. Certainly our Adverfaries will not fay, that every small meeting of two or three Ecclefiaftical Perfons is infallible; as they must of neceffity be, if infallibility be the confequence of Chrift's being in the midst of them. 5. The Scribes and Pharifees (says our Bleffed Lord; Matth 23. 1, 2.) fit in Mofes's feat; all there fore, whatsoever they bid you obferve, that obferve and do. Therefore in the judgment of fome Perfons the Scribes and Pharifees, and much more the Church of Chrift, must be thought infallible. But I pray, muft not the People hear their Spiritual Teachers, unless thofe Teachers be infallible? The Scribes and Pharifees were to explain the Law, and as far as they taught the People their duty, they are to be follow'd, notwithstanding their own wicked Lives; and this we allow alfo with refpect to Chriftian Paftors: for certainly the Jews of old, and the Chriftians now-a-days are obliged to pra&ife whatever is prefs'd upon them out of the Word of God; tho' their Teachers be neither good Men, nor infallible. But will our Adverfaries fay, the Scribes and Pha rifees cou'd not mislead the People? What then fhall we think of our Savior's Words, when he fays, they taught for doctrines the commandments of men. Matth. 15. 3. and calls them blind guides, Matth. 23. 24. fools and blind. v. 17, 19. and blind leaders of the blind, Matth. 15. 14. and fays, v. 13. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharifees, hypocrites, for ye Shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against Men: for ye neither go in your felves, neither fuffer ye them that are entring to go in. And again, v. 15. Te compafs Sea and Land to make one Profelyte; and when be is made, ye make him twofold more the Child of Hell than your felves? Nay, they condemn'd our Savior, and taught the People fo to do, and caft those that follow'd him out of the Synagogue, John 9. and are not these infallible Marks of infallible Guides? . Now if the Scribes and Pharifees were not infallible, as I think I have fufficiently prov'd: then that infallibility, which has been falfly attributed to them, do's not prove that the Chriftian Church is infallible. Befides, if the Scribes and Pharifees had been truly infallible; yet it do's not follow that the Chriftian Church is infallible alfo. Because none can enjoy that privilege, unlefs God beftows it upon them: and we must not conclude that God beftows it upon one body of Men because (for some reasons best known to himself) he did formerly beftow it upon another; unless we are able to fhew the Promife, or prove the gift of it. Nay farther, if the Scribes and Pharifees must be thought infallible, because the People were to obferve and do whatever theycommanded; then every fingle Perfon of them was infallible; because the People were not taught by the whole Body of them together, but by one fingle Perfon at a time. Now if every fingle Scribe or Pharifee were infallible in his teaching; then, according to our Adverfaries way of reafoning, every fingle Chriftian Priest must be infallible in his Sermons. But, I prefume, no confidering Perfon will affirm thefe things. 6. Some Perfons argue, that the Church is infallible, because our Savior promis'd, Matth. 28. 20. to be with it to the end of the world. But we fhall think this Paffage nothing at all to their purpose, till they can prove it impoffible for our Savior to be with his Church, and affift it with his Grace and Bleffing (which is all he promises in this place) unless he make it also infallible. 7. Our Savior faies, Luke 10. 16. He that beareth you, beareth me; and he that defpifeth you, defpifeth me; and be that defpifeth me, defpifeth him that fent me. Therefore, fay our Adverfaries, the Church is infallible. But, I pray, may not defpifing the Paftors of God's Church, who are Ambaffadors for Chrift, 2 Cor. 5. 20. be a grievous fin, and an act of contempt against his Majefty; although the Paftors of the Church be not infallible? Besides,if this Text proves any infallibility, it is to be found in every particular Preacher; because he that heareth him, heareth Chrift; and he that defpifeth him, defpifeth Chrift; and he that defpiseth Christ, defpifeth God, that fent our Savior Chrift. But, as I have already faid, no fober Perfon will think every particular Preacher to be infal lible. 8. Again, our Savior faies to St. Peter, Luke 22. 32. But I have pray'd for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, ftrengthen by Brethren. Our Savior forefaw, that St. Peter wou'd J. Dəlafield. |