Wesley Corpus

Popery Calmly Considered Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 10 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- IN the following Tract, I propose, First, to lay down and examine the chief doctrines of the Church of Rome: Secondly, to show the natural tendency of a few of those doctrines; and that with all the plainness and all the calmness I can. oF THE CHURCH, AND THE RULE of FAITH. 1. THE Papists judge it necessary to salvation, to be subject to the Pope, as the one visible head of the Church. But we read in Scripture, that Christ is the Head of the Church, “from whom the whole body is fitly joined together.” (Col. ii. 19.) The Scripture does not mention any visible head of the Church; much less does it mention the Pope as such; and least of all does it say, that it is necessary to salvation to be subject to him. 2. The Papists say, The Pope is Christ's Vicar, St. Peter's successor, and has the supreme power on earth over the whole Church. We answer, Christ gave no such power to St. Peter him self. He gave no Apostle pre-eminence over the rest. Yea, St. Paul was so far from acknowledging St. Peter's supremacy, that he withstood him to the face, (Gal. ii. 11) and asserted himself “not to be behind the chief of the Apostles.” Neither is it certain, that St. Peter was Bishop of Rome; no, nor that he ever was there. But they say, “Is not Rome the mother, and therefore the mistress, of all Churches?” We answer, No. “The word of the Lord went forth from Jerusalem.” There the Church began. She, therefore, not the Church of Rome, is the mother of all Churches. The Church of Rome, therefore, has no right to require any person to believe what she teaches on her sole authority. 3. St. Paul says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The Scripture, therefore, being delivered by men divinely inspired, is a rule sufficient of itself: So it neither needs, nor is capable of, any farther addition. Yet the Papists add tradition to Scripture, and require it to be received with equal veneration.