The Catholic Confession

CATHOLIC CONFESSION.

it would quickly become evident, from the heathens’ own confession and hypotheses, that they The early Christians. seek arguments by which they demonstrate the truth of the Christian religion, and conversely, the falsehood of pagan superstition. Alphonso de Castro Alfonso de Castro (1495–1558) was a Spanish Franciscan theologian and legal scholar known for his works against heresies. says in Book 1 of Against Heresies, chapter 12: The doctrine of the pagans can be useful for defeating the pagans themselves, so that when we fight against them, we may slay them with their own sword, just as sacred History testifies that David killed Goliath. For with these weapons Justin Martyr An early Christian apologist (c. 100–165 AD) who used Greek philosophy to defend Christian beliefs. fights against the nations in the Apology which he wrote on the same subject. Therefore, Damascenus John of Damascus (c. 675–749 AD), a Syrian monk and priest known as the "Father of Scholasticism." says in Book 4 of On the Orthodox Faith, chapter 18: If we are able to pluck anything useful from those who are outside the faith, it is not to be despised. Let us become like skilled money-changers original: "trapezitæ"; a common early Christian metaphor for being discerning in truth, like a banker testing coins., amassing the legitimate and pure gold, while rejecting the counterfeit. Let us take the best speeches, and throw the ridiculous gods and alien fables to the dogs. For we shall be able to have the greatest strength from them against themselves.

Following in those footsteps of the pious ancients, we have decided to confirm the truth of the Catholic and orthodox doctrine—which the Churches adhering to the Augsburg Confession profess—from the testimonies of Roman Catholic Writers. For Thomas Morton An English bishop and theologian (1564–1659) known for his polemics against Roman Catholicism. very truly writes in The Royal Cause, or a Dissertation against Bellarmine Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621), a Jesuit Cardinal and one of the most influential figures of the Counter-Reformation., a treatise on the office of a Christian Prince, chapter 3, page 327: There is hardly any controversy agitated more vehemently between Protestants and Papists in which there have not stood forth some very grave authors from your own [Roman] Church as most eloquent patrons of our cause. Before we approach the matter itself with the favor of divine grace, we will put forward by way of a Preface: I. An enumeration of the benefits to be expected from this writing. II. A refutation of certain Papal objections. III. A necessary reminder regarding certain Writers whose testimonies will be cited.

CHAPTER I.

CONCERNING THE UTILITY TO BE EX-

PECTED FROM THIS WRITING.

The first and principal benefit, which we can perceive from the testimonies of the Adversaries themselves cited in favor of our Confession, is the confirmation of the truth. For as domestic...