A PRESERVATIVE AGAINST POPERY, IN SEVERAL Select Discourses UPON THE PRINCIPAL HEADS OF CONTROVERSY BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND PAPISTS: BEING WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED By the most eminent Divines of the Church of England, CHIEFLY IN THE REIGN OF KING JAMES II. COLLECTED BY THE RIGHT REV. EDMUND GIBSON, D.D. SUCCESSIVELY LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN AND LONDON, CAREFULLY REVISED AND EDITED FOR THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES BY THE REV. JOHN CUMMING, D.D. VOL. XV. LONDON: PUBLISHED AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICE, 8, EXETER HALL, STRAND. 1849. 1628 I. An Historical Examination of the Authority of General Councils; shewing the false Dealing that hath been used in the publishing of them; and the Difference amongst the Papists themselves about their Number. By Mr. JENKINS, Fellow of St. John's II.-Roman Forgeries in the Councils during the first four Cen- turies. Together with an Appendix concerning the Forgeries and Errors in the Annals of Baronius. By Dr. COMBER, late 89 I.-An Account of the Life and Death of the Blessed Virgin, accord- ing to Romish Writers. With the Grounds of the Worship II.-The Virgin Mary misrepresented by the Roman Church, in the Traditions of that Church concerning her Life and Glory; and in the Devotions paid to her as the Mother of God. Both shewed out of the Offices of that Church, the Lessons on her Festivals, and from their allowed Authors. Part I. Wherein two of her Feasts, her Conception, and Nativity, are considered. THE AUTHORITY OF GENERAL COUNCILS EXAMINED, AND ROMAN FORGERIES THEREIN DETECTED. AN HISTORICAL EXAMINATION OF THE AUTHORITY OF GENERAL COUNCILS, SHEWING THE FALSE DEALING THAT HATH BEEN USED IN THE PUBLISHING OF THEM; AND THE DIFFERENCE AMONGST THE PAPISTS THEMSELVES ABOUT THEIR NUMBER. THE PREFACE. THE chief controversies between the Church of England and the Church of Rome have of late been managed to the best advantage on both sides. The more judicious seem to be satisfied, and others to be tired out with a close and eager debate of above two years' continuance; all seem to be settled now, and fixed in their principles, and every one sees, or thinks he sees, on which side the truth lies. I am confident all has been said for Popery that can be said, though I am not so well assured that much more might not have been said against it, which has been spared out of a regard to our common Christianity, and to religion in general, besides the respect due to a great and gracious Prince of that communion. But our adversaries have not been wanting to their own cause in this opportunity, nor in the least favourable to ours. At first, they would seem to be satisfied, if they could be truly represented and rightly |