The touch-stone of the reformed gospel wherein the principal heads and tenents of the Protestant doctrine (objected against Catholicks) are briefly refuted. By the express texts of the Protestants own Bible, set forth and approved by the Church of England. With the ancient fathers judgements thereon, in confirmation of the Catholick doctrine.

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Author:	Heigham, John, fl. 1639.
Title:	The touch-stone of the reformed gospel wherein the principal heads and tenents of the Protestant doctrine (objected against Catholicks) are briefly refuted. By the express texts of the Protestants own Bible, set forth and approved by the Church of England. With the ancient fathers judgements thereon, in confirmation of the Catholick doctrine.
Print source:	The touch-stone of the reformed gospel wherein the principal heads and tenents of the Protestant doctrine (objected against Catholicks) are briefly refuted. By the express texts of the Protestants own Bible, set forth and approved by the Church of England. With the ancient fathers judgements thereon, in confirmation of the Catholick doctrine. Heigham, John, fl. 1639., Kellison, Matthew, [S.l.: s.n.], Printed in the year, 1676.
Notes:	Anonymous. By John Heigham. Includes index at end. Reproduction of the original in the Lambeth Palace Library, London. Formerly attributed to Matthew Kellison, Cf. NUC pre-1956.
Subject terms:	Catholic Church -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800. Catholics -- England -- Early works to 1800. Protestantism -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800.
URL:	https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A43256.0001.001
How to cite:	For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

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To the Catholick READER Health, and incouragement in his Holy Faith.

THE TOUCH-STONE Of the REFORMED GOSPEL.

The Protestants affirm. I. That there is not in the Church one, and that an infallible Rule, for under∣standing the Holy Scriptures, and con∣serving of Ʋnity in matters of Faith.

The Protestants affirm. II. That in matters of Faith we must not rely upon the Judgement of the Church and of her Pastors, but one∣ly upon the written Word.

They affirm. III. That the Scriptures are easie to be un∣derstood, and that therefore non ought to be restrained from readin of them.

They affirm. IV. That Apostolical Traditions, and an∣cient Customs of the Church, (not found in the written word) are not to be received, nor to oblige us.

They affirm. V. That a man, by his own understandi or private spirit, may rightly jud and interpret Scripture.

They affirm. VI. That S Peters faith hath failed.

They affirm. VII. That the Church can err, and hath erred.

They affirm. VIII. That the Church hath been hidden and invisible.

They maintain. IX. That the Church was not always to re∣main Catholick or universal, and that the Church of Rome is not such a Church.

The Reformers hold. X. That the Churches Ʋnity is not necessary in all points of faith.

XIhat S. Peter was not ordained by Christ the first Head, or Chief a∣mong the Apostles, and that among the twelve, none was greater, or lesser than other.

They also hold. XII. That a woman may he Head, or su∣preme Governess of the Church in all causes, as the late Queen Eli∣zabeth was.

XIII. That Antichrist shall not be a particu∣lar man; and that the Pope is An∣tichrist.

XIV. That no man, nor any but God, can for∣give, or retain sins.

XV. That we ought not to confess our sins to any man, but to God onely.

XVI. That Pardons, and Indulgences, were not in the Apostles times.

The Protestants hold. XVII. That the actions, and passions of the Saints, do serve for nothing to the Church.

XVIII. That no man can do works of super∣errogation.

XIX. That by the fall of Adam, we have all lost our Free-will, and that it is not in our power to choose good, but onely evil.

XX. That it is impossible to keep the Com∣mandements of God, though assist∣ed with his Grace, and the holy Ghost.

They maintain. XXI. That faith onely justifieth; and that good Works are not absolutely necessary to salvation.

XXII. That no good Works are meritorious.

XXIII. That faith once had, cannot possibly be lost.

They maintain. XXIV. That God by his will, and inevitable Decree, hath ordained from all eter∣nity, who shall be damned, and who saved.

Further they hold. XXV. They every one ought infallibly to as∣sure himself of his Salvation, and to believe, that he is of the number of the Predestinate.

XXVI. That every man hath not an Angel-Guardian, or keeper.

XXVII. That the holy Angels pray not for us, nor know our thoughts, and desires on earth.

XXVIII. That we may not pray to them.

Protestants hold XXIX. That the Angels cannot help us.

XXX. That no Saint deccased, hath afterward appeared to any upon earth.

XXXI. That the Saints deceased, know not what passeth here on earth.

XXXII. That the Saints pray not for us.

XXXIII. That we ought not to beseech God to grant our prayers in favour of the Saints, or their merits: nor do we receive any benefit thereby.

XXXIIII. That we ought not expresly to pray them to pray, or intercede to God for us.

XXXV. That the Bones, or Relicks of Saints, are not to be kept, or reserved, no vertue proceeding from them, after they be once dead.

Protestants hold. XXXVI. That creatures cannot be sanctified, or made more holy then they are already of their own nature.

XXXVII. That children may be saved by their Parents faith, without the Sacra∣ment of holy Baptism.

XXXVIII. That the Sacrament of Confirmation is not necessary, nor to be used.

XXXIX. That the bread of the Supper of our Lord, was but a figure, or remem∣brance of the body of Christ received by faith, and not his true, and very body.

XL. That we ought to receive under both kinds; and that one alone sufficeth not.

They further hold. XLI. That there is not in the Church, a true and proper Sacrifice; and that the Mass is not a Sacrifice.

XLII. That Sacramental Ʋnction is not to be used to the sick.

XLIII. That no interiour Grace is given by imposition of hands, in Holy Orders. And that ordinary Vocation, and mission of Pastors, is not necessary in the Church.

XLIV. That the Priests, and other Religious per∣sons, who have vowed their chastity of God, may freely marry, notwith∣standing their vow.

XLV. That fasting, and abstinence from cer∣tain meats is not grounded on holy Scripture, nor causeth any spiri∣tual good.

XLVI. That Jesus Christ descended not into hell, nor delivered thence the souls of the Fathers.

XLVII. That there is no Purgatory fire, or other prison, wherein sins may be satisfied for after this life.

XLVIII. That it is not lawfull to make, or have Images.

XLIX. That it is not lawfull to reverence Ima∣ges, nor to give any honour, to in∣sensible things.

L. That no man hath seen God in any form, and that therefore his Picture, or I∣mage cannot be made.

LI. That blessing, or signing with the sign of the Crosse, is not founded on holy Scripture.

LII. That the publick service of the Church ought not to be said, but in a lan∣guage that all the people may under∣staend.

A TABLE OF THE CONTROVERSIES.