Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n
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A01637
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The summe of Christian doctrine written originally in Latine by John Gerhard ... and translated by Ralph Winterton ...; Aphorismi succinct et selecti. English
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Gerhard, Johann, 1582-1637.; Winterton, Ralph, 1600-1636.
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1640
(1640)
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STC 11769.5; ESTC S4062
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111,557
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338
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two wayes either for that which of it self alone is All-sufficient excluding all want or else for that which is but In part profitable and not sufficient of it self without the help of something else It is manifest that the Apostle here speaketh of that which is profitable taken in the first sense 22 By those things which are written we may be taught to beleeve on Christ John 20.31 and be furnished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3.17 And the brethren of the rich glutton by hearing Moses and the Prophets in the Scriptures might have escaped the torments of Hell Luke 16.29 23 Whereupon it follows without forcing that the perfection of the Holy Scripture is such as we assigne unto it For whosoever beleeveth on Christ and is furnished unto all good works and made partaker of eternall life what can he desire more 24 This also is an Argument worthie our consideration That the Apostle S. Paul declared unto the Church of Ephesus all the counsel of God to wit concerning our salvation Acts 20.27 Again the same Apostle said none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come Acts 26.22 Therefore in Moses and the Prophets is contained all the counsel of God concerning our salvation 25 Now if the Scripture be perfect as indeed it is Away then with Traditions which some would thrust upon us to be received with like affection and to be beleeved with like authoritie as the Scripture 26 For they are full of doubts and sometimes also contradictions being very apt to be corrupted and many wayes subject unto errour 27 The Ecclesiasticall Historie witnesseth that in the time of the Primitive Church under the name of Apostolicall Traditions many falsities were broched and that men of great note have been deceived in former time by the opinion of Traditions 28 Furthermore seeing that the Holy Scripture was by God given unto men to this end to instruct them unto salvation from hence we conclude that The Scripture is perspicuous 29 What Could not God which made both mind and tongue speak plainly and perspicuously Yea certainly he used great care and providence that all men might understand vvhat he spake unto all men Lactant. lib. 6. Div. Institut cap. 21. 30 Ought not that which is to instruct the rude and ignorant and make them wise and learned ought not that I say be perspicuous 31 It is perspicuity which in fit to teach and instruct not obscurity or perplexitie 32 Yet when we say that the Holy Scripture is perspicuous we would not have it so understood as if we meant that whatsoever is contained any where in Scripture were so easie and plain that any man at the first sight may understand it 33 But this is our meaning that The perspicuity of Scripture is such that from thence a man may learn sure and infallible grounds and principles of religion the knowledge whereof is necessary unto every man toward the attainment of everlasting salvation 34 The books of the Prophets and Apostles are the integrall parts of Holy Scripture And that both those are perspicuous it is proved by good testimonies If the parts of Scripture then be perspicuous how can the whole be said to be obscure 35 The Propheticall word in the Old Testament is compared unto a Lamp Light or Lantern Psalme 119.105 And as much is said of the Apostolicall word 2. Pet. 1.19 And again If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2. Cor. 4.3 Whereby it appeareth that if the Scripture be obscure and hid it is so onely by accident But of it self and by its own nature it is perspicuous 36 Seeing therefore it is demonstrated that the Scripture is perfect and perspicuous It follows that It is and ought to be the certain infallible and onely rule and judge of all controversies that are moved about points of Christian religion 37 What David saith concerning the Apostles Psal 19.4 Their line or their rule or direction is gone out through all the earth the same Paul applies to the doctrine of the Apostles Rom. 10.18 Their sound went into all the earth But the Apostles wrote and taught the same things 38 Christ also and his Apostles for determining controversies of faith appealed unto no other Judge went by no other Rule but the Holy Scriptures and they send us also to search the Scriptures And what sheep will not follow Christ his Shepherd and Leader and the Apostles his followers 39 The word of Christ contained in the Holy Scriptures Propheticall and Apostolicall shall judge all men in the last day John 12.48 Rom. 2.16 Rev. 20.12 What hinders then but that it may be unto us in this life a Perfect Rule 40 For if there be any part of celestiall doctrine not contained within the Canonicall books How shall the judgement which shall be passed hereafter according unto them be entire 41 Furthermore seeing that it is not onely permitted but also commanded to all Christians to trie the Spirits 1. John 4.1 to beware of false prophets Matth. 7.15 to prove all things 1. Thess 5.21 and thus it lies upon them to discern between divine truth and humane dreams certainly the rule of truth that is the Holy Scripture belongeth unto all men And therefore The common people ought not to be debarred the reading of the Scripture 42 What the Spirit of God approveth and commendeth let not any man say It is forbidden But the Bereans are commended for this that they examined Pauls sermon by the Rule of the Scriptures Acts 17 1â— The elect strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia 1. Pet. 1.1 are commended for attending unto the word of prophesie as unto a light 2. Pet. 1.19 And Coloss 3.16 the diligent study in the Scripture is commended to all Christians 43 And seeing that the common people are altogether ignorant of the Hebrew and Greek tongue wherein the books of the Old and Nevv Testament were written and yet are bound to reade the Scriptures Therefore their pains is to be commended who have translated the Holy Scriptures into the vulgar tongues 44 But yet the Hebrew text onely in the Old Testament and the Greek in the New Testament is Authenticall because they were both written in those tongues 45 Whatsoever floweth not from those fountains hitherto hath not cannot neither must it be accounted Canonicall seeing that it is not inspired by God 46 Therefore that vulgar interpretation which may sooner be said then proved to be Saint Jeromes is without cause exalted to that high throne of authenticall authoritie 47 For there are in it many faults both Graphicall Ellipticall Chronographicall and Dogmaticall faults in writing in leaving out many things in Chronographie and in points of doctrine 48 They have a corrupt judgement that say that the Hebrew text is corrupted 49 Neither do they love pure truth who say that the fountains do not flow pure 50 The end and use of Holy Scripture is
word 48 From whence it may be easily gathered what we are to determine concerning the question Whether the Church can erre or no. 49 For vve are to distinguish between the Catholick Church and Particular Churches 50 Again vve are to distinguish betvveen errours overthrowing the Foundation and stubble built upon the Foundation 51 And again vve are to distinguish between the Visible Church and the Invisible 52 The Romanists after long and tedious disputation about the infallible judgement of the Church bring us at length to the Pope alone The Infallibilitie saith Bellarmine 4. de Pontif. cap. 2. is not in the assembly of the Counsellers or in the Councel of the Bishops but in the Pope alone 53 The faithfull people erre not as long as they follow their Pastours The Paestours erre not as long as they follow their Bishops The Bishops erre nor as long as they follovv the Pope Therefore according to them the immunitie of the Church from errour descendeth from the Pope alone 54 What they attribute unto the Pope that do we attribute unto Christ vvho teacheth his Church by the Scriptures and in the Scriptures The Church doth not erre as farre forth and as long as it follovvs the voice of Christ and is ruled by the Holy Ghost 55 To conclude To this end doth God gather himself a Church that be may have an assembly or company to acknowledge to praise and to glorifie him aright both in this life and in the life to come 56 The Militant Church here on Earth is the Seminary of the Church Triumphant in Heaven Unto vvhich Christ bring us vvho is the Head thereof To vvhom be glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. XX. ¶ Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning the Ecclesiasticall Ministerie 1_THere are in the Church three states or orders instituted all by God The Ecclesiasticall Politicall and Oeconomicall The First of the Church the Second of the Common-vvealth the Third of the Private familie 2 They are commonly called three Hierarchies 3 The Ecclesiasticall order is called in Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ministerie and Service 4 Therefore it is not any Despoticall or Lordly dominion 5 In this Ecclesiasticall Ministerie vve are to consider the lavvfull Vocation thereunto and the faithfull Discharge thereof 6 Vocation is certainly necessarie for Ministers of the Church and that such as is lavvfull 7 For How shall they preach except they be sent Rom. 10.15 8 The power and right of calling Ministers is Gods ovvn It is he vvho as the Lord of the harvest sendeth forth labourers into his harvest Matth. 9.38 9 Now God calls the Ministers of his Church both Immediately and Mediately 10 Immediately he called the Prophets in the Old Testament and the Apostles in the Nevv 11 Which manner of calling the Apostle Gal. 1.1 describeth thus That it vvas neither of man nor by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead 12 With vvhich description this is nothing repugnant That sometimes by some Prophet or Apostle or else by lot this immediate vocation or calling of God is outvvardly declared 13 The Immediate vocation or calling is alwayes accompanied vvith some extraordinarie Testimonies and Gifts of God 14 But yet by Testimonies and Gifts we would not have miracles to be understood 15 For John the Baptist did no miracle John 10.41 and yet it is certain that he vvas Immediately called 16 But by these Testimonies of Immediate Vocation vve understand the peculiar declaration and manifestation of the Spirit and the singular povver and efficacie of their ministerie 17 The doctrines of those which are Immediately called by God forasmuch as they speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost are simply and absolutely to be beleeved 2. Pet. 1.21 18 Whereupon we are said to be built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 19 They vvhich are called after this manner have this priviledge That they are not tied and bound to any certain and particular Church but they are furnished vvith povver and authority to preach every vvhere 20 From whence it appears that this Immediate vocation hath especially place either in the constituting of a Church or in the purging of it from errours 21 The Mediate Vocation is also the calling of God but it is by fit men according to the Canon and rule expressed in the vvord of God 22 Where vve must very accurately observe that the Mediate Vocation also as well as the Immediate belongeth into God 23 For it is God that hath set in the Church not onely Prophets Apostles and Evangelists but also Pastours and Teachers 1. Cor. 12.28 Ephes 4.11 24 The Ministers of the Church of Ephesus are said to be made by the Holy Ghost although Paul by the imposition or laying on of hands commended the ministerie unto them Acts 20.28 25 The Holy Ghost even at this day reproveth the world of sinne by those which are called by a Mediate Vocation John 16.8 26 God vvhen he calleth by a Mediate Vocation useth the ministerie of the Church 27 For unto the Church hath he committed the pledge of his vvord Rom. 3.2 He hath delivered unto her the Sacraments and unto her as to his spouse he hath given the keyes of the kingdome of heaven Matth. 18.18 28 So then the Church hath povver and right to call Ministers but it is from God and it must be in such manner and order as it expressed in the Scriptures 29 What manner and order of calling vve here understand it is declared by the precepts and practice of the Apostles 30 Whomsoever you shall approve by your letters saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 16.3 them will I send A Bishop must have a good report 1. Tim. 3.7 Lay hands suddenly on no man 1. Tim. 5.22 suddenly that is before thou hast the testimony and consent of the Church 31 Adde hither also the Practice of the Apostles At the ordination and election of Deacons the Apostles speak after this manner Brethren look ye â—ut among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome whom we may appoint over this businesâ— Acts 6.3 and again Elders were ordained in every Church by suffrages or voices Acts. 14.23 32 Whereupon vvere made those old Canons No reason it is that any should be suffered to be reckoned and accounted amongst Bishops unlesse they be elected by the Clergie desired by the People and consecrated by the Bishops of the same Province vvith the judgement of the Metropolitane c. null dist 62. ex Leon. Episc Rom. 33 Item Let them be desired by the People elected by the Clergie and ordained by the judgement of the Bishops 34 Item Whosoever are to be made Priests for such let a postulation be made unto the Bishops let them have the hands of Clergiemen of good credit and let them also have the testimonie and consent of the People 35 That place of Cyprian Liâ—i â— Epist 4. is especially to