could bee nothing save the plaine evidence of truth together with the holy Spirit of God SECT XXIIII Answer to them that require more forcible reasons FInally if any yet be not satisfied with these arguments abovesaid but desire more forcible reasons for confirmation of the excellency of Christian Religion let such know that as there are variety of things which be true so are there divers wayes of proving or manifesting the truth Thus is there one way in Mathematicks another in Physicks a third in Ethicks and lastly another kinde when a mater of fact is in questioâ—â— wherein verily wee must rest content with such testimonies as are free from all suspition of untruth otherwise downe goes all the frame and use of history and a great part of the art of Physicke together with all dutifulnesse that ought to be betweene parents and children for matters of practicâ— can no way else be knowne but by such testimonies Now it is the pleasure of Almighty God that those things which he would haue us to beleeve so that the very beleefe thereof may bee imputed to us for obedience should not so evidently appeare as those things which are apprehended by sense and plaine demonstration but only be so farre forth revealed as may beget faith and a perswasion thereof in the hearts and minds of such as are not obstinate That so the Gospell may be as a touchstine for triall of mens judgements whether they be sound or unsound For seeing these arguments whereof wee have spoken have induced so many honest godly and wise men to approve of this Religion it is thereby plaine enough that the fault of other mens infidelity is not for want of sufficient testimony but because they would not have that to bee had and embraced for truth which is contrary to their wilfull desires it being a hard matter for them to relinquish their honours and set at naught other commodities which thing they know they ought to doe if they admit of Christs doctrine and obey what hee hath commanded And this is the rather to bee noted of them for that many other historicall narrations are approved by them to bee true which notwithstanding are onely manifest by authority and not by any such strong proofes and perswasions or tokens as doe declare the history of Christ to bee true which are evident partly by the confession of those Iowes that are yet alive and partly in those companies and congregations of Christians which are any where to bee found whereof doubtlesse there was some cause Lastly seeing the long duration or continuance of Christian Religion and the large oxtent thereof can bee ascribed to no humane power therefore the same must bee attributed to miracles or if any deny that it came to passe through a miraculous manner this very getting so great strength and power without a miracle may bee thought to surpasse any miracle The third Booke OF THE TRVNESSE OF Christian Religion SECT I. To prove the authority of the books of the new covenant AFter that a man is once perswaded by the reasons abovesaid or is induced by any other arguments to beleeve that this same Religion which Christians professe is the truest and absolutely the best if hee desire more distinctly to know the parts thereof then must hee have recourse unto the most ancient writings that containe the same Religion and which commonly wee call the bookes of the new Testament or new covenant This truth no man can justly deny for as every sect bee they good or bad should be beleeved when they tell us truly in what booke or writing their opinions are comprised thus wee credit the Turkes who affirme that the Religion of Mahumet is contained in the Alcoran So it must be granted that the doctrine of Christianity is contained in the said bookes of the new covenant since the same is generally agreed upon and constantly ave red by all Christians Forasmuch then as wee have before proved that this Religion is most true if there were no other ground yet this alone were sufficient to prove and avouch the authority of those bookes aforesaid wherein the same Religion is contained Which truth to demonstrate more particularly let us in the first place take for granted by all indifferent men that he who goes about to disprove the authority of any booke or writing which hath bin a long time received and allowed of must use such arguments as doe derogate from the truth of that booke Otherwise the authority thereof is no whit diminished but may still bee defended and maintained SECT II. Here is showne that such bookes were written by the Authors whose names they have prefixed WEE say then that those bookes which are not in question amongst Christians but have certaine titles are the very workes of those authors whose names they beare to wit because those primitive fathers Iustin Iraeneus Clemens and others doe commend those bookes under the same Authors names as also be cause Tertullian witnesseth that there were Orignall copies of those bookes extant in his time And besides all the Churches received those bookes for authenticall before there were any common publike meetings Neither did ever the Pagans or Iews make doubt thereof but Iudian himselfe plainly confesseth that those were the writing of Peter and Paul Matthew Marke and Luke which Christians under those names have read and received For as no man can doubt that those writings which goe under the names of Homer and Virgill are truly theirs because the one hath beene so long time received among the Latins and the other among the Greeke authors in like manner it were more absurd to bring the authors of those bookes in question which are granted almost by all the nations in the world SECT III. Some bookes were anciently doubted of IN the volume of the new Covenant there are some bookes now received which were not so received from the beginning as namely the one Epistle of Peter that of Iames and Iude two of Iohn the Presbiter the Revelation and the Epistle to the Hebrewes which though not in all yet were still allowed by most Churches as is very probable in that the ancient Christians did alleage divers testimonies out of them as being sacred and holy And it is likely too that such Churches as from the beginning had not those bookes either were ignorant of them or doubtfull Yet afterward when they were better informed touching the same they admitted them into the Canen as we now see according to the example of other Churches Neither can any good reason be given why wee should thinke them to be supposititious and counterfeit writings for there is nothing comprised in them neither can ought thence bee collected which is not abundantly expressed in other Bookes unquestioned SECT IIII. The authority of such bookes as have no titles is proved from the quality of the writers ANd here let no man mistrust the verity of the Epistle to the Hebrewes because the writer of it is
manifested his nativity unto the wise â—én also of the Earthquake and Eclipse of the Sunne when it was full Moone at the time of Christs passion upon the Crosse SECT XV. Answer to the objection that the scriptures were changed NOw what can be said more against these bookes Surely I see nothing that can bee objected unlesse it bee said that they remained not altogether the same that they were from the beginning And indeed it may be granted that what is common to other bookes might happen to those namely that by the carelesnesse or corupt dealing of the transcribers some letters sillables or words might bee changed left out oâ— added But it is an unjust thing to bring in question the truth of such a booke or evidence onely because in so many ages there could â—â—e but he great variety of Copies since both custome and reason tels us that what is agreed upon by the greater number and most ancient copies the same is to be preferre before the contrary Now that all the copies of these bookes were corrupted by guile or otherwise either in points of doctrine or matter of history it will never bee proved there being no evidences or testimonies of former times ever to evince the same But if as we said before there be any thing urged by those that bare so great hatred against the writers or followers and maintainers of these bookes the same is to bee held for a reproach or calumny and not for any good proofe or sufficient testimony against them And this which we have said might suffice in answer to those that tell us the scripture hath beene changed which whosoever affirme ought to make good their assertion against the scripture so long time received in the Church But that the vanity of this objection may more plainely appeare wee will shew that what they imagine to bee true neither did nor ever could coâ—e to passe We have proved before that the books which have any titles were written by the Authors whose names they beare which being granted it will follow that one booke was not forged or put into the place of another neither is there any notable or noted part changed therein For in such a mutation there would have beene some ayme or intent whereby that part might have easily beene distinguished from other parts and bookes not changed or altered which cannot now any where bee discerued Nay as wee said there is every where a consent and harmony of the sease and meaning herein as it admirable to consider Againe no doubt so soone at any thing by or concerning the Apostles or apostolicall men was published â—…ghtway the Christians with great diligence is it was meet and oâ—t of a zealous desire to preserue and propagate pitty and truth unto posterity did get themselves many copies thereof which they dispersed through all places in Europe Asia and Aegypt where Christ anity was spred and the Greeke tongue spoken Yea as before we shewed there were some Originall Copies kept for the space of two hundred yeares after Christ 'T is not then possible or probable that those bookes received any such forgery they being so well knowne and carefully preserved not onely by particular men but by the comon care and diligence of whole Churches Adde further that these bookes in the following â—…ges were translated into the Syâ—â—cke Ethiopicke Arabicke and Latine tongues which translations are yet extant and doe not differ in ought to speake of from the Greeke Copies themselves Besides wee have the writings of those men who were taught by the Apostles themselves or by their Disciples wherein many places of scripture are cited out of these bookes to the same sense meaning which now we read theÌ„ Neither was there any in the Church of so great authority at those times who could have bin suffered to falsifie or change any thing if he would as is plaine by the open dissent of Iraeneus Tertullian and Cyprian from those that were most eminent in the Church After these times there succeeded many 〈…〉 men of great learning and judgement who having first made diligent inquiry thereof received these bookes as retaining their originall purity Hitherto also may be referred what but now wee said of divers sects of Crâ—…s all which at least such as acknowledged God to be the maker of the world and Christ to be the author of the new covenant did receive and use these bookes accordingly as wee doe the same And if any had attempted to alter or pâ—… any part thereof they should have beene accused by the rest for forgery and false-dealing men therein Neither was there ever any sect that had the liberty at their pleasure alter any of these bookes for their owne turns in asmuch as it is manifest that all of them did ground and assume arguments one against another out of the same And as for that which wee touched concerning divine providence the same belongs no lesse unto the chiefest parts than unto the whole bookes namely that it cannot conveniently be said that God would suffer so many men which sincerely desired to bee godly and earnestly sought after eternall life to bee led head long into that error which they could no way avoyd And thus much shall suffice to bee spoken for the authority of the bookes of the new covenant whence alone if there were no other helps wee might be sufficiently instructed concerning the true Religion SECT XVI For the authority of the bookes of the old Testament NOw forasmuch as it hath pleased God to leave us the writings and evidences of the Iewish Religion which was anciently the truest and affoards divers testimontes for Christianity Therefore it will not be amisse in the next place to justifie the authority of the same First then that these bookes were written by the same men whose names they beare is manifest in like manner as wee have proved of ours before of the new covenant These authors were either Prophets or other very faithfull and credible men such as was Esdras who compiled the bookes of the old Testament into one volume during the life time of the Prophet Haggai Malachy and Zachary I will not here repeat againe what is said before in the commendation of Moses Both that part of history which at first was delivered by him as wee have showne in the first booke and that also which was collected after his time is witnessed even by many of the heathen Thus the Annals of the Phâ—nitian's have recorded the names of David and Salomon and their leagues with the men of â—yre Aswell Berosus as the Hebrew writers makes mention of Nabuchadonosor and of other Chaldean Kings Hee whom Ieremy cals Vaphres King of Aegypt is termed Apries by Herodotus In like manner the bookes of the Grecians are replenished with narrations concerning Cyrus and his successors until the times of Darius And many other things concerning the naâ—â—on of the Iewes are related by Iosephus in his books against Appioâ—
whereunto wee may adde what before wee have touched out of Strabo and Trogus But as for us Christians we are not to question the truth of those bookes out of which we borow many testimonies Neither doe wee finde when Christ reprehended many things in the Doctors of the Law and Pharisies of his time that ever he accused them of falshood committed against the writings of Moses or the Prophets or that they had altered or used any forged bookes Then after Christs time it cannot be proved neither is it credible that the scripture was corrupted in matters of any moment specially if wee consider that the same books were preserved safely by the Iewes which people was dispersed farre and wide over the face of the earth For first of all the ten tribes were led a way captive by the Assyrians into Media then afterward the two other tribes And after that Cyrus granted theÌ„ leave to returne many of them went and dwelt in forraine Countries The Macedoniâ—â—s invited them with great promises to come into Alexandria The cruelty of Antiochus the civill wars of the Asmonaans together with those of Poâ—pey and Sossius from without did stragle and scatter abroad many of them Cyrenaica a part of Africa was full of the Iewes so were the Cities of Asia Macedonia Licaonia and likewise the Isles of Cyprâ—â— Crete and others Also what a number of them there was at Rome may be learned out of Horace Iuvenal and Marâ—â—al Now it is not possible that such multitudes so far distant one from another should be cozened in this kinde neither could they ever accord all in the coining of an untruth Adde moreover that almost three hundred yeeres before Christ at the appointment and care of the Kings of Egypt those bookes of the Hebrewes were translated into the Greeke tongue by those that are called the Seventy interpreters So as then the Grecians had the sense and substance of them though in another language whereby it appeares to be more unlikely that they were any where changed Nay more these bookes were translated both into the Chaldeâ— tongue as also into the language spoken by them of Hierusalem to wit a little before and a little after the time of Christ Other Greeke translations afterward there were as namely by Aquila Symachus and Theodo i on all which Origen compared with that of the seventy Inâ—erpreters and after him others also who could finde no diversity of history or of any matter worth speaking of Philâ— lived in the raigne of Caligula and Iosephiâ— survived the times of both the vespasâ—ans which two writers alleage out of the Hebrew bookes the same things that we read at this day Then began Christian Religion to bee more and more propagated being professed by many of the Hebrewes and by sundry persons that had learned the Hebrew tongue who if the Iewes had used any Legerdemaine in any notable part could thereupon quickly discover the same by comparing more ancient Copies and so have made it publikely knowne But they are so farre from doing this that on the other side they alleage many testimonies out of the old covenant to the same sense and meaning that they are used by the Hebrewes which Hebrewes may sooner bee accused of any other fault then falshood or negligence about these bookes which they have so religiously and exactly described and compared that they know how often any one letter is sound therein The last though not the least argument to prove that the Iewes did not purposely corrupt or alter the scripture may be because the Christians out of the very bookes which are read by the Iewes doe evince and as they imagine strongly prove that their Lord and Master Iesus is that same very Messias which was anciently promised to the Iewes their forefathers which doubtlesse they would have beene carefull might not have beene done specially when the controversie arose betweene them and the Christians if ever it had been in their power to have changed what they listed The fourth Booke OF THE TRVNESSE OF Christian Religion SECT I. A particular confutation of the Religions opposite to Christianity MAny men there are who beholding the great perill and jeoperdy that other people are in doe much joy and hug themselves if they bee out of gun-shot and free from all such danger But Christianity teacheth another lesson specially in points of doctrine and therefore in this fourth booke it shall appeare that one chiefe duty of a Christian in this life is not onely to rejoyce and content himselfe with the finding out of truth but also to lend his helping hand to others that wander in the labyrinths of errors and make them partakers of so good a benefit This after some sort we have indevoured to doe in the former bookes for the demonstration of truth implies the confutation of errour Yet in regard all kinds of Religions that are opposite to Christianity to wit Paganisme Iudaisme and Mahumetaâ—isme besides their common consent have their proper errors and certaine peculiar argâ—me is which are wont to be objected against us Therefore it is our purpose particularly to dispute against each of these first desiring our readers to purge their minds from partiality and all impediments of judging aright that so they may the better conceive the truth we are to speake SECT II. And first of Paganisme that there is but one God Created Spirits are good or bad the good not to be honoured but in reference to God TO begin then against Pagans If they say that there are divers eternall and coequall Gods wee haue consuted this opinion before in the first booke where wee taught that there is but onely one God who is the cause of all things Or if they by the name of Gods doe understand the created Spirits which are superior to men they then either meane the good or the bad if they say the good first they ought to bee well assured that such are so indeed otherwise they commit a dangerous ertor in receiving enemies instead of friends and traitors for Ambassadors Then it were but reason they put an evident difference betweene the worship of God and these Spirits As likewise to know what hierarchy and order there is among them what benefit may be expected from any of them and what honour by Gods permission or appointment is to bee exhibited to them All which since they have not positively set downe in their Religion it is plaine how uncertaine the same Religion is and how it were a safer course for them to betake themselves to the worship of one Almighty God which even Platâ— confessed was the duty of every wise man specially for that to whomsoever God is propitious and favourable to them these Angels must bee serviceable and gracious being indeed ministring Spirits of the Almighty SECT III. Eviâ— Spirits adored by Pagans and how impious a thing it is BVt it was the bad not the good Spirits which the Pagans did worship as may bee proved by
Christians Then for Mahumetanisme it is possessed of land enough but 't is not alone for Christian Religiâ—â— hath a greater number of Professors in some places where Turkes domineere And againe there are many Christians in most quatters where Turkes or Mahumâ—… have no footing SECT XXII Considering the meeknesse and simplicity of them that first taught this Religion IT followes that wee consider by what meanes this Christian â—eligion had its augmentation â—nd increase that therein it may â—…e comparable and preferred beâ—…re others We see it commonly â—…ue of most men that they will â—…llow the examples of Kings and â—…otentates what way soever they â—…oe specially if law or necessityâ—…ompell â—…ompell them to it Hereby were â—…he Religions of the Pagans and of Mahumet much augmented But â—…las they that first taught the Christian Religion not onely wanâ—…d all civil power and authority â—ut were of meane condition no better than poore Fishermen weavers and the like Yet by such mens paines and industry that doctrine within the space of thirty yeeres or thereabouts was published not onely thorowout all the parts of the Roman Empire but also among the Parthians and remote Indians After this beginning almost for three severall ages together this same Religion was so promoted by the studious endevours of some private men not with any threatnings or alluring promises but even in spite of them that were in authority that the greater part of the Roman world was Christian before that Constantine professed Christianity Amongst the Grecians that taught morality divers there were very commendable in other arts and disciplines as the Plaâ—â—nicks for the study of Geometry the Peripateticks for the history of plants and other living creatures the Stoicks for Logicall subtilty the Pythagoreans for knowledge of numbers and harmony many also were admirable for eloquence â—s Xenophon Plato and Theophraâ—…us But the first Doctors and teachers of Christianity were endued with no such art but used plaine â—anguage without inticing words onely after a bare manner or naâ—ed forme of speech pronouncing their precepts promises and â—hreatnings Which seeing they had no such efficacy in themselves for the propagation of this truth wee must needs thereupon thinke that there was either a miracle or Gods secret power assisting the businesse or both together SECT XXIII What great impediments there were that might terrifie men from the embracing or the professing hereof HEreunto may be added another thing considerable namely how they who receiveâ— Christianity by the ministery of the said men had their mindeâ—… prepossessed with another forme oâ— Religion and therefore lesse docile or capable of this doctrine after that they had learned either the Pagans service and ceremonies or the Law of Mahumet being thereby no way prepared and fitted for the receiving of this instruction as the Hebrewes were for the receiving of Moses his Law by their circumcision and the knowledge of one God Haâ—â—ng their mindes thus filled with preconcerned opinions concerning heathenish and Jewish rites whereunto they were habituated by custome which is a second nature it was strange that they entertained any new ordinances and instructions specially such as these were contrary to the lawes wherin they had beene educated and confirmed by their parents authority Besides this there was another 〈…〉 to wit the great adversity they were to undergoe and the most grievous miseries which they suffered or stood in â—eare of for professing Christianity for seeing that humane nature â—bhorres such evils it must needs â—ollow that the causes of such eâ—ils cannot bee admitted of without much difficulty A long time â—ere the Christians deprived of â—ll honours and dignities being much afflicted with divers penalties with confiscation of goods â—nd banishments which notwithstanding were all but flea-biâ—ings in comparison of the cruell 〈…〉 they endured when they were put into hot scalding metals and tormented with the most grievous punishments that could be devised Neither did this happen to a few onely but such multitudes of them were thus tortured to death that there was never in one age before so many men swept away and devoured either by famine oâ— pestilence or warre as the writers of those times doe testifie Their manner and kinde of death also was not ordinary but some were burned quicke others nailed upon crosses and racked most of them put to such grievous torments as cannot bee read or conceived without horrour and wonder And this savage cruelty against Christians which continued in the Roman world and else where scarce with any intermission untill the time of Constantine did not so depopulate the Church but that out of the seed thereof the blood of the Martyrs there sprang up ever a new supply of Professors Now if herein wee compare Christianity with other Religious wee shall finde that amongst the Grecians and other Pagans though they were wont to magnifie their owne Worthies above measure yet is there but a short Catalogue of such as suffered death for the testimony of their doctrine onely we reade of certaine Philosophers in India of Socrates also and some few more who no doubt being the most eminent men in those times had a desire to perpetuate their fame to posterity But amongst those Christians that suffered martyrdomâ— for their faith there were very many of meane ranke being of the common sort of people such as were scarce ever taken notice of or knowne to their neighbours that lived hard by There were women also wives virgins and young men such as it is probable never covered or hoped for any renowne in their sufferings wherupon in the books of martyrs we finde the names but of a few in coÌ„parison of the whole number of those that were put to death and the rest onely registred in grosse Adde further that the heathen for the most part under any slight pretence as the casting of some frankincense upon the Altar could free themselves from the paine of such a death and so couzen the world but this can in no wise be said of those who whatever they thought in their hearts dealt plainly in their deeds and accommodated themselves to the nature and condition of the vulgar And such were the Iewes and Christians who alone can be said to have undergone death for the honour of God Neither can wee attribute this praise and commendation to any Iewes after the times of Christ who also before Christ came short of that great number of Christians that in one onely Province were persecuted for the Gospell of Christ the greatest suffering of the Iewes being onely during the times of Manasses and Antiâ—chus Wherefore seeing that Christianity so farre excels all other Religions in this particular it may justly thereupon be preferred before all others And seeing likewise that so great a multitude of men of every ranke and degree thorowout all ages and places have not feared to suffer death for this Religion wee must needs conceive there was some notable ground or cause of such their constancy which
during the time of the many travels which these last performed we read 〈◊〉 any where that they ceased or intermitted their journey for the Sabbath which after they 〈…〉 out of Egypt thou shalt alwayes finde For after that the people were brought out of Aegypt and had happily passed over the red Sea the first day was celebrated a Sabbath of rest and safety wherin they sang a Song of triumph and rejoicing from which time that exact rest upon the Sabbath was commanded which is first mentioned upon occasion of gathering the Manna Exod. 16. 23. Exod. 35. 2. Levit. 23. 3. And in this sense the deliverance from Aegypt is rendred to be a reason for the law of the Sabbath Deut. 5. 15. By which law it was provided also for servants against the severity of those masters that would not permit them to coase from daily labour as may be seene in the places aforesaid It is true indeed strangers were bound to observe this law because it was meet there should bee one forme of rest among all the people but this law of so exact resting upon the Sabbath was not given to other people as may appeare for that in many places it is called a sâ—gâ—e and a speciall covenant betweene God and the Israelites as in Exod. 31. 13. 16. Now wee have proved before by the promise of farre greater benefits that the ordinances which were instituted for a memoriall of the comming out from Aegypt were not such as ought never to cease Adde moreover if the law concerning the rest upon the Sabbath had beene given from the beginning and in that sense that it never might be abolished then surely the same had overswayed in coping with other lawes which now makes against it For it is evident that infant may be rightly circumcised upon the Sabbath like as during the time that the Temple stood there were beasts killed for sacrifice aswell upon the Sabbath as upon other daies Yea the Hebrew Masters themselves shew the mutability of this law when they say that by the Prophets appointment and command a worke may be rightly done upon the Sabbath day And this they prove by the taking of Ierico upon the Sabbath according to the commandement of Ioshuah And some of them not unfitly shew that the distinction of dayes shall bee taken away in the time of the Messias namely from that place in Isaiah chap. 66. 〈…〉 it is 〈◊〉 it shall câ—me to passe that from one new Moone to another from one Sabbath to another all flesh shall come to worship before the Lord. SECT XI Also of outward Circumcision IN the next place let us come to circumcision which certainly is Elder than Moses For it was given in command to Abraham and his posterity Howbeit the commandement thereof was the introduction oâ— beginning of the covenant published by Moses For thus we read that God spake unto Abraham Gen. 17. saying I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God And God said unto Abraham Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore thou and thy seed after thee every man-child among you shall be circumciseâ— But now we know by what hath bin already said that in the place of this covenant a new covenant was to succeed which should bee common to all people Wherefore the necessity therof which is the note of distinction ought to cease Besides in the precept of circumcision there was a mysticall and more excellent significations contained which the Prophets doe plainely shew in that they command the circumcision of the heart which all the commandements of Iesus aime at Wherefore the promises annexed to the circumcision are in like manner to bee referred to some greater thing As namely that of earthly possessions is referred to the possession of eteruity in the heavens which was never made more manifest than by Iesus So that promise of making Abraham a father of many nations hath reference to that time when not a few onely but an infinite number of people dispersed thorowout the whole world should imitate Abrahams faith and confidence in God which is so often mentioned in seripture and this can onely bee in the time of â—â—e Gospell Now it is no marvell if the shadowes of an intended matter be taken away when the matter it selfe is accomplishe Lastly that the grace of God was not tyed to this signe wee may casily discerne because not onely the ancients but Abraham himselfe having not as yet received circumcision pleased God The Hebrewes also dining all the time of their journey through the desarts of Arabia omitted circumcision and yet God found no fault with them for it SECT XII And yet the Apostles of Iesus were gentle in the toleration of these things NO doubt but the Hebrewes had cause to yeeld many thankes to Iesus and his disciples or Ambassadors for that by Christ they might bee freed from that heavy yoke of ceremonies and should bee assured of this their freedome both by gifts and miracles such as were not inferiour to those that were wrought by Moses aforesaid Neither did the first publishers of our Christian doctrine exact so much of them as to acknowledge this their happinesse But if they would admit of the Commandements of Christ which were full of all honesty they freely and willingly suffered them to follow what course of life they pleased in matters of indifferency Thus neither were the strangers to whom this law of rites was never given bound of necessity to observe the same Which one thing is sufficieÌ„t to make it plainly appeare that the Iewes doe unjustly reject the doctrine of Christ under that pretence of the ceremoniall law Having then answered this objection which chiefly is alleaged against the miracles of Iesus we will now come to other arguments which may fitly serve for the consutation of the Iewes SECT XIII A proofe against the Iewes from the promised Messias IT is agreed upon betweene us and the Iewes about the predictions of the Prophets that amongst the many authors and donors of great good things to the Hebrewes there was one man promised farre more excellent than the rest whom by a common name they call a Messias which appellation is proper unto him after a singular manner This Messias we say is come long agoe but they expect him as yet for to come It remaines then that that we enquire the truth hereof out of those bookes the authority whereof wee both doe joyntly acknowledge SECT XIIII Who is proved to bee already come by the limitted time of his comming which was fore told THe Prophet Daniel whose singular piety is commended by Ezekiel neither would willingly deceive us nor was hee himselfe deceived by the Angell Gabriel yet being taught by the same Angell in the ninth chapter of his Prophecie hee hath left it recorded that before the space of five hundred
Circumcision and in some other things that of themselves are neither good nor bad Finally here in Christianity a moderate use of meats and wine is allowed of but there in Mahumetisme men are forbidden to eat swines flesh and to drink wine which notwithstanding is a great gift of God beneficiall both for body and minde if it bee soberly taken And it is no wonder if some childish rudiments were taught before so perfect a law as that of Christ is But after the promulgation thereof to returne againe to types and figures were prepostetous Neither can any just reason be given why after Christian Religion which is clearely the best there should any other bee propounded and taught SECT IX Answer to the Mahumetans objection concerning the Son of God THE Mahumetans tell us they are not a little displeased with us for saying that God hath a sonne seeing he useth not a wife As though the word sonne could not have a more divine signification in God But Mahumet himselfe attributes many things as dishonorable and ill-beseeming God as if he should be said to have a wife Thus hee saith that God had a cold hand which himselfe knew by experience that God was carried in a chaire and the like Howbeit when wee say that Iesus is the sonne of God we doe but signifie the same thing that he meanes when hee cals him the word of God For the word is after a sort generated of the minde Adde further that hee was borne of a Virgin onely by the operation of God supplying the vertue or esticacy of a Father that by the power of God hee was carried up into heaven all which being confessed even by Mahumet himselfe doe shew that Iesus by a singular preâ—ogative and peculiar right may and ought to be called the sonne of God SECT X. Many absurd things in the bookes of Mahumetans BVt on the other side it would be long to relate how many things there are contrary to the truth of history and many things very ridiculous in the writings of the Mahumetans Such is that fable of a faire and beautiful woman that learned a solemne tharâ—â—e or enchanting verse of some Angels that were merry with wine whereby shee was wont to ascend into the sky and likewise descend againe and ascending once a great height into heaven shee was caught of God and there made fast and so was called the starre of Venus Like to this is that of a mouse in Noahs Arke that was bred of an Elephants dung and a cat of the breath of a lion More specially the most notorious fiction of all is that concerning death which should bee changed into a Ramme that must remaine in the middle space betweene heaven and hell Such also is the fable of their delicate meats which they say shall bee purged out by sweat in the other life which is to come When likewise they imagine there shall bee whole troupes of women assigned to every man for pleasure of carnall copulation All which are so very egregious absurdities that whosoever beleeves them deserves to bee stupified and given over to a reprobate sense for his iniquity specially such a one as lives where the light of the Gospell shineth SECT XI A conclusion directed unto Christians admonishing them of their duty upon their occasion of what hath formerly beene handled ANd thus having ended this last disputation against the Mahumetans there remaines only a conclusion or exhortation not to aliens or strangers but to all sorts of Christians of what name nation or quality soever they be Wherein wee shall very briefly shew the use or application of what hath hitherto beene delivered to the end those things may be followed and sought after which are good and on the contrary the evill eschewed First of all then let Christians bee exhorted to lift up prire hands and hearts unto that God which of nothing made all visible and invisible things having sure confidence in him that his providence and care watcheth over us seeing that without his permission not so much as a Sparrow fals to the ground And let them not feare those which can only kiâ—l the body but rather let then feare him that hath like power both over soule and body And let them not onely trust in God the Father but also in Iesus Christ his sonne since there is no other name upon earth by which we can be saved And this they may rightly doe if they can bee verily perswaded that eternall life is prepared not for such as in word onely call God their Father and Iesus their Lord but for such as frame their life according to the will of Iesus and their Father which is in heaven Furthermore Christians may hereby be admonished faithfully and with due care to preserve the doctrine of Christ as a most precious treasure And for this cause let them often read and meditate the bookes of the holy scripture whereby no man can be deceived unlesse first hee deceive himselfe For the authors and penmen of those writings were more just and full of divine inspiration than that they would cozen us of necessary truthes or cover and conceale the same with any clouds Howbeit for the right understanding hereof wee must bring humble mindes together with obedient hearts and wils which if wee doe then nothing shall bee hid from us which ought to bee beleeved hoped for or done by us And by this meanes that holy Spirit may bee cherished and excited in us which is given us for a pledge of our future happinesse Moreover let Christians hereby learn not to immitate the customes of the Pagans specially in their worship of false Gods which are nothing but idle names that the damned spirits doe use to alienate our mindes and affections from the worship of the true God Wherefore wee cannot possibly participate with them in their services and expect to receive benefit by the sacrifice of Christ Secondly neither may Christians imitate the heathen in their licentious and dissolute manner os life having no other law than what is suggested by lust and prompted by concupiscence For it is requisite and meet that in holy conversation they should not onely farre excell the vitious and prophane Pagans but likewise the lawyers and Pharisies among the Iewes whose righteousnesse consisting onely in some outward performances could never bring them to the heavenly Kingdome Circumcision that is made with hands is now nothing worth but it is the inward Circumcision of the heart the keeping of Gods commandements the new creature faith that is perfected in love which make men knowne to be true Israelites and mysticall Iewes that is praisers of God and commendable in his sight The distinction of meats the Sabbathes and feast-dayes were but types and shadowes of things in Christ and in Christians In like manner by occasion of Mahumetisme wee may bee admonished of that which our Lord Iesus foretold namely that after his time there should arise false Christs and false Prophets