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—
of forraine testimonies which indeed make more for these bookes that against them 15 Answer made to that objection concerning the adulterating or falsifying of scripture 16 Lastly the authority of the bookes of the old Testament is verified The Contents of the fourth Booke SECT I. IN particular such Religions as bee repugnant to Christianity are confuted 2 And first against Paâ—…nisme here is proved that there is but one God that created mindes are good or evill The good are not to bee worshipped but according to Gods prescript 3 The bad Spirits are worshipped by the Pagans which is an odious thing 4 Against the Pagans worshopping of â—en deceased 5 Against the worshipping of starres and elements 6 Against the worshipping of bruit beasts 7 Lastly against the worshipping of such things as are no substances 8 Answer to the Pagans objection taken from some miracles that were wrought among them 9 And from their Oracles 10 The Religion of the Pagans is thereby confuted for that the same of it owne accord faded away as soone as humane helps failed 11 Answer to them that ascribe the beginning and downefall of any Religion to the efficacy of the starres 12 Lastly the chiefe points of Christian Religion were approved of by the wisest of the Pagans and if any thing seeme incredible therin the like may bee found amongst the Pagans The Contents of the fifth Booke SECT I. IVdaisme is confuted 2 The Iewes ought to account the miracles of Iesus for sufficient 3 Answer to that which they say these miracles were done by the assistance of Devils 4 And by the power of words or syllables 5 That the miracles done by Iesus were divine and that hee taught the worship of one God who is the maker of the world 6 Answer to an objection taken from the difference that is between the law of Moses and of Jesus and that there might be a more perfect law given than that of Moses 7 The law of Moses was observed by Iesus while hee lived upon earth and no other precepts were afterward abolished but sueâ—… were not essen tally good 8 Such were the sacrifices which of themselves were nevâ— wel-pleasing unto God 9 Also the difference of meâ—… 10 And of dayes 11 And outward Circumcision 12 And yet the Apostles of Iesus were gentle in the permission of toleration thereof 13 An argument against the Iewes for that they grant tâ—…erâ— was a worthy Messias promised 14 The same Messias came at the time appointed 15 Answer to that which they object concerning the deferring of his comming for the sinnes of the people 16 Also from the present state of the Iewes compared with those things which the Law promised 17 Iesus is proved to bee the Messias by those things which were foretold concerning the Messias 18 Answer to what is said of some things not yet fulfilled 19 Also to that which is objected touching the mâ—…e state and miserable death of Iesus 20 As though they had beene honest men that put him to death 21 Answer to that objection of many Gods which they say are worshipped by the Christians 22 Also that the humane nature is worshipped 23 A conclusion of this part with prayer and supplication to God for the Iewes The Contents of the sixth and last Booke SECT I. MAhumetanisme conâ—uted the originall thereof 〈◊〉 set downe 2 The ground of Mahumetismâ— overthrowne chiefly for that the make it unlawfull for men theâ—… enquire into their Religion 3 Proofes against the Mahuâ—…â—ans out of the sacred wâ—… of Hebrewes and Christians 4 Mahumet compared wâ—… Christ in their persons 5 In their Acts. 6 The first Professors of both Religions 7 The manner how both lawes were propagated and published 8 Lastly the precepts of both compared 9 Answer to that which Mahumetans object concerning the sonne of God 10 Sundry absurdities are â—epeated out of the bookes of the Mahumetans 11 A conclusion of the whole worke directed to Christians who are admonished of their duty by occasion of all that hath been said before in the severall bookes A Christian prayer for the adversaries of true Religion MErciful God who hast made all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made nor wouldest the death of a sinner but rather that hee should bee converted and live have mercy upon all lewes Turkes Infidels and Heretikes and take from them all ignorance hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy word and so fetch them home blessed Lord to thy flocke that they may bee saved among the remnant of the true Israelites and bee made one fâ—ld â—nderone sleepheard Iesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and ever Amen OF THE TRVTH OF Christian Religion The Preface shewing the occasion of this worke I Have eftsoones beene demanded by a man that hath deserved excellent well of his Country and of learning and of me also what the argument of those bookes was which were written by mee in my Countrey language in the behalfe of Christian Religion Neither doe I wonder that hee should make such a question For hee that with so good judgement did apply himselfe to the reading of all things worthy to bee read was not ignorant with what skill that matter hath beene handled by Raymond Sebund after a subtile Philosophicall manner by Iudovicus Vives in divers Dialogues but especially with most learning and eloquence by their famous Mornay Wherefore the translating of them into the vulgar tongue was more for use than for making any new worke Whereof what other men will judge I know not but this I am perswaded will satisfie him if I tell him how that reading not onely those Authors above mentioned but also the writings of the Iewes for their old Iewish and also of Christians for our Christian Religion I thought good withall to use my owne judgement such as it is and give some fâ—eedome to my minde which my body wanted when I writ that worke For it seemed to mee most sitting to contend for the truth only with truth and that also with such truth as whereof I was perswaded fully in my owne minde For I know it were but a vanity in mee to goe about to teach others to credit those things that I could not bee perswaded of my selfe Therefore omitting such arguments as in my judgement were of lesse importance as also the authority of those bookes which either I certainly knew or justly suspected to be forged and counterfeit I have made choice of such reasons both out of ancient later writings as may bee best approved of And as for those which pleased me best the same I did both methodically dispose and also expounded as plainly as I could distinguishing them by certaine verses whereby they might be the better committed to memory For my purpose was to benefit all my Countrey-men but specially Sea-faring-men that they might not as too many doe lose and mispend their time Wherefore beginning with the commendation of our Countrey
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
TRVE RELIGION EXPLAINED And defended against the Archenemies thereof in these times In six Bookes Published by Authority for the coÌ„mon good Buy the truth P 〈…〉 LONDON Printed for Ri. Royston in Ivie lane 1632 T Câ—â—â—ll sculp The minde of the frontispâ—â—â— or title page 1. Ieheuah at the top â—eaching out 〈…〉 the old to the lew and the new to the 〈…〉 former with a promise 〈…〉 the lattâ—… of the Gentleâ—… in the Gospel without exâ—…â—…on of any Hom. 1â—… 2 Religion the effects whereof the Aposâ—… Iam. 1. 2â— 1 For her habit she hath a 〈◊〉 garment tâ—… she regards not the transiently wealth and â—…ty of this world 2 Shee holds the booke in her hand where â—n the lawâ—… God is written 3 Her breast is baâ—â— to shew her Canâ—on and 〈◊〉 4 She leaues upon the Crosse because thereupon 〈…〉 finds rest and quiet repose 5 Winged sheis to reach men to mount up alâ—… 6 As it were shining by a radiant 〈…〉 that she dispels the mysty dark◠〈◊〉 of the minde 7 The bridle is hung upon the crosse to teach men how that they ought to curbe bridle and subâ—… the triâ—â—leâ—â— passions of the minde 8 She treads and examples upon death because sheâ—… very haue and downfall of death 3 The Christian kneeles upon the Crosse which hee mâ—… take up Mat. 16. 24. havingâ— glory shining upon him to represent the brightnesse of the Gospell and tâ—… Religion 4 The Turke stands with his sword in his hand by which he defends his Religion that sprang from Mahâ—met a false Prophet foretold in generall by Christ Mat. 24. 5. 24. also a halfe Moone 5 The lew kneeles having the two tables of the law by which he hopes to bee saved not as yet beleeving in Christ because his eyes are blinded Isaiah 29. 10. 6 The Pagan hath the sun before him which together with other creatures he is wont toworship howbeit hope there is that all the heatheo shall become the subiects of Christs Kingdome Psal 72. 11. A Recapitulation of the chiefe points according to the severall sections of each Booke The Preface shewes the occasion of this worke The Contents of the first Booke SECT I. IN the first section it is proved there is a God 2 That there is but one God 3 All perfection is in God 4 And that after an infinite manner 5 God is eternall omnipotent omniscient and absolutely good 6 God is the cause of all things 7 Answer to an objection concerning the cause of evill 8 Against them which imagine there are two principles the one good and the other evill 9 The whole universe is governed by God 10 So are all sublunary things yea every particular and singular thing 11 Which is declared by the preservation of Empires 12 And by miracles 13 Especially such as were wrought amongst the Iewes which are verified by the long continuance of their Religion 14 Also by the truth and antiquity of Moses 15 And by the testimonies of strangers and aliens from the covenans 16 The same likewise is confirmed by predictions and other arguments 17 An objection answered for that no miracles are now to bee 〈◊〉 as formerly hath beene 18 And that iniquity so greatâ—…nds in these dayes 19 In so much that good and goâ—dly men are oppressed abused 20 But this is retorted to prove the immortality of soules after the death and â—…lution of bodies 21 Which truth is further confirmed by tradition 22 Namely such as no reason can be alleaged against it 23 But â—…ther many arguments make for it 24 Whence it followes that the end of man is his happinesse and welfare after this life 25 Which to obtaine true Religion must be sought for the same being the onely way to eternity The Contents of the second Booke SECT I. TO the end it may appeare that the title of true Religion agrees to Christian Religion the Author here proves first that Jesus once lived upon earth 2 And that hee suffered an ignominious and reproachfull death 3 Howbeit after his death hee was worshipped and adored by wise men 4 The cause of which their worshipping him could be no other then for the wonders and miracles that were wrought by him 5 And these miracles were not to bee attributed to any efficacy of rature or to the power of the Devill but proceeded onely from the power of God 6 The Author further shewes the truth of Iesus his resurrection by sufficient testimonies 7 He answers a doubt for that the resurrection seemes impossible 8 This resurrection of Jesus being granted it serves to confirme the truth of his doctrine 9 Christian Religion excells all other Religions in the world 10 As is proved first from the excellency of the reward which is promised and propounded thereunto 11 Whereupon by the way an objection is answered for that it seemes impossible for bodies once dissolved to bee restored againe to their former integrity 12 Secondly the former truth is confirmed by the exact holinesse of Christian precepts touching the worship and service of God 13 Also from those courteous duties of humanity which wee owe and ought to performe to our neighbours though hurt or injured by them 14 Also from the union and love of man and wife 15 From the use of Temporall goods and commodities 16 From an Oath 17 And from other Christian Acts. 18 Answer to an objection taken from the controversies that are among Christians 19 The excellency of Christian Religion is further declared from the dignity of its author 20 From the wonderfull propagation thereof 21 Specially considering the weaknesse and simplicity of them which at the beginning taught the same 22 Together with the great impediments which might have with-held men from imbracing it or deterred them from professing the same 23 Answer made to them that doe desire stronger arguments The Contents of the third Booke SECT I. HEre is showne the authority of the bookes of the new covenant 2 Such bookes as have names of authors are the same mens writings whose names they beare 3 Concerning such books as anciently were questioned the doubt taken away 4 Those bookes that have no name prefixed have suâ—…enâ— authority as is proved from the quality of the writings themselves 5 The holy pen men of these bookes writ nothing but truth because they had certaine notice thereof 6 And because they would not lye 7 This is also evident by the miracles they wrought 8 And likewise because the events of many things therein recorded have made it appeare the same were divinely inspired 9 And lastly from the care God was to have that counterfeit writings might not be obâ—ruded or forged in the Church 10 An objection answered that sundry of these bookes were not reserved by all 11 A scruple taken away for that some impossibilities sâ—eme to be 〈…〉 12 Or such things as are râ—… pâ—… to reason 13 Another doubt answered touching some diversity â—…rieâ—â— that seeme to be in those writings 14 The consideration