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—
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
unknowne nor doubt of the two Epistles of Iohn and the Revelation because some men doe question whether the author of them was Iohn the Apostle or some other of that name For the name is not so much to bee regarded as the quality or condition of the writers Hence it is that we receive many bookes of history whose authors are to us unknowne As that concerning the Alexandrian war by Cesar because wee may perceive that he whosoever writ the same lived in those times ad was present when the things were done In like manner it ought to suffice us that whosoever wrote the bookes wee speake of both lived in the primitive age and were endued with Apostolicall gifts For he speakes very improbably that saith these qualities were but counterfeit and that other writings might beare the names of these authors who every where pressing truth and prety cannot bee thought to play the â—…ning Sophisters and be guilty of falshood a thing not onely odious among all good men but by the Roman lawes was to bee punished with death SECT V. These pen-men writ the truth because they had certaine knowledge of what they writ THus it being plaine that the bookes of the new covenant were written by those authors whose names they beare or by such as beare witnesse of themselves if wee adde further that they know well the matters where of they wrote to be true and had no purpose to lye or dissemble it wil follow that the things which they committed to writing were both certaine and true because every untruth proceeds either from ignorance or from a wicked desire to deceive As touching Matthew Iohn Peter and Iohu they were all of the society and fellowship of those twelve whom Iesus did chuse to bee witnesses of his life and doctrine so that they could not be ignorant of those things which they did relate The same may be said of Iames who was either an Apostle or as some thinke the next a kin to Iesus and by the Apostles consecrated Bishop of Hierusalem Paul also could not erre through lacke of knowledge either about those points which hee professeth were revealed to him by Iesus himselfe triumphing in heaven orabout the things that were done by him having Luke a follow companion with him in his journeyes This Luke might easily know the certainty of those things which hee writ concerning the life and death of Iesus For hee was borne and bred in the places next adjoining to Palestina through which countrey when he travelled hee saith hee speake with such persons as were eyewitnesses of the things that were done For doubtlesse besides the Apostles with whom hee had familiarity there lived many others at that time who had beene cured by Iesus whom they saw both before his death and after his resurrection If wee will give credit to Tacitus and Suetoniâ—… in those things which happened a long time before they were borne because we are confident that they diligently enquired into the truth thereof how much more ought wee to beleeve this writer who saith that hee reeived all the things which hee relates from them that had seene the same It is credibly reported of Mark that hee was a daily companion with Peter so that whatsoever he writ may bee thought as suggested or witnessed by Peter who could not bee ignorant thereof Besides the same things that hee writes are almost all extant in the Acts of the Apostles Neither could the author of the apocalyps bee deceived or deluded in those visions which hee saith were revealed to him from heaven No more could he that writ the Epistle to the Hebrewes erre in those things which hee professeth either to bee inspired into him by the Spirit of God or else taught him by the Apostles SECT VI. As also because they would not lye THe other reason we spake of to prove the truth of the said holy writers was because they had no will or desire to tell an untruth And this hath beene toucht before in generall when wee proved the truth of Christian Religion and of the history of the resurrection of Christ Those that will accuse any witnesses for the pravity of their will must produce such proofes and evidences as may probably make it appeare why the will should be diverted from uttering the truth but this cannot bee averred of the said authors For if any doe object and say that they spake for their owne advantage upon enquiry it will appeare that they sought after no such by-end having neither hope of getting commodity or of eschewing any danger but rather by their profession they were more likely to lose all their commodities and be liable unto all sorts of perils If they aimed at any advantage it was onely to gaine honour unto God which doubtlesse cannot bee compatible with lying and dissembling specially in such a businesse as whereon depends the everlasting salvation of mankinde Farre be it then from any man to thinke that they were guilty of so great impiety their doctrine being ful of all sanctity and their lift exemplary for innocency and integrity free from the accusation of their greatest adversaries who onely condemned them for lacke of knowledge a fault unlikely to be the mother of falshood No if they had beene guilty of never so little fraud or deceit in that kind surely they would not have recorded to posterity their owne trespasses as namely their forsaking of Christ when hee was in danger and Poters deniall of him three times SECT VII A confirmation of the sidelity of these authors from the miracles which they wrought ON the other side God himselfe gave testimony of their fidelity by working wonders which both they and their Disciples with great boldnesse publikely avouched adding also the names of the persons places and other circumstanâ—es So that the truth or falshood of their assertion might easily have beene discovered by the inquisition of the Magistrate More particularly among the wonders that they wrought wee may note as most sensible and certain the use of tongues among so many thousands which never learned them and their curing the diseases of the body upon a suddaine in the sight of the people Neither were they any whit dismaied with feare either of the Iewish Magistrates of those times whom they knew to bee most maliciously set against them or of the Romans who dealt very unjustly with them omitting no fit occasion that might bee matter for traducing or accusing them as inventors of a new Religion Nay the very Iewes or Pagans in the times immediately following durst never deny that wonders were wrought by those men For so much is confessed of Peters miracles by Phlegon in his Annals who lived under Adrian the Emperour Moreover the Christians themselves in those bookes that contained a reason of their faith which they exhibited to the Emperours to the Senate and to the governours doe relate these things as most manifest and unquestionable truths yea they openly report that
most of all admire as the raising of the dead unto life againe and therefore that objection is of no force SECT XII Or things contrary to reason NEither are they to be regarded and assented unto who say that some doctrines are comprised in these bookes which are disagreeing to right reason For such are confuted first by the practice of so many learned grave judicious and wise nien as have allowed and admitted of these bookes for authenticall ever since the primitive times Then by that which wee have before declared in the first booke to be consonant to right reason as namely that there is a God who alone is absolutely perfect and infinite in vertue life wisdome and goodnesse of whom all things that have any being were made whose care and providence reacheth over all his workes especially unto men and who can after this life bountifully reward all them that obey him Besides there is showne how that all the lusts of the flesh are to be bridled and subdued that amongst men there is kinred and alliance and therfore they ought to love one another with sincere affection All which are most plainely set downe in the said bookes of the new covenant Now we know how unsafe it is for any to affirme any thing beside this peremptorily to be true either concerning the nature of God or his will specially if it bee grounded onely upon humane reason And further we may guesle how uncertaine it would bee both by the jarring opinions of the schoolmen among themselves as also by the contrary conclusions of the Philosophers And it is no marvell for if men doe so farte disagree in their opinions touching their owne soule then they must needs much more dissent when they goe about to determine any thing not revealed concerning the highest mind and the most supreme Spirit which so farre transcends our weak appiehension Or if as prudent men do think the inquiry into the Councels of Kings bee dangerous and not to bee attempted or attained by us who then is there so wise and prudent that hopes hee shall ever bee able to understand the will of God concerning those things which he hath reserved in his owne freedome and secret councell Wherefore Plato said very well that none of these hidden mysteries could bee knowne without an Oracle Now there can no Oracle be proved to be an Oracle indeed by any clearer testimonies than those that are contained in the said bookes of the new covenant Contrary to which bookes it is neither proved nor so much as affirmed by any that God ever published any thing concerning his nature and essence Neither is there extant any letter Revelation or other signification of his will that can bee beleeved for true For if there were any thing otherwise commanded or permitted before Christs time which in it selfe was indifferent that is neither due nor dishonest yet the same is not repugnant to the said writings fince that in such matters of indifferency the last law or commandement that is given doth abolish and annull the former SECT XIII Answer to an objection that some of these bookes are repugnant to the other SOme doe further object that in these bookes there is some diversity of senses and interpretations But for answer whosoever will but duly ponder this matter he shall finde the same to be another argument besides the some to justifie the authority of the said bookes namely because they doe most manifestly and apparently agree about such things as concerne any point of doctrine or history Which consent and accord cannot else-where bee found among any other writers that are of one and the same sect or profession whether wee consider the Iewes or the Greeke Philosophess the Physitians or the Roman Lawyers All which doe not only differ much among themselves yea even those that are of the same sect as Plato and Xenophon but oftentimes one shal find the same writer to affirme now one thing then another as if he were forgetful of himselfe or knew not what to resolve upon But these other writers to wit the holy penmen of whom wee speake doe inculcate and expresse the same points of faith they deliver the same commandements and as for their narration of the life and death and resurrection of Christ the Summe and substance in them all is the very same As touching some particular circumstances such as are of smal or no moment happily they might be well reconciled though perhaps the manner how bee unknowne namely because of the similitude of things that were done at divers times or for the doubtfull signification of some words or by reason of the severall names and appellations of this man or that place and the like Nay this me thinkes may bees motive to vindicate and free these writers from all suspicion of falsehood it being usuall with those that would have lyes and untruths credited to relate all circumstances so streight and trimly as there shal not appeare any colour or shew of difference Or if it be so that for any smal difference which cannot easily bee reconciled a whole booke shall lose its credit then I trow wee must beleeve no bookes at all specially those os history yet wee see that Polibius Halicarnassensis Levy and Plutarch for the substance oâ— them are esteemed authenticall and true though in some circumstances they seeme to bee faulty Therefore it were unequall that sacred writers should lose then credit for one or two seeming slips if there were any in their writings who so seriously desired and earnestly indevoured to expresse both truth and piety therein SECT XIIII Answer to an objection taken from outward testimonies which make more for these bookes ANother way of confirming what wee have said Some thinke may bee by alleaging the contrary testimonies of those that were strangers to the covenant of promise But I dare boldly say that there are no such testimonies to be found unlesse a man wil produce the sayings of them that were borne a long time after who did openly prosesse emnity against Christianity and therefore could be no fit witnesses for this matter Nay on the contrary if need were we could alleage many testimonies to confirme divers parts of the history which is delivered in the said bookes Thus both Hebrewes and Pagans report that Iesus was crucified and that sundry miracles were done by him and his Disciples Those knowne bookes of Iosephus which were written about forty yeeres after Christs ascension doe make mention of Herod Pilat Festus Felix Iohn the Baptist Gamliel and of the destruction of Hierusalem at large Herewith all agree that which the Authors of the Talmud have recorded concerning those times Tacitus relates how cruelly Nero used the Christians And anciently there were certain bookes extant not only of private men as of Phlegon and others but also some publike Acts wherunto the Christians appealed namely for that in them there was mention made of the star that appeared at Christs birth and
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
fundamentall principles for which chiefly wee have commended Christian Religion the certainty whereof appeares in this namely that those which out of mutuall and deadly hatred sought all the occasion and matter of contention they could durst not for all that proceed so farre as to deny that these precepts were commanded by Christ no not even those that refuse to frame their lives and actions according to that rule Howbeit if there be any such as will contradict this that wee say the same may bee likened to those Philosophers that denied the snow to be white For as these are confuted by sense so are those convinced by the unanimous consent of all Christian nations also by the many bookes that the first professors of Christian Religion and they which followed and divers succeeding Doctors have written as also by the testimony of them that have witnessed their faith in Christ by their death For in the opinion of any indifferent Iudge the same must needs bee reputed the true doctrine of Christ which so many haue successively acknowledged and professed like as wee are perswaded the same was the doctrine of Socrates which wee read in Plato and Xenophon as also that of Zene the Philosopher which we find held by the Stoi ks SECT XX. The excellency of Christian Religion is further proved from the dignity of the author THe third thing wherein wee said Christian Religion excelled all others that are or can be thought of was the manner whereby it was delivered and divulged Where first wee shall speake of the Author They that were authors of the wisdome among the Grecians confessed that they could not alleage almost any certainties in their doctrine because quoth they truth lyes hid in a deepe pit and our minds are no lesse dazeled in the contemptation of divine things than the eyes of an owle in beholding the bright shining of the Sunne Besides there was none among them but was guilty of some vice For some were flatterers of Princes others addicted to bawdery and wantonnesse a third sort to malapart boldnesse A great argument of a generall envy among them was their contention about words and matters of small or no moment In their devotions they were cold and heartlesse For those that did beleeve there was one God neglected his honour and worshipped such things as they knew were no Gods making that onely the rule of their Religion which was commonly received and practised in publike Touching the reward of godlinesse they determined nothing for certaine as appeares by the last farewell disputation of Socrates at his death Mahumet another Author of another Religion farre dispersed in these times throughout his whole life was inclined to lust and sensuality as his owne followers cannot deny neither did hee leave any testimony or assurance whereby his promise of such a reward as consisted in the free vse of junkets and venery can appeare to bee true after his returne since that his body is not yet revived but remaines at Medina untill this day But Moses the author of the Hebrew Law was an excellent man though not without his faults as namely when with some discontent and grumbling he so hardly tooke upon him the Ambassage which God commanded him touching the King of Egypt conceiving also some distrust of Gods promise for bringing water out of the rocke as the Hebrews themselves confesse yet did he scarce partake of any one of those promises which by the law he made unto the people but was perplexed with continuall mutâ—…ies and seditions in the wildernesse neither was hee permitted to enter into that blessed and pleasant land so much desired But above all these Christ is most honourable in that neither his countrey-men nor any other could ever convince him of sinne For whatsoever hee commanded others to observe the same did he observe and performe himselfe and the Commandements that God gave him he faithfully fulfilled leading a most pure and upright course of life being also most patient in suffering wrongs and abuses as was manifest at his death upon the crosse yea so affectionate was hee towards his very enemies that he prayed God to pardon even those that put him to death As for the reward which hee promised unto his Disciples wee verily beleeve that himselfe is made partaker therof after a most eminent and excellent manner For after hee was risen from the lead there were many that beheld and heard and saw him who also ascended up into heauen in the sight of his twelve disciples where he obtained all power as was evident in that according to his promise made at his departure hee endued them that were his followers with the gift of tongues and other admirable vertues all which may be a sure warrant for us not to doubt either of the truth or possibility of the reward which hee hath promised And thus wee have showne how that this Religion is more excellent than others in regard that Christ the author of it hath himselfe performed what hee commanded as also in his owne person obtained and already enioyeth the happinesse that he promised SECT XXI Also from the wonderfull spreading of this Religion LEt us in the next place descend to the effects of this doctrine aforesaid which doubtlesse being well weighed are such as plainely declare this doctrine to bee sacred and divine if so bee that God have any regard of humane affaires For as it argueda divine providence to cause thiâ— thing which should be best of all to bee of most large and ample extent so hath it happened to Christian Religion which wee see is published and taught thorowout all Europe not excepting the Northerne parts thereof so likewise thorowout Asia together with the Islands in the Oceaâ— thorowout Aegypt also â—…iopia and some other parts of Africaâ— And lastly in America Thus is 〈…〉 â—ow and thus was it anciently as is witnessed by the histories of all times by the bookes of Christians the acts of Synods and by â—hat old tradition at this day held â—mong the Barbarians concerning â—he travels or pilgrimages of Thomas Andrew and other Apoâ—â—les Clemens Tertullian and some â—ncients besides have noted how â—ar the name of Christ was known amongst the Brittaines Germanes and other remote nations in their times And certainly at this day there is no other Religion comparable hereunto for ample and â—arge extent Paganisme indeed is a large name but cannot bee said to bee one Religion since that it is not agreed upon by the Professors therof what one thing they should worship but some adore the stars others the elements and a third sort reverence their Catell or such things as have no subsistence Neither have they the same customes or any common Lord of all The Iewes on the other side are dispersed and scattered up and downe yet remaine one people Howbeit their Religion had never any great growth or increase after Christs ascension and theâ—… Law was not so much propagated by them as by
For iâ— the same things had had in them any necessary ground why they should have beene done then would God have prescribed them not to one but to all the people and not after that man-kinde had lived above the space of two thousand yeares but even from the beginning of all Neither Abel Enoch Noah Me'châ—sedeck Iob Abxuham Isaac or Iacob though all of them were godly men and dearly be loved of God knew this part of the Law but were altogether ignorant or very little acquainted there with yet notwithstanding for all that they received the testimony of their confidence in God and of Gods love unto them Besides neither did Moses exhort Iethro his father in law to the receiving of these rites nor did Ionah the Ninivites neither did any other Prophets reprehend the Chaldeans Aegyptians Sydonians Tyrians Idumeans Mâ—abites for not admitting those ceremonies though when they writ unto them they reckoned up their sinnes exactly enough These then were peculiar precepts given either for the eschewing of some evill which the Iewes were prone unto or for the triall of their obedience or for the signification of some future things Wherefore it is no more to be wondred that these are abolished than if any King should abrogate some Municipall statutes to the end hee might establish one law within his dominions Neither can there any reason be alleaged to prove that God did so binde himselfe as that he would change nothing of the same For if it be said that these precepts are perpetuall the same word men oftentimes use when they would signifie that that which they command is not yearely or for a certaine time suppose in the time of warre peace or famine Yet they are not thereby hindred from making new constitutions of the same things specially when the publike good requires the same Thus in like manner some lawes given to the Hebrews were onely temporary during the peoples abode in the wildernesse others were proper and peculiarly appointed for their habitation in the land of Canaan therefore for distinction sake of these from the other he cals them perpetuall whereby may bee understood that they ought not any where to be changed or ever intermitted unlesse God signifie that it is his will so to bee Which manner of speaking since it is commonly used by all people they ought not to wonder at considering that in their law the same is called a perpetuall statute and a perpetuall bondage which continues onely from one Iubily to another And the comming of the Messias is called the accomplishment of the Iubily or the greatest Iubily of all Thus in the Hebrew Prophets there was anciently a promise of making a new covenant as in Ierem 31. where God promiseth that hee will make a new covenant which shall bee put into their inward parts and written in their hearts neither shall men have annoed that one shall learne Religion of another for the same shall be manifest unto all and they shall all know Yea further tâ—e Lord will forgive them their former iniquities and will remember their â—inâ—t no more which is as if a King after great enmity and discord had amongst his citizens subjects should for the establishment of peace and tranquillity among them abolish divers lawes and make a perfect◠〈◊〉 common to them all promising forgivenes of faults by-past if afterwards they doeamend And this which hath beene said might suffice to bee spoken for the abrogation of the law the parts whereof wee will iâ— the next place shew were neither such as in themselves could bee well pleasing unto God nor ought they to continue for ever SECT VIII As the sacrifices which of themselves were never wel-pleasing unto God THe first and chiefe thing to be considered are the sacrifices which many of the Hebrewes thinke were invented by man before that they were commanded by God And true it is indeed the Hebrewes were desirous of many rites and ceremonies which might bee the reason why God enjoyned them so many Or else because hee would not have them returne unto the worship of fulse Gods by the remembrance of their sojourning in Egypt Howbeit when their posterity made so great reckoning of them as though of themselves they had beene acceptable unto God and a part of true piety then did the Prophets reprehend them for it I will not reprove thee saith God by David in the fiftieth Psalme for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to have beene continually before mee I will take no bullocke out of thy house nor hee goats out of thy folds For every beast of the forest is mine and so are the cattell upon a thousand hils I know all the fowles of the mountaines and the wilde beasts of the field are mine If I were hungry I would not tell thee for the world is mine and the fulnesse there of thinkest thou that I â—illâ—â—t the flesh of Buls or drinke the bloud of goats Offer unto God thankesgiving and pay thy vowes unto the most high Some there are among the Hebrewes who thinke that this is spoken because they that offered those sacrifices were of an impure mind and dishonest conversation But the words now alleaged shew another matter to wit that the thing in it selfe was no whit receptable unto God For if wee consider the whole sâ—ries and order of the Psalme wee shall finde that God in these words speakes unto the godly for hee had said Gather my Saints together unto mee and heare my people which are the words of a teacher and one that instructeth Then having ended the saying unto the godly as his manner is he speakes unto the wicked But unto the wicked God saith To the same sense wee may cite other places as in the 51. Psal Thou desirest not sacrifice else would I give it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a brokeÌ„ Spirit a broken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise So likewise in the fortieth Psalme Sacrifice and offering thou didst not defire mine eares hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required Then said I loe I come In the volume of the book it is written of me I delight to doe thy will O my God yea thy law is within my heart I have preached righteousnesse in the great congregation Loe I have not refrained my lips O Lord thou knowest I have not hid thy righteousnesse within my heart I have declared thy faithfulnesse and thy salvation I have not concealed thy loving kindnesse and thy truth from the great congregation The like wee reade in the Prophet Isaiah chap. 〈◊〉 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me saith the Lord I am full of the burnt offerings of rammes and the sat of sed beasts and I delight not in the bloud of bullockes or of lambs or of begoats When yee come to appeare before me who hath required this at your hand to tread my courts
many Copies not only in the Greeke language but in the Syriacke Arabicke Ethiopicke and Latine tongues of divers translations all which doe so agree in that same place as there cannot be showen any diversity at all Next before the time of Mahumet there was no cause of alteration For no man could know before his comming what Mahumet would teach Yea if the doctrine oâ— Mahumet had contained nothing contrary to the doctrine of Iesus the Christians would have made no more a-doe to receive his books than they did to receive the bookes of Moses and the Hebrew Prophets Or suppose there was nothing written either of the doctrine of Iesus or of Mahumet yet it is but equity that that should bee received for the doctrine of Iesus which all Christians generally agree upon and that for the doctrine of Mahumet which all Mahumetans doe allow of SECT IIII. By comparing Mahumet with Christ in their persons IN the next place let us compare the adjuncts and quality of both their doctrines to the end wee may see whether of the two is to bee preferred before the other And first wee may consider the dignity and worth of the authors As for Iesus Mahumet himselfe confesseth that hee was the Messias which was promised in the law and in the Prophets whom the same Mahumet cal the word the minde and the wisdome of God saying also that hee had no father by mankind But Mahumet as his owne followers beleeve was generated and begot according to the ordinary course of nature The life of Iesus was altogether unblameable there being no crime that could bee objected against him But Mahumet a long time was a robâ—er and alwayes effâ—…inate Iesus ascended into heaven as Mahumet confesseth but Mahumet lies yet inâ—ombed in his sâ—pulchre Who then sees not whether of them is to bee followed SECT V. And in their deeds NExt the dignity of their persons consider we their acts Iesus gave sight to the blinde health to them that were sicke and made the lame to walke yea by Mahumets owne confession hee raised some from the dead But Mahumet-saith of himselfe that hee was sent not with miracles but with feats and instruments of warre Howbeit some of his followers grace him with miracles But what kind I pray Only such as may bee done by humane are as that of a Dove that came flying to his eare or such as had no eye-witnesses as that of a Camel which is said to have had some conference with him by night or lastly such as for their absurdity are incredible and so need no further confutation as that a great part of the Moone fell into his lap or into his sleeve and he to preserve the roundnesse of that star threw the same part up agoine Now who will not say that in a doubtfull case wee must yeeld rather to that law which hath the more certaine testimonies of divine approbation SECT VI. Also such as first embraced both Religions NExt let us see who and what manner of persons they were that first received these severall lawes They that first embraced the law of Iesus were such as feared God men of an innocent life Now it stands not with the goodnesse of God to suffer such men to bee guld and â—heaâ—â—d either through the deâ—… of cuâ—…ing speeches or by any other imposture But those that first professed Mahumetanisme were starke theeves and robbers estranged from all humanity and godlinesse SECT VII The manner how both their lawes were propagated IN the next place followes the manner how both their several Religions were propagated and spread abroad As for Christianity we have showne before by what meanes it was inlarged and amplified to wit by the miracles not onely of Christ but also of his Disciples and those that succeeded them as like wise by the very patient enduring of the torment and punishments that Christians suffered But the Doctors of Mahumetisme wrought no miracles at all neither did they suffer any grievous persecutions or bitter kinds of death for their profession But as their Religion was bred so hath it beene maintained by warre they having no better argument for the truth thereof than their good successe in their martiall enterprises and the largenesse of their Empire than the which nothing in this point is more deceitfull and uncertaine They condemne the worship and services of the Pagan and yet we know what great victories the Pagans have had as is plaine of the Persians Macedâ—niâ—â—s and Romans and how ample their dominions were Neither have the Mahumetans themselves had alwayes good successe with their armies The slaughters and great overthrowes that they have received in many places both by Sea and by Land are not unknowne They are now banished quite out of all Spaine There is nothing that suffers such alterations and changing nothing that may bee common both to good and bad which can bee a certaine note of true Religion much lesse can their warrings which are so unjust that oftentimes they quarrell and contend with some people that doe not any way molest or offend them and they are wont to set upon such as offer them no injury at all in so much that all the pretence they have for contending is onely the cause of Religion which is a most ungodly thing For there is no true worship of God but what proceeds from a willing minde And the will may bee well wrought upon by good instruction and gentle perswasion but not so well by rigorous threats or violence Hee that is compelled to beleeve doth not beleeve at all but playes the hypocrite and faines himselfe to beleeve that hee may escape and avoid some danger or punishment And hee that by awe or sense of punishment will force another mans assent gives just occasion thereby to suspect that hee distrusts his other arguments Againe they destroy the very pretence of their Religion in that they suffer any people that live under their dominion to use what Religion they please yea and sometimes they will openly acknowledge that Christians may bee saved by their owne law SECT VIII The precepts of both Religions compared FVrthermore let us compare the severall commandements of both Religions the one wherof commandeth patience yea and love even to them that are hatefull But in the other revenge is allowed of In the one the bond of matrimony is kept firme and inviolable betweene the married parties by a mutuall bearing with one anothers conditions But in the other there is licence granted to depart and be divorced Here the Husband performes himselfe what he requires of his wife and by his owne example teacheth her to fallen her affection upon him alone But there they may have wives after wives there being still new incentives and fresh provocations to lust Here Religion is planted within and rooted in the very heart and soule to the end the same may bring forth fruit profitable for mankind but there Religion consists for the most part in