See lib. 2. c. 30. ART XII WHETHER GOOD WORKES be necessarie to iustification SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Math. 6. v. 15. But if you will not forgiue men nether will your Some good worke necessarie to iustification Father forgiue you your offenses Ioan. 15. vers 10. If you keepe my precepts you shall abide in my loue CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Session 6. Can. 9. If any shall say that a sinner is iustified by onely faith so as he vnderstand that nothing els is required to cooperate to the grace of iustification and that it is not needfull in anie sorte that he be disposed and prepared by motion of his will be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Confess Argentinensis c. 3. Whereas now some yeares it was tought that mans workes are required to his iustification our men haue tought that all iustification is to be ascribed to Gods good will and Christs merits Confessio Bohemica art 6. We teach that men freely by Iustification obtained without workes Christ by faith in Christ through mercie are iustified and obtaine saluation and remission of sinnes without any worke or merit of man Apologia Confess Augustanae c. de Respons ad argum tom 3. Melancthonis Doth not the Ghospell promise saluation Iustification promised to those who haue no good workes Presence of good workes not necessarie and remission of sinnes euen to them who haue no good workes at all Liber Concordiae Lutheran in Declarat artic cap. 3. It is false if anie say that faith cannot iustifie without good workes or that the presence of good workes is necessarie to faith for to iustifie or that the presence of good workes is necessarie to iustification or in the moment of iustifying Luther de libertate to 2. f. 5. Our faith maketh that none None haue need of workes to be saued haue need of the law or workes for to be iustified or saued f. 6. A Christian needeth no workes for to be iustified or saued Postilla in Dom. post Natale Nothing els is required to iustification then to heare and beleiue Christ Iesus our Sauiour And as Kemnitius in Schlusselburg to 7. pag. 530. saieth Luther clearly profâ—sseth that workes are pernitious with that addition which he calleth Leuiathan to wit if they be saied to be necessarie to iustification and saluation Ministers of Saxonie in Colloq Aldeburg p. 164. Whosoeuer Workes not necessarily present in the time of iustification saieth that our good workes are necessarily present in the moment of iustification he swarueth from the word of God from the confession and Apologie of Auspurg and from the doctrine of Luther Herbrandus in Compendio Theol. loco de Iustificat What excludeth that word Onely Not workes onely from the efficient cause if iustification and from worth and merit but also from all cause without which not and from all necessâ—rie of presence in the act of iustification For without workes a sinner beleiuing in Christ is iustified Otherwise iustifiâ—ation would be alwaies vncertaine and so we should doubt of it Againe To iustification there is need of no other thing but onely of faith Onely faith needfull to iustification Those that haue no good workes may be iustified Presence of good workes not necessarie Kemnitius in Schlusselburg to cit p. 711. It is false concontrarie to the Apologie it selfe that none can be iustified who hath not good workes p. 716. It is false if I say that faith doth not iustifie vnlesse it haue good workes actually present Morlinus in Schlusselburg to cit p. 171. It is simply a false proposition The presence of good workes is howsoeuer necessarie in the act of iustification Et 173. It stands for an inuincible trueth if the presence of good workes be accounted as necessarie in the act of iustification it is dung and losse Manie more like sayings of Lutherans may be seene in Schlusselburg to cit Rainolds in Apologia Thesium p. 263. Good workes are Not required to iustification not required to iustification Caluin in Math. 6. v. 12. The pardon which we aske to be giueÌ„ to vs dependeth not vpon that which we giue to others The like sayings of theirs we repeated in the former chapter art 17. and shall hereafter also c. 17. art 1. and 2. THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that God will not pardon our sinnes vnlesse we pardon others that we shall abide in his loue if we keepe his precepts The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that the pardon which me aske of God dependeth not vpoÌ„ that which we giue to others that our workes or good workes are not required to iustification that we may obtaine remission of sinnes without anie worke that the Ghospell promiseth remission of sinnes euen to them who haue no workes at all that faith can iustifie without good workes that the presence of good workes is not necessarie in the moment of iustification that we haue no need of workes to be iustified that workes are pernitious if they tought necessarie to iustificatioÌ„ that faith iustifieth though it haue no good workes actually present that sole faith excludeth euen the necessitie of the presence of good workes when we are iustified ART XIII WHETHER GOOD WORKES be necessarie to saluation SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Math. 5. v. 21. For I tell you that vnlesse your iustice abound Our iustice necessarie to saluation Likewise our conuersion And keeping of the commandments Patience necessarie And Holines more then that of the Scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen c. 18. v. 3. Amen I say to you vnlesse you be conuerted and become as litle children you shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen c. 19. v. 17. If thou wilt enter into life keepe the commandments Hebr. 10. v. 36. Patience is necessarie for you that doing the will of God you may receaue the promise c. 12. v. 14. Follow peace with all men and holines without which no man shall see God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 4. de Iustif c. 7. We say that good workes are necessarie for a iust man to saluation PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE The Confession of Bohemia and the Apologie of the Confession of Auspurg cited in the former article denie good workes to be necessarie to saluation Tindal in Fox his Acts p. 1143. We need not to labour for We need not labour for heauen all these things to be Christs heires and to haue heauen for these we haue already The English Translatour of Luthers coÌ„mentaries vpon the Epistle to the Galathians For if there haue beene since the Good workes not necessarie to saluation time of Luther and be yet some which openly defend that workes be necessarie to saluation where he before so mightly hath taught the contrarie what then would these haue done if Luther had not beene Who also forewarned vs of the same prophecying that after his times the doctrine of iustification would be
doctrine of the law not of the Ghospell Caluin ib. We gather that this answere of Christ is according to the law Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 6. col 543. That all be bound vnder payne of losse of eternall life to doe good and auoid sinne is a sentence of the law and must and ought to be corrected and restrained by the Protestant Ghospell or by remission of sinnes Peter Martyr in Rom. 11. That saying Forgiue and it shal be forgiuen is a precept and therefore pertaineth to the law Melancthon in Apologia tom 3. c. de argumentis The promise of reconciliation and of eternall life is free but proper legall promises are added for workes as who shall giue a draught of water shall not want his reward Wherefore thus I frame my eleuenth argument Who not onely contradict the expresse words of Scripture but also are compelled to turne conditionall propositions of Scripture into absolute and to delude them diuers other waies do contradict also the sincere meaning of the Scripture But thus doe Protestants Therefore c. CHAPTER XII THAT PROTESTANTS CHANGE manie causall propositions of Scripture into not causall THE 12. argument for to proue that Protestants contradict the true sense of Scripture shal be because they are compelled in manie and weightie controuersies to turne causall propositions into not causall For is we proue that Christ was exalted for his humiliation because it is saied Philippen 2. ver 8. He humbled himselfe made obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse For For the which thing God hath exalted him Caluin ibid. answereth That illatiue particle wherefore in this place signifieth rather consequence then cause And 2. Instit c. 17. § vlt. The solution is easie that Paul there speaketh not of the cause of Christs exaltation but onely sheweth the consequence And Daneus Controuer 2. pag. 201. The particle For which sheweth the order and continuation of the speach not the cause for which If we proue the same out of those wordes Hebrew 2. ver 9. We see Iesus because of the passion of death crowned with glorie and honour Caluin ib. answereth Because of the passion of death is as much as if he had saied Christ hauing died was raised to this glorie which he hath gotten For the meanes onely that I may so speake of obtaining glorie is declared If we proue that confession of faith is cause of saluatiō as faith is cause of iustification out of those words Rom. 10. ver 10. For with heart we beleiue vnto iustice but with the To. mouth confesson is made to saluation Caluin ib. answereth We must not gather thereof that confession is cause of saluation he ment onely to tell how God doth perfect our saluation It is a necessitie of perpetuall consequence not that he attributeth saluation to confession Hunnius lib. de Iustificat p. 186. saieth That Confession to saluation is the same that confession of saluation Which the Electorall Ministers in Colloq Aldeburg p. 295. affirme to be a corruption of Scripture If we proue that keeping of the commandements is cause of our freindship with God by those words Ioan. 15. v. 14. You are my freinds if you doe the things that I commād If. you Caluin ib. answereth He meaneth not that we get so much honour by anie merit of ours but onely admonisheth vs vpon what condition he receaueth vs into grace and vouchsafeth to reckon vs among his freinds If we proue that the forgiuenesse of our sinnes dependeth vpon our forgiuing of others out of those words Luc. 11. v. 4. Forgiue vs our sinnes for because our selues also do Because forgiue euerie one that is in debt to vs. Caluin in Math. 6. v. 11. answereth Neuerthelesse forgiuenesse which we demand for our selues dependeth not of that which we giue but by this means Christ would exhorte vs to forgiue all offenses and withall confirme more our trust of forgiuenesse as it were by fealing it Nether skilleth it that in Luke is the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is as much as For because or For because Christs meaning was not to note the cause but onely to aduertise what kind of mind we ought to haue towards our brethren whiles we seeke to be reconciled to God If we proue that by charitie we be made the sonnes of God out of those words Math. 5. ver 45. But I say to you That loue your enemies doe good to them that hate you and pray for them that persecure and abuse you that you may be the children of your father which is in heauen Calum ib. answereth Vnderstand not that by our beneficence we become the children of God But because the same Spirit which is witnesse assurance and seall of our free adoption doth correct the naughtie affectiōs of the flesh which are contrarie to charitie Christ proueth by the effect that no others are the children of God but those who resemble him in clemencie and meeknes If we proue that loue is the cause of forgiuing sinnes by those words Luc. 7. v. 47. Manie sinnes are forgiuen her Because because she hath loued much Aretius in locis part 1. fol. 84. answereth Because is taken ostentiuely not causatiuely This is so necessarie as the place cannot be otherwise vnderstood The like hath Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 4. Polanus in disp priuat 36. If we proue that keeping of the commandments is cause of obtaining what we pray for out of those words 1. Ioan. 3. v. 22. Whatsoeuer we shall aske we shall receaue of Because him because we keep his commandements Caluin ibidem answereth He meaneth not that our trust in praier consisteth in our workes but this onely he vrgeth that pietie and sincere worshippe of God cannot be seperated from faith Nether must it seeme absurd that he vseth the causall particle though he meane not of the cause for the inseperable accident vseth sometime to be put for the cause If we proue that workes are cause of reward out of these words Math. 16. ver 27. He will render to euerie man According according to his workes Caluin ibid. answereth As often as reward is promised to good workes the cause of saluation is not shewed but the faithfull are onely encouraged to doe well because they are assured that they shall not leese their labour If we proue that good workes are cause of eternall happines out of these words Math. 25. v. 34. Possessethe For. kingdome c. For I was hungrie and you gaue me to eate And c. 25. v. 23. Because thou hast beene faithfull ouer a few things I will place the ouer manie things enter into the ioy of thy Lord. And Apocal. 7. ver 14. These are they which are come out of Therefore great tribulation c. therefore they are before the throne of God Pareus lib. 5. de Iustificat c. 3. saieth The answere of all Protestants is that the causall particle in the
Infants are saued by Gods election albeit they be taken out of this life not only without baptisme but also without faith See more art 15. Scripture What shall it profit if a man say he hath faith but hath not workes Shall his faith be able to saue him Protestants Faith iustifieth without good workes Faith void of good workes is imputed to iustice See more art 17. Scripture Whosoeuer beleiueth that Iesus is Christ is borne of God Abraham beleiued and it was imputed him to iustice Protestants Faith doth not iustifie vs by the worke beleife Not iustifieth See more art 18. Scripture To him that beleiueth in him who iustifieth the Faith reputed to iustice impious his faith is reputed to iustice Protestants The act of beleiuing is not our iustice Not the Not reputed act or worke of our faith that is our beleife iustifieth vs. See more art 19 Scripture Of the Princes also manie beleiued in him but for Certaine princes beleiued They beleiued not Manie beleiued They beleiued not Faith cause of Saluation Not cause thereof SimoÌ„ Magus beleiued He beleiued not Faith by hearing Not by hearing the Pharises they did not confesse Protestants We do not graunt that thoses Princes had true faith We denie that they truely beleiued See more art 20. Scripture Ihon. 2. Manie beleiued in his name Protestants Their faith was not true but hypocrisie See art 20. cit Scripture Thy faith hath made thee safe Protestants Faith doth not worke cause or procure our Saluation See more art 16. Scripture Simon Magus also him selfe beleiued Protestants Some beleiue not at all as Simon Magus He was quite faithlesse indeed he beleiued not See more art 21. Scripture Faith is by hearing Protestants Faith cometh not by the labour of the preachers Faith riseth of the Scripture alone not of the authoritie of the Church Faith can not be gotten by words See more articul 22. Scripture For a time they beleiue and in time of temptation Faith some time lost they reuolt Protestants True faith can neuer be lost It cannot be by Neuer lost anie means that those who beleiue should leese their faith See more art 23. Scripture reporteth that Christ saied to Thomas Be S. Thomas faith not incredulous but faithfull And that Thomas saied Vnlesse I see c. I will not beleiue Protestants Faith was not vtterly extinct in Thomas Faith He lost it not lay in his hart See more art 23. cit Scripture He that beleiueth in the Sonne hath life euerlasting Faith rewarded Protestants There is noe reward to faith No reward can be Not rewarded rendred to faith See art 24. Scripture Reporteth that Christ saied to the woman The womans faith pure who touched the hem of his garment Thy faith hath made the safe Protestants It may be that some errour or vice was mingled Not pure with the womans faith Perhaps she slipt a litle out of the way See more art 25. CHAPTER XIV OF GOOD VVORKES IN GENERAL SCripture saieth to a sinner beleiuing that there is one Some workes of a sinner good God Thou doest well and Rahab the harlot was not she iustified by workes Protestants VVhat workes soeuer goe before iustification None good are euill What can sinners alienated from God doe but is execrable in his iudgment See more art 1. Scripture In all these things Iob sinned not with his lips The iust sinne not in euerie worke In euerie worke Good workes sweet before God Vnsweet Protestants The iust man sinneth in euerie good worke All saints in euerie good worke do sinne See more art 2. Scripture Noë offered holocaustes vpon the altar and our lord smelled a sweell sauour Protestants Our workes stincke before God if they be called to a strait account Whatsoeuer we can giue to God is stenchie See more art 3. Scripture Remember how I haue walked before thee in trueth Some workes perfect and in a perfect hart Protestants All our good workes are imperfect They are None perfect partely euill See more art 4. Scripture Phinees stood and pacified and the slaughter ceased Some workes iust before God None iust before hmi and it was reputed to him vnto iustice Protestants Who make their workes euen those which they imagin to doe by the grace of Christ iustice before God make idols of them See more art 5. Scripture What is our hope or ioye or crowne of glorie Are Glorie before God not you before our lord Iesus in his coming Protestants It can not be that anie haue glorie before God Not glorie before him See more art 9. Scripture He who ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth Some workes better then others None better then others Some workes counselled None counselled well and he who ioyneth not doth better Protestants Before God there is no worke better then other See more art 10. Scripture As concerning virgins a commandment of our Lord I haue not but counsell I giue Protestants There are not some precepts and others counsells See more art 11. Scripture If you will not forgiue men nether will your Father Some workes necessarie to forgiuenesse Not necessarie forgiue you your offenses Protestants The pardon which we aske to be giuen to vs dependeth not vpon that which we giue to others See more artic 12. Scripture Patience is necessarie for you that doing the will Some necessarie to saluauation Not necessarie Some profitable None profitable of God you may receaue the promise Protestants Good workes are not necessarie to saluation See more art 13. Scripture Pietie is profitable to all things hauing promise of the life that now is and of that to come Protestants To teach that workes are holesome and profitable is diuellish and apostaticall from faith workes are vnprofitable to Christian iustice and likewise to saluation See more art 14. Scripture Be ye in nothing terrified of the aduersaries which Affliction cause of saluation to them is cause of perdition but to you of saluation and this of God Protestants The Scripture no where teacheth that the afflictions Not cause of saluation which the Saints suffer of the wicked are cause of their saluation See more art 15. Scripture Possesse you the kingdome prepared for you For I Workes cause of enioying heauen Not cause was an hungred and you gaue me to eate Protestants None shal be saued for his workes The kingdome of heauen is not giuen for good workes The iust are not rewarded for the workes of iustice which they haue done See more art 15. cit Scripture Labour that by good workes you may make sure Workes make cerâ—aintie of saluation They make it not your vocation and election Protestants We are vtterly vndone if we be sent to our workes when we must seeke the certaintie of our saluation See more art 16. Workes cause that God loueth vs. Not cause Scripture The Father him selfe loueth you
name of vertue Of the same opinion are all ProtestaÌ„ts who as we shall see in the next chapter thinke that all our good workes are defectuous and sinfull For in this the same reason is of faith and good workes THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that some faith is great full abundant consummate in hope against hope nor weake and more pretious then tried gould The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that euerie faith is imperfect none perfect none of anie worth or value euerie one needeth pardon is sinne is defiled with manie spots worse then the law requireth lame polluted defiled with infidelitie like a most filthie leprous and scabbie hand and not truely worthie of the name of vertue ART VIII WHETHER FAITH BE CONsummate or perfected by good workes of charitie SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Iames 2. v. 22. Seest thou that faith did worke with his workes Faith perfected by workes and by workes the faith was consummate CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME S. Thomas 2. 2. quaest 4. artic 3. Charitie is called the forme of faith in that by charitie the act of faith is perfected and formed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther in Gal. 2. to 5. f. 296. The true Ghospell is that workes Workes no perfection of faith or charitie are not the ornament or perfection of faith Bullinger Decade 3. Serm. 9. That opinion is altogether vnworthie of a Christian which affirmeth that our faith is perfected by workes that is that by workes is supplied that which wanteth to faith Caluin in Iacob 2. v. 22. Faith is saied to haue beene perfected Faith not perfected by workes by workes not that it taketh its perfection thence but because thereby it is proued to be true The same say other Protestants commonly THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that faith is consummate or perfected by workes The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that faith is not adorned or perfected by workes that workes do not perfect faith that faith taketh not her perfection from workes ART XIV WHETHER BY FAITH WE do onely know that we are iustified SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. Luc. 7. v. 50. And he Iesus saied to the woman Thy faith Faith maketh safe hath made thee safe goe in peace Rom. 1. c. 17. The iust liueth by faith The same is Galat. 3. Giueth life Hebr. 10. Abacuc 2. Rom. 3. v. 30. For it is one God that iustifieth circuncision Iustifieth by faith and prepuce by faith c. 5. v. 1. Being therefore iustified by faith let vs haue peace towardes God Act. 26. vers 18. That they may receaue remission of sinnes and lot among the saints by the faith that is in me Gal. 2. ver 16. We also beleiue in Christ Iesus that we may be Saueth iustified by the faith of Christ Ephes 2. v. 8. By grace you are saued through faith CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE C. Bellarm. l. 1. de Iustif c. 17. Let vs proue that true faith is not as our aduersaries would a bare and sole apprehension of iustice but a cause and that it hath vertue of iustifying PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Zuinglius in Exposit Fidei to 2. f. 557. We say that sinnes Faith onely makeâ—h vs certaine of forgiuenesse are remitted by faith whereby we meane nothing els then to say that onely faith maketh a man certaine of the remission of his sinnes De Prouidet c. 6. to 1. f. 371. Iustification and Saluation are attributed to faith whereas they proceed onely from Gods election and liberalitie and faith followeth the election so that who haue it may know as it were by a signe and pledge that they are elected Et in Rom. 8. to 4. If we will speake properly election Faith saueth not saueth not faith but because faith is a certaine signe that thou art an elect it is attributed to faith which pertaineth to election Sutclif l. 2. de Eccles c. 6. The iustice wherewith we are iust Iustification dependeth of no act of ours before God doth not depend of anie temporall act of man but of the eternall decree of God and is then indeed when a man beginneth to beleiue The like hath Perkins in Serie Causarum c. 57. Abbots in Diatribam Tomsoni c. 4. He should remember that before God we are actuallie iustified from all eternitie in We are iustified from all eternitie Faith perswadeth vs of our iustification whome yet this is not reuealed and manifested but in due time Piscator in Thesibus l. 2. loco 8. When we say we are iustified by faith we meane that by faith we are certainely perswaded that God imputeth iustice to vs or remitteth our sinnes for the satisfactioÌ„ and obedience of Christ. Of the same opinioÌ„ are they who as we shall see in the next article denie that faith is necessarie to iustification or saluation For that sheweth that in their opinion faith hath no other function in iustification then to know it and to make vs certaine thereof And perhaps for this cause they both call faith an apprehension of iustice and define it to be aknowledge of Gods will towards vs as Caluin doth 3. Instit c. 2. § 6. and in Cathecismo c. defide or a persuasion of iustification or saluation as do Bucer and Beza cited art 2. For knowledge or persuasion doth no way cause the thing but onely maketh vs certaine of it THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that we are iustified by faith receaue remission of sinnes by faith that we liue by faith are saued by faith that faith maketh vs safe The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that we are actually iustified from all eternitie that our iustification dependeth of no temporall act of ours that our iustification is then reuealed wheÌ„ we begin to beleiue that to be iustified by faith is to be perswaded that God imputeth iustice to vs that sinnes to be remitted by faith is nothing els but men to be made certaine by faith that their sinnes are remitted ART XV. WHETHER FAITH BE NEcessarie to iustification or saluation SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Marc. 16. v. 16. He that beleiueth not shal be condemned Faith necessarie to saluation Ioan. 3. v. 18. He that doth not beleiue is already iudged because he beleiueth not in the name of the onely begotten Sonne of God Et v. 36. He that is incredulous to the Sonne shall not see And iustification life but the wrath of God remaineth vpon him Hebr. 11. v. 6. Without faith it is impossible to please God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. c. 7. Without faith none was euer iustified PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Willet Cont. 12. q. 5. p. 574. Christ dwelleth in Infants by his Not necessarie to iustification Holie Spirit though they haue no faith The same he repeateth Contr. 13. q. 1. p. 592. Et Cont. 12. cit p. 569. Infants haue nether faith nor charitie Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 6. c. 3. Baptisme infuseth not faith or any
grace into Infants Perkins Cathol reform Contr. 16. c. 1. pag. 271. Though a Desire to beleiue is sufficient desire to repent and to beleiue be not faith and repentance in nature yet in Gods acceptation it is God accepting the will for the deed p. 272. Now if any shall say that without a liuelie faith in Christ none can be saued I answere that God accepts the desire to beleiue for liuelie faith in the time of temptation and in the time of our first conuersion p. 273. Certaine it is that God in sundrie cases accepts of this desire to beleiue for true faith indeed See Rogers on the 25. Art p. 147. Zuinglius de Prouidentia to 1. fol. 370. It is not generall Faith not necessarie to saluation that who hath not faith is to be damned Againe As for the damnation of the incredulous they onely are vnderstood who heard and beleiued not of others we cannot iudge De Peccato orig to 2. f 118. That who beleiueth not shal be damned is not to be vnderstood absolutely but of thē who hauing heard the Ghospell would not beleiue Et in Exposit Fidei to 2. fol. 659. Heathens may be saued he saieth that in heauen we shall find Hercules Theseus Numa and such like Pagans and his opinion therein defend the Tigurins in their Confession of faith Bullinger in the Preface thereof Gualter in Praefat. operum Zuinglij in Apologia pro eodem And the same doctrine of the saluation of Pagans mantayne Erasmus Thommer Hardenberg Tossanus and other Protestants as Schlusselburg reporteth l. 3. Theol. Caluin art 7. Bucer in Math. 19. Furthermore out of that that Infants Infants saued without faith want faith nothing lesse is concluded then which some thinke that therefore they please not God nor are Saintes Musculus in locis tit de baptismo Infants are saued by Gods election albeit they be taken out of this life not onely without baptisme but also without faith Caluin in Math. 19. v. 14. That they auouch that we are no other waies reconciled to God and made heires of adoption then by faith that we confesse of such as are of discretion but for so much as pertaineth to infants this place conuinceth it to be false Et 4. Instit c. 16. § 29. 31. li. cont Seruet p. 647. he writeth that that sentence Euerie one that beleiueth not the Sōne of God abideth in death belongeth not to infants Beza in Colloq Montisbel p. 407. Albeit the children of Christans want faith yet is not baptisme vnprofitable to them Daneus Controuers de Baptismo c. 10. He asketh what No faith needfull to Infants faith it is which we require in the baptisme of Infants I answere None Peter Martyr in Schlusselburg l. 1. Theol. Caluin art 18. The children of faithfull parents are saintes by the mere mercie of God though they haue not true faith in Christ Hungari apud Grauer in Absurdis Caluin cap. 4. sect 25. The children of Christians cannot be properly saied to haue faith yet all that are predestinate amongst them are saued and obtaine the kingdome of heauen THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that who beleiueth not shal be condemned is already iudged shall not see life that the wrath of God abideth vpon him and that it is impossible to please God without faith The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that Christ dwelleth in Infants though they haue no faith that they please God are saued are Saintes without faith that the sentence of condemnation against incredulous belongeth nether to infants nor to such as haue not heard the Ghospell that a man may be saued with desire of faith though he haue no faith indeed that in diuers cases God accepteth the desire of faith for liuelie faith that diuers Pagās are saued Which are so contrarie to Scripture as diuers Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART XVI WHETHER FAITH DO INdeed iustifie or be a true cause of iustification SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. The holie Scripture in the places cited before artic 14. Faith is a true cause of Iustification and Saluatiō saieth that we are iustified by faith receaue remission of sinnes by faith liue of faith are saued by faith CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. cap. 8. Faith is the beginning of mans saluation the foundation and roote of all iustification CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Confessio Belgica art 22. Properly speaking we meane not Faith it selfe doth not iustifie that faith it selfe by it selfe or of it selfe doth iustifie vs as which is onely as it were an instrument with which we apprehend Christ our iustice Whitaker ad Demonstrat 10. Sanderi Faith is not cause No cause of saluation of our saluation Perkins in Galat. 3. Faith doth not cause worke or procure Saluation dependeth not of faith our Saluation In Serie causarum cap. 57. Saluation dependeth not of our faith The same hath Sutclife cited art 14. Illyricus in Claue Scriptur part 2. tract 6. col 551. Faith the word and Sacraments are saied to saue vs whereas God alone doth such things col 552. It is often saied Thy faith hath made thee safe whereas the onely mercie of God and his omnipotencie apprehended by faith doth that Whereupon he addeth that Faith no true cause saluation in the Scripture Effects are often times attributed to not true or not to principall causes Zuinglius in Elencho to 2. f. 34. Here is a diffcultie Hou faith doth make blessed or iustifieth But whatsoeuer seemeth hard to loose flieth a sunder with a small stroke of the figure synechdoche For faith is taken for the election the predestination and vocation of God all which goe before faith Bucanus in Instit Theol. loco 31. Nether the worke nor act Faith doth not iustifie vs of faith doth iustifie vs but Christ himselfe whome we apprehend by faith Pareus l. 1. de Iustif c. 17. It cannot be saied with out plaine absurditie and falsitie that we are iustified by faith or out of faith as by an efficient or formall cause Againe By no means that efficiencie or vertue of iustifying can be ascribed to faith without absurditie and falsitie Tilenus in Syntagmate c. 41. This speech Faith doth iustifie vs is figuratiue and metonymicall and hath this sense God iustifieth the beleiuer for the merit of Christ which the beleiuer by onely faith apprehēdeth c. 56. Baptisme goeth before saluatiō but causeth it not which we giue not to faith properly but onely metaleptically THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that Faith truely causeth iustification and saluation The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that faith is no cause of our saluation nether worketh not procureth our saluation that our saluation dependeth not vpon our faith that faith doth not iustifie vs that without absurditie and falsitie it cannot be saied faith is ether efficient or formall cause of iustification or hath vertue of iustifying ART XVII
Reg. 15. Luc. 1. Actor 13. he saieth this is not meant of true iustice or perfection but of apparent So that with these men nothing is true if it be against them but onely apparent as is indeed their religion Wherefore thus I argue in forme Who beside the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture in manie and great matters words which signifie true things are forced to expound them of apparence outward shews testifications and significations before men they contradict the true sense of Scripture Protestants doe so Therefore c. CHAPTER XX. THAT PROTESTANTS ARE FORCED to expound the words of holie Scripture by diuers disparates and contraries THE 20. argument wherewith we will proue that Protestants doe contradict the true meaning of holie Scripture shal be because they are coÌ„pelled to expound the words thereof by things that are quite different yea disparate or nothing like and plaine concrarie of which doings of theirs amongst innumerable I will note some few examples They expound the words of Scripture by things different or diuerse For thus dealeth Zuinglius in Marci 1. to 4. p. 141. All were baptized that is saieth he were taught in Baptized 1. Taught the Ghospell In Ioan. 3. v. 5. The kingdome of God is here taken for heauenlie doctrine and preaching of the Ghospell In histor resur pag. 401. The sense is Whose sinnes you forgiue that is Forgiue 1. Preache to whome you shall tell the forgiuenesse of sinnes In Roman 5. pag. 419. Sinne in this place As sinne by one man c. is Sinne. 1. Disâ—ase Faith 1. Preaching taken for a disease In cap. 10. pag. 434. Faith is by hearing Here marke that Faith is taken of Paul for the manifested will of God and for the manifest and publike preaching of faith amongst the Iews and Gentils In 1. Cor. 7. p. 463. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good is here taken for commodious and quiet Et tom 2. in Elencho Faith 1 Gods election Which 1. Whiles Blessed 1. Bad Fairewell fol. 34. Faith iustifieth that is the election of God In Subsidio f. 245. Which is powred out for manie that is whiles or as it is powred out for manie In Exegesi f 355. And it happened as he blessed that is bidde them fairewell Et in Exposit fidei fol. 558. It is cleare that the name of Merit or Reward is in holie Scripture but insteed of a Free guift Caluin in Luc. 1. ver 15. Replenished with the holie Ghost expoundeth To be indued with greater grace aboue che common vulgar sorte In c. 7. ver 48. he expoundeth Forgiue vs Forgiue 1. Seale our trespâ—sses thus Seale more and more mercie in our hearts In c. 8. v. 13. They beleiue for a time thus They giue an honor to the Ghospell like to faith In Math. 7. vers 21. By doing Doe Gods will 1. Beleiue the will of the Father he vnderstandeth Philosophically to frame his life and manners to the rule of virtue and to beleiue in Christ In cap. 21. vers 32. The name of Iustice here signifieth Iustice 1. Doctrine nothing els but that Ihons doctrine was pure and right In cap. 23. vers 22. To sit in the chaire of Moises is nothing els then to deliuer out of the law of God how men ought to liue In Ioannis 3. vers 5. By water he vnderstandeth Water 1. Holie Ghost Charitie in vs. 1. Towards vs. the Holie Ghost In Actor 8. ver 18. by the Holie Ghost Singular guifts In Rom. 5. v. 5. by the Charitie of God diffused in vs he vnderstandeth our knowledge of Gods charitie towards vs. In 2. Co. 2. v. 10. I haue giuen in the person of Christ that is saieth he sincerely and without simulation In 1. Timot. 1. and 6. by Faith he expoundeth Holesome doctrine Faith 1. Holesome doctrine In Tit. 1. v. 16. Appoint Bishops that is Be president in the choice of them And in Hebr. 9. v. 26. Destruction of sinne he expoundeth freing from the guilt of paine Sinne. 1. Guilt of paine Beza in Math. 3. v. 1. by Desert vnderstandeth A hillie countrie And in vers 6. by Confessing their sinnes Professing Desert 1. Hillie place themselues to be sinners And in cap. 5. vers 20. Vpon that Vnlesse your iustice abound c. by the Kingdome of heaueÌ„ he meaneth the Church militant and by Enter Teach Peter Martyr in Roman 18. saieth When the Scripture Faith 1. Gods mercie saieth that we are iustified by faith when we heare the name of faith we must vnderstand the obiect of faith to wit the mercie of God Polanus in Syntagm l. 6. c. 36. Faith is imputed to iustice Faith 1. Christs iustice that is the iustice of Christ which faith apprehendeth is imputed Sadeel ad art 44. abiurat When we are saied to be iustified by faith by the name of faith we must vnderstand Christ And so also Bullinger dec 3. serm 9. The Confession of Saxonie c. de Remiss Peccat This saying is to be vnderstood correlatiuely we are iustified by faith that is we are iustified by confidence of the Sonne of God Zanchius de Perseuerant tom 7. col 143 by that You are Faith 1. Confidence fallen from grace vnderstandeth you are fallen from the doctrine of grace or from the Ghospell Pareus l. 2. de Iustif c. 7. Grace 1. Doctrine by Perfect charitie vnderstandeth sincere Et lib. 4. c. 7. by worke your saluation Doe those things which are necessarie for to obtaine saluation Perkins in Cathol reform Contr. 5. c. 3. saieth In all the promises of the Ghospell in which God doth voluntarily binde himselfe to reward our workes the obligation doth not directly pertaine to vs but in respect of the person and obedience of Christ Apologia Confess Aug. c. de Implet legis Because Loue. 1. Beleiue she loued much that is say they because she truely worshiped me with faith and with exercises and signes of faith Et de Resp ad Argum. When the text saieth that eternall life is rendered to workes it meaneth that it is rendered to those that are iustified Agayne Almes is saied to deliuer from death and to purge from sinne not in it selfe but in the cause thereof that is in faith Almes i. Faith Brentius hom 1. in festum om sanctorum To hunger after iustice is to haue a iust cause and yet not be able to follow it in law Reineccius to 4. Armaturae c. 19. by Sacrifice the Phase vnderstandeth Kill it lest he should be confessed that the pascal lam be was sacrificed Illyricus 1. Ioan. 2. v. 3. The keeping Keeping 1. Knowing of the coÌ„mandements in this place signifieth the true knowledge of his doctrine Piscator in Thesibus l. 2. p. 192. 2. Pet. 2. They denie the Lord who hath bought them that is whome before they had professed that he had bought them Et p. 472. he Buye 1. Professe to buye
because you haue loued me Protestants The obedience which the faithfull giue to him is not so much a cause why he continueth his loue towards them as an effect of his loue See art 17. Scripture When you shall haue done all things that are commanded We ought to doe good workes you say we are vnprofitable seruants we haue done that which we ought to doe Protestants Thou owest nothing to God but faith This phrase We ought not of the law A faithfull man ought to doe good workes belongeth not to Christians See more art 18. Scripture I haue inclined my hart to do thy iustification for We may doe good for reward We may not euer for reward Protestants If thou pray fast c. Beware thou doest it not for that end that thou maiest reape anie temporall or eternall profit See more art 19. CHAPTER XV. OF GOOD VVORKES IN PARTICVLER SCripture I say to the vnmaried and to widous It is good for It is good not to marrie them if they so abide Protestants It is not good for a man to be single for it is not It is not good pleasant not honest nor profitable See more art 1. Single life counsâ—lled Noâ— counselled Scripture Art thou loose from a wife Seek not a wife Protestants Paule will haue vniuersally all to be married God pronounceth the sentence that he will haue none to be vnmarried See more art 4. Scripture He that ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth Virginitie is a vertue well and he that ioyneth not doth better Protestants Virginitie is no vertue but a thing indifferent Not a vertue We thinke that virginitie is nothing See more articul 2. Scripture He that ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth Virginitie better then marriage Not better well and he that ioyneth not doth better Protestants Single life in it selfe is much more baser then marriage To beget children is the cheefest worke after preaching See more art 3. Scripture Who departed not from the temple by fastings and Fasting seruice of God praiers seruing night and daye Protestants Fasting of it selfe is an indifferent thing It is a No seruice of God naughtie superstition to thinke that fasting is a parte of Gods seruice See more art 5. Scripture This kinde of Diuels is not cast out but by Fasting driveth away Diuels It driueth theÌ„ not praier and fasting Protestants The ridiculous Papists make fasting an antidote to driue away Diuels See art 6. Scripture I Daniell mourned the dayes of three weeks desiderable Choice of meats good bread I did not eate and flesh and wine entred not into my mouth Protestants We hould this distinction of meats to be foolish Not good and wicked Choice of meates vpon certaine dayes S. Paule attributeth to the doctrin of Diuels See more art 7. Scripture I desire that praiers be made for all men Praier to be made for all Not for all Protestants Nether must we pray for euerie one We must not make praiers for the sinnes of the reprobates See more artic 8. Scripture It is a holie cogitation to pray for the dead that Good to pray for the dead they my be loosed from sinnes Protestants We detest praiers for the dead That forme of Not good praier God giue the dead a happie resurrection is to be reiected Praier in an vnknowne language good See more art 9. Scripture saieth of one praying in the Church in an vnknowne tongue Indeed thou giuest thankes well Protestants We detest praiers in an vnknowne tongue It is Not good repugnant to Scripture and contrarie to sense of nature See more art 12. Scripture Vow ye and render to our Lord your God Vowes good Not good Protestants Vowes are against the ordinance of God vowes do not become Christians See more art 14. Scripture If thou will be perfect goe sell all thou hast Forsaking of riches counselled Not counselled and giue to the poore and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen Protestants The forsaking of goods hath no commandment nor counsell in Scripture See more art 16. Scripture Almes deliuereth from all sinne and from Almes deliuereth from death Not from death Penall workes a parte of pennance No parte of pennance death Protestants Almes deliuereth not from temporall death nor from eternall death See more art 15. Scripture If in Tyre and Sidon had beene wrought the miracles that haue bene wrought in you they had done pennance in hairecloth and ashes Protestants Ashes sackcloth was no parte of pennance Sackcloth and ashes are only an externall signe of pennance See more art 18. Scripture The child grew and was strengthned in spirit Eremiticall life good and was in the deserts vntill the daye of his manifestation in Israel Protestants Eremiticall life is clownish sauage and farre Not good from ciuilitie See more art 20. Scripture God saw their Niniuites workes that they were The Niniuites peÌ„nance true Not true conuerted from their euill way c. Protestants The pennance of the Niniuites was not true pennance See more art 19. CHAPTER XVI OF SINNE SCripture He that committeth sinne is of the Diuell Great sinners are of the Diuell Not all Protestants Nether the faithfull who sinne by chance or of them selues by weaknes but such as giue them selues to sinne serue the Diuell and ought to be called Sonnes of the Diuell See more art Scripture You are euacuated from Christ that are iustified Sinne putteth out of grace in the law you are fallen from grace Protestants Not anie enormious sinne obscureth grace much It putteth not lesse extinguisheth it The faithfull sinne but fall not from grace See more art 6. No murderer hath life Some murderer hath Iustice standeth not with sinne It standeth with sinne Sinne to be redeemed with almes Not to be redeemed with almes Sin purged by workes Not purged by them Great sinne seperateth from God Seperateth not Sinne cause of damnatioÌ„ Scripture No murderer hath life euerlasting abiding in him selfe Protestants Dauid a murderer was not yet quite spoiled of spirituall life not yet depriued of iustification See more art 6. cit Scripture What participation hath iustice with iniquitie Protestants Sinne dwelleth together with iustice in vs. A worke is partly good partly euill See more art 7. Scripture Redeeme thou thy sinnes with almes Protestants Should not Christ haue died in vaine for sinnes if sinnes could be redeemed with almes See more art 8. Scripture By mercie and faith sinnes are purged Protestants If purging of sinnes be giuen to mens workes then is Christ dead in vaine See art 8. cit Scripture Nether fornicatours nor adulterers shall possesse the kingdome of God Protestants Sinne shall not drawe vs from Christ though we commit fornication or murder a thousand times a daye See more art 9. Scripture Departe from me ye accursed into euerlasting fire for I was an hungred and you gaue me not to eate Protestants Those
death to be destroied right who say that it is false that God created some to life others to death onely that he might shew his mercie in them and his power and iustice in these cap. 4. He createth some to this end to be destroied c. 6. That one is saued or damned we must needes confesse that Gods will was and is the cheefest Et apud Schusselburg l. 4. Theol. Caluin art 8. Gods will is the first and vnauoidable Gods will the first cause of perdition cause of the perdition of them that perish And l. 3. de natura Dei c. 4. q. 4. As for that place of wisdome Death entred into the world by the enuie of the Diuel and if there be any such others in which death is attributed to the Diuel as to the Author we answere that it doth not follow that God willeth God author of death not death or is not the author of it For the same effect may proceed from diuers causes Bucanus l. 4. Syntagm c. 10. The cause efficient and mouing for which the decree of affirmatiue or negatiue reprobation was made of God is not sinne The true and onely mouing cause for which the decree of reprobation was made is Gods pleasure or free will See manie more like sayings of Protestants in my Latin booke l. 1. art 22. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that God of him selfe will not the death of the impious or of him that dieth yea God sweareth that he will not his death and the Scripture addeth that God made not death that it entred by the Diuel that impious men are not necessarie for God The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say the contrarie that God will the death of a sinner with his vnsearchable will that he is the Author of death that he created men to perdition death and damnation that he is the beginning the first vnauoidable cause of the perdition of them that perish That he predestinateth to death whome he would and why he would that sinne is not the cause of the decree of damnation That sinne is nether efficient nor mouing cause of negatiue or affirmatiue reprobation but onely the pleasure and free will of God ART XXIII WHETHER GOD DAMNETH men for sinne SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 25. v. 41. Then he shall saye to them also that be at God damneth for sinne his left hand Get ye away frō me you cursed into fire euerlasting For I was an hungred and you gaue me not to eate c. CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarmin l. 2. de Grat. lib. arb c. 16. The Scriptures euerie where teach that by the iust iudgment of God euerlasting punishment is rendred vnto sinne PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther l. de seru arb tom 2. fol. 461. This most of all offendeth God damneth men for his mere will Respecteth not deserts in those that are to be damned Damneth those that deserue not common sense or naturall reason that God for his mere will doth forsake harden and damne men Fol. 465. Let vs I pray you feigne that God must be such a one as respecteth deserts in them who are to be damned Shall we not in like manner auouch and graunt that he respecteth deserts in them who are to be saued And fol. 466. It is now incomprehensible how it is iust that he damneth them that deserue not and yet is beleeued Zanchius apud Schusselburg l. 4. Theol. Caluin art 8. Here we saye that there is no other cause of mens damnation thē Gods mere pleasure Rennecber 16. The cause of damnation or reprobation is not to be saught in men but Gods will is the cheefest and supreme cause thereof Also Gryneus 16. Sinnes are Sinne not the cause of damnation not the cause why men are damned And Spindlerus 16. Sinne can no way be the cause why men are damned THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that men are damned and adiudged to hell fire for sinne The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say the contrarie that sinnes are not the cause why men are damned that can no way be the cause why men are damned that there is no other cause of mens damnation then Gods mere pleasure that God damneth those who deserue it not that he respecteth not deserts in those that he damneth that he damneth men for his mere will And thus much of Gods inward and outward acts toward sinne good works and mankinde let vs now see something of his power ART XXIV WHETHER GOD BE ALmightie and can doe all things SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Genes 17. v. 1. Our Lord appeared vnto him and saied vnto God is almightie him I am the God almightie Iob. 42. v. 2. I know thou canst doe all things Mathew 19. v. 26. With God all things are possible The same is repeated Marke 10. and 14. Luke 1. vers 36. There shall not be impossible with God any word CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Card. Bellarmin l. 3. de Euchar. c. 2. All diuines write that Gods power is not absolute God is saied to be almightie because he can do all that implieth not contradiction SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Caluin in Resp ad Nebulon. p. 730. Caluin euerie where earnestly reiecteth that deuise of Gods absolute power which the Sophisters prate of in their scholes Which he repeateth de Praedest 728. de Prouid 755. 1. Inst c. 17. § 2. l. 3. c. 23. § 2. in c. 25. Isaiae Beza cont Heshusium vol. 1. p. 299. That saying of thine All thinges are possible to God hath some exception P. 300. You forsouth shall teach vs that Gods omnipotencie must not Gods omnipotencie limited Some things impossible to God be tied to that order which willingly he hath appointed to him selfe And pag. 302. He saieth that God can no more put Christs bodie in two places at once then he can make new Gods In Colloq Montisbel p. 27. God cannot make that Christs bodie be substantially in many places at one time Lib. quaest vol. 1. p. 658 God cannot make that one and the same bodie be substantially in many places or in any place not coextended to the place Which also he repeateth Respons ad Acta Torgens vol. 3. p. 60. Peter Martyr Respons ad Gardiner obiect 11. We complaine that you alwaies obiect Gods power whereas this Christs To which Gods power doth not extend Gods omnipotencie not without exception Beareth not some things bodie to be at once in manie places is of that kinde of things to which Gods power doth not extend And lib. 1. Epistolarum Zanchij pag. 408. We warne the godlie that Gods omnipotencie which we beleiue is not to be beleiued without all exception Sadeel ad art 14. aburat We haue shewed that Christs bodie cannot be really present in many places at once and that Gods omnipotencie cannot beare this And yet these men say that their faith can make present things that are to come absent and farthest of as
promise wil be abrogated In Philippen 1. ver 28. Certainly the Scripture no where teacheth that the afflictions which the Saintes suffer of the wicked are cause of their saluation Beza in Confess c. 4. sect 19. For these things are not so to be vnderstood as if our workes were cause of our saluation ether wholy or in parte Peter Martyr in Rom. 9. God workes are no true cause of eternall saluation Zanchius l. 5. de Natura Dei cap. 2. q. 7. The workes of the godlie are no true causes of euerlasting happines but onely the meanes by which as it were by degrees the elect are mercifully ledde into the euerlasting and heauenlie cittie Pareus libr. 4. de Iustificat cap. 7. Our aduersarie concludeth false that the kingdome of heauen is giuen for good workes Tilenus in Syntagmate cap. 48. Good workes in respect of No cause at all saluation can be no cause at all THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely teacheth not onely that we shall possesse the kingdome of heauen because we haue done good workes that we shall reape life euerlasting of the spirit that the soule liueth for iustification that sorrow according to God worketh saluation that afflictiction worketh glorie and is cause of saluation but also in the same manner saieth that the elect shall possesse heauen because they haue done good deeds as it saieth that the reprobats shall goe into euerlasting fire because they haue done ill deeds So it saieth that the soule liueth for iustification as it saieth the bodie dieth for sinne In like sorte it saieth that sorrow according to God maketh saluation as it saieth that sorrow of the world worketh death Euen in the same sorte it saieth that of sowing in spirit we shall reap life euerlasting as it saieth that of sowing in flesh we shall reape corruption And in the same kind of speach saieth that persecution is cause of saluation to those who suffer it as it saieth that it is cause of damnation to those who make it The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that affliction is not cause of saluation that the heauenlie in heritance cometh not to vs by workes that the life is not giuen for good workes that we are not rewarded for good workes not saued for workes that saluation dependeth not of workes that workes are no way cause saluation are no cause of it ether wholy or in parte Which do so plainely contradict the Scripture as therefore Illyricus is forced to reproue the Scripture For this he writeth in Claue tractat 6. cit tit de varia bonorum operum praedicat col 551. We heare that toto great effects and praises yea euen saluation it selfe is attributed of the Scripture to good workes It manifestly appeareth that very often to much paise is giuen by Scripture to good workes which doth not agree to them nor is to be attributed if we will speake exactly truely and properly Behould how plainely he saieth that Scripture attributeth to great effects vnto good workes attributeth saluation vnto them attributeth very oftentime to much praise vnto them and such effects as agree not to them nor are to be be attributed to them if we will speake truely But surely if the Scripture attributeth to much to good workes and that which doth not agree to them and which is not to be attributed to them if we will speake truely the Scripture in so doing doth falsely But whether the Scripture or Illyricus know better what is to be attributed to good workes let Christians iudge ART XVI WHETHER GOOD WORKES be a testimonie of iustice and predestination SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Ioan. 2. ver 5. But he that keepeth his word in him in By good workes we know we are in God That we are translated from death God workes make election sure very deed the charitie of God is perfited in this we know that we be in him cap. 3. ver 14. We know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren And ver 21. If our hart do not reprehend vs we haue confidence towards God 2. Peter 1. vers 10. Wherefore brethren labour the more that by good workes you may make sure your vocation and election CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Rom. 9. ver 11. If we beleiue Saint Peter the certaintie of our saluation and consequently of the election is concluded in doing of good workes not in the onely purpose of God PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Confessio Wittenbergensis C. de Confess We know that Workes make but doubt and despaire if we looke vnto our workes we should not onely doubt but also despaire of our saluation Ministri Electorales in Colloq Aldeburg pag. 427. We No certaintie by good must certainely determine out of the word of God deliuered and proposed vnto vs and not out of the feeling of infused newnesse of life as it were by an effect that by faith freely for and by Châ—ist we haue remission of sinnes Caluin 3. Instit c. 2. § 38. If we must iudge by workes how God is affected toward vs I confesse that we can haue but a small ghesse all it De necessitate reform pag. 47. What shall man A small ghesse by workes Matter of doubt and despaire Of trembling find in his workes but matter of doubting and at length of despairing And in Antidot Concili Sess 6. cap. 8. As long as we looke what we are we must tremble before God so farre are we from hauing certaine and vnshaken hope of eternall life In Rom. 4. v. 14. We are vtterly lost and vndone if we be sent to our workes when we must seeke the cause or certaintie of our saluation In 1. Ioan. 3. v. 22. Woe to vs if we looke to our workes Nothing but matter of feare which haue nothing in them but matter of feare Pareus lib. 1. de Iustificat cap. 10. The trust of remission of sinnes nether dependeth nor riseth of a good conscience l. 3. c. 2. Our faith and trust doth reape nothing of our owne disposition but feare of deceit doubt and anxietie Et l. 4. p. 625. Of our owne Of doubt and anxietie accord we graunt that if faith must relie vpon inherent iustice we must not onely doubt of grace and iustice but also perpetually tremble THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely saieth that we know that we are in God by keeping of his word that we know we are translated from death to life because we loue our brethren that we haue trust toward God if our hart do not reprehend vs that we make our vocation and election certaine by good workes The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that by workes we haue no certaine trust that trust nether dependeth nor riseth of a good conscience that by workes we cannot haue anie small ghesse how God is affected towards vs that we are vndone if we must seeke the certaintie of our saluation out of workes that in workes is nothing found
but matter of doubting and despairing that if we looke to them we must not onely doubt but despaire of saluation ART XVII WHETHER GOOD WORKES be a cause why God loueth vs SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Ioan. 16. v. 27. For the Father himselfe loueth you because God loueth vs because we loue Christ Because we keepe his cōmandments you haue loued me and haue beleiued that I comeforth from God cap. 15. ver 10. If you keepe my precepts youe hall abide in my loue as I also haue kept my Fathers precepts and do abide in his loue Act. 10. v. 36. In euerie nation he that feareth him and worketh iustice is acceptable to him CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Ioan. 16. v. 27. Christ plainely saieth that his disciples loue was a cause why God loued them with this kind of loue PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Caluin in Ioan. 15. v. 10. The obedience which the faithfull Good workes no cause of Gods loue towards vs. giue to him is not so much a cause why he continueth his loue towards them as an effect of his loue Et in cap. 16. v. 17. We are here saied to be loued of God whiles we loue Christ because we haue a pledge of his fatherlie loue THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely teacheth that God loueth vs because we loue and beleiue in Christ that God continueth his loue towards vs if we keepe his commandments The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that our obedience is no cause why God continueth his loue towards vs that we are not loued of God because we loue Christ ART XVIII WHETHER WE OVGHT to do good workes SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Luc. 17. v. 10. When you shall haue done all things that are We ought to doe good workes commanded you say we are vnprofitable seruants we haue done that which we ought to do 1. Ioan 2. v. 6. He that saieth he abideth in him ought euen as he walked himselfe also to walke Et c. 3. v. 16. And we ought to yeeld our liues for the brethren Et c. 4. ver 11. If God hath so loued vs we also ought to loue one an other CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. Can. 20. If anie shall say that a man iustified and neuer so perfect is not bound to the keeping of the commandments of God and the Church but onely to beleiue be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Tindal cited in Caluinoturcismo l. 4. c. 22. Thou owest nothing We owe nothing to God but faith to God but faith that thou maest confesse Christ Iesus and beleiue him to haue risen from the dead for so thou shalt be safe in all other things God hath made it free to the to follow thine owne will Luther Postilla in Dom. 3. Aduentus f. 39. All workes besides God requireth nothing but faith Workes are indifferent faith are to be done to our neighbour because God requireth nothing of vs but faith with which we giue him his honour In Gal. 2. to 5. f. 223. Christ hath so abrogated the workes of the law as they may be held indifferently but they bind no more Againe We are not tyed to any externall worke at all but free to any We are free to all workes To all things worke towards any man at any time or manner whatsoeuer A Christian is wholy free to all things doing or omitting as the occasion serueth or wanteth Psal 5. to 3. f. 171. Take this rule where Luthers rule of doing good the Scripture commandeth a good worke to be done do thou so vnderstand that it forbiddeth thee to do a good worke Et apud Kemnitium in locis part 2. tit de operibus p. 73. This phrase of the law A faithfull man ought to do good workes belongeth A Christian ought not to doe good not to Christians And apud Schlusselburg to 7. Catal. Haeret p. 193. We fight as well against good workes as against sinnes And l. de votis apud Coccium to 1. p. 1113. The doctrine Luther fighteth against good workes of workes is necessarily the doctrine of diuels Postilla in Natali Christi ib. Good workes are a couer of filthinesse and hypocrisie Et Serm. de Nouo testamento seu de Missa Let vs beware Bewareth of good workes of sinne but much more of good workes and laws and let vs attend to Gods promise and faith Ministri Electorales in Colloq Aldeburg p. 286. haue these words Gallus affirmed that Luther could hardly beare these propositions Good workes are necessarie A Christiā ought A Christian ought not do doe good workes to do good workes Et p. 128. Gallus Otto and manie other men do openly and bitterly reiect as false and improper this speach Good workes are necessarie and denie that Christians ought to doe good workes Liber Concordiae c. 4. Some haue disputed that good workes Good workes are free are not necessarie but free and voluntarie And some haue earnestly contended that new obedience is not necessarie in the iustified Melancthon in Resp ad Art 24. Bauar to 4. Some Protestants New obediēce not due denie this proposition New obedience is due because it is voluntarie Illyricus apud Schiusselburg to 7. Catal. Haeret. p. 271. condemneth Maior because he teacheth Good workes are necessarie to saluation by reason of debt Et in Apologia cont No debt Tiletan c. 6. All the obedience which Christ properly requireth of those that are to be saued is onely to beleiue in him and to runne to free bankets to which we are inuited of him Pareus l. 4. de Iustific c. 1. confesseth that this is the doctrine Good workes pertaine not to the kingdome of Christ Belonge to Satan We must pray to haue no good workes of the rigid Lutherans Good workes and new obediēce partaine not to the kingdome of Christ but to the world Christiās with their good workes belong to Sathan good workes are so farre from being necessarie as that they hinder saluation and be pernitious We ought to pray God that we perseuere to the end in faith without all good workes And the same speaches of theirs are repeated out of Colloq Aldeburg by Coccius to 1. p. 1113. Zuinglius l. de Relig. c. de Merito The Prophets do vehemently vrge to good workes but whom those that beleiue not well Caluin in Ioan. 6. v. 29. This alone doth God aske of vs that God requireth onely faith we beleiue THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that we ought to do the workes which are commanded vs that we ought to walke as Christ walked that we ought to giue our liues for our brethren that we ought to loue one an other The same say Catholikes Protestants expressely say that a Christian ought not to doe good workes that good workes are indifferent free voluntarie not necessarie and compell no more that a Christian is indifferent to all good workes not tyed to doe good workes
Piscator in Thesibus l. 2. p. 253. The faithfull neuer fall from the grace of God Contra remonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 351. The elect neuer falleth from grace Rainolds thes 2. p. 77. It is cleare that the iustified sonnes of God by faith are often times beaten with the strokes of tentation but neuer killed Abbots in Diatribam Thomsoni c. 5. saieth that those whereof S. Mathew speaketh cap. 24. cit had neuer true charitie Perkins de Desertione col 1026. This principle is to be Who is once in grace euer continueth so helde Who is once in state of grace shall euer more continew in it THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that there are men from whome the Diuel departeth and returneth againe whose charitie waxeth could that some fall from grace that there are some branches in Christ which abide not in him that some are sanctified by the blood of Christ who afterward tread it vnder foote The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that a man once receaued into grace neuer falleth from it that the seed of life once ingrafted in a faithfull hart neuer perisheth that faithfull men are neuer ouercomen of Sathan that it is impossible for beleiuers to fall from grace that remission cannot be made void by falls afterward that there was neuer true charitie in them in whome it waxeth could Which are so contrarie to Scripture as manie Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART XIII WHETHER THE IVSTIFIED man may feare to fall SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Rom. 11. ver 20. But thou by faith doest stand Be not highly Feare wise but feare 1. Cor. 10. v. 21. He that thinketh himselfe to stand lete him Take heed take heed lest he fall Philippens 2. ver 12. With feare and trembling worke your Worke with feare saluation Hebr. 4. v. 1. Let vs feare lest perhaps forsaking the promise of entring into his rest some of you be thought to be wanting Prou. 28. v. 14. Blessed is the man who is alwaies fearefull The fearfull blessed CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. c. 3. Who thinke that they stand let them beware lest they fall and let them worke their saluation with feare and trembling cap. 9. Euerie one whilest he looketh vpon himselfe and his owne indisposition may feare of his grace PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Perkins in Conflictu Satanae to 1. col 1035. I account my As certaine of saluation as c. selfe as certaine of saluation as if my name were expressely writtē in the holie Scripture Tindal in Fox his Actes pag. 1137. Nether canst thou be We cannot be damned vnlesse Christ be Christ must be damned before we be As sure of our saluation as of the Ghospell Free from all feare damned except Christ be damned with thee nether can Christ be saued except thou be saued with him Luther Postilla in die Natiuit fol. 52. He Christ must be damned before he can be damned for whome he hath giuen himselfe Affelman l. de Praedest § 80. Euerie true Christian ought to be as certaine of his saluation as he must beleiue the Ghospell Caluin in 1. Luc. v. 73. Seing God doth reconcile men to himselfe in Christ seing he defendeth them with his safegard that they be free from all feare c. In Ioan. 3. v. 18. Christ will haue the faithfull to be secure from feare of damnation In Antidoto Concil Sess 6. cap. 14. That is not to suffered when they exhort We must not feare As sure of heauen as Christ vs to feare Et 4. Instit c. 17. § 2. We dare bouldly auouch that euerlasting life is ours and that we can no more misse of heauen that Christ himselfe The like hath Conradus Fabritius apud Zuinglium to 2. f. 28. Beza in Luc. 1. vers 74. Feare in this place signifieth dread of future euill which is directly contrarie to the trust of the sonnes of God In Cōfess c. 4. art 13. Let euerie one of vs thus discourse We cannot perish with himselfe I am in Christ Iesus and therefore I cannot perish And in Explicat Christianismi c. 8. p. 200. he saieth that a man may be as certaine of his saluatiō as if he had climbed to heauen and had heard it out of Gods owne mouth Peter Martyr in c. 11. Rom. Nether ought anie to meruaile that we say that faith expelleth that feare which is ioyned with doubt of saluation Et in locis classe 3. c. 3. Who sincerly beleiue Feare not to be damned in Christ do not feare to be damned for euer Cōtra Remonstrantes in Collat. Hagae p. 374. Who haue Haue no cause to feare once beleiued are certaine that this is Gods guift and therefore haue no cause to feare to be damned Pareus l 3. de Iustif c. 2. How do they make a man secure if All feare expelled they expell not all feare But we do thus teach that a sinner if he looke vpon the promise and mercie of God may and ought not to feare but surely trust and that vnlesse he do so he maketh God a lier Bucer apud Zanchium lib. 2. de Natura Dei c. 2. The first thing which thou owest to God is to beleiue that thou arte predestinated A principle of Protest faith of him We must therefore presume as a principle of faith that we are all elected of God to this end to be saued for euer and that this purpose of God cannot be changed Zanchius l. 5. de Natura Dei c. 2. to 2. col 497. Euerie one is bound to beleiue that he is chosen and predestinate in Christ to The reprobates are bound to beleiue that they shal be saued eternall saluation When we say Euerie one is bound to beleiue this we except none no not the reprobates who shall nether euer beleiue nor yet can beleiue in Christ The like of the reprobates teacheth Perkins in Casibus Conscientiae cap. 7. col 1329. THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely biddeth the iustified to feare to take heed lest he fall to worke our saluation with feare to feare lest anie of vs proue reprobate and sayeth that he is happie who is alwaies fearefull The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely bidde the iustified to be secure from all feare from feare of damnation that it is not to be suffered that men be exhorted to feare and bidde men be perswaded that they cannot perish that they haue no cause to feare that they dare assure themselues of heauen as much as Christ himselfe that they are as sure of saluation as if their names were written in Scripture or they heard it out of Gods mouth that they cannot be damned vnlesse Christ be damned And adde that euerie one euen the reprobates are bound to beleiue this and that this a principle of their faith ART XIV WHETHER IVSTIFICATION be proper to the Elect. SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. Ezech. 18. ver 24. But if the iust man
of the Anthropomorphites then thou canst obiect it to vs in this mysterie For the Anthropomorphites in no place of Scripture had an expresse word which directly saied God hath a bodie We haue a most expresse word wherewith Christ saied most directly of that which he gaue to his Apostles This is my bodie The Anthropomorphites had no expresse word which was of purpose spoakē to tell vs what God was we haue an expresse word spoaken purposely to this end and onely to this end to tell vs what the Eucharist is The Anthropomorphites had no expresse word which anie circunstances of moment did conuince to be vnderstood in their proper sense we haue an expresse word which all circustances do confirme ought to be vnderstood in their natiue and vsuall signification The Anthropomorphites had a word but as a thing which the very light of reason did shew to be otherwise then the word did signifie we haue the word of a new thing neuer heard of before and which can no way be knowne by the light of reason but onely by the word of God Finally to omit al other differences taken from the Church Fathers and Councels the Anthropomorphites had the word of a matter which the Scripture other where most manifestly denieth we haue the word of a matter which Deuter. 4. Actor 7. Ioan. 4. the Scripture no where directly ether clearely or obsculy denieth nether the deniall thereof can any way be wroūg out of the Scripture but by adding a false humane principle and by making a deceitfull humane argument Thus manie and thus great differences are there betwene the word wherewith we make the Eucharist the bodie of Christ and the word wherewith the Anthropomorphites made God to haue a bodie as I thinke are not betwene the word which the Anthropomorphites alledged and the word wherewith anie other article of Christian faith is proued And thus much touching the first argument taken from the opposition betwixt the words of the holie Scripture and of Protestants in 260. articles and such words of the Scripture as were spoaken of purpose for to tell vs what we were to beleiue and in their open and plaine sense which they manifestly shew and in which such words vse to be spoaken and vnderstood of men which argument as a foundation of all the rest that follow shal be included in euerie one of them CHAPTER II. THAT PROTESTANTS CONFESSE that they contradict the sense of those words which the Catholik Church manie ages agoe and manie of themselues beleiue to be the words of God THE second argument wherewith we will proue that Protestants contradict the true sense of the holie Scripture we will take from their confession wherein they confesse that they contradict the sense of those words of which some of them to let passe all other proofes are acknowledged by diuers Protestants and all of them were manie ages agoe iudged by the Catholik Lutherans confesse that their doctrine is against S. Iames Epistle Church to be a parte of the holie Scripture For Luther and the Lutheran Protestants do confesse that the cheifest point of Protestancie to wit of Iustification by onelie faith doth verilie contradict the Epistle of S. Iames where he saieth Yee see that a man is iustified by workes and not by faith onely For thus writeth Luther in his Preface vpon that Epistle I iudge it to be the writing of no Apostle for this cause First because directly against S. Paul and all other Scripture it attributeth iustification to workes And in Luther saieth S. Iames doated c. 22. Gen. tom 6. fol. 282. Iames concludeth ill It followeth not as Iames doateth Therefore the fruites do iustifie let our aduersaries therefore be packing with their Iames. Melancthon de Sacris Concion to 2. fol. 23. But if they cannot be mittigated by anie exposition as those words of Iames Yee see c. these absolutely are not to be admitted Magdelburgenses Cētur 1. l. 2. c. 4. col 54. The Epistle of Iames swarueth not a litle from the analogie of Apostolik doctrine whiles it ascribeth iustification not to faith onely but to workes And Centur. 2. c. 4. col 71. The Epistle of Iames attributeth iustice to workes contrarie to Paul and all other Scriptures Schlusselburg lib. 1. Theol. Caluin art 15. fol. 50. Iames contrarie to Paul attributeth iustice to workes And tom 8. Catal. Haeret. pag. 500. he saieth of S. Iames. He fighteth directly with Paul and all the rest of the Scripture by giuing iustice before God to mans workes The same confesse Pomeranus and Vitus Theodorus cited by Coccius to 1. lib. 6. art 23. and Pappus cited by Gretser l. 1. de verbo Dei c. 18. and the same is insinuated by Hunnius de Iustific pag. 219. Wherevpon Daneus in Enchirid. Augustini c. 67. saieth It troubleth manie now a dayes so that some haue cast out the Epistle of Iames others haue called it straweish And Pareus l. 4. de Iustif c. 18. Luther could not accord Iames with Paul but by casting away the whole Epistle Beza also in Iac. 2. v. 14. Manie haue cast away this Epistle for this cause as if it were contrarie to true doctrine Nether do onelie Lutherans iudge thus of S. Iames his Epistle but also some Sacramentaries For Musculus de locis tit de Some Sacramentaries reiect Sainct Iames. Iustificat saieth That impertinentlie he alledgeth the examples of Abraham That he confoundeth the word of faith and setteth downe a sentence different from Apostolicall doctrine And ib. tit de Scriptur pa. 172. plainelie professeth that he houldeth it not for authenticall Scripture And the Confession Heluet. c. 15. saieth The same saied he Iames not contradicting S. Paul otherwise he were to be reiected And neuerthelesse commonly all Sacramentaries account S. Iames Epistle to be a parte of holie Scripture in so much as the English French and Flemish Protestants haue put it in their Confessions as a point of their faith Wherefore thus I argue in forme what contradicteth the Epistle of S. Iames contradicteth the holie Scripture The cheifest point of Protestancie touching Iustification by onely faith cōtradicteth the Epistle of S. Iames Therefore it contradicteth the holie Scripture The Maior or first Proporsition is not onely beleiued and tought of all Catholiks but also commonelie of Sacramentaries And the Minor or second Proposition is graunted by the Lutherans In like sorte all Protestants acknowledge their doctrine Protestants confesse that they teach contrarie to Machab. Tobie c. of not praying for the dead to be contrarie to those words of 2. Machab. c. 12. It is a holie and holesome cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loose from their sinnes Wherevpon Caluin in Antidoto Concil Trident. sess 4. p. 265. saieth Out of the 2. of Machabes both Purgatorie will be proued and the Intercession of Saints out of Tobie Satisfactions Exorcismes and what not They will borrow no few matters of Ecclesiasticus
withal Which we must vniuersally and alwaies obserue and hould of workes in the cause of our saluation to wit that they are as a way and certaine markes which lead vs to glorie but not by causing or working it Caluin vpon those words 2. Cor. 7. v. 10. For the sorrow that is according to God worketh pennance vnto saluation that is stable writeth thus Paul enquireth not of the cause of saluation but onely commending pennance of the fruite which it Worke. 1. is as a way bringeth forth doth say that it is like a way whereby we come to saluation In this sorte consequence is rather signified then anie cause And to the same place Pareus libr. 4. de Iustificat cap. 7. answereth No efficient cause but a meane or condition which helpeth ether by it selfe or by accident is signified And Scarpius de Iustification Controuers 12. Pennance is saied to worke saluation not by making it by it vertue but by leading as by a way to saluation The same Caluin in 1. Corinth 7. vers 19. Circumcision is nothing and prepuce is nothing but the obseruation of the commandements of God Here saieth he Paul disputeth not of the cause of iustice nor how we obtaine it but onely to what the faithfull ought to bend endeauour And vpon that Wash 1. feele Actorum 22. vers 16. Be baptized and wash away thy sinnes Ablution he saieth he signifieth not the cause but is referred to Paules feeling who hauing receaued the Symbol knew better that his sinnes were forgiuen And 3. Institution cap. 4. § 36. he saieth Where sinne is saied to be purged by mercie and bountifulnesse Prouerb 16. is not meant that by them it is recompensed in the sight of God but is shewed that they shall find God mercifull to them who forsaking vice are turned to pietie as if he had saied Gods wrath is appeased when we leaue our wickednesse And ibidem cap. 14. § vltim hauing obiected to himselfe that the Scripture declareth that good workes are the cause that God doth fauour them he answereth That which in order goeth first he calleth the cause of that which followeth In this manner he deriueth Cause 1. a step sometimes eternall life from good workes not that it is giuen for them but because whom God hath chosen he iustifieth that afterward he may glorifie the former grace which is a steppe to the later he after a sorte maketh a cause Finally by these kinde of speaches order is rather signified then cause Pareus l. 3. de Iustif c. 12. saieth that by those words 2. Timoth. 4. I haue fought a good fight the order and way to the crowne is noted not the cause So that what the Scripture maketh the cause according to these men is onely a meane a way steppe or order In like manner what the Scripture attributeth to one cause they giue to an other as what it atttibuteth to good workes they giue to faith onely what it ascribeth to faith or Sacraments they appropriate to God alone Zuinglius l. de Prouident cap. 6. When Paul writeth to Hearing 1. Spirit the Romans that faith cometh of hearing in the same manner he attributeth that to the nearer cause and more knowne to vs which cometh onely from the Spirit and not from outward preaching And in Math. 4. Oftentimes that is attributed to the later which belongeth to the former as to workes which rather belongeth to faith and againe to faith which most properly Workes 1. faith and truely belongeth to Gods election Sadeel de ver Peccat remiss p. 139. answering to those words Prouerb 16. Iniquitie is purged by bountie and mercie saieth That is attributed to the effects which is proper to the cause after the vsuall manner saieth he of Scripture That is attributed to their vertue which properly is to be attributed to the benefit of Christ alone Illyricus in Claue part 2. tract 6. Faith word and Sacraments Faith c. 1. God are saied to saue vs whereas God alone doth those things And ibid. Thy faith hath saued thee whereas onely Gods mercie and omni potēcie apprehēded by faith doth that And he addeth Scripture oftentimes attributeth things not to their true causes Oftentimes effects are attributed by the Scripture to not true or not principall causes Herevpon it cometh that there is often mention of Alleosis with Zuinglius and of Metalepsis with others by which figures what the Scripture giueth to one thing they transfer to an other Which Alleosis Zuinglius in Exegesi to 2. f. 350. calleth interchangable speach but Luther in Hospin part 2. Histor f. 57. termeth it the Diuels mask Wherefore thus I argue in forme Who gaynesay the expresse words of Scripture in such sorte as we haue seene in the first booke and besides in manie and weightie matters words which signifie a cause do expound of a way meane or order and what the Scripture attributeth to one cause do transferre to an other they contradict the true sense of holie Scripture Protestants doe so Therefore c. CHAPTER XVIII THAT WORDS OF SCRIPTVRE Which say a thing is Protestants expound by ought to be THE 18. argument shal be because what the Scripture saieth Is Protestants expound It ought to be Pareus l. 2. de Iustif c. 7. those words 1. Ioan. 2. v. 5. But he that keepeth his word in him the charitie of God is Is. 1. ought to be perfected expoundeth thus The sentence of S. Ihon as others such like is to be vnderstood of right or dutie not of fact What kinde of charitie ought to be not what kinde is in vs. And ibid. those words Coloss 3. v. 14. Haue charitie which is the bound of perfection he glosseth thus Charitie is called the bound of perfection not which we haue but which we ought to haue and which we shall haue in euerlasting life Et l. 4 c. 11. those words Deuter. 30. v. 6. Our Lord God shall circumcise thy heart and the heart of thy seed that thou maist loue thy Lord God with all thy heart He interpreteth in this sorte The promise to loue God with all thy heart ether speaketh of dutie how we ought to loue God to wit sincerely and perfectly or it speaketh of sinceritie And the same Pareus l. 4. de Grat. lib. arbit c. 6. that sentence of the Apostle 1. Tim. 3. he thus expoundeth The Church is called the pillar and strength of trueth of dutie because she ought alwaies to be so albeit she be not so alwaies in act The same he hath in Gal. 2. lect 18. Moulins in his Bucler pag. 50. and others Tilenus in Syntagmate cap. 46. writeth that in those places Ioan. 14. v. 21. Rom. 13. 8. and Gal. 5. 14. Where the Scripture affirmeth that those who loue God doe keepe his commandements it meaneth not of mans power to performe the law but of our dutie His meaning is that the Scripture meaneth not that who loue God keepe
power of death Albeit Soule 1. Dead bodie Hell 1. Graue nothing hindreth by Soule to vnderstand synechdochically the very bodie and that also dead and to take the name of Hell for the Graue Expositions by quite contraries They expound also the words of the holie Scripture by quite coÌ„traries For touching faith wheÌ„ S. Iames c. 2. saieth that a man is not iustified by faith onely they say he meaneth not of faith but onely of a shaddow or dead image of faith So Faiâ—b 1. Not faith Zuinglius Caluin Beza vpon that place Luther in Postilla in Dom. 9. post Trinit Bucer in Math. 8. Whitaker l. 1. coÌ„t Beleiue 1. Deceaue themselues and others Dur. sect 13. others In like sorte the word Beleiue in that Luc. 7. v. 13. They beleiue for a time with them signifieth not to beleiue but to deceaue mens eyes and their owne mynd with a deceitfull shew of faith So Caluin 2. Instit c. 2. § 10. Where he calleth this beleife a shaddow and shew of faith and saieth that it is of no reckoning and vnworthie of the name of faith When S. Ihon. 12. ver 23. saieth Manie beleiued in his name Caluin ibidem thus expoundeth him Their faith was preposterous It is euident that their faith was not true and lawfull Luther in Postil in Dom. Quinquagues saieth that when S. Paul 1. Corinth 13. Writeth If I haue all faith c. he doth not speake of Christian faith In like sorte To be illuminated To taste the heauenlie guift and to be made partaker of the holie Ghost Hebr. 6. vers 4. according to them is not to haue true light or the holie Ghost but onely to haue some such thing So Caluin 3. Instit c. 2. § 11. and. 12. and Heb. loc cit ibique Beza and others Moreouer faith to be consummated by workes Iac. 2. v. 22. in their opinion is not to be consummated or perfect by Perfected 1. Not perfected workes but to be tried to be such Caluin ibid. It is saied to be perfected by workes not that it taketh thence perfection but be cause it is proued to be true thereby Finally when Christ Ioan. 6. calleth faith a worke Zuinglius l. de relig c. de orat expoundeth Worke. 1. No worke him So he calleth it a worke as by the contrarie sense he would say yee shal be made happie by faith and by no worke And in this sorte they depraue all those places of the holie Scripture which teach that the euil or reprobates do beleiue are illuminated doe repent and the like Touching workes they denie that To worke in that 2. Cor. Touching workes 7. v. 10. Sorrow according to God worketh pennance stabill to saluation signifieth not To Cause but onely to goe before saluatioÌ„ Caluin ib. For he inquireth not of the cause of saluatioÌ„ but onely coÌ„mending pennaÌ„ce as a fruite which it worketh saieth that it is like a way by which we come to saluatioÌ„ Likewise worke your saluatioÌ„ Phil. 2. with theÌ„ doth not coÌ„mand vs to worke our saluatioÌ„ but onely to doe those things which become theÌ„ that are to be saued For thus Zuinglius vpon that place For Paul in this place commandeth not to doe good works that we may get saluatioÌ„ by theÌ„ but that we may doe those things which become the childreÌ„ of God who are saued by faith WheÌ„ the Scripture saieth Feare of God expelleth sinne Almes purgeth sinne expelleth sinne By mercie sinnes are purged Kemnice in locis part 2. de arg answereth It speaketh not of propitiation or satisfactioÌ„ for sinne but saieth that sinnes are auoided eschewed So that to expell to purge to extinguish sinne is not to purge sinnes already coÌ„mitted but onely to beware of coÌ„mitting theÌ„ To be doers of the word Iac. 1. v. 22. in their opinioÌ„ is not to be doers of the word but hartely to embrace it Caluin ib. A doer here doth not signifie him who satisfieth the law and fulfilleth it in all points but who hartely embraceth the word of God by his life in earnest witnesseth that he beleiueth Perfect charitie 1. IoaÌ„ 2. v. 5. With theÌ„ is not perfect but true Beza ib. It is not inquired in this place who loueth God perfectly but who loueth him truely To doe the will of God 1. IoaÌ„ 2. v. 17. according to theÌ„ is not to doe but to beleiue Caluin ib. If anie obiect that done what God coÌ„mandeth the answere is at hand that here is no speach of the absolute keeping of the law but of the obedience of faith In like sorte Doe this Luc. 10. v. 28. With them is not to doe but to beleiue Luther in Gal. 3. to 5. p. 345. The meaning of this place Doe this and thou shalt liue is this Thou shalt liue for this faithfull doing or this doing shall giue the life for onely faith In this sorte iustification is attributed to onely faith as creation is to the Godhead Weomen in those words Apoc. 14. v. 4. These are those who were not defiled Weomen 1. not weomen but idols with weomen according to their mynd signifieth not weomen but idols Tilenus in Syntagm cap. 47. It is not meant of carnall copulation with weomen but of spirituall whoredome with idols Forsooth least virginitie might be thought to haue a speciall reward in heauen Iust and Iustice Ezech. 18. vers 14. When the iust shall turne himselfe from his iustice with these men signifieth not iust nor iustice Pareus lib. 3. de Iustif cap. 14. My aduersarie wrongfully wresteth this Scripture from temporally iust to truely iust They doe Rom. 2. v. 14. those things which are of the law is not meant of doing but of commanding Beza ib. edit 1565. That is they command honest things and forbidde dishonest For Paul speaketh not this of the obseruation of the law but onely of that maÌ„ner which euen profane people followed in making laws Touching sinnes Iniquitie in those words Prouerb 16. Touching sinne Iniquitie 1. not iniquitie vers 6. Iniquitie is redeemed by mercie and trueth with these men is not iniquitie or sinne but temporall punishment Kemnice in locis part 2. tit de Argum. Mercie is an expiation not of sinne but of temporall punishment Sinnes to be takeÌ„ away 1. Ioan. 1. vers 29. is not to be taken away but onely not to be imputed Caluin ibid. Albeit sinne do perpetually stick in vs yet in Gods iudgement it is none because being abolished by Christs grace it is not imputed In like sorte To be blotted out like a mist Esaiae 44. is not to be blotted out but to be not imputed Bidenbachius in Consensu c. p. 724. Our sinnes are saied to be blotted out as a mist to be cast behind the back and to be drowned in the depth of the sea not as if they were no more but because they are not imputed to the beleiuer Touching Iustification Grossius in Apol. pro Disput Touching
tom 4. Armat cap. 15. saieth Faith is called a worke not absolutely as it is considered in it selfe but relatiuely as it apprehendeth Christ Hunnius de Iustificat pagin 157. Faith worketh by charitie towards our neighbour not toward God Finally Perkins in Casibus c. 7. That which euerie one is bound to beleiue is indeed true according to the intention of God who bindeth him but it is not true alwaies according to the euent Of good works in generall they coyne these distinctions Of good works in generall The good workes of the iust are good in parte not wholy They are all equall before God but not in themselues They are acceptable to God in his throne of mercie but not of iustice They are necessarie to iustification by necessitie of presence but not of cause They are necessarie to saluation not to iustificatioÌ„ See l. 1. c. 14. art 15. To which we adde that Pareus lib. 4. de Iustificat capite 17. saieth That good works are worthie of reward in the courte of mercie but worthie of punishment in the courte of iustice of God Et l. 1. c. 16. 23. 24. Works are required to regeneration not to iustification or as Reineccius speaketh 10. 1. Arm. c. 20. They are necessarie to sanctification not to iustification Who also to 4 c. 22. distinguisheth a worke in Giuing and Receauing and saieth that faith is a giuing worke not a receauing Schlusselb to 7. Catal. p. 446. writeth that obedience is necessarie to saluation but an others obedience not ours And addeth The dutie of obedience is indeed necessarie to saluation forsooth if it be not freely remitted Scarpius de Iustif Contr. 15. Iust men are worthie of the kingdome of God by the worth of aptnesse not of perfection or merit Riuet tract 3 sect 36. There may be a relation of Merit and Reward betwene men but not betwene God and men Perkins in Cathol Ref. Cont. 4. cap. 6. Good workes are necessarie to saluation not as cause but onely as a thing necessarie following faith Touching good works in particular they thus distinguish of good works in particular That to liue single is a good profitable but not honest or vertuous That virginitie is better then mariage in something but not simply That fasting is a parte of Gods worshippe in the law but not in the Ghospel That almes deliuereth from sinne and death not by it selfe but by the cause thereof That it is lawfull to pray for the elect not for others for the liuing not for the dead for things promised in the Scripture not for other things as appeareth by what hath beene rehearsed c. 15. To which we adde that Perkins in Cathol reform Cont. 3. c. 3. writeth that we pray not so much for the forgiuenesse of sinnes past as present Confessio Wittember saieth We may wish to the dead all rest and happines in Christ but we may not pray for them Luther in Postil Dom. 2. post Trin. graunteth that we may once or twise pray for the dead but not often And at home and in our chamber but not in the Church And the like hath Vrbanus Regius in formulis caute loquendi to 1. Who also in locis fol. 322. saieth that we may pray coÌ„ditionally for the soule of our brother but not absolutely Feild l. 3. de Eccles c. 17. teacheth that we may pray for one that is dead streigth after his death but not afterward Zuingle in art 60. saieth I condemne not if one being carefull for the dead doe implore or pray Gods mercie for them but to define any time for this is diabolicall Spalata l. 5. Repub. c. 8. n. 132. writeth that God at the intercession of the Church forgiueth litle sinnes soone after death but not long after Thus they distinguish about praier fore the dead Perkins in Apoc. 2. tom 2. The precept of repentance is directly giueÌ„ to the elect indirectly to the reprobate Et Tilenus in Syntagm c. 47. There is no counsaile inferred out of 1. Corint 7. but onely a desire and wish of one desiring the guift of continencie Touching sinne these new distinctions they make Of sinne That it is imputed to reprobates and infidels not to the faithfull and elect That it is veniall to the elect not to others that it may stand with iustice with some wrastling no otherwise that byting vsurie is condemned not other as we haue related l. 1. c. 16. Besides Perkins in Cathol ref Cont. 2. cap. 1. saieth that in iustification sinne is taken away not in it selfe but as it is in the person or as Riuet speaketh CoÌ„t tract 3. sect 26. Sinne remaineth in parte not wholy Caluin in IoaÌ„ 1. v. 29. Sinne is in vs but not in the iudgement of God Beza in 2. part resp ad Coll. Montisb p. 73. Dauid sinned but not whole but as he was not regenerate p. 79. He did not retaine the holie Ghost but some thing of the holie Ghost pag. 71. Sinne casteth not of the holie Ghost but hindreth his efficacie Et p. 87. It maketh the holie Ghost a sleepe for a time but doth not cast him of Pareus l. 1. de Amiss Grat. c. 7. Adam fell not as he was predestinate but as he was to be predestinated He lost the grace of creation but not the grace of iustification And Piscator in Thes loc 20. The elect do slide but are not cast downe Touching iustification these new distinctions they Of iustification frame It is declared by workes but not caused It forgiueth sinnes but taketh them not away It maketh that sinne is not imputed but not that it is no more It maketh a man iust not in himselfe but in Christ And others such like as may be seene lib. 1. c. 17. Moreouer Luther in Zanchius de Perseuer to 7. col 128. saieth When Peter sinned his loue towards God and Christ was not drowned but onelie floated Reineccius to 4. Arm. c. 15. Sanctification increaseth and decreaseth but not iustification Kemnice in locis part 2. tit de Argum. writeth that when in Scripture God is required to iudge vs or reward vs according to our iustice that speach is not of the iustice of person but of our cause or controuersie with other men And agayne That same yee are cleane Ioan. 13. And yee are washed and sanctified 1. Cor. 7. is to be vnderstood imputatiuely Whitaker ad Rat. 8. Camp Faith hope and charitie doe make vs iust inchoately not absolutely Perkins de Praedest to 1. distinguiâ—heth grace into that which represseth which he saieth is coÌ„mon to reprobates into that which reneweth which he maketh proper to the elect Et in Cath ref Cont 4. c. 4. saieth Adam had imputed iustice according to the substance thereof but not according to imputation Illyricusin Claue part 2. tract 6. Sinne is abolished by right promise for the time to come but not in act and deed Gesner in CoÌ„p loco 22. In Scripture those are called iâ—st
maintainers of the trueth These are such things as that now it may onely seeme to be wanting to set the Diuel himselfe in the throne of God and of trueth And Epist 16. What I Good counsell of Beza admonished before I admonish now in the Lord agayne and agayne to wit that at lest they would consider with themselues from whome and to whome are they gone For that I may imitate the words of S. Austin l. 2. cont Iulian. c. 10. Hath long time so confounded the highest with the lowest Shall light so be termed darkenesse and darkenesse light that Aërius Iouinian Vigilantius become to see and Austin Hierome Epiphanius be blinde But in some I thus argue in the 24. place whose doctrine in manie and greatest points is opposite to the expresse words of Scripture and besides as themselues confesse was condemned of the ancient Church and holie Fathers for heresie that is repugnant to the true sense of Scripture But such is the doctrine of Protestants Therefore c. CHAPTER XXV THAT PROTESTANTS THEMSELVES sometimes confesse that diuers of their opinions be blasphemous THE 25. argument wherewith we will proue that Protestants contradict the true sense of the Scripture shal be because it is so manifest that diuers of their doctrines which in the former booke I shewed to be opposite to the expresse words of Scripture are blasphemous as partely the very Authors of them partely other learned Protestants being compelled by their conscience and the euidencie of the matter doe confesse it Concerning God Protestāts teach that he willeth sinne Blasphemie that God willeth sinne as hath beene seene l. 1. c. 2. art 1. Which doctrine to be blasphemous thus confesseth Caluin in Resp ad Nebulon. p. 732. Was it a doubtfull blasphemie to make God the author of of sinne to will sinne to thrust to sinne Beza de Praed cōt Castel vol. 1. Theol. p. 372. Out of these things none of these blasphemies followeth to wit ether that God is the author of sinne or is delighted with sinne or also willeth sinne Et p. 397. It cānot be saied without blasphemie that God willeth iniustice Ib. l. Quest Resp p. 681. What then Shall we say that God willeth iniquitie God forbidde For this is the most horrible blasphemie of all Zanchius l. 3. de Nat. Dei c. 4. We should surely say that God is the cause and author of sinne if we should say that properly speaking he willeth sinne or would haue sinne to be done Hutterus in Analysi Cōf. Aug. p. 625. The blasphemie of Sacramentaries is execrable who are not ashamed to referre the most dolefull fall of our first parents and all that world of euils which thereō insued not in regard of the punishmēt but of the sinne vnto an absolute and eternall decree of God and to his effectuall working and immutable will Et p. seq But let heauē be astonished the elements amazed at such mostrous blasphemies whereof no pious man should suffer to heare the onely outward noise without shaking much lesse should assent vnto them in his heart And Ioannes Andrae in Colloquio Montisb p. 422. This assertion that man fell by Gods will is impious and horrible to heare and so contrarie to the expresse and reuealed word of God They teach also that God willeth sinne euen as it is That God willeth sinne as sinne sinne as hath beene shewed lib. 1. cap. art 2. But that this is blasphemous is acknowledged by Beza l. de Praedest p. 410. in the words If euer we had thought to speake or write that sinnes as sinnes proceed from the will of God we would confesse that we were worthie of all punishment Lobechius also Disp 21. This principle of Diuinitie is firmely to be held and to be beleiued with all our heart that God nether willeth nor commandeth ill deeds as they are such much lesse worketh or helpeth them or by an eternall decree doth destinate or secretly driue men to commit them They teach also that God worketh sinne and is the That God is cause of sinne cause and author of it as is to be seene l. 1. c. 2. art 4. And yet Caluin l. de Prouident p. 742. aliâs 736. confesseth that it is a monstrous blasphemie that wickednesse is done not onely by the will of God but also he being the author thereof And pag. 471. Thou wranglest with me as if I had saied that sinne is the iust worke of God which in all my writings I euer more detest Instruct contr Libertin cap. 14. God must denie himselfe and become a Deuil if he did worke euill which these men doe attribute vnto him The like he hath libr. de Praedestin pag. 711. And in Actor 2. ver 23. saieth I denie that God is the author of euill because in this word an euill affection is insinuated Beza in Absters Calumn Heshus pag. 316. calleth it blasphemie That God worketh the wickednesse of the wicked And de Praedest cont Castel p. 401. God forbidde that anie of ours should haue saied or written as thou auonchest that God ether giue or permit or worke an euill will or anie wicked or filthie desires when as euen our thoughts doe altogether abhorre from these kinde of blasphemies P. Mart. in locis classe 1. c. 14. If God wrought sinne he were a sinner Kemnice in locis part 1. tit de Causa Peccati All mens mynds and eares do so abhorre from that speach God is the cause of sinne that therefore the Maniches did feigne an other God Vrsin in Miscellan p. 72. Thou saiest that these are the speaches of manie of men God doth effectually worke in the reprobate that they sinne With all our heart we accurse this speach and doctrine Whitaker ad Rat. 9. Campia That is horrible Campian and not to be spoaken which thou saiest that anie should make God the Author of sinne He deserueth that God should streigth with a thunder boult cast him into the bottomlesse pit of hell Pareus in Colleg. Theol. 1. disput 2. The Fathers iustly condemned that impious doctrine of the Maniches and Libertins ascribing the cause of fall and sinne to God the Creator And Disput 3. God was not nor is not the efficient cause of sinne which heretofore was the blasphemie of the Maniches and now is of some Libertines They teach that God doth predestinate and ordaine That he predestinated men to sinne mē to sinne as is related l. 1. c. 2. art 5. Which to be blasphemous confesseth Vorstius in Amica Collat. sect 89. in the words which doctrine that God doth destinate men to sinne I scarce beleiue that thy selfe wilt thinke to be voide of blasphemie if thou doest well consider it Hutter in Anal. Confes August c. 9. The troupe of Sacramentaries Beza Caluin Renecher doth not feare to write with a most execrable and most wonderfull blasphemie that some are fatally and absolutely destinated not onely to their last end to wit damnation but also to the
away or exhaust our sinnes but leaueth thē in vs. An other end of his coming and passion was to destroie and dissolue sinne Hebr. 6. v. 6. this that our ould man is Nor destroied sinne crucified with him that the bodie of sinne may be destroied And cap. 9. ver 26. But now once in the consummation of the worlds to the destruction of sinnes he hath appeared by his owne hoste And 1. Ioan. 3. vers 8. For this appeared the Sonne of God that he might dissolue the works of the Diuel But Protestants say that sinne is not destroied in the regenerate but that it abideth and liueth in them as is to be seene l. 1. c. 17. art 5. A third end was to cleanse vs from sinne Tit. 2. v. 14. Nor cleansed sinne Who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquities and might cleanse to himselfe a people acceptable Et 1. Ioan. 1. v. 7. And the blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth vs from all sinne But Protestants say that the regenerate are not cleansed from sinne but remaine vncleane impure filthie as is to be seene l. 1. c. 17. art 4. A fourth end was that we might be truely sanctified Nor truely sanctified vs. and become holie and immaculate in the sight of God Ioan. 17. v. 19. And for them I do sanctifie my selfe that they also may be sanctified in trueth Ephes 1. v. 4. As he chose vs in him before the constitution of the world that we should be holie and immaculate in his sight in charitie But Protestants denie that we are truely sanctified or holie and immaculate in the sight of God See li. 1. c. 17. art 3. A fift end was that we should follow or doe good Nor made vs to follow good workes works Tit. 2. v. 14. That he might cleanse to himselfe a people acceptable a pursuer of good works But Protestants denie that our workes are truely good and say that they are mere sinnes See l. 1. c. 14. art 2. A sixt end was that we should liue iustly and piously in Nor mad vs liue in holinesse before God holinesse and iustice before God Luc. 1. v. 74. That without feare being deliuered from the hand of our enemies we may serue him in holinesse and iustice before him all our dayes Tit. 2. v. 12. For the grace of God our Sauiour hath appeared to all men instructing vs that denying impietie and wordly desires we liue soberly and iustly and godly in this world But Protestants denie that the workes or liues of the iust are pious holie or iust before God See lib. 1. cap. 14. art 5. A seuenth end of Nor made vs to fulfill the law Christs coming was that the iustification of the law might be fulfilled in vs. Rom. 8. v. 3. God sending his Sonne in the similitude of the flesh of sinne euen of sinne damned sinne in the flesh that the iustification of the law might be fulfilled in vs. But Protestants say that the law cannot be fulfilled in vs but onely in Christ See lib. 1. c. 19. art 1. An eight end was to preach a day of retribution Luc. 4. v. 19. To Euangelize vnto the pore he sent me to preach the acceptable yeare of our Lord and the day of retribution But Protestants denie that there is anie day of reward or retribution but onely of mere bountie and liberalitie See l. 1. c 18 art 1. To these I adde that thus writeth Perkins in Gal. 1. v. 3. It is the fault of our age that all professe Christ yet manie admit not Christ but their owne deuises to wit a Christ who must be a Sauiour to deliuer them from hell but not a Lord to giue them commandements this they cannot suffer But Protestants as we shewed l. 1. c. art 7. denie Christ to be a lawgiuer or Lord to giue commandements according to Perkins admit not Christ but their owne deuises Wherefore thus I make my 26. argument Whose doctrine Nor preached reward not onely in so manie and so great points is against the expresse words of God and in their vsuall sense but also doth make voide and frustrate so manie ends of the coming and passion of Christ it doth contradict the true sense of Scripture Such is the Protestants doctrine Therefore c. CHAPTER XXVII THAT PROTESTANTS TAKE AWAY encouragements to vertue yea all vertue and in steed of them put allurements to vice and remoue the impediments thereof MY 27. argument that Protestants contradict the true meaning of holie Scripture shal be because they take away the encouragements to vertue yea all vertue out of the world and in place of them put allurements to vice and remoue the impediments thereof They take away encouragements to vertue because as Protest take away encouragements to vertue we shewed l. 1. c. 2. art 13. they teach that God careth not for good workes art 14. that he is not honored with thē art 16. that he is not appeased with them And c. 14. Art 6. that there is no dignitie or worth in them Art 7. that there is no reward promised to them Art 10. that all good workes are equall before God Art 12. and 13. that they are not necessarie to iustification or saluation Art 15. that they are not cause of saluation Art 16. Not so much as a testimonie of iustification or saluation Art 18. that we ought not to doe them Cap. 17. artic 15. That a sinner doth not cooperate to his iustification Cap. 18. art 1. That saluation is no reward or retribution Art 2. No crowne of iustice Art 3. That it is of faith onely And cap. 21. art 1. That our will is not free in morall works Art 3. That it doth not cooperate with the grace of God to good works But who can denie but that Gods fauour towards good works their worth and reward their efficacie and necessitie to iustification and saluation mans freedome and cooperation to acts of vertue and saluatiō be great spurres and encouragements to vertue Which notwithstanding all and others such like Protestants take away They take also away all vertue For first they denie to fulfill the law diuers particular vertues as faith the roote of all vertue which they say is vitious and vnworthie the name of vertue l. 1. c. 13. art 12. They take away the highest degree of Chastitie to wit virginitie c. 15. art 2. and the perfectest part of Temperancie to wit Fasting ib. art 5. and all choice of meates artic 7. They takeaway also praier for all men art 8. Vows art 14. and Eremiticall life art 15. Besides they takeaway all inherent iustice c. 17. art 8. and denie that the iustified are truely iust art 3. or cleane art 4. but retaine sinne in them art 5. Finally they take away all vertue For they teach that all the good works of sinners or of good men are sinnes yea mere sinnes c. 14. art 1. and 2. that
they are filth dūgge and stinke in the face of God art 3. But if all If all good workes be sinne there can be no vertue good works be sinnes and mere sinnes surely there is no vertue at all For as Whitaker saieth l. 2. de Pec. orig c. 14. Tell vs how sinnes can be good workes Which is much more true if they be mere sinnes They set also allurements to sinne For as is shewed l. Protest set allurements to sinne 1. c. 2. art 1. they teach that God willeth sinne art 2. That sinne pleaseth God art 4. That God worketh sinne art 5. That God predestinateth to sinne artic 6. That he commandeth to sinne art 7. That he tempeth to sinne art 8. That he necessitateth to sinne art 10. That he iustifieth the wicked remaining wicked artic 17. That he will not haue his commandements kept And cap. 3. artic 11. That Christ was truely a sinner c 4. art 1. That the Angels in heauen do sinne c. 13. art 17. That faith being alone doth iustifie art 23. That it can neuer be lost c. 16. artic 4. That sinne must not be ouercomen of vs. art 13. That the Elect doe not sinne art 16. That all vsurie is not sinne Et c. 19. art 1. That the law of God is not possible art 2. That neuer anie kept it art 3. That none euer loued God with all his heart But what man in his witts can denie that these Positions Sinne pleaseth God God willeth doeth commandeth sinne He predestinateth necessitateth tempteth to sinne He will not haue his commandements kept Christ and the Angels in heauen doe sinne The wicked is iustified remayning wicked faith being alone doth iustifie it can neuer be lost sinne must not be ouercomen of the faithfull they themselues neuer sinne and such like be great enticements to sinne They take away also the obstacles or impediments They remoue impediments of sinne of sinne in teaching as we haue shewed l. 1. c. 2. art 3. That God hateth not sinne art 9. That God hateth not the faithfull when they worke wickednesse art 11. That he is not angrie with the faithfull whilest they sinne art 12. That he neuer punisheth for anie sinne committed art 23. That he damneth not men for sinne And c. 3. art 7. That Christ gaue no laws art 8. That he is no iudge c. 5. art 6. That the Ghospell promiseth saluation without anie condition of workes art 5. That it doth not reproue sinne c. 10. art 8. That in baptisme al sinnes past present and to come are forgiuen c. 16. art 1. That sinnes are not imputed to the faithfull art 2. That they are not mortall to them art 5. That seruing the flesh we may serue God art 6. That no sinnes cast of grace art 7. That sinnes can stand with grace artic 9. That to abstaine from sinnes is not necessarie to saluation artic 10. That sinne is not the cause of damnation artic 11. That we must not giue account of sinnes cap. 17. artic 12. That iustification is neuer lost artic 13. That the iustified need not feare to fall artic 16. That he is to suffer no punishment at all c. 18. art 4. That the faithfull are not to be iudged art 4. That Hell is no place art 7. That hell fire is no true fire And cap. 19. art 7. That the law is abrogated from the faithfull But it is most euident that taking away Gods wrath hatred and punishment of sinnes and sinners taking away Christs law-giuing and iudgement taking from men all feare of iudgement damnation wrath and hatred of God and of losse of iustice and saluation and putting securitie that men euen committing heynous sinnes are certaine of Gods loue of grace and eternall saluation and free from all punishment whatsoeuer all impediments of sinne on Gods parte are taken away and if anie beleiuing this doctrine do forbeare sinne it proceedeth not but from a naturall engrafted horror of sinne or els from feare or or shame of men Yea so euident it is that diuers positions of Protestants Protest confesse that some of their opinions allure to sinne are allurements to sinne as some Protestants confesse it For thus write the Wittembergians cited before cap. 25. That to denie a man to cooperate to his conuersion doth settle horrible wickednesse Which yet Protestants denie lib. 1. cap. 17. artic 15. Remonstrantes apud Hom. in Specim Cont. Belg. pag. 126. say The doctrine of their perseuerance in faith who haue once beleiued is of it nature and condition sufficiet to engender a securitie in men for to serue them as a cushion in midst of their sinnes Againe Of it selfe it is hurtfull to true pietie and good manners And yet Protestants teach thus libr. 1. cap. 13. art 23. Schlusselburg tom 7. Catal. writeth thus To pardon sinnes to come which one doth studie to commit is surely to graunt an Epicurean licence to sinne And yet this is Protestants doctrine l. 1. cap. 10. art 8. Melancthon in Cocleus in art 6. Confess August thus speaketh Now it is vsuall to speake of faith and faith cannot be vnderstood vnlesse pennance be preached Surely they poure new wine into ould vessels who preach faith without pennance without doctrine of the feare of God without the doctrine of the law accustome the people to a carnall kind of securitie That securitie is worse then all the errors vnder Poperie were And yet Protestants say that the Ghospell doth not reproue sinne doth not preach pennance promiseth saluation vpon condition of faith onely as is shewed l. 1. c. 5. art 5. 6. Hutter in Anal. Cōfess August p. 571. writeth that The error of the Anabaptists who denie that men once iustified can leese the holie Ghost doth giue full licence to commit all kind of villanie vnder the absolute perseuerance of those that are once iustified And yet this is the doctrine of Protestants l. 1. c. 17. art 12. other Protestants in Zanchius de Perseuer to 7. col 159. say that the opinion which teacheth that the faithfull cannot fall from grace taketh away pennance looseth the reines to concupiscence maketh a man secure that he dare sinne euen against his conscience And Liber Concord Luther c. de bonis oper That false and Epicurean opinion is sharpely to be reproued wherewith some feigne that faith and grace once receaued or saluation cannot be lost by anie sinne or wickednesse whatsoeuer albeit it be most freely committed Also other Protestants as Gualterus Praefat. Epist Rom. reporteth when they thinke seriously of pietie doe feare that we deuise to easie a way to saluation and least this doctrine breed a licēce to sinne and opē a gappe for men to dare to doe any thing Moreouer diuers of them confesse that men take occasion to sinne by their doctrine as Luther tom 5. in Gal. 6. Iames Andrews Conc. 4. in Luc. 21. Perkins de Serm. Dom. to 2. and in Gal. 5. ver 13. and others in Erasmus in Epist ad
proper to the Elect 350 22. VVhether faith come by hearing 352 23. VVhether faith be euer lost 353 24. VVhether faith be rewarded 355 25. VVhether the faith of those who toucht Christs garments were pure 356 Chap. 14. Of good workes in generall Art 1. VVhether anie worke of a Sinner may be good p. 360 2 VVhether euerie good worke be sinne 362 3 VVhether good works be a sweet smell to God 364 4 VVhether good works be fully good 366 5 VVhether they be iust or iustice in the sight of God 369 6 VVhether in good works there be anie worth 371 7 VVhether eternall life be promised to good works 373 8 VVhether good works be meritorious 374 9 VVhether there may be glorie in good works 376 10 VVhether all good works be equall before God 378 11 VVhether good works be commanded of God 379 12 VVhether they be necessarie to iustification 381 13 VVhether they be necessarie to saluation 384 14 VVhether they be profitable to saluation or iustification 387 15 VVhether they be anie cause of saluation 390 16 VVhether they be a testimonie of iustification or predestination 393 17 VVhether they be a cause of Gods loue towards vs 395 18 VVhether we ought to doe good works 396 19 VVhether they may be done for reward 399 20 VVhether they be to be done for the glorie of God 401 Chap. 15. Of workes in particular Art 1. VVhether it be good not to marrie 406 2 VVhether virginitie be a vertue 406. 3. VVhether the state of virginitie be better then marriage 408 4. VVhether God would haue men to liue single 410 5. VVhether Fasting be a vertue 412. 6. VVhether fasting be a preseruatiue against the Diuel 414. 7. VVhether choice of meats be laudable 415. 8 VVhether we may pray for all 416. 9. VVhether we may pray for the dead 417. 10 VVhether we may pray for that which God hath not promised 419 11. VVhether anie obtaine for the worth of their praier 421. 12. VVhether we may pray in an vnknowne tongue 422. 13. VVhether we be commanded to say our lords praier 423 14. VVhether we may make vows 424 15. VVhether almes deliuer from death and sinne 426 16. VVhether we may giue all to the poore 427 17. VVhether pennance be commanded to all 428 18 VVhether affliction of the bodie be a parte of pennance 429. 19 VVhether pennance of the Niniuites was good 431 20. VVhether Eremitical life be lawfull Chap. 16. Of Sinnes Art 1. VVhether sinnes be imputed to the faithfull 435. 2. VVhether anie sinne be mortall to the Elect and faithfull 437. 3. VVhether onely incredulitie be sinne 438. 4. VVhether sinne ought to be ouercomen of vs 440. 5. VVhether anie that serue the flesh can serue God 441. 6 VVhether by greuous sinnes we fall from grace 442. 7 VVhether sinne can staÌ„d with iustice 8. VVhether sinne may be redeemed by good works 447. 9. VVhether to abstaine from great sinnes be necessarie to saluation 448 10. VVhether sinne be the cause of damnation 451. 11. VVhether we must giue account of our sinnes 453. 12. VVhether the iustified commit ill p. 454. 13. VVhether the iustified commit sinne 455. 14 VVhether the iustified euer do sinne wilfully 457. 15 VVhether the widows 1. Tim. 5. did sinne in marrying 458. 16 VVhether vsurie be sinne 459. 17. VVhether all sinned in Adam 460. 18. VVhether there is originall sinne 461. Chap. 17. Of Iustification Art 1. VVhether Iustification be of works 465. 2. VVhether it be of faith onely 467. 3. VVhether the iustified be iust in Gods fight 469. 4. VVhether the iustified be cleane 472 5. VVhether sinne remaine in the iustified 474. 6. VVhether sinnes be simply forgiuen 477. 7. VVhether all the iustified be equally iust 478. 8. VVhether there is anie inherent iustice 478. 9. Whether inherent iustice can be imputed 481. 10. Whether the iustified be infallibly certaine of their iustice 482. 11. Whether pennance goe before iustification 845. 12. Whether iustificatioÌ„ can be lost 487. 13. Whether the iustified may feare to fall 489. 14. Whether iustification be proper to the Elect 492. 15. Whether we cooperate to our iustification 493. 16. Whether after iustification anie punishment remaine 496 Chapt. 18. Of life and death euerlasting ART 1. Whether life euerlasting be a reward p. 499. 2. Whether it be a crowne of iustice 501. 3. Whether it be of faith onely 503. 4. Whether all men be to be iudged 505 5. Whether eternall life be to be rendered to anie 506. 6. Whether the soules of the Reprobates doe now suffer in Hell 507. 7. Whether Hell be anie place 509. 8. Whether Hell fire be true fire 510. Chapt. 19. Of Gods law ART 1. Whether Gods law be possible 513. 2. Whether euer anie kept Gods law 515. 3. Whether anie loued God in all theâ—â— heart 517. 4. Whether Gods law be in thâ— heart of anie 519. 5. Whether we ◠〈◊〉 â— that we may keepe Gods law 520. 6. Whether the keeping of Gods law be necessarie to saluation 521. 7. Whether the law of God be abrogated from the faithfull 522. Chapt. 20. Of mans law and superioritie ART 1. Whether there be anie Superioritie among Christians 526. 2. Whether man can make laws 527. 3. Whether mans law bindeth the conscience 529. Chapt. 21. Of free will ART Whether man be free in indifferent matters 532. 2. Whether man be free in morall matters 534. 3. Whether man cooperate with Gods grace to good 536. Chap. 22. Of mans Soule ART 1. Whether mans Soule be immortall 539. 2. Whether Mans soule be the forme of his bodie 545. 3 Whether there be anie resurrection of the dead 547. THE INDEX OF THE CHAPTERS CONTAINED in the second booke CHAPTER 1. That Protestants contradict the truâ— sense of Scripture because iâ— so manie points they gaynesay the expresse words thereof pag. 549. Chapt. 2. That Protestants confesse they contradict the sense of those words which the Cathol Church long since and manie of themselues now beleiue to be the words of God p. 611. Chapt. 3. That Protestants are forced to vse violence to that parte of Scripture which they receaue p. 615. Chapt. 4. That Protestants ouerthrow all force of the words of Scripture yea contemne and deride them p. 620. Chapt. 5. That Protestants say that words of Scripture which make against them were not spoaken of certaine knowledge p. 630. Chapt. 6. That Protestants saye that manie weightie sayings of the Scripture were not spoaken according to the mynd of the speakers p. 633. Chapt. 7. That Protestants are forced to say that the Scripture speaketh ironically c. p. 640. Chapt. 8. That Protestants are forced to turne the most generall speaches of the Scripture into particulars p. 647. Chapt. 9. That Protestants limitate manie propositions not limitated by the Scripture p. 654. Chapt. 10. That Protestants change manie absolute speaches of Scripture into conditionals p. 665. Chapt. 11. That Protestants change conditionall speaches of Scripture
WHETHER FAITH BEING alone and without good workes can iustifie SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY DENIETH. Iames 2. v. 14. What shall it profit my brethren if a man say he hath faith but hath not workes Shall faith be able to saue him v. 24. Do you see that by workes a man is iustified and Faith alone doth not iustifie nor saue not by faith onely The same proue the places before cited which affirme that faith without workes is dead CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY DENIE Councel of Trent Sess 6. c. 7. Faith doth not perfectly vnite to Christ nor maketh a liuelie member of him vnlesse to it be adioyned hope and charitie PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Confessio Belgica art 24. We are iustified by faith in Christ and that also before we haue done any good workes Luther in Gal. 2 to 5. fol. 310. This faith doth iustifie before Iustified before workes and without charitie fol. 312. It is an errour and impietie to say that infused faith doth not iustifie vnlesse it be adorned with Faith without charitie doth iustifie the workes of charitie Et in Disput to 1. f. 371. vnlesse faith be without anie euen the least workes it doth not iustifie nay it is 〈◊〉 â—aâ—th Liber Concordiae Lutheran c. 3 We reiect and condemne That faith doth not iustifie without good workes and so good The presence of workes is not needfull workes to be necessarily required to iustification and that without their presence a man cannot be iustified Illyricus in Claue Scripturae part 2. tractat 6. It is falsely saied That faith is neuer without good workes if it be ment of their actuall and not onely potentiall presence especially in the first iustification Againe God iustifieth the impious euen not working Therefore in iustification good workes do not onely not cooperate but nether are they present Schlusselbug to 7. Catal. Haeret. pag. 837. Our proposition Faith without workes iustifieth remaineth straÌ„ge That faith in the first iustification of a wicked sinner is without all good workes actually present Wigandus in Schlusselburg lib. cit p. 792. Faith must needs be first and then workes follow albeit we cannot discerne the time For Luthers sentence is certaine Faith iustifieth before it doth good workes Et p. 764. The absence of our good workes doth Absence of workes hindreth not iustification not hinder God to impute iustice by Christ Authour de Iustif to 5. doctrinae Iesuit p. 241. The holie Scripture describeth manie iustified in whome is no good worke seene but onely faith Againe These and the like examples do clearly shew that in the beginning faith is truely without good workes and that it so voide of good works is imputed to iustice and receaueth remission of sinnes See more of their like sayings hereafter cap. 14. art 12. For the same beleiue as well the Lutherans who hould that the presence of good workes is not necessarie to iustification as Caluinists who teach that iustification of faith remaineth in the faithfull euen in most grieuous sinnes THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainely sayeth that faith without workes profiteth not saueth not is dead that a man is not saued with faith onely The same say Catholiks Protestants plainely say that faith iustifieth before we doe any good worke without and before charitie without euen the least good workes without good workes actually present without the presence of good workes that in iustification good workes are not so much as present that manie are iustified in whome no good workes are seene that faith void of good workes is imputed to iustice and receaueth remission of sinnes ART XVIII WHETHER FAITH DO iustifie as it is Beleife or as it beleiueth or knoweth SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Ioan. 17. v. 3. This is life euerlasting that they know thee the Faith iustifieth as it is a knowledge onely true God and whome thou hast sent Iesus Christ 1. Ioan. c. 5. ver 1. Whosoeuer beleiueth that Iesus is Christ is borne of God v. 5. Who is he that ouercometh the world but he that beleiueth that Iesus is the Sonne of God Rom. 4. v. 3. Abraham beleiued God and it was reputed him to iustice c. 10. vers 9. If thou confesse with thy mouth our Lord Iesus and in thy hart beleiue that God hath raised him vp from the dead thou shalt be saued CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 6. cap. 6. They are disposed to iustice whilst stirred vp and holpen by Gods grace conceauing faith by hearing they are freely moued to God beleiuing these things to be true which are reuealed and promised PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Willet Controu 19. pag. 983. Faith doth not iustifie vs by Faith iustifieth not as it is a Beleife As it is a Beleife But as it is a Petition the worke of beleiuing As it is an act of beleiuing onely it iustifieth not Feild l. 3. de Eccles c. 44. Speciall faith hath sundrie actes but to this purpose specially two The one by way of petition huÌ„bly intreating for acceptation and fauour the other in the nature of confortable assurance consisting in a persuasion that that is graunted which was desired Faith by her first act obtaineth and worketh our iustification by her second act she doth not actiuely iustifie but finding the thing done certifieth and assureth vs of it Zuinglius l. de ver falsa relig cap. de Merito Faith in As it is a Trust a Confidence Scripture is taken manie waies First for beleife then for stedfastnes next for trust in God and of this onely it must be vnderdoost That faith saueth Respons ad Confess Lutheri f. 507. To say that this kind of faith and assent bringeth any comfort securitie peace tranquillitie or saluation to our soules were false and most foolish Hemingius in Enchirid. classe 1. pag. 109. It is manifest that none is saued by onely knowledge Whereupon euerie one seeth that iustifying faith is not onely the knowledge of the historie of Christ. Lobechius Disput 22. Sauing faith is saied to iustifie not by the foundation as it is a knowledge and assent in the mynd and trust in the will but by reason of the end or obiect which is Christ And of the same opinion are other Protestants as appeareth both by their words related before art 2. 3. and also because they teach that iustifying faith is not the Catholik faith wherewith we beleiue the misteries of faith but a speciall trust or confidence wherewith euerie elect faithfull man assureth himselfe of the remission of his sinnes or at least that it includeth this trust Herevpon Confessio Saxon. c. 4. saieth By faith is signified a trust resting Protâ—stants faith is Trust on the Sonne of God Which is repeated c. 7. 16. Luther Praef. in Epist ad Rom. to 5. Faith is a trust of the mercie of God towards vs. Ministri Saxonici in Colloq Aldeburg fol. 30. Faith in this matter we vnderstand to be trust relying vpon Christ. Zuinglius Respons