holy Ghost séeing he renounced yea and that with cursing and hanning the troth whiche he him self had before knowen and confessed And yet he that shall so iudge must néeds be blamed of rashnesse and vntroth aswel because of the repentance of this Disciple as of the pardon which he obtained of his master and lord And if any wil say that there ar diuers such as the Apostle describeth euen as we wil not deny it for asmuche as these things are not written for nought and that Iesus Christ wold not haue made so expresse mention of the sin against the holy Ghost if there had not béen such a sin so likewise we say it is not so easy to be knowen as it séemeth and it is much better to suspeÌ„d our iudgment in this case and to leaue the knowledge therof to god who knoweth those that be his then lightly and rashly to condemne those that possibly God hath determined to shew mercy vnto that the more horrible the sin séemeth and void of all pardon the more he might magnifie his great goodnesse and mercy For it often commeth to passe that where sin hath abounded there grace aboundeth much more Beside this the faith which we haue in the promises of God whiche promiseth pardon to all those that repeÌ„t them from the bottom of their harts and the charitie which we bere to our neighbor prouoketh vs to hope wel of all men and to pray to God for the saluation of all sinners euen of those that séem to be the moste desperate in the world Also what shall we say by this coÌ„maundmeÌ„t that Christ gaue to his disciples saying Loue your enmies blesse those that curse you doo good to those that hate you pray for those that hurt you persecute you that ye may be the children of your father which is in heaueÌ„ for he maketh his Sun to shine vpon the good and bad and sendeth his rain vpon the iust and vniust And S. Paule saith The seruaÌ„t of the Lord must not striue but must bee gentle towards all men apt to teach suffering the euil men patiently instructing them with méeknesse that are coÌ„trary minded prouing if God at any time wil giue them repentance that they may knowe the troth and that they may come to amendment out of the snare of the Deuil whiche are taken of him at his wil. In deed the Apostle speaketh not directly of those that resist the troth that they once knew neither yet excludeth he those which are such because God is able inough to call them again to the true knowledge of the troth and to giue them that taste of Heauenly and deuine things whiche before they had lost Seeing then that we know not how God wil woork with men and that the conuersion of sinners is in his hand and that we are not sure whether they whiche resist the troth to day shall consent to morrow or whether they be misled by ignorance wekenesse or any fond zeale we cannot doo amisse to commend them to God and to pray for their conuersion and amendment Touching the answers and solutions of the former obiections we first confesse that all our prayers ought to be made in faith without the which man may not look to obtain any thing at Gods hand as S. Iames saith We confesse also that the woord of God commaundeth vs not to pray for these that sin against the holy Ghost But therwith we say that it is not easy for vs to knowe such sinners as appéereth by the reasons before alleged For they somtimes ar thought to sin maliciously and of determinate purpose that are rather misled with fond zeale and blinde ignorance then of determinate malice It may sometimes come to passe theÌ„ that amongst those that persecute the Gospel some sin of ignorance and other some of malice and so consequently against the holy Ghost But for that the intent of the hart is reserued to the knowledge of God alone the faithful ought stil to pray for all in generall As we sée S. Stephen did For though they were of his aduersaries that resisted the holly Ghost as he laid to their charge yet when he was redy to yéeld vp the Ghost he ceassed not to pray in generall without exception of this man or that man saying Lord lay not this sin to their charge for they knowe not what they doo And in déed if we should iudge who sinned against the holy Ghost in persecuting this holy man should we not put Saule in the number of them at the least For from his youth he had béen instructed in the law vnder that excellent doctor Gamaliel and could wel iudge that all that S. Steuen alleged for the defeÌ„ce of his doctrin was drawen out of the pure fountain of the holy scriptures and neuerthelesse his sudain wonderful conuersion dooth sufficiently declare that his sin was not vnpardonable as hee him self dooth sufficiently witnesse Also we sée many that séemed to be wholly cast away and desperat which neuerthelesse are so touched with the féeling of their sinnes that they ernestly repent are set foorth to others as mirrors examples of the goodnesse of God which giueth life to the dead and calleth the things that be not as though they were The example of the Corinthians and Galathians may serue to this purpose very wel for some of them were so far departed froÌ„ that pure doctrin the S. Paule had preached vnto theÌ„ that they douted of the resurrection of the dead these were strayed froÌ„ Christ which had called theÌ„ through grace to an other gospel so far that they thought the ceremonies of the law were necessary to saluatioÌ„ wherin they not only gainsaid the doctrin of the Apostle but also like mad men bereued them selues of the frute that all the faithful haue by the death of Iesê° Christ neuerthelesse the holy Apostle leaueth not to indeuer to bring theÌ„ bothe again into the right way of troth For the sin against the holy Ghost importeth not simply some euil or false opinion that one may holde against some or many points of Religion but a generall reuolting and apostasie from all Christianitie wheÌ„ hauing béen illuminate by the vertue of the holy Ghost resisteth of determinate malice the doctrin of the trueth with intent to resist it And it is no maruail if this sin be vnpardonable séeing that he which is is giltie of them maliciously despiseth Iesus Christ and maketh a mock of his doctrin without the which none can obtain pardon of his iniquities and we may not think it straunge and accuse God of crueltie though he pardoÌ„ not such sin séeing that they which coÌ„mit it coÌ„e not to repentance And is it reason the God shuld pardon the sin that the offeÌ„der nothing repenteth This is it that the Apostle affirmeth saying If we sin willingly after that we haue receiued the knowledge of the trueth
A TREATISE of the sin against the holy ghost made by M. Augustine Marlorate Translated out of french to the great consolation of all such as repent them of their sinnes and to the astonying of of those that mock and despise the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christe Iames. 5. verse 19.20 ¶ Breethern if any of you haue erred from the trueth and some man hath conuerted him let him knowe that he whiche hath conuerted the sinner from going astray out of his way shal saue a soule froÌ„ death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes ¶ Imprinted at London by Lucas Harison Augustine Marlorate to the christian Reader wissheth health and peace through Iesus Christe LEst any should think that in this small Treatise I like an euill Attorney would go about to defend the cause of suche as mocking God do dally with the Gospel thincking to folow it or leaue it as oft as they list as if of them selues at their ovvne choise they might make atonement vvith the sonne of God vvhom they giue ouer to opprobry I beseeche you in the name of our Lord Iesus patieÌ„tly to reed ouer this Treatise to the end So dooing I hope ye vvil iudge that mine intent heerby is onely to bring such again into the right vvay of saluatioÌ„ as hetherto haue not so vvel profited in the knovvledge of the Gospel that inestimable treasure as the excellency and great benefit thereof requireth to th' end that all such as shall heerafter hear the sound of the voice of Iesus Christe in his Churche may knovve that he is redy to iudge suche as resist dispise his vvord but cheefly those that in this great light of the Gospel greeâ—e the holy spirit of God by vvhome the faithfull are sealed for the day of their redemption Forasmuch then as the vvord of God is directed to diuers maner of people and is not receiued of all vvith one maner affection as appeereth in the similitude of the seed this Treatise may serue to bothe that the good being inspired with the holy ghost may be assured of the doctrin vvhich they folow and may be strengthned more more in the Lord and in the povver of his might couragiously to reiect all spirits yea vvere it an angel of Heauen that should teach any other doctrin for the saluation of men then that vvhiche is contained in the holy gospel and that such other as this holy and sacred doctrin hath not yet takeÌ„ so deep root in may ernestly bee moued to consider at the leÌ„gth vvherin the suretie of their saluation coÌ„sisteth that they froÌ„ hence foorth be no more like children wauering caried about with euery winde of doctrin by the deceit of men by craftines whereby they lye in waite to deceiue But vvholly may rest on Christe and submit them selues to him vvhich died is risen again for them and also to the end that they vvhiche through infirmitie or for fear of men or losse of their goods honors haue shut vp and hidden the secret of faith may vvake out of their drousy forgetfulnes heerafter open their mouthes to confesse to saluation before all men that vvhich fait harted fear hath made them so long to hide dissemble least preferring the glory of men before the glory of God they in th' end feel the effect executioÌ„ of this horrible threaning vvhich is pronouÌ„ced on theÌ„ that tempt Iesus Christ before men Finally this treatise tendeth to this end that all excuses set apart eche maÌ„ may seek for his saluation vvith fear trembling seing that God hauing so loÌ„g forborn in time of ignoraÌ„ce vvilleth novv al men in all places to repent lest he come and strike the earth to destruction Ezech. 18.27 VVhen the wicked turneth away from his wickednes that he hath committed doth that which is lawfull and right hee shall saue his soule aliue Hebru 4.16 Let vs go boldely vnto the throne of grace that we may receiue mercy and finde grace in time of need A treatise of the sin against the holy Ghost SEeing that bolde and rash men ouershoot them selues so far as to giue iudgement of that which is knowen to one onely God and oft forgetting what they them selues ought to be and how they ought to liue according to Gods will cruelly condemne those on whome the Lord wil haue mercy It is good first to note that not all sin which séemeth to be against the holy Ghost is sin against the holy Ghost in deed for there are many that resist the trueth of the Gospel wherof if séemeth they haue had some knowledge whiche neuerthelesse sin not against the holy Ghost in as much as it is ioyned with some ignoraÌ„ce which exempteth them from this horrible sin whiche is not pardoned in this world nor in the world to come Which S. Paule signifieth saying that he obtained pardon because that through ignorance and for lack of faith he had béen a blasphemer a persecutor and oppressor wherby it foloweth that not all sin wher with man resisteth the trueth of God is sin against the holy Ghost But when man is so touched with the light of the troth that he cannot pretend ignorance and neuerthelesse of determinate malice resisteth then he sinneth against the holy Ghost and it is not possible for him to be renued by repeÌ„tance in that he hath forsaken God and is becom an Apostata or forsaker of Christianitie Such were the Scribes and Phariseyes who hauing the knowledge of the Law and seeing the manifest woorks of the power of God attributed the miracles which Iesus Christ wrought to Belzebub Such were they also which resisted S. Stephen and of determinate purpose blamed that doctrin wherof they could not be ignorant but that it procéeded from God as that holy Martir likewise reprooued them when he was redy to shed his blood in the defence of the doctrin of the Ghospel For if S. Stephen had delt with ignorant men hee would haue vsed them otherwise But seeing that they raged against God and went about to rob God of his honor he boldely pronounceth that they withstand the holy Ghost let vs theÌ„ conclude that they sin against the holy Ghost who hauing the knowledge of God trueth doo neuerthelesse of determinat malice resist the same But let vs sée whether it be lawful to pray for those that are giltye of this sin for it séemeth no by many reasons First the prayer of the faithfull ought to be made in faith which béeing grounded on the woord of God we are assured that they shal be heard And ther is no word of God the assureth vs that our prayer shal be heard for those that sin against the holy ghost but rather if saith coÌ„trary wise the there is a sin to death and I say not saith S. Iohn that thou shalt pray for such It foloweth theÌ„ that it is in vain for vs to pray for
those that sin against the holy Ghost Further Th'apostle saith plainly that suche cannot be renued by repentaunce seeing they crucifie againe to them selues the Son of God and make a mock of him If it be impossible that they can be conuerted and the end of our prayers is that sinners may amend it seemeth superfluous to pray for their conuersion Further we cannot obtain forgiuenesse of sinnes but onely by the satisfaction of our Sauiour Iesus Christe who hath offred vp him self to bee an offring and sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauor to god Then if we sin willingly after we haue had the knowledge of the troth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes but a fearful looking for iudgement and violent fire which shall deuoure the aduersaries If the blood of Iesus Christe shed for that faithful profiteth not theÌ„ that sin against the holy Ghost it foloweh that all prayers made for them auaile them nothing for that they are cut of from the coÌ„munion of Iesus Christ out of the which there is no hope of saluation or pardon The example of S. Paule seemeth also to coÌ„firme the same which writeth thê° Alexander the copper smith hath doon me much euil the Lord rewarde him according to his works If S. Paule had knowen that prayer would haue profited Alexander I dout not but he would haue prayed for his conuersion but séeing hee so hainously resisted the doctrin of the Gospel wherof he once made profession as it is likely by the which S. Luke writeth he leaneth him as desperat yea and wisheth that God would punish him according to his deserts We might also alledge how God hath forbideÌ„ his seruaÌ„ts to pray for the wicked as wheÌ„ he saith to Ieremy Therfore thou shalt not pray for this people neither lift vp a cry or prayer for them for when they cry vnto me in their trouble I wil not hear them And again thou shalt not pray to doo this people good Further the Lord saith to Samuel How long wilt thou morne for Saule séeing I haue cast him away from reigning any more ouer Israel Finally it séemeth that the cursses which the Prophets vse against the wicked reprobate declare that we ought not to pray vnto God for their amendment but rather for their ouerthrowe and confusion As when Dauid saith Stand vp Lord for my help bring out also the Speare and stop the way against them that persecute me say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Let them be confounded and put to shame that séeke after my soule let them be turned back and brought to confusion that imagine mine hurt Let them be as chaffe before the winde and let the Angel of the Lord scatter them Let their way be dark and slippery and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them Also Let them be confounded and put to shame togither that séek my soule to destroy it let them be driuen backward and put to rebuke that desire mine hurt Also Let death sease vpon them let them go down quick into the graue for wickednes is in their dwellings eueÌ„ in the midst of theÌ„ Also Breke their téeth O God in their mouthes Break the iawes of the yung Lions O lord Let them melt like the waters let them passe away when he shooteth his Arrowes let them be as broken Let him consume like a Snail that melteth and like the vntimely frute of a woman that hath not séen the Sun. Also euen thou O Lord God of hosts God of Israel awake to visit al the heathen and be not merciful vnto all that trasgresse maliciously Consume them in thy wrath consume them that they be no more And again Let their table be a snare before them and let their prosperitie be made their ouerthrowe Let their eyes be blinded that they see not and make their Raines continually to treemble Poure foorth thine indignation vpon them and let thy wrathful displeasure sease vpon them Also Let them be confouÌ„ded and consumed that are against my soule let them be couered with reproofe confusion the séek mine hurt Further Lift vp thy strokes that thou maist for euer destroy euery enemy that doth euil to thy sanctuary Also Poure out thy wrath vpon the heathen that haue not knowen thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name And render vnto our neighours seuen folde into their bosom their reproch wherwith they haue reproched thée O lord Further Doo thou to them as vnto the Midianits as to Sisera and as to labin at the riuer of KishoÌ„ And anon after O my God make theÌ„ like vnto a whéel as the stuble before the winde as the fire burneth the forest and as the flames setteth the mountains on fire so persecute them with the tempest and make them afraid with thy storme Fil their faces with shame that they may séek thy name O lord Let them be confounded trouble for euer yea let them be put to shame and perish Also Set thou the wicked ouer him and let the aduersary stand at his right hand Let the iniquity of his father be had in remeÌ„brance with the Lord and let not the sin of his mother be doon away Also As for the cheef of them that compasse me about let the mischéef of their owne lips come vpon them Let coles fall vpon theÌ„ let him cast them into the fire and into the deep pits that they rise not These and such like places as well of the Psalmes as of the Prophets séem to make for theÌ„ that wil not haue vs pray for the wicked and cheefly those that wage battail against the doctrin of the Gospel but rather they say that by the example of Dauid and others we shuld pray to God for their ouerthrow and destruction as wel to aduaunce his glory as to kéep the good in fear lest they ioine them selues with the reprobate But before we answere to these obiections and to all the places before alleged which seem to confirme their oppinion we would faine demaund of them whether they be sure that those whome they condemne are gilty of the sin against the holy Ghost they those from whom they shut vp the way of saluation be such as the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrues describeth that is to say whether they were once lightned whether they haue tasted the Heauenly gift and whether they were made partakers of the holy Ghost whether they haue tasted of the good woord of God and the powers of the world to come For the Apostle setteth foorth all these things before he pronounceth sentence against those that so hainously offend that they can not obtain pardon to th' end that wee should knowe that all departing from the troth of the Ghospel or persecuting therof is not an vnforgiuenable sin els we must néeds say that S. Péeter sinned against the