them by the ordinance and appointment of God in a word they deny that they are ordained to stir vp nourish confirme our faith But they maintaine that they are the causes of grace in vs that they bestow grace vpon vs that they are the instruments of iustification that of themselues they effect grace iustification and sanctification by the very worke done that is by the naturall power and vertue of the sacramental action it selfe thereunto appointed by God or as others wil by the power of God assistant to the things signed according to covenant euen without faith or in warde motion of the receiver And this force and efficacy they attribute onely to sacraments of the New Testament as for those of the Olde some there are which leaue vnto them only the bare and naked signification of iustification others besides that doe also yeeld the effect of iustification but only in regarde of the worke of the worker that is in respect of the devotion and desert of the vser And here againe some except circumcision as iustifying through the vvorke done others reckon it with the rest And this is that stale stuffe of the olde schoolâ—-men which these late iuncketters haue nowe againe sumptuously dressed and dished out to the world for delicates Especially Bellarmine the Arch-sophist of this age doth flatter himselfe in these follies that he is fully perswaded he can obscure the cleere sunne-shine And therefore insolently and ill-beseeming the duty of so great a disputant he slaundereth taunteth our Doctors most of them now dead neither shewing nor obiecting to them falshood or paralogismes in their proofes but onelie with scorne and disdaine giving them the lie the lie which strange manner of disputation is now taken vp for a fashion amongst those railers But the most worthy Divines Whitaker Danaeus Sibrandus the rest haue now so discovered the folly of that most insolent man that even the lesuites themselues are ashamed of their Galiah and beginne to repent them of his too great liberty vsed in disputation He hath prefixed before his second Tome of disputations which lately hee set forth about the sacraments A Satyricall Declamation or Libelling speech wherein he professeth that he will play Stage-part and represent vnto his Romish auditory a spectacle not vnpleasant concerning the furious contentions of Heretiques His maine purpose therein is to oppose our Doctors betweene themselues each against otheâ— and by his vpstart sophistry to de barre vs the speciall vse of the Sacraments namely the seaâ—ing of the promise of grace and strengthning of our faith But how perversely he dealeth I haue here thought good briefely to declare First of all he goeth about to shew out of Luther Carolostadius Melancthon Zwinglius and Calvin that the worde Sacrament hath beene by diverse and those our wrighters partly received partly reiected As if the Schoole-men themselues did neuer doubt or dispute about the originall signification propriety and vse of a Sacrament And if at any time our wrighters haue seemed to make question of the worde yet it is a cleere case that by consent of all it hath beene hitherto receaved in our churches and retained vnto this day without controversie Wherefore that which he speaketh of Luther and Melancthon is plainely frivolous The opinion of Carolostadius a man gauled by Luther none in a maner haue followed With Zwinglius he doth manifestly cavil For he indeed could haue wished the word Sacrament had never beene receaved by the Germanes but why truely for no other reason but because he detesteth the horrible abuse of a Sacrament in swearing thereby a thing alasse to familiar with the Germanes As for Calvin that he should little allowe of the word and reprehend it yet not accompt it a matter worthy the striuing about it is an impudent devise of the Iesuits which without shame hee might babble out in his theater at Rome froÌ„ wheÌ„ce Calvines Christian Institution is exiled They who with iudgement shal read the whole 13. Section wherevnto afterwardes the Iesuit pointeth shall see that Calvin doth not reprehend the word but the subtility of Sophists who out of the signification of the Latin word do impugne the confirmation of our faith by Sacraments Then comming to the nature of a Sacrament he bringeth forth vpon the stage Luther Zwinglius and Calvin as it were skirmishing there-about betweene themselues saying that Luther would haue the Sacramentes to be only testimonies ordained by God for the stirring vp of our faith Zwinglius certaine engadgings of our selues vnto God lastly Calvin ioining as it were both opinions into one would haue them to be signes of Gods loue towardes vs sealing our faith and testimonies againe binding vs vnto Godlinesse And this is the conflict But indeede the Iesuite would faine shew his auditors a fault where none is The consent of Calvin Luther in this point is so evident that it needes no proofe That the opinion of meâ—re tokens and markes of our binding and profession is by way of cavill fathered on Zwinglius the Iesuite himselfe afterwardes vnwittingly witnesseth where he writeth that the opinion of Carolostadius and the Anabaptistes touching meere tokens of our profession hath beene as wel by others as by Zwinglius confuted and almost quite buried And this that he writeâ—h is true For Zwinglius both elsewhere and also in his booke wrighten to the Princes of Germany doth plainly enough expouÌ„d himselfe wrighting after this manner The verie signes are so ordained by Christ himselfe that even by their analogie and proportion they prevaile very farre in leâ—ding vs vnto the thing present by faith and contemplation And afterwardes more plainely The Sacraments are not in vaine for they shewe vs the saluation giuen by God thither they â—ourne our thoughts continually EXERCISE OVER FAITH which immediatly they promise drawe vs to brotherly charity And whilest all this is don one the same Spirit worketh in vs who inspiringe somtymes without meanes somtymes with meanes draweth whither how farre and whom it pleaseth him Thus farre Zwinglius Now whâ—t could haue ben spoken more clerely touching the consent betweene Luther and Caluin then that SacrameÌ„ts were ordained for this end namely to leade vs by similitude proportion vnto the thing present by faith to declare vnto vs our saluation to turne our thoughts to exercise our faith and to be meanes and instruments of the holy Ghost Is this of Sacraments to make meere tokens markes of our Profession obligation vnto Christ and his church the Iesuite doth openly wrong our Doctors Neyther doth he stay here but hath a farther fling at euery of them by course He exclaimeth on the opinion of Luther that sacraments strenghthen our faith as so absurd that nothing possibly could be devised more absurd And why I pray Because forsooth that is the vse of miracles for this is the sume of all he saith But absurd
Sacraments testimonies or scales of Gods promise Luther will haue that promise to be of present iustificatioâ— Caluin of eternall election And least he should 〈◊〉 to say an vntruth he cites a place out of Calâ—â—n Antidor conciliâ— Sess 6. ca. 5. as if he should there say that infants are baptized not to the end they might be receiued into adoption of the sonnes of God but that vnto them the promise of life might be sealed vnto whome before by grace of predestination it pertained And out of the 7. Session and 8. Canon as if there hee should wright that the right end and vse of sacraments is this to ascertaine vs of the eternall adoâ—tion grace whereunto before the foundation of the world we were predestinated Thus farre the Iesuite but all impudently without shame For Caluin in neither place speaketh one â—ote of eternall electioÌ„ or the grace of predestination Only in the former this he saith Insants are for this reason baptized because they are heires of the promise For vnlesse the promise of life did before pertaine vnto theÌ„ that man should prophane baptisme whosoeuer did but minister it vnto them In the latter these are his wordes Allthough baptisme be the hand-wrighting of that mutuall obligation which is betweene God vs yet the especiall vse thereof is to assure vs of free remission of our sinnes and perpetuall grace of adoption But is this to deny that sacraments are seales of the promise of preseÌ„t iustification Is this to restraine sacraments onely to thinges past as namely to the grace of electioÌ„ But this is Bellarmines trust and fidelity in citing the wordes and sentences of the Fathers and our Doctors Such are his two whole volumes of disputations namely a rude rable of false quotatioÌ„s which if the learned shall vouchsafe in courtesie to examine they shall soone see this doubtie disputant left as as dry as a kexe But to the purpose That the sacraments are seales of our eternall election although I deny not but that in the lawfull vsing and worthy receiuing of them it is most true yet remember I not that Caluin hath any where thus written nay the Vbiquitaries of our daies slander Caluin Beza as maintainers of a cleane contrary error to witt that they vtterly deny the sacraments to be seales of our election which also is altogether false But the simple naked truth of Calvines doctrine is this Sacraments profite beeing vsed a righte and doe exhibit seale and confirmâ— grace vnto the worthy receiuer not in regard eyther of the worke wrought or the deserte of the worker but in respecte of the promise of God instituting or ordaininge them as also through the faith of the worthy receiuer And here by grace he vnderstandeth euen our saluation it selfe together with all the precedent causes meanes and consequentes thereof such as are our free election remission of sinnes regeneration sanctification and life eternall So that by the name of grace he coÌ„priseth both grace past and already giuen togither with that which is preseÌ„t and to come but especially that which is there in the sacramente exhibited and present For euen our election before the world was is sealed and and assured vnto vs by the sacraments not as it is from aleternities decreed by God or as a thing done heretofore and past but as the present and constante decree of God reuealed in the Gospell concerning our saluation in Christ and by the same sacramentes everlasting life is confirmed not as a future good but as already we haue takeÌ„ possession thereof by faith For confirmation of this truth I could produce an infinite number of testimonies out of Caluin his Christian institution but it shall suffice to refute the Iesuite by the couÌ„ter-poyson of his CouÌ„sels Can 7. on the sacraments Caluin saith thus God in the sacrameÌ„ts doth promise grace not only of election but also of iustification Can. 4. Sacramentes are seales of the Gospell And can it bee denied but that the Gospell is a promise of actuall present iustification by faith Can 8. In baptisme God washeth vs by the bloode of his son by his spirite doth regenerate vs. In the sacrament of the supper he feedeth vs with the body and blood of Christ Can 7. of baptisme this is a principall part of baptisme that is assureth us of free remission of all our sins what is this els but present sustification and these may serue to coÌ„vince the Iesuit of a militious slaÌ„der coÌ„cerning the seals of our electioÌ„ that Calvâ—â— vnderstandeth them not onely of things past But who seeth not his absurd collection that if the Sacraments may goe for seales of our eternall election that then they shall not be seales of present iustification Are not election iustification subordinate and consequents one of the other so farre are they from abolishing one the other that the contrary should rather be infered they are seales of our eternall election therefore of iustification present grace For iustification is so proper naturall an affecte of election that there can be had no certainty of the latter without assurance of the former For they who are iustified in Christ are also chosen to him before the foundation of the world Whome God hath prâ—destinated these also hath he called iustified and glorified Now then let the Iesuite with open mouth exclaÌ„e on Caluins opinion as false absurde dangerous and impious And why forsooth false Because saith he Caluin contrary to that which the Scripture teacheth restrayneth Sacraments only vnto the thinge past namely to the grace of election But this cauill is already refuted And why absurde Because saith he he reacheth that by the Sacraments the promises are sealed vnto our consciences yet that infantes are lawfully baptised which noyther haue vse of reason nor conscience But we haue already sufficiently proued that neyther infantes borne in the Church of beleeuing parentes are altogether voyde of reason oâ— faith if we respecte the promised grace although actually they haue neyther the faith nor reason which is in those of riper yeares nor that baptising of Children confirmation of their faith by Sacraments is therfore to be differred because they doe not beleeue seeing of the Sacramentes there are other endes purposes whereunto they are ordained But why pernicious and dangerous Because he teacheth that the children of the faithfull are borne iust and holy and hath perswaded many that the sacraments are not necessary vnto the receiving of the grace of Christ Whence it is come to passe that many contemne the said sacraments and in the meane while the soules of many infantes never purified by the saving vvaters of baptisme abide in perpetuall corruption And is it in deed pernicious to teach that the children of the faithfull are borne holy that is not straungers but heires of the covenaÌ„t according to that promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seede That
to baptise the professors of faith whether hypocrites or no. For the church iudgeth not of things so secret but only the hart-searching God The like reason serveth for all other Ministers which ought to iudge of those that are to bee baptised not according to Gods predestinatioÌ„ but mans professioÌ„ Christs commandement This if they doe themselues are not sacrilegious but the reprobate hypocrits who vnreverently and irreligiously presse to the sacraments But fie on that his blasphemy where hee saith that if sacraments bee ministred vnto reprobate hypocrites yet vnrevealed then God must lie by the mouth of the minister Did God thinkest thou lie by Peters mouth when he baptised Simon Magus He setiously and sincerely by his word sacrament offereth adoption and grace vnto al purposing also to bestow it but coÌ„ditionally if they beleeue coÌ„mandeth theÌ„ to beleeue and receiue by faith the grace offered But to infidels and hypocrites he is so far froÌ„ promising or sealing any grace of adoption and election wheÌ„ they force themselues vnto the sacrament that he threatneth them with a terrible and feareful iudgement Hee therefore is true in offering howsoeuer the grace offered to the vnbeleeuers be of none effect But saith the Iesuite he doth not onely offer but indeede also bestowe it when men are indeede baptized We graunt it For this Calvin also confesseth in Antidot Artic. Paris speaking on this manner The godly do all confesse that in baptisme is offered yea exhibited or giuen vnto vs both remission of our sins grace of the holy spirite But saith he els where these good fathers by reason of their grossenesso doe not here obserue that what grace so euer is by sacraments bestowed on vs must notwithstanding be imputed vnto faith For he which sondereth faith from the sacrameÌ„rs doth as â—f he seuered the soule froÌ„ the body God therefore doth indeed giue that which he offereth but vnto those that beleeue To the vnbeleeuing he neyther promiseth nor performeth any thinge as longe as they continew in their vnbeleife that through their owne fault because by infidelity they refused the good offered as much as in them lieth make a mocke of God which offereth it This Cauill therefore of the lesuites is no lesse impudent and blasphemous against God then was that of the Iewes who accused God of perfidiousnesse vnlesse he would performe the couenant eveÌ„ to the vnbeleeuers which the Apostle retorting shall saith hee their vnbeleife make the faith of God vaine God forbidae Let God be 〈◊〉 euery man a lyar Well then Let vs now returne the Iesuites blasphemy vpon his head Both he his mailler Lombard teach that reprobation is nothing else but that some there are on whom God will haue no mercy For so doeth the maister of sentences define it Suppose theÌ„ that the Iesuite even by the very worke wrought either of baptisme or of the masse should bestow the grace of sanctificatioÌ„ vpon Simon Magus or the like reprobate shall not hee and the sacrament become now sacrilegious in conferring grace on a reprobate of whom God will haue no mercy may shall not he make God himselfe a lier and contrary to himselfe in his name bestowing or testifying vnlesse he altogither exclude God out of the sacraments that God himselfe bestoweth the grace of sanctâ—fication on a reprobate on whom notwithstanding hee hath for all eternity decreed to bestowe nothing and on whom God will haue no mercy From this blasphemy howe the Iesuite can acquite himselfe maintaining his opinion of the worke wrought let him looke to it But howsoeuer he acquite himselfe he must withall discharge Calvin of the cavill devised against him Let this suffice briefly for answere to the perverse peevishnesse of this stage declaiming Iesuit The rest which hee disputeth towardes the ende pertaineth nothing to vs well they may prevaile vpon those against whom they were vvritten namely Swenckefield his brethren Vbiquitaries common corrupters of the doctrine of Christ his person and the sacraments A PREFACE TO THE FOVRTH PART OF the Catechisme wherin are desciphered the pestilent pamphlets of some Divines of this age and Calvin the most valiant Champion defendant of Christ his glory is briefely cleered of the slaunderous crime of Arrianisme * ⎠* THe argumeÌ„t of this part which is Of mans thankfullnesse towards God enforceth me to enter the Common complaint of all the godly against the bruit blockishnesse and foule in gratitude of the world which after so many inestimable benefits heaped by almightye God most aboundantly on these our latter daies hath onely thus farre profited that vnthankfull men continually become worse and worse as if they had sworne perpetual warre against so good a God gracious a benefactor For howe huge a cloud of witnesses of Gods coÌ„tinuall kindnesse doth enuiron vs round about what hath been denied vnto this age that men could haue wished thereby to haue made this life happy blessed I speake not of blessingee common or generall how many how pretious are those we haue receiued in particular The light of the Gospel sincerity of doctrine renewed the purity of sacraments the trew worshippe of God and reading of holy scripture restored the discouery of Antichrist the chasing of darknesse the flight of supersticion the ruine of of idolatry the liberty of the church after long seruitude restored These so inestinable treasures how few of vs doe worthily regard not rather with bestiall blockishnesse overpasse or shameles impudency disdaine One saide some times of the Athenians that they knew what was good but did it not How much more may we Christians be ashamed of our selues who not only do not that which we know to be good and know it by the light of the Gospell not as they did by the light of nature but also doe euen those thinges which we know are not good The whole worlde is now possessed with security profanenes ambition luxurye envy contempte of doctrine abuse of sacraments surfet of preaching what not How many are there of those which withhold the truth in vnrighteousnesse of those which professe God in their knowledge but deny him in their life of backesliding Apostataes who eyther inforced by the vnstaâ—ednesse of theâ— owne conceipt looke backe to the Aegigptian flesh-pottes or beguiled by seducing spirites daily reuolt from Christ to Antichrist like dogges returning to their yoâ— mit but this ingratitude is perhappes a fault incident to the common sort O then that the greater part of our Prelates would ascend vnto these breaches and draw a counter-mure and sence before the house of Israel not lyke subtile foxes secke to fatâ—e themselues with the spoiles publique scandales of the church as Ezechiel complained of the prophets of his time It hath bin euer a great plague vnto the church to make sale of the word of Gâ—d or wrest it to the affections of men to the lust fauour
Sermone de Euch. 〈…〉 Thinke not wheÌ„ yee come to these mysteries that yee receiue the Lordes body at the hands of a maÌ„ that is to say the Minister with many other such like places II. The second proposition The things signified I meane the body and bloude of the Lord are not received WITH IN and VNDER the bread and wine by the mouth of the body Reasons of the second proposition 1 The first is because they are not bodily present with in and vnder the signes as hath beene shewed quest â— propos 2. 2 The secoÌ„d iâ— because they passe into the belly which is the receptacle appointed for bodily meates 1. Cor. 6. 13. For all which entereth in at the mouth goeth downe into the belly Mat. 13. 3. The third is because the promise wherin the things are offered is not receiued by the mouth III The third proposition The thinges signified suppose The lordes bodie and bloud are receiued spritually by faith 1 The first reason is deriued from the conditioÌ„ of the whole kinde because in SacrameÌ„ts the things signified are receiued by faith by which alone as we are iustified so we receiue all the benefites of the new Testament 2 The second is because the promise of grace is not apprehended but by faith Nowe the communion of the body and bloud of Christ is the promise of grace See Vrsin Volum 1. Pag. 103. The argument of a certeine famous Disputant framed in defence of the eatinge Christs body with our mouth Ob. To whatsoeuer instrument the eating of one thing in the Lords Supper appertaineth to the same the eating of the other ought to appertaine But the eating of one body that is the bread in the Lordes Supper appertaineth to the mouth Therefore the eating of the other which is Christs body appertaineth to the same Ans 1 The Maior is true in such meates as are naturally conioined of containe one the other of the which sort is a a Pye Now the bread and the body of Christ are not so ioined togither In these then it is false The Maior thus he proues Whosoeuer includeth in the same worde of eating both bread and wine the body blood of Christ affirmeth also that they are both receiued vvith the same instrument But Christ includeth both bread wine his body bloud in one the same worde of eating Therefore CHRIST affirmeth that they are both received with the same instrumeÌ„t of eating Ans 1. The proofe of the Maior faileth because an vniuersal affirmatiue should be concluded in Barbara 2 The Maior beggeth that which is in controversie and is denyed The falsenesse thereof appeareth Iohn the third where CHRIST includeth in the same worde of birth the spirit and the flesh and yet it followeth not that they both are borne after the same manner or by the same instrument 3 The Minor also is false For this worde of eating is referred to the hollyed breade not to the bodie but by way of consequence For it properly pertaineth vnto that which the Lord tooke in his handes and brake which was bread and not his body This reason is vvorthy the marking for that according to the Papistes and such as simplie mainetaine Consubstantiation the bodie of CHRIST is not there before the wordes of consecration as they call them are pronounced but beginneth to bee there in the very last instante of the pronouncing of these wordes This is my bodie But according to the Vbiquitaries which are as it were chymicall consubstantiators it is there indeede as in any other breade but it is not yet edible vntill after consecration CHRIST then commaunded not to eate that with our mouth in the breade which as yet was not in the breade or as yet was not edible Then againe he proues the Maior of his former syllogisme A word having but one signification is to be taken but in one But eating both of the breade and of the body of Christ hath but one signification viz. with the mouth It is then to bee taken in one signification of both Ans 1. Heere againe faileth the proofe of the Maior being an vniversall affirmatiue which should haue bin concluded in Barbara 2 The Minor is a begging of that which is in coÌ„troversie The third question Vnto whom these things are offered and of whâ—â— they are receiued Heereunto is there made aunswere in tvvo Propositions both being affirmatiue 1. Proposition The things signified are receiued by the faithful aloÌ„e 1 Reason Because only they that beleeue receiue the promises by faith 2 Reason Because they alone that beleeue haue the spirit of Christ from the which his life-giuing fleshe cannot be separated 3 Reason Because in them onely that beleeue Christ remaineth and they in Christ Eph. 3 17. 4 Reason Because they alone that beleeue receiue and haue life Ioh 3 6. 2. Proposition The vngodly comming without faith receiue the signes without the things themselues Looke the reasons as they are set downe in the Church pag 58â— Looke the obiections for the eating of the vngodâ—y Ibid. pag. 5â—2 A BRIEFE EXPLICATION OF the whole controversie concerning the Lordes supper betweene the Consubstantials and the true beleevers The chiefe pointes of this explication 1 What errors the Consubstantials impute vnto vs. 2 The arguments of the Consubstantials against our doctrine of the supper 3 The shifts of the Consubstantials including some of our obiections 4 Arguments against the presence and corporall eating of the body of Christ IN WITH and VNDER bread 5 The arguments wherby the opinion of the Vbiquitaries is refelled and the truth of sound doctrine confirmed The errors which the Consubstantials falsly impute vnto vs with their refutation Ob. IN the doctrine of of the Lordes Supper there are say the Consubstantials two extreams to be avoided for both every vertue every truth standeth betweene two extremes The one is of the Papistes the other of the Sacramentaries and on each side it seemes to be fourfould The errors of the Papistes are 1 Transsubstantiation 2 The worshippe of bread 3. The sacrifice of the masse 4. A maiming of the sacrameÌ„t Ans They set downe indeede the errors of the Papistes but they cannot refute them because their opinion agreeth more with the opinion of the Papists then ours doth For first although they teach not Transubstantiation yet they teach Consubstantiation whereof there is nothing delivered in the word of God 2 Whereas they teach the bodilie presence of Christ it must needs be that they also worship Christ in the bread whom they suppose to bee bodily present in vnder with and to the bread which is a thing no lesse idolatrous then if they worshipped the bread For wheresoever Christ is whether in a visible or invisible manner there he is to be worshipped 3 They establish the sacrifice of the Masse because as it hath bin already said whilest they are bound to worship Christ in the bread they are enforced to aske of
the minde in chusing and therfore compreheÌ„deth both faculties that is to say of vnderstanding and will 3 Free-wil therfore is a facultie or power of willing or nilling chusing or refusing without constraint of its owne proper motion or aptnesse to either of both which the vnderstanding telleth is to be chosen or refused 4 Two things therfore there are which are coÌ„moÌ„ to that free wil which is in God that which is in reasonable creatures the first that they doe al things with deliberation and counsel or by helpe of the vnderstanding shewing the obiect the second that the will of its owne accord and naturall force without constraint willeth or nilleth that which the minde hath conceaved 5 But the differences betweene that freedome which is in God that which is in the creatures are three the first is in the vnderstaÌ„ding because God from al eternity doth most perfectly vnderstand and beholde all things neither can be ever be ignorant of any thing or any way erre in iudgment the second is in the will because Gods wil is ruled bowed or dependeth of no other cause theÌ„ of it selfe but the wils of Angels and men are in such sort the causes of their owne actions and motions that neverthelesse by the secret counsell of God and his power and efficacie ever and every-where present they are mooved to the choice or refusal of obiects either immediately by God or by instruments and meanes sometimes good sometimes bad such as it best pleaseth God to vse and it is impossible for them to do any thing without the eternall and immutable counsell of God The thirde is both in the vnderstanding and also in the wil because God as he knoweth all things immutably so also he hath decreed from everlasting willeth immutably all thinges which are done as they are good and permitteth them as they are sins but as in creatures the knowledg iudgmeÌ„t of things is mutable so also is their will 6 This liberty in meÌ„ is lost by sin but beginneth to be renued in ouâ— regeneratioÌ„ shal be perfectly restored in the life eternal So that the 4. divers estates of meÌ„ which are distinguished in time doe make 4. degrees therof 7 The first degree of liberty was in our nature before the fall wherein our will was fit to perfourme her whole obedience to Gods law yet not so confirmed but that being tempted by the divell vvith some shew of good it might fall from that obedience by its owne proper motion 8 Yet because the creatures perâ—isting in obedience cannot be but by confirmation from God mans will did yeeld vnto temptation in deed willingly but withal necessarily and being fallen into sinne lost that libertie vnto God which it had to make choise of evil or good and being turned from retained only liberty or freedome to evil 9 Therfore the second degree of liberty is least of al which is nature decaied but not as yet regenerat wherin though there be a wil fit to perform the external discipline of the law yet because it cannot so much as begin the internal spirituall obedience without which al external works eveÌ„ the best in shew are sin condeÌ„ned by God the wil leaveth not to chuse freely but yet it caÌ„ chuse nothing but sin because of inherent corruption and turning away from God 10 The third is in man renued but not as yet glorified in whom the will vseth her libertie freedome partly to wel doing partly to evil doing For because it is regenerate by the holy Ghost it is againe inclined to obey God but because this regeneration is not yet perfect there remaine yet some evil inclinatioÌ„s wherfore it begiÌ„neth indeed spiritual obedieÌ„ce pleasing god but caÌ„not perfit it in this life but then and so farre it doth well and persevereth in that which is good when as far as it is guided and gouerned by the holy Ghost 11. The fourth degree is the chiefest and most perfect in the life eternall or after our glorification wherin our will shall be able to vse her liberty onely to that which is good and not to choose that which is evill because of our perfect knowledge feruent loue of God thorow inclinatioÌ„ to righteousenesse and hatred of sinne and perpetuall direction of the holy Ghost 12. This doctrine of free will must needes bee retained in the church that so the cheifest most perfect libertie and immutabilitie effectinge all good in vs may be attributed onely to God as the first cause all excuse may be taken from sinners and to the end that being trewly humbled before God by knowledge of our miserie corruption we may of him alone craue the preseruation and perfiting of our saluation and being coÌ„victed by testimonies from God himselfe may the rather be mooued to faith and obedience to his worde 12. OF FAITH 1. This worde faith taken in his largest signification doth implie a certaine and sure knowledg by proofe of such witnesses as are thought vnlikly to deceaue 2. In the doctrine of the church there are foure sortes of faith mentioned an historicall a temporary a miraculous and a iustifying faith 3. Historicall faith is a knowledge perswaded of the truth of such thinges as are set downe by the Prophets and Apostles 4. Temporarie faith is a knowledg of the doctrine of the church together with ioy conceaued vpon knowledge of the truth or other true or seeming good things without applying the promise of grace to him that beleeueth and therefore without trew conuersion or final perseuerance 5. Miraculous faith or a faith wherby miracles are wrought is a sure knowledge by special revelation of Gods will of working some miracle at his request or prediction by whome it is to bee wrought 6. Iustifying faith is that knowledge wherby a man doth strongly perswade himselfe of the truth of all Gods word reuealed vnto him assuring himselfe that the promise of Gods grace through Christ pertaineth vnto him and in confidence of this fauour of God towardes him overcommeth all sorrowe and feare 7. For this confidence of iustifying faith is a motion of our will and heart composed of ioy in the certaintie of Gods present grace towards vs hope of future deliverance from all evill 8. There is therfore no faith but that which is grounded on the revealed will of God 9 The holy Ghost worketh all faith is vs either by the voice of heauenly doctrine or by immediate revelation 10. But wheras it is the wil of God ordinarily to kindle cherish confirme faith in vs by the doctrine of the church all are bound to hearken meditate theron 11. Many hypocrites in the church haue hade temporarie faith historicall faith and faith of miracles is common to the good and evill iustifying faith is in this life giuen onely to all these that are elected to eternall life 12. Iustifying faith doth alwaies comprehend in it historicall faith but is not alwaies
from sin Mat. 26. 26. 28. the bread wine is the body bloud of Christ And 1. Cor. 10. 16. It is called the communion of the body and bloud of Christ And so expoundeth it selfe Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 12. Circumcision is a signe of the covenant Exod. 12. 27. The paschall lambâ— was a signe of the passeover Exod. 31. 14. The sabbaoth a perpetuall signe of grace and sanctification Heb. 9. 24. Ceremonies are similitudes types of true things Marc. 16. 16. He that beleeveth and is baptised shal bee saued Luc. 22. 21. The bread of the Lords supper is commanded to be eaten in remembrance of Christ 8 The lawfull vse of sacraments is when such as are converted obserue those rites which God hath commaunded for such ends as God ordained the sacraments The proofe That onelie is the lawfull vse vvhich agreeth with Gods institution but the institution comprehendeth these circumstances of persons rites and endes therefore these once broken the fignes are presentlie abused Esa Ier. 7. Psal 50. 9 In this vse the things signified are alwaies taken togither with the signes The proofe For thus much the rites do signifie the promise annexed to the rites doth containe as Mar. 16. He which shall beleeue and be baptised shall bee saued but God is true speaking to vs as well by signes as by wordes Therefore the signes are not in vainâ— though the things be taken in one sorte the signes in an other 10 But without the vse appointed by God which is not without conversion neither the ceremonies haue the nature of a sacrameÌ„t nor gods benefits thereby signified are receiued with the signes The proofe The signes of the covenant confirme nothing to them which keepe not the covenant or substitute others in their places or refer them to an other end but sacraments are signes of the covenant wherby God bindeth himselfe to grant vs freelie remission of sins eternal life for Christ ergo they confirme not them in the grace of God which are without faith and repentance or vse other rites or to other purpose then God hath appointed Besides it is superstitious and idolatrous to attribute the â—estâ—fying of Gods grace either to an externall worke without promise or to a worke devised by men Wherfore this abuse of sacraments hath not the grace of God annexed vnto it or confirmeth any man therin as it is said Rom. 2. 25. CircuÌ„cisioÌ„ availeth if thou keepe the law but if thou be a traÌ„sgressor of the law thy circumcision is made vncircumcision 11 The Godly receiue these signes to their salvation the vvicked to their condemnation but onely the godly can receiue the things signified to their salvation The proofe Vs saith Peter vz. which beleeue amongest whome hee reckneth himselfe baptisme saveth not the washing away of the filth of the flesh but the request of a good conscience vnto God And Paule 1. Corinth 10. 16. the breade which wee breake is the communion of Christs bodie And whereas the Sacraments are an external instrument wherby the holy Ghost cherisheth preserveth our faith is followeth that as the preaching of the word so they also further the saluatioÌ„ of the faithful But contrariwise the wicked by abuse of sacrameÌ„ts coÌ„teÌ„pt of and his benefites which are offered them in the worde sacraments and confession of that doctrine which with a trewe faith they do not embrace heape vnto themselues the anger of God and fearfull punnishment according to these sayings He that offereth an oxe is as if he killed a man hee which offereth a ramme is as if hee slew a dog c. Esa 66. 3. He which eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth drinketh his owne damnation not making any difference of the Lordes bodie for this cause manie amongst you are weake and sicke and many are fallen a sleepe 1. Cor. 11. 27. But the things signified because they are receaued only by faith and are either the true causes of saluatioÌ„ or saluatioÌ„ it selfe namely Christ and his benefittes they neither can be receaued by the wicked nor of any but vnto saluation as Christ saith Ioh. 6. 12. But in the elect after they are converted the fruits of a sacrament though vnworthily receaued do in the end follow The proofe The promise and the signes of that promise which hath a coÌ„dition of faith annexed vnto it are ratified and take effect whensoeuer the condition is performed but such 〈◊〉 the promise which is signified and confirmed by the sacraments therfore if there be faith beleeuinge the promise and signes whether in the vse or after the things promised and signified are then receaued I might deale with thee as thou hast done when thou didest despise the oath in breakinge the couenant Nevertheles I will remeÌ„ber my couenant made with thee in the daies of thy youth wil coÌ„firme vnto thee an euerlasting couenant 13. Of sacraments some are once onely to be receaued some often-times some are to be ministred onely to those of ripe yeares others euen to infants also according as they are ordained for once making a couenaunt with all those that are conuerted and which are to be receaued into the church as circumcision and baptisme or instituted to renue the couenant and preserue the vnitie and fellowship of the church after our fall coÌ„flict against temptatioÌ„ as the arke the paschal lambe with other sacrifices the Lords supper The proofe The iterating or renewing of baptisme is no where commaunded the reason is manifested because those sacraments are instituted to be an initiating or solemn receauing into the church which is euer firme to him that repenteth or persevereth But the iteratioÌ„ of the vse of other sacraments is commaunded as in sacrafices in the Paschal lamb in worshiping before the arke in sanctifying and clensing it is apparent Also of the Lordes supper it is said As often as yee do this yee shall shew the Lords death The reason is because they are testimonies that the couenant begunne in circumcision baptisme is ratified and firme to him that repenteth And this often exercising of our faith is necessarie 14. The thinges common to the sacramentes of the new and olde testament are those which are before set downe in the definition of a sacrament The differences betweene both are these that the sacraments of the olde testament did prefigure Christ which was then to 〈◊〉 the sacramentes of the newe testament represent vnto vs Christ with all his benefits being alreadie come the olde were others and more rites as circumcision sacrifices washings the Pascall lambe the sabbaoth worshipping before the arke c the new are likewise others and onlie tvvo baptisme the supper of the Lord the old were obscure the new are more plaine easie the old were commanded to Abrahams posteritie their housholds the new to the whole church culled and collected out of Iewes and Gentiles The proofe That one definition serveth for the sacraments of both new and
is the Iesuite himselfe who therefore remoueth the Generall Difference from one Kind because it agreeth with the other whereas he caÌ„not be ignorant that General Differences are coÌ„monly indifferently in all their Kindes Is not this the generall vse of all diuine signes to put men 〈◊〉 mynde of Gods pleasure benefites and to seale vnto vs the certainety of our faith in his promises for therfore doth God â—incke those signes with his word that so he might prouide for our weaknes confirme vnto vs his promises Yf the Iesuite make doubt hereof let him ouer-runne the scripture from the first Sacrament or immortality in Paradise vnto the last signes of â—he small comminge of Christ he shall finde they agree all in this as well vniuersall as particular as well those that were deliuered in things naturall as miraculous as well ordinary as extrâ—ordinary But I hope he will not deny that a miracle is a diuine signe Lombard himselfe can teach him that a Sacrament is one sorte of diuine signes Miracles therfore sacraments agree in this vse but that miracles are seales either of the whole doctrine in generall or of some certaine promise Sacraments onely especially of the promise of grace Neyther makes it to the purpose that he saith miracles are of themselues knowne depend not any way on preaching that Sacraments are not vnderstood vnlesse they be confirmed by the testimony of the word 〈…〉 speaketh 〈◊〉 the force of miracles is vaine They may indeed of themselues strike into 〈…〉 but they can no more of them selues teach confirme that heauenly doctrine whereof they are seales then can the Sacraments without declaration of their doctrine Besydes how followes this 〈…〉 themselues do not seale vnto vs the promiâ—es as 〈…〉 they do not at all seale theÌ„ Suppose miracles haue force efficacy of themselues that hinders not but that Sacraments also may haue their force efficacye by the appointment of God For both naturall miraculous and also voluntary signes doe signifie though in one sorte the flame be signified by smoake in an other the power of God by miracle in a third the promise of grace by sacrament After this he scoffes at that comparison as foolish wherein our wrighters lyken the worde to Princes Charters oâ— Letters Patentes and the Sacrament to their seales maintaining the contrary that the word rather should be called the seale of the sacrament theÌ„ the SacrameÌ„t the seale of the worde And why so Because saith hee as the seale without the wrighting hath his force and not the wrighting without the seale so the word of God euen without sacrament hath very great authority the Sacrament without the worde none at all But twise ridiculous and foolish is the Iesuite first in attributinge force to the seale without the wrighting none to the wrighting without the seale secondly in making the worde a seale because of it selfe it hath authority For tell me Bellarmine what force hath the Popes leaden bull or what doth it seale vnto you being plucked from his pardon and if you deny that the wrightings charters are acknowledged without their seales I answere that this is neither generally nor of it selfe true Did you neuer see any billes hand-writings acquittances or rescriptes of Princes ratifyed without their seales The wrightings even of good men much more of Princes most especially of God himselfe haue and deserue sufficient authority in themselues as appeareth in times past how the wrightings of Emperors were wont to bee confirmed rather by markes subscribed then by waxen seales But by accident that is by reason of the fraile faith life of man it is now come to passe that wrightings though confirmed by many seales are scarsely sure enough Now what folly is it in you of the word to make a seale because without any sacrament it is of sufficient authority whatsoeuer is in it selfe authenticke will you presently take that for a seale A seale is the visible signe of any writting whose vse is not so much to adde authority as to ascertaine vs of the truth Such a signe is not the word of God But it is more fitly compared vnto wrightings because therein God instructeth his Church in his will doth as it were bequeath vnto it certaine goods or good things It hath in it selfe authority from God the author the sacraments are thereunto added as seales not as you suppose that from them it might receiue authority but that by them God might strengthen our feeblenesse infirmity For they are visible pictures or rather the promises themselues attired in certaine ceremonyes as it were visible wordes as Austin pretely termeth them because they picture and present vnto our eies those benefites which the vvorde soundeth vnto our eares But more credit is giuen to a thinge seene then onely heard Thirdely he cavilles with Luther in this sorte If a sacrament were nothinge els but an instrument to stirre vp and nourish â—aith in vs why are infantes mad men and men asleepe sometimes baptized in the Church But why doth he not lykewise make a question of belles churches altars let your church if it will baptize madde men and men asleepe as for infantes of the church of Christ we answere that they indeed although wanting the vse of reason are notwithstanding baptized because of the commaundement and promise of God But you will saye they do no beleeue ergo baptisme confirmes not their faith Deny not what you know not They beleeâ—e not as men of age ergo beleeue they not at all yf this be true why may not this also be as true they are not reasonable as men of age therefore they are not reasonable at all To them is promised the holy Ghost workinge faith in vs to them is promised the grace of the couenantâ— the kingdome of God And although actually they do not beleeue yet why may they not as well by inclination beleeue through grace as by inclination they sin through nature As therefore they beleeue so baptisme is vnto them a seale confirming their faith But who sayd a Sacrament was nothing else but an instrument to stirre vp nourish our faith there are more vses of a Sacrament besides this But admit baptisme doe not confirme fayth in insants yet it will confirme them when they are come to age For the fruit of baptisme is not restrayned to one moment witnesse Austen Lombard himselfe Yet are they to be baptized that their adoption regeneration may be sealed vnto theÌ„ and they distinguished from Infidels which things as they are not to be accounted nothing so truly we doubt not but that through baptisme they are imparted sealed vnto the infantes of the church not as you teach because of the worke don but in regard of the Institution appointment of Christ Thus therefore the Iesuite seeth how the baptisme of Children doth not
dissemble or take away the confirmation of faith But here masking wholy vnder a vizard of the Anabaptistes Infants saith he who while they are in baptizing crye struggle either vnderstand what is doing or not yf they doe not vnderstand neyther doe they beleeue and are in vaine baptized then the Anabaptistes preuaile yf they vnderstand then are they willfull sinners sacrilegious then againe the Anabaptistes preuaile Indeed the stage-man playeth his part cunningely But what if with an armed dilemma as he termeth it I should lykewise say The Iesuite that writt this is eyther a good man or a cauiller If a good man he should not so haue tyed then wee haue the better if a cauiller he should not be beleeued then againe we haue the better Is not this the like reason Either horne and part of the Iesuites dilemma is deceiptfull and in the former there is a double fallacy First froÌ„ that which is but partely true he concludeth as if it were simply and wholy true as where he reasoneth thus Infants do not vnderstand ergo they do not beleue it is true of the actes and vse not of the possibilitie of beleefe I meane that possibilitie not which wee haue by nature but by grace of that promise I will be thy God the God of thy seede Secondly he disputeth from that which is no cause as if it were a true cause thus Infants do not actually beleeue ergo they ought not to be baptized For the cause of baptizing of infants is not the actuall vnderstandinge or beleefe of infants but the promise pertaining vnto them as being children of the couenant Church as Peter wittnesseth Let every one be baptized in the name of Iesus Christ c. because to you and to your children is the promise made In the latter part of his argument is the same sophisme Infantes when they are to be baptized cry struggle often vse mishapen distorted motions But why is it because they striue against the sacred action of baptisme no but because some other thinge grieueth them as that they endure some passion paynefull to their tender infancye But what thinkes the Iesuit of those Infants which were vnder bloudy circumcision what thinkes he of Abraham an oldeman of the males of his familye of the Sichemites was there thinkes he no struggling no mishapen or distorted motion Or why should he rather terme infants sacrilegious then he doth his Vestal Nannes who in tune of their confession penance and communicating so lessoned by the Eâ—â—ers do often let fall many à tender teare who in sacred actions vse more misshapen motions then the Preist at Masse nay did the Iesuit himselfe never weep for devotion in saying Masse and so proue himselfe sacrilegious Bellarmineâ— so great a Doctor me thinke should be a shamed of so childish trifles Here what Austin sayth of this matter Wheras infants striue as much as they can by cryes shrinkings it is not imputed vnto them all their resistance is accounted nothing c. because they know so little what they doe that they are not thought to do it the like vnto this we may read in his 23 Epistle in his 4. booke 25. Chapter of Baptisme against the Donatistes In the end he dismisseth Luther with this fruÌ„p I pray 〈◊〉 what Gospell Apostle or Prophet did he euer read that Sacraments of the new Testament were seals of the worde of God was it belike in the Gospell of Saint Luther But where as he sayth were seales of the worde of God for were seales of the promise of grace it is but a cunning peece of forgery thereby to make vs seeme to repose all the authority of Gods worde on the Sacraments which we before haue refuted Thus he presumes to pul a dead lyon by the beard whose very lookes were he liuing he durst not abide But I pray Sir tell vs first in what Gospell you read that Sacraments are not seales of the promise of Grace nor confirme our faith but that they bestowe grace that they iustifie sanctifie if they be of the old testament by vertue of the very actioÌ„ of the receiuer if of the new by the worke done eveÌ„ without faith or any good inteÌ„t or motioÌ„ of the receiuers wheras contrary-wise the scripture speaketh playnly that Circumcision profittethâ— them that keepe the lawe but to the transgressors thereof it is vncircumcision Those which beleeue and are baptized shall be saued Wee must examine our selues 〈◊〉 so eate of this holy bread In what gospell I saye reade you this Belyke in som Layolan or GregorioÌ„ Calendar Now one the other side hearken where Luther hath reade that sacrameÌ„ts are seals of the promise of grace God sayth of circumcision That it may be a signe of the couenant betweene me and you But Paule interpreteth this couenant to be grace the righteousnesse of fayth Of the Passeover That bloud shall be vnto you for for a signe vpon those houses where yee are that seing that bloud I may passe over you But this Passeover did signifye the grace of Christ Of Baptisme Baptize all nations in the name that is in the authority commaundemâ—nt steede of the father the sonne the holy Ghost And Arise wash away thy sinnes And Baptisme is the washing of new birth Baptisme saueth vs. not that wherewith wee wash away the filth of 〈◊〉 but that whereby with a good conscience we make request vnto God Of the Lords Supper This cup is the new testameÌ„t in my blood Also Doe this in remembrance of me This if you vnderstand you haue the thinge you sought for namely where in scripture Sacraments of both lawes are said to be seales of grace For why as you vse to say should sacraments of the new testameÌ„t be of worse conditioÌ„ theÌ„ those of the old if you do not vnderstand you are not worthy to be called a maister in Israel which know not that naturally it belongeth vnto all sacraments to signifie seale vnto the faithfull some promise of grace Listen farther vnto the Fathers of the Church as Basil who confesseth plainly what you deny impudeÌ„tly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is For baptisme is the seale of saith And Tertullian speaking of baptisme in this sort This washing is a seale of our faith And Austen who termeth the sacraments certaine visible seales of heauenly thinges Do you not now blush at your owne question Where red Luther this So dismissing Luther he settes vpon Zwinglius taking vpon him to lash for sooth scourge his opinion That Sacramentes are signes of engadging our selues vnto God But we haue already proved that here the Stage-maÌ„ doth but play the caviller At the length rouzing himselfe more terribly against Caluin Betweene Luther saith he Caluin this is the difference that whereas hath â—ake the
therefore is likewise pernicious which the Apostle teacheth If the roote be holy the branches also are holie And the vnbeleeving wife is sanctified by her husbande else were your children vncleane but now they are holy And this is the chiefe comfort of godly parentes that they knowe that both branch and roote are sanctified that is that they their children may from their mothers wombe plead priviledge in the covenant with God by vertue of the free promise made vnto them and their seed after them But they are by nature the sonnes of wrath Who knowes not that Calvin teacheth both that they are the sonnes of wrath in regard of nature and sonnes of the covenant in respect of grace according to that of Saint Peter Yee are the sonnes of the Prophets nall election that then they shall not be seales of present iustification Are not election iustification subordinate and consequents one of the other so farre are they from abolishing one the other that the contrary should rather be infered they are seales of our eternall election therefore of iustification present grace For iustification is so proper naturall an affecte of election that there can be had no certainty of the latter without assurance of the former For they who are iustified in Christ are also chosen to him before the foundation of the world Whome God hath prodestinated those also hath he called iustified and glorified Now then let the Iesuite with open mouth exâ—â—aÌ„e on Caluins opinion as false absurde dangerous and impious And why forsooth false Because saith he Caluin contrary to that which the Scripture teacheth restrayneth Sacraments only vnto the thinge past namely to the grace of election But this cauill is already refuted And why absurde Because saith he he teacheth that by the Sacraments the promises are sealed vnto our consciences yet that infantes are lawfully baptised which neyther haue vse of reason nor conscience But we haue already sufficiently proued that neyther infantes borne in the Church of beleeuing parentes are altogether voyde of reason or faith if we respecte the promised grace although actually they haue neyther the faith nor reason which is in those of riper yeares nor that baptising of Children confirmation of their faith by Sacraments is therfore to be differred because they doe not beleeue seeing of the Scramentes there are other endes purposes whereunto they are ordained But why pernicious and dangerous Because he teacheth that the children of the faithfull are borne iust and holy and hath perswaded many that the sacraments are not necessary vnto the receiving of the grace of Christ Whence it is come to passe that many contemne the said sacraments and in the meane while the soules of many infantes never purified by the saving vvaters of baptisme abide in perpetuall corruption And is it in deed pernicious to teach that the children of the faithfull are borne holy that is not straungers but heires of the covenaÌ„t according to that promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seede That therefore is likewise pernicious which the Apostle teacheth If the roote be holy the branches also are holie And the vnbeleeving wise is sanctified by her husbande else were your children vncleane but now they are holy And this is the chiefe comfort of godly parentes that they knowe that both branch and roote are sanctified that is that they their children may from their mothers wombe plead privilege in the covenant with God by vertue of the free promise made vnto them and their seed after them But they are by nature the sonnes of wrath Who knowes not that Calvin teacheth both that they are the sonnes of wrath in regard of nature and sonnes of the covenant in respect of grace according to that of Saint Peter Yee are the sonnes of the Prophets of the covenant That is spoken against the Pelagians denying originall sinne this against the sophistes tying grace to the sacraments neither of these is perniciously taught because either 〈◊〉 according to scripture Let Calvines Christian institution be searched and his Commentary on those words of Saint Paule we are all by nature the sennes of wrath Thence may the Iesuite and Selneccer and Hunnius and all the rabble of Calvines adversaries learne that originall sinne is as naturall vnto vs as poison to a serpent yet neverthelesse the children of the faithful are a seede blessed even from their mothers wombe Or if it like them better let them heare and reconcile David confessing of himselfe Behold I am borne in sinne and my mother coÌ„ceived me to inquity And yet else-where he comfortes himselfe in this manner On thee haue I depended from the time wherein I was borne and from my mothers wombe thou art my God or God himselfe coÌ„plaining in this sort of mans nature The thought of mans heart is wicked from his childhood and yet Ieremie witnessing Before I framed thee in thy mothers belly I knew thee before thou camest out of her womb I sanctified thee Thus the Iesuite sees in what respect Calvin saith that infantes are borne holy namely not simply and wholy but in some sort I shall hardly beleeue vnlesse the Iesuites shewe it that it is found in Calvin that they are borne iust For in this life it is not all one to be holy and to be iust Now whereas hee patcheth this vnto the rest that Calvin hath perswaded many that the sacraments are not necessary vnto the receiving of the grace of Christ and that therevpon hath followed the conteÌ„pt of baptisme with the destructioÌ„ of many souls this is partly a cavill partly a plaine sophisme A cavill that Calvin should altogither deny the necessity of sacrameÌ„t a sophisme in imputing to his doctrine the contempt of baptisme which the Iesuite faineth to haue ensued therevpon Indeede he doth not binde God and grace vnto the sacraments nor falsly placeth in theÌ„ an absolute necessity as do these Sophisters His purpose is only with Bernard to condâ—ne not the absence but contempt of sacramentes But is this to persuade many that sacramentes are not necessary Heare I pray you what himselfe hath written of this matter in his â—â—stitution Now saith hee even hereby it appeareth that their conceit is to be cassiered who adiudge all that haue not beene baptized vnto eternall death c. The promise of God is manifest whosoever beleeveth in the sonne shall not see death nor come into iudgment but is already passed from death into life Which I would not haue so taken as if I meant that baptisme might be contemned without offence for I am so farre from excusing this contempt that I affirme the league and covenant of God thereby to bee violated and broken thus much it suffiseth to proue that it is not so necessary that we must needes thinke him damned who shall be debarred all meanes and opportunity of obtaining it But
if we yeeld to their devise we must without exception condemne all those whom any chance shall hinder from baptisme how great so ever bee their 〈◊〉 whereby Christ himselfe is possessed And in his Antidot 〈…〉 saith he that the vse of those helpes of our salvaâ—â—â—n which Christ hath giuen vnto vs may be said to be necâ—â—â—â—ry 〈◊〉 there is opportunity of receiving 〈◊〉 Howbeâ—â—â—he faithfull are alwaies to bee admonishâ—â— that the necessary of a sacrament is none other the◠〈…〉 wherevnto the power of God is not to 〈◊〉 Indeede there is no good man whose 〈…〉 tremble at that 〈◊〉 The SacrameÌ„ts ARE THINGS SVPERFLVOVS c. These are his word which thoroughly retort and refell the 〈…〉 But children are borne holy therefore they need not be baptised whence enâ—â—â—th a contempt of baptisme Nay rather contrarywise because they are borne holy that is sons and heires of the covenant they had neede be baptised For saith Calvin elsewhere they are not received into the church by baptisme for any other reason but because before they were borne they did appertaiâ—e vnto the body of Christ Otherwise the children of Christians ought no more to be baptized then the children of Turkes Wherefore Peter exhorteth the lews to be baptised in the name of Iesus Christ Wherefore because saith he the promise was made to you and to your children This therfore is the reason why baptisme is due vnto our children and not vnto the children of Turkes because they from their mothers wombs are childreÌ„ of the promise which these are not Wherefore the contempt of baptisme cannot ensue on that which vnto the godly is the chiefe motiue of desiring and ministring baptisme neither neede we to feare least that should turne to the destruction of soules wherevpon is grounded the especiall comfort of parentes children togither with the iust desire of baptisme And if the Iesuite proceed therefore to accouÌ„t the baptisme of childreÌ„ vaine because the infants of the church even from their birth are reckned in the covenant let me intreate him to learne of his maister Lombard that baptisme is a sacrament of remission of sinnes before graunted through faith But O heavy sentence pronounced by the Maister of Sentences Infantes dying vnbaptised though in carrying vnto baptisme are damned O not onely pernicious but impious also and cruell divinity of the Iesuites enthralling God vnto elements chaining his power with absolute necessity wil he nil he vnto signes and sacraments condemning no lesse bloudily then impiously vnto hel many thousands of infantes who without any faulte of theirs coulde not bee baptized yea although they be adiudged by Christ himselfe vnto the kingdome of heaven I know the authority of Austine is here pretended who writ that infantes dying vnbaptised must needes be damned but to milde and gentle damnation And if they so applaud this error of that most holy learned Father why doe they not as well mainetaine an other of the same Fathers altogither relying on the same 〈◊〉 that infantes likewise without receiving the 〈◊〉 sâ—pper cannot bee saved Heerevnto they force Saint Ambrose but the learned not without good cause doe rather thinke that Prosper was the author of those books wherein this is found then Ambrose For what Ambrose thought may appeare by his oration of the death of Valentinian as also how godly is the iudgement of Bernard concerning the godly not baptized God be mercifull vnto me For I cannot desparre of saluation for want onely of the water of baptisme I can not accoumpt faith vaine I can not confoud hope or forgoe charity especially it onely impossibility not contempt forbidde that water Last of all the Iesuite inueigheth against the opinion of Caâ—uen as impious But why because saith he it maketh the sacraments false the minister sacrilegiouse Gea himselfe altar as it were pertured For if a sacrament be a diuine oath seale wherby the promise of eternall election is sealed then as often as it falleth out which is very often that the reprobate are baptized euen so often is coÌ„meth to passe that the wordes of the sacrament are false God himselfe altar in the mouth of the minister This iniurious vntruth is more sharpe shamelesse then all the rest whose bull-warkes notwithstanding builded forsooth on the seales not of preseÌ„t grace but onely of election already past we haue sufficiently battered The rest is answered in a worde that sacraments do promise and seale vnto vs the grace of God if they be in their right vse which is not when they are received by the reprobate This only might suffice to cause the Iesuites cavill to vanish like smoake before the winde Howbeit I am content to answere more distinctly A sacrament doeth not become false though sometimes it bee in vaine ministred vnto the reprobate making shew of faith For in it selfe it stil remaineth a seale of grace though not vnto theÌ„ because they beleeue not as the sonne howsoever in it selfe glorious and glistring yet shineth it not vnto the blinde because they see not For it is a signe conditionall so offering and sealing grace vnto vs that withal on our parts it requireth faith conversion which whosoeuer bring not with them it neither bestoweth nor sealeth vnto them any thing neither is it vnto them a sacrameÌ„t that is a seale of grace through their owne fault for it is no vse but an horrible abuse of a sacrament to be received of the reprobate without faith The scripture every where teacheth that nothing can be accounted a sacrament without the vse therevnto appointed by God If thou be a transgressor of the law thy on cumcision is made vncircumcision And This is not to eate the Lordes supper And he which offereth an oxe is as if he offerea a dogge The baptisme of Simon Magus was a true sacrament but not vnto him for his hypocrisie as Peter witnesseth Thou hast no part nor fellowsh pâ—nth businesse for thy hearte is not right That sop in the Lords supper was a true sacrament but poison to Iudas not because in it selfe it was evill but because the evill man did evilly receiue that which was good To conclude by Lombard his owne confession baptisme is alike holy whether ministred vnto the good or evill therefore alike true But will you cal Peter sacrilegious because to Simon Magus a reprobate but professing the Apostolique faith he in Gods name ostered grace and to his power sealed it by baptisme But this he did not absolutely but with conditioÌ„ if he truely beleeued as Phillip said vnto the Eunuch thou maist bee baptised if thou beleeue withall thy heart If therfore he did not truely beleeue he sealed nothing vnto him as rightly faith your friend Lombard The visible baptisme did nothing profit Simon Magus because he wanted the invisible Moreover he discharged his duety which was not to search the secrets of hearts or sounde the vnmeasurable gulfe of Gods predestination but
Trinity eternal Deity of the Son holy Ghostâ— or as though he wrested the Christians weapons out of their hands or by manifest consent were an opeÌ„ abetter of the Arrinish glosies No no would to God rather you Vbiquitaries did not so oâ— would at least cease to spread the infection of your Arrian leprosie throughout the church He indeede made choise of some argument before others not vnadvisedly or to such purpose as you slaunderously imagine but as himselfe often profesieth because he did wish we would bring nothing but what were sound and substantiall And good reason for he found by experience in his conflictes with Servetus Gentâ—â—is the like monsters which were arguments of strength and perspicuity and which were not which did powerfully presse the adversary and which did not And therefore he saw well that he was to coÌ„bate not with number but waight of arguments by his example taught others how to encounter heretâ—ques who are now growen far more subtile slippery then heretofore was either Samosateâ—â—â— himselfe or Arrius or any other of their principal patriarchs For now the adversary which by these his instruments impugneth the glory of Christ is growen old and wily There are now to vse the words of Cipâ—ian almost sixe thousand yeares accomplished since first the Divel beganne thus to war against God He hath by this tâ—â— even by practise of antiquity throughly instructed heretiques in all sleightes of attempting all trâ—â—kes devises of vndermining Lastly seeing the spirites of the Prophets are subiect to the prophets this worthy excellent servant of God did only by wrighting advise not prescribe vnto the church any interpretations or opinions of his own Cease therefore ingratefull exclaimers to forâ—e out against him the pestilent poison of slaundering tongues in your pulpits which without him many of you were scarsely able to mainetaine with credit But to let these passe I come now to the secoÌ„d sore of wrightings which is both heretical and intollerable for monstrous paradoxes therin maintained plaine principles of divinity dâ—faced opeÌ„ testimonies of scripture perversely corrupted heresies long since condemned lately restored and imposed vpon the simple vulgar for verities EvaÌ„gelicall In which kinde the most bitter Aâ—chilochian disputant Huberâ—us an impudeÌ„t back iuding Apostata doth now Lord it whom hatred against the truth truely knowen but want only denied wilfully impugned doth euerie day more then other so swiftelie sweepe away with a continuall current of barking and back-biting that meÌ„ may iustly suspect him for a fearfull example of one giuen over by God into a reprobate sence God of his mercie gâ—aunt him a better minde if he be not past cure or at least so bridle his furie that he cary not others with him headlong to destruction He as an impe of Pelagius mouthy sectary of Eâ—icurâ—us filleth all Germanie with horible exclamations that all men without exception as well faithfull as Infideli alreadie dawned as hereafter to be condemned reprobate as others suppose doggs hogs as Christ his sheepe Nero Heliogabalus as Dauid Iosaphat Iudas as Peter are by the death of Christ reconciled vnto God sanctified iustified their sius pardoned theÌ„selues receiued into the bosome sauor of God in a word saued applaud your patroÌ„ procter ò you dogs hogs which hath opened so wide a gate vnto Atheâ—sme no maÌ„ daÌ„ned for sin but only for vnbeleife that in God there is no eternal decree of electioÌ„ reprobatioÌ„ that God hath not defined a certaine â—uÌ„ber of them which shal be saued that al meÌ„ euer since the fal of Adam are elect in Christ that Election grace and forgiuenes of sins is generall and coÌ„mon vnto all and that with God there is no speciall Election but this speciall Election is only in respect of men as every man privately applyeth to himselfe that grace which is coÌ„mon vnto al that God knew from everlasting who woulde embrace his grace offered and who againe would make shipwracke thereof that to Elect is nothing else but to invite and win mankinde vnto himselfe that many of the Elect do perish that the certeinty of Gods giftes and graces whereof wee boast out of Rom. 11. 29. where they are said to be without repentance is a vaine brag that our ElectioÌ„ in Christ is founded on a supposition and condition If wee beleeue that it relyeth wholy on our faith that faith is not given vs indeed without the grace of God howbeit the meanes by which it is giuen vs are in our own power that the vnregenerate haue an arbitrary ability to run assone as God calleth them by his worde that they can of them selues perceiue and vnderstand the Lordes voice when he crieth vnto them that the cause why of many who vse the same meanes some beleeue and persevere 〈◊〉 her some beleeue not or beleeving persevere not is the right or not right vse of the meanes that this vse is in our owne power that the 9. Chapter to the Romanes treateth not of Predestination to life or death that this doctrine of pedestination maketh God a lying God a cruel God a God reioycing in euill and an vniust God that it ouerthroweth the ministery leaveth no place for wholsome exhortation that it breedeth securitie despaire in men and an hundred other postions of this kinde wherwith if you conferre the auncient pestilent heresies of Pedagius Coelestius they will concurre with this doctrine meete therwith as iust as germans lipes For the Pelagians taught the selfe same as appeareth both out of the writinges S. Austen out of the epistles of Prosper and of Hilarie vnto him touching the reliques remainder of the Pelagian heresie in Fraunce They taught that in deede all men had sinned in Adam and that no man was saued by his owne workes but by the grace of God in regeneration howbeit the proptiation of Christes bloud is say they proposed vnto all without exception that whosoeuer will laie hold on faith receiue the Sacrament of Baptisme may be saued that God knew before the framing of the world who would beleeue coÌ„tinue faith full that he predestinated them vnto his kingdome whom he forsawe to be such as being freelie called by grace would proue worthie their Election and departe this life with a laudable happy end that therefore all men are admonished to beleeue liue well that no man might despaire of attaining saluation They denied that there was a set number predestinate of God least the vse of exhortation thereby should bee voide and the force and edge of preaching rebated They avered that all serious industrie in weldoing was cleane remooued all manner of vertues cancelled if Gods decree preuent menâ— willes that vnder the title of Predestination the Stoicks fatall necessitie was againe set on foote and established that the. 9. Chap. to the Rom. was was neuer vnderstoode by the
auncient Fathers of the Church of a free Election preuenting our will and merits That this doctrine thwarteth crosseth the edification of preachers teachers and were it true yet is it not to be divulged and vttered in publicke because it may minister vnto some cause of despaire the hearts of ignorant men are by this kind of dispute set on mammeâ—ing because the Catholike faith may be taught and defended without it Fausius added vnto mans endevour the helpe of grace that for sooth graces mans endeuour yoaked together finish 〈◊〉 workes which remaine God by his worde worketh in us it will that which wee read or heare but to consâ—et or 〈◊〉 consent therevnto is so absolutely our owne that if weâ— will the master is to thwathput in execution if we 〈◊〉 we make the working of God to bee of no force or effect with vs. These and such like were the olde braine sicke sollies of the Pâ—lagians which I thinke no man so far to seeke in Christian religion that he conceiueth not howe this cursed wretch hath set them downe worde for worde as it were published for newe oracles Nevertheles I know his protestatioÌ„ wil be that hee hath hitherto neuer sucked at the noisome sinke of Pelagius heresies but in heart detesteth them But Puccius that newe vpstart Pelagian as vaine wauering an Apostata as Huber himselfe hath cleered the case Puccius who lately trampling the truth of the Gospell vnder his feete and betaking himselfe to the Iesuites hath so openly and shamfully set a broach againe and defended the Pelagian errours that very shame conscience with-helde the Iesuites of Prage from publishing in printe that monstrous booke of his He togither with his Haber our Apostata mainteineth all the former positions yet himselfe would not seeme no nor endure the name of a Pelagian Howbeit in most matters he is more apparant to be such a one For that which this our Apostata oftentimes feighneth he will doe yet for verie conscience dares no where performe he taketh on him to define predestination on this maner Predestination is an order foreseene and proposed by God vnto himselfe wherein he hath decreed from all eternitie what should befall euery particular person which he hath created partakers of Christ their Sauiour heires of an euerlasting heritage leauing to euery one free wâ—ll in this life to fall or not to fall from him as he shall make choise vnto himselfe when he 〈◊〉 possessed of the vse of reason For hâ—â— will was that 〈◊〉 many as forsooke not their â—reatâ—â— should be saued but they who persisted stedfast in their faith allegiaÌ„ce unto him manfully resisted the adversaries should be his approued and chosen not onely be saued to reigne also with Christ in his kingdome in life eternall Againe who for a time started aside fell frâ—â— him should be reformed purged by temporary punishments but they who make one vtter defect â—â—â—aâ—ely resist the secret working of his spirite should become reprobates inflexible Thus farre Pucciuâ— He farther maintaineth that as Christ is the Creatour so is he the Redeemer also of all men and every particular man that all are borne in the state of salvation and grace and by Consequent are blessed if they procure not theâ—r own destrâ—ction through infidelity and vnbeliefe that Eâ—â—â—tion and Grace are generall that Faith is a gift of God generall and common vnto all 〈◊〉 nay thaâ— it is natural that al men haue a pronenesse vnto prety that the difference of good and evil 〈◊〉 on earth ariseth from the good or evil vse of the knowledge of God that Reason in deciding controversies of Religion is sovereigne Emperesse 〈◊〉 that this doctrine wel agreeth with that doctrine of the Apostle Rom. 9. 10. 11. only it is repugnaâ— to S. Austeâ—s disputations and certaine Councel and Schoolemen who are wholy grouÌ„ded on the opinion of S. Austen He beseecheth the Iesâ—◠〈◊〉 amongst them especially Bellarmine that the cleaue sticke not over-much vnto the definitions interpretations of Austen the Schoolmen and that they no longer debar and defeate the worlde of this his notable course of interpreting and vnderstanding the Scriptures c. Now I demand of this our Apostata his purple Prelate of Tubinge whether they heere deâ—ery Puccâ—â—â— as a Pelagian or no I know wel they will answere that this is a dunghil of Pelagian draffe filth He are therefore yet a little farther this your vpstart gloser Puccius He hath prefixed before the 33. chapter of his booke this argument I will shew how the Divines of WitteÌ„â—erge Luthers successorsioin◠〈◊〉 opinion with vs but Beza and the rest of Calvnes complices persist in their headstrong wilfulnesse and corrupt divers textes of Scripture Afterward he breaketh out into your praises and applaudeth your good proceedings in Christian doctrine on this maner Whilest I was compâ—ling this tract I happened â—n the answere of Th. Beza Calvines successour to the Actes of the Conference held in Mountpelier published at Tubinge which Aunswere was printed at Geneva in the yeare of our Lord 1588 wherein I saw how desperately the Calvinists contende with Lutheran Divines both about other opinions and expressely in this touching PredestinatioÌ„ I perceived how miserably they mutinize within themselues who stray and wander without the 〈◊〉 and limits of the Church and succession of the Apostles Howbeit the zeale of truth wherewith I was inflamed caused me to reâ—oice whereas I sawe that the Divines of Wittenberge had laid aside a great parte of Luthers tyrannous crueltie and barbarous absurdity 〈◊〉 this pointe And that THEY CONSENT VVITH VS IN THE SVBSTANCE OF THE THING IT SELFE although they stagger and erre in the interpretatuâ— of the Scriptures and Sacramentes This Puccâ—us reporteth of our good neighbour Divines 〈◊〉 Wittenberge Out vpon this dolefull and lamenâ—table consent out vpon this shamefull â—oint coâ—spiracy Heere they will call heauen and earth to wiâ—nesse that this pertaineth not vnto theÌ„ that theâ— desire is to haue their opinions refuted by vs 〈◊〉 not long since that currish A postata wished for 〈◊〉 Champion on whom he might fasten his holden 〈◊〉 and purchase to himselfe a name by his glorioâ— conflict But let him knowe that no man isâ— mad as to enter combate with a selfe condemne desperate person In vaine he provoketh meâ— name notwithstanding in the meane space know that I haue not beene retchlesâ—e in defenâ— of the truth and arming my hearers against thâ— his doctrine whilest I haue at home ripped his ruderabble of detestable opinioÌ„s And in theâ— Treatise of the Vniversalitie of Redemption that faâ—mous personage D. IAMES KIMâ—DONCE the worthy Governour of our Vnâ—versitâ— whom in honour I heere name hath imployed himselfe debating the maine question resolving it very iudiciously in his publike Lâ—ctures Concerning the rest it were impertineâ— to chew a dry Colewott and harpe daily on one string
sees not this sees nothing But if I can I will one day answeare you in feawe wordes For whether I can or no whē I can I doe not yet knowe besides that it is tedious to me to handle these stale sophismes Learne in secret whē your thoughts are at leasure meditate on this that every man may trouble a true but God alone can quiet it If you would not crie rost-meat you might haue fared much better March 10. An. 1573. THAT PROVIDENCE DOTH NOT DEROGATE FROM PRAIER Part of an other letter to the same friend wherein is debated this question Whether the doctrine of Providence doe derogate from praier THe godly exercise of praier wel agreeth with the doctrine of Providence and is confirmed established thereby For whosoever beggeth at Gods handes with an vpright heart things necessary to salvation the same is verily perswaded that he forth with receiveth them The contrary opinion shaketh rooteth vp our faith cōfidence in God and suffereth vs not stedfastly to beleeue the last Article of the Creed But praier when it sueth for things on which salvatiō depēdeth not patiently humbly submitteth it selfe vnto Gods will not desiring to obtaine any other thing then that which GOD in his secret counsell hath decreed best and most profitable for vs. Nothinge more slacketh our obedience in this pointe nothing more disturbeth our comforte and quiet of minde herein then that errant cōtingency whereby the Academicks Epicures beare the world In hand that the events of thinges are not governed and determined by Gods divine counsel Recall to minde that distinction of thinges to bee praied for often taught and daily repeated vnto children by our country-man Philip Melancthon and this whole controversie of praier shal be cleered and put out of doubt Herevvith meeteth our opinion but the contrary opinion swarveth wholie from it so that truth wel suteth with truth but falshoode agreeth neither with truth nor falshoode The summe of all is you must ground your cōfidence on God and craue all good things of him and be thankful vnto him for the same no otherwise thē as if all thinges proceeded from him without any your endeavour and yet must you performe your dutie with as great diligence and industrie as if you were able to procure and gaine all thinges of your selfe and by your selfe without him Whosoeuer directeth not the whole doctrine and disputation of Providence and Election vnto this end he waxeth vaine in his curiositie intangleth himselfe in many snares which himselfe laieth for him selfe On whomsoever God hath decreed to heap his blessings to them he hath appointed the spirit of praier If then hee hath giuen thee a desire to praie assure thy selfe this gift is not in vaine but thou shalt alwaies bee heard according to Gods own promise This is the Consequent thou oughtest to deduce and gather on good ground infallible conclusion out of that precedent benefit Seest thou thē the cōtrary of this thy fear For nothing lesse impeacheth nothing more cōfirmeth the desire custome and consolation of prayer then the doctrine of Providence I much marueile that you yet still dreame of the ghostes spirits of particular men Howe often haue you hearde and reade the contrarie to be trew howsoeuer the miserable Sophists of our time groping in the thicke darkenes of their Academicall blockishnesse cavill hereat For without the doctrine of Election and certainety of salvation the vniversalitie of promised grace which appertaineth to al the faithfull and to them alone can neither stand or be mainetained nor applyed to the comforte and vse of the godly How often hath it beene reiterated vnto you that you must iudge of Election a posteriors from the subsequent signs effects it causeth For you must repute and iudge your selfe elected by that measur of faith which is required in the elect Yea this is true liuely faith for a man to beleeue that he is elect vnto eternall life for Christs sake Search then sift thine own conscience whether there be found in thee faith repentance and vnfeigned desire of the grace and fauour of God then pronounce thy selfe one of Gods elect al curious disputatiōs set apart I protest before God that I◠see not by what meās I could haue stood stedfast in many my priuate greeuances had I not held this one comfort impregnable No man shall take my sheepe out of my handes c. What are all other comfortes if this be not at hand with vs that all thinges good and evill befall vs not casually but by the eternall decree purpose of God worke for our saluation 9. Iun. 1575. A PREFACE OF AN ORATION pronounced on Easter evē by a certaine student of Divinity in the famous Vniversity of Heidelberge touching this question To whom the benefite of the Death and Resurrection of Christ appertaineth and how Christ died for all men COncerning the story benefite of our Lordes Resurrection I suppose I haue hitherto sufficiently treated It followeth that I proceede vnto the last point proposed I mean to whom this benefite appertaineth Wherfore directing our course as it were by the loadstar of scripture we pronounce by vertue and authoritie thereof that so precious inestimable a benefite belongeth vnto all the faithfull and to them alone and we exclude the wicked vnbeleevers as long as they remaine such from hauing any interest therein For all the faithfull they alone haue a taste of the sweetnes of those fruites suppose free iustification before God a quickening from the death of sinne and of the body lastly immortall life and glory these heauenly blessinges I say all the faithfull and they alone partake and enioy because they all they alone apply thē vnto themselues through faith For these are they who heare Christes wordes who beleeue haue eternal life and come not into condemnation These are they who are iustified by faith are reconciled vnto God and haue peace with him through our Lord Iesus Christ These are they who being regenerate by the holy Ghost are raised with Christ vnto newenes of life whose heartes are purified by faith Finally these are they which sleepe in Iesus whome one day God will bring with him hauing raised them from the dead that they may enioy for ever the glory of his heavenly kingdome Nowe the wicked being vtterly voide and destitute of faith which iustifieth howe should they I pray you partake in any of these blessinges with whom God is not pleased for without faith it is impossible to please God who belong not vnto Christ neyther are heires of the kingdome who neither haue title nor right In Christ Iesus nor To Christ Iesus as the lawiers vse to speake how should Christ appertaine vnto them How should the benefites be extēded vnto them Nay rather all these are by the mouth of the sonne of God himselfe farre remooued debarred
and say he died for all and everie of these not onely in respect of the sufficiency of his sacrifice and satisfaction but also in regard of the efficacy of the same What meaneth this newe devise I pray That forsooth Christ by his death and bloudsheading hath truely and effectually deliuered from death purged from siâ— sanctified reconciled vnto God and restored vnto his grace and fauour by his death bloudsheading all and euerie single man yea even those who are not saved but haue beene eversince Caine are at this day and shall bee hereafter damned This is their abominable sottish opinioÌ„ on which they build an other as false and foolish that forsooth All the wicked as many as heretofore perished or at this day perish or hereafter shall perish they neyther perishâ—d ne perish nor shall perish for their sinnes wheras they are washed away by the bloud of Christ Iosus but for vnbeleife alone They who are not vtterly ignorant of this controversie and question wil easily grant that we here coine nothing of our own nor speake any thing with intent to slander reproach them But oh how horrible a sound is this in Christian eares These quaint and gay Procters of wicked imps mainetaine that all vngodly and filthie dogs before after the death of Christ are received into the grace favour of God We say first that this is a false diveâ—lish opinioÌ„ because it impugneth scripture which every where maketh open proclamation that the wicked and vngodly as long as they remaine destitute of faith and repentance are not in the grace and favour of God but are and continuallie remaine the children of wrath and eternal malediction neither are they delivered from sin and death but are held captiues and ensnared by the devill alreadie condemned and plagued with the heavy wrath of God Secondly we affirme that this their forgerie is most absurd vaine because it shamefully overthroweth both it selfe and maine principles of the Christian faith For let vs but propose vnto our selues this Thefis or assertion All meÌ„ without exception faithfull and vnfaithfull before and after the death of Christ are truelie vndoubtedly received into grace and favor with God by the bloud of Christ what trow yee will be the isâ—ue ensuing herevpon verily a huge heape of absurdities First original sin with the guilt thereof shall by this their position be vtterly taken away and it will proue in their opinion â—n open falshoode to say that all men are borne the children of wrath because in their iudgment all are borne in the favour and grace of God But herein the Scripture iointlie pronounceth on our side that we al are by nature the children of wrath Secondly all the children of Turkes Saracens Canibals who at excluded from the couenant Church of God shall heerby be borne in the grace and favour of God and by force of Consequence there shall be saluation without the Covenant of God and without his Church O those sauage and cruel monsters of our age who shame not to seate the infantes of Turkes Infidels borne without the church in the bosome and fauour of God nor dread to plucke vnmercifully the poore infants of Christians dieng befor Baptisme out of the bosome of God and plung them head-long into hell fire For who knoweth not that they so fondly bind the saluation of infants to the Sacrament of Baptisme that they expressely depriue them of euerlasting happines and violently hale them out of Gods grace fauour who die before Baptisme vnlesse they haue ben assoiled by the praiers either of their parents or freindes But if it be trew that by baptisme they are againe receiued into the fauour of God howe then wâ—l this peremptory disputer maintaine that long since all mankinde was accepted into the same Thirdly therefore this their straunge conceite bruseth and quasheth in pieces an other opinion of theirs concerning the infantes of the faith â—â—ll borne out of grace assailed by the Devill before Baptisme and damned Fourthly all the wicked which before the death of Christ fell into hel fire and were againe reconciled vnto God by the death of â—hrist restored into his grace and favour how if this your 〈◊〉 goeth for truth how then I say fel they theÌ„ce who were received into it being dead whereas they could no more offend through incredulity wherefore those vngodly persons shal either coÌ„tinue in Gods favour and be saved without faith or shal coÌ„trary to your position be cast headlong again froÌ„ theÌ„ce without your crime of incredulity Fiftlie Incredulity either shal go for no sinne or if it be a sinne then all sinnes shall not be purged by the death of Christ or if all be cleansed at least the sinne of incredulity shal be of more force and vertue then the death of Christ But to say either of these were erroneous impious For incredulity not only is it selfe a sin but the mother nurce also of al other offences cleaveth fast togither with other sins even to the regenerate howbeit it is purged forgiveÌ„ to theÌ„ by the bloud of Christ Sixtly it is a shameful grosse he to affirme that the wicked are daÌ„ned not for their vngodly sins but for their incredulity As if it were not registred recorded in Scripture Theeues covetous persons drunkards and such like shall not inherite the kingdome of God As if Christ in his final iudgement shal not say vnto theÌ„ depart into hell fire c And as if forsooth incredulity were not the chiefe of sins Nay we argue the cleaâ—e contrary that they are coÌ„deÌ„ned for sin because they are condeÌ„ned for incredulity For tell mee what sinne is more grievous and heâ—ous then incredulitie Heere our Apostata sporteth and toreth ouer childishly Incredulity saith he is not now considered as it is in it selfe a sin but only as it refuseth the meanes of saluation For what is it Sir to refuse the meaÌ„es of saluation Is not this a contempt of God Is it not a most detestable sinne offence verely incredulitie is therefore a sinne because it refuseth saluation with the meanes therof Seventhly this their monstrous opinion beareth the wicked in hande that howsoeuer the truth of the Church doctrine touching originall sinne the guilt of the wicked stande immoueable yet it is at no time inherent in them nor can truly be attributed vnto them For let vs take a Turkish infant or some barbarous ancient person who neuer heard one syllable of the death of Christ and therefore cannot be saide to haue despised it through incredulity now let these disputers tell vs at what time they wil account these to stand in the grace and favor of God to be reconciled vnto him iustified and sanctified whether in their mothers wombe or soone after their birth vvhether in their childhood or in their youth whether in their perfect age or in their old yeares lastlie whether in their life
in shorter time cast a number from of the bridge into the stream then deliuer one only from the perill and danger of drowning In like manner it was a worke of more ease to destroy all mankind then to restore one man out of that generall ruine and destruction That the Devill was able to doe and Adam also was able to doe it this none but Christ could perfourme Wilde beastes and calamities haue power to hurt and murther man but it is in the power of no creature to repaire mans losse of salvation and life eternall but this was reserved to the power of GOD alone creator of all thinges wherefore the death of Christ had beene of greater force then the sinne of Adam yea though it had restored but one only man vnto life And certaine it is and an vndoubted truth that the blessings recovered by Christ so far surpasse those whose losse we sustained by Adam as heavenly things and things eternall excell earthly and corruptible things For Adam as the Apostle witnesseth is of the earth earthlie but Christ is heaveâ—lie Adam is a living soule but Christ is spirituall Adam cast vs out of an earthly paradise but Christ hath pâ—â—ced vs in an heavenly Paradise and hath given vs everlasting happines Thus 〈◊〉 haue thought it meete and convenient to proceede 〈◊〉 setting downe the 〈◊〉 of Christs death and resurrection which all appears came to them all and them alone who sticke fast vnto Christ by faith in making answere to the cavils and slaunders of Heretiques c. A SHORT INTRODVCTION TO the CoÌ„trouersie of the SacrameÌ„t of the Lords Supper vnfolding the substaunce of the cheifest questions coÌ„troversed or not controuersed therin bâ—tweene the professors of the Gospell Compiled and written by D. Dauid Parry Foure generall Premises 1 LEt our yong Diuines carry in memorye that the questions touching the Ceremonies and rites of the Supper are to bee distinguished from the doctrine which is the promise of the Gospell annexed vnto the outward and visible rites 2 Let them also learne to put a difference betweene the questions coÌ„troversed and not controuersed aswel concerning the rites as concerninge the doctrine 3 Let them knowe that the questione controversed about the rites and ceremonies are not so principal nor of such circumstance as the other which concerne the doctrine and that for the most part they may and ought to be decided in equitie according to the circumstances of 〈◊〉 place and person yet with this caueat that all be done for edification 4 Let them know moreover that the maine question touching the doctrine of the Lordes Supper not controversed hitherto by any are three and againe on the other side the questions controversed are also three wherunto all the rest may easily be refered Touching both these I will verie briefely instruct the yonger sorte The three questions touching the Lords Supper not called into doubt or controversy are these I. What the Supper of the Lord is All the professors of the Gospell agree in this pointe that the Supper of the Lorde is a Sacrament of the new Testament instituted and ordeined by Christ wherin together with the taking of bread and wine the true body and bloud of Christ is receiued and the communion or participation of Christ with all his blessinges and benefites is sealed vp in the heartes of the faithfull beleeuers II. What are the endes or vses of the supper instituted by Christ Herein also all the professours of the Gospell agree in one that this receiuing of the Sacrament confirmeth our faith of the promises of grace both because this 〈◊〉 the generall and common vse of all Sacraments whatsoeuer also because Christ himselfe hath said of this Sacrament Doe this is remembraunce of mee And This cuppe is the newe Couenant in my bloud III. What is giuen receiued iâ— the Lords Supper In this also there is a mutuall consent of all that the bread and wine are giuen and receiued visibly corporally by the hand and month of the minister communicants but the body bloud of our Lord with all the benefits of his passion are invisible and spiritually giuen and receiued by them both In all these I say there is a ioynt agreement betweene al diuines which professe the Gospell as for vaine brablers whose brawles and iaries may not be the measure wherby to iudge of the consent or controverses of the churches professing the Gospell they neyther agree in these nor in any other The three questions called into doubt or controuersie are these The first question What is the vnion of the Signe signifying or the Thing signified in the Lordes supper whether it be Transubstantiation or Consubstantiation or only a mysticall reference or relation of the one to the other To this question we make an answere consonant to the Catholicke faith in three seuerall propositions the two of which are Negatiue and third Affirmatiue 1 Proposition The Sigâ—es and the Things are not vnited by Transubstantion that is by such a charge as in which the substance of â—he Signe are transformed into the substaÌ„ce of the Thinges the accidents onely remaining The reasons of the first proposition 1 The first reason is because as Ireneus saith there are two thinges which haue a Sacramentary proportioÌ„ in the Eucharist which the Accidents of bread and wine the substance of the body and bloud of Christ can by no meanes haue 2 The second reason is deduced out of the wordes of Christ who saied This is my body not let this bee or bee made my body 3 The third reason is because the bread is termed bread both before the action of Consecâ—â—tion in the action and after the action 4 The fourth reason is because the sounder Fathers reteine the name of bread in the Lords Supper and when they speake by way of Hypeâ—bâ—le of chaÌ„ging of the bread they will be vnderstood to speake Sacramentally As Theodoreâ— Diolog 1. witnesseth saying it was the will of Christ that they who vse the Sacraments should not bend and set their mindes on the nature of the thinges which are seene bâ—t should beleeue that which was made through grace by alteratioÌ„ of the names Here in the same diologue he teacheth that we must vnderstand a sacramentall change in these wordes Christ honoured the visible signes with the title and name of his body and bloud NOT BY CHANGING THE NAME but by adding grace to the nature The second proposition II. The Signes and things signified are not vnited by Consubstantiation that is by a reall Existence of two bodies in the same place or by the close conveiance of one within the other such as we see is of the corne in a sacke of 〈◊〉 in a mans purse of an Infant in his cradell or of 〈◊〉 in a roundler For this is a likelihood of things vnited in substance The Reasons of the second proposition 1 The first reason is because the words of Christ This is
ioyned with faith of miracles as also faith of miracles hath euer historicall or temporarie faith ioyned with it but not alwaies iustifying faith 13. Faith even in the most godly sorte of men is imperfect in this life and feeble yet whosoever feeleth in his hearte a serious purpose to beleeue and wrastling with doubt he may must surely perswade himselfe that hee hath trewe faith 14. Trewfaith once kindled in the hearte though in some sorte it often faint and be obscured yet it is neuer wholy extinguished 15. But after this life it is changed into a more full and certaine knowledge of God heauenly thinges namely a present feellinge and experience of happinesse with God which knowledge the scripture nameth a knowledge by seeinge face to face 16. Faith which is only historicall causeth desparation and heauinesse of Gods iudgment though accidentally 17 Temporarie faith causeth a certaine ioy but not pacifying our consciences because not proceeding of a true cause and worketh in vs confession and some shew of good workes but only for a time 18 Faith of miracles obtaineth those miracles whereof it is from God 19 Wee obtaine righteousnes before God and participation of Christ and all his benefits onely by that faith which applyeth to euerie particular man the promises of grace 20 True conversion and beginning of new obedience according to al the commandements as it cannot goe before this faith so it cannot but accompanie it OF THE OFFICE AND PERSON OF Christ the onely Mediator Disputed by D. Zach. Vrsine in the Vniversitie of Heidelberge for his degree of Doctorship an 1562. The Proeme WHereas God hath not only appointed in his church a ministerie of his word and coÌ„maÌ„ded approved this vocatioÌ„ to the office of teaching which is practised in the church but also hath coÌ„meÌ„ded this most high daÌ„gerous functioÌ„ of all others that are performed by men to those which haue both the knowledge of heauenlie doctrine and also indifferent abilitie to deliuer the same and by innocencie of life giue vnto the hearers examples of that which they teach and doth by the mouth of S. Paule pronounce them guiltie of others offence which place or consent to them that place in this order men vnfit that is such as by life or evill doctrine giue offence to the church 2 Tim. 5. Lay not thy handes rashly one anie be not partaker of others offences these things I say being so it is without doubt necessary that such as in churches or schooles shall vndertake parte of this labour of teaching bee first heard by such as can iudg of the truth of doctrine and willinglie submit themselues to the triall censure of men I therefore although in coÌ„fidence of mine owne worthinesse I may so little presume to present my selfe to this publique view of learned men and young students that I bring neither learning nor experience nor iudgment nor anie thing at all to plead in my behalfe for the patient presence and attention of the learned besides great trembling and earnest entreatie of Gods assistance and your fauour yet seeing they who haue ben some times coÌ„uersant in scholes should not draw back from triall and seeing it is a part of ingenuity faithful dealing not to conceale eueÌ„ a mans owne weaknes I haue thought it fit both for discharg of my duty my further learning not peremptorily to withstand their commaund whose pleasure it is that I should come into this place But because the custome and purpose of these disputations is to determine vpon some principal pointes of Christianity I haue determined at this time to repeate discusse that argument of scripture which is touching the office and person of one onlie mediatour betweene God and man eveÌ„ Christ Iesus our Lord both because it compriseth a short grounde and summe of Christianity as also because ever our forreine and hom-bread contentions do most concerne this point I purpose therefore after my manner to recite as breifely and plainly as I can the sence and meaning of some propositions togeather which reasons and testimonies taken out of holy scripture 1. Position After man by sin was separated from God the most absolute and perfect a iustice of God would not suffer him to be reconciled vnto God except some b very man borne of that mankind which had sinned yet himselfe free c from al spot of sin had endured sufficient punishment for mans sins and perfourmed the full obedience of Gods law a. Gen. 2. 17. In the daie that thou eatest therof thou shalt die the death Deut. 27. 26. Cursed be he that coÌ„tinueth not in all the wordes of this lawe to doe them Mat. 5. 26. Thou shalt not come out thence till thou hast paide the vtmost farthinge Rom. 8 3. God sending his own sonne coÌ„deÌ„ned sinne in the flesh that we c. b. Rom. 5. 12. 15. As by one man sin entered into the worlde c. Cor. 15. 21. For since by man came death by man also came the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead 1. Tim. 25. Heb. 2. 14. 15. 16. Aug. de verâ— relig That nature was to bee assumed which was to be delivered c. 2. Cor. 5. 21. He made him which knew no sin for vs c. Heb. 7. 26. For such an high Priest it became vs to haue which is holy innocent vndefiled c. II. But the merit of no persoÌ„ which was not God could be equall to the sin of all man-kind much lesse greater then it d. Act. 20. 28. God hath purchased his church with his owne bloud Rom. 18. 3. When it was impossible to the law in as much as it was weake because of the flesh God c. III. Such a person also as had beene only a creature could not haue ben able to endure the weight of Gods anger against the sins of maÌ„kind and to deliver himselfe out of it e. Psal 30. Lord of thou marke what is doâ—e amisse who shall be able to endure it Deut. 4. 24. The Lorde thy God is a consuming fire IV. Moreouer it stood him vpon by his desert intercession to obteine by his power to restore vnto vs that righteousenesse life which we had lost to free vs from sin death to defend saue vs vntill we were perfectly restored f. f. 1. Cor. 15. 21. By man came the resurrection of the dead Ioh. 10. 28. I giue vnto my sheepe eternall life Ioh. 6. 39. 15. 26. Mat. 11. 27. Eph. 4 8. 9. 1â— Heb. 7. 26. 1. Cor 15. 22. 23. V Lastly it is necessarie that all which should bee saued being engraffed into the body of this mediator should be borne caried by him for ever g. g. Eph. 3. 17. That Christ by faith may dwell in our hearts Io. 15. 4. Abide in me Iâ—n you As the braÌ„ch caÌ„not beare fruit in it selfe except it abide in the vine so neither can you except ye abide in me Rom. 8. 9. He that
them gouernours seruing him in true religion cherishinge the church and all good learning that hee vpholdeth schooles and giveth vnto them fit teachers and inflameth the mindes of some men with desire of learning the truth and delivering it to posteritie but especiallie that he sendeth amongst vs the light of the gospell clensing refining it from idols freeing vs from Antichristian darkenes ordaining strength out of the mouthes of infantes and sucklings at whose voice alone the very gates of hell though terrible in themselues do tremble fall to everlasting ruine It is out of question that al these benefits doe not happen vnto vs by chance or maÌ„s wisedome but are given and continued to vs by the singular providence and bountie of God as may appeare partly by their greatnes and excellencie and partly by this that amongst so greate furies of the worlde and the devill and so great weakenes infirmitie of theÌ„selues they coulde not otherwise be retained First therefore wee giue eternall thankes vnto almightie GOD for vouchsafing to bestow vpon vs so great benefits Secondly we giue them also their due commendations who by their godlinesse and vertue desire to preserue these benefites to mankinde VVherefore with all reverence and duetie wee thanke the most mightye Prince Elector our gracious Lorde for encouraging and gracing this schoole and all good artes with exceeding loue and curtesie Also vvee thanke all other the noble and vertuous gentlemen especiallie our worthy Chancellour Lastlie wee thanke the Right worshipfull and learned Doctors and Maisters our reverende and very good Patrons and all the rest of the learned and honest sorte who gracing this my publique proceeding with their presence haue witâ—essed their good will towards vs and our studies and would haue our calling commended to God in their publique praiers And I hartely beseech GOD that he woulde vouchsafe the encrease continuance of these his great benefits which he hath bestowed vpon vâ— and woulde graunte vs all grace to vse them to his glory and the good of his Church through IESVS CHRIST our Lord Amen XIV OF MANS CONVERSION I. NO man shall ever enioye eternall happinesse in the life to come which doeth not repent in this life and turne awaie from his sinnes vnto God II. True repentaunce or conversion is a change or renuing of man wrought by the holy GHOST whereby man vppon tiue acknowledgement of GOD and his will revealed in the Lawe and the Gospell and his owne corruption doth seriouslye feare GODS anger and iudgemente against sinne and is sorie that by his sinnes he hath heretofore and doth still offend God and yet obeying the commaÌ„dement of faith in Christ and amendment of life resteth secure vpon the mercy of God and his promise of grace by confidence in our mediator Christ through whom because he is perswaded that God is pleased he submitteth himselfe vnto him as a sonne to a loving father and for this his receiving him into favor studieth to shew himselfe thankefull vnto God for ever Eph. 4. 21. If so bee yee have heard him haue beene taught by him as the truth is in Iesus That is that yee cast of concerning the conversation in times past the olde man which is corrupt through deceiueable lustes And be renued in the spirite of your minde and put on the newe man vvhich after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Tit. 3. 5. Hee saved vs by the vvashing of the nevve birth and the renuing of the holie Ghost Rom. 7. 18. I knowe that in mee that is in my flesh there dwelleth no goodnesse c. to the ende of the chapter Isay 5. 16. vvash and be cleane III. This repentaunce consisteth of tvvo partes which the scripture calleth mortifying of the old man and quickning or raising againe of the new man Romanes 6. 6. Our olde man is crucified with him Galathians the seconde and nineteenth By the lawe I am deade to the lawe that I may liue to GOD I am crucified with Christ c. Coloss 3. 12. Buried with him through baptisme in vvhom yee are also raised vp together through the faith of the operation of God c. Coloss 3. 5. Mortifie therefore your earthly members c. IV. The olde man or vnrenued is he which is ignorant or doubtfull of God and is subiect and yeeldeth to evill desires But the newe or renued man is he which knowing GOD aright serveth him in true righteousnesse and holynesse Ephes 4. 24. V. The mortifying of the olde man is vpoÌ„ knowledge of our owne corruption Gods anger lying heavy on vs therefore to feare and sorrow for our offences to God and therefore heartilie to hate and avoide all sinne VI. But the quickning of the new man is vpon knowledge of Gods mercie towardes vs in Christ to reioice and quiet our selues in God and to haue a fervent desire to obey God in all his commandements Rom. 7. 22. I am delighted with the lawe of God in my inwarde man VII This renuing in infantes which are sanctified by the spirite of GOD is onelie a beginning that is a receauing of new qualities and inclinations and therefore may more fitlie bee called regeneration or newe birth then repentaunce But in men of riper yeares it concerneth motions and good actions in the minde will and hearte Luke the first and fifteenth Hee shall bee filled with the holy Ghost from his mothers womb Mat. 19. To such belongeth the kingdome of heauen VIII Nether yet is it perfited in those of riper yeares before the end of this life therfore they which are conuerted haue in them part of the new and part as yet of the olde man vntill such time as together with the life they lay aside all the oldnes or corruption of nature Roman 7. 23. I see another law in my members 1. Ioh 1. 10. If we say we haue nâ— sinne we lie or deceaue our selues IX Therfore the whole life of the godly is and must be a certaine continuall repentance and conuersion wherin they must strongly persist and proceede fighting against the flesh and the diuel vnto the end of their life 1. Cor. 9. 24. So runne that yee may abtaine Phil. 3. 13. Brethren I couÌ„t not my selfe that I haue attained to it Revel 22. 11. He which is holy let him be more holy X The victorie in this combate is not doubtfull For in them in whome trew conversioÌ„ is once begon although sometimes they fal greeuously by humaine infirmitie and the reliques of the olde man or sinne which in this life they beare about them it is neuer so extinguished but that they againe struggle vp from their fall are at length saued Math. 7. 24 They that are built on the rocke do not fall Phil. 1. 6. He which hath begon in you a good worke will finish it 1. Ioh. 2. 19. If they had ben of vs they had remained with vs. 1. Ioh. 3.
of God which is publique in his church or the preseruation and vse of the ministrie that is publique preaching and studie of religion administration and vse of the sacraments publique praier honor obedience dew to the ministerie that is a mainteining of the ministerie and spirituall sabbaoth which is obedience to this doctâ—ine It forbiddeth neglect of the duty of teaching corrupting and maiming of doctrine neglect of exhortation to vse the sacraments and their lawfull administration contempt of doctrine and curiositie in searching things not necessarie conteÌ„pt and prophanation of sacraments neglect of publique praier hypocriticall presence at them such recital of theÌ„ as is vnprofitable to the church with drawing others froÌ„ the ministerie abolishing the ministerie calling ther vnto men vnworthy errors about the vse of the ministerie conteÌ„pt of ministers disobedience to the ministerie ingratitude or harde dealing against the ministers neglect of schooles and schollers 5. The fifte precept commaundeth civile ordeâ— or mutuall duties of men betweene superiors and inferiors wherof some are peculiar to pâ—rents as nourishing defenc instruction and domesticall education of their children to teachers as scholastical discipline and instruction to magistrates as commaunding the discipline of the whole decalogue and putting the precepts therof in executioÌ„ by defending the innoceÌ„t punnishing offenders ordeining and executing politique lawes in common weales of maisters as to commaund their families that which is iust to giue rewardes and gouerne by domisticall discipline of such as are honorable for age or authoritie as to direct others both by examples and advise inferiors as honor that is reuerence loue obedience gratefulnesse mildnesse towards superiors Other some are commoÌ„ to all men as vniversal iustice and iustice particular distributiue diligence loue of parents grauity modestie gentlenesse Ther-fore it condemneth in parents neglect or loosenesse of education neglect of defence or foolish zeale for children In parents and teachers neglect of instructioÌ„ corrupting too much indulgence or fauor too much crueltie In magistrates slouth and tirannie in maisters granting too much libertie vniust commaundes defrauding men of their dew hyre or rewarde too much roughnesse in men of authoritie foolish couÌ„sell light and euill manners neglect of yonger sort or others whom they may help or correct in inferiors defect of reuerence loue obedience gratification mildnesse or excesse when more of these is attributed vnto them then the lawe of God doth permit But in all omitting of dutie disobedience eye-service error or respect of persons in distributing offices honors or rewardes slouth busie curiosity want of loue to parents vniust indulgence towards children ingratitude vniust gratification lightnesse pride immodesty arrogancie shew of modestie too much rigor severity too much gentlenesse 6 The sixt precept provideth for the safety of our owne and others life and body therefore commandeth particular iustice hurting no man gentlenesse mildnesse quietnesse coÌ„mutatiue iustice in punishmeÌ„ts fortitude humanity mercy friendship It forbiddeth vniust harming the life or body of our selues or others too much pitty wrath vniust anger desire of revenge strife cruelty respect of persons turbulency vniust gratificatioÌ„ for quietnesse sake cavill vpon too strict law private revenge fearefulnesse inhumanity hatred of our neighbour inordinate loue of our selues reioicing in other mens harmes waÌ„t of pitty in mens miseries lightnesse or inconstancie in contracting or dissolving friendship cousenage OF THINGS INDIFFERENT 1. OF humaine actions some are in their owne nature good or evill some indifferent 2 Of their owne nature good are such as be expressely commaunded by God which wee must needes doe according to the intente of the lawe rightlie vnderstoode 3. Evill in their owne kinde are such as are expressely forbidden in Gods lawe 4. Indifferent are such as are neyther commauÌ„ded nor exhibited by God 5. These may either be done or omitted with sinne or without sinne 6. They are sinnes when they are either done by the vnregenerate or of the regenerate but with scandall offence of themselues or others 7. They are no sinnes when they are done of the regenerate without scandal 8. They are necessarie to be done when they cannot be omitted without scandal 9. Therfore of themselues they are lawfull and good but yet indifferent and arbitrarie by accident they may be evil and vnlawful or necessary XXII OF MANS IVSTIFICATION BEFORE GOD. 1. That righteousenesse wherby we are iustified before God is the fulfilling of Gods lawe 2. Legal iustice is the fulfilling of the lawe performed by him which is named iust 3. Evangelical iustice is the punnishment of our sinnes which Christ endured for vs freely imputed by God to them that beleeue 4. Since the fall of man no man besides Christ alone in this life is iustified before God by the righteousenesse of the lawe 5. Wee are iustified onely by faith in Christ 6 And yet the righteousnes of the law must in this life be begun in al that will be saved XXIV OF THE SACRAMENTS Publiquely disputed at Heidelberg the 23. of August Anno. 1567. 1 GOd from the beginning did ioine vnto his promise of Grace certaine signes or rites which are in the church vsually called sacrameÌ„ts The proofe recited by the respondent afore disputatioÌ„ after the ancient custome of the vniversity From Adam there haue beene sacrifices which God ordained because they pleased him Circumcision vvas commaunded vnto Abraham By Moses the sorts rites of sacrifices were encreased and other ceremonies added vvhich endured vnto Christ who ordained and substituted in their steede baptisme and the mysticall supper of the Lord. 2 The sacraments are signes of the eternall covenant betweene God and the faithfull that is they are rites commaunded vnto the church by God and added to the promise of grace that by them as by visible and assured testimonies God may signifie vnto vs and witnesse that according to the promise of the gospell he doth communicate Christ and al his benefits to them vvhich vse these signes in a liuely faith that so hee may confirme vnto them a confidence assurance of this promise and the church by these visible markes may be distinguished from al other sectes publiquelie professe her faith gratefulnes towards God continue encrease the memory of Christs benefits and be bound and provoked to mutuall loue and charitie vnder one head Christ Iesus The proofe This definition is expreslie set downe Gen. 17. 11. Exod. 20. 10. 31. 14. Ezech. 20. 12. Ye shall keepe my sabbaths c. That rites were commanded vnto the church by God it appeareth by induction also the rites are added vnto the promise as visible signes thereof Because the rites of all sacramens doe not only signifie our duties toward God but especially principally Gods benefits towardes vs as circumcision signifieth remission and mortifying of sinne Deut. 30. 6. Col. 2. 2. 11. sacrifices and the Passeover the killing and eating of Christ 1. Cor. 5. 7. Ioh. 1. 19. Heb. 8. 9. 10. Neither doe we only
signifie so much by confessing and solemnizing them but primarilie and principallie God signifieth so much vnto vs testifying and confirming by ceremonies of the sacraments For the ministers as well in administration of sacraments as preaching the word represent the person and office of God towardes his church Matthew the eighteenth and twentie nine Teach and baptise all nations Ioh. 1. 33. He that sent mee to baptise Iohn 3. 22. and 4. 2. Iesus is said to baptise when not himselfe but his disciples in his name did baptise So of the signe of inauguration to the kingdome 1. Sam. 10. 1. The Lord hath annointed thee when yet Samul was sent to annoint Saule The sacraments therefore doe strengthen our faith because the scripture witnesseth that they are signes of the mutual eternal covenāt betwixt God the faithfull because by them God signifieth vnto vs the bestowing of such benefites as are promised in the Gospell and we must as well beleeue God signifying vnto vs his will by signes as by wordes because in their lawfull vse they haue annexed vnto them a promise of grace not onely as they are sacrifices shew our obedience but also as they are signes of grace deliuered vnto vs by God as Hee that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued It shal be an acceptable sacrifice to make attonement for him Lastely because the scripture to confirme the receauing or depriuing of the things signified alleadgeth the receauinge or depriuing of the signes as Psal 51. Thou shalt sprinckle me with hysop I shall be clensed The L. shal circūcise thine heart Al we which are baptized into his death The bread which we breake is it not the communion of Christs bodie Herevpon are annexed other final causes They distinguish the church from other sectes this appeareth by effect and by testimonies as A stranger shall not eate therfore What thē availeth circumcisiō verie much For vnto them were committed the wordes of God Yee gentiles which in times past were called the vncircumcision because in that time yee were without Christ strangers from the covenant and common wealth of Israel hauinge no hope of the promise and without God in the world They are a confession publique thankesgiuing for Christes benefites It shall bee a signe of the covenant betweene me and you and it shall bee my covenante in your flesh As often as yee shall eate this bread shewe yee the Lords death They continew the memory of Gods benefites This day shall be vnto you for a remembrance It shall bee asigne vnto thee vpon thine hande a remembraunce betweene thine eies Doe this in remembrance of me They are a band of charitie for because they which vse them are in league with God they are also in league betweene thēselues One Lord one faith one baptisme c. We being manie are one bread one bodie For we are all partakers of one bread 3. Rites and ceremonies not commaunded by God to be signs of the promise are not sacramēts The proofe The signes can confirme nothinge but by his consent and promise from whom the thinge promised and signified is expected Therfore no creature cā ordaine and institute testimonies of Gods will 4. Two things are to be considered in al Sacraments 1. Visible earthly and corporal signes which are rites or ceremonies and visible or corporal things which God exhibiteth or offereth vnto vs by his ministers and we receaue corporally that is by the partes and senses of our bodie ◠the things signifyed which are invisible heauenly and spiritual that is Christ himselfe and all his benefites which are through faith communicated vnto vs by God spiritually that is by power and vertue of the holy Ghost The proofe The distinction is manifest by an induction Also the receauing of the signes is corporall and externall but the thinges signifyed are receaued spiritually or by faith Because they are promised onely vnto such as beleeue but the signes are no other wise ratified then the promises whervnto they are annexed Also because the signes shew that vnto our eies which the promise declareth vnto our eares As therfore the promise is a vaine sound so also are the ceremonies vaine without faith Lastly because the thinges signified are the participating of Christ and all his benefits But this can noway be graunted to any man either in the vse of sacraments or without it but by faith alone 5. The signes or elements are not to be changed in nature or substance but only in respect of their vse The proofe This is cleere by induction and sense I baptize you with water The breade which wee breake is the communion of Christes bodie Here bread and water are named in the vse 6 The cōiunction of the signes the thing signified is not physical that is naturall and reall but relatiue that is to say this cōiunction is a diuine ordinance wherby things inuisible and spirituall are represented by thinges visible and corporall as it were by certaine visible wordes and are in the right vse offered receaued togeather with the signes The proofe Such is the cōnexion of all signes with the things signified that they represent the things signified and confirme the receauing of them for they are as it were testifying pleadges and seals although they be not in the same place with the signs The reasō is because to make something a signe of an other thing is not to include or tie the same thinge to the signe but to order the signe to signifie the thing◠whether it be in the same place with the signe or in some other Also the nature of the things signified by sacraments doth not admit this For some of them are spiritual substances as the holie Ghost some accidents not in the sacramental signes and elements but in the heartes of men as the giftes of the holy Ghost some are diuine actions as remission of sinnes some are corporall and locally in one only place not wheresoeuer the sacraments are vsed as the flesh and bloud of Christ The names and proprieties of the things signified are attributed to the signes and contrarie the names and proprieties of the signes to the things because of the similitude and likenesse betweene both or for significatiō of the things by the signs or for the ioyned offeringe and receauinge of the thinges togeaher with the signes in the lawful vse of the sacraments The proofe The scripture speaketh this of sacraments Gen. 17. 10. Act. 7. 8. Circumcisiō is the league or couenant Exod. 12. 11. the eatinge of the lambe is the Passouer Exod. 31. 7. the sabbaoth is the eternal couenant Exod. 24. 8. The bloud of the sacrifice is the bloud of the couenant And Levit. 17. 5. The attonement of our soules Heb. 9. 5. Over the arke was a cover shadowing the mercie-seat Ephes 2. 26. The baptisme of water is the washinge that clenseth vs
old testament we haue alreadie prooued before That there is a difference in the number and forme of rites appeareth by an induction For in the new testament it is plaine there are but two because no other ceremonies having a promise of grace annexed are commanded by Christ That sacraments of the olde testament shewe Christ to come of the newe alreadie come it is manifest by their interpretation delivered in scripture whereof we spake in their definition They differ in plainenesse because in the new testament are fewer and those signifying things alreadie fulfilled in the olde there are more rites and those shaddowing future thinges all whose circumstaunces were not yet knowne Lastlie by induction it appeareth that the old were commaunded onelie to Abraham and his posteritie and their servauntes the new to all even as manie as will be members of the church as Genesis the seventeenth Everie man childe of eight daies olde amongest you shall bee circumcised in your generations as well hee that is borne in thine house as he that is bought with monie of anie stranger which is not thy seede Exod. 12. No stranger shall eate thereof Math. 8. Teach all nations baptising them c. 15 Both Sacraments and preching of the gospel are Gods worde which hee exerciseth tovvardes his church by the Ministers because they teach offer promise vnto vs the same communion of Christ and his benefites and are external instruments of the holy Ghost wherby he moveth our hearts to beleeue and therefore maketh vs partakers of faith in respect of Christ and his benefits Neither yet is the working of the holy Ghost tied vnto these sacraments nor doe they at al profit but rather hurt such as with faith do not apply them to themselues as the very words rites do signifie The proofe That the Ministers do all in GODS name in administration of sacramentes and that by the sacraments God doth signifie that is teach offer promise vnto vs the communion of Christ we shewed before in our second proofe Whereupon followeth this other conclusioÌ„ that the holie ghost therby moueth our harts to beliefe For because sacraments are a visible promise they haue the same authoritie to confirme faith in vs as hath a promise made by word Whence also followeth a third coÌ„clusioÌ„ For that which serveth to kindle stir vp faith in vs the same also serveth to the receiving of the communion of Christ because wee haue this communion through faith The breade is the communion of Christ bodie Baptisme saveth vs c. And yet the holy Ghost doeth not alwaies by them confirme our faith because neither by the word doth it alwaies kindle faith in vs as the examples of Simon Magus and infinite others doe shew That the vse of sacraments without faith is hurtfull is alreadie prooved in the eleventh proposition 16 The word and the sacraments differ because the word signifieth gods wil towards vs by speach the sacraments by gesture by the worde faith is begun and confirmed by the sacraments onlie faith begun is confirmed the word euen without the sacraments doth teach and confirme which the sacraments doe not without the word without the knowledge of the word they that are of ripe years cannot be saued but without the vse of sacrameÌ„ts if it be not by contempt men may be both renued and saued the word is to be preached to the vnbeleeuing and vvicked the church must admit to the sacraments only such as God will haue vs account members of the church The proofe Sacramentes without the worde going before doe neither teach nor confirme our faith because their signification is not vnderstood but by preaching or expounding them by the word neither can a signe confirme any thing but what is before promised This maie be proved by example of the Iewes who either did or die obserue those ceremonies abolishing or not vnderstanding the promise of grace and of Christs benefits Men of yeares cannot bee saved excepte they haue knowledge of the word either by teaching after the ordinarie way or by revelation after an extraordinary waie Because Hee that beleeveth not in the sonne is alreadie iudged Ioh 3. 18. Faith is by hearing hearing by the word of God Rom. 10. 17. But without sacraments they maie be saued because though by some necessarie occasion they be hindred from them yet may they beleeue as the theefe on the crosse or if they be infants they may be sanctified according to the measure of their yeares as Iohn in the wombe of his mother manie other infants which died before the daie of their circumcision The word also must be preached to the wicked because it is ordained for their conversion The sacraments must be administred vnto theÌ„ which are to bee acknowledged for members of the church because they are instituted only for the vse of the church Act. 8. 17. If thou beleevest thou maist be baptised 17 This is common to Sacrameâ—ts and sacrificer that they are workes commanded of God to bee done by vs in faith but yet a sacrament and a sacrifice do differ because by a sacrameÌ„t God doth signifie and witnesse his benefits which he performeth vnto vs but by sacrifice we perfourme and offer our obedience vnto God The proofe That sacraments are workes commanded of God to be done by vs in faith wee haue shewed in the 1. 2. 3. and 10. proposition Both are mentioned Heb. 11. 4. By faith Abel offered vnto God a greater sacrifice then Caine c. That Sacraments are signes of Gods will towards vs it is prooved in the second propos 18 And therefore the same ceremonie may haue the nature of a sacrament of a sacrifice because thereby God giving vnto vs visible signes testifieth his blessings and benefits towards vs and wee by receiving them doe likewise testifie our duty towards him The proofe This is manifest by the Pascal lamb and other sacrifices also by the sabbaoth which were an obedience commanded by God whereby the godlie did worship him and shew themselues gratefull to him withall were signes of Gods benefits which they receaved by the Messias So baptisme is a profession of Christianisme and a signe wherby Christ witnesseth that we are washed in his bloud The Lords supper is a thankesgiuing for the death of Christ and an admonition that we are quickned for and by his death are made his members and shall as bide in him for ever AN ANSWERE TO SOME ARGVMENTS against the Sacraments Certaine obiections against the afore-said propositiâ—ns of Sacraments with short answeares of Vrsinus therevnto taken in a publique disputation Anno. 1567. 1 OBiection against that part of the seconde proposition Sacraments are signes of the eternall covenant The signes of an eternal covenant are eternal But these signes are not eternal Ergo neither is the covenant eternall The proofe of the maier denied is In relatiues one being taken away the other also is taken awaie Aunswer to the rule whereby the
bee preached even to the vnbeleeuing Christ forbiddeth vs to cast peaâ—les to swine and dogges Therfore the wicked must not be admitted to the hearing of the word preached Ans To the antecedent by dogs and swine are not meant simplie he wicked but such enemies as mecke persecute the doctrine barking and impugning it like dogs and treading it vnder foote like swine Against such this argument were of force XXIV OF BAPTISME 1. Baptisme is a sacrament of the new testameÌ„t whereby Christ witnesseth to the faithfull being baptized with water in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy Ghost that all their sinnes are forgiuen them the holy Ghost giuen vnto them and themselues ingrassed into the church and bodie of Christ and they againe professe that they receaue these benefittes of God therfore euer after will and must liue to him and serue him And this same baptisme was begun by Iohn Baptist and continued by the Apostles this only was the differeÌ„ce that he baptised men into Christ which should suffer and rize againe but these into Christ which had suffered was rizeÌ„ 2. The first end of Gods institutioÌ„ of baptisme is that God herby might signifie witnesse that by the bloud and spirit of Christlâ—â—â— doth clense those that are baptized from their sinnes and engraffeth them into the bodie of Christ and maketh them partakers of all his benefits 3. The second is that baptisme may be a soleÌ„ne receauinge or enroulinge of men into the visible church of Christ and a distinction therof from al other sectes 4. The third that it may be a publique soleÌ„ne profession of our faith in Christ of bindinge our selues to faith in him obedieÌ„ce towards him 5. The fourth that it may be an admonition of our plunging into afflictions and our risinge and deliuerance out of them 6. Baptisme hath by Gods commandement the promise of grace a certaine power to seale and witnes annexed by Christ vnto these rites rightlie vsed For Christ by the hand of his ministers baptâ—zeth vs as by their mouth he speaketh to vs. 7. There is therfore in baptisme a 2 fold water one external visible earthly which is the elemeÌ„tary water the other internal uisible heaueÌ„ly which is the bloud spirit of Christ there is also a twofold washing the on external visible signifying naÌ„ely the sprinckling or powring on of water which is corporal that is receaued by our bodily parts 〈◊〉 the other internal invisible signified namely remissioÌ„ of our sins by Christs bloud shed for vs our regeneration by his spirit our beiâ—◠〈◊〉 grafted into his body which is spirituall that is is received in spirit by faith Lastly there is a two fold minister of baptisme one external of external baptisme which is the minister of the church baptising vs in water with his hand the other internall of internal baptisme which is Christ himself baptising vs with his bloud and spirit 8 Neither is the water turned into the bloud or spirit of Christ neither is the bloud of Christ present in the water or in the same place with the water neither are the bodies of such as are baptized sprinkled invisibly therewithal neither is the holy Ghost in substance or vertue more in this water then elsewhere but in the lawful vse of baptisme he worketh in their heartes which are baptised and spiritually doth wash and sprinkle them with the bloud of Christ and vseth this external signe as an instrumeÌ„t as a visible word promise to vphold stir vp the faith of such as are baptised 9 Therfore when baptisme is said to be the washing of regeneration or to saue vs or to wash away our sins it is meant that externall baptisme is a signe of the internall baptisme that is of regeneration salvation and spirituall washing that this internall washing is ioined with the external whensoever baptisme is lawfully vsed 10 Yet is sinne an baptisme so abolished that we are freed from the guilte of GODS anger and eternall punishment and regeneration is begunne in vs by the holy Ghost the reliques of sin remaine in vs to the end of this life 11 But all and only the renued or the regenerate baptised to those endes for which baptisme was instituted by Christ do lawfully receiue baptisme 12 The church lawfully ministreth baptisme to all and onelie those whom it ought to recken in the number of such as be renued and members of Christ 13 Whereas also infants of Christians are of the church whereinto Christ would haue al that pertaine to him bee receiued and registred by baptisme and therefore baptisme is now in steede of circumcision whereby iustification and regeneration and receiving into the church were sealed by for Christ as yet to come as in baptisme by and for the same Christ already come as well to infantes as to those of riper yeares pertaining to the seed of Abraham and whereas no man can forbidde water that they should not be baptized which haue receiued the holy Ghost clensing purifying their heartes truely those infantes must needs bee baptised which either are borne in the church or together with their parents come over to the church 14 As the promise of the gospell so baptisme also receiued vnworthily that is before conversion is firme and procureth salvation to such as repent and the vse thereof before vnlawful is now made vnto them lawfull 15 Neither doth the wickednes of the Minister make the baptisme vaine of no force if it bee done into the faith and promise of Christ therfore the church ought not to rebaptise eveÌ„ those that haue bin baptised by heretiks but to informe them in the true doctrine of Christ and baptisme 16 And as the covenant once begun with God remaineth perpetually stedfast to such as repent even after their sinnes from that time committed so also baptisme once receaved confirmeth those that repent in remission of sinnes for all their life and therefore ought neither to be â—terated nor deferred to the end of life as if on that condition onlie it did clense vs from our sinnes if we coÌ„mitted no more after we were once baptized 17 But all that are baptised with water vvhether infantes or aged are not made partakers of the grace of Christ For Gods eternal election and calling to the kingdome of Christ is free 18 Neither are all excluded from the grace of Christ which are not baptised vvith water For not the want but conteÌ„pt of baptisme excludeth from the convenant made by God with the faithful and their children 19 And whereas the administration of Sacraments is a part of the ecclesiastical ministery they which are not called thervnto and especially women must not presume to take vnto themselues authoritie of baptising OF THE LORDS SVPPER Disputed in the Coll. of Wisdome the 2. of May Ann. 1575. 1 ONe of the Sacramentes of the new testameÌ„t
remembrance of God for so his name doth signifie in Hebrew is taken from vs now there remaineth to vs only the remembrance of so excellent a maÌ„ What then shal we do That Iah that strong God who remembring his servant Zacharie advanced him to so high a top of faith godlinesse and learning Christ that prophet and our only king is very present with vs both by his external maiestie also by coÌ„municating vnto vs the holy Ghost Let vs repaire to this teacher advise with this master and follow this guide let vs in confidence of his grace and assistance constantly goe through with those studies and duties wherevnto wee are câ—lled Let not the impiety of heretiques boast it selfe nor the adversaries heart swell and waxe insolent or prowde because the rodde of him that chastised them is broken for there shall sooner come a viper out of the roote of the serpent the fruit therof shal soner become a flying dragon as Esaie in times past did prophecie then we shall bee forsaken of our God exposed to the raging violence of the furious or foolish dreames of the mad sorte of men vvherewith alasse the church often times is to much afflicted Omnipotent eternall God mercifull father of onr Lord Iesus Christ vvhose good vvill and pleasure it hath ben to informe youth vvith the wholsome doctrine both of that thy servant and also of others vvhom thou hast appointed to gouerne this schoole and to seale everie of our mindes with the spirite of thy promise and truth now froÌ„ our hearts wee acknowledge that by takinge froÌ„ amongst vs this thy seruant thou art not alittle offended with vs and that worthily Wee confesse it ô God! and accuse condemne our selues and our sinnes for which it pleased thee both the last yeare to send thy sword of pestilence amoÌ„gst vs and also this last followinge to extinguish that bright-shininge light which thou hast placed in the emineÌ„t candle-sticke of this famous schoole Wee beseech thee ô GOD and father of mercies not to suffer thy wrath to proceede any farther against this poore floocke neither call vs our sinnes to accoumpt least thy wrath kindle more against vs and so we perish from this waie But rather because here thou hast placed thy standard and hast giuen thy worde and promise that they shal be blessed which retire themselues vnto thee gouerne vs ô Lorde by thy spirite that we may kisse thy beloued sonne and looke for all saluation from him Destroy the plottes purposes of Satan preserue thy people giue vnto this church this schoole and this whole countrie good faithfull pastors Doctors ministers Defend those whom thou hast giuen and blesse them aboudantly with all manner of blessinges keepe the commons students in iust dutie holines charitie peaceablenesse Lastly we humblie beseech thee as beinge our omnipotent and gratious Father to finish perfit in vs al things which shall anie way perteine to the glory of thy holy name the coÌ„mon edifying of this people our owne soules health in Christ Iesus our Lord who liueth and rayneth with thee in the vnitie of the spirit one God eternall for ever and ever Amen He slept sweetlie in Christ at Neâ—stade the sixt day of March as six of the clocke in the evening in the yeare of our Lord 1583. after hee had leued 48. years 6 moneths 22 howers was buried the 8. of March in the quiet of the Church FINIS Faultes escaped Pag. liu `93 15. never neither 95 marg evill offence evil of offence 98. 1 owne immutable owne nature immutable 98. marg in respect of in respect of their causes wheron they depend 105. 17. staine restraine 110. 2. that by but by 113. 27 anie of any 126. 3. my hart my haire 16. 12. mystery misery 132 1. A PREFACE A PART 201. 8. Tunigeus Tubingens 204. 21. When When he saith 205. 4. sonne of Christ person of Christ 206. 19. that God what God 219. 24. immutable immutably 222. 14. this divine his divine 233. 13. from from God 242. 3. him which him to be finne for vs which 254. 4. mixed not mixed 265. 7 which by instinct which is wrought by c. 268. 1 or not the or not to the. 274. 21. not eate therfore not eate thereof 293. 24. visible invisible Apoc. 16. 13 Opus operatum Opus operaÌ„tis Bellarmine a calling disputant Bellarmines satyâ—â—â—all prefâ—â—e to his 2. Tome of of Sacraments examined and 〈◊〉 Of the word Sacrâ—â—ment Instit lib. 4. cap. 14. Of the nature and force of a SacrameÌ„t Defence of Luthers opinion 〈◊〉 as Sacraments confirmâ— faith Ideo 〈◊〉 differeÌ„renâ—â—â— generâ—â—am ab vnà specie quia c. Lib. 4 â— 1. How farre miracles SacrameÌ„ts agree in their vse Eâ—sâ—â—â—ta II That the 〈…〉 a writâ— a Sacrament a 〈◊〉 is not absurd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tract 80. 〈…〉 c. 15. contra 〈…〉 19. cap. â—6 III Baptisme of children doth not diâ—prooue the streÌ„gthning of our faith by saments * For they also are christened amongst Papâ—stes August li. 4. ca 4. de Bap. Lomb. lib. 4. dist 4. ca. 7. Bellarmines sophistical dilemma for Anabaptists recorted Fallacia est à secundum quid cùm sic colligit Est etiâ—Ì„ paralogismus non causae Act. 12. 38. Epist 75. ad Dard. Rom. 2. 26. Mar. 16. 16. 1. Cor. 11. 28. Gen. 7. 11. Rom. 4. 11. Exo. 12. 13. 1. Cor. 5. 7. Mat. 28. 28. Act. 22. 16. Tit. 3. 5. 1. Pet. 3. 21. 1. Cor. 11. 25. * Forma◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 esse Basil lib. 3. contra Eunon Tertull. li. de poenit August de cat rud cap. 18. Of 〈…〉 〈…〉 Cauill Eph 1. 4. Rom 8. 30. Rom. 11. 16 Cor. 7. 14. Act. 3. 25 Eph 1. 4. Rom. 8. 30. Rom. 11. 16. Cor. 7. 14. Act. 3. 2â— Psal 51. 5. psa 71. 4. 5. Gen. 6. Rom. 3. 35. Cor. 11. 20. Es 66. 3. Act. 5. 21. Art 2. Antidot Concil Sess 7. in Can. 7. Rom. 3. 3. Two sorts of slounderous wrightings among Diuines Homil. 17. 〈◊〉 Genes 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Per Deun Domini 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De exhort 〈◊〉 ad Fortunarum Thess 19. 60. 65. 66. 68. 94. 112. 182. 187. 214 735. 75◠〈…〉 Lib. germ pag 94. 98. 99. 106. 10â— c. Schmidlin and Osiander condeÌ„ned by this Apostata for putting out of controversie that with God there is a certein number of theÌ„ which shall be saved Protocol Mompelg 503. The erroneous doctrine of the Pelagians oh 3. 36. Epes 1. 3. Rom. 8. 30. Rom. 9. 11. 12. 13. 18. Rom. 11. 7. 2 Thest 3. 2 Phil. 1. 29. Act. 13. 48. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Ioh. 10. 28. Luc. 22. 32. Mat. 24. 24. Mat. 11. 25. 26. Act. 13. 48. Homil. 30. in Act. Ordinem sequi 1 Thess 5. 9. Mat. 21. The kingdome of Christ Catechising is necessary 1 For Gods commaundement True patterne of wholesome wordes What a catechisme is