deniall of the maine Article that mille Artifex foresees his issue Let it once be entertained as taught in Scripture or by diuine Reuelation or by Apostolicall tradition that Christ shall come in a time prefixed the euent not answering how is all faith of all Truths taught shaken and ouerthrowne Saint Augustine to Heschius a man inclining to some such opinion out of an honest desire remembers this text of the Apostle prohibiting to giue credence to them who taught the day of the Lord was so instantly to come vpon this Reason is the prohibition Ne fortè cum transisset tempus August ep 80. quo eum credebant esse venturum venisse non cernerent etiam caetera fallaciter sibi promitti arbitrantes d◠ipsa mercede fidci desperarent We are not at least ought not be ignorant of Satans wiles 2 Cor. 2.11 See how cunningly he contriues errors intended to be conueied into the Church in this particular view his comming 1 Approach it hath as neare as an errour may haue to the truth taught by the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Peter appropinquat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Instat say these false teachers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 possedit me in the text of the Septuagint change but a letter pronunciation will hide that too read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yea haue the full heresie of Arius that Christ is a meere Creature 2 Seemingly it tends as much as any thing to mortification and deuotion what more then the thought of Christs night approaching to iudgement be but a little erroneous about that Article he will be the first shal broach it how excellent is the regular vse of fasting meanes of mortification quickner of deuotion fast with opinion of satisfaction and merit he prefers fasting before Epicurisme like thinke of Prayer Contemplation c. Vse Learne hence to keepe strictly to the word of God admit not corruption of a word a syllable a letter be pretenses or likely-hoods of profitable auaile neuer so holy Saint Ambrose obserues that the little addition to the prohibition of the tree of knowledge made whither by Adam or Eue gaue hint to the Diuell to entangle the woman in opinion of Gods enuying them their good yee shall not q Gen. 2.17 eat thereof is all the Lord said nor r Gen. 3.3 touch it is the cautionate addition how is the Diuell aduantaged to fasten the opinion that for some speciall good in that fruit the Lord is so strict in interdicting it It s reported of Ioab that when his Teacher taught him to corrupt the text but in the vowelling he slue him without ransome the charge was to destroy zecher the memoriall of Amalech he read it zachar the males of Amalech for this he slue him The violent expressions were irregular else his zeale commendable The charge is strict not to adde nor alter nor diminish not to turn aside no not to the right hand VERS 3. Let no man deceiue you by any meanes for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sinne be reuealed the sonne of perdition THe iteration of the Caueat where least he had not spoken home enough in the particulars mentioned he enlargeth to all men or meanes whatsoeuer tending to seducement The tearme expressing the euill cautioned against is changed before let them not shake or wauer you and so disquiet you heere not deceiue or mislead you from the tract of truth There is a diuellish method an ordinary progresse in misleading Gods people I am deceiued if Paul ment not here to expresse it 1 The iudgement is vnsetled and brought into wauering by plausible oppugning the truths receiued 2 Then followes naturally anxietie and restlesse disturbance of the Conscience through feares and doubtings no maruell when the minde affoords it no certainty whereout to frame the discourse for comfort 3 In this case worke the poore soule you may like waxe fitted it is to fasten on any thing true or false that may but seeme to promise comfort Sirs ſ Acts 16 30. what shall I doe to be saued q d. prescribe what you will I am ready to entertaine to execute it so be I may purchase tranquilitie of minde happy is he to whom in that case God sends his t Iob 33.23 Interpreter that one of a thousand to declare his Righteousnesse And a thousand to one but if he meet with an Heretique but palliating the cure he lies downe in his graue with that Heresie or superstition which he then first dranke in The Children of this world are wiser in their generation Luc. 16 8. then the Children of light Those Locusts of the bottomelesse pit haue ad vnguem this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Entertaine their discourse the first bout is about Religion in generall whither theirs or ours be the true next whither the Church must be iudged of by religion and doctrine or not rather Faith and Religion by the Church plausibly they plead the Church must guide vs to Faith not Faith to the Church That gained as it s easely from the vnlearned into a wilde wilderensse they send you to seeke your Faith which is the true Church where was yours before Luther and thunderclaps of swelling words then follow their Vniuersalitie Antiquitie Succession glory of Miracles with the like amazing the mindes of the heedelesse and simple Thus hauing set them in a mammering these Locusts turne to Scorpions vrging the necessitie of ioyning themselues to the Church wherein they may be informed of the true faith and right manner of worship shew miserie of them that are out of the Church their miserie in so long withholding themselues from Communion of the Romane Synagogue till at last Conscience apprehending the teriour is filled with anxietie and anguish knowing naturally the necessitie of Religion In that case let superstition or heresie prescribe it pilgrimage abdication of goods forsaking Countrie building of Monasteries c any thing is entertained that may seeme satisfactorie for former aberrations By this Act haue they robbed Parents of Children Husbands of Wiues Cloystered Kings and Emperours wrought wonders of the Almightie u 1 Sam. 28. cast contempt vpon Princes raised their Beggarselues from the dunghill till they now sit with Princes and inherit the throne of glorie I say as Paul * Ephes 4.14 15 Be not henceforth Children tossed to and fro and carried about with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lye in waite to deceiue But following the truth in loue let vs grow vp into him in all things which is the head As Peter x 2 Pet. 3.17 18. Knowing these things aforehand take heede we be not led away with the impostures of the wicked and fall from our owne stedfastnesse But grow in Grace and while meanes continue in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ To him for our hither stablishment in
it is articled in our Creed recorded in the Gospell yet are Iewes Infidels in those very Articles Why they belieue nor cause nor auaile of his passion which is the life of Euangelicall truth couched in those Articles the cause u Rom. 4.25 our sinnes not his owne the auaile our * Heb. 9.12 Redemption and Iustification Yet its true both cause and auaile Papists in a sort belieue that he died an Innocent for the Nocent to expiate our sinnes Where then is their Infidelity that in suffering he intended expiation of all sinnes mortall and veniall discharged vs of all guilt and obligation to all punishment temporall and eternall they stiffely deny our selues must satisfie for veniall sinnes procure discharge from temporall punishments by our owne voluntary passions and penous good workes That Christ is mediatour of Intercession and Redemption Papists belieue herein are orthodoxe in faith that he is the * 1. Tim. 2.5 1. Iohn 2.1 2. sole meritorous mediatour of Intercession and impetration they belieue not herein they are Infidels Saints and Angels meritoriously intercede for vs that is the lye of their faith sic de Reliquis 2 Next let be cousidered the generall acknowledgement of Scripture and all doctrines contained in Scripture to be of God acquits not of particular Infidelity for what if hereticall sense be forced vpon the letter and in that false sense be belieued there is a lye vnder that faith there is infidelity if to Scriptures in right sense taken credence be denied Exemp That the Text in Iohn Father Word and Spirit are y 1. Iohn 5.7 one is Gods word no Antitrinitary denieth but that onenesse is by consent of will puts the lye in their faith not by identitie of Essence is their Infidelity that faith iustifieth in the sight of God Papists deny not But as a quality principall in vs and as the beginning and first step to iustice which they imagine inherent in vs that 's the lye in their faith That as an instrument apprehending and applying the righteousnesse of Christ for which we are accounted righteous by which alone we stand iust in Gods sight this they belieue not in this they are Infidels 3 Lastly let that be weighed that in the points which orthodoxly they professe to belieue the formall obiect of their faith is not veritas prima but the testimony of the Church humane faith makes not a Christian he is no better then an Infidell in respect of diuine faith who hath no higher reason then humane Authority or Reason of his belieuing Summe vp all the result in this who so denies credence to any part of Truth couched in any Article is in that respect an Infidell who so belieues the letter of Scripture not belieuing the sentence flowing from right Interpretation is so farre an Infidell who so belieues the Gospell onely because the Church testifies it to be Gospell not because the Author reuealing it giues such Testimony is neuer a whit lesse then an Infidell Such are Papists Ergo Infidels that is culpable of partiall Infidelitie Vse My hearts desire and prayer to God for Papists is that they may be saued my hope that many yet Papists shall be saued Howbeit of them which liue and dye Papists I must professe my charity cannot be so charitable as to thinke they shall be saued 1 They are falsified in their faith belieue lyes no lesse then damnable heresies 2 They are without faith in the points which are the very heart and soule of the Gospell The good Lord giue them eyes to see hearts to bewaile and forsake their heresie their infidelity that so they may come out of snare of the diuell flye from the wrath to come 2 Their second sinne making lyable to damnation is taking pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Theophilacts interpreter renders qui oblectati sunt in iniustitia The word signifies a willing pleasing selfe-propention not without much contentment vnrighteousnesse take as before to denote vniuer salem iniustitiam sinne and wickednesse such should the sectaries of Antichrist be men finding pleasance taking delight in their owne and others viciousnesse A vice or degree of viciousnesse incompatible with Grace Salomon notes it the property of the wicked to z Pro. 10.23 reioyce in doing euill to delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked Saint Paul makes it a Rom. 1.32 more heinous then doing euill Saint Bernard to Eugenius noting the seuerall steps whereby men descend to the depth and bottome of desperate contempt rankes this in the middle when a man first enters into a course of sinning especially against conscience he finds his first fact a burthen intolerable 2 let him iterate it of intolerable it becomes grauy onely frequent it of graue it s made 3 leue custome it it proues 4 insensible 5 not long ere it s made delectable 6 The taste of pleasure makes it desirable 7 That excusable 8 By and by desensible 9 Till at last it becomes gloriabile matter of boasting to which what can be added in the measure of sinfulnesse Is it chargeable on Papists Resp On no Christians more I spare mention of their exulting in their owne impieties and Idolatries perhaps the people thinke they ought so to serue God But who euer knew Papist other then practiser abettor triumpher in the vilest pollutions of that day of rest which God hath sanctified to himselfe from the beginning And what ioy is it to see or heare the exorbitancies of men of the contrary Religion what Dauid with b Psal 119.136 Riuers of waters bewailed Lot c 2 Pet 2.8 vexed his soule from day to day to behold and heare partly for the dishonour of God partly through compassion of the sinners miserie these ioy in with the ioy of haruest or such as they are affected withall that diuide the spoile But out vpon filthinesse of fornication the companion of Popish Idolatry was euer Papist knowne to scruple this sinne not to extenuate it as veniall not to excuse it as a tricke of youth to ioy and glory therein as in a point of manhood But scatter Lord scatter our cruel enemies that delight in bloud strong must the infatuation be to no lesse then extinction of the light of nature from which issues reioycing in massacres of Christians and in spilling of bloud wherein yet the scarlet Whore and her Sectaries ioy euen to laughter and as Cannibals finde sweetnesse in no liquor inebriating more then in bloud Vse And yet must we hope Papists so liuing and dying may be saued Summe vp the whole thus is their description by properties 1 Falsified in their faith 2 Faithlesse towards the Truth 3 Sporting themselues in their deceiuing taking pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Belike Heretiques Infidels Impenitents may be saued yet said our Sauiour He that e Marke 16.16 belieues not shall be damned and f Luke 13.3.5 except yee repent yee shall all perish or what thinke we is false faith sauing is faithlesnesse towards
Tim. 3.15 17 wise to saluation 2 to furnish the man of God the Minister to euery good worke of his calling 3 Wherefore wee are limited a Isai 8.20 to Law and Testimony 4 Wherefore also amongst fathers the Argument is of force It s not written therefore not matter of necessary faith or practise Scriptum doceat Hermogenis officina aut timeat vae illud c. Tertullian Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem In his quae apertè posita sunt in Scripturâ continentur ea omnia quae continent fidem moresque viuendi Austin alibi Credo quòd etiam hinc diuinorum Eloquiorum clarissima Authoritas esset si homo illud sine dispendio promissae salutis ignorare non posset Caetera vide supra Contents of Scripture you must vnderstand not onely what is expressed in so many letters and syllables but whatsoeuer may thence by manifest and necessary consequence be deduced sweetly b Lib. 5. de Theologid Nazianzen Quaedam sunt dicuntur in Scripturis quaedam verò sunt in Scripturis tametsi non dicuntur As that the father is vnbegotten is not expressed in so many syllables in Scripture yet is collected from what is written Thus informe your selues 1 Where generals are deliuered there are all particulars comprised in those generals intentionally deliuered because generals comprehend their particulars 2 Where principles and causes are deliuered there effects are also intended as being vertually contained in their principles 3 Where one equall is taught all of like reason is taught quia parium par ratio and where is par ratio there is par lex where is like reason there is like law So take contents of Scripture no instance of any point of necessary or but conuenient faith and practise can be giuen but what is deliuered in the written word As to this Scripture to children it will appeare to afford no Argument for their conclusion for what when it s yeelded they must hold fast not onely what Paul wrote in his Epistles but those things also which he taught them by liuely voice followes it thence that something of necessary faith taught in no Scripture Resp What if those other things taught by word were contained in other Scriptures then though as well written as not written in these Epistles yet no other thing then was written Act. 26.22 Testifying and saying nothing else but what Prophets and Moses spake should come to passe Else how Paul taught many things which he wrote not Resp Who doubts as other Apostles and Prophets but as Augustine what they taught and wrote not belonged rather ad vbertatem Cognitionis then ad Authoritatem Religionis Obiect But these of necessary obseruation Resp I yeeld it yet followes not the generall conclusion therefore something necessary not contained in any Scripture Pauls Epistles to Thessalonians are not all Pauls Epistles much lesse all Scripture There is Moses Prophets Euangelists and other holy men that wrote as they were c 2 Pet. 1.21 inspired by the holy Ghost in any of whose writings if Pauls dictates were contained it sufficeth to shew inualidity of the inference The paralogisme is too childish to deceiue wise men q.d. something of necessary faith was taught by Iames which is not contained in his Epistle as the Incarnation Passion Resurrection of our Sauiour Ergo No Scripture containes these necessary Articles of faith or Ergo something is of necessary faith which is not comprised in Iames his Epistle which who doubts and yet stands the conclusion firme Nothing is of necessary faith or practise but what is contained in Scriptures vniuersally taken we returne to Pauls purpose and heede his aduise as most necessary and anaileable to preuent seducement by Antichrist and other Heretiques to keepe vs close without sweruing to Propheticall and Apostolicall doctrine that is a a 2 Pet. 1.19 most sure word there while we hold vs we are safe compare 1 Tim. 6.3 4 20 21. 2 Timo. 1.13 14. and 3.14 15. Titus 3.9 Galat. 1.8 9. True but this doctrine was in part tradita onely not written Resp 1 Then was Irenaeus and other ancients deceiued whose sentence is that they worte the materials of what they preached and left them so to bee rule of faith 2 Yet who so could assure mee of any thing taught by Paul which hee wrote not I should not deny it greatest reuerence and credit Beatius est dare quà m accipere though I read not in Euangelicall storie yet I reuerence as Christs speach because Luke hath recorded it And that prophecie of Enoch mentioned by Saint Iude I doubt not to haue beene his prophecie But as to the Cardinals rules to trie Apostolicall traditions I finde them vncertaine For how will he assure mee That any the points betwixt vs controuersed and pretended to haue foundation vpon Apostolicall tradition were vniuerfally receiued by the whole Church When all ages haue afforded men most Orthodoxe that haue otherwise belieued and practised Once I am sure what they wrote is theirs what else they spake no authoritie can ascertaine me 3 The rule is certaine they deliuered nothing doctrinall to bee receiued that is contrariant to what they wrote for did not the same spirit guide their tongue that their pen What now When I finde direct or consequentiall repugnancie and contradiction twixt their pretended traditions and writings Must I thinke such traditions Apostolicall Heed what is deliuered by Apostles and Prophets sith vpon no certainetie thou canst be resolued except by their writings what they deliuer to be obserued there to hold thee fast without declining in all matter of faith and morall practise Vse 1 Lord that foretimes had beene so prouidently heedfull How doe I perswade my selfe Antichrist had beene yet to seeke his faith and religion Else so palpable in heresie and superstition as neuer to conuey his iniquitie in mysterie But whiles men thought to mend by adding to written prescripts and ouercredulously gaue way to titles Apostolicall withall grew wanton and luxuriant in glossing and inferring from the sacred text mixing withall their Philosophicall conceits and language ouer hyperbolicall vnwittingly they hatcht that Cockatrice egge whereout hath issued the Serpent of Papisme In euery age inclinations of doctrine are well obserued by the century-writers out of which rags of Fathers heedlesse opinions they haue patcht vs vp their Poperie Yet would God wee could by that harme learne caution I haue long obserued the c Apoe 11.3 two witnesses to Prophecie in sackcloth And learning of higher straine then what simplicitie of Scriptures affords to bee much affected by professed diuines Fathers who saue he that knowes them not but reuerenceth But it s strange when Saint Paul must be forced to accord with Saint Augustine else scarcely bee deemed Authentique Harsh when liberty is not permitted with reason and saluá reuerentia to dissent from their opinions Saint Augustine desired not to be so read nor did himselfe so read others Too too shamefull when
heard him teaching in other Churches or as falsely they might boast priuately imparting it as some secret to themselues how euer It s but the tricke of an Heretique to flye from verbum Scriptum to verbum Iraditum I meane where the doctrine is vrged as matter of necessary faith belike Apostles had forgotten the charge of their Master to i Mat. 10.27 publish on the house tops what they had heard in secret when they must whisper in secret the abstruser points of knowledge to the more perfect conceiling them from all notice of the vulgar Saint Austin makes mention of the Deuterosis Iudaeorum Cont. Aduers leg prophet lib. 2. cap. 11. which to them was a second Mishne equalled with Moses his written Deuteronomie Vnwritten traditions who doubts but pretended from Moses or some other great Prophet which they equalled with the Scriptures of the Law and Prophets Quid nostri The written word is but partialis Regula supplie it must haue from Tradition No nay for where else shall we finde Purgatorie Inuocation of Saints Adoration of Images Sacrament Reliques c. Thus I iudge 1 Euer since the Church had a word written she had in that written word a perfect rule of faith and practise perfect I meane protempore The quaere is vsuall all whither Articles of faith were increased in processe of time And is thus resolued they were not encreased noua addendo but implicita explicando Doth any doubt whether Moses related fully what was prescribed to Adam or Abraham to be beleeued 2 The Gospell which the Apostles preached they did afterwards by the will of God deliuer vs in their writings Irenaeus lib. 3. cap. 1. to be the foundation and pillar of faith perfectly and fully trow we Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem saith Tertullian Scriptum esse doâ—eat Hermogenis â—fficina Si non est Scriptum timeat vae illud k Vide Apoc. 22.18 In cap. 2. Aggaei adijcientibus vel detrahentibus destinatum Saint Hierome Quae absque autoritate testimonijs Scripturarum quasi traditione Apostolica sponte reperiunt at que confingunt percutit gladius Dei 3 Can we imagine the Apostles inserting in their writings paticulars many comparatiuely to those of necessary faith of no such consequence for knowledge would pretermit any thing concerning vs in the maine Credat Iudaeus Apella 4 But who can imagine their writings and Traditions are contrariant Ends of committing the word to writing see largely in Theophylact Kemnitius and others Ancient and Moderne and tell me how well this Phansie sorts with them Nor by Epistle as from vs. The third is letter Meanes he the former Epistle sent to this Church corrupted by audacious glosse of these false Teachers Rather some other forged by them and fathered vpon the Apostle why else in the close is the Apostle so carefull to Characterize his Epistles doubtlesse that the forgerie if any might thereby be discouered Such forgerie is no new thing in Heretiques and other Impostors Apostles yet suruiuing they published vnder their Names Euangelicall stories Ambrose on Luke mentions the counterfeit Gospels of Thomas Bartholomew Paul whose Authors he supposeth those many mentioned by Luke to haue attempted but without successe the narrations that concerned our Sauiour After-Times were not free from like Impostures But as any man gained to himselfe reputation of learning and sanctity in the Church so was his Name prefixed to the Pamphlets of seducing Teachers to gaine them Authoritie out of this shop came that booke of Hermes commonly stiled Pastor and those many counterfeit Fathers whose Authoritie is sacred amongst our Romanists Truth is scarcely any of the Fathers but their names haue bin made Panders to their superstition that where their indubitate writings steed them not counterfeit additions may procure them patronage What thinke you Is not the cause deplored which but by such base shifts cannot be supported Haue ye no written word for purgatorie prayer for the dead in all the indubitate Scriptures of Prophets Apostles but ye must flie to the Apocrypha Tradition apparitians of the dead c. for their foundation 'T will euer be true which Tertullian said of Heretiques they are Lucifugae Scripturarum I say as Basil Infidelitatis Argumentum fuerit Serm. de fidci Consessione lib. 3. cont lit petilian cap. 6. signum superbiae certissimum si quis eorum quae scripta sunt aliquid velit reijcere aut corum quae non scripta introducere as Saint Augustine Si quis siue de Christo siue de eius Ecclesia siue de quacunque aliâ re quae pertinet ad fidem vitamque nostram non dicam si nos sed quod Paulus adiecit si Angelus de Colo vobis annunciauerit preterquam quod in Scripturis legalibus Euangelicis accepistis Anathema sit But of the generall matter of the Caueat and Item against the meanes of seducement hitherto followes the particular errour As if the day of the Lord were at hand Is that an errour said not Peter the same l 1 Pet. 4.7 The end of all things draweth nigh And Paul the m 1 Cor. 10.11 ends of the world are come vpon vs. Resp 1 Some thus It s not farre off if ye compare the vtmost endurance with eternitie A n 2 Pet. 1.8 thousand yeares is as one day millions of yeares the perpetuitie of time scarce a point a moment in eternitie yet may it be farre off after the measure of Time 2 Comparatiuely night to the times foregoing Christs comming in the flesh not simply nigh 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Appropinquat it draweth nigh that is Saint Peters tearme yet not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inslat not instantly to fall vpon the men then liuing as if they should not taste of death till they saw the Lord Christ comming in his glorie which seemes the conceit these meant to fasten on them 4 But why presume they to determine of times and seasons which God hath reserued in his own power nigh therefore so nigh What may we imagine Satans aime in venting such an errour in the Church seemingly so disaduantagious to his Kingdome The hearing of a Iudgement to come strikes Foelix with o Acts 24 25. trembling The terrible sound of the last trumpe which Hierome so continually sembled to himselfe Omnia tuta timco how did it make him feare where he was most secure Resp 1 Amongst libertines it occasions greater indulgence to the flesh as men willing to glut themselues with the pleasures of sinne because their time is but short Isai 22.12 2 Any errour in Gods children as an errour pleaseth the father of lies the seducer of the Brethren such especially as may tend to worke their perplexitie 3 The maine is this admit but one lye into Scriptures or Scripture doctrine August the Authoritie the truth of all fals to the ground The delay of Christs comming bred in those mockers p 2 Pet. 3.4 scoffing
proportion semblable you shall finde the Popes aduancement to the course of Satan by 1 Ignorance the Prince of Darknesse see also 2 Cor. 4. Num sic Christus 2 Pompa saeculi Apoc. 13.4.16 Non sic Christus 1 Cor. 1.26 27. 3 Bloudie câ—ueltie Apoc. 13.15 17.6 So not c Phil. 1 13 14. Tertul. in Apol. Christ Semen est sanguis Christianorum 4 Humoring voluptuousnesse of sensuall nature 2 Pet. 2.18 19. Christ not so But by the holy conuersation of his children prepares aliens to conuersion 1 Pet. 2.12 3.1 Vse 1 How earnest and faine is the Lord to worke and encrease in vs detestation of Poperie Apoc. 17. before he hath described the Sternsman a man of sinne a childe of perdition his faith and Religion a mysterie of Iniquitie if this be too little he here mindes vs of the first founder and maine supporter of that state the diuell and Satanas its good which the diuell hates euill that he fauours Extremely Hellishly euill which he so much fauours as with all his might and maine to aduance and support The good Lord giue you eyes to see hearts to consider that if any of you be entangled in the least fauourable inclination to Poperie yee may be rescued out of the snare of the Diuell if any yet not snared hee may bee watchfull against the entanglement c Eph. 6.11 12. Put vpon you the whole Armour of God for in wrastling with Poperie you wrastle not with flesh and bloud but with principalities and powers c. With all power and signes and lying wonders The meanes of his aduancement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caiatane expounds secular pompe All power that is power of all sorts riches honour dominion c. that herein he may appeare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an opposite to Christ of whom the Prophet Behold thy King commeth meekely sitting on an Asse c. And such the pompe of Poperie Read Bernard ad Eugenium But were it not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 singular why might wee not suppose it to signifie the same thing with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 places of Scripture are many see Heb. 2.4 2 Cor. 12.12 alibi And yet that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me thinkes is equiuolent and compare Rom. 15.19 you may imagine here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus ye tead there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the power signes and wonders Conceiue not as idle Schoolemen and postillers reall difference betwixt them such as to diuersifie them into seuerall species the thing is the same the names onely seuerall powers they are called by Metonymie of the efficient because they issue from power extraordinarie Signes for their vse because they serued to signifie and seale vp the truth of doctrine to which they were applied wonders for their effect because they bred in the beholders maruell sometimes no lesse then astonishing 1. What is a miracle 2. Can Antichrist can Satan worke it Resp The name is sometimes vsed largely sometimes stricktly largely taken it sounds to f Augusl de vtilitat Cred. ad Hanoratum c. 16 Austin any worke whatsoeuer hard and vnufuall exceeding the expectation or ability of the beholder and breeding him wonder The Latine name extends it selfe to all such vnusuall accidents or acts miraculum a mirando because thorough ignorance of causes beholders wonder So to the simple Eclipse of the Sunne seemes an halfe miracle such wonder it breedes in him which the Astronomer beholds and foretells without wonder Stricktly they denote workes extraordinary running into the sense exceeding the ability of all second causes of these Thomas obserues three kindes or degrees rather 1. Some such as by created virtue such as hee signifies vnder the name of nature can neuer be produced as to stop the Sunne in his course and g Iosh 10.12 13. make him stand still as vnder Ioshuah or to h Isai 38.8 make him goe backe the signe to Hezekiah 2. Others which nature can worke but not in that order that they are wrought as that man or other Animals should liue see heare walke as a worke of nature but to liue after death to see after i Iohn 9. blindnesse c. this is a worke no lesse then miraculous 3. A third sort when what are vsuall workes of Nature are produced without the principles and helpes of Nature suppose when a feuer curable by Nature is cured with the word or touch of our Sauiour without any helpe of medicine See Thom. Cont. Gent. lib. 3. cap. 101.102 c. 2. Can Antichrist Satan any creature worke a miracle Resp Mira they may miracula they cannot if yee take them in strickt sense 1. It s Gods k Psal 86. 135 prerogatiue royall Ps 72.18 2. They are diuine Testimonies Heb. 2.4.3 Signes of Apostles 2 Cor. 12.12.4 Beleeue mee for the workes sake Ioh. 10.38 Reasons Philosophically Theologicall See in Thomas quâ supra 3. What is then to be thought of these signes and wonders which Antichrist workes by helpe of Satan Resp What But as Paul stiles them that they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wonders of falshood not onely in respect of their end because they tend to confirme errour but in respect of their forme wanting what should constitute them in the essence and nature of miracles properly so called Sometimes the 1. Sense is deceiued as in those wrought by Pharao his Magitians 2. Sometimes the phantasie deluded 3. Sometimes Augustin de Ciuitat Dei secret workes of nature offered to sense of ignorant beholders the Lampe in Venus Temple burning so many yeeres to Plinie was no other but the stone Asphestus set on fire 4. Sometimes things actiue applyed to passiue and so effects wonderfull produced Philosopher is none amongst men so exact as the diuell What through the acuity of vnderstanding Naturall and notices of nature receiued in Creation reserued since his fall and what thorow obseruation and experience of so many hundreds some thousands of yeeres since his first being he is to our wonder skilfull in the whole course of nature And by that skill produceth strange and extraordinary effects Not all prestigious and illusorie but true in genere Rerum things being such as they are seene yet false all genere miraculoruÌ„ properly so called for such are works exceeding the order of whole Nature or of Nature vniuersally taken beyond whose ability diuels yea good Angels ascend not 4 Had Romanists any aduancement into the Throne by this meanes Resp Such and so great that by Bellarmine and others its made note of the Church Read him also in the question of Antichrist what pretty tales he tells of Syluesters Miracles curing Constantine of his Leprosie Stories or Legends rather are full of lying both wonders and reports of wonders to confirme their worship of Reliques prayer for the dead Inuocation of Saints Purgatorie c. Greatest Controuersists when Scriptures Fathers Traditions faile fly to miracles for confirmation
Aristotle and Plato must not illustrate onely or explicate but affront Saint Paul Of all I most wonder how the Barbarisme of Schoolemen hath regained reputation of highest learning and their mysteries seene higher then those Paul f 2 Cor. 12.4 heard in the third heauen their Sectaries more learned then hee that as g Acts 18.24 Apollos is mightiest in Scriptures Mine errour if yet an errour I le confesse Much pretious time I haue spent in them led thereto by these reasons 1 The high esteeme I saw them in with men whose learning and sanctitie I could not but reuerence 2 Next their promise of enabling rationally to conceiue highest mysteries of Theologie at least to defend them as more rationall then their contradictories 3 I found them in Moralities exact and distinct farre aboue the ordinarie rate of our Diuines 4 Why should a Papist in Schoole language be a Barbarian to me as I to him in the language of Canaan 5 Competently I seemed enabled to discerne betwixt good and euill 6 Conuersed in them not vt transfuga but vt explorator especially willing to see the harmonie like that of harpe and harrow twixt themselues and Controuersists of this time 7 Yet euer with this minde to subiect them to highest censure making Scripture my gnomen and canon after which to exact them Herein what I haue erred Lord pardon mee but sure it was farre from me to make them Lords of my faith or of my reason Nouices and Neophites onely I monish to bewarre of their inchantments lest their mindes bee corrupted from the simplicitie of the Gospel 2 Cor. 11.3 As to the people the monition is this to beware of h 2 Tim. 4.3 itching after nouelties and turning their eares from wholesome doctrine Where will you finde it but in Scriptures What when they tell you of fabulous traditions pretensed reuelations miracles and apparitions of Angels and men deceased Shall any mislead you from the written doctrine Gal. 1.8 9. Deut. 13.1 2 3. Luke 16.31 Oh fooles and blind 1 Here is i 2 Pet. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereon your soules may build 2 Here is k Rom. 14.4 comfort solid and what affords l Ier. 6.16 rest to the soule 3 m P Psal 119 9. Isai 8. Direction perfect for guiding the whole life what else seeke we Yet how wild and wanton are our heares growne Hee is no body now that tels what Peter and Paul Moses and Prophets haue spoken Who so can bring to their Athenian eares things strange and vnheard off though neuer so impertinent who so will walke in the Spirit and lye falsely hee shall bee a Prophet for this people So gat Antichrist footing amongst our forefathers and if euer by a postliminium he recouer his possession amongst vs by this meanes it will bee Hold fast the traditions you haue extant in Apostles and Prophets writings before them Poperie falles as Dagon before the Arke VERS 16 17. Now our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe and God euen our Father who hath loued vs and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation and good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in euery good word and worke THE second part of the prescript for preuention of seducement prayer vnto God The carriage seemes to present it as a voluntarie act of Pauls loue on behalfe of this people The intention bends it farther to the forme of a prescript and is so to bee apprehended in as much as Paul on this occasion falles to his deuotion In his example hee prescribes what is most conuenient for them to procure their establishment Certainely it is a principall amongst our compleate Armour auailing to our standing in the euill day n Ephes 6.18 Praying alwayes with all manner prayers and supplications in the Spirit watching thereunto with all perseuerance as if it gaue life and strength to the whole of our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Luke 17.1 2.5 Psal 51.12 1 Not onely the first infusion of grace is of God but to euery act and exercise of grace receiued is necessarie nouum auxilium 2 The giuer of grace the same is the perfecter confirmer stablisher of it 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Cor. 1.8 3 What feathers are we left to our selues when the least blast of temptation takes vs 1 Chron. 35.31 Mat. 26.74 Gal. 1.6 4 When we would doe good euill is most present with vs. Rom. 7.21 5 Not onely Iehoshuah but we all haue Satan standing at our right hand to resist vs Zach. 3.1 The Lord rebuke him had need bee our prayer ver 2. else whither fall we Luke 22.32 Vse It much ioyed mee amids the wauing and wauering of our winde shaken vulgus to heare the protestations and vowed resolutions of my people rather to die for Christ then to denie him Howbeit mee thought I wanted the eleuation and ascent of the minde vnto God Oh my deere brethren first thinke of the little o Rom. 7.18 hold fast goodnesse hath in our nature the no nourishment more then God is pleased to supply Secondly weigh how Adam and p Iude 6. Angels greater in power and dignitie fell left to themselues Thirdly consider how the q Mat. 26.74 Rocke of faith failed of an egregious presumer becomming a frequent denier of his Master Fourthly how soone g Galat. 1.6 Galatians were transported to another Gospel Fiftly minde who said it s a blessed thing to ſ Pro. 28.14 feare alwayes our owne infirmitie Sixtly how soone Dauid t Psal 30.6 7. was troubled when hee but fancied hee should neuer be moued Pray rather as Dauid hold thou mee vp and I shall bee safe and Lord u Psal 51.12 stablish mee with thy free spirit Humble deuotion preuailes rather then proud presumption See 2 Corinth 12. To it God giues answere my grace is sufficient for thee and * 2 Cor. 12.9 I will perfect my power in weakenesse To the rest thus let him that thinkes hee stands of all men take heede least hee fall 1 Cor. 10.12 Particulars obserueable in the prayer are first the persons to whom it s directed Secondly the grounds of assurance for audience Thirdly the blessings prayed for 1 Persons the Lord Iesus Christ and God our Father In Athanasius his time the inference was found Christ is prayed vnto as the Father therefore God equall with the father With good leaue of Papists it may passe current if to him as donour of grace the prayer be preferred 1 His stile is x Rom. 9.5 God ouer all blessed for euer 2 His properties the fame with those of the Father y Apoc. 2.23 ommiscience searching the heart and reines omnipotencie infinite wisedome c 3 Workes the same z Iohn 13. creation a Heb 12 3. sustentation b Iohn 5.17 gouernement of the creature Hold the conclusion firme against Arians 1 It assures thee of the c Heb. 9.14 1 Iohn 17. all sufficient value of the price