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
man personally with these properties endowed what lets to say that y Apoc. 19.20 beast and false Prophet shall be cast into hell Vse But are not they in good case who at aduenture follow the droue and driuer in praecipitia who venture body and soule to the issue of this sonne of perdition men are ventrous of soules more then of any thing yet vnder the Sun is not a Pearle so precious z Bernard lib. meditat O Anima insignita Dei imagine docorata similitudine redempta Christi sanguine despensata side dotata spiritu deputata cum Angelis Capax beatitudinis Haeres bonitatis particeps Rationis quid tibi cum Carne saith Saint Bernard quid tibi cum Diabolo with this sonne of perdition Can he not saue his owne soule from the hand of hell yet hopest thou following him in faith and worship to compasse heauen haue we not heard our Sauiour if a Mat. 15.14 blinde follow blinde both fall into the pit Miserere animae tuae bonum faciens And thinke the Lord mercifull in monishing thee of his issue he speakes in effect as Peter b Act. 2.40 Saue thy selfe from this vntoward this damned generation 3 Third propertie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. who opposeth or is an aduersarie or opposite To whom Resp Our English last and best Translation seemes to couple it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his opposition and exaltation respects all that is called God That 's true how euer we interpret whither true God or Idoles or Magistrates But why not apart considered as Ancients conceiued An opposite or aduersary another Satan To whom Res I doubt not but to Christ conceiue it a nominal definition of Antichrist expressing his nature an opposite to Christ. Hence is the obseruation not acute onely but solid Non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hilar. non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if his opposing should be not so much to his nature or person as to his vnction and function 2 But apert thinke we and ex professo Resp So conceiue Papists not without suffrage of some Ancients But when we finde him 1 to haue the c Apoc. 13.11 hornes of the Lambe 2 To speake lies in d 1 Tim. 4.2 hypocrisie 3 e 2 Pet. 2.1 Priuily to bring in damnable heresies 4 The whole world of earthly Christians not following onely or reuerencing or honouring or adoring but admiring after him can wee suppose him a professed aduersarie 5 When Paul tels vs it s a mysterie of iniquitie wherein he workes 6 Saint Iohn describes him a f Apoc. 16.13 false Prophet whose habit is g Mat 7.14 Greg. in Iob. l. 12. cap. 20. Hilar. contr Aurentium sheepes cloathing Saint Gregorie that he shall saine pietie to draw to iniquitie Saint Hilarie that vnder the cloake of the Gospell he shall be contrary to Christ yet shall we thinke him a professed aduersary It s wisedom the i Apoc. 13.18 wisedome peculiar to Saints to discerne him therefore no open enemie yet an Aduersary and by Dauids rule so much the more dangerous by how much the more secret and pretending friendship 3 Wherein stands this opposition How shewes hee enmity to Christ Resp They are frigid who limit to his life and morall behauiour in his conuersation vpon earth Remember his name he is Antichristus opposite to Christ as Christ that is as the anoinâ—ed Priest Prophet king of the Church who so in these things iâ— found his eminent emulous or opposite let him be deemed that Antichrist what euer shewes of amitie he pretends to that person whom we call Christ 4 May such one bee found in Rome Resp Else no where in the world taking in the Modâ—s of his opposition which is though hostlie yet vnder colour of loue Conceiue him opposite to Christs 1. Sufficiency 2. Propriety 3. Efficacie in his offices 1. Sufficiency in all they thus oppose 1. Of Priest-hood when they tâ—ach his k Heb. 10.14 owne once offering of himselfe not to perfect them that are sanctified We by our owne voluntary actions or sufferings must expect venial sins procure release of paines temporarie 2. Of Kingdome while neither Lawes of spirituall Regiment are found complete or competent in his Authentiques Except continuall supplement bee made of lawes directing and binding Conscience by his supposed Vicar vpon Earth Nor protection sufficient from ghostly Aduersaries in all the complete Armour by Christ prescribed nor assistance of spirit promised except helpe be had from crossings blessings holy water and such like selfe deuised playgames for the deâ—ell 3. Of Prophecy when word written is taught to be imperfect orders of Ministery by him left incompetent c. 2. Propriety for Rome affoords vs a new High-Priest of the New Testament Mediators of intercession so innumerable as Angels and Spirits of men made perfect in heauen Sacrificers of the body of Christ to propitiate for quicke and dead as many as Locusts were seene assending out of the bottomelesse pit and the rest that concernes his Priest-hood prosecute in your Meditation 2. In his Kingdome for in Rome we haue the vniuersall Monarch of the Church to whom is giuen all power in heauen and earth that hath plenitude of power to kill and saue aliue to send soules by Cartloades to hell and no man may say to him why dost thou so c. 3. In his Prophesie for the Pope Authentiques Scriptures at his pleasure makes Canonicall what he pleaseth Cancels at pleasure interprets by a spirit infallible and vnerring so that his sense of Scripture must without examination be admitted c. All this if you will beleeue him by Authoritie delegate from Christ and in ordine ad Deum with reference to God that so still the iniquitie of Papacy may worke in a mysterie 3. Efficacie When Scriptures wherein lawes of this King doctrines of this Prophet merits of this Priest are recorded are kept from notice of the people chiefely when they are taught to l Acts 4.12 seeke saluation at least in part in another name and to m Ier. 17.5 make flesh their Arme to which God hath denounced a curse that so far as this Epithere may leade vs to know Antichrist we discerne him in Rome Vse Can wee forget the Apostle n Cor. 6.14 What fellowship hath Christ with Beliall Christians vvith Antichristians Is not the yoke vnequall May Policie warrant vs leagues of amitie with Antichrist The Lord to Iehosaphat wouldest thou loue them that hate mee If any hatred of men bee o Psal 139.22 perfect as DAVID intimateth If any enmitie to anie enemies of our God warrantable most this wherein wee are carried towards this opposite of our CHRIST this Satan Aduersarie to God and all goodnesse Of this zeale and fire of holy Iealousie I pray O Lord increase it in vs. 4. Fourth property denoting his pride no lesse then Luciferian Exalteth himselfe aboue all that
pleasure dispensing yea cancelling the lawes of God for by his owne Traditions Vse Let that exorbitancie of this spirituall Tyrant encrease our detestation of his pride make cautionate against his bondage Woe to that land whose Princes Rule by absolute soueraignty not by lawes what differs that Regiment from Tyranny But woe and alas When they x Psal 2.3 breake the bonds of Gods lawes asunder and castaway those cords from them who is Dauid or the Sonne of Iesse Is scarce worth the name of Rebellion That of Pharoah is to bee trembled at y Exod. 5.2 who is IEHOVAH that I should obey his voice that onely suites his holinesse And of his description and Reuelation thus farre VERS 8. Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnes of his comming HIs destruction followes The mention inserted to preuent the ouer-discomfort of Gods Children The degrees of it are two 1. Consumption 2. Abolishment Amplifications of Both By 1. Author the Lord. 2. Meanes 1. Of consumption the Spirit of his mouth 2. Abolishment brightnes of his comming That there shall be an vtter destruction and ruining of Antichrist and his Kingdome we hence learne not without much solace compare Apoc. 14.17.18 Whence you may informe your selues who this Antichrist is what his kingdome where his throne no other then Rome c. What the instruments who the chiefe worker of his ouerthrow c. And all that his pride or our infirmitie may obiect preuented for strong is the Lord God who iudgeth her Apoc. 18.8 Vse 1 Aeternae Romae is to Saint Hierom and Prosper the name of Blasphemy written on the fore-head of the Beast Hierom. ad Algas q. 11. Prosp ds prouid praedest cap. 7. Apoc. 13.1 No nay but Rome must be the Church against which the gates of hell preuaile not perpetually it must endure to the end of the world Oh fooles and slow of heart to beleeue all that the Scriptures hath spoken to dreame of perpetuity of that Synagogue of satan which the Lord hath begunne to demolish threatned vtterly to abolish Can you obserue hir already in her comsumption and with a proh dolor bewaile the daily defection of Kingdomes and Nations from hir and yet dreame of hir perpetuitie Estius in 2 Thes 2.4 But thus must they be blinded whom God will haue deluded With this hope let Gods people solace themselues so much the rather for that his day draweth nigh And let all Gods people the holy seed if any amongst them z Apoc. 18.4 come out of her that they be not longer partakers of her sinnes and receiue of her plagues Degrees of destruction 1 Consumption a lingring wasting of him and his kingdome See Psal 78.7 8. Iezabel this Queene of whoredomes is not at once cast out of the window first a Apoc. 2.22 into her bed of languishing Why not at once destroyed Resp With b Rom. 9.22 much patience God beares the vessels of wrath prepared to destruction These Reasons are of it God knowes to vse euill things well 1 Antichrist g Isai 10.5.12 as Ashur his rod to scourge his Church 2 His instrument of their triall See Apoc. 6.10 11. meanes of their crowne 2 Slay them not least my people forget it Psal 59.11 13. 3 The holy h Apoc. 18.4 remnant by sight of his languishing rescued out of the Iawes of death 4 That by these beginnings of sorrowes themselues if possible might be brought to repentence see Apoc. 2.21 5 There is a secret insinuation of spirituall Iudgement furthered hereby while they thorow indignation at the wrath and wan hope to recouer grow more obdurate in euill 6 Their last vengeance aggrauated by this occasion because those i Iob. 36.13 hypocrites call not no not when God bids them The meanes of his consuming the breath of the Lords mouth that some interpret the bare command of Christ without any ministerie of man others metaphorically to denote how easily the Lord shall worke it solo flatu oris if he but blow vpon him he is consumed Rather thus saith Caietane Spiritu Sermonis Euangelici c. the preaching of the Gospell called by the Prophet the rod of his mouth the spirit of his lips Isai 11.4 Agreeing whereto is that of Saint Iohns Angell hauing the eternall Gospell to preach and thereby to reduce the prophane and superstitious world bewitched by Antichrist to the true feare and pure worship of God see Apoc. 14 6 7. Euents accord it Not with sword or speare but with this k 2 Cor. 10.4.5 weapon of our warfare hath the Lord demolished the strong holds of Antichrist those high things exalted against the obedience of Christ. Read Historie of Luther in Sleiden Congruitie of the instrument you easily discerne when you consider the maine pillars of Popish Religion to be 1 Ignorance and 2 Errour easely as mists vanishing when but the beames of Truths light appeare to the world Vse 1 Oh the hypocriticall pretenses of their concealing Scriptures from notice of the people they are l Mat. 7.6 holy and pearles must not be hazarded to contempt of swine difficult and obscure the m 2 Pet. 3.16 vnlearned and vnstable may peruert them to their owne destruction But out vpon those blasphemies they are hellish the Scriptures a nose of waxe a Lesbian Rule a dumbe Iudge Inkie Diuinitie Spake Peter thus your pretended predecessour in the Popedome 2 Pet. 1. Truth is you know it well n 1 Sam. 5.3 4. the Arke and Dagon light and darknesse haue as good concord as Popish Faith and the Gospell Hence is the locking vp of Scriptures in an vnknowne tongue enclosing Interpretation to Rome verifying that Haeretici Lucifugae Scripturarum chiefely Antichrist Wonder you hence came his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his irrecouerable consumption whereof he yet languisheth As many as long for the prosperitie of Sion the downfall of Babylon pray 1 that the o 2 Thes 3.1 word of God may haue free passage and be glorified 2 That p Eph 6.9 vtterance may be giuen vs instantly to preach the eternall Gospell with q 1 Cor. 2.4 euidence of the Spirit and power 3 That daily God r Mat. 9.38 would thrust forth labourers into his haruest that if it may be we liuing may beare our part in the ſ Apoc. 19.1 2 3 Halleluiah of Saints at the fall of Babylon And shall destroy with the brightnesse of his comming The second degree of his destruction abolishment or vtter ruine at least eneruating in such sort as he is lest without power and efficacie Vnderstand it of his person place authority c. see Apoc. 17.18 19. whither of his doctrine and Religion also so that none shall be left embracing or professing it is another question where with I meddle not The meane of his vtter ouerthrow the brightnesse of Christs comming But denotes it the meane or not rather
Churches Councels Popes Authentique of selfe credit or must Faith be resolued vltimatè to them To the l Isai 8.20 Law and Testimonie Search Scriptures though k Acts 17.11 Apostles l Gal. 1.8 Angels teach you The foolish will belieue euery thing But the prudent considers his steps 3. Be not wise in your owne eyes but feare the Lord and depart from euill Pride securitie sensuality hazard to misbeliefe of such condition and quality haue bin antique Heretiques That they all might be damned c. 2 The penall issue damnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudged for condemned frequent in Scripture Iohn 3.17 alibi passim shewes it their issue or Gods intention Resp. You may without errour thinke it spoken intentionaliter and not onely consecutiue God intends punishment of sinne and not onely orders a connexion betwixt them Howsoeuer it should seeme Antichristian errours Popish misbeliefe is such as shall damne their sectaries except perhaps God giue m 2 Tim. 2.25.26 Repentance to come out of the snare of the Diuell Saint Peter cals them n 2 Pet. 2 1. damnable heresies the words may be rendred damning or destroying heresies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saint Paul o 1 Tim. 4.1 Doctrines of Diuels Are any such taught and belieued of Romanists Resp What thinke you of Iustification in part by workes of the Law Is it not a damned a damning lye who so is in this Article but so erroneous if Paul say true he is fallen from p Gal. 5.4 Grace and Christ shall profit him nothing What of congruent merits afforded by nature of freedome and power natiue in the will excited to apply and determine it selfe to Gods gracious perswasion Is it not more then halfe Pelagianisme what of expiating sinnes of quicke and dead by pretended vnbloudy offering of Christ in their Masses I spare mention of errours in practise whose grounds yet doctrined are no lesse then hereticall to commit fornication is not heresie but vnchastity But to doctrine that its lawfull to commit fornication is to doctrine heresie to belieue it is to belieue the damned heresie of q Apoc. 2.15 Nieolaitans To worship God in an Image is not heresie but Idolatrie But to teach or belieue that God must may so be worshipped is to teach and belieue no lesse then destroying herefie To murther Kings supposed hereticall or Tyrannous is not heresie but Sacrilegious cruelty But to teach or belieue it lawfull or meritorious to doe violence to the Lords annointed is cursedly hereticall c. Vse 1 You may in foolish or rather cruell pitie promise life to impenitent Papists I meane that repent not their Papaisme besides all their other sinnes nor reuoke their errours for my part I belieue Saint Paul their errours in faith are such as shall damne them Saint Iohn that the r Apoc 19 20. Beast and false Prophet with all their impenitent sectaries shall be cast into the Lake of fire I aduise as Saint Iohn ſ Apoc. 18.4.2 Come out of her keepe out of her al ye the Lords people that loue your soules Saue your selues from that vntoward that cursed generation If Papists may be saued we haue needlesly separated if they hold the head the foundation in such sort and degree as to be capable of saluation Antichrist may be as Christ a Iesus to Gods people Their end if Paul say true is damnation 4 The cause is euident and the crime 's of that high nature that Iustice of God in inflicting such vengeance is easely discerned for 1 they belieue not the Truth 2 Haue pleasure in vnrighteousnesse De primo who belieued not the Truth Truth to which beliefe is denied vnderstand not euery Truth What if a man held as Anaxagoras that the Snow is blacke could he not be induced to belieue it white or as Copernicus that the heauens stand still without motion the earth moues and were refractary to all contrary perswasion Heretiques or Infidels you might call such in Philosophy howbeit diseredence of such truths doth not preiudice any in his saluation Truth vnderstand as Paul interprets the Gospell the word of truth which is the t Col 1 5. Gospell Eph. 1.13 so stiled either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the most excellent eximious comfortable truth God euer reuealed to man else in opposition to those shadowie resemblances wherein God presented Christs merits and benefits to the faith of Iewes in Sacrifices and other Ceremonies whereas to vs nakedly he hath afforded the realtie and truth of what they foreshadowed see Iohn 1.17 Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ. Infidelity is of two sorts 1 of pure Negation such in Pagans and Turkes to whom God neuer yet vouchsafed the word or meanes of faith 2 of euill disposition when the price is put into the hands of fooles to get knowledge but they haue no heart the doctrine of faith vouchsafed but credence denied vnto it Such in children of the Church whereof apertly this Scripture must be vnderstood There are two kindes or degrees of it 1 Totall respecting the whole word of God all Articles of faith 2 Partiall where part of the Gospell some Articles of faith or something belonging to euery Article is belieued howbeit towards some points or the ful sentence of some one or more men are incredulous Example That faith in Christ was necessary to saluation false Apostles amongst Iewes denied not But that it alone or the obiect of it Christs merit entered our Iustification or made it perfit without workes of the Law they belieued not were therefore in part Infidels c. But is infidelity in any sort chargeable on Papists Behold they confesse to belieue the whole word of God in old and new Testament The three Creeds they admit entire into their faith how then may we charge infidelity on them Resp Two things I commend to euery one desirous herein to expedite himselfe 1 As in an oath imposed the forme is to speak Truth the whole truth nothing but the truth So in faith it s required that Truth whole truth nothing but truth be belieued If any thing but the truth be belieued they are falsified in their faith vt supra they belieue a lye If the whole Truth be not belieued they are culpable so far of Infidelity How Papists are falsified in their faith so as they are chargeable with damned heresie we haue shown before how they are Infidels notwithstanding their professed beliefe of all Articles of the Creed you may thus conceiue inasmuch as they belieue not all Articles in their full sense taken Thus in a word 1 The all-sufficiency of Christs meritorious passion they belieue not 2 Nor his propriety incommunicable in his office of mediation Exemp That Christ suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried went downe to hell Papists belieue but did not doe not Iewes so who doubts but they belieue the generall history of Christs passion as
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
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
of vs ouer to the power of Satan and swing of our owne corrupt inclinations 3 And which results of both voluntarie i Acts 14.16 permission not hindering the errours or sinnes which except he hinder will be Thus and no otherwise sends God delusion And thus hath God his singer in these spirituall Iudgements these sinfull penalties or penall sinnes Doe we prouoke the Lord to Anger are wee stronger then he Behold what varietie of plagues he hath in store for the children of disobedience plagues for body for soule which are the most dreadfull thus number them 1 desperate horror 2 Hardnesse of heart 3 Blindnesse of minde 4 Obstinacie in errour in euill At these tremble they are in their height plagues peculiar to reprobates the vessels of wrath prepared to destruction It s fearefull when God permits a man to errour damnable in the merit much more to be trembled at when he intercludes all possibilitie or hope for returne out of errour Amongst other causes that 's a principall reiecting loue of Truth 3 The issues of the Iudgement 1 Beliefe of lies 2 And which followes it eternall damnation De primo To belieue a lye where are two things 1 Their Act beleeuing 2 The matter or obiect a lye whereof first It presents to vs in shortest compendium description of Antichristian faith and Religion reduced to a word it s in plaine English a lye Take it as Nomen speciei A Religion a doctrine compacted of leasing They speake k 1 Tim. 4.2 lyes in hypocrisie particularize where they dissent from vs. It s a lye that God loues to be suited vnto by Saints and Angels mediatours his charge is l Psal 50.15 Call on me his encouragment to goe m Heb. 4.16 boldly to Throne of Grace to draw n 10.22 neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith nor hath he ordained vs any other mediatour of o 1 Iohn 2.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.5 6. Intercession but the same that is of Redemption euen the man Christ Iesus the high Priest p Heb. 2.17 18. 4.15 sensible of our infirmities compassionate far aboue the measure of men and Angels A lie that our workes are meritorious being done in Grace The staines of our righteousnesse are no lesse then q Isal 64.5 menstruous by the Prophets confession and he speakes saith Bernard non minus vere quam humiliter A lye too palpable that man may supererogate exceede what in duetie he owes vnto God When r Mar. 12.30 all in our power is commanded and in doing what is commanded we doe Å¿ Luk. 17.10 but duetie nay when in t Iac. 9.2 many things we sinne all in our best performances are defectiue in the degree and measure of doing A lye against Sense Scripture all sound authoritie that Baptisme takes away all whatsouer hath proper reason and nature of sinne When still in experience remaine u Gal 5.17 propensions to euill and Pauls stile of Concupiscence is still sinne somewhere the sinning sinne not onely because punishment of sinne and cause of sin but because it selfe is sinne as Saint Austins sentence is A lye that soules passe hence to paines of Purgatorie when Scripture auoucheth they are x Luc. 16.23 25. in Refrigerio receiue comfort y Apoc. 14.13 and rest from labours A lye too derogatorie to the perfection and fulnesse of Christs once offering himselfe that thereby mortall sins onely are expiated and commutation onely of eternall into temporall punishment merited by his passion when the z 1 Iohn 1 9. bloud of the sonne of God purgeth from all sinnes that one oblation a Heb. 10.14 perfits for euer them that are sanctified and his being made curse for vs hath redeemed vs from the whole b Gal. 3.13 curse of the Law I spare farther particularizing But why haue they taught their tongues to speake lyes Or why hath Satan filled their hearts to lye vnto the holy Ghost Me thinkes I may dare say In many their Assertions their lying is as Austin describes it in strictest sense a going against their owne mindes in vttering vntruths the more abhorrent let it make vs from their doctrines of Diuels 2 Their behauiour towards these lyes is to belieue them Belieuing implies two things 1 Firmenesse of Assent 2 Setlednesse of adherence de primo There are foure degrees by which the minde proceeds to Assent of Faith 1 Doubtfulnesse when the minde hangs in aequilibrio in euen poiâ—e without propension to either part as in Israelites c 1 Reg 18.21 halting betwixt two opinions 2 Suspition or coniecture when it begins tremblingly to incline rather to one part then the other supposing perhaps possibilitie of truth in the Article propounded as in Agrippa d Acts 26 28. Almost thou perswadest mee to be a Christian Opinion when the Assent is for the time somewhat * Rom 7.8 9.11.13 setled from apprehension of probabilitie in the proposition opined yet not without feare least the contradictory be more true As in Temporaries Mat. 13.21 4 Faith wherein is firmenesse of Assent and perswasion that the doctrine taught is vndoubtedly true And of this nature is that which is here made issue of strong delusion 2 Whereto if be added Resolued adherence yee haue the full and entire generall nature of faith And its applicable as well to falshood as to truth whence faith according to the double obiect is made two-fold 1 False faith when the matter or thing belieued is false then be the perswasion neuer so firme yet the faith is false though not in the act yet in the obiect 2 True Faith when the obiect is true and the assent and adherence firme and vnwauering The miserie of Papists here pointed is that they belieue a lye A miserie indeed when God giues ouer a man to be falsified in his Faith 1 Into what e Acts 26.9 Iohn 16.2 enormities of sinful practise doth blinde zeale for supposed truth transport many 2 What wonderfull f 1 Reg. 18.28 paines take such to goe to Hell Once fasten the perswasion that its lawfull or meritorious to murther Heretiques they spare not Kings the Lords annointed Settle them in beliefe that Faith plight to Heretiques needes not be kept swearing forswearing is not scrupled dummodo ob Rem Quid multa I doe not think Papists sinne all as Pauls monisht Heretiques g Tit. 3.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather as Pauls selfe before Conuersion h Acts 26.9 thinking they ought to do what they doe against the cause of truth But such are the fruits of falsified faith Vse The more heedfull should we be against causes and meanes of it Thus you may number them 1 Shut we our eyes against light our hearts to loue of Truth It s iust with God to giue ouer to beliefe of lyes 2 And why so slightfully regard we euidences or authorities brought to auouch doctrines as being de fide Are