men his holy Scripture euen as a Prince vseth a Cryer for the promulgation of his lawes vnto his Subiects And here take this similitude with you a man goeth to the Vniuersitie as vnto the very shop and store-house of Learning yet hereupon it followeth not that the truth of that learning we are taught there in the Vniuersitie doth depend on the authority of the Vniuersity Besides this must aâ—so be obserued that whatsoeuer the Papists say tovching the authority of her Church aboue the Scripture doth nothing at all profit them but that they manifestly beg the point in question whilest they thus argue The Church hath authority aboue the Scriptures The Pope of Rome is the Church Ergo. For suppose wee grant them their Maior which notwithstanding is false as wee haue manifestly proued yet they are neuer able to prooue their Minor as shall bee showne anone more distinctly VVhat is the second propriety of the word of God or the holy Scripture Syst Theol. pag. 176. That it bee intire perfect and sufficient to saluation which is prooued by that Ioâ— 20.30 Many other signâ— did Jesus which are not writteâ— in this Booke but these thinges are written that you may beleeue that Jesus is the Christ that Son of God that you beleeuing might haue life by his name Out of which place â— thus reason That which is sâ— written that by it wee may beleeue in Christ Iesus and sâ— obtaine eternall life that 〈◊〉 say is sufficient to life eternall But the Scripture is so written Ergo. Againe thence I thus argue The holy Scripture was written to this end that wee might beleeue in the Sonne of God and get eternall life Ergo. Whatsoeuer Word is not written profiteth or auaileth vs nothing to faith to eternall life which must diligently bee noted against the errour of the Papists which say there are two words of God Quod non legi vsurpare non debeo Amb. Non sum alioruÌ„ sermonum discipulus nisi coelestium Origen the one written the other vnwritten vpon which pretence they will needs obtrude vnto vs Traditions which they call Apostolicall the Decrees of the Popes and the custome of the Church Of which the Councell of Trent in the fourth Session thus speaketh Whosoeuer doth not with like affection of mind reuerence the Traditions of the Church as hee doth the holy Scriptures let him bee accursed But against those Traditions first note the sufficiency of the Scriptures Secondly this argument The Traditions of the Chuâ—ch either agree with the holy writ or they dissent from it If they be coâ—sonant to it then they say the selfe same thing thâ— Scripture saith and so theâ— are Scripture for that oughâ— not in all reason to be done bâ— mâ—â— which may bee performed by fewer Or they dissenâ— from the Scripture as all thâ— Traditions of the Popes as namely that Tradition wherby the Cup in the Lords Supper is prohibited to be administred vnto the lay people and such like And if they disagree with the Scripture they cannot fill vp the Scripture for that which is repugnant to any thing doth not fill vp but rather quite ouerthrow it Another testimony of the perfection of the holy Scripture is most manifest in the 2 Tim. 3.16 The whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration from God and is profitable to teach to reprooue to correct to instruct that the man of God may be perfect and perfectly instructed to euery good worke From whence wee may frame these arguments First the Scripture is a totum an intire thing Ergo it is perfect for a totum is that which wanteth no necessary parts Secondly that which sufficeth vs for doctrine Adoro plenitudinem ScripturaruÌ„ Tertul. for reproofe for correction and instruction that is full compleate for there is none that can shew any thing besides whereunto the Scripture should bee profitable But the Scripture is sufficient to those things Ergo. Thirdly that which maketh a man perfect and furnished to euery good worke that same must needs be perfect but thâ— Scripture doth so Ergo. The Maior is therefore true because there is no effect which is more perfect then its cause or because a perfect effect presupposeth the cause to be perfect and nothing can giue that to another which it hath not it selfe if the Scripture therefore make men perfect then it must also be perfect VVhat is the third propriety of the holy Scripture That in the Articles of faith Syst Theol. pag. 199. which are necessary to saluation it bee plaine easie and perspicuous easie I say and perspicuous first in respect of them to whom 〈◊〉 ought to bee a light for theâ— saluatioÌ„ according vnto thâ— 2 Cor. 4.3 If our Gospell be hid it is hid to them which perish whence it necessarily followes that the Gospell is not hid but cleare and open to those which doe not perish as Peter saith 2 Pet. 1.19 You doe well in that you attend to the word of the Prophets as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place Psal 19.7.8 The word of God is cleare Psal 119.105 The word of God is a light to our feete and steppes Secondly the Scripture is easie as it is an instrument which it hath deriued to it from the principall guide the holy Spirit who is that true teacher and interpreter of the Scripture Ioh. 14.26 The Aduocate which is the holy Ghost he shall teach you all things 1 Ioh. 2.27 That annointing that is the holy spirit teacheth vs of all things Also Ioh. 16.13 When that spirit of truth shall come he shall leade you in all truth Lastly it is easie if that in the handling of it wee vse conuenient meanes and expound one place by another according to the rules of good and lawfull exposition which you may reade in the 201. page of my Systeme of Diuinitie If then any shall demand Syst Theol. pag. 201. who hath the authority to interpret the Scripture if the Pope of Rome be he I answer that euery one is the best interpreter of his owne words whereas therefore the Scripture is the Word of God and of the holy Ghost and not of the Pope of Rome therefore the holy Spirit hath the authority to interpret as that true aduocate and teacher of verity But why then doth the Bishop of Rome chalenge to himselfe this authority to interpret the Scriptures I answer because he knowes well enough how bad his cause is and therefore dares not submit his Tenents to the Word of God or the Scripture if it be rightly vnderstood and therefore will he wrest and stretch the scriptures at his owne pleasure Touching which poynt I would haue you note the words of a certaine Apostate from the faith Casper Schoppius Papist who is now at Rome with the Pope hee in that Epistle he wrot touching his defection from vs vnto the Papists about sixe yeares agoe set out at Ingolstadium in the 24 page saith thus The
Lerinens Mâ—â—â— Dâ—â—â— tam non habit hoe illud quam non haec illa Bern. or these diuerse manners of Gods being doe not multiply the Diuine Essence no more then the diuers degrees of heate or light doe multiply the light or heatâ— so that I speake right when I say there are moe persons in the diuine Essence but it cannot be vttered without blaspheâ—y to say there are in God more Natures or more Gods then one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 NazianzeÌ„ Qui nescis TrinitateÌ„ ito ad Iordanem Mat. 3. Aug. Syst Th p 46 vide etiaÌ„ p. 35. seqq Dicamus tres sed non ad praiudiciaÌ„ vnitatâ— dicamus vnâ—â— sed non ad confussionem Trinitatis Ber. v. Syst Theol p. 49. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Na. Quomodò pluralitas in vnitate sit aut ipsa vnitas in pluralitate scrutari hoc temeritas est credere pietas est nosse vita vita aeterna est Bern. How many persons are there Three the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost which is proued by manifest Testimonies of holy Writ Matth. 28 19. Goe teach all nations baptizing them in the namâ— sc by the Authority and appointment of the Father thâ— Sonne and the Holy Ghost Iob. 15.26 When that Comforte shall come whom I will send tâ— you from the Father euen tâ— Spirit of Truth who proceedeth from the Father he well testifie of me where they are all three plainely named the Father from whom the holy Spirit is sent the Sonne who sendeth and the Holy Ghost who is sent 1. Ioh. 5 7. There bee three which beare record in Heauen the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one in Essence or Nature How proue you that these three persons bee that one God First I must haue it granted that these three persons are distinct because hee that sendeth is distinguished from him that is sent and hee from whom is distinguished from him that is sent Now Iâ—â—c 15. plainely saith that Christ is hee that sendeth the Holy Ghost him that is sent and the Father from whom the Sonne sendeth the holy Ghost Whence I doe necessarily inferre that these three manners of being in God are distinct which being graunted I shall easily prooue this three-fold manner of being or these three Persons in the diuine Essence to be that true God For first as touching the Father the very aduersaries themselues yeeld Christus est Deus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 coÌ„tra AriuÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contra Apolinar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contra Nestor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contra Eutych Syst Theol. pag. 52. seqq that he is truely God And touching the Sonne wee haue manifest testimonies of the Scripture Rom. 9.5 Of whom namely the Israelites are the fathers of whom Christ came as concerning the flesh who is God aboue all blessed for euer If aboue all therefore about those who by reason of their excellent gifts are called Gods That the holy spirit is God these Sentences of Scripture plainely proue Acts 5.3 Peter saith to Ananias Why hath Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lye against the holy Ghost And presently he addeth vers 4. Thou hast not lyed vnto men but vnto God Therefore the holy Ghost is God Another place is 1 Cor. 2.10 The Spirit searcheth all things euen the profound things of God And the verse following For who knoweth the things c. Whence wee may thus reâ—son whosoeuer knoweth the secrets the profound secrets of God or which is all one whosoeuer is omniscient is God but the Holy Ghost is Omniscient Ergo The Maior is euident the Minor is exprâ—sly in the Text. Secondly whatsoeuer is in God is God but the Holy Ghost is in God Ergo. The Proposition is of certaine truth for that God who is a most simple Essence void of all difference and composition cannot consist of any thing which is not God The assumption is in the Text v. 11. where it is said As the reasonable soul is in man that is of the essence of man so the holy Spirit is in God Hitherto may tha testimony 1 Cor. 3.16 be referred â— August Enchirid. cap. â—6 Know yee not that yee are the Temple of God and that the holy spirit dwelleth in you where the latter words doe expound the former for it is all one as if the Apostle had said Know yee not that yee are the Temple of God seeing that the Holy Ghost dwelleth in you who is God But if the Aduersaries say that the spirit is nothing else saue the effects and gifts of God they are most manifestly confuted and confounded by the words of the Scripture 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6 There are diuersities of gifts but the same spirit there are diuersities of ministrations but the same Lord c. And verse 11. All these gifts worketh that one and selfe same spirit distributing c. Whence ariseth this argument He that distributeth a gift is not himselfe that gift that is distributed but the Holy Ghost is the distributer of all those gifts Ergo. The Proposition is cleare enough The Assumption is plaine in the Text where it is said that the spirit worketh and distributeth al those gifts Another argument out of the same text may bee this Hee that is endued with a will hee cannot be a bare vertue or accident but is a substance subsisting by it selfe but the Holy Ghost c. Ergo. The Maior is cleare for whosoeuer willeth he vnderstandeth and whosoeuer willeth and vnderstandeth hee must bee a substance by it selfe subsisting The Minor is clearely set downe in the text where it is said The Spirit distributeth to euery one as he will Fuit principium essendi DEVS sequiter cognoscendi principium VERBVM DEI non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbum Christi Syst Th p. 167. Qui ScripturaÌ„ ignorat ChristuÌ„ ignorat Hieronym de Scriptura Zanch. Confess pag. 482. item in illud Pauli 2 Tim. 3.14 tom 8. p. 319 seqq I haue heard the doctrine concerning God tell mee now besides what the holy Scripture is It is that testimony and witnesse which God hath giuen to Mankind as touching his owne nature and will and as touching those thinges which appertaine to the saluation of man How is the holy Scripture diuided Three manner of waies first by reason of the Time wherein it was reuealed secondly by reason of that Authority it hath in proouing thirdly by reason of the Matter which it handleth How is the Scripture diuided in respect of the time wherin it was reuealed Into the Old and New Testament The Old Testament therefore is that part of the Scripture which God reuealed to the first of Man-kind people of the Iewes which liued vntill the Ministery of Christ which hee reuealed I say by the Prophets as by his Scribes and Notaries But the New Testament is called that part of the Scripture which God hath reuealed to Man-kind after the birth
of Christ by the Euangelists and Apostles as by his Pen-men or Notaries How is the Scripture diuided in respect of that authority it hath in prouing So it is diuided into the bookes which are Canonicall and those which are not Canonicall but Apocryphall Which doe you call the Canonicall Books Syst Theol. pag. 169. item p. 173. Hi constituūt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Those which are of vndoubted authority in prouing the Articles of Faith or which are the Square and Rule of our faith for Canonicall is deriued from Canon which signifieth as much as a Rule or Square Of what sort are the Canonicall books Of two sortes either of the Old or of the New Testament Which Books of the Old Testament are Canonicall The Canonicall Scripture of the old Testament is diuided into foure rancks Syst The. pag. 182. the first containeth the fiue Bookes of Moses the second those Bookes which are called Historicall as these Joshua Iudges Ruth the two Bookes of Samuel the two Bookes of Kings the two Bookes of the Chronicles the Bookes of Esdras Nehemiah Ester The third Bookes which are written in verse which are called Poeticall as these Job the Psalmes of Dauid the Prouerbs of Salomon Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs the fourth comprehendeth the Prophets which are either greater Prophets in number foure or lesser to wit twelue Which Bookes of the New Testament are Canonicall The Canonicall Scripture of the New Testament is diuided into the History of the Euangelists the Acts of the Apostles the Apostles Epistles and the Prophecy or Reuelation of John Which are called Apocriphall or not Canonicall Syst Theol. pag. 190. Which are not of infallible truth and authority in prouing the Articles of faith and consequently which are not the Rule and Square of our beliefe but containe precepts of life and historicall instructions Which are those Apocryphall Bookes Among the Bookes of the Old Testament as wee haue before said there are some found not to bee Canonicall such as the Booke of Tobias Iudith Wisedome which falsly is ascribed to Salomon Ecclesiasticus or Syracides the third and fourth bookes of Esdras all the Bookes of the Maccabees Baruch with Ieremy his Epistle the Prayer of Manasses the fragments of Ester the additions to Daniel as is the Song of the three Children the Historie of Susanna the Historie of Bell and the Dragon None of all these Bookes are to be found in the Hebrew tongue in which Language onely God would haue the Bookes of the Old Testament to bee written neither were they written by the Prophets or any person immediately called of God Neither doth Christ the Euangelists or the Apostles cite them at any time and to conclude there bee many vntruths in them Wherefore when the Papists vrge any thinge out of these Bookes against vs wee must answer that those Bookes containe not the infallible Word of God and consequently that they haue no firme force or validity in prouing How is the Scripture diuided in respect of the matter it handleth Into the Law and the Gospell for that part of Gods Word is called the Law wherein wee are taught what we ought to doe but the Gospell is that part of Gods Word wherein we are taught what we ought to beleeue and consequently wherein wee haue the remission of our sins promised vs by faith in Christ I haue heard sufficiently touching the diuision of the Word of God J pray you also instruct mee in the proprieties of it That will I willingly doe so I first admonish you that hereafter wee shall alwaies take the holy Scripture for the Canonicall Bookes onely and not at all for the Apocryphall VVhat is the first proprietie of the holy Scripture The first propriety is that it deriues all its authority from God alone Syst Theol. pag. 171. not from the assembly of godly men which is called the Church How proue you this I proue it by these reasons first the testimony of God hath not any authority from men The Scripture is the testimony of God alone Ergo. It hath none authority from men yea the most holy men that bee and consequently not from the Church which is nothing else but a company of godly and sanctified men The force and pith of the argument you shall finde 1 Ioh. 5.9 If wee receiue the witnes of men the testymonie of God certainely is greater Secondly that must needs be before the Scripture in naturall order of which the authority of the Scripture dependeth But the Church is not before the Word of God Ergo. The Maior proposition is euident because that which dependeth of another must needs come after that on which it dependeth The Minor is thus prooued That which is gathered gouerned regenerated by the Word or by the Scripture that is in order after the Scripture But the Church Ergo. The Maior is plaine the Minor is prooued by 1 Pet. 1.23 Wee are regenerated and borne anew by the word of God Iames 1.18 He hath begotten vs by the word of truth Ioh. 17.20 Which by their word shall beleeue in me Thirdly the foundation of any building depends not on the roofe or vpper roomes which are built vpon the foundation but contrarily those same vpper roomes and the roofe depend vpon the foundation but the Word of God is the foundation Ergo. The Maior is plaine in it selfe The Minor is confirmed by that Ephes 2.20 You are built vpon the foundation of the Profits and Apostles Obict The Papists obiect to vs that place 1 Tim. 3.15 Where the Church is said to be the pillar and ground of truth Whereto we answer Answ that this argument is sophisticall or a fallacie commonly called a Dicto secundum quid a dictum simpliciter For the Church is not called the piller and ground of truth in regard of it selfe but in regard of Christ the head who is that corner stone And further it is so called in regard it is the keeper of the Scripture Syst Theol pag. 181. forsomuch as God hath made the Church onely to haue to doe with the treasurie of his Word and in the Church as on the piller and doore of his house or pallace he hangeth those holy Tables which euery man must go thither to read No otherwise then the Magistrate hangeth vp on pillars and gates of his Court Tables containing in them his Lawes and Decrees to the end that his Subiects may there reade them as in a publike place Lastly the Church is called the Pillar of Truth in this respect because that God vseth the testimony of the Church as his instrument and meanes for the proposing teaching and expounding of the holy Scriptures vnto men for the Ministers of the Church are the conseruers of truth and the interpreters of the Scriptures yet not so as if the authority of the Scripture did depend on them but because God vseth them as his seruants and Ministers to propound and to beate into the memories of
any of the Articles of faith that also can little auaile them because wee doe dispute and iudge of doctrine and faith by the word of God and it may be so disputed although that point of the Church bee not before handled Syst Theol. pag. 390. for the Word of God is before the Church and aboue the Church neither hath the Church any authority to wrest the Scripture as wee haue formerly proued in the common place of Scripture But here I would haue noted the exceeding fraud of the Popish Writers that when they haue made a great stirre about the Church and stood long vpon it at length they conclude the Church to be a Councell consisting of the Pope the Cardinals and Bishops and so exclude all other which are neither Cardinals nor Bishops from the Church at least remoouing them so farre that they shall not make vp the Church properly so called and principally that hereby they might the more establish the insoleÌ„t pride of their Spiritaltie against the manifest Word of God You haue made plaine the Doctrine of Redemption vnto me now it followes that you instruct mee in the matter of the Iustification of man before God wherefore shew me J pray you what is Justification It is the absoluing of sinnefull man from his sinnes Syst Theol. pag 413. De Iustificatione Zanch. CoÌ„fess c. 19. item Loc. Com. 11. Calu instit lib. 3. cap. 11 seqq or it is a forgiuing of sinnes by the meere grace and fauour of God for the merits of Christ imputed and applied vnto vs by Faith What are to bee considered about Iustification Foure things 1. the principall cause 2. the instrumentall cause 3. the effect and fruite and lastly the necessary adiunct What is the principall cause of JustificatioÌ„ before God The principall cause is either primarie or secondary the prime câ—use is the grace and mercy of God the other cause is the merit of Christ or the death and passion of Christ made ours imputed vnto vs or appropriated vnto vs so truly that the PassioÌ„ of Christ should besteede vs as much as if we our selues had hanged on the Crosse and had died for our owne sinnes Hereof we haue manifest testimonies of the Scripture Rom. 5.8.19 As by one man many were made sinners Ipse peccatum nos iusticia nec nostra sed Dei nec in nobis sed in ipso sicut ipse peccatum non suum sed nostrum nec in se sed in nobis Sic ergo sumus iustitia Dei in ipso vt ille est peccatum in nobis nempe imputatione Aug. c. Rom. 4.5.6 Blessed is the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without the workes of the Law 2. Cor. 5.21 Hee made him which knew no sinne to bee sinne for vs that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law whilest hee was made a curse for vs. Philip. 3.9 That J may bee found not hauing my owne righteousnesse but that which is by the faith of Christ Now there is no opposition in this we say Syst Theol. pag. 420. that a sinner is iustified by the meere grace of God and yet by the merit of Christ because it was brought about by the meere mercie grace of God that Christ performed that meritorious work for vs for Christ was in no wise bound vnto vs to die for vs but hee out of his meere grace and mercy did vndergo death for vs. What is the Instrumentall cause of Iustification Only faith in Christ De Fide Zanch. Loc. Com. 7 8 insomuch as by faith euen as by a hand and instrument wee lay hold on and apply vnto vs the merit and satisfaction which Christ hath performed for vs. What is Faith Faith is not only a bare knowledge of the History of Christ Syst Theol. pag 427. Calu Instit lib. 3. ca. 2. but it is also a sure confidence of the heart whereby wee set downe in our selues for certainety 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and be perswaded that our sinnes are forgiuen vs of God for the death and passion of Christ Note here two maine errours of Poperie whereof the first is that faith is only a certaine Historicall knowledge and no true and sure confidence of the hart against which the Scripture it selfe directly speaketh Rom. 14.5 and Heb. 10.22 where faith is called a sure trust and perswasion See my Gymnasium logicum wherein you haue this in that Theame Fides some what opened The second errour is that we come by the remission of sinnes Calu. Instit lib. 3. cap. 14 15. 17. 18. not by faith alone but also by the merit of good workes contrary vnto those sayings in the Scripture Ephes 2.8 By the grace of God you are saued through faith and not of your selues Rom. 4.3 Abraham beleeued and that was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse Againe Vnto him not that work ethe but that beleeueth in him which iustifieth the wicked his faith is counted for righteousnes Luk. 8.50 Mark 5.36 Si credis fidei cur alia infers quasi iustificare non sufficiat sola Chrysost saith Christ onely beleeue which is all one as if hee had said By faith alone thou shalt obtaine euerlasting life So then although these words bee not manifestly extant By faith alone wee are iustified yet the sense is manifestly put downe and other words therevnto equiualent are contained in the Scripture for whereas the Apostle saith Rom. 3.28 Wee conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Law Certainely it is all one as if hee said Wee conclude that a man is iustified only by faith for a man must needs bee iustified either by faith or by workes a third way none can be able to shew Paul plainely saith to the Galathians Gal. 2.16 Non opus est lege quando impius per solam fidem iustificatur Ambros Ephs 2.5 Tit. 3.5 We know that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Jesus Christ Not By those righteous deeds which we haue done but by his owne mercy hee hath saued vs through the Lauer of regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit Therefore it remaineth that wee say that faith alone doth iustifie a man And that no man is iustified by workes and so consequently that our workes doe not merit for vs forgiuenesse of sinnes I proue it by euident testimonies of holy Writ I. Tit. 3.5 Eph. 2.8 QuaÌ„taelibet fuisse virtutis antiquos praedices iustos non eos saluos fecit nisi fides Aug. By grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God not of workes least any should boast Secondly Philip. 3.9 Rom. 3.24 II. Wee are iustified before we do any works as S. Paul expresly witnesseth of Abraham that before hee had done any good worke he was iustified
summe of all controuersies betwixt the Catholickes and the Lutherans consists in these two things that besides the holy Scripture the Traditions of the Apostles and of the Church are necessary to bee beleeued And that the holy Scriptures themselues neither can nor ought to be interpreted of any with authority saue of the Catholike Roman Church In which two doctrines if one be once perswaded and setled hee will easily yeeld aioyne himselfe to the Church of Rome in the rest of the chiefe points of faith For if I were to dispute with the Heretikes about any article of faith it must needs be that there be somewhat set downe in the Bible touching my opinion or that there bee nothing at all to be found for it If there be nothing in the Bible forme presently then I say that it was wont so to be obserued by tradition from the Apostles in the Church of Rome But if there be somewhat contained in the Bible touching mine opinion and the Heretique will interpret it another way then might serue my turne then presently I oppose to him the Church of Rome that it hath so interpreted it so that euery Dispute ought to bee reduced to these two heads Thus farre he And truly this is it that the Pope of Rome labors for that hee may wrest the Scripture as seemeth him good and then it is as if any offering to fight with another and the weapon should be a sword he would fight vpon this condition that hee may be suffered to weild his aduersaries Sword as hee will And so it is likewise as if any would haue a suite in Law tryed before the Iudge according to the lawes but vpon this condition that it may be lawfull for him to interpret the Law on his owne side iust so the Pope doth for hee saith I will dispute with you out of the Scripture but so that it may bee lawfull for mee to interpret the Scripture on mine owne behalfe I would haue this also noted that if the Papists demaund who is the Iudge in the controuersies of faith Wee answer Syst The. pag. 174. item p. 203. that the chiefe and highest Iudge of controuersies of faith is he who is the Author both of faith and of the scripture to wit the holy Ghost According to that of Ioh. 16.8 When the Comforter shall come he shall reprooue he will iudge the world of sinne And then only the Scripture to bee the Law and Sentence of this Iudge according where vnto iudgment must be giuen concerning cōtrouersies of faith as it doth manifestly appeare by Ioh. 5.45 There is one who accuseth you euen Moses i. e. the writings of Moses which giue iudgement against you and yet more manifestly Ioh. 12. vers 48. He that reiecteth and receiueth not my words hath one that iudgeth him This word c It is not true therefore which the Pope of Rome saith that hee is the chiefe Iudge and decider of controuersies for he is not fit to bee a iudge who is accused and found guilty of deprauing and falsifying the Word of God I haue heard you sufficiently about the former sort of knowledge of Christian Religion or touching the principles of Diuinitie to wit God and Gods word Now I desire to bee instructed in the second kinde of knowledge arising from the former that is touching tthe parts of this heauenly Doctrine which doth spring from the doctrine which is of God and of the holy Scripture You tell mee right and I perceiue you well vnderstand the method and progresse which ouhgt to be obserued in vnderstanding the doctrine of Religion and therefore now will I instruct you touching the parts of Diuinity or Christian Religion How many parts hath this secondarie or deriued knowledge Two whereof the forme is of the end it selfe the latter is of the meanes that leade vs to that end What is the end of Diuinitie Saluation or life euerlasting How many waies is the saluation of man considered Two manner of waies either as it is perfect and compleate or as it is but begunne and imperfect or either in respect of the life to come or of this present life What is perfect and eternall saluation It cōsisteth in three things Syst Theol. pag. 110. First In most absolute perfection of body and soule Secondly In that vnutterable ioy wherewith wee shall triumph before God the holy Angels and godly men Thirdly In that most euident Maiestie glory and honor wherein wee shall triumph ouer death Sathan sinne and sinfull men And this is that which Peter saith 2. Pet. 1. v. 4. We shall be made pertakers saith he of the diuine nature of diuine perfection ioy and glory And Phil. 3. vers 21. Christ shall transforme our base body that it may be like the glorious body of Christ Esay 64. vers 4. 1 Cor. 2. vers 9. The things which the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor euer entred into the heart of man to conceiue are those which God hath prepared for them that loue him What is imperfect saluation or that which is begonne onely It is a taste of eternall saluation Syst Theol. pag. 211. V pag. hic 115. seqq or that comfort and ioy of conscience which wee haue in this life arising from the forgiuenes of our sins and from that confidence we haue towards God whom we certainely know to bee reconciled vnto vs by Christ Iesus so that no calamity whatsoeuer can be able to seperate vs from his loue no not death it selfe or that anxity and horror which vsually wee feele a◠the houre of death Of this the Apostle speaketh Rom. 5. uers 1. Therefore being iustified by faith we haue peace e. i. a ioyfull and merry conscience in the very midst of callamity and death Rom. 8. vers 35. Who shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ shall oppression shall anguish c. I see now what the end is I may expect to reape from this heauenly doctrine which how much the more it is desirable so much the more J long to know the meanes by which I may be conducted to this end The meanes whereby thou maist com to this most desired end are two First Partes Theologiae duae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naziaenzen Syst Theol. pag. 212. the knowledge of thy misery Secondly of thy redemption out of that misery The former part of this heauenly science touching the diseases of the Soule How may I come by the right knowledge of my misery or of the sores of my soule If thou shalt weigh well with thy selfe these foure things First that which went before thy misery Secondly the efficient cause of thy misery Thirdly the parts of thy misery Fourthly the exemplary cause or glasse wherein thou hast represented vnto thee thy misery What is that which went before the miserie of mankinde Quanto videmus maiora fuisse bona quae amisimus tanto grauiora cognoscemus
and therefore the Protestants opinion is true and the Papists false It was the saying of good S. Cyprian Jn nullo gloriandum est quia nostrum nihil est Wee must not glory in any case for wee haue nothing to glory of I will conclude the whole reason proofes with the speech of Bonauenture whom the Romanists account the Seraphicall Doctor Piarum mentium semper fuit vt totum attribuant gratiae diuinae nihil libero arbitrio This hath beene the practice of all godly and religious minded men in the world to ascribe the whole glory of our conuersion and saluation to the grace of God and nothing to Free-will And hee proceeds further and tels vs that looke what wee attribute to Free-will wee detract so much from grace and looke what wee attribute to grace so much wee detract from Free-will and that this later is the safest way whereas the former is not without danger By this shall yee know saies our Sauiour whether my Doctrine bee true or whether J speake of my selfe Hee that speaketh of himselfe seeketh his owne glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him that man is true and there is no vnrighteousnesse in him Here is then that Lydius lapis the very touch-stone by which any indifferent man that is an intelligent Scholler withal able to iudge of things without partiality not fastâ—ning his opinion vpon any mans sleeue but submitting himselfe to the euidence of Gods Word may trie true and sound Doctrine from false erroneous and rotten hypocrisie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus far haue I proceeded in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or confirmation of the truth a word or two as my leasure will serue of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or confutation of the aduerse proofes The Arguments which the Author of your Script hath well compacted together mostly strike vpon one string as the two last from the authority of Scripture the 2 first from the authority of the fathers the 3. 4. 5. and 6. from demonstratiue reason I will cast them all into one mould because I may not vnfitly apply one answer to them all The argument is this Ob. Similia olim cum obiectarentur Augustino libellum de corrept gratia scribere coactus fuit Galu Instit l. 2. c. 5. §. 4. seq Take away free-wil from a man then to what end serues all the reproofes complaints exhortations in the word of God why doth God promise vs any thing vpon condition of our obedience Why hath God left vnto vs his holy commandements if we can do no otherwise of our selues then euill If the Condition bee impossible or the performance of his Commandements why hee may seeme to mocke vs in bidding vs do that which is impossible for vs. I answere Resp 1. the precepts and commandements of God dispersed through the Volume of the Scriptures doe not import what we are able to doe but what is our duty to doe not what we can doe but what we should doe yea and what wee could haue done once in Adam that so seeing our duty what we ought to doe and our infirmity that we are not able to doe it wee might haue recourse vnto God by prayer that by the mighty power of his grace we might bee made able to do what he commands vs as Leo a good Bishop of Rome excellently speaketh Ideo datur praeceptum vt requiratur praecipientis auxilium S. Austin Synonymally yet more fully to the same purpose Iubet Deus quae non possumus vt nouerimus quid ab ipso petere debeamus God commands vs those things which are aboue our power to doe that we may run vnto him by prayer and petition for his ayde and helpe to doe them I assure you it wrought this good affection in holy Dauid as you shall finde Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded saith the Prophet to God that we should diligently keepe thy commandements Whereunto hee answers not in all haste as a Pelagian or a Papist would O Lord I will I can keepe thy coÌ„mandements because thou dost command mee so to doe but what is Dauids answer O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy Statutes The Imperatiue in God as one wittily begets not a potentiall but an optatiue in Dauid Vpon Gods Precept there followes immediately Dauids Prayer Tu praecepisti Thou hast commanded that wee should diligently keepe thy commandements there 's Gods precept O that my waies were made so direct that I might keepe thy Statutes there 's Dauids Prayer And let vs learne this Lesson of the blessed Prophet to distrust our selues and flye vnto God for the assistance of his powerfully working grace with that short and pithy prayer of S. Austin Da domine quod iubes iube quid vis Lord giue vs grace to performe what thou commandest and then command what thou wilt And this is yet a thing more euident by the common practice of the Church and of all the godly in the Church For to them that demand to what end are precepts and exhortations if we cannot of our selues do that which is commanded we may in like manner interrogate why doth the Church pray continually for grace to doe those things that are commanded if it bee in our owne power to doe them But the Church of God doth pray thus daily as appeares plainly by the Seruice-Booke wherein you haue 3. Collects to be said euery morning and euening Prayer And whereas one of them is for the day the other for peace and defence against dangers the third is alwayes for grace And there is no Papist that can iustly take exception at those prayers For as touching these Collects for grace vsed in our Litturgie both at morning and euening Prayer wee find them expressly and verbatim in their owne Masse-bookes In officio B. Virginis in horis B. Virginis ad vsum Sarum printed at Paris 1510. Now I say the Church by praying to God continually for grace to doe his commandements doth acknowledge the true vse of hearing precepts and exhortations which is not to be proud of any power in vs or to presume of that which is not in vs but to pray and thereby to acknowledge that wee haue it from grace 2. God without mockery may require of vs obedience and the perfect obseruing of all his comandements though it bee impossible for vs to keepe any one of them Yet this I say God may exact of vs without all iniustice because it comes to bee impossible vnto vs onely through our owne default for God made man at the first righteous indued him with a power of doing whatsoeuer he should haue commanded him but wee haue fought out vnto our selues many inuentions as the wiseman speaketh Giue mee leaue to make this plaine vnto you by an easie and familiar comparison You are a Gentleman of good meanes yet giuen to retyrednesse and you are desirous to rent out or set to farme
world which his right hand hath not before determined either to doe as in all good things or suffer to be done as in all sinfull actions as S. Austin very fully and learnedly proueth in his Enchiridion to Laurentius Conclus It was Themistocles his commendation in Thucydides that hee could 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex tempore and on a sudden speake to any point and counsell alwayes for the best For my selfe I must confesse I am none of those ready wits yet thus much I haue beene bold out of some former acquaintance with this point of doctrine to write raptim on a sudden to this question for your satisfaction which I trust also will bee sufficient to perswade any ingenuous man that is only tainted with Popery and not branded with the marke of the Beast for there is no hope of such to think and conceiue wel of the truth of our doctrine If I had had my tooles about mee I should haue made it a more perfect worke but you know I am far from my bookes Such as it is it is yours and I am yours to vse in all Christian offices T.V. Aug. de lib. arbit l. 2. c. 20. Tu tantùm pietatem inconcussam tene vt nullum existimes tibi bonum vel sentienti vel intelligenti vel quoquo modo cogitanti occurrere posse quod non sit ex Deo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or The Heads of a plaine and profitable method of Teaching shadowed and pointed at WHereas there bee now in vse two wayes of deliuering the precepts of any Art according to the doctrine of Plato the one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a longer the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a shorter way in the setting downe of these few rules following I haue made choice of the later because I am sure I haue only to deale with intelligent men or schollers to whom as the old saying runs Verbum sat one word is as good as a thousand I. Preloquution if the matter require vnder which Coherence auoid affectation I meane not only an affectation of big words and phrases but also of a farre fetcht entrance into the Text as hee that in euery Sermon he made whatsoeuer the Text was would bee sure to begin alwayes at the beginning of the world II. Partition into as few parts as you can Auoid curiositio As for example if I were to handle those wordes of Christ Weepe not for mee but weepe for your selues I would not diuide them thus The parts are sixe I. Weepe II. Weepe not III. Weepe not but weepe IV. Weepe not for mee V. Weepe for your selues VI. Weepe not for mee but for your selues for feare I should seeme rather to play with the Text then to diuide the word aright III. Interpretation if terms or words bee ambiguous Auoid needlesse criticismes as if I were to open the name of Paul I should say it came from Pi in Hebrew which signifies â—s and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek that is tibia Master Selden hath intermixed many needlesse Criticismes in the History of Tithes obserued and exploded by diuers Worthies so that I shall not need to say any thing but onely pray for him that the pride of his heart in worm-eaten learning and his malice against the Ministers of the Gospel which he hath discouered by thâ—â— Booke though couertly and aliud agens may bee forgiuen him and that the sin of many close-fisted sacrilegious Patrons which detaine the Churches * Of the point before the famous History saw the light DD. Carleton now L. Bishop of Chichester Tithes proued due to the Ministers of the Gospel by diuine right Sir Hen Spelman De non temerandis Ecclesijs M. Eburne The Maintenance of the Ministery M. Robarts The Reuenew of the Gospel Tithes M. Gosthwick The truth of Tythes To the point and person too S. Iam Sempill Sacriledge Sacredly handled DD. Tillesley Animaduersions on the famous History DD. Sclater The Ministers portion and question of Tithes Reuiewed M. Montague Diatribae on the History M. Nettles Answere to the Iewish part of M. Selden Right and think they haue gotten a very good pretence for so doing by the writing of that Booke bee not one day laid to his charge It is a wonder to see what adoe the Friers make with the first word in the Angels salutation Aue Luc. 1. First say they Aue is as much as sine vae making it come of a priuitiua particula in Greeke and vae in Latine Secondly they find the name of our great Grandame in it because Eue wrought mans destruction and Mary mans Saluation therefore the Angell doth most fitly begin the Salutation with Aue which Anagrammatiz'd is Eua. Ioan Picus in his Heptaplus findes I know not what Mysteries in the first word of the Bible Berescit by transposing and conioyning the Letters diuersly as though he were ringing changes hee pickes out three wordes the intellectuall Celestiall and corruptible and withall this sentence Pater in filio per filium principium fine siue quietem creauit caputignem fundamentum magni hominis foedere bono All this as he conceiues dissults out of the resolution and comâ—osition of the first word in Genesis IV. Collection of Doctrines or conclusions out of the seuerall parts as they shall naturally arise auoid straining as Christ bid some body loose Lazarus and let him goe ergo the Ministers haue power to loose and absolue sinners it is Sixtus Senensis his Collection Moses saith that the Stars were created to bee signes Ergo the Astrologer may come to the knowledge of mens fortunes and of particular euents by the Stars it is Sr. Chrystopher Heydons Collection Abraham paid Tythe to Melchizedech of all the spoyles euen of the spoyles Ergo the spoyles onely it is Mr. Seldens Doctrine God made man after his owne Image Ergo Images are to be suffered in Churches The Sun is greater then the Moone by many degrees Ergo the Pope is aboue the Emperour Dauid saith Praise God in his Saints Ergo wee may pray vnto the Saints Christ said to Peter thy faith shall not faile Ergo the Pope of Rome cannot erre These and the like inconsequences are meere wrestings of the Text. And so it is likewise when a Parable is vrged beyond the scope and drift of it very common among Popish interpreters V. Probation 1. By authoritie of Scriptures opening them along if need be 2. By arguments or reasons illustrating them some way as you can Auoid prolixitie That 's S. Austins counsell Lib. 4. de doct Christ 22. and his reason is Quando prolixa est oratio in vno genere minus detinet auditorem and therefore hee would not haue a Preacher stand long vpon any point when it is once vnderstood of the people but slide into another I haue heard of a Preacher that stood vpon a short Text seuen yeeres together and I haue read I am sure of one Thom. Hasselbachius that was