vnsound opinion 1. Bellarmine thus reasoneth that the Apostles did reach the Church at the first without Scriptures therefore they are not simply necessarie but onely for the greater profit of the Church like as an horse is necessarie for ones iourney for his more speedie trauaile but not simply necessarie because he may go a foot Bellar. l. 4. de verb. c. 4. Contra. 1. True it is that the writing of the Scriptures are not simply necessarie in respect of God for he by his absolute power could find a way to teach his Church otherwise but in respect of Gods ordinance which hath appointed the Scriptures for edifying of his Church they are necessarie as bread is necessarie for mans sustentation though God can nourish and maintaine life without bread 2. It is not true that the Apostles did teach without Scriptures for they had the prophetical writings first and afterward their owne and while the Apostles themselues were liuing and present the writing of the Gospel was not so necessarie as afterward 3. The writing then of the Gospel was necessarie 1. both in respect of that age present for the preuenting and stay of heresies which might be more strongely resisted and gainesayed by an euident and extant rule of faith 2. in regard of those Churches to whom the Apostles preached not by liuely voice it was necessarie that they should haue some perfect direction by writing 3. and that the ages also to come might haue a rule of their faith Arg. 2. The Church may as well now be instructed without the Scriptures as it was for the space of 2000. yeares before the lawe was written Bellar. ibid. Contra. 1. In the first age of the world the light of nature was not so much obscured as afterward when the law was written and therefore the argument followeth not the Scriptures were not necessarie then therefore not now 2. because the old world wanted the Scriptures to direct them that was the cause why they were giuen ouer generally to all kind of prophanenesse and therefore to preuent the like mischiefe afterward the Lord thought good to giue his written word to his Church Argum. 3. The Apostles did preach much more then they did write and many things they deliuered to the Church by tradition so that not the Scriptures by themselues are a totall rule and direction of the faith but partiall together with the traditions and ordinances of the Church Contra. 1. The Apostles did indeed speake more then they did or could write but yet they preached the same things and deliuered no other precepts concerning faith and manners but the same which they committed to writing 2. many things concerning orders and especially in particular Churches the Apostles left by tradition but no other precepts and rules of faith then they had written 3. The Scriptures are no partiall but a totall and perfect rule of faith for mensura adaequata esse debet mensurate the measure must be equall vnto that which is measured it must neither be longer nor shorter if then the Scripture should come short of faith it were no perfect rule nay it were no rule at all Pareus Now on the contrarie that the Scriptures are necessarie thus it is made plaine 1. From the author the Prophets and Apostles did write by the instinct of the spirit but the spirit mooueth not to any vnnecessarie or superfluous worke 2. from the office of the Apostles which was to teach all nations Matth 28.19 which seeing they could not doe in their owne persons it was necessarie that they should preach vnto them by their writings 3. from the ende and vse of the Scriptures 1. whether for instruction in doctrine for all Scriptures are written for our learning Rom. 15.4 or direction vnto vertuous liuing or decision of Questions and confuting of errors it was necessarie that the Scriptures should be writen to these vses as the Apostle sheweth 1. Timoth. 3.16 that the man of God may be perfect The Scriptures then were necessarie to be extant for the aforesaid purposes in so much that the Apostle saith if any Angel from heauen doe preach any other Gospel c. let him be accursed whereupon Chrysostome saith Paulus etiam Angelis de coelo descendentibus proponit Scripturas Paul euen propoundeth the Scriptures to the Angels descending from heauen in Galat. c. 1. 6. Morall observations 1. Observ. Of the happinesse of these times vnder the Gospel in comparison of the former times vnder the Lawe In that the Lord hath clearely manifested and opened vnto his Church by Iesus Christ the high mysteries which lay hid before therein appeareth the singular loue of God to his Church and the great preheminence which the faithfull now haue in comparison of the people of God vnder the Law as our Sauiour saith vnto his Apostles Blessed are your eyes for they see and your eares for they heare for verily I say vnto you that many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see those things which you see and could not see them c. Matth. 13.16 17. the vse hereof is to stirre vs vp vnto thankefulnesse vnto God for this so great mercie shewed vnto his Church 2. Observ. The dangerous estate of those which are found to be contemners of the Gospel and Newe Lawe The greater light is reuealed and the more knowledge that men haue the greater obedience doth God looke for at their hand disobedience then now vnto the Gospel of truth is so much more greiuous then was transgression vnder the law as the times of light and knowledge in brightnesse exceede the dayes of ignorance and blindnesse thus the Apostle reasoneth the night is past and the day is at hand let vs therefore cast away the workes of darkenesse and put on the armour of light Rom. 13.12 So also Hebr. 2.2 the Apostle saith if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and euerie transgression c. receiued a iust recompence of reward how much more if we neglect so great saluation c. More special obseruations vpon the whole Epistle 1. The Argument and Methode of S. Pauls epistles in generall and specially of this Epistle 1. Nicephorus lib. 2. c. 34. maketh the end and scope of Saint Paules Epistles to consist in these two things 1. that the Apostle what he preached beeing present he committed to writing to put them in memorie when he was absent 2. And that which he did more obscurely deliuer by word of mouth or passed ouer in silence he did in his writings handle and set forth more fully and plainely But the Apostle had diuerse other occasions offred him in his epistles then fell out in his sermons and therefore it is to be thought that although his sermons and writings agreed in the substance of doctrine yet he as occasion did mooue him in his epistles otherwise handleth matters then he did in his preaching 2. His Epistles then may be reduced to these fiue kinds 1. Some belong vnto doctrine wherein he layeth
in seeking asking invocating as here the Apostle saith lib. 1. de iustific c. 17. Contra. 1. The Apostle saith not neither can it be concluded out of his words that we are saued by calling vpon God but invocation is a sure note and argument of saluation because it is an euidence of their faith whereby they are iustified and saued 2. but faith iustifieth onely passiuely as it apprehendeth Christ not actively in respect of the work and merit thereof for we are iustified by the righteousnes of God by faith in Christ Rom. 3.22 but the act and work of faith is a part of mans righteousnes not of Gods therefore so faith iustifieth not but as it apprehendeth the righteousnes of God in Christ See further Synops. Centur. 4. err 53. Controv. 17. That faith onely iustifieth not invocation Bellarmine out of this place whosoeuer calleth c. would confirme an other of his errors that faith pro parte sua for it part iustifieth if other things be not wantings for saluation is here ascribed to invocation lib. 1. de iustif c. 12. Contra. 1. The same answer may suffice for here saluation is not ascribed vnto invocation neither doth the Apostle shew how but who they are which shall be saued namely they which call vpon him which is an act and effect of faith for without faith there is no invocation the argument then followeth not they which call vpon God shall be saued therefore for their calling vpon God they shall be saued for this were like as if one should reason out of these words of S. Paul Act. 27.31 Except these abide in the shippe ye can not be safe all that did abide in the shippe were safe therefore because they did abide in the shippe they were safe for the shippe brake and some were saued by swimming some vpon boards and other pieces of the shippe Controv. 18. Against the invocation of Saints v. 14. How shall they call on him in whom they haue not beleeued c. This place is strongly vrged against the Popish inuocation of Saints by our Protestant writers as Pareus Faius and others for if we are to call vpon none but in whom we must beleeue and we are onely to beleeue in God Ioh. 14.1 Ye beleeue in God beleeue also in mee it followeth that God onely must be called vpon The Rhemists in their annotation here answer by a distinction of beleefe that none can inuocate Christ as their Lord and Master vnlesse they beleeue him so to be but they may trust also in Saints that they can helpe them and so also may beleeue in them as their helpers and this phrase they say to beleeue in men is found in Scripture as Exod. 14.31 they beleeued in God and in Moses for so it is in the Hebrew Contra. 1. Seeing the Scripture curseth him that trusteth or putteth any confidence in man Ierem. 17.5 how can Papists escape this curse that are not ashamed to professe their trust and confidence in man 2. though that in the Hebrew phrase the preposition beth which signifieth in be vsed yet it is no more then is expressed in the Latine phrase in the datiue case and so the Latine translator well obserueth crediderunt Deo Mosi they beleeued God and Moses the meaning is no more then this that they beleeued Moses as a true Prophet of God that it came to passe as he had foretold 3. and seeing all our faith and confidence must be grounded vpon the Scripture but in the Scripture men haue no warrant to trust in Saints that they can helpe them this is but a vaine confidence 4. Neither are there diuers kinds of a religious beleefe and confidence there is a ciuill kind of assurance which is the good perswasion that one may haue of another but all our religious beleefe must be onely setled vpon God 5. And so to conclude Augustine saith in Psalm 64. non potest esse Deo grata oratio quam ipse non dictavit c. that prayer cannot be acceptable to God which he that is Christ hath not indited But Christ hath not endited any praier vnto any but vnto God onely therefore that forme of prayer is onely acceptable to him See further hereof in D. Fulkes answer to the Rhemists vpon this place Controv. 19. That we must pray with confidence and assurance Mr. Calvin also vpon these words how shall they call on him in whom they haue not beleeued c. confuteth the opinion of the schoolemenâ— qui se dubitanter Deo offerunt which doubtfully offer their prayers to God and so Bellarmine saith that it is not necessarie for a man in his prayer to beleeue and be perswaded that God will heare him lib. 1. de â—onis operib c. 9. Contra. But the Apostle here requireth an assured beleefe in him that prayeth and our Sauiour saith Whatsoeuer ye desire when ye pray beleeue that ye shall haue it and it shall be don vnto you Mark 11.24 See further Synops. Centur. 4. err 88. Controv. 20. Against the vaine pompe of the Pope of Rome in offering his feete to be kissed v. 15. How beautifull are the feete c. This maketh nothing at all to countenance the pride of the Romane Antichrist who hath offered his feete to be kissed of Kings and Emperours 1. the Prophet first and the Apostle following him meaneth not any such particular gesture to be offered to the feete but by a figure is vnderstood the reuerence due to the person of those which preached the Gospel and this rather confoundeth the pride of the Pope and his Cardinals that ride in state on their trapped horses whereas the Apostles trauailed on foote preaching as they went and therefore it is saide how beautifull are the feete 2. and this honour is onely belonging to them which preach the Gospel but the Pope and his Cardinals are so farre from preaching the Gospel that they by all meanes suppresse it and persecute with sword and fire the professors of it Martyr See hereof more Synops. Centur. 2. err 29. Controv. 21. Against humane traditions v. 17. Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God c. Hence it is euident that nothing must be preached but the word of God and that saith onely is builded thereupon all humane traditions must giue place and whatsoeuer is vrged beside the word of God The Papists indeed are not ashamed to call their traditions verbum Dei non scriptum the word of God not written which is not farre from blasphemie to make their own inuentions and traditions equall with the word of God which is not to be found but onely in the Scriptures for the word of God is certaine we know who is the author thereof it is consonant to it selfe and remaineth for euer but their traditions are of obscure and vncertaine beginning they are contrarie to themselues and are chaungeable Basil hath this notable testimonie concerning the authoritie of the Scriptures calling it the
sinne of pride aut non admittere c. either not to admit the things written in the Scriptures or to adde vnto them and this he confirmeth by that saying of S. Paul Gal. 3.15 Though it be but a mans couenant when it is confirmed yet no man doth abrogate it or addeth any thereto c. See further concerning traditions Synops. Centur. 1. Err. 13. Controv. 22. That the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel haue a lawfull calling against Stapleton v. 15. How shall they preach vnlesse they be sent c. Hereupon the Romanists as namely Stapleton Antidot p. 684. and the Rhemists in their annotations here take occasion to charge the Protestant Ministers which intrusion because they haue neither an extraordinarie calling because they are not furnished with the power of miracles nor yet ordinarie from the Church Contra. 1. It is not true that there is no extraordinarie calling without the gift of miracles for we read of many Prophets which were sent in times past and yet are not mentioned to haue wrought any miracles 2. The Preachers and Protestant Ministers now doe enter by that ordinarie calling which is established in those seuerall Churches where they are placed 3. in the beginning of the reformation of religion diuerse which were stirred vp to be preachers of the gospel had a calling such as it was in their Popish Church as Luther Pet. Martyr with others 4. But we insist rather vpon this point that where either there is no Church or the same corrupted diuerse are extraordinarily raised vp and so sent of God of which extraordinarie sending the Apostle speaketh here where no lawfull calling is to be had as learned D. Fulk in his answer vpō this point sheweth out of Ruffinus how diuerse great nations haue beene conuerted by lay men and women as a great nation of the Indians by Aedesius and Frumentinus the countrie of the Iberians by a captiue woman yea and further he addeth how in constituted Churches lay men which were able were permitted to teach the people which was the defense of Alexander B. of Ierusalem Theoctistus of Caesaria against Demetrius B. of Alexandria for suffering Origen before he was ordained to teach in the Church how much more where the Church is corrupted may not lay persons be stirred vp extraordinarily to preach Controv. 23. That the Hebrew text is more authenticall then the vulgar Latine translation v. 18. Whereas the Apostle saith their sound is gone through the earth according to the Septuagint and so the latine translator readeth and yet in the Hebrew text Psal. 19. the word is cavam their line hereupon and by occasion of the like places our aduersaries doe commend the vulgar latine as more authenticall and freer from corruption then the Hebrew Contra. For answer hereunto 1. some thinke that the Septuagint for kavam their line might read kalam their voice which word is in the end of the former verse Paius but then as Pareus obserueth the Septuagint would haue translated it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voice as they did before not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sound 2. Beza thinketh they translated thus their sound to make it answerable vnto the next clause and their words into the end of the world 3. and Pareus gesseth that they might read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth aedificium cameratum a valted building such as the frame of the heauens seemeth to be 4. But I rather thinke that the Apostle refuseth not the Septuagint whose translation was so well knowne because they reteine the sense of the place though they exactly render not the words for both in respect of the heauens whereof the Psalmist speaketh their line and workemanship was as it were their voice and in respect of the Apostles their prophesies of their sound and voice was as a line and rule of doctrine to the Church and these two the Prophet Isai ioyneth together c. 28.10 precept vpon precept line vpon line where the same word is vsed and thus the precepts of the Apostles was indeede a line vnto them whome they taught 5. But it were a very preposterous course to preferre the translation before the originall as the riuers before the spring and fountaine which is contrarie to Augustines mind lib. 2. de doctrin Christ. who would haue the old Testament examined according to the Hebrew and the new according to the Greeke originall 24. Controv. Against the workes of preparation v. 20. I was found of them that sought me not In that the Gentiles were called when they sought not after God neither enquired after him it is euident that they did not prepare a way by their morall works or ciuill kind of life and thereby make themselues more fit and apt for their calling for they are called in the former verse a foolish nation altogether vnwise vnto saluation for it is not possible without faith to please God Heb. 11.6 so Chrysostome here confesseth in that the Lord saith I was made manifest to them that asked not after me he sheweth quod totum hoc Dei gratia perfecerit that Gods grace wrought all c. and yet afterward forgetting himselfe he saith nequaquam omnium crant vacui they were not void of all for in that they apprehended and acknowledged the things manifested vnto them hoc de suo attulerunt this they brought of their owne c. whereas our Sauiour Christ saith without me ye can doe nothing Ioh. 15.5 See more hereof Synops. Centur. 4. err 75. 25. Controv. Against the Iewes that will not haue the Prophet to speake of them in these words I haue stretched out my hands c. Whereas the Prophet Isa c. 65.2 as the Apostle here citeth him v. 21. calleth them a rebellious people Pet. Martyr out of Munster sheweth how a certaine Rabbin among the Iewes would not haue this spoken of the Iewes but of the Gentiles and that which followeth in the Prophet how they sacrificed in gardens and burnt incense vpon brickes and remaine among the graues he applieth vnto the Gentiles professing themselues Christians he meaneth the Papists which haue their altars wherein they sacrifice and doe visit the sepulchres of the dead and worship their reliques Contra. 1. It may be a shame vnto those which call themselues Christians to giue such offence to the Iewes as to pollute themselues with those things which the Prophets directly enueigh against when shall we looke to haue the Iewes conuerted to the Christian faith when they find idolatrie and other superstitions practised among Christians for the which their forefathers were punished 2. But yet they absurdly and ignorantly wrest this so euident a place from themselues to the Gentiles for first it is euident that the Prophet speaketh of two kind of people the one that asked not after God and yet he did declare himselfe vnto them the other to whome he stretched forth his hands continually and called them vnto him the first must needes be the Gentiles for the Iewes
adoration and humble prostrating of himselfe 3. All idololatricall worship is forbidden but all religious adoration giuen vnto the creatures is such as tendeth to idolatrie because it ascribeth vnto the creature that which is peculiar to the Creator as to knowe the heart to be present euerie where to haue power to helpe and such like for they which pray vnto Angels and Saints and prostrate them before their images haue this opinion of them that they are present to heare and helpe them which onely God can doe Ergo such religious adoration is idolatrous See further of this question Synops. Controv. 4. Of the comparison betweene virginitie and mariage The Rhemists in their annotation 1. Cor. 7.31 doe extoll virginitie in such sort that they doe much disgrace marriage for these are their words virginitie hath a gratefull puritie and sanctitie of bodie and soule which mariage hath not c. and for this cause they say that Priests are forbidden marriage That they may be cleane and pure from all fleshly acts of copulation c. But this were to make mariage vncleane whereas it is not the matrimoniall act but the lasciuious and wanton minde which abuseth mariage that bringeth vncleanenesse with it Origen is more equall who vpon these words v. 1. giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice â—â—â—â—ly c. thus writeth quoniam videmus nonnullos sanctorum aliquas etiam Apostolâ—◠〈◊〉 buisse coniugium c. because we see that certaine of the Saints and some of the Apostles were married we cannot vnderstand the Apostle here to meane virgintie onely c. but that they which are in coniugijs positi c. placed in mariage and by consent for a time doe giue themselues to prayer corpora sua exhibere posse hostiam viuentem c. may exhibite their bodies a liuing sacrifice if in other things sanctè agant iustè c. they deale holily and iustly c. and concerning virgins he further saith that if they be polluted with pride or couetousnesse or such like they are not to be thought ex sola virginitate corporis c. by the onely virginitie of their bodies to offer vp a liuing sacrifice vnto God c. Thus then there may be both puritie and sanctitie in mariage and as the Apostle saith an vndefiled bed Heb. 13.4 which the Rhemists denie and there may be pollution and vncleanesse in virginitie See further Synops. Papis Centur. 3. er 97. Controv. 5. The minde it selfe and not the sensuall part onely hath neede of renovation v. 2. Be changed by the renewing of your mind this is against the position of the Philosophers as Aristotle affirmeth Ethic. 1.13 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reason alway perswadeth and mooueth vnto the best things the Romanists doe iumpe with them herein who thinke the sensuall part of the minde onely to be corrupted But 1. the Apostle here sheweth that the verie minde and spirituall part of the soule hath neede of renouation 2. indeede in ciuill things and morall duties the reason may be a guide but in diuine and supernaturall it is blind and erroneous 3. and if it be here obiected that the Philosophers as Socrates Plato did many excellent things by the light of reason I answear that yet in those things they failed of the true ende for they respected not the honour and glorie of God but sought perfection by their owne endeauour and herein they shewed the error and corruption of their mind 4. yea the reason is so farre off from beeing a perfect guide that euen in the regenerate it hath neede still to be renewed as in the Romanes here to whom S. Paul writeth how much more in the vnregenerate Controv. 6. Of the perfection of the Scriptures against traditions v. 2. To prooue what the will of God is acceptable and perfect this perfect will of God is no where els reuealed but in the scriptures if they containe a perfect reuelation of the will of God then there neede no other additaments what vse then of humane traditions such as many the Church of Rome is pestered with which haue no warrant out of the Scripture which beeing able to make the man of God perfect to euerie good worke 2. Tim. 3.17 all other helpes and supplyes are superstitious and superfluous See further hereof Synops. Centur 1. err 11.13 Controv. 7. Against freewill v. 2. And be not fashioned c. Tolet hence collecteth because the vulgar Latine thus readeth nolite configurari c. haue you no will to be conformed c. that it is positum in arbitrio hominis placed in the will of man whether thus to be fashioned or not whereas there is no such word in the originall for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth be not fashioned not be ye not willing to be fashioned and beside the verie next words be ye changed by the renewing of your mind doe confute this opinion and euidently shewe that a man hath no free-will of himselfe vnto that which is good Indeede the Scriptures doe vse exhortations to the regenerate to shewe that it must be the worke of the spirit to stirre them vp to doe those things whereunto they are exhorted See further Synops. Papis Centur. 4. err 46. Controv. 8. Against the arrogancie of the Pope v. 3. According as God hath dealt to euerie man c. Then euerie man hath his certime measure and stint of gifts one hath not receiued all as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 7.7 Euerie man hath his proper gift of God c. Then that man of pride here sheweth himselfe in his colors who arrogateth to himselfe authoritie ouer the whole Church and boasteth to haue all knowledge locked vp in his breast wherein he sheweth not himselfe to be a seruant of Christs for all his seruants haue receiued a portion and measure of gifts one alone hath not all Pareus Controv. 9. Against the superstitious orders of the Popish Clergie v. 7. Or he that teacheth on teaching c. Pet. Martyr and Gualter vpon this place do shew what was the oeconomie ecclesiasticall policie and discipline of the Primitiue Church how first they had praesides doctrinae the presidents of doctrine then they had assistants the Seniors and Elders qui disciplinam publicam conservabant which did preserue the publike discipline the next were the deacons which dispensed the treasure of the Church vnto whom were ioyned such as attended the sicke as in this place the Apostle setteth downe fiue offices of the Church pastors and teachers that attended the spirituall edifying of the Church then distributors rulers shewers of mercie whose care was for the externall discipline but now ne nominaÌ„ quidem extant c. not so much as the names remaine of these functions Martyr or as Gualter praeter inauia nomina c. beside vaine names and titles nothing is left in the Popish Church but they substituted other orders as Acoluthists exorcistes doorekeepers candlebearers and such like See more hereof
v. 5. he was wounded for our transgressions and it followeth he was broken for our iniquities and againe the chasticement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes are wee healed verse 6. the Lord hath laied vpon him the iniquities of vs all verse 8. For the transgression of my people was he plagued v. 10. he shall make his soule an offering for sinne v. 11. he shall beare their iniquities v. 12. he bare the sinnes of many and praied for the transgressors what could be more euidently expressed or how in more full and effectuall tearmes could the force and efficacie of Christs death redeeming and iustifying vs from our sinnes be described 3. Controv. Against the enemies and adversaries to the Scriptures the Marcionites Libertines with others v. 4. Whatsoeuer is written c. Those heretikes which impugne the Scriptures doe either condemne them as vnnecessarie or of no vse or reiect them as superfluous for such as are perfect or hold them as defectiue and imperfect and such as haue neede of other helps and supplies the first are the Manichees and Marcionites which condemne the bookes of Moses and the old Testament the second the Libertines which doe cleaue vnto their fantasticall dreames which they call revelations and say the Scriptures are onely for such as are weake the third are the Romanists which doe beside the Scriptures receiue many traditions which they call verbum Dei non scriptum the word of God not written which they make of equall authoritie with the Scriptures 1. Against the first Origen in his commentarie here sheweth how the things written aforetime in the old Testament were written for our learning and giueth instance of these places Thou shalt not muzle the mouth of the oxe c. which S. Paul applieth to the Ministers of the Gospel 1. Cor. 9. and that allegorie of Abrahams two sonnes the one by a free woman the other by a bond which S. Paul expoundeth of the two testaments Gal. 4. and that of Manna and the rocke which signified Christ 1. Cor. 10. by this induction Origen confuteth those heretikes which refused the old Testament 2. The Libertines also and Anabaptists are confuted which thinke the Scriptures serue onely for the weake seeing the Apostle who counteth himselfe among the strong v. 1. here saith whatsoeuer is written is written for our learning the Apostle confesseth that he among the rest receiued instruction and learning from the Scriptures Those then are impudent and shamelesse creatures which doe take themselues to be more perfect then S. Paul as needing not the helpe of the Scriptures 3. Our adversaries the Papists are here in an other extreame for as the Libertines allow the Scriptures onely for the vse of the simple so they contrariwise denie them to the simple and vnlearned and challenge a propertie in them onely to themselues that are professed among them of the Clergie and to such other to whome they shall permit the reading of the Scriptures But S. Paul here writing to the whole Church of the beleeuing Romans both learned and vnlearned both Pastors and people saith generally they are written for our learning and so our blessed Sauiour speaking vnto the people of the Iewes saith Search the Scriptures Ioh. 5.39 And as for that other part of Pharisaicall leauen in adding vnwritten traditions beside the Scriptures it is also reiected by warrant of the Apostles words here whatsoeuer things are written are written for our learning things then not written are not for our learning as hauing no certentie nor foundation And S. Paul els where setting forth the manifold vse and profit of the Scriptures addeth That the man of God may be absolute and made perfect c. 1. Tim. 3.17 if perfection of knowledge and to euery good worke may be attained vnto out of the Scriptures all other additions are superfluous See further hereof Synops. Centur. 1. err 12. 4. Controv. Of the authoritie of the Scriptures that it dependeth not vpon the approbation or allowance of the Church Whatsoeuer is written c. From hence also may be confuted an other point of Popish doctrine that the Scriptures receiue their authoritie and allowance from the Church for the word of God in the Scriptures is sufficient of it selfe and we doe beleeue the Scriptures because we are perswaded by the Spirit of God speaking in the Scriptures that they are the word of God 1. For if the Scriptures should receiue their authoritie from the Church then it would follow that God must submit himselfe to the iudgement and approbation of men and the Prophet Dauid saith Euery man is a lyer can they then which are natura mendaces lyers by nature giue approbation and authoritie to the truth and further seeing faith commeth by hearing of the word of God Rom. 10.17 and the faithfull are begotten by the immortall seede of Gods word as the holy Apostle Saint Peter saith how can they that are begotten beget credite and authoritie vnto that which first begat them 2. We graunt that there are certaine motiues and externall inducements to prepare vs to this perswasion of the Scriptures that they are the word of God as 1. That they were written by Prophets which were stirred vp of God and inspired with his spirit for how otherwise could plaine and simple men as Amos that was a keeper of cattel the Apostles that were fisher men be made able to such great workes 2. they were confirmed by miracles 3. the predictions of the Prophets as of Daniel and the rest were fulfilled in their time and place but God onely can foretell and foreshew things to come 4. Beside the Scriptures haue beene miraculously preserued as the bookes of the Law in the time of the captiuitie and vnder the tyrannie of Antiochus that committed them to the fire so since both the old and new Testament haue beene by impious Tyrants as Iulian the Gothes and Vandales sought for to be vtterly extinguished but yet God hath preserued them whereas many humane writings of Philosophers Historiographers and others haue perished by fire as when Ptolomes librarie was burned at Alexandria and by other casualities 5. adde hereunto the consent of all nations that haue receiued the Christian faith who with one consent haue acknowledged the Scriptures for the word of God All these and such other motiues may be inducements vnto vs at the first to receiue the Scriptures but the full perswasion is wrought in vs by the spirit of God in the reading and learning of the Scriptures themselues that we may say touching these motiues as the Samaritanes did vnto the woman that called them to see Christ that they beleeued him not so much vpon her report as for that they had heard him themselues Ioh. 4. 3. But that saying of Augustine will be obiected Evangelio non crederem nisi Ecclesiae Catholicae me commoverit authoritas I had not beleeued the Gospel if the authoritie of the Catholike Church had not mooued mee I answer
seemed rather to be common brothelhouses Gualter Controv. 2. The Church not alwaies visible and consisting of multitudes v. 5. The Apostle saluteth the Church which was in the house of Aquila and Priscilla so also he maketh mention of the Church in Philemons house Phil. 2. whereby it is euident that the name of a Church agreeth euen vnto a fewe gathered together in Christs name as our Blessed Sauiour promiseth that where two or three are gathered together in Christs name he will be in the middes of them Matth. 28. We must not then looke alwaies to finde out a Church by the outward pompe and glorie of it or by the multitude and great troupes and number of people as the Romanists make these the notes and markes of the Church see further Synops. Cent. 1. err 18.19 Controv. 3. All doctrine is to examined by the Scriptures Whereas the Apostle v. 17. willeth the Romanes to take heede of those which cause divisions contrarie to the doctrine which they had receiued the Rhemists giue this corrupt glosse in their annotations tht he biddeth them not to examine the case by Scriptures but by their first forme of faith and religion deliuered to them before they had or did reade any booke of the newe Testament Contra. 1. The doctrine which had beene preached among the Romanes was agreeable to the old Scriptures though there had beene yet no bookes of the newe Testament extant as S. Paul professeth that he said none other things then Moses and the Prophets did say should come Act. 26.22 and therefore the brethen of Berca are commended Act. 17.11 for searching the Scriptures and examining the Apostles doctrine thereby 2. yet it is verie probable that some of the Gospels were written at this time as Ieraeneus l. 3. c. 1. thinketh that S. Matthewes was and Hierome in catalog S. Markes 3. but it followeth not before the Scriptures were written they receiued their doctrine and faith by tradition when they had immediate direction from the Apostles therefore now when the Sriptures of the old and newe Testament are extant and no Apostles to direct the Church who were priuiledged not to erre we should leaue the written word of God and flee vnto vnwritten traditions Origen hath here an excellent saying vide quam prope periculis fiunt hi qui exerceri in divinis Scripturis negligunt ex quibus solis huinsmodi examinationis agnoscenda discretio est see how neere they are vnto danger which neglect to be exercised in the diuine Scriptures out of the which onely this examination is to be discerned and acknowledged Controv. 4. That Papists not Protestants serue their owne bellie Whereas the Apostle giueth this as a note of false teachers and seducers that they seeke rather to serue their bellie then Iesus Christ v. 18. our vnkind countreymen the Rhemists doe glaunce here at Protestants whom they falsely and blasphemously call heretikes That they seeke onely their owne profit and pleasure what soeuer they pretend But it is as cleare as the Sunne that they here take themselues by the nose and that they are the heretikes if euer any that serue their bellie and are cunning kators for their kitchin They may remember what Erasmus answear was to the Duke of Saxonie when he was asked his opinion of Luther that he medled with two dangerous things the Popes crowne and the Monkes belly witnesse also that pitifull complaint and supâ—â—icatioÌ„ of certaine Monkes to Henry the second that whereas they had before 13. dishes of meate allowed them to a messe their Bishop cut off three of them And are the friers of these dayes thinke you more sparing and pinching of their bellie let that factious crue of those makebates the trayterous Iudasites rather then Iesuites speake who in few yeares at la-flesh in Fraunce beside the sumptuous building of their Colledge which cost an 100. thousand crownes bestowed as much in their revennue a reasonable proportion to keepe a fat table and to fill their bellies Controv. 5. That Protestants are no schismatikes Whereas the Apostle giueth a double caueat v. 17. concerning seducers and false teachers that first they must be examined and obserued how they do bring in strange and nouell doctrine contrarie to the receiued truth and then they must be avoided and declined this doth iustifie the departure of the Protestants from the Church of Rome because it is a false and Antichristian Church and hath fallen away and played the Apostata from the faith of Christ and therefore we are to leaue them according to S. Pauls rule Tit. 3.11 A man that is an heretike after the first and second admonition avoid Controv. 6. Why the Gospel was kept secret so many yeares vnder the kingdome of Antichrist against the obiection of the Papists v. 25. By the revelation of the mysterie which was kept secret from the beginning of the world whereas the Papists obiect against the Protestants where was your Gospel 60. or 70. yeares agoe how commeth it to passe that it was so long kept secret and hid in the world is it like that God would haue his truth so long coÌ„cealed Herevnto we answear that as the Gospel of Christ was a long time folded vp in a mysterie till Christ came but then reuealed at Gods own appointment So it pleased God that the Gospel once preached to the world being by mens vnthankfulnes obscured shold liehid as a punishmeÌ„t of their ingratitude that loued lies rather then the truth yet should againe for the gathering together of the elect be revealed vnto the world at such time as seemed good vnto our gracious God Contr. 7. Against the Popish doxologie ascribing glorie with Christ vnto the virgin Marie v. 27. To God onely wise be glorie thorough Iesus Christ c. This was the holy vse of the Apostles to conclude with giuing praise to God only through Iesus Christ we may then iustly wonder at the superstitious impietie audacious presumption of the Romanists which vse a contrary stile ioyning Christ and the Virgin Marie together in their doxologies as Tolet thus concludeth his commentarie vpon this epistle sit gloria omnipotenti Deo gloriosâ—ssima mâ—tri eius glorie be to the omnipotent God and to his most glorious mother so Pererius concludeth laus Deo Dei genetrici semper virgini Mariae praise be to God and to the mother or bringer forth of God the euer virgin Marie And before him Bellarmine thus shutteth vp his controversiall disputes Praise be to God and to the Virgin his mother Marie But this superstitious doxologie of Papists may thus be refelled 1. the Creator and the creature are not to be coupled or sorted together in any religious act as it is in the Psalme 115. 1. not vnto vs Lord c. but vnto thy name giue the praise and S. Paul thus writing Rom. 1.25 who serued the creature rather then the Creator who is blessed for euer denieth all such praise and blessing to be done vnto
avouched by this Egesippus as how Peter and Simon Magus did striue which of them should raise Neros cousin that was dead and he that could not doe it should die and how Peter fleeing out of Rome met Christ at the gates and asked him Domine quo vadis Master whether goest thou and he answeared I come againe to be crucified whereupon Peter returned and was crucified for this is contrarie to S. Peters owne doctrine that the heauens should containe Christ vntill his second comming Act. 3.21 To Ireneus testimonie we answear 1. whereas he saith that Matthew wrote his Gospell at what time Peter and Paul preached at Rome this cannot agree with the historie of times for Matthew is held to haue written his Gospel in the 3. yeere of Caligula from which yeare vnto the 2. of Nero when S. Paul is held to haue first come vnto Rome are verie neere 20. yeares 2. and as Ireneus is vncertaine in this so an other opinion he hath of the like credit that Christ should be 40. or 50. yeare old when he preached and this he saith he receiued of all the Elders of Asia who testified id ipsum tradidisse eis Iohannem that Iohn deliuered the same vnto them and yet the other opinion of Epiphanius that Christ died in the 33. yeare of his age and beganne to preach at 30. is held of all to come neerer vnto the truth Hierome is as vncertaine 1. he saith that Paul came to Rome in the 2. yeare of Claudius and yet he granteth that before he had been at Antioch and from thence went and preached to the dispersed brethren in Pontus Galatia Bithinia Cappadocia Asia which might hold him not much lesse then 14. yeares as shall be shewed afterward so that he could not in this account come to Rome til the 2. of Nero. 2. Hierome is as vncertaine in other things in his epistle to Marcella he thinketh Adam was buried in mount Calvarie in his epitath of Eustach he will haue him buried in Chebron in his epistle to Evagr. he thinketh Iob came of Esau and in his cōmentarie vpon Genesis that he discended of Nahor Abrahams brother To Eusebius these exceptions may be taken 1. that he was an Arrian and beeing an Arrian wrote his historie which maketh it of the lesse credit 2. he is contrarie to himselfe for l. 3. c. 2. he affirmeth that Peter came not to Rome till the last yeare of Claudius See Christ. Carlil in his booke of the life and peregrination of Peter 1. dis This shall suffice concerning the contrarie arguments and obiections made by the Papists now ours follow for the demonstration of the contrarie part of Peters not beeing at Rome where first I will set downe the opinion of the Protestants and then produce their reasons Though the Protestants in generall and by the most full and sufficient warrant of Scripture do hold that Peter was not at Rome as Bishop there or founder of that Church and so in effect doe agree in the substance yet I finde some difference among them in certaine points coincident to this question 1. Some directly affirme and prooue it by euident places of Scripture that Peter was not at Rome at all as Vl. Vellanus whose obiections Bellarmine rather maketh an offer to confute then indeed confuteth them l. 2. de Rom. Pont. c. 5.6 2. Some goe yet further and affirme that Peter neither liued at Rome nor yet died there nor S. Paul neither but assigneth Ierusalem to be the place where S. Peter was crucified by warrant of that place Matth. 23.34 where our Sauiour saith that Ierusalem shall kill and crucifie some of the wise men and Prophets whom he should send thither Christopher Carlil who alleadgeth Lyranus and the interlinear gloss vpon that place that Peter was crucified at Hierusalem for none els of the Apostles were crucified there Linus also affirmeth that Peter was slaine at Ierusalem by Agrippa the last king of the Iews when also Iames the lesse was killed with Ioses Simon and Iude. 3. Some of our writers denie not Peter to haue beene at Rome but they affirme he could not come thither so soone nor continue there so long 25. yeares from the 2. of Claudius as Beza saith non invitus concedam c. I will not vnwillingly graunt that Peter was at Rome and there put to death but not the other annot in 1. Pet. 5.14 so also Gualter id ego non facile negaverim c. I will not easily denie that Peter in the last yeare of Nero receiued the crowne of Martyrdome because of the consent of auncient writers c. to the same purpose also D. Fulke annot 4. in 16. c. ad Roman 4. To this we adde further that howsoeuer we absolutely denie not but that Peter might be at Rome yet it is more probable he was not certainely out of the Scripture it can not be prooued that he was there at all and it is not de fide a thing concerning faith neither to be held as an article of faith as the Church of Rome doth defend it because the Scripture only must be a rule of our faith and further it is euident out of the Scripture that Peter was not at Rome till Pauls first beeing there in bonds where the historie of the acts of the Apostle endeth whatsoeuer he was afterward which Pareus thinketh to haue beene the 11. yeare of Nero but it was rather the second yeare when S. Paul came thither first and his second arrivall was in the 11. yeare for this Epistle was not written in the 8. yeare of Nero as Pareus thinketh but rather in the ende of Claudius raigne while Narcissus was yet in authoritie see before in the ende of the 5. and 10. quest Our reasons against Peters beeing at Rome in manner and forme aforesaid are these Our first argument shall be out of the Scripture 1. it is evident that Peter was at Ierusalem the third yeare after Pauls conversion for there he staied with him 15. dayes which was the 37. yeare of Christ he was not then yet at Rome 2. 8. yeare after this he was imprisoned by Herod which was the 43. yeare of Christ and the 3. yeare of Claudius Euseb. l. 2. c. 11. Ioseph l. 19. c. 7. Peter thē was not yet at Rome 3. Sixe yeare after this was Peter at Ierusalem for there S. Paul found him 14. yeare after his first comming thither Galat. 2.1 then was celebrated the Apostolicall counsel mentioned Act 15. when each gaue to other the right hand of fellowship this was the 9. yeare of Claudius as witnesseth Hierome hitherto Peter had not visited Rome neither will it suffice to say that he came from Rome thither to the councell for then what time will they leaue vnto Peter to visit Antioch and the Churches of Asia Bythinia Cappadocia Galatia and Egypt where Nicephorus saith he preached lib. 2. c. 35. in all these places he preached as it appeareth by his 1.
reprobation in this place as of Election 10. contr Whether as well the decree of reprobation as of election be without the foresight of workes 11. contr Of the difference betweene the decree of election and reprobation and of the agreement betweene them 12. contr Whether mercie be a naturall propertie in God or an effect onely of his will against Socinus 13. contr Whether the mercie of God in the forgiuenesse of sinne be an effect of Gods free and absolute will onely and be not grounded vpon Christ against the heresie of Socinus and Ostorodius 15. contr Of the sufficiencie of Scripture 16. contr Of the certaintie of saluation 17. contr Against the works of preparation Controversies vpon the 10. Chapter 1. contr Against inherent iustice 2. contr Against the workes of preparation which are done without faith 3. contr That it is impossible for any in this life to keepe the lawe 4. contr Against the doubting of salvation 5. contr Against vnwritten traditions 6. contr Against freewill 7. contr Against Limbu Patrum that Christ went not downe thither to deliuer the Patriarkes 8. contr Whether the righteousnesse of faith and the righteousnes of the law be one and the same or contrarie the one to the other 9. contr Whether the righteousnesse of the lawe and that which is by the law doe differ 10. contr That Baptisme doth not giue or conferre grace 11. contr Against the dissembling of our faith and profession 12. contr That faith is not onely in the vnderstanding 13. contr The Scriptures the onely sufficient rule of faith 14. contr How the Apostle saith there is no difference between the Iew and the Grecian v. 12. 15. contr Against the maintainers of vniversall grace 16. contr That faith iustifieth not by the act thereof but onely as it apprehendeth Christ. 17. contr That faith onely iustifieth not invocation 18. contr Against the invocation of Saints 19. contr That we must pray with confidence and assurance 20. contr Against the vaine pompe of the Pope of Rome in offering his feete to be kissed 21. contr Against humane traditions 22. contr That the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel haue a lawfull calling against Stapleton 23. contr That the Hebrew text is more authenticall then the vulgar Latin translation 24. contr Against the works of preparation 25. contr Against the Iewes that will not haue the Prophet to speake of them in these words I haue stretched out my hands c. Controversies out of the 11. Chapter 1. contr That none which are elected can finally fall away 2. contr Whether the complaint of Elias of the paucitie of true worshippers be well applied to the decay of religion vnder the Pope at the time of the first reformation 3. contr That works are excluded both from election and iustification 4. contr Against free-will 5. contr That vniversalitie and multitude is not alwaies a note of the true Church 6. contr Of the sufficiencie of Scripture and of the right way to interpret the same 7. contr Against the Iewes 8. contr Whether any of the true branches may be broken off 9. contr Against the heresie of Valentinus and Basilides that held some things to be euill some good by nature 10. contr That there was the same spirit of faith and the same spirituall substance of the Sacraments vnder the old Testament and in the New 11. contr That the Scriptures are the iudge of euery one in particular 12. contr Against the Popish vncertentie and doubtfulnes of saluation 13. contr Against the Manichees and Marcionites 14. contr Against the works of preparation 15. contr Against the erroneous opinion of Origen concerning the purgatorie of hell Controversies vpon the 12. Chapter 1. contr Concerning the power of free-will 2. contr Whether the Masse be a sacrifice properly so called 3. contr Of the difference betweene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worship and seruice whether they signifie two kinds of religious worships the one peculiar to God the other to the creatures 4. contr Of the comparison betweene virginitie and mariage 5. contr The minde it selfe and not the sensuall part onely hath neede of renovation 6. contr Of the perfections of the Scripture against traditions 7. contr Against free-will 8. contr Against the arrogancie of the Pope 9. contr Against the superstitious orders of the Popish Clergie 10. controv The Pope not the head of the Church 11. contr That to loue our enemie is a precept and commanded not counselled as indifferent Controversies vpon the 13. Chapter 1. contr Whether the Pope and other Ecclesiasticall persons ought to be subiect to the Ciuill power 2. contr Whether the Pope haue a spirituall power ouer Kings and Princes 3. contr That the tyrannie and idolatrie of the Pope may be gain said and resisted 4. contr Whether the Ciuill magistrate haue any power or authoritie in matters of religion 5. contr Whether Ecclesiasticall persons as Bishops and others may haue the temporall sword committed vnto them 6. contr Whether it be lawfull for a Christian to be a Magistrate and to vse the sword in the time of peace and warre 7. contr Whether lawes Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall doe bind simply in conscience 8. contr Whether Ecclesiasticall persons are exempted from tribute 9. contr Whether the fulfilling of the law be possible in this life 10. contr Against the Marcionites which denied the morall precepts to be now in force but to be ceased 11. contr Against iustification by the works of the law Controversies vpon the 14. Chapter 1. contr Whether to abstaine from certaine meates be an act of religion and a part of Gods worship or a thing in it selfe indifferent 2. contr That faith is not onely an assenting of the wil but an act also of the vnderstanding and it is ioyned with knowledge 3. contr That it is necessarie that festivall daies should be obserued among Christians 4. contr That festiuall daies ought not to be consecrated to the honour of Saints 6. contr Whether all the festivalls of Christians are alike arbitrarie to be altered and chaunged as shall seeme good to the Church 7. contr Against Purgatorie 8. contr Whether Christ by his obedience and suffering merited for himselfe eternall glorie and dominion 9. contr Of bowing the knee to the name of Iesus whether it be necessarily inferred out of this place v. 11. and Phil. 2.10 10. contr That Christ is prooued to be God by this saying of the Prophet cited v. 11. as I liue euery knee shall bow vnto me against the blasphemie of Georg. Eniedinus 11. contr That morall works which are done without faith are sin howsoeuer outwardly they appeare good Controversies out of the 15. Chapter 1. contr Whether S. Peter were iustly reprehended of S. Paul for refusing to eate with the Gentiles 2. contr That Christ is not set forth onely as an example for vs to imitate but as our Sauiour to redeeme vs. 3. contr Against the enemies and adversaries to the Scriptures the
beleefe in vs and on Gods behalfe his efficacious power Gryneus In the amplyfying and tractation of this definition all the rest of the epistle is bestowed as this proposition that we are iustified by the Gospel that is by faith and beleefe in Christ is further amplified by the contrarie that we cannot be iustified either by the workes of nature c. 11.2 or of the Lawe c. 3. but by grace and faith c. 4. by the effects of iustifying faith inward the peace of conscience c. 5. outward the fruites of holinesse c. 6. by the contrarie operation of the lawe which reuealeth sinne c. 7. but the Gospel freeth from condemnation c. 8. by the cause the free election of God c. 9. by the subiect the Gentiles called the Iewes reiected c. 11. See more hereof concerning the Methode in the generall argument of the epistle before 3. For the kind of epistle It is principally definitiue and demonstratiue for he defineth and determineth that we are iustified neither by the workes of nature nor of the law but by faith in Christ and prooueth the same by most euident demonstration Beside this epistle hath somewhat of all other kinds of epistles which are called accessaria accessarie and secundarie as it is both gratulatorie reioycing for their faith c. 1. and it is reprehensorie rebuking the Gentiles for their licentiousnes it is also exhortatorie exhorting to holinesse of life c. 6.12 and it is deprecatorie he praieth and maketh request praying for encrease of grace in them and for himselfe that he might haue some good occasion to come vnto them Aretius 4. Places of doctrine 1. Doct. Of the godly custome and vse of the Church in laying the foundation of religion which is Catechising This commendable vse was taken vp by the Apostles themselues as the Apostle sheweth Hebr. 6.1 he calleth it the doctrine of beginnings and the laying of the foundation as of repentance faith baptisme the resurrection of eternall iudgement And so in this epistle the Apostle deliuereth a perfect forme of catechisme which consisteth of three parts of the miserie of man by nature his reparation and restitution by grace and then of his thankfulnes afterward in his obedience of life for the benefits receiued which three parts the Apostle doth at large handle in this epistle what man is by nature he sheweth c. 1.2.3 what by grace c. 4.5.8 and of the fruits of regeneration he entreateth c. 6. c. 12. So that it is false which Bellarmine affirmeth that the Apostle deliuered no forme of catechising to the Church l. 4. de verb. Dei c. 4. for he doth it most plainly euidently in this epistle Pareus 5. Places of controversie 1. Contr. That it is knowne that this Epistle was written by S. Paul and is of diuine authoritie by the Epistle it selfe Bellarmine affirmeth that to know that any Scripture is diuine or Canonicall it can not be concluded out of the Scripture it selfe neither which were the writings of S. Paul or that the Gospel of S. Matthew was written by Matthew without the tradition of the Church Bellar. lib. 4. de verb. c. 4. Contra. 1. That the Epistles of Saint Paul are of diuine and Canonicall authoritie it appeareth euidently out of the writings themselues for they beeing written by Saint Paul who had the spirit of God 1. Corinth 7.40 and had Christ speaking in him 2. Cor. 13.13 and was taught of God from whome he receiued his doctrine by reuelation Gal. 1.12 it is not to be doubted but that his holy writings proceeded from the spirit of God and so are of diuine authoritie and he himselfe doubteth not to make them canonicall as he saith Gal. 6.16 Whosoeuer walketh according to this canon or rule c. And he denounceth anathema if any yea an Angel should teach any other Gospel then he had preached Gal. 1. 2. Likewise that S. Paul was the author and writer of them it is euident both by the inscription and title and by the salutation in the ende of euery epistle and the benediction which he vseth The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you all which he saith is the token or marke to know his epistles by 2. Thess. 3.17 3. The tradition of the Church is an vncerten thing that which is vncerten can not be a rule and measure of that which is most certen the testimonie of men can not assure vs of the testimonie of God Christ saith Ioh. 5.33 Ye sent vnto Iohn and he bare witnesse vnto the truth but I receiue not the record of men c. 36. I haue a greater witnes then the witnes of Iohn c. 2. Contr. That S. Pauls epistles are not so obscure that any should be terrified from the reading thereof In the Preface to Toletus commentarie the epistles of S. Paul are affirmed to be hard out of Hierome and Origen contr Whitakerum hareticum against Whitaker that heretike as it pleaseth that rayling taxer to call that learned godly man Contr. 1. True it is that as S. Peter saith some things are hard in S. Pauls epistles 1. Pet. 3.16 he saith not that many things are hard or that the Epistles are hard but onely some few things in them this letteth not but that his Epistles may safely be read of all that read them with an humble minde desirous to profit thereby the danger is onely to the vnlearned and vnstable which peruert them as they doe the rest of the Scriptures as S. Peter in the same place saith 2. And euen those hard places may be made easie by diligent reading as Chrysostome giueth this instance like as we know their minde whome we loue and obserue and are familiar with them vtique si lectioni cum animi alacritate volueritis attendere c. so you if you will with cheerfull attention giue your selues to reading ye shall neede no other helpe c. hinc vt innumera mala nata sunt quod scripturae ignorantur hence so many euills haue sprung vp because the Scriptures are not knowne hence so many heresies c. the ignorance then not the reading of Scripture breedeth heresies and thus he concludeth oculos ad splendorem Apostolicorum verborum aperiamtu let vs open our eyes to receiue the brightnes of the Apostolicall words c. they doe not then cast darknes vpon our eyes but bring brightnes and clearnes Chrysost. argum in epist. ad Rom. 3. Controv. Against the Ebionites which reteined the rites and ceremonies of Moses Whereas the Ebionites thought the rites of the Law necessarie and ioyned them together with the Gospel which heresie did much trouble the Church in the Apostles time and is at large confuted in the epistles of S. Paul to the Galatians and Colossians the same also in this epistle is conuinced and confounded for the Apostle renounceth the workes of the Law whether the ceremoniall and morall as hauing no part in the matter of iustification which he concludeth to be by faith without
quicken glorifie to raigne to be adored which things were performed in both his natures 2. some things are communicated really to his whole person which yet properly belong onely to one of his natures as Christ the Sonne of God in whole person is said to be made of the seede of Dauid but yet in respect onely of his humanitie according to the flesh these two communions there is no question made of 3. a third communion there is deuised by the Vbiquitaries whereby they really communicate the properties of one nature to an other as the flesh of Christ by reason of the vnion of the Godhead they call omnipotent knowing all things euery where present Pareus v. 8. I thanke my God c. 1. Here two kinds of prayer are expressed inuocation which is a requesting of some grace or benefit from God and giuing thanks for some benefit receiued 2. the requisite things in prayer are here shewed 1. that our praiers must be made to God not to any creature I thanke my God 2. we must pray with confidence my God 3. by Christ our Mediatour 4. not for our selues onely but our brethren Pareus v. 9. God is my witnes Hence the lawfulnes of a lawfull oath among Christians is warranted by the Apostles example against the Anabaptists Piscator v. 10. That by some meanes c. The Apostle then though he praied for a prosperous iourney yet neglected not the meanes against the Messalian heretikes who ascribed all vnto praier and in the meane time would doe nothing themselues Here also the doctrine of Gods prouidence is to be considered who many times worketh euen by contrarie meanes for S. Paul his bonds and imprisonment which might haue seemed like to hinder his iourney to Rome yet were meanes to bring him thither by his appeale Olevian v. 17. As it is written The Apostles alleadged Scripture not to confirme their doctrine for they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of themselues worthie to be credited but to shew the consent of the Prophets for the confirmation of others But the Pastors of the Church doe now alleadge Scripture for warrant of their doctrine Pareus v. 19. That which may be knowne of God The knowledge of God is generall either internall by the light of nature or externall by the view of the creatures or speciall which is peculiar to the Church which is either externall common to the whole visible Church as by the preaching of his word or internall by the inward operation of the spirit which is proper onely to the Elect. v. 23. They turned the glorie of the incorruptible God to the similitude c. An idol is whatsoeuer beeing not God is worshipped for God either inwardly or outwardly Idolatrie is of two sorts direct or indirect the first when the creature is worshipped the Creator beeing omitted and it is of two sorts internall when men set vp such an idole in their hearts or externall when diuine worship is giuen outwardly to a false god as the heathen worshipped the Sunne Moone and starres or to the image of a false god indirect idolatrie when the true God is worshipped but not after a due manner such as he hath prescribed Pareus 5. Places of controversie 1. Controv. Against the Manichees which refuse Moses and the Prophets v. 2. Which he had promised before by the Prophets Out of this place August lib. 5. cont haeres as he is cited by Beda conuinceth the Manichees I saith the Maniche neither receiue Moses not the Prophets quid ais de Apostolo Paulo c. what saiest thou then to the Apostle Paul who in the beginning of his epistle to the Romanes thus writeth Paul a seruant c. put a part for the Gospel of God which he had promised before by his Prophets c. then he inferreth thus audis quia evangelium per Apostolos non exhiberetur â—i ante per Prophet as promitteretur you heare that the Gospel should not haue beene exhited by the Apostles vnlesse it had beene promised before by the Prophets 2. Controv. Against election by the foresight of workes v. 1. Set apart for the Gospel of Christ. Origen and Sedulius following him thinke that Paul was separated in the counsell of God and ordained to be the Apostle of the Gentiles because God did foresee his merits and labour which he should take in the Gospel the same is the opinion of the Rhemists who affirme that Christ doth not appoint any by his absolute election without respect vnto their workes annotat Hebr. 5. sect 9. But Tolet. a champion of their owne confuteth this position by that place of S. Paul Gal. 1.15 But when it pleased God which had seperated me from my mothers wombe and called me by his grace to reueale his Sonne vnto me he ascribeth this his separation to the good pleasure and grace of God not to any merit foreseene in himselfe P. Martyr addeth further that if election were grounded vpon such foresight of workes it had not beene so hard a matter to find out the reason why the Lord electeth some and not others and the Apostle needed not thus to haue stopped the mouthes of those which complaine of Gods righteousnes O man who art thou which pleadest against God c. And the Apostle in the same place euidently saith It is not in him that willeth or in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie This doctrine of the free grace of God in electing his seruants hath a double vse 1. to make them confident and bold that seeing they are elected of God nothing can hinder or ouerturne their election whatsouer befalleth them in this life 2. as also to humble them that they should not ascribe their election to any workes of their owne but to the meere grace of God 3. Controv. Against the Nestorians and Vbiquitaries v. 3. Made of the seede of Dauid according to the flesh The Sonne of God not the Sonne of man is said to be made of the seede of Dauid and yet with this limitation according to his flesh that is his humane nature where first the heresie of the Nestorians is confuted who denied that Marie was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the mother of God seeing the Apostle doth euidently affirme that the Sonne of God was made of the seede of Dauid so that because of the vnion of the two natures the humane and diuine in one person that is ascribed to the whole person which is proper but vnto one of his natures as the Sonne of God is saide to be borne and become man and to haue died for vs and so the Sonne of man is said to haue descended from heauen the Sonne of man which is in heauen Ioh. 3.13 which was onely true of his diuine nature yet is spoken of his whole person which there receiueth denomination of his humane nature 2. Beside as the Nestorians admit no communication at all of the properties which belong to each
commeth the knowledge of sinne and the law is a schoolemaster to bring vs vnto Christ it sheweth vs our disease and sendeth vs to the Physitian Faius Sasbout but because this is not the proper effect of the law otherwise then by reason of our infirmitie the Apostle is to be vnderstood to speake of the practise and obedience of the law which Christ requireth of the faithfull who though they doe not looke thereby to be iustified yet by the spirit of sanctification are enabled to walk according to the same as the law commandeth that we should loue the Lord with all our heart and our neighbour as our selfe these precepts euery Christian is bound to keepe And in this sense our Sauiour specially saith Matth. 5. I came not in dissolue the Law but to fulfill it so Origen omnis qui credens Christo bene agit c. viâ—enâ—â— legem confirmat c. euery one which beleeueth in Christ and doth well doth confirme the law by his life to the same purpose Augustine fides impetrat gratiam qua lex impletâ—â— c. faith obtaineth grace whereby the law is fulfilled c. the Gospel giueth grace whereby men are directed to liue and walke according to the law Adde hereunto that without faith it is impossible to keepe the law or any part thereof as the law commandeth vs to loue God with all our heart but no man can loue God vnlesâ— he first know him and beleeue in him Againe the law commandeth the worship of God whereof inuocation is a part but none can call vpon him vpon whome they haue not beleeued Rom. 10. Mart. 6. Other expositions there be of this place Caietane saith that faith doth establish the law because by faith we beleeue that God is the author of the law without which faith iâ— would be of no greater authoritie with men then the laws of Lycurgus and Solon 7. Catharinus a Popish writer herein would haue the lawe holpen by the Gospell because those things which were handled obscurely in the lawe are manifested openly in the Gospell the lawe was kept then thorough a seruile feare but now vnder the Gospell for the loue of iustice But leauing those and other like expositions I insist vpon the fift before alleadged as most agreeable vnto S. Paul 8. Now then whereas the Apostle in some places speaketh of the abrogating of the law as Heb. 7.12 If the Priesthood be changed there must of necessitie be a change of the lawe and v. 18. the commandement that was afore is disanulled because of the weakenesse thereof and vnprofitablenes c. he is not herein contrarie to himselfe for either the Apostle speaketh of the ceremoniall lawe as in the first place but it is the morall law which is established by faith or be meaneth that the vnprofitable ende of the morall lawe which was to iustifie men is abrogated but here he speaketh of an other ende and vse of the lawe which is to be a direction vnto good life in which sense the lawe is established 9. Thus the Apostle hath answeared this obiection least he might haue seemed to abrogate the lawe because he denieth vnto it power to iustifie vnto this obiection he maketh a double answear first in denying that he doth not take away the effect of the lawe for where one ende of a thing is denied all are not taken away secondly he answeareth by the contrarie he is so farre from abrogating or disanulling the lawe that contrariwise he doth establish and confirme it as is shewed before 4. Places of doctrine Doct. 1. Of the preheminence or prerogatiue of the Church v. 1. What is the preferment of the Iewe c. here occasion is offred to consider of the preheminence and excellencie of the Church which consisteth in the consideration of the dignitie state and blessings wherein it excelleth other humane conditions and states This excellencie and preheminence of the Church is either of nature or grace but by nature all men are the children of wrath one as well as an other Ephes. 2.3 therefore all the prerogatiue of the Church is of grace This prerogatiue is either common to the old Church of the Iewes and the newe of the Christians or proper and peculiar the common is either internall in their vocation iustification sanctification by the spirit or externall in their publike profession of religion and adoption to be the people of God with their externall directions by the word and sacraments vnto saluation The peculiar and proper prerogatiue of the old Church is considered 1. in their state that they were a people seuered from the rest of the world and ioyned vnto God by a solemne couenant 2. in the blessings wherewith they were endued which were partly spirituall as the Scriptures of the Prophets were committed vnto them they had the legall sacraments of circumcision and the Paschal lambe the Priesthood of Leui partly temporal as the inheritance of Canaan which was tied vnto Abrahams posteritie The prerogatiue peculiar vnto the Church of the newe Testament consisteth 1. in their state in beeing an holy people taken out from the rest of the world and consecrated to the worship of God 2. in their blessings partly perpetuall as the doctrine of the newe Testament the sacraments baptisme and the supper of the Lord partly temporall as the gift of tongues and miracles which the Church had for a time for the necessarie propagation of the faith but are now ceased ex Pareo Doct. 2. Of the vtilitie and profit of the diuine oracles v. 2. Vnto them were coÌ„mitted the oracles of God The Scriptures called here the diuine oracles are profitable to diuerse ends 1. illuminant intellectum they doe lighten the vnderstanding Psal. 19.8 It giueth light vnto the eyes 2. inflammant affectum they inflame the affection as Luke 24.32 the two disciples said betweene themselues did not our hearts burne within vs while he talked with vs by the way 3. mundant culpam they doe cleanse the fault as Ioh. 15.3 now are ye cleane thorough the word which I haue spoken vnto you 4. conseruant contra tristitiam they doe comfort against heauinesse 5. roborant ad pâ—tientiam they do strengthen vnto patience both these the Apostle sheweth saying Rom. 15.4 that we through patience and consolation of the Scriptures might have hope 6. franâ—â—â—t cordis duritiam they breake the hardnesse of heart Ierem. 23.29 is not my word like an hammer that breaketh the stone 7. protegunt contra tentationes they defend and protect against the tentations of the deuill Prou. 30.5 Euerie word of God is pure it is a sheild c. Ephes. 6.17 the sword of the spirit is the word of God Gorrhan Doct. 3. Of the combination betweene God and his Church v. 3. Shall their vnbeleefe make the faith of God without effect Here are to be considered tria ingorum paria three paire of yokes and bands as it were betweene God and vs. 1. the couenant and
1. Ioh. 2.2 He is the reconciliation for our sinnes 2. to be our Redeemer v. 24. Through the redemption that is in Christ. 3. to be our Mediator 1. Tim. 2.6 Our Mediator betweene God and man c. 4. to be our doctor and teacher Matth. 23.8 One is your Doctor to wit Christ. 5. to be our aduocate and intercessor 1. Ioh. 2.1 We haue an advocate with the Father Christ Iesus the Iust. 6. to be our defender and deliuerer Isay. 19.20 He shall send them a Sauiour and a great man that shall deliuer them 7. to be our Lawgiuer Iam. 4.12 There is one Lawgiuer which is able to saue and destroy 8. to be a faithfull and true witnesse Apocal. 3.14 These things saith Amen the faithfull and true witnesse 9. to be our iudge Act. 10.42 It is he that is ordained of God iudge of the quicke and dead 10. to be our Sauiour Philip. 3.20 From whence we looke for our Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus so Christ is all things vnto his seruants reis propitiatore â—aptiuis redemptor c. a reconciliation to the guiltie a redeemer to the captiues a Mediator vnto them at variance with God a teacher to the ignorant a lawgiuer to the dissolute an intercessor to them accused a defender to the assaulted a witnesse to the defamed a iudge to the oppressed and to the elect a Sauiour Gorrhan Doct. 12. The same faith both vnder the lawe and Gospel v. 25. Thomas well obserueth vpon this place that seeing the sinnes which were passed and committed vnder the lawe were forgiuen by no other way then in Christ that the righteousnesse of faith was at all times necessarie as S. Peter saith Act. 4.12 Among men there is giuen no other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued and S. Paul saith 2. Cor. 14.13 That we haue the same spirit of faith 13. Doct. Of our redemption by Christ and the manner thereof v. 24. Thorough the redemption that is in Christ c. 1. This our redemption consisteth in our deliuerance from the power of Sathan sinne and death and in reconciling of vs vnto God 2. there is a double redemption the first in the forgiuenes of our sinnes nowe present the second when we shall be redeemed from corruption and mortalitie in the resurrection 3. This our redemption is not metaphorically so called but it is a verie true redemption there beeing all things concurring in redemption the captiues which are men the redeemer Christ the price his blood and from whom we are redemed from Sathan hell and damnation see contr 22. following 4. They which detaine the captiues are first God as a iust Iudge whom they had offended then Sathan as Gods minister sinne is as the bands death as the tormentor hell as the prison Pareus loc 5. 5. Places of controversie Controv. 1. That the Sacraments of the old Testament did not iustifie ex opere operato by the worke wrought and so consequently neither the newe There are diuerse opinions among the Romanists concerning this point in question 1. Some of them think that the Sacraments of the old Testament did not iustifie at all though they were receiued in faith because they were not giuen to that ende to iustifie sed vt oneri essent but to be a burthen so Magister sentent 4. distinct 1. 2. Some are of the contrarie opinion that circumcision did iustifie ex opere operato by the work wrought though there were no faith in the receiuer as Alexander Bonaventure Scotus Gabriel as Bellarmine citeth them 3. But the common opinion on that side is that the sacraments of the old Testament did onely iustifie and conferre grace ex opere operantis by the worke or disposition of the receiuer and this they hold to be the difference betweene the old sacraments and the newe nostra conferunt gratiam illa sola significabant ours doe conferre grace theirs onely signified grace Bellar. and that those Sacraments did not conferre grace Bellarmine would prooue it out of this place v. 1. What is the profit of circumcision c. to the which question the Apostle maketh answear Much euerie way for chiefely because vnto them were committed the oracles of God herein was the preheminence of the Iewe before the Gentiles not that he was iustified by his circumcision but because the Lord gaue his oracles to the circumcised Bellar. lib. 2. de sacram c. 14. Now vpon this conclusion of Bellarmine thus it may be further inferred the sacraments of the old Testament did not iustifie by the worke wrought or conferre grace this Bellarmine graunteth but there was the same substance and efficacie of the old and newe sacraments for the Apostle saith that circumcision was the seale of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 and so is baptisme Col. 2.12 And Christ was the substance both of their sacraments and ours for the rocke was Christ 1. Cor. 10.4 the conclusion then followeth that seeing their sacraments did not conferre grace no more doe the sacraments of the Gospel the difference then betweene the old sacraments and the newe is not the substance which is Christ and the proper effect thereof which is to be seales of faith but in respect of the more cleare signification and so in the more liuely illustration and confirmation of our faith for the more full discussing of this matter I referre the reader to the treatise of controuersies Synops. Centur. 2. err 97. Controv. 2. Of the Apochryphal Scriptures v. 2. Vnto them were committed the oracles of God Faius well obserueth hereupon thaâ— seeing all the old Scriptures which were Canonicall were committed vnto the Hebrewes then those books which were called Apochryphal that is of hidden and obscure authoritie are not to be accounted any part of the diuine Canonical Scripture such are the books oâ— the Macchabees of Tobi Iudith with the rest that goe vnder the name of Apochyphaâ— for they were not commended to the Church of the Hebrews because they are not writteâ— in the Hebrewe tongue neither did the Iewes place them in the canon of the Scriptures as Iosephus setteth it downe lib. 1. contra Appion see further Synops. Centur. â—â— error 1. Controv. 3. That the wicked and vnbeleeuers doe not eate the bodie of Christ in the Eucharist v. 3. The Apostle saith Shall their vnbeleefe make the faith of God without effect hence then it will be inferred by the Romanists that the promise of Christs presence in the Sacrament is not evacuated notwithstanding the vnbeleefe of the communicants Answ. True it is that the vnbeleefe of some doth not make Gods promises voide and of none effect in respect of God himselfe who for his part is readie to performe his promise or couenant where the condition is performed and on the behalfe of the elect to whom Gods promises are effectuall they receiuing them by faith but it followeth not that the promises of God should be effectuall vnto vnbeleeuers for Gods promises are made vnto
those which beleeue vnto vnbeleeuers therefore they doe not appertaine Pareus But it will be further obiected that the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 11.27 that he which eateth and drinketh vnworthily shall be guilty of the bodie and blood of Christ but they could not be guilty vnlesse they were partakers Answ. It doth not followe one may be guiltie of a thing which he is not partaker of as many may be guilty of violating the princely maiestie which had no interest therein neither were partakers thereof so then the wicked and vnbeleeuers are guilty non manducati sed non dâ—â—dicati corporis c. not of the eating but of not discerning the Lords bodie Gryneus Controv. 4. That the Romane Church hath not the promise of the perpetuall presence of Gods spirit The Romanists alleadge this place for themselues that the vnbeleefe of some make not the promises of God of no effect and therefore seeing the Lord hath promised to be present with and to giue his spirit to his Church they cannot faile thereof notwithstanding their sinnes and corruptions Answ. Christ promised the presence of his spirit to his disciples they must then first prooue themselues to be the disciples of Christ in following his doctrine and keeping his word in adding nothing thereto nor decreeing any thing against it before they can haue any interest in this promise God indeede hath promised to be present with his Church but a companie of mitred Bishops following humane traditions and leauing the word of God doe not make the true Church of Christ Martyr Controv. 5. The Virgin Marie not exempted from sinne v. 10. There is none that is righteous no not one Chrysostome handling these words in his commentarie vpon the 13. Psalme giueth instance how that when Christ was crucified this saying was then most of all verified that there was not one that did good discipuli omnes fugerunt c. all the disciples fledde Iohn went away Peter denied Mariae animam gladius dubitationis incredulitatis pervasit and a sword of doubtfulnesse and vnbeleefe did pierce the soule of Marie c. the like is affirmed by Chrysostome hom 49. in Genes and by Origen hom 17. in Luc. and by Augustine lib. question veter nov Testam qu. 73. But Pererius refusing the iudgement of these fathers confidently affirmeth that the Virgin Marie fuisse expertem omnis peccati etiam minimi levissimi per omnem vitam was free from the least and lightest sinne all her life and of Chrysostome he is bold to say veritatis pietatis terminos excessisse that he exceeded the bounds of veritie and pietie Perer. 〈◊〉 6. numer 33. Contra. But Pererius in thus affirming will make not Chrysostome onely and other ancient writers liers but Christ himselfe and his blessed mother for if Mary were without the least sinne why did our Blessed Saviour reprooue her for taking so much vpon her saying Iohn 2.4 Woman what haue I to doe with thee would he checke her without any fault and againe Marie her selfe saith in her song Luk. 2.47 My spirit reioyceth in God my Sauiour what needed she a Sauiour if she were free from sinne see further hereof Synops. Centur. 2 â—â—â— 79. Controv. 6. The reading of Scripture is not to be denied vnto any v. 10. As it is written c. in that the Apostle alleadgeth testimonies of Scripture to prooue all men to be sinners thereupon appeareth the necessitie of the reading of Scripture 〈◊〉 of the generall vse for all both laymen and others for by the Scriptures commeth the knowledge of sinne which concerneth all Chrysostome in his homilie of Lazarus and the rich man exhorteth all men to reade the Scriptures euen such as did trade in the world and kept families further shewing that they could not attaine vnto saluation vnlesse both day and night they were conuersant in the Scriptures yea he affirmeth that such of the common sort had more neede to reade the Scriptures then men of more holy life quod perpetus versantur in maiori discrimine because they are conversant in greater danger Here then that corrupt vsage of the Romane Church is to be taxed who denie the generall vse of the Scriptures vnto the people neither doe permit them to reade them shutting the Scriptures vp in an vnknowne language Martyr Controv. 7. Against the adversaries of the Lawe the Marcionites and other heretikes v. 20. By the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne hereupon those wicked heretikes tooke occasion to speake against the lawe malaradix lex c. the law then is an euill root and an euill tree by the which commeth the knowledge of sinne to this Origen vpon this place answeareth well non dexit ex lege agnitio peccati sed per legem vt scias non ex ipsa â—tum sed per ipsam cognitum he saith not of the lawe is the knowlede of sinne but by the lawe to knowe that sinne did not spring of it but is onely knowne by it As physicke by the which we come to haue the knowledge of our diseases is not therefore euill thus Origen Controv. 8. Against the Counsels of perfection v. 19. That euerie mouth may be stopped c. here the opinion of the Romanists is euidently conuinced that beside the precepts which are commanded there are Euangelicall counsels which are more then one is bound to doe notwithstanding he that doth them is worthie of a greater reward such are these counsels of perfection as they call them â—â— vowe single life to giue all to the poore and to take vpon them voluntarie pouertie and such like and Origen hath the like conceit who in his commentarie vpon this third chapter giueth this corrupt glosse vpon these words of our Sauiour Luk. 17.10 When ye haue done all these things which are commanded you say we are vnprofitable seruants as long as a man saith he doth that which he is bound to doe he is an vnprofitable seruant si aâ—â—m addas aliquid praeceptis iam non eris invtilis servus but if you adde any thing to the precepts then are you no longer an vnprofitable seruant Contra. 1. Concerning Origens glosse we haue as great libertie to refuse it as Pererius had before to reiect Chrysostomes opinion concerning the Virgin Marie and to accuse him of falshood and impietie especially seeing that his glosse corrupteth the text for if we cannot doe those things which are commanded much lesse beside the commandement can any doe more then is required 2. the Apostle here in saying That euerie mouth may be â—â—ped ouerthroweth this arrogant and presumptuous opinion of such counsels of perfection for then a man should haue wherein to reioyce if he could doe more then is commanded and his mouth would not be stopped Controv. 9. Against the Pelagians which established freewill Augustine c. 9. lib. de spirit liter handling these words confuseth that presumptuous error of the Pelagians who affirme that the lawe onely sheweth what should be
the very worke wrought did conferre iustification But this is euidently contrarie to the Apostle in this place who directly noteth that Abraham was iustified by faith when as yet he was vncircumcised and vpon this Iustinus Martyr inferreth that Abraham had not receiued circumcision ad iustificationem for his iustification because he was iustified before by faith whereby he beleeued God dialog cum Tryphon And Ireneus vrgeth the same argument advers haeres lib. 4. c. 30. that Abraham was not iustified by circumcision because sine circumcisione placuit Deo he pleased God without circumcision 4. As these doe ascribe too much vnto circumcision so Ambrose seemeth to detract too much from it inferring thus that because Abraham receiued circumcision as a signe of the righteousnesse of faith non ergo habet circumcisio aliquid dignitatis sed signum est tantum therefore circumcision hath no dignitie at all but is onely a signe to this purpose Ambrose in his commentarie here 5. Wherefore the best opinion is that circumcision though it did not conferre remission of sinnes yet it was more then a bare signifying signe it was a seale and pleadge whereby the promises of God were ratified and confirmed and specially concerning remission of sinnes in Christ And therefore the Apostle saith it was not onely a signe but a seale which serueth to confirme and ratifie see before of this controv 8. And herein we mislike not the opinion of Thomas and other schoolemen that in circumcision there was conferred grace non virtute circumcisionis sed fidei passionis Christi not by vertue of circumcision but of faith in the passion of Christ whereof circumcision was a signe Perer. disput 6. numer 2. saving that they thinke that in the newe Sacraments there is an actuall collation of grace by the verie externall participation of the Sacrament But that circumcision was as much an instrument of grace not by the vertue of the Sacrament but of faith whereof it was a seale as baptisme is Augustine directly testifieth writing to this purpose that circumcision which was then a seale of the righteousnesse of faith ad significationem purgationis valebat c. sicut baptismus c. was avayleable for the purgation of sinne as baptisme was availeable vnto regeneration after it was instituted c. to this purpose Augustine de Nupt. concupiscent c. 11. Likewise Gregorie quod apud nos valet gratia baptismatis hoc agit apud veteres c. that which the grace of baptisme is avayleable vnto amongst vs to the same ende serued in the old Testament either faith alone for children or for the elder sort the vertue of sacrifices for those which came of Abrahams stocke the mysterie of circumcision Gregor lib. 4. Iob. Controv. 10. Of the presumptuous titles of the Pope calling himselfe the father and head of the faithfull Abraham is called the father of those which beleeue because he gaue them an example both of the true iustifying faith and of holy obedience If the Pope would be the father of the Church and of beleeuers he must goe before them in puritie of faith and manners and yet if he did so he should thinke it his greatest honour to be counted the child of faithfull Abraham he must not arrogate vnto him the title which the Scripture giueth vnto Abraham to be the father of the faithfull But seeing they which are Abrahams children must walke in the steppes of Abrahams faith which is to be iustified without workes the Pope holding iustification by the merit of workes cannot be so much as the child of faithfull and beleeuing Abraham Controv. 11. Against the Chiliastes or Millenaries that hold that Christ should raigne a 1000. yeares in the earth v. 13. The promise that Abraham should be the heire of the world The Chiliastes whose opinion was that Christ after the resurrection should raigne in the earth in all externall happinesse and pleasure for a thousand yeares doe apply this place to their owne conceit that this should be the inheritance of the world promised to Abraham As likewise they vrge that place Luk. 22.30 of eating and drinking with Christ in his kingdome and that Apocal. 20.4 how the Saints should raigne with Christ a 1000. yeares in the earth of this opinion were Papius Ireneus Tertullian Lactantius with others Lactantius dreameth that in those thousand yeares the rockes shall droppe honie and the riuers runne with wine and milke Contra. But these are mens dreames and fansies 1. the Apostle saith that the kingdome of God is not meate and drinke Rom. 14.17 therefore we must not imagine that Christ shall raigne with his Saints in any such carnall pleasure 2. whereas the Scripture speaketh of eating and drinking in the kingdome of heauen thereby Ambrose vpon Luke well vnderstandeth communicationem aeterna falicitatis the communicating and participating of euerlasting felicitie and happinesse as the Scripture vseth by such phrases taken from temporall and earthly delights to expresse spirituall ioyes 3. by the thousand yeares mentioned Apocal. 20. Augustine vnderstandeth all the time of the flourishing of the Gospell here in earth during which time Sathan is bound and his kingdome destroyed by the preaching of the Gospell so also Pet. Martyr thinketh that a certaine time is there taken for an indefinite and vncertaine But because all such propheticall predictions doe note a certaine limitation of time and yeares I subscribe rather vnto their opinion who thinke that a thousand yeares precisely are spoken of wherein Sathan should be bound which Iunius will haue to ende at the time of Hildebrande but they rather ende some 300. yeares after for otherwise Sathan should be held to be bound in the 300. yeares of persecution vnder the Pagan Emperours which is not to be admitted Controv. 12. Of the certaintie of faith v. 16. That the promise might be sure 1. This is an euident place against that Popish vncertaintie of remission of sinnes for they hold it a presumption for a man to be sure of Gods fauour and of their iustification by faith in Christ but this is contrarie to the Scriptures the Apostle saith Rom. 8.16 The spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God but nothing is more certaine then the testimonie of the spirit Againe the same Apostle saith Beeing iustified by faith we are at peace with God but the conscience cannot be at peace and setled if it were not sure of the remission of sinnes in Christ S. Paul also himselfe is perswaded that nothing could separate him from the loue of God in Christ Rom. 8.38 which perswasion was not peculiar to the Apostle by any speciall reuelation but wrought in him by faith as it is in others as he sheweth 2. Timoth. 4.8 2. This certaintie of our assurance is builded vpon these two grounds 1. the firmener and stablenesse of the word and promise of God which cannot faile 2. the nature of faith which is to giue an vnfained and
promised but that he had also a particular confidence of his acceptance with God and remission of his sinnes in the Messiah promised doth euidently appeare by these two arguments 1. The Apostle saith that Abraham was partaker by faith of that blessednesse which the Prophet Dauid speaketh of v. 7. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen then it followeth ver 9. Came the blessednesse vpon the circumcision or vpon the vncircumcision 2. the like faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousnesse which is imputed to vs v. 23. but our faith is to beleeue that Christ was put to death for our sinnes and rose for our iustification v. 25. therefore Abrahams faith was an assurance of remission of his sinnes in Christ. Controv. 15. That faith doth not iustifie by the merit or act thereof but onely instrumentally as it applyeth and apprehendeth the righteousnesse of Christ. Bellarmine hath an other sophisticall collection vpon these words v. 22. therefore it was imputed to him for righteousnesse here saith at the Apostle rendreth the reason why faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousnesse because he in beleeuing gaue glorie vnto god therefore he was iustified merito fidei by the merit or worthinesse of faith which notwithstanding was his grace and gift Bellar. lib. 1. de iustif c. 17. Contra. 1. Abraham was not iustified because he in beleeuing gaue glorie vnto God that indeede was an act and fruit of his faith but it was his faith onely for the which he was iustified as the Apostle saith afterward v. 24. it shall be likewise imputed to vs for righteousnes which beleeue c. 2. the Apostle saith to him that worketh not but beleeueth c. faith is counted for righteousnesse then it will followe that where faith is counted or imputed for righteousnesse there is no worke faith then iustifieth not as a worke by the act of beleeuing for then faith should not iustifie without works which is the scope of all the Apostles discourse that by faith righteousnes is imputed without workes v. 6. faith then doth not iustifie actiuely as it is a worke but passiuely as it apprehendeth the righteousnesse of Christ. 3. If faith be the gift of God as Bellarmine confesseth then can it not merit for he that meriteth must merit of his owne where there is grace and fauour as in the bestowing of gifts freely there is no merit v. 4. 4. I will here oppose against Bellarmine the iudgement of Tolet and so set one Iesuite against an other and a Cardinall against his fellowe he thus ingeniously writeth vpon these words non existimes Paulum merito fiderascribere iustitium c. thinke not that Paul ascribeth righteousnesse to the merit of faith as though because he beleeued he was worthie of the righteousnesse of God but he signifieth Deum ex gratia acceptare fidem nostram in iustitiam that God of grace and fauour accepteth our faith for righteousnesse Controv. 16. The people are not to be denied the reading of the Scriptures v. 23. Now it is not written for him onely but for vs c. Hence it is euident that the Romanists offer great wrong vnto the people of God in barring them from the reading of the Scriptures for they are to be admitted to the reading of the Scriptures for whom they are written but they are written for all that beleeue in Christ the reading then of the Scripture serueth to coÌ„firme our faith therfore they belong generally vnto the faithfull Par. But it will be obiected that the vnlearned doe not vnderstand the Scriptures and therefore they are to depend vpon the fathers of the Church for the vnderstanding of them and not to venture vpon them themselues Answ. 1. Nay the sense of the Scripture is most safely taken from the Scripture which is the best interpreter of it selfe 2. the Fathers and expossitors are to be heard and consulted with so farre forth as they agree with the Scriptures but the sense of the Scripture 〈◊〉 not depend vpon their fancies which haue no warrant by Scripture as Hierome vpon theâ— 23. chap. of Mathew giueth instance of a certaine interpretation of one of the Fatherâ— that Zacharias the sonne of Barachias mentioned there v. 35. to haue beene slaine betweene the Temple and the Altar was Zacharie the father of Iohn Baptist And Hierome searching out which of the Fathers had made this interpretation found that it was Basil and then he concludeth this seeing it hath no warrant out of the Scriptures eadem facilitate contemnitur qua probatur is as easily reiected as it is affirmed See further of the vulgar reading of Scripture and of the manner of interpreting the same Synops. Centur. 1. err 3. and err 9. Controv. 17. Against the heretikes which condemned the old Testament and God the author thereof v. 24. Which beleeued in him that raised vp Iesus c. Origen very well inferreth vpon these wordes that seeing the God whom Abraham beleeued was able to quicken the dead was the same that raised Iesus from the dead non erat alius Deus legis alius Domini nostri Iesu Christ. c. there was not then one God of the law and another of our Lord Iesus Christ c. But there was the same God of the old and new Testament which is obserued by Origen against the wicked Marcionites and Manichies who condemned the old Testament and the author thereof So also whereas the same heretickes vrged these wordes of the Apostle v. 15. where no law is there is no transgression and thereupon inferring the contrarie where there is a law there is transgression would thereby conclude that the law is the cause of transgression and so condemne the law Origen doth thus returne this their collection vpon themselues that as where the law is there is transgression of the law so where faith is there is transgression against faith but as faith is not the cause vt quis praeuaricetur à fide that one transgresse against faith neither shall the law be the cause of transgression against the law Controv. 18. Whether iustification consist onely in the remission of sinnes v. 25. Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification Pererius taketh occasion here to inuergh against Protestants thus affirming of vs qui â—â—â—â—em vim iustificationis ponunt in sola remissione peccatorum donationem vero iustitiae c. which doe place all the force of iustification onely in the remission of sinnes but the donation of iustice whereby the minde is rectified and newenesse of life wrought in vs they do reiect and abandon Perer. disput 10. err 49. and to the same purpose Bellar. lib. 2. de iustif c. 6. and the Rhemists take vpon them to confute the Protestants because they hold iustification to be onely remission of sinnes and no grace inherent in vs annot in 4. ad Rom. Sect. 6. Contra. 1. It is a false imputation that we place iustification onely in the remission of
vs as we must die for our brethren which is not to die in their stead but onely to profit them by our example Answ. The Apostle doth not simply compare the death of Christ and of the faithfull dying for their brethren together but onely in this that in both loue is expressed to the brethren though not in the like measure But Christs death doth not onely by the example thereof profit the Church as the death of the martyrs did but thereby mans saluation and redemption also was wrought 2. Obiect S. Paul saith that he suffered for the Colossians 1. Coloss. 1.24 which was not to satisfie for them or he suffered in their stead but onely to confirme their faith and so to edifie them Answ. There is great difference betweene the sufferings of Christ for his Church which was to redeeme it and the sufferings of Paul for his brethren which onely was to edifie them 3. Obiect As Christ is said to haue died for vs so likewise the Scripture saith he died for our sinnes Galath 1.4 the meaning is not in stead or place of our sinnes but. because of our sinnes in the same sense he died for vs that is for our cause not in our stead Answ. This is a childish cauill for the Scripture sheweth a manifest difference betweene these two phrases to die for vs that is to saue vs and to die for our sinnes not to saue them but to purge them and take them away 4. Obiect That which no lawe or custome euer allowed is not to be affirmed of Christ but one to die for an other is warranted by no lawe nor custome indeede one may pay an others pecuniarie mulct or debt because ones money may become an others but the death of one cannot be an others Answ. 1. The assumption is not true for euen among the Romanes there were some found that did offer themselues to present destruction for their countrey as Decius the Consull and Curtius these examples are farre vnlike vnto Christs yet they shewe that it is not against all vse and custome one to die for another 2. The proposition fayleth diuersly 1. Christs example is singular the like president cannot be found as the Apostle sheweth v. 7. that he died for his enemies which neuer any did therefore we must not seeke for lawe or custome to measure this singular act of Christ by 2. it is also false that no lawe nor rule can be found for this for it is reuealed in the Euangelicall lawe that God gaue his sonne to die for the world the lawe of Moses indeede required that the same person that sinned should die but that which was impossible to the lawe is fulfilled in Christ Rom. 8.2 yea the blind high Priest spake the truth vnwittingly Ioh. 11.50 That it was expedient that one die for the people and that the whole natiō perish not he little thought that Christ should redeeme the people from euerlasting death yet ignorantly vttered that which the Lord intended 5. Obiect It is a great cruelty and iniustice to punish him that is innocent and to let goe vnpunished the offenders they then accuse God of cruelty and iniustice in deliuering vp his innocent sonne to death for vs sinners Answ. 1. Gods acts are not to be measured according to the rules of humane proceedings for the like temper of iustice and mercie cannot be found among men neither haue any the like absolute power as God hath to dispose of all things according to his will and pleasure who if he should as he made the world of nothing so being it of a sudden to nothing againe should not therefore shewe himselfe either cruell or vniust 2. Neither is it vniust for the innocent to suffer punishment for the offenders vpon these conditions 1. If both of them be of the same nature 2. If the innocent partie doe willingly offer himselfe 3. If he can by his owne strength ouercome the punishment 4. and if thereby he can effectually procure the saluation of others all which doe concurre in Christs voluntarie suffering for vs. 6. Obiect The Scripture saith The same soule that sinneth shall die Ezeck 18. it was therefore vniust that Christ should die that had not sinned and those escape which had sinned Answ. These legall sentences shewe what God might according to the iustice of the lawe haue required of euerie one they are no rules of Gods proceeding in mercie with his children according to the promise of the Gospel 7. Obiect God might if it had pleased him haue freely forgiuen men their trespasses therefore Christ needed not to haue died for them Answ. 1. First it is no good argument à posse ad esse from that which may be no that which is God might doe it therefore he did it or would doe it is no good consequent 2. Neither is it true that God could otherwise haue forgiuen men then by the death of Christ his iustice beeing presupposed for God cannot denie himselfe seeing the sentence was past that they should die the death if they transgressed this decree must stand and the death deserued must be satisfied for neither is this any want or defect in Gods power but an argument of the perfection of his nature that he cannot lie neither is mutable 8. Obiect It is perfect mercie to forgiue freely and perfect iustice that the offender should be punished onely but in God is perfect mercie and iustice Answ. 1. It is true that perfect mercie and perfect iustice considered apart and by themselues haue these effects and properties but so can they not be incident into one and the same subiect therefore seeing Gods mercie and iustice are tempered together they must be so considered as the one destroy not the other 2. Indeede the rigor of the lawe requireth perfect iustice but in the Gospell of Christ is propounded a way how the seueritie of Gods iustice should be moderated with equitie and tempered in mercie or else no 〈◊〉 should be saued 9. Obiect One man can but redeeme one and therefore either there must be found out an infinite sort of redeemers for all men or Christ redeemed but one Answ. The antecedent is false for many times for one captiue Prince a thousand common prisoners are set at libertie much more auaileable for all was the redemption purchased by Christ the Prince of our saluation ex Pareo Controv. 7. Against other obiections of Socinus and other impugning the fruit and efficacie of Christs death in reconciling vs to God his father 1. Obiect Whereas the Apostle saith v. 8. God setteth forth his loue toward vs hence it is obiected that seeing God loued vs before the foundation of the world and whom he loueth he is not angrie with therefore Christ needed not to haue died to reconcile vs to God and to appease his fathers wrath toward vs. Answ. 1. The antecedent is true concerning those whom God loued simplie and was neuer offended with them because they had not sinned
statutes that were not good Gorrhan here answereth that they were good in themselues but became euill ipsorum vitio by their fault Iunius vnderstandeth that place of the hard iudiciall laws and sentences of death both ordinarie and extraordinarie But rather it is referred to the ceremoniall laws which were as a yoke and burthen laid vpon the people which they were not able to beare as S. Peter expoundeth Act. 15.10 Quest. 23. How the lawe is said to be spirituall 1. Origen thinketh it is called spirituall because it must be vnderstood not literally but spiritually But the Apostle treateth here of the morall lawe where was no place for allegories 2. Theodoret because it was giuen of God who is a spirit 3. Ambrose because the lawe directed vs to the worship of God who is a most pure spirit 4. Augustine because it cannot be fulfilled nisi à viris spiritualibus but of spirituall men but no man in this life is so spirituall that he can keep the law 5. Thomas because concordat cum spiritu hominis it agreeth with the spirit of man that is reason so also Lyranus because it directeth man to followe the instinct of the spirit or reason so also Gorrhan spiritum hominis aleus it nourisheth the spirit of man But the verie spirit of man is corrupt and contrarie to the law by nature and therefore the Apostle saith Ephes. 4.23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind 6. Pet. Martyr giueth this reason why it is called spirituall because it requireth not onely the externall obedience in the outward workes but the spirituall in the heart and affections 7. But hereunto it may be added that it is spirituall because it requireth a spirituall that is a perfect obedience both in bodie and soule and an angelicall and diuine obedience to followe vertue and shunne vice so Chrysostome and Theophylact and Calvin Pareus Osiand following them 8. that seemeth to be somewhat curious which the ordinar gloss here obserueth that the Lawe is onely called spirituall because therein are those things quae Dit sunt which are Gods but the Gospel is called lex spiritus the lawe of the spirit because there Deus ipse est God himselfe is Quest. 24. How the Apostle saith he is carnall and sold vnder sinne v. 17. 1. Pererius well obserueth here that one may be said to be carnall two waies quia serâ—â— carni because he serueth the flesh or he which by reason of his corrupt nature procliuis est is prone vnto concupiscence to this purpose Pareus that in the first sense the vnregenerate are said to be carnall in the other the regenerate because they are yet infirmitatibus abnoxque subiect to infirmities quia nondums habent spirituale corpus because they haue not yet a spirituall bodie freed from all infirmities such as they shall haue in the resurrection August lib. ad Bonifac. c. 10. so we haue inchoatam non plenam liberationem a deliuerance begunne in Christ but not yet perfect till our last enemie death shall be destroied 2. Likewise where the Apostle saith he was sold 1. Some take the word properly for such a selling wherein there is a buyer a thing sold and a price which they referre either vnto Adams selling himselfe to the deuill for an apple Lyran. gloss ordinar or to a mans selling of himselfe by his actuall sinnes for the sweetnesse of pleasure which is as the price which men sell themselues to the deuill for Tolet. annot 16. Gorrhan But in this sense S. Paul beeing a spirituall and regenerate man cannot be said to be sold. 2. wherefore this metaphor is not largely to be taken as when Ahab is said to haue sold himselfe to worke wickednes 1. King 21.25 for there are two kinds of slaues one that selleth himselfe into captiuitie and willingly obeyeth a tyrant or one which against his will is brought into servitude as Ioseph was sold by his brethren into captiuitie and this is S. Pauls case here Pareus And Augustine noteth that sometime selling in Scripture is taken for a simple tradition or deliuering ouer without any price lib. 7. in Iudic. c. 17. and so indeed the Hebrew word machar signifieth as well to deliuer as to sell as Isay 52.3 the Israelites are said to be sold for naught and the Lord will redeeme them for naught But these two are said in a diuerse sense Men are said to be sold for naught in respect of God he receiueth no honour but rather dishonour by their selling ouer vnto sinne they are redeemed for naught in Christ in respect of themselues because they gaue nothing for their redemption but yet in respect of Christ and his price they were not redeemed for naught but by the most pretious blood of Christ Mart. Pererius thinketh they are said to be redeemed for naught comparatively because that momentarie pleasure for the which a sinner selleth himselfe is nothing to the price and dignitie of his soule numer 72. but rather selling is here taken for a plaine deliuering ouer as is before shewed out of Augustine Now two waies are the regenerate sold ouer to sinne in respect of their originall corruption and of their carnall infirmities which remaine still in their corrupt nature to the which they are subiect still Pareus but the vnregenerate are said to be sold ouer as Ahab was because they giue themselues wholly ouer vnto sinne Beza doth well expresse these two kinds of seruitude or selling ouer by the like difference in humane servitude for some are slaves because they are borne of serâ—ile and bond parents others make themselues bond like vnto the first are the regenerate and the vnregenerate as the second Quest. 25. Of these words v. 15. I allow not what I doe what I would that doe I not 1. Chrysostome thinking that the Apostle speaketh this in the person of an vnregenerate man referreth this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know not or vnderstand nor to the vnderstanding not that a sinner knoweth not when he sinneth sed tenebrosa quadaÌ„ vertigine obvoluor but I am ouertaken with a kind of dizines that I know not how I was ouertaken so also Origen non rem ipsam sed causam rei dicitur ignorare he is said not to know not the thing but the cause thereof that is how and by what means he came to sinne But it is euident by the words following what I would c. that the Apostle speaketh of his will rather then vnderstanding 2. Pererius likewise inclining to thinke that this is spoken in the person of a carnall man will haue this vnderstood of a generall and vniversall knowledge will and hatred that men in generall knowe and will vertue and hate vice but not in particular But the Apostle here speaketh of doing and not doing which must be referred to particular actions 3. Augustine verie well interpreteth non agnosco I know not that is non approbo non consentio I approoue not consent not
or by the law and the Apostle herein maketh no difference 4. And as for that exact righteousnesse which the law requireth which indeed is that which is called iustitia legis the righteousnesse of the law it is no otherwise fulfilled in vs then by faith in Christ Rom. 8.4 the faithfull also receiue grace by the spirit of sanctification to keepe the law in some measure but they are said rather to walke according to the law and in Saint Iohns phraise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the commandements then to fulfill or keepe the law and commandements Controv. 10. That Baptisme doth not giue or conferre grace v. 8. This is the word of faith c. The ordinarie glosse out of Augustine doth inferre hence and out of that place Ioh. 15.1 Yee are cleane through the word c. that it is not the water which saueth in baptisme but the word for he saith not ye are cleane because of baptisme but through the word detrahe vorbum c. take away the word and what is water but water accedat verbum ad elementum c. let the word come to the element and it becommeth a Sacrament vnde est ista tanta virtius aquae c. where is this great vertue of the water that it toucheth the bodie and the heart is washed nisi faciente verbo c. but because the word worketh not because it is rehearsed but beleeued c. this iudgement of Augustine here cited in the glasse is agreeable to Saint Pauls doctrine Ephes. 5.26 cleansing it by the washing of water through the word the water then washeth not of it selfe but by the word then the element it selfe-confesseth not grace as the Romanists hold See further Synops. Centur. 2. err 69. Controv. 11. Against the dissembling of our faith and profession v. 9. If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth c. It is then necessarie to confesse the faith of Christ which is beleeued in the heart contrarie to the opinion of the Libertines which renew the old error of the Priscillianists and Carpocratian heretikes which thought it lawfull to dissemble their faith before the Magistrate so doe the familie of loue the Libertines of these daies and such carnall Gospellers which thinke it sure for them to goe vnto the Popish Masse and other superstitious rites keeping their conscience to themselues they are the Nicodemites of these daies But the Apostle reprooueth them all requiring this as necessarie vnto saluation to confesse Christ with the mouth And our Sauiour saith that who so is ashamed of him here he will be ashamed of him in his kingdome Markâ—â—â— 38. Controv. 12. That faith is not onely in the vnderstanding The Romanists as namely Bellarmine doe affirme that faith onely hath the seate in the intellectuall part lib. 1. de iustificat c. 6. and so they hold faith to be an act onely of the vnderstanding Rhemist annot 2. Cor. 13. sect 1. But the contrarie is euident here the Apostle saith with the heart man beleeueth c. now the heart is not the seate of vnderstanding but of the affections and yet the heart is taken according to the phrase of Scripture not for that vitall part of the bodie but for the soule and all the faculties thereof wherefore though knowledge and vnderstanding be requisite vnto faith yet the principall part thereof is an assured confidence and beleefe which is in the heart and affections not in the braine onely and vnderstanding See further Centur. 4. err 48. Controv. 13. The Scriptures the onely sufficient rule of faith v. 11. For the Scripture saith c. S. Paul hether to hath prooued the whole doctrine of saith by him deliuered by the testimonie of Scripture and Act. 26.22 he professeth that he taught none other things then Moses and the Prophets did we are then onely in matters of faith to haue recourse vnto the Scriptures not vnto vnwritten traditions whether the Papists would send vs for they are vncertaine mutable variable and therefore can be no rule of faith And further whereas the Apostle addeth the Scripture saith as before c. 9.17 hereby that cauill of the Iesuites is remooued which say that the Scripture is mute and dumbe and cannot be a iudge of controversies but the Apostle saith the Scripture speaketh that is God speaketh in the Scriptures and it speaketh and proclaimeth the truth to euery one therefore it is not a dumbe but a speaking iudge and therefore is sufficient to determine all controversies of religion and matters of faith See further Synos Centur. 1. err 5. Controv. 14. How the Apostle saith there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Grecian v. 12. Obiect The Apostle before gaue the prioritie vnto the Iewes c. 1.17 to the Iew first and also to the Grecian how then doth he say here there is no difference Ans. 1. We must distinguish the times there was in the old Testament a difference made because the Lord then had made choise onely of Israel before all the people in the world but now vnder the kingdome of the Messiah this difference is taken away Christ hath broken downe the wall of partâ—ing and of both made all one so distingue tempora concilaibis Scripturas distinguish the times and you shall reconcile the Scripture Pareus 2. Adde hereunto that because euen at the first preaching of the Gospel the Iewes had a preheminencie and the Gospel was first offered vnto them the distinction of times will not fully satisfie the Iews were not preferred quoad bona gratia in respect of spiritual grace but quoad praerogativam c. in respect of some prerogatiues they had which S. Paul sheweth what they were Rom. 3.2 and c. 9.5.6 Gorrhan Controv. 15. Against the maintainers of Vniversall grace Obiect Whereas the Apostle saith v. 12. rich vnto all he may seeme to fauour their opinion which hold that God hath vniuersally and indifferently decreed to shewe mercie vnto all and so in his owne purpose he hath not reiected any Answ. We must vnderstand the Apostle here not to speake absolute absolutely of all in generall but with these two qualifications he speaketh of all distributive by way of distribution all both Iewes and Gentiles he is rich to all not in particular but of what nation or kindred whatsoeuer Iew or Gentile for that the Apostle taketh vpon him to prooue that not to the Iewes onely but to the Gentiles also the promises of mercie in Christ doe belong secondly the Apostle nameth all limitate with a certaine limitation vnto all that call vpon him that is all beleeuers for they onely call vpon God that doe beleeue in him Controv. 16. That faith iustifieth not by the act thereof but onely as it apprehendeth Christ. Whereas the Apostle saith v. 13. Whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord shall be saâ—â—â—â— c. Bellarmine would hence inferre that faith doth not iustifie relative by way of reâ—ation vnto Christ by beleeuing in him but
other the first is of one and the same thing that is measured the other is betweene two things proportioned and compared together Pareus and further this clause then according to the proportion and measure of faith should not onely be ioyned vnto prophesying as it is but it should be required also in all the other gifts here named 2. Much lesse was this analogie of faith a rule without writing according to the which all the bookes of the new Testament were tried as the Rhemists here note in their corrupt glosse for the writings of the Prophets and Apostles were the rule it selfe of faith they were not ruled by any other direction for their doctrine is called the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2.20 4. Many doe take this analogie of faith to be axiomata prima religionis the first principles of Christian religion Calvin such as are contained in the Symbole of the Apostles which from the beginning euen from the Apostles time was appointed to be a rule of faith though it be vncertaine by whome it was collected Faius Gualter Beza and so Tertullian lib. de velandis virginib saith of the Symbole regula fidei est sola immobilis c. the rule of faith is onely immooueable But as we denie not but that there might be in the Apostles time some such rule of faith consisting of certaine principles collected out of the Scriptures so because this is but a coniecture and there is no certaine ground thereof it can not be precisely determined that this should be the rule of faith here mentioned 5. Therefore I consent rather vnto Gryneus that this analogie of faith was Scriptura sancta the holy Scriptures according to the rule whereof the brethren of Berea examined the Apostles doctrine Act. 17.11 and S. Paul himselfe preached none other thing then the Prophets and Moses had prophesied of Act. 26.22 According to this rule were the false prophets of old time discerned if they perswaded vnto idolatrie contrarie to the doctrine of the law Deut. 13.2 yet withall it is probable that there were certaine principal heads of religion which were collected out of the Scriptures euen in the Apostles time which is called the doctrine of beginnings Heb. 6.1 from the which the Prophets and preachers were then not to swarue 16. Quest. Of these seuerall offices here rehearsed by the Apostle in particular 1. whether prophesying 1. Haymo taketh it for the prediction of things to come such a Prophet was Agabus but this was an extraordinarie gift the Apostle seemeth to speake of the ordinarie functions of the Church 2. some vnderstand it to be noticia occultorum the knowledge of secrets Lyran. Gorrhan but this was also extraordinarie 3. most take it for the gift to vnderstand and interpret the Scriptures Gualter Osiander Faius 4. But it signifieth rather generally whatsoeuer belonged to doctrine and exhortation Mart. and before him Origen prophetia dicitur apud Paulum c. that is called prophesie with S. Paul when one speaketh to edifying exhortation or comfort 1. Cor. 14.3 so that this prophesying is the generall facultie to the which doctrine and exhortation afterward mentioned by the Apostle doe appertaine so Beza Pareus see before qu. 14.5 2. By ministrie called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. neither generally are vnderstood all Ecclesiasticall functions euen those which are occupied in teaching as Faius 2. nor yet that speciall office of Deacons as Gualter 3. nor the office of such as ministred the Sacraments Lyran. but thereby generally are vnderstood such offices as concerned the discipline of the Church specially conuersant about the bodie and temporall things either to releeue their pouertie which was the office of Deacons in the distribution of almes or to cherish them in sicknes which was the charge of widowes whose office S. Paul describeth 1. Tim. 5. or to watch ouer their manners which belonged vnto the spirituall gouernours 3. He that teacheth be that exhorteth c. 1. Chrysostome and Origen doe in a manner confound these two saying that exhortation est species doctrinae is a kind of doctrine 2. Calvin will haue them to be distinct offices they haue great affinitie yet they remaine still varia officia diuers offices 3. Some will haue them to be distinct gifts but not diuers offices as Pellican seemeth to thinke 4. I incline then to their opinion that thinke they are both distinct functions and offices and yet may be ioyned together in one man so P. Mart. sometime both these gifts are graunted to one man sed magna ex parte dividuntur but for the most part they are diuided to the same purpose Olevian for we see that some haue the gift to teach that are cold in exhorting and contrariwise These positions then we will set downe concerning the gifts of teaching and exhorting 1. That they are two distinct and sundrie gifts against Chrysostome for the Apostle calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 differing gifts 2. Yet are they not neither haue beene alwaies distinct offices in the Church for the Apostles excelled both in teaching and exhorting and yet the Apostle ioyneth them together as both belonging to the propheticall and pastorall office 1. Cor. 14.3 3. Yet it must be confessed that there were also such distinct offices in the primitiue Church sometime and that they did not alwaies concurre in vse in one and the same man for the Apostle nameth Pastors and Doctors as two distinct offices Eph. 4.11 for then they were distinguished both to shew the varietie of 〈◊〉 gifts of the spirit and because a great multitude of beleeuers then assembled together which did occupie many ministers there was not then a diuision of seuerall congregations and parishes as now and yet where it shall be thought meete and the necessitie of the Church so requireth these two distinct offices of Doctors and Pastors may be retained the one to be exercised chiefly in laying downe found doctrine and confuting of errors as the Professors doe in Schooles and the Catechists in parochiall congregations the other to applie doctrine to the manners of the people which specially is the office of the Pastor Pareus Obiect But whereas the Apostle els where 1. Cor. 14.3 maketh three distinct parts of prophesying to edifie to exhort and to comfort how is it that here onely two are named teaching and exhorting Answ. Consolation is a kind of exhortation and so is also here comprehended and the rather because the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth as well to comfort as exhort Tolet. annot 14. Faius 4. He that distributeth with simplicitie c. Some doe vnderstand this generally of the giuing of almes as Origen Chrysostome Lyran. Gorrhan but seeing the Apostle speaketh here of the functions and offices of the Church it is better vnderstood of such which were called Deacons who did distribute the treasure of the Church to the necessitie of the poore such were those seuen chosen by the Apostles Act. 6.
2. It is the dutie of Pastors to admonish the Magistrates by the word of God arguendo eorum notoriam impietatem ad officium iuxta verbum Dei leges faciendum cohortando by reproouing their notorious impietie and by exhorting them to doe their dutie according to the word of God and the lawes this proposition which Pareus setteth downe may safely be receiued and assented vnto as agreeable to the word of God for so Elias reprooued Ahab to his face and Iohn Baptist Herod telling him of his incest with his brothers wife Thus excellently Ambrose writeth hereof to Theodosius who had caused some thousands of people to be put to the sword vniustly an pudet te imperator facere quod Propheta Dauid c. peccavi Domine c. noli ergo impatienter ferre imperator si tibi dicatur tu fecisti istud quod Davidi dictum est à Propheta c. art thou ashamed O Emperour to doe that which the Prophet Dauid did I haue sinned Lord doe not then take it impatiently O Emperour if it be said vnto thee as Nathan said to Dauid thou hast done this epist. 28. ad Theodos. 3. It is lawfull for the Pastors of the Church to refuse to communicate holy things vnto impious and cruell Magistrates which will not be admonished nor reclaimed from their sinnes as in such a case they are not to be admitted vnto the Sacraments neither is the Pastor bound to be a minister of holy things vnto them this is warranted by the Scripture Matth. 7.6 Giue not that which is holy vnto dogs neither cast ye your pearles before swine 1. Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partakers of other mens sinnes keepe thy selfe pure but he which admitteth any notorious sinner to the cōmunion is partaker of his sinnes Ambrose also to this effect saith to Theodosius offerre non audeo sacrificium si volueris assistere I dare not offer the spirituall sacrifice if thou be present epist. 28. he refused to communicate with the Emperour beeing guiltie of blood 5. Pareus goeth yet a steppe further that the Bishops and Pastors may resist vniust Magistrates not onely by admonishing reproouing and exhorting them but also contumaces de consensu Ecclesiae etiam Satanae tradendo donec rescipiscant in deliuering them vp also vnto Sathan with the consent of the Church such as are obstinate till they repent for this his assertion he alleadgeth these reasons S. Paul saith 1. Tim. 5.20 Them that sinne rebuke openly that the rest may feare 2. Because the Pastors watch ouer mens soules and must giue account for them if any perish by their default 3. Ambrose resisted Theodos. by the word But none of these reasons doe prooue that Princes are to be excommunicate but onely that they must be reprooued and shewed their faultes which yet must be done with reuerent respect not in such sort as they should by taunting speach or malepart reprehensions be disgraced before their subiects Ambrose as is shewed before onely withdrew his hand from ministring holy things to the Emperor beeing guiltie of innocent blood neither by his peremptorie sentence did he cast him out of the Church but perswaded him to repentance for his sinne and to forbeare Indeed the practise of the Romane Church is such to make no great matter of excommunicating Emperors and Kings and to absolue the subiects from their obedience wherein the Pope euidently transgresseth in these three points in exercising iurisdiction where he hath nothing to doe and in arrogating to himselfe the sole authoritie of dispensing the keyes of the Church and in denying ordinarie duties and obedience to an excommunicate Prince And as touching the excommunicating of Magistrates by the censure of the Church I take it not to be so conuenient to be done neither haue we any direct precept or president in the Scripture to warrant it But the contrarie rather 1. If the ecclesiasticall sword might be drawen forth against the Magistrates then the Ciuill also and the Prince might as well be proceeded against in Ciuill courts to be sentenced for his offence as in ecclesiasticall for otherwise there should be lesse power in the Ciuile then in the Ecclesiasticall state but this were a verie proposterous course to appoint superior iudges to the Prince in his owne kingdome 2. Dauid when he had committed these two great sinnes of murther and adulterie confessed and said tibi soli peccavi against thee onely haue I sinned the reason whereof Ambrose yeelded quia rex erat nullis ipse legibus tenebatur because he was a King and was bound to no lawes apolog Dauid c. 10. and Hierome also saith rex enim erat alium non timebat he was a King and feared no other ad Eustoch It seemeth then that Dauid was free both from Ciuil and Ecclesiasticall censure whereupon Ambrose inferreth generally of all Kings neque enim vllis ad paenam vocantur legibus toti imperij potestate that they cannot be drawen to punishment by any humane lawes beeing priuiledged by their imperiall powers 3. Saint Paul willeth prayers to be made for Kings 1. Tim. 2.2 we must blesse them not curse them but to giue them ouer to Sathan is to curse them Saint Paul when he had called Ananias painted wall being admonished that he was the high Priest excused himselfe by his ignorance alleadging that text Exod. 22.28 Thou shalt not speake euill of the ruler of thy people so farre off was Saint Paul from excommunicating him and giuing him ouer vnto Sathan as he did Elymas the Sorcerer whom he called the child of the Deuill Act. 13.10 I hold it then the safer way that the sentence of excommunication goe not forth vpon any occasion against the supreame Magistrate howsoeuer the inferiour may be censured it is sufficient that the Minister discharge his dutie in reproouing and exhorting and in not consenting to any sinne in the Magistrate as Ambrose said to the Emperor malo mihi honorum esse tecum quam malorum consortium I had rather be partaker with thee in good things then in euill c. He speaketh of his silence and connivence in the Emperors sinne as the words following shew ideo clementia tuae displicere debet sacerdotis silentium therefore the silence of the Priest or Pastor ought to dislike your clemencie 4. But because the Papall sea taketh vpon it to excommunicate Kings wherein I would haue a perpetuall difference betweene their synagogue and the reformed Churches this shall be our last proposition here of this matter that an excommunicate Prince is notwithstanding to be obeyed by his subiects neither is it lawfull for them by that colour to withdrawe their obedience 1. The diuine ordinance is to be obeyed in all lawfull things but all higher powers are Gods ordinance euen when they stand excommunicate they cease not not to be Magistrates for seeing they are ordained of God by no humane constitution can they
shew that he is God because euerie knee shall bowe vnto him and euery tongue shall confesse him to be God adoration and praise which doe belong onely vnto God are giuen vnto Christ and in that place the Prophet yet speaketh more euidently am not I the Lord and there is no God beside me And here where the Apostle said v. 10. we must all stand before the iudgement seat of Christ v. 12. he saith We must giue account vnto God the tribunall seate then of Christ is the tribunall of God Doct. 7. Of the authoritie of the Scriptures v. 11. For it is written c. The Apostle speaking of our appearing before the iudgement seat of Christ doth not affirme it onely but prooueth it by the Scriptures teaching vs thereby that the Scriptures and written word of God are the only rule and line of our faith and that nothing ought to be imposed vpon the Church as a matter of beleefe but that which is warranted from thence the Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect 2. Tim. 3.17 he then that seeketh any doctrine beside that which is taught in the Scriptures as not content with that which is perfect would adde further that which is superfluous idle and vnnecessarie Doct. 8. That no kind of meate is vncleane in it selfe v. 14. I knowe c. that there is nothing vncleane in it selfe c. All kind of meats then which are appointed for the food and nourishment of mans bodie are in themselues lawfull and cleane beeing receiued with giuing of thankes And if they be lawfull and cleane the restraint of them by any prohibition for religion and holines sake is superstitions and inclining to Iudaisme It is the mind onely and opinion that polluteth and defileth meats so the superstition of Papists in making conscience of some kind of meates is so farre from making them more holy and acceptable vnto God that they thereby defile and pollute the good creatures of God they should therfore remember that charge which was giuen vnto Peter from heauen Act. 10.15 What God hath cleansed pollute thou not 5. Places of controversie Controv. 1. Whether to abstaine from certaine meates be an act of religion and a part of Gods worship or a thing in it selfe indifferent The latter is affirmed and maintained by Protestants the other is stifly defended by the Romanists but that the state of the question may better appeare first the diuerse kinds of fasting and abstinence are to be considered 1. There is a naturall abstinence which is onely from such meates as agree not with the stomack and are enemies to the helth of the bodie 2. A morall abstinence is from such meates and drinkes as a man findeth to distemper him and to disturbe his memorie and other faculties of his minde as the drinking of wine and strong drinke 3. A ciuill and politike abstinence is to refraine eating of flesh some certaine daies for the maintenance of navigation and the vtterance of fish and for sparing the breed of cattell as the Lenton fast is now kept in England 4. There was beside these a Iudaicall fast which was of two sorts either a totall and generall abstinence as from swines flesh and other meates counted vncleane by the law or an abstinence for a time which was either generall of the whole nation as to abstaine from eating of vnleavened bread for seauen daies in the feast of the Passeouer or particular of some professed persons as of them which had taken vpon them the vow of the Nazarites which was neither to take wine nor any strange drinke See the law of the Nazarites Numb 6. 5. Beside these there was an hereticall fast and abstinence of such as abstained from certaine meates counting them euill and vncleane in themselues which was the opinion of the Manichees and Tatiane heretikes which kind of impious abstinence the Apostle speaketh against 1. Tim. 4. 6. Adde vnto this the superstitious abstinence of the Papists which make the fasting and refraining from fleshmeates vpon the fift and sixt day of the weeke and in the time of Lâ—uâ— to be a necessarie part of Gods worship and a thing meritorious and satisfactorie This is the abstinence that now is in question 7. Yet a religious fast we acknowledge which is when vpon some daies appointed by the Church publikely or when any are disposed priuately to fast the more feruently to giue themselues vnto praier which the Apostle speaketh of 1. Cor. 7.5 But this is done without any opinion of merite or holines in the act it selfe but as it helpeth and confeâ—â—eth to a spirituall end the more earnest invocation of God and humble supplication before him 8. There was also a scrupulous kind of abstinence in the primitiue Church when some Christians did abstaine of conscience from eating things which were consecrate to Idols of the which S. Paul entreateth 1. Cor 8.10 Now the fast and abstinence which is controverted betweene vs and the Papists is the superstitious fast before the 6. whose opinion is this that to abstaine from flesh and other kinds of meates in the time of lent and vpon other daies of restraint is a necessarie part of the diuine worship meritorious and satisfactorie habet meritum satisfactionem apud Deum it meriteth and satisfieth before God c. Tolet in his annotations here and the precept of fasting obligat sub peccato mortali bindeth vnder the daunger of mortall sinne we will examine some of their reasons Argum. 1. The Apostles by their synodicall decree prouided that they should abstaine from certaine meates as strangled and blood Ans. 1. The Pastors of the Church haue not now the same power and authoritie to make Canons to bind the conscience which the Apostle had who were guided by the immediate direction of the spirit 2. they did not enioyne abstinence from flesh-meate egges milke and such like as the Romanists doe but onely from such meates as were forbidden by the law 3. neither did they enioyne this abstinence as a part of the divine worship for then it should bind still but onely for a time to avoid offence in respect of the Iewes newly conuerted Argum. 2. Those things which the Church commandeth are necessarily to be kept and observed for our Sauiour saith he that heareth you heareth mee c. But such is the Ecclesiasticall law and precept of fasting Ergo c. Ans. 1. Not euery thing the Church commandeth is to be obserued as a part of Gods worship but those things onely which the Church propoundeth by the warrant and authoritie of Gods word and so is our Blessed Sauiour to be vnderstood otherwise whosoeuer preacheth any other Gospel or any thing contrarie thereunto is to be held accursed 2. neither are we to regard what the false and Antichristian Church now commandeth no more then our B. Sauiour and his Apostles did hold themselues bound to the superstitious decrees of the Pharisies Argum. 3. The law of fasting is
Hence the Romanists inferre 1. That the Scriptures are not perfect as not conteining all necessarie points of doctrine but onely certaine partes not all as the Apostle saith he hath written in part Stapleton antid p. 804. 2. whereas the Apostle saith to put you in remembrance Bellarmine concludeth that the Scriptures were not appointed to be a rule of faith and doctrine but onely commentarium quoddam a certaine remembrance to preserue the doctrine receiued by preaching his reasons are these 1. the Apostle here saith he did write to put them in remembrance 2. If the Scriptures were a rule of faith they should containe onely those things which are necessarie vnto faith but now there are many things in the Scripture as the histories of the old Testament which are not so necessarie beeing not written to that ende to be beleeued but therefore to be beleeued because they are written 3. If it were a rule of faith it should be totalis a totall rule whereas it is onely partialis a rule in part not containing all necessarie points of doctrine Contra. 1. These words in part are not to be ioyned with the former word written but with the other boldly so the Syrian interpreter doth well put them together paulo audacius scripsi I haue written somewhat boldly therefore it is a meere cauill to apply it to the imperfection of Scripture See before qu. 20. vpon this chapter 2. And Bellarmines collection is as sophisticall 1. it doth not follow the Scripture serueth to admonish or put in remembrance therefore it is not a rule of faith for it is both and that it serueth more then onely to put vs in remembrance the Apostle shewed before v. 4. that by the Scriptures we attaine vnto doctrine patience consolation hope and elsewhere 2. Tim. 3.16 the Apostle saith the Scripture is profitable to teach to improoue to correct and instruct in righteousnes it is not then profitable onely to put vs in remembrance 2. neither doth it followe that the Scripture should be no rule of faith if it should containe other things which are not necessarie vnto faith for although other matter should be there found not simply necessarie vnto faith yet may it containe all things necessarie vnto faith nay the contrarie would followe better it containeth more then is requisite to faith Ergo whatsoeuer is necessarie to faith but we rather denie the antecedent that nothing is expressed in Scripture which is not in some sort necessarie vnto faith doctrine or manners though euerie thing is not in the same degree and measure so necessarie for the Apostle had said before v. 4. that whatsoeuer is written is written for our learning he speaketh of all the Scripture excluding no part thereof no not those historicall bookes 3. And we denie that the Scripture is a partiall rule for if it were not totall it were no rule at all neither is there any doctrine necessary vnto faith and saluation which is not deliuered in the Scriptures See more hereof Pareus dub 6. and Synops. Centur. 1. err 12. Controv. 10. Against the Popish sacrifice of the Masse which the Papists make the peculiar act of their Priesthoode v. 16. Ministring the Gospell of God Pet. Martyr M. Calvin Osiander Pareus doe fitly apply this text against the Popish sacrificing priesthood and their sacrifice of the Masse Paul maketh himselfe a sacrificing Priest of the Gospel for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to consecrate to sacrifice this was Pauls sacrifice to offer vp the obedience of the Gentiles a spirituall sacrifice vnto God as Chrysostome here saith ipsum mihi sacerdotium est praedicare Evangelizari this is my priesthood to preach the Gospel machaera mea Euangeliū my sword is the Gospell so Origen also sanctificale opus esse praedicare Euangelium this is the sanctified and priestly worke to preach the Gospel The Papists will haue an externall sacrifice of the Masse beside wherein the bodie of Christ is offered vp in sacrifice if this had beene the principall act of S. Pauls Priesthood he had occasion to speake of it here when he setteth forth the dignitie and excellencie of his ministerie and further the principall act of his priesthood was to winne the Gentiles to the obedience of the Gospel but this is not performed by the Masse men are not thereby taught to mortifie their flesh by faith in Christ Osiand and this oblation of S. Paul and the other of Popish Priests is farre vnlike he offreth vp the Gentiles but they presume to offer vp Christ in sacrifice so they are not ministri Christi sed mactatores not the Ministers of Christ but the manslayers not the imitators of Paul but of Iudas rather that deliuered vp Christ to be slaine Pareus See further hereof Synops. Papis Centur. Controv. 11. Against the superstitious orders of Monkes and Friers v. 18. For the obedience of the Gentiles S. Paul by his preaching laboured to bring the Gentiles to the obedience of faith his end was not to bring them to the obedience of men and to make sects in religion as some among the Papists hold of Frauncis some of Dominike some of Bernard and other such patrones they haue this diuision of sects S. Paul directly condemned among the Corinthians one saith I am Pauls an other Apollos an other of Cephas is Christ devided was Paul crucified for you either were you baptised into the name of Paul 1. Cor. 1.13 If Paul would not arrogate this honour to himselfe to haue any called by his name Paulians or Peter Petrians how much more vncomely is it for them to be called Franciscans Dominicans Bernardines and such like And all these are sworne to the obedience of their orders vnder which colour and pretense they maintaine their superstitions but it was obedience to Christ and his Gospel wherevnto S. Paul perswaded not to the obseruance of the precepts of men S. Paul saith 1. Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not the seruants of men See further Synops. Controv. 12. That miracles are not now necessarie in the Church v. 19. With the power of signes and wonders Though it pleased God that for the better confirmation of his truth to furnish his Apostles with the gift and power of miracles yet it is not necessarie now 1. Miracles were then necessarie when as the Scriptures were beleeued and receiued of fewe and the doctrine of the Gospel was accused of noueltie but now he is not worthy the name of a Christian which beleeueth not the Scriptures and embraceth the Christian faith signes are not for them which beleeue but for them which beleeue not 1. Cor. 14.22 2. it were as a part of infidelitie now to require miracles so also a part of curiositie for like as the Iewes required a signe of our blessed Sauiour when he wrought nothing else but signes and wonders among them so is it with them who heare out of the Scriptures of the great signes and wonders
that this Epistle was written by Paul and is of diuine authoritie by the epistle it selfe 2. contr That S. Pauls epistles are not so obscure that any should be terrified from the reading thereof 3. contr Against the Ebionites which retained the rites and ceremonies of Moses 4. contr Against the Marcionites that reiected the lawe of Moses 5. contr Against the Romanists which depraue the doctrine taught by S. Paul in his Epistle 6. contr Against Socinus that blasphemously subverteth the doctrine of our redemption by Christ and iustification by faith 7. contr Whether Paul may be thought to haue beene married Controversies vpon the 1. Chapter 1. contr Against the Manichees which refuse Moses and the Prophets 2. contr Against Election by the foresight of workes 3. contr Against the Nestorians and Vbiquitaries 4. contr Against the heresie of one Georgius Eniedinus a Samosatenian heretike in Transilvania 5. cont Against the Marcionites that Christ had a true bodie 6. contr Against the Apollinaâ—â—sts that Christ had no humane soule 7. contr That the Romane faith is not the same now which was commended by the Apostle 8. contr That the Pope is not vniversall Bishop 9. contr Against the Popish distinction betweene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to worship and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to serue v. 9. whom I serue in my spirit 10. contr That God onely spiritually is to be serued and worshipped 11. contr Of the vaine vse of Popish pilgrimages 12. contr None to be barred from the knowledge of Gods word 13. contr Against diuerse hereticall assertions of Socinus touching the iustice of God 14. contr Against inherent iustice 15. contr That the Sacraments did not conferre grace 16. contr That faith onely iustifieth 17. contr How the Gospel is the power of God to salvation to euerie one that beleeueth 18. contr Of the difference between the law and the Gospel 19. contr Whether by naturall meanes the Gentiles might haue attained to the knowledge of the onely true God without the speciall assistance of Gods grace 20. contr Against some Philosophers that the world is not eternall 21. contr Against the adoration and setting vp of images in Churches and places of prayer v. 23. they turned the glorie of the incorruptible God to the similitude of an image 22. contr Of the corrupt reading of the vulgar Latine translation v. 32. 23. contr Against the Popish distinction of veniall and mortall sinnes Controversies out of the 2. Chapter 1. contr Against the power of freewill in good things 2. contr Of iustification by the imputatiue iustice of faith 3. contr Against the merit of workes 4. contr Which are to be counted good works 5. con Whether any good works of the faithfull be perfect 6. contr Whether men ought to doe well for hope of recompence or reward 7. contr Against iustification by workes vpon these words v. 13. Not the heares of the lawe but the doers shall be iustified 8. contr That it is not possible in this life to keepe the lawe 9. contr Whether by the light of nature onely a man may doe any thing morally good 10. contr Of the imperfection of the vulgar Latine translation 11. contr That the Sacraments do not conferre grace 12. contr That the Sacraments depend not vpon the worthines of the Minister or receiuer 13. contr Against the Marcionites and other which condemned the old Testament and the ceremonies thereof 14. contr Against the Anabaptists which reiect the Sacraments of the newe Testament 15. contr That the want of Baptisme condemneth not 16. contr That the wicked and vnbeleeuers eate not the bodie of Christ in the Sacrament Controversies vpon the 3. Chapter 1. contr That the Sacraments of the old Testament did not iustifie ex opere operato by the work wrought and so consequenly neither the newe 2. contr Of the Apochryphall Scriptures 3. contr That the wicked and vnbeleeuers doe not eate the bodie of Christ in the Eucharist 4. contr That the Romane Church hath not the promise of the perpetuall presence of Gods spirit 5. contr The Virgin Marie not exempted from sinne 6. contr The reading of the Scripture is not to be denied to any 7. contr Against the adversaries of the law the Marcionites and other heretikes 8. contr Against the counsels of perfection 9. contr Against the Pelagians which established free-will 10. contr That the vertue of Christs death is indifferently extended both to sinnes before baptisme and after 11. contr That the beleeuing fathers before Christ were not kept in Limbo 12. contr Against the Marcionite heretikes 13. contr Against the Novatian heretikes 14. contr Against inherent iustice 15. contr Against the Popish distinction of the first and second iustification 16. contr Against the works of preparation going before iustification 17. contr What iustifying faith is 18. contr What manner of faith it is that iustifieth 19. contr Of the manner how faith iustifieth 20. contr Whether faith alone iustifieth 21. contr How S. Paul and S. Iames are reconciled together 23. contr Against Socinus that Christ properly redeemed vs by paying the ransome for vs and not metaphorically 23. contr That Christ truely reconciled vs by his blood against an other blasphemous assertion of Socinus Controversies out of the 4. Chapter 1. contr That the Apostle excludeth all kind of workes from iustification 2. contr Whether blessednes consist onely in the conversion of sinners v. 7. 3. contr Whether sinne is wholly purged and taken away in the iustification of the faithfull 4. contr Against workes of satisfaction 5. contr Of imputatiue iustice against inherent righteousnes 6. contr That the Sacraments doe not conferre grace by the externall participation onely 7. contr That there is the same substance and efficacie of the Sacraments of the old and newe Testament 8. contr That circumcision was not onely a signe signifying or distinguishing but a seale confirming the promise of God 9. contr Whether circumcision were availeable for the remission of sinne 10. contr Of the presumptuous titles of the Pope calling himselfe the father and head of the faithfull 11. contr Against the Chiliasts or Millenaries that hold that Christ should raigne a 1000. yeares in the earth 12. contr Of the certaintie of faith v. 16. that the promise might be sure 13. contr Whether faith be an act of the vnderstanding onely 14. contr That iustifying faith is not a generall apprehension or beleeuing of the articles of the faith but an assurance of the remission and forgiuenesse of sinnes in Christ. 15. contr That faith doth not iustifie by the merit or act thereof but onely instrumentally as it applyeth and apprehendeth the righteousnesse of Christ. 16. contr The people are no to be denied the reading of the Scriptures 17. contr Against the heretikes which condemned the old Testament and the author thereof 18. contr Whether iustification consist onely in the remission of sinnes 19. contr Against Socinus corrupt interpretation of these words v. 25. was deliuered vp for our sinnes 20. contr Piscators
Marcionites Libertines and others 4. contr Of the authoritie of the Scripture that it dependeth not vpon the approbation or allowance of the Church 5. contr Against the invocation of Saints 6. contr Of the certentie of saluation against the Popish diffidence and doubtfulnes 7. contr Against the power of freewill in spirituall things 8. contr Whether the Apostles excusing of himselfe doe derogate from the authoritie of this epistle 9. contr That the Scriptures are perfect and absolute containing whatsoeuer is necessarie to saluation both touching doctrine and manners 10. contr Against the Popish sacrifice of the Masse which the Papists make the peculiar act of their Priesthood 11. contr Against the superstitious order of Monks and Friers 12. contr That miracles are not necessarie in the Church 13. contr Against the vaine pompe of the Popish pontificall ornaments 14. contr Of the idle boastings and vaine-glorious excursions of the Iesuits 15. contr Against the pompous processions and Persian-like traine of the Popes Legats and Cardinals 16. contr Against the Anabaptisticall communitie 17. contr Against the invocation of Saints 18. contr Against the merit of praiers Controversies out of the 16. Chapter 1. contr Against cloistered Nunnes 2. contr The Church not alwaies visible and consisting of multitudes 3. contr All doctrine is to be examined by the Scriptures 4. contr That Papists not Protestants serue their owne bellie 5. contr That Protestants are no schismatikes 6. contr Why the Gospel was kept secret so many yeares vnder the kingdome of Antichrist against the obiection of the Papists 7. contr Against the Popish doxologie ascribing glorie with Christ vnto the virgin Marie 8. contr Whether S. Peter were euer at Rome and continued there Bishop 25. yeares The summe of the Controversies handled in this Commentarie beside Doctrines and Morall observations maketh in all about 290. The Questions and Controversies summed together make toward a thousand beeing in all 950. This COMMENTARIE by Gods gratious assistance was finished April 10. Ann. Dom. 1611. anno aetatis Authoris currente 48. To God onely wise be praise through Iesus Christ for euer Rom. 16.27 The Printer to the Reader Whereas the copie was in many places darke and obscure as beeing but once written as it was first framed by the Author neither could he be present himselfe to ouersee the worke I pray thee Courteous Reader with patience to amend the faults which fell out to be more then either we had thought or could by our diligence which was not wanting preuent The first figure sheweth the page the other the line exp signifieth to put out r. read f. for Pag. 2. lin 30. for S. Matthew read S. Marke p. 5 25. r. letter 6 29 r praeponit and f. propoundeth preferreth p. 12 3.r which in f and 〈◊〉 3 29 f. Ianuarie r. December 14.56 r. how often 15 20 of the 16 f. officer r ofineâ— 18. r Hortiensiâ— l. 28. exp and. p. 20. r. Phrygia paccaltana 24 r. ipsius Corinthi 26 parte s. puto 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 34 3. r. of his 37. r opponit 39.12 r. finite f. infinite 41. r. advers Praxeam 42.17 significatur 45.30 collato 44.61 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. r. illo 45.20 f. he saith â— he saith not 16 25. r incontaminatam 47.40 r quidam 52.56 r it that is the Gospel 56.3 〈◊〉 601.7 r 〈◊〉 eat f immiserat 62.54 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the best thing liuing and eternall and the heauen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 64.3 r consecutive 67 21. it exp 70.36 r. and is not 71.1 r de placit 43 Midata 72.35 incorruptible 36. r. pro f pio 75.14 r. actiones f. notimâ—â— 50 and f. end 76.57 r depriving 77.9 r. ea parte 21. r. as with 81.24 pâ—â—naâ— exp 37. impr be 82.29 impugnatio 83.33 Venerecu 8â— 27 implacable 36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—0 45 Mahometane 91.2 r. in elatione 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—3 21 r. conversation 38. satisfaction 96 34. Tharasius 107 56. furnished 110 19. proposition 111.9 strange 117.17 maintained f. mentioned 120 46. r not now 121. â—9 r. esse 122.32 in doing 127 43. r. circumcision f. remission 131.4 carnall f. morall 141 â—7 Apostolici 40. Christians f. heathen 1â—4 4. then f. that 156.51 their f. then 56. meriteth not 57 accepertâ—nt 162.30 denieth f. decreeth 166 6 treated of 169.25 satisfied f. â—o testified 170.31 framing f. straining 172.40 ipsam 174.9 of f if 180 49 qua f quia 52. vertue f. veritie 181.5 Catharinus 15 antididagma 184.20 whereas f wherein 188.23 and yet f. nor yet 189 53. execration f. operation 56. r. is not 194.6 application 13. amplified 196.42.16 f. 6.201.18 iustificandi 23. oppositions 204 30. exp of 206.12 exp not 208.15 foreshewer f. foreshewen 55. quae f quia 209 26 it is euident f it was euideÌ„tly 213.51 retracteth f returneth 216.1 we not haue 47. should not 229.36 is ioyned 230.24 Gods grace f. his 233.50 we f. he 51. vnto him 234.33 positiuely f. passiuely 35. rendreth f. readeth 49 sinned not 237.7 the one f. the other 241.29 forth f. faith 244.55 might f must 247. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 39 exp place 250.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 17. Phoâ—â—s 256 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 257.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 54. one f our 263.29 obfuscationem 34. depravation 266.23 m f an 270 51. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 53.1.3.24 f. 2.14.272.20 if men were f. of men 277.4 forme f. former 278.20 and to come f the come 28. out of a vessell not originally c. 279 23. is for 47. a weake consequent 286.13 and f. on 290.12 exp if 50. birth f both 29â— Flacius f. Florius 293 8 omittendo 45. severall f. severe 295.55 observeth f. ascribeth 298.14 forme of f. former 301.17 vnto f. vpon 302.12 cura 303.41 was in those f. or those 307.28 life f death 309.34 â—â—der f order 45. maketh f. worketh 313.30 propounded f. provided 52. minde f. word 315.42 defect f. desert 49. the woman is free 319.28 exp of 320.12 dum f. nondum 321.12 depraved 19. cum hominibus 24. repeated 322.17 the things which 18. some f. foure 29. prisons f persons 324 2◠〈◊〉 328.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 44. the present 333.27 expositum exposed 38. potuit non mort 334 vet f. not 24. prioribus f principibus 335.27 regulâ—breâ—â—er 336 21. warre f. marrie 337.29 accepted 338.17 as of one 340.11 ad Eustâ—ch 341.56 preparatorie 344.51 in f. to 351.25 some f. sinne 352.21 ioyne f. coine 355.38 contumacie f continuance 365.37 creature f. nature 368.11 restored 27. Hexemer f. Hypertum 373.50 waite f. waile 375.57 in f. not 376.20 interpellare 45. impatient 377.11 expositions 49. neither f. either 380.11 arithmeticall 15 not in 492.23 perfited f. excepted 57. whatsoeuer 395 37. ouerthroweth 397.11 wall f. will 398 51 ad gloriam 400.51 as long 401.8 are mentioned 404.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉