A SHORT DIALOGVE WHEREIN is proved that no man can be saved without good vvorkes Edit 2. With some Additions Be not deceaved God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reape he that soweth to the flesh shall reape corruption but he that soweth to the spirite shall reape life everlasting Galat. 6.7.8 AT OXFORD Printed by Ioseph Barnes and are â—o be sold in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Crowne by Simon Waterson 1604. To the Right VVorshipfull Sir ROBERT VERNON Knight all health and prosperitie Although Right Worshipfull nowe long distaÌ„ce of place and time hath severed vs yet the exceeding greate kindnes you alwaies bore towards mee whilest you lived in Oxforde hath wrote so deep an impression in my minde that neither discoÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of time nor distance of place hath any thing abated my woÌ„ted dutifull affection towards you Presuming of the like affection in you towardes mee knowing your kind dispositioÌ„ I am imboldned to offer dedicate this my little book vnto you the which being conscious of his own imperfections craues your patronage and favour which if it may obtaine it fears not to come abroad into the view of men if you vvill vouchsafe to reade like of it it seaâ—es not the censure of others both which it hopes the rather to obtaine for my sake It is not long nor tedious I hope it is profitable and therefore it hopes the better acceptaÌ„ce the which if it mighte obtaine you shall make mee not repent mine endevours Thus my humble duty remeÌ„bred I commit you to the tuition of the Almightie Yours for ever IEREMY CORDEROY To the Christian Reader AS to the body of man Curteous Reader all kinds of diseases to all kinds of ages are not incident but some diseases are more peculiar to vs wheÌ„ wee are children some proper vnto vs when we are youÌ„g meÌ„ some more incident when wee are olde so in the Church of God al kind of evils breake not forth in one age but some are more peculiar to some age theÌ„ vnto others as both histories of former times and daily experience doe manifest vnto vs the disposition whereof come not by chance but by the determinate couÌ„saile of the Lord who in his iust iudgmeÌ„t disposeth of these things as it shal make for his glorie and the good of his church That these things come to passe by the appointment of God it is manifest by many places of the Scripture wherein god sheweth that he doth send these calamities for the exercise of his church also foretelleth the time when they shal come in the â—3 of Deuteronomie verse 3. the Lord saith that he vvill sende false Prophets amongst vs to trie vs vvhether we loue him with al our harts with al our souls â—y this means mens harts shal be manifested whether they loue God or no they that belong vnto God wil not giue eare vnto these false Prophets but vvil bee directed by the word of God according to that saying of our Saviour my sheepe heare my voice follow me Ioh. 10. they vvill not follovve a straunger but flee from him for they knovve not the voice of a stranger He foresheweth wheÌ„ such such evils shal come as it appeareth in divers places of the Prophets in the olde Testament and in the new the revelation of Iohn aboundeth in predictions of things to come Now as God in his goodnes mercy towards vs vouchsafeth to forewarne vs of these temptations that shal come on vs when that therefore vvee may bee the better armed against such events so it is our duty to take notice hereof and accordingly to addresse our selues to withstand such temptations as shal come on vs but especiallie to obserue what evils are more proper to the time wherein we our selues liue as most pertineÌ„t vnto vs not to speake of matters of olde time but of latter times as most concerning vs. The Apostles inspired by the holy Ghost haue intimated vnto vs of this age what temptatioÌ„s shal assault vs vvho haue divided the time from the incarnation of Christ vntil his second coÌ„ming to iudgment into two several times in which two several temptations shal assaulte the church of God the former of these two times they terme the latter daies the â—ther the last daies â—n the former that is the latter daies shal come errours in doctrine in the last times shal come corruption of maÌ„ners not that the later daies shal be free from corruption of life and vngodly behaviour or the last daies shal bee free from errour of doctrine but in the latter daies errour of doctrine in the last daies lewdnes of life as two predominant ill humors shal abound therfore according to the diuersitye of these two times it is our duty to bend our selues more against the one then the other In the time of errour wee must most of al endevour to confute error in the times of vngodlines in life wee must contend against vngodlines in conversation Now because this time present wherin we liue is the last time wherein corruptioÌ„ of maÌ„ners shal most abouÌ„d according to the prediction of the Apostle the which wee see with our eies to be too true I haue chosen rather to speake of the necessitie of good works to saluatioÌ„ as most befitting this time then against error in doctrine though I haue not altogither omitted to speak some thing against it seeing that now most men offende in lewdnesse of life more then in errour of doctrine If any doubt whether this time wherein we liue be the latter or last times or no let him but conferre the prophecie of these tvvo times with the euent which hath fallen out he may easily be resolved The Apostle Paul speaking of the latter daies wherin error in doctrine should abouÌ„d saith 1. Tim. 4.1 now the spirite speaketh evidently that in the latter daies some shal depart from the faith and shall giue heede to spiriteâ— of errour and doctrines of divels which speake lies through hypocrisie and haue their consciences burned with an hot yroÌ„ That this latter time began in the Apostles time and holdeth vntil the revealing of Antichrist the same Apostle sheweth in an other place vvhere he saith the mysterie of iniquitie doth alreadie worke 2 Thess 2. Chrysost 2. Theâ— 2. hom 4. Ambros 2. Thes 2. Hierom in Dan. 7 quest â—1 ad Algas Tertull de resurrec car Lactan l 7 Aug. lib 20 cap 19 Zancheus in 2 Thes 2 Osiander in 2 Thess 2 epit hist ecclâ—s centur 7. lib. 1 lequent Plat. de Boâ—if 3. Func Cron. de Phoca Bon. 3. onely hee which nowe with-holdeth shal let vntil he be taken away He which hindred Antichrists authority then was the greate power of the Emperour of Rome who would hinder the power of the man of sinne vntill he that is the Emperour should be taken avvaie as histories the event and expositours
doe testifie vnto vs when the power of the Emperour should bee Eclipsed then the man of sinne should exalte himselfe aboue all that is called God or is worshipped that hee shoulde sit in the temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God which in the Popes of Rome hath already beene verified exalting themselues aboue God taking vnto themselues the authoritie of God making lavves to be observed vpon no lesse daunger of eternal damnation then the laws of God dispensing against the plaine worde of God abrogating the commaundemente of God to establish their owne This the maÌ„ of sinne hath finished according as it hath been foretolde of him But his pride shal bee abated and hee shal come to an ebb as the same Apostle foretelleth 2. Thess 2.8 Esay 11.4 saving that the Loâ—d will consume him with the spirit of his mouth that is by the preaching of his gospel By this means we see the kingdom of Antichrist now brought to a very lowe ebbe and his madnesse made manifest to al men 2 Thess 2. â—i 12. saving in some fewe to whom God hath sent strong delusions that they may bee damned because they loued not the trueth Antichrist being reuealed and made manifest nowe follovveth the last time this time present wherein we nowe liue of which the Apostle Paul speaketh 2. Tim. 3.1 Saying this know also that in the last daies shall come perilous times for men shall bee lovers of their owne selues covetous boasters prowd cursed speakers disobedient to parents vnthankefull vnholy vvithout naturall affection truce-breakers false accusers intemperate fierâ—e despisers of theÌ„ that are good traitours heady high-minded lovers of pleasure more then God having a shewe of godlynesse but haue denyed the force of it The Epist of Iude consisteth 2. Pet. almost whollie of the description of these ill men of whom also Peter forewarneth vs the which if you reade you shal haue the manners and behauiour of the men of this age presented as liuely vnto you as if you shuld see them al in a glasse at one viâ—w Now as I haue saide before corruption in manners being the proper disease to this age in reason we should bende our chiefest strength against this disease especiallye since the reason whye the Apostles foreshevve these thinges is Iude 3. that wee should earnestly contende against it and that in this miserable and perilous time we should haue compassion on some pulling them out of the fire vers 22. in putting a difference as the Apostle Iude saith He coÌ„pares this time to a citie set on fire which when it happeneth vvee catch at that vvhich is dearest in our sighte and saue it from burning We must put a difference according to the differeÌ„ce of meÌ„ for some there are who sinne of infirmitie and weaknes are as the Apostle saith overtakeÌ„ wâ—th sinne Gal. 6 1. these we ought to reclaime with the spirit of mildnes gentlenes Others there are who are more stubborne and wilful these wee must rebuke more sharpely A third kinde there is vvho 2. Tim. 4.2 so they may enioy their pleasurs care neither for God nor man who say vnto vs depart froÌ„ vs Iob. 21.14.15 vve desire not the knowledge of the Lorde vvho is the Almighty that wee shoulde serue him and what profite shoulde wee haue if vvee should pray vnto him Psalm 50.17 Ier. 2.24 these kinde of men hate to bee reformed these are like those wilde Asses vsed to the vvildernesse that wil not be turned and who so seeketh to turne them shal but vvearie himselfe Mat. 7.6 Exod. 10.29 2. King 3.14 but not prevaile let these pleasantlie descende to hell for who can turne them wee may not giue that which is holie to dogges nor cast pearles to swine if wee doe they wil treade theÌ„ vnder their feete returne and al to rent vs. Wherefore if I may bee so boulde to advise those to whoÌ„ the care of soules is committed I would advise them to follow the steppes of our ancient Fathers who alwaies bent their studies against that of their time wherin they lived which was most hurtful and the abuses which then most abouÌ„ded Since the time of the Apostles vntil within these fewe yeares errour in doctrine most abounded therefore we see the godly men of that age bent their whole studies to confute errours but nowe God be thanked this disease beeing almost cured and as greate a disease as the former affecting the Church of God in my opinion if wee devide the worde aright and minister a word in due season we ought especially to vse our endevour to reclaime men from vngodly behaviour and not wholy in these daies spend our studies and labours against errour in doctrine notwithstaÌ„ding gentle Reader I speake not definitiuely herein but my slender opinion if I speake vpon weake groundes I will not be stubborne but am content to yeelde to men more iudicious Farewell Yours in the Lord JEREMY CORDEROY A SHORT DIALOGVE between a GallaÌ„t a Scholler of Oxforde and a Church-Papist wherin is proved that good works are necessary to salvation RidenteÌ„ dicere verum quid vetat praesertim in hac iocosa aetate cum nil nisi ioci placent GAllant You are well overtakeÌ„ sir Scholler You are welcome sir Gall. I pray sir how farre ride you this vvaie Scholl To Oxford Gall. And so do I if you would ride a litle faster I would be glad of your company Schol. For companye sake I vvill alter my pace Gal. It seemes you are a scholler by your attire Scho. So I am Gal Of what profession Scho. I study divinity Gall. Then I doubt we shall not passe our vvay so pleasantly as I hoped I should Scho. Why think you so Gall. Because I see few or none that study it but are given much to melancholy and sadnes scarce fit for any company I haue an olde acquaintance in Oxforde who before he gaue himself to this study was very pleasant but since he hath vndertaken this study hee is cleane altered scarce the same maÌ„ now no good-fellowship with him but he is alwaies reading the Bible or musing still silent vnlesse you vrge him to speake Scho. That is a good chaunge For in that he is alwaies reading the Bible it is a good signe he is carefull to vnderstand the vvord of God vvhich is the meanes of our salvatioÌ„ â— Rom. 1. verse 16. 1. Cor 1.8 in that he is coÌ„tinually musing it is likely that he doth ruminate meditate on that he hath read to apply it to his vse conforme his life according to it vvithout which ruminating meditation we make small vse of our reading but are like vnto conduits which receiue water but keepe it not This was prefigured vnto vs in the olde lawe of Moses Lev. 11.2 Deut. 14.4 where no beast was clean but such as chewed the cud Which kind of beastes vvhen they haue received sufficient food
in Christ Now least the wicked as many of them do should challendge a part in Christ hee shevveth who are in Christ saying who liue not after the flesh but after the spirite that vvholly yeelde not themselues as slaues to their carnal lusts but such as delighte in a spirituall life conformable to the vvorde of God They then that shal be saved must haue some inherent sanctification And in an other place he shevveth that they vvho are appointed to inherite the kingdome of God are by the goodnes of God preordained that they shall liue a godly life before they shall enter into the kingdome of God saying we are the workemanship of God created in Iesus Christ vnto good vvorkes which God hath ordained Eph. 2.10 that vve should liue in them If God hath preordained that they who shal inherit his kingdome shal liue a godly life bringing forth good works so that as our Saviour saith by their fruits you shall know them Mat. 7.16 howe can anye hope to bee saved vvithout good vvorks This point that they vvhich shall bee saved shall liue a godly life is so manifest in the scripture as nothing more The Lorde himselfe protesteth concerninge these That he will put his feare in their heartes Ier. 32 4â— Ezec. 11.19.20 cap. 36.26 that they shall never depart from him and that he will put a new spirit in their bowels take away their stony harts out of their bodies will giue them a heart of flesh that they may walke in his statuts Yea the care of observing the wil of God in the elect shal be such and so eminent that whosoeuer seeth them shall knowe them therby Esay 61. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud and the garden causeth that which is sowen in it to grow so will the Lord cause righteousnes to grow in them saith the Prophet And our Saviour saith Ioh. 14.2 24. â—f any loue mee he vvil keepe my commandements but he that loveth me not keepeth not my commandements And againe he saith â—oh 13.35 by this shal all men know that yee are my disciples if yee keepe my commandementâ—s A second reason Second reason may be giveÌ„ why God will not receiue those vvho defer their conversion to God by newnesse of life vntil the last gasp hoping that that will be sufficient if they cal for mercy then Because our Saviour doeth pronounce this general proposition Mat 10.33 that he that deâ—ieth him before men he will denie him before his father in heaven now such as liue vngodly vvithout a care of doing the wil of the Lord though they professe him in their mouths 1 Sam 2.12 Tit 1.16 They professe thâ—y know god but by their work they deny him 2. Tim. 3. â— yea though they beleeue and acknowledge all the Articles of the Creed yea haue knowledge of the Scripturs yet if they liue vngodly they deny God and therefore shal be denied if you will bee tryed by the Scripture vvho so defineth of them as denyers of God A thirde reason why they shal not be received Third reason who deferre their conversion vnto God vntill their departing out of this life is because it is not possible that then they can haue a true repentance Mark 1.4 Calvinsti lib 3 cap 3 seâ—t 3 5. sequent For a true repentance cannot be without his essential parts one essential part whereof â—â— â—ewnes of life what newnes of life can they haue vvho are departing this life That this newnes of life is an essential part of true repentance it is manifest by the doctrine of Iohn the Baptist preaching repentaÌ„ce Mat 3.8 Act 26.1.19.20 who wheÌ„ he saw the Pharisies resort to his baptism of repentance men reposing theÌ„selues wholy on the faith of their father Abraham saith vnto them say not within your selues we haue Abraham to our Father but bring forth fruites worthy amendement of life for every tree that bringeth not foorth good fruite is hewen downe cast into the fier it is not sufficient to feare God for so did Pharaoh It is not sufficient to be sorie for that which is past for so was Caine Esaw and Iudas nay Iudas went farther he was not only sorie for that which was past but also coÌ„fessed his sinne acknowledged the Innocencie of Christ and restored his vnlavvfull gotten goods having heerein a better conscience theÌ„ many cruel oppressors in these daies vvho come shorte of him in this point yet was it not a true repentaunce so did the Emperour Maximinus who tyraÌ„nically dealt with the Christians Euseb lib. 8. c. 17. 18. vntill he fel into a sore disease as he thought past recovery then in his sicknesse bethinking himselfe how cruelly hee had handled the Christians perswading himselfe that he was punished with that soare disease for his cruelty against them presently he commaunded edictes to be given out vvith all expedition that the Christians should bee dealte with in al curteous manner and their goods shoulde bee restored them their Temples reaedified and desired them that they vvould pray for him vvhich beeing done hee vvas restored to his former health being recovered to health hee falleth as hotely to persecute them as ever he did So that you may see though the vvicked in such cases of extremity shew some token of repentance 1. Kings 21 27. Fourth reason Prov. 15 â— Esay 1.14 Psa 66.18 Psa 62. â—2 Mat. 16 17 Rom 2.6 Rev. 22.12 as also did Ahab Yet it is but a bastarde repentance it proceedeth only of feare and not of loue and therfore cannot bee accepted as a true repentance A fourth reason why such shall not be receiued is because their praier is an abhomination vnto the Lord much lesse accepted of as it hath beene proved before The fift reason The first reason Rom. 2. is because God wiâ—â— iudge every man according to hiâ— works And lastly true repentaÌ„ce is not in the power of man but a special gift of God The sixt reason Iames 1. bestowed onlie on the elect vvho alway haue his true feare in them so that they â—un not into such excesse of siâ— as the wicked doe 1. Ioh. 3.9 because they are borne of God and haue alwaies his seed in th m Gal. You say wel repentance is the gift of God it is not in my power it is God say you that putteth his spirit in his elect which causeth theÌ„ to liue a godly life far better then other meÌ„ If theÌ„ I liue â—ot as they do blame me nor when God shâ—l put that holy spiâ—it in mee vvhich will make me willing to keepe his law I shall then lâ—ue as honestly as they but yet I haue it not Scholl It is said in the scripture Prov. 19.3 the foolish â—erverteth his own waies his hart freeteth against the Lorde when Adam had foolishly consented to his wife â—o eate the forbidden fruit he concealeth his owne fault