not heard No doubt their sound went out into all lands and their words vnto the ends of the world 1 If the quere bee of them firstly seduced by Antichrist they all were children of the Church 2 As to succeeding generations the seed of the wicked walking in the steps of their fathers errour and superstition thus farre was tender made them of grace 1 Faith explicite was required of rudest Laickes in depth of Poperie Credendorum so farre as the letter of the Creed might lead them Faciendorum prescribed in the Decalogue Petendorum comprised in the Lords prayer Recipiendorum tendered in the Sacraments Besides of what in solemne festiuities of Christs Natiuitie Passion Resurrection Ascension c. Was represented to their memorie and meditation And if credit may bee giuen to Popish relation Pastors enioyned to explicate to the people these heads of Christian faith and religion In which explications also you may obserue generals to bee mostly Orthodoxe particular glosses inferences or concealements onely erroneous Though God suffered them as Gentiles to walke in their owne wayes neuerthelesse hee left not himselfe without witnesse in times of grossest ignorance Raising vp in all ages some from amongst themselues to oppose corruptions of preuailing faction Neither were these things done in a corner but the whole Church was filled with the tumult prouidence so disposing that the sound of his truth might ring in the eares of besotted people Besides suffering of Martires whose bonds and passions were k Phil. 1 1â— famous in the very Popes Palace and in all places that occasion might be giuen to all of inquiring the cause 3 And of late the mountaine of the Lord hath beene againe erected on the top of the mountaines Churches famous many in all quarters founded l Act. 24.14 Worshipping God after that manner which these call heresie yet teaching no other thing then Moses Prophets and Apostles haue spoken And doubt you but the people are bound thither to resort see famous example of those in the ten tribes whose hearts God touched in the generall deprauation of religion vnder Ieroboam 2. Chron. 11.14.16 4 But for the people of our Churches daily reuolting to Rome how hath God long wooed them to entertaine into their loue his pretious truth and they would not that they of all men most iustly perish so palpable is their reiection I say not of truth only but of loue of truth tendered to their soules But of such despisers of truth is compacted the body of the Romish Synagogue Amongst the many Centones of reuolters to Poperie name mee the man who euer euidenced zeale for the maintenance and propagation of the doctrine taught in our Churches opposed not rather the proceedings triumphed not in the disgrace of the Gospel and made a mocke of the counsell of those poore that entertained it and set their hearts to seeke after the Lord. I haue knowne many some a little familiarly Amongst all to me knowne I cannot minde one in whom I euer saw life or power of godlinesse but epicures sensualists vncleane profane persons or if there bee almost any other worse thing contrary to wholesome doctrine which is according to godlinesse men not onely themselues practising such things m Rom. 1.32 but pleasing themselues and reioycing in them that doe them Vse And is not the motiue strong to embrace Poperie their vaine vaunt of so many traduced to their partie since his Maiesties entring the Kingdome powerfull must that Doctrine needes bee that in so few yeeres preuailes with so many thousands Resp 1 Yet Thomas could minde them that in that of Moamed is preualence no lesse through the fitting it hath had to voluptuousnesse of sensuall nature 2 And whom but sensuallists and carnall gospellers haue they preuailed withall What one man name him if they can heartily affected to our Religion and truely louing it Oh maruellous efficacie of Popish doctrine traducing men from prophanenesse to superstition from godlesse contempt of pietie to impious idolatrie making their Proselites n Mat. 23.15 two-fold more the children of Hell or rather Oh iust iudgement of God giuing ouer men not o Rom. 1.28 regarding the knowledge of God to a reprobate minde men not receiuing the loue of truth to beliefe of lies and pertinacious adhering to doctrines of Deuils 2 But if therfore these perish because they receiued not the loue of the truth Lord I thinke what shall become of this faithlesse and crooked generation to whom the light of Gods truth hath so long and clearely shined and yet p Iohn 3.19 they loue darkenesse rather then light Euidences of the crime take these 1 Their nauseating the plentie of this Manna so corne fed they professe themselues with this bread of life How ioyed they in the tidings of the misnoised inhibition of preaching When God knowes purpose was neuer to inhibit plentie but to regulate order and manner of preaching that neither q Heb. 5.13 babes might want their milke and strong men growing to the itch of eares might be restrained to wholesome Doctrine euery one taught as r Marke 4 33. they are able to heare 2 Indifferencie of most in their affection to the remoouall or retaining carelesnesse whither Iehouah or Baal were entertained for the God of Israel Knowne vnto God are all his wayes from the beginning sweetly doth prouidence sway in the delinquencies of his children guiding all to his owne best ends But in the rumour of our entring league of amitie with a daughter of that Religion how brake out Hypocrisie of many to discouery of it selfe resolution vttered profession made by many to change with the times study in many of honest mindes to reconcile as their stile was the seeming differences twixt the two Religions Rare the man that kept his resolution with Ioshuah that vowed to suffer losse I say not of life but of the infamous goods of fortune for the cause of the Gospel 3 It was Salomons aduise to Å¿ Prou. 23.23 buy the truth and not to sell it Iudes to t Iud ver 3. striue for the faith once giuen to Saints herein how defectiue were euen pillars of the Church that though the taxe were opprobrious no lesse then slanderous to charge them as Ieremie Iewes to u Iere 9.3 bend their tongues as their bowes for lies yet willingly they may beare the blame of u Iere. 9.3 not being more valiant for the cause of truth Causes of it these 1 The little or no feeling of the power thereof in their soules had they * 1. Pet. 2.1 2 3. tasted how sweet the Lord is in his word the hungrie infant would not more long for the milke nor more hardly be drawne in extremest hunger from the brest then they from the sincere milke of the word 2 Conscience not discharged of the guilt of sinne flies the arraignement Affection besotted of the pleasures of sinne reiects what would withdraw them though with assurance
A BRIEFE EXPOSITION WITH NOTES VPON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS By WILLIAM SCLATER Doctor of Diuinitie and Minister of Pitmister in Summerset 1. CORINTH 10.12 Let him that thinkes he stands take heed least he fall LONDON Printed by George Miller for George Vincent and are to be sold at the Crosse Keyes at Pauls gate 1627. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL IOHN POVVLET Esquire my very Honourable good Patron and to the truely Religious and right vertuous ELIZABETH his wife my much honoured Patronesse Grace and Peace bee multiplied WOrthies loe to you at last Saint Pauls Antichrist in such lineaments as that Apelles his pencell or coale rather was pleased to shadow him in Lusted I say not vnuailed onely and made more barefaced to yeeld his vgly visage to view of Gods people How vexeth it to see Israel still halting twixt the two opinions After demolishing the Idoll so long fore done a fresh pleading for Baal Were it not hee seemes in his consumption neere his abolition I should suspect some boding of his new erection Auertat omen Deus How much better had it beene neuer to haue knowne then knowing to turne backe from the holy Commandement The latter end of such men will prooue worse then their beginning I promise and perswade my selfe better things of you and such as accompany saluation so hereditary seemes right Religion to your Honourable family hauing continued therein descents more then Paul mentions of Timothie If to your establishment in the present trueth and furtherance of Faith in times so wauering this poore paines may be auaile-some I haue my desire and shall thinke thorough your fauourable acception some small part of my great debt of thankefull obseruance wherein I acknowledge my selfe to stand obliged to you and yours tolerably at least discharged Faxit Deus Withall you haue such as this Scripture afforded doctrinall conclusions many for information of iudgement exhortations frequent to excite languishing affections comforts not a few for support of the trembling conscience rules to examine our Spirituall estate characters of gracious vertues directions for morall practise In the close perswasions to the loue and study of peace more largely pressed perhaps of purpose to worke towards vnion the diuisions of Ruhen occasioned by great thoughts of heart Sirs said Moses yee are brethren why striue yee de lana Caprina for the breath of the people so long so eagerly till Religion be neglected Prayers interrupted Charitie violated care of Countrey forsaken Iniquitie growne impudent so as to dare giue affront to Authoritie Oh that our Sauiours aduise might preuaile to keepe our salt within our selues so should we soone haue peace one with another For your part worthy Sir I haue neuer obserued your temper auerse much lesse abhorrent from tearmes of peace Desire onely you should aduance aboue the ordinary of peaceable or patient to become Pacificus a peace-maker in Israel The worke were more then generous truely Honourable no lesse then Princely The stile such haue in our Sauiours language is no lesse then Sonnes of God Hoc agamus And the God of peace shall be with vs. Now for the great kindnesse wherewith you haue refreshed my bowels I must pray as beggers the Lord reward it you As Paul for Onesiphorus the Lord grant you and yours to finde mercy with the Lord at that day I rest Pitmister Nouember 4. 1626. Your thankfull and most obseruant Beneficiary WILLIAM SCLATER The occasion of the Epistle together with the scope 1 NOise of continued pressures and persecutions of this Church for the Gospel whereto hee desires to afford solace 2 Reports also of false teachers crept in amongst them labouring on fairest pretenses to insinuate errour about the time of Christs second comming plausibly perhaps by misinference from that Nos qui viuimus of the Apostle 1 Thes 4.17 Against which he would make them cautionate 3 Information of exorbitancy in some particulars of the Church notwithstanding his formonition against idlenesse and sleeping of Church discipline in that behalfe This he excites that he corrects Parts of the Epistle besides those vsuall inscription salutation valediction you may thus number 1 Proaeme insinuatiue cap. 1. ad ver 5.2 Consolation inde ad finem 3 Redargution of errour 1 In iudgement cap. 2. 2 In manners cap. 3. Other passages there are occasionally yet aptly and seasonably interlaced AN EXPOSITION vpon the second Epistle to the THESSALONIANS 2 THES Cap. 1. Ver. 1 2 3 4. Paul and Siluanus and Timotheus vnto the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God our father and in the Lord Iesus Christ. Grace vnto you and peace from God our father and the Lord Iesus Christ The Inscription and salutation is without difference the same with that in the former Epistle See Annotata ibid. We are bound to thanke God alway for you Brethren as it is meet because that your faith groweth exceedingly and the charitie of euery one of you all towards each other aboundeth So that wee glorie of you in the Churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that yee endure IN the remainder of this first Chapter are three things 1. Proeme ver 4 5. 2. Consolation from ver 5 to 11. 3. Incidentally a Petition vers 11.12 The Proeme is as the former Insinuatiue tending to nourish them in perswasion of the Apostles affectionate loue towards them testified by that indubitate office and act of loue Thanksgiuing to God for their gracious estate In which Gratulation is first the Act secondly the Ground thirdly the Matter of it De Actu vide Annotata ad 1 Thes 1.2 3. The ground is debitum a debt wherein the Apostle and his associates acknowledge themselues obliged to performe this office of thanksgiuing Accruing 1. from their neere coniunction so neere as christian brotherhood could make them 2. from Congruence of the Act we ought 1 Brethren 2 as it is meet In thankfulnesse then there is debitum by Apostles acknowledgement herein will no Saint plead libertatem a debito nor once dreame he supererogates holds it not vniuersally for all offices of loue to God or man heare our Sauiour when ye haue done all that is commanded say we haue done but what we ought Luk. 17.10 It sounds to me All that ye can to the vtmost extent of naturall or gracious abilities sith all that we can in loue to God wee are commanded Mar. 12.30 Saint Iohn speaking of the highest act of loue to man vrgeth it as matter of debt we ought to lay downe our liues for the Brethren 1 Iohn 3.16 Thus I thinke Intensissima charitas cadit sub praecepto the highest pitch wee can bend Charitie vnto fals vnder precept whether we loue him vt 1. bonus sit nobis or 2. quia benefecit or 3. quiabonus in se which is the vtmost pretended aime of single life and wilfull pouertie whole vacation to the contemplation of the glorious Deitie or 4. which Saint
Regularâ—y performed issue from Faith Therefore say Schoolemen Faith is not onely it selfe a vertue but mater radix Auriga omnium virtutum yet meethinkes I see not in all these what Paul may bee thought to call the worke of Faith with such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that eximious and Heroicall worke of Faith to the complement whereof Paul requires manifestation of more then ordinary diuine power There is leaue and pardon also I hope to bee giuen to coniectures when they are founded on probability and are made with humble submission to Church Iudgement Mistake I Or doth Paul meane that exterior act of Faith Confession of the Faith and Name of Christ in daies of violent persecution Certainely it is an heroicall worke of Faith a worke of no lesse then Heroicall Faith in such times to hold fast the confession of our hope without wauering To you its giuen not onely to beleeue but y Phil. 1.29 to suffer for the Name sake of Christ Mee seemes he makes it something more excellent then Faith it selfe to suffer for Christs Name more eximious I meane not onely in genere boni but in genere magni Suffer affliction according to the z 2 Tim. 1.8 power of God Certainely its a diuine power that must support in so great a fight of afflictions But is this opus fidei Aske the Apostle Through a Heb. 11.33.36.37 Faith they had Tryals by cruell mockings were stoned sawne asunder flaine with the sword But b 1 Iob. 5.4 Faith nothing could get such victory ouer the world But for Confession of Faith they had endured none of these hardships This then seemes that which Paul prayes for That as they had hitherto with constancie and courage borne vp in constant Confession of Christ and his Gospel notwithstanding the many Tribulations and persecutions they had endured So God would please still by his power to support and enable with like constancie to hold fast their Confession till they came to the complement of Christian patience and fortitude Martyrdome it selfe and resisting against sinne to the shedding of Bloud in case the Lord should thither call them The niceties of inquiry vsuall amongst Schoolmen I willingly pretermit Such as that is whether confession of the doctrine of Faith be properly an act of Faith or not rather of fortitude And how an act of Faith whither Physice or moraliter Therein who lusts to busie himselfe may see what c Thomas his Commenters say 2. â— 2. ae q. 3 Art 10. I take for granted that its a worke and office of Faith to confesse the knowne Truth in times of extreme persecutions Testimonies are frequent See Romanes 10.10 2 Corinthians 4 1â— Matth. 10. How farre wee stand bound to the office and performance thereof is matter of profitable inquirie And in these times though peaceable yet seeming to portend our triall sâ—mething necessary Thus is the Resolution for the generall That being a precept affirmatiue though it binde semper yet it bindes not ad semper nor is absolutely necessary to Saluation to be actuall performed saue onely pro loco tempore Suppose when omission of the duty drawes with it neglect of honour due to God or of edification and furtherance in Faith to Brethren 2â— 2 ae q 3. Art 2. Scholast in 3um distinct 23. See d Thomas and his Followers Or thus the precept touching confession may two waies be conceiued Negatiuely binding not to denie Affirmatiuely binding to confesse Not to deny the Faith at any time we are bound in all times vpon paine of damnation Whither this denyall be by words or deedes or signes they are all coincident 1. Christ thunders speakes not to such Hee that e Luc 9.26 denies mee before men or is ashamed of mee and my Gospell him will I deny before my Father which is in heauen 2. The teares were f Mat. 26.75 bitter wherewith Peter washt away this sin 3. Church Censures were in all times seuere against such admitting none therein faulty to Reconcilement but after longsome and heauy penance 4. No maruell it being simplicita ex se malum and drawing after it so dangerous consequents Now when or in what case wee are bound to actuall and open Confession of Faith vpon paine of damnation I suppose still the times of violent persecution is matter of more curious inquirie Measures and Rules heerein some thus assigne Such Confession is sometimes an act of Religion sometimes of Charity sometimes of Iustice When it falles to be an act of Religion as where without it the honour due to God and his Truth should fall to the ground then it is duety to confesse When an act of Charity either by courage to winne an Alien or to confirme a weakeling or to preuent Apostasie of the wauering then a necessary duty to confesse When an act of Iustice in respect of the person a man susteines or office he beares suppose of a Teacher or Pastour in the Church then also absolutely necessary Howbeit for our guidance to discerne when Religion Charity or Iustice requires it they leaue vs to the dictate of Prudence We maze our selues sometimes in following Schoolemen They are oft more wittie in raising doubts then iudicious in assoyling them These generals of direction are doubtlesse sound But when we are referred to dictamen prudentiae for Application how are the simple still left vnsatisfied Wee haue a more sure word of Prophets and Apostles wee shall doe well to attend thereto That one Text of Peter as to my apprehension it sounds speakes more fully to guide vs then all the voluminous writings of their Angelicall and Seraphicall Doctors Thus you reade it 1. g 1 Pet. 3.15 Be ready alwaies to giue answer or 2. Apologie to euery one that 3. Askes you a Reason of the hope that is in you The Rules are three 1. That secundum Animi praeparationem the precept of Confession alwaies bindes all as that of Martyrdome so that we must be ready and resolued at all times to make confession of Faith when God shall call vs thereto yea though death stand present to deuoure vs. This is that our Sauiour calls h taking vp our Crosse dayly this as some interpret Pauls i 1 Cor 13.31 dying daily his carrying his soule in his hand ready to offer it vnto God whâ—nsoeuer he should require it And this is in confesso 2. But when is the actuall performance necessarie Resp When k Luke 9 23. our Confession puts on the nature of an Apologie or necessary defense and iustification of the Truth exagitaâ—ed by oppositions and calumnies of the Aduersary or endangered to suppression by violence of persecution then say the Lord calls thee to confesse the Faith Then thinke a woe belonging I say not onely to the denyer but euen to the betrayer of the Faith 3. Especially if there be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one 1. That of Authority interrogates or 2. Of necessity beggs of thee
as the knowledge of the Truth 2 Thess 2. Pro. 23.23 4. Neuer till we haue experimented and felt the power of Gods Word in our soules This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 1.9 Nor be troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word imports such perturbation as ariseth from ſ See Mat. 24. Marc. 13. rumour or relation of something terrible And not vnlikely the publishers of this errour rung in their eares the terrour of the Iudge the strictnes of accounts vnbowelled hell it selfe the more to affright Whence grew the perturbation and anxious vnquiet of their mindes That clause of the admonition to mee seemes an implicite Reason disswading leuitie and vnsetlednesse in matter of Faith and Religion because it breeds disturbance anxietie and trouble of minde restlesse no lesse oft times then perplexed so that of a man vnsetled in that kinde may be said as of them in Esay They t Isa 57.20.21 Iac. 1. are neuer at rest but are as the raging sea tossed of the windes they doe but u Gal. 1.7 5.12 trouble you that bring in another Gospel the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Iohn mentioning the Locusts set-rising out of the bottomelesse pit Antichristian Teachers vseth another word implying * Apoc. 9.5 torture no lesse then that of the racke such horrible torture should they plunge seduced consciences into while they taught to seeke Righteousnes satisfaction to Gods iustice by their owne good workes or voluntary passions I beseech you brethren by the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding be ware how you attend to the chirping of such locusts suffering your selues to be transported to another Gospell If euer from principles of Popish Doctrine Conscience be setled in sound peace say God hath not spoken by me With me its an vnder rule to iudge of doctrines pretented to be Euangelicall Tends it in the Nature of it to pacification of the distressed Conscience else t is not Euangelicall x Rom. 5.5 saith not the Apostle the same vniuersally I thinke as Ieremie y that is onely the good way wherein I may finde the sweetnesse of holy rest to my soule Neither by Spirit nor by Word nor by Epistle as from vs. Item against the meanes of their vnsetling and seducement pretences of Authoritie no lesse then diuine and Apostolicall three in number the Ancient colours of most Heretiques The first is Spirit that is as I conceiue pretense of z See 1 Ioh. 4.1 instincts inspirations Reuelations immediate and extraordinary from the spirit of God They a Mic. 2.11 walke in the Spirit yet lye falsely saith Micah Montanus had his Paraclete beside his Prophetisses Prisca and Maximilla Simon Magus his Helene cursed Moamed cals the dead fits of his falling sicknesse his exstasie and rauishment at the appearance of the Angell Gabriel At promulgation of his ordinances his Doue inured to fetch food from out his Eare is pretended no lesse then the holy Ghost sent whisperingly to imitate what he should enact for the people Heathenish Politicians had like pretenses to win credit to their Lawes Numa Pompilius receiues his from the Goddesse Aegeria Lycurgus his from Apollo c. Impudencie of Heretiques is seldome lesse then blasphemous what blasphemie greater then to father doctrines of diuels vpon the God of truth Spirits of Errour to be stiled Gods Spirit of Truth Against all such fanaticall Enthusiasts and Enthusiasmes the Lord hath made vs cautionate The quaere is common how we may discerne a pretended from a true Prophet Resp Time was when was place for such inquirie when God was pleased by such meanes extraordinary to instruct his people for my part a piaculum I hold it to expect in these dayes Ministers of b Apoc. 22.18 Propheticall Spirit reuelation any aboue the ordinary Let Papists boast as they will of their lumen Propheticum Prophesie now none is to me z Ier. 6.16 knowne but what in that tearme the Scripture intends c 1 Thes 5.20 interpreting Propheticall and Apostolicall Scriptures Of old these were the rules 1 Was it matter of prediction they pretended in their Propheticall instinct d Deut. 18.22 Euents must trie it 2 Matter of Doctrine e Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they spake not according to this word there was no light in them Though with signes and wonders they should confirme their Doctrine yet if it f Deut. 13.1 2 3. led to other gods Israel must not attend Is it another Gospell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but different not contrariant to that already receiued though Isai or Elias Paul or Peter Gal. 1 8. yea g an Angell from heauen should publish it Tertullian we must hold him accursed Adoro Scripturae plentitudinem The second is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of the diuers signification of the word diuers are the rendrings and interpretations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Some interpret Arithmeticall computation or supputations such as men following the vanitie of Astrologers vsed in calculating as it were the end of the world as Tullie speakes of the Mathematicians great yeare Not much vnlike that of the great Rabbine Elias Duo millia Inane Duo millia Lex Duo millia Christus postea finis tricae 2 Some Argumentation Reasonings and discourses taken from the naturall condition of the Creature now aged and selfely inclined to a dissolution probably enough they proceed for the maine Who but obserues in the main parts of the world in all particular kindes of Creatures decay of vigour Terra effaeta saith Tullie through age Ptolomie in his time obserued the Sunne to be come neerer the earth by many degrees as it were to comfort with his more heat through more nighnesse the cold old age of the earth The strength of men what is it to that of them of old their scantling of life what to that before or after the floud how few reach to Dauids terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Damascene and howsoeuer some priuiledge of perpetuitie may be allowed to celestiall bodies yet for sublunarie Creatures vndergoing so many so continuall mutations and through mutations enfeeblings Reason it selfe would easily finde out something more then probabilitie whereout to conclude certainely of their finall wasting that they stand so long inexhausted is not so much out of their owne strength but as Saint Peter obserues by the word of God supporting them The heauens and earth that now are are kept in store h 2 Pet 3.7 by the word of God reserued to fire vnto the Iudgement of the Great day 3. Rathest thus word or speech because it followes as from vs. It more then seemes these false Teachers pretended they had heard it from Pauls mouth whither equiuocating they built themselues on that Nos qui viuimus 1 Thes 4.15 misinterpreted or which I rather thinke by impudent fiction they fathered their errour vpon Paul as they had
the present truth be glorie for euer Amen Let no man deceiue you by any meanes Deceiue 1. Seduce or out you of the way of truth or mislead you to errour Thinke it spoken to vs and a little more nearely concerning vs inasmuch as these are the last times wherein the Seducer of the Brethren and the false Prophet y Apoc. 12.12 knowing their time but short busily bestirre themselues that may bee one motiue 1 Through remaines of ignorance and loue of noueltie we are inclinable to errour more then to Truth 2 z Pro. 23.23 Truth is precious Errour dangerous 3 And if we a Heb. 10.26 27. sinne willingly after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth what remaineth but fearefull expectation of vengeance and violent fire to deuoure There is 1 Temerarium 2 There is Erroneum 3 And there is Haereticum There is a graduall order betweene them 1 Temerarius they call opinions or auouchments published without sufficient euidence of Authoritâ—e or Reason to support them wherein though perhaps there may be Truth yet there is not euidence sufficient to conuince or to induce a wise man to beliefe or auouchment Exemp That there is an Hierarchie of Angels so ordered as the Pseud-Areopagite hath framed it perhaps is true yet of him that intrudes into what he hath not seene nor God reuealed may we not say as Paul b Col. 2.18 he is rashly puffed vp in his foolish minde That to euery man from his birth is assigned his Custos Angelus as Hierome and other learned opine perhaps is true yet he shall be rash who so peremptorily asserts it for where is the euidence 2 Erroneous addes to Temerarious apparent falsitie of opinion such as ouerthrowes no foundation razeth no Article Exemp that there are moe then two Sacraments of the New Testament whether three or fiue or seuen as opinions are varied is not hereticall to auouch yet aptly more then Temerarious no lesse then erroneous to thinke or affirme 3 Hereticall denotes notorious falsitie in matter of necessary faith especially when pertinacie appeares in the auouchment Exemp That Christ is a meere creature as Arius That there is no resurrection nor Angell nor Spirit as Sadduces auouched is not a simple errour but implies hereticall prauitie Rashnesse inclines to Errour Errour to Heresie No man by any meanes Sometimes 1 The man leads into errour 2 Sometimes the meanes or manner of conueiance 1 The man through realtie or opinion of learning or sanctitie or both Reuerence and authoritie of Peter was such in the Church that his fact seemed a Law wherefore Paul chargeth him to haue c Gal. 2.13.14 Exemplo non verbo Hier. constrained the Gentiles to be circumcised yea Barnabas himselfe is carried away with their dissimulation and with vs how many Errours are borne and carried with the bare names of men such as with whom their admirers will choose to erre rather then with others to thinke Truth Yet said Paul 1 the best know but d 1 Cor. 13.9 in part 2 are but in part sanctified 3 Suppose them to hold the foundation yet may they build e 1 Cor. 3.12.15 hay or stubble so that teacher and hearer may suffer detriment 2 The meanes three vsuall amongst false Teachers Paul mentioned 1 Reuelation 2 Tradition 3 Counterfeit Scriptures yet knowing meanes might be multiplied he enlargeth his Caution that nor these nor any of any sort should be giuen way vnto Amongst those other ye may number 1 Peruerting of Authentique Scriptures 2 Miracles 3 Apparition of the dead with the like The chiefe meanes now in vse amongst our Aduersaries whose Purgatorie Prayer for dead Inuocation of Saints departed c. haue no other ground then obscure passages of Scripture depraued or fained Miracles or fond apparitions of the dead Against these and a thousand the like our Sauiour hath made vs cautionate limiting vs to f Luke 16.29 Moses and Prophets aduising to examine g Deut. 13.2 3. Miracles by Doctrine h Gal. 1.8 Anathematizing Angels introducing another Gospell As meanes auaileable to preuent seducement thinke of these 1 Store you withknowledge of Scriptures i Colos 3.16 let that word dwell plentifully in you you know who said k Mat. 22.29 yee erre not knowing the Scriptures 2 Beware of wanton curiositie l Deut 29 29. in searching beyond Reuelations m Rom 12 3. be wise to sobrietie 3 Make not Reason a Mistris to Faith shee is a good handmaid while a handmaid but Sarah made Hagar insolent 4 Let not knowledge n 1 Cor. 8 1. puffe thee for o 1 Cor. 4 7. who discriminates thee Thy Ignorance if thou couldst see it is more then thy Knowledge 5 Admit not least declining from the Scripture change not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet 6 Adhere not to the letter against the true meaning of Scripture that 's not words but meaning 7 Flie errour in manners they make way to errours in iudgement yea p 2 Thes 2.11 12 to strong delusion 8 Bee not rash or headlong in resoluing beyond euidence Temerarious makes way to Erroneous 9 In dubijs resolue not without your guides There are at whose q Mal. 2.7 mouthes you must seeke the Law And of Pauls Caution hitherto followes the Confutation For that day shall not come except there bee a departure first and that man of sinne be reuealed c. 2. The Confutation of the errour from two necessary Antecedents of Christs comming 1. Generall Apostasie 2. Reuelation of Antichrist Thus in forme That day shall not come till after the great Apostasie and discouery of Antichrist Neither of these yet are nor shall be within the time limited by false Teachers Ergo the end not yet That day shall not come A supplement to the Text yet no condemned addition to the Word of God sith from scope and principall intention of the Apostle fluently inferred selfely forcing it selfe into the vnderstanding of the Reader De ciuit dei lib. 20. c. 19. Except there be a departure S. Austins rendring by Refuga as impertinent I pretermit though the trope be vsuall to say scelus pro scelesto 1. Apostasie in general signifies any defect or reuolt from him to whom we owe or haue performed subiection 2. Of what sort and from whom is this Apostasie Resp S. Hierome and other ancients many conceited it a ciuile defection from the Roman Empire Nisi inquit venerit discessio primum vt omnes Gentes quae Romano imperio subiacent recedant ab eis mox Nisi inquit Hieron Epist ad Algasiam quest 11. fuerit Romanum Imperium desolatum Antichristus precesserit non veniet Christus The sentence is true but the exposition impertinent For 1 stands or fals the Church with the Empire 2 Was this the sinne which God should punish by giuing the raines to Antichrist Defection from the Empire 3 Or were Christians to
baked bread vpon the coles thereof I haue rosted flesh and eaten thereof And shall I make the residue an abomination Shall I fall downe to the stocke of a tree A deceiued heart hath turned him aside c. No whit lesse is Popish infatuation Semble to your selues a Papist prostrate before his breaden god Hee knowes it the Bakers composition sees toucheth tasts it bread cannot be ignorant it goes out at the draught Yet adores and prayeth vnto it saying deliuer mee for thou art my God So hath God z Isai 44.18 shut their eyes that they cannot see and their hearts that they cannot vnderstand Like may be obserued in many other their absurd opinions contrary to sense reason all sound Authoritie See it in that grand gull mother of all infatuation to the people 1 As an article of faith it must be holden that the Pope cannot erre dogmaticè in matter of faith propounded to the people to be beleeued though in life he may be a deuill incarnate in his studie and priuate iudgement an heretique yet in his publike decisions pronounced e Cathedrá hee is as Prophets and Apostles of vnerring spirit Such vertue hath that chaire had euer since the dayes of Pope Ioane 2 Next that to the Pope so resoluing the people owe caecam fidem as regulars to superiours blinde obedience what is if this be not strong infatuation 2 Pertinacie and incorrigible stifnesse paralell to that of hardened Iewes whom neither fulfilling of Prophecies nor power of Christs miracles nor euidence of truth nor sanctitie of his life nor blushing of heauen nor quaking of earth nor renting of temple nor any thing could bring from perswasion of the Messiahs temporall kingdome nor win to embracing of Iesus for the Christ of the Lord. No lesse is stiffenesse of errour in the vassals of Antichrist May we say in Papists Whom neither euidence of Scripture nor suffrage of Fathers nor consent of Councils nor blood of Martyres nor sword of Magistrate nor discouery of Antichrist nor consumption of his kingdome nor I am perswaded ruine of that Babylon can win from palpablest errour Vse 1 Wonder not to see Papists vnreclaimeable its strong delusion sent vpon them I know not how their very pertinacie preuailes with many and halfe perswades they haue cleare euidence of truth suffering for their religion to losse of goods of libertie of countrie of life Let me relate what once passed from a Papist after much conference and hot dispute brought to stagger halfe inclined to change his Religion that if he turned he would sure turne Puritan Sic vitant stulti vitia And why In them onely of all the party aduerse to Popery he had obserued some conscience because some suffering for their profession the rest he obserued slanderously I hope Time seruers In Religion as Cushi in policy a 2. Sam. 16.18 whom the Lord and this people and the men of Iudah shall choose his will I be Oh woe is me that euer it should be heard in Gath or published in the streets of Ascalon I hope I perswad my selfe better things of many That delusion should preuaile more with Papists then cleare reuelation of the truth with vs whose stile is Protestants But to the point 1 Not all stiffenesse is constancy there is pertinacy in errour witnesse those Priscillianists and Donatists of Austins time who chose rather to leaue life then to correct their heresie which gaue him occasion to remember from Cyprian Not the punishment but the cause was it that made the Martyr 2 And consider 1 how potently shame of seeming inconstant preuailes with many through ambition and vaine-glory to perish in their errour 2 How fitted to humour of nature that whole Religion is 1 giuing it share in the glory of Saluation 2 loosing those strict bonds of Sanctity wherewith truth bindes 3 how deepely fastned in their mindes that Principle is It s of necessitie to saluation to liue and dye in the Romish faith in subiection to the Bishop of that See What will not loue of Beatitude doe Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he giue for his life much more for his soule That no man should stagger because they are setled vpon their Lees the delusion is strong which is sent vpon them But obsecro per Iesum beware how you be carried away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your owne stedfastnesse least the Lord giue you vp to like infatuation and pertinacie in Errour There may be obserued in many that infidelis fiducia Bernard speakes of to complement with the Times in hope to keepe the minde free from taint of errour in confidence of at least Timely Reuocation But 1 hast thou a promise of returne 2 and not rather dreadfull threats of permitting to finall Apostasie 3 It s easie to headlong thy selfe as the Diuell tempted Christ from the pinacle of the Temple But canst thou then without miracle stay thy selfe from irrecouerable falling It goes as a Iudgement on their soules who thus run into errour to be giuen vp to pertinacie stiffenesse therein so stiffe as can neuer be altered Errare possum saith Saint Austin meaning through ignorance Haereticus esse nolo pertinacious he meanes in errour But if we sinne willingly after we haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth what lesse b 2 Pet. 3.17 c Heb. 10.26 iudgement may we expect then strongest delusion sottishest infatuation pertinacie incorrigible 2 The inflicter of the Iudgement God God shall send them strong delusion like phrases see frequent Isai 6.10 44. Exod. 9.3 doth God lead into errour or confirme therein Resp Efficaciter meane you Absit he neither deuiseth the errour nor propounds it to be belieued he is God of Truth louer of it Errour of d Iohn 8.44 lies haue another father 2 Nor inclines he the minde to assent or the will to embrace it God is not Author of that whereof he is vltor Fulgentius But when he is said to harden to blinde to deceiue vnderstand it thus As a iust Iudge 1 he giues libertie to Satan and his instruments to attempt to impresse it It s said the Lord was angrie with Israel e 2 Sam. 24.1 he moued Dauid to say Goe number Israel and Iudah yet elsewhere it s said f 1 Chro. 21.1 Acts 14.16 Satan stood vp against Israel and hee prouoked Dauid to number Israel g God permissiue Satan efficaciter or 2 Denies or withholds Grace which should hinder their giuing way to errour or 3 Withdrawes Grace giuen which onely hinders preuailing of Satan or inclination of nature to such errour or pertinacie therein Schooles thus God concurs to euill not positiuè but priuatiuè not efficienter but deficienter his Acts in these panae mirabiles as Caietane tearmes them which are so Gods punishments that they are also mans sinnes are three 1 g 2 Chro. 32.31 Desertion leauing to our selues 2 h Rom. 1.24.26 28. Tradition deliuery
of vs ouer to the power of Satan and swing of our owne corrupt inclinations 3 And which results of both voluntarie i Acts 14.16 permission not hindering the errours or sinnes which except he hinder will be Thus and no otherwise sends God delusion And thus hath God his singer in these spirituall Iudgements these sinfull penalties or penall sinnes Doe we prouoke the Lord to Anger are wee stronger then he Behold what varietie of plagues he hath in store for the children of disobedience plagues for body for soule which are the most dreadfull thus number them 1 desperate horror 2 Hardnesse of heart 3 Blindnesse of minde 4 Obstinacie in errour in euill At these tremble they are in their height plagues peculiar to reprobates the vessels of wrath prepared to destruction It s fearefull when God permits a man to errour damnable in the merit much more to be trembled at when he intercludes all possibilitie or hope for returne out of errour Amongst other causes that 's a principall reiecting loue of Truth 3 The issues of the Iudgement 1 Beliefe of lies 2 And which followes it eternall damnation De primo To belieue a lye where are two things 1 Their Act beleeuing 2 The matter or obiect a lye whereof first It presents to vs in shortest compendium description of Antichristian faith and Religion reduced to a word it s in plaine English a lye Take it as Nomen speciei A Religion a doctrine compacted of leasing They speake k 1 Tim. 4.2 lyes in hypocrisie particularize where they dissent from vs. It s a lye that God loues to be suited vnto by Saints and Angels mediatours his charge is l Psal 50.15 Call on me his encouragment to goe m Heb. 4.16 boldly to Throne of Grace to draw n 10.22 neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith nor hath he ordained vs any other mediatour of o 1 Iohn 2.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.5 6. Intercession but the same that is of Redemption euen the man Christ Iesus the high Priest p Heb. 2.17 18. 4.15 sensible of our infirmities compassionate far aboue the measure of men and Angels A lie that our workes are meritorious being done in Grace The staines of our righteousnesse are no lesse then q Isal 64.5 menstruous by the Prophets confession and he speakes saith Bernard non minus vere quam humiliter A lye too palpable that man may supererogate exceede what in duetie he owes vnto God When r Mar. 12.30 all in our power is commanded and in doing what is commanded we doe Å¿ Luk. 17.10 but duetie nay when in t Iac. 9.2 many things we sinne all in our best performances are defectiue in the degree and measure of doing A lye against Sense Scripture all sound authoritie that Baptisme takes away all whatsouer hath proper reason and nature of sinne When still in experience remaine u Gal 5.17 propensions to euill and Pauls stile of Concupiscence is still sinne somewhere the sinning sinne not onely because punishment of sinne and cause of sin but because it selfe is sinne as Saint Austins sentence is A lye that soules passe hence to paines of Purgatorie when Scripture auoucheth they are x Luc. 16.23 25. in Refrigerio receiue comfort y Apoc. 14.13 and rest from labours A lye too derogatorie to the perfection and fulnesse of Christs once offering himselfe that thereby mortall sins onely are expiated and commutation onely of eternall into temporall punishment merited by his passion when the z 1 Iohn 1 9. bloud of the sonne of God purgeth from all sinnes that one oblation a Heb. 10.14 perfits for euer them that are sanctified and his being made curse for vs hath redeemed vs from the whole b Gal. 3.13 curse of the Law I spare farther particularizing But why haue they taught their tongues to speake lyes Or why hath Satan filled their hearts to lye vnto the holy Ghost Me thinkes I may dare say In many their Assertions their lying is as Austin describes it in strictest sense a going against their owne mindes in vttering vntruths the more abhorrent let it make vs from their doctrines of Diuels 2 Their behauiour towards these lyes is to belieue them Belieuing implies two things 1 Firmenesse of Assent 2 Setlednesse of adherence de primo There are foure degrees by which the minde proceeds to Assent of Faith 1 Doubtfulnesse when the minde hangs in aequilibrio in euen poiâ—e without propension to either part as in Israelites c 1 Reg 18.21 halting betwixt two opinions 2 Suspition or coniecture when it begins tremblingly to incline rather to one part then the other supposing perhaps possibilitie of truth in the Article propounded as in Agrippa d Acts 26 28. Almost thou perswadest mee to be a Christian Opinion when the Assent is for the time somewhat * Rom 7.8 9.11.13 setled from apprehension of probabilitie in the proposition opined yet not without feare least the contradictory be more true As in Temporaries Mat. 13.21 4 Faith wherein is firmenesse of Assent and perswasion that the doctrine taught is vndoubtedly true And of this nature is that which is here made issue of strong delusion 2 Whereto if be added Resolued adherence yee haue the full and entire generall nature of faith And its applicable as well to falshood as to truth whence faith according to the double obiect is made two-fold 1 False faith when the matter or thing belieued is false then be the perswasion neuer so firme yet the faith is false though not in the act yet in the obiect 2 True Faith when the obiect is true and the assent and adherence firme and vnwauering The miserie of Papists here pointed is that they belieue a lye A miserie indeed when God giues ouer a man to be falsified in his Faith 1 Into what e Acts 26.9 Iohn 16.2 enormities of sinful practise doth blinde zeale for supposed truth transport many 2 What wonderfull f 1 Reg. 18.28 paines take such to goe to Hell Once fasten the perswasion that its lawfull or meritorious to murther Heretiques they spare not Kings the Lords annointed Settle them in beliefe that Faith plight to Heretiques needes not be kept swearing forswearing is not scrupled dummodo ob Rem Quid multa I doe not think Papists sinne all as Pauls monisht Heretiques g Tit. 3.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather as Pauls selfe before Conuersion h Acts 26.9 thinking they ought to do what they doe against the cause of truth But such are the fruits of falsified faith Vse The more heedfull should we be against causes and meanes of it Thus you may number them 1 Shut we our eyes against light our hearts to loue of Truth It s iust with God to giue ouer to beliefe of lyes 2 And why so slightfully regard we euidences or authorities brought to auouch doctrines as being de fide Are
circumstances suppose it by a man in faith The law I confesse requires to euery worke it crownes allowes aliquid vltra Non onely 1 Rem 2 modum 3 but mensuram gradum perfectionis But f Rom. 6.14 wee are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace Infinite varietie are such good workes in They dreame who fancie no workes good but those of mercy visito poto cibo c. So many commandements so many good workes so many seuerall dueties enioyned in euery commaundement so many seuerall sorts of good workes which yet Paul hath reduced to these three heads workes 1 of g Tit. 2.12 Pietie 2 Iustice 3 Sobrietie comprising vnder iustice those of mercie wherto also Popish common-placemen referre mercy and the workes thereof as to their head Vse Herein pray to be established 1 h Mat. 26.41 Nature is a holdbacke a draw-backe 2 i Isai 49 4. Encouragements are few from men 3 Yet k Mat. 10.42 reward is great in heauen 4 Commoditie much on earth 1 Simple aliens l 1 Pet. 2.1 preparatiuely won 2 m Tit. 2.5 Blasphemers mouthes stopped 3 Gospel adorned 4 n 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Election and calling assured 5 Yea plentifull enterance into Gods Kingdome procured Yet hac lege that we o Gal. 6.9 be not weary of well doing for then p 2 Iohn 8. Gal. 3.3 we loose all that we haue wrought I conclude with that of the Apostle Therefore my bethren be ye stedfast and vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. forasmuch as you know how that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. So I proceed to the third maine part of the Epistle AN EXPOSITION vpon the second Epistle to the THESSALONIANS 2 THES Chap. 3. Ver. 1 2. Finally Brethren pray for vs that the word of the Lord may haue free course and be glorified as it is with you And that wee may be deliuered from vnreasonable and wicked men for all men haue not faith THE third part of the Epistle spent in Redargution of errour in practise suppose 1 sleeping of Church discipline towards the inordinate 2 The continued neglect of Pauls ordinance touching personall labor To reprehension whereof because the carriage of it is somewhat tart and peremptory The Apostles passage as to me it seemes is by prefacing somewhat insinuatiuely premising testimonies and signes of loue three in number 1 that he desires the helpe and comfort of their prayers 2 rests confidently perswaded of their obedience 3 Praies God for them euery of these a Testimony of Pauls loue continued but of them as manifestations of loue in the loose Of the first his crauing aid of their prayers vers 1 2. how it euidenceth Pauls loue and good opinion of them notwithstanding their exorbitancy you may easily conceiue weighing how it presupposeth Paul knew how little grace the prayer of the wicked hath with God and how his eares are open to prayers of righteous onely The words considered in themselues haue the forme of a prescript wherein is 1 the duety 2 the matter of it The duety pray for vs whereof see Annotata ad 1 Thes 5.25 this onely annexed Why is Paul so euery where instant with the people to afford him a See 2 Cor. 1.11 Eph. 6.18 19. Col 4 3. Heb. 13.18 Rom. 15.30 aid of their prayers Might he not presume his owne deuotion preualent enough with God somewhere ye haue him in the tone and phrase of beggars importuning the people for it I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Iesus Christ his sake and for the loue of the Spirit that you striue together with me in your prayers to God for me Resp 1. Perhaps or without perhaps its true b Iob 42.8 other Saints prayers sometimes obtaine for vs what our owne doe not 2 It cannot be that the prayers of many should be despised 3 The good and welfare of Ministers is the c Heb. 13.18 benefit of the people their prayers God requires to obtaine it 4 The tribute of thanks come home more plentifull d 2 Cor. 1.11 from many e Eccl. 4.9 10. Vae soli Two are better then one as in other things so in deuotion f Iam. 5.16 Single prayers are as the single haires of Sampson euery one hauing the strength of a man The prayers of many of whole Congregations as Sampsons whole bush able to ouercome the host of heauen almost to binde the Almightie Proud Scorner let his name be whosoeuer despiseth this helpe of owne weaknesse 2 The matter of the duety of two members 1 respecting their Ministerie vers 1. 2 their persons vers 2. Their Ministery 1 that the word of God may runne haue free course that is may haue speedy and vnhindered passage and propagation sometimes it s called the g Acts 6.7 growing sometimes the h Acts 13.49 spreading or carrying abroad sometimes the i Acts 12.24 multiplying of the word of God Not that it selfe in it selfe is multiplied but in subiecto as Act. 6.7 Reasons of the duety 1 hereby is Gods Kingdome enlarged 2 Satans demolished 3 our consummate blessednesse hastened Necessitie 1 opposites many to proceedings of Truth as Iames and Iambres to Moses 2 Persecutions of all sorts from all sorts of people raised 3 Timorousnesse of Predicants occasioned thereby 4 Reproach of the word 5 Ill liues of those that preach and professe it These and the like impediments meets the Gospell withall that were there not a diuine vertue to breake through all it had stopped in Sion whence it first began course Vse Now blessed be God that hath giuen vs a King nursing father to the Church defender of the Faith once giuen to Saints opposites else it hath as many as euer any age afforded witnesse the insurrections of multitudes when once the k 1 Cor. 16.9 effectuall doore is set open besides the swarmes of l Apoc 9.3 Locusts afresh chirping amongst vs And which without griefe I mention not the many exorbitancies of men preaching and professing the Truth All these exact our prayers for vnhindered passage You may adde in your meditation the miserable estate of many congregations in this Kingdome dispersed shall I say without a Shepheard or famisht with the Idole Shepheard Amongst whom besides confused notices and rumours of one Iesus and his death is scarce to be found any other knowledge of Iesus Christ and him crucified If any bowels be in vs they will yearne at their misery and m Mat. 9 36. pray God to send them n Ier. 3.15 Pastors after his owne heart to feed them with knowledge and vnderstanding And there are of that o Iohn 10 16. other fold which our Sauiour speakes of sheepe as I hope many whom the Lord will bring home p Rom. 11.25 The fulnesse of the Gentiles is not yet come in Nations many to whom the name of Iesus hath not yet