The Cardinals Inference from that Glosse is perillous Therefore 1 vpon our supposing the Pope to be that Antichrist the Roman is the true Church sith his See is in the Church 2 And by consequent all aliens from that Church are out of the true Church Thus if you will The See of Antichrist is by Paul called the Church of God The Popes See to wit the Romish Church is the See of Antichrist as we say Ergo the Popes See is called the Church of God Resp Concedo omnia or shall your Conclusion be Is the Church of God Apertly then are foure tearmes but ad Rem 1 haue you not need of some that had the a Apoc. 3.1 name to liue who yet were dead of some who called themselues Iewes and b Apoc. 2.9 were not so but the Synagogue of Satan Ob. 1 Yea but after our glosse Paul cals his See the Church of God Sol. 1 May wee not conceiue him to speake of it as it was in his Time When c Rom. 1.8 the faith of Rome was published with praise in the whole world distingue Tempora the then d Isai 1.21 faithfull Citie may now be a harlot mother as she is of all fornications that quondam Bethel may now be e Hos 4.15 Bethauen 2 or what if the denomination be a potiori parte for the Sanctae Reliquiae sake that should be preserued in the time and place of Antichrists kingdome As vnder Iezabel were in Israel f Rom. 11.4 reserued thousands that bowed not the knee to Baal so vnder Antichrist where and while he raignes there is a Remnant according to the election of Grace 3 Or what if so stiled Contradistinctè ad Ethnicos in respect of those few rudera Ecclesiae that are yet to be seene amongst them Neither yet will it follow if that Church be brought ad rudera then the whole Church is ruined for may not g Apoc. 3.11 another take their Crowne haue ye not read of letting out the h Isai 5. vineyard to other i Mat. 21.41 husbandmen of Gods kingdome translated to another people of which other Church if wee be members are wee not members of that one Church wherein we may expect saluation What if Rome were become heapes an habitation of all vncleane birds What if no one Romish Catholique left on earth Ergo the Church ruined Psal 2. Dabo tibi Gentes c. k 1 Tim. 3.15 But what say you to these Arguments The Church is the pillar and ground of Truth 1 Supporter and publisher of all Truths necessary The Church of Rome is not so sith it beleeues and teacheth lies 2 Thes 2. Ergo is not the true Church 2 The true Church keepes coniugall chastitie to Christ is not Idolatrous Church of Rome keepes not coniugall chastitie to Christ but is Idolatrous Ergo is not the true Church of Christ haec obiter we proceed in exposition 3 As God vsurping and pretending Authoritie no lesse then diuine a tanquam of God whose great Vicegerent and Vicar Generall on earth hee pretends himselfe Suits this to the Papacie heare their owne Aduocates Idem est dominium Dei Papae Augustâ—â— Ambonitaxus q. 45. 35. Gods dominion and the Popes is all one as the Iurisdiction of the delegant and delegate is one especially where the delegation is plenary totall without any reseruation made as that wretch presumes it in the Pope answerable are all his deportments as we haue seene before and shall particularize in the next clause We haue then thus farre traced Antichrist by Pauls direction that at length we finde him a Bishop Cathedrated in the Church with vniuersalitie of power and Iurisdiction Vse Why I wonder seeke wee Antichrist in Turkie sits that Dragon in the Church as Bishop is his Iniquitie carried in a mysterie beares hee himselfe a tanquam of God in such couerture of carriage as is here intended of Antichrist quid multa Compare with Pauls description Saint Iohns delineating him in his Reuelation you will finde it true there is no greater identitie betwixt Homo and Animal rationale then betwixt Rome and that Babylon betwixt the Pope and that Antichrist Except in so many termes Gods Spirit should haue said the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist which had bin crossing to the intended strong delusion more punctually he could not haue spoken Wherefore my counsaile is wrong not the holy Father giue the Diuell his due Let the Pope be that Antichrist he will be spight of the Diuell and the Dragon Maugre the Turke and his Moamed Shewing himselfe that he is God the second degree of his pride respecting God proud emulation of God tending to win him opinion of power no lesse then diuine or if you will his carriage of himselfe in his chaire of pestilence The Cardinall and others would haue it vaunting professing proclaiming himselfe God yea the onely God What and yet shall the world admire after him see supra And me thinkes the speech runnes too coolely to endure the glosse showing himselfe that he is God q.d. vnum e multis rather then the onely God for here I am sure we lacke the Emphaticall Article Oecumenius well Non ait dicens sed ostendens hoc est operibus signis ac miraculis nitens ostendere quòd sit Deus his Intrusions on Gods prerogatiues royall is rather in facts then words profession Num sic Papa Resp What say you 1 to his forcing lawes vpon the Conscience Gods peculiar consistorie the very stile of Ius Ecclesiasticum is with their Canonists ius diuinum this is little 2 Dispensing with lawes Morall and Naturall which is more if Thomas may be beleeued then God himselfe doth or may doe 3 Indulgence to sinne in time to come as leases for yeares granted 4 Deliuering soules from hell after death 5 Sainting at pleasure and transmitting into heauen in such multitudes as its to be doubted amongst the many mansions there is no roome left for the Canonizer Certainly could he iustifie such power to be in him I would say he had proued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he is God One thing I am sure of the concurrence of all these Antichristian properties in the Pope haue bred in me Scientialem Assensum that he is that Antichrist I say not as he Tamscio Papam esse Antichristum illum quam Iesum esse Christum illum for this by Gods mercie I know not onely by faith but by experience in my soule yet thus strong is my euidence that if an Angell from heauen should teach me otherwise I would not beleeue him VERS 5. Remember yee not that when I was with you I told you these things THe close of what belongs to the description of Antichrist and the two necessary Antecedents to Christs second comming Carried as best Interpreters conceiue so as to checke them for obliuion Remember yee not q.d. you ought to haue remembred Doubtlesse its the blame of Gods
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
the Gospel Sonne thy sinnes bee forgiuen thee Else what is the particular word we want to breed particular assurance A word perhaps particular to mee to tell me I beleeue or Repent Resp Is that the matter 1. Hitherto it hath bin vnderstood of a word testifying Gods Act to man in pardoning sinnes Iustifying the sinner c. not of a word testifying the Act of man 2. Need I a particular Word of God to tell mee I beleeue Why more then to tell me I loue I feare I hope c. when as the soule f 1 Cor. 2.11 knowes it owne Acts or motions by its owne imbred facultie themselues acknowledge in the vnderstanding Actum Reflexum And why not my Acts vertuous or gratious for my comfort and thankfulnesse as well as my vitious Actions to breed mee terrour and Repentance Quest But the rectitude of these Acts the soundnes of these graces can my soule know Resp Thy minde informed by the word of God vpon due examination may as well know rectitude as discerne the Acts. I may as well know that my faith rests vpon the first veritie as that I beleeue quocunque modo for knowes not my minde her motiues as well as her motions Or if by imperate Acts of faith which infallibly testifie presence of true Faith I would iudge may I not say I haue a word particular to testifie truth of my Faith As when my Faith t Act. 15.9 purifies my heart u Gal. 5.6 workes by loue haue I not a word to testifie that my Faith is vnfained As punctuall it is to me and as particular to testifie the soundnes of my Faith As if an Angel should say to me as to Cornelius * Act. 10.4 Thy prayers and Almes-deeds thy faith and Repentance are come vp in remembrance before God Howbeit from Pauls example Ministers of the Church haue their direction to apply the generals of promise and comfort to their people prouided alwaies they bee qualified to partake them See Act. 2.39 13.38 2 Sam. 12.13 Such Application hath warrant from example of Prophets and Apostles from intention of the promiser and tends much to comfort of weake consciences Considering they know or may know their ministers as Gods mouth And his instruments x Ioh. 20.23 Authorized to remit sinnes and to seale vp to them life and saluation Vse What will our scoffing Catholiques say if from the ordinance and vse of the ministerie as it s exercised amongst themselues wee deriue a particular word for particular Faith to rest on generale applicatuÌ„ ad hunc hunc is it not particular when in their foruÌ„ paenitentiale they pronounce the senteÌ„ce of absolution vpon the penitent Ego absoluo te c. do they giue him a particular word for faith to rest on or doe they require diuine Faith or onely humane to bee giuen to their testimonie so particularized Will they say humane onely Apage for how settles that the conscience Or where is qui vos audit me audit Or how say they when they remit God remits If diuine then there is a Word of God particular for it to rest on and so particular Faith is no longer presumption sith it hath a particular Word of God to build on as apparently it hath when generall promises are Regularly applyed and by authority delegate from God And what 's the ods tell me betwixt this priuate absolution and that publique in our preaching for the matter of particularitie When Peter tould beleeuing Iewes that the y Act. 2.39 promises were made to them was it not all one as if he had said to euery particular of them beleeuing to thee and thee But in Application of generall promises or comforts let prudence make vs cautionate so as first to discerne as far as we may their qualification To you is this Saluation sent But you must beware of that in the Prophet z Act. 13.41 Behold yee despisers and wonder The charge is to a Iud. ver 22. put difference to b Ier. 15.19 take away the pretious from the vile for will you c Ezech 13.18.19.22 giue life to the soules of them that should not liue or will you slay the soules of them that should not dye To kill the hearts of the Righteous To strengthen the hands of the wicked To condemne the iust to iustifie the wicked are both equally abominable To your comfort I speake it saith the Apostle because our testimony was beleeued amongst you Our Testimonie was beleeued Something pertaining to the Nature of Faith discriminating it from other habits and Acts of the vnderstanding might heere bee obserued As that it hath for the materiall obiect something testified for the formall obiect the verity and Authority of the Testis This being the Reason of assenting the Real or supposed truth and authority of him that testifieth Intellectus they say is of principles whose light is so cleere that there needes no medium to induce their entertainement for true Science of Conclusions by force of a medium necessary and demonstratiue Faith of things ineuident in themselues indemonstrable by Arguments necessarie of Conclusions or Articles aboue Reason in diuine faith infused the assent being wrought not by argument or other euidence but onely by authority and verity of him that testifieth What moues me to assent to the Article of the Trinity Onely the Testimony of God who alone knowes himselfe and the manner of his owne existence Now whither this Testimony diuine be immediate or mediate it matters not to the nature of diuine Faith so it be a diuine Testimony whereon we rest Not onely that voice of God from heauen This is my beloued Sonne But that also of Prophets and Apostles speaking as they were d 2 Pet. 1.21 inspired by the holy Ghost is this diuine Testimony Whither that also of the Church ordinary that now is is matter of question but impertinent to this occasion At that day Returne to specification of the Time before mentioned which before he had thus periphrased At the Reuelation of the Lord Iesus from heauen ver 7. When hee shall come to be glorified in the Saints ver 10. I say at that day shall tribulation be rendred to them that trouble you Rest to you that are troubled I say as the Apostle Be still and patient your hearts vntil the comming of the Lord So much the rather for that that day draweth nigh VERS 11 12. Wherefore also we pray â—lwayes for you that our God would count you worthy of his calling and fulfiâ— all the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the worke of faith with power That the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Iesus Christ ANnexed to the other grounds of Comfort is this prayer of the Apostle and his associates on their behalfe And it is certainly full of comfort to partake in the prayers
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
of doctrine That chiefly is remarkeable in storie that about the time of Gregorie the great what time Antichrist grew towards clearest Reuelation and was now to be installed and entituled Oecumenicall Bishop Miracles of all sorts began to be multiplied Read Gregories Dialogues and what Paulus Diaconus and other following fables report of all sorts of wonders for confirmation of all sorts of Popish errour and superstition I will not denie but the things reported were many of them true in genere Rerum I dare halfe sweare they were all false in genere Miraculorum that were pretended wrought for confirmation of Poperie Whither and when the gift of Miracles ceased in the Church might here not impertinently be enquired but the volume growes biggish Vse 1 But sure me thinkes they longed to haue their Bishop knowne Antichrist their Church Antichristian when this came into the number of Notes of the Church Gloria Miraculorum so was Antichrist to be aduanced into his Throne so the people to be besotted who receiued his Character Not but that Miracles truely so called are testimonies of Truth vt supra But that the maruels they brag of are mira onely if true not miracula And many of them false lying reports meere fables and no better Such that of Syluesters curing Constantines Leprosie in his ministring Baptisme to him at Rome when it s well known his Baptisme was not at Rome but by a little superstition deferred till the end of his life fables a thousand I could fill you withall of Miracles and little lesse then miraculous apparitions of Saints and Angels for confirmation of purgatorie prayer to Saints for dead and such like Popish trash Thomas of Aquine is supposed to be gratulated by the blessed Virgin for his paines taken to cleare her birth from originall sinne with her owne voice from heauen Bene de me scripsisti Thoma Saint Bernard deuout in superstition in veneration of her was once saluted by her Image miraculously giuing him the time of the day Good morrow Bernard But well considering what Dauid speakes of Idoles they haue mouthes and speake not he is bold to minde her That her Ladiship had forgotten her selfe for it was not permitted to women to speake in the Church sexcenta sunt huinsmodi Vse 2 2 Contra istos mirabilarios against these miracle-mongers Christ his Prophets haue made vs cautionate while they minde vs they may teach truth l Iohn 10.41 that doe no miracles Iohn did no miracle yet all hee spake of Christ was true and they may be m See Deut. 13. Mat. 24.24 Impostors who giue signes and wonders The Diuell himselfe cannot worke a miracle his power though great yet is not infinite yet suppose him to giue a signe and wonder which I am not able ito discriminate from a true miracle In weaknesse perhaps might say as Pharaoes Magitians Digitus Dei est hic yet if he misled me from veritie of doctrine or life taught me in Scripture whither Diuell of Hell or n Gal 1 8. Angell of Heauen I should hold him accursed Spero obsecro vos qui credente mundo ipse non credit magnum est ipse prodigium To doctrine taught in our Churches belong o Heb. 2 4. miracles of Christ and his Apostles And with all deceiueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse The second meanes of his aduancement deceitfulnesse all kinds of falshood and cousenage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 take here to denote iniustitiam vniuersalem whither it be qualitas efficientis or finis is doubtfull if efficientis This the meaning with all tricks of cousenage imposture and legerdemaine that wickednesse it selfe can deuise or exercise faigning apparitions of Angels and Spirits forging decrees of Councils corrupting Fathers sembling dissembling pietie swearing forswearing dummodo ob Rem fawning flattering bribing threatning forcing vsing pro re nata ca Time would faile mee to reckon vp all their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their methods and Arts of cousenage and imposture whereby they haue raised and still support their state Achitophâ—l Machiauil cursed Moamed himselfe may seeme honest in policie in comparison of Romish Clergie Be wise as Serpents pleaseth be it as the old Serpent the Diuell Innocent as Doues as their practise showes deserues the obiliske the veru of their Index expurgatorius by such wicked policie hath Poperie aduanced it selfe If it denote the end or issue of their deceitfulnesse this is the meaning deceit leading to vnrighteousnesse via vitae the way tending to life via Iustiâ—iae the way tending to righteousnesse so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the outpath leading to wickednesse making the people as themselues iniurious to God vniust to men cruell to themselues Their doctrines dissenting from our Churches all such 1 either in the matter 2 or in their annexa and natiue sequeles as to any iudicious man seriously viewing them will appeare Concording are the liues of their deluded sectaries Vse Lord that it might worke in vs so much pietie as to detest it so much wisedome as to discerne and flye from their impious their wicked Religion were not vicious nature too too sensuall and licentious it could with no patience endure thought of Poperie Is this the sanctitie of doctrine that encloseth the Church to Rome Robbing God of his honour Christ of his Mediation Princes of Soueraigntie of life Parents of Children for Religion that teacheth violation of faith though with oath plighted to Heretiques tolerates halfe ligitimates fornication in some case Incestuous marriage c. The wisedome from aboue is p Iac. 3.17 pure full of mercy and good fruits The doctrine of Gods Grace teacheth to q Tit. 2.11 12. deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts instructs to pietie iustice temperance a Religion yee haue here as a circle whose circumference is fraud whose center nothing but vnrighteousnesse what may if this will not worke our abhorrence from it If that may not preuaile attend yet seriously what is subioyned In them that perish The subiect or persons on whom it fastens such as perish vnderstand it exclusiuely onely such as perish Periphrasis Reproborum not infrequent in Scriptures See 2 Cor. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.3 alibi So stiled because their perishing is certaine and ineuitable r Iude v. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And that doctrine is now entering execution they being as I may say in the Act of perishing It should seeme then they are onely castawayes men destined to damnation who are seduced by this Antichrist see Apoc. 13.8 14.9 10 Reasons are euident 1 Their Errours of Iudgement are in the fundamentals of Faith they hold not the head Col. 2.19 1 Cor. 3.10 11. 2 In Religion against the heart and life of pure worship abominable Idolatric 3 The seduced mostly vnreclaimable so strong is the delusion sent vpon them Apoc. 14.9 10. May we dare to say so of Papists Resp Had we the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that becomes Gods Ministers wee should dare seeing therein
of beatitude they loue darkenesse rather then light because their x Iohn 3.19 deedes are euill 3 There is in the truth as in y Mat. 5.13 salt holesomenesse but ioyned with tartnesse the two witnesses z Apoc. 11.10 vexe them that dwell vpon the earth No maruell if they ioy and solace themselues in their disgrace That they might bee saued Quest Had they beene saued if they had admitted loue of trueth Resp Who doubts vpon that Hypothesis Tyre and Sidon had a Mat. 11.21.23 repented in case meanes of Capernaites had beene vouchsafed them Quest But could they receiue it Resp Why are we curious God puts not into any auersenesse from any goodnesse In the tender of grace and iniunction of duties respects them as he first made them Expects they should render him the good dispositions and abilities and pliablenesse to his instructions hee gaue in their first creation Iustly sith he b Eccles 7.29 made them righteous at the first and they haue sought them many inuentions Arminius too sawcily forceth on God necessitie and obligation to restoring of abilities lost by mans wilfulnesse too grosly denies abilitie to euery thing enioyned or to bee enioyned giuen vnto Adam But why meddle we with those intricacies Fluently we haue it from the Apostle that loue of truth is amongst those vertues which accompany saluation Therefore Ieremie pleades it as part of his righteousnesse claimes thereby interest to blessings conueyed in couenant of Grace Thy c Iere. 15.16 words were found with mee and I did eat them and thy word was vnto me the ioy and reioycing of my heart See Iob 23.12 Psal 119. And who so considers 1 d Rom. 8.7 Enmitie of depraued nature against the Law of God 2 That this loue issues from the e 1. Pet. 2.3 comforts our consciences haue tasted the power of it our soules haue experimented f 1. Cor. 10.5 in subduing the high thoughts to obedience of Christ and the blessed g Psal 19.7 change it hath wrought easely acknowledgeth the gift supernaturall farre aboue what nature eleuated to her highest pitch if subsisting within boundes of nature can possibly reach vnto Vse 1 Blest is the soule that feeles it hee hath Heauen vpon earth thus discerne it and rest assured of thy gracious estate 1 The rate it s h Mat. 13.46 Psal 119.72 valued at is aboue that of Gold and Siluer 2 The soule that tasts it i Pro. 2 4. searcheth for it as for Siluer withall the might gets this vnderstanding 3 k Psal 84 42. Mournes for depriuall as Rachel for her children 4 Is in a measure satisfied neuer l Psal 84.2 1. Pet. 2.2.3 sated with the pleasures of it 5 A m Rom. 10.15 beautie it sees in the very feet of them that preach it loues the ground they goe on 6 Hates as Hell the adulteraters n Gal. 2.5 opposeth to euery opposite of the trueth and proceedings of it You that loue your soules fasten on them this loue of truth 1 If depth of learning profound mysteries bee it that your mindes affect loe here what o 1 Pet. 1.12 Angels themselues loue to pry into reioyce to p Ephes 3.10 learne in the Church 2 Pleasing to the vnderstanding is the knowledge of trueth Verum is bonum intellectus the halfe happinesse and perfection of the vnderstanding Here see such as no science else reueales God is he knowes and reueales his owne being and manner of existence The true meanes of reconciling man to God and what all the wits of the World in vaine turmoiled and puzled themselues to finde out the way and meane of true tranquillitie 3 Oh q Psal 34.8 tast and see how gracious the Lord is experiment a while the power of this truth What wonders will it worke in thy soule may it there sway Those turbulent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passions of sensualitie which wisedome of morall heathens laboured vainely to captiuate to right reason this shall r 2 Cor. 10 5. subdue the miserable bondage vnder sinne and Satan whereunder who groanes not This ſ Iohn 8.32 17.9 truth shall free thee from 4 And if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true tranquillitie of minde t Phil. 4.7 pacification of conscience be that we long for behold it published conuyed wrought by the Gospel of peace the word of faith teacheth to vs wherewith we u 1. Iohn 3.19 may assure our hearts in the very terrour of the last day 5 And this is that * Rom. 1.16 power of God to saluation the word of saluation of life Reuealing working the x Iohn 17.3 knowledge of God in Christ leading to the beatificall vision the fruition of the glorious God-head If these amiable fruites sway vs not Oh yet let the terrour of the Lord mooue vs thus it s specified VERS 11.12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should beleeue a lie That they all might be damned who beleeued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse THE words seeme intended to farther explication of the miserable estate of men seduced by Antichrist for not receiuing the loue of truth And for the maine to worke in vs the more feare of slighting such grace of God offered in the Gospel The argument drawne from the punishment dreadfull and to be trembled at wherewith God plagues such as regard not the Gospel the word of truth For this God shall send them strong delusion c. Particulars considerable are 1 The iudgement 2 The inflicter 3 The issue 4 The cause meritorious 1 The iudgement is strong delusion to beleeue a lie Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some interpret Efficacissimam quandam deceptionis vim Others Vim intus efficacem operatricem Our English strong delusion Whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 actiuely denote imposture or passiuely the fruit of such deception Errour is not curiously to be disputed The words to my apprehension sound strongest impressions of errour fastened vpon their mindes by that great Imposture the instrument of the Lords vengeance Conceiue it to imply two things 1 Infatuation and besottednesse so great as that errours palpable and such as may be selt are entertained for trueth 2 Pertinacie and stifnesse in adhearing to them incorrigible that no perswasion nor affright from God or man can reclaime them from De primo Infatuation Haue you euer read the Lord describing the sottish dotage of idolatrous Iewes He y Esay 44. burneth part thereof in the fire with part thereof hee eateth flesh he rosteth rost and is satisfied hee warmeth himselfe c. And the residue thereof hee maketh a god euen his grauen Image hee falleth downe to it and worshippeth it and prayeth vnto it and saith deliuer me for thou art my god And none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge or vnderstanding to say I haue burnt part thereof in the fire I haue
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
it is articled in our Creed recorded in the Gospell yet are Iewes Infidels in those very Articles Why they belieue nor cause nor auaile of his passion which is the life of Euangelicall truth couched in those Articles the cause u Rom. 4.25 our sinnes not his owne the auaile our * Heb. 9.12 Redemption and Iustification Yet its true both cause and auaile Papists in a sort belieue that he died an Innocent for the Nocent to expiate our sinnes Where then is their Infidelity that in suffering he intended expiation of all sinnes mortall and veniall discharged vs of all guilt and obligation to all punishment temporall and eternall they stiffely deny our selues must satisfie for veniall sinnes procure discharge from temporall punishments by our owne voluntary passions and penous good workes That Christ is mediatour of Intercession and Redemption Papists belieue herein are orthodoxe in faith that he is the * 1. Tim. 2.5 1. Iohn 2.1 2. sole meritorous mediatour of Intercession and impetration they belieue not herein they are Infidels Saints and Angels meritoriously intercede for vs that is the lye of their faith sic de Reliquis 2 Next let be cousidered the generall acknowledgement of Scripture and all doctrines contained in Scripture to be of God acquits not of particular Infidelity for what if hereticall sense be forced vpon the letter and in that false sense be belieued there is a lye vnder that faith there is infidelity if to Scriptures in right sense taken credence be denied Exemp That the Text in Iohn Father Word and Spirit are y 1. Iohn 5.7 one is Gods word no Antitrinitary denieth but that onenesse is by consent of will puts the lye in their faith not by identitie of Essence is their Infidelity that faith iustifieth in the sight of God Papists deny not But as a quality principall in vs and as the beginning and first step to iustice which they imagine inherent in vs that 's the lye in their faith That as an instrument apprehending and applying the righteousnesse of Christ for which we are accounted righteous by which alone we stand iust in Gods sight this they belieue not in this they are Infidels 3 Lastly let that be weighed that in the points which orthodoxly they professe to belieue the formall obiect of their faith is not veritas prima but the testimony of the Church humane faith makes not a Christian he is no better then an Infidell in respect of diuine faith who hath no higher reason then humane Authority or Reason of his belieuing Summe vp all the result in this who so denies credence to any part of Truth couched in any Article is in that respect an Infidell who so belieues the letter of Scripture not belieuing the sentence flowing from right Interpretation is so farre an Infidell who so belieues the Gospell onely because the Church testifies it to be Gospell not because the Author reuealing it giues such Testimony is neuer a whit lesse then an Infidell Such are Papists Ergo Infidels that is culpable of partiall Infidelitie Vse My hearts desire and prayer to God for Papists is that they may be saued my hope that many yet Papists shall be saued Howbeit of them which liue and dye Papists I must professe my charity cannot be so charitable as to thinke they shall be saued 1 They are falsified in their faith belieue lyes no lesse then damnable heresies 2 They are without faith in the points which are the very heart and soule of the Gospell The good Lord giue them eyes to see hearts to bewaile and forsake their heresie their infidelity that so they may come out of snare of the diuell flye from the wrath to come 2 Their second sinne making lyable to damnation is taking pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Theophilacts interpreter renders qui oblectati sunt in iniustitia The word signifies a willing pleasing selfe-propention not without much contentment vnrighteousnesse take as before to denote vniuer salem iniustitiam sinne and wickednesse such should the sectaries of Antichrist be men finding pleasance taking delight in their owne and others viciousnesse A vice or degree of viciousnesse incompatible with Grace Salomon notes it the property of the wicked to z Pro. 10.23 reioyce in doing euill to delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked Saint Paul makes it a Rom. 1.32 more heinous then doing euill Saint Bernard to Eugenius noting the seuerall steps whereby men descend to the depth and bottome of desperate contempt rankes this in the middle when a man first enters into a course of sinning especially against conscience he finds his first fact a burthen intolerable 2 let him iterate it of intolerable it becomes grauy onely frequent it of graue it s made 3 leue custome it it proues 4 insensible 5 not long ere it s made delectable 6 The taste of pleasure makes it desirable 7 That excusable 8 By and by desensible 9 Till at last it becomes gloriabile matter of boasting to which what can be added in the measure of sinfulnesse Is it chargeable on Papists Resp On no Christians more I spare mention of their exulting in their owne impieties and Idolatries perhaps the people thinke they ought so to serue God But who euer knew Papist other then practiser abettor triumpher in the vilest pollutions of that day of rest which God hath sanctified to himselfe from the beginning And what ioy is it to see or heare the exorbitancies of men of the contrary Religion what Dauid with b Psal 119.136 Riuers of waters bewailed Lot c 2 Pet 2.8 vexed his soule from day to day to behold and heare partly for the dishonour of God partly through compassion of the sinners miserie these ioy in with the ioy of haruest or such as they are affected withall that diuide the spoile But out vpon filthinesse of fornication the companion of Popish Idolatry was euer Papist knowne to scruple this sinne not to extenuate it as veniall not to excuse it as a tricke of youth to ioy and glory therein as in a point of manhood But scatter Lord scatter our cruel enemies that delight in bloud strong must the infatuation be to no lesse then extinction of the light of nature from which issues reioycing in massacres of Christians and in spilling of bloud wherein yet the scarlet Whore and her Sectaries ioy euen to laughter and as Cannibals finde sweetnesse in no liquor inebriating more then in bloud Vse And yet must we hope Papists so liuing and dying may be saued Summe vp the whole thus is their description by properties 1 Falsified in their faith 2 Faithlesse towards the Truth 3 Sporting themselues in their deceiuing taking pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Belike Heretiques Infidels Impenitents may be saued yet said our Sauiour He that e Marke 16.16 belieues not shall be damned and f Luke 13.3.5 except yee repent yee shall all perish or what thinke we is false faith sauing is faithlesnesse towards
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