abhorred them the more So I wish every Christian Reader of this Little Catalogue to make the like good use of it for the Learned read them at length in the large Volums and from this Catalogue the Learned may Collect the Reason why the subtill Serpent the Enemy of Gods Glory and Mans Salvation was so much set against the Doctrine of the Trinity even because of it's great fundamentality in the Christian Saving Faith In the second Part of the Chapter follows the manyfold and sade evils both of Sin and Misery that were caused by these Blasphemous Hereticks 1. The Lord of Glory was in a High Degree dishonoured and greatly provoked to anger So that the Learned and Pious in there consuming Zeal and holy Indignation did admire the Lords long Suffering Patience crying out O God how long shal the adversary reproach shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever Psal 74. 10. 2. Too many followed those Blaspheming Hereticks and their Pernitious wayes and that often in the particular Kingdom where their Blasphemy was first invented and sometimes their Pestilentious Breath spread abroad and infected moe Kingdoms with their Poyson 3. Satan and the power of Darknesse sometimes seemed to triumph and Wickedness to lift up it's horn on high and the smoak of the Bottomless Pit to darken the Face of the Earth 4. Many weak Christians and tender Lambs of Christ staggered and stumbled being troubled with the Words of Hereticks almost to the subverting of their Souls now in a fainting condition their hearts being moved as the Trees of the Wood with a mighty Wind and many in danger to perish for whom Christ died 5. The sade condition of these Flocks no doubt moved their Pastors in holy Zeal like St. Paul to wish these incorrigible Hereticks who did what in them lay to destroy the Flock of God Accursed from the Lord as they were cut off from the Church Gal. 5. 12. even these wandring Stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness-for ever Jude v. 13. 6. Sometime unstable Church men were Deceived and Insnared who when Learned Eloquent or both they prevailed mightily both in City and Countrey Like that time when the Great Red Dragons Tail did draw the third part of the Stars of Heaven and cast them to the Earth Revel 12. 3 4. Hence a fearfull Rent and Schisme was made in the Church Hence came Biting Devouring and Consuming one another Gal. 5. 15. 7. The Jew and Pagan were hardened in their Errors and a stumbling block insuperable laid in the way of their Conversion 8. The Jew and in after Ages the Turk joyning with them did gladly â—rasp at the opportunity to increase the Fire of Conâ—ention by joyning with the Hereticks and Apostats and strengthning their hands against the Orthodox And took the more boldnesse to Blaspheme that worthy Name by which we ate named Iam. 2. 7. 9. The frequent and beautiful meetings of the Flocks of Christ being Seduced Diminished and Scattered caused their Faithful Pastors to offend Mourn and Lament these of their Flocks that had fallen Like the Loving Mother weeping over not One only but Many of Her Children dying together And to lyâ— all night in Sackcloath and weep betwixt the Porch and the Altar to be in great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart and almost to wish themselves accursed from Christ for the welfare of His Church and their Flocks therein Rom. 9. 21. 10. When sometime the Faction of Hereticks grew strong as in particular of the Arians having by the subtility of the Serpent obtained the Secular Power to joyn and side with them and so did many Years Persecute the true Church of Christ not only to the spoyling of their Goods Imprisonment or Banishment but also many thousands having suffered Cruel Torments at last Sealled the True Faith of Christ with their Blood and Death Of which Arian Persecution against the true Church of Christ we intend hereafter to give you a more particular accompt Follows the third part of the Chaâ—ter wherein we shall give you a Compendious accompt of the Good and Holy Means which the God of Truth who walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks and His Church the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Having the Truth dwelling in them and therefore were Fellow-helpers to the truth in this time of Jacob trouble Windowing and Fiery Tryal The Lord stirred up and inspired the Learned Doctors of His Church to plead the cause of their Mother against these Wolves and Foxes who made Havock of the Church which Doctors in their Generation were Burning and Shining Lights did earnestly contend for the Faith once delivered unto the Saints Jude 3. Were valiant for the Truth and suffered it not to fall in the Streets but gave those Hereticks publick Disput as they found Opportunity Refuted them by their Writings left to the Church in their several Volums to this Day wherein they Refuted not only the Heresies that rose in their own Dayes but also all the Heresies that Blasphemers had spread before their time and by Painfull and Zealous Preaching of the Truth they Confirmed their Flocks and furnished them with Powerfull preservatives against the Poyson of Seducers a Ignatius Justinus in suis Epistolis Justinus epistola ad Philippenses Dominus mittens Apostolos jussit baptizâ—re in nomen Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist. ad c. Philadel-Phienses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod ad Ignatium in suis maltis epistolis ad varias Ecclesias perquam erudite omnes Hereticos se priores confutat confundit praesertim antitrinitarios 3. Irenaeus justo volumine summo labare scripsit polemice adversus Hereticos se priores contemporarios 4 Cyprianus justo itidem volumine multus est in veritate christiana stabilienda quam hi quatuor heroessanguine consignarunt A second Mean Beside the thousand thousand Christians that Sealed the Christian Faith of the Trinity with their Blood and Death among them many Pious and Learned Bishops not only defended the Truth of God by their Pen and Writings as a foresaid but also Sealed that Truth which they had Written and Preached by their Blood and Death As Ignatius Justin Irenaeus and Cyprian and many others who wrot learnedly in defence of the Sacred Trinity against Blasphemous Hereticks The third Means As these glorious Martyrs for the Glory of their Lord Father Son and Holy Ghost Sealed His Truth with their Blood So the Almighty who only does wonders appended His own Seall to His own Truth in their Death by many miracles of diverse sorts First of stupendious Courage and a Ignatius a militibus Romam conductus in Epist quam ad Romanos praemisit vehementer christianos hortatur Romanos adjurat ut eorumnullus solicitet magistratum Romanum ut Ignatium a morte liberate fassus se exultaturum tormenta mortem pro Christo submenta martyrium
but that howsoever it is true And because of the mysteriousness of these Gospel Divine Truths there is a necessity for a Christian to deny himself before he can follow Christ Matt. 16. 24. deny his carnal Wit and corrupt Reason therefore in the Lord's work of Man's Conversion in which He applys His exceeding great and Mighty Power Eph. 1. 19. He casts down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the Knowledge of God and bringeth into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 5. where albeit the Almighty Hand of God is first in order and chief in the work yet the Christian himself willingly consents to captivate all his carnal Imaginations and Thoughts and over the belly of them all gives the assent of Faith to the Mysteries of the Gospel because they are the Truth of God who is infinite in Truth and cannot Lie for he who piously and humbly captivates his Thoughts to Christ will stop the mouth of all Objections of corrupt Reason with Abraham against hope believing in hope Rom. 4. 18. which assent of Faith gives God far more Glory then the assent of Science which flows naturally from the force of that natural Light born in by the knowledge of the Cause but the assent of Faith is supernatural being a supernatural Grace and gift of God with all its degrees And because the Mystery of the Trinity and Christ's Incarnation were so high above Man's corrupt Reason therefore in the first 400. Years of the New Testament Satan wrought mightily in the Children of Disobedience and did find it an easie work to raise up many blasphemous Hereticks who in the pride of their undaunted Heart refused to captivate their corrupt Reason to believe the Mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation which were not contrary to Reason but above it CHAP. II. This Chapter hath three Parts First a Catalogue of the Chief Ring-leading Hereticks against the Doctrine of the Sacred Trinity the first 400. Years Secondly The many evils of Sin and Misery that followed upon these Heresies Thirdly How the Lord and His Church opposed and confounded them AS for the Roll of the Ring leading Hereticks after our Lord's Ascension intending brevity We passe by all the Errors or Heresies mentioned or foretold in the New Testament Matth. 24. v 9. and 24. Act. 20. v. 29 and 30. Acts 15. Rom. 16. v. 17 and 18. Gal. 1. 6 7. Col. 3. v. 1. Col. 9. v. 10. Col. 2. v. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Col. 9. 1. 2 Tim. 2. v. 17 18. 2 Tim. 3. 8. 2 Thess 2. v. 8. Albeit therein be instanced diverse Doctrines of Devils and St. Peter foretells that some would deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. v. 4. and St. John 2 Epist 4. 3. mentions many Antichrists in the General and denyers of Christ but particularizeth none as such for Simon Magus Act. 8. 18. Was a baptised Christian and falling in the Sin of Simonie in a most gross manner was justly and bitterly rebuked by the Apostle Peter And Ecclesiastick Hystoriographers record that thereafter he returned with the Doge to his vomite and with the Sow to the wallowing in the myre went to Rome and turned to his old trade of witchcraft where he was admired for his Lying Satanical Wonders as before his Baptism he had been admired in Samaria Act. 8. v. 9 10. and blasphemously called himself Father Son and Holy Ghost b Euseb hist Eccles lib. 2 cap. 1. cap. 12. 13 14. Ignatius Epistola ad Tralesios Ireneus lib. 1. cap. 20. Justinus Martyr Apologia secunda fusius Cerinthus blasphemed Christ Jesus to be only a Man and not the Messia Anno Dom. 75. c Ireneus lib. 1. cap. 25. lib. 3. cap. 3. Euseb lib. 3. cap. 22. The third Ring-leader Heretick Ebion vented the like Blasphemies by occasion of which three Hereticks and their many followers the Apostle St. John who lived to this time wrot the Gospel in which his chief intent is to prove and maintain against these Blasphemous Hereticks that Christ is God and Man in one Person d Ireneus lib. 1. cap. 26. Eusebius lib. 3. cap. 21. Ignatious epist ad Trallianos Epiphanius heresie 51. Cerdon Blasphemed that the God of the Old Testament was not Christ's Father Anno Dom. 143. e Ireneus lib. 1 cap. 28. Euseb lib. 4. cap. 10. Valentinus of whom came the Genosticks rejected the Doctrine of the Sacred Trinity and made up a fiction as it were of three Gods Anno Dom. 145. f Euseb lib. 4. cap. 10. Ireneus lib. 1. cap. 1. alibi passim multis refutat a Euseb lib. 5. cap. ult Eumcum prioribus refutat Ignatius nominatim Epist ad Tralianos Theodotus That Christ was only Man he denyed Christ to be the Word Joh. 1. 1. An. Dom. 194. b Hos refutat Tertul. Praxeas denyed the Trinity his Followers were called Patripossiani Anno Dom. 210. c Hos refutat Tertul. Melchizedeciani blasphemed that Melchizedeck was greater then Christ d Eus lib. 7. cap. 5. refutatur ad Athanasio Sabellius denyed the blessed Trinity e Damnatus in Concilio Antiocheno Anno Dom. 272. Samosatenus denyed Christ to be God Anno Dom. 269. f Eus lib. 7. cap. 25. Socrat 1. lib. 1. cap. 17. Exortus est Anno Dom. 276. eum Augustinius multus eruditus refutavit Manes and his Followers denyed Christ and the Holy Ghost to be God g Damnatus a 318. Episcopis Socret lib. 1. cap. 3 4 5. Theodoret lib. cap. 1. 7. Sozomen lib. 1. cap. 16. Anno Dom. 325. Arius denyed the second Person of the blessed Trinity to be one in substance co-equall and co-eternall with God the Father he was confuted in the Council of Nice his Blasphemy condemned and he Excommunicated An. Dom. 325. h Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 24. a Basilio magno in disputatione devictus Photinius fell unto the heresie of Sabellius and Sam. Satanius he was condemned in the Council of Serinium i Socrates lib. 2. cap. 35. ab Athanasio Basillo refutatus Macedonius denyed the Holy Ghost to be God Anno Dom. 360. He was condemned in the General Council of Constantinople Anno Dom. 381. k Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 33. in hoc concilio contra Nestorium Cyrillus magnam sustinuit partem Nestorius denyed the Personal Union of Christ's Divine and Humane Natures Therefore was condemned by a General Council at Ephesus by 200. Bishops Anno Dom. 431. And being obstinat was banished by the Emp. Theodosius Albeit these forementioned Heriticks all Blasphemed the Sacred Trinity yet none of them but were poysoned with moe Errors besides for mans corrupt heart is a too fertill soil to receive Satans Inventions l Di onisius Episcopus Alexandrinus Eus lib. 7. cap. 6. Anno Dom. 260. One of the Antients by reading the Blasphemies of Hereticks did not only condemne them but also
evadere se ommnino abnuere sed instexibiliter desiderare qualis fortitudo in pluribus martyribus fuit conspicua Joy given them from above to the Admiration and Confusion of their their tormenting Enemies 2dly Miracles manifested without them in their Death as the Learned may read in the Church History often the wild beasts refusing to devour them and sometimes the fire to burn them b Hujus instantia in Polycarpi martyrò commemorantur haec miracula in itinere ad ignem voce è Coelo confortatur 2. dum stat in igne ingens flamma ad distantiam corpus circumvallat quasi sanctum dei attingere renuens ita ut miles illud observans flamma crudelior Policarpi corpus hastâ confoderit 3 sancti combusti corpus suavissimum fragrantissimum emisit odorem Euseb hist Eccles lib. 4. cap. 14. Yea 3dly the Lord wrought many Glorious Miracles at the Graves of Martyres after their Death of which there are many Examples in the Church History The Fourth Mean whereas Solomon saith in the multitude of counsellers there is safety Therefore the Doctors of the Primitive Church did meet in Councils as they saw need in this or that Kingdom but sometimes also they did meet more solemnly in greater numbers sometimes 3 or 4. sometimes 600 Bishops together besides moe then the double number of Presbyters and these of the most Learned and Pious Divines that were in the Christian World out of Asia Affrica and Europe by long and perilous journies crossing Sea and Land beginning with a Patres Synodi Nicerni jejunium indixerunt ut Deus utilitati Ecclesiarum consultum vellet Teo doret in ancorato fasting and praying To which Councils respective the then reigning Hereticks were Summoned to appear and appearing were examined anent their Errors their Errors refuted and sometime yet seldome themselves converted but if obstinat their mouths stopped their Errors and Blasphemies condemned and accursed themselves Excommunicat and sometimes also Banished by the supream civil Magistrate and for the furder confirmation of the Faith of following Generations and establishment of the Posterity in the Truth The Church did put in register the proceedings of these famous Councills whether Nationall or Generall against these severall Hereticks As also their severall Acts for Order and Decency which Books are extant to this day in great Volumes As for these Hereticks albeit the Lord did permit them for a season to try His People if they would cleave to His Truth or not Deut. 13. 3. And that the approved might be made manifest 1 Cor. 11 13 Yet the Lord blessed the pains of His faithfull Servants against them So that these Storms were turned to a Calme and these Hereticks wholly made known and He who sets bounds to the proud waves of the Sea set also bounds to Satans Malice and put a hook in the nose of these Blasphemers The Fifth Mean The Lord from Heaven did manifest His Wrath and Indignation signally against some of the speciall Ring-leading Hereticks or else by the hand of the civil Magistrat b Eus lib. 2. cap. 1. 13 14. Egesippus lib. 3. cap. 2. Epiphanius lib. 2. her 22. Simon Magus at Rome by the help of Devils did flee in the Air but fell down and was bruised to death at the prayers of the Apostle Peter Secondly Elimas the Sorcerer was by God miraculously smitten with blindness for his Anti christian perversness Acts 13. 11. c Eus lib. 5. cap. 15 18. Thirdly Montanus and his Prophetess Maximilla hanged themselves d Eus lib. 5. cap. 14. Fourthly Theodotus by force took his flight towards Heaven but fell down and died miserably Fifthly Buddas or Terebinthus Nicen through Sorcery did flie up in the Air but fell down and brake his neck e Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 17. Sixthly Manues a Persian Heretick the King of Persia caused take off his skin flayed alive filled it with Chaffe and hanged it up at the Gate of the City f Socratas lib. 1. cap. 21. Seventhly Arius being observed by the Bishop of Alexandria that he was a dangerous Heretick and mighty proud while he is under Process intends to come to the Church of Alexandria to morrow in a presumptuous manner wherefore the Bishop all that night stayed in the Church with Fasting and Prayers and Tears wrestling against Arius who to morrow going to that Church a sudden Terror of Conscience and vehement louseness of Belly did assault him that he was forced to go aside to the next publick Jacks where all his bowells gushed out a fit Death-bed for so vile an excrement of Satan whose breath had bred the most deadly pestilency that ever was in the World whose manner of Death was a mercy to the World and a Beaken of his Shipwrack fixed by the Almighty upon the dangerous Rock of his Blasphemous Heresie g Prosper in chronico Eightly Priscbillianus Anno Dom 400. being condemned by a Church Council at Burdeaux for his Blasphemies against the Trinity with others of his Stamp was beheaded by the Emperour Maximus All the foresaid Blasphemers of the Trinity the Lord stigmatized with a miserable death to the terror of others CHAP. III. Containeth the rise of the Arian Heresie in the Fourth Century their Persecution and Activity their Falshood Injustice and Cruelty and the prevalent Testimony both of God and His Church against them AS in the first 300. Years after our Lord's Ascension His Church was sore vexed by Ten bloody Persecutions raised by Pagan Emperours and molested by Antitrinitarian Hereticks of which we have given you a short view in the former Chapter So in this fourth Century Satan the Father of Lies Anno Dom. 324. filled the Heart of Arius a proud Presbyter in Alexandria with Blasphemies against the second Person of the Blessed Trinity wherefore the famous Council of Nice consisting of 318. Bishops conveened partly for examining and confounding of Arius Error in the Year 325. where after long dispute granted to the Adversary his blasphemous Error was condemned and he Excommunicate Notwithstanding thereafter his Errors spread like a Gangren and that chiefly by occasion of two Emperours Constantius and Valence whom the Arians seduced to their Heresie and so the Arian obtaining the Arm and Countenance of the Civil Power to their wicked Faction they left no mean unesseyed to encrease and strengthen their Party and spread their Poison which we intend to treat of in this Chapter in these particulars First Their indefatigable pains in conveening Church Councils Secondly The Falshood and Injustice in their Proceedings Thirdly Their hellish Policies Fourthly Their monstruous Cruelty against the Orthodox Fifthly The Lord 's witnessing against them both by His Church and His own immediate Hand of Justice upon them To return to the first of these in imitation of the Orthodox and true Church like Satan they transformed themselves into Angels of Light did conveen Councils sometime in one City and Kingdom and sometime in another
Storm yet therefore he provided two excellent Pilots in this Century and indued them with so great a measure of Piety Learning undaunted Courage and Prudence that the one succeeding to the other in the Eastern Church where the Arian Storm did most rage by Dispute and Writing and couragious Sufferings they faced the Enemy and kept the Flock of Christ together Athanasius Patriarch of Alexandria and after him Basil Archbishop of Caesarea both which keep the Styl of Great untill this day for they got it because of their worth Athanasius even from the Arian Emperour Constantius and Basil from the Apostat Emper or Julian As is to be seen in both their Letters of record with St. Basils Letters of sharp rebuke which did become a pious Bishop to Julian an Apostat As for the Arian as ye read in this Chapter before in singing of the Doxology shuned to sing it according to the Scriptures Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost but by the Son in the Holy Ghost which was a deceitfull Invention and the Church History tells us the thing it self but does not unfold the intrigue and mystery of it which St. Basil hath done at full length for that their singing in that their new devised way was a subtil trick of the Devil for under it they couched their Error and Blasphemy only giving Glory to God the Father and for the Son considering him only as the Fathers Instrument but not equal with Him in Glory and far less the Holy Ghost which depths of Satan are found out by St. Basil to the shame of the Arian of which he writs at large which the Learned do read a Basil tomo 2. lib. de spiritu sancto contra Arianus cap. 2 3 4 5. and 25. cap. 7. 10. And that they were so obstinat in their Errors that nothing could prevail to gain them to sing the Doxology according to the Scriptures b lib. de spiritu sancto cap. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scilicet isti Citius abjectarent linguas quam hanc vocem recipeant idem cap. 25. Doxologiam Ariani recitat tibi Patri honor gloria per unigenitum filium tuum in spiritu sancto qui sermo nunc usitatior est istis ipsa ut ita loquar respiratione cap. 29. in oriente Orthoaoxi dignoscunt suos ab Arianis signo Doxologiae That they would as soon quite their tongue as quite that form of Doxology which they used where St. Basil grants that their way of singing the Doxology might be exponed in an Orthodox sense according to the Scriptures but was not to be suffered in these Hereticks because it was well known they sang them in an Heretical and Blasphemous sense against the Son and Holy Ghost Yet reflecting upon the Arian practice observe that they did choise it as a less evil and scandal to sing the Doxology with some change of the short syllabes of interjections conjunctions then not to sing it at all For to have refused the singing of it had been a shorter cut but the reason was publick shame would not suffer them altogether to seperat from the Orthodox Church in that so unquestionable a duty and so well known a part of the Christians publick worship then let these in Scotland who call themselves Orthodox and refuse altogether to sing the Doxology either one way or other see to it and I beseech them to commune with their own hearts and smit upon their own Breast and amend They who are pleased to read the History of the Arian Persecution in this fourth Century will perceive the true Church of Christ at a very low ebb and under one of the greatest eclipses that ever it suffered since the two Disciples said we trusted that it had been He Luk. 24. 21. and the eleven Apostles were weeping in secret Mark 16. 10. yet the Lord who brought David out of his Deeps and Daniel out of the Lions Den and the three Children out of the seven times hotter Furnace Jonah out of the Whales belly and Lazarus out of the grave and commanded the dry scattered Bones to stand up a strong Army Ezek. 37. 10. and in the beginning commanded Light to shine out of Darkness and bringeth Good out of Evil out of the Churches Persecution and low condition brought the more glory to His own Name and more strength of Faith to His Church whereby the Arians ungodly way of proceeding when they got the Power in their hand they declared to the World what they were even not the true Church of Christ but the Seed of the Serpent promoting their Religion by Injustice and Perjury the Children of Abaddon and Apollyon that Liar and Murderer from the beginning John 8. 44. promoting their hellish Religion by cruel tormenting and murdering of the Orthodox they being the first that usurped the name of Christian withall intending to propagate their Religion with Fire and Sword which is not Christs way nor of His true Christians but of Antichristians and therefore in persecuting of the true Church as they had learned it at the Pagans who lived before them so they were glad to take the help of the Pagans who lived with them therefore the Lord at last brought the Arian to confusion and put their lying Lips to silence so that ever thereafter they were hated and abhorred and despaired ever to prevail any more as they had done The second Good which the Lord brought out of this Evil was the perfite setling of the Christian Faith the Lord bestowing on the Orthodox such Courage to suffer such Faith and Constancy and heavenly Joy that the Arian was confounded thereby yea and while the Orthodox were suffering for the Glory of God and His Truth the Lord from Heaven did approve and seal His Truth which they believed and professed even making them His Instruments to work glorious Miracles but in the mean time the Arian wrought no Miracle nor so much as pretended to work any lying Miracle as Jannes and Jambres did against Moses to the hardning of Pharaoh wherein I observe the Lord 's wonderful Providence so over-ruling the Arian that they did not so much as mint to a Miracle whereas the Miracles of the Orthodox Church were undenyable and thus the Lord from Heaven did dicide the Contraversie betwixt the Arian and the Orthodox in favours of His Church and this the Lord 's doing did so confirm them in the true Faith of the blessed Trinity that the gates of Hell ever since was not able so to brangle it and also His Church which had used the Doxology to the blessed Trinity in their publick Worship before that time was now more confirmed in their Practice and resolute to make use of it without fail ever thereafter especially in the publick Worship In this Chapter at Page 24. we spoke anent the addition put to the Doxology mentioned in the Council of Vauson as it was in the Beginning If some object that
the Doxologie ye detain the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. and rebel against the light and hate the light John 3. 20. And they who wilfully harden themselves would not embrace the truth albeit Christ the wisdom of the Father were Preaching it unto them unlesse he did apply his Almighty gracious power as he did to Saul in his conversion Acts 9. ver 5 6. Which he does not ordinarily on those that harden themselves and close their eyes against the light darting in upon their understanding for he resists the proud but giveth grace to the humble and lowly The Apostle speaks of unreasonable men by which are meant the unbeliever and unregenerat For the true believer his saving Faith clears up and fortifies his reason Therefore if thou be a furnished and true believer and grant the truth of the first two sentences of any one or all the reasons then thou will assent to the third sentence which is to sing Glory to the Father Son and Holy Ghost and if thou find thy heart inclining to consent then blow at that spunk that is kindled in thy soul by the Holy Ghost and go to thy knees in all humility sincerity and self-denial and beg of him to lead thee in all truth and to shew thee the good and the right way and whether it will tend more to the glory of God to sing Glory to the Father Son and Holy Ghost or to be dumb and silent and say in your heart I will not sing glory to God even when my fellow-Christians are singing it Do you believe with all your soul that God sent his Son from Heaven to earth to bring you from earth to Heaven that Christ suffered the sorrows of death and hell to save thee from endless torments and will ye refuse to sing glory to him for so doing and suffering for you If a poor brother of Jesus were asking an alms from you and you would not give him one mite and yet would say at that same time to standers by if that poor man were going to Prison I would give him a great sum of money to relieve him would they believe you or rather laugh you to scorn So when you are desired to sing glory to the blessed Trinity and ye refuse to do it who would believe you that you would suffer tormenting flames for the glory of that blessed Trinity I know you will say you have some reasons why you refuse to sing the Doxologie but ye would have no reason to refuse martyrdome I answer your corruption that prompts you with excuses to refuse to sing the Doxologie which is the easier duty would furnish you with more excuses to shun burning so that ye who will not give God his due honour to sing glory to him it is too like would never suffer martyrdome for him and so the true ground of your refusing is want of true Faith Phil. 1. 29. To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake As for your pretences and excuses you bring for not singing the Doxologie lay it to heart that your excuses which your prejudged Conscience it may be accepts of so as to give you a seeming and deceitful peace for a time yet trust not that he who is greater then your Conscience will accept of these excuses which in this life men who are blind and partial Judges in their own cause thinks to be good and relevant Our Saviour in the Gospel gives a list of excusers of themselves but the Judge of quick and dead tells the true reason which the excusers would not have told Mat. 22. 5. they made light of it But I intreat you make it not a light thing to refuse to sing Glory to Father Son and Holy Ghost for these reasons I have set before you are founded on the Word of God by which we shall be judged and your pretences and excuses in that day will be burnt with the hay and stubble 1 Cor. 3. 12. CHAP. IX 15. Reason from the necessary Difference of the Christians Worship as in Reading of the Word Prayer and Sacraments they exceedingly differ from Christians shall not then also be a difference betwixt the Christian singing of Psalms and the Jews by singing the Doxology 16. As the Jews in their Psalms of David close many of them with a Doxology answering to the measure of their Light dispensed to them in the Old Testament so it becomes the Christian to have a Doxology answerable to their greater measure of Light of the Trinity in the New Testament 17. Reason founded upon the signification of Jehovah Elohim which is often in the Doxology of the Old Testament TAke three Reasons more to be pondered by the judicious and unbyassed Christian The first is thus grounded the Worship of God consists in two parts either God speaks to us or we speak to God God speaks to us in the Word read or exponed by Preaching We speak to God by Prayer suiting things needful to Soul and Body or by Praises of His infinite Excellencies and for His Benefites These two last to wit Petitions or Praises are either done without Song or in a Song but so it is that God in His infinite Wisdom and Goodness hath made the Christian Worship in the New Testament to differ from the Jews Worship in the Old Testament in fulness clearness and comfortableness they had only the Old Testament we have the New Testament added to it they had the Old Testament read and exponed by the Church-men and Prophets we have Old and New Testament both read exponed and preached more plainly and fully to our greater saving Knowledge and Comfort for the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater then John Baptist Matth. 11. 11. Secondly Our Prayers and Praises of God in the New Testament are proportional to the Word read and preached even more full clear and comfortable then the Jew had in the Old Testament but so it is that the obstinate and impenitent Jew refused to joyn with us Christians in any of these three parts of the Worship of God they will not hear the Gospel read because it is the Gospel of Christ whom they reject and blaspheme they will not hear the Word preached because we preach Christ crucified which is to the Jews a stumbling-block 1 Cor. 1. 23. Thirdly They will not joyn with us in Prayer for they refuse to pray to Father Son and Holy Ghost and they will seek nothing from God in the Name of Christ Fourthly They reject our Sacraments for they refuse to be baptized in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost nor yet will they communicate with us because it is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Seing then the all-wise Lord hath made the Christian to differ from and excell the Jew in the Word and Sacraments in Preaching and Praying is it not convenient and suitable to the other parts of our Christian
of Faith to be allowed and accepted of God and to be comfortable to your Soul for I suppone it well grounded on the Word of God His Promise and Command whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved John 3. 16. and John 6. 40. But I John such a one believe in Jesus Christ therefore I John such a one shall be saved the General Promise is express in the Word but not your two following Acts of Faith builded thereon and yet you will assume they are Acts of true Faith and for the first of the two it 's truth is best known to your selves who are alone privy to that heart secret of yours 1 Cor. Chap. 2. 11. For all within the visible Church say I believe in Christ â—ccording to the Apostles Creed received by the universal Church for an Act of true Faith and yet a great part speak not truly This is a sad but sure Truth but as truely as thou believes in Christ it is assuredly as true thou shall be saved then if I grant that your Act whereby you believe to be saved is True Faith and rightly believed by you albeit it is not express in in your Bible then why shall not this be an Act of Faith when a Christian believes it is lawfull to sing Glory to the Father Son and Holy Ghost albeit these words be not express in the Bible altogether but deduced from the Scripture by infallible consequence I could proceed further in this point but because the Babes are not able to bear it and the Learned are fully clear in this Truth I shall not insist and these who will not assent to the Truth the defect is in themselves and not in the Truth for Children so long as they are such will think speak and understand as Children for which the strong Christian should not despise the Babes but consider they were once Babes themselves and on the other hand the Children should not presume nor overwean themselves nor judge uncharitably of the strong but that they sing the Doxology in Faith grounded on a strong Scriptural Consequence as when the weak Christian takes his Sacrament and I request the weak Christian to think soberly of himself when David a Man according to Gods own heart said in sincerity Psalm 131. 2. I have quieted my self as a child that is weaned of his mother and if ye will ask wherein he so behaved he tells you himself he did not aspired things too high for him If every Christian would do so there would be more peace in the Church CHAP. XI The Reasons why the General Assembly was not in power to lay aside the Doxology proving their great reluctancy to their own deed with several other circumstances alleviating the same IN this Chapter we are to answer the Grand Objection to wit That the singing of the Doxology in the publick worship of God was laid aside by the Generall Assembly of this Church Anno Dom. 1649. To this my first answer is that Assembly hath fourty two Sessions mentioned in the Index of the imprinted Acts thereof but the laying aside of the Doxology is not mentioned in the Printed Acts of that Assembly nor yet in the index of the imprinted Acts therefore seing there is no mention in the Register of the Church to prove to Posterity that the Doxology was laid aside it may put some to demurr in that affair seing there is no legal proof of it extant 2 dly I answer though the laying aside of the Doxology was res gesta yet seing there is not a word of it in the Register of the Church the laying of it aside will come under the Notion of an unwritten Tradition to Posterity 3 dly I answer That it is to be considered whether or not the Generall Assembly was in potestate and had lawfull power to lay aside the Doxology for in their National Covenant they grant their Religion as reformed at the first expelling of Idolatry and was Ratified in Parliament in Anno Dom. 1560. And it 's Confession of Faith to be Christs true and perfect Religion that they shal adhere to it all their dayes to which they bind themselves with Solemn and fearfull Curses but so it is That at the said Reformation in the Lyturgy then appointed and Printed at the beginning of the Psalm Book Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning is now and aye shall last is extant in Print yea in that Psalm Book of the Church of Scotland of the old Edition there is great variety of the Meeter Poesies and lest any of them having their diverse Tune should want the Doxology sung at the close of it each of these diverse Poesies have a diverse Doxology one in substance with the ordinar Doxology but differing in some words being framed to be sung according to the particular musical Tunes all which Doxologies were in use in the Church of Scotland after the Reformation which Book is yet extant Printed at Aberdeen cum privilegio in Anno Dom. 1638. So that the National Covenant compared with our first Reformation engadgeth us in all Scotland not to quite the Doxology under the pain of perjury as for that foresaid Lyturgy of Scotland which was Printed and bound in with the Psalm Book it was drawn up by the General Assembly Anno Dom. 1560. and 1555 and 1567. The Fourth Answer The General Assembly 1639. August 30. Which day that Assembly hath enacted thus The General Assembly considering that the intended Reformation being recovered may be established Ordains that no Innovation which may disturbe the peace of the Church and make division be suddenly proponed or enacted but so as the motion be first communicat to the severall Synods Presbytries and Churches that the matter may be approven by all at home and Commissioners may come well prepared unanimously to conclude with settled deliberation upon these points in the general Assembly Which Act of Assembly as it was prudently made so accordingly practised thereafter for in the General Assembly Anno Dom. 1642. August 6. There are four Overtures Printed with the Acts of that Assembly to be advised by Presbyters against the next Assembly So that his laudable Act was carefully obeyed in other things but not so in laying aside the Doxology For it was done abruptly without the knowledge or advertisement of particular Churches Presbytries or Synods who should have been acquainted before and canvassed the matter before any thing had been determined in the General Assembly anent the Doxology and the laying of it aside which was an innovation suddenly proponed and instantly passed to the discomforming division of themselves from all transmarin Protestants yea and from the universal Church Fifthly In the Solemn League and Covenant of Scotland and England approven by the General Assembly of Scotland Anno. Dom. 1643. August 17. In the said League and Covenant with hands lifted up to the most high God they swear sincerely and constantly to
Trojano anno dom 120. formulam catechizandi catechimenos addisceret nam inducit Christianam siccine Ethnicos catechizantem licet animo blasphemo Deum alte regnantem magnum aetherium atque aeternum fiilium patris spiritum sanctum ex patre procedentem unum ex tribus ex uno tria Patres Concilii Constantinopolitani anno dom 383. mittunt libellum Synodicam Romam at Damasum aliosque Episcopos ibidem convicatos in quo exhibent fidei suae Confessionem Fidei Nicenae consentaneam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consentaneam baptismati 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nazianzenus his contemporaâ—â—us orat 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socinus anno dom 1604. scribit epistolam Smaltio itidem Sociniano de baptismo ut non necessario remittendo atque ad synaxin excipiendis hominibus vitae honestae ac probatae religionem christianam professis quamvis nunquam baptizatis adeo abhorrent acfloccipendunt baptismum Satan ut fidem nostram ab ipsis radicibus convelleret partim de divina filii Spiritus Sancti essentia partim de personali distinctione ingentes pugnas semper movebat Calvin Institut lib. 1. cap. 13. §. 21. Servabat tamen Dominus in Papatu renascituri suo tempore populi semen manebat salvus baptismus in Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti nomen quamvis perigrinae linguae usu multis aliis conspurcatus superstitionibus manebat frustra toties oppugnatum unitatis essentiae trinitatis personarum fundamentum manebat doctrina de duabus Christi naturis Beza epist 81. Mysteries of Christian Religion which it hath pleased God in His infinite Wisdom Mercy Goodness to reveal to His Church on Earth on which they are to build their Faith and Salvation the Mystery of the Sacred Trinity one God in three Persons is the first in order and of great concernment even the three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. These three bear witness to the truth of all the Scriptures then assuredly to this truth also that they are three Persons in one Godhead and among the twelve Articles of the Apostolick Creed this Mystery of the Trinity takes up three This sacred Mystery is most clearly manifested in our Saviour's Baptism Mat. 3. 16 17. Luk 3. 21 22. John 1. 32 33. The Father speaks from Heaven this is my well beloved Son while at the same time the Son is baptized in Jordan and the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven in the likeness of a Dove and lighted upon God the Son and abode upon Him Moreover The Sacrament of Baptism being ordained of God Father Son and Holy Ghost the first Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace in it all the Promises of Mercy and Salvation are sealed to Believers and by it Christians are solemnly entered into the Church and House of God so that the Contemner of this Sacrament debarreth himself from Salvation Therefore God Himself hath appointed this Program to be prefixed upon the Porch of His Church that this Almighty God in whose Name we are baptized and in whom we Believe is Father Son and Holy Ghost and It cannot be supponed but that these Men and Women who were Proselyted and being Pagans before admitted to the benefite of Christian Baptism behoved to take a time to learn the Grounds of their Religion therefore the the Doctors of the Church not only wrote Catechisms for these young Christians who therefore betwixt their first offering of themselves to the Christian Church until the time they were baptized were called Catechumeni These Doctors also wrote certain short Sums of Christian Faith commonly called Creeds that before these Pagan Catechume in received Baptism they were to give a confession of their Faith contained in their Creed in all which Creeds written by the Church whether longer or shorter and in their Catechisms the Doctrine of the Trinity was a special part and accordingly that Synod of Divines at Westminster in their lesser Catechism have not omitted the Trinity So the reformed French Church in Geneva have a little Catechism containing only twenty one short Questions on which they examine these who are at first to be admitted to the Lords Table which little Catechism begins with the Trinity and is bound in with their French Version of the Bible printed at Geneva 1567. The Sacred Trinity being the Program of Christian Baptism proved the strong and invincible Fort of the Christian Faith in the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead against the Arrians and other Antitrinitarian Hereticks wherefore Socinus who hath drunk much deeper in the poysonable Cup of Blasphemy against the blessed Trinity then the old Arrians hath very slightingly written of the Sacrament of Baptism The second great Mystery of Christian Religion is that the Word was made Flesh Joh. 1. 14. and this the Holy Ghost calls the great Mystery of Godliness God manifested in the Flesh 1 Timoth. chap. 3. vers 16. which Mystery viz. that the Word the second Person God the Son was incarnate and not the Father or the Holy Ghost this cannot be known and believed aright until first we know believe that there are three distinct Persons in the Godhead therefore our Saviour Joh. 17. 3. joyns these two together This is life everlasting to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent and the Apostle Paul Coloss 2. 2. to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. If it be objected that it seems to be a hard saying That the Knowledge and Faith in God and three Persons Father Son and Holy Ghost and in Christ God and Man in one Person is necessary to Salvation Seing both these are profound Mysteries so far above Humane Reason and Capacity I answer first Not only these two are great Mysteries but also the whole Gospel is a Divine Revelation of a continued tract of Mysteries Mark 4. 11. Rom. 16. 25. 26. Eph. 3. 9 16 19. Coloss 1. 26 27. called the great Mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3. 16. for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved but the Name of Jesus Acts 4. 12. who is the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2. 10. the Author of Eternal Salvation Heb. 5. 9. and the Gospel is called the Knowledge of Salvation Luk. 1. 77. the Word of Salvation Acts 13. 26. the Way of Salvation Acts 16. 17. the Salvation of God Acts 28. 28. the Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. the great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. so that whosoever will not believe these Gospel Mysteries is damned I answer secondly that to Divine and Saving Faith as such demonstrative knowledge in the Logical Sense far less comprehensive knowledge is required but the Lord condescending to Mans Humane weak Capacity accepts of Faith albeit apprehensive Knowledge go before it not alwayes requiring that they know how such a thing is true