the contrary â—…ly the dominion given to â—nto man over his own actions â—he naturall desire that is in him â—o be immortall the comfort oâ—…â—ood conscience for well done â—eeds though such were accomâ—anied with much difficulty â—nd on the contrary the sting of â—…gnawing conscience at the reâ—embrance of ungodly and â—…icked actions especially when â—he houre of death approacheth â—nto the wicked who doe then â—…eeme more sensible of an immiâ—…ent iudgement and this gnawing â—…orme of conscience the most â—…rophane wretches and wicked â—…yrants in the world could never â—tterly mortifiâ— and destroy in them no not then when they most of all desired as divers examples doe testifie SECT XXIIII Whence it followes that the eâ—â— of all shall bee mans happineâ—… after this life SEeing then the soule is of 〈…〉 nature that in it selfe hath 〈…〉 ground or cause of its owne corruption and seeing also thiâ— God by many signes and tokenâ—… hath declared that it is his wiâ—… the same soule should surviâ—… the body what more noble 〈…〉 can be propounded to man thaâ— the state of eternall happinesse which in effect is the same that Plato and the Pythagoreaâ—â— spake of saying that it were gooâ— for man if hee could become moâ—â— like unto God SECT XXV â—…hich to obtaine men must get the true Religion NOw what this happinesse is and how 't is to be attaineâ—â—…en may finde out by probable â—…iectures but if any thing coâ—cerning that matter bee revealed â—…y God in Scripture the same â—ust be held for a most certaine â—nd undoubted truth which â—nce that Religionâ—…emes â—…emes to pretend above others 〈◊〉 shall be examined in the next â—ooke whether or no men ought â—…o give credit thereunto and asâ—uredly build their faith theron The second Booke OF THE TRVNESSE OF Christian Religion SECT I. To prove the truth of Christian Religion IT is not our purpose in this second booke to handle all the points of Christianitie out after our hearty prayers made to Christ the King of Heaven that hee would grant us the assistance of his holy Spirit whereby we may be enabled for such a worke we shall endevour to make it appeare that Christian Religion is the most true and certaine Religion of all the rest namely as followeth SECT II. Here is showen that Iesus lived IT is a truth most sted fastly professed by all the Christianâ— that breath upon the face of the whole earth that Iesus of Nazreth then lived in Iudea wheâ— Tiberius was Emperour of the Romans which is acknowledged not onely by Christians but also by all the Iewes that ever lived heretofore or yet survive Nay the very Pagan writers thâ—… is such as are neither of the Iewish nor Christian Religion namely Suetonises Tacitus pliny the younger and many more after them doe testifie the same SECT III. And was put to an igâ—…ious death MOreover all bee it such a kinde of death might bee thought inglorious and dishonorable to their Lord and Master yet all Christians doe confesse that this same Iesis was crucified by Pontius Pilate governour of Iudea The Iewes also doe the â—ike though they cannot bee ignorant how that they become most odious to those Christiansâ—n â—n whose dominions they live because of this murder committed by Pilate whereof their ancestors were the chiefe authors as the heathenish writers have also recorded the same Yea these acts of Pilate were extant a long time after whereunto the Christians did sometimes make their appeale And further neither did Iulian himselfe nor any other adversaries of Christianity ever make doubt hereof So that hence it appeares that there was never any more true and certaine story than this which wee see may be confirmed not onely by the testimonies of some few men but also by the approbation of severall nations otherwise disagreeing and jarring among themselves SECT IV. Yet afterward was worshipped by by prudent and godly men ALL which though it was most true of Christs ignominious death yet wee see hoâ— that thorowout the remoâ—… parts of the world hee is worshipped as Lord and that not in our dayes onely but ever since the time that this was done to wit ever since the reigne of Nero the Emperour when many people that professed this worship of Christ and Christian Religion were for that cause tortured and put to death as Tacitus and others doe witnesse SECT V The cause whereof was for that in his life time there were miracles done by him NOw among such as professed Christianity there were many judicious learned men For to say nothing now of the Iewes there was Sergius governour of Cyprus Dionysius Areopagita Polycarpus Iustinus Irenaeus Athenagoras Origen Tertullian Clemens Alexandrinus with divers others who almost all being broughtup in other religions neither could have any hopes of wealth or preferment in Christianity yet became worshippers of this man that died so ignominious a death and exhibited due honour to him as God no other reason whereof can bee given than this that moved them so to doe namely because they like prudent men in a matter of greatest moment by diligent inquiry found the truth and ground of that same which was bruted abroad concerning the miracles wrought by Christ as the healing of many that were sore diseased with his word onely the restoring of sight to him that was borne blinde the feeding of many thousands with some few Loaves of bread the restoring of some to life againe that were dead and many other such like wonderfull workes The truth whereof neither Celsus nor Iulian when they writ against Christians durst dare to deny but it was confessed both by them and also most plainly by the Hebrew doctors that were Authors of the Talmnd SECT VI. Which miracles were not wrought either by the helpe of nature or assistance of the devill but meerely by the divine power of God THat theft wondrous works were not wrought by any naturall power it is manifest because they were called wonders and miracles For it is not possible in nature that any grievous diseases and infirmities should bee cured meerely by a mans voice or by the vertue of a touch and that even upon a suddaine And it is likely if such works had beene done by the power of nature onely then the same would have beene made knowne and revealed either by those that were professed enemies of Christ while he lived upon earth or by those that have beene adversaries of his Gospell since his death By the same argument wee may prove that such workes came not to passe through the power and deceit of Sataâ— or by any diabolicall enchantments because they were done openly in the sight of all the people amongst whom divers of the learned sort did maligne and â—earâ— ill will unto Christ not without envy observing all that hee did Adde further that the same workes were often iterated and the effects thereof were not transitory but permaneant and durable All which being duly pondered it must
of forraine testimonies which indeed make more for these bookes that against them 15 Answer made to that objection concerning the adulterating or falsifying of scripture 16 Lastly the authority of the bookes of the old Testament is verified The Contents of the fourth Booke SECT I. IN particular such Religions as bee repugnant to Christianity are confuted 2 And first against Paâ—…nisme here is proved that there is but one God that created mindes are good or evill The good are not to bee worshipped but according to Gods prescript 3 The bad Spirits are worshipped by the Pagans which is an odious thing 4 Against the Pagans worshopping of â—en deceased 5 Against the worshipping of starres and elements 6 Against the worshipping of bruit beasts 7 Lastly against the worshipping of such things as are no substances 8 Answer to the Pagans objection taken from some miracles that were wrought among them 9 And from their Oracles 10 The Religion of the Pagans is thereby confuted for that the same of it owne accord faded away as soone as humane helps failed 11 Answer to them that ascribe the beginning and downefall of any Religion to the efficacy of the starres 12 Lastly the chiefe points of Christian Religion were approved of by the wisest of the Pagans and if any thing seeme incredible therin the like may bee found amongst the Pagans The Contents of the fifth Booke SECT I. IVdaisme is confuted 2 The Iewes ought to account the miracles of Iesus for sufficient 3 Answer to that which they say these miracles were done by the assistance of Devils 4 And by the power of words or syllables 5 That the miracles done by Iesus were divine and that hee taught the worship of one God who is the maker of the world 6 Answer to an objection taken from the difference that is between the law of Moses and of Jesus and that there might be a more perfect law given than that of Moses 7 The law of Moses was observed by Iesus while hee lived upon earth and no other precepts were afterward abolished but sueâ—… were not essen tally good 8 Such were the sacrifices which of themselves were nevâ— wel-pleasing unto God 9 Also the difference of meâ—… 10 And of dayes 11 And outward Circumcision 12 And yet the Apostles of Iesus were gentle in the permission of toleration thereof 13 An argument against the Iewes for that they grant tâ—…erâ— was a worthy Messias promised 14 The same Messias came at the time appointed 15 Answer to that which they object concerning the deferring of his comming for the sinnes of the people 16 Also from the present state of the Iewes compared with those things which the Law promised 17 Iesus is proved to bee the Messias by those things which were foretold concerning the Messias 18 Answer to what is said of some things not yet fulfilled 19 Also to that which is objected touching the mâ—…e state and miserable death of Iesus 20 As though they had beene honest men that put him to death 21 Answer to that objection of many Gods which they say are worshipped by the Christians 22 Also that the humane nature is worshipped 23 A conclusion of this part with prayer and supplication to God for the Iewes The Contents of the sixth and last Booke SECT I. MAhumetanisme conâ—uted the originall thereof 〈◊〉 set downe 2 The ground of Mahumetismâ— overthrowne chiefly for that the make it unlawfull for men theâ—… enquire into their Religion 3 Proofes against the Mahuâ—…â—ans out of the sacred wâ—… of Hebrewes and Christians 4 Mahumet compared wâ—… Christ in their persons 5 In their Acts. 6 The first Professors of both Religions 7 The manner how both lawes were propagated and published 8 Lastly the precepts of both compared 9 Answer to that which Mahumetans object concerning the sonne of God 10 Sundry absurdities are â—epeated out of the bookes of the Mahumetans 11 A conclusion of the whole worke directed to Christians who are admonished of their duty by occasion of all that hath been said before in the severall bookes A Christian prayer for the adversaries of true Religion MErciful God who hast made all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made nor wouldest the death of a sinner but rather that hee should bee converted and live have mercy upon all lewes Turkes Infidels and Heretikes and take from them all ignorance hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy word and so fetch them home blessed Lord to thy flocke that they may bee saved among the remnant of the true Israelites and bee made one fâ—ld â—nderone sleepheard Iesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and ever Amen OF THE TRVTH OF Christian Religion The Preface shewing the occasion of this worke I Have eftsoones beene demanded by a man that hath deserved excellent well of his Country and of learning and of me also what the argument of those bookes was which were written by mee in my Countrey language in the behalfe of Christian Religion Neither doe I wonder that hee should make such a question For hee that with so good judgement did apply himselfe to the reading of all things worthy to bee read was not ignorant with what skill that matter hath beene handled by Raymond Sebund after a subtile Philosophicall manner by Iudovicus Vives in divers Dialogues but especially with most learning and eloquence by their famous Mornay Wherefore the translating of them into the vulgar tongue was more for use than for making any new worke Whereof what other men will judge I know not but this I am perswaded will satisfie him if I tell him how that reading not onely those Authors above mentioned but also the writings of the Iewes for their old Iewish and also of Christians for our Christian Religion I thought good withall to use my owne judgement such as it is and give some fâ—eedome to my minde which my body wanted when I writ that worke For it seemed to mee most sitting to contend for the truth only with truth and that also with such truth as whereof I was perswaded fully in my owne minde For I know it were but a vanity in mee to goe about to teach others to credit those things that I could not bee perswaded of my selfe Therefore omitting such arguments as in my judgement were of lesse importance as also the authority of those bookes which either I certainly knew or justly suspected to be forged and counterfeit I have made choice of such reasons both out of ancient later writings as may bee best approved of And as for those which pleased me best the same I did both methodically dispose and also expounded as plainly as I could distinguishing them by certaine verses whereby they might be the better committed to memory For my purpose was to benefit all my Countrey-men but specially Sea-faring-men that they might not as too many doe lose and mispend their time Wherefore beginning with the commendation of our Countrey
needs follow as the Iewes have confessed that these workes proceeded from a more than naturall or humane power that is from some good or evill Spirit That they proceeded not from any evill Spirit may be proved because that the doctrine of Christ for the confirmation whereof these workes were wrought was quite opposite and contrary to bad Spirits For it prohibits the worshipping of evill Angels and disswades men from all unclearnesse of affections and manners wherein such Spirits are much delighted And this is also plain for that wheresoever the doctrine of the Gospell is received and established there followes the ruine and downfall of Idols the contempt and detestation of magicall arts together with a serious hatred of all diabolicall worship as being a thing contrary and repugnant to the worship of the onely true GOD. Neither is it to bee thought that any wicked Spirit is so ignorant and foolish as to effect and often bring to passe things that are causes of its owne hurt and disgrace and no way conducing to its honour or benefit Besides it stands no way with the wisdome or goodnesse of God himselfe to suffer so harmelesse and innocent men such as feared him to bee deceived by the delusion of devils and such were the first followers of Christ as is plaine by their innocent life and by the many calamities which they endured for conserence sake But on the other side if thou affirme that those workes of Christ proceeded from some good Spirits which are inferiour to God in so saying thou dost confesse that the same workes were well pleasing unto God and did tend to the honour of his name forasmuch as good Spirits doe nothing but what is acceptable and glorious unto God To say no more then some of Christs works there were so miraculous that they might seeme to have God himselfe for the author of them and could not have beene done but by the immediate finger of an omnipotent power as specially the restoring divers persons from death unto life againe Now God doth not produce any miracle nor suffer any such wonders to bee wrought without just cause For it becomes not a wise Law giver to forsake and depart from his owne lawes unlesse upon some good and weighty reason Now no other cause of these things can bee given than that which was alleaged by Christ himselfe namely that hereby his doctrine might be verified and confirmed And doubtlesse they that were spectators of his workes could conceive no other reason thereof For since amongst those spectators and beholders of his miracles there were as was said many godly men piouâ—ly and devoutly affected it is horrible impiety to imagine that God did worke these things onely to delude and deceive them And this was one or the onely cause why very many of the Iewes who lived about the time of Iesus even such as could not be perswaded to relinquish or omit one jot of Moses his Law did acknowledge that this Iesus was a Doctour or Master sent from heaven SECT VII Christs resurrection proved by credible reasons BEsides the miracles that Christ wrought to confirme his doctrine another argument may be taken from his wonderfull resurrection to life againe after that he was crucified dead and buried For the Christians of all ages and Countries alleage the same not onely for a truth but also as the most strong sortresse and chiefest foundation of their faith which could not be unlesse those that first taught Christianity did perswade their auditors that the thing was so for certain And yet they could not induce any wise man to the beleefe hereof unlesse they could verily affirme that themselves were eye-witnesses of this matter For without such an ocular testimony no man of wisdome and judgment would willingly give credit thereunto specially in such perillous and dangerous times as then were But that this was their constant assertion both their owne bookes and other writings doe testifie For out of their bookes it appeares that they appealed unto five hundred witnesses that had beheld Iesus after he was risen from the dead Now it is not the fashion of lyars and dissemblers to appeale to so great a number of witnesses Neither could it possibly so fall out that so many men should agree and conspire together to beare false witnesse Or suppose there had beene no other witnesses save those twelve knowne Apostles the first publishers of Christian doctrine yet this had beene sufficient No man is a leasing-munger for God-a-mercy Any honour for their lying they could not expect in regard that all kind of dignities and promotions did then belong unto the Pagans or Jewes from whom they received nothing but reproach and ignominy Neither could they hope for any wealth and commodity because this profession was oftentimes punished with the losse of goods and possessions or if it was not yet the Gospell could not bee taught by them sincerely unlesse they omitted or neglected all sollicitous and anxious care for temporall commodity Neither could the hope of any other worldly profit move them to fit or utter untruths seeing that the very preaching of the Gospell did expose them to labours hunger thirst stripes and imprisonments To get credit and reputation onely among their owne Country men was not so much worth that they poore innocent men being such as in their life and doctrine abhorred losty mindednesse should therefore run upon so great inconveniences Neither againe could they have any hope for the propagation of their doctrine wâ—â— was opposed both by corupt covetous nature by the greatnesse of them that were in authority vnlesse they had beene some way animated and incouraged by the divine promise of God And further this fame or reputation whatsoever it was was not likely to continue for ever they could not promise to themselves that it would be perpetual seeing that God purposely concealing his counsell concerning the end and destruction of the world hath left the time thereof doubtfull as being alwayes imminent at hand which the writings of the Christians that lived in those times and of those that succeeded theÌ„ do most plainâ—â—y witnesse It remaines therfore â—…f they lied that they had for the defence of their Religion how beâ—…t this cannot justly bee laid against them if the thing be rightly considered For either they â—did sincerely beleeve that this Religion which they professed was the true Religion or else they were of a contrary minde If they did not beleeve it to bee true nay if they thought not that it was absolutely the best they would never have made choice hereof and refused other Religions farre more safe and coÌ„modious Nay further though they conceived it to bee most true yet they would not have professed it unlesse they had beene fully perswaded that the profession there of was necessary specially for that they might have easily foreseene and partly they could tell by experience what troopes of men were exposed to death for this profession which without
could bee nothing save the plaine evidence of truth together with the holy Spirit of God SECT XXIIII Answer to them that require more forcible reasons FInally if any yet be not satisfied with these arguments abovesaid but desire more forcible reasons for confirmation of the excellency of Christian Religion let such know that as there are variety of things which be true so are there divers wayes of proving or manifesting the truth Thus is there one way in Mathematicks another in Physicks a third in Ethicks and lastly another kinde when a mater of fact is in questioâ—â— wherein verily wee must rest content with such testimonies as are free from all suspition of untruth otherwise downe goes all the frame and use of history and a great part of the art of Physicke together with all dutifulnesse that ought to be betweene parents and children for matters of practicâ— can no way else be knowne but by such testimonies Now it is the pleasure of Almighty God that those things which he would haue us to beleeve so that the very beleefe thereof may bee imputed to us for obedience should not so evidently appeare as those things which are apprehended by sense and plaine demonstration but only be so farre forth revealed as may beget faith and a perswasion thereof in the hearts and minds of such as are not obstinate That so the Gospell may be as a touchstine for triall of mens judgements whether they be sound or unsound For seeing these arguments whereof wee have spoken have induced so many honest godly and wise men to approve of this Religion it is thereby plaine enough that the fault of other mens infidelity is not for want of sufficient testimony but because they would not have that to bee had and embraced for truth which is contrary to their wilfull desires it being a hard matter for them to relinquish their honours and set at naught other commodities which thing they know they ought to doe if they admit of Christs doctrine and obey what hee hath commanded And this is the rather to bee noted of them for that many other historicall narrations are approved by them to bee true which notwithstanding are onely manifest by authority and not by any such strong proofes and perswasions or tokens as doe declare the history of Christ to bee true which are evident partly by the confession of those Iowes that are yet alive and partly in those companies and congregations of Christians which are any where to bee found whereof doubtlesse there was some cause Lastly seeing the long duration or continuance of Christian Religion and the large oxtent thereof can bee ascribed to no humane power therefore the same must bee attributed to miracles or if any deny that it came to passe through a miraculous manner this very getting so great strength and power without a miracle may bee thought to surpasse any miracle The third Booke OF THE TRVNESSE OF Christian Religion SECT I. To prove the authority of the books of the new covenant AFter that a man is once perswaded by the reasons abovesaid or is induced by any other arguments to beleeve that this same Religion which Christians professe is the truest and absolutely the best if hee desire more distinctly to know the parts thereof then must hee have recourse unto the most ancient writings that containe the same Religion and which commonly wee call the bookes of the new Testament or new covenant This truth no man can justly deny for as every sect bee they good or bad should be beleeved when they tell us truly in what booke or writing their opinions are comprised thus wee credit the Turkes who affirme that the Religion of Mahumet is contained in the Alcoran So it must be granted that the doctrine of Christianity is contained in the said bookes of the new covenant since the same is generally agreed upon and constantly ave red by all Christians Forasmuch then as wee have before proved that this Religion is most true if there were no other ground yet this alone were sufficient to prove and avouch the authority of those bookes aforesaid wherein the same Religion is contained Which truth to demonstrate more particularly let us in the first place take for granted by all indifferent men that he who goes about to disprove the authority of any booke or writing which hath bin a long time received and allowed of must use such arguments as doe derogate from the truth of that booke Otherwise the authority thereof is no whit diminished but may still bee defended and maintained SECT II. Here is showne that such bookes were written by the Authors whose names they have prefixed WEE say then that those bookes which are not in question amongst Christians but have certaine titles are the very workes of those authors whose names they beare to wit because those primitive fathers Iustin Iraeneus Clemens and others doe commend those bookes under the same Authors names as also be cause Tertullian witnesseth that there were Orignall copies of those bookes extant in his time And besides all the Churches received those bookes for authenticall before there were any common publike meetings Neither did ever the Pagans or Iews make doubt thereof but Iudian himselfe plainly confesseth that those were the writing of Peter and Paul Matthew Marke and Luke which Christians under those names have read and received For as no man can doubt that those writings which goe under the names of Homer and Virgill are truly theirs because the one hath beene so long time received among the Latins and the other among the Greeke authors in like manner it were more absurd to bring the authors of those bookes in question which are granted almost by all the nations in the world SECT III. Some bookes were anciently doubted of IN the volume of the new Covenant there are some bookes now received which were not so received from the beginning as namely the one Epistle of Peter that of Iames and Iude two of Iohn the Presbiter the Revelation and the Epistle to the Hebrewes which though not in all yet were still allowed by most Churches as is very probable in that the ancient Christians did alleage divers testimonies out of them as being sacred and holy And it is likely too that such Churches as from the beginning had not those bookes either were ignorant of them or doubtfull Yet afterward when they were better informed touching the same they admitted them into the Canen as we now see according to the example of other Churches Neither can any good reason be given why wee should thinke them to be supposititious and counterfeit writings for there is nothing comprised in them neither can ought thence bee collected which is not abundantly expressed in other Bookes unquestioned SECT IIII. The authority of such bookes as have no titles is proved from the quality of the writers ANd here let no man mistrust the verity of the Epistle to the Hebrewes because the writer of it is
unknowne nor doubt of the two Epistles of Iohn and the Revelation because some men doe question whether the author of them was Iohn the Apostle or some other of that name For the name is not so much to bee regarded as the quality or condition of the writers Hence it is that we receive many bookes of history whose authors are to us unknowne As that concerning the Alexandrian war by Cesar because wee may perceive that he whosoever writ the same lived in those times ad was present when the things were done In like manner it ought to suffice us that whosoever wrote the bookes wee speake of both lived in the primitive age and were endued with Apostolicall gifts For he speakes very improbably that saith these qualities were but counterfeit and that other writings might beare the names of these authors who every where pressing truth and prety cannot bee thought to play the â—…ning Sophisters and be guilty of falshood a thing not onely odious among all good men but by the Roman lawes was to bee punished with death SECT V. These pen-men writ the truth because they had certaine knowledge of what they writ THus it being plaine that the bookes of the new covenant were written by those authors whose names they beare or by such as beare witnesse of themselves if wee adde further that they know well the matters where of they wrote to be true and had no purpose to lye or dissemble it wil follow that the things which they committed to writing were both certaine and true because every untruth proceeds either from ignorance or from a wicked desire to deceive As touching Matthew Iohn Peter and Iohu they were all of the society and fellowship of those twelve whom Iesus did chuse to bee witnesses of his life and doctrine so that they could not be ignorant of those things which they did relate The same may be said of Iames who was either an Apostle or as some thinke the next a kin to Iesus and by the Apostles consecrated Bishop of Hierusalem Paul also could not erre through lacke of knowledge either about those points which hee professeth were revealed to him by Iesus himselfe triumphing in heaven orabout the things that were done by him having Luke a follow companion with him in his journeyes This Luke might easily know the certainty of those things which hee writ concerning the life and death of Iesus For hee was borne and bred in the places next adjoining to Palestina through which countrey when he travelled hee saith hee speake with such persons as were eyewitnesses of the things that were done For doubtlesse besides the Apostles with whom hee had familiarity there lived many others at that time who had beene cured by Iesus whom they saw both before his death and after his resurrection If wee will give credit to Tacitus and Suetoniâ—… in those things which happened a long time before they were borne because we are confident that they diligently enquired into the truth thereof how much more ought wee to beleeve this writer who saith that hee reeived all the things which hee relates from them that had seene the same It is credibly reported of Mark that hee was a daily companion with Peter so that whatsoever he writ may bee thought as suggested or witnessed by Peter who could not bee ignorant thereof Besides the same things that hee writes are almost all extant in the Acts of the Apostles Neither could the author of the apocalyps bee deceived or deluded in those visions which hee saith were revealed to him from heaven No more could he that writ the Epistle to the Hebrewes erre in those things which hee professeth either to bee inspired into him by the Spirit of God or else taught him by the Apostles SECT VI. As also because they would not lye THe other reason we spake of to prove the truth of the said holy writers was because they had no will or desire to tell an untruth And this hath beene toucht before in generall when wee proved the truth of Christian Religion and of the history of the resurrection of Christ Those that will accuse any witnesses for the pravity of their will must produce such proofes and evidences as may probably make it appeare why the will should be diverted from uttering the truth but this cannot bee averred of the said authors For if any doe object and say that they spake for their owne advantage upon enquiry it will appeare that they sought after no such by-end having neither hope of getting commodity or of eschewing any danger but rather by their profession they were more likely to lose all their commodities and be liable unto all sorts of perils If they aimed at any advantage it was onely to gaine honour unto God which doubtlesse cannot bee compatible with lying and dissembling specially in such a businesse as whereon depends the everlasting salvation of mankinde Farre be it then from any man to thinke that they were guilty of so great impiety their doctrine being ful of all sanctity and their lift exemplary for innocency and integrity free from the accusation of their greatest adversaries who onely condemned them for lacke of knowledge a fault unlikely to be the mother of falshood No if they had beene guilty of never so little fraud or deceit in that kind surely they would not have recorded to posterity their owne trespasses as namely their forsaking of Christ when hee was in danger and Poters deniall of him three times SECT VII A confirmation of the sidelity of these authors from the miracles which they wrought ON the other side God himselfe gave testimony of their fidelity by working wonders which both they and their Disciples with great boldnesse publikely avouched adding also the names of the persons places and other circumstanâ—es So that the truth or falshood of their assertion might easily have beene discovered by the inquisition of the Magistrate More particularly among the wonders that they wrought wee may note as most sensible and certain the use of tongues among so many thousands which never learned them and their curing the diseases of the body upon a suddaine in the sight of the people Neither were they any whit dismaied with feare either of the Iewish Magistrates of those times whom they knew to bee most maliciously set against them or of the Romans who dealt very unjustly with them omitting no fit occasion that might bee matter for traducing or accusing them as inventors of a new Religion Nay the very Iewes or Pagans in the times immediately following durst never deny that wonders were wrought by those men For so much is confessed of Peters miracles by Phlegon in his Annals who lived under Adrian the Emperour Moreover the Christians themselves in those bookes that contained a reason of their faith which they exhibited to the Emperours to the Senate and to the governours doe relate these things as most manifest and unquestionable truths yea they openly report that
there continued a wonderful vertue of working strange effects at their Sepulchers for certaine ages after their death which if it had beene false they knew that to their shame and punishment the Magistrates could have confuted the same and this that wee have spoken may suffice concerning the authors SECT VIII The truth of the writings connirmed by the events that have come to passe accordingly as they were revealed THere are other reasons to prove the truth and sidelity of these authors writings For many things are therein fâ—re old should after ward happen which notwithstanding were impossible for men by their owne power and ingeny to know or bring to passe yet we see the truth thereof confirmed by the event which have come to passe accordingly For so it was foretold that this Religion should upon a sudden have a large and ample increase that it should continue for ever thought it were rejected by most of the Iewes yet should it be imbraced by the Gentiles that were strangers to it Thus likewise was foretold what hatred spight the Iewes would beare against them that professed this religion what grievous persecutions the professors thereof should undergoe Also what a great siege and destruction there should be both of Hierusalem that great City and of the Temple together with a miserable calamity among the Iewes SECT IX As also from Gods care in preserving his people from false writings BEsides this if it bee granted that God out of his providence carefully respects and governes humane affaires specially such as belong to his honour and worship then it cannot bee that he should suffer so great a multitude to bee cheated and deceived with lying bookes those men I meane whose full intent and purpose was to worship God after a holy manner And forasmuch as among so many sects that have sprung up in Christianity there hath not beene one that received not either all or the most of those bookes excepting some few that containe no singular matter above the rest this mee thinkes may be a great argument that no materiall thing could bee objected against these writings specially since the said sects were so partiall and spitefully bent against another that what one approved of another commonly would bee displeased therewith even because the same was liked of by others SECT X. Answer to the objection that divers bookes were not received by all INdeed there were some that desired to be Christians who notwithstanding refused to admit of such bookes as they did perceive contained any thing that made against their doctrine And these were either such as out of hatred against the Iewes spake ill of their law and revâ—led the God of the Iewes who was the makes and framer of the whole world or else they were such as feared the great afflictions and persecutions that Christians suffered And thereupon thought it the safest way to â—urke under the name of Iewes who had free liberty for the exercise of their Religion Howbeit these lurkers were rejected and forsaken by all the open professed Christians that lived in those times when as all that any way disagreed in opinion if they kept unity of affection and piety might have beene suffered with great patience according to the Apostles commandement As for the former kinde of these bastard or counterfeit Christians I thinke they have beene sufficiently confuted both by that which wee have said before when wee proved that there was but one only true God the sole framer of the whole world As also by those very bookes which that they might have some semblance of Christians they did admit of specially the Gospell of Luke wherein is evidently showne that the same God whom Moses and the Hebrewes worshipped was preached by Christ And the other sort we shall more fitly confute when we speak against those that both are and would bee called Iewes For the present onely this I say that it is great impudency in them to fleight and extenuate the authority of Paul seeing verily there was not one of all the Apostles that expounded and taught more Charches than hee did who was reported at that time to have wrought many miracles when as ere while wee said there might easily have been triall and inquiry made of the truth of the matter If then it bee true that hee wrought wenders why may wee not beleeve him concerning his heavenly visions and instruction received from Christ himselfe to whom since he was so deately beloved it cannot be that hee should teach any thing inglorious or ingratefull unto Christ as falsities or untruths would have beene And as touching that particular whereof they accuse him namely his doctrine of the liberty and freedome which was purchased for the Hebrewes from those rites and ceremonies that were formerly commanded them by Moses there was not any cause in regard of himselfe why he should speak any thing but truth therein For both hee was circumcised and of his owne accord hee did observe the most part of the law But for Christian Religions sake he was both to doe and suffer more difficult matters than either was commanded by the law or could happen by occasion of the Law He taught also that his Disciples should doe and suffer the like whence it appeares that hee uttered no flattering or enricing speeches unto his auditors who were taught in stead of the Sabbeth to keepe every day holy for divine worship and in stead of the little expences which the law required to suffer the losse of all their goods and in stead of the bloud beasts to consecrate their owne blood unto God And further Paul himselfe plainly affirmes that Peter Iohn and Iames in token of their consent with him gave him the right hands of fellowship which hee never durst have spoken if it had not beene true because the same men being then alive might have convicted him for a lyar But to leave these men that searce deserve the name of Christians besides this which we have now said concerning the miracles wrought by the sacred pen men aforesaid and concerning the singular providence of God about affaires of this kinde the manifest consent and agreement of all other Christian congregations in the receiving of these bookes may induce any inidifferent men to give credit thereunto specially considering that they are wont commonly to credit other books of history without any such testimonies unlesse they see some plaine reason to the contrary which cannot bee said of any of those bookes whereof wee have spoken SECT XI Answer to an objection that these bookes seeme to containe things impossible FOr if any doe object saying that divers things are there in related which seeme to be impossible ever to have come to passe wee answer as before hath beene intimated that there are some things impossible for man to doe which not withstanding are possible unto God such as include in them no contradiction or contrariety And of this sort are those wonderfull effects which wee
Gods as they did in times past neither have they defiled themselves with cruelty nor are they accused of fornication and adultery But by prayers and fastings they labour to appease Gods wrath and yet are not heard Which things being so one of these two must needs bee granted namely that either the covenant that was given by Moses is quite abolished or the Iewes are guilty of some notorious crime which hath continued for so many ages together which what it is let themselves speake or if they cannot tell then let them beleeve us that this sinne is no other but the contempt of the Messias who was come before that these evils began to fall upon them SECT XVII Iesus is proved to be the Messias by those Prophecies which were foretold concerning the Messias BY this which hath been spoken it is manifest that the Messias came many ages agoe wee adde further that the same is no other but Iesus For what other persons soever either were or would have been accounted the Messias the same left no sect behind them to uphold maintain that opinion There are not any at this day that professe themselves to bee followers either of Herod or of Iudas Gaulonita or of that great impostor Barchochebas who living in the times of Adrian said that he was the Messias and deceived some even of the more learned But those that professe the name of Iesus have continued from the time that hee lived upon earth even untill this day being not a few onely in this or that countrey but very many dispersed as farre as the world extendeth I could alleage many other testimonies anciently foretold concerning the Messias which wee beleeve were accomplished in Iesâ—… since they cannot bee affirmed of any other as namely that he came of the posterity of David and was borne of a Virgin which was divinely revealed to him that married that Virgin whom hee would have put away supposing shee had been got with child by another Also that this Messias was borne at Bethlehem and began first to publish his doctrine in Galilee healing all kindes of diseases giving sight to the blinde and making the lame to walke but this one may suffice for many that his doctrine continues entire unto this day It is most manifest by the Prophecies of David Isaiah Zachariah and Hosea that the Messias was to bee an instructor not onely of the Iewes but also of the Gentile by whom all worshippings of false Gods should come to ruine and a huge multitude of aliens and strangers should bee brought to the worship of the only true God Before this Iesus his comming almost the whole world was confounded with false worships and religions which afterward by little and little began to vanish away and many men both of the common sort and of higher ranke as Kings and Princes were converted unto the worship and service of one God This was no grammercy to the Iewish Rabbins but to the Disciples of Iesus and their successors Thus they were made the people of God that before were not the people of God and the saying oâ—… old Iacob Gen. 49. was fulfilled The scopter shall not depart from Iuda untill Shâ—lo come Which words the Chaldee and other interpreters expound of the Messias to whom the forraine nations should be obedient SECT XVIII Answer to that which is objected of some things that are not fulfilled THe Iewes usually object that same things were foretold concerning the times of the Messias which are not yet fulfilled But for answer those matters which they alleage are obscure and admit of divers significations wherefore they are not to be received before such things as are more manifest as namely the holinesse of the commandements of Iesus the excellency of the reward and the perspicuous language wherein it is propounded to which if we adde the testimony of his miracles there need no other motive for inducement to the receiving of his doctrine As for those Prophecies which gâ—… under the name of a shâ—… oâ—â—…sped book oftentimes for the right understanding thereof there is requisite some divine helpes and assistance which they are worthily deprived of that neglect manifest truths The place of scripture which they alleage are diversâ—y expounded as themselves cannot deny And if any man please to compare either the ancient interpreters which lived when the people were led captive into Babylon or such as lived about Christs time with those that writ after that Christianity began to bee hatefull and odious unto the Iewes hee shall finde no expositions purposely invented to crosse those former that well agreed with Christian interpretations They know well enough that there are many things in the holy scriptures which must bee understood by a trope and not in property of speech as when God is said to have descended and to have a mouth eares eyes and nostrils And why may not we likewise expound divers things that are spoken of the times of the Messias after the same manner as that the wolfe shall dwell with the lambe and the Leopard shall lye downe with the kâ—d and the câ—lfe and the young lion and the failing together and the sucking childe shall play with the Serpents and the mountaine of gold shall bee exalted above other mountaines whither strangers shall come and worship There are some things promised which by antecedent and consequent words or by the very sense imply a secret condition in them Thus God promised many things unto the Hebrewes upon condition they would receive the Messias that was sent and obey him which same things if they come not to passe accordingly then may they blame themselves that are the cause thereof Againe other matters were promised expresly and wiâ—hout all condition which if they bee not already accomplished yet may bee hoped for hereafter For it is â—vident even among the Iewes that the time or Kingdome of the Messias must endure unto the end of the world SECT XIX And to that which is objected of the meane condition and death of Iesus MAny doe take exception at the meeke and meane condition of Iesus but unjustly because in sacred writ it is often said that God will exalt the humble and meeke but cast downe the proud Iacob when bee passed over Iordan carried nothing with him save his staffe only and yet was enriched with a great slocke of sheepe Moses was a poore exile and feeding the slockes when God appeared to him in the bush and gave him commission for the conduct of his people David also was called to his Kingdome when hee was feeding 〈…〉 and with many other such like examples doth the sacred story abound Now concerning the Messias we reade that he should bee a gladsome Messenger unto the poore that hee should make no noise in publike or use any strife and contention but deale gently forbearing to breake the shaken reed and unwilling to quench the smoaking â—lâ—x Neither can any of his afflictions no not his igâ—… death