need of these petitions if the first man had continued in that originall puritie and excellent integritie wherein God had created him neyther had this world beene subject vnto vanitie for the sinne of man whereby it nowe commeth to passe that the glorie of God is hidden as it were vnder manie clouds 3 Neither shall we neede when wee are fullie restored in heauen to say Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be done c. For then God shal bee al in all 1. COR. 15.28 but there shall bee Thankesgiuing and Confession such as is set down REVEL 4. ver 8. Holy holie Lord God omnipotent c. It remaineth then as wee haue said euen now that these petitions doe appertain vnto the present time and state of men 4 And seeing they may bee considered in a diuerse respect namelie in that the three former of them do directlie regarde the glorie of God and the three latter do properlie concerne vs they may bee fitlie comprehended in a diuision of two members 5 Although then there is nothing appertaining vnto Gods glorie whence some profit dooth not redound vnto the godly thogh also we cā rightly craue none of those things which belong vnto our saluation but we must desire them for the glorie of God yet it behoueth vs in these things to be affected in a diuers sort namelie that in the one we haue a respect onelie to the glorie of God not regarding our owne behoofe and that in the other wee so respect our owne estate that we be also especiallie mindefull of Gods glorie which we are bound to promote 6 These petitions moreouer which belong vnto Gods glorie are justlie placed in the first rancke For Christ saith Mat. 6.33 Seeke first the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and all these things shall be giuen vnto you And this order is obserued also in the commandementes for the first place is yeelded vnto those which properlie appertaine vnto the worship of God whereas those which concerne the maintenance of loue betweene man and man do follow in the second rancke 7 Among the former petitions it is not without cause that HALLOVVED BE THY NAME is the first For although the end of them bee that Gods glorie may shine euerie where as it ought yet the order of teaching doth require that that should be accounted the first petition which declareth the first degree of his glorie whereunto the second is adjoined which sheweth the meanes to augment the same and the third next vnto that which declareth the way to the accomplishing and finishing thereof 8 Touching the first we place not the name of Iesus in the verie notes of the letters or in the vocall pronouncing of the word For the former were Iewish as the latter is Popish where the name of Iesus is not vttered without the yeelding of some superstitious reuerence thervnto and the kissing of the letters themselues 9 But by the name of GOD wee vnderstand God himselfe or the Majestie justice mercie goodnes truth power and holines of God and the rest of the attributes whereby he hath made himselfe knowen in the world 10 In this Petition therefore we intreat that the glory of God may according to the majestie therof be acknowledged and celebrated amongest men heere vppon earth Brieflie that the honor and worship due vnto God may be yeelded vnto him in this world on the other-side we wish that all those things may be remooued ouerthrowen and cleane taken away which doe profane diminish or obscure the said glory of God either in himselfe in his workes or in his word doctrine So that this Petition is answerable vnto the commandement Thou shalt not take the name of God in vaine For heere is commanded that which is there forbidden 11 This Petition is so strictly enjoyned vnto vs that we cannot omitte the same without hainous wickednes For what is more vnworthie then that either our ingratitude and blindnes should obscure or boldnes and furious presumption as farre as lieth in it blot out the same 12 But although all the wicked with their sacrilegious lust shoulde flie a sunder for spite yet shall the holines of Gods name shine glister For thus the prophet crieth out As thy name ô God so doth thy praise extend vnto al the ends of the earth for whersoeuer the Lord maketh himself knowen it cannot be but his vertue power goodnes wisdome justice mercy and truth should manifest themselues whereby wee might be drawen vnto the admiration of his majestie and stirred vp to set forth his praises 13 But in asmuch as GOD is so vnworthily robbed of his holines vpon earth we ar bidden if we haue not power to maintaine the same yet at the least to vnder-take the care thereof in our praiers as it is meet we should althogh of it selfe it can neither increase nor be diminished 14 Whosoeuer therefore doe obscure the holines of God or suffer the same to bee obscured as farre as in them lieth they sinne against this petition and are most heauily guiltie of Gods judgement Defended by LAZARVS ROBERTVS of Roan PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE SECOND PETITION OF THE LORDS PRAIER LXVI HAVING EXPOVNDED THE FIRST PEtition which declareth the first step of Gods glorie wee are nowe to addresse our selues to the opening of the second which setteth downe the meanes to augment the same 1 THis Petition THY KINGDOME COME beeing put in the second place by Christ is justly set before the third For as to beare rule is in nature before the execution thereof so is it meet that the Lord would first establish his kingdome among vs and then make vs obedient therevnto 2 For the wil of God cannot be performed but by that power which he doth exercise in his said kingdome 3 Nowe as touching the exposition of the Petition the Lord is said to raigne when as men hauing denied themselues doe wholie submit them vnto him 4 The principall scope then of this Petition is that the Lord will consume and abollish all the lusts which fight in our members against his wil and that he would frame and fashion vs and all our faculties vnto the obedience of his will 5 Now whereas al men from the highest to the lowest are blinde by nature and vnderstand not what the will of GOD is and seeing it is the office of a King to appoint lawes for his subjects we craue also that God would manifest his will vnto the world and would plant the ministerie of his word which it pleaseth him to vse as a Scepter for the graunting of the thinges that are contained in this Petition throughout all the partes of the worlde that by meanes thereof hee may gather togeather those whom hee hath elected from all aeternitie and on the other side may ouerthrow them who as farre as they can doe hinder this worke 6 So wee affirme that it is the right of God alone to rule this kingdome by his owne lawes
VERITAS CASTITAS PROPOSITIONS AND PRINCIPLES of Diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua by certaine students of Diuinitie there vnder M. THEOD BEZA and M. ANTHONIE FAIVS professors of Diuinitie WHEREIN IS CONtained a Methodicall summarie or Epitome of the common places of Diuinitie TRANSLATED OVT OF Latine into English to th◅ end that the causes both of the present dangers of that Church and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere may appeare in the English tongue AT EDINBVRGH Printed by Robert Walde-graue printer to the Kings Maiestie Anno Dom. 1591. Cum Priuilegio Regali TO THE RENOVMED AND NOBLE LORD THE LORD NICHOLAS EARLE of Ostrorog c. IT hath bene long since the complaint of verie many that those whome they call the Schoolmen and Disputers haue giuen the studies of the holie Scriptures not onely a great stroake but euen a deathes wounde And therfore it will seme wonderfull it may bee vnto some that the custome of disputing touching diuine matters is retained in these Churches and Schooles which are reformed acording to the pure word of God For to dispute of euery matter will some say is blame-worthie neither can it be lawfull to call euery thing into question but only such matters as being doubtfull and vncertaine in their own nature may be argued one boath sides according as the opinions and iudgements of men do vary and disagree of which sorte there are many thinges in Philosophie which do so moue the mindes of men with a kinde of probability that it may be iustly doubted whether the things be as they seeme or no. But Diuinitie is grounded vpon such a sure and certain foundation that there is no place left therein vnto doubting and questioning For he himselfe spake that is not PYTHAGORAS but IEHOVA by his Prophets and Apostles in his word written by them teaching therein the onely truth of those matters which neither eie hath seene eare hath heard nor euer enterd into the harte of man and which they whome God loueth and who loue him againe do obtaine of the mercifull Lord not by reasoning but by beleeuing and leading an holy life This reason hath so preuailed that many godly graue men haue either from their hartes as beeing of this iudgement or for some other cause abstained from this course of disputing touching diuine matters For godlines say they is to bee taught and learned according vnto the plaine and simple maner of Fishermen and not by the subtilties of ARISTOTLE and that doubting of the ACADEMICKES who as AVGVSTINE saith hold that men are to bee without all hope of finding the truth beeing an opinion that maketh men wauering and changeable ready to holde any thing and to beare any face and countenance is to be vtterly remoued from the Church wherunto you may adde as the Apostle admonisheth vs that we take heed lest any man spoil vs by philosophy neither indeed can it be denied but that in the very first beginning of the Church there was a very sore blowe giuen vnto religion by those who being swollen vppe by the pride of humaine reasonings would rather submit Christ vnto their iudgements then themselues vnto his maiestie So that TERTVLLIAN long since iustlie named the Philosophers to be the Patriarches of haeresies Now in the ages following that wound was not onely not healed but made greater and grieuouser by those who mingling the Schoole Philosophy with Diuinitie did make the Ladie and Mistres to bee at the commandement of the seruant and handmaide For the craft of Sathan was such that whilest those who being otherwise good men did endeuour by the light of disputation to cleare the truth against errors they themselues falling into far greater darknes drewe others after them For why should wee not so account of those questionarie maisters as they call them Whereunto if vnto any other that which AVGVSTINE allegoricallie spake out of the eight Psalme concerning curious men may be most fitlie applied The most earnest and obstinat studie saith he of all curious men who seeke vaine and transitorie thinges is like vnto the fishe that walke through the pathes of the Sea the which pathes doe as soone vanish away and decay as the water cōmeth againe together after it hath giuen place to any that passe or swimme thorough it Thus far AVGVSTINE For what is more curious and more intricate or brier like then so many not so sound as subtil questions diuisions distinctions and solutions of these men whoe stand gnawing vpon the bones of argumentes as TERTVLLIAN saith Verely that which is set downe in the Fables touching IXION rauishing the cloude in stead of IVNO whence the CENTAVRES were begotten who killed one another may be verie aptlie applied vnto these men For the bare shadow in steed of the solide truth being taken holde vpon and apprehended by them hath altogether drunke vp and consumed the iuyce and moisture of godlines so that there remaineth nothing for them but the dry and wythered barke and it hath brought forth so many controuersies and diuersities of opinions which teach and learne nothing els but brawles and partes taking that to recall so many mindes and contrarie iudgements that deadlie gore one another vnto concord and the right rule of reason concord and reason it selfe cannot suffice and bee able For as NAZIANZEN sayeth when as hauing once left faith we pretend the force and the abilitie of disputation wee do nothing els thereby but blot out the authoritie of the Spirit by questionings By the which vnsuccessiue and lamentable issue wee are earnestly admonished to betake our selues from their traine who vse over narrowlie and curiouslie to sift matters vnto the assemblie of those that are godlie and profitable hearers But yet this was the falt of these men who in diuinitie obserued not that rule That nothing shoulde bee too much which is exceeding profitable in ciuil affaires For it followeth not because they were over curious which is not to bee commended that therefore carefull diligence shoulde bee disliked or sluggishnes and securitie thought praise worthie But holie things as they are to be dealt in with great iudgment so they are to be handled with greater pietie for this latter is as it wer the soule the former being as the eie of diuinitie The orations of the Prophets the sermons of Christe the writings of the Apostles and especiallie the Epistles of PAVL do containe most sharp and graue disputations which can in no wise bee aptlie discussed but by the vse of reasoning Our Sauiour Christ him selfe disputed with the Doctors Pharisies Sadduces c. The same did PAVL with the Iewes with the Philosophers with the brethren The Fathers also disputed IRINEVS against the GNOSTICKES TERTVLLIAN against the MARCIONITES ATHANASIVS against the ARRIANES NAZIANZEN CYRIL THEODORET HILLARIE AVGVSTINE and many others almost against innumerable haeresies but so as their disputations wer not a bare exercise or a setting forth for a
gentlemen of the nobility of POLAND of whome not a few liued heere in times past very Christianly and religiouslie And this I doe by reason of the excellent gifts wherewith God hath endued you the which I beseech and pray him for our Lord Iesus Christs sake to increase and multiply Fare you well from Geneua the tenth of the Kalends of September 1586. Your Honors at commandement ANTHONIE FAIVS TO ALL THOSE THAT WISH WEL VNTO THE LORD IESVS and his poore Church wandring here vpon earth the Translator wisheth the powerful assistance of Gods Spirit while they are heere and the speedy injoying of their sure though deferred hope AS the mercies goodnes of God beloued in the Lord towards his deare Spouse and Church hath especiallie manifested it selfe in this last ruinous age of the world So hath Sathan in these very times brought his whole munition into the field with full purpose intent one way or other to bring either a ruinous fal or a confused deformitie where the Lord intendeth to build his sure grounded and well ordered house And therefore all those who haue giuen their names vnto the profession of the Gospell are to consider what it is that thereby they haue taken in hand For as it hath bin true in all ages so shal it be verified in these our daies that all shal not walk with the lambe for euermore who for a time seemed to bee of his traine And alasse we knowe that he earnestly entreateth ouer many to open vnto him who yet shall not be partakers of the supper of the great King Reuel 3.20 For such is the deceitfull wisedome of mans nature and Sathans powerfull delusion that euen professors themselues neuer want great and waightie reasons why they should denie Gods opressed truth heere vpon earth that the Lord may deny them in that day when hee shall come not to suffer in his members but to judge as the most magnificent King and shal come in that glorious majestie whereat heauen and earth will be astonied Now because his judgement shall bee Luke 9.26 Go you cursed vpon as many as shall be found not onely the defacers of his glory but euen the deniers of anie point of his trueth and worde as the holie Ghost hath forewarned vs. Therefore I thought it my dutie vnto his majestie and his Church to publish this booke in the Englishe tongue that men and Angels may beare testimonie against the moderation and discreet wisedome of this age in defending the trueth that the Lord hath made knowne vnto it and that by many witnesses what that trueth and what that worde of his is which he will haue at all times and in this age especially maintayned by all men with out exception that meane to be partakers of his eternall fauour The which trueth as it is largely contayned in Gods most sacred written word of the olde and newe Testament so is it briefely set downe in this booke by the whole consent of the godly learned in the Churche of Geneua and especially by that famous learned man vniuersally reuerenced in Gods Church M. THEODORE BEZA Out of this booke also shall appeare for what cause the Churche of God is at this day persecuted wheresoeuer the same be hardly intreated For this I may boldly affirm that ther is no church or priuate man at this houre in any affliction for the maintenance of the trueth but the cause of his trouble is contained and defended in this Treatise So that although all the persecuted Saints of God now pilgrimes vpon earth be not included within the walles and narow dominions of Geneua yet doth this booke manifestly prooue that as that Church is barbarously assayled by the Duke of Sauoye within the boundes thereof so is this doctrine therein professed hardly delt with vnder their gouernment though it may be they are ignorant of it who woulde be loath to be founde at the siege of Geneua or any wise to fauour such godles crueltie And I would wish that this were made knowne vnto them And herby also it will be manifested that there is great cause why the estate of that now distressed Church shuld be respected For surely if there be any loue in men towards Christ Iesus laboring faynting as it were in his pore members vnder the burden of great crosses and tryalls they cannot shut vp their compassiō towards him crauing their help in the person of that poore Church I beseech thee therefore good reader in the mercies of God not to shut vp thy compassion towards the same and be assured that the Lord Iesus will for that thy kindnes say vnto thee nay say of thee vnto his Father his Angells and Church Mat. 25.33 I was poore hungrie thristie naked sick and besieged in Geneua and beholde this man enriched me fed me clothed me visited me and defended me as farre as lay in him wherefore come thou blessed of my Father and possesse thy neuer ending rewarde I know beloued that thou hast many hinderances to do this in this backsliding age but knowe yet that Mathew saieth Ver. 33.40 that it is a king who requireth this at thy hands and will be exceedinglie angrie with thee to thy woe if thou deniest his request as he will reward thee most bountifullie to thy comfort if thou graunt the same And in any case take heed in this as in al other points touching thy dutie of the wisdome of this age whose warines tendeth to noe other purpose but warelie to starue and forsake the Gospell The shame pouertie and discontent of the Gospell I tell thee is a glorious ignomynie All the crownes in the world are not worthy to stand in the ballance with the same Thou art also to knowe that the Gospel is whatsoeuer is according vnto wholesome doctrine as the Apostle teacheth 1. Tim. 1.11 and therefore if thou wilt stand vnto the same thou must wholie cleaue vnto it otherwise the fierce anger of the God of trueth will bee against thee for shrincking from any part of his testimonies And thou must knowe that thou art not to choose what to defend but thou art bound to maintaine according vnto thy calling whatsoeuer thou seest to be oppugned by any be they frends or be they enemies of the truth And thou needest not regard herein whatsoeuer power opposeth it selfe against thee for he whose truth thou maintainest is no respecter of persons but is terrible as the Prophet saieth Psal 110.5 euen vnto the kings of the earth and thou shalt find that in thy defence defending his truth he will breake the great men in the daie of his wrath except they submit themselues vnto the scepter of his word In conclusion for necessitie is laid vpon me that I cannot write what I had purposed say with the holy man EZRA Ez. 8.22 vnto thine owne heart and bee assured thereof that the hand of God is vpon all those that seeke him in goodnes and
therefore feare not but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him Briefelie that thou maiest profite by this booke I craue of thee to take this paines in it bestow an hower a day in the reading thereof and in so doing after the first time thou maiest well read it ouer once euerye moneth The which course if thou shalt take I dout not but in one yeare thou shalt so benefite thy selfe as there shall be no point of waight in religion wherof thou shalt not be able to resolue thine owne conscience and also to edifie others according vnto thy calling in verye good measure But in anie case take heede that thy knowledge gotten by reading rather encrease then diminish thy care in the hearing of the word preached And thus thou mayest exspect for the blessing of the Lord vnto whom I betake thee my selfe and all his now and euer Amen GROVNDS AND PROPOSITIONS OF RELIGION propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua by certaine students of diuinitie there and determined by M. THEODOR BEZA and M. ANTHONIE FAIVS professors of diuinitie FIRST CONCERNING GOD. 1 SEing that the whole summe of all wisedome and felicitie doth consist in the true knoledge of God it is most meet that all our endeuors should be spent in seeking to attain vnto that knowledge as far as we may be capable of it 2 Not that a full a perfect knowledge of his Majestie who is far greater then the capacitie of men and Angels can reach vnto may be any waies comprehended within our vnderstanding but that wee should bend all the powers of our soules and bodies to knowe that one God who is the author and giuer both of soule and body 3 And although humaine reason bee able to affoord vs some proofs wherby we may be taught that there is a God and but onely one and whereby also his attributes may bee in some sort made knowen vnto vs. Yet notwithstanding those proofes are more sure and strong yea and altogeather the most vndoubted which for this purpose are fetched and drawen out of Gods word that is out of the sacred writings of the holie Prophets and Apostles contained in the old and new Testament 4 For howbeit that the knowledge of God which is deriued from the consideration of his workes and power hath many notable vses yet is it nothing comparable with that light which is gotten from the holy Scriptures both because this knowledge reuealed by the word doth wholie flow and proceede from God him selfe and also in asmuch as God in this his written woorde hath manifested howe and after what manner he will be knowen and worshipped of men Now whether there be a God or no we are to be so farre from making any question thereof that wee are bound most firmely with all our hearts without all wauering and doubting to beleeue that point And therfore we auouch that the rauing madnes of all Atheists who make a question whether there be a God or no ought not so much to be confuted by words and reason as it ought to bee cleane rooted out of the societie of men by the Magistrat and the stiffe maintainers of it taken from amongest men For though al men by nature as it is now corrupt be void of the true God neuerthelesse there are certaine motions and sparks of the knowledge of God imprinted in the mind of euery man which cannot altogeather be put out And as these motions doe testifie that man was borne to worshippe God So vnles a more full light bee joyned vnto them they leaue man straying and groping in the darke and are smallie or nothing behoofull vnto him Therefore as the knowledge which man hath by nature is not altogeather of no vse vnto saluation so is it verie farre from being of it selfe sufficient therunto It bereaueth them indeede of all excuse who quench that small lighr of nature though neuer so corrupt which is left in them 5 True it is indeed that he who goeth beyond al bounds can in no wise be defined and that that exceeding brightnes of God which no man can attaine vnto cannot bee comprehended by our darknes yet hee may be as it were shadowed out by this discription and so wee may say that God is hee who hath his beeing in himselfe whose nature is of himselfe inuisible without beginning without ending infinite incomprehensible indiuisible vnchangeable no bodily substance but a being most pure most simple and euery way most perfect wise mightie good iust mercifull free who hath created all things of nothing c. And therfore we do detest the multitude of Gods acknoledged among the Gentils the grosnes of the * Heretiks so called because they held God to haue a body and members like a man Anthropomorphites the furie of the Manichaeis and all such like And here it is to be obserued that those things which are attributed vnto God by the former Epithites and attributes are not to betaken as qualities inhaerent in him for we are to knowe that there is nothing in God which is not God himselfe 6 As where it is sayd that God is iust good merciful c. That is so to bee vnderstood as if hee were said to be iustice goodnes and mercy it selfe And therefore although that when we speake of God we must not conceiue of him as hauing any liknes or affinitie with the nature of man or of any creature yet such is the excellencie of the Lorde and mans weaknes that when wee speake of his Majesty we are enforced to vse borrowed speaches from creatures And herein hee is so far from disliking of vs that he himselfe descending as it were into our capacitie doth euery where thus speake of himselfe Defended by SAMVEL AVIENVS of Berne THE SECOND SORT OF PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE HOLY AND VNSEARCHABLE TRINITIE 1 THat knowledge of God which we attaine vnto by his written word doth far surpas al that whatsoeuer it be whereunto the light of nature doth or can lead vs. 2 For that God is one in substance and three in persons is no where els to bee learned saue onely out of the worde The truth of which Doctrine it setteth downe most clearlie and vndoubtedly but so as it leaueth the reason thereof as a matter altogeather vnsearchable and a mysterie not to bee sought out by humain arguments but to be reuerenced and embraced by faith onely 3 These words Trinitie Essence or Substance Person and Coessentiall though they bee not in expresse syllables the word a Heb. 1.3 Person onely excepted to be found in the Canonicall Scriptures yet notwithstanding they were not without just causes brought into vse by the godly auncient Fathers neither are they to be rejected as adding any thing vnto the word but rather to bee still profitablie and wholsomelie retained in the Church 4 By the word TRINITY we vnderstand the nōber of the persons contained in the diuine essence which is one onely 5 By
beleeue this 3 We also distinguish this Faith from the assent wherby some haue peculiarlie applied some peculiar promises made vnto themselues that were diuerse from the promises of aeternall life who notwithstanding were neuer made pertakers thereof 4 The Faith therefore whereof we now speake we doe define to bee that assurance whereby beyond the former assent the godlie are caried vnto Christ and so particularlie apply vnto themselues the promise of saluation offered in him We do condemne therefore all such sophistrie as doth confound these two sorts of faith and especially those who taking Faith for the obedience that is yeelded vnto Gods commandements doe by that meanes mingle the one of them with the other 5 We affirme this Faith to be the meere guift of God peculiar only to the elect and such a guift as in no wise caÌ„ be repented off or called back or beeing the most sure immoueable remedie vnto the saluation of all the elect Wee detest therefore all those who imagine that Christ and his sauing grace may be receaued by any merite either praeparatorie or fore-seene And especiallie all these who dreame that Christ may be conuaied vnto vs with the hand or mouth of the bodie 6 We denie also that this Faith can euer vtterly be lost although at some times euen in the most holie men it bee a sleepe as the minde is in those that are ouercome with drinke and notwithstanding that some haue as it were a shadow thereof begun in them 7 This faith doth God creat at what time and in what measure it pleaseth him strengthening and increasing the same by little and little though neuer perfecting it while wee are heere yet graunting so much of it in this life as is needfull for the elect to obtaine the victorie Nowe in the life to come he doth fulfill in deede that which we beleeued and hoped for while wee were heere on earth We doe execrate and detest therefore the CELESTINIANS and the ANABAPTISTS who dreame of a perfection of faith and righteousnes in this life and doe abollish the dailye growth of repentaunce and our continuall praiers which euen vnto our last gaspe we are to make for remission of sinnes Defended by BENIAMIN Câ—ESSONIVS of Burgundy PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE CAVSES AND EFFECTS OF FAITH XXIII 1 THe efficient cause of faith indeede and to speake properlie is one to wit the mercie of God that is if the Father in the Sonne by the holie Ghost that the same Coessentiall power of the Father and the Sonne by the which man at the first was created in the image of God should restore in vs the same being left 2 The ordinary meanes whereby the same is wrought that is wherby both the vnderstanding of man is framed vnto a sauing knowledge of God in Christ and a particular receauing thereof and also the will powerfullie disposed vnto a right order of the affections is the preaching of Gods worde deliuered vnto vs be the Prophets and Apostles and for that cause so farre as it concerneth the elect appointed to be in the Church 3 But here two extremities are to be taken heed vnto the on of the ENTHYSIASTES who do not only distinguish but also separate the internall word as they call it that is the worke of the Spirite of God in our soules from the preaching of the written word whence followeth not any faith but rather a meere dotage The other is of those who after the manner of Sorcerers do transfer the efficacacie which is the proper and incommunicable worke of God onlie either vnto the ministers which speake or to the Sacramentall elements wheras notwithstanding they haue no other effect then to represent these things to our vnderstanding which according vnto Gods ordinaunce they are appointed to signifie Wheras then the ministers are said to worke together with God it is so to bee taken as they are vsed but for the outward planting watering when as in the mean time the whole force which worketh in the vnderstanding and the will doth flow from God only 4 Now that which we haue spoken of the Ecclesiastical ministerie is so to be taken as in the meane time wee are to know that God as often as it pleaseth him is able in a moment by the inward operation of his Spirit extraordinarily to regenerate his elect 5 But this extraordinarie worke of God is neither to be expected for of vs nor yet rashlie to be admitted 6 Now the most sure way to try it whether it be trulie from God or no is this namelie that whether it be by the ordinarie hearing of the word or which hath beene alwaies most seeldom whether God worketh by extraordinarie inspiration it must needes euermore teach the verie same doctrine which the written word of the Prophets and the Apostles do teach 7 There is not at all times the like majesty of the good order of this sacred Ministerie because the Lord doeth as often and as farre as hee thinketh good reuenge the negligencie and wickednes of the Sheep-heards and the contempt of the sheepe in such sort that sometimes it is darkened by spots of filthinesse and otherwhiles for a time it goeth as it were cleane out of sight as it came to passe in the former ages 8 Yet the Militant Church either priuate or publicke from others or by means of priuate reading hath euer enjoyed and euer shall enjoy the hearing of the worde and the vnderstanding of the trueth that ariseth therefrom 9 Nowe that true and liuely faith whereof wee speake is no lesse made knowen by the perpetuall and necessarie effects thereof then is the life of the bodie by motion and sense 10 But these effects doe not giue beeing vnto faith or informe the same as the Sophisters doe most absurdlie dreame but they are the vndoubted and sure signes of it 11 These effects are partly caried out of vs vnto Christ with whome we are vnited by faith and partly they do beget some things within vs. 12 The outward effects in asmuch as they doe peculiarly apply Christ and his benefits vnto those that beleeue are therefore the most excellent and of greatest account And they are both the full remission of all sinnes as well originall as actuall by the blood of Christ and also the bestowing vpon vs of all righteousnes fulfilled by him together with the most full restoring and repairing of our nature in the flesh of Christ All which are freelie by faith in Christ imputed vnto vs who take holde both of him and his gifts 13 Another effect of our spirituall joyning togeather with him by faith is that he gouerneth by his holy Spirit both our vnderstanding wil being sanctified and broght out of darknes vnto that marueilous light so as we begin to thinke to will and to doe the thinges that are of God This selfe same Spirite encreasing faith in vs being now not vnder the authoritie of the law and the flesh but vnder the grace
lyes first to set downe what a lie is 9 A lie is that wherby any thing with a purpose to deceue is expressed either in word or in deed or by keeping secret the truth which ought to be spoken or otherwise And it is committed two manner of wayes either in doctrine or otherwayes in the gouernment of our life 10 A lie in doctrine is committed either when in religion men departe from the annalogie of faith the which sort of lies is of all other most pernicious within the compasse whereof all heresies are contained Or when as in the deliuerie of arts some thing contrarie vnto truth is Sophistically intermingled with the true precepts thereof 11 Now although of those lies which are committed in the gouernment of our life we see not euerie sort yet the great ouglines of them may bee some waies distinguished 1 12 When as a man being caried onlie by the affection of lying doth vtter an vntruth hauing neither purpose to deceaue neither hope of gaine either for him selfe or for others 2 13 When as a man doth lie either in word or in deede for his credites sake as all proud boasters arrogant men and hypocrites vse to doe and all those who hunting after the common fame are not ashamed with vncleane-mouths to power forth gorgeous and gay lies 3 14 When as the pleasure of other men is onely respected and this sort of lie may bee called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a sporting lie 4 15 An officious lie whereby either profit or commoditie is sought for without the endamaging of others or the trueth which ought to bee vttered is kept close or the falshood which ought not is vttered For it is indeed contrarie vnto the dutie of a godlie man to lie for anie cause 5 16 When some deceit is ment towardes him concerning whome or to whome a man speaketh 6 17 Hitherto are to bee referred backbiting reproach scoffing and priuie whispering and to bee short all those thinges which either priuatlie or publicklie doe oppugne the integrity of the good name or goods of our neighbor or doe sow dissention 7 18 When as a man lieth either priuatlie or publickelie in judgement to gaine either for himselfe or for another by the hinderance of his neighbour as by false accusation false witnes the defence of an euill cause or by pronouncing a false sentence 19 Hitherto concerning a lie whervnto truth is opposed the excellencie whereof if it could bee seene with the eies would wonderfullie inflame men with the loue therof and drawe them to seeke it and would bring lying into enuie and hatred and make it loathsome vnto all men 20 Nowe Trueth is a constant indeuour of the minde wherby we are drawen to imbrace true speaches to speake the truth to auoyd all disceitfull concealing both in word and deed and to loue singlenes and vprightnes Hitherto dooth appertaine the loue of the trueth the plainnes and moderation of the tongue with many other vertues that are opposite vnto lying 21 But in as much as lying is a thing that cannot bee comprehended none of these things which containe some truth either in word or deed are to bee called lies but are to be tearmed formes of speach vnder the which the truth is contained Of this kind are many Propheticall speaches and actions and all Tropes in like sort as Metaphors Metonimies or chaunges of the name Ironies Allegories Hyperboles or excessiue speaches And in like sort all Prouerbs Parables Fables which carry no vntruth with them and therefore they are not to bee called Lies but instruments of the truth Defended by IOHN HALBERGIVS a Flemming PRINCIPLES VPPON THE TENTH COMMANDEMENT OF GODS LAVVE XXXIX 1 HAuing done with the ninth Commaundement the tenth remaineth to bee discussed wherein the Lord setteth downe a lawe not onely for the outward act of the bodie but euen for the inward thought of the minde 2 This commandement is set down in the last place because the best methode in teaching is to proceed from the things that are known vnto the things that are lesse knowen Now these thinges which doe consist in a determined will and afore appointed deliberation or outward act are better knowen then the inward thoughts which very few thinke to be sinne so they do not breake out into actions and none as PAVL testifieth can account them to be sinfull except the assent bee joyned vnto them saue onelie those who are instructed by this commandement 3 Nowe Concupiscence in this place is not onely as commonlie they define it in the Scholes a desire of an apparant good but rather euery motion of the minde euen the verie least that is not agreeable vnto the will of God 4 The reason of this Commaundement is double the former whereof is drawen from the nature of the Law giuer who being a Spirite most pure hath set downe a lawe like vnto himselfe that is a spiritual pearcing in this commandement vnto the most inward closet of mans heart 5 Vnto this reason is annexed another whereby a difference is set downe betweene the lawes of God and the constitutions of other Law-giuers howe wise soeuer they be 6 For by the Politicke lawes of men are condemned those things onelie which are vnjustlie done or spoken either against the Common-wealth or against priuate men Some Philosophers indeed reprehend the verie euill affections as being of themselues faultie but yet onelie so farr as the will consenteth vnto them 7 But in this Cōmandement is condēned the very least thought that doth swarue from the will of God and doth not resēble that image acording vnto which the first man was created although wee assent not thereto and therefore the foundation of this Commaundement pearceth deeplier then any laws of men or any precepts of the Philosophers 1 They are therefore deceaued who holde that the concupiscence heere condemned is onely an infirmitie and not a sinne 2 They erre much more greeuouslie who doe not onely not condemne this sinne after Baptisme but also holde it to be a kinde of matter left within vs to kindle and stir vp vertue by opposing it selfe therevnto 3 It is also manifest out of this Commaundement that the fulfilling of the Law is altogeather impossible euen vnto the most holie men and it is apparant that all men in themselues are heere condemned 8 Yet euery desire and affection are farre from being condemned in this Commandement for those desires to do good which are powred into the hearts of the faithfull are especiallie commendable Neither are the necessarie and the naturall effectes which God hath engrauen in the nature of man both for the desire of those things that are agreeable vnto nature also for the repelling of such things as are contrary thervnto condēned by Gods word so that they be contained within the bounds of that mediocritie which the wisedome of God hath set downe They doe therefore greeuouslie offend who bring in amongst men the Stoiacall immoouablenes of
elect in particuler are common vnto all the Saints in respect of the vse which is the communion of Saints in this life 15 Yea and the vse of these graces if it may be ought to reach euen vnto them that are without as farre as the glorie of God and the edification of the Church doth permit both because often times many of the elect lie hid amongst them and also because wee must bee like our heauenly Father who maketh his Sunn to rise vpon the good and bad 16 This Communion begun here vpon earth shal then after that those thinges which belong vnto the vse of this life are abollished be perfected in that aeternall kingdom when as faith being chaunged into a full knowledge hope into the injoying of the thinges hoped for and charitie being made perfect God shall be all in all his Saints Now the Communion of Merites either amongst the Saints liuing heere togeather or betweene the Militant and the Triumphant church is both most false and also blasphemous as also the very opinion of merrites is a meere forged vntruth Defended by IOHN WTENBOGAERT a Low-country man of Vtrick PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE WORD OF GOD. LII 1 VVE haue dealt in the former principles with the Church and it hath bene said that the notes of the true Church were the Word of God and the Sacraments now wee will deale with these notes and first of all with the former of them 2 The word of God which is the first note wee cal in this place not whatsoeuer GOD hath spoken but those things onlie which the Prophetes and Apostles inspired by Gods Spirite haue in times past as taught by worde so committed to writing those things which being comprehended in the bookes of the ould and new Testament are as yet vnto this day after so manie warres slaughters ouerthrowes extant in Gods Church in which bookes God hath declared both what he will haue vs to know cōcerning him and what is to be done of vs. 3 God onelie is to bee acknowledged the authour of these bookes whence the whole Scripture is said by PAVL to bee giuen by the inspiration of God and is also called the word of God And therefore it is vnlawfull to call into question or to refuse anie thing that is contained therein as also to bring in anie thing that is not written in the same Detestable therefore was that peruersnes of the Marcionites Manichaees the Valentinians and of all such as refused either all or some of the bookes of the newe Testament 4 These writings by the singular prouidence of God haue long since beene brought by the Church into a certaine order and Cannon that they might bee discerned from counterfaite yea and all other bookes and that they should bee a rule of faith and obedience that should haue credite of it self and hence they are called Cannonicall Other bookes whosoeuer haue beene the authours of them though they contain manie wholsome profitable things are yet but accounted the writings of priuate men neither haue they their credite of themselues but as far as they agree with the former bookes and no otherwise They therefore both haue and at this day doe most greuouslie offend who take away this difference and affirme that the bookes of the APOCRYPHA are to haue no lesse credite in the establishing of Religion then the Cannonical Scripture of which number are the Tridentine conspiratours 5 This Scripture we acknowledge to be cannonicall and authentick not so much by the common consent of the Church as by the testimonie of the Spirite of God who teacheth vs that they are to be embraced as beeing most vndoubtedlie true and such as haue proceeded from Gods own mouth 6 Now these holie books do whollie containe al those thinges that are needfull for our saluation in somuch that it is altogether vnlawfull to exspect for anie supplie of this doctrine for the Scripture as PAVLE doth expreslie teach is able to make the man of God absolute Most greeuous therefore is their errour who thinke that the liuelie and the sauing knowledge of God is to be else where sought then in the written word and doe therefore thrust vnto vs their vnwritten falshoods out of the which they will haue necessarie arguments to bee drawne in the cause of faith and religion 7 The naturall and proper interpretation of this holy Scripture is to be drawne from the analogie of faith and the conference of places For that which is darcklie in one place is in an other clearelie taught that which heere is shortlie is elsewhere largelie set down and so the Woord is the rule and the interpretour of it selfe They are deceauers therefore who say that the right and authoritie of expounding the worde of God is in their power as though it were lawfull for them to interpret anie place as they think good 8 Neither are the expositions of auncient Doctors to bee receaued as vndoubted anie farther then they agree with the truth for PAVLE doth command vs that we giue eare or consent vnto none whosoeuer he be that teacheth anie other doctrine Wee cannot allow therefore of their opinion who wil haue the interpretation of the fathers as they call thē to haue credite of themselues 9 It is true indeed that some places of the Scripture remaine euen vnto this day so obscure and hard to bee interpreted as the verie best and most faithfull interpretours haue not agreed among themselues vpō their proper meaning but in these things euery man is to acknowledge his owne ignorance sluggishnes or some other fault and the Scripture is so plentifull that the one and the selfe same place can admit diuers interpretations and yet all agreable with the doctrine of faith 10 This notwithstanding is most certaine that the grounds and necessarie heades of Christian Religion are so clearely set downe by the Prophets and Apostles as the Spirite of God woorking in the Saincts they are manifestlie perceaued in the Church And therefore wee doe not agree vnto them who thinke the Scripture so obscure as it needeth to be made cleare by some other light Nowe this light they will haue without exception to bee drawne from that pretended Catholick Church that is either from the fathers from the Synods or from some long custome of time as though the Scripture had not beene vnderstood before either the Fathers or the Synodes were 11 This Word of God is to be dailie meditated vppon and all men of what estate soeuer they bee ought most diligentlie to read the same for no man is to be bereaued of that meanes whereby hee is to be instructed in the knowledge and the sure way of his saluation Wee cannot therefore but condemne the Papistes in this point also who holde it vnlawfull for laie-men as they call them to employ themselues in the reading of the Word 11 Now that the vnlearned and vnskilfull may with fruit bee conuersant in the reading heereof it is needfull that
amongst so many distinct kingdoms and estates we see not seeing that they who do purposely withstand the reformation of the Church will neuer agree that there shall bee a lawefull and free meeting And seeing also too many of those whom the Lord hath in these times inlightned with the brightnes of his Gospell are so drawen into diuers factions that there is left but small hope of reconciliation except that Princes beeing kindled indeede with the true zeale of Christs glory would by their authoritie restraine the madnes of some of the Bellowses and firebrandes that Sathan hath raised in these our daies so that the discourse concerning such a general Councel may at this time seeme superfluous 22 But if the question be in generall what the authoritie of the determination of Councels ought to be wee answere brieflie and plainlie seeing we know fully that those ancient general Synods as both those foure most famous gathered against the blasphemies of ARRIVS MACEDONIVS NESTORIVS and other suche monsters and also manie others helde against the Monothelites and Monophysites were lawefull and altogeather agreeable vnto Gods woorde in respect of the truth of Doctrine that hee which dissenteth from these Synods in respect of Doctrine may justlie be said to swarue from the very worde of God which is the rule of all lawfull Synods 23 Wee dare not affirme this without exception of all prouincial synods bicause they are found marueilous contrarie and repugnant one to another Therefore wee doe affirme that the determinations of those Synods concerning Doctrine is to be very carefully and religiously measured according vnto the rule of Gods worde or the Doctrine of the Apostles the analogie of faith briefly comprehended in the Apostolicall beliefe 24 Now as touching those general councels that were manifestlie tyrannicall as that first of EPHESVS and the second of NICE wherein the worshipping of Images was established and all others gathered against Gods truth by the counterfeit Bishops of Rome together with al prouinciall assemblies like vnto them we do not onely not allowe but holde them accursed according to the commandement of PAVLE seeing the true much lesse the counterfeit Bishops are not in authoritie aboue the Angels whom he commaundeth to be held accursed if they teach any other Gospell 25 Now in those thinges which belong vnto the good order of the Church be they established by ancient or latter Canons This is first of all to be obserued that the conscience is not simplie tied by any such rules 26 And this meane is also preciselie to be kept in all of them vz. that those things which are either in their own nature supersticious or so farre abused vnto superstition as it is more expedient they should bee abollished then amended bee at once cleane taken awaye that the Church bee burdened with no Ceremonies that wicked Rites bee rooted out of the same and consideration bee had what is agreeable vnto euery place and time 1 They erre therefore most dangerouslie who holde that Councels both generall and particular cannot err and will haue the consciences of Christians to depend vppon them both in doctrine and also in traditions or Canons 2 They also doe erre who resting onely in their own priuate studies doe attribute nothing vnto the decrees of Councels 3 As those also do erre who in Ecclesiasticall controuersies will affoord no place vnto Councels Concerning Fathers 1 IT is certaine that as the Lorde in times past raised vp godly Priests leuits and prophets which might interpret his law against false teachers and apply the same vnto their time So in the Christian Churche after the labours of the Apostles and the Euangelistes hee indued with a certaine greater measure of his Spirit those whome he thought good by whose writings posterities might be instructed not that they should adde or detract any thing from the worde of GOD or change any syllable therein But that they should bee the true interpretours of the same and that there should bee an vse both of their sound disputations against heretickes and also of their holie and learned both exhortations and consolations to ouer-passe heere that the storie of the ancient Church is to be knowen out of their writings 2 But heere men do diuerslie offend for both they are greatlie to be reprooued who doe neglect so great gifts of God and they on the other side do greeuously offend who receaue the writings of the Fathers without exception for the rule of faith and those also who will haue the gouernment of the church without respect of time place and person to be framed according to the prescription of the ancients Neither are they to be heard who holde that the Fathers are to be accounted because they are ancient 3 Therefore there is this meane to bee kept in the reading of them namely in respect of Doctrine be they old or be they new for the olde themselues were sometimes new al their sayings are without preiudice to be diligentlie examined according to the rule of Gods written word the which thing they themselues euery where in their writinges wish to be done and as touching the gouernment and ceremonies of the Church receiued in their times all preposterous zeale is therein to bee auoyded in such sort as those thinges which the writings of the Apostles commaund to bee perpetually obserued in the Church are to bee descerned from the matters that are indifferent and were added since their time There is also great consideration to be had of circumstances which are alwaies necessarilie subject vnto change Defended by IOHN HALSBERGIVS a Flemming PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE SACRAMENTS LV. WE HAVE IN THE FORMER PRINCIPLES dealt both with the word beeing one of the markes of the Church and also with those things that depend thervpon now we are to handle the other marke thereof vz. the Sacraments and first in generall 1 VVHen as God of his infinit goodnes would not haue his Church after the fall of man to remaine in that miserable estate hee did not onelie in word and promises declare his goodnes thereunto concerning the sauing thereof by Christ but also added certaine rites and ceremonies whereby hee might confirme the same in the assurance of his diuine goodnes towardes it 2 These rites did the Grecians call Mysteries because they signified secrete and hidden matters which can bee known vnto none saue vnto those only that are instructed that is vnto the members of Gods Church Now the Latines called them Sacraments either because the woorde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was so interpreted by the olde translatour of the new Testament or because these rites are the markes of the couenaunt betweene God and vs that hee should bee our God and we his people and that by a Metaphore borrowed from the Sacraments that is the solemne oathes whereby souldiers bound themselues vnto their Captains and the Captaines againe vnto them 3 Now although neither the word MYSTERIE nor SACRAMEMT be found in the Scripture in that
may manifest the hypocrites 11 Now there are diuers and almost infinite sortes of temptations for some of them are raised within vs onelie by our owne concupiscence which afterward are augmented by Sathan others are administred vnto our concupiscence by the wonderfull delusions of Sathan Againe wee are sometimes prouoked vnto wickednes from the right hand that is by flatteries and the false resemblaunce of right and profite otherwhiles from the left that is by threats and terrors 12 And from all these doe wee desire that our God would deliuer vs by enabling vs with his strength that so dwelling vnder his protection and defence we may firmlie stand against all the assaults of Sathan 13 So the worde DELIVER doeth admonish vs of our weakenesse and ignorance For if wee were able by our owne strength to withstand temptations wee shoulde not stand in need to craue strength and aide else where This our deliuerance from sinne then is not in our selues neither doth it depend vpon our selues but onelie vppon the strength grace and mercie of God Heere are confuted both the meere Pelagians who dreame that Sathan and our corruption may be ouercome by our owne strength and also the half Pelagians the Papists who imagine a concurring togeather of nature and of grace and those also who teach that the grace of regeneration once begun is sufficient for vs to gaine the victorie 14 For wee are borne the seruants of sinne and the grace of regeneration beeing begun standeth in neede of the support of new graces to confirm the same to make it effectuall 15 Yet are not wee therefore turned into stockes that in gaining the victorie ouer Sathan we should bee vsed as dead instruments onelie seeing both to will and to do is giuen vnto vs. 16 It is not greatlie materiall whether by the worde EVILL in this place wee vnderstand the Diuell or sinne dwelling in vs. 17 To conclude we desire in this petition that we be not ouerwhelmed by anie temptation but contrariwise that leaning vpon the power of God working within vs sinne and Sathan beeing ouercome we may all our daies liue in true holinesse Defended by MATHEVV ROBERTVS of Lorraine PRINCIPLES VPON THE CONCLVSION OF THE LORDS PRAYER LXXI 1 HAuing hytherto expounded the Petitions of the Lords Praier it nowe remaineth that wee open the shutting vp of them contained in these wordes FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOME THE POVVER AND THE GLORIE FOR EVER 2 There are two thinges especiallie contained in this conclusion first the confirmation of our faith that is of the assurance which we haue that we shall be heard of God who both will and can giue vs what we aske 3 Next is set downe the end whereunto wee ought to referre all the things that we craue in this Prayer namlie to his praise and glorie 4 And this is the most sure foundation of our praiers when as we know that they are to be directed vnto GOD vnto whome all power glorie and dominion dooth appertaine 5 For if our praiers were to bee commended vnto the Lord in our owne worthinesse which is none at all there is no mortall man that durst without singular temeritie so much as open his lips much lesse present his praiers before his majestie 6 But now though we be most miserable and bare of all thinges yet can we not be destitute of sufficient trust confidence in praier seeing our Fathers kingdome power and glorie cannot be taken away from him 7 By the word KINGDOME is meant the right and authoritie to beare rule this confession then dooth attribute vnto God the most soueraigne and free rule ouer all creatures whereby he gouerneth euerie where and ouer all 8 The POVVER which is mēcioned in the second place doth point out the abilitie and power to execute this gouernment which power is so soueraigne and so mightie that nothing is able to resist the same So that God is able to giue vs all things seeing hee hath this power in his hand which is also ioyned with exceeding mercie and bountifulnesse 9 Thirdlie and lastlie by the word GLORIE is declared the praise and honour of God whereunto wee are to referre all our thoughts and deedes as to their last and final end 10 The word AMEN signifieth as much as that which we aske is sure and certainlie ratified neither is it adioyned as a portion of the praier but to the end that it may both declare the sinceare desire and affection whereby we wish to be heard in Praier and also may testifie the staiednes of our faith 11 Seeing to giue thankes then we ought to consider these three things which this short sentence of Christ doth containe First that we remember those peculiar benefits which we haue receaued at Gods hand as DAVID beeing deliuered from the danger of warre saith Thou hast deliuered mee Lord from death and from the enemie c. 12 Next that we ascribe whatsoeuer we haue obtained to haue proceeded from the meere liberalitie of God and not to anie worthinesse or merites of our owne 13 Brieflie that thereby wee may be more and more confirmed in faith and may be raised vp to the hope of receauing other yea and greater benefites from his majesty For our God is not wearie in dooing vs good 14 Vnder this forme which is euerie way most perfect we holde that there is contained whatsoeuer we ought to seek at Gods hand so that it is to be accounted for the rule of all our praiers Wherefore it is not well done of the Latine Churches in that they haue omitted this clause and end of the Lords Praier though sometimes they vse the same elswhere Defended by MATHEVV SCARRO of Geneus PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE SACRED MINISTERIE OF THE CHVRCH VVHERE THE DOCTRINE OF the Law the Gospel are compared together LXXII 1 VVEE haue done with the true markes of the true Church that is with the truth of Gods word Sacraments and Praier nowe because that all thinges are to bee orderlie done in the Church it is meet that we set down how these things ought to bee administred 2 We hold that as the truth of al the sinceare doctrine that doeth appertaine vnto aeternall life so also the true manner of the gouernment of the Church was giuen from aboue by the holie Ghost both vnto the Fathers before the Lawe and to MOSES in the wildernesse and also vnto the Apostles And to be short that this truth touching doctrine and gouernment was most faithfullie most fullie set downe both by MOSES and also by the Apostles 3 And although from the beginning vnto the end of the world there was is and shall bee but one doctrine of saluation yet was there not alwaies one the same forme of the dispensation thereof 4 For it pleased GOD at sundrie times and in diuers maners to make the said doctrine known vnto the world according vnto the which dispensation it was also needefull to frame the forme of the ministerie thereof