THE Choise of Change Containing the Triplicitie of Diuinitie Philosophie and Poetrie short for memorie Profitable for Knowledge and necessarie for Maners Whereby the learned may be confirmed the ignorant instructed and all men generally recreated Newly set foorth by S. R. Gent. and student in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge Tâ—ia sunt omnia AT LONDON Printed by Roger Warde dwelling neere Holborne Conduite An. Dom 〈…〉 TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR HENRY HERBERT Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Lorde of Cardiffe mannor and S. Quintin and Earle of Pembrocke the right worshipfull Sir PHILIP SIDNEI knight with the right worthy Gentleman M. Robert Sidney Esquire S. R. wisheth increase of vertuous qualities in the minde of the giftes of the body and goods of Fortune RIght Honorable and Worshipful If I should follow the custome of â—uch as set forth bookes to the viewe of the world which passe vnder the protection of noble personages besides the dread of offending wise men I should run into one of these three errours either to praise your H. and W. by adulation praise my selfe by ostentation or praise my worke by seeking to bring men into admiration I purpose none of all these The first I leaue least my wordes should empaire your worthines The second I refrain because I find nothing in my self which can deserue praise The third I will avoide for if my labor hath bene so wel imployed as it may please you right H. and W it is able enough to praise it selfe I therefore present these my three bookes of Diuinitie Philosophie and Poetrie comprized together in one volume vnto you three right H. and W. who are linked vnited together in an indissoluble band of amitie fraternitie humbly requesting that you will countenance theÌ„ with fauour patronage them by your authoritie that therby they may eschew the reproches of malitious tongues and bleare the enuious eies of such as prie at other mens faultes in the water which cause things seeme bigger then they be but regard their owne faultes as through small nets which cause things to seeme lesse In so doing you shall giue me cause to reioice in my trauell and occasion by thankfulnes to acknowledge my bounden duetie Thus leauing your Honour and Worships to the direction of the Almightie I cease referring my selfe to your good opinions Your Honor and Worships to commaund S. R. TO THE READER 1 HE that knoweth not that he ought to knowe is a brute beast among men 2 He that knoweth no more then he hath neede of is a man among brute beastes 3 He that knoweth all that may be knowne is a God among men 1 Reade willingly 2 Correct friendly 3 Iudge indifferently THE FIRST HVNDRETH OF THE Triplicitie of Diuinitie 1 Three things doe witnes the worde of God to be true and of great authoritie THe historie of the world comprehended in the holy scripture Many notable and strange reuelations The miracles of the Church which do coÌ„firme the word 2 The preaching of the worde of God is comprehended in three things In doctrine In consolation In precepts 3 The holy Scripture is diuided into three parts Into histories Into precepts Into prophesies Histories consist in those things which are done Precepts in those thinges which are commanded Prophesies in foreshewinge things which either are alreadie come to passe or shall hereafter be fulfilled 4 Thrée good things are set forth in the scripture which the Philosophers neuer attained vnto The true knowledge of god and calling on of his name True comfort in aduersitie The way to liue well and worship God aright 5 Thrée things are most certain in the word of God Promises Prophesies Threatnings 6 There be thrée singuler things proper to the Scripture Hugo Whatsoeuer is taught is trueth without falshood Whatsoeuer is commanded is goodnesse without malice Whatsoeuer is promised is happinesse without miserie 7 The word of God was reuealed for thrée causes To be learned To be beleeued To be practised 8 There are three vnderstandings of yâ— scriptures set down by Hugo in his third booke of the sâ—ule Historicall Misticall The first containing examples fit for the simple The second mysteries fit for the learned By miracles By Figures By words The third manners common for both Morall 9 All Scripture giuen by inspiration as Paule saith 2. Tim. 3. is profitable to thrée To teach To improue and correct To instruct in righteousnes 10 There be thrée kinds of meditations in contemplation Hugo In creatures In scriptures The first ariseth of admiration The second of reading Admiration bringeth Question Question searching out Readinge mynistreth matter to know yâ— truth circuÌ„spectioÌ„ bringeth operatioÌ„ Operation is yâ— end of Meditation The thirde of circumspection In maners 11 Thrée waies God spake vnto our forefathers as Luther is witnes in his exposition vppon the xxxv chap. of Gen. By dreames By manifest visions By the voices of prophâ— 12 The holy scripture is diuided into 3. partes The law The prophets The gospell 13 S. Paule in his thrée epistles to the Romanes Galathians Ephesians teacheth thrée things He sheweth that all men are sinners He teacheth that man is iustified by faith onely without the workes of the law He prescribeth them that are iustified to do good works by Gods law 14 Three thinges make men suspect the Epistle of Iude not to be Canonicall The narration of the strife of Michaell the Archangell with the deuill The narration of the bodie of Moses The prophesie of Enoch 15 There are three sayinges founde in S. Paule his Epistles which are borowed of Heathen Antiquaries Of Meander Euill wordes corrupt good maners 1. Cor. 5. ver 33 Of Aratus Couetousnes is the roote of all euils 1. Tim. 6. ver 10. Of Epimenides Cretians are alwaies lyers euill beasts now bellies Tit. 1. ver 12 16 Three thinges chiefly to bee obserued in the olde and newe Testament Faith that we may beléeue those things to be true which Moses yâ— Prophets Christ and his apostles haue spoken by the inspiration of the holy ghost Hope that with a stedfast beliefe we maye assure our selues that wee shall obtaine those things that are promised Charitie that we neither doe nor say any thing but yâ— which is acceptable to God and profitable to men 17 For three causes the worde of God is to be preached That the hearers may vnderstand because without preaching he cannot heare That he which vnderstandeth may beleue because without hearing he caÌ„not beleue That he which beléeueth may do good because without faith he can not do good 18 For three causes wee ought to bee attentiue in hearing the word of God For the reuerence due to God whose word we come to heare That wee may auoide the dangers of negligence For the profite which is manifold 19 There be thre inuisible vertues of God Power Wisdom Gf yâ— which al things proceed In the whiche all things censist The Father is power The sonne is wisedome Power
creates WisdoÌ„ gouern goodnes preserue The holy ghost is goodnes By which al things are gouerned Goodnes Rom. 11. ver 36. Because of him in him and by him are all things To him be praise for euer and euer Amen 20 God is three maner of waies al in al. August In heauen onely he is all In earth onely he is al. In heauen and earth he is all 21 Three manner of waies god is euery where By his essence By his presence By his power 22 He that will know God as he ought must think vpon these 3. things Luther What he hath commanded What he hath promised Hee that meditateth these three findeth God What he hath threatned 23 For three causes are three things attributed to God Eies because he seeth all things Hands because he maketh all things Feete because he is euery where 24 There is none like vnto God for 3. things Bernard He is rich in mercie He freely respecteth that huÌ„ble Mightie in iustice Iustly iudgeth the wicked Bonâ—tifull in grace Pitifully saueth sinners 25 We haue receiued 3. sortes of thinges of God our Creator wherof we ought alwaies to be mindful Such as lead vs vnto the feare of God Such as moue vs to loue God Such as prouoke vs to yeeld thankes vnto his maiestie 26 The knowledge of God is threefold Generall as of the Philosophers Rom. 1. 〈◊〉 2. Iob. 36. Speciall as of the Christians 1. Cor. 13. Rom. 10. Singular as of theÌ„ that are blessed 1. Cor. 13. Ioh. 3. 27 These things are to be knoweÌ„ in disputing about God Not alwaies Nor to all The first is referred to the time The second to the person The third to the matter Nor all things 28 Three notable benefits of God Creation Redemption By the three persons in Trinitie The Father The sonne The holy Ghost Sanctification 29 There are 3 inwarde properties to be obserued in discerning the persoÌ„s of the Trinitie To beget To be borne The Father onely begets The Sonne onely is borne The holy Ghost onely proceeds from both To procéede 30 Three outwarde properties of the persons in Trinitie The Father sendes and is not sent The Sonne is sent to be made a sacrifice The Holy Ghost is sent to sanctifie our mindes 31 Three beare witnesse in heauen The Father The Sonne And these thrée are one Vnion Vniting Vnited The holy Ghost 32 There are three qualities in the Sunne representing the qualities of the Trinitie The infinit fountaine of light The brightnesse comming from that light The heate proceeding and breathing from them both 33 Three thinges in vs which do represent the holy Trinitie Memorie Vnderstanding Represents the Father Represents the Sonne Represents the holy Ghost Will. 34 Three names beeing one thing in deed are liketo the Trinitie Snowe Ice So God is thrée in personne and but one in Substance Water 35 Gods iudgemeÌ„ts are knowen by 3 things Corporall punishments The sting of the conscience The torments of hell 36 Three manner of wayes wee may sinne in the worship of God When for onely true God there are worshipped many Gods as the heathen did When the true God is worshipped but not according to his will WheÌ„ that true God is worshipped but not onely which is done of theÌ„ that worwip other Gods beside the true God 37 By three things the loue of God appeareth towards men That he hath giuen to man the vse of heauen earth and all his creatures Gene. 1 Eccle. 17. That he hath graunted Angels to be ministers to men Heb. 1. vers 14. For that he hath offred himselfe for mankind taking vpon him the forme of a seruant Phil. 2. vers 17. 38 We may commit three things safely into Gods hands Iniurie Losse Because he is a reuenger of iniuries Because he is the restorer of losse Because he is our Phisition and best comforter Griefe 39 The swéetnesse of this name Iesus consisteth in three things It is hony to the mouth Melodie to the eare Ioy to the hart 40 The sonne of God according to his office is named in thrée seuerall languages Messias in Hebrew Christ in Greeke And according to these three names hee is called A Priest A Prophet A King Annointed in English 41 Three things to be considered in Christ our sauiour He prayeth for vs as he is our Priest He prayeth in vs as he is our head He is praied vnto of vs as he is our God 42 Christ was knowne to the world to be true Messias by thrée thinges The opening of heauen The appearing of the holy Ghost By the voice of his heauenly Father 43 Christ is called a Priest and his office consists in 3. things In teaching Malaehie 2. So thâ— Sonne brought forth the Gospell in the bosome of his Father In praying as appeareth in Leuitcus And hee prayed for vs. Iohn 17 Heb. 1. 7. In offring sacrifice Hebr. 5. He offred himselfe for our sinnes 44 Christ is called a King for 3. causes Because he put downe all power and destroied the workes of the deuill Because by the vertue of the spirit he raigneth in the minds of the faithfull Because he defendeth his Church against the tyrannie of the deuil 45 Christ the true teacher doeth instruct vs 3. waies because he is The way The truth They way not erring In example The truth not deceiuing In promise The life not ceasing In reward The life 46 There are three causes of the incarnation of Christ That he might bruise the Serpents head Gen 3. That by his sacrifice hee might appease Gods wrath That he might iustify the vniust by the imputation of his obedience 47 Thrée figures of Christ his crucifying set down in the scripture The sacrifices lifted vp on high The offering vp of Isaac The brasen Serpent lifted vp in the will dernes Num 21. Iohn 3. 48 Christ his death for vs and satisfaction for our sinnes is thrée fold A worke without example Fauour without desert Charitie aboue measure 49 The passion of Christ is applied 3. waies It is offered by the word as by the hand of God It is receiued by faith as by the hand of man It is sealed by the Sacraments the vse thereof set downe as it were in a table 50 There are 3. fruits of Christ his ascension To send the holy Ghost To be a mediator to God the father To preserue the Word and the Church 51 The sonne of god was chaunged thrée manner of waies From his humility to his diuinitie in his transfiguration From passion to immortalitie in his resurrection From immortalitie to his fathers equalitie in ascention 52 Thrée things concurre in the person of Christ Bernard The worde These thrée are one this one is 3. The flesh Not by confusion of substance but by vinitie of person The soule 53 Christ loued vs thrée maner of waies Bernard Swéetely In that he tooke our flesh vpon him Wisely In that he eschewed all fault Valiantly In that he suffered death 54 There are three
maruelous coniunctions as Luther saith in the exposition on that xx cap. Gen. The coniunction of the Father and Sonne in diuinitie The coniunction of diuinitie and humanity in Christ The coniunctioÌ„ of Christ with his church 55 Christ confoundeth that worlde and all things therein 3. waies He accounts the chiefe wisedome therof to be folishnes He reckoneth their best workes for iustice He changeth their best good into euill 56 Christ hath made vs partakers of thrée necessarie things Of his Crosse Of his Gospel He hath redemed vs by his death on the crosse He hath instructed vs by his gospell He hath confirmed and sanctified vs by his spirite Of his spirite 57 The whole world did maruell at three workes of Christ Chrys That he rose againe after death That he ascended into heauen in the flesh That he conuerted the whole worlde by his twelue apostles 58 Christ had thrée witnesses which did testifie of him Iohn Baptist Ioh. 1. ver 15. His works Ioh. 5. ver 36. His Father Math 3. ver 17. 59 Christ doth excell the Saintes in three things In dignitie of person In worthynes of office These doe not exclude his diuinitie In perfectnes of giftes 60 The ioy which the aungels did expresse at the natiuity of Christe is said to be great for 3. causes For the matter which is great namely our reconciliation with God For the continuance and stedfastnes thereof for it continueth constant for euer Because it is spiritual pertaining vnto all those that haue the gift of faith 16 Christ did foreshew 3. kinds of war Of outward enimies Of seducers Paule saith fighting abroad feare within daÌ„gers in false brethreÌ„ Of false brethren 62 Christ did raise thrée persons from death as some iudge in 3. seuerall yeares The first yeare the widowes sonne Mar. 7 ver 14. 15. The second yeare the daughter of Iairus Luk. 8. ver 54. 55. The third yeare Lazarus Ioh. 11. ver 44. 63 Christ reuealed three singular secretes vnto three Apostles Iohn the Euangelist Peter and Iames. His transfiguration on the hil Thabor Luk 9. ver 28. The reuining of Iairus daughter Luk. 8. ver 51. The treason which Iudas practised against him Ioh. 13. ver 26. 64 Christe is to be considered of vs in three times Before his incarnation At the time of his incarnation God the worde the Image the sonne of God Iesus Christ God and man the sonne of Mary the sonne of god the sonne of man Emanuell Al God al man the truth of his diuine humane nature remaining In his glorification after his resurrection and ascension 63 Thrée thinges doe teache vs that the holy ghost is true God with the father and the sonne Testimonies out of the scripture as Actes 5. Ananias did lie vnto the holy ghost not vnto men but vnto God The worke of creation Iob 33. the spirite of God made me and the breath of the almightie receiued me That which is euery where seeth killeth al things with his presence knoweth and hearesh al things Psal 139. whether shall I go from thy spirit 66 The Apostles receiued thrée giftes when the holy Ghost descended vpon the day of the feast of Pentecost The gift Of interpreting the scriptures Of knowledge of al languages Of a constant heart bold to set forth the truth 67 The light of the holy Ghost doth rule vs in three things In our counsels In our maners In the actions of our whole life 68 The holy Ghost doeth confirme three things in vs. Faith Hope Loue. 69 The holy Ghost doeth gouerne thrée things in euery godly person The minde The heart It doth lighten the mind with the light of thy holy word It doth kindle the heart that it may coÌ„ceiue the motions of good works and vertues which please God It doth moue the will to bée willing to doe whatsoeuer God willeth in his word The will 70 Thrée especial heresies which do ouerthrow the doctrine of the holy ghost Of the Graecians which will haue the holy ghost to proceede from the Father only and not so likewise from the sonne The Macedonians which say the holy spirite is a liuing crature Of the Sabellians which affirme the holie ghost to be all one with the Father and Sonne and not three persons 71 Wee commit sinne three maner of waies In not rewarding good thinges with good things In requiting euill with euill things On the contrary these 3. things are praiseworthy To reward good thinges with good things Not to acquite euil with euil To recoÌ„pence euil thinges with good In recompensing the good with euil things 72 The almightie created three vitall spirites Which is not couered with flesh Which is couered with flesh but dieth not courced with fâ—esh Of Angels Of men Of brute beastes Whiche is couered with flesh and dieth with the flesh 73 We sinne 3. maner of waies Of infirmitie Of ignorance Against the Father because he is the God of might Against the Sonne because he is the perfection of wisedome Against the holy ghost because he is the giuer of grace Of malice 74 Wee are put in minde of three things so oft as we beholde a rainebowe Of the anger of god when he destroyed the worlde with water whereof the blew colour is a witnesse Of the mercy of God who wil not vse that punishment againe Of the latter iudgement and burning the worlde with fire The fierie coulour of the rainbowe shewing the same 75 The creation of the world is an euident testimonie of three excellent things Of the Wisedome Omoipotencie Goodnesse of God 76 Three things shew that the ende of the world is at hand Because the ende of the Romane Empire is at hand Because there is a generall defect and apostacie from the Faith throughout the world Because the Gospell hath bene preached throughout the worlde 77 Three sayings of Angels are vsed in the scriptures more thâ—n othâ—rs Michaell who is like God Dan. 10 12 chap. Raphaell Gods Phisition Tob. 3. verse 17 Gabriel The strength of God Dan. 8. and 9. chap. Luke 1 78 Three chiefe offices which Angels doe execute towards vs. They withdrawe vs from sinne They defend vs from enemies They lead vs into heauen 79 The holy Ghost the comforter giueth vs three thinges The earnest of saluation That he may beare witnesse tothy spirit that thou art the Sonn of God The light of knowledge That wheÌ„ thou hast don al that thou caust thou shouldst think thy self to be an vnprofitable seruant The strength of life That which is vnpossible for thee by nature is made easie to thee by grace 80 Three things to be coÌ„sidered in the creation of the cceature Who made it By what hee made it If we aske who made it God For there is no authour more excelthen God If by what hee made it Hee saide it was done No Arte of more force then the word of God If therefore hee made it because hee is good No causebetter theÌ„ that
glorifie your father which is in heauen Math. 5 ver 16. and chap. 7. ver 21. Rom. 2. ver 23. Our workes 11 The feare of God worketh 3. things It correcteth our minds It driueth away sinnes It preserueth innocencie 12 God is to be feared for 3. causes Because the house of him that feareth not God shal soone be ouerthrowne Eccles 27. Because he that feareth not God shall dwell in places where shal be no regard of knowledge Because that God is able to cast both bodie and soule into hell fire Math. 10. Luk. 12. 13 Thrée causes which mooue vs to feare God Al calamities which happen vnto maÌ„kind death diseases destructions of cities and nations hunger wars c. Also dreadfull punishments which afflict the wicked shewing that god is angry with sinners All the erhortations of the prophetes vnto repentaunce The lawe of God and the horrible curses which are added vnto the law The death of the sonne of God 14 About the time that the worlde shall haue end men shall be euil inclined 3. maner of waies They shall be louers of themselues following pleasure and riotousnes They shall be gréedie and couetous They shal be high minded and proud 15 Thrée sorts of people are called to religion One sort God calleth by holy inspirations Another sort is chosen of men by good counsels as Hippolito was conuerted to the Faith by the instructions of Saint Laurence The third sort is constrained to enter into religion by some necessitie or misaduenture happened vnto them 16 Humilitie is a vertue which doth chiefly comprehende three things Humilitie acknowledgeth our own vncleanes and infirmitie and doth feare God She doth not desire matters aboue her vocation but keeping her selfe within her bounds she resteth hoping in Gods help She doth not despise others that are Gods instruments but acknowledgeth Gods gifts in them knowing that all labour is in vaine vnlesse he prosper it 17 He that is humble and lowly as he ought doth reape triple commoditie He hath God dwelling with him The humble man is honored of men they alwaies giue him a good report He alone hath the fruit therof because humilitie is the mother of shamefastnes that way of patience which leadeth to wisedome the keeper of feare and faith 18 The tokens of true humilitie consiste in 3. things In behauiour In words He that is humble in mind body doth shew that same by loking stedfastly vpon the ground and in not laughing without great cause He speaketh few words and soft holdeth his peace vntill he be asked He doth nothing but that which is agreable with good maners that without pride In déedes 19 Patience doth comprehende and signifie three things A stedfastnesse of the mind suffring any affliction or contumelious reproches without murmuring or repining A reuenge giuing a deadly wound heaping coles of fire vpoÌ„ our enimies heads A close martering not without rewards 20 When wee suffer anye crosse or affliction we must be patient for 3. causes That wee maye followe the example of Christ Because God hath so commaunded That we may gather the fruites of patience 21 Christ commaundeth in the 5. chap. of Math. â—hat we should not resist eull and by 3. precepts doth exhort vs vnto patience He commaÌ„deth that whosoeuer shal strike thee on the right cheeke to turne to him the other also He commandeth if any man wil sue thée at the law and take away thy coate to let him haue thy cloke also He commandeth that whosoeuer wil compell thee to goe a mile to go with him twaine 22 We must suffer 3. kindes of euill patiently Necessarie euils such as can neither be altred nor amended nor hindered Accidental euils which haue not happened vnto vs by our own euill counsell Such euils as we haue deserued 23 The reward of patience 1. Iames. 1. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tryed he shall receiue the crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Prou. 19. A mans knowledge is perceiued by his patience 1. Pet. 2. If when yee doe well yee suffer wrong and take it patiently this is acceptable to God 24 Thrée things direct vs in the right path and suffer vs not to goe astray Loue which banisheth all wearines causeth all labour trauell to seeme easie Hope of promise or reward Faith which is grounded vpon promises and beleeueth in God 25 Vnlesse the spirite of God do establish and seale our mindes that they may continue stedfast in faith we shal be ouercome by one of these three things Either by sathan who is furnished with a thousand artes sleightes and deceites to entrap vs Or by our owne frowardnes inconstancie which is easily seduced by euil examples Or by persecution affliction which cause vs despaire throwe our selues headlong into hell 26 Three chiefe rewards of per seuerance A crowne of life Apoc. 3. A plentifull reward in heauen Life euerlasting Math. 24. He that endâ—reth to the end shal be saued 27 Three things wherwith we may comfort our selues being in tribulaiion That the sonne of God is our aduocate our mediator and maketh intercession for vs. Luk. 2. Ioh. 17. That he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power 1. Cor. 10. ver 13. That he heareth our praiers and will helpe vs in time of need 28 Three properties that belong to Epicures They neither feare nor reuerence God and estéeme all godlinesse as a mokery They offer sacrifice vnto their guttes other God they knowe not Neither griefe nor feare can compell them to be carefull for the time present or to come 29 Three kinds of doubting repugnant to faith To doubt of God To doubt of his prouidence To doubt of the certaintie of that doctrine which the Prophets and Apostles deliuered 30 All idols had their originall oâ— three things Of superstition Of wicked imitation Of flattery 31 Three efficient causes of Idolatrie The deuill fretting with hellish heat and haggish hate and prouoking mans miserable nature to deuise idoles thereby to haue God in derision The blindnesse of mens mindes and boldnesse to reiect the worde which hath bene deliuered by the Prophets and Apostles and deuising strange opinions and worshipping of God after their own pleasure A perswasion of wisdom and a good intent which not content with the word of God onely doeth imagine it can inuent more excellent kindes of worship 32 Three causes why Idolatry should be abolished Because it is sinne against the first commaundement not to abolish images Iudges 2. Because not being abolished they trouble the church of God 3 King 18 Elias saith I haue not troubled Israell c. The are to be abolished for feare of punishment because God is angry with idolaters and will punish them Deuteron 4 Hos 2. and 7. 33 We must fight with three sorts of weapons against heretikes With prayers With learning To conuert them To conuince them To condemne them