not heard No doubt their sound went out into all lands and their words vnto the ends of the world 1 If the quere bee of them firstly seduced by Antichrist they all were children of the Church 2 As to succeeding generations the seed of the wicked walking in the steps of their fathers errour and superstition thus farre was tender made them of grace 1 Faith explicite was required of rudest Laickes in depth of Poperie Credendorum so farre as the letter of the Creed might lead them Faciendorum prescribed in the Decalogue Petendorum comprised in the Lords prayer Recipiendorum tendered in the Sacraments Besides of what in solemne festiuities of Christs Natiuitie Passion Resurrection Ascension c. Was represented to their memorie and meditation And if credit may bee giuen to Popish relation Pastors enioyned to explicate to the people these heads of Christian faith and religion In which explications also you may obserue generals to bee mostly Orthodoxe particular glosses inferences or concealements onely erroneous Though God suffered them as Gentiles to walke in their owne wayes neuerthelesse hee left not himselfe without witnesse in times of grossest ignorance Raising vp in all ages some from amongst themselues to oppose corruptions of preuailing faction Neither were these things done in a corner but the whole Church was filled with the tumult prouidence so disposing that the sound of his truth might ring in the eares of besotted people Besides suffering of Martires whose bonds and passions were k Phil. 1 1â— famous in the very Popes Palace and in all places that occasion might be giuen to all of inquiring the cause 3 And of late the mountaine of the Lord hath beene againe erected on the top of the mountaines Churches famous many in all quarters founded l Act. 24.14 Worshipping God after that manner which these call heresie yet teaching no other thing then Moses Prophets and Apostles haue spoken And doubt you but the people are bound thither to resort see famous example of those in the ten tribes whose hearts God touched in the generall deprauation of religion vnder Ieroboam 2. Chron. 11.14.16 4 But for the people of our Churches daily reuolting to Rome how hath God long wooed them to entertaine into their loue his pretious truth and they would not that they of all men most iustly perish so palpable is their reiection I say not of truth only but of loue of truth tendered to their soules But of such despisers of truth is compacted the body of the Romish Synagogue Amongst the many Centones of reuolters to Poperie name mee the man who euer euidenced zeale for the maintenance and propagation of the doctrine taught in our Churches opposed not rather the proceedings triumphed not in the disgrace of the Gospel and made a mocke of the counsell of those poore that entertained it and set their hearts to seeke after the Lord. I haue knowne many some a little familiarly Amongst all to me knowne I cannot minde one in whom I euer saw life or power of godlinesse but epicures sensualists vncleane profane persons or if there bee almost any other worse thing contrary to wholesome doctrine which is according to godlinesse men not onely themselues practising such things m Rom. 1.32 but pleasing themselues and reioycing in them that doe them Vse And is not the motiue strong to embrace Poperie their vaine vaunt of so many traduced to their partie since his Maiesties entring the Kingdome powerfull must that Doctrine needes bee that in so few yeeres preuailes with so many thousands Resp 1 Yet Thomas could minde them that in that of Moamed is preualence no lesse through the fitting it hath had to voluptuousnesse of sensuall nature 2 And whom but sensuallists and carnall gospellers haue they preuailed withall What one man name him if they can heartily affected to our Religion and truely louing it Oh maruellous efficacie of Popish doctrine traducing men from prophanenesse to superstition from godlesse contempt of pietie to impious idolatrie making their Proselites n Mat. 23.15 two-fold more the children of Hell or rather Oh iust iudgement of God giuing ouer men not o Rom. 1.28 regarding the knowledge of God to a reprobate minde men not receiuing the loue of truth to beliefe of lies and pertinacious adhering to doctrines of Deuils 2 But if therfore these perish because they receiued not the loue of the truth Lord I thinke what shall become of this faithlesse and crooked generation to whom the light of Gods truth hath so long and clearely shined and yet p Iohn 3.19 they loue darkenesse rather then light Euidences of the crime take these 1 Their nauseating the plentie of this Manna so corne fed they professe themselues with this bread of life How ioyed they in the tidings of the misnoised inhibition of preaching When God knowes purpose was neuer to inhibit plentie but to regulate order and manner of preaching that neither q Heb. 5.13 babes might want their milke and strong men growing to the itch of eares might be restrained to wholesome Doctrine euery one taught as r Marke 4 33. they are able to heare 2 Indifferencie of most in their affection to the remoouall or retaining carelesnesse whither Iehouah or Baal were entertained for the God of Israel Knowne vnto God are all his wayes from the beginning sweetly doth prouidence sway in the delinquencies of his children guiding all to his owne best ends But in the rumour of our entring league of amitie with a daughter of that Religion how brake out Hypocrisie of many to discouery of it selfe resolution vttered profession made by many to change with the times study in many of honest mindes to reconcile as their stile was the seeming differences twixt the two Religions Rare the man that kept his resolution with Ioshuah that vowed to suffer losse I say not of life but of the infamous goods of fortune for the cause of the Gospel 3 It was Salomons aduise to Å¿ Prou. 23.23 buy the truth and not to sell it Iudes to t Iud ver 3. striue for the faith once giuen to Saints herein how defectiue were euen pillars of the Church that though the taxe were opprobrious no lesse then slanderous to charge them as Ieremie Iewes to u Iere 9.3 bend their tongues as their bowes for lies yet willingly they may beare the blame of u Iere. 9.3 not being more valiant for the cause of truth Causes of it these 1 The little or no feeling of the power thereof in their soules had they * 1. Pet. 2.1 2 3. tasted how sweet the Lord is in his word the hungrie infant would not more long for the milke nor more hardly be drawne in extremest hunger from the brest then they from the sincere milke of the word 2 Conscience not discharged of the guilt of sinne flies the arraignement Affection besotted of the pleasures of sinne reiects what would withdraw them though with assurance
men 3 The Rule or Motiue Iustice 4 Time of Retribution When the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed The generall of certain d Rom. 2.6 2 Cor. 5.10 Apoc. 22.14 Retribution according to our workes I passe by pointing onely with the finger to the places pregnant The seuerall Recompences apportioned to each sort are worthy our notice 1 To them that trouble you Tribulation Vengeance God hath in store as for all Impenitents so most certaine and grieuous for the Troublers of his Saints It was Cyprians obseruation that mans crueltie neuer raged against Gods Church but it had subsequent as an Acoluth some Remonstrance of extraordinarie vengeance from God in Warre Famine Pestilence or some such like euill Arrowes of the Almightie And who can name me the persecutor except penitent who euer died a dry death from the dayes of Cain to these of them who walke in his steps At least without some remarkable note of Gods eternall vengeance in hardnesse of heart or desperate horrour that make way to heauiest damnation Their soules I doubt not many frie in Hell their bodies shall one day be cast againe to their soules to augment their torment that as there hath beene betweene them Societatas operarum so there may be also tormentorum Vse I wish it seriously meditated by the generation of Ishmael whose hands indeed are now restrained from bloud yet hearts boyle with malice against Gods annointed ones tongues shoot out arrowes full of deadly poison against the Saints 1 You cannot be ignorant how the Lord hath protested the touch of them to be as the touch of the e Zec. 2.8 Apple of his owne Eye so tender 2 How our Sauiour interesseth himselfe so farre in their persecutions as to esteeme them f Acts 9.4 his owne 3 How you proclaime your selues the g Gen. 3.15 feede of the Serpent 4 Feele in your selues if shame would suffer to confesse emptinesse of Grace horrours and feares sometimes dreadfull yet are these but the beginnings of sorrowes Oh consider I beseech you consider that great day of Retribution wherein the Lord Christ persecuted by you in his members shall come armed with heauiest vengeance to be infled on such as trouble his As I thinke to Martyrs belongs the hight of ioy and glorie so to Martyrers of Saints the depth of hillish torments For them is reserued the blacknesse of darknesse for euer Tribulation to them that trouble The paranomasie or paronymie I thinke is not casuall nor meerely point of Rhetorique but inâ—ended to point at the Talio God holds in recompencing There is in Gods Retributions of euill vsuall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Retale in the same kinde God cals men heare not They shall h Pro. 1.24.28 â— call and crie and God will not heare Afflict not the fatherlesse and widow if so i Exo 22.22.24 your children shall be fatherlesse your wiues widdowes subiected to like afflictions k Iac. 2.13 Iudgement there shall be mercilesse to him that will shew no mercie trouble to the troublers of Saints See Iude 1.6 7. Vse So that in their owne Courses the vngodly may see their owne fate In their owne kinde God will repay them Doe they loue cursing It shall l Psal 109.17 18 19. come to them as the girdle about their loines so close And as oyle so shall it pierce into their bones You that are so rigorous that no moat of your Brother can scape your censure of insinceritie Take heede you finde not men onely but m Mat. 7 2. God as Criticall in his Censures But why is this interlaced in the Comfort Is it may it be any solace to Saints to see their persecutors vnder vengeance Ans Whither in what sort with what Cautions Gods Children may take Comfort in the destructiâ—n of the wicked is an ancient quaeree Dauid n Psal 58.10 The Righteous shall reioyce when he sees the vengeance In heauen is heard an o Apo. 19.6 7. Alleluiah at the downfall of Babylon p 18.20 Holy Apostles and Prophets are excited to reioyce because God had auenged them on the Whore Yet 1. in miserie as it is miserie no Saint reioyceth But 2. as thereout results glorie of Iustice Power Truth to God the auenger of their obstinacie 3. As in their owne exemption from like obstinacie and damnation they see the specialtie of Gods Grace to themselues 4. As they obserue the Lord interessing himselfe in their quarrell and so testifying how pretious the death of Saints is in his sight herein they finde cause of solace and reioycing 2 And to you that are troubled rest The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here rendred vsually refrigerium Refocillatio that is in our English Refreshment Answering to that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Apostle Acts 3.19 Interpreted to denote our Cessation and quiet Resting from trouble There q Heb. 4.9 remaines then a Rest to the people of God They shall t Isai 57.2 rest in their beds They Å¿ Apoc. 14.13 rest from their Labours Of it you may conceiue three degrees 1 From the hurt in this life 2 From the smart or sense at death 3 From the touch of euill after the Resurrection Vse t Iac. 5.8 Patient your hearts sith the comming of our Lord the day of full Redemption of perfect tranquilitie draweth nigh There is amongst vs a generation it seemes of Ishacar u Gen. 49.15 Rest they say is good It is good if it be good but here is not our Rest remember what * Luc. 16.25 Abraham said to the Glutton And how terrible is that threat of our Sauiour x Apoc. 21.8 to fearefull and vnbeleeuers of no lesse then fire and brimstone for euer to them that for loue of ease or feare of trouble haue bid farewell to faith and feare of God With vs. Apostles and Prophets or if there be any more eminent then they in the glorious Kingdome of Christ with them we haue our partnership in that Beatitude our paritie in this piece of it Resting from Troubles They come from East and West and sit downe with y Mat. 8.11 Abraham Isaaâ— and Iacob those worthies of Patriarchs in the Kingdome of heauen Panam damni they say in Hell All equally suffer as much Paganish Infants as Christian Rebels or Reuolts though paena sensus be proportioned to degrees of sinning And in heauen all equally haue rest from labours meanest Christian as most glorous Martyr And in this respect the denarius diurnus is equall In beatificall vision some haue greater some lesse claritie according to their diuers measures of sanctitie and puritie of heart Vse Animate we our selues with this meditation vnder the Crosse though by the world counted the skumme and of-scouring of the earth Though by some of Gods owne through partialitie ouerlooked and counted scarce worthy to be set with the dogges of their flocke yet 1. God hath z Iac. 2.5 chosen vs also
heard him teaching in other Churches or as falsely they might boast priuately imparting it as some secret to themselues how euer It s but the tricke of an Heretique to flye from verbum Scriptum to verbum Iraditum I meane where the doctrine is vrged as matter of necessary faith belike Apostles had forgotten the charge of their Master to i Mat. 10.27 publish on the house tops what they had heard in secret when they must whisper in secret the abstruser points of knowledge to the more perfect conceiling them from all notice of the vulgar Saint Austin makes mention of the Deuterosis Iudaeorum Cont. Aduers leg prophet lib. 2. cap. 11. which to them was a second Mishne equalled with Moses his written Deuteronomie Vnwritten traditions who doubts but pretended from Moses or some other great Prophet which they equalled with the Scriptures of the Law and Prophets Quid nostri The written word is but partialis Regula supplie it must haue from Tradition No nay for where else shall we finde Purgatorie Inuocation of Saints Adoration of Images Sacrament Reliques c. Thus I iudge 1 Euer since the Church had a word written she had in that written word a perfect rule of faith and practise perfect I meane protempore The quaere is vsuall all whither Articles of faith were increased in processe of time And is thus resolued they were not encreased noua addendo but implicita explicando Doth any doubt whether Moses related fully what was prescribed to Adam or Abraham to be beleeued 2 The Gospell which the Apostles preached they did afterwards by the will of God deliuer vs in their writings Irenaeus lib. 3. cap. 1. to be the foundation and pillar of faith perfectly and fully trow we Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem saith Tertullian Scriptum esse doâ—eat Hermogenis â—fficina Si non est Scriptum timeat vae illud k Vide Apoc. 22.18 In cap. 2. Aggaei adijcientibus vel detrahentibus destinatum Saint Hierome Quae absque autoritate testimonijs Scripturarum quasi traditione Apostolica sponte reperiunt at que confingunt percutit gladius Dei 3 Can we imagine the Apostles inserting in their writings paticulars many comparatiuely to those of necessary faith of no such consequence for knowledge would pretermit any thing concerning vs in the maine Credat Iudaeus Apella 4 But who can imagine their writings and Traditions are contrariant Ends of committing the word to writing see largely in Theophylact Kemnitius and others Ancient and Moderne and tell me how well this Phansie sorts with them Nor by Epistle as from vs. The third is letter Meanes he the former Epistle sent to this Church corrupted by audacious glosse of these false Teachers Rather some other forged by them and fathered vpon the Apostle why else in the close is the Apostle so carefull to Characterize his Epistles doubtlesse that the forgerie if any might thereby be discouered Such forgerie is no new thing in Heretiques and other Impostors Apostles yet suruiuing they published vnder their Names Euangelicall stories Ambrose on Luke mentions the counterfeit Gospels of Thomas Bartholomew Paul whose Authors he supposeth those many mentioned by Luke to haue attempted but without successe the narrations that concerned our Sauiour After-Times were not free from like Impostures But as any man gained to himselfe reputation of learning and sanctity in the Church so was his Name prefixed to the Pamphlets of seducing Teachers to gaine them Authoritie out of this shop came that booke of Hermes commonly stiled Pastor and those many counterfeit Fathers whose Authoritie is sacred amongst our Romanists Truth is scarcely any of the Fathers but their names haue bin made Panders to their superstition that where their indubitate writings steed them not counterfeit additions may procure them patronage What thinke you Is not the cause deplored which but by such base shifts cannot be supported Haue ye no written word for purgatorie prayer for the dead in all the indubitate Scriptures of Prophets Apostles but ye must flie to the Apocrypha Tradition apparitians of the dead c. for their foundation 'T will euer be true which Tertullian said of Heretiques they are Lucifugae Scripturarum I say as Basil Infidelitatis Argumentum fuerit Serm. de fidci Consessione lib. 3. cont lit petilian cap. 6. signum superbiae certissimum si quis eorum quae scripta sunt aliquid velit reijcere aut corum quae non scripta introducere as Saint Augustine Si quis siue de Christo siue de eius Ecclesia siue de quacunque aliâ re quae pertinet ad fidem vitamque nostram non dicam si nos sed quod Paulus adiecit si Angelus de Colo vobis annunciauerit preterquam quod in Scripturis legalibus Euangelicis accepistis Anathema sit But of the generall matter of the Caueat and Item against the meanes of seducement hitherto followes the particular errour As if the day of the Lord were at hand Is that an errour said not Peter the same l 1 Pet. 4.7 The end of all things draweth nigh And Paul the m 1 Cor. 10.11 ends of the world are come vpon vs. Resp 1 Some thus It s not farre off if ye compare the vtmost endurance with eternitie A n 2 Pet. 1.8 thousand yeares is as one day millions of yeares the perpetuitie of time scarce a point a moment in eternitie yet may it be farre off after the measure of Time 2 Comparatiuely night to the times foregoing Christs comming in the flesh not simply nigh 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Appropinquat it draweth nigh that is Saint Peters tearme yet not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inslat not instantly to fall vpon the men then liuing as if they should not taste of death till they saw the Lord Christ comming in his glorie which seemes the conceit these meant to fasten on them 4 But why presume they to determine of times and seasons which God hath reserued in his own power nigh therefore so nigh What may we imagine Satans aime in venting such an errour in the Church seemingly so disaduantagious to his Kingdome The hearing of a Iudgement to come strikes Foelix with o Acts 24 25. trembling The terrible sound of the last trumpe which Hierome so continually sembled to himselfe Omnia tuta timco how did it make him feare where he was most secure Resp 1 Amongst libertines it occasions greater indulgence to the flesh as men willing to glut themselues with the pleasures of sinne because their time is but short Isai 22.12 2 Any errour in Gods children as an errour pleaseth the father of lies the seducer of the Brethren such especially as may tend to worke their perplexitie 3 The maine is this admit but one lye into Scriptures or Scripture doctrine August the Authoritie the truth of all fals to the ground The delay of Christs comming bred in those mockers p 2 Pet. 3.4 scoffing
be Authors of such ciuile defection 4 The sinne specified as cause of Antichrists raigne and cursed efficacie in delusion is not r 2 Thes 2.10 receiuing loue of the truth c. 5 I am deceiued if Scripture any where vse the tearme to signifie any other then a spirituall or Ecclesiasticall defection from God Heb. 3.12 Isai 1.5 From Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 From Religion Acts 21.21 We haue consent of best expositors amongst Romanists of Saint Austin better aduised Estius ad locum de Ciuitate dei lâ—b 20. cap. 19. Refugam vtique a Domino Deo The defection then is spirituall Concerning it see these particulars 1 What it is To Thomas it sounds retrocessionem a Deo a going backe or departure from God with whom we haue had some reall appearing or graduall coniunction to whom we haue performed or professed subiection Three things especially there are that knit vs vnto God and whereby we testifie subiection vnto him 1 Faith 2 Religion 3 Obedience 1. Persidia 2. Ab ordine 3 Inobedientiae Accordingly they make three sorts of Apostasie 1 From Faith 2 From Religion 3 From Obedience The tearmes I keepe willingly varying in explication 1 From Faith as when a man forsakes the true doctrine of Faith whereof hee hath bin informed and which he hath entertained into his iudgement and profession and fals to Paganisme Iudaisme Heresie See 1 Tim. 4.1 2 From Religion as when hee forsakes the worship of the true God and fals to worship Idols as Achaz or from the true manner of worshipping the true God as the tenne Tribes vnder Ieroboam 3 From Obedience as when a man fals from morall practise to viciousnesse of life whereof see Mat. 12.45 2 Pet. 2.21 of whether or whether of all the Apostle must be vnderstood if any inquire thus let him thinke they vsually goe together in what order some other occasion may fitlier manifest Though commonly Interpreters limit to Apostasie from Faith and puritie of Religion 3 Meanes the Apostle of some particular persons Churches Prouinces Resp Rather of an vniuersall Apostasie of the multitude and maior part of the Christian world for otherwise reuolt of particular persons and Churches was not strange in Å¿ 1 Iohn 2 19. Apostles times when that here spoken of is intended to be t 1 Tim. 4.1 notorious and something u 2 Tim. 3.1 2. remote from the notice and sight of the generation then liuing more nearly coasting * Luc. 18.8 vpon the time of Christs second comming And hitherto is Consent 4 But what 's this Faith and Religion from which the reuolt shall be Popish Expositors many interpret of the Romish Faith and Religion and of the Obedience supposed due to the Bishop of that See as to the Vicar of Christ Saint Peters successor Worshipt might he be Resp But shew vs I pray what Scripture hath tyed vs to the Faith and Religion of Rome as it is Romana Must we absurdly thinke the Church in Scripture to sound nothing but the Church of Rome Faith and Religion denote the Faith and Religion of Rome Apagite 2 What when the Romish Church proues Apostaticall are we then tied to the Faith and Religion of Rome will you say its impossible for the x Mat. 16.18 promise and y prayer of Christ Resp The Church to which the promise is made is the Church Catholique of the Elect the Faith of Peter praied for is not fides quae Creditur but qua Creditur the gift of Faith in Peter and all Gods Children And that the Romish Church may proue Apostaticall doth not the Apostle more then intimate Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but feare was no empty scarcrow an intimation rather of possibilitie and likelihood of their abiection z Luc. 22.32 if Papists themselues may be beleeued in the question of perseuerance Such Caueats to other of Gods people more then intimate their possible Apostasie at least as they generally apprehend them 3 What when the great Antichrist hath erected his Episcopall See vpon that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and hath begun to the Kings of the earth in the cup of damnable errours and doctrines of Diuels Are we then bound to adhaere to the Faith and Religion of Rome or shall it not be our wisedome to come out of that Babylon Apoc. 18.4 4 Their Apostasie de facto I spare to insist on Be pleased to compare the Doctrine of the Tridentine Counsell touching faith and worship with that extant in Pauls Epistle to the Romans thou wilt be ready to sweare the Citie that once was faithfull is now become an harlot that Bethel is become Beth-Auen As to the testimonies of fathers produced to euidence the prerogatiue of that Church read what that thrice reuerend Doctor Whitaker of blessed memorie hath fully answered this onely added 1 set apart you must the testimonies which Popes giue of themselues for what Court alloweth a mans owne Testimonie in his owne Cause 2 Beleeue not the Epistles Decretall to be theirs on whom they are fathered Bishops of those times were not so vnlettered so vntutored as in euerie page to doe Priscian violence Not so besotted as to send letters to the dead nor you must thinke so Propheticall as to alledge for testimonie the sayings of men yet vnborne As to other Fathers of Greeke and Latine Church they must be confessed to speake many things encomiastically of the Roman Church in their times cause they had then sufficient it being yet mostly orthodoxe Yet what seemes in their writings to sound as they would now haue the Bels to ring thinke and you shall not erre they spake rather from voluntarie reuerence then from opinion of necessary obligation Apostasie vnderstand from the Faith Catholique taught in Scriptures that is verbum fidei Religion what is in the written word prescribed All other thinke z Mat 15.9 vaine taught by the precepts of men When Paul said they should depart from the faith ment he from the faith of Rome or rather ment hee Rome as other Churches yea more then many should depart from faith Catholick See 1 Tim. 4.1.3 thou wilt think he pointed finger specially to Rome so sutable are their doctrines to those of Diuels there mentioned Lyâ—onus in 2 Thess 2. And thus doth Lyra expound this Text. Nisi venerit discessio primum Exponunt aliqui de discessione a Romano Imperio alij de discessu a Romana Ecclesià a quaiam diu est quòd recessit Graecia mihi videtur melius intelligendum de recessu a fide Catholicà 5. Is it past Resp Why doubt we haue we read Scriptures obserued the doctrine of Faith there taught the rule Matter Manner of worship there prescribed The whole world once groaned to see it selfe become Arian It might much more to haue seene it self become wholly Antichristian 6. When began it Where was it Who Authors of it Resp 1. Fond men must circumstances needs bee punctually showne else is it
of beatitude they loue darkenesse rather then light because their x Iohn 3.19 deedes are euill 3 There is in the truth as in y Mat. 5.13 salt holesomenesse but ioyned with tartnesse the two witnesses z Apoc. 11.10 vexe them that dwell vpon the earth No maruell if they ioy and solace themselues in their disgrace That they might bee saued Quest Had they beene saued if they had admitted loue of trueth Resp Who doubts vpon that Hypothesis Tyre and Sidon had a Mat. 11.21.23 repented in case meanes of Capernaites had beene vouchsafed them Quest But could they receiue it Resp Why are we curious God puts not into any auersenesse from any goodnesse In the tender of grace and iniunction of duties respects them as he first made them Expects they should render him the good dispositions and abilities and pliablenesse to his instructions hee gaue in their first creation Iustly sith he b Eccles 7.29 made them righteous at the first and they haue sought them many inuentions Arminius too sawcily forceth on God necessitie and obligation to restoring of abilities lost by mans wilfulnesse too grosly denies abilitie to euery thing enioyned or to bee enioyned giuen vnto Adam But why meddle we with those intricacies Fluently we haue it from the Apostle that loue of truth is amongst those vertues which accompany saluation Therefore Ieremie pleades it as part of his righteousnesse claimes thereby interest to blessings conueyed in couenant of Grace Thy c Iere. 15.16 words were found with mee and I did eat them and thy word was vnto me the ioy and reioycing of my heart See Iob 23.12 Psal 119. And who so considers 1 d Rom. 8.7 Enmitie of depraued nature against the Law of God 2 That this loue issues from the e 1. Pet. 2.3 comforts our consciences haue tasted the power of it our soules haue experimented f 1. Cor. 10.5 in subduing the high thoughts to obedience of Christ and the blessed g Psal 19.7 change it hath wrought easely acknowledgeth the gift supernaturall farre aboue what nature eleuated to her highest pitch if subsisting within boundes of nature can possibly reach vnto Vse 1 Blest is the soule that feeles it hee hath Heauen vpon earth thus discerne it and rest assured of thy gracious estate 1 The rate it s h Mat. 13.46 Psal 119.72 valued at is aboue that of Gold and Siluer 2 The soule that tasts it i Pro. 2 4. searcheth for it as for Siluer withall the might gets this vnderstanding 3 k Psal 84 42. Mournes for depriuall as Rachel for her children 4 Is in a measure satisfied neuer l Psal 84.2 1. Pet. 2.2.3 sated with the pleasures of it 5 A m Rom. 10.15 beautie it sees in the very feet of them that preach it loues the ground they goe on 6 Hates as Hell the adulteraters n Gal. 2.5 opposeth to euery opposite of the trueth and proceedings of it You that loue your soules fasten on them this loue of truth 1 If depth of learning profound mysteries bee it that your mindes affect loe here what o 1 Pet. 1.12 Angels themselues loue to pry into reioyce to p Ephes 3.10 learne in the Church 2 Pleasing to the vnderstanding is the knowledge of trueth Verum is bonum intellectus the halfe happinesse and perfection of the vnderstanding Here see such as no science else reueales God is he knowes and reueales his owne being and manner of existence The true meanes of reconciling man to God and what all the wits of the World in vaine turmoiled and puzled themselues to finde out the way and meane of true tranquillitie 3 Oh q Psal 34.8 tast and see how gracious the Lord is experiment a while the power of this truth What wonders will it worke in thy soule may it there sway Those turbulent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passions of sensualitie which wisedome of morall heathens laboured vainely to captiuate to right reason this shall r 2 Cor. 10 5. subdue the miserable bondage vnder sinne and Satan whereunder who groanes not This ſ Iohn 8.32 17.9 truth shall free thee from 4 And if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true tranquillitie of minde t Phil. 4.7 pacification of conscience be that we long for behold it published conuyed wrought by the Gospel of peace the word of faith teacheth to vs wherewith we u 1. Iohn 3.19 may assure our hearts in the very terrour of the last day 5 And this is that * Rom. 1.16 power of God to saluation the word of saluation of life Reuealing working the x Iohn 17.3 knowledge of God in Christ leading to the beatificall vision the fruition of the glorious God-head If these amiable fruites sway vs not Oh yet let the terrour of the Lord mooue vs thus it s specified VERS 11.12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should beleeue a lie That they all might be damned who beleeued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse THE words seeme intended to farther explication of the miserable estate of men seduced by Antichrist for not receiuing the loue of truth And for the maine to worke in vs the more feare of slighting such grace of God offered in the Gospel The argument drawne from the punishment dreadfull and to be trembled at wherewith God plagues such as regard not the Gospel the word of truth For this God shall send them strong delusion c. Particulars considerable are 1 The iudgement 2 The inflicter 3 The issue 4 The cause meritorious 1 The iudgement is strong delusion to beleeue a lie Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some interpret Efficacissimam quandam deceptionis vim Others Vim intus efficacem operatricem Our English strong delusion Whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 actiuely denote imposture or passiuely the fruit of such deception Errour is not curiously to be disputed The words to my apprehension sound strongest impressions of errour fastened vpon their mindes by that great Imposture the instrument of the Lords vengeance Conceiue it to imply two things 1 Infatuation and besottednesse so great as that errours palpable and such as may be selt are entertained for trueth 2 Pertinacie and stifnesse in adhearing to them incorrigible that no perswasion nor affright from God or man can reclaime them from De primo Infatuation Haue you euer read the Lord describing the sottish dotage of idolatrous Iewes He y Esay 44. burneth part thereof in the fire with part thereof hee eateth flesh he rosteth rost and is satisfied hee warmeth himselfe c. And the residue thereof hee maketh a god euen his grauen Image hee falleth downe to it and worshippeth it and prayeth vnto it and saith deliuer me for thou art my god And none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge or vnderstanding to say I haue burnt part thereof in the fire I haue
the present truth be glorie for euer Amen Let no man deceiue you by any meanes Deceiue 1. Seduce or out you of the way of truth or mislead you to errour Thinke it spoken to vs and a little more nearely concerning vs inasmuch as these are the last times wherein the Seducer of the Brethren and the false Prophet y Apoc. 12.12 knowing their time but short busily bestirre themselues that may bee one motiue 1 Through remaines of ignorance and loue of noueltie we are inclinable to errour more then to Truth 2 z Pro. 23.23 Truth is precious Errour dangerous 3 And if we a Heb. 10.26 27. sinne willingly after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth what remaineth but fearefull expectation of vengeance and violent fire to deuoure There is 1 Temerarium 2 There is Erroneum 3 And there is Haereticum There is a graduall order betweene them 1 Temerarius they call opinions or auouchments published without sufficient euidence of Authoritâ—e or Reason to support them wherein though perhaps there may be Truth yet there is not euidence sufficient to conuince or to induce a wise man to beliefe or auouchment Exemp That there is an Hierarchie of Angels so ordered as the Pseud-Areopagite hath framed it perhaps is true yet of him that intrudes into what he hath not seene nor God reuealed may we not say as Paul b Col. 2.18 he is rashly puffed vp in his foolish minde That to euery man from his birth is assigned his Custos Angelus as Hierome and other learned opine perhaps is true yet he shall be rash who so peremptorily asserts it for where is the euidence 2 Erroneous addes to Temerarious apparent falsitie of opinion such as ouerthrowes no foundation razeth no Article Exemp that there are moe then two Sacraments of the New Testament whether three or fiue or seuen as opinions are varied is not hereticall to auouch yet aptly more then Temerarious no lesse then erroneous to thinke or affirme 3 Hereticall denotes notorious falsitie in matter of necessary faith especially when pertinacie appeares in the auouchment Exemp That Christ is a meere creature as Arius That there is no resurrection nor Angell nor Spirit as Sadduces auouched is not a simple errour but implies hereticall prauitie Rashnesse inclines to Errour Errour to Heresie No man by any meanes Sometimes 1 The man leads into errour 2 Sometimes the meanes or manner of conueiance 1 The man through realtie or opinion of learning or sanctitie or both Reuerence and authoritie of Peter was such in the Church that his fact seemed a Law wherefore Paul chargeth him to haue c Gal. 2.13.14 Exemplo non verbo Hier. constrained the Gentiles to be circumcised yea Barnabas himselfe is carried away with their dissimulation and with vs how many Errours are borne and carried with the bare names of men such as with whom their admirers will choose to erre rather then with others to thinke Truth Yet said Paul 1 the best know but d 1 Cor. 13.9 in part 2 are but in part sanctified 3 Suppose them to hold the foundation yet may they build e 1 Cor. 3.12.15 hay or stubble so that teacher and hearer may suffer detriment 2 The meanes three vsuall amongst false Teachers Paul mentioned 1 Reuelation 2 Tradition 3 Counterfeit Scriptures yet knowing meanes might be multiplied he enlargeth his Caution that nor these nor any of any sort should be giuen way vnto Amongst those other ye may number 1 Peruerting of Authentique Scriptures 2 Miracles 3 Apparition of the dead with the like The chiefe meanes now in vse amongst our Aduersaries whose Purgatorie Prayer for dead Inuocation of Saints departed c. haue no other ground then obscure passages of Scripture depraued or fained Miracles or fond apparitions of the dead Against these and a thousand the like our Sauiour hath made vs cautionate limiting vs to f Luke 16.29 Moses and Prophets aduising to examine g Deut. 13.2 3. Miracles by Doctrine h Gal. 1.8 Anathematizing Angels introducing another Gospell As meanes auaileable to preuent seducement thinke of these 1 Store you withknowledge of Scriptures i Colos 3.16 let that word dwell plentifully in you you know who said k Mat. 22.29 yee erre not knowing the Scriptures 2 Beware of wanton curiositie l Deut 29 29. in searching beyond Reuelations m Rom 12 3. be wise to sobrietie 3 Make not Reason a Mistris to Faith shee is a good handmaid while a handmaid but Sarah made Hagar insolent 4 Let not knowledge n 1 Cor. 8 1. puffe thee for o 1 Cor. 4 7. who discriminates thee Thy Ignorance if thou couldst see it is more then thy Knowledge 5 Admit not least declining from the Scripture change not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet 6 Adhere not to the letter against the true meaning of Scripture that 's not words but meaning 7 Flie errour in manners they make way to errours in iudgement yea p 2 Thes 2.11 12 to strong delusion 8 Bee not rash or headlong in resoluing beyond euidence Temerarious makes way to Erroneous 9 In dubijs resolue not without your guides There are at whose q Mal. 2.7 mouthes you must seeke the Law And of Pauls Caution hitherto followes the Confutation For that day shall not come except there bee a departure first and that man of sinne be reuealed c. 2. The Confutation of the errour from two necessary Antecedents of Christs comming 1. Generall Apostasie 2. Reuelation of Antichrist Thus in forme That day shall not come till after the great Apostasie and discouery of Antichrist Neither of these yet are nor shall be within the time limited by false Teachers Ergo the end not yet That day shall not come A supplement to the Text yet no condemned addition to the Word of God sith from scope and principall intention of the Apostle fluently inferred selfely forcing it selfe into the vnderstanding of the Reader De ciuit dei lib. 20. c. 19. Except there be a departure S. Austins rendring by Refuga as impertinent I pretermit though the trope be vsuall to say scelus pro scelesto 1. Apostasie in general signifies any defect or reuolt from him to whom we owe or haue performed subiection 2. Of what sort and from whom is this Apostasie Resp S. Hierome and other ancients many conceited it a ciuile defection from the Roman Empire Nisi inquit venerit discessio primum vt omnes Gentes quae Romano imperio subiacent recedant ab eis mox Nisi inquit Hieron Epist ad Algasiam quest 11. fuerit Romanum Imperium desolatum Antichristus precesserit non veniet Christus The sentence is true but the exposition impertinent For 1 stands or fals the Church with the Empire 2 Was this the sinne which God should punish by giuing the raines to Antichrist Defection from the Empire 3 Or were Christians to