error but that the way to eternal salvation b Vide resp ad quoest 4. ad orthodox inter opera Justini cannot be known of those which without any respect of profit or honor seek it subjecting themselves and all they have to God and praying to him for assistance the Divine goodness will not suffer it to be believed Verily since God hath implanted in mans Soul a power of judging no part of truth is more worthy upon which it may be exercised then that which cannot be left unknown without danger of losing eternal happiness III. Proof against Mahumetists from the Holy Scriptures That Moses a Azoara 5.21 was sent from God and Jesus b Azo 5.12 and that they were Holy men c Azo 5.71 who first propagated the Discipline of Jesus Mahumet and his followers do confess But in the Alcoran many things are related quite contrary d De Abrahamo Azo 31. in Hist Exod. multa Azo 17. 30. in Hist Josephi multa Azo 22. to the relations by Moses and by the Disciples of Jesus To take one example of many that Jesus died upon the Cross returned to life within the third day and was seen of many all the Apostles and the Disciples with the greatest consent do testifie On the contrary Mahumet teacheth that Jesus was secretly stoln away e Azoara 11. to Heaven and that on the Cross was fastened a certain Image of him and therefore Jesus died not but the eyes of the Jews were deluded This objection cannot be evaded except Mahumet say as he doth say that the Books both of Moses and of the Disciples of Jesus remained not such as they were at first but were f Azo 9. corrupted But this fiction is resuted by us already in a former discourse Surely if any one should say the Alcoran is corrupted the Mahumetists would deny it and think that sufficient against those which bring no proof but they are not able if they would to alledge the arguments for the integrity of their Book which we produce of Copies presently spread over all the World not as of the Alcoran in one Language and preserved by the fidelity of so many Sects so differing in other matters The Mahumetists perswade themselves that in the Fourteenth Chapter of St. John where is spoken of the sending a comforter there was something written of Mahumet which the Christians blotted our But here I would ask of them would they have this change of writing made before the coming of Mahumet or afterward After the coming of Mahumet it was impossible when at that time were extant in all the world very many not only Greek Copies but Syriac Arabic and in parts distant from Arabia Ethiopic and Latin of several versions all which do agree in that place without any variety of the writing Before the coming of Mahumet there was no cause of change for none could know what Mahumet would teach Yea if the Doctrin of Mahumet had nothing contrary to the Doctrin of Jesus the Christians would not have been more difficult in receiving his Books than they were in the Books of Moses and the Hebrew Prophets Suppose we nothing had been written in either side either of Jesus's institution or of Mahumets equity would tell us that is to be taken for the Doctrin of Jesus to which all Christians that for Mahumets to which Mahumetists have consented IV. Mahumet and Christ compared Let us now compare the adjuncts and properties of both Institutions that we may judge which is to be preferred and first let us look upon the Authors Jesus by the confession of Mahumet himself a Azoaia 29 was 09 that Messias promised in the Law and the Prophets he is called by Mahumet himself the word of God b 5.11 the Mind c 4.11 the Wisdom d Ibid. of God he is said by the same Mahumet to have had no Father e 31. among men Mahumet is believed even by his own Disciples f Videlib Generationis Mahumetis begotten after the accustomed way of Nature Jesus of a life always immaculate to whom nothing could be objected Mahumet long time g Vide clron Mahumetis versa Arab. a Robber always given to h Azo 42.43 Women Jesus carried up into i Azo 11. Heaven as Mahumet confesseth Mahumet is detained in his Sepulchre Which of the two is worthy to be followed who cannot plainly perceive V. Their actions compared Consider the actions of them both Jesus a Azoara 5.13 gave fight to the blind strength to the lame and health to the Sick Mahumet b 3.14.17 saith he was not sent with miracles but with Arms. Yet some came after who would attribute also miracles to him but of what sort Truly such as by humane art may easily be effected as that of the Pigeon flying to his ear or whercof there were no witnesses as of the Camel speaking to him by night or which are refelled by their own absurdity as of a great part of the Moon c Azoara 64. fallen into his Sleeve and returned by him to make up the roundness of the Star Who will not say in a doubtful case we must stand to that Law which hath on its side the surer Testimonies of Divine approbation Let us now see what they were who first undertook either of the professions VI. The first profession of both Religions They that embraced the Law of Jesus were men fearing God of an innocent â—ife and it becomes God not to suffer such men to be deceived either with cheating words or seeming Prodigies But the first followers of Mahumetism were men that lived upon the a Vox ipsa Saraceni 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 significat Scal. spoil strangers both to humanity and to Piety VII The manner of propagation of both Next let us shew the manner how both Religions Were propagawted Of the Christian we have already said the increase of it was from miracles not of Christ only but of his Disciples and their successors and also from their patience of adversities and Persecutions But the Teachers of Mahumetism wrought no miracles they suffered no grievous troubles no cruel deaths for that profession That Religion whither their Arms lead the way follows and is an occasion of their Victory Nor do the Masters themselves bring other Arguments for it but the success of their Wars and the greatness of their Empire then which nothing is in this affair more fallacious Themselves condemn the Pagan Religion and yet we know how great were the Victories of Persians Macedonians Romans and how large their Empires Nor have the Mahumetists always prospered in their Wars Notable overthrows have they received in many places both by Sea and Land Out of Spain they were totally expelled A thing of so uncertain event and common to good and bad cannot be a certain note of true Religion So much the less here because their Arms are unjust being often raised against Nations
by such impression the act of the Will should necessarily follow then the power of deliberating and chusing which we feel c Eusebium vide praep Evang. 6.6 in our Souls had been given in vain then the equity of all Laws d Justin apol 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nisi il electione libera a facultatem habet humanum genus ut turpia fugiat honesta sumat in neutram partem ipse ascribenda actionis causa of rewards and punishments were taken away First because in that which is plainly inevitable there can be neither merit nor demerit neither praise nor dispraise And farther being there are some acts of an Evil Will if these come by a certain necessity from Heaven in as much as God hath given such a power to Heaven and Heavenly bodies it will now follow that God who is most perfectly good is the true cause e Contra quam dixit pluto de repub 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of moral evil and whereas by Law made he professes himself to hate sin the inevitable cause whereof he hath inserted in his Creatures by consequence he must will things contrary to each other the same thing to be and not to be and sin must be committed in that which one does by Divine impulse 'T is more probable which others say that by influx of the Stars the Air first and then our bodies are touched and imbibe certain qualities which often excite in the Soul correspondent appetitions by which the will is moved and many times prevailed with But this so granted maketh nothing to that question which we have in hand For Christian Religion because it very much wiâ—hdraws men from those things which are pleasing to the body could not have beginning from bodily affections and therefore not from the power of Stars which as we have said work not upon the Soul but by those affections The wisest of Astrologers exempt from the Law and Regiment of Stars such men as are truly wise f Ptol. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Potest vir sapiens multas astrorum efficientias avertere and Virtuous and such in truth were they who first took upon them the Religion of Christ as their life demonstrates And if we attribute also to erudition and good Letters any value against the inclination of the body there have been always among the Christians men of good note in this respect Lastly the effects of the Stars as the most skillful do acknowledge regard the several quartets of the World and are temporary But this Religion continnes now Sixteen hundred years not in one but in most distant parts of the World and under very diverse constellations XII Many points of Christianity approved by wise Pagans But Pagans have the less to oppose against Christian Religion because all the parts of it are of such integrity that by their proper light they do as it were convince the minds of all So that even among Pagans have not been wanting such as have said severally what our Religion hath all together Namely that Religion is not placed in rites a Menander Deo sacrifica semper ingenio probo Cic. Cultus deorum est optimus ut cos semper pura mente veneremur Persius compositum jus fasque animi c. but in the mind that he is an adulterer who hath had a desire b Intus adulter erit Ovid. to commit adulter that injury is not to be c Menander Ille vir virorum est optimus Qui melius aliis callet ferre injurias repay'd that one Wife d Vide Eurip. Andron is to be joyned with one man that the Covenant of Marriage ought to be e Val. Max. l. 2. c. l. perpetual that it is the duty of man to do good to f Homo sum humani nibil à me alienum arbitror Ter. every one specially to the needy that that we must abstain from g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pyth. swearing as much as we can that in food h Satis est populis fluviusque Ceresque Luc. and rayment we must be content with that which nature requires And if there be any thing in Christian Religion hard to be believed like things are found among the wisest of the Pagans as that of the immortality of Souls and that of a return of bodies to life again So Plato i Epist ad Dion taught by the Chaldeans distinguishes the Divine Nature into the Father the Fathers mind which he also stiled the offspring of God the maker of the World and the Spirit which contains all things That the Divine Nature may be united with the humane k Lib. 6. Julian so great an Enemy to Christians did believe and gave an Example in Esculapius whom he thought to have come from Heaven to teach men the Art of Physick The Cross of Christ offended many but what things do not the Pagan Authors say of their Gods that some were in service to Kings others thunder-struck others cut and wounded And the wisest of them affirmed Virtue is then most joy ous when 't is at the dearest rate Plato in his second De repub l Unde Cic. Bonus ille vir vexetur rapiatur damnetur c. prophetically saith To exhibite the Righteous man 't is requisite that his Virtue be spoiled of all ornaments that he be accounted by others wicked that he be mocked and at last Hanged And certainly to set forth an example of the highest Patience was otherwise impossible HVGO GROTIVS AGAINST JUDAISM I. Address to the Jews WE know the Jews are the progeny of a Rom. 9.10 11. Holymen whom God was wont to visit by his Prophets and his Angels Of this Nation was born the Messias and the first Doctors of Christian Religion theirs is the Tree into which we are inoculated they the keepers of Gods Oracles which we reverence much as they do and with St. Paul we send up sighs to God on their behalf praying for the speedy approach of that day when the b 2 Cor. 3.14 Vail being taken off which hangs before their eyes they shall with us clearly behold the c Rom. 3.27 completion of the Law and when according to the Old Prophecies we that are strangers shall every one lay hold upon the skirt of an Hebrew d Zach. 8.21 with this request that we may all joyn together in the Worship of that one God the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. II. Christs miracles cannot be denied by the Jews First then let not the Jews think that unjust in our Cause which they judge to be equal in their own If a Pagan ask Why they believe the miracles done by the hand of Moses they would say nothing else but this There hath been delivered down such a perpetual and constant report thereof amongst them that it could not but proceed from the Testimony of those who had seen the miracles namely that the Widdows Oyl a 2
2 Cor. 6. 15. themselves far off who ought not only to excel Pagans much but even the Jewish Lawyers w Mat. 5.20 and Pharisees whose righteousness consisting in some external works is not sufficient to bring us unto the Kingdom of Heaven In no esteem now x 1 Cor. 7.19 is the circumcision made with hands but that other internal of the heart the keeping of Gods commands the new y Gal. 6.15 Creature Faith efficacious by love z 5.6 by which are known the true Israelites a Rom. 9.6 mystical Jews b 2.28 that is the worshippers of God Difference of meats c Act 10.13 Sabbaths d Col. 2.16.21 Festival days are shadows of things which have a real existence in Christ and Christians On occasion of Mahumetism these are our admonitions It was foretold by the Lord Jesus e Jo. 5.43 that after his times some would come and falsly say they were sent by God but though an Angel f Gal 1.8 should come from Heaven no other Doctrin is to be received then that of Christ confirmed by so great testimonies g 1 Jo. 5.7 For of old in many and sundry ways h Heb. 1.2 God spake unto the pious men at that time living but at last was pleased to speak unto us by his Son the Lord of all things i 1 Cor. 15.27 the effulgence k Heb. 1.3 1.13 of his Fathers brightness the express image of his substance bâ— whom are made the things that have been or shall be who hath all things under his Dominion and having expiated our sins being lifted up to the right hand of God hath attained dignity above the Angels and being the author l Heb. 2.3 of our Religion nothing can be expected more magnificent Here I may recal into your memory that the Arms m in Eph. 6. 11. appointed for Christs Soldiers are not those upon which Mahumet relies but the proper arms of the Spirit able to overthrow all strong holds that lift themselves up against the knowledge of God for a shield faith to repel the fiery Darts of the Devil for a brest plate righteousness of life for a Helmet to defend the weakest part the hope of life eternal and for a Sword the word is delivered to us from Heaven piercing into the inmost parts of the Soul Here followeth my serious exhortation to mutual concord which Christ at his departure n Jo. 14.27 so earnestly commended to his Disciples We ought not to have many Masters but one is our o Jam. 3.1 Master Jesus Christ we Christians are all Baptized into p 1 Cor. 1.13 1.10 one name We ought not to admit Sects among us q Rom 12.3 and divisions for a remedy whereof we must be mindful of those A postolical sayings be soberly wise according to the measure of knowledges God hath given to every one if any have less understanding bear r 15. 1. with their weakness that they may easily and without contention joyn with us if any excel others in knowledge 't is fit they should excel also in their love f 2 Cor. 6.6 and compassion and patiently wait till God reveal t Phil. 3.15 unto them the Truth as yet unknown Mean while things certain and agreed upon are to be held fast and practised Now we know in part u 1 Cor. 13.11 the time is come when all points shall be perfectly comprehended And this I intreat of every one not to hide the Talent w Mat. 25.15 entrusted to him but use his best endeavor to gain others unto x 1 Cor. 9.19 Christ to which purpose we are not only to give them wholsome y Eph. 4.29 words but the example of a good life that the goodness of our Lord may be seen in the good behavior z 1 Pet. 3.16 of his Servants and the purity of the Gospel may shine forth in their obedience Amen I. Against Paganism I. A Special Refutation of Religions differing from the Christian II. And first of Paganism That there is one God alone III. That evil spirits were worshipt by the Pagans and how unworthily IV. Against worshipping of the dead V. Against worshipping the Stars and Elements VI. Against worship given to dumb Beasts VII worship of accidents VIII Answer to an objection of miracles IX Answer to the objection of Oracles X. Pagan Religion failed being left of humane aids XI The pretended efficacy of the Stars XII Many points of Christianity approved by Wise Pagans II. Against Judaism I. ADdress to the Jews II. Christs miracles cannot be denied by the Jews III. Answer to an objection of the Devils aid IV. Of the force of words V. The miracles of Jesus were Divine VI. Answer to an objection of the difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ VII How Jesus observed the Law of Moses and what he abolished VIII Sacrifices never pleased God by themselves IX Difference of Meats X. Of Daies XI Of outward Circumcision XII The Apostles toleration of Jewish rites XIII The Jews confess the promise of Messias XIV That he is come proved by the Time XV. Of the delay of his coming XVI The present State of the Jews XVII Jesus proved to be the Messias from the Prophecies XVIII Objection that some things are not fulfilled answered XIX Answer to the low Estate and death of Jesus XX. Answer to this that good men crucified Jesus XXI Objection of more gods answered XXII Objection of adoring humane nature answered XXIII Conclusion of this part III. Against Mahumetism I. The rise of Mahumetism II. The Foundation of Mahumetists overturned III. Proofs against Mahumetists from Holy Scriptures IV. Mahumet and Christ compared V. Their actions compared VI. The first profession of both Religions VII The manner of propagation of both VIII Their precepts compared IX Objection touching the Son of God answered X. Absurd things in their Books Conclusion of all FINIS