A discourse concerning the abstrusenesse of divine mysteries together with our knowledge of them May 1. 1627. Another touching church-schismes but the unanimity of orthodox professors Feb. 17. 1628. By I.D. Mr of Arts and fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford.
         Doughty, John, 1598-1672.
      
       
         
           1628
        
      
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             A discourse concerning the abstrusenesse of divine mysteries together with our knowledge of them May 1. 1627. Another touching church-schismes but the unanimity of orthodox professors Feb. 17. 1628. By I.D. Mr of Arts and fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford.
             Doughty, John, 1598-1672.
          
           [4], 26, 26 p.
           
             Printed by Iohn Lichfield printer to the famous Vniversity, and are to be sold by Edward Forrest,
             Oxford :
             anno Dom. 1628.
          
           
             I.D. = John Doughty.
             Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           God -- Knowableness -- Early works to 1800.
           Heresies, Christian -- Modern period, 1500- -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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             A
             DISCOVRSE
          
           CONCERNING
           THE
           ABSTRVSENESSE
           of
           Divine
           Mysteries
           ,
           together
           
             with
             our
             knowledge
             of
             them
          
           MAY
           1.
           1627.
           
        
         
           ANOTHER
           CHVRCH-Schismes
           but
           the
           Vnanimity
           of
           Orthodox
           Professours
           FEB
           .
           17.
           1628.
           
        
         
           By
           
             I.
             D.
          
           Mr
           of
           Arts
           and
           Fellow
           of
           
             Merton
             Colledge
             in
             Oxford
          
           .
        
         
           OXFORD
           ,
           Printed
           by
           IOHN
           LICHFIELD
           Printer
           to
           the
           Famous
           Vniversity
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           by
           EDWARD
           FORREST
           
             Anno
             Dom.
          
           1628.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           RIGHT
           WORSHIPFVLL
           Dr
           BRENT
           ,
           Dr
           OF
           THE
           CIVILL
           LAWES
           ,
           THE
           WORTHIE
           WARDEN
           OF
           MERTON
           COLLEDGE
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Haue
           done
           that
           here
           ,
           which
           intruth
           I
           never
           thought
           to
           haue
           done
           ;
           Namely
           put
           my selfe
           vpon
           the
           publique
           censure
           for
           a
           Sermon
           :
           For
           I
           knowe
           ,
           and
           well
           consider
           the
           superabundancy
           of
           this
           kinde
           of
           writing
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           world
           may
           seeme
           not
           more
           instructed
           ,
           
           then
           opprest
           .
           But
           the
           maine
           reason
           that
           draue
           me
           on
           this
           determination
           ,
           was
           a
           fitnesse
           here
           of
           the
           argument
           with
           the
           times
           ;
           in
           which
           case
           alone
           (
           to
           speake
           my
           minde
           )
           I
           haue
           ever
           thought
           such
           discourses
           ,
           at
           leastwise
           excusable
           ,
           if
           divulged
           ;
           Especially
           when
           as
           too
           the
           argument
           thus
           taken
           in
           hand
           happens
           a
           little
           besides
           the
           vsuall
           roade
           :
           not
           trauers'd
           and
           debated
           in
           every
           treatise
           .
           Vpon
           this
           ground
           ,
           or
           howsoever
           I
           was
           perswaded
           ,
           hauing
           perchance
           resolu'd
           of
           a
           publication
           .
           I
           knewe
           not
           to
           whom
           I
           could
           more
           iustly
           entitle
           this
           Schedule
           ,
           then
           to
           your selfe
           .
           First
           for
           the
           particular
           respect
           I
           owe
           you
           ,
           and
           then
           by
           reason
           of
           my
           collegiate
           duty
           in
           which
           I
           stand
           bound
           .
           Please
           you
           then
           Sir
           ,
           but
           to
           accept
           of
           these
           my
           first
           fruits
           :
           It
           may
           bee
           hereafter
           I
           shall
           bee
           able
           to
           vndertake
           some
           one
           thing
           or
           other
           ,
           which
           may
           better
           deserue
           your
           name
           and
           patronage
           .
           Meane
           while
           I
           remaine
           ,
           as
           ever
           ,
        
         
           
             Yours
             in
             all
             due
             obseruance
             ,
             IOHN
             DOVGHTY
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           CONCERNING
           DIVINE
           MYSTERIES
           .
        
         
           
             ROM
             .
             12.
             
             VER
             .
             16.
             
          
           
             
               Be
               not
               wise
               in
               your
               owne
               conceipts
               .
            
          
        
         
           NOT
           to
           trouble
           you
           with
           any
           tedious
           Preface
           :
           The
           Romanes
           here
           in
           this
           Chapter
           may
           seeme
           vpon
           their
           new
           enlightning
           by
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           not
           rightly
           to
           haue
           vsed
           those
           spirituall
           endowments
           which
           they
           did
           therewith
           receiue
           .
           For
           otherwise
           not
           long
           since
           they
           were
           a
           people
           of
           all
           most
           reprobate
           ;
           so
           farre
           from
           the
           light
           of
           Grace
           ,
           that
           they
           became
           even
           void
           of
           common
           sense
           :
           What
           the
           Satyrist
           speaketh
           concerning
           Eunuchs
           in
           that
           they
           are
           dismembred
           ,
           
             
               Quaerit
               se
               natura
               ,
               nec
               invenit
               —
               
            
          
           might
           be
           affirmed
           of
           them
           in
           a
           more
           proper
           phrase
           ,
           they
           had
           by
           custome
           of
           sinne
           lost
           the
           very
           principles
           of
           reason
           :
           doing
           those
           things
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             which
             are
             against
             nature
          
           .
           Rom.
           1.
           26.
           
           But
           now
           at
           length
           through
           an
           especiall
           calling
           by
           God's
           grace
           ,
           they
           
           were
           well
           rid
           of
           that
           wretched
           estate
           in
           which
           they
           lay
           ;
           being
           insteed
           thereof
           indued
           with
           many
           rare
           gifts
           both
           of
           the
           will
           &
           vnderstanding
           ;
           like
           men
           therefore
           newly
           recouered
           from
           out
           the
           dungeon
           into
           a
           comfortable
           sunshine
           ,
           they
           doe
           not
           moderately
           enioy
           this
           so
           vnwonted
           a
           light
           ,
           but
           with
           too
           much
           exultancie
           :
           they
           wax
           proud
           and
           high
           minded
           :
           Before
           they
           sinned
           in
           not
           knowing
           God
           or
           what
           was
           right
           ,
           &
           now
           they
           take
           an
           occasion
           of
           transgressing
           from
           the
           abundance
           of
           their
           knowledge
           ;
           As
           the
           Apostle
           speakes
           of
           leaven
           1.
           
           Cor.
           5.
           that
           
             a
             little
             of
             it
             leaueneth
             the
             whole
             lumpe
             :
          
           so
           here
           chiefly
           by
           a
           little
           selfe-conceipt
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           all
           their
           other
           graces
           are
           in
           danger
           to
           be
           corrupted
           .
        
         
           Saint
           Paul
           therefore
           to
           coole
           and
           allay
           this
           heat
           of
           ambition
           is
           very
           diligent
           :
           first
           he
           adviseth
           them
           in
           the
           6.
           v.
           aboue
           to
           measure
           themselues
           by
           their
           proper
           endowments
           :
           whither
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           you
           haue
           receaued
           the
           gift
           of
           Prophecie
           ,
           vse
           prophecie
           ,
           or
           of
           ministring
           ,
           waite
           vpon
           your
           ministery
           :
           In
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           16th
           v.
           he
           biddeth
           them
           not
           to
           
             minde
             high
             things
          
           :
           not
           things
           which
           might
           serue
           rather
           to
           increase
           their
           tumour
           ,
           then
           build
           them
           vp
           in
           the
           spirit
           .
           And
           lastly
           he
           presseth
           them
           with
           the
           words
           of
           my
           Text.
           
             Be
             not
             wise
             ,
             &c.
          
           
        
         
           Where
           may
           you
           be
           pleased
           to
           obserue
           two
           maine
           parts
           :
           
           first
           a
           wisdome
           forbidden
           :
           and
           then
           what
           wisdome
           it
           is
           :
           The
           wisdome
           here
           inhibited
           may
           bee
           vnderstood
           ,
           either
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           obiect
           ,
           as
           
             Be
             not
             wise
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           
           be
           not
           overcurious
           to
           prye
           into
           secrets
           vnrevealed
           :
           In
           which
           sense
           I
           will
           handle
           ;
           first
           ,
           the
           profoundnesse
           of
           Divine
           Mysteries
           :
           2ly
           ,
           the
           danger
           if
           any
           
           shall
           presse
           too
           farre
           into
           them
           ;
           or
           you
           may
           vnderstand
           it
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           subiect
           ,
           as
           
             Be
             not
             wise
          
           ,
           that
           is
           be
           not
           conceiptedly
           lift
           vp
           in
           minde
           .
           Wherevpon
           I
           shall
           consider
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           humane
           knowledge
           ;
           &
           how
           at
           leastwise
           it
           is
           not
           our
           owne
           ,
           but
           from
           God
           :
           Out
           of
           the
           second
           generall
           ,
           whereas
           it
           is
           denied
           that
           we
           should
           bee
           
             wise
             in
             our
             owne
             conceipts
          
           ,
           a
           rule
           or
           square
           may
           be
           thence
           supposed
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           we
           may
           be
           wise
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           define
           to
           bee
           either
           Scripture
           or
           Revelation
           .
           Of
           these
           in
           their
           order
           ,
           and
           first
           of
           the
           profoundnesse
           of
           
             Divine
             Mysteries
          
           .
        
         
           So
           deepe
           are
           most
           points
           of
           this
           art
           ,
           
           that
           in
           truth
           they
           are
           aboue
           the
           lawfulnesse
           of
           mans
           search
           .
           The
           Apostle
           in
           the
           precedent
           Chap
           :
           at
           the
           33
           v.
           tearmes
           them
           not
           incomprehensible
           ,
           but
           rather
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           things
           not
           to
           be
           inquired
           into
           :
           such
           as
           must
           bee
           reverenced
           and
           admired
           in
           silence
           ;
           
             Quod
             non
             potest
             comprehendi
          
           (
           saith
           
             Lactantius
             )
             nec
             quaeri
             debet
          
           :
           if
           mysteries
           cannot
           be
           sounded
           by
           vs
           ,
           neither
           ought
           they
           at
           all
           to
           be
           discussed
           ;
           It
           is
           true
           that
           whatsoeuer
           may
           conduce
           to
           our
           happinesse
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           revealed
           most
           gratiously
           ;
           he
           hath
           giuen
           vs
           his
           word
           to
           bee
           our
           guid
           and
           comfort
           ;
           For
           as
           the
           Israelites
           were
           in
           the
           vast
           Wildernesse
           ,
           so
           are
           we
           beset
           with
           sinnes
           and
           errours
           in
           this
           world
           :
           as
           they
           then
           iournied
           towards
           the
           earthly
           Canaan
           through
           conduct
           of
           those
           two
           pillars
           Exod.
           13.
           v.
           21.
           so
           may
           we
           walke
           safely
           on
           towards
           the
           heauenly
           by
           the
           guidance
           of
           his
           double
           Testament
           ;
           Nothing
           there
           is
           that
           may
           help
           to
           further
           vs
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           either
           in
           both
           ,
           or
           in
           one
           of
           them
           imparted
           :
           But
           as
           for
           high
           and
           sublime
           mysteries
           the
           Lord
           hath
           greatly
           
           concealed
           them
           ;
           hee
           hath
           as
           it
           were
           close
           lockt
           them
           vp
           :
           For
           suppose
           he
           did
           communicate
           and
           lay
           them
           open
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           so
           much
           instruct
           our
           faithes
           ,
           as
           amaze
           our
           iudgements
           .
           Flashes
           and
           strictures
           of
           lightning
           doe
           indeed
           enlighten
           the
           eye
           ,
           but
           by
           reason
           of
           too
           subtile
           a
           nature
           they
           doe
           also
           hurt
           it
           :
           euen
           so
           mysteries
           too
           abstract
           are
           apt
           to
           dazle
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           reason
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           presented
           vnto
           vs.
           
        
         
           There
           are
           I
           confesse
           degrees
           of
           knowledge
           :
           the
           spirituall
           man
           vnderstands
           a
           great
           deale
           more
           then
           the
           carnall
           :
           his
           eyes
           be
           newly
           vnscaled
           by
           grace
           ,
           as
           once
           S.
           Pauls
           were
           :
           but
           it
           is
           touching
           matters
           of
           saluation
           or
           faith
           :
           as
           for
           these
           hidden
           and
           abstruse
           points
           he
           is
           still
           dim-sighted
           .
           In
           the
           5th
           of
           the
           Apoc.
           v.
           2.
           t
           is
           said
           ,
           
             who
             is
             able
             to
             open
             the
             booke
             ?
          
           who
           
             but
             the
             Lyon
             of
             the
             tribe
             of
             Iuda
             ?
          
           It
           is
           meant
           of
           the
           booke
           in
           which
           such
           secrets
           lie
           coucht
           ,
           and
           infolded
           ;
           where
           you
           may
           note
           ,
           that
           wee
           ,
           nay
           the
           best
           of
           God's
           Saints
           ,
           are
           so
           vnfit
           to
           expound
           the
           contents
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           not
           so
           much
           as
           vntie
           the
           claspes
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           may
           be
           ,
           both
           mans
           dulnes
           ,
           and
           the
           abstractnesse
           of
           these
           points
           ;
           as
           for
           man
           ,
           he
           is
           of
           an
           vnderstanding
           much
           darkned
           :
           what
           it
           was
           before
           the
           fall
           ,
           whither
           as
           of
           a
           Viator
           ,
           or
           a
           Comprehensor
           ,
           or
           mixt
           as
           
             Aquinas
             Sum
             :
             P.
          
           1ª
           ,
           Q.
           104.
           resolueth
           ,
           it
           matters
           not
           :
           but
           certainely
           he
           did
           not
           then
           apprehend
           supernaturall
           things
           more
           fully
           ,
           then
           since
           hee
           doth
           searcely
           and
           with
           dimnesse
           ;
           As
           the
           earth
           is
           ,
           so
           are
           the
           earthly
           ,
           of
           a
           dull
           and
           heauy
           capacitie
           ,
           reason
           here
           hardly
           raising
           it selfe
           aboue
           the
           sense
           ;
           David
           acknowledgeth
           in
           this
           regard
           that
           he
           was
           ignorant
           ,
           nay
           foolish
           ,
           
           and
           as
           
             a
             beast
          
           ,
           Psal
           .
           73.
           
           Now
           on
           the
           otherside
           divine
           mysteries
           ,
           whither
           they
           concerne
           God
           in
           his
           nature
           ,
           or
           in
           his
           attributes
           ,
           they
           are
           very
           sublime
           .
        
         
           First
           God
           in
           his
           essence
           he
           is
           so
           pure
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           purity
           and
           abstractnesse
           it selfe
           :
           as
           the
           eie
           be
           it
           neuer
           so
           cleere
           cannot
           see
           the
           thinnesse
           of
           the
           ayre
           :
           so
           neither
           can
           the
           eie
           of
           the
           minde
           truely
           imbrace
           the
           purenesse
           of
           the
           Dietie
           ,
           because
           wanting
           as
           't
           were
           a
           solid
           substance
           wherevpon
           to
           fix
           ;
           And
           therefore
           you
           may
           obserue
           how
           alwaies
           it
           falls
           downe
           streight
           vpon
           conceipts
           more
           grosse
           and
           earthly
           ;
           
           
             Cum
             accesseris
          
           (
           saith
           one
           )
           
             longius
             abit
          
           ,
           God
           the
           neerer
           wee
           labour
           to
           approach
           him
           ,
           the
           farther
           wee
           shall
           finde
           him
           remoued
           beyond
           our
           search
           ;
           The
           Poet
           some
           where
           brings
           in
           Aeneas
           catching
           earnestly
           at
           Creusa's
           ghost
           ,
           but
           that
           flying
           and
           escaping
           betweene
           his
           embraces
           :
           wee
           may
           puzle
           much
           about
           the
           diuine
           essence
           ;
           but
           euen
           then
           when
           wee
           thinke
           to
           haue
           laid
           hold
           on
           it
           ,
           it
           proues
           incomprehensible
           ;
           say
           
             I
             am
             that
             I
             am
          
           is
           my
           name
           ,
           was
           once
           the
           instruction
           of
           God
           vnto
           Moses
           ,
           Exod.
           3.
           v.
           14.
           and
           let
           him
           be
           still
           what
           he
           is
           :
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           hee
           should
           be
           measured
           by
           mans
           weake
           braine
           .
        
         
           Much
           lesse
           may
           that
           sacred
           diuision
           of
           the
           Trinity
           be
           perceiued
           ;
           how
           three
           persons
           are
           as
           it
           were
           grafted
           vpon
           one
           and
           the
           same
           essence
           :
           what
           the
           Schoolmen
           vrge
           by
           way
           of
           similitude
           from
           the
           vnderstanding
           ,
           memory
           ,
           and
           will
           ,
           doth
           but
           badly
           illustrate
           the
           cause
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Father
           begot
           the
           Sonne
           as
           the
           power
           of
           the
           vnderstanding
           produceth
           its
           act
           ,
           them
           must
           the
           Sonne
           beget
           another
           Sonne
           as
           being
           with
           the
           same
           power
           indued
           :
           likewise
           as
           the
           Spirit
           is
           produced
           by
           
           loue
           ,
           so
           shall
           it
           produce
           againe
           a
           Spirit
           by
           loue
           ;
           wherefore
           this
           instance
           fals
           short
           of
           a
           due
           resemblance
           :
           Yet
           is
           it
           I
           confesse
           the
           best
           helpe
           and
           shadowe
           for
           expression
           that
           either
           here
           wee
           haue
           or
           may
           expect
           :
           Whilst
           Moses
           kept
           vnvailed
           ,
           
           the
           Israelites
           could
           not
           indure
           to
           look
           vpon
           his
           face
           it
           was
           so
           bright
           ;
           neither
           may
           wee
           behold
           this
           mystery
           vnlesse
           it
           bee
           through
           such
           shadowes
           and
           that
           but
           weakly
           ;
           So
           then
           that
           which
           Tertullian
           hath
           here
           defined
           ,
           is
           most
           remarkably
           true
           :
           
           
             Deum
             aestimari
             facit
             dum
             aestimari
             non
             capit
             :
          
           wee
           doe
           best
           apprehend
           God
           either
           in
           his
           essence
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           if
           we
           confesse
           that
           we
           cannot
           .
        
         
           Come
           now
           to
           those
           attributes
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           ;
           what
           man
           is
           able
           possibly
           to
           reach
           them
           ?
           Who
           doth
           not
           streight
           acknowledge
           his
           dulnesse
           ?
           So
           long
           as
           the
           vnderstanding
           meets
           with
           obiects
           equall
           and
           befitting
           it's
           strength
           ,
           it
           doth
           well
           enough
           ;
           but
           the
           hand
           you
           knowe
           cannot
           graspe
           a
           thing
           bigger
           then
           it selfe
           :
           neither
           can
           a
           finite
           apprehension
           throughly
           conceaue
           those
           properties
           ,
           as
           being
           infinite
           :
           it
           doth
           well
           conceaue
           that
           they
           are
           infinite
           but
           not
           the
           infinitenesse
           ;
           
             hee
             is
             as
             high
             as
             heauen
             what
             can'st
             thou
             doe
             ?
             deeper
             then
             hell
             what
             canst
             thou
             knowe
             ?
          
           Iob.
           11.
           v.
           8.
           
           By
           the
           power
           indeed
           of
           the
           Almighty
           was
           this
           round
           world
           framed
           ;
           his
           arme
           and
           strength
           laid
           the
           foundation
           of
           it
           ,
           no
           man
           doubts
           :
           but
           cleerely
           to
           apprehend
           the
           manner
           of
           its
           production
           ,
           requires
           more
           then
           a
           finite
           capacity
           ;
           our
           vnderstanding
           is
           not
           able
           to
           passe
           ouer
           so
           vast
           a
           distance
           ,
           as
           lyeth
           betweene
           an
           vtter
           nothing
           ,
           and
           the
           newnesse
           of
           a
           being
           .
           Saint
           Paul
           makes
           it
           an
           act
           of
           faith
           to
           perceiue
           
           this
           ,
           
             Through
             faith
             wee
             vnderstand
             that
             the
             worlds
             were
             framed
             ,
          
           Heb.
           11.
           3.
           
        
         
           Yet
           especially
           are
           those
           mysteries
           of
           his
           will
           and
           decree
           most
           abstruse
           ;
           for
           they
           be
           not
           only
           abstract
           in
           their
           owne
           nature
           ,
           but
           also
           concealed
           by
           God
           of
           purpose
           ,
           
             No
             man
             knoweth
             the
             things
             of
             a
             man
             saue
             the
             spirit
             of
             man
             which
             is
             in
             him
             ,
          
           1.
           
           Cor.
           2.
           
           
             And
             a
             prudent
             man
          
           (
           saith
           
             Solomon
             )
             concealeth
             his
             knowledge
          
           ,
           Prov.
           12.
           v.
           23.
           
           Now
           God
           is
           all
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           for
           this
           must
           be
           as
           secret
           in
           his
           determinations
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           iust
           and
           vpright
           ;
           whither
           he
           reprobates
           men
           absolutely
           ,
           or
           vpon
           a
           presupposed
           fall
           ,
           seemes
           a
           question
           of
           a
           perplext
           difficulty
           :
           Againe
           ,
           whither
           he
           allowes
           sufficiency
           of
           grace
           to
           all
           or
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           easier
           to
           argue
           ,
           then
           finde
           out
           wherevpon
           to
           pitch
           a
           setled
           assent
           .
           The
           Aegyptians
           to
           declare
           the
           abstrusenesse
           of
           their
           rites
           did
           place
           vpon
           the
           forefront
           of
           their
           Temples
           the
           picture
           of
           a
           Sphynx
           :
           how
           much
           more
           iustly
           may
           wee
           doe
           so
           ?
           So
           many
           scruples
           doe
           occurre
           in
           the
           bulke
           of
           diuinity
           ,
           which
           if
           they
           be
           searched
           vnto
           the
           bottome
           ,
           they
           far
           surmount
           humane
           reach
           .
        
         
           I
           let
           passe
           here
           that
           
             great
             mystery
          
           (
           as
           Saint
           Paule
           calls
           it
           )
           of
           Christ's
           being
           incarnate
           ;
           that
           of
           the
           
             last
             restoring
          
           of
           our
           bodies
           ,
           both
           which
           for
           their
           seeming
           impossibility
           ,
           were
           points
           in
           times
           past
           which
           ancienter
           professors
           of
           the
           Christian
           faith
           did
           most
           hardly
           digest
           ;
           humane
           reason
           proued
           so
           incapable
           to
           entertaine
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           became
           vnto
           it
           a
           rock
           of
           offence
           :
           Neither
           stand
           I
           to
           inlarge
           those
           disputes
           of
           the
           
             worlds
             consummation
          
           ,
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           with
           others
           ,
           not
           so
           rightly
           to
           bee
           tearm'd
           doubts
           as
           riddles
           ;
           Not
           the
           
           Angels
           themselues
           perchance
           do
           comprehend
           them
           ,
           as
           being
           of
           that
           rancke
           into
           which
           they
           doe
           but
           peepe
           as
           before
           they
           did
           into
           that
           of
           the
           redemption
           of
           man
           kinde
           .
           Mirandula
           in
           his
           Apologie
           much
           extolleth
           certaine
           Cabalisticall
           volumes
           which
           he
           had
           ,
           as
           if
           in
           them
           all
           such
           mysterious
           doctrines
           had
           beene
           darkly
           comprized
           ;
           for
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           besides
           the
           holy
           writ
           ,
           God
           did
           so
           provide
           that
           whatsoeuer
           is
           to
           be
           known
           ,
           might
           out
           of
           these
           be
           collected
           by
           the
           more
           wise
           and
           painefull
           Iewes
           :
           which
           his
           opinion
           he
           groundeth
           vpon
           Esdras
           .
           Esdr
           ,
           2.
           14.
           
           This
           is
           but
           a
           meere
           fancy
           ,
           yet
           so
           farre
           it
           agreeth
           to
           right
           ,
           that
           by
           it
           is
           intimated
           the
           abstrusenesse
           of
           diuine
           truthes
           ;
           
             Out
             of
             whose
             womb
             commeth
             the
             yce
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           )
           Iob.
           38.
           or
           ,
           
             hast
             thou
             entred
             into
             the
             treasures
             of
             snowe
             ?
          
           If
           not
           into
           those
           naturall
           storehouses
           of
           yce
           &
           hayle
           ,
           much
           lesse
           can
           we
           ascend
           into
           those
           spirituall
           ones
           of
           which
           I
           speak
           :
           Doubtlesse
           they
           are
           more
           remoued
           ,
           and
           being
           heauenly
           they
           as
           farre
           exceed
           the
           compasse
           of
           mans
           wit
           ,
           as
           the
           heauen
           is
           diuided
           from
           the
           earth
           .
        
         
           Neither
           bee
           these
           alone
           of
           chiefest
           moment
           so
           involued
           ,
           but
           lesser
           also
           and
           those
           which
           we
           perhaps
           do
           iudge
           our selues
           to
           vnderstand
           compleatly
           ;
           But
           that
           of
           
             Gods
             prouidence
          
           &
           the
           administration
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           may
           seeme
           to
           haue
           stagger'd
           the
           kingly
           Prophet
           :
           how
           the
           wicked
           should
           still
           flourish
           ,
           
           and
           the
           righteous
           bee
           daily
           afflicted
           :
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           soules
           beginning
           ,
           whither
           propagated
           or
           infused
           ,
           did
           much
           trouble
           Austin
           and
           
             Hierom
             ;
             Caliginosissima
             quaestio
          
           (
           saith
           *
           one
           of
           them
           )
           it
           is
           a
           question
           too
           intricate
           ;
           not
           to
           heape
           vp
           many
           :
           *
           Arnobius
           in
           the
           controuersie
           ,
           
             why
             God
             permits
             
             sinne
          
           ,
           sith
           he
           hates
           it
           ,
           yeeldeth
           himselfe
           in
           a
           manner
           blanckt
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           shall
           aske
           why
           divine
           truthes
           are
           so
           obscur'd
           ,
           it
           may
           bee
           they
           are
           reserued
           to
           augment
           our
           future
           blisse
           ,
           which
           shall
           consist
           as
           well
           in
           the
           enlargement
           of
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           as
           the
           refining
           of
           our
           wills
           :
           when
           the
           vaile
           of
           ignorance
           is
           to
           be
           taken
           away
           ,
           and
           
             wee
             shall
             knowe
             even
             as
             we
             are
             knowne
             ,
          
           1.
           
           Cor.
           13.
           or
           perhaps
           it
           is
           to
           encrease
           the
           state
           and
           respect
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           men
           doe
           vsually
           esteeme
           that
           with
           greater
           reverence
           ,
           with
           which
           they
           bee
           not
           so
           throughly
           acquainted
           .
           Vpon
           this
           ground
           the
           heathen
           also
           did
           ,
           
           (
           as
           Macrobius
           obserues
           )
           couch
           their
           religion
           vnder
           darke
           types
           ;
           thence
           so
           many
           fables
           and
           seeming
           toyes
           :
           with
           reverence
           to
           this
           policy
           ,
           some
           heretiques
           likewise
           had
           their
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           of
           the
           Apocal.
           2.
           24
        
         
           Howsoever
           ,
           
           as
           long
           as
           wee
           remaine
           clothed
           with
           this
           corruptible
           flesh
           ,
           we
           be
           in
           such
           mysterious
           points
           but
           weakly
           grounded
           ;
           we
           haue
           onely
           
             assensum
             fidei
          
           an
           easie
           beleife
           ,
           not
           
             assensum
             scientiae
          
           ,
           a
           peircing
           knowledge
           ;
           Religion
           is
           not
           as
           other
           sciences
           ,
           it
           supposeth
           and
           takes
           vpon
           trust
           very
           much
           :
           which
           gaue
           occasion
           long
           since
           to
           the
           blasphemous
           Pagans
           to
           deride
           it
           as
           a
           groundlesse
           fabricke
           of
           the
           braine
           :
           it
           beleeues
           much
           and
           knoweth
           little
           ,
           yea
           knowledge
           it selfe
           here
           is
           but
           a
           kinde
           of
           practicke
           beleife
           :
           
             If
             any
             man
             will
             doe
             (
             Gods
             )
             will
             ,
             hee
             shall
             knowe
             of
             his
             doctrine
             ,
          
           Iohn
           17.
           v.
           17.
           
           Take
           but
           Saint
           Paul
           for
           an
           instance
           ,
           a
           man
           of
           rare
           excellency
           ;
           one
           who
           had
           beene
           wrapt
           vp
           aboue
           the
           heauens
           and
           himselfe
           :
           yet
           (
           as
           himselfe
           doth
           imply
           )
           he
           heard
           those
           things
           in
           his
           rapture
           ,
           which
           afterwards
           
           he
           did
           not
           well
           conceaue
           ;
           nay
           in
           the
           argument
           of
           the
           Iewes
           reiection
           ,
           and
           calling
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           driuen
           it
           to
           a
           head
           as
           neere
           as
           hee
           can
           ,
           he
           meets
           with
           a
           sea
           vnfordable
           ;
           hee
           is
           faine
           to
           sit
           downe
           as
           it
           were
           vpon
           the
           banke
           ,
           and
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             O
             the
             depth
             of
             the
             wisdome
             and
             knowledge
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           I
           will
           conclude
           this
           point
           with
           the
           words
           of
           the
           historian
           ;
           
           that
           which
           he
           speaks
           of
           state
           misteries
           ,
           may
           of
           these
           be
           more
           fitly
           pronounced
           ,
           
             Non
             aliter
             ratio
             constat
             ,
             quàm
             si
             vni
             reddatur
             :
          
           it
           is
           the
           priuiledge
           of
           divine
           mysteries
           ,
           that
           they
           be
           vnderstood
           of
           God
           alone
           .
           As
           for
           others
           ,
           a
           bold
           enquiry
           here
           ,
           is
           not
           more
           irreverent
           ,
           then
           full
           of
           danger
           and
           hazard
           ,
           Which
           is
           my
           second
           point
           .
        
         
           When
           men
           walke
           vpon
           prerupt
           and
           steepe
           places
           ,
           
           they
           are
           subiect
           to
           fall
           ;
           and
           so
           here
           by
           medling
           with
           these
           high
           points
           ,
           an
           errour
           or
           heresie
           is
           quickly
           incurred
           ;
           yet
           such
           is
           the
           intemperate
           desire
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           that
           men
           cannot
           bee
           bounded
           in
           the
           search
           thereof
           ;
           Even
           our
           first
           parents
           in
           Paradise
           were
           not
           free
           from
           this
           itch
           ;
           
           where
           when
           all
           the
           trees
           besides
           were
           granted
           them
           for
           vse
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           tast
           the
           excepted
           fruit
           ,
           which
           (
           as
           
             Nicetas
             Chomates
          
           imagineth
           )
           was
           nothing
           but
           an
           allegory
           or
           figure
           of
           knowledge
           .
           Hence
           in
           their
           posterity
           such
           lusting
           after
           nouelties
           :
           such
           an
           vnsatiate
           curiosity
           .
           In
           truth
           to
           asswage
           this
           humour
           in
           part
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           wholly
           exposed
           all
           the
           creatures
           to
           mans
           disquiry
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Leviathan
           ,
           Psalm
           .
           104.
           that
           God
           hath
           made
           the
           
             wide
             Sea
          
           for
           him
           to
           
             play
             in
          
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           expatiate
           and
           take
           his
           swinge
           ;
           so
           hath
           he
           as
           it
           were
           made
           this
           lower
           world
           
           for
           mans
           delight
           and
           contemplation
           ;
           he
           may
           roue
           as
           he
           list
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           rest
           in
           the
           outside
           of
           things
           ,
           but
           also
           lawfully
           diue
           into
           the
           inmost
           essence
           .
        
         
           But
           for
           
             Divine
             mysteries
          
           ,
           if
           we
           presse
           too
           farre
           ,
           we
           become
           obnoxious
           to
           errors
           &
           slips
           ;
           for
           from
           whence
           sprang
           heresies
           of
           old
           in
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           but
           from
           this
           fountaine
           ?
           Whilst
           men
           in
           the
           search
           of
           truth
           were
           directed
           rather
           by
           too
           much
           ambition
           ,
           then
           an
           aduised
           modesty
           ;
           whilst
           they
           would
           needs
           be
           tampering
           beyond
           their
           skill
           in
           points
           of
           the
           chiefest
           moment
           .
           Hence
           is
           it
           that
           wee
           finde
           more
           heresies
           to
           haue
           arisen
           concerning
           those
           two
           greatest
           mysteries
           of
           the
           Trinitie
           and
           incarnation
           ,
           then
           about
           all
           the
           rest
           :
           Arians
           ,
           Nestorians
           ,
           yea
           most
           sects
           did
           stumble
           at
           these
           blocks
           :
           The
           stomacke
           when
           it
           meeteth
           with
           meats
           hard
           and
           not
           well
           to
           bee
           digested
           ,
           it
           sends
           vp
           noxious
           vapours
           into
           the
           braine
           :
           euen
           so
           these
           men
           lighting
           vpon
           points
           which
           were
           too
           knotty
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           being
           guided
           by
           discretion
           ,
           insteed
           of
           doctrines
           broached
           their
           wild
           conceipts
           :
           For
           this
           cause
           wee
           finde
           the
           Fathers
           euermore
           cautelous
           and
           very
           retir'd
           .
           Read
           but
           St
           Hilary
           in
           his
           2.
           l.
           See
           before
           the
           entrance
           of
           his
           dispute
           concerning
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           how
           he
           puts
           on
           ,
           and
           then
           falls
           backe
           ,
           venters
           againe
           and
           recoyleth
           as
           fast
           :
           mihi
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             in
             sensu
             labes
             ,
             in
             intelligentiâ
             stupor
             est
             :
          
           both
           my
           sense
           and
           reason
           are
           astonisht
           .
           The
           good
           Father
           may
           seeme
           rather
           to
           haue
           feared
           a
           surreptitious
           curiosity
           ,
           
           then
           if
           he
           should
           bluntly
           haue
           betrai'd
           the
           cause
           .
           At
           the
           Synod
           of
           Nice
           where
           the
           same
           point
           was
           debated
           ,
           the
           Bishops
           there
           expresly
           reiected
           the
           words
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           vndertake
           
           they
           would
           to
           proue
           the
           mysterie
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           manner
           they
           durst
           not
           .
        
         
           Such
           was
           their
           religious
           diffidence
           in
           these
           matters
           :
           and
           such
           others
           also
           ;
           to
           whom
           I
           could
           wish
           that
           the
           Schoolemen
           were
           not
           vnlike
           .
           But
           contrariwise
           what
           arrogancy
           doth
           wholy
           possesse
           them
           ?
           How
           respectlessely
           doe
           they
           thrust
           into
           the
           most
           hidden
           secrets
           ?
           It
           was
           a
           time
           when
           the
           Lord
           gaue
           command
           ,
           Exod.
           19.
           v.
           12.
           that
           none
           ,
           neither
           man
           nor
           beast
           should
           touch
           the
           mount
           where
           himselfe
           was
           .
           And
           surely
           there
           is
           great
           reason
           why
           the
           same
           edict
           should
           bee
           proclaim'd
           againe
           :
           this
           boldnes
           of
           some
           wits
           calling
           too
           nicely
           into
           dispute
           ,
           those
           mysteries
           ,
           which
           are
           more
           iustly
           to
           be
           adored
           ;
           Euer
           and
           anon
           they
           discusse
           the
           absolutenesse
           of
           their
           makers
           power
           :
           what
           may
           be
           effected
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           what
           not
           :
           sometimes
           they
           argue
           his
           freedome
           and
           will
           ,
           and
           happily
           limit
           it
           with
           some
           vaine
           distinction
           :
           Nay
           so
           audacious
           are
           many
           ,
           that
           except
           they
           sport
           themselues
           in
           these
           mysteries
           they
           be
           not
           contented
           ;
           witnesse
           for
           instance
           sake
           those
           queries
           ,
           whither
           God
           be
           
             materia
             prima
          
           ,
           and
           ,
           whither
           
             Christs
             divinitie
             might
             not
             suppositate
             a
             fly
             :
          
           which
           &
           such
           like
           doe
           not
           informe
           the
           minde
           ,
           but
           truly
           wrong
           the
           maiestie
           of
           God
           :
           so
           that
           here
           I
           could
           almost
           applaud
           that
           sharp
           censure
           of
           iudicious
           Calvin
           ,
           though
           in
           another
           case
           :
           
           
             Scholae
             in
             deterius
             semper
             aberrant
          
           ,
           the
           Schoolmen
           do
           alwaies
           incline
           to
           the
           worse
           hand
           .
        
         
           Neither
           in
           this
           are
           the
           Arminians
           lesse
           to
           bee
           condemned
           :
           
             Who
             hath
             been
             his
             counsellour
          
           ?
           saith
           the
           Prophet
           concerning
           God
           ,
           Isa
           .
           40.
           13.
           
           Whom
           among
           the
           sonnes
           of
           men
           did
           he
           choose
           for
           his
           assistant
           ?
           But
           they
           
           as
           confidently
           state
           those
           his
           Acts
           of
           election
           and
           reprobation
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           themselues
           decreed
           them
           :
           they
           soare
           vp
           on
           high
           euen
           into
           the
           bosome
           of
           the
           Almighty
           :
           men
           oftimes
           of
           greater
           reach
           in
           controversies
           ,
           then
           of
           wisdome
           or
           discreetnesse
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           once
           tooke
           vp
           Peter
           ,
           Ioh.
           21.
           21.
           but
           for
           that
           frivolous
           question
           :
           
             What
             shall
             this
             man
             doe
          
           ?
           Hee
           is
           offended
           with
           the
           Disciples
           for
           inquiring
           too
           narrowly
           after
           the
           restauration
           of
           the
           Iewish
           estate
           ,
           Act.
           1.
           6.
           how
           much
           more
           is
           it
           to
           be
           feared
           that
           hee
           will
           sharply
           rebuke
           those
           forenamed
           intruders
           ,
           if
           they
           learne
           not
           betimes
           to
           curb
           their
           knowledge
           ;
           Austin
           in
           one
           of
           his
           Epistles
           ,
           hath
           a
           pretty
           allusion
           of
           a
           certaine
           passenger
           falne
           perchance
           into
           a
           pit
           :
           Obsecro
           (
           saith
           hee
           there
           so
           falne
           to
           one
           comming
           to
           his
           rescue
           )
           
             quomodò
             hinc
             me
             liberes
             ,
             non
             quomodò
             huc
             ceciderim
             quaeras
             :
          
           stand
           not
           to
           expostulate
           with
           me
           how
           I
           slipt
           in
           ,
           but
           rather
           kindly
           helpe
           me
           out
           :
           We
           are
           all
           falne
           through
           Adam
           into
           a
           wide
           gulfe
           of
           vnhappinesse
           ;
           let
           vs
           endeauour
           to
           recouer
           our selues
           :
           let
           vs
           examine
           rather
           by
           our
           course
           of
           life
           our
           hopes
           of
           blisse
           or
           not
           ,
           then
           curiously
           looke
           it
           in
           the
           first
           decree
           .
           Our
           sinnes
           and
           miseries
           require
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           a
           mediatour
           :
           as
           for
           a
           Sophister
           to
           dispute
           the
           occasion
           we
           need
           not
           ;
           especially
           since
           ,
           as
           Arminius
           himselfe
           concludeth
           ,
           these
           points
           be
           not
           requisite
           neither
           to
           be
           
             knowne
             or
             beleeued
          
           :
           it
           is
           in
           his
           
             declaratione
             sententiae
          
           ,
           before
           the
           States
           .
        
         
           Yet
           are
           they
           still
           so
           fraught
           with
           subtilties
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           pervsall
           may
           seeme
           of
           greater
           danger
           ,
           then
           it
           can
           be
           of
           profit
           .
           How
           often
           see
           wee
           many
           here
           to
           suffer
           shipwrack
           ,
           whilst
           they
           couet
           to
           goe
           farther
           then
           their
           
           ability
           or
           strength
           will
           permit
           them
           ?
           The
           Prophet
           David
           Psal
           .
           36.
           compareth
           the
           iudgements
           of
           God
           to
           a
           depth
           ,
           or
           an
           abysse
           .
           Now
           in
           a
           depth
           as
           long
           as
           we
           can
           finde
           footing
           ,
           we
           be
           well
           and
           safe
           :
           but
           if
           that
           faile
           ,
           a
           feare
           streight
           seizeth
           on
           vs
           of
           being
           plunged
           :
           thus
           in
           abstruser
           mysteries
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           we
           can
           haue
           the
           help
           of
           reason
           too
           ,
           wee
           may
           wade
           the
           more
           securely
           on
           :
           but
           when
           that
           once
           is
           swallowed
           vp
           ,
           
           a
           mazelesse
           confusion
           must
           needs
           followe
           .
           You
           knowe
           what
           Poets
           faine
           of
           Pentheus
           ;
           he
           was
           torne
           but
           for
           viewing
           too
           neerely
           the
           rites
           of
           Bacchus
           :
           vpon
           which
           one
           of
           them
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           
           Such
           wisdome
           is
           madnesse
           outright
           ;
           You
           may
           remember
           how
           the
           Lord
           long
           since
           gaue
           vp
           the
           ancient
           Philosophers
           to
           vanish
           in
           their
           owne
           deuises
           ,
           because
           they
           vsed
           the
           talent
           of
           their
           wits
           to
           idle
           disquiries
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           donours
           praise
           ;
           Let
           vs
           take
           heed
           least
           we
           deserue
           alike
           sentence
           ,
           by
           trespassing
           too
           far
           vpon
           Grace
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           vpon
           the
           light
           of
           Nature
           .
        
         
           Neither
           doe
           I
           by
           this
           approue
           the
           lazie
           dulnesse
           of
           any
           :
           not
           of
           such
           who
           thinke
           it
           acutenesse
           sufficient
           to
           cry
           downe
           more
           acute
           disputes
           .
           Men
           may
           deseruingly
           canvase
           these
           poinrs
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           in
           their
           discourses
           ,
           be
           guided
           by
           reason
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           fancy
           or
           boldnesse
           .
           It
           is
           here
           as
           it
           was
           in
           Ovid
           his
           Medea
           ;
           a
           matchlesse
           Poem
           (
           saith
           the
           Rhetoritian
           )
           
             si
             ingenio
             suo
             temperare
             maluisset
          
           ,
           
           
             quàm
             indulgere
          
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           beene
           too
           lauishly
           witty
           .
           We
           be
           placed
           by
           nature
           in
           a
           mid
           distance
           betweene
           beasts
           and
           Angels
           :
           thus
           also
           ought
           our
           knowledge
           to
           bee
           ,
           lesse
           then
           that
           of
           Angels
           ,
           as
           more
           then
           what
           beasts
           haue
           :
           wee
           must
           bee
           content
           to
           
           forgoe
           many
           difficulties
           ,
           if
           wee
           can
           percance
           vnderstand
           any
           .
           But
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           meddle
           here
           ,
           do
           for
           the
           most
           part
           exceed
           their
           limits
           ;
           as
           it
           happeneth
           in
           ambition
           of
           state
           ,
           they
           neuer
           deeme
           themselues
           high
           enough
           ,
           till
           they
           touch
           vpon
           danger
           .
           God
           in
           many
           places
           of
           Scripture
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             a
             fire
          
           ,
           as
           Deut.
           4.
           v.
           24.
           
           Ezek.
           8.
           2.
           
           If
           to
           a
           fire
           wee
           approach
           not
           too
           nigh
           ,
           it
           comforteth
           ,
           but
           otherwise
           it
           burnes
           and
           scorcheth
           :
           so
           here
           concerning
           diuine
           matters
           ,
           a
           temperate
           knowledge
           instructeth
           vs
           ;
           but
           a
           superfluous
           or
           presumptuous
           search
           confounds
           the
           iudgement
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           close
           vp
           this
           point
           with
           that
           of
           Salvian
           .
           
           
             Genus
             quasi
             sacrilegae
             temeritatis
             est
             ,
             vt
             plus
             scire
             cupias
             ,
             quam
             sinaris
             :
          
           it
           is
           not
           so
           much
           curiosity
           ,
           as
           a
           kinde
           of
           sacriledge
           ,
           to
           prie
           into
           the
           forbidden
           secrets
           of
           Gods
           owne
           closet
           :
           it
           argues
           a
           foule
           presumption
           in
           vs
           of
           our
           strength
           ,
           when
           as
           (
           God
           knoweth
           )
           our
           knowledge
           is
           but
           small
           and
           weake
           ,
           which
           is
           my
           third
           point
           .
        
         
           Knowledge
           indeed
           is
           the
           very
           light
           of
           the
           soule
           ,
           
           a
           iewell
           inestimable
           :
           yet
           so
           apt
           are
           men
           to
           bee
           misled
           by
           arrogancy
           ,
           that
           they
           inuert
           that
           to
           their
           harme
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           bestowed
           on
           them
           for
           their
           greate
           vse
           ;
           I
           told
           you
           before
           of
           the
           danger
           of
           an
           encroaching
           wisdome
           :
           of
           drawing
           too
           nigh
           vnto
           the
           
             flaming
             bush
          
           ,
           to
           which
           notwithstanding
           Moses
           might
           not
           .
           Now
           of
           this
           there
           is
           no
           greater
           an
           incentiue
           cause
           ,
           then
           this
           of
           pride
           ;
           when
           men
           doe
           fauour
           more
           their
           own
           wit
           ,
           then
           the
           iustnesse
           of
           the
           argument
           they
           haue
           in
           hand
           ;
           for
           this
           reason
           you
           may
           note
           how
           errours
           in
           times
           past
           brake
           forth
           most
           rife
           in
           the
           Eastern
           Churches
           ;
           there
           that
           of
           the
           Novatians
           ,
           Eunomians
           ,
           
           first
           tooke
           root
           ,
           and
           indeed
           what
           not
           ?
           Whereas
           there
           of
           the
           West
           ,
           as
           being
           placed
           vnder
           a
           duller
           clime
           ,
           so
           were
           they
           for
           heresies
           lesse
           disposed
           .
           The
           Valentinians
           (
           saith
           Iraeneus
           )
           were
           men
           
             qui
             semetipsos
             perfectos
          
           ,
           
           
             &
             vniversorum
             agnitionem
             habere
             dicebant
          
           :
           they
           deem'd
           themselues
           as
           it
           were
           composed
           of
           wit
           and
           knowledge
           ;
           neither
           is
           it
           a
           rare
           sight
           to
           see
           men
           now
           adaies
           to
           slip
           from
           pride
           to
           errour
           :
           whilst
           not
           being
           seasoned
           with
           charity
           ,
           they
           swell
           with
           selfe
           conceipt
           .
           Hence
           the
           Apostle
           layeth
           it
           for
           a
           principall
           and
           main
           ground
           of
           
             perverse
             doctrines
          
           ,
           1.
           
           Tim.
           6.
           
        
         
           But
           alas
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           highest
           pitch
           of
           mans
           science
           ?
           or
           wherein
           doth
           he
           so
           excell
           ,
           but
           in
           that
           he
           may
           bee
           said
           best
           to
           know
           ,
           if
           he
           confesse
           his
           ignorance
           ;
           Can
           he
           sound
           the
           true
           depth
           of
           the
           least
           point
           in
           nature
           ?
           is
           he
           able
           to
           satisfie
           himselfe
           in
           any
           triuiall
           obiect
           ?
           Looke
           but
           vpon
           the
           loadstone
           ,
           and
           thou
           shalt
           find
           as
           many
           amazing
           wonders
           ,
           as
           there
           be
           properties
           .
           Consider
           the
           remora
           so
           called
           :
           shew
           mee
           how
           so
           small
           a
           creature
           doth
           check
           the
           tallest
           ship
           in
           its
           full
           course
           :
           view
           the
           curious
           frame
           of
           mans
           body
           :
           ponder
           the
           encrease
           of
           the
           buried
           seed
           ,
           
           Vbique
           (
           saith
           
             Scaliger
             )
             clamandum
             est
             nos
             nihilscire
             :
          
           one
           neuerthelesse
           ,
           who
           did
           (
           I
           beleeue
           )
           iudge
           as
           charitably
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           as
           another
           man.
           Reason
           and
           sense
           be
           the
           only
           or
           chiefe
           promoters
           of
           our
           knowledge
           in
           this
           world
           ;
           now
           these
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           are
           as
           subiect
           to
           errour
           ,
           as
           weak
           in
           their
           helpes
           ;
           whereby
           it
           hapneth
           that
           those
           things
           which
           we
           doe
           vnderstand
           ,
           we
           know
           but
           in
           the
           rine
           &
           slightly
           :
           like
           Aesop's
           Fox
           ,
           who
           did
           licke
           the
           outside
           of
           the
           glasse
           ,
           when
           he
           could
           not
           come
           at
           the
           substance
           .
        
         
         
           As
           for
           tumor
           then
           and
           height
           of
           conceipt
           ,
           it
           argueth
           nothing
           here
           ,
           but
           want
           of
           an
           experienced
           insight
           :
           the
           very
           claime
           to
           much
           knowledge
           proues
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           title
           is
           neither
           good
           nor
           right
           ;
           Saint
           Paul
           makes
           it
           a
           principle
           ,
           that
           such
           pretenders
           ,
           at
           least
           wise
           concerning
           the
           Christian
           doctrine
           ,
           were
           but
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           meere
           nouices
           1.
           
           Tim.
           3.
           
           In
           the
           6th
           Ch.
           he
           couples
           them
           together
           ,
           
             proud
             and
             knowing
             nothing
          
           v.
           
           4.
           vpon
           the
           same
           ground
           perhaps
           also
           the
           word
           infrunitus
           of
           the
           ancient
           latines
           ,
           doth
           as
           well
           imply
           an
           insolent
           man
           ,
           as
           one
           that
           is
           void
           of
           sence
           ;
           when
           the
           limbs
           swell
           and
           wax
           ouerbig
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           signe
           of
           health
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           but
           rather
           of
           a
           dropsie
           ,
           or
           some
           disease
           :
           so
           truly
           this
           arrogancy
           proceedeth
           most
           commonly
           from
           an
           vnsoundnes
           of
           the
           braine
           ,
           as
           not
           comprehending
           yet
           but
           what
           the
           vastnesse
           of
           knowledge
           is
           .
        
         
           Hence
           ,
           those
           bitings
           and
           censures
           against
           others
           :
           such
           malignant
           vndervalewing
           ,
           whereby
           wee
           lessen
           our
           brothers
           name
           that
           wee
           may
           encrease
           our
           owne
           ;
           livor
           (
           saith
           
             Petrarch
             )
             Semper
             lippus
             est
          
           :
           this
           humor
           alwaies
           is
           ill
           sighted
           :
           it
           discerneth
           not
           of
           worth
           abroad
           ,
           but
           of
           that
           only
           which
           is
           nigh
           at
           hand
           ,
           nay
           in
           the
           possessour
           :
           Although
           so
           ill
           a
           custome
           doth
           nothing
           augment
           their
           repute
           who
           practise
           it
           .
           The
           moone
           may
           darken
           and
           eclips
           the
           sunne
           ,
           but
           withall
           it
           looseth
           its
           owne
           light
           :
           and
           they
           by
           deprauing
           anothers
           worth
           ,
           make
           their
           owne
           to
           be
           suspected
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           men
           of
           growth
           and
           good
           proceedings
           in
           knowledge
           bee
           nothing
           so
           ;
           Moses
           it
           is
           recorded
           ,
           was
           a
           man
           skilled
           in
           all
           the
           learning
           of
           the
           Aegyptians
           :
           yet
           afterwards
           wee
           finde
           ,
           
           that
           he
           was
           not
           more
           learned
           then
           meeke
           &
           modest
           ,
           
             The
             meekest
             man
             vpon
             earth
             Numb
             .
             12.
             v.
          
           3.
           
           In
           truth
           such
           doe
           well
           conceiue
           the
           length
           and
           breadth
           of
           sciences
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           waded
           thorough
           ;
           they
           are
           so
           far
           from
           nourishing
           a
           great
           opinion
           within
           themselues
           ,
           that
           they
           labour
           also
           to
           beate
           it
           downe
           elswhere
           ;
           
           
             non
             placet
             cùm
             à
             charissimis
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           It
           is
           not
           pleasing
           to
           mee
           (
           saith
           St
           Austin
           )
           that
           my
           friends
           doe
           so
           ouerprize
           my
           worth
           :
           It
           is
           vnderstood
           by
           them
           ,
           how
           the
           knowledge
           of
           this
           point
           doth
           but
           lead
           vs
           into
           the
           ignorance
           of
           another
           ;
           how
           the
           infinitnesse
           of
           learning
           groweth
           vpon
           vs
           in
           the
           very
           getting
           of
           it
           .
           If
           men
           walke
           abroad
           the
           heauens
           seem
           at
           euery
           small
           distance
           to
           close
           with
           the
           earth
           :
           but
           whē
           they
           approach
           thether
           ,
           as
           large
           a
           space
           opens
           forthwith
           as
           they
           haue
           left
           behinde
           ;
           thus
           in
           the
           course
           of
           learning
           ;
           vpon
           any
           purchase
           of
           some
           little
           insight
           we
           hope
           anon
           to
           rest
           accomplisht
           ;
           but
           when
           we
           ariue
           there
           farther
           difficulties
           arise
           before
           vs
           ;
           still
           there
           remaineth
           something
           behinde
           vnscand
           ;
           
             For
             as
             yet
             we
             know
             but
             in
             part
             1.
             
             Cor.
          
           13.
           vpon
           which
           some
           haue
           made
           this
           obseruation
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           life
           wee
           obtaine
           a
           greater
           likenesse
           with
           God
           through
           the
           improuement
           of
           our
           wils
           ,
           then
           by
           that
           of
           the
           reasonable
           faculty
           ;
           Holy
           wee
           may
           bee
           in
           a
           bigger
           measure
           ,
           then
           we
           can
           be
           wise
           and
           learned
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           thou
           hast
           attained
           to
           the
           highest
           top
           of
           all
           science
           :
           that
           thou
           vnderstandest
           as
           much
           as
           angels
           doe
           ,
           
             what
             hast
             thou
             ,
             that
             thou
             didst
             not
             receiue
             ,
             and
             if
             thou
             didst
             receiue
             it
             ,
             why
             dost
             thou
             glory
             as
             if
             thou
             hadst
             not
             receiued
             it
             ?
          
           Men
           doe
           not
           vsually
           boast
           of
           those
           things
           which
           doe
           outwardly
           accrew
           vnto
           
           them
           ;
           thence
           he
           in
           the
           tragedian
           scoffingly
           ,
        
         
           
             Qui
             genus
             iactat
             suum
          
           
             Aliena
             laudat
             .
          
        
         
           it
           must
           be
           something
           of
           their
           owne
           industry
           and
           atchieuement
           that
           pufs
           them
           vp
           :
           now
           knowledge
           ,
           it
           is
           chiefly
           a
           gift
           of
           Gods
           benevolence
           :
           hee
           giueth
           to
           one
           the
           power
           of
           tongues
           :
           to
           another
           the
           vnderstanding
           of
           artes
           ;
           and
           to
           all
           as
           best
           him
           pleaseth
           .
        
         
           I
           speake
           not
           of
           an
           infused
           science
           ;
           not
           of
           the
           ability
           which
           the
           Prophets
           and
           Apostles
           had
           :
           but
           that
           likewise
           of
           the
           common
           straine
           may
           seeme
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           to
           proceed
           from
           God
           ;
           Neither
           yet
           know
           I
           ,
           how
           far
           forth
           here
           he
           affordeth
           his
           influence
           ,
           by
           what
           concurse
           :
           onely
           I
           am
           perswaded
           that
           he
           doth
           concur
           vnto
           this
           by
           a
           more
           speciall
           aide
           ,
           then
           to
           other
           vertues
           of
           the
           like
           ranke
           ;
           
           Euen
           the
           Philosophers
           conceiuing
           this
           ,
           
           had
           there
           deities
           (
           as
           Capella
           also
           alludeth
           )
           to
           whom
           seuerally
           they
           did
           attribute
           each
           art
           ;
           who
           ,
           if
           hee
           doth
           consider
           those
           prime
           fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           how
           powerfully
           they
           withstood
           troopes
           of
           heresies
           out
           of
           the
           copiousnesse
           of
           their
           knowledge
           :
           who
           can
           imagine
           but
           that
           they
           were
           thus
           helpt
           ?
           Yet
           not
           by
           inspiration
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           particular
           and
           vnknowne
           assistance
           ;
           
             Euery
             good
             gift
             ,
             &
             euery
             perfect
             gift
             is
             from
             aboue
             .
             Ia.
          
           1.
           17.
           and
           for
           this
           the
           Philosopher
           in
           his
           Ethicks
           maketh
           his
           felicity
           or
           chiefe
           good
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           a
           gift
           of
           God
           ;
           Now
           there
           is
           no
           endowment
           of
           the
           minde
           more
           excellent
           then
           this
           of
           knowledge
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           eye
           and
           guide
           of
           the
           rest
           ,
           if
           wee
           doe
           not
           abuse
           it
           through
           selfe-conceipt
           :
           if
           ,
           as
           venemous
           beasts
           wont
           to
           doe
           by
           nutriture
           ,
           we
           turne
           not
           that
           to
           poyson
           and
           
           our
           hurt
           ,
           which
           of
           it selfe
           is
           good
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           end
           this
           point
           with
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           :
           
             If
             any
             man
             thinke
             that
             hee
             knoweth
             any
             thing
             ,
             hee
             knoweth
             nothing
             yet
             as
             he
             ought
             to
             know
             :
          
           he
           knoweth
           not
           according
           to
           sobriety
           :
           not
           according
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           holy
           writ
           and
           reuealed
           grace
           ,
           which
           is
           my
           last
           point
           .
        
         
           Since
           mans
           speculations
           and
           fancies
           of
           themselues
           are
           so
           extrauagant
           ,
           God
           hath
           wisely
           prouided
           lawes
           to
           binde
           them
           withall
           .
           Now
           lawes
           (
           saith
           the
           Emperor
           )
           bee
           either
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           writs
           &
           promulged
           ,
           or
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           namely
           forcible
           customes
           ,
           
           but
           no
           where
           inrowled
           :
           and
           so
           is
           the
           rule
           wherewith
           God
           guideth
           our
           knowledge
           in
           divine
           mysteries
           ,
           partly
           described
           in
           his
           word
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           reuealed
           besides
           the
           holy
           writ
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           word
           it
           is
           a
           treasury
           full
           of
           most
           rare
           knowledge
           .
           There
           are
           who
           hold
           no
           art
           or
           science
           to
           be
           extant
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           at
           least
           wise
           implicitly
           contained
           in
           it
           :
           for
           ,
           say
           they
           ,
           some
           clauses
           doe
           here
           appeare
           of
           each
           faculty
           :
           some
           prints
           and
           footsteps
           .
           On
           this
           manner
           haue
           Criticks
           likewise
           thought
           all
           Philosophy
           to
           ly
           hid
           in
           Homer
           ,
           and
           iudge
           him
           as
           various
           an
           artist
           ,
           as
           an
           excellent
           Poet.
           Either
           opinion
           I
           let
           passe
           ,
           though
           not
           as
           vnprobable
           ,
           yet
           as
           remote
           from
           my
           purpose
           ;
           Certaine
           it
           is
           that
           whatsoe're
           may
           ordinarily
           beget
           ,
           or
           encrease
           a
           divine
           knowledge
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           amply
           set
           downe
           in
           his
           word
           ;
           For
           he
           hath
           not
           giuen
           it
           alone
           to
           conforme
           our
           wils
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           enrich
           the
           tables
           of
           our
           vnderstanding
           ;
           
             to
             make
             vs
             wise
             2
             Tim.
          
           3.
           
           It
           is
           confest
           to
           be
           a
           kinde
           of
           science
           ,
           as
           farre
           surpassing
           the
           rest
           in
           worth
           ,
           as
           divinity
           doth
           exceed
           
           fraile
           nature
           .
           Dauid
           though
           a
           prophet
           protesteth
           that
           hee
           grew
           thereby
           more
           wise
           ,
           then
           were
           his
           teachers
           :
           How
           often
           doth
           he
           pray
           and
           entreat
           to
           bee
           fully
           instructed
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           So
           then
           ,
           that
           conceipt
           of
           the
           Cardinall
           
             L.
             4.
             
             De
             verbo
             Dei
             ,
          
           is
           but
           a
           meere
           figment
           ;
           as
           if
           things
           of
           common
           need
           ,
           were
           comprized
           therein
           ,
           and
           not
           matters
           of
           peculiar
           &
           secret
           vse
           .
           It
           is
           said
           to
           be
           as
           a
           
             light
             that
             shineth
             in
             a
             darke
             place
             2.
             
             Pet.
          
           1.
           a
           
             Candle
             put
             on
             a
             candlestick
             Mat.
          
           5.
           15.
           
           Now
           a
           light
           so
           placed
           ,
           doth
           not
           lighten
           only
           the
           open
           rooome
           ,
           but
           every
           nooke
           and
           corner
           thereof
           .
           Nay
           I
           will
           adde
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           armory
           furnishing
           the
           zealous
           disputer
           with
           proofes
           against
           so
           blasphemous
           tenents
           ;
           a
           garden
           out
           of
           which
           the
           holy
           dispenser
           may
           decke
           vp
           his
           discourse
           into
           a
           Prophets
           phrase
           ;
           what
           things
           are
           of
           necessary
           and
           a
           sauing
           vse
           be
           there
           most
           plainly
           disclosed
           ;
           others
           indeed
           but
           dimly
           ;
           whereas
           the
           word
           growes
           obscure
           ,
           so
           should
           our
           search
           bee
           more
           cautelous
           and
           circumspect
           ;
           wee
           must
           not
           vent
           our
           coniectures
           for
           oracles
           at
           all
           ,
           least
           whilst
           we
           annex
           such
           glosses
           ,
           we
           corrupt
           the
           text
           .
           The
           good
           Samaritan
           in
           the
           10th
           of
           Luke
           deliuered
           
             two
             pence
          
           to
           the
           host
           for
           the
           wounded
           traueller
           :
           
           
             two
             pence
          
           (
           saith
           Optatus
           )
           that
           is
           Christ
           hath
           bequeathed
           vnto
           vs
           for
           our
           soules
           health
           both
           lawes
           ,
           the
           old
           and
           the
           new
           ;
           He
           promiseth
           there
           that
           what
           should
           be
           laid
           out
           more
           ,
           if
           not
           lauishly
           perchance
           ,
           or
           idely
           ,
           he
           would
           see
           it
           discharged
           :
           so
           may
           wee
           for
           our
           sober
           disputes
           ,
           either
           vpon
           or
           besides
           the
           word
           expect
           a
           recompence
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           appeare
           superfluous
           or
           repugnant
           ,
           they
           be
           no
           longer
           descants
           ,
           but
           sinfull
           devises
           .
        
         
         
           Humane
           inuentions
           then
           come
           short
           of
           a
           diuine
           authority
           :
           they
           may
           serue
           vs
           for
           illustrations
           ,
           but
           not
           for
           a
           ground
           and
           rule
           :
           vpon
           the
           word
           as
           touching
           that
           efficacy
           which
           they
           haue
           ,
           must
           they
           be
           builded
           also
           ;
           either
           expresse
           ,
           as
           there
           apparent
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           elicitiuè
           ,
           as
           being
           thence
           fairely
           and
           handsomly
           deduced
           .
           If
           wee
           containe
           within
           this
           compasse
           wee
           shall
           bee
           as
           wise
           as
           safe
           :
           but
           if
           wee
           fly
           out
           and
           follow
           our
           fancies
           ,
           it
           remaineth
           that
           we
           straight
           vanish
           in
           them
           .
           For
           euen
           thus
           did
           that
           lewd
           rable
           of
           the
           Gnostici
           :
           
           they
           set
           the
           scriptures
           aside
           (
           saith
           Iraeneus
           )
           betaking
           themselues
           to
           their
           proper
           coniectures
           :
           The
           Psalmist
           oft'time
           likneth
           the
           word
           of
           God
           vnto
           a
           path
           or
           way
           :
           nay
           it
           is
           
             via
             Regia
          
           ,
           as
           one
           styleth
           it
           :
           the
           
             high
             way
          
           to
           blisse
           :
           now
           most
           commonly
           vpon
           each
           side
           of
           such
           waies
           there
           bee
           ditches
           and
           miery
           bogs
           :
           so
           here
           on
           either
           hand
           the
           word
           ly
           heresies
           and
           numberles
           errours
           ,
           dangerous
           to
           bee
           slipt
           iuto
           ;
           it
           is
           best
           then
           to
           keepe
           the
           beaten
           and
           trodded
           way
           ,
           the
           word
           ,
        
         
           But
           againe
           ;
           sometimes
           the
           Lord
           speaketh
           as
           well
           by
           Vrim
           and
           Thummim
           ,
           as
           hee
           doth
           in
           the
           written
           word
           :
           for
           he
           hath
           not
           tied
           himselfe
           so
           strictly
           vnto
           the
           word
           ,
           but
           that
           hee
           can
           ,
           if
           he
           please
           ,
           vary
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           communication
           with
           his
           beloued
           Saints
           .
           Our
           Fathers
           in
           the
           first
           nonage
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           well
           vnderstood
           the
           benefit
           of
           this
           ;
           a
           dreame
           or
           vision
           to
           them
           did
           as
           easily
           cleere
           each
           doubt
           ,
           as
           either
           their
           owne
           weaknesse
           ,
           or
           the
           occurrency
           of
           businesse
           could
           suggest
           it
           .
           But
           to
           auouch
           the
           truth
           ,
           now
           in
           these
           later
           dayes
           ,
           such
           extraordinary
           meanes
           of
           grace
           bee
           well
           nigh
           out
           of
           late
           ;
           Prophecy
           ,
           &
           reuelation
           ,
           &
           tongues
           ,
           
           with
           other
           gifts
           ,
           we
           finde
           conioyn'd
           1
           Cor.
           12.
           
           Since
           as
           there
           appeareth
           no
           miracle
           of
           tongues
           or
           prophecy
           ,
           neither
           is
           it
           to
           be
           beleeued
           that
           revelations
           are
           very
           frequent
           ;
           Hauing
           Moses
           and
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           wee
           may
           not
           expect
           new
           messages
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           nor
           yet
           from
           aboue
           ;
           Calvin
           is
           confident
           to
           vpbraid
           Such
           pretended
           Enthusiasts
           with
           downeright
           madnesse
           :
           
             minus
             errore
             agitantur
             ,
             quam
             rabie
          
           ;
           they
           be
           not
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           so
           much
           mistaken
           as
           quite
           distracted
           ,
           when
           as
           therefore
           I
           make
           reuelation
           a
           rule
           of
           our
           wisdome
           ,
           it
           is
           indeed
           in
           it
           felfe
           ,
           but
           not
           so
           vsually
           if
           we
           respect
           the
           present
           age
           ;
           it
           is
           if
           it
           were
           ,
           but
           this
           no
           way
           causeth
           it
           to
           be
           :
           Our
           best
           Enthusiasmes
           now
           must
           bee
           our
           prayers
           and
           diligence
           in
           the
           sacred
           word
           .
        
         
           Trie
           then
           at
           least
           wee
           must
           
             the
             spirits
          
           as
           St
           Iohn
           warneth
           vs
           ,
           
           least
           a
           dreame
           or
           idle
           conceipt
           delude
           vs
           with
           the
           esteeme
           of
           a
           classicke
           reuelation
           ;
           least
           as
           Nathan
           did
           once
           in
           counselling
           Dauid
           ,
           such
           Prophets
           speake
           without
           the
           Ephod
           ;
           for
           what
           draue
           Tertullian
           more
           effectually
           vpon
           Montanisme
           ?
           And
           if
           you
           pervse
           the
           good
           father
           Saint
           Cyprian
           ,
           as
           for
           Visions
           hee
           may
           seeme
           to
           credit
           them
           ouermuch
           ;
           so
           apt
           are
           men
           to
           rely
           on
           the
           slights
           of
           fancy
           ,
           raising
           miracles
           out
           of
           the
           braine
           ,
           when
           those
           of
           the
           hands
           be
           ceased
           ;
           yea
           in
           former
           times
           this
           liberty
           of
           imagination
           grew
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           into
           a
           sect
           of
           Hereticks
           ,
           termed
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           who
           could
           as
           they
           thought
           by
           helpe
           of
           diuine
           illumination
           ,
           expound
           the
           Scriptures
           vpon
           first
           sight
           .
           As
           Samuel
           then
           being
           called
           by
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           once
           or
           twice
           mistooke
           the
           sound
           for
           old
           Elies
           voice
           Sam.
           1.
           3.
           so
           must
           we
           be
           carefull
           that
           contrariwise
           we
           entertaine
           
           not
           some
           crotchet
           of
           mans
           braine
           for
           a
           diuine
           Enthusiasme
           .
        
         
           Notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           if
           hauing
           examined
           such
           inspirations
           by
           the
           touch
           of
           sacred
           writ
           ,
           wee
           finde
           them
           accordingly
           ;
           a
           rule
           they
           may
           be
           ;
           yet
           here
           againe
           you
           must
           note
           ,
           what
           reuelations
           I
           meane
           ;
           not
           new
           &
           vnheard
           of
           
             respectu
             doctrinae
             reuelatae
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Papists
           would
           ,
           lessening
           thereby
           the
           sufficiency
           of
           the
           word
           :
           but
           new
           
             respectu
             actus
             reuelandi
          
           :
           such
           onely
           as
           informe
           vs
           in
           matters
           of
           fact
           ,
           not
           encrease
           the
           Canon
           of
           our
           faith
           :
           such
           alone
           may
           be
           the
           guide
           of
           the
           wisdome
           here
           discussed
           .
        
         
           The
           summe
           of
           all
           that
           hath
           beene
           spoken
           hitherto
           is
           this
           .
           It
           is
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           we
           had
           no
           occasion
           to
           deale
           vpon
           such
           deepe
           mysteries
           at
           all
           ;
           since
           our
           life
           is
           fraile
           ,
           and
           our
           ayme
           eternall
           blisse
           ,
           it
           were
           expedient
           that
           we
           endeauoured
           more
           to
           become
           pious
           ,
           then
           subtill
           and
           acute
           ;
           Epictetus
           the
           Stoicke
           could
           once
           complaine
           of
           his
           time
           ;
           whereas
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           there
           be
           two
           parts
           of
           Philosophy
           :
           the
           first
           and
           more
           especiall
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           a
           practise
           of
           wholsome
           precepts
           well
           digested
           :
           the
           second
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           a
           speculatiue
           and
           curious
           disquiry
           ;
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           we
           haue
           quite
           inuerted
           the
           course
           .
           How
           many
           now
           a
           daies
           frame
           their
           diuiner
           studies
           after
           this
           method
           ?
           How
           doe
           they
           chiefly
           intend
           sublimer
           ,
           though
           fruitlesse
           controversies
           ;
           yea
           and
           moreouer
           ,
           which
           is
           as
           bad
           ,
           oft
           times
           those
           here
           vndertake
           these
           points
           ,
           whose
           shoulders
           for
           such
           a
           burden
           be
           most
           vnfit
           .
           
             Fight
             ye
             not
             with
             small
             or
             great
             saue
             onely
             with
             the
             king
             af
             Israel
             ,
          
           was
           the
           charge
           of
           the
           Syrian
           king
           to
           the
           Captaines
           of
           his
           
           host
           ,
           2.
           
           Chron.
           18.
           
           Even
           so
           there
           be
           who
           as
           soone
           as
           they
           can
           but
           spell
           in
           diuinity
           ,
           fasten
           alone
           vpon
           the
           greatest
           difficulties
           ;
           whereby
           it
           commeth
           to
           passe
           ,
           that
           they
           cleere
           not
           the
           doubts
           which
           they
           take
           in
           hand
           ,
           but
           rather
           betray
           their
           owne
           weaknesse
           .
        
         
           Or
           secondly
           ,
           since
           by
           reason
           of
           our
           insulting
           adversaries
           on
           either
           side
           ,
           some
           must
           needs
           looke
           into
           these
           points
           ,
           it
           is
           meete
           that
           wee
           dispose
           our selues
           with
           a
           graue
           consideration
           of
           this
           afore
           hand
           ;
           Daniel
           before
           he
           receaued
           those
           strange
           visions
           ,
           fasted
           three
           whole
           weekes
           ,
           
           Dan.
           10.
           3.
           
           And
           Iamblychus
           the
           Pythagorean
           relateth
           how
           the
           
             Aegyptian
             Priests
          
           went
           to
           prepare
           themselues
           for
           their
           supposed
           Enthusiasmes
           with
           musicke
           and
           abstinence
           ;
           I
           vrge
           not
           this
           for
           example
           sake
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           shew
           with
           what
           reuerence
           we
           should
           addresse
           our selues
           to
           so
           diuine
           a
           taske
           :
           not
           rudely
           setting
           vpon
           it
           ,
           but
           with
           mature
           aduice
           :
           Besides
           in
           the
           enterprize
           it selfe
           ,
           let
           vs
           vse
           great
           sobriety
           ,
           avoiding
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           2.
           
           Tim.
           2.
           or
           nice
           acutenesse
           :
           a
           fault
           vnseemly
           each
           where
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           religion
           ,
           as
           in
           other
           arts
           :
           for
           which
           Minerva
           is
           feigned
           to
           hate
           the
           Spider
           ,
           because
           she
           spinneth
           too
           curious
           a
           web
           .
           In
           a
           word
           let
           vs
           evermore
           submit
           fancie
           to
           reason
           ,
           &
           reason
           to
           faith
           ,
           both
           to
           Gods
           word
           ,
           or
           his
           especiall
           revelation
           .
           These
           two
           be
           that
           helping
           glasse
           of
           our
           knowledge
           here
           ,
           or
           double
           spectacle
           ,
           of
           which
           Saint
           Paule
           speaketh
           .
           
             Now
             wee
             see
             through
             a
             glasse
             darkely
             ,
             but
             then
             face
             to
             face
             .
          
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           haue
           ,
           though
           weakly
           ,
           made
           vp
           a
           discourse
           concerning
           
             Divine
             Mysteries
          
           ,
           and
           our
           knowledge
           of
           them
           .
           A
           Text
           in
           my
           indgement
           ,
           as
           befitting
           
           this
           auditory
           ,
           as
           my selfe
           ,
           for
           this
           my
           first
           assay
           .
           Wee
           sit
           all
           here
           by
           the
           well-spring
           of
           Wisdome
           and
           science
           ,
           &
           most
           of
           vs
           may
           hereafter
           serue
           at
           the
           altar
           in
           Gods
           owne
           house
           .
           It
           is
           not
           amisse
           that
           we
           know
           our
           limits
           ,
           as
           also
           consider
           our
           strengths
           .
           Vnder
           the
           old
           law
           the
           Levite
           might
           goe
           farther
           into
           the
           Temple
           ,
           then
           the
           Lay
           ,
           and
           a
           Priest
           then
           the
           Levite
           :
           so
           in
           these
           points
           concerning
           the
           mysticall
           temple
           ,
           Apoc.
           21.
           22.
           
           One
           may
           wade
           farther
           then
           another
           :
           but
           as
           there
           none
           could
           enter
           into
           the
           chiefest
           sanctuary
           ,
           saue
           onely
           the
           high
           Priest
           :
           so
           neither
           here
           hath
           any
           full
           accesse
           ,
           into
           the
           secrets
           of
           these
           mysteries
           ,
           but
           only
           our
           high
           Priest
           and
           Saviour
           Christ
           :
           
             In
             whom
             are
             hid
             all
             the
             treasures
             of
             wisdome
             and
             knowledge
             ,
          
           Colos
           .
           2.
           3.
           
           As
           for
           vs
           as
           long
           as
           we
           abide
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           satisfied
           with
           a
           meaner
           knowledge
           of
           such
           things
           :
           with
           certaine
           glympses
           at
           most
           :
           like
           benighted
           travailers
           ,
           who
           if
           the
           moone
           hap
           to
           be
           ouerclouded
           ,
           are
           content
           with
           star-light
           .
           Now
           to
           the
           only
           wise
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           able
           to
           doe
           aboue
           that
           which
           we
           can
           either
           speake
           or
           imagine
           ,
           be
           ascribed
           all
           glory
           ,
           power
           ,
           praise
           ,
           and
           dominion
           this
           day
           and
           foreuer
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           TOVCHING
           CHVRCH-SCHISMES
           .
        
         
           
             ROM
             .
             16.
             
             VER
             .
             17.
             
          
           
             
               Brethren
               marke
               them
               which
               cause
               divisions
               and
               offences
               ,
               contrary
               to
               the
               doctrine
               which
               yee
               haue
               learned
               and
               avoid
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           SCarcely
           had
           our
           Apostle
           here
           laid
           the
           grounds
           of
           Christian
           religion
           ,
           but
           it
           presently
           meetes
           on
           each
           side
           with
           strong
           opposers
           .
           The
           Diuell
           was
           straight
           wayes
           ready
           to
           excite
           erroneous
           and
           factious
           spirits
           against
           the
           truth
           .
           What
           Poets
           faigne
           of
           hate
           and
           contentions
           beside
           their
           Iupiter's
           palace
           ,
           
           is
           really
           true
           of
           the
           house
           of
           God.
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
        
         
           Eager
           debates
           closely
           still
           as
           't
           were
           environ
           the
           Church
           .
           Alwaies
           there
           bee
           who
           like
           the
           Dragon
           ,
           Apoc.
           12.
           4.
           are
           ready
           to
           devoure
           it
           euen
           in
           its
           birth
           .
           Neither
           yet
           doth
           this
           so
           inbred
           enmity
           betwixt
           the
           patrons
           of
           truth
           and
           errour
           ,
           happen
           without
           God's
           especiall
           allowance
           .
        
         
         
           For
           ,
           first
           hereby
           hee
           sifts
           and
           winnowes
           all
           alike
           .
           As
           many
           as
           settle
           firmely
           together
           he
           takes
           for
           solid
           graine
           :
           but
           those
           who
           are
           carried
           away
           with
           each
           blast
           of
           new
           doctrine
           ,
           for
           fruitlesse
           chaffe
           .
           They
           neuer
           were
           sincerely
           orthodox
           ,
           but
           either
           temporizing
           formalists
           ,
           or
           at
           most
           coldly
           devoted
           .
        
         
           Againe
           by
           this
           he
           keepes
           his
           elect
           from
           rust
           and
           an
           over
           secure
           ease
           :
           out
           of
           loue
           hee
           permits
           them
           not
           to
           slumber
           in
           such
           a
           tranquility
           as
           might
           at
           length
           produce
           some
           hurtfull
           effect
           .
           Calamitas
           (
           saith
           he
           in
           
             Minutius
             )
             virtutum
             disciplina
             est
          
           :
           Crosses
           and
           all
           kinds
           of
           opposition
           ,
           doe
           not
           so
           much
           afflict
           Gods
           Saints
           ,
           as
           truely
           exercise
           them
           .
        
         
           Thus
           doth
           the
           Lord
           effect
           the
           good
           of
           his
           chosen
           by
           the
           hands
           of
           malignant
           Schismaticks
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           though
           he
           deale
           so
           in
           prouidence
           ,
           yet
           their
           offence
           and
           guilt
           is
           nothing
           thereby
           abated
           .
           For
           in
           the
           third
           to
           the
           Philipp
           .
           the
           Apostle
           plainely
           affirmeth
           such
           to
           be
           
             evill
             workers
             ,
             very
             dogges
          
           .
           v.
           3.
           
           In
           the
           18th
           v.
           he
           termes
           them
           enimies
           of
           the
           crosse
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             whose
             end
             is
             destruction
          
           ,
           v.
           19.
           and
           here
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           he
           iudgeth
           them
           vnworthy
           euen
           of
           the
           solace
           and
           benefit
           of
           humane
           commerce
           .
           
             Brethren
             marke
             them
             which
             &c.
          
           
        
         
           My
           Text
           ,
           
           like
           to
           those
           shafts
           of
           the
           holy
           candlesticke
           ,
           vpon
           euery
           word
           beares
           knops
           of
           flowers
           :
           please
           you
           then
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           :
           First
           ,
           the
           thing
           here
           spoken
           against
           ,
           namely
           divisions
           and
           offences
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           their
           more
           especiall
           property
           which
           is
           to
           be
           
             contrary
             to
             some
             doctrine
             afore
             learned
             .
          
           thirdly
           the
           persons
           or
           those
           ,
           who
           cause
           them
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           
           the
           manner
           how
           such
           disturbers
           must
           be
           delt
           with
           :
           First
           marke
           ,
           then
           avoid
           them
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           the
           entire
           and
           mutuall
           agreement
           among
           true
           professors
           ,
           or
           as
           it
           is
           here
           their
           brotherhood
           .
           Of
           these
           orderly
           in
           that
           method
           I
           haue
           proposed
           ,
           and
           first
           concerning
           divisions
           and
           offences
           themselues
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           nothing
           which
           doth
           more
           preserue
           the
           world
           in
           being
           then
           vnity
           and
           agreement
           .
           
           It
           is
           the
           stay
           and
           bond
           of
           every
           thing
           ;
           by
           how
           much
           the
           neerer
           they
           participate
           of
           this
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           they
           enioy
           a
           certaine
           existence
           .
           Zoroaster
           as
           implying
           God
           that
           first
           and
           chiefest
           vnity
           termes
           it
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           the
           matrix
           or
           fountaine
           within
           which
           all
           things
           be
           originally
           concluded
           ;
           Except
           in
           nature
           the
           heauens
           did
           embrace
           this
           globe
           below
           :
           vnlesse
           here
           the
           elements
           did
           combine
           thus
           louingly
           as
           they
           doe
           ,
           so
           stately
           a
           fabricke
           could
           not
           long
           subsist
           ;
           it
           must
           needs
           loose
           its
           being
           ,
           because
           it
           should
           loose
           its
           harmony
           .
           In
           matter
           of
           policy
           consent
           of
           minds
           legally
           disposed
           makes
           a
           state
           :
           without
           this
           it
           remaines
           no
           longer
           a
           state
           ,
           but
           a
           rude
           and
           vngoverned
           desart
           .
           To
           speake
           in
           the
           phrase
           of
           moderne
           Philosophy
           ,
           mutuall
           concord
           is
           ,
           
             forma
             totalis
          
           ;
           that
           which
           wholy
           giues
           a
           body
           politicke
           both
           life
           and
           beauty
           ;
           But
           aboue
           all
           in
           the
           house
           or
           Church
           of
           God
           seemes
           this
           vnitie
           of
           greatest
           value
           .
           
             One
             Lord
             ,
             one
             Faith
             ,
             one
             Baptisme
             ,
          
           wee
           finde
           commended
           ,
           Ephes
           .
           4.
           5.
           
           As
           in
           the
           structure
           of
           the
           old
           tabernacle
           ,
           by
           loopes
           &
           taches
           were
           the
           curtaines
           aptly
           conioyned
           :
           so
           in
           the
           antitype
           ,
           namely
           the
           Church
           ,
           doth
           this
           spirit
           of
           Vnity
           diffusing
           it selfe
           throughout
           the
           parts
           ,
           knit
           them
           vp
           into
           an
           entire
           frame
           .
        
         
         
           This
           being
           so
           ;
           sithence
           each
           where
           a
           concord
           is
           so
           requisite
           ,
           but
           most
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           how
           fowly
           doe
           they
           trespasse
           that
           breake
           this
           bond
           ?
           with
           what
           sharpnesse
           deserue
           they
           to
           be
           handled
           who
           breed
           diuisions
           ?
           The
           Fathers
           amidst
           their
           writings
           doe
           presse
           no
           one
           point
           more
           frequently
           or
           eagerly
           then
           this
           ;
           Every
           where
           they
           take
           occasion
           ,
           after
           St
           Pauls
           manner
           ,
           as
           well
           to
           condemne
           all
           rents
           and
           Schismes
           ,
           as
           extoll
           a
           Christian
           like
           accord
           .
           Optatus
           in
           a
           word
           makes
           such
           diuisions
           
             Summum
             malorum
          
           ,
           a
           crime
           so
           heinous
           ,
           as
           that
           none
           can
           match
           it
           .
           And
           indeed
           if
           you
           rightly
           weigh
           the
           examples
           of
           Gods
           wrath
           and
           punishments
           ,
           you
           will
           not
           much
           mislike
           his
           iudgment
           .
           In
           the
           4th
           of
           Gen.
           when
           Cain
           had
           slaine
           his
           brother
           ,
           God
           onely
           markes
           him
           and
           lets
           him
           goe
           :
           nay
           hee
           is
           iealous
           least
           any
           might
           
             kill
             Cain
          
           ,
           v.
           15.
           
           To
           that
           great
           and
           sacrilegious
           city
           of
           Ninive
           what
           doth
           he
           ?
           Only
           Ionas
           is
           sent
           to
           teach
           and
           warne
           them
           .
           Insteed
           of
           ruine
           comes
           a
           gentle
           embassage
           .
           But
           for
           Corath
           and
           his
           complices
           ,
           those
           mutiners
           in
           the
           tribe
           of
           Levi
           ,
           behold
           a
           suddaine
           destruction
           :
           the
           earth
           openeth
           and
           entombes
           them
           aliue
           ;
           whence
           it
           followes
           not
           without
           some
           shew
           of
           probability
           ,
           that
           Church-Schismes
           more
           displease
           the
           Lord
           ,
           then
           either
           murther
           or
           sacrilege
           .
           Austin
           yet
           goes
           farther
           ;
           for
           in
           his
           50th
           Ep.
           discoursing
           about
           the
           obstinacy
           of
           the
           factious
           Donatists
           ,
           he
           chargeth
           them
           with
           no
           lesse
           a
           sinne
           ,
           then
           with
           that
           of
           the
           holy
           ghost
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           heinousnesse
           of
           divisions
           will
           better
           appeare
           ,
           if
           we
           examine
           them
           ,
           First
           in
           their
           obiect
           .
           It
           is
           no
           slight
           or
           vulgar
           argument
           ;
           perchance
           in
           the
           disquiry
           of
           such
           points
           ,
           dissent
           may
           afford
           greater
           profit
           ,
           
           namely
           by
           exercising
           the
           wit
           ,
           then
           a
           present
           accord
           .
           But
           it
           is
           religion
           ,
           that
           prop
           of
           mans
           conscience
           ,
           and
           path
           to
           blisse
           .
           Vpon
           this
           narrow
           way
           doe
           men
           lye
           daily
           striuing
           and
           iustly
           in
           opinions
           ,
           not
           without
           much
           hindrance
           in
           their
           intended
           iourney
           .
           Religion
           indeed
           of
           it selfe
           is
           rather
           a
           ground
           of
           common
           agreement
           :
           Religio
           thinke
           some
           a
           religando
           from
           binding
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           professors
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           a
           mutuall
           affection
           ,
           as
           in
           obedience
           to
           God
           :
           yet
           if
           happily
           it
           bee
           made
           the
           subiect
           of
           strifes
           and
           debates
           ,
           they
           no
           where
           burne
           more
           fiercely
           ,
           
           
             nullae
             infestae
             hominibus
             bestiae
          
           ,
           (
           could
           
             Ammian
             :
             Marcellinus
          
           an
           heathen
           say
           )
           
             vt
             sunt
             sibi
             ferales
             plerique
             Christiani
             .
          
           No
           beasts
           are
           so
           violent
           ,
           as
           Christians
           be
           ,
           when
           once
           they
           iarre
           in
           points
           of
           doctrine
           .
           The
           reason
           may
           bee
           ;
           men
           for
           the
           most
           part
           hug
           their
           peculiar
           tenents
           with
           a
           too
           ouerprizing
           loue
           .
           And
           as
           they
           doe
           thus
           in
           all
           other
           arts
           ,
           so
           especially
           in
           matters
           of
           Christianity
           &
           faith
           .
           Having
           then
           fancied
           some
           opinion
           here
           as
           greatly
           appertaining
           to
           the
           soules
           health
           ,
           they
           must
           necessarily
           abhorre
           those
           who
           so
           ere
           oppose
           it
           .
        
         
           Next
           in
           a
           second
           place
           consider
           the
           vsuall
           and
           hurtfull
           diffusion
           of
           Schismes
           .
           
           Saint
           Paul
           compares
           them
           to
           a
           Canker
           :
           now
           a
           canker
           resteth
           not
           ,
           but
           eats
           forward
           till
           the
           member
           bee
           consumed
           :
           on
           this
           manner
           doe
           false
           and
           erroneous
           doctrines
           :
           being
           once
           broached
           they
           creepe
           from
           man
           to
           man
           ,
           vntill
           they
           haue
           corrupted
           the
           Church
           throughout
           .
           Of
           this
           our
           forenamed
           Apostle
           had
           a
           feeling
           experiment
           :
           for
           as
           one
           forsaken
           ,
           2.
           
           Tim.
           1.
           hee
           complaineth
           that
           all
           in
           Asia
           were
           turn'd
           aside
           .
           So
           naturally
           apt
           are
           men
           to
           admit
           
           of
           a
           fancy
           nere
           so
           vnprobable
           ,
           if
           once
           on
           foot
           .
           Neither
           so
           only
           :
           falshood
           too
           alwaies
           is
           more
           fertile
           then
           truth
           :
           it
           straightway
           multiplies
           into
           seuerall
           and
           diverse
           streames
           beyond
           the
           head
           .
           Those
           manifold
           blasphemies
           wherewith
           the
           primitiue
           Church
           was
           pestered
           ,
           what
           were
           they
           saue
           so
           many
           branches
           of
           
             Simon
             Magus
          
           his
           doctrine
           that
           first
           hereticke
           .
           
           Arrius
           indeed
           (
           saith
           Ruffinus
           )
           vented
           one
           single
           heresie
           touching
           the
           natiuity
           of
           our
           Saviour
           :
           but
           ere
           long
           this
           one
           becomes
           a
           triple
           monster
           .
           As
           then
           ,
           Lev.
           13.
           v.
           8.
           if
           the
           plague
           in
           a
           mans
           flesh
           spread
           ,
           not
           otherwise
           ,
           the
           Priest
           pronounced
           him
           leaprous
           and
           vncleane
           :
           so
           here
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           plea
           against
           Schismes
           more
           aggrauating
           their
           foulnesse
           ,
           then
           because
           thus
           strangely
           they
           both
           spread
           and
           multiply
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           consider
           their
           irksome
           and
           long
           continuance
           :
           how
           they
           persist
           not
           for
           a
           day
           or
           yeare
           ,
           but
           commonly
           for
           length
           of
           ages
           .
           It
           were
           some
           happinesse
           if
           as
           easily
           as
           they
           burst
           forth
           and
           ouerflow
           ,
           they
           could
           as
           quickly
           bee
           stopped
           .
           Those
           tares
           ,
           Mat.
           13.
           v.
           24.
           sprang
           vp
           on
           a
           sudden
           :
           but
           as
           for
           the
           extirpation
           and
           rooting
           them
           vp
           ,
           wee
           finde
           it
           deferred
           till
           the
           great
           haruest
           .
           Errors
           in
           truth
           are
           by
           nature
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           very
           obstinate
           ;
           what
           once
           is
           vented
           falsely
           ,
           is
           here
           maintain'd
           ,
           if
           but
           for
           credits
           sake
           .
           As
           much
           as
           wants
           in
           strength
           and
           cleerenesse
           of
           argument
           ,
           they
           supply
           with
           a
           colour
           of
           perseuerance
           ;
           giue
           them
           leaue
           to
           take
           but
           root
           ,
           they
           will
           flourish
           of
           themselues
           ,
           without
           either
           watring
           or
           attendance
           :
           so
           that
           as
           Sulla
           spake
           of
           warres
           ,
           
             sumi
             facile
             ,
             caeterum
             acerrimè
             de
             sinere
          
           ;
           the
           same
           is
           true
           of
           refractory
           Schismes
           .
           Any
           man
           
           neuer
           so
           meane
           ,
           may
           sow
           a
           fond
           opinion
           :
           but
           to
           represse
           and
           curbe
           it
           seemes
           a
           taske
           of
           the
           highest
           skill
           .
        
         
           You
           haue
           heard
           briefly
           concerning
           diuisions
           in
           grosse
           ;
           how
           execrable
           they
           bee
           whether
           you
           attend
           their
           obiect
           or
           boundlesse
           diffusion
           ;
           but
           chiefly
           for
           their
           long
           and
           obstinat
           continuance
           :
           cleauing
           almost
           as
           lastingly
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           leprosie
           did
           to
           the
           house
           of
           Gehazai
           ;
           This
           is
           there
           condition
           ,
           this
           their
           nature
           :
           It
           followeth
           methodically
           in
           my
           2d
           point
           ,
           that
           I
           handle
           their
           especiall
           property
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           some
           
             doctrine
             afore
             learned
          
           .
        
         
           Euery
           art
           and
           faculty
           hath
           some
           maine
           ground
           to
           rely
           vpon
           :
           
           Some
           chiefe
           axiomes
           by
           which
           it
           is
           guided
           in
           its
           inferiour
           positions
           no
           otherwise
           then
           by
           a
           card
           or
           polestar
           .
           These
           axiomes
           ought
           alwaies
           to
           be
           sure
           and
           firmely
           establisht
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           also
           bee
           exposed
           to
           doubtfull
           enquiries
           ,
           the
           whole
           science
           straight
           begins
           to
           shake
           .
           In
           this
           respect
           as
           the
           Grammarian
           prettily
           descants
           ,
           the
           alphabet
           in
           all
           languages
           stands
           indeclinable
           ,
           because
           it
           's
           the
           foundation
           of
           that
           first
           art
           .
           Christian
           religion
           although
           no
           perfect
           science
           ,
           yet
           likewise
           it
           supposeth
           certaine
           principles
           :
           a
           few
           grounds
           and
           rules
           vpon
           which
           the
           minde
           may
           rest
           .
           Now
           as
           wee
           speake
           in
           Philosophy
           of
           a
           double
           measure
           ;
           there
           is
           
             mensura
             actiua
          
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           so
           primarily
           and
           in
           it selfe
           ;
           againe
           ,
           there
           is
           
             mensura
             passiua
          
           ;
           such
           a
           one
           as
           being
           measured
           before
           ,
           measures
           something
           else
           :
           so
           in
           case
           of
           religion
           ,
           you
           may
           discerne
           of
           a
           twofold
           rule
           ;
           one
           principall
           ,
           namely
           the
           holy
           writ
           :
           another
           with
           reference
           vnto
           this
           ,
           to
           wit
           the
           constitutions
           and
           Cannons
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Against
           these
           two
           
           doe
           the
           authors
           of
           heresies
           and
           schismes
           ,
           particularly
           aime
           their
           forces
           .
        
         
           First
           the
           Heretique
           ,
           as
           subornde
           with
           a
           bolder
           malice
           ,
           is
           wont
           more
           directly
           to
           oppose
           the
           very
           text
           .
           In
           former
           times
           we
           finde
           them
           so
           impudent
           as
           that
           they
           durst
           change
           and
           mangle
           it
           as
           seemde
           them
           best
           ;
           witnesse
           the
           
             Cerinthians
             ,
             Marcionists
          
           ,
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           that
           franticke
           crew
           ;
           not
           enduring
           so
           pure
           a
           light
           should
           shine
           vpon
           their
           monstrous
           blasphemies
           ,
           they
           either
           wrongfully
           concealed
           it
           vnder
           a
           bushell
           ,
           or
           quite
           renounc't
           it
           ;
           Indeed
           the
           Papists
           now
           a
           more
           refined
           ofspring
           ,
           deale
           with
           greater
           caution
           ;
           yet
           in
           effect
           they
           performe
           as
           much
           ,
           whilst
           they
           groundlesly
           enlarge
           the
           sacred
           Canon
           ,
           or
           else
           countenance
           against
           it
           their
           idle
           traditions
           ;
           for
           by
           adding
           superfluously
           vnto
           the
           old
           ,
           what
           doe
           they
           lesse
           then
           create
           a
           new
           word
           ;
        
         
           Thus
           doe
           Heretiques
           some
           way
           still
           infringe
           the
           text
           :
           But
           now
           for
           Schismaticks
           they
           meddle
           in
           those
           points
           which
           fall
           more
           properly
           within
           the
           Churches
           verge
           ;
           And
           here
           they
           vary
           and
           swarue
           from
           the
           right
           on
           either
           hand
           ;
           vpon
           one
           stand
           such
           as
           conspiring
           with
           vs
           in
           doctrinall
           grounds
           ,
           differ
           onely
           touching
           the
           outward
           surface
           :
           As
           children
           who
           otherwise
           mutually
           well
           disposed
           ,
           yet
           wrangle
           about
           their
           nuts
           &
           toyes
           .
           
           Concerning
           these
           externall
           rites
           what
           tumults
           haue
           beene
           raised
           ?
           How
           frowardly
           doe
           men
           still
           stand
           forth
           against
           the
           Church
           in
           termes
           point
           blanke
           ?
           Fasting
           almost
           with
           the
           Manichees
           of
           old
           vpon
           such
           daies
           ,
           as
           that
           keepes
           feast
           ;
           Not
           a
           bare
           diuision
           hath
           serued
           here
           ,
           vnlesse
           a
           locall
           secession
           were
           made
           ;
           Except
           
           at
           lestwise
           by
           some
           peculiar
           notes
           of
           sanctity
           ,
           they
           as
           yet
           remaine
           distinguisht
           :
           like
           to
           those
           seeming
           Philosophers
           among
           the
           heathen
           ,
           
           who
           had
           their
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           some
           odd
           habit
           or
           other
           ,
           to
           exempt
           them
           from
           the
           rout
           ;
           But
           I
           leaue
           this
           soare
           as
           too
           too
           hardned
           for
           a
           plaister
           .
           A
           rent
           so
           great
           in
           our
           Israel
           ,
           that
           well
           nigh
           ten
           tribes
           ,
           I
           feare
           me
           ,
           be
           this
           way
           fallen
           off
           .
        
         
           Those
           more
           neerely
           concerne
           my
           drift
           ,
           who
           impugne
           some
           reall
           points
           of
           doctrine
           .
           Now
           some
           doe
           this
           expresly
           and
           without
           a
           glosse
           .
           Before
           Arminius
           let
           loose
           his
           tenents
           ,
           he
           first
           questions
           openly
           the
           Belgicke
           Catechisme
           :
           
             Consentaneum
             rationi
             ,
             &c.
          
           it
           is
           meet
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           and
           very
           expedient
           that
           such
           Constitutions
           be
           newly
           reuewed
           .
           As
           long
           as
           they
           stood
           fast
           and
           plausible
           ,
           well
           he
           knew
           his
           acuter
           doctrine
           could
           hardly
           gaine
           entrance
           ;
           But
           as
           the
           Lord
           commands
           touching
           land-markes
           Deut.
           10.
           v.
           24.
           not
           to
           remoue
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           haue
           there
           beene
           anciently
           erected
           :
           so
           in
           Church
           affaires
           't
           is
           best
           that
           old
           and
           authenticke
           decisions
           doe
           still
           prevaile
           ;
           Are
           wee
           wiser
           then
           our
           Fathers
           ?
           Or
           is
           our
           vnderstanding
           beyond
           the
           ancients
           ?
           If
           in
           a
           common
           weale
           as
           the
           Philosopher
           noteth
           ,
           former
           lawes
           should
           not
           hastily
           giue
           place
           to
           new
           ;
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           least
           by
           often
           changing
           their
           respect
           be
           somewhat
           impaired
           ;
           
           much
           lesse
           in
           positions
           of
           a
           Christian
           beliese
           .
           It
           causeth
           the
           mindes
           of
           men
           to
           wauer
           much
           :
           it
           begets
           scruples
           and
           offences
           ,
           which
           our
           Apolstle
           also
           here
           condemneth
           .
        
         
           Others
           at
           least
           in
           shew
           approue
           the
           receiued
           Cannons
           ,
           but
           no
           otherwise
           then
           for
           their
           own
           advantage
           ;
           
           vnder
           pretext
           of
           those
           generall
           rules
           they
           vent
           some
           priuate
           and
           moderne
           conceipts
           .
           It
           was
           a
           diuise
           (
           saith
           Seneca
           )
           concerning
           his
           times
           of
           many
           lewd
           and
           riotous
           liuers
           ,
           to
           cloake
           their
           luxury
           by
           pretending
           to
           the
           Epicurean
           sect
           .
           Thus
           they
           shrowd
           their
           wrong
           and
           false
           opinions
           in
           the
           Churches
           bosome
           ;
           not
           deriving
           a
           meaning
           from
           thence
           ,
           but
           fastning
           there
           one
           vpon
           it
           ;
           how
           much
           better
           were
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           left
           the
           Cannons
           free
           and
           still
           vnbounded
           .
           For
           by
           thus
           drawing
           them
           downe
           into
           a
           more
           particular
           sense
           ,
           they
           haue
           troubled
           the
           Church
           with
           needlesse
           disquiries
           ;
           Constantine
           the
           geeat
           speaking
           vnto
           the
           Nieene
           counsell
           ,
           is
           bold
           to
           call
           those
           disputes
           betweene
           Arius
           and
           Alexander
           ,
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           a
           vaine
           and
           fruitlesse
           debate
           :
           Rather
           then
           the
           catholique
           peace
           should
           suffer
           disturbance
           ,
           hee
           disliketh
           an
           exact
           discussion
           euen
           in
           a
           point
           of
           faith
           .
           I
           dare
           not
           prescribe
           vniuersally
           an
           implicit
           beliefe
           ,
           not
           such
           an
           one
           as
           seales
           vp
           the
           vnderstanding
           ,
           whilst
           it
           kindles
           a
           blinde
           zeale
           :
           yet
           happily
           in
           doubts
           which
           grow
           besides
           the
           foundation
           ,
           it
           may
           well
           suffice
           .
           The
           woman
           diseased
           of
           a
           bloody
           flux
           Mark.
           5.
           v.
           25.
           couets
           onely
           to
           touch
           Christs
           garment
           :
           shee
           stands
           not
           vpon
           circumstances
           how
           or
           whence
           an
           healing
           vertue
           should
           flow
           :
           neither
           need
           wee
           perchance
           to
           dig
           so
           particularly
           into
           those
           positions
           ,
           which
           our
           forefathers
           haue
           left
           vndetermined
           .
           At
           once
           it
           costs
           more
           anxiety
           ,
           then
           it
           can
           afford
           either
           content
           or
           gaine
           .
        
         
           Well
           then
           :
           let
           both
           principles
           of
           
             Church
             tenents
          
           &
           Scripture
           stand
           in
           force
           ;
           as
           Aarons
           rod
           eat
           vp
           those
           wherewith
           the
           Aegyptians
           contended
           ,
           they
           will
           
           discountenance
           and
           consume
           any
           vpstart
           issue
           of
           falshood
           ;
           for
           by
           the
           way
           you
           may
           note
           :
           errors
           and
           truth
           doe
           not
           spring
           vp
           alike
           ;
           this
           leasurely
           and
           with
           a
           lingring
           encrease
           :
           that
           hastily
           like
           the
           sunne
           in
           his
           westerne
           course
           ,
           which
           cuts
           most
           nimbly
           about
           the
           line
           :
           but
           as
           there
           the
           sunne
           proceeds
           but
           slowly
           in
           degrees
           farther
           distant
           :
           so
           here
           doe
           errors
           after
           their
           first
           bruit
           and
           flourish
           :
           if
           the
           ancient
           grounds
           be
           still
           vpheld
           :
           if
           we
           retaine
           this
           defence
           to
           withstand
           their
           onset
           .
        
         
           I
           haue
           shewed
           you
           the
           maine
           property
           of
           Schismes
           ;
           a
           dangerous
           quality
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           in
           a
           Christian
           estate
           ;
           for
           as
           Sampson
           did
           to
           ouerwhelme
           the
           Philistins
           Iud.
           18.
           29.
           it
           puls
           away
           both
           Pillars
           wherevpon
           the
           Church
           is
           founded
           .
           Now
           afterwards
           you
           haue
           thus
           had
           their
           property
           ,
           it
           remaines
           that
           in
           my
           third
           point
           I
           decypher
           their
           subiect
           ,
           to
           wit
           the
           persons
           or
           those
           which
           cause
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           that
           as
           the
           Lord
           hath
           planted
           a
           vineyard
           ;
           
           so
           hath
           he
           hedged
           and
           fenct
           it
           rouud
           .
           But
           what
           can
           possibly
           keepe
           out
           malitious
           Schismaticks
           ?
           Euer
           and
           anon
           they
           breake
           through
           this
           fence
           ,
           dispoyling
           miserably
           so
           precious
           a
           ground
           plot
           .
           And
           this
           they
           doe
           ,
           either
           from
           an
           inward
           corruption
           of
           nature
           ,
           or
           else
           induced
           by
           some
           externall
           motiues
           :
           concerning
           their
           nature
           ,
           you
           may
           note
           them
           to
           haue
           beene
           men
           commonly
           of
           a
           fierce
           &
           abrupt
           temper
           ;
           St
           Paul
           I
           am
           sure
           describes
           them
           so
           2
           Tim.
           3.
           
           Of
           this
           humour
           as
           Tertullian
           witnesseth
           ,
           was
           Hermogenes
           of
           old
           ,
           
             naturâ
             turbulentus
          
           ,
           a
           fit
           materiall
           to
           frame
           an
           hereticke
           ;
           Not
           vnlike
           vnto
           him
           wee
           finde
           Novatus
           in
           Cyprian
           ;
           one
           who
           more
           esteemed
           his
           owne
           will
           and
           fancy
           ,
           then
           the
           
           quiet
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           such
           men
           goe
           on
           in
           a
           violent
           course
           :
           whereso
           ere
           they
           appeare
           ,
           raising
           some
           storme
           or
           tempest
           :
           they
           carry
           indeed
           fire
           in
           their
           Censors
           ,
           yet
           not
           to
           sacrifice
           ,
           but
           to
           kindle
           publicke
           debates
           .
           Farre
           better
           doth
           S.
           Iames
           instruct
           such
           with
           patience
           and
           and
           meeknesse
           of
           
             wisdom
             .
             Iam.
          
           3.
           13.
           
        
         
           Neither
           yet
           as
           I
           said
           want
           they
           outward
           fewell
           to
           encrease
           ,
           this
           inbred
           aptnesse
           .
           First
           here
           occurs
           an
           hope
           of
           honour
           &
           advancement
           ;
           
           This
           as
           one
           speakes
           of
           beauty
           hath
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           it
           distorts
           and
           drawes
           the
           sight
           besides
           the
           truth
           ;
           when
           
             Alcimus
             1
             Mac.
          
           7.
           affected
           the
           high-priesthood
           ,
           hee
           calls
           in
           the
           Syrians
           to
           backe
           his
           suite
           ,
           not
           without
           extreame
           hazard
           of
           the
           Iewish
           estate
           :
           no
           otherwise
           doe
           they
           :
           rather
           then
           misse
           of
           dignities
           ,
           they
           'le
           endanger
           the
           Church
           with
           forren
           tenents
           ;
           any
           way
           shall
           helpe
           ,
           before
           they
           will
           sit
           vntitled
           .
           We
           reade
           of
           Arrius
           as
           otherwise
           of
           a
           good
           &
           honest
           man
           ;
           his
           fault
           was
           somewhat
           too
           aspiring
           a
           minde
           .
           It
           is
           so
           with
           most
           :
           they
           square
           not
           their
           drifts
           by
           religion
           ,
           but
           religion
           by
           their
           drifts
           of
           eminency
           or
           profit
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           by
           this
           ,
           as
           they
           conceaue
           ,
           they
           much
           enhance
           their
           fame
           .
           To
           bee
           the
           author
           or
           revivour
           of
           some
           nicer
           Doctrine
           must
           needs
           seeme
           a
           master
           peice
           of
           no
           vsuall
           knowledge
           ;
           Indeed
           the
           Apostle
           himselfe
           Rom.
           15.
           29.
           forbares
           to
           build
           the
           Gospell
           vpon
           grounds
           forelaid
           .
           This
           hee
           did
           to
           avoide
           emergent
           scandals
           ,
           but
           they
           for
           by
           respects
           :
           least
           they
           bee
           thought
           a
           meere
           accession
           of
           anothers
           wit
           or
           credit
           .
           Yet
           here
           obserue
           their
           grosse
           mistake
           ;
           Truth
           saith
           the
           Philosopher
           as
           likewise
           vertue
           is
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           a
           thing
           
           of
           small
           and
           narrow
           extent
           ;
           But
           as
           for
           errors
           ,
           they
           ly
           in
           multitudes
           and
           troupes
           round
           about
           ;
           If
           then
           in
           so
           vast
           a
           number
           of
           fashoods
           ,
           they
           pitch
           vpon
           one
           what
           glory
           is
           it
           ?
           If
           missing
           the
           center
           they
           pricke
           each
           part
           of
           the
           circle
           else
           ?
           To
           bolt
           an
           errour
           then
           is
           no
           hard
           exploit
           ;
           And
           as
           its
           beginnning
           is
           thus
           prompt
           and
           easy
           ,
           so
           also
           is
           the
           maintaining
           of
           it
           once
           begun
           ;
           Insooth
           falshhood
           in
           point
           of
           religion
           commonly
           someway
           toucheth
           vpon
           the
           deepest
           mysteries
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           sure
           of
           a
           cause
           pregnāt
           enough
           wherein
           to
           deale
           :
           Pelagianisme
           how
           doth
           it
           in
           close
           those
           large
           queries
           concerning
           gods
           power
           and
           hidden
           decree
           ?
           As
           therefore
           marriners
           wont
           for
           to
           say
           ,
           giue
           them
           
             winde
             and
             Sea
             roome
          
           they
           feare
           no
           shipwracke
           :
           so
           in
           such
           open
           and
           boundlesse
           disputes
           ,
           it
           may
           argue
           a
           shallow
           braine
           that
           is
           quickly
           graueled
           ;
           if
           nere
           so
           prest
           he
           finde
           not
           still
           scope
           as
           well
           to
           decline
           the
           aduersary
           ,
           as
           to
           reinforce
           his
           tenents
           .
        
         
           A
           last
           incentiue
           here
           may
           bee
           an
           itching
           desire
           in
           men
           of
           seeming
           actiue
           ;
           rather
           then
           rest
           vnbusied
           ,
           they
           will
           doe
           some
           vnnecessary
           mischiefe
           .
           It
           pleaseth
           them
           greatly
           in
           their
           pride
           of
           wit
           to
           behold
           those
           combustions
           which
           themselues
           haue
           caused
           .
           The
           associates
           of
           Catiline
           in
           his
           conspiracy
           against
           Rome
           were
           the
           more
           forward
           ,
           
           saith
           the
           historian
           ,
           
             vt
             quiet
             a
             mouerent
          
           :
           that
           at
           least
           they
           might
           vnsettle
           a
           state
           so
           well
           composed
           ;
           many
           endeauour
           a
           disturbance
           of
           the
           christian
           peace
           for
           no
           serious
           intendment
           :
           they
           raise
           debates
           that
           they
           may
           bee
           said
           to
           haue
           raised
           them
           ;
           like
           hote
           furious
           spirits
           abroad
           ,
           who
           delight
           soly
           in
           fights
           and
           vproares
           ;
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           meere
           louers
           of
           strife
           .
        
         
         
           Vpon
           these
           motiues
           fore
           cited
           doe
           Schismaticks
           chiefly
           vndermine
           the
           Churches
           vnity
           ;
           men
           otherwise
           oftimes
           of
           no
           meane
           esteeme
           and
           worth
           .
           But
           as
           it
           was
           said
           of
           Curio
           the
           tribune
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           
             facundus
             sed
             malo
             publico
          
           :
           euen
           so
           they
           in
           truth
           seeme
           able
           and
           sufficiently
           learned
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           to
           the
           Churches
           annoyance
           :
           whilst
           they
           imploy
           those
           gifts
           perversly
           ,
           with
           which
           they
           might
           haue
           aduanced
           the
           common
           good
           .
        
         
           Yet
           also
           giue
           me
           leaue
           ,
           if
           a
           little
           I
           misdoubt
           such
           :
           if
           I
           iudge
           them
           not
           throughly
           sound
           at
           heart
           ;
           In
           13.
           
           
             Nehem.
             v.
          
           33.
           where
           the
           Israelitish
           parents
           mix
           with
           the
           women
           of
           Ashdod
           ,
           the
           children
           speake
           an
           vncertaine
           idiome
           :
           halfe
           the
           Ammonitish
           language
           ;
           and
           halfe
           the
           Iewish
           ;
           examine
           their
           tracts
           and
           discourses
           aright
           ,
           they
           may
           seeme
           the
           issue
           of
           a
           mixt
           faith
           .
           Religion
           if
           once
           ambiguous
           cannot
           choose
           but
           betray
           it selfe
           ;
           some
           sparkles
           will
           here
           breake
           forth
           ,
           though
           neuer
           so
           carefully
           supprest
           ;
           wherefore
           as
           Iosuah
           asked
           the
           angell
           
             Ios
             .
             5.
             v.
             13.
             art
             thou
             for
             vs
             or
             for
             our
             aduersaries
             ?
          
           Let
           me
           likewise
           demand
           ;
           whose
           part
           take
           they
           ?
           for
           now
           by
           walking
           so
           doubtfully
           and
           in
           a
           mist
           ,
           they
           merit
           applause
           from
           neither
           side
           ;
           more
           reason
           there
           is
           that
           they
           bee
           refused
           of
           both
           ;
           Saint
           Hierome
           somewhere
           speaking
           touching
           such
           neutrals
           the
           
             Hebionites
             ,
             Dum
             volunt
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             &
             Iudaei
             &
             Christiani
             esse
             ,
             nec
             sunt
             Iudaei
             nec
             Christiani
             :
          
           whilst
           they
           hang
           betweene
           two
           sects
           ,
           they
           deserue
           to
           bee
           ranked
           no
           where
           :
           meere
           batts
           in
           religion
           are
           they
           ;
           as
           nature
           hath
           placed
           these
           as
           t
           were
           in
           no
           certaine
           degree
           either
           of
           beastes
           or
           foules
           :
           thus
           they
           for
           there
           ambiguous
           
           profession
           ,
           may
           hardly
           be
           numbred
           among
           Christians
           in
           any
           ranck
           .
        
         
           You
           haue
           seene
           the
           subiect
           of
           divisions
           briefly
           displai'd
           ;
           persons
           very
           contagious
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           as
           Miriam
           ,
           long
           since
           a
           Schismaticke
           too
           ,
           leprous
           throughout
           .
           It
           is
           not
           vnseasonable
           ,
           if
           therefore
           in
           my
           fourth
           point
           I
           prescribe
           the
           Apostles
           caution
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           first
           marke
           ,
           then
           avoid
           them
           .
        
         
           What
           our
           Saviour
           forespake
           touching
           false
           teachers
           ,
           
           Math.
           7.
           15.
           seemes
           not
           more
           true
           in
           regard
           of
           their
           demeanour
           ,
           then
           of
           their
           preaching
           &
           doctrine
           .
           They
           come
           indeed
           clothed
           with
           
             sheepes
             clothing
          
           :
           cover'd
           ouer
           with
           a
           pretended
           shew
           both
           of
           truth
           and
           zeale
           .
           Hard
           it
           is
           in
           so
           neere
           a
           likelyhood
           ,
           to
           discerne
           where
           they
           conforme
           to
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           breake
           off
           .
           St
           Ignatius
           for
           this
           termes
           them
           sometimes
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           creatures
           hauing
           though
           no
           more
           ,
           yet
           a
           Christian
           outside
           ;
           elsewhere
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           exact
           and
           able
           counterfeits
           .
           Came
           they
           drest
           in
           their
           proper
           shape
           ,
           we
           might
           the
           more
           easily
           keepe
           safe
           :
           it
           were
           no
           difficult
           taske
           to
           eschew
           their
           infectious
           tenents
           .
           A
           wound
           if
           open
           and
           apparant
           ,
           may
           be
           quickly
           cured
           ;
           that
           especially
           is
           dangerous
           ,
           where
           the
           soare
           lies
           hid
           ,
           or
           the
           passage
           proues
           inuolu'd
           .
           Well
           doe
           Schismaticks
           conceaue
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           their
           cause
           :
           should
           they
           attempt
           to
           obtrude
           their
           falshoods
           vpō
           the
           Church
           ,
           in
           their
           naked
           deformity
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           vaine
           designe
           .
           Errours
           be
           naturally
           displeasing
           to
           the
           vnderstanding
           :
           whereas
           truth
           is
           no
           lesse
           outwardly
           pleasing
           ,
           then
           admirable
           in
           it selfe
           .
           Therefore
           they
           colour
           &
           varnish
           ouer
           their
           absurdities
           with
           ounning
           deceipt
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           
           they
           refute
           one
           bad
           opinion
           that
           they
           may
           set
           vp
           a
           worse
           ;
           Eutiches
           ,
           you
           knowe
           ,
           would
           needs
           maintaine
           a
           confusion
           of
           natures
           in
           Christ
           ;
           now
           this
           he
           vndertooke
           (
           saith
           Flavianus
           )
           vnder
           pretence
           of
           confuting
           Nestorius
           ,
           who
           held
           oppositely
           as
           much
           amisse
           ;
           Are
           there
           none
           now
           which
           cry
           downe
           Puritanisme
           whereby
           to
           establish
           Papisme
           ?
           Is
           there
           no
           such
           new
           stratagem
           ?
           Yea
           farther
           ,
           are
           there
           not
           those
           who
           deale
           with
           religion
           in
           a
           sense
           inverted
           ,
           as
           David
           did
           with
           king
           Achish
           ,
           1.
           
           Sam.
           27.
           vnder
           shew
           of
           fighting
           against
           the
           Philistins
           our
           adversaries
           ,
           they
           fall
           vpon
           their
           countries
           faith
           .
        
         
           Another
           way
           they
           haue
           of
           intermingling
           truth
           with
           errour
           ;
           Amidst
           their
           discourses
           they
           craftily
           mix
           some
           drams
           of
           verity
           to
           commend
           the
           rest
           ;
           nay
           so
           they
           doe
           more
           hurt
           and
           d●●plier
           infect
           .
           Poyson
           if
           given
           in
           wine
           or
           hony
           pierceth
           the
           veines
           with
           greater
           violence
           ;
           even
           thus
           falshood
           sweetned
           with
           a
           relish
           of
           truth
           ,
           eats
           most
           dangerously
           into
           the
           bowels
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           devise
           is
           by
           faigning
           of
           some
           good
           intent
           ;
           whilst
           they
           labour
           a
           breach
           in
           christianity
           ,
           
           to
           make
           shew
           of
           a
           desired
           vnity
           and
           peace
           .
           Arminius
           euen
           then
           when
           hee
           was
           forging
           those
           opinions
           vpon
           which
           such
           endlesse
           troubles
           haue
           ensuech
           ,
           compos'de
           a
           treatise
           touching
           a
           generall
           reconcilement
           ;
           like
           Ioab
           to
           Amasa
           ,
           2.
           
           Sam.
           20.
           at
           once
           hee
           offers
           embraces
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           stabs
           it
           .
        
         
           More
           shifts
           besides
           they
           skill
           of
           to
           obscure
           their
           malitious
           drifts
           .
           There
           want
           not
           infinite
           tractlesse
           mazes
           ,
           wherein
           they
           can
           lurke
           vndiscerned
           ;
           so
           as
           what
           a
           
           petty
           historian
           speakes
           of
           the
           Ligurians
           inhabiting
           bogs
           and
           bushy
           places
           .
           
             Maior
             aliquanto
             labor
             erat
             invenire
             quàm
             vincere
             ,
          
           may
           be
           here
           applied
           .
           It
           is
           easier
           to
           convince
           their
           errours
           ,
           then
           perfectly
           trace
           it
           out
           .
        
         
           Not
           in
           vaine
           then
           are
           we
           bid
           to
           marke
           :
           obserue
           we
           ought
           their
           subtle
           passages
           ,
           mudding
           still
           the
           streame
           wheresoer'e
           they
           goe
           ;
           neither
           yet
           is
           this
           enough
           ;
           after
           we
           haue
           thus
           descried
           their
           falshoods
           ,
           we
           must
           also
           avoid
           and
           shun
           them
           ;
           
             what
             communion
             hath
             light
             with
             darknesse
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           2.
           
           Cor.
           6.
           
           In
           the
           1.
           of
           Gen.
           v.
           4.
           no
           sooner
           had
           God
           created
           light
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           same
           v.
           he
           diuides
           them
           straight
           :
           wee
           are
           though
           not
           light
           ,
           yet
           the
           children
           of
           light
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           be
           carefull
           ,
           least
           by
           mixing
           with
           the
           sonnes
           of
           errour
           ,
           our
           light
           be
           dim'd
           and
           weakned
           .
           How
           seriously
           diligent
           were
           the
           primitiue
           Fathers
           in
           declining
           such
           ?
           How
           watchfull
           to
           represse
           them
           ?
           Should
           I
           here
           recount
           their
           various
           edicts
           and
           provisoes
           framed
           therevpon
           ,
           I
           might
           happily
           make
           more
           vse
           of
           reading
           ,
           then
           of
           moderation
           and
           iudgement
           ;
           Only
           for
           a
           tast
           ;
           you
           may
           from
           the
           course
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           stories
           gather
           a
           treble
           censure
           thus
           disposed
           .
           First
           they
           inflicted
           vpon
           them
           abstension
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           I
           may
           say
           )
           incommunication
           with
           the
           Church
           :
           Next
           a
           positiue
           eiection
           ,
           else
           deposition
           from
           their
           clericall
           degree
           ;
           at
           length
           if
           both
           these
           reclaim'd
           them
           not
           ,
           the
           vtter
           Anathema
           ;
           Adde
           here
           to
           those
           seuerer
           cautions
           of
           the
           Apostolicke
           Synode
           ;
           that
           men
           rightly
           orthodox
           might
           not
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           not
           ioyne
           in
           prayer
           with
           such
           ,
           Can.
           44.
           of
           the
           Laodicean
           ,
           not
           to
           deale
           with
           them
           or
           vse
           commerce
           ,
           Can.
           
           57.
           
           So
           carefull
           were
           those
           ancient
           sages
           ,
           least
           a
           contagious
           Schismaticke
           ,
           if
           let
           alone
           ,
           might
           perchance
           infect
           the
           whole
           Christian
           flocke
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           in
           former
           times
           there
           appeared
           greater
           danger
           .
           About
           the
           first
           plantation
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           we
           finde
           in
           truth
           heresies
           more
           rife
           and
           frequent
           ;
           Satan
           was
           then
           most
           busie
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           choak
           vp
           the
           word
           before
           it
           tooke
           sure
           root
           .
           Thus
           Mat.
           13.
           25.
           the
           envious
           one
           presently
           sowes
           his
           cockle
           ,
           as
           soone
           as
           the
           owner
           had
           ended
           .
           Notwithstanding
           although
           such
           Church
           diseases
           be
           now
           lesse
           pregnant
           ,
           yet
           are
           they
           poysonous
           still
           alike
           .
           A
           mixing
           of
           things
           vnwholsome
           with
           pure
           ,
           corrupts
           as
           much
           as
           ere
           it
           did
           .
        
         
           Neither
           doe
           I
           (
           mistake
           me
           not
           )
           prescribe
           so
           extreame
           a
           course
           as
           the
           ancients
           vsed
           .
           It
           is
           a
           point
           both
           aboue
           my
           skill
           and
           place
           :
           only
           I
           wish
           that
           alwaies
           disturbers
           ,
           of
           what
           kinde
           soeuer
           ,
           if
           not
           in
           person
           ,
           yet
           in
           doctrine
           be
           shunned
           ;
           that
           we
           take
           heed
           least
           by
           a
           seeming
           furtherance
           of
           the
           faith
           ,
           they
           hinder
           its
           growth
           .
           At
           the
           fourth
           of
           Ezra
           when
           the
           people
           of
           the
           land
           desired
           to
           helpe
           the
           Israelites
           in
           rebuilding
           the
           temple
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           ,
           
             Yee
             haue
             nothing
             to
             doe
             with
             vs
             to
             build
             an
             house
             ,
          
           v.
           3.
           
           Happily
           they
           guessed
           that
           for
           laying
           one
           stone
           ,
           they
           might
           maliciously
           plucke
           downe
           two
           .
           You
           knowe
           the
           fable
           of
           the
           home-bred
           wolfe
           :
           vnder
           colour
           of
           keeping
           the
           sheepe
           ,
           hee
           made
           more
           hauock
           in
           the
           fold
           then
           the
           Wolfes
           abroad
           .
           A
           doubtfull
           zeale
           is
           most
           dangerous
           when
           thus
           it
           gets
           a
           handsome
           disguise
           .
           It
           is
           to
           bee
           feared
           ,
           that
           such
           may
           doe
           more
           mischeife
           ,
           then
           the
           adversary
           from
           without
           .
        
         
           I
           haue
           laid
           before
           you
           at
           length
           a
           full
           view
           of
           Schismes
           :
           
           their
           nature
           and
           property
           :
           their
           subiect
           and
           how
           they
           must
           bee
           avoided
           ;
           now
           because
           one
           opposite
           shines
           more
           cleerely
           in
           anothers
           presence
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           amisse
           that
           contrariwise
           in
           my
           last
           point
           I
           handle
           the
           mutuall
           agreement
           of
           true
           professours
           ,
           or
           as
           it
           is
           here
           their
           Brotherhood
           .
        
         
           We
           read
           concerning
           the
           divisions
           of
           Reuben
           ,
           
           Iudg.
           5.
           15.
           of
           much
           dissention
           betwixt
           the
           Saduces
           and
           the
           Pharises
           ,
           Act.
           23.
           7.
           
           Evill
           and
           erroneous
           men
           are
           both
           alike
           giuen
           to
           strife
           ;
           whereas
           Christians
           rightly
           seasoned
           ,
           be
           no
           lesse
           vnanimous
           then
           abundant
           in
           al
           truth
           and
           goodnesse
           ;
           In
           the
           15th
           of
           Gen.
           Abraham
           is
           commanded
           to
           take
           an
           Heifer
           ,
           a
           Ramme
           ,
           and
           a
           Goat
           :
           besides
           a
           Pigeon
           with
           a
           Turtle
           :
           as
           for
           the
           former
           he
           divides
           them
           v.
           
           10th
           :
           the
           Turtle
           and
           the
           Pigeon
           hee
           divideth
           not
           .
           Those
           three
           (
           saith
           Prosper
           )
           fore-shew'd
           the
           condition
           of
           Schismaticks
           ,
           but
           these
           the
           Doue-like
           and
           vndiuided
           agreement
           of
           professours
           truly
           orthodoxe
           .
           Now
           as
           the
           higher
           faculties
           of
           mans
           soule
           are
           two
           ,
           will
           and
           the
           vnderstanding
           ,
           this
           agreement
           here
           consists
           in
           a
           meete
           consonancy
           of
           both
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           for
           the
           vnderstanding
           ,
           hauing
           receaued
           one
           spirit
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           conspire
           in
           one
           meaning
           and
           sense
           :
           they
           differ
           not
           ,
           as
           being
           by
           the
           same
           teacher
           instructed
           .
           Indeed
           no
           marvaile
           if
           Schismaticks
           doe
           iarr
           ,
           whom
           their
           own
           affections
           or
           satan
           diversly
           instructs
           :
           but
           the
           Disciples
           of
           verity
           ,
           though
           many
           ,
           yet
           bee
           they
           as
           organs
           tuned
           by
           an
           individuall
           spirit
           .
           Neither
           is
           there
           a
           more
           constant
           euidence
           of
           the
           truth
           professed
           ,
           then
           such
           consent
           ;
           Iudicious
           interpreters
           of
           the
           sacred
           writ
           thence
           especially
           inferre
           ,
           that
           the
           Prophets
           wrot
           
           inspir'de
           ;
           Each
           where
           they
           doe
           so
           miraculously
           concurre
           ,
           
           and
           fully
           accord
           :
           On
           the
           other
           side
           dissent
           of
           tenents
           ,
           hath
           euer
           beene
           the
           signe
           of
           falshood
           .
           The
           Fathers
           to
           confute
           the
           Pagan
           Philosophers
           in
           many
           principles
           of
           faith
           had
           no
           greater
           proofe
           :
           like
           to
           a
           common
           weale
           ill
           composed
           ,
           they
           ouerthrew
           them
           through
           their
           own
           discord
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           neither
           yet
           are
           orthodox
           professours
           thus
           onely
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           but
           likewise
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           not
           alone
           sympathizing
           in
           iudgement
           ,
           but
           also
           in
           heart
           ;
           Loue
           and
           vnamity
           were
           euer
           a
           most
           Christian-like
           note
           .
           Looke
           but
           into
           the
           course
           of
           former
           ages
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           easily
           grant
           as
           much
           .
           Concerning
           the
           Apostles
           time
           ,
           what
           ardency
           of
           good
           will
           finde
           we
           there
           ?
           with
           what
           affection
           did
           they
           mutually
           imbrace
           ?
           Lands
           and
           goods
           lay
           then
           in
           common
           :
           the
           whole
           Church
           may
           seeme
           no
           other
           then
           one
           great
           family
           .
           As
           in
           the
           building
           of
           Solomons
           temple
           not
           any
           hammer
           or
           
             iron
             toole
          
           was
           vsed
           that
           made
           a
           noise
           ;
           1.
           
           Reg.
           6.
           
           Thus
           they
           labour'd
           iointly
           in
           founding
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           wihtout
           all
           malice
           or
           clamorous
           strife
           .
           Afterwards
           wee
           finde
           this
           holy
           zeale
           no
           whit
           abated
           ;
           still
           in
           succeeding
           times
           ,
           as
           persecutions
           waxt
           hotter
           ,
           the
           Christians
           loue
           grew
           more
           enflamed
           .
           To
           manifest
           which
           ,
           least
           it
           might
           languish
           if
           conceal'd
           ,
           how
           many
           signes
           of
           expression
           had
           they
           ?
           witnesse
           there
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           feasts
           of
           loue
           :
           there
           
             osculum
             pacis
          
           after
           their
           sacred
           meetings
           :
           yea
           
             osculum
             baptismi
          
           at
           their
           admittance
           into
           the
           Church
           :
           lastly
           their
           
             panem
             vnanimitatis
          
           ,
           as
           Paulinus
           to
           Austin
           intimateth
           ;
           a
           token
           commonly
           annext
           and
           sent
           with
           their
           letters
           to
           expresse
           their
           ioint
           consolidation
           into
           
           the
           same
           body
           of
           Christ
           ;
           As
           for
           hatred
           and
           malice
           ,
           such
           vngodly
           motions
           ,
           they
           may
           seeme
           as
           free
           ,
           as
           we
           their
           of-spring
           now
           stand
           guilty
           .
        
         
           Yet
           what
           wonder
           is
           it
           if
           thus
           reciprocally
           they
           maintained
           charity
           ?
           For
           first
           (
           you
           know
           )
           among
           all
           virtues
           this
           takes
           place
           :
           without
           it
           martyrdome
           it selfe
           availeth
           not
           ,
           1.
           
           Cor.
           13.
           
           Lumbard
           so
           farre
           extols
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           it
           touching
           the
           exercise
           an
           immediate
           act
           of
           the
           spirit
           :
           whereas
           other
           divine
           graces
           acknowledge
           their
           proper
           habits
           .
           How
           truely
           he
           doth
           this
           I
           meane
           not
           to
           examine
           ;
           only
           you
           see
           what
           a
           glorious
           conceit
           he
           had
           of
           this
           vertue
           aboue
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
           Againe
           ,
           such
           loue
           greatly
           strengthens
           each
           where
           the
           Christian
           zeale
           :
           it
           conserues
           as
           it
           were
           religion
           warme
           and
           frolick
           .
           Ignatius
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Ephesians
           discoursing
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           tells
           them
           that
           it
           would
           keepe
           them
           more
           secure
           euen
           from
           Satans
           assaults
           ;
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           &c.
           all
           assronts
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           of
           those
           spirituall
           enimyes
           be
           this
           way
           lessened
           :
           ioine
           they
           but
           hearts
           ,
           sinne
           it selfe
           would
           finde
           an
           harder
           inlet
           .
        
         
           Once
           more
           ,
           no
           marvaile
           if
           orthodox
           Christians
           affect
           this
           concord
           ,
           since
           our
           Saviour
           himselfe
           so
           much
           commends
           it
           ;
           whenas
           hee
           who
           is
           the
           author
           of
           peace
           appeares
           so
           vrgent
           a
           teacher
           thereof
           .
           In
           the
           13.
           of
           Io.
           he
           makes
           it
           the
           very
           marke
           and
           badge
           of
           his
           :
           
             By
             this
             shall
             all
             men
             knowe
             that
             you
             are
             my
             Disciples
             ,
             &
             .
          
           v.
           35
           In
           the
           14.
           
           C.
           being
           now
           to
           suffer
           ,
           he
           bequeaths
           it
           them
           for
           their
           only
           legacy
           ,
           
             My
             peace
             I
             leaue
             you
          
           ,
           v.
           27.
           with
           great
           earnestnesse
           he
           enioines
           that
           ,
           which
           long
           since
           was
           commended
           to
           the
           Church
           vnder
           a
           type
           ;
           
             Noahs
             
             doue
          
           hauing
           circled
           the
           waters
           too
           and
           fro
           ,
           returnes
           not
           empty
           ;
           yet
           brings
           shee
           for
           a
           token
           of
           the
           floods
           decrease
           ,
           no
           other
           testimony
           into
           the
           arke
           ,
           the
           figure
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           then
           an
           Oliue
           leafe
           ;
           a
           leafe
           which
           is
           the
           vsuall
           signe
           of
           loue
           and
           concord
           ;
           hence
           the
           Apostle
           more
           expresly
           ,
           Rom.
           10.
           15.
           deciphers
           the
           Church
           vnder
           name
           of
           the
           Oliue
           .
        
         
           You
           perceiue
           by
           this
           a
           little
           better
           the
           fowlnesse
           of
           Schismes
           :
           how
           vgly
           they
           be
           apart
           ,
           yet
           more
           if
           opposed
           to
           vnity
           :
           giue
           mee
           now
           leaue
           but
           to
           set
           downe
           some
           few
           rules
           ,
           as
           well
           for
           the
           aduancing
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           as
           the
           repressing
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           end
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           it
           were
           well
           if
           men
           did
           meddle
           lesse
           in
           needlesse
           points
           besides
           the
           faith
           :
           were
           they
           not
           ouer-busie
           there
           ,
           where
           they
           may
           shew
           more
           wit
           ,
           then
           promote
           the
           Gospell
           .
           The
           orthodox
           religion
           stands
           now
           betwixt
           Papistry
           and
           Semi-pelagianisme
           ,
           as
           the
           Platonicke
           sect
           did
           once
           betweene
           the
           Epicureans
           and
           the
           Stoicks
           ;
           
           
             cum
             his
             non
             de
             sinibus
             sed
             de
             tota
             fere
             possessione
             contentio
             est
          
           ;
           with
           these
           ,
           saith
           the
           Oratour
           ,
           the
           Platonicks
           hold
           an
           vtter
           distance
           ;
           but
           from
           them
           they
           differ
           vpon
           tearmes
           of
           lighter
           moment
           .
           Papistrie
           thwarts
           and
           cuts
           the
           very
           life-strings
           of
           a
           sauing
           beleefe
           .
           Semi-pelagianisme
           no
           so
           ;
           whence
           then
           the
           greatest
           danger
           appeares
           ,
           there
           to
           bee
           most
           actiue
           were
           a
           prudent
           course
           .
        
         
           Or
           2ly
           ,
           if
           some
           must
           needs
           be
           dealing
           else-where
           ,
           would
           they
           could
           but
           keepe
           their
           opinions
           conceal'd
           ;
           not
           presse
           vpon
           the
           Church
           for
           currant
           whatsoeuer
           themselues
           haue
           fancied
           ;
           Paracelsus
           hauing
           grounded
           himselfe
           strongly
           in
           naturall
           magicke
           ,
           afterward
           in
           all
           
           his
           conclusions
           ascribes
           ouer
           much
           to
           that
           ;
           with
           him
           Adam
           &
           Methuselah
           liued
           so
           long
           not
           without
           some
           helpe
           of
           Chymicall
           extracts
           ;
           Vpon
           like
           grounds
           Agrippa
           among
           others
           his
           foppish
           notions
           ,
           
           perswades
           vs
           ,
           that
           the
           crosse
           if
           of
           force
           at
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           by
           vertue
           of
           the
           meer
           figure
           .
           Mē
           for
           the
           most
           part
           relish
           long
           of
           those
           principles
           with
           which
           they
           haue
           beene
           at
           first
           invred
           .
           The
           vnderstainding
           is
           so
           farre
           from
           embracing
           the
           opposite
           truth
           ,
           that
           it
           rests
           and
           scarcely
           admits
           of
           a
           farther
           search
           .
           Moreouer
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           haue
           once
           conceipted
           priuately
           ,
           they
           straight
           way
           labour
           to
           make
           good
           a
           broad
           ;
           hold
           they
           cannot
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           obtrude
           their
           peculiar
           fancies
           ,
           for
           a
           publike
           trueth
           ;
           Our
           sauiour
           Math.
           16.
           speaking
           of
           such
           doctrine
           among
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           calls
           it
           leauen
           v.
           6.
           
           Euen
           as
           leauen
           it
           heaues
           &
           workes
           in
           the
           braine
           till
           it
           can
           get
           a
           vent
           ;
           Much
           discreeter
           was
           the
           course
           of
           Saint
           Cyprian
           ;
           The
           deuout
           father
           being
           vnhappily
           tainted
           in
           that
           point
           concerning
           Anabaptisme
           ,
           yet
           would
           he
           by
           no
           meanes
           commemd
           it
           for
           a
           classicke
           tenent
           ;
           
             nemini
             prescribimus
             ,
             &c.
          
           let
           others
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           abound
           in
           a
           contrary
           sence
           :
           for
           my
           part
           I
           aduise
           none
           :
           which
           his
           modesty
           if
           diuerse
           now
           adaies
           did
           follow
           ,
           from
           how
           many
           vnnecessary
           tumults
           might
           they
           secure
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           a
           Schisme
           be
           once
           on
           foote
           ,
           the
           speediest
           way
           for
           redresse
           may
           seeme
           ;
           First
           a
           serious
           yet
           ciuill
           debatement
           :
           when
           men
           shall
           enter
           the
           lists
           as
           willing
           to
           yeeld
           ,
           if
           pechance
           convinc't
           ,
           as
           to
           refuse
           the
           assaylant
           ;
           hot
           and
           furious
           disputes
           doe
           seldome
           good
           ;
           amidst
           the
           noise
           of
           such
           conuiciating
           iarres
           ,
           the
           the
           truth
           is
           scarcely
           heard
           .
           The
           discussion
           of
           doubtfull
           
           points
           resembles
           much
           the
           smiting
           of
           a
           flint
           ;
           a
           gentle
           and
           well
           poys'de
           stroke
           procures
           some
           sparkes
           ;
           whereas
           a
           boisterous
           collision
           ,
           gets
           no
           fire
           ,
           but
           breakes
           the
           stone
           ;
           Iust
           so
           in
           point
           of
           controversie
           :
           a
           civill
           hadling
           brings
           it
           to
           an
           issue
           straight
           ;
           contrariwise
           an
           impetuous
           wrangling
           inflicts
           happily
           some
           staine
           on
           either
           party
           ,
           yet
           nothing
           cleeres
           the
           argument
           .
           Vnwisely
           then
           deale
           they
           who
           fly
           out
           into
           such
           a
           distempered
           vehemency
           ;
           Insteed
           of
           a
           sober
           and
           vsefull
           debatement
           they
           raise
           a
           personall
           brawle
           ;
           they
           ttauerse
           not
           at
           length
           the
           truth
           ,
           but
           their
           owne
           cause
           .
           It
           was
           the
           noted
           fault
           of
           Marcellus
           a
           Rhetoritian
           that
           lighting
           on
           a
           figure
           ,
           
           hee
           would
           pursue
           it
           so
           farre
           ,
           till
           he
           had
           forgot
           the
           matter
           in
           hand
           :
           likewise
           doe
           these
           if
           once
           they
           fall
           into
           a
           calumniating
           &
           iarring
           vaine
           ;
           nay
           farther
           ,
           oft
           times
           ,
           they
           strangely
           misinterpret
           the
           aduersary
           ;
           either
           to
           extend
           their
           discourse
           ,
           or
           else
           of
           malice
           they
           impose
           a
           meaning
           farre
           wide
           from
           the
           authors
           drift
           .
           Thus
           as
           Zebul
           told
           
             Gaal
             ,
             Thou
             seest
             the
             shadowes
             of
             mountaines
             as
             if
             they
             were
             men
             ,
             Iudg.
          
           9.
           36.
           they
           bestow
           much
           fruitlesse
           paines
           in
           confuting
           such
           notions
           as
           themselues
           haue
           fram'de
           amisse
           .
           But
           a
           way
           with
           such
           misprision
           :
           such
           rouing
           encounters
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           more
           probable
           course
           ,
           if
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           they
           neither
           shall
           ouer
           roughly
           dispute
           the
           cause
           ,
           nor
           yet
           suspitiously
           make
           it
           worse
           .
        
         
           A
           second
           helpe
           here
           may
           bee
           the
           vse
           of
           Synodicall
           conuents
           :
           conuents
           which
           are
           no
           lesse
           apt
           to
           represse
           falshood
           ,
           then
           establish
           a
           receiued
           truth
           in
           the
           mindes
           of
           people
           .
           The
           Romans
           of
           old
           when
           any
           more
           fatall
           danger
           approached
           ,
           did
           wontedly
           maintaine
           their
           
           standing
           Senate
           ;
           how
           much
           rather
           in
           a
           Christian
           state
           appeares
           some
           like
           proiect
           needfull
           :
           where
           sinne
           and
           error
           make
           a
           daily
           inrode
           .
           Our
           forefathers
           therefore
           of
           the
           primitiue
           Church
           ,
           may
           seeme
           indeede
           in
           such
           meetings
           very
           frequent
           ;
           euery
           yeare
           twice
           ,
           about
           Lent
           and
           antumne
           they
           ordained
           councels
           provincially
           to
           be
           held
           .
           Hereby
           they
           weeded
           as
           it
           were
           and
           cut
           vp
           errour
           in
           its
           first
           appearance
           :
           no
           sooner
           could
           it
           sprout
           forth
           ,
           before
           it
           procured
           strength
           ,
           some
           decree
           or
           other
           straight
           waies
           cropt
           it
           ;
           Satan
           you
           know
           that
           old
           Serpent
           is
           the
           father
           of
           schismes
           :
           nay
           he
           was
           by
           a
           voluntary
           discession
           from
           God
           simply
           the
           prime
           Schismaticke
           ;
           A
           snake
           or
           serpent
           if
           he
           can
           get
           but
           his
           head
           into
           a
           crany
           ,
           scrues
           &
           wreaths
           in
           his
           whole
           body
           after
           with
           no
           hard
           paine
           :
           on
           this
           manner
           error
           ;
           by
           reason
           of
           its
           Serpentine
           nature
           ,
           vnlesse
           at
           first
           repelled
           ,
           threatens
           a
           dangerous
           progresse
           ;
           Councels
           then
           in
           this
           case
           be
           greatly
           available
           ;
           of
           soueraine
           helpe
           ,
           if
           thus
           seasonably
           applied
           ;
           such
           a
           meeting
           of
           reuerent
           sages
           must
           needs
           if
           not
           refell
           ,
           at
           least
           discountenance
           a
           crept
           in
           falshood
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           remedy
           shall
           bee
           a
           serious
           aduise
           ;
           That
           men
           would
           duely
           consider
           how
           by
           Schismes
           they
           would
           afresh
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           ;
           how
           they
           make
           the
           wonted
           fold
           a
           coate
           of
           raueuing
           wolues
           .
           Hermes
           somewhere
           termes
           malitiousnesse
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           the
           foode
           or
           worlds
           repast
           ;
           let
           not
           ,
           oh
           let
           not
           the
           same
           be
           said
           concerning
           the
           Church
           it selfe
           ;
           Weigh
           likewise
           hereto
           the
           vnknowne
           and
           doubtfull
           euent
           of
           such
           debates
           ,
           The
           Collator
           in
           Prosper
           begins
           fairely
           and
           as
           a
           moderate
           pelagian
           ,
           but
           ere
           three
           pages
           are
           past
           leauing
           
           Pelagianisme
           ,
           he
           becomes
           flat
           Atheist
           .
           Vnnecessary
           disputes
           neuer
           remaine
           in
           that
           state
           of
           moderation
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           were
           at
           first
           raised
           ;
           like
           floods
           they
           gaine
           encrease
           from
           their
           continued
           and
           lasting
           course
           ;
           especially
           if
           there
           happen
           (
           though
           I
           hope
           not
           )
           such
           as
           dispense
           them
           secretly
           &
           of
           purpose
           to
           some
           farther
           end
           :
           When
           Hannibal
           mainely
           intended
           Rome
           he
           tooke
           in
           Saguntum
           (
           saith
           the
           historian
           )
           onely
           by
           the
           way
           ;
           
           for
           occasion-sake
           in
           truth
           of
           a
           desired
           warre
           ;
           God
           grant
           there
           be
           none
           who
           beginne
           at
           these
           lower
           points
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           fight
           at
           length
           not
           against
           Rome
           ,
           but
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           haue
           done
           with
           my
           text
           ;
           a
           subiect
           I
           confesse
           somewhat
           to
           high
           for
           me
           ,
           and
           deseruing
           a
           more
           graue
           aud
           learned
           pen
           ;
           such
           an
           one
           wherein
           they
           should
           chiefly
           labour
           ,
           who
           are
           as
           able
           for
           skill
           ,
           as
           effectuall
           in
           power
           and
           place
           .
           Truth
           is
           then
           most
           persuasiue
           ,
           when
           thus
           abetted
           :
           but
           as
           Elihu
           tooke
           courage
           to
           aduise
           Iob
           ,
           though
           after
           his
           elders
           :
           
             to
             shew
             his
             opinion
             also
             ;
             Iob.
          
           22.
           v.
           10.
           euen
           so
           haue
           I
           done
           .
           Wisdome
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           oft
           times
           hee
           worketh
           no
           lesse
           through
           weake
           meanes
           ,
           then
           by
           strong
           and
           potent
           .
           Howsoeuer
           I
           thought
           it
           not
           besides
           the
           duety
           of
           the
           meanest
           Leuite
           ,
           if
           now
           he
           stretcht
           forth
           his
           hand
           to
           vpholde
           the
           arke
           :
           if
           for
           my
           part
           likewise
           I
           endeauourde
           the
           Churches
           vnity
           ,
           my
           only
           drift
           .
           And
           now
           O
           Lord
           doe
           thou
           build
           vp
           those
           breaches
           in
           the
           wals
           of
           our
           Ierusalem
           ,
           which
           by
           Schismes
           haue
           long
           since
           beene
           made
           ;
           giue
           vs
           externall
           peace
           ,
           that
           so
           the
           better
           wee
           may
           procure
           that
           inward
           of
           minde
           ,
           and
           in
           fine
           enioy
           eternall
           with
           thee
           .
           To
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A20674-e260
           
             Petronius
             .
          
           
             Division
             .
          
           
             Iustin
             .
             in
             Comment
             .
          
           
             P.
             1.
             
          
           
             Anon.
             E
             :
             de
             Cardinal
             :
             Christ
             .
             ope●
             
          
           
             Exod.
             34.
             
          
           
             Apolog.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             23.
             
          
           
             *
             Austin
             .
          
           
             *
             Lib.
             2.
             
          
           
             In
             somn
             .
             S●
             L.
             1.
             
          
           
             Durando
             .
          
           
             Tacitus
             .
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             De
             orthodox
             ,
             religione
             .
             L.
             4.
             
          
           
             Gelasius
             Cucycenu●
             
          
           
             Instit
             .
             l.
             3.
             
          
           
             Et
             de
             Orpheo
             etiam
             Hygin
             Poet.
             &
             Astro
             .
             nom
             .
             L.
             2.
             
          
           
             Euripid.
             
          
           
             Quintil.
             
          
           
             L.
             3.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             L.
             2.
             
          
           
             Exercit.
             
          
           
             Festus
             de
             v●…
             borum
             sign●…catione
             ;
             Lu●…lius
             &
             Nae●…
             in
             fragmen●…
             
          
           
             Ep.
             ad
             marcellin
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             ad
             initia
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             L.
             de
             artibus
             .
          
           
             Insti●
             .
          
           
             L.
             6.
             
             Et
             Ambrosius
             in
             exhortatione
             advirgines
             .
             L.
             
          
           
             L.
             2.
             c.
             46.
             47.
             
             &c.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Sam.
             10.
             
             Vincentius
             contra
             Hereses
             c.
             24.
             
             &
             Rhenanus
             in
             Annotationibus
             .
          
           
             L.
             de
             .
             mysterijs
             Aegyptiorum
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A20674-e3710
           
             Hesiode
             .
          
           
             Division
             .
          
           
             P.
             1.
             
          
           
             L.
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Tim.
             2.
             
          
           
             L.
             2.
             
          
           
             2
             
          
           
             Leo.
             Austin
             :
             è
             contra
             de
             Luxu
             Arrianorum
             sabbatario
             Sidon
             Appolinaris
             L.
             1.
             
          
           
             Iulian
             Ep.
             Lucian
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             8
             
          
           
             Pol.
             2.
             
          
           
             Gelasius
             .
          
           
             3
             
          
           
             Varro
             .
          
           
             Salust
             .
          
           
             4
             
          
           
             Ep.
             ad
             Leonē
             papam
             .
          
           
             Orat.
             de
             componendo
             religionis
             dissidio
             inter
             Christianos
             .
          
           
             5
             
          
           
             De
             promissionibus
             &
             praedictionibus
             .
             P.
             Ima.
          
           
             Vid.
             B.
             Vigilium
             adversus
             Eutychem
             l.
             2.
             
             Iust
             .
             Martyr
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             —
          
           
             Acodemicatū
             Quaestionum
             .
             L.
             2.
             
          
           
             De
             occulta
             Philos
             .
             L.
             4
             
          
           
             Sucton
             .
          
           
             Liuie
             .