A Catholicon, Part 1 · Subpart 13
The 13. lecture.
vers. 17. But ye beloued:] Nowe followeth the fourth and last part of this Epistle, which is the conclusion, containing an effectuall exhortation, from v. 17. to v 24. and a solemne thanksgiuing vntounto God, v. 24, 25. The exhortation hath three parts: 1. how they should behaue themselues towards these hypocrites, v. 17, 18, 19. 2. what they should doe concerning themselues, v. 20, 21. 3. what toward their brethren within, v. 22, 23.
But ye, beloued, remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Iesus Christ:] In that this our Apostle referreth Doctr. 1.them to the sayings of the elder Apostles, he thereby teacheth vsus, what authorities we ought to relie vponupon in matters of faith: not vponupon humane & terrene, such as are the writings of poets, philosophers, and other heathen, but vponupon diuine sayings of the prophets and Apostles.
So the Apostle saith, We are built vpō the foundation of the prophets and Apostles, Iesus Eph. …. 20.Christ himselfe beeing the chiefe corner stone.
As our Sauiour Christ himselfe beeing to preach in the Synagogue, taketh his theame out of the prophesie of Esay. Luk. 4. Saint Peter referreth the brethren to the epistles of Saint Paul, 2. Pet. 3. 15. thus writing: As our beloued brother Paul, according to the wisdome giuen vntounto him, wrote vntounto you, as one, that in all his epistles speaketh of these things.
For like as it is a vaine thing to leaue the fountaine that is neuer dried vp, and to digge broken pittes, that can hold no water, Ierem. 2. 13. so is it to leaue the word of God, and to follow the fansies of men.
And as the Israelites loathed Manna, and longed for the fleshpottes of Egypt, Exod. 16. so doe they that not contented with the word of God, delight themselues with the grosse inuentions of men.
For if the word of God be profitable to reach, to improoue, to correct and instruct in righteousnesse, and not onelyonly profitable, but sufficient, beeing able to make the man of God perfect to eueryevery good worke, 2. Tim. 3. 16. where a sufficiencie may be had, other helpes are superfluous.
First then the Papists are here confuted, who in stead of Scripture in their Error 44. Humane writings preferred before scripture in poperie.Churches, did read their legend stories, lies of their owne making, Prophets and Apostles in the meane while beeing silent: in their schooles they expounded not the bookes of scripture, but some other humane author, as Dionysius hierarchie, or such like: in their writings they did gloase and comment vponupon the master of sentences, in stead of interpreting the scripture.
Next vntounto these, yong wanton deuines are reprooued, of which sort there are many in these daies, especially in the Vniuersities, that stuffe their sermons with the quotations of Philosophers, Poets, and make ostentation of humane eloquence, and so preach themselues, and not Iesus Christ. S. Paul did not so: His preaching was not in the entising speech of mans wisdom. 1. Cor. 2. 4.
If any shall obiect Saint Pauls example, that alleadgeth the testimonie of heathen How S. Paul alleadgeth Poets.Poets, Act. 17. 28. 1. Cor. 15. 33. Tit. 1. 12. the answer is readie: 1. the Apostle is very sparing in such allegations, he vseth them but thrise. 2. He doth it not with vaine ostentation of their names, or producing of long sentences in a strange language, but in the same wherein he wrote and spake. 3. He doth it vponupon iust occasion, in confuting the heathen by their owne writers: which we denie not, but is a lawfull and commendable vse of prophane authours: for so Origen against Celsus, Cyprian against Demetrianus, Methodius against Porphirie, Hilarius against Vioscorus, beeing Gentiles, doe vrge the authorities and testimonies of their owne wise men. But Saint Paul, vsing such testimonies sparingly, not with vaine ostentation, neither superfluously, but vponupon iust occasion; is no warrant to our greene Diuines to doe it ordinarily, vainely, vnprofitably: and so I conclude this point with Origen, who reading according to the Septuagint, that Ioshua made kniues of stone, or of the rocke, to circumcise the people, thus writeth: Esaxo non ex ferro artificis opere fabricatos: hoc Hom. 26. … Ios.ostendit, quod s…rmo hic Dei, qui circumcidere de animis auditorum immunditias potest, non ex arte grammatica vel rhetorica veniens, neque doctorummalleis edomitus aut studiorum incudibus climatus, sed ex petra illa descendit, quae de monte sine manibus abscissa est. They were made of stone not by the worke of the artificer, because that speach vvhichwhich may circumcise the vncleannesse of the hearers, proceedeth not from the art of grammar or rhetoricke, …ined with the hammers of the learned, and polished with studie, but descendeth from that rocke which was cut out of the mount without hands.
Lastly, the curiositie of the people is here restrained, that they should not fansie nouelties, or delight in vaine wordes, desiring to hauehave their eares rather tickled with curious speech, then their hearts edified with comfortable doctrine: who admire those that for Prophets alleadge poets, for Apostles Philosophers, for holy Scripture humane conceits: such hearers also Saint Paul prophecied of, that hauing itching eares, should after their owne Against itching eares.lusts get them an heape of teachers: and the reason is there alleadged, because they will not suffer wholesome doctrine, 2. Tim. 4. 3. Such hearers make such teachers: that now men waxing wearie of the plaine doctrine of faith, affect nouelties: like sicke stomackes that must hauehave their meate relished with some new deuised sawce: as the Israelites that loathed Māna lusted for the fine and daintie quayle flesh, but while it was between their teeth they died; so they which forsake wholesome Manna, for mens quailed queazic fansies, doe starue their owne soules.
vers. 18. How that they told you there should be in the last times mockers:] The Apostles called all those the last time, Doctr. 1.from the first comming of Christ to the latter day, and his second comming.
Saint Iohn agreeth with this our Apostle, Babes, it is the last time, 1. Ioh. 2. 18. Saint Paul also saith, These things are written to admonish vsus vponupon vvhome the latter endes of the world are come. 1. Corinth. 10. 11. Yea the Prophets speaking before of the age wherein the Apostles liued, calleth them the last daies, as Saint Peter applieth the prophesie of Ioel, Io…l …. ….Act. 2. 17. where he sheweth by euident demonstration, the accomplishing of these things which the Prophet foretold should fall out in the last daies; as that God would powre out of his spirit vponupon all flesh: their sonnes and daughters should prophecie, &c. which was then presently fulfilled before their eyes, when the Apostles and brethren beeing filled with the holy Ghost, began to speake with diuerse tongues.
This is expressed in the parable of the eleuenth houre, Math. 20. All the time of the last calling of the world by Christ, is called by the Apostle, novissima hora, the last houre, 1. Ioh. 2. 18. For like as after the sunne beginneth to decline, we count it the latter part of the day, though yet there are some houres to night; so this is the latter age of the world, though many hundred yeares thereof are alreadie past.
Saint Iohn giueth this reason, why it should be accounted the last time, euen then when he liued: As ye hauehave heard that Antichrist shall come, euen nowe are there many Antichrists, whereby we knowe it is the last time, 1. Ioh. 2. 18.
Another reason may be gathered from the wordes of our Sauiour, Math. 11. 14. If ye will receiue it, this is Elias which was to come: from whence, we reason thus; Elias was to come in the last times, euen immediately before the great and fearefull day of the Lord, Mal. 3. 1. But Iohn Baptist was that Elias: therefore the time, wherein Iohn Baptist preached and euer since are the last times.
First then if the last times began in the Apostles daies, and there are now runne of these last times, 16. hundred yeares, and Error. 45. Antichrist is come long si…ce.by the scriptures we finde that Antichrist was to be reuealed in the last times; here agreat error of the Papists is discouered, who imagine that Antichrist is not yet come, neither can they tell when he shall come; which their opinion is contrarie to the scriptures: for if the mysterie of iniquitie beganne to worke in the Apostles time, 2. Thess. 2. 6. and if then many Antichrists were in the world, the forerunners of the great Antichrist, howe can it be that a way hauing beene prepared for Antichrist aboue a thousand and halfe of yeres; that he should not yet come. And further, seeing that which was the onelyonly let of Antichrists comming, is taken out of the waie, which was the Romane Empire, which hath beene many yeares since changed and altered, why should not Antichrist be reuealed, there beeing nothing to hinder him? And as touching the Romane Empire, we say it is remooued out of the way, both in respect of place, name, order, Error. 46.authoritie, iurisdiction: the place and seate of the Emperour was in Rome, frō thence it was translated to the Greeks, from them to the French, from them to the Germans: neither hath nowe the Emperour his name of the Romās, but of the Germans: the order is changed, the Empire went by succession, now it is conferred by election: his authoritie was before the Bishop of Rome, now it is inferiour: the Emperour did sometime confirme the election of the Pope, nowe the Pope confirmeth the election of the Emperour: and as for his iurisdiction, sometime all the West parts were obedient and subiect to the Emperour but nowe all kingdomes are fallen away from him his imperials are limited to certaine free cities in Germanie. Wherefore seeing that which letted Antichrists comming is taken out of the way, as the Apostle saith, OnelyOnly he which now withholdeth, shall let, till he be taken out of the way, 2. Thess. 2. 7. We conclude that Antichrist is alreadie, and hath beene a long time in the worlde, and he none other but the Bishop of Rome.
Secondly, seeing the last times beganne so many hundred yeares agoe, and we are so much the nearer the ende of the world, howe much more ought we to be carefull The last times should prepare vsus for Christ.to addresse our selues for the comming of the Lord? if the Apostle thus perswaded in his time, The Lord is at hand, be carefull for nothing, Phil. 4. 5. 6. then nowe the nearer the Lord is at hand, the lesse greedie should we be for the things of this life. Therfore the Lord in wisdome hath concealed the secret of his comming, still telling vsus by his Apostles and ministers, that we are in the last times, that we might alwaies be watchfull. Carnall and worldly men make a contrarie vse: for some of thē as Saint Peter saith, will beginne to mocke & say, where is the promise of his comming? 2. Pet. 3. 4. still the last times, the last times, say they, but we see no ende yet: whome the Apostle answereth excellently, first that in respect of God there is no slackenes, because one day is with him as a thousand yeares, and a thousand yeares as one daie: secondly, neither is he slacke to vsus ward, but patient; because he would hauehave all men come to repentance.
Others there are that take more libertie to sinne, because their master deferreth his comming, Matth. 24. 48. But our Sauiour Christ teacheth vsus to make another vse, Non prodest scire, sed m…uere, quod suturum est, vt se… ▪ per limus quasi in excubus cō stituti: & ne aut iustus estet remissior, aut pe… cator securior, vt ignorantes timer…mus, obseruantes eme… d…remur. lib. 5. deside cap. 8.Wàtch for ye knowe not when the Master of the house will come, Mark. 13. 35. and so I ende with that good sentence of Ambrose: It profiteth not to knowe, but to feare what is to come, that we alwaies may be set as in our watch, least the righteous man should be more remisse, or the sinner secure, that not knowing we should feare, and obseruing amend.
There should be mockers, which should walke after their owne vngodly lusts.] Wee Doct. 3. Against scorners of religion.see, that they which measure eueryevery thing according to their owne sensuall lust, become mockers and scorners of religion, & of the mysterie of God, and hauehave in derision the faithfull professours thereof.
Such the Prophet speaketh of, Psal. 89. 51. They hauehave slaundered the footesteps of thine annointed: that is, they laugh to scorne those that patiently waite vponupon the Lord, and walke in his pathes: the prophet Isay complaineth of such, that scorned and mocked at the iudgements of God, as though they should not come neare them, Isay, 28. 14, 22.
Such were Lots sonnes in law, that whē they were warned to depart the citie, he seemed to them, as though he had mocked, but indeed they mocked him, and regarded not his wordes, Gen. 19. Thus the Philosophers mocked and scorned S. Paul when he spake vntounto them of the resurrection, & of the day of iudgement, Act. 17.
Euen like as the Israelites beleeued not, that God would prouide for them in the desert, saying, Can God prepare a table in the wildernesse? Psal. 78. 19. And as the noble man gaue no credit to the prophet, when he foretolde of the great plentie & cheapnesse of corne, to morrowe this time, saying, that though God should open the windows of heauen, it could not so come to passe, 2 Kin. 7. 2. Such are these mockers, that in matters of religion are incredulous, as concerning the mysterie of the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection, life euerlasting, & such other mysteries, thinking these things impossible
The reason of this their scorning incredulitie the Apostle sheweth, thus writing, 1. Cor. 2. 14. The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse vntounto him, neither can he know thē because they are spiritually discerned.
First then by way of reproofe this doctrine may be applied against all professed or close Atheists, which deride the doctrine of the Trinity, of Gods prouidence, of our redemption by Christ, of the virgins birth: they beleeue neither heauē nor hell, to whom I say with the prophet, Isay, 28. 22. Nowe therefore be no mockers least your bonds increase: least you sooner feele God, then beleeue him: as Pharao, who contemptuously said, who is the Lord, that I should let Israel goe? Exod. 5. 2. to his cost had experience of Gods power, beeing ouerwhelmed in the red sea.
Secondly, let Papists take heede, that are the greatest scorners of the faith and Error. 47. Papists scorners.gospell of Christ in these daies, calling vsus so…fidians, onelyonly faith men, the assurance of saluation, presumption, our communion table an oyster table: a christian in Italie, B White apud Foxum.in scorne they take to be a foole or idiot: they iest at our sermons, deride our prayers: in disputation with them, they thrust out their tongues make mockes & mowes without all shamefastnesse and modestie. Like as the prophet Dauid complaineth of his enemies, Psal. 35. 16. They gnash with their teeth. vers. 19. winke with their eie. v. 21. they gape vponupon me with their mouthes. God giuegive them better grace.
Thirdly, let vsus take heede, that there be not any scorners among vsus, which deride the godly disposition or honest life of their brethren: as Dauid had experience, Psal. 69. 10. When I wept and fasted, it turned to my reproch: I put on sackecloath, and I became a prouerbe vntounto them. But let such take heede, least if they scorne Isaac with Ismael, together with Ismael they be cast out of Abrahams house, and with Esau loose the birthright.
Likewise we are taught not to measure the high points of religion with the shallowe reach of mans witte: for this were, as if a man should gather the wind into his fist, or bind the waters in a garment, Prou. 30. 4. But that, if we remaine yet in doubt, let vsus seeke with humilitie to beleeue what we read, not by reason to comprehend: as the prophet saith: Nisi credideritis non intelligetis: Unlesse ye beleeue, ye cannot vnderstand. Isay. 7. 9. And as one writeth well vponupon these words of the Apostle, He that commeth vntounto God must beleeue. Heb. 11. 6. No man goeth to the sea and committeth himselfe Nec mare quis ing…editu…, …ec liquido & profundo se committi… elemento, nisi credat se posse seruari, &c. Ruffin. Symbol.to that liquid element, vnlesse he did beleeue he might be saued: the husbandman would not sowe his seede, if he did not hope for increase: and marriage is contracted for hope of issue, &c. So eueryevery man that entreth into Gods schoole, must with humilitie beleeue God that teacheth, though he doe not vnderstand the reason of Gods workes.
Uerse 19. These are makers of sectes, or which segregate themselues foreign, We must take heed of sect….fleshly or sensuall foreign, hauing not the spirit:] From hence we learne that it is a worke of the flesh, and that they are carnally minded, voide of the spirit of God, that are giuen to make sects & do deuide themselues from the fellowship of Gods Church.
Saint Paul reckoneth vp heresies amōg other workes of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20. Another Apostle also saith, They went out frō vsus, but they were not of vsus. 1. Ioh. 2. 19. that is, they were not of the Church of Christ, nor yet ledde by his spirit, because they seperated themselues.
Such an one was Diotrephes, that receiued not the brethren, but pratled against the Apostle with malitious wordes, Ioh. epist. 3. v. 9. & Demas that departed from S. Paul, and seuered himselfe from the Church, 2. Tim 4. 10.
These may fi…ly be compared to the rauen, Gen. 8. that beeing sent once out of the arke, returned not againe as the doue did: such are heretickes and sectaries, that for euer cut thēselues off from the church of God.
And like as, while the whole hoast of Israel kept an holy rest in celebrating the sabbath according to the commandement of God, certaine rebellious persons went out from them to gather Manna, but found none. Such are they, which gather to themselues and inuent new and strange doctrines apart from the Church of God.
And there are two speciall causes, that make heretickes to deuide themselues; either ambition and vaine glorie, as Diotrephes, that loued to hauehave the preheminence Ioh. epist. 3. 9. opposed himselfe to the brethren: or else the hope or expectation of some worldly commoditie or gaine: as Demas embraced the world, and departed from Saint Paul, 2. Timoth. 4. 10. To this purpose Augustine well defineth an hereticke: He is an hereticke which for Heretic…s est, qui alicuius tē poralis commodi, & maxime glori… & principatus causa fal…as & nouas opiniones gignit aut lequitur: de vtilitat. credend. c. 1. Papists mak… of sects.some temporall commoditie, but cheifly for glorie and preheminence sake, doeth deuise or followe false and newe opinions.
First then, whereas the papists our aduersaries charge vsus, that we hauehave deuided our selues from the fellowshippe of the Church, and from the obedience of the sea of Rome, going out into diuers sects, &c. Rhemists, annot. Iud. v. 16. & so are those of whome the Apostle here speaketh. We doe most iustly returne this accusation vponupon their owne heades, that hauehave Error. 48.departed from the Apostolike faith, and hauehave made an apostasie from the auncient truth, as the Apostle prophecied of them: that there should come a departing or apostasie, when the man of sinn should be reuealed, 2. Thess. 2. 3. The protestants then leauing the society of the false & corrupt Romane Church, do no more segregate themselues then Noah did, when he went into the arke, and left the old world in their infidelitie: or Lot, which went out of Sodome, forsaking both their sinnes and plagues: or Elias which separated himselfe from Baals priests: or our Sauiour, that refused the traditions of the Scribes and Pharises, or the Apostles, that communicated not with the idolatrie of the Gentiles. They then are not schismatickes or sectaries, that are fewer in number, neither are they Catholikes, that boast of their multitudes: for Iacobs familie was fewer in number then the Cananites, Gen. 34. 30. And there were foure hundred Baals priests, to one Michaiah, 1. King. 22. But they make sects and segregate themselues, that forsake the auncient faith of the Apostles and primitiue Church, as the Romish Church hath done: and they are the true Catholike Church, which retaine the trueth, and professe the right faith, how small so euer their number is.
Againe, we are taught to take diligent heed, that we be not at any time seduced to breake the peace and vnitie of the Church, We must not leaue the fellowship of the Church.to runne into schismes: giuegive not eare to the enticing perswasions of Brownists, Familists, Anabaptists, Papists, to forsake the communion of the saints in the visible Church of God amongst vsus: for if the braunch be broken off from the stocke, it withereth, or if the sheep goe a stray from the flock it is in the way of perishing. Such are they that goe out of the Church. Ambrose well compareth such vntounto moths: Arrius is a moth, so is Photinus, which doe rend the holy garment of the Church by their Tinea est Arrius, tinea Phorinus, quisanctum ecclesiae vestimentū impietato sua s…indunt, & sacrilego mors… fidei velamen obrodunt. lib. 1. de spirit. c. 19.impietie, and doe with their sacrilegious biting gnawe the holy vaile of faith. Such mothwormes let vsus take heede of, following the counsell of the Apostle, not forsaking the fellowship which we hauehave among our selues, as the manner of some is, but let us exhort one another, Heb. 10. 25.