A06500:26
Commentary upon the Fifteen Psalms of Degrees
A commentary upon the fifteen Psalms, called Psalmi graduum, that is, Psalms of degrees faithfully copied out of the lectures of D. Martin Luther ; very fruitful and comfortable for all Christian afflicted consciences to read ; translated out of Latin into English by Henry Bull.A commentarie vpon the fiftene Psalmes, called Psalmi graduum, that is, Psalmes of degrees faithfully copied out of the lectures of D. Martin Luther ; very frutefull and comfortable for all Christian afflicted consciences to reade ; translated out of Latine into Englishe by Henry Bull.
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier, 1577
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Verse .1. I called unto the Lord in my trouble and he heard me.
Verse .1. I called vnto the Lorde in my trouble and he hearde me.
This verse containeth not only an example, but also doctrine whereby we may learn what we ought to do in these tentations of the lying tongue, namely when we have to do with such perverse and obstinate heretics as will by no means be reduced from their false doctrine and errors into the way of truth. For by long experience and after many and great conflicts have we learned, that (as Paul sayeth) they are condemned even by their own judgement or the testimony of their own conscience, and therefore after they have been once or twice warned, they ought to be given over and avoided.1 And this have we found especially in the chief defenders and maintainers of wicked doctrine, that for all that can be said or devised, they will never be the better. It may be that some times they will give place to the trueth: for by the power of Gods word they may be convinced, but they will never be converted. For if you stop their blasphemous mouths one way, yet will they not so give over, but seek new occasions to fight against the truth.2 This the histories, not only of the Arians and other heretics do declare, but also the examples of these our days give witness unto the same. It is impossible therefore for us utterly to stop the mouths of heretics. To reprove them and to convince them, is all that we can do: Also to preserve others over whom God hath given us a charge, from their errors and pestilent doctrine. For a minister of Gods word ought to be well armed and instructed, that he may be able, not only to teach the simple, but also to reprove and convince the perverse and obstinate. Herewith let us be content, that such as are under out charge being thus forewarned, may stand firm and steadfast. But that we shall be able to convert the perverse and obstinate, let us never hope. How often did Christ stop the mouths of the Pharisees, not only with manifest. Scriptures, but also with the finger of God and with miracles? and yet remained they still as obstinate in their impiety and infidelity as they were before. Arius was utterly convinced and his heresy confounded, and yet he set forth his heresy again with greater audacity & success then he did before. What shall we say of our Papists? Do we not see even the very same thing in them also?