A09411:393
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodox Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodoxe Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.
Cambridge: printed by John Legatt, 1595Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legatt, 1595
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.
The fourth point is, the matter of their accusation: they accuse our Saviour Christ of 3. things. I. that he seduced the people.1 II. that he forbade to pay tribute to Caesar. III. that he said he was a King. Let us well consider these accusations, especially the two last, because they are flat contrary both to Christs preaching, and to his practise. For when the people would have made him a King, after he had wrought the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, the text saith,2 he departed from among them unto a mountain himself alone. Secondly, when tribute was demanded of him for Caesar, though he were the kings son, and therefore was freed; yet saith he to Peter, least we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast in an angle and take the first fish that cometh up, and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of twenty pence, that take and give unto them for thee and me. And when he was called to be a judge to divide the inheritance between two brethren, he refused to do it, saying, Who made me a judge between you? Therefore in these two things, they did most falsely accuse him. Whereby we learn, that nothing is so false and untrue, but the slanderer dare lay it to the charge of the innocent: the tongues of the slanderers are sharp swords, & venomous arrows,3 to wound their enemies: their throats are open sepulchres, the poison of asps is under their lips. If a man speak gracious words, his tongue is touched with the fire of Gods spirit: but as Saint James saith, the tongue of the wicked is fire,4 yea a world of wickedness, and it is set on fire with the fire of hell: therefore let this example be a caveat for us all, to teach us to take heed of slandering, for the devil then speaks by us, and kindles our tongues with the fire of hell.
The fourth point is, the matter of their accusation: they accuse our Sauiour Christ of 3. things. I. that he seduced the people.1 II. that he forbad to pay tribute to Caesar. III. that he said he was a King. Let vs well consider these accusations, especially the two last, because they are flat contrarie both to Christs preaching, and to his practise. For when the people would haue made him a King, after hee had wrought the myracle of the fiue loaues and two fishes, the text saith,