A09434:429
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and…A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and…
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and six sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithful man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the sum and order of the whole book, according to the authors own method, to which are further added, four brief tables to direct the reader ...A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and sixe sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithfull man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the summe and order of the whole booke, according to the authors owne method, to which are further added, foure briefe tables to direct the reader ...
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Ob. But some traditions are necessary to salvation, which are not contained in the written word, and they allege two: first, in Rom. 12.6. that Gods word must be tried by the rule of faith, and so also by the same rule expounded. This rule of faith is nothing else (by their exposition) but a general consent in the hearts of all true Catholics; together with the Pope assenting with them, which of necessity we must believe; and yet (say they) it is not in the Scripture: and therefore some things must of necessity be believed which are not in the Scripture. Ans. The rule of faith is not such a crooked rule as they would thrust upon the world by their wicked exposition; but the right rule of faith is the plain word of God, every way absolutely directing in all points of faith and love, 2. Tim. •.5. Paul wisheth Timothy to keep the true pattern of wholesome words in faith and love: which is nothing else but the testimony of Scripture, in points of faith and love, comprised in the Decalogue and Apostles Creed. The rule of faith therefore in expounding Scripture is Scripture it self. The second thing necessary by their doctrine to be believed, not contained in Scripture, is, that the Canonical Scripture is Gods word: which truth is absolutely necessary to salvation to be believed, but cannot otherwise be known or believed but only by the tradition of the Church. Ans. As every other Art and Science hath certain principles of truth to prove all other precepts by: but themselves are to be proved by none▪ so also hath Divinity the chief of all other Sciences: of which kind this is one principle; that Canonical Scripture is Gods word, which not granted, inferreth a destruction of all other divine rules: this is a truth therefore confirmed, not a thing testified from some ⟨p. 83⟩other, but as a ground of it self. Secondly, in divine matters saith goeth before knowledge, which in humane things is clean contrary: for if a man would know whether fire be hot, let him put his hand unto it, he shall have experience of it, and then he shall believe it: but in divine things first a man giveth credit, and yieldeth consent to the word, and then hath experimental knowledge: for although faith hath his knowledge,1 yet experimental knowledge followeth faith. Abraham believed above hope, here faith went before knowledge.