A10250:13
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of GenevaPropositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of Geneva, by certain students of divinity there, under M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthony Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodical summary, or epitome of the common places of divinity. Translated out of Latin into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardly dealt with else-where, may appear in the English tongue.Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegrave, 1591Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegraue, 1591
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.
But yet this was the fault of these men, who in divinity observed not that rule. That nothing should be too much, which is exceeding profitable in civil affairs. For it followeth not, because they were over curious (which is not to be commended) that therefore careful diligence should be disliked, or sluggishness and security thought praise worthy. But holy things as they are to be dealt in with great judgment, so they are to be handled with greater piety: for this latter is as it were the soul, the former being as the eye of divinity. The orations of the Prophets, the sermons of Christ, the writings of the Apostles, and especially the Epistles of PAUL, do contain most sharp and grave disputations, which can in no wise be aptly discussed, but by the use of reasoning. Our Saviour Christ him self disputed with the Doctors, Pharisees, Sadducees, &c. The same did PAUL with the Jews, with the Philosophers, with the brethren. The Fathers also disputed: IRINEVS against the GNOSTICS, TERTULLIAN against the MARCIONITES, ATHANASIUS against the ARIANS, NAZIANZEN, CYRIL, THEODORET, HILLARY, AUGUSTINE, and many others, almost against innumerable heresies: but so as their disputations were not a bare exercise, or a setting forth for a show of their wits for delights sake: But all of them laboured, that their reasonings and controversies, should not be so much subtle in show, as profitable indeed.
But yet this was the falt of these men, who in diuinitie obserued not that rule. That nothing shoulde bee too much, which is exceeding profitable in ciuil affaires. For it followeth not, because they were over curious (which is not to bee commended) that therefore carefull diligence shoulde bee disliked, or sluggishnes and securitie thought praise worthie. But holie things as they are to be dealt in with great iudgment, so they are to be handled with greater pietie: for this latter is as it wer the soule, the former being as the eie of diuinitie. The orations of the Prophets, the sermons of Christe, the writings of the Apostles, and especiallie the Epistles of PAVL, do containe most sharp and graue disputations, which can in no wise bee aptlie discussed, but by the vse of reasoning. Our Sauiour Christ him selfe disputed with the Doctors, Pharisies, Sadduces, &c. The same did PAVL with the Iewes, with the Philosophers, with the brethren. The Fathers also disputed: IRINEVS against the GNOSTICKES, TERTVLLIAN against the MARCIONITES, ATHANASIVS against the ARRIANES, NAZIANZEN, CYRIL, THEODORET, HILLARIE, AVGVSTINE, and many others, almost against innumerable haeresies: but so as their disputations wer not a bare exercise, or a setting forth for a shewe of their witts for delightes sake: But all of them labored, that their reasonings and controuersies, should not be so much subtill in shewe, as profitable indeed.