A10250:14
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.
And disputations saith AUGUSTINE become then profitable, if nothing else be considered in them, but the ways of the Lord which are mercy and truth: and when all deceit, subtlety, self▪love, and desire of the victory is clean removed, and when of the contrary side, the desire of the truth, the love and reverence of Gods majesty, joined with modesty and singleness ⟨image 4⟩is used therein: So that whether we do lovingly confer with our brethren and friends, our mutual reasonings of both sides, ought to be as it were a Besom, to sweep away all errors: or if the adversaries and Heretics be to be convinced, (which PAUL requireth of the Pastor,) were neither to seek contention by the truth, nor victory by contention, but only the fear of God and the edification of our neighbour. And it is a notable saying, which the same NAZIANZEN hath to this purpose: namely, that it is not any great matter to be overcome with words or in reasoning: but it is a great and dangerous case to lose the Lord: and certainly he hath lost the Lord, as far as lieth in him, who doth make old lies and falsehoods to become new sins and transgressions, as it is in the ancient Proverbs among the Greeks. All christian doctors, then are so to frame and fashion all their Scholars, that they timely season them with the juice of these virtues in such sort, as when afterwards they shall come abroad from their private studies, unto any public calling, they may perpetually retain the same. This point do we endeavour to perform according unto our slender ability, as in all the parts of our callings, so also in the exercise of disputation, according as we are bound by the laws of our School: who in express terms do forbid, that neither curious nor sophistical propositions, nor such as contain false doctrine in them be propounded, and that all wrangling, curiosity, sacrilegious boldness in corrupting the word of God, evil contention, and obstinate headiness be clean banished from our disputations. According unto which pattern, all those that will sincerely judge may perceive, that these Principles have been framed.
And disputations saith AVGVSTINE become then profitable, if nothing els be considered in them, but the waies of the Lord which are mercy and truth: and when al deceit, subtiltie, selfe▪loue, and desire of the victorie is cleane remooued, and when of the contrarie side, the desire of the truth, the loue and reuerence of Gods maiestie, ioyned with modestie and singlenes