A10324:104
The discovery of the man of sin wherein is set forth the changes of…The discovery of the man of sinne wherein is set forth the changes of…
The discovery of the man of sin wherein is set forth the changes of Gods church, in her afflictions by his reign. Consolations by his ruin. First preached in divers sermons to the University and city of Oxon, by a reverend & judicious divine IR. D. of Divinity and sometimes of Queens College. And now published for the farther use of both, and comfort of all that hate Antichrist and love the Lord Jesus Christ wheresoever: By W.H.The discovery of the man of sinne wherein is set forth the changes of Gods church, in her afflictions by his raigne. Consolations by his ruine. First preached in divers sermons to the Vniversitie and cittie of Oxon, by a reverend & iudicious divine IR. D. of Divinity and sometimes of Queenes College. And now published for the farther vse of both, and comfort of all that hate Antichrist and loue the Lord Iesus Christ wheresoever: By W.H.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1614Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1614
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.
how many were there who unfeignedly embraced the Gospel, then freely preached, when it might have seemed that the tyranny of the 6. Articles had consumed all the Professors of the truth. In which respect also the Church wondereth in the Prophet at her sudden increase▪ 1who hath begotten me these. As concerning our Founders, we answer even as they do for us, that we bless God for them, and have hope of their ⟨p. 34⟩blessedness, yet so as we profess that the building of all the Schools and Colleges in the world cannot deserve the joy of one day in the kingdom of heaven, and as we have an honourable opinion of them for the purpose which they had, though they did many things which we cannot commend, so do we say that the greatest happiness and blessedness which could come unto them,2 was to have their sins and offences pardoned them. And whereas they say this is no other hope then we may have of Pagans, and Infidels: we answer that there is great odds. For it was the singular mercy of God, even still to leave certain grounds of salvation even amongst them, as the word though greatly corrupted and darkened: the Articles of our belief, the Sacrament of Baptism, &c. wherefore though many perished,3 when the watchmen not only slept, but took away her veil from her, as the spouse in the Canticles complaineth, yet no doubt God so provided, that such as he had appointed to salvation had so much bread as would save their life, bread in a measure, & water in a measure, though not enough to keep them in good plight, and to give them a fresh colour; the like they find not among the Pagans, wherefore we absolutely say for ought we can see they be damned. Lastly, where they ask us what excuse the learned can find who cannot be said to have erred ignorantly, we tell them that Paul was as well learned as they, who yet saith, that what he did, h• did ignorantly.4 And to the learned Athenians he objecteth ignorance, the time of this ignorance God regarded not. See what Augustine saith of Cyprian. Else if lack of learning were excuse sufficient to save us, & there were no excuse for learning, the next and readiest way to salvation, were all ignorance and Barbarism. We say then that very many, who spent great labour in serving of sin, were yet saved even as brands half consumed and so plucked out of the fire.