And this Ambrosiu• Catharinus himself a learned Papist, and as great a scholar in the Trent Council as any other, was bold to maintain against the contrary opinion of Dominicus Soto in a public declaration, unto whom Bellarmine dares not adhere, though it be his custom to boast of their unanimity in point of Doctrine. Besides sin is of a quarrelling and litigious disposition, it will not easily part from that which was once its own, but will be ever raising suits, disputing, arguing, wrangling with the Conscience for its old right; Christ came not to send peace, but a sword, perpetual and unreconcilable combats and debates with the flesh of man. If a man hold peace with his lusts, and set not his strength and his heart ⟨p. 282⟩against them, If they be not in a state of rebellion, they are certainly in the throne. It is impossible for a King to rebel, because he hath none above him; and so as long as lust is a king it is in peace, but when Christ subdues1 it and takes possession of the heart, it will presently rise and rebel against his kingdom. Here then is the trial of the Title. If a man cannot show the evidences of a new purchase, the Spirit, the Blood, the Water, the Sonship, the Righteousness, the Holiness, Conversation, and Grace of Christ; If he be not in arms against the remnants of lust in himself, but live in peace and good contentment under the vigour and life of them, that man belongs yet unto the right of sin. For if a man be2 Christs, there will be Nova regalia extremely opposite3 to those of sin. A new heart for the Throne of the Spirit; New members to be the servants of Righteousness; New Counsellors, namely the Laws of God; A new Panoply, The whole armour of God; New laws, The law of the mind, and of the heart; A new Judicature, even the government of the Spirit: Thoughts, Words▪ Actions, Conversations, All things new as the Apostle speaks.4
And this Ambrosiu• Catharinus himselfe a learned Papist, and as great a scholler in the Trent Councell as any other, was bold to maintaine against the contrary opinion of Dominicus Soto in a publike declaration, unto whom Bellarmine dares not adhere, though it bee his custome to boast of their unanimitie in point of Doctrine. Besides sinne is of a quarrelling and litigious disposition, it will not easily part from that which was once its owne, but will bee ever raysing sutes, disputing, arguing, wrangling with the Conscience for its old right; Christ came not to send peace, but a sword, perpetuall and unreconcileable combats and debates with the flesh of man. If a man hold peace with his lusts, and set not his strength and his heart ⟨p. 282⟩against them, If they bee not in a state of rebellion, they are certainely in the throne. It is impossible for a King to rebell, because hee hath none above him; and so as long as lust is a king it is in peace, but when Christ subdues1 it and takes possession of the heart, it will presently rise and rebell against his kingdome. Heere then is the triall of the Title. If a man cannot shew the evidences of a new purchase, the Spirit, the Blood, the Water, the Sonneship, the Righteousnesse, the Holynesse, Conversation, and Grace of Christ; If he be not in armes against the remnants of lust in himselfe, but live in peace and good contentment under the vigor and life of them, that man belongs yet unto the right of sinne. For if a man be2 Christs, there will bee Nova regalia extremely opposite3 to those of sinne. A new heart for the Throne of the Spirit; New members to bee the servants of Righteousnesse; New Counsellors, namely the Lawes of God; A new Panoplie, The whole armour of God; New lawes, The law of the minde, and of the heart; A new Iudicature, even the government of the Spirit: Thoughts, Words▪ Actions, Conversations, All things new as the Apostle speakes.4
- 1Luk. 11. 21. Rom. 7. 23.
- 2Ezek. 36. 26, 27
- 3Col. 3 5. 12. Rom. 6. 13. Psal 119 24. Eph. 6. •3. Rom. 7. 23. Jer. 31. 33. Joh. •6. •1.Col. 3 5. 12. Rom. 6. 13. Psal 119 24. Eph. 6. •3. Rom. 7. 23. Ier. 31. 33. Ioh. •6. •1.
- 42. Cor. 5. 17.
