A14095:78
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of…A discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of…
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of D. Jacksons profound discourses, may see the vanity and weakness of them, in sundry passages, and especially so far as they tend to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twice, Doctor of Divinity, as they say, from whom the copy came to the pressA discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of D. Iacksons profound discourses, may see the vanitie and weaknesse of them, in sundry passages, and especially so farre as they tende to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twisse, Doctor of Divinitie, as they say, from whom the copie came to the presse
Amsterdam: printed by the successors of Giles Thorp, 1631
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.
For I purpose to deny all maxims that are made use of, in disputing against it; and will be bold to say that they all have force only in materia finita, and not in materia infinita.
For I purpose to deny all maximes that are made use of, in disputing against it; and will be bolde to say that they all have force only in materia finita, and not in materia infinita.
And because seeing I have excepted against weak courses of argumentation, in defence of the creation; it may be expected I should substitute stronger arguments in the place of them. I will not spare to address my self hereunto so far as out of the old store of my Philosophy I have in readiness. And yet if things be considered aright, there is no necessity of any such course. For certainly we have no need of it for the fortification of our faith, that being built only upon the word of God; and according to that old sayinge: Fides non 1habet meritum quoties humana ratio praebet experimentum. And as for Atheists, may we not justly say of them, as Abraham saith of the rich Glutton's brethren. If they believe not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe though a man 2should rise from the dead. Especially considering that the Scriptures suppose (in my judgement) the creation to be acknowledged by general instinct, actualed by consideration of the course of the world; as where it is said, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament showeth his handy 3work, Day unto day uttereth the same, and night unto night teacheth knowledge. There is no speech or language, where their voice is not heard. And as is the voice of the Prophets in the old Testament, such is the voice of the Apostles in the new. The invisible things of God, that is his eternal power and Godhead, 4is seen from the creation of the World, being considered in his works, so that they are without excuse. And Paul preaching before the Athenians, in an University much addicted to Aristotle's Philosophy, yet is bold to suppose this, as a thing without his preaching received amongst them, God that made