A14212:104
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zechariah…A collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary…
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinity in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laid down by that author in his catechism. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newly translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoof of our Christian country-manA collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinitie in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laide downe by that author in his catechisme. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newlie translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoofe of our Christian country-man
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1600Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1600
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 this opinion as it is delivered & confirmed by many & weighty testimonies of the holy Spirit:1 so it is very forcibly impugned by the Devil. For the Father of lies seeing that this paradox of the foolish preaching of the cross did not a little possess the minds of men, took occasion to incite brainsick heads to say that this our teaching was in no wise a mean to convert souls, but that God without means did impart and communicate himself to us, and that we did but make an idol of our own words, and here they power out ⟨p. 67⟩wonderful words, seeming in show very glorious. But hearken (I pray you) and consider upon what grounds they stand. God (say they) needeth not at all this voice of ours, either ministry, reading, or meditation, to convert men: therefore he useth no such mean, neither is the learning thereof necessary to salvation. Now therefore (I speak to you which are children) is there any amongst you of so shallow and childish conceit which will not scorn him that shall reason in this sort? God by his omnipotency can easily bring to pass, that a man without books, or teachers, or study may become learned (as the Apostles & others in the primitive church did speak with tongues which they never learned) he can make the earth fruitful without labour of the husband-man, he can sustain mans nature without meat, as he did Moses and Christ forty days: and therefore it is a labour unnecessary, (not a means to compass what we wish and expect) either for scholars to busy themselves about books and study, and to go to their instructors & schools, or for husband men to manure their ground, or for any of us to spend our life in sustaining our life. Do you see upon what rocks of blindness and distraction the Devil doth drive these unhappy men, who having never learned the grounds of godliness or good arts, nor loving the labour & toil of learning, would notwithstanding seem what they are not, desiring to extol themselves against the knowledge of God, not doubting to subject the eternal ⟨p. 68⟩wisdom to their vile censures? for they show them selves as well witless, as shameless, in alleging exam ples either of such as by miracle were converted, as Paul, or endowed with gifts extraordinary, as the Apostles in the Pentecost:
But this opinion as it is delivered & confirmed by many & weighty testimonies of the holy Spirit: