13 Simon also himself. He which had besotted the whole city with his witchery, receiveth the truth together with others. He which had boasted himself to be the principal power of God, submitteth himself to God: though he were brought to the knowledge of the Gospel, not so much for his own sake alone, as for the whole countries sake, that that offence might be taken out of the way, which might have hindered the unskilful. And to this end tendeth that which Luke setteth down afterward, that he wondered at the signs. For God meant to triumph over this man, whom the Samaritans counted a petit God: which cometh to pass whiles he is enforced to give glory to the true miracles, after that his vain boasting is taken away. And yet he giveth not himself over sincerely to Christ: for then his ambition, and that wicked and profane account which he made of the gifts of God, should not break out. And yet I am not of their mind, who think that he made only a semblance of faith, seeing he did not believe. Luke saith plainly that he believed, and the reason is added, Because he was touched with wondering. How then doth he shortly after bewray himself to be but an hypocrite? I answer, That there is some mean between faith and mere dissimulation. The Epicures and Lucianists do profess that they believe, where as notwithstanding they laugh inwardly, whereas the hope of eternal life is unto them a vain thing, finally whereas they have no more godliness than dogs and swine. But there be many, who (howsoever they be not regenerate with the Spirit of adoption, & do not addict ⟨p. 190⟩themselves unto God with the true affection of the heart, being overcome with the power of the word, do not only confess that that is true which is taught, but are also touched with some fear of God, so that they receive doctrine. For they conceive that God must be heard, that he is both the author and also the judge of the world. Therefore they make no semblance of faith before men, which is none, but they think that they believe. And this faith continueth only for a time, whereof Christ speaketh in Mark:1
13 Simon also himselfe. Hee which had besotted the whole citie with his witcherie, receiueth the truth togither with others. Hee which had boasted himselfe to be the principall power of God, submitteth himselfe to God: though he were brought to the knowledge of the Gospel, not so much for his owne sake alone, as for the whole countries sake, that that offence might be taken out of the way, which might haue hindred the vnskilfull. And to this end tendeth that which Luke setteth downe afterward, that he wondred at the signes. For God meant to triumph ouer this man, whom the Samaritans counted a petit God: which commeth to passe whiles he is enforced to giue glorie to the true myracles, after that his vaine boasting is taken away. And yet he giueth not himselfe ouer syncerely to Christ: for then his ambition, and that wicked and prophane account which hee made of the gifts of God, should not breake out. And yet I am not of their minde, who thinke that hee made onely a semblance of faith, seing he did not beleeue. Luke saith plainly that hee beleeued, and the reason is added, Because hee was touched with wondring. How then doth he shortly after bewray himselfe to be but an hypocrite? I answere, That there is some meane betweene faith and meere dissimulation. The Epicures and Lucianists doe professe that they beleeue, where as notwithstanding they laugh inwardly, wheras the hope of eternall life is vnto them a vaine thing, finally whereas they haue no more godlinesse than dogs and swine. But there be many, who (howsoeuer they be not regenerate with the Spirit of adoption, & do not addict ⟨p. 190⟩themselues vnto God with the true affection of the heart, being ouercome with the power of the word, do not onely confesse that that is true which is taught, but are also touched with some feare of God, so that they receiue doctrine. For they conceiue that God must be heard, that hee is both the author and also the iudge of the world. Therefore they make no semblance of faith before men, which is none, but they thinke that they beleeue. And this faith continueth onely for a time, whereof Christ speaketh in Marke:1
- 1Mark. 4. Luk. 8.13
