A30242:309
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
1Another Name (and that most frequent) was Believers. Christians are often called by this title; None more frequent. And this also doth difference Christians from all other sects in the world. All the Philosophers, they affected to be knowing men, not believing. Averroes by scorn, called Christians credentes, Believers: For such as he, affected to know the Causes of things, and to inquire in the hidden secrets of Nature, counting it a disgrace to believe upon mere Authority. Thus Julian upbraided Christians with their [Greek or Hebrew], believe only. Hence Rom. 1. The preaching of Christ, was accounted foolishness to the Gentiles. They sought for wisdom, for strong demonstrations; but the Apostles merely declaring and preaching such Doctrines, were accounted foolish babblers. So that to be a Believer doth denote the captivating of our understandings unto the Word of God, and every sublime thought, or reasoning that doth exalt it self. And certainly, if a Christian would think, how much he is to submit his understanding to believe the Doctrines of the Scripture, it would much enable him also to believe the Promises for the Church in general, or in particular for his own self. Faith of assent would breed Faith of ⟨p. 51⟩fideucial adherence. Should it be so great a matter to believe, that God will raise up the Church, when it hath no help? Or, subdue thy corruptions, when thou believest greater matters in Doctrine? As the Trinity, That God was made man; the resurrection of the body. This is an excellent point to be pressed, though not so proper here.
1Another Name (and that most frequent) was Believers. Christians are often called by this title; None more frequent. And this also doth difference Christians from all other sects in the world. All the Philosophers, they affected to be knowing men, not believing. Averroes by scorn, called Christians credentes, Believers: For such as he, affected to know the Causes of things, and to inquire in the hidden secrets of Nature, counting it a disgrace to believe upon meer Authority. Thus Julian upbraided Christians with their 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, believe only. Hence