By this then that I have spoken, my first Conclusion stands firm, that the number of Real Christians, such as shall be saved, is very small, whatever those who are called Christians imagine: yet because you shall see it is not only the judgment of a few peevish censorious Puritans, let me give you the judgment of three Popish Authors: Alvarez (a)hath stated this question, Whether at least of believers more be elect or reprobate? He draws up his answer under three conclusions, the last is this, That even of believers, there are more reprobate than elect. The Jesuit Cornel, a Lapide (b)undertakes to prove the same thing by several Arguments, and quotes a terrible passage of Chrysostom in his Sermon to the people of Antioch, where he was Bishop and well beloved, and he speaks of Believers, saith the Jesuit; Chrysostom's speech was this, How many do you think of those who are in our City (of Antioch) are saved? It will be grievous, or harsh, what I am about to say, but yet I will speak it: Among so many thousands [and the Jesuit conceives there might easily be a hundred thousand or more in Antioch] one hundred will hardly be found which shall be saved, and I doubt of them too; He gives his reason, from that wickedness he saw in the young sort, the sloth, want of zeal in old men, &c. it was a wonder they could bear this, and did not stop the mouth of that golden Mouth. Cardinal Cajetan comments so upon the ten Virgins, Matth. 25. that it would make one tremble to read him: This Parable (saith he) doth not treat of all Christians, but of those who by their works do profess, they study after a continued progress to the Kingdom of Heaven; for these had Lamps shining, that is, their good works did appear, (therefore those Christians, whose evil ⟨p. 236⟩works are manifest, are not here meant) they went out not to meet a Judge, but friendly and honourably to meet with, entertain and receive a Bridegroom. But of these, five were foolish. Terribilis Sententia, a terrible sentence (saith he) that but a half part of those, whose good works and studies to meet the Bridegroom do shine forth, is saved. This is a terrible sentence indeed, the Cardinal writes as if he were affected with it; and who is not, that is not shut up under unbelief? I have then a Popish Arch-bishop, a Romish Jesuit, a Cardinal, confirming my Conclusion, beside our English Puritans;
By this then that I have spoken, my first Conclusion stands firm, that the number of Real Christians, such as shall be saved, is very small, whatever those who are called Christians imagine: yet because you shall see it is not only the judgment of a few peevish censoreous Puritans, let me give you the judgment of three Popish Authors: Alvarez (a)hath stated this question, Whether at least of believers more be elect or reprobate? He draws up his answer under three conclusions, the last is this, That even of believers, there are more reprobate than elect. The Jesuit Cornel, a Lapide (b)undertakes to prove the same thing by several Arguments, and quotes a terrible passage of Chrysostom in his Sermon to the people of Antioch, where he was Bishop and well beloved, and he speaks of Believers, saith the Jesuit; Chrysostom's speech was this, How many do you think of those who are in our City (of Antioch) are saved? It will be grievous, or harsh, what I am about to say, but yet I will speak it: Among so many thousands [and the Jesuit conceives there might easily be a hundred thousand or more in Antioch] one hundred will hardly be found which shall be saved, and I doubt of them too; He gives his reason, from that wickedness he saw in the young sort, the sloth, want of zeal in old men, &c. it was a wonder they could bear this, and did not stop the mouth of that golden Mouth. Cardinal Cajetan comments so upon the ten Virgins, Matth. 25. that it would make one tremble to read him: This Parable (saith he) doth not treat of all Christians, but of those who by their works do profess, they study after a continued progress to the Kingdom of Heaven; for these had Lamps shining, that is, their good works did appear, (therefore those Christians, whose evil ⟨p. 236⟩works are manifest, are not here meant) they went out not to meet a Judge, but friendly and honourably to meet with, entertain and receive a Bridegroom. But of these, five were foolish. Terribilis Sententia, a terrible sentence (saith he) that but a half part of those, whose good works and studies to meet the Bridegroom do shine forth, is saved. This is a terrible sentence indeed, the Cardinal writes as if he were affected with it; and who is not, that is not shut up under unbelief? I have then a Popish Arch-bishop, a Romish Jesuit, a Cardinal, confirming my Conclusion, beside our English Puritans;
- (a)Do Auxil. disp. 43.
- (b)In Matth. 7.14.
