A95413:104
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is…
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Twice D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more public edification.The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification.
London: printed for Thomas Matthews, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
As for civill learning, surely there wanted not both civill and natural knowledge among the Gentiles more than enough; for this made them esteem the Cross of Christ foolishness, which yet to them that are saved, is the power of God: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will cast away the understanding of the prudent. Where is the Wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the Disputer of this world? Hath not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness? For seeing the world by wisdom knew not God in the wisdom of God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, 1 Cor. 1.18, ⟨p. 60⟩18, 19, 20, 21. And shall we now think that civill learning and natural ingenuity prefers men to the grace of God, or makes them the more fit to receive the Gospel? Of Princes, who more famous for natural parts, learning, wisdom, ingenuity, than Trajan and Marcus Antonius? of inferior condition, than Pliny the second, the Officer of Trajan, who speaks in commendations of the innocency of Christians, yet neither of these became a Christian; nay both these Princes were persecutors of the Church of God; and at Athens for all their learning, which made them renowned throughout the world who were converted by Pauls preaching there, but Dionysius, and Damaris, and some other, Act. 17. last.
As for civill learning, surely there wanted not both civill and naturall knowledge among the Gentiles more than enough; for this made them esteem the Cross of Christ foolishness, which yet to them that are saved, is the power of God: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will cast away the understanding of the prudent. Where is the Wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the Disputer of this world? Hath not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness? For seeing the world by wisdom knew not God in the wisdom of God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, 1 Cor. 1.18, ⟨p. 60⟩18, 19, 20, 21. And shall we now think that civill learning and naturall ingenuity prefers men to the grace of God, or makes them the more fit to receive the Gospell? Of Princes, who more famous for naturall parts, learning, wisdom, ingenuity, than Trajan and Mareus Antonius? of inferiour condition, than Plinie the second, the Officer of Trajan, who speaks in commendations of the innocency of Christians, yet neither of these became a Christian; nay both these Princes were persecutors of the Church of God; and at Athens for all their learning, which made them renowned throughout the world who were converted by Pauls preaching there, but Dionysius, and Damaris, and some other,