A95413:39
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.
I know indeed that a Calvinist Doctor, one Doctor Bergius, a Preacher at Bremen, affirms in his late published Sermons, that Controversies are not merely necessary to salvation; That the Scripture is plain and clear in those things which are necessary to salvation, and that there was never any contrariety between the Religions themselves. At which also the Leipzig-Collation between the Lutherans and Calvinists seems to aim.
I know indeed that a Calvinist Doctor, one Doctor Bergius, a Preacher at Bremen, affirms in his late published Sermons, that Controvrsies are not meerly necessary to salvation; That the Scripture is plain and clear in those things which are necessary to salvation, and that there was never any contrariety between the Religions themselves. At which also the Leipsich-Collation between the Lutherans and Calvinists seems to aim.
This I am persuaded is very true, that had the Holy Ghost judged ⟨image 14⟩those Controverted Questions necessary to salvation, it would have expressed and propounded them in the holy Scripture clearly and plainly, seeing those Epistles were sent to simple and Lay-men especially. Nor doth it seem likely to be true, that ever there were so many Articles of Faith drawn out of them as are now to be read in the Catechisms, Common-places, and Compends of Divines. As yet there is no certain number of them determined, seeing some Divines have propounded more, and some fewer; and some Religions have in process of time, either added or abated whole Articles, and after many miseries endured for the defence of some of them, entering a way of moderation, they have determined that for tolerable and indifferent, which before they thought damnable. But howsoever, there are so many of them, that a man may deservedly call in ⟨image 15⟩question the precise necessity of them. And this seems the best Solution to disentangle and appease perplexed, doubtful, and erring Consciences.