A95413:76
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.
2. But be it granted, that the Scripture is obscure. 1. Consider the force of this proposition, it is but an indefinite, and the matter is apparently contingent; for undoubtedly ⟨p. 33⟩it was at the good pleasure of God to speak after what manner he thought good: Hence it followeth, that the force hereof is but the force of a particular proposition, as much as to say, that the Scripture in some places is obscure, or some places of Scripture are obscure. And indeed Gregory of old hath professed that the holy Scripture is like unto a ford, wherein a Lamb may wade, and an Elephant may swim; and before him S. Paul tells us, that it contains both milk for babes, and strong meat for men; there is enough, and that plain enough, to satisfy the hungry; and there is also enough, and that obscure enough, to prevent non-sealing, especially in the Prophecies for the times to come. The first promise of the Covenant of Grace was this, the seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head: Here is a double mystery in general notions carried, the one the mystery ⟨p. 34⟩of Christs Person expressed by the seed of the woman, but implied to be somewhat more, yea much more, even such a one as should break the Serpents head; the other the mystery of his Office, carried only in this general notion of breaking the Serpents head. In this time of grace we know this to have been brought to pass by his dying for our sins, and his rising again for our justification. Had this been known to Satan, as now it is to us, is it credible that he would have persuaded Judas as he did to contract with the high Priests to betray him into their hands? that were Judas like after he had betrayed his Master to go forth and hang himself: For we know that upon the Cross he spoiled Principalities and Powers, and made a show of them openly, and triumphed over them. The day of Christs Resurrection undoubtly was a day of extreme confusion ⟨p. 35⟩to the Devil, and all his Angels of darkness: So the Jews had they known this mystery of his Person, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. but this wisdom of God in a mystery was hid from them,