A short treatise: containing all the principal grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for householders..A short treatise: containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for housholders..
John Ball 1585–1640London: printed for William Welby, 1617
[16], 234+ p. · 48k words · STC 1314.3 · ESTC S124283
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.
in the Scriptures, the Spirit doth write in the hearts of men that be endued therewith. Esa. 59. 21. Heb. 8. 10. For which reasons it must needs be, that the testimony of the Spirit is all-sufficient to persuade, and assure the heart that the Scriptures are the word of God. To prevent mistaking therein, observe these rules. 1. The Spirit of God doth assuredly persuade our consciences that the Scriptures are of God, by enlightening our eyes to behold the light, writing the law in our hearts, sealing up the promises to our consciences, and causing us sensibly to feel the effects thereof, 1. Cor. 2. 12. Luk. 24. 45. 1. Cor. 14. 37. Jer. 31. 33. 2. Cor. 1. 22. 1. Thes. 1. 5. with 1. Thes. 2. 13. Act. 16. 14. 2. This persuasion of the Spirit, is more certain then can be proved with reason, or expressed in words: for things doubtful may be proved, but things in themselves most clear and certain, be above all proof and reason, as the shining of the Sun needs not to be confirmed by argument to him that hath his eyes open to see the light thereof. 3. This testimony of the Holy Ghost, is certain and manifest to him
⟨p. 31⟩
that hath the Spirit, but private not public, testifying only to him who is endued thereof; but not convincing others, not confirming doctrines to others. 4. This testimony of the Spirit is not to be severed from the word, which is the instrument of the holy Ghost, and his public testimony. It is not therefore injurious to try the Spirit by the word of God, 1. Joh. 4. 1. seeing there is a mutual relation between the truth of the party witnessing, and the truth of the thing witnessed; and the holy Spirit the author of the Scripture, is every where like unto, and doth every where agree with himself. 5.
Expos. 18. By nature we are blind in spirituall things, 1. Cor. 2. 14. Matth. 15. 14. though therefore the Scripture be a shining light, Psal. 119. 105. yet vnlesse our eies be opened, Psal. 119. 18. Act. 26. 18. wee cannot see it, no more then a blind man doth the Sunne, Ioh. 1. 5. Th• Spirit is the author of supernatural light and faith, 1. Cor. 2. 8, 9. Eph. 1. 17. 1. Ioh. 5. 6. 10. by the inspiration thereof were the Scriptures written, 2. Pet. 1. 21. the secrets of God are fully knowne vnto, and effectually reuealed by the Spirit, 1. Cor. 2. 10. the same law which is written ⟨p. 30⟩in the Scriptures, the Spirit doth write in the hearts of men that be indued therewith. Esa. 59. 21. Heb. 8. 10. For which reasons it must needs bee, that the testimonie of the Spirit is all-sufficient to perswade, and assure the heart that the Scriptures are the word of God. To preuent mistaking therein, obserue these rules. 1. The Spirit of God doth assuredly perswade our consciences that the Scriptures are of God, by enlightning our eyes to behold the light, writing the law in our hearts, sealing vp the promises to our consciences, and causing vs sensibly to feele the effects therof, 1. Cor. 2. 12. Luk. 24. 45. 1. Cor. 14. 37. Ier. 31. 33. 2. Cor. 1. 22. 1. Thes. 1. 5. with 1. Thes. 2. 13. Act. 16. 14. 2. This perswasion of the Spirit, is more certain then can bee prooued with reason, or expressed in words: for things doubtfull may be proued, but things in themselues most cleare and certain, be aboue all proofe and reason, as the shining of the Sunne needes not to be confir•ed by argument to him that hath his eyes open to see the light thereof. 3. This testimonie of the Holy Ghost, is certaine and manifest to him ⟨p. 31⟩that hath the Spirit, but priuate not publique, testifying onely to him who is endued therof; but not conuincing others, not confirming doctrines to others. 4. This testimonie of the Spirit is not to be seuered from the word, which is the instrument of the holy Ghost, and his publique testimonie. It is not therefore iniurious to trie the Spirit by the word of God, 1. Ioh. 4. 1. seeing there is a mutuall relation between the truth of the partie witnessing, and the truth of the thing witnessed; and the holy Spirit the author of the Scripture, is euery where like vnto, and doth euerie where agree with himselfe. 5.
The testimony of the Spirit doth not teach or assure us of the letter•, syllables, or several words of holy Scripture, which are only as a vessel, to carry and convey that heavenly light unto v•; but it doth seal in our hearts the saving truth contained in those sacred writings; into what language soever they be translated. Eph. 1. 13. 6. The Spirit doth not lead them in whom it dwelleth, absolu• ly and at once into all truth, but into all truth necessary to salvation, and by degrees. Joh. 16. 13. with Act. 1. 6. & 11. 2. ⟨p. 32⟩so that holy men partakers of the same Spirit, may err in many things, and dissent one from another in matters not fundamental.
The testimonie of the Spirit doth not teach or assure vs of the letter•, syllabes, or seuerall words of holy Scripture, which are onely as a vessell, to cary and conuey that heauenly light vnto v•; but it doth seale in our hearts the sauing truth contained in those sacred writings; into what language soeuer they be translated. Eph. 1. 13. 6. The Spirit doth not lead them in whom it dwelleth, absolu• ly and at once into all truth, but into all truth necessarie to saluation, and by degrees. Ioh. 16. 13. with Act. 1. 6. & 11. 2. ⟨p. 32⟩so that holy men partakers of the same Spirit, may erre in many things, and dissent one from another in matters not fundamentall.
Expos. 19. Such is the excellency of the holy Scripture, aboue all other writings whatsoeuer, 2. Tim. 3. 15. 2. Pet. 1. 19. that it ought to be credited in all narrations, threatnings, promises, or prophesies. 1. Tim. 1. 15. Heb. 11. 11. 2. Pet. 1. 19. and obeyed in all commaundements. Iob 22. 22. Ier. 13. 15. Rom. 1. 5. God the Author thereof, beeing of incomprehensible wisedome, Psa. 147. 5. great goodnesse, Exod. 18. 9. Psa. 34. 8. Rom. 11. 22. absolute power and dominion, Gen. 17. 1. Psal. 50. 1, •. and truth, that can neither deceiue nor be deceiued. Rom. 3. 4. Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. The authority of the Scripture doth onely and ⟨p. 33⟩wholly depend vpon God the author of it; and therefore though one part may be preferred before another, in respect of excellencie of matter and vse, Cant. 1. 1. 1. Tim. 1. 15. in authoritie and certaintie euery part is equall, and onely Scripture is of diuine authoritie.
20. The Scriptures are the word of Christ, Col. 3. 16. whose word is upright, Eccl. 12. 10. Phil. 3. 16. the first truth, Heb. 13. 8. received by immediate, divine revelation, 2. Pet. 1. 21. and delivered to the Church; sufficient to make the man of God perfect in all good works, 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. the treasury whence all doctrines must be taken, 1. Pet. 4. 11. Act 26. 22. Luk. 16. 29. the touchstone whereby they must be tried, Act. 17. 11. Esa. 8. 20. without which, error in doctrine and manners is unavoidable. Matth. 22. 29.
20. The Scriptures are the word of Christ, Col. 3. 16. whose word is vpright, Eccl. 12. 10. Phil. 3. 16. the first truth, Heb. 13. 8. receiued by immediate, diuine reuelation, 2. Pet. 1. 21. and deliuered to the Church; sufficient to make the man of God perfect in all good workes, 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. the treasury whence all doctrines must be taken, 1. Pet. 4. 11. Act 26. 22. Luk. 16. 29. the touchstone wherby they must be tried, Act. 17. 11. Esa. 8. 20. without which, error in doctrine and manners is vnavoidable. Matth. 22. 29.
22. This blessed word of God is free from all, even the least stain of folly, error, falsehood, or uniustice, Psal. 119. 138. 140. Prou. 30. 5. Joh. 17. 17. all things being laid down holily and truly, both for substance, circumstance, and manner of speaking. Psal. 51. 1. Matth. 1. 25.
22. This blessed word of God is free from all, euen the least staine of follie, errour, falshood, or vniustice, Psal. 119. 138. 140. Prou. 30. 5. Ioh. 17. 17. all things being laid down holily and truely, both for substance, circumstance, and manner of speaking. Psal. 51. 1. Matth. 1. 25.
23. Whatsoever was, is, or shall be necessary, or profitable to be known, believed, practised, or hoped for, that is fully comprehended in the books of the Prophets, and Apostles. Luk. 16. •9. 31. Jo. 5. 39. Rom. 15. 4. Gal. 1. 8. 9. 2. Tim. 3. 15. 16. 17. The perfection of the Scripture will more plainly appear if we consider; 1. That religion for the substance thereof was ever one and unchangeable. Heb. 13. 8. Eph. 4. 5. Jude. 3. Act. 26. 22. Tit. 1. 1. 2. 2. The law of God written by Moses and the Prophets, did deliver whatsoever was needful ⟨p. 35⟩for, and behoovefull to the salvation of the Israelites. Deut. 4. 2. and 12. 32. Psa. 1. 2. Mal. 4. 4. Hos. 8. 12. Luk. 10. 26. 3. Our Saviour made known unto his disciples the last and full will of his heavenly Father. Jo. 14. 26. and. 15. 15. and 16. 13. and 1. 18. and what they received of him, they faithfully preached unto the world. Act. 20. 27. 1. Cor. 15. 1. 2. 3. Gal. 1. 8. 1. Jo. 1. 3. and the sum of what they preached, is committed to writing. Act. 1. 1. 2. Jo. 20. 31. 1. Jo. 5. 13. with Act. 8. 5. 1. 1. Cor. 2. 2. Rom. 10. 8. 9. 10. 4. There is nothing necessary to be known of Christians, over and above that which is found in the old Testament, which is not plainly, clearly, and fully set down, and to be gathered out of the writings of the Apostles and Evangelists. In the whole body of the Scripture, all doubts and controversies are perfectly decided. Es. 8. 20. Math. 22. 29. 40. Deut. 17. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. and every particular book is sufficiently perfect for the proper end thereof. Unwritten traditions. 1. Cor. 4. 6. new articles of faith. Jer. 7. 3. and 19. 5. and new visions and revelations are now to ⟨p. 36⟩be rejected. Heb. 1. 1. Jo. 4. 25. Jo. 15. 15. and 16. 13. with Matth. 28. 19. 2. Cor. 3. 6. 8. 11. with Heb. 8. 13.
23. Whatsoeuer was, is, or shall be necessary, or profitable to be knowne, beleeued, practised, or hoped for, that is fully comprehended in the bookes of the Prophets, and Apostles. Luk. 16. •9. 31. Io. 5. 39. Rom. 15. 4. Gal. 1. 8. 9. 2. Tim. 3. 15. 16. 17. The perfection of the Scripture will more plainely appeare if we consider; 1. That religion for the substance thereof was euer one and vnchangeable. Heb. 13. 8. Eph. 4. 5. Iude. 3. Act. 26. 22. Tit. 1. 1. 2. 2. The lawe of God written by Moses and the Prophets, did deliuer whatsoeuer was needfull ⟨p. 35⟩for, and behoouefull to the saluation of the Israelits. Deut. 4. 2. and 12. 32. Psa. 1. 2. Mal. 4. 4. Hos. 8. 12. Luk. 10. 26. 3. Our Sauiour made knowne vnto his disciples the last and full wil of his heauenly Father. Io. 14. 26. and. 15. 15. and 16. 13. and 1. 18. and what they receiued of him, they faithfully preached vnto the world. Act. 20. 27. 1. Cor. 15. 1. 2. 3. Gal. 1. 8.
24. In themselves the whole Scripture is easy, Psal. 119. 105. 2. Pet. 1. 19. Prou. 14. 6. such excellent matter could not be delivered in more significant and fit words. Act. 1. 16. with Eph. 1. 17. But all things in Scripture are not alike manifest. 2. Pet. 3. 16. The Gentiles by nature have the law written in their hearts. Rom. 2. 14. but to a natural man the Gospel is obscure, accounted foolishness. 1. Cor. 1. 21. and. 2. 14. Things necessary to salvation are so clearly laid down, that the simplest endued with the Spirit, cannot be altogether ignorant of the same. Es. 54. 13. Jo. 6. 45. Deu. 30. 11. Matth. 11. 25. 2. Cor. 4. 3. But to them who are in part enlightened. 1. Cor. 33. 12. many things are obscure and dark. 1. Cor. 13. 9. to tame the pride of mans nature. 2. Cor. 12. 7. work in us a reverence to the Scripture. 2. Pet. 3. 16. 17. 18. stir us up with care and diligence to read, pray, hear. &c. and use Gods means to grow in knowledge. Pro. 2. 3. 4. 5. & acknowledge that all heavenly ⟨p. 37⟩wisdom doth come from above. Pro. 2. 6. Jam. 1. 5. 1. King 3. 9. Job. 28. 32.
24. In themselues the whole Scripture is easie, Psal. 119. 105. 2. Pet. 1. 19. Prou. 14. 6. such excellent matter could not be deliuered in more significant and fit words. Act. 1. 16. with Eph. 1. 17. But all things in Scripture are not alike manifest. 2. Pet. 3. 16. The Gentiles by nature haue the law written in their hearts. Rom. 2. 14. but to a naturall man the Gospel is obscure, accounted foolishnes. 1. Cor. 1. 21. and. 2. 14. Things necessary to saluation are so clearely laid downe, that the simplest indued with the Spirit, cannot be altogether ignorant of the same. Es. 54. 13. Io. 6. 45. Deu. 30. 11. Matth. 11. 25. 2. Cor. 4. 3. But to them who are in part illightned. 1. Cor. 33. 12. many things are obscure and darke. 1. Cor. 13. 9. to tame the pride of mans nature. 2. Cor. 12. 7. worke in vs a reuerence to the Scripture. 2. Pet. 3. 16. 17. 18. stirre vs vp with care and diligence to read, pray, heare. &c. and vse Gods meanes to growe in knowledge. Pro. 2. 3. 4. 5. & acknowledg that all heauenly ⟨p. 37⟩wisedome doth come from aboue. Pro. 2. 6. Iam. 1. 5
. 4. There is nothing necessary to be knowne of Christians, ouer and aboue that which is found in the old Testament, which is not plainely, clearely, and fully set downe, and to be gathered out of the writings of the Apostles and Euangelists. In the whole body of the Scripture, all doubts and controuersies are perfectly decided. Es. 8. 20.
