Chapter 42
Wherein it is proved, that the Truth of our Faith is infallible as well in respect of them that have preached it as of them who have received it; and of the manner how it was received.
LET us add to that which hath been said, how1 this Faith, and belief was received in the world; not by force of arms; nor by favour of men nor by humane wisdom; but that the Truth of God, fought single, by means of a few Fisher men, without knowledge, or countenance, against Emperors, and against Priests, and against the whole wisdom of mankind. And it proved to be victorious; by making them quit their old, and false, belief: and by inducing them to entertain a Truth, which was so superior to reason, and that to be so cordially embraced. For to give so firm credit to things so high, is a great wonder of God; as also it is, that the same men, who first did murder those that believed, should suffer themselves afterward to be murdered, for the Truth of the same things; and that, with greater strength and love, then formerly they disbelieved them; and then they persecuted others. And withal, there was a law preached to them, & most pure commandments given them, so much against the hair of the inclination of their hearts; as that they could not think of things, which carried greater contradiction to one another, than the law of the Gospel, & the disposition which man hath to sin; as S. Paul saith; The law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. And notwithstanding all this the same law was received, & by the same virtue of Christ Jesus, their hearts, and their works, were so renewed towards the accomplishing thereof, as that it did evidently appear, that he who formerly had created men in their natural being, was the same who by his virtue, did renew them.
And2 if this should have been preached amongst the bestial people of Arabia, where Mahomet did preach his lies; or amongst men like to them, who were as easy to be deceived, as they use to be who seek, and who carry lies, some suspicion might be had of such belief. But what shall we say; This Truth was preached in I●wry, where the knowledge of God, and his scriptures were: in Greece, where was the top of humane wisdom; and in Rome, where was the Empire, and governoment of the world. And in all these places, though it were persecuted, yet in the end it was believed; and the triumphant title of the Cross was verified, being written in H●bre●●, Greek, and Latin; whereby it was given to be understood, that in those tongues, which were the principal of the world, Christ was to be confessed, for King.
If therefore such as they, believed, upon sufficient motives, it is reason that we follow them; and if there were any want of humane motives, it is plain that they were led to it by light from God, for as much as, being people so advised, and so affected, to their own ancient belief; & so strong in power of arms, such a deep plant of Faith could not have been so low rooted, in a people so contrary to this Truth; if the powerful hand of God had not cooperated therewith.
S. Augustine observing this, saith, That he, who seeing that the world believeth, will not yet believe or demands new miracles, for that purpose; he himself is a prodigious, and fearful miracle; since he refuseth to follow, where so many, so noble, and so wise men, have gone before; and which they have imbra●ed with so great constancy. Most just cause have we to do this, who by the grace of God are Christians. For as much as since the world was a world, it never had, appearing in it, a man of such doctrine, and of so heroical virtue, and of so wonderful, and miraculous works, as Christ Jesus, our Lord; who preached himself to be true God; and3 did prove it, by divine scripture; and by a multitude of miracles; and by the testimony of S John Baptist, who was a witness avowed by all. And the same hath also been preached since, and proved by a multitude of miracles, in the Christian Church. And there hath never appeared any Faith, which doth so honour God as this of his; nor any law which doth so teach men how to serve him, as doth the gospel; which if a man could well understand, no other motive would be needful, for the making of a man believe. Neither have there been seen in the world, men of so great sanctity, as they of the Christian common weath; nor have there been ever preached, so great and so high rewards, for them that follow virtue; nor so horrible threats against men of vice; in testimony, that our God is a great friend to goodness, and an enemy of wickedness. Nor have there been wrought in the whole world, so many, and so great miracles, in confirmation of any opinion, as in confirmation of this Faith Which if it were not true, it would be v●ry injurious to the honour of the true God; since it ascribed an equality, and unity of essence, with God himself, to a man. Nor would he have suffered it to continue such a number of years; nor would he so severely have punished the people of the jews, for having crucified such a man; nor would he have wrought so many, and so great miracles in confirmation of this belief. So that we may with reason say to God, as Richardus doth; If we be deceived, in that which we believe, God hath deceived us. For as much as this Truth hath, of itself, so much clear evidence; and such effects have followed, and such miracles have been wrought, in confirmation thereof; that other than God, could not work them. But as god is far from being a deceiver, so in this, are we far from being deceived. Glory be to God for ever.
Footnotes
Chapter 44 of 115