Vol 01 - Chapter 13 - Why purity of doctrine is to be defended, not so much by disputation, ...

Chapter 13 - Why purity of doctrine is to be defended, not so much by disputation, as by true repentance and an holy life
1. THE purity of doctrine, and the verity of Christian faith, must be defended against sects and heresies, after the example of the holy prophets, who preached against false prophets in the Old Testament; after the example of the Son of GOD, who disputed vehemently against the pharisees and scribes; after the example of St. John the evangelist, who wrote his gospel against Ebion and Cerinthus, and the Apocalypse against the false church of the Nicolaitans and. others; after the example of St.. Paul, who defended. most strongly the doctrine of justification by faith`, of good works, of the resurrection of the dead$, of Christian liberty, and of such like, against false apostles; after the example of the holy fathers of the primitive church, who wrote strongly against the Pagan superstitions, and the heretics of those times: and lastly, by the example of Martin Luther, by whose writings the Papacy, and other heresies, were much weakened. All this is as clear as the noon day: and therefore it is requisite both to preach, write, and dispute; that so the purity of doctrine may be made manifest, according to the apostle, who will have a bishop to be powerful to exhort in doctrine that is sound, and to hold fast the faithful Word, as he has been taught, that by it he may argue with those that contradict, so as to convince the gainsayers.
2. But although this be in itself both lawful and laudable, yet it is so fallen out, that, amongst all the disputation"s and sermons of controversies, and the infinite heaps of writing and counterwriting at this day, the memory of the Christian life, of true repentance, devotion, and charity, are in a manner abolished; no otherwise than if the sum and substance of the Christian religion did consist in disputation and controversy, and not in the practice of the gospel, and in true Christian erudition. Whereas,
3. If we behold the examples of the holy prophets and apostles, as also of the Son of GOD, it is manifest they did not only dispute against false prophets and apostles, and also against the superstitions and abominations of the Jews and gentiles, but did, with no less fervency, exhort all to repentance and to a Christian and holy life; and show that impiety is the cause why God uses to take his Word away from men. Thus CHRIST himself says, "Walk in the light, whilst you have it, lest the darkness overtake you." For what is it to imitate CHRIST, who is the light or what to be overtaken with darkness, but to lose the purity of the gospel Whence~ it appears, that none can, without true repentance and an holy life, enjoy the light; forasmuch as the Holy Ghost, which is the true enlightener of our hearts, fleeing the ungodly, chooseth holy souls only; to make of them friends and prophets of God. For the beginning hereof is the fear of God. And who then doubteth impiety to be the beginning of folly, ignorance and blindness
4. Moreover, the true knowledge of CHRIST, and his pure doctrine, with the profession thereof, Both not con sist in words only, but in deeds and a holy life, according to that which is written, "They profess to know God but in works they deny him." And again, "They have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof." Whereby it is given us to understand, that CHRIST and his Word is denied by a wicked life, as well as by words; and that he has not the true knowledge of CHRIST, who puts it not into practice.
For he that never feels or tastes the humility, the meekness, the patience, and the love of CHRIST, in his own heart, knows not CHRIST; and therefore, where necessity requires, such an one cannot confess CHRIST: because to confess and preach only the doctrine of CHRIST, is to divide CHRIST, and to maim him, if you do not also profess and preach his life. Now what is doctrine without life, but a tree without fruit Or how should he follow the doctrine of CHRIST, who imitateth not his life For the sum and substance of the doctrine of Jesus is, " Charity from a pure heart, with a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith." But we live, alas! in that age, wherein there is a great number of persons, whom, if you hear them disputing of the doc trines of the Christian religion, you would think to be men of great worth; but if you behold them narrowly, and touch them nearly, you will find them full of pride, envy, and covetousness; of whom therefore we must beware. Observe what St. Paul says; he does not rashly join love and faith; but upon his own most deep experience, chargeth his spiritual son to hold fast the form of sound words, " in faith and love which is in CHRIST Jesus."
5. And although we cannot arrogate to our own piety to be the price, or meritorious cause of our happiness, knowing, with St. Peter, " that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation;" yet we must profess this, that by an antiChristian life the Spirit of God will surely depart from us, with all his gifts. It followeth, that without a holy life; purity of doctrine cannot be preserved; and that the wicked who will not imitate CHRIST, are not likely to be enlightened with the true Light. On the contrary, those that walk in the light, that is, who persevere in the blessed footsteps of CHRIST, are guided by the true Light, which is CHRIST, and divinely preserved from all hurtful errors. Therefore it is most true, which a holy writer says, "So soon as a man dedicateth and yieldeth himself up to GOD, and denieth his own will and flesh, then immediately the Spirit of God does begin to illuminate him, and to endow him with true and solid knowledge; because this man.does celebrate the true Sabbath of the heart, resting from all sinful concupiscences, and from his own will and works."
6. Not without cause, says the Lord, then, " I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life;" calling himself first the Way, as he who shows the way unto us. But how not only in his doctrine, but also in his most holy life: which life of our blessed Lord was a living faith, working by love, and exercising hope, patience, meekness, humility, prayer, and the fear of the Lord; and, in a word, a true and perfect turning of the heart to GOD, whereby the soul is drawn to the Truth. and to the Life; and wherein the whole of Christianity does consist, and all books are comprised, and which is the summary of all the commandments; the true and royal way to life and truth the book of life, in the revolving and perfect learning of whereof, we ought to spend all our life.’ This is that " straight way, that narrow gate, which few do find." This is the book of life, which almost none do read, although in it all things are contained which a Christian ought to know; so that we shall need no other book to our eternal salvation. Which is the reason why also the Holy Scripture is contained in a very few and small books, that it might hereby appear that Christianity did not consist in the multitude of commentaries and great volumes, but in a living faith; and in the imitation of CHRIST; according to that of the wise man, " There is no end of making many books; and much study is weariness of the flesh: Wherefore let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear GOD, and keep his commandments."
7. Moreover, in the parable it is told us, " that the devil, when men are asleep, cometh and soweth tares among the wheat:" which teacheth us, that when men neglect repentance, and sleep on in sin, then does the devil sprinkle his seed of false doctrine in the field of pride, whence arise so many sects and heresies. Where= upon St. Paul says, " Awake you that sleepest, and CHRIST shall give thee light;" being willing to show, that no man can be divinely enlightened, who has not shaken from his eyes the sleep of sin, according to that admonition of St. Peter, " Repent, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
8. That only is the true Christian faith, which worketh by love; by which man is made a new creature; by which he is united with GOD, by which CHRIST liveth in him; by which the Holy Ghost dwells and worketh in him, by which the kingdom of God is established in hini; and by which, lastly, through the Holy Ghost purging and enlightening him, the purification and illumination of the heart is begun, carried on, and perfected. To which do belong many golden oracles of the Holy Scripture, such as that in particular, " He that is joined unto the Lord, is one Spirit." And what is it to have the Spirit of CHRIST, to be one Spirit with him, but to have the same mind and understanding, and the same heart and will Which joint breathing and oneness of Spirit, is nothing else but a new, holy, heavenly, spiritual life of CHRIST in us. Another oracle of truth is this; "If any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature," where to be in CHRIST; is not only to believe in him, but to live in him. Also, will betroth thee unto me for ever: in faith I will espouse thee to me." Which passages indeed signify nothing else but that a man wholly and spiritually is to be united to CHRIST; so that where faith is, there is CHRIST; where CHRIST is, there his life is in man; where the life of CHRIST is, there is love; where love is, there is God himself, forasmuch as God is love; and there the Holy Ghost remaineth, being the Spirit of love.