_An ENQUIRY CONCERNING FAITH._
The ARGUMENT.
_This Inquisition concerning Faith, comprehends the Sum and Substance of the Catholick Profession. He here introduces a_ Lutheran _that by the Means of the orthodox Faith, he may bring either Party to a Reconciliation.
Concerning Excommunication, and the Popes Thunderbolts.
And also that we ought to a.s.sociate ourselves with the Impious and Heretical, if we have any Hope of amending them._ Symbolum _is a military Word. A most divine and elegant Paraphrase upon the Apostles Creed._
AULUS, BARBATUS.
_AU._ _Salute freely_, is a Lesson for Children. But I can"t tell whether I should bid you be well or no.
_Ba._ In Truth I had rather any one would make me well, than bid me be so. _Aulus_, Why do you say that?
_Au._ Why? Because if you have a Mind to know, you smell of Brimstone, or _Jupiter"s_ Thunderbolt.
_Ba._ There are mischievous Deities, and there are harmless Thunderbolts, that differ much in their Original from those that are ominous. For I fancy you mean something about Excommunication.
_Au._ You"re right.
_Ba._ I have indeed heard dreadful Thunders, but I never yet felt the Blow of the Thunderbolt.
_Au._ How so?
_Ba._ Because I have never the worse Stomach, nor my Sleep the less sound.
_Au._ But a Distemper is commonly so much the more dangerous, the less it is felt. But these brute Thunderbolts as you call "em, strike the Mountains and the Seas.
_Ba._ They do strike "em indeed, but with Strokes that have no effect upon "em. There is a Sort of Lightning that proceeds from a Gla.s.s or a Vessel of Bra.s.s.
_Au._ Why, and that affrights too.
_Ba._ It may be so, but then none but Children are frighted at it. None but G.o.d has Thunderbolts that strike the Soul.
_Au._ But suppose G.o.d is in his Vicar.
_Ba._ I wish he were.
_Au._ A great many Folks admire, that you are not become blacker than a Coal before now.
_Ba._ Suppose I were so, then the Salvation of a lost Person were so much the more to be desired, if Men followed the Doctrine of the Gospel.
_Au._ It is to be wished indeed, but not to be spoken of.
_Ba._ Why so?
_Au._ That he that is smitten with the Thunderbolt may be ashamed and repent.
_Ba._ If G.o.d had done so by us, we had been all lost.
_Au._ Why so?
_Ba._ Because when we were Enemies to G.o.d, and Worshippers of Idols, fighting under Satan"s Banner, that is to say, every Way most accursed; then in an especial Manner he spake to us by his Son, and by his treating with us restored us to Life when we were dead.
_Au._ That thou say"st is indeed very true.
_Ba._ In Truth it would go very hard with all sick Persons, if the Physician should avoid speaking to "em, whensoever any poor Wretch was seized with a grievous Distemper, for then he has most Occasion for the a.s.sistance of a Doctor.
_Au._ But I am afraid that you will sooner infect me with your Distemper than I shall cure you of it. It sometimes falls out that he that visits a sick Man is forced to be a Fighter instead of a Physician.
_Ba._ Indeed it sometimes happens so in bodily Distempers: But in the Diseases of the Mind you have an Antidote ready against every Contagion.
_Au._ What"s that?
_Ba._ A strong Resolution not to be removed from the Opinion that has been fixed in you. But besides, what Need you fear to become a Fighter, where the Business is managed by Words?
_Au._ There is something in what you say, if there be any Hope of doing any good.
_Ba._ While there is Life there is Hope, and according to St. _Paul, Charity can"t despair, because it hopes all Things_.
_Au._ You observe very well, and upon this Hope I may venture to discourse with you a little; and if you"ll permit me, I"ll be a Physician to you.
_Ba._ Do, with all my Heart.
_Au._ Inquisitive Persons are commonly hated, but yet Physicians are allowed to be inquisitive after every particular Thing.
_Ba._ Ask me any Thing that you have a Mind to ask me.
_Au._ I"ll try. But you must promise me you"ll answer me sincerely.
_Ba._ I"ll promise you. But let me know what you"ll ask me about.
_Au._ Concerning the Apostles Creed.
_Ba._ _Symbolum_ is indeed a military Word. I will be content to be look"d upon an Enemy to Christ, if I shall deceive you in this Matter.
_Au._ Dost thou believe in G.o.d the Father Almighty, who made the Heaven and Earth.
_Ba._ Yes, and whatsoever is contained in the Heaven and Earth, and the Angels also which are Spirits.
_Au._ When thou say"st G.o.d, what dost thou understand by it?
_Ba._ I understand a certain eternal Mind, which neither had Beginning nor shall have any End, than which nothing can be either greater, wiser, or better.
_Au._ Thou believest indeed like a good Christian.