A second part of The mixture of scholasticall divinity, with practical, in several tractates: wherein some of the most difficult knots in divinity are untyed, many dark places of Scripture cleared, sundry heresies and errors refuted ... Whereunto are annexed, several letters of the same author, and Dr. Jeremy Taylor, concerning Original Sin. Together with a reply unto Dr. Hammonds vindication of his grounds of uniformity from 1 Cor. 14.40. By Henry Jeanes, minister of Gods Word at Chedzoy in Somersetshire.

Dr. Hammond. sect. 26.

Secondly, the usage of this Ceremony of signing with the Crosse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wee also know, frequent in the Church (while the gifts of healing continu∣ed) ind 1.1 curing diseases, and casting out Devils, so that A∣thanafius frequently 〈◊〉〈◊〉,(e) 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; by the fign of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all Magick and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is brought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 naught, all the Idol Temples layd waste and empty.

Jeanes.

Bishop Morton in his particular Defence of the Ceremony of the Crosse, pag. 231, 232. tels us, That our Church doth not ascribe unto it any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 power of driving out devils, or of curing diseases, &c. And what he saith of our Church he speaks by just consequence of the Primitive Church; For our Church (〈◊〉〈◊〉 he, ibid.) professeth, that she useth it onely as primitively it was used; that is, onely as a token whereby there is protestation made of a future constancy in the profession of Christianity: If it were used onely thus, then it was not used for the miraculous cure of diseases, and chasing away of Devils; and this will be denyed by none,

that knows the force of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 onely; but you have a higher opi∣nion of the efficacy of the signe of the Crosse, than ever 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Morton had, or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of England, as he thought; and therefore I shall addresse my self to give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answer unto your miracles of the Crosse.

1. I shall in general say unto them three things.

• 1. If 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were any such Miracles, as are pretended, they were wrought onely at the sign of the Crosse, and not by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Crosse (as you bring in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 affirming) so much as by a Moral instrument they were done for the sike onely of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and prayers of those that used the sign of the Cross, and were consequent unto the signe of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 accidens; and for this that I say, Bishop Morton alledgeth a saying out of Pe kins: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (〈◊〉〈◊〉 hee) that miracles were done of God at the sign of the Crosse, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto it a manifest, or at least a secret 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crucified: so that the virtue was not to be imputed unto the sign of the Cross, but unto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and invocation of Christ.
• 2. Many Miracles were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Brazen Serpent; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it came to pass, that if a Serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the Serpent of Brosse, he lived, Numb. 21. 9. Yet Ilezechias brake it in pieces, 2 King. 18. 4. and the reason is assigned why he did so; for unto those dayes the children of Israel did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incense to it. This fact of Hezechias is praise worthy; and therefore it was no evill act to throw aside the sign of the Crosse: for suppose, though not grant, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Miracles were wrought by it, yet the Papists have burnt incense unto it: sor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dr. Rainolds in his Conference with Hart, page 509, 510.

  It is written in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Masse-book, that in solemn Masses, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 having made obeysance to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Crosse, doth incense it thrice: The Jews gaveu 1.3 the honour of God to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incense to it. And therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it brazen stuff; as if you should call your Roode 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stuff; your Agnus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dei's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stuff, your Crucisixes and Crosses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Copper, Copper-stuff, because you impart the honour of God to them, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hope in them. And ifx 1.4 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man be called an Idolater, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he maketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his God, not as though he thought the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be God, but because hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to live and prosper by it,y 1.5 which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in God onely: then worship you the sign of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Idol, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you trust to be saved by it, as in yourz 1.6 Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 notoriously, anda 1.7 so your selves 〈◊〉〈◊〉, you worship it as God; where∣fore itb 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be praised by God for breaking in pieces the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of brasse, because the children of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did burn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to it, we who have re moved the sign of the Crosse, because you put the hope of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 content 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be dispraised by men. But if you say 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we be against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fathers in Religion, because we pluck down that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they did set up, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your speech 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not touch the Holy 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who saith that 〈◊〉〈◊〉c 1.9 did keep Gods commandements which he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Moses; and yet with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saith, thatd 1.10 he brake in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of brass which Moses had made.

• 3. A third answer shall bee that which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concerning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alledge were done by the use of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the sign of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: In all which, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Miracles (〈◊〉〈◊〉 he, page 〈◊〉〈◊〉) not to overthrow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉; we yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answer, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 success that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 means had, prove no more the lawfulness os them, than 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of living men amongst

• ... the Gentiles unto their Idols, accompanied with some desired issue out of their troubles wherein they were, prove the lawfulnesse of that horrible and most detestable worship of their God.
• 4. That the former use of the sign of the Crosse in Miracles, obligeth not to a use of it (now all miraculous use thereof is by the generall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Protestants ceased) may be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in a way of Analogie and proportion from what the above mentioned Bishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speaks, pag. 58. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Oyle: We confess that spittle was used by our Saviour Christ, in healing of the cumb; and cyle by the Apostles, in curing of many other diseases; yet both 〈◊〉〈◊〉: but to imitate the work of a Miracle without the miraculous power, is but an opish 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for to hold such a miraculous ceremony, after the virtue be gone, is but to preserve a carkass, because it had been once possessed of a soul.

From this general Answer proceed we to some particulars of the Crosses effi∣cacie.

1. You say that the usage of this Ceremony of signing with the Crosse, was we also know, frequent in the Church (while the gifts of healing continued) in curing diseases. But now for this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you onely quote in the Mar∣gin Aug. de Civ. Dei, lib. 22. cap. 8. And in that place there is but one instance of any cure wrought upon the usage of the sign of the Crosse, and that in Inno∣centia, a Carthaginian Matron, and the story hereof I shall give unto the Reader, as it lyeth in the Book and Chapter quoted.

In eadem Carthagine, Innocentia religiosissima faemina de primariis ipsius civitatis, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cancrum habebat, rem, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dicunt, nullis medicamentis 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Aut ergo praescidi solet, & à corpore separari membrum ubi nascitur, aut, ut aliquanto homo quietius vivat fomentis est pestis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 frequentibus. Nam ut inde mortem quan∣tumlibet tardius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confidamus, secundum Hippocratis, ut fertur, sententiam, omnis est omittenda curatio. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illa à perito medico, & suae domui familiarissimo acce∣perat, & ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Deum se orando converterat. Admonetur in somnis appropinquante pascha, ut in parte faeminarum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad baptisterium, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 primitus occurrisset, signaret ei locum signo crucis Christi, fecit, & confestim sanitas secuta est.

In the same Town one Innocentia a most religious woman, and one of the principal in the City, had a Canker on her breast, a kind of sore which the Physitians told her is utterly uncurable: wherefore they use either to cut the infected part away, or for the prolonging of the life a little while in some ease, the malady is to be asswaged and mitigated with frequent plaisters; for the opinion of Hippocrates will induce us to beleeve, that death wil thence insue, though somewhat slowly: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hee, as they say, doth advise to omit all attempt of curing it; this a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Physitian her familiar friend told her; so that now she sought help of none but the Lord, who told her in a dreame, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 next, which then drew near, she should mark on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 side by the Font, what woman she was, that, being then 〈◊〉〈◊〉, should first meet her, and that she should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her to signe her sore with the signe of the Crosse of Christ: She did it, and was cured.

But the Miracles related in this Chapter are of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 credit, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto Ludovicus Viues to bee a matter without doubt, that many things in this Chapter were added, &c. by those, who with their filthy hands have defiled all the Writings of great and famous Authors: In hoc capite non dubium, quin

multa sint addita, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 declarandi gratia, ab iis, qui omnia magnorum autorum scripta spurcis suis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contaminabant, &c. Of this annotation of Ludovieus Vives Rivet speaks thus, Critic. sacr. pag. 453. Lud. Viv ad cap. 8. lib. 22. In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mira∣cula multa narrantur, quae omnia non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 exactam judicii 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quam in aliis Au∣gust, operibus lectores sagaces observant, annotat, in hoc capite non dubium, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 multa sint addita, velut declarandi gratia, ab iis, qui omnia magnorum autorum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suis manibus 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Huic 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 censores Belgici in indice 〈◊〉〈◊〉: neque Hispani inquisitores in suo: quod ideo notandum lectori, ne semper quae ex genuin is autorum libris asseruntur, genuina esse putet, quod per Monachorum corrup∣telas non licet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 igitur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 opus est sagacitate, & judicii libra. Chamier in re∣ference to another passage in the Notes of Lud: Viv. passeth this censure upon other miracles, alledged by Papists from that place of Augustine to justifie their Invocation of Saints, de Vigesim: Octav. lib. de Civit. Dei: Possum ex Vive dicere, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iusisse sciolorum lasciviam, aut potius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 audaciam: the Di∣vines of Rhemes in their Annotations on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 14. 12. charge Protestants, that they discredit, as other Miracles, so in particular, those testified by St. Augustine in this place; and unto this charge neither Fulk nor Cartwright entred any dis∣sent, and therefore it is probable that they acknowledged it: whereas Fisher in his Answer to the Questions propounded by King James, goes about to justifie the Oblations made to Saints by some of the Miracles here recorded, said to be done at their Tombs and Shrines, Dr. Francis White seems to think that a doubt of the truth of some of these Miracles is defensible, because, saith he, these things were extraordinary; and the credit of divers of them dependeth upon fame (which is many times uncertain)b 1.11 and Saint Augustine himself saith, they are not commended unto us by such weighty autho∣rity, as that without all doubt they must needs be creditedc 1.12 they cannot be sufficient 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or foundations of Catholike Doctrine or Practise.

2. You say that by the sign of the Crosse all Magick and Witchcrast is brought to nought.

1. Surely, Sir, if ever the sign of the Crosse had such an influence, it is questionable, whether there was ever any word or promise of the Lord for it, and without such word or promise, to use the sign of the Crosse for such a purpose, was virtual and interpretative Witchcraft.

Besides 2. if it were so efficacious against Magick and Witchcraft in the Pri∣mitive times, yet, that since it hath been abused unto Magick and Witchcraft, is confessed by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Abbot, a man of great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and learning, part. 1. pag. 169. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Harpie of Rome hath had the handling of it, and made it a matter of Magical Inchantment, and through the current of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prophanations, it hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the hands of Conjurers, Charmers, Witches, to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 practises, we have had a religious care to clear the first Church in the using of it; but no further to use it our selves than it may be washed from the soyl and filth of these abominations.

3. By what you say in the Margin out of Athanasius and Augustine, you 〈◊〉〈◊〉

a great efficacy of the sign of the Crosse in the routing and chasing away of Devils: unto this I answer:

1. That the whole Armour of God, the compleat harnesse of the Spirit, de∣terres not Satan from assailing the best and most perfect of Christians: Christs unspotted innocency, and his absolute all-sulnesse of Grace, was temptation proof, and yet the Devil adventured upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him, and therefore it is very strange that he should be so perillously, and terribly afraid of so weake a shield as the sign of the Crosse in the forehead: No, no, saith Fulk, in answer to the Rhemists, pag, 69. 4. the Devil is too craf y and strong to yeeld to so weak a wea∣pon, but when he is disposed to play with men, that they may more easily be seduced by him.

2. It is but a sorry Sophisme, to conclude the Devils terrour at the signe of the Crosse, from his running away upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 se thereof; for this might be done out of design to get ground upon men, to return upon them with the more ad∣vantage: It might be like the flight of an Enemy to draw into an Ambuscado, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the superstition of the Crosse, that hath since so 〈◊〉〈◊〉. It is to be fear∣ed therefore, that that which the Pharisees blasphemously spake of Christ, may truly be objected unto the sign of the Crosse, that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out Devils by Beel∣zebub the Prince of the Devils. Hear what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saies of the Devils feare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sign of the Crosse, Tom. 1. pag 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Hoc omnium interim memoriis infixum esse debet, Daemonem esse callidum, versutum, versipellem, fallacem, mendacem, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Fingit igitur se timere signum crucis, ut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nos externo magis signo confi∣dere, quam Christo ipsi crucifixo

3. Some excuse the Fathers, as if they held, that the sign of the Crosse drived away Devils ex opere operantis, only by the saith and prayers of those that used it; but others think, that they held it to be done ex opere operato, by the Ordinance of God; and they give this reason, because they held it to bee done by aliens and unbeleevers, by Pagans and Jews, who had not the Christian Faith. Nazianzene relates, how that Julian the Apostate being about some feats of Necromancy, the Devils that he had conjured ranne all away, when he by chance had made the sign of the Crosse, without any purpose or thought of a Miracle; for he mar∣velled at the matter, as that which was more than he expected: And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reports that a Jew, as yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto the Faith of Christ, being benighted, and taking up his lodging in a Temple of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, routed a great multitude, or Troup of Devils that were there assembled, by signing his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the sign of the Crosse: Unto these examples Bellarmine, Eccles. Triumph. lib. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 30. addes the testimony of Augustine: Quare S. Augustinus lib. 83. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, qu. 79. dicit indictum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Deo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ut cedant cruci, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sceptro 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Regis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 populi militibus cedunt, cum ab illis profertur signum Imperatoris: Nec mirum est. inquit. quod 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signa valent, cum à bonis Christianis adhibentur, quando etiam cum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 extraneis, qui omnino suum nemen ad istam militiam non dede∣runt, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honorem tamen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Imperatoris valent. Cum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his signis hujusmodi potestates, Deus ipse prohibet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 modis, cum id justum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 utile iudicat; nam nullo modo ulli spiritus audent haec signa contemnere: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hec, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illa 〈◊〉〈◊〉. By this you may see, how farre the Fathers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their opinion touching the efficacy of the Crosse, and I am so charitable as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you doe not come up unto them herein, and if you do not, you have no reason to presse me with their sayings.

3. You say out of Athanafius, that by the signe of the Crosse, all the Idoll Temples were layd waste and empty: I could wish that you had exemplified this by some instances, that we might have considered of what weight they had been: The Papists of the Seminary of Rhemes have referred us unto a famous story in Theodoret, which saith Fulk, pag 694. is a Miracle wrought by Marcel∣lus Bishop of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in setting the Temple of Jupiter a fire, with sprinkling of water, after he had signed it with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and prayed, when it would not burn with fire: This is a pretty story, if true, and will serve aptly for your purpose: But, Sir, wee shall hope for so much charity from you, that you will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brand for Infidels, all, that have not faith strong enough to swallow these Miracles of the Crosse. Theodoret might have this at the second hand, and hee himself might be deceived, though he were unwilling to deceive, and in all ages devout and wel meaning persons have been over-credulous in entertaining 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it and fained Miracles.

As for the places quoted out of Augustine, I cannot find them in Frobenius his Edition of Augustine, and I have no other, and therefore I think you follow some other Edition; but the thing is not material; for I hope, that what I have said already will be a satisfactory answer unto them.

Notes

• d 1.1

  See Aug. de civ. Dei, lib. 22. cap. 8.
• (e) 1.2

  De Incarnat. Tom. 1. pag. 84. So pag. 101. D. T 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And pag. 102. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And contr. Arian. Or. 1. pag. 285. A. `O 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And, Praesente signo crucis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pagauitas. Aug. T. 4. 229. B. And, 832. B. Daemonia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cruce Christi terrentur, si impensius fiat, fugantur. Dii Paganorum metu crucis responsa dare non possunt.
• u 1.3

  Exod. 30. 8.
• x 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5 5.
• y 1.5

  Jer. 17 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• z 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Roman: 〈◊〉〈◊〉. qua to. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.7

  Thom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Sum. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. An∣drad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Explicat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 9.
• b 1.8

  2 Kings 18 3. 5.
• c 1.9

  ver. 6.
• d 1.10

  ver. 4.
• b 1.11

  Tertul. Apol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7. cur malum sama? Quia velox, an quia plurimum men∣dax? quae 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qui∣dem cum veri aliquid ad∣fert sine mendacii vitio est 〈◊〉〈◊〉, adjiciens, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de veritate.
• c 1.12

  Aug. de civit. Dei lib. 22. cap. 8. non tan∣ta ea commendat authoritas, ut sine difficultate vel dubitatione credantur.