A collection of the works of that holy man and profound divine, Thomas Iackson ... containing his comments upon the Apostles Creed, &c. : with the life of the author and an index annexed.

CAP. VII.

That neither our Saviours prayers, for the not failing of Peters faith: Luke 22. 32. nor his commending his sheep unto his feeding: John 21. 15. prove any supremacy in Peter over the Church, from which the authority of the Pope cannot, with probability, be derived.

1 IS it then probable, our Saviours prayers for S. Peter did collate any au∣thority * 1.1 upon him, either oecumenical for extent, or soveraign for others de∣pendence on it; or absolutely, and perpetually infallible for time, without integrity of life, or other condition: besides such Cathedral consultation, as is required in the Pope to support it? Rather the proper effect they aimed at, was an extraordinary assistance in the practise of such points, as already had been, or afterwards should be revealed unto him. Our Saviour while he uttered them, did clearly foresee all his followers should be sifted by Satan; he that professed greatest love and resolution, more then all the rest, in such fearful sort, that without this promised supportance, his faith had utterly fai∣led: which though afterwards it proved much stronger, by this shaking, yet whether stronger then was any of his fellows, is uncertain, most unfit to be disputed: Howsoever, no circumstance in that place prognosticates, or aboads such extraordinary future strength, rather all suppose for the pre∣sent, a peculiar necessity of his Masters prayers for him, as foreseeing his tripping (to use the mildest censure) would be so dangerous, as the memo∣rial of his recovery, might be a perpetual incouragement to all back-sliders, against distrust of Gods mercies. No man so fit to raise up such as are fallen, * 1.2 or wallow in the filth of sin, as he that hath firmly apprehended grace from above (or rather is so apprehended by it) and yet can withall, out of a sincere and humble acknowledgement of his relapses, stoop lower then others in spiritu∣al graces his inferiours, and as it were let himself into the pit of despair, wherein sinners lie, linking their present frailty in his own forepassed infirmi∣ties. It much disagrees with my temper, ever to exaggerate the sins of Gods Saints; yea, I think the denial of Christ was lesse sinful in Saint Peter, then the like would be in many others, that have received lesse grace, because the temptation was above measure ‖ 1.3 extraordinary permitted (no doubt) to this end, that he might be a more faithful comforter of his brethren; whose faith was feeble, crazed, or decayed. He that hopes with fruit to reprehend, or exhort men much daunted, or ashamed at the foulnesse of their offences, must as far as truth will suffer him, acknowledge himself to be a sharer in his own reproofs, to have been sometimes tainted with the original of their present grief: for so the parties grieved will be lesse jealous, and conceit the medicine better. Thus the royal host, in the Poet, cheers up his Princely guest, amated at the mention of his infamous ancestors.

* 1.4Ne perge queri casus{que} priorum Annumerare tibi: Nostro quo{que} sanguine multum Erravit pietas nec culpa nepotibus obstat. Tu modo dissimilis rebus mereare secundis Excusare tuas.—

Did Parents shame their children stain, sweet Prince thy case were mine: For Piety, sometimes, her course did alter from our line, The bleminsh though did not descend. Let vertue be thy guide; So shall thy fame, thy Parents faults, though Foul and Monstrous Hide.

2. By these, and like circumstances, may our Saviours words, [But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: Therefore when thou art converted streng∣then thy brethren] be construed most appositely to his meaning. What was * 1.5 it then Peter was to strengthen in others? That which had been defective in in himself. Was that his charity, his faith, or both? We read (saith Bellarmin) Peters charity did fail; that his faith did fail, we never read. In vain then doth Bellarmin, in vain do all his fellows labour, to prove our Saviour should in these words ratifie a perpetually indeficient purity of Roman faith? for Peter was to repair in others what had been impaired in himself; to prevent, if it were possible, the like fall in such as did, or to themselves did seen to stand; to convert, restore and strengthen such, as in like, or worse sort had denied their Redeemer. With much greater probability might the Ro∣manists seek to establish a perpetual indeficient Christian charity in Peters successors, had Peters love, or charity only failed. But the bad lives and man∣ners of the Roman Clergie, would give too manifest evidence against them in this attemp: In this respect have these stout challengers taken upon them the defence, of a never-failing faith, because not so easily confuted. For, it is a matter very hard (I must confesse) to prove, That faith can never fail, which may deny Christ, so formally and constantly as Peters did, without defect. The best is, that by their own confession this place can prove, the acts or ex∣ercises of Roman faith to be no better, then S. Peters was in this denial of Christ. His offence, they grant, was foul, but his faith without defect. So may Popes be monstrously luxurious in their lives, but alwayes infallible in their Doctrine. Reader, consult with thine own heart, and give sentence (as in the sight of God) of the whole frame of their Religion, by the foundation: and of the foundation (such as they willingly acknowledge faith to be of all true Religion and every Christian vertue) by Bellarmins testimony. If Peter became (as they pretend) the Fundamental Rock, by confessing: that Religi∣on doubtlesse, which hath no better ground of infallibility, then Peters Faith not secured from a threefold denial of Christ, was first planted by the Spirit of Error, and of Antichrist.

3 Not to dispute any longer, what it was, but who they were S. Peter was to strengthen: all without exception? This justly may seem impossible, seeing the exercise of his Ministery could not extend to all Nations, much lesse unto all ages. Yet these words bequeath no hereditary royal jurisdi∣ction over all persons, but rather injoyn personal acts of penitency unto Saint Peter, for his former personal offence. He had found extraordinary mercy at his Lord and Masters hands; and was to communicate the like unto his fellow servants more guilty of his offence. Christ after his faith had fail∣ed did convert and strengthen him against the like temptation; and he, con∣verted, was commanded to convert and strengthen others. Whom? Not such as by conversion might become his brethren, or rather his children in Christ; but rather such, as were hewn out of the same rock, and could truly call Abraham their father, Sarah their Mother, joint professors with him of

Moses Law and the Prophets, more then his brethren and associates, in de∣nying him, of whom Moses and all the Prophets bare testimony.

4 To subtract all matter of calumniation from men, too much disposed to cavil without any probable cause, or just occasion: notwithstanding his threefold denial of Christ, I deny not a triple or quadruple prerogative in Peter, in respect of Christs other Apostles; yet consisting, not in any authority more infallible in it self, or more soveraign for superiority, over such as were to depend upon him as a chief messenger of the Lord of Hosts, but in an extra∣dinary efficacie of his ordinary Apostle-ship. In what respect then was his ordinary Ministrie or Apostle-ship, so extraordinarily powerful? In re∣spect of the universal Church throughout all Ages, or of the Jewish Synagogue for the time being only? S. Paul confutes the former as evidently as he plain∣ly avoucheth the later, * 1.6 When they saw the Gospel over the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel over the circumcision was unto Peter (for he that was mighty by Peter in the Apostle-ship over the circumcision, was also mighty by me towards the Gentiles) James and Cephas and John, which were counted to be pillars, knew of the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and to Barna∣bas the right hands of fellowship, that we should preach unto the Gentiles and they unto the circumcision.

5 Here the lesse in speech I amplifie, the more in heart and mind I tacite∣ly * 1.7 admire the unspeakable power and wisdom of our God, that by the extra∣ordinary offences or infirmities of one or two, can firmly establish the faith of all his Saints. Albeit he used the Ministerie of every other Apostle, in reconciling the world unto himself: yet Paul and Peter were as the two prin∣cipal intermediate elements, proportioned and qualified of purpose, for the more apt connecting this mixt inferiour Globe with the Heavenly Sphere, the sons of men with the son of God; the one by symbolizing with the Jew, the other with the Gentile in his sin, both with Christ in true wisdom, in all good gifts and graces of the spirit. Saint Pauls offences against God manifested in the flesh, have the same proportion to Saint Peters, that the ig∣norance, infidelity or idolatry of the Gentiles had with the Jews delin∣quency, or Apostacy from the God of their Fathers. Saint Paul had not known our Saviour in the flesh, ignorant of his wisdom in teaching or power in working, and in his ignorant zeal unto Moses and the Law, did persecute his followers and disciples after his resurrection; hereby made a fitter Sym∣bole for reconciling the Gentiles unto God, whom they had not known, usually misled in a blind devotion to their dumb Idols and traditions of their elders, to hate and persecute the Jews, the only professors of true Religion, the only servants till that time of the everliving God. S. Peter had long conversed with our Saviour, heard him teach as never man taught, seen him do what no man else could ever do, his eyes had beheld the brightnesse of his excellent glory, and, out of his apprehension of his Deity he had pro∣fessed more then ordinary love, ‖ Lord I am ready to go with thee into the Pri∣son, * 1.8 and to death: yet when he comes unto his trial, flatly denies that ever he knew him; hereby more fitly qualified for recovering the backsliding Apostatical Jews, who had known the Lord, and all the wonders which he had wrought for Israel: they had professed such love and loyaltie to him, as no people could do more unto their Gods; posterity stil retaining the protest a∣tions of their Religious fathers; All this is come upon us, yet do we not forget thee, neither deal we falsely concerning thy covenant. Our hearts are not turned back, neither our steps gone out of thy paths. Surely for thy sake are we slain continually, and are counted as Sheep for the slaughter: Yet when he came in the similitude

of man to exact obedience and allegeance at their hands, they wil not know him; but, as Samuel had foretold, cast him off from raigning over them, and openly protest against him; We have no King but Caesar.

6 Answerable to this observation is the successe of their Apostleship, re∣gistred by the Evangelist. We never read so many Jews at once so through∣ly converted by our Saviour, or so seriously affected with his Doctrine in his life time, as with that memorable † 1.9 sermon of S. Peter. The manner of his reiterated appellations [Ye men of Judea, and ye all that inhabit Jerusalem. Ye men of Israel. ‖ 1.10 Men and Brethren.] Of mentioning Gods promises made to them, and to their children; of his reply; his earnest beseeching and ex∣horting them, that had appealed joyntly to him, and the other Apostles: ar∣gue these were the brethren, he in particular was injoyned to convert, confirm and strengthen. And like a skilful Surgeon, that knew by his own recove∣ry how to prick their consciences, without giving them a deadly wound, he presseth them in the last place, with crucifying the Lord of glory. The men∣tion whereof had been enough in others judgement, to have moved them to despair: but this comforter knew by experience, that to be throughly toucht in heart, as he had been, for such foul offences past, was the readiest way to that true repentance, which he found, and such repentance the surest holdfast of lively faith. But he that was thus powerful in the circumcision, became a stone of offence unto the Gentiles, with whom he had to deal at Antioch. For by his tripping in an uncouth way, (as being out of his natural Element) he made them stumble, justly reproved, for his amphibious conversation with men of tempers so contrary, by S. Paul; under whose hand the edifi∣cation of the Gentiles did better prosper. Yet he nothing so powerful in con∣verting the Jews, though his zeal towards them was no lesse then S Peters * 1.11 was; his endeavours to sow the seed of life in their hearts, as great, but with small hope of seeing any fruit of his labours. But it wil be worth the Rea∣ders pains, I am perswaded, to observe; that albeit he presse the Jews at Antioch with the very same arguments, (but more forcibly and artificially framed) wherewith S. Peter had converted so many, yet is enforced to make a contrary conclusion. Peter concludes in hope prognosticating successe, * 1.12 Amend your lives, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost; For the promise is made unto you and to your children. And the same day were added to the Church about three thousand souls. * 1.13 Saint Paul, for Conclusion, takes his Farewel of them, as no part of his peculiar charge; only tels them it was his, and his fellow Barnabas duty, to admonish them. Then Paul and Barna∣bas spake boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken unto you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge your selves unwor∣thy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord command∣ed us; saying, I have made thee a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be the salvation unto the end of the World. And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many, as were ordained unto eter∣nal life, believed. Thus the Word of the Lord was published throughout the whole Country: But the Jews stirred certain devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and ex∣pelled them out of their Coasts. Acts 13. 46.

7 Thus it is as true of graces, as natures ordination, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: the power and efficacy of Christs chief Apostles, is restrained unto their proper and limited Sphere; God alwayes blessing those endeavours best, that are imployed within the precincts of that peculiar charge whereto he appoints us. By

that which hath been said it may appear, that Saint Peters and Saint Pauls prerogatives, how great soever, were both personal, to expire with themselves; although a title of supremacy over the Gentiles might be pre∣tended, with much greater probabilitie from S. Paul, then from S. Peter, whose peculiar charge was the Jew; as may be yet further manifested by the place most urged for his, and his Successors oecumenical jurisdiction, be∣queathed, as the Romanists suppose, in these words, Peter feed my lambs, Peter, feed my sheep.

8 But the natural circumstances of that place compared with the late ex∣position * 1.14 of the former, deads all their blows, thence intended against us, ere they can rightly frame themselves to fetch them. A little before these words were uttered, Peter desirous to approve his excessive love to our Saviour, and manifest more then an ordinary desire of his company (that had appear∣ed unknown unto him, but from Johns notification) girt his coat about him, and cast himself into the Sea, whiles the other Disciples (not above two hun∣dred Cubits from Land) came by ship to meet him. After a short dinner passed, as the text seems to insinuate, in silence; * 1.15 at least not entertained with such variety of discourse, as might either interrupt some private intima∣tion made to Peter of future conference, or put the former occasion of this following exhortation out of the other Apostles memory: our Savi∣our enjoyns Simon the son of Jona, to feed his Lambs, and, again, and again to feed his Sheep. He sees him then like a loving Souldier, desi∣rous (by his adventurous approach unto him) to recover his former repu∣tation, much impaired by denying him. Whether our Saviour check or cherish this desire I question not; much lesse determin. His speeches, with the former circumstances, import thus much, Thou hast made profession of more then ordinary love unto me of readinesse to lay down thy life for my sake, though all others, even these thy fellows, should forsake me; willing I see thee, by thy present hazard of it, to make thy former words good. But wouldest thou have me yet to shew thee a more excellent way? I have told thee it long since, Thou art converted, strengthen thy Brethren. SIMON the Son of JONA, if thou desire to prove thy self a CEPHAS, or testifie the sincerity of thy faith and love, which by the powers of darknesse were of late so grievously shaken, Feed my Lambs. Feed my Sheep. Yea seeing thou thrice deniedst the Shepheard of thy soul, I say unto thee the third time, Feed my sheep. Let the memory of thy fore-passed threefold sin; also let this my present threefold admonition, excite thee unto triple diligence in thy charge; to shew such pitty and compassion, as I have shewed to thee, unto that lost and scattered Block, which have denied me, or consented to my crucifying. Let thy faithful performance of what I request thee at my farewel, be the first testimony of thy love to me, to be lastly testified by the losse of thy life, which thou didst promise me when I gave mine for my sheep, but shalt not pay until thou hast fulfilled this my request; Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young thou girdedst thy self, and walkedst whither thou wouldst, * 1.16 but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thine hands, and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldest not, John. 21. 18.

9 But here Bellarmin, alwayes exceeding witty, either to elude Scri∣ptures, whose natural meaning is evidently against him, or to collect a gul∣ling sence from such, as nothing at all make for him, would infer that the

Possessive, * 1.17 M••. necessarily refers Peters charge, or jurisdiction, unto all the flock that called Christ their Lord, Owner. For seeing after his resur∣rection there was but one Fold; for this great Shepherd to say; My s•…•…, could not distinguish one sort from another; and therefore none to be exem∣pted from Peters oversight. But, the Flock, though One in respect of the O•…•…, which had purchased all with one price, did consist of sheep much different in Breeding, and Retaining their several Marks; some were of the Circumcision, others of the Uncircumcision; the former had been our Saviours peculiars charge in his life time (for he was not sent but unto the lost—sheep of Israel;) these he might with note of distinction, call My sheep. As if a Shepherd, raised to better fortunes, should purchase a great many more sheep, then he was wont to look to himself and refer both sorts to severall keepers, though both to Fold together in the evening, he might Signanter, say to the one, look well to my sheep, though both Flocks were his by right of possession; but onely the one his, by a peculiar relation of former charge or over-sight. And thus, as we have said before, the Jews were committed peculiarly to Saint Peters care. Albeit, consonantly to the former exposition of both places alledged, our Saviour by My sheep, might onely intimate his tender care over his flock, without distinction; that Peter might more carefully feed as many as he could per∣sonally look to, seeing the proof of his love to his Lord and Master, and of his fidelity which had failed, did consist herein. As for † 1.18 Bellarmines other collections, that our Saviour, by mentioning his sheep, should mean Prelates or Superiours; by his little sheep (so their vulgar distinguisheth,) inferiour Pastors; by his lambs, meer Laicks, such as have Fathers but no children in Christ: they onely prove that in this light of the Gospel, there is a generation of men professing Christianity, yet as apt as grossely to transform Christs Spiritual love, as the Heathen did his Fathers glory, into the similitude of their car∣nall corrupt affections.

10 If it may stand with Christian sobrietie, so precisely to deter∣min of particular differences implied in these words; it is most likelie our Saviour meant to include all sorts of people, according to the different care their diverse estates required: some were to be tenderly handled and cherished like lambs; others to be lookt unto like elder sheep, and to be fed with stronger meat, but with lesse personal or assiduous attendance. There is no one kind of ar∣gument perswades me more, the Romish Church is led by the Spirit of errour, then whiles I observe, how they still approve themselves to be Pe∣ters successours in denying Christ, and going the wrong way unto the truth of the Gospel; alwayes like ungracious children, seeking to enter upon the inheri∣tance bequeathed, without performance of what the Testator principally re∣quired. Our Saviour requested Peter in these termes, Feed my sheep (not thine;) intimating, he should approve himself a Faithfull Shepherd, one that was to give strict account unto the Owner, of whatsoever befell the flock: these men by commission pretended from Saint Peter, would make them∣selves great sheep-masters, to kill and eat at their pleasures. That to feed, is all one, as to rule and govern, as they would have it, is a conceit of men onely minding their bellies, or seeking to be fed by others spoils. That feeding or Pastorship is alwayes accompanied with Rule and Authoritie, none that ever tasted any Spirituall food will deny. That Peter was a Pastor and a Feeder, an extraordinary Pastor, a principal Feeder, and therefore of pre∣heminent Rule and Authoritie over his flock, we acknowledge: but no pre∣heminence in him above his fellows, which was not grounded upon his emi∣nent care, and more then ordinarie fidelitie in feeding it; not with Lordly

injunctions sealed with Anathema's, but with sincerity of life and sound∣nesse of Doctrine. There was no difference betwixt the tenure of His and Others estates, as if he had been Lord by inheritance, not obnoxious to any Forfeiture by misdemeanour; and Others but lease-holders (during term of good life and manners) of the priviledges they enjoyed, to return by escheat, or for want of succession, unto Peters successors. That Penitentiall exercise of feeding Christs sheep, in such strict termes so often enjoyned; rather ar∣gues, that should have been interpreted unfaithfulnesse or disloyalty in him, which would have been accounted onely neglect or want of diligence in others. And the ingenious Reader may, if it please him, easilie observe, that of all Apostolical writings now extant, none have either lesse intimation of any Preheminencie or Supremacie, or more lively Characters of their Authours unfained humilitie, and lowly submission of himself unto the meanest of his fellow-Ministers, then Saint Peters: as if by them he would have testified his perpetual mindfulnesse of that former Offence, and strict charge of fidelitie, in feeding Christs flock thereupon enjoyned. The Elders (saith he) which are among you, I beseech, * 1.19 which am, what? the chief Apostle, an Ecclesiastick Monarch, Christs Vicar General, an elder of Elders? no: but also an Elder 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and a wit∣nesse of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glorie that shall be re vea∣led; Feed the flock of God, which dependeth upon you, caring for it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthie lucre, but of a ready mind; not as though ye were Lords over Gods heritage, but that ye may be examples to the flock. Yet for any to arrogate such Infallibility, or challenge such Authority, as he had, without perseverance in the like Fidelitie and Sinceritie, as Peter (requested upon the strictest termes of love unto his Lord and Master, in all likelihood would and) did use in feeding his flock; is such a mock of Christ and this his blessed Saint, as none but the Brood of Antichrist could ever have hatched. Yet inferiour to that, which accompanies the third pretended ground of Romish faith, Tues Petrus & super hanc Petram, Thou art Peter and upon this Peter (as they would have it) will I build my Church.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Our Saviours prayers for S. Peter did not bestow upon him any •…•…u∣menical Sove∣raign authori∣ty, absolutely infallible in such sence as the Romanists would make the Popes.
• * 1.2

  The Admirable Use of Peters Fall foreseen by the All-see∣ing Wisdom of God.
• ‖ 1.3

  Not in re∣spect of danger represented (which was but death) but of extraordina∣ry licence at that time gran∣ted to the power of dark∣nesse.
• * 1.4

  Statius lib 1. Theb. 98••.
• * 1.5

  •…•… usually manifested as great want of christian charity and resolution, as Peter did in that denial; or, as great igno∣rance in divine mysteries as Peters was, when our Saviour said unto him: get thee behind me Satan.
• * 1.6

  Gal 2. 7, 8, 9
• * 1.7

  S. Peters ex∣traordinary power and ef∣ficacy in con∣verting the circumcision.
• * 1.8

  Luke 22, 3••.
• † 1.9

  Acts 2. 14. unto the end of the chapter. Acts 3. 12. to the 13 verse of the 4. chapter.
• ‖ 1.10

  Acts 2. 20. Acts 3. 25.
• * 1.11

  S. Pauls extra∣ordinary power and efficacy in winning the Gentiles unto Christ.
• * 1.12

  Acts 2. 28.
• * 1.13

  See the like successe of his preaching. Acts 4. 4.
• * 1.14

  Who were the sheep Peter was principally appointed to feed, and what authority he had over them.
• * 1.15

  Jesus said unto them, come and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and none of are Disa••ples •…•… ask him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 art thou? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they knew he was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. John 21. 12.
• * 1.16

  Thus much it seems Peter did prophecy unaware John 1••. verse 37. but failed in application of the time. So our Saviour saith, Thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 afterward: as well in death as in life after death.
• * 1.17

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉.
• † 1.18

  Vide Bellar. de R••m Pont. lib. 1. cap. 16.
• * 1.19

  1 Pet. 5. vers. 1, 2, 3.