Propositions out of the xvij. and xviij. chapters of Exodus.
Necessarie.
[proposition 1] WArs are not forbidden vnto christians, so they be taken in hand for a iust cause, and by them which haue the right of the swoord.
[proposition 2] A magistrate is a publike power instituted by God, to helpe the good, and punish she euill, by distributing punishments and rewards, as the lawes doo appoint.
[proposition 3] Wars must not for this cause be made, that when victorie is gotten, the subiects should liue in idlenesse, or giue themselues to pleasures, but to aduance and restore religion and ciuill disci∣pline.
[proposition 4] In the making of wars, albeit that we are principallie to put our trust in God, yet are not the meanes and waies agréeable to the art of war to be contemned.
[proposition 5] They which do war in the campe for the saftie of the people, although of the whole people they must be assisted by praier, yet dooth this speciallie belong vnto the ministers of the church, whose duties of calling are not to fight with weapons but with praiers.
[proposition 6] Although there be a conuenient secret place for praiers, yet must not the holie assemblie of the church vnder that pretense be omitted: for the praiers be most effectuall which procéed from manie ioined togither.
[proposition 7] When God commandeth that victorie obtei∣ned should be written, euen so in like sort he commandeth that it should be read: euen as when he commandeth that the Gospell should be preached, he willeth that the same should be heard.
[proposition 8] It is lawfull not onelie to giue vnto GOD signes of reuerence, as to vncouer the head, to bow the bodie, and such like; but also to those men which excell in publike authoritie, holinesse, doctrine, or excellent gifts of God; reseruing ne∣uerthelesse a difference of the honours due to God and to men.
[proposition 9] It is no sound argument [to saie] it is law∣full to giue these signes of reuerence vnto noble men, therefore also vnto images & dead saints.
[proposition 10] They which contend in iudgement, ought so to settle their mind, as to inquire of iudges the will of God taken out of the lawes, and to rest therein when they heare the same.
[proposition 11] Iudges likewise, since they be ministers of lawes, should so behaue themselues, as though they were to giue answer concerning the will of God, and not according to their owne affec∣tions.
[proposition 12] The higher sort in the Church and Common∣weale do not alwaies sée the better things, wher∣of it commeth, that in more difficult causes men should also aske counsell of the meaner sort.
[proposition 13] Christian men ought not to neglect those pro∣fitable and sound things, which are taught of the Ethnike authors, since they procéed of the holie Ghost.
[proposition 14] It is not profitable for the Common-weale or the Church, that one by himselfe should take all offices vpon him.
Probable.
[proposition 1] AMaleck was the first enimie that came out against Israel, bicause he was of the poste∣ritie of Esau, and feared least the Israelites would chalenge to themselues the blessing of the first birth-right.
[proposition 2] Moses would praie vpon the mountaine, his hands being lifted vp with the rod, that he might be in the sight of the people, while they fought, and to be in the stead of an ensigne, at whose sight they might call to mind, how ma∣nie and great benefits they had before time ob∣teined by him and the ministerie of his rod, and so their faith to be made the stronger.
[proposition 3] Hands lifted vp were a signe of earnest praiers.
[proposition 4] The lifting vp of hands dooth well agrée with praiers, as who should saie the bodie is drawne thither; that is to wit, into heauen, whither the mind is carried: and by an outward signe is shewed, that we doo desire helpe of our father out of heauen.