Luthers Alcoran being a treatise first written in French by the learned Cardinall Peron, of famous memory, against the Hugenots of France, and translated into English by N.N.P. : the page following sheweth the particular contents of the booke, which consisteth of symbolismes, parallells, identities.

The 13. Parallel, Whether Mahumetisme, or Lutheranisme do more depresse, and visify Vertue, and good Works? CHAP. XIV.

AS we haue ballanced the Senten∣ces of Mabuinet, and Luther, tou∣ching the extenuation and lesse∣ning of Sinne; So in this place we will take into our consideration, whether Mahumet, or Luther with his Par••eners do more depresse and vility Good Works, as in no sort conducing to Mans Saluation. And first we find, that Mahumet thus teacheth in his Alcoran, as aboue is alledged: Omnis (1) rectè viuens boni{que} gestor, indubitanter diuinum amorem consequentur Euery man liuing well, and doing Good, shall doubtlesly obtaine the diuine loue; then consequētly his owne Saluation.

Thus in this Azoara Mahumet seemes to exact two things to be performed for the gayning of Heauen. One, that a Man shold liue well, and commit no sinne; The other, that he should do good, and practize works of Piety, which is signified in those former Words: Bom{que} gestor. The first Point we haue briefly examined touching Mahumet, and Luther. Now to the second. Let vs see, how

litle Luther and his Sect regard Good Works, and the practice or exercise of them, & ••ow with all contempt in their writings they tread the worth of them vnder their feete.

To come then first to Luther himselfe: He thus teacheth: It(2) is wickednes to mai•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉; that Fayth not beautified with good Works, doth not iustify. And further Luther thus auerreth: ••ides,(3) nisi sit &c Excop•• fayth be without good Works, it doth not iustify; nay it is hot Fayth. So he. And Illyricus, Luthers Scholler, thus treadeth his Maysters steps: It is(4) a Papisti∣call Errour to say, That good Works are m••any respect necessary to Saluation Conradus Schlus∣selburg (so often aboue alledged) writeth. That Good(5) Workes are not necessary to Sal∣uation, only necessitate praesentiae. Finally to contract this point Amsdorphius (a remarka∣ble Nouellist) was not ashamed to write a booke bearing this Title: Quòd bona opera per∣niciosa suns ad salut••••; That good Works are p••••∣nicious, or hurtfull to Saluation.

Thus far now hereof. And here Idem and of you (My Countrimen, Whether you thinke Mahumet) or Luther was more precipitious▪ and headlong in extenuating of sinne and dis••••lowing of pious, and good Works? If you say that Luther and his Party were in∣seriour to Mahumet herein; then I will you to shew, where in the Alcoran, or in any bookes written of the Religion of Mahumet and the Turks, you can find such virulent sayings for the lessning of fin••e, & depres∣sing of good Worker, as here from 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

and his Schollers I haue produced?

Thus to conclude: According to these Mens Principles, the Fayth of our Nouel∣list•• in respect of Good Workes, may be fitly compared to Mare mortuum, which neuer bringeth forth any thing with lyfe. And so commonly the Soule of such a Man may be termed, Paralytisks, seing it doth not per∣forme the faculty, and operations of a good Christian Soule.

Notes

• (2)

  Luther, vpon the Ga∣lathi••us
• (3)

  Luther, com 1 Pro∣pos. 3.
• (4)

  Illyricus in praefat. ad Romanos.
• (5)

  In Cata∣log. Haretici in Epist. Do∣dic••t.