Ekthesis pisteōs, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed delivered in several sermons by William Nicholson ...

1. Cloven tongues, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

The tongue was a Symbol of their Elocution, the partition of their en∣dowments. But in the division Interpreters divide. For some so divide them, that they give to every Apostle a several tongue: Others make the division to to be in that tongue that sate upon every several Apostle, to which our tran∣slation enclines, that reads cloven tongues, settling the cleft in the tongue.

Dispertitae. Ʋulg. Lat. Tremel. Beza, and the Graec. Schol. thus Pa∣phraseth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Oecum. Divisae. Henten. Aretius. Some dissectae, bicornes.

The meaning of the first, is, that no Apostle was past by, but every one had his share of the tongue, They were all fill'd; of which I shall speak, when I come to it. The intent of the last, that every Apostle had •• cleft in his tongue, with that tongue received many tongues, many languages, ma∣ny Gifts, the Holy Ghost dividing and destributing to ev••ry one as he will.

1. Now the first gift that this Tongue brought from heaven, was a Copy and variety of language. They before knew and spoke but one tongue only, and that not very well neither. But now on a sudden they spake all Languages and all Dialects. A strange thing to hear an ignorant Galilaean, an illetter'd Fisherman speak Arabick, Persian, Greek, Latine, what tongue you

would; one of which a man ordinarily cannot attain to, without much indu∣stry and practice. These Galilaeans more mute than the fishes they were wont to take, became in an instant so ready, that they enclosed some of all Nati∣ons in their Net. Blessed then be the majesty and wisdome of the Almighty, that hath turn'd that into a blessing, which was at first a Curse. For the divi∣sion of tongues hindred, when time was, the building of the Tower; but the ability to speak these divers languages, hath raised, and doth yet help forward the Walls of the heavenly Hierusalem. So that by this gift here is a plain re∣versing of the Curse at Babel.

2. Then again observe, that though they all spake divers languages, yet they spake all one thing. They set forth the wonderful works of God; be••t in what tongue you will, yet the matter is still one and the same. Had you but heard the Apostles language before the descent of this Spirit, you might have heard them speaking low and earthly things, of the bread they had for∣got to take, of the principality, and chief seat, inquiring about a tempo∣ral Kingdome; and no marvel; for when a man is a child, he speaks as a child. But they were now become men, they speak as becomes men, of great and high mysteries: Of this effusion, of the death and passion of Christ, of his glorious Resurrection, of his Exaltation and Ascension, of his Divinity, Power, Majesty, and of his Goodness in sending down these tongues. For this is the summe of the following discourse of St. Peter; which is managed with so great order, depth of reason, prudence, sagacity, that you cannot say that was Peter the Galilaean, Peter the fisherman, or Peter the illiterate that spake, but Peter that was Taught by a Tongue from Heaven.

Could we finde the like either for power, matter, or elocution in the Tongues that are let loose at this day, we would no more object to them their shops, than we do unto the Apostles their Boats. But when these piti∣ful Praters, who pretend to a tongue from above, are so farre from any such gift, that they are scarce Masters of their own Mother tongue: When in∣stead of setting forth Magnalia Dei, the great Truths of the Gospel, they sow vanity and visions of their own heart; counterfeit and cropt opinions, for full weight of Christian Doctrines: easie it is to guess what spirit moves these tongues. That, out of doubt, from below; and not this that descended upon the Apostles from above.

3. But I return into my way, from which these Pharisees (for Scribes they are not) made me turn a little. Grant that the whole earth had been, as it was at first, of one language; yet hard it had been to meet with men of the same temper and disposition. This diversity of gifts in these divided tongues is apt to meet with such diversity, to vary their words, as they finde men vary, to become all things to all men to win some.

Some men are rough stones, and these need be hewed by the Prophets; others are soft and tender-hearted, and for these the tongue of Nestor, and the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of Demosthenes is fittest. There be precious stones also, and these must be polished to the best advantage by the tongue of love: Others lie bedded in the Quarre, and these must be raised from thence with the tongue of fear. For all the services God hath his several tongues. His Boanerges, sons of Thunder;

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Yea, and his Barnabasses also, or his sons of consolation, that know not how to break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoaking flax. A Paul we••••

skill'd in both, either to come with a Rod, or to speak in the Spirit of meekness.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Let Orpheus stand aside, and unstring his Harp; for we have celestial tongues abler to draw stones and beasts to this building, than his warbling and prating Instrument. For these Apostolical tongues were become like some excellent Instrument of mu∣sick, which being entuned from heaven, was enabled to express any Lesson. The plain song was alwayes the same, Jesus Christ and him crucified; but the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Cliff, Tune, and Time was varied according to the disposi∣tion of the Auditory. Una erat in omnibus lingua, & mille linguae, One tongue in all, and yet a thousand tongues, all sounding one thing, but still in harmony and consort.

Chromatick musick is not for all ears; nor the same tongue fit to speak to all hearts; Doctrine and Reproof are fit for some times; Correction and Instruction at others; and a tongue enabled seasonably to use all these, is fittest to make the man of God perfect. And thus the Apostles were furnish∣ed; they knew when to teach, whom to rebuke, where to correct, and whom to instruct. Though they were as simple as Doves, yet they were as wise as Serpents, which hath, as it is reported, Linguam dissectam, a parted tongue.

It cannot be denyed, but some of their Successors have made use only of the Serpents fork. The simplicity of the Dove they cast by; and double their tongue, not to the edification, as it was intended, but to the rending and di∣viding of Christs Church. I mean the two Incendiaries of Christendom, the Jesuite, and the Sectary. Their tongues indeed are smooth as Oyle, their songs, as they would make you believe, are the songs of Zion. But while by the Crotchets and Quavers of their own curious braines, they have des∣canted too farre on the ground, the Church-musick is by them quite marred. Notae nimium denigrantur, Their Notes are over-black: A fault generally ob∣serv'd in all Italian musicians.

On all sides we use our tongues too much, and practice too little; sure I am, it had been for the advancement of Christianity, if that Sun which rose had also set upon most Questions, and that they never had came to the School∣mens File, and the Canonists Anvile. But since their tongues have blown up the Coals of dissension, let us use our best endeavour to cover and take up the fire. Though this tongue that came from heaven hath given us liberty to speak 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to present his truth in our own vessel, must we, as if our tongues were our own, run-ryot, and brings forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quite and clean an∣other thing? This is to use the Cleft in the tongue to a very ill pur∣pose.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, another thing? why in Religion, who dares do that? Who? He that means to be some body. Who had ever read of Demetrius with his sil∣ver-Smiths, had he not made a Party? Herostratus might have dyed as he was born, an obscured fellow, had he not set Diana's Temple in a light flame: Primiamus as St. Augustine was wont to jest, might have been Postremianus, come in the ••ere, had be not been the Head of a Faction. This is one reason, and a chief one too, That so long as there be cloven tongues, we shall not want Divisions and Schisms.

Quod si dolosi spes refulserit nummi, Corvos poetas & poetridas picas Cantore credas 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 melos.

For Chrysippus-like (such is the power of Gold) can men but meet

with opin••ons, they will never want Arguments to defend them. And this motive makes tongues move apace at this day. But I say no more of it, lest mine be slit. Another there is, which more strongly prevails with them, (whether they themselves that press it believe it, I much doubt, however they pretend it, and stand much upon it) they are all great pretenders to the Holy Ghost, all spiritual, all gifted men; A word they have receiv'd in their heart, and it is become as a burning fire shut up in their bones, this makes them weary of forbearing, and they cannot stay. But as they abuse the cleft in the tongue, so also they do the fire too; which indeed is but a Meteor: A hot and dry exhalation, gross and foeculent: Heated with in∣discreet zeale, dry and jejune, as appears in the effects: Gross and bitu∣minous, it so soon catcheth, and smells so strong. That which fell upon the Apostles, was of another nature, as I shall now make it evident. And so at unawares I am faln upon the other property of these tongues, They were fiery. There appeared unto them Cloven Tongues

Notes

• Aret. in loc.
• 1 Cor 12 11.
• Mat. 26.73.
• Chrys.
• Gen. 11.7.
• Mat. 16.7. Luk. 22.23. Act. 1.6. 1 Cor. 13.11.
• Hos. 8.7.
• Gen. 11.1.
• 1 Cor. 9.19.
• Hos. 6.5.
• Joan. Euchait.
• Act. 4.36. Mat. 12.20.
• 1 Cor. 4.21.
• Nazian. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 1 Cor. 2.2.
• 2 Tim. 3.16.
• Mat. 10.16.
• Psa. 55.21. Psa. 137.3.
• Acts 19.24.
• Pers.
• Diog. Laert.
• Jer. 20.9.