The Colloquies of Erasmus Part 77

_An ENQUIRY CONCERNING FAITH._

The ARGUMENT.

_This Inquisition concerning Faith, comprehends the Sum and Substance of the Catholick Profession. He here introduces a_ Lutheran _that by the Means of the orthodox Faith, he may bring either Party to a Reconciliation.

Concerning Excommunication, and the Popes Thunderbolts.

And also that we ought to a.s.sociate ourselves with the Impious and Heretical, if we have any Hope of amending them._ Symbolum _is a military Word. A most divine and elegant Paraphrase upon the Apostles Creed._

AULUS, BARBATUS.

_AU._ _Salute freely_, is a Lesson for Children. But I can't tell whether I should bid you be well or no.

_Ba._ In Truth I had rather any one would make me well, than bid me be so. _Aulus_, Why do you say that?

_Au._ Why? Because if you have a Mind to know, you smell of Brimstone, or _Jupiter's_ Thunderbolt.

_Ba._ There are mischievous Deities, and there are harmless Thunderbolts, that differ much in their Original from those that are ominous. For I fancy you mean something about Excommunication.

_Au._ You're right.

_Ba._ I have indeed heard dreadful Thunders, but I never yet felt the Blow of the Thunderbolt.

_Au._ How so?

_Ba._ Because I have never the worse Stomach, nor my Sleep the less sound.

_Au._ But a Distemper is commonly so much the more dangerous, the less it is felt. But these brute Thunderbolts as you call 'em, strike the Mountains and the Seas.

_Ba._ They do strike 'em indeed, but with Strokes that have no effect upon 'em. There is a Sort of Lightning that proceeds from a Gla.s.s or a Vessel of Bra.s.s.

_Au._ Why, and that affrights too.

_Ba._ It may be so, but then none but Children are frighted at it. None but G.o.d has Thunderbolts that strike the Soul.

_Au._ But suppose G.o.d is in his Vicar.

_Ba._ I wish he were.

_Au._ A great many Folks admire, that you are not become blacker than a Coal before now.

_Ba._ Suppose I were so, then the Salvation of a lost Person were so much the more to be desired, if Men followed the Doctrine of the Gospel.

_Au._ It is to be wished indeed, but not to be spoken of.

_Ba._ Why so?

_Au._ That he that is smitten with the Thunderbolt may be ashamed and repent.

_Ba._ If G.o.d had done so by us, we had been all lost.

_Au._ Why so?

_Ba._ Because when we were Enemies to G.o.d, and Wors.h.i.+ppers of Idols, fighting under Satan's Banner, that is to say, every Way most accursed; then in an especial Manner he spake to us by his Son, and by his treating with us restored us to Life when we were dead.

_Au._ That thou say'st is indeed very true.

_Ba._ In Truth it would go very hard with all sick Persons, if the Physician should avoid speaking to 'em, whensoever any poor Wretch was seized with a grievous Distemper, for then he has most Occasion for the a.s.sistance of a Doctor.

_Au._ But I am afraid that you will sooner infect me with your Distemper than I shall cure you of it. It sometimes falls out that he that visits a sick Man is forced to be a Fighter instead of a Physician.

_Ba._ Indeed it sometimes happens so in bodily Distempers: But in the Diseases of the Mind you have an Antidote ready against every Contagion.

_Au._ What's that?

_Ba._ A strong Resolution not to be removed from the Opinion that has been fixed in you. But besides, what Need you fear to become a Fighter, where the Business is managed by Words?

_Au._ There is something in what you say, if there be any Hope of doing any good.

_Ba._ While there is Life there is Hope, and according to St. _Paul, Charity can't despair, because it hopes all Things_.

_Au._ You observe very well, and upon this Hope I may venture to discourse with you a little; and if you'll permit me, I'll be a Physician to you.

_Ba._ Do, with all my Heart.

_Au._ Inquisitive Persons are commonly hated, but yet Physicians are allowed to be inquisitive after every particular Thing.

_Ba._ Ask me any Thing that you have a Mind to ask me.

_Au._ I'll try. But you must promise me you'll answer me sincerely.

_Ba._ I'll promise you. But let me know what you'll ask me about.

_Au._ Concerning the Apostles Creed.

_Ba._ _Symbolum_ is indeed a military Word. I will be content to be look'd upon an Enemy to Christ, if I shall deceive you in this Matter.

_Au._ Dost thou believe in G.o.d the Father Almighty, who made the Heaven and Earth.

_Ba._ Yes, and whatsoever is contained in the Heaven and Earth, and the Angels also which are Spirits.

_Au._ When thou say'st G.o.d, what dost thou understand by it?

_Ba._ I understand a certain eternal Mind, which neither had Beginning nor shall have any End, than which nothing can be either greater, wiser, or better.

_Au._ Thou believest indeed like a good Christian.