Obj. 1. No body can give what he has not But wicked Ministers have not Grace and Forgiveness of Sins and therefore they canâ—t effectually administer the Sacraments whereby they are obtained Answ. A minister does not give Heavâ—y Gifts effectually as the principal efficient Cause but as the instrumental one Now the Effect ought not to be like the Instrument but the first Cause Besides he does not properly give the same Gifts but only the external Signs of them Hence God is said tâ— circumcise tâ—e Heart Deut. 3. 6. And Christ bâ—ptized with the Holy Gâ—st but Joâ—n with Water Mat. 3. 11. Obj. 2. God said to â—e Wicked or Ungodly Mâ—n What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy Mouth seeing thâ—n hatest Instruction and casâ—est my Words behind thee Psal. 50 16 17 And since God would not have wicked Mâ—n administer Holy Things methinks 〈◊〉 Ministry sâ—uld be unprofitable Answ. This 50th Psalm does not speak peculiarly of Ministers but of the People of the Jews whom God chastised because they had his Law always in their Mouths and were very frequent in their Sacrifices and yet lead wicked Lives and this sort of Worship it is that is there spoken against But if the Place be applied to Ministers it may be said that the Ministry of one that leads a wicked Life is not acceptable to God in respect to the Person that administers but yet it may be efficacious and profitable in respect to the Hearers Obj. 3. A Man that is overtaken in a Fault is to be resâ—ored by the Spirit of Meekness Gal. 6. 1. Much more then ought a Minister in respect to his Person therefore he ought not to be chastised and deposed Answ. Wicked Ministers are to be often warned but if they will not at all obey these Admonitions they may and ought then to be deposed ART XXVII Of Baptism BAptism is not only a Sign of Profession and Mark of Difference whereby Christian Men are discerned from others that be not Christened but it is also a Sign of Regeneration or New Birth whereby as by an Instrument they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church The Promises oâ— the Forgiveness of Sin and of our Adoption to be the Sons of God by the Holy Ghost are visibly signed and sealedâ— Faith is confirmed and Grace encreased by Vertue of Prayer unto God The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the Institution of Christ. Obj. 1. God confers Grace whereby Men are grafted into the Church and there were some that were Members of the Church before their Baptism namely The Treasurer to Queen Candace Acts 8. Cornelins the Centurien Acts 10. 〈◊〉 even by their good Works shewed that tâ—ey were regenerate and for this Reason Baptism is not the only Sign of Regeneration nor is it oâ—ing solely to that that Men are grafted into the Church Answ. Although God be the principal Cause of Salvation yet this does not hinder but that Baptism may be the Means that God may make use of in bestowing Salvation And then Baptism in Infants is their first Entrance into the Church though it be not so in Persons grown up as in the Examples that are alledged But yeâ— Baptism is not without its Benefit even in Persons grown up inasmuch as it confirms their Faith It is true Good Works did testifie that there were many Believers but they did not so 〈◊〉 do it as publick Baptism in the Church Obj. 2. The Promises of God are most sure in themselves and do not need any Confirmation by the Sacraments Answ. The Promises of God are indeed most sure in themselves but in respect to us they do want Confirmation Obj. 3. It is the Holy Ghost that fixes in our Minds the Certainty of the Divine Promises Answ. The Holy Ghost gives us Assurance but it is by the Mediation of the Word and Sacraments Obj 4. The Faith of the Gospel which is preached to us does exclude all manner of doubtting and therefore does not need any Confirmation by the Sacraments Answ. The Faith which we preach does exclude all doubt in respect of the Object but not in respect of the Subject We know that Christ is Omnipotent and Faithful although we our selves be weak We know that a weak Faith may be true but yet that which is less liable to doubting is more perfect And then we cannot doubt that Men by Baptism and other Means may still obtain a greater measure of Faith Obj. 5. Infants are not to be baptized because Christ commands us first to teach and then baptize Mat. 28. 19. But Infants cannot be taught Ans. That place is to be understood of such Persons as are grown up that are capable of Learning and noâ— of Infants Besides the Word in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does not properly signifie to teach but to make Disciples and this may be spoken of Infants The Children of the Jews were without any appointment circumcised and the same Reason holds for baptizing Christian Infants Obj 6. Tâ—se who believe not are to be with-held from Baptism but Infants do not believe because they have no Knowledge of Good or Evil Deut. 1. 39. Answ. All these places relate to Persons grown up And then besides the Faith of Parents is thoughâ— sufficient for their Children why may not the Faith of another as well be sufficient to them as the Sin of another be imputed to them ART XXVIII Of the Lord's Supper THE Supper of the Lord is not only a Sign of the Love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another But rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's Death Insomuch that to such as rightly worthily and wiâ—h Faith receive the same the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ And likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partakâ— of the Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation â—r â—he Change of the Substance of Bread and Wâ—e in the Supper of the Lord cannot bâ— proved by Holy Writ but it is râ—pugnant to the plain Words of Scripture â—verthroweth the Nature of a Sacrament and has given occasion to many Superstitions The Body of Christ is given taken and eaten in the Supper only after a Heavenly and Spiritual manner And the Mean whereby the Body of Christ iâ— received and eaten in the Supper is Faith The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's Ordinance reserved carryed about liâ—ted up or worshipped Obj. 1. Transubstantiation is fâ—unded on the very Woâ—ds of the Institution Mat. 26. 26. and these must signifie a true câ—ange of the Bread and Wine Answ. In the Holy Supper there is not a Substantial but a Sacramental Change Obj. 2. The same thing which was exhibited by Christ to his Disciples to be eaten and drank was given and sâ—ed for us for the Remissiâ—n of our Sins But iâ— was
not Bread but the Body of Christ which was given It was noâ— Wine but the Blood of Christ which was shed and therefore the true Body and the true Blood of Christ was exhibited which could not be without a Substantial Change of the Bread into his Body and of the Wine into his Blood Answ. It is called the true Body and true Blood of Christ but only secondarily and represented as such So we say of Caesar's Picture This is Caesar that overcame Pompey Obj. 3. The Words of the Institution are to be understood in their proper Sense because they are the Words of a Will or Testament and Christ uttered them when he was about to die to his illiterate Disciples Answ. The Words of a Will may be clear though figurative Every Trope is not obscure it is sometimes the Light and Beauty of Speech We mâ—et with this Figure also Lâ—k 22. 20. where the Cup is called the New Tâ—ment And then the Ignorance of the Dâ—sciples ought not to hinder a câ—mmon way of speaking in all Sacraments because something they must signifie to us Obj. 4. Christ is Omnipotent and therefore his Body may be 〈◊〉 in the Eucâ—st under the Species of 〈◊〉 â—nd Wine Answ. We must not argue from what may bâ— to what is We are not inquiring what Christ can do but what he will do Christ can do all things which do not imply a Contradiction but it is a Contradiction to â—ay that one and the same Body should be both in Heaven and in the Sacrament at the same time Obj. 5. The Ancients kept and laid up the Sacramental Elements Answ. We do not inquire what the Ancients did but what Christ and his Apostles did The Ancients perhaps kept up the Sacrament for the Communion of sick Men that were absent and not for Adoration Obj. 6. The Body and Blood of Christ are corporeally in the Sacrament otherwise the thing figured viz. The Supper would not be better than the Figures themselves viz. the Paschal Lamb the Manna and the Blood whereon the Old Testament was established all which were bodily exhibited Answ. The Paschal Lamb and the Manna were chiefly the Figures of Christ who is the thing signified in the Supper and not of the Supper it self Obj. The Eucharist is to be religiously carried about in publick Processions because the Aâ—k of the Covenant which was the Type of this was so câ—rryed about 2 Sam. 6. 8. Answ. There was a Command or Permission for the carrying about or transferring of the Ark which also was hoâ—oured with a Civil but not adored with a Divine Worth p. There is nothing there like the Pompous and Idolatrous Elevation of the Host. Obj. 8. Wâ—ve the 〈◊〉 of some Fathers for the Elevâ—tion of the Host. Answ. It is not materâ—l what some Fathers and especially the more Modern have done but we are to mind what our Lord did and said Obj. 9. The Body and Blood of Christ are to be adoâ—ed Now the Euchaâ—ist consists of the Body and Blood of Christ and for that reason it is to be Wâ—shiped Answ. The Body and Blood of Christ are without doubt to be woâ—staped provided they were joined in the Eucharist with the Godhead But that is begging the Question ART XXIX Of the Wicked which eat not the Body of Christ in the Use of the Lord's â—upper THE Wicked and such as be void of a lively Faith altho' they do carnally and visibly press with their Teeth as St. Augustin says the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ yet in no wise are they Partakers of Christ but rather to thâ—r Condemnation do eat and drink the Sign or Sacrament of so great a Thing Obj. 1. The Intireness of a Sacrament does not depend upon the Faith of the Receiver but upon the Authority of the Institution and therefore by the Incredulity of the Man it cannot be changed or made vâ—id Answ. The Intireness of a Sacrament taken in its largest Sense does depend upon Both. Obj. 2. Judas eat the Bâ—y of the Lord and drank his Blood And St. Mark witness◠〈◊〉 that they all dâ—ank of the Consâ—crated Cup Mark 14. 23. And then St. Luke writes that after Supper Christ uttered these words Behold the Hand of hâ—n that betrayeth me is with me on the Table Luke 22. 21. Answ. Some deny that Judas was present at the Holy Supper much less that he did partake of it However it be if he was present he received only the Sign and the Bread of the Lord as other Hypocrites do and not the thing signified i. e. the Spiritual Bread and Body of Christ. Obj. 3. St. Paul teaches us 1 Cor. 11. 27. That the Unworthy are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ as if they had received them tho' irreligiously Answ. The Apostle tells us that the Ungodly become guilty of the Body of Christ not that they do truly receive it but because they do not discern i. e. not considering the Dignity of the Meat they come to this Table without Reverence or Fear ART XXX Of Both Kinds THE Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the â—ay-People for both the Parts of the Lord's Sacrament by Christ's Ordinance and Commandment ought to be ministred to all Christian Men alike Obj. 1. There is no Precept which obliges Mâ—n to both Parâ—s of the Sacrament Christ only told his Disciples Take Eat Drink Answ. There is a Precept in the Institution of Christ that does oblige â—ay-Men altho' it is not expressed yet 't is impâ—ed And that by the Apostle 1 Cor. 11. 26. and 〈◊〉 28. his meaning is explained and cleared for what Christ told hâ—s Disciples that must be meant by the Apostle of the whole Church and is injoyaed to the whole Assembly of the Corinthians Obj. 2. Christ himself proves in words the use of only one Species where he promises eternal Life to them that eat his Flesh making no mention at all of drinking Answ. The Sixth of John treats properly of a Spiritual Eating and the mentioning of Bread alone was done with relation to the Manna which the Jews boasted of as if it were Bread from Heaven ver 31. In the same Chapter and in explaining the same thing Flesh and Blood are joyned together four times by our Lord as the necessary Meat and drink ver 53 54 55 56. Obj. 3. Christ by what he did himself approves of the Use of only one Species Luke 24. 30. For there he gave the Sacrament to Two Disciples at Emaus under the single Species of Bread Answ. Either St. Luke there speaks of an ordinary Supper and not of the Sacrament of the Eucharist or else Bread by a Synecdoche is taken for the whole Repast Obj. 4. Those that can drink no Wine must be excluded from the Sacrament and those People likewise who have no Wine if the Communion may not be performed under one Species Answ. Particular Cases do not affect an universal Rule such therefore
and Mother in respect to different Natures not simply so For he was without Father in respect of his Humane Nature and in respect of his Divine without Mother Obj. 7 God was not angry with Mâ—nkind but abundantly loved it and therefore out of meer Charity sent his Son for which Reason there was no necessity that the Father should be reconciled to us Answ. God was certainly angry with us although he sent his Son He loved us as Creatures and hated us as Transgressors God's Wrath excludes the special and particular though not that general Love of God wherewith as such he loves his Creatures ART III. Of the going down of Christ into Hell AS Christ died for us and was buried so also it is to be believed that he went down into Hell Obj. 1. The Evangelists that have mentioned the most minute Circumstances in the History of Christ do not speak one Word of this Descent into Hell Answ. The Evangelists desired only to relate those things of Christ whereof either they themselves were Eye-witnesses or else had it from others that were so but no Mortal could see Christ descend Obj. 2. Christ did not go down into Hell in his Deity which is every where nor in his Body which was laid in a Sepulcher nor in his Soul which was in Paradise Luke 23. 43. Answ. The Soul of Christ might be upon one and the same Day in Hell and in Paradise For why may we not say that Christ after his Death and the Union of his Soul and Body restored might in a Moment descend into Hell and in a Moment return from thence We ought to believe many things the Manner and Circumstances whereof we are not able to define Obj. 3. Christ did not descend that he might shew his Victory because his Resuâ—rection was but the beginning of his Triumph nor that he might further suffer because he said upon the â—ss It is finished nor finally that he might free the Fathers from Limbo since Limbo is a meer Tale. Answ. * The Opinion â—f Bishop Peaâ—on and other emment Men of our Church in this Matter seems to be safer and lâ—ss liable to Exceptions That by Heâ— or Hades is meant rather â—he Place and State of the Dead after the Separation of Soul and Body when Christ as to his Humanity was willing to be detained â—ill his Resurâ— His Resurrection was the beginning of his Triumph manifested to us but perhaps not absolutely so for his Descent into the Lower Parts mentioned Epâ— 4. 9. was before his Resurrection And this Place seems very strongly to prove the real Descent of Christ into Hell Nor by our Adversaries Confession is there any Impiety in this Opinion if it be said that Christ went to manifest his Victory to the infernal Spirits and then presently enter'd into Paradise as he promis'd the Thief Obj. 4. It did not become Christ to honour those with his Presence who had been unworthy of his Favour and were eternally damned Ans. It did become Christ and for the Demonstration of his Justice and Glory it was fitting that he should present himself a Conqueror to infernal Spirits that he might bring a Terror upon the Devils and reproach the damned with their Folly and Wickedness However it be let us believe that Christ went down into Hell although we are not fully and plainly satisfied of the Sense and Manner of it ART IV. Of the Resurrection of Christ. CHRIST did truly rise again from Death and took again his Body with Flesh Bones and all things appertaining to the Perfection of Man's Nature wherewith he ascended into Heaven and there sits until he return to judge all Men at the last Day Yet it should seem that Christ could not raise himself from the Dead For Obj. 1. It appears very unaccountable that any one should die and yet raise himself to Life again Answ. It is indeed very unaccountable that mere Man should rise again by his own Power but Christ is God as well as Man Obj. 2. The Scriptures generally ascribe the Resurrection of Christ to God the Father as Rom. 6. 4. Answ. His Resurrection is indeed ascribed to the Father but not to him alone It is attributed to both because of the perfect Unity of their Essence Whatsoever the Father does that does the Son do likewise Obj. 3. 'T is objected That Bodies after Resurrection are not Flesh and Bones but of a Spiritual Nature 1 Cor. 15. 44. how could Christ then reassume his Body with Flesh and Bones Answ. Bodies after their Resurrection are said to be Spiritual not as to their Substance and Essence but as to their Qualities and Endowments they will be like to Spirits immortal and wanting neither Meat nor Drink Obj. 4. Bodies of Flesh are not immortal because as the Praphet Esa. 4. 6. says All Flesh is Grass Ans. All Flesh of pure Man is corruptible and as Grass but the Flesh of Christ is not such The Prophet there speaks of the common and ordinary Condition of Mortals and not of a most glorious Saviour who is very God Obj. 5. The Apostle tells us 1 Cor. 15. 50. That Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God how then could Christ with both these ascend up into Heaven Answ. The Apostle speaks of Man as corrupted and not washed from his Sins by Christ or else of Flesh not yet freed from Corruption That such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God for the Body cannot enter into Heaven till it be freed from Corruption Obj. 6. Christ will not forsake us even to the last Judgment for he told his Disciples Mat. 28. 20. Lo I am with you even to the end of the World And in the way to Damascus he appeared to St. Paul Acts 9. 17. And again in the Castle he stood by him in the Night Acts 23. 11. Answ. Christ speaks of a Spiritual Presence by his Grace and not of a Bodily one by Nature And then what if Christ did promise his Disciples that he would be with them by a Substantial Presence if need so required We are not to fix Christ so to the Heavens as if he could not appear upon Earth as perhaps in an extraordinary manner he did appear to St. Paul although many understand that place of a mental Vision However Heaven is the ordinary place of his Residence Obj. 7. It is apparent that Christ will not judge all Men for he that believes shall not come into Judgment John 5. 24. The Prince of this World the Devil is already judged John 16. 11. And also he that believes not John 3. 18. is condemned already Answ. He that believeth shall not come into the Judgment of Condemnation but of Absolution But the Devils and all Infidels are already judged in God's Decree or in his revealed Word or by their own Consciences which is the beginning of their Punishment but hereafter they will be condemned accordding to the Revelation and Manifestation of Judgment already made to
not because many Books are lost as the Writings of Nathan and Gad with others 1 Chron. 29. 29. as also the Epistle of St. Paul to the Laodiceans Col. 4. 16. Answ. The single Books have an essential Perfection because they have the Matter and Form of the Word of God the whole Canon has a proportionate one The one has the perfection of the part the other of the whole But we have all the Books that are Canonical those Books that are lost were Historical Narrations and some others too that were not Canonical Obj. 6. All that Christ said and did are not comprehended in the Scriptures Answ. All that Christ did and said necessary for our Salvation are in the Scriptures Obj. 7. St. Paul bids us 2 Thess. 2 15. to hold or keep the Traditions Answ. Either the Apostle there speaks of those free and indifferent Constitutions that concern the Government of the Church or concerning the Doctrine which he himself in Person had preached to them and then even that was contained in his Writings and other Canonical Books for Tradition is wont to be taken in that Sense Now he had delivered nothing contrary to the Scriptures as some others had done Obj. 8. But besides Those Books which we call Apocrypha should seem to be truly Canonical because not only many Councils but many Fathers have called and accounted them Canonical Answ. We are to give credit to Councils as far as they follow the guidance of Scripture and no further and if at any time General Councils call these Books Canonical this is only in a comprehensive Sense and has no other meaning but that they were wont to be read in the Church for the edâ—fication of the People not that they had the same assurance of them as of those that are truly Canonical because these were never received into the Hebrew Canon and from hence they were called Deutero-Canonici or Canonical in a second Form And then as to some of the Fathers that they called them Canonical that will not prove them such Neither is it very likely that the more Ingenuous of them would call them so unless in the foregoing Sense Obj. 9. The Church is wont to cite many things from thence Answ. The Apostles cited some things from the Writings of the Heathens but we must not gather from thence that their Writings are Canonical Obj. 10. There are many things in the Books of the Apocrypha which migâ—ly encourage Faith and Piety There you have â—ittle Morals Oecâ—mics and Pâ—liticks in short a Compendium of Scripture Answ. All the Books that contain good Precepts are not Canonical ART VII Of the Old Testament THE Old Testament is not contrary to the New for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting Life is offered to Mankind by Christ who is the only Mediator between God and Man being both God and Man Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the Old Fathers did look only for transitory Promises Altho' the Law given from God by Moses as touching Ceremonies and Rites do not bind Christian Men nor the Civil Precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any Commonwealth yet notwithstanding no Christian Man whatsoever is free from the Obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral Against the aforesaid Article it is Objected Obj. 1. That in the Old Testament things were obscure but in the New they are clear In the Old Christ was shadowed out under Ceremonies in the New himself is present from whence may be inferred an Opposition between the Two Testaments Answ. There may be inferred some difference between the Old and the New Testament in respect to the manner of Administration to the clearness and circumstances of Things but no contrariety in respect to the Substance Obj. 2. Christ as a Man had not yet suffered and for that reason Grace thro' him was not yet offered Answ. Grace was effectually offered thro' Christ that was to come Obj 3. The Mystery of the Incarnation was unknown to the Sons of Men Eph. 3. 5. Answ. It was unknown to the Gentiles before their Conversion Or This Mystery was unknown to the Fathers i. e. It was not so plainly and distinctly known as now it is as you have it in that Text. Obj. 4. The ancient Church was in its Infancy and its Knowledge was accordingly Gal. 4. 3 So in bodily things it could not discern Spiritual ones Answ. The ancient Church is called childish not because it knew nothing of Christ but because its Knowledge was very weak in respect of the Church of the New Testament which saw those things brought to pass which were before prophesied of Obj. 5. Christ was the Mediator of a better Covenant because it was established by better Promises Heb. 8. 6. Answ. Christ is the Mediator of a better Covenant than that of Moses for that promised only Blessing upon condition they kept the Law But the ancient Covenant that was freely made with the Patriarchs has the same Promises with the New Testament in which Life is promised by Faith Obj. 6. Circumcision is called an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17. 13. The Passover is called an everlasting Worship and the whole Levitical Service is called an eternal Precept a perpetual Ordinance and therefore it does bind all Christians Exod. 12. 14. Answ. The Levitical Ordinances are called everlasting i. e. so long as the Old Law should last so that such a duration is spoken of as the nature of the thing will bear And the Word Olam in the Original signifies an Age or long time but does not always denote an absolute Eternity Obj. 7. The Law of not cating Blood does bind Christians Acts 15. 29. Answ. The eating of Blood was forbidden to the Gentiles not for ever but for a time to avoid giving Offence to the weak Jews who were not yet fully confirmed in the Faith of Christ and did still believe that this Ordinance was not quite abolished But then you 'll say that abstaining from Blood and Fornication are both joyned together in the Apostle's Edict Acts 15. 29. therefore by the same necessity that Christians are obliged to abstain from Fornication by the same likewise are they bound as to the eating of Blood I answer that the eating of Blood and Fornication were joyned together by the Apostles not that they really were but only were accounted equal For by most Heathens Fornication was accounted no Sin and Christians began to be wondred at by the Gentiles that they were so much in love with Chastity Neither is it any new thing in the Law of Moses to have moral judicial and ceremonial Precepts mix'd together Obj. 8. None can make wiser Laws than God Now the civil Precepts of the Law Of not defrauding the Hirelings of care for the Poor and several others do highly oblige every Christian. Answ. 'T is true no body makes Laws wiser than God but among the Laws which He has made some are only proper for the
Harvest which is to be understood of the Good and the Bad Therefore the Wicked ought not to be Excommunicated Answ. Christ speaks there concerning Hypocrites that cannot be discerned from those that are sincerely Good Or else he is distinguishing the Duty of Ministers from that of a Magistrate Let them grow i. e. do not kill them Obj. 2. In the Old Testament God commanded that All should keep the Passâ—ver Num 〈◊〉 10. Answ. God commanded all that werâ— Mâ—mbers of his People to keep the Passover Exod. 12. 43. Thâ— was a Câ—mand 〈◊〉 the Presumpâ—ous th◠〈◊〉 should be 〈◊〉 off from among his Peop◠〈◊〉 15. 30. and those thâ— werâ— desiled wâ— kept back Nu. 9. 6. Now under the Cereâ—l Uncleanness the Moral was typified and sigured Obj. 3. John Baptized a Generation of Vipers Luke 3. 7. Answ. Altho' they were a Generation of Vipers whom John Baptized yet they were no longer Vipers when they were once Baptized at least not so in Profession Obj. 4. It seems not to be in the Power of Men to exclude any One from the Kingdom of God and to thrust Others down to Hell Answ. The Church condemns no Man but agrees with and executes the Judgment of God by declaring it according to express Command and it delivers Men over to Satan not by its own Authority but in the Name of Christ 1 Cor. 5. 4. Obj. 5. St. Paul says of him that would by no means obey his Word that such an one should be esteemed not as an Enemy but admonished as a Brother 2 Thess. 3. 14. 15. Whereas a Brother is not to be look'd upon as a Heathen or a Publican Answ. The Excommunicated are called Brethren partly by Profession and because they were Brethren 1 Cor. 5. 11. partly by Hope because upon Repentance he may become a Brother again and partly by Love and a Desire and Study to save him which ought to be the End of Excommunication Besides the Apostle did not say Account him as a Brother but admonish him as such ART XXXIV Of the Traditions of the Church IT is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one or utterly like for at all times they have been divers and may be changed according to the Diversity of Countries Times and Mens Manners so that nothing be Ordained against God's Word Whosoever thro' his private Judgment willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church which be not repugnant to the Word of God and be ordained and approved by common Authority ought to be rebuked openly that others may fear to do the like as he that offendeth against the common Order of the Church and hurteth the Authority of the Magistrate and woundeth the Consciences of the weak Brethren Every particular or National Church hath Authority to Ordain change and abolish Ceremonies or Rites of the Church ordained only by Man's Authority so that all things be done to Edifying Obj. 1. Christians ought to walk according to the same Rule and to have the highest Agreement amongst themselves as may be gathered from Gal. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 8. and therefore the same Ceremonies are alike necessary in all places Answ. The variety of Ceremonies does not destroy the Unity of the Church provided the Faithful do but walk according to the same Rule of Doctrine Obj. 2. Christ has said Reprove a Sinner betwixt him and thy self alone Mat. 18. 15. therefore he is not publickly to be reproved by any One Answ. This Place treats of the Duty of private Men for private Offences committed against private Persons and not of the Duty of Pastors in reproving scandalous and notorious Sins publickly committed Such as these must be publickly reproved Obj. 3. The Apostle advises Titus to avoid Strifes and Contentions Chap. 3. 9. and therefore they are not to be reproved who oppose the Traditions of the Church Answ. Unprofitable Disputations and noisy Talk without Edification are to be avoided because such vain Contentions do not convert the Froward and Obstinate but rather confirm them in their Errors In the mean time Ministers may reprove Gainsayers with much Prudence Patience and Sobriety and all this be done to the Good and Profit of others Obj. 4. The same Apostles commanded the Thessalonians to hold the Traditions 2 Thess. 2. 15. And therefore that Church had not Authority to change or disannul the Traditions of it Answ. The Traditions which the Apostle speaks of were either Doctrinal and such as were already set down in the Scriptures or if not they were Instituted by the Apostle who received from the Lord what he delâ—vered to them But the Article speaks of such Traditions as were originally Instituted by the sole and ordinary Authority of Men. ART XXXV Of Homilies THE Second Book of Homilies the several Titles whereoâ— we have seâ— down â—nder this Article does 〈◊〉 a Godly and wholsome Doctrine and necessary for these Times as does the former Book of Homilies which were set forth in Time of Edward â—he Sixth And therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understood of the People Of the Names of the Homilies 1. Of the right Use of the Churcâ— 2. Against Peril of Idolatry 3. Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches 4. Of Good Works first of Fasting 5. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness 6. Against Excess of Apparel 7. Of Prayer 8. Of the Place and Time of Prayer 9. That Common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministred in a known Tongue 10. Of the Reverend Estimation of God's Word 11. Of Alms-doing 12. Of the Nativity of Christ. 13. Of the Passion of Christ. 14. Of the Resurrection of Christ. 15. Of the Worthy Receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. 16. Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost 17. For the Râ—gation-Days 18. Of the State of Matrimony 19. Of Repentance 20. Against Idleness 21. Against Rebellion Obj. 1. The 〈◊〉 contained in the Homilies is not in these Times so necessary because there is plenty of Ministâ—rs 〈◊〉 can and do viva voce preach the Word of God Answ. This Article was intended chiefly for the Beginning of the Reformation when there was a much greater want of Mâ—n that were fit for the Ministry And then if even of these Times we would suppose it to speak there are very many Churches for want of sufficient Encouragement or other Reasons which are destitute of a Learned Preacher and which indeed is to be lamented And besides such is the carelesness of some in their Preachings that it would be more profitable to hear a Homily than their Sermons Obj. 2. It seems to be an Office unworthy of a Minister of the Gospel to repeat Word for Word Exhortations from the Copy of another for a Child can do that Answ. It would be unworthy of a Minister of the Gospel to do this from the Copy of any private Man but it is
and bewail them Lastly Bernard Epist. 107. ad Thom. Beverl saith After a Man is once come to a knowledge of himself in part let him boast in Hope but not yet in Security Security and Fear are with Bernard two Extreams the one is the Excess and the other the Defect See Serm. in Cantio 11. That the Faithful are thro' their whole Lives uncertain of their Predestination and Perseverance St. Austin is very full and clear De Corrept Gratiâ Cap. 13. almost at the Beginning Contrà Arâ—iculos sibi falsò impositos Artic. 12. In Epist. 107. De bono Perseverantiae Cap. 13. near the beginning And then in his Book De Civitate Dei Book 11. Chap. 12. THE OPINION OF THE Church of England CONCERNING Predestination And the consequent Doctrines of it Explained by Dr. Overal Divinity-Professor at Cambridge CHAP. I. Concerning Predestination THE Opinion that the Church of England holds in this Matter is plain in its XVII Article That the eternal purpose of Predestination concerning the Elect's being saved in Christ is so to be taught that in the mean time we must receive God's Promises in such wise as they are generally set forth to us in the Holy Scriptures And in our Doings that Will of God is to be followed which we have expresly declared unto us in the Word of God In all which we must suppose that the necessary and effectual means both of inward Grace and the outward Word towards 〈◊〉 receiving the Promises of God and doing hiâ— Will are to be understood to be by verâ— of 〈◊〉 Gospel-Covenant which is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Spirit and not of the naked Letter according to that of Leo. He that looks only on the Duty goes without his Guide Wherefore under a general Promise and Precept every one may safely repose himself by a stedfast Faith and by a certain Hope and Trust may come boldly to the Throne of Grace at the same time assuring himself that if he does not trust in God's Promises nor obey his Commands he must blame himself and not God And own too that 't is thro' his own Negligence and not for want of Divine Grace lest he fall into that of Solomon Prov. 19. 3. The foolishness of Man 〈◊〉 his Way and his Heart sretteth against the Lord which St. Austin has frequently repeated against that Opinion Our Article therefore has thought sit so to join that eternal purpose of God concerning those whom he has chosen in Christ to be saved with the Divine Precepts and Promises as they are generally laid down together with the Means and Assistances annex'd to them that â—so we may fetch the original Ground of our Salvation from the eternal stedfast Purpose of Divine Election and not from any temporal unconstant variety of Man's Will That Grace may not be thought to be the necessary Consequence of Free-will but that all our Vertue and Strength in pious Affections and good VVorks of Faith as well as Perseverance is owing not to the uncertain co-operation of Man's Free-Will but to the efficacy of Divine Grace That in the End all may be ascribed to God and that he that Glories may glory in the Lord. These things being thus adjusted on both sides this seems to be the Order of God's Predestinating of us set forth in the XVII Article viz. That God foreknowing the Fall of Mankind did for a Remedy of the same determine to send his Son out of his meer Mercy and Compassion and so in him placed the condition of our Salvation For the performance of which he did appoint necessary Helps and sufficient Means more or less to all in general But to those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of the rest of Mankind he hath out of his good Pleasure bestowed and granted a greater and more abundant provision of Grace whereby they are most certainly led on to Faith Perseverance and eternal Salvation As for the rest they have nothing to complain of for hereby is shown both what the Free-will of Man left to it self can do under the Aid of a common yet sufficient Grace and also the singular Benesit of a special and prevailing Grace in those to whom God shall please to bestow it So that St. Austin's Opinion is true not only of the first Man but likewise of all his Posterity The God and Lord of all things has so disposed the Life of Men and Angels as first to show therein what their Free-will could do and then how far the Advantage of his Grace and the Love of Justice would prevail Thus God is the Saviour of all Men but especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. which words of the Apostle as Prosper thought ought to determine this whole Cause CHAP. II. Concerning the Death of Christ. THE Opinion of our Church concerning the Death of Christ is so plain and every where so consistent with it self That Christ died for All Men or for all the Sins of all Men that it is to be wondered that any of us should ever have ventured to call it in Question It is said in the II. Article that Christ truly Suffered was Crucified Dead and Buried to reconcile his Father to us and to be a Sacrifice not only for Original Guilt but also for all the actual Sins of Men. Article VII As well in the Old as New Testament everlasting Life is offered to Mankind by Christ who is the only Mediator between God and Man being both God and Man Article XV. Christ came to be a Lamb without Spot who by Sacrifice of himself once made should take away the Sins of the World And again Article XXXI The Offering of Christ once made is that perfect Redemption Propitiation and Satisfaction for All the Sins of the whole World both Original and Actual And the same is to be met with in the common Catechism as the most plain sense of the second part of the Creed wherein it is proposed to every one to believe in God the Son who hath redeemed him and all Mankind according to the Nicene Creed who for us Men and for our Salvation descended c. And in many other places of our publick Liturgy as in the Prayer of Consecration in the Sacrament O God! who didst give thine only Son jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for oâ— Redemption who made there by his oâ—e Oblation of himself once offered a full perfect and sufficient Sacrifice Oblation and Satisfaction for the Sins of the whole World And to every single Person to whom the Sacrament is administred t is said The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee And again His Blood which was shed for thee preserve thy Soul c. The Death of Christ therefore considered in it self must be a Price sufficient for All Men if it was given for All. But the Scripture saith plainly That God gave his Son for the World and lays a Condition thereon not the Death of Christ but