believe it But it is evident that these Quotations do not demonstrate the Father Sonne and Holy Spirit to be three Persons in one Divine Essence Q. Yet from such a Conjunction of those three in divine Operations it seemeth somewhat probable that they are three Persons in one divine Essence A. By no means For as to the first place although the Father Son and Holy Spirit be conjoyned in Baptism yet doth it not therefore follow that they are Persons in one divine Essence both for that it is said in the words immediately going before that all power in heaven on earth was given to the Son which cannot possibly agree to him that is a Person in the divine Essence as also because it is no new thing for the Scripture in other things no lesse divine then Baptism to joyn with God such Persons and Things as no wayes pertain to the divine Essence Of Persons you have an example in the first book of Samuel chap. 12. 18. And all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel And in Moses Exod. 14. 31. where according to the Hebrew it is read And the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses Of things you have an instance Acts 20. 32. I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace Ephes 6. 10. Strengthen your selves in the Lord and in the power of his might Q. But they hold he must needs be God into whose name we are baptized A. They are exceedingly mistaken for we read 1 Cor. 10. 2. that the Israelites were all baptized into Moses And Act. 19. 3. that certain Disciples were baptized into the Baptisme of John Although neither Moses were God nor the Baptisme of John a Person much lesse God Q. But it seemeth one thing to be baptized into any ones name and another to be baptized into any one A. By no means For by vertue of the Hebrew Idiotisme it is oftentimes all one to do something into any ones name and into any one as is sufficiently known Neither need we go far for any instance since the matter in hand will readily furnish us for whereas we read in some places that Disciples were baptized into the name of Christ see Act. 8. 16. Act. 19. 5. we read in others that they were simply baptized into Christ Rom. 6. 3. Gal. 3. 27. Q. What answer give you to the second Quotation A. That although divine operations be attributed to God and to the Lord and to the Holy Spirit yet can it not be rightly inferred thence that these three are of one essence Yea the contrary may be thence clearly collected namely that they cannot be of one essence since the Lord and the Holy Spirit are openly distinguished from God whom we formerly proved to be no other then the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ But because together with God mention is here made of the Lord and of the Holy Spirit this is therefore done because the Lord is he by whom God doth work all these things with the concurrent ministery of the Holy Spirit for here he treateth only of those things that appertain unto the faithfull in whom the Holy Spirit worketh Q. What answer give you to the third A. First since it is known that in the more ancient Greek copies and in the Syriack and in the more antient Latin Versions these words are not extant as the chiefest of our Adversaries do shew nothing certain can be concluded from them Again though they were extant in the Scripture yet could it not be thence concluded that there are three Persons in one Divinity For that place speaketh of no other thing then of witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God or the Christ But that this may be attested not only by such as are divine persons but even by such as are no persons at all appeareth by the following words wherein the Apostle saith that there are three that bear witnesse on the earth the Spirit the Water and the Bloud Now when he saith that the former three are one that this is meant of their being one in testimony and agreement but not in essence is apparent by the following verse where the like expression is found and must be taken in such a sense Q. I perceive by your former discourse that there is but one Person in the divine essence and therefore I would now know how the knowledge hereof is very conducible to salvation A. You will easily perceive that if you consider how pernitious the opinion of the Adverse Party is For first that opinion may easily undermine and weaken the belief of one God whilest one while it confesseth but one God another while acknowledgeth three Persons every one whereof is that one God Secondly it obscureth the glory of that one God who is only the Father of Jesus Christ whilest it transferreth it to another who is not the Father Thirdly it may easily pervert the way of salvation whilest it taketh away the difference between the first and second cause thereof and suffâ—reth us not rightly to acknowledge who is the prime Author of our Salvation and how God manageth the same by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit In sine it greatly hindreth Aliens from embracing the Christian Religion whilest it delivereth such things as are opposite to divine Truth and sound reason From all which inconveniences that opinion is free which holdeth that there is but one Person in the divine essence Of the Will of God Q. YOu have explained to me the things that pertain to the essence of God explain now those things also that concern his Will A. Those things that concern the Will of God are partly such as all men in generall are and ever have been partakers of them partly such as properly belong to those who are to obtaine eternall life Q. What are those whereof all men in generall have ever been partakers of A. They are three in number first the Creation of heaven and earth and all the things that are therein Act. 14. 15. Secondly his care and providence over all things in particular Mat. 10. 29. Lastly the remuneration of them that seek him that is yeeld themselves obedient to him Heb. 11. 6. Q. Why is it necessary to believe that God created heaven and earth A. There are two principall causes thereof The one that God would have us believe it And therefore in the Scriptures both God and his Ministers do so frequently and clearly admonish us thereof as amongst other testimonies you have it in Isaiah chap. 44. 24. I am the Lord that maketh all things that stretcheth out the heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the earth by my self And in Moses Gen. 1. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth And in David Psal 33. 6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth He gathereth the waters of the Sea together as
an heap he layeth up the depth in store-houses Let all the earth fear the Lord let all the Inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him For he spake and it was done he commanded and it stood fast And in the Acts chap. 4. 24. Thou Lord art he who madest the heaven and earth and seas and all that in them are And in the Acts chap. 4. 24. Thou Lord art he who madest the heaven and earth and seas and all that in them are And again chap. 17. 14. God who made the world and all the things that are therein he being Lord of heaven and earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands The second reason is because unlesse we be perswaded thereof we have no ground to believe that God hath any care of particular men and so will not be induced to yeeld our selves obedient to him Q. I perceive by this answer of yours that I have no reason to ask why God taketh care of particular men and rewardeth those that obey him wherefore explain to me those things that concern the Will of God as it properly belongeth unto them who shall obtain eternall life A. They are those things that he hath discovered by Iâ—sus Christ Of the knowledge of Christ CHAP. I. Touching the Person of Christ Q. INasmuch as you have said that those things have been discovered by Jesus Christ that concern the will of God as it properly belongeth unto them who shall obtain eternall life I would entreat you to declare those things to me concerning Jesus Christ which are need full to be known A. I am content First therefore you must know that those things partly concern the Essence partly the Office of Jesus Christ Q. What are the things that concern his Essence or Person A. Only that he is a true man by nature as the holy Scriptures frequently testifie concerning that matter and namely 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one Mediator of God and men the man Christ Jesus And 1 Cor. 15. 21. Since by man came death by man also came the Resurrection from the dead And indeed such a one God heretofore promised by the Prophets and such a one the Apostles Creed acknowledged by all Christians confesseth Jesus Christ to be Q. Is the Lord Jesus then a meer man A. By no means For he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and therefore is from his very conception and birth the Son of God as we read Luke 1. 35. where the Angell thus speaketh to the Virgin Mary The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that Holy Thing Generated shall be called the Son of God That I may omit other causes which you shall afterwards discover in the Person of Jesus Christ and most evidently shew that the Lord Jesus ought by no means to be reputed a meer man Q. You said a little before that the Lord Jesus is a man by nature hath he not also a divine Nature A. At no hand for that is repugnant not onely to sound Reason but also to the holy Scriptures Q. Shew me how it is repugnant to sound Reason A. First because two substances indued with opposite properties cannot combine into one Person and such properties are mortality and immortality to have beginning and to be without beginning to be mutable and immutable Again two Natures each whereof is apt to constitute a severall person cannot be huddled into one Person For instead of one there must of necessity arise two persons consequently become two Christs whom all men without controversie acknowledge to be one and his Person one Q. But when they alledge that Christ is so constituted of a divine and humane Nature as a man is of a body and soul what answer must we make to them A. That in this case there is a wide difference for they say that the two Natures in Christ are so united that Christ is both God and Man Whereas the soul and body in a man are so conjoyned as that a man is neither soul nor body For neither doth the soul nor the body severally constitute a Person But as the divine Nature doth by it self constitute a Person so must the humane by it self of necessity also constitute Q. Shew how it is also repugnant to the Scripture that Christ should have a divine Nature A. First because the Scripture proposeth to us but one God by nature whom we formerly demonstrated to be the Father of Christ Secondly the same Scripture witnesseth that Jesus Christ is a man by nature as was formerly shown Thirdly because whatsoever divine excellency Christ hath the Scripture testifieth that he hath it by gift of the Father John 3. 35. John 5. 19 20 21 22 23 26 27. John 10. 25. Iohn 13. 3. Iohn 14. 10. Acts 2. 33. Rev. 2. 26 27. 2 Pet. 1. 17. Finally because the Scripture doth most evidently shew that Jesus Christ doth perpetually ascribe all his Divine acts not to himself or any Divine nature of his own but to the Father who seeth not that such a Divine nature as the Adversaries imagine in Christ would have been altogether idle and of no use Q. But they endeavour to assert that Divine nature of Christ from the Scriptures A. They endeavour indeed sundry wayes but whilest thy are labouring either to evince from the Scriptures the things that are not there or to draw wrong conclusions from the things that are there they have very ill successe Q. What are those things that they labour to evince from the Scriptures touching Christ that are not there A. His being from Eternity which they go about to prove from the Scriptures by two sorts of Arguments the one taken from those places wherein they think this being of Christ from eternity is expressed the other taken from those places wherein although it be not expressed yet they suppose it is here implyed Q. What are the places of the Scripture wherein the being of Christ from Eternity seemeth to be expressed A. They are those wherein the Scripture testifieth of Christ that he was in the beginning with God Iohn 1. 1. was in heaven Iohn 6. 62. was before Abraham Iohn 8. 58. Q. What answer you to the first A. In the quoted place there is nothing concerning Christs being from Eternity since mention is here made of the beginning whereas a beginning is opposite to Eternity Besides the word beginning every where in the Scripture is wont to be referred to the subject matter as you may see Dan. 8. 1. Iohn 15. 27. Iohn 16. 4. Acts 11. 15. 1. Iohn 2. 7 24. Since therefore the subject matter here is the Gospel which Iohn undertook to describe without question by the word beginning he understood the beginning of the Gospel This will further appear if you compare Mark 1. 1. Luke 1. 2. Luke 3. 23. where according to the truth of the Greek the words ought to be rendered
Declare to me what proofes they alledge to evince that Christ created the heaven and the earth A. Even these where it is written That all things were made by him and without him nothing made that was made John 1. 3. And again That the world was made by him verse 10. And again That all things were created by him that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. And that God by him made the world Heb. 1. 2. Finally likewise from that passage in the 10 11. and 12. verses of the same chapter namely Thou Lord in the beginning laidst the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hands They shall perish but thou abidest and all shall wax old as a garment and as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed But thou Lord art the same and thy years shall not fail Q. What answer give you to the first testimony A. In the first testimony the words may be as well rendered all things were done by him as all things were made by him For the Greek word signifieth the one as well as the other although in English there is some difference between being made and being done inasmuch as the propriety of the language admitteth the one many times to be used where the other would not have place Again the Evangelist saith all things were done by him which kind of speaking denotetl not the first but the second cause In fine the word all is not here taken for all things simply and absolutely but is restrained to the subject matter which is a thing most frequent in the Holy Sriptures especially that of the New Covenant a singular example whereof you have 2 Cor. 5. 17. wherein it is treated of a matter altogether like to that which Iohn here speaketh of and it is said that all things are become new when notwithstanding it is certain that there are many things which have not been made new Wherefore since the subject matter in Iohn is the Gospell it appeareth that the word all ought to be understood of all those things which any wayes belong to the Gospel Q. Why did Iohn add that without him nothing was done that hath been done A. The better to illustrate those foregoing words namely all things were done by him which seem to have such force as if all those things had been done by the Word or Son of God onely though some things and those of great moment were not immediately done by him but by his Apostles of which sort is the calling of the Gentiles and the abolition of the legall Ceremonies For though these things had their beginning from the words and deeds of the Lord Jesus yet were they not brought to an issue by Christ himself but by his Apostles yet not without him for the Apostles mannaged all things in his name and by his authority as the Lord himself saith Iohn 15 7. Without me ye can do nothing Q. What say you to the second A. First Iohn doth not here say that the world was created but made by him Again he useth the same form of speech designing the second or middle cause for he saith not that he made the world but that the world was made by him Finally the word world as well as others that are equivalent in the Scriptures doth not only denote the heaven and earth but besides other significations designeth either manking as the present place sheweth where it is said That he was in the world and the world acknowledged him not or the world to come as appeareth from Hebr. 1. 6. where we read that when he bringeth the first-born into the world he saith And let all the Angells of God worship him which is taken of the world to come as appeareth from the second chapter of the same Epistle verse fifth where the Author saith For he hath not put the world to come whereof we speak in subjection to Angells But he no where spake of that world but in the sixth Verse of the former chapter Besides you have another place Hebr. 10. 5. where speaking of Christ he saith Wherefore entring into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body thou hast fitted me Where since it is apparent that the Author speaketh of that world into which Christ being entred became a Priest and made his offering as all the circumstances of the place do shew it must needs be that he speaketh not of this world but of the world to come since in the eighth chapter vers 4. he had said of Christ That if he were on the earth he would not so much as be a Priest Q. What understand you by this expression The world was made by him A. A double sense thereof may be given first that mankind was reformed and as it were made again by Christ because he brought life and immortality to men who were lost and subject to eternall death which thing Iohn upbraideth the world with namely that being vindicated from destruction by Christ yet did it not acknowledge him but despise and reject him For it is the custome of the Hebrew speech that in such forms of speaking the words make and create be equivalent with make anew and create anew inasmuch as that tongue is destitute of compounded verbs The latter sense is that the world to come which we expect by Christ is by him made as to us as the same is said to be come in respect of us although it be already present to Christ and the Angells Q. What say you to the third A. That this testimony also speaketh of Christ as of a second and middle cause and the word Create as in the Scripture used not only of the Old but also of the New Creation an instance whereof you have Eph. 2. 10. For we are his workmanship or making as the Greek hath it created in Christ Jesus unto or rather upon condition of good works And a little after verse 15. For to make in himself of twain one new man in the Greek For to create in himself the twain into one new man Besides that those words all things in the heaven and on the earth are not used for all things simply and absolutely appeareth both by the article in the Greek set before the word all to limit it and also by the collation of the words put a little after in the 20. verse where the Apostle saith That by him God hath reconciled all the things that are both in the heavens and on the earth and finally by the inspection of the very words themselves wherein the Apostle saith not that the heaven and earth were created by Christ but all the things that are in the heavens and on the earth Q. How then understand you this testimony A. That after God had raised Christ from the dead and
given glory to him all the things both in the heavens and on the earth were by him reformed and reduced to another state and condition in that he became the Head of Angells and Men who before acknowledged God only for their Lord. Q. What say you to the fourth testimony A. That it is not here said that the Son made the world but God made it by the Son Now that the word world may not only signifie that which is past and present but also that which is to come is confessed And that it is here spoken of the world to come is evident from hence namely that the same Author affirmeth that by him whom God hath appointed heire of all things the world was made For Jesus of Nazareth was not appointed heire of all things before God had raised him up from the dead which is apparent because then at length all power in heaven and earth was given to him by God the Father in the donation of which power and not in any other thing that inheritance of all things is contained Q. What answer you to the fifth A. This testimony doth not expresly speak of Christ but of God But forasmuch as this divine Author doth apply it unto the Son of God it is to be considered that the words expresly speak not of one thing but of twain chiefly The one whereof is the creation of heaven and earth the other is the abolition of the things created Now that this Author doth not referre the first unto Christ is from hence apparent namely because he proposed to himself to demonstrate not that excellency of Christ which he hath from himself but that which he obtained by inheritance and whereby he was made better then Angells as appeareth from the fourth verse of this first chapter of the Hebrews of which kind of excellency since the creation of heaven and earth neither is nor can be it is evident that this testimony was not alledged to prove that Christ created the heaven and earth Since therefore the first cannot be referred to Christ it is apparent that the latter only pertaineth to him and that therefore because God will abolish both the heaven and earth by Christ when he judgeth the world by him Wherein the excellency of Christ shall so far surpasse that of Angels that the very Angels shall therein minister to him Which latter speech since it could not be understood without the words going before wherein mention is made of the heaven and earth inasmuch as it is joyned to them by the word they the author was therefore necessitated to repeat them also For if other sacred Writers do in that manner cite testimonies of the Scripture when they are pressed with no necessity much more ought this Author so to do when he was necessitated thereunto Q. Where do sacred VVriters do so A. Amongst many other testimonies you have that of Mat. 12. 18 19 20 21. Where it is very evident that the 19. v. only pertaineth to the purpose of the Evangelist since his intention was to shew the reason why Christ would not have himselfe be made manifest Again Act. 2. 17 18 19 20 21. where also the 17. 18. ver only make to the purpose of the Apostle which is to shew that the H. Spirit was poured out upon the Disciples and in the same ch v. 25 26 27 28. where it is clear that the 27. ver only is ê‘ertinent to the businesse in hand since the Apostle intendeth to prove that Christ could not be detained by death Finally in this very ch to the Heb. v 9. where it is apparent that these words Thou lovedst righteousnesse and hatedst iniquity are not pertinent to what the divine Author goeth about to prove namely that Christ is made better then Angels Q. With what testimony do the adversaries go about to prove that Christ conserveth all created things A. From that place Heb. 1. 3. where it is said That Christ upholdeth all things by the word of his power Q. What say you to this testimony A. That the word all in this as well as in other places doth not designe all things without exception but is referred to those things only that pertain to the Kingdom of Christ as the Article in the Greek set before the word all to limit it doth sufficiently declare shewing that it is to be understood only of all the things of a certain kind Besides the Greek word which is by the English Translators rendered upholding ought to have been rendered carrying which hath rather the signification of ordering and mannaging then of conserving as that which is annexed namely by the word of his power seemeth to intimate Q. By what testimony prove they that Christ brought the children of Israel out of Egypt A. Out of Iude's Epistle vers 5. Iesus having saved the people out of Egypt did the second time destroy them that believed not Q. What answer make you hereunto A. That the word Iesus is extant in no Greek copie but instead thereof the word Lord is here read so that this testimony no whit proveth what the Adversaries intend Q. But whence prove they that Christ was with the Israelites in the wildernesse and conducted them and did good to them A. From that passage of Paul 1 Cor. 10. 4 They all drank the same spirituall drink for they drank of the spirituall rock that followed them but that rock was Christ As also from the 9. ver of the same chap. where the Apostle saith Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them tempted and perished by Serpents Q. What answer give you to these places A. As to the first the Apostle doth not at all say that Christ was in the wildernesse with the people of Israel and did good to them For though he write that the Rock whereof the people drank was Christ yet doth not he therefore assert that Christ was indeed there because those words of Paul may be figuratively taken Now whereas he calleth that Rock spirituall this doth nothing advantage the cause of the adversaries since that Rock may be called spirituall although it were Indeed materiall for the same cause that the meat was called spiritual namely in that it contained in it a mystical sense as in the Revelation John saith That the great City where our Lord was slain is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt Rev. 11. 8. Moreover in that he faith that the Rock followed them it is to be understood of the water issuing out of the Rock and following the people through the wildernesse which before was destitute of running water or at least of such as was potable To which Isaiah ch 43. 20. doth allude where he saith The beast of the field shall honour me the Dragons and the Ostriches for I have given them waters in the wildernesse and rivers in the desert to give drink to my people my Chosen As for the second testimony namely Let us not tempt Christ as some of them
especially by remitting the injuries done unto them by others and so lift up pure hands without wrath and doubting To which purpose fasting is of great avail yet so that men impose it upon themselves without any mark of hypocrisie Q. What is fasting A. Abstinence from meat and drink for a certain space as may be observed from sundry examples in Scripture Q. Is it not fasting where men abstein from certain sorts of meat A. You may perceive by the definition of fasting which we have given that to abstain from a certain sort of meats is not fasting but rather a choise of meats which the Apostle reproveth and reckoneth amongst the doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4. 3. Q. Ought those that fast to be tyed unto certain dayes A. At no hand for the same is contrary both to the property and liberty of the Christian Religion which is spirituall and not at all tyed to times Neither is fasting acceptable to God unlesse the glory of God and the Salvation of our selves or others or some pressing necessities draw it from us Wherefore the whole time alotted unto fasting is to be spent upon Christian exercises as reading and explaining the Word of God ardent Prayers and pious Conferences CHAP. III. Of the Lords Supper Q. WHat are Christs Ceremoniall Precepts as they call them A. There is but one namely the Lords Supper Q. VVhat is the Lords Supper A. It is an Institution of the Lord that the Faithfull should break and eat the Bread and drink of the Cup to declare the death of the Lord which Institution is to continue till the Lords coming Q. VVhat is it to declare the Lords death A. It is in a solemn and publick manner to give thanks that he out of his unspeakable love would suffer his body to be tortured and in a manner broken and his Bloud to be shed for us and so to extoll and celebrate this great benefit Q. VVhy would the Lord have the memory of this thing above all others to be celebrated in his Church A. Because of all the actions of Christ it is the chiefest and most proper to him for though the Resurrection and Exaltation of Christ be far greater yet they were performed by God the Father and not by Christ himself Q. Is there not another reason for which the Lord instituted the Supper A. None at all although men have devised many some saying that it is a sacrifice for the quick and dead others that by the use thereof they gain the remission of their Sins and hope to confirm their Faith and bring to their remembrance the Lords death Q. VVhat are we to hold concerning these opinions A. That none of them can stand for since that is the end of celebrating the Lords Supper that we should give thanks to Christ for benefits received it is apparent that it was not therefore instituted that we should there receive something yea he that will worthily partake of the Lords Supper he ought to be assured of the remission of sins on the part of God and confirmed in the faith and so affected that the death of Christ never slip out of his mind Q. VVhat are we to think of that opinion which saith that the Supper is a sacrifice for the quick and dead A. That it is a most grievous error for the Scripture testifieth that the offering of Christ was performed in heaven and could not be performed on the earth Besides since Christ himself is both Priest and sacrifice it followeth that none can offer Christ but Christ himself Finally since the Sacrifice of of Christ is altogether perfect since it is one whereby he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified there is no need that it should be repealed otherwise it would not be perfect and absolute Heb. 8. 1. 2 3. 4. Heb. 9. 24. Heb. 7. 27. Heb. 10. 14. Q. VVhat is the meaning of those words this is my body A. They are not taken by all in one and the same manner for some think that the bread is truly turned into the body of Christ and the wine into his blood which turning they call Transubstantiation others think that the Lords body is with in and under the bread Finally there are some who in the Lords Supper think they are truly partakers of the Body and Blood of the Lord but spiritually All which Opinions are fallacious and erroneous Q. How will you demonstrate that A. Because in these words This is my Body the particle This may be referred to the whole action of breaking and taking the Bread and pouring out the Wine Wherefore it is not necessarily referred to the Bread and Wine only by the Adversaries neither can their captious opinions be hence framed and contrived Besides as to the Transubstantiation it self as they call it since the Scripture doth in the very use give the name of Bread to that Berad we take as appeareth from the words of Paul 1 Cor. 10. 16. and chap. 11. 26 27 28. It is evident that Bread remaineth there without any transmutation into the Lords Body Furthermore the same Scripture testifieth that the Body of Christ is in the Heavens and must be there contained till the times of the restitution of all things wherefore it cannot any more exist on the Earth In a word if the Bread were turned into the very Body of Christ it would follow that the immortall Body of Christ wherewith all agree that he is now endued is taken in a grosse and carnall manner but this cannot be that an immortall Body should be so taken and consequently neither can the Bread be turned into Christs Body As to the second Opinion that as it cannot consist for the former reasons especially this that the Body of Christ is now in the Heavens so neither can it for his grand inconvenience namely that this Opinion doth devest the Body of Christ of its properties Lastly as to the third Opinion that cannot have place since it is absutd that one should be really partaker of Christs body and also spiritually And they themselves sufficiently bewray the uncertainty of their own opinion whilst they confesse that this manner of receiving the Body of Christ is altogether inexplicable or at least that they are utterly ignorant how it is done Q. VVhat is to be held touching the use of the Body and Bloud of Christ John 6. A. Christ doth not in that place treat of the Supper for there he doth without any condition ascribe Eternall Life to him that shall eat his Flesh and drink his Blood and on the contrary taketh Eternall Life away from him that shall not eat his Flesh and drink his Blood Which that it is not spoken of the Lords Supper is evident from hence in that a man may partake of the Lords Supper and yet perish And on the contrary may be saved although he partake not thereof But Christ there speaketh concerning the cause of Faith on him which is the continuall meditation
held concerning any private offence whether against God or against others for so equity it self perswadeth and Christian Love altogether requireth Q. How are they publickly to be Corrected A. By words or deeds Q. How by words A. In such a manner as that they be publickly reproved by all in the Church of Christ of which thing Paul speaketh 1 Tim. 5. 20. and 2 Cor. 2. 6. Q. How by deeds A. When we either avoid their company or refuse to eat with them although we do not yet count him for an enemy but admonish him as a brother or when we cast him out of the Church of Christ and no longer acknowledge him for a brother Q. Where is it written concerning this matter A. Touching the first manner 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Thes 3. 6 10. Touching the latter 1 Cor. 5. 14 15. and Mat. 18. 17. Q. Why is such correction observed in the Church of Christ A. That the transgressour may be healed and reduced into the way and others may be stricken with fear and kept untainted and that scandall may be removed out of the Church of Christ and the Word of God not evill spoken of and finally neither his Name nor Glory be profaned Q. What danger is imminent over such men A. Even this that being cast out of the Church and consequently out of the Kingdom of Christ there remaineth nothing for them nothing but destruction since this Excommunication is no other then that binding whereof Christ speaketh Mat. 18. 18. Verily Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in the Heavens and whatsoever ye shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in the Heavens Q. What is the power of binding and loosing which the Church hath A. It is the declaring and denouncing according to the Word of God who is unworthy to be of the Church of Christ Q. VVhat is that manner of keeping order in the Church of Christ which chiefly concerneth them that govern A. They are bound not onely to observe those Offices which appertain to others more diligently then all the rest but also continually to excite others to the discharge of them respectively to oversee the Church to observe the carriage of every one to be instant in season and out of season to reprove rebuke with all long-suffering and doctrine as you have it 2 Tim. 4. 2. yet must these things be done with such caution as the Apostle sheweth fit to be used namely that they do not chide an Elder but admonish him as a Father a junior as a brother the elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all chastity 1 Tim. 5 1 2. CHAP. IV. Of the Invisible Church of Christ Q. WHat is the Invisible Church A. Such as put their confidence in Christ and obey him and therefore are his Body Q. VVhy call you that society of men Invisible A. because It is not exposed to the sight of men who are not able to penetrate into the hearts and tell who sincerely believe or not But with the heart it is believed to righteousnesse Rom. 10. 10. and by Faith men are ingrafted into the Olive of the Church and made members of Christ Rom. 11. 19 20. Q. Can it not by outward actions be known who is a member of the Church A. By the outward actions may easily be known who is not a member of the Church of Christ for the Apostle saith that the works of the flesh are manifest Gal. 5. 19. and such men walk in the works of the flesh But it can hardly be known by the outward actions where true Faith is for outward actions proceeding from a corrupt heart may carry the same appearance with those that flow from a heart which is sincere In short he that is evill-minded may put on the outward garb of a good man but it is otherwise in a good man who never laboureth to put on the garb of an evill man Q. I now understand all the things that pertain to the knowledge of God and Christ declare further if any thing else pertaineth to the knowledge of this saving way A. I have already abundantly opened every thing to you It will be your part having well understood and considered them to imprint them in your mind and institute your life according to the prescript of them And the Lord God give you his assistance thereunto to whom in as much as he hath been pleased graciously to help us in bringing this Conference to an end be praise and glory through Jesus Christ for ever and ever Amen FINIS
one we must needs be distracted in mind not knowing who hath prescribed that way to us And therefore the Scripture frequently admonisheth us of this thing as you may see in Moses Deut. 6. 4. which passage is cited by Christ himself Mark 12. 29. Hearken Israel thy Lord the God is one Lord. And again in Moses Deut. 32. 39. See that I alone am He and there is no God besides me Esay 44. 6. 8. Esay 45. 5. 14. 21. Esay 46. 9. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. Gal. 3. 20. Eph. 4. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. How the third A. Unlesse we believe God to be eternall how can we hope for eternall life from him and so attain the end to which this way doth lead Q. How the fourth A. To believe that God is perfectly just is necessary unto Salvation first that we may perswade our selves that God will make good his Promises to us though we be unworthy Next that we may acknowledge all those trialls to be just which being entred into this way we must of necessity undergo in that they are permitted by God Q. How the fifth A. This is therefore necessary to be known to the end we might not doubt that even our very heart then which nothing is harder to be searched out and from which the chiefest estimate of our obedience is taken lieth alwaies open unto God Q. How the sixth A. Because we could not expect eternall life from the hands of God as the prime Author were we not perswaded that his power is circumscribed with no bounds and limits Againe who would endure so many adversities as are incident to all those that make profession of the Christian Religion were not this perswasion deeply fastned in his heart that all things are in the hands of God and afflictions happen not without his will neither is any thing either in heaven or on earth able to hinder his divine power from accomplishing what he hath promised and we expect from him Q. You have unfolded what things are necessary to be known touching the Essence of God and therefore I pray you now discover what things are very conducible thereunto A. It is very conducible hereunto to know that in the essence of God there is but one Person Q. Demonstrate this I pray you A. Inasmuch as the Essence of God is but one in number there cannot be so many persons therein since a person is nothing but an individuall intelligent Essence Q. Who is this one divine Person A. That one God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. How prove you that A. By the most evident testimonies of the Scripture thus Christ himself Iohn 17. 3. saith This is life eternall that they may know thee Father the onely true God And the Apostle Paul 1 Corinth 8. 6. saith To us there is but one God the Father of whom are all the things we for him And Ephes 4. 6. There is one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in you all Q. But Christians commonly hold that not onely the Father but also the Son and the Holy Spirit are persons in one and the same Deitie A. I know it well but they are grievously mistaken producing arguments for it out of the Scriptures ill understood Q. What are their arguments wherewith they endeavour to prove their opinion A. The chief are these First they say that the Scripture calleth not only the Father but also the Son and the Holy Spirit God And forasmuch as the same Scripture affirmeth that there is but one God hence they gather that these Three are that one God Q. How must this Argument be solved A. I will first make answer concerning the Son and then concerning the Holy Spirit Q. What answer will you make concerning the Son A. The word GOD is two wayes chiefly used in the Scripture The first is when it denoteth him who both in the heavens and on the earth doth so rule and exercise dominion over all that he acknowledgeth no superior and is so the Author and Principall of all things as that he dependeth on none The other is when it designeth him who hath some sublime dominion from that one God and so is in some sort partaker of his Deïty Hence is it that the Scripture calleth that one God the God of Gods or most high God Psal 50. 1. Heb. 7. 1. And in the latter signification the Son of God is in certain places of the Scripture dignified with the title of a God Q. How prove you that the Son of God is in this latter signification dignified with the title of a God A. From the very words of the Son himself John 10. 35. If he call them Gods to whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God By this speech Christ doth clearly intimate both that the word GOD is somtime attributed unto them in the Scripture who are far inferiour to that one God as also that he called himself the Son of God and consequently a God for no greater reason then because he had been sanctified by the Father and sent into the world Q. But what answer give you concerning the Holy Spirit A. The Holy Spirit is no where in the Scripture expresly called God and though in some places the things of God are attributed to him yet doth it not thereupon follow that he is either God or a person of the Deity since this happeneth for another cause as you shall hear in in its place Q. VVhat is the second argument wherewith they go about to prove the three Persons in one Deity A. It is taken from those places wherein mention is made of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Q. VVhich are those places A. The first is that where Jesus commandeth his Aposties to make all Nations Disciples baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Mat. 28. 19. The second is that where the Apostle writeth in this manner There are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit And diversities of Ministeries but the same Lord. And diversities of Operations but the same God that operateth all the things in all 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. And afterwards in the eleventh verse of the same chapter he saith But all these things operateth one and the same Spirit distributing to every one as he will The third is in John 1 Epist 5. 7. There are three that hear witnesse in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one Q. What are we to think of these Quotations A. In generall I answer that these Quotations onely shew that there is a Father Sonne and Holy Spirit which we not only acknowledge but constantly assert so that we pronounce him to be no Christian who is either ignorant thereof or doth not
whose house is by the sea-side he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do 2 Epist of John v. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the world who confesse not Iesus coming in flesh to be Christ. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist From which places it appeareth that the relative hath not respect to the neerest antecedent but to that which is more remote Wherefore the meaning of those words of Iohn This is the true God and eternall life is thus This whereof I have last spoken is the true God namely he that hath for his Son Jesus Christ and it is also eternall life namely to know the true God and to be in him by his Son Jesus Christ With this accordeth that passage of Christ himself Iohn 7. 3. This is Life eternall that they know thee Father the only true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ Q. What say you to the fourth A. The words of Iude v. 4. run thus denying the only Master God and our Lord Jesus Christ Form which place because there is but one article prefixed in the Greek they conclude that both descriptions ought to be referred to one petson and consequently to Christ But this observation taken from the unity of the article prefixed to severall words is not perpetuall as appeareth by the inspection of these places in the Greek Mat. 16. 1. Luke 19. 45. Act. 15 41. 1 Thes 1. 8. Heb. 9. 19. Eph. 2. 20. Eph. 3. 5. Wherefore we must have our chiefe recourse to the nature of the thing it self Q. What say you to the fifth A. The fifth testimony is that of Paul Tit. 2. 13. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ In which words that the Epithete of great God is referred unto Christ the adversaries endeavour to evince with two reasons the first is taken from the unity of the articles prefixed in the Greek the other from our expectance not of the Father but of the Son The first of which reasons was solved a little before To the second I answer that Paul in the Greek doth not say the glorious appearing of the great God but the appearing of the glory of the great God Now it is certain that Christ shall come to judge the world not only in his own glory but also in the glory of his Father Luke 9. 26. Mat. 16. 27. Again what inconvenience is it to say that when Christ cometh to judge the world God doth come since Christ in judging the world sustaineth the person of God from whom he hath received his authority of executing judgement Q. What say you to the sixth A. The sixth testimony is this Rev. 4. 8. Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come This passage is therefore by the adversaries referred to Christ because they suppose that none is to come but Christ for he is to come to judge the quick and dead But we must know that that word which is here rendred to come may as well be rendred to be as Iohn 16. 13. Where Christ saith of the Holy Spirit whom he promised to the Apostles that he should tell them things to come that is to be And Act. 18. 21. We read of a feast to come that is to be Again who perceiveth not that when it hath been first said who was and is and it is immediately added and is to come that to come is all one with to be that the speech may in every part be understood of existence and not in the two first clauses of existence in the last of coming Neither is there any one that may not easily observe that the eternity of God is here described which comprehendeth the time past present and future But that which detecteth this grosse mistake is Rev. 1. 4 5. where we read Grace and peace be to you from him that was and is and is to come and from the seven Spirits that are before his Throne and from Jesus Christ the faithfull and true witnesse From which testimony it appeareth that Jesus Christ is quite another then He that is and was and is to come Q. What say you to the seventh A. The seventh runneth thus Take heed to your selves and to the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made you Bishops to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own bloud Act. 20. 28. Whereunto I answer that the name God is not here referred to Christ but to God the Father who is from the beginning of the speech perpetually understood by the name of God and whose bloud the Apostle calleth that bloud which Christ did shed in such a way of speaking and for such 〈◊〉 cause as the Prophet saith That he which toucheth the people of God toucheth the apple of Gods Eye For the exceeding great conjunction that is between God the Father and Christ although they be different in Essence causeth the bloud of Christ to be called the bloud of God the Father especially if it be considered as shed for us For Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world Whence the bloud shed to that purpose is called the bloud of God himself and that deservedly Neither is it to be passed by that in the Syriack Edition it is not read God but Christ Q. What say you to the eighth A. The eighth runs thus Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 John 3. 16. First therefore you must know that in no Greek edition save the Complutensian nor in the Syriack Translation is the word God read But though this word were read in all copies should therefore the word He be referred to God At no hand Not only for the forementioned reason in answer to the third testimony namely that relatives are not alwaies referred to the persons next going before but also because John referreth the word He sundry times in this Epistle to him that was a great while before named as in the 29. verse of the foregoing chapter where he saith If ye know that he is just know that he that doth justice is generated of him Where by him as both the thing it self and the following words shew is meant the Father although in the words next going before mention had been made of Christ only Q. You have given me satisfaction as to the names of Christ I would now therefore have you explain those quotations that have respect to the works of Christ which the Adversaries imagine are ascribed to him by the Scripture A. They are such wherein they imagine the Scripture attributeth unto Christ that he created the heaven and the earth that he conserveth all created things that he brought the people of Israel out of Egypt that he was with them in the wildernesse conducting them and doing good to them that his glory was seen by Isaiah that he was incarnate Q.
first and the last the same is read of Christ Revelat. 1. v. 17. Fourthly Isaiah 35. vers 4 5 6. God himself shall come and save us then shall the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf be opened then shall the lame leap like a hart and the tongue of dumb shall be loosed which things are repeated of Christ Mat. 11. 5. Fiftly Zac. 12. 10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced which John chap. 19. 37. attributeth to Christ Sixthly Psal 68. 19. Thou hast ascended on high and led captivity captive and received gifts for men which same is repeated of Christ Ephes 4. 8. From all which testimonies they argue thus in as much as those things which were spoken of God under the Law are spoken also of Christ under the Gospel It appeareth that Christ is the God of Israel and consequently God by nature Q. What answer you hereunto A. It may be so answered to all these passages that it may be apparent that the divine nature of Christ cannot thence be collected for what things are spoken of God under the Law may for another reason be spoken of Christ under the Gospel as they are indeed spoken namely for the great and intimate conjunction between God and Christ in respect of dominion power and office all which the Scripture of the new covenant every where testifieth that Christ hath obtained by the donation of God now if the Scripture deliver such things of Moses as that he brought Israel out of Egypt Exod 32. 7. and that he was the redeemer of that people Acts 7. 35. and so of others the very same things that are elsewhere written of God himself when in the mean time neither Moses nor those others had so great conjunction with God as intervened between him and Christ much more deservedly may these things which are primarily spoken of God be accommodated to Christ by reason of that most singular and strict conjunction that is between them Q. I perceive that Christ hath not a divine nature but is a true man now tell me of what avail unto salvation the knowledge hereof will be Answer From the knowledge of this that Christ is a true man a sure and well grounded confirmation of our hope doth follow which by the contrary opinion is exceedingly shaken and almost taken away Q. How so An. Because it followeth from the adverse opinion that Christ is not a true man for since they deny that there is in Christ the person of a man who seeth that they with one and the same labour deny him to be a true man in that he cannot be a true man who wanteth the person of a man but if Christ had not been a true man he could not dye and consequently not rise again from the dead whereby our hope which resteth on the resurrection of Christ as on a firm basis and foundation may be easily shaken and well nigh thrown down but that opinion which acknowledgeth Christ to be a true man who conversing in the world was obedient to the Father even unto death doth assert and clearly determine that the same died and was by God raised from the dead and indued with immortality and so in a wonderfull manner supporteth and proppeth our hope concerning eternall life setting before our eyes the very image of that thing and assuring us thereby as it were with a pledge that we also though we be mortall and dye shall notwithstanding in due time rise from death to come into the society of the same blessed immortality whereof he is made partaker if we tread in his steps Question I understand the things pertaining to the person of Christ proceed I intreat you to his office Answer Very well you must know that the Office of Christ consisteth in being our Prophet King and Priest Question Where is he called a Prophet in the Scriptures Answer There is a singular testimony hereof cited by power Acts 3. verse 22. out of Moses Who said to the Fathers the Lord your God shall raise up a prophet to you out of the middest of your brethren like unto me him shall you hear according to all the things whatsoever he shall speak unto you Deut. 18. 18. Question Wherein consisteth his propheticall office Answer In perfectly manifesting and confirming the will of God to men Question Whence appeareth it that Christ hath perfectly manifested the will of God to men Answer From hence namely in that Jesus himself did in the most perfectest manner learn it of God in the heavens and was magnificently sent from thence to publish it unto men and did accordingly declare it unto them which is most apparent from those appellations that in the Scripture are attributed to him whilst it calleth him the VVord or Speech of God the Image of the Invisible God the Brightnesse of the Glory or the Image of the Person or Substance of God and whilest it affirmeth that the whole fulnesse of the God-head or of Diety doth dwell in him bodily that is the who I will of God is intirely and solidly discovered in the doctrine of Christ Q. VVhence is it written that Christ was in heaven and was sent down from thence A. Joh. 6. 38. I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me and lo what if you should see the son of man ascending where he was before and Chap. 3. 13. No man hath ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven the son of man who is or rather was in heaven and below vers 31. he that came from above is above all he that is or rather was from the earth is earthly in the Greek is of the earth and speaketh of the earth he that came from heaven is above all And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth and Chap. 8. 40. Now you seek to kill me a man who hath told you the truth which I have heard from God and below v. 42. If God were your Father you would love me for I came out from God and am come for neither did I come of my self but he sent me and chap. 13. 3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came out from God and goeth away to God and chap. 16. 27 28 30. Ye have belived that I came out from God I came out from the father and came into the world again or rather on the contrary I leave the world and go to the Father now we know that thou knowest all things and needest not that one ask the hereby we believe that thou camest out from God and chap. 17. 8. And they have known indeed that I came from thee and have believed that thou sentest me and if any man have a desire to know when Christ was in heaven with God the same Evangelist shal tell him that he was in the beginning with God Joh. 1. 2. namely when the Gospel first began to
glory of God A. The things first in order Q. VVhich is the first of them A. Hallowed be thy name Q. Explain this Petition A. In this petition we desire God to assist us every way that we may celebrate his name with words hymns writings and by other means whatsoever Q. VVhat is the second A. Thy Kingdome come Q. Explain this Petition A. In this petition we do beseech God that he would induce us by such means as are best known to himself to consecrate and resign our hearts up to him but more especially by the discovery and obsignation of his truth and choicest promises in our hearts for then God truly reigneth when he exerciseth his Kingdome by the laws of the Gospel in our hearts and mind Quest What is the third Petition Answ Thy will be done as in the Heavens so in the Earth Quest. Explain the meaning of this Petition Answ In this Petition we beg of God that he would vouchsafe us his assistance in performing the obedience due unto him and what is to be expressed in our lives and actions for a man standing in need of much assistance to the performance of those things which God hath commanded him especially under the Gospell for they are such as far exceed his strength there is also in this Petition a tacite confession of our own weaknesse and of our confidence in God and hope which we conceive of his bounty when we dare to beg of him that he would make us no lesse ready to yeild him obedience then the Angels who are in Heaven Quest What are the Petitions that are referred to our use Answ The other three which follow in the same order Quest What is the first Answ Give us this day our dayly bread Quest Explain this Petition Answ Therein we desire God first that he would bestow upon us the gifts of his grace necessary to sustain and cherish our Spirituall life next that he would confer all those things that any wayes pertain to the maintenance of this life Quest What is the second Answ Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our Debtors Quest Explain this also Answ Therein we beg of God not onely to remit those sins which we have committed since we subjected our selves to the lawes of the Gospell but also much more those which we committed before the knowledge of the truth in as much as these are far more grievous and more easily exclud us from the possession of eternall life and cast us into everlasting damnation but whereas it is added As we forgive our debtors it is held that the forgivenesse of sins can at no hand be hoped for unlesse we forgive offences unto others and that from our hearts so that to be quite alienated from all desire of revenge Quest What is the third Petition Answ And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evill Quest Declare it Answ In this Petition we intreat of God to assist us that we be not over come in afflictions which are sent for the triall of our faith as often as we fall into them by the will or permission of God and that he would keep us from Satan suffering us not to be oppressed with those temptations which he useth as engines to subvert and overthrow us Quest Is it not lawfull to pray otherwise Answ Yes for he neither here or elsewhere forbiddeth it so that our prayer be not such as thwarteth the will of God openly prescribed to us But if we desire any such thing concerning which the will of God is not manifested then is that petition to be wholly submitted to the will of God Quest To what end therefore did Christ command that we should pray in the aforesaid manner Answ That we might know assuredly what things are alwayes and necessarily to be desired of God Quest What else hath the Lord Jesus added to his first precept Answ That we ought to acknowledge him likewise for a God that is such a one as hath divine soveraignty over us and to whom we are bound to exhibit Divine honour Quest Wherein consisteth the Divine honour due to Christ Answ That as we are bound to celebrate him with Divine adoration so we may in our necessities implore his aid now we adore him for his sublime majesty and implore his aid for his divine and Soverain Authority Quest What else pertaineth to the Divine honour of Christ Answ The Administration of his Supper of which you shall hear anon Quest Whence prove you that Divine Adoration is due to Christ Answ There are proofs thereof in many passages of the Scripture and namely John 5. 22. Christ himself saith the Father hath given all Judgement that is according the Hebrew phrase all government and rule to the Son that all should honour the Son as they honour the Father and Phil. 2. 9 10 11. wherefore God hath exceedingly exalted him and given him a name above every name That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven on the Earth and under the Earth and that every tongue should confesse Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Quest But how prove that we may fly to Christ in all our necessities Answ First because he is both able and willing to help us next that we have incitements thereunto both from the Lord himself and also from his Apostles in fine because we have examples thereof in holy men Quest How prove you that Christ is able and willing to help us Answ We will speak of that below when we come to his Kingly and Priestly Office Quest But where hath the Lord or where have the Apostles proposed to us these incitements A. John 14. 13 14 and chap. 15. and chap. 16. 23 24 25. where the Lord himself saith whatsoever you shall ask in my name that is relying on my name and power or directing your prayers to me by name or so to the Father as that I onely be named in the prayers I will do it Rev. 3. 18. I councell thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire c. and Heb. 4. 14 15 16. where that divine Author writeth after this manner Having therefore a great high Priest passed through the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Let us hold fast the confession for we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with a fellow feeling of our infirmities but in all things tempted like unto us without sin Let us therefore with boldnesse make our addresses to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find favour to help in time of need and Rom. 10. 13. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Quest Where have you examples hereof Answ Luke 17. 5. the Apostles say Lord increase our Faith in like mannor Mat. 8. 25. Lord save us we perish and Acts 7. 59. where Stephen invocating breaketh out into these words Lord Jesus receive my spirit and again ver 60.
Eternall Death But how could Christ by his own example have moved the Faithfull to persist in that singular Piety and innocency without which they cannot be sayed had he not tasted of a bitter death which is easily wont to attend true Piety Or how could he have had a fellow-feeling of the calamities and sufferings of the Faithfull and so become the more ready to help them unlesse himself had tryed how grievous and of themselves intolerable to humane nature they are first of these is hinted by Peter 1 Epist 2. 21. Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps The latter by the Divine Authour to the Hebrews chap. 2. 18. Christ in that he suffered being tempted is able to succour them that are tempted And chap. 4. 15. He can have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities having been tempted in all things after the same manner without sin Quest Could not God cause that the Faithfull should not be subject to afflictions and violent deaths Answ He could indeed if he would change the nature and condition of things But God is not wont to do this unlesse sometimes and that very seldome and in some speciall cases and for a time but not alwayes and commonly as it would here be very behoovefull had he a mind to exempt the Faithfull from afflictions and violent deaths Quest Why was that altogether necessary Answ Because the Faithfull in Christ are indued with singular Piety and Innocency of life neither is it lawfull for them to avenge themselves on any one The first whereof naturally exposeth them to the hatred of all wicked men which make the greatest part of mankinde whereby it cometh to passe that they grievously afflict the Faithfull and if an occasion be offered inflict death upon them The latter is a greater incitement to the wicked and affordeth them an opportunity to effect and accomplish their cruell designes upon the Faithfull Q. But how did the Bloud or Death of Christ confirm the Divine will to us A. Two wayes first because it ascertained us of the exceeding great love of God towards us so that he is thereby engaged to make good what he hath promised us in the New Covenant whence it is called the Blood of the New Covenant Mat. 26. 28. And the Bloud of sprinkling that is of federation Heb. 9. 19 20. which speaketh better things then that of Abel Heb. 12. 24 25. And Christ himself is called the true and faithfull Witnesse Rev. 1. 5. and chap. 3. 14. Next because being followed with a resurrection to Eternall Life it maketh us sure that we also if we obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be partakers of the same Resurrection Q. Explain more largely in what manner we are by the Resurrection of Christ which was a consequent of his death assured of our own Resurrection A. First because we have a pattern thereof proposed to us in the Resurrection of Christ whereby we are forbidden to doubt that those who out of Piety towards God suffer death shall afterwards be delivered of it again Next because it is now put out of question that Christ hath attained such power as that he can confer upon the Faithfull Eternall Life For the resurrection of Christ following upon his Death was such a one as that he thereby obtained all power in Heaven and Earth Mat. 28. 18. Q. How doth the power of Christ which he hath obtained by the intervening of his death make us more certain then if he wanted that power A. Two wayes first because we now see a beginning of fulfilling the promises of God especially of that wherein he expresly promised that Christ himself should deliver us from death and give unto us Eternall Life Next because we likewise see that the power of fulfilling the promise of God made to us touching Eternall Life is put in his hands who is not ashamed to call us brethren and who tasted all those afflictions whereunto we must be exposed if we will obey God and therefore knoweth how to be pitifull to us and touched with a fellow-feeling of our infirmities as we formerly discoursed of this thing Q. Hence I perceive that in the businesse of our Salvation greater stresse is laid upon the resurrection of Christ then upon his death A. It is altogether so for so the Scripture it self speaketh of this matter see Rom. 5. 10. If when we were enemies we were reconciled unto God by the death of his Son how much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his Life And again Rom. 8. 34. who shall condemn us it is Christ that dyed yea rather that rose again who is also at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us And again 1 Cor. 15. 17. If Christ be not risen from the Dead your Faith is vain ye are yet in your sins And again Rom. 4. 25. Christ was delivered for our Sins and rose again for our Justification Q. Why doth the Scripture so frequently elsewhere ascribe these things to the death of Christ A. Because death was the way to Resurrection and exaltation of Christ so that according to the Decree of God he could not without it arrive to his Power and Dignity Again because of all the things that God and Christ did for our Salvation the death of Christ doth chiefly shew unto us and set before our eyes the transcendent love of God and Christ towards us Q. Is there not some other cause of the death of Christ A. None at all although Christians at this day commonly think that Christ by his death merited Salvation for us and fully satisfied for our sins Which opinion is fallacious erroneous and very pernicious Q. How so A. As to the fallaciousnesse and errour thereof the case is clear not only because the Scripture is silent concerning any such thing but also because it is repugnant both to Scripture and reason Q. Demonstrate this in an orderly manner A. That this opinion is not set down in the Scriptures is apparent in that the maintainers thereof do never alledge clear and evident Texts to prove it but knit together I know not what consequences whereby they endeavour to confirm their tenet which consequences as they are to be admitted when they necessarily flow from the Scriptures so ought they to be esteemed of no force when they are repugnant to the Scriptures Q. How are they repugnant to the Scriptures A. In as much as the Scriptures every where testifie that God freely forgiveth sins especially under the New Covenant 2 Cor. 5. 19. Rom. 3. 24 25. Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. Mat. 18. 23. c. But nothing is more repugnant to free forgivenesse then full satisfaction For that Creditor which is satisfied either by the debtor himself or by some other in his behalf cannot be truly said to have freely out of his meer grace forgiven the debt as at first hearing is apparent to every man Q. How is
the believing Jewes as the Jewes to the believing Gentiles For thus we read God therefore who knoweth the heart gave testimony unto them that is the Gentiles having imparted the Holy Spirit unto them as also unto us Jewes neither hath he put a difference between us and them having purified their hearts by Faith And now why tempt ye God to put a yoke meaning the Law of Moses on the necks of the Disciples that is the Gentiles which neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear Yea by the Grace of the Lord Jesus c. Neither is it any impediment to this interpretation that word Fathers is nearer then the word Disciples as we have formerly shewn from the places which we alledged on a like occasion Also neither is that of any moment that the word they is of the Masculine and the Word Gentiles in the Greek of the Neuter gender for the word Gentiles is elsewhere found in the Scripture either joyned with a masculine gender or related thereunto vide Mat. 28. 19. But if this will not be here admitted we say that the word they is commodiously referred to the word Disciples going before which is of the masculine gender Of Christs KINGLY Office Q. I Have perceived all things pertaining to the Prophetick Office of Christ proceed I pray you to his other Offices namely the Kingly and Priestly A. Thus then the Kingly Office of Christ falleth under a two-fold consideration both of the Kingdome it self and of the people subject thereunto Q. VVhat is the consideration of the Kingdom it selfe A. Namely that God hath placed Christ being raised from the dead and taken up into Heaven at his right Hand having given to him all power both in Heaven and on Earth and put all things in subjection under his feet that he might govern defend and Eternally save those that believe in him Quest Where are these things extant Answ The Scripture is full of them but the Apostle Paul giveth a singular attestation thereunto Ephes 1. 19 20. c. where he saith that God the Father put forth the exceeding greatnesse of his power when he raised Jesus Christ from the dead and set him at his right hand in the Heavenly places far above all Principality and Authority and force and Lordship and every name that is named not onely in this world but in the world to come c. and the Apostle Peter Act. 5. 30 31. saith that the God of their Fathers had raised up Jesus whom the Jewes had slain hanging him on a tree And that he had exalted him to be a Prince and Saviour to give Repentance and Remission of sins to Israel Q But the Adversaries say that Christ raised himself Answ They are exceedingly mistaken since the Scripture saith manifestly in infinite places that God the Father of Christ raised him from the dead Which is so true that the writings of the New Covenant in many places not expressing the Name of God doe thus describe him He that raised Jesus Christ from the dead Rom. 4. 24. chap. 8. 11. Q. How cometh it to passe that they hold such an opinion A. They think it is hinted in some passages of the Scripture as when Christ John 2. 19. saith Destroy this Temple and in three dayes I will raise it up And afterwards John 10. 17 18. Therefore the Father loveth me because I lay down my life that I may take it again None taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and power to take it again And Peter 1 Epist 3. 18. Christ once suffered the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being mortified in the Flesh but quickned in the Spirit Q. What answer you to the first Answ First I answer that so few obscure and figurative places ought not to be opposed to so many and perspicuous ones so that a few obscure places should explain many perspicuous ones but rather the few and obscure places should be interpreted according to the tenour of the many and perspicuous ones Again as to the first testimony the sense may be that Christ being brought again from the dead should raise up or erect his Body namely when God had put life again into it But indeed in such figurative expressions not so much the words in particular as the sense is to be attended especially if the obvious and literall sense seem to contain in it somewhat that is false and repugnant to other places of the Scripture Yet neverthelesse if any man will obstinately urge that expression I will raise it up let him consider first that the Scripture is wont to say a man doth a thing which he onely causeth to be done or is the occasion thereof thus Jeremy chap. 38. 23. saith to Zedekiah Thou shalt be taken by the hand of the King of Babylon and thou shalt burn this City with fire for so the Hebrew context hath it And John 12. 25. He that hateth his life or rather soul in this world shall keep it unto Eternall life Yet neither did Zedekiah if you speak properly burn the City nor doe those that suffer death for the Word of God properly keep their Soul Secondly in as much as the Jewes demand of Christ that he should doe a Signe it was necessary that he should so shape his answer as if he himself were to doe the thing he speaketh of otherwise he had not so oppositely answered them yet that his words might carry a sufficient intimation that he himself should not properly do the work it is observable that in the Greek he omits the particle I saying onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which had it been inserted would have clearly shewn that he had truly raised himself though even then it could not have been thence firmly collected that he did it by his own power and consequently was the most High God Quest How thence is the place to be understood Answ As if Christ should say though you take me out of the way yet shall I after three dayes be raised from the dead and restored which will be a clear signe that I was sent by God Q What say you to the second A. This speech doth not prove that Christ when he was dead had some power in him to raise himself since we read of believers that power is given to them to become the Children of God that is immortall though it be certain that God enduing them with immortality will make them his sons John 1. 12. so that the meaning of the passage is this I have power to lay down my life because I have received this commandment from my Father whose command giveth sufficient power and authority for the doing of any thing I have also power or right or priviledge as the Greek will bear to take it or receive it as the Greek may also be rendred because the Father hath promised that if I lay down my
you demonstrate each of these A. That the sins which could not be expiated under the Old Covenant may be expiated under the New is testified by Paul Acts 13. 38 39. where he saith Be it known unto you brethren that by this man is remission of sins declared to you And from all things wherefrom ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses by Him every one that believeth is justified The same may be seen Rom 3. 25. Heb. 9. 15. Now that sins are in such a manner expiated under the New Covenant as that the eternall penalty of them is taken away and Eternall Life given appeareth from the last place we quoted Heb. 9. 12. Where it is said That Christ by his own Bloud entred once into the Sanctuary having found Eternall Redemption Q. Why is that Sacrifice of Christ performed in the Heavens A. Because it required a Tabernacle suitable both to the Priest and the Sacrifice For since the Priest is immortall and his Sacrifice altogether incorruptible it was necessary that he should enter into an Eternall Tabernacle But in as much as Heaven only is such a Tabernacle being the seat and habitation of God and therefore it was necessary that he should enter into the very Heaven there to discharge his Priestly function as the Author to the Hebrews plainly testifieth Heb. 7. 26. and chap. 8. 1 2 3 4. and chap. 10. 5 6 c. Q. VVhat was he not a Priest till he entred into the Heaven not when he hung upon the Crosse A. At no hand for as you heard even now the Divine Author to the Hebrews chap. 8. 4. expresly saith that if Christ were upon the Earth hee would not be a Priest Besides for as much as the same Author chap. 2. 17. testifieth that Christ ought in all things to be made like unto his Brethren that he might become a mercifull and faithfull High-Priest to God ward it is evident that untill he had been made like unto his brethren in all things that is in afflictions and death he was not out mercifull and faithfull High-Priest Whereby it commeth to passe that his afflictions and death were not his very Sacrifice but a preparation thereunto Quest Why doth the Apostle say that Christ delivered himself a sacrifice and offering to God for a sweet-smelling savour Ephes 5. 2. Answ First you must know that we doe not separate the death of Christ and exclude it from his offering yea we constantly affirme that Christ no otherwise then by his death and the intervening thereof offered himself Onely we assert that his offering was not actually compleated and absolved till being raised from the dead he passed into Heaven For in that yearly sacrifice under the Law which chiefly shadowed out the Sacrifice of Christ for the compleating of the work it was altogether necessary that the bloud of the slain Beast should be brought into the Sanctuary by the High-Priest see Heb. 9. 7. Again it is to be considered that the Apostle in the fore-mentioned place doth not say that Christ offered himself to God for us For this word delivered ought not to be joyned with the word offering but to be read by it self so that the sense is that Christ delivered himself to death For in that significaon the Scripture elsewhere useth the word deliver Furthermore the following words a Sacrifice and offering to God for a sweet-smelling savour are an illustration and commendation of that work of Christ in delivering himself to death whereby the Apostle exhorteth the faithfull to imitate that deed of Christ in loving their neighbour As goods Works are in the like manner of speaking else where commended see Phil. 4. 18. And therefore doing of good and communicating are called Sacrifices wherewith God is well-pleased Heb. 13. as also all good Works which the Faithfull in Christ doe Which good Works of Christians were shadowed forth in the legall Sacrifices Quest VVhat is the meaning of that place Heb. 1. 3. Christ having made a purgation of our sinnes sate down at the right hand of the majesty on high Answ That the manner of expiating and purging our sinnes is since Christ being raised from the dead entred into Heaven and offered himself to God for us I say is perfect and compleat that is all is now finished whereby we may be moved to embrace the remission of sinnes which God hath offered to us and Christ hath obtained authority to conferre that remission upon us Whence afterwards perpetually issueth the cleansing from sinnes and true freedom from the penalties of them Q. Why doth the Scripture treating of Christs Priest-hood say that he intercedeth for us A. Both that the care which Christ takes of our Salvation might by the requests which he is said to make to God appear to us and also that the Prerogative and eminency of the Father above Christ might remain entire and inviolate Touching the Church of Christ Q. YOu have spoken concerning the Kingdome of Christ speak now also concerning his People A. It is the Church or society of Christians and that either visible or invisible CHAP. I. Touching the Visible Church Q. VVHat is the Visible Church A. The Society of such Men as hold and professe the saving Truth Which society may be considered in generall or in speciall In generall when all the visible Societies of Christ dispersed through the whole world are considered as one Society of Christ or one Church In speciall when the particular Societies abiding in certain places as taken for the Church of Christ Q. For as much as now all Societies challenge to themselves the name of the Church of Christ I would fain hear whether there be any marks whereby the Church of Christ may be known A. It is to no great profit to inquire the Marks of a true Church of Christ since I have declared to you what constituteth a True Church namely the saving Truth which whatsoever Society holdeth and professeth is a true Church of Christ But such a Society as holdeth not the saving Truth or Doctrine nor professeth it not although it make shew of I know not what signes yet can it not be accounted a true Church of Christ But to hold the saving Doctrine since it is the essence of the Church of Christ cannot if we speak properly be the Mark thereof since the signe ought to differ from the thing whereof it is the signe Q. Therefore to know which is the true Church of Christ it is sufficient to know the saving Doctrine A. You rightly apprehend the thing For he that embraceth the saving Doctrine is already in the true Church So that he hath no need to enquire the notes of a true Church whereby it may be known But what the saving doctrine is you may understand by our foregoing speech and conference CHAP. II. Of the Government of the Church of Christ Q. SInce you have taught me that the Visible Church of Christ consisteth in the saving doctrine I would also