shal we bee Iohn 14. 2. 17. 24. Phil 3. 21. Heb. 4 ◠14. 9. 24. 1. Cor 15. 57. Titus 9. 2. 14. 2. Cor. 5 1. Ephes 2 18 19 Hebr. 10. 19 20 1 Thes 4. 14. c. e Christ is our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7 25. and 9 12 15 24. Iohn 17. 1. Iohn 2 1 2. f Christ giueth to vs his holy spirit to comfort defend keepe vs. Iohn 14. 14 to 27. and 16 17 3 Acts 17. 28. Iohn 17. and 7 39. Acts 2. 2 4 17. 18. Rom. 5. 5. 1. Cor. 12. Ephes 1. 13 14 and 4 30 Heb 3 14. and 10 14 to 19 Rom 8. 9. 11. 16. ANd sitteth at the right hande of God the father Almightie A Christ Iesus ascended into heauen and there sitteth at the right hande of God And sitteth ◠his father That is hath all power giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things Hee is our Lorde and ruleth all things This is the meaning of the right hand That is hath equall power to rule God is a Spirite and hath no handes as wee haue But Christ our Sauiour hath the shape of man in whom the fulnes of the God head dwelleth bodily And al power is giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things a Christ hath all power and is Lord ouer all Mat. 28. 18. 17. 5. Iohn 3. 35. and 5 22 23. 13. 3. Col. 1. 15. 18. 19. 2. 9. 3 1 2 Fphes 1 20. c. 1 Pet 3. 22. Phil. 2 9 10. Marke 16 19. Actes 7. 55. and 10 36. Rom. 8. 34. and 14 19 Hebr. 1 13 6. and 8 1 and 10 12 and 12 2. Psal 110. 1. and 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1 24. Iohn 4. 24. FRom thence shall hee come to iudge the quicke and the dead A Christ Iesus in the end of the world From thence c shall come visibly and corporally in the same bodie that hee departed hence with great glorie and multitude of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ by his Power shall raise to life againe all the bodies of all mankinde to doe and execute the last iudgement on them at the general resurrection for he is ordeined of God to bee the Iudge of the quicke and the dead Then shal the faithful which beleued in him be gathered into the heauen receiue euerlasting ioy glory And thē the reprobate and vnbeleeuers shall depart◠into hel with the deuill there to remaine in euerlasting paine and torments B This is a singuler comforte to all the faithfull to knowe assuredly that none shall be their iudge but hee that is theyr sauiour a Christ Iesus onely shal be our iudge and receiue the elect to glory and the reprobate shal to hell and bee in euerlasting tormentes Act 1. 11. Math 16. 27. 24. 31. 25. 31. c. 19. 28. Iohn 5. 22. 23. 27. 12. 48. Luke 21. 25. 26. 27. Act 10. 42. 17 31. Rom. 2. 16. 14. 10 2. Pet. 3. 10. to 14. 2. Cor. 5. 10. Hebr. 9. 28. Phil 3. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 8. T it 9 2. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 2. Thes 1. 6. to 11. 1. Thes 4. 16. 17. Apo. 20. 12. Math. 8. 12 22. 13. Iude. 14. 15. b It is a singuler comfort that Christ shal be our iudge Hebr. 9. 28. Rom 8. 1. Col. 3. 4. Ioh 3. 36. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Iohn 12. 48. I Beleeue in the holy ghost a I beleeue in the holy ghost I beleeue and am fully perswaded that the holy I beleeue in the holy ghost spirite of God which proceedeth from Christ dwelleth in me and all the elect people of God and sanctifieth and preserueth vs to euerlasting life and defendeth vs here from the power of the deuill and our wicked enemies So by the gouernement and defence of the holy ghost nothing shall happen to mee but as my sauiour Christ Iesus appointeth and suffereth For our playner vnderstanding of the power of the holy ghost behold the sun in the firmament beeing one thinge in substaunce how all thinges in the world haue of the light and heate therof Wonderfull much more and more then any tongue can expresse dooth the power and vertue of the holy spirite of God spread ouer the whole world to gouerne and rule the same Whatsoeuer benefits wee receiue from Christ the same is giuen vnto euery of vs by the working of the holy ghost The wicked haue some giftes of the holy ghost as Iudas and others haue had the gifts of knowledge But they had not the gifte of sanctification regeneration faith and conuersion The holye ghost filleth heauen and earth and is in euery place and yet worketh saluation but to the faithfull only So the gifts of the holy Ghost to saluation are proper onely to the faythfull and elect B So I beleeue in God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Of the Trinitie and yet not three Gods but one God In these three persons it pleased God to open him selfe to our fayth in their seuerall woorking For vnto the diuine The Father essence or substaunce which we call God the Father who is a spirite is attributed the creation of all things And yet the Almightie power and Godheade of the Sonne and the holy Ghost was then also at the beginning before all worldes and all one in substaunce all three beeing the whole incomprehensible diuine substance and yet the same substance is not diuided Vnto the Sonne Christ Iesus is attributed The Sonne our redemption The almightie power and Godheade vniting or taking to it the manhoode which was borne of the holy virgine Saint Marie and in the same manhoode the fulnesse of the Godheade and almightie power dwelleth and abydeth bodily The same twoo natures Vnited together wee call Christ who is God and man c The vertue and almightie power The holy ghost which proceedeth from Christ working his good pleasure the same is God the holy Ghost As the spirit of man which is in man is of the substāce of man So the spirit of God which is in God is of the essence and substance of God and with God before the creation of the worldes So wee bee compelled by the christian veritie to acknowledge euery person by himselfe to be God Lord. And yet not three Gods nor three Lordes For in this Trinitie none is before nor after other none is greater nor lesser then another but the whole three persons be coeternall together coequall The vnitie in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie is to be worshipped He therefore that wil be saued must thus think of the Trinity And beleue and confes that our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of God is God and man God of the substance of the Father begotten before the worldes and man of the substaunce of his mother borne in the world
without Christ in eternal paine with y◠diuel in hel for euer Euerlasting life in heauen is giuen the faythfull by the free mercie of God for Christ his sake And is begun in this life by faith and conuersion which is a full purpose and intent to liue according to Gods commaundements Eternall life is begun here by conuersion and finished in heauen by glorification The peace of conscience which is ioy and gladnesse in God doth assure vs in this life of euerlasting life a The faithfull shall enioy euerlasting life and dwell with christ for euer Matth. 19 28. 29. and 25 34 35. Luke 20 36 Iohn 3 14 15 36 and 5 24 29 and 6 47. 11 25. and 17 3. 1. Iohn 3 2. and 5 11 Esay 51 11. and 65 17 18. Rom. 2 6 and 5. 17. and 6. 23. and 8 17 30. 1 Cor. 2 9. 1. Cor. 15 53 54. Actes 13 48. Tit. 1 2. Reu. 2 10. b The wicked shall haue euerlasting torments with the deuill in hell for euer Matth. 25 41 46. and 8 12. and 13 39 to 43. Luke 16 23 Iohn 5 29. Iude Iob 10 21. 22. Esay 66 15 16 24. 2 Pet. 2 4. The ende of the Creede In this faith I am taught how and what to beleeue concerning God the Father who made me and all the world Secondly what to beleeue concerning God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankinde Thirdly what to beleeue concerning God the holye Ghost who sanctifieth mee and all the elect people of God Fourthly what to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church The conclusion how this fayth iustifieth A This is the Catholike fayth which Howe this faith maketh vs righteous before God except a man beleeue faithfully hee can not be saued B And by this faith we haue our sinnes forgiuen vs and are iustified and made righteous freely by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour and redemer C This fayth whosoeuer hath it doeth What is fayth wholy and onely trust for his saluation vpon the mercie and promises of God in Christ And commeth vnto Christ with this true faith repentaunce and newnesse of life And so continually loueth righteousnesse and hateth the doing of euill for this fayth will worke in him conuersion NOwe is to bee called to minde what Of faith and the lawe hath bene heretofore said cōcerning sinne And that the whole life of a Christian consisteth in fayth and charitie Sinne entered on Adam and all his posteritie Gene. 3. Rom. 5. 12 c. from whom all of vs are discended by his offence in breaking of Gods commandement And to make vs more Rom. 5 20. 3. 20. sinfull and to know our sinne the law or tenne commandements of almightie God was giuen Wherein God doth Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. Iam. 2. 10. appoynt vs what we ought to do and if wee faile in any one poynt his terrible iudgement and curse doth rest vpon vs and so eternall death D And forasmuch as it is altogether Acts 15. 10. Gal 3. 24. aboue our strength and power to fulfill the lawe of God Therefore our mercifull God hath giuen vs a meane of deliuerance to drawe vs out of this so wretched a calamitie thereby to attaine the heauenly eternall life The which meane is the foresayd fayth and trust in Gods mercie for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour redeemer and by him onely and by none other Acts 4. 12. Hebr. 10. 10. Ioh 3. 18. 17 3. 14. 6. way nor meane it pleaseth our heauenly father to haue mercie vpon vs and to suucour vs. And by this our true fayth the Lawe and cursse thereof taketh no holde in vs but hath an ende Who so euer hath this fayth assuredly The same will worke in him repentance and conuersion and cause him to hate euill and he that hateth euill will repent his doing of euil Thus repenting the breaking of Gods commaundements and our sinnes wee are by this our true fayth iustifyed and made righteous by Christ our Sauiour our sinnes shall not bee layde to our charge And thus beeing iustified The holy Ghost doeth sanctifie vs and prouoke and stirre vs vp to serue God and to our power to reliue our needie neighbours hauing sufficient for our familie because he that ◠Tim. 5. 8. prouideth not for them hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidel So he that hath this fayth will loue Christ with all his power and aboue all thinges And will haue an earnest continuall desire and endeuour to keepe Christ his commaundements Therefore this faith can by no meane be seuered from godly affections because Christ dwelleth in the failhfull by his holy spirite and vertue and sanctifieth them * 1. Cor. 1 30. 2. Thes 2. 13. Hebr. 10. 14. Phil. 2 13. Acts 4. 12. So fayth and good workes are ioyned together This is the onely meane to enioy the eternall blessed life and to dwell with God in glorie for euer So I conclude that he which hath this faith wil to his power endeuour to worship God aright and to keepe his holy commaundements a They that beleeue not are cōdemned alreadie therfore faith is an assured knowledge trust c. Mar. 16 16 Iohn 3 18 36 8 24 10. 25 26. 12 48 Heb. 3 19. 10 22 11 1. Col. 2 2 Mat. 13 23. b The true liuely faith iustifieth for by faith we take hold of Christ his merits and the forgiuenes of sinnes Haba 2 4. Mar. 5. 36. 10 52. 16 16. Luke 7 50. 8 48. Iohn 3 16 18. 5 24. 17 3 20 21 22. Acts 10 43. 13 39 15 9. 16 31. 22 16. 26 18. Rom. 1 16. 3 24 25 26 28. 4 5. 5. 1 5 10 8 9 14 33 34. 9 30. 10 10. Gal. 2 16 20 21. 3 11. 14 22 23 24. 5. 6. Eph. 1 3. 5 7. 2 8 3 9. 2. Cor. 5 19 21. Gen. 15 6 1. Pet. 1 5. 9. 1 Iohn 17. 5 14 Ioh. 16 23 11 26 Mat. 9 29. Lu. 18 42. Heb. 11. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Ti. 3. 5 6. Mat. 7 17 12 33. See more proofe before in the 2. 10. Articles of the Creede that faith iustifieth And what this faith is is shewed before in all the Creede c whosoeuer hath this faith wil loue christ and hate the doing of euill and wil relieue his nee die neighbours to his power Iohn 15. 5. Matth. 5. 16. and 7. 12. c. and 12. 33. Gal. 5. 6. 13. 14. and 6. 8. 15. Tit. 1. 16. and 2. 11. c. and 3. 8 Phil. 2. 13. Acts 17. 28. 1. Cor. 13. 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Pet. 1 15. 16. Heb. 12. 14. Iohn 13. 34. 35 15. 8. 1. Iohn 3. 17 18 Col. 1. 10.
for it is the holy ghost that encreaseth and strengtheneth our fayth and maketh the Sacraments to bring forth fruit in vs. We doe not denie but Christ himselfe Matth. 28. 20. with the power of his spirit is present at the administration of the holye Sacraments and the grace of God is there truely present to our fayth when we receyue them Neuerthelesse the inwarde grace of the spirite is seuered from the outward ministerie And the Sacraments doe not profite but being receyued by fayth All that are baptised haue not the spirite of Christ Simon Magus was baptised Acts 8. 13. 18 to 25. by Philip the Apostle but had not the grace of the holy ghost he confessed the truth yet was not regenerate by the holy ghost So Baptisme and the Lords supper may be receyued without the holy ghost Albeit God inwardly worketh by the holy ghost that which the Sacraments testifie Hee that despiseth the holy sacraments and willingly doth forbeare the Gen. 17 13 14. Luke 14 24. Mar. 8 38. vse of them as though he needed them not he is not to bee accounted any of Gods people And also thereby he refuseth the grace of Christ But he that receyueth Iohn 3 16. 17 20 c. them in fayth and repentance vnto him the holy Sacraments seale and confirme most assuredly the promise of 1. Iohn 2 3 Rom. 3 25. 5 9 2. cor 5 21. Gal 3 1â— heb 9 14. 10 10. Col 1 14. grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes and that he shall bee partaker of Christ and his benefites and dwell with him in heauen for euer Of Baptisme BAptisme is a holy signe and an assured Mark 16 16. Tit. 3 5. Gal 3 27. 1. Cor. 12 13. token to mee that my sinnes are forgiuen mee for Christ his sake and that I am receyued into the holy Church as a member of the same and vnited vnto Christ by the speciall working of the holy Ghost Baptisme hath the promise of forgiuenesse Matt. 28 19. Mark 16 16. Rom. 6 3. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet 3 21. of sinnes and saluation annexed to it that euery one which beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued And in Baptisme wee are renued by the holye Ghost whereby our euill inclinations are chaunged into good that wee haue thereby an hatred of sinne In Baptisme the offence and punishment Gal. 3 27. Ephe. 5 26. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet. 3 21. of our sinne is taken away Neuerthelesse the corruption or inclination to sinne remayneth in vs which maketh euery one of vs subiect to sinne and alwayes to neede the mercie of God and 1. Iohn 1 8 9 10 forgiuenesse of sinnes Baptisme is a ceremonie or outwarde What Baptism is and wherefore it was ordeyned signe instituted by Christ being washed with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Whereby Christ testifyeth 1. Iohn 1 7. Ephe. 5. 26. to vs that wee are cleansed from our sinnes by his blood And Baptisme is also a solemne signe of our receyuing into the holy Church and the marke whereby Christians are knowne from Infidels Also it is the Sacrament Acts 2 38. of Christian profession for by my receyuing of Baptisme I do professe 2. Cor. 5 17. Rom. 6 3 4. to liue a Christian to beleeue trust for my saluation all things else which I shall neede onely in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one true and euerlasting God And I doe thereby solemnly binde my selfe to Christ to keepe his commaundements to my power and to beleeue and trust in his merits death and passion for my saluation And so by Acts 22. 16. 15 9. Mar. 16 16. Tit. 3. 5. fayth in Christ I am sanctified by the spirite vnto eternall life The visible signe in Baptisme is water with which the person baptised is washed The spirituall and inuisible grace is 1. Cor. 6 1 1. Tit. 3. 5. forgiuenesse of sinnes and the renuing by the holy ghost After our Baptisme Christ with his grace by the working of the holy ghost doeth regenerate and frame the faithfull to newnesse of life by fayth and repentance so long as they liue here in this worlde whereby they hate sinne and the deuill and in the end ouercome them To be baptised in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost signifieth into the Religion profession and grace of the father the sonne and the holy ghost Baptisme is the solemne receyuing of vs into the holy Church and into Gods fauour therefore euery of vs are but once baptised in our whole life Although our baptisme doe require Baptisme of infants fayth and repentance yet the Baptisme of infants doth very well agree with the institution of Christ and the nature of the signe For the signes consist not in the outward ceremonies but principally Acts 2. 39. Gal. 3 7. 29. Gen. 17 7. 1. Cor. 12. 13. depende vppon the promise of saluation which belong also to the children of the faythfull and wee and our children by baptisme enter into the profession of God that we may be reckoned his people Also Baptisme hath the same office with vs as Circumcision had with the Iewes And God commanded the Iewes to circumcise their infants Infants Mat. 19 14. 15. mar 10. 14. 15. 16. Gal. 3. 29. are partakers of Christ and heyres by promise Therefore are not to be debarred from baptisme The children of Christians are accounted holy although they bee the 1. Cor 7 14. issue but of one faythfull parent Therefore the childe of a Christian may bee baptised The Prophet Ieremie and saint Iohn Baptist were sanctified in Iere. 1 5. Luke 1 15. their mothers wombes whereby plainly appeareth saluation is according to Gods election albeit the infant were Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 neuer baptised God hath chosen vs before the foundation of the worlde So then saluation is not in him that willeth Ephe. 1. 4. Rom. 9 16 nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie Of the holy Communion THe holy Communion I receyue in remembraunce Luke 22. 19 20 1. Cor. 11 24. 25 26. Rom. 4 25. that Christ dyed for my sinnes and rose againe to giue mee and all the faythfull eternall life And in this holy Sacrament receyuing the same in true fayth and repentaunce I receyue by the 1. Cor. 13 2 3. working of the holy Ghost grace and vertue from heauen from the verie bodie and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ for out 1. Cor. 10 3 4 16 17. gal 2 20 Iohn 6 51 c. of the substance of his flesh he giueth life to my soule and the holy Ghost doeth thereby nourish my heart to beleeue faythfully in Christ his death and merits for my saluation and dwelleth in mee and vniteth mee vnto Christ And also maketh mee
The Principles of the true Christian religion breifelie selected out of manie good Bookes First reade and then iudge Ioh 17 2 3 3 16. The Godly ioye of a true Christian is to knowe the onely God in Christ So shall hee obtaine the eternall ioyfull life 1. Tim 4 8. Godlinesse is good vnto all thinges As a thing which hath promises in the life that is now And in the life to come 1590. ⧠To the Christian Reader EVery Christian ought to haue great care to ground him selfe in the principles of christian religion a 2. Tim 3. 16. 17. Acts 17. 11. 19. 28. Ioh 5. 39 Reue 3. 15. 16. Iam 1. 6. 7. 1. Pet 3. 15. 16. Vpon the sure rocke of the holie Scriptures that he bee not caried awaie with euery winde to a newe religion nor vnto hereticall opinions nor wauering in his faith b Mar 16. 16. Ioh 3. 18. 36. 12. 48. For except a man beleeue the Catholicke faith vndoubtedlie with an assured beleefe he cannot be saued c Act 17. 11. The consideration hereof maie stirre vppe euerie Christian to search the holie Scriptures to learne to knowe Christ and howe to attaine vnto saluation These thinges caused me to select and write this little booke for mine owne instruction Reade diligentlie this little booke â—â—d I doubte not you will acknowledge to haue receiued profite worth your paines Thus wishing the encrease of the knowledge of God to al people I commend you to his gratious protection Thine in the Lord. Swithunc Butterfeild Aprill 1590. The Principles of Christian Religion EVery Christian which desireth to attaine eternall life in heauen must knowe howe condemnation Rom 5. 18. 19. and sinne came on all men by the offence of our first father Adam from whom wee are all discended And therefore hee and his posteritie accursed And how that condemnation and curse Ioh 17. 2. 3. Rom 5. 18. 19. is put from vs and the ioyfull eternall life attained Onely by the mercye of God through faith in Iesus Christ our sauiour Mar 16. 16. Mat 16. 26. 27. Ephe 1. 4. 1. Pet 1. 15. 9. Ioh 3. 18. Therefore euerie Christian must know what hee must beleeue and howe to serue God Thereby to obtaine forgiuenes of all his sinnes in this life that hee may attaine vnto eternall life in heauen The faith in Iesus Christ which wee Ioh 17. 2. 3. Mat 22. 37. to 40. Gal 5. 14. must beleeue and the true seruing of God according to his holy will Is breifely comprised in the Creede The tenne commaundementes of almightie God the Lo 〈…〉 s prayer and the right vse of the holy Sacramentes so Religion consistes in faith and obedience The Creede teacheth what we must beleeue The tenne commaundementes sheweth vs our dutie towardes God and our dutie towardes our neighbour The Lordes prayer teacheth vs how we must praâ— and for what we must pray The holy Sacramentes are ordeined to be holy signes and assured tokens to vs of the mercy of God and forgiuenes of sinnes For the merites death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour These foure parts containeth faith which is the beleeuing of the Gospell The Law Praier and Sacramentes Or more shorter The Lawe and the Gospell Those articles of faith which wee must beleeue are these that followe Commonlie called the Apostles Creede The Creede I Beleeue in God the father almightye maker of heauen and earth All my hope trust and beleefe for al things I beleeue in God I shall neede either heauenly or earthly is in the same A onely very God that made the heauens and the earth B The father of our Lord Iesus Christ C and my father for Christ his sake For hee hath chosen all the faithful in Christ to bee his children And loueth them Who is so D almightie that hee made Almighty maker of heauen and earth the heauens and the earth and all thinges therein with his word And doth still so preserue rule and gouerne them that nothing happeneth in this world but by his determination will and foreknowledge It is God onely that giueth faire weather and foule weather plentye and all things else as pleaseth him There is not any thing that happeneth to me in blessings or punishments but by the appointment and foreknowledge of almightie God Whereby I knowe that the deuill is not able to doe any hurt to me vntill God suffer him for my punishment and that only so farre as he giueth the deuell leaue The wicked spirites the wicked people and the wilde beasts are the messengers of God to execute his iudgementes and punishmentes C This almighty God is so wonderfull mighty and incomprehensible that my minde nor any man whatsoeuer is not able to conceiue what hee is But Christ hath taught vs that this our good God and father is a spirite a Of God Gen 1. Ioh 1 17 3. 1 Tim 2 5. 1. Cor 8 6. Eph 4 5 6. Deu 6 4. Ier 10 10 11 1 Tim 1 17. Ier 23 24. Ioh 4 24. b The father of Christ Iesus Math 1 18 20 3 17. Luk 1 32 35. Ioh 1 14. Rom 15 6. c And my father Rom 8 15 Gen 1 27 2 7 Ioh 1 12. Gal 4 6. Eph 1 5 6. Ioh 20 17 1 Ioh 3 1. Rom 5 8. D Ephe 1. Leui 26. Psal 89. 10. 91 His almighty prouidence so that nothing happeneth but by his appointment Heb 1. 3. Math 6. 31. c. Luke 21. 15. 1. Pet 5. 18. Pro 8. 15. Esay 3. 2. 1. Cor 2. 7. Ro 9. 20. Deu 11. 14. 15. 25. 32. 39. Ma. 10. 29. 30. 31. Psal 34. 7. Math 18 10. Gen 19. 22. 2. Sam 24. 1. Kings 22. 22. Math 8. 31. Iob 1. 7. 8. 12. Psal 104. 14. Acts 17. 25. c Iob 37. 5 38. 27. Exo. 21. 13. 2. Sam 17. Gen 45. 7. 8. Exod 3. 21. 4. 23. 20. Iudg 6. 7. 1 King 17 20. 22. 2. Kings 6. 7. Psal 34. 37. 127. 1. Cro 29. 11. 12. Dan 6. 22. Act. 12 Eze 14 9 Amos 3. 6. Psal 76. 2. Esay 3. 47. 5. Zach 8. 10. Esay 44. 24. 25. 45. 6. 7. Leui 19. 31. Deut 18. 10. 11. 12. Ier. 10. 2. 23. Pro 16. Eccle 11. 4. Deut 32. 39 Pro 20. 24. Act 17. 26. 27. 28. Exod 21. 13. Deut 19. 5. Iosua 11. 20. Ionas 1. 4. 1. King 12. 15. Iud 9. 23. 24. 1. Sam. 16. 14. 1. King 22. 21. 22. 2. Kin 17 26. 24. 3 2. Cor 4. 4. 1 Sam 2. 25. 2. King 7. Ier 43 11. 2. Thes 2. 9. 10. 11. Iob 1. 10. 12. Ro. 8 27. Esay 57. 1. 54. 16. Pro. 16. 3. 7. Iere. 42. 11. 12. â— Iere 23. 24. Acts 7. 48. 50. Ioh. 4. 24. What God iâ— 2 ANd in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lorde And I beleeue in Iesus Christ that hee And in
Iesus Christ is that A sauiour which God promised frō the beginning of the world and is also B my sauiour And I beleeue that God will be mercifull vnto me and c forgiue me my sinnes for his sake Christ Iesus hath reconciled all the faithfull vnto God by the sacrifice of his death And is the ransome for our redemption for it pleased almighty God to haue his iustice so satisfied Christ hath D wrought and done for me all that is needfull for my saluation if I beleeue in him and trust in his death and merites Whatsoeuer Christ hath wrought for mans saluation perteineth also vnto vnto me and I shall be pertaker thereof We must not E any where else seeke saluation but onely in Christ That as by the offence of our father Adam who was the first man in this world condemnation came on all men and therfore he and his posteritie from whence we are all descended accursed So theris no meanes to bring vs from this curse and eternall damnation but only by Iesus Christ our Lord for by him God promised saluation from the beginning of the world Wherby the holy fathers before Christs 1. Cor. 10 1 to 5. Iohn 8 56. comming in the flesh were saued by beleeuing that the sauiour Christ shoulde come to redeeme them and obteine of God forgiuenes of their sins wee are saued by beleeuing Christ is come and hath wrought all that is needefull for our saluation So by F our true faith Christ his righteousnes Faith is made ours by beleuing that the once offering of his body and bloud is a full satisfaction for our sins to God the father And that by his obedience and fulfilling of the law of God we shal be made righteous iust before God For as by the disobedience of our first father Adam wee are all made sinners So Se more at large for faith after in the 10. article and at the end of the Creede by the obedience of Christ Iesus all the faithful are made righteous Al those are made righteous by Christ which do beleeue and trust in his death merits do repent and amend their wicked liues a Christ promised from the beginning is that sauiour promised Gen 3. 15. 22. 18. Gal 3. 16. Ge. 26. 4. 28. 14. Deut 18. 18. 19. Esay 7. 14. 15. 16. 9. 6. 7. 11. 42. 53. Ier. 23. 3 to 9. 33. 14. to 19. Mic 3. 5. 2 5 Zach 9. 9. to 16. 11. 12. 13. 16. 12 10. Mala 3. 1. 2. Math 1. 21. 1. Pet 1. 19. 20. Iohn 1. b Christ is my sauiour Math 1. 21. Iohn 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 19. 1. Cor 1. 30. Eph 1. 5. 7. 2. 16. Col 1. Act. 5. 31. Rom 5. 10. 8. 2. Tim 1. 9. 10. 1. 10. 2 2 Ioh 20. 31. 3. 36. c God wil for giue me my sinnes for Christ his sake Esay 53. Ioh 20. 31. Acts 4. 12. 5. 31. 13. 38. 39. Rom 3. 24. 25. 26. 4. 25 5. 1. Cor 1. 30. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 19. 21. Gal. 3. 13. 14. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. Eph 2. Col 1. 13 c. 1. Thes 5. 9. 10. 1. Tim 2. 5. 6. 2. Tim. 1. 9. 10. Tit 2. 11 c. 3. 4. to 8. Hebr. 9. 10. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19. 2. 24. Reuel 5. 10. Phil 3. 20. 21. 1. Ioh 2. 2. 1. 2. Rom 8. 1. 26. 27. d Christ hat done all that is needfull fo◠my saluation Ioh. 19. 30. Luke 22. 37. Ioh 20. 31. 14. 11. to 16. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. 23. 24. E Acts 4. 12 5. 31. 13 38 39. Col. There is no saluation but onely by Christ 1. 14. 1. Thes 5 9 10. Hebr 9. Gal 3. 4. Ioh. 3 18. 2. Thes 1 8 9 Ioh 14 6. f By faith christ his righteousnes is ours Hebr 3 14 7. 9 10. Gal 3. 14 16. 1 Cor 1 30. Rom 5 19 21. Acts 3 17. 2 Tim 2 19. Christ Iesus is the onely sonne of God because his manhoode was begotten of the His only son holy Virgin Saint Mary by the holy spirite of God by that onely power without any acte of man Albeit we are the children of God by grace and adoption by Christ and that God created vs yet hee begatte none in that order with his holy spirite but only Christ Iesus our Sauiour A Christ is the naturall and onely sonne of God Therefore he is the onely naturall sonne of God A Io 1. Mat 1 3 17. Lu 2. 1. Rom 1 3 4. Christ Iesus is our Lord. For God is wel Our Lord. pleased in him A hath giuen ouer to him all power in heauen and earth that he shold giue eternal life to al those y◠beleue in him The B fulnes of the godhead and almighty power dwelleth and a abideth in Christ bodily as my soule dwelleth in my body And he hath redeemed vs doth rule and gouerne the whole world C And by his almighty power and working of the holy Ghost hee maketh all the faithfull to be his members and to be one with God as God is in him and he in God And so the faithfull haue Christ dwelling in thē and are his members and owe to him honour and reuerence as they honour the father therefore he is our Lord. a God hath giuen all power to Christ Math 28 18 Ioh 17 Ioh 1 Ma 17 5 3 17 Ioh 3 35 13 3 17 2. b The fulnes of the almighty power and godhead is in Christ and he is our lord and ruleth althings Io 1 Co 1 15 Io 3 13 35 Ma 28 18 Io 13 3 1 Ro 15 24 25 Ac 10 36 Ro 14 9 c The faithful haue Christ dwelling in them and are his members and he is their heade Ioh 17 21 22 23 1 Cor 12 27 6 15 17 19. Eph 5 23 30 1 22 Rom 12 5 8 9 10. WHich was conceiued by the holye ghost borne of the Virgin Mary This Iesus my sauiour in whom I beleeue Which was conceiued by the holy ghost was conceiued in the wombe of the holy Virgin Saint Mary A by the onelie power of the holy ghost And was borne and formed of her substance Although the holy Virgin was betrothed to Ioseph to take him for her husband and therfore acknowledged hym as her husband Neuerthelesse Iosephe knew not her body at any time before this Iesus our sauiour was borne Christ Iesus conceiued of the holy Virgin without sin by the power and vertue of the holy ghost This Iesus our sauiour B is the seede of the woman and of Abraham In whom all the nations of the earth shal be blessed And hee was borne very man of the holy Virgin formed and framed of her substaunce Beeing borne first a younge babe and after grewe vnto mans state as we doe and
liued here on the earth vntil the thirtie three yeere of his age Hee hungred and thirsted slept and was werie of trauell Thereby shewing that hee was perfect man And also by his wonderfull miracles shewed him selfe to bee perfect God C Christ as concerning his diuine nature is very God he descended merueilously Iohn 1. 14. from heauen and yet his diuine nature left not heauen His diuine power and maiestie filled the whole worlde as God And where it is said the word was made fleshe that is to bee vnderstoode That Christ vnited and ioyned the manhoode to the Godheade So as the Godhead had his seuerall propertie and was not infused or turned into fleshe nor mingled with the bodie but had his seate in the manhoode As my soule hath in my bodie For my soule is not my body nor my body is not my soule But either of them haue their seuerall properties remaining So is Christ one God in substance with the father and the holy ghost And perfecte man also as I am in all thinges sinne excepted It was his wil to be merueilously conceiued in the virgins wombe and to dwell in her wombe for a time and of her to be borne and to be conuersant heere on earth vntill the thirty three yeere And so was the sonne of God as begotten of the father almightie and the sonne of man and seede of Abraham by being borne and nourished in the wombe of the holy Virgin Sainte Marie a Christ Iesus was conceiued by the holy Ghost Math 1 18. Luke 1 35. Ioh. 1 14. b Christ is the seed of the woman and of Abraham in whom we are blessed And is very man Gen 3 15 22 18. Esay 7 14. Ma. 1 18. Luke 1 31 2 7. Acts 3 25. Gal 3 8 4 4. 5. Gen 12 3 18 18. Ioh 4 6. Mat 4 2. Luke 2 40 19 41. c Christ is very God and very man vnited together Ioh 1. 10 8 42 17 5 21 10. 30 Rom 1 4 9 5. Heb 1 3 5 8. Col 1 13 2 9 Math 3. 17. Ephe. 4 9 10. Math 28 20. HE suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried A Christ suffered vnder Pontius Pilate He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate when hee was gouernour ouer the Iewes in Iurie Christ then suffered his manhood to be most wickedly betrayed by Iudas his own disciple and to be most falsely and malitiously accused by the Iewes condemned and scourged with other vile abuses And finally suffered his manhode or mans nature To be put to death on the crosse as a malefactor Because it was so appointed by God from the beginning of the world that the same manhoode or mans nature should be put to death and suffer those iniuries for a sacrifice and redemption for the sins of all the world Christ was crucified hee in all his lyfe Was crucified time heere on the earth suffered paine and greife for our sinnes Christ yeelded himselfe in our place and steed to satisfie God his father for our sins and by his death and extreame torments he appeased the wrath of God towardes vs and reconciled vs to God and so by his death hath deliuered vs from the tiranny of the deuill and from eternall death if wee beleeue in him God was displeased with vs for the offence of our first father Adam and in his iustice he would not leaue that sinne vnpunished euen to Adams whole posteritie For that we were not able to satisfie his wrath therefore Christ Iesus came pure and innocent and obeyed God his father in all thinges and fulfilled the lawe and suffered his manhoode to bee put to a vile death on the crosse that his obedience and death might bee a raunsome for our sins to God his father And that the sinnes of all that truely beleeue and trust in him might be laid vpon him and forgiuen them And so by faith in Christ Iesus and trust in Gods mercie for his sake we are absolued obteine remission of our sinnes and be reconciled to God ANd buried A Christ his manhood being dead was And buried buried after the common maner of men And his bodie lay in the graue till his resurrection The stone ouer the graue where Christ was buried vntill his resurrection was kept with souldiers whereby appeareth euident the very death of his manhoode and the separation of his soule from his body And so by his death the mysterie of our redemption was accomplished the wrath and anger of God appeased and peace made betweene God and vs. Our redemption dependeth wholy of the death of the manhood of Christ for the ransome for our sinnes is his death and passion A Mat 27 24 c Luk. 23 Iohn 19. Christ suffred his manhood to be put to death for to be a sacrifice attonemēt for the sinnes of all the elect and faithfull Acts 2 23 4. 27 28. Luk. 24 26. 2. Cor. 15 18 c. Ephe. 2 16. Col. 1 20. Esay 53 Gal. 3 13 14 4. 4 5. Deu. 21 23. Gal. 1 4. Eph. 1 2. 11. c. Col. 1 2. 1. Pe. 2. 24. 3 18. 4 1. Ro. 5 8 c. Heb. 2 14 15 7 24 c. 9 11 c. 10. 12 c. Ro. 8 1 2 33 34. 1. Ioh. 1 7. Apo. 1 5. 1. Tim. 2 5. 2. Tim. 1 9 10. 1. Iohn 2 1 2 4. 10 Ioh. 3 16. 6 51. Rom. 1 16. 17 3 24 25. Act. 4 10 12 5 31 10 43. 1. Cor. 15 3. Mar. 10. 45. b Christ his manhoode being dead was buried Mat. 27. 5 7 c. Mar. 15 43. c. Lu. 23 52 53. Ioh. 19 40 41. Mat. 12 40 Act. 13 29. 1. Cor. 15 4. Lu. 22 37. Ioh. 20 31. HE descended into hell A Christ suffered for me all mankind He descended into hell in his soule and manhood The paines and torments of hel which is due vnto the wicked therby to redeeme me and all those that beleeue in him from hell and from the eternal death Also he suffred the punishment due to our bodies and soules both by death of his manhood and by the torments and anguish of his soule B Christ by his death hath vāquished and ouercome the deuil sinne death And by the vertue of his death he stroke a great terror into the deuils wicked wherby they knew that christ in his māhood hath vāquished ouercom them a Christ his sufferings and torments Esa 53 6 10 Mat. 26 38. 27 46 50 Luk. 22 42 44. Ioh. 12. 27. Luk. 23 43 46. Mat. 12 40. Lu 11. 29 30 Act. 2 31. Ps 19 10. ◠Hebr 2. 14. 15. Col 2. 15. 1. Cor 15. 24 25. 1. Pet 3. 18 19. 20. 2. Tim 1. 9. 10. THe third day hee rose againe from the deade A Christ the third day after his death The third day
he rose againe rose againe by his diuine power and vnited his Godhead and soule and bodie together and in his manhoode tooke life againe Our sauiour Christ by the space of fortie daies after his resurrection often shewed him selfe aliue in his manhoode vnited to his Godheade by many infallible tokens and was conuersant with his disciples and was seene of more then fiue hundred brethren at once The same body which suffered and was put to death did rise againe and was glorified all infirmities being done away hauing the Godheade vnited to the same his mans body which rose againe B By this his rising againe Christ sheweth him selfe to be the son of God and the promised sauiour And also sheweth manifestly that he hath conquered and ouercome the deuill sin and death and is nowe the author of our life For our righteousnesse is restored by his resurrection C And his rising againe is a sure pledge to me that my bodie after this life shall in like manner rise againe This his rising againe is a most great comfort to all faithfull and the victorye of our faith D As he is risen from death so hee causeth mee as a member of him to rise from sinne and delight in righteousnes Christ hath giuen me of his holy spirite which subdueth sinne in me and so mortifieth my flesh that I hate sinne and sathan And thereby I feele sanctification and new life to be begonne in me which certifieth my conscience I am in Christ and so of God This benefitte I receaue by Christes rising againe who is nowe the author of my saluation So hee died for our sins and rose againe for our righteousnes to purchace vs life with God his father And hath sent his holy spirite to be our comfort and to gouerne leade and direct vs in our dooinges â— Whosoeuer dooth not taste of mortification and newnesse of life hath no part in the redemption of Christ For he giueth strength to the faithfull to subdue sinne in some measure and to walke in a newe life and righteousnesse here on earth F Christ rose from dead To make vs partakers of his righteousnesse sanctification and glorification which hee purchased for vs by his merit a The bodie of Christ which suffred rose againe Matt. 28 Iohn 20 and 21. Luk. 24 13 c. Acts 1 3 8 9 10. and 2 24 31. and 10 40. and 13 29 30 31 35. 1. Cor. 15. 3 to 9. Matth 20. 18. Mark 9 31. and 10. 34. Luke 9 22. 1. Peter 3 21. 2. Cor. 13 4. b He shewed his power c. that he hath conquered the deuill sinne and death Rom. 1 4. Acts 1 3 Rom. 8 1 34 1. Cor. 15 26 54 57 Ephe. 1. 19. c. Colos 1. 18 and 2. 15. Heb. 2. 14 15. c I shall rise againe in like maner 1. Cor. 15. 13. 16 20 26. 1 Thes 4 14 c. Rom. 6 23. d Christ causeth me to rise from sinne delight in righteousnes Colos 3 1 2 5. Galat. 2 20. Colo 1. 12 to 25. Rom. 6 and 7. 22 25 and 8 1 2 9 10 11 14 15 26. 1. Iohn 4 13 Iohn 3 36 and 14 16 17 18. and 16 7 13. e He that hath not newnesse of life hath not the spirit of Christ Rom. 6 6 12. 14 16. and 8 9 10 11 13 14. Col. 3 1 2 5. 1. Peter 2 24. f Christ rose from death to make vs partakers of his righteousnes 6 He ascended into heauen 1. Cor. 1 30 Rom. 4 25. Iohn 3 16 Mat. 28. 18 20. Rom 5. 19. 21 Gal. 3. 13. 14 Iohn 17 21 22 23. Acts 17 28. 1. Cor. 12 27. HE ascended into heauen Iesus Christ our Sauiour after his Resurrection was here on the earth with his corporall presence fortie dayes And after that A he ascended into heauen bodily and visibly the people looking and seeing him when he ascended Christ his mans body which he tooke in the wombe of the blessed virgin saint Marie before his ascension was not in heauen The same bodie he glorified tooke vp into heauen there to remaine vntill he come againe at the ende of the world to iudge the quicke the dead B Therfore we must seeke Iesus christ in heauen not in earth spiritually not carnally by fayth not by our senses It is by the vertue of his holy spirit that he doth coÌ„municat pertake himself vnto Spirituall thinges are not seene but with the eyes of the spirite For what is neerer to a man then his own soule yet not any man euer at any time sawe his soule or the soule of any other man C Christ his diuine presence is in the earth with vs and is euery where His diuinitie and Godhead filleth both heauen and earth and dwelleth and abideth in the faithfull The body of Christ is in heauen and hath left the world vntill he come to the resurrection and iudgement of all mankinde Neuerthelesse his holye spirite vertue and power filleth heauen and earth and ruleth and gouerneth vs. D Moreouer by this his entrye into heauen hee hath made easie vnto vs the way and dooth assure vs that the gate is already open vnto vs and that our sins be forgiuen vs the which waye before was shutte vp against vs because of our sinnes But now our sauiour Iesus is entered into the heauens with his mans body of the nature of our fleshe which is a gage and pledge that he will conduct vs thether E We haue these benefits by Christ his ascention He is in heauen our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. And by him we shall also ascend into heauen and be glorified F And lastly the holy ghost is sent to vs by whome Christ gathereth comforteth and defendeth his church to the worldes ende The holy ghost was also giuen to the godly which were vnder the lawe before Christes ascension and comming in the flesh but that was in respect of his coÌ„ming in the flesh his ascentioÌ„ and glorification which was then to come After Christ his glorification the holy ghost was giuen more abundantly a Christ ascended visibly into heauen there his body to remaine till he come again to iudgement Luke 24. 51. Mar 16 19. Acts 1. 9. 10. 11. 3. 21. Ioh 20 17. 12 8. 16 28. b We must seeke Christ in heauen with our spirite and faith Acts 1. 11. 3 21. Col 3. 1. Ioh 4. 23 24. Math 15. 9. Acts 7. 55. Hebr 4. 14. 15. 16. Ephe 3. 18. Phil 3. 20. 21. c Albeit Christ his body is in heaueÌ„ yet his Godheade vertue holy spirit and diuine presence filleth heauen and earth and is euery where Math 28. 20. Col 1. 15. 19. 2. 9. Iere 23. 24 Math 18. 20. Acts 7. 49. 17 28. Ephe 1. 23. d Christ his entry into heaâ—en is a sure pledge that we shall bee there with him for where he is there
Perfect God and perfect man Equall to the father as touching his Godheade and inferior to the father as touching his manhoode Who although hee bee God and man yet is he not twoo but one Christ For as the reasonable soule and fleshe is one man So God and man is one Christ a The holy ghost worketh in vs all the benefits we receiue from Christ And preserueth vs. Math. 10. 20. Luke 12. 12. 1. 35. 11. 13. Iohn 6. 63. 7. 39. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 27. 16. 7. 13. 20. 22. 1. Cor. 2 10. 12. 6. 11 10. 12 3 to 14 3. 16. Luke 24. 49. Act 1. 4. 5. 2. 17. 5. 32 9. 31. Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9. 14. 15. 16. 15 16. Gal 4. 6. 2. Thes 2. 13. Ephe 1. 13 2 18. 4. 30. Tit. 3. 5. 6. Ioh 3. 5. 6. Mat 3. 11. 1. Pet 1. 2. 22. 2. Pet 1. 21. 1. Iohn 4. 13. Howe nothing happeneth to vs but as Christ our sauiour appointeth or suffereth See the proofe more a◠large in the first article of the creede b God the father God the sonne and God the holye Ghost are but one God Math. 28. 19. 3. 16. 17. Luke 3. 21. 22. Iohn 1. 14. 33. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 16 7. 1 Iohn 5 7 2 Cor 13 13 Act 1 4 Rom 1 1 to 5 8 9 14 Ephe ◠17. Psal 33. 6. c The holy ghost was from the beginning with the father and a seuerall person in working Gen. 1. 2 26. Iob. 26 13. Ioel 2. 28. Esay 48. 16. and 61. 1. 2. Pet. 1 22. THe holy Catholike Church A I beleeue there is a holy Catholike Church The which Church I beleeue to 9 The holy Catholike Church be◠those people elected of God to be saued which haue bene in this world from the beginning and hereafter shall be to the ende of what countrey or nation so euer through the whole world of the which number I beleeue I am one B God knewe from the beginning all those that shall bee saued and hath a tender care ouer them C Iesus christ is the head of those people and they are his members all being vnited together by the power of his holy spirit and ioyned together in Christ as one body He which is not a member of this Church is from Christ and therefore shall not be saued D This Church is called Catholike or vniuersall because the members of the Catholike Church bee in euerie nation and countrey vniuersally through the whole worlde without distinction of people E And the same church is called holy because Christ is the head doth sanctify make holy the church his mēbers F This church is inuisible because men cannot visibly see the faith repentance and conscience of the beleuers nor know who they be which God hath chosen to eternall life Therefore is this church inuisible a matter of faith and faith is of things which is not seene G The members of this Catholike church here on earth are visible hauing among them many wicked persons and hypocrites The visible church of God The visible Church is a companie amongest men wheresoeuer they be which embrace and professe the true doctrine of Christ and vse the holy Sacraments according to Christe◠institution H This whole vniuersal church neuer erreth in the foundation of doctrine but many particular churches which are mēbers of this Catholike church do erre haue erred as did some churches which the Apostles taught Also the church of Rome and generall counsels haue erred and condemned the doings one of another and haue decreed direct contrarie one to the other I Some or many of the elect people of God may erre and fall frō the church for a time as king Dauid did but they shall not finally fall away for euer but shal rise againe by sorowful repentance and newnesse of life and so shall come againe to God and haue their sinnes forgiuen them a The Catholike church are only those people which shall be saued which euer haue bene or shall be Ephe. 1. 3. to 12 Rom. 8 29. 30. 9. 30. 32. Heb. 3 6. Ier 1. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 4. to 11 2. Tim. 1 9. 10. Tit 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13. Iohn 15 16. b God knoweth them all hath a tender care ouer them 2 Tim. 2 19. Rom. 8. 29. 30. 1. Pet. 1 5 5 7. Mat. 10 29. 30 31. Psal 37 25 55. 22. 104 27 28. 136. 25. 145 15 16. c Christ is the heade of them and they be his mēbers vnited to him by his holye spirite Ephe 5 25 26 30. 1 22 23. 27. 2 22. 4 12 13 16. 10 17. Rom. 8 9. 12 4 5. 1. Cor 12 12 13. 3 16 6 15 17 19. 2 Cor. 13 5 Col 1 18 Iohn 15 5. d This church is vniuersal through the whole worlde Iohn 10 16 Matth 8 11 and 28 19 Marke 16 15 Acts 2 21 and 13 39 10 4 34 35 Gal. 3 28 Col 3. 11 Rom 9 30 Iob 1 1. e This church is holy because christ doth sāctifie it Ephe. 1. 22 23 and 5. 25. 26. 1. Pet. 2 5. Rom. 8. 9 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Cor. 12. 12. 13. Colos 1. 18. 2. Thes 2 13. Hebr. 10. 14 Iude 1. verse f This church is inuisible because the faithfull are not knowē frō hipocrites 1. Kings 19. 14 18. Iob 1. 1. Hebr. 11 1. g The members of this Church here on earth are visible c. Matth. 18 20 and 28 19 20. Acts 2 24 and 4 32. Rom. 6 15 1 Cor. 16 19. Luke 8 21 Iohn 8 47 and 10 27 Gal 1 8 Ephe 1 1 Phil 1 1 1 Cor 1 2. h The visible churches here on earth though not all may erre haue erred Gal 2 11 c and 3. 1 3 Actes 10 14. 15 and 15. 19 20. and 21. 20. to 28. 1. Cor. 15. 12. 1. Iohn 2. 19. i The elect shall neuer fall away finally from God The communion of saints 1. Iohn 2. 19. 2. Sam. 11. THe communion of Saints A I beleeue that all the faythfull doe seuerally receaue the benefites of Christ to their saluation as members of his bodie vnited to him by his holye spirit And that they do pray one for another and are readie to helpe and comfort one another as members of one head B The faythfull are called Saints because they are vnited to Christ and haue Christ dwelling in them by his holy Spirite And are made holy by the sanctification of the same spirit a The faithfull euery of them receiue Christes benefits to their saluation and do comfort one another Ephes 5. 30. and 4. 3 to 18. 1. Cor. 6. 17. and 10. 17. 1. Iohn 1. 3. Iohn 10. 14. 15. 16. and 13 35. and 15. 5. Rom. 8.
day and to rest from our labour in our calling on the same day and that our seruants may then also rest b Mark 2. 15 Iohn 7 22 13. Neuerthelesse in that day we may do any labour that may not well be done on another day The keeping holy of the Sabaoth day is thus c Acts 20. 7. and 16. 13. luke 4. 16 to 21. mar 6 2. Wee must assemble our selues together in one place with feare and reuerence to heare and lay vp in our heartes the worde of God preached vnto vs and then to confesse our sinnes vnto God d Mat. 18. 19. Phil. 4 6. 1. Cor. 16 2. And also to pray together with one consent for such thinges wee neede and to giue God thanks for the benefites wee haue receaued and to giue almes to our needie brethren e Acts â— 42. 1. cor 11. 33. and to vse the holy Sacraments in fayth and repentance This is the outward keeping holy of the Sabaoth day f Esa 56. 2. 58. 13. The inward keeping of it holy is to rest from our worldly businesse and refraine from our froward desires and so yeelde our selues wholy to Gods gouernance g Heb. 4 â— So shall our Sabaoth be a figure of the holy euerlasting rest h Mar. 2 27. 28. nom 15 32 to 36. mat 12 1 â—â— 9. col 2 16 17 Wee keepe not our Sabaoth literally as a ceremonie with straight Religion as the Iewes did For the ceremonie of the Sabaoth that wee shoulde not doe any maner of worke therein vppon paine of death but that onely which was appoynted to bee done by the lawe ended with Christ and is abrogated i 1. Cor. 14 26 40. But wee reteine the keeping holy of the Sabaoth day as a necessarie remedie to keepe order in the Church and that seruaunts may then rest from their labours and then learne to knowe God And also that our publike prayers almes and other good workes may be the better done of vs. k Rom. 14. 5 6 Col. 2. 16. â—gal 4. 9 10. 11. To make difference betweene day and day as though one were more holy in it selfe then an other Saint Paule hath taught vs that so doing is superstition or vaine Religion an honouring of that which shoulde not bee so honoured The causes why the Sabaoth was instituted was for the publike seruice and worship of God In which consisteth the studie of the knowledge of god of good works and of thankfulnesse vnto God for his good benefites giuen vnto vs. HOnour thy father and thy mother â— That thy dayes may bee long in the lande which the Lorde thy God giueth thee a Leuit 19 3 32 col 3 20 22 23 and 4 1. matth 15 4 to 7. rom 13 1 2 3 7. tit 3 1. 2 9 10. 1 thes 5 12 13 heb 13 17 â—phe 6 9 mat 7 12. Here we are commaunded that wee should loue feare obey and releiue our parents And also all other that are vnto vs in their steade As our Prince and the rulers and our teachers and maisters And all superiours and powers which God hath constituted and set ouer vs. For they ought to be vnto vs in their offices as if wee were their children b Ephe. 6 1 2 3 mat 15 4 to 7 exo 20 12. 21 17 deut 27 16 prou 20 20. â—0 17. col 3 â—0 Honour in this commaundement signifieth outwarde reuerence obedience and loue We must honour our father and mother in esteeming and reuerencing of them To beare with them not to speak euill of them nor to curse them and to our power if they haue neede to releiue cherish and nourish them in all their necessities and to obey them and wish to them all prosperitie and health This is the duetie which wee owe to our father and mother And God here promiseth a blessing to those children that do honour their parents In this commaundement all particuler duties which are commanded to euery person in the holy Scripture are included and commanded That in this obedience God may be worshipped and the societie of mankind preserued THou shalt do no murther A In this commandement almightie Gen. 9 6 exo 21 12. deu 5 17 leuit 19 17. mat 5 22 44. 1. iohn 3 15 pro. 20. 22. rom 12 19 20. ephe 4 26 32 col 3 12 13 mat 7 12. iohn 13 34. God forbiddeth vs all killing fighting and quarelling all anger malice desire of reueÌ„ge And also al those things which tend to the destruction of the life of mankind We are here commanded to preserue the life of all mankinde by exercising the workes of mercie and loue Vnder the name of murther are all sinnes which accompanie it comprehended And all those things which tende to the safetie of our life and others commaunded Negatiues include affirmatiues Gal. 6. 10 rom 12 17 18. as Thou shalt doe no murther therefore thou shalt ayde and helpe thy neighbour B When God commandeth a man Nom 35 31 leuit 24 17. exo 21 12 c. to bee slaine then God himselfe putteth him to death by man vnto whome he giueth this charge For if murtherers theeues robbers such like should not be put to death The felowship of men should be destroyed Therfore God punisheth wheÌ„ the magistrat punisheth The ende of this commaundement is the preseruing of the life of mankinde and forbidding of all things which tend to the destruction of mankind THou shalt not commit adulterie a Rom. 13 9. 13. mat 5 28 32 leui 20. 10 c. deu 23 17 heb 13 14. 1 cor 5 11 6 9 15 c. eph 5 3 4. 5 18 col 3 5 1. thes 4 3 to 7. In this commandement we are forbidden all adulterie and fornication and all euill desires of the heart and all vncleannesse whatsoeuer which might intise vs to vnchast behauiour or allure vs to sinne The end of this commaundement is the preseruation of chastitie and the forbidding of all vices contrary to chastity Incest and adnlterie are much more heynous then theft and robberie For God appoynted Leu. 2010 c 18 29. death in Moyses lawe for the adulterers and incestuous persons but not so for theeues and robbers 8 THou shalt not steale a 1 Thes 4 6 leui 19 11 13 35 deut 24 14. to 16. iob 24. 2 esa 1 23 â—phe 4 28 2. thes 3 10. We are forbidden in this commandement all stealing and robbing in outward deedes And all desire of any mans goodes wrongfully by deceyte and wrongfull dealings The end of this commaundement is the preseruation of goodes or possessions which God giueth to euerie one for the maintenance of their life Thou shalt not steale that is thou shalt not couet or attempt by deceyt to conuey thy neighbours goodes to thee Therefore thou must defende and preserue them and giue thy neighbour his owne And liue of that which is
15 23. 1 16 12. ephe 6 18 col 4. 2. 1 pet 4. 7 iam 5 13 14 15. Wee must pray because God hath commanded that we call vppon him and will this way chiefly and principally bee magnified of vs. And wee receyue not those blessings which are necessarie for our safetie and saluation except wee aske them of God g 1 Thes 5 17 18. 1. tim 2 1 2 3 hebr 13 15 col â— 17. And so of thankesgiuing without giuing of thankes wee receyue not such thinges as are to bee giuen and are necessarie They which haâ—e true fayth aske the grace of God And they who haue tasted of Gods grace shewe themselues thankefull vnto God for it and do more and more craue and desire it The wicked receyue many gifts but not those principall gifts which are proper to the elect as fayth repentance forgiuenesse of sinnes and regeneration or newnesse of life Also those giftes the wicked receyue they doe not receyue them to saluation Sith that all our prayers ought to bee offered and presented to God by our Lorde Iesus Christ and that we h Rom 8 20. know not how to pray as we ought to do therfore our sauiour Christ hath giuen vs the forme of prayer Not to binde our selues to those wordes for Christ himselfe vsed at other times i Iohn 14 1. 17 iam 1 5. mat 26 39 4â— acts 4 24. other wordes longer speach And the Apostles did so likewise But in this prayer is giuen vnto vs a law to pray aright concerning the things themselues that ought to be prayed for And so teacheth vs when we pray for particuler things which we neede what things they must bee that wee ought to pray for and how to aske them Albeit that wee must make our prayers onely to God for helpe yet to demaunde succour of men is nothing contrarye to this For wee put not our trust in them nor seeke succour of them but as the ministers and bestowers of Gods goodnesse to our necessitie and comfort For what so euer wee receyue of any man wee are bounde to take and acknowledge it as deliuered from God by him vnto vs because men are the destributers of Gods benefites one to another It is requisite in prayer that wee obserue Fiue things requisite in prayer these fiue things First that wee must make our prayers k Iohn 14 13 14. 16. 23. 1. iohn 5. 14. mar 11. 24. iam 1. 5 6. 4. 3. rom 8 3. 4 1. tim 2 5. 1. iohn 2. 1 2. onely to God in the name of Christ and not to Saints nor any other for Christ onely is our intercessor mediator and aduocate to God for vs. Secondly l Iohn 4 23. 24. rom 8. 26. psal 51. 17. 145. 18. that we be inwardly touched with the neede of the thing wee aske hauing our minds wholy bent thervppon and not caried away with by thought Thirdly m Iam. 16. mark 11. 24. 1. iohn 5 24. That we trust with full assurance that our prayer shall bee graunted so farre as the Lorde doeth knowe them to bee meete and needefull for vs. Fourthly n Rom. 12. 12. luke 18. 1 to 7. 1. thes 5 17. col 4. 2. ephe 6 18. That wee continue in praier although we haue not our request at the first Fiftly o Iam. 4 3. Rom. 8. 26. 1. Iohn 5 14. That wee aske not those thinges which wee thinke good in our owne fantasie but onelye that which God commaundeth vs to aske of him in his word p Matt. 6 9 c. luke 11 1 2 c. All which things be taught in the Lords prayer * 1. Cor. 14 15 We must pray with the spirit vnderstanding And lift vp our hearts to God in our prayers Psal 25. 1. Christ when he prayed he lifted vp Iohn 17 1. his eyes to heauen and kneeled on his Luke 22. 41. knees which teacheth vs how we ought to pray The godly when they pray they are sorie for their sinnes and doe craue pardon of God in the name of Christ with an humble coÌ„fession of their faults trusting through Christ to obteine their petition And they rest onely vpon the mercie of God for Christ his sake and merit crauing nothing but that which is according to his will IN that prayer which Christ taught his Disciples which wee call the Lordes prayer our Sauiour Christ hath taught vs what we ought to pray for and how to pray Therefore we must not looke for any other thing then is briefly comprehended in that prayer The Lordes prayer which our Sauiour Christ taught is this that foloweth OVr Father which art in heauen Our By this worde Our a Iam. 5 16. rom 12. 4 5. wee are taught to pray one for another because we are members one of another and vnited together 1. cor 12 13 27 6. 15 17. 19. 2 tim 1 1 2 3. by the holy Ghost Father And God is called our Father in respect of our creation because he created vs. b Rom. 8 14 15 5 8. iohn 1 12. gal 4 6. ephe 1. 5 6 ioh 20 17 mat 7. 11. But in this prayer we call God our Father because he hath chosen all the faithfull to be his children and loueth them for Christ his sake By election through Christ wee are Gods children c Mar. 16. 16. iohn 3 18 36. 1. pet 5 7. For if we doe not beleeue in Christ then are wee not the children of God but the children of the deuill Therefore wee can not call God our father but by our Sauiour Christ For all those onely that trust in his name are chosen to bee the sonnes of God Which art in heauen d Esay 66 1. iere 23 24. psal 2 4. 103 19 11 5 3 16 123 1. God is sayde so dwell in heauen Thereby to teach vs to lift vp our minds to heauen in our praiers God is in heauen most glorious and hath there his seate yet his presence is euery where and filleth heauen earth HAlowed be thy name Hallowed be thy name a Rom 11. 33. 36 16. 27. 1 cor 10. 31 1 tim 1 17. luke 1 50. mat 6 33. psal 67 71 8. iob 1 21. deut 28 58. In this petition wee desire the true knowledge and worship of God that due honour may be giuen to him we may not speake nor thinke of him without most high reuerence Also that hee woulde giue vs the knowledge of his holynesse in fayth and repentaunce whereby wee may glorifie and prayse his holy name and not to dishonour Rom. 2 24. him by our euill liuing Wee sanctifie and hallowe God Iohn 17 2 3. when wee acknowledge his mercie and prouidence and prayse him for the same and doe knowe that of him which hee will haue vs to knowe The ende of all thinges is Gods glorie Therefore 1. Cor.
effect of this prayer In the first petition the Lord commandeth vs to desire the true knowledge and worship of God In the second That God woulde gouerne vs with his spirite and so continually preserue and confirme vs in this knowledge In the thirde That euery of vs by the helpe of his holy spirite and gouernment may doe and fulfill our duetie in our vocation that we may doe nothing against his will In the fourth That God would giue vs corporall blessings whereby euery of vs may doe his duetie In the fift That he would giue vs spirituall blessings in forgiuing vs our sinnes In the sixt and last That wee may bee vpholden by his grace that thereby we may bee deliuered from all euill And that so wee may bee able to hallow prayse and glorifie his name through Christ our Lord and Sauiour Before hath bene declared three parts of Religion fayth the lawe and praier nowe followeth the last part which is Sacraments Of Sacraments THe Sacraments which Mat. 28. 19. 20. Mark 16 16. Luk. 22. 19. 20. are to be vsed of vs Christians are onely those which our sauiour Christ did institute and command vs to vse Which are only twoo Baptisme and the Lords Supper which we commonly call the holy Communion These two Sacraments Baptisme and the holy Communion are holy signes ordeyned Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. Exod. 12. 14. to be assured tokens and testimonies to me and all the faythfull of the mercie of God and forgiuenesse of sinnes for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus my sauiour And with those holy Sacraments I receyue such grace and vertue from Christ the which my tongue cannot expresse And the holy Ghost by them doeth moue my heart to beleeue A Sacrament is a testimonie of Gods A Sacrament what it is fauour towardes vs confirmed by an outward signe Or a visible signe of inuisible grace There are three thinges in a Sacrament The first is the visible signe as in Baptisme water and in the holy Communion bread and wine The seconde is the wordes of the Lords ordinance And the third is The thing signified by them The thing signified is Christ for he is the substance of all Sacraments and they doe promise nothing without him For by Christ is the mercie of God and saluation giuen vnto vs. Our Sauiour Christ for the strengthening of our fayth hath ordeyned the preaching of the Gospell And for the further encreasing and confirming of our fayth hath instituted and left to be vsed of vs for euer so long as wee are in this world the twoo Sacraments aforesayde Baptisme and the holy Communion to be testimonies of his grace and saluation These are called the Sacraments of the newe Testament because Christ did institute them and left them to be vsed of all Christians And none other are to be vsed of vs as Sacraments but those onely The vse of our Sacraments are to be Why the Sacraments were ordeyned signes and testimonies of the eternal couenant of remission of sinnes or promise of saluation which God hath made to the faythfull in Christ And also serue to confirme our fayth for that they set before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father and leade vs vnto Christ to seeke our saluation onely in and by him And further by receyuing them wee testifie our profession before men that wee are Christians not Infidels Acts 10 47. And by them wee binde our selues to God to followe godlinesse in fayth and Rom. 6 3 4. Ephe 4 3 to 7. charitie and yeelde vnto God obedience prayse and thankes for our redemprion And in giuing vs these visible signes God testifyeth his benefites towardes vs. The Sacramentes before Christ Gen. 17 4 7 10 21. 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. testified that Christ shoulde come for without Christ none was nor neuer shall be saued And the Sacraments which Christ hath left vs testifie that Christ is Mat. 28 19 20 1 Cor. â—1 26. come and are to vs signes of the couenant of saluation as aforesaid Christ teacheth and instructeth vs with his worde then strengtheneth our fayth with sacraments and by his holy spirite he openeth our hearts to receyue the word and sacraments which otherwise would nothing moue our inwarde parts So without the worke of the holy Ghost the sacraments doe nothing at all profite vs. It is the spirite of God which is the authour of the encrease of our fayth The office of the sacraments The office of the SacrameÌ„ts is to set forth Christ vnto vs and in him the treasures of heauenly grace And to confirme our fayth in setting before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father And by the healthfull working of the holy Ghost the faythfull do receyue with the sacraments such grace and vertue from Christ our sauiour the which we are not able to expresse And so that Note most learned man master Caluin writeth in his booke of institutions If any man aske me saith M Caluin what maner of presence of Christ is in the Lords supper I wil not be ashamed to confesse that it is a higher secret then that it can be either comprehended with my wit or vttered with my wordes And to speake it more plainly I rather feele it then I can vnderstand it Therefore I do here embrace the truth of God wherein I may safely rest With the holy sacraments Christ with his spirit discendeth to the faithful that he may truely quicken their soules Gal. 2. 20. Ephe. 3. 17. 2. Cor. 13. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 15 17. 19. 12. 13. Rom 8 9. 12 5. 1. Cor. 10. 17. Ephe. 5. 30. and dwell in them and they in him and they vnited to him and made members of his bodie he being their head and also members one of another by the wonderfull working of the holy Ghost This secret vniting of Christ with the godly is by nature impossible to bee comprehended For our instruction herein beholde Note the Sùnne shining forth his beames on the earth how it is one thing in the firmament yet all the worlde and euery thing is nourished and comforted with the light and heate thereof Much more and more then may bee expressed with our tongues or coÌ„ceyued in our minds doth the extending beames of the spirite of Christ discende to the faythfull to quicken comfort and defend them with the grace vertue and power that commeth from the bodie of our sauiour Christ Iesus whereby they hate the deuill and sinne and ouercome them Albeit the faythfull receyue the benefites Iohn 3. 18. 1. Pet. 3. 21. Acts 8. 13. 18. 20. 21. Ioh. 1 33 Rom 2. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 4 5. aforesayde with the holy Sacraments yet there is no such secret power knit and fastned to the Sacraments that they may of themselues giue vs the graces of the holy ghost The Sacraments doe not profite vs vnlesse the holy ghost ioyne with them