iustification is by grace so as a sinner freed from damnation obtaineth righteousnesse and that freely by the pardon of his sinnes as appeareth in the three first sorts of men but also our proceeding therein so as our iustification is euer free and by grace which thing well appeareth in the fourth kinde of men which are both regenerate by Gods spirite and iustified by a liuely faith in Christ And thus God imputed vnto Abraham the father of the faithfull his faith for righteousnesse when as he had a Gene. 15.6 liued for many yeares in great holynesse of life This saith Habacuk also b Habac. 2.4 The iust shall liue by faith and Dauid c Psal 32.1 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen speaking of the godly which liue a holy vnspotted and blamelesse life before men Againe Paule saith that the d 2. Cor. 5.20 embassage concerning our free reconciliation with God must be continued among the faithfull And Christ is a e 1. Iohn 2.1 continuall mediator reconciling vs with his father and the efficacie or vertue of his death to f Ibid. 2. expiate the sinnes of the faithfull neuer dieth nor waxeth old XXVI And whereas the Schoolemen also say that good workes haue no such vertue in them to be sufficient vnto iustification but that their merite vertue to iustifie is by grace we must learne that there is no grace to worke our iustification but that only which moueth God in Christ to embrace vs and to iustifie vs by the merites of his obedience and satisfaction for vs. XXVII For God accepteth not our workes but so farre as we please him hauing put on by faith the righteousnesse of Christ that is which Christ purchased by his death for vs as is a Aphor. 23. before shewed Neither can works iustifie in part before God for God admitteth no righteousnesse of workes but that b Deut. 27.26 Leuit. 18.5 full and perfect obedience to his law XXVIII When they glory of workes of supererogation whereby they say full satisfaction is made for trespasses and sins committed how can they answer that saying of Christ a Luk. 16.10 VVhen ye haue done all these things which are commanded you say we are vnprofitable seruants we haue done that which was our dutie to do XXIX To be short concerning workes take heed of two things first put no trust in them next ascribe no glory to them XXX The Scriptures driue vs from all confidence in them teaching vs that all our righteousnesse a Esa 64.6 smels in the sight of God as filthie clouts and onely prouoke Gods wrath against vs. Now take away this confidence of workes all glorying must fall to the ground for who will ascribe any commendation of iustice vnto workes if confidence in them cause him to tremble in the sight of God XXXI Moreouer if we consider all the causes of our saluation we shall finde the grace of God to shine bright in euery one of them excluding the righteousnesse of our workes For the authour of our saluation is God the Father Sonne holy Ghost The Father first in that a Tit. 3.5 of his meere b Iohn 3.16 1. Iohn 4.9 and 10. grace free loue he sent his sonne vnto vs to redeeme vs from the dominioÌ„ of the deuill Next the Sonne in that of his free loue c Rom. 5.7.8 1. Iohn 3.26 towards vs he became d Rom. 5.19 Phil 2.8 obedient to his father vnto the death of the crosse and so hath satisfied e Rom. 3.25 1. Iohn 2.2 the iustice of God for vs. Lastly the holy Ghost in that he giueth vs f Ephe. 2.8 chap. 1. â—3 faith whereby we apprehend the iustice which Christ hath purchased for vs by his death The end also the Apostle saith is the g Rom. 3.25 manifestation of Gods iustice and the prayse of his h Ephe. 1.12 goodnesse XXXII And whereas the Saintes commend otherwhiles their innocencie and integrity before God this they doe not to the end to trust in the iustice of their workes in Gods iudgement and to rest their consciences as vpon a good foundation but either to testifie the goodnesse of their a Psal 7 9. Psal 18.21 cause against their aduersaries or to coÌ„fort themselues concerning their adoption b 2. King 20.3 1. Tim. 4.7.8 by the fruites of their faith and calling for that they rest on the onely fauour of God in Iesus Christ XXXIII Againe whereas the Scripture saith that the good workes and obedience of the faithfull doe cause the Lord to raine down many blessings vpon them we must vnderstand that good workes are so farre causes of Gods blessings vpon vs as the Lord by his former graces taketh occasion to giue vs more graces where note that they be not meritorious causes but motiues onely for speciall graces of Gods spirite going before for whom the Lord will glorifie them first he a Ephe. 5.26.27 sanctifieth that their corruption and wickednesse may not hinder their glorification In a word as Augustine hath well spoken God crowneth the workes of his owne hand in vs. XXXIIII Againe that our workes do not merite the grace of God may yet further appeare by these reasons folowing First for that they are full of a Esa 64.6 corruption next for that they are duties we b Luk. 17.10 owe vnto God thirdly for that they are not ours that is such as come from the streÌ„gth of our free will but the effects c Rom. 8.10 Ephe. 2.10 and fruites of Gods grace in vs. XXXV And whereas good workes please God and haue a a 2. Tim 4.8 reward it is not for any merite but for that Gods b Esa 55.1 goodnesse doth accept of them and reward them of his meere grace and mercy in Iesus Christ XXXVI Surely no Christian doubteth but that we must hold fast the groundes of Christian Religion and this is a fundamentall point or ground of ChristiaÌ„ doctrine that Christ is giuen a 1. Cer. 1.30 and c. 3.11 vs for our righteousnesse or iustification if this doctrine staÌ„d the iustice of our merites and workes being a flat contrary can not stand XXXVII There are two opinioÌ„s of Popery which are most opposite to that great ground of ChristiaÌ„ veritie The first is that there are some moral vertues or works which make men acceptable before God before they be grafted into Christ the second that Christ hath merited for vs the first grace that is an occasioÌ„ of meriting with God that then it is our parts to take the occasion when it is offered XXXVIII To conclude we must very circumspectly see to this that we build wisely vpon on that foundation for that doctrine is sound concerning good workes which is deriued from the doctrine a This is the method which Paule vseth in a maner in all his Epistles as to Rom. Gal. Ephes Phil. Col. c.
doctrine of the scripture be a 1. Tim. 3.16.17 Psa 19.7.8.9 perfect comprizing all points which necessarily concerne Gods pure worship our saluation then it foloweth that the Papists erre which thrust vpon vs their vnwritten verities traditions I say which neither Prophets nor Apostles haue euer writteÌ„ XIIII And for that the doctrine of the Scripture is vndoubtedly a 2. Pet. 1.19 true for that it came by the b Ibid. 21. 2. Tim. 3.16 inspiration of the holy Ghost that must of necessitie be erroneous which is contrary vnto it as some fewe traditions are which the Papistes thrust vpon the Church as the very word of God it selfe CHAP. III. Of God I. APHORISME GOd is a a Iohn 4 24. spirite most b Deut. 6.4 Exo. 3.14.15 pure c Psal 139.7 c. Es 66.1 Ier. 23.23 24 1. Kings 8.27 infinite d Rom. 1.20 and 23. 1. Tim. 1.17 Psal 102.25 c. Reu. 1.8 eternall e Psal 102 27.28 Mal. 3.6 Es 46.10 Rom. 11.29 immutable f Gen. 17.1 and c. 35.11 Exod. 15. Iob. 38.39 Psal 91.1.2 almighty most g Psal â— 1.104.24.147.5 1. Sam. 16 8. Heb. 4.13 Rom. 11.33.34 and 16.27 â—im 1.17 h i k l Exod. 34.6 and 7. wise h Psal 5.13 and 34.9.51.20 â—st v. 54 8.9 good i Ion. 4.2 louing k Ion. 4.2 mercifull l Gene. 18.23.25 Deut. 32.4 Iob. 34.10 â—2 36. chap. Psal 11. last v. 34.16.17 Prou 8.8 Es 45.11 Ierem. 12.1 â—m 1â—8 iust m Leu. 19.2 Iosh 24.19 1. Sam. 2.2 Psal 99 3. Es 6.3 holy n Psa â—â— Heb. 6.17.18 Tit. 1.2 true of most free o Rom. 9.15 c. Math. 20.15 absolute authoritie and is p Math. 28. â—9 Father Sonne holy spirite creator of heauen and q Gen. 1.1 earth of all things which are contained in them the r Luk. 1.68 c. redeemer and Å¿ Ephe. 2.10 sanctifier of all his elect II. These three the Father Sonne holy Ghost are three distinct a Heb. 1.3 persons and euery person very b Iohn 1.1 Act. 5.3 4. God yet not three Gods â—t they are that c Deut. 6.4 one very God which in 〈◊〉 Scripture is called Iehouah the Lord. III. These three persons differ are distinguished for that the Father is of none the Sonne is of the a Iohn 1.14 Father by an incomprehensible and inspeakable b Psal 2.7 Prou. 8.24 and 25. generation d Ibid. Rom. 8.9 〈◊〉 holy Ghost is of the c Iohn 15.26 Father of the sonne by an incomprehensible and inâ—kable e Iohn 15.26 1. Iohn 5.7 proceeding CHAP. IIII. Of the Angels I. APHORISME THe Angels are a Psal 104.4 spirituall b Heb. 1.7 last Eph. 6.12 Heb. 1.7 Coloss 1.16 creatures which c Heb. 1. v. last 1. K. 22.20 c minister vnto God the creator II. Of the Angels some are good some are euill III. The good Angels are they which haue stoode and continued in their perfection wherein they were created and haue receiued their a Math. 18.10 22.30 confirmatioÌ„ therfore are euer ready b Psal 103.20.21 to glorifie God in all obedience for which cause they did appeare in certaine winged pictures which are called c Exod. 25.18 c. 1. king 6.23 and 29. Cherubins and d Es 6.2 Seraphins formed like men to the people e Exo. 25.18 of Israell and to the Prophets f Es 6. Esay g Ezech. 1. Ezechiell to signifie their chearefulnesse and readinesse for the execution of Gods decrees IIII. The Lord vseth their ministerie seruice both to make relation of his will vnto a Num. 22.32.33 men specially the b Gen. 19.13 Iudg. 13.3.4.5 Dan. 8.16.9.21 Luke 1.13 26. c. 2.10 Math. 1.20 c. 2.13 19.20 c. 28.5 Act. 1.10 Reuel 1.1 godly and hence it is they haue their name to gouerne c Col. 1.16 Ephe. 1.22 the world in asmuch as they d Psal 34.8.91.11 Gene. 14.19 16. c. 32.1 1. King 19.5.2 King 6.17 c. 19.35 Dan 3.25 6.23 protect the faithfull against all daungerous euents the snares also and assaults of their enemies which are euill men and Angels punishing e Gen. 19 2. King 19.35 Act. 12.23 the wicked and f 2. Sam. 25.15.16 chastening â—e godly and for this cause are they calâ—d g Ephe. 1.21 Col. 1.16 thrones dominions principalities â—owers and might V. The good Angels are exceeding many but the number is not expressed in Scripture VI. When the good Angels were to deliâ—r any message from God vnto meÌ„ they â—peared in the likenesse of a Gen. 18.2 and 4. c. 19. 2. Heb. 13.2 Iudg. 13.6 c. Mar. 16.5 Luke 24.4 Act. 1.10 young men â—y beautifull in sight and sometimes â—ning with some excellent brightnesse â—omtimes they haue appeared in firie boâ—es either like men as in the vision of Esay in the Temple b Esay 6. Ezech. 1. or like horses and harrets as in the translation or transporâ—tion c 2. King 2.2 of Elias and in the protection of Elizeus d 2. King 6. against the Syrians They â—ue also appeared somtimes when men â—aue seene them with their eyes e Gen. 18. 19. Luk. 1.11 and 28. waking â—nd sometimes to men in their f Math. 1.20 sleepe and sometimes also when men watched â—ut yet ouertaken with some great g Reu. 1.10 astonishment of minde The first kind of these apparitions is called in Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h Luke 1.22 24.23 Act. 26.19 a vision the 2. and 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a i Act. 10.17 19. 11.5 c. 16 9. sight But yet other whiles the k Math. 17.9 Act. 10.3 one is taken for the other VII And albeit the good Angels be verie excellent both for maiestie and a Math. 28.3 Act. 1.10 Dan. 10.5 6. glory yet it is great wickednesse to b Reu. 19.10 c. 22.8 9 Col. 2.18 Iud. 13.16 worship them because they are creatures and our felow-seruants VIII The vse of this doctrine is that in dangers we aske of God the protection of the holy Angels and that we be assured that they shal be ready at haÌ„d for our good according to Gods a Psal 34 8. 91.11.12 promise IX So farre of the good Angels The euill Angels are they which by their contumacie and disobedience against God haue a Iohn 8.44 Iude. 6. 1. Pet. 2.4 fallen from that blessed state or perfectioÌ„ wherein they were created and so become euill euer since maliciously inclined to hurt both the glory of God and the saluation of men X. They be called in Scripture euill a 1. Sam. 16.15 c. spirites b Leuit. 17.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 horrible or terrible because when they
came of Abrahams progenie that is to the Greekes d Rom. 3.29 Gentiles e Rom. 1.16 as Paule speaketh XVIII The second difference is that the couenant of grace before the comming of Christ was couertly and darkely administred by certaine a Gen. 18.22 c. 49.10 Deut. 18.15 2. Sam. 7.12 Psal 2. 72. 45. Esa 7.14 and chap. 9.6 chap. 53. Mich. 5.2 promises of the Messias which then was to come and ratifie the couenant and by b Gen. 15.18 Heb. 10.1 1. Cor. 2.17 Iohn 19.36 types and ceremonies shadowing prefiguring Christ to come But when Christ was come the dispensation of this couenant was more cleare and more manifested in the c Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.15 and 16. preaching of the Gospell and the seales thereof Baptisme and the Lords Supper all which are liuely d Act. 1.18 Math. 26.28 Mar. 14 14. Luke 22.20 1. Cor. 11.25 testimonies that Christ is already come and hath fully confirmed this holy couenant XIX The third difference is that before Christes incarnation the couenaÌ„t of grace was administred with a Gal. 3.24 c. 4.1.2.3 lesse efficacie but after with b Act. 2.17 Iohn 7.38.39 greater working grace power of the holy Ghost For albeit the holy spirite wrought in the elect vnder the old TestameÌ„t by those diuine promises ceremonies but specially by the c Psal 51.9 sacrifices such a measure of the knowledge of God as was sufficient vnto their euerlasting saluation yet he giueth his elect vnder the Gospell a d Iere. 3.34 Esa 11.9 and chap. 54.13 Iohn 6.45 1. Cor. 2.10 1. Iohn 2.10 and 27. greater light of knowledge so a greater measure of the true loue of God That one example of Abrahams faith the father of e Rom. 4.18 c. Heb. 11.17 c. all the faithfull can not disproue this assertion concerning the regular and ordinarie administration vnder the Gospell XX. The fourth difference is for that the administration of the old Testament was more a Act. 15.15 burdensome greeuous because of the multitude of rites and ceremonies which exceeded in number charge labour the ceremonies of our time XXI And whereas God hath now after Christes Ascension abrogate those sacrifices ceremonies of the old Testament we must not therefore thinke any change in him For he is rightly said to be inconstant and mutable which chaungeth his purpose or doth any thing contrary therunto But the Lord in abrogating those sacrifices in prescribing another forme of worship hath neither altered his purpose nor done any thing contrary thereunto For his scope in the seruice and worship prescribed in both Testaments is to bring his elect to the knowledge of their saluation in Christ Neither hath he done any thing contrary vnto this but in his great wisedome he hath called and doth conduct coÌ„tinually his elect diuerse waies to that end he appointed as he thought best both for those elder ages for these times vnder the Gospel Not vnlike a skilfull PhisitioÌ„ which cureth not a maÌ„ in his old age with the same medicines which he vsed for his youth for so doing we may not think him incoÌ„stant for changing his prescriptions For that he wisely considereth the diuersitie of temperature which is in old and young and so respecting this difference he applieth fit remedies which therefore necessarily must be diuerse and not the same CHAP. X. Of the person and office of Christ I. APHORISME THe knowledge of Christ consisteth principally in two things first to know what his person is secondly what his offices are II. Christ as touching his person in one the selfe same he is both a Rom. 9.5 1. Iohn 5.20 God man For he is the b Iohn 1.14 only begotten son of God which hath created of the seede c Heb. 2.16 Kuke 1.35 42 of the d Luk. 1.31.34.35 virgin Mary e Heb. 10.5 Ioh. 1.3.1.10.4.2 Luk. 1.35 for him selfe and so f Heb. 2.16 assumed or taken and personally and vnchangeably knit vnto himselfe the very body of man g Heb. 10.5 chap. 2.14 endued with a reasonable h Mat. 26 38 c. 27 50. soule and so without any change in his diuine nature he was made very man in i Heb. 2. â—7 al things like vnto vs sinne onely k Heb. 4.15 excepted III. This personall vnion of two natures in Christ is well demoÌ„strated by that phrase or manner of speaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which old writers haue called a communitie of proprieties And this communitie is nothing else but a Synecdoche whereby we attribute that which is proper to one nature of Christ to the very person hauing his denomination of the other nature As where Paule saith a 1. Cor. 2.8 They crucified the Lord of glory b Act. 20.28 and again God hath purchased a Church with his own bloud so when Christ speaketh c Iohn 3.13 no man hath asceÌ„ded vp to heauen but he which came downe from heauen the sonne of man which is in heauen IIII. And somtimes we haue an expresse distinction of both natures as where Christ is sayd a Rom. 1.3 and 4. to be made of the seede of Dauid according to the flesh and declared mightely to be the sonne of God touching the spirite of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead and where he is sayd to b Rom. 9.5 come of the fathers as concerning the flesh So also wheÌ„ he is said to be c 1. Pet. 3.18 put to death concerning the flesh but to be quickned in the spirite And sometimes this distinction is left to be vnderstood by conference of such places V. Againe Christ must be such a person as is fit to take vpon him the office of a a 1. Tim. 2.5 Heb. 8.6 mediator And such was none but the sonne of God incarnate for that he is allied to both the parts which were to be reconciled and therefore louing both and beloued of both Againe he must so performe the office of a mediator betweene God vs that by his b Heb. 9.15 death he reconcile vs vnto God and this death being God only he could not haue suffred and being man only he could not haue ouercome Againe he must be very God that the propitiatorie sacrifice which was his bloud shed for the elect might be a ransome c Act. 20.28 1. Iohn 1.7 sufficient price for our sinnes againe he must be very man to d Rom. 5.12 c. satisfie the iustice of God againe a person sanctified of God that he might be a holy e Heb. 7.26 Priest and a holy f 1. Pet. 1.19 sacrificer Againe he must be very God that after he had by the merite of his Priesthood reconciled them vnto God and obtained the holy Ghost for them he might also him selfe giue them the same holy spirite to worke faith
in them to receiue him and his merites VI. The office of Christ is three fold for he is ordained of God to be our Prophet Priest and King VII He executed his Propheticall a Deut. 18.18 Act. 3.22 chap 7.37 functiō or office of a teacher when he was conuersant on earth in b Math 4.17 Esa 61.1 Luke 4.21 preaching the Gospell reuealing c Iohn 1.18 vnto vs the secret coūsell of God concerning the great worke of our saluation by him VIII He exercised the office of his Priesthood partly whē he was on earth partly doth still exercise the same in heauen Whē he was on earth he first offred prayers a Iohn 17. Heb. 5.7 to his father for vs next his b Heb 7.27 owne body vpon the crosse and did expiate our sinnes c Heb. 9.25 c. 10.14 with that his sacrifice In heauen d Heb. 9.24 he appeareth before the face of the heauenly father with his sacrifice once offred on earth without e Heb. 10.12 intermission praying for vs that the reconciliation we haue obtained may be as fresh in memory and neuer be lost IX The kingdom of Christ beginneth in this life and is called the kingdome of grace and it shal be perfected in the life to come which is called the kingdome of glorie The kingdome of grace is that spirituall kingdome a Ioh. 18.37 wherin Christ ruleth the harts of his elect by his word and spirite And this kingdome he administred in the old Testament vnto his elect by Priestes and Prophets in the beginning of the new Testament by Iohn Baptist and himselfe with his Disciples But at the last he solemnely begā to erect the same in the day of b Act. 2. Pentecost whē he sent the holy Ghost to his holy Apostles that they might go preach the Gospell to all nations So then he hath euer continued his kingdome on earth shall continue it vntill he returne to iudgemēt at which time he shal be ruler in the c Psal 110.2 middest of his enemies whom he plagueth now and then and destroieth the last he cast them downe make them his d Ibid. 1. footestoole in his most glorious e 2. Thes 2.8 cōming at which he shall free all his faithfull members from all their afflictions cary them with him f 1. Thess 4.17 to heauen and make them partakers for euer of his heauenly kingdome which then shal be the kingdome of glorie when all the Saints shal be translated to heauen beautified and adorned in their soules with wisedome and holinesse in their bodies with great excellency and immortality to be with Christ in inspeakable ioyes and glorie for euer and euer CHAP. XI Of Faith I. APHORISME NOw for that we are made partakers of Christes benefites which we receiue by his death as the remission of sins and life euerlasting by a Rom. 3 25 Act. 10.43 faith it shal be expedient also that we learne what this faith is how it breedeth who receiue this grace and what proper markes it hath II. This faith then is a sure firme a Iohn 17.3 Rom. 8.38 1. Iohn 3.2 knowledge of the grace of God purchased for vs by the merites of Christs death and testified by the word of promise whereby euery beleeuer doth apply that promise of grace vnto himselfe b Gal. 2. particularly assuring him selfe that the same doth no lesse appertaine vnto himselfe then vnto the rest of the faithfull III. The holy c Mat. 16.17 Iohn 3.5.6.8 Ephe. 2.8 Iohn 6.45 Act. 16.14 Ghost a Iohn 3.3.5.6.7.8 1. Cor. 4.15 Philem v. 10. 1. Pet. 1.23 worketh this faith in the harts of his b Iohn 6.37 chap. 8 47. chap. 10.26 Act. 13.48 Tit. 1.1 2. Thess 3.2 elect which are of yeares by the d Rom. 1.16 chap. 10.17 1. Cor. 3.5 1. Pet. 1. 25. preaching of the Gospell IIII. From this faith ariseth that holy a Ephe. 3.12 affiance and trust in God whereby the beleeuer resteth himselfe comfortably in the fatherly b Psal 32. fauour grace of God purchased for him by the death of Christ considering both the truth c Heb. 11.11 d Rom. 4.21 Heb. 11.19 power of God from this affiance do streame forth al our spirituall e Iohn 8.56 Rom. 14.17 Iohn 5.25 c. 6.57 63. ioyes and comforts and all our spirituall life according as by it we tast of f Psal 30.6 item 31.17 item 36.10 itē 80.48.20 the great grace and fauour of God V. Againe from this faith ariseth and proceedeth the assured hope a Rom. 5.5 Rom. 8.23.24 25. of euerlasting life or of the celestiall glorie which we shall haue with our Lord Christ in his kingdome VI. Againe from this fountaine springs the holy a Ro. 10.14 Rom. 8.15 inuocation of God our most faithfull and bountifull Father and our most mightie Lord and God VII Faith also causeth vs to make a true a Rom. 10.9 10. 2. Cot. 4.13 profession and confesse with the mouth to the glorie of God that which we beleeue with the heart VIII To be short hence proceedeth the a 1. Ioh. 3.3 Gal. 5.6 true loue and reuerend feare of Gods children which causeth them with all indeuour to please and carefully to auoyde what may offend and displease his holy spirit IX The grace of a Rom 8.38 and 39. Iohn 10.28 Rom. 11.28 Luc. 22.32 1. Pet 15 23. 1. Ioh 2 19 2. Tim. 2.19 Ps 1.3 Es 42. 3. Ier. 32 40. Os 2.19 20. perseuerance is an inseparable companion of faith for faith neuer dieth albeit sometimes it be as it were b Mark 9.24 Psalm 73. ouerturned and as buried with the tempestes of temptation CHAP. XII Of Repentance where also is intreated of the life of a Christian and of bearing the crosse I. APHORISME SOmetime by the word Repentance in Greeke is signified vnderstood a Mat. 21.29 chap. 27.3 some sorowing for any fact or deed done whether a man be moued thereby to do well b Math. 4.17 Act. 2.38 Ro. 2.4 2. Cor. 7.9.10 2. Tim. 1 25. or not moued sometimes also it signifieth as the best Diuines haue noted to return to a perfect and right vnderstanding or to waxe wise againe we follow now this later signification II. Repentance then is a a Ezec 18.31 Ier. 4.1.3.4 chaunge of the minde which is by nature wicked and renewing of all faculties of the soule proceeding from a sincere and religious b Ierem. 4.4 Act. 17.30 2. Cor. 7.10 feare of God whereby the mind is caried with an earnest indeuour to do well and to please God III. Repentance doth consist of two partes of a Ro. 6.4 5.6 Ephe. 4 22.23.24 Col. 3.5.6.8.9.10 Psal 34 15. Esa 1.16.17 mortification of the flesh or of the old man and in the quickening of the
vnderstanding God imputing vnto Christ the 1. Guiltinesse Of the beleeuer cause of his death 2. Disobedience 3. Corruption God imputing vnto the beleeuer the benefits of the 1. Passion Of Christ cause of his life 2. Righteousnes 3. Holynesse XVI The cause which moueth Gods mercy in our iustification is the a Rom. 3.24 25. Ephe. 1.7 1. Iohn 2.1 and 2. satisfaction and merite of Christ that is his b Rom. 5.19 Phil. 2.8 obedience vnto his father in his c Heb. 2.9 death for vs this obedience is d Rom. 4.6 imputed vnto vs for righteousnesse that is is accounted ours as if we had performed the same our selues XVII And to the end that this obedience and righteousnesse of Christ might be imputed vnto vs it was necessarie first that he should yeeld perfect obedience to the law of God himselfe liuing thereafter in all holynesse of life And to performe this it was necessarie also that he should be sanctified without sin from his beginning first conceptioÌ„ in his mothers wombe for if he had not bene a holy a Heb. 7.26 Priest and a b 1. Pet. 1.19 holy sacrificer he could not haue pleased God and so could not haue pacified him for vs. And yet further I ad that this our high Priest and mediator must be very c Act. 20.28 1. Iohn 1.7 God that the obedience of his death might be of price sufficient for our sinnes and meet to giue vs an euerlasting righteousnesse XVIII The doctrine of our free iustification shall then be comfortable and pleasant vnto vs when we shall present our selues as guiltie before the heauenly iudge and shall prostrate our selues and strip our selues as naked in his presence full of feare and care to be discharged from our sins considering the a Esa 33.14 perfection of Gods iustice and the b Iob. 4.17.18.19 imperfection of our righteousnesse yea the huge c Psal 19.13 Iob. 15.16 number and greatnes of our sinnes For thus come we at the last well prepared and ready to receiue the grace of Christ when we shal be truly cast down humbled with the liuely touch and feeling of our miserie and wants But contrarily such as either d Luk. 18.11 12.13.14 swell in the conceite of their owne righteousnesse or be drunke in the delights of their owne sins they liue in a secure contempt of Gods iudgement and shut vp against themselues the gates of Gods mercy XIX Furthermore if we admit not this doctrine of free iustification we shall rob God of his full a Rom. 3.19 and 25. 1. Cor. 1.30 and 31. Ephe. 1.12 14. chap. 2 v. 8.8.9 glory and our poore consciences of sounde peace b Rom 5.1 c. 8.35 Ephe. 3.12 and rest before his tribunall seate of iustice both which notwithstanding must be had granted XX. And we must further note that the whole course of our iustification is by grace and for our better vnderstanding in this point consider of foure sortes of men The first is of them which are neither inwardly nor outwardly called the secoÌ„d sort is of those contemners whom they commonly call Epicures which haue an outward but not an inward calling the third sorte is of hypocrites which desire some commendation of iustice by some shew of externall workes but specially by the ceremonies which appertaine to Gods worship these also haue their outward but not their inward calling the fourth sort of men are they which haue both an outward and inward calling whom Gods spirite doth regenerate by the Gospell and like these are none of the three former kindes XXI That the first kinde haue no righteousnesse but be meer vniust and impious before God hauing also no strength to do that which is good and to beleeue the promise of grace is very manifest euery where in Scripture as when al the sonnes of Adam are described in these wordes that they haue a Iere. 17.9 wicked rebellious harts that all the b Gene. 6.3 chap. 8.21 imaginations of their hart are only euill coÌ„tinually that their c Psal 94.11 thoughts are vaine that they haue no d Psal 36.1 feare of God before their eyes that not one of them doth e Psal 14.2 vnderstand or seeke after God Againe that when God doth enlighten vs with his knowledge he raiseth vs from f Iohn 5.25 death to life makes vs new g Ephe. 2.10 creatures that we be deadly and h Rom. 5.6.7.8 professed enemies vnto God before he receiue vs to grace in our iustification that we haue not loued i 1. Ioh. 4.10 him before he loued vs that we be not purged from our vncleanesse by the bloud of Christ till the k 1. Cor. 6.11 holy Ghost worke our inward sanctification that then we begin to passe from death to life when through Christ we receiue l Phil. 1.29 grace to beleeue XXII Now for the second and third kinde that they haue no iustice to stand before God may appeare also manifestly for that the vncleanesse of their owne consciences is proofe sufficient that they be not as yet regenerate by the holy Ghost and this also bewrayeth their want of faith Whereby it appeareth that they be not as yet reconciled vnto God nor iustified before him for that this grace none can attaine vnto but by faith XXIII The hypocrites chalenge some iustice because of their glorious workes and obedience to the ceremonies but they are so farre from pleasing God herein that they highly displease him because with vncleane harts they prophane his holy worship For workes can not a Hag. 2.12.13.14.15 Esa 1.11.12.13.14.15 Prou. 15.8 purchase grace with God for any person but contrarily workes please God after that the person first hath founde fauour and grace with God And for this cause Moses writeth that the Lord respected b Gene. 4.4 Abell and his ofâ—fring in which wordes he teacheth that Abels oblation did therefore please God because Abels person pleased him and that pleased him by faith without which 〈◊〉 it is imopssible to please God c Heb. 11.6 for that therby mens harts are d Act. 15.9 purified For which cause also Paule saith to the Hebrues that Abel e Heb. 11.4 offred vnto God a better sacrifice then Cain for that Cain was an hypocrite and so without faith XXIIII Lastly for the fourth kinde albeit man regenerate by Gods grace haue some a 1. Cor. 4 4. righteousnesse of workes yet the same is not such nor so perfect as that it can staÌ„d before the iudgement seate of God because all their good works are b Rom 7.14 c. Phil. 3.13.14 imperfect and c Esa 64 6. polluted with corruptions and their sinnes following do d Eze. 18.24 bury all the remembrance of their former righteousnesse and good life XXV By the premisses we now see that not onely the beginning of our
gouernement a man is taught to performe the duties of humanitie ciuilitie which must be obserued and kept among men XX. We must aduisedly regard and see that these two regimentes be not confounded least that any infer or conclude a ciuill libertie against politique gouernement by this spirituall libertie which Christ hath purchased for vs. XXI Againe in constitutions lawes concerning spirituall gouernement we must carefully discerne betweene orders lawfully and vnlawfully established For constitutions and orders lawfull are consonant to the word of God but the vnlawfull are contrary to the same XXII And whereas Paule a Rom. 13. commaundeth to obey the Magistrate for conscience sake he doth not therein binde consciences to lawes politique but this he meaneth onely that we must obey the Magistrate so far and so long as he commandeth things lawful and honest for that God also commandeth vs such obedience we can not with good conscience neglect any of his decrees Therefore the Apostle doth not here make the conscience subiect to any lawes of men but vnto the law of God commanding vs to obey the lawes of men so farre forth as they do not repugne the holy lawes of God XXIII This may yet be vnderstood if we note what the cōscience is The conscience is a a Rom. 2.15 feeling of Gods iudgement concerning our actions an eye witnesse which discerneth can truly testifie of all our workes this the very signification of the word can teach vs. XXIIII Of the premises we may learne that conscience doth properly respect God so that a good conscience is nothing els but the testimonie of our hart a 1. Pet. 3.21 before God of the sinceritie of our hart XXV In deed we say that a good conscience sometimes respecteth a Act. 24.16 men and that is in respect of the fruites or effects thereof in the duties of loue XXVI By the former definition of the conscience we may also learne what law bindeth the cōsciēce namely that law which bindeth a man simply without respect or consideration of men XXVII Finally the law of God which commādeth in the vse of indifferent things to regard the edification of our neighbour although it binde the outward a 1. Cor. 10.28 Rom. 14.22 worke yet bindeth it not the conscience b 1. Cor. 10.28 so as if a man might not with a good conscience vse those things but onely in that case of edifying our neighbour that is our weake brother CHAP. XV. Of Offences I. APHORISME AN offence is a word or deed whereby the neighbour is offended that is made a Rom. 14.15 Math. 15.12 Iohn 6.61 sad or grieued as with any thing impiously or vniustly spoken or done or when a man by any thing as well spoken or done which yet is not well spoken or done is b 1. Cor. 8.10 moued to commit sinne II. A scandale is either giuen or taken III. That is called an offence a Math. 18.6.7 c. giuen the fault whereof commeth from the doer himselfe or an offence giuen is a wicked word or deede contrary to the loue of God and our neighbour and therfore this euill of it selfe grieueth maketh sad the godly and seduceth the weake brethren IIII. That is called an offence a Mat. 15.12 taken when any thing not wickedly or vntimely spoken or done through malice or sinister affection of minde is wrested to an occasion of offence Or an offence taken is a word or deede of it selfe not wicked but taken as wicked either maliciously or ignorantly V. Lastly there seemeth also to be a third a Rom. 14. mixt offence that is partly giuen partly taken as when a man vseth Christian libertie out of season not regarding time and place conuenient But yet this kind of offence is more neare liker an offence giuen then taken And this may be called the offence of the weake or an offence of infirmitie as the other which is taken may be called an offence Pharisaicall for that none thereby but bitter spirites and Pharisaicall eares are offended VI. We must take a Rom. 14.1.13.21 1. Cor. 8.13 Math. 18.6.7 heede that we offend not the weake howsoeuer proude witts be b Mat. 15.14 Act 5.28.29 Gal. 2.3.4.5 offended CHAP. XVI Of Prayer I. APHORISME PRayer is a a Iohn 4.24 holy meditation of things pertaining to Gods glory and our saluation and an earnest b Luke 18.1 c. desire of the same with supplication proceeding from an holy affiance which as sonnes c Heb. 10.22 daughters the faithfull haue in God whereunto also thankes-giuing vnto God for benefits receiued is vsually annexed II. Our present a Psal 50.51 necessitie which we feele ought not onely to be a motiue vnto prayer but also Gods b Ibid. commandement and c Ibid. Iohn 16 24. Mat. 7 7. and chap. 18. 19. promise to heare vs. III. We ought then to begge in prayer not only for those things which concerne our owne happinesse but also that God would giue grace that by this seruice and a Math. 4.10 worship we may truly honour him IIII. Against all distrust which may hinder vs in prayer we must oppose Gods holy promises whereby he hath testified that he will heare a Psal 50.15 Math. 7.7 our prayer V. There be foure rules of prayer The a Dan. 9.3.4.5 c. first that we come to prayer with a mind b Mat. 14.23 emptied of other cares and indued with a due reuerence of the maiestie of God not daring to beg any thing which God himselfe doth not permit the second that we pray with a true sense c. e. Luk. 18. v. 13. and feeling of our wants with an earnest desire to obtaine the third that in prayer we put off all d. e. Luk. 18. v. 13. opinion of our own iustice or worthines and contrarily that in all humilitie and free e Dan. 9. Psal 51. confession of our sinnes we flie to Gods mercy intreating the free pardon and forgiuenesse of our sins the fourth last rule is that prayer proceed from faith f Rom. 10.14 Iames. 1 6. Heb. 10.22 Dan. 9.17 Psal 51.9 and assurance of Gods grace in Christ assuredly trusting that our prayer shal be heard VI. The Lord himselfe hath giuen vs a a Math. 6.9 c. prescript forme of prayer which therefore is called the Lordes Prayer This consisteth of a Preface narration confirmation and conclusion VII The Preface is in these wordes Our Father which art in heauen Wherein we professe our faith or affiance trust we haue as children in God our heauenly Father who hath by grace adopted vs in that his beloued and onely begotten Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Here also to lift vp our minds to God we make mētiō of the seate of Gods maiestie that is of heauen where he giueth his blessed Angels the fruition of his presence and shall giue
in vs. XVI The third benefite by Baptisme is our holy vnion and communion with Christ that we may know that we are vnited a 1. Cor. 11.15 and receiued to felowship with Christ knit vnto him as the members to the head and therfore shal be coheires with him in heauen For Christ to this end sanctified Baptisme in b Math. 3.16 his owne body that he might haue it as commō with vs that so it might be as a most sure bande of our vnion and communion with him And Paule hereby proueth vs to be the sons of God because that in Baptisme we haue put c Gal. 3.14 on Christ that is because by the seale and testimony of our Baptisme were are ioyned vnto Christ the onely begotten sonne of God XVII And thus these three ends of Baptisme serue right well for the confirmation of our faith and so may minister great comfort vnto vs. Againe for our profession among men Baptisme is a badge of that for thereby we testifie that our desire is to be a Iohn 4.1 Act. 2.41 numbred among Gods people professing that we consent with all Christiās in one forme of the religious worship of one God onely and this profession also respecteth the glory of God And this meaning hath Christ when he commandeth to baptize b Mat. 28.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost that is that by Baptisme men may be bounde to worship the true God who is Father Sonne and holy Ghost and that this phrase is so to be vnderstood the very wordes of the Apostle can teach vs. 1. Cor. 1. v. 12.13.14.15 XVIII Now by the premisses learne that they onely rightly receiue and rightly vse Baptisme which referre it to the ends for the which Christ ordained it that is that they may feele and by faith receiue remission of sins regeneration and life euerlasting in Christ alone so receiue Baptisme as Gods holy seale of all these benefites XIX Therfore those men greatly abuse Baptisme which seeke remission of sinnes in that externall actiō as if the power of washing away sinnes were shut vp in the very element or at the least in the bloud of Christ as lying hid therein CHAP. XXV The Baptisme of infants I. APHORISME BEcause the Anabaptistes do oppugne the Baptisme of infants as a point disagreeing with Christes institution it is needfull to know the reasons whereby the Baptisme of infants is proued by the scriptures and next to shewe the vanitie and weakenesse of the Anabaptistes argumēts which they bring to the contrarie II. Now then that the children of the faithfull ought to be baptised may be shewed out of Gods word by foure speciall arguments The first is from the example of Circūcision which assuredly had the like a Col. 2.11.12 reason the same signification that baptisme hath For like as by Circumcision God testified to the people of Israell the b Rom. 4.11 remission of sinnes and c Deut. 30.6 Rom. 2.29 Coloss 2.11 regeneration so by Baptisme doth he promise the very same things vnto the Christians If therefore their infants then at Gods d Gen. 17.12 Leuit. 12.3 cōmandement were Circumcised it is a good consequent that the children of the faithfull vnder the Gospell be baptised III. For albeit we haue no such charge for the baptising of infants yet we know right well the Lordes good pleasure herein by the very nature and end of Baptisme especially seeing Baptisme is ordained to succeede in the a Col. 2.11.12 place of Circumcision Now the charge giuē to them of old which professed the Iewish Religion was that they should not onely be Circumcised them selues but also all b Exo. 12.48 the males that did belong vnto them Wherefore in like manner such as professe Christian Religion they are bounde to bring their infants to be baptized IIII. Againe the children of the faithfull are partakers of that which is signified by Baptisme that is the remission of sinnes regeneration for they belong to Gods a Gene. 17.7 Act. 2.39 1. Cor. 7.14 couenant wherein these benefits are promised with what colour then of reason shall we denie them the seale of the couenant V. And if our infants may not be baptized then the grace of God by Christs cōming doth lesse appeare vnto vs then vnto the Iewes in times past for that the faithfull Iewes were confirmed by the seale of Circumcision cōcerning the saluatiō of their children wherefore it is against all reason that Christiās should not in like maner by the testimonie of Baptisme be assured of the saluation of their infants VI. Lastly the children of the faithfull ought to be offred a Mat. 19.14 a Col. ◠12. vnto Christ as they that haue communion with him in the kingdome of heauen therfore we must giue them their Baptisme as the seale of that communiō and heritage they haue with Christ in heauen VII For whereas the Anabaptistes denie that the baptizing of infantes was vsed in the Apostles time we must know that the old writers say contrarie and the same may also appeare by the Acts of the Apostles which Luke a companion of the Astles as eye-witnesse of all the things for the most part hath left written for the Church of Christ where it a Act. 2.38.39 is sayd in the wordes of Peter to the Iewes conuerted by his Sermon that they be baptized for the remission of sins and that they should receiue the gift of the holy Ghost for that this promise was made not onely vnto them but vnto their childrē Where in the word children it can not be denied but that infants must be vnderstood Againe this Euangelist recordeth that Paule Silas in whose companie he him self also was baptized b Act. 16.15 Lydia her house and the Iayler c Ibid v. 33. with all his houshold VIII Next whereas they say that infants may not be baptized because they cannot cōceiue the doctrine of faith repentance The like reason might be made against the Circumcision of infants Wherefore it sufficeth that they are baptized vnto the repentance and faith to come euen as the infants among the Iewes were Circumcised IX Thirdly whereas they obiect that Baptisme was giuen for the remission of sins and that infants haue not sinned the assumption is false for albeit infants haue not sinned after the like manner of the transgression of a Rom. 5.14 Adam that is actually in their own person yet they sinned in b Ibid. v. 12. him or in his loynes for that they are c 1. Cor. 15.22 dead in him and d Rom. 5.14 and 6.21 dye dayly no lesse then such as be of yeares X. Fourthly whereas they say that Christ hath cleansed a Ephe. 5.26 his Church by the washing of water and that infantes haue no neede of this cleansing because they be not vncleane againe the