Godhead Soule Bodie who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessarie that Christ should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Matth. 26.56 That hee might bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 That wee might haue life through him 1. Ioh. 4.9 Christ is said to die generallie speciallie valiantlie for all the world 1. Tim. 2.6 for those that beleeue Heb. 9.12 for that he ouercame death Christ had small cōfort of his Apostles when hee was taken prisoner for Iudas betraied him Peter forsware him Al the rest forsook him And a great multitude followed him to his death Some to hurt him Manie to mock him All to see the end of him The benefite wee reape by the death of Christ is great He reconciled vs to his father Colo. 1.20 1. Ioh. 2.2 He redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe Gal. 3.13 He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Matth. 11.30 Christ by his death became for man Curse Sinne Seruile considering The qualitie of his death Deut. 21.23 The integritie of his life Esau 53.9 The equalitie of his estate Phi. 2 It was requisite that Christ should rise againe after death Because he foreshewed it to his Apostle Matth. 17.9 Because his flesh might not see corruption Acts 2.31 Because we might bee iustified thorow him Rom. 4.25 It was necessarie that Christ should ascend after he was risen That he might be fullie glorified Ioh. 7.39 That hee might send downe the Comforter Ioh. 16.7 That he might become our Mediatour Ioh. 17.3 Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reprooue the world of Sinne. Righteousnes Because they beleeue not in him Iohn 16.8 Because he is gone to his father c. vers 9. Because the prince of this world is iudged 10. Iudgement Christ hath shewen vs a worthie and wonderfull good example of Patience Humilitie Because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheepe dumme before the shearer Esa 53.7 Because he tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant being equall with his father Phil. 2.7 Because he laid downe his own life for vs than this what loue can be greater Loue Christ is verie fitlie called a Priest King Because by his onelie sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath Because he raigneth ouer all Ioh. 5.22 Because he declared his fathers will Acts. 7.37 Prophet There be 3. things that beare record of Christ in heauen the Father the Word who sent his Sonne which became flesh which proceedes frō both the Holie Ghost 2. Ioh. 57. There be three things that beare witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit Water Bloud This assureth vs of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 Regeneration Iohn 3.5 Redemption Ephes 1.7 Those that loue Christ must followe after him passe through him drawe neere him because he is the truth because he is the way because he is the life Christ being the truth the way the life manifesteth to vs his Beza Nature Will Office So that in him we must begin continue ende He that will come after Christ must denie himselfe take vp his Crosse followe him wherin is laid before vs Bondage Basenes In denying himselfe In taking vp the Crosse In following Christ Hardnes Barn Christ amased and appeased his enemies three manner of waies By his sound doctrine By his strange miracles By his mild answers Christ descended into hell as may appeare by these places Articl Relig. 3. Psal 16.10 Iohn 20.17 Ephe. 4 9. For so wee cōfesse in the Creede of Nicene Athanasius The Apostles Many produce these directions to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speach to the theefe vpon the Crosse this daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the ghost when he said It is finished Luke 23.43 His agonie in the garden in sweting drops of bloud water For in hell is no redemption Luke 26.26 Christ spake most by parables to the multitude Because by seeing they should see and not perceiue Because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand Because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Matth. 13.35 Mat. 13.13 The great miracles and wonders Christ wrought in this world were done partlie to this end To shewe the great power glorie and goodnes of his father Matth. 15.31 To approue himselfe the sonne of God Acts 2.22 And that he was sent of him Ioh. 11.42 To confirme the authoritie and excellence of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers to it Iohn 2.23 Miracles are often called in the Scriptures Beza Hebr. 2.4 Signes Wonders Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders because they import some strange vnaccustomable thing Vertues because they giue vs a glimse of Gods power Vertues Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the Father the Sonne the Holie Ghost He sent his sonne for our reconciliation His righteousnes is ours by imputation This proceedeth frō both for our sanctification yet all one vnion It is a singuler comfort vnto vs to consider the exceeding loue of Christ towards vs by that he hath done he still doth Because he did not onelie sacrifice himselfe vpon the crosse for our sakes but also satisfied his fathers wrath for our sins Because he did not onelie suffer for vs but became also a continuall intercessor for vs. Because he hath not onlie saued vs but shall also come to iudge vs. he will doo Such as will presume of the time that Christ shall come to iudgement may be reproued by these places Math. 24.36 Mark 13.32 1. Thess 5 1. For it is not for vs to knowe the times and the seasons the Father hath put in his owne power Acts 1.12 The comming of Christ is of 3. sorts Vnto men Into men Vnto men in the flesh Ioh. 1.14 Into men by his spirit Ioh 14.18 Against men in iudgement Apoc. 22.12 Against men It stands vs not vpon so much to vse disputation of the time of Christes comming to iudgement as to be in a daylie preparation and reformation of our liues considering Euerie mans end is imminent and vncertaine Iam. 4.14 Euerie mans death is his latter daie Hebr. 9.27 Euerie man as he dieth shal be iudged Eccle 11.3 The comming of Christ to iudgement will be fearefull ioyfull to the wicked to the godlie Because that daie is to them the beginning of their woe Because it is to them the full fruition of their felicitie Because of the sodaine alteration of all things to both wonderfull These things doo argue the world to drawe to an end the Figtree charitie Because it florisheth Mat. 24.33 Because it waxeth cold Ma. 24 Because it aboundeth Ma. 24 iniquitie The comming of Christ to iudgement will be of a sodaine As a woman trauailing with child As lightning from the East In the houre we thinke not Be sober and watch for happie are those seruants which the Lord when he commeth shal find waking Luk 12.37 Although it was
they may the rather depend on his mercie The godlie think that day ill spent wherein they Do nothing Say nothing Think nothing that may make To the glorie of God To the comfort of themselues To the edifying of others Tribulations afflictions are to the godlie and faithfull a Confirmation of Gods loue a ProbatioÌ„ of their faith patience a PurgatioÌ„ of their liues Because he will not suffer them to bee condemned with the world and therfore hee chastiseth those he loueth Hebr. 12.6 Iob. 5.17 Because he will see if they will stand as strict to him now as they promised in prosperitie not that God is ignorant of the issue but because hee would haue it appeare to others that he doth crown such with his glorie as continue constant Mat. 24.13 Because hee vseth these crosses to make them remeÌ„ber their miserable estate that by these meanes they may bee made perfect against the daie of restauration The godlie do reioyce in tribulations knowing that Rom. 5.3 Tribulation bringeth forth patience Patience experience Experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed The afflictions of the godlie differ from the wicked Beza 1. Pet. 4 Because the godlie communicate with Christ in their afflictions and therfore shall in time also be partakers of his glorie Because in suffering these crosses their adoption is sealed in them by the spirit of GOD although the infidels thinke farre otherwise who in afflicting the godlie blaspheme God Because they are not afflicted for their euill doings but for righteousnes sake which ministreth vnspeakable ioye to them The faithfull in their afflictions haue this confidence in God That hee will lay no more vppon them than he will make them able to beare 1. Cor. 10.13 That hee will deliuer them out of their troubles in a good time That hee will giue them a Crowne of life in the end Apoc. 2.10 Such as suffer affliction may take comfort by the consideration of these sayings Wee must by manie afflictions enter the kingdome of heauen Acts. 14.22 All that liue godlie in Christ shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3. All the afflictions in this life are not counted worthie the glorie of the life to come Rom. 8.18 Afflictions are verie necessarie for the godlie Beza Iam. 1.3.4 Because their faith is tried through afflictions which ought to be most pure for so it is behouable for them Psal â—â— Because patience a farre passing more excellent vertue is by this meanes ingendred in them Because the Crosse is as it were the instrument wherwith God doth polish and fine them therefore the worke and effect of afflictions is the perfecting of them in Christ Patience is very expedient for Christians That by it their faith may bee confirmed Phil. 4.5 That thereby they may be made perfect and entire Iam. 1.4 That after they haue done the will of God they might receiue the promise Heb. 10.36 There be three worthie examples of patience set forth vnto vs. The example of Christ himselfe the onelie patterne of patience of Iob whose patience yee haue heard of Iaâ— 5 10. of the Prophets whose patient examples appeare vnto vs. These 3. points are required of the faithfull That their talke be godlie That Gods law be in their hart That their life be vpright Psal 37.30.31 c. There be three things very dangerous for the godlie Prosperitie of themselues of the wicked Extremitie of affliction Because it maketh them to forget God Hereof saith Dauid I said in my prosperitie I should not bee moued Psal 30.6 Because it maketh theÌ„ dispute with God thinking he doth not rightlie consider of them as the same Prophet did Psal 73.13 Because it maketh them dispaire of God thinking bee would destroye them vtterlie In so much as the same Psalmist burst foorth with these sayings Stay thine anger froÌ„ me that I may recouer my streÌ„gth before I goe hence and bee not Psal 39.13 Cornelius was called a deuout man in 3. respects Act. 10.2 He feared God with al his houshold He gaue much almes to the people He praied to God continuallie And Iob a iust man likewise in 3. respects He feared God Iob. 1. He eschewed euil Iob. 1. Hee did good workes Iob. 31.16 He that will be acceptable to God must be Iust in word Vpright in deed Vndefiled in thought Barnard The iust do reioyce at the punishment of the wicked Because therby God sheweth himselfe Iudge of the world and by this meanes continueth his honor and glorie Psal 94.2 Because hereby he sheweth he hath care ouer his children in that hee punisheth their enemies Psal 41.11 Because by their example others may feare and be reformed in some measure Deut. 17.13.2 Thes 3.14 We ought to loue and do good to our enemies Because Christ himselfe did so whose example we ought to imitate Luk. 3.24 Because it is not praise worthie to loue where we are beloued for so doo the hypocrites and publicans Matth. 5.46 Because it is our duetie not onelie to suffer iniurie but also to do good Rom. 12.17.20 Such as continue in malice and hatred should consider Their praiers are vnprofitable if they aske mercie and forgiue not Mark 11.25 The Lords Supper is prophaned if they receiue it vnworthelie 1. Cor. 11.27 They themselues are but manslaiers if they liue not in charitie 1. Iohn 3.13 15. These three things saith the sonne of Syracke my soule loueth Vnitie of brethren Loue of neighbours Agreement of man and wife Eccle 25.1 Euerie one ought to knowe how farre and in what manner he ought to loue A mutual friend A malitious foe A manifest sinner in God for the loue of God for humanitie sake because in louing otherwise he shall offend GOD for hee that loueth father or mother much lesse a coÌ„mon friend more than me saith our Sauiour Christ is not worthie of me Matth 10.37 because hee cannot loue God whom he hath not seene if hee loueth not his brother that he hath seene 2. Iohn 4.20 because wee ought to haue a consideration of his soule though wee haue a detestation of his sinnes according to the counsell of the Apostle who willeth vs to count such a one not as an enemie but admonish him as a brother 2. Thess 3.15 There be three things prohibited which ought not to be vsed of anie to their verie enemies To enuie their estate To reioyce at their fall To render euill for euill because enuie turneth to a mans owne euill in the ende according as it is written no enuious persons or such like shall enter heauen Gala. 5.21 because it is dangerous lest the Lord see it as Salomon saith it displease him and hee turne his wrath from him to be auenged on thee Prouer 24.18 because it is the part of a good Christian not to vse the meanes to further a mischiefe but to ouercome euil with good Ro. 12.20 Dauid being both a Prince and a Prophet sheweth wherein a Kings charge staÌ„deth To prouide faithfullie for his people To
both in bodie and soule to serue him who hath saued vs. This brieflie is to be obserued in a whore Prouer. 5. She brings a man to a morsell of bread She hunts for the precious life of him She leades him the hie waie to hell She is compared to a dogge to a sowe to dung Eccle. 26. A whore is to be abandoned if it were but for these causes Because God hath forbidden anie such to be suffered Deut. 23.17 Because she increaseth the transgressors among men Pro. 23.28 Because she enuieth honest and vertuous women 2 Esd 16.42 There bee three things maie terrifie a theefe in his lewd attempts The precept God hath set downe The positiue lawe of this land The importable iudgement to come that is Thou shalt not steale Exod. 20. Death of bodie Destruction both of bodie and soule A theefe by following one that is the diuell he offendeth three Hee displeaseth God He hurteth his neighbor He hateth his own soule by breaking his commandement by taking away his right by following sin Pro. 29. This inconuenience commeth of idlenes When one is rooted in it it will hardlie be remoued Whē he hath the end of his lust it wil be most lothsome When he is so idle the diuell is most occupied There bee three things that grieued the wiseman A man of warre that suffereth pouertie Men of vnderstanding that are not set by When one departeth from righteousnes to sinne Eccle. 26.29 God punisheth his people for their sinnes with three kind of plagues which commonlie goe together Warre Famine Pestilence and where he blesseth there followeth 3. benefites Peace Plentie Salubritie Christian Souldiers fight but faintlie if they want these weapons The shield of faith The helmet of hope The sword of the spirit Ephe. 6. Euerie Christian Souldier hath three enemies to encounter with The lewd affections of themselues Iam. 4.1 The euill prouocations of the pleope The daily suggestions of Sathan Ephe. 6.12 There were three persons spared in the old lawe from going on warfare He that was betrothed to a maide Deut. 20.7 He that was but new maried Deu. 24.5 He that was faint hearted Deut. 20.8 God sendeth raine cold heate tempest and such like oftentimes To punish man To profite the earth To declare his fauour towards man Iob. 37.13 c. One may lawfullie eate flesh at all times so it be done without scruple or doubting without offence of our brother without breach of godlie orders For euery creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankes-giuing 1. Tim. 4.4 Our meates are sanctified to vs by the word of God and praier Beza 1. Tim. 4.5 Because we confesse acknowledge that God is the maker giuer of those creatures which we vse Because wee are of the number of those who through Christes benefite haue recouered that right ouer all creatures which Adam lost by his fall Because by our praiers wee craue of the Lord that we may vse those meats with a good conscience which we receiue at his hands Such as by their doctrine will make difference of meates the same may be called diuellish or deceiptfull in three respects Beza Because the teachers of them make lawes of things which are not their owne for GOD created the meates Because they ouerthrowe with their decrees the end wherefore they were made of GOD to wit that we should vse them Because by this meanes they robbe GOD of his glorie who will bee honored in the vse of them Our behauiour ought to be vsed To our better reuerentlie To our equall louinglie To our vnderling lowlie We ought to call our elder father our yonger brother Euery man our neibor Mariage was instituted for three ends For a remedie against incontinencie For the propagation of children For the consolation of man and woman It is allowed of the Patriarkes commended by the Prophets followed of the Apostles Men are made chast three manner of waies Matth. 19.12 by Nature by Arte by Grace Such as are so borne of their mothers bellie Such as bee made chast by men Such as haue made thēselues chast for heauen We haue great cause to reioyce at these daies more than our predecessors had Because Christ hath made easie vnto vs that importable yoke they were subiect too Matth. 11.31 Because he hath brought vs the glad tidings of saluation which they longed to see Rom. 16.17 Because many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see these daies Matth. 13.17 Although honest mirth be tollerable yet foolish or excessiue mirth is Vaine Wicked Dangerous because such mirth shal be mingled with mourning and the ende of such ioy is lamentation because thereby wee cleane forget the means that should make vs remēber our miserie Eccle. 7.4 because our Sauiour Christ saith wo bee to them that now laugh for they shall waile and weepe Luke 6.25 There be three kind of fooles Such as are naturallie borne without wit those those as Salomon saith are a griefe to the father a heauines to her that bare them Pro. 17.21 25. Such as become fooles and are so contented to be counted in this world that they may bee wise in the world to come 1. Cor. 3.18 Such as are giuen ouer to their owne lusts and follow al kind of filthines these are they whom Dauid calleth fooles who lewdlie saie in their hearts as they falslie thinke there is no God Psal 53.1 A wise man is noted and discerned three maner of waies By discreet silence By modest speach By sober life For as Salomon saith a foole by holding his peace is counted wise Prouer. 27.28 not that any should bee restrained of speach but that they should obserue oportunitie in speaking Hereof saith the Philosopher Qui nescit tacere nescit loqui For it is proper to fooles to bee full of friuolous talke but hee that hath knowledge saith the Wise man spareth his words Prouer. 17.27 For he that is heauenlie wise indeed will as S. Iames saith shew by conuersation his workes in meeknes of wisedome Iam. 3.13 Sicknes is verie necessarie for man Because thereby he is put in minde of his owne frailtie Eccle. 7.4 Because thereby he shall bee better incited to call vppon God 2. King 20.2 Because it is a testimonie vnto him of the loue of God Hebr. 12 6. He that is loath to frame himselfe to dye especiallie in sicknes doth shewe himselfe Vnnaturall Vnwise Wretched because he so little desires to be at home with his heauenlie father considering hee is here but as a stranger and a pilgrime Hebr. 11.13 because hee taketh felicitie in the vanitie of this world considering the fashion of it goes away 1. Cor. 7.13 because hee had rather still liue to augment his miserie than frame himselfe by a godlie ende to imbrace eternall blessednes In our sicknes we ought to remember To seeke to God to purge our sinnes which are the chiefe cause of all our diseases To vse the helpe of the Phisitian as a meane by whom God worketh To dispose our temporall goodes where they may make most to his glorie that gaue them For a man to make his Will in sicknes or health it is Lawfull Godlie Necessarie because the Lord willed Hezekiah to put his house in order before he died 2. King 20.1 because his minde being quiet in worldlie matters he shall the better applie it to heauenlie motiōs because a good stay being made it shall cut off occasion of cōtention that may happen afterward The mindes of men are verie mutable and their opinions especiallie such as be peruerse are verie scrupulous to please for He that did well offended some and yet was an Apostle Paul 2. Cor. 11.24 He that did worse pleased many and yet was but a Beast Herod Acts. 12.22 He that did best of all could not please al and yet was a God Christ Ioh. 10.20 England hath 3. especiall causes to be continuallie thankful to God for The free passage of the Gospell The blessed time of Peace The godly Gouernour thereof which Passage Peace Prince the Lord for his mercie sake still prosper preserue protect Amen FINIS
also on hie and therefore saith the same Prophet To thee haue I lift vp my soule Psal 25.1 That therby we should know if our harts be not farre from terrestriall cogitations wee shall hardly receiue any celestiall consolations our hearts We maie lawfullie in praier aske corporal benefites of God Because wee should thereby knowe that he is the author giuer thereof and should not onelie be thankfull to him for it but thereby to seeke loue and worship him Because we should be perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs in that hee hath not onelie promised he wil neuer faile vs. Ios 7. but also hath an outstretched hand to helpe them that call vpon him Because our faith of reconciliation and remission of sinnes should be exercised through the asking of these corporall things The feruent praier of the righteous much auaileth not onelie for themselues but for others At Moses praier the plague ceased Exod. 8. Helias caused great plentie of raine 1. King 17. Queene Hester deliuered her and her people Hest 14. We ought to referre all our praiers requests and dooings to Gods good pleasure following the example of Christ of Dauid when he was crucified without cause by the Iewes Mat. 26.4 when hee was dispossessed of his kingdom by his sonne 2. Sa. 15.26 when he was afflicted most grieuouslie by Sathan Iob. 2.7 13. of Iob The meanes wherby we are drawne to saluation is Faith Hope Charitie The chiefest of these is Loue because it serueth here and in the world to come 1. Cor. 13.13 The work of a true faith is builded vpon things past things present We beleeue the death of Christ is past Wee beleeue at this present hee sitteth at the right hand of his father Wee beleeue that Christ shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead things to come August Faith doth grow and increase in vs three manner of waies By the hearing of the word of God preached By the reuerent receiuing of the Sacraments Because it laieth before our eyes the promises which God in his Gospell hath made vnto vs in his Sonne Because they being right lie receiued of vs are as pledges and seales of the promises of GOD made vnto vs in his word Because God hath made an especiall promise to vs thereby that he will heare vs whatsoeuer wee aske according to his will By praier and inuocation A true and liuelie faith must be simple sound constant in beleeuing in defending in following The word of God without inquiring or searching in Gods mystical matters by humane reasons The truth thereof without inclining or leaning to the erronious opinions of the aduersaries of the same The same worde without doubting for anie reason of mans braine that seemeth contrary nor to be drawn awaie from it by temptations promises or thretnings either of torment or of death Such as will know whether they haue an effectuall faith must consider The fruits of it The triall of it The ende of it is good works affliction saluation For faith without workes is dead Iam. 2.17 For it is not sufficient for vs to beleue in christ but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.29 For he that continueth to the ende hath this comfort shal be saued Mat. 24. A iustifying faith is knowne by these effects It bringeth foorth fruites Mat. 7.18 Iam. 3.18 It worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 It apprehendeth Gods mercie offered in Christ Faith differeth from Hope and yet we hope in things present things past As when I hope I am in Gods fauour As when I hope my sins be forgiuen me As when I hope to haue eternall life things to come Charitie is a singuler vertue for without it what is 1. Cor. 13. Faith Knowledge Martirdome It auaileth little though it moue mountaines It profiteth litle though I speake with tongues of men and Angels It helpeth little though I offer my bodie to be burned We ought to liue in Loue and Charitie Because it is the effect and fulfilling of the Commandement or whole Law 1. Tim. 1.5 Because it is a testimonie vnto vs of our translation from death to life whereby wee are made the children of God and heires in heauen 1. Ioh. 3.14 Because it worketh the cause in vs that God dwelleth in vs for God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1. Ioh. 4.8 Workes of superarrogation are verie friuolous for our works are in no wise auailable to saue vs by reason of Their imperfection Gods election Christes passion Because all our righteousnes is no better than filthie cloutes or as some write menstruous clothes Esai 64.6 Because wee shoulde then chose God rather by our workes than he should elect vs of his mere grace and then grace were no grace Rom. 11.6 Because his Sonne should haue suffered in vaine if wee had anie sufficiencie of our selues Although workes are not the cause of our saluation yet partly they are the effects of it good workes are very necessarie to be vsed amongst Christians That therby God may be glorified Matth. 5.16 That by their good exāple others may be wonne to the word 1. Pet. 3.1 That by them they maie make their election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Dauid numbreth three degrees of our saluation Psal 40.10 c. Gods mercie His righteousnes whereby he fatherlie pitieth vs. whereby he continuallie protecteth vs. wherby appeareth his constant fauour towards vs. His trueth There bee three causes of our saluation the efficient cause materiall cause GOD the Father is the beginning of our saluation Christ Iesus is hee in whom our righteousnes is resident Faithe is the meane whereby wee apprehend the same instrumentall cause S. Paul approueth the formall cause of our saluation to be the free mercie of God for whom he predestinate he callerh whom hee calleth hee iustifieth whom he iustifieth he glorifieth Rom. 8.30 By grace ye are saued through faith Eph. 2.8 Although there be many reasons whereby wee maie assure our selues to bee elected yet wee may brieflie gather our election By the holie Ghost which testifieth with our spirite that we are the children of GOD. Rom. 8.15 By the fruites of the Spirit in hauing good workes or will to doo well By remorse of conscience ioyned with the lothing of sinne and loue of righteousnes Election is knowne by these testimonies Beza 2. Thess 2.10.11 Faith is gathered by sanctification and by according to the truth Truth is gathered by calling through the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election Reprobation this is to be considered That the onelie will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercie in Christ is an inferiour cause of saluation That the hardning of the heart is an inferiour cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euerie one is elected or eiected at the beginning Euerie one is an vnprofitable seruant when he hath done his best