outwardly but withall he illuminates the minde inwardly that man might know the excellency of his vocation so God moves the heart that it might obey XII The Novelists also falsly teach that sufficient grace is given to all men but not the act it self of accepting and using that grace This opinion overthrows it self for if the grace of believing is not given in respect of the act then grace is not sufficient seeing no man is saved but he that believes We confess indeed that common vocation is sufficient to make the reprobates excuseless but not to save them hence God speaketh Isa 5.4 What can I do more to my Vineyard c. XIII The Pelagians absurdly teach that by the grace of Vocation we are to understand our natural abilities For the Scripture never thus useth the word Grace but means either that grace which makes us acceptable or that grace which is freely given Eph. 1.6 To the praise rf the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Rom. 12.6 Having divers gifts according to the grace which is given to us XIV The end of Vocation is Gods glory and the salvation of the Elect. XV. The time of calling is not tied to Baptisme for God cal's some before some in and some after Baptisme So Abraham before Circumcision was called and justified Rom. 4. XVI Out of these we may see what is the difference between general and special Vocations That is oftentimes outward onely this is inward That worketh sometimes internally in Reprobates also yet the light of salvation which it affords in the mind is but weak and the joy with which it affects the heart is but momentary but this irradiats the mind with a full light and seasoneth the heart not with a bare rellish but with a true sense of spiritual gifts and fill sit with true constant joy That may be lost but the gifts and graces of this can never be lost Of general Vocation see Matth. 13 20. But he that receives the seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet hath he no root in himself but dureth for a while Heb. 6. v. 4 5. c. It is impossible for these who were once inlightned and have tasted of the Heavenly gifts and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tast-the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away to renew them again to repentance But of special Vocation Paul Rom 11.29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance CHAP. XXIX Of Saving Faith THe effects of special vocation are immediate or mediate The immediate effect is saving Faith which is the gift of Vocation whereby he that is elected applieth to himself the free Promises of Christ in the Gospel and resteth in them The RULES I. This word Faith in Scripture hath five significations For either it is taken metonymicalâ—y for wholesome Doctrine and this is the Faith which not by which we believe or for historical Faith or temporary or for the Faith of miracles or for saving faith II. The principal efficient cause of this is God the impulsive is the same grace by which we are elected and called Act. 13.48 And they believed so many as were ordained to life eternal Rom. 11 7. The Election hath obtained but the rest are blinded III. Faith then is a free gift both in that we have not deserved it and because it is infused into us by the Holy Ghost This is against Sâ—cinus who calls faith a free gift not because the Holy Ghost hath infused it but because no man hath deserved it but that faith is the gift of God is plain Phil. 1.29 For to you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely to believe on him but also to suffer for him IV. The instrumental cause by which Faith is given to us is ordinarily the word of God in those that are of yeares Rom. 10.17 Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God V. Therefore the bare preaching of the Gospel is not the cause of Faith but as it is joyned with the power of Gods Spirit Act. 16.14 The Lord opened the heart of Lydia that she attended to the things that were spoken of Paul VI. The matter or object is commonly Gods Word but properly the free Promises grounded on Christ. The Pontificians deny this latter part against plain Scripture Rom 3.22 The righteousnesse of God by the faith of Iesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe and v. 25. whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through faith in his blood and c. 10 9. if thou doest confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and believest in thy heâ—rt that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved VII The from of Faith for our better understanding is divided into three parts Knowledge Assent and Confidence Knowledge is the understanding of things necessary to salvation Assent is by which we firmly believe those things to be true which are delivered in Gods Word Confideâ—â—e is that whereby every faithful man applies the promises of the Word to himself VIII There is knowledge and assent both in saving and in historical faith but confidence is onely in saving faith Confidence is called by the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perswasion and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much assurance 〈◊〉 3.12 1 Thess. 1 5. By the name then of Confidence is understood either the apprehension application of Christ with his benefits or the quietnesse of conscience In the former sense it is the form of faith in the latter the effect IX Implicite faith then which is the belief of the Church of Rome with a blind assent is no faith Faith cannot be without knowledge 1. Because it cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom. 10.7.2 Because that is wisdome by which God is known Isa. 53 11. Jer. 31.34 Joh 6.69 17 3. 1 Cor. 1.21 X. Nor is that better than a meer historical faith which is not joyned with firm confidence The Papists teaâ—hâ—â— that faith is onâ—y in the understanding but not in the will and heart but the Scripture plainly teacheth the contraâ—y Rom. 10.10 with the heart we believe unto righâ—eousnesse XI Yet we teach not such a firm confidence as if no wayes tossed with doubtings but such a one as doth not finally yield to doubtings XII As for the effects or most proper acts of faith S Paul rightly tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence or demonstration of things not seen Heb. 11.1 It is indeed the property of faith to make future and not exâ—stent things present So Abraham is said to see Christs day Joh. 8.56 XIII The subject of faith are the elect called Of Infants faith we spake in the doctrine of Baptisme XIV There are degrees of Faith not only in
143.10 Teach me to do thy will because thou art my God lead me by thy good Spirit through the right path To this is opposite foolishnesse or ignorance of Gods wayes or an opinion of wisdome Ier. 5.4 These are foolish for they know not the wayes of the Lord nor the judgments of their God Prov. 3.7 Be not wise in thy own conceit Eccl. 7.16 Be not too wise Prudence is a vertue whereby we foresee how things are to be done in respect of time place and manner and what will be the event of each businesse which is undertaken The RULES I. Prudence is the director or guide of our counsels and actions II. It is prudence to distrust the World and not rashly to believe every man Ier. 9.4 Let every one take heed of his friend Matth. 10.10 be wise as Serpents and inocent in Doves III It is prudence to counterfeit and to dissemble Yet here we must know how for what end we may counterfeit dissemble the end is either the edification of the Church of the godly or the trial of things needful or the avoiding of dangers or the desire of eschewing vain-glory or boasting Then it will be lawful to do this when it can be done without prejudice to Gods glory to the truth to charity to justice to our calling and duty and without fraud IV. It is prudence in the evils of sin to choose none in the evils of punishment to choose the lesser So David of the three punishments proposed to him he chose the Pestilence rather than War and Famine 2 Sam 24.12 Cyprian being willed by the Governour to advise with himself whether he would obey or die He answered that in a matter of such holinesse no advise was to be used When the French King Charls 9. had proposed three things to the Prince of Conde the Masse Death and perpetual Imprisonment his answer was that by Gods assistance he would never choose the first as for the other two he left them to the Kings own pleasure To Prudence is opposite Imprudence Craft and a conceit of Prudence Matth. 25.3 But those that were foolish took their Lamps but did not take oil with them Luk. 16.8 And the Lord commended the unjust Steward that he had done wiseâ—y where craft is called prudence abusively Rom. 12.16 Be not wise in your own conceits So much of the Vertues of the mind The vertues of the will in general are Integrity Readiness and Constancie Integrity is whereby we performe obedience to God although imperfect yet with a serious purpose and without hypocrisie as in the sight of God Deut. 18.13 Thou shall be perfect or sincere with the Lord thy God 2 Cor. 1.12 For this is our boasting even the testimony of our conscience To this is opposite the contempt of Conscience or a dissembling and hypocritical Conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Retaining faith a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander Joh. 18.28 The Priests went not into the Iudgment-hall lest they should be defiled but that they might eat c. Readinesse or promptitude called also chearfullnesse and alacrity is a vertue whereby we obey God freely joyfully Psal. 40.9 I delight to do thy will O my God Psal. 110.3 thy people shall be willing 2 Cor. 9. ver 7. God loves a cheerful giver To this is oppsite Precipitancie and Coaction Matth. 8.19 And a certain Scribe came and said unto him Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest 2 Cor. 9 ver 7. Every man as he is purposed in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity Constancie is a vertue whereby man is prepared to persevere to the end in the knowledge profession and worship of God Matth. 24.13 But he that continueth to the end shall be saved see the examples of Prophets Apostles and Martyrs c. To this is opposite Inconstancie or pertinacy in an error or evil purpose Luk. 9.62 No man that putteth his hand to the plough and looking back is meet for the Kingdome of God Act. 7.51 Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart c. CHAP. III. Of Vertues or Works belonging to the First Commandment SO much of the general Vertues or Works the special belong to the immediate or mediate worship of God Gods immediate worship is that which is performed to him immediatly and is taught in the first Table This is either internal onely or else external and internal both The internal worship only is that which resides in the heart and is injoyned in the first Precept The sum whereof is that we worship and know him alone for the true God For the precept is negative Thou shall have no other Gods but me from this is gathered an affirmative Know and worship me alone for God Therefore to this precept belongs the knowledge of God and a religious affection towards him The knowledg of God is whereby we acknowledg him to be the onely true God as he reveals himself to us in Scripture Deut. 6.4 Heare â— Israel the Lord our God is one God Isa. 46.9 Have not I told you from that time and have declared it c. Is there a God besides me Yea there is no God I know not any Contrary to this is Atheisme and multiplicity of gods or Polytheisme Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Gal. 4.8 Even then when you knew not God you served them which by nature were not gods Religious affection towards God consisteth in Faith Hope Charity Confidence in God Fear Repentance Patience and Thankfulness of minde For to acknowledge any for God is to believe to place trust and confidence in him to love and fear him above all things to submit patiently to his wil and to acknowledge all good things for his gift Faith is whereby we lay hold on God as our God and Father and firmly believe his Word Promises and Threaatnings We considered Faith before as the instrument of Justification and Sanctification but here as a vertue and internal work of God in reference to his worship To Faith is opopsite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Infidelity and doubting of the goodnesse and power of God as also the presumption of Faith Psal. 78.22 The Israelites believed not nor â—râ—sted in his salvation Num. 20.12 Because ye did not believe me that ye might sanctifie me c Jam. 2.14 what availeth it my brethren if any man say he hath faith and have not works Can his faith save him Confidence is a vertue whereby we â—est in God and in his promises and totally depend on him in all things both corporal and spiritual We have already spoken of confidence as it is the form of Faith applieth to the heart the Promises concerning Christ Here it is considered as the effect of Faith Of this Salomon saith Trust in the Lord with all thy heart Prov. 3.5 Contrary to this is distrust in God and trust or
Bible to the Originals his Ministers perform their Divâ—ne Service in Latin and in Latine they write all their Bulls c. He sets a mark generally on their foreheads right hands in that they are forced by open profession the symbol whereof is the fore-head and by their actions which are figured out by the righâ— hand to witnesse that they belong to the Râ—man Latine Church But particularly he sets a mark upon his followers when in Baptisme he signes them with the Cross and in Confirmation when he puts Chrisme on their foreheads and when in Ordination of Ministers he anoints their head and fingers 9. Concerning their idolatry and wickedness read the History of the Popes for to rehearse more is not now our purpose 10. He was revealed about the year 600. For after that Constantine the Emperour translated his seat to Byzantium Sylvester took possession of the Palace since which time the insolency of the Popes did so increase that aboâ—t the year 595. a most bitter contention arose between Gregory the Great and Iohn of Constantinople concerning the Supremacie At length Boniface the 3 obtained of the Emperour Phocas a Parricide and Tyrant that the Romish Church might be the head of all the rest and that he should be stiled Universal Bishop 11. As for his destruction the event now shews how much his power is impaired by the preaching of the Word and how many Kings have fall'n off from him Other passages we must expect with patience V. The King of the Locusts the swarmes of which were raised out of the bottomless pit is a figure of Antichrist and of his Clergy Monks c Rev. 9. v. â— 3 11. VI. The two Beasts Rev. 13 are figures â—f one and the same Antichrist The first with seven heads ascending out of the Sea c. very fierce paints him out as he is in very truth The latter like a Lamb doth shadow him as he seems to be by his impostures VII The Dragon Beast and False Prophet for the same is signified by these names sending out three impure Spirits like Frogs called the Spirits of Devils shewing signes and stirring up the whole world to battel Rev. 16.13 14. The event doth so clearly shew us of what this was the figure that he who sees it not is blinde VIII The Beast c. 17 v. â— c. notes out the Seat of Antichrist but the Whore that sits on the Beast the Church of Antichrist I have somewhat largely handled these things because its needfull not onely to know Christ but Antichrist also and these passages conduce not a little for the understanding of the Apocalypse CHAP. XXVIII Of Vocation in special SO much of Vocation as it is common to Elect and Reprobates now the Special follows which belongs onely to the elect And it is that vocation whereby God calls the Elect as yet in themselves miserable and corrupted outwardly by the Word of the Gospel but inwardly by illuminating the minde and changing the heart to be partakers of the grace of Salvation The RULES I. In Scripture this is called A new Creation Regeneration a Drawing Divine Teaching and Resurrection II. In the Schools it is called Actual Election Effectual Calling and Internal Calling It may be called Actual Election because by this God puts in execution the decree of Election For whom he predestinated them he called Rom. 8.30 So Joh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world It is called Effectual Calling in respect of the calling of reprobates which by their own fault is made ineffectual to salvation It is called also Internal because the calling of reprobates is either outward only by the word or if they be any way inwardly illuminated or moved it is but a temporary change III. The principal efficient cause of vocation is God the impulsive is his free mercy the instrumental the Ministery of the Word 2 Tim. 1.9 Wâ—o hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Iesus bâ—fore the world began 2 Thes. 2.14 who hath called you by our Gospel c. IV The matter or object of vocation is man elected but in himself as yet miserable natural carnal sinful estranged from the life of God yea dead in sin Eph. 2.1 And you together hath he quickned when you were dead in sins and trespasses Col. 2.13 And you that were dead in your sins hath he quickned Tit. 3.3 For we our selves also were somtimes foolish disobedient deceived serving diverse lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hatefull and hating one another V. Therefore the Semipelagians erre when they give to man a preparation or a propension to hearken to his vocation The reason is plain by what we have said for how can a dead man raise himself No more can man further his own vocation VI. Yet man is not like a stock when he is called for he is the fit subject of vocation seeing he is not a Lion nor a Dog but a rational creature yet his reason helps him nothing to his vocation till it be enlightened VII 'T is absurd to extend this grace of vocation to all men whereas common vocation of which already happeneth not to all men as the whole story of the Old Testament teacheth For not the Gentiles but Jews were called VIII The forme consisteth in the gracious change of mans mind and heart whereby not onely is the mind illuminated but our stony hearts also are made fleshy and framed to obedience This appears sufficiently out of what is said especially out of Ezech. 36. IX Therefore the Arminian Novelists falsly teach that the understanding is endowed with knowledge that the affections are irresistibly excited but that its left in the freedome of the will to believe or not to believe That the power to believe is given by irresistible grace but not the act This errour is plainly overthrown by that which God pronounces concerning the change of the heart Ezech. 36.26 So Christ witnesseth that not onely the Elect do hear and learn of God but all that have been taught come to him Ioh. 6.45 X. The grace of Vocation is plainly irresistible not if you look upon our corrupted nature which is harder than a stone but in respect of the Holy Ghost by whom the Elect are so drawn that they follow inevitably XI This drawing is no wayes violent nor doth it resist the natural liberty of the will which of its own nature being corrupted and bent to evil only when the holy Spirit toucheth it presently and freely it follows This drawing is like that of the Shepheard when with a green Branch he draws the sheep after him which follows not violently but spontaneously although this be not altogether alike because the sheep is allured by its natural inclination but man by that propension which the Holy Ghost hath put in him God indeed calls