and deede exalting himselfe aboue Kings and Emperours and all that is called God 2. Thes. 2.4 AEnig 184. How may one be many yet these many be but one Resolution A naturall body is one yet consistes of many members also the misticall body which is the vniuersall Church of Christ hath many particular Churches as members yet is but one Church 1. Cor. 12. 12. Lastly a particular congregation hath many Christians as members yet is but one assembly where all things are done with one accord Act. 5. 12. AEnig 185. How may one Church be both visible and inuisible militant and triumphant at once Resolution The holy Catholike Church which consists of all the faithful it is but one yet at the same time it is both inuisible in respect of election and faith which make men members of this Church yet cannot bee seene And also visible as it consists of men and women who may bee seene warring in some of her members against Sathan here in earth whereof it is called militant whiles others hauing ended their warfare their soules reigne in heauenly glory and thereof is called triumphant AEnig 186. How may the Church be called the fulnesse of Christ in whom dwelles the fulnes of the godhead Resolution The Church being Christs misticall bodie he as the head of it reckens himselfe defectiue and vnperfect without it as if he wanted some things of his fulnesse though himselfe in his person wanteth nothing but filles all in all things because the godhead dwelles in him bodily Ephes. 1. 13. col 2. 9. AEnig 187. How a mother of many children may at the same time be a Virgine Resolution The true Church which is the mother of many children yet in respect of keeping her faith to Christ vndefiled without mixture of errors she is a Virgine and so is euery assembly abiding in the soundnesse of faith AEnig 188. How many one marry two sisters without sinne it being very sinnefull to marry two sisters Resolution Christ first married spiritually to the beleeuing Iewes afterward accepted for his spouse a Church out of the Gentils which became sister to the Iewish Church Cant. 8.23 but the marriage of two sisters either naturall or legall is wicked AEnig 189. What Creature is that that is both in heauen and in earth at once and how this may bee Resolution The man Christ himselfe sitting in heauen yet at the same time is in earth in his members Act. 9.3 Also one part of the church is in heauen another remaines in earth Lastly euery true Christian for his person is in earth and for his conuersation he is in heauen Phil. 3. 20. AEnig 190. What woman is that which alwaies giues sucke yet is alwaies in trauaile Resolution It is the true Church of Christ trauelling continually to bring foorth more children to God whiles out of her two brestes she ministreth sucke to such as be alreadie new borne AEnig 191. How can that society bee inuisible that consistes of visible persons It is answered in the 185. Resolution AEnig 192. What is that that is at once a kingdome a house a vine a body and a City and how Resolution The true Church is like vnto all these Christ ruling therein as in his Citie kingdome and house husbanding it as a Vine that it may be fruitfull sauing it as his body Eph. 5.15 AEnig 193. What woman is shee that hath children to be her fathers Resolution It is the Church whose faithfull Ministers are both the children and the Fathers of the Church AEnig 194. Who is that which at one time is both fighting and tryumphing And how this may be Resolution Christ at one time did both fight and triumph on the Crosse Col. 2. 15. Also this is the case and condition of his Church See 185. AEnig 195. 196. 197. How can a man be of the Church and not in the Church and in the Church yet not of the Church How may such as bee without the Church be more of the Church then such as be in it How may wolues be within and sheepe without the Church the Resolutions Dauid and Ioseph when they were exiled and liued among the Pagans were more of the Church then such hypocrites as liued in it Also such as be vniustly excommunicated as the man in Ioh. 9. be more of the Church than the false guides be which cast them out who being within the visible Church yet are but wolues when the godly cast out by them bee the true lambes and sheep AEnig 198. How may one bee a brother who is no member of the visible Church Resolution One lawfully cut of for some crime is no member of the visible Church for the time Math. 18. yet he is to be dealt withall as a brother 2. Thessal 3. because hee still holds the profession of Christ though he faile in practise and bee scandalous in life and manners AEnig 199. 200. What kingdom is that where all subiects be Kings And how this may be What kingdome is that where a King and a subiect be equall And how this may be the Resolutions It is the kingdome of Christ vpon earth where euery subiect is a spirituall king partaker of Christs royall dignitie and by his spirit subduing carnall lusts Also in this kingdome an earthly king is no more accepted then a priuate man with that God who is no accepter of persons Rom. 6.11 yet for his office and power among men farre aboue his subiects Rom. 13.1 AEnig 201. What kingdome is that which is in this world and yet not of this world And how this may be Resolution It is the spirituall kingdom of Christ ouer his Church which is in this world as touching the persons subiects who inhabite heere in this world but as touching the maner of gouernment that is not worldly as other kingdomes but spirituall as Christ the king is spirituall raigning by his spirit and word ouer his people for spirituall ends AEnig 202. What body is that wherof the members are distant from themselues as farre as East and West and from their head as farre and further then North and South and how this may be Resolution It is the mysticall body of the Church whose members are dispersed thorough the whole earth And whose head is aboue in heauen while shee way fareth as a pilgrim in earth AEnig 203. Who is that woman which in the time of Iohn the Euangelist did reigne ouer the Kings of the earth and sat vpon seauen hills Resolution It is the Citie of Rome to which many nations and prouinces were subdued the Romans then being Lords almost of the whole earth and which was situated vpon seauen mountaines or hills which as it is said with their names are extant and knowne till this day Apoc. 17. 18. AEnig 204. What beast is that that hath seauen heads and ten hornes Resolution The Romish
his bloud c. Yet the scripture affirmeth of his diuine nature that the Lord of glory was crucified 1. Cor. 2. 8. And that God purchased his Church with his bloud Act. 20.28 And on the otherside that is attributed to his manhood which belongs to his godhead peculiarly Ephes. 4. 10. He that descended is the same that ascended See more examples Luke 2.52 also Ioh. 8. 58. Graecians call this coinonia Idiomatoon Beza Perkins Zanchius Some workes of Christ are proper to his godhead as his miracles some to his manhood as his naturall and morall workes some to his whole person as his workes of mediation in which each nature doth that which was proper vnto it Zanch. When the same places which bee in the old Testament be repeated in the new with some alterations additions and omissions this falles out for these fiue causes 1. For expositions sake as Psal. 78.2 compared with Math. 13. 35. Psalm 110.1 with 1. Cor. 15.25 Psalm 116.10 with 2. Cor. 4.3 Secondly for discerning sake to the end that places persons and times might be distinguished as Mich 5.2 compared with Math. 2.6 Thirdly for limitation sake that the sense of the place might be truly restrained according to the minde of the holy Ghost as Deut. 6.13 compared with Math. 4.10 and Genes 2.24 with Math. 19. 5. Fourthly for application sake that the type might be fitted to the trueth as Ionas 1.17 with Math. 12.39.40 also Esay 61.1 with Luk 4.18 Fiftly for breuity sake some things are omitted because they agree not with the matter in hand as 1. King 19.10.18 with Rom. 11.3.4 Perkins Touching plaine places this rule is to be followed if the naturall signification of the wordes of the place expounded doe agree with the circumstances of the same place that is the proper meaning of that place as for example Rom. 3.20.28 It is written a man is iustified by faith without workes the naturall signification of these words is plaine that euery elect person when he beleeues in Christ is absolued from his sinnes and accepted of for iust without merit of his owne workes this sense we presently receiue because it agrees with circumstances of the place and with holy Scripture Perk. For expounding darke places let this be the rule If the natiue or naturall signification of the wordes do manifestly disagree with the anologie of faith and other very plaine places of Scripture then it must be refused and a figuratiue improper sense is there the true sense As for example the natiue and proper signification of those words Math. 26.26 This is my body is this that the bread is his body or is turned into his body but this cannot be the meaning of the place because it disagrees with Articles of our Creede which teach that Christs body is made of the Virgine by conception of the holy Ghost not of bread by the Prists consecration also that it is ascended into heauen and shall returne wher he commeth to Iudge the quicke and the dead also it disagrees with that manifest scripture which saith that the heauens must conteine him till the time that all be restored Act. 3. Perkins The supply of euery worde which wanteth is fitting enough to the place propounded if the word supplied agree with the anologie of squire of faith and with the circumstances and wordes of the same place as Exod. 19. 4. I haue caried you on Egles winges here wanteth as it were likewise Es. 1. 13. I cannot iniquitie here must be supplied beare which wanteth Exod. 4. 25. Zipporah tooke a sharp supply knife where there is Ellipsis or want of any word then it signifieth either breuity or swiftnesse of affections Perkins When Repentance is attributed to God in Scriptures as Gen. 6. it noteth only the alteration of things and actions done by him and no change of his purpose and secret decree which is immutable Perkins Things spoken as if they were already finished and yet be not so they must bee vnderstood as being in the way to be finished or as being begunne to be fulfilled As Noah being 500 yeere old begot Shem Ham and Iaphet Gen. 5.23 that is he began to beget them See the like Gen. 11.26 also Luk. 1.6 and they were iust in all the commandements that is they begun entire obedience and endeauored to doe all Perkins Promises must bee vnderstood with condition of faith where the condition is not expressed A superlatiue or exclusiue speech vsed of one person in Diety doth shut out creatures and fained gods but not the other persons As Iohn 17.3 This is aeternall life to know the onely true God this sâ—uts not out Christ and the spirit but false Gods so doth that 1. Tim. 1. 17. Rom. 16.27 Ioh. 10.39 Perkins All workes of the Trinity and all attributes must bee vnderstood inclusiuely without exception of any other of the persons Perk. This word nothing is put for little or small as Ioh. 18.20 I haue spoken nothing in secret that is little Also Act. 27.33 also none is vsed for few as all is put for some or many Ier. 8.6 1. Cor. 2.8 none of the rulers that is few And alwaies is put for often long as Prouerb 13.10 alwaies there is contention amongst the proud that is often it falles out so Luk. 18.1 pray alwaies that is long with continuance Luk. 24.53 Ioh. 18.20 Euery where is put for here there without respect of place Math. 16.20 Act. 13.30 also This negatiue particle not is often put comparatiuely or respectiuely and not absolutely or simply as Hos. 6. I will haue mercy and not sacrifice that is rather then sacrifice or not sacrifice in respect of mercy 1. Cor. 1. sent not to baptise but to preach also Psal. 51. Sacrifices thou wouldst not haue that is in comparison of a contrite heart Ierom. 32.33 euery man shall not teach his neighbour Also not is sometime put for seldome as 1. Kings 15.5 Luks 2.37 she went not out of the Temple that is seldome or scarcely The present time being put for the time to come doth signifie the certainty of the thing spoken of as Esay 21.9 Reu. 18.2 Babilon is fallen Babilon is fallen for shall certainely fall Vnto the dubbling or repetition of wordes belong these rules following When a substantiue is repeated or twise mentioned in one case it signififieth first aemphasis or force as Lord Lord. Secondly a multitude as droues droues Gen. 32. 16. that is many droues Thirdly distribution as 1. Chron. 16. a gate and a gate that is euery gate and 2. Chron. 19.5 Leu. 17.3 a city and a city that is euery city Fourthly diuersity or variety as Pro. 20.20 a waight and a waight that is diuers waights an heart and an heart that is diuerse or double heart A substantiue repeated in diuerse cases if it be in the
which you do know For these purposes your charge and duty is this FIrst read consider marke your owne answer before yee looke vpon mine Where you sticke be humbled pray for vnderstanding and then take such poore helpe as this Treatise affords you Where you see be thankfull to God for your knowledge and labour to profit AEnigmata Sacra MISTICALL CASES AND SECRETS of Diuinitie with their Resolutions The vnfolding wherof layeth open that Truth that concerneth Saluation ENIGMA 1. Who is he that hath vnderstanding and will and yet hath no soule and how that may be The Resolution IT is God of whom it is written that he is vnderstanding and a God of knowledge working all things after the Counsell of his will yet hee hath no soule For hee vnderstandeth and willeth things not by a created faculty of vnderstanding and will such as is in mens soules whereby they doe vnderstand and will one thing after another by discourse and in measure but God infinitely vnderstandeth both himselfe and all things at once by one act of vnderstanding and willeth infinite things together by an vncreated and infinite power which is in himselfe or rather which is himselfe all thinges which are in God being God Exod. 3. 14. 2 It is an holy Angell who properly hath no soule yet is of an excellent vnderstanding and will Psal. 103. 20. 21. 2 Who is he that hath handes and feete and hath no body and how this may be Resolution It is the inuisible God who being a spirit or spirituall substance Ioh. 4.24 he is therefore vncorporeall and properly hath no handes nor feete yet these members are in scripture attributed to him for the help of our weaknesse to signifie vnto vs the mightie workeing of his power whereby hee doth execute all his owne power counsels as men by their handes doe effect and doe all their workes as it is written The hand of the Lord hath done this Againe The right hande of the Lord bringeth mightie thinges to passe Psalm 118. 16. 3. Who is he that causeth all motion yet himselfe moueth not and how this may be Resolution It is the immutable God who is author and ruler of all motion good and euill as it is a motion it is from God in whom we and all things else which mooue do mooue yet himselfe is immoueable because hee is vnchangeable for all motion is with some change which cannot fall into the nature of God I am Iehouah I change not 4. Who is that that is all light yet cannot be seene of vs and how this may be Resolution It is the most glorious God who is called light both for the brightnesse of his glorious maiestie and for the perfit purity of his most holy nature hauing in it not the least spot of ignorance or sinne yet because our weake minde cannot comprehend him as he is much lesse our bodily eies be able to behold him therefore it is written that he cannot be seene and dwelleth in a light vnaccessible whom neuer man saw nor can to whom be honor and power euerlasting 5. 6. How can one loue and hate grieue and ioy and all this without affection How can one repent and not alter his minde Resolution God being vnchangeable hee cannot repent by altering his purpose as men doe and being Impassible hee is not subiect to ioy or griefe loue hate as the sonnes of men bee yet these things are giuen to him in Scripture not by reason of any affection which is in him but of the workes which he doth like vnto men who haue such affections so that his punishing men is his wrath and blessing men is his loue and the ouerthrow of any of his creatures or workes is his repenting which is but the vndoing of some thing done 7 How may one heare and see all thinges and yet haue neither eyes nor eares Resolution God who made the eyes shall hee not see and shall he not heare which made the eare is there any thing so secret that can be hid from him who is all an eie and all an eare yet because he is no bodily substance hee hath no bodily eye or eare which members being the instruments of vnderstanding are applied vnto God thereby the better to expresse his infinite knowledge to vs who by the things of men must be led to conceiue the thinges of God more readily 8. What is he that hath all good qualities yet is all substance without any quality and how this may be Resolution It is God in whom euery good qualitie of mercy truth iustice wisedome c. is to be found because he is an infinite perfection yet nothing is in God as a qualitie or accident because he is a most single essence without any composition of subiect or accident of substance and qualitie Therefore his mercy is himselfe so is his truth wisedome goodnesse patience euery one-of these and all these together as they are in God are that most perfect diuine Substance euen that great Iehouah according to that is written Exod. 24. 6.7 Now in that the Scripture giues these attributes vnto God as distinct from his essence or himselfe and amongst themselues it is to helpe our vnderstanding who otherwise cannot conceiue and consider of him 9 Who is he that is no where and yet euery where within the world and without the world and yet neither within it nor without it and how this may be Resolution It is the incomprehensible God who is no where because hee is not circumscribed in any one place as our bodies be which haue their dimentions of length bredth c. Yet in as much as he filles heauen earth with his essence and presence therefore he is euery where within the world and without it because of his infinite presence power and essence yet neither within it nor without it as in a place because of this vnmeasureablenesse and immensitie AEnig 10. How none is good saue God only yet men and Angels be good Resolution God is good essentially his goodnesse is himselfe not by participation Also he is good most perfectly and euerlastingly being cause of all good in others Now Angels and men are called good by partaking in his goodnes in a measure and changeably for they may and do loose it when God vpholds not by his grace AEnig 11. How can God be Almighty yet there be many things which he cannot doe as hee cannot die nor sinne nor denie himselfe Resolution He is called Almighty not because he can doe euery thing for there bee things which if he could do he neither should be God nor almightie These be things of infirmitie as if God could suffer or Die this should argue not his Omnipotencie but his Impotencie that he were weake and not able to preserue himselfe Things of iniquitie as to sinne to lie to deny himselfe which if he could doe he
beleeuing is nothing but a spirituall sight faith being the eye of the soule whereby we see God reconciled to vs by Christ by which sight we walke now not by immediate sight such as Angells and Saints haue in heauen which glorious sight shall dimme or extinguish rather the obscure sight of faith which seeth thorough the Word and Sacraments as spectacles whereas there in heauen we shall see perfitly AEnig 228. Who is that that makes things visible to be invisible and things past and to come to be present And how this may be Resolution It is a true and liuely faith to which God and heauenly glory things invisible doe after a sort become visible being beleeued that they shall as certainly be performed as they are certeinly promised Also in a wonderfull manner both things past as the worlds creation Christs incarnation and passion And things to come as resurrection Iudgment c. are present to faith Heb. 11.1 AEnig 229. How may one at once both haue faith and loose it Resolution A Christian at once may haue the gift or habit of faith and yet loose the feeling and some fruits for a time as in Dauid and Peter who lost confession of Christ with boldnesse cleannesse and ioy of heart yet lost not the grace of faith AEnig 230. How can one see him that is invisible whom neuer man saw Resolution God being an invisible Spirit maketh himselfe seen vnto faithfull ones and visible as it were in his word sacraments works and creatures Heb. 11. 27. AEnig 231. How is it that a beleeuer still hungers and thirsts yet true beleeuers hunger and thirst no more Iohn 6. Resolution True beleeuers because their apprehension and feeling is weake hindred by sinnes and temptations therefore they still thirst and couet increase of their faith to a more full enioying of Christ and his graces wherin because they doe finde all soule contentment and satisfaction euen whatsoeuer belongs to full happinesse therfore they are said to thirst no more for they rest in him onely and seeke not for an other AEnig 232. How may one beleeue before he haue faith Resolution He that out of an heart truly touched for his offences doth desire through the holy ghost to beleeue the forgiuenesse of them such a one though he haue not that faith which is in strong apprehension and act yet he doth beleeue in Gods acceptance who in his children accepteth the desire for the deed Mat. 12.20 Ioh. 7. 37. 38. AEnig 233. Seeing doubting is contrary to faith how can beleeuing and doubting meet both together in one person Resolution Doubting being a fruit of vnbeliefe is contrary to the nature of faith which is a certaine assent vnto the promises yet it may stand with the infirmitie of faith as in Peter Mat. 14. 31. why dost thou doubt ô thou of little faith doubting springs not from faith but from weake faith AEnig 234. If we be certaine of our saluation by faith how are we bid to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Resolution As a child may reuerence and feare his Father of whose loue he is certeinly perswaded so Gods child thinking vpon his owne weaknesse and the falls of others may feare to offend God by falling to sinne yet may bee certainly perswaded of his owne saluation when he considers the infinite mercy truth and power of God Phil. 2. 12. AEnig 235. If faith be but one how is it written that righteousnesse is reuealed from faith to faith Resolution Faith is but one as touching the kinde author obiect and end yet this one faith hath sundry degrees and measures righteousnesse is then reuealed from one measure of faith to another from a lesser faith to a greater but not from one kinde of faith to another Rom. 1.17 Eph. 4.5 AEnig 236. How one person at the same time may be an enemie to God yet loued of him Resolution One that is an enemie actually by the guilt and corruption of sinne wherin he stickes being vnregenerate may at the same time be and is loued of God in his purpose and election Rom. 7.10 9.13 AEnig 237. How may it be that one should marry a Wife and yet still remain a Virgin Resolution Hee that is maried to a Woman yet is still a Virgin if his faith be kept pure and vnspotted see 189. AEnig 238. How may one be a maa and a chtld at once Resolution One person at the same time may be a man in yeeres and a child in vnderstanding as Nicodemus Iohn 3. AEnig 239. Who was he that was a man the first day he was borne And how this may be Resolution Paul the Apostle in respect of his great knowledg and strength of grace which hee receiued in his new birth was a man not a babe the first day he was borne into the Christian world Acts 9. AEnig 240. Who is he that is twise borne and thrice dead and how this may be Resolution A regenerate man is borne of his mother naturally and the second time he is borne of the Church spiritually Also he is once dead in sinne by corruption from Adam The second time he is dead to sinne by mortification from the death of Christ The third time dead to the world in the disolution of soule and body by the decree of God AEnig 241. Who is he that fiue a childe and how Resolution One that is regenerate and liues till hee be in great yeares is a childe first by age secondly by new birth thirdly in vnderstanding if he continue weake in knowledge long time after he is new borne fourthly in maliciousnesse being harmelesse as a childe fiftly in yeares as it is said once an old man twise a childe AEnig 242. Who is it that hath foure heades and but one heart also two hearts and but one head and how this may be Resolution A religious beleeuing wife hauing but one naturall heart yet beside her naturall head shee hath her husband as domesticall or houshold head her King as politicall or ciuill head And lastly Christ her misticall and spirituall head Also a man that hath but one naturall head may haue two hearts as hipocrites who are double minded or as the godly comming into the worde with a heart of stone and afterward receiuing from grace a heart of flesh Ezek. 11. 19. AEnig 243. If Gods promise be true why are seales added Resolution Seales are added to the promise not simply to confirme the truth thereof which is more stable then heauen and earth but to help the infirmitie of our faith which needes strengthening against doubts and feares of the flesh AEnig 244. What is that which is called that it is not yet is that which it is called Resolution Sacraments be called by the name of things wherof they are sacraments for likenesse sake yet are not the selfe same things really and substantially but mistically and
with his lusts Rom. 5.1 7.22 as the wicked haue peace and league with their sins but warre with God at one time AEnig 279. How may one at once both worke and fight Resolution The true Christian doth at once both performe the worke of his calling and fight against the hinderances whereby the world sinne and Satan would withdraw him from his worke or discourage him in it as Israelites in building Ierusalem AEnig 280. How may hee say who shall free mee from sinne who is already freed from the law 〈…〉 Resolution One who is in part freed from the tyrannie of sinne may desire and long to be perfectly freed Rom 7.24 AEnig 281. How may one repent before he haue repentance Resolution The child of God hath a sound purpose and desire to repent which with God is accepted for repentance before he hath the power and grace of repentance so he repents in will ere he hath actuall repentance wrought in him AEnig 282. How may one haue repentance without repentance Resolution When one hath true repentance wrought in him whereof he neuer need to repent him because it springs out of a godly sorrow for sinnes and tends to saluation then hath hee repentance without repentance 2. Cor. 7.10 for he neuer repenteth him that he hath repented AEnig 283. How may one confesse and leaue his sin yet not repent Resolution If his confession be hypocriticall from stinge of conscience or perforce and not out of displeasure of heart for sinne and hope of forgiuenesse thorough Christ and that he leaue his sin touching the act because he lacks occasion or strength to do it not in affection because he hates it such confession and leauing sinne argueth no sound repentance AEnig 284. How may the children of the kingdome be cast out and harlots enter in and be saued Resolution Such as be children of the kingdom by outward couenant and profession onely as proud Iewes were being without faith and repentance shall be cast out and refused when beleeuing penitent harlots shall be receiued vnto saluation AEnig 285. How can there be in this life a righteous person who needs no repentance Resolution If we speake absolutely there cannot be any such righteous person but there is if we speake comparatiuely for one who hath already repented departing from his sinnes and hauing made good proceedings in a righteous course of life hauing done many good works hath not such neede of repentance as one that goeth still astray being dead in sinnes and trespasses or that is newly turned Also one that thinks himselfe to bee righteous without fault in his owne opinion needs no repentance AEnig 286. Seeing repentance is a grace hidden in the heart how can the Angels who know not our hearts ioy at the conversion of sinners Resolution Angells by outward signes and effects doe obserue and know the inward conversion of our hearts and do ioy therin because it turnes to the honour of God to the increase of Gods kingdome which they greatly loue Also they delight in the good of all elect persons who together with them make vp one glorious Church in heauen Luk. 15. AEnig 287. How may one liue in a grosse sinne till death and yet be saued and another doing so shall not be saued Resolution If it be his secret sinne which he doth not know and marke to be a sin such as the polygamie of the Fathers and fornication amongst the Corinthians and vsury in England were thought to be he that repented not of such sinnes particularly may be saued so hee doe repent generally whereas another liuing in such a sinne against the light of his conscience cannot be saued without a speciall repentance for it Luk. 13.3 AEnig 288. What is that without which we cannot be saued yet is no cause of our saluation Resolution It is good works which be no cause of our saluation and yet the elect which are of yeeres if they haue space and time to do them cannot be saued without them for they are the way to the kingdom though they be not the cause of reigning AEnig 289. To what purpose is it to do good works yet wee are neither iustified nor saued by them Resolution God works though they cannot merit our saluation being both vnperfect and spotfull yet are we bound to do them to obey the commandement of God to glorifie the doctrine and name of God to edifie our brethren to witnesse and assure our owne faith and election and finally to stop the mouthes of the wicked Also to aedifie the weake AEnig 290. How can our good workes please God seeing they haue in them such wants and spots as God hateth Resolution As good works come from our faith and be fruits of Gods spirit so they please God by the intercession of Christ couering the defects and stains of our workes by the mantle of his death and righteousnesse AEnig 291. If heauen be freely giuen for the merit of Christ how is it then the reward of good works Resolution Though heauenly happinesse bee freely giuen as the purchase of Christs passion yet because it is giuen in the end of our life after the workes done as a recompence vseth to be giuen to labourers in the end of the day hence it is in Scripture called a Reward not of debt as due to our worke but of free fauour the better to encourage vs to our worke Matth. 5. AEnig 292. How is it that no man did euer see the Father and yet he that seeth Christ doth see the Father Resolution No man did euer see the Father immediately because the brightnesse of his Maiestie cannot bee endured by any mortall creature but God being in himselfe invisible became after a sort visible in Christ whose doctrine life and miracles be as it were an image or looking glasse wherein to behold the diuine truth power bounty mercy and goodnesse AEnig 293. If in heauen we shall see God as he is and know him as we are knowne how is it written that then our knowledge shall cease Resolution In heauen our knowledge shall bee perfect and immediate by the vision of God himselfe and therefore such meanes as wee haue heere of getting knowledge shall cease no books no ministerie no doctrine c. AEnig 294. How is it eternall life to know God and Christ and yet many shall perish which know God and Christ Resolution It is the beginning of eternall life to know God and Christ by the speciall knowledge of faith begetting in vs affiance and loue in God therfore such as know God and Christ and yet do perish it is because their knowledg is generall and empty of confidence and loue AEnig 295. How may it be that one shall not see that which he doth see Resolution That which one doth see spiritually it may be he shall make no vse of it to himselfe and then hee were as good not
to see it at all AEnig 296. How may it be that darknesse shall increase by light Resolution When such as are enlightned to knowledge do not walke in that light but sin against the will of God which they know that light in the end increaseth darknesse and leads to eternall darknes as in the Pharisies who persecuted Christ against their knowledge see Heb. 6.4.5.6 AEnig 297. How may he that knowes little haue more knowledge then hee that knowes much Resolution He that hath litle knowledge with good affection and care to doe what he knowes hath more true knowledg then he which knoweth much and doth not practise a litle actiue knowledge is worth much contemplatiue knowledge which is idle and vnfruitfull 2. Pet. 1.5.6.7 AEnig 298. How may there be a learned Ignorance and an ignorant knowledge Resolution When we are willingly ignorant of that which God would not haue vs know this is a learned ignorance as it is a blockish knowledge when wee are curious to vnderstand things hid from vs or when we do not apply our knowledge to practise AEnig 299. What is that which a man may deale and giue out to others yet himselfe not only still keep it but haue the more of it And how Resolution It is knowledg of heauenly things which the more we communicate and giue out to others the more we haue of it seeing it increaseth by vse as it is written to him that hath it shall be giuen AEnig 300. How may that which is grace be an occasion of great sinne Resolution If the grace of God be turned into wantonnesses as in those who abuse the knowledge of Gods mercies vnto libertie in sinning grace generall by abuse of it is the occasion of sinne AEnig 301. How may men prooue wise while they become fooles and prooue fooles when they become wise Resolution Such as become fooles in themselues laying aside all opinion of their owne wit in matter of saluation giuing ouer themselues wholy to bee gouerned by Gods word these prooue wise vnto God as they which are wise in their conceit thinking their owne discretion sufficient to guide them proue fooles before God AEnig 302. How can a meere man that is heere on earth be at the same time in heauen Resolution By christian hope whereby â—e so certainly looks for possession of heauenly blisse as if already he had it for we are saued by hope Rom. 8. AEnig 303. Seeing by faith we see our inheritance how then can we hope for it for hope is of a thing not seen Resolution By faith we haue a spirituall sight of our heauenly inheritance in that we beleeue the promise of it yet wee doe hope for it because we haue not a present bodily sight and enioying of it hope lookes for the effect of the promise faith to the truth of it AEnig 304. How may one at once beleeue both vnder hope and aboue hope Resolution One may at once beleeue vnder the hope of God and aboue the hope of man despayring in respect of mans reason or humane helps yet hoping well because of Gods promise and power as Abraham did Rom. 4. who from barren Sarah could not hope for a Sonne whom yet he hoped to haue because God had promised AEnig 305. How are we saued by faith only And yet it is written that we are saued by hope Rom. 8. Resolution We are saued by faith as the onely instrumentall cause And by hope we are saued because yet we enioy not the saluation which wee beleeue but by hope look only to possesse it one day Rom. 8. AEnig 306. How is it written that hope maketh not ashamed and it is an anchor And yet many there be which say they hope to be saued who are still wauering and doe neuer attaine the end of their hope Resolution It is Christian hope springing from God and grounded on Gods mercy and truth which confoundeth not other hope is no more hope than a dead man is a man AEnig 307. How may one doe well who doth not loue till he be loued and another if hee do so shall do ill Resolution The elect being first loued of God in Christ and hauing that loue shed abroade in their hearts through the holy Ghost are thereby moued to loue God againe wherein they doe well according to that that is written 1. Iohn 4. We loue God because hee first loued vs. But a wicked man who doth therefore loue his neighbour onely because hee was prouoked by some former loue and doth not loue God but in respect of some precedent temporall blessings herein doth ill not louing purely AEnig 308. What gift is that that is both greater and lesser then faith and how this may be Resolution It is loue which is greater then faith First because it extends further embracing God angels and men both good and bad men whereas faith lookes on God only vpon whose promise it leaneth Secondly loue is not only of larger extent but of larger lasting and continuance then faith which ceaseth when the thing beleeued is enioyed whereas loue remaines in heauen after this life howbeit loue is lesser then faith because it is the daughter and fruit of faith hauing no commendation or force but from faith which alone doth carry vs to Christ and gets vs iustified and sanctified by him A thing which loue cannot doe AEnig 309. How doth loue driue out feare yet the feare of the Lord abides for euer Resolution Loue driues out of the heart seruile feare wherby God is feared as a Iudge for punishment sake but the filiall and chast feare of the Lord whereby hee is feared as a father and sauiour this feare abides for euer as a companion of godly loue AEnig 310. How may one at one time both forsake that which he hath and haue that which he forsakes Resolution He may forsake it in affection being readie to leaue life substance and all for Christ if neede bee And yet haue all these still in possession AEnig 311. How may a Christian so esteeme the least of Gods earthly blessings as to thinke himselfe lesser then it yet ought so to contemne the greatest of them as to iudge them losse and dunge Resolution In regard as they are loue tokens and fruites of our redemption by Christ lent vnto Christians for comfort of this pilgrimage they ought highly to esteeme the least yet when they come in comparison with the excellent knowledge of Christ and with heauenly glory they may contemne them and account them vile as dunge AEnig 312. Seeing we are commanded to honour our parents how may we hate them without sinne Resolution When our Parents come in comparison with Christ and his Gospell in this case it is no offense to hate them that is to loue them lesse then Christ for naturall affection must giue place to godlinesse but simplie to hate them is a grieuous
to others yet in respect of the persons who did them they were no good but euill workes for an euill tree cannot bring forth good fruite AEnig 392. 393. How may two moue the same question yet the one offend the other not How may three laugh at one thing and onely one of them be without sinne Resolution If the one moue it curiously for strife sake the other soberly for learning sake to be better instructed or if the one do it out of doubt and distrust as Sarah about her sonne promised the other out of faith as Abraham did who laughed for ioy because he beleeued the message touching a childe in his old age but Sarah of vnbeleife was mooued to laugh Ismaell in flouting manner as a Scoffer Gen. 21. AEnig 394. How may one offend more by doing a good thing then an other shall do by doing an euill thing Resolution He that doth a good thing against his conscience whiles he iudgeth it euill is more a trespasser then hee who doth some euill ignorantly not knowing it to be euill AEnig 395. How may one without offence of God aske something of him which hee will not giue yet another asking what he is willing to giue shall offend Resolution A childe may aske the life of his father a wife of her husband yet not offend though God be vnwilling to graunt it being asked with condition of his will the Isralites murmuring in distrustfull sort asking meate which God was willing to giue did sinne in their praier Paul sinned not in crauing to haue that prick of the flesh remou'd though God ment to denie it because he praied with submission to his will AEnig 396. How may one be a looser at that time when he is a Winner Resolution A couetous man may winne much worldly wealth and yet bee thereby a looser of his soule also an euill preacher may be a looser of himselfe when he winnes others vnto God Lastely many a wicked man looseth his credit at what time hee gaines some commoditie AEnig 397. How is Vsury a sinne yet one may be an Vsurer without sinne Resolution Vsurie whereby wee encrease our stocke by compact in respect of lending mony or other things to the hindrance of our neighbour is a sinne but to increase our spirituall graces by the due vse of them is a Christian vsury and commendable AEnig 398. Seeing God alone is to be worshipped how may we worship men without sinne Resolution There is a religious diuine worship which by our bodies and soules is to be performed to God as to the searcher of the hart and Lord of all wherof no part can bee giuen from him to any other without sinne Act. 10. 26. Math. 10. 4. Reuel 19. 10. But a ciuill worship is due to magistrates and all our betters in respect of their authoritie and giftes euen by the commandement of God which not to giue willingly is a sinne AEnig 399. How may the first be last and the last be first Resolution This is fulfilled in the Iewes and Gentiles who being called after the Iewes were receiued into fauour and stand in grace while the Iewes who were before them for outward vocation are now cast out for their vnbeleife become the last they were last in acceptation with God who were foremost in his outward vocation whereas the Gentiles being last by vocation became first in acceptation AEnig 400. What is that that was once mortall and twise immortall Resolution It was Adams body once mortall by sinne twise immortall once by creation second time by glorification AEnig 401. How may death which is as the wages of sinne and porch of hell bee yet the way and passage to heauen or how may heauen and hell haue both one gate Resolution Death naturall is the gate and doore to let into the pallace of heauen such as fall a sleepe in Christ and others that die in vnbeliefe and sinne into the dungeon of hell this difference hapneth by the merit of Christ his death sanctifying death to his members to be a porch of paradice and not to others to whom it proues a part of their curse a passage to the infernall lake AEnig 402. If Christ hath destroied death by his death how is it that the godly must die Resolution Christ hath destroied and so taken away the sting of death as it shall not hurt the godly but help them rather yet they die first to fulfill Gods decree secondly to obey his will and ordinance thirdly to be ioyned immediately and fully vnto Christ their head hauing in their death put of sinnes with their bodies AEng. 402. How hath Christ ouercome death by his passion yet death is the last enemie that shall be destroied Resolution Christ in his passion got a victory ouer death in part at the last resurrection hee shall haue a full conquest before the curse was remoued but at the iudgement the thing it selfe shall be quite done away to haue no power ouer faithfull persons AEnig 404. How is it appointed for men once to die yet there are many that shall not die Resolution Ordinarily men die once by vertue of Gods appointment whereas some dead were raised and other at the great iudgement shall only be changed this is extraordinarie howbeit that change is a kinde of death AEnig 405. How can a body which is dead and rotten yet liue at the same time that it is dead Resolution The bodies of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and so of other Saints At what time they are dead and rotten in the graues they are 〈◊〉 to God to whom all liue who hath made a Couenant of life with the bodies of the elect as well as with their soules and is fully purposed to raise them at the last day therefore to him they are as if they were already quickned to life Math. 22. 23. AEnig 406. How may it be that dust shall be made to liue Resolution At the resurrection bodies mouldred to dust by the mightie power of Christ shall be restored to life being ioyned to their owne soules 1. Cor. 15. 22. AEnig 407. How is it that all shall rise from death and yet the resurrection is called the resurrection of the iust Resolution All men and women shall rise for resurrection shall bee of iust and vniust but because the benifit of the resurrection appertaines to the iust who shall then be glorified in their bodies thence is it called the resurrection of the iust AEnig 408. How may bodies bee spirituall and yet remaine bodies Resolution At the resurrection the bodies of the Saints being the same in substance as before yet because they shall bee susteined and preserued by the immediate workeing of the spirit without naturall meanes of Phisicke meat c. hence are they called spiritual though they stil be bodies 1. Cor. 15.44 AEnig 409. How is Christ iudge of quicke dead yet it is
In Hell 4 4 In sinnes 5 5 In Sacrament 6 6 In Afflictions 7 7 In Temptations 8 8 In Harts 9 9 In Diuels 10 10 In the Blessings of this life 11 11 In Redemption which exceedeth creation In it mercy and Iustice met together The redeemer is but one Christ. Conceiued by the holy ghost He is without sinne doth subsist in the Godhead both God and man Communication of properties Humiliation in his Birth Two wills in Christ answering his two natures Christ his manhood promised Christ like Melchisedech Christ made sinne by impuâ—â—tion Rom. 8.8 Christ abased in the world His obedience of infinite value Christ heire of the world Our Mediatour our Priest That which is proper to one nature is attributed to the other Christs sacrifice voluntary else it had not been satisfactory Hypostaticall personall vnion is vnseperable The victory of Christ ouer death 2 2 Ouer Satan Christ the corner stone How the manhood of Christ hath eternall life in it Doubble the fruits of Christs death Christ made a curse Hath freed vs from â—uerlasting torment Eph. 1. Phil. 2. Christ his sacrifice but once The vertue of Christs death looke backeward His agonie or soule suffering His loue His buriall Resurrection His life after his resurrection His ascention His locall abode in heauen His sitting on Gods right hand Ieuites of his assention Ioh. 16.7 Sending of the holy Ghost Mediator Intercession His kingdome spirituall Eternall Word of God inspired Mighty in opâ—ration Full of wisdom A mistery Our duty to search the word Indicia Dei 2 2 Indicia oris Dei Effects of the word It is effectuall by the Spirit The antiquitie of the word before the Church The word is Eternall It is a word of peace The word of the Lord is holy Nitimur in vetituÌ„ It iustifieth not How the Law differeth from the Gospel The Ceremoniall Law fulfilled in Christ. The condition of the Law and the Gospel What things are required of him that shall doe the Law Generall Law yeelds to a Speciall Law of Ceremonie yeelded to the Law of Mercy To whom the Law is easie and how Ioh. 5.3 To whom impossible How Faith is commanded in the Law What spirit goes with the law How law is the ministry of death The gospell vnprofitable to the reprobate Profitable to the elect only Diuers effects of the Gospell according to the subiect According to the degrees Famine of the word Gods counsell gouerns the effect of preaching Math. 11. Women may be no publique Teachers Gospell fructuall like raine When the word fructifieth Testament or Couenant of pâ—ace is but one Fathers beleeuing in Christ to come The gospell preached to them Office of the Ministers How ministers be sauiours and what is their worke Maintenance of Ministers Prophets preached Christ. They be Christs friends Iohn Baptist Middle betweene two testaments Apostles Seruants Friends to Christ. They conquered the world to Christ. How Pastors succeede Apostles A good Pastor a good builder Bad Ministers which teach well and liue ill Wolues Hirelings False Prophets Antichrist True Church It is but one Sundryl waies considered It is Christs body She is a Virgine Spouse to Christ. Hos. 2 Fruitfull in begotting children Likenesse betweene Christ and his Church The church a kingdom a body c Faithfull Ministers the Fathers and children of the Church The likenes between Christ and his Church The censure of the Church In excommunication both vnlawfull And lawfull The dignitie of a Christian. Christians equall The church hath a spirituall regiment True Church is vniuersall False Church Vrbs septicollis Reu. 18.2 The benefit of publike assemblies The elect children of Gods house The called children of God Their coniunction with Christ Christs affection vnto them Spirituall mariage betweene them and Christ. How they are in heauen They be new Creatures 1 1 Kings 2 2 Prophets 3 3 Priests They be still vnperfect More excellent then the Angels Most free Separate from the world by effectuall calling Effectuall calling is a new creation A twofold calling What persons for the most part called Faith in Christ is the entrance to eternall life Faith the eye of the soule or spirituall sight Office of Faith with the force thereof Faith once had neuer lost Nature of faith It resteth on Christ onely Least measure of faith No Faith without doubting What fear is ioyned with faith Degrees of Faith How loued before faith Faithfull man a Virgin Vnperfect in knowledge In some more perfect Regeneration Regenerate are children many waies The vse of Sacraments They be misticall signes Against transubstantiation Baptisme how it saueth How it washeth the soule How it forgiueth sinne Lords supper How eaten How Christ becommeth our foode Spiritually 1. Cor. 13. 12. Math. 26. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 24. Against corporall eating Iustification by faith It is but once Christs iustice ours by imputation Rom. 4. throughout Ro. 10. 4. No man righteous in Gods sight How works do iustifie Adoption by Grace Certainty of our adoption Sonnes of God bee heires Inheritance of heauen hath perfection with differences in degrees Adoption an effect of the spirit The dutie of adopted sonnes Certainty of adoptist Adopted ones why afflicted Free from slauish feare Reconciliation Sanctification It is vnperfect It is a totall change But not absolute The end of sanctification Free from the law Mortification Deniall of a mans selfe Buriall of sinne Mortified in part Resurrection to newnesse of life Spirituall Combat is Continuall It is irkesome Least degree of repentance Repentance a great blessing of God How true repentance distinguished from false Repentance giuen to great sins All men need repentance but not all alike Repentance is the ioy of Angels Generall Repentance sufficient for secret sinnes Good works necessary to saluation They serue to many good purposes How they please God Heauen a free reward of good works God is to be known by Christ. Our knowledge not perfect heere Sauing knowledg is effectual and special Practike knowledg is best knowledge Knowledge without practise is fearefull Knowledge ioyned with godlinesse Knowledge with sobrietie Knowledge groweth by right vse Knowledge abused an occasion of sinne Who bee truly wise Hope How it differs from faith Hope aboue hope How saued by hope Hope ashameth not Our loue of God springs from his loue to vs. Loue lesser then faith being an effect of faith Loue mixt with child-like reuerence For loue of Christs all so be forsaken How earthly things to be loued vnder Christ. Parents lesse to bee loued then Christ. Idolatry to loue ought more then Christ. True feare of God Gods children reioyce with feare Humble prayer It is alwaies heard A speedie Messenger It must come from a feeling of our spirituall beggery There is inward mentall prayer Vocall praier By praier the poore profit the Rich. Patience Relieues our miseries Humility Springes from feeling of our vilenesse The humble are exalted Praiers of the humble accepted Sabboth holy True zeale A broken heart better then Sacrifice Our neighbour to bee loued for Gods sake Brotherly loue the bonde of perfection The loue of a mans selfe is the paterne of a mans loue to others Loue makes all things common for vse It cannot make things common to be proper It loues priuate enemies Maketh rich Good things increase by vse Some lusts be good Godly sorrow a path way to ioy Grace the mother of good works Euill works merit hell Vnregenerate men Haue no fellowship with Christ. Wholy poluted Of a brutish disposition Seem to be in Christ. In their ignorance of the Law sin is dead In the right knowledge of the Law themselues doe dye How far they may go and yet perish The hypocrite is a great lyer Sinne turneth men into beasts Securitie Contrary Apparance of some righteousnesse in some wicked men Scorning the height of sinne Sinne in many is still and quiet Sinne of oppression dangerous Vnbeleife the greatest sinne Outward Idolatry how many waies Sinners be slaues Enuy a Diabolicall vice A wicked tongue How farre ignorâ—nce is a sinne An euill heart mars cheife workes Wicked men sinne freely yet cannot chuse but sinne Idle knowledge Deniall of God Men must hinder sin in others else they sinne What is strife is wicked An euill man can doe no good work Actions to be iudged of by the end and minde Sinning against conscience Rom. 14. Wicked praiers be sinnes Losse of soule the greatest losse Vsury committed without sinne Lending being a worke of mercy must be free as Christ commandeth Luk. 6. Euill worship is no impeachment to religious worship Vocation of the Gentils Bodies immortall Death the gate of heauen hell All men must die Death the last enemy must be destroyed Some onely changed Certainety of resurrection By the power of Christ. Of men women Spirituall bodies after their resurrection Last iudgment Christ the Iudge How Saints shall iudge All iudged yet with differences The world but altered in qualitie not aboleshed Heauen Hell Hell of conscience Angels assumed bodies for a time True Christians most blessed God is the Soule of the world Liâ—ely faith â—â—aseth at our death No vse of it in heauen Christ entertained by a faithfull soule Hell fire vnquenchable Torment of the damned We must not follow the wicked Our minde renued in part The full fruit of Adoption enioyed in Heauen Dumbe deafe how saued Elect found of God before they seeke him Vncleannes Originall sinne in Infants Man wise but by participation of Christs wisdom How men-giue glory to God How Paul built on no other mans foundation How one man must please another Gospell how preached to all the world All saued how to be vnderstood Numbring our daies Mortification A Child and a Seruant both at once The ladder to heauen is Christ. Vpon who the Angels ascend and descend The Heauens wherfore made The Spirit it is that teacheth vs how to pray The wicked how said to know God The spirit how it praieth for vs. Christ how called a Seruant Rom. 9.1 Swearing how forbidden How a thing may be said to be prolonged yet done in due time How Christ is said to be the sonne of Dauid The raising of Christs body an argument of his godhead How all men are liers The works of the law iustifie not and why Of Faith and works Of patience Of iustification and condemnation Wee were bought with a price Baptisme of infants Dying to sinne