that which is said by our Saviour Christ and his Apostle Iames. Our Saviour saith Sweare not at all neither by heaven for it is the throne of God nor by the earth for it is his footstoole nor by Ierusalem for it is the Citie of the great King nor by thine head because thou canst not make one haire white or black but let your communication be yea yea nay nay a Math. 5.34 So the Apostle Saint Iames Before all things my brethren saith he sweare not either by the heaven or by the earth or by any other oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest ye fall into condemnation b Iames 5.12 All Churches doe and some in their publike writings condemne vaine rash and idle oathes c Conf. Helv. 2. c. 5. Basil ar 11 Adversaries unto this truth This declareth many sorts of men to be very impious as The Wantons which for pleasure and the covetous worldlings who for gaine and profit blush not to take the name of God in vaine by idle rash and usuall oaches Next the Basilidians a Philast Helchisaites b Euseb ex Oâ— v. d. l. 8. c. 38. Priscillianites c Bulli. conâ—â— Anathâ—p l. 2. cap 4. and Family of Love d Ramscis con who for ease and to avoide trouble and persecuâ—ion dread not to sweare and forsweare themselves Thirdly the Papists whose common guise is to sweare either by Saints or Idols or by God and creatures together e Pet. de Soto Math. conf p. 40. a. Fourthly the Puritanes who use to sweare though not by God c. yet as wickedly using horrible imprecations as I renounce God God damne me or as Hackets manner was God confound me f Conspir fer pretend refer p 5. Lastly the Banisterians who deeme it Hypocrisie for one Christian to reprove another for common and rash swearing which are but Trifles in their opinions g Vnfold of Banist errors 2. Proposition A lawfull Oath may be given and taken according to the Word of God in justice judgement and truth The proofe from Gods Word THe truth of this doctrine appeareth plentifully in the holy Scriptures For in the same there be both Commandements that we must and may and formes prescribed how we shall sweare For the first Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serve him And shalt sweare by his name saith Moses Again thou shalt sweare a Deut. 9.13 22.11 The Lord liveth and thou shalt cleave unto him and shalt sweare by his Name b Ibid. 10 20. And touching the other sweare may we not either by Baal c Ierem. 12.16 or by strange gods d Iosh 27.7 or by the Lord and by Melchom that is by Idols e Zeph. 1.7 or by any creatures f Matth 5.34 But our Oathes must bee made in the name of the Lord g Deut. 6.13 as The Lord liveth h Ier. 12. â—6 and all is to be done in truth judgement and righteousnesse i Ier. 4 2. and when the magistrate calleth us thereunto k Exod. 22.8 1 King 8.31 All Churches joyne with us in this assertion and some testifie the same in their publike writings l Confes Helv. 2. ar 16. 1.2.30 Gal. ar 40. Basil ar 11. sect 1. Aug. ar 16. The Errors and adversaries unto this truth Many be the adversaries one way or other crossing this truth For 1. Some condemne all swearing as did the Esseies who deeme all swearing as bad as forswearing a â—ard of sâ—â—â—ons 2 part and doe the Anabaptists which will not sweare albeit thereby both the glory of God may be much promoted and the Church of Christ or Common weale furthered b Confâ— Basil ar 11 sect 1 2. Others condemne some kinde of Oathes and will not sweare though urged by the magistrate but when themselves think good So the Papists no man say they ought to take an Oath to accuse a Catholike a Papist for his religion c Test Rhem. an Act. 23.12 and such as by Oathes accuse Catholikes that is Papist are damned d Ibid. So the Puritanes oftentimes either will take none oath at all when it is ministred unto them by authority if it may turn to the molestation of their Brethren e Hook of eccles pol. praef or if they sweare finding their testimony will be hurtfull to their cause they will not deliver their â—â—nds after they be sworne f D. Suâ—cliffe ans to Iob Throk p. 46. b. 3. Others having taken the Oath do foulely abuse the same as the knights of the post like the Turkish Seiti and Chargi g Pol. of the Turk emp. c. 24. p. 74. who for a Ducket will take a thousand false Oathes afore the magistrate as also the Iesuites who in swearing which is little better then forswearing do viti scientia that is cunning and equivocations h Quod lib p. 34. 68 Garnets arraign as also doe they who conscionably and religiously keepe not their faith such are the forenamed Papists For they say an Oath taken for the furtherance of false religion as they take the profession of all Protestants to be i Test Rhem. an Act. 20 12. bindeth not k Iuramentâ—m propter falsam religionem prestatum non obligat Bap. Fricklâ—r de jure magist p. 11. Againe Faith â—s not to be kept with Heretikes l Conc. Constan Which assertion little differeth from the opinion of some Puritanes who teach that promise or Faith is not to be kept when as perhaps by the not erecting of Presbyteries in every Parish Gods honour and preaching of his Word is hindred m Geneva an Matth. 2.12 One of them hath delivered that if the Prince do hinder the building of the Church the people may by force of armes resist him Ans to the Abstract p. 94. Subjects be discharged from their Oath of Alleageance and may gather forces against their liege Soveraigne if hee enterprize any thing to the hurt of his Realme or of the Romish religion was a determination of the Sorbonists in a certaine conventicle of theirs at Paris n Mercur. Gal. lobelg l. 2. p. 89. And that Magistrates by their subjects may be brought under to obedience of Lawes was a conclusion of certaine Scottish Ministers in a private Conventicle of Edinburgh o Bucchan rerum Sotic l. 17 p. 202. Seditiosi non sunt qui resistant principibus politicum aut ecclesiasticum statum perturbantibus Nam qui resistit Principi seditiosus non est sed seditionem tollit saith a Frenchman p Euseb Philadelph dial 2. p. 57. yea saith an Englishman whose works by T.C. are highly approved and commended Hunc tollant vel pacificè vel cum bello qui ea protestate donati sunt ut regni Ephori vel omnium ordinum conventus publicus q Dud. Fen. S. Theo. l. 5. c. 13 Subjects may not respect their Oathes made unto such Princes which trouble the state of the Church or Common-weale Finally whatsoever Princes be good or bad if they be women say some oathes or alleageance then are not to be kept Their words be these First aswell the States of the kingdome as the common people They ought to remoove from honour and authority that monster in nature so call I woman in the habit of man yea a woman against nature raigning above man Secondly if any presume to defend that impiety they ought not to feare first to pronounce and then after to execute against them that is to say against women governours the sentence of death If any man be afraid to violate the oath of obedience which they have made to such monsters let them be most assuredly perswaded that as the beginning of their oathes proceeding from ignorance was sinne so is the obstinate purpose to keepe the same nothing but plaine rebellion against God r Against the regim of women 2. blas p. 53. b. Lastly of all whereas every Minister of the Word and Sacraments at his ordination doth sweare to obey his Diocesan in all lawfull matters certain Gentlemen of the Puritan faction writ thus unto the Bishops of the Church of England and printed the same viz. The Canon law is utterly voyd within the Realme and therefore your Oath of Canonical obedience is of no force and all your Canonicall admonitions not worth a rush Å¿ The Gentlemens demands vnto the Bishops printed ann 1605. p. 76. D. Hilar. contra Constantiâ—â— August Non recipiâ— mâ—â—ndarium veritas nec patitur Religiâ— impietatum The truth admits no lye neither can Religion abide impiety 1 Tim. 1. v. 19. Vnto the King everlasting immortall invisible unto God onely wise be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen FINIS
THE CATHOLIKE DOctrine beleeued and professed in the Church of England 1. Article Of Faith in the holy Trinitie There is but 1 one liuing and true God euerlasting without body parts or passions of infinite power wisedome and goodnesse 2 the Maker and preseruer of all things both visible and inuisible 3 And in vnitie of this God-head there be three persons of one substance power and eternitie the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The Propositions 1. There is but one God who is liuing true everlasting c 2. God is the Maker and preseruer of all things 3. In the vnitie of the God-head there is a Trinitie of persons 1. Proposition There is but one God who is liuing true euerlasting without bodie parts passions of infinite power wisedome and goodnesse The proofe from Gods Word THat there is but one God who is c. is a truth which may be gathered from the all-holy and sacred Scripture and is agreeable to the doctrine of the reformed Churches For both Gods Word giueth vs to know that God is one and no more a Thou shalt have none other Gods before me Exod. â—0 3. the Lord our God is Lord onely Deut. 6.4 Who is God beside the Lord Psal 18 31. Hath not one God made us Mal. 2.10 There is none other God but one 1 Cor. 8.4 liuing b Mine heart and my flesh rejoyce in the living God Psal 84 2 Yee are the Temple of the living God 2 Cor 6.16 For a long season Israel hath been without the true God 2 Chr. 15 3. The Lord is the Lord of truth he is the living God and an everlasting King Ier. 10.10 This is life eternall that they know thee to be the onely very God c. Ioh. 17 3. Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living true God 1 Thess 1.9 and true God c everlasting d O my God c. thy yeere endur from generation to generation c. thy yeeres shall not faile Psal 102.24 26 27. He is the living God and remaineth for ever Dan 6.16 without body parts or passions e O Lord my God thou art exceeding great thou art clothed with glory and honour which covereth himself with light as with a garment c Psal 104 1 c God is a Spirit Ioh. 4.24 The Lord is the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.17 He is not a man that he should repent 1 Sam. 15.29 I will not execute the fiercenesse of my wrath I will not return to destroy Israel for I am God and not man Hosh 11.9 of infinite power f The sound of the Cherubins wings was heard into the utter court as the voyce of the Almightie God when he speaketh Ezek. 10.5 I will be a Father unto you c. saith the Lord Almightie 2 Cor. 6.18 We give thee thanks Lord God Almightie Rev. 16.17 wisedome g Great is our Lord and great is his power his wisedome is infinite Psal 147.5 To God onely wise be honour and glory for ever and ever 1 Tim. 1.17 To God I say onely wise be praise through Iesus Christ for ever Amen Rom. 16.27 and goodnesse h Praise ye the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 106.1.107.1 108. 1 c. and Gods people in their publike confessions from Ausburgh i Art 1. Heluetia k Confes 2. ar 2. Bohemia l c 3. France m art 1 Flanders n art 2. and Wittembergh o c. 1. testifie the same Errors and adversaries vnto this truth Then impious and execrable are the opinions of Diagoras and Theodorus who flatly denyed there was any God a Deos 〈◊〉 dubitaâ—aâ— Protagoras nullos esse â—maâ—ue Dâ—agoras Theodotus Cyreniacus puâ—â—vâ—runt M. â— Ciâ— de Nat Deo l. 1. Of Protagoras b Protagoras Deos in dubium vâ—cauit Diager aâ— exclusit Lactan. de fal Rel. cap. 2 and the Machiuillian Atheists which are doubtfull whether there be a God Of such as fained unto themselves divers and sundry gods as did the Manichies c Aug. contra Manich. l. 2. c. 1 2. the Basilidians d Clemen Alex. 〈◊〉 l 5. the Valentinians e Valentinus triginta Deorum praedâ—cator saith Cyril Catech. 6. the Messalian heretikes f Epiph Exod. 32. the Gentiles and heathen people whereof some in place of God worshipped Beasts vnreasonable as the AEgyptians did a Calfe g an Oxe Cats Vulturs and Crocodils h Gand. M. â—rula de mirabi l 3. c. 56. The Syrians a Fish i Piscem Syrae venerantur Cic. de Senect Merula de mirabl l. 3. c. 48. and Pigeons k the Persians a Dragon l Histor of Bel. some as Gods have adored men vnder the names of Iupiter Mars Mercury and such like m Gods are come downe to vs in the likenesse of men and they called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius c. Then Iupiters priest c. Acts 14.11 c Who knowes not that the City of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddesse Diana Act. 19.35 and some even at this day for God doe worship Kine the Sunne and what they thinke good so the inhabitants of Baly in the East Indies n Voiage of the Holland ships Of the Anthropomorphites which ascribed the forme and lineaments of man vnto God o Theodoret l. 4. c. 10. thinking God to be like vnto man Of such as put their trust and confidence to be reposed in God alone either in men liuing as doe both the Persians in their Soldan p Tu es nostra fides inte credimus will the Persians say unto the Soldan P. Bâ—zarus rerum Persic l. 1 â— and the Papists in their Pope who with them is God q Panormit C. quanto Abbas their Lord and God r Extravag Ioan. 22. of infinite power Å¿ Extravag de transl epist Quanto or in Saints departed this life as doe the same Papists both in their S. Francis whom they tearme The glory of God prefigured by Esay when he said Holy Holy Holy t Alcar Francisc lib. 1. c. and in their Thomas Becket whom they say God hath set ouer the workes of his hands u Horae B. virginis Ma. secundum usum Sarum pa. 15. or in Beasts vnreasonable as doth the Mordwite Tartar x Russe Common-weale c. 19. or finally in riches and other senselesse creatures as doe the Atheists and irreligious worldlings 2. Proposition God is the Maker and preserver of all things The proofe from Gods Word THat the world and all things both visible and inuisible therein both where made and are preserued by the Almighty and only power of God are truthes grounded vpon the holy Scripture and agreeable to the confessions of Gods people For touching the creation of the world we reade that in the beginning God created the heauen and the earth a Gen. 11 c. c. He made heaven and earth
b Psal 124.8 134.3 by him were all things created which are in heauen and which are in earth things visible and inuisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers as things were created by him and for him c Col. 1.16 by his Son he made the worlds d Heb. 1.8 and all these acknowledged by the Churches Primitiue e Creede Apâ—st Nicen. and reformed at this day f Confess Helv. 2. c. 6 7 Basil ar 1. of France ar â— Fland ar 12 And touching the preseruation of all things by him created My soule praise thou the Lord c. saith the Psalmist which covereth himselfe with light as with a garment spreadeth the heavens like a curtaine which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters and maketh the clouds his Chariot and walketh vpon the wings of the winde which maketh the spirits his Messengers and flaming fire his Ministers g Psal 164.1 c. c. Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father yea and al the hairs of your head are numbred saith our Sauiour Christ h Math. 10.29 30. God that made the world and all things that are therein he is Lord of heaven and earth he giveth life and breath and all things hath made of one bloud all mankind to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath assigned the times which were ordained before and the bounds of their habitation saith Saint Paul i Acts 17.24 25 26. The Sonne is the brightnesse of the glory and the ingraued forme of his person and beareth vp all things by his mighty Word k. The Churches of God in Heluetia l Heb. 1.13 Confe 20.7 Basil m Confess Basil ar 1 2. France n Confess Gal. ar 18. and Flanders o Confess Belg. ar 12 13. testifie the very same Errors and adversaries vnto these truths Hereby are condemned all Heretikes errors impugning either the creation of the world by God or his prouidence in the continuing and preservation of the same Of the former sort was First Aristotle and his followers which said the world was eternall and without beginning Next the Marcionites that held how God made not the world as being too base a thing for him to create a Tertul l. 1. coâ—â—t Marc. 3. Simon Magus Saturninus Menander Carpocrates Corinthus who ascribed the worlds creation by Angels b â—ren Epiph. Philasteâ— 4. The Manichies who gaue the creation of all things vnto two Gods or beginnings the one good whereof came good things the other euill whence proceedeth euill things c Epip Aug. cont Man c. 49 5. The same Manichies d D. August de fide contra Manich c. 40. and Priscillianists e Conc. Brac. cap. 11. which did affirme man to haue bin the workemanship not of God but of the Diuell 6. The Family of Love who deliuer that God by them made heaven and earth f Display of the Fam. of Loue. H. 8 b. 7. The Papists who giue out how sacrificing Priests are the Creators of Christ g Qui creauit me sine me iam creatur mediaÌ„te me Stella cleris Of the latter sort were The Stoike Philosophers and the Manichies who are the great patrones of Destiny Fate and Fortune h Socrat. hist Eccles l. 1.22 The Family of Loue which may not say God saue any thing for they affirme that all things be ruled by nature and not ordered by God i Display of the Fam. H. 7. b. The old Philosophers who thought that inferiour things were too base for God to be carefull of k Dii magna curant parua negligunt Cic de nat Deor. l. 2 And lastly the Epicures who thinke God is idle and gouerneth not the same Of which mind was Cyprian who held that God hauing created the world did commit the government thereof vnto certaine celestiall powers l In exposit Symb. 3. Proposition In the Vnity of the God-head there is a Trinity of persons The proofe from Gods Word THe Scripture saith In the beginning God the Father a The Father by the Sonne made the world Heb. 1. the Sonne b In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and that Word was God The same was in the beginning with God Ioh. 1.1 2. and the holy Ghost c In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth c. and the Spirit of God mooued upon the waters Gen. 1.1 2. created the heaven and the earth By 1 the Word of the 2 Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the d Psal 33.6 Breath of his mouth Loe the heauens were opened unto 1 him and Iohn saw 2 the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting vpon him and loe a voyce from heaven saying This is my 3 beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased e Mat. 3.16 17 Because ye are sonnes 1 God hath sent forth 2 the Spirit of his 3 Sonne into our hearts which cryeth Abba Father saith the Apostle f Gal. 4.6 and againe The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the Communion of the holy Ghost be with you all g 2 Cor. 13.13 And S. Iohn There are three which beare record in heauen 1 The Father 2 the Word and 3 the holy Ghost and these three are one h 1 Ioh. 5 3. This truth hath alwayes beene i Creed Apo. Nic. Athan. and seriously is k Confes Helv 1. ar 6. 2. c. 3 Aug. art 1. Gal. art 6. Bel. art 6. Bohe c. 3 Wittemb c. 1. Sucan art 1. confessed in the Church of Christ Errors and adversaries unto this truth Then cursed are all opinions of men contrary hereunto whereof Some denyed the Trinity affirming there is one God but not three persons in the Godhead so did the Montanists a Socrat. eccle hist l. 1. c. 23. and Marcellians b Theo. haer fab lib. 2. and so doe the Iewes c Lu. Caâ—ertus lib. diuiner visor ad Iudae and Turkes d Pol. of the Turk emp. c. 5. Some as the Gnostikes e Clem. Alex. strom l. 5. Marcionites f Clem. Alex. strom l. 5. Epiphan and Valentinians d affirme there be more Gods then one and yet not three persons nor of one and the same nature but of a diuerse and contrary dispositions Some thinke there be three Gods or spirits not distinguished onely but diuided also as did the Eunomeans h Philaster and Tretheites i Zanch de 3. El. par 1. l. 7. c. 1. Some feare not to say that in worshipping the Trinity Christians doe adore three Diuels g Cl. Alex. str lib. 4. worse then all the idols of the Papists and such Blasphemers were Heretikes Blandrat and Alciat k Caluin ep Some will have a Quaternity of
said of Christ that he was the patterne of all things and but a figure of the Son of God and that the body of Christ was compact of three vncreated elements f Beza ep 81. Confess Gal. ar 14. and so confounded and overthrew both natures 4. Proposition Christ is the Sauiour of mankinde The proofe from Gods Word Christ to be the Sauiour of mankinde we finde it perspicuously in the holy Scripture which teacheth vs that Christ was crucified dead and buried a Math. 27.16 c. and that to reconcile his Father unto us b We were recoÌ„ciled to God by the death of his Son Rom. 5.10 God hath reconciled vs vnto himselfe by Iesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.18 by his crosse Eph 2.16 It pleased the Father c. by him to reconcile all things vnto himselfe Col 1.10 20. and to be a Sacrifice for all sinnes of men c He hath borne our infirmities and carryed our sorrowes Esa 53.4 He is the Lambe of God which taketh away the sin of the world Ioh. 1.20 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law when he was made a curse for vs. Gal. 3.13 God hath made him sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.2 He is the reconciliation for our sinne not for ours onely but also for the whole world 1 Ioh. 2.2 Hence I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinne d Symb. Apost He suffered for our saluation e Symb. Ath. For us men and for our saluation he came downe from heaven f Symb. Nicen. say our Forefathers in their confessions as doe also our brethren throughout Christendome g Confes Helv. 1. c. 11. 2 ar 11. Basil ar 4 Bohem. ar 6. Gal. ar 2.16 7. Belg. ar 20. 21. August ar 3. Saxon ar 3. Wittem c. 2. Suevica Harmon Confess prae The errors and adversaries vnto this truth Wicked then are all opinions and assertions contrarying and crossing this truth as That the Father in his deity not the Son in his humanity did suffer which error the Patripassians did hold a D. August de Trin. l. 5. That Christ as well in his diuinity as in his humanity suffered for mankind an error of Apollinaris of old b Magdeburg Eccles hist con 4. c. 5. and of Islâ—bius and Andreas Musculus of late yeeres c Beza ep 60. That the whole and holy Trinitie was crucified as said Petrus Antiochenus That Christ really and indeed hung not on the crosse for his passion was in show onely said the Cerdonites d Iren. l. 1. c. 23 the Euticheans e Nâ—c l. 18. c. 53 and the Manicheans f August con Fa. l. 15. c. 10. and another man said the Theopaschits g Antonio tit 13. c. 5. sect 2. and the Basilides h Theod. Tâ—r. yea the very Divels and not Christ said the Manichies i August de Fide c. 32 33. suffered and hung on the crosse That the whole passion of Christ is to bee understood allegorically and not according to the letter as the Familie of Love doe thinke k H.N. Insit ar 4. sent 17. 29. That Christ on the crosse hath suffered for the redemption of mankinde and shall suffer againe for the saluation of the Divell as Iesus such heretikes there have bin l Witnes Tho. Aquin. con 1. â—â—â—r 3. but shall againe suffer as Iesus Christ which was one of Francis Kit his heresies for which he was burned for men out one mother Iane is the Sauiour of woman a most execrable assertion of Postellus the Iesuite m Iesuits Caâ— 1. booke c. 10. The fantasies of the Iacobites n Niceph. l. 18 c. â—2 and Turkes o Louâ—â— Tur. â—â—â—t tom 1. l. 1. â— The popish doctrine touching the Masse prayers vnto Saints pardons and purgatory which make the passion of Christ either of none effect or to put away but originall sinne onely p See art 22. â— 31. That albeit our Sauiour hath suffered for all men in generall yet both each man must suffer for himselfe in particular q Test Rhâ—m in Rom. 8.17 and the workes of one man may satisfie the iustice of God for another r Ibid. in Col. â—24 which are popish errors That Christ dyed not for the sins of all men and that some sinnes are so filthy and enormious as Christ his bloud upon true repentance of the delinquents part cannot wash them away which was Kains Å¿ Gen. 4. Fr. Spiras t Hist Fr. Spir. and other desperate persons error That whatsoeuer is written touching Christ his sufferings must in us and with us be fulfilled the false doctrine of H. N. v Prophecy of the Spir. cap. 19. sent 3. 3. Article Of the going downe of Christ into Hell As Christ dyed for vs and was buried so also it is to be beleeued that he went downe into Hell The Propositions Christ went downe into hell The proofe from Gods Word SVndry be the texts of Scripture for Christ his discension into Hell Mine heart was glad saith Dauid a Psal 16.10.11 Acts â— 26.27 a figure of Christ and my glory reioyced my flesh also shall rest in hope For why Thou shalt not leave my soule in hell O Lord my God I cryed unto thee and thou hast healed me Thou Lord hast brought my soule out of hell I will thanke thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will praise thy name for evermore b Psal 30.1 2. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soule from the nethermost hell c Psal 86.12 13 In that he ascended what is it but that he had also descended first into the lowest part of the earth He that descended is even the same that ascended farre above all heavens that he might fill all things d Eph. 4.9.10 O Death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victory e 1 Cor. 1â— â—5 Also that Christ went downe into hell all sound Christians both in former dayes f He descended into hell Sym. Apost Athan. and now living g Confess Helv. 2 c. 11. Ba. ar 2. Aug. ar 3. Stievica ar 22. doe acknowledge howbeit in the interpretation of the article there is not that consent as were to be wished some holding that Christ descended into Hell 1. As God only and not man as they doe which say how Christ descended powerfully and effectually but not personally into hell and that the deity exhibited it selfe as it were present in the infernall parts to the terror of the devill and other damned spirits 2. As man onely and that as some think in body only as when death as it were prevailed over him lying in the grave as others deeme in Soule onely when he went unto the place of the reprobate to the increasing of their torments 3. As God and man in one person as they doe
it is not in heauen vnlesse heaven be vpon earth Also from the Montanists Cataphrygians and Carpocratians d Phila. Tâ—od who held how Christ not in body but in soule ascended into heaven From the Papists who say that Christ ascended into heaven carried with him the soules which he loosed from captiuity and bondage of the divell even the soules of the righteous afore that time not in heaven but in Lymbo Catcâ— ch Trid. in Symb. verba descendit ad inferos ascendit adcoelos Vaux catech c. 1. Test Rhem. an marg p. 633. And lastly from those Germane diuines which thinke that our Sauiour carried with him into heaven the faithfull people in soule and body raised at his resurrection f D. Ma. hom in Euang. in festo Ascen Dom. in â—pi Dom. Ascen Dom. 3. Proposition Christ shall come againe at the last day to iudge all men even the quicke and the dead The proofe from Gods Word God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power c. Him God raised up the third day c. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a Iudge of quicke and dead saith S. Peter g Acts 10.38 40 41. God shall iudge the world by Iesus Christ h Rom. 2.16 Iesus Christ shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearing and in his Kingdome c. Henceforth is laid up for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing saith S. Paul i 2 Tim. 1.8 The Iudge standeth before the doore saith S. Iames k Iam. 5.9 And this Gods Church and people do firmely beleeve and faithfully confesse l Symb. Apost Nicâ—n Athan. confâ—ss Holâ— 2. c. 11. 1. a. 1. Basiâ— ar 9. Bohem. cap. 6. Beâ—ar â—7 Aug 2â—3 Suâ—â—iâ—a ar 2. Errors and adversaries unto this truth On the other side both they abroad and we at home abhorre them for their opinions which said that There shall be no generall Iudgement at all as did the Manichies m Philaster and doe the Atheiâ—â—s That the divels and the most vngodly some of them and namely so many as in hell doe call upon God for mercy and forgivenesse say the Turkes b Pol. of the Turks Emp c. 23. yea of all them say the Originists c Aug. cons ar 17. and Catabaptists d Bulling cont Catabap l. 1. tract shall be saved That the wicked shall not be iudged at all but shall dye as the bruite beasts and neither rise againe in body nor come unto Iudgement An error of the Family of Love e Display of the Fam. H. 6. That Christ shall not be the future Iudge so thought both Dauid George Coppinger and Arthington For that George rumord himselfe to be Iudge of the whole world f Hist Dauid is Georg. and Coppinger and Arthington published how William Hacket was come to iudge the world and themselves to be his angels for the separating the sheepe from Goats g Conspir for pretend Reform p 47.55 Arthing sedu That besides Christ the Pope is Iudge of the quicke and dead An error of the Papists h Extrauag de sent Excom C. anobis 24 q. 2. That afore the Iudgement there shall be a golden world the godly and one besides enioying the same peaceably and gloriously as the Iewes imagine i Confess Aug. ar 17. That the Beleefe touching the generall Iudgement of Christ over the liuing and dead is a doctrine mysticall or a mystery no history as k H. N in his Instruct praef sent 5. H.N. teacheth That the righteous are already in godly glory and shall from henceforth live euerlastingly with Christ and raigne upon the earth as the l H. N Ibid. sent 1. ar 8. sect 35. and in his Euang. c 1 sect 1. Alent confes in the Display Family of Love holdeth 5. Article Of the Holy Ghost The holy Ghost 2 proceeding from the Father and the Sonne 3 is of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne very and eternall God The Propositions 1 The holy Ghost is very and eternall God 2. The holy Ghost is of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne 3. The holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne 1. Proposition The holy Ghost is very and eternall God The proofe from Gods Word THe holy Ghost to be the very and eternall God the Scriptures teach us For he is the Creator of all things In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth c. And the Spirit of God mooved upon the waters a Gen. 1.1 2. O Lord how manifold are thy workes c If thou hide thy face they are troubled if thou take away their breath they dye and returne to their dust if thou send forth thy Spirit they are created b Psal 10.24 29 30. Ergo the holy Ghost is God Christians are to be baptized in the name of the Holy Ghost c Matth. 28.19 aswell as of the Father and the Sonne Therefore is he very God Ananias lyed unto God d Act. 5.3 4 9. and Sapphira tempted God when both he lyed vnto the holy Ghost and she tempted the Spirit of the Lord. As God he chooseth assigneth and sendeth forth men for the ministery of the Gospell e Acts 13 2 4. as God hee decreeth orders for his Church and people f Act. 15.28 and as God he is to be inuocate and prayed vnto as well as the Father and the Sonne g 2 Cor. 13.13 Vpon this and the like words I beleeve in the holy Ghost h Sym. Apost Symb Nicen. I beeleeve in the holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life i Symb. Atha the Catholike Faith is this that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity c. The Father is God the Sonne is God and the holy Ghost is God And yet they are not three Gods but one God k c. say the ancient Fathers which also is the Faith and confession of all Gods people at this day l Confess Helv ar 6 c. 2. c 2. Basil ar 1. Bohe c. 3. Iâ—â—â— ar 8 August ar 1. Wittemb c. 1. Suevica ar 1. Gal. 6. Harm confess praef The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth This maketh to the condemnation of the Pneumatomachereof whereof Some impugne the deity of the holy Ghost as did in old time Samosatenus a Epiph. and Photinus b Vinc. Lyr. l. advers haer of late yeeres Servetus c Beza epist 1. Ochinus d Zanch. de 3. El l. 4 c. 1. abroad and Francis Ket e Burnt at Norwith 14. Ian. 1588. Hamant f Holinsh chro fol. 1297 and certaine Brownists g Who whisper in corners that
29. which sheweth vvhereunto onely the Primitive Church necessarily was tyed By the Apostles doctrine b Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14 which enjoyneth the Christians to yeeld obedience unto the ordinances of their lawfull Governers and Commanders whatsoever By the Apostles example and namely of the blessed Saint Paul c Acts. 16.37 Act. 22.25 c. Act. 25.11.12 who tooke benefit and made good use of the Romane and Emperiall Lawes Errors and adversaries unto this truth This truth neither is nor ever was oppugned by any Church Onely among our selves some thinke us necessarily eyed unto all the Iudicials of Moses as the Brownists For they say The Iawes Iudiciall of Moses belong as well unto Christians as they did unto the Iewes a Barrowes disco p. 127. Others that we are bound though not unto all yet unto some of the Iudicials as holdeth T. C. b 1. Reply sect 1 3. and Philip Stubs c Anatom of abuses 2. part Dâ—b 5. Proposition No Christian man whatsover is freed from the obedience of the law Morall The proofes from Gods Word THink not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy them but to fulfil them For truly I say unto you saith our Saviour Christ til heaven and earth perish one jot or one tittle of the law shall not scape till all things be fulfilled whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandements and teach men so shall be called the least in the Kingdome of Heaven c a Matth. 5.17 18 19. If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements c. Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steale Thou shalt not beare false witnesse Honour thy father and thy mother b Mat. 19.17 18 19. Doe we make the Law of none effect through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law c Rom. 3.31 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of God d 1 Cor. 7.19 The publike confessions of the Churches of God in France e Art 23. and Belgia f Art 25. agree with this Doctrine Errors and adversaries unto this truth Whereby are condemned as most wicked and unsound the Opinions Of the Manichies who found fault with the whole Law of God as wicked and proceding not from the true God but from the prince of darkenesse a Aug. conâ— Faust epist 11. and 74. Of Brownist Glover whose opinion was that Love now is come in the place of the ten Commandements b Bredweb detect p. 119. Of Iohannes Istebius and his followers the Antinomies who will not have Gods Law to be preached nor the conscience of sinners to be terrified and troubled with the Iudgements of God c Sim. Paulimeth par 2. de lege Deâ— p. 54. Of Banister among our selves who held how it is utterly evill for the elect so much as to thinke much lesse to speake or heare of the feare of God which the Law preacheth d Bani error 8. Article Of the three Creedes 1 The three Creeds Nicene Creede Athanasius Creede and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creede ought throughly to be received and beleeved For 2 they may be prooved by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture The Propositions 1. The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved 2. The three Creeds viz. The Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture 1. Proposition The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved THis proposition the Churches of God both anciently and in these last dayes a Confess Helv. 2 c. 11. Gal. ar 5. Belg ar 9. Saxo ar 1. doe acknowledge for true The errors and adversaries unto this truth Therefore much out of the way of godlinesse are they which tearme the Apostles Creede A forged patchery as Barrowe doth a Bar. dis p. 76. and Athanasius Sathanasius Creede so did Gregorius Paulus in Polonia b Genebr l. 4. p. 1158. and the new Arrians and Nestorians in Lituania c Surius chro p. 320. My selfe some 28. yeares agoe heard a great learned man whose name upon another occasion afore is expressed to whose acquaintance I was artificially brought which in private conference betweene him and my selfe tearmed worthy Zanchius a Foole and an Asse for his booke de tribus Elohim which refuteth the new Arrians against whose founders the Creeds of Athanasius and Nicene were devised Him attentively I heard but could never since abide for those words and indeed I never saw him since 2. Proposition The three Creeds viz. the Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture The proofe from Gods Word THan this assertion nothing is more true For the Creedes I meane these three Creedes speake first Of one and the same God whom we are to beleeve is for essence but one a Deut. 6.4 Mal. 2.10 1 Cor. 8.4 Eph 4.5 6. in persons three b Matth. 3.17 Gal. 4.6 1 John 5.7 viz. The Father the Creator c Psal 134.3 the Son the Redeemer d Esa 53.4 Rom. 5.18 Gal 3.13 Eph. 2.16 1 Iohn 2.2 the holy Ghost the Sanctifier e 1 Cor. 1.21 22. 1 Pet. 1.2 Next of the people of God which we must thinke and beleeve is The holy f Eph. 1.3 4. and 2.21 Col 2.22 and Catholike Church g Esa 54. 2. Psal 87.4 Acts 1.8 c. Eph. 2 14. Reu. 5.9 The Communion of Saints h Eph. 4.15 1 Cor. 10.16 Heb. â—0 25 1 Iohn 1.7 Pardoned of all their sinnes i Esa 44.22 Math. 18.23 c. Col. 2.13 And appointed to arise from death k Ioh. 5.28 1 Cor. 15. Phil 3.21 1 Iohn 6.39 and to enioy eternall life both in body and soule l Pet. 1.4 Reuel 21.4 The aduersaries vnto this truth Therfore we are enemies to all aduersaries of this doctrine or any whit of the same in them comprised whether they be Atheists Iewes Sadduces Ebionites Tretheites Antitrinitarians Apollinarians Arrians Manichies Nestorians Origenians Turkes Papists Familists Anabaptists or whosoeuer 9. Article Of Originall or Birth sinne 1 Originall sin standeth not in the following of Adam as the Pelagians doe mainely talk but 2 it is the fault and corruption of the nature of euery man that naturally is engendred of the off-spring of Adam whereby man is very farre gone from originall righteousnesse is inclined to euill so that the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and therefore in euery person borne into the world it deserueth Gods wrath and damnation 3 And this infection of nature doth remaine yea in them that are regenerated whereby the lust of the Flesh called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which some doe expound the wisedome some the Sensuality some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subiect to the Law of God
Imper and S. Augustine to write unto Maximinus Neither ought I to object against thee the Synode of Nice nor thou against me the Synode of Ariminum r D. Aug. contra Max. lib 3. and Nazianzene openly to pronounce that He never saw any good end of a Councell Å¿ Naz. ad Pro. cop epist 42. and The French Kings Embassadour to say unto the Chapter of Trent that scarcely any good at all or very little came by Councels unto the State of Christendome t Orat. Synod Legat. regis Fran. an 1562. and Cornelius Bishop of Bitonto to breake out into these words in the face of the Councell at Trent I would that with one consent we had not altogether declined from Religion unto superstition from faith unto infidelitie from Christ unto Antichrist from God unto Epicurus u B. Jewels dvf. par 1. fol. 39. The adversaries unto this truth This notwithstanding the Papists doe continue in an opinion that Councels cannot erre x Test Rhem. an Joh. 16.13 4. Proposition The things ordained by Generall Councels are so farre to be embraced and beleeved as they are consonant to Gods holy Word The proofe from Gods Word GEnerall Councels we simply condemne not yet doe we not ground our faith upon any Councell but onely upon the written Word of God Therefore in generall Councels whatsoever is agreeable unto the written Word of God we doe reverently embrace but whatsoever is contrary unto or besides the will of God revealed in the holy Scriptures we doe carefully avoid And so are wee commanded to doe even by God himselfe Whatsoever I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from a Deut 12.33 Walk ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither observe their manners c. I am the Lord your God walke in my Statutes and keepe my Iudgements and doe them b Ezek. 20 18 19. Though that we or an Angel from heaven preach unto you otherwise then that which wee have preached unto you let him be accursed As we said before so say I now againe If any man preach unto you otherwise then that yee have received let him be accursed c Gal. 1. â— 9. And so think the Churches reformed with us d Conf Helv. 2 c. 18. Bohe. c. 1 Gal. ar 5. Bâ—lg ar â— Witâ—â—mâ— c. 33. The aduersaries vnto this truth Contrary hereunto are the opinions of the Papists For of them Some doe think that the decrees of Councels doe binde all nations as Pope Hormisda decreed they should Some as Pope Gregory the great supposed that some Councels and namely the Councell of Nice of Constantinople Ephesus and Chalcedon a Greg. 1. l 1. epi. 24. l. 2. epist 49. some as Campian b Campian 12â— 4 thought that all Councels were of equall authority with the Word of God Others as the Guisian faction in France be resolved in matters of religion to follow the footesteps of their ancestors though Gods Word and a thousand Councels decree to the contrary c Calvin epist Bulling 1231. 22. Article Of Purgatorie The Romish doctrine concerning 1 Purgatory 2 Pardons worshâ—pping and adoration as well 3 of images as 4 of reliques and 5 also of Invocation of Saints is a fond thing vainely invented and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God The Propositions The Romish doctrine concerning 1. Purgatory 2. Pardons 3. Worshipping and adoration of Images 4. Reliques 5. Invocation of Saints is a fond thing and not warranted by the holy Scripture nor consonant but contrary unto the same 1. Proposition The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory is fond and not warranted by the holy Scripture nor consonant but contrary unto the same The proofe from Gods Word IT is granted as well by the Romish or false as by the true Church that none uncleane thing can enter into the Kingdome of God And because all men either have been or be still uncleane therefore they must be purged from sinne But in the manner of purging them who are unpure they do greatly differ For the true Church looking into the Word of God doth finde that we are sanctified or made cleane in divers respects diversly as by Baptisme a Christ loved the Church gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the Word Eph. 5.25.26 by the Word preached b Now yee are cleane thorow the word that I have spoken unto you John 15.3 by the blood of Christ c The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.7 and by the Spirit of God d Ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. â—1 and that in this life and not in the other world For in the sacred Scripture there is mention but onely of two wayes one leading unto destruction the other bringing unto life e Mat. 7.13 14. of two sorts of men whereof some beleeve they are saved some beleeve not and they are damned f Matt. 16.16 Joh. 3.18 and of two States one blessed where Lazarus is the other cursed where Dives doth abide g Luke 16. A third way or sort or state cannot be found in the Word of God And therfore the Purgatory in another world both denied hath alwayes beene by the Greeke Churches h Alphons de haeres l. 8. de Indulgentiis Polydor. de Inventor l. 8. c. 1. Cons Helv. 2. c. 26. Gal. ar 24. Sax. ar 11. Aug. ar 11. Wittemb cap. 25. and neither is nor will be acknowledged by any of Gods reformed Churches in this world as their Confessions doe testifie The adversaries unto this truth Erronious therefore and not warrantable by Gods Word concerning Purgatory is the doctrine both of the old Heretikes the Montanists who thought there was a purging of soules after this life a Tertul. de cot militis De Anima in siâ—â— and of the new and renued Heretikes the Papists For They think it to be unsound doctrine and not sufferable in any booke for Christians to deliver that it is unpossible for godly and faithfull men or women to be punished after they be dead Therefore deleatur say they Blot out such doctrine b Puâ—ari pios post mortâ—m impossibile deleatur lâ—dex expurg p. 26. They teach by their Catechismes that to doubt whether there is a Purgatory or no is a breach of the first Commandement c Vaux catech chap 3. Thus doe they pray for the soules of the faithfull as they fancie boyling in the torments of Purgatory Avete omnes animae fideles quarum corpora hic abique conquiescunt in pulvere Dominus Iesus Christus qui vos nos redemit suo preciocissimo sanguine dignetur vos à poenis liberare c. that is
which affirme that Christ in body soule went some think as it were into Hell when upon the Crosse and elsewhere hee suffered the terrors and torments prophesied of Esay 53. v. 6.10 Psal 116. v. 2. and mentioned Matth. 26. v. 38. or 27. v. 46 Luk. 22. v. 42. some say even into hell the very place destined for the Reprobate which he entred into the very moment of his Resurrection at which time hee shewed and declared himselfe a most glorious Conquerour both of death and Hell the most powerfull enemies Errors and adversaries unto this truth But till wee know the native and undoubted sense of this article and mysterie of religion persist wee adversaries unto them which say That Christ descended not into hell at all calling this article an error and a fable as Carlile doth a Carlile against D Smith p. 18.77 That Christ being dead descended into the place of everlasting torments where in soule he endured for a time the very paines which the damned spirits without intermission doe abide Bannisters error b Treat of Bannisters error That Christ alive upon the crosse humbled himselfe usque ad inferni tremenda tormenta even unto the dreadfull torments of hell c Pagets Catech Latin endured for a time those torments quales reprobi in aeternum sensuri sunt which the reprobates shall everlastingly suffer in hell d Pisc in Luc. 12.10 even despaired of Gods mercy finding God at this time Non patrem sed Tyrannum not a Father but a Tyrant and overcame despaire by despaire death by death hell by hell and Satan by Satan e Ferus in Math. 27. suffered actually all the torments of hell for our redemption and descended into the heauiest torments that Hell could yeeld f Humes Rejoind p. 38. 138. 152. suffered the torments of hell The second death Abiection from God g Houshold Catech. and was made a curse that is had the bitter anguish of Gods wrath in his soule and body which is the fire that shall never bee quenched h Giffords Catech That Christ personally in soule went downe into Lake Lymbo to fetch from thence as Canisius i Canis Catech to lose from thence as Vaux he saith k Vaux Catech. the soules of our forefathers which afore his death as the Papists dreame were shut up in the close prison of Hell l Test Rhem. an Luc. 16.26 That Christ by his descension hath quite turned Hell into Paradise Costerus the Iesuites error m Coster instit l. 5. 4. Article Of the Resurrection of Christ Christ did truly arise againe from death and tooke againe his body with flesh bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of mans nature 2 wherewith he ascended into heaven 3 and there sitteth untill he returne to iudge all men at the last day The Propositions 1. Christ is risen from the dead 2. Christ is ascended into heaven 3. Christ shall come againe at the last day to iudge all men even the quicke and the dead 1. Proposition Christ is risen from the dead The proofe from Gods Word THE Resurrection of Christ may easily be prooved from the holy Scriptures in which it is euident first that Christ should a Thou wilt not suffer thine holy One to see corruption Psal 16.10 After he is killed he shall rise againe the third day Marc 9.31 and 10.34 Luke 9.32 and next that he did rise from death vnto life both by his appearing to Mary Magdalene b Iohn 20.14 to diuers women c Math. 28.9 to two d Luke 24.13.15 30 31. to tenne e Iohn 20.19 to all the Disciples to moe then fiue hundred brethren at once g 1 Cor. 15.6 to sundry persons by the space of forty dayes together h Acts 1.3 and by the testimony also of the Apostles Peter i Acts 1.22 and 2.32 1 Pet. 1.3 and Paul k Acts 17.2 3. Rom. 10.9 1 Cor. 15.4 5 c A truth both beleeved and acknowledged by Gods people from age to age l Symbol Apost Athan. Nicen. Confess Helvet 1. ar 11 and 2. c 11. Basil ar 4. Bohem. c. 6. Gal. 15.16 Belg. ar 20. August ar 3. Suâ—viâ— ar 2. Haâ—mon confess praef Errors and adversaries unto this truth Vtterly false then and vnchristian is the opinion of those men Which vtterly deny the resurrection of any flesh as did the Sadduces a The Sadduces say there is no resurrection Matth. 22.23 they deny there is any resurrection Luk. 20.27 they say there is no resurrection neither angel nor spirit Act. 23.8 the false apostles b How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15 12â— Simon Magus c Epiphan and the Manichies d August contra Faust l. 4. c. 16. Which would acknowledge no resurrection of Christ as would not nor will the Iewes e Mat. 28.13 15. Iud. Cater l divinor visor nor heretike Hamant f Holinsh chron fol. 1299. nor Dauid George one of which errors was that the flesh of Christ was dissolued into ashes and so rose no more g Hist Dauidis Georg. Which affirme as did Corinthus that Christ shall rise againe but yet is not risen h Philaster Which say how our Sauiour after his resurrection was so deified as he retained no more the parts and properties of his body and soule nor the vnion of both natures but is meerely God So thought the Schwenkfeldians Which take the Resurrection of Christ to be but an allegory and no true certaine history as doe the Family of Love i Display in allens confesse 2. Proposition Christ is ascended into heaven The proofe from Gods Word IN saying how Christ with his body is ascended into heaven and there sitteth and abideth we doe agree with the Prophets a Psal 47 5 68 18.110 1. Euangelists b Maty 23.44.25 65. Act. 1.9 Luk 24.51 and Apostles c Rom. 8 34. Eph. c. 8. with the ancient Fathers d Symb. Apo. Athan. Nicen. and Gods people our brethren throughout all Christendome e Confess Helv 1 ar 1 2. c 1. Basi ar 4. Bohe c 6. Gal. ar 15 Bel. ar 20. Aug ar 3. Saxon ar 3 Suevie ar 2. The Errors and adversaries unto this truth But we alltogether dissent From Hamant the English hereticke which denyed the ascension of Christ a Holinsh chro fol. 1299. Also from Ket the heretike and Apostata which likewise denyed our Sauiours ascension affirming that his humane nature is not in heauen but in Iudea gathering a Church and people Also from the Germane Vbiquitaries and Papists they saying that Christ as man is not onely in heaven but in earth too at this instant wheresoeuer the deity is b Ia. Smidelinus Vbiquitatis Apostolus Beza epist 61. these affirming the humane nature of Christ is wheresoever the Sacrament of the Altar is administred c Ergo