of which Isaiah in his 50. Chapter I gaue my backe vnto the smiters and my cheekes to the nippers I hid not my face from shame and spitting After that he was hanged on wood or vpon the crosse For manie times among the Fathers saluation hath come by woode The image and prophecie of this wood was in the arch of Noah and in the wood which Moses threwe into the most bitter waters wherebie they became most pleasant By this figure the virtue of y e crosse of Christ is notablie depainted For as the most bitter waters by the wood throwen there-into were made most sweete and pleasaunt so nothing is there but wil be most comfortable to vs if the wood of Christ his crosse namelie faith on Christ crucified be added as à sause But à more excellent figure is in the wood wheron the brazen serpent was hanged For as Moses at the cōmandement of God in y e wildernes set-vp on high to y e view of al the Israelites the brazen serpent which hong vpon wood y t such as were wounded to the death of serpents might be healed therby So Christ was lifted vp vpon the wood and shewen as it were to al nations that as manie as were wounded vnto the death by the old serpent the diuel might be saued looking and trusting on him So then Christ hong on the crosse and was made à cursse for vs to redeeme vs from the cursse of the serpent which he through sinne brought vpon mankind Therefore it is written Curssed is euerie one that hangeth on tree After this manner Paul vnto the Galathians applieth the type to y e truth Here y e humanitie of Christ seemed most vile worser than the basest sort of men in so much as his verie friendes and familiars did flie awaie being dismaied and abashed Whereof it was prophecied in à psalme But I am à worme and not à man à shame of men and the contempt of the people And in the 88. psal Thou hast put-awaie mine acquaintance far fro me and made me to be abhorred of thē Yea at that time he which was the fairest among men so lost al grace of beautie that it was à verie hard thing to know him according to the prophecie of Isaiah Beholde my seruant shal prosper he shal be exalted and extolled and be verie hie As manie were astonied at thee his visage was so deformed of men and his forme of the sonnes of men so shal he sprincle manie nations the Kings shal shut their mouthes at him for that which had not bene tolde them shal they see and that which they had not heard shal they vnderstande And afterward He hath neither forme nor beautie whē we shal see him there shal be no forme that we shoulde desire him Hee is despised and reiected of men he is à man ful of sorowes and hath experience of infirmities wee hid as it were our faces from him and was despised and we esteemed him not Lo howe playnlie the Prophet hath fore-tolde how it should come to passe that the Iewes in respect of his vile punishment whereof themselues were the autors shoulde contemne the Messiah The high Priestes and the princes of the people spake il and rayled of him nodding their heades at Iesus fastened to the crosse as the Prophet Hosea prophecied I haue redeemed them yet they haue spoken lies against me And Psalme 22. They gape vpon me with their mouthes as à ramping and roaring Lion Againe Doges haue compassed me and the assemblie of the wicked haue inclosed me And again Psalme 35. They had me in derision and gnashed their teeth at mee Zecharie also prophecied of his handes side that were pearced Chapter 12. They shal looke vpon him whome they haue peirced And Psal. 22. They peirced mine hands and my feete In his extreeme tormentes he cried My God my God whie hast thou forsaken me Which thing long afore was fore-told by Dauid in y e 22. Psalme which Psalme is as it were à certain Epitome of y e passion of Christ. When he was about to yeld vp y e Ghost he vsed y e words of Dauid who carried à type of Christ himselfe Into thine hands Lord I commend my spirit as it is in the 31. Psalme His hanging betweene theeues was also foreshewed by the Prophet Isaiah in his 53. chapter where he saith He was counted with the transgressors How Christ praied for his crucifiers Isaiah in the same chapter fore-telleth He bare the sinne of manie and praied for the trespassers As Iesus was vpon dieng there was darkenes ouer al the lande as though the sunne would haue lost his light when as notwithstanding the Moone was at the ful The earth also terriblie did quake according to the prophecie of Ioël The Sunne and Moone shal be darkened and the starres shal with-drawe their light The Lord also shal roare out of Zion and vtter his voice from Ierusalem and the heauens and the earth shal shake And Amos in his 8. chapter doth say And in that daie saith the Lord God I wil euen cause the sunne to go downe at noone and I wil darken the earth in the cleere day The Lord was crucified without the gate euen as the sacrifice that was brought without the campe for the purgation and sanctifiing of the people by the whole multitude of the sonnes of Israël as may appeare Num. 19. For the red kowe in the sight of all was killed and of the blood thereof and of the ashes and water purgations were made Vnto the speedinesse of the Lords punishment who was taken about night and led vnto the hie Priestes the next morning earlie carried vnto the iudgement hal of the president and at noone crucified belongeth the figure of the paschal lambe wherof Christ also is oftentimes called à lambe But that it maie the better appeare howe the bodie aunswereth to the shadowe and the trueth to the figure let vs compare one thing with an other For that paschal lambe doth much resemble our Sauiour Christ yet as the shadowe the bodie and the type the truth 1 As therefore that Iewish lambe was à male of à yeere old and that without spot so Christ à full and perfect man was without sinne 2 As the houses which were sprinckled with the blood of the paschal lambe preserued the inhabitor from destruction so they whose consciences are sprinckled with the bloode of Christe the immaculate lambe shal bee free from the punishment of sinne which is damnation 3 As nothing of the paschal lambe might be eaten that was either rawe or boiled or sodden in water but that which was rosted with fire So there was no part of the Lords bodie but was rosted with great flames of sorowe 4 As the children of Israel
companie of al which beleue through the vniuersal world who although theie be far wide dispersed yet in most goodlie proportiō theie do cleaue together that theie maie make one house of God and one bodie knit and compacted together by the Spirite of Christ by mutual charitie by communicating of gifts and duties by vsing the sacraments by the confessing worshipping of one God Wherbie there is such à sweete concent in this bodie that each are touched both with the prosperitie and aduersitie of others Moreouer seeing this congregation is gouerned by the word of God there be two sorts of men in the same to wit teachers of y e word learners Whē these mutualie like parents childrē do reuerence loue each other then is y e Church at à good staie For so theie do both take heed of corrupting the word mutual good wil wil not alowe of schismes But among the ministers of the word there hath bin alwaie is great diuersitie according to the difference of gifts of calings For Christ ascending into heauen gaue some to be Apostles some Prophetes some Euangelistes and some Pastours and Teachers who although theie were of equal power as touching spiritual iurisdiction yet differed theie verie much in honour and degree of office Paule in honour and in order surpassed Timothie and Titus Timothie in degree and order excelled the other elders of the Church at Ephesus al which Paul in the Acts caleth Bishops or Ouerseers This preeminēce was verie behoueful for y e church For it is impossible y t anie thing should be wel done where al desire to be of equal honor degree The Churche that folowed the Apostles time the Gospel now being dispersed ouer à great parte of the world and Churches being established did appoint as best serued for the profit of the same an order of ministers ordained Patriarches whose office was to haue à care y t Bishops of euerie Dioces were chosen rightlie and ordeined that euerie Bishop did his dutie as he ought to do and y t each Bishops clergie and flock were obedient to their Dioceser in al thinges that were godlie Moreouer it ordained Chorbishops whom Iustine caleth Proestotaes which were Presidents Againe it ordained pastors teachers And this was the ordinance of the purer Church which the reformed Churches for y e greater part at this daie doe reuoke as far as it is requisite for them shaking of the yoke of the Popes who from y e time of the Emperour Phocas haue vsurped authoritie gouernement ouer the Church of God contrarie both to the commandement of Christ and examples of the Apostles which thing some of the holie Fathers with the Apostle Paule did testifie should be the proper note of Antichrist For since that time al Popes haue borne one the same person as theie who couered with one and the same visour vnder the name of Christ do endeuour vtterlie to abolish the Gospel of Christ. CHAP. 17. 1. What power the Church hath 2. The kindes thereof 3. Of the keies of heauen 4. And of the discipline of the Church THe power which we made the second part of the vpright state of the Church is an authoritie giuen to the Church by Christ wherebie it is ruled according both to the worde of God and to profitable and godlie constitutions of virtuous gouernours For this power is of those thinges which are appointed for the building of the whole bodie of the Church The which as it is of Christe so it must depend vpon the worde of Christe and according to his worde be exercised for the welfare and edification of the whole Church And therefore saith Paul Authoritie is giuen vs not for your destruction This power is of two sortes to wit either ordinarie or iuridical The ordained power is that which hath à certaine rule to worke by which the ministers of the Gospel in the vpright state of the Church doe folow and require neither consultation nor the iudgement of the ecclesiastical senate but doe gouerne the Church according to the rule prescribed By this power the Preachers doe receiue such into the Church as are conuerted vnto the Gospel and sweare obeiesance to the king Monarch Christ according to this commaundement Goe ye into al the worlde and preach the Gospel vnto euerie creature He that shal beleeue and be baptized shal be saued but he that wil not beleeue shal be condemned Hitherto also belongeth that of our Lorde vnto Peter I wil giue vnto thee the keyes of the kingdome of heauen and whatsoeuer thou shalt binde vppon earth shal be bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer thou shalt loase on earth shal be loased in heauen But what are these keies These keies of the kingdome of heauen without controuersie are that whereby the kingdome of heauen is either opened or shutt And that by the preaching of the Gospel the kingdome of heauen is both opened and shut al the godlie doe confesse which giue credite to the words of Christe who in the laste of Matthewe doeth saie Al power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Goe therefore and teach al nations And in the 20. of Iohn As my father sent me so sende I you And when he had saide that hee breathed on them one said vnto thē Receaue the holie Ghost Whosoeuers sinnes yee remit they are remitted vnto them and whosoeuers sinnes ye retaine they are retained How do they open and shut By remitting and by retaining of sinnes Howe doe they remit and retaine sinnes By preaching repentance and remission of sinnes in the name of Christ. Therefore the ministers of the Gospel as much as in them is doe open the kingdome of heauen and remit sinnes in his name who sendeth them in message when they preach the Gospel Nowe if the auditors doe beleeue the Gospel the kingdome of heauen is opened vnto them and their sinnes be forgiuen not by the ministers but of the Lord himselfe in whose name the ministers doe pronounce remission of sinnes But if the auditors doe refuse to beleeue the ministers be saide to shut the kingdome of heauen and to retaine sinnes and that for the euents sake not willing lie for they would ful gladlie haue al their auditors to beleeue the Gospel and be saued This power of Christ committed to the ministers of the Gospel is verie aptlie signified by keies For as keies are deliuered to stewardes appointed in families that they maie serue the Lord open and shut not after their owne minde but according to the pleasure of their master So to the ministers of the gospel power is giuen to open and to shut the kingdome of heauen according to the commandement and precept of Christ the householder For they are stewardes not the goodmen of the house and seruantes not Lordes And therefore they are to gouerne al thinges
smal importance y t by a little holie water they may be washed-away I omit them in like sort who dream that by the Popes pardons by Masses sinnes be redeemed by which toies the Popes kingdome is encreased vpholden and preserued both to the great dishonor of God and the most certaine destruction of infinite soules Thirdlie of the due waying of sinne this also followeth y t no pure creature could satisfie the iustice of God make amendes for the offence and restore man to his former happinesse where-from he did fall through sin And therfore Christ was faine in the flesh to take our cause vpon him selfe and to satisfie the iustice of God And although this wrath of God as we haue shewed be infinite yet is it tempered with mercie as the Prophet Habakuk doth saie In wrath remember mercie And Theodoret It is the propertie of God by the temperature of mercie to mitigate his iustice But of this mercie we are nowe to speake CHAP. 32. 1. The great mercie of God toward miserable man 2. Where-unto it may fitlie be compared AFter the due examination both of mans miserie and of the wrath of God against wickednes the infinite mercie of God which is the foundation of our turning vnto him is to be caled into minde God is saide to be merciful not because he is subiect to perturbations and griefe of mind as man is but for that of his meere goodnes loue he helpeth mans miserie For the mercie of God issueth out of loue and loue from the likenes which man hath with God being formed according to his image and similitude This mercie of God toward man is diuerslie painted-out in the Scriptures and the force thereof is commended to vs by sundrie comparisons First it is compared to the kindnesse of à mother towarde her tender babe For so saith Isaiah Can à woman forget her childe and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe Though she should forget yet will not I forget thee And in the 103. Psalme it is likened to the natural kindenesse of à Father As à father it is there saide hath compassion on his children so hath the Lorde compassion on them that feare him Of this naturall affection of parentes toward their children the worde Mercie in the Hebrue tongue is deriued And therefore Zacharie saide Through the tender mercie therebie to expresse the force of the Hebrue worde and the affection of God taking pitie Secondly this mercie of God is compared by Isaiah to mountaines and valeies where he saieth The mountaines shal remoue and the hils shal fal downe but my mercie shal not depart from thee neither shal the couenant of my peace fall awaie saith the Lorde that hath compassion vpon thee Thirdlie it is likened to the largenesse of the earthe as in the Psalme The earth is ful of the goodnes of the Lord. Fourthlie it is likened to the hie heauens in the 103. Psalme As hie as the heauen is aboue the earth so great is his mercie toward them that feare him Fiftlie it is compared to the ornament of à Kings throne In mercie shal the throne be prepared and he shal sit vpon it in stedfastnesse Sixtlie it is compared to à cloude of raine in the time of drought Eccles. 35. Oh how faire à thing is the mercie of God in the time of anguish and trouble It is like à cloude of raine that commeth in the time of drought Seuenthlie it is compared to à buckler or weapon of warre Psalme 103. Who redeemeth thy life from the graue and crowneth thee with mercie and compassions that is compasseth on all sides And Psalme 5. Thou with fauour wilt compasse him as with a shielde Eightly it is preferred before life it selfe than the which nothing is deemed better or sweeter Psal. 63. Thy louing kindnesse is better than life Ninthlie it is preferred aboue all other workes of God Psalme 145. The Lord is good to all and his mercies are ouer all his workes Last of all it is compared euen to the maiestie of God himselfe For so saith Ecclesiasticus As his greatnes is so is his mercie As if he should say In God there is souereign maiestie linked with souereigne mercie by the one whereof he hath power to do what he list by the other he hath will to preserue his chosen And although God by manie argumentes commendeth his mercie vnto vs yet the chiefest is that he gaue his sonne Iohn 3. God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten sonne that who so euer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Rom. 5. God setteth-out his loue toward vs seeing that while we were yet sinners That is not conuerted vnto God Christe died for vs. Rom. 8. God spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs al. To be briefe No creature is able sufficiently to commend this mercie of God flowing out of entire goodnes and loue The wisedome of the world is not touched with mercy toward the transgressors but toward the vnfortunate and such as do seeme vniustly to be afflicted For so saith Cicero They are to be pitied who are in miserie for fortune not for their offences But the wisedome of God doth helpe transgressors and the greatest sinners if so be they repent For grace proceeding from mercie aboundeth ouer sinne And Augustine doth say Greater is God his mercie than the miserie of all sinners So that Dauid not without cause doeth adhorte vs to praise God for this his infinie mercie Al nations saith he Praise ye the Lorde all yee people praise him For his louing kindnes is great towarde vs and the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer But here some maie well obiect and saie the mercie of God in deede is great but for al that it hath an impossible condition annexed For so saith the Lord himselfe who cannot lie I will shewe mercy vnto thousandes to them that loue me and keepe my commandements This promise of God without Christe is plainlie to none effect because a condition of impossibilitie is added therevnto For no man by his owne strength can fulfil the commandements of God notwithstanding in Christe it is possible and effectual vnto a thousand generations of Christ that is to al who are borne the sonnes of God in Christ. For as he is the ende of the lawe for righteousnesse vnto euerie one tha◠beleeueth so al the promises of God in him are yea and Amen as Paule saith Hitherto belongeth that in Exodus The Lord the Lord God is mercifull and gratious and aboundant in goodnes and trueth who reserueth mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquitie transgression sinne Neither maie it be douted y t God when he made this promise did signifie howe both Christe should be the fulfiller of the lawe and that al which desire the mercie promised must runne
we stand Fourthlie it is to be noted that the praiers of Saintes are therfore acceptable in the sight of God because they depend vpon the intercession of Christ the highe Priest For when we make intercession for others we praie not trusting in our owne merites or price which we haue paide for redemption but in the merite of Christ his righteousnes and in the ransome which he hath Therefore saith Christe Whatsoeuer ye shal aske the Father in my Name that is depending vpon my merite and intercession he will giue it you Hitherto pertaineth that compellation in the Lordes praier O our Father For as the name of a Father putteth vs in minde of Christ in whom through faith we are the sonnes of God and he is our father So the pronoune Our doth admonish vs of faith that through confidence in the sonne wee should cal vpon the father not trusting in anie worthines or merites of our owne For which cause the Apostle saith Let vs approch vnto God through him For he euer liueth to make intercession for vs. As often therefore as wee would praie let vs consider the cause whie we saie Our Father that we maie both thoroughlie be persuaded that for his sonnes sake we please God and without al doubting also beleeue that for the intercession of the sonne whose members we be through faith we are heard Wherefore theie which bring not this faith do but waste winde when they praie For theie haue none accesse vnto y e father Let such then looke what they do who contrarie to the word of God do depend vpon other patrons Fiftlie forsomuch as the sonne of God is the perpetual priest which maketh intercession for the Church whensoeuer it doth amisse we maie not flie vnto other patrons but vnto Christ alone as the onelie patron and most trustie anchor of safetie Therfore the Apostle Iohn doth saie If anie man sinne we haue an aduocate with the father Iesus Christ the iust And he is the reconciliation for our sinnes But then do we rightlie approch vnto this Aduocate for the attainment of the remission of sinnes whē we are sorie for our wickednes cōmitted when we rest our selues with à faith vnfained vpon Iesus Christ the propitiator and intercessor when we purpose afterward through God his grace to leade à pure life and finalie when we cast from our heartes à purpose to sinne Vnlesse these be ioined-together in vaine doest thou boast y t Christ is thie patron Some there be who think theie be pure if once theie haue poured their sinnes into the bosome of some pastor some pastors too do thinke that by their magical absolutions theie can vnburden sinners but both sortes doe most filthilie erre out of y e waie For both Christ alone is y e purger of sins in whō if thou repose not a liuelie faith which hath those foure cōditions which we haue recited in vaine dost thou vnburden thie self in the bosome of y e priest Christ alone it is y t absolueth from sins vnto whom if y u aproch not through faith y u sahlt die in thy sins But the absolution of à priest is then profitable when the confession is tempered with true repentance turning from sin And this absolution of the priest is nothing else than à testimonie of the absolution which is giuen in heauē by our hie priest Iesus Christ. And therfore saith y e Lord Whatsoeuer you loose on earth shalbe loosed in heauen So that the absolution which is pronounced by the minister of the Gospel dependeth vpon his faith which requireth absolution not of the merite either of confession or of pronouncing any wordes whatsoeuer This place would craue a confutation of them who chose other aduocates beside Christ but because this madnes is alreadie mentioned aboue where we dealt with Popish sacrifices I wil not with moe wordes refute them in this place And thus much of y e three parts of Christ his priest-hoode to wit of doctrine of sacrifice and of intercession The other pointe contained in the definition of the priesthoode touching the preseruation of the church the remission of sins the gift of the holie Ghoste and euerlasting life be rather most pleasant fruites than partes of Christ his Priesthoode CHAP. 38. 1. Of the couenant which Christ our hie Priest hath entred into 2. The special pointes to bee considered therein 3. Of the olde and newe couenant or Testament wherein theie doe differ 4. The difference betweene the newe Testament and the Gospel 5. Whether with the olde Testament the tenne commandements be abrogated or no. FOrsomuch as euerie priest as y e Epistle to y e Hebrues doth testifie is a suretie of some couenant for it is behoueful that some certaine couenant be set according to which the mediator betweene the parties at controuersie maie determine that sure peace and friendship maie be established betweene God and men Christ our Priest hath à certaine couenant For as the Leuitical priest had his priesthood and à certaine couenant annexed to the priesthood So Christ our Priest to whome the Leuitical priestes with their sacrifice and couenant gaue place hath his priesthood and certaine couenants annexed to the priesthod For the priesthood being changed as the Epistle vnto the Hebrues doth saie of necessitie there must be a change of the law Againe for this cause is he the mediator of the newe Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament they which were called might receaue the promise of eternal inheritance For where a Testament is there must be the death of him that made the Testament For the Testament is confirmed when men are dead for it is yet of no force as long as he that made it is aliue Wherefore neither was the first ordained without bloud For when Moses had spoken euerie precept to the people according to the lawe he tooke the bloud of calues and of goats with water and purple wool and hyssope and sprinkled both the booke and al the people Saieng This is the bloud of the Testament which God hath appointed vnto you And although by these words of the Apostle it is euident that as the former that is the olde Testament is a couenant annexed to the priesthood of Aaron confirmed by the bloud of brutish creatures whereby GOD did binde himselfe to the Iewes for to giue them the lande of Canaan to their possession if so be for their partes theie obserued the condition which was the fulfilling of the lawe so the newe Testament should be a couenant annexed to the Priesthood of Christe confirmed with the bloud of Christ whereby God doth binde himselfe to forgiue sinnes and to giue a celestial and euerlasting inheritance in heauen but with a condition of faith whose true and right fruite is perfect obedience toward GOD.
the first place and order are placed those celestial spirits which in respect of their seruice which they do to their King are called Angels For they are al ministring spirits saith Paul for their sakes which shal be heires of saluation Because while this world doth last there shal be Angels attending vpon the busines of the kingdome of Christ which notwithstanding is not the end of their nature but a temporal seruice But after the general iudgement with the elect of God hauing attained à perfect conquest they shall euerlastinglie triumph-together The number and office of those Angels no man hath more plainlie expressed than Daniel did who beheld them Thousand thousands ministred vnto him and ten thousand thousands stoode before him The fight and victorie which the Lord of hostes and his Angels haue got is described in the Reuelation on this wise Michael and his angels fought against the dracon and the dracon fought and his angels But they preuailed not neither was their place found anie more in heauen And the great dracon that old serpent called the diuel and satan was cast out which deceiueth al the world he was euen cast into the earth and his angels were cast-out with him Then I heard à loud voice saieng Nowe is saluation in heauen strength the kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast-downe which accuseth them before our God daie and night But they ouer come him by the bloud of the Lambe and by the word of their testimonie Touching Michael which is saide in this place to be the captaine of the warre it is the Sonne of God our Lord Iesus Christ as mai◠be gathered both out of Daniel and also from the etymologie of the name For Michael is as much as Who is like God The Angels therfore following the conduction and standard of Michael that is the Lord of hostes are celestial spirits In the second order of these armies are godlie teachers waging battel with the kingdome of the dracon that is of the diuel and with his angels y t is with defendors of idols and blasphemies Such in times passed were Moses Ioseph Daniel the Prophets and the Apostles and manie godlie Ministers of the word in the Church afterward Whose weapons are not carnal but spiritual For so doth Paul saie We do not war after the flesh For the weapons of our warfare be not carnal but mightie through God to cast downe holdes casting downe the imaginations and euerie high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing into captiuitie euerie thought to the obedience of Christ that is the weapons of godlie teachers in the Church be the verie word of God the power of the holie Ghost in the word and earnest praier In the third order of the Lordes hoste be godlie hearers of the word who for Gods glorie and their owne saluation fight against the flesh sinne the world and the diuel Their war and weapons in the Epistles vnto the Ephesians be described on this wise For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers and against the worldlie gouernors the princes of the darkenes of this world against spiritual wickednes in the hie places For this cause take vnto you the whole armor of God that ye maie be able to resist in the euil daie and hauing finished al things stand fast Stand therfore and your loines gird about with veritie and hauing on the brest plate of righteousnes And your feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Aboue al take the shield of faith wherewithal ye maie quench al the firie dartes of the wicked and take the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God And praie alwaie with al manner praier and supplication in the spirit Or in fewer wordes as Paul in an other place writeth Fight à good fight hauing faith à good conscience which some haue put awaie and as concerning faith haue made shipwracke In the fourth place be euerie particular man in his vocation Exod. 38. it is said that the women did assemble and came together at the doore of the Tabernacle that is they did those things which were enioined them to doe Euerie man therefore fighteth vnder the banner of Christ when stoutlie in y e feare of God he doth those things which in respect of his calling he is bound to do Then both teachers and hearers also be the good soldiers of the Lord when they doe their duties godlie and diligentlie After which sort we maie iudge of all other callings warranted by the word of God Herevnto if you thinke good you maie ad à fift order namelie y e celestial armie or hoste as the Sunne Moone and the Stars the which are therefore saide to be the hoste of the captaine Christ because after their facion they reproue darkenes declare the glorie of Christ and prouoke both Angels and men by their example as it were to glorifie God euermore Nowe of those things which hitherto we haue spoken of y e Lord of hostes of his fight armies and victorie there is a double vse For as they confirme comfort and encourage the godlie fighting vnder Christ the captaine so do they throw downe terrefie and confound the wicked Wherefore being admonished let vs ioine our selues through faith and obediēce to Christ the captaine and with true puritie of minde to these vnspotted spirites beeing thoroughlie persuaded that he which fighteth an honest fight in faith and à good conscience shal receaue an incorruptible crowne of glorie which Christ our Lord capitane and champion hath promised to vs. For as true victorie consisteth in the blood of the Lambe and worde of the testimonie so they who are sprinkled with this blood which is then done when we beleeue in Christ according to the word of the testimonie shal trulie obteine victorie CHAP. 4. 1. Against those which wil be counted and yet are not the true Church 2. particularlie against the Iewes that what soeuer things were written of the Messiah by Moses and the Prophets are fulfilled in Christ. NOwe for so much as manie assemblies of men vsurpe y e title of the Church for that was it which we proposed in y e second place we are diligentlie to consider who be they which will needs be called and yet be not the Church and also which is the true Church of God that al other congregations auoided we maie ioine our selues to the true Church The Iewes supposing the Messiah whome as yet al in vaine they looke for to pertainè vnto them alone doe proudlie contemne al other congregations and hoast-abroad howe they are the true Church of God The Mahomets or Turkes because their dominion is verie great which they haue in the
whereas the wicked in the meane while are in paine expecting the euerlasting torments of the righteous iudgement These thinges therefore are not contrarie the soules of the godlie are with Christ in heauen and the vngodlie in paine and that an vniuersal iudgement shal be where the righteous shal receiue perfect glorie and the reprobate eternal torments after the soules come againe into their bodies Notwithstanding although by these such like arguments the Epicures are conuinced of y e state of the souls after death yet are they not quiet but they proceed in asking and they vrge as they thinke verie grauelie The Iewes saie they affirme how their lawes be Gods lawes the Saracens euen the maior part of mankinde preferre theirs the Muscouites defende their religion to the death the Papistes they glorie of primacie and succession and therefore they cal themselues Catholikes blush not to tearme al other heretikes yee Lutherans also stand to your religion neither doe ye agree verie wel together In this confusion of iudgements what is to be done who are to be credited We haue sufficientlie alreadie shewed the vanitie of the Iewes Saracens Muscouites as touching the Papistes and vs heare vs both conferre waigh with iudgement the reasons of vs both marke which of vs doe drawe our argumentes out of the fountaines of our Sauiour and whiche out of the filthie puddle of mans inuentions so shal you easilie find out the trueth and the waie to iudge aright But if this shal seeme tedious vnto thee stinke thou as thou wilt in thine owne filthines what thou gettest therby thou shalt one daie find If it plese you behold your end in the 37. and 73. Psalmes Nowe concerning the dissension betwene ourselues it ouerthroweth not the trueth of the foundation which al of vs in à manner with one consent defend And thus much against the Epicures For I thinke it not good to spend anie moe wordes to swine And therefore once againe I turne my selfe vnto men CHAP. 12. 1. Of the true Church what it is 2. Whence it is 3. Howe gouerned and defended c. WHat is the true Church The Tabernacles of the Lorde of Hostes as our Psalme defineth That is the true Church is that which of the Lorde is both gathered gouerned and protected which harkeneth vnto cleaueth and is obedient to the Lord of hosts which hath y e Lord of Hostes dwelling in it which is in a strange countrie in banishment tending towardes her countrie by folowing her captaine Christ. These thinges are so linked-together and folowe of the first that no waie theie can be separated First therefore the true Church is gathered by the Lord of Hostes. For he by his worde gathereth to him selfe out of mankinde à Church according to that Go ye into al the world and preach the Gospel to euerie creature He that shal beleeue and be baptised shalbe saued but he that wil not beleeue shalbe damned For seeing without the Church there is no saluation by the worde of the Gospel men are caled with-out respect of nations and persons out-of the kingdome of darkenesse vnto the kingdome of light that is vnto the Church receaued by faith whervnto y e outward signe Baptisme is added as it were a watchworde of warre whereby theie are admonished of the purging which is made by the holie spirit after à certaine secrete manner as our Lorde doth teach in the 3. Chapter of Iohn of thinking vpon holines continualie of the crosse and glorie of the Church of death and resurrection from death of the true God which is the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost which true and onelie God theie are bounde being receaued into the Church to worship with true holinesse both here in this world after the resurrection for euermore This true Church in the first Epistle of Iohn and also in the Apostolical Creede is caled The communion of Saintes that is the felowship of al men that are sanctified in Iesus Christ through the holie Ghoste This sanctification is then wrought when we beleeue the worde of the Gospel and by à liuelie faith rest our selues vpon the Lorde of Hostes which is Iesus Christe And that the true Church is as we saie it maie be proued by that notable example of our Father Abraham For he at such time as he was in Chaldea heard the voice of the Lorde and obeied him being caled out of Hur of the Chaldeans from the companie of idolaters he seuered separated himselfe from the wicked world both in heart in wil in faith in obedience toward God and in confession Where-vnto the name of the Church doth fitlie agree For as the Grecians caled that companie which by à common crier was called from the other people to heare the minde of the Senate à Churche so the Apostles take the Churche of Christ for that companie of men which by the preachers of the worde are called from the kingdome of Satan to the hearing and folowing of Christ and to the seuering and separating them-selues from the wicked world and swarmes of the reprobate both in heart wil faith obedience towardes God and in confession So that whosoeuer disioineth himselfe from the prophanitie of the worlde and by faith ioineth himselfe to Christ with à purpose truelie to serue him he is à member of the Church and à partaker of al the good thingâ— of Christ. And although greate is the weakenesse of al men and manifolde flames of wicked affections do often arise yea in the verie godlie against which in spirite theie doe contend yet he abideth in the Church is holie whosoeuer keepeth faith à good conscience or à good purpose For as the conscience beeing wastâ—d shipwracke is made of faith so where there is à good conscience there is faith by which we enioie the most excellent of al treasures euen the righteousnes of Christ wherebie we please God Neither must we thinke vpon anie difference here either of nations persons or sexe For faith maketh al alike as touching the right of the kingdome And although diuers and sundrie be the giftes yet serue theie al for the vnitie of the Church This vnitie of the true Church gathered out of manie and sundrie nations as it were into one house or familie is excelentlie shadowed by à Pome-granate tied to à bel For as in the Pome-granate vnder one outward barke manie granes are inwardlie vnited-together so infinite people of the Church are couered vnder the vnitie of the Church the which agree together through true charitie albeit in giftes and caling theie are distinguished The bel annexed signifieth the voice of such as preach the Gospel wherebie the members of the Church are gathered as it were into one bodie This true Church seeing it is the tabernacle of the Lorde of Hostes is gouerned and protected by him so that the gates of hel that
Mediators doe vnderstand such patrons as by their own merites worthines maie purchase to vs the fauour of God For this is à common principle among them that men liuing in earth do need patrons in heauen in as much as theie are vnworthie to appeare in the sight of God By which saieng beside that theie bereaue Christ our Mediator of his honor theie make themselues guiltie of threefolde impietie For first while theie make the dead intercessors for the liuing theie doe runne beyond the limits of Gods worde and foole hardilie are carried into damnable darkenes and vpon the steepe mountaines of Hel. From whence to returne backe and to aspire aloft that is à labour and à sore paine But what à prophanenes this is the godlie alone do marke who know that darknes is there where the torch of Gods word is not born-afore who know that al is abhominable which God hath not decreed and who consider that al which dust and ashes doth inuent in religion without the direction of Gods worde doth proceede from Satan Secondlie when theie teach howe we must depend vpon the merites of saintes theie depart from the true foundation of saluation and seeke another foundation to builde their saluation vppon without the worde of God For seeing that mortal man by his owne merite can not attaine saluation it is impossible that the merites of Saintes should bring saluation vnto others which merites for al that the Pope faineth to be the treasure of the Church which he dispenseth not gratis but according to their disbursing who acknowledge the Pope to be the treasurer of the Church Thirdlie in forging such fained patrons to themselues theie are drowned the more deepelie in darkenes For theie departe from the first commandement and with cursed impudencie cal vpon Saintes driuen therunto by the diuel himselfe who hath brought into the world the inuocation of Saintes and that for these causes First to bereaue Christ of his honor Secondlie to make the saintes infamous Lastlie that in time to come theie maie bee partakers of his eternal paines who in this life doe cal vpon saintes The fourth The Popish masse is laide open for filthie lucre sake For theie not onelie doe sel Masses for the redemption of soules out of purgatorie but also make them common to be bought for the obteining of anie thing In which of sinns manie sinns do meete together of which I wil recite à few that with à perfect hatred we maie abhor y e most filthie lucre of the Masse For first this gaine striueth against the foundation of our saluation which is free mercie For by grace saith Paul are ye saued throgh faith that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of workes least anie man should boast Secondarilie it abolisheth the Lordes supper For who is so blind but maie see how it is farre from the Supper of Christe to seeke filthie gaine therebie which supper the Lord would haue to be à notable argument of his inward loue toward the Church and à testimonie of the redemption of the Church by his death which free redemption of his beloued spouse he sealeth in his supper Thirdlie this huÌ„ting after gain doth vtterlie ouerthrow the Prophecies of the prophets concerning y e benefites of the Mediator of the Newe Testament Ho saith Isaiah euerie one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that haue no siluer come buie and eate come I saie buie wine and milke without siluer and without monie By water wine milke the prophet vnderstandeth the benefites of the Gospel which he pronounceth are freelie bestowed For as our bodies are nourished by bread wine water and milke so our soules are nourished and susteined by the doctrine of the Gospel by the holie Ghost by the sacraments and other such free giftes of Christ. Fourthlie the buieng and selling of the Popishe Masse doth make miserable men drunke with carnal confidence For by paieng monie for this feigned purgation as it were for an effectual medicine theie persuade them-selues that theie driue-awaie al diseases of the soule and that without faith repentance And because by Masses purchased theie trust theie be armed against the diuel and death theie goe-on the more boldlie in wickednes and dailie become the more obstinate Fiftlie this gaine of Masses is the ground of Purgatorie For to make their Masses the more vendible the Priestes did teach howe there was a Purgatorie of soules after death wherein the soules of the dead should be deteined vntil theie were purged sufficientlie from the spots of sinnes committed in this life And therefore Masses were appointed to be solde to them who desired that either them selues or their friendes might be deliuered from the fire of purgatorie wherebie theie fained that the paines of purgatorie were brought-out Hencâ— the Patrimonie of Peter as theie cal it was exceedinglie encreased And hence it is that the goodes of miserable men are translated from the true heires vnto balde Priestes and Monkes Sixthe this gaine of the Masse and subtiltie of the Romane baude is the strength of the Papacie that is of the Antichristian kingdome And therefore maruel it is not though the Papistes doe so fiercelie contend and fight for their altars For theie feare much that their chimneies would fal downe if their altars were once ouerthrowen The fifte It is abhominable idolatrie to worship à peece of bread in y e place of Christ. For as à litle aboue we haue touched also the Priest after y e mumbling of the historie concerning the institution of Christ doeth firste of al adore the bread himselfe and then lifteth the same vp that the people maie worshippe it For the Papistes be persuaded that by the virtue of the mumbled wordes of the instituted supper the elementes of breade and of wine be transsubstantiated into the verie bodie and bloode of the Lorde which they lay open to be adored but verie erroneouslie For this transsumbstantiation so stiflie defended by Thomas is contrarie to the nature of a sacrament For as in baptisme it is required that the substance of water doe remaine which while it is sprincled according to Christ his institution is à right sacrament and with that water after à secret sort the verie bloode of Christ whereby the inward man is washed from wickednes yea and putteth-on Christ himselfe is present So it is required that in y e supper of the Lord the substance of breade and wine doe remaine which being reached-forth and taken after the institution of Christ are à verie sacrament and with that bread wine after à secret sorte the verie bodie and bloode of the Lorde whereby the inwarde man is nourished fed and refreshed are present So that before the vse whervnto they be ordeined bread and wine are no more à sacrament than is the water of baptisme And therfore it is as great madnes to worshippe the breade and wine as if Ã
not want enimies whome notwithstanding they shall ouercome through the power of GOD wherewith they are strengthened Moreouer the enimies with whome the souldiers of the Church that is the preachers of the worde do encounter they are the diuel and his garde tyrantes sophisters hypocrits and Epicures Against these enimies the ministers of the Gospell enter into the feelde being armed with spirituall armor of which armor wee haue alreadie spoken The Diuel he laieth snares both for the doctrine and for the life of the ministers of the worde that by either or by both he maie ouerthrowe vs. Against this enimie we are to fight by synceritie of doctrine by innocencie of life and by ardent calling-vppon the Lorde of hoastes Submit your selues to God saith Iames resist the diuel and he wil flie from you And as he is obedient to GOD which giueth credite to his worde and liueth according vnto the same So hee resisteth the Diuel inuading the worde and the life who retaineth synceritie of doctrine liueth innocentlie and calleth earnestlie vppon GOD. But when this thadgeth not well with him that is when hee is not able either to corrupte the doctrine or to marre the life hee flieth and confesseth himselfe to bee ouercome And because hee is much more mightier than man is this promise is deepelie to be engrauen in the heart And he will flie from you that is nothing will hurt you he shall not ouerthrowe you by his subtilties so longe as yee abide grounded vpon faith For faith is the victorie of the world that is of the diuel and of al his warriers But for somuch as there is perpetual warre betweene Satan and the Church of Christ we ought then especialie to be in armes when he seemeth to flie awaie For he flieth not as one without al hope of anie buckling againe but that after an other waie he maie returne out of his ambushes with greater force For as he is vnconstant and craftie and of greate experience so hee setteth vppon the ministers of the Gospell nowe this waie and then an other waie and therebie sometime hee he maketh great slaughter as maie appeare in heretikes of al ages among whome there haue ben manie verie learned godlie men but being snarled and vtterlie blinded with the nets of Satan and arguments of blind reason theie haue yeelded And therefore the souldiers of God and guiders of the Church of Christ wil stand in the fore-fronte against the diuel vnder the banner of Christ keeping faith and à good conscience by all maner praiers and supplications praieng alwaies in the spirite and in watching therin with al earnestnesse that vtterance maie be giuen to them in the opening of their mouth with boldenesse that theie maie make the mysterie of God to be knowen for which theie are sent in embassage Tyrants also theie most furiouslie doe persecute the ministers of the Gospel theie kill and dispatch manie out of the world Notwithstanding they do not so much ouercome as theie are ouercome For as their better part to wit the minde is à slaue to filthie affections So the soules of the godlie in the middes of their troubles doe triumph in ioie For theie both comfort themthemselues with à constant hope of the glorie prepared for them and also with the eie of faith theie do behold the miserable destruction of such as persecute them Of which destruction Dauid speaketh after this wise God shall destroie thee for euer hee shal take thee and plucke thee out of thy tabernacle and roote the out of the lande of the liuing The righteous also shal see it and feare and shall laugh at him saying Beholde the man that tooke not God for his strength but trusted vnto the multitude his riches and put his strength in his malice But I shall be like à greene oliue tree in the house of God For I trusted in the mercie of God for euer and euer And therefore Nero in killing Paul was ouercome of Sathan through whose instigation hee persecuted and slewe the Apostle But Paul was crowned and went from victorie vnto victorie For not onelie hee himself receaued à crowne of righteousnes froÌ„ the righteous iudge but his blood beside was à certaine watering of the Lords feelde wherby the yong plants of the Church doth more more encrease But here springeth à question concerning flight Whether in the time of persecution godlie pastors maie shifte for themselues by flight to auoide the handes of tyrants especiallie seeing at the first showe there be contrarie sayings and exaÌ„ples to in the scripture These places should seeâ—e to be contrarie When they persecute you in this citie flee vnto another And An hireling seeth the woulfe comming and he leaueth the sheepe and flieth The examples Christ fledde into Egypt Paul was let-downe in a basket and so escaped from his persecutors On the otherside both Christ and Paul yea and infinite Martyrs and doctors of the Church haue voluntarilie yeelded themselues into the handes of tyrants The contrarietie of these sayinges and examples maie easilie be reconciled if we marke the causes wel He that by fleeing seeketh his owne and not the things which are Christes is much to blame Contrariewise he that by flieng seeketh the glorie of God and not his owne coÌ„moditie offendeth not And therfore saith Augustine The seruant of God sinneth not though seeing the rage of tyrantes greedelie bent to destroie his soule he changeth his aboade if so be that he commend his flocke to the hie shepherde sitting in heauen and saueth himselfe for their aduantage by flight But this commandement seemeth to bee contrarie therevnto Feare yee not them which kil the bodie but are not able to kil the soule Now what is flight I praie you but a feare If therfore feare be forbiddeÌ„ flight also is forbidden I answerere when thou art in the hands of à Tyran thou must contemne death according to the coÌ„mandement of the Lord Feare not them which kill the bodie but if thou art out of his clawes thou oughtest to flie from the persecutor not so much to saue thy selfe as for thy sheepe sake prouided alwaies that thy flight be not à betraing of the sheepe For he maketh à tyrant that prouoketh and he that shunneth correcteth him And therefore this distinction of Augustine is to be had in mind When persecution is hoat the ministers of Christe are to flie if so be that either there is no congregation where they are or if there bee when there be ministers enough to fulfil the ministerie which haue not such cause to flie But when the people shal abide and all the ministers flie awaie what else doe they showe themselues but euen cursed hirelings without all care of the sheepe But if Tyrantes doe persecute without all respect all the ministers of the gospel spare the common people what is then to be done Hereunto
daie of iudgement 103. Soules immortalitie 100. Spirite of fortitude 396. Spirite of God how in ministers 39â— Spirites celestial 11. Spiriteâ— preached vnto 102. Spirits wil. 290. Spiritual soldiers who 11 12 13 14. Spiritual warfare 12. Starres of heauen the soldiers of God and whie 14. Starres worshipped for Gods 191. State of the soules after this life 100. State of wicked ministers 4â—4 Strangers 119. Strength of the Turkes 91. A Student in the Scripture who 401. Studie of the Scripture 40â— The Sunne worshipped for a God 191 Supper of the Lord 30 figured by Manna 30 a note of the true Church 171 whie often receiued and what it signifieth 334 whether in the case of necessitie it may be ministred by a man not of the ministerie 234. Sâ—â—ineâ— flesh abstained froÌ„ 86. Sinne filthie 243 41â— horrible 264 howe rewarded â—62 howe gotten 479 kindes thereof 389. Custome of Sinning oppugned 293. Al meâ— sinners 237. Sinners hated of God 263. T Teachers of Gods worde the souldiers of Christe 14. Teaching 160. Who are to Teach in the Church 170. Temples of God 113. Tentation of Christ 28. Tentation of God what 227. Olde Testament what 312 difference betweene the olde and the newe Testament 316 319. Timoâ—ia 410. Tradition 403. Tradition Papistical what 16â— 511 Tradition whâ—â— in trueth 165 kindes thereof 166. Traditions of men how to be thought of 167. Transubstantiation 217 contrarie to the nature of a sacrament 217 learned of Magicians and witches â—â—â— Treason against Christ 30. Trial of Ioseph 418. Trial of faith wherevnto compared 4â—â— Troubles of the godlie howe to be taken 173 450. Troubles of Iob 418. Trueth of Christ 125. Tyrants how to be resisted 431 enimies to the Church 440. V Valeie of Ben-Hinnon 195 Vanitie of bodilie pleasure 380. Vanitie of mans reason 370. Virtuous life what 141. Vnitie of the Church 108. W Wayes vnto heauen 369. Christe the waie by doctrine 122 by merite 12â— by example 124. Warfare spiritual 12 439 the weapons thereof 12. Heauenlie Warriers who 11. Water of God what 434. Water of life howe receiued 434. Who by Weapons maie resist tyrants 431. Wil of man 514. Wil of the flesh 289. Wil of the spirite 290. Wine absteined from 84. Wine why forbidden of the Turkes 85. Worde of God The excellencie of Gods worde 370 the profite thereof 372 the Church harkeneth therunto 110 the knowledge thereof necessarie in a minister 400 the contemners of y e same how punished 323 Workes Workes of Christians a sacrifice 350 of protestants what 513. the matter of good works 511. things necessarily required in a good Worke 514. Workes Papistical what 511. causes of them 512. Righteousnesse of workes oppugned 327. righteousnesse of faith and works together refelled 330. In this Worlde no satietie 377. Worldlie Wisedome 370. Worldlie Wisemens opinions concerning felicitie confuted 385. Worldes continuance 48. Worship of Saints whie inuented 429. Wrath of God against sinners 263. FINIS Faultes escaped The first number signifieth the page the last the number of the lines Page 7 line 18 for vvhether this place reade vvhether this Psalm 22 in the margine for Isai 52 r. Mâ—cah 52 155 20 of one nature r. of it one nature 157 15 r. learne of him and the Apostles are sent forth 165 24 by the comparing r. as by the comparing 166 10 such things are r. such things as are 181 6 r. Habel brought 189 11 r. stolne my Gods 199 16 r. to instruct vvithal 214 24 r. in vvhich offence 234 10 r. of these 237 25 r. vvithout making 243 13 r. are so ouerthrovvne 249 3 r. in these vvords 309 15 r. that is al 335 25 r. vvhich Christ 338 18 r. both in the crosse 340 19 Christianitie r. Christianlie 359 19 r. merit of Christ 362 17 r. and build vp the 379 13 rat is easie to 388 12 r. doth faune 407 16 r. at the 413 8 r. doe vveigh their sinnes 416 10 r. selfe vnto al 426 4 r. but these 441 8 r. of his riches 448 16 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 484 4 r. as to the punishment 493 3 r. vvhich is to saue 501 3 r. vve are not vnder 508 3 r. then seeing through 519. 5 r. fauour before iustification 1. Kings 1â— 21. 22. c. 1. King 22. 6. Act. 8 9. 10 c. Act. 13 8. 9. c. Coloss. 2. Acts 15. 1. Cor. 15. 2. Tim. 2 17. 18. 2. Pet. 2 10. Iude ver 8. 1. Tim. 1 34 Tit. 3 8. 9 Iude vers 4 2. Thess. 2. 3. 4. c. Iude ver 4. D. Chytraeus Ora de staâ—â— Eccles. Hoc tempore in Graecia Asia Africa c. Psal. 119. 9 Pro. 22. 6. Effectes of Gods word Psal. 19. 7. 8. Zech. 14 8. Ioh. 4 14. Ioh. 8 32. 36. Iere. 8. 9. 1. Tim. 2. 4. Rom. 4 25. Rom. 10 4. Mat. 11 28. Psal 84. â— Psa. 19 10. Psa. 119 14 Psa. 130 1. Psa. 119 32 Psa. 119 24 Psa. 119 46 Psal. 73 2. 3. 16. 17. 18. Psa. 119 93 Psa. 119 89 Psa. 122 9. Psal. 84 10 2. Pet. 3 â— Iere. 13 16. The argument The disposition The occasioÌ„ PunishmeÌ„ts of Dauid 2. Sam. 13 14. 2. Sam. 13 28. 29. 2. Sam. 15 1 2. 3. 2. Sam. 15 14. 15. 16. 2. Sam. 16 21. 22. 2. Sam. 15 4. 5. 6. 2. Sam. 18 9. 10. Two special things to be considered in this Psalme Auctour of this Psalme Summe of the first verse The Lord of hostes who 2. Sam. 5 10 Psal. 59 5. The whole Trinitie the Lord of hostes Isa. 6 2. 3. Our Sauiour Christ is the Lord of hostes Psal. 24. 10. Isa. 8 8. Why our sauiour Christ is called the Lord of hostes Psal. 24 8. Psal. 72 19. The sâ—ldiers of Christ in his spiritual warfare 1. The 1. order of heaueÌ„lie warriars Heb. 1 14. Dan. 7 10. Reuel 12 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Michael what signifieth 2. Order of spiritual soldiers 2. Cor. 10 3. 4. 5. Ministers weapons 3. Order of spiritual soldiers Ephes. 6 12 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 1. Tim. 1 18. 19. 4. order of spiritual soldiers Exod. 38 8. 5. order of celestial soldiers The vse of al contained in this chapter 1. Tim. 1 18 * Aboue chap. 3. pag. 9 The Iewes The Turks The Muscouites Papistes Epicures Of the Messiah Christ the Sauiour of the world Iosephus lib. 18. cap. 4. Opinions of Christ. Iudas the Galilean Ioseph Benzara Barcozibas Iohn 5 3â— 2. Pet. 1. 19. Maior Minor Conclusion The time of Christ his birth foretold by Iacob the Patriarch and by Daniel the prophet Gen. 49 10. Dan. 9 24. 25. 26. 27. The place Isai. 5. 2. The mother Isai. 7 14. Ier. 31 22. The stocke or kinred of Christ. Psal. 132. 11. Wisemen Isai. 60 6. Num b. 24. 17. Circumcision of Christ. Hag. 2 8. 10. Luke 2 32. Flight into Egypt Hos. 11 1. Isa. 16 1. Christ à Nazaris Samson à figure of Christ. Iudges 13 5 Isai. 11 1.
3 5. 6. Rom. 8 34. Heb. 7 24. 25. Heb. 10 14. 1. Iohn 2 1. Fiue things to be considered in Christe his intercession 1. Christe is to be praied vnto in two respects Rom 4 10. Heb 5 6. Euseb. Lib. 10. Eccles. Hist. 2. In what respect Christ is an intercessor Magist. Sent. Lib. 3. Distinst 19. 3. When Chrih is an intercessour for vs. Rom. 5 10. 2. 4. When God doeth accept the praiers of the faithful Iohn 15 16. Math. 6 9. Heb. 7 25. 5. We are to make none our mediator saue Christe onelie 1. Iohn 2 1. 2 Properties of à liuelie faith Against aâ—ricular confession and absolution True absolution what Of this point somewhat more is spoken aboue Chap. 17. Mat. 18 18. * Chap. 24. in the 3. reason whie the masse is abhominabe Heb. 7 12. Heb. 9 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. The old couenaÌ„t what The new coueant what The ancient fathers before Christ partakers of the newe couenant The newe couenant was in al ages The partes of the couenant betweene God and man Gen. 17 7. 4. 1. The matter or foundation of the couenant 2. Cor. 5 19. Isai 54 10. 2. The wonderful loue of God to vs ward in making this couenant 3. The perpetuitie of God his couenant Heb. 6 13. 14. 17. 18. 4. The largenes of the couenant Seede of AbrahaÌ„ what 5. God bestoweth immortalitie vpon his confederats How we doe couenant with God for our partes Gen. 17 1. Gen. 22 4. 5. c. The couenant of God fulfilled and confirmed by the bloud of Christ. Baptisme and the L. Supper seales that God hath fulfilled his couenant 1. Cor. 11 25 The couenant beweene God and man how iâ— is defined Iere. 31 31. 32. 33. 34. Gal. 4 24. 25. 26. c. The old Testament what Signe of the old couenaÌ„â— Ende of the old couenaÌ„t Time of the couenaÌ„t promised Heb. 9 17. Reuel 13 8. Luk. 1 76. 77. 78. Eze. 36 26. Ezek. 36 26 Difference betweene the new Testament and the Gospel Aug. Lib. 2. Retract Aug. ad Bonif Lib. 3. Whether the ten-commandements be abrogated or no Heb. 8 13. Exo. 19 16. 17. c. Mat. 19 17. Gal. 3 24. Rom. 10 4. 2. Cor. 3 13. 14. c. 1. How the sacrifice of Christ is applied to vs by the word The necessitie of preaching Mar. 16 15. Psal 1 2. Fruite of meditating vpon the worde of God Psal. 1 2. 3. Psal. 2 12. PunishmeÌ„t of the contemners of Gods word Psal 14 1. Psal. 53 1. Psal. 14 1. Psal 53 1 â— Thess 3 10. 11. Warres of the Turke are tokenâ— of God his displeasure for conteÌ„pt of his word 2. Howe the sacrifice of Christ is applied to man by faith Euerie man saued by his own faith Faith what Faith whervpon grounded Rom. 4 7. 8. Psa. 32 1. 2. Matth. 9 2. Mark 5 36. Luk. 8 48. Mat. 18. 21. 22. c. Luk. 7 41. 42. Luk. 15 11. 12. c. 1. Grace Rom. 5 16. 19. Iustification what Against the righteousnes of workes Phil. 3 7. 8. 9. Rom. 10 4. Rom. 3 28. Gal. 2 21. Ephes. 2 8. 9. Rom. 10 4. Rom. 1 16. 17. Against the righteousnes of faith and workes together Rom. 10 3. Gal. 3 11. 12. The arguments of the aduersaries against the doctrine of iustification The true sense of S. Iames touching works Mat. 19 17. Rom. 10 4. Rom. 3 31. Gifte Luk. 1 74. 75. 3. How by the sacraments we maie applie the sacrifice of Christ to our selues Two no â—â—oe sacraments Baptisme whie but once ministred to maÌ„ what iâ— signifieth The L. Supper what is signifieth whie often receaued The conscience healed by the sacrifice of Christ. Mar. 2. 17. Phil 3 20. 21. Heb. 13 18. Esai 64 6. Heb. 9 14. Rom. 5 1. Gal. 3 17. Psal. 51 7. Psal. 119 112. 1. Tim. 1 18. 19. 2. Tim. 2 12 1. Pet. 2 21. The minde of à godlie wise man in prosperitie 1. Pet. 5 6. Luk 14 11. 1. Cor. 1 26. Col. 2 3. Iohn 8 52. Reue. 14 13 Psa. 116 15 Exod. 19 5. 9 Ephes. 2 3. How Christians are made priests Ephes. 5 26. Reuel 1 5. 6. Rom. 6 3. Gal. 3 27. Psal. 132 9. 2. Cor. 1 21. 22. 1. Pet. 2 9. The couenant betweene God and Christians Priests Mal. 2 5. 6. 7. Paries of the couenaÌ„t betweene God and Christian Priestes Psa. 111. 10. Matt. 7 15. 1. Pet. 2 5. 9. Rom. 9 26. Iohn 1 12. Eucharisticall sacrifice what The workes of Christians whie called a sacrifice Kindes of Eucharistical sacrifices 1. We offer sacrifice as Baptisme 2. Christians do offer sacrifice when theie dailie crucifie their wicked affections Rom. 13 1. Rom. 12 2. Rom. 6 10. 11. Luk. 9 23. Rom. 12 1. Luk. 9 23. 3. ChristiaÌ„â— do offer sacrifice when theie praise God Psal. 50 23 14. Hos. 14 3. Confession of the faith in the time of persecution whie necessarie Rom. 10 10. 4. Christians doe sacrifice when theie praie Psal. 14 2. Reuel 5 8. Mich. 6 6. 8. 5. Christians doe offer sacrifice to God when theie repent vnfainedlie Psal. 51 17. Isai. 57 15. Isai. 66 2 Iere. 23 29. 6. Christians do sacrifice when theie suffer affliction patientlie Iob. 19 25. 7. The seauenth sacrifice of Christians righteousnes in conuersatioÌ„ Psal. 4 5. Hos 6 6. Heb 13 16. The 8. sacrifice of Christians Rom. 15 15 16. The ministers of the Gospel how and when priestes 1. Pet. 5 3. Psal. 50 16 17 1 Dan. 12. 3. The summe of this verse Who trulie happie God principalie and through himselfe happie End of man what Fal of man 1. Iohn 3 â— An obiectioÌ„ Matth. 5 4. 10. 2. Tim. 2 12 2. Tim. 2 1â— Psal. 119 1. The first step vnto heauen Isai. 5 Luk. 11 28. Psal. 1 1 2. Psal. 119 2. Excellencie of God his worde Worldlie wisedome Rom. 10 18 1. Tim. 2 4. Mat. 21 43 What is to be learned by seeing manie nations at this daie without the Gospel of Christe Mat. 21 33 Howe the word bringeth saluation 2. Cor. 2 16. Iohn 17 3. Luk. 11 28. Rom. 4 7. The 2. step vnto heaueÌ„ Psal. 112 1. Psa. 119 1. Matth. 5 5. Rom. 10 4. Ephes. 2 8 9. 10. The 3. step vnto heaueÌ„ Act. 14 22. 2. Tim. 3 12 Iob 5 17. 18. 1. Cor. 11 32 Matt. 5 10. 11. The 4. step vnto heaueÌ„ Mat. 10 22. Reue. 14 13 1. Pet. 1 9. Coloss. 1 23. Iohn 15 7. Heb. 3 14. Where the soules of the righteous are vntil the daie of iudgement Luk. 23 43. Phil. 1 23. Reue. 14 13. Phil. 3 21. Psal. 17 15. Ecclesi 1 8. Reuel 21. 2. 4. 18. 22. 23. Reuel 22 5. 4. 1. Cor. 2 9. 1. Cor. 13 12 Rom. 1 17. Gal. 5 16. Coloss. 3 1. Heb. 11 13. Heb. 13 14. Phil 3. 13. 14. Against the vaine opinions of the Philosophers concerning true happines Against the Epicures Prou. 5 3. 4. Antisthenes Critolaus Architas
of God is not men wander from the right waie Where the Lawe of God is not there is meere darkenes Hitherto in like sorte pertaineth the first commandement Thou shalt haue none other Gods before me And therefore it is for God alone vpon whome each creature should depend to prescribe the forme howe he wil be worshipped Dauid then instructed by this commandement did praie aright when he saide Lead me forth in thie truth and teach me for thou art the God of my saluation Againe Theie worship me in vaine teaching for doctrines mens traditions Then al the inuentions of man are vnnecessarie burdens as theie which detract from the auctoritie of God Furthermore whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne For faith of the worde is faith Wheresoeuer then the worde is not in vaine doth man purpose to please God Againe Yee shal not do euerie man whatsoeuer seemeth good in his owne eies And Ezekiel Walke ye not in the ordinances of your fathers c. Walke in my statutes By these and manie other places that is confirmed which we did propose But this Masse wherein theie feigne an oblation to be made for the quicke and dead not onelie hath no commandement of God which thing is necessarilie required in the maner of seruing God but also is quite contrarie to the institutiō of Christ who biddeth the liuing to take eate and drinke and to do that in remembrance of him This reason should satisfie al good men especialie such as knowe that the Prophets zealouslie doe reproue the blindenes of those men which without the commandement of God doe institute worshippinges in the Church This foundation made the diuorcement betweene Luther and the Pope This foundation doth cleare the consciences of such good soules as forsake the baude of Rome and flie vnto their moste vncorrupted spouse euen our Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of God And this foundation doth strengthen and comfort the saintes while theie be compelled to sustein exile affliction shame and losse of their goodes for the confession of the true doctrine to whom long custome and the auctoritie of their Elders is too too impudentlie obiected For as Tertullian saieth none maie prescribe to the truth either spaces of time or the authoritie of persons or the priuiledge of regions Because our Lord Christ who continueth for euer named himselfe the truth not custome The second It is cursed impietie and abhominable reproch against the sonne of God to turne-ouer y e glorie due to Christ alone vnto à sacrifising priest But this is don in y e Popish Masse For the sacrifising priest arrogateth the glorie of offering à propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of all men both quicke and dead to himselfe when he braggeth howe he doth offer for the quicke and for the dead For as aboue hath bin shewed Popish priestes are to that end consecrated But now seeing the heauenlie father wil that men doe repose the eternal sanctification of them selues onelie in the oblation of Christ for so y e spirite of God in the Epistle vnto the Hebrues doth saie But this man to wit Christ after he had offeredone sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God and from hence-forth tarrieth til his enimies be made his foote-stoole For with one offering hath he consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Againe Christe being come an hie Priest by his owne bloud entered he in once into the holie place and obteined eternal redemption for vs. And againe How much more shal the bloud of Christ which through the eternal spirite offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead workes to serue the liuing God! Who seeth not that cursed impietie and abhominable reproche is done to the sonne of God by à sacrifising priest if he arrogate euen the smalest part of Christe his glorie to himselfe The third The holie spirit in Paul doth saie There is one God and one Mediator betweene God and man which is the man Christe Iesus who gaue himselfe a ransome for al men In which saieng of Paul there be two things The first is an assertion wherebie Christe is made the mediator betweene God and man The second à reason of the assertion namelie for that Christ alone and none but he hath giuen him selfe à ransome for al men For Paule wil haue these partes of Christ his priesthood to wit sacrifice and intercession to be so ioined together that theie cannot be seuered As therfore Iesus alone is the priest which by his sacrifice once offered doth purge wickednes so is he alone the mediator by whome onelie we haue accesse vnto the Father For the intercession dependeth vpon the merite of the sacrifice So that intercession can not be transferred vpon anie beside him whose duetie it is to make propitiatorie sacrifice When therefore this dignitie of intercession is ascribed to à sacrifising priest great iniurie is done to the sonne of God But this do the Papists in their fained sacrifice For theie doe not onelie arrogate to them-selues the honour of purging sinnes but also vsurpe the office of intercession which is peculiar to Christ. For this is in their praier in the Masse We offer to thie noble maiestie of thie benefites and giftes à pure sasacrifice a holie sacrifice an immaculate sacrifice the holie breade of euerlasting life and the cup of perpetual saluation vpon which do thou vouchsafe to looke with à fauourable and gratious countenance and to accept them as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept the giftes of thie childe Abel the righteous and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham and that holie and immaculate sacrifice which Melchisedech thie most hie Prieste offered to thee We humblie beseech thee ô Almightie God command these to be carried-vp by the hande of thine holie Angels vnto thine hie altar c. And again in the same secrete of the Masse theie ascribe the like honour to the dead when the priest craueth that thorough their merites and praiers we maie be armed with the help of Gods protection Here we do see à double impietie to be ioined together For theie doe not onelie make à Priest the intercessor who standeth-vpon the dignitie of his sacrifice but also theie craue that through the merites and praiers of the Apostles and Martyrs God would protect them And although it folowe through our Lorde Iesus Christe yet moste plainelie theie bewraie their impietie in that theie testifie in plaine wordes howe theie depende both vpon the dignitie of the sacrifice and merites of the Saintes But when the Papistes doe obiecte howe Paule adhorteth that one would praie and make intercession for another I answere the saintes do praie make intercession each for others not with anie confidence vpon their owne worthines and merites but vpon the worthines and merites of the onelie Mediator our Lord and sauiour Christ. But the Papistes in making the saintes