and cause thē to shew it him againe Christ teacheth Nichodemus after many other argumentes to vnderstand the doctrine of regeneration spoken of vers 3. by the cause namely by the first and principall cause which is a God God in whom there is rehearsed no b So loued outwarde cause to moue him but onely that of his owne goodnes his singular loue did this worke namely hee loued c The world the world which by no meanes had deserued it The greatnes of which loue is shewed by the d He gaue worke that he gaue his sonne not purchased by any prayers merits or rewarde of ours but of his free gift And e His sonne what gaue he the earth the heauen cattell infinit treasures heauenly spirits Nothing so yea rather that which excelleth al these things euen his sonne And what f Onely begotten sonne an adopted sonne or counterfeit sonne No but his only begotten sonne And g Not perish but haue eternall life why did hee giue him that we should bestow any thing vpon him or that wee can doe any thing for him Least of all but that he might deliuer vs from euerlasting perdition and giue vs eternall life Vpon what h Whosoeuer beleeueth in l.im. condition that we should do all his lawe and satisfie by contrition pilgrimage or workes of condignitie or supererrogation No such thing but whosoeuer beleeueth in him So that wee with Nichodemus may learne that God giuing his sonne of his singular loue doth work this new birth when by the preaching of the Gospell the spirit frameth in vs faith in Christ and when by faith he maketh vs partakers of euerlasting saluation then doe we enter into the kingdome of heauen And so it is expounded by the a Tit. 3.5.6.7 Apostle God of his mercie saueth vs by the new birth which is shed vpon vs thorow Christ that being iustified by his grace wee may bee made heires thorow hope of eternall life Now there are in these wordes certaine things to bee further explaned that seeing their meaning more cleerely wee may more fitly gather out the seuerall braunches of doctrine First in this word * Loued what loued I vnderstand the goodnes of God according to his eternall decree which is called b Eph. 1.5 The good pleasure of his will As the c Esay 53.10 Prophet also sayth The Lord would breake him c. Secondly I vnderstand this word * World what world for the vniuersall and whole mankinde according to the couenant of God made vnto d Gen. 12.3 which is expounded before Abraham namely that hee loued both Iewes and Gentiles as is plainly taught Rom. 3.29.30 Yet e Reade Deut. 10.14.15 Rom. 9.7.8 Acts. 10.34.35.43 euery particular and singuler person is not meant thereby as Christ expoundeth himselfe when he addeth this limitation that whosoeuer beleeueth c. Thirdly this word * Perish what perish signifieth the miserable condition of mankinde in himselfe by sinne yet when hee sayth should not perish he meaneth not that in this world wee should not dye for a time but that f Ioh. 11 25.26 although we be dead we should be quickened and rise againe vnto eternall life Neither doe I thinke that this bodily death is that death which was threatned to g Gen. 2.17 Adam which is properly the death h Eph. 2.1 in sinne and to bee banished from the presence of God as was Adam Gen. 3. Therefore this is our life to bee i 1. Pet. 3.18 brought by Christ vnto GOD to k Psal 16.11 enioy whose presence is euerlasting life it selfe The summe then is this The free good will of God hath giuen his onely begotten sonne vnto all mankinde that whomsoeuer hee by his spirit thorow hearing the Gospell dooth regenerate and make to beleeue should bee deliuered from eternall death in sinne and obtaine the euerlasting glorie of God As I haue been somewhat longer in opening this most worthie place Direction to the gouernour of the house so I finde here a most large field of Catechisme Where I will obserue this order for the direction of the gouernour of the house whom I perswade my selfe by that time he hath beaten the former Catechismes into his peoples heads shal perceiue them better able to receiue stronger meate I will shewe the manifest beautie of this sentence as a most goodly tree where the master shall guide his folke to gather very many kindes of fruites to the comfortable feeding and nourishing of the soule and how to discerne by the good fruite that which is euill First therefore the doctrines shall offer themselues out of this sentence with most sweete comforts annexed vnto them and in the second place mine hand shall poynt out vnto him how he may descrie vnto his familie the errors contrary vnto the same Vnto euery doctrine I will adde some one place of Scripture for the further enlightning of their vnderstanding The doctrines 1. 1 This is shewed out of the whole sway of the text especially in the words loued gaue and the end of giuing which shewe his liuely working towards his creatures preseruation c. and so would hee bee knowne Exod. 34.6 Malac. 1.2 1. Ioh. 4.16 Psalm 9.16 God is euerliuing the most holy creator and wise gouernour and Sauiour of the world 2. 2 This is expressed sauing of the holie Ghost which is shewed by the effect beleeue which is set for his cause vers 5.1 Ioh 5.7 In this one God are three distinct persons God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Here he must begin to shewe the distinction of the persons thus 3. 3 This is in a manner expressed sauing of the holy Ghost reade Ioh 15.16 The Father begetteth the Sonne begottē the holy Ghost proceedeth from thē both 4. 4 The beginning of the father to loue and send c. the dispensation it is done by the Son the perfection the holy Ghost worketh faith c. the like Gen. 1.1 Tit. 3.6.7 Heb. 1.2 1. Cor. 12.11 The beginning of euery action is giuen to the Father the dispensation to the Sonne the perfection or consummation to the holy Ghost 5. 5 Made man is in the word gaue for by incarnatiō he was giuen Ioh. 1.14 Mat. 1. all the rest is clecre enough The person and office of Christ person Christ is the onely begotten sonne of GOD made man his office he is our Sauiour 6. 6 1. Pet. 2.9.10 The estate of mankinde by Adams fall is here shewed for vnlesse God had giuen his onely begotten sonne we had perished 7. 7 Eph 1.5.6.7.8.9.10 and cap. 4.11.12 The causes of our saluation and their concurrence and proceeding first the good pleasure of Gods will who freely loueth vs the first cause secondly the matter or meanes he vseth Christ by his incarnation suffering c. thirdly the ioyning of these causes into his forme that is
two sorts of points What wee are of ourselues What wee are made by Christ The doctrines 1. 1 Otherwise there needed not the promise Eph. 2.1.2 Of ourselues wee are sinners and therefore accursed to damnation by Adams fall 2. 2 This is in a manner the text By Christ wee are made blessed that is heires of eternall life 3. 3 Expoūded Heb. 2.16 Here is taught what Christ is touching his person as in the former Catechisme Christ is God and man of the seede of Abraham 4. 4 These two are gathered out of this text Gal. 3.6.8 Rom. 4.11.12.23.24 There is but one way of saluation which is common to Iew and Gentill 5. 5 These two are gathered out of this text Gal. 3.6.8 Rom. 4.11.12.23.24 Christ is applied vnto vs for iustification by no meanes but faith onely 6. 6 So gathered Gal. 3.17.18 Our saluation commeth not of workes in our doing or will in our choosing but of Gods free promise 7. Vnder this word blessed 7 Gal. 3.29 1. Cor. 1.30 Reuel 20.6 are contained all Gods graces and gifts which thorough Christ hee giueth to his Church and his protection in this life with the resurrection vnto life eternall 8. One part of this blessednes is 8 So applied Luk. 1.73 Act. 3.25.26 that Christ turneth vs from our sinnes and leadeth vs by the promise to walke in godlines and honestie 9. 9 For this promise is exclusiue as Act. 4.12 Gal. 1.8 Ioh. 3.18 There is no other meanes of saluation but Christ and therefore all other professions and religions which teach not the true beleefe in Christ are the synagogues of Satan and seminaries of hell fire 10. 10 Ancienter by 430 yeares then the law of works Gal. 3.17 Tit. 1.1 Heb. 13.8.9 That we are iustified and saued by faith onely is the most ancient doctrine being taught by God vnto Abraham long before euer there was any Church of Rome Here the master of the familie may applie vnto euery particular person how his faith should agree with these points by the example of Iob whose Creede thus followeth Iob. 19.25 I am sure my redeemer liueth c. Where thou maist see his faith in that he saith I am sure his acknowledgement of sins and expectation of Christ in the word Redeemer and in the word liueth hee sheweth that Christ is alway the onely q So expounded Heb. 7.24.25 sufficient fauiour his hope of the resurrection is plaine in the rest and the description of eternall life in this r So defined Psal 16.11 17.15 he shall see God CAP. 5. The third Catechisme for confirmation in knowledge The place of Scripture Esay 53.11 By his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many whose iniquities he shal beare The Interpretation THese words are euidently a prophesie of Christ Iesus wherin the master must teach his familie to cōsider the persons First he that speaketh is God then the persons of whom he speaketh are two 1. Christ whō he calleth his righteous seruant 2. all beleeuers which are many men and women whose sinnes hee beareth The Doctrine 1. 1 In the first person 2. Tim. 1.9 God decreeth the saluation of many by Christ 2. Mans works free-will 2 This followeth of the first merit and satisfaction are excluded by the vndesired and vndeserued good pleasure of GOD in so decreeing 3. In Christ we see two things 3 This appeareth in the two following what hee is in himselfe and what to vs the first we call his person and the second his office adioyned to his person 4. In his person hee is called a seruant 4 In the second person Gods seruant and a iust seruant A seruant because being God he became a man which is called the ſ Philip. 2.6.7 forme of a seruant Gods seruant because hee came to doe t Heb. 10.7 Gods will Just or righteous because it behoued that hee being u 1. Pet. 3.18 iust should die for vs who are vniust so that he being x Heb. 4.14.15 GOD was also man in all thing sauing sinne 5. 5 In that God assigneth and accepteth him to iustifie vs c. 1. Tim. 2.5.6 His office is here generally to be a mediator betweene God and man 6. The parts of his office 6 This is shewed in the two following Psalm 110. are his Kingdome his Priesthood 7. He being King of his Church giueth giftes that is Ministers to teach remission of sinnes and so as the righteous King he iustifieth all beleeuers 7 In these words by his knowledge shal c. Act. 2.33 Eph. 4.8.9.10.11 8. Hee being Priest beareth our sinnes 8 So expounded Heb. 9.11.12 when he made himselfe a liuely sacrifice to his father for vs. 9. 9 This expoundeth the former two in them is contained reade 2. Cor. 5.19.20.21 Rom. 4.25 and cap. 10.4.14 By his Priesthoode he performeth the worke of our righteousnes and by his Kingly office hee applieth it vnto vs. For being Priest he dieth for our sins and riseth to make vs righteous but yet till by hearing this kings Embassadors wee doe beleeue wee are not iustified 10. 10 In the third person Many c. Rom. 3.23.24.25 Wee are of our owne nature sinners and al our iustification and redemption commeth onely by the free will of God thorow beleefe in Iesus Christ 11. 11 Reade Rom. 8.30 Tit. 3.7 Vnder iustification is contained glorification or euerlasting life for these necessarilie follow each other 12. 12 Gal. 1.4 If Christ iustifie vs by bearing our sinnes then wee must knowe that aboue all things we ought to flie sinne Here the Master of the familie may applie to his people in a short summe the substance of this Catechisme by the words of Habbakuck cap. 2. ver 4. The iust shall liue by his faith In regarde of iustification thus y So expounded Rom. 1.17 Galat. 3.11 a good man findeth in himselfe no wisdome righteousnes power will or workes to leane vnto but looketh for his iustification and saluation onely by faith in Christ In regarde of sanctification thus z So opened Heb. 10.38.39 1. Pet. 4.19 Gal. 2.19.20 A good man forsaketh all his owne earthly deuises and all wicked workes in the maintaining of his estate and life beleeuing that his life shall bee maintayned without any euill deuises or shiftes and therefore committeth his soule life and all hee hath into Gods hands in weldooing depending vpon the mercie and promise of God in Christ CAP. 6. The fourth Catechisme for confirmation of knowledge The place of holy Scripture Psalme 130.3 If thou O Lorde streightly markest iniquities O Lorde who shall stand 4. But mercie is with thee that thou maiest be feared The Interpretation THis text is a confession of faith agreeing in substance with the former wherein the faithfull soule applieth the doctrine of iustification vnto a speciall vse in prayer
vse namely that it is not now as common bread to feede our bodies onely but it hath a sacramentall and holy vse annexed for the feeding of our soules that is Wee shew the Lordes death herein till hee come The summe then is seeing hee deliuered vnto them onely that he receiued and that in this order and to this vse they must not prophane this holy Sacrament by their disorder or additaments what so euer to doe in any other order or to any other vse more or lesse then it was ordained Whereupon he proceedeth in the rest of the chapter to giue them certain canons or precepts out of the premisses namely how they should reforme themselues and doe it orderly and profitablie The Doctrine of the Catechisme 1. Out of both places These two places open vnto vs the couenant of God touching the saluation of his elect by two things First by doctrine as a writing declaratorie Secondly by Sacraments as seales of that writing confirmatory 2. The doctrine is in the description of the persons couenanting one with another and the couenant it selfe 3. 3 In the first place vers 4.5.6 The first person is he who offereth the couenant namely God who is described by the speciall worke which hee doth in the couenant hee maketh his bountifulnes appeare and is therefore intituled a Sauiour as one that seeketh vs and not we him 4. The second man 4 Vers 3. shutting out pure naturals free will c. who receiueth the couenants who is described voyde of all goodnes in minde will affections works for so * Ezech. 16.4.5.8 God findeth vs in our filthines before the couenant 5. 5 In the second place vers 24.25 The third person is the mediator of the couenant Christ who giueth his body and blood for the confirmation of the couenant 6. 6 This is out of both places The couenant it selfe is first called the new Testament that is * Ierem. 31.31 not of the lawe of workes but of mercie and grace Therefore on the partie that offereth it is thus described First God propoundeth himselfe to bee our God and Sauiour then hee receiueth vs to himselfe by mercie in Christ and not by our workes Thirdly he sheweth the effect of the couenant that wee should bee iustified by his grace and made heyres thorow hope of eternal life On our part the condition is no more but to receiue all this by faith in Christ which is giuen vs in the new birth and therefore * Rom. 8.15 called the spirite of Adoption by which wee call God Father And so the couenant is made on our part as it is * Gal. 3.26 written Yee are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus Where you may see that Christ is the mediator * Eph. 2.18 to bring vs to God namely by beleefe in him Which couenant God will haue declared before men by the vse of his seruice as profession Sacraments c. and by obedience vnto euery good worke 7. In beholding which couenant wee may see all merit and reioycing in man vtterly excluded For before the couenant wee are altogether voyde of all goodnes in the couenant wee are receiued and saued by mercie without workes Christ is a mediator to God for vs paying the ransome of our sinnes by him is powred vpon vs the new birth and renewing of the holy Ghost by him we are iustified and made heyres of euerlasting life If we haue faith or hope they are all the giftes of God thorow Christ so that wee haue euery way cause of abasing our selues and onely to * 1. Cor. 1.30 reioyce in him Wherefore the Church ascribing nothing to her selfe maketh this ioyfull confession a Esay 61.10 I will greatly reioyce in the Lord and my soule shall be ioyfull in my God for he hath clothed mee with the garments of saluation and couered me with the robe of righteousnes c. Now not minding to shew euery particular poynt which these two places affoord An obseruation to the teacher we will come to the second parte of the Sacraments In handling whereof if any thing bee not in one of these two texts for it were much all to be I will set in the margine some other place as a supplie to their wants and this doctrine is in two things 1. How many Sacraments 2. What they be 8. There are but two Sacraments of the * I say couenāt because the word sacrament is vsed diuersly this shutteth of vnproper vses couenant that is to say Baptisme and the Lords Supper The other poynt What they bee will appeare easie if wee learne how they agree betweene themselues and how they differ both betweene themselues and also from others 9. Two Sacraments agree in foure things These two Sacraments agree in these things 1. In a generall definition A Sacrament is a signe and seale of the couenant of grace First they are signes 1 In a generall definition as water washing in Baptisme bread and wine eating and drinking in the Lords Supper They are both signes of the couenant for Baptisme signifieth Christs bloud in the couenant and so dooth the Lords Supper and they bee both more thē bare signes euen seales of assurance For as the seale is set to a will or deed to confirme the writing so are these two appointed by Christ to assure vs of the thing they signifie Therefore the one is called his body and the other the washing of the new birth not because they bee chaunged in nature but by such a neere speech to assure vs of the thing sealed or signed They both herein assure vs of our iustification and sanctification Secondly 2 They be as badges they bee both outward badges of our profession as by the one we shew the Lords death and by the other that wee are Gods children by a new birth Thirdly 3 Both commanded Mat. 28.18.19 they both haue a commandement from Christ Fourthly 4 Both haue a forme of administration Acts. 2.14.37.38 Mar. 16.15.16 they both haue a prescribed forme of administration in regard of the Minister and people The Minister is appoynted to preach and declare the couenant and to administer the Sacraments the people to heare and to receiue the Sacraments In Baptisme the Minister must wash with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost the person to bee admitted into the Church is to submit himselfe to such a washing In the Lords Supper the Minister by thanksgiuing is to set apart to this holy vse the bread wine seuerally to breake the bread and to giue afterwards seuerally first bread and then wine to the people bidding them to eate drinke c. and the people ought to receiue them both seuerally first bread and then wine and to eate the bread and drinke the wine not as common bread and wine but as sanctified to the
saluation expressely and some to damnation by consequent Iud vers 4. Pro. 16.4 1. Pet. 2.8 The performance of this predestination is by election in Christ expressely by reprobation from Christ by consequent such as refuse Christ Ioh. 8.42.43.47 CAP. 4. Of the execution of Gods decree Psalm 33.6.7.8.9.10.11 The execution of Gods decree is that he performeth his eternal purpose by creating all things vers 6.7.8 By gouerning all things in their times seasons vers 10.11 CAP. 5. Of the creation Gen. chap. 1. and chap. 2. These two chapters teach vs. 1. God made all things by his word of nothing 2. In sixe daies 3. Man in the sixt day 4. God made man and woman that is male and female in one day cap. 1.26.27 5. God made man of the dust of the earth touching his body and breathed in him his soule so he had both body soule cap. 2.7 6. The woman was made of the man God cast him in a deepe sleepe took out one of his ribbes and closed vp the flesh and of the ribbe made the womā the mans name was Adam the womans Eue chap. 2.21.22 chap. 3.20 7. The excellencie of man aboue other earthly creatures is in two thinges 1. They were created after the image of God which shineth principally in the soule chap. 1.27 which is in knowledge Coloss 3.10 and practise of holines righteousnes Eph. 4.24 2. They were created in most perfect happines where vnto the image of God these things were ioyned they had authoritie and Lordship ouer the creatures chap. 1.28 they were so beautifull that being naked they were not ashamed cap. 2.25 CAP. 6. Gouernment before the fall Gen. cap. 2. God placed man in a most pleasant place of the world called the garden of Eden vers 15. 2. He gaue him commandement to keepe and to dresse the garden vers 15. 3. He gaue him the tree of life in the middest of the garden as a Sacrament that if hee continued in well doing he should liue for euer vers 9. cap. 3.22 4. He gaue him this order he might take of all the trees in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and euill and in that day he should eate thereof he should dye the death vers 16.17 5. Hee instituted marriage to bee of one man and one woman that they two should be one flesh vers 24. CAP. 7. The fall of man Gen. 3. In this chapter the storie of the fall of man is set forth in these poynts 1. The diuell abusing the tongue of a serpent entised the womā Eue and she did eate of the forbidden fruite and she gaue to her husband Adam he did eate and so the cōmandemēt of God was broken ver 1.2.3 c. 2. By this disobedience Adam and Eue and all mankind were dead in finne and vnder damnation of bodie and soule that is hee lost his excellencie and became ashamed of himselfe vers 7.8.9.10 expounded Eph. 2.1.2.3 Rom. 5.12.13.14 3. To make man to see his owne miserie God cursed the earth for his sake that it shuld bring forth briers thistles and thornes made the man to get his liuing with toile and paine till hee dyed the woman with sorrowe and griefe to bring forth and bring vp her childrē and banished them both out of the garden of Eden vers 16.17 c. CAP. 8. Gouernment after the fall The restoring of man The two couenants Iere. 31.31.32.33.34 This place teacheth 1. For the restoring of man from the death of sinne and damnation God made two couenants the couenant of workes and the couenant of mercie 2. The couenant of works is that God will be our God if wee keepe all his commaundements vers 31.32 3. The couenant of mercie is God will bee our God by forgiuenes of sinnes thorow Christ and write his lawes in our hearts vers 33.34 Heb. 10.12.13.15.16 4. We are not saued by the couenant of workes that is by keeping of Gods commandements for no man can do them vers 32. But wee are saued by the couenant of mercie that is by beleefe in Iesus Christ by whom our sins are forgiuen vers 33.34 Rom. 8.3 Eph. 2.8.9 CAP. 9. Of the first couenant which is of workes and the true force and perpetuall vse of the law Rom. 3.10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. The lawe bewrayeth sinfulnes pronounceth vs guiltie maketh vs vnable to open our mouthes to claime any things at Gods hand for our owne righteousnes or well dooing that we might run vnto Christ in the couenant of mercie to be iustified and saued by beleefe in him Gal. 3.21.22 Ephes 2.8 9 10. Although we cannot bee saued or iustified by our workes or well-dooing yet God hath ordayned the good workes commanded in his lawe for those who shall be saued by the couenant of mercie to walke in as a perpetuall rule of right liuing to all beleeuers 1. Thess 4.2.3.4 with 1. Ioh. 3.6 7 8 Here the ten Commaundements are to be expounded CAP. 10. Of the couenant of mercie and the mediator thereof 2. Cor. 5.19 This teacheth the order of the couenant of mercie namely thus God calleth vs by his Gospell vnto his mercie thorow Christ and offereth to reconcile vs vnto himselfe thorow him by forgiuenes of sinnes and we are in couenant with him when he giueth vs faith in Christs blood Rom. 3.25 Gal. 4.4.5 This place sheweth the mediator Christ by his person and office His person that he is the sonne of God made man that is to say perfect GOD and perfect man in one person man to be like his bretheren as Heb. 2.17 God to be holy harmeles c. as Heb. 7.26 His office to be the mediator of the couenant of mercie in that by his death he redeemeth vs from vnder the lawe to bee made the children of God Psal 110.1 2 3 4. This text sheweth the parts of Christs office of mediatorship namely that hee should bee King verse 1.2.3 and Priest verse 4. CAP. 11. Of the Priesthoode of Christ 1. Pet. 3.18.19 This declareth that Christs Priesthoode is fulfilled in two points 1. in his perfect obedience as a iust and holy man vnto death and all other priestly actions thereunto adioyned verse 18. Secondly in his propheticall function verse 19. Rom. 8.33.34 This declareth the priestlie actions of Christ to be of two sortes 1. the sacrifice of his death and his resurrection to put away our sinnes and to make vs righteous Rom. 4.25 2. sitting at the right hand of God to make intercession for vs. CAP. 12. Of the Kingdome of Christ and namely before and vntill the last iudgement Ephes 4.11 12 13 14 15 16. Here is the kingly office of Christ described 1. Hee is head of his church who nourisheth it and furnisheth it in all things verse 16. 2. This furniture is in the applying of the workes of his priesthood both before and vntill the last iudgement and at the iudgement verse 11.12.13 3.