words which was both spoken by God himself and written in the Tables and that two severall times laid up in the Arke and recorded for publique testification by Moses also to teach the people and so the very letter and words by how much more dignified the more and above all others to be received and esteemed 7. How did God speake it Not onely by his Prophets and servants and dictate of his Spirit as other Scriptures so also holy and sanctified but this with his owne voice in audience of Israel to their terror in power and great glory that they were amazed and fled againe and with so much the more feare and reverence to be received 8. How is the 20. Chapter of Exodus urged As the duplicate probation from testimony of holy Scripture also where it is recorded with all the circumstances of the preparation and delivery of the same 9. What circumstances There in that 20. Chapter and the precedent Chapter set forth As 1. the preparation after the manner of those times with great purifying washing and cleansing the bodies and thereby signified the soules purity required to receiving that holy Law and so teaching us what preparation for it c. 2. Charge not to presume beyond certaine markes and bounds set on paine of death to signifie these bounds of the Law transgrest much more meriting death 3. The Lords 1. descending with great terror the trumpet sounding earth quaking lightning flying abroad that Moses trembled and the people fled for feare to shew and signifie how awfull regard to be had thereof Secondly the Lords speaking with so great power and majesty that people also feared so exceedingly that they prayed Moses thence forward to speake to them lest hearing Gods voice they should die Thirdly the Lords writing the Lawes with his owne finger in the Tables of stone shewing their stony-heartednesse and that nothing but Gods finger was able to imprint them there all for the more reverence and that we be not negligent of his most holy lawes 10. How is it called the law of Moses As by him recorded yea and the Tables by him received from the Lord and so of him noted these circumstances also there 1. His fasting forty dayes at the receiving therof to shew with what penitence abstinence and humility it ought to bee received by us and as Christ also to the promulgation of that better law fasted also forty dayes 2. His zeale for Gods honour against the peoples idolatry in so much that he brake the Tables as they their faith to God 3. His glorious aspect and face shining so at receiving of the Law that the people were not able to behold him to signifie the honour of his ministry from God and the blindnesse of the Jews that had not power neither to looke the Law or Moses in the face to see the end of the Law and looke upon the Messias as they ought unlesse the Lord take away the vaile of blindnesse from their eyes and heart 11. Why are the words double so of speaking and saying To signifie and shew not onely the speaking or pronouncing was from God to dignifie the words but saying as establishing with authority and commanding thereby requiring awfull obedience to the same 12. Which is Moses preface Intimated in the former and almost in the same words expressed thus God spake all these words saying Exod. 20. 1. 13. What to be observed For the most part as in the former preface so here to be noted The author God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He spake and said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Law written wherein the universality all and not onely part thereof regularity reduced to words these words spoken heard written and recorded The authority whereby as spoken for declaration established for confirmation saying I am c. 14. Which is the third preface Gods own as immediately prefixed to that first Commandement and so by some called a reason of the Command and in these words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of c. 15. Is it then a reason or preface It may well be both a preface taken from the reason of enforcing their obedience and so it is a Preface as it is prefixed to the Commandement Reason in respect of the obedience urged 16. Is it a preface to the first onely or all the Commandements To the first primarily as either immediately prefixed or as the first Commandement is the chiefe and ground of all the rest To the residue of good consequence as respecting them also and enforcing obedience to them all 17. VVhat observe you in that preface The Lords name the author and so the authority I am c. Attribute requiring reverence Lord thy God Actions of deliverance enforcing duty and obedience Which brought c. 18. VVhat is his name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah rendred the Lord I am the Lord taking it for his name and thereby manifesting himselfe to the Fathers in his mighty power essence and majesty and in that veneration held with the Jewes that in latter times they forbearing to speak or pronounce it they lost the true genuine pronunciation and spake read Adonai or Lord for it so it was called Ineffabile and Tetragrammaton as written with those foure letters the principall Matres Lectionis as it were whereof the Jewes writ many rare and excellent observations though in abstruse divinity and so by them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the name is understood of this most high and holy name 19. VVhat noted you in it These things especially and usually 1. The originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also that other name of God or essence as originall of all being 2. Letters first of aspiration doubled in it as from whom all life and breathing derived and proceeding Secondly of it the formatives of the tenses as comprehending all time past present and future shewing his eternity 3. Signification in the highest degree substance essence or being as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or super substantia as it is said to the first and last who was and is and is to come yet semper eidem the same 4. Manifestation of it to Moses and the Fathers for a blessing and comfort and so is it to all them that are his and that may know him and call upon his name 20. VVhat learne we hence His great authority and awfull reverence to his most holy name and majesty 21. VVhat Attributes Of Thy God or strength Thy deliverer or defence So appropriating his goodnesse in mercy and deliverance to his people Israel 22. But is not God also his name It is but as Jehovah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is more peculiarly assumed to himselfe in testification of his Majesty and particular revelation of himselfe to Abraham Moses and the Fathers so more especially accounted his and God betokening his goodnes or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying his strength
ordaine whatsoever necessary for Gods honour as this is and setting things in order as they cannot but confesse done in all other things 32. Such as doe question this make as little scruple to question the Churches power and disobey it Which they should not doe especially if they well consider that spoken to the Apostles by Christ and in them to the Church Who receiveth you receiveth me and who despiseth you despiseth me and not so onely but him that sent me and as reverent Hooker to this point hath it is it a small offence to despise the Church of God or disobey the Lawes and Ordinances of the Church saith Salomon My sonne keepe thy fathers commandement and forget not thy mothers instruction binde them alwaies about thy heart it doth notstand with the duty we owe the heavenly Father to disobey the Ordinance of the Church our mother and let us not say or thinke we keepe the Commandements of the one when we break the Law of the other for unlesse we observe both we obey neither and which is more the Laws thus made and ordained by the Church God himselfe doth in such sort authorise that to despise them is to despise him in them so then for the power Christ giving them such power and his Spirit and promising assistance to the worlds end and they executing his will and exercising that power as we see the Apostles did and used to doe ordered and gave rules for it saying let all things be done decently and in order with the like instructions as they also promised by themselves to see done the Apostle saying Other things will I set in order when I come as most likely by the consequent practice of it this was then done and that power never dying but that Spirit continuing and directing them in all truth to the worlds end they and their successors had full power to ordaine as no doubt they did these and the like things and this by all good Christians to bee obeyed 33. How farre then is the Churches order to bee obeyed As we heard before and however by divers minced and controverted limited curtalled and contracted yet God and Christ binding us to it and the decree in things so primarily pertaining to the honour of God as this is without contradiction to be accounted of Apostolicke and sacred authority and as we heare simply and absolutely in spiritualibus so in ordine ad spiritualia no doubt but deservedly to be reverenced and obeyed by all good Christians in all necessary circumstances and all reasonable and indifferent things and this day and manner of sanctifying it in every respect primarily and directly subject to the Churches authority nor need they question this since the Jewes Church had power in such things and circumstances of the divine worship not particularly determined by God himselfe or his servant Moses in the Law as seen in sundry very materiall rites and observances as the appointment of hours for the daily sacrifice building of their Synagogues throughout the land to hear Gods word and pray in divers feasts as of Purim dedication and the like which Christs Church no way inferiour to theirs rather superiour in the measure of grace and presence of his Spirit should not be abridged of in all reason or to prescribe and ordaine lawes for things tending to her better edification and in things undetermined as this is in that circumstance and the rather to be granted for this determination of the time as well at least as of the place manner of prayer and formes of it and celebrating the Sacraments and divers other as prime and remarkable circumstances of the divine worship and the place assuredly as materiall as the time to be determined or assigned nor should our brethren that are gone from us in place and no lesse in opinion as farre as the breadth of the Atlantique ocean or that staying at home yet hold a wood perhaps or barn or parlour for places good enough for their divine worship since Christ not assigned Churches particularly they should I say not complain of the time not set out by Christ since neither was the place set out by him nor of the time assigned by the Church if Christ not assigned it since so well ordered and they will arrogate more liberty in many things and authority to themselves but rather as the Temple so fitly translate to our Churches which they cannot well deny though they hug that poor device of their new meeting places be as well content with the Sabbath translate to our Sunday by the same authority 34. If this be granted in the Churches power why may they not now alter it or then have appointed any other day then the seventh It is well and sufficiently answered by the greatest and learnedst of our Divines as well as those of the Church of Rome That absolute or absolutâ authoritate the Church had power from God and his Christ they might or may doe it That congruè or congruâ dispensatione conveniently now they may not for many ill consequents that would thence ensue or that might follow as we know how odious and dangerous such innovations are in meaner places and matters so especially in Kingdoms and great Estates or Religion which too much affected would make the government ridiculous and whereby all matters by giddy heads shall quickly so be questioned as we see the strange presumption of some men that on such grounds uncertaine ones are too ready to innovate and readier to despise and deprave all things they fancy not and arrogate authority to themselves to chop and change all things whatsoever their fancy serves them to call into question and would be glad to have fellowes so to go blamelesse as they would thinke especially if they could but tax the Church or times of such inconstancy that might well be wished by them more to countenance their lenity and in the end nothing shall be left out of their inconstant queres and that shall not by their fancy or fury be disturbed or perverted and in this point in such inconstancy and diversity we may well expect divers appointing or approving divers dayes as their fancy serveth them shall in effect no day be duly as it ought observed therefore when the Church hath once pitched on the day and decreed it moved by so many great and good reasons as aforesaid and more on the seventh day in seconding Gods owne appointment in a holy imitation of his precept and admiring his wisdome as many other things of the like nature were likewise done not presuming to be above him or wiser then their Maker or Master in their choise as to picke out any other number nor to settle on any other number or day then that in imitation of the former by our blessed Lord and Saviour himselfe so picked out and sanctified so many wayes acknowledged being thus that seventh day our Christian Sabbath now so long and quietly setled in the Church it remaineth
regard of his former estate a falling Angel 2. His height and pride Lucifer and son of the morning 3. His enmity to God the evill one 4. His enmity and malice to man Satan and the deceiver and destroyer 5. His antiquity of malice and subtilty the old serpent the old enemy 6. His cruelty the red Dragon and roaring Lyon seeking whom he may kill or devoure 7. His mischievous nature and condition the Divell 14. Whence his enmity to God Out of ingratitude and despaire without grace or hope ever to attaine his favour having had so glorious an estate and so contemptuously forsaken it as those falling Angels did and since accursed and reserved under chaines of Gods wrath to judgement thence even hating all goodnesse 15. Whence his enmity to man Out of inveterate malice and envy of his future happinesse as who shall by Gods appointment possesse the place of those forlorne and falling Angels so rather wishing them with him involved in Gods wrath and torments of hell then to attaine to heavenly blessednesse 15. How is he here and usually deciphered As the Author of all evill Sower of tares in Gods field Seducer of mankind 16. How the author of all evill As he first hatched sin in all places Both Heaven Paradise The Earth 17. How in heaven By his pride and disobedience to God the cause of his fall from thence 18. How in Paradise By his subtilty and temptation of our first parents to sin which bred the subversion of them us and all mankind 19. In what manner First tempting Eve the weaker vessel to the tasting of the forbidden fruit and so to disobedience setting her in the way to subvert Adam in whom we all sinned and dye 20. How the offence Disobedience to Gods command that proved his and all our ruine 21. How is it our ruine By originall guilt as we were in his loynes and in him sinned and in and with him all flesh and mankinde accursed 22. How author of sinne now on earth As at first the cause of that first fall and originall guilt whereby we all perish so still setting forward and provoking us to evill ever since 23. How so By his wicked motions and suggestions to sin within us By his wicked agents and instruments evill men without us 24. How his motions within us As the good Spirit of God moveth us to goodnesse and giveth grace this evill spirit taking occasion of our originall guilt and inclination to evill as a spirit working on our spirits if Gods good Spirit leaveth us never so little perswadeth our too yeelding hearts to evill 25. What are his suggestions All evill thoughts of sin and rebellion against God and his Commandements all prompting occasions and provocations to sin by his subtilty ministred God suffering him as the sight of the forbidden fruit the tempting and lying words in Paradise uttered his and sins deceitfulnesse ever since 26. What agents and instruments Within our selves our owne false hearts and lusts without us all evill men and leud company by evill words and examples enciting us to sin and perswading us to wickednesse which wee are by corrupted nature too prone to hearken unto and follow 27. How soweth he tares in Gods field By such meanes in the Church and members thereof either corrupting them by his suggestions leud agents and instruments and their wicked examples inciting them to evill or detaining them from doing good 28. How seduccth he mankind Adam in Paradise who fell by actuall disobedience and involved his posterity in originally diffused sin and all others ever since by his like practices and subtilties bringing that originall blot into actual and habituate offence and enmity with God 30. What are his workes Sinne in all the branches and kindes thereof whether of omission commission error ignorance presumption c. 31. How are they his workes God is the author of all goodnesse the world and all things therein created by him and every good grace thought word and work by his power produced so his workes accounted when on the contrary side all difficiency from goodnesse the worke and contriving of the Divell or a backsliding from God and goodnesse for such is the nature of sin 32. In what manner are they his workes As he is the first lyer and father of lyes for by his lying came error by error solly by that foolishnesse sin and disobedience so sin came from him and all error foolishnesse lying against God the truth and the like are his workes 33. What are the qualities of his workes Opposite to the works of God which are done in truth goodnesse and righteousnesse 34 As how 1. As they are found to be both false so error lyes foolishnesse hypocrisie and the like whereas the workes of God are true and stand fast for ever founded in verity and judgement 2. Ill as all sin and wickednesse but Gods good so all that he created was good 3. Unholy but Gods workes are holy and honoured for ever 4 Workes of darknesse shunning the light and flying from the sight of God But Gods works are true and righteous and just and holy and good in the light and perfect stable for ever 35. What are sins of omission As all sins are a blotting out of the Image of God in the soule and originall guilt is the want of originall Justice that should be in us as Saint Ansclme defines it or that inclination to ill that wee naturally drew from our first parents loines by ignorance in the mind and concupiscence in the flesh as Hugo speakes consisting in a pravity of nature in generall and subjection to punishment eternall and actuall sins thence budding are every action both internall and externall as thought wish word or deed against the law and will of God so sins of omission are the omitting of that good we ought and by that law that we are commanded to doe or the viclation of the affirmative part or commandements of that law 36. What are the sins of commission The committing of that evill that we are by the law forbidden to doe or the violation of the negative part and commandements of the same 37. What are sins of ignorance The perpetrating of that evill which we know not rightly or the qualifying of the offence and so much the more heinous as proceeding from grosse or affected ignorance 37. What are sins of malice Whatsoever wittingly and willingly is acted with knowledge of the mind and deliberate intention of the will as it were of prepensed malice and neere of kin or neere to sins of presumption 38. VVhat sins of weaknesse and infirmity Sins committed besides our full intention by impotency of affection or perturbation of mind as Peters deniall of his master and the Disciples flying 39. And what are sins of presumption Sins with a high hand of deliberate counsel and in contempt of God and his divine law 40 Are these the workes of the Divell They are as every good thought word and worke
11. and 12. Articles of the Creed concerning the Priviledges of the Church and first forgivenesse of sinnes by washing us in Christs blood covering of our sinnes and imputation of his righteousnesse to those that are his and none others we being not able to satisfie for our owne but needing God powerfully the Church ministerially to forgive them where faith in Christ is required the condition whence the use of much comfort and consequently the blessed hope of resurrection the second priviledge manner certainty and reason wherof are here observed taken from Gods justice equity and mercy As also farther illustrated by divers examples and similitudes presenting to us a shew of the resurrection so the order of it and excellent estate therein more amply expressed in respect of the godly and what good duties to be hence learned and what good uses to be made of the same Whence also consequently our joyfull hope of life everlasting The last Articls where life of joyntly of soule and body raised and united in joy unspeakable and endlesse in heaven is by that to be understood which is also called the union With God and fruition of the glorious Godhead and blessednesse eternal which is the life of Angels though the meanes or cause of it as Christ or the word sometimes figuratively called life and life eternall or as it may be inchoate herein in the kingdome of grace as consummato in glory whereas the contrary and estate of the damned not properly a life but death or ever dying life and so not mentioned in the Creed where onely the comfort of the godly intended the use they make and duty they ought o learne in seeking striving for it in assurancâ— of which their blessed faith and hope they say Amen 1. VVHat is contained in these three last Articles Three priviledges granted to the Church and not elsewhere to be found or attained each Article one viz. 10. Forgivenesse of sinnes 11. Resurrection of body 12. Life everlasting 2. What is forgivenesse of sins Gods passing by our sins without calling them to his remembrance to shame or punish us for them but on the contrariwise imputing righteousnesse to us and accounting and allowing us just 3. Wherein consisteth it In these two things the Covering or cancelling and discharging of sinne Imputation and gift of justice 4. How is the covering or discharging of sin In taking away both the spot and staine of guilt and consequently the removing all punishment 5. How is it done By washing our soules in Christs bloud purging them by his merits and drowning them in the sea of his infinite love and mercy and as wee are in Christ he beholdeth no staine in us hee seeth no iniquity in Iacob and the cause of sin removed punishment the effect and death eternall the due to sin must needs be done away 6. How the imputation of Christs justice and his merits As in him our sins done away so in him is justice given by putting on him and his robes of righteousnesse as we are in him part of that holy society the communion of Saints and members of the true Catholique Church 7. To whom is then forgivenesse of sins Onely to the true members of the Catholique Church for so to them that are in Christ thence is no condemnation because they are of that body and in him in whom God is well pleased and so to all others who are not in him what can bee expected but condemnation 8. Can we not satisfie for our owne sins How can we satisfie for sin that without him and his grace are not able to thinke a good thought and when our best workes in comparison of true holinesse are but as poluted and filthy clouts before him and when wee have done the most we can it is but our duty yea when the best we can we are but unprofitable servants where is then our merit of our selves or ability to satisfie for our misdeeds 9. Who forgiveth sin Onely God the Father Son and Holy Spirit who having power to make the Law have power to forgive the offence 10. How is the Church said or men to forgive sinnes The Church ministerially and that divers ways from God as by The ministry of the word procuring it by offering and ordering the doctrine of repentance and forgivenesse of sin and converting sinners to God The exercising the power of the keyes by Gods order and commission for the benefit of the Church to humble the soule The applying the same to the penitent and so in the power of Gods commission to give and pronounce absolution to the benefit and comfort of the soule desiring the same 11. How the keyes or power of them exercised In foro 1. Exteriori in facie Ecclesiae more publiquely in the sight of the Church to the reforming of offences and removing of scandals 2. Interiori conscientiae more privately to the comfort of the soule and quieting the conscience of the humble penitent 12. How men how doe they forgive Onely partially in regard of some part of some offences concerning them but God forgiveth to the truly penitent totally in respect of all parts of both guilt and punishment and fully whatsoever either the Church holily intendeth or men neglect or wilfully refuse to forgive if he please 13. How stands this with Gods justice As in justice even to the utmost satisfied in the sufferings of Christ and in mercy as he gave and accepteth him and in his merits for us 14. What is then required to forgivenesse of sins A lively faith in Christ whereby we apprehend him and his merits and perfections thereby applyed and made ours whence commeth true repentance forsaking sinne and cleaving stedfastly to God 15. What certainty of it Gods gracious promises in Christ effectually applyed and sealed to the soule by the ministry of the Church in the holy use of his Word and Sacraments 16. What learne we hence In this life seeking this priviledge in the Church 1. To make our calling and election sure in Christ. 2. To become truly a member of his so to have our sins forgiven 3. Obtaine peace of conscience thus and both with God and men 4. To disclaime our owne merits so in humblenesse crave and have Christs justice 5. To try our faith by our repentance and so by our assurance of forgivenesse and thus seeking we shall surely attaine it both from God and his Church and have peace with God and men 17. What followeth of this Resurrection of body as a consequent of forgivenesse of sins for as death entred by sin so sinne also taken away the punishment also to be removed which being of the body in part shall also in that part be dissolved at the last and the body raised 18. But how and when shall it be By the mighty power of God and in his word by the voice of his Angell and sound of his trumpet at the end of the world 19. How can this be Though wormes have eaten it or
easie for us by Gods grace in Christ and his Spirit making us to doe those things in love to him which were required under a strict command before and so wee released or freed from the curse of the Law and condemnation borne by Christ for us The slavish feare of the threats that should else terrifie us The tyrannicall seising on us or commanding us who have now a better Law the Covenant of Grace 39. To what use doth the Law then remaine 1. For a rule to square our lives by in godlinesse yet without fearfulnesse in love 2. For a Schoole-master to bring us to Christ shewing how much need we have of him 3. For a Schoole-master in Christ to bring us to true humiliation knowing how much we want true godlinesse and so to seek increase of graces in Christ. 40. What the difference between the Law of workes and of Grace or the Law and the Gospell 1. In that the Law is knowne by the light of nature and the Gospell a mystery to nature 1 Tim. 3. 6. and that Angells so desire to behold unveiled 1 Pet. 1. 12. 2. Sheweth only what is to be done the Gospell how doe it in Christ in faith and love 3. Is full of threats to urge us the Gospell of sweet promises to allure us to performe it 4. It is a Schoole-master to shew us Christ and our need of him or bringing us to him the Gospell admitteth and engrafteth us into him for our comfort 41. How doe the Law and Gospell agree 1. In their Author God that first gave the Law and since his Sonne to fulfill it and in him the Gospell of peace 2. In their end Christ that is pointed at in the one in presence in the other and perfection of both 3. In their threatnings against sin and upbraiding the disobedient and unfaithfull 4. In their promises to the observers and lovers of the Law by striving to doe it eternall life 5. In their consent in the setting forth of Gods glory faith hope and all graces without any contradiction as from one fountaine his Spirit 6. In their constant and continuall provocations to godlinesse 7. In their Ministers the Priests and Levites and servants of God that are to be without blemish called watchmen To live unblameably To set forth the Truth and Law of God To live of their service and of the Altar and whose lippes are to preserve knowledge the people to seeke the Law at their mouthes they to set it forth and the truth both by their life and doctrine 42. How was the Law written or delivered Delivered by the mouth and written by the finger of God to shew the holinesse and perfection of the same 43. Wherein written Both in the hearts of men as their duty to shew it naturall as also morall and so perpetuall Both in the Tables of stone and that twice by him to shew it doctrinall as well as naturall and morall and so to be read for instruction and preserved to perpetuity to all generations 44. How twice written In the first Tables broken by Moses representing the fraile hearts of flesh in which it was written corrupted by their owne inventions as the Israelites were when Moses so brake them by their owne Idolatry and abhominations In the other two Tables prepared againe by Moses to shew the confirmation of them to perpetuity and being restored and so laid up in the Arke of the Testimony and sanctum sanctorum to be preserved and fulfilled in Christ. 45. Why written in two Tables To shew the distinction of the duties in them contained to God in the first to men in the second Table the perfection of their number also pointing at the perfection both of the Law-giver and Law and so the ten Commandements SECT 2. Quest. 8. Concerning the Commandements and first of the Preface c. The severall prefaces to the Commandements three of them as first of the childe answ to the 8. quest wherein the authenticall unchangeablenesse author and authority God speaking and saying Autograph in Exod. and the Tables and other circumstances thereof expended and why it is called Moses Law and the words doubled of speaking and saying so Moses preface secondly analysed thirdly the preface of God himselfe being both a reason and to this first and all the other Commandements wherein to be observed the author and so his authority his name by himselfe uttered to shew his awfull majesty his Attributes calling his Almighty power as well as mercy and goodnesse to minde and so his actions of saving and deliverances from Egypt and the house of bondage litterally by the Iewes and Spiritually by us to be understood Whence his honour feare and reverence with our duty and obedience are powerfull enforced Of the true and right understanding the Law and how we ought to be affected in soule and spirit towards it being of so divine and spirituall A sense sablimate above and beyond the bare letter and so divers prime necessary in number five propounded for the better and more spirituall meaning understanding and interpretation of the same with the exposition of the same as else the contraction of them to a lesse or fewer number and some other lesse prime rules pertaining more to the comparison of the Commandements and Tables so referred to the beginning of the second Table 1. YOu signified ten Commandements which are they The same which God spake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God c. 2. What observe you here A twofold Preface and then the Commandments 3. What threefold preface Of Moses intimated in his 20. Chapter where he saith God spake all these words saying Of God immediately prefixed to the Commandement I am the Lord c. 4. What is in that first preface The authenticall substance and sum of it being the very same that was 1. Both Written 1. by God In fleshly Tables the heart In the first Tables resembling the broken pitchers men hearts In the second Tables restored and preserved in the Arke 2. By his Spirit in the hearts of the faithfull willingly to doe them 2. Spoken by God himselfe upon Mount Sinai in terrible manner out of the cloud and fire recorded by his servant Moses 3. Delivered so to the Israelites in that majesticke and glorious manner 4. Authorized by God so writing speaking and commanding them saying I am c. 5. How collect you this As plainly expressed in that first place where 1. The appearance authenticall the very same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Author God thus divers wayes divulging it 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he spake it above all other Scriptures with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Autogragh the Tables with the finger of God written and it recorded in that 20. Chapter of Exodus and also Deut. 5. 3. Authority establishing commanding it and saying 6. How is it said the same As it was not onely the same in substance and effect but the very same in
and vertue thus comparative in respect of that name referred to his Attributes though otherwise usually accepted for his name 23. How are his attributes else showne By his appropriating or entituling himselfe to Israel or Israel to himselfe calling himselfe thy God O Israel and who brought the deliverance whereby he is not onely said the Lord or God but their Lord and their God their deliverer and defendor and as David speaketh the lifter up of their head 24. What learne we hence By that neare bond that we are obliged unto him so loving and good a God that calleth himselfe ours what should be our intimate affection duty and allegiance and how we should be his 25. But how doth this concern us As Israel was the true people of God the naturall vine and we the branches ingrafted in the same and so all true beleevers are in Christ the Israel of God as well as what was literally spoken of them is typically of the whole Church to be understood as is hereafter shewed 26. What the actions here Of deliverance from a most wretched estate and slavery into liberty and peace from all oppressors and oppression to worship and serve him so From Egypt and her proud King Pharaoh From Egypt and tyrannicall oppressors the Egyptians From Egypt and constrained Taske-masters of their owne Nation From Egypt and that house of bondage temporally and corporally of the bodies spiritually of the soules in danger of Idolatry and other abominations abounding there 27. How is this understood Literally of the Israelites so indeed delivered by the hand of Moses in the mighty power of God and mystically of all true Israelites in Spirit having many and mighty deliverances from all enemies spirituall and temporall by the hand of God and in Christ. 28. Who are the true Israelites in spirit All the faithfull engrafted into Christ and so the seed of Abraham who as many deliverances in body so more especially in soule are delivered by Christ out of The spirituall Egypt or Sodome of this world and her Prince the Divell wickednes and vanity and from her 1. Tyranny of sin death and hell 2. Oppressors and 3. Taske-masters 1. Of the Egyptians all externall Agents 2. Of the owne bloud evill lusts fighting against the Spirit House of bondage whether the Flesh and body of death house of clay that depresseth the Sipirit World wherein all wicked Agents and Instruments under the Divell their Prince threaten both spiritual and corporall and endanger us both in temporall and eternall bondage of sin and her punishments 29. What hence enforced As honour to this Lord and love to our God so all duties of love and thankefulnesse for these blessings and deliverances and in especiall obedience in all those respects to his Lawes As if Lord his honour and feare As if God his greatnesse and power As if our God and deliverer love and duty require our best respect reverence and obedience to his Lawes that doe so ensue 30. What else learne we from hence Gods mercy singularly manifested in thus dealing with us and those that are his to win us to grace and obedience our duty in following his example by all meanes to seeke how to procure our owne and others good to his glory 32. How his so especiall mercy In that in delivery of his Law and Commandements there he doth not onely shew what is good or his will and pleasing to him which is a favour and mercy or command it barely which he may doe with all authority in equity but much more seeketh by all meanes to allure us by his mercies favours and promises of life and goodnesse and putting us who are too forgetfull in minde of his many blessings and deliverances 33. What our duty hence For Ministers and all others to seeke by all meanes to bring themselves and many to God setting forth and calling to minde his manifold mercies and graces His goodnesse enforcing love of him His power and authority requiring obedience His excellencies winning honour and admiration His workes requiring reverent consideration His Law our meditation and best attention His deliverances binding us to all best duties of joy thankes praises and the like and that so what justice requires of duty may be performed towards him if possible with all sincere affection and good will 34. For what profit or to what end should wee doe this That by often and continuall meditations in his Law wee may know what the good and perfect will of God is who will so make it easie to us and us to understand wisedome secretly and the excellent and wonderfull things of his Law 35 How should we best understand his Law By seeking to know it in the internall meaning not so much according to the letter as in the intention and illumination of the Spirt for the letter seemeth sometimes dead but the spirit giveth life and as it is said holy Davids Psalmes ought to bee sung with his spirit or with the spirit and understanding to bee rightly used and so Saint Pauls writings to be read with his spirit to be truly understood so much more this holy writing the Law by Gods Spirit that endited it 36. VVhat rules or instructions have you for the better understanding of it There are certaine briefe rules and directions given for the right and true understanding of it or to guide the soule into due and orderly meditation of the things therein contained and may serve both Ministers in their interpretation and others in conceiving the true sense and interpretation or meaning thereof and where these come short of attaining this it is to bee further sought for by prayer in humility as from more speciall and internall illumination of Gods Spirit which can only bring the best knowledge of these things and contentation to the soule 37. Explaine this farther As required Davids spirit rightly to understand Davids Psalmes and Saint Pauls spirit or the Spirit of God rightly to conceive of Saint Pauls writings or holy Scriptures so for the spirituall and true understanding of the Law not onely according to the letter the letter killing or dead but the spirit giving life in the spirituall sense intending or comprehending all goodnesse here are further directions for such spirituall meaning required and as in law this one word the whole law and duty of man comprehended so in one word here not seldome to be seene in one vertue all the branches in one sinne all the kindes or what ever neere of kin comprised and therewith all signes meanes occasions and provocations to it so spiritually to be understood and by and with the vertue commanded and by and with the vice prohibited as well as by any vertue commanded the opposite vice and all his sequell discommended forbidden and by the vice or sin forbidden the opposite vertue and all of kin commanded and commended to bee embraced by our selves and all others in the Communion of Saints so there are such rules to this purpose
given for the right understanding and interpreting the Law whether to our conscience or the use and understanding of all others 38. VVhat rules are those Five principall that concerne the right and true understanding thereof to which some others secondary may be added for illustration VVhich are those five 1. That where any duty or vertue is commanded the opposite vice is forbidden é converso 2. Where any vertue or vice is commanded or forbidden there all of the same kinde are commanded or forbidden with it 3. Where any vertue or vice is so touched all signes meanes instruments occasions and circumstances of it are with it intended 4. Not only the outward actions but the whole man body and soule words thoughts and actions are hereby comprised 5. As we are a communion of Saints not onely to our selves but to all in our society to the uttermost of our power to further it these things are required and enjoyned 39. VVhy is it thus to be understood Because as the Law is spirituall and willing the sanctification of the whole man and whole society of mankinde and according to the direction of the Spirit the author giving life to the same diffusing it selfe to all and to the good of all in the amplest manner and so after the wisedome and meaning of that good Spirit that gave it penetrating and understanding all things to bee understood and interpreted it being that without this the bare letter killeth or is dead but the Spirit in the true full and spirituall meaning and intention giveth life 40. How explaine you the first rule The first where any duty or vertue is commanded there the contrary vice is forbidden and where the vice forbidden there the opposite duty is inferred or commanded whence doe grow in every Commandement 1. An affirmative part commanding the duty 2. A negative part forbidding the vice And hence that distinction of sinnes into sinnes of 1. Omission in omitting a good duty 2. Commission by committing of ill or vice 41. How the second Rule Under any particular vice all of that kind are forbidden and under any vertue all of that kind commanded even in the extremest degree so vertue required and commanded in the highest degree according to the rules of charity and portion of grace and vice in any degree forbidden whence unadvised anger is accounted murther and seeing a woman to lust after her adultery Matth. 22. 37. and so under those names forbidden 42. What of the third Rule Where any vertue or duties commanded or vice forbidden there also all meanes allurements signes and tokens of the same are likewise commanded or forbidden that so the graces of God may be sought for and shine forth to the glory of God and good example of all men Matth. 5. 16. and vices avoided and even all appearance and shew of evill 1 Thes. 5. 22. 43. What the fourth Rule That the effect of the Commandement concerneth not onely the outward actions of the body but the very inward dispositions of the minde for governing of the same Reasons of this are 1. The Law of God is perfect and so requireth perfect obedience both inward and outward even of the whole man 2. The Law of God is spirituall requiring not onely outward obedience in word and deed but inward also in soule and spirit in minde and heart where vertues are to be planted and corruptions rooted out 3. Our Saviour thus teacheth to expound the Law Matth. 5. 21 22 27. so also the first of John 3. 15. c. and divers other places 44. What the fifth Rule As we are of the communion of Saints vertues are to be procured and vices to be avoided not onely in our selves but also in others to our power whereby we are to instruct admonish comfort and encourage others in good to the edification of the Church and salvation of their souls and reprove disswade and if possible reclaime the evill so having no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darkenesse Eph. 5. 11. nor accessory to the offences of others 1 Tim. 5. 22. 45. May not these five Rules be contracted to a lesse number Yes perhaps reasonably well to three as thus 1. That where any vertue commanded the opposite vice forbidden è converso 2. That where any vertue so commanded or vice prohibited all of kin to them together with all signes meanes and occasions or circumstances with them to be understood and that not onely for the outward actions but whole man body and soule 3. Where either prohibition or command is it extends not onely to our selves but as we are a communion of Saints to the good of others to our power to care for helpe and further them the neglect of which is but in effect with Cain to expostulate with God Am I my brothers keeper whom we else kill whether by murther ill example or not saving him if what in our power wee doe not when he is like to perish And how were they five rules then before By dividing this second rule and in it under every vertue and vice 1. Observing the species and kindes in the breadth making that the second rule 2. The meanes occasions signes and circumstances for the third rule 3. The extent to the whole man body and soul intensivè for the fourth rule and so are five as aforesaid 46. What are the other secondary rules Some that are directed rather to the understanding of the difference of the natures and qualities of the offences or the differences of the Tables rather then the true understanding of the sense immediately and interpretation or meaning of the Commandement as the former rules did such are these 1. That every negative Commandment bindeth alwaies and at all times every affirmative onely alwaies but not so precisely to all and every particle of time 2. That the Commandements of the first Table are to be kept for themselves absolutely those of the second for the first 3. That though every sinne deserveth death eternall yet there is an imparity of sinnes and one offence may be greater then another in many respects 4. That the sinnes against the first Table simply and in themselves considered are more heynous then those of the second though such aggravation or respects else of extreme malice presumption infirmity or the like may ever ballance or much alter the same 5. That there is so neare a tye and relation between the Commandements that whosoever faileth in one is guilty of all as a breach of the whole Law in breaking that royall Law of charity and offending God the author of them all in contempt of his Majesty which five last rules as secondary and more concerning the difference of sinnes among themselves compared and arising from the difference of the Tables more shall bee said of them at the beginning of the second Table 47. What followeth here then next to be considered The first Commandement of the first Table immediately following the Preface in these words Thou
strength 35. How is the love of God seen By adhering to him so with all our minde seen in knowing beleeving in remembring him With all Our heart in trusting hoping fearing and rejoycing in him soule in humility and submission patience and obedience gratitude and thankfulnes to him Strength to the uttermost of body and soule in all good duties to his honour 36. How in generall is the love of God considered 1. For the measure 1. Simply without measure and as before with all heart minde soule and strength comparatè 2. Comparatè above all things else Matth. 10. 37. Luke 14 26. 2. The manner absolutely and first our friends in the Lord. Secondly our foes for the Lord. Hence rising zeale of Gods glory opposite to this 1. Either in the defect want of the love of God with all our hearts above all things Hatred of God and his graces encreased by sin 2. Disorder loving our selves above God and his Commandements the world in the riches pleasures pride and other carnall things 37. VVhat are wee to consider in the knowledge of God The matter God and his truth and goodnesse revealed The measure according to our calling meanes time alotted The manner spirituall and holy knowledge in humility and effectuall to grace and salvation Opposite to this in the excesse curiosity wise above sobriety The defect 1. exceedingly ignorance simply affected 2. In a sort a small measure of knowledge too little for the quantity and 3. For the quantity a literall or speculative knowledge without care or conscience of godlinesse or the power thereof 38. VVhat in beleeving to be considered In generall faith in God and assent to the word of God In speciall to the threatnings of the Law and promises of the Gospell and for the Quantity with full understanding consent and assent Quality lively and working by charity Opposite to this in excesse credulity to even vanity without Gods word In defect in understanding by ignorance Consent by doubting Assent by wavering In Quantity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quality idle and dead faith And that either legally infidelity working carnall security Or evangelically counterfeit faith of hypocrites heretiques c. 39. VVhat in remembring God to be considered The laying up and treasuring in our mindes the things concerning God and secondly often calling such things to minde especially his mercies and judgements opposite to which if wee forget him his holy word mercies or judgements or so partially or slenderly remembring them without care conscience or obedience 40. What is assiance or trust Adhering to God and depending on him in all our needs whether we have means or not as who can helpe without above meanes Opposite to which if On the contrary in Excesse we tempt God Defect wee carke and care or use unlawfull meanes leaving God In disorder we trust in instruments and meanes as wealth world men many mighty wizards or divels 41. What hope A kinde of trust with faith fixed on God and his goodnesse expecting from him deliverance from ill and exhibition of good things whether for this present life or the life to come opposite to which in excesse is presumption in defect is despaire and so as wee ought to trust and hope in him and him alone are we to take heed wee presume not nor despaire or in participation of both with Epicures grow carelesse and without hope 42. What is his feare An awfull and son-like feare which though the object be Gods anger against sinne yet is more loath to offend him so good a God and mercifull then for the danger of punishment effect of his anger opposite to which is carnall security senselesnesse and despaire 43. What is rejoycing in God Delighting in him as the supreme good in his word his mercies and promises and the heavenly and inestimable comfort wee receive by them with joy in the prosperity of his house his Church his servants and honour which filleth the heart with more content then any carnall and worldly things Psal. 4. opposite to which are miserable delights of sinfull worldly carnall and voluptuous men 44. What is humility and submission to God A removing of all conceit of our owne worthinesse and humble acknowledgement of our owne vilenesse in nature and defect of sinne and desert of punishments together with consideration of Gods mercies and bounties to us whereby to bee cast downe before him that hee may raise us up Opposite to which a high conceit of our owne selves our worth and merits to the robbing him of his honour and praise and our forgetfulnesse of duty 45. What is patience An humble subjection of our selves to the crosse or hand of God in his chastisements and tryalls which must needs bee for our good and so found to be as his children by Our Meekly Cheerfully and comfortably Constantly Enduring entertaining them Opposite to which rashnesse and senselesnesse in excesse in defect impatience murmuring fainting and despaire or seeking issue by unlawfull meanes whiles wee will endure much for the world nothing for God 46. VVhat obedience The submitting our wils to the will of God and that onely rightly if voluntarily not forced totally not by fits or in part sincerely without hypocrisie and continually to the end Opposite to which either Disobedience to him by sinnes of omission and commission and that by negligence or contempt Obedience to men or other things more then God yea to sinne the flesh the world and the divell Gods enemies Disorder in the manner not voluntarily or totally sincerely or continually 47. VVhat gratitude or thankefulnesse A testification both by word and deed of a thankfull minde for all his benefits in all estates whether prosperity or adversity acknowledging him and him alone the author of all good things Opposite to which is unthankfulnesse and not acknowledging this or ascribing it to our owne power wit worth worke fortune idols or instruments or meanes forgetting the prime fountain 48. How to love God with all our strength With all powers of body and soule and so in the whole man to exercise all these good duties to his honour 49. How his honour set forth Both by word and deed internally in the soule and externally in the body and whose life and conversation to expresse and advance the praise and glory of God and so to avoid all prophanenesse which is especially to his dishonour Hence springeth 1. Internally zeale of Gods glory 2. Externally holy life and behaviour 50. What is the zeale of Gods glory A servent desire of the advancement thereof both in our selves and others and cheerfully using of the meanes thereof together with removing all impediments of the same proceeding from sincere affection guided by knowledge and discretion seene in the moderation in respect of all circumstances and especially of the time and seasonablenesse 50. What opposite to this Either want of zeale in luke warmnesse Apoc 3. 15. coldnesse Zeph. 1. 12. Or corrupt zeale mixed with Maliciousnesse bitter zeale Covetousnesse
practices whatsoever but in charity and love III. Things of trust or hire with due restitution and discharge of trust and recompence without fraud or delay opposite to which all cousenage and fraud in buying and selling borrowing or lending or other reall or verball contracts and bargaining in usuall traffique and commerce 43. What lawfull trades or honest meanes of gaine commanded 1. All publique offices in Church and Common-wealth supreme of the Prince subordinate all others 2. Private Trades Arts and imployments of life in the sundry vocations warranted by the law and word of God Statutes of the Realme where we live opposite to which to live in no trade or by lewd and dishonest trade or meanes in lowdnesse to get a living or in idlenesse to eate the sweat of others browes hatefull to God and men 44. What sorts of honest getting of things Attained to either I. Without contract 1. By succession and inheritance descended from ancestors 2. By our own honest labours and endeavours 3. By the gift and bounty of others II. By contract as by honest bargaining and purchase 45. What things required to honest gettings I. Both internall vertues of the minde 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not setting our hearts upon riches Psal. 62. 10. opposite to it love of money root or evill and all the sins of this Commandement 1 Tim. 6. 10. 2. Contentednesse with our estate and condition that Gods providence allotteth us opposite to which male contentednesse the root of much mischiefe 3. Moderate desire of things necessary 1 Tim. 6. 8. without covetousnesse or ambition hasting to be rich or great 1 Tim. 5. 8. Prov. 27. 20. 4. A moderate care of such things without immoderate carking or improvident carelesnesse 1 Tim. 5. 8. Matth. 6. 25. Prov. 10. 15. II. Externall honest calling and vocation Diligence in that calling opposite to inordinate walking or living and idlenesse 46. How are they to be preserved By such honest meanes as they are to be gotten to our use and reliefe of others and to that end defended from fraud and oppression or repine by wisedome providence or any lawfull and just meanes 47. Is it lawfull to goe to law to retaine or preserve them or maintaine our right There is no doubt of it if 1. The cause be just weighty and necessary 2. If charity be not broken 3. If it be used as the last refuge else too many offend in going to law 1. For unjust and trifling matters 2. In stomack and malice 3. When other remedies may be had and this onely to molest their neighbours 48 How is the due use of our goods To our comfort as the good gifts of God and also for other reliefe and communicating them liberally if we have plenty if little yet gladly even out of that little to the poore and those in necessity Tob. 4. 8. and so enjoying them our selves 1. With honest parsimony saving and sparing them that they be not wastfully and unprofitably spent 2. Frugality according to our ability laying them out in needfull uses not idlely or vainly Opposits to niggardlinesse and keeping them from our owne and others needfull uses and so a double theft as well as covetousnesse the root of it and prodigality her wastfull adversary 49. How liberally to be used In free communication of our goods to the benefit of others on good occasions and pious sort wherein required that if it be done 1. Justly giving our owne without wrong to others 2. Willingly without constraint as freely done 3. Cheerfully without grudging or exprobrations and so truly liberality bounty or munificence be it much or little according to our power opposite to it fast-handed avarice and vaine and wastfull prodigality 50. How is mercy and charity to be showne To those in need and necessity and so who giveth to the poore lendeth to the Lord Prov. 19. 17 and it shall be paid him againe and who doth not stealeth from the poore their dues for which theft Dives was cast into hell and so the workes of mercy to the I. Bodies six to 1. Visit the sicke and needy 2. Feed the hungry 3. Give drinke to the thirsty 4. Cloath the naked 5. Helpe the weake 6. Buty the dead II. Soule six to 1. Instruct and counsell the ignorant 2. Chastise and reprove the offender 3. Comfort the distressed 4. Forgive the penitent 5. Beare with the weake 6. Pray for all According to the verses Visito 1 poto 2 cibo 3 divestio 4 colligo 5 condo 6 Consule 7 castiga 8 solare 9 remitte 10 for 11 ora 12 Opposite to which all cruelty hard-heartednesse unmercifulnesse and uncharitablenesse 51. What is the summe of all To be true and just in all our dealings not to covet nor desire other mens estates but to learne and labour honestly to get and lawfully to use our owne and preserve our neighbours goods whereby we a void all shew and manner of theft 52. What followeth The ninth Commandement commanding all truth and justice in our words as well as our dealings to the preservation of charity and good name SECT 11. The ninth Commandement The orders and of Analysis of the ninth Commandement where the parts and duties with the opposite â—es and abuses as well expressed as intimated are further shewed and explained and first of truth and the brancches thereof and opposite falshood lying slander tale-telling and all false witnes-bearing whether in publique place of judgement by any sort of persons whatsoever as plaintiffe or defendant Iudge or other agent instrument or witnesse or otherwise in more private manner compared with the former in whispering and tale bearing slander and backbiting calumny or other disparagements flattery or such parasiticall or sycophanticall behaviour in any respect or degree tending to the suppressing or subversion of truth or charity where farther of jesting and lying and of all sorts of lies and their much used and frequented Asylum of equivocation with the heinousnesse patrons and practisers or inventers or defenders of the same the generall good use of the speech and hearing or care and tongue in regard of the truth and charity to be extended to our selves and others especially in the maintenance of a good name and rules thereunto belonging or necessarily for the same 1. VVHat is the ninth Commandement Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 2. What is the order of this Commandement to the first Next after the care of other greater things as the neighbours life body and goods even his name is cared for and words and lips have a rule prefixed to direct them according to the Psalmist that we may take heed to our words that we offend not in our tongues and so as the leafe of the tree that God careth for shall not fall the very words of our lips and thoughts of our hearts are weighed as the haires of our head numbred and here the words of our mouth as in the next Commandement the thoughts of our
with a leud disposition is though in it selfe godly to that depraved humor but an occasion of rebelling and rebellious headstrongnesse and scorning in impatiency and impotency with spurning against it and disobedience 6. But obedience to the Law is true justice Yes for the man that doth those things shall live in them Levit. 18. 5. Gal. 3. 12. Rom. 10. 3. Luke 10. 28. 7. But none may be justified by the Law No yet not because the Law is not perfect or not able to justifie for the Law is perfect holy just and good but because we are not able to justifie it for the Law is spirituall but wee carnall Rom. 7. 12. c. 8. Why can none fulfill it Because wee are all sinners and deprived of grace as of the glory and image of God Rom. 3. 23. yea sin is in the very regenerate Rom. 7. 20. 9. What is the use of the Law 1. To teach us these things and the excellency of Law and Law-giver 2. To shew us what true righteousnesse is 3. To humble us and shew us our weaknesse and infirmitie 4. To stir us up to better duties and seek Christ and his power and grace so to bring us to him 5. To direct us being in him how to live acceptably in striving to walke in the same 10. How is this use of the Law then branched Into the civill and spirituall use thereof both in respect of reprobate or righteous 11. What the civill use To shew the difference betweene good and evill and what the acceptable will of God is and to leave all without excuse 12. What the spirituall use To the reprobate not only to leave them without excuse but even to 1. Shew their sin in the full extent and so to make them appeare more ugly and deformed that are by nature void of good 2. To harden them that whereas they cannot performe it take occasion thereby to bring forth more evill and so to them the letter killeth and kindling the heat of sinne in them maketh it more strong 13. Why should they be condemned since they are not able to performe it We are not to looke that we are able but what we ought to doe not what In 1. Our corruption we want but 2. What we received in our creation that is what the Lord gave us and the Lord requiring but his owne we being not able the fault is in our selves 14. What the use to the children of God Twofold Either 1. Before they be converted to humble them and shew them their owne weaknesse whereby they may feele the sweetnesse of Christ in deliverance from the torments of hell deserved which unlesse humbled by the Law we could never be sensible of but feeling it desire the release and so a Schoolemaster to bring us to him And yet more 2. After they be in Christ for a rule of righteousnesse and godly obedience to bridle the affections while we strive for perfection 15. What is then further expressed in this preface First the caution for our more due consideration of these things and our weake estate and inability to performe the duties in the law required in those first words My good childe know this that thou art not able to doe c. 16. How is our inability seene In that we are not able as of our selves to think a good thought much lesse to doe a good deed as of our selves since our depraved nature in Adams fall is not only deprived of all goodnesse but enclined and prone to all evill 17. Was no man ever able to performe them None except Adam in his state of innocency and Christ who was both God and Man 18. How is the estate of man to be considered 1. In his first creation and estate of innocency able to fulfill them as them in Gods Image righteousnesse and true holinesse 2. In his fall and nature as now it is depraved and deprived of all goodnesse and so not able to fulfill it 3. In his new birth and regenerate estate in Christ yet so not able perfectly to fulfill the law but failing in many things yet in some measure yeelding acceptable obedience 19. How was that perfection in Adam seene As he was perfectly good created in the Image of God in righteousnesse and true holinesse having his soule endued with divine knowledge free will and affections holy in integrity and innocencie 20. How the depraved nature of man As he is corrupted in his powers of body and soule and his 1. Understanding darkned full of ignorance and error 2. His will crooked and contrary to the will of God 3. His affections impure and so bad that nothing so good but it will loath or hate it nothing so bad and vile but they will wish and seek it 4. His weaknesse such that no power to any good in thought word or deed 5. His strength of corruption so great that it will turne best things into ill to its self and good things into occasion of falling the graces of God into wantonnesse 21. How this more manifested In that they in this estate are compared to blind and deale and worse things even filthinesse it selfe so Job 14. 4. Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse and Rom. 7. 18. In me dwelleth no good thing and David There is none that doeth good no not one they are all corrupt and become abominable destruction and unhappinesse is in their waies and the way of peace they have not knowne yea the unregenerate do nothing but sin and their best actions and waies but sin and to death 22. How those in estate of grace Yet they cannot perfectly fulfill the law but faile in many things as Jam. 3. 2. In many things we offend all for though there be sincere and sound obedience from the heart and guided by Gods Spirit yet it is but imperfect obedience while the corrupt nature in the old man cleaveth so neer to us and is not quite expelled but hindreth many a good worke whence the combat betweene the flesh and the spirit when not the good that wee would but the evill that we would not is done Rom. 7. 21. and so like Schollars practised in Christs Schoole in these exercises of grace there will be faults in our doings easily found we are not skilfull to the full or masters in the art of godlinesse while we are in viâ here only we shall be in patriâ when all imperfection shall be done away 23. Are none then perfect here Not absolutely but a kinde of perfection is attributed to the godly 1. As perfectio partium opposed to hypocrisie so sincere and true godlinesse as in David Josiah and others 2. Though not perfectionem graduum or an absolute fulfilling of the law and all righteousnesse without failing in any thing for this is in no man to be found of all the sons of Adam that are only men so rejected 1. Pelagianisme that gave perfection to mans naturall faculties and freewill 2. Semipelagianisâ—e
2. Common as his attributes such as glory honour mercy Iustice c. as called just mercifull c. II. His Word and Sacraments Scripture and all that pertaines to it to make it knowne to men and him in it the preaching hearing it Church persons Saints Sabbaths and ceremonies means whereby we know him 3. His workes of creation heavens that declare the glory of God c Gubernation and providence as his mercies judgements graces and whatsoever any way declare his mighty power or great goodnesse on earth or whatsoever made knowne of him in the Bookes of 1. Scripture the Law and Gospel doctrine and things therein contained his titles names attributes graces and glory 2. Creatures where heaven and earth the pages and every creature character of his glory in which read and represented his creation guiding governance and mighty preservation of them and so al of them speaking and declaring his mighty name and power 13. What is meant by sanctifying Either a 1. Purifying and cleansing of things uncleane as Lepers sinners uncleane persons and their sin and uncleannesse or the like 2. Preferring things poluted and prophane to better and holier use as the Temples of Heathens to Christian use 3. Promoting things of common use to a more sanctified use as Aaron and his sonnes consecrated Priests and water bread and wine so consecrated in the Sacraments 4. Preserving things hallowed in that use as Temples and Oratories to the use and exercise they are appointed 5. Professing and declaring or shewing and setting forth with praise and honour hallowed and sanctifying things and in this sense chiefly understood this sanctifying Gods name as signifying himselfe and his honour though as by it is understood the meanes of it in our selves and other creatures it may bee taken in some of the other senses 4. In what manner As his name is sanctified in the holy and sanctified use of any the creatures or dedicating our selves to his service as we may see in 1. Purifying our soules and consciences from evill workes 2. Converting sinners to God 3. Preserving our bodies and soules in holines and honour doing all good workes to the glory of God 4. But most particularly in speaking and setting forth his honour and glory which is the substance and effect of the third Commandement 5. How is that performed 1. By doing all things pertaining to his honour and manifestation thereof 2. Declining from all things tending to his dishonour 6. How especially and particularly By I. Thinking and meditating graciously of his 1. Holy and great name and so of himselfe in essence persons 2. Titles of his honour and renown 3. Attributes and actions as creation providence mercy Iustice c. 4. Holy Word and Sacraments Law and Gospell 5. Holy Church and Sabbaths and all things dedicate to him and called holy of his holinesse 6. Creatures all of them in heaven and earth II. Speaking discoursing piously religiously of his 1. Holy and great name and so of himselfe in essence persons 2. Titles of his honour and renown 3. Attributes and actions as creation providence mercy Iustice c. 4. Holy Word and Sacraments Law and Gospell 5. Holy Church and Sabbaths and all things dedicate to him and called holy of his holinesse 6. Creatures all of them in heaven and earth III. Doing all the speciall acts of piety and devotion as 1. Preaching his name words and doctrine the Law and Gospel 2. Hearing and receiving the same with reverence 3. Praying and receiving the Sacraments 4. Blessing and praising him 5. Dedicating our selves and soules to his honour 7. How else to be hallowed By declining all impediments of his honour because we see his name too often prophaned by all kinde of evill and wickednesse of mens or the devils invention As 1. Idolatry superstition witchcraft 2. Ignorance 3. Ingratitude 4. Dissimulation and so by Swearing Forswearing Cursing Blasphemy c. Where we desire that all these things evill acts and agents whether men or devils that are against his honour may bee removed and so his name in all places by all and above all to bee honoured and sanctified 8. But his name is most holy and how can it bee more hallowed or prophaned In it selse it is most holy and for ever and so can receive no augmentation or diminution of honour but in regard of the manifestation before men so the wicked seeme to prophane it by their pollutions but indeed come not nighest but onely pollute themselves to their owne perdition that remaining holy for ever and on the contrary the godly strive to hallow it more and so inded procure their owne holinesse and honour and thereby happinesse as God accepteth their good will in setting forth and declaring his honour as especially by 1. Declaring and setting forth his power and greatnesse justice and truth mercy and goodnes 2. Praying to him and praising of him 3. Preaching and declaring his will the Law and Gospel to all men whereby he is most especially honoured even to the ends of the world and all dishonour vices and heresies rooted out 9. Is this then the summe of the third Commandement onely prayed for It may be well understood so 1. Principally that Commandement as where the hallowing of Gods name is commanded according to the scope and words of this petition and all prophanation forbidden utterly as is most plainly apparant 2. So consequently of all the other Commandements of the first Table whereby Gods honour is to be set up in heart as in the first Commandement in the Temple and in his solemne worship as in the second Commandement and especially on his Sabbath as in the fourth Commandement by which means he is more honoured and his name universally glorified as also in the 1. Second petition we desire it openly executed and promoted by his power 2. We desire it may bee willingly performed and submitted udto by our will and best and holiest affections 10. What the sum of this petition then That his name may be honoured and sanctified as acknowledged and declared so amongst all men and the holinesse thereof more famously with all due observances by us and all people glorified whereby 1. We may ascribe all honour to it whether we speake of his titles Behold his creatures Meditate of his words and workes Receive any blessings Be conversant in any holy duties exercises 2. All impediments of his honour may be removed and his honour vindicate from all abuses of unholy and prophane persons or Wordlings 3. He will be pleased so to provide for the preservation of his honour that it may be so hallowed by all people and that consequently his Kingdome of grace may come upon us 11. What is in the letter here expressed Most plainly by the 1. Petition for our selves 2. Intercession for others that God will be pleased to have this duty thus by us and by others done as we pray indefinitely hallowed be thy name and used the Preface our
others good 9. Uncharitable that hate or love not their brother 10. Hard hearted and cruell or disdainfull that scorne or pitty not others 11. Malecontented that doe enjoy nothing as not content with any thing 12. Idle and sloathfull oppressors and theefe deceiver c. that get not their owne but others bread 13. Unthankfull and they that trust in riches or the arme of flesh and never truly depend upon God to aske or receive it of his gift and so in generall we see all ungodly and ungracious men faile in this as most of the other petitions 20. What pray we against Against both 1. Extreame poverty or want of necessaries 2. Want of quietnesse content peace and other comforts of life 3. Unseasonable weather 4. Invasion of enemies 5. Sicknesse and mortality whereby deprived or cannot comfortably enjoy Gods blessings 6. Idlenesse covetousnesse 7. Worldly care 8. Discontent uncharity whereby wee get not or use not our goods lawfully 9. Too much fulnesse whereby in pride or vanity and excesse we forget God and all moderation of daily bread and abuse his blessings and our selves 21. What in the letter hereof expressed 1. The petition for our selves to obtaine such our daily bread and a blessing upon it 2. The intercession for others for the same grace and gifts from God to bee granted there with us What intimated I. A confession of 1. God the giver of all goodnesse and so of his continuall graces to us in giving us c. 2. Our duty to beg it daily at his hand Our defect and neglect of this duty II. A deprecation against all extreame want and poverty or other hindrances of enjoying our daily bread III. Thanksgiving and praise for 1. For all benefits and blessings in generall or speciall received 2. Deliverance from adversities and want Hope of being heard in the continuance and comfortable enjoying c. 22. How summe you it up together in order I. Our confession of 1. Gods bounty that O Lord that every good gift and every perfect giving commeth downe from above c. and that thou clothest the Lilies and feedest the young Ravens that call upon thee 2. Next our duty the eyes of all things looke up and trust in thee O Lord for thou givest them meat in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plenteousnesse 3. Defect too often O Lord wee have gone away from thee and have not looked up to the hils from whence commeth our helpe II. Petition Be mercifull unto us O Lord and give us this day our daily bread III. Intercession Shew us the light of thy countenance give thy blessing unto the people IV. Deprecation defend us O Lord from want and let there be no decay no leading into captivity and no complaining in our streets V. Thanksgiving and praise 1. Happy are the people that be in such a case yea blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God 2. We will also tell of thy mercies and sing of thy praise without ceasing 3. In assurance of thy grace we will trust in thy salvation yea Iacob shall rejoyce and Israel shall be right glad 23. What the second petition for our selves The fifth in order forgive us our trespasses as we forgive c. wherein we aske forgivenesse of all sinnes errors and offences against God or man as we are in charity affected and in repentance humbled and ready to forgive others without which condition of charity and repentance in faith it is impossible our sinnes should be forgiven 24. What the order of it After asking good things from God our daily bread we are hereby put in minde what is the hindrances of his blessings our sinnes and so taught to desire the impediments may be removed whereby his blessings may more freely descend for our sinnes are a separation of our soules from God and of him and of his favour from us which that it may be removed and we reconciled we pray forgive c. 25. What herein contained 1. The petition wherein the Action forgivenesse Object of our sins 2. The conditions as we forgive them that c. 26. What meant by forgivenesse Gods absolute remission of sin both in guilt and punishment and blotting it out of his booke and remembrance that it never rise up in judgement against us to shame or condemne us with the meanes whereby we desire it gratiously effected in us therein considered I. The giving of his graces of Faith and Repentance Humility Confession II. Forgiving the Guilt of sin spotting the soule Punishment deserved in his anger Death temporall and eternall III. Acquitting us by 1. Applying Christs merits to us 2. Accounting and acknowledging us just before him 3. Renewing our decayes by his Spirit by sanctification and holinesse 27. What meant by sin or our debts Our offences against God or man for which we owe satisfaction and so become debtors which debts we are never able to satisfie and so we pray for forgivenesse of those sinnes offences or debts of ours being so many and so grievous both against God and men 28. What sorts of these debts are there I. Against God many and infinite ones in number and greatnesse as 1. Errors 2. Ignorances negligences 3. All manner of breaches of his Law both in thought word and deed II. Against superiours in disobedience III. Against equalls in love and and charity IV. Against inferious in uncharity and want of mercy V. Against our selves by our intemperance error and rebellion Or we are debtors To God owing love and duty To all superious owing obedience To all men owing justice in love unicuique suum reddere To enemies to put away anger and forgive injury To our selves owing abstinency from ill that hurts the soule by which we are to be rightly ordered towards God our superiours our neighbours our enemies our selves and ought to render every one of these their due or we be else debtors to God and men and sinners against God especially in every of them as breakers of his Commandements 29. Why say we our trespasses As most sensible of our owne sinnes which doe in number passe the sands or the haires on our head in number and are innumerable as the Psalmist speaketh and which may be a motive to us both 1. To forgive others since we have so many sins to be forgiven at Gods hand 2. To pray also for the forgivenesse of others sins which we will if we have either charity or sense therein of ours or others misery 30. Why adde we that condition 〈◊〉 we forgive c. To teach us that without charity as well as saith it is impossible to please God or obtain our prayers to be heard or forgivenesse at his hand therefore if we ever hope to obtaine our prayers we must be in perfect charity and able truly to pray for our enemies perfecutors and slanderers and forgive them that trespasse against us 31. What if we doe not forgive them We may
Lord institute it nor his Apostles but in the Councell of Melda ordained So for the Authour not Christ nor his institution Matter No visible signe or forme of words prescribed End not a seale or pledge of grace promised or appointed only of good use of comfort as a holy Ceremony when rightly used and not so precisely and properly a Sacrament 59. What of extreame unction It was but temporary and in use of the gift of miracles and healing and with them rather ceased then continued as having neither 1. The Authour Christ or his institution but Apostolicall use and tradition whiles it lasted or was truly in use 2. The matter no prescript forme of words especially by our Saviour though the Apostles used the ceremony 3. The end no such generall use and benefit in all times and places or promise annexed as a seale meanes or pledge of grace 60. How of pennance Though a most godly duty and to be performed of all as repentance faith and obedience are required of all yet not as a Sacrament instituted in the new Law or by Christ but a holy duty and both under the old and new covenant equally practised So neither having Authour Christ or his institution particularly for the beginning of it matter No prescript outward signe or form of words from his ordinance or inward part Or end instituted for a seal or pledge though a means of grace and so not so properly a Sacrament as a holy duty 61. How of Orders or Ordination Though wee finde both the institution and expresse form of a sacred ceremonious action therein in the new Testament used by our Saviour and his Apostles and form of words and necessity of perpetuity to the worlds end for the good of the whole Church that Calvins institutions lib. 4. cap. 19. Sect. 31. and cap. 14. Sect. 20. allow it in some sense to be a Sacrament and wee cannot well deny it yet not accounted an ordinary Sacrament in usum totius Ecelesiae to bee used by all the members though for the good of all and so not a sacrament as universal or pertaining to all but peculiar to one estate of men and consequently though a holy ceremony not reckoned among these chief but rather to be referred to those secondarily and lesse properly called sacraments 62. How came these other to be so accounted Sacraments 1. By means of S. Jerome translation naming them or some of them so 2. By means of the Fathers also calling them so in a large or lesse proper sense 3. By means of the number of seven as a sacred number and much affected by many Ancients 63. And is not this sufficient No For this wee might have by this meanes not onely seven but many more as many other holy actions ceremonies and other things have been called Sacraments As 1. Sacramentum Martyrii by S. Ierom ad Oceanum Martyrdome 2. Sacramentum Crucis by S. Augustine the Crosse a Sacrament 3. Sacramentum Ligni the helve of the hatchet that Elisha got the Iron out of the water with by Tertullian 4. Sacramentum Religionis Religion and the Military oath Sacraments called besides many other 64. What shall we then doe herein To consider the definition and thereby to find which are truly the Sacraments or the chiefe and of chief use in the Church and therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called As for the Author if by men or their institution and not Christs not properly Sacraments Matter wanting either outward signe of Element or action Prescript forme of words ceremonie Inward grace propounded promised and so sealed End not generall Use benefit of promise annexed pledge seale or means of grace Or not by all to be in convenient time used want of any or especially many or all of these utterly destroy or abate the true nature of a true Sacrament as wee saw before in marriage legall Ceremonies the brazen Serpent the Rocke in the wildernesse and such like things though an outward signe and inward graces in some sort represented yet without Christs institution not properly Sacraments of the new Covenant yea and though by Christ and his Apostles ordained but for other uses as of comfort or to be used of some persons only and the like or not for a seal of the main grace of the covenant to confirme it though otherwise perhaps signes of great graces not so properly Sacraments as these two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord which have all these parts conditions and prerogatives both authour matter manner end and generall use and necessity 65. Must all of necessity then use the true Sacraments Yes And therefore ordained as the generall meanes and seales of grace to all under the covenant and so appointed the ordinary pledges of the same though God who is above means can save without means yet we are to use the ordinary means by him appointed and not neglect the same if it may be had for so it were a contempt of God otherwise we may be held excused So generally necessary thus ordinarily appointed to all if they may be had otherwise not of that simple and absolute necessity as if without them impossible or no salvation 66. How many and what are the parts of a Sacrament then set forth in the definition of them Two the outward and visible signe and the inward and spirituall grace where is to be considered 1. The Relatum the outward signe 2. Corellatum the inward grace signed or signified 3. Relation of the signe to the thing signified representing the same and presenting it to the soule that receiveth it by faith 67. How shew you this then more fully Sufficiently well or amply and plainly enough to be seene in each of the Sacraments handled particularly SECT 2. Of BAPTISME Of Baptism and the severall parts thereof with their resemblance and relation of the one to the other explicated and considered the efficacie and vertue of baptisme in the renewing of us by being thereby received into the covenant of grace and engrafted into Christ being so washed in this Laver of regeneration and what is required of the person baptized viz. Repentance and Faith whereby is here briefly observed the descriptions of them and how they are to be found or considered in the infants that are baptised reason why Infants are baptised taken from Christ and his Apostles doings primitive times practise as well as from the succeeding of it to circumcision and the practice of the Iewish Church in that very point like ours as it is else so Catholickly re-received Elder persons baptised who may baptise and the severall sorts of baptisme with the difference between S. John the Baptist and Christs baptisme so by him instituted ends of baptisme why not to be iterated and here the practice of primitive times in this point declared and manner of their ordering of their Churches fitted as it were to that purpose to have that and all other holy actions decently performed whence the severall
s. 3 q. 37. vid. Name of God L Lawes and their soverall sorts p. 3. s. 1. q. 6. and Law how written ib. q. 42. Law and its use p. 4. s. 1. q. 10. Last â—udgement p. 2. s. 9. q. 5. Life and eternity vid. Everlasting life Long life how a blessing p. 3. s. 7. q. 62. Lords Supper parts and relat p. 5. s. 3. q. 4. the mysteriousnesse of it q. 38. c. â—igures and manner of it ib q 47. preparation to it ibid. s. 4. q. 20. Love of God p. 3. s. 3. q. 34 p. 3. s. 13 q 3. Love of neighbour ibid. Lying and falshood vide truth M Magistrates vi Parents Masters theirs and servants duties p. 3. s. 7. q. 38 Marriage p. 3. s. 9. q. 52. Member of Christ how p. 1. s. 3 q. 38. Mysterys of Religion vid. Sacraments and Lords supper Mystery of the Trinity vid. Trinity Mysterious names â—ehovah â—esus c. p. 5. s. 2. q. 76. c. Mystery of godlinesse ibidem Mystery of Iniquity vid. Aâ—tichrist Morality of the law p. 3. s. 6. q. 28. s. 1 q. 25. Murther and the seuerall sorts p. 3. s. 8. q. 6. c. N Names and their use p. 1. s. 2. q. 17. Imposition and change of them ib. s. 2. q. 1 c. Name of God p. 3. s. 5. q. 5 c. p. 4. s. 4. q. 12. how â—hallowed or prophaâ—ed ib. p. 5. s. 2. q. 75. name â—ehovah q. 79. Nativity of Christ miraculous p. 2. s. 5. q. 14. Necessity of Christs humanity p. 2. s. 5. q. 26. O Oaths and vowes p. 3. s 5. q. 25. Obedience active passive p. 4. s. 4. q. 44. Obedience and â—umiliation of Christ p. 2. s. 6. q 4. c. Obedience to Parents and Superiors p. 3. s. 7. q. 13 c. Oppression vid. Stealing Parents p 3. s. 67. q. 18. Passion and sufferings of Christ p. 2. s. 6. q. 27. c. Petitions and division of the Lords prayer p. 4 s. 3. q. 4 s. 4. q. 1. c. s. 8. q. 3. c. Polithisme vid. Atheisme Prayer and the parts p. 3. s. 4. q 34. p. 4. s. 2 q. 3. sorts and other requisites ibidem Preaching and other duties in Gods service p. 3. s. 4. q. 45. p. 5. s. 5. p. 33 â—uty of preachers and hearers Preface of the Law p. 3. s. 2. q. 4. c. other circumstances ibidem Profanes p. 3. s. 3 q. 32. Q Qualification and maner of true prayer p. 4 s. 2. q. 26. Quallity name and nature of the Beast vid. Antichrist R Religion what it is p. 1. s. 1. q. 37. and the truth of it p. 2. s. 2 q. 11. Resurrection and Assention of Christ p. 2. s. 8. q. 9. tipes of it ibid. Resurrection of the body p. 2. s. 12. q. 17. Repentance explained p. 1. s. 5. q. 32. p. 5. s. 2. q. 18. Requisites in Baptisme p. 5. s. 2. q. 27. c. Reverence and Devotion used in prayer p. 5. s. 2. q. 62. and in the church ibidem Robbery vid. stealing Rules for right expounding the law p. 3. s. 2. q. 36. p. 3. s. 57. q. 3. Rules and other requisites of Prayer p. 4. s. 2. q. 28. S Sabbath and sanctifying it p. 3. s. 6. per tot Sacrament p. 5. s. 1. q. 1. c. number and true use ibid. s. 1. q. 50. Sacriledge p. 3. s. 10. q. 33. Selfe murther p. 3. s. 8. q. 37. Servants vid. Masters Service of God and duties therein p. 3. s. 4. q. 44. p. 3. s. 6. q 62. Session of Christ in glory p. 2. s. 8 q. 46. c. and last judgement ibid. s 9. per tot Sins their severall sorts and divisions p 1. s. 4. q. 35. Sin against the holy Ghost p. 2. s. 10. q. 33. Slander vid. lying and Murther Sons of God vid. Father p. 2. s. 4. q. 47. p. 4 s. 3. q. 7. Soul murther vid. murther and lying State of nature and grace p. 4. s. 1. q. 18. Stealing p. 3 s. â—0 q. 9. c. Subjects their duties vid. Kings Sum of the Catechisme p. 1. s. 1. q. 42. p. 5. s. 5. q. 1. and use of it ibid Superiors vid. Parents Supper of the Lord p. 5. s. 3. q. 11. name and benefits p. 10. c. vid. Lords supper Swearing vid. Oathes T Tables of the law and their division p. 3. s. 3. q. 2. Temptations of divers sorts p. 4. s. 6. q. 3. Theft vid. Stealing Title of the Catechisme p. 1. s. 1. per tot Trinity of persons in the Godhead p. 2. s. 2. q. 31. and unity ibid. p. 2. s. 3. q. 20. Truth in charity p. 3. s. 11 q. 9. c. V Union vide Communion Vow vide Oathes Vow in Baptisme p 1. s. 4. q. 2. c. Use of the law p. 4. s. 1. q 9 W Word and will of God p. 1. s. 4 q. 71. p. 5. s. 5. q. 9 vide Bible Worldly vanities and lusts p 1 s 4 q. 50. Worship of God p 3. s. 4. q. 7. X. Initialis litera vacat tanquam nostris exotica and note xpus set for Christus and xpt for Christ generally so taken and is so generally mistaken being indeed the Greeke Chi Rho the first letters of the abreviation of the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christus a like mistake of some in H. supposed the lattin H. in the other name IHS being indeed the Greek Eta and so they the three first letters of the sacred name Iesus so abreviated Y Younger sort their duty p 3 s. 7 q 25 q. 35. Youth vid. children Z Zeal vid the love of God The Printer to the Reader Gentle Reader WHereas the Authour by reason of sicknesse and other infirmities could not be so present in assisting the Correction as he desired if any small Errata or mistakes have escaped our best vigilancie such as Instruction for Institution favour for savour or some particles as but and in wanting superabounding or set one for another it will be thy courtesie and ingenuity in reading to certifie and amend them the current of the sense as it were enforcing or shewing the true scope of the meaning there intended and as it is I doubt not but thou wilt be glad to peruse it and that with good contentation and comfort so that thou mayest reap both pleasure and profit by it is the hearty desire of him that wisheth thy best good Farewell FINIS
is of the power and by the finger of God effected so every evill thought word and act the workes of the Divell perpetrated by his lend agents and instruments 41. In the second place what meane you by the wicked world All that is not of God produced in the world viz. all the corruptions and as it is called the covetousnesse and concupiscience and pompes and vanities of the same 42. But are not these the workes of the Divell Yes and so with him and in him considered as the author in the world as the subject place and matter where seene and acted in the slesh as the agent and instrument the Divell useth in effecting them 43. VVhat is meant by pompes All unnecessary proud and superfluous excesses in the world exceeding that Christian measure and moderation becomming the servants of God whether in meat drink apparell or other vaine ostentation 44. Are all pompous showes pageants and solemnities then unlawfull By no meanes if within measure and moderation prescribed in comparison of the estate or persons to whom they appertaine 45. How meane you that All the solemnities in the publique service of God fitting the magnificence of him and his Temple all ornaments of estate belonging to King Magistrate City or University for the better administration of the government of the Church and Common-wealth all ensignes of honour and the like on lawfull and honest occasions used and worne Publique triumphs and shows in honour of Prince Countrey City or Common-wealth or any member thereof by law of God and man approved and allowed or for some good end ordained 46. VVhat doe these profit To the well and orderly government and apparant honour and decency of Church and Common-wealth yea to the advancement of vertue and so encouragement of good and vertuous mindes 47. How may it be By the fitting splendor and glory of Gods House the Kings Court City or University eminently advanced in such manner testifying the flourishing estate and prosperity of the same which every good man is glad to behold 48. Doe any envy them this If any doe as loath either Kingly Courtly or other robe of decent ornament should exceed the size of the Millers or Weavers jacket that may be apparantly seen such more precise then wise little respect the decency and comelinesse fitting a well ordered estate the honour of God and his Church or Majesty of the Prince 49. What is then here renounced Unnecessary proud vaine and superfluous pompe beyond those rules of decency ornament or honour by law and wisdome prescribed 50. VVhat are the vanities of the world All these superfluous excesses and whatsoever else savoureth of the nature of sin which is vaine 51. How is sin vaine As empty of all goodnesse and making the soule empty of grace and worse then nothing so both vaine the use not satisfying and in the end extreame vanity and vexation of spirit 52. How saith the wise man all is vanity In two respects 1. As all things in the world are but momentary and soone fading 2. As they are too much infected with sin the just sinning seven times a day and so all his actions and all things else even vanitie of vanities 53. VVhat are the sinfull lusts of the flesh Our homebred corruptions our sins and lusts traitours to our selves and owne soules by which the Divell working taketh us his captives and so we become servants to sin and him whom by his meanes we obey 53. VVhat meane you by the flesh The worse part of man the house of clay the body of death or prison of the soule as rebellion against God 54 VVhat the lusts All evill concupiscence tyrannizing over the soule by the meanes of the flesh so drawing both captive to sin and death 55. How sinfull lusts 1. By the subtilty of the Divel suggesting them 2. By the maliguity of the world fostring them 3. By the frailty of the flesh breeding them And by whom the soule infected the whole man becommeth exceedingly sinfull if we doe not resist and strive against them 56. How are we to resist them By faith and continuall and hearty prayer to God to give us his grace whereby it commeth to passe the life of a good Christian is a continuall warfare or combat against these three spirituall enemies fighting against the soule the Divell the World the Flesh. 57. In the second place how is faith here described By beleeving all the Articles of our Christian confession 58. VVhich are they Expressed hereafter in the Creed 59. VVhom doe they concerne God and his Church whereof we are made visible members of the baptisme so received into that society 60. VVhy doe we professe or learne them That we may know God and our owne estate 61. VVhat of God How he is a most powerfull eternall wise glorious and gracious God and our Creator and father in Jesus Christ. Redeemer delivering us from all our enemies Sanctifier comforting and preserving us in all our necessities 60. VVhat of our selves That though by nature we are sons of wrath in Adam yet in Christ adopted sons and made members of the Catholique Church and communion of Saints have blessed hope of forgivenesse of sins resurrection of the body and life everlasting 61. To what end are we taught this That we may both conscionably Learne Know Professe Promise Practise our Christian duties the better 62. How so By ordering our selves as the servants of so great and good a God and applying our selves to his worship and obedience as becommeth Saints 63. In the third place then how is obedience here decyphered That generall duty of ours is set forth 1. By the universall diligence in keeping and observing 2. By the universall object of this diligence the will and commandements of God 3. By the universall countenance of this diligence all the dayes of our life c. 64. How followeth it in this place As a fruit of faith whereon it dependeth for if we know God as we ought we cannot chuse but serve and obey him 65. How is this duty commended In that obedience is better then sacrifice 66. VVhy so preferred Because by sacrifice we offer but the flesh of Lambes Bullocks or other Cattel by obedience we offer our owne selves soules and bodies to God as a living holy and acceptable sacrifice mortifying and subduing our corrupt affections to the will of God 67. How is our diligence in this duty described By keeping and walking in or observing the Commandements and will of God 68. VVhat meant by keeping Our will and desire to Seeke into Learne to know Remember Lay up in our hearts Ponder consider That holy wil of God his Commandemēts 69. How to walke and observe them To direct our wayes and words and workes and counsells thoughts and hearts according to the same 70. VVhat the object or matter here named The will and Commandements of God his holy Lawes 71. VVhat is the will of God Our holinesse and sanctification in body and
spirit 72. How is Gods will knowne As it is revealed in his holy Word 73. VVhere is that word conteined In the bookes of the Old and New Testament 74. VVhat are the Commandements of God The Law of God given to us and his will in generall as before mentioned for the morall part thereof more particularly expressed in the ten Commandements hereafter recited 75. How long obliged to this duty and diligence So long as we have any being all the dayes of our life 76. VVhy so Because from him wee have received our life and being and so to his honour ought all to bee referred 77. How all our dayes Whether of prosperity in praises or adversity in patience to give him thankes and submit our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure 78. How life Whether our naturall life so rightly understood or life of grace in Gods Church and service as well applyed that the life of grace here may bee an entrance to the life of glory hereafter 79. Is this the summe of the sureties promise It is into these three parts distributed viz. 1. Our repentance to forsake and renounce all evill the Divell World and the Flesh. 2. Our faith to beleeve all the Articles of our Christian faith 3. Our obedience to keep and walke in Gods holy wil and his Commandements all the dayes of my life SECT 5. The fourth Question Our Christian resolution to performe the vow made for us in baptisme and how we are bound to performe and that many wayes in common morality conscience and reason law and Religion since for our so apparent good and Church and superiour institution and command to which wee are to submit our selves in humility our duty to praise God for our happy estate of salvation given to us in Christ by the administry of the Church and meanes of the Sacraments Confirmed and sealed to our soules and to pray for the grace of continuance so to persevere therein to the 〈◊〉 and here also a reason is rendred why the first part of the sureties promise or vow in Baptisme is passed by and the second part concerning the Creed is so here first and principally insisted on as followeth 1. DOst thou thinke thou art bound to beleeve and doe as they have promised for thee Yes verily by Gods helpe so I will c. 2. What is conteined in this answer A fourefold resolution 1. As a direct and resoulte affirmation of the demand yes verily 2. As a resolute asseveration and protestation to the same and by Gods helpe 3. As a resolute praising of God and giving of thankes I heartily thanke c. 4. As a resolved prayer for grace of continuance and perseverance to the end I pray God c. 3. Is then the party bound by anothers act He is both in morality and conscience reason and Religion 4. Without any deputation Yes since it is for his good and if it had not been promised yet in conscience and else bound to performe that 5. How so 1. In common morality since it was for his good and so in duty for good order and vertues sake to doe it 2. In conscience since for the honour of God and good of our owne soule so obliged 3. In reason since by superiours and those that have authority over us our parents and superiours enjoyned 4. Religion since by the Churches authority so for the honour of God and our owne good ordained 6. But can Infants be bound or those under age by their owne or which is lesse others acts By both when it is for their good otherwise not if to their prejudice and rather by tutors and governours acts then by their owne 7. Why so Because they are intended of wisedome and judgement and knowing what is convenient and trusted with the guiding and government of the Infant or young here yet wanting discretion 8. How appearoth it that they are so bound In very law as well as reason the ground of all good lawes when it is for their good and necessary occasions as meat drinke and apparell teaching and bringing up and the like the Infant and Pupill or heire in nonage as well as the most aged persons bound to performe pay and discharge such dues and promises 9. What is the reason for it Because it is for his apparant good and benefit so if he finde a hand to receive a beneficiall lease in law being an Infant he must also finde a hand to pay the rent and performe the condicioned covenants 10. But how is this for his good In an uncomparable great and high degree as hereby received into the heavenly society of Saints and to have that glorious priviledge hereby signed to him to be the Son of God member of Christ and heire of blessednesse and so as hee receiveth the benefit tyed to performe the Covenants 11. How followeth it that he saith By Gods grace so I will In acknowledgement of 1. The fountaine whence all sufficiency and ability doth flow 2. The readinesse and propensity we ought to have to perform it 11. Have we then no ability of our selves No not so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to performe any good deed but all our sufficiency is from God 12. What is our duty then to doe To pray for ability from him expect his graces and after the same in humility as considering whence all our ability comes to direct our courses 13. Can we doe this then Not we as of our selves but Gods grace and good Spirit within us that beginneth will performe every good worke to his glory 14. What shall we doe then Only submit our selves to his will be prest to obey and doe as his good Spirit moveth us not to quench the spirit but being ready to say Speake Lord for thy servant heareth accordingly continue in well doing 15. How shall we finde or know this If we praise God for graces received and pray unto him for more as followeth in this answer 16. Why should we praise him Because thanksgiving for graces received is the fruit of the former grace and seed of the latter 17. VVhat doe you praise him for here For calling me to this state of salvation 18. VVhat is this state of salvation The state of a Christian in the love and favour of God by his Covenant of grace whereof the Sacraments are signes and seales 19. How are we else Out of Gods favour weltering in our owne bloud and pollution of sin by nature but restored to his favour thus by grace 20. In or by whom or what meanes Through Jesus Christ our Saviour in whom God is well pleased and for his sake doth blot out all our guilt and offences 21. How are we brought to this estate We are called by God by whom elected and by the Ministry of his Church by his appointment and the voice of his holy Word and thus lastly sealed for his receive these signes the Sacraments with the vertue and effect of them pledges