quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the wordes that I speake vnto you are spirite and life And whereas the most of the best interpreters of these times expounde these wordes of Christes Deitie as if the same were vnderstood by the word spirite so that Christes meaning as they say is that the power of quickning doth proceede from the Deitie of Christ so that his flesh hath power to quicken vs as it is the flesh of the sonne of God crucified for vs. This exposition no doubt is sound and good yet I thinke this be the most simple and naturall sense if by the word spirit we vnderstaÌ„d the holy Ghost that the meaning should be thus my flesh which I said must be eaten to attaine eternall life profiteth nothing to effect this if ye eate the same corporally as you Capernaites vnderstand me but it is the spirit which quickneth that is the holy Ghost quickneth the harts of the faithfull and nourisheth them vnto life euerlasting by working in them effectually to beleeue in me and so to eate my flesh and to drinke my bloud spiritually that is by faith whereby they are well assured that my flesh was crucified for them and my bloud shed for them for the remission of their sinnes The wordes therefore saith he which I speake vnto you of the necessitie of eating my flesh to attaine eternall life these wordes I say are spirite and life that is must be vnderstood of the effectuall working of the holy Ghost in the harts of the elect to worke eternall life in them euen by faith Moreouer for the better vnderstanding of this point in what sense the flesh of Christ is and may truly be said to be our spirituall foode we must expresse also in what manner it is made meate for vs. And this Christ taught vs in very plaine wordes in that Sermon where he saith I am that f v. 51. liuing bread that is the quickning bread or that bread that giueth life which came downe from heauen If any man shall eate of this bread he shall liue for euer and the bread that I will giue is my flesh which I will giue for the life of the world In these last wordes which I will giue for the life of the world Christ sheweth in what maner his flesh should be foode for vs and that is in that he will giue it vnto the death for our life that is to merite for vs life euerlasting offring it as Priest himselfe a holy sacrifice to God his father And that this is the naturall sense of this relatiue * Quam ego dabo which in this place as if the Lord had said quatenus cam dabo in that or for that I shall giue it it is verie manifest by the matter it selfe which is handled in that place For if we shall not so vnderstand those wordes as tending to declare the former maner of that thing which is here intreated then that word must note some diuision of a generall into specials as if Christ had two kindes of flesh of which the one he would giue for the life of the world the other he would not giue But this interpretation is manifestly false and contrary to the articles of our faith wheron we ground the truth of Christes incarnation Therefore that exposition of the relatiue which in this place is verie true and natural and vsed to declare the forme and manner of that thing which is there proposed or disputed vpon And the very same interpretation is there of the words of the Lord in the institution of his holy Supper where of that bread broken he speaketh on this wise This is my bodie which is giuen or broken for you that is in * Quatenus asmuch as or for that it is broken or giuen for you For that holie bread or as Paule calleth it that bread of the Lord is not simplie the Sacrament of the Lordes bodie that is doth not simplie signifie and testifie that the Lord hath a true bodie but signifieth and testifieth that the Lords body is broken or giuen for vs that is was offred on the Crosse with the feeling of Gods wrath to make satisfaction for our sinnes And in like manner must we speake and thinke of the other wordes which the Lord pronounced of the holy cup or wine saying This is that my bloud of the new Testament or couenant which is shed for you and for manie for the remission of sinnes that is in asmuch as or for that it is shed c. By the premisses it is now manifest that the flesh of Christ hath in it the nature of meate not simplie but in a certaine respect that is in asmuch as it was crucified for vs. Like as the body is said to be visible in respect of the colours thereof Now concerning the second question in what maner we eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his bloud I answer Such as the meate and drinke is such must be the maner of the eating and drinking thereof but the flesh of Christ is spirituall meate and his bloud is spirituall drinke as is aforeshewed Therefore the flesh of Christ is eaten spiritually or in a spirituall manner and his bloud is drunke also in the same manner Now to eate the flesh of Christ and to drinke his bloud spiritually is to eate with the mouth of the spirite that is of the soule to wit by faith Again to eate the flesh of Christ by faith and to drinke his bloud is nothing else but to beleeue in Christ or to beleeue that the flesh of Christ is crucified for thee and that his bloud is shed for thee for the remission of thy sinnes This Christ himselfe sheweth in the same Sermon where he propoundeth two propositions or sentences signifying one thing which are these he that beleeueth g v. 47. in me hath eternall life and h v. 54. he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life The matter also and argument there handled requires this interpretation of the words of Christ for if he meant by that phrase of eating his flesh one thing and by that of faith another thing then this consequent would follow we must haue not one but two wayes to life euerlasting one by eating the flesh of Christ the other by faith But the way to eternall life is but one which is Christ alone receiued by faith or faith in Christ our Sauiour both come to one effect And yet the better to vnderstand this point consider a little what the nature of faith is And this is knowen by his next and proper obiect which is the Gospell or that testimonie which God hath giuen vs of his loue and grace for and through Iesus Christ for faith resteth vpon the Gospell as the blessed and infallible testimonie of God And the Gospell testifieth of Christ that is of his person and office and of all his benefites towardes vs that is to say that Christ is the only begotten sonne of God which for our sake and for our saluation came downe from heauen and was made man of the virgine Marie that he liued an holy life according to the law of God and hath brought vnto vs from the bosome of his father the counsell of God concerning our saluation who being righteous suffered for vs that are vnrighteous vnder Pontius Pylate was crucified dead c. And like as the Gospell testifieth these things vnto vs so the Sacramentes also testifie the same for they are seales of the Gospell and as it were a Gospell seene and a Gospell felt He therefore that beleeueth these holy testimonies of God in so doing he spiritually feedeth vpon the bodie of Christ spiritually drinketh the bloud of Christ And thus doth Augustine De doctrina Christ Lib. 2. cap. 16. expounde this place of Christ Vnlesse saith he ye eate the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his bloud ye haue no life in you He seemeth to commande a horrible fact and a thing most detestable It is a figure commanding vs to communicate with or to become partakers of the Lordes passion and to lay vp sweetely and comfortably in memorie that his flesh was crucified and wounded for vs thus saith Augustine After the same maner doth Mr Iohn Caluin that famous diuine of our age lay open those wordes of Christ in his booke of Institutions the 4. booke Chap. 17. sect 5. FINIS R D DEVS â—â—â—â—T ASTRIS
both haue one and the selfe same substance but they differ in that the ministration is diuerse XI In the substance of the couenant three things are to be considered The first is what the scope is of the calling of Gods elect The second what is the antecedent * The Greekes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antecedent or principall cause mouing cause of the couenaÌ„t The third what the stirring mouing and * The Greekes call this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the euident cause meritorious cause is XII The scope of the calling of the fathers and of establishing Gods couenant with them was the blessed immortalitie The mouing cause Gods free fauour grace in their vocation The meritorious cause was the death of the mediator XIII That God proposed and promised to the fathers not an earthly but heauenly beatitude may appeare by these arguments Frist because they were called by the a Rom 1.2 Rom. 3.21 promise of the Gospell wherein it is euident that men are called vnto an heauenly b Ephe. 1.13 2. Thess 2.14 felicitie Secondly for that they had the same c 1. Cor. 10.3 and 4. SacrameÌ„t with vs the same I say in signification that is seales of the same grace Thirdly for that God vouchsafed to make these holy fathers partakers of his word whereby soules are d 1. Pet. 1.23 quickened and men are lift vp vnto the hope of life euerlasting Fourthly for that God promised those fathers that he wold be their e Leui. 26.12 Math. 22.32 God that is that he would be not onely the God of their bodies but also principally the God and Sauiour of their soules for euer and therefore he promised to knit their soules vnto himselfe in righteousnesse that he might make them partakers of life f Psal 144.15 Psal 33.12 Haba 1.12 Deut. 33. â—9 euerlasting Fiftly for that God in his couenant testified not onely that he was now their God but also promised that he would be their God for g Gen. 17.7 euer in which promise assuredly the heauenly felicitie life euerlasting is plainly signified vnto vs. Sixtly for that God promised also that he would be the God of their h Ibid. seede after them that is of the posteritie of them after their death for their sake and for their comfort Seuenthly for that God i Exod. 3.6 Math. 12.32 professed of Abraham Isaac Iacob after their death that he is their God Eightly because those holy fathers were exercised with many and great k Gene. 4.8 Gen. 6.7.8.9 Gene. 12.13 c. Gene. 26.27 Gene. 28.29 c. miseries in this life whereby it is manifest that they waited and looked to receiue at Gods hand not an earthly but an heauenly rest and happinesse otherwise they should be frustrate of their hope and so deceiued by the oracles and diuine promises of God Ninthly for that Paule to the Hebrues testifieth that Abraham Isaac and Iacob did by faith l Heb. 11 9.1â—0 abide in the land of promise as in a straunge countrey looking for desiring and minding their heritage and Citie and countrey in heauen Tenthly for that if these fathers had not expected the complement of Gods promises in heauen they had bin more blunt and m 1. Cor. 15.19 voyde of vnderstanding then very blockes for that they so egerly sought after these promises for the which there could be no hope that euer they should be performed on earth Eleuenthly for that those fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob n Gen. 47.9 Psal 39.13 confessed that they were strangers in the land of Chanaan and therefore we must necessarily vnderstand that the o Gen. 15.18 promise made of God vnto them coÌ„cerning that land may not principally and properly be vnderstood of that land or of any earthly happinesse to be enioyed in that place but of life euerlasting as signified by type and figure Twelfthly for that those holy fathers would be p Gene. 47.29.30 Gene. 50.24 buried in the land of Chanaan to retaine the seale or Sacrament of eternall life which God had giueÌ„ theÌ„ Thirtenthly for it is very apparant that those holy fathers in all their q Psal 119.166 174. desires purposes set euer before theÌ„selues the blessed state of eternall life Fourteenthly for that Iacob being euen ready to die professed that he expected the saluation of the Lord that is the Lord had promised and should giue him and then could he not r Gen. 49.18 looke for in this life because that anon after he died departed from the same Fifteenthly for that the Prophets testifie that the couenant made with the fathers was Å¿ Esa 51.6 Iob. 19.25 c Iohn 13.15 Esa 66.22 c. Da. 12.1 c. spirituall and therefore that life euerlasting was promised vnto theÌ„ therin Sixteenthly because Christ promising eternall life to his Disciples saith they should t Math. 8.11 rest with AbrahaÌ„ Isaac and Iacob Seuenteenthly for that Peter u Act. 3.25 promising that EuaÌ„gelicall benediction that is remission of sinnes and life euerlasting to the faithfull Iewes of his time he made them herein equall to their fathers Eightenthly For that Christ in his x Mat. 27.52 resurrection raised vp many of the Saints with him vnto life euerlasting and therfore because there is one the like reason of all the elect the rest also shal be aduanced in due time vnto the kingdome of haeuen Nineteenthly for that those holy fathers had the selfe same spirit of y 2. Cor. 4.13 Gene. 15.6 Hebr. 11. faith we haue therefore they were as well as we regenerate vnto the hope of eternall life XIIII Againe it may appeare by the premises that the couenant whereby the fathers were reconciled vnto God rested not vpon any of their merites but onely on the free a Ios last 2.3 mercy of God which called them to his grace and fauour againe it is manifest that they receiued and knew b Heb. 11.4 Iohn 8.56 Dan. 9.17 Christ a mediatour by faith for by him they were receiued to coÌ„mun with God and made partakers of his holy promises XV. Thus far we haue shewed the likenesse and agreement of both Testaments now it foloweth that we declare also how they differ and disagree XVI The difference of both Testamentes consisting in the maner of administration hath foure parts XVII The first difference is this that the couenant of grace in the old TestameÌ„t that is before the comming of Christ that glorious appearaÌ„ce of the holy Ghost was administred to a Gen. 15.18 chap. 17.7 Abraham onely with his posteritie and of these principally to the people of the Iewes b Math. 10.5 6 c. 15.24 Rom. 15.8 the Israelites But in the new Testament that is after the incarnation of Christ and his Ascension into heauen the same is administred to other c Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.15 Act. 9.15 nations which
in them to receiue him and his merites VI. The office of Christ is three fold for he is ordained of God to be our Prophet Priest and King VII He executed his Propheticall a Deut. 18.18 Act. 3.22 chap 7.37 functiō or office of a teacher when he was conuersant on earth in b Math 4.17 Esa 61.1 Luke 4.21 preaching the Gospell reuealing c Iohn 1.18 vnto vs the secret coūsell of God concerning the great worke of our saluation by him VIII He exercised the office of his Priesthood partly whē he was on earth partly doth still exercise the same in heauen Whē he was on earth he first offred prayers a Iohn 17. Heb. 5.7 to his father for vs next his b Heb 7.27 owne body vpon the crosse and did expiate our sinnes c Heb. 9.25 c. 10.14 with that his sacrifice In heauen d Heb. 9.24 he appeareth before the face of the heauenly father with his sacrifice once offred on earth without e Heb. 10.12 intermission praying for vs that the reconciliation we haue obtained may be as fresh in memory and neuer be lost IX The kingdom of Christ beginneth in this life and is called the kingdome of grace and it shal be perfected in the life to come which is called the kingdome of glorie The kingdome of grace is that spirituall kingdome a Ioh. 18.37 wherin Christ ruleth the harts of his elect by his word and spirite And this kingdome he administred in the old Testament vnto his elect by Priestes and Prophets in the beginning of the new Testament by Iohn Baptist and himselfe with his Disciples But at the last he solemnely begā to erect the same in the day of b Act. 2. Pentecost whē he sent the holy Ghost to his holy Apostles that they might go preach the Gospell to all nations So then he hath euer continued his kingdome on earth shall continue it vntill he returne to iudgemēt at which time he shal be ruler in the c Psal 110.2 middest of his enemies whom he plagueth now and then and destroieth the last he cast them downe make them his d Ibid. 1. footestoole in his most glorious e 2. Thes 2.8 cōming at which he shall free all his faithfull members from all their afflictions cary them with him f 1. Thess 4.17 to heauen and make them partakers for euer of his heauenly kingdome which then shal be the kingdome of glorie when all the Saints shal be translated to heauen beautified and adorned in their soules with wisedome and holinesse in their bodies with great excellency and immortality to be with Christ in inspeakable ioyes and glorie for euer and euer CHAP. XI Of Faith I. APHORISME NOw for that we are made partakers of Christes benefites which we receiue by his death as the remission of sins and life euerlasting by a Rom. 3 25 Act. 10.43 faith it shal be expedient also that we learne what this faith is how it breedeth who receiue this grace and what proper markes it hath II. This faith then is a sure firme a Iohn 17.3 Rom. 8.38 1. Iohn 3.2 knowledge of the grace of God purchased for vs by the merites of Christs death and testified by the word of promise whereby euery beleeuer doth apply that promise of grace vnto himselfe b Gal. 2. particularly assuring him selfe that the same doth no lesse appertaine vnto himselfe then vnto the rest of the faithfull III. The holy c Mat. 16.17 Iohn 3.5.6.8 Ephe. 2.8 Iohn 6.45 Act. 16.14 Ghost a Iohn 3.3.5.6.7.8 1. Cor. 4.15 Philem v. 10. 1. Pet. 1.23 worketh this faith in the harts of his b Iohn 6.37 chap. 8 47. chap. 10.26 Act. 13.48 Tit. 1.1 2. Thess 3.2 elect which are of yeares by the d Rom. 1.16 chap. 10.17 1. Cor. 3.5 1. Pet. 1. 25. preaching of the Gospell IIII. From this faith ariseth that holy a Ephe. 3.12 affiance and trust in God whereby the beleeuer resteth himselfe comfortably in the fatherly b Psal 32. fauour grace of God purchased for him by the death of Christ considering both the truth c Heb. 11.11 d Rom. 4.21 Heb. 11.19 power of God from this affiance do streame forth al our spirituall e Iohn 8.56 Rom. 14.17 Iohn 5.25 c. 6.57 63. ioyes and comforts and all our spirituall life according as by it we tast of f Psal 30.6 item 31.17 item 36.10 itē 80.48.20 the great grace and fauour of God V. Againe from this faith ariseth and proceedeth the assured hope a Rom. 5.5 Rom. 8.23.24 25. of euerlasting life or of the celestiall glorie which we shall haue with our Lord Christ in his kingdome VI. Againe from this fountaine springs the holy a Ro. 10.14 Rom. 8.15 inuocation of God our most faithfull and bountifull Father and our most mightie Lord and God VII Faith also causeth vs to make a true a Rom. 10.9 10. 2. Cot. 4.13 profession and confesse with the mouth to the glorie of God that which we beleeue with the heart VIII To be short hence proceedeth the a 1. Ioh. 3.3 Gal. 5.6 true loue and reuerend feare of Gods children which causeth them with all indeuour to please and carefully to auoyde what may offend and displease his holy spirit IX The grace of a Rom 8.38 and 39. Iohn 10.28 Rom. 11.28 Luc. 22.32 1. Pet 15 23. 1. Ioh 2 19 2. Tim. 2.19 Ps 1.3 Es 42. 3. Ier. 32 40. Os 2.19 20. perseuerance is an inseparable companion of faith for faith neuer dieth albeit sometimes it be as it were b Mark 9.24 Psalm 73. ouerturned and as buried with the tempestes of temptation CHAP. XII Of Repentance where also is intreated of the life of a Christian and of bearing the crosse I. APHORISME SOmetime by the word Repentance in Greeke is signified vnderstood a Mat. 21.29 chap. 27.3 some sorowing for any fact or deed done whether a man be moued thereby to do well b Math. 4.17 Act. 2.38 Ro. 2.4 2. Cor. 7.9.10 2. Tim. 1 25. or not moued sometimes also it signifieth as the best Diuines haue noted to return to a perfect and right vnderstanding or to waxe wise againe we follow now this later signification II. Repentance then is a a Ezec 18.31 Ier. 4.1.3.4 chaunge of the minde which is by nature wicked and renewing of all faculties of the soule proceeding from a sincere and religious b Ierem. 4.4 Act. 17.30 2. Cor. 7.10 feare of God whereby the mind is caried with an earnest indeuour to do well and to please God III. Repentance doth consist of two partes of a Ro. 6.4 5.6 Ephe. 4 22.23.24 Col. 3.5.6.8.9.10 Psal 34 15. Esa 1.16.17 mortification of the flesh or of the old man and in the quickening of the
vnderstanding God imputing vnto Christ the 1. Guiltinesse Of the beleeuer cause of his death 2. Disobedience 3. Corruption God imputing vnto the beleeuer the benefits of the 1. Passion Of Christ cause of his life 2. Righteousnes 3. Holynesse XVI The cause which moueth Gods mercy in our iustification is the a Rom. 3.24 25. Ephe. 1.7 1. Iohn 2.1 and 2. satisfaction and merite of Christ that is his b Rom. 5.19 Phil. 2.8 obedience vnto his father in his c Heb. 2.9 death for vs this obedience is d Rom. 4.6 imputed vnto vs for righteousnesse that is is accounted ours as if we had performed the same our selues XVII And to the end that this obedience and righteousnesse of Christ might be imputed vnto vs it was necessarie first that he should yeeld perfect obedience to the law of God himselfe liuing thereafter in all holynesse of life And to performe this it was necessarie also that he should be sanctified without sin from his beginning first conceptioÌ„ in his mothers wombe for if he had not bene a holy a Heb. 7.26 Priest and a b 1. Pet. 1.19 holy sacrificer he could not haue pleased God and so could not haue pacified him for vs. And yet further I ad that this our high Priest and mediator must be very c Act. 20.28 1. Iohn 1.7 God that the obedience of his death might be of price sufficient for our sinnes and meet to giue vs an euerlasting righteousnesse XVIII The doctrine of our free iustification shall then be comfortable and pleasant vnto vs when we shall present our selues as guiltie before the heauenly iudge and shall prostrate our selues and strip our selues as naked in his presence full of feare and care to be discharged from our sins considering the a Esa 33.14 perfection of Gods iustice and the b Iob. 4.17.18.19 imperfection of our righteousnesse yea the huge c Psal 19.13 Iob. 15.16 number and greatnes of our sinnes For thus come we at the last well prepared and ready to receiue the grace of Christ when we shal be truly cast down humbled with the liuely touch and feeling of our miserie and wants But contrarily such as either d Luk. 18.11 12.13.14 swell in the conceite of their owne righteousnesse or be drunke in the delights of their owne sins they liue in a secure contempt of Gods iudgement and shut vp against themselues the gates of Gods mercy XIX Furthermore if we admit not this doctrine of free iustification we shall rob God of his full a Rom. 3.19 and 25. 1. Cor. 1.30 and 31. Ephe. 1.12 14. chap. 2 v. 8.8.9 glory and our poore consciences of sounde peace b Rom 5.1 c. 8.35 Ephe. 3.12 and rest before his tribunall seate of iustice both which notwithstanding must be had granted XX. And we must further note that the whole course of our iustification is by grace and for our better vnderstanding in this point consider of foure sortes of men The first is of them which are neither inwardly nor outwardly called the secoÌ„d sort is of those contemners whom they commonly call Epicures which haue an outward but not an inward calling the third sorte is of hypocrites which desire some commendation of iustice by some shew of externall workes but specially by the ceremonies which appertaine to Gods worship these also haue their outward but not their inward calling the fourth sort of men are they which haue both an outward and inward calling whom Gods spirite doth regenerate by the Gospell and like these are none of the three former kindes XXI That the first kinde haue no righteousnesse but be meer vniust and impious before God hauing also no strength to do that which is good and to beleeue the promise of grace is very manifest euery where in Scripture as when al the sonnes of Adam are described in these wordes that they haue a Iere. 17.9 wicked rebellious harts that all the b Gene. 6.3 chap. 8.21 imaginations of their hart are only euill coÌ„tinually that their c Psal 94.11 thoughts are vaine that they haue no d Psal 36.1 feare of God before their eyes that not one of them doth e Psal 14.2 vnderstand or seeke after God Againe that when God doth enlighten vs with his knowledge he raiseth vs from f Iohn 5.25 death to life makes vs new g Ephe. 2.10 creatures that we be deadly and h Rom. 5.6.7.8 professed enemies vnto God before he receiue vs to grace in our iustification that we haue not loued i 1. Ioh. 4.10 him before he loued vs that we be not purged from our vncleanesse by the bloud of Christ till the k 1. Cor. 6.11 holy Ghost worke our inward sanctification that then we begin to passe from death to life when through Christ we receiue l Phil. 1.29 grace to beleeue XXII Now for the second and third kinde that they haue no iustice to stand before God may appeare also manifestly for that the vncleanesse of their owne consciences is proofe sufficient that they be not as yet regenerate by the holy Ghost and this also bewrayeth their want of faith Whereby it appeareth that they be not as yet reconciled vnto God nor iustified before him for that this grace none can attaine vnto but by faith XXIII The hypocrites chalenge some iustice because of their glorious workes and obedience to the ceremonies but they are so farre from pleasing God herein that they highly displease him because with vncleane harts they prophane his holy worship For workes can not a Hag. 2.12.13.14.15 Esa 1.11.12.13.14.15 Prou. 15.8 purchase grace with God for any person but contrarily workes please God after that the person first hath founde fauour and grace with God And for this cause Moses writeth that the Lord respected b Gene. 4.4 Abell and his ofâ—fring in which wordes he teacheth that Abels oblation did therefore please God because Abels person pleased him and that pleased him by faith without which 〈◊〉 it is imopssible to please God c Heb. 11.6 for that therby mens harts are d Act. 15.9 purified For which cause also Paule saith to the Hebrues that Abel e Heb. 11.4 offred vnto God a better sacrifice then Cain for that Cain was an hypocrite and so without faith XXIIII Lastly for the fourth kinde albeit man regenerate by Gods grace haue some a 1. Cor. 4 4. righteousnesse of workes yet the same is not such nor so perfect as that it can staÌ„d before the iudgement seate of God because all their good works are b Rom 7.14 c. Phil. 3.13.14 imperfect and c Esa 64 6. polluted with corruptions and their sinnes following do d Eze. 18.24 bury all the remembrance of their former righteousnesse and good life XXV By the premisses we now see that not onely the beginning of our
whom alone that sinne was knowen the second that if he despise his correction then he must be rebuked and admonished before one or two witnesses the third that if he contemne their admonition also he must be admonished by the Church that is the b 1. Tim. 4.14 1. Tim. 5.17 1. Cor. 12.28 Rom. 12.8 gouernours and iudges which are appointed by the Church IIII. But if sinnes be open and manifest then there is no need to proceede by those degrees for the gouernors must not a 1. Tim. 5.20 1. Cor. 5. delay to proceede in the censure and correction of such sinners V. For the correction of light sinnes a Mat. 18.15 1. Tim. 5 20. reproofe onely may suffice but b 1. Cor. 5.5 and 13 grieuous sinnes and great offences and contempt or c Mat. 18.17 contumacie against the censures and admonitions ecclesiasticall must be punished with excommunication VI. Excommunication is the a 1. Cor. 5.4 iudgement or decree of the b 2. Cor. 2.6 Church whereby any c 1. Cor. 5.11 member of the same Church for offending the Church by some d Ibid. 1. 11 grieuous sinne or great e Mat. 18.17 contempt is giuen ouer to f Ibid. 1. Cor. 5.4 Sathan according to the charge of g Ibid. 5. Christ that is he is effectually h Ibid. 4. Math. 18.18 Iohn 20.23 declared to be vnder the power and dominion of the deuill and to haue no right or interest in the kingdome of the Church of Christ and therefore this man is kept also from the communion i Mat. 18.17 1. Cor. 5.11 and 13. of the Lordes Supper vntill k 2. Cor. 2.6.7.8 he giue a probable signification testimonie of his repentance VII But yet these religious and wise gouernors must temper the seueritie of excommunication with the spirite of a Gal. 6.1 meekenesse least b 2. Cor. 2.7 this man be swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse VIII The ende which the Church in these censures and excommunications principally respecteth are three The first that they which liue an vncleane and wicked life should not be numbred among Christians to the dishonour and a 1. Cor. 5.1 Rom. 2.24 prophanation of the name of God The second least the godly should be b 1. Cor. 5.6 corrupted by the continuall conuersation of the wicked The third that the excommunicate being confounded and c 2. The. 3.14 ashamed may so d 1. Cor. 5.5 repent and be saued IX We must not conuerse a 2. The. 3.14 2. Cor. 5 9.11 with an excōmunicate person but in priuate and domesticall duties least we chearish and increase his cōtempt by any familiaritie but so soone as he giueth any probable testimonie of his repentance he must be receiued into our societie and communion b 2. Cor. 2.6 c. of the Church againe X. And thus farre of the common discipline The discipline proper to the Ministers of the Church is contained in certaine Canons which the auncient Bishops did prescribe for themselues and their order of which sorte are these That no Clergie man or Minister be a hunter dicer reueller or pot-companion Item that no Minister practise vsurie or any marchandise that none be present at wanton lasciuious dances and the like c. CHAP. XXII Of Vowes I. APHORISME A Vow is an holy promise made to God II. A vow is either generall or speciall III. A generall vow is that which Christiās make in their Baptisme where renouncing Sathā they giue themselues to God to a Mat. 28.19 serue him that they may obey his holy Commaundements and not fulfill the wicked lustes of the flesh IIII. A speciall or particular vowe is that which any man moued with some a Gen. 28.20 c. Iud. 1.30 1. Sam. 1.11 2. Sam. 15.8 Act. 18.18 Num. 16. speciall reason maketh vnto God V. In a lawfull speciall vow foure things are required of which the first is that we be a Rom. 14.23 assured that our vowe be b Act 23 1◠agreeable to Gods word c 2. Cor. 7.7 the second that it be not aboue the strength which God hath giuen vs the third d 1. Cor. 7.4 that it be agreeable to our vocation the fourth that we vow with a good purpose of hart and for a lawfull end VI. The right and lawfull endes of vowes be foure of which the two former are in respect of the time past the other two in respect of time to come VII The first end of a lawfull vow is to testifie a a Gen. 28.20 thankefulnesse to God for benefites receiued VIII The second end of a lawfull vow is to chastise and afflict our selues for some sins cōmitted that we may be the more fit to entreate God to a 1. Cor. 11.31 remoue his wrath frō vs. IX The third end is to make vs the more warie and heedfull against sinne by a 1. Cor. 6.12 1. Cor. 9.27 depriuing our selues of the vse for a time of some speciall things X. The fourth end is to stirre vp our selues as it were with a spurre to our dutie binding our selues thereunto by a vow XI That the Monasticall vowes are vnlawfull vngodly it is manifest by foure reasons First because the life Monasticall is imagined a worship a Math. 15.9 of God secondly because they vow a Monasticall life without respect of Gods calling and without approbation from him thirdly because the Monkes and Nunnes bind themselues to many vile and vngodly seruices fourthly because they promise to God perpetuall virginitie when as yet either they haue not the b Mat. 19.11 1. Cor. 7.7 gift of continencie or if they haue it be vncertaine how long to haue it XII Vowes are of this strength and nature that if they be lawfull they a Deut. 23.21 bind but if they be b Iud. 11. Act. 23.21 vnlawfull they are voyde and of none effect CHAP. XXIII Of the Sacraments I. APHORISME SAcraments are a Exo. 12.26 ceremonies ordained b Deut. 12.32 1. Cor. 11.23 of God to illustrate and to seale vnto his c Gen. 17.10 people the d Gen. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 promise of grace contained in Gods holy e Gene. 17.7 Ier. 31.33.34 couenant II. Sacraments do a Heb. 9.15 illustrate the promise of grace as liuely b Gal. 3.1 pictures in that they represent and typically set before the beleeuers the sacrifice of Christ and the efficacie thereof III. But they seale in that they be diuine a Psal 81.6 Rom. 4.1 testimonies ordained to testifie the same thing which the promise it selfe doth testifie to wit that Christ by his b Mat. 26.28 sacrifice hath purchased for the beleeuers forgiuenesse of sins the grace of the holy spirite and life euerlasting IIII. Againe the holy Ghost by the Sacraments illustrating the promise of grace doth instruct the faithfull in the mysterie of saluation and
by the Priest all their sins for whom the Masse is celebrated are purged whether they be as yet aliue or euē long since dead and in Purgatorie XXIII Lastly they sinne also grieuously whiles they adore that fained Christ as lying hid vnder the forme of bread CHAP. XXIIII Of Baptisme I. APHORISME BAptisme is the first Sacrament of the new Testament or couenant of grace wherein according to Christs a Mat. 28.19 institution the Christian is dipped in water or sprinkled with water by the Minister of the Church to represent the shedding of the bloud of Christ vpon the Crosse and to testifie to him that the remission of sinsis purchased for him by the bloud of Christ and to seale his regeneration by the holy Ghost which grace is purchased also fot the elect by the bloud of Iesus Christ and lastly to seale his communion and felowship with Christ in the kingdome of heauen and so in like manner the Baptised makes publique profession that his harts desire is to be one of the people and Church of God II. Whereas we say that Baptisme is a Sacrament we haue already shewed in the former Chapter what this word signifieth III. We ad that Baptisme is a Sacrament of the new Testament or couenant of grace because it was instituted by Christ after his incarnation first administred amongst the Iewes by Iohn the Baptist Christ himselfe next among all nations by the Apostles and their successours IIII. We call Baptisme the first Sacrament of the new Testament in respect of the second which is the Lords Supper for Baptisme is the Sacrament of our first a Act. 2.4.1 Iohn 41. entrance and admission into the visible Church of Christ that we may be of the number of Gods childrē so accounted may enioy their b Ibid. v. 42. priuiledges And therfore men vnbaptised may not be admitted to the Lordes Supper like as in times past vnder the old Testament the Sacracrament of their first c Mat. 23.15 entrance into the Church was Circumcision and none d Exod. 13.48 vncircumcised was to eate the passeouer V. We say that the person to be Baptised ought to be a a Mar. 16.16 Act. 8.36.37.38 Act. 2.41 Act. 16.14.15.31.32.33 Christian by which name we vnderstand not onely men of yeares lately conuerted to the Christiā faith but also young b Act. 16.33 Exod. 12.48 infants the children of Christian parents whereby may appeare that the speach of the common people is erroneous when as desiring Baptisme of the Pastour of the Church for their infants they say God hath giuen me a child I pray you make it a Christian soule For Baptisme doth not make a Christian but signifieth and marketh vs for Christians VI. We adde further that Baptisme is to be administred by the Minister of the Church bicause Baptisme is a part of the Ecclesiasticall a Mat. 28.19 Ministerie which none may b Heb. 5.4 meddle with but they which are thereunto lawfully called for to whom Christ gaue cōmission to Baptise to them also he gaue charge to preach his holy word and what God hath ioyned together c Mat. 19.6 no man may put asunder Those women therfore sinne which in their fained cause of necessitie do administer this holy Sacrament yea they sin dangerously for baptizing without any commission frō God nay d 1. Cor. 14.34 1. Tim. 2.22 contrary to his word and for ascribing to any externall thing our euerlasting saluation which is to be sought only in the death of Christ and in the promise of grace The same is to be thought also if any man not called to the Ministery of the Gospell do Baptise VII Water onely is to be vsed in Baptisme and no other liquor for that Gods commandement is of water only and the practise of the faithfull seruauntes of God which first ministred the same as Iohn Baptist Christ and his Apostles and their successours can teach vs. VIII And whether the Baptized be dipped in water and that once or thrise or haue the water sprinkled or powred vpon him it is a matter indifferent and ought to be free in the Church according to the diuersitie of countreys For although it be manifest that dipping in the water was vsed in the a Iohn 3.23 Mat. 3.16 Act. 8.38.39 Rom. 6.4.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 primitiue Church yet the originall Baptizing doth signifie not onely to be dipped in the water but also to be wet with water any way IX Moreouer Baptisme is giuen vs of God to this end first for the confirmation of our owne faith to our selues next for the manifestatiō of our profession among mē X. Baptisme helpes our faith three wayes testifying vnto vs of three things which we receiue by faith for first it is an instruction and symbole thereunto of the a Act. 2.37 c. 22.16 remission of sinnes next of our b Rom. 6.4 Tit. 3.5 renouation by the holy Ghost lastly of our vnion and c Gal. 3.28 communion with Christ XI First concerning forgiuenesse of sins Baptisme both teacheth and sealeth the same in a speciall manner vnder the figure and type of washing a Act. 22.16 Soph. 5.26 Tit. 3.5.6 purging vs for as by water the filthines of the body is purged and washed away So by the bloud b Iohn 1.7 of Christ all the pollutions of the faithfull are washed and purged XII And this confirmation which we haue by Baptisme concernes the whole life all and euery one of the sinnes of our life for the bloud of Christ whereof Baptisme is the seale purgeth a 1. Iohn 1.7 vs from all sinne Therfore so oftē as we fall we should call our Baptisme to minde and thereby arme our selues that we may euer rest assured of the free pardon of our sinnes for that the bloud of Christ is that fotūaine which is b Zach. 13.1 opened to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem that is to all the faithfull to wash them from sin and from vncleanesse XIII Let no mā by this doctrine gather any libertie to sinne for this doctrine is not taught but for the consolation of them which be truly humbled and for afflicted soules and consciences Againe Baptisme doth no lesse warne vs of our a Rom. 6.4 mortification and dying vnto sinne then of the remission of our sinnes by Christ XIIII Therefore the second end of our Baptisme is our a Tit. 3.5 regeneration for this Christ promiseth to worke in vs by his holy spirite and so doth indeede and this grace also he merited for vs of his father by his death and passion XV. Where we must obserue that this renewing of nature is a Rom. 7. imperfect in this life but yet so be we renewed that this sinne dwelling in vs raigneth b Rom. 6.4 not nor hath dominion ouer vs but by the grace of Gods spirite is dayly more and more mortified
iustification is by grace so as a sinner freed from damnation obtaineth righteousnesse and that freely by the pardon of his sinnes as appeareth in the three first sorts of men but also our proceeding therein so as our iustification is euer free and by grace which thing well appeareth in the fourth kinde of men which are both regenerate by Gods spirite and iustified by a liuely faith in Christ And thus God imputed vnto Abraham the father of the faithfull his faith for righteousnesse when as he had a Gene. 15.6 liued for many yeares in great holynesse of life This saith Habacuk also b Habac. 2.4 The iust shall liue by faith and Dauid c Psal 32.1 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen speaking of the godly which liue a holy vnspotted and blamelesse life before men Againe Paule saith that the d 2. Cor. 5.20 embassage concerning our free reconciliation with God must be continued among the faithfull And Christ is a e 1. Iohn 2.1 continuall mediator reconciling vs with his father and the efficacie or vertue of his death to f Ibid. 2. expiate the sinnes of the faithfull neuer dieth nor waxeth old XXVI And whereas the Schoolemen also say that good workes haue no such vertue in them to be sufficient vnto iustification but that their merite vertue to iustifie is by grace we must learne that there is no grace to worke our iustification but that only which moueth God in Christ to embrace vs and to iustifie vs by the merites of his obedience and satisfaction for vs. XXVII For God accepteth not our workes but so farre as we please him hauing put on by faith the righteousnesse of Christ that is which Christ purchased by his death for vs as is a Aphor. 23. before shewed Neither can works iustifie in part before God for God admitteth no righteousnesse of workes but that b Deut. 27.26 Leuit. 18.5 full and perfect obedience to his law XXVIII When they glory of workes of supererogation whereby they say full satisfaction is made for trespasses and sins committed how can they answer that saying of Christ a Luk. 16.10 VVhen ye haue done all these things which are commanded you say we are vnprofitable seruants we haue done that which was our dutie to do XXIX To be short concerning workes take heed of two things first put no trust in them next ascribe no glory to them XXX The Scriptures driue vs from all confidence in them teaching vs that all our righteousnesse a Esa 64.6 smels in the sight of God as filthie clouts and onely prouoke Gods wrath against vs. Now take away this confidence of workes all glorying must fall to the ground for who will ascribe any commendation of iustice vnto workes if confidence in them cause him to tremble in the sight of God XXXI Moreouer if we consider all the causes of our saluation we shall finde the grace of God to shine bright in euery one of them excluding the righteousnesse of our workes For the authour of our saluation is God the Father Sonne holy Ghost The Father first in that a Tit. 3.5 of his meere b Iohn 3.16 1. Iohn 4.9 and 10. grace free loue he sent his sonne vnto vs to redeeme vs from the dominioÌ„ of the deuill Next the Sonne in that of his free loue c Rom. 5.7.8 1. Iohn 3.26 towards vs he became d Rom. 5.19 Phil 2.8 obedient to his father vnto the death of the crosse and so hath satisfied e Rom. 3.25 1. Iohn 2.2 the iustice of God for vs. Lastly the holy Ghost in that he giueth vs f Ephe. 2.8 chap. 1. â—3 faith whereby we apprehend the iustice which Christ hath purchased for vs by his death The end also the Apostle saith is the g Rom. 3.25 manifestation of Gods iustice and the prayse of his h Ephe. 1.12 goodnesse XXXII And whereas the Saintes commend otherwhiles their innocencie and integrity before God this they doe not to the end to trust in the iustice of their workes in Gods iudgement and to rest their consciences as vpon a good foundation but either to testifie the goodnesse of their a Psal 7 9. Psal 18.21 cause against their aduersaries or to coÌ„fort themselues concerning their adoption b 2. King 20.3 1. Tim. 4.7.8 by the fruites of their faith and calling for that they rest on the onely fauour of God in Iesus Christ XXXIII Againe whereas the Scripture saith that the good workes and obedience of the faithfull doe cause the Lord to raine down many blessings vpon them we must vnderstand that good workes are so farre causes of Gods blessings vpon vs as the Lord by his former graces taketh occasion to giue vs more graces where note that they be not meritorious causes but motiues onely for speciall graces of Gods spirite going before for whom the Lord will glorifie them first he a Ephe. 5.26.27 sanctifieth that their corruption and wickednesse may not hinder their glorification In a word as Augustine hath well spoken God crowneth the workes of his owne hand in vs. XXXIIII Againe that our workes do not merite the grace of God may yet further appeare by these reasons folowing First for that they are full of a Esa 64.6 corruption next for that they are duties we b Luk. 17.10 owe vnto God thirdly for that they are not ours that is such as come from the streÌ„gth of our free will but the effects c Rom. 8.10 Ephe. 2.10 and fruites of Gods grace in vs. XXXV And whereas good workes please God and haue a a 2. Tim 4.8 reward it is not for any merite but for that Gods b Esa 55.1 goodnesse doth accept of them and reward them of his meere grace and mercy in Iesus Christ XXXVI Surely no Christian doubteth but that we must hold fast the groundes of Christian Religion and this is a fundamentall point or ground of ChristiaÌ„ doctrine that Christ is giuen a 1. Cer. 1.30 and c. 3.11 vs for our righteousnesse or iustification if this doctrine staÌ„d the iustice of our merites and workes being a flat contrary can not stand XXXVII There are two opinioÌ„s of Popery which are most opposite to that great ground of ChristiaÌ„ veritie The first is that there are some moral vertues or works which make men acceptable before God before they be grafted into Christ the second that Christ hath merited for vs the first grace that is an occasioÌ„ of meriting with God that then it is our parts to take the occasion when it is offered XXXVIII To conclude we must very circumspectly see to this that we build wisely vpon on that foundation for that doctrine is sound concerning good workes which is deriued from the doctrine a This is the method which Paule vseth in a maner in all his Epistles as to Rom. Gal. Ephes Phil. Col. c.