and not earthly an invisible meat and not bodily a ghostly substance and not carnall c. By the advice of the * p. 201. Councill of Nicene wee ought to lift up our minds by faith and leaving these inferior and earthly things there seeke it where the Sunne of righteousnesse ever shineth Take then this lesson O thou that art desirous of this table of Emissenus a godly father that when thou goest up to the reverend Communion to bee satisfied with spirituall meats thou looke up with faith upon the holy body and blood of thy God thou marvell with reverence thou touch it with the mind thou receive it with the hand of thy heart and thou take it fully with thy inward man What the use is which we are to make of the Sacrament Concerning the use which we are to make of receiving the Sacrament it is signified in the prayer to bee read after the Prefaces in the Communion-service where it is said Grant us therefore gracious Lord so to eate the flesh of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ and to drinke his blood that our sinfull bodies may bee made cleane by his body and our soules washed through his most precious blood and that we may evermore w Iohn 6.56 Iohn 14.23 dwell in him and he in us And it is also signified in the second prayer after the receiving where it is said We now most humbly beseech thee O heavenly Father so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy x Act. 2.42.46 Heb. 10.25 Col. 2.19 Eph. 2.19 fellowship and doe all such good workes as thou hast y Eph. 2.10 That the Sacrament is to be received often-times prepared for us to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Concerning the oftennesse of the receiving of the Sacrament it is said in the rubricke afore the Service for the Communion of the sicke That Curats are to exhort their parishioners to the oft receiving in the Church of the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ which if they doe they shall have no cause in their sudden visitation to bee unquiet for lacke of the same It is said in the rubricke at the end of the Matrimony-service The new maried persons the same day of their mariage must receive the holy Communion And in the end of the Churching-service it is said in the rubricke The woman that commeth to give her thankes must offer accustomed offerings and if there be a Communion it is convenient that she receive the holy Communion It is said in the rubricke at the end of the Communion-Service That in Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches where be many Priests and Deacons they shall all receive the Communion with the Minister every z Acts 10.7 Sunday at the least except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary And in the end of that rubricke it is said Every Parishioner shall communicate at the least three times in the yeare of which Easter to bee one c. Also when any receive any order of the Ministery they are then to communicate as it is prescribed in the booke of ordering Bishops Priests and Deacons It is written in Genesis a Gen. 14.18 19. That Melchisedec King of Salem brought forth bread and wine and hee was the Priest of the most high God And hee blessed Abraham c. Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians b 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Our Fathers were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea And did all eate the same spirituall meat and did all drinke the same spirituall drinke For they dranke of that spirituall rocke that followed them and that rocke was Christ Wisedome saith in the Proverbes c Pro. 9.5 Come eate of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled Saint Matthew recordeth that as Iesus and his Disciples were eating the Passeover Iesus tooke d Matth. 26.26 27 28. bread and blessed it and brake it gave it to the disciples and said Take eate this is my body And he tooke the cup and gave thankes and gave it to them saying Drinke ye all of it for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Saint Iohn writeth that Iesus afore had said unto the Iewes c Ioh. 6.53 54 55 56.63 Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eate the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternall life and I will raise him up at the last day For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in mee and I in him It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speake unto you they are spirit and they are life It is written in the Acts f Acts 2.42 That the disciples continued stedfast in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians g 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of one bread Also he saith h 1 Cor. 12.13 We have all been made to drinke into one spirit And further he delivereth i 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye doe shew the Lords death till he come CHAP. 56. Of preparing ones selfe for to receive worthily the holy Sacrament IT is said in the third Exhortation to be read afore the Communion The danger is great if we receive the holy Sacrament unworthily for then we bee guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour wee eate and drinke our owne damnation not considering the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath against us wee provoke him to k 1 Cor. 11.30 plague us with diuers diseases and sundry kindes of death Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God an hinderer or l 1 Cor. 5.11 slanderer of his Word an adulterer or be in m 1 Iohn 3.15 Mat. 5.23 24 25. malice or envy or in any other griveous crime bewaile your sinnes c. Iudge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truly for your sinnes past have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour Amend your lives and be in perfect charitie with all men so shall yee be meet partakers of those holy mysteries Therefore it is to be said unto them that come to receive the holy Communion in the last words of exhortation afore the generall Confession be made You that doe truly and earnestly repent you or your sinnes and be in love and
thereby and giving him hearty thankes therefore he doth eate and drinke the body and blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soules health although he doe not receive the Sacrament with his mouth Our Mother the Church who according to her godly wisedome was the first causer of Temples to be built in this Land and the first appointer of the Parishes unto them hath ordained the Temples to be the ordinary places for receiving the holy Sacrament But in cases of necessitie when people cannot with any conveniency come or be brought into the Temple her Divine Wisdome hath appointed such to receive in their private house The Passeover which was even of like signification as the Communion is was kept in q Exod. 12.3 4. Mat. 26.18 private houses So in the Primitive Church it is said The Disciples came together into a r Act. 20.7 8 9. Jta Syrus interpretatus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At Arabs optime ad frangen dum vel distribuendum corpus Messiae house for to breake bread that is to * celebrate the Communion Christ saith ſ Mat. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Saint Paul said to the Romanes Greet the Church which is in the t Rom. 16.5 house of Aquila and Priscilla These Scriptures are here alleaged for to illustrate the lawfulnesse of receiving the Communion in private house according as the law of the Church alloweth but not in any otherwise And that Christs body and blood is profitably unto the soules health received sometimes without the Sacrament whē as the Sacrament cannot conveniently bee received that delivery of Christ declareth where he saith Except ye u Ioh. 6.53 54 55 56 57 47. eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his blood ye have no life in you Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternall life c. He that beleeveth on me hath everlasting life Behold saith Christ I stand at the doore and knocke If any man heare my voyce and open the doore I will come into him and will sup with him and w Rev. 3.20 he with me But the holy Sacrament is in no wise to be neglected but with all due reverence to be received when as it may conveniently and lawfully bee ministred because it is Gods ordinary meanes whereby his people spiritually eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his blood CHAP. 67. Of Buriall of the dead IN the Rubricke before the Service thereof it is said The Priest meeting the corpes at the Church stile shall say or else the Priest and Clerkes shall sing and so goe either into the Church or towards the grave I am the x Iohn 11.25 26. resurrection and the life saith the Lord He that c. Vpon Christs words concerning Mary the sister of Lazarus that she was come afore hand to annoynt his body to the burying Tremellius a Iew by Nation but a Christian by profession in religion and famous in the Church of God for his translation of the Scriptures forth of Hebrew Chaldean and Syriacke relateth out of * Vide Tremellianam Annotationem ad Mar. 14.6 Iudaicall Antiquity That it was the manner of the Iewes among sundry Ceremonies and Services used about the dead as annoynting washing wrapping in linnen laying it on a Beere c. before they committed the body to the ground first to utter certaine sentences written by their Ancestors or Elders to bee said at this occasion in which funerall Service Gods Iustice is commended and mans sinnes aggravated by which they deserved death and God is beseeched so to exercise his Iustice that he would not forget that he is Mercy also And the Corpes being interred some things also are said as unto the Mourners for their consolation This saith hee was a custome in Israel which in time past was the peculiar people of God and a godly custome not much unlike is now in Englād used at a buriall unto the magnifying of Gods Iustice the condemning of mans sinne the meeke beseeching of Gods mercy through Iesus Christ and the comforting of the sorrowfull upon the occasion And to performe such funerall Service is it not onely proper to the Ministery which is the ordinary y Ios 9.14 mouth of God unto the people and of the people unto God Christ saith It becommeth us to fulfill all z Mat. 3.1 5. righteousnesse The Apostle saith a Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are of good report if they be of any vertue or praise they are to be thought upon and observed b 1 Cor. 14.40 All things are to be done decently and in order Ancient orders and customes ordained by the weighty deliberation of forefathers which may be used without any superstition and doe tend onely unto piety and humanity are according as the Church concerning them prescribeth with all conscionable care to be retained performed Yea the Church now greatly esteemeth deliveries of Antiquity as it may appeare where it is said in the Service for Consecration of Bishops That the Archbishop sitting in a Chair shal say this to him that is to be Consecrated Brother forasmuch as holy Scripture A Prayer of Chrysostome is a part of the Letany In the Homilies there are sayings of all the Fathers alleaged with much respect and the old Canons commandeth c. S. Ambrose his song is a part of the Morning Divine Service the Confession of faith composed by Athanasius and the Nicene Creed are therein likewise Read the 34. Article of Religion CHAP. 68. Of the reverence to bee done unto Almighty God in his Worship HOly Church in her Prayer for the whole state of Christs Church militant here in earth prescribeth unto us for to say And to all thy people give thine heavenly grace and specially to this congregation here present that with meeke heart and due reverence they may heare and receive thy holy word In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 1. Homily concerning the right use of the Church or Temple of God and of the reverence due unto the same it is said Where there appeareth at these dayes great slacknesse and negligence of a great sort of people in resorting to the Church there to serve God their heavenly Father according to their most bounden duty as also much uncomely and unreverent behaviour of many persons in the same when they bee there assembled and thereby may just feare arise of the wrath of God and his dreadfull plagues hanging over our heads for our grievous offences in this behalfe among other many and great sinnes which wee daily and hourely commit before the Lord. In the second part of the said * P. 8. Homily the Church saith And indeed concerning the people and multitude the Temple is prepared for them to be hearers rather than speakers considering that aswell the word of God is there read or taught whereunto they are bound
Iesus Christ our Lord. And to the Thessalonians he sayth b 1 Thes 2.12 That yee would walke worthy of God who hath called you vnto his Kingdome and glory And Saint Peter sayth c 1 Peter 2.9 That yee should shew foorth the prayses of him who hath called you out of darknes into his maruailous light And againe d 1 Pet. 5.10.11 The God of all grace who hath called vs into his eternall glory by Iesus Christ after that yee haue suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you To him be glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen CHAP. 11. Of Iustification IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 13. Homily of Saluation it is sayd Because all men be sinners and offenders against God and breakers of his Law and Commandements therefore can no man by his owne acts workes and deedes seeme they neuer so good be iustified and made righteous before God But euery man of necessity is constrayned to seeke for another righteousnesse or iustification to be receiued at Gods owne hands that is to say the forgiuenesse of his sins and trespasses in such things as hee hath offended And this iustification or righteousnesse which we so receiue of Gods mercy and Christs merits embraced by faith is taken accepted and allowed of God for our perfect and full iustification Three things therefore must goe together in our iustification The three things which must go together in our iustification To 1. p. 14.15 Vppon Gods part his great mercy and grace Vppon Christs part Iustice that is the satisfaction of Gods iustice or the price of our redemption by the offering of his body and shedding of his blood with fulfilling of the Law perfectly and throughly And vppon our part true and liuely Faith in the Merits of Iesus Christ which neuerthelesse is the gift of God and not mans onely worke without God Which sayd Faith doth not shut out Repentance Hope Loue Dread and the feare of God to be ioyned with Faith in euery man that is iustified but it shutteth them out from the office of iustifying Nor the faith also doth not sout out the iustice of our good workes necessarily to bee done afterwards of duty towards God For wee are most bounden to serue God in doing good Deedes commaunded by him in his Holy Scripture all the dayes of our life * Page 17. No man may iustly thinke that wee may by this Doctrine take any occasion of carnall liberty to follow the desires of the flesh or that thereby any kind of sinne may be committed or any vngodly liuing the more vsed Iustification is the office of God onely and is not a thing which wee render vnto him but which wee receiue of him Not which wee giue vnto him but which wee take of him by his free Mercy and by the onely Merits of his most dearely beloued Sonne our onely Redeemer Sauiour and iustifier IESVS CHRIST Saint Paul sayth e Rom. 3.23.24.25.26 All haue sinned and come short of the glory of God being iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Iesus Ghrist whom God hath set foorth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sinnes that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he may be iust and the iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus The same Apostle likewise sayth f Rom. 8.3 What the Law could not do in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the likenesse of sinnefull flesh and * Or by a sacrifice for sinne as in the margent Peccatum graecè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebraâ—cè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saepè exponitur expiatâ—o et piaculum seu sacrificium expiationis Leu. 4.34 Eze. 45.23 c. In textu etiam chaldaico vsurpatur vt in Esdr 6.17 for sinne condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousnesse of the Law migh be fulfilled in vs who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Now the * Page 19. office and duety of a Christian man vnto God what wee ought on our part to render vnto God againe for his great mercy and goodnesse is not to passe the time of this present life vnfruitfully and idlely after that wee are Baptized or iustified not caring how few good workes we do to the glory of God and profite of our neighbours Much lesse is it our Office after that wee bee once made Christs members to liue contrary to the same making our selues members of the Diuell walking after his inticements and after the suggestions of the World and the flesh whereby we know that we doe serue the World and the Diuell and not God The Lord sayth by his Prophet Micah g Mic 6.10.11.12 Shall I count them pure with the wicked Ballances and with the Bagge of deceitfull weights For the rich men thereof are full of Violence and the inhabitants thereof haue spoken lyes and their tongue is deceitfull in their mouth In the beginning of the Common Prayer it is sayd concerning iustification At what time so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance sayth the Lord. These Words of the Lord spoken at large by his Prophet are If the h Ezech. 18.21 22. Wicked will turne from all his sinnes that he hath committed and keepe all my Statutes and do that which is lawfull and right hee shall surely liue he shall not dye All his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not be mentioned vnto him in his righteousnesse that hee hath done he shall liue And sayth the Apostle beeing iustified i Rom. 5.1.2 by faith we haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ By whom also wee haue accesse by faith into this grace wherein we stand and reioyce in hope of the glory of God CHAP. 12. Of the true and liuely Faith IN the third part of the * T. 1. p. 19.20 Homily of Saluation it is sayd The right and true Christian faith is not only to beleeue that holy Scripture and all the aforesaid Articles of our Faith are true which things the Diuels themselues do beleeue but also to haue a sure trust and confidence in Gods mercifull promises to be saued from euerlasting damnation by Christ Whereof doth follow a louing heart to obey his Commandements The * T. 1. P. 18. true and liuely faith in Christ bringeth foorth good workes and a life according to Gods Commandements And * P. 20. this true Christian faith neither any Diuell hath nor yet any man which in the outward profession of his mouth and in his outward receiuing of the Sacraments in comming to Church and in all other outward appearances seemeth to be a Christian man and yet in his
Wee are VVitnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath giuen to them that obey him Reade the third part of the * T. 2. p. 229. 230 Homily for Rogation VVeeke and there are expressed many operations of the Holy Ghost for and in the people of Almighty God CHAP. 25. Of the Merit of the Redemption wrought by Iesus Christ THE Church in her most Sacred Catechisme teacheth euery one of her Children to say I beleeue in God the Sonne who hath redeemed me and all Mankind And in the Prayer afore the Ministration of the Communion it is sayd Iesus Christ suffering Death vpon the Crosse for our Redemption made there by his owne Oblation of himselfe once offered a full perfect and sufficient Sacrifice Oblation and satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole World In the second * T. 2. p. 181. Homily of CHRISTS passion it is sayde Hee suffered Death vniuersally for all men And in the same * P. 185. Homily it is sayde God gaue Christ to the whole World that is to say to Adam and to all that should come after him And in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 200. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is sayd The Death of Christ is auaileable for the Redemption of all the World The holy Scriptures testifie the same greatnesse of the merit of the Redemption wrought by Iesus Christ Saint Iohn sayth He is the propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of k 1 Iohn 2.2 the whole World Saint Paul sayth Christ gaue himselfe a ransome for l 1 Tim. 2.6 all And to the Hebrewes he sayth m Heb. 2.9 Iesus Christ tasted Death for euery man To the Corinthians hee sayth If one dyed for all then were all dead and hee dyed for n 2 Cor. 5.14.15 all c. And to the Romanes hee sayth o Rom. 5.18 1 Cor. 15.21.22 Iohn 12.32 As by the offence of one iudgement came vpon al men to condemnation Eue so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came vpon all men vnto iustification of life In the second part of the * T. 1. p. 50. Homily concerning Swearing it is signified That not onely Christs death but his life also c. are meritorious where it is sayd Whosoeuer wilfully * Zechar. 5.4.5 See Chap. 73. forsweare themselues vppon Christs Holy Euangely they vtterly forsake Gods mercy goodnesse and truth the merits of our Sauiour Christs Natiuity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension they refuse the forgiuenesse of sinnes promised to all penitent sinners the ioyes of Heauen the company with Angels and Saints for euer Also the aforesayde actions of Christ are meritorious because they were done for the sake of mankinde CHAP. 26. Of the end for the which Iesus Christ redeemed mankinde and who of yeares of discretion or of perfect age partake of the merit of the same redemption IT is sayd in the second part of the * T. 1. p. 82. Homily against adultery Christ that innocent Lambe of God hath bought vs from the seruitude of the Diuell not with corruptible gold and siluer but with his most precious and deare heart bloud To what intent That we should fall againe into our old vncleannesse and abhominable liuing Nay verily but that we should serue him all the dayes of our life in holinesse and righteousnesse that we should glorifie him in our bodies by purity and cleannesse of life And in the * T. 2. p. 179. Homily for good Friday it is sayd Christ hath not so redeemed vs from sinne that we may safely returne thereto againe but he hath redeemed vs that we should forsake the motions thereof and liue vnto righteousnesse Yea we be therefore washed in our Baptisme from the filthinesse of sinne that we should liue afterward in the purenesse of life In Baptisme we promised to renounce the Diuell and his suggestions wee promised to be as obedient children alwayes following Gods will and pleasure So in the * T. 2. p. 195. Homily of the Resurrection it is sayd Yee must consider that yee be therefore cleansed and renued that yee should from hencefoorth serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of your liues that ye may reigne with him in euerlasting life If yee refuse so great grace whereto yee bee called what other thing doe yee than heape to your selues damnation more and more and so prouoke God to cast his displeasure vnto you and to reuenge this mockage of his Holy Sacramerits in so great abusing of them In the second * T. 2. p. 186. Homily of the Passion it is sayd Now it remaineth that I shewe vnto you how to apply Christs death and passion to our comfort as a medicine to our wounds so that it may worke the same effect in vs wherefore it was giuen namely the health and saluation of our soules For as it profiteth a man nothing to haue salue vnlesse it be well applied to the part infected so the death of Christ shall sland vs in no force vnlesse we apply it to our selues in such sort as God hath appointed Almighty God commonly worketh by meanes and in this thing he hath also ordained a certaine meane whereby we may take fruite and profite to our soules health and that is Faith Not an vnconstant or wauering faith but a sure stedfast grounded and vnfained faith * Pag. 188. For as all they which beheld stedfastly the brazen Serpent were healed and deliuered at the very sight thereof from their corporall diseases and bodily stings euen so all they which behold Christ crucified with a true and liuely faith shall vndoubtedly bee deliuered from the grieuous wounds of the soule be they neuer so deadly or many in number In the * Tom. 2. p. 173 Homily of the Natiuity it is sayd After that Christ was come downe from heauen and had taken our fraile nature vpon him he made all them that would receiue him truely and beleeue his holy Word good trees c. And to shew more plainely who partake of Christs merits the * Tom. 2. p. 179 Homily for good Friday declareth saying That we doe call for mercy in vaine if wee will not shew mercy to our neighbours For if we will not put wrath and displeasure forth of our hearts to our Christian brother no more will God forgiue the displeasure and wrath that our sinnes haue deserued afore him For vnder this condition doth God forgiue vs if we forgiue other God is to be obeyed which commaundeth vs to forgiue if we will haue any part of the pardon which our Sauiour Christ purchased once of God the Father by shedding of his precious bloud And in the second part of the * Tom. 1. p. 94. Homily against contention the Church sayth What crakest thou of thy head if thou labour not to be in the body Thou canst be no member of
Christ if thou follow not the steps of Christ In the first * Tom. 2. p. 180 Homily of the Passion most diuinely it is declared That it shall little auaile vs to haue in meditation the fruites and price of Christs passion to magnifie them and to delight or trust in them except we haue in minde his examples in passion to follow them If we thus therefore consider Christs death and will sticke thereto with fast faith for the merite and deseruing thereof and will also frame our selues in such wise to bestow our selues and all that we haue by charity to the behoofe of our neighbour as Christ spent himselfe wholly for our profit then doe wee truely remember Christs death and being thus followers of Christs steps we shall be sure to follow him thither where he now sitteth with the Father and the holy Ghost Likewise in the * Tom. 2. p. 196 Homily of the Resurrection it is sayd Let vs keepe our feast the whole terme of our life with eating the bread of purenesse of godly life and truth of Christs Doctrine Thus shall we declare that Christs gifts and graces haue their effect in vs and that we haue the right beleefe knowledg of his holy resurrection where truely if we apply our Faith to the vertue thereof in our life and conforme vs to the example and signification meant thereby we shall be sure to rise hereafter to euerlasting glory by the goodnesse and mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ And in the same * Pag. 191. Homily it is sayd Christ passed through death and hell to the intent to put vs in good hope that by his strength we shall doe the same In the Collect for Palme Sunday it is signified That Almighty God of his tender loue towards man sent our Sauiour Iesus Christ to take vpon him our flesh and to suffer death vpon the Crosse that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility In the Collect for the second Sunday after Easter it is sayd That Almighty God gaue his onely Sonne to be vnto vs both a sacrifice for sinne and an example of godly life In that most diuine exhortation in the commination Seruice it is sayd Let vs returne vnto our Lord God who is the mercifull receiuer of all true penitent sinners assuring our selues that he is ready to receiue vs and most willing to pardon vs if we come vnto him with faithfull repentance If we will submit our selues vnto him and from henceforth walke in his wayes If we will take his easie yoke and light burthen vpon vs to follow him in lowlinesse patience and charity and be ordered by the gouernance of his holy Spirit seeking alwayes his glory and seruing him duely in our vocation with thankesgiuing This if we doe Christ will deliuer vs from the curse of the Law and from the extreame malediction which shall light on them that shall bee set on his left hand c. The holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Titus sayth p Tit. 2.14 Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purisie vnto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes Zacharias in his song sayd q That we being deliuered out of the hands of our enemies might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Saint Paul to the Romanes sayth r Rom. 8.3.4 What the Law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and * Or by a sacrifice for sinne as it is read in the margent for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh That the righteousnesse of the Lawe might bee fulfilled in vs who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit To the Corinthians he sayth Å¿ 2. Cor. 5.15 Christ died for all that they which liue should not hencefoorth liue vnto themselues but vnto him which died for them and rose againe To the Thessalonians he sayth t 1. Thes 5.9.10 God hath not appointed vs to wrath but to obtaine saluation by our Lord Iesus Christ who died for vs that whether we wake or sleepe we should liue together with him And Saint Peter sayth u 1. Pet. 1.24 Christ his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that wee being dead vnto sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse Againe he sayth w 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for vs leauing vs an example that we should follow his steps Further he sayth x 1. Pet. 4.1.2 Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for vs in the flesh arme your selues likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinne That he no longer should liue the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God p Luke 1.74.75 Who of ripe age partake of Christs merits Now who of ripe age partake of Christs merits these Scriptures following and sundry others doe declare y Iohn 14.15.21.23 If ye loue me sayth Christ keepe my Commaundements He that hath my Commaundements and keepeth them he it is that loueth me and he that loueth me shall be loued of my Father and I will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him Againe z Ioh 15.10 14. If yee keepe my Commaundements yee shall abide in my loue euen as I haue kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his loue And yee are my friends if yee doe whatsoeuer I commaund you Againe a Ioh. 8.31.32 If ye continue in my word then are yee my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free And to the Hebrewes the Apostle sayth b Heb. 3.14 We are made partakers of Christ If we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast vnto the end To the Romanes he sayth c Rom 6.5.8 If we haue bene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection If we be dead with Christ we beleeue that we shall also liue with him Againe d Rom 8.11.13.14.17 If the Spirit of him that raysed vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies * Or because of his spirit that dwelleth in you as in the margent by the Spirit that dwelleth in you If ye liue after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall liue For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ If so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together In like manner sayth the Apostle to Timothy e 2. Tim. 2.11.12.13 It is a faithfull saying for if we be dead with him
high Priest vnto God his Father to make intercession for them also a Prophet to his people or a declarer vnto them of his Fathers will and is the m Reuel 15.3 King of Saints or administreth the kingome of n Rom. 5.21 grace vnto and within his people Whereas also he is the appointed o Heb. 1.2 heire of all things and all things were created p Col. 1.16.17.18 by him and for him Also he is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first borne from the dead that in all things he may haue the preheminence and no good thing commeth from God the Father vnto the Church on earth but through the q Acts 4.12 Iohn 20 31. Iohn 15.16 Name and for the r Dan. 9.17 sake of Iesus Christ Therefore the Church concludeth euen euerie of her prayers with these or the like wordes Through Iesus Christ for the honor of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesus Christ Through the merits of thy onely Sonne c. For conclusion therefore of the mediatorie workes of Iesus Christ let S. Pauls words to the Saints that were at Rome be here for our meditation Å¿ Rom 5.8.9.10.11 God commendeth his loue towards vs in that whiles we were yet sinners Christ died for vs. Much more then being now iustified by his bloud we shall bee saued from wrath through him For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled we shall be saued by his life And not onely so but we also ioy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom wee haue now receiued the attonement Let vs therefore saith the Church in the second part of the * Tom. 1. p. 82. Homily against Adultery consider first the glory of Christ then our estate our dignity and freedome wherein God hath set vs by giuing vs his Holy Spirit and let vs valiantly defend the same against Sathan and all his crafty assaults that Christ may bee honoured and that we loose not our liberty or freedome but still remaine in * 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 4.3.4 one Spirit with him CHAP. 31. Of Christs iudging Mankind IT is sayd in the Athanasian Creed Iesus Christ shall come from the right hand of the Father God Almighty for to iudge the quicke and the dead At whose comming all men shall rise againe with their bodies and shall giue account for their owne workes And they that haue done good shall goe into life euerlasting and they that haue done euill into euerlasting fire So the Church sayth in Saynt Ambrose Song We beleeue that thou shalt come to be our Iudge In the Seruice for the buriall of the dead it is sayd Thou most worthy Iudge Eternall In the exhortation for the visitation of the sicke it is sayd Forasmuch as after this life there is an account to be giuen vnto the righteous Iudge of whom all must be iudged without respect of persons I require you to examine your selfe and your state both toward God and man so that accusing and condemning your selfe for your owne faults you may find mercy at our heauenly Fathers hand for Christs sake and not bee accused and condemned in that fearefull Iudgement In the * It is set in the beginning of the Psalmes in Meeter in the booke of Common Prayer in Folio Athanasian Treatise concerning the vse and vertue of the Psalmes it is sayd The Psalmes informe and teach euery man with diuerse instructions whereby he may not onely espie the affections and state of his soule and winne a good patterne and discipline how hee may please God but also with what forme of wordes he may amend himselfe and how to giue God due thankes least if he should speake otherwise than were conuenient he should fall into impiety by his vnreuerent estimation of God For we must all make an account to the Iudge as well of our t Math. 12.36 idle words as of our euill deedes In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 273. Homily of Repentance it is sayd Verily when the highest Sumner of all which is death shall come he will not be sayd nay but we must forthwith be packing to be present before the Iudgement Seate of God as he doth finde vs according as it is written u Eccles 11.3 Where as the tree falleth whether it be toward the South or toward the North there it shall lye Whereunto agreeth the saying of the holy Martyr of God Saint Cyprian saying As God doth finde thee when he doth call so doth he iudge thee In the second part of the * T. 1. p. 63. Homily against the feare of death it is said That Iesus Christ shall be openly shewed to be iudge of all the world In the * T. 2. p. 109. Homily against excesse of apparrell it is said Vnto God we shall render accounts for all his benefits at the glorious appearing of our Sauiour Christ In the third part of the * To. 2. p. 123. Homily concerning prayer it is said Wee must take heede that wee call vpon this aduocate Christ whiles we haue space giuen vs in this life least when we are once dead there be no hope of saluation left vnto vs. For as euery man sleepeth with his owne cause so euery man shall w Rom. 14.12 rise againe with his owne cause And looke in what state he dyeth in the same state he shall also be iudged whether it be to saluation or damnation In the third part of the * Tom. 2. p. 229. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said By Christ hath almighty God decreed to dissolue the world to call all before him to iudge both the quicke and the dead and finally by x Mat. 25.34.41 him shall he condemne the wicked to eternall fire in hell and giue the good eternall life and set them assuredly in presence with him in heauen for euermore And in the first part of the * Tom. 1. p. 3. Homily which is an Exhortation to the reading and knowledge of holy Scripture it is said By this word of God we shall be iudged For the word that I speake saith Christ is it that shall y Ioh. 12.48 iudge in the last day Iesus Christ himselfe hath also said The z Ioh. 5.22 23 27. Father iudgeth no man but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne that all men should honour the Sonne euen as they honour the Father And hee hath giuen him authority to execute iudgement because he is the Sonne of man Saint Peter saith a Acts 10 4â— God hath commanded vs to preach vnto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the iudge of quicke and dead Saint Paul saith to the Romans Wee shall all stand before the b Rom. 14.10 11 12. iudgement seat of
to be our spirituall food k Ioh. 6.32 33 35 48 50 51. and sustenance In the third Exhortation it is said The benefit is great if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament for then wee l Iohn 6.63 56. spiritually eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his blood then we dwell in Christ and Christ m Iohn 14.23 2 Cor. 6.16 in us we bee n 1 Cor. 6.17 1 Cor. 10.16 17 1 Cor. 12 13. one with Christ and Christ with us And afterward it is said Above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thankes to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ both God and man who did humble himselfe even to the death upon the Crosse for us miserable sinners which lay in darkenesse and shadow of death that hee might make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and onely Saviour Iesus Christ thus dying for us and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding hee hath obtained to us hee hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries as pledges of his love and continuall o 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. remembrance of his death to our great and endlesse comfort And in the Prayer to be read afore the receiving it is said Almighty God our heavenly Father which of thy tender mercy didst give thy onely Son Iesus Christ to suffer death vpon the Crosse for our redemption who made there by his one oblation of himselfe once offered a full perfect and sufficient sacrifice oblation and satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole world and did institute and in his holy Gospell command us to continue a perpetuall memory of that his precious death untill his comming againe c. And in the second Prayer after the receiving it is said Thou dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodnesse towards us and that wee bee very members incorporate in thy mysticall p Eph. 1. 22 23. 1 Cor. 12.12.27 body which is the blessed company of all faithfull people and be also heires through hope of thy everlasting Kingdome by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy deare Sonne In the * T. 2. p. 192. Homily of the resurrection it is said Thou hast received him if in true faith and repentance of heart thou hast received him If in purpose of amendment thou hast received him for an everlasting gage or pledge of thy salvation Thou hast received his body which was once broken and his blood which was shed for the remission of thy sinne Thou hast received his body to have within thee the Father the Son and the holy Ghost for to dwell with thee to endow thee with grace to strengthen thee against thine enemies and to comfort thee with their presence Thou hast received his body to endow thee with everlasting righteousnes to assure thee with everlasting blisse and life of thy soule For with Christ by true faith art thou quickned againe saith Saint Paul from death of sin to life of grace and in hope translated from corporall and everlasting death to the everlasting life of glory in heaven q Phil. 3.20 where now thy conversation should be and thy heart and desire set In the * T. 2. p. 197. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is most divinely delivered That our Lord and Saviour thought it not sufficient to purchase for us his Fathers favour againe which is that deepe fountaine of all goodnesse and eternall life but also invented the wayes most wisely whereby they might redound to our commodity and profit Amongst the which meanes is the publike celebration of the memory of his precious death at the Lords Table Which although it seeme of small vertue to some yet being rightly done by the faithfull it doth not onely helpe their weaknesse who be by their poisoned nature readier to remember injuries than benefits but strengtheneth and comforteth their inward man with peace and gladnesse and maketh them thankfull to their Redeemer with diligent care and godly conversation And as of old time God decreed his wondrous benefits of the deliverance of his people to be kept in memory by the eating of the Passeover See chap. 17. with his rites and ceremonies so our loving Saviour hath ordained and established the remembrance of his great mercy expressed in his Passion in the institution of his heavenly supper In the same * p. 199. Homily it is also said We must be sure to hold that in the supper of the Lord there is no vaine ceremony no bare signe no untrue figure of a thing absent but as the Scripture saith the r 1 Cor. 10.21 table of the Lord the bread cup of the Lord the memory of Christ the ſ 1 Cor. 11.25 26. annuntiation of his death yea the communion of the body and blood of the Lord in a marveilous incorporation which by the operation of the Holy Ghost the very t 1 Iohn 3.24 bond of our conjunctiō with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onely their soules live to eternall life but they surely trust to win their bodies a resurrection to immortality The true understanding of this fruition union which is betwixt the body the head betwixt the true beleevers and Christ the ancient Catholike Fathers both perceiving themselves and commending to their people were not afraid to call this supper some of them the salve of immortality and soveraigne preservative against death Other a deificall communion other the u Rev. 3.20 sweet dainties of our Saviour the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection Other the food of immortality the healthfull grace and the conservatorie to everlasting life And in the same first part of the * p. 200. Homily it is also said Thus much more the faithfull see heare and know the favourable mercies of God sealed the satisfaction by Christ towards us confirmed and the remission of sinne established Here they may feele wrought the tranquility of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope the large spreading abroad of brotherly kindnesse with many other sundry graces of God The tast whereof they cannot attaine unto who be drowned in the deepe durty lake of blindnesse and ignorance From the which O beloved u Ier. 4.14 Isay 1.16 Psal 119.9 Psal 26.6 wash your selves with the living waters of Gods Word whence you may perceive and know both the spirituall food of this costly supper and the happy trustings and effects that the same doth bring with it And then after it is said It is well knowne that the meate we seeke for in this supper is spirituall food the nourishment of our soule a heavenly reflection
charity with your neighbours and intend to lead a new life following the Commandements of God and walking from henceforth in his holy wayes draw neare and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort In the Catechisme it is said There is required of them which come to the Lords Supper to examine themselves whether they repent thē truly of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Christ with a thankefull remembrance of his death and bee in charity with all men In the first part of the * T. 2 p. 198. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is said We must addresse our selves to frequent this Table in reverent and comely manner lest as physicke provided for the body being misused more hurteth then profiteth so this comfortable medicine of the soule undecently received tendeth to our greater harm and sorrow We must certainly know that three things be requisite in him which would seemely as becommeth such high mysteries resort to the Lords table That is first a right and worthy estimation and understanding of this mysterie Secondly to come in a sure faith And thirdly to have newnesse or purenesse of life to succeed the receiving of the same In the second part of the * P. 202. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is said We may learne by eating of the typicall Lambe whereunto no man was admitted but he that was a Iew that was n Ex. 12.48 circumcised that was before sanctified Yea Saint Paul testifieth that although the people were partakers of the Sacraments under Moses yet for that some of them were still worshippers of Images Whoremongers Tempters of Christ murmurers and coveting after evill things God o 1 Cor. 10.5 6 11. overthrew those in the wildernesse and that for our example that is that we Christians should take heed we resort unto our Sacraments with holinesse of life not trusting in the p Mat 15.8.9 Ier. 7.3 4 5 9 10 c. Mat. 3.8 9 10. outward receiving of them and infected with corrupt and uncharitable manners For this sentence of God must alwayes bee justified q Mat. 12.7 Hos 6.7 1 Sam. 15.22 23. I will have mercy and not sacrifice Wherefore saith Basil it behooveth him that commeth to the body and blood of Christ in commemoration of him that dyed and rose againe not onely to be pure from all r 2 Cor. 7.1 filthinesse of the flesh and spirit lest hee eate and drinke his owne condemnation but also to ſ 1 Cor. 11.26.24 shew out evidently a memory of him that died and rose againe for us in this point that yee be t Rom. 6.11.8 mortified to sinne and the world to live now unto God in Christ Iesu our Lord. It is * P. 203. afterward delivered most divinely also Furthermore for newnesse of life it is to bee noted that S. Paul writeth that we being many are one u 1 Cor. 10.17 bread and one body for all be partakers of one bread Declaring thereby not onely our communion with Christ but that w Eph. 4.16 unity also wherein they that eate at this Table should be knit together For by dissention vaine glorie ambition strife envying contempt hatred or malice they should not be x 1 Cor. 11.18 dissevered but so y Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Pet 2.5 Col. 2.2.5.19 joyned by the bond of love in one mysticall body as the Cornes of that bread in one Loafe In respect of which strait knot of Charity the true Christians in the Primitive Church called this Supper Love As if they should say none ought to sit downe there that were out of love and charity who bare grudge and vengeance in his heart who also did not professe his kind affectiō by some charitable z Acts 20.7 with 1 Cor 16 2. reliefe for some part of the congregation And this was their practice O heavenly banquet then so used O godly ghests who so esteemed this feast And so along unto the end of the Homily the preparation required unto the receiving of the Communion is declared in most Heavenly manner Read the whole second Exhortation which is appointed to bee read afore the Communion and therein the preparation is most plainly expressed also Read also the Thanksgiving which is appointed to bee sung after receiving the Lords Supper set after the Psalmes in meeter and therein the preparing is withall signified Saint Paul saith Whosoever shall eate this bread and drinke this cup of the Lord a 1 Cor. 11.27 28 29 30 31. unworthily shall bee guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that bread and drinke of that Cup. For hee that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himselfe not discerning the Lords body For this cause many are weake and sickly among you and many sleepe For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged CHAP. 57. Of kneeling in the act of receiving the Sacrament IN the Rubricke afore the words used in ministring the Communion it is signified That both Ministers and people are to take the Sacrament kneeling The reason is because it is now received in prayer The minister delivering the Sacrament saith The body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body and soule into everlasting life The blood of our Lord Iesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soule into everlasting life Are not these sayings words of prayer And ought not the b 1 Cor. 11 4 5 1 Kings 8.62 1 Cor. 14.16 heart of the receiver to pray with the Minister praying And is not c Ps 95.6 See Chap. 68. kneeling the fittest gesture for prayer It is said in the last Exhortation to be read before the Communion Make your humble confession to Almighty God meekely kneeling upon your knees And in no Rubrick of the Communion-Service are people required to change that gesture but rather to continue it untill they bee let depart with the blessing Charity saith S. Paul doth not behave it selfe d 1 Cor. 13.5 unseemely Againe hee saith e 1 Cor. 14.40 Let all things be done decently in order Is it seemly decent or orderly that people both before and after the receiving of the Sacrament should continue kneeling and in the very act of receiving should stand or sit especially whereas it is now taken with and in Prayer Christ first gave the Sacrament after Supper and so Christians in the Primitive Church celebrated it in the evening and f 1 Cor. 11.20 21 22 33 34. after Supper but now the Church for many ages hath changed the time and hath ordained it to be taken in the morning If the Church our Mother hath so great power and authority as to change the time of taking and to ordaine it to bee taken not after meat but afore dinner and in praying hath she
mourne weepe and bewaile their former sinnes And whosoever upon that day did not humble his soule bewailing his sinnes as is said abstaining from all bodily food untill the evening that soule saith Almighty God should be destroyed from among his People And then * P. 83. afterward the ground of Fasting is delivered where it is said upon the ordinance of this generall Fast good men tooke occasion to appoint to themselves private Fasts at such times as they did either earnestly lament and bewaile their sinfull lives or did addict themselves to more fervent Prayer that it might please God to turne his wrath from them when either they were admonished and brought to the consideration thereof by the Preaching of the Prophets or otherwise when they saw k Iohn 3.5.6.7 8.9 present danger to hang over their heads This sorrowfulnesse of heart joyned to Fasting they uttered sometime by their outward behaviour and gesture of body putting on l Neh. 9.1 sackcloth sprinkling themselves with m Est 4.3 ashes and n Ios 7.6 dust and sitting or lying upon the o z 2 Sam. 12.16 earth For when good men feele in themselves the heavie burden of sinne see damnation to be the reward of it and behold with the eye of their minde the horrour of hell they p Ps 119.120 Ps 143. ◠◠7 tremble they quake and are inwardly touched with sorrowfulnesse of heart for their offences and cannot but accuse themselves and open this their griefe unto Almighty God call unto him for q Ps 51.1 c. mercy This being done seriously their minde is so occupied partly with sorrow and heavinesse partly with an earnest desire to be delivered from this danger of hell and damnation that all desire of meate and drinke is laid apart and lothsomnesse of all worldly things and pleasures commeth in place so that nothing then liketh them more than to weepe to lament to mourne and both with words and behaviour of body to shew thēselves weary of this life And * P. 86.87 There are three ends ' whereto Fasting should bee directed afterward it is delivered That there be three ends whereunto if our Fast be directed it is then a worke profitable to us and accepted of God The first is to chastise the flesh that it be not too wanton but tamed and brought into subjection to the spirit This respect had Paul in his Fast when he said I r 1 Cor. 9.27 chastise my body and bring it into subjection lest by any meanes it commeth to passe that when I have preached to other I my selfe be found a cast-away The second that the spirit may be more earnest and fervent to prayer To this end fasted the s Acts. 13.3 Prophets and Teachers that were at Antioch before they sent forth Paul and Barnabas to preach the Gospell The same Apostles fasted for the like purpose when they t Acts. 14.23 commended to God by their earnest prayers the congregation which were at Antioch Pysidia Iconium and Lystra as we read it in the Acts of the Apostles The third that our Fast be a testimony and witnesse with us before God of our humble submission to his High Majesty when we confesse acknowledge our sinns unto him and are inwardly touched with sorrowfulnes of heart bewailing the same in the affliction of our bodies The Church of England hath appointed sundry times for Fasting more or lesse We are willed to fast at least from one meale every Eeve of such Saints dayes as the Kalender set afore the Common Prayer sheweth Wee are to Fast the whole day Of times when we ought to fast when a general publike Fast is enjoyned to continue all the day without meate and drinke till after Evening Prayer even untill night In the common Almanacke it is delivered that upon the Wednesday Friday and Saturday of every Ember weeke a Fast is to be observed And some say that upon the Munday in every such weeke also And the 31 Canō rendreth a reasō why fasting is to be in the foure Ember weekes namely because then prayer is to be made unto God after an especiall manner for to send downe his Holy Spirit into those which receive holy orders on the Sunday next following For the foure solemne times appointed for the making of Ministers are the foure Sundaies immediately following the Ember weekes It is also a custome to Fast on Ash wensday and likewise on good Friday And the Epistle and Gospell appointed for the first day of Lent doe make mention of Fasting and from thence we may learne to begin Lent with Fasting at least from one meale on that day The Collect for the Sunday of Lent doth very divinely informe us concerning Fasting saying O Lord which for our sake didst fast u Mat 4.2 forty dayes and forty nights give us grace to use such w 1 Pet. 2.11 1 Pet. 4.1.2.3 abstinence that our flesh being subdued to the Spirit wee may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousnesse and true holinesse The fasting prescribed to bee observed all the Lent is an abstinence from flesh an usual abstaining from that which doth cherish blood with blood according as Daniel signifieth to have abstained saying I x Dan. 10.2 3. Daniel was mourning three full weekes I ate no pleasant bread neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth It is observed also that in ancient times in keeping a publike or private fast people tooke an austere repast some coorse fare in the Evening after abstinence the whole day * As some doe in these times For to forfeit a Noones meale and then to recompence themselves at night was not their use Now concerning other fastings at other times read the whole Homily of the same The Lord saith by his Prophet Ioel y Ioel 2.12 13 15. Turne ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting c. Gather the people sanctifie the congregation assemble the Elders gather the Children and those that sucke the breasts let the Bridgroome goe forth of his Chamber and the Bride out of her Closet The z Ionah 3.7 8. fast of the Ninevites is thus proclaimed to bee Let neither man nor beast herd nor flocke taste any thing let them not feed nor drinke water But let man and Beast be covered with Sackcloth and cry mightily unto God yea let them turne every one from his evill way and from the violence that is in their hands The Lord by Isaiah signifieth the true use of fasting by a Isa 58.3 4 5 6 7. reproving the Iewes for their neglect of the same saying Behold in the day of your fast you finde pleasure and exact all your labours Behold yee fast for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickednes ye shall not fast as ye doe this day to make your voyce to be heard on high Is it such a fast that I have chosen a day for a man
so many places of the holy and sacred Scriptures doth bid us returne unto him Therefore we must take good heed unto our selves lest whereas we have already by our manifold sinnes and transgressions provoked and kindled the wrath of God against us wee doe by breaking w Mat. 3.2 Mat. 4.17 Mar. 6.12 Luke 13.3 this his Commandement double our offences and so heape still damnation upon our owne heads by our daily offences and trespasses whereby we provoke the eyes of his Majestie we doe well deserve if he should deale with us according to his justice to be put away for ever from the x 2 Thes 1.8.9 fruition of his glory y Heb. 2.3 How much more then are we worthy of the endlesse torments of Hell if when we be so gently called againe after our rebellion and coÌ„manded to returne we will in no wise hearken unto the voyce of our heavenly Father but walke still after the z Deut. 29.19 20. stubbornnesse of our owne hearts The second cause that should move us to repent is the most comfortable and sweet promise that the Lord our God did of his mcere mercy and goodnesse joyne unto his Commandement For he doth not onely say Returne unto me O Israel but also a Ier. 4.1 if thou wilt returne and put away all thine abominations out of my sight thou shalt never be moved The third cause which should move us to repent is the filthinesse of sinne which in such that as long as wee doe abide in it God cannot but b Ps 5.4 5 6. Ps 66.18 detest and abhorre us neither can there be any hope that we shall enter into the heavenly Ierusalem except we be first made c Rev. 21.27 cleane and purged from it But this will never be unlesse d Pro. 9.6 Eph. 4.22 23 24. forsaking our former life we doe with our whole heart returne unto the Lord our God and with a full purpose of amendment of life flee unto his mercy taking sure hold thereupon through e Rom. 3.25 Gal. 5.6 faith in the blood of his Sonne Iesus Christ The fourth cause which should move us to repentance is the uncertainty and brittlenesse of our owne lives which is such that wee cannot assure our selves that wee shall live one houre or one halfe quarter of it Which by experience we doe finde daily to be true in them that being now merry and lusty and sometimes feasting and banquetting with their friends doe fall suddenly dead in the streetes and otherwhiles under the Board when they are at meate These daily examples as they are most dreadfull and terrible so ought they to move us to seeke for to bee at f 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Cor. 6.17 one with our heavenly Iudge that we may with a good g 2 Cor. 5 9 10 11. 1 Iohn 2.28 conscience appeare before him whensoever it shall please him for to call us whether it be h Mat. 24.42 43 44 46. suddenly or otherwise for we have no more Charter of our life then they have But as wee are most certaine that we shall dye so are we most uncertaine when we shall dye For our life doth lye in the hand of God who will take it away when it i Ps 31.15 pleaseth him And verily when the highest Summer of all which is Death shall come he will not be said nay but we must bee packing to be present before the k Heb. 9.27 1 Pet. 1.17 Ier. 17.10 judgement Seat of God as hee doth finde us according as it is written Where as the l Eccles. 11.3 Luke 16.22 â—3 tree falleth whether it be toward the South or toward the North there it shall lye Whereunto agreeth the saying of the holy Martyr of God Saint Cyprian saying As God doth finde thee when he doth call so doth he judge thee Let us therfore follow the counsell of the Wise man where he saith m Ecclus. 5.7 Ps 119.60 Make no tarrying to turne unto the Lord and put on off from day to day For suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord breake forth and in thy security shalt thou be destroyed and shalt perish in the time of vengeance And afterward it is said Specially when thou art either by the preaching of Gods Word or by some inward motion of his holy n Eph. 4.30 Spirit or else by some other means called unto repentance neglect not the good occasion that is ministred unto thee lest when thou wouldest repent thou o Mat. 17.4 5. hast not the grace for to doe it For to repent is a good p Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 gift of God which he will never grant unto them who living in carnall security doe make a q 2 Pet. 3.3 Gal. 6.7 mocke of his threatnings or seeke to r Act. 7.51 rule his Spirit as they list as though his working and gifts were tyed unto their will The fift cause that should move us to repent is the avoyding of the plagues of God and the utter destruction that by his righteous judgement doth hang over the heads of them all that will in no wise returne unto the Lord whereof read the 28. Chapter of Deuteronomie and the Exhortation in the service of Commination Of Regeneration Concerning Regeneration or birth spirituall it is signified in the end of the first part of the * T. 2. p. 211. Homily for Whiltsunday to bee a Å¿ 1 Pet. 1.22.23 Iohn 1.13 new birth in all goodnesse righteousnesse sobriety and truth It is also said in that part of that * p. 109. Homily It is the Holy Ghost and no other thing that doth t Psal 80.18 Ephes 2.1.5 quicken the minds of men stirring up good and godly motions in their hearts which are agreeable to the will and Commandement of God such as otherwise of their owne crooked and perverse nature they should u 2 Cor. 3.5 Gen. 6.5 never have That which is borne of the w Iohn 3.6 spirit is spirit As who should say Man of his owne nature is fleshly and carnall corrupt and naught sinfull and disobedient to God Whereas it is said in 1 Iohn 4.7 8. Every one that loveth is borne of God and knoweth God and he that loveth not knoweth not God we may prove our sâ—lves whether wee grow in regeneration after we be come to the yeeres of discretion if we unfainedly strive to increase in the 16. vertues of charity or godly love reckoned up together by the holy Apostle Saint Paul in 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7 8. Many now a dayes doe frame to themselves a new birth or regeneration not duely attending what the holy Scripture and the divine Service of the Church declareth new birth or regeneration to be and so they come short of the comforts of the same without any sparke of goodnesse in him without any vertuous or godly motion onely given to evill thoughts and wicked deeds As for the
feare him and his righteousnesse unto childrens children To such as keepe his Covenant and to those that remember his Commandements to doe them Iesus the sonne of Syrach saith They that f Ecclus. 2.15.16 17. feare the Lord will not disobey his Word and they that love him will keepe his wayes They that feare the Lord will seeke that which is well pleasing unto him and they that love him shall bee filled with the Law They that feare the Lord will prepare their hearts and humble their soules in his sight They g Isa 66.5 tremble at Gods Word they dread to transgresse h Iam. 2.10 any part of it David saith Serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with i Ps 2.11 trembling Paul saith to the Romanes Bee not high minded but k Rom. 11.20 21. feare For if God spared not the naturall branches take heed lest hee also spare not thee To the Philippians he saith Work out your owne salvation with l Phil. 2.12 The third Duty To love God feare and trembling The third is To love God with all our heart with all our minde with all our soule and with all our strength To love God is to love that which God is as namely heavenly m 1 Iohn 1.5 light n 1 Iohn 4.7.8.16 charity o Pro. 8.12 14. Wisd 7.25 26. with Heb. 1.3 wisdome for God is in Scripture said to be Light Charity Wisedome Hence Christ saith Yee are my p Ioh. 15.14 friends or lovers if yee doe whatsoever I command you This is the q 2 Ioh. 5.3 love of God saith Iohn that wee keepe his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous Againe he saith This is r 2 Ich. 6. love that wee walke after his Commandements Wherefore Christ saith If yee s Ioh. 14.15.21 23.24 love me keepe my commandements He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth mee If a man love me he will keepe my words He that is of God t Ioh. 8.47 heareth Gods words The entrance of Gods words giveth u Ps 119.130 light God is a w Ioh. 4.24 spirit of light a spirit of love and a spirit of eternall wisdome They therefore that love this Holy Spirit blessed for ever cannot but love his nature and propertie They delight to have heavenly x Ps 43.3 light come more and more into their understanding they delight to y Eph. 5.2 1 Cor. 16.14 walke in love They unfainedly desire to doe all things in z 1 Sam. 18.5 Prov. 13.16 Wis 7.8 Col. 1.9 godly wisdome God requireth that we a Prov. 23.26 Luke 10.27 give him our whole heart minde soule strength and that the b Iam. 4.7 1 Ioh. 5.18 ill spirit have no part nor portion of us David a man after Gods owne heart said to God With my c Ps 119.10 whole heart have I sought thee The Lord saith by Ieremiah Yee shal seeke me and find me when yee shall search for me with your d Ier. 29.13 whole heart The Lord Iesus saith If any man come to me and e Luk. 14.26 hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his owne life also hee cannot be my Disciple To hate in this place signifieth to love lesse as it is observed to signifie so in sundry f Gen. 29.31 Deut. 21.15 Mat. 6.24 other places The holy Prophets and Apostles which for the Lords sake left not onely their earthly substance but their friends wives and children yea and their owne bodily lives they in some measure loved God as the commandement requireth So such as unfainedly strive to be more and more dead unto g Rom. 6.11 sinne to bee more and more buried with Christ in his h Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.12 1 Cor. 15.31 death to i Rom. 6.6 crucifie the old man and utterly to abolish the whole body of sinne as it is prescribed in the Baptisme-service to the end that the k 2 Cor. 4.10.11 life of Iesus may be manifest in their mortall flesh and that his kingdome of grace may l Zach. 14.9 Obad. 21. Luk. 17.21 onely and wholy be administred in their soules they in some measure love God as his Law requireth The fourth duty is to worship God Christ saith God is a spirit to be worshipped in m Ioh. 4.23.24 spirit and in truth The fourth duty To worship God Paul saith Glorifie God in your n 1 Cor. 6.20 body and in your spirit which are Gods As I live saith the Lord every knee shall o Rom. 14.11 bow to mee and every tongue shall confesse to God Of the outward worships due to God read the 68. Chapter afore There are also other bodily worshippings of God mentioned in the Holy Scriptures besides those as to p Gen. 17.3 fall downe on ones face to the earth unto the Lord c. The receiving of the Sacraments is said to bee a part of Gods worship yea and the due observation of all his other outward ordinances as r Mat. 15.9 See concerning Gods inward worship or worship in spirit in the end of T. 2. p. 75 teaching c. is worship to God also The inward worshipping of God is the doing of all such duties within the spirit as thēce are to be performed unto God immediately as to ſ Micah 6.8 humble ones selfe so as to walke with God to do our parts towards the t Iam. 4.8 purifying of our hearts to u Ioel. 2.13 Ezech. 36.31 beare sorrow for our sinnes committed to rent our hearts to do our parts towards the w Ezech. 18.31 making of a new heart and a new spirit c. The fift duty is to give thankes unto God The fift duty to thanke God And this duty is to bee done within the spirit in bearing a gratefull minde x Eph. 5.20 continually unto God for all his mercies So did the Virgin Mary when she said My soule doth y Luk. 1.46.47 magnifie the Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour So did David when hee said Blesse the Lord O my soule and al that is within me blesse his Holy name z Ps 104.1.2 Blesse the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits Concerning thanking God outwardly see Chapter 44. The sixt duty To trust wholy in God The sixt duty is to put our whole trust in him We are said to trust wholy in God when wee a Ps 37.7 rest on him and b Ps 37.5 depend totally upon him with hope of receiving his promises wee faithfully doing our parts in keeping the c 2 Kings 18.4.5.6 conditions wherewith his promises are made Trust or confidence in God proceedeth partly out of knowledge of Gods Attributes or properties as it is written They that know thy d Ps 9.10 Name will put their trust in thee