liberis vt noua soboles ad Deum colendum sisccedat summae turpitudinis damnatur eorum ignauia quibus Dei memoriam aeterno silentio obruere nulla religio est vt per eos non stet quò minus intercidat Promiscuè monentur omnes operam hanc gratissimam esse Deo si nomen eius transmittere studeant ad aetates futuras to the end it may continue and as it were suruiue vs after that we be dead For as he saith further in so much as the holie Ghost layeth this as a common charge vpon all that are godlie minded that they be diligēt in teaching their children to the end a new of-spring may succeede in the practise of Gods worship most shamefull is their lubberishnesse who are so profane that they care not though the memoriall of God be for euer suppressed and that for any thing they will do it should be so farre from continuance that it should vtterly fall away And Psal 78. vpon the 5. and 6. verses he doth likewise very worthilie obserue that from these wordes of the Psalme God hath commanded that fathers should teach their childrē That the posteritie might know his Law the children which shold be borne should stand vp and declare it to their children c. All saith he are generallie aduertised that they performe a dutie most acceptable to God whosoeuer do carefullie indeuour to set ouer his name that is to make him trulie knowne to the ages to come Finally as touching the last point of the answer that is concerning the blessing of God following this carefull indeuour read Deut. 28.1 c. 14. Read also Psal 67. and Iohn 9.31.1 Tim. 4.8 There are many such like testimonies And on the cōtrarie for Gods curse vpon the neglect hereof reade againe Deut. 28. verses 15.16 c. Psal 78. from the 8. ver There are likewise many other such like places of holie Scripture Yea examples also of Gods fearefull iudgements 2. King chap. 2.23.24 and chap. 17. of the same booke And Psal 106.37.38 c. But these for the present shall suffice Let vs now proceede Which are the parts or most generall heads and grounds of Christian Catechisme They are these two the morall Law or ten Commandements of almightie God and the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ It is true for the morall Law or ten Commandements they are a brief sum of the old Testament in so much as the ceremoniall and iudiciall lawes of God are but as it were appendices or appurtenances to those which are morall The parts And the Gospell that is to say the glad tidings of saluation containing the Articles of our Christian faith it is as one may say an abridgement of the New Testament Whereunto belongeth the doctrine of the Sacraments which are as signes and seales annexed to the Gospell c. We begin with the Law of God not that we hold it the only right and necessarie course of Catechising For God as it pleaseth him doth somtime enlighten call and renew those that be his not by humbling or casting them down at the first as he did Saul as we reade of Martin Luther c. by the terrors of the law in the sight of their sinnes and of that horrible damnation and vengeance due to the same but by giuing them notwithstanding they are grieuous sinners a comfortable sight and sweet tast and feeling in the apprehension of his rich and tender mercies touching forgiuenesse of sinnes through Iesus Christ And accordingly is the doctrine diuersly fitted and disposed in the holie Scriptures themselues For sometime the instruction proceedeth from the discouery of sinne of the corruption of nature as God dealeth with Adā in the beginning our Sauiour Christ with Nicodemus in the Gospell Paul in his Epistle to the Romans sometime from the blessings as God with Abraham and Paul to the Ephesians somtime from the curse as Iacob with his sonnes at his death sometime frō both iointlie and expresly as Leuit. chap. 26. and Deut. chap. 27 and chap. 28. or at the least inclusiuely as Iohn the Baptist our Sauiour Christ Repent amend for the kingdome of God is at hand Neuerthelesse let vs wisely marke we shall see that which way soeuer God giueth an entrance into his kingdome either by terrour or by comfort yet he doth afterward schoole and nourture them both wayes he sometime laying to their consciences the greatnesse of their sinnes and iust deserued miserie by the rebukes of the Law so driueth them to Christ the comfortes of the Gospell then againe from Christ in whom their soules are refreshed to more care and conscience of better dutie then before in obedience to Gods Law least comfort should hide it selfe and trouble and discomfort should returne more vncomfortably then before So that we our selues shall finde by experience that there is a continuall and necessarie vse successiuelie both of the law and also of the Gospell Questions preparatorie to the Law partly because of the dulnesse hardnesse of our hearts least we should waxe wanton against the Lord and profane his mercies and partly because of the weakenesse of our faith and failings in repentance least we should be driuen to dispaire of Gods mercy beholding the strictnesse and perfection of his glorious iustice And yet seeing humiliation by the Law is for the ordinarie course more fit for vs howsoeuer the ioy of the Gospell is more agreeable to the bountie of Gods grace and mercie and seeing Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance therefore saith Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden therefore let vs hold our purpose to make our entrance into the doctrine of Catechisme from the law The reason whereof shal yet further appeare hereafter yet so as by the grace of God we will neuer be contentious herein In the meane while let vs consider of the answers to certaine questions profitable to prepare the way thereunto as also to the whole doctrine of Catechisme I demaunde therfore first what euerie one of vs ought both first of all in order of time as most necessarie and chiefly also as being most worthy aboue all other things to seeke and labour after all the dayes of this short and transitorie life of ours Rightly to know beleeue loue feare serue and worship God in Christ Iesus to the glorifying of his name in this present euill world that we may be glorified of him and with him for euer in his heauēly kingdome in the world to come Mat. 6.33 For so is the cōmandemēt of our Sauiour Christ Iohn 17.3 First seeke ye the kingdome of God his righteousnesse And againe This is life eternall to know thee the onelie true God and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ Haue we such knowledge good dispositiō as you speake of by our owne naturall inclination No for it is written The naturall man
the grace of God and by his blessing vpon good nurture and education repressed and driuen away Reade Prouerbs chap. 29.15.16.17 and chap. 22.15 And how easily children will learne filthie words and behauiour if they heare and see them in others euerie one can tell that knoweth any thing whereby it is euident that naturally we are all greatly inclined this way So that vnlesse our Sauiour Christ had satisfied the iustice of God that is to say vnlesse his bloud had bene shed yea euen that water and bloud which ranne from his very heart to wash away this filthinesse of our nature and all the euill and vncleane fruites thereof and if he had not also in his owne life fulfilled the righteousnesse and obedience of this Commaundement for vs as well as the rest of the Commaundements of God this alone would condemne vs to the verie bottomlesse pit of hell for a iust reward of our transgressions against the same Against the which damnation therefore that our faith may be comforted and established in this point I meane the faith of so many as shall truely repent of their sinnes and labour after purenesse of life let vs to our comfort earnestly consider of the perfect obedience which our Sauiour Christ hath yeelded vnto it on our behalfe VVhat proofe haue you of this part of his perfect obedience Although our Sauiour Christ being in all things like vnto vs sinne onely excepted had an aptnesse in nature to know vvhat belongeth to the desire of mariage so farre as he might knovv it in the puritie of mans nature vvithout sinne yet he liued a most chast temperate and sober life in the vnmaried estate as it is euident by that vvhich is testified in the holy Gospell of his most pure conuersation tovvard all Our Sauiour Christs perfect obedience for vs. both men and vvomen and of his effectuall reprouing of the sinnes of bodily vncleanenesse so that many harlots vvere conuerted and brought to repentance by his most holy and pure doctrine not onely in publike sermon but also in priuate speech according to euery iust occasion Such as vvas the vvoman of Samaria of vvhom vve reade in the fourth chapter of the Gospell of the Euangelist Iohn and that other sinfull vvoman vvho vvashed the feete of our Sauiour Christ vvith the teares of her repentaunce and vviped them vvith the haires of her heade Luke chapt 7. verse 37. and so forth to the end of the chapter And the perfect obedience of our Sauiour Christ to this seuenth Commaundement is yet further confirmed in that albeit he liued all his dayes in the vnmaried estate he vsing his most perfect gift of chastitie vvithout mariage as vvas euerie vvay most meete for him both in respect of his diuine person he being both God and man and also in respect of his most holy office and calling yet he by all meanes honoured mariage as the holy ordinance the diuine gift and grace of God both by doctrine and also by miracle For as vve reade in the second chapter of Iohn he wrought his first miracle at a mariage feast he there turning vvater into vvine And Matthevv chapter 19. vvhere he reproueth the abuse of vnlavvfull diuorcements vvhich vvere against the perpetuitie of the mariage couenant vve reade hovv he calleth all backe to the first institution of God in the beginning of the creation for the reformation of euerie abuse against it and for the restoring of mariage to the first and most honourable dignitie of it And for the same cause also it is that he vvas so vehement and seuere against adulterie yea euen against the vnchast looke of the eye and against the verie lust of the heart as hath bene ansvvered before out of the fift chapter of the same Gospell according to S. Matthevv These things duely considered do sufficiently confirme the perfect obedience of our Sauiour Christ to this Commaundement Thus then if we beleeue in our Sauiour Christ and if by saith we apprehend in him both our redemption through his bloud for our transgressions against this Commaunnement and also our iustification by his perfect obedience and the imputation therof vnto vs through Gods most free and bounteous grace and if we shall labour after a temperate and sober life we may then comfortably perswade our selues that we shall escape euerie curse and be partakers of all blessing and happinesse But what particular proofe haue you that God will forgiue the transgressions of this Commandement yea the most hainous of them to all such as shall truely repent thereof and beleeue in the name of our Sauiour Christ In the 21. chapter of Matthew verses 31.32 our Sauiour Christ himselfe saith that Publicanes and harlots beleeuing and repenting shall go into the kingdome of God and enioy the euerlasting crowne of happinesse Yea he saith they shall go into his kingdome before such as in comparison of them seeme to themselues righteous and therefore regard not to beleeue neither are moued to repentance What proofe else haue you The Apostle Paule 1. Cor. chap. 6. hauing made mention of fornicators adulterers wantons buggerers saith that such were some of the Corinthians before their conuersion by the preaching of the Gospell but now saith the Apostle ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God O most gracious and wonderfull riches of Gods free grace and bounteous mercie in our Sauiour Christ what blessing and praise and honour and thankes may we render vnto his maiestie for so vnspeakeable a grace But is not this the way to make sinners the more bold to commit these sinnes by such preaching of the forgiuenesse of them It is not so long as repentance is preached as well as forgiuenesse It is very true for all they that haue grace to repent The Equitie to whom onely forgiuenesse doth belong the more and greater sinnes they vnderstand by the Gospell to be forgiuen them through the riches of Gods mercie in Christ the more do they loue God and Christ their Sauiour and the more do they hate their sinne and the more carefull they are to please God for euer after according to that which our Sauiour Christ saith of the sinfull woman Luke chapter 7.47 Manie sinnes are forgiuen her that is she hath comfortable perswasion thereof in her heart by faith and therefore as our Sauiour Christ argueth from thence she loued verie much And so no doubt do all they that haue the like perswasion We must alwaies remember the words of our Sauiour Christ Go and sinne no more least a worse thing come vnto thee Iohn 5.14 And thus is the repentance of Iudah noted touching his incestuous adultery with his daughter in law that he acknowledged his sinne and lay with her no more Genesis chapt 38. verse 26. The like are we to thinke of Lot Noah Dauid and of the incestuous Corinthians that they sinned no more in such sort
liued with his parents he wrought diligently in the worke and labour of Iosephs occupation Marke chap. 6.3 And afterward vvhen the time vvas come that he should more immediatly do the vvill of his heauenly Father he hauing no house of his ovvne to hide his head in as vve reade Mat. chap. 8. vers 20. and painefully going about from place to place to preach the Gospell most vvillingly contented himselfe vvith that maintenance onely vvhich grevv vnto him as a fruite from his preaching no othervvise then as God moued the hearts of those that receiued spirituall comfort from him to minister of their outvvard things vnto him Luke chap. 8.2.3 This he did all the time wherein he went about preaching euen till as a reward from the hands of wicked men he was put to death and nayled to the crosse betweene two thieues which were crucified with him they counting him among transgressors as the Prophet Isaiah saith as if he had bene a most vnrighteous person though in truth as the same Prophet testifieth he neuer did anie violence neither practised any deceit as hath bene noted before out of the 53. chapter of his Prophesie And further also that our Sauiour Christ was free from couetousnesse we haue a principall and most euident proofe euen from the beginning of his entrance into the discharge of his publike ministerie at what time the Diuell tempted him most subtilly diuerse wayes and namely to ambition and desire of earthly glorie pompe dignitie and riches but he could not preuaile Behold therefore a singular proofe of our Sauiour Christ his perfect righteousnesse in his contentment with his poore estate patiently enduring hunger and thirst neuer vsing any vnlawfull meanes to relieue himselfe but rested vpon Gods prouidence by faith as is euident by his answere to the Diuell Man liueth not by bread only but by euerie word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God c. By this righteousnesse of our Sauiour Christ are we iustified from all our vnrighteousnesse against this Commaundement if we do truely beleeue in him and earnestly repent and labour after righteous dealing remembring that this is one principall end of our redemption and iustification Luke 1.75 and Titus 2.9.10.11 and 1. Pet. 2.24 And that all such as do thus repent of their vnrighteousnesse and beleeue in the name of Christ be iustified by him and are receiued into the fauour of God reade Acts 10.35 Reade also Leuiticus 6.1 c. Consider here of the thiefe repenting on the crosse Consider also the example of Zacheus Luke 19. Reade also Leuiticus chapter 24.18.21 with Numbers 5. verses 6.7 and Exodus 21.33.34.35.36 and chapter 22.1.2.3.4.5.6 c. Where also note that as a fruite of true repentance restitution is commaunded by God and practised of his seruaunts yea and that with some recompence in way of satisfaction in a ciuill course of iustice But what if a man knoweth not whome nor how many he hath iniured and is sorie for it and would gladly make restitution but he knoweth not how What is to be done in this case which is surely more or lesse the condition and case of vs all We must so much the more speedily breake off our former course and accordingly be so much the more carefull to practise both iustice and mercie then heretofore at any time vve haue bene This is indeed the blessed counsell of the Prophet Daniel to Nebucadnezzer that great robber and spoiler of the nations of the world chapter 4.24 O King saith the Prophet let my counsell be acceptable to thee and breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse Anabaptists communitie of goods and possessions ouerthrowne and thine iniquitie by mercie and compassion toward the poore lo let there be an healing of thine error The like is the generall counsell and charge of the Apostle Paul to euerie vniust person yea euen to the pettie thiefe Eph. 4.28 Let him that stole steale no more but let him labour and worke with his hands the thing which is good that he may haue to giue vnto him that needeth And now onely for the conclusion of this Commaundement let vs after all the premises obserue as a truth most euident and cleare against all Anabaptistes that the Lord doth at no hand approue of their confused communitie of goods Nay this Commaundement leuelleth as it were the maine shot of the Lords ordinance to the vtter batterie and ouerthrow of it euen to the worlds end according to the perpetuitie of the force and power of this his expresse morall Law and Commaundement As touching the communion of goods which was among the Christians in the primitiue Church in the Apostles time it was no such as they imagine but onely the kindnesse and liberalitie practised among them was verie extraordinarily abounding to the releeuing of the common and great necessitie of the poore Christians The same God who wrought that abundant loue and liberalitie in them and yet preserued them from all barbarous and fantasticall confusion he for his mercies sake graunt that all true professors of his blessed and glorious Gospell may more and more honour it with daily increase of all liberall and kind dealing with like preseruation of the ground of iustice in that proprietie of goods and possessions which he by his good prouidence hath set and determined among his people Amen The ninth Commaundement of the Law of God now followeth Which is that Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thahhaneh vsed in this Cōmandement properly signifieth to answer as though the Lord should say thou shalt not answer false witnesse that is thou shalt not beare false witnesse when thou art demanded to testifie any truth which thou knowest and oughtest of loue and dutie to make known for the benefite of anie neighbour Word◠interpreted After the former Commaundement therefore of righteous dealing followeth now the Law of true speaking according as they are in the same order rehearsed in diuerse other places of holy Scripture and namely Leuiticus 19.11 Psalme 15.2 and Psalm 119. verse 138. Ephes 4.24.25 and chap. 5.9 For the vnderstanding of the which Commaundement ye may remember that ye were taught that three things are to be considered Which are they First vvho is to be reputed and taken for a mans neighbour Secondly vvho he is that must not beare false vvitnesse Thirdly vvhat it is to beare false vvitnesse Touching the first of these points whom haue you learned that we ought to repute and take for our neighbour I haue learned that this vvord neighbour comprehendeth euerie one vvithout respect of persons concerning vvhom vve haue iust occasion to yeeld our testimonie in any matter vvhich on his behalfe is called into question So it is and thus generally is the same word neighbour to be vnderstood in the sixt seuenth and eight Commaundements going before although it is not expressed till now Thou shalt not murther any neighbour c. that
example of their faithfull and godly parents how few or how manie soeuer they be So indeede do the words of the commandement it selfe limit the promise Reade also Psalme 103.17.18 Remember Ezechiel againe 18.14 c. But what if the children of faithfull parents dye before they know what belongeth to the true worship of God neither haue knowledge and faith to loue him and to keepe his commandements There is notwithstanding very comfortable hope because they are vvithin the compasse and charter of the couenant It is true for God hath fayd of the faithfull worshippers of him I am thy God and the God of thy seede Genesis 17.17 and chapter 12.2 And our Sauiour Christ assureth vs that to such belongeth the kingdome of heauen Marke 10.14 reade also 1. Corinthians 7.14 Yet we see that euen of the children of the faithfull manie that liue to come to knowledge do afterward vtterly degenerate and refuse to walke in the steppes of their faithfull parents and so pull downe the curse of God vpon their heades yea the true worshippers of God themselus their godly children haue alwayes and do still meete with manie great afflictions and troubles according as it is said Great are the troubles of the righteous Psal 34.19 What is to be said to these things God hereby giueth to vnderstand that his election is free and also that all mankind is naturally corrupt and sinfull from the vvombe and that the obedience of his best seruants is vnperfect vvhich maketh the iarre and putteth all as it vvere out of time So that of necessitie vve must haue recourse to the fountaine of Gods free grace and mercie in Christ Iesus for the assured ground of our stay comfort in the midst of al our troubles vntill the Lord shall in his good time deliuer vs out of them all So it is in the place of the Psal before mentioned Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of them all Vndoubtedly if we could hold on in an euen and constant course of obedience his mercies toward vs shold flow as it were with a continuall streame vpon vs without interruption but because we go so often out of the way we meete with the curse at the least with the tagge of it as one may say in steade of the blessing Now therefore these things being true both touching the curse and also the blessing as they are indeede most true how commeth it to passe that they do vsually so litle affect people either to breede in them carefulnesse to flie idolatrous and superstitious worship or to prouoke them to be vpright zealous in the true worship seruice of God What is the cause of this It is by reason that we do not consider duly of that which God himself alledgeth to admonish and prouoke vs all to be aboue all things most careful to yeeld him his most due seruice worship What is that which God alledgeth to this end His almighty power eternal decree wherin he standeth fully armed and most zealously bent both with iustice to take vengeance vpon al Idolaters and also in mercie to blesse and reward all his true worshippers and faithfull seruants These things which are most weightie and of greatest importance aboue all other are contained in those his diuine titles which here againe the Lord repeateth from the preface or generall reason of his Law saying For I the Lord thy God and in this new title of iealousie which he taketh to himselfe by a similitude taken from the disposition of a most louing husband who cā least indure to be vnfaithfully dealt withall by his wife aboue all other and is a most hote pursuer of him which hath defiled his mariage bed as we reade Prouerbes 6. in the end of the chapter God grant that all of vs may better consider of these things Why is Idolatry compared to bodily adultery First to set forth how abominable this sin is in the sight of God Secondly to note the extreame delight and pleasure which Idolaters take in this sottish haunt they being as it were wood and mad in the haunting after it Thirdly because they are by all meanes most lauish and prodigall in the vpholding and aduancement of it Finally because the spirituall adulterer as well as the bodily is continually restlesse and vnsatisfied seeing they haue both of them left the wayes of God whereunto onely he hath promised the blessing of sacietie and contentment Touching the first reason we haue seene it alreadie from the 16. chapter and the 23. chap. of Ezek. where the Lord describeth it so odiously that were it not that the Lord hath seene it so meet we wold think that it might not with shamefastnesse be so vttered But the reuerence of his most holy and pure wisedome teacheth vs to lay all the shame iustly vpon our owne extreame folly which hath giuen so vehement an occasion of it c. Of the second and third reason their owne practise in their often and long pilgrimages their manie and great offerings gifts both in life and at their death their costly decking of their images c. are a plentifull and reall witnesse famous as in a theater c. Euerie man is a damnable transgressor Last of all that they are restlesse and vnsatisfied and neuer quieted it is affirmed Ps 16. and may be gathered by the name which the Lord giueth in manie places calling them terricula such things as rather terrifie and vexe then comfort c. Hitherto of the interpretation and equitie and of the curse and blessing of this second commandement Now that we may come to the vse and so as shortly as may be grow to the conclusion Haue you perfectly obeyed this so iust and equall a Commandement that therby you stand freed from the curse threatned and that ye may as a recompence of your obedience looke for the blessings promised To speake truely neither I nor anie other can say so but rather all of vs do grieuously and continually sin against it one way or other It is the onely mercie and grace of God vvherby vve are preserued from grosse idolatrie and the occasions thereof and that vve are taught trayned vp in the vvay of his true vvorship And if vve could rightly iudge our selues vve should find that by nature vve are as prone and readie to all superstition Idolatry as any other which haue bene this way misled before vs. It is true for idolatrie is very pleasing to the naturall man as that which is of his owne deuising and which man hath himselfe euery way fitted to serue his owne humor Suum cuique pulchram It hath all things delightfull to the sight of the eyes to the hearing of the eares to the smelling of the nose goodly and sumptuous Churches and monasteries beautifull and braue Images sweet melodie and descant fragrant and odoriferous smels of incense To speake in a word it is
a maruellous and easie way of worshipping God according to that which one saith of their most deuoted and religious persons that they are humble but without lowlinesse poore but without want and rich without labour It were doubtlesse an easie thing for any of vs to bring our hearts to as great a loue and liking of idolatrie and idolatrous worship as any of the Papists beare vnto it if the commandement of God did not through his grace restraine vs and informe our consciences against it So that they which boast and glorie of their deuotion this way they do but glory of their owne shame The temptations of grosse Idolatrie Go be thanked are not of anie great force with vs in this our gracious peace and libertie of the Gospell Christs perfect obedience for vs But which of vs knoweth how great they would be if Idolatrie which God of his infinite mercie forbid might yet againe be countenanced commanded by publike authoritie and enforced by seuere persecution and penalty we may be sure of this that vnlesse we should be mightily assisted by the Spirit of God to withstand them they would fearefully shake vs. Wherefore let vs not deceiue our selues with vaine confidence without carefull sifting and examining of our selues in the sight of God c. But to leaue coniectures for the time to come and to go no further then to present signes and shew tokens surely the litle sorrow which we haue for our former sinnes in the dayes of idolatrous darkenesse and the litle thankfulnesse that is among vs for the sweet and comfortable light of the Gospell with so wonderfull deliuerance as we enioy and finally that litle reuerence and zeale which we beare to the true worship of God in the holy and pure exercises thereof they do strongly euidence and testifie against vs that our sin and guiltinesse is great against the righteousnesse of this holy Commandement We are therefore so farre from the desert of blessing that we haue deserued a great measure of the curse and might iustly feare it without all escape vnlesse happily we shall take hold of that part of the obedience of our Sauiour Christ whereby he hath obeyed this Law and made satisfaction to God for our sins in this behalfe for he onely must be our discharge c. But what proofe haue you that our Sauiour Christ hath perfectly obeyed this 2. commandement that so we may haue assurance that he is our righteousnesse concerning this commandement as well as concerning the former We haue a notable proofe of it in the 2. ch of the Euang. Iohn vers 14.15.16 17. which testifieth of his perfect zeale against the abuses for the right vse of the holy place of Gods worship Rehearse that which he Euangelist writeth of this matter 14 And he found in the Temple those that sold oxen sheep and doues and changers of monie sitting there 15 Then he made a scourge of small cordes and draue them all out of the Temple with the sheepe and oxen and powred out the changers monie and ouerthrevv the Tables 16 And he said vnto them that sold doues take these things hence and make not my fathers house a house of marchandise 17 And his disciples remembred that it vvas vvritten The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp This zeale of our Sauiour Christ for the house of Gods worship is indeede a perfect confirmation of his zeale to all the duties of Gods worship to be performed in all holy and pure manner in the Temple of God according as it is said in the Psal 93.5 Holinesse becommeth thine house O Lord for euer and Psalme 5.7 I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercie c. and Psalm 29.9 In his Temple should euerie man speake of his glorie And according as the Israelites returning from captiuitie Nehem. chapter 10.39 in their subscribing of their oth and vow to the Lord expresse it by this that they would not forsake the house of their God Neither did our Sauiour Christ once onely in this maner of reforming the Temple vtter this his perfect zeale in the beginning of his miracles and shewing himselfe but also toward the end of his course as we reade Matth. 21.12 c. and. Luk. 19. vers 45.46.47 And let vs the rather obserue the perfection of the zeale of our Sauiour Christ because he vseth this reproofe and sharpe censure against that which though it was a great profanation of the Temple yet it had great colour of carnall reason to set a glosse and faire shew vpon it For there was vse of all those things in the worship of God that such as wold offer sacrifices either greater or smaller might haue them at hand there also their monie of what coyne soeuer changed there for the buying of their sacrifices c. The perfection therefore of the zeale of our Sauiour Christ may hence be noted in that no shew of excuse could slack his iust censure and vehement reproofe He was so wholly taken vp with the true zeale of Gods worship that he doth as it were trample vnder his feet all carnall reason specially the filthy couetousnes of the Priests which was in them a chief cause of the tolleration of this abuse But beside this one that also a dobled cōfirmatiō we haue the former profes alledged in the first Commandement Our vnperfect obedience for Christs sake accepted for his perfect obedience in that spirituall and internall worship of his soule For they are so many warrants of his fulfilling of this because in them he hath ioynt-witnesse both of his internall and externall worship together Neither is it to be omitted here that our Sauiour Christ vsually frequented the Sinagogues of the Iewes and Temple of Ierusalem at the times of the holy feasts partly to celebrate the feasts according to the commandement of God and partly to manifest himselfe to be the Lord our righteousnesse and to publish the doctrine of saluation in the most solemne assemblies of the people of God Wherefore also we are hereby likewise further confirmed that the Lord who hath in Christ Iesus accepted a satisfaction for our sinnes against this Commandement as well as against the former will for his perfect obedience sake accept of our poore endeuour and labour if from our hearts we striue to worship him in some measure both of inward truth also of outward profession and declaration of his worship and also make vs partakers of his blessing promised both to our selues and our children euen to so many as shall yeeld him any measure of true seruice and obedience But what proofe haue we of this In the ninth Chapter of the Gospell of Saint Iohn the 31. verse Rehearse the Scripture Now vve know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a vvorshipper of God and doth his vvill him he heareth A comfortable testimonie of him that was before a blind man but now had not
and be glad for great is your reward in heauen for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you These are most comfortable gracious blessings whose heart may they not worthily allure to enter into this course of true wisedome glorie and happinesse whosoeuer haue anie sparke of grace and true wisedome in them But alas it may be said that in so much as the Law promiseth not any blessing but vpon condition of perfect obedience and seeing we are all yea euen they that haue receiued greatest grace greatly behind and much failing therein that we say nothing of those that are so farre from the course both of speech and life here commanded that they reioyce in wickednesse thinke themselues to remember God the better when they sweare and rap out all the othes they can thinke on and condemne the obedience of this commandement as too great precisenesse and to be an hypocriticall holinesse c. what shall we say for our reliefe against those so great discomforts Though our failings yea though our rebellions haue bene great against this holy Commandement so as we may iustly look to meete with the curses and not to haue our part in any of the blessings yet Gods mercie in Christ Iesus is greater then our sins and his bloud shall wash away both them and the guiltinesse of them not onely from the eye of Gods iustice but also from the accusation and prickings of our owne consciences if we shall truly beleeue in his name that he hath satisfied for these our sins and fulfilled this part of obedience for vs and if we shall heartily repent and be henceforth more carefull both with the words of our mouthes and also in the actions of our liues to glorifie the name of God then hitherto we haue bene This is our onely comfort indeed according to that gracious promise of our Sauiour Christ Matth. 12.31.32 But what proofe haue you that Christ hath not onely satisfied for these our sinnes but also hath fulfilled the righteousnesse and obedience of this Commandement for vs so as the Lord will be moued for his sake to forgiue our sinnes and to accept and to blesse our vnperfect and vnworthie obedience Our Sauiour Christ himselfe Our Sauiour Christs perfect obedience for vs vvho is most faithfull and true giueth a plentifull vvitnesse of it in the 17. chapter of the Gospell vvritten by his holy Euangelist Saint Iohn The whole Chapter is notable to this purpose being a most heauenly prayer of our Sauiour Christ to his and thorough him our heauenly Father for his whole Church and people But let vs heare the principall words tending to this end In the 4. verse our Sauiour Christ saith thus I haue glorified thee on earth I haue finished the vvorke vvhich thou gauest me to do And verse 6. I haue declared thy name vnto the men vvhich thou gauest me out of the vvorld thine they vvere and thou gauest them me and they haue kept thy vvord And verse 11.12 And novv am I no more in the vvorld but these are in the vvorld and I come vnto thee Holy Father keepe them in thy name euen them vvhome thou hast giuen me that they may be one as vve are While I vvas in the vvorld I kept them in thy name those vvhome thou gauest me I haue kept c. And verses 15.16.17 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the vvorld but that thou keep them from euill They are not of the vvorld as I am not of the vvorld Sanctifie them vvith thy truth thy vvord is truth And the last verse of the chapter I haue declared to them thy name and vvill declare it that the loue vvherevvith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them Here indeed we see a plentifull proofe of our Sauiour Christ his perfect obedience in glorifying the name of God by his perfect preaching and publishing of it according to his office and calling and that also euen from the beginning to the end of the time thereof vers 4.6.26 Secondly we haue a testimonie of our iustification in Christ through his obedience in the end of the 6. verse and verses 11.12 where also we see how carefull he was ouer his Disciples to keepe them in obedience to God and that his name should not be dishonoured by them Thirdly Our vnperfect obedience is for Christs sake accepted of God our Sauiour Christ prayeth for the increase of our sanctification and obedience according to the will of God and therein giueth to vnderstand that God accepteth the obedience of his seruants though it be still vnperfect Reade also a testimonie of our Sauiour Christ his glorifying of the name of God and of our iustification in him Hebrewes 2.9.10.11.12 Finally what his generall care of glorifying the name of God call to mind from his doctrine Matth. 5.16 and verses 33.34.35.36.37 Yea his whole doctrine is a most ample full declaration of it Reade also Iohn chapter 7.15.16.17 and chapter 8.49.50 Nothing remaineth therefore but that we placing our trust and beliefe in the mercies of our God in the name of Christ repenting of our sinnes do carefully and in godly maner labour to increase dayly in righteousnesse and holinesse to the glorifying of his name nothing doubting but that thus we shall be plentifully blessed of him though not for the worthines therof yet for the honour of his owne name and the praise of his rich mercies to whome be all praise and honour for euer and euer Amen And thus come we to the fourth Commandement the last of that great commandement of almightie God contayned in the first Table Rehearse the words of the fourth Commandement Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Sixe dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke But the seuenth day is a Sabbath to the Lord thy God see that neither thou do anie worke therein nor thy sonne c. For in sixe dayes c. Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it This fourth Commandement concerning the speciall time of Gods worship hath some neare affinitie with the second which commandeth a speciall place to the same end and therfore they are sometimes in one common charge linked together Leuit. 19.30 and chap. 26.3 Neuerthelesse it requireth a speciall practise of all the former commandements of this first table and the seuerall duties thereof both inward outward priuate and publike to the perfecting of the entire and whole practise of Gods worship Yea it requireth also a speciall practise of all duties of loue to our neigbour both generall in affection and meditation and particular in action as the occasions shall require Diuers wayes distinguished from euery other Commandement And finally it is both the schoole-time and as it were the nurcerie of all godlinesse and vertue to be practised in the whole course of our liues and also the market or fayer day of our soules wherein the Lord doth in
Coueting therefore or lusting is as an vniuersall leprosie or contagious poison ouerspreading or rather vndermining all good dutie It may seeme therefore that this Commandement is nothing else but a repetition or interpretation of that which hath bene alreadie forbidden How may this stand with the wisedome of the most wise God that he minding to set downe his Law most briefly should forbid one and the same thing more then once This question containeth in it selfe a full and sufficient answer vnder it for in so much as God is most wise and discreet yea euen the very author of all that distinction whereby any thing differeth from other we may in no wise thinke that he should in so short a Law as he gaue to his people make any vnnecessarie repetition of one and the same thing It is very true God that hath made and disposed all things most exactly as it were by line weight and measure Isa 40.12.13.14 God who numbreth the starres and calleth them all by their names Psalm 147.4 God that giueth man all the vnderstanding and discretion which he hath to discerne betwixt things that differ he that taketh the wise in all their crafts and quirkes c. shall not he know how to speake distinctly It followeth therefore that we do necessarily make a distinction betwixt this coueting which is forbidden in this Commandement and that which is forbidden in the Commandements going before What distinction may this be In the former Commaundements all coueting is forbidden to the vvhich consent is giuen Here coueting is forbidden in the least motion though no consent be yeelded at all Yea the least flitting and vagrant motion which hath neuer so litle delight mixed with it And not onely so but also the idle vain and loose thought of the vniust enioying of any thing that is our neighbours which our Sauiour Christ seemeth to call discoursing in the ayer Luke 12.29 yea euen the verie originall inclination of our corrupt nature to anie vnrighteous lust and desire is forbidden albeit there arise no motion or any the least delight therewithall And therefore much rather doth the Lord forbid all continued consultation and deliberation of the heart tending to any vnlawfull and inordinate lust So then in this Commandement we haue diligently to consider foure degrees of sin to be forbidden which go before that consent which is giuen to wicked coueting or lusting I would haue you make rehearsall what they be They are these which follovv First the naturall inclination of the heart vvhich since the fall of Adam hath bene and is in vs and in all his posteritie corrupt from the vvombe Secondly the thought and imagination vvhich ariseth from that secret and inmost corruption Thirdly the motion vvhich springeth from the thought Fourthly consultation and deliberation vvhich ariseth from the motion and delight is the next forerunner to full consent Or thus to the same effect In this Commuandement the Lord forbiddeth first the contraries to originall inclination to that perfect righteousnesse and loue which we do owe to our neighbour that is to say originall inclination to iniustice and to the hatred of our neighbour Yea and also originall inclination to the inordinate and excessiue loue of our selues Euen all the corruption which is come vpon our nature by the fall of Adam Secondly the Lord forbiddeth the immediate fruites of the same inclination to iniustice and vnrighteousnesse and to the vile hatred of our neighbour and to the inordinate loue of our selues Sins forbidden that is to say all vniust and hatefull thoughts and motions of the heart enticing and prouoking to the hurt of our neighbour as also vaine and fond thoughts motions discourses tending to the puffing vp of our selues in selfe-loue pride c. Yea further let it be obserued that the former inclination thought motion and deliberation euen concerning lawfull things and such as do belong to our selues if they arise in our hearts before the iust time and season thereof they are comprehended vnder this coueting which is here forbidden of God As for example the thought and desire of mariage before the time meete fot it also longing after the possession of an inheritance while a mans father is liuing or being vnder wardship before he is come to lawfull and conuenient age to enter vpon the possession and vse of it Yea the flitting desire or longing after any thing whatsoeuer before the time and season appointed of God or by no lawfull and good meanes though the time and season may be thought meete and conuenient all such flitting desires are here condemned Finally the not resisting of these thoughts motions and discourses is against the righteousnesse of this Commaundement as being the hinderance of loue and euerie other good fruite thereof and the cherisher of all sinne against our owne consciences in the fruites of selfe-loue and vnkindnesse against our neighbour And thus we haue the vnfolding of the sinne forbidden in this Commaundemeut whereby the difference betwixt it and all the former Commaundements of this second Table may plainely be discerned whereby also we both vnderstand the excellencie of the diuine wisedome of God in giuing so perfect a Law of all righteousnesse and loue toward our neighbour and likewise we may see more deepely into that miserie or rather sinke of iniquitie that lurketh in our corrupt nature till we be renewed in the spirit of our mind and made new creatures fashioned againe by the Spirit of God in a more secret manner then we were in our mothers wombe Now therefore hauing helpe against the difficultie hardnesse of the vnderstanding of this Cōmandement Knowledge of this Commandement most necessary I wold gladly heare the reasons of you why the knowledge of it should be so specially necessary and profitable as you haue bene taught the same to be Which are they Because without the knowledge hereof we can neither see into the full greatnesse of our owne sinne and the extreame misery which is due to the same nor into the perfect excellency of Gods righteousnesse in the punishing of sinne nor into the riches of his mercies in forgiuing sinne and sauing of sinners nor the necessity we haue of a Sauiour neither what godly sorrow for sinne meaneth nor what regeneration and repentance is nor what it is to be truly humbled before God nor how great cause we haue to be in continuall watch and ward yea in earnest battell and fight against sinne least it should get strength to raigne in vs to the euerlasting destruction both of our bodies and also of our soules All this is euident from the former discourse already layd open in the example of Saint Paule Rom. 7. and by that conclusion which he maketh vpon that discourse verses 24.25 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death I thanke God through Iesu Christ our Lord. Hence therefore we may perceiue that we do altogether deceiue our selues when we
continue and end in the Lord for his sake it is manifest that although we are to loue all vnfainedly yet by how much any among the rest do more liuely resemble the image of God in that true righteousnesse and holinesse which the Law commaundeth so much the more dearely are we to regard and loue them as the more honourable members of the houshold of God The least also of such ought to be alwaies more regarded and loued of vs then the greatest and most glorious of the prophane and vngodly children of this wicked and malignant euill world according to the doctrine of the 3. verse of the 16. Psalme mentioned a litle before Now therefore to God onely wise most holy righteous and mercifull the most worthie of all loue feare honour and glorie for this his great mercie in giuing vs so holy righteous and perfect a Law for the discouering and disclosing of our sinne and miserie and for the guiding of vs to Christ Iesus the onely mediatour of our eternall happinesse and saluation be all honour and glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen The last exercise for conclusion of this first part of Christian Catechisme and instruction concerning the holy Lawes and Commandements of Almightie God Ye may remember that for the conclusion and shutting vp of this part of our Catechisme diuerse proofes were rehearsed to shew the generall perfection of the whole Law both for the wisedome and also the righteousnesse of it Likewise diuerse proofes were rehearsed for the generall equitie of the whole Law and for the curses which God hath generally threatened against the transgression of it and for the blessing which he hath generally promised to the obedience of the same Moreouer diuerse proofes haue bene alledged for our generall disobedience and that therefore of our selues we haue not onely no interest in any of the blessings but that all the curses are due vnto vs. Likewise diuerse proofes for the perfect obedience of our Sauiour Christ by whose death and perfect obedience onely we are deliuered from euerie curse and made partakers of all blessings Last of all from that which followeth in the 20. chapter of Exodus from the 18. verse to the 21. we haue seene both to what ends and purposes the Lord God did in most fearefull maner publish his Law vnto his people and also what effects it wrought in the hearts of the people of Israell to whom it was in that fearefull maner published And so from thence to what ends the Lord will haue the same his most holy and righteous Law to be preached from time to time vnto his people what vses we our selues who through the goodnes of God haue now lately heard it so fully opened vnto vs ought to make of it The generall perfection of the whole Law These things let vs briefly call to remembraunce and so end this part of our Catechisme concerning the Law of God First therefore what proofe do you remember concerning the generall perfection of the wisedome and righteousnesse of the Law of God One principall proofe was alledged out of the 4. chapter of Deut. the 5.6.7 and 8. verses in these words Behold saith Moses to the people of Israell I haue taught you ordinances lawes as the Lord my God commaunded me that ye should do euen so within the land whither ye go to possesse it Keepe them therefore and do them for that is your wisedome and your vnderstanding in the sight of the people which shall heare all these ordinances and say onely this people is wise and of vnderstanding and a great nation For what great nation is there vnto whom the Gods come so neare vnto them as the Lord our God is neare vnto vs in al that we call vnto him for And what great nation is there that hath ordinances and lawes so righteous as all this Law which I set before you this day This was one principall proofe alledged indeed which as we see euidently commendeth the excellencie and perfection of the Law of God with all the appertenances such as are the holy rites and ceremonies thereof yea euen from the testimonie of the heathen themselues c. Reade also Psalm 19. from the 7. verse and Psalm 119. in many places and Psalm 147. the last two verses This excellent commendation of the Law of God is to singular end and purpose For the knowledge of it is a necessarie introduction to all obedience as on the contrarie the base account of it is the high way to all sinne But leauing this point What proofe do you remember to haue bene alledged to shew the generall meaning of God in his Law both on the negatiue part and also on the affirmatiue part of the same To this purpose was alledged the saying of the Lord by his Prophet Isaiah chap. 1. verse 16. and the beginning of the 17. Wash you make you clean take away the euill of your works from before mine eyes The generall meaning of the Law cease to do euill learne to do vvell And againe that vvhich the Apostle vvriteth Rom. 12.9 Abhorre that vvhich is euill and cleaue vnto that vvhich is good These places do as briefly as may be comprehend the whole summe and contents of the Law wherein God forbiddeth all that is euill and commaundeth all whatsoeuer is good for man to thinke speake or do Our Sauiour Christ also as hath bene answered before comprehendeth all obedience to the Law vnder the perfect loue of God and the perfect loue of our neighbour In the 3. chapter of the 1. Epistle of Iohn all sinne which is the transgression of the Law is called vnrighteousnesse and all obedience is noted by the name of righteousnesse Shew now what proofe was alledged for the generall equitie of the Law of God The contents of the vvhole 18. chapter of the Prophet Ezekiell vvas to this end briefly opened vvherein God himselfe pleadeth at large for the iustifying of his proceedings vvhich vvere according to the equitie of this his Lavv contrarie to the vnequall cauals of the vvickeder sort among the Israelites We may to this purpose cal againe to mind that which was alledged Deut. 4.8 Reade also Rom. 6.19 Isa chap. 5. vers 3.4 and Micah chap. 6.1.2.3 Note that in this respect the Commaundements of God are called iudgements Psalm 19. and Psalm 119. All are giuen with most holy and perfect adâ—â—isement We are now come to the generall curse against the transgression of the Law and to the generall blessing promised to the whole and entire obedience of it What generall proofes were rehearsed for these points Some of them did more ioyntly lay forth both the curse and blessing Other did the same seuerally and apart Which are those proofes which do ioyntly lay forth both the blessing and the curse Most briefly are both the curse and the blessing comprehended in the 13. chap. of the Prou. the 13. verse He that despiseth the vvord shall be destroyed