Of this opening knowledge of God in mākinde there are 3 degrees 1 By Gods workes shining in nature 2 by the word of God delivered to the church 3 by the grace of the holy spirite lightning the mindes of the regenerate through consideration of the workes and word of God 4 For that there is a God these testimonies cōpell all reasonable men though ignoraunt of the doctrine of the church to confesse 1 The most wise order of things in nature 2 The excellencie of the minde of man the knowledge of naturall principles and amongst them of this that there is a God 4 The feares of conscience in the wicked 5 The punishments of sinne in this life 6 The instituting and preservation of Civile order 7 The vertues and singular motions in heroike mindes 8 The significations of future things 9 The destinating and appointment of all thinges vnto certaine ends 10 The order of causes not proceeding to infinitie 5 That there is but one true God besides the testimonies of Gods word these also proue 1 The revealing of one true God only 2 The most high and excellent maiestie perfection and omnipotencie of the true God 3 Because more then one would be either idle or superfluo◠6 Lastly they who doe not oppose themselues against reason confesse that God is a nature spirituall intelligent eternal divers frō al other things incōprehensible in it selfe most perfect immutable of infinite power wisdome goodnes iust chaste true merciful bountifull most free angrie for sinne governing the world 7 But without the light of Gods word men neither vnderstand these things which they confesse of God neither know anie of those things which the voice of heavenly doctrine that is the scripture addeth to this knowledge of God as of the eternal father and son holy Ghost of the creatiō of things sending his son gathering his dispersed church vniversall iudgment eternall life 8 Wherefore the testimonies of God in nature are to be considered but whosoeuer seeke GOD without the doctrin of the church they substitute an idoll in steede of the true God 9 Moreover the true knowledge of God is not to be learned out of the very word of God without the speciall grace of the holy Spirit 10 And in the ende all the knowledge of God which mē haue in this life is but slender and begunne nor shal be perfited but in the celestiall eternitie 11 The eternal Father Son and holy Ghost are three persons 12 Indeed distinct one from an other 13 Equall in all essentiall or naturall properties of the Deitie 14 And of one essence or nature 15 By the divine essence church vnderstādeth that which the eternall father son holy Ghost every of them beeing absolutely considered in himselfe or his owne nature are are called But by this word person they meane that which everie of the three is and is called beeing considered as he is compared with the other or respectiuely or according to the manner of their exillence 16 That the sonne is a divine subsistence or person it is prooved because 1 He is named the proper and only begotten Sonne of GOD that is his naturall Sonne 2 Hee is saide in scripture to haue taken vpon him the nature of man and before that to haue beene the sonne of GOD. 3 He is called the word which by Iohn is described to be a person subsistent and by Salomon wisdome subsistent 4 He is the mediatour betweene God and man who must needs haue beene from all eternitie 5 He is named an Angell even before his incarnation 6 Lastly he is described to be CHRIST borne of the virgin naturall and true God the sonne of God 17 That the holie Ghost also is a subsistence or person subsisting it is plaine 1. Because he appeared in a visible forme 2. Because in scripture hee is called God 3. Because in his name we are baptised 4. Because to him are attributed thinges proper to a person 18 But that these persons are distinct one from an other hereby it is manifest 1. Because the Father Sonne and holy Ghost are also called for reference and respect which they haue one to an other and 2. Because the scripture saith that the Sonne and holy Ghost are not one with the Father nor the holie Ghost with the Sonne 3. Because they are said to be more then one and because properties are attributed to one which agree not to an other 19 The equalitie of godhead in these three persons is prooued by expresse testimonies of scripture by their personall proprieties because not some parte but the whole divine essence is communicated to the Sonne by the Father and to the holy Ghost by the Father and the Sonne 2. By such attributes or proprieties as are common to the divine nature 3. By the workes of GOD and by equalitie of honour due vnto them 20 That they are consubstantiall it is certaine 1 Because they are Iehovah which is one 2 Because they are in scripture described as the true GOD which is onely one 3. Because there is one spirite of the Father and of the Sonne 4. Because the Father communicateth to the Sonne and the holy Ghost and the Sonne to the holie Ghost not an other but his own proper essence and that whole and vndevided 21 The differences of these persons in the Deity are either internall from those operations which they exercise one towardes an other or externall from those operations which they exercise towardes the creatures 22 The internall differences are that the Father is the first person of the Deity neither borne nor proceeding from any other but being of it selfe which from all eternitie begate the sonne and from whom the holy Ghost proceedeth the Son is the second person of the Deity begotten from all eternitie of the Father and from whom the holy Ghost proceedeth the holy Ghost is the thirde person of the Deity proceeding from all eternity from the Father and the sonne 23 These workes vvhich the Deity exerciseth towardes the creatures although they bee common to the three persons yet the order which the three divine persons obserue in performing them make their difference externall as that the Father doth all things of himselfe by the Sonne and holie Ghost the Son holy Ghost not of thēselues but the Sō of the father by the holy ghost and the holy GHOST of the father the Son by himselfe 24 And hence it is that some benefites are properly said to be gifts of the holy ghost nor because the father hath no part in them but because hee bestoweth them vpon vs by the son or the holie ghost as when the son is called the wisedom the word counsellor angell apostle image of the Father power of the father vniting vnto him the humane nature and therefore incarnate and man and mediatour intercessor priest redeemer iustifier shepheard head and king of his
hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his VI. For these causes therfore in the mediator Christ is the divine nature which is the secoÌ„d persoÌ„ of the deity is called the word the onely â—begotteÌ„ soÌ„ne of the eternal father one God with the father the holy Ghost coÌ„substaÌ„tial equal to the father in all things h. h. Ioh. 1. In the beginning was the word the word was with God the word was God Rom. 9. 5. Which is God aboue all to be praised for ever Phil. 2. 6. Who being in the forme of God thought it no robbery to be equal to God c. Cor. 2. 9. In him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodilie 1. Tim. 5. 16. God was manifested in the flesh Heb. 1. 8. But vnto the sonne he said thy seat ò God endureth for euer 1. Ioh. 5. 20. And we are in him that is true that is in his soÌ„ne Iesus Christ this same is verie God and eternall life VII There is also in him i an humane nature true whole coÌ„sisting of a soule a body formed by nature of the holy Ghost of the substaÌ„ce of the virgin Mary his mother froÌ„ the very instaÌ„te of coÌ„ceptioÌ„ perfectly saÌ„ctified together with the soule 1. Gen. 3. The seede of the woman Gen. 1â— The seed of Abraham Maâ— 1. the soÌ„ne of Abraham Dauid Rom. 1. Of the seed of David according to the flesh Luc. 1. The fruit of Maries wombe Heb. 2. Partaker of flesh bloud he tooke vnto him the seed of Abraham Mar. 26. My soule is heavie euen to the death VIII But this person of the Deitie alone which is called the word did so asâ—ume vnto it selfe the nature of maÌ„ that both these natures from the time of conception and after do inseparably remaine one person and the masse of the humane nature is carried and supported by the deitie k. k. Ioh. 1. The worde was made flesh Col. 2. In him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead corporally Heb. 2. He tooke vnto him the seed of AbrahaÌ„ Act. 20. God purchased vnto himselfe the church by his owne bloud IX Neither yet by this vnion is one nature chaÌ„ged into an other but both do still retaine their distinct properties whereby the creating nature is distinguished from the creature l. l. Rom. 1. He was made of the seede of David according to the flesh 1. Pet. 3. Mortified the flesh quickned in the spirit 1. Pet. 4. Hee tooke on him the shape of a slâ—ue X. Hence is it that names signifying the office of Christ are as well truely attributed to both natures severallie as to the whole person but the proprieties agreeing only to one nature cannot be truelie said of the other nature by it selfe but may well be attributed to the whole person by that forme of speech which they cal a communicating of proprieties m. m. Leo ad Flavian cap. 4. See Damasâ—en de fide orthodoxâ— lib. 3. cap. 4. XI Therefore all Christ is everie where although his humane nature since his ascension vntill the daâ—e of the last iudgment be no where but in heaven n. n. Math. 28. 6. He is risen he is not here Mat. 26. 11. Mee yâ—e haue not alwaies with you Ioh. 16. 28. I leaue the world go vnto my father Act. 3. 21. Whom the heavens must containe vntill the time of restoring of all thinges XII And the godlie in what place of heauen of earth so ever they abide are vnited to the humane nature assumed by the son of God as members to their head the same holy spirit dwelling in Christ by vnitie of essence with the word in the godlie by grace o. o. 1. Cor. 12. 13. By one spirit we are all baptised into one body Eph. 4. 4. There is one bodie and one spirit 1. Ioh. 4. 13. By this we know that we abide in him and hee in vs because he hath given vs of his spirit Rom. 8. 11. If the spirit of him who hath raised c dwell in you c. Iren. lib. 3. cap. 19. As of drie meale one lumpe cannot be made nor one bread so neither could we which are many be made one in Christ Iesus without that water which is from heaven A THANKES GIVING AFTER HIS DISPVTATION OVt of question there is no wise man which can chuse but thinke well and honorably of scholastical exercises if he vnderstand the weightie causes for which they are performed namely that the doctrine of God other things whose knowledg the life of man especially needeth may be publiquely taught vnfolded the consent of many good men in the truth may be shewed mainteined true opinioÌ„s may be illustrated confirmed in the minds of learners It is a worthy auncieÌ„t saying recited by Plato Neither gold not diamond so glistereth to the eie as the coÌ„sent betweene good men in opinioÌ„ But much more louely acceptable to the good and vertuous in the quiet conferences of good well meaning men is the vse of that thing wherof this is spoken For therefore doth God preserue schools churches because he would haue the doctrine of himselfe his will to be publiquelie professed And that it is most true that coÌ„ference hath brought forth artes sciences the examples of many men shew who are not destitute of witt but because they haue none to teach them besides themselues they are not only deceaued in many things but also sâ—eldom escape self-pleasing arrogancy other faults which follow neglect of conference For which causes their good intent deserueth coÌ„mendation which endeuour to encourage or grace these meetings with their discourse or presence or paines or authoritie or approbation First therefore wee giue thankes vnto the eternall God our father and his sonne our Lord Iesus Christ for preseruing maintaining schools and other places of entertainement releife and would haue the pure light of the Gospell to shine both in others also in this our societie cherishing and furthering it with the studies of the best arts Also I thanke our Honorable Chancellor other right worshipfull reverend men also the learned maisters and studious young men who haue partely by their advise instructed me partly by their presence graced my exercise declared their good wil towards it I beseech God that he would vouchsafe to encrease and continue vnto all and everie of vs those benefittes which hitherto he hath bestowed on vs to the aduancemeÌ„t of his glorie the saluation of vs and many others besides through IESVS CHRIST our Lord. Amen A THANKS GIVINGE AFTER HIS DEGREE TAKEN THe greatest benefits that God hath bestowed and such as are farre to be prefered before all others of this life are these that he gathereth and reserueth to himselfe an euerlasting Church makinge vs citizens thereof that hee giueth peace to small states vvhich are retiringe and restinge places of the Church that hee hath placed ouer
secoÌ„d of duties toward our neighbor but so that the former immediatly the latter is mediatly referred to God 2 Whereas the first coÌ„mandement chargeth vs to haue for god only the true god manifested in the church it doth especially coÌ„prise the internal worship of God which coÌ„sisteth in mind will hart 3 The principal parts or points of this worship are these true knowledge of God faith hope loue of God feare of God humility before God patience 4 God may in some sort bee knowne of the creatures namely as far forth as it pleaseth him to reveale himselfe to every man 5 There be two sorts of knowledge of God one simply absolutely perfect whereby God onlie knoweth himselfe that is the eternal father son holy Ghost know themselues one an other vnderstaÌ„d wholy most perfectly their whole infinit essence maner of being for none but an infinit vnderstaÌ„diÌ„g caÌ„ perfectly know that which is infinit the other in the creaturs wherby angels men do indeed vnderstaÌ„d the whole entire nature maiesty of god as being most simple but not wholy that is they vnderstand it only so far as he revealeth it vnto them 6. That knowledge of God which is in the creatures if it be compared with that wherby God vnderstandeth and knoweth himselfe is to be accoumpted imperfect but if we respect degrees therof some of it is perfect some imperfect not simplie but in comparison that is in respect of the inferior or superior degree 7. That is perfect wherby the blessed angels men in heauen know God by excellent vision or beholding of minde as much as is sufficieÌ„t for coÌ„formitie of the reasonable creature with God Imperfect is that whereby men knowe God in this life lesse then they might and therfore by Gods commaundement ought by benefit of their creation 8. Imperfect knowledge is of two sorts Christian or theological philosophical Christian knowledge is that which is learned out of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Philosophical is that which is gathered from principles naturally knowne and the beholding of Gods workes in nature 9. Christian knowledge is of two sorts Spiritual or true liuely powerfull and sauing and Literal The spiritual is a knowledge of God and his will kindled in our mindes by the holy Ghost according to the worde and by the word causinge in our will and heart an inclnation and studie to knowe beleeue practize more and more those thinges which God in his â—â—rd commandeth vs to know beleeue and do The 〈◊〉 is a knowledge of God either reteined from the creation or afterwardes wrought in our mindes by the holy Ghost through the worde of God which is not accompanied with a mans desire of conforming himselfe therunto 10. Both spirituall literal knowledge is either immediate whâ—ch by instinct of the holy Ghost without ordinarie meanes or mediate which is wrought of the holy Ghost by hearinge reading and meditating on the scripture 11. The ordinarie meanes of knowinge God and that which is presciâ—bed vnto vs by God is by studie and meditation of the scriptures and therfore we must by this meanes labour to come to the knowledge of God and therefore not desire and expect from God some extraordinarie immediate enlightning except of his owne accord he offer it vnto vs and confirme it by sure certeine testimonies 12. But although God hath declared in his word how farre in this life he would be knowne of vs yet naturall testimonies of God are not superfluous because they condemne the impiety of the reprobate and confirme the saluatioÌ„ of the elect and are therfore everie where alledged by God in scripture and must be considered by vs. 13. But withall this we must be perswaded of them that they are indeede true and agreeâ—ble with Gods worde but yeâ— they are not sufficient to the true knowledge of God 14. Besides although natural testimonies doe not teach any thinge false of God yet men without the light of Gods word conceaue out of them nothing but false opinions coÌ„cerning God both because those testimonies do not shew so much as is deliuered in the worde as also because men by reason of their natiue blindenesse and corruption doe mistake misinterpret and manie waies corrupt even these verie testimonies which by natural iudgment might be vnder-stoode 15. And therfore in the first commaundement is forbid de and condemned all ignorance of such things as God hath proposed vnto vs for to know of him in his worde and in his workes as well of creation as redemption of the church also all errors of such as imagine either that there is no God as the Epicures or manie Gods as the heathen the Manichees the worshipers of angels dead men other creatures the witches the superstitious those that put confidence in creatures or those which imagine a God diverse from him which hath manifested himselfe in the church as philosophers Iews MahometaÌ„s SabelliaÌ„s ArriaÌ„s SamosateÌ„s Pâ—cumatomachians and the like which do not acknowledge that God which is the father eternal with his sonne and holie spirit coeternal XX. OF THE SIXE FIRST COMMAVNDEMENTS IN the first precept is coÌ„mauÌ„ded the immediate internal worship of God wherof the principall parts are true knowledg of God faith hope loue of God feare of God c. as in the the 3 and 10 section of the title going next before besides all this herein is forbidden contemp of God vnbeliefe doubtfulnesse and distrust in God temporarie faith apostasie carnal securitie tempting of God desperation doubt of deliuerance from sin and eternall life hatred of God inordinate loue of our selues and the creatures servile feare pride vainglorious hypocrisie impatience rashnesse 2. The second precept is a rule of our whole worship of God that wee worship not God with any kinde of worship besides that wherewith he coÌ„maunded himselfe to be worshipped wherfore it commaundeth the true forbiddeth al the fained and false worship of God especially idols and images made to represent and worship God also negligence of magistrates whereby images or other instrumentes which either doe or may easily serue to idolatrie are tolerated in places subiect to their authoritie much more the worship of theÌ„ also hypocricie and prophanesse 3. The thirde precept requireth that externall worship which everie man ought to performe that is the furtherance of the true doctriue touching God lawfull swearinge zeale for Gods glory if forbiddeth omitting wearines and corrupting the doctrine concerning God neglect of his glorie blasphemie denyal or dissemblinge the truth vnseasonable confession abuse of libertie in things indifferent scandals in life and members neglect of praier prayer made after an evill manner or not the true God or not lawfully ingratitude denyal neglect and abuse of Gods benefites refusall of necessarie otâ—es peâ—urie idolatrous vnlawfull rash swearinge vnconstancie of lightnesse in defence of Gods glorie and erringe zeale 4. The fourth precept containeth that externall worship
is the Iesuite himselfe who therefore remoueth the Generall Difference from one Kind because it agreeth with the other whereas he caÌ„not be ignorant that General Differences are coÌ„monly indifferently in all their Kindes Is not this the generall vse of all diuine signes to put men 〈◊〉 mynde of Gods pleasure benefites and to seale vnto vs the certainety of our faith in his promises for therfore doth God â—incke those signes with his word that so he might prouide for our weaknes confirme vnto vs his promises Yf the Iesuite make doubt hereof let him ouer-runne the scripture from the first Sacrament or immortality in Paradise vnto the last signes of â—he small comminge of Christ he shall finde they agree all in this as well vniuersall as particular as well those that were deliuered in things naturall as miraculous as well ordinary as extrâ—ordinary But I hope he will not deny that a miracle is a diuine signe Lombard himselfe can teach him that a Sacrament is one sorte of diuine signes Miracles therfore sacraments agree in this vse but that miracles are seales either of the whole doctrine in generall or of some certaine promise Sacraments onely especially of the promise of grace Neyther makes it to the purpose that he saith miracles are of themselues knowne depend not any way on preaching that Sacraments are not vnderstood vnlesse they be confirmed by the testimony of the word 〈…〉 speaketh 〈◊〉 the force of miracles is vaine They may indeed of themselues strike into 〈…〉 but they can no more of them selues teach confirme that heauenly doctrine whereof they are seales then can the Sacraments without declaration of their doctrine Besydes how followes this 〈…〉 themselues do not seale vnto vs the promiâ—es as 〈…〉 they do not at all seale theÌ„ Suppose miracles haue force efficacy of themselues that hinders not but that Sacraments also may haue their force efficacye by the appointment of God For both naturall miraculous and also voluntary signes doe signifie though in one sorte the flame be signified by smoake in an other the power of God by miracle in a third the promise of grace by sacrament After this he scoffes at that comparison as foolish wherein our wrighters lyken the worde to Princes Charters oâ— Letters Patentes and the Sacrament to their seales maintaining the contrary that the word rather should be called the seale of the sacrament theÌ„ the SacrameÌ„t the seale of the worde And why so Because saith hee as the seale without the wrighting hath his force and not the wrighting without the seale so the word of God euen without sacrament hath very great authority the Sacrament without the worde none at all But twise ridiculous and foolish is the Iesuite first in attributinge force to the seale without the wrighting none to the wrighting without the seale secondly in making the worde a seale because of it selfe it hath authority For tell me Bellarmine what force hath the Popes leaden bull or what doth it seale vnto you being plucked from his pardon and if you deny that the wrightings charters are acknowledged without their seales I answere that this is neither generally nor of it selfe true Did you neuer see any billes hand-writings acquittances or rescriptes of Princes ratifyed without their seales The wrightings even of good men much more of Princes most especially of God himselfe haue and deserue sufficient authority in themselues as appeareth in times past how the wrightings of Emperors were wont to bee confirmed rather by markes subscribed then by waxen seales But by accident that is by reason of the fraile faith life of man it is now come to passe that wrightings though confirmed by many seales are scarsely sure enough Now what folly is it in you of the word to make a seale because without any sacrament it is of sufficient authority whatsoeuer is in it selfe authenticke will you presently take that for a seale A seale is the visible signe of any writting whose vse is not so much to adde authority as to ascertaine vs of the truth Such a signe is not the word of God But it is more fitly compared vnto wrightings because therein God instructeth his Church in his will doth as it were bequeath vnto it certaine goods or good things It hath in it selfe authority from God the author the sacraments are thereunto added as seales not as you suppose that from them it might receiue authority but that by them God might strengthen our feeblenesse infirmity For they are visible pictures or rather the promises themselues attired in certaine ceremonyes as it were visible wordes as Austin pretely termeth them because they picture and present vnto our eies those benefites which the vvorde soundeth vnto our eares But more credit is giuen to a thinge seene then onely heard Thirdely he cavilles with Luther in this sorte If a sacrament were nothinge els but an instrument to stirre vp and nourish â—aith in vs why are infantes mad men and men asleepe sometimes baptized in the Church But why doth he not lykewise make a question of belles churches altars let your church if it will baptize madde men and men asleepe as for infantes of the church of Christ we answere that they indeed although wanting the vse of reason are notwithstanding baptized because of the commaundement and promise of God But you will saye they do no beleeue ergo baptisme confirmes not their faith Deny not what you know not They beleeâ—e not as men of age ergo beleeue they not at all yf this be true why may not this also be as true they are not reasonable as men of age therefore they are not reasonable at all To them is promised the holy Ghost workinge faith in vs to them is promised the grace of the couenantâ— the kingdome of God And although actually they do not beleeue yet why may they not as well by inclination beleeue through grace as by inclination they sin through nature As therefore they beleeue so baptisme is vnto them a seale confirming their faith But who sayd a Sacrament was nothing else but an instrument to stirre vp nourish our faith there are more vses of a Sacrament besides this But admit baptisme doe not confirme fayth in insants yet it will confirme them when they are come to age For the fruit of baptisme is not restrayned to one moment witnesse Austen Lombard himselfe Yet are they to be baptized that their adoption regeneration may be sealed vnto theÌ„ and they distinguished from Infidels which things as they are not to be accounted nothing so truly we doubt not but that through baptisme they are imparted sealed vnto the infantes of the church not as you teach because of the worke don but in regard of the Institution appointment of Christ Thus therefore the Iesuite seeth how the baptisme of Children doth not
hee can susteine mans nature without meate as hee did Moses and Christ forty daies and therefore it is a labour vnnecessary not a meanes to compasse what we wish and expect either for schollers to busie themselues about bookes and study and to go to their instructors schooles or for husband men to manure their grounde or for any of vs to spend our life in susteining our life Doe you see vpon what rockes of blindnesse and distraction the Divell doth driue these vnhappy men who hauing neuer learned the grounds of godlines or good artes nor loving the labour toile of learning would notwithstaÌ„ding seeme what they are not desiring to extol theÌ„selues against the knowledge of God not doubting to subiect the eternal wisdom to their vile censures for they shew them selues as wel witles as shameles in alleaging exaÌ„ples either of such as by miracle were coÌ„uerted as Paule or endewed with giftes extaordinarie as the Apostles in the PeÌ„tecost or of many hearing the Gospell not beleeuing or lastly in 〈◊〉 such places of scripture as preâ—ch vnto vs the power and office of the holy Ghost We know God be thanked confesse the God can without helpe eyther of teachers or learners coÌ„verte whom he will and that the end and vse of miracles is this to shew that the order of nature wherin he is powerfull was by him before created and is still by him most freely preserued We know further that the conuertinge of soules is the gifte of God aboue so that looke how much greater and more miraculouse a worke it is to restore man being lost vnto salvation then to create him of nothing so much more impudency madnesse is it rather to attribute our redemption then our creation to the force efficacie of mans wordes This also we know that it pleased God by foolish preaching to saue those that beleeue why it hath so pleased him although he need not make vs accoumpt yet is he content to yeeld vs some reasons ever of this his purpose though he propose not the like reasons to the godly and vngodly To the vngodly he yeeldeth this reasoÌ„ because his iustice in coÌ„demning their malice which resist the word reueald should be more manifest in sight of the whole church their consciences also bearing witnesse But we may also consider other causes which make for our instruction and comforte Wheras the voice of the ministrie and all our conceipt of God is vailed with darkenesse wherin we now behould God and know his pleasure hence he admonisheth vs of the greatenesse of our fal whereby it is come to passe that now we enioy not the presence of God dealing with vs as it were a far of by interpreters stirring vs vp to aspire vnto that heavenly schoole wherein God will be seene of vs face to face and shal be al in al. Besides God in this life will haue the searching meditation and confession of this doctrine touching himselfe and his will not to bee concealed in the mindes of men but to bee openly sounded and celebrated and therefore on his authority he hath bound vs to a necessity of knowing it promising thereby to restore vs to salvation Furthermore being willing to haue vs fellow-labourers in the most excellent of his divine workes wherein could he better shew his loue to vs miserable creatures except in giving his only begotten sonne a ransome for our sinnes wee therefore affirme the reading hearing and knowing of this doctrine to be a necessary instrument of our salvation not in respect of GOD but in regarde of our selues not because GOD coulde not otherwise haue converted vs as the builder cannot builde an house without his tooles but because he would not otherwise doe it True faith is indeede the gift and worke of none but GOD onely yet so that it is wrought in vs by the holy Ghost through the hearing of Gods word Pauls planteth Apollos watereth but God giueth encrease And when Paule tearmeth the gospel preached by him the power of God vnto saluation to as many as beleeue Ephes 4. v. 11. He gaue some to bee Apostles and Prophets and some Evangelists some pastors and teachers for the gathering togeather of the sainctes for the worke of the ministerie for the edification of the bodie of Christ can any more gloriouse worde be spoken concerning the office of teaching let not vs therfore presume to be wiser theÌ„ God let not vs forsake thinges ordinarie to follow thinges extraordinarie neyther let vs so much esteeme the pride and reprobate coniumacie of such as contemne the voice of the Gospell that we lesse regard and reuerence the force and fruit of Gods ordinance in his instrumeÌ„ts of mercie as neither the sloth and peruerse peeuishnes of some schollars being baries to profit and all good proceedings can perswade others that instruction and study are things vnnecessary to the attaining and encrease of learning and vertue but let vs rather with al submission and thankefulnes embrace this sweetest comforte whereby we are assured that our labours please God and are not vndertakeÌ„ by vs in vaine according to those sayings Eccles 11. 1. Cast thy â—read vpon the waters for after long time thou shalt finde it againe 1. Cor. 15. 58. Your labour is not in vaine in the Lorde Mat. 18. 20. Wheresoeuer two or three are gathered togither in my â—ame I am in the middest of theÌ„ Were not these promises wel knowne vnto vs and certaine in themselues in this so great fury of Satan and misery of mankinde our best teachers and most careful furtherers of the publique salvation were in conditioÌ„ most vnhappy could not maintaine this place without great difficulty I truly for mine own part knowing my selfe to be of no reckoning feele my selfe so surprised with sorrowe that for griefe I should nether be able to abide this place nor giue passage to my speech did not I certainely know that eveÌ„ in this coÌ„pany there ar some whose harts receiue and approue true wholsome doctrine are by the holy Spirite inflamed with desire of acknowledging and worshipping God aright are living temples of God such as shall hereafter glorifie him with the Angels in heauen Neither do I so speake this as if I did expect that all men should haue like knowledge of this doctrine and equal giftes of the holy Ghost without difference for Saint Paule willeth vs in the 12. to the Romaines to bee wise according to that measure of faith which God hath given to every man but it is necessary that al which look to be saved should hold the same foundatioÌ„ that is they must know and beleeue what Christ is and what he hath perfourmed for every of vs as it is said by Iohn the 17. cap. 3. v. This is life everlasting to know that thou art the only true god whoÌ„ thou hast sent Iesus Christ Ioh. 3. 36. He that beleeveth in the senne hath eternall life By
God forgiuenes of their sinnes for that Christs sake whome they beare in their handes which is nought els but the Popish oblation of Christ 4 They of force admit the mangling or abridging one part of the Sacrament For they reteine the foundation on which the Papistes builde this errour For wheras they hold a corporal presence of Christ in with vnder or to the bread they must necessarilie either withholde the cuppe from the Communicantes because in their doctrine and opinion the bloud of CHRIST is in his body or else they must separate CHRISTES bloud from his body then which nothing can be more absurd Wee offend not as they charge vs in the defect but keepe the meane For wee teach the spirituall presence and participation that is to say that all the faithfull which eate and drinke the breade and wine are truelie made partakers of Christ himselfe and al his benefites and so made one with him that they become flesh of his flesh bone of his bones But ther as it hath beene already demonstrated offende as doe the Papists in the excesse Yea but say they these are the errours of the Sacramentaries to say that Obiect 1. The Sacraments are only bare signes and tokens Ans We teach no such doctrine but we teach that the Thinges signified are exhibited and received togither with the Signes although not corporallie yet in such manner as fitteth Sacraments Obiect 2. CHRIST is present onlie according to his working Ans Neyther is this our doctrine but we teach that Christ is present and vnited vnto vs by the holy Ghost howsoever his body be farre remooued and absent from vs in like sorte as he is wholy coÌ„uersant with vs by his ministery although it be otherwise in respect of his other nature Obiect 3. In the Sacrament is only an imaginarie figuratiue and spirituall bodie of CHRIST not an essentiall bodie Aunsw Touching the imaginarie bodie obiected wee neuer made mention thereof but our whole doctrine is concerning the true flesh of CHRIST vvhich is presente vvith vs yea though hee remaine still in heaven Father we say that we receiue the bread and the body but both in their proper manner Ob. 4. The true body of Christ which hung on the crosse and the true bloud which was shed for vs is distributed but spiritually that it is receiued of them only which are worthy CoÌ„municants and the vnworthy receiue nothing but the bare signes to their iudgement and condeÌ„â—ation Ans This obiection is indeed the very doctrine we preach and therfore we grant the whole as being consonant and agreeable with the word of God the nature of the Sacramentes the Analogie of faith and the communion of the faithfull with Christ II. The arguments whereby the Consubstantials labor to 〈◊〉 â—hrow our doctrine touching the Lords Supper togither with their Confutation and Answeres Arg. 1. The words of Christs institution are plaine evident THIS is my bodie THIS is my bloud Auns The words they cite are swords to cut their owne throats For they say that 〈◊〉 vnder or with the bread Christs bodie is reallie receiued whereas Christ saith that the bread it selfe is his bodie Therfore they do the Church a double wrong One in that they thrust on her their owne words insteed of Christs Another in that they think her so blind that shee caÌ„not see the diversity of these two sayings The bread is in the bodie and The bread is the body Moreover they make Christ a lier For they deny that the bread is his body and say that his body is in the bread Let them looke what answere they wil make vnto Christ in the last day of iudgment concerning this despightfull and reproachfull blasphemy The Papists themselues rather reteine Christs words then our Consubstantials For they teach that the bread is so the body of Christ that for sooth it is chaÌ„ged into the body of Christ But these men keepe not the word but follow as they say the sence and meaning Wherefore wee must search diligeÌ„tly whether of vs â—s in the truth Our doctrine shall be proved in the end Repl. In the same place this expositioÌ„ is added which is given for you and which is shed for you Ans 1. Thuâ— to argue is to begge that which is in controversie For they take this as granted that the bread to properly tearmed the body which remaines yet to be proved Ans 2. We answere by retorting the argumeÌ„t thus That which we properlie call the bodie of Christ was given for vs But the bread was not giuen for vs. Ergo c. Auns 3. As the bread is the bodie broken so the breaking of the bread is the breaking of the body But the breaking of the bread is improperly and mysticallie the breaking of the bodie of Christ For the breaking of the body is the crucifying ther of Thâ—refore the bread brokeÌ„ is in a mystical sence the bodie broken Arg. 2. The second argument is drawne from the author Christ himselfe which is true Ans This argument takes that for a grouÌ„d which is in controuersie for they must proue that Christ said his body was in vnder or with the breade Nay one may speake figuratiuely yet plainely to Replie 1. He is omnipotent Ergo he can be everie where yea even in the bread Ans 1. Though he could make two contradictories at once true yet he will not 2. God cannot do thinges contradictorie because he is truth But to will thinges contradictorie is the part of a lier We do not therfore deny the truth and omnipotencie of God but their lyes nay we defeÌ„d it saying that God doth what he speaketh But they oppugne it by teachinge that in God are contrarie willes Repl. 2. Christes bodie hath manie prerogatiues wherby it differeth froÌ„ our bodies as namely that it was born of a virgin walked on the sea was at one time in the graue in bell and in paradise passed through dores shut Auns These examples are partly improper or vnlike partely false Vnlike 1 Because they may also be incident to treatures as walking on the water to Peter passinge through shut doores to spirites 2. Because they imploy a contradiction for when he is said to bee borne of a virgin he is not at the same time said not to bee borne of a Virgin But at once to be finite and infinite implieth acontradiction False 1 For he passed not through closed doores wheras they might yeeld and giue backe to him 2 For neyther did he passe through the dore of the sepulcher wheras that is said to haue ben opened by the Angell 3 For neyther was Christes body at one and the same instante in manie places which they seeme to haue taken from Augustin But he saide that his body was in the graue his soule in hel his Deity everie where Arg. 2. The third argument is taken from the circumstance of time thus No man Speaking seriously speaketh figuratiuely Christ appointing his
church Sitting at the right hand of his father iudge of quick and dead c. Also that the holy ghost is called a sanctifier that is a person immediately lightning vs regenerating vniting vs to God comforting and confirming vs. OF THE CREATION OF THE WORLD 1 THe order in nature the minde of man the knowledge of principles civill discipline final causes the finite orderly chaine of causes do shew that it was created by some principall creating spirite 2 Yet because of the knowledge of God now obsâ—ured in men by sin for the continuall change of corruption and generation for the absurditie of imagining the creator to bee idle and for losse of the historie of the creation and originall of the world there is no truth certainety to be found concerning the creation of the worlde but in the doctrine of the church 3 Therefore the sacred scripture teacheth vs that al things begaÌ„ to be to haue bin created by the only true God the eternall father sonne and holy Ghost according to the eternall purpose and pleasure of this true and eternall God 4 But this eternall father created all thinges of nothing by his sonne and the holy Ghost most freely without any alteration or chaunge of himselfe or any labour so that all was verye good 5 The ende of the creation of the worlde vvas chiefly the glorie of God other ends subordinate vnto this are the manifestation and contemplation of Gods wisedome power and goodnesse in his workes his providence or preservation and perpetuall governing of all things especiallie the goodnesse bountie of God toward his church and to conclude that al other things might seruâ— for the life and safety of man 6. OF THE SAME 1 VVHatsoeuer is is either the creatour or his creature 2 All other things which haue begun to be besides this one onely eternall and trew God manifested in his church were created by the one trew God 3. In that beginning of time wherein it pleased God to haue it so 4. And that of the eternall father by the sonne and holy Ghost 5. By the most free purpose decree of Gods will 6. With out anie motion change or laboure of the creator 7. And that of nothinge 8. And so that al things were most excellent in their kind 9. Not that the creator might thereby be made better or more perfect 10. But that in the creation he might impart his goodnesse and ioy to reasonable creatures 11. And afterwardes preseruinge ruling and sustaining by his providence al thinges which he had created he might for ever be beneficiall vnto them especially to his church 12. And that being willing that other creatures should serue especially for mans vse and saftie 13. He might declare vnto them his wisedome goodnesse power and ioy 14. And being knowne by his workes â—ee might for euer be praised by reasoÌ„able creatures for his wisedome bountie power and ioy 7. OF THE ANGELS 1 IT is certaine that there are angells both good and bad 2. But both good and bad angelles are spirites that is incorporall substances not subiect to sense liuing intelligent excellent in strength and wisedome 3. Finite in nature and proprieties 4. Created by God of nothinge then when other things were created 5. In trew holinesse iustice and blessednesse 6. Wherin the good Angells are by the singular grace of the creator confirmed 7. That they may agnize and praise him for ever 8. And be Gods ministers to finish the saluatioÌ„ of the elect and represse and punish the euill 9. But the evill angells by their proper and free will aâ—d by their owne fault fell from God and are made enemies of God and the good angels and mankind 10. And therefore through hatred against God they force men to sinne practize their destruction 11. And these are immutable evill cast of from God into eternall punishment 12. But God suffered them to fall and saueth them being fallen that he may shewe his anger and iustice in their punishments and by them may punishe chastize and exercise the elect 9 OF GODS PROVIDENCE 1. Not onely the doctrine of the prophets and apostles but also the testimonies of God shininge in nature doe proue that the world is preserued gouerned by Gods prouidence As the order which is seene in the principall partes of nature the minde or soule governing the actions of men with her prouidence the lawe of nature giuen to men that it might be vnto them a rule of their life rewardes and punishments conscience the ordering of politique affaires heroick motions vertues the fore-tellinges of future eventes the ends whereunto things are ordained and lastely the verie nature of the most omnipoteÌ„t wise iust and excellent God 2. Gods prouideÌ„ce is the eternall counsell of God most free and immutable most wise iust according to which God bringeth to passe all good in all his creatures suffereth sin to be committed and directeth all both good and evill to his glory and the saluarion of the elect 3. This purpose or counsell in God is not onlie a knowledge or science in God but also the forcible decree and will of God wherby he hath determined from all eternitie both what he himselfe will doe what he will haue become of his workes whatsoeuer he hath decreed he also effecteth in fit time order 4. Good thinges are the substaunces of al things the properties faculties giuen vnto theÌ„ by God al motions mutatioÌ„s actioÌ„s events of al things as they are naturall motioÌ„s or obedience to Gods wil or benefites and blessinges of God or punnishments of the evill 5. That all these thinges are done by the powerfull will of God as manie most euident testimonies of scripture so also these reasons do confirme 1 Because of Gods omnipotencie nothing can be done in the worlde which God simplie wil not haue done And therfore what soever is done God must needes either simplie or in some sorte be willing that it should be done 2 Because a most wise governour such as God is suffereth nothing of al that is in his power to come to passe besides his will and purpose 3 Because he which is willing the ends of thinges should come to passe is also willing either simplie or in sorte that all thinges and events by which we compasse those ends should come to passe 4 Because Gods purposes decrees depend not on the actions of secoÌ„d causes 5 Because the immutable fore knowledge of God cannot be grouÌ„ded but on an immutable cause that is gods wil decree 6 Because God is the first cause of al naturall good things amongst which also are reckned the motioÌ„s of each thing 6 Wheras evill is of two sorts one of offence the other of punishment and that which is a punishment is an execution of iustice therfore good it ought likewise to be referred vnto Gods will as the principall cause thereof 7 But the evil of offence
God aske all good things of him that wee may know that God taketh especial care of his church that we iudge not rashly of the works counsels of God that we contemne not others because God of his free boūty hath bestowed better giftes vpon vs that in all things wee follow the will and order prescribed vnto vs by God 10 OF SINNE 1 ONly the doctrine of the church sheweth entirely the nature causes and effects of sinne 2 Sinne is whatsoeuer disagreeth with the lawe of God that is any defect or inclination or actiō against the law of God offending God and making the offender guiltie of temporall punishmēt and eternal except remission be granted for our meadiator the sonne of God 3 Every sinne is either actuall or originall 4 Originall sinne is the guilt of all mankinde for the fall of our first parentes and a privation of the knowledge and will of God in our minds and of our inclination to obey God in will and hart with an inclinatiō in both to resist the law of God following the fall of our first parents and derived from them to al posterity so corrupting our whole nature that for this corruption we are all guilty of Gods everlasting wrath and can doe nothing acceptable to God except remission be granted for the sonne of God our mediator renuing of nature by the holy spirit 5 Actuall sinne is every action in minde will or heart or in externall partes and members erring from God or a leaving of those things vndone which the law of God commandeth to be done 6 Every sinne is either raigning or not raigning in vs which some call mortall or veniall 7 Sinne raigning is that against which the sinner doth not resist by the grace of the holy spirit renuing him to eternall life therefore he is endaungered to eternall death except he repent and obteine remission by Christ 8 Sinne not raigning is that against which the sinner doth resist by grace of the holy spirit renuing him vnto eternall life and therefore he is not eudangered to eternal death because he repenteth and obteineth remission by Christ 9 Everie sinne in its own nature is mortal that is deserueth eternal death but it is made venial that is it doth not bring eternall death in the regenerate by reason of grace for Christes sake 10. Everie sinne is either against conscience or not against conscience 11. Sinne against conscience is when hee which knoweth the will of God of set purpose doth against it 12. Sinne not against conscience is that which is cōmitted by one ether not knowing the wil of god or else is acknowledged by the sinner to be a sin and is bewailled yet cānot perfectly be avoided in this life as originall sinne and manie sinnes of ignorance and infirmitie 13. Every sin is either vnpardonable against the holy Ghost or pardonable not against the holy Ghost 14 Sin vnpardonable or against the holy Ghost is an oppugning or casting away of Gods truth of set purpose after the mind by testimony of the holy Ghost is instructed confirmed in the truth which sin they that cōmit are punished by God with blindnes so that they neuer repēt consequently neuer obtaine pardon 15. Sins pardōable or not against the holy Ghost are al other sins wherof some repēt and some doe not 16. Al that are elected by God vnto eternall life are so vpheald by him that they neuer sin against the holy Ghost 17. There doe abide some reliques of sinne in all the regenerate as long as they are in this life first original sinne secondlie manie actual sinnes of ignorance omission and infirmitie which notwithstanding they acknowledge and bewaile resist them and therfore they retaine a good conscience remission of sinnes thirdly some runne oftē times into errors crossing the verie groūds or into sins against conscience for which they loose their good conscience and consolation and gifts of the holy Ghost and should be damned if they did perseuere therein to their liues end they perish not in them because they repent in this life 18. There is a threefold difference wherby sinners regenerate differ from the wicked first a perpetual purpose which God hath to saue them secondely certaine and sure repentance at the last thirdely some beginning of faith cōversiō ever in their sinnes which at some times is greater of more force and so wrastleth against sin that they slip not into errors against the groundes nor into sins against conscience at other times lesser more feeble is for a time ouercome by temptations yet preuaileth so far that they never quite revol◠frō God which were once truely conuerted And therfore sin in the regenerat is either to be termed only not raining or els if errors against the foūdatiō or sins against cōscience may be called raining sins as some tearme thē this raigne of sin must needes be diligently distinguished in those that be regenerated and those that be not as that God is in deed grievously angry even with the regenerate when they sinne yet ever with a purpose of amēding and saving them and that in them all waies remaineth some sparkle of faith and conversion some hatred of sinne which is an enemy there vnto so that they do not simply without any resistance giue over themselues vnto sin delight therein as do the wicked which sinne without any resistance and with all their hearts 19 Every sinne is either a sinne of it selfe and in its owne nature or els by accident 20 Sinnes of themselues or in their owne kinde and nature are all such as are forbidden by the law of God 21 Sinnes by accident are such actions of men not regenerate as are indeede commanded by God yet displease him for many defects and sins cōcurring in the wicked or actions indifferēt which are done with scandal 22 God is the cause of no sinne but the wil of divels and men of their own accord turning themselues from God is the efficient cause of al sinnes the efficient cause of originall sinne in men is the fall of our first parents but originall sin is the precedent cause of all actuall sinnes which followed vpon the first fall 23 The effectes of sinne are punishments temporal and eternal and because God punisheth sins with sinnes therefore sinnes following are effectes of sinnes precedent 24 But although all sinnes deserue eternal damnation yet all sinnes are not equall but as there are degrees of punishments so also there are degrees of sinnes in Gods iudgement 11 OF FREE WILL. 1 FReedome of wil in God reasonable creatures is a faculty of chusing or refusing that which reason perswadeth to be chosen or refused of their owne proper motion without any constraint 2 And that is called free which is indued with that facultie the word arbitrium signifieth the wil it selfe but such a will as followeth or refuseth the iudgement of
therefore is likewise pernicious which the Apostle teacheth If the roote be holy the branches also are holie And the vnbeleeving wife is sanctified by her husbande else were your children vncleane but now they are holy And this is the chiefe comfort of godly parentes that they knowe that both branch and roote are sanctified that is that they their children may from their mothers wombe plead priviledge in the covenant with God by vertue of the free promise made vnto them and their seed after them But they are by nature the sonnes of wrath Who knowes not that Calvin teacheth both that they are the sonnes of wrath in regard of nature and sonnes of the covenant in respect of grace according to that of Saint Peter Yee are the sonnes of the Prophets nall election that then they shall not be seales of present iustification Are not election iustification subordinate and consequents one of the other so farre are they from abolishing one the other that the contrary should rather be infered they are seales of our eternall election therefore of iustification present grace For iustification is so proper naturall an affecte of election that there can be had no certainty of the latter without assurance of the former For they who are iustified in Christ are also chosen to him before the foundation of the world Whome God hath prodestinated those also hath he called iustified and glorified Now then let the Iesuite with open mouth exâ—â—aÌ„e on Caluins opinion as false absurde dangerous and impious And why forsooth false Because saith he Caluin contrary to that which the Scripture teacheth restrayneth Sacraments only vnto the thinge past namely to the grace of election But this cauill is already refuted And why absurde Because saith he he teacheth that by the Sacraments the promises are sealed vnto our consciences yet that infantes are lawfully baptised which neyther haue vse of reason nor conscience But we haue already sufficiently proued that neyther infantes borne in the Church of beleeuing parentes are altogether voyde of reason or faith if we respecte the promised grace although actually they haue neyther the faith nor reason which is in those of riper yeares nor that baptising of Children confirmation of their faith by Sacraments is therfore to be differred because they doe not beleeue seeing of the Scramentes there are other endes purposes whereunto they are ordained But why pernicious and dangerous Because he teacheth that the children of the faithfull are borne iust and holy and hath perswaded many that the sacraments are not necessary vnto the receiving of the grace of Christ Whence it is come to passe that many contemne the said sacraments and in the meane while the soules of many infantes never purified by the saving vvaters of baptisme abide in perpetuall corruption And is it in deed pernicious to teach that the children of the faithfull are borne holy that is not straungers but heires of the covenaÌ„t according to that promise I will be thy God and the God of thy seede That therefore is likewise pernicious which the Apostle teacheth If the roote be holy the branches also are holie And the vnbeleeving wise is sanctified by her husbande else were your children vncleane but now they are holy And this is the chiefe comfort of godly parentes that they knowe that both branch and roote are sanctified that is that they their children may from their mothers wombe plead privilege in the covenant with God by vertue of the free promise made vnto them and their seed after them But they are by nature the sonnes of wrath Who knowes not that Calvin teacheth both that they are the sonnes of wrath in regard of nature and sonnes of the covenant in respect of grace according to that of Saint Peter Yee are the sonnes of the Prophets of the covenant That is spoken against the Pelagians denying originall sinne this against the sophistes tying grace to the sacraments neither of these is perniciously taught because either 〈◊〉 according to scripture Let Calvines Christian institution be searched and his Commentary on those words of Saint Paule we are all by nature the sennes of wrath Thence may the Iesuite and Selneccer and Hunnius and all the rabble of Calvines adversaries learne that originall sinne is as naturall vnto vs as poison to a serpent yet neverthelesse the children of the faithful are a seede blessed even from their mothers wombe Or if it like them better let them heare and reconcile David confessing of himselfe Behold I am borne in sinne and my mother coÌ„ceived me to inquity And yet else-where he comfortes himselfe in this manner On thee haue I depended from the time wherein I was borne and from my mothers wombe thou art my God or God himselfe coÌ„plaining in this sort of mans nature The thought of mans heart is wicked from his childhood and yet Ieremie witnessing Before I framed thee in thy mothers belly I knew thee before thou camest out of her womb I sanctified thee Thus the Iesuite sees in what respect Calvin saith that infantes are borne holy namely not simply and wholy but in some sort I shall hardly beleeue vnlesse the Iesuites shewe it that it is found in Calvin that they are borne iust For in this life it is not all one to be holy and to be iust Now whereas hee patcheth this vnto the rest that Calvin hath perswaded many that the sacraments are not necessary vnto the receiving of the grace of Christ and that therevpon hath followed the conteÌ„pt of baptisme with the destructioÌ„ of many souls this is partly a cavill partly a plaine sophisme A cavill that Calvin should altogither deny the necessity of sacrameÌ„t a sophisme in imputing to his doctrine the contempt of baptisme which the Iesuite faineth to haue ensued therevpon Indeede he doth not binde God and grace vnto the sacraments nor falsly placeth in theÌ„ an absolute necessity as do these Sophisters His purpose is only with Bernard to condâ—ne not the absence but contempt of sacramentes But is this to persuade many that sacramentes are not necessary Heare I pray you what himselfe hath written of this matter in his â—â—stitution Now saith hee even hereby it appeareth that their conceit is to be cassiered who adiudge all that haue not beene baptized vnto eternall death c. The promise of God is manifest whosoever beleeveth in the sonne shall not see death nor come into iudgment but is already passed from death into life Which I would not haue so taken as if I meant that baptisme might be contemned without offence for I am so farre from excusing this contempt that I affirme the league and covenant of God thereby to bee violated and broken thus much it suffiseth to proue that it is not so necessary that we must needes thinke him damned who shall be debarred all meanes and opportunity of obtaining it But
of lews heretiques whereof least any should make doubt I will shew iust proofe by one or two examples out of his commentaries Gen. 1. v. 3. Which alone saith he meaning the creation of the world by the word of God is sufficient to refuâ—e the blasphemie of Servetus Heere the foule-mouthed heast doth barke saying that this was the first beginning of the Word when God commandea that there should be light Whereas much better might be inferred the eternal essence thereof considering that there weâ—e vpon the suddame created by the word of God such things as before were not Where fore the Apostles proofe of Christs Divinity standes with good reason that wheras hee is the Worde of GOD by him were all thinges created Exod. 3. v. 2. Proving that Christ was that Angell of the Lord he wrighteth after this manner The anciens Doctors 〈◊〉 truely thinke that the eternall Son of God was so called in respect of his Mediatorship And shortly after No maruell therefore if the eternall worde of God being one the same in essence and deitie with the father tooke vpon him the name of aâ— angel in regarde of he embassage by him afterward to be vndertake The two oracles of Esaie in the 7. cha and â—4 v. touching the fruit of the virgins woÌ„be called Immanuel in the 9. cap. 6. v. coÌ„cerning a sonne giuen vnto vs he doth so violently extorte from the Iewes so strongly proue theÌ„ to be meant of the onely begotten sonne of God borne of the virgin Marie that no man lightly could haue done it better And where Ieremie in his â—3 ca. 5. v. speaketh of raysinge vp a budde or branch vnto Dauid he vseth these words Here therefore God recallâ—th them vnto the Messias And soone after Without doubt heere the Prophet speaketh of Christ Where also at largelie refuteth the Iewes endeuouring to streame this branch to all the posteritie of Dauid And after against the same Iewes One the same redeemer as called as well the sonne of Dauid as Iehouah How is he called the sonne of Dauid because he was to 〈◊〉 of that liue How then Iehouah Hence trulie is gathered that 〈…〉 there is some thing more excellent the man and he is called Iehouah or the Lord because he is the onely begotten sonne of God one altogeather with the father in nature glorie eternitie Divinitie In the 12 ca. 14. v. of the prophecy of Hose shewing how he is both Iehouah also an angell Christ saith he the eternall wisedome of God did put on the person of a Mediator before he was clothed with our flesh He was therefore even then a Mediator and in that respect also an angell Meane while he was also then Iehouab who is now God manifested in the flesh And afterwards Thus is this place worthie the remembrance to witnesse the Deitie of Christ Vpon the 4. ca. of Micah the 3. v. The Prophet Mâ—cah speaketh of God himselfe not expressely mentioning Christ because he was not as yet manifested in the flesh how be it we know that this was fulfilled in his person that God hath gouerned the worlde subdued vnto himselfe all the nations of the earth we therefore avouch Christ to bee true God because he did not onely minister to his father as Moses or any other of the Prophets but was himselfe also high souereigne of his church in the 7. ver of the same chap. Though Christ was the true seede of Dauid yet was he withall Iehouah likewise that is God reuealed in the flesh In the 1. of Zachar. the 19. v. Wee must remember what I saide before that this cheife aâ—gell was the mediator head of the church But he also is Iehouah because we know that Christ is God manifested in the flesh Zach. 2. v. 8. Hence we geather that Christ is here prâ—figured who is himselfe verie Iehouah but withall the angell messenger of his father in the 10 ver We see therefore that the name of Iehouah is fitted vnto Christ that there is no difference of nature betwixte the father the sonne but that they are to be distinguished onely in person As often therefore as Christ declareth his Diuiâ—itie he taketh vnto himselfe the name of Iehouah But afterwardes he shewed that in himselfe he hath some thinge peculiar and distinct namely this that he is the messenger or Embassadour of his father Zach. 3. ver 3. Now we see that he is termed an Angell who was of â—n named Iehouah For my 〈◊〉 therefore I make no question but that the name as wel of angell as of ehouah should be referred to the person of Christ who is the true onelie God Zach. 11. ver 14. This wee must holde for a principle that Christ from the beginning was the true Iehouah Because therefore the son of God is of the saâ—â— nature with the Father also one God together with him c. with like fidelitie perspicuitie doth he euerie where in his commentaries vpon the new Testament maintaine the eternal Deitie and Coexistence of our sauiour Christ Coloss 2. v. 2. This in the meane time is a memorable place to proue the Deity of Christ and his vnity of essence or nature with the father For having prefaced somewhat touching the knowledge of God hee straight waies applieth it as well to the Sonne as to the Father Whence it followeth that the Sonne is one and the same God with the father See gentle Reader what hee wrighteth vpon those words of the Apostle God was manifested in the flesh After many words So saith he by this one testimonie is the true and catholike faith excellently fenced and fortified against Arrius Marcion Neflorius and Eutyches Ioh. 5. v. 20. Although the Arriaâ—s haue endevoured to shifte this place some there be even at this day which subscribe vnto them here notwithstanding vvee haue a notable testimony of the Divinitie of Christ Act. 7. v 20. So this place yeeldeth apparant proofe of the eternel Deity of Christ vnitie of essence with the Father But in so cleere a case what neede more words A thousande like places are every where obvious in his golden wrightings which may yeeld plentiful matter vnto al posterity to stoppe the beastly barking of these raging dogs But to return to my purpose if Calvin in this coÌ„flict did not make all fiâ—h that came to net but signified that many things approued by auncient Fathers were now too much exposed to cavil of heretiques being otherwise of himselfe a most valiant maintainer of Christs eternal maiesty which preeminence even the slanderous adversary to his griefe must of conscience yeeld vnto him must he therefore be proclaimed an Arrian or patron of Arrians doth he deserue to be so contumeliously distained as if carried headlong with a violent streame of vaine glorious boasting he did of set purpose corrupt the plainest oracles of scripture touching the mystery of the sacred
one and the same Christ consisteth of both natures is in every place by nature of the godhead and contained in some one place according to the nature of his humanity So that the same Christ was both created without beginning subiect to death and yet immortal the one by nature of the worde as he is God the other by nature of the flesh as the same God is also man Being therefore both the son of God man he hath a beginning was created is compreheÌ„ded in some place by nature of his flesh being otherwise before all beginning vncreated and without limitation of place according to the nature of his godhead He is inferior to the Angels in respect of his flesh but equall to the Father as touching his Deity deade sometimes in his maÌ„hood ever-living in his godhead This is the catholique faith and confession which the Apostles delivered martyrs coâ—firmed and the faithfull to this day hâ—ue retained Wâ—â—rfore impiously as tainted with the pâ—â—enous heresie of Eâ—â—yches you presume to taxe Leo whiles by the different actions of one Lorde Châ—â—st hee proveth the verity of both natures in him so that what he wrought for demonstration of the 〈◊〉 of two natures you pervert as if it were a prooâ—e of two persons OF PREDESTINATION A letter of Vrsinus to his friend briefely conteining a full and learned discourse of predestination with wholsome advise for the weaker sorte to follow HItherto I haue not had leasure to peruse your discourse of predestination Neither haue I now but I steale so much time from other my affaires which I deferre that I may at leÌ„gth satisfie your request which in my opinion is not so necessarie if it would please you to read D. Beza and P. Matyr on this question whervnto I thinke you were before directed by me Hereby also I would giue you to vnderstaÌ„d that hitherto I haue rather wanted abilitie then will to gratifie you Of you let me entreate this courtesie that you do not by disputation trouble others who either will not heare ought besides that which they haue before conceiued or can not readilye vnderstand those thinges whereof they never thought before and haue in their infancie learned false in steede of trew principles foundations And were I not fully perswaded that in this question you would frame your selfe to Christian wisdome and patient for bearance of the weaker sorte I would not answeare one worde to your demaunde The doctrine of predestinatâ—â—â— is not in my iudgment as you wright the most difficult point in all Christianitie if we read holy scripture without preiudice or affectioÌ„ with serious purpose not to reforme God after our phansies but to learne of him and to yeeld all glorie vnto him none to our selues For by these meanes that is now become easie to me which before seemed very difficult whilest I depended on the authoritie of men who neuer vnderstoode themselues nor could resolue me There is no one common place of Divinitie wherof more is wrighten by the prophets and apostles then this verie place of Prouideâ—ce Election and free will in so much thâ—â— I can not but marvell learned Christians 〈◊〉 so doubt thereof Do you as I haue don who for this onely reason that I might gather weigh and conferâ—e whatsoeuer â— conteined as well in sermons as examples of holy scripture to this purpose haue diligently perused the whole bible euen from the begining of Genesis to the end of the Revelation Which after I had don I did partely percâ—iue pâ—rteâ—y detest that skumme of disputation and foggie fume of fallacie and sophâ—strie labouâ—ing but to no purpose to eclipse the gloriouse sunne-shine of this doctrine You may at your better leasure do this in Italie where you shall haue no exercise of religion besides reading the bible priuâ—te prayer Which libertie some verie good â—en heretofore haue wanted who otherwise had neuer ben so entangled But eveâ— be are this in â—inde whereof before I warned you Yf for the present every thinge be not plaine and easie to you be not therfore troubled but by leasure diligently meditate with your selfe callinge vpon God and houlding that foundation which amogst the godly is without coÌ„trouersâ—e remembring alwaies that not your selfe but God is author of your salvation and of all besides whatsoeuer you are haue or dâ—e be it great or little So shall you be sure not to erre with any danger of conscience and salvation although you be not able to conceaue and vnfolde whatsoeuer you desire Knowledge puffeth vp but charitie edifieth First you must put a difference betweene providence predestination aâ— betweene the whole and the part For Providence is the eternal immutable and most excellent counsaile or decree of God whereby all things haue their event teÌ„ding to the glory of the creatour and salvation of the elect Predestination is the eternal purpose of God of beginning and perfiting the salvation of the elect forsaking or vtter casting of the reprobate to eternall punishment Wherefore it containeth Election and Reprobation as partes of it selfe Secondly distinguish betwixte Providence of good â—nd evill of offence for the evill of punishmente hath a reference to good namely to iustice and in that respect is found in God God doeth provide that is in his provideÌ„ce purpose wil perfourme in purposed time order and manner and in this respect he is said to be the cause efficient and author of things These things are not only done according to providence but also by the provideÌ„ce of God As for evill or sin that hee foreseeth from eternity that is hee decreeth or is willing to permit it or not to hinder others from doing it but him selfe iâ— in no wise an agent either in them or by them Wherfore himselfe is not the cause of evill but in iustice excellency and depth of wisedome he suffereth others to be the causes therof So that these things are done according to Gods providence but not by it because God did not decree to doe but to suffer others to doe them now to permitt or suffer is nothing else but not to hinder sinne in any action or not to cause men to be conformable to the law of God and nature And in this sence God doth tolerate or suffer siâ— when he doth not either lighten our minds with his holy spirite knowledge of his will or turne our hearts to make this the principall ende of our actions that we doe the knowne wil of God and by this our obedience honor him Which two things except it please God to worke in vs what ere we doe how good iust and holy so ever it is but sinne and corruption in the sight of God Thirdly make a distinction betweene God his creatures or second causes especially â—n matters concerning the government of the worlde First the creatures are bounde one to further the safety hinder the destructioÌ„ of an