the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get
the plenteous knowledge of them searching those diuine words and exercising our selues in the morning and euening accounting so much to bee added to our riches as wee get of this excellent knowledge Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them you thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me Col. 3.16 Let the word of God or Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdome teaching and admonishing your owne selues c. Psalm 1.2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night Labouring by all meanes to acquaint our children and family with them Deut. 6.7 And thou shalt rehearse them continually vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thy house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest vp c. Since they are of God and so perfect wee should rest vpon the directions and comforts we find in them and establish our hearts in all things wee learne out of them Rom. 15.4 For whatsoeuer things are written afore time are written for our learning that wee through patience and comfort of the scriptures might haue hope They are a sure word we may rest vpon them 2. Pet. 1.20 as beleeuing that euery word of God is pure and that God will make them good to such as trust in them Prou. 30.5.6 We should care to reade and heare these Scriptures with al due preparation and attention and high estimation receiuing them as the word of God and not of man 1. Thes. 2.13 labouring to bring cleane hearts and a meeke and teachable spirit to them as being able to saue our soules Iames 1.21.22 with a resolution to doe whatsoeuer God requireth in them We should loue them aboue all treasures accounting them more deare then thousands of gold and siluer and reckoning the sentences learned out of Scriptures as the fairest ornament can decke vs Deut. 11.18.19 Psalm 119.72 We should therefore make them the rule of all our actions and come continually to them to see whether our workes bee wrought in God and shewing the power of the word in the demonstration of the apparant life of it in commanding all our particular actions that men may see the light of the word in the light of our good workes Phil. 2.15 That wee may bee blamelesse and pure and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation amongst whom you shine as lights in the world Gal. 6.16 And as many as walk according to this rule peace shall be vpon them and mercy vpon the Israel of God Psalm 119.105 Thy word is a lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my path Yea we should daily try and search the secrets of our hearts by it as that which only can doe it Heb. 4.12 For the word of God is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper then any two edged sword and entreth through euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirit and of the ioynts and the marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Wee should therefore in all questions and controuersies let the Scriptures iudge and thinke of no man aboue what is written Gal. 1.7 1. Cor. 4.6 Esay 8.20 Thus much for instruction Secondly these Principles reprooue the Papists and carnall Protestants and the godly too The Papists are heere reproued 1. For making the authority of the Scriptures to depend vpon the testimony of the Church whereas the Church is built vpon the Scriptures Ephes. 2.20 And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone 2. For not holding it to bee sufficient without traditions contrary to the expresse word 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good works 3. For with-holding the Scriptures from the common people keeping from them the sight of their Fathers wil contrary to the word Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them you thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously in all wisedome c. 4. For iudging controuersies without them contrary to the commandement Esay 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony If they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them The carnal Protestants are here reproued 1. For their miserable neglect of the reading hearing meditation and the care to yeeld obedience to the Scriptures yea for the wretched neglect of the very buying of the Bible for their vse and the vse of their families and for daring to liue without the preaching of the word in times of spirituall famine 2. For their vilde audaciousnesse that dare liue in such sins as they heare threatned in the Scriptures prophanely despising the warning daily giuen them Esay 30.11.12 Ier. 23.9.10 3. For their scorning and deriding of such as honour the word and frequent the hearing of it Esay 57.3.4 But you witches children come hither the seed of the adulterer and of the whore On whō haue you iested Vpon whom haue you gaped and thrust out your tongs Are ye not rebellious children and a false seed 4. For their irreuerence when they come to the house of God to heare Eccles. 5.1 Yea the godly themselues ought to bee humbled by the consideration hereof 1. For their distractions in the hearing reading of the Word 2. For neglecting the counsels and directions giuen out of the Word 3. For not resting vpon it through vnbeliefe 4. For too much aptnes to receiue opinions if they come frō men they account godly though they haue no warrant from the word There be traditions on the right hand as well as on the left Thus much for reproofe Thirdly wee may all try our selues what we are by our respect of the Scriptures If we loue and heare the word we are of God Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods word ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Gods people are a people in whose hearts is Gods Law Esay 51.7 Psalm 37.31 Lastly it may be a singular consolation to all such as find the word of God to testifie with thē it matters not what the world saies or thinks of vs if we can find that the word of the Lord is good cōcerning vs our harts may be at rest when God speakes peace by his word and we may be sure we are in the right way when we follow the directions of the word CHAP. IIII. Of God Psalm 72.18.19 HItherto of the principles concerning the fountaine of knowledge the subiect of knowledge is God who must bee considered two waies first In his nature secondly In his works Concerning God considered in his nature there are foure principles That he is that is that there is a God That
earth and to come to dwell amongst men a heauenly temple is prouided for him the holy Ghost builds him a temple in the wombe of a Virgin 2. Concerning the freedome of Christ from Originall sinne we might aske How could Christ be free from sinne seeing he came of Adam whose nature was infected in all his posteritie Now this is answered in this principle for Christ came of Adam but not by Adam but by the holy Ghost The holy Ghost miraculously formed Christs body of the substance of the Virgin stopping the course of originall sinne and sanctifying it sinne comes into the world by propagation only 3. Concerning the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ It must needes bee an admirable sacrifice that is thus fitted from the wombe 4. Concerning the superstition of the Papists about the Virgin Marie for they attribute the purity of Christs nature to the holinesse of the Virgin that shee was without sinne whereas it is euident it is to be attributed to the holy Ghost 5. Concerning the possibilitie for Christ to be borne of a virgin It is as easie for God to frame vnto Christ a body in the wombe of a Virgin as to make mans body at the first of the myer of the earth Secondly for Instruction and so this conception by the holy Ghost should teach vs 1. First to be wise to sobriety in this mysterie of the incarnation of Christ a purer sense and a cleaner hearing is called-for here the ouershadowing of the virgin shewes that we must bring faith to beleeue the mysterie without further inquiring 2. To desire feruently the sanctifying of our natures that wee as his members might bee conformed vnto him as our head and so we are if Christ be conceiued in our hearts by the holy Ghost as hee was conceiued in the womb of the Virgin Gal. 4.7 For consolation and so his conception is comfortable especially in two things 1. First the holinesse of his conception will iustifie vs from the vnholinesse of our conception and quit vs from the guilt and filth of originall sinne 2. Secondly it may comfort vs in the expectation of our perfect holinesse Hee that was so carefull to haue his naturall body fitted so exquisitely will not neglect his mysticall body the Church but will loue it and wash it till it bee without spot and wrinkle and the rather because it is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.25.26 And thus of the vse of the conception CHAP. XV. Of Christ as borne of a virgin THirdly in that our Sauiour was borne of a Virgin it may serue For Information and so 1. Concerning the maruelous wisdome of God in the maner of our saluation By a woman came sinne and death into the world and loe here the seed of the woman breakes the Serpents head The diuell got to be the god of the world by beguiling a woman Now see how the Lord hath deuised to destroy his dominion by one made of a woman they were both Virgins affianced to husbands but not yet knowne of man But might some one say This is beyond beliefe that a Virgin should bring forth and yet remaine a virgin hauing neuer knowne man this seemeth to be incredible If it had been a thing which had no resemblance in nature yet it had been nothing to beleeue the power of the God of nature but yet there is instance of things borne in nature without generation The Bees haue young and yet know not marriage The Easterne bird the Phenix is borne and new borne successiuely and yet without parents and shal we hold it beyond beliefe for God to doe this great work vpon him that was to restore the world Christ is like the flower which hath the heauen for father and the earth for mother But how can it become the greatnesse of the Sonne of God to abase himselfe to lie in the wombe of the Virgin The Sunne in the firmament receiues not infection from any place nor can any thing cast into the fier steine it much lesse can the Sonne of God be polluted by being borne of a Virgin 2. Secondly this may furnish vs with an argument against Transubstantiation The Scripture teacheth vs to beleeue that Christ was made of a woman Gal. 4.4 but not a word is there that hee should bee made of a piece of bread Secondly hath God created this new thing in the world that a woman should compasse a man why then doe we go about why loose we our labour Why settle we not our hearts directly vpon this Iesus who is assigned vs thus wonderfully of God to bee our way our light and our life This very doctrin was vsed long since to rebuke mens extreme distractions and losse of time and labour in the way to the Kingdome of heauen Ier. 31.21 Yea this doctrine ought to be vnto vs Gods signe that he will deliuer vs certainely and fulfil al his promises and it extremely threatens the vnbeliefe of man as the Prophet Isaiah vrgeth it in the daies of Ahaz Isaiah 7.14 Thirdly this should kindle in vs a vehemēt desire to haue God reueale his sonne in vs and to haue Christ borne in our hearts we thinke the Virgin blessed aboue women that Christ was conceiued in her wombe why certainely it is a great wonder and wee were blessed amongst men and women if the Lord Iesus bee conceiued in our hearts and we keepe our selues chast virgins to him There hath been foure waies of making man 1. The one was to make man without either man or woman so was Adam made 2. The second was to make man without a woman so was Eue made 3. The third was to make man by both man and woman and so we their posteritie are made 4. The fourth way was to make man without man by the woman only and so was Christ-man made Now if wee admire the first second and fourth of these why should wee not also admire the creating of a man without wombe euen in the heart of a man Is it not a great wonder that the Sonne of God should be formed in our breast and yet such is the worke of God in the new birth of a Christian Christ is formed in them Galath 4.9 My little children of whom I trauell in birth againe vntill Christ be formed in you CHAP. XVI Of the personall vnion ANd thus of the birth of Christ of a Virgin The personall vnion may serue both for information and for consolation For information concerning the maruellous glory of Christ especially of the exaltation of the humane nature Heere is an vnion singularly wonderfull and wonderfully singular Nay what say I a vnion Why there bee so many vnions in Christ that worthily all may bee said to bee gathered together in one in him There is a naturall personall mysticall and sacramentall vnion in Christ. The naturall vnion is with the Father and the holy Ghost in one nature or essence The
THE PATERNE OF WHOLSOâ—â— WORDS Or a collection of such Truths as are of necessity to be belieued â—nto saluation separated oâ—t of â—he body of all Theologie Made euident by infallible anâ— plaine proofes of Scripture And withall The seuerall vses such Principles should be put to are abundantly shevved A Proiect much desired and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians By N. Bifeild Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex 2. TIM 1.13 Keepe the true paterne of wholesome words whicâ— thou hast heard of me in faith and loueâ— which is Christ Iesus AT LONDON Imprinted by F. K. for Samuel Maâ—â— dwelling in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Swan 1618. To the most Noble Ladie the Ladie DOROTHIE Countesse of Northumberland And to the highly honoured Ladies her Daughters The Ladie DOROTHIE SYDNEY and the Ladie LVCIE HAY N. BYFEILD Wisheth the abundance of true grace and peace Right Honourable I Haue long since vndertaken as in the course of my Ministerie you haue often heard to extract out of al Theologie conteined in the Scriptures the Principles that is such doctrines which are fundamentall and absolutely necessarie to be knowne of as many as are to be saued This Proiect ought to bee well accepted of all sorts of Christians that wish their owne good partly in respect of the necessitie of the doctrines here collected vnder their seueral heads and partly in respect of the apparant euidence of the proofes of Scripture which are such as make infallible demonstration to the conscience by the expresse light coÌ„teined in them and partly because the Vses which may be made of the seuerall Principles are euery where abundantly shewed And in as much as the Lord hath been pleased to giue some testimonie to my indeuors herein in the publike preaching I am not out of hope but that the printing of those Principles may be profitable to many godly and plaine-hearted Christians that desire in the plainest manner to vnderstand the meaning of their heauenly Fathers will I humbly dedicate this worke vnto your Honours and pray your acceptation and the patronage of it and to giue me leaue in the view of the world to signifie this way both my obseruance of the many noble and excellent vertues which are eminent in each of your Honours as also my vnfained thankefulnesse for the many fauours I haue receiued and for the countenance and incouragement of my Ministery accounting it a singular mercy of God that any labours of mine should find acceptation with persons of so high place and quality or any way be successeful to the prospering of any part of the worke of Gods grace in your hearts Now the God of all consolation fill your Noble breasts with all riches of the true grace that is in Iesus Christ that you may abound in the knowledge of the mysteries of his Kingdome in all iudgement and loue of the truth which is according to godlines and in all those gifts which may be found vnto honor and praise and glory in the reuelation of Iesus Christ. Your Honours in all seruice N. Bifeild Isleworth March 27. 1618. CERTAINE OF THE chiefest things contained throughout the whole Booke Chap. 1. THree things intended in this worke distinctly Page 1.2 Three waies to know a principle p. 6.6 An excellent course for catechising shewed p. 7. Chap. 2. The method of all the principles p. 8.9 Chap. 3. The principles that concerne the Scriptures p. 10.11 c. That the Scriptures are the very word of God proued by sixe testimonies externall as also by the internall testimonie of the spirit p. 11.12.13 That they are perfect p. 13. Six duties vrged from thence p. 14. 15. c. the Papists reproued in foure things p. 19.20 and the carnall Protestant in 4. things p. 21.22 and many godly men in 4. things also p. 22. Chap. 4. Foure principles concerning God p. 24. That there is a God proued by three testimonies internall and by foure testimonies from the world and two testimonies in the Church p. 25.26.27 Ten glories in the nature of God p. 28.29 c. Eight duties arising from the consideration of Gods nature p. 32.33.34 Sixe rules to be obserued in the study of the nature of God p. 35.36 Plaine proofes of the Trinity p. 39. with vses p. 41. that there is but one God proued with vses p. 42.43.44 Chap. 5. Fiue principles concerning the Creation p. 45.46 Sixe duties taught by the Creation p. 48.49 Chap. 6. Seuen principles concerning Gods prouidence p. 52.53 to 58. Eleuen things admirable in Gods prouidence p. 58.59.60 Foure sorts of men reproued p. 62. Eight vses for instruction p. 63.64.65.66.67 Foure waies to shew our patience in aduersity p. 64.65 Comforts from the meditation of Gods prouidence p. 69.70 Chap. 7. Two principles concerning mans estate of innocency p. 71.72 Man made after the image of God many waies p. 72. c. Man was the image of God in respect of his substance and so both of his being and of the manner of his being p. 72.73 Man made the image of God in respect of his gifts 3. waies p. 74. Foure sorts of free-wills p. 75. The speciall fauour of God to man in his creation both in respect of the time when and the place where and the manner how hee made him both in respect of soule and body p. 76.77 The doctrine of mans first happines teacheth diuers duties 1. To God p. 78. 2. To our selues p. 79. 3. To other men p. 80. Confutation of Papists about pictures p. 81. Chap. 8. Three principles concerning the fall of man p. 82. Seuen things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne p. 84. How it is that godly men beget vngodly children p. 86. Foure generall instructions p. 87.88 Three occasions of apostasie p. 87.88 Fiue degrees of the diuels tentation p. 90. Foure sorts of men in particular warned by the fall p. 91.92 Chap. 9. Foure principles concerning sinne p. 93.94 Fourteene foule blemishes in euery mans nature p. 95.96.97.98.99 Nine vses for information p. 103.104.105 Seuen things charged vpon ciuill honest men p. 106.107 Many vses for instruction with consolations also p. 108.109.110 Chap 10. Seuenteene sorts of punishments inflicted on man for sinne p. 114. to 128. The punishment of the damned in hell amplified by the degrees of it and the place and the continuance of it p. 124.125.126.127 Many vses from p. 128. to 136. Chap. 11. Fiue principles concerning election p. 137.138 Foure instructions p. 139. to 146. Signes of election of two sorts p. 146. to 152. Eight priuiledges of Gods elect p. 152. to 156. Chap. 12. That Christ is God proued 6. waies p. 157.158.159 Why it was needfull hee should bee God p. 159. The vses for humiliation and for instruction in many things and for consolation p. 160. to 164. Chap. 13. 4 Principles coÌ„cerning the humane nature of Christ. p. 164. to 167. Why Christ was incarnate p. 167. Why the second person in Trinitie was
are not the children of God but the children of promise are counted for the seed 3. By the sanctification of their afflictions euen by the many experiences of Gods loue in afflictions as when God comforts their hearts in the midst of distresse when they come to him making their mone and when he turnes the crosse to a blessing to them making them more humble by it exercising their gifts purging out their sinne c. and at the length giuing gracious deliuerances causing all to worke together for the best so as they themselues being Iudges they can say it was good for me that I was afflicted Rom. 8.28.29 Also we know that all things worke together for the best to them that loue God euen to them that are called of his purpose c. Psalm 119. in many places Now as God manifests his owne choie by these and such like signes so the godly make sure their owne election by diuers markes of it as generally by the sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth 2. Thes. 2.13 But we ought to giue thanks alway to God for you brethren beloued of the Lord because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth so in particular 1. By the vertues of Christ which more or lesse in some measure shine in them such as are humilitie piety knowledge temperance and contempt of the world patience in aduersitie and other excellent sauing graces in them 2. Pet. 1.5.6.7.10 1. Pet. 2.9 By their fruits you may know them Ioh. 15.16 2. Secondly by the affections of godlinesse that are in them aboue al others Ephes. 1.5 1. Ioh. 3.14 They approue themselues to be elect by loue that is by their great affections to God to the word of God and his ordinances and by their brotherly kindnesse to the godly and this loue is the more euident marke when it lasts euen in affliction when no distresses makes vs abate of our affection to God or good things or good men Rom. 8.28 3. By their Priesthood Gods elect are a kingdome of Priests they offer God daily sacrifice they haue the spirit of prayer they daily mortifie the beast their sinnes vpon the Altar of Christ crucified So then by their praying and their mortification Gods elect may bee euidently knowne 1. Pet. 2.9.10 4. Fourthly they are vsually knowne by the opposition of the world If they were of the world the world would spare and loue his owne but because they are chosen out of the world therefore the world hates them and pursues them with reproches and indignations of all sorts Ioh. 15.18.19 If the world hate you you know that it hated mee before you If ye were of the world the world would loue his owne but because ye are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 5. Lastly this doctrine of Election should fill the hearts of all the godly with vnspeakable reioycing Euerlasting ioy should be vpon their heads and sorrow and mourning should fly away and the rather if they consider the maruellous priuiledges of their Election and the wonderfull happinesse vnto which they are chosen of God For if by the former signes thou know thy selfe to be one of Gods Elect. 1. First thou art sure of thy saluation and the glory of heauen when thou diest 2. Thessal 2.13.14 Whereunto hee called you by the Gospell to obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ. 2. The loue of God to thee is vnchangeable God will neuer cast off the people whom he hath chosen Rom. 11.2 God hath not cast away his people whom hee knew before 3. Thou art sure of gratious entertainment in Gods house and sweete communion with God whilest thou liuest Psal. 65.4 Blessed is he whom thou chusest and causest to come to thee he shall dwell in thy courts and we shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine house euen of thine holy Temple Esa. 65.13.14 Therefore thus saith the Lord God behold my seruants shall eate and ye shall bee hungry behold my seruants shall drink and ye shall bee thirsty behold my seruants shall reioyce and ye shall be ashamed Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart and ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and shall howle for vexation of mind 4. Thou shalt be sure of protection against all aduersaries that dare or can rise vp against thee Esa. 41.10.11.12.13 Feare thou not for I am with thee bee not afraid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee and helpe thee and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my iustice Behold all they that prouoke thee shall bee ashamed and confounded they shall bee as nothing and they that striue with thee shall perish 5. Fifthly all thy afflictions shall be sweetned vnto thee and work together for the best Rom. 8.28 Also we know that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God euen to them that are called of his purpose 6. In all thy suites to God thou art sure of audience and compassionate respect howsoeuer thou bee neglected in the world Ioh. 15.16 Yee haue not chosen mee but I haue chosen you and ordained you that yee goe and bring forth fruit and that your fruit remaine that whatsoeuer ye shal aske of the Father in my name hee may giue it you 7. Christ will graciously communicate to thee the secrets of God and the mysteries of the kingdome vsing thee therein as a most deare and carefull friend Ioh. 15.16 as before 8. Lastly all complaints brought vnto God against thee are sure to be non-suted and cast out so as nothing can bee laid to thy charge nothing can condemne thee in as much as Christ hath paid all thy debts and sitteth at the right hand of God to make request for thee Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth c. CHAP. XII Of Christ. Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued HItherto of Election The second fundamentall meanes of grace is Christ concerning whom the principles respect either 1. His Person 2. His office The principles concerning his person looke either 1. Vpon his diuine nature 2. or vpon his humane The principle that concernes his diuine nature is this That Iesus Christ is very God and that he is God may be proued 1. First by testimony of Scripture Esa. 9.6 For vnto vs a child is borne and vnto vs a sonne is giuen and he shall call his name wonderfull Counsellor the mighty God Ioh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God Rom. 9.5 Of whom are the fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God ouer all blessed for euer Amen 1. Tim. 3.16 And without controuersie great
men esteeme vs as the dispensers of the secrets of Christ 1. Cor. 4.1.2 And be perswaded by vs 2. Cor. 5.20 3. Thirdly we must here know that we must depend vpon Christ onely for doctrine needful to saluation There is but one Law giuer away with traditions and reuelations of mens owne hearts if an Angell from heauen would teach vs otherwise let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 Iam. 4.12 Will any man teach God Iob 21.22 4. We may here see the horrible estate of such as will be still ignorant and liue in their sinnes hauing the Scriptures and preaching in the name and by the authoritie of Christ. Iohn 1.10 Ioh. 3.19 Christ in these crieth but men regard not Prou. 1.20 c. 5. Wee must take heed that we mistake not and that in two things 1. First about the difference of Christ and all others in teaching 2. About the continuance of this propheticall office Christ teaching in his owne person did excell all other so as wee might truly say who teacheth like him Iob. 36.22 1. For first he taught with more authoritie Matth. 7.29 For hee taught them as one hauing authority and not as the Scribes 2. He teacheth by his spirit not by sound of words onely or by inke and paper 3. He graueth his words not in stone but in the fleshly tables of mens hearts 2. Cor. 3.3 c. And for the continuance of prophecy wee must know that it lasts but for this life for in the other world prophecie shall cease 1. Cor. 13.8 Loue doth neuer fall away though that prophesyings be abolished or the tongues cease or knowledge vanisheth away For instruction and so these principles may teach First all in Generall and so diuers duties 1. First with all carefulnes therefore to heare the voice of Christ Mat. 17.5 Behold there came a voice out of the cloud saying This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased heare him 2. In all wants to run vnto Christ and pray that he would teach vs Psal. 25.5 Leade mee forth in thy truth and teach me for thou art the God of my saluation In thee doe I trust all the day c. Psalm 143.10 Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnesse 3. But then if wee would euer profit by Christs teaching we must be poore in spirit broken in hart mourne for our sinnes Isaiah 60.1 c. Malach. 3. from the 1. to the 7. And make conscience to leaue all sinne and bee renewed throughout Eph. 4.17 to 23. 4. To loue the house of God where the Son of God exerciseth his prophecying Psalm 84.4.10 Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will euer praise thee For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand other where I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickednes Mat. 12.42 We should long for it and call vpon one another Isaiah 2.3 5. To cleaue to the counsels reproofes doctrines and exhortations of Christ in the execution of his office Ioh. 6.68 And to receiue the truth with al ful assurance Heb. 3.6 2. Pet. 1.19 6. Not to be too busie one against another in doubtfull or indifferent things Iam. 4.11.12 There is one Law-giuer which is able to saue and destroy who art thou that iudgest another man Secondly hence Ministers may learne diuers things 1. Not to affect the praise of men for the greatnesse of their gifts or glory of their work They must not be called Rabbi seeing one is their Doctor euen Christ and they haue nothing but what they haue receiued from him Matth. 23.8 But rather learne of Iohn Baptist Iohn 3.30.31 who said He must increase but I must decrease 2. When they discharge their duties not to be affraid of men or to bee ouermuch carefull in their trouble what to speake or doe They should settle this in their hearts for Christ will giue them a mouth and wisdom which all their aduersaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist one haire of their head shall not perish and therefore in patience they should possesse their soules Luke 21.14 to the 20. 3. To be diligent in the execution of their office seeing they must make vp their accounts to Christ whose Embassadours they are and they should speak as the words of Christ and not their owne words Rom. 12.6.7.8 Thirdly here is singular consolation to al the godly from the propheticall office of Christ and that if we consider three things 1. What Christ will teach vs. 2. How he will teach vs. 3. Whom he will teach For the first it may bee an exceeding comfort that God hath giuen vs his Sonne to bee our Prophet for thereby we may bee assured that he will be our counsellor in all estates Isaiah 9.6 Hee will teach vs to profit Isaiah 33.22 And when wee are deiected and broken in heart and mourne for our corruptions hee doth acknowledge it to be a part of his office to apply the Gospell to vs and to proclaime the acceptable yeere of the Lord and to poure vpon vs the oile of gladnesse for the Spirit of heauines For the second Christs teaching is wonderfull comfortable for the Scripture shewes that he will teach vs 1. Freely he will giue vs our teaching hee stands not vpon hire Iohn 17.8 For I haue giuen vnto them the words which thou gauest me c. 2. Powerfully and effectually so as if our harts were dead within vs yet he will reuiue them the dead shall heare his voice Iohn 5.25 3. Familiarly and with great delight as a mother would instruct her childe at home in a chamber Canticles 8.2 4. Fully keeping from vs nothing that may bee needfull for vs hee will teach vs all things Iohn 15.15 Hence forth call I you not seruants for the seruant knoweth not what his Master doth but I haue called you friends for all things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Col. 2.3 In whō are hid al the treasures of wisdom and knowledge c. 5. Gloriously and with a maruelous shining light of knowledge that may rauish our harts and much affect vs 2. Cor. 4.6 For God that commanded the light to shine out of darkenesse is he which hath shined in our hearts to giue the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all behold as in a mirrour the glory of the Lord with open face and are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. 6. Confidently Hee will so teach vs the truth as hee will bee ready to iustifie it as a neuer failing faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 3.14 And vnto the Angell of the Church of the Laodiceans write These things saith Amen the faithfull and true witnesse the beginning of the creatures of God Isaiah 55.4
was a King also able to feed and nourish the most mighty on earth as the King of Salem did Abraham 2. The second was the efficacy of his Priesthood noted in two admirable benefits flowing from his obedience and passion viz. Righteousnesse and Peace Righteousnesse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse Peace in that hee fully pacified Gods anger for our sinnes as our attonement and so he was indeed that King of Zedech that is of righteousnesse and of Salem that is of peace 3. The third was the eternity of his Priesthood hee is a Priest for euer he dieth not as did the sonnes of Leui nor doth the efficacy of his Priesthood euer cease The holy Ghost of purpose concealeth the mention of the birth and death of Melchisedeck that so hee might bee the fuller type of Christ who had no father as man nor mother as God and of his dayes there is no end which last thing is the speciall consolation for which I alleaged this type There is no time wherein we can want the benefit of Christs sacrifice if we haue accesse to God and the throne of his grace and the rather because God hath sworne and will not repent Psalm 110.4 Thus in generall In particular there are many excellent comforts may bee raised from the passion of Christ for First hence wee may gather a matchlesse testimony and vndoubted of the infinite loue of God to man in that hee spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him to the death for vs Ioh. 3.16 For God so loued the world that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life c. 1. Ioh. 4.9 In this appeared the loue of God toward vs because God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee might liue through him c. Which may likewise assure vs that there is nothing can be good for vs but hee will certainly giue it vs also Rom. 8.32 Who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death how shall hee not with him giue vs all things also 2. Secondly shall wee euer doubt our freedome from condemnation that know from hence what a price was paid for discharge of our debts by such a surety How can we be so vildly infected with vnbeleefe as to feare arresting or imprisonmēt or vndoing when all is in Christ so fully and exquisitely satisfied to the very vttermost farthing How could the surety haue euer escaped such iustice in God such malice in men and diuels the sargeants and iaylors if he had not most abundantly payed all could bee demanded 3. Thirdly what an encouragement may this bee to beleeue what Christ saith to vs was not he a faithfull witnesse teacher that sealed his doctrine with his blood great therefore is the infallibility of the Gospell that truth which is according to godlinesse and to bee receiued with all full assurance without wauering or feare Reuel 1.5 4. Fourthly shall not his example comfort vs in all trials especially when we suffer the extreamest things can befall vs in this life what are those to the sufferings of Christ and with what compassion will he receiue vs in affliction that was so afflicted himselfe Esa. 63.1 9. c. And in particular it may ease in paines and in death it selfe to remember the dolours of Christ especially considering that from thence flowes a vertue to helpe vs in all our pangs and distresses in life and death 5. Lastly there are many particular comforts may bee gathered from the manner of his sufferings and diuers particularities in them as 1. He suffered in Ierusalem so both fulfilled the types of the old Testament for there was Isaac offered vp and there the sacrifices were slaine and also signified vnto vs that he had obtained for vs the vision of eternall peace which the name Ierusalem importeth 2. Secondly he suffered the first part of his chiefe passion in a garden to comfort vs in the abolishing of the first sin which was committed in a garden and imputed to Christ. 3. Thirdly he was betrayed taken bound and forsaken and all for vs hee was betrayed to expiate our treason in Adam he was taken to restore vs captiues hee was bound that wee might be loosed he was forsaken of all euen of his owne best disciples to let vs know that hee alone did performe the worke of satisfaction and redemption for vs Esa. 63.3 4. Fourthly he was araigned condemned both by Iewes and Gentiles in the consisiory of the Priests and at the tribunall of Pilat therby to notifie both to Iews and Gentiles that he was giuen to sacrifice for sins of both to signifie that he was the true Messias or Shiloh because now the scepter was departed frō Iuda Gen. 49.10 5. His silence to the most accusations shewes 1. that he was a greater person then hee that iudged him 2. Secondly that he fulfilled the Scriptures that said he opened not his mouth Esa. 53.7 3. That hee suffered for our euill words but especially it assures vs that he suffered them as our surety in that he did endure the imputation of such monstrous crimes and yet held his peace 6. He was whipped and crowned with thornes he was whipped to deliuer vs from both spirituall corporall and eternall scourges that was due vnto vs. The crowne of thornes may signifie 1. That hee expiated our ambition in Adam 2. That he might merit for vs an eternall crowne 3. That he would gather a kingly people out of the most thorny and hurtfull nations which as a crowne should compasse God about in seruing and honouring him 4. That he had borne our thorny cares and therfore we should cast all our care vpon him 7. He was clothed with a purple garment and a reed in his hand which both signified that he was a King though they did it in scorne His purple garment shewes that hee was that great Warrior which was forespoken of when they said Who is this that comes from Edom with red garments c. Isaiah 63.1 to 7. The reed was two waies comfortable for first it shewed that this was hee that should breake the Serpents head for a reed is the most mortall thing to a Serpent as the learned record and therewith they were vsed to kill them and besides by a reed as by a pen he did blot out the hand-writing in the debt-booke that was against vs. 8. He suffered in Golgotha a place of dead mens bones in which the most notorious offenders did suffer their punishment that so hee might raise vp the Banner of Iustification euen in the very place of contamination and damnation 9. Hee was vnclothed and made naked to satisfie for the sin of our first parents who were spoiled of the garment of innocency and to deliuer vs from sin and mortality of which the garments of skinne giuen to our parents were a monument and perhaps to shew how we should enter
earth much more shall we not escape if wee turne away from him that speaketh from heauen c. 10. To seeke those things that are aboue where he sitteth at the right hand of God and to haue our conuersation in heauen since as subiects of his kingdome wee are freemen of the new Ierusalem the Metropolis of his kingdome Philip. 3.20 But our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ. Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God c. 11. To dwell securely as acknowledging wee haue secure protection in his seruice and not to be afraid of any feare Ier. 23. 5.6 Behold the daies come saith the Lord that I will raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch and a King shall raigne and prosper and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth In his daies Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnes c. 12. To carry our selues as the seruants of the King His subiects should differ in their manners from all other nations and his seruāts should order themselues so as may become his honour And thus wee should alwaies resist to our power the kingdom of darkenesse and set our selues to ouercome the world and as conquerours to denie our selues in the affection to the profits and pleasures c. of the world and liue out of the feare of the disgrace of the world knowing it is honor enough to be such a Kings seruants and out of feare euen of death it selfe as knowing our deliuerance by the victory which our Sauiour had ouer death and the assurance that he will come againe and make our vile bodies like to his glorious body And as this may teach men in general so there be diuers things to bee vrged from hence vpon particular persons as First Kings Iudges and Rulers of the people should take notice of this and do their homage and bring their presents to this King of al Kings Psalm 68.29 and seeing they are but his Vicegerents they should bee learned in the Lawes of his kingdome and get wisdome to carry themselues so as may become those that represent his person not daring to oppose the gouernment of Christ or to set themselues to oppresse his subiects Psalm 2.10.11 Secondly Ministers should especially stirre vp themselues to mind this great worke of separating men from the world to the kingdome of Christ. Thirdly priuat Christians must take heed of iudging one another for all iudgement is committed to the Sonne and hee is the onely supreme Iudge and Lawgiuer and therefore the Apostle Iames inferres wee ought not to iudge our brethren Fourthly such as haue parted with their friends by death must not sorrow for them that are gone as men without hope seeing the kingdom of God is come vpon them and they are with the Lord and their dead bodies shall Christ bring with him in his comming therefore they should not shame the gouernment of Christ by the ignorance heereof but comfort themselues with these things 1. Thes. 4.13 Secondly this may serue for wonderful consolation to the godly and that two waies 1. The children of Zion may reioyce in their King Psal. 149. 2. Let Israel reioyce in him that made him and let the children of Zion reioyce in their King If they consider their wonderfull happinesse in being subiect to such a King as 1. Was chosen and appointed by God himselfe immediately Psalm 2.6.7.8 Euen I haue set my King vpon Zion mine holy mountaine 2. Was qualified with gifts aboue all his fellowes euen aboue all the men on earth or Angels in heauen Psalm 45.2 3. Is independant his subiects are not charged with supporting or defending him but he defends and maintains them Isaiah 9.7 4. Is alwaies present with his subiects Matth. 28.20 And loe I am with you alway vntill the end of the world Amen 5. Is head of all principalities and powers and hath all honour and power giuen him in heauen and earth rules ouer all nations people and languages Col. 2.9 Dan. 7.13 14.27 6. Cannot die but liues for euer 2. They ought exceedingly to reioyce if they consider the priuiledges they haue in being subiects in the Kingdome of Christ for thereby 1. They haue the fauor and presence of God with them his couenant of peace and his sanctuary with them Ezech. 37.26.27 2. They haue great dignitie they are made Kings themselues a roiall Nation they are Princes of the people euen all the people of the God of Abraham Reuel 1.6 1. Peter 2.9 3. They haue roiall entertainement and are daily feasted of their King daily banquets in the Word and Sacraments Christ supping with them Reuel 3. yea giuing his owne body for meate and his own blood for drink Isa. 25.6 4. They dwell safely and find shelter and succour in all distresses Isaiah 25.4 Ezech. 34.25 Michael the great Prince standeth for the children of the people Dan. 12.1 5. Their King is exalted to the supremest honour and therefore is able to preserue them wonderfully and promised before hee was exalted that he would prouide them a place Iohn 14.2 CHAP. XXIII Of the Church Ephes. 1.22 And hath made all things subiect vnder his feet and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church c. HItherto of the meanes of grace the subiect of grace followes and that is the Church The Church is the whole multitude of men elected to eternall life by God in Christ. Concerning the Church there are these Principles First that it is a companie of men separate from the world gathered by the voice of Christ the Scripture still makes a difference between the world and the Church and the word signifieth such as are gathered together by the voice of Gods Criers Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine Vers. 14. I haue giuen them thy Word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world c. Secondly that she is one Eph. 4.4 There is one body and one spirit euen as ye are called in one hope of your saluation Cant. 6.8 But my Doue is alone and my vndefiled shee is the onely daughter of her mother and shee is deare to her that bare her c. Gal. 3.28 There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor femal for ye are all one in Iesus Christ. And the Church is one as in many other respects so because all the godly are mistically vnited in one body Rom. 12.5 So we being many are one body in Christ and euery one one anothers members Ephes. 4.15.16 But let vs follow the truth in loue and in all things grow vp into him
and not to mee onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing Reuel 21.24 And the people which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it Which as it imports a perfection of splendor in euery Saint so it doth not dissolue the degrees or orders of glory euery man shall bee aduanced in his owne lot Dan. 12.13 But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand vp in thy lot at the end of the dayes 1. Cor. 15.40 There are also heauenly bodies and earthly bodies but the glory of the heauenly is one and the glory of the earthly is another Patriarches Prophets Euangelists Martyrs shall not want their eminency in heauen The fourth is dominion and rule ouer all creatures that which we lost in Adam shall be perfectly restored in heauen after the last iudgement Reuel 2.26 For hee that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations The fifth is possession of all the pleasures which are at Gods right hand vnutterable ioyes riuers of pleasures This is that which in a sparing language is called the time of refreshing Act. 3.19 Amend your liues therefore and turne that your sinnes may be put away when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore For if the ioy of the godly in this life be called 1. Pet. 1.17 A ioy vnspeakable and glorious And if the Lord giue them drink out of the riuer of thy pleasures in this world as Psal. 36.8.9 How much more shall it exceed all language in heauen called the masters ioy The felicities which I haue here mentioned are for the most part common both to soule and body Now there is a peculiar felicity in heauen belonging to the bodies of men which consists in that maruellous transfiguration of them to a condition in respect of qualities farre aboue what they are or can be in this world Our bodies in generall shall be made like the glorious body of Christ though on earth they are but vile Philip. 3.21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working wherby hee is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe They shall enioy eternall health but of the glory of the body I haue entreated before in the vse of the doctrine of the Resurrection Thus of the parts of this glory The Adiuncts of it follow And so there bee foure things in the consideration of the glory to come should much affect vs. First that it is a glory vnspeakable that is it is so great that no language on earth can describe it For though we mention those foresaid parts of it yet our narrow hearts and mouthes are infinitely straitned in comparison of the full glory of man in these things 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him c. Secondly that it is certaine and we cannot be disappointed of it else it were vncomfortable to heare of so much felicitie and holinesse and yet not bee sure to possesse it The certaintie of it that God will bestow such glory may appeare diuers waies 1. There is an act or ordinance for it in Gods eternall Counsell 2. Tim. 2.19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his and Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that wee should bee holy and without blame before him in loue Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom hee iustified them he also glorified Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world 2. Christ purchased it with his blood Ephes. 1.14 3. Christ hath made intercession when he was on earth vnto his Father that hee might haue his redeemed Ones to be where he is Iohn 17.11 And now am I no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name Vers. 24. Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world 4. God hath made vs many promises and giuen vs not onely his word but his oth to assure it vnto vs Heb. 6.17 So God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenesse of his Counsell bound himselfe by an oath Vers. 18. That by two immutable things wherein it is impossible that God should lie we might haue strong consolation which haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs c. 5. He hath sealed to it not only in the Sacrament but by his spirit which will bee our witnesse and is our earnest Ephes. 1.13 Wherein also after that yee beleeued you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Vers. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory 6. He hath begun eternall life in vs already 7. Christ is gone into heauen of purpose to prouide a place ready for vs Ioh. 14.3 And though I goe to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there may ye be also Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore bretheren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Vers. 20. By the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale which is his flesh Thus of the certaintie of it The third thing is the eternitie of it all this glory were the lesse if it were thought it would euer end but it shall neuer end for 1. Nothing of it shall be lost or decay 2. There shall bee no death there for death and hell are cast into the lake of fier 3. There shall be no old age or withering condition in men that possesse it it withers not 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 4. God being all in all there shal be no wearinesse no fulnesse of affections or satietie no loathing Diuines are wont to shadow out eternity by the similitude of a little bird drinking vp a drop of water out of the sea if euery ten thousand yeeres the bird should come drink vp but one drop yet the sea might bee dry at length but yet this lasting of the sea is nothing in comparison to the lasting of the glory of heauen Fourthly and vnto these may bee added the proximity of it the day of the Lord is at hand It were some lessening of our happines if it were a long time to it FINIS ERRATA Pag. 4. lin 22. for Praises reade Oracles p. 51. l. 4. r. by a perpetuall decree p. 74. l. 16. put out a. p. 107. l. 17. r. vp for vpon p. 108. l. 16. for Sould r Should p. 407. l. 4 r. wrinckle p. 434. l. 17.21 and p. 435. l. 8 put out Sol and r. Secondly Thirdly Fourthly p. 486. l. 11. put out all the Chapter p. 499. l. 11. r. or secondly 3 Things intended in this Treatise The benefit of attending to this course The warrant of this course Question Answere Principles may bee knowne three waies The diuision of Principles according to their chiefe heads Two principles about the Scriptures The Scripturs are the very word of God proued by testimonies externall and internall Iohn 1.7 Prou. 30.6 Reuel 22.18 The vses 1. For instruction 2 For reproofe 1 Of the Papists in 4. things 2 Of Carnall Protestants 3 Of the godly 3 For triall 4 For consolation 4 Principles concerning God That there is a God is proued first by testimonies internall 2 By testimonies externall and so either in the world or in the Church 10 Glories in the nature of God The vses 1 For instruction If wee would study the glorious nature of God we must obserue 6. rules For humiliation For consolation Proofes for the Trinity Vses of the doctrine of the Trinity That there is but one God proued The vses 5 Principles concerning the Creation Vses 1 For information 6 Vses for instruction Vses for reproofe 7 Principles concerning Gods prouidence The vses 1 For information 11 Things admirable in Gods prouidence Vses for reproofe 8 Vses for instruction Vse for consolation Man was after the Image of God three waies The vses The speciall fauour of God to man in his Creation Duties 1 To God 2 To our selues 3 To other men 3 Principles concerning the fall of man 7 Things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne Obiect Answ. 3 Occasions of Apostasie 5 Degrees of the diuels tentation 4 Principles concerning sinne 14 Foule blemishes in euery mans nature 9 Vses for information 7 Things make ciuill honest men miserable 17. sorts of punishments inflicted on man for his sinne Eph. 5.14 1. Cor. 15. Act. 17.31 Rom. 5. â—2 c. andâ— 1 Mat. 11.29 1. Ioh. 2.1 Gal. 3.13 2. Cor. 5.17 Psa. 22.24 Question Answere Question Answere Question Answere Quest. Answ. Obiect Solution Obiect Solution Obiection Solution Iam. 2.5 What these things meane is vnknowne Rise first in soule