to know the end and media of Divinity and out of which all the precepts of Divinity are concluded But there is another principle of Divinity which is called principium essendi and that is God principle of Divinity then the written Word of God VI. It is an unquestionable Principle amongst Christians that the holy Scripture is both of a divine original and authority VII It is then a question ill beseeming a Christian to demand whether the Scripture or holy Bible be Gods word or not For as in the Schools there is no disputing with him who denies Principles so we account him unworthy to be heard who will deny this principle of Christian religion VIII Among Christians it is lawfull to ask By what testimony do we know that the Scriptures are by divine inspiration So we ask not for this end to seduce others or to cavil but onely to be instructed IX Now this testimony is twofold the one principal the other ministerial The principal testimony is that of the Holy Spirit outwardly in the Scripture it self inwardly in the minds and hearts of the faithful being illuminate by him speaking and perswading the divinity of the Scriptures But the ministerial testimony is the testimony of the Church Outwardly in the Scriptures themselvs the Holy Ghost when he speaks of the divine original and authority of the Word useth these phrases The word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord. Jesus said All Scripture is by divine inspiration 2 Tim. 3.16 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost But inwardly in the hearts of the faithful he perswades the divinity of Scriptures so far forth as he openeth the eyes and illuminates the mind of him that reads the Scriptures with prayer and humility that he makes him see the wonders of God and causeth him to acknowledge the voice of Gods Spirit sounding in the Word The Romanists urge the Churches authority alone which they have in such high esteem that they will have the whole authority of Scriptures to have its dependence from the Church and for this onely cause they will have it to be Gods word because the Church is the witnesse of it But this is not to make the Church a witnesse of the Scriptures divinity but to make her self capable of divinity But we will prove by these ensuing arguments that the testimony of Gods Spirit alone is it which firmly assures us of the Scriptures divinity 1. His testimony concerning the Scriptures is most firm by whose inspiration the Scripture was written For every one knows his own hand best and is best acquainted with his own stile But the Scripture was written by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1 20 21. Ergo c. 2. He that together with the Scripture is promised in a most neer conjunction to the faithful his testimony of the Scripture is most firm But the Holy Ghost is promised to the faithful in a most neer conjunction with the Scripture Esa 59.21 My Spirit which is in thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thy mouth 3. Without whose illumination the wonders of the Scripture are not seen his testimony alone of the Scripture is most firm But without the illumination of the Holy Ghost no man sees the wonders of the Scripture Psal 119.18 Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of thy law Ergo c. 4. Whose office it is to lead us into all truth he it is that witnesseth this truth to wit that the Scripture is Gods word But it is the office of the Holy Ghost to lead us into all truth Joh. 16.13 Ergo c. Now as for the Churches testimony although it is to be received as from Gods minister yet it is false that the Scriptures authority depends on it For what can be more absurd then to make the words of the Master to receive their authority from the Servant or the Fathers letters to receive credit from the Foot-post or the Princes mandates from the Printer or that the Rule should have its dependence upon the thing ruled We know that the oracles of God are committed to the Church and that she is the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 But as it is foolish to tell us that the candle receives its light from the candlestick that supports it so it is riliculous to ascribe the Scriptures authority to the Church The Churches testimony may be prevalent with those who as yet know not the Scriptures and have not received that sincere milk of the word nor by it are grown up 1 Pet. 2.2 But in those who have tasted the sweetnesse of divine oracles the testimony of Scriptures and of the Holy Ghost is most firm and effectual For as he who tasteth hony himself hath a more sure knowledge of its sweetnesse then he that believeth another speaking and witnessing of it even so he knoweth more assuredly the Scriptures to be Gods word who hath tasted its sweetnesse then he who gives credit to the Church witnessing this sweetnesse The Samaritans at first believed the woman when she spake of Christ but after they heard Christ himself they say to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4.42 Even so he that having begged the assistance of Gods Spirit reads the Scriptures again and again at length saith Now I believe no longer for the Churches testimony that the Scriptures are divine but because I have read them my self and in reading have stamped this Syllogism in my minde 1. That Scripture which every where brings in God himself speaking 2. Which is written by those men who being furnished with the gift of prophesying and miracles from God extraordinarily do with such faithfulness record all things that in rehearsing of sins and infirmities they neither spare themselvs nor friends 3. Which records not onely Truths and all things agreeing with right reason but Divine matters also and such as transcend all reason 4. After a Divine manner and in a wonderful harmony of circumstances in the same things rehearsed by different Writers 5. To the glory of God alone and our Salvation 6. With admirable efficacie both in moving the hearts and corroborating them against most exquisite tortures 7. In the miraculous preservation of it against Diabolical and Tyrannical fury That Scripture I say which thus delivereth these things is doubtless Divine both in its Original and in its Authority But such is the holy Scripture Therefore it is Divine both in its Original and in its Authority That I may then contract the matter in brief the Testimony of the Church is first in respect of the time but that of the holy Ghosts is first in regard of Nature and efficacy We believe the Church but not for the Church but we believe the Holy Ghost for himself The Churches
it Is it repugnant to the word of Christ and his Apostles or is it consonant If it be repugnant let them shew in what Articles If it be consonant they cannot reprove our vocation For where the true Doctrine hath place there the vocation is lawfull besides that calling which answers the example of the Apostles and primitive Church is lawful but that our calling is such cannot be denied The power of judging Doctrines is that whereby the Church enquires into mens Doctrine and cuts off the controversies that trouble her The RULES I. Every private man may and ought to judge of the Doctrine he professeth if it be consonant to Scripture or not Acts 17.11 the men of Berea daily searched the Scripture whether these things were so 1. Cor. 10.15 I speak as to those who understand judge you what I speak 1 Joh. 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but â—â—y the Spirits if they be of God II. This ought to be done also by the Presbytery or Assembly when any great controversie ariseth III. As the holy Spirit is the chief Judge of controversies so the Scipture which is the voice of the holy Spirit is the rule by which the straight is known from the crooked The power which concerneth the well ordering of the Church is that which determines what things ought to be done decently in the Church The RULES I. The object of this power are the outward circumstances of Divine Worship to wit time place and such like which in themselves be indifferent II. If in these any inconvenience is found the Church may lawfully abrogate the old Ceremonies and substitute such as are more convenient III. Yet the canons and customs of the Church must not equal the Scripture canons The power of the Keyes is that which the Church useth for preservation of Discipline whereof are two parts to loose and to binde To binde is to denounce Gods wrath against impenitent sinners To loose is to pronounce remission of sins to repentant sinners both which have certain degrees The degrees of binding are 1. A severe exhortation and commination after private admonitions have been rejected this must be done by the Presbyterie a 2. A keeping off from the Lords Supper b 3. The greater excommunication by which the sinner is cast out of the Church yet not without hope of pardon and return if he repent c 4. Anathema or in the Syriac word Maran-atha when he is cast out without hope d a Mat. 18.15 16 17. If they brother shall trespass against thee go tell him his fault betweent thee and him alone if he shall hear thee then thou hast gained thy brother but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of one or two witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the church but if he neglect to hear the church c b Mat. 7.6 Give not that which is holy unto dogs nor cast your pearls before swine c 1 Cor. 5.5 Let such a man be delievered oâ—â—â— to Satan to the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus d 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Chrrst let him be Anathema Maran-atha 1 Joh. 5.16 There is a sin unto death I do not say he shall pray for it In loosing the same degrees being observed the sinner is by the Church received again into favour So by the Apostles advice the excommunicated Corinthian is received again into grace 2 Cor. 2.7 8. The RULES I. Christ is the author and founder of this power Out of the testimonies above cited II. This power of the Keyes is in the whole Presbyterie not in the Bishop or Pastor alone The Pope falsly arrogates this power to himself For to say nothing of that right which he claims from Peter it is certain that the Keyes were not delivered to Peter alone Mat. 16.18 but the same right was imparted also to all the rest Mat. 18.18 Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth c and Ioh. 20.23 Whose sins ye shall remit c. III. The object of this binding is the sinner who either was not amended by private admonition or whose scandal was greater then could be done away by private exhortation IV. The forme consisteth in the decent observation of degrees for when the first and second will prevail we should not make use of the third and very seldome of the fourth V. Popish Indulgences which are the fictitious treasure they brag of gathered by the Pope out of the merits of Christ of the blessed Virgin and of the Saints who suffered more as they teach then their sinnes deserved are far from the power of the Keyes Let the treasure of Christs blood suffice which cleanseth us from all sinne 1 Joh. 1.7 VI. Loosing consists not in those Satisfactions which they enjoin sinners By satisfaction here we understand not that which is given to the Church by a serious testimony of repentance and that publiquely when it is required but that which satisfieth for sin Besides their opinion is grounded on a false supposition that the punishment is reserved after the fault is remitted Of this we will speak in the doctrine of Justification hereafter VII The end of this power is the preservation of the Churches honour and the foreing of wicked men to repentance VIII The power of the Church and of the Magistrate differ in these 1. The object of this is any man but of that the members of the Church only without exception of the greatest personages 2. The object of this are the body and outward goods but of that the soule 3. This punisheth even penitents that receiveth penitents into favour IX Ministers and Presbyters should not divulge any secret offence revealed to them by him whose conscience is oppressed except the safety and peace of the Publique require it lest others be debarred of the Churches comfort Thus of the Church-government the Political is that whereby the Church also is governed by the Magistrate The RULES I. Magistrates are the Churches nursing-fathers as they are keepers of the two Tables of the Law as they preserve Churches and Schools and defend the Truth II. The Clergy is not exempted from the Magistrates subjection Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers The examples of Christ paying toll-mony Mat. 17.27 and of Paul appealing to Cesar Act. 25.11 witnesse this III. The Infidel-Magistrate must be obeyed in things that may be done with a safe conscience IV. We must pray for Magistrates that be infidels 1 Tim. 2.1 c. So much of the Publike Administration the Private is whereby each member of the Church is coupled with one another in the bond of love to the edifying of the whole Mystical body See Rom. 12.6 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. Eph. 2.20 4.1 c. Hitherto of the Ordinary Church-Government the
Testimony doth monstrate but not demonstrate it shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the thing is but the Holy Ghosts Testimony shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the cause The swasive power is in the Church but the perswasive in the Spirit onely The Churches Testimony begets an opinion but the Testimony of Scripture begets Science and a firm Faith X. The Canonical Books of Scripture are partly of the Old partly of the New-Testament To the Old belong the five Books of Moses Josuah Judges Ruth these Books are single the Books of Samuel of the Kings of the Chronicles are double The Books of Hester Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles the four greater Prophets and the twelve lesser are single Now of the New-Testament are The four Evangelists The Acts of the Apostles The Epistles of Paul To the Romanes one To the Corinthians two To the Galathians Ephesians Philippians and Colossians single To the Thessalonians and Timothy double The Epistles of Peter two of John three of James and Jude single and the Revelation XI But for the Books of Tobiah Judith Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdra 3 4. of the Macchabees 1 2 3. of Baruch 1. The Prayer of Manasses The Epistle of Jeremiah The Additions to Daniel and Hester Although they may be read with profit yet they come short of that Authority which is in the Canonical Books for proving Articles of Faith and therefore they are called Apocrypha that is hid or obscure The reasons be these 1. Because they were not written by the Prophets but they have been written for the most part since Malachi the last of the Prophets 2. Because they are not written in the Stile or Phrase of the Prophets or in the Hebrew Tongue 3. Because they are never alledged in the New-Testament 4. Because in reading of them we finde many passages contrary and inconsistent with Canonical Scripture besides many fabulous and repugnant to Faith and Piety XII The Holy Scripture is sufficient to Salvation 2. Tim. 3.16.17 The whole Scripture is by Divine inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work XIII Therefore as the constitutions of the Church conducing to the right usage of outward Rites are in their own place to be regarded so no tradition is to be admitted as necessary to salvation except the Scriptures The Romanists do not only fight for Popish Traditions but also equall them nay prefer them to the holy Scripture but we are content to rest in that command of God which forbids to adde to or take away from his word Deut. 4.2 5.32 12.32 Rev. 22.18 XIV The search of holy Scripture is injoyned to all Christians Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures Colos 3.16 Let the word of God dwell plentifully among you Neither is that obscurity of holy Scripture which the Pontificians pretend any obstacle to this our assertion for though it be obscure in some places yet in other places it explains it self and delivereth the prime Articles of Religion with great perspicuity XV. Therefore the Translation of the Bible into vulgar Tongues is necessary XVI Yet no translation is authentical but that which agreeth with the Original fountains of the Hebrew and Greek XVII Although the Interpretation of Scripture is committed to the Church yet the onely Supream Judge of this Interpretation is the Holy Ghost speaking in it Esay 59.21 My Spirit which is in thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thee 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that you first know this that no prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for the prophesie came not of old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Therefore sacrilegiously do the Pontificians arrogate to the Church of Rome or to the Pope alone this right of supreme Judge XVIII The sense and meaning of each Scripture is but one yet in the Prophesies of the Old-Testament it is composed of a history and mysterie For example Hos 11.1 In these words When Israel was a child then I loved him and called my sonne out of Egypt The sense is compounded for literally and historically they are to be understood of the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt but typically and mystically of Christs calling out of Egypt Mat. 2.15 XIX The meanes to find out the true sense of Scripture are Frequent prayers the knowledge of Tongues the looking into the Fountains the consideration of the scope and argument the distinction of proper terms from figurative the logical analysis or noting of the causes the circumstances the passages going before and coming after the comparing of obscure places with cleerer of like with like and of disagreeing places with each other lastly the analogie of faith XX. As God is the proper and prime object so is he also the principal and supreme end of Divinity XXI Whereas then the chief end and the chief good are one and the same thing it is manifest that Christian Divinity onely doth rightly teach us concerning the chief good XXII The subordinate end of Divinity is our salvation which consisteth in the union and fruition of God The parts of Divinity are two The first is of the knowledge of God the second of the worship of God The first containeth faith or the things to be believed the second works or the things to be performed THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Essence of GOD. GOD is a Spirit existent eternally in himself One in Essence Three in Persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost God is known in himself and in his works In himself he is known absolutely in his Essence relatively in the Persons Gods essence is known * A. R. * The knowledge we have of God here is nominal not real 2. Confused not distinct 3. From his effects à posteriori 4. By way of negation we know what he is not rather then what he is 5. By way of eminencie we know that what perfection is in the creature is more eminently in him 6. By the motions of things we gather there must be a chief mover 7. From the degrees of entity truth and goodnesse in the creatures we collect that there must be one chief entity truth goodnesse c. 8. From the possibilities and contingencies that are in all things we inferre there must be one chief necessary entity by his Names and by his Properties The names of God are either taken from his essence as Jehovah Jah Eheje to which in the New-Testament the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord doth answer for the most part or from his power as El Elohim or from his Al-sufficiency as Shaddai or from his Excellencie as Helion The RULES or CANONS I. The name Jehovah is Gods chief and most proper Name For it is derived from the
or other Head over them then the Son of God by Michael the Archangel the Son of God is rightly understood For He is set in opposition to the Devil as to the head of evil Angels Rev. 12.7 Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon ver 10. Now is salvation in heaven and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ VI. The good Angels are ready executors of Gods will especially in the praising of God and preservation of the godly VII We are not carefully to enquire whether or not particular men or Provinces are governed by certain Angels For out of Scripture it appears that GOD useth sometimes the Ministery of one Angel sometimes of more The government of evil Angels is that whereby God hath thrust them out of Heaven into infernal places and eternal destruction as voluntary Delinquents having forsaken their first integrity and become the enemies of Christs kingdom The RULES I. Evil Angels are such not by creation but by their own voluntary defection II. What their first sin was whether Pride or not the Scripture doth not specifie yet it is certain that it was not committed without pride For Pride is joyned to every sin that is committed with deliberation III. We may more safely with the Apostle Jude ver 6. call it a defection from their first originall and a desertion of their proper habitation IV. the evil Angels have a Prince whom the Scripture by way of excellency calleth the Devil the old Serpent Satan and the Dragon See Rev. 12.9 V. Whereas the Scripture speaks nothing of the time when the evil Angels fell nor of the number we ought also in this to be silent VI. Their punishment consisteth partly in the memory of their happiness lost irrecoverably partly in the perpetual sense of their misery and torments VII The substance of the evil Angels remained invisible and immortal and simple VIII There remained also in them no small knowledge and a sagacity also of searching out future things having these helps 1. Their natural knowledge 2. Their long experimental knowledge 3. Astrologie 4. The knowledge of Scripture chiefly of the Prophets 5. Extraordinary revelation so often as God makes use of the service of these torturers * A. R. There is in the evil Angels a twofold knowledge the one by nature which they have not lost at all for their nature being simple admits no dimunition therefore that knowledge which in them depends from their nature as their other natural faculties do were not lost nor diminished Hence they knew how to produce frogs in Egypt and do the other wonders that Moses did onely they could not produce the lice not as if they were ignorant of the occult seeds and causes of such production for the knowledge of the lice was not more difficult then that of the frogs but because they were hindred by the power of God Their other knowledge is by grace and that is either speculative or practical the former is not totally lost but much diminished for of Gods secrets they know very little But the practick knowledge which is joyned with the love of God and detestation of evil is totally lost in them for such evil cannot consist with obstinate malice yet as they naturally know God so they naturally love him as an Entity but not morally as he is the fountain of all happiness of which they know themselves to be eternally deprived IX As this their knowledge is far from charity so it is void of all comfort and strikes in them a terrour Mat. 8.29 What have we to do with thee Jesus the Son of God art thou come to torment us before our time Jam. 2.19 Thou believest there is one God thou doest well the devils also believe and tremble X. There remaines also in them great power which they shew by removing huge bodies out of their places in raising of storms in overthrowing houses and mountains in infecting the ayre and the bodies of creatures with a venemous breath in possessing of men in bewitching the outward and inward senses by altering and changing the organ or object XI But over the stars or celestiall bodies they have no right or power Because to them is granted power to rule in the ayre onely Eph. 2.2 XII All their power over inferior things is so limited by Gods providence that without his power they can do nothing Mat. 8.31 But the devils besought him saying if thou cast us out suffer us to go into the herd of swine XIII Evil Angels can do wonders but not work miracles Because miracles are works exceeding all power of the creatures CHAP. VIII Of the government of man in the state of Innocency SUch is the Government of Angels The government of man is seen in the state of Innocency of Misery of Grace and of Glory The government of man in the state of Innocency is that by which God made a Covenant of works with man promising him eternall happiness under the condition of obedience otherways eternal death The RULES I. God made a double Covenant with man the one of works the other of grace that before this after the fall II. The Covenant of works was confirmed by a double Sacrament to wit the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge both being planted in the midst of Paradise III. They had a double use 1. That mans obedience might be tried by using of the one and abstaining from the other 2. That the Tree of life might ratifie eternal happiness to those that should obey but the Tree of knowledge should signifie to the disobedient the loss of the greatest happiness and the possession of the greatest misery IV. Therefore the Tree of life was so called not from any innate faculty it had to give life but from a Sacramentall signification V. Likewise the Tree of knowledge of good and evil hath this denomination from signifying the chief good and evil and from the event For in effect and by experience man found out how great that happiness and good was which he lost and how great evil and misery he brought upon himself VI. The happiness of man being yet in his integrity consisted chiefly in the Image of God VII The soul is the principal Subject of this Divine Image the body is the secondary so far forth as the operations of the soul do manifest themselves in it VIII The gifts of Gods Image were partly natural partly supernatural IX The natural gifts were the simple and invisible substance of the soul with its faculties the intellect and will X. The supernatural gifts were the clearness of the understanding the liberty and rectitude of the will the conformity of the appetite and affections the immortality of the whole man and dominion over the inferior creatures XI Such was the clearness of Adams understanding that he knew all naturall things which had a possible existence in the first principles which are of themselves known An excellent proof of this was shewed
We consider the greatness of his love 2. The greatness and multitude of his sufferings 3. The dignity of his Person 4. The holiness of his life his Satisfaction The reason because he did not suffer for himself in any thing but all for us II. Therefore those innumerable sufferings which Christ endured untill his last journy to Jerusalem are not to be separated from the price of Christs redemption for although the Passion of Christ wch went before his last agony might be called a preparative to his death yet it is indeed an integral part of satisfaction As it cannot be denied that the payment of an hundred pounds by him who oweth divers tuns of gold is an integral part of the payment although it be but a small sum in respect of the whole and principall debt III. Yet the Scripture synecdochically and by way of excellency doth describe his last passion as the price of our Redemption and his death or oblation on the altar of the cross as an expiatory sacrifice Of this see the 9. and 10. chapters to the Hebrews IV. The principal efficient cause of this Passion was the Holy Trinity the ministering causes were Christs enemies both Jews and Gentiles V. The Person that suffered for us is not the Father nor the Holy Ghost but the Son of God VI. Although God is rightly said to suffer yet the God-head suffered not God suffered in the flesh not with the flesh VII The sufferings of Christ were divers of which there were three ranks to wit some before his death death it self and some after death VIII Of those that went before his death some were internal some external IX The internal were his sadness anxieties and tortures proceeding from the fierceness of Gods wrath and the conflict he had with that tentation of dereliction which cast him into that bloody sweat and made him cry out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me X. But although he wrested with the tentation of dereliction yet he fell not into desperation neither did he yield to the tentation but overcame it by a strong confidence in his God The undoubted argument of his victory was this That in his greatest agony he failed not to call God his God XI His externall sufferings were the tortures of his body which he endured in a manner in all his members and senses for his head was torn with thorns and beat with reeds his face was defiled with spitle and bruised with bufferings his ears were wounded with scoffs and railings his eyes were troubled with the mourning of his Mother and his disciples his tongue was scorched with thirst and poisoned with vinegar and gall his body was stript and torn with whipping and the same was fastned to the Cross his hands and feet being pierced with nails was hanged between Theeves his sinews were racked and his side was peirced with a lance XII The Crosse was chosen to die on which was no ordinary kinde of death but an accursed one for of old it was made execrable by the mouth of God Cursed is he that hangeth on a Tree Deut. 21.22 XIII * A. R. * In Christs death the Personal Union was not dissolved This is true and the reason is because the gifts of God are without repentance now the Hypostatical Vnion is the greatest of his gifts which could not be lost without sin and sin could not be in him who came to save sinners its true Christ seems to grant a dereliction when he saith My God my God why hast thou forsaken me But these words do not shew any dereliction or dissolution of the personal union in death for Christ spake them whilst he was alive they only shew that Christ was left to tread the wine-presse alone and yet he was not alone for the Father is with me saith he Christ was alone and forsaken in respect of deliverance but not alone nor forsaken in respect of the Divine presence and assistance without which he could not have performed that great work of our redemption In that the Father left him in the hands of his enemies and did not deliver him he might be said to forsake him But it may be objected that Christs soule was the medium of the union between the Divinity and Christs body This medium being gone how could the extremes cohere I answer in this union the soul was the medium of congruity not of necessity for the Divinity was united to Christs body in the Virgins womb before the soul was infused or else he could not have bin conceived by the Holy Ghost So might the Divinity be united still to the body after the soul was separated The soul indeed being aspirit was a fit medium to unite the Deity to the body but not absolutely necessary In Christs death the Personal Vnion was not dissolved the soule indeed was severed from the body but neither of them from the Personality or Hypostasis of the sonne of God XIV The sufferings that followed his death were not joyned with any pain yet they wanted not disgrace or ignominie such was his burial and the three dayes lying in the grave XV. His burial was a part of his sufferings whereby Christs body no otherwayes then the carkasses of other men was cast into the grave XVI His three dayes detention or stay in the grave is the last degree of his Humiliation at which time his soule being translated to Paradise his body was detained under the pains and bands of death as if he had been altogether overcome and swallowed up by it his enemies in the mean while triumphing over him as if he had been quite cut off Act. 2.24 Whom God raised having loosed the sorrows of death XVII When mention is made of Christs descent into Hell in the fourth Article of the Creed it is demanded of what part of Christs passion that must be understood That opinion of the Papists concerning Christs local descent into Limbus Patrum or the place of the Fathers and their delivery from thence is fabulous from which their opinion is not much different who feign that Christ entred Hell that he might triumph there as a Conquerour Both opinions are repugnant to the story of the Gospel for whereas Christ otherwayes in respect of his Deity is every where his soule being recommended into the hands of his Father by himself whilst he hung on the Crosse and his body being laid up in the grave it must needs be false that Christ did locally go down to hell Besides whereas God doth professe that he is their God after death Exo. 3.6 there can be nothing more absurd then that the soules of the Fathers should be detained in that limbus or prison Peter witnesseth 1 ep 3.19 that Christ preached to the Spirits of old that were disobedient but this is to be understood of that preaching which was before the flood by Noah being furnished or instructed for this purpose by the Spirit of Christ Neither is there any ground
for that fiction of Christs triumph in hell both because he triumphed not before his resurrection as also because heaven was the fit place of his triumph not hell Again whereas the word Shcâ—l sometime signifieth the grave and sometime Hell the place of the damned hence it is that the phrase of Christs descent into hell hath divers meanings in Scripture for either it is the same thing that is to be buried Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leave my soule in hell Or it is the same that is to fall into extreme tortures and anguish 1 Sam. 2.6 The Lord bringeth down to hell and bringeth out Psal 8.6 The sorrowes of hell compassed me about Or else it signifieth the state of them who are oppressed and swallowed by death Ps 49.15 Like sheep they lie in hell death gnaweth upon them Isa 14.11 c. The first exposition hath no place in the fourth Article of the Creed for it is unlikely that in so brief an Epitome of Faith there should be any tautologie or that a plain speech should be declared by a darker In the second the inconvenience of a disordered narration seems to resist to wit that Christs extreme sadnesse and anguish of mind are rehearsed to be after his death But Calvin makes the matter plain shewing that the order of things and not of time is observed so that there are two members of that Article the former is of the tortures of the body the latter of the internal torments of the mind They who maintain the third exposition do chiefly urge the order of passages both because the detention of Christ in the grave is the last degree of humiliation as also because by this means the degrees of his joyful exaltation do answer the sufferings of Christ to wit his Resurrection answers his Death the Sepulture his ascension to heaven and his descending to hell the sitting at his Fathers right hand Now as this opinion is not disliked so the former is not rashly to be rejected nor should we dispute contumaciously in this matter seeing this clause of Christs descent to hell was not alwayes added to the fourth Article as the Nicene Creed and divers others do witnesse So that this may remain firm that neither his spiritual agonies in his soule nor his three dayes detention in the grave ought to be separated from his sufferings XVIII For the forme or manner of his Passion He suffered 1. Truly 2. Holily and innocently 3. Voluntarily These three things are to be well observed For if he had not truly suffered he had not satisfied if he had not suffered holily and innocently we could not have a perfect High-Priest Heb. 7.26 If lastly he had not voluntarily submitted himself his sacrifice had been compulsory not free hence he saith Heb. 10.7 Behold here I am to do thy will ô God XIX The generall end of Christs paâ—sion is the glory of God and chiefly the manifestation of his wrath against sinne as also of his justice and mercy besidâ—s the declaration of the Divine and Humane naâ—ures But the proper and special end is Satisfaction for our sinnes XX. In the end and use of every particular Passion a regard is to be had of that Analogie in which the Expiation is compared with the Sin and the Passion with the Punishment which we should have suffered For example He sustained most grievous tortures in his soul and body both that the sinnes of soul and body might be expiated as also that we might be delivered from those spiritual corporal pains which eternally we should have suffered His death upon the crosse was execrable partly that he might expiate the sins by which we deserved to be accursed partly that he might free us from that curse and damnation He was buried to testifie that our sins were buried with him and that he might sanctifie our graves in which as in prisons we were to be detained untill the horrible day of Judgement by turning them into sleeping places His three dayes detention in the grave teacheth that we had deserved that for our sins death had eternally reigned over us if his ignominious detention had not also satisfied for this punishment XXI They do annihilate the end and fruit of Christs Passion who say that he suffered onely for this that he might be an example to us 'T is true that Christ by suffering hath left us an example but the main fruit of his Passion is the satisfaction for our sins The Socinians acknowledge Christ a Saviour onely in these things 1. In that he preached celestial Truth 2. That he confirmed it 3. That he was our example in his Passion and Resurrection 4. In that at length he bestows life eternal on us But when we alleadge testimonies out of Scripture concerning Christs death for us they elude them by saying that he died for us that is for our good but not for us that is in our place or stead But this most pestilent Heresie is refuted by these subsequent Arguments 1. Because he so died for us that he gave his life as the price of redemption for many Mat. 20.28 who gave himself a ransom for all 2 Tim. 2.6 that he is said to redeem us with his pretious blood 1 Pet. 1.18 19. You are saith he redeemed Now who knows not that it is one thing to be an example of salvation and freedom and another thing to pay a ransom for any for he that satisfieth not for his slave or in his stead how doth he pay a ransom for him 2. Because he died so for us that he was made sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 That he took our sins upon him and he bore the punishment due to our sins Isâ— 53.4 Is then the taking of anothers sin upon him and the suffering of the punishment due to another onely the shewing of an example and not to satisfie and to be punished in his stead 3. If the sacrifices of the Old Testament were offered by the Priests for the People or in their stead then Christs sacrifice also was performed in our stead the former is true therefore so is the latter They assever boldly that in Scripture there is no example where the particle for is the same that in anothers stead but who sees not this in these subsequent testimonies Joh. 10.11 The good shepherd layeth down his life for his sheep to wit by fighting even to death in the stead or place of his sheep Rom. 5.7 Scarce will one die for a just man Rom. 8.26 The Spirit maketh intercession for us and ver 13. If God be for us who can be against us and ver 9. I could wish to be accursed for my brethren Neither doth the eternity of pain due to our sins make Christs Passion an insufficient ransom in that he suffered not eternally for us because though his punishment was not eternal in regard of time yet it is equivalent to eternal pain both in respect of the infinite majestie and dignity of Christs
Extraordinary is when necessity requiring a Councel is gathered A Councel is a Meeting enjoyned by the Civil Magistrate or the common consent of the Church in which men endowed with the gifts of the Spirit and lawfully chosen for this purpose undertake the Churches cause and out of Gods word define it And this is either oecumenical and universal or else particular Particular is National or Provincial The RULES I. A Councel must be called by the Magistrate if he be Faithful If he be an Infidel either it is to be procured by Petition or if he be an open enemy to the Councel it must be held by the Churches common consent necessity so requiring it II. The Persons which should be present at the Councel are the Civil and Ecclesiastical Presidents so many Scribes and fit men chosen for this purpose Neither are private men to be altogether excluded who may be present at the handling of Doctrinal points but not in matters of Scandal which charity ought to cover III. The matter which is to be handled in the Councel or Synod are Church-businesses which are of weight and worthy of serious consideration IV. The form of the Councel consisteth in a religious and orderly disquisition of the truth V. It will be religious if after fervent prayers to God all things be tryed by Scripture as by an infallible rule VI. It will be orderly if every man be mindfull of his duty VII It is the part of the Civil President to gather the Councel to protect it being gathered to prohibit all violence and disorder to cause proclaim the Decrees lawfully made and to curb the refractory VIII The Ecclesiastick President is to propose the Question to moderate the Disputation by the advice of his Assistants to ask their Opinion and by Notaries to record the Decrees IX The rest of the Delegates are to propose their opinion calmly and roundly or to assent to him that spake before if his opinion was right X. The presidencie that the Pope claimes over Councels is far from this form who neither consulteth with Scripture nor asketh the opinion of his Assistants but obtrudes his Dictates to be confirmed by the Councel XI The form of the Councel of Jerusalem was far otherwise in which every man might lawfully utter his opinion Paul and Barnabas had as much freedom to speak as Peter and after their opinions had been canvassed to and fro James at length concludes Act. 15. v. 6.19 XII The end of Councels is peace and truth in the Church XIII As far as Councels agree with Scripture so great is their authority neither are they more exempted from erring then the Church her self What credit we are to give to Popish Councels may be seen both by the opposition of Councels one to another as likewise by their impious Decrees The Councels of Constance and Basil subjected the Pope to the Synod but that of Trent on the contrary extols the Pope above all Councels The second Councel of Nice impiously thrusts out the second Commandment and that of Constance sacrilegiously robs the people of the Cup in the Lords Supper CHAP. XXVII Of the False Church THus in two Chapters we have considered the Church in her self Now of the False Church which is opposite to her and her enemy The Churches enemies are either open or secret These are called in Rev. 20.8 Gog and Magog that is covered and uncovered Her open foes are Heathens Jewes and Mahumetans The Heathens are they who feign paint and worship false and fictitious Gods The Jews deny the Trinity and the coming of the Messiah and interpret carnally what is spoken of Christs kingdom in the Prophets spiritually The Mahumetans preferre their Mahumet to Christ and their Alcoran to the Scriptures which Alcoran that Impostor compiled by the help of a Nestorian Monk and an Arrian out of the sink of Gentilisme Judaisme Mahumetisme Arrianisme and other heresies The hid or counterfeit enemies are either false Christs or Antichrists False Christs are they who brag themselves to be Christ As Simon Magus Barcochab Moses Cretensis David Georgius and such like Antichrists are commonly all Heretiques but particularly and by way of excellencie that great Antichrist 1 Joh. 2.18 Little children now is the last time and at ye have heard that Antichrist would come even now many Antichrists are begun 1. c. 4. v. 3. Whatsoever spirit doth not confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh he is not of God but this is that spirit of Antichrist of whom you have heard that he was to come and that he is now in the world Heretiques are they who maintain stubbornly against the plain light of truth any doctrine which overthrowes directly or by necessary consequence the fundamentals of Christian faith The RULES I. Not every Error makes an Heretick For either there is an error against the foundation as that of the Arrians and Marcionites of whom they denied the divinity of Christ these his humanity Or about the foundation so the Papists erre while they teach Transubstantiation which overthrows the truth of Christs humanity Or besides the foundation such errors are by Paul compared to hay wood c. 1 Cor. 3.12 II. An Heretick is made 1. by an errour in or about the foundation 2. by conviction 3. by contumacie III. Not every Schismatick is an Heretick He is a Schismatick who without hurting the foundation of Faith departs from some Ceremony of the Church out of ambition The great Antichrist is he who under the name of Christs Vicar persecutes him The RULES I. The name Antichrist belongs not to one person alone but to a whole state or order of men as it were in the same kingdom succeeding each other Even as the word of High-Priest He is not then opposite to Christ as one person is to another in respect of substance but he is opposite to him in respect of quality or office II. The Papists will have Antichrist to be one particular man a Jew of the Tribe of Dan the Jews Messiah and the restorer of their Religion who shall reign at Jerusalem three years and a half shall fight with Henoch and Eliah shall offer to ascend to Heaven from Mount Olivet but shall be destroyed by Christ III. But we out of Scripture describe Antichrist thus 1. That he is a man at one time one but in succession of time an order of men in the same state succeeding each other 2. Raised by Satan 3. A Christian in name onely 4. In very deed Christs enemie 5. Sitting in the Temple of God as God 6. Reigning in that great City which ruleth over the Kings of the earth 7. Seducing the Inhabitants of the earth with lying wonders 8. Setting a mark on his followers 9. Full of idolatry ambition avarice cruelty and impurity 10. Revealed in the last times 11. He shall be destroyed by the breath of Christs mouth and shall be overthrown by his own lovers and utterly abolished at Christs glorious coming If
for it is one thing not to account us unrighteous and another thing to esteem us righteous Which that we may the better understand we must know how these terms are different Not just and just Unjust and just Not just and unjust Not unjust and just Not just and just are contradictories Vnjust and just are partly privatives partly contraries Not just and unjust also Not unjust and just are diversa We must also know that Unjust and Just are not immediate contraries for the medium is innocent who is neither unjust nor just Now whereas the remission of sins is a removing or putting away of our sins but the imputation of justice is the adjudging of it to be ours by that we are accounted for not unjust or innocent by this for just Now who knowes not that it is more to be just then to be innocent only and not only to have done no evil but also to have done good But although these two now in man differ not in subject but in some respect only yet heretofore they differed in subject also For Adam in Paradice was innocent but not just for he was at length to attain justice by his perfect obedience 2. They differ in their proximate and proper causes for Christs death and passion are the cause or remission of sins which are expiated by them Heb. 9.22 Without blood there is no remission 1 Joh. 1.7 The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin But the cause of the imputation of justice is Christs perfect obedience Rom. 5.19 For as by the disobedience of one man many are made sinners so by the obedience of one many are made righteous We have shewed above Cap. 18. that this obedience is that actual by which he fulfilleth the whole Law for us 3. They differ in their proper effects for by remission of sins we are freed from damnation Rom. 5.9 Much more then now being justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him But by imputation of righteousnesse we attain over and above life eternal Rom. 5.17 Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse shall reign c. so Gal. 4.5 both effects are put Made under the Law that he might redeem them that are under the law that is under the curse of the law and that wee might receive adoption It is then a greater benefit to redeem a Slave and being redeemed to adopt him then onely to redeem it is a greater favour to give and forgive then barely to forgive therefore that justification is lame by which onely Christs passion is imputed and which onely consisteth in remission of sins Here divers things are objected 1. The Scripture in many places makes mention of Christs Passion or Remission of sins onely But this is no wonder for in many places it speaks Synecdochically its sufficient that it explains it self in the above-cited places 2. The Apostle promiscuously useth these phrases as equavalent to forgive sins and to impute righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 6. But we answer that it is one thing for propositions to be equivalent and an other thing for one proposition to follow upon or to conclude another as Paul out of this phrase of David Psal 32.2 Blessed are they whose sins are forgiven them c. collects this that David doth describe him to be blessed to whom righteousnesse is imputed without works The reason of the consequence is because if the remission of sins be free then so is also the imputation of justice Although then that is not formally spoken by David which Paul affirmeth v. 5. yet it is spoken by way of consequence yea it is an argumentation as Chrysostome saith from the lesser to the greater for if he be blessed whose sins are forgiven then much more blessed is he to whom besides righteousnesse is imputed 3. To whom sins are forgiven to him also righteousnesse is imputed and whosoever is freed from damnation he is inheritor of life eternal therefore these benefits are not different Ans Those things are not the same which are in the same subject together For so it would follow that Vocation Justification and Sanctification are not different benefits because every man that is called is also justified and sanctified 4. In the pardon of sins there are the sins of omission pardoned and therefore by that man is made perfectly just They adde the reason of the consequence Because he performs all things who omits nothing Ans The consequence is false because there is one cause why we are said to have omitted nothing another why we are said to have done all things We are said to have omitted nothing because Christ hath suffered for our sins also of omission But we are said to have performed all things because he hath for us performed all things Besides to have omitted nothing and to have done all things differ in respect of punishment and reward for although the fault and the punishment are remitted to him who omits what he should do yet for this there is no reward due to him 5. It is absurd that the same debt should be paid twice If therefore satisfaction is made for sin by Christs suffering satisfaction also is not to be demanded by active obedience Ans Here is Ignoratio Elenchi for there is is not a double payment of the same debt but two parts of one payment Neither is Christs active obedience required to make satisfaction for sin but to satisfie for our interest in the Kingdom of heaven 6. If it be the same thing to be liberal and not to be prodigal nor covetous then it is the same thing to be just and not unjust Ans The Assumption is false because these are not immediate opposites for there are men who are neither covetous nor prodigal nor liberal 7. If it be the same thing to be clothed and to have nakednesse covered then it is the same thing to have our sinnes remitted and justice imputed because by the garment of Christs righteousnesse our sins are covered Ans This is an unfit simile for the sinner must not only be clothed but he must be first unclothed to wit from the rags of sin Therefore as Joshuah the High-Priest had his filthy garments taken from him first then new garments were put upon him and a crown on his head Zac. 3.4 5. So we also first must be divested of this dirty garment of sin then we are clothed with the glorious garment of Christs righteousnesse XVI The form of Justification taken passively is whereby believers lay hold on Christ with all his merits by the hand of faith and apply him to themselves XVII The end of that benefit is Gods glory and our salvation XVIII Out of this commemoration of causes we firmly gather That man is not justified before God by his good works and merits Reas I. For to be justified by grace and by merit are repugnant Rom. 3.24 They are justified freely by his grace v. 28.
Gen. 48.16 For Jacobs name to be called upon by his Sons is to have their name from Jacob and to be received in number of his posterity as Isa 4.1 That place in Job 5.1 in the vulgar Latine is corrupted For Eliphas there doth not exhort Iob to call upon the departed Saints but he appeales to the testimony of the Saints alive Neither will it follow that dead Saints must be called upon because we are commanded to have recourse to their Prayers whilst they are alive Jam. 5.14 For the condition of the Saints here and hereafter is not alike because in this life they know our wants in the other they know not Isa 63.16 in this life they are not invoked but invited to pray for us but the departed Saints are religiously called upon and their help implored by Papists the pound of the Popish opinion is that the Saints are mediators at least of intercession but how false this is we have shewed Lib. 1. c. 18. So much of the forme of Religious worship as it is forbid by God That forme which is commanded by God but directed to another end is either superstitious or hypocritical Superstitious worship is when a certain force and efficacie is ascribed to external Rites commanded by God as if it were for the work wrought As when force is attributed to certain words voices and writings to drive away Satan to cure diseases c. When they feign that there is in the Sacraments a vertue by themselves to free us from sinne and to save us When they think by their babling and multitude of words and such like to please God when they judge one day or one kind of meat holier then another when they think to merit by their Vowes Hypocritical worship is when the outward forme prescribed by God is observed but without internal worship or devotion of mind This displeaseth God exceedingly Psal 50.8 c. Esa 1.10 c. 29.13 66.3 c. Jer. 4.5 c. Mat. 15.8 c. CHAP. VI. Of the Vertues and Works belonging to the Third Commandment SO much of the manner of Gods Worship the hallowing of his Name in all the rest of our life is injoyned in the third Commandment The summe whereof is that we must study in all things to sanctifie the name of God even out of the times of his ordinary Worship There be two parts of this command a prohibition and a confirmation of it The prohibition is Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine The Name of God doth not only signifie the titles which are given to him but his properties also his word workes and whatsoever else belongs to the glorifying of his Name out of this prohibition is gathered a precept Thou shalt sanctifie the name of thy God the confirmation is a heavy commination For the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that takes his Name in vain The Sanctification of Gods Name is considered either in affection or in effect In affection is zeal for Gods glory to wit a vehement affection of the mind to maintain and inlarge the glory of Gods name with just sorrow and indignation against those things that are contrary to his glory Examples of this are in Lot 2 Pet. 2.8 in Moses Exod. 32.19 in Phineas Numb 25.8 in David Psal 69 119.53 in Elijah 1 King 19.10 in Jeremiah Jer. 33.9 10 11. in John Baptist Mat. 14.14 in Christ Joh. 2.14 c. in Paul Act. 14.14 17.16 17. To this is opposite Stupidity carelesse of Gods glory a erring zeale which is without knowledge b inconsiderate zeale c and counterfeit zeale d a 1 Sam. 2.29 Thou hast honoured thy sonnes more then me 3.13 His sonnes made themselves vile and he restrained them not b Rom. 10.2 For I heare them record that they have zeale but not according to knowledge c Jonah 4.1 And Jonah was displeased exceedingly and was very angry and he prayed unto the Lord and said I pray thee O Lord was not this my saying c. Luke 9.54 And when his Disciples James and John saw this they said Lord wilt thou that we speake for fire to come down from Heaven and consume them c. d Esa 7.12 Ahaz said I will not aske a signe nor will I tempt the Lord. The Sanctifying of Gods Name in effect or actually is either by words or by deeds Sanctifying by words is a holy using of Gods name and a constant confession thereof The holy using of his Name is whereby we never speak of him but in cases of necessity and that with great reverence and admiration praising the glory shining in it Deut. 28.58 Thou shalt feare that most glorious and terrible Name of the Lord thy God To this is contrary the superstitious silence or concealing of Gods Name the taking of it in vain jests made of Scripture phrases and blasphemie or disgrace cast immediately upon the Name of God An example of horrible blasphemie is in the Assyrian King Isa 10. and in Rabshekah his Captain Esa 37. The holy using of Gods Name is in three kinds to wit in Consecration Swearing and casting of Lots Consecration is when things for our use are sanctified by the Word of God and by Prayer To sanctifie in this place is to separate for a good and lawful use thus Temples Ministers the works of our vocation meat and drink are consecrated 1 Tim. 4.5 6. For whatsoever God hath made is good neither is any thing to be rejected if it be received with thanksgiving for it is sanctified by the Word of God and by Prayers To this consecration is opposite besides the intermission of it superstitious consecration when in certain formes of words there is believed to be a singular force and efficacie so likewise Magick inchantments and consecrations This consecration is intermitted by them who eat and drink without Prayer and Thanksgiving Among Papists there are many examples of superstitious consecrations of water salt wax c. Magick consecrations and inchantments are not excusable because the words are good For Gods Word is abused when it is not used in a good way By Swearing Gods Name is sanctified both in a simple Oath and in adjuration A simple Oath is the taking of God to witnesse in weighty matters as a Testifier of the truth and the revenger of lying The RULES I. An Oath in it selfe is good and holy First because it is commanded by God Deut. 6.13 10.20 Esa 65.15 Jer. 12.16 Secondly because God and his Angels have sworn Gen. 22. Psal 95. Heb. 3. and 6. Rev. 10 c. To this purpose is that of Tertullian O happy are they for whose cause God sweares and O miserable are we that will not believe God when he swears II. The person swearing must be such a one as may lawfully sweare and not 1. Children 2. Mad-men 3. Such as are convicted of Perjury III. The matter of an Oath should be things weighty and lawful IV. The forme
the Lands thereof sold but to return to the owners Lev. 25.23 VII Vnlawful Vsury is which is practised on the poore or for gain meerly having no regard to charity and equity This Usurie is called by the Hebrewes Neshech from biting or knowing and it is most severely forbid Exod. 22.25 If thou lend mony to any of my people that is poore by thee thou shalt not be to him as an userer nor shalt thou lay upon him usurie Psal 15.5 Who hath not lent his mony upon usurie Ezek. 18.8 He hath not given forth upon usury neither hath he taken any increase Luke 6.35 Lend looking for nothing again Justice in the custodie of things is whereby equity is observed in remanding and restoring of Pawnes or pledges Exod. 22.7 If a man shall deliver to his neighbour mony or stuffe to keep and it be stollen out of the mans house if the thiefe be found let him pay double if the thiefe be not found then the master of the house shall be brought unto the Judges to see whether he hath not put his hand to his neighbours goods The same Law followes v. 10 11. concerning the Asse Oxe and small Cattle he that receives a Pawne let him take heed he do not receive one of a poor body or retain that pawn which the poor man cannot be without Exod. 22.26 If thou take thy neighbours raiment to pledge thou shalt deliver it to him by that the Sun goeth down for that is his covering onely Deut. 24.6 No man shall take the nether or upper Milstone to pledge for he taketh a mans life to pledge and verse 10. When thou doest lend thy brother any thing thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge thou shalt stand abroad and the man to whom thou doest lend shall bring out the pledge abroad to thee Ezek. 18.7 And hath not oppressed any but hath restored to the debtor his pledge So much of Justice Beneficence is whereby we help our neighbour with our meanes freely This vertue is called liberality in lesser gifts in greater magnificence in relation to the poore almes to banished men and strangers hospitality To this the Scripture invites us 1. By command Luke 6.30 2. By the example of holy men yea of God himselfe who is the fountain of all goodnesse Luke 6.36 Be you merciful as your Father is merciful 3. By most sweet promises Luke 6.38 Give and it shall be given to you c. Especially by promising life eternal Mat. 25.34 35. Come ye blessed of my Father c. I was hungry and ye gave me food c. To this is opposite the neglect of bounty as also basenesse hard-heartednesse and unseasonable bounty See above cap. 8. So much of Vertues as they have reference to others the vertues which have respect to our selves are Contentation Parsimonie and Industry ἀυτάÏχεια or Contentation is a Vertue whereby man contents himselfe with his own condition and with the estate which he hath justly got 1 Tim. 6.6 Godlinesse is great gain with contentment To this is opposite unbelieving care concerning the sustaining of this life a covetousnesse b and a loathing of ones present condition c a This is excellently refuted by that famous Sermon of Christs Mat. 6.25 c. b Covetousnesse is far worse then excessive care for a covetous man the more he hath the more he desires therefore this vice which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a desire or heaping up of too much and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of mony is to be avoided 1. Bcause it is forbid by Christ Luke 12.15 Beware of covetousnesse 2. Because it is idolatry Mat. 6.24 Col. 3.5 Eph. 5.5 3. Because it is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6.10 c Jude v. 16. These are murmurers complainers But Paul knew how to want and how to abound Phil. 4.12 Parsimonie or frugality is a vertue whereby we so moderate our expences that we spend not but what is needful and reserve the remainder for future uses We must aime at this 1. Because commanded Joh. 6.12 Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost 2. Because it is a remedy against poverty and a meanes to exercise our bounty To this are opposite too much sparing and profusenesse Industry or love of labour or the care of getting means honestly is a Vertue whereby one gets an estate by honest labours that he may be the better enabled to live comfortably to himselfe and to others This was enjoyned in Paradise Gen. 3.19 the same is commanded by Paul Eph. 4.28 He that stole let him steale no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth To this are opposite Idlenesse and a disordered life dishonest wayes of gaining Usury Dice Mercenarie souldiery and other wayes of getting wealth by right and wrong See what is said of the idle Prov. 6.1 12.11 Eccl. 4.1 2. The rest appeares out of what is said before CHAP. XIII Of the Vertues and Workes belonging to the ninth Commandment HAving spoken of our duty towards our own and neighbours estate now followes that we speak of our duty towards our own and neighbours fame in the ninth precept The summe whereof is that we preserve our own and neighbours fame and good name This precept is negative and Synecdochical for under the phrase of false witnesse is understood every thing whereby our own and neighbours fame or estimation is hurt hence is collected an affirmative precept That we study to preserve our own and our neighbours fame The vertues of this precept are also twofold some have relation to our neighbour some to our selves those which have respect to our neighbour are truth and sincerity Truth is a vertue whereby we are bent to know those things that be true and to utt r or signifie the things known as they are Zach. 8.16 Ephes 4.25 Let every man speak truth to his neighbour To these in the defect are opposite the neglect of truth a and naughty dissembling b but in the excesse lying c and false witnesse d a Psa 58.5 Their poyson is like the poyson of a Serpent like the deafe Adder that stoppeth his eares b Not every dissimulation is culpable for we are not forced still to speak the truth as shall appeare in what followes but that dissimulation is understood when we conceale the truth to the prejudice of Gods glory and of our neighbour c A lye is when a false thing is signifyed by words or deeds with a purpose to deceive By this definition it appears 1. That Schemes Metaphors Allegories and such like are not lies seeing the truth of them depends not from fictions but from the similitude they have with true things the same reason is of Ironies which are used not to deceive but to instruct such were used by Elijah 1 King 18. and by Micaiah 1 King 22. 2. That it is one