4.19.16 2. Tim. 3.15.16.17 Iohn 5 39. Chap. 20.31 teach the people of God the pure worship of God and what is mans true happinesse Sometimes it is called Gods written word and the sacred Scriptures sometimes without an epithet the Scriptures and in the singular number the Scripture somtimes in Latin Biblia of the Greeke word in the plurall number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bookes but this name other nations also vse in the singular number Bible II. The holy Scripture is diuided into the bookes of the old and of the new Testament or couenaunt for that it was written partly before partly after the incarnation of Christ The first part is called bookes or writings Propheticall the second Apostolicall III. In the old Testament are numbred 24. bookes yet so as we count the storie of Samuell of the Kings and of the Chronicles and the 12. small Prophets to haue but one seuerall booke in euerie story as may appeare in this table folowing â— Genesis or the 1. booke of Moses â— Exodus or the 2. booke of Moses â— Leuiticus or the 3. booke of Moses â— Numeri or the 4. booke of Moses â— Deuteron or the 5. booke of Moses â— Iosua â— Iudges â— Ruth â— Samuels 2. bookes commonly called 1. and 2. of Kings â— Kings 2. bookes called also 3. and 4. of Kings â— Chronicles 2. bookes â— Ezra â— Nehemia â— Hester â— Iob. â— The booke of Psalmes â— The Prouerbes of Salomon â— Ecclesiastes or the Preacher â— Canticles or Song of Salomon â— Esayah â— Ieremy ad here his Lamentations â— Ezechiell â— Daniell 24. The small Prophets 12. 1. Hosea 2. Ioel. 3. Amos. 4. Obadaiah 5. Ionas 6. Michah 7. Nahum 8. Habacuc 9. Zephaniah 10. Haggai 11. Zachariah 12. Malachi The bookes of the new Testament are 27. which are these 1. The Gospel according to S. Mathew 2. The Gospell according to S. Marke 3. The Gospell according to S. Luke 4. The Gospell according to S. Iohn 5. The Actes of the Apostles 6. Pauls Epistle to the Romaines 7. Epistle 1. to the Corinthians 8. Epistle 2. to the Corinthians 9. Epistle to the Galathians 10. Epistle to the Ephesians 11. Epistle to the Philippians 12. Epistle to the Colossians 13. 1. Epistle to the Thessalonians 14. 2. Epistle to the Thessalonians 15. 1. Epistle to Timothie 16. 2. Epistle to Timothie 17. Epistle to Titus 18. Epistle to Philemon 19. Epistle to the Hebrues 20. The Epistle of S. Iames. 21. 1. Epistle of S. Peter 22. 2. Epistle of S. Peter 23. 1. Epistle of S. Iohn 24. 2. Epistle of S. Iohn 25. 3. Epistle of S. Iohn 26. Epistle of Iude. 27. The Reuelation of S. Iohn IIII. This Scripture or the word of God â—â—ntained in this Scripture is the a 2. Pet. 1.19 rule â—th of faith and life for all the true worshippers of God because God is the b 2. Tim. 3.16 2. Pet. 1.21 auâ—our of it who cannot lye and hath authoritie to commaunde all men and â—herefore auncient writers call them â—ookes canonicall or Canonicall Scripâ—ures Vnto this volume also are vsually annexed certaine other bookes which are â—alled Apocrypha that is bookes kept hid 〈◊〉 secret for that we must not bring these 〈◊〉 light when we are to confirme any doctrine concerning faith or Gods worship by diuine testimonies V. And as for the absolute authoritie of this Scripture it consisteth in those very words wherein it was first written for that the same words were spoken a 2. Tim. 3.16 2. Pet. 1.21 by the holy Ghost vnto these holy writers and they arc Hebrue in the old and Greeke in the new Testament The translations or interpretations of other languages haue their credit and authoritie as they be founde to agree with the first fountaines whence they are deriued VI. And albeit this Scripture ought to be receiued of all meÌ„ for that it came by the inspiration of Gods spirit and is of credit sufficient of it selfe yet before the same be sealed in our harts by the a Es 39.21 Iohn 14 26. and 15.26 â—6 13 Rom 8.16 1. Ioh. 2 27. chap. 5.6 holy Ghost we cannot haue any certain knowledge of the power thereof that so we may with full assurance trust thereunto VII And yet we finde certaine proofes as â—ans reason can conceiue good for the confirmation of the Scripture vnto vs as these folowing the maiesty of that heaueÌ„ly doctrine the simplicitie puritie and excellencie of the stile the consent also of all partes the admiration whereunto it calleth vs the antiquitie of the bookes so many and so wonderfull miracles the admirable complement of all Prophecies the diuine preseruation of these bookes against the furie of the enemies the conâ— of the Church the bloud of Martyrs and lastly the common state and conditioÌ„ 〈◊〉 those men which first writte the same VIII And albeit the coÌ„sent of the Church be â—great argumeÌ„t to commende the authoâ—ie of the Scripture vnto vs yet the Poâ—sh assertioÌ„ is false that the authoritie of â—he Scripture doth haÌ„g vpoÌ„ the iudgmeÌ„t of the Church as if we could not beleeue â—he Scripture or as if the Scripture were â—ot to be trusted if the iudgement of the Church did not moue vs thereunto by testifying that these are the holy Scriptures and commaunding vs to reuerence them as the truth IX Neither yet doe we here despise the iudgment of the Church wheÌ„ we ascribe not therunto that which is due vnto God which is to assure vs of the truth of this celestiall doctrine We must I graunt highly esteeme of the testimonie of the true Church For the Church as a Notary keepeth the holy Scriptures and discerneth the true Scriptures of God from the false as the goldfiner trieth and discerneth gold froÌ„ copper by his touch-stone and as a skilfull man can teach vs to know good coyne which the ignorant knoweth not Againe the true Church as a coÌ„mon cryer doth publish the Scriptures and lastly doth rightly interpret the same X. Forasmuch as the onely Hebrue text in the old Testament and the Greeke in the new is autheÌ„ticall hath absolute authoritie the Councel of Trent consequeÌ„tly must erre where it giueth caution to â—ld the Latin old vulgar edition as authenticall in all publique readings dispuâ—ations sermons and expositions and that no man be so bold or presume to reiect it vnder any colour XI And seeing the Scripture is giuen to instruct vs concerning Gods worship â—r saluatioÌ„ those phantasticall wits must â—re which laying aside the Scripture flye â—nto reuelations XII And whereas the scope of God in the scripture is to teach men concerning his holy worship and mans true happinesse it foloweth then that it is so absolute perfect that it containeth all things needfull â—or this end purpose For otherwise we should say that God himselfe doth not atâ—ine that which he purposed and this to speake is against the omnipoteÌ„cy of God XIII If the
doctrine of the scripture be a 1. Tim. 3.16.17 Psa 19.7.8.9 perfect comprizing all points which necessarily concerne Gods pure worship our saluation then it foloweth that the Papists erre which thrust vpon vs their vnwritten verities traditions I say which neither Prophets nor Apostles haue euer writteÌ„ XIIII And for that the doctrine of the Scripture is vndoubtedly a 2. Pet. 1.19 true for that it came by the b Ibid. 21. 2. Tim. 3.16 inspiration of the holy Ghost that must of necessitie be erroneous which is contrary vnto it as some fewe traditions are which the Papistes thrust vpon the Church as the very word of God it selfe CHAP. III. Of God I. APHORISME GOd is a a Iohn 4 24. spirite most b Deut. 6.4 Exo. 3.14.15 pure c Psal 139.7 c. Es 66.1 Ier. 23.23 24 1. Kings 8.27 infinite d Rom. 1.20 and 23. 1. Tim. 1.17 Psal 102.25 c. Reu. 1.8 eternall e Psal 102 27.28 Mal. 3.6 Es 46.10 Rom. 11.29 immutable f Gen. 17.1 and c. 35.11 Exod. 15. Iob. 38.39 Psal 91.1.2 almighty most g Psal â— 1.104.24.147.5 1. Sam. 16 8. Heb. 4.13 Rom. 11.33.34 and 16.27 â—im 1.17 h i k l Exod. 34.6 and 7. wise h Psal 5.13 and 34.9.51.20 â—st v. 54 8.9 good i Ion. 4.2 louing k Ion. 4.2 mercifull l Gene. 18.23.25 Deut. 32.4 Iob. 34.10 â—2 36. chap. Psal 11. last v. 34.16.17 Prou 8.8 Es 45.11 Ierem. 12.1 â—m 1â—8 iust m Leu. 19.2 Iosh 24.19 1. Sam. 2.2 Psal 99 3. Es 6.3 holy n Psa â—â— Heb. 6.17.18 Tit. 1.2 true of most free o Rom. 9.15 c. Math. 20.15 absolute authoritie and is p Math. 28. â—9 Father Sonne holy spirite creator of heauen and q Gen. 1.1 earth of all things which are contained in them the r Luk. 1.68 c. redeemer and Å¿ Ephe. 2.10 sanctifier of all his elect II. These three the Father Sonne holy Ghost are three distinct a Heb. 1.3 persons and euery person very b Iohn 1.1 Act. 5.3 4. God yet not three Gods â—t they are that c Deut. 6.4 one very God which in 〈◊〉 Scripture is called Iehouah the Lord. III. These three persons differ are distinguished for that the Father is of none the Sonne is of the a Iohn 1.14 Father by an incomprehensible and inspeakable b Psal 2.7 Prou. 8.24 and 25. generation d Ibid. Rom. 8.9 〈◊〉 holy Ghost is of the c Iohn 15.26 Father of the sonne by an incomprehensible and inâ—kable e Iohn 15.26 1. Iohn 5.7 proceeding CHAP. IIII. Of the Angels I. APHORISME THe Angels are a Psal 104.4 spirituall b Heb. 1.7 last Eph. 6.12 Heb. 1.7 Coloss 1.16 creatures which c Heb. 1. v. last 1. K. 22.20 c minister vnto God the creator II. Of the Angels some are good some are euill III. The good Angels are they which haue stoode and continued in their perfection wherein they were created and haue receiued their a Math. 18.10 22.30 confirmatioÌ„ therfore are euer ready b Psal 103.20.21 to glorifie God in all obedience for which cause they did appeare in certaine winged pictures which are called c Exod. 25.18 c. 1. king 6.23 and 29. Cherubins and d Es 6.2 Seraphins formed like men to the people e Exo. 25.18 of Israell and to the Prophets f Es 6. Esay g Ezech. 1. Ezechiell to signifie their chearefulnesse and readinesse for the execution of Gods decrees IIII. The Lord vseth their ministerie seruice both to make relation of his will vnto a Num. 22.32.33 men specially the b Gen. 19.13 Iudg. 13.3.4.5 Dan. 8.16.9.21 Luke 1.13 26. c. 2.10 Math. 1.20 c. 2.13 19.20 c. 28.5 Act. 1.10 Reuel 1.1 godly and hence it is they haue their name to gouerne c Col. 1.16 Ephe. 1.22 the world in asmuch as they d Psal 34.8.91.11 Gene. 14.19 16. c. 32.1 1. King 19.5.2 King 6.17 c. 19.35 Dan 3.25 6.23 protect the faithfull against all daungerous euents the snares also and assaults of their enemies which are euill men and Angels punishing e Gen. 19 2. King 19.35 Act. 12.23 the wicked and f 2. Sam. 25.15.16 chastening â—e godly and for this cause are they calâ—d g Ephe. 1.21 Col. 1.16 thrones dominions principalities â—owers and might V. The good Angels are exceeding many but the number is not expressed in Scripture VI. When the good Angels were to deliâ—r any message from God vnto meÌ„ they â—peared in the likenesse of a Gen. 18.2 and 4. c. 19. 2. Heb. 13.2 Iudg. 13.6 c. Mar. 16.5 Luke 24.4 Act. 1.10 young men â—y beautifull in sight and sometimes â—ning with some excellent brightnesse â—omtimes they haue appeared in firie boâ—es either like men as in the vision of Esay in the Temple b Esay 6. Ezech. 1. or like horses and harrets as in the translation or transporâ—tion c 2. King 2.2 of Elias and in the protection of Elizeus d 2. King 6. against the Syrians They â—ue also appeared somtimes when men â—aue seene them with their eyes e Gen. 18. 19. Luk. 1.11 and 28. waking â—nd sometimes to men in their f Math. 1.20 sleepe and sometimes also when men watched â—ut yet ouertaken with some great g Reu. 1.10 astonishment of minde The first kind of these apparitions is called in Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h Luke 1.22 24.23 Act. 26.19 a vision the 2. and 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a i Act. 10.17 19. 11.5 c. 16 9. sight But yet other whiles the k Math. 17.9 Act. 10.3 one is taken for the other VII And albeit the good Angels be verie excellent both for maiestie and a Math. 28.3 Act. 1.10 Dan. 10.5 6. glory yet it is great wickednesse to b Reu. 19.10 c. 22.8 9 Col. 2.18 Iud. 13.16 worship them because they are creatures and our felow-seruants VIII The vse of this doctrine is that in dangers we aske of God the protection of the holy Angels and that we be assured that they shal be ready at haÌ„d for our good according to Gods a Psal 34 8. 91.11.12 promise IX So farre of the good Angels The euill Angels are they which by their contumacie and disobedience against God haue a Iohn 8.44 Iude. 6. 1. Pet. 2.4 fallen from that blessed state or perfectioÌ„ wherein they were created and so become euill euer since maliciously inclined to hurt both the glory of God and the saluation of men X. They be called in Scripture euill a 1. Sam. 16.15 c. spirites b Leuit. 17.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 horrible or terrible because when they
Psal 55.18 Act. 10.9 ordinarie and speciall houre for prayer as in vprising before and after meats and when we go to rest so that this obseruation of ours be voyde of superstition and then specially are we bounde to apply our selues to prayer when we see our selues or our brethren in any b Psal 50.15 Ioel. 2. Ierem. 6.26 Est 4.3 16. dangers or in any speciall wants againe we are also bounde to render thankes humbly vnto God whē we haue receiued any speciall benefite at his handes c Exod. 15. Iude. 5. Psal 9.30.34 c. XIX Moreouer the lifting vp the voyce in prayer or singing or gesture of the body as a Ephe. 3.14 kneeling b 1. Cor. 11. couering the face the c 1. Tim. 2.8 lifting vp of hands and eyes d Iohn 11.41 towardes heauen doe not simply commende any mans prayer but so far these things please God as they proceede from the true e Luke 18.11 and 13. affections of the hart XX. Againe we must take heede that we prescribe not or appoint any certaine a Mat. 20.21 Iude. 7.19 circumstances vnto God for we must giue him b 2. Sam. 15.26 leaue to graunt and performe our requestes in what manner time and place it pleaseth him XXI Lastly this also is to be noted that we a Luke 18.1 c. Luke 11.8 perseuer in prayer and that we consider not of the hearing of our prayers by our sense or feeling but by our faith For albeit we do not alwaies feele that God doth giue vs that we haue asked yet we must be assured that he doth giue will giue that which is good for our saluation CHAP. XVII Of Predestination I. APHORISME PRedestination we call the a Ephe. 1.4 2. Tim. 1.9 eternall decree of God wherein he determined with himselfe what he would haue done with b Rom. 9.20.21.22 23. euery man as concerning their eternall saluation or damnation II. This predestination hath two speciall branches The first is called election the other reprobation by a metonymie of the effect that is a change of a word properly signifying an effect to signifie the cause for election and reprobation are properly referred to man who being created is fallen and corrupted with sinne but metonymically the very decree of election reprobation is so a Ephe. 1.4 called III. Therefore we say with the Scripture that God in his eternall and a 2 Tim. 2. v. 19. Esa 46.9 Malach. 3.6 1. Thess 5.9 immutable coūcell hath once decreed whom in time to come he will b Rom. 9.23 aduaunce to glorie and whom on the contrarie he shall c Act. 1.25 Iohn 17.12 1. Pet. 2.8 Iude v. 4. giue ouer to condemnation IIII. This purpose we auouch was founded on the a Ephe. 1.5 Rom. 8.29 Mat. 11.25.26 Rom. 9.18 meere pleasure of God V. Moreouer whom God hath predestinate to saluation them also hath he decreed to make partakers of the meanes by which men come to saluation which meanes are their a Ephe. 1. recōciliation by Christ their b Rom. 8. effectuall calling and c Ibid. iustification And contrarily whom he hath predestinate to destruction them also hath he decreed not to make partakers of those meanes which tend to saluation but to leaue d Psal 81.13 them to themselues or to deliuer them to e Esa 29.10 Rom. 11.8 Sathan that both by his and their owne naturall instigation they may purchase to themselues damnation VI. The end or scope of predestination is is the glorie a Prou. 16.4 of God that is the glorie of his b Ephe. 1.6 and 12. Rom. 9.23 grace and mercy manifested in the saluation of the elect and of his c Rom. 9.25.26 iustice in the death of his sonne our mediatour the glory also of his d Rom. 9.17 and 22. power and e Rom. 9.22 iustice in the damnation of reprobates yea of his iustice both f Rom. 11.33 secret in their reiection and also g Rom. 1.18 manifest in punishing them for their sinnes finally the glorie of his most free h Rom. 9.15 8.20.21 power both in the condemnation of the reprobate and in the glorification of his elect VII The infallible testimonie of our election is our a Rom. 8.30 1. Tim. 1.1 effectuall calling when as the holy spirite by the preaching b Rom. 10.17 of the Gospell doth worke faith in Christ in the harts of his elect that thereby they may be c Rom. 8.30 Ephe. 1.7 iustified working also some beginning of new d 2. Tim. 2.19 obedience that they may be sanctified that so in time they may be fully e Rom. 8.30 glorified VIII And as the Lord a 2. Tim. 2.19 sealeth and marketh his elect by their vocation iustification and sanctification so by excluding the reprobate either from the knowledge of his truth or from the sanctification of his spirite as it were by certaine notes he sheweth what iudgement remaineth for them IX Neither yet may any rashly define or pronounce that he is in the number of the reprobate if the signes of election as yet appeare not in him for some are called a Math. 20.3 c. later then others yea the b Luk. 23.40 c. theefe on the crosse was not before the end of his life called wherefore we may despaire of none vnlesse manifest signes be shewed that he hath sinned to death that is against the holy c 1. Ioh. 5.16 spirite neither yet may any securely sinne in hope of mercy but euer remēber to d Heb. 3.7 day if ye heare his voyce harden not your harts for God is not mocked e Gal 6.7 X. There be two notable fruits of this doctrine the one that we may with humble adoration acknowledge how much we are bounde to God that hath vouchsafed to chuse vs so vnworthy out of the a Rom. 11.35 companie of the damned and to aduaunce vs to the state of heauenly glory The other that we may with good b Rom. 8.31 c. 2. Tim. 2.19 assuraunce rest our selues on the vnchaungeable purpose of God touching our saluation and therfore be fully perswaded and assured thereof in Iesus Christ CHAP. XVIII Of the resurrection and of life euerlasting I. APHORISME ALbeit the doctrine of the resurrection seeme incredible in mans reason yet we that are Christians must beleeue it receiue it that is we must beleeue that the bodies of the dead shal be restored to their first state and their soules shall reenter them againe so they shall liue and rise againe at the last day II. This faith of ours is grounded on the a Dan. 12.2 Ioh. 5.29 c testimonies of the word of God who is almighty and can not lye III. But of them that shall rise againe the estate shal be very vnlike For the godly shall rise to a Dan. 12.2
by sealing it perswades the truth of the promise and so confirmes faith V. Yet they do performe neither of both themselues by any vertue in them but in that the holy a Ephe. 1.13 14. chap. 4. v. 30. spirit worketh by them and his working is free b Iohn 3.8 so that he worketh where he will when he will and in what measure it pleaseth him VI. The Sacramentes some are of the old Testament some of the new VII The Sacraments of the old Testament were a Gene. 17. Leuit. 12. Circumcision b Leuit. 14. purifications and c Leu. 1.3.4.6 c. sacrifices of these the d Exod. 12. 2. Paral. 35. passeouer was a speciall Sacrament VIII Circūcisiō did illustrate the promise of grace vnder the type of cutting off of the foreskin of the flesh for by the circumcising of the foreskin was signified that the sins of the faithful were done away by forgiuenes of sins or free a Rom. 4.11 iustification Circumcision did also seale the promise of grace by applying the same to euery person so that the couenant of God was as it were sealed in euery mans c Gen. 17.13 flesh IX The purifications did illustrate the promise of grace vnder the type of washing for by them was signified that the sinnes of the faithfull were purged by the bloud a Leu. 14.7.8 of Christ and dayly are washed away by the holy Ghost X. The sacrifices did illustrate the promise of grace as being types of our a Leuit. 1.4 4.20 16.27.30 expiatorie sacrifice for by them was signified that Christ should b Heb. 9.26 28. c. 10.11.12.14 be slaine for an expiatorie sacrifice that is to satisfie for all the sinnes of all the elect XII The pascall lambe be not onely shadowed this as a sacrifice generally but also foreshewed some peculiar thing of Christes sacrifice to wit that his a Iohn 19.36 bones should not be broken and it signified that the soules of the faithfull did banquet and feed b 1. Cor. 5.7 and 8. vpō Christ as it were spiritually in a sacrifice that is they receiued hereby some feeling of Gods grace loue purchased for them by the sacrifice of Christ Againe it represented the holinesse of Christes sacrifice for it was commanded to be an c Exod. 12.5 vnspotted lambe XII But besides this shadowing of Christes sacrifice in respect whereof that ceremonie of eating the lambe was a Sacrament it was also ordained to a Exo. 12.27 prayse God for deliuerance out of the bondage of Egipt XIII And thus much of the Sacraments of the old Testament The Sacramentes of the new are two Baptisme and the Lords Supper XIIII Baptisme that a Col. 2.11.12 succeeded in place of Circumcision doth illustrate the promise of grace vnder the type of b Act. 22.16 washing for as by water the c 1. Pet. 3.21 filthinesse of the body is done away so by the bloud d 1. Iohn 1.7 of Christ shed on the Crosse and by faith sprinckled on our harts our soules are purged from sinne But Baptisme sealeth vnto vs the promise of grace in that euery one is washed in that water which is the Sacramēt of the bloud of Christ shed on the crosse XV. The Supper of the Lord which came a Luk. 22.15 c. in place of the passeouer doth illustrate the promise of grace partly by representing the passion b Luk. 22.19 1. Cor. 11.24 of Christ by the breaking of the bread by pouring forth the wine the c Luk. 22.20 shedding of his bloud and partly by declaring the efficacie of Christes death by this ioyfull d 1. Cor. 5.8 bāquet for that the soules of the faithfull sweetely banquet be cōforted in tasting of Gods fauour grace purchased by the death of Christ But it sealeth vnto vs the promise of grace in that the bread which is giuen to euery one of vs to be eaten is the Sacrament of Christes body crucified for vs and in that euery one of vs doth drinke of the cup which is the Sacrament of the bloud of Christ shed vpon the crosse for vs. XVI And the Supper of the Lord hath the nature not onely of a Sacrament but also of a sacrifice to wit of thankes-giuing as also the lambe which had this place before it For as that lambe was appointed to prayse God for their deliuerie from the bōdage of Pharao so the holy Supper was ordained to a 1. Cor. 11.26 prayse the Lord for our redemption from the power of the deuill by the death of Christ XVII But as the Sacramentes in respect of God are signes of grace towards his people so in respect of vs they be a Mat. 23.15 Act. 2.41 chap. 8.36.37.38 markes of our profession whereby we openly professe that we desire to be counted among the people of God and will worship onely the true God who hath manifested him self to his people as by the most sure word and doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles so also by these Sacraments XVIII Of all these Sacraments the Scripture vsually speaketh a Gen. 17.10 and 11. Exod. 12.11 and 27. Act. 22.16 Mat. 26.26 and 28. Mar. 14.22 and 24. Luke 22.19 and 20. 1. Cor. 10.4.16 1. Cor. 11.24 and 25. metonymically that is attributing the names or properties of the things signified to the signes themselues which thing is done partly to teach vs the relation which is betweene those signes and things signified partly to signifie the truth certaintie of the working of those holy Sacramentes that the beleeuers should not doubt but that the things signified set before vs are as truly by the working of the holy spirit cōmunicated vnto them as they certainly feele that these diuine signes and seales which are named Sacraments are by the Minister of the Church giuen them XIX The difference of the old and new Sacramēts is not in the things signified for they in both are a 1. Cor. 10.2.3 4. the same but partly in the manner of signification and partly in the euidence of demonstration for the old signified and figured Christ to come but the new signifie and shew that he is come Again the new are more manifest thē the old because they represent a thing done and clearely preached by the Gospell XX. They erre that any way bind the things signified to the signes XXI As also they that attribute to the signes power to conferre grace which they onely seale and testifie XXII But the Papistes erre most shamefully in that they transforme the Lords Supper into the Masse teaching that by consecration that is by the muttering of the fiue wordes Hoc enim est corpus meum for this is my body ouer the bread the same is transubstantiated into or turned into the substance of the body of Christ as they say and by the offring vp of Christ thus created
it is very manifest that the body of Christ is not eatē with the 1 Transubstantiation mouth and that his body is not contained 2 Consubstantiation in the bread of the holy Supper for that a Act. 3.21 heauē must containe him vnto the day of iudgement Neither may we say that the body of Christ is euery where that it may be in heauen at one and the selfe same time here on earth also in the bread of the Lordes Supper for it euer retaines that propertie of a mans body which is to be finite for Christ was made like vnto vs in all b Heb. 2.17 things c Heb. 4.15 sinne onely excepted XVI Againe if the body of Christ and the bloud of Christ were cōtained vnder the formes of bread and wine the one part must be necessarily seuered from the other and so Christ must dye againe But Christ dyeth a Rom. 6.9 no more XVII Now that the bread of the Lords Supper is not transubstantiated into the body of Christ but that the substaunce of the bread remaineth after the wordes of consecration it may appeare for that Christ would teach by this bread as by a verie apt similitude that his flesh is a Iohn 6.55 spirituall meate therefore it must necessarily be very bread that we may assuredly conclude that our soules are as truly fed with Christ crucified for vs as our bodies are truly fed with that bread which there is broken for vs and giuen vs. Againe Christ commanded all the faithfull to eate of one b 1. Cor. 10.17 bread to teach that they all c Ibidem are as one bread or as one body therefore it must be very bread that the similitude may continue that like as of many grains or masse one substance is made so one bread so the faithfull being many hauing one spirit of faith to knit them vnto Christ and one spirite of loue to knit them one with another are made one Church as one body in and through their head Iesus Christ XVIII And like as neither the water of Baptisme is chaunged nor that water which streamed from the a Num. 20.10.11 rocke being smitten with Moses rod was chaunged into the bloud of Christ and yet both Sacraments of the same So in like maner the wine in the Lords Supper is not changed into the bloud of Christ wherof notwithstanding it is a Sacrament as Christ ordained and appointed XIX And yet we do not goe from the verie words of Christ but desire to giue them their naturall sense and meaning XX. The verie naturall sense of the words of Christ doth depend vpon a Metonymie or trope whereby the name of the thing signified that is the bodie is attributed to the signe which is bread and so for the cup and bloud of Christ in like maner XXI This Metonymicall or Sacramentall phrase is vsed euerie where in Scripture where the holy Spirit speaketh of Sacraments For we may not otherwise vnderstand these places as where it is sayd that circumcision is the a Gen. 17.10 couenant of God the paschall lambe is b Exod. 12.11 and 27. the Lords Passeouer in Aegypt and the c Leuit. 6.30 c. sacrifices of the Law are sayd to expiate the sinnes of the people and that the rocke which gaue thē water to drinke in the wildernesse was d 1. Cor. 10.4 Christ XXII The holy Spirit vsually retaineth this maner of speaking in all Sacraments for two causes principally first to helpe vs against our ignorance dulnesse and the blindnesse of our hearts for if the Lord spake not on this maner we would but only fasten our eyes and our hearts vpon the bare signes and ceremonies and content our selues as haue hypocrites in all ages with bare and emptie shadowes without faith Psal 50. feare repentance obedience or any reuerence of the holy couenant Therfore I say the Lord first speakes on this wise to lift vp our hearts and soules by faith to behold consider and to feede vpon the things signified The second cause of the vse of this phrase in the Sacraments is for that the verie truth is so there is a reall presence of the signe and the thing signified to the beleeuer for as he doth bodily and really participate of the signe Sacramenta sunt signa exhibentia non significantia tantū so doth he spiritually as really receiue and feed vpon the thing signified XXIII And thus speaketh Augustine also lest any thinke of this as of some new inuētiō If Sacraments had not a certaine similitude of those things of which they be Sacramēts a Epist 23. ad Bonifac. surely they should be no Sacraments and by reason of this likenesse they haue often the names of the things which are signified by them Therfore as the Sacrament of the body of Christ is after a certaine manner the body of Christ the Sacrament of the bloud of Christ the bloud of Christ so the Sacrament of faith is faith Whereas they obiect that it is not like that when Christ would minister vnto his Apostles a speciall comfort in aduersitie that then he should speake darkely and doubtfully the matter it self sheweth that this metonymicall phrase seemed not hard or obscure vnto the Apostles for if they had not thought that the Lord called the bread his body because it is a liuely true signe Sacrament thereof out of all question they had bene much troubled disquieted with so prodigious a matter which necessarily followeth from the literall sense of the word this may yet better appeare for the same verie time they could not well conceiue and vnderstand more easie and common a Ioh. 14.5.8 c. 16. v. 17. argumentes Therefore I say for that they were not troubled with these wordes it is manifest that they vnderstood them metonymically after the maner of the Scripture the rather for that a little before they had eaten of the lambe which in the same sense was called the passeouer for that it was a symbole of that memorable passeouer wherein the Angell b Exo. 12.27 of the Lord smiting all the first borne of the Aegyptians did passe ouer the houses of the people of Israell by which occasiō they were brought out of Aegypt and so freed from that extreme bondage XXV They spend here wind in vaine to obiect the omnipotencie of God to shewe that the bodie of Christ may be both in heauen and in the Sacramentall bread at one and the same time For the question is not here what God can do but what he will do and what his will and good pleasure is And his will is that Christ be like his brethren in a Heb. 2.17 all things sinne onely b Heb. 4.15 excepted Therefore his will is that he haue a true bodie that is a finite bodie and limited in place Againe albeit God be omnipotent yet can he not
be without this holy Sacrament they be vnworthy of this holy communion for they be not in communion with God and his people 2 All vncleane beasts doggs swine I meane all in the Church of an vncleane beastly life such as the Apostle assureth vs cā not enter into the kingdome of heauen 1. Cor. 6.9 fornicators idolaters adulterers wantōs buggerers theeues couetous drunckards raylers extortioners a watch-word is added be not deceiued These be vnworthy our priuate feastes how much more to meet with vs our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ in this holy banquet Ignorant in the great grounds of Religion Heb. 6.1.2.3.4 5. 3 All ignorant people howsoeuer they may seeme harmelesse c. which cā not discerne the Lordes body 1. Cor. 11. v. 29. nor yet desire to discerne and know it No knowledge no faith no faith no loue no loue no affiance or trust in God no trust no feare no feare no humiliation want these graces or any of them no worship no accesse to God Heb. 11.6 Therefore these be vnworthy receiuers 4 Such as lightly account of the couenant whatsoeuer loue and zeale they pretend to the Sacramentes Such as despise the one are and must be prophane contemners of the other Psal 50.16 5 Some foolish wits pretend loue and great zeale to the word and yet neglect and contemne the holy Sacraments their contempt appeareth in the breach of the Lordes ordinance they seldome come to the Lordes Supper as they are bound to preach and celebrate with vs the blessed cōmemoration of the Lordes death vntill his comming againe 1. Cor. 11.24.25.26 6 All such as do not hunger for Christ Psal 32.5 Ephe. 1.15 Rom. 8.14.15 for they can not feed on Christ no knowledge of sinne no feeling of sinne no feeling of sinne no sorow for sinne no sorow for sinne no confession of sinne no confession of sinne no desire of grace no desire of grace no spirite of faith to receiue Christ no spirite of faith no spirite of adoption sanctification c. 7 All contentious brethren for this is a Sacrament of our vnitie badge of loue and a band of vnion and communion with Christ all his holy members 1. Cor. 10.2.16 Iohn 1.12 8 All vnbeleeuers for all such as want the precious faith haue no hand to receiue Christ they receiue onely as Augustin speaketh and as Iudas did panem Dominū the bread of the Lord not panem Domini the bread of life the Lord Christ 9 The faithfull also in regard of their frailtie weaknesse corruptions and manifold wants if they haue not duly truly and wisely examined humbled and so prepared thēselues to meet Iesus Christ they be vnworthy and so they cause many plagues many afflictions and euils in this life vpō their bodies soules that being iudged chastened here they may escape the condēnation of the world in the life to come 1. Cor. 11.28.30.31 And thus farre of vnworthy receiuers XXXIX That forme of administration of the Lords Supper is best which cometh nearest the simplicitie of the first institution is furthest from superstition wherin albeit there be some things indifferent yet the breaking of bread for the a Aphoris 6. causes before alledged may not be counted an indifferent thing XL. And albeit the Lord hath not appointed any certaine times for the celebration of the Lordes Supper yet reason so requireth that Christians haue it in often vse that they may oftē remember the passion of Christ by this commemoration confirme their faith and stir vp themselues to prayse magnifie the goodnes of God in the worke of their redemptiō finally to increase the mutuall loue to testifie the same one to another cōsidering the band thereof in the vnitie of the bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ CHAP. XXVII Of the Popish Masse I. APHORISME THe Papists faine that the Masse is a worke wherein the Masse-priest doth create or make his Christ of bread by buzzing or mumbling of these fiue words Hoc est enim corpus meum for this is my bodie And then offereth him to the Father as a sacrifice to expiate the sins of all quicke and dead for whom that Masse is celebrated II. This opinion of prophane Papistes is impious and blasphemous For first this reproch and disgrace is offered thereby vnto Christ that he is not the only a Heb. 5.6 and 7.24 Priest of the new Testament III. Againe this doctrine ouerthroweth the merite of Christs death as if the sins of all the faithfull were not perfectly expiate by that one a Heb. 9.12 and 10.12.14 sacrifice of Christes death IIII. Thirdly the Papistes by this assertion as much as lyeth in them do againe crucifie Christ in that they promise the remission of sinnes by the Masse and so set vp a new Testament and in that they say they offer vp Christ as an host or sacrifice vnto God For where there is a Testamēt there must needs be the a Heb. 9.16 death of a testator where an host is it must be slaine V. Fourthly this opinion or assertion doth depriue vs of the benefit of Christs death that is the remission of sinnes for if sinnes be pardoned by the merite of the Masse then surely are they not pardoned by the merite of the a Mat. 26.28 death of Christ VI. Fiftly the Masse doth vtterly euert and take away the Lords Supper for it cannot stand with it For in the Supper the Lords purpose is to giue a blessing a Ioh. 6.32 vnto vs but in the Masse men purpose to offer vp satisfaction vnto God Againe in the Supper the Lord testifieth vnto vs that we are must be daily b Ioh. 6.57 quickened by the onely sacrifice of Christ but in the Masse they faine that Christs sacrifice cannot profite vs if it be not iterated euerie day Thirdly the Supper is celebrated by the c 1. Cor. 11.18 10.17 Mat. 26.27 whole congregation but the Masse is celebrated by the Priest onely VII Moreouer the arguments which Papists vse for the defence of the Masse are of no waight as these following Christ sayd in the institution of the Supper Do this therefore he commaunded his Apostles and their successours to offer vp or sacrifice his bodie vnto God For so this word facere to do it say they is vsed euerie where in holy a Exod 29. Num. 28. Scripture and so it is found also with b Apud Vergil eclog. 3. prophane writers But I say it is no good consequent that because that word is elsewhere so taken that therfore it is also so vsed in this place Next that it must haue here another significatiō it is euident both by the coherence osentēces by the Apostle c 1. Cor. 11.26 Paules expossition that nothing else is signified but this Eate this bread and drinke ye of this cup. Againe those words were not spoken to the Apostles onely as Ministers of
and handled Now it remaineth most worthy and reuerend Beza that I shew what moued me to commende and dedicate these Aphorismes vnto you First this haue I done to gaine this little worke the more grace fauour among men as being approued by a man which hath and yet doth best merite of the Church of our age time And herin also I thought it best to follow M. Oleuian who in like manner sought protection and grace for his worke vnder your name Wherefore hauing thus both one drift and scope to instruct soundly such youth as desire the knowledge of holy Scriptures in the principles of ChristiaÌ„ Religion as shortly as may be it was my desire also to send vnto you so to coÌ„mende vnto the Church of God this little worke vnder your most worthie name so much commended as Oleuian speaketh and so much accounted among all the faithfull Next my good will was to giue some publique testimony of my dutifulnesse towardes you and so to confirme my Scholers by my example in that reuerend opinion which they haue already conceiued of your selfe and of your writings and to â—et their loue zeale to know the same â—or albeit your name be long since verie â—etious great and for good cause with them which fauour the truth in most synâ—tie so as here my commendation is â—edlesse yet this I trust shal ad some conâ—matioÌ„ of that reuerend opinion which â—ese haue conceiued of you And lastly I desired also hereby to reâ—ite your loue testified towardes me by 〈◊〉 many approued testimonies as you haue written louing letters vnto me for â—t reuerend mention of me in your last â—itings but specially in your most paineâ— and learned annotations vpon the new â—estament for albeit I thinke not my selfe â—erefore happy for that any mortall man â—inks so reuerently of me commending â—y poore labors to the Church of Christ â—or I haue learned of the Apostle that â—rayse to be founde and true which shalâ—e giuen of God to euery man in the last â—ay yet it can not be but comfortable to â—ny good man to haue the commendation of any one who is well knowen and most highly and worthily commended for wisedome and pietie Now I pray the Lord God and Father of our Iesus Christ blesse our labours and godly desires that all students in the Scriptures may by such helpes dayly profite in the knowledge of the heauenly truth that whatsoeuer they haue well and rightly learned they may also profitably and soundly teach the people of God to the glory of Gods name and their owne euerlasting saluation in Christ Iesu Amen A Table of the common places handled in this booke Chap. 1 Of the knowledge of God Pag. 1 Chap. 2 Of the holy Scripture Pag. 3 Chap. 3 Of God Pag. 12 Chap. 4 Of the Angels Pag. 13 Chap. 5 Of the integritie of our first nature where is intreated of the Image of God and of free will Pag. 20 Chap. 6 Of Gods prouidence Pag. 21 Chap. 7 Of Sinne. Pag. 24 Chap. 8 Of the Law of God Pag. 32 Chap. 9 Of the likenesse and difference of the old and new Testament Pag. 39 Chap. 10 Of the person and office of Christ Pag. 51 Chap. 11 Of Faith Pag. 56 Chap. 12 Of Repentance where also is intreated of the life of a Christian and of bearing the Crosse Pag. 59 Chap. 13 Of Iustification Pag. 66 Chap. 14 Of Christian libertie Pag. 85 Chap. 15 Of Offences Pag. 94 Chap. 16 Of Prayer Pag. 26 Chap. 17 Of Predestination Pag. 106 Chap. 18 Of the Resurrection and of life euerlasting Pag. 100 Chap. 19 Of the Church Pag. 114 Chap. 20 Of the Ministers of the Church Pag. 118 Chap. 21 Of Church discipline and gouernement Pag. 123 Chap. 22 Of Vowes Pag. 127 Chap. 23 Of the Sacraments Pag. 130 Chap. 24 Of Baptisme Pag. 137 Chap. 25 Of the Baptisme of infants Pag. 146 Chap. 26 Of the Lordes Supper Pag. 151 Chap. 27 Of the Popish Masse Pag. 173 Chap. 28 Of the Ciuill Magistrate Pag. 182 CHAP. 1. Of the knowledge of God * An Aphorisme is a short sentence selected and set apart or a definition distinction c. I. APHORISME WE know God either as a Act. 14.15 16.17 and chap. 17.24.25 c. Rom. 1.19.20 creator or as b Iohn 17.3 redeemer II. The knowledge of God as 〈◊〉 creator is double The one naturall the other attained III. The naturall knowledge of God as he 〈◊〉 â—eator is that which naturally appeaâ— in such as be of yeares of iudgement â—uch c Rom. 1.18.19 chap. 2 14.15 without instructioÌ„ are perswaded 〈◊〉 God is or some diuine essence eterâ— most mightie most wise most blesâ—â—aker and gouernour of the world â—ll things therein therefore that this â—d must be religiously worshipped IIII. That such knowledge of God is naturally ingraffed in the mindes of men may appeare partly for that barbarous natioÌ„s exercise some religious ceremonies partly also for that the prophane contemners of God are otherwhiles smitten with a most great feare when God sheweth some signes of his maiestie as in thunders and lightnings V. The knowledge of God as he is creator is attained both by humane or Philosophicall speculation and consideration of the a Rom. 1.20 workes of God and by diuine instruction b Gen. 1. Iob. 38.39.40 41. Psal 19.104 Prou. 8.22 c. by the very written word of God VI. The naturall knowledge of God and that also which is attained by mans industrie yeeld some seede of Religion but the same is so corrupted partly by ignorance partly by malice that of it self it can breed in vs but onely c Rom. 1.21.22.23 Act. 17.22 c. 1. Cor. 12. â— superstition and false Religion VII And for the knowledge of God as he is creator attained by the word of God the same is either naked and bare or ioyned with some affection of pietie VIII This last degree of knowledge excelleth all the rest yet it sufficeth not for the true worship of God and mans true feliâ—e but is sufficient onely as the former degrees to make a man a Rom. 1.20 inexcusable We must haue also by the b Psal 19. by confer v. 8. the v. folowing with the precedent word the knowledge of God as redeemer and the same â—ked knit with the faith and assurance 〈◊〉 Gods children And this is that which â—worthily called a true c Iohn 17.3 a sauing knowledge of God whereby God as he is both creatour and redeemer is acknowledged 〈◊〉 rightly worshipped and whereby also 〈◊〉 become blessed CHAP. II. Of the holy Scripture I. APHORISME THe holy Scripture is that which holy a 2. Tim. 3.16 1. Pet. 1.21 men specially the b Ibid. Prophets and c Rom. 1.2 2. Pet. 1.19 Aâ—ostles d 2. Pet. 3.15.16 moued by the inspiration of the â—oly Ghost haue written to e Rom. 15 4. 1. Tim.