V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steale IX Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy Neighbours The Lords Prayer in a Preface six Petitions a Confirmation and a Conclusion The Preface The Petitions OVr Father which art in Heaven 1. Hal lowed be thy Name 2. Thy Kingdome come 3. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven 4. Give us this day our dayly Bread 5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our Debtors 6. And lead us noâ— into Temptation but deliver us from evill For thine is the Kingdome and the Power The Confirmation and the glory for ever The Conclusion Amen â—race before meat BLessed God the Father of all blessings and God of all comfort and consolation blesse us and the Creaturs whatever now provided for us so fill both our bodies and soules with good that both may abound in all goodnesse to thy only glory and both their good through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory for ever Amen Grace after meat Give us O Lord we beseech thee all thankfull hearts for all thy good graces and benefits what ever now and at all times bestowed on us that by us and all the faithful for that all thy good thou maist receive all praise and glory now and for ever Amen A short Catechisme 1. Question WHat ought to be our chiefest care Answer To glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10. 31. II. Q That we may have that Care and shew forth that glory what ought we especially to have A Zeale b Numb 25. 11. III. Q Is Zeale enough to shew it A No we must have also knowledge c Rom. 10. 2. IV. Q That we may have both that zeal and knowledge what ought we especially to understand and consider A The works of God and the Word of God V. Q What are the works of God A The world and all things therein contained VI. Q Dothâ—bat glorifie God A Yes d Psal 19. 1 2. VII Q Why would he have his works to glorifie him A That we might be without ex cuse e Rom. 1. 19 20. VIII Q What is the Word of God A The holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament commonly called the Bible IX Q Why ought we to understand and consider that Word A That we might have a certaine rule to go by X. Q Have we a certaine rule in that Word A Yes f Is 8. 20. XI Q What especially teacheth that Word A The Knowledge of God and our selves g 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. XII Q What ought we to know of God A Two things especially XIII Q What be they A First what he is secondly what he hath done XIV Q First what is God A He is a Spirit h Jo. 4. 24. XV. Q Secondly what hath God done A He hath made all things i Gen. 1. â— XVI Q What ought we to know of our selves A Three things especially XVII Q What be they A First â—â— what we were Secondly what we are Thirdly what we shall be XVIII Q First then what weâ—e we A At our first Creation when God made man and all things he and they all Gen. 1. 31 were good k XIX Q Secondly what are we A Since that our first Parent Adams Gen. 6. 5. Ro. 6. 23. fall evill 1 And unlesse by Grace renewed subject to death m XX. Q Thirdly what shall we be A At the last day the generall Resurrection of all Mankind they by grace Mat. 25. 34. renewed shall be blessed in Heaven'n they that continue in sin shall be accursed in Mat. 25. 41. Hell o XXI Q Well but what was Adams sin to us Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 22. A We sinned in him p XXII Q How then can we be redeemed from that his guilt A By Jesus Christ XXIII What or who is Jesus Christ A The Sonne of God and Saviour of man XXIV Q Why must we be redeemed by Jesus Christ A Because the sin of man was against God God that is also man as Jesus Christ was and is must make the satisfaction XXV Q Are there more Gods then one A No there is but one God but there are three Persons in the Godhead XXVI Q What are those three Persons A The first the Father the second the Son and the third the holy Ghost XXVII Q How doe you know this A My Creed tels me so XXVIII Q What is the Creed A The Articles of our Faith XXIX Q Why doe some call it the Apostles Creed A Because some say the Apostles composâ—d it XXX Q What doe you think who composed it A It is uncertaine XXXI Q Why then is it râ—ceived A Because whoever composed it makes no great matter but being of old received and certainely containing the sum or grounds of Christian Religion comprised in the Gospell of Christ it is therefore received XXXII Q How many be those Articles of it A According to the number of the twelve Apostles twelve XXXIII Q What be those Articles A I beleeve in God c. XXXIV Q What is Faith A A certaine confidence in and dependance on Jesus Christ q Eph 3. 12. XXXV Q Why need we that confidence and dependance on Jesus Christ A Because we are sinners and none but he bare those sins i Heb. 9. 28. XXXVI Q What is sin A A transgression of the Law s 1 Jo. 3. 4. XXXVII Q What is that Law A The Commandements of God XXXVIII Q How many Commandments are there A Ten in two Tables t Deut. 4. 13. XXXIX Q Which be the Commandments A I am the Lord thy God c. XL. Q What learne you by these Commanmandements A My duty towards God and my duty towards my Neighbour XLI Q What is your duty towards God A To love him above all things u Mat. 22. 37. XLII Q What is your duty towards your Neighbour A To love him as my selfe w Mat. 22. 39. XLII Q Well but can you exactly keepe them in every point A No but I dayly breake some one or other of them in thought word and deed x Psal 14. 1. 3. And breaking but one I am guilty of all y Ja. 2. 10. XLIV Q How then to any purpose can you keepe any of them A I must labour what I may to keepe them XLV Q Why must you labour to keepe them A Because they are the rule prescribed of God XLVI Q Well but being as you say not able to keepe them as you ought how
at this Resurrection â—ee God 34. T. You say out of that of St Paul d Ro. 6. 23 that the wages of sin is death and in your answer to our one twentieth question that we all finned in Adam How can we then be freed from the death of sin L. Why that I told you in our answer to yâ—ar two and twentieth question that it is by Jesus Christ 35. T. How prove you that L. Why those places before cited c Ro. 5. 18 1 Cor. 15. 22. prove it 36. T. All finned in Adam and if all be made alive in Christ then are none subject to death L. True it is all finned in Adam but they all that are made alive in Christ are only Beleevers all that are made alive are made alive in him but they all are onely such as beleeve in him Explic. Salvation in Christ is offered to all d Mat. 11. 28. though none lay hold of it but the chosen when though he was a sufficient satisfaction for all yet was he efficiently satisfactory onely for them e Jo. 18. 9. Where though but the chosen are saved yet in that Salvation though perhaps but of a few in comparison of the damned doth mercy yet prevaile against justice and more it is that one is saved by his merit then that thousands dye by their owne merits And that in as much as possible it is that all without him may be damned and though but one saved that impossible is that salvation of that one but by him 37. T. You said in answer to our eight and twentieth question that the Articles of our faith are called the Creed What mean you by that word Creed L. The sum of our Faith Explic. Creed is an Appellative from a Latin word that signifies to beleeve whence we take the thus naming of the summe or symbol of our Faith Creed Which in sum is distributed unto these three parts as some divide First of God the father and our Creation secondly of God the Sonne and our Redempâ—ion Thirdly of God the holy Ghost and our sanctification Other some make foure parts of it by dividig this â—hird into two parts making that of God the holy Ghost one and Gods holy Catholicke Church with the Articles that follow the other Both making up but the same in sum and that as we have said the sum of our Faith 38. T. In your definition of Faith you said in answer to our foure and thirâ—ieth question that it is a certaine and sole dependance on Jesus Christ How prove you that L. By that of St Paul f Eph. 3. 12. Explic. Faith is diversly taken as for Constancy and Fidelity in keeping promises g Ro. 3. 3. for the Doctrine of the Gospell h Ga. 1. 22. the profession of any kind of Religion i Ro. 1. 8. and the like And is a perswasion or assent to any purpose And in Scripture is four-fold 1. Historicall as is the Faith of Devils they beleeve there is a God k Ja. 2. 19 and tremble too at the presence and and power of God beleeve there is a word of God c. but they beleeeve not he is their God or that Word good for them c. which like faith wicked men may have and have no more faith nor hopes then the Devils 2. Temporary Faith a degree yet beyond that of Devils and those wicked men to assent to Gods truth for a time but in time againe to fall away typified by that Parable of the seed that fell in stony ground l Mat. 13. 20. 3. Faith of Miracles which is a perswasion that God will doe miracles in the now worke of our salvation which is a perswasion of ill men and a perverse generation are they that after so glorious a light of the Gospell will besides the promises of the Gospell now seeke unto God for a Miracle m Mat. 12. 38 39. 4. Justifying Faith which is as you have said a certaine and sole dependance upon Jesus Christ an assent to God and his Word that he is our God and his Word good for us that in Jesus Christ we have peace with God will without any miracle by the sole guidance of his Word not only beleeve nor only beleeve for a time but will in this holy perswasion live and dye 39. T. What faith is there meant L. Justifying faith 40. T How prove you our salvation by Jesus Christ L. Because as we answered to your five and thirâ—ieth question he bare oâ—r sins 41. T. How prove you that he bare our sins L. Out of that of St Paul n Heb. 9 28. 42. T. Why could no other doe iâ— I. No no man else bâ—t the man Christ Jesus 43. T. How prove you that I. By those two places of Poul o 1 Tim. 2. 5. Rom. 5. 6. both which places shew him alone our Redeemeâ— that he bare our sins freeing us from the guilt of them which none others strength could doe 44. T. You said in answer to our six and thirtieth question that sin is a transgression of the Law how prove you that L. By that of St John p 1. Jo. 3. 4 45. T. What is that transgression of the Law L. A breach of Gods Commandments 46. T. Where in consists that breath L. In committing what they forbid and in omitting what they require 47. T. You said the Commandements are ten in two Tables How prove you that L. They are ten as we read in the Law Deut. 10. 4. and in two Tables in the verse next before or both together in Deut. 4. 13 that one verse or place q. 48. T. Where are they written or repeated at large L. In the twentieth Chapter of Exodus where it is said And God spake c. from the first verse of that Chapter downe to the eighteenth verse 49. T. What meane you by those two first verses And God spake all these c. Are they part of the Commandements L. No but they are the Prâ—face to them 50. T. What learne you from that Preface L. That God is the Author of them and so they are Gods Commandements 51. T. But God there speakes to the Jewes and of their freedome from Egypts bondage what is all that to us L. Yes it is spoken as to us too that freedome from Egypts bondage by Moses being a Type of our freedome from sinne by Jesus Christ 52. T. Why but will Christ have us keepe the Commandements L. Yes all that will testifie theâ—r love to Christ must keepe the Commandements r Jo. 14. 15. all that will seeme truly to know God must by keeping the Commandements shew that knowledge s 1 Jo. 2 3. 53. T. Why you said before that we are saved by Christ and that he baâ—e our sins and before that that faith was a sole dependance upon him as if that and no more were requisite to salvation and yet here againe you say we
Christ a justification by his owne faith From this exposition of the first part and article come we to the second article And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord t which is now the second Article of the Creed and with the five that follow next the second part of it Of which in their order and first again of the first to wit the II. Second Article And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord where now the maine obâ—ect of this Article with all the rest that follow in this Part is Jesus Christ when in this Article are offered to oâ—r consideration 1 Titles of office as he is Jesus Christ 2. Of dignity as onely Sâ—nne 3. Of dominion as our Lord. 1. As to his titles of office by Jesus is meant that he is a Saviour so callâ—d of the Angel before he was borne of the Virgin i Mat 1 1. testifyed to be so after his birth k 1 Joh. 4. â—4 yea such a Saviour as there is none other such but he alone l Act. 4. 12 yea that he that not onely can but will as said the Angel save those that are his his people our faith in him making us his people and every ones particular perswasion making him every particular faithfull mans Saviour m Joh. 19. 25. Applic. Which may teach us first to beleeve the Angels report n Lu. 2. 10. that we have cause of ioy in this Jesus that when by sin we hâ—d lost our selves he saves us o Mat. 18. 11 through faith by his free grace p Ep. 2. 8. and then being no other then he could do it Jesus Christ who as saith this Article is also Christ c. how horrible a thing was sin and how carefull we should be to forsake sin Then by Christ is meant anâ—oinâ—ed and is the same in Greeke as that Mâ—ssâ—â—h is in Hâ—brew q Jo. 1. 41. Now anointed of old were Kings r 1 Sam. 10. 1. 16. 11. Priest s Lev. 8. 12. 1 Chr. 29. 22. and Prophets t 1 King 19. 16. They that were anointed all were anointed with materiall Oyle by men but he of God with the spirituall Oyle of gladnesse above all u Ps 45. 7. Not by pouring out the materiall Oâ—le but spiritual gifts and graces w Is 61. 1. And that as a King x Luke 1. 32. jâ—stly to governe his Church and chosen y Ps 45. 6. to fight for them his friends z vers 3. and to subdâ—e his and there enimies a Col. 1. 13. Then as a Pâ—iest to intercede with God b Heb. 1. 25. and make at onement for us c Rom. 5. 11. And then as a Prophet to teach and declare Gods will doctrine d Joh. 4. 34. 7. 36. And that by his word the sum as 't were of all his Prophesies e Ep. 2. 17 Which offices of Kings Priests and Prophets some of old had one as Saul he was a King Aaron he was a Priâ—st Eliâ—h he was Prophet Some had two of them as Melchizedeck he was a Priest and a King David he was a Prophet and a King Jeremy he was a Priest and a Prophet No one as Christ was all three King f Zech. 9. 9 Priest g Ps 110. 4 and Prophet h Act. 3. 22. Applic. Which that his Kingly power may be a terror and astonishment to the wicked a comfort and encouragement to the godly that God fights against the one i Exo. 14. 13. defends and supports the other k vers 25. Then his priestly office may encourage us to lay fast hold of our Christian profession l Heb. 4. 14. as being assured of grace by him m ver 16. And then that his propheticall office may teach our hearing of him and adhering to him it being not only comfortable to do so but dangerous if we doe it not n Act. 3. 23. Heb. 2. 21. The hearing of and adhering to whom is our hearing of and adhering to his Word and Sacraments by the administration of his Ministers they being as St Paul saith o 2 Cor. 5. 20. the Ambassadors for Christ and the despising of whom is no lesse then the both despising and despiting of Christ yea of God himselfe p Luk. 10. 16. Whose anointing hath yet a further reach the faithfull thereby participating of both the vertue of his graces r Act. 11. 26 having gâ—ace q Jo. 1. 16. called Christians c and dignity or his person made also Kings and Priests s Rev. 1 6 As Kings by him to rule over their owne lusts as Priests through him to offer up unto God all those Christian sacrifices of praise t Heb. 13. 5. prayer u Psa 141. 2. thanksgâ— ving w Psal 51 14. and the like And as Prophets too by his word to teach and admonish our selves and others x Deut. 6 6. Col. 3 16 Thus of his titâ—es of â—ffice 2. By those words or that title his only Son is to the full set forth the Title of dignity as God the second person in the Trinity That these Titles of dignity doe of due belong unto him have we testimonies to shew both his Son y Ps 2 7 his onely Son z Jo. 3 16 And for the dignity by Son is shewed him to be as the Father is God by onely Son to be that his Son by nature coeternall with him and not as good men and Angels are by creation and adoption Applic. Which may teach our beleefe of him as of the onely God and our thanks as the onely Saviour that having him we have all good a Rom. 8 32 and wanting him have nothing at all but evill b Jo. 15 5 2 Cor. 3 5 Labour we then to become one in grace with him and then may we become sons of God with him c Jo 1 12 Gal 3 26 Thus much of his Titles of dignity 3. Of this Title of Dominion a word or two in those words of the Article that remaine Our Lord That he is Lord let that his Lordly title over the world shew d Lu 1 33 as to whom belongs the power e Mat 11 27 and service f Ps 119 91 of all and then Our Lord how may our creation g Ps 110 3. Cor. 1 16. and redemption h Lu 1 68 Col 1 15 shew it yea that we are his by Gods free gift i Psal 2 8 yea by the willing service of the godly k Act 9 6 They are his members and subjeâ—ts acknowledging him as their head and Soveraigne l Col 2 10. Applic. That he is thus Lord of all how may it amate any that confront him or over masterly are proâ—d of any their own Dominion That he is Our Lord how teach us the happinesse of all that pioâ—sly depend upon him m Psa 96 10 Luk 15 17
better doe your worke If a quarter or halfe an houre in a day be sometimes spent in the practice at the weekes end you will find it no prejudice to your work but an excellent preparation on Gods day to do his worke in who doubtlesse will thereby both blesse and prosper the workes of every your owne dayes But let not the Gate be great where the City is but little or I lavish out time by a long Preface before a little booke which for the good of you all I composed and herein now propose to your both courteous and Christian entertainment and so I rest Yours in the Lord. L. THOMAS MILKE FOR CHILDREN The Great letters of all sorts A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. W. X. Y. Z. The small Letters of all sorts a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. The Double letters of all sorts ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ll ct The numeral letters I. V. X. L. C. D. M. The Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0. The points or stops in reading A Comma or short stop A middle distinction A full point A note of Interrogation A noâ—e of Admiration Lines including a Parenthesis The division of the letters Of the letters these six a. e. i. o. u. y. are Vowels all the rest are Consonants And sometimes i. u. y. are Consonants when going before themselves or other Vowels This kind of v. v. v. is used when a Consonant and whether Consonant or Vowell ever in the beginning of a Syllable word or sentence The other u. u. u. is alwayes a Vowell It is called a Consonant because it must alwayes be sounded with a Vowell as ab eb ad ed. ba. be da. de c. where a. and e. are Vowels b. and d. are Consonants In the English letters these two sorts of small ers r. r. are used indifferently but the small esses s s. are thus used this s alwayes in the beginning and middle this s alwayes at the end of words There are Syllables in words every Syllable must have one vowel at the least and every word if it hath more syllables then one must have also more vowels A Syllable is the pronouncing of one letter or more with one breath One Syllable may make one word as of in One word may have many syllables as division PSAL. 34. vers 11. Come ye Children hearken unto mee I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ECCLES 12. verse 13. Let us beare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man PSAL. 111. vers 10. The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good understanding have all they that do thereafter his praise endureth for ever ECCLES 12. vers 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youtb while the evill dayes come not nor the years draw nigb when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them 1 KINGS Chapt. 18. Vers 25 Therefore now Lord God of Israel keepe with thy servant David my Father that thou promisedst him saying there shall not faile thee a man in my sight to sit on the Throne of Israel so that thy Children take beed to their way that they walke before me as thou hast walked before me Vers 26 And now O God of Israel let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father Vers 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth Behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Vers 28 Yet have thou respect unto the Prayer of thy servant to this supplication O Lord my God to hearken unto my cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day Vers 29 That thine eyes may be open to this house night and day ever toward the place of which thou hast said my name shall be there that thou maist hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place The Creed in twelve Articles 1. I beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and Eaâ—th 2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord 3. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell 5. The third day he rose againe from the dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead 8. I beleeve in the holy Ghost 9. The holy Catholicke Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgivenesse of sins 11. The resurrection of the Body 12. And the life everlasting Amen The Commandements in a Preface and ten Precepts And God spake all these words saying The Preface I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before The Precepts or Commandements themselvs me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in the Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the Children unto the third and foâ—rth generation of them that hate me And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke Bâ—t the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed iâ—
persons and but one God 2. Of the Church of God we are now next to explaine that next unto God the Father of blessings ought we to fix our Faith on the Church of God as being the fruitfull Mother that brings forth Children unto God When now in this Part are to be considered first the Church it selfe secondly the blessings God bestowes upon it That Church as in the first clause of the ninth Article those blessings as in the latâ—er clause and the three following Articles Two of those blessings to wit first the Communion of Saints in the latter clause of the ninth Article and secondly the forgivenesse of sins in the tenth being blessings of God to his Church in this life and the other two to wit first the Resurrection of the Body in the eleventh Article and secondly the life everlasting in the twelfth and last blessins in the life to come Of all which next in their order and first of the IX Ninth Article The holy Catholicke Church the Communion of Saints and thereof first the Church it selfe both that triumphant in heaven h Heb. 12 22 and this militant on earth i 1 Tim 6 12 this as a doore or entrance into that this of Grace here that of Glory hereafter where we are to consider our Creed as to the Church 1. What to beleeve of it then 2. What it is beleeve we must and that againe 1. Not in this or that other particular Church as this sect or that faction or the like in this or that Country or the like but that God hath a Church in generall and that is the whole company of the godly wherever in the whole world that this Church hath beene from the beginning in all the world whence it is called Catholique Then 2. That this Church as partly we have said is the whole Company of the godly of all Gods faithfull ones wherever and every where called out of or from among the faithlesse k 1 Cor 1 16 1 Tim 1 12 13 that of Children of wrath by nature l Ep 2 3 are by grace m verse 5 8 made heires of God in Christ n Rom 8 17 and beating downe the reigning contagion of sinne study and practice holinesse of life o Ep 1 4 1 Pet 1 15 2 Pet 1 5 6 7 whence it is called holy Secondly as the first blessing God bestowes on his Church is that as said in the latter clause of this Article the Communion of Saints which is the blessed company of the godly wherever that have holy fellowship and communion both with God and among themselves with God of enemies and them afar off made friends and nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ p Rom 5 6 7 8 Ep. 2 12 13 19 then with and among themselves by holy exhortation q Heb 3 13 to well-doing r Heb 10 24 by wise Counsels and admonition s Gal 6 1 Col 3 16 by comfortable discourses of God and godlinesse t 1 Thes 4 18 chap 5 11. 14. by frequent u 1 Thes 5. 17. anâ— mutuall w Jam. 5. 16. prayer And as fruits of all these not onely thus well toword it but also to shew this communion by good works not only to speak well to foâ— one another but to do wel also to for one another x Mat. 23. 3. Act. 2. 44. Heb. 13. 16. 1 Jo. 3. 17 Applic. That as to that latter division of the Creed as in the first part considered there are three persons y 1 Io 1 7 in the Trinity in unity but one God why so should we labour though many persons we be yet to be all of one mind z Jo. 17 21 Act. 4 32 Ro. 15 6. Eph 4 5 That unity in God pointing as 't were to the unity should be among the people of God As to this second part the Church of God she being the faithfull Mother that brings forth Children unto God how should we labour that we may become the Children of God to become her children Consider the Appellations in Scripture given to the Church as the house of God a Psal 84 10 the spouse of Christ b Cant 4 8 9 the City of God c Ps 87 3 the Body of Christ d 1 Cor 12 27 the Pillar and ground of truth e 1 Tim 3 15 and the like And what is all this for but that they that will be saved by Christ and be members of that body whereof he is the head must also be members of his Church which is his body and which he is the Saviour of f Act 2 47 Eph 5 23 and therefore confers on it blessings both here and hereafter here the Communion of Saints the Remission of sins hereafter a glorious Reâ—urrection and an eternall life of glory As to this ninth Article and thereof as to the first part or clause of it that first we are to beleeve not in â—his or that particular Church but that God hath this Church in generall the whole company of the godly wherever and therefore called Catholique may teach where to resort to to heare and have the glad tidings of salvation not by adhering to any particular sect or conventicle but to the whole Church of God in generall by that Militant here to have accesse to that Triumphant hereafter That secondly this Church as Catholique so is holy too as consisting of the whole company wherever of the faithfull may teach our care to become faithfull holy g 1 Pet 1 16 by whatever debosherie not to defile it h 1 Cor 5 1 13 nor by whatever wicked meanes to annoy it i Psa 105 15 in as much as the injâ—ry offer'd unto it is as offered unto God k Zech 2 8. and that he that shall any wise injure it deserves not the Name of a Christian l 1 Cor. 1â— 9. Then as to the second clause that the Communion of Saints which is the first blessing God here bestowes on his Church is only the where-ever Company of the godly may hint unto us of what Company we ought to be of this faithfull society if in Christ we meane to attaine Salvation these onely faithfull being that little Flock on which Christ hath promised to bestow a Kingdome m Luk. 12. 32. Which Flock are they that are of this Fold the Church of which Christ himselfe is the Shepâ—erd he the one Shepherd and this Church the one Fold he speakes of n Jo. 10. 16. The Unity wheâ—e of as it was his worke so should it be our endeavour we to unite us to him and to unite us among our selvâ—s Thus of the first blessing here in this Article the second have you in the next which is the X. Tenth Article and that this The forgivenesse of sins Though other blessings there are as appertaining to this life yet these two are the
main blessings that of the Communion of Saints which we have expounded and this of the Remission of sins we come next to expound or explain A maine blessing t is o Is 33. 24 Psal 32. 1. a blessing of this life p Eccle. 9. 10. Mat. 5. 25. No other mean to free us from sin for being by nature all sinners dead in trespasses and sins q Eph. 2. 1. 3. Gods free grace in Christ which is this forgivenesse is that onely must revive us r vers 5. 8. That had will doe and that if sought is a certaine meane to be had s Ps 32. 5. Is 55. 7. But will we know how God t is gives it t Is 43. 25 Mark 2. 7 but ever upon this condition that we repent u Luk. â—3 3. â— Act. 3. 19. Remission never comes but by the way of Repentance w 1 Jo. 1. 9 And by that way it ever comes x Ps 32. 7. Applic. That Remission of sin is that other great blessing of God to his Church in this life how above others ought we to seeke for that To repent us of our sinnes that we may obtaine this blessing y Act. 3. 19. And when a blessing of this life here had or never had how ought we to let passe no time when but still be both mindfull and carefull how to obtaine it and as the Apostle wisheth x Heb. 3. 13. dayly to call unto each other to be still mindfull of this That when but by this there is no meane to free us from sin that we be mindfull still to keep God the giver of this our friend who that if faithfully sought too wil give it us how againe ought we still to seeke him y Is 55. 6. Mat. 7. 7. And being onely sin is it that steps between God and us to the prejudice of this forgivenesse our ever care it must be that to keepe us by God we ever keep off sin a 1 Jo. 2. 1. Thus of the two maine blessings here come we next to explaine those other two maine blessings hereafter the first whereof we have in the next the XI Eleventh Article and that this the Resurrection of the Body which is that our bodies though buried and turned to dust and ashes yet shall be gathered and rise againe b Is 6. 19. Act. 24. 15 Rev 20. 12 Yea the very same bodies c Job 19. 25. 26. 27 perfect and intire d Act. 3. 21 as no more subject to death e Rev. 21. 4. so surely not subject to any losse harme or imperfection made immortall and glorified bodies f 1 Cor. 15. 53. And as here forgiven and remitted by Christ's blood g Eph. 1. 7 so hereafter raised by the power h Mat. 22. 29. and vertue of Christ's Resurrection i Ro. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. at the last day k Job 14. 11. 12. Jo. 11. 23. 24. Applic. That this order is observed in Gods distribution of these blessings first thus to blesse us here and after so to blesse us hereafter may teach us to observe and note the order by what steps to attaine happinesse that fellowship we must have with the godly here and our sins forgiven us ere we can hope to have our bodies raised so as to attain everlasting life Then that our bodies shall rise againe yea the very same bodies how may this comfort each dying soule to thinke he is not lost for ever bâ—t onely laid up for a time and therefore while living labour to keep our bodies pure and unspotted from any the filthy pollution and reigning contagion of sin that after being dead at this Resurrection they may yeeld a sweet savour to God And being to be raised by the power and vertue of Christ learne we still to magnifie that power not to doubt nor any wise to distrust this Resurrection But that we shall rise againe yea that all shall rise l Jo. 5. 29. both good and bad though the bad to abad a sad and dismall doome to have eternall death and damnation yet that that is though but just to them as to the good to their fuller comfort and consolation the more to magnifie Gods mercy and be sensible of their owne happinesse everlasting life and Salvation Which everlasting life come we next to explain the second blessing hereafter as set forth in the XII Twelfth and last Article The life everlasting Amen This is may I say the Crowne of blessings and an happy close to our Creed Wherein our faith hath its full consummation of happinesse In this is it the Sheepe which is the Church that listen to the voyce of Christ the Shepherd have summed up the price of their happinesse and blessed issue of his voyce they hear him they follow him and he in this blesses them makes them happy m Jo. 10. 27. 28. By eternall life meaning both life of grace n Tit. 3. 7. and also life of glory hereafter o Jo. 17. 24. the one an entrance as 't were to the other p Jo. 5 24. Which what either is is beyond our ken or compare admirable ineffable q Psal 31. 19. 1 Cor. 3. 9 2 Cor 12. 5. Be it otherwise what it will be this we know and are assured of we shall be freed from all evil r Rev. 1. 4. enjoy all good and that too for ever s Ps 116. 11. This life is everlasting life Applic. That this life is such an ineffable blessing how should we labour to attain it And being of everlasting being what persons should we be if we meane to attaine it How labour to be Citizens fit for the Celestiall City men not immerged with any wilfull pollution of sin t Rev. 21. 27. but such as here attend the good pleasure of God doe his Commandements live the life of grace here that we may have right to that life of glory hereafter u Rev. 22. 14. every one in his proper place and calling by faith and repentance laying hold of that temporall life of grace that so he may attaine that everlasting life of glory So as whatever our care be here though by carnall Christians scorned contemned despised derided yet of Christ may we hear that happy call hereafter Come ye blessâ—d of my Father c. w Mat. 25. 34. And thus have you an end of the Articles Amen is an Hebrew word used even in all Languages to signifie an assent to what we say approve of or pray for and is to be understood to testifie our faith even of every these Articles of the Creed as of every petition in the Lords Prayer As to the further explanation whereof we refer you to our exposition of the word at the end of the Lords prayer Many other circumstances might be noted incident to every Article of the Creed but we study brevity and to explain that obvious in the words