haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Secondly this image of God chiefly consisted in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse Eccles 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions Ephes. 4.24 And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Note that I say chiefly as that which is a principle for else man was created after the image of God First in respect of his substance and so man is the image either of the 1. Being of God or 2. Of the manner of his being 1. Of his being as he hath in him a spirit a nature 1. Spirituall incorporeall 2. Immortall 3. Inuisible 4. Intelligible 2. Of the manner of his being for as in man is one soule and yet diuers faculties as cogitation memory will c. so is there in God one essence and three persons Secondly in respect of his eminency excellency and dominion aboue and ouer all other creatures resembling thus the Lordship of God the Lord of all Genes 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make mā in our Image according to our likenesse and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea and ouer the foule of the heauen and ouer the beasts and ouer al the earth and ouer euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth Psal. 8.6.7.8 Thou hast made him to haue dominion in the works of thine hands thou hast put all things vnder his feete c. For if the man be Gods image for the Soueraigntie he hath in the family as 1. Cor. 11.7 and the Maiestrate for his superiority in the Common-wealth Psal. 82. much more man in generall for dominion ouer all Thirdly in respect of gifts and so three waies 1. In respect of knowledge for in the mind of man there is hid a-resemblance of Gods wisdome to know God his will and workes with the natures and properties of them 2. In respect of originall Iustice which stood in the rectitude of his nature the spirit subiect to God the soule to the spirit the body to the soule without any sinne 3. In respect of freedome of will There are foure sorts of free-willes 1. Onely to good so in good Angels and the blessed 2. Onely to euill so in diuels and the wicked 3. Partly to euill and partly to good so in the regenerate on earth 4. So to good as it might be to euill so in Adam c. The power of his freedome was such as he could doe all things conuenient to his estate whether Workes of nature as eate sleepe walke rise c. Workes of policie as gouerne his family obserue peace c. Or Workes religious 1. Internall to loue feare and trust in God 2. Externall to teach pray sacrifice c. The vses follow Wee should informe our selues of Gods maruelous loue to man in his Creation which appeares not onely in the time he made him last when hee had prouided all things made for him But in the place in Paradice And in the manner Both of making his body He did not say let it bee but as it were framed all with his owne hands the man of the dust the woman of the rib And of inspiring his soule he breathed the breath of liues into him Genes 2.7 The Lord God made the mā also of the dust of the ground and breathed in his face breath of life and the man was a liuing soule He begat his soule as it were a diuine sparke or particle of God therefore called the Father of spirits Heb. 12.9 Zach. 12 1. Acts 17.28 And in both he saith let vs make calling all the Trinitie to the care and workmanship But especially that hee should as it were be made like vnto God himselfe and therefore let vs sing as Psal. 8.3 What is man that thou thus mindest him c. Of true blessednesse wherein it consists viz. not in idlenes riches lust pleasure sports c. for none of all this was in paradice yet Adam happy perfectly c. The second vse is for instruction and so it should teach vs diuers duties 1. Vnto God and so first we should with all thankfulnesse affectionately acknowledge his loue to man 2. It should instruct man earnestly to study and endeuour To know God To feare To resemble him To praise his workmanship For these were the ends of mans creation no other creatures could reach it therefore God made man reasonable We doe not answere the end of our creation if we make not God in some sort visible by our holines and praise his workes c. The second duty is to our selues and so it should teach vs 1. First to care for the precious and immortall soule that God hath breathed into vs aboue all as Matth. 16.26 For what shall it profit a man though he should win the whole world if he lose his owne soule or what shall a man giue for the recompence of his soule What should wee dote on temporall things when our soules are created to the possession of eternall blessednesse 2. To bee patient and trust vpon God in distresse Psal. 22.11 Be not farre from me because trouble is neere for there is none to helpe me c. Psal. 139.14 I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wondrously made maruelous are thy workes and my soule knoweth it well 3. To lament our fall 4. To study our recouery and we see hence what to seeke viz. knowledge and goodnesse 5. To long for the time mentioned Psal. 17.15 When we shall be satisfied with his Image The third duty is towards men 1. First wrong not man for he is Gods image Genes 9.6 Who so sheadeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God hath he made man 2. Loue one another especially where this Image is repaired for we were created to this end that we should delight one in another The third vse is for reproofe confutation and humiliation 1. For our insensiblenesse forgetfulnesse and vncapablenesse of these considerations especially for our want of lamentation for the ruines in our nature 2. For our horrible neglect of knowledge and goodnesse without which man is more like a beast yea in respect of sinne like a Diuell 3. Of the Papists about pictures of God most dishonourably they would mend Gods draught by dumb pictures yet God hath heere giuen vs a picture his Image CHAP. VIII Of the fall of Man Eccles. 7.29 Onely loe this haue I found that God hath made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions THe misery of man in his estate of corruption must be considered two waies In the cause of it In the parts of it The cause of it was the fall of our first parents concerning which are these principles That our parents Adam and Eue fel and lost speedily the happinesse in which
resurrection Dan. 12.2 And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake some to euerlasting life and some to shame and perpetuall contempt Quest. It may bee obiected that Daniel saith many shall rise not all Answ. Hee may speake so because wee shall not all die but those that are aliue at Christs comming shall bee changed in stead of death and resurrection 1. Thes. 4.15 For this say we vnto you by the word of the Lord that we which liue and are remaining in the comming of the Lord shall not preuent them which sleepe c. 1. Cor. 15.53 Thirdly that the same bodies which men carry about with them in this world shall rise againe Iob 19.26.27 And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh Whom I my selfe shall see and mine eyes shall behold and none other for me though my raines are consumed within me Psalm 34.20 He keepeth all his bones not one of them is broken This very corruptible must put on incorruption 1. Cor. 15. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortall must put on immortality c. The reasons are 1. because euery man shall receiue in his body what hee hath done either good or euill 2. Cor. 5.10 For wee must all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christ that euery man may receiue the things which are done in his body according to that he hath done whether good or euill 2. Because else it were absurd that any other body should bee crowned but that which suffered or punished but that which sinned Fourthly that this resurrection shall bee at the ende of the world euen the last day of the world Ioh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him vp at the last day And therefore we must distinguish betweene particular resurrections and the generall or vniuersall Particular resurrections haue been past in some cases miraculously as at the time of Christs death but the principle speakes of the vniuersall resurrection The vses may be for Information Instruction Consolation Terrour First for information and so we should striue to informe our selues in three things 1. The certainty of it that it shall surely be 2. The manner of it since it must needs be 3. The glory of the life in Christ that can effect this For the first we may find many waies to affect our harts with a full assurance that our dead bodies shall rise againe many things tend hereunto some probable some infallible some shew it that it may bee others that it shall be That it is not impossible other workes in nature shew as first the Phoenix a bird in Arabia of which it is written that waxing old with the stickes of Frankincense and Cassia with which shee filled her nest shee makes a fier and being put in the fier and burned to ashes by and by after the dew of heauen lights vpon her she comes forth aliue Secondly we know that many little birds which for the winter-time lie out of the way in deepe marshes or such like places yet in spring time come out aliue againe Thirdly we see that trees and plants in winter loose all their ornaments and being dead to see to yet reuiue againe Fourthly thus doth the seed also which the husband-man throwes into the ground 1. Cor. 15.36 O foole that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die Fifthly and lastly night and day sleepe and waking shewes vs thus much the day dies into the night and yet reuiues to the world with all his glory Yea in man himselfe there is grounds of singular probability For First his deliuerances from dangers and distresses are as it were lesser resurrections and the terme is giuen to it The houses in which the Iewes were captiues were as so many graues and their returne as a rising from the dead Ezech. 37.12 2. Cor. 1.10 Secondly he hath had an experience of the first resurrection in his soule already and how can he doubt the rising of his body Rom. 6. Ioh. 5.25.28 Reu. 20.6 Thirdly diuers particular men haue appeared raised from the dead as Lazarus Ioh. 13.43 the Saints that appeared out of the graues after Christs death Mat. 27.52.53 Fourthly God shewed this in a vision to Ezechiel when he saw a field full of dry bones receiuing at Gods commandement flesh and nerues and life Ezech. 37. But wee haue more then probabilities we haue certaine arguments for it as First the word of God assuring it 1. Thes. 4.15 as was proued before to whom all things are possible Luk. 1.37 For with God shall nothing bee vnpossible Luk. 18.27 The things which are vnpossible with men are possible with God Rom. 4.21 Secondly the Sonne of God vndertaking to effect it Iohn 6. 39. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath giuen me I should loose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day c. Thirdly the resurrection of Christ to assure it who rose as our surety 1. Thes. 4.14 Fourthly the Sacrament of Baptizme sealeth both the resurrection of soule and body Fifthly and lastly the Apostle proues at large the necessity of the resurrection by many arguments shewing in effect that all religion is ouerturned if the resurrection bee not beleeued 1. Cor. 15.12 Thus that it shall be How it shall be followes The manner of the resurrection will be thus First when the last day of the world is come Christ on a sudden in the same visible forme he went to heauen will come in the clouds with his Angels and thousands of the soules of his Saints Iude 14. 1. Thes. 4.15 Secondly the trumpet of God shall then sound the voice of the Arch-angell shall then bee heard Christ shall command exhort and call vpon the dead to rise and come away to iudgement 1. Thes. 4.16.17 so as the very dead shall heare this shout and voice of Christ Ioh. 5.29 Matth. 24.31 Thirdly immediately the spirit of Christ will bring the soules of all the godly and they shall enter into their bodies and then they that haue slept in the dust of the earth shall bee raised to life Fourthly the bodies of the wicked shall then bee raised also by the power of God by a way vnknowne Fifthly men that shal then be aliue shal haue a chāge on a sudden in stead of death and resurrection 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes. 4.15 16. Sixthly the Angels shall then gather the Elect and chase in the reprobates from the foure winds of heauen and present them before Christ Matth. 24.31 Thus of the manner Thirdly this may informe vs concerning the glorious life of the Sonne of God who doth not onely liue himselfe but giues life to millions of men by his spirit Ioh. 5.21 and raised dead bodies so miraculously Thus of the vses for information From the doctrine of the resurrection wee should
we must for euer separate from them if they persist in their heresies for they teach vs that Christ did not once for al fully sacrifice to God but that the sacrifice must be renewed daily in the Masse contrary to the expresse words of the text Heb. 9.26.28 For then must heâ— haue often suffered since the foundation of the world but now in the end of the world hath he appeared once to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe So Christ was once offered to take away the sinnes of many Heb. 10.11.12 And euery Priest appeareth daily ministring and oft times offereth one manner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God And besides they teach that men may make satisfaction to God for their sins by their owne workes and by the workes of the Saints 3. Thirdly concerning the most wofull condition of wicked men that liue in their sinnes they may fully see how they shall speede with God by this that befell Christ. If God spared not his onely begotten Sonne that was but a suretie for sinne will he spare them that are principals would not God find out such a mercy to Christ as to free him from such extremities and do they trust to a mercy in God neuer reuealed in the word neuer shewed to Christ was not Christ able without such wofull tortures to beare the wrath of God and doe they thinke to be able to endure those riuers of brimstone and fier in Hell 4. Concerning a singular and new way of obedience in Christ if wee will needes haue workes of supererogation let vs acknowledge them onely in Christ for the doctrine of his passion tels vs of an obedience to a commandement of God that was not in the Morall law and that was his speciall submission to that singular will of his Father in being that one that should die for the people To expiate for other mens sinnes is a speciall kind of righteousnesse not mentioned in the Law 5. Concerning the offence of the Crosse though both Iewes and Gentiles stumbled at this doctrine at the first yet we see there is no reason why wee should bee troubled at the abasements of Christ but rather to reioyce and wonder at the dreadfull expiation was made to God for vs in them For thus it behoued him to suffer as all the Prophets from Moses haue witnessed 1. Cor. 1.23 Luk. 24.45.46 Thus of the vse for information The consolations follow The doctrine of the passion of Christ is exceeding comfortable and that both in generall and particular consolations It is generally comfortable 1. First in respect of the establishment of our hearts in the assurance that Iesus of Nazareth was the true Messias promised to the Fathers Which may appeare if we consider but the history of his passion in as much as in him were fulfilled al these signes foretold in the seuerall ages of the old Church The old prophesies were all accomplished in him The scepter was now departed from Iuda foretold Genes 49.10 They diuided his garments and cast lots vpon his vesture according to Psalm 22.8 They pierced his hands and feet Psal. 22.16 The chiefe builders refused him according to Psal. 118.22 In his arraignment hee was silent opened not his mouth according to Esa. 53.7 Hee was reckoned amongst the wicked in his death according to Esa. 53.12 They gaue him gall and vineger to drinke according to Psalm 69.21 He accomplished the meaning of the sacrifices in shedding his blood and suffering without the campe Heb. 9.14 Heb. 13.11.12 2. Secondly if we consider the effects of his passion for from hence flowes to vs and euery beleeuer 1. First the purchase both of our soules and bodies 1. Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought for a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit for they are Gods Rom. 7.4 So ye my brethren are dead also to the law by the body of Christ that ye should bee vnto another euen vnto him that is raised vp from the dead that we should bring forth fruit vnto God 2. The ratification of the eternall couenant Heb. 9.16 For where a testament is there must bee the death of him that made the testament c. 3. The reconciling of vs to God Rom. 5.10 For if when wee were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled we shall be saued by his life 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust that hee might bring vs to God c. 4. The abolishing of sinne both in respect of the remission of the guilt 1. Ioh. 1.7 The blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth vs from all sinne Matth. 26.28 For this is my blood of the new testament that is shead for many for the remission of sinnes And sanctification against the power of it Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serue sinne c. 5. The swallowing vp of death 1. Cor. 15.54 So when this corruptible hath put on incorruption and this mortall hath put on immortality then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp into victory Vanquishing him that had power of death freeing vs that were in bondage to the feare and that of death Hebr. 2.14.15 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them that he might destroy through death him that had the power of death that is the diuell And that hee might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage 2. Tim. 1.10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality vnto light through the Gospell c. 6. Liberty to enter into the most holy place of heauen by a new and liuing way Hebr. 9.12 Neither by the blood of goats and calues but by his owne blood entred he in once vnto the holy place and obtained eternal redemption for vs. Hebr. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Thirdly if we consider the order of priesthood of which he was in offering this sacrifice He was a Priest after the order of Melchisedeck and not after Aaron Psalm 110.4 The Lord sware and will not repent thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 7. all the chapter Of all the Priests that were types of Christ Melchisedeck was the most liuely and noblest type and did most fully shadow out both the person and office of Christ For by Melchisedeck three most comfortable things in Christ were shadowed out The first was his dignity hee was so a Priest as he
Ephes. 5.14 Secondly of the daily baits and methods of sinne be not insnared with the pleasures of sinne which are but for a season but circumcise betimes the soreskins of your hearts Ier. 4.4 Thirdly of procrastination and delaying of time in the businesse of reformation For thy life is vncertaine Matth. 25.13 and euery day addes to the heap of sinne and of wrath Rom. 2.5 Sinne not against thy purposes of amendment lest thou grow more hardened Fourthly of hypocrisie and fained holinesse Esa. 58.2 Iam. 4.8 Fifthly of the perswasion of the merit of your owne works Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of the righteousnesse of God and going about to stablish their owne righteousnesse haue not submitted themselues to the righteousnesse of God c. Sixthly of temporary righteousnes Hosh. 6.4 Ephraim what shall I doe vnto thee O Iuda how shall I intreat thee for your goodnes is as a morning cloud and as a morning dew it goeth away Or being weary of well doing Gal. 6.9 Let vs not therefore be weary of well doing for in due season we shall reape if we faint not c. Seuenthly of the precepts of men Mat. 15.9 In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrine mens precepts Ezech. 20.18 But I said vnto their children in the wildernes walk ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither obserue their manners nor defile your selues with their idols Eighthly of looking after the example and fashion of the world Rom. 12.2 Frame not your selues like vnto this world Ninthly neglect of prayer for the particular furtherance of reformation and grace Lam. 5.21 shall he not giue vs his holy Spirit if we aske him as our Sauiour sheweth in the parable Tenthly let the best of vs take heed of a strange deceit and that is to rest in faire words and attentiue hearing How is it that men that heare many precious counsels comforts reproofes goe away without any reformation and thinke they doe well if they commend the Sermon c. Oh how common is this disease to be awake to heare of the disease or medicine and fall a sleepe before it be applied like those hearers in the Gospell of whom it is said They heard they maruelled and they went their waies Thus much of what we should auoide that the worke of sanctification be not hindred On the other side there be diuers things to be obserued by vs as First wee must looke to the matter to bee done which hath two considerations in it 1. That in generall whatsoeuer things are true honest iust pure louely and of good report that haue vertue and praise in them that we should thinke on those things and study how to glorifie God and enrich our selues by well doing them Phil. 4.8 Eph. 58. c. 2. That we striue to keep our selues free from or speedily mortifie such euils as vsually staine the profession of religion after calling Besides the mortification of grosse euils which the first repentance puts away wee must watch carefully against other sinnes such as are lying rotten communication deceit anger wrath and all bitternesse and cursed speaking Col. 3.8 Ephesians 4.25 Secondly wee must looke to the end of all our actions the end I say both of intention and continuance For 1. Wee must propound the glory of God as the maine ende of all our actions 1. Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eate or drinke or whatsoeuer yee doe doe all to the glory of God Philip. 1.11 2. Wee must so begin reformation and good workes as we be sure also to endeuour with all constancy to hold out to the end Luke 1.75 All the daies of our life in holinesse and righteousnes before him Psalm 106.3 Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and do righteousnesse at all times Thirdly we must looke to the manner of our reformation that it be done with all sinceritie and so we doe 1. If wee turne from all sorts of our transgressions Ezech. 18. 30.31 Therefore I will iudge you O House of Israel euery one according to his waies returne therefore and cause other to turne away from all your transgressions so iniquitie shall not be your destruction Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye haue transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. If wee labour for a sanctification that is throughout in all parts in soule in body and in spirit that is in our outward man and in our affections and in our iudgements and thoughts Fourthly we must bee exceeding mindfull of the meanes of sanctification and so we must especially thinke of 1. The Word to subiect our selues to the power of it for if we heare our soules shall liue we are sanctified by the truth and God wil haue his Law magnified and the Word is able to build vs vp still further till we come to heauen Isai. 55.4 Iohn 17.19 Isaiah 42.21 Acts 20.32 2. The Sabbath for that is the signe of our sanctification It is a signe to assure that God will not faile vs in his blessings and it is a signe that we are indeed a holy people if we be carefull to keepe the Sabbath It is the market day for our soules and by the right keeping of the Sabbath we shall be the better able to serue God all the weeke after Exod. 31.13 14. Keepe ye my Sabbaths for it is a signe betweene me and you in your generation that ye may know that I the Lord doe sanctifie you Ye shall therefore keepe the Sabbath for it is holy vnto you he that defileth it shall die the death therefore whosoeuer worketh therein the same person shall be euen cut off from among his people Isaiah 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the sonne of man which laieth hold on it he that keepeth the Sabbath and polluteth it not and keepeth his hand from doing any euill c. Thus of the vses for instruction Thirdly these principles may terrifie all men that are vnsanctified that haue not true grace that liue in their sinnes Woe vnto worlds of men because of sinne for thereby they may gather that there is no cure done to their natures that they are not at all iustified before God that they haue no part with Christ and that all they doe is still impure Mat. 7.18 Tit. 1.15 Yea and that the wages of their sinnes will be death and that in the state they are in they cannot bee saued Rom. 6.23 Iohn 3.5 and in the meane time what know they how soone the whirle-wind of the Lord may fall vpon the wicked Ier. 23.19 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in his wrath and a violent whirle-wind shall fall downe vpon the head of the wicked And for all the things they haue done in the flesh they must come to iudgement and the rather because they haue not taken warning Acts 17.31 Because hee hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in
the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get
the plenteous knowledge of them searching those diuine words and exercising our selues in the morning and euening accounting so much to bee added to our riches as wee get of this excellent knowledge Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them you thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me Col. 3.16 Let the word of God or Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdome teaching and admonishing your owne selues c. Psalm 1.2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night Labouring by all meanes to acquaint our children and family with them Deut. 6.7 And thou shalt rehearse them continually vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thy house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest vp c. Since they are of God and so perfect wee should rest vpon the directions and comforts we find in them and establish our hearts in all things wee learne out of them Rom. 15.4 For whatsoeuer things are written afore time are written for our learning that wee through patience and comfort of the scriptures might haue hope They are a sure word we may rest vpon them 2. Pet. 1.20 as beleeuing that euery word of God is pure and that God will make them good to such as trust in them Prou. 30.5.6 We should care to reade and heare these Scriptures with al due preparation and attention and high estimation receiuing them as the word of God and not of man 1. Thes. 2.13 labouring to bring cleane hearts and a meeke and teachable spirit to them as being able to saue our soules Iames 1.21.22 with a resolution to doe whatsoeuer God requireth in them We should loue them aboue all treasures accounting them more deare then thousands of gold and siluer and reckoning the sentences learned out of Scriptures as the fairest ornament can decke vs Deut. 11.18.19 Psalm 119.72 We should therefore make them the rule of all our actions and come continually to them to see whether our workes bee wrought in God and shewing the power of the word in the demonstration of the apparant life of it in commanding all our particular actions that men may see the light of the word in the light of our good workes Phil. 2.15 That wee may bee blamelesse and pure and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation amongst whom you shine as lights in the world Gal. 6.16 And as many as walk according to this rule peace shall be vpon them and mercy vpon the Israel of God Psalm 119.105 Thy word is a lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my path Yea we should daily try and search the secrets of our hearts by it as that which only can doe it Heb. 4.12 For the word of God is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper then any two edged sword and entreth through euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirit and of the ioynts and the marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Wee should therefore in all questions and controuersies let the Scriptures iudge and thinke of no man aboue what is written Gal. 1.7 1. Cor. 4.6 Esay 8.20 Thus much for instruction Secondly these Principles reprooue the Papists and carnall Protestants and the godly too The Papists are heere reproued 1. For making the authority of the Scriptures to depend vpon the testimony of the Church whereas the Church is built vpon the Scriptures Ephes. 2.20 And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone 2. For not holding it to bee sufficient without traditions contrary to the expresse word 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good works 3. For with-holding the Scriptures from the common people keeping from them the sight of their Fathers wil contrary to the word Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them you thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously in all wisedome c. 4. For iudging controuersies without them contrary to the commandement Esay 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony If they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them The carnal Protestants are here reproued 1. For their miserable neglect of the reading hearing meditation and the care to yeeld obedience to the Scriptures yea for the wretched neglect of the very buying of the Bible for their vse and the vse of their families and for daring to liue without the preaching of the word in times of spirituall famine 2. For their vilde audaciousnesse that dare liue in such sins as they heare threatned in the Scriptures prophanely despising the warning daily giuen them Esay 30.11.12 Ier. 23.9.10 3. For their scorning and deriding of such as honour the word and frequent the hearing of it Esay 57.3.4 But you witches children come hither the seed of the adulterer and of the whore On whō haue you iested Vpon whom haue you gaped and thrust out your tongs Are ye not rebellious children and a false seed 4. For their irreuerence when they come to the house of God to heare Eccles. 5.1 Yea the godly themselues ought to bee humbled by the consideration hereof 1. For their distractions in the hearing reading of the Word 2. For neglecting the counsels and directions giuen out of the Word 3. For not resting vpon it through vnbeliefe 4. For too much aptnes to receiue opinions if they come frō men they account godly though they haue no warrant from the word There be traditions on the right hand as well as on the left Thus much for reproofe Thirdly wee may all try our selues what we are by our respect of the Scriptures If we loue and heare the word we are of God Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods word ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Gods people are a people in whose hearts is Gods Law Esay 51.7 Psalm 37.31 Lastly it may be a singular consolation to all such as find the word of God to testifie with thē it matters not what the world saies or thinks of vs if we can find that the word of the Lord is good cōcerning vs our harts may be at rest when God speakes peace by his word and we may be sure we are in the right way when we follow the directions of the word CHAP. IIII. Of God Psalm 72.18.19 HItherto of the principles concerning the fountaine of knowledge the subiect of knowledge is God who must bee considered two waies first In his nature secondly In his works Concerning God considered in his nature there are foure principles That he is that is that there is a God That
extremely wrath with sinne and will call to iudgement such as the drowning of the old world burning of Sodome swallowing vp of Corath Dathan and Abiram the neglect of the Gentiles the reiection of the Iewes the punishing of Christ the afflictions of the godly the warres pestilences famins c. that are in the world And they themselues may gesse somewhat at it by the sharpenes of the word the accusing of the conscience the checkes of the spirit and the fearefull terrors of conscience which fall vpon some men Ob. But God we hope will be mercifull Sol. It is a day of wrath not of mercy the date of mercy will bee then out Rom. 2.5 But thou after thine hardnesse and heart which cannot repent heapest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God c. Ob. But God saies nothing to me all this while I escape and am not troubled I discerne no way that God is displeased with me Sol. 1. Seaes of wrath hang ouer thy head daily though thou discerne them not Iohn 3. vlt. He that beleeueth in the Sonne hath euerlasting life and he that obeyeth not the Sonne shall not see the life but the wrath of God abideth on him Sol. 2. Many signes of Gods displeasure are vpon thy soule though thou feele them not It is one extreame curse to be left off vnto such a spirit of slumber 3. Though God doth not yet discouer to thee his displeasure yet will hee awake to thy iudgement Psalm 50.31 These things hast thou done I held my tongue therefore thou thoughtst that I was like thee but I will reprooue thee and set them in order before thee Ob. But I may finde some meanes to helpe my selfe at that day Sol. Riches will not auaile in the day of wrath Iob 36.18 For Gods wrath is lest he should take thee away in thine abundance for no multitude of gifts can deliuer thee Vers. 19. Will he regard thy riches he regardeth not gold nor all them that excell in strength And there shall bee none to deliuer Psalm 50.22 O consider this yee that forget God lest I teare you in pieces and there be none that can deliuer you c. Ob. But I may then repent Sol. No As death leaues thee so shall iudgement find thee it is a day of the declaration of the righteous iudgement of God Rom. 2.5 But thou after thine hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God 2. Cor. 5.10 For we must all appeare before the iudgement seate of Christ that euery man receiue the things which are done in his bodie according to that he hath done whether it be good or euill Ob. But there is a world of people in the same case Sol. He will iudge all the vngodly hee cares not for the multitude Iude 15. To giue iudgement against all men and to rebuke all the vngodly amongst them of all their wicked deeds which they haue vngodly committed and of al their cruell speaking which wicked sinners haue spoken against him Besides he hath plagued multitudes as the old World c. and he can easily doe execution for hee comes with thousand thousands of his Angels Iude 14. And Enoch also the seuenth from Adam prophesied of such saying Behold the Lord commeth with thousands of his Saints Ob. But who knowes my faults Sol. ' The hidden things of darkenes and the secrets of mens hearts shall then be discouered 1. Cor. 4.5 Therfore iudge nothing before the time vntill the Lord come who will lighten things that are hid in darkenesse and make the counsels of the hearts manifest and then shall euery man haue praise of God Ob. But by what euidence can I be conuinced God may forget my faults before then Sol. No God hath them written in his book of remembrance with a pen of iron and a point of a diamond Ier. 17.1 The sinne of Iuda is written with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond and grauen vpon the table of your hearts and vpon the hornes of your altars And euidence wil be easie to bee had vpon the opening of these bookes Reuel 20.12 And I saw the dead both great and small stand before God and the books were opened and another booke was opened which is the booke of life and the dead were iudged of those things which are written in the bookes according to their workes Besides the Heauens will declare his righteousnes Psal. 50.6 And the creatures abused by them will giue in euidence against them Ier. 17.1 And the word that men haue heard shall iudge them And their own consciences shall be dilated and bee in stead of a thousand witnesses and the Spirit of God that hath so often reproued the world of sinne can easily accuse them Ioh. 16.8 And when he is come he will reprooue the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of iudgement c. Ob. I know no great fault by my selfe Sol. Though thou forget thy sinnes yet Christ will remember them Matth. 25. It will not serue the turne to say When did wee so Ob. But I neuer did Christ any great wrong Sol. Thou hast many waies sinned against Christ though thy carelesse heart perceiue it not but if thou hadst not yet in as much as thou hast done wrong to Christians thou hast done it to Christ Matth. 25. Ob. But I haue done much good in the world Sol. If thou haue not had true faith and loue and repentance it shall not auaile thee as these places shew 1. Cor. 13.3 And though I feede the poore with all my goods and though I giue my body that I be burned and haue not loue it profiteth me nothing Ob. But wee neuer had such meanes of knowledge as others haue had Sol. They that haue sinned without the Law shal be iudged without the Law and they that haue sinned vnder the Law shall be iudged by the Law Rom. 2. 12. For as many as haue sinned without the Law shall perish also without the law as many as haue sinned in the Law shall be iudged by the Law Ob. But it is a great while thither Sol. It is not for the Lord is at hand 1. Pet. 4.7 Now the end of all things is at hand be you therefore sober and watching in prayer Iam. 5.8 Be ye also patient therfore and settle your hearts for the comming of the Lord draweth neere Besides the signes of the last iudgement are the most of them accomplished already Antichrist is reuealed and almost pulled downe 2. Thessalon 2. 1. Iohn 2.18 The World hath been full of spirits of deceiuers 1. Tim. 4.1 The sinnes of the last age are euery where at the full Iniquity abounds 2. Timoth. 3.1 Matth. 24.12 The powers of heauen are shaken which appeares by the often Eclipses of Sunne and Moone and by the vncertaintie of the