any f Iohn 3 8 math 3 9 iohn 8 39. ordinary place or to any succession of chaire nor to state or dignity of person nor to vvorthinesse of bloude but all goeth by the meere vvill of his ovvne purpose as it is vvritten Spiritus vbi vâ—lt spirat c. And thus vvas the outvvard race and stock of Abraham after the fleshe refused vvhich seemed to haue the preheminence And another seede after the spirite Notes vpon Gods election raised vp to Abraham of the stones that is of the Gentiles So was the outward Temple of Ierusalem and chayre of Moses which seemed to be of price forsaken and Gods chayre to be aduanced in other nations a 1 Sam. 15 23 28. luke 1 52. So was tall Saul refused and little Dauid accepted b Esai 61 1. math 11 5 lu 4 18 3. 5. 1 cor 1 20 16. 27. the ritch the proud the wise of this world reiected and the worde of saluation daylye opened to the poore and miserable abiects the high mountains cast vnder and the lovve valleys exalted Thirdly where it is added in his ovvn vvil by this falleth dovvue the c Gen. 6 5 8 21 20. 6. exo 29 2 3 4. psal 14. 3. â—ere 10. 23 31. 10. ezech 36 26. iohn 9. 44. rom 9 16 1 cor 15. 10. 2 cor 3 4 philip 2. 13 math 20 12 luke 18. 14. 15. 33. freevvill and purpose of man vvith all his actions counsailes and strength of nature according as it is vvritten It is not in him that vvilleth nor in him that runneth but in God that shevveth mercy So vve see hovv Israel ran long and got nothing The Gentiles vneth began to set out and yet got the game So they vvhich came at the first houre did labourâ— more and yet they vvhiche came last vvere revvarded vvith the first The vvorking vvill of the Pharisee seemed better but yet the Lords vvil vvas rather to iustify the Publicane The elder sonne had a better vvill â—o tarry by his father and so did indeede and yet the fat Calfe vvas giuen to the yonger sonne that ran avvay d Deut. 10. 17. 1 chron 19. 7 iob 34 19 acts 10 34 rom 1 11 gal 1. 6. eph 6 9. col 3. 25. 1. peter 1 17. VVhereby vve haue to vnderstand hovv the matter goeth not by the vvill of man but by the vvil of God as it pleaseth him to accept according as it is vvritteÌ„ e Iohn 1. 3. vvhich are born not of the vvill of the flesh nor yet of the vvill of man but of God Furthermore as all then goeth by the vvill of God onely and not by the vvil of man so again here is to be noted that this vvill of God neuer goeth vvithout fayth in Christe Iesus his sonne And therfore fourthly is this clause Notes vpon Gods election added in the definition through a Iohn 8 24 15 14 4 acts 8. 37 20 21. faith in Christe his sonne which Fayth in Christ to vsward maketh altogether for first it certifieth vs of Gods election for vvhosoeuer vvill bee certaine of his election in God let him first begin vvith his fayth in Christe which if we find in him to stand firm he may be sure nothing doubt but that he is one of the number of Gods elect Secondly the sayde fayth nothing else is the onely condition and meanes vvhereupon Gods mercy grace election vocation and all other Gods promises to saluation doe stay according to the wordes of Sainte Paule If ye abide in the fayth Col. 1. Thirdly this fayth also is the immediate and next cause of our b Ioh. 3 16 5 24 7 38 23 31 acts 10 43 rom 6. 22 ephes â— 12. iustification spmply vvithout any condition annexed For as the mercy of God his grace election vocation and other precedent causes doe saue and iustify vs vppon condition if we beleeue in Christe So this fayth onely in Christe without c Gen 15 6 habac. 2 4 acts 13 39 rom 1 17 4 9 10 4. gal 2 16 ephes 16. 18 rom 9. 33. 10 11. 1. pet 2 6 luke 7. 50 8. 12 ephes 2. 8 1 pet 1 9 condition is the next immediate cause vvhich by Gods promise worketh our iustification according as it is written Beleeue in the Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saued thou and thy vvhole house Act 6. And thus much touching the definition of electioÌ„ with the causes therof declared which you see novve to bee no merits nor works of man vvhether they goe before or come after fayth but only the mercy of God through faith For like as al they that be born of Adam do taste of his d Rom. 5. 12 1. cor 15. 22 45 47. eccle 40. 1 14. malediction though they tasted not his apple so all they that be borne of Christ vvhich is by faith take part of the obedience of Christ although they neuer did that obedience theÌ„selues which was in him Rom. 5 Novve to the seconde consideratioâ— Let vs see Notes vpon Gods election Order of caâ—sâ—â— likevvise hovv in what order this election of God proceedeth in choosing and electing them vvhich he ordayneth to saluation vvhich order is this In them that be chosen to life first Gods mercye and a Deut. 4. 37. 7. 7. 8 ios 24. 2 psal 44. 2. ioh 15 16 acts 13. 4â— 22. 14. rom 5. 6. 9. 11. 12. 14. 15. 16. 25 11. 7. 35 1. cor 4. 7 eph 1. 45 11. 2. 10. col 1. 12 2. tim 1. 9 rum 8. 29. 30 free grace bringeth forth election Election vvorketh vocation or Gods holy calling vvhich vocation through hearing bringeth knovvledge faith of Christ fayth through promise obtaineth iustification iustification through hope vvaiteth for glorification Election is before time vocation faith commeth in time iustification and glorification is vvithout end Election depending vpon Gods free grace and b Iohn 9 44 rom 9. 16 1 cor 15. 10. phâ—l 2. 13. luke 18. 14 15. 23. vvill excludeth all mans vvill c Exod. 21. 13 1 sam 6. 9. 12. prou 16. 33. math 10. 20. ephes 1. 11. blind fortune chance and al peraduenture vocation standing vpon Gods election excludeth all mans vvisedome cunning learning intention povver presumption Faith in Christ proceeding by the d Iohn 6. 29. 10. 26. 11. 39 phil 1. 29. 2. thes 3 2. gift of the holy ghost freely iustifiyng man by Gods promise excludeth all other merites of men al condition of deseruing and al vvorkes of the lavv both Gods lavv and mans lavv vvith all outvvard means vvhatsoeuer iustification commeth freely by faith standeth sure by promise vvithout doubt feare or vvauering in this life Glorification pertayneth onely to the lyfe to come by hope is looked for grace and e psalm 44. 3. mercy preuenteth f Ephes 1. 4.
11. 33. 20. exod 12. 11. deut 31 11. ioh 14 6. 15 1. act â— 24. rom 4. 11 17. 1. cor 10. 4. 16. tit 3. 5. Circumcision is the couenaunt and the Lambe is the passeouer I take no vvord here otherwise then in the proper sence Circumcision as it soundeth is the very carnall cutting of the foreskinne and the couenaunt is nothing els but the same vvhich God made vvith that people And the Lambe vvas but a naturall Lambe vvhich they killed at the Lordes commaundement and the Passeouer was spoken of none other but of the Angell vvhich stroke the Egyptians yet for all that the maner of the speach wherby Circumcision is called the Lords couenant and the Lambe the Passeouer is not proper and naturall but Sacramentall nor it can not be sayd that Circumcision properly and naturally is the Couenant the Lambe the Passeouer but as that vvas the signe Sacramentall of the couenant so vvas this also of the passage of deliuery In like maner in this present case vvhereas the Lorde sayth This is my body it is e Tertul. against Marâ—iâ— lib. 4. Orig. in Leuit. Hom. 7. vpon the Rom 4. booke 4. chap. Cip. 2. book 3. chap. Hierom. vpon 26. of Math. Ambrose of Sac. 4. booke 4. chap. 5. 1. 1. Cor. cap. 11. August de Catechis cap. 26. Contra Adimat cap. 12. a Sacramentall speache because of the Of the Lordes Supper Sacramentall manner of the Predicate or of that vvhich is reported for that it is reported of breade not properlye but Sacramentallye that it is the Lordes body giuen for vs. I do leaue to each word his proper significatioÌ„ that the bread be very bread the body the very body of the Lorde and that is be is but I can not make the manner of the predicate or report to bee proper vnlesse I shoulde make an intollerable confusion vnreasonable in this matter but Sacramentall and conuenient to a Sacrament Therefore let vs agree in iudgement that the bread of the supper is the very body of Christ crucified and dead for vs as he sayde Take eate this is my body vvhich is deliuered for you and so let vs keepe these vvords euery one in their proper signification when the manner is asked hovv bread is the lords body let vs say that it is a report or speech not natural but sacramental so that the bread is the Lordes body neither naturally nor corporally nor personally noâ— really but sacramentally a Iren. lib. 4. cap. 34. Tertul. against Marcio lib. 40. and against the Iewes To be sacramentally is to be according to the nature and meane of a sacrament as the breade in as much as it is a sacrament of the Lords body in that respect it is the Lords body giuen for vs in such order vvay as is conuenient to sacraments like as by the order and vvay of his ovvne nature it is breade And it is therefore called the Sacrament of the Lordes body because that by his ordinaunce it is the holy signe and remembrance of his body giuen for vs by breaking and distribution of which he doth recommend the communion of his bodye and remembrance of his death vnto his Church It is one matter to say of any thing vvhat it is in deed of it selfe Of the Lords supper and another matter to say vvhat it is in this place at this present in some speciall deed and purpose according to the vvill and meaning of him that appointed and gaue it If a man take this saying Hoc est corpus meum in a naturall sence it is made impossible and vnreasonable But if a man take it in the sacramentall sence shall be sayde of breade not vvhat it is naturally and substantially but vvhat the Lord vvoulde haue it to be sacramentally and for what he vvould haue it taken to what vse he appointed them the breaking distribution and communion of it PA. How is Christes body present to the receyuers TI. Christes true body is truely present to them that truely receiue him but a Iohn 6. 50 1. cor 10. 14. ephe 3. 17. spiritually And so is it taken after a spiritual sort for vvhen he sayd This is my body it is all one as if he had sayde This is the breaking of my body This is the shedding of my bloud as oft as you shall doe this it shall put you in remembrance of the breaking of my body And the shedding of my bloud that as surely as you receiue this sacrament so truely shall you receiue the benefite promised by receiuing the same worthily This I say that Christ entereth into vs both by our eares and by our eyes vvith our mouth vve receiue the body of Christ and teare it vvith our teeth that is to say the sacrament of the body of Christ VVherfore I say and affirme that the vertue of the sacrament is much and therfore Chysostom many times speaketh of sacrameÌ„ts no otherwise then of Christ himselfe No man seeth Christ vpon the earth he is seen with the eyes of our mind with faith spirite Of the Lords Supper PA. Howe doe our bodies receiue Christes naturall body TI. As Christe not after his manhood but after his diuine nature liueth naturallye by his Father which diuine nature of his worketh also in his manhood an immortalitye so our spirite and soule receiuing the naturall body of Christe in the mysteries by a Iohn 6 35 acts 4 10 12 rom 4 24 2â— 5 8 14. 9. faith do receiue also then nature of his body that is his purenesse iustification innocency power glorification life eternitie and beatitude the operation whereof redounding likewise vnto our bodies doe make the same also capable of the same glorye and immortality And thus it is true that as Christe liueth naturallye by his father so vvee liue naturally by the body of Christe eaten in the mysteries hauing respect both to the manhoode of him of vs for as the flesh of Christe in respect of bare flesh liueth not naturally by the father but for that it is ioined to his diuinity so our flesh liueth not naturally by Christes bodye eaten in the Sacrament for then euerye vvicked man eating the sacrament shoulde liue naturally by him but for that our flesh b Rom 9. 3 1 cor 12 12 13. eph 4. 15 16 5. 30 gal 3. 27. is ioyned to the spirite and soule vvhich truely â—ateth the body of Christ by fayth and so onely the bodies of the faythfull doe liue by eating the body of Christe naturally in participating the naturall properties of the body of Christe PA. After what â—ort is Christe present in the supper TI. Christ that sitteth in heauen is present in the supper in mystery and by grace and is â—olden of the godly such as communicate him not only sacramentallye with the hande of the bodye but muâ—he Of the Lords Supper more holesomly vvith the hand of the
knovvledge of oure election in Christ For albeit that election firste is certayne in the c 2 Reg. 1â— 18. rom 11. 3. 2. tim 2. 19. knovvledge of God yet in our knowledge Fayth onely that vvee haue in Christe is the The elect cannot perish Notes vpon Gods election a Math. 13. 22 24. 24. luke 19. 9. iohn 6. 37. 32. 10. 28. 17 12. 18. 9. 2. thes 2. 13. 1. iohn 2. 19. apoc 13. 8. thing that giueth to vs our certificate comfort of this election vvherefore vvhosoeuer desireth to be assured that hee is one of the elect members of God let him not clime vp into heauen to knovve but let him descend to himself and theâ—e search hâ—â— sayth in Christ the sonne of God vvhich if he finde in him not fained by the working of Gods holy spirite accordingly thereuppon let him stay and so vvrap him selfe vvholly both body and soule vnder Gods generall promise cumber his head vvith no further speculations knovving this that whosoeuer beleueth in him shal not perish Ioh. 3. shal not bee confounded Rom. â— shall not see death Ioh. 8. shal not enter into iudgement Ioh. 5. shal haue euer lasting life Ioh. 3. 7. shal be saued shall haue remission of all his sins shal be iustified Rom. 3. Gal. 2. shal haue floudes flovving out of him of vvater of life Ioh. 7. shall neuer dye Ioh. 1â— shall be raised in the last day Ioh. 6. shall finde rest in his soul and shal be refreshed Math. 11. Novve then forasmuch as vvee see faith to be the grounde vvhereupon dependeth the vvhole condition of our iustifying let vs discusse in like manner vvhat is this faith vvherof the scripture so much speaketh for the more plaine vnderstanding of the simple for many kindes there be of faith as a man may beleeue euery thing that is true yet not euery trueth doth saue neyther dothe the b Math. 7. 22. luke 12. 47. rom 1. 32. 1. cor 13. 2. iam 2. 26. titus 1. 16. beleeuing of euery trueth iustify a man He that be leeueth that God created all things of nought beleeueth truely He that beleeueth that God is a iust God that hee is omnipotent that he is mercifull that hee is true of promise beleeueth vvell and holdeth the trueth Christ â—y â—â—yth receiued Notes vpon Gods election So hee that beleeueth that God hath his election from the beginning and that hee also is one of the same elect and predestinate hath a good beleefe thinketh well but yet this beleef alone except it be seasoned vvith another thing vvill not serue to saluation as it auayled not the olde Ievves vvhich so thought of themselues and yet think to this day to be Gods elect people Onely the faith vvhich auaileth to saluation is that vvhose obiect is the body passion of Iesus Christe crucified so that in the Act of iustifying these tvvo faith and Christ haue a mutuall relation and must alvvayes concurre together fayth as the Action vvhich apprehendeth Christ as the obiect vvhich is apprehended for neither a Iohn 17 21 rom 9 5â— col 2 7. 1 cor 10 16. rom 8 50. 1 corin 1 30. doth the passion of Christe saue vvithout fayth neither doth faith help except it be in Christ As vve see the body of man â—ustained by bread and drinke not except the same bee receiued and conuayed into the stomack yet neyther doth the receiuing of euery thing sustaine mans bodye except it be meate and drink which haue power to giue nourishmeÌ„t In like fort it is vvith fayth for neither doth the beleeuing of euery thing saue but onely faith in the bloude of Christ neither again doth the same bloud of Christ profite vs except by fayth it bee receiued And as the sunne being the cause of al light shineth not but to theÌ„ only which haue eies to see nor yet to them neyther vnlesse they will open their eyes to receiue the lighte so the passion of Christe is the efficiente cause of saluation but fayth is the condition wherby the said passion is to vs effectuall And that is the cause why we say with the scripture that faith b Genes 15 6 hahak 2 4 math 9 22 mark 5 36 â—uke 7 50 acts 10 43 15 9. rom 3 23 24 28 4. 5 5. 1. galat 2 16 3 11. 22 5. 6. ephe 2 8. only iustifieth vs not excluding thereby all other extern Christe and fayth must not be seperated Notes vpon Gods election causes that goe before as grace mercy election vocation the death of Christ c. al vvhich be externe causes vvorking our saluation through faith But vvhen vve say that faith only iustifieth vs the meaning thereof is this that of al internal actions motions or operations in man giuen to him of God there is no other that contenteth pleaseth God or standeth before his iudgement or can helpe any thing to the iustifying of man before him but onely this one action of faith in Iesus Christe the sonne of God for although the action of praying fasting almes patience charity repentaunce the feare and loue of God be high gifts in man not of man giuen of God to man yet be none of al these actions in man imputed of God to saluation but only this one action of faith in man vpon Christe Iesus the sonne of God not that the action it selfe of beleeuing as it is a quality in man dothe so deserue but because it taketh that dignitye of the obiect for faith as it is an action in man is not to be considered alone but must euer goe vvith his obiect and taketh his vertue thereof Like as the looking vp of the olde Israelites did not of it selfe procure anye health vnto them but the promise made in the obiect vvhich vvas the brasen a Numb 21 9 iohn 3 14. Serpent vvhereuppon they looked gaue them health by their looking vp Euen so after like sort are vve saued by our fayth spirituall looking vp to the body of Christ crucified vvhich faith to define is this b Iohn 3 15 16 18. ioh 8 24 14 1 act 8 37 16 31 20 21 1 iohn 3 23. To beleeue Iesus Christe to be the sonne of the liuing God sent into this vvorlde by his death to satisfie for our sinnes and so to receiue the same FINIS AT LONDON Printed by Robert VValde-graue dwelling without Temple-barre neere vnto Sommerset-house 1584.
to such as doe beleeue vvhich beleeuers are discerned from others by not walking after the fleshe but after the spirite to those I saye death is no dammage but aduauntage no dreadful thing but rather f Iob 6 8 9 desirable and of all messengers most mery whilest hee is looked vppon vvith the eyes of sayth in the Gospell PA. VVhat beleeuest thou of God the holye Ghost Of the holy Ghost TI. I do beleeue him to be the Lorde and giueâ— of life a Ioh 14 16 26. 16. 7. 15. rom 8. 9. 11. acts 5. 3. 4. 1. cor 12 5. 6. 3. 16. to proceede from the father and the sonne and to be of one substance vvith them beeing true b Esai 6. 7. 9. math 28. 18. actes 18. 25. 1 corin 3. 16. 6. 19. 2. cor 6. 16. 1. iohn 5. 7. God vvithout beginning and vvithout ending by vvhom the father vvorketh all things in the sonne by vvhom he doth create moue maintaine viuâ—fie and quicken all creatures by vvhome he doth call and dravv vnto him his elect and chosen renueth them into a new life iustifieth c Rom 1. 4 15. 16. 2. thes 2. 13. tit 3 5. â— pet 1. 2. sanctifieth them enricheth them vvith many and sundry d â— Cori. 12. 7. 8. 9 10. 11. 2 10. giftes and also strengthneth them till they come to their perfect saluation vvho dwelling in vs doth vvith his light illuminate our mindes that vve may learne knovv perfectly vvhat treasure of Gods bounteous mercifulnesse vve doe possesse and enioy in Christe so that vvee maye by good right call him the e Ioh. 14. 17. 26. 16. 13 20. 22. 23 1. cor 2. 10. 11 13. 15. ephe â— 17. rom 8. 5. 9. keye vvherwith all the ritches of the heauenly kingdome is opened vnto vs the eye vvherwith vve see and beholde them And for this cause he is called sometimes the f 1. Cor. 1. 21. 5. 5. Galat. 4. 6. â—pâ— 1. 13 14. 4. 30. earnest pony and seale because he doth seale vp in our mindes and consciences the certitude or certainetie of Gods promises sometimes the g Math. 10. 20. mark 13. 11. luk 12 12. iâ—hâ— â—4 26. actes 24 17. actes 6. 10. 1. corin 2. 12. 12. 47. 1 iohn 2. 27. master and teacher of trueth the authour of lighte the VVell and Fountayne of vvisedome knovvledge and vnderstanding This is he that doth purge and cleanse vs from all filthinesse and ouer sprinkleth vs vvith his sanctitude and holinesse that vve may bee made the vvorthye Temples of almightye God This is he that vvith his effectuall h Esai 44. 3. Iohn 3. 5. Heb 10. 22. vvatering doth make vs fruitefull vnto rightcousnesse for to bring foorth aboundauntlye the fruites of our fayth that our heauenly Father Of the holy Ghost may be glorified through our good works conuersation and outvvard liuing for the which cause he is many times called a Math. 3. 1â— iohn 4 10. 7. 38. titus 3. 5. 1 iohn 5. 8. water The same is hee that consumeth and burneth avvay the inordinate lustes and concupiscences of our flesh kindling our hearts with the diuine loue of God of heauenly things vvherefore he is called by good right fire The same spirite also is called b 1. Iohn â— 27. 2 cor 1. 21. oyle or vnction by reason that his working mollâ—fieth the hardnes of our hearts maketh vs receiue the print of that image Iesus Christ by vvhom onely vve are sanctified Finally this is he that by his inspiration doth make vs wholy to liue c Iohn 6 6â— galat. 5. 16. rom 8 9. vnto God so that we be no more led by our ovvne â—enlualitie but follow onely his motion and guiding Therefore is it sayde of Bernard very vvell vvhat good doth the spirite or holye Ghost in vsâ—â—e doth warne moue and teach he doth warne our remembraunce he doth moue our vvilles and d Iohn 14. 26. 1. Iohn 2. 27. teach our reason Therefore if there be any goodnes in vs it is the fruite of his grace and vertue but all our giftes vvithout him are meere darknes of the mind and vvicked peruersnes of the heart PA. Hovve vnderstandest thou the eyght of the Romaines and 15. verse vvhere he speaketh of the spirite of bondage and spirit of feare TI. One and the selfe same spirite of God bringeth foorth tvvo effectes the first is called the spirite of bondage or feare which engendreth in vs feare sorrow Heb. 12. 18. for first by the law and threatnings it maketh afrayd those men that are to be iustified and breaketh and vexeth them with scourges and stripes of the conscience that vtterly dispairing Satisfaction made by Christ Christ beareth our sinnes of them selues they maye flye vnto Christe vnto vvhome vvhen they are come and that they embrace him by fayth they are not onely iustified but also are freely and of their own accord stirred vp to iust vpright and holy workes The other is the spirite of grace and adoption which is giuen vs by the preaching of the Gospell the first belongeth vnto a Rom. 8 15 seruauntes the seconde vnto sonnes Gal. 4. Rom. 8. 18. 2. Tim. â— 7. Heb. 10. 29. Yet doth it not hereof follow that all Prophetes and Patriarkes vvere seruauntes or there vvere no Sonnes before the reuealing of the gospell but it compareth the giftes of the one vvith the other abasing the giftes of the Lavve in respect of the giftes giuen vnder the Gospell PA. Is it then sufficient that Christ is dead that he hath yeelded to God his father on such an obedience yea I say is it sufficient for the sualuatioÌ„ of man that the sonne of God vvas made man to bear the iudgement the wrath and cursse of God in their ovvne nature and their ovvne flesh TI. If that vvere ynough all should be saued indifferently as well the Reprobates as the elect and the vnbeleâ—uers as the faythfull PA. VVhat is more requyred then TI. That the same satisfaction which Iesus Christ hath made to God his father may be coÌ„municated aplied to vs that beleeue for the vnbeleuers haue nothing common vvith Iesus Christe but that they are men of the same humaine nature but the b Ioh 3 16 15 19 13 1 1. ioh 2 2 4 14 faithfull haue this more vvhich is the principall that all that they haue is common to Christe vvith them Participation betweene good and 〈◊〉 and that vvhich Iesus Christe hath is common to them also PA. VVhat is it that Iesus Christ may take of theÌ„ for asmuch as they be all none other then pore and sinfull men TI. He taketh vppon him their a Ioh 2 2 3 5 rom 4 25. 1 pet 2. 24 gal 1 â— 1 tim 1 15 heb 9 26 28 10. 12. 14 18 luke 24 47. sinnes and the paine vvhich is due to them