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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	divine_a	faith_n	revelation_n	2,555	5	9.7977	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89351	Sion's prospect in it's first view. Presented in a summary of divine truths, consenting with the faith profess'd by the Church of England, confirmed from scripture and reason: illustrated by instance and allusion. Compos'd and publish'd to be an help for the prevention of apostacy, conviction of heresy, confutation of error, and establishing in the truth, by a minister of Christ, and son of the church, R.M. quondam è Coll ̊S.P.C.	Mossom, Robert, d. 1679.	1652 (1652)	Wing M2868; Thomason E800_1; ESTC R207347	108,410	128

then the stronger apprehensions of those by whom he is instructed and therefore he hath desired and endeavoured so to express himself that he might not amaze but inform not puzzle but teach studying brevity and clearness which h Brevis esse laboro obscurus fio Hor. seldome meet in one subject especially where the matter is mysterious brevity as an advantage to memory and clearness as an help to the understanding both conducing much to an instructing and establishing in the Truth If any demand a reason of the Authors composing this Treatise this answer will be satisfactory if that demand be not too supercilious that the publick behoofe did put him upon it for among the many excellent Works compos'd by our Churches Heroes we have not one Systeme of Divinity in al parts consenting with her judgment and practice but what hath been of this kinde hath had a taste of the vessel some private opinions i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. Hom. 4. domestica judicia as Tertullian calls them or at best some forraign Resolves hath been intermix'd with our Churches more pure and perfect determinations Upon observation whereof the Author design'd his studies to do with Christian Theology as Florus with the Roman History k Flor. Epit. Rer. Rom. l. 1. In brevi tabella totam ejus imaginem amplecti draw its whole pourtraiture in a small Table comprise its large Body in a short Volume therein delivering the whole and entire judgment of our Church confirmed from testimony of sacred Scripture and illustrated by argument of divine Reason This whole Work bearing the Title of Sion's Prospect he hath divided into two Parts as its first and second View the First is now published the second reserved till its more fit oportunity for publication which in a correspondency of Method Scripture Reason Brevity and clearness doth treat of those several Heads which concern that peculiar part of Gods Providence over the Church of his Elect viZ. Concerning Election and Predestination concerning Christ in the Person and in the office of Mediator concerning the Church concerning the Covenant of Grace concerning the divers Administrations of this Covenant before the Law under the Law and under the Gospel c. That this former part published doth prevent that latter part design'd for publication the Author gives this most full and satisfactory Reason that he would gladly hereby prompt an able judgment and pen to undertake the task rather then do it himself lest through weakness and insufficiency in those grand Mysteries of the Gospel he should l Veritatem defendendo concutere fidem explicando obscurate shake the Truth in defending it and obscure the faith in explaining it Wherefore if what he hath already done may occasionally stir up some eminent person in an holy emulation of pious zeal to undertake so useful and honourable a Work He shall desist from his further Enterprise and rest very well satisfied yea very much joy'd with this Blessing from God that he hath given breath to anothers divine flame Otherwise if he finde the incouragement of acceptance and be confirmed in some hopes of publick benefit to the Church rather then this so much necessary and so much desired work be not done at all He will by the assistance of Gods Spirit finish and publish what is now under his hand tuneing the Instrument to the best of his skill thereby happily provoking some more dextrous hand and more accurate Artist to perfect the harmony If any man shall Critically question or enviously quarrel at the Authors present undertaking be thou Courteous Reader so far his Advocate as to plead in his behalf that it is not his ambition to be expos'd publick to the world but to be accepted of private Friends to whom especially he hath devoted the present service of the Press and if this particular service to some few Friends shall by a gratious dispensation of divine Goodness be extended as a general benefit to the whole Church it will be an additional blessing as much beyond his own hope as it is above anothers envy and well may the blessing be beyond his hope for the attainment who is himself so far short of the blessing by his unworthiness and therefore doth he the more earnestly beg the benefit of thy Prayers if not as a return of gratitude for his service yet as a boon of charity to his soul who is from his soul in all Christian and Ministerial offices Thine faithfully devoted ROBERT MOSSOM The SYLLABUS To the TREATISE CHAP. I. Concerning the Holy Scriptures Sect. 1 REason arguing from Scripture for the Scriptures Sect. 2 The Knowledge of God and his worship by Revelation This Revelation either with the Jews or with the Christians Sect. 3. The Church of the Jewes enquired into by Reason Sect. 4. Reason leads from the Church of the Jews to the Church of the Christians with the Church of Christ is found the word of God as the Revelation of his will Sect. 5. The word of God is the holy Scriptures in the books of the old Testament and the new What Editions are Authentick Translations in the vulgar tongue allowed Sect. 6. The Apocrypha why so called Why not canonical The Old Testament received from the Jews Sect. 7. The Authority of the Scripture is not from the Church Sect. 8. The Authority of the Church is from Christ by the Scriptures Sect. 9. The Tradition of the Church leadeth to the Scriptures The excellencie● of the writings effect the mind The Spirit convinceth of the Truth Sect. 10. A moral perswasion from the Church and the letter a divine belief from the Spirit Sect. 11. Why the Scriptures are not discernable by their own light without the Spirit Sect. 12. What and from whence the Authority of the Scriptures Their sufficiency Their perfection Sec. 13. How the Rule of our faith Such to the end of the World Sec. 14. Particular Revelations not now to be expected Sec. 15. What received as the Truth by the Church What left to the prudence of Governors and to what end Sec. 16. In what the Scriptures are plain and in what hard to be understood How to be Interpreted What the Analogy of Faith Sec. 17. The duty of Christians in the use of the Scriptures Their fulness of heavenly Doctrine How a perfect form of Institution CHAP. II. Concerning God in the Unity of Essence Sec. 1. WHy the nature of God is not to be comprehended by the understanding of Man How the incomprehensible God is apprehended by faith Sec. 2. How God is described in Scripture the Names of God Sec. 3. The description of God according to his names Sec. 4. Further described by his Attributes The first and principal Sec. 5. Why incommunicable to the creatures Sec. 6. The Attributes communicable to the creatures How communicable Sec. 7. Gods essential attributes his one entire Essence how distinguished why diversly express'd in different names Sec. 8. Why there

several kindes more perfect for then they should have chang'd their kinde with their perfection and the reason is plain because the super-addition of natural perfection doth vary the Species even as the addition of unity doth vary the Number so that though God could have made more perfect kindes of creatures yet could he not make these creatures more perfect in their kinde he could have given them accidental excellencies but not any natural perfections without altering their natures Thus through incapacity in the creature God could not do what implies contradiction in the thing § 12. In the works of Creation In his works God manifests his glory 1. The glory of his Power 2. Of his Goodness is manifest the a Rom. 1.20 Rev. 4 11. glory of the Creator in his Power Goodness Wisdom and Eternity his Power is gloriously manifested in his creating all things out of nothing and preserving them in their being his b Psal 104.24 Jer. 51.15 Acts 17.25 Goodness is gloriously manifested in his communicating a proportion of life and blessedness unto his creatures 3. Of his Wisdom his c Psa 104.24 Jer. 51.15 Acts 17.25 Wisdom is gloriously manifested in that admirable harmony of order and of use that excellent beauty of proportion and of parts which is in the Creation 4. Of his Eternity and his Eternity that is gloriously manifested in his being the d Joh. 1.1 2 3. Author and Efficient of all things who therefore must needs have his being before they could have their beginning and e Rev. 1.8 having his being before time he must be eternal The light of nature directs to the worship of God as the Creator § 13. God a Jer. 10.11 Acts 17.24 manifesting himself in his creatures to be a Creator in Power Goodness and Wisdom infinite and eternal the light b Acts 17.24 25 27. Rom. 1.20 21. of nature doth direct man to love him to worship him to invocate and to praise him And to this end God c Gen. 2.3 Exod. 20.11 resting the seventh day The seventh day the Sabbath doth bless and sanctifie it thereby setting it apart as d Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Exod. 31.15 an holy Sabbath for the solemnity of his worship to be observed in all after Generations How long to continue till Christ the e Mat. 12.8 Lord of the Sabbath by his work of Redemption far greater then this of Creation doth give f Col. 2.16 Rev. 1.10 change to the day in an higher advancement of the worship by a more excellent glory of the Solemnity How the Creation is an object of our faith § 14. That God is the Primary and sole Efficient Cause of the World's existence may be evidently and infallibly demonstrated by a Rom. 1.19 20 light of Nature and argument of Reason yet the actual Creation of the World especially for manner and time is not to be proved by any demonstrative Argument but by b Gen. 1.1 c. divine Authority and so is become an Article of our Creed not a part of our Science we c Heb. 11.3 beleeve it as delivered by divine Revelation we know it not as discovered by humane Reason CHAP. VIII Concerning the Providence of God § 1. All things subordinate to God's will SEeing God's Will doth determine his knowledg and limit his power all things must needs be subordinate to the a Psal 115.3 148.5 103.20 21. Counsel and Command of his will whose essential properties being b Psal 25 8. goodness and holiness c Psal 145.9 goodness the fountain of his grace and mercy d Rev. 15.3 4. holiness the fountain of his truth and justice this subordination of all things unto his will must certainly be in order to the glory either of his mercy In order either to his Mercy or his Justice or of his justice of his goodness or of his holiness the two e Psal 89.14 100.5 pillars of God's Throne of Majesty The wisdom and power of his Providence whereon he sits as f Psal 95.3 146 10. King in the supremacy of his will to govern by the wisdom and power of his providence g Psal 135. Isa 66.1 all things in heaven and in earth and God's will being immutable in its determinations Infallible in it's administrations his Providence must needs be infallible in its administrations § 2. The Infellibility of God's Providence doth not take away the use of mean Yet neither are the deliberations of Counsels the industry of endeavours nor the importunity of prayers neither are the admonitions of precepts the incouragement of promises nor the deterrement of threatnings taken away or made void but rather a 2 S● 5.19 24. Psal 128.2 Da. 9.2.3 c. Mat. 4.45 Acts 27.21.30.31 c. confirmed and made good by the infallibility of God's Providence in the determinations of his will For that but confirm● it God determining the end doth also b Ephes 2.10 2 Thes 2.13 order the means means proportionable and agreeable to that end which maketh much for the c 2 Thes 2.15 strengthning of our faith d 2 Pet. 1 10.11 quickning of our obedience and e Rom. 5 2. confirming our hope hope of obtaining the end as determin'd by God's will when we observe the means as appointed in God's word To deny God's Providence is Atheism § 3. So that to establish the means and deny the Providence of God determining the end is a part of Atheism to establish the Providence of God determining the end To despise the use of means is profaneness and despise the means is great profaneness but to use the means so f Psal 17.7 Pro. 30.5 as withal to trust and g Heb. 6.15 Isa 25.9 attend God's Providence for the obtaining of the end To establish both is truth and righteousness is a way of truth and a work of righteousness knowing this that Prayers and Counsels and Endeavours they are appointed of God To what end is the use of means not whereby we should alter his will but h Mat. 6.10 perform it not whereby we should change his decree but fulfil it and in what we obtain not our desires we testifie our obedience The course of nature declares the Providence of God § 4. The Order of Natures course doth plainly declare the hand of God's Providence for seeing the irrational and inanimate creatures do all act to some determinate end it is thereby evident that they are directed by some powerful Agent determining that end and so though themselves are void of life and reason yet by their natural course do they discover a super-natural cause who both a Heb. 20.21 lives and b Psal 94.10 knows and accordingly both rules and orders according to the end himself wils and effects This ●ptly illustrated The flying then

beauty to the blind Why the Scriptures are not discernable by their own ligh● without the Spirit nor the plainest Scripture in its Divine Truth to the c 1 Cor. 2.14 unbelieving and Faith being the d Ephes 2.8 Gift of God none can believe but to whom it is e Luk. 8.10 given Yea were the Scriptures like the Sun discernable by their own light all should acknowledge them Divine who read them written or hear them preach'd but the contrary practice confirms the contrary opinion that seeing all do not receive them it is by a f 1 Cor. 2.15 peculiar Gift of the Spirit that any do believe them that they are the word of God § 12. What and from whence the Authority of the Scriptures And believing these books of Holy Scriptures to be as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word of God we acknowledge them to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of soveraign and sacred Authority for the proving deciding and determining all a Deut. 17.9 10 11. Isai 8.20 Acts 17.2.11 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Gal. 1.8 controversies in Doctrines of Faith containing in them b 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Acts 20 27. all Truths necessary to Salvation Their sufficiency Their perfection and as not being subject to c Mark 12.24 error in themselves nor to receive d Joh. 10 35. 2 Pet. 1.19 Deut. 12.32 Prov. 30 5 6. Rev. 22.18 Addition or Diminution or Change by the e Gal. 3.15 2.8 Authority of Men or revelation of Angels § 13. How the Rule of our faith We say the Holy Scriptures are the a 1 Thes 5.21 1 Joh. 4.1 6. 2 John 9. Rom. 16.17 Canon and Rule of our Faith and as a Rule hath its just measure inherent in it selfe not depending upon the hand of the Artificer so the Scriptures have their infallible truth inherent in themselves not depending upon the judgement of the Church And as when we speak of a Rule we mean not the materiall wood but the formall measure so when we speak of the Scriptures being the Rule of our Faith we mean not the materiall Book but the formall Truth even the will of God revealed And we expect not any more nor any other Revelation as a Rule of faith or life Such to the end of the world but this to b Heb. 1.1 2 Mat 28.20 1 Cor. 11.26 2 Thes 2.8 continue to the end of the world § 14. Prophesies and particular Revelations Particular Revelations not now to be expected they were to the Church as the light of the Moon and of the Stars to the world of much use and benefit in the night even in the darknesse of ignorance and dim light of Types and Figures whereas the glory of the Gospel like that of the Sun it gives us a Noon-light of divine Truth so that now to expect particular Revelations in matters of faith were to light a candle in the Sun or to look for a Star at Noon Doubtless this is the high way to a 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Thes 2.1 Heresie and gives advantage to Satan b 2 Cor. 11.13 14. transformed into an Angel of light the more easily to deceive and the more dangerously to seduce What received as the Truth by the Church § 15. Whatsover is preach'd or taught express'd in the letter or agreeable to the Analogy of the Holy Scriptures we receive as a Mal. 2.6 John 17.17 Acts 18.28 2 Tim. 2.15 Truth But what is opposite to or dissenting from them we reject as b Acts 17.11 Mark 12.24 error And what things are indifferent in their own nature as being neither directly express'd in the word nor necessarily deduc'd from it nor any way opposite to the word or inconsistent with it those things we acknowledge left to the Prudence of Governours What left to the Prudence of Governors and to what end for the preservation of c 1 Cor. 11.16 chap. 14.26 33 40. Heb. 13.17 Philip. 2.14 Order and Unity in the Church which things indifferent in their nature by the command of lawful Authority do become necessary in their use In what the Scriptures are plain and in what hard to be understood § 16. And seeing the Holy Scriptures though in most texts they are a Deut. 30.11 14. Psal 19.7 8. 2 Tim. 3.15 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Psal 119.105 2 Cor. 4.3 4. clear yet in many they are b 1 Cor. 2.6 7. 2 Pet. 3.16 obscure Though in Truths absolutely necessary to salvation they are easie yet in mysteries excellently profitable for edification they are difficult to be understood Therefore for the true Interpretation of Scripture How to be Interpreted we admit the judgement of the Church as a trusty Guide and the opinion of the Learned as a rational Argument but we approve the Scripture it self as an c 2 Pet. 1.20 infallible Rule clearing those texts which are dark and doubtful What the Analogy of Faith by those places which are more plain and evident being careful to keep close to the d Rom. 12.6 Phil. 3.16 Analogy of Faith which doth consist in those Principles of Christianity which are clearly set forth in Scripture and generally received of the Church A Sum whereof we have in those short Confessions of Faith call'd the Apostles Creed Athanasius Creed and the Nicene Creed together with the Decalogue the Lords Prayer and the Doctrine of the Sacraments § 17. The duty of Christians in the use of the Scriptures And that every true Christian may be throughly furnished with Knowledge unto works of Holiness and Righteousness it is his duty diligently to a Joh. 5 39. 2 Pet. 1.19 Luke 16.29 search the Scriptures and to b Deu. 5 32 33 John 13.17 Jam. 1.22 25. conform his judgment and conversation according to their rule and direction Their fulness of heavenly Doctrine They being the Heavenly Store-house from whence the Church of Christ is furnish'd with all spiritual c Luke 4.4 Heb. 5 12 13 14 1 Pet. 2.2 Provision of sound Doctrine whether it be in matters of Faith or Manners d 2 Tim. 3.16 Profitable they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Doctrine and Instruction in what concerns God and Christ Creation and Redemption Sin and Grace Death and Life Misery and Blessedness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Argument and Conviction in discovering and refuting Error in discerning and confirming Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Correction and Reformation How a perfect form of Institution in what concerns Minde and Manners the inward and the outward Man in thoughts in words and in works and of these Three doth consist the Apostles perfect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 form of institution in Righteousness CHAP. II. Concerning God in the Unity of Essence § 1. AS the Sun is in it self most visible Why the Nature of God is not to be comprehended by

And here whilst we view the Jewish Sanctuary Sacrifices and Prophecies by the light of Reason we see them plainly a Joh. 5.39 46 Lu. 10.23 24. 1 Cor. 15 3 4. look and lead unto Christ For their Sanctuary and Sacrifices being b Heb 9.1.10 Earthly and Carnal must needs in the pure worship of that God who is a c John 4.24 Heb. 12.9 Isa 1 10 12. c. Heb. 1.5 6 7. spirit and the Father of spirits be the d H●b 8.4.5 ch 9 9 23 24. Types and shadows of things Heavenly and Spiritual so that as their Prophecies having their appointed time either they are fulfilled or they have expired so their Sanctuary and Sacrifices being Types and shadowes either they were vain or they have vanished and this in Christ the e Col. 2.17 John 1.17 Substance of those shadows and the f John 1.45 Luke 24.27 Mat 1.22 23. chap. 26.56 ch 27.35 Luke 22 37. Joh. 19.36 37. Subject of these Prophecies Reason leads from the Church of the Jews to the Church of the Christians § 4. For let the Jews search the several places and Ages of the World they cannot finde a fulfilling of a Gen. 49.10 Hag. 2.7.9 Gen. 3.15 Deut. 18 15. Isa 2.2 7.14 9.6 7. Dan. 2.44 45. Special Prophecies nor can they give us an Antitype and substance for their Sanctuary and Sacrifices but in the Person and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah So that for the true and more full Knowledge of God with the right and more pure form of his Worship we are directed by the Dictate of Reason to the Church of Christ With the Church of Christ is found the Word of God as the Rev●l●tion of his Will b 1 Tim. 3.15 which as the Pillar of Truth doth hold forth to us the Holy Scriptures as the c Rom. 3.2 Luke 1.70 2. Cor. 2.17 chap. 4.2 1 Thes 2.13 word of God delivered by the d 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 1 Cor. 2.13 Inspiration of the Holy Spirit § 5. These Holy Scriptures are the writings of the a Eph. 2.20 2 Pet. 3.2 Prophets and Apostles in the books of the Old b 2 Cor. 3.14 Testament and the New The Word of God the Holy Scriptures in the Books of the Old Testament and the New The Original and Authentick edition of the former according to the writings of Moses and the Prophets is the Hebrew and of the latter according to the writings of the Apostles and Evangelists is the Greek What Editions are Authentick That the Mother language of the Jews this the most common language of the Gentiles who in a contradistinct notion to the Jews are therefore called c 1 Cor. 23.24 Rom. 2.9 10. Gal. 3.28 Greeks and as the first edition of the Holy Scriptures were Translations in the Vulgar tongue allowed so the after translations ought to be in the Vulgar tongue that they may be d John 5.39 Col. 3.16 Acts 8.28 1 Thes 5.27 Rev. 1 3. read of all § 6. The Apocrypha signifying secret or hid The Aprocrypha why so called either in respect of their Authors being not certainly known or their Authority not being publickly received seeing we finde them not in the Hebrew we acknowledge not as Canonical to prove doctrines of faith Why not Canonical though profitable for instruction in moral duties We receive those books onely to be of the Old Testament The Old Testament received from the Jews which were kept a Luke 24.44 Sacred by the Jews by an especial Providence and b Rom 32. chap 9.4 Divine appointment made faithful Registers and Bibliothists to the Christian Church § 7. And seeing the Church hath its a Eph. 2.20 foundation fixt upon the Scriptures The Authority of the Scriptures is not from the Church the Scriptures cannot have their Authority derived from the Church so that as not b Joh. 5.33 34. Christs Ministry so nor doth Christ's Word receive its Weight or Worth its Excellency or Authority from the Testimony of Man That the Lord Jesus Christ was c Rom. 4 25. deliver'd for our offences and raised again for our justification we beleeve what because the Church doth so teach us No but because the d Rom. 10.17 Scriptures do so teach the Church § 8. The Holy Scriptures being those a 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. Credential letters The Authority of the Church is from Christ by the Scriptu●es which Christ the King of glory hath given to his Church must necessarily have their Authority from their Author which is Christ and what Authority the Church hath from Christ is convey'd and confirmed by the b 1 Tim. 3.15 Scriptures so that the Authority of the Scriptures is far above the Authority of the Church And though the Tradition of the Church doth declare the Authority of the Sciptures yet doth it not give Authority to them as the c John 1.7.29 34. Testimony of John Baptist doth declare Christ to be the Messiah yet doth not make him to be the Messiah by so declaring him The Tradition of the Church leadeth to the Scriptures § 9. Yea in our believing the Scriptures to be the word of God though true it is the Church leadeth us unto the Scriptures as the a John 4.39 woman did the Samaritans unto Christ by a Traditional report of their Divine excellency yet having read them diligently and faithfully b Joh. 7.17 18 observed the deep Mysteries The excellency of the writings affect the mind the sure Prophesies the glorious Miracles the purity of the Precepts the harmony of the Parts the efficacy of the Doctrines the sincerity of the Writers the plainnesse of the Style with the Majesty of the Word having observed these it is through the convincing power of the c John 14.17 spirit of Truth The Spirit convinceth of the Truth that we say to the Clurch as the d John 4.42 5 39. Samaritans did to the woman Now we believe no more because of thy saying of thy Tradition for we our selves have read and know that these Scriptures are indeed the word of God and in them we have eternal life A morall perswasion from the Church and the letter a divine belief from the Spirit § 10. That the Scriptures then are the Word of God we believe in a a 1 John 5.9 John 16.13 1 Cor. 2.10 12. 1 Joh. 2.20.27 moral perswasion from the outward Tradition of the Church and the incomparable excellency of the matter but in a Divine Faith from the b inward Testimony of the Spirit § 11. Indeed though the Scriptures are a light a Psal 119.105 2 Pet. 1.19 yea the b 2 Cor. 3.18 clear light of the Sun of Righteousnesse yet it is only to those who have their eyes opened The brightest day appears not in it's glorious