righteousnesse by that man whom he hath appointed c. Obiect But some one may say what tell ye vs of these terrible things we haue no reason to thinke of our selues that we are vnsanctified how can we or you tell who are not sanctified Sol. It is easie to tell in the negatiue who are not sanctified you may know it of wicked men 1. Because they are a sleepe and dead in sinne and haue not not any true feeling of the hatefulnesse of their many sinnes Ephes 2.1 And you hath he quickned that were dead in trespasses and sinnes 2. Because sinne raignes in them it hath an vnlimited power in them Rom. 6.12 Let not sinne reigne therefore in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof 3. Because they sinne by couenant they hire themselues their purpose is with their whole harts to commit and continue in sin they obey as seruants Rom. 6.16 Know ye not that to whomsoeuer yee giue your selues as seruants to obey his seruants ye are to whom ye obey whether it be of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse 4. Because they are silent from prayer and confession of sinne Psalm 32.23.5 5. Because they haue no sauor of the things of the spirit but altogether sauour fleshly things Rom. 8.5 For they that are after the flesh sauour the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit 6. Because they neuer had any marriage affections to Iesus Christ Rom. 7.5 7. Lastly a wicked man finds in himselfe not onely an impotency but an impossibilitie to be subiect to the Law of God Hee resolues that he cannot possibly yeeld to the directions of the word nor will not whereas a godly mind loues the Law desires to obey endeuours it subiects himselfe to it though hee faile many waies Fourthly and lastly the godly may bee comforted in the obseruation of this worke of the spirit of grace that is in Iesus Christ which killes sinne in them and hath made them aliue from the dead Obiect But some weake Christian might say There is much comfort in this doctrine of the healing of their natures saue that the imperfection of their sanctification is a continuall discomfort Solut. Christians may and ought to comfort themselues against the imperfection of their sanctification many waies and so if they looke 1. Vpon the Spirit of God in their hearts and so two things may relieue them first the assistance of the Spirit which will helpe their infirmities Rom. 8. 26. And then if they consider the very fountaine of all good actions and euery good gift to be the same spirit of God they must needes conclude it is some diuine thing which is wrought in them in as much as it flowes from the holy Ghost howsoeuer it be imperfect through the corruption of their hearts 2. Vpon Iesus Christ and so if they behold 1. His intercession and that likewise hath a double comfort in it for first Christ made intercession for vs when hee praied for our sanctification it should much comfort vs to remember that our sanctification was one of the things Christ praied for Iohn 17.19 Secondly Christ in his intercession in heauen couers all the imperfections of the godly and is their aduocate before the Father 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 8.34 2. His death and resurrection from whence flowes a vertue continually which is of singular power to make our sinnes still die in vs and quicken vs to newnes of life Rom. 6.4 For this cause did Christ sanctifie himselfe that hee might sanctifie his members by the influence come from him as from their head Iohn 17.17 3. Vpon the hope of perfect holinesse for the time will come when they shall be without spot or wrincle Ephes 5.27 The merit of their perfect holinesse is found in the price paied by Iesus Christ Heb. 10.14 It should much solace them that one day there shall be a perpetuall end of all sinne and infirmities 4. If in the meane time they looke vpon the good nature of God assuring them by his promises 1. That they are vnder Grace and not vnder the Law Rom. 6.14 2. That hee will not deale with vs after our sins Psalm 103. 3. That he will spare vs as a man spareth his sonne that serueth him Mal. 3.17 4. That hee will accept of the wil and desire for the deed 2. Cor. 8.12 5. That he is slow to anger and ready to forgiue Psalm 103.8 And mercie pleaseth him Micha 7.18 6. That hee will passe by our infirmities meere frailties and not take notice of them Micha 7.18 CHAP. XXVI Of the Resurrection Ioh. 5.28.29 Maruell not at this for the houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice And they shall come forth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation HItherto of the principles that concerne the third estate of man The fourth estate of man is the estate of glory and in this we are to consider the three degrees of it 1. The Resurrection of the the body 2. The last Iudgement 3. The glory of Heauen The principles concerning the resurrection are these First that the bodies of dead men shall rise out of the dust of the earth and their owne soules shall enter into them againe Iob 19.23.26 For I am sure that my Redeemer liueth and hee shall stand the last on the earth And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh Esa. 26.19 Thy dead men shall liue euen with my body shall they rise Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbes and the earth shall cast out the dead c. Ioh. 5.28 Maruell not at this for the houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice 1. Cor. 15.16 For if the dead be not raised then is Christ not raised c. in the whole chapter Secondly that the bodies of all men shall be raised Ioh. 5.28 as before Small and great the earth sea fier beasts fowles aire c. shall deliuer vp their dead Reuel 20.12.13 And I saw the dead both great and small stand before God and the bookes were opened and another book was opened which is the booke of life and the dead were iudged of those things which were written in the bookes according to their workes And the sea gaue vp her dead which were in her and death and hell deliuered vp the dead which were in them and they were iudged euery man according to their works Iust and vniust shall rise Act. 24.15 And haue hope toward God that the resurrection of the dead which they themselues looke for also shall bee both of iust and vniust Though the vniust shall not rise in the same manner nor by the same power that is by the vertue of Christs
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
THE PATERNE OF WHOLSOâ—â— WORDS Or a collection of such Truths as are of necessity to be belieued â—nto saluation separated oâ—t of â—he body of all Theologie Made euident by infallible anâ— plaine proofes of Scripture And withall The seuerall vses such Principles should be put to are abundantly shevved A Proiect much desired and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians By N. Bifeild Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex 2. TIM 1.13 Keepe the true paterne of wholesome words whicâ— thou hast heard of me in faith and loueâ— which is Christ Iesus AT LONDON Imprinted by F. K. for Samuel Maâ—â— dwelling in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Swan 1618. To the most Noble Ladie the Ladie DOROTHIE Countesse of Northumberland And to the highly honoured Ladies her Daughters The Ladie DOROTHIE SYDNEY and the Ladie LVCIE HAY N. BYFEILD Wisheth the abundance of true grace and peace Right Honourable I Haue long since vndertaken as in the course of my Ministerie you haue often heard to extract out of al Theologie conteined in the Scriptures the Principles that is such doctrines which are fundamentall and absolutely necessarie to be knowne of as many as are to be saued This Proiect ought to bee well accepted of all sorts of Christians that wish their owne good partly in respect of the necessitie of the doctrines here collected vnder their seueral heads and partly in respect of the apparant euidence of the proofes of Scripture which are such as make infallible demonstration to the conscience by the expresse light coÌ„teined in them and partly because the Vses which may be made of the seuerall Principles are euery where abundantly shewed And in as much as the Lord hath been pleased to giue some testimonie to my indeuors herein in the publike preaching I am not out of hope but that the printing of those Principles may be profitable to many godly and plaine-hearted Christians that desire in the plainest manner to vnderstand the meaning of their heauenly Fathers will I humbly dedicate this worke vnto your Honours and pray your acceptation and the patronage of it and to giue me leaue in the view of the world to signifie this way both my obseruance of the many noble and excellent vertues which are eminent in each of your Honours as also my vnfained thankefulnesse for the many fauours I haue receiued and for the countenance and incouragement of my Ministery accounting it a singular mercy of God that any labours of mine should find acceptation with persons of so high place and quality or any way be successeful to the prospering of any part of the worke of Gods grace in your hearts Now the God of all consolation fill your Noble breasts with all riches of the true grace that is in Iesus Christ that you may abound in the knowledge of the mysteries of his Kingdome in all iudgement and loue of the truth which is according to godlines and in all those gifts which may be found vnto honor and praise and glory in the reuelation of Iesus Christ. Your Honours in all seruice N. Bifeild Isleworth March 27. 1618. CERTAINE OF THE chiefest things contained throughout the whole Booke Chap. 1. THree things intended in this worke distinctly Page 1.2 Three waies to know a principle p. 6.6 An excellent course for catechising shewed p. 7. Chap. 2. The method of all the principles p. 8.9 Chap. 3. The principles that concerne the Scriptures p. 10.11 c. That the Scriptures are the very word of God proued by sixe testimonies externall as also by the internall testimonie of the spirit p. 11.12.13 That they are perfect p. 13. Six duties vrged from thence p. 14. 15. c. the Papists reproued in foure things p. 19.20 and the carnall Protestant in 4. things p. 21.22 and many godly men in 4. things also p. 22. Chap. 4. Foure principles concerning God p. 24. That there is a God proued by three testimonies internall and by foure testimonies from the world and two testimonies in the Church p. 25.26.27 Ten glories in the nature of God p. 28.29 c. Eight duties arising from the consideration of Gods nature p. 32.33.34 Sixe rules to be obserued in the study of the nature of God p. 35.36 Plaine proofes of the Trinity p. 39. with vses p. 41. that there is but one God proued with vses p. 42.43.44 Chap. 5. Fiue principles concerning the Creation p. 45.46 Sixe duties taught by the Creation p. 48.49 Chap. 6. Seuen principles concerning Gods prouidence p. 52.53 to 58. Eleuen things admirable in Gods prouidence p. 58.59.60 Foure sorts of men reproued p. 62. Eight vses for instruction p. 63.64.65.66.67 Foure waies to shew our patience in aduersity p. 64.65 Comforts from the meditation of Gods prouidence p. 69.70 Chap. 7. Two principles concerning mans estate of innocency p. 71.72 Man made after the image of God many waies p. 72. c. Man was the image of God in respect of his substance and so both of his being and of the manner of his being p. 72.73 Man made the image of God in respect of his gifts 3. waies p. 74. Foure sorts of free-wills p. 75. The speciall fauour of God to man in his creation both in respect of the time when and the place where and the manner how hee made him both in respect of soule and body p. 76.77 The doctrine of mans first happines teacheth diuers duties 1. To God p. 78. 2. To our selues p. 79. 3. To other men p. 80. Confutation of Papists about pictures p. 81. Chap. 8. Three principles concerning the fall of man p. 82. Seuen things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne p. 84. How it is that godly men beget vngodly children p. 86. Foure generall instructions p. 87.88 Three occasions of apostasie p. 87.88 Fiue degrees of the diuels tentation p. 90. Foure sorts of men in particular warned by the fall p. 91.92 Chap. 9. Foure principles concerning sinne p. 93.94 Fourteene foule blemishes in euery mans nature p. 95.96.97.98.99 Nine vses for information p. 103.104.105 Seuen things charged vpon ciuill honest men p. 106.107 Many vses for instruction with consolations also p. 108.109.110 Chap 10. Seuenteene sorts of punishments inflicted on man for sinne p. 114. to 128. The punishment of the damned in hell amplified by the degrees of it and the place and the continuance of it p. 124.125.126.127 Many vses from p. 128. to 136. Chap. 11. Fiue principles concerning election p. 137.138 Foure instructions p. 139. to 146. Signes of election of two sorts p. 146. to 152. Eight priuiledges of Gods elect p. 152. to 156. Chap. 12. That Christ is God proued 6. waies p. 157.158.159 Why it was needfull hee should bee God p. 159. The vses for humiliation and for instruction in many things and for consolation p. 160. to 164. Chap. 13. 4 Principles coÌ„cerning the humane nature of Christ. p. 164. to 167. Why Christ was incarnate p. 167. Why the second person in Trinitie was
the subiect of grace viz. the Church the degrees of grace in this life are two First Iustification Secondly Sanctification Concerning Iustification there are these principles First that al men haue sinned and the whole world is guilty before God naturally and in themselues Rom. 3.19.23 Now wee know that whatsoeuer the Law saith it saith to them which are vnder the Law that euery mouth may be stopped and all the world be culpable before God For there is no difference for all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God Gal. 3.22 But the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should bee giuen to them that beleeue Secondly that by mens owne workes no flesh can be iustified Rom. 3.20 Therefore by the workes of the Law shall no flesh be iustified in his sight for by the Law commeth the knowledge of sinne Titus 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy hee saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost Gal. 3.11 And that no man is iustified by the Law in the sight of God it is euident for the iust shall liue by faith Phil. 3.9 And might be found in him that is not hauing mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnesse which is of God through faith Iustified I say before God for by workes wee may bee iustified before men of which iustification the Apostle Iames speakes in his second Chapter c. Thirdly that the righteousnesse which maketh vs iust is in Iesus Christ being made ours by imputation 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to bee sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him 1. Cor. ◠30 But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisedome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption Rom. 5.18.19 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the iustifying of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also bee made righteous Phil. 3.9 And might be found in him that is not hauing mine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnes which is of God through faith Ier. 23.6 In his daies Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnesse Rom. 4.7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered c. 4. That this righteousnesse is made ours onely by faith and so we are iustified onely by faith as it apprehends and laies hold vpon and relies on the righteousnes of Christ Rom. 3.28 Therfore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Law Gal. 2.16 Know that a man is not iustified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ euen we I say haue beleeued in Iesus Christ that we might be iustified by the faith of Christ and not by the workes of the Law because that by the works of the Law no flesh shall be iustified Rom. 1.26.17 For I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth to the Iew first and also to the Grecian For by it the righteousnesse of God is reuealed from faith to faith as it is written The iust shall liue by faith Heb. 11.6 But without faith it is vnpossible to please God 5. That this faith is the gift of God Ioh. 6.29 Iesus answered and said vnto them This is the worke of God that yee beleeue in him whom he hath sent Rom. 12.3 For I say through the grace that is giuen vnto me to euery one that is among you that no man presume to vnderstand aboue that which is meet to vnderstand but that he vnderstand according to sobrietie as God hath delt to euerie man the measure of faith Phil. 1.29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ that not onely yee should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake Ephesians 2.8 For by grace are yee saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Hebrewes 12.2 Looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith c. Sixthly that all men haue not faith Isaiah 53.1 Who will belieue our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed 2. Thess. 3.2 For all men haue not faith And therefore this faith is called the faith of Gods Elect Titus 1.1 Paul a seruant of God and an Apostle of Iesus Christ according to the faith of Gods Elect Seuenthly that there is but one kind of faith by which all the elect of God are iustified Ephes 4.5 There is one Lord one Faith one Baptisme c. Eighthly that being iustified by faith wee haue peace with God and forgiuenesse of all our sins Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to bee a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse by the forgiuenesse of sinnes that are passed through the patience of God c. Rom. 5.1 Then being iustified by faith we haue peace toward God through our Lord Iesus Christ. The consideration of these principles should worke in vs First a speciall care of diuers duties as 1. The detestation of that doctrine that teacheth men to rest vpon the merits of their owne works contrary to these expresse Scriptures Rom. 3.20 Therefore by the works of the Law shall no flesh be iustified in his sight for by the Law commeth the knowledge of sin Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the workes of the Law are vnder the curse for it is written Cursed is euery man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to doe them Ephes. 2.8.9 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of workes least any man should boast himselfe Titus 3.5 Not by the works of righteousnesse which we had done but according to his mercy he saued vs. All which we should carrie in our minds 2. The inflāmation of the loue of Christ in vs and the admiration of the riches of Gods grace Rom. 5.6.7.8 For Christ when we were yet of no strength at his time died for the vngodly Doubtlesse one will scarce die for a righteous man but yet for a good man it may be that one dare die But God setteth out his loue toward vs seeing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs. 3. An especiall care aboue al things to beleeue accounting all things but dung in comparison of the knowledge of Christ herein Without this faith it