they did at the first from the Creation untill the time of Moses for the space of 2513. years First because then God immediately by his voice and Prophets sent from him taught the Church his truth which now are ceased Heb. 1. 1. Secondly traditions might then be of sufficient certainty by reason of the long life of Gods faithfull witnesses for Methusalem lived with Adam the first man 243. years and continued unto the Flood Shem lived at once with Methusalem 98. years and flourished above 500. yeares after the Flood Isaac lived 50. years with Shem and died about 10. years before the descent of Israel into Aegypt So that from Adams death unto that time three men might by tradition preserve the purity of Religion but after the comming of Israel out of Aegypt mans age was so shortened that in the dayes of Moses the first Penman of the Scriptures it was brought to 70. or 80. years as appeareth by the Psal. 90. 10. Thirdly God saw his true religion greatly forgotten in Aegypt Israel then falling unto Idolatry Ezekiel 20. 8. and having brought Israel then his people from thence did not onely restore but also encreased the same adding thereunto many more particulars concerning his service which were needfull for mens memories to be written Fourthly God having gathered his Church to a more solemn company then before it was his pleasure then to begin the writings of his will and therefore first with his own finger he wrote the ten Commandements in two Tables of stone and then commanded Moses to write the other words which he had heard from him in the Mount Exod. 34. 27 28. Fiftly thus God provided that the Churches of all ages and times might have a certain rule to know whether they embraced sound Doctrine or no and that none should be so bold as to coin any new Religion to serve him with but that which he had delivered in writing What is Scripture then The Word of God written by men inspired by the holy Ghost for the perfect building and salvation of the Church or holy Books written by the inspiration of God to make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 20. 21. Joh. 20. 31. If that the Scriptures be written by men which are subject unto infirmities how can it be accounted the Word of God Because it proceeds not from the wit or mind of men but holy men set apart by God for the work of God spake and writ as they were moved by the holy Ghost therfore God alone is to be counted the Author therof who inspired the hearts of those holy men whom he chose to be his Secretaries who are to be held only the Instrumentall cause thereof When Jeremy brought the Word of God to the Jews they said it was not the Word of the Lord but he spake as Baruc the son of Neriah provoked him Jer. 43. 2. and so some perhaps in these days are so ungodly as to take the Jews part against Jeremy and all his fellowes How may it appeare therefore that this Book which you call the Book of God and the holy Scriptures is the Word of God indeed and not mens policy By the consonant testimony of men in all ages from them that first knew these Penmen of the holy Ghost with their writings untill our time and reasons taken out of the Word themselves agreeable to the quality of the writers both which kind of arguments the holy Scriptures have as much and far more then any other writings wherefore as it were extream impudency to deny the works of Homer of Plato Virgil Tully Livy Galen c. when as consent of al ages have reached delivered them unto us which also by the tongue phrase matter and all other circumstances agreeable are confirmed to be the works of the same Authors whose they are testified to be so it were more then brutish madnesse to doubt of the certain truth and authority of the holy Scriptures which no lesse but much more then any other writings for their Authors are testified and confirmed to be the sacred Word of the ever-living God not onely testified I say by the uniform witnesses of men in all ages but also confirmed by such reasons taken out of the writings themselves as doe sufficiently argue the Spirit of God to be the Author of them for we may learn out of the testimonies themselves as David did Psa. 119. 125. That God hath established them for ever Let me hear some of those reasons which prove that God is the Author of the holy Scriptures First the true godlinesse and holinesse wherewith the writers of the Scriptures shined as Lamps in their times and far surpassed all men of other religions which sheweth the work of Gods Spirit in them and how unlikely it is that such men should obtrude into the Church their own inventions in stead of Gods Word Secondly the simplicity integrity and sincerity of these Writers in matters that concern themselves those that belong unto them doing nothing by partiality 1 Tim. 5. 21. neither sparing their friends nor themselves so Moses for example in his writing spared not to report the reproach of his own Tribe Gen. 34. 30. 49. 5. 7. nor the incest of his parents of which he himself was conceived Exod. 6. 20. nor the Idolatry of his brother Aaron Exod. 32. nor the wicked murmuring of his sister Miriam Numb 12. nor his own declining of his vocation by God to deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt Exo. 4. 13 14. nor his own murmuring against God in his impatiency Num. 11. 11 12 13 14. nor his want of faith after so many wonderfull confirmations Num. 20. 12. 27. 14. Deut. 32. 51. And though he were in highest authority and having a promise of the people to beleeve whatsoever he said Exod. 19. 8. 20. 19. 24. 3. he assigneth no place for his own sons to aspire either to the Kingdome or to the high Priesthood but leaveth them in the mean degree of common Levites all which things declare most manifestly that he was void of all earthly and carnall affections in his writings as was meet for the Penman and Scribe of God hereunto also may be added that he writeth of himself Numb 12. 3. that he was the meekest of all the men that were upon the face of the whole earth which no wise man would in such sort report of himself if he were left to his own discretion Thirdly the quality and condition of the Penmen of these holy writings some of whom were never trained up in the school of man and yet in their writings shew that depth of wisdome that the most learned Philosopers could not attain unto Some also were before professed enemies to the truth whereof afterwards they were Writers Amos was no Prophet but an Heard-man and a gatherer of wilde figges Amos 7. 14. Matthew a Publicane
of the people into the Land of promise that all strangers might reade and know what Religion the children of Israel professed and hee commanded that it should bee writen well and plainly or cleerly Deut. 27. 8. which could not bee performed except it were writen with the vowelling points vvhereunto also belong all those places of Scripture which testifie of the cleernesse and certainty of the Scripture which could not at all bee if it lacked vowels What are the books of the Old Testament The books of Moses otherwise called the Law and the Prophets for so are they oftentimes divided in the New Testament as Mat. 5. 17. 7. 12. 22. 40. Luk. 16. 29. 24. 27. Joh. 1. 45. Act. 13. 15. 24. 14. 26. 22. 28. 23. Where it is to bee understood that the Law is taken for the vvhole Doctrine of God delivered by Moses which containeth not only the Law but also promises of mercy in Christ as hee himself saith Joh. 5. 46. If yee did beleeve Moses you vvould also beleeve me for Moses wrote of me and vvhereas our Saviour Christ Luk. 24. 44. unto the Law and the Prophets addeth the Psalmes which are a part of the Prophets it is because they were most familiar to the godly and generally known of the people by the daily exercise of them the former division notwithstanding being perfect Which are the books of Moses Five in number vvhich are called Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomie How are the books of these Prophets distinguished Into Historicall and Doctrinall the former vvhereof contain the explication of the Law by practise principally the latter by Doctrine chiefely How many Historicall books bee there Twelve in number viz. the book of Joshua the book of Judges the book of Ruth the two books of Samuel the two books of Kings the two books of Chronicles the book of Ezra the book of Nehemiah and the book of Ester How are the Doctrinall books distinguished Into Poeticall and Prosaicall which distinction is thought of many to bee observed by our Saviour Christ Luk. 24. 44. where he under the name of Psalmes comprehendeth all those books that are writen in the holy Poeticall style Which are the Poeticall books Such as are writen in Meeter or poesie containing principally wise and holy sentences whence also they may bee called Sententiall and they are five in number viz. The book of Job the Psalmes and Solomons three books the Proverbs Ecclesiastes and the Canticles Which are the Prosaicall books Such as are for the most part writen in prose and foretell things to come whence also more especially they are termed Propheticall or vaticinall of which kinde are sixteen writers in number foure whereof are called the greater Prophets viz. Isaiah Jeremiah to whose prophesies is annexed his book of Lamentations though writen in Meeter Ezekiel and Daniel and twelve are called smaller Prophets viz. Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zacharie Malachi which twelve of old were reckoned for one book and therefore Act. 7 42. Stephen citing a place out of Amos 5. 25. useth this forme As it is writen in the book of the Prophets Bee there no other Canonicall books of the Scripture of the Old Testament besides these that you have named No for those other books which Papists would obtrude unto us for Canonicall are Apocryphall that is to say such as are to lye hid when there is proof to bee made of Religion How prove you that those Apocryphall books are no part of the Canonicall Scriptures First they are not writen first in Hebrew the Language of the Church before Christ which all the books of the Old Testament are originally writen in Secondly they were never received into the Canon of the Scripture by the Church of the Jews before Christ to whom alone in those times the Oracles of God were committed Rom. 3. 2. nor read and expounded in their Synagogues See Josephus contra Appion lib. 1. Eusebius lib. 3. cap. 10. Thirdly the Jews were so carefull to keep Scripture intire as they kept the number of the verses and letters within which is none of the Apocrypha Fourthly the Scripture of the Old Testament was writen by Prophets Luk. 24. 27. 2 Pet. 1. 19. But Malachi was the last Prophet after whom all the Apocrypha was vvriten Fifthly they are not authorised by Christ and his Apostles who doe give testimony unto the Scriptures Sixthly by the most ancient Fathers and Councels of the primitive Churches after the Apostles both Greek and Latine they have not been admitted for tryall of Truth though they have been read for instruction of manners as may appear by Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 18. out of Origen the Councell of Loadicea Can. 59. vvhich is also confirmed by the sixt generall Councell of Constantinople Can. 2. and many other Testimonies of the ancient Fathers Seventhly There is no such constant Truth in them as in the Canonicall Scriptures for every book of them hath falsehood in Doctrine or History Shew some of those errors in the particular books In the book of Tobie the Angel maketh a lie saying that hee is Azariah the son of Ananias Tob. 5. 12. which is farre from the Spirit of God and the nature of good Angels that cannot sin There is also the unchaste Devill Asmodeus the seven Angels which present the prayers of the Saints Tob. 12. 15. and the magicall toyes of the fishes heart liver and gall for driving away of Devils and restoring of sight not savouring of the Spirit of God Judith in her prayer commendeth the fact of Simeon Gen. 34. which the Holy Ghost condemneth Gen. 49. 5. and prayeth God to prosper her feigned tales and lies Jud. 9. 13. 18. Baruch saith hee wrote this book in Babylon Chap. 1. whereas it appeareth by Jeremiah 43. 6. that hee was with Jeremiah at Jerusalem and went not from him Likewise hee writeth for offerings and vessels after the Temple was burned and in the 6 Chapter v. 2. Jeremiah writeth that the continuance of the Jews in Babylon shall bee for seven Generations whereas the Canonicall Jeremiah Prophesieth but of 70. yeers Chap. 29. 10. For ten yeers cannot make a Generation neither is it ever so taken in the Canonicall Scriptures The story of Susanna maketh Daniel a young childe in the dayes of Astyages and to become famous among the people by the judgement of Susanna whereas Daniel himself writeth otherwise of his carriage into Babylon in the dayes of Jehoiakim under Nebuchadnezzar and of the means by which hee was known first to bee a Prophet Dan. 1. 2. The story of Bell and the Dragon speaks of Habakkuk the Prophet in the dayes of Cyrus who prophesied before the captivity of Babylon which was 70 yeers before Cyrus The first book of Maccabees writing an History of things said and done doth not much interlace his own judgement and therefore doth erre the
A BODY OF DIVINITIE OR THE SVMME AND SVBSTANCE OF Christian Religion Catechistically propounded and explained by way of Question and Answer Methodically and familiarly handled Composed long since by JAMES VSHER B. of ARMAGH And at the earnest desires of divers godly Christians now Printed and Published VVhereunto is adjoyned a Tract intituled IMMANVEL OR THE MYSTERY OF THE Incarnation of the SON OF GOD Heretofore writen and published by the same Author JOHN 17. 3. This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent LONDON Printed by M. F. for THO DOVVNES and GEO BADGER and are to be sold in S. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleetstreet MDCXLV To the Christian Reader CHristian Reader I doe here present and commend unto thee a booke of great worth and singular use which was written and finished about twenty years since the Author whereof is well knowne to bee so universally eminent in all Learning and of that deepe knowledge and judgement in sacred Divinity that he transcendeth all elogies and praises which I can give him I commend it unto the Christian Reader under a two-fold notion the first respecteth the subject matter of this whole Work which is of greatest excellency ad being The summe and substance of Christian Religion upon which as a most sure foundation we build our faith ground all our hopes and from which we reap and retain all our joy and comfort in the assurance of our salvation which as at all times it is most profitable to be read studied and known so now if ever most necessary in these our days wherein men never more neglected these fundamentall principles as being but common and ordinary truths and spend their whole time study and discourse about Discipline Ceremonies and circumstantiall points and herein also not contenting themselves with those common rules and that clear light which shineth in the Word they are onely led by their own phantasies daily creating unto themselves diversity of new opinions and so falling into sects and schismes they break the bond of love and fall off from the communion of Saints as though it were no Article of their Creed and being in love with their own new Tenets as being the conception and birth of their own brains they contend for them more then for any fundamentall truths and not onely so but also hate maligne and most bitterly and uncharitably censure all those that differ from them in their opinions though never so conscientious and religious as though they professed not the same faith yea served not the same God nor beleeved in the same Christ but remain still Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and in comparison of themselves no better then Papists or at the best but carnall Gospellers The second notion under which I commend it respecteth the Work it self or the manner of the Authors handling it which is done so soundly and solidly so judiciously and exactly so methodically and orderly and with that familiar plainnesse perspicuity and clearnesse that it giveth place to no other in this kind either ancient or modern either in our own or any other Language which ever yet came to my view in which regard I may say of it as it is said of the vertuous woman Many have done excellently but this our Author exceedeth them all I will adde no more in the deserved praises of this Worke but leave it Christian Reader to thy self to peruse and judge of it commending thee to the Word of Gods grace and the good guidance of his holy Spirit who is able to build thee up in fruitfull knowledge to lead thee into all truth to direct and support thee in the wayes of godliness and to give thee an everlasting inheritance amongst the blessed Thine in the Lord Jesus Christ JOHN DOWNAME The Connexion of these Points together and Dependence of them one upon another IN Christian Religion wee are to consider the Ground thereof contained in the Scripture Parts which treat of Gods Nature in his Essence considered absolutely in it selfe where the doctrine of divine Attributes which respect either His perfection in his Simplenesse whereby he is exempted from Composition and division Infinitenesse wherby he is exempted from all measure of Time by his eternity Place by his immensity Life whence he is called The living God Considered in his All-sufficiency Al-seeing wisdom Foreknowledge Counsell Almighty power Holy will wherein is seen his Goodnesse and therein his love unto his creatures mercy or grace shewed them in their misery Iustice in his word called his Truth deeds disposing of all things rightly rendring to the creatures according to their works Persons subsisting in one and the same undivided Essence Kingdome in his Eternall decree which men must not curiously prie into but content themselves with what is made manifest Execution thereof in the workes of Creation of things Invisible The highest Heavens Angels Visible Unreasonable Reasonable man consisting of Body Soule Providence Common unto all creatures Proper respecting the everlasting condition of principall Creatures Angels Good Bad. Men who are ordered in This life by the tenor of a two-fold Covenant Nature or Workes where we are to consider the Conditions and Events Shame Primary the fall of our first parents Secondary the corruption of Nature originall Actions actual of omission commission Death comprehending all the curses of the Law whereunto the nature of man standeth subject Grace wherein we are to consider the state of Christ the Mediator in his Person and there in his Natures and their Union where of his Conception Nativity Distinction Two fold state of Humiliation Exaltation Office with his Calling thereunto Execution thereof concerning God the party offended wherein his priestly office is exercised the parts whereof are Satisfaction giving contentment to Gods Iustice by his Obedience to the Law Suffering for our sinne Intercession soliciting Gods mercy for those he hath redeemed Man the party offending to whom he communicates the grace by him purchased by his Propheticall office Kingly office The rest of mankind who are called by participation of his grace where we are to consider 1. The company thus called out of the world The Catholike Church of Christ where such as obey this calling in Outward profession alone hold onely externall communion with it Inward affection also internall with the Head Christ Iesus there being a Mutuall donation whereby the Father gives Christ to them them to Christ. Mysticall union whereby they are knit together by Gods quickning Spirit The rest of mankind whence ariseth the Communion of Saints 2. Grace whereunto they are called Reconciliation Iustification where of Iustifying Faith Adoption and therein of Hope Sanctification and therein of Love here consider the Rule of Holines the morall law contained in the ten Commandements wherein are to be considered Generall rules to be observed in the exposition of them Distinction of them into two tables containing the duties we owe unto God namely Having the
an eye-witnesse of many wonders by which the Ministery of Moses was confirmed testifieth his writings to bee the undoubted Word of God the same doe the Prophets which continued the History of the Church in the time of the Judges both of Moses Joshua Likewise all the Prophets which successively recorded the holy Story and Prophesies by divine Revelation from Samuel unto the Captivity and from the Captivity to the building again of the Temple and of the City and sometimes after receiving the same book of heavenly Doctrine from the former age delivered them to their posterity And Malachi the last of the Prophets closeth up the Old Testament with a charge and an Exhortation from the Lord to remember the Law of Moses delivered in Horeb and to use the same as a Schoole-master to direct them unto Christ untill hee came in person himself Mal. 4. 4. Finally from that time the Church of the Jews untill the comming of Christ in the flesh imbraced all the former writings of the Prophets as the book of God Christ himself appealeth unto them as a sufficient testimony of him Joh. 5. 39. The Apostles and the Evangelists prove the writings of the New Testament by them and the Catholike Church of Christ from the Apostles time untill this day hath acknowledged all the same writings both of the Old and New Testament to bee the undoubted Word of God Thus have wee the testimony both of the Old Church of the Jews Gods peculiar people and first-born to whom the Oracles of God were committed Act. 7. 38. Hos. 8. 12. Rom. 3. 2. 9. 4. and the view of Christians together with the generall account which all the godly have made at all times of the Scriptures when they have crossed their natures and courses as accounting it in their soules to bee of God and the speciall testimony of Martyrs who have sealed the certainty of the same by shedding their blood for them Thereunto also may bee added the testimony of those which are out of the Church Heathens out of whom many ancient testimonies are cited to this purpose by Josephus contra Appion Turks and Jews who to this day acknowledge all the books of the Old Testament and Hereticks who labour to shroud themselves under them c. Are there not some divine testimonies which may likewise bee added to this Yes first the known Miracles which the devill was never able to doe that did so often follow the writers and teachers of the Scriptures Secondly the manifold punishments and destruction of those that have reviled and persecuted the same Are these motives of themselves sufficient to work saving faith and perswade us fully to rest on Gods Word No besides all this it is required that wee have the Spirit of God as well to open our eyes to see the light as to seale up fully into our hearts that truth which wee see with our eyes for the same holy Spirit that inspired the Scripture 1 Cor. 2. 10. 14. 37. Ephes. 1. 13. inclineth the hearts of Gods children to beleeve what is revealed in them and inwardly assureth them above all reasons and arguments that these are the Scriptures of God therefore the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah promiseth to joyn his Spirit with his Word and that it shall remain with his children for ever Esa. 59. 21. The same promiseth our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples concerning the Comforter which hee would send to leade them into all truth and teach them all things and to put them in minde of all things which hee had said unto them Joh. 14. 26. 15. 26. The Lord by the Prophet Jeremiah also promiseth to give his Law into their mindes and to write them in the hearts of his children Jer. 31. 33. And S. John saith to the faithfull that by the anointing of the holy Spirit which is on them they know all things 1 Joh. 2. 20. This testimony of Gods Spirit in the hearts of his faithfull as it is proper to the Word of God so it is greater then any humane perswasions grounded upon reason or witnesses of men unto which it is unmeet that the Word of God should bee subject as Papists hold when they teach that the Scriptures receive their authority from the Church for by thus hanging the credit and authority of the Scriptures on the Churches sentence they make the Churches work of greater credit then the Word of God whereas the Scriptures of God cannot bee judged or sentenced by any and God onely is a worthy witnesse himself in his Word and by his Spirit which give mutuall testimony one of the other and work that assurance of Faith in the Elect that no humane demonstrations can make nor any perswasions or inforcements of the world can remove Shew some further reasons that the authority of the Scriptures doth not depend upon the Church First because wee beleeve the Scriptures is a work of Faith but the Church cannot infuse Faith Secondly any authority that the Church hath it must prove it by the Scriptures therefore the Scripture dependeth not upon the Church Thirdly if an Infidell should ask the Church how they are sure that Christ dyed for them if they should answer because themselves say so it would be ridiculous when they should say because the Scripture teacheth so c. What books are the holy Scriptures and by whom were they writen First The books of the Old Testament in number nine and thirty which the Jews according to the number of their letters brought to two and twenty writen by Moses and the Prophets Rom. 3. 2. who delivered the same unto the Church of the Jews Secondly the books of the New Testament in number seven and twenty writen by the Apostles and Evangelists Rom. 1. 16. Rev. 1. 11. who delivered them to the Church of the Gentiles What language were the books of the Old Testament writen in In Hebrew which was the first tongue of the world and the most orderly speech in comparison of which all other languages may bee condemned of barbarous confusion but chosen especially because it was the language of that time best known unto the Church teaching that all men should understand the Scriptures onely some few portions by the later Prophets were left writen in the Chaldean tongue understood by Gods people after their carrying away into Babylon namely the 11 verse of the 10 chap. of Jer. six chapters in Daniel from the 4 ver of the 2 chap. to the end of the 7 chapter and three in Ezra the fourth fifth sixth Had the Hebrew Text vowels or points from the beginning as now it hath Our Saviour saith Matth. 5. 18. that not one jot or prick of the Law shall perish whereby it should appeare that the Law and the Prophets for of both hee speaketh immediately before had vowels and pricks God also by Moses commanded the Law to bee writen upon two great stones at the entrance
lesse yet in his Narration contrary to the second book of Maccabees in many places and to Josephus in somethings For example The first book of Maccabees saith that Antiochus dyed at Babylon in his bed beeing grieved in minde for tidings brought to him out of Persia 1 Mac. 6. ver 8. 16. But in the first chapter of the second book of Maccabees it is said that hee was cut in peeces in the Temple of Nanea and in the ninth chapter of the same book that hee dyed of a grievous disease of his bowels in a strange Country in the Mountaines 2 Mac. 9. 28. The second book of Maccabees is farre worse for the abridger of Jasons Chronicle which did set it forth doth not onely confound and falsifie many stories as it is easie to bee proved out of the first book of Maccabees Josephus and others but also whilst he giveth his sentence of divers facts doth more bewray the weaknesse of his judgement as hee commendeth Razis for killing himself 2 Mac. 14. 42. and Judas for offering sacrifice for the dead that were polluted with Idolatry 2 Mac. 12. 45. whereas it is to bee thought rather that the sacrifice was offered to pacifie the wrath of God for them that were alive that they should not bee wrapped in the curse of the wicked as in the story of Achan Josh. 7. yet hee is the more to bee born withall because hee confesseth his insufficiency 2 Mac. 15. 38. which agreeth not with the Spirit of God The additions unto Ester are fabulous convinced of many untruthes by the Canonicall book as namely first in the Apocryphall Ester Mordecai is said to dream in the second yeer of Ahashueros chap. 11. 2. but in the Canonicall the seventh yeer Ester 2. 16. And Bellarmine making the dream in the seventh yeer and the conspiracy in the second maketh five yeers difference and is contrary to Chap. 11. 2. The true saith that Mordecai had no reward Ester 6. 3. the false saith hee had Chap. 12. 5. Thirdly and the false also Chap. 12. 6. The true calleth and the false also Haman an Agagite Ester 3. 2. that is an Amalekite the false calleth him a Macedonian Chap. 16. 10. Also the authour of those additions describeth the countenance of the King to bee full of cruelty and wrath Chap. 15. 7. yet hee maketh Ester to say it was glorious like an Angel of God and full of grace Chap. 13. 14. either lying himself or charging Ester with impudent lying and flattering The Book of Wisdome is so farre off from being any book of the Old Testament that it is affirmed by divers ancient Writers that it was made by Philo the Jew which lived since Christ as S. Jerome witnesseth preface in Proverbs howsoever the Authour would fain seem to bee Solomon Chap. 9. 8. See his cruell sentence against Bastards in the end of the third Chapter Jesus the son of Syrach sheweth the frailty of man in divers places of Ecclesiasticus and namely Chap. 46. 20. where hee acknowledgeth that Samuel indeed and not a wicked spirit in the shape of Samuel was raised by the Witch of Endor 1 Sam. 28. also Chap. 48. 10. hee understandeth the Prophesie of Malachi of the personall comming of Elias which our Saviour Christ doth manifestly referre to John the Baptist Matth. 11. 14. The third book of Esdras is full of impudent lies and fables convinced by the book of Ezra Nehemiah Haggai and Ester For example Ezra saith that all the vessels of gold and silver which Cyrus delivered to Sheshbazzar were by Sheshbazzar carried from Babylon to Jerusalem Ezr. 1. 11. This Esdras saith they were onely numbred by Cyrus not sent but afterwards Darius delivered them to Zerubbabel and by him they were brought to Jerusalem Esdras 4. 44. 57. The fourth book of Esdras is now rejected of the Papists themselves as it was of Hierome containing also many falsities dreams and fables Chap. 6. 49 50. Chap. 13. 6. 4. 44. c. and Chap. 14. 21 22 c. Thus much for the books of the Old Testament in what language were the books of the New Testament writen In Greek because it was the most common language best known then to the Jews and Gentiles teaching that all Kingdomes should have the Scriptures in a language which they understand How are the Books of the New Testament distinguished They are of things revealed Before the writing of them which are either Historicall five in number containing the History of Christ the 4 Gospels according to Matthew Mark Luke John His Apostles viz. the Acts. Doctrinall 21 Epistles of Paul to the Romans Corinthians 1 2 Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians 1 2 Timothy 1 2 Titus Philemon Hebrewes James Peter 2. John 3. Jude After the writing of them as the Apocalyps or Revelation of S. John which is the Propheticall Book of the New Testament Is it agreed that all these books and they alone are the holy Scriptures of the New Testament Yes howsoever in ancient time they have not been all received with like consent yet they have the Testimony of all ages and there is nothing in any of them repugnant to the rest of the Canonicall Scriptures Were there never any Books of the Canonicall Scriptures lost No Heaven and Earth shall perish before one jot or tittle of them shall perish What say you to the Book of Gad and Nathan 2 Chro. 9. 29. of Ahijah and Iddo 2 Chro. 9. 29. and Pauls Epistle to the Laodiceans Col. 4. 16 These books often mentioned in the Old Testament were not Canonicall Scripture but civill Chronicles wherein the matters of the Common-wealth were more largely writen as the Chronicle of the Medes and Persians Esther 10. 2. and the Epistle mentioned Col. 4. was rather of the Laodiceans to Paul then of Paul to the Laodiceans What bee the properties of the holy Scripture First they are perfectly holy in themselves and by themselves whereas all other writings are prophane further then they draw some holinesse from them which is never such but that their holinesse is imperfect Secondly the authority of these holy writings inspired of God is highest in the Church as the authority of God whereunto no learning or degree of Angels or men under what name or colour soever it bee commended may bee accounted equall Gal. 1. 8 9. 2 Thess. 2. 2. neither can they bee judged or sentenced by any Thirdly the bookes of holy Scripture are so sufficient for the knowledge of Christian Religion that they doe most plentifully contain all Doctrine necessary to salvation they being perfectly profitable to instruct to salvation in themselves and all other imperfectly profitable thereunto further then they draw from them whence it followeth that wee need no unwriten verities no traditions or inventions of men no Canon of Councels no sentences of Fathers much lesse Decrees of Popes for to supply any supposed defect of the writen Word or for to give us
not those spirituall creatures sinning against him neither will he spare us rebelling against his Majesty 2 Pet. 2. 4. Thirdly to feare to offend God that hath such messengers to send at his command Fourthly to learn to arm our selves with the shield of faith and fear of God since we have such great enemies to fight against Eph. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Fifthly to be comforted that though the Devill be powerfull and most malicious against us yet Christ hath broken his head Gen. 3. 15. and at last will tread Satan under our feet Rom. 16. â—0 Thus much of the providence that concerneth Angels Shew now how God doth deale with man As with that creature in whom above all other he intendeth to set forth the glory of his Wisdome Power Justice and Mercy Prov. 8. 31. Psal. 8. 3. c. 1 Cor. 9. 9 10. and therefore the Scriptures doe most plentifully declare the dealing of God with man both in the time of this world and for ever hereafter How is man upheld in his being Two wayes First as all other bodily creatures partly by maintenance of every mans life here on earth for the time alotted by God himselfe Acts 17. 28. Ps. 36. 6. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Partly by propagation of kind unto the end of the world through the blessing of procreation Gen. 1. 28. Eccl. 1. 4. Secondly as Angels after a sort God so providing that though the body of man returneth to the earth from whence it was taken yet the soule perisheth not but returneth to God that gave it Eccl. 12. 7. yea that the same body also and every part thereof is preserved in the grave and shall be joyned intire to the soule at the last day so to continue for ever Job 19. 26 27. How manifold is the state wherein man is to be considered Threefold first the state of innocencie commonly had and lost of all mankind both elect and reprobate without difference Eccl. 7. Secondly the state of corruption and miserie seising on all men naturally but abiding without recoverie only in the Reprobate Rom. 3. 23. Thirdly the state of Redemption proper to the elect 1 Pet. 2. 9. Psal. 130. 8. All which doe make way unto that finall and everlasting estate of honour or dishonour fore-appointed unto all men beginning at the end of this life perfected at the day of judgement and continuing for ever in the world to come And thus touching this part of Gods providence the Scriptures doe teach us both the benefits of God bestowed upon man before his fall and likewise his justice and mercy towards him after his fall his justice upon the Reprobate who are left without hope of restitution and reserved together with the Devills unto everlasting punishment Matth. 25. 41. Rev. 20. 10. 15. His mercy upon the elect who notwithstanding their fall are restored again by grace Gen. 3. 15. Is it not likely that all the visible world together with man is fallen without hope of restitution by mercy Yes for it standeth well with the justice of God that seeing the visible world was made for the use of man Gen. 2. 9. that with the fall of man it should be punished Gen. 3. 17 18. and with his raising up be restored Rom. 8. 20 21 22. What is that speciall order of government which God useth towards mankind in this world and in the world to come In this world he ordereth them according to the tenor of a two-fold Covenant in the world to come according to the sentence of a two-fold judgement What understand you by a Covenant An agreement which it pleaseth Almighty God to enter into with man concerning his everlasting condition What be the parts of this agreement Two the one is the Covenant that God maketh with us the other is the Covenant that we make with God the summ of the former is that he will be our God of the latter that we will be his people Jer. 31. 33. What gather you from the former The sir-name of God as it is in divers places of Scripture and namely Exod. 3. 15. where it is said The Lord God of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you this is my name for ever and this is my memoriall unto all generations from whence we may observe the singular glory and priviledge of Gods people in that God is content to take his sir-name of them Heb. 11. 16. Why is this sir-name added For that it is a fearfull thing to think of the proper name of God alone unlesse this be added to it whereby he declareth his love and kindnesse to us What gather you from the latter That man standeth bound by these Covenants of agreement to perform that duty which God requireth at his hands How many such Covenants be there Two First the Law and Covenant of works Secondly the free promise or Covenant of grace which from the comming of Christ is called the Gospell Rom. 10. 5 6. Gal. 3. 11 12. Which of them was first The Law for it was given to Adam in his integrity when the promise of grace was hidden in God How so since it is said that the Law was first given to Moses That is to be understood of the written Law as it was written by Moses and ingraven in tables of stone by the finger of God otherwise the same was imprinted in the beginning in the hearts of our first parents and therefore it is called the Law of nature Rom. 2. 14. How was this Law given unto Adam in the beginning It was chiefly written in his heart at his creation and partly also uttered in his eare in Paradise for unto him was given a will both to good and also to evill and also to be inclined thereto with ability to perform it There was something likevvise outwardly revealed as his duty to God in the sanctification of the Sabbath to his neighbour in the institution of marriage and to himselfe in his dayly working about the garden How doth it appeare that the substance of the Morall Law was written in the hearts of Adam and Eve First by the effect of it in them both who immediately after their fall were forced by the onely guilt of conscience not yet otherwise charged to hide themselves from Gods presence Gen. 3. 8. Secondly by the remainders thereof in all mankind who even without the Law are by light of nature a Law unto themselves Gen. 4. 6. Rom. 2. 14 15. How hath the Morall Law been delivered since the fall The summe thereof was comprised in ten words Exod. 34. 28. Deut. 4. 13. commonly called the Decalogue or ten Commandements solemnly published and engraved in tables of stone by God himself Deut. 10. 4. Afterwards the same was more fully delivered in the books of holy Scripture and so committed to the Church for all ages as the Royall Law for direction of obedience to God our King Jam.
their labours 2 Thes. 1. 9. and a Crowne after their Combate 2 Tim. 4. 8. and after their long pilgrimage an everlasting habitation 2 Cor. 5. 1 Be patient saith the Apole and settle your hearts for the comming of the Lord draweth neere 2 Pet. 2. 9. when they that have sowne in teares shall reap in joy James 5. 7. Heb. 10. 36. Thirdly from this Doctrine excellent arguments may be drawne to presse Christians to a holy life 2 Pet. 3. 11. Seeing then all these things must be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse And verse 14. Wherefore seeing yee look for such things give diligence that you may be found of him in peace We should alwayes live in expectation of the Lord Iesus in the Clouds with oyle in our Lamps prepared for his comming Blessed is that servant whom his Master when he commeth shall finde so doing he shall say unto him Well done good and faithfull servant enter into thy Masters joy FINIS The Table ALL men desire eternall life and happinesse 3 Religion the meanes to obtaine it No salvation but by true Religion The divers kindes of false Religion What Christian Religion is Of Catechising 4 What Catechising is Where to be used and by whom The necessity of it True happinesse consisteth in God How we come to enjoy God Meanes to know God By His divine works His holy word 5 Of the divine workes of God The uses of knowing God by his works Of Gods holy Word the Scriptures 6 How the Scriptures were delivered By Revelations By Oracles By visions 7 What the Scripture is That the Scriptures are the Word of God 8 Reasons to prove God to be the Author of the holy Scriptures 1. Efficient instrumentall 2. The simplicitie and sincerity of the Writers 3. The quality and condition of the pen-men of the holy Scriptures 9 4. The holy matters of holy Scriptures 5. The doctrine of Scriptures are above humane capacity 6. The concord of the severall Writers one with another 7. The Prophesies fulfilled in their due times 8. The Majesty and authority of the Scriptures 10 9. The motives used in them to perswade not reason but commands 10. The end and scope of the Scripture which is Gods glory 11. Their admirable power 12. Their antiquity 13. The hatred of the devill and wicked men against them 14. The preservation of the Scriptures 15. The power to humble a man and raise him up againe 16. The consonant testimony of all men at all times 11 17. The knowne miracles done by the Writers 18. The testimony of the Spirit in the hearts of men What are the books of holy Scripture 12 In what language the old Testament were first written with vowels and pricks That the Scriptures of the old Testament were first written without pricks or vowels 13 The Book of Moses The Booke of the Prophets The Historicall Books The Doctrinall Books The Poeticall books The Prosaicall books 14 The Apocryphall Bookes The erroors of the Apocryphall books 15 Of the books of the New Testament 16 The properties of the holy scriptures 17 1. Holy 2. Highest in authority 18 3. Sufficient in themselves That the Scriptures are a perfect Rule for doctrine life and salvation Objections against the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures answered 20 Of the perspicuity of the holy Scripture 21 The Papists objections against the perspicuity of the Scriptures answered 22 Why God hath left some places of Scripture obscure 23 Of the translations of holy Scriptures An objection grounded on various readings answered 24 Why the Scriptures must be expounded by the Scriptures The use of the holy Scriptures 25 Who must read the Scriptures That all must read the Scriptures proved The Papists objections against reading the Scriptures answered 26 That there is a God 27 Of the nature of God 29 Of Gods essence 30 The Name of God Of the Properties or Attributes of God 32 A description of God God is a spirit 33 The perfection of God The felicity of God Of the simplenesse or singlenesse of God 35 Gods infinitenesse 36 Gods immensity or greatnesse 37 Gods eternity 38 The life of God 39 Of the knowledge or wisedome of God Fore-knowledge or counsell of God The counsell of God Gods absolute wisdome and knowledge The uses 45 Of the omnipotence or almighty power of God Of Gods absolute power 47 Of Gods actuall power Gods power infinite The uses 50 Of Gods will Whether God doth will evill 56 The holinesse of Gods will 61 Of Gods goodnesse The use of Gods goodnesse 62 The graciousnesse of God 63 Of the love of God 64 Uses of Gods love 67 Of the mercy of God The uses of Gods mercy Of the justice of God 70 The uses of Gods justice 72 That there is but one God 73 Of the unity of the God-head Of the Trinity 75 What a Person in the Trinity is 78 Of the Father the first person of the Trinity 79 Of the other persons of the Trinity in generall Of the second person in the Trinity 80 Of the third person in the Trinity 83 How to know that wee have the Spirit 86 Things commune to the three persons 87 In what they all agree 1. Coessentiall 2. Coequall 3. Coeternall Things proper to each of the persons Of the kingdome of God 88 The parts of Gods Kingdome Of Gods decree Of Predestination 91 Parts of Predestination Election Reprobation Election Of Reprobation Execution of Gods decree 93 Creation Providence Creation in generall Vses of the creation Creation of the particular creatures The Heavens The earth Of the invisible Creatures the third Heaven and Angels Of Angels Of the creation of visible things 98 Of the Chaos or rude masse Of the parts of the rude Masse Heaven Earth Of the frame of the world Of the Elements The foure Elements Of the mixt or compound bodies The severall works of the six days 100 The 1. day heaven earth and the light The 2. day the firmament The third day grasse corne trees Of the water and earth The 4. day of the Creation of lights 101 The 5. day of the creation of fishes birds The 6. day of the creation of man and woman 102 Of the parts of man and 1. Of his body 2. Of the soule of man 103 Of the immortality of the soule Of the seat of the soule What is the Image of God in man 104 Of the womans creation 106 The end of the creation Of Gods providence 107 Definition of Gods providence 108 The uses of the Doctrine of Gods providence 115 Of Gods speciall providence over Angels Good Angels 116 Of the Evill Angels 120 Vses of the Doctrine concerning evill Angells 122 Of Gods particular providence over man Of Gods providence towards mankind 123 Of the Covenant between God and man First Covenant of works 124 The state of man in the time of his innocency 126 Of man in the state of corruption and of his fall 127
every thought to the obedience of Christ. Where as wee must needs acknowledge that it is God which worketh in us both to will and to doe and that it is hee which sanctifyeth us wholly so are wee taught likewise to beleeve that both hee who sanctifyeth and they who are sanctifyed are all of one namely of one and the self-same nature that the sanctifyer might not bee ashamed to call those who are sanctifyed by him his brethren that as their nature was corrupted and their blood tainted in the first Adam so it might bee restored again in the second Adam and that as from the one a corrupt so from the other a pure and undefiled nature might bee transmitted unto the heires of salvation The same God that giveth grace is hee also that giveth glory yet so that the streams of both of them must run to us through the golden pipe of our Saviours humanity For since by man came death it was fit that by man also should come the resurrection of the dead Even by that man who hath said Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternall life and I will raise him up at the last day Who then shall come to bee glorifyed in his Saints and to bee made marvellous in all them that beleeve and shall change this base body of ours that it may be fashioned like unto his own glorious body according to the working whereby hee is able even to subdue all things unto himselfe Unto him therefore that hath thus loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him bee glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen PHILIP 3. 8. I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSSE FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD FINIS 1 Pet. 1. 19. 21. 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Psalm 147. 5. Exod. 34. 6 7. 1 Joh. 5. 7. 1 Chron. 29. 11 12. Psal. 145. 10 11 12. Act. 17. 24. Gen. 1. 26 27. Psal. 103. 19. 66. 7. Jude ver 6. Rev. 12. 7. Gal. 3. 10. Gen. 2. 17. Eccl. 7. 31. Rom. 5. 12. 14. Gal. 3. 10. Deut. 28. 45. Mat. 1. 21 22 23. Gal. 4. 4 5. Phil. 2. 7 8 9. Heb. 5. 4 5. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 10. 12. Luk. 4. 18 19. Isay 9. 6 7. Heb. 3. 1. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Heb. 12. 23. Cant. 2. 16. Joh. 17. 21 22 23 24. Rom. 3. 24 25 26. and 4. 6 7. Rom. 8. 15 16 17. 23 24 25. Eph. 1. 4. Col. 3. 9 10. 12. 14. Mat. 22. 37 38 39 40. Exod. 20. 2 3. Exod. 20. 5 6. Exod. 20. 7. Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. Exod. 20. 12. Exod. 20. 13. Exod. 20. 14. Exod. 20. 15. Exod. 20. 16. Exod. 20. Acts 26. 20. 2 Cor. 7. 10 11. Jer. 31. 18 19. Eph. 6. 10 11 12. 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. Gal. 6. 14. Rom. 8. 35 36 37. Gal. 5. 14. Col. 3. 5 6. Lev. 1. 74 75. Tit. 2. 11 12 13 14. Matth. 6. 6 7. Matth. 6. 9 10. Ver. 11. 12 13. Matth. 6. 13. Matth. 5. 16 17 18. Eph. 4. 28 29. Heb. 13. 16. Rom. 10. 14 15. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Rom. 4. 11. Matth. 18. 15 16 17. Heb. 9. 1. 9 10. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Joh. 1. 17. Heb. 12. 27 28. Matth. 28. 19. 1 Pet. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 11. 23 24. 1 Tim. 4. 12 13. 2 Thes. 2. 3 4. Heb. 9. 27. 1 Thes. 4. 15 16 17. 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. Matth. 25. 34 35. All men desire eternall happinesse Religion the means to obtain happinesse No salvation but by the true Religion Diverse kindes of false Religion What Christian Religion is Of Catechising what it is Where to bee used and by whom The necessity of it a Eccles. 1. 2. True happines consisteth in God How we come to injoy God b Job 22. 21. c Joh. 17. 3. Gal. 4. 9. d Eccle. 12. 13. e 2 Cor. 5. 9. f 1 Sam. 2. 30. Means to know God By his Divine Works and holy Word Job 22. 20. Joh. 6. 68. Of the Divine Works of God Plato Galen Homer Virgil. Ovid. The uses of knowing God by his Works Of Gods holy Word the Scriptures How the Scriptures were delivered Revelations Oracles Visions What Scripture is That the Scriptures are the Word of God Reasons to prove God to be the Author of the holy Scriptures 1 Efficient Instrumentall 2 The simplicity and sincerity of the writers 3 The quality and condition of the Penmen of holy Scriptures 4 The heavenly matter of holy Scripture 5 The Doctrine of the Scriptures above humane capacity 6 The concord of the several writers one with another 7 The prophesies fulfilled in their due time 8 The Majesty and authority of the Scriptures 9 The motives used in them to perswade not reason but commands 10 The end and scope of the Scriptures which is Gods glory 11 Their admirable power 12 Their antiquity 13 The hatred of the Devill and wicked men against them 14 The preservation of the Scriptures 15 Their power to humble a man and raise him up again 1 Cor. 14. 25. 16 The consenant testimony of all men at all times 17 The known miracles done by the Writers of the Scriptures 18 The testimony of the Spirit in the hearts of men That the authority of the Scriptures doth not depend on the Church What are the books of holy Scriptures In what language the Old Testament was writen That the Scriptures of the Old Testament were first writen with vowels and pricks The books of Moses The books of the Prophets The Historicall books The Doctrinal books The Poeticall books The Prosaicall books The Apocryphall books The errors of the Apocryphal Books Of the books of the New Testament The properties of the holy Scriptures As 1 holy 2 Highest in authority 3. Sufficient in themselves That the Scriptures are a perfect rule for doctrine life and Salvation Objections against the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures answered Tim. Qu. An. Of the perspicuity of the holy Scriptures The Papists objections against the perspicuity of the Scriptures answered Ans. Why God hatâ— left some places of Scripture obscure Of the Translation of holy Scriptures An objection grounded on various readings answered Why the Scriptures must be expounded by the Scriptures The use of holy Scriptures Who must read the Scriptures That all must read the Scriptures proved The Papists objections against reading the Scriptures answered That there is a God Of the Nature of God Of Gods Essence The name of God Of the Properties or Attributes of God A description of God God a Spirit The perfection of God The felicity of God Of the simplenesse or singlenesse in God Gods infinitenesse Gods immensity or greatnesse Gods eternity The life of God Of the knowledge and wisdom of God Fore-knowledge and Counsell of God The Counsell of God Gods absolute wisdome and knowledge 1