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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96805	The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled, that it leads us, as it were, by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. Ordering of common-places. Vnderstanding of controversies. Cleering of some cases of conscience. By John Wollebius. Doctor of Divinity, and ordinary professor in the University of Basil. Now at last faithfully translated into English, and in some obscure places cleared and enlarged, by Alexander Ross. To which is adjoined, after the alphabetical table, the anatomy of the whole body of divinity, delineated in IX. short tables, for the help of weak memories.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English.	Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629.; Vaughan, Robert, engraver.; Ross, Alexander, 1591-1654.	1650 (1650)	Wing W3254; Thomason E1264_1; ESTC R204089	204,921	375

visible and conspicuous to all both in respect of his brightnesse and majesty in which he shall appear as also of his humanity But so that his sight shall be terrible to the wicked joyful to the godly V. The instrumental cause ave the Angels whose service he shall use both in gathering together those that are to be judged and in separating the godly from the wicked Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of the trumpet and they shall gather the elect from the four winds 25.32 And all nations shall be gathered before him and he shall separate the one from the other as the shepheard separates the sheep from the goats VI. The matter shall be all men who must appear before Christs tribunal Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 VII But the godly shall be judged one way and the wicked another way For they shall be judged but not condemned these shaall be judged and condemned In this sense the Scripture denieth that the faithful shall be judged Ioh. 3.18 5.29 VIII Neither matters it that the wicked are said to be judged already for it is one thing to be judged in private another in publike and openly IX The form is expressed by the manner of Proceedings in the Courts of Justice to which belongs 1. The cognisance of the cause 2. The pronouncing of the sentence 3. The execution thereof X. The cognisace of the cause is expressed by the similitude of records or books in which their works are registred Rev. 20.11 And the books were opened c * A. R. By these books are meant partly Gods omniscience partly mens conscience God to whom all things are naked and open needs not books to help his memory as men do yet we read that he hath two books the one is called the Book of life the other of knowledge Of the former there are four kindes the first is of Predestination to life eternal and in this Book some are so written that they cannot be blotted out others are wrtten but in appearance and hope for when they live for a while in the fear of God they hope their names are recorded in heaven but when by their wickedness they fall from this hope then they may be said to be blotted out of this Book this is the Book of Life eternal 2. The Book of Life temporary which is nothing else but the condition and estate of this life out of this Book did Moses David and Paul wish themselves to be blotted 3. The Scripture is the Book of Life as containing those precepts and means by which we may obtain Life eternal The 4. Book of Life is our Conscience informing us of all the good and bad actions of our former life This book is opened sometimes in this life but shall be fully laid open to us in the last day The other Book we read of is of Knowledge which is threefold 1. The Book of Gods general knowledge whereby he takes notice of all men whether they be good or bad of this every man may say with David Psal 139.16 In thy book are all my members written 2. The book of Gods particular knowledge of this Psal 1. The Lord knoweth the ways of the righteous and 2 Tim. 2. The Lord knoweth who are his this is the knowledge of approbation in this Book they are not written to whom Christ will say in the last day Depart from me c. I know you not of this David speaketh Ps 69.28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous The third book of knowledge is that wherein the actions of wicked men are recorded and which shall be laid open to them Dan. 7.10 The judgment was set and the books opened We may say then that God hath two books which like Ezekiels scroll are written within and without In the inside are the names of the Saints who persevere to the end On the outside are the names of the wicked who fall from grace who begin in the spirit but end in the flesh Of these books see Exod. 32.33 Psal 69.28 c. Phil. 4.3 Rev. 3.5 17.8 20.15 21.27 By these books are meant partly Gods omniscience and partly mens conscience XI The wicked shall be judged according to and for their works but the godly according to the works of their faith but not for their works Hence Rev. 20.12 Another book is said to be opened which is the book of life That we might know that our salvation depends not on our works but on Gods eternal grace whereby we are written in the book of life XII The infidelity and impiety of the wicked shall be so laid open before their eyes in their own conscience that they shall not be able to deny or gain-say any thing Psal 50.21 I will reprove thee and set these things in order before thine eyes Mat. 12.36 But I say unto you whatsoever idle word men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment XIII Although the Elect shall remember their sins yet they shall be so filled with the joy of the Spirit that the remembrance thereof shall not sad them XIV Both Reprobate and Elect shall hear the sentence of the Judge to the one it shall be full of horror to the other full of comfort Mat. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world and ver 41. Go ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels XV. The execution of the Judgement will presently follow upon the pronouncing of the sentence so that the wicked in the presence of the godly shall be carried away to hell but the godly being caught up to meet Christ they shall with him enter into Life eternal Mat. 25. v. ult 1 Thes 4.17 XVI The end of the last Judgement is a full and consummate execution of Gods counsel for manifesting his justice and grace XVII We must not rashly define where the place of the last Judgment shall be Some will have it to be in the valley of Iehosaphat which is between the hills Sion and Olivet and that Christ shall descend no lower then to that part of the ayre in which a cloud took him up which they gather out of the Prophesie of Ioel cap. 3.2 But that place speaks nothing of the last Judgment but of a temporary judgment to be inflicted on the enemies of the Church of Israel alluding to that great overthrow which was given in the valley of Iehosaphat which was in the sight of Ierusalem But if this be transferred anagogically to the last Judgment this will be the meaning As the enemies of Iehosaphat and of the Jews were slain in the sight of Ierusalem so likewise shall the Infidels be judged and thrown down to hell in the sight of spiritual Ierusalem that is the Church And in this sense the Apostles Mat. 19. the Martyrs Rev.

Testimony doth monstrate but not demonstrate it shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the thing is but the Holy Ghosts Testimony shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the cause The swasive power is in the Church but the perswasive in the Spirit onely The Churches Testimony begets an opinion but the Testimony of Scripture begets Science and a firm Faith X. The Canonical Books of Scripture are partly of the Old partly of the New-Testament To the Old belong the five Books of Moses Josuah Judges Ruth these Books are single the Books of Samuel of the Kings of the Chronicles are double The Books of Hester Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles the four greater Prophets and the twelve lesser are single Now of the New-Testament are The four Evangelists The Acts of the Apostles The Epistles of Paul To the Romanes one To the Corinthians two To the Galathians Ephesians Philippians and Colossians single To the Thessalonians and Timothy double The Epistles of Peter two of John three of James and Jude single and the Revelation XI But for the Books of Tobiah Judith Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdra 3 4. of the Macchabees 1 2 3. of Baruch 1. The Prayer of Manasses The Epistle of Jeremiah The Additions to Daniel and Hester Although they may be read with profit yet they come short of that Authority which is in the Canonical Books for proving Articles of Faith and therefore they are called Apocrypha that is hid or obscure The reasons be these 1. Because they were not written by the Prophets but they have been written for the most part since Malachi the last of the Prophets 2. Because they are not written in the Stile or Phrase of the Prophets or in the Hebrew Tongue 3. Because they are never alledged in the New-Testament 4. Because in reading of them we finde many passages contrary and inconsistent with Canonical Scripture besides many fabulous and repugnant to Faith and Piety XII The Holy Scripture is sufficient to Salvation 2. Tim. 3.16.17 The whole Scripture is by Divine inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work XIII Therefore as the constitutions of the Church conducing to the right usage of outward Rites are in their own place to be regarded so no tradition is to be admitted as necessary to salvation except the Scriptures The Romanists do not only fight for Popish Traditions but also equall them nay prefer them to the holy Scripture but we are content to rest in that command of God which forbids to adde to or take away from his word Deut. 4.2 5.32 12.32 Rev. 22.18 XIV The search of holy Scripture is injoyned to all Christians Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures Colos 3.16 Let the word of God dwell plentifully among you Neither is that obscurity of holy Scripture which the Pontificians pretend any obstacle to this our assertion for though it be obscure in some places yet in other places it explains it self and delivereth the prime Articles of Religion with great perspicuity XV. Therefore the Translation of the Bible into vulgar Tongues is necessary XVI Yet no translation is authentical but that which agreeth with the Original fountains of the Hebrew and Greek XVII Although the Interpretation of Scripture is committed to the Church yet the onely Supream Judge of this Interpretation is the Holy Ghost speaking in it Esay 59.21 My Spirit which is in thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thee 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that you first know this that no prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for the prophesie came not of old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Therefore sacrilegiously do the Pontificians arrogate to the Church of Rome or to the Pope alone this right of supreme Judge XVIII The sense and meaning of each Scripture is but one yet in the Prophesies of the Old-Testament it is composed of a history and mysterie For example Hos 11.1 In these words When Israel was a child then I loved him and called my sonne out of Egypt The sense is compounded for literally and historically they are to be understood of the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt but typically and mystically of Christs calling out of Egypt Mat. 2.15 XIX The meanes to find out the true sense of Scripture are Frequent prayers the knowledge of Tongues the looking into the Fountains the consideration of the scope and argument the distinction of proper terms from figurative the logical analysis or noting of the causes the circumstances the passages going before and coming after the comparing of obscure places with cleerer of like with like and of disagreeing places with each other lastly the analogie of faith XX. As God is the proper and prime object so is he also the principal and supreme end of Divinity XXI Whereas then the chief end and the chief good are one and the same thing it is manifest that Christian Divinity onely doth rightly teach us concerning the chief good XXII The subordinate end of Divinity is our salvation which consisteth in the union and fruition of God The parts of Divinity are two The first is of the knowledge of God the second of the worship of God The first containeth faith or the things to be believed the second works or the things to be performed THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Essence of GOD. GOD is a Spirit existent eternally in himself One in Essence Three in Persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost God is known in himself and in his works In himself he is known absolutely in his Essence relatively in the Persons Gods essence is known * A. R. * The knowledge we have of God here is nominal not real 2. Confused not distinct 3. From his effects à posteriori 4. By way of negation we know what he is not rather then what he is 5. By way of eminencie we know that what perfection is in the creature is more eminently in him 6. By the motions of things we gather there must be a chief mover 7. From the degrees of entity truth and goodnesse in the creatures we collect that there must be one chief entity truth goodnesse c. 8. From the possibilities and contingencies that are in all things we inferre there must be one chief necessary entity by his Names and by his Properties The names of God are either taken from his essence as Jehovah Jah Eheje to which in the New-Testament the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord doth answer for the most part or from his power as El Elohim or from his Al-sufficiency as Shaddai or from his Excellencie as Helion The RULES or CANONS I. The name Jehovah is Gods chief and most proper Name For it is derived from the

the other of God The Preface of Moses is this Then God spake all these words Gods Preface is this I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of Egypt In which words he shews his self-power and full authority in commanding drawing reasons 1. From his divine essence the symbols whereof are the names Jehovah Elohim 2. From the Covenant of Grace the sign whereof is that phrase Thy God 3. From the benefit of Redemption the type whereof was the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt Of the Commandments there are two Tables the first is concerning our duty towards God the other our duty towards our neighbour The sum of the first Table is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy strength which words require both sincerity and perfection in our love sincerity because there is mentioned the heart the soul and all our strength perfection because we are bid love God with all our heart all our soul all our strength To this Table there belong four Commandments the first sheweth who is to be worshipped for the true God the second after what manner he must be worshipped the third how we are to honour his name all our life the fourth at what times the publick worship of God is to be maintained The sum of the second Table is Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self this command is like the former because as that is the sum of the four first precepts so this is the sum of the six last concerning our love towards our neighbour to this then belongs the fift command of preserving the dignity of our neighbour the sixth of his life the seventh of preserving our neighbours chastity the eighth of his estate the ninth of his fame the tenth of restraining vitious affections towards our neighbour Let this concerning the Moral Law suffice to evince the necessity of Redemption for what good works belong to every Precept shal be taught in the second Book CHAP. XIV Of the Ceremonial and Judicial Law THe Ceremonial and Judicial Laws serve as hand-maids to the Moral that to the first and this chiefly to the second Table The Ceremonial Law is that in which God commanded certain Ceremonies and outward Rites as Types of Christ hereafter to be exhibited The RULES I. The Ceremonial Law is a School-master to lead us to Christ Gal. 3.24 II. The Ceremonial Law gives place to the Morall 1. Because it is in a manner the hand-maid of the Moral Law 2. Because it was not to continue for ever 3. Because Charity is to be preferred to Ceremonies Hence is that of Hosea 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice III. The Ceremonial Law was as it were a hand-writing and testimony of that gift by which all men were held bound Col. 2.14 And putting out the hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us he even took it out of the way and fastened it on the Crosse IV. The Ceremonial Law then was abolished by Christs death V. The use of it before Christs death was profitable after his death untill the Gospel was spread abroad it was indifferent but after the promulgation of the Gospel not only was the observation of Ceremonies unwholsom but also mortall Hence Paul in the beginning caused Timothy to be circumcised because of the weakness of the Jews Act. 16.2 but after the Gospel was more fully manifested he would not suffer Titus to be circumcised Gal. 2.2 And surely at this day to observe Jewish Ceremonies were to deny Christs death and coming in the flesh VI. Therefore as the opinion of the Encratites and other ancient Hereticks whereby they prohibited certain meats as of themselves unclean was damnable so the error of Papists is to be abhorred who obtrude upon the Church Ceremonies partly Jewish partly Heathenish The precepts of the Ceremonial Law are either of holy persons or of holy things holy persons were in general all that were initiated by Circumcision whereby they were obliged to the observation of the other Ceremonies and then were put in minde of Sanctification by Christ In particular holy persons were the Ministers both ordinary and extraordinary the ordinary were the Priests and Levites the Priests were they who administred the Law by expounding sacrificing making intercession and blessing such things as were to be performed to God and men The RULES I. The High-Priest was a type of Christ the High-Priest II. His rich clothing and ornaments almost equall to regall robes were types of Christs dignity and chiefly of his most perfect justice Luk. 3.5 III. The chief ornaments were the Ephod or Cloake and Breast-plate fastned to the Cloake on the Ephod were the names of the twelve Tribes engraven upon pretious stones on the Breast-plate were Vrim and Thummim from whence the Church received Oracles the Cloake then represented the Church Vrim and Thummim that is light and perfection did signifie Christ the Word and Interpreter of the Father our light and perfection the Ephod represented Christ as he performed the things that concerned us the Breast-plate shewed him as he performed the things concerning God The Levites were they who being used instead of the first-born were to attend the praises to keep and to carry the Tabernacle with its utensils The extraordinary Ministers were the Prophets and Nazarites The Prophets were they who by divine inspiration teaching reforming the Priests and People were types of Christ the great Prophet The Nazarites were they who by a special vow abstaining from wine and consecrating themselves to God were types of the holiness of Christ In the holy worship we are to observe the instruments and the manner of it the instruments were the Tabernacle and the utensils thereof to wit the Ark the Altars the Table and brazen Laver. The RULES I. The Tabernacle was the Type of the Deity which was to dwel in Christ bodily John 1.14 He dwelt amongst us as in a Tabernacle Col. 2.9 In him dwelt the whole fulnesse of the Deity bodily II. The artificiall structure of the Tabernacle was a type of the spiritual fabrick of the Church which was to be grounded upon Christ Ephes 2.20 21. III. The removing of the Tabernacle did figure the Churches pilgrimage here IV. The uniformity of the Temple signified the Vnity of Christ and the Church V. The parts whereof were three the Court the Holy-place the Holy of Holies VI. The Court in which the people met was a Type of the visible Church in which are good and bad VII The Holy-place was the Court for the Priests and a Type of the true members of the Church that elect and royal Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2.9 VIII The Holy of Holies into which none entered but the High Priest and that but once a year did shadow out the Sanctuary of heaven into which Christ was to enter for our good IX The Vaile of the Temple garnished with Cherubims did signifie Christs flesh

to be no more as the former testimonies affirm So much of the end of the world Life eternal is the highest degree of blessedness in which we shall be made partakers of Christs glory enjoying the sight of God and heavenly joyes for ever and ever The RULES I. The general efficient cause of Life eternal is the whole Trinity but particularly Christ our Lord who by his merit obtained life for us and by his efficacy applies it to us and bestows it upon us Hence he is called the everlasting Father Isa 9.6 and metonymically Life it self Joh. 14.6 II. Good works are not the meritorious cause of life eternal although life is promised to them as a free reward A reward is promised to good works not as a due debt but as a free gift not that by them we can merit life but that we may be provoked to them III. That eternal happinesse consisteth in our freedome from all evil in the variety magnitude and eternity of joyes Rev. 21.4 And God will wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor shall there be any more pain for the first things are past IV. The variety of joyes shall be in the delights of heavenly mansions in the blessed society of the Saints but chiefly in the union with God V. There shall be a glorification both of body and of soule VI. In the body shall be 1 Clarity 2 Impassibility 3 Subtility 4. Agility VII The soule shall be farre more perfect then it was in the state of innocency for in it shall be understanding without error light without darknesse wisdome without ignorance reason without obscurity memory without oblivion the will also shall be without perversenesse joy without sorrow pleasure without pain In the state of innocency there was in man a possibility not to sin in the state of glory there shall be no possibility to sin VIII The beauty of heavenly mansions was shadowed by the type of Solomons temple and Jerusalem Psal 84.1 c. Rev. 21.22 IX The communion of Saints which shall be with joy is expressed by the similitude of a feast Matt. 22.2 c. X. Neither shall we have communion onely with the Angels but we shall be also like the Angels Matt. 22.30 Luk. 20.36 XI There shall be such a communion with God that we shall see him without end love him without tediousnesse and praise him without wearisomnesse XII So great shall be that joy that nei●her our tongues can expresse it nor our mindes conceive it For in this life neither hath the eye seen nor ear heard nor minde conceived that which can equal that glory 1 Cor. 2.9 XIII Neither shall any bounds be set to this happinesse nor shall we ever fall from it but it shall continue for ever Psal 16.11 Thou shalt shew me the path of life for in thy presence is fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for ever more XIV There sall be degrees of eternal happinesse This is gathered from Daniel cap. 12. v. 3. They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Neither is this opnion overthrown by that place of Matth. 13. v. 43. whereas the just in general are said to shine as the Sun for though the glory of the Elect being considered in themselves is likened to the brightnesse of Sun and Stars yet in Daniel cap. 12. this is promised to Doctors above other men neither can any other reason be given why there mention is made chiefly of them that instruct others That place 1 Cor. 15.39 40 41. Is alleadged but to little purpose for proofe of this for the simile concerning the diversitie of brightnesse in the starres doth not prove the degrees of future glory but the difference only that is betwixt a mortal and a glorified body as it appears by what followes In the mean while we allow not that manner of different glory which the Papists teach to wit diversity of merits For as the gift of Faith and Sanctification according to Gods meere grace is unequally distributed to the Saints so he will according to his gracious pleasure impart glory but so that no man shall have cause to complaine of any want of glory in himselfe or why he should envie it in another The SECOND BOOK Concerning the WORSHIP of GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Nature of good works IN the former Book we have spoken of the Knowledge of God now we are to speak of his Worship The true worship of God consisteth in true holiness and righteousness or in the study of good works which good works are performed by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of true Faith according as the Law requires to the glory of God the certainty of our salvation and edification of our neighbour The RULES I. Good works are called Vertues But we take this word vertue in a larger sense then it is taken by Philosophers for here we call vertues holy affections holy thoughts and actions II. The same Synecdochically are called by the name of Charity For so Christ saith that the whole Law consisteth in the precept of love towards God and our neighbour whereas love towards God belongs to the first Commandment but love to our neighbour to the second Table III. The principal efficient cause of good works is the Holy Ghost in respect of beginning continuation and perfection For it belongs to the same power to begin in us a good work and to perfect it Phil. 1.6 as also to give both to will and to be able or to do cap. 2.13 IV. Their instrumental cause is Faith the root of good works Rom. 14.23 What is not done of faith is sin V. The matter of good works are the affections and actions of a regenetate man VI. The form of them is their agreement with the precepts of the Decalogue For sin is a transgression of the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 VII Therefore these are not good works which are conformable to the commandments of men and not of God Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.9 In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men VIII Neither are those good works which the Papists call works of Supererogation by which they say more is performed then by the Law is required IX This opinion is grounded upon their conceit of counsels or things not commanded but left to our liberty the omission of which is not punishable but the performance is greater then legall obedience and therefore meritorious They say such counsels may be seen Mat. 19.11 where they teach that the counsel of single life is not contained within the command and ver 21. where they say that to the young man a counsel was given not a command that he should sell his goods and give them to the poor and then follow Christ and 1 Cor. 7. where they say that the single life is counselled But

this opinion of counsels and works of supererogation is false 1. Because so the Law is made imperfect whilst the performing of counsels is preferred to the fulfilling of the Law 2. Because if no man is able to fulfill the Law much less able is any man to fulfill that which is heavier then the Law 3. Because to beg daily for pardon of our sins and to brag of such works are things inconsistent The places above alledged are to be understood of commands and not of counsels whi●h do not oblige men these commands indeed are particular and given only to certain men according to the exigence of their condition and gifts yet they are subordinate to general precepts Mat. 19.11 Single life is not only counselled but commanded two conditions being required 1. If the Kingdom of heaven doth so require it 2. If any be assured that he hath the gift of continence so ver 21. It is not a counsel but a command that is given to the young man that his hypocrisie might be manifested who bragged that he was able to fulfill the Law and 1 Cor. 7. Celibate is injoyned to them that have the gift of continency not simply but because it was expedient in those times of difficulties Now I pray what is more consonant to Gods Law then to renounce all earthly things for the glory of God therefore in these places nothing is counselled but what by the Law is commanded X. The end of good works is threefold to wit the glorifying of God and the testifying of our gratitude towards him the certainty of salvation and for our Neighbours edification We are taught Mat. 5.16 that we must study to do good works both for Gods cause and our neighbours Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven They are to be performed for our own sakes because we can have no assurance of salvation election vocation and justification but by good works as the effects of Faith Justification and Sanctification whence John saith He that doth well is of God 1 Ep. 3.11 XI The subject of good works is man regenerated This was proved in the former Book cap. 10. out of our natural corruption whence appears the vanity of the School-mens Doctrine concerning merit of congruity and condignity they ascribe that to the works of an unregenerate man before the first grace but this to his works done after the first grace is received That they call the merit of congruity because it is fit or congruous that reward be given to him that worketh vertuously this they call merit of condignity because there is a proportion between the merit and the punishment of which opinion Bellarmine and Stapleton were ashamed XII The adjuncts of good works are their imperfection and necessity XIII The good works of the Saints are imperfect while they are travellers here but they shall be perfect in the state of glory hereafter This Doctrine is not thwarted by those places in which the Saints are said To walk perfectly and not to turn towards the right hand or to the left hand for in those places is understood not so much perfection it selfe as the desire of it and the perfection of parts rather then of degrees or their sincerity and integrity are meant whereby the faithful though the Scripture elswhere speaks of their sins study to serve God in the simplicity of their heart without hypocrisie XIV Yet this imperfection is covered with Christs perfection hence our halfe perfect workes and which are joyned with infirmities are reputed for perfect in this respect the Church is said to be without spot or wrinckle XV. Good works are necessary by the necessity of precept and the means but not by the necessity of the cause or merit By the necessity of precept they are necessary because the studie of good works through all the Scriptures is most severely enjoyned to us They are necessary in regard of the means because they are sure marks of Vocation Election and true Faith and because they are the way and means to attain heavenly blisse As if a man should make a journey from York to London to obtain an inheritance the way or journey is the medium or means but not the meriting cause of the inheritance even so it is in this matter Works would be truly meritorious if they had these three conditions 1. If they were our own 2. If they were not due 3. If they were proportionable to life eternal But in our good works these conditions are wanting 1. Though good works be done by us yet they are not of us 2 Cor. 3.5 2. We are bound to do them so that if we should do all yet we must confesse We are unprofitable servants Luk. 17.10 3. They have no proportion if they be compared to life eternal CHAP. II. Of Vertues pertaining to the Decalogue and whole Worship of God VErtues or good works are either general or particular Those belong to the whol worship of God so to the whole Law these to either of the Tables or to each Command The vertues of the first Command are either of the Understanding or the Will The vertues of the understanding are Wisdome and Prudence Wisdome is that vertue by which we know Gods will and our own infirmity that we may do what is conformable to Gods will and may seriously beseech God for strength to perform this will Rom. 12.2 That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Psal 143.10 Teach me to do thy will because thou art my God lead me by thy good Spirit through the right path To this is opposite foolishnesse or ignorance of Gods wayes or an opinion of wisdome Jer. 5.4 These are foolish for they know not the wayes of the Lord nor the judgments of their God Pro. 3.7 Be not wise in thy own conceit Eccl. 7.16 Be not too wise Prudence is a vertue whereby we foresee how things are to be done in respect of time place and manner and what will be the event of each businesse which is undertaken The RULES I. Prudence is the director or guide of our counsels and actions II. It is prudence to distrust the world and not rashly to believe every man Jer. 9.4 Let every one take heed of his friend Mat. 10.16 Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves III. It is prudence to counterfeit and to dissemble Yet here we must know how and for what end we may counterfeit and dissemble the end is either the edification of the Church or the trial of things needful or the avoiding of dangers or the desire of eschewing vain-glory or boasting Then it will be lawfull to do this when it can be done without prejudice to Gods glory to the truth to charity to justice to our calling and duty and without fraud IV. It is prudence in the evils of sinne to choose none in the evils of punishment to choose