the true Doctrine at all times and in all places vvhether they lived in former ages or whether they be at this day yet living 25 But it is necessarie that this consent be grounded on the Catholick vvritings of the Prophets and Apostles which are the onely foundation of the Church 26 It is called Apostolick in respect of the Doctrine of the Apostles because it began in the New Testament to be propagated by the Apostles which taught none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come Act 26.22 and because it is yet at this day gathered together by the Doctrine of the Apostles sounding in the Scriptures 27 From vvhence it may be easily gathered what are the true Characters and signes of the True Church to vvit The pure preaching of the Word and the Lawfull administration of the Sacraments 28 For seeing that the Church is nothing else but a Company of such as professe the true Doctrine of Christ publickly and use the Sacraments lawfully and there is no surer note of a thing then its Form Therefore vve conclude that these and no other are the true proper and genuine Characters tokens and cognizances of the Church 29 If there be assigned any other as the Catholick name Antiquitie Duration Amplitude Succession of Bishops Temporall felicitie c. I say These are common to other Societies and Companies as well as to the Church neither are they of any force to prove a true Church unlesse they exactly agree and are joyned with the other notes before mentioned by us 30 Wherefore vve thought good to note the vvords of Stapleton in relect princ fid Controv. 1. Quaest. 4. Art 5. pag. 113. Even as saith he little children do distinguish a man from a beast by the external lineaments of body and outward figure of a man because they are led onely by their sense And those vvhich are of riper yeares and have the use of reason but yet are rude and unlearned do it by operation of life and functions which are onely proper to a man as to speak like a man to vvalk like a man c. But they which are vvise and prudent vvhose judgement pierceth deeper do it by prudence and understanding and other endovvments which are proper unto man after a farre more excellent manner 31 So the Church of Christ is by those that are vvise and Spirituall such as are the Teachers and Pastours of the Church known by the sound Doctrine and the right use of the Sacraments But as for those vvhich are unlearned vveak and little in Faith vvho are not able to judge of the Doctrine it self considered in its causes principles and means as also those which are without Faith vvho know little or nothing of the Church they judge onely by the outvvard face and appearance and by the multitude of the people which beleeve and their Pastours 32 This Similitude or Comparison of Stapletons vve thought vvorthy to be noted For from hence it may be concluded that our notes of the true Church are proper genuine and well beseeming spirituall men but theirs are doubtfull and uncertain 33 The outvvard shevv and face of the Church shadovved out by lineaments we vvillingly grant unto them But as for the Soul thereof that must they leave unto us 34 Hither belongeth that which Bellarmine himself openly confesseth That by those notes and marks by him assigned it is not proved evidently to be true That the Church of Rome is the true Church of God but yet it is made evidently credible Libr. 4. de Eccl. cap. 3. Col. 210. 35 Furthermore seeing that the Gospel is not preached nor the Sacraments administred with like sinceritie in all particular Churches but the leaven of humane traditions and inventions is mixed with the pure masse of Gods Word Therefore in this respect and in this sense the Church is said to be more pure or more impure comparing one vvith another 36 So Christ vvould have the Scribes and Pharisees to be heard Sitting in Moses Chair Matth. 23.2 that is delivering the Doctrine which Moses delivered according to the interpretation of Biel. 4. Sent. Dist 1. Quaest 4. Art 3. But vvithall he gives an Item to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees that is their false Doctrine Matth. 16.6 37 God can even by a corrupt Ministerie beget spirituall children unto himself Ezech. 16.20 38 The eares of the hearers are many times more pure then the lips of the teachers 39 So the Popish Church is not a true and pure Church But yet in former ages under Popery did God gather and even at this day still doth gather unto himself a Church 40 Our Churches are gone out of the Romish Babylon according to Gods command Jerem. 15.19 They have taken forth the precious from the vile They have accepted and do still professe and maintain the writings of the Prophets and Apostles the Doctrine vvhich is conformable and agreeable unto them separating them from the leaven of humane traditions 41 Can any one then deny that out Church is Apostolick Such as the Doctrine is such is the Church The Doctrine is Apostolick And therefore our Church is also Apostolick 42 Let them therefore either convince us out of the vvritings of the Prophets and Apostles to have departed from the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles or let them not deny unto us the name of Catholick and Apostolick Church 43 And here vve vvould have it accurately to be observed vvhat the Acts of the Diet at Auspurg Anno 1530. do witnesse Hovv that the chiefest of our adversaries there confessed that the confession of our Faith could not be refuted out of Scripture 44 Hither vvill vve adde out of S. Augustine Epist 166. that In the Scriptures we have learned Christ in the Scriptures vve have learned the Church And vvhy then do vve not in them retain both Christ the Church 45 And again vve have another saying out of S. Augustine De unitate Eccl. Cap. 2. which makes against them Between us saith he and the Donatists the Romanists the question is Where the Church is What then shall vve do Shall vve seek it in our ovvn vvords or in the vvords of our Lord vvhich is the Head of the Church In my judgement vve ought rather to seek it in his words vvho is Truth it self and best knovvs his ovvn body 46 And further we urge upon them that Exclusive particle of S. Chrysostome Hom. 49. oper imperf in Matt. They which would knovv vvhich is the true Church of Christ can knovv by no other means but Onely by the Scriptures 47 The vvord of God vvhich this day is not extant but in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles is the seed the foundation and as it vvere the soul of the Church If the Church departeth from the tract thereof it departeth into errour and that so much the more grievous by hovv much the more remote and distant from the sinceritie of the
Cor. 1.20 39 For what the Law could not do God sending his Son hath done for us Rom. 8.3 40 But if righteousnesse come by the Law then is Christ dead in vain Gal. 2.21 41 And if the regenerate do perfectly fulfill the Law why do they pray dayly Forgive us our trespasses according as they are taught by Christ Matth. 6.11 42 If there be no trespasse committed why is forgivenesse required 43 Moses hands are heavy and the yoke of the Law is unsupportable Exod. 17.12 Bern. serm 3. in Cant. 44 Moses face shineth so that we are not able to look on it Exod. 34.29 2. Cor. 3.13 45 Moses is of a slow tongue his words are harsh we cannot heare and obey them Exod. 4.10 46 The Tables of the commandments are of stone Exod. 24.12 They break our hearts in pieces but they do not cure them 47 It was not Moses but Ioshua that brought the children of Israel into the promised land It is Christ and not Moses that leadeth us unto eternall life 48 The Law is the Hammer of Death the flashing of Hell and the Thunderbolt of Gods vengeance 49 This profit the Law brings with it That it convinceth a man of his infirmitie and weaknesse and compelleth him to suc unto Christ for the medicine and remedy of grace to strengthen him August Epist. 200. ad Asell 50 Let us therefore learn to know the voyce of the Law that so we may come to know the comfortable voyce oâ— Christ our Shepherd 51 Whatsoever sheweth unto us sin vengeance and death it is in the place and stead of the Law and doth the office of the Law whether it be in the Old Testament or in the New 52 We must not therefore appropriate the Law to the Old Testament and the Gospel to the New 53 There was indeed a solemn promulgation of the Law made in the Old Testament and of the Gospel in thâ— New 54 But yet the Doctrine as well oâ— the Law as of the Gospel sounded iâ— both Testaments 55 Neither in the New Testamenâ— onely but also in the Old come we tâ— â—he knowledge of sin by the Law and of the abolishing of sin by Christ. 56 The Ceremoniall and Judiciall Laws in the Old Testament are abrogated 57 For the Ceremoniall vvere but Shadows and Types of Christ and therefore at the coming of Christ they expired 58 The Judiciall were fitted for the Commonwealth of the Jews which God would have to be kept within such bounds untill the coming of Christ 59 But yet the Ceremoniall and Judicial Laws are so abrogated that whatsoever in them is Morall still abideth 60 And the Mosaicall Ceremonies by an Allegoricall exposition may be fitted to serve for our edification 61 So much of the Law in Generall Now we are to make enquirie in Speciall concerning the Decalogue or the Ten Commandments and concerning Images 62 The Number of the Commandments is certain but the Order of them is not so certain 63 As concerning their Order â—hen it is but a matter of question and not a matter of faith 64 We must not therefore move unnecessarie stirres and contentions about it to the disturbing of the peace of the Church neither must we suffer our Christian Libertie in such things to be captivated by our adversaries 65 Christian Libertie admitteth of Historicall Jmages But as for Jdolatrous Superstitious and Lascivious them the Law of God abolisheth And as for such as truly cause Scandal Charitie taketh them away 66 As often therefore as there accreweth unto them an opinion of worship in so much that Divine honour is given unto them or that they are thought to have in them any peculiar sanctitie or that men imagâ—â—â— that God is so tied unto them that he is there present in a more peculiar manner and heareth mens prayers more effectually there then elsewhere The use of them is no longer indifferent 67 Neither yet doe I commend the saying of that Greek Pelusiot in the seventh Synod to this purpose That a temple unles it were adorned with Statues images and pictures waâ— nothing worth and not to be regarded 68 For my part I like not the multitude of sumptuous and costly images For fear lest it come to passe as Bernard complaineth that whilest the Church shines gloriously in the walls it look pitifully in the poore lest whilst the stones are covered with gold the children starve for want of clothing and whilest rich mens eyes are pleased poore mens purses be exhausted 69 As therefore in other things which we call indifferent so also in this there is a Christian prudence required that we give no scandal to our weak brethren by the unseasonable use hereof neither yet must we give place to those which come in privily to â—pâ— out â—â—r libertie which we have 〈◊〉 Christ Jesus that they may bring us 〈◊〉 bondage Gal. 2.4 70 He which heretofore wrote his Law in tables of stone with his own finger write them likewise in our hearts by his Holy Spirit CHAP. XII Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning the Gospel 1 THE Gospel is Parallel to the Law 2 The Doctrines of both have a celestiall Originall 3 In both there is life eternall promised but in a different manner 4 In the Law it is promised 〈◊〉 those that perform perfect obedience but in the Gospel it is promised 〈◊〉 those that truly beleeve on Christ 5 The Doctrines of both are to be propounded unto us in the Church 6 For both of them are of necessarie use in the conversion of man 7 Both of them are most nearly joyned together in the heart and practice of a Christian man 8 But yet they are so conjoyned that notwithstanding they are accurately to be distinguished 9 For if we either take quite away or else weaken the difference which is between them we pull down the very Tower or Pillar of Christianitie 10 Neither yet must we make them so contrarie the one to the other as that the one should destroy the other 11 For The Law is not against the promises of God Gal. 3.21 12 But The Law is established through faith Rom. 3.31 13 What the Law requireth of us that hath Christ fulfilled for us as it is declared unto us in the Gospel 14 For Christ is the end and fulfilling of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 15 The righteousnesse of the Law is fulfilled in us by Christ Rom. 8.4 16 Moreover Faith kindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit through the voice of the Gospel worketh by love Galat. 5.6 17 And Love is the summe or fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.10 18 And thus the Law is written in our hearts Jerem. 31.33 19 But yet this love is not perfect in this Life 20 And therefore we cannot perfectly fulfill the Law 21 Our Obedience here is but Inchoate or begun it shall be complete and consummate in the Life to come 22 The Gospel according to the Etymologie of the
of them blessed for ever Amen CHAP. XVII Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning the Sacrament of Baptisme 1 BAptisme is the Porch or first Gate of Grace the Entrie into the Church the Key of the Kingdome of heaven and â—he Investiture of Christianisme or â—â—e putting on the robe or liverie of â—hristianitie 2 And therefore being the first Saâ—rament of the New Testament it is â—or that cause called the Sacrament of â—â—itiation 3 Baptisme generally taken signifiâ—th any washing dipping or dying whether it be done by immersion affusion or aspersion 4 It is taken Metaphorically in Scriâ—ture for the Crosse and calamities Matth. 20.23 for the visible and large effusion of the gifts of the Holy Ghost Acts 1.5 for the miraculous passing of the Israelites through the sea 1. Cor. 10.2 5 It is taken Synecdochically for the doctrine and indeed the whole ministerie of John the Proto-Baptist that is which first baptized Matth. 3.11 6 Specially and by way of Excellencie yea and by the common use of the Church it is taken for that solemn mysterie of Initiation to wit the first Sacrament of the New Testament 7 Which in respect of one of the Essentiall parts thereof is called Water John 3.5 In respect of its Essence Tâ—â— washing of water by the Word Ephâ—â— 5.26 In respect of the Effect thereof The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 In respect of the Type thereof which went before Circumcision made without hands Coloss 2.11 8 The Prime Authour of Baptisme and therefore the Proper and Principall Cause is God 9 For God by his prophets in the Old Testament did preach by Types and Prophesies concerning this saving Lâ—ver â—r washing of Baptisme 10 The Types are Noahs ark in the â—loud 1. Pet. 3.20 Circumcision Coloss 2.11 The passing of the Israelites through the red sea 1. Cor. 10.2 Waters mixed with the bloud of the bird that was killed which cleansed the leprosie Levit. 14.6 7. The water of Expiation or Separation whereinto vvere drewed the ashes of the red heifer Numb 19.17 c. Divers washings ablutions and aspersions used by the Jews Heb. 9.10 The water of Jordan by which Naaman was cured of his leprosie 2. Kings 5.14 11 The Prophesies consist partly in proper words and partly in words Alâ—egoricall The Lord sitteth upon the floud Psal 29.10 There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the citie of God Psal 46.5 The Gentiles shall bring thy sonnes in their arms Isai 49.22 I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthinesse Ezech. 36.25 It shall come to passe that every thing that liveth which moveth whithersoever the rivers shall come shall live Ezech. 47.9 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sinne and for uncleannesse Zechar. 13.1 A fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Shittim Joel 3.18 12 The same God it is which senâ— John to baptize or to baptize with water John 1.33 From whence it is said That his Baptisme is from heaven Matth. 21.25 and the Pharisees refusing to be baptized of him are said to have rejected the counsel of God Luke 7.30 13 This Divine Institution of Baptisme Christ after his death and resurrection did as it were renew by a solemn promulgation and command to continue the same throughout the whole world 14 Therefore the Baptisme of John was the same Sacrament with the Baptisme of Christ that is which Christ administred by his Apostles and doth at this day administer by the Ministers of the Church It had also the same efficacie neither was it necessarie that after the Baptisme of John the Baptisme of Christ should be received 15 The same Causes and the same â—â—fects do argue that the Sacrament of â—aptisme both Johns and Christs was â—he same 16 Yet notwithstanding vve do not â—eny but that with the Baptisme of the â—postles there was joyned also the visiâ—â—e effusion of the miraculous gifts of â—â—e Holy Ghost which was wanting â—o Johns Baptisme 17 Now God administers this Saâ—rament not Immediately but by the Ministers of the Church unto whom his doth Ordinarily belong as unto â—he Stewards of the mysteries of God â— Cor. 4.1 18 Again Forasmuch as they are â—â—e Ministers of anothers good their â—ites do not take away the essence and â—enefit of Baptisme 19 And therefore even Hereticks â—â—emselves if they do observe the Subâ—â—antialls of Baptisme they do admiâ—ister true Baptisme 20 Which also we determine in that â—â—use when the Minister of the Church â—rivately and secretly doth favour and â—â—erish an heresie contrarie to the truth â—f Baptisme and the doctrine of the â—hurch 21 But those which are baptize by Hereticks without the invocation oâ— the Holy Trinitie and afterwards comâ— unto us we pronounce that such arâ— to be Baptized but we do not say Rebaptized For it is not to be beleeveâ— that they were ever baptized whosoever were not baptized In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost 22 The externall Element of Baptisme is water water naturall and elementarie 23 Whosoever therefore do eitheâ— substitute and use in stead of water anâ— other liquour or any other externall Element or else are of opinion that they may be substituted used in the steaâ— thereof They depart from Gods institution 24 But yet Baptisme is not simpliâ—â— water but the washing of water by thâ— Word Ephes 5.16 25 Therefore neither Water without the Word nor the Word without the Water hath the nature force and vertue of Baptisme 26 That Word is the word both of Command and of Promise 27 For the Apostles are commanded to go and teach all nations Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Matth. 28.19 And there is a promise added That he that beleeveth and is Baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 28 Therefore according to this word all the Holy Trinitie The Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost are present at Baptisme as at the Baptisme of Christ who is the Head of the Church Ephes 1.22 29 The Father for his Sonne our Mediatours sake doth receive him that is Baptized into grace The Sonne by his own bloud doth cleanse him from all his sinnes The Holy Ghost doth regenerate and renew him unto eternall life 30 And if all the most sacred and Holy Trinitie be present then also Christ God and Man is certainly present and by his bloud washeth him that is Baptized from all the filthinesse of his sinnes 31 From whence it is that the Antients say and Luther repeats it That Baptisme is red with the bloud of Christ August tract 11. in Joan. Beda in Psalm 80. 32 We must not therefore look upon the water of Baptisme according to the naturall properties and use that it hath in common life But we are to
of a Magistrate is seen or considered either in Peace or Warre 19 In the time of Peace let him administer Justice and Judgement 20 By Justice we understand externall obedience to both Tables of the commandments 21 For it is the Magistrates charge and careâ— to see that both the Tables of the commandments he kept and observed as farre as it concerns Externall Discipline 22 He may and must hinder false and blasphemous opinions from being spread abroad He may and must punish those vvhich are seducers of Souls especially such as are seditious He may and must hinder the profanation of the Sabbath 23 But yet he must not take upon him authoritie and povver over the Consciences of men vvhereof God onely is King 24 Therefore neither must the Magistrate compell the Subjects to any false religion neither must the Subjects obey if he goes about to compell them 25 Unto the Administration of Justice there belongeth also the povver of making Civil Laws to be the determination of the lavv of nature 26 For Christian Commonwealths are not simply tyed and bound to the Judiciall Laws of Moses 27 Unto the same also belong Contracts which are to be moderated by Charitie and Equitie From whence it is easily gathered vvhat vve may determine in the question about Vsurie 28 The Scripture simply forbiddeth Vsurie But vvhat be Contracts of Usurie that vve must learn from the end of the Lavv vvhich is Charitie and from the description of the Prohibition as also from the incorrupt judgement of the prudent 29 By the name of Judgement forementioned vve understand the defending of the good and the punishing of those vvhich do that vvhich is evil Rom. 13.4 30 To vvhich end and purpose were judiciall Lavvs invented for the hearing and judging both Civill and Criminall causes 31 Therefore a Christian man is not forbidden to go to Law so he do it in a lawfull manner 32 The Punishment which the Magistrate inflicteth upon the transgressours of the Laws and the troublers of humane societie must be Correspondent to the Fault committed 33 For it is not free for the Magistrate at his pleasure to let delinquents and offenders especially such as are in any enormous crime escape and go unpunished 34 Yet sometimes Equitie and Moderation of the rigour of the Lavv is to be used but still vvith a respect unto the Delinquent or Offender and the Offense it self 35 As Extreme rigour of the Law is sometimes Extreme injurie So likewise Extreme indulgence and remiâ—â—nesse doth Dull the Edge of the Law and much diminish the povver and aâ—thoritie of the Magistrate 36 Here a question is moved aboâ—â— Heresie Theft and Adulterie Whether the Punishment thereof ought â—â— be Capitall 37 Whosoever doth maintain an Heresie Privately or else doth spread iâ— abroad but not seditiously we deâ—â— that such a one is to be put to death 38 Other wayes of sowing anâ— spreading abroad heresies we leave â—â— to the Magistrate to punish 39 To say that the punishment â—â— simple Theft especially if it be but of light and petty matter ought to be Capitall that is very hard 40 Yet we do not mislike that the rigour of the Law should be executeâ— upon such as are common robberâ— breakers into houses and such as him often escaped for stealing and yet steaâ— again 41 The Law of God hath adjudged Adulterie to be punished vvâ—â— death 42 In the time of Warre let the Magistrate be mindfull of his office and duty that he vvages Warre lawfully 43 For neither is the Magistrate forbidden to Denounce Warre nor the Subjects to take up arms if the Warre be Lawfull 44 The Conditions of a Lawfull Warre are these That it be undertaken upon Authority of superiours upon a good Cause and with a good Intention Thom. 2.2 q. 40. 45 Warre is not vvarre but robbâ—rie if it be undertaken without lawfull Authoritie of him that denounceth it 46 The Just causes of warre are Three Either Just defense or Just Punishment or Recovering vvhat is unjustly taken away 47 There must also be added an Intention of a fit and convenient end The Will must be for Peace and Warre is not to be undertaken but upon necessitie The End of going to Warre is or ought to be the procuring of Peace August Epist 205. 48 To a right Intention we referre also the Lawfull manner of waging warre 49 It was worthily spoke by Aurelianus to a certain Tribune of Souldiers If thou wilt be a Tribune if thou wilt live hold thy Souldiers in that they commit no outrages Let none of then steal an â—en take away another man sheep pull of a grape tread down the standing corn exact oyl salt or wood but let them be content with their own wages If they go a forraging and boothaling let them do it in their enemies countrie and not in the countrie of their friends and allyes 50 For it can never be hoped that those souldiers should be prosperous in warlike enterprises and feats of arms which at their departure carry away with them curses and tears for their Viaticum to feed upon by the way Gregor lib. 6. Histor. cap. 12. 51 Let them try their strength against their enemies But even against them let the stratagems of warre which they use be lawfull 52 But yet it behooves a Magistrate to try all courses before he goes to war For he may not do it but when the extreme necessity of the commonwealth calls for it As Physicians are wont to do when other remedies will not serve at length to come to searing and lâ—â—cing 53 As in playing at Dice when money is laid once at stake it is a question upon the cast whose it shall be So is it in warre The king and the countrie lies at stake 54 The other part of the Politicall order or Civil state is made up by the Subjects which are Relatively opposed to the Magistrates 55 And they are either mere Subjects or else they are joyned also in some power 56 The Subjects ow unto their Magistrates honour fear fidelitie obedience tribute and prayers for them 57 This honour must be performed â—n heart and mind in mouth and word â—n work and deed 58 We must look upon the Magiâ—trates as the ordinance of God neiâ—her must we detract from them with â— black mouth nor deny unto them outward reverence 59 The Obedience vvhich is to be perâ—ormed hath certain bounds and limits â—or those Subjects which also themâ—elves are joyned in some power may â—hibit the Magistrates from usurping â—o much povver and authoritie over â—hem 60 Yea those also vvhich are merely Subjects are not bound to obey the Magistrates in all things that is if they shall command any thing against pietie and honestie 61 Subjects are to fear their own Kings For they have rule and authoritie over them But Kings also must seâ—â— God For his kingdome ruleth over all Psal 103.19 62 We must Fear God rather then Man God whose commands are alvvaies just