yet was not God substantially which is but one wheras a wicked man of corrupt nature and manners may be and is a God representatiuely in respect of his office and power being a Magistrate and executing the iudgments of God Psal. 82.6 I haue said yee are Gods AEnig 41. Who was hee that had neither Father nor Mother being but a meere man and was a man ere he was a child and how that may be Resolution This man was Adam who came into the world not by naturall generation as other men but by supernaturall creation wherein he was made euery way perfit in graces members proportion stature c. AEnig 42. How are Kings and beggers equall while they liue Resolution They are equall by profession being both worshippers of one God Eph. 4. and by creation being both the workman-ship of God in these two things they quarter Armes being for degree and gifts very vnequall AEnig 43. How can he be but one man in whom all men at once were Resolution Adam was but one man personally his person was but one and singular but God so decreeing it he was all men potentially and orginally as Leui was when Abraham was Heb. 7. 9.10 so all men were when Adam was because they all were in his loynes Also Adam being the head and root of our kinde though himselfe were but one person yet he bare and susteined the persons of all men who were to stand with him or to fall with him as the euent declared AEnig 44. Who was he that needed not sinne if he would yet must needs sinne and how this may be Resolution It was Adam created with perfect liberty of will who might alwaies haue chosen righteous things if he would and therefore when he sinned he sinned freely his will of it owne accord inclining it selfe to eat of the forbidden tree yet God hauing decreed his Fall not as it is a sinne but as a meane to effect his own counsell to the praise of his name in the iust punishing of the reprobate for sinne and in the mercifull sauing of the Elect by Christ. Hence it is that there was a necessitie that he should sinne a necessitie I say in regard of the euent by Gods decree the first cause yet no necessitie in regard of Adams will the second cause which had power not to haue done it AEnig 45. Who is he that sinned ere hee had any euill concupiscence Resolution It was Adam who was created holy without any euill lust yet God not confirming his will he freely yeelded vnto an euill temptation outwardly suggested and so euill concupiscence came in as a punishment of his voluntary disobedience and now it is become to all his issue the root of all their sinnes Rom. 7.7 Iam 1.14.15 Adam sinned actually first and then originally we sinne first originally and then actually AEnig 46. How can the fault of one make all other men sinners without iniustice Resolution The fault of one of vs cannot doe it because our sinnes be personall hurting our selues or some few other The Soule that sinneth shall die Ezech. 18. but Adam being the originall and beginning of man by God ordinance when he sinned all men sinned in him his sinne was the sinne of the whole and by the guilt of his disobedience imputed all were made sinners and miserable Ro. 5. 12.19 If in case of high treason earthly Princes punish children with their Fathers without iniustice how much more may God doe this and yet not doe vniustly AEnig 47. How can one offence being done in a moment bring eternall death vpon all men without iniquitie Resolution The act of Adams disobedience being but one and of short continuance also the obiect of his sinne but meane yet an euerlasting God being offended in that one act the guilt thereof bindes him and his to punishment for euer if it be not pardoned Rom. 6.23 It standeth with iustice that an eternall paine bee rendred to the offence of an eternall essence and sinnes are to be measured by the dignitie of the person against whom they are commited AEnig 48. How was it that Adam did liue after he had eaten the forbidden fruit yet he was threatned that hee should die the death if he did eat Resolution Adam hauing sinned by eating the threatning of death was fulfilled because vpon his fault his soule was spiritually dead and his body thenceforth liable to naturall death and to all miseries as fore-runners thereof God reptiued him and spared the full execution of the sentence to commend his abundant mercy and patience in giuing him both space and occasion of repentance 2. Pet. 3. Ro. 2.4 AEnig 49. What is that which at once is both sin the cause of sinne and the punishment of sinne and how may this be Resolution It is originall lust which is properly sinne being a transgression of that Law which saith Thou shalt not lust Ro. 7.7 and fighting against the gouernment of the Spirit in a renued soule Ro. 7. 21.22 Also it is the punishment of Adams willing and witting disobedience and the cause of all other sinnes which do arise out of that bitter root Iames 1.15 AEnig 50. What is that one thing that at once is both most happy and most miserable of all other things Resolution It was Adams fall which in its owne nature and in regard of the effects which followed enfolding all men within sinne and euerlasting death was the most miserable thing that euer hapned no euill like to it for extent and force But in regard of the euent which fell out by the maruellous wisdome and goodnes of God it did accidentally prooue as one saith of it foelix crimen an happy fault giuing occasion to the redemption of the elect by Christ incarnate purchasing a constant and heauenly felicitie AEnig 51. How can one who is like to God offend by desiring to be as God Resolution Adam in his creation was like God that is perfectly iust and wise as a creature might be wherewith not being contented but aspiring to be as God that is equall to him this was his horrible offence Gen. 3. AEnig 52. Now is it said we all sinned in Adam yet the woman was in the transgression Resolution The woman indeed was first in the transgression for she entised and deceiued hir husband 1. Tim. 2. 14. yet it is written that wee sinne in Adam not in Eaue because the man being the principall agent in generation sinne is rather deriued by him into his ofspring 2 Though Eue were first yet Adam was more in fault because of his greater preheminence in dignitie of sexe and excellencie of graces whereby he was enabled and bound to haue kept himselfe and Eaue both from sinning therefore the denomination is from the man as more excellent AEnig 52. How is it that our first parents did not know good and euill till after their sinne yet were created with perfect
of all sortes are appointed to wrath 1. Tim. 2.3 Rom. 9.22 AEnig 66. How doth God prepare many to destruction yet their destruction is of themselues Resolution In destruction wee are to consider two things the purpose and the execution of it The first is from God decreeing destruction as the punishment of Sinne but mens owne faults and their impenitencie goeth before the latter as the proper cause of it Osea 13. 9. O Israell thy destruction is of thy selfe AEnig 67. How can things be done contrary to the will of God yet not be done besides the will of God If Gods will bee doth reuealed and secret how is it but one will Resolution All sinnes are done contrary to the reuealed will of God which forbiddeth them Exod. Yet they do not fall out besides the secret will of God for they should not bee at all if God were vnwilling they should bee Howbeit Gods will is but as himselfe is that is but one and it is alwaies like it selfe as he is vnchangeable yet of this one will much is manifested in his word and much is reserued vnto himselfe That which concernes the way to saluation and the rule of good life is manifestly reuealed that which concernes the euents and endes of persons and thinges of their councels and actions is kept secret to God himselfe till time bewray it hence commeth the distinction of his will into secret and reuealed Deut. 29. 29. Secret things to God reuealed things to vs. AEnig 68. How can that will be sinnelesse which doth will sinne Resolution That may be sinnelesse will which willeth sinne not as it is sinne and a breach of the law but as punishment of some foregoing sinne or as occasion and meanes of future blessing and safety Thence did God will Adams fall Pharaohs hardening Iudas treason AEnig 69 70. What is that that makes all euill things yet is the cause of no euill and how may this be What is that that drawes euill out of good yet it selfe is most good and how may this be Resolution It is Gods most iust and wise prouidence which maketh all euill of affliction Esay 45. yet is he not cause of any euill of crime which God indeede ordereth and conuerteth to the great benefit of his children by his maruellous goodnesse and wisedome Himselfe still remaining most holy As the Sun is not defiled by shining vpon a dunghill so neither is God polluted by turning bad actions to good ends AEnig 71. How is it that God appointes meanes yet himselfe worketh against meanes Resolution Meanes are appointed for vs to bee helps of our weakenesse and not for him who is almighty and most free neither needing them nor tied to them but working with them without them or against them as hee will Examples hereof in sauing Daniell and opening the blind mans eies with clay AEnig 72. How is it that God commandes vs to vse meanes yet some sinne as much in vsinge them as others in refusinge them Resolution To vse meanes with trust in them as King Asa vsed the Phisition and couetous men vse riches is as great a sinne as it is to refuse meanes when wee may haue them in this later wee doe tempt God Math. 4. in the former we make the meanes our God in placing our confidence in them Col. 3. AEnig 73. How can dead things preserue life Resolution Through Gods effectuall and mightie blessinge our dead meates maintaine life and make vs liuely and our cold cloathes to minister warmth to vs. AEnig 74. How is it that some men haue a good cause with good meanes which they vse well yet speede ill when others who lacke meanes or vse them ill yet speede well though their cause be naught Resolution It pleaseth God to withdraw successe where both the cause and the meanes be good for that he saith that the meanes were either trusted in or vsed without prayer and repentance or a good cause dealt in with no good affection or because God will try the Faith and patience of his children whereas to euill men which haue an euill cause though they lacke meanes or abuse them yet they often speede well that God may the more declare his lenitie and goodnesse in being kinde to the vnkinde or may the better manifest his Iustice in their punishment if they amend not by his bountie AEnig 75. How are the righteous deliuered euen then when they are killed Resolution Death is one meanes of deliuerance vnto the Distressed children of God and the best meanes for after that they rest from all their labours Reuel 14. 13. AEnig 76. How are many of the Saints put to vile deaths yet their death is euer pretious Resolution Their death is vile sometime for the manner of it in the world and in the account of worldlings but in respect of the cause for which they die their constant cleauing to the truth vnto death their cruell and vile death is alwaies precious vnto God Ps. 116. AEnig 77. How can hell bee an help to bringe any man to heauen Resolution The feare of hell paines deserued by sinne and the feeling of hellish sorrowes after some sinne bee sanctified and blessed to the elect of God to bee meanes to keepe them from sinning and either to driue or hould them closer to Christ who is the only way that leades to heauen Thus hell helps to heauen the Deuill against his will proues a Phisition to the iust AEnig 78. What is that that is both a medicine and a poyson at once and how this may be Resolution Sathans temptations and sinnes motions in their owne nature be poysonfull but by Gods mercifull prouidence they prooue medicines too being preseruatiues to the Godly against many sins and the occasiou of more humblenesse warinesse feruencie and prayer The Sacrament of the supper which is an healthfull potion to the contrite sinner to the vnbeleeuers and impenitent it becomes poysonfull and extreame hurtfull through their owne fault 1. Cor. 9. 27.29 AEnig 79. What bitter thing is that that hath a sweet fruit and how it may be Resolution They bee outward afflictions and inward conflict of conscience for sin also the seuere threatnings of the law they all be greeuous and bitter to the flesh but to the inward man they bring foorth in the end the sweet fruits of righteousnesse and peace euen of a good life and a quiet conscience Heb. 12.11 AEnig 80. How is it that God tempteth no man yet leadeth many men into temptation Resolution God being most holy cannot tempt any to sinne by inspiring the motion of sinne for this were against his most pure nature which can abide no iniquitie Psal. 5. 4. Yet as a iust iudge hee leadeth some into temptation by deliuering them vp vnto the lusts of sinne and Satan as a Iudge deliuers the malefactour to the executioner Rom. 1. 24. 26. Let all flesh
wherein and the nature whereby was finite yet deserued infinite glory because it receiued infinite worthines from the Godhead to which his manhood was personally vnited AEnig 97. What sonne is he that is heire while his Father liueth and how Resolution Though properly hee bee an heire which by succession entreth on the inheritance of his dead Father yet both Christ and all belieuers are heires while their Father doth liue because he cannot die being the euerlasting God and freely communicateth his inheritance to them without any wrong to himselfe AEnig 98. How can Christ receiue ought of his Fathers gift himselfe being author of euery good gift Resolution Himselfe as God is giuer of all but as mediator hee doth receiue much from his Father Mat 28. 18. Eph. 1. 22. God hath giuen him ouer all things to be the head of the Church AEnig 99. How can one be both Priest Sanctuary Sacrifice and Altar Resolution Christ Iesus as a man was both sacrifice and Sanctuary Hebr 2.8 as God he was the Altar Mat 23.19 as God and man hee was the high priest Heb. 9.14 AEnigma 100. How may eternall life bee borne and dye Resolution Christ being true God was that eternall life Iohn 1. 2. which was borne and did die in the nature of man assumed as it is written the Lord of glory was crucified 1. Cor 2.8 also God with his bloud purchased his Church Act. 20. 28. in which speeches that which is proper to the manhood is attributed to the Godhead for the vnitie of the person though he was borne and died in his manly nature yet the person that died was God the life eternall vnderstand this soberly and wisely it is a true and wholesome doctrine AEnig 101. How did Christ die willingly yet die necessarily for he must die Resolution In respect of his owne election Christ died voluntarily for hee laide downe his life of himsele no man could take it away from him Iohn 10. 18. Yet hee died necessarily to fulfill the iust purpose of his Father and the true prophesies of the word which had decreed and foretold his death Luke 24.25 Christ then died because he would die yet he must die because God so ordained AEnig 102. How can a body bee seuered by death from the soule and yet both remaine still vnited together Resolution Christ his body and soule were pulled asunder one from the other in his death yet euen then both of them were still vnited to the person of the sonne of God for the hypostaticall or personall vnion of the two natures in Christ is vnseparable and euerlasting or else he could not bee an eternall high Priest if there were interruption of this vnion but for a moment AEnig 103. How may one at once both ouercome and be conquered Resolution Christ when he yeelded to death and went into the graue was for a time as one conquered according to the infirmity of his flesh yet euen then his diuine power triumphed ouer sinne death and graue which was manifested at his resurrection from the dead Col. 2. Also the Saints being conquered by violence of persecutors yet ouercame by patience AEnig 104. How may a Lambe ouercome a Lyon Resolution That Lambe of God Christ Iesus by the merit of his voluntary death tooke all the Elect as a prey out of the iawes of Satan that roaring Lion Heb. 2. 14. Hee destroied through death him that had power of death euen the Deuill AEnig 105. What stone is that that is both the rising and falling of many and how this may be Resolution That stone is Christ who to them that by faith stay on him is a precious Stone euerlasting lie to support and saue them yet to the disobedient he is a stone of offence and an occasion of their ruine and fall because thorow vnbeleefe they refuse him being offered 1. Pet. 2.6.7 AEnig 106. Who is that that giues that life it hath to others yet is selfe hath not that life it giueth Resolution That flesh or humane nature of Christ hath that life by participation from the Godhead the fountaine of life And giues the same to all beleeuers his members yet the life which it giues it hath not in it selfe originally for the flesh profiteth nothing it is the spirit that is the Godhead which quickneth Iohn 6.63 AEnig 107. How is death the cause of life How can death be the death of death Resolution The death of Christ by worthines deriued from his diuinitie it is the meritorious cause of life eternall which we had forfeited by sinne Iohn 1. 6. I will giue my flesh for the life of the world This same death of Iesus is the death that is the destruction of death hauing spoiled it of all power to hurt vs Hos. 13.14 O death I will bee thy death and thy destruction O graue AEnig 109. How may one person at once be most blessed and yet be made a curse Resolution Christ in himselfe as hee was perfectly righteous so hee was most blessed the fountaine of blessednesse Luk. 1. Yet as hee sustained the person of offendors hee became a curse which was signified by his manner of death being on the tree Gal. 3.13 AEnig 110. How can temporal paines deliuer from eternall paines Resolution Temporary paines through the dignity of the Sufferer bee equiualent or answereable to eternall paines that the eternall sonne of God should suffer for a while what more then if all Angels and men had suffered for euer by how much hee is higher then they hauing obteined a more excellent name Heb. 9. 1. AEnig 111. How is Christ daily crucified yet could die but once Resolution It is most certaine that Christ could be but once really and actually crucified could but once die yet after four sortes he is continually crucified first in a mistery the Lords supper being a coÌ„â—emoration or remembrance of Christs Sacrifice vpon the crosse Secondly in the preaching of the death of Christ so liuelily as if he were crucified before our eyes Thirdly in the heartes of the faithfull their faith being as it were the aulter on which hee daily suffereth his passion being still present to euery beleeuing soule Lastly in the mouth of wicked Apostates who blaspheme him Heb. 6. AEnig 112. How was Christ slaine in the last times and yet was the lambe slaine from the beginning of the world Resolution He was actually slaine in Ierusalem at the time appointed which was in the last daies But if wee respect the promise of his sacrifice or the vertue therof cowardes beleeuers hee was slaine from mans restoring which was neere the beginning of the world And before all worlds in his Fathers councell and ordinance AEnig 113. What person is that which being not meere God was yet both in heauen in hell and in earth at once and how Resolution It was Christ God and man whose soule in his agonie went
ignorant but euen to him that knoweth it because it is but in part reuealed vnto him 1. Cor. 13. 12. AEnig 133. How is it a duty to search the secrets of God yet his secrets may not be searched without sinne Resolution The word of God is called a mysterie or secret because it is hid from the children of this world and Gods children know it no other waies then by reuelation of the spirit to search this secret is our duty Ioh. 5.39 but it is a sin to search such secrets as God keepeth to himselfe which he would not haue men to know Deut. 29. more briefly thus we may search the secrets of Gods mouth with duty but not the secrets of God without sinne AEnig 134. What is that that kills before it make aliue And how this may be Resolution It is the word of God which kills by the ministerie of the law Rom. 7.8.9 ere it make aliue by the ministerie of the gospell for first it deeply wounds our soules with feare and sorrow in the feeling of sinne and death through the knowledge of the law and afterwards it comforts and heales vs by the feeling of mercies to the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and life eternall thorough the knowledg of Christ. Esay 61.2.3.4 AEnig 135. 136. How may liúely Oracles bee a dead letter How may that which is dead be sharper then a two edged sword Resolution The word of God 1. in it owne nature 2. ly in respect of the Author and 3. ly of the end for which it was giuen is a liuely oracle being from the God of life ordeined to giue life and hauing promises of life yet without the quickning force of Christ and regenerating Spirit it is of no more force to conuert vs then a dead Letter but by the mighty working of God it is sharper c. AEnig 137. How are the Scriptures before the Church yet there was a Church long before there was any Scripture Resolution The Scriptures in regard of the matter which is the word or doctrine of godlinesse it is before the Church as the immortall seede whereof it is begotten but in respect of the forme as it is written in inke and paper and set down in letters sillables and words so the Church was before there was any Scripture for Moses was the first pen-man of Scriptures AEnig 138. If prophesie must cease how doth the word of God endure for euer Resolution The truth of the word in things promised to the faithfull and threatned to vnbeleeuers for their estate in the life to come shall abide euer but the manner of deliuery of the word and teaching knowledge thereof by prophesying tongues writing inke and the paper wherin it is written with the letters and words shall cease and perish AEnig 139. How came Christ to make warre yet he is the prince of peace and his gospell the gospell of peace Resolution It is true that the word offereth peace with God and calleth vnto it also perswadeth peace with man and so resembleth the Author which is a God of peace also worketh peace as an instrument whereas therfore contention schisme and heresie arise vpon the publishing of it this comes accidentally beside the nature of the word thorough the fault of our corrupt hearts which vse to striue for our fancies and lusts against truth and such as bring it rather then to yeeld peceably vnto it Mat 10. Eph 6. AEnig 140. How are sinnefull affections by the law if the law be good and holy Resolution The law is neither cause nor occasion of sinne to speake properly but detecteth and condemneth all sinne and therefore most holy but sinne taketh or snatcheth occasion by the commandement and works all manner of euill lusts in men vnregenerate whose corrupt sinnefull hearts by the prohibitions of the law be irritated and prouoked to sinne thorough their owne fault in running more eagerly vpon an euill that is forbidden them Rom. 7.7.8.14 AEnig 141. How is it that the law promiseth eternall life to workes yet no man can be iustified and saued by the workes of the Law Resolution Because no man fulfills the worke of the Law as they be commanded of God Rom. 8 3. Gal. 3. for no meere man can doe all in perfection and all his life long Therefore no man can be iust by the works of the Law AEnig 142. How is it that the Law being the word of God and of life as well as the Gospell yet we are saued by the Gospell not by the Law Resolution The Gospell promiseth saluation vpon condition of beleeuing it and giueth thorow the holy ghost power to beleeue it whereas the Law promiseth life to workes but giueth no power to do these works Rom 1. 16. Law shewes the disease and cures it not the Gospell heales the wound by applying remedie AEnig 143. What is that that abideth still yet is passed away Resolution The Ceremoniall Law is passed away as touching the ordinances thereof which now haue no force yet their substance and truth being fulfilled in Christ the body of them abideth still AEnig 144. How is it that we can no more beleeue perfectly then we can perfitly do the Law yet we are iustified by the faith of the Gospell and not by the deeds of the Law Resolution The reason is because the Law doth not promise life but to deeds perfectly done whereas life is promised to them in the Gospell as beleeue truly though vnperfectly for it is not written that wee are iustified by perfect faith but by faith for Christ who is the obiect of faith AEnig 145. How may one doe a worke commanded in the law yet sinne in doing it Resolution If hee shall faile in the manner of doing it or in the end not doing it in perfect loue and to Gods glory then there is sinne in doing it though the thing done for the substance of it be commanded If one do a worke commanded and yet do it not out of knowledge but ignorantly then it is sinne AEnig 146. How many one do a worke forbid in the Law yet not sinne in doing it Resolution To kill ones son to take away ones goods be workes forbidden in the generall Law yet Abraham and the Israelites doing these things with warrant of Gods special commandement sinned not in doing them Genes 25. Exod wee are to walke not by particular but by the generall precept Concerning works as eating Shew-bread plucking eares of corne on the Sabboth or healing on the Sabboth these bee against the law of Ceremonies yet in case of necessitie they were done by Dauid Christ and his Apostles without sinne because the law of Ceremonie must giue place to the law of Charitie as it is written I will haue mercy and not sacrifice Hosea 6.6 AEnig 147. How is the Law a yoke that none can beare yet the commandements are not heauy Resolution The
by the nature and condition of promises for legall promises may be found in books of the new testament as Ro. 2.7.8.9.10.11.12.13 also Rom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 10. 12. and contrarily promises Euangelicall of grace may bee found in the books of the old Testament as Psal. 132. 1.2 also Ierem. 32. 31. 32. c. therefore they are to be discerned the one from the other in this sort namely according to the rules following Wheresoeuer promises of temporall or eternall good things are made on condition of works as they be the perfect keeping of the law all such promises are legall which no man can lay claime to except he bring an absolute obedience in no point failing which none since Adam saue the man Christ can do therfore he only hath right to eternall life and to all good things in the strict iustice of the law they which belieue claime by his title conueied to vs by faith in Christ. All promises of the life to come or of this life which be made on condition of belieuing or of repenting and working as repentance and workes though vnperfect be signes markes and fruits of faith and faithfull persons all such promises be Euangelicall whereunto euery beleeuer how weake soeuer be his faith but as a grain or mustard-seed may lay claime and challenge through the grace of God freely promising and giuing them Christ his sonne and all good things with him as godly sorrow bringeth repentance to saluation 2. Cor. 7.10 and Luk. Blessed are they which heare and keep the word and 1. Timoth. 6. Godlinesse hath promises c. Psal 1.1.2.3 and Iohn 3. hee that belieueth shall not be condemned he shall be saued hee shall passe from death to life and the iust by faith shall liue Hab. 2. 4. all those and all of this sort and sute are promises of the Gospell The well obseruing this difference between promises of the Law and Gospell will bring great light both to teachers and hearers and the neglecting of it will trouble and confound both nothing being so dangerous as not to distinguish well betwixt Law and Gospell as M. r Fox and Luther do teach at large Touching such places of scripture where morall duties be commanded and commended they must be vnderstood according to these Rules following set downe by M. Estay in Psal. 119.1 Though no word bee spoken of Christ yet it must be vnderstood that he alone is the full cause of euery part of our saluation Act. 4. 12. All morall duties are then commended in any party when the party that doth them is first in Christ hauing his righteousnesse imputed to him and his sinnes pardoned through the death of Christ. Reason is because all our duties are acceptable to God through Christ 1. Pet. 2. 5. and that without faith in Christ none can please God Heb. 11.6 lastly because our best duties being vnperfect and full of blemishes must bee purged by forgiuenesse of sinnes therefore the good things done by Saul or Iudas or proud Pharisies or other euill men please not God All good workes must haue a pure heart for the beginning and Gods glory for their end that is they must be done of conscience to godward out of obedience to his word and with desire and purpose by such obedience to glorifie him for the bare deed neuer please God Thus Abell thus Abraham Moses Dauid Ezekiah did their works and all the regenerate doe them thus and thus Papists neither do nor can do good works Morall duties when they haue blessednesse promised to the doing of them are not to be considered as causes thereof that is Christ as is said before but as signes which shew to a man that he is faithfull and therefore happy and blessed or as the way which leadeth to blessednesse These duties must not bee vnderstood in the strictnesse and rigor of the morall Law but expounded of a continuall and vnfained desire purpose and indeuour to doe them sorrowing when wee cannot doe them as we ought asking pardon wherein we faile and setting a fresh vpon them striuing alway to prooue better and better This rule would preuent scruples and feares which weak ones haue thorow a sense of their owne wants and failings When the scripture commends any as being perfect or exhorteth any to bee perfect it must bee vnderstood of vprightnesse not of absolutenesse of a perfection in parts striuing to all duties not in measure and degree for it is impossible for any Saint in this world to attaine to a certaine and perfect loue and obedience that is reserued till next life Estay in Psalm 199. this Rule would haue preserued Familists and Papists from conceit of imagined perfection in this life Likewise the Scriptures that affirm of the Saints that they are worthy must either be vnderstood of the worthinesse of the person accepted as worthy for Christ his worthinesse not of the worthinesse of workes or else worthy signifies in such texts no more but meet and fit as Math. 3.8 Luk. 21. 36. Col. 1.12 Reu. 3. 4. for they are worthy Thus there will be no footing for Papists merit in these texts of scripture Perkins in Reu. 3. In the doctrine of iustification of elect sinners before God where the Scripture mentioneth Christ onely without faith there vnderstand it alwaies with reference to faith see Gal. 3. 8. and contrariwise where faith is mentioned withouten Christ it hath respect to him as the obiect Rom. 3. 28. 30. Reason is because there is a necessary mutuall relation betwixt faith the instrument and Christ the obiect and matter of our righteousnesse Christ iustifying such onely as haue faith to beleeue in him and faith looking directly and only to the promise concerning Christ. The ignorance of this Rule bred that absurd and vn-gospellike error of actuall iustification by Christ without the help of faith The books of the new Testament speake of the passion of the Lord Iesus by a Synecdoche that is putting a part for the whole the visible sufferings for the invisible Thus vnder his suffering of death be comprehended all the sufferings of his life also his whole suffering spirituall and bodily is comprehended somtime vnder the offring of his flesh or body as 1. Pet. 1. 24. Heb. 10.10 1. Pet. 4.1 sometime vnder sprinkling or shedding his bloud Math. 26.28 1. Pet. 1.2 somtime vnder his stripes Esay 53.5 and that all both the inward paines of soule properly felt for sin and outward smart of the body went together for the full and whole sacrifice for sinne is very clere by Heb. 9 28. where it is written that by the offering of himselfe hee put away sin that is his whole manhood was the sacrifice propitiatorie for sinne also the story of his sufferings which mentioneth his soules sorrow ere euer his body was medled withall makes it most manifest Math. 6.38.39
feare this God AEnig 81. How can God harden mens hearts yet not be the authour of sinne seeing hardnes of heart is a sinn Resolution God hardeneth not by infusing sin but by offering occasions Secondly by giuing vp to Sathan Thirdly by withdrawing his grace Fourthly by enclining effectually the will that way to which yet it freely runneth and all this hee doth not as an euill authour but as a righteous iudge punishing sin by sinne AEnig 82. Who are they which bow to Christ yet haue no knees and serue him though they loue him not Resolution They bee the Diuels who hating Christ extreamely yet against their willes are subiect to him as to their Lord. Which is meant by bowing the knee Phil. 2. 10. AEnig 83. If the promises of this life be made vnto godlinesse how is it that the wicked doe so prosper in the world Resolution Gods promises euen for temporall blessings bee made to the Godly 1. Tim. 6. who alone through Christ haue right to them and how little soeuer they enioie they haue sufficiencie which they hold with the fauour of God as a testimonie of his present loue and pledge of future happinesse yet because God seeth want and afflictions fitter for them because at last he meanes Heauen to them therefore are they often scanted and troubled here when many wicked men abound in wealth and pleasure because they should be left without excuse and to commend Gods bountie and kindnes in doing good to the euill Luk. 6. AEnig 84. What worke of God is that that doth excell the worke of creation and wherein infinite mercie and extreame iustice meet together without impeching one the other Resolution It is the worke of redemption wherin the worde became man a seruant a curse wheras at the creation God made the world by his speking a word Also in our redemption God punishing sinne fully in his onely sonne and for his sake sparing and sauing sinners he so shewed infinite mercie as it was without hurt to iustice a maruellous wisedome worthie to be reuerenced and loued AEnig 85. How can one be two and these two but one Resolution Christ in respect of his person is but one yet this one Christ is both God and man because of his diuers natures there is in Christ one nature and an other and so he is two yet there is not in him one person and another and therefore he is but one AEnig 86. How may a woman be with child of the holy Ghost and yet that child not to be the Sonne of the holy ghost Resolution Thus. In the conception of our Lord the holy ghost had not the place and office of an instrument as a father but of a principall efficient cause by a secret mighty working sanctifying and enabling the Virgin to conceiue a Sonne Mat. 1. Luk. 1. AEnig 87. How may one be the Sonne of a sinner yet that sonne be without sinne Resolution Mary the mother of Christ comming from Adam by ordinary generation must needs bee a sinner yet hir Sonne being borne of hir by the extraordinarie power of the Spirit clensing that lumpe of flesh whereof his manhood was formed hee became pure and sin-lesse in conception birth life and death that he might offer vp himselfe a spotlesse sacrifice Heb 4. AEnig 88. How may one be truly a man and yet that man be no person Resolution The humane nature of Christ being so assumed into the vnitie of the person of the sonne of God as out of it it had no subsistence he is in such sort a very true man as yet that man is no distinct person from the sonne of God Rom. 1.4.5 Gal. 4.4 AEnig 89. How can that which is neither visible nor palpable be seen and felt Resolution The Godhead of Christ being an invisible vncorporeall substance yet in the assumed nature of man became sensible was felt and seen and heard as it is written 1. Ioh. 1. 1. Our hands haue handled that eternall life AEnig 90 How can that which is greater then heauen and earth bee inclosed within the compasse of two spannes Resolution The sonne of God being greater then the world in respect of his vnmeasurable Dietie yet as touching his humanitie was shut vp in the narrow compasse of a womans wombe Mat. 1. AEnig 91. Who is he that hath two wills and but one soule and how Resolution Christ as man had a created humane will but as God equall to his Father hee had an vncreated diuine will yet had but one soule Matth. 26. Father not as I will but as thou wilt here is the will of the man Christ desiring through the infirmitie of humane nature to be freed from the bitter cup of his passion yet with submission through faith to the diuine will appointing it otherwise AEnigma 92. How can one bee before he was and not be when he was Resolution Christ was God before he was man Ioh. 8. Before Abraham was I am and thus hee was God when hee was not man Also hee was man by the promise of his Father and vnto the faith of such as did beleeue the promise of his comming when as yet his manhood had no actuall being AEnig 93. How can one haue a father and mother and yet haue neither father nor mother Resolution Christ as the Sonne of God had a Father and a mother as the sonne of man Mat. 1.17 yet as he was God he had no mother nor father as he was man Heb. 7. againe Melchisedeck liued so long as the knowledge of his parents were worne out AEnig 94. How can one that is no sinner yet bee more then a sinner Resolution It is written of Christ 2. Cor. 5.21 that he was made sinne for vs. which in some sense is more then to be a sinner as to say that the wisdome of the flesh is enmitie against God is more then barely to say it is an enemie against God yet in truth Christ was not so much as a sinner being that Holy one of God who knew no sinne but because hee had the sinnes of all the Elect imputed to him that by the sacrifice of himselfe he might take them away thence it is written of him that he was made sinne for vs. for saying he had no sinne inherent in his owne nature he had died vniustly had he not died for sinne imputed AEnig 95. How may it be that one that is extream poore should by his pouertie make many rich Resolution Christ Iesus being heire of all Heb. 1.2 yet willingly humbled himselfe to such pouertie that foxes and birds were in better case then he by which extreme pouertie hee merited for all his heauenly and spirituall riches 2. Corinth 8. AEnig 96. How can finite obedience deserue infinite glory Resolution The obedience of the man Christ to his Father in respect of the things done and the time