children of Satan are call'd the world of which the devill is the Prince being indeed their King God not by creation for he can create nothing but by their free subjection to his lawes those wicked thoughts lewd affections injust actions blasphemous words wherewith they are clothed seal'd as by the infamous liverie marke of the Prince of darkenes under whose blacke colors they fight against the Church of God the blessed companie of his Elect. LXI Yet I beleeve much rejoice that their indeavours are in vaine unles it be to trie the patience purge the vertue of Gods Saints as gold is tri'd refined in a furnace for as the Reprobate can never doe good workes as they are pleasant unto God and may have his gracious regard eternall reward 'cause they want Faith the root of all good workes doe not aime at Gods glorie which should be their chiefe end So LXII I Beleeve that the Elect cannot commit such sins as make them loose finally the infinit immutable love of God for though thy sin often yea grievously are not sometimes call'd till the last houre of the day of their life yet manie waters cannot extinguish that love but Gods foundation remaining sure his choice of them being eternall he loves them to the end and so gives them remission of their sins freely throughly Justifies Sanctifies Glorifies those he hath in mercie Call'd and Predestinated LXIII This Predestination being eternall as the Word it selfe doth shew a fore appointment of men to life everlasting before they had anie being is I beleeve gratuit grounded on the free grace meere good will of God not on our faith or good workes foreseene for these are not properly ours but proceed from the Lord who doth therefore give them to us because he hath Elected us So that they are effects or fruits of his eternall Election not causes or roots thereof LXIV I therefore Beleeve Confesse that it is not in him who will nor in him who runs but in God who sheweth mercie Not our good affections nor our holie actions but Gods mercie is the cause of our Election And as God in mercie elects us unto Salvation so by the same he Predestinates us to the meanes thereof a right Beleefe holie Life LXV The life of a Christian consisting in these two Faith comming by hearing of Gods Word those men onely are Call'd whom he hath Predestinated their Calling is outward inward both effectuall I meane not then that Vocation which is or may be common to all men that generall invitation to grace and Salvation which manie heare few regard that outward Preaching of Gods Word which few truly beeleve faithfully Obey but sounding in the eares of Reprobate persons either inlightens moves not their hardned hearts or inlightens moves them so lightly that it neither begets true Faith nor workes reall alteration or conversion in them but by this Vocation onely proper to the Elect LXVI I Understand a cleare manifestation of Gods truth to which th' Elect are both outwardly inwardly drawne effectually from the generall corruption of infidelitie sin to serve him in Faith good Workes in a sure hope of Salvation their minds being inlightned by God their hearts mollify'd LXVII The outward Preaching of Gods Word inward persuasions motions of his Spirit being necessarie to this effectuall Vocation I Beleeve it a grace of God who Calls us in mercie drawes us pow'rfully yet by such gentle meanes such faire lights that we willingly follow him upon the same ground I conceive it above the strength of our nature whose corruption being well knowne to me LXVIII I Beleeve and Confesse that we have no preparation nor inclination to this mercifull effectuall Vocation that our morall Honestie or naturall goodnes strength Wisdome or Knowledge contribut nothing to our Vocation nor cannot worke our Conversion which properly is either Vocation it selfe or an effect of it for when the Lord doth pow'rfully call us we must without opposition or resistance turne backe from our ill wayes willingly follow those pathes through which he leades us to Heaven LXIX These pathes being hard stonie most unpleasant to our corrupt nature as mortifying it and subduing it to the Spirit which is reviv'd are made easie by the assistance of Gods Spirit who freely doth in part deliver his Elect from their natural corruption renewing in them Gods Image doth strengthen them to doe good workes to the glorie of their Maker who thus Sanctifies those whom he hath Justifi'd LXX I Beleeve that God Justifies both by pardoning sin imputing righteousnes acknowledge this Remission Jmputation an eternall free action of God who for Christs full satisfaction is pleasâ—d to remit sin impute unto the Sinner his perfect righteousnes thus to make him just before him and give him everlasting life for certainly God glorifies all those whom he hath Justifi'd as he Justifies freely without respect of workes so in mercie he Glorifies LXXI I Beleeve then that being Justifi'd freely by the mercie of God through the merits of Christ which our faith as a hand seizes thus making his righteousnes ours we are by the same mercie merits Glorifi'd yea so freely that God in his eternall will hath Predestinated us to glorie to manifâ—st the riches of his mercie in our perpetuall happines LXXII I Confesse then that by grace we are sav'd through faith apprehending that grace God offers us in Christ not by workes least anie man should glorie in himselfe if his good deedes could purchase him that excellent felicitie God hath prepar'd for the Faithfull LXXIII I therefore Expect the glorie of the children of God from his mercie love to me in Christ in whom we are his Adopted children so Coheires of his Kingdom not by vertue of my worâ—es be they never so good for though they be commanded me to testifie my obedience love gratitude to God to advance his glorie make my Vocation Election certain by shewing that my faith is not dead in my heart but is a fruitfull tree and though againe I be created in Jesus Christ unto good works so resolve fully to walke in them by the assistance of Gods Spirit as being the knowne way to everlastâ—ng happines yet LXXIV I Beleeve they cannot be a meâ—â—â—rious cause of those infinit joyes which neither our wisest hearts can conceive nor our best workes equall as there being no proportion of a finit temporarie action to that infinit everlasting Life which again I expect from the grace mercie of God both in soule and bodie for though this shall die corrupt yet remembring Christs promises to raise all men at the last day and considering that 't is fit the whole man receive for ever the reward of his wickednes
enough not sufficient to Salvation Lord increase it But if 't is such as it must be pray O Christ that my faith faile not but confirm it make me stedfast in good works to the glorie of thy mercie in the Salvation of thy poore servant of al those who by my good counsels vertuous examples shall find the true knowledge of thee the right meanes to love serve please enjoy thee AMEN A BRIEFE INDEX OF THE CHIEFE POINTS A. ADams creation 35. to 42. Free will fall 44. to 47. Sins 45. 46. Angels 40. to 44. B. Baptisme See Sacraments C. Christ the head of Angels and men 42. Husband head Sun of the Church 84. 85. 94. Inward matter minister of Sacraments 103. What we ought to beleeve of him 136. to 160. Christians life 65. Hope 145 146. Church 76. to 95. Creation 35. to 40. E. Elect and Election 50. 51. 62. to 65. 160. How judg'd and sav'd 159. 160. F. Faith triple 116. G. Glorification 74. 75. God and what we must beleeve of him concerning the essence persons proprieties will works 1. to 40. Hath no eyes eares c. 41. Must be serv'd as he doth require 124. 125. 126. H. Humanitie of Christ 141. 142. 154. I. Image of God in Angels and in Man 40. to 43. Judgement generall 157. to 160. Justification 70. 71. L. Law of God 128. to 137. M. Mans creation See Adam Fall Ibid. Rising 50. 51. Insufficiencie 48. 64. 68. Men all damned in Adam 40. Some sav'd by Christ 72. Ministers of the Church 88. to 93. P. Predestination 63. 64. Preparations to the Sacraments See Sacraments R. Repentance 114. 115. Reprobat reprobation 51. to 62. Why damn'd 54. 158. Resurrection generall 157. To life everlasting 74. 75. 76. S Sacraments 101. to 109 125. Of Baptisme 109 to 114. The Lords Supper 117. to 116. Preparations to them 102. 111. 116. Abuses of them 123. Salvation by grace through faith 72. 136. Sanctification 69. Satan how the prince of the world 60. Scripture 95. to 102. Sin originall 47. to 50. Actuall 47. Against the holie Ghost 114. Is not the cause of reprobation 53â— But of damnation 54. 158. Son of God how assum'd our nature 137. to 145. Supper of the Lord See Sacraments V. Vocation 65. to 69. Vows pray'rs and oathes 126. 127. 128. W. Workes good why commanded 73. Are not the cause of election 63. 64. 72 to 75. 159 160. Manie matters are included in these a full Index of which might be bigger then the whole Book Interpretation of hard words A. ABilitie ablenes Assume to take Aversion loathing shunning B. Brevitie shortnes C. Capacitie ablenes Carnall fleshlie Collection gathering Communicat to give impart Compendium abridgement Compulsion force Conception conceit Corporall bodilie D. Decisions determinations Describe to set forth Dictat to tell suggest Difficult hard Discussion inquirie Donative given E. Effusion shedding Engendred begot Externall outward F. Facilitie easines G. Gratuit freely given done or made I. Immutable unchangeable Inbred naturall Infallible which cannot erre nor faile Inherent cleaving Incorporall without bodie Indivisible which cannot be divided Injounctions commandements Internall inward Invested clothed indu'd Judicious grave wise L. Limits bounds M. Mollifie to soften Morsell a bit Mortall deadlie Mutation change O. Oeconomique belonging to houshold affaires Omnipotent Almightie Omnipresent present in all places Omniscient knowing all things P. Palpable which can be felt Pluralitie a being of more then one Politique belonging to public affaires Preceding fore going Prejudice hurt losse Prioritie a being first Produce to send forth Prohibit to forbid Proportion measure or equalitie Purifie to make pure R. Reduc'd brought to Refection repast nourishment Reunited joined again S. Subtraction withdrawing Succinctly briefely Suggest to put in mind Suppresse to put down T. Testifie to beare witnes V. Veritie truth Vnapt unfit In the end of the Epistle reade 1645. for 1644.
things more then he hath done as to Create new Worlds and likewise destroy his own works yet from his infinit power nothing must be affirm'd as done or to be done unles his Will be prov'd XXVII By Gods Will I Conceive that most simple infinit perfect act by which he eternally Will himself all things for himself so that God hath not two nor contrarie Wills but one onelie constant immutable yet to help our weaknes in the imperfect conception of the incomprehensible God we have manie nominall but not reall distinctions of Gods Will chiefely soure the VVill of Good Pleasure of Signe Absolut Conditionall XXVIII By the VVill of Signe I understand those meanes by which God manifests what is pleasant or displeasant to him as his injunctions prohibitions promises threatnings And so I call both Testaments the VVill of Signe or the Revealed VVill because we see in them what is secret and hid in God XXIX By the VVill of Pleasure I Conceive Gods onely VVill by which he most freely for himself eternally decrees what must be done I say eternally for Gods VVill hath no first nor last yet in respect of things decreed God is said to have decreed that they should come to passe in that order and succession we see XXX I Beleeve Gods VVill Absolute because it is grounded on his sole good Pleasure depends in no-wise upon things made or done in time but is the Cause of whats'ever is made or done of beings actions yet not of the malice of the actions XXXI And I call it Conditionall because Gods commandements prohibitions promises threatnings have a condition of obedience or disobedience joyn'd with them XXXII I Beleeve that God is so absolut Lord and Master of the whole world that nothing is nor can be done against his free onelie will of Good-Pleasure For although manie things be done against the VVill of Signe yet they are not nor can be done against the VVill of Good pleasure but all creatures are govern'd all things doe happen by according to the eternall will or Providence of God which consisting not onely in knowledge but also in government those verie things which in respect of second causes we call Contingent or of Chance are most necessarie so necessarily happen in regard of Gods absolute immutable VVill yet not by a necessitie of compulsion chiefly in the rationall creatures but of immutabilitie XXXIII As I Beleeve there is a God such as I have describ'd yea farre above all my apprehension So I Beleeve in him Father Son Holie Ghost in the unitie of Essence putting my whole confidence in his Name for whatsoever concernes me in goods friends reputation bodie soule XXXIV I beleeve that the Name of God is admirable reverent but by this word I understand not onely those Names Jehova God Lord Father Christ Saviour Jesus Comforter c. but the Divine Essence represented me by those Names I therefore tremble not nor bow at the sound or sight of those Names but I feare and adore the Majestie of God his pow'r wisdome justice love and the rest which I conceive in hearing or seeing those Names XXXV I beleeve that God being incomprehensible to us because he 's infinit and we finit there 's no proportion of a finit to an infinit thing he hath yet in some sort reveal'd himself to man in the Creatures Scripture for both in part declare his eternitie wisdom power goodnes and perfection Then concerning the Creatures XXXVI I beleeve Confesse that God to communicate his goodnes for his will and good pleasure made immediatly by himselfe all things invisible visible some of nothing others of a matter alreadie created by him but naturally unapt to produce the thing made thereof first separating that matter then giving it a better forme more perfection greater Ornament XXXVII I Beleeve that God although wanting nothing as being a compleat essence which can receive no perfection by the creature did yet for his glorie praise make all things for himself for the good helpe felicitie of the rationall creature to which all other things yea it selfe manifest the excellence of the maker XXXVIII God being the soverain good I beleeve that all his creatures were good perfect in their kind I make not therefore two principles or beginnings of things good ill for these ill things were not so in themselves but verie good for the use end they were made XXXIX I Beleeve that the Trinitie did concurre in the Creation the Father as the first cause of all things making the World by the Son who is his Word Wisdom by the holie Ghost his power vertue And all these three Persons in one Essence I love serve and adore with equall affection fidelitie respect feare XL I Beleeve that though the Heavens declare the glorie of God the whole world be a faire glasse to behold therein his greatnes wisdom goodnes c. Yet Angels and Men onely were made in Gods Image hereupon XLI I Conceive Beleeve that this Image was not in the shape of mans bodie for Angells are but Spirits God himselfe hath no bodie though the Scripture for our capacitie speakes of Gods eyes eares hands to shew he knowes all can do all Seeking then that Image of God in man I find it chiefly in the Soules invisible immortall substance having a wise understanding this with the will memorie yea with the whole bodie just upright besides that Majestie and pow'r over all these inferiour creatures by which he was Gods lieutenant on earth so represented him in some sort above all the rest XLII I Beleeve that Angels being all made in Gods Image which consisted in their invisibilitie immortalitie uprightnes some fell voluntarily from God others did remaine in their integritie assisted confirmed in it by Gods grace in Christ who is their Head if not by redemption yet by creation and Adoption or gracious union with God for he 's the Image of the invisible God the first borne of everie creature by whom for whom were created all things in Heaven Earth visible invisible therfore without whom Angels nor Men could be neither created in the Image of God nor adopted for Sons XLIII Angels being thus confirm'd in Gods grace eternall felicitie I Beleeve them glorious diligent faithfull Ministers of Gods will for his glorie the good of his Church faire miroirs of the riches of his mercie wheras others who fell being confirm'd hardned in malice doe what they can against that Church being in their most wretched state of everlasting damnation wofull spectacles of Gods justice anger towards sin XLIV I Beleeve that Adam having a will free indifferent both to good evill did willingly reject the first embrace the second