as when out of the liking of the writings of olde Philosophers they brought in Angell worship into the Churches Colos 2. 8. 19. and such stuffe also was that which the Apostle condemnes vnder the name of traditions of men that is superstitious obseruations when the inuentions of men are vrged with opinion of holinesse or necessity Col. 2. 8. 20. of this nature were prophane and olde Wiues fables 1. Tim. 4. 7. and such is all that stuffe men haunt after that will not bee wise to Saluation but curiously search after things not reueiled Secondly true Doctrine may be vnwholsome and so wee finde diuerse instances in Scripture as first when the truth is so varnished by the inticing words of mans wisedome that the power of God is not obserued or regarded and the conscience is not intended to be informed When men in deliuering the truth studie to shew their owne wits more then the glory of Gods Truth this is not wholesome for the hearers and therefore exclaimed against and protested against by the Apostle in diuerse places 1. Cor. 1. 2. Colos 2. 4. Secondly the time is spent in knottie and obscure places that are neither easie nor necessary to be vnderstood and in handling whereof scandalous or dangerous conceits may bee raised in mens mindes Thus the hard places of the Apostle Paules writings were peruerted as the Apostle Peter complaines 2. Pet. 3. 17. Thirdly when disputations about things indifferent are brought in when the questions are doubtfull and the weake may be intangled Rom. 14. 1. Fourthly when the Word of God is diuided vnskilfully and ignorantly as when strong meate is giuen to Babes and strong men can get nothing but milke Thus as they are wholesome words Secondly they are said to be Patternes the Collection of the choisest truthes into one frame or body is called heere a Patterne and so the Creed may be said to be a Patterne of wholsome words because in the Creed there is as it were a short but liuely resemblance of all those truthes in a little roome which are at large and dispersedly handled throughout all the Bible and therefore fitly was the Creed called the little Bible Yea it may be called a patterne because we may compare with it all the truthes we reade of in Scripture and marke how they agree with or suite to the Articles of our Creed and because we may trie all Doctrine we heare and free our selues from the Intanglement of such controuersies about opinions that agree not with or belong not to our Creed As the Decalogue is a patterne of all duties to be done and the Lords Prayer a patterne of all requests to God so the Creed is a patterne of all Doctrine to be belieued Thus of the discription of the Creed as the words of the Apostle fitly serue for it The more manifest description of it will appeare afterwards The keeping of this patterne followes When the Apostle exhorts Timothie to the keeping of this patterne he may be vnderstood to speake to him as a Minister or as to a Christian in general As a Minister he is inioyned with all care to endeuour to preserue the purity of Doctrine and with great respect to teach often and powerfully those points of Doctrine which were exprest in the patterne as the principall truthes hee should aime at in the course of his Ministerie He should not through desire of vaine glory affect Curiosities or Nouelties but build vp his Hearers in all the knowledge he could infuse into them by continual teaching of those doctrines If hee speake to him as a Christian in generall then this is the point of Doctrine the Apostle aimes at that all Christians bee exceeding carefull to get the distinct knowledge of the maine Articles of the Christian faith and aboue all Doctrines keepe those as a great treasure And so in particular since we haue in the Creed such an excellent frame of the Doctrines of faith we must hence learne that it is our duties to regarde these Doctrines with all respect There be twelue Reasons why wee should bee in a speciall manner desirous to heare learne and make vse of the doctrine of these Articles of our faith 1. Because wee see heere it is the commandement of the Apostle that wee should keepe this patterne of wholesome words The Apostle saw it was a Doctrine of excellent vse for the Churches and therefore to be learned and kept as a great treasure and the Commandement to keepe them imports that whatsoeuer we are ignorant of yet we should not be ignorant of these points and whatsoeuer we forget yet these things we should bee sure to remember and whatsoeuer wee wanted affection in yet in these things wee should striue to be greatly affected It is therefore a sinne of great vnfaithfulnesse to neglect these points and shewes wee are too wise in our selues if we haue no minde to learne and keepe such things as God in his wisedome hath in some speciall manner charged vs to regarde 2. Because God himselfe is the immediate Author of these Doctrines it is God onely that opens this Schoole of Faith These are lessons that are to be learned not from wise men as many other things but from God himselfe to whom alone the glory of reuealing these high Misteries belonges 3. Because the matter heere contained is Doctrine of the highest nature that was euer taught or learned in the world what higher Doctrine can there be then of God the Church of God no Science hath such a Subiect The Phisickes intreats but of the naturall bodie Astronomie but of the heauens all the Mathematicks but of some particular and inferior subiects and so all Artes onely Theologie and in Theologie the Creed intreates of a number of most choise Mysteries in diuine things All the Doctrines heere are such as naturall reason or sense can say little or nothing to for except it be in the first Article nature is altogether silent in the rest And for this Reason wee should bee wonderfully desirous to bee imployed in these knowledges for to bee taken vp with easie things belonges vnto the Vulgar but to bee informed in things remoued from the senses belonges to the wise onely 4. Because the Doctrine of the Creed hath bin receiued in all Ages of the Church it is Catholicke Doctrine it hath bin entertained with great Honour in all Christian Churches that Doctrine which all Christians in all Ages of the world haue learned and admired should bee much attended to by vs and such is the Doctrine of the Creed The Creed is the confession of the whole Church of God since Christ and if wee reade and respect the confessions of particular Churches yea of particular men then how much more ought we to studie the confession of the Church vniuersall it containing the faith in which all the Martyrs and Saints of God liued and dyed 5. Because it is matter that is
vs in diuers things page 192 Wicked men likened to Beasts page 193 Gods seruants must learne of Beasts page 194 Beast hurt without the Campe fore signified Israâ—l page 382 How Christ is Begotten page 237 How the Father did Beget the Sonne shewed by way of negation in seuen things page 129 Gods Begetting of Christ informes vs of two things page 130 A threefold manner of Being of things page 120 A two fold Beginning page 103 I Beleeue the Christians answer all his life page 17 Truely to Beleeue the Articles hath in it six things page 18 Beleeue aboue reason page 409 Beleeue in Christ page 209 Right Beleeuing in Christ casts out six things page 309 It hath in it foure things Ibid. Beliefe of our saluation in Christ hath in it six things Ibid. How we must Beleeue in Christ. page 210 Foure Rules for the attaining this right Beliefe page 211 Foure motiues to this duty Ibid. Eight benefits that come to vs by Beleeuing in Christ page 212 What it is to beleeue in God page 113 Three sorts of men doe not Beleeue in God page 114 Tenne things in the manner of Beleeuing these Articles page 19 Christian simplicity in Beleeuing must haue two things in it page 21 Questions about Beleeuing answered page 38 Christ Betrayed many waies page 333 Christ abased at his Birth for three Reasons â—18 Bishops of Rome oppose Christs Kingdome page 358 What it is to Blesse page 479 Christs Bloud shed vpon the Crosse for seuen reasons page 391 Body of man excells all other Bodily creatures in fiue things page 195 Gods Workemanship to make a Body Ibid. Christs Body needes no embalming page 441 Why it did not putrifie page 442 Fiue Books opened at the last day page 521 Not a Bone of Christ broken page 428 Creatures in Bondage how page 531 Christs Buriall He was Buried for seuen reasons page 434 Place where he was Buried page 435 Christ Buried by whom page 436 By rich men why Ibid. Manner of Christs Buriall page 439 He was wrapped in fine linnen page 440 C. TWo signes of a Childe of God page 356 Christ the signification of it page 218 Christ doth two things for vs. page 320 Christ carried from Annas to Caiphas page 351 The indignities the Iewes offer to Christ page 355 Christ indited and condemned for three reasons page 357 Christ charged with three things page 364 Christ falsely accused Ibid. Christ a King page 365 Christ stripped of his clothes why page 381 Christ slaine from the beginning in seuen respects page 426 Christ a sweet Sauiour page 440 Christ suffered strange indignities and scornes for two reasons page 380 Christ lifted vp vpon the Crosse for three reasons page 391 Why Christ did not saue himselfe from the Crosse page 394 Christ first humbled then exalted page 302 Christ did absolutely fulfill the whole Law for three reasons page 103 Christs conception declared by an Angel why page 259 Christ conceiued of the holy Ghost page 260 An Obiection answered Ibid. Two things done by the holy Ghost in this conception page 261 Christ conceiued without sinne page 262 Diuers Obiections answered Ibid. How Nature proceeds in the conception page 263 The manner of Christs conception page 265 Why Christ was so conceiued page 266 When the Virgin conceiued Ibid. Effects of Christs conception Ibid. Christs conception a medicine against originall sinne page 269 Christ Crucified The place where he was Crucified page 382 Crucified without Ierusalem for foure reasons page 382 Christ Carried his Crosse for two reasons page 384 Christ Crucified for foure reasons page 387 Christ Crucified becomes a sacrifice page 388 Christ crucified with his hands spred abroad for two reasons page 391 Christ lifted vp vpon the Crosse for three reasons Ibid. Christ crucified in the midst of theeues for foure reasons page 392 Christ tooke a true body page 267 Christs call at the last day page 533 Difference of being in Christ page 267 Christians like Ezekiels bones page 477 Christians resemble sheepe in foure things page 518 Distinction of true Christians page 438 Coniunction betweene Christ Christians page 526 Christians highly to be esteemed page 553 Church The originall of the Church page 429. 561 Church diuersly taken in scripture page 556 Definition of it page 557 The generall nature of it Ibid. How the Church from the beginning is called Catholike page 558 From what the Church is called page 560 To what it is called page 561 Members of the Church written in the Booke of life page 562 Church borne of God Ibid. Christ the Head of the Church Ibid. Churchmen most malicious against Christ page 358 Computation of the Romans page 440 God communicates himselfe vnto the creature three waies page 257 Christ condemned that we might bee saued page 378 A true Conuert cannot abide sin page 406 A true Conuert loues Christ better then his old acquaintance page 407 Euil Conscience what it doth page 347 377 Cost in Christs seruice page 439 Couetousnesse the cause of Iudas sinne aggrauated page 328 Beware of Couetousnesse page 331 Couetousnesse defined Ibid. Couetous heart not without the Diuell in it Ibid. Couetousnesse foure signes of it page 332 Couetous care vaine in diuers respects Ibid. Couetousnesse 4. vile effects of it page 333 Counsell of God cannot be altered page 368 Testimony of Counsels no infallible markes of truth page 359 Counsels against Christ as well as for him page 226 Sentence of condemnation at the last day page 527 Creation CreatioÌ„ a work of the whole trinity page 145 How all-things were created page 169 Created in six dayes why page 146 Creation the end of it Gods glory page 147 Gods power manifested in the Creation Ibid. Gods goodnesse appeares in the Creation page 148 Gods wisdom appears in the CreatioÌ„ Ib. A curious question about the Creation answered Ibid. Creation teacheth eight things page 149. Giue God the glory of our Creation page 200. Wee should answer the end of our Creation page 201 Doctrine of the Creation terrible to wicked men page 150 Comfortable to the godly page 150,202 Creation of new Heauens page 531 Creatures set at liberty at the last day page 532 Creatures how they discerne things page 59 How God knowes them page 60 Creed The Analysis of the whole Creed page 16 What the Creed is page 3 Why the Creed is called a patterne page 5 Creed called a little Bible Ibid. What respect wee should haue to this Creed page 6 Twelue reasons for it Ibid. Doctrine of the Creed Catholike page 7 No Science hath such a subiect as the Creed page 6 Creed food for all sorts of Christians page 9 Creed the character of the Church Ib. Creed a touchstone to try all religions by Ibid. How called the Apostles Creed page 11 Creed not collected by the Apostles Ib. Gathered out of Apostoticall writings page 12 Creed came not in all at once page 13 When it was finished page 14 Why called the Apostles Creed Ibid. Diuers
Treatise called the Rule of Faith which you may easily finde out by the vse of the Index These things I thought good to acquaint thee withall for thy helpe and benefit as also to shew that by the diuine prouidence good supply euen out of the Authors owne workes may be made of that defect which by his immature death may be thought to be in this Rule of Faith That which is required on thy part is diligence and care to treasure vp in thy heart these wholsome and sound words contained in this Treatise that so thou maist walke according to this Rule knowing that as many of you as walke according to this Rule peace shall be vpon them and vpon the Israel of God Thine in the Lord ADONIRAM BIFIELD THE CREEDE OF THE CREED IN GENERALL Text 2. Timothie 1. 13. Hold fast the forme or Patterne of Sound words THere haue bin in all Ages of the Church since the giuing of the Scriptures two wayes by which the Ministers of the Church haue taught men the knowledge that is necessary to Saluation The one was to make choice of some Text of Scripture and to expound it to the people and thence to make vse of it Thus they did in Ezra his time Nehemiah 8. 4. 7. 8. and thus did our Sauiour Christ at Nazareth Luke 4. 16. 17 c. and it is noted in that place that it was our Sauiours custome so to doe Thus did Philip Acts 8. 30. 35. The other was without being tyed to any particular Text to handle the maâ—ne body of Doctrine as was most necessary for the people that were to be instructed Thus the Sermons of the Prophets were not the exposition of any particular Text but a solid and compleate collection of all that matter which at that time were needfull for the people And this course also did the Apostles hold in their Epistles and Sermons to the Churches choosing out so much matter out of the reuealed Will of God as was most behoouefull for the Christians to whom they writt or preached onely confirming what they taught by the Scripture Both these courses haue bin followed in the Christian Churches to this day onely amongst vs with this difference That the instruction out of a Text is vsed in Churches and the instruction without a Text in Schooles But that both these courses may bee held in popular teaching is manifest by the proofes before and it is manifest that if Diuines for the profit of their hearers would vndertake solidly to set before the people the whole body of Theologie and shew them at once all the choice things they are to beleeue concerning God or Christ or the Creation or the like it cannot but in some respects be much more profitable then to cleaue onely to the exposition of whole bookes of Scripture or particular portions because by the former course the people may see altogether that which by the other way they should heare but by peece and at seuerall times onely as the Texts will giue occasion I obserue not this to disgrace the godly course of preaching by Texts but rather to shew that both are needfull and as I conceiue it were much to be desired That Diuines euery where would teach the people the whole frame and body of the Doctrine of godlinesse The Apostle Paul in this place shewes that besides their course of instructing the Churches in particular Doctrines according to occasion they did extract into one body the Heads of all Religion which they did in all places carefully vnfolde and preach vpon vnto the people and these Heads thus gathered together as the principall things handled in all the Scriptures the Apostle calles heere the patterne of wholesome words and were diuided into two generall Heads or Titles Faith and Loue. Now there are also two waies of handling these heads of Religion the one more plainly and briefly by way of Catechizing the other more largely and exactly by way of Methodicall Doctrine The one is necessarie for young beginners in Religion and the other needfull to build vp a people in the knowledge begun in them Hauing therefore by Gods gracious assistance heretofore handled the bodie of Diuinity after the first sorte in the extract of principles and Doctrine of foundation onely with some explication of them I now intend by the like gracious assistance of God to goe ouer all the body of sacred Theologie in a more exact manner adding those Doctrines that may serue to build you vp in the larger knowledge of those glorious Mysteries of true Religion And long dilating with my selfe vpon what Foundation to raise this new frame I at length resolued vpon the Apostles Creed where I finde all the Doctrine of Faith collected into one faire body ready to my hands And in discourseing of these glorious Truthes I intende to obserue a mixt course of Teaching that both sorts of hearers may finde matter of profit Heere will be plaine things for the simple and more higher Contemplations for the more Iudicious Two things I especially intend in handling these Articles of Faith the one is the apparelling of each Article with the glorious furniture I finde made fit for it in any parte of the Scripture and this is by way of Exposition The other is the discouerie of the many and singular vses we may put such glorious truths to in the whole course of our liues and this by way of vse Now then for an Introduction in generall this Text giues vs occasion to consider of two things 1. What the Creed is 2. What we are bound to doe with the Creed For the first the Apostles owne words doe tell vs what such sound abridgements of the chiefest Mysteries of Religion are they are Patternes formes or frames of wholesome words where two things are said 1. That they are wholesome words 2. That they are Patternes They are wholesome words both by way of opposition to doctrines that poyson and corrupt the mindes of men and by way of difference from such truthes as for the present and in some respects are not wholsome to the hearers though in themselues they be wholesome We may obserue by diuerse passages in the Epistles of the Apostle what kinde of Doctrine hee accounts to be in it selfe vnwholesome as all false Doctrine contrary to the Gospell of Iesus Christ such as was Iustification by workes the forbidding of marriage and meates the denyall of the Resurrection and the like and this he calles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to teach other Doctrine Such corrupt stuffe the Apostles also accounted all the vaine ianglings of men with pride and peruersenesse wrangling about wordes or disputing of needlesse things and those he calles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 1. Tim. 1. 3. 6. 4 5. â—0 Further vnwholesome words the Apostle accounts all their curiosities and vaine speculations in Philosophie
many respects as first that God should bee pleased to deale so wonderfull gratioufly with them as to vouchsafe to put his Spirit into them Secondly they may thence gather that God that hath giuen them his Spirit will blesse them in many other things besides If Obed Edoms house was blessed because the Arke was there how much more reason haue wee to hope that God will blesse vs now his Spirit abides with vs. Thirdly it should be a great comfort to a Christian against all his feares and doubts arising from his ignorance or insufficiency or infirmities for by the holy Ghost that is giuen to him he may hence gather he may doe all things in time which God would haue him to doe Lastly this Article must needs be comfortable when God hath promised to giue the Christian the holy Ghost to bee his comforter and to abide with him for euer The ninth Article The holy Catholike Church HItherto of the Articles of the Creed that concerne God euen all the three persons in the Trinity Now followes the second part of the Creed which comprehends the Articles that concerne the Church of God Amongst all things that are in the world faith admires onely God and the Church The Church I say as next to God in glory and true honour Now the Articles concerning the Church concerne either the properties or the priuiledges of the Church The properties of the Church are two viz. that shee is holy and Catholike the priuiledges of the Church are such â—s shee enioyes in this life or such as she shall haue in another world The priuiledges of the Church in this life are two Communion of Saints and Forgiuenesse of sinnes And in the world to come two more viz. Resurrection of the flesh and Euerlasting life First of the properties of the Church But before I come to consider of the particulars mentioned I must first explicate the Doctrine to bee beleeued concerning the Church in generall and so I would shew 1. What the Church is 2. The originall of the Church 3. The estate of the Church 4. The markes and notes by which the true Church may be discerned And then the generall vses of all When I enquire what the Church is I meane the true Church for the false Church is no Church properly as an ill Gramarian is no Gramarian properly Now to finde out what the Church is we must first consider of the acceptation of the word and then of the definition of the thing it selfe The word Ecclesia was a word in vse among the Athenians and came of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signified an assembly of Citizens that were called out from the multitude aâ— it were by name or in their rankes by the voice of the publike Crier to heare some speech or sentence of the Senate and was thence borrowed by the Apostles for their purposes by way of similitude The Church or assembly of Gods people being a company that came together not by chance or without order but by the voice of Gods Ministers as it were Criers called out of the Kingdome of Sathan to heare the doctrine of the Gospell reuealed from heauen The common people in common speech call the places set apart for the exercises of Religion Churches But so it is not taken here In Scripture the word hath diuers acceptations for sometimes it signified the assembly of the men of the world for their owne businesses and so that tumultuous Assembly of the Ephesians was called a Church Act. 20. 17. Sometime it signified the Assembly of the enemies of Gods people Psal 26. 5. this was the malignant Church Sometimes it signified the meeting of a few Christians in a family for religious priuate duties so there were Churches in godly mens houses Rom. 16. 5. Sometimes it signified a company of men in one Citie or Prouince that did outwardly professe the true religion 1 Cor. 11. 18. 22. and so vsually in the writings of Diuines the company throughout the world so professing is called the visible Church and in this sense there may bee hypocrits and scandalous Christians in the Church as well as godly men as the Parable of the Tares and the Draw-net shew But so it is not taken in the Creed for besides that this Church is holy as these wicked are not and enioyeth remission of sins which they doe not besides this I say we are said in the Creed to beleeue this Church to be which argues that in it selfe it is inuisible and knowne to God and cannot bee discerned by outward senses in the essentiall things of it Sometimes by the Church is meant the publike Officers in the Church that haue power of gouernment and censure as Matth. 18. 17. but in the strictest sense by the Church in the new Testament is signified the number of Gods Elect onely considered as they are effectually called by the Gospell and doe cleaue vnto Christ their head by a true and liuely faith Thus of the Etimologie of the word The definition of the Church followeth The Church here meant in the Creed is a company of men dwelling euery where effectually called ordinarily by the voice of Gods Criers from the misery and prophanesse of the world to the supernaturall dignitie of Gods children being vnited vnto Christ as their head by Faith and among then selues by loue as fellow-members In these words the generall nature of the Church is to bee considered and then the speciall difference of the Church from all other companies or professions or assemblies of men The generall nature is expressed in these words A company of men dwelling euery where where diuers things are to be noted 1. That it is a company not one man 2. That it is of men as the materiall cause not of other creatures for none but reasonable creatures are capable of Gods Image and so none but they can make a Church and among reasonable creatures I exclude Angels though they had a kinde of calling to that excellent estate they are in yet the Scripture speakes so sparingly of it that we cannot tell how to define it and therefore I meddle not with it and besides the Church is here considered as it is purchased by the blood of Christ which Angels were not neither are they tyed to the ministery of the Word as the Church in her calling is 3. I adde dwelling euery where to note that I define the Church that is Catholicke as the Creed calls it which tearms in the most euident sense agree to the Church now vnder the Gospell since the partition wall between Iewes and Gentiles was broken downe and yet in some sense it may agree to the Church from the beginining for euen in the time of the Iewish Church the Nations were not simply barred from fellowship with the Iewes and therefore we read of three sorts of people that belonged to the Iewish Church to wit the Iewes themselues and Proselites that is Gentiles that professed the Iewish
THE RVLE OF FAITH OR AN EXPOSITION OF the Apostles CREED so handled as it affordeth both Milke for Babes and strong meat for such as are at full age By that worthy seruant of Gods Church Master NICHOLAS BIFIELD late Minister of Gods Word at ISLEVVORTH and by him in his life time fully perfected and transcribed so much as is now published for the benefit of Gods Church by his Sonne ADONIRAM BIFIELD 1 PET. 2. 2. As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that ye may grow thereby LONDON Printed by G.M. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith and are to be sold at their shop at the golden Lion in Pauls Church-yard 1626. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL AND Religious Knight Sir THOMAS POSTHVMVS HOBY and to the honourable and vertuous Lady the Lady MARGARET his wife A. B. wisheth the increase of grace heere and the fruition of glory hereafter RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL THere are many waies to attaine to seeming honour heere vpon earth there is no way to attaine to true honour besides this of Piety and Vertue Godlinesse brings the best gaine the greatest honour vnto a Christian others may be more rich none are more honorable then they others may bee more esteemed of by the men of the world none haue more honour both with God and good men then they as Salomon saith The wise shall inherit glory but fooles dishonor though they be exalted this is the inheritance of the godly who is the onely Wise man So that I may now say with our Sauiour your Worships haue both chosen the better part which shall neuer be taken from you I hauing euer obserued it to haue been your greatest ambitions to be true Christians which alone makes you more excellent then your neighbours neither haue you made choise of Religion as many Hypocrites and Time-seruers doe making it a stalking horse a footstoole to the seat of preferment making choice of Religion for nothing else but onely for the aduancing of themselues and compassing of their owne priuate ends no your end and aime hath euer beene in all your seruices and imployments both to aduance the glory of God as also to further the peace and welfare of this Church and Common-Wealth wherin we liue and whereof God hath made your Worship a worthy member This indouldens me humbly to present this ensuing Treatise vnto you both which may be called the Rule of Faith the Symbole or Badge whereby a true Christian may be distinguished and knowne from all Iewes Turkes Atheists Papists Hereticks counterfeting Temporizers and false Professors the Doctrine of the Creed containing in it the substance of Christian Religion Taught by the Apostles Imbraced by the ancient Fathers and Sealed by the bloud of the Martyrs The exposition of which Creed so far as it was perfected by the Author I heere present vnto you both desiring that it may shelter it selfe vnder your protection many reasons inforcing me thereto first that honour and Singular Loue which you both haue shewed vnto those that Labour in the Word and Doctrine as you are patternes of Piety so are you Patrons of pious and godly men and of their labours secondly that loue and respect which you were pleased in particular to expresse vnto the Author of this Treatise my deare Father now with God which since his death you haue been pleased to continue both vnto the fruit of his Braine as also to the fruit of his body this imboldens me to commit this Posthumus to your protection thirdly that good esteeme which you haue euer had of this work manifested both when you were pleased to bee diligent hearers of it when it was preached so long as you were both resident in those parts as also by your earnest desire of the publishing of it for the benefit of Gods Church and I doubt not but that you will now fauorably receiue that which formerly you haue so highly esteemed so much desired lastly that speciall duty which I my selfe owe vnto you both for your extraordinary Loue and by me vndeserued fauours which you haue beene both pleased to shew vnto me since it pleased God to depriue me of the benefit of such a Father this my duty bindeth me with all humility and thankfulnesse to acknowledge them therefore doe I willingly take this oportunity humbly to present this ensuing Treatise vnto you both not doubting but that you will receiue it into your Patronage so that whilst you beleeue and countenance and defend the Truth The Truth shall make you free These things do and the God of Truth and Peace shall be with you now the God of all grace make you perfect confirme strengthen and establish you and blesse you with all spiritual blessings in heauenly things through Christ with temporal blessings here and with eternal blessings in his Kingdome Such shall be the dayly Prayers of Your Worships humbly deuoted ADONIRAM BIFIELD To the Christian Reader CHristian Reader it was the Authors purpose if God had spared him life so long to haue finished this Exposition vpon the Creed but man purposeth and God disposeth It pleased God to â—aish his course before he had finished this work yet God in his diuine prouidence hath so disposed of it as that you may finde the substance of those Articles which are not here perfected to be handled in some of his other labours vnto which briefly I referre you For the ninth Article concerning the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints I referre you to his Treatise called The Principles or the patterne of wholsome words Chap. 23. And whereas The Communion of Saints consists of two parts First The communion of the members with the head Secondly The communion of the members among themselues for the former read his Exposition vpon the Colossians Chap. 1. vers 18. pag. 121 122 123. for the latter reade his Exposition vpon the third of Peter ver 7. pag. 169. for this title Saints read his Exposition vpon the Colossians Chap. 1. ver 1. pag. 7 8 9. If you would be directed how to carry your selues in this communion amongst the Saints and towards the godly read his little Treatise called The Rules of a holy life Chap. 25. For the tenth Article The forgiuenesse of sinnes I referre you to his Booke of the Principles Chap. 24. as also to his Exposition vpon the Colossians Chap. 1. vers 14. pag. 108 109. Would you know what course to take to bee deliuered from your sins then I refer you to his little Treatise called The Doctrine of the beginning of Christ or The Catalogue of sinnes Chap. 2. pag. 14. For the eleuenth Article The resurrection of the body I referre you to his Booke of the Principles Chap. 26. For the last Article Euerlasting life I referre you to his Exposition vpon the third Chapter of Peter ver 7. where this is largely handled from pag. 141. to 163. The Author hath handled most of these things in diuers parts of this
infallible for besides that we beleeue nothing heere but what hath bin in all Ages receiued except it bee in that point of Christ descending into Hell so all those Articles are grounded vpon expresse Scripture except before excepted that there can bee no doubt of the truth of them if we will beleeue the Scripture and therefore we should with the more willingnesse attend to these Doctrines seeing they are not in the number of those truthes that seeme to bee opposed not onely by the iudgements of learned men but by the Word of God the meaning of Gods Word appearing not so clearely to vs in those things 6. From the sufficiencie of the Doctrine of the Creed It containes all things necessary to be belieued to saluation All things I say necessary for babes in the proposition and for strong men in the exposition 7. From the necessitie of knowing and beleeuing these things these Articles must be beleeued or we cannot be saued Yea all these Articles must be beleeued of necessity to faile in any is desperately dangerous 8. From the Permanencie of these truthes Heere is that said that will abide in a Christian and is indelible 9. From the consideration of the condition of many hearers some are but new beginners and others though for the time they might haue bin teachers yet neede to bee taught these principles Yea neede to be taught them againe being such as those Heb. 5. 12 13. It is in these things also that the better sort of hearers complaine of their ignorance 10. We were tyed in our Baptisme vnto the doctrine contained in this Creed and so we stand bound before God and the Angels to learne it and keepe it as a great Treasure 11. From the consideration of the manner of propounding these Articles they are set dnwne in the Creed plainely and so they cleare our iudgements and withall briefely so as wee neede not feare our memories it is short in words but great in mysteries 12. Lastly because of the singular vse may be made of these doctrines there is great vse of the whole and great vse of euery part of it other Sciences for the most part add nothing to vs but to our knowledge onely or little to our practise especially so as to aduance our happines now there are many commodities arise from the knowledge keeping of these truthes as 1. Contemplatiue delight Men are delighted with the smell of flowers and the sight of colours how much more may and ought our mindes to be delighted in the obseruation meditation of such glorious truthes as these for these Articles doe exhibit to the beleeuing soule the glory of God to be veiwed in the things of greatest excellencie euen the choisest things wherein God hath made knowne the wonder of his goodnes vnto man And therefore these things are good for meditation all the daies of our liues if we had once but the skill to open the glories are heere contained Many Christians are much distressed about meditation They complaine they cannot tell what to thinke of profitablie In the Creed is cōtained the abridgement of these shining doctrines vpon which we may and ought alwaies to look wonder 2. The restoring of the Image of God in our mindes for by bringing in these knowledges wee set vp againe the frame of the Image of God in our mindes which lieth vtterly defaced in vs till the light of these doctrines begin to shine in our vnderstanding wee are purblinde yea wee are starke blinde so long as we are ignorant in these groundes 3. The nourishment of the whole soule The soule of man takes not foode further then it layes hold vpon these and such like truthes and when these are thought on and applied soundly al things in the soule wil thriue and prosper and the more is this to bee regarded because in these Articles is contained foode for all sorts of Christians for heere is milke for little ones in the proposition of these Articles and meate for strong men in the exposition of these all wholsome foode 4. The Creed containes the substance of those Articles of agreement made betweene God and vs so as we may easily and daily thence take notice of the maine points that are treated of betweene God and vs The condition of the couenant on our parte concerning either faith or practice all that is required of vs in effect in respect of faith is heere set downe 5. By the dexterous vse of these doctrines we may try all Religions in the world for heere is the roote of faith the touchstone to try things that are to bee belieued the square by which they are to be measured 't is that little Iudge in matters of quarrell about Religion for whatsoeuer doctrine is contrary to the Analogie of faith in these things may bee safely reiected and must be 6. It is the very Charecter of the Church and serues to distinguish vs from all other professions of men in the world as first from meere naturalists that beleeue no more cōcerning God religion then they can see by the light of nature as it is now corrupted and so it distinguisheth vs from the Philosophers and therfore much more from the common sort of Gentiles that entertained opinions monstrous and against the very light of Nature secondly from the Turkes who though they receiue some truthes from the light of Scripture yet reiecting most of these fundamental truthes entertaining a multitude of blasphemies of their owne against the Christian faith are worthily condemned as men without the pale of the Church thirdly from the Iewes because they denie all the Articles concerning Christ fourthly from all sorts of Heretickes that haue erred from this faith in some of the Articles concerning Christ such as are the Arrians and Papists at this day fifthly from such as haue but a wandering opinion concerning God in any of these Articles so as they onely know them by coniecture or hearesay and haue not entertained them with distinct assurance into their hearts and such are multitudes of people of all sorts euen in the Visible Church To conclude euery word almost of the Creed doth pierce the sides of some or other hereticall or blasphemous men As we beleeue one God against the Gentiles the Father Sonne and holy Ghost against the Antitrinitans Creator of Heauen and Earth against Carpocrates Cerinthus and the Ebionits we beleeue that Christ is the Lord against Valentinus who acknowledged him to bee a Sauiour not a Lord and that he is our Lord against those in Origens time that said hee was the Lord of God and that hee is the onely begotten Son against the Arrians conceiued by the holy Ghost against Apollinaris Valentinus and Eutiches that he was dead against Basilides rose againe against Cerinthus and sitteth at the right hand of God against Praxeus and we beleeue one Catholique Church
Martialis Ignatius Irena Tertullian Origen and those of their times did not proceede further then the Trinity In the first book of Socrates his Eccless Hist. Chap. 19. we finde The Creed thus recited We beleeue in one God the Father Almighty and in the Lord Iesus Christ his Sonne begotten of him before all worldes true God by whom all things were made which are in heauen and which are in earth Who descended and was incarnate and suffered and rose againe and ascended into Heauen and from thence shall come againe to iudge the quicke and dead and in the holy Ghost in the Resurrection of the flesh in the life of the world to come in the Kingdome of Heauen and one Catholique Church reaching from one end of the earth to the other In Saint Ambrose his time the baptised was asked three questions as first dost thou beleeue in God the Father Almighty and the baptized answered I beleeue and then hee was dipped vnder the water secondly hee was asked doest thou beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ and his Crosse and hee answered I beleeue and then was dipped againe thirdly hee was asked doest thou beleeue in the holy Ghost and he answered I doe beleeue and was the third time dipped Ambrose lib. 2. de Sacram. cap. 7. so that 't is probable that the Creed was not fully finished in this forme it now is till about the fourth age after Christ And thus of the Authors of the Creed To conclude therefore this point concerning the Authors of these Articles the Creed is called the Apostles Creed in two respects first to distinguish it from all other Creeds There haue bin diuers Creeds made in the seuerall ages since Christ some by particular writers some by Councells of particular writers Athanasius Creed doth most excell which is the Creed set downe in the booke of Common Prayer next before the Letany and of Councells these are the chiefe Creeds the Nicen Creed which you may finde in the booke of Common Prayer also set downe in the order of the Communion as also the Creed of the Ephesian Synod and the Creed of the Calcedonian Synod reade Am. Pol. synt Theol. lib. 2. cap. 2. Now this Creed is called the Apostles Creed to shew that the Churches did hold it to bee of greater authority then any other Creed and that other Creeds are but as it were expositions of this Creed Secondly it is called the Apostles Creed to giue it authority aboue all humane writings euen those that haue much or most excelled The confession of Nationall Churches haue been worthily had in great request so haue the Creeds of the Councells and so haue the Apocripha Scriptures but yet none of these haue attained to the honour of this Creed The translation of the Canonicall Scriptures in respect of the words are humane though in respect of the matter and order they are diuine and these of all humane writings are the best yet not without the defects of the Translators whereas the originall in both Testaments is diuine both for matter order and words also Thus of the Authors The kinde of writing followes Creede Symbolum is the word vsed in the most Christian Churches and is plainely agreeable to the originall word the Creed being first penned in the Greeke tongue If the word bee deriued of Syn and bolus then it may signifie two things first a morsell or as much as a man may well swallow at once and so the whole Scriptures containing but the diuine furnishing of Gods Table as it were the Creed containes each particular Christians morsell so much as hee may and must swallow and receiue downe into his heart without leauing any of these Articles out secondly a draught euen as much as a net can take at once The sea is the Word the fisherman is the Christian man the Net is faith the Creed is as much as the faith of the Christian can take at a draught out of the Sea of doctrine contained in the Scriptures But it is more likely the word should be deriued of Syn and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then it may signifie all or any of these fiue things 1. A Shot it containing the reckoning which the Apostles made for the Churches being deducted or cast in out of the seuerall writings of each of the Apostles 2. A Watchword or any signe in the time of warre by which the Souldier might be distinguished from spies or strangers and so might shew to what captaine or colours hee belonged so the Creed is the Military signe by which the true Christian is distinguished from all spirituall spies and forreiners 't is Gods Watchword 3. The Motto or Poesie or word giuen in mens Armes so the Creed is the Christians Motto his word which is set in his Armes being made noble in bloud by Christ and so able to giue the Armes of his spirituall house and kindred 4. A token or Bill of Exchange by which a man is enabled to trade or receiue commodities By the Creed the Christian may trade for any spirituall commodities 5. A Passeport Christians are strangers and Pilgrims a great way from home and the gouernment of the Christian world will not let a man passe without his authenticke Passeport Now by his Creed the Christian man may passe and finde entertainement in any part of the Christian world As for the name Creed it is not easie to tell when it first came vp in our Language but it is certaine it comes of the first word which is in Latine Credo rendered I beleeue But by the way if these Articles be a Creed then they are not a Prayer nor to be said as a Prayer as the ignorant multitude doth abuse it Thus of the Title I Beleeue Marke 9. 24. IN the Creed it selfe we must consider first matter of dutie which is in the word Beleeue which is the hand or claspe that takes hold of all and euery of the Articles secondly matter of doctrine which may be cast into two Heads as it concernes God or the Church for the Lord doth not vouchsafe to comber Religion with the whole doctrine that might concerne the estate of all men out of the Church concerning God the Articles looke vpon all three persons and in the doctrine of the Father amongst his attributes singles out his Almightinesse and amongst his workes lookes vpon his making of Heauen and Earth In Christ faith lookes vpon his Person and his Office In his Person it acknowledgeth his diuine Nature as Gods onely Sonne and his humane Nature in these two words viz. conception by the holy Ghost and birth of a Virgin His Office is considered according to his estate both of Humiliation and Exaltation In his Humiliation is considered his sufferings first in body in that he suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was dead and buried and then in soule in that he descended into Hell In his Exaltation faith viewes his Resurrection Ascension and Session at the right hand of God
in stonie places where there is a little earth mingled withall whereas he that beleeues aright and so will hold out hath the naturall stoninesse of his heart dissolued by the word and is so affected with it for the present that he receiues it so as it tarrieth in him and growes in him and he brings forth the sound fruit of Reformation of life and his seede abideth in him it cannot vtterly be destroyed but Faith in him is like the tree of life that will euery yeere bring new fruit Whereas in Nature the corne that is sowne after one haruest is destroyed in respect of that particular graine that was sowen Nor may any say that he cannot know whether he shall hereafter keepe his Faith he can iudge of his Faith what it is now for if he get a sound Faith it will keepe and besides he beleeues with perseuerance that doth resolue for euer to rest in that Faith simply for the euidence worth and vse of the doctrine beleeued for he that hath but a temporary faith as he doth receiue doctrine but for certaine aduantages or carnall ends so can he not get his heart at that very time to a resolution to cleaue eternally to that doctrine of Gods grace 9. It is not yet innough to resolue to keepe the faith and to preserue the doctrine but we must looke to it that we lay it vp in a cleane place which is a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3. 9. and that we keepe it there cleane from the mixtures of mens deuises being curious in the businesses of our faith to let in no priuate interpretations but to resolue to beleeue onely as Gods word doth bid vs beleeue we must take heede and not admit carelesly any interpretations of the Articles of our faith that any sort of men will bring to vs but we must still haue an eye to Gods word to see all expounded by the word 2 Pet. 1. 20. 19. 16. we must receiue nothing here no not in the least part of the apparrelling of these truths which is not agreeable to some patterne in the booke of God Lastly we must beleeue these Articles but not all with one kinde of faith for some of these things we beleeue in that is place our trust and confidence and all hope of happinesse in them so we beleeue in God and in Iesus Christ and in the holy Ghost but other things wee doe not beleeue in but beleeue as the properties and priuiledges of the Church as wee may discerne by the difference of speaking in the Creed Wee say I beleeue in God but doe not say I beleeue in the holy Church c. The vse may be first for information we may hence gather that there are but few sound Christians in any place there are but few that beleeue their Creed obseruing all the duties and conditions required in beliefe and consequently but few that receiue the benefit of the Gospell or that shall be saued This will appeare if a Tryall could bee made euen in the places that are most populous and abound most with Christians in name For if all the sorts of men bee cast out that haue not a faith agreeable to this doctrine there will bee but a few left as for instance 1. Cast out all such worldly minded people as haue not at all regarded their Creed or the Doctrine contained in it vndoubtedly some such there are who scarce learned their Creed at all and liue so without God in the world as they neuer regarded Religion at all with their hearts 2. Cast out all such as vnderstand not their Creed many can say the words who yet neuer were instructed concerning the meaning and haue not any competent measure of knowledge concerning the sense of the Articles Now it is impossible these should be true beleeuers 3. Cast out such as know perhaps the meaning but assent not to the doctrine They cannot tell whether these things bee true or no nor how to approue them and is there not in all places diuers men that are of this humour are there not men that will be of any Religion That are temporizers 4. Cast out such as beleeue that all the doctrines be true but it is by such a saith as the diuells haue for the diuells beleeue the doctrines to be true but so as they hate it and the teaching of it and all such as thriue in knowledge and profession of it Are there not multitudes of people with vs that discouer this kinde of diuellish quality doe they not from their hearts loath preaching doe they not from their hearts hate such as are the best beleeuers doe they not readily and spitefully speake euill of such as feare God in euery place these cannot be right that beleeue loathing 5. Cast out such as beleeue with a dead faith that is such as finde no manner of feare nor vertue nor operation in these doctrines but can take in a great deale of the literall knowledge of these truthes and yet it hath no power to worke vpon their hearts These haue not so much faith as the diuells haue for they beleeue and tremble that is they are afrighted and extreamely amazed at the thought of the fulfilling and accomplishment of these truthes considering their owne misery Whereas multitudes of Christians heare of beliefe and talke of these things and are not a whit moued either with feare or sorrowe 6. Cast out such as haue but a temporarie faith And in them consider first what they haue in their faith and then by what things it may be manifest that their faith is insufficient for the first these men are not altogether without faith they haue knowledge of the meaning of the doctrine of the Gospell they assent to it and are assured it is the truth and can proue it and they hate not the doctrine but rather like it and loue it And besides their beliefe of these things worketh much vpon them for they heare the Word with Ioy Mat. 13. yea and are moued and perswaded to reforme their liues and by it escape much filthinesse which is in others and was in themselues 2. Pet. 2. 20. and they do ioyne themselues to and keepe company openly with such as feare God as Iudas and Demas did with the Apostles and doe spend much time in reading the Scriptures and good books and may be forward to reproue or punish vice and wickednesse in other men as Iehu was and yet all this notwithstanding their faith is vaine which will appeare to their consciences if they consider these things in them 1. That they beleeue not with application to themselues They lay not hold on these things by a particular faith They place not their happinesse in the perswasion of their interest in these truthes 2. That they are not reformed in theâ— beloued or gainefull sinnes there bee some sinnes they know by themselues which they desire not to leaue and therefore neuer repented of them Iudas would not leaue his couetousnesse
speakes on the Crosse is the words of his intercession Luke 23. 34. which should be an admirable paterne to teach vs to goe and doe likewise Neuer was there a greater man on earth nor did euer man suffer such wrongs and yet you see how he is affected He that bids vs pray for our enemies doth it himselfe in a harder case than euer can be ours If we will be true disciples we must shew it by forgiuing men their trespasses and by praying for them especially when we are about to die if we would euer haue God forgiue vs we must forgiue men their trespasses against vs. This prayer of Christ was heard as appeares by the conuersion of many of those enemies of his after his death Yet obserue he prayes not for such as sinned of malitious wickednesse but for such as sinned out of ignorant zeale or generall prophanenesse of Nature many of the people were carried with blinde zeale and many of the Gentiles were ignorant of the true story of the life and cause of Christ for which he suffered those were curable and for those he prayes And this may be a comfort to vs he that can obserue this difference in his persecuting aduersaries will much more shew it in considering the frailties and ignorances of his owne seruants that desire to please him though they faile of that they desire to doe through strength of temptation or other weaknesse and ignorance Againe note it is not enough for the partie offending that the partie offended doe forgiue but God also must be sought vnto for forgiuenesse Lastly our Sauiour shewes his religiousnesse in his maner of dying by his deuout care for his owne soule shewed in his prayer when he said Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit Luke 23. 46. when he had be queathed all other things as Peace to his Disciples his body to the Iewes his garments to his Tormentors Paradise to the Theefe pardon to the penitent and his Mother to his Friend now only remained his Soule and that he commends to God Euen Iesus can carry nothing with him out of the world but his Soule and therefore he prouides for that Which should teach vs what we should doe our greatest care should be that our soules may be safe when we die and that they may be so we see here two things must be done while we liue First we must get assurance that God is our Father we are his children and then when we come to dye we must commit our soules by faithfull and heartie prayers into his hands and for feare of the worse wee should begin betimes to prepare for death and by daily prayer to put our soules into Gods hands Obserue that these words were first vsed by the Prophet Dauid Psal 31. 5. who committed his soule to God being horribly persecuted by Saul and in great danger and hauing no friend to trust to Now our Sauiour being in like but greater distresse doth make choice of Dauids words to expresse his prayer in which should teach vs to acquaint our selues with the Scriptures especially of this kinde for as it will be accepted if our prayers be made according to Gods will so is it a speciall aduantage and helpe to our faith and prayers to fashion them to the very paternes in Gods Booke and to say as the godly haue said to God in the like case Finally this practise of our Sauiour may be a great comfort to vs and that two waies for first we may gather from his example that if once we haue committed our soules to God he will keep them safe as Paul said 2 Tim. 12. And secondly it will be comfortable for vs in death or danger to flie to Iesus Christ to beseech him to helpe our soules with his Father who cannot forget that once himselfe on earth made the same moane to his Father that we doe now to him Thus Stephen doth Act. 7. The fourth question is for whom Christ died and the Answer is giuen distinctly in many places of Scripture First he died for men not for other creatures Heb. 2. 14. 18. Though the effect of his death reach to other creatures as to the Angels Phil. 2. 10 11. and to the creatures that suffered vanitie for mans sinne Rom. 8. 19 20 22. Secondly he died not for his friends but such as in the state of nature were his enemies and sinners not iust men Rom. 5. 8 10. Thirdly he died not for Iewes only but for the Gentiles also 1 Ioh. 2. 2. Fourthly hee died not for goats but for his sheepe Ioh. 10. 11 15. not for the world but for the Church Ioh. 17. 9. Eph. 5. 25. euen for such as should beleeue in his name Ioh. 3. 16. Fifthly he died not for some beleeuers but for all beleeuers Rom. 8. 32. and so not for learned men or great men but for all men of all sorts that beleeue 1 Tim. 2. 6. Sixthly he died not for those that did beleeue his words but for all that should beleeue the words of his seruants afterwards to the end of the world Ioh. 17. 21. And so he died for vs many hundred yeares before wee were borne Seuenthly not for all beleeuers in generall only but for euery particular by name Ioh. 10. 3. 14 15. And the knowledge hereof should serue for diuers Vses For first it should be very comfortable for all sorts of Christians to thinke that Christ died for them and did thinke of them in particular and by name Secondly it should much affect vs with admiration of the greatnesse of his loue that would die for such vile wretches as we were by nature wicked and enemies to him as the Apostle vrgeth it Rom. 5. 6. to 10. And thirdly in speciall it should much incourage such as are burthened with the greatnesse of their sinnes to know that he well vnderstood it that he was to die for the vngodly Fourthly it should teach Christians to restraine censure and iudging of them that are without The vertue of Christs death may reach to many more than we know and to such as for the present are vile enemies to the Christian name Fifthly wee should all labour to be such as Christ hath described to haue actually a part in his death And so Saint Paul tels vs we must be such as see and acknowledge how vile and wicked we are by nature whatsoeuer gifts or priuiledges we haue and how ciuill soeuer we haue liued in comparison of others Rom. 5. 6 c. and our Sauiour tels vs we must be beleeuers and sheepe such as will heare and be ruled by his voice and 2 Cor. 5. 15. the Apostle saith We must be such as will liue to him that died for vs and Saint Iohn saith Reuel 14. 3 4. we must not be defiled with women that is with Idolatry or spirituall whoredome that is with any beloued sinne and must follow the Lambe whithersoeuer he goeth Finally if Christ died for vs it must needs
spirituall and eternall rest from sinne and labour Quest 3. Why was the Sepulchre so fenced and sealed Answ That so the glory of Christs resutrection might the better appeare in that all their power and care could not hinder it and besides God hereby catcheth them in the works of their owne hands for by these meanes their owne Souldiers are made witnesses against themselues of the truth of the resurrection of Christ Quest. 4. But what was the reason that the bodie of Christ did not putrifie Answ Christ was without sinne and so his bodie could not corrupt and as for our sinnes he had made expiation for them on the Crosse besides this was so that the Scripture might be fulfilled that said Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption Psal 16. 10. Thirdly our Sauiour foretold vs thereby that one day our bodies should be as his was viz. after the resurrection they should be incorruptible for euer The Vses of the whole doctrine of the buriall of Christ may be 1. For consolation for by the casting of the body of Christ into the graue wee know that Gods anger is pacified and our sinnes are expiated for as the tempest was laied and stilled when Ionas was cast out of the ship into the Sea so when Christ was cast from among the liuing into the graue among the dead all the tempests of Gods wrath conceiued against vs were quieted and fully stilled and pacified Besides Christs buriall may greatly comfort vs against our buriall His bodie hath sanctified and perfumed our graues 2. For instruction and so the speciall Vse should be to teach vs to striue to be buried with Christ in respect of our sinnes Col. 2. 12. Rom. 6. 4. and this we may the rather hope to attaine because there is a vertue flowing from the buriall of Christ able to produce this spirituall buriall of sinne in vs. Now there be foure things in which our sinnes should be like a dead body in the graue First dead bodies are for euer remoued out of the society of men so should our sinnes be abandoned from vs. Secondly dead bodies in the graue vse to spend and confume away by little and little so should our sins Thirdly dead bodies vse to grow loathsome more and more so should our sinnes Fourthly dead bodies waxe out of memorie and are quite forgotten so should our sinnes in respect of any delight we should take in remembring them He descended into Hell COncerning this Article of Christs descension into Hell I propound three things to be considered of 1. The Originall of it 2. The Authoritie of it 3. The sense and meaning of it with the Vse For the first these words He descended into Hell were not in the most ancient Creeds Learned men giue instance both in the Creeds that haue them not in as also of most ancient Expositors that vndertooke to expound the Apostles Creed and yet makes no mention of this Article at all Amandus Polanus saith they are not in the Nicene Creed nor in the Creed of the Councell at Sardis nor in the Creed of the first Councell at Constantinople nor in the first Toletan Councell nor in the Creed of the Councell of Ephesus nor in the Creeds of the sixt and the eleuenth Toletan Councells nor in the Creeds of the Councels of Wormes and Franckford nor in diuers other Creeds And besides it is obserued that neither Clement the first nor Iernaeus nor Tertullian nor Iustine Martyr nor Origen nor Augustine though they expound the Creed yet make any mention of this Article and Ruffinus that doth receiue the words yet saith that they are not in the Creed of the Romane Church nor amongst the Churches of the East For the second though these words haue not beene found to be acknowledged in the first Churches yet because for many ages they haue beene receiued with an vniuersall consent of all Christian Churches and are acknowledged by many of the ancient Fathers and Councels and are receiued by the Church of England and by all sorts of Diuines in our Church therefore it were great impudencie for any man to reiect these words or question their authoritie either for the truth or vse of them onely for the interpretation of the words the learned know that the Diuines of no one age since they came into the Creed did fully agree about the proper meaning of them and as I conceiue the Church of England hath neuer made any interpretation of them in any Nationall Synode or Conuocation that might declare which sense our Church hath taken to And therefore men must be aduised and take heed of rash censuring of the opinions of Diuines in our Church that deliuer their consciences in this Article though there bee difference about the sense amongst them and weake Christians must know that it is possible for a Christian to be saued that beleeues the word of God and the rest of the Articles of the Creed though he neuer come to know infallibly what is the proper sense of this Article Now for the sense of the words of this Article if the opinions of Diuines be gathered together some of them will be found apparantly false some of them verisimilies things that be like Truth some of them are manifestly true And lastly there is a sense is not onely a truth but the proper truth of this place if we could finde it out Now for an introduction it will not be vnprofitable to take notice of the diuers acceptations of the Originall words rendered here Hell The Hebrew word is Sheol and the Greeke word Hades Now the Kings Translators of the Bible doe not render the words all alike in euery place As for the word Hades in the new Testament they translate it the most places Hell Yet in one place I finde it translated the Graue viz. 1. Cor. 15. 55. So for the word Sheol in the old Testament vsually they translate it Hell Yet in diuers places they call it the Pit as Iob 17. 16. and likewise in sundrie places they call it the Graue and it cannot well be otherwise rendered as Gen. 42. 38. and 37. 35. 1 King 2. 6. Psal 49 15. and 6. 5. Esay 38. 18. Now Christ may be said to descend into Hell either in respect of the wholeman or in respect of the body only or in respect of the soule only In respect of the whole Man it is true that he descended into Hell in foure Respects 1. In respect of Incarnation when our Sauiour descended from heauen to take our Nature in a large sense he may be said then to descend into Hades For the ancient Grecians whence the word Hades comes vnderstood by Hades the Earth and many of the ancient Fathers call the earth Infernum or Hell for they make a distinction of Hell and say One is superiour and that is the Earth and another is inferiour and that is the Hell of the damned Nor did Christ descend only to be vpon
noted And his words are words of salutation and words of commission In the salutation hee wisheth or rather commandeth peace to come vpon them they should haue much trouble in the world but in Christ they should haue peace And withall they might thence gather that as any men doe more further and dispatch the worke of Christ so they shall more abound in inward peace and quiet of heart and conscience and if we haue peace within we should not greatly care what troubles or difficulties we meet withall without The words of commission declare both the authoritie of their office in preaching to Iewes and Gentiles and the confirmation of the successe of their ministerie both by signe and by promise The dignitie of their office is great for as God sent Christ so Christ sends them on embassage to the world They doe no other worke than what God laid vpon his owne Sonne The signe that should confirme them was that Christ breathed on them and said Receiue the Holy Ghost And this might confirme them two waies viz. both in respect of themselues and in respect of their hearers In respect of themselues they need not feare the difficultie of the worke for their sufficiencie should be from the Holy Ghost The Spirit of Christ should qualifie them and inspire them to do all that was required of them In respect of their hearers they must take comfort for that God that made a creation of life in man by breathing vpon him could and would breath spirituall life into the dead world by their preaching The promise annexed to their commission is that whose soeuer sinnes according to the tenor of the couenant of grace in the Gospell they should publikely or priuately remit their pardon should be ratified in heauen and contrariwise whosoeuer should for their impenitencie and contumacie be by them bound ouer to the Iudgement of Christ according to the tenor of the couenant of works and according to the malediction pronounced against all such as despise the Gospell Christ would ratifie their act in the day of death and iudgement and for the present account of them as persons reiected of God Thus of the fiue Apparitions on the day of the resurrection In the rest of the 40. dayes we reade of six other Apparitions The first was the eighth day after the resurrection to the Apostles Thomas being present Ioh. 20. 24 c. Where I note only two things the occasion of this Apparition and the manner of it The occasion of it was the vnbeleefe of Thomas which was very grieuous as containing in it many faults viz. forgetfulnesse of the doctrine of Christ that had foretold his resurrection and wilfull blindnesse for though he be told by them as had seene the Lord that Christ was risen yet he professeth he will not beleeue and withall an insolent limiting of God that vnlesse he may see and feele the print of the nailes and speare he protesteth he will not beleeue Which as it sheweth what wickednesse may lodge in the hearts of good men so it exalteth the praise of the compassion and patience of Christ that will shew mercy in curing such Christians But yet obserue the iustice of Christ vpon such wayward Christians First he is kept a long time viz. eight dayes without comfort and besides he loseth that glorious doctrine was deliuered in the former Apparitions to the rest of the Apostles In the manner of the Apparition obserue both the circumstances and the words of Christ The circumstances are reported vers 26. and are the same with the former Apparition of purpose to helpe the faith of Thomas when hee should see it done as the Apostles had before told him The words of our Sauiour are directed either by way of salutation to all the Disciples or by speciall appellation to Thomas in the salutation he wisheth them peace as he did before to shew them that in this world in doing their worke it was enough for them if they could possesse a heart and conscience within that was at peace though in all outward things they finde trouble In the words to Thomas I obserue what our Sauiour said and the effect in Thomas and our Sauiours reply In his first words to shew that he knew all things and heard euery word Thomas had said in his absence he cals to him to do according to the words of his own wilfull limitation but withall giues him a lash for his vnbeleefe vers 27. It is the portion of wayward Christians euen when God doth most comfort them to meet with secret ierks from God and withall they may see that though men would forget their wilfulnesse yet Christ remembers it And as appeares by the reply afterwards when they reforme and doe their best yet their comfort is mixed with their dispraise The effect in Thomas was an excellent confession excelling the most confessions had beene made before expressing more than was in question and much tendernesse of heart both in beleeuing in Christ and resoluing to be ruled by him when he said with such words My Lord and my God Which shewes how Christ can glorifie his power in making weake Christians sometimes to expresse more life of faith and knowledge than stronger Christians In the reply our Sauiour commends that faith most that resteth least vpon sense and feeling The second Apparition was to seuen of the Disciples as they went to fishing Ioh. 21. 1 c. Where the things I would obserue either concerne the time of this Apparition or the persons to whom or are taken from the substance of the Storie it selfe About the time I may take occasion to cleare a doubt which is this The Disciples were commanded immediatly after the resurrection by a message sent them by the women from Christ that they should meet him on a Mountaine in Galile Matth. 28. 10. 16. Now it appeares by the time of this and the former Apparition that they tarry many daies in Ierusalem The answer is that they were bound to tarry in Ierusalem eight daies because of the Passeouer and it seemes they were now going into that place in Galile Now for the persons to whom he appeares they were seuen of them of different conditions Peter and Thomas had fallen shamefully Nathaniel was no Apostle but yet a man without guile the sonnes of Zebedee had beleeued after they had seene the Lord two other Disciples are not named and toward all these in a different respect is the loue of Christ shewed Christ will manifest himselfe not only to constant Christians but to such as haue fallen and repented nor only to Apostles but to priuate Christians not only to knowne and eminent Disciples but to such as we know not Now for the substance of the Storie the things I shall obserue for the letter of it either concerne the estate of godly men in outward things or the demonstration of the Diuinitie of Christ About the estate of godly men I note three things First that