the helpe of the Spirit of Iesus Christ. And in the Epistle of Iude verses 20.21 c Ye beleued edifie your selues in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost c. And haue compassion of some in putting difference and other saue with feare pulling them out of the fire Other meanes seruing for the furtherance of these holy ordinances of God and thereby of the communion of Saints are more priuately louing instruction admonition and exhortation vsed of each Christian to other according to that instruction of the Apostle Ephes 5.19.20.21 Speaking vnto your selues in Psalmes c. Submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God And Heb. 3.13 Exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnes of sinne For we are made partakers of Christ if we keepe sure vnto the end the beginning wherewith we are vpholden All this sheweth more fully according to that which was touched a little before that we ought to make a most precious account of the communion of Saints and to be very carefull euery one for his part according to his place and calling to make a religious practise of the same â—â—â—stion But who are to be accounted those Saints which this Article speaketh of â—â—â—wer Euery Christian whosoeuer rightly beleeueth and dutifully obeieth the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ he is a Saint euen so many as are cleansed and sanctified by the blood of Christ. â—â—â—lication 〈◊〉 proofe So indeed doe the holy Scriptures speake and so doth God himselfe dispose of this title as it is euidently to be seene 1. Cor. ch 1. verse 2. and chap. 14.33 And Ephes 5.3 Act. 9.41 And in many other places Let all prophane persons take heed therefore how they reproach this holy name by their irreligious and diuelish taunts such as this is A young Saint an olde Diuel c. Which kind of speech no doubt the Diuel himselfe an Arch-enemie of all true holines hath set on foot or rather on wheeles to runne without feare on the tongues of his hellish Schollers Whereas in truth we may say more iustly A young Diuel that is such a one as is diuelishly minded in his youth will proue an habitation for many diuels before hee come to be of any great yeeres We must be Saints yea wee must indeuour to be so euen in our youth or else surely we shall with greater difficultie breake out of the snare of the Diuell and change our wicked disposition and manners when we shall be old and so the more deeply saped in our sinnes according to that notable admonition of the Prophet Ieremy chap. 13 23. Can the blacke More change his skirne The danger of not beleeuing Article c· NOw therefore to conclude this Article Ques What is the danger of not beleeuing it of not regarding to liue as a Saint euen here vpon earth in care of leading a holy life in the Communion of Saints Answer All such as doe not beleeue loue and liue as Saints in the holy fellowship and Communion of the faihfull people and church of God here or at the least doe not earnestly repent them while they liue they shall surely dye like infidels and profane persons as they are and haue their portion with the diuels in Hell torment although they haue bin borne and brought vp in the Church though they haue made an external profession of the christian faith The proofe of this hath in effect beene set downe in this former Article For the danger ExplicatioÌ„ proofe both here and also there is all one Let vs not forsake our fellowship as the manner of some is saith the holy Apostle to the Heb chap 10.25 The which forsaking he afterward calleth a withdrawing to perdition in the last verse of that chapter To the ende this heauie danger may be auoided diuers hereticall opinions and practises and all licentious profanenes are religiously and necessarily to be shunned of vs. First touching Communion we must take heede of that false interpretation which some giue of it and therewithall that we doe neither extend it too farre neither yet contract it more then is meete The false interpretation which I speake of is of them which would haue our CoÌ„munion with our Sauiour Christ to be in a carnall or bodily manner whether they be Papists or any other The extent arising also from false interpretation is in the excesse the opinion of the Anabaptists who extend it to Communitie of goods not onely in respect of vse by charitable dispensation but also in respect of possession and ciuill right to the ouerthrowe of all propertie in them And herewithall there want not some who like the Nicolaitans of former times would vnder this colour bring in most shameful coÌ„munitie of wiues among them of the own sect On the other side the coÌ„traction or defect is of those whether Papists or Familists 〈…〉 or any other who as much as lyeth in them doe exclude or excommunicate any that doe truly beleeue in our Lord Iesus Christ from this holy Communion All such I meane all such euen of the best whosoeuer doe it either of proude conceite in themselues or otherwise presume to attempt it without iust warrant ground they erre in the defect of this Communion in that they exclude any that do of right belong vnto it Yea to speak of the worst especially they erre in excesse also in that they enrole themselues as the onely Communicants who in truth haue no part at al in this holy CoÌ„munion according to the saying of Peter to Simon Magus Act 8.21 Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this busines for thine heart is not right in the sight of God Thus therefore in the first place all hereticall opinions and practises touching Communion are to bee auoided of all such as desire vnfeinedly to haue their part in it Secondly touching the word Saints diuerse errours are likewise necessarily to be auoided both on the right hand and also on the left On the right hand the opinion of all those who imagine that there may be an inherent perfection of holines in all that be true members of the Church euen here in this life as the Donatists Nouatians 〈…〉 Familists And likewise the Papists who restraine the name Saints either to the departed out of this life more generally or else to such as the Pope canonizeth to be such in a more speciall manner On the left hand the opinion of the Libertines is necessarily to be auoided who make it their holines to doe what they list so long as they retaine a strong that is to say a diuelish and presumptuous conceite that they are good Christians And this is indeed the very perfection of all proud heretikes Atheists that they imagine whatsoeuer they doe it is no sinne in them For they doe growe in the ende to haue hard seared consciences as the Apostle writeth
aboundance before the Lord confessing the hainousnes of their sinne in ioyning Idole-seruice with the worship of God Vnto the which lamentation it seemeth that the Prophet Ieremiah alluded chap 9.1 wishing that his head were full of water and his eyes a fountaine of teares c. According also as Ps 119. verse 136. the Prophet saith there Mine eyes gush out with riuers of water because they keep not thy lawe so exceeding was the lamentation of that people in that place of Samuel And in the book of Ezra chap. 9. Ezra that holie Scribe of God by reason that the holy seede of Gods peculiar people was mixed with the people of the prophane and Idolatrous nations he rent his clothes and plucked off the haire of his head and beard as one astonied to thinke of the greeuousnes of the sinne And afterward recouering himselfe from his exceeding great heauines he fell downe vpon his knees and praied God most instantly to pardon the sinne of his people Then as it followeth ch 10.1 while Ezra thus praied and confessed himselfe weeping and falling downe before the house of God there assembled to him of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children for as the text saith the people wept with a great lamentation c. We reade likewise in the booke of Ester chap. 4. 1. 2. 3. 13. 14. 15. 16. that Mordecai cried with a great crie and bâ—â—â— And further that there was great sorrow among the Iewes with fasting and weeping and mourning and that they laie in sack-cloth and ashes Yea that they fasted three daies and three nights and that Queene Ester and her honourable maides about her did so likewise In the which long continued fast there is no doubt but that they earnestly bewailed their sinnes and craued forgiuenes of them that so the exceeding great dâ—nger they were in might be remoued And Ionah ch 3. The Nineuites though a heathenish people yet at the suddaine and extraordinary warning of God by the preaching of the Prophet they repented with very earnest repentance they and their King euen in sack-cloth and ashes And as the text reporteth they cried mightily to God to wit for forgiuenes and turned from their euill waies c. Such are the examples of the old Testament Wee haue likewise examples of extraordinarie and publike profession and prâ—ctise of Repentance in the nâ—w Testament And namely Mâ—tâ—h Chapt. 3. Verse 6. Many were baptized of Iohn the Baptist confessing their sinnes And Act. 2.37.38 at one Sermon three thousand soules were conuerted acknowledging their sinnes and desiring to be instructed in the truth of God And cha 19. verses 18.19.20 Many that beleeued came and confessed and shewed their workes Many also of them that vsed curious arts brought their bookes and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them and found it fiftie thousand peeces of siluer So the word of God grewâ— mightily and preuailed Now of the more particular and extraordinary practise and profession of publike repentance we haue in the old Test Iudah Gen. 38.26 Aaron and Miriam Numb ch 12.10 c. to the ende of the chapter Achan Iosh ch 7. ver 20. King Dauid Psal 51. Create in me a cleane heart ô God and renew a right spirit within me saith the deepe repenting soule of the King Not that hee had lost all grace but because faith was for the time greatly eclipsed and darkened yea as touching the sweet comfort of it ouerwhelmed with contrary sense â—nd feeling of bitter sorrow for his sinne c. We haue also King Salomon for an example of this kinde of more particular and extraordinary practise and profession of publike repentance testified by his booke entituled Ecclesiastes the which as by good reason appeareth from the booke it selfe was published in his last yeeres after he was well beaten with experience of the vanitie of all things beside the true feare of God and obedience to his holy commandements which he most highly aduanceth King Manasses commeth likewise within the compasse of this sort of extraordinary conuerts such as we reade of in the old Testament For he was called to very earnest and notable repentance by speciall tribulation and affliction which God cast vpon him For as the holy Storie reporteth albeit he was a most wicked and vngodly man yet in his tribulation that is while he was the King of Ashurs prisoner and laie bound in fetters and chains he praied to the Lord his God and humbled himselfe greatly And God was intreated of him 2. Chro 33.11.12.13.15.16.18.19 And in the newe Testam we haue for examples in the same kinde of the more extraordinary repentance of particular persones the Thiefe repenting on the crosse Luk chap 23. verses 40.41.42 We haue also the Apostle Paul Act 26.9.10.11 and 1. Cor 15.9 and 1. Tim. 1.13.14.15 And that sinfull woman Luk 7.37.38 c. Likewise Zacheus chapt 19.8 and the cruell Iaylor Act 16.29 c. with many other all of them set downe in a like publike record though the profession of the repentance of some of them was in their owne practise somewhat more priuate then of the rest And thus farre of the examples of the extraordinarie practise and profession of publike repentance both by many together and also by particular persones apart by them selues as well out of the olde Testament as out of the newe OF the more ordinarie profession of publike repentance by many wee haue often examples in the booke of Iudges though few did repent in truth as is euident by the often relapse of the most The like is also testified Ps 68.34.45 c. and Isai ch 58.1.2 c. And Zech 7.5.6.7 We know also that ther was in Israel an ordinarie institution of God touching the yeerelie fast of his people Leuit 16.29.30.31.32.33.34 and ch 23. verses 27.28.29.30.31.32 and ch 29.7.8.9.10.11 And vnto this ordinarie profession and practise of publike repentance tendeth the admonition of the holy Ghost in the new Test to the Christian churches Reu ch 2. v. 5.16.21.22 ch 33. ve 19. Of publike Repentance by particular persones in an ordinarie course by the blessing of God vpon the preaching of his word and execution of the holie censures of the discipline of the Church wee haue in the new Test the example of the penitent Corinthian who was excommunicated for his incest 1. epist ch 5. And vpon his repentance receiued againe into the communion of Saints 2. Epi ch 2.6.7.8 c. For this we take to be an ordinarie censure of the Churche discipline though at that time by the direction of the Apostle an extraordinary minister of the word whose duty it was generally to watch ouer the right execution of discipline aswell as ouer the preaching of true doctrine 1. Tim 1 3. c. through the whole Epistle Herevnto tendeth the rebuke of the same Apostle concerning such as hauing giuen publike offence by their vncleannes fornication and wantonnes were
Gospel which are the seales of all the Articles of our Christian faith And also of the Lords praier which is a principal rule of Christian praier a singular exercise of faith c. Question Which therefore first of all be the Articles of our Christian beliefe as they are in that briefe summe comprised and by the common consent of all true Churches of Christ euen froÌ„ the most incorrupt times coÌ„mended vnto vs Answere I beleeue in God the Father almightie maker of heauen earth And in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost c. ExplicatioÌ„ proofe This summe of the doctrine of the Gospel concerning the chiefe Articles of our faith gathered out of the holie scriptures as hath bene said it conteineth an bridgement of the most high diuine mysterie of the nature of God that is to say of the incomprehensible Trinitie of persons in the vnitie of one most absolute perfect spirituall essence or beeing of the Godhead so farre as it is meet for vs to enquire or may be knowne and discerned of vs. And therwithall it setteth out vnto vs fraile creatures and most miserable sinners the free couenant of Gods diuine mercy fauour and grace towards vs. Herewithall also A briefe summe of the doctrine of the holy Gospel contained in the articles of our Beliefe it layeth forth these two things first the causes of our iustification and secondly the fruites or benefits thereof The causes are these first to speake more generally the whole Trinitie of persons Father Sonne and holy Ghost eternally consenting in the vnitie of the Godhead to elect and ordaine vs therevnto But more particularly the Father for orders sake as the efficient cause the Sonne in that hee tooke our nature and therein liued preached wrought miracles fulfilled the righteousnes of the law and at the last died for vs and rose againe c. the materiall cause The holy Ghost in that by the preaching of the Gospell he giueth faith the formall cause The small cause being the euerlasting praise of the same most glorious free grace and mercie of God Now the fruite and benefit of this grace of God towards vs beeing generally comprehended vnder this worde saluation the particulars are partly expressed Communion of Saints in one holy catholike Church forgiuenes of sinnes resurrection of the body and euerlasting life and partly they are to be collected from those that be mentioned as vnspeakable peace of conscience heere yea euen against death and hell it selfe and the immortality of the soule in heauen euen from the very time of our departure out of this life c. This summe of the chiefe Articles of our faith therefore containeth an abridgement of the Historie of all the greatest and most glorious counsels and workes of God and of his most wonderfull benefits towards vs Election Prouidence Creation Adoption Redemption Iustification Sanctification Saluation and Glorification and to these ends and purposes alike abridgement of the incarnation of the sonne of God and therewithall of the vnion of the humane nature with the diuine in one most holy person of a mediator and also of the sufferings of the sonne of God c. all of them as was said before proceeding from the infinite bountie of Gods mercie to vs most vnworthie men Of the which most great counsels and works of God it is worthily written by the Apostle Paul 1. Tim. 3.16 * Omologoumenos Confessedly oâ— by a general acknowledgement to wit of all tâ—â—e Christians Without controuersie great is the mysterie of godlines which is God manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentiles beleeued on in the world and receiued vp in glorie Read also Rom 8.29.30 c. Those which God knew before he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his sonne that he might be the first borne among many brethren Moreouer whom he hath predestinated them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them also he glorified What shall we then say to these things If God be on our side who can be against vs c. And Ephes 3.8.9.10 c. Euen to me the least of all Saints saith the holy Apostle is this grace giuen that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ And to make cleare vnto all men what the fellowship of the mysterie is which from the beginning of the world hath beene hid in God who hath created all things by Iesus Christ. c. Of these most high and excellent things we will by the grace of God treat and inquire according to this summe of the Articles of our faith in the order following First of all wee will consider of some speciall ground of holy Scripture whence euery article or point of our faith may be warranted and from whence also the right sence meaning thereof may be interpreted and opened For the word of God contained in the bookes of Canonicall Scripture the which God himselfe hath giuen and authorized for the instruction of his Church it is the onely certaine and vndoubted ground and foundation of faith And therefore also it is our bounden dutie to yeeld it the honour of teaching and confirming euery truth of God from the sacred testimonie and witnesse thereof And thus we read how in matters of faith the Scripture referreth it selfe to the Scripture the latter to the former Luke 24. verses 25.26.27 and verses 44.45.46.47 And before this in the 22. chap ver 37. Reade also Acts chap 26. verse 22. and 1. Corinth 15.1.2.3.4 and 2. Pet 1.19 And verily it were too great sluggish a folly for any to content themselues so with any briefe abridgement that the originall copie wherein is the more full and perfect declaration of all things should be neglected A man will not doe so with his seuerall Deeds and more large writings shewing the conueiances of his landes for any briefe extent or suruey which hee hath taken of them And shall we be more vnwise concerning the grand euidence of our saluation Nay rather as great landed men by how much they see by a short viewe that their possessions are very ample c. they will make the more reckoning of all their auncient Court-rouls or Charters c. So let vs by all meanes prouoke ourselues notwithstanding any other testimony to make our principall and most precious account of the authenticall and diuine records of God And that not onely for the points themselues which concerne our faith but also for the right vnderstanding of them and for all holy circumstances belonging to them For in this respect the holy Scriptures are so necessarie that without them wee should not by the shortnesse of our Creede heare of many points necessarily to bee bee beleeued of vs for our holy instruction and comfort And they that are mentioned could not without the holy
And then the Euangelist Philip baptized him The same was the ordinarie manner of the Ministers of the Gospell in the primitiue Church to require a particular profession of the faith of such as were from time to time conuerted from Paganisme and admitted to be Baptized for members of the Church of Christ Yea it was the verie cause why this forme of profession was collected and set downe in this particular manner Touching the second pointe reade 1. Pet. 3.15.16 Be yee readie alwaies to giue an answere to euerie man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you And that with meekenes and reuerence hauing a good conscience c. And Reuelat Chapt 2.17 Where the assurance of euerlasting life and the care of newnes and godlines of life here either of them springing from faith they are fitlie compared to the Manna that is hidden and to a white Stone wherein a newe Nâ—me is written which no man knoweth sauing hee that receiueth it Wee may indeed yea wee ought charitablie and that with good hope and trust towâ—rd God conceiue of suâ—h as are fruitfull in good workes that they are the true elect of God speciallie if they are in speciall manner fruitfull as the Apostle Paul was verie well perswaded of the Thessalonians 1. Epi 1.3.4 2. Epâ— 1.3.4 And of the Philipp chapt 1.6.7 But the certaine yea the onely vndoubted certaintie is principallie to be found of euery man in the perswasion of his owne heart confirmed vnto him by the testimonie of the Spirite of Gâ—d Thirdly that euery man liueth by his owne faith and not by the faith of an other Reade Hab Chapt 2.4 The iust shall liue by his Faith Yea by that faith whereby hee is assured that Christ liueth in him according to thâ—t of the Apostle Paul Galat 2.20 I liue saith hee yet not I nowe but CHRIST liueth in mee and in that I nowe liue in the fleshe I liue by Faith in the Sonne of GOD who hath loued mee and giuen himselfe for mee And Rom 8 3â— â—â— 39 Hee teacheth that euery Christian ought to bee so perswaded that hee may comfort himselfe that neither death nor life nor any thing else sâ—all bee able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lorde For the last pointe reade 1. Cor 11.28 and 2. Cor 13.5 Prooue your selues whether you are in the faith examine your selues knowe yee not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except yee be reprobates That is no better then such as for the present haue no grounde to thinke better of themselues then of such as bee counterfetted Christians and no true members of Christ c. So then by all these reasons it is manifest that the articles of our faith and the faith and beleefe of them doth belong to euery true Christian that none may put them off from himselfe as that the common sort of Christians should say these thinges containe such high mysteries that they belong onely to learned men or that any of the learned should say these are so coÌ„mon matters that they are rather for children then for vs. No no they are both for children which be of yeeres of discretion and for growne men too they are for the learned to studie a more exact and full knowledge of them and also for the most simple Christian to labour to vnderstand and beleeue them in some measure whosoeuer doe minde vnfainedly the way of their eternall saluation It is not enough for any to say I beleeue as the Church beleeueth vnlesse he do know that the Church beleeueth as it ought to do Nay rather it is the duty of euery Christian to seeke after such a measure of knowledge that he may be able to discerne betwixt the true Church of Christ and euerie false or Antichristian Church betwixt the true faith of the one and the erroneous faith of the other c. according to that we reade 1. Iohn 4.1 Dearely beloued saith the Apostle beleeue not euery Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God c. And Math 7 15. Beware saith our Sauiour Christ of false Prophets that is of such as teach false doctrine c. Otherwise wee shall indanger our selues to the wrath of God and to be partakers of those plagues which GOD will cast vpon them Reuelation chapter 14.9 10.11 12. Let euery true Christian therefore not onely say I beleeue but let vs euerie one be carefull to vnderstand and beleeue those high mysteries which we doe commonly professe euery day better then other For this wee may be sure of that none can beleeue them in any measure but such as doe vnderstand them in some measure Question But that wee stay not too long in one thing Why doth euerie one of vs say I beleeue in God and doe not content our selues to say I beleeue God Answere In the vse of our language when wee say I beleeue in God it is a more significant phrase of speach to expresse that particular apprehension and application of Gods mercie and goodnes as belonging particularly to euery one then if euery one should onely say I beleeue God ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is so in deede For a man may be saide to beleeue God to wit that hee is true though hee be interressed in no part of the benefit of the iustification and saluation of God And besides this phrase of speech is very fit and commodious to put a difference betwixt our faith toward GOD and that which wee beleeue concerning the Church of GOD. For albeit we doe beleeue that God hath his catholike Church consisting of Iewes and Gentiles that thereis a communion of Saints c yet we may not say without great caution that wee beleeue in the Church no not in the true Church of God It sufficeth that wee beleeue that God hath his catholike and inuisible Church in the which there is certainely a sweete communion of Saints and that to the true members thereof forgiuenes of sinnes belongeth and also the resurrection of the bodie and euerlasting life though wee doe not beleeue in it The most that wee may beleeue concerning the true Church of God is that it is a faithfull witnesse of Gods holy truth to vphold it against all Infidels and Athiests that denie it and against all heretikes which seeke to depraue it to the end it may remaine inuiolable to the posteritie and ages to come according to that of the Apostle Paul 1 Timoth. 3 15. The house of God which is the Church of God it is the pillar and ground of truth But of this more afterward There is a like good vse also of the difference which learned Interpreters put betwixt the diuerse phrases of the Latine speach * To beleeue that God is 2 To giue some crediâ— to God as true 3 To repose suâ—e trust in God as most gratious and mercifull to a maâ—s selfe truly beleeuing in him
proceedings so as wee neede not feare the censures of any that proceede not Apostolically and according to the minde and will of our Sauiour himselfe made knowne vnto vs in hâ—â— Gospell And hence it is that the churches of Christ at this day doe securely despise all Popish excommunication and curses though they bee with booke bell and candle as they say Thus then we see what the meaning of our Sauiour is in that he saith to his disciples in regard of their Apostolicall function ministery in his name by vertue of his diuine commission whosoeuers sinnes ye remit they are remitted and whosoeuers sinnes ye retaine they are retained And accordingly no doubt they did through the grace of our Sauiour most discreetly and faithfully fulfill their office and ministerie and the effects heere promised and assured did out of question follow the same as the holy story of the Acts of the Apostles written by the Euang Luke and their owne holie epistles doe make it very euident and plaine both from their more publike and generall preaching and also from their more priuate and particular proceeding Question But that from the holy Apostles wee may come to our selues and all the Churches of our Sauiour Christ succeeding them euer since the fulfilling of their course are we to thinke that all this power and authority and the powerfull effects of the ministerie of the Gospel died with them Answere No. Wee may in no wise thinke so For as the ground and foundation of the ordinarie ministerie it selfe was laide in their extraordinarie ordination and calling so likewise was the ground and foundation of the ministeriall power and authoritie thereof in the name of Christ laid in that extraordinâ—rie power and authoritie which was committed to them Differunt pastores ab apostolis non quod ad substantiam ministerij attinet positam in doctrina et sacramentis sed quod ad modum vocationis et authoritateÌ„ Piscator in Math. 28.10.20 That is Pastors differ not from Apostles as touching the substance of Ministerie which consisteth in doctrine and Sacraments but in respect of the manner of their calling and in the measure of their power authority It is vndoubtedly true For so not onely doth the promise of our Sauiour declare in that hee saith Hee will bee with his Apostles to the end of the world which of necessitie must be vnderstoode of his presence with them to make good and vphold that ordinarie ministerie which they should by his appointment ordaine and plant in all Churches but it appeareth also by that which our Sauiour had saide before that he would so suâ—ely build his Church that the gates of hell should not vanquish it Math. 16. And by that which we reade chap. 18.15.16.17.18.19.20 Where hee establisheth a perpetuall power to the Church for the staying of offences and trespasses or as neede should require for the censuring and correcting of them with spirituall corrections euen to the cutting off of obstinate persons from the communion and fellowship of Saints It is true in deede that the apostolike office had diuers things proper to it as wee haue seene before namely that they were sent immediatly from Christ that they were appointed to be the first founders and the very chiefe or maister builders of the Churches of our Sauiour Christ and that also ouer all the world To the which end they were furthermore endued with an extraordinarie measure of spirituall gifts and graces and likewise with a power of working miracles more then ordinarie Finally they were ordained by the sacramentall breathing of our Sauiour Christ vpon them to the end they might be euery way authorized aboue all exception In all which respects none can be said to succeede them Neuerthelesse that the ordinarie Ministers of the word and sacraments euen to the end of the world should not haue the like authoritie in their limited places succeeding in the like office appointed by one the same Ie Ch to the same end of gathering together the Saints for the worke of the ministrie and for the edification of the body of Christ till wee all meet together in the vnity of faith knowledge of the Son of God vnto a perfect man vnto the measure of the age of the fulnes of Chr. c. Eph. 4.11.12 c. it is without all reason what differences our limitations so euer there be betweene the one and the other in some circumstances either in number or in measure of gifts or in particularity of place or residencie or in any other thing It is of necessity that the ordinary and perpetuall ministery of the word and sacraments should haue an effectuall power and authority giuen vnto it euen such a power as is deriued from the grand commission of the Apostles and is in substance all one with theirs insomuch as they must so feede and gouerne the flocks and congregations committed vnto their care and charges as they may vphold and maintaine the same doctrine and sacraments of our Lord Iesus Christ deliuered at the first to the Apostles among them and seeing they must so order the persons and liues of the same their flocks and congregations as much as in them lyeth that they giue no publike offence nor bring any euill report and slander vpon the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ It is not as many thinke that the Minister of the word hath nothing else to doe but generally to deliuer his doctrine and then to leaue his people to themselues to doe as they thinke good without reproofe of their disobedience to that doctrine which hee in the name and authority of God hath taught vnto them For the word is giuen by diuine inspiration as well to improue errours of iudgement and to correct disorders of life as to teach the truth and to instruct in righteousnesse 2. Tim. chap. 3. verse 16. It is not a formall and outward worshippe onely which the Lord requireth but a worshippe to be performed in spirit and truth ioyned with the power of godlinesse of life And this will not be obtained without a powerfull ministery to the subduing of the diuell and the strange rebellion of our nature To this purpose though we cannot stand neither doth it belong vnto vs to determine all things belonging to this so great and weighty a matter yet thus much we may and ought to teach and affirme that of Ministers of the word and of people committed to their seuerall charges of what degree and condition soeuer they bee whether King or Kesar as they say noble or of meane degree neyther the one that is the Ministers of the Gospel through any ambition and pride doe eyther arrogate too much vnto themselues or of a seruile and base minde prostitute that authority which our Sauiour hath giuen them to the contempt and reproach of any whosoeuer nor that the other that is any of the congregation eyther of profanenesse doe esteeme too lightly of the ministerie of those whom
shall be worthy to be punished with Hell fire The word which the Euangelist vseth is Gehenna with some little difference or deflection from the hebrewe words Geh bhen-hinnom the valley of Ben-Hinnom So then we may say of Hel-fire of the torment it selfe as was saide of the place of the torment that God hath certainly prepared it of olde for the most miserable and perpetuall torment of all the wicked The last amplification of the punishment which our Sauiour will adiudge the wicked vnto is from an adiunct as we may call it namely because therein they that haue refused the communion of Christ and his Church shall haue their followship with the diuel and his Angels That is to say with the whole companie of all diuels or wicked and vncleane Spirits For so are these words of our Sauiour the diuel and his Angels to be vnderstood according to that Reuel 12.7 There was a battell in heauen Michael that is to say Christ and his Angels fought against the dragon that is the diuel and the dragon fought and his Angels that is to say al the rest of the diuels For so the holy Scriptures speak of them as being subiect after a sort to one principall Mat 12.24 But herein we must take heed that we be not ouer curious Onely these two points are worthy our consideration First that seeing this punishment of euerlasting fire shall be so great as it shall torment the diuels according to that Mat 8.29 and 2. Pet 2.4 c Iude verse 6. it must then needes bee of that force that it shall make the stoutest among men to tremble and quake vnder it Secondly that insomuch as in our iudgement whatsoeuer the wicked thinke it is a very vncomfortable estate to be yoked with Idolaters Blasphemers Traitours Murtherers and such like for miserable comforters are they all much more hideous shall it be for the wicked to haue their ioynt portion of torment with all the diuels of Hell whose temptations they haue followed in their wicked lusts and sinfull pleasures all their life time Hetherto of the latter part of the iudgement of our Sauiour against the wicked to wit of the words of the sentence it selfe NOw followeth the reason or rule and lawe of the same Question What are the wordes thereof Answer For saith our Sauiour I was an hungred and yee gaue me no meate I thirsted and yee gaue me no drinke I was a stranger and ye lodged me not I was naked and ye clothed me not sicke and in prison and ye visited me not Explication This reason or rule and lawe whereby the iudgement is ordered is to be vnderstood as containing in it a full and sufficient cause of the condemnation of the wicked For euen vnmercifulnes alone is of it selfe very damnable There shal be iudgment mercilesse to them that shewe no mercy saith Saint Iames. And yet we may well vnderstand as was touched before that it goeth not alone For any sinne will easily lodge in the heart of the vnmercifull man neithere shall any other sinnes of theirs bee neglected in this iudgement though this onely be expressed For as wee knowe and as it hath beene obserued before all angry and vnaduised words shall come into iudgement Mat 5.22 yea euery ydle and vaine word chap 12 36.37 Likewise all youthfull prankes Eccles 11.9 And chap 12. the last verse Euery secret thing shall come vnto iudgement Yea 2 Cor 5.10 All things are reckoned within the compasse of the last iudgement All failings in the duties of our-seuerall callings and all transgressions of the lawe of God whatsoeuer The reason why our Sauiour made choise of this sinne of vnmercifulnes for the conuiction of the wicked hath beene alreadie rendered when wee spake of the contrary vertue of the godly in the other part of the iudgement That also which was alledged before to the praise of the godly for their fruites of mercie through the gratious acceptation of our Sauiour it serueth here in his iustice to shew the indignitie of the vnmercifulnes of the wicked insomuch as he taketh himselfe to be neglected when as any needfull or afflicted Christian is not relieued Question But what Shal al those be condemned that do not practise the duties of mercy here expressed Answer The reasō of this latter part of the iudgemēt is onely against such as hauing this worlds good doe shut vp their compassiō close vp their hands from their distressed brethren Explicatiō proofe It is so in deede the reason of our Sauiour is so to be vnderstoode For it is euident and cleare that euen of those that are needie and distressed themselues our Sauiour hath his blessed number though they be such as be so farre from relieuing other that they cannot succour themselues And besides sometimes euen those that gladly would relieue those Christians that are shut vp in prison cannot be permitted to haue accesse vnto them or to send that succour which they desire they might Some also are so vnapt to comfort those that be in distresse either in prison or in grieuous sicknes c. that they should in visiting of them more discomfort then comfort them much like vnto those to whom the Apostle said what doe ye weeping and breaking my heart Act 21 13. Neuertheles this we may be bold to say that none of those doe belong to the kingdome of heauen but shall be condemned by this sentence of our Sauiour whosoeuer haue not an vnfeined willingnes and desire according to their abilitie and according to that iust occasion which God giueth vnto them to feede the hungry to cloth the naked c. Or if they cannot themselues haue no care to stirre vp and perswade others therevnto that are able Or if being able for wealth and though vnfit in some other respect as was mentioned euen now if they should not send their good will and the fruite thereof by others that are meet to be imploied in such cases Or if not able to doe any thing else they should not be careful to pray for me afflicted as the church did for Peter when none might come at him but his armed enemies and keepers Act 12.5 Such as should thus farre faile in mercy should shewe plainely that they haue no true loue to Christ according to this his sentence here nor any truth of religion in them as we may perceiue by that which the Apostle Iames saith chap 1 27. Pure religion and vndefiled euen before God the Father is this to visit the fatherles and widowes in their aduersitie and to keepe himselfe vnspotted of the world Here therefore as wee see is most vrgent and necessarie cause offered that euery one should suffer themselues to be earnestly admonished yea that euerie one should most seriously admonish warne themselues to take heede euen vnder paine of damnation how he doe neglect to practise the duties of mercy and namely those cōmon familiar duties which our Sauiour doth by
vs not spare to iudge our selues to the ende we may preuent this iudgement of the Lord according to the instruction and admonition of the Apostle Paul 1. Cor 11.31 For as he saith if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged And yet againe he addeth further that when wee are iudged we are chastened of the Lord because wee should not be condemned with the world God giue vs grace that wee with the rest of the faithfull may make this blessed vse of all our afflictions yea grant it Lord wee most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christ sake Amen Thus farre of the doctrine of our beliefe in the second Person of the Dietie or Godhead which is God the Sonne The ende of the second Booke THE DOCTRINE OF THE GOSPEL THIRD BOOKE VVHICH IS A PROCEEDING IN AN ORDERLY HANDELING OF THE SEVErall Articles thereof and namely concerning our Christian beliefe in God the holy Ghost the third Person of the most holy glorious and vndiuided Trinitie one onely true and eternall God to be blessed and praised for euer WHEREVNTO IS ANNEXED A LIKE HANdeling of the Articles of our beliefe concerning the Church of God and those excellent prerogatiues which God through Christ hath bestowed vpon it 1. Ep of Iohn 5 7. The holy Ghost is one with the Father and the Sonne And Gospel 14.26 The Comforter which is the holy Ghost saith the Sonne whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance which I haue told you And ch 16.13 He is the Spirit of truth and leadeth into all truth Matth 12 31 32. Whosoeuer shall blaspheme the holy Ghost it shal not be forgiuen him neither in this world nor in the world to come T C VERITAS 〈◊〉 VVLNERA LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede 1606. THE CONTENTS OF THIS THIRD Booke briefly set downe in the Table following Beliefe in God the holy Ghost the third Person of the most holy glorious and vndiuided Trinitie THe Ground of this Article pag. 1 2 3 4. The sense and meaning of it pag. 5. 6 7 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14. The Promise of our sanctication by the holy Ghost pag. 15. The Comforts of Beliefe in the holy Ghost pag. 16. 17. 18. The Duties to be performed of vs to him in respect of the same yea simply in respect of himselfe in that he is God pag. 19. 20. The Danger of not beleeuing in God the holy Ghost pag. 21. 22. Beliefe that God hath a holy Catholike Church The Ground and warrant together with the sense and meaning according to the same ground pag. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30. 31. The Promise which God hath made to call and gather vnto himselfe a holy catholike Church pag. 32. The Comforts arising from the same pag. 33 34 35 36. The Duties of euery true member of the holy catholike Church pag. 37 â—8 39. The Danger of not beleeuing that God hath a holy catholike Church pag 40. 41. Beliefe that in the holy catholike Church there is a Communion of Saints The Ground and warrant of it and therewithal the sense and meaning agreeable to the same ground pag. 42. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49. The Promise which God hath made that there should be a Communion of Saints in his holy catholike Church pag. 50. 51. The Comforts in respect of this holy Communion pag. 51 52 53. The Duties of euery member of the church in respect of the same pag. 53 54 55 56. The Danger of not beleeuing yea and of not practising the duties belonging to this holy Communion pag. 57 58. Beliefe that to euery true member of the holy catholike Church belongeth forgiuenes of sinnes The Ground and warrant of it pag. 59. 60. The sense and meaning of it pag. 61. The Promise which God hath made to forgiue the sinnes of euery true member of his Church pag. 61. The Comforts arising from this Promise pag. 62 63. The Duties belonging to God in respect of the same Comforts pag. 63 64 65. The Danger of not beleeuing this Article pag. 66 67. Beliefe that to euery true member of the holy catholike Church of God belongeth the blessed immortalitie of the soule The Ground and warrant of it pag. 68. 69 70. The sense and meaning of it pag. 71. 72. The Promise of God touching the same pag. 72. The Comforts arising from thence pag. 73. The Duties to be performed to God in regard thereof pag. 74. 75. The Danger of not beleeuing the blessed immortalitie of the souâ—e pag. 76. 77. Beliefe that to euery true member of the holy catholike Church of God belongeth the glorious resurrection of the body The Ground of this Article pag. 78. c to 96. The sense and meaning according to the same ground pag. 96. 97. The Promise of God that the bodies of all and euery true member of his Church shall rise againe in glory pag. 97. The Comforts arising to our soules from this Article of our beliefe touching the glorious resurrection of our bodies pag. 98. 99. The Duties to be performed of vs to our God and Father through Iesus Christ both in our bodies and also in our soules so long as wee liue here in this world in respect of the same both gratious Promise and Comforts pag. 99 100. 101. The Danger of not beleeuing this Article pag. 102. Beliefe that to euery true member of the holy catholike Church of God belongeth the inheritance of euerlasting life both in body and soule The Ground of this Article pag. 103 104. The sense and meaning pag. 104. 105. The Promise of God that the inheritance of this euerlasting life both of body and soule vnited together doth belong to euery true member of his holy Catholike Church pag. 106. 107. The Comforts arising frrom this most gracious Promise to euery beleeuing soule pag. 107 108. 109. The Duties to be performed of vs to God in this life vnder the certaine hope of his performance thereof vnto vs in his due time pag. 110. 111. 112. 113. The Danger of not beleeuing this Article pag. 114. 115. The Conclusion of the Doctrine of the Gospel concerning the Articles of our Christian beliefe The Ground of our Christian faith or Beliefe in a general consideration pag. 115. 116. The Promise in generall pag. 116. 117. The Comfort generally considered pag. 117. 118. The Dutie likewise in generall pag. 118 119. The Danger of vnbeliefe and of disobedience to the doctrine of the Gospel in a like generall consideration pag. 119. 120. A generall description of the true iustifying faith in respect of all the Articles of our beliefe pag. 121. 122. These are the Contents of this third booke THE DOCTRINE OF THE GOSPEL III. Booke Beliefe in God the holy Ghost Question NOw what followeth in the Articles of our beliefe Answer I beleeue in God the holy Ghost ExplicatioÌ„ In these wordes wee make profession of our faith in the third Person of
the sin against the holy Ghost so properly called is made vnpardonable before God and the person guiltie thereof if God doe discouer it not to be prayed for of any because such a one doth not sinne of ignorance nor of weakenes of iudgement in some one point or other but of malice in a generall contempt of the truth yea euen of the Spirit of truth himselfe the most gratious Teacher thereof Heb. 6.4 c. And ch 10.28 c And 1. Iohn 5.16.17 Wherefore beloued in the Lord we see that in euery most weighty respect we haue the greatest cause that may be why we are with all holy religious and constant reuerence to beleeue and obey the holy Ghost as being one true and euerlasting God to bee blessed and adored for euer together with the Father and the Sonne And on the contrarie wee cannot but see that we ought to take heede most carefully that wee doe not at any time any manner of way blaspheme the holy Ghost or giue any occasion that he should be blasphemed or spoken euill of either directly or indirectly by scoffing at any because they are of the spirit or hote of the spirit c. All such iesting and all irreuerence is exceeding dangerous and therefore let vs all very heedefully not onely auoid the same but also thinke and speake alwaies most reuerendly of this so high and glorious a Maiestie And as for all such heretikes as feare not to affirme that the holy Ghost is not God but a creature or a name only of diuine vertue and operation c let vs vtterly abhorre all such their blasphemous heresies In which respect to the end we might haue before our eyes some graue admonition I haue thought it to good purpose and so I trust will euery godly Reader to set downe that which the good Minister of Gods word Bastingius hath written in his Commentaries vpoÌ„ the Palsgraues Catechisme to the same purpose The doctrine concerning the Deitie of the holy Ghost saith this godly learned Minister hath had foure principall Aduersaries First those that haue and doe contend that the holy Ghost is nothing else then an internal operation motion or action whereby God worketh effectually in the hearts of the elect Energeia but not to be any substance much lesse a Person as Samosatenus Seruetus and their schollers who are all refuted very manifestlie by this that those things are attributed to the holy Ghost in the scriptures which doe agree to none saue onely to God and consequently to a Person truly subsisting and therefore also to a true substantiall Beeing Secondly this doctrine hath had Macedonius an aduersary against it who taught indeede that the holy Ghost is a substance and a true Person but yet created which also was the error of Arius wherevnto the Oecumenical Council held vnder Theodosius the Great opposed it selfe and gaue it his deadly wound The words whereof are these If it be created how doth it create how then doth it sanctifie how doth it quicken how doth it distribute graces how is it God how doeth it search the deepe thinges of God how is he the Comforter how hath he his ioynt place with the Father and the Sonne Of which Macedonius Iohn Cassianus Chrysostomes scholler writeth after this manner in his first booke of the incarnation of the Lord Macedonius also saith he vttered his blasphemie against the holy Ghost with an incurâ—ble impietie in that although he said that the Father and the Sonne are of the same substance yet he calling the holy Ghost a creature was guilty of blasphemie against the whole Deitie insomuch as nothing can be iniured in the Trinitie without iniurie done against the whole Trinitie Now adde vnto these in the third place the Tritheites who confessed indeeded that the holy Ghost is a Person yea and that he is God but yet another God beside the Father and the Sonne albeit in truth the holy Ghost is so of the same substance or co-essential with the Father and the Sonne Homoousios that they be not sundry Gods but one onely Iehouah The fourth error was the error of Sabellius who stucke not to say that the holy Ghost was a diuine Person eternall and vncreated but not a distinct Person with the Father and the Sonne the which how repugnant it is to the scriptures we haue likewise declared before And thus truly haue they waged battell against the Person of the holy Ghost Now as touching his office and the efficacie thereof these following did not well vnderstand what it is First they which do thinke that the elect may altogether loose or fall away from their faith though it be sealed vp in them by that holy spirit of promise But the truth is that the Spirit of sanctification is neuer vtterly taken away Energeia from such as are truly regenerated and borne againe Onely the effectuall working of it may be interrupted for a time while the contrarie lusts doe beare the sway like as drunkennesse doth not altogether bereaue men of their wit Beliefe that God hath a holy catholike Church but onely taketh away the vse of it for a while The ground and meaning of the Article And furthermore the Romish Teachers doe likewise erre in that they require that men should alwaies stand in doubt of the fauour of God seeing the holy Ghost is therefore called the spirit of adoption because he beareth witnesse of that free good will wherewith the Father embraceth vs in the Sonne and teacheth vs also to cry Abba Father Thus much out of Ierimias Bastingius a faithfull Minister of the word of God And thus for the time of this our present inquirie an end of the doctrine of this Article and therewithall of the whole doctrine of the most blessed and glorious Trinitie and so also an end of the first part of the most generall diuision of the Articles of our beliefe Now the same most blessed and glorious Trinitie of distinct Persons our one onely true and euerlasting God most wise most holy and most gratious blesse it for euer vnto vs. The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs all Amen Beliefe that God hath a holy Catholike Church Question Answer ExplicatioÌ„ proofe WHat followeth in the Articles of our beliefe The holy catholike Church Here beginneth the second part of the Articles of our christian beliefe shewing euery Christian what hee ought to beleeue concerning the people of God called his Church All which is nothing else but the effect of that which is contained in the former part which as we haue alreadie seene teacheth how we ought to beleeue in God who is the only Author Caller Redeemer Iustifier Sanctifier and Glorifier of his Church And verily it cannot be that God the Father should giue his Sonne to take mans nature and in the same to die for man in vaine according to that Gal.
2.21 Neither can it be that both the Father and the Sonne should send the holy Ghost to his Church and into the hearts of his people but to very notable effect and to the most singular good ends and purposes that might be Seeing our Sauiour Christ is ordeined of God to be a King he must of necessitie haue a kingdome and subiects therein whom he may most gratiously protect and gouerne Seeing he is the great Pastor of the sheepe it cannot be that hee should be without his fold and flocke Seeing he is a spirituall and mysticall head he must haue his members to make vp the same his mysticall bodie In which respect the Church is called the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things c. Ephes 1.23 Seeing he is the foundatioÌ„ who shal let that the building should not be laid and reared vp to the full perfecting thereof Ephes 2.20 c. and 1. Pet. 2.4 c. For God is not like the vnwise builder who layeth a foundation and is not able to performe it so that any should haue occasion to reproach him as we read of that vnaduised builder Luke 14.28 29 30. But he goeth forward with the worke to the admiration of all the beholders whosoeuer haue eyes to discerne the spirituall beautie of the same Psal 11â— â—2 23. Isai 54 â— c. And verses 11 12 13 c. Finally seeing our Sauiour is a most fruitfull and liuing vine it cannot be but that both branches fruit must needes spring forth and spread themselues aboundantly from him Iohn 15.1 c. This most notable and fruitfull effect of the most holy and blessed Trinitie God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost is as was said euen now set forth in this latter part of the Articles of our christian faith The which fruit that wee may gather rightly and lay vp in such sort as it may be a remaining fruit vnto vs for euer we must first of all according to the change of the argument diligently obserue the change of the phrase of speech henceforth vsed For we doe not professe that we beleeue in the holy Catholike Church as we doe in God both Father Sonne and holy Ghost but thus I beleeue the holy Catholike Church c. That is to say I beleeue that God hath a holy Catholike Church wherein there is a communion of saints and to the which belongeth most notable priuiledges of Gods rich fauour and grace both for the comfort of euery true member of the same holy Catholike Church here in this life and also for the euerlasting happinesse of them in the world to come This change of phrase is necessary to be diligently obserued of vs as was said because of the differing nature of the obiect where about faith is imploied For where as God is to be beleeued in simply without all exception the Church of God is not to be credited simply and for it selfe but vnder the credite and authority of the word of God so farre forth onely as it shall shew it selfe a faithfull instrumentall pillar and vpholder of that truth of the worde which God hath betrusted it withall according to that 1. Tim. 3.15 To the which end also the order is worthy like diligent regard in that God most worthily hath the first place and accordingly is chiefly to be respected and then the Church with such limits as he hath set Contrarie to the practise of the Antichristian Church which hath chiefe care for the aduancement of it selfe and the owne traditions and inuentions how contrary so euer to the word of God and little or no care for the glory of God And therefore can haue little or no true faith at all according to the definitiue sentence of our Lord Iesus Christ the onely author and finisher of the right christian faith Iohn 5.44 How can ye beleeue saith he who receiue honour one of another and doe not seeke the honour that commeth of God alone These things obserued more generally concerning this latter part of our beliefe let vs come to inquire of the particular Articles in the same order wherein we haue inquired of the former Question And first touching the holy Catholike Church what ground of holy scripture haue you that God hath such a Church as you speake of Answer The words of the Apostle Paul which follow in the 12. chapter of his first Epistle to the Corinthians verses 12. and 13 may well bee alledged to this purpose ExplicatioÌ„ They may be so in very deede And the rather also may wee make speciall choise of them because they doe immediately follow those words which were alledged before for a ground of the former Article concerning our beliefe in God the holy Ghost And further also because that which followeth in this same chapter from the very next verse will serue very fitly to open vnto vs the next Article of our faith which is concerning the communion of Saints as we shall see when we shall by Gods grace come vnto it In the meane season coÌ„cerning our present occasion rehearse you the words of the Apostle contained in the 12 13 verses mentioned by you for proofe of this that God hath his holy Catholike Church Question Which are those his words Answer 12 As the bodie is one saith the Apostle and hath many members and all the members of that one bodie being many make but one bodie euen so is Christ 13 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Grecians whether bonde or free and haue beene all made to drinke into one Spirit Explication From the interpretation of this text in the sermon which was made vpon it ye may remeÌ„ber such I meane as were the hearers of it that diuers things were obserued which make much for the opening of this Article of the holy Catholike Church The which things I will now by the grace of God repeate againe as briefly as I can and so proceede to those other questions and answers which serue for the more full laying open of this matter And first of all as we were before aduised let vs call to minde and consider that according as in the former part of the chapter albeit the Apostle writing to the Corinthians sheweth them particularly from whom they had receiued all their spirituall gifts and graces doth neuerthelesse there withall deliuer a generall doctrine concerning the author and distributer of all good gifts graces to all whosoeuer haue any portion of them So in these wordes though he doth speak by a particular intendement to informe the same Corinthians of their owne particular estate and condition in that they for their parts were a Church of Christ as well as any other Citie professing faith in his name like as euery part of the Sea is called by the name of the Sea c yet the doctrine containeth a generall direction or ground from the which we may discerne what is or
is no saluation it is the dutie of euerie one that belongeth to God to forsake himselfe and all wicked assemblies and to ioyne himselfe vnto it by imbracing the same faith and liuing in obedience to the same word and Gospel of God our Sauiour Christ with a godly care of preseruing the holy vnitie and peace thereof And to this ende it is furthermore the dutie of euery true member of the Church to associate and ioyne himselfe to some particular Church or congregation of the people of God and therein to continue and abide It is likewise the dutie of all particular and visible Churches as well as of the whole Church generally faithfully to imbrace testifie and vphold the truth of God committed to the custodie of it Finally wee doe all stand bound alwaies to inlarge our hearts to blesse and praise the Lord for the largenes of his mercie thus vniuersally extended to all estates and degrees of people in euery nation and that also to euery generation since the beginning of the world but specially in these our dayes and since the time of the more full reuelation of the Gospel ExplicatioÌ„ proofe All these duties doe belong to this comfort by very good right and with good warrant from the word of God and as the matter speaketh very plainly to euery reasonable man euen of it selfe But let vs see something for the better confirmation of them vnto vs. And first touching the first branch of the answer we may well take one speciall proofe from the wordes of our Sauiour who is the onely head of this one Church Mat 16.24 If any man will followe me let him forsake himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me Likewise Luk 9 23. Here is a plaine proofe that we must forsake our selues And herewithall very fitly are wee admonished that seeing we are to ioyne our selues to the militant Church here on earth that therefore also we must purposedly dispose of our selues to beare our part in the coÌ„mon afflictions thereof In which respect as likewise to shewe that we must forsake the societie of Idolaters and profane persons the example of Moses is very notable Heb 11.24 25.26 Read also Psal 26 v. 4.5 But we haue an expresse commandement confirmed by many holy reasons and perswasions 2. Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18. Be not vnequally yoked with infidels c saith the Apostle come out from among them and seperate your selues saith the Lord himselfe Read also Reuel 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 And ch 18 4 5 6 7 8. The reason is for that no vncleane thing nor whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lyes shal enter into the kingdome of heauen but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life cha 21.27 Verily as there was no saluation in the dayes of Noah out of the Arke so is there at no time any saluation to those that are out of the Church of God Wherefore touching the second branch of the answer that it is our dutie to ioine our selues to the Church in the outward societie of it that is in the exercises of the true worship of God for the confirmation of faith c. it is that which our Sauiour Christ directeth his spouse to doe she being desirous to be guided by him Song of Songs ch 1. v. 6 7. And it may wel be hence obserued in that it is said The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued Read also Heb 10 25 ver 29. where the Apostle sheweth that there is danger of perdition to euery one that shall withdrawe himselfe after that hee hath once entered this holy fellowship For the third dutie of the whole Church and of all particular assemblies or congregations which is that they ought to be faithfvll vpholders and keepers and as it were pillars of the truth of God read Deut 31.9.10 11.12.13 The law was committed io the custodie of the Priests the Sonnes of Leui for the common benefite of the people of Israel that they might by theÌ„ heare learne feare the Lord God keepe obserue all the words of his lawe And in this very respect the Church of God is called the pillar and ground of truth 1. Tim 3 15. as we haue seene before And now that according to the last branch wee ought alwaies most instantly praise the Lord for the largenes of his grace mercy toward the infinite thousands of the lost posteritie of Adam the heauenly vision of Iohn may teach vs Reuel ch 5 v. 8.9.10 c. Whervnto also let vs ad this that much lesse ought we to repine or grudge at the receiuing of any the poorest or most sinfull to mercie but contrariwise to be so much the more yea more and more thankfull by how much God doth more plentifully magnifie the riches of his free mercie not onely toward our selues but also toward euery other and therefore to embrace them as brethren and to reioyce in them and for them to the great praise of our most gracious and mercifull God Such are the duties arising from the comfort of faith in regard of the vniuersalitie of the catholike church of God It followeth that we inquire into the duties of euery one in respect of the holiâ—es of it Question Which ought they to be Answer It is the dutie of euery member or particular person in the Church of God first to apprehend by faith the perfect holines of our Sauiour Christ who alone is the onely full fountaine thereof Secondly to seeke to be partakers of some portion of the ouer-flowings of this fulnes And thirdly to seeke to further and increase holines both in our selues and also in as many other as possibly we may ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe Seeing God hath made our Sauiour to be perfect sanctification and holines vnto vs 1. Cor 1 30. Colos 1 22 it were extreme folie not to lay hold on him most gratefully in this behalfe Yea and if we shuld not as it were open our mouthes wide to receiue of his fulnes a meet portion of his aboundant grace answerable to that Ioh. 1 15.16 And ch 7 ver 37.38.39 Read also ch 13.8.9 If I wash thee not saith our Sauiour to Peter thou shalt haue no part with me And the same is affirmed generally Heb 12.14 Without holines shall no man see the Lord. And 2. Cor 5.17 If any man be in Christ let him be a newe creature Olde things are passed away behold all things are become newe And besides how vnseemely yea how absurd a thing were it that any polluted and defiled member should be ioined to a most pure head and to the rest of the beautifull members thereof This must needes be a dishonour and an vtter disgracing to the whole body It were as if a man should goe about to make the glorious church of our Sauiour Christ like to that deformed image which Nebuchadnezzar sawe in his dreame the which hauing the head of
gold had feet of yron and dirtie clay And would not the wicked I pray you take occasion from hence to speake euill of the name of God and of our Sauiour Christ specially if such as haue the places of eies or hands in this body shuld be blind or lame c. Verily that which the Apostle Paule noteth to be a deformitie in doctrine namely that any should lay hay or stubble vpon the precious foundation Christ Iesus 1. Cor 3 11 12. c. the like deformitie must it breed if any person should be laide vpon this spirituall foundation which is not a liuing stone I meane such a one as is not quickened to the care of a godly and holy life Neither could there be any peace to the conscience of any such profane person but he must needs be alwaies in feare of the iust indignation and displeasure of God This doubtles were now vnto vs whom God hath chosen to be the Temple of his Spirit no lesse sinne then it was vnto the Iewes to profane the materiall Temple of Ierusalem when they made it a denne of theeues a cageful of vncleane birds And therefore we might iustly looke for the like punishment of reiectiō casting off which fell vpon thē if we should be foūd in the like sin Let vs therfore according to the third dutie be so far from al vnseemely continuance in our profannes that we labour earnestly after all increase of true holines both in our selues and in others according to the exhortation of the holy Apostle 2. Cor 7 1. And Reuel 22 verse 11. Hee that is holy let him be holy still yea with increase of holines as the Angels meaning is But of this dutie of furthering holines belonging to euery Christian concerning his brother it shal further appear what belongeth vnto vs in the next Article concerning the Communion of Saints Touching our present Article the duties belonging to the comfort of Gods eternall election of his Church are yet behind Question Which are they Answer First and principally considering that the free grace of God cleane contrarie to the desert of our sinne is the onely cause and fountaine of our remssion iustification and saluation it is our bounden dutie to be most heartily thankefull to God in this respect aboue all other both for our selues and for all the rest of Gods elect and also to abandon all opinion of any worthines and merit of our own or of any other saue of our sauiour alone Secondly we considering that God hath chosen vs of free grace and iustly refused other to the declaration of his iustice in punishing their sinne this ought to cause vs in reioycing to feare and tremble before the Maiestie of God and to keepe our hearts farre from all proud and vaine boasting against others Thirdly insomuch as the election of God is a most deepe and hidden secrete in the counsell of God considered in it selfe it is our parts to be the more diligent in seeking to knowe it from the effects of Gods Spirit within vs and in the fruites of sanctification following vpon the same in the outward actions of our liues Finally the assurance of our election ought to worke contentment in our hearts against all wantes or afflictions whatsoeuer beside waiting with patience for our eternall happines and saluation Explicatiō proofe Touching that most bounden and earnest thankefulnes which we owe vnto God both for the free election of our selues and others to saluation the example of the elect Apostle Saint Paule may be an excellent instruction vnto vs what we and all other are to doe in this respect Ephes 1 verses 3 4 5 6. Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. who hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world c. And 1 Thes 3 8 9 We are aliue of yee standfast in the Lord. For what thankes can we recompence to God againe for you c. And 2. Ep 2 13. But we ought alwaies to giue thankes to God for you brethren beloued of the Lord because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth And that this holy election of God is freely of grace the same Apostle teacheth plainly Rom 11.5.6 It is of grace saith he Whence he reasoneth thus And if it be of grace then it is no more of workes c. Secondly that we ought to walke in feare and reuerence considering the iust reprobation of others no worse by nature then we our selues are we are admonished in the 20. verse of the same chap. Be not high minded but feare And he rendereth a reason of the admonitiō in the verse following For saith the Apostle if God spared not the naturall branches that is the Iewes take heede lest hee also spare not thee And Philip. 2 12. Make an end of your saluation with feare and trembling he speaketh of a reuerend childlike feare of God For saith he further it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed euen of his good pleasure Doe all things without murmuring reasonings c. As though he shuld say if ye turne aside from an humble course of life from a godly disposition of your hearts before God ye may iustly feare your own good estate with a troublesome and doubtfull feare c. Thirdly that we are to seeke for the assurance of our election from the workings of Gods holy Spirit in vs and from the fruits of a godly life Read 2 Pet. 1 5. c. 10 as was obserued alledged before in the Comforts Read also Eph. 1 4. God hath chosen vs in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy without blame before him in loue And Col 3 12. Now therefore as the elect of God holy and beloued put on tender mercy kindnes humblenes of mind long suffering forbearing one another and forgiuing one another c. And now last of all that the assurance of our election to saluation should be a sufficient comfort against al discontentments or discomfort whatsoeuer waiting with patience for the fulfilling of the good pleasure of God in this behalfe The Apostle Paule is a notable example who suffered all things gladly for the elects sake that they might also obtaine the saluation which is in Christ Iesus with eternall glory 2 Tim 2 10. And therefore also ought we to suffer all things willingly in thankfulnes to God for the election it selfe The greatest afflictiōs of this life are but momentanie but the glory wherevnto they prepare and lead vs is most excellent and eternally weightie 2. Cor 4.17 Thus much concerning the duties which ought to attend vpon the comfort of this Article NOw therefore that we may conclude the whole doctrine of it Question What is the danger of not beleeuing that God hath a holy catholike Church and of not regarding to ioyne with it in
appropriation of it to the Church of Rome though as we willingly confesse it was then for a long time one of the true particular Churches of Christ neither arrogated this title of catholike Church to it selfe Thus therefore the Popish doctrine concerning this Article is in all these points to be auoided of vs as erroneous and hereticall against the true meaning of it Yea their exposition of the word Beliefe as it is referred by them to the Church as though the meaning should be this that Christians doe thereby professe that they giue religious credit to all that their Church teacheth without any further examination and triall by the holy Scriptures it is vtterly a false interpretation of it Likewise the doctrine and practise of the Donatistes or of any other who contend that the Church must be perfectly holy here in this world and therefore do seperate themselues from Christian assemblies if so be all things be not reformed according to their mind and condemne them as if they were no true Churches this both their doctrine and also their practise are carefully to be auoided of vs as contrarie to the true faith of this Article seeing God hath described his Church in this life whether generally in the whole or in particular congregations to be a mixed company of true Christians with hipocrites as teares among wheate as good fish with bad c. Math. 13. On the contrarie they are to be auoided and condemned as going against the true beliefe of this Article who because the saluation of the Church and of euery member thereof is certaine therefore will haue no care of a godly life Such as were the heretikes called Prodestinatâ— and many Libertines euen to this day Beliefe that in the holy catholike Church of God there is a communioÌ„ of Saints Finally no person voide of the care of a godly and holy life The grouÌ„d and meaning of the article is to be accounted a member of the true Church of God which is alwaies in some measure holy in euery member of it euen here in this world Neuerthelesse wee may not peremptorily exclude any prophane person from the holy election of God because of his present prophanenes but vsing the meanes we are to hope still with patience that many such may in due time be conuerted to God and so declared to be of the number of those whom hee hath appointed to eternall life though for a long time they lay hidden from our knowledge in this respect Beliefe that in the holy catholike Church of God there is a communion of Saints Question Answer Explication and proofe LEt vs now come to the next Article of our beliefe What is that It followeth thus The communion of Saints The words I beleeue are here to be vnderstood againe as in the former Article and so they are in the rest of the articles following this as though they were expressed thus I beleeue the communion of Saints that is to say I beleeue that in the holy catholike Church of God there is a communion of Saints and that to them belongeth the forgiuenes of sinnes c as we shall further consider hereafter Question For the present Article what ground of holy Scripture haue you to warrant vs that we are to beleeue it Answer Euen that which followeth in the former text of the Apostle Paul from the 14. verse of that 12. chapter of his first Ep. to the Corinthians vnto the end of the chapter Explication This may well be the ground and warrant of it in deede yea and so forth also throughout the next chapter and in the 16. ch of the same Epistle verses 1. â— c. But because it might seeme ouer long to goe through so long a text of Scripture let vs stay our selues for the ground of â—â—ns Arâ— cle vpon that which remaineth of the 12. chapter Question Which are the words of the Apostle as you reade them there Answer 14 Thus it followeth For the body also saith S. Paul is not one member but many 15. Iâ— the foote would say because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body 16 And if the eare would say because I am not the eye I am not of the body is it therfore not of the body 17. If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were hearing where were the smelling 18. But now hath God disposed the members euery one of them in the body at his owne pleasure 19. For if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now there are many members yet but one body 21. And the eye cannot say to the hand I haue no neede of thee nor the head againe to the feete I haue no neede of you 22. Yea much rather those members of the body which seeme to be more feeble are necessarie 23. And vpon those members of the body which wee thinke most vnhonest or more base we put more honestie or as we may reade it more honour thereon and our vncomely parts haue more comelines on Atimotera Timen perissoteran 24. For our comely parts need it not but God hath tempered the body together and hath giuen the more honour to that part which lacketh 25. Lest there should be any diuision in the body but that the members should haue the same care one for another 26. Therefore if one member suffer all suffer with it if one member be had in honour all the members reioyce with it 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in part Touching this text before we come to the rehearsall of the doctrine deliuered in the Sermon made vpon it let vs obserue that it falleth out very well and commodiously for vs that according to the diuine wisedome of the holie Ghost by whose direction the Apostle wrote these Articles of our faith which are of so neare affinitie ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe are so nearely and successiuely conioined and knit together in one and the same chapter For the doctrine of he holy Ghost sheweth the immediate Caller and Sanctifier both of the Church and also of the communion of Saints Againe the doctrine of the Church is as wee may say the rule of the communion of Saints And the doctrine of the communion of Saints is a further explication vnfolding of the true nature of the Church it being here coÌ„sidered more particularly in the distinct meÌ„bers of it Now therefore in the former text I meane in the 12. and 13. verses of this chapter the Apostle as we haue alreadie seene hath shewed that the Church though it hath many members is yet but one body and so hath a holy and mysticall or spirituall vnion with our Sauiour Christ the head of it In our present text the same our Apostle declareth further that though it be one onely yet it hath many membâ—rs and that the diuerse members haue diuerse faculties and accordingly diuerse
offices and functions Yet so as all tend to the common conseruation and benefit of the whole as it is in the diuerse members of the naturall body And thus in a mysticall and spirituall vnion with our Sauiour Christ by the Spirit through faith the Church hath also a holy communion or as wee may say a communitie or common vnitie as touching the seuerall parts or particular members thereof among themselues This is briefly the summe and scope of all The which that we may the more fully conceiue we are to vnderstand that the communion of Saints is of two sorts as also their vnion is For first all they to whom this name of Saints rightly agreeth that is to say all the true members of the Church called iustified and sanctified in our Lord Iesus Christ they haue by the mediation of the same our Lord Iesus their vnion with God the Father and the holy Ghost and they haue also their vnion among themselues as our Sauiour prayeth Iohn 17.11 Holy Father keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are And againe verse 20. c. I pray not for these alone saith our blessed Sauiour but for them also which shall beleeue in me through their word That is through the word of God which my disciples shall preach That they all may be one as thou O Father art in me and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs that the world may beleeue that thou hast sent me And the glory that thou gauest me I haue giuen them that they may be one as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfit in one And 1. Cor. 6.17 He that is ioined to the Lord is one Spirit And as they haue their vnion thus with God and also among themselues so haue they likewise both their coÌ„munion with God the Father by the means of our Sauiour Christ his Sonne and through the holy Ghost and also by the same Spirit their communion fellowship among themselues As 1. Cor. 1 9. God is faithfull by whom ye are called vnto the fellowship of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord And 2. Ep. ch 13. ver 13. The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with ye all Amen And 1. Iohn 1. verses 3.4 â— 6.7 That which we haue seene and heard declare we vnto you that ye may also haue fellowship with vs and that our fellowship also may be with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ c. And Ephe. ch 4.3.4.5.6 Endeuouring to keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace There is one body and one Spirit euen as ye are called in one hope of your vocation There is one Lord one faith one baptisme one God Father of all who is aboue all and through all and in ye all Read also verses 11.12 c. He therfore gaue some to be Apostles c. For the gathering together of the Saints c. Till we all meete together in the vnitie of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God to a perfit man c. Whence it followeth that neither can the body of the Church liue without our Sauiour Christ the head thereof neither yet any member of it being seuered from the rest of the body This both vnion and communion with our Sauiour Christ and among our selues it is not by any commixtion of substances or confusion of qualities but by faith apprehending Christ and by loue working among our seluâ—s And either of these by the vnsearchable operation and bond of the Spirit incorporating vs into Christ maketh vs of one heart minde and spirit in a sweete consent both with our Sauiour Christ 1. Cor. 6.17 and also among our selues Act. 4.32 and 1. Pet. 1.22 But let vs more distinctly inquire of the communion of Saints according to certaine branches seuerall degrees for the more cleare opening of it And first insomuch as all our spirituall vnion and communion both with God also among our selues with all faithful Christians is grounded vpoÌ„ that vnion coÌ„munion which we haue with the only begotten Son of God our Lord Iesus Christ let vs consider what manner of communion that is What haue you learned concerning this point Question Answer I haue beene taught that our communion with our Sauiour Christ consisteth in these foure things First in our partaking of the merit of his sufferings and obedience to God for vs. Secondly in our partaking of Christ himselfe in either nature of his Person as being both God and man the head of his Church Thirdly in our partaking of the vertue and efficacie of the same his diuine Person and of all that he hath wrought and suffered for vs in the same Fourthly in our partaking of his dignity in that through his grace God hath adopted vs to be his children and made vs all Kings and Priests vnto himselfe Explication and proofe Touching the first of these points of our communion with our Sauiour Christ read Rom. 5.19 By the obedience of one many are made righteous And Ephes 1.7 We haue our redemption by him through his blood That is wee are by his death ransomed from that most miserable captiuity thraldome wherein wee were through sinne vnder the wrath of God and tyrannie of the Diuell This our partaking of the merit of our Sauiours death and obedience is the ground of the other points which follow touching his Person and the whole efficacie of his diuine grace and power working in vs and therefore wee doe reckon it in the first place Concerning the second point this we must alwaies remember that our partaking of either nature of the diuine Person of our Sauiour God man must be vnderstood according to the coÌ„municable properties of either nature For albeit the diuine nature is in vs though in deed not essentially according to the heresie of the Manichies but only by the energetical grace or effectuall operatioÌ„ of the holy Ghost in such sense as it is said 2. Pet. 1 4 that we are partakers of the diuine nature And 1. Cor. 1.30 that we are of God in Christ And 2. Ep. 5.17 that he that is in Christ is a new creature and Ephes 3.17 that Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith according also as hee hath promised to be with his seruants in the ministery of his word Gospel to the end of the world Math. 28.20 Yet to speake properly the humane nature is not so but onely in heauen and not otherwise with vs on earth then wee are with him in heauen he is by his holy Spirit with vs and in vs by spiritual presence and working and we by faith with him in him by spirituall apprehension and obedience vnto him Neuertheles by reason of the perpetuall most neare personall vnion of the humane nature of our Sauiour with the
most contrary to that holy and humble communion wherevnto we are called in Christ Iesus And that so much the rather because mans corrupt heart is too to easily puffed vp to take a swelling conceit of it selfe euen by that which ought in truth to cause it to be more humble carefull to serue God his Church seeing by how much any hath receiued more then other so much the more wil God require of him as our Sauiour admonisheth Luk. ch 12.48 But if any instead of this humble and studious care shoud turne aside to an ambitious lifting vp of himselfe aboue his brethren let vs consider well that other admonition of our Sauiour which we reade Iohn 5.44 namely that it is a hinderer of faith For How saith he can ye beleeue who receiue honour one of another and seeke not the honour which commeth of God alone And if it hindereth faith that it can haue no beginning no doubt it will hinder the proceeding of faith wheresoeuer it findeth entertainment after that faith is begunne Now The Promise that honour which commeth of God whereof our Sauiour speaketh is that which commeth by our humbling of our selues to doe seruice according to that which hee saith elsewhere Hee that will be the greatest let him be a seruant to all Alas then why should any be so foolish as to pride themselues in their gifts how great soeuer they be And much rather how vaine a thing is it for any after that fondnesse which is in many to fancy themselues to be so much the more worthy Christians before God not because they haue greater gifts of the mind but because they weare a better garment on their backes or dwell in a more faire house c. Whereas there is neither betternesse nor any goodnesse at all in these things to preferre vs before the greatest begger that goeth by the high way in the sight of God Nay contrariwise we are so much the worse by them by how much they make vs more prowd as the admonition of the Apostle Iames may let vs well vnderstand as we read chap. 2. verses 1 2 3 c. My brethren saith he haue not the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons For if there come into your company a man with a gold ring and in goodly apparell and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment And ye haue respect to him that weareth the gay clothing and say vnto him Sit thou here in a good place and ye say vnto the poore stand thou here or sit here vnder my footestoole Are ye not partiall in your selues and are become iudges of euill thoughts Thus earnest yea and much more then thus as it followeth is the Apostle in this point So that all things duly weighed we may iustly conclude that we are onely in truth so good or so much better then other ciuill respects only excepted by how much wee are more vile and base in our owne eyes and as we are therewithall more carefull to giue greater glory to God and to seeke more earnestly to further oâ—her in the way of the kingdome of God by esteeming and dealing louingly and honourably with the least of them This is the summe of the doctrine of this place as the Apostle Pauls owne application sheweth from the 27. verse to the end of this 12. chapter HAving thus the ground and meaning of this Article of the communion of Saintes let vs come to that which remaineth to be further considered of it Question And in the next place to the Promise I aske therefore What promise hath God made that there should be such a communion of Saints as you speake of in his holy Catholike Church Answer We may reade the gratious promise of it in the 16 chapter of Leuiticus the 11 and 12 verses compared with that which is written 2. Cor. 6.14 c. Rehearse these places Question How doe you finde them written Answer Leuiticus 26. the Lord saith thus by his faithfull seruant the Prophet Moses in the first of those places 11 I will set my Tabernacle among ye and my soule shall not loath ye 12 Also I will walke among yee and I will be your God and yee shall bee my people And in the other place thus writeth the Apostle Paul 2. Cor. 6. 14 Be yee not vnequally yoked for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse And what communion hath light with darknesse 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial Or what part hath the beleeuer with the infidell 16 And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idolls for ye are the Temple of the liuing God as God hath said I will dwell among them and walke there and I will be their God and they shall be my people 17 Wherefore come yee out from among them and separate your selues saith the Lord and touch no vncleane thing and I will receiue you 18 And I will be a Father vnto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord almightie Expli Here indeede we haue the Promise both of our communion with God in Christ and also of our communion among our selues as the Apostle Paul alledging the words of the Prophet Moses doth interpret and apply the same And to the same purpose also he alledgeth another place of holy Scripture out of the prophesie of Isaiah chap. 52.11 And also a third out of Ieremie chap. 31.1 To the which we might adde many other as Isa chap. 2. from the beginning of the chapter in these wordes It shall be in the last dates that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountaines c. And many people shall say Come and let vs goe vp to the mountaine of the Lord c. And chap. 11. from the 6. verse The woolfe also shall dwell with the lambe and the leopard shall lie with the kid c. Then shall none hurt nor destroy in all the mountaine of my holinesse for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters that couer the Sea And in that day the roote of Ishai which shall stand vp for a signe vnto the people the nations shall seeke vnto it and his rest shall be glorious Thus I say many other places might be added But these shall suffice considering that many which concerne the calling of the Gentiles and therewithall the vniting of them in one body with the Iewes haue beene already alledged in the former Article From whence we may the more easily call theÌ„ againe to mind And the Apostle Paul 1. Cor. chap. 1.9 celebrating the faithfulnesse of God in calling vs to the fellowship of his Sonne he hath therein no doubt a respect to the former promise NOw after the promise the vse of this Article is next to be remembred The Comforts Question And first for the Comfort of faith What may that be Answer The comfort hereof must
Philip. 1.7 and chap. 3.17.18 Heb. 10.32.33.34.35 and 1. Pet. 5.8 9.10 Finally 1. Iohn 3.16 Thus comfortable is our fellowship in sufferings Yea and so much the rather because as we suffer for Christ so also he taketh himselfe to suffer with vs after a sort As Act. 9.4 Rom. 8.17 Philip. 3.10 Colos 1.24 To conclude the Comforts and therewithall to make some passage to the duties Insomuch as they are so great both in life and death as hath beene declared O how great is their sinne whosoeuer without iust cause malitiously or prophanely for filthy lucres sake abuse the most graue censure of excommunication after the manner of the wicked Pharisies Iohn ch 9. verses 22.35 and chap. 16.2 to the cutting off of any from this holy communion as touching the outward societie of it For as touching that communion which the faithfull haue before God no creature can bereaue them of it Likewise who can tell how grieuous their sinne is in the sight of God who shall hinder the course of the preaching of the Gospel and of the administration of the Sacraments c from the hand ministerie of the least of the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel whereby this communion of Saints is not onely at the first begun but also is to be continually cherished and confirmed For assuredly as the setled course of the ministery worship coÌ„manded of God is the meanes of setling confirming and encreasing of faith all grace wherby the people of God enioy their blessed communion in Christ Iesus among themselues according to the doctrine of the 133. Psal Behold how good and how delightful a thing it is for brethren also to dwell together c. For there the Lord hath appointed blessing and life for euer so on the contrary the dissoluing of the ministerie is the decay of the people according to the holy Prouerb cha 29.18 Where there is no vision that is no prophecie or preaching there the people decay And therfore as was said who can tell how grieuous their sinne is who hinder the preaching of the Gospell and other the exercises of Gods holy seruice and worship Wherefore also let vs so much the more pretiously esteeme the wonderfull goodnes mercy of God in giuing vs the holy Ministerie of his word exercises of his diuine worship for the gathering together of his Saints vnto him and to make knowne vnto them the certainty of his most sweet comfortable loue toward them in Christ Iesus and consequently the certainty of their most blessed ioifull saluation by him For verily without this ministerie howsoeuer it may be that some for a time being destitute of it are neuerthelesse in the counsell of God appointed to saluation yet vntill they shall haue the knowledge of it and faith to beleeue it how can they haue any more comfort in it then a condemned person can haue in the pardon which his friend hath obtained for him at the Kings hands vntill he shall be certified of it For vnto that time he is still in continuall expectation and feare of death THus much concerning the Comforts of the communion of Saints And therewithall as was said for an enterance into the consideration of the Duties an intimation how deare and pretious the meanes of cherishing and vpholding the same holy communion ought to be vnto vs. Some other duties were by occasion touched in the interpreation of the Article Now let vs proceed to inquire into the Duties more purposedly Which may they be Question Answer In that we haue our coÌ„munion with our Sauiour Christ who is the fountaine of holines it teacheth vs that it is our dutie to withdrawe our selues more and more The Duties from all prophanenes and to labour to increase daily in sanctification and holines both in our bodies soules and Spirits and in all good fruites and actions thereof to the glory of God and of our Sauiour Christ It teacheth vs thus much in deede For otherwise there could be no agreement or proportion at all betwixt the head and the members which were a monstrous thing â—â—â—licatioÌ„ 〈◊〉 â—roofe And therefore as touching the first part of your answer to wit that it is our dutie to withdrawe our selues from all prophanenes and vnholines the Apostle Paul saith with great earnestnes 1. Cor. 6.15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot God forbid Doe ye not knowe that he which coupleth himselfe with an harlot is one body for two saith he shall be one flesh But he that is ioined to the Lord is one Spirit Flie fornication c. Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you whom ye haue of God and ye are not your owne For ye are bought for a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your Spirit for they are Gods And 2. Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ let him be a new creature And according to the other part of your answer which was concerning labour after increase of sanctification our Sauiour himselfe saith Iohn 15.1 I am the true vine and my Father is the husband man Euery branch that beareth not fruite in me hee taketh away and euerie one that beareth fruite hee purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruite And verse 5. I am the vine ye are the branches hee that abideth in mee and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruite for without mee ye can doe nothing And verse 8. Heerein is my Father glorified that ye beare much fruite and be made my Disciples And this is that which the Apostle praieth for in the behalfe of the Thessalonians euen a prier necessarie for all Christians that we may be sanctified throughout and that our whole Spirit and soule and body may be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Ep. ch 5. verse 23. Such is our dutie in regard of our holy communion with our Sauiour himselfe Now in that through the same our Sauiour we haue our holy communion among our selues â—uestion What ought our dutie to be in respect of this â—nswer Euery member of the Church of our Sauiour Christ standeth bound euen for our Sauiours sake heartily to desire and in all louing and peaceable manner to procure by all meanes according to euery mans grace and power the benefit and blessing of euery fellow member yea euen of the whole body It is likewise the dutie of euery one as I heard you say somewhat more particularly a little before carefully to vse and frequent all those holy meanes which God hath sanctified for the nourishing of this holy communion to wit the preaching of the word Praier the Sacraments and whatsoeuer may further vs vnto the more profitable vse of theÌ„ according to the direction of the holy word of God â—xplication â—nd proofe Out of all question
1. Tim 4 1 2 3. But the truth is that albeit like as the wooden legge fastened to a mans thigh is no true member of the body how like soeuer it be made to a mans legge and how feately soeuer it be fastened vnto it so neither is the hipocriticall Christian a true member of Iesus Christ what great and apparant shewe soeuer hee maketh Yet a true Christian may for a season be like a naturall arme or legge taken with the palsie and by reason thereof not able to doe his kindly office till it be recouered againe He may be also like to a man going a long iournie out of the which he may now and then easily straie till he be set into the way againe by some skilfull directour who knoweth that part of the way better then he Yea doubtles euen he that is the most expert Christian may and doth sometimes loose his way according to the saying of the Apostle Iames In many things we sinne all Neither is it in vaine that like as our Sauiour teacheth all yea euen the best of all to pray continually for the forgiuenes of sinnes so in these Articles of our Beliefe next this of the Communion of Saints followeth that other of forgiuenes of sinnes So that it may truly be saide and beleeued that all Saints here on earth doe stand in continuall neede of this most gracious priuiledge whereof he hath made this blessed grant to his Church We are therefore diligently to take heede that wee doe not misvnderstand this word Saints no more then that other of Communion as was obserued in the former place Now last of all as was saide all they that would be safe from the danger which followeth vpon the not beleeuing of this Article must diligently beware of all licentious profanenes and that they haue no fellowship with those that set themselues to hinder as much as they can all holy Communion and fellowship of Gods people Of the which notwithstanding there be some that glory to their shame when they haue brought any faithfull minister of the Gospell into disgrace and so something alienated the affection of the people from his ministerie as they thinke But alas it is the most pitifull and base yea the most wofull glory that may be It is the easiest masterie in the world to discourage many weake and vnsetteled Christians from going on forward in the waies of godlines Well were it that all such boasters would consider duly what befell Korah Dathan and Abiram in their like wicked enterprise against Moses Numb 16. For doubtles that fearefull iudgement of God may iustly serue to admonish all men to take heede not onely how they rise vp against superiour gouernours but also how they resist the least of those to whom God hath giuen any rectorie or authoritie to gouerne in his name Wherefore instead of this let ouery one that loueth the Communion of Saints and desireth to haue his part and portion therein carefully and religiously dispose of himselfe that hee walke very charily lest by any meanes hee should giue any the least offence to those that be weake For surely wee walke as it were among brittle glasses which if they be not very tenderly handled are easily broken Yea the strongest of vs are our selues but fraile vessels and if we take not good heed may easily rush against the rocke to our owne great hurt if not to our vtter destruction Not onely euill practises with purpose to hinder but also all loosenes in example and all vnkind neglect of mutuall furthering euery Christian his brother is very preiudiciall to the Communion of Saints and therefore on all handes are they all to be carefully shunned and auoided of vs. Thus much concerning the Article of the Communion of Saints Beliefe that to euery true member of the Church of God belongeth forgiuenes of sinnes The ground of the Article Question Answer NOw what followeth next in the Articles of our Beliefe I beleeue the forgiuenes of sinnes ExplicatioÌ„ So indeede is the word of beliefe yea euen with particular application to be repeated here as in the other Articles before and as it â—s after this to be repeated or at the least to be vnderstood againe And we are further also here to vnderstand thus much that we hauing seene in the two former Articles first that God hath a Church and secondly what manner of Church it is and what is the estate and condition of it more generally We are now henceforth to consider of certaine particular priuiledges and prerogatiues whereby God hath aduanced his Church and company of Saints aboue all other corporations companies or societies in all the world The number of these prerogatiues expressed in the Creed is small but the excellencie of them is exceeding great yea euen aboue all estimation and price The first of them to wit forgiuenes of sinnes concerneth more immediately the chiefe comfort and blessednes of the faithfull here in this presenâ— life The other two that is to say the resurrection of the body and euerlasting life to wit both of body and soule together after the resurrection these doe belong to their glorious happines or blessing in the kingdome of heauen Something hath vpon necessarie occasion beene spoken of euery of them For the forgiuenes of sinnes is a fruite of the death of our Sauiour Christ as we could not but then obserue And the resurrection of the body as also euerlasting life they are likewise fruites both of the same his death and also of his resurrection c. Neuertheles we are to good purpose following the order of the Articles to speake more fully of the same things againe And that also according to the same order which we haue obserued in al the other Articles so neare as we can As touching the first of the three therefore Question What ground of holy Scripture haue you to assure your faith touching the forgiuenes of sinnes Answer In the 34. chap. of Exodus verses 6 7. We haue one notable ground warrant of it ExplicatioÌ„ We haue so indeed For there the Lord proclaimeth himselfe to be a most gracious and mercifull God readily inclined to forgiue sinnes Question Which are the wordes of God in that place Answer 6 Thus he speaketh The Lord the Lord strong mercifull and gracious slowe to anger and aboundant in goodnes and truth 7. Reseruing mâ—rcy for thousands forgiuing iniquitie and transgression and sinne ExplicatioÌ„ Here is a most gracious description of the diuine nature and disposition of God and that euen by God himselfe who knoweth himselfe best will most faithfully approue himselfe to be such a one as he hath proclaimed himselfe to be that is a most gracious and mercifull God to all those that will seeke mercie at his hands And therefore it is that albeit he is iust yea most perfitly iust that is to say most pure and zealous in iustice euen as a burning fire to
regard of the stabilitie of the whole church and euery true member thereof according to that of the same Apostle 2. Tim 2.19 The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his And thus as it is written Heb 6.18.19 The stablenes of the counsell of God afordeth vs strong consolation vpon the which the ancre of our soules that is the hope which is set before vs may bee sure and steadfast in heauen against all the stormes and tempests which we shall meete withall while we sayle as it were in the discomfortable and dangerous Sea of this wicked troublesome world Read also Mat 16.18 The gates of hell shall not ouercome the Church There be likewise many comfortable testimonies in the holy Prophets As Psal 46.5 c. God is in the midest of it therfore shall it not be moued And Ps 125 1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion c. Isai 54.17 All the weapons that are made against thee shal not prosper c Ioel 2 32. In mount Sion and in Ierusalem shal be deliuerance And chap 3 20. Likewise Obad verse 17. And Micah 7.20 God will performe his truth to Iaakob and mercie to Abraham c. But to the end we may haue our part in this so singular a comfort How may we be assured Question that wee are in the number of the elect of God and consequently true members of the holy catholike Church of God Hereby may we knowe that we are the elect of God Answer if so be we haue receiued his Spirit of adoption and sanctification ExplicatioÌ„ proofe We may doe so indeede For so saith the Apostle Iohn 1 Ep ch 4 13. Hereby we knowe that we dwell in God and God in vs because hee hath giuen vs of his Spirit The which Spirit also as wee haue seene before is as the earnest or seale of our election to salution And therefore it beareth the name of the Spirit of adoption c. Question But that we faile not nor be deceiued in this our comfort how may we know that God hath giuen vs of his Spirit and that wee are sealed thereby vnto redemption and saluation Answer We may know it certainly by the inward effects which the holy Spirit of God worketh in vs and by the outward effects of holines which the same Spirit inableth vs to performe and causeth our Spirits to take delight and pleasure therein from a pure heart with a good conscience and through faith vnfeined ExplicatioÌ„ proofe You answer truly and well For so doth the Apostle Iohn mentioned euen now teach vs 1 Ep ch 2 v. 3. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if we keepe his commandements And ch 3 23.24 This is his commandement that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commandement For he that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him hereby we know that he abideth in vs euen by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. Now this Spirit leadeth vs into the obedience of Gods commandements whereby also it is discerned to be in vs. Prouided alwaies that our obedience be as was answered out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith vnfained According to that of the Apostle Paul 1 Tim 1 5. Moreouer the fruits of the Spirit whereby his abiding in vs may be assured vnto vs are in many particulars reckoned vp by the Apostle Paule Gal 5 22 23 And Eph 5. v. 9 in many other places Wherein if we take delight with care to practise them in our liues we may assure our selues that God hath giuen vs his Spirit And namely The Duties if we shall be carefull to acquaint our selues with prayer and supplication to God for the increase of these his good gifts and graces For this is a speciall propertie of the Spirit of adoption and sanctification as the same Apostle teacheth vs Rom 8 15. Whereby and by the other fruites of sanctification before mentioned the Apostle doth in the same place verses 14 and 16.17 assure vs that we are such as belong to God and to whom the inheritance of the kingdome of God doth belong For saith he as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sonnes of God For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but yee haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If wee be children we are also heires euen heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that â—ee may also be glorified with him And marke this well that among many other things the holy Apostle sheweth vs that our willing suffering with Christ that is while wee walke in the holy waies of God is a sure token that wee are in the number of the elect children of God For as he saith further verse 29. of the same chapter Those whom God knewe before he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his Sonne to wit euen in the induring of afflictions c. And to the same purpose of comforting and incouraging of all such that they are the vndoubted children of God tendeth all that which followeth euen to the end of that most comfortable chapter Whervnto also the testimonie of the Apostle Peter serueth notably in the first chapter of his 2. Epistle verses 5 6 7 8.9 10 11. Therefore giue all diligence therevnto ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge And with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlines and with godlines brotherly kindnes and with brotherly kindnes loue c. For as the Apostle saith hereby we shall make our calling and election sure And he assureth vs in the name of the Lord that if we doe these things we shall neuer fall but that an enterance shall bee ministred vnto vs aboundantly into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Read also Ps 15. where the Spirit of God by his holy Prophet maketh the same conclusion from a rehearsall of sundrie like vertues in the former part of the Psalme And thus we see that the comfort of faith coÌ„cerning the Article of the holy catholike Church of God is very great and manifold in respect both of the vniuersalitie and holines of it and chiefly in regard of the holy election of God Hetherto therefore of the vse of the doctrine of this Article for the comfort of faith WE are now to inquire likewise after the vse of it touching the fruites of obedience and that in the same order wherein we haue inquired of the Comforts Question First therefore what is the dutie belonging to the comfort of faith concerning the vniuersalitie of the Church Answer Insomuch as there is but one Church of God and that without it here