of the life past is that a man hath repented him of all his sinnes past and is turned vnto God The testimonie of the life present and to come is first that a man hath a purpose neuer to offend God but endeuours to please him in all things Secondly that when hee hath slipped and sinned against Goâ— it was not wittingly and willingly but of humane infirmitie Thirdly that a man hath his generall testimony which is required to a good conscience Psal. 119.6 I shall not be confounded when I haue respect to all thy Commandements Iam. 2.5 He that breaketh one Commandement iâ— guiltie of all that is hee that wittingly and willingly against the knowledge of his conscience breake one of the Commandements of God will if occasion be offered willingly and of knowledge break them all so as a good conscience must testifie on a mans side concerning all sinnes and all obedience Examples whereof we haue in Hezâ—kiah Esai 38.3 Remember Lord how I haue walked before thee with a perfect heart And in Paul 1. Cor. 4.4 I know nothing by my selfe The weight of the ground appeareth in the wordes following where the Apostle saith that while some put away good conscience they haue made shipwracke concerning the faith where he compareth our conscience to a ship our religion and faith to our treasures laid in it Now as a hole in the ship loseth the treasures by sinking the ship so cracke the conscience and the treasures of religion suffer shipwracke whence it is that Timothie is willed to keepe the mysterie of faith iâ— pure conscience 1. Tim. 3.9 The aduersarie of this ground is the Romish Religion who ouerthroweth true testimonie of conscience which is euer ioyned with true humiliation and repentance for sinnes past in teaching that many sinnes are in themselues veniall or no sinnes as those lusts against the last Commaundement which killed Paul himselfe and in extenuating mans corruption and extolling nature wherby they say a man may worke his saluation being holpen by the holy ghost whereas indeede no true peace of conscience is to bee found till nature bee wholy debased grace take the whole place Secondly they teach that a man cannot bee certaine of his saluation in this life but may coniecture and hope well which is the very racke and torment of the conscience Thirdly while they teach that a man must merit his saluation by his workes they torture the conscience and leaue it destitute of this testimonie for how can the conscience quiet it selfe when it knowes not how many workes will serue the turne nor when it hath sufficiently satisfied the iustice of God and this is to bee marked that the chiefest of that religion whatsoeuer they hold in their life time yet when they lie on their death-bed they flie from their owne merits to the merit of Christ. Notable is that speech of Stephen Gardiner at his death to conuince it who hauing been a great persecutor and being much perplexed on his death-bed by a friend of his visiting him was put in minde of that iustification which is by the meere mercy of God in Christ to whom hee answered You may tell me and those who are in my case of this doctrine but open not this gap to the people So as they are glad to entertain our doctrine for the true peace of their conscience which in their owne doctrine they can neuer finde Thus haue wee shewed in part that faith is a most pretious treasure beset with many enemies against whom wee must alwaies contend which wee shall yet more clearely see in beholding the vse of this treasure which is two-fold first to râ—ueilâ— from God vnto man all things needfull vnto saluation concerning doctrine or manners wherein it excelleth all manâ— learning for first all the lawes and learning of men reueile the Morall law only in part and mingle it with superstitions and ceremonies but they reueale no part of the Gospell onely this doctrine of faith reuealeth in the full perfection both the Law and Gospell Secondly the lawes and learning of men know nothing much lesse reueale of mâ—ns miserie neither the cause nor the remedie thereof but this doctrine of faith knoweth and reueileth both namely the first cause to bee the sinne of our first parents and the proper and perfect remedie to be the death of Christ. Thirdly mens lawes and learning speake at large of temporall happinesse but know nothing of eternall but this doctrine not onely knoweth the true happines of men but teacheth and describeth the readie way thereunto The second vse of this doctrine of faith is that it is a most perfect instrument of the holy Ghost for the working of all graces in the hearts of men I meane not the letters and syllables but the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles taught and beleeued Paul calleth it the power of God to saluation and Christ himselfe saith that his word is spirit and life that is the instrument of the Spirit whereby life eternall is procured for which two notable vses it is a most pretious treasure Whence we learne first to be swift to heare this doctrine taught in the publike Ministerie as Iames counselleth chap. 1.19 because in it God openeth his treasure to dispence the same vnto vs. Secondly it being a pretious treasure wee must hide the same in the coffers of our hearts Psal. 119.11 I haue hid thy word in my heart It must be an ingrafted word in them Iam. 1.21 And this dutie we practise first when wee haue care to know it secondly to remember it thirdly when wee set the affections of our hearts vpon it as men do vpon their treasures Thirdly if it be the treasure of the Church then it bringeth to the possessors of it wealth honour and pleasure as other treasures doe For as the house of Obed-edom was blessed for the Arke so is that heart which holdeth true wisedome within it see Prou. 3.13.14 c. We in this land haue good experience of this truth who by Gods blessing haue aboue fourtie yeeres enioyed wealth peace honour and aboue all Gods protection and whence haue these flowed but from the true faith and religion set downe in the Prophets and Apostles maintained and defended amongst vs which if we would haue continued we must also continue to hold and affect this truth as a treasure vnto the end The second point or head of the Exhortation is that the Saints are the keepers of this treasure of faith to whom it was 〈◊〉 giuen Whence we may learne first that it is an infallible note of the true Church of God to keep maintaine and defend the wholesome doctrine of Religion deliuered by the Prophets and Apostles It was noted to bee the chiefe prerogatiue of the Iewes that to them the Oracles of God were committed Roman 3. Hence 1. Tim. 3.15 the Church is called the ground and piller of truth because in her publike Ministery she maintaineth and preserueth
of this Iude at his birth giue him such a name as might moue not only himselfe but his child after him to thankfulnes and confession of Gods goodnes So ought euery father in imposing his childrens names with Alpheus and euery mother with Leah make such choice of names as themselues and their children may bee put in minde yea and stirred vp to good duties euen so often as they shal heare or remember their own names The second point in this name is the variety of the names of Iude hee was called Thaddeus Mark 3.18 and Lebbeus Matth. 10.3 all which signifie the same thin gand all put in minde of the same dutie Here two Questions may bee asked First why was he called by so many names Some thinke he had all these names giuen him by the people and multitude as signifying all one thing others which is more probable that hee was thus called by the Apostles themselues rather then by his owne name that the horrible fact of Iudas in betraying his Maister should bee vtterly with his name forgotten A second question is whether may a man change his name or no If the change thereof be no preiuidce to any man much lesse hurtefull to the Church or common-welth nor offendeth the faithfull but wholy tendeth to the glory of God and good of men it may be altred and changed As Saul a great persecutor being called to be a publisher and Patron of the Gospell changed his name into Paul as also Salomon was at the first called by his Mother Iedidiah Peter at first called Simon Bariones Christ afterwards gaue him a new name and he accepted it Yet hence the too common practise of the world cannot bee warranted who for fraud and deceite doe alter their names which when it is not intended may warrantably bee done as in time of persecution in the raigne of King Edward the 6. Bucer changed his name and both called himselfe and suffered others to call him Aretius Felinus so did diuerse other worthie men in those dayes seeking no other then the glory of God and good of the Church in their owne saftie and that the Papists not knowing their names might reade their writinges without preiudice The second thing in the person writing is his office being called a seruant of Iesus Christ which is not so generallie to be vnderstood as ment of euery professor of Christ and beleeuer who is a seruant of the Lord Iesus but of a speciall seruice namely of Apostleship to which he was deputed Wherein consider two thinges First that he was called to bee an Apostle and seruant of Christ to plant the Church of the Gentiles Secondly that he did faithfully execute his function and performed his seruice First he pleades his calling for two causes first in regard of others and secondly in respect of himselfe First that his doctrine might with more attention and reuerence be receiued of others seeing he run not vnsent but was called and that to an Apostleship and therefore he spake not of himselfe but whollie and immediately directed by God Secondly for the confirming and comforting of himselfe that the Lord who had called him would stand by him both in protecting his person and prospering his worke in his hand Vse Seeing the Apostle Iude before he writeth laieth down his calling so ought all Ministers to make their calling the foundation of all their proceedings containing themselues within the compasse thereof euen as they are to teach the same dutie vnto all sortes of men that they tempt not the Lord by passing the bonds and limites of their calling Secondly in that Iude though he was of the same Tribe yea of neare allyance vnto Christ yet hee passeth by all these respectes which hee might haue stood vpon and contenteth himselfe with the title of a seruant of Christ We learne to make more account and esteeme it a greater priuiledge to be a seruant of Iesus Christ than to bee of the kindred of Kinges and allyed to the greatest Monarchs of the world Christ himselfe shewes vs what kindred should take vp our chiefe delight when hee turned himselfe from his Mother and Brethren and beholding his hearers said those were his mother sisters and brethren that heare the word of God and keepe it this alliance in the faith was neerer and dearer vnto him then that in the flesh If then thou standest vpon thy preferment striue to be the seruant of Christ which is more honorable then to be the sonne of a King to be a follower of Chist is more then to goe before the Rulers of the earth But if thou aske how shall I come to this preferment Himselfe answereth thee thou must giue vp thy selfe to heare his word and doe it that is learne to know and obey his will this is the maine dutie of a seruant endeuour to please the Lord in keeping faith and good conscience thou art in the way of preferment and art admitted a seruant of Christ. Thirdly If wee bee admitted the seruantes and followers of Christ wee must serue no other Maister but keepe our selues from being intangled either with the offences or affairs of the world as to be vassals thereto no man can serue two much lesse more Maisters of such contrarie commaundes Let none pretend to bee the seruant of Christ who by louing pleasure more thē God or seeking earth more then heauen disgrace such a profession The third thing in the person writing is the allyance Brother of Iames of which name there were two first Iames the son of Zebedeus whose death is mentioned in the 12. of the Actes by Herod the second was the son of Alpheus here mentioned First that he might distinguish himselfe from the other Iudas the traytour Secondly that he might winne further credit and attention to his doctrine seeing hee was no vnknowne person but one that came of the worthiest stock that was vpon the face of the earth and for this cause hee mentioneth his brother Iames who was better knowne as being the President of the Councell at Ierusalem and a choise pillar of the Church in his time Act. 15.13 not to credit himselfe but this Scripture which otherwise is in it selfe sufficiently powerful by the mention of him Now followes the second thing in the Salutation that is the person to whom Iude wrote in these words vnto those who are called and sanctified by God the father and preserued by Iesus Christ it is the militant Catholique Church which is liuelie described to be the number of beleeuers dispersed thorough the face of the whole world who are effectually called and sanctified and preserued vnto life euerlasting Out of which description note First who and what they bee that are members of this Church namely no wicked or profane persons but onely the elect such as are chosen vnto life euerlasting who after receiue their calling vnto holines and therein are assuredly preserued vnto life which priuiledges no wicked
reformed resisteth plainly saying I will not haue this man to rue ouer me I desire none of his waies This loue then comes from grace 1. Ioh. 4.7 Loue commeth from God 1. Tim. 1.5 it hath his beginning from a pure heart true faith and good conscience Which must bee maintained against the Papists who say that nature affoordeth the inclination but grace the practise whereas indeed grace giueth both Thirdly consider the vse of loue It is the instrument and companion of true faith which worketh by loue Galath 5.6 The proper worke of faith is to lay hold on Christ this faith as a hand can of it selfe doe but when it commeth to the practise of morall duties it can no more worke without the grace of loue then a hand which can lay hold alone and of it selfe receiue and retaine can cut any thing without an instrument Whence it appeareth that faith in iustification is alone but in the life of man it worketh by loue and whereas it hath bin taught for many hundred yeeres that loue is the life of faith that is vnâ—rue for it only testifieth that faith hath life It is alleaged that as the bodie without the spirit is dead euen so faith without workes is dead therfore workes are the soule and giue life to faith But this consequence from this comparison is not good because the soule is not properly the soule of the bodie but of the man and so it proueth not that loue is the soule of faith Again the word Spirit there betokeneth the breath without which the body is dead and thus is the comparison to be returned that as breath maketh not a man liuing but sheweth him to be aliue so loue maketh not faith liuing but testifieth it so to be yea indeed is the fruite and effect of faith as breath is of life More particularly this grace of loue is two-fold first that whereby man loueth God secondly that whereby man loueth man In the former note two points first what it is namely a motion of the heart whereby it is affected to God causing it to be well pleased in God and his workes for himselfe as also to seeke fellowship with God so much as it can Secondly note the measure of this loue which in Scripture is double first that which the law requireth and that is the full measure of loue loue in the highest degree when man loueth God with all his soule with all his strength and all the powers of the whole man so as in man no loue can be aboue it vnto this all men are bound yet no man since the fall can attaine Secondly that which the Gospell describeth standing in an vnfained will and true endeuour to loue God with all the heart all the strength and all the powers which is a smaller measure than the former yea and a qualification and moderation of it yet to none but those that are in Christ. Wherby we come to the right vnderstanding of diuers places of scripture as 2. King 23.25 of Iosiah 2. Chron. 15.15 all Iudah sought the Lord with their whole hart These and such other places must be vnderstood as they are qualified by the Gospell in that they willed and endeuoured by all good meanes to seeke God yea this text also must be vnderstood of this second measure seeing the former being in the highest degree cannot be multiplied no not if men were glorified The second kinde of this loue is that whereby man loueth his neighbour which is a certaine diuine and spirituall motion causing the heart as the former both to be wel pleased in man for God that is because he is Gods image and his owne flesh as also to powre out it selfe and communicate goodnes to his neighbour in wishing speaking and hoping the best of him Wherein by the way obserue a plaine difference betweene faith and loue faith is a hand but to pull Christ to our selues loue is a hand also but opening it selfe and giuing foorth vnto others In this loue of the neighbour consider these three things first the order of it The order that hath been taught for many hundred yeeres is that first wee must loue our selues and then others from this ground Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe for the rule say they must goe before the thing ruled But this is not found seeing worthie then haue been commended in Scriptures for louing others as well yea and better than their owne selues so Dauid loued Ionathan 1. Sam. 20.17 Christ loued his enemies better than himselfe these began not with themselues yea indeed the right beginning of loue is in God and then as a man is a more principall instrument of Gods glorie hee must be for God preferred in our loue aboue our selues Thus euery man is bound to loue and preferre the life of his Prince aboue his owne see the perfect rule of direction herein Ioh. 13.34 Secondly note the manner of it set downe in that precept Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe that is as wee are cheerfull and free to practise the dutie of loue to our selues so must we doe it to others for this precept aimeth at the manner rather than the rule of our loue to man for that is as Christ hath loued vs. Thirdly the kindes of it it is two-fold first single when men loue others but are not repaid with loue againe yea when a man loues his enemie but is not loued again The second is mutuall loue that is when loue is requited with loue called in Scripture brotherly loue see Philip. 2.2 1. Cor. 1.10 when men are of one iudgement like minded speakâ— one thing and one soule is as it were in many bodies The second point is the multiplication of loue which the Apostle prayeth for vpon good ground because it ioyneth man to God and man to man and so becommeth as it is called the bond of perfection the bond of the Church Common-wealth of al societies 1. Cor. 13. Loue edâ—fieth that is it helpeth to build the kingdome of God yea it constraineth men to all good duties in their particular callings Qu. But how shall this loue be multiplied Ans. By certaine meditations and practises The meditations are many first on Gods coÌ„mandement Be seruants one to another in loue Gal. 5.13 Secondly of Gods image which al men should beare in loue 1. Ioh. 3.16 Thirdly of the fellowship of the faithfull hauing all one father one brother one saluation all linked by one spirit Ephes. 4.4 Fourthly of the loue of God Ioh. 13.35 which hereby we shall be assured of 1. Ioh. 3.14 The practises also are diuers first wee must labour to be assured of Gods loue to vs and encreased vpon vs Ephes. 5.2 Secondly the law of nature must teach vs to doe as we would be done vnto Thirdly our care must be more to loue than be loued for to loue is a vertue in our selues to be loued iâ— the vertue of another Fourthly pray daily for
receiue it First God giueth it vnto vs when he giueth vs Christ himselfe for it is giuen with him and it is made ours when God in mercie esteemeth iudgeth and accounteth it to be ours for it is ours by imputation which appeareth by these two reasons First as Christ is made out sinne so are we made his righteousnes 2. Cor. 5.21 but hee is made our sinne by imputation and therefore his iustice being inhereÌ„t in him is made ours by imputation Secondly as the first Adams disobedience is made ours so Christs the second Adams obedience is ours Rom. 5.17.18 but that is ours by imputation and therefore Christs obedience also Secondly to make this obedience ours we must receiue it and that can be onely by faith which is the hand of the soule receiuing into it the things that are giuen vs of God where note by the way that a sinner is not iustified by the dignitie of his faith but as it is an instrument whereby Christs obedience is applied vnto the soule III. Point What workes are excluded from iustification Ans. The workes of Morall and Ceremoniall law workes of nature and grace That euen workes of grace are excluded appeareth by these reasons First a sinner must so bee iustified that all cause of boasting may be cut off Rom. 3.27 But if a man were iustified by workes of grace he might boast still yea though hee acknowledge the workes to be of God see the Pharisies example Luk. 18. Secondly if a man were iustified by the workes of the law then our iustification should stand by the law but that it doth not Rom. 4.14 for then the promise were made voide yea the tenour of that whole Chapter prooueth that Abraham hauing store of good workes was yet iustified by faith without the works of the law the which thing also that obiection in chap. 6.1 witnesseth What then shall we continue in sinne drawne out of the fiue former chapters thus If a man may be iustified by faith without workes we may continue in sinne which obiection were no obiection if that had not been the intent of the Apostle to prooue iustification by faith onely without the workes of the law Thirdly Paul was not iustified by any workes 1. Cor. 4.3 I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not therby iustified where he noteth two things of himselfe first that hee had a good conscience within him secondly that he was not thereby iustified where hee debarreth all works of grace Fourthly we are saued by grace without workes these workes excluded are workes of grace for they are all such as God hath prepared to walke in Ephes. 2.8 Fiftly a man must first be iustified before he can doe a good worke and therfore works follow iustification and cannot cause it Yea and as all workes are excluded so al vertues also excepting faith are here reiected For as in a man that standeth to receiue a gift no part doth any thing to receiue it but the hand yet hauing receiued it all other parts testifie thankfulnes the tongue the feete and all the bodie euen so wee receiue the matter of our iustification by faith alone not by hope or loue but after the receiuing of Christ these with the other graces work and shew themselues The second point in this ground is the weight of it appearing herein that he that ouerthroweth it ouerturneth the faith Rom. 4.14 If they of the law be heâ—res of life faith is made voide and the promise of none effect And Galath 2.21 If we be iustified by workes Christ died in vaine Aduersaries hereof First the home-aduersarie is the common sort of ignorant people and all naturall men who with the young man say What shall I doe to be saued They say they will be saued by faith in Christ but when it commeth to the point they will be doing somewhat and stand much vpon their good meaning and righteous dealing Secondly the forreine enemie is the Popish doctrine Romish religion which teacheth that there be two iustifications First when a man of an euil man is made a good man this is by grace of the holy Ghost put into the heart the latter is whereby a man is made of good better which is by good workes But what Church soeuer holdeth this is fallen from grace This is a peremptorie sentence will some say and no generall Councell hath so determined Ans. The more is the pitie But Gods word hath peremptorily determined it Galat. 5.4 They are abolished from Christ and fallen from grace whosoeuer will be iustified by the law as the Romane Church at this day They say our doctrine maintaineth loosenes of life by excluding all workes from iustification Ans. Though we exclude the best works from iustification yet we debarre them not from Christian conuersation but therein require them as fruits of the spirit plentifully Ob. But it is absurd say they that one man may be iustified by the righteousnes of another Ans. Adams sinne is made ours and they marueile not at it what greater absurditie is it that the second Adams obedience answering to the first Adams sinne should bee ours in like manner The 16. ground is this Except a man be borne anew of water and of the holâ—e Ghost he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.5 In which obserue first the meaning secondly the weight thirdly the aduersaries In the first consider two points first what it is to be borne againe secondly of what necessitie it is For the former wee must know that there must bee in him that is borne againe three things first a reall change from one estate to another Secondly there must be a roote from whence this change may arise Thirdly a new life First the chaunge is when a man of a meere naturall man is made a new man not in regard of his bodie or soule or powers of them all which a man retaineth the same after his regeneration but in regard of Gods image restored and renewed by Christ Ephes. 4.24 This is the restoring of that new qualitie of righteousnes and holines lost in Adam for so the Apostle describeth this new birth in the place alleaged This change is attributed to water and the holy Ghost wherein by water our Sauiour alludeth to some speeches of the old Testament as Ezech. 36.25 where the Prophet speaketh of the clensing of the Church by powring cleane water vpon it that is infusing new graces into the heart which take place of the old corruption And by the holy Ghost he sheweth that this clensing of vs is by the inward working of the holy Ghost Obiect But it will be said if a man bee a new man hee must haue a new soule Ans. This new qualitie of righteousnes and holines is as it were a new soule for in a regenerate man there is a bodie soule and besides the spirit which is the grace of sanctification opposed to flesh and
that they are said to go immediatly before his face Psal. 89.14 and so necessarie among men that without them no societie can be preserued The aduersaries hereof are first the liues of most men who seeke their own things and not to maintaine the liues goods name chastitie of others yea too many preferre their priuate gaine before the common good of men in Church and Common-wealth Secondly the maine aduersarie is the Romane Religion which defendeth the greatest iniustice that can be by establishing a Monarchy among themselues not onely controlling the soueraigne authoritie of Princes in their owne kingdomes but also exempting their subiects from their alleageance at their pleasure Of which vsurped power debaâ—â—e them once and that counterfeit Religion will fall with it because it is onely vnderpropped by it Secondly that Religion ouerthroweth iustice in chastitie for first it giueth power to the Pope to dispense with mariages within degrees of nature it licenseth the brother by that dispensation to marrie his brothers wife and so is a patrone of horrible incest Secondly it defendeth the toleration of Stewes Thirdly by solemne decree it forbiddeth mariages to sundrie orders of men which Paul calleth a doctrine of diuels 1. Timoth 4. Yea they binde certaine men and women from mariage and yet call it a Sacrament Fourthly the last Councell of Trent affirmeth that all mariages not solemnized by a Masse-priest and in the faith of the Romish Church are of none effect Thirdly that Religion teacheth that to steale a small thing is a veniall sinne whereas the thought of stealing deserueth the curse of the law Secondly it defendeth begging yea and placeth holines in it whereas the word teacheth that there should be no begger in Israel Fourthly it teacheth that a sporting lie or a beneficial lie are venial sins flat against the ninth Commandement Lastly against the tenth Commandement it teacheth iniustice namely that hurtfull motions intended against our neighbour if there bee no consent of will are no sinne Whence wee may see what to thinke of that Religion yea Christ himselfe sheweth Mat. 5.19 Whosoeuer breaketh the least of these Commandements and teach men so to doe he is the least in the kingdome of heauen that is he hath no part therein But the Romane Church breaketh them yea and teacheth men to doe so and therefore it is not of God and the peremptorie teachers thereof haue no part without repentance in the kingdome of heauen The tenth ground is 1. Cor. 7.20 Let euery man abide in that calling in which hee was called First the meaning The scope of the words sheweth that among the Corinths some who were slaâ—es and seruants but coÌ„uerted to the faith their masters still remaining Infidels thought that now they were free from their Masters and might relinquish their seruice and hence tooke occasion to liue as they listed against which conceit of licentiousnesse the Apostle Paul opposeth himselfe and wisheth that this be reformed and that those who being called to the faith vnder vnbeleeuers abide in that same calling wherein they were called In which verse two things are contained First that euery man that would liue religiously must haue a double calling first the generall calling of a Christian secondly some particular vocation and calling wherein to conuerse Secondly that euery man must abide in his particular calling which that a man may doe first he must be contented and well pleased with his calling Secondly hee must walke diligently in the duties thereof for these reasons first the commandement of God Genes 3.19 In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate thy bread which words though they be a threatning yet they include a commaundement bounded with a promise of blessing Psalm 128.2 The man that feareth God shall eate the labours of his own hands and blessed shall he be Exod. 20. Sixe daies shalt thou labour enforced by Gods owne example for in sixe daies the Lord made heauen and earth Quest. May we not vse recreation in the sixe daies Ans. Yea so it be moderate and help to make vs fitter for our callings for labour it selfe being commaunded euery thing also which vpholdeth it is commanded Such commandements are vsuall in the New Testament also Ephes. 4.28 Let him that stole steale no more but rather let him labour with his hands the thing that good is So 2. Thess. 3.12 men are commanded to eate their owne bread Secondly Examples in the Scripture God enioyned Adam in the state of innocencie this double calling first to serue him secondly to dresse the garden The second Adam Christ himselfe while he led a priuate life till his baptisme which was the space of thirtie yeeres liued in his father Iosephs calling The Angels themselues are ministring spirits for the good of the godly and ascend and descend vpon the sonne of man and liue not out of their calling Thirdly it is the ordinance of God that men should be his instruments for the commoÌ„ good of the societies wherein they liue euen as euery member in the bodie endeuoureth it selfe not onely for it owne good buâ— for the benefit of the whole So should euery member of the bodie politique This ground is of great weight for the maintaining of the three maine societies for neither familie Church nor Common-wealth can stand without distinction of particular callings and labour in the same for which cause the Apostle would not haue him to eate that will not labour 2. Thes. 3.3 The aduersaries hereof are first many amongst vs as those who spend their liues in gaming and they who spend their wealth in bezeling and drinking and they also who being strong to labor spend their time in begging all which are vile courses of life and enemies to all good societies Secondly the Roman religion first in maintaining a Monkish life whereby a man cutteth himselfe off from all societie and liues in prayer and fasting but wee are taught not onely to practise duties of the first table but of the second also and without the speciall calling the generall is nothing Secondly In maintaining loosenes of life and idlenes for God hauing appointed 52. Sabbaths in the yeere wherein men are to lay aside their ordinarie callings and no moe they haue added as may appeare in their callender fiftie two moe which they call holy daies and so spend more than a quarter of a yeere in rest and idlenes whereby they become aduersaries of this ground The eleuenth ground is 1. Tim. 1.19 Keepe faith and good conscience The meaning By faith we must vnderstand the wholesome doctrine and religion deliuered in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles further this faith must not goe alone but must haue his companion which is a good conscience the propertie of which is to excuse and iustifie a man in al callings before God and man and it is knowne by a two-fold testimonie first of the life past secondly of the life present and to come The testimony
awaken vs and secondly the notes to know when wee are wakened For the former consider first the infinite iustice and wrath of God against the least sin which made the Apostle say It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of God Secondly the greatnes of our sinnes and the number which is like the sand vpon the sea shore Thirdly the vncertaintie of the day houre of our death which as it leaueth vs so shall the last iudgement finde vs. Fourthly our vow in Baptisme wherein we promise to forsake the Diuell and all our owne lusts Fifthly Christs passion and his bloodie sweate not for his owne but our sinnes which made him crie My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Sixthly that the night is past and it is nâ—w day the sunne is vp euen the sunne of Righteousnes is risen vpon vs and therefore we are to be raised out of our sleepe and walke as children of the light Rom. 13.12.13 Secondly if a man would know whether he begin to be awakened let him obserue whether his heart haue begun to moue in spirituall actions or no. For that bodie is wakened out of bodily sleepe which can moue it selfe in bodily actions Quest. When doth the heart begin thus to mooue it selfe and how shall I know it Answ. When thou beginnest to turne thy eyes inwardly into thy selfe and canst finde and espie the priuie corruptions which lurke within thee Secondly when thou art inwardly and heartily displeased with thy selfe and grieued for thy sins Thirdly when thou canst humbly and heartily sue to God for pardon and canst hunger and thirst after Christ and his merits aboue all earthly things Fourthly when thou beginnest to endeuour to doe the will of God and please him in all things then assure thy selfe thou art wakened out of thy sleepe of sinne and not before Thirdly if dreaming be the fountain of all sinne we must learne the contrary vertue namely that being once awakened wee striue to watch and be sober 1. Thess. 5.6 For the practise of which dutie these rules are to be marked first wee must daily and diligently obserue our selues our hearts and sinnes and seeing what sinnes wee are most prone vnto there must wee double our care and watchfulnes for otherwise where we are weakest Satan soonest maketh a breach for there he makes his greatest assaults Secondly we must daily looke for an euill day so as wee forecast euery day to endure the worst that it can bring foorth against vs and our profession out of which forecast in vaine shal any man purpose to keepe faith and a good conscience Wee may not crie peace peace for then commonly sudden desolation commeth vpon vs. Thirdly wee must esteeme of euerie day as our last day that so wee may be 〈…〉 did of which wee haue spoken in the seuenth verse and therefore passe this sinne ouer without further handling Onely let this one thing bee here remembred that seeing it is a sinne of Sodome to defile the bodie with the sinnes of the seuenth Commandement our dutie is to reserue within vs that speciall care whereby our bodies may bee preserued in holines and honour 2. Thess. 4.3.4 This is the will of God The bodie must be giuen vp as an holy sacrifice to God else it shall not be acceptable Rom. 12.1 Wouldest thou haue thy bodie rise vp vnto glorie and fellowship with God and Christ at the last day then let thy â—are bee to lay it downe in the grant in honour by preseruing iâ— a pure member of Christ for without holinesse no man shall euer see God that is haue fellowship with him being a most holy and chaâ—â— spirit yea the contrarie things ought not to be named in the Church of God Eph. 5.5 The second sinne followeth in these words 〈◊〉 despise gouernment and speake 〈…〉 In which words 〈…〉 〈◊〉 refuse and put away yea and so 〈◊〉 as they can put downe all Lordship gouernment ciuill power and dominion Secondly in their practise 〈…〉 First in their iudgeâ—â—â—â— they put downe gouernment by â—eaching for otherwise they could not and maintaining that after men were conuerted to the faith being now become Christians and beleeuers they were no longer to be vnder Magistracie or authoritie but their neckes were to be eased from that yoke and this errour was dangerously sowne by the malitious mâ—n in the Primitiue Church and called some trouble and labour vpon the Apostles themselues in their 〈◊〉 as appeareth 1. Cor. 7.11 where the Apostle answereth this case which seruants themselues were hold to call in question being conuerted Art thou called a seruant care not for it So Titus 3.1 Put them in remembrance that they be subiect to principalities and powers So as it 〈◊〉 a lesson not well learned in those first ages of the Gospell This was the iudgement and opinion of the false Teachers which euen the word despise implieth presupposeth Now whereas some might say that they must needs will they â—ill they be vnder authority for Rulers and Princes would and did keepe them vnder The Apostle addeth and speake euill c. that is although they cannot shake off gouernment so easily as they would yet they can easily manifest their malice against it in reuiling them that are in authoritie First then we are to speake of their doctrine and then of their practise In the former consider three things first what is this rule or gouernment which they despise secondly vpon what ground refuse they to be vnder authoritie thirdly vpon what ground doth Iude condemne them for this refusall First to know what this authoritie is we must distinguish all gouernment into diuine and humane The Apostle Peter acknowledgeth this distinction 1. Pet. 2.13 Submit your selues to euery humane ordinance Diuine gouernment is the absolute power of God whereby he maketh lawes to binde the conscience and that vnder paine of life and death eternall This is the power of all the Trinitie but the administration of it is giuen to the Sonne This power is not here meant for had they denied this they could not haue carried a face or shew of Christians The other which here is vnderstood is humane or ciuill rule and dominion whereby man is set ouer man which may be thus described Ciuill gouernment is a state of superioritie consisting in the power of commanding and in the power of the sword for the common good of mankinde That it is a state of superioritie appeareth Rom. 13.1 Let euery soule be subiect to the higher power Further I say it consisteth in a double power first of commanding that is of making edictâ— and lawes of calling and conuenting Secondly of the Sword and that in foure things first in arresting secondly imprisoning thirdly putting to death fourthly making warre in way of protection or otherwise This second power namely of the Sword is added first to put a difference betweene the authoritie of the Magistracie and Ministrie which difference standeth in
childe of God or no for if he haue the spirit of God he is his and if he haue these holy motions and desires to pray and can send out these cries vnto God vnfainedly he hath the presence of the Spirit and he that hath not this spirit in these blessed fruites of it is none of his Thirdly these words are added to teach vs that when wee pray wee must doe it our hearts for where the spirit of God dwelleth thēce must prayer proceed but his abode is in the heart and therefore prayer that God many acknowledge it to proceed from the spirit must bee hartie and so of all other spirituall duties Colloss 3. singing with grace in your hearts Rom. 1. whom I serue in my spirit where the Apostle expresseth a reason why prayer should proceed from the heart because prayer is of the same nature with faith and the spirituall worship of God yea indeede is a part of it answerable vnto God himselfe who is a spirit but all these are seated in the heart and spirit and consequently prayer it selfe ought so to be neither is it the outward action or words which is simply the worship of God but so farre as they consent and proceed from the heart Which teacheth vs that whatsoeuer religious dutie wee are to turne our selues vnto wee are first of all therein to approoue ou◠hearts vnto God Fourthly that there may bee a distinction made betweene the true beleeuer and the hypocrite and carnall man The hypocrite he prayeth outwardly for forme and fashion the naturall man in affliction prayeth of compulsion as a man that is racked and tormented without any loue of God at all both of them without any inward sense or rectified disposition of the heart but the beleeuer hee prayeth in the heart and in faith the spirit of God disposing his heart aright vnto prayer Quest. How doth the holy Ghost direct the heart Answ. By fiue waies or meanes first by illumination whereby hee reueileth God to man as also his owne estate both of them in part Secondly by conuersion whereby hee turneth the heart vnto God once made knowne Thirdly by direction whereby hee directeth the heart to deale as with God himselfe taking it from outward meanes Fourthly by feruent and constant desire◠for things spirituall or temporall Fifthly by faith whereby we can rest on God for the accomplishment of the things wee haue heartily desired Quest. Whether may we not pray to the holy Ghost seeing here it is said praying in or by the holy Ghost Ans. We may not onely pray in or by him but vnto him for although wee haue no particular example hereof in the Scripture yet wee haue sufficient warrant for the three persons being vndiuided in nature must be also vndiuided in worship and one being worshipped all must be worshipped Secondly wee are baptized into the name of the holie Ghost as well as of the Father and Son and therefore hee is to be prayed vnto euen as they are Ob. But wee are not commanded to pray any where by the Father or Sonne as here by the holie Ghost which argueth that the holie Ghost is not the author of our prayers as they are Answ. The Apostle here would haue vs obserue an order in the working of the Trinitie for all the three persons are authors of our prayers the Father and Sonne make vs to pray but by the holy Ghost the holy Ghost maketh vs pray but more immediatly for he is the immediate author of our prayers which teacheth that when we pray it is not of our selues but from the spirit which stirreth and sendeth vp heauenly requests for vs herein then wee must renounce our selues magnifie the grace of God within vs and shew our selues thankfull by entertaining carefully such holie motions of this most holie Spirit of God Vers. 21. And keepe your selues in the loue of God looking for the mercie of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life THese word◠containe the second rule of the Apostle tending to the preseruation of faith and true religion concerning loue and it is indeede of speciall vse and direction for the framing of our liues Christ calleth the loue of God and men the summe of the whole law Paul calleth it the end of the Commandements This caused Paul to keep faith good conscience 2. Cor. 5.14 The loue of Christ constraineth vs. Now for the better informing of our vnderstandings and our furtherance in obseruing this rule fiue things are to be considered first what is meant by the loue of God Ans. Wee are to vnderstand by the loue of God a diuine vertue in the hearts of the beleeuers whereby they loue God and Christ properly and simply for himselfe rest in him and cleaue vnto him as the most absolute good for by Gods loue in this place is not meant that loue wherby God loueth man but whereby man loueth God Quest. Why doth the Apostle here omit the loue of man Ans. Because the loue of man to man is included and to bee vnderstood in the other as a fruit necessarily flowing from it for first whē a man loueth his neighbour herein after a sort he loueth God for then is God loued not onely when our affection of loue is directed vnto himselfe but also when his ordinances his creatures image and other things partaining vnto him are loued Secondly the Apostle Paul calleth the loue of the neighbour the fulfilling of the law which cannot be vnlesse we include also therein the loue of God or rather it within Gods loue and ioyne them both together Now if the loue of man be the fulfilling of the law how much more is the loue of God which by the same reason must include the other Thirdly it is a true rule in Diuinitie that the first Commandement must bee included and practised in all the nine following as being the foundatiō of them all Now the maine dutie of the first Commandement is the loue of God which must goe with the practise of all the other so as al the duties of the other Cōmandements are included in the same The second point is whether this loue of God bee in man by nature or giuen by grace Ans. It is not from nature but a gift of grace following faith and iustification Ioh. 14.14 If yee loue me yee will keepe my commandements both which proceed from one beginning as no man then can by nature keepe the Commandements so no man can by nature loue God aright Rom. 8.5 The wisedome of the flesh that is mans best things his best thoughts and affections is enmitie to God therefore can there be no true loue of God in nature 1. Tim. 1.5 The end of the commandement is loue out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and faith vnfained Againe wee must first beleeue that wee are loued of God before wee can loue him 1. Epist. Ioh. 4. We loue him because he loued vs first It will bee obiected here
for mercie Thirdly wee learne hence to waite by our hope in Christ for life euerlasting euen to the death that must be the white which must euer be in our eye at which wee must continually direct our aime We haue many examples of holy men who haue gone before vs in this dutie Iacob when hee was making his will inserteth and as it were interlaceth this speech O Lord I haue waited for thy saluation Gen. 49.18 Moses had his eye euer vpon the recompence of reward Heb. 11.26 Iob would trust in the Lord yea although he should kill him Iob. 13.15 Dauid was much and often in this expectation of the Lords mercie Psal. 40.1 In waiting I haue waited on the Lord that is I haue instantly waited and mine eyes haue failed me whilest I haue waited for my God Psal. 63.3 and Psal. 16.9 My flesh shall rest in hope his hope was that his flesh should rise againe vnto life euerlasting Obiect But how cā we nourish this hope will some man say seeing we are so tossed perplexed with so many miseries and grieuances in this life Ans. Paul meeteth with this obiection Rom. 1.3 We reioyce in tribulation Qu. How can we doe so Ans. When wee subiect our selues vnto God in afflictions he sheddeth abroad his loue in our hearts and this breedeth patience which bringeth foorth experience and experience hope which maketh not ashamed being the helmet of saluation and our anchor which staieth our ship in the troublesome sea of this life Fourthly if wee must by our hope waite on Christ then in all our requests and petitions vnto God we must abide the Lords leisure not limiting him or prescribing the time vnto him of hearing for herein our hope must exercise it selfe Further from the obiect of this waiting which is the mercie of God we may learne diuers points first that there is no such merit of worke as the Papists dreame of for then might we waite for iustice and of due lay claime to life eternall But here we haue another lesson read vs namely that the Saints of God iustified sanctified and so continuing for to such Iude wrote as verse 1. must waite for the mercie of God vnto life eternall Yea let a man keepe all Gods Commandements hee shall merit nothing he doth but his dutie In the second Commandement the Lord saith he shewes mercie on thousands but who are they euen to them that loue me and keepe my Commandements If Adam had stood in innocencie he could not haue merited any better estate than hee was in how much lesse can wee since the fall nay Christ as hee was man alone could not merit nor did not but in regard of the personal vnion But the Papist will here say that life eternal is promised vpon condition and if wee can keepe the Commandements wee may merit I answere if wee keepe the condition of our selues wee may merit indeed but this is impossible for euen our keeping of the condition were of mercie and mercie and merit will neuer meete and stand together Secondly if we waite for mercie in Christ then must wee altogether despaire in regard of our selues of euer attaining life euerlasting for hope sendeth a man out of himselfe and causeth him wholy to relie himselfe vpon Christ. Thirdly if we must waite for the accomplishment of mercie which tendeth to life euerlasting then much more must wee in our dangers or troubles waite for Gods mercie in our deliuerance If wee must waite for the greater wee may for the lesse Hab. 2.3 At last the vision shall speake and not lie though it tarrie waite And Isai. 28.16 He that beleeueth maketh not haste This meeteth with mans corruptiō who in present trouble will haue present help or else he wil fetch it from hell it selfe from Satan and Sorcerers but such neuer learned to waite on Gods mercie for saluation for then could they waite his leisure in lesser matters for health and ease and with more comfort make farre lesse haste Secondly from the second effect or fruite of hope namely that it deceiueth not nor disappointeth him that hopeth note first a difference betweene humane or carnall and religious or Christian hope The former often deceiueth men at least when death commeth all such hopes perish but the second neuer deceiueth a man in time of need no not in death it selfe Secondly hence a man may and must beleeue his owne perseuerance in grace for where this hope is such a man cannot fall wholie from Christ for then his hope should disappoint him neither from his owne saluation because this hope laies hold on the mercie of God vnto eternall life and herein can neuer frustrate his expectation or make him ashamed Thirdly if our hope bring vs to the fulnes of happines and to the accomplishment of mercie hereafter then it bringeth vs to the beginnings of this happines euen in this life for the beginning of life eternall is in this life and standeth in the conuersion of sinners vnto God and in amendement of life and whosoeuer hath true hope hee is thereby stirred vp vnto daily repentance and reformation of life 1. Ioh. 3.3 He that hath this hope purgeth himselfe euen as he is pure Now there is none of vs but wee say wee hope for life eternall and looke to bee saued by the mercie of God in Christ it standeth vs thē in hand to trie the truth of this hope within our selues and manifest the truth of it vnto others and both these by this note namely that we finde it to purge our hearts and liues and that it conforme vs vnto Christ for if we hope to be like him after this life we must labour to resemble him euen in this life by being in some measure pure holy innocent meeke louing c. euen as hee was for otherwise if our liues be not in some reformation of our selues and conformitie to our head sutable to the profession of our hope it is but pretence of hope and will make men in the end ashamed Vers. 22.23 And haue compassion of some in putting difference and others saue with feare pulling them out of the fire and hate euen that garment which is spotted by the flesh THese words containe the two last rules tending to the preseruation of the faith both of them teaching how we may and are to recouer and restore those who are fallen or declining from faith or good conscience For the better vnderstanding whereof consider in the words two things first the way to begin this recouerie which is in the end of vers 22. By putting difference Secondly the manner how they are to be recouered expressed in both the rules the former concerneth Christian meeknes Haue compassion on some the latter concerneth Christian seueritie and other saue with feare Concerning the former the way of this recouery is to put a difference that is by Christian wisedome to distinguish betweene offenders For our direction wherein wee must know that
greatest part who are inuocated as intercessors not onely by their prayers but by their merits in heauen Thirdly his Propheticall office is bestowed likewise vpon euery Pope who is without scripture to determine infallibly by an inward assistance of the Spirit locked vp in his breast of all matters concerning faith manners which is the proper office of him who is the proper Doctor of his Church Therefore this Romish doctrine established by the Councell of Trent is an hereticall and Antichristian doctrine making God an Idoll God which is concluded out of the place alleaged thus He that denieth Iesus to be Christ is Antichrist And againe He that hath not the Sonne hath not the Father But the Romish Church denie Iesus to be Christ and hath not the Sonne because it ouerturneth his person and oppugneth all his offices and therfore neither haue they the Father but an Idoll God and so consequently their doctrine is Antichristian and hereticall For which cause the reformed Churches haue iustly separated from them and ought euer so long as they denie this ground so to doe The 14. ground is He that beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue life euerlasting Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world c. For the better handling of it consider first for the meaning what this faith is Secondly that it is a maine ground of true religion Thirdly the enemies of it For the first In this faith are two things first knowledge Secondly application of the thing knowne The knowledge is of Christ and his benefits of which some measure must be had or else there can be no faith Esay 53.11 By his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many Ioh. 17.3 This is life eternall c. And this stands with reason that the thing to bee beleeued must first bee knowne for faith without knowledge is fancie The Romane Church hath then erred which teach that there is a faith to saluation whereto knowledge is not required such a one as standeth only in an assent to the faith of the Church The second thing in faith which is the more principall is an application of things knowne namely of Christ and his benefits vnto our selues in particular And herein standeth the very substance of true faith which is not caused by any naturall affection of heart or action of will but by the supernaturall action of the minde enlightened by the spirit of God resoluing vs that Christ and his merits belong vnto vs in particular That this true particular application is required in true faith is proued by these reasons First that which wee lawfully aske by prayer wee must beleeue by a speciall faith but in prayer we lawfully aske the pardon of our sinnes in particular and life euerlasting by Christ therefore we must beleeue the pardon of our sinnes and life euerlasting by Christ. The aduersaries can denie nothing but the first part of this reason which is the very word of God it selfe Mark 11.24 Whatsoeuer ye desire when you pray beleeue yee shall haue it and it shall be done vnto you Where in euery petition of prayer our Sauiour requireth two things first a desire of things promised Secondly a particular faith of things desired standing in assurance that they shall be granted Secondly whatsoeuer the holie Ghost doth infallibly testifie to vs particularly that wee must beleeue particularly but the holy Ghost doth particularly testifie by infallible testimonie to euery beleeuers conscience his owne adoption and pardon of sinne and acceptance to life euerlasting and therefore it must be particularly beleeued Here the Papist excepteth and saith that this testimonie of the spirit of God is not certain but probable onely and a man may be deceiued in it But the Apostle Rom. 8.16 answereth this allegation The spirit of God testifieth with our spirits that we are the children of God and cleereth this testimonie of fearfulnes and weaknes in the former words where he saith it is not the spirit of feare which wee haue receiued but such a spirit as maketh vs criâ— Abba father and with a strong voyce yea and for the further assuring vs in this testimonie it is called the sâ—ale and earnest penny of the spirit in our hearts than which things what are more sure and certain ratifications among men whose testimony though it be but of two men but much more of three seale or earnest if it be sufficient confirmatioÌ„ vnto men how much more sure is the testimonie seale and earnest of the spirit of God vnto vs Thirdly that which God offereth and giueth vs particularly we must particularly receiue but God offereth and giueth vs Christ and all his benefits particularly in the Word Sacraments and therefore wee must haue particular faith to receiue him It will here be said we grant all this we must receiue Christ and his benefits in speciall but we doe it by hope as the Papists reach to hope well Ans. It is a work of faith alone Ioh. 1.12 As many as receiued him c. Who were they The next words shew euen they that beleeued on his name Againe in the Sacrament of the Supper Christ is offered as the bread and water of life to euery one in particular and therefore euery beleeuer must haue something in his soule proportionall to a hand and mouth for the receiuing and feeding vpon him which is nothing else but faith specially applying Christ and his benefits see Ioh. 6.35 Fourthly the example of beleeuers in the Scriptures prooue the same truth Abraham beleeued by a particular faith which was imputed to him for righteousnes Rom. 4.23 So also Paul Galat. 2.20 I liue by the faith of the Sonne of God who loued me and hath giuen himselfe for me Now both these are patternes and presidents for vs to follow that as they beleeued and particularly applied Christ to themselues so must we see Rom. 4.14 1. Timoth 1.16 Now froÌ„ these two namely knowledge and application followeth Confidence whereby wee trust and relie our selues vpon Christ and his merits thus knowne and applied vnto saluation which because it inseparably followeth faith is often in the Scripture put for faith it selfe I distinguish it from faith because it hath been said though falsely that it is a part of faith which indeed is a fruite and a follower of faith and the Apostle Ephes. 3.12 doth manifestly distinguish them By whom we haue boldnes and entrance with confidence by faith in him The second point in this ground is the weight of it That it is a maine ground of Religion appeareth thus If the inheritance of life saith Paul be not by faith it is not sâ—re Rom. 4.15 For if we were intitled by workes the promise should not be certaine he then that oppugneth this ground of particular faith ouerthroweth the Gospel as which cannot assure a man of saluation Secondly in the Catechisme of the Primitiue church faith in God is made one
three things first the Magistracie hath a power in it selfe whereby the Ciuill Magistrate may commaund in his own name The Ministrie hath power onely to pronounce what God commandeth and that in his name Secondly the authoritie of the Ciuill Magistrate is in himselfe the authoritie of the Minister not in himselfe but in Christ so as the Ciuill Magistrate may command obedience to himselfe but the Minister commandeth it to God Thirdly the Ciuill gouernment hath an absolute power to compell and enforce the outward man but the Ministrie hath power only to counsell perswade exhort Secondly this power of the Sword is added to distinguish it from all priuate power as in Schooles families which haue a power of commanding but not of the Sword Lastly I adde for the common good of mankind Rom. 13.4 The Magistrate is the minister of God for thy wealth that is procuring the welfare of soule and body which standeth in two things first true Religion secondly ciuill iustice both which are by Magistracie maintained It may be here demanded 〈…〉 Church appeareth in that the 〈…〉 preparation and performance of the same 2. Chron. 35. and 〈…〉 here two differences in this authoritie must be marked First that ciuill 〈◊〉 doth not after the same 〈◊〉 order causes ecclesiasticall as 〈…〉 in ciuill causes is ordâ—â—th all and 〈◊〉 all likewise but in ecclesiasticall it hath power to order all but not 〈◊〉 execute them The Magistrate indeed ordereth and prescribeth in all but the Minister is â—e that executeth in ecclesiasticall causes Secondly that ciuill authoritie hath power ouer all the things of men but not ouer the things of 〈◊〉 as the Woâ—d and Sacramentâ— faith conscience the graces of God in 〈◊〉 Ciâ—ill power hath no rule ouer these concerning which Christ commâ—nded to giue vnto God the things of God and vnto Caesar Caesars Secondly this authoritie extendeth it selfe to all persons as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill but so as it stretcheth onely vnto the 〈◊〉 man to the bodie life 〈◊〉 and outward things but not to the soule and conscience of which God is the onely Lord and gouernour 〈…〉 asked what are the kinds of this power I answere it is of three sortâ— first in one person man or woman which is a Monarchie secondly in moe when the gouernment is in a few states and 〈◊〉 thirdly in the bodie of the people which is a popular gouernment by one of these three is euery Common-wealth gouerned These are the Gouernmentâ— despised by these seducers The second point followeth 〈◊〉 vpon what grounds they despised gouernment Ans. Their grounds may be knowne by the Heretikes of thâ—â— time the Anabaptists who are giuen vp to the same 〈◊〉 and they 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 to these foure heads First subiection say they came in with sinne and therefore Christ hauing taken away sinne hath taken away subiection also The former part they prooue out of Gen. 1.26 Man in innocencie was to rule ouer the fish of the sea the fowles of heauen ouer the beasts the earth and all creeping things but not ouer man but after the fall Eue is put vnder subiection to Adam Genes 3. Ans. There bee two kindes of subiection the first Seruile the second Ciuill The former is the subiection of a slaue or vassall who is onely to seeke the proper good of his Lord and Master The latter whereby one man is subiect to another for the common good The former came in by sinne the latter was before sinne in innocencie Eue was subiect to Adam in innocencie thus the Apostle reasoneth 1. Tim. 2.12 Let the woman be subiect to the man for she was taken out of the man Againe in innocencie it was said Increase and multiplie and therefore in the light of nature is a plaine distinction betweene the father and sonne and an inequalitie The first place is misalleaged Genes â— 26 because it was spoken not of man alone but of all mankinde euen women as well as men who haue also dominion giuen ouer the vnreasonable creatures As for the second place Gen. 3.15 He shall rule and thou shalt be subiect It is not spoken because the ordinance of God simply considered in it selfe was not before the fall but because now the subiection was ioyned with feare griefe and sorrow which it wanted in innocencie for then it was a pleasure and this makes subiection a curse in some respect but is not so no not since the fall in it selfe considered Secondly they reason thus Euery beleeuer is in the kingdom of heauen euen in this life Now in heauen there is no King but God and therefore no beleeuer is to bee subiect to any but God and Christ. Ans. There bee two kindes of gouernments vpon earth one is spirituall and inward this is the kingdome of heauen and of Christ within man standing in peace of conscience and ioy in the holy Ghost in regard of which regiment of Christ there is no distinction of persons no difference of bond or free Master seruant father sonne but all are one in Christ. The other is a ciuill regiment wherein orders and distinctions of men must be maintained as some must bee Princes some subiects some fathers some children some Masters some seruants Whence it is that euery man susteines vpon him two persons and is to be considered first as a beleeuer and as a member of the kingdome of Christ thus is he equall to any beleeuer and any beleeuer equall to him Secondly as a member of the Common-wealth wherein he liueth thus he is either a superiour or inferiour Their reason were somewhat if euery beleeuer were onely in the kingdome of heauen but euery of them liuing here in earth is also a member of some Common-wealth Thirdly Ciuill gouernment is full of crueltie which hauing the power of the sword destroyeth the bodies and soules of offenders in not giuing them time of repentance and therefore is intolerable among Christians Ans. Moses and the Leuites by Gods commandement flew 3000. of the Israelites for worshipping their golden Calfe and neuer gaue them space to repent Secondly the malefactor that is not moued to repentance at the sentence of present death there is little hope that euer hee would repent after if hee had longer time Thirdly Gods wisedome and commaundement must take place of mans reason he commaundeth that the Malefactor should die and thereby that the euill be taken away better it is that one should bee destroied than an vnitie better that one bee remoued than a multitude by the contagion of his example infected Fourthly they plead liberty by some places and testimonies of Scripture Gal. 5.1 Stand fast in the libertie wherein Christ hath set you free Ans. The libertie which Christ hath procured vs is libertie of conscience freedome from the power of sin Satan death hell and condemnation and therefore spirituall but not from temporall and ciuill subiection Ob. Rom. 13.8 Owe nothing to any man but
they which take libertie to sinne and vnto them addeth this fourth That they haue followed the way of Caine. In which first we will shew the meaning of the words and then obserue the doctrines In the former consider two things first what is the way of Caine secondly why they are said to walke in this way of Caine. The way of Caine is that course of life which Caine took vp to himself in following the lusts of his owne heart against the will of God It is described in Gen. 4. of which way there be seuen steps or degrees but euery one out of the right way The first step was his hypocrisie he worshipped God by offring sacrifice as Abel did but his heart was not a beleeuing heart as Abel◠was his worship was outward ceremonious but not in spirit and truth for his heart was an euill heart of vnbeleefe The second his hatred of his owne onely and naturall brother prosecuting him with wrath and indignation testified by the casting downe of his countenance vpon him the reason of all which was because his own works were euill and his brothers good 1. Ioh. 3.12 so as his brothers offering being accepted and his reiected he feared that Abel might get the birthright and become the Priest Prophet and King in the familie and euery way as he deserued be preferred before him for thus much is signified in these words Genes 4.7 that if he did well Abels affection should bee subiect vnto him and he should hold his rule ouer him The third his murther whereby hee slew his righteous brother The fourth his lying vnto God saying he knew not where his brother was hauing slaine him and extenuating his sinne denied himselfe to be his brothers keeper The fifth his desperation after that God had conuicted him and pronounced sentence against him for being cursed for his sinne he cutteth himselfe off from the mercie of God in saying My punishment is greater than I am able to beare The sixth his securitie and carelesnes hee regardeth not his sinne nor the conscience of it but busieth himselfe in building a Citie and calleth it after the name of his child that seeing his name was not written in heauen he might yet preserue his name and memorie in the earth The seuenth and last which was the highest step of his way was his prophanenes for from thencefoorth he cast off and contemned all the care and practise of Gods worship which appeareth Gen. 4.26 Then men began to call vpon the name of the Lord. Which wordes haue relation to the whole chapter going before concerning Caine and his posteritie who had vtterly reiected the seruice of God and betaken themselues to other affaires Caine himselfe to his building Lamech to his lust being the first founder of Polygamie for hee tooke vnto him two wiues Iabal to the framing and pitching of Tents Iubal to Musicke Tubal Caine to other curious works But when Enoch was borne then men began to affect better things to call vpon the name of the Lord then the true worship of God formerly neglected began to bee restored This is the path wherein Caine walked The second point is in what regard these seducers are said to follow Cain◠way and that is in regard of all these seuen sinnes but especially in the hatred and crueltie which he practised against his brother for as he was bloodily and maliciously minded towards his brother though he gaue him good words till he saw his time conuenient to execute his conceiued malice so is it with these seducers they may seeme for the season otherwise affected yet indeed they carrie a hatefull affection to the Church of God and against those also that endeuour in the building vp of the same Doct. Hence first note that the way of Caine is the high and broad way of the world The Turks and Iews follow Caines footsteps in the profession and practise of all prophanenes in that they denie and despise the Messias the Sonne of God yea and persecute with a deadly hatred all Christians and are neuer satisfied with the spilling of their blood The way of the Papists also is the way of Caine carrying within them the same heart towards Protestants which Caine did towards Abel without any conuiction of them either of heresie or of wickednes and no otherwise than Caine they now carrie themselues quietly and silently till opportunitie may serue them which if it were offered we should feele and haue fearefull experience of the fruits of a Cainish heart in them as Abel did Besides the doctrine of the Romish Church teacheth the way of Caine for it stādeth wholy in outward Ceremonies borrowed partly from the Iewes partly from the Heathen yea it traineth vp men to bee hypocrites because it is onely a dumbe and dead shew without any power or life of godlines Againe it teacheth desperation in that by it no man ought to be assured of his saluation for that were presumption as also that a man must satisfie the iustice of God for his sinnes and can neuer obtaine pardon without confession of all his sinnes in the eare of the Priest And to come neerer home euen among our selues this way of Cain is not vnbeaten our hypocrisie lying malice but aboue all our prophanenes will conuince vs hereof Doe not men goe backward in religion as those that shake off the waies of God Is not the Gospell of farre lesse reckoning among vs than it hath been heretofore Is that wholsome doctrine not lesse respected now than it was twentie yeeres agoe and much lesse therfore obeyed which is a manifest argument that Caines way is generally the beaten way of this age 2. Doct. Secondly wee must be warned to turne out of the way of Caine into the waies of God Qu. Which is the way of God that wee may walke in it Ans. It is altogether contrarie to the way of Caine for first in Gods way is sinceritie God is worshipped in the spirit and not in hypocrisie Secondly loue of God and men testified in word and deede opposed to Cains hatred Thirdly in Gods way is faith which resteth vpon Gods mercie and prouidence euen against feeling both in life and death opposed to Caines desperation Fourthly wisedome whereby the heart is stirred vp to seeke Gods kingdome peace of conscience inward ioy and in the second place for the things of this life Fifthly in Gods way is faithfulnes and constancie men that begin in the spirit end not in the flesh but are faithfull to the death whereas the way of Caine is to begin with sacrifice but end in profanenes This is the way of God in which we must walke vsing all good meanes whereby wee may be both set and contained therein especially the word preached and the Sacraments which meanes the very Pharisie himselfe could acknowledge when he said to Christ Master thou teachest the way of God truly So the Prophet Esay saith Ye shall heare a voyce behind you