Law was as it were a hand-writing and testimony of that guilt by which all men were held bound Col. 2.14 And puting out the hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us he even took it out of the way and fastened it on the Crosse. IV. The Ceremonial Law was then abolished by Christ 's death V. The use of it before Christ 's death was profitable after his death until the Gospel was spread abroad it was indifferent but after the promulgation of the Gospel not onely was the observation of Ceremonies unwholsom but also mortal Hence Paul in the beginning caused Timothy to be circumcised because of the weaknesâ— of the Jews Acts 16 3. but after the Gospell was more fully manifested he would not suffer Titus to be circumcised Gal. 2.3 And â—urely at this day to observe the Jewish Ceremonies were to deny Christ his death aâ—d comming in the flesh VI. Therefore as the opinion of the Encratites other ancient Hereticks whereby they prohibited certain meats as of themselves unclean was damnable so the error of Papists is to be abhorred who obtrude upon the Church Ceremonies partly Iewish partly Heathenish The precepts of the ceremonial Law are either of holy persons or of holy things holy persons were in general all that were initiated by Circumcision whereby they were obliged to the observation of the other Ceremonies and then were put in mind of Sanctification by Christ. In particular holy persons were the Ministers both ordinary and extraordinary the ordinary were the Priests and Levites the Priests were they who administred the Law by expounding sacrificing making intercession and blessing such things as were to be performed to God and men The RULES I. The High Priest was a type of Christ the High Priest II His rich clothing ornaments almost equal to regal robes were types of Christ's dignity and chiefly of his most perfect juâ—tice See Zac. 3.5 III. The chief ornaments were the Ephod â—r cloak and Breast-plate fastened to the â—loak on the Ephod were the names of the twelve Tribes engraven upon precious stones on the breast-plate were Urim and Thummim from whence the Church received Oracles The Cloak then represented the Church Vrim and Thummim that is light and perfection did signify Christ the Word and Interpreter of the Father our light and perfection the Ephod represented Christ as he performed the things that concerned us the Breast-plate shewed him as he performed the things concerning God The Levites were they who being used in stead of the first-born were to attend the Priests to keep and to carry the Tabernacle with its utensils The extraordinary Ministers were the Prophets and Nazarites The Prophets were they who by divine inspiration teaching and reforming the Priests and people were types of Christ the great Prophet The Nazarites were they who by a special vow abstaining from wine and consecrating themselves to God were types of the holiness of Christ. In the holy worship we are to observe the instruments and the manner of it The Instruments were the Tabernacle and the utensils thereof to wit the Ark the Altars the Table and brazen Laver. The RULES I. The Tabernacle was the Type of the Deity which was to dwell in Christ bodily John 1.14 He dwell amongst us as in a Tabernacle Col. 2.9 In him dwelt the whole fulnesse of the Deity bodily II. The artificial structure of the Tabernacle was a type of the spiritual Fabrick of the Church which was to be grounded upon Christ. Ephes. 2.20 21. III. The removing of the Tabernacle did figure the Christian Churches pilgrimage here on earth IV. The uniformity of the Temple signified the Vnity of Christ and the Church V. The parts whereof were three the Court the Holy-place and the Holy of Holies VI. The Court in which the people met was a Type of the visible Church in which are good and bad VII The Holy place was the Court for the Priests and a type of the true members of the Church that elect and royal Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2.9 VIII The Holy of Holies into which none entered but the High Priest and that but once a year did shaddow out the Sanctuary of Heaven into which Christ was to enter for our good IX The vaile of the Temple garnished with Cherubims did signifie Christs flesh covering as it were the Divine nature X. In the Court was the Altar of Burnt offerings overlaid with brasse representing Christs flesh united in the Divinity and withall his strength of suffering any thing for us the Altar also of incense intimating Christs Intercession for us XI There also was the brazen Laver appointed for washing which signified that we are purged by the blood of Christ that we may offer to God acceptable sacrifices XII In the Holy-place or Court of the Priests was the Table and on it the Shew-bread and the golden Candlestick by which was taught that Christ is to his people meat drink and light to life eternal XIII In the same place were the Vessels of gold ready for sprinkling and Incense representing both Christs death and Intercession XIV In the Holy of Holies was the golden Censer proper to the High Priest alone and there was also the Ark of the Covenant XV The Ark was made of Cedar-wood and covered with gold which represented both Christs natures XVI The Tables of the Law the Manna and Aarons rod kept within the Ark represented Christ as he teacheth nourisheth and ruleth his People XVII The cover of the Ark called the Propitiatory together with the Cherubims from whence God promised to speak with Moses was the type of Christ covering our sins defending us by his Angels and expounding to us the word and counsel of his Father The manner of the Levitical service consists partly in the things that were offered to God partly in holy times The things that were offered to God were sacrifices both Expiatory or of Propitiation and Eucharistical or of thanksgiving The Expiatory Sacrifice or Peace-offering was when the faithfull witnessed by the killing and offering of living creatures that they in themselves were guilty of death and that they placed their confidence in the blood of Christ as of that immaculate Lambe who was to be offered afterward for the sins of the World The Sacrifice Expiatory was offered either for all sins or for some certain sins The sacrifice that was offered for all sins was called a Holocaust or Burnt-offering for it was performed by burning the whole sacrifice The sacrifice for certain sins called the Sacrifice of Redeâ—ption was either for the sin it self or for the guilt thereof The Sin-offering was when a sin was expiated which had been committed out of errour or ignorance See Levit. 4.2 3. The sacrifice for the guilt called Trespass-offering was when a sin was expiated which had been done wittingly but yet out of infirmity Levit. 5 and 7. The Eucharistical sacrifice or Offering of Thanksgiving was to testifie the gratitude of the
and his posterity As out of a venemous root nothing can proceed that 's wholsome so all that are come of Adam naturally are born guilty of that primitive sin X. That primitive sin therefore is not only personal but natural also because by it whole Nature is destroyed of which also Adams prosterity is held guilty to wit all that are naturally sprung from Adam Christ then is excepted from this guilt for he was born of Adam but not by Adam not by naturall generation but by the vertue of the Holy Ghost XI As therefore the Person infected Nature so afterward Nature infected the Persons XII We religiously believe that our first Parents were received into favour by God CHAP. X. Of Original Sinne and Free-will THat Sin which is derived from the first or primitive Sin is either original or actual original Sin is that native corruption derived into the whole man and to the whole race of man naturally descending from Adam whereby man having utterly lost his freedom to good becomes prone to evil The RULES I. This sin in Scripture is named by way of excellency Sin and the Body of sin Sinful-sin Inhabiting-sin The law of our members The Old-man Flesh II. It is called also Concupiscence Rom 7.7 I had not known lust or concupiscence unlesse the Law had said thou shalt not covet or lust or Jam. 1 14 15. III. Therefore the Papists doe erroniously exempt it from being a sin reckoning it among the works of God By the name of Concupiscence is understood either that natural faculty of desire which was in man even before his fall or that corruption which naturally adheres to it as it is in it in the first act and as it inclines man onely to evill IV. The proximate cause of Original sin is the guilt of the first sin in respect of which it is a most just punishment from God to wit a part of that death which God threatened to man V. Although the soul is immediately infused by God into man yet being united to the body it is made guilty presently of the first sin imparted to the whole man and therefore is infected with Original contagion VI. Neither for this cause doth Original sin cease to be sin in that it is not wittingly nor willingly committed for it is sufficient that the irregularity of our nature is present though spontaneousnesse be absent VII From this Original sin except Christ alone no man is free not the blessed Virgin Mary Neither is it only in Infants but it is in the Embryo scarce as yet conceived and before the birth and it appears still more and more as the rapacity of Wolves shews it self in their whelps Psal. 51.7 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceived me 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin VIII Original sin doth consist not onely in an impotency and inaptitude to goodnesse but also in pronenesse to evill neither is it onely the amission of Original good but also the immission of the contrary evill IX By Original sin our natural gifts are corrupted but supernatural are utterly lost X. The Vnderstanding remained but darkened the Will remained but depraved the inferiour Appetite remained but altogether vitiated XI Hence it is that in natural and civil actions an irregenerate man can do no good without special grace XII Without this special grace no excellent thing could be performed by the Gentiles XIII Whatsoever good then that was which they did it was mixed with much vanity so that their chief vertues were in Gods sight but glorious enormities XIV For those are not good works which are good in themseâ—ves but which are done well A work is said to be good either univocally or equivocally univocally so such a work is simply good in respect of all circumstances equivocally a work is good in it self but withall vitious either in respect of the subject or object or means or the end for if we look upon the actions of the Gentiles we shall finde that they aimed more at their own than at Gods glory in them XV. Although the affections of the wicked are kept in by God as with a Bit yet they are not healed XVI But supernatural gifts were utterly lost to wit the claritie of the intellect the rectitude of the will and the conformity of the appetite with reason XVII Hence there is no principle of knowledge or performance of spirituall things in us either in act or in possibility XVIII They seek then the house in the ashes who ascribe to an unregenerate man free-will or other faculties by which he may do well or prepare himself to his own conversion or to the acceptation of Gods grace For this is the errour of Pelagians and Semi-pelagians XIX Mans will remained free from coaction but not to good and evill XX. Yea it is free to evill onely and therefore deserves rather to be called servile than free As for the understanding the natural man comprehends not the things that are of Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you look upon the will the imagination of mans heart is onely evill Gen. 8.21 Finally the Scripture cries out that the whole man having lost his spiritual life lieth dead in sin Ephes. 2.1 Col. 2.13 XXI Although this sin is pardoned in the sanctified Parents notwithstanding by generation it is tansmitted to posterity The reason is because the corruption dwelling in us is not altogether taken away by pardon although the guilt be done away and as faith is the gift not of generation but of regeneration so man not as he is regenerate but as man begets man even as seeds being winnowed from the ears chaff and husks do spring up again with the same CHAP. XI Of actual Sin SO much of Original sin Actual sin is whereby Gods Law is broken by thoughts desires words or deeds The RULES I. According to the diversity of circumstances there are diverse sins II. From the efficient cause sin is either of publique or of private persons as they are in more or less dignity III. From the matter which are things thought desired said or done IV. From the form it is either of commission or omission V. From the end it is either of incogitancy or of affectation and against conscience and that rather of malice than of infirmity or contrarily rather of infirmity than malice VI. From the subject it is of the soul chiefly or of the body or of both VII From the object it is either committed against God or our neighbour VIII Sin committed against God is either with a kind of unwillingness or with a full desire this later sin the Scripture cals the sin against the holy Ghost and to death Matth 12.32 1 John 5.16 IX The sin against the Holy Ghost or to death is when one is convicted in his conscience by the testimony of the Holy Spirit resisteth notwithstanding the same
the end of the Law Rom. 10.4 when it is called a School-master to lead us to Christ Gal. 3.24 and when the Law is said not to be contrary to him who doth the works of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 23. For that righteousness which the Law requires that the Gospel exhibites in Christ to the Believer and albeit we cannot in this life yield full satisfaction to the Law yet the regenerate begin to obey it by the grace of sanctification CHAP. XVI Of the Person of Christ God and Man THe parts of the Gospel concerning Christ our Redeemer are two the first is of his person the other of his Office In respect of the Person the Redeemer is God and man that is Gods eternal Son being incarnate or made man in the fulnesse of time John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us Gal. 4 4. But after the fulnesse of time came God sent his Son made of a Woman 1. Tim. 3 16. and without controveâ—sie great is the mystery of godliness God made manifest in the flesh The RULES I. The Incarnation of Christ originally is the work of the whole blessed Trinity but terminatively or in respect of the object it is the work of the Son alone For the son onely assumed mans nature which the father in the Son by the Holy Ghost formed of the substance of the blessed Virgin II The person of Christ is considered either disjunctively as the Word and the eternal Son of God or conjunctively as God and man the first consideration is according to Divinity the latter according to Oeconomie or Gods gracious dispensation III. Likewise the divine nature is considered either in it self and simply or relatively as it is in the Person of the Word by dispensation IV. Althâ—ugh then it be true that Christ-God is become man yet it follows not that therefore the Divinity is incarnate or because the Son is Incarnate that the Father also and Holy Ghost are Incarnate V. The matter out of which the Incarnation was effected is the seed of the Woman or of the blessed Virgin Gen. 3.15 VI. The forme of it consisteth in the Personal Vnion whereby the word was made flesh and Christ remained the same he was and became what he was not VII The end is Gods glory and our salvation VIII Both the truth of God as also our salvation do evince the necessity of Christs incarnation IX The truth of God because in the Old Testament it was uttered by divers Prophesies and was shaddowed by divers types These are the chief Prophesies Gen 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 22.18 In thy seed all nations shall be blessed Esa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son and they shall call his name Emanuel Esa. 9.6 7. For unto us a child is borne and unto us a Son is given Jer. 23.5 Behold the dayes shall come in which I will raise to David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgement and justice on the earth In his dayes â—udah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness But his types were the Tabernacle the Arke of the Covenant and such like of which we have said but chiefly Melchisedeck without father without mother Hebr. 7.3 and that humane shape or form in which he appeared of old frequently to the Fathers X. Our salvation for this cause doth evince and prove the necessity of his Incarnation in that we could not be saved but by such a redeemer who was both God and Man in one Person or God-man XI That he should be God was requisite in respect of both parties on the one side the Majesty of God required it on the other side our wants the greatness of the evil that was to be removed and the good that was to be restored Such is the Majesty of God that no man could interpose himself but he who was one with the Father the very Angels durst not do this because they also stood in need of Christ the Mediator Col. 1.16 17. Because they being compared with God are unclean Ioh. 15.15 and for this cause they cover their faces in Gods presence Isa. 6.2 How much lesse then could any man intercede whereas there is not one just person Rom. 3.10 The evill that was to be taken away was sin and the consequents of sin the wrath of God the power of Satan both temporal and eternal death Now I pray by whose suffering could that infinite Majesty be satisfied which was offended unlesse by his suffering who was also Infinitâ— By whose Intercession could the wrath of God be appeased but by his onely who is that best beloved son of God By whose strength could Satan with the whole power of darknesse be overcome except by his who in power exceeds all the Devils who finally could overcome death except he who had the power over death Heb. 2.15 But the good things that were to be â—estred were perfect righteousness adoption into sons the Image of God the gifts of the holy Ghost life eternal and such like but now who could bestow that righteousness on us except he who is justice it self Who is so fit to make us the sons of God as he who is by nature the Son of God Who was so fit to restore in us the image of God as he who is himselfe the Image of the invisible God who can bestow on us the holy Spirit so assuredly as he from whom the spirit proceedeth Who at last can give us life eternal but he who is life it self Iohn 1.4 XII That he might be man the justice of God required which as it leaves not sin unpunished so it punisheth not sin but in that nature which sinned The first branch of this Rule is plain both by the justice and by the truth of God By his justice because God by this doth not onely resist but also punish sin Psal. 5.4 5 6. For thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickednesse nor shall evil dwell with thee the foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquity thou shalt destroy them that speak lies the Lord will abhor the blody and deceitful man Now by the truth of God because the threatning which was given before the fall could not be in vain therefore Socinus is idle and foolish who that he might overthrow the merit of Christ feigns such a justice of God which doth not necessarily inflict eternal death or require satisfaction and which in this respect can be content to loose its own right but if sins were to be punished they were surely to be punished in our nature for to man the Law was given and to man death was threatned therefore it lies upon man to suffer the punishment
Christ did manifest it selfe in the state of his Humiliation chiefly by miracles yet this was little in comparison of that glorious manifestation of him in his exaltation In the state of Humiliation he performed his Prophetical office not only mediately by sending Iohn Baptist his Herauld before and by the Apostles whom he called but also immediately to his lost sheep especially of Israel by preaching to them the heavenly Truth with great constancy patience and efficacy both of his doctrine and miracles But his Sacerdotall office he administred in this state making a most full satisfaction and an humble intercession for us The satisfaction of Christ is that whereby he being subject to the Law for us did undergo the curse due to our sins and performed most perfectly obedience to the Law which was required of us and so hath freed us from the curse and hath restored us to life This consisteth in suffering the pains and in perfect justice in that is seen cheifly his passive in this his active obedience I do purposely adde this restriction that we may not think his active and passive obedience so to differ as if the suffering of â—he punishment consisted only in his passive obedience and his perfect justice only in his active for they differ not in time seeing both of them continued from the first moment of his incarnation till his death Nor do they differ in subject because the same obedience in a different respect is both active and passive and consequently Chriâ—â—â— obedience is an active passion and a passive action for as passion is a receiving of the punishment it is called passive obedience but as it is a testimony of his great love it may be called active Neither is the division of obedience into active and passive a division into parts but onely a distinction taken from the end to wit the twofold satisfaction for punishment and for life eternal The curse upon the transgressoâ—s of the Law requires the former Deut. 27.26 The promise of life under the condition of perfect obedience and righteousness requires the latter Lev. 18.5 Therefore we are said Analogicaly by that one and most perfect satisfaction of Christ both to be freed from the punishment because he suffered the punishment for us and to be invested in the right of life eternal because he fulfilled the Law for us The suffering of punishment is whereby he undertook upon himself the punishment due to us and offered himself of his own accord a holy Sacrifice to God for us This consisteth both in the sufferings which went before his great and last Passion but especially in this last agonie The RULES I. No part of Christs Passion must be excluded from his Satisfaction The reason because he did not suffer for himselfe in any thing but all for us II. Therefore those innumerable sufferings which Christ endured until his last journy to Jerusalem are not to be separated from the price of Christs redemption for although the Passion of Christ which went before his last agony might be called a preparative to his death yet it is indeed an integral part of satisfaction As it cannot be denied that the payment of an hundred pounds by him who oweâ—h divers tuns of gold is an integral part of the paymenâ— although iâ—â—e but a smal sum in respect of the whole and principal debt III. Yet the Scripture synecdochically and by way of excellency doth describe his last passion as the price of our redemption and his death or oblation on the altar of the cross as an expiatory sacrifice Of this see the 9. and 10. chapter to the Heb IV. The principal efficient cause of this passion was the holy Trinity the ministring causes were Christs enemies both Iews and Gentiles V. the Person that suffered for us is not the Father nor the Holy Ghost but the Son of God VI. Although God is rightly said to suffer yet the God-head suffered not God suffered in the flesh not with the flesh VII The sufferings of Christ were divers of which there were three ranks to wit some before his death death it self and some after death VIII Of those that went before his death some were internal some external IX The internal were his sadnesse anxieties and tortures proceeding from the fiercenesse of Gods wrath and the conflict he had with that tentation of dereliction which cast him into that bloody sweat and made him cry out My God My God why hast thou forsaken me X. But although he wrestled with the tentation of dereliction yet he fell not into desperation neither did he yield to the tentation but overcame it by a strong confidence in his God The undoubted argument of his victory was this that in his greatest agony he failed not to call God his God XI His external sufferings were the tortures of his body which he endured in a manner in all his members senses for his head was torn with throns and beat with reeds his face was defiled with spittle and bruised with buffeting his ears were wounded with scoffs and railings his eyes were troubled with the mourning of his Mother and his disciples his tongue was scorched with thirst and poisoned with vinegar and gall his body was stript and torn with whipping and the same was fastned to the Crosse his hands and feet being pierced with nailes and was hanged between Thieves his sinews were racked and his side was pierced with a lance XII The Cross was chosen to die on which was no ordinary kinde of death but an accursed one for of old it was made execrable by the mouth of God Cursed is he that hangeth on a Tree Deut. 21.23 XIII In Christs death the Personal Vnion was not dissolved the soule indeed was severed from the body but neither of them from the Personality or Hypostasis of of the sonne of God XIV The sufferings that followed his death were not joyned with any pain yet they wanted not disgrace or ignominie such was his burial and the three dayes lying in the grave XV. His burial was a part of his sufferings whereby Christs body no other ways than the carcasses of other men was cast into the grave XVI His three dayes detention or stay in the grave is the last degree of his Humiliation at which time his soul being translated to Paradise his body was detained under the pains and bands of death as if he had been altogether overcome and swallowed up by it his enemies in the mean while triumphing over him as if he had been quite cut off Acts 2.24 Whom God raised having loosed the sorrows of death XVII When mention is made of Christs descent into hell in the fourth Article of the Creed it is demanded of what part of Christs passion that must be understood That opinion of the Papists concerning Christs local descent into Limbus Patrum or the place of the Fathers and their delivery from thence is fabulous and very ridiculous from which their
not prove your selves know yee not your own selves how that Iesus Christ is in you except yee be reprobates but I trust that yee shall know that we are not reprobates CHAP. XXI Of the Covenant of Grace THe fruit and benefit of Vocation is the outward communion both of the covenant of Grace as also of the Church The external communion of the Covenant of Grace is whereby they who are called are accounted to be in the covenant and Gods people yet analogically as some are truly Gods people some onely in outward profession In the Covenant of grace we must consider both the offering of it and the confirming or sealing of it the offering of the Covenant of Grace is that whereby God promiseth to the elect to be their Father in Christ if they performe filial obedience The RULES I. By the name of Covenant we understand not that general which God made with all creatures nor the covenant of works made with our first parents but that which after the fall God of his meer mercy hath made with us II. Therefore the covenant of Grace is called a Testament or â—isposition becausâ— by this God hath appointed to his sons an heavenly inheritance to be obtained by the mediation of his own Sons death Hâ—b 8.10 Therefore this is the Covenant that I will make c. and Chap. 9.15 16. And for this cause he is the Mediâ—tor of the New Testament that through death which was for the redemption of â—he transgressions that were in the formâ—r Testament they whiâ—h wâ—re called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance for where a Testament is there must needs be the death of him that made the Testament III. The efficient cause of this is câ—mmonly the Holy Trinity but particularly â—hrist God and man that Angel of the covenant Mal. 3.1 Behoâ—d I will send my Angel to wit John Baptist who shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom you shall seek shall suddenly come to his Temple even the Angel of the Covenant whom you desire IV. The matter of the Covenant of Grace are the things conditioned on both sides to wit of God and man God promiseth that he will be our God in Christ man promiseth the obedience of Faith and life V. The former consisteth in a mutual obligation but so that they are Relatives of an unequal nature for the promise and obligation on Gods part is free but on mans part it is a due debt VI. The end of the Covenant is the same that is of the general vocation Gods glory and the salvation of the Elect. VII The subject or object of this proffered Covenant are all that be called but properly the Elect onely This Covâ—nant is proffered to all that are called but the the Elect onely enjoy the Promises of the Covenant VIII Out of the adjuncts we are to consider the administration of the Covenant of Grace IX The administration in respect of time is distinguished into the old and new league or testament X. The old Testament is the Covenant of Grace administred in the time wherein Christ was to be exhibited XI The form of this Administration was threefold 1. from Adam to Abraham 2 from Abraham to Moses 3. from Moses to Christ. XII Between the first and last form of administration this difference is 1. That that was made by words of promise which were very short and yet long enough but this hath not onely a promise but an expresse condition of Obedience also 2. That had onely the ceremony of Sacrifices but this also of Circumcision 3. That was proposed to all mankinde but this was tied only to Abraham's posterity XIII Between the administration of the form in the third and two former this is the difference that the third is more perfect and truly testamentary because inlarged not onely with the Passeover but also with many other types of Christ's death XIV The New Testament is the covenant of Grace which is administred Christ being exhibited XV. The New and Old Testament agree in substance for in both Christ is the same Testator in both is the same Promise of Grace in Christ in both is required the same obedience of faith and life XVI They are deceived then who make Parallel distinctions of the Old and New Testament of the Covenant of Works and of Grace of the Law and Gospel for in both the Testament or Covenant is the Covenant of Grace in both the Law and Gospel are urged XVII But the administration of the Old and New Testament differ first in time because the Old Testament was exhibited before Christ but the New is administered Christ being now exhibited that was to continue onely till Christ this for ever 2 In place or amplitude for that was proffered to the people of Israel onely this extends it selfe through all the world 3. In clearnesse because the free promises of Christ are more clearly preached in the New Testament and confirmed the shadows of Types and Ceremonies being abolished 4 In facility because the administration in the Old Testament was more laborious than in the New 5. In sweetnesse for in the Old Testament the perfect obedience of the Law is oftener urged yet not excluding the promises of the Gospel yet to that end that they might be compelled to seek Christ by that rigorous exaction of obedience as it were by a School-master but in the new Testament the promises of the Gospel are more frequent yet not excluding the Law which drives us to new obedience to be performed by the grace of Regeneration XVIII Hence then it is manifest in what sense the new Covenant is opposed to the old in Jeremiah Jer. 31.31 32. Behold the days come saith the Lord in which I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah not according to the Covenant which I made with â—heir Fathers when I took c. and v. 33. But this shall be the Covenant c I will put my law in their inward parts and write is in their hearts v. 34. And they shall teach no more every one his neighbour c. they shal know me from the least to the greatest In these words regard is had to the third and fifth difference to this when mention is made of the law written in Tables of stone and afterwards to be written in their hearts but to that when he promiseth a clearer knowledge CHAP. XXII Of the Seals or Sacraments of the Covenant of Grace in general HAving spoken of the Covenant proffered to us now follows the Confirmation thereof by Sacraments as it were by Seals of the Covenant of Grace A Sacrament is a Sacred action instituted by God in which that grace which Christ hath promised to the Covenanters is sealed by visible signes on Gods part and they are tyed on their part to obedience The RULES I. The word Sacrament which of old was used for a military Oath or for money deposited in stead of a
in part whereby blindnesse shall remain upon the Reprobates doth no wayes prejudice the elect of that same Nation but they also and so all Israel shall be saved See Calvin on this place VII The signe of Christs presence shall be doubtlesse an incredible brightness and majestie in which he shall appear For he shall come in the cloudes of Heaven Matth. 26.64 with incredible glory Matth. 25 31. accompanied with the whole army of his Angels â—ib with a great shout and voice of the Archangel 1 Thess. 4.16 By reason of his brightness the Sun and and moon shall be darkned as lesser lights by the greater and Stars shalâ— fall from Heaven that is they shall seem to fall from Heaven and the powers of Heaven shall be shaken Mat. 24.29 c. Mar. 13.24 c. yea at his sight Heaven and earth shal seem to fâ—ie away Rev. 20 11 Thus of Christs coming The resurrection of the dead is whereby the bodies of the dead shall be raised but the bodies of those that remain alive shall be changed and shall be again united to their souls by an indissolveable union The RULES I. The Resurrection called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is First or Second That is a resuscitation from the death of sin to the life of righteousnesse This is a revocation from death corporal to life Rev. 20.6 Blessed and holy is he who hath part in the first resurrection II. The Scripture proves the Resurrection of the dead by testimonies examples types and reasons III. Though the Resurrection of the dead is above nature and mans corrupt reason yet it is neither against nature nor against right reason For right reason teacheth that the dead can be raised and shall be raised That is gathered from his omnipotencie this from his justice For as it is just that some sins be punished after this life so it is just likewise that what was the companion of sin should be the companion of pain IV. The general efficient cause of the Resurrection is the whole Trinity the particular is Christ our Lord. Christ is the efficient cause of this three ways 1. As God 2. As the Judge of the world 3. As Mediator The first two wayes he is the efficient cause of resurrection both in the elect and in the reprobate but the third way he is the cause of the resurrectâ—on of the faithful by his merit efficacie and inchoation V. The matter is the same numerical body that man had in this life Besides Iobs testimony Iob 19.26 the reason annexed to the third Canon taken from Gods justice proves this VI. The form consisteth in the reunion of body and soul and restoring of the dead to life and in the sudden change of those that remain and in their freedom from corruption 1 Cor. 15.51 VII The end is the declaration of Gods justice and mercy of that in raising the wicked to condemnation of this in raising the godly to life eternal Dan. 12.2 Joh. 5.28.29 VIII In the Resurrection the godly shall be freed not only from corruption and bodily defects but shall be crowned also with glory 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44. It is sowed in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowed in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sowed in weakness it is raised in power it is sowed a natural body it is raised a spirituall body CHAP. XXXV Of the last Iudgement SO much of the antecedents of the last Judgement The Judgement it self is that most glorious act whereby Christ shall judge the whole Word The RULES I. The certainty of the last judgement is proved by the same arguments by which we proved the certainty of Christs comming and of our resurrection II. The general efficient principal cause is the whole Trinity the particular is Christ our Lord in the assumed humane nature but glorified III. The chief power of Iudicature shall be in Christ for to him all power is given and from whom no appeal can be made to any superiour IV. This Iudge shall be visible and conspicuous to all both in respect of his brightnesse and majesty in which he shall appear as also of his humanity But so that his sight shall be terrible to the wicked joyfull to the godly V. The instrumental cause are the Angels whose service he shall use both in gathering together those that are to be judged and in separating the godly from the wicked Matth. 22.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of the Trumpet and they shall gather the elect from the four winds and 25 32. And all Nations shall be gathered bâ—fore him and he shall separate the one from the other as the shâ—pherd separates the sheep from the goats VI. The matter shall be all men who must appear before Christs tribunal Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 VII But the gody shall be judged one way and the wicked another way For they shall be judged but not condemned these shall be judged and condemned In this sense the Scripture denieth that the faithful shall be judged Ioh 3.18 and 5.29 VIII Neither matters it that the wicked are said to be judged already For it is one thing to be judged in private another in publike and openly IX The form is expressed by the manner of proceedings in the Courts of justice to which belongs 1. The cognisance of the cause 2. The pronouncing of the sentence 3. The execution thereof X. The cognisanse of the cause is expressed by the similitude of records or books in which their works are registred Rev. 20.12 And the Books were opened c. By these Books are meant partly Gods omniscience and partly mens conscience X. The wicked shall be judged according to and for their works but the godly according to the works of their faith but not for their works Hence Rev. 20.12 Another Book is said to be opened which is â—he book of life That we might know That our salvation depends not on our works but on Gods eternal grace whereby we are written in the Book of life XII The infidelity and impiety of the wicked shall be so laid open before their eyes in their own conscience that they shall not be able to deny or gain-say any thing Psal. 50. â—1 I will reprove thee and set these things in order before thine eyes Matth. 12.36 But I say unto you whatsoever idle word 〈◊〉 shall speak they shall give an accâ—unt thereof in the day of judgment XIII Although the Elect shall remember their sins yet they shall be so fiâ—ed with the joy of the Spirit that the remembrance thereof shall not sad them XIV Both Reprobate and elect shall hear the sentence of the Iudge to the one it shalâ— be full of horror to the other full of comfort Mat 25 34. Come ye blessed of my Father possess the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world and v. 41. Go ye cursed
that God hath separated onely one day of seven for Divine worship 2. In that he goeth before us by his own example The promises are in Isa. 56.2 c. and 58.13 IV. The matter or object of this sanctification is the Sabbath or seventh day in the Iewish Church to which succeeded the first day called in Scripture from Christs resurrection the Lords day from the Lords supper the Day of bread and from the administration of Baptism the day of light anciently V. In the Precept of sanctifying the Sabbath we must distinguish between that which is Ethical or Moral and that which is Typical or Ceremonial It was Ceremonial 1. To sanctifie the seventh day precisely 2. By this means to separate Jews from gentiles But Moral in that one day of seven must be sanctified for Gods service Now the Church hath sanctified the first day by the example of Christ who hath sanctified it by his resurrection and apparition Ioh 20.19 and 26. By the example also of the Apostolical Church Act 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 VI. The form of Sanctifying this day consisteth in omission and action VII Things to be omitted are the works of our outward and temporal callings These are opposite to the works of divine worship in that six dayes we must labour VIII Yet some things are permitted which without great damage cannot be put off till another day Lu. 14.5 Which of you having an oxe or â—n asse fallen into a pit will not take him out on the Sabbath day The Macchabes knew this 1 Mat. 2.41 For having received an overthrow on the Sabbath they resolved to defend themselves against the enemy In such cases of necessity Christs rule must be observed The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath Mar. 2.27 IX On the Sabbath those works must be done for which that day was appointed to wit to repare to the Church to meditate on Gods word to receive the Sacraments to invite one another by exhortations example to godlinesse to visit the sick to help the poor c. X. The end of this sanctifying of the Sabbath is either natural or spiritual XI The natural end is that men and beasts might rest and be refreshed XIâ— The spiritual end peculiar to the Iews was 1 To shadow out to the Iews that rest which they injoyed in the Land of Canaan after their toylsome labours in Egypt troubles in the desart That by this part of their beggerly rudiments they might be led to Christ the Author of our spiritual rest from sin and the works of the flesh XIII But now the spiritual end of it is 1. that the Congregation may be seen and that the faithful may flock together into the Church as into the Ark of Noah 2 That by meditating on this new birth of the World and on Christ's resurrection we might praise God our Creator and Redeemer 3 That by our rest from labour we might be admonished of our rest from sin 4. That we might more and more aspire and raise ourselves for the enjoyment of that perpetual rest and Sabbath in the life to come Hence ariseth a thâ—ee-fold Sabbath a tipical and ceremonial yet but tempâ—rary onely a spiritual but onely begun here and a heavenly or eternal Xâ—V The Sanctification of the Sabbath belongs to all chiefly to Magistrates Pastors The Magistrate by the example of Nehemiah must take care that the Sabbath be not wantonly abusâ—d Neh. 13.15 c. The same also must so moderate the strict obsâ—rvation of that day when need requires that there be regard had to Charity by the example of the Macchabees 1 Mac. 2.41 and Constantine the Great who in extream necessity permited Husband-men to follow their Country woâ—k XV. The Christian Holy-dayes have affinity with the Sabbath appointed not for Will worship but for a commemoration of Christs benefits so that the conscience be not intangled with the snare of absolute necessity Col. 2.6 Let no man condâ—mn yâ—u in meats and drinks oâ— in respect of a Holy day or of a New Moon or of Sabbaths To this Sanctification of the Sabbath are contrary its neglect and prophanation The Sabbath is either simply neâ—lected when no regard is had of it or in some respect when it is spent meerly by ceasing from our own works and consequently in idleness omitting those works for which the Sabbath was made of which in the nineth Rule or these works are performed but perfunctoriously without any inward and mental devotion which kind of Sabbath is deservedly called hypocritical See Isa. 1. â—3 14. The Sabbath is prophaned 1. When we do the works of our outward calling needlesly as when we make journies or exact debts then c. 2. When we spend the Sabbath in carnal works as in gaming dancing revelling idle talking Stage-playes and such like sins 3. â—n idolatrous works Such a prophanation is a most grievous sin Exod. 31.13.14 Num. 15.35 Neh. 13.16 Ier. 17.27 CHAP. VIII Of Vertues or Works belonging in general to the Commandments of the second Table IN the former Chapters we have spoken of Gods immediate Worship now followes the mediate consisting in the vertues works of the second Table Of which worship we are to speak generally and particularly To the mediate worship and second Table in general belongs Charity and Justice Charity towards men is either of man towards himself or towards his neighbour towards himself is whereby each faithful man next to God loves himself seeking his own temporal and eternal welfare Mat. 7.12 Whatsoever you would that men should do to you do ye the same Eph 5.29 No man ever hated his own flâ—sh but rather cherish thâ—t Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvaâ—ion with fear and trembling To this is contrary self-hatred and self-love being inordinate We see examples of perverse hatred in them who obstinately rebell against God and run headlong to their own ruine but the sin of self-love is found in them who being too much drunk with love of themselves not only despise their neighbour in respect of themselve but alsâ— love themselves above God Of these Christ speaketh Joh. 12.25 He that loves his life shall lose it On the contrary it is said of the godly Râ—v 12.11 And they loved not their loves unto the death Charity to our neighbour is whereby we love our neighbour as our selves The RULES I The efficient cause of this love is God the Father in the Son through the Holy Ghost Gal. 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love II. The instrumental cause or root is Faith working by love Gal 5 6. III. The matter or subject of it is our neighbour that is every one to whom we owâ— duty or ayde Luke â—0 36 3â— IV But chiefâ—y w◠〈◊〉 love those that are of the houshould of Faith Gal. 6.13 For we are tyed to them both in a natural and spiritual tye Eph. 4 1 2. V. Nor in this case must we exclude our enemies
must not say so of 〈◊〉 Iews I grant also that the Fathers believed the Iews shall follow Antichrist because he saith that if another come in his own name him they will receive but it will not therefore follow that they shall never have their eyes opened to discern the falshood of Antichrist and that they shall never follow Christ. Neither doth Saint Paul contradict himseâ—f who having proved the conversion of the Iews saith 1 Thes. 2.16 That wrath is come upon them to the end For he speaks there onâ—ly of those perverse Iews who lived in his time they having crucified Christ peâ—â—â—cuted his followers therefore final destructio◠〈…〉 â—pon them under Titus or else 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth utterly as we translate it and so exâ—reaâ—e or utter destruction came upon them And whereas it is said Hos. 1.6 That God will have mercy no more upon the house of Israel but will utterly take them away this was spoken of â—he ten tribes captivity from which they were not deliverd as the House of Iudah was ver 7. But what is this to the final convâ—â—sion of the Iews As for those imprecations of David against them Psal. 69. v 23.24.25 they have relation onely to their temporal punishments and outwâ—rd afflictons and not to a final or endless obstinacy To conclude the Apostle proves out of Isa. 59.20 That all Israel shall be saved because there shall come to Sion or as the LXX translate it out of Sion the deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Iacob Rom. 11.26 This Prophesie hath not been yet accomplished therefore it is to be fulfilled in the end of the world when the deliverer shall turn away ungodliness from the whole Nation of the Iews a Iob. 19.25 26. Dan. 12.2 Hos. 13.14 Matth. 22.31 c. and 27.52 Ioh. 5.28 29 Phil. 3.21 1 Thess 4. and other such like places b The example of those that were raised by the ministery of Elijah 1 King 17 22. Elisha 2 King 4.34 2 King 13.21 by Christ also Matth. 9.25 and c. 27.52.53 Luk. 7.14 Ioh. 11.11 and by the Apostles Act. 9.40 and 20.10 c The type of Aarons Rod budding Num. 17. of the Iews returning from Babylon Ezek. 37. but chiefly of Henoch and Elias Gen. 5 and 2 King 2. d Reasons are drawn from the Covenant of God which is not broken by death Matth 22.30 from the promises of life eternal from the Sacraments which are sâ—ales thereof which 1 Cor. 15. are set down at large But the chief reason is drawn from Christ who is not onely the type and example of our resurection but the beginning also thereof for from the life of the Head we undoubtedly gather the life of the mystical body * A. R. By these Books are meant partly Gods omniscience partly mens conscience God to whom all things are naked and open needs not books to help his memory as men do yet we read that he hath two books the one is called the book of life the other of knowledge Of the former there are four kindes the first is of Predestination to life eternal and in this book some are so written that they cannor be blotted out others are written but in appearance and hope for when they live for a while in the fear of God they hope their names are recorded in Heaven but when by their wickedness they fall from this hope then they may be said to be blotted out of this Book this is the Book of life eternal 2. The Book of life â—emporary which is nothing else but the condition and estate of this life out of this Book did Moses David and Paul wâ—sh themselves to be blotted 3. The Scripture is the book of Life as containing those precepts and means by which we may obtain Life eternall The 4. Book of Life is our conscience informing us of all the good and bad actions of our former life This Book is opened sometimes in this life but shall be fully laid open to us in the last day The other Book we read of is of knowledge which is threefold 1 The Book of Gods generall knowledge whâ—reby he takes notice of all men whether they be good or bad â—f this every man may say with David Psal 139 16. In thy Book are all my members written 2 The Book of Gods particular knowledge of this Psal. 1. The Lord knoweth the ways of the righteous and 2 Tim. 2. The Lord knoweth who are his this is the knowledge of approbation in this Book they are not wâ—itten to whom Chrâ—st will say in the last day Depart from me c. I know you not of this David speaketh Psal. 69 28. Let them be blotted out of the Book of the living and not be written with the righteous The third book of knowledge is that wherein the actions of wicked men are recorded and which shall be laid open to them Dan. 7.10 The Judgment was set and the Books opened We may say then that God hath two books which like Ezekiels scroll are written within and without in the inside are the names of the Saints who persevere to the end On the outside are the names of the wicked who fall from grace who begin in the spirit but end in the flesh Of these books see Exo. 32.32 Psâ— 69.28 c. Phil. â— 3 Rev. 3 5. â—7 â— â—0 15. 21.27 * A. R. The heavens shall not be purged with fire because they are not capable of an elementary impression 2. Because they are not subject to the vanity motion and corruption of inferiour bodies 3. Theâ—r innovation shall onely be in their rest and cessaâ—ion from motion 4. The Heavens that shall be purged by fire are the aerial onely 5. The fire shall purge no more than what the water did purge in the Flood of Noah * A.R. Religion is to be taught not to be forced The reasons are 1. Because Faith cometh by hearing saith the Apostle But the acts of hearing reading meditating praying by which Religion is both begot and nourished are voluntary 2. The proper seat of Religion is the will but the will cannot be forced 3. In propogating of Religion we must imitate God in our conversion who useth not to force us but gently to perswade incline and move us 4. No force or violence hath any continuance neither hath forced Religion 5. Religion is the free gift of God which as it is freely given so it must be freely received without constraint 6. As â—e is not to be esteemed an Heretike or an Idolater that is forced thereto neither is he Religious that is compelled to imbrace it 7 Christ and his Apostles never used any force in propagating of Religion not the Sword but the Word was the instrument used to propagate Christianity 8. Christ is so far from using violence that he will rather suffer the tares to grow with the good corn than pluck them by force 9. We find that violence is rather a hinderer