Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
death_n aaron_n ark_n holy_a 21 3 5.7502 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A96805 The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled, that it leads us, as it were, by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. Ordering of common-places. Vnderstanding of controversies. Cleering of some cases of conscience. By John Wollebius. Doctor of Divinity, and ordinary professor in the University of Basil. Now at last faithfully translated into English, and in some obscure places cleared and enlarged, by Alexander Ross. To which is adjoined, after the alphabetical table, the anatomy of the whole body of divinity, delineated in IX. short tables, for the help of weak memories.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English. Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629.; Vaughan, Robert, engraver.; Ross, Alexander, 1591-1654. 1650 (1650) Wing W3254; Thomason E1264_1; ESTC R204089 204,921 375

There are 7 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

covering as it were the Divine nature X. In the Court was the Altar of Burnt-offerings overlaid with brasse representing Christs flesh united to 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 sprinckling 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 representing 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 consisted 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 Eucharistical or of Thanksgiving The Expiatory sacrifice or Peace-offering was when the faithful 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 Lamb who was to be offered afterward for the sins of the world The sacrifice of Thanksgiving was offered either for all sins or for some certain sins The sacrifice that was offered for all sinnes 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 Redemption was either for the sinne it self or for the guilt thereof The Sinne-offering was when a sinne was expiated which had been committed out of error or ignorance See Levit. 4.2 3. The sacrifice for the guilt called the Trespas-offering was when a sin was expiated which had been done wittingly yet out of infirmity Lev. 5. 7. The Eucharistical sacrifice or Offering of Thanksgiving was to testifie the gratitude of the offerer These were performed by offering of gifts onely or by offering of living creatures also The sacrifice of gifts called Libatio or Meat-offering was that in which meat drink oyle salt frankincense c. were offered The sacrifice of Living-creatures was performed either by burning the fat of the sacrifice or by killing and eating of the beasts also That was called the Sacrifice of Pacification This the Sacrifice of Praise The holy times were either of dayes or of yeares Of dayes were 1. The morning of each day and the two evenings in which the daily sacrifice was offered 2. The seventh or Sabbath-day which was a type of that sanctification and rest which was to be obtained by Christ 3. The Calends or New-moons or first day of the moneth The times of the yeares were either anniversary or every yeare or else after the expiration of divers years The anniversary Solemnities were either greater or lesser The greater were the Feasts of Easter Pentecost and of Tabernacles The feast of Easter was celebrated the fiftieth day of the first moneth as a remembrance of the peoples delivery from Egypt and as a type of their future delivery by Christ The feast of Pentecost was kept the fifty day after Easter as a memorial of the Law given upon mount Sinai and as a type of that new Law which was to be written in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who was to be sent afterward in a visible form At this feast were off●red the first-fruits hence it was called the Feast of the first-fruits The feast of Tabernacles was solemnized the fifteenth day of the seventh moneth as a remembrance of that gracious preservation of the Israelites in the desart in tents and as a type of Christs incarnation Thanks also were given to God at this feast for the fruits and harvest whence it was called the Feast of Collection The lesser solemnities were The feast of Trumpets celebrated the first day of the seventh moneth in which the civil yeare had its begining the feast also of Expiation which fell out upon the tenth day of the same moneth That did represent the sounding of the Gospel this of our atonement to be made by Christ The Solemnities that were kept after divers years were the Sabbathical year and the year of Jubile The Sabbathical year or year of weeks was every seventh year in which there was a cessation from tilling the ground and from demanding of debts The yeare of Jubile was every fiftieth yeare in which all possessions returned to their owners and the Hebrew servants were set free A type of our freedome from Sin and Satan by Christ So much for the Ceremonial Law the Judicial Law was that which belonged to the constituting of the Jewish Commonwealth The RULES I. As the Ceremonial Law had relation to God so the Judicial to our Neighbour II. The Judicial Law binds us in those things that agree with the Moral Law and were of common right III. But what was of private right and commanded for the Jewish Commonwealth in particular doe no more bind us then the Municipal Lawes of other Commonwealths CHAP. XV. Of the Gospel and how it agrees with and differs from the Law HItherto we have seen out of the Law the necessity of Redemption now we are to see the truth thereof in the Gospel The Gospel is the joyful news or the Doctrine of the Son of God being sent into this world that he might assume our nature and might undergo the curse of the Law for us that by his perfect obedience to the same he might obtain life eternall to us The RULES I. The Law and Gospel agree in the chief efficient cause to wit God and in the instrumental namely the written Word but they differ in their outward instrumental causes both because the Law was delivered by Moses and the Gospel by Christ fully and also because the Law is by nature known to man but the Gospel is not except by Gods gratious revelation II. They agree in their common matter because on both sides obedience is required by promises and threatnings but they differ in their particular matter for the Law principally teacheth what we must do and the Gospel what we must believe III. They agree in their common form because on both sides the Looking-glass of perfect obedience is
either in act or in possibility XVIII They seek then the house in the ashes who ascribe to an unregenerate man free-wil or other faculties by which he may doe well or prepare himself to his own conversion or to the acceptation of Gods grace For this is the errour of Pelagians and Semipelagians XIX Mans will remained free from coaction but not to good and evill XX. Yea it is free to evil onely and therefore deserves rather to be called servile then 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 evil Gen. 8.21 Finally the Scripture cries out that the whole man having lost his spiritual life lieth dead in sin Eph. 2.1 Col. 2.13 XXI Although this sin is pardoned in the sanctified parents notwithstanding by generation it is transmitted to posterity The reason is because the corruption dwelling in us ● not altogether taken away by pardon although the guil● 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 doe 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 diversitie 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 lesse 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 then of infirmity or contrarily rather of infirmity then of malice VI. From the subject it is of the soule 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 kinde of unwillingnesse or with a full desire this latter sin the scripture cals the sin against the holy Ghost and to death Matt. 11.32 1 Joh. 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 spitefully wantonly and with a high-hand X. Sin against man is committed either against superiours or inferiours or equals being knit by fewer or more bands of blood affinity c. XI From the adjuncts a sin is either such of it self or by accident Such are scandals in things otherwise indifferent see Rom. 14. XII No sin of its own nature is venial or so smal as not to merit damnation By this maxime the Popish errour that some sins of themselves are venial is condemned the reason is manifest by the object and the effect for there is no sin which is not conjoined with the offence of Gods majesty XIII Yet in respect of the event to wit Christs merits and Gods favour all sins are pardonable except finall infidelity and the sin against the holy Ghost Not as though these sins were greater then Grace and Christs merit but because they resist grace and Christs merit and despise both XIV We are to judge of the degrees of other sins by the circumstances the consideration of which doth aggravate or lessen them Thus the sin of a superiour is greater then of an inferiour for sin is so much the more conspicuous by how much the more eminent he is that sinneth The sin of desire is greater then the sin of thought alone A sin committed in word and deed is greater then that which is in thought and desire sin committed with affectation is greater then that which is done of incogitancy the sin of commission is greater then o● omission if it be in the same kinde the sin against God is greater then against man that sin is greater which is committed against him to whom we are most beholding for favours then against another for example A sin against our Parents is greater if it be in the same kinde then against a brother a scandal against a weak brother is greater then against a stronger CHAP. XII Of the miseries which follow sin HItherto of sin now of the misery that follows upon sin This misery is either temporal or eternal both which is either corporal or spiritual The RULES I. God comprehended all mans misery under the name of death Gen. 2.27 What day thou shall eat of it to wit of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt dye the death II. There be foure degrees of this death III. The first degree is death spiritual which is the privation of spiritual life of this man being destitute he liveth onely to sin Rev. 3.1 I know thy works in that thou art said to live but thou art dead IV. The second degree is the death of affliction which is the privation of original happinesse and the inflicting of all sorts of calamities Exod. 10.17 Pray to the Lord that be would remove this death from me V. The third decree is death corporal which is the privation of this life and the resolution of the body into dust and the reversion of the soule to God Eccles 12.9 He shall return to dust from whence he came and the soule to God that gave it The soule returns to God either as to a Father or as to a just Judge and although by the bounty of Christ our death is become a passage from this life to that which is eternal yet in this place we consider it as it is in it self VI. The fourth degree is death eternal or the state of the damned which in relation to death corporal is called the second death Revel 21.8 VII We must imagine nothing of the state of the damned which is not in Scripture VIII This state consisteth in the privation of the chief good and infliction of the greatest evil IX The privation of the cheife good is whereby they are for ever excluded from the fellowship of God and of the blessed Mat. 25.41 Go ye cursed X. But the chief evil shal be a communion for ever with the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil c. XI The place appointed for the damned is Hell XII But where Hell is we are not to search or enquire XIII 'T is sufficient that in Scripture it is named Gehennaa a fiery Furnaceb the place of tormentc a Prisond a bottomless pite the lake of firef burning with fire and brimstoneg a Matth. 5.22 b Mat. 13.42 c Luk. 26.28 d 1 Pet. 3.19 e Rev. 9.1 f Rev. 20.15 g Rev. 21.8 XIV In the pains of the damned we are to consider the multitude greatness and continuance XV. Their multiplicity
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 Infinite By whose Intercession could the wrath of God be appeased but by his onely who is that best beloved Sonne 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 restored 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 himself 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 Joh. 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 5.5 6 7. For thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness 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 bloody and deceitfull 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 lose its own right but if sins are to be punished they were surely to be punished in our nature for to man the Law was given and to man death was threatened therefore it lies upon man to suffer the punishment XIII It was requisite that God and man should be united in one Person that he might be a Mediator between God and us He was therefore the medium between God and man that is he was at the same time God and man that he might perform those things which were to be effected towards God and man Heb. 5.1 These works of God and man do require both natures in the same person of which in the next Chapter more at large The parts of Christs Incarnation are two to wit the Conception and the Nativity In the Conception three things for the better understanding are considerable the forming the assuming and the personal union of the humane nature The forming of the humane nature of Christ is that whereby it was produced without the help of man of the Virgins blood by the operation of the Holy Ghost The RULES I. The Holy Ghost is not the material but the efficient cause of Christs conception For he was conceived not of his substance but by his power not by generation but by his commanding force and benediction Aug. II. The next or proximate matter was the blood of the blessed Virgin III. the form of Christs conception consisteth in the preparing and sanctifying of the Virgins blood by the vertue of the Holy Ghost in the forming of the body whereby together at the same instant it was made perfect and not successively as the bodies of other men are Lastly in the inspiring of the reasonable soul Whereas fourty dayes are appointed in ordinary generation for the time of forming the embryo the body of Christ was perfected in a moment otherwise not Christ the man but an embryo had been conceived IV. The end of Christs miraculous conception was that he might be free from Original sin for this sticks close to all that are of and by Adam that is to all who are naturally descended from him but it was needfull that Christ should be born without sin that we might have a holy High Priest Heb. 7.17 The assumption of the humane nature is whereby Christ assumed truly a humane soul and body with all their affections proprieties and infirmities yet without sin The RULES I. Christ assumed not man but the humanity not the person but the nature For otherways he had not been God-man and one person but two persons and so there had been two Christs The Scripture stiles him Emanuel because the same who is with us that is to say who is man is also God Isa 7.14 the same eternall Word is said to be made flesh Joh. 1.1 and the same is called both Davids Son and his Lord Mat. 22.42 II. And not onely did he assume a true humane body consisting of three dimensions and a true soul but also the essential Properties III. Yea and he took our infirmities too but not those damnable ones but such as were faultlesse and miserable These infirmities are either of the body or of the soule Again the infirmities of the body are from external causes as the calamities and torments inflicted by enemies Or they have their being from some internal cause and they follow wholly our nature since it fell front its primitive happinesse as to be cold to be hot to thirst to hunger to be in pain to grow weary and such like But the infirmities of the soule are sadnesse feare ignorance c. IV. So likewise he took upon him our affections but free from all disorder or inclination to evil The Personal Union is whereby the Person of the Son of God did communicate his Hypostasis or Personality to the humane nature and he so knit it to himself and with his divine nature that the propriety of both natures being entire he is in one Person God and man The RULES I. Christs humane nature hath no other or particular Hypostasis or subsistence then that of the Word that is of the Son of God In this point Christ differs from all other men because every man hath a peculiar Hypostasis or manner of subsisting by which he differs from other Persons besides his Essence consisting of body and soul but Christs humane nature wanting a proper subsistence is assumed into the fellowship of the Hypostasis of the divine nature neither doe we inferre from hence that the humane nature in Christ in this point is more inferiour then in other men for it is so much the
We consider the greatness of his love 2. The greatness and multitude of his sufferings 3. The dignity of his Person 4. The holiness of his life his Satisfaction The reason because he did not suffer for himself in any thing but all for us II. Therefore those innumerable sufferings which Christ endured untill his last journy to Jerusalem are not to be separated from the price of Christs redemption for although the Passion of Christ wch 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 oweth divers tuns of gold is an integral part of the payment although it be but a small sum in respect of the whole and principall 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. chapters to the Hebrews IV. The principal efficient cause of this Passion was the Holy Trinity the ministering causes were Christs enemies both Jews 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 sadness anxieties and tortures proceeding from the fierceness 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 wrested 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 externall sufferings were the tortures of his body which he endured in a manner in all his members and senses for his head was torn with thorns and beat with reeds his face was defiled with spitle and bruised with bufferings 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 Cross his hands and feet being pierced with nails was hanged between Theeves his sinews were racked and his side was peirced with a lance XII The Crosse 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. 21.22 XIII * A. R. * In Christs death the Personal Union was not dissolved This is true and the reason is because the gifts of God are without repentance now the Hypostatical Vnion is the greatest of his gifts which could not be lost without sin and sin could not be in him who came to save sinners its true Christ seems to grant a dereliction when he saith My God my God why hast thou forsaken me But these words do not shew any dereliction or dissolution of the personal union in death for Christ spake them whilst he was alive they only shew that Christ was left to tread the wine-presse alone and yet he was not alone for the Father is with me saith he Christ was alone and forsaken in respect of deliverance but not alone nor forsaken in respect of the Divine presence and assistance without which he could not have performed that great work of our redemption In that the Father left him in the hands of his enemies and did not deliver him he might be said to forsake him But it may be objected that Christs soule was the medium of the union between the Divinity and Christs body This medium being gone how could the extremes cohere I answer in this union the soul was the medium of congruity not of necessity for the Divinity was united to Christs body in the Virgins womb before the soul was infused or else he could not have bin conceived by the Holy Ghost So might the Divinity be united still to the body after the soul was separated The soul indeed being aspirit was a fit medium to unite the Deity to the body but not absolutely necessary 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 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 otherwayes then the carkasses 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 soule 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 Act. 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 from which their opinion is not much different who feign that Christ entred Hell that he might triumph there as a Conquerour Both opinions are repugnant to the story of the Gospel for whereas Christ otherwayes in respect of his Deity is every where his soule being recommended into the hands of his Father by himself whilst he hung on the Crosse and his body being laid up in the grave it must needs be false that Christ did locally go down to hell Besides whereas God doth professe that he is their God after death Exo. 3.6 there can be nothing more absurd then that the soules of the Fathers should be detained in that limbus or prison Peter witnesseth 1 ep 3.19 that Christ preached to the Spirits of old that were disobedient but this is to be understood of that preaching which was before the flood by Noah being furnished or instructed for this purpose by the Spirit of Christ Neither is there any ground
be elected yet all in that nation are not elected as the Jewish people are called an elect people and yet many of them were reprobate IX Neither are all therefore elected because they are commanded to believe that they are elected for they are not absolutely commanded to believe that but with trial of their Faith 2 Cor. 13.5 Try your selves whether you be in the Faith or not prove your selves know you not your own selves how that Iesus Christ is in you except you be reprobates but I trust that you shal know that we are not reprobates CHAP. XXI Of the Covenant of Grace THe fruit 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 Disposition because by this God hath appointed to his sons an heavenly inheritance to be obtained by the mediation of his own Sons death Heb. 8.10 Therefore this is the Covenant that I will make c. and Chap. 9.15 16. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament they which were 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 commonly the Holy Trinity but particularly Christ God and man that Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 Behold 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 forme 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 Covenant is proffered to all that are called but 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 administring is threefold 1. from Adam to Abraham 2. from Abraham to Moses 3. from Moses to Christ XII Between the first 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 onely to Abrahams 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 Christs 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 differs 1. In time because the Old Testament was exhibited before Christ but the New is administred 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 self through all the world 3. In clearenesse 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 faculty because the administration in the Old Testament was more laborious then in the New 5. In sweetnesse for in the Old Testament the perfect obedience of the Law is oftner urged yet not excluding the promises of the Gospel yet to to that end that they might be compelled to seek Christ by that rigorous exaction of obedience as is 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 Jerem. 31.31 32. Behold the dayes 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 their 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 it in their hearts v. 34. And they shal teach no more every one his neighbour c. they shall 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
ye should be wise in your own conceit that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved The Apostles scope in this is to dehort Christians from insulting over the Jews that are rejected because they themselves are called The reason is because by their ruine the Gentiles have received salvation ver 11. Yet so that all hope of reconciliation is not cut off from the Jews ver 15. Nor are they exempted from being rejected who being Christians onely in name are puffed up in their mindes ver 20 21. That former passage of the rejection of the Jews which was not altogether without hope of pardon doth shew in a mysterie that the Jews were not totally but in part only rejected not in respect of time for it was to last onely a while but in respect of that part of the Jewish Nation which contains the Reprobates so that the meaning is this blindness hath hapned not to all the Jews but to a part onely that is to the reprobates Neither have these words untill the fulness of the Gentiles come in this meaning that there shall be such a plausible calling of the Jews after the fulness of the Gentiles is come in For there is nothing more usual then that these particles untill or till being denyed or affirmed signifie the same that never or always As we shewed above c. 19. Neither doth that which the Apostle subjoyns v. 26. hinder any thing this interpretaton And so all Israel shall be saved For by the name of all Israel he understands the Elect which indeed are the true Israelites as above c. 9.7 c. he sheweth And also in the following places v. 28 c. 11. he explains saying As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for their fathers sakes The summe of the whole place is this The rejection of the Jewes nation in part whereby blindnesse shall remain upon the reprobate 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 doubtless an incredible brightness and majestie in which he shall appear For he shall come in the clouds of heaven Mat. 26.64 with incredible glory Mat. 25.31 accompanied with the whole army of his Angels ibid. with a great shout and voice of the Archangel 1 Thess 4.16 By reason of his brightness the Sun and Moon shall be darkned as lesser lights by the greater and stars shall fall from heaven that is they shall seem to fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be shaken Mat. 24.29 yea at his sight heaven and earth shall seem to flie 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 indissoluble union The RULES I. The Resurrection called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is First or Second That is a resuscitation from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse This is a revocation from death corporal to life Rev. 20.6 Blessed is he who hath part in the first resurrection II. The Scripture proves the Resurrection of the dead by testimonies a examples b types c and reasons d a Iob 19.25 26. Dan. 12.2 Hos 13.14 Mat. 22.31 c. 27.52 Ioh. 5.26 27 28. Phil. 3.21 1 Thess 4. and other such like places b The example of those that were raised by the ministery of Eliah 1 King 17.22 Elisha 2 King 4.34 2 King 13.21 by Christ also Mat. 9.25 Luc. 7.14 Ioh. 11.11 Mat. 27.52 53. and by the Apostles Act. 9.40 20.10 c The type of Aarons Rod budding Num. 17. of the Jews returning from Babylon Ezek. 37. but chiefly of Henoch and Elias Gen. 5. 2 King 2. d Reasons are drawn from the covenant of God which is not broken by death Mat. 22.30 from the promises of life eternal from the Sacraments which are seals thereof which 1 Cor. 15. are set down at large but the chief reason is drawn from Christ who is not only the type and example of our resurrection but the beginning also thereof for from the life of the Head we undoubtedly gather the life of the mystical body 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 omnipotence 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 generall efficient cause of the Resurrection is the whole Trinity the particular is Christ our Lord. Christ is the efficient cause of this three wayes 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 reprobate but the third way he is the cause of the resurrection 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 freedome 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 dishonour it is raised in glory it is sowed in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowed a natural body it is raised a spiritual body CHAP. XXXV Of the last Judgement SO much of the antecedents of the last Judgment The Judgment it self is that most glorious act whereby Christ shall judge the whole world The RULES I. The certainty of the last Judgment is proved by the same arguments by which we proved the certainty of Christs coming 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 chiefe power of Judicature shall be in Christ for to him all power is given and from whom no appeal can be made to any superiour IV. This Judge shall be
Sabbath be not wantonly abused Neh. 13.15 c. The same also must so moderate the strict observation of that day when need requires tha there be regard had to Charity by the example of the Macchabees Mac. 2.41 and Constantine the Great who in extreme necessity permitted Husbandmen to follow their Country-work 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 necessitie Col. 2.16 Let no man condemn you in meats and drinks or in respect of a Holy-day or of a New-Moone or of Sabbaths To this Sanctification of the Sabbath are contrary its neglect and prophanation The Sabbath is either simply neglected when no regard is had of it or in some respect when it is spent meerely by ceasing from our own workes and consequently in idlenesse omitting those works for which the Sabbath was made of these in the seventh Rule or these works are performed but perfunctoriously and without any inward mental devotion which kind of Sabbath is deservedly called hypocritical See Isa 1.13 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 sinnes 3. In idolatrous workes Such a prophanation is a most grievous sinne Exod. 31. 13 14. Numb 15.35 Neh. 13.16 Jer. 17.27 CHAP. VIII Of the Vertues in general belonging to the second Table IN the former Chapters we have spoken of Gods immediate Worship now followes the mediate consisting in the vertues and workes of the second Table Of which Worship we are to speake generally and particularly To the mediate Worship and second Table in general belongs Charity and Justice Charity towards men is either of man towards himselfe or towards his neighbour towards himself is whereby each faithful man next to God loves himselfe 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 flesh but rather cherisheth it Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with feare and trembling To this is contrary self-hatred and self-love being inordinate We see examples of perverse hatred in them who obstinately rebel against God and run headlong to their own ruine but the sinne of self-love is found in them who being too much drunke with love of themselves not onely despise their neighbour in respect of themselves but also 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 Rev. 12.11 And they loved not their lives 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 Sonne through the Holy Ghost Gal. 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love II. The instrumental cause or roote is Faith woring by love Gal. 5.6 III. The matter or object of it is our neighbour that is every one to whom we owe duty or aid Luke 10.36 37. IV. But chiefly we must love those that are of the houshould of Faith Gal. 6.10 For we are tyed to them both in a natural and a spiritual tye Eph. 4.1 2 V. Nor in this case must we exclude our enemies For this Charity is commended particularly to us Exod. 22.4 5. If thou seest thy enemies Oxe or Asse go astray c. Prov. 25.21 if thy enemie be hungry give him bread to eat c. See Rom. 12.14 20. Mat. 5.44 c. For this duty we have the example of our heavenly Father doing good both to the just and the unjust Mat. 5.48 even giving his Son to us his enemies Rom. 5.8 VI. The forme of Charity towards our neighbour consisteth in the proportion of Charity towards our selves Lev. 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe VII The end is to witnesse our love towards God and to certifie our regeneration and salvation 1 Joh. 4.20 If any man say he loves God and hates his brother he is a lyar for if he loves not his neighbour whom he hath seen how shall he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4.7 Whosoever loveth is born of God v. 12. if we love one another God dwels in us To Charity are contrary 1. The want and neglect of it 2. Hypocritical Charity 3. The unjust hatred of our neighbour 4. Inordinate Charity whereby we love one more then is fitting Of the first vice Paul saith 1 Cor. 13.1 If I should speake with the tongue of men and Angels and have not Charity I am a sounding brasse and tinkling Cymbal Of the second Jam. 2.15 16. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say to them depart in peace be warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give not those things that be needful for the body what doeth it profit Of the third 1 Joh. 3.13 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer Of the fourth God himself 1 Sam. 2.30 Thou hast honoured thy sonnes more then me Mar. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me Yet here we must know that in two respects we may hate men first when they are Gods enemies Psal 139.21 Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee Secondly when they draw us from Christ or the constant profession of him Luke 14.26 If any man comes to me and hates not his Father c. Charity is considered either absolutely or reciprocally There be three kinds of it considered absolutely to wit humanity benevolence and mercy Humanity is when we are ready to testifie our love to any one by exhorting admonishing comforting and helping This is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 affection or care towards one another 2 Cor. 8.16 it is called also duty and as it is exhibited to strangers hospitality this is recommended to us Isa 16.3 4. Rom. 16.2 3. 3 Joh. 8. Heb. 13.2 To this is opposite Inhumanity by which either the works of humanity are omitted or cruelty exercised as also unseasonable humanity when courtesies are performed to those who are unworthy of them or they are not performed in a right manner It were inhumanity if one should lay a stumbling-block before a blind man or should raile against a deafe man Examples of inhumanity are in the Edomites and such like adding affliction to the afflicted Jewes Amos 1. 2. In the Levite and Priest that passed by the man halfe dead To be surety for any man unadvisedly is an unseasonable humanity Prov. 6.1 11.15 or to give almes to every one without regard had of their worth 2 Thes 3.10 Benevolence or favour is whereby we so incline to the good and weal