g Ezech. 18.15 exceeded all other no lesse than the Sunne in brightnesse and light exceedeth euery small and little Starre in the firmament He was made h Genesis 1.27 according to the image and similitude of God he was endued with all kind of Heauenly gifts he had no spotte of vncleannesse in him he was sound and perfect in all parts both outwardly and inwardly his reason was vncorrupt his vnderstanding was Pure and Good his Will was obedient and godly he was made altogether like vnto God in i Ephe. 4.241 righteousnesse and holinesse c. And it is sayd in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 261. Homily of Repentance Therefore did God create and make men that he might haue whom he should do good vnto and k Psal 8.6 Col. 1 make partakers of his heauenly Riches In the like manner Dauid sayth thou l Psal 8.5 hast made man a little lower than the Angels and hast Crowned him with glory and Honour c. God sayth Moses created man in his owne image which Paul expresseth to be in righteousnesse and true holinesse Concerning mans partaking of Gods heauenly riches Paul signified to the Ephesians that m Eph. 3.8 vnto him grace was giuen for to Preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ And hee sayth vnto them I cease not to n Eph 1.16 17.18 giue thankes for you making mention of you in my Prayers that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of glory may giue vnto you the spirit of Wisdome and Reuelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your vnderstanding beeing enlightned that yee may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints is In the booke of Wisdome it is sayd God o Wisd 2.23 created man to be immortall and made him to be an image of his owne Eternity Hee p Wisd 1.14 created all things that they might haue their beeing and the generations of the World were healthfull and there is no poyson of destruction in them nor the Kingdome of Death vpon the earth CHAP. 9. Of Mans falling from God and of the Misery of Mankind thereby IN the second part of the * T. 1. p. 33. Homily of good Workes it is sayd That Adam notwithstanding Gods Commaundement gaue credit vnto the Woman seduced by the subtile perswasion of the Serpent and so followed his owne will and left Gods Commaundement Whereby it came to passe as it is deliuered in the * T. 2. p. 168. Homily of the Nativity of Christ that as before he was blessed so now he was accursed as before hee was loued so now he was abhorred as before he was most beautifull and precious so now hee was most vile and Wretched in the sight of his Lord and Maker c. Which misery fell not onely on him but also on his posterity and Children for euer So that the whole Brood of Adams flesh should sustaine the selfe same fall and punishment which their fore-father by his offence most iustly had deserued Saint Paul sayth q Rom. 5.12.14.18 By one man sinne entred into the World and death by sin and so death passed vpon all men for that all haue sinned And death reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression who is the figure of him that was to come And as by the offence of one iudgment came vpon all men to condemnation Euen so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came vpon all men vnto iustification of life Accordingly Esdras hath testified saying r 2 Esdras 3.21 The first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed and was ouercome and so bee all they that are borne of him And againe sayth he Å¿ 2 Esd 7.48 O thou Adam what hast thou done for though it was thou that sinned thou art not falne alone but wee all that come of thee Esay declaring the state of man falne sayth t Esay 59.2.3.4 Your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that hee will not heare For your hands are defiled with Blood and your fingers with iniquity Your Lippes haue spoken lyes your Tongue hath muttered peruersnesse None calleth for Iustice nor any pleadeth for the truth c. Vnto the end of the 15. Verse And Esay sayth also u Esay 64.6 VVe are all as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Saint Paule to the Ephesians likewise telleth them what was their estate afore they were conuerted vnto the obedience of the Gospell Namely that they were w Eph. 5.8 darknesse x Eph. 2.12.2.3 without Christ being Aliens from the common wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise hauing no hope and without God in the World Also that they were dead in trespasses and sinnes wherein they Walked according to the course of this World according to the Prince of the power of the Ayre the spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the minde and were by nature Children of Wrath euen as others Reade the whole Homily of the misery of Man CHAP. 10. Of Gods calling of Mankinde IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 219.220 Homily for Rogation Weeke it is sayd That it is the goodnesse of God which moueth him to say in Scripture It is my delight to be with the children of men It is his goodnesse that mooueth him to call vs vnto him to offer vs his friendship and presence It is his goodnesse that patiently suffereth our straying from him and suffereth vs long to winne vs vnto repentance And what other thing doth his louing and gentle voyce spoken in his Word where he calleth vs to his presence and friendship but delare his goodnesse only without regard of our Worthinesse It is sayd in the * In the Service appoynted to be read on Ash-wensday Comminations Exhortation The wrath of God shall appeare in the day of vengeance which obstinate sinners through the stubbornnesse of their heart haue heaped vnto themselues which despised the goodnesse patience and long sufferance of God when hee * Rom. 2.4 called them continually to Repentance From which places it is taught That Gods call of fallen man is vnto repentance and his friendship and presence according as it is written in S. Peter The y 2 Peter 3.9 Lord is long suffering to vs-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance z Mat. 9.13 I came saith Christ for to cal sinners to repentance And Saint Paul sayth to the Corinthians God a 1 Cor. 1.9 is faithfull by whom yee were called vnto the fellowship of his sonne
Iohn 15.2 Branches Children of l 1 Thes 5.5 Light m Eph. 2.19 Hebr. 12.22.23.24 Phil 3.20 Citizens of Heauen sheepe of his n Iohn 10.16 Fold members of his o Ephe. 5.30 body p Rom. 8.17 Iames 2.5 Heires of his Kingdome his true q Iohn 15.14.15 friends and r Heb. 2.11.12 Brethren sweet and liuely Å¿ 1 Cor. 10.17 bread the t 1 Peter 21 10. Hosea 2.23 Elect and chosen people of God But for the better vnderstanding and consideration of this thing let vs behold the end of his comming so shal we perceiue what great commodity and profite his Natiuity hath brought vnto vs miserable and sinfull Creatures The end of his comming was to u Math. 1.21 saue and w Luke 1.74 deliuer his people x Math. 5.17 Iohn 15.10 to fulfill the Law for vs to y Iohn 18.37 beare Witnesse vnto the Truth * As in the second past of the Homily agaynst Adultery it is sayd See Math. 5.21 22.27.28 c. T. 1. P. 84. to restore the Law of his Heauenly Father vnto the right sense vnderstanding and meaning to teach and z Luke 4 18. Preach the words of his Father to giue a Iohn 12.46 Light vnto the World to b Luke 6.32 call sinners vnto repentance c Math. 11.28 Acts 3.19 Esay 40.29 to refresh them that labour and be heauy laden to d Iohn 12.31 east out the Prince of this World to e Col 1.21.22 reconcile vs in the body of his flesh to f 1 Iohn 3.8 dissolue the works of the Diuell last of all to become a g 1 Iohn 2.2 propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole World These were the chiefe endes wherefore Christ became man not for any profite that should come to himselfe thereby but only for our sakes that we might h Iohn 15.15 vnderstand the will of God be i Iohn 17.22 partakers of his Heauenly light be deliuered out of the k Math. 4.24 2 Tim. 2.26 Diuells clawes released from the l Hebrewes 12.1 Rom. 6.18.22 burthen of sinne m Rom. 3.24.25 iustified through faith in his blood and finally n Psalme 73.24 Colos 3 4. 1 Pet. 5.10 receiued vp into euerlasting glory there to o Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.11.12 reigne with him for euer Therefore sayth the Church in the conclusion of the sayd * P. 174. Homily Dearely beloued let vs not forget this loue of our Lord and Sauiour let vs not shew our selues vnmindfull or vnthankefull towards him but let vs loue him feare him obey him and serue him Let vs confesse him with our mouthes prayse him with our tongues beleeue on him with our hearts and p Iohn 15.8 glorifie him with our good workes q Iohn 1.9 Christ is the Light let vs receiue the Light Christ is the r Reue. 3.14 Truth let vs beleeue the Truth Christ is the Å¿ Iohn 14.6 way let vs follow the way Happy are they sayth the Scripture t Mat. 24.13 which continue vnto the end Be u Reue. 2.10 faithfull sayth God vntill Death and I will giue thee a Crowne of Life Againe he sayth in another place Hee that putteth his hand vnto the w Luke 9.62 Plough and looketh backe is not meete for the Kingdome of God Therefore let vs bee strong stedfast and vnmooueable x 1 Cor. 15.58 abounding alwayes in the workes of the Lord. Iesus Christ sayth y Iohn 3.16.17 God so loued the world that hee gaue his only begotten sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life For God sent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued It is written in the Booke of Baruch This z Baruch 3.35 36.37 is our God and there shall none other bee accounted of in comparison of him Hee hath found out all the way of knowledge and hath giuen it vnto Iacob his seruant and to Israel his beloued Afterward did hee shew himselfe vpon earth and conuersed with men CHAP. 22. Of Christs death IN the beginning of the second * Tom. 2. p. 181 Homily concerning the death and passion of our Sauiour Christ it is sayd That we may the better conceiue the great mercy and goodnesse of our Sauiour Christ in suffering death a Heb. 2.9 2. Cor. 5.14.15 See chapter 25 of the merit of Christs death vniuersally for all men it behooueth vs to descend into the bottome of our conscience and deeply to consider the first and principall causes wherefore hee was compelled so to doe When our great Grand-father Adam had broken Gods commaundement in eating the apple forbidden him in Paradise at the b Gen. 3.6 motion and suggestion of his wife he purchased thereby not onely to himselfe but also to his c 1. Cor 15.22 posterity for euer the iust wrath and indignation of God c. He became d Rom. 5.12.14 mortall he lost the fauour of God He was e Gen. 3.23.24 cast out of Paradise he was no longer a Citizen of Heauen but a fire-brand of Hell and a bond-slaue to the Diuell To this doth our Sauiour beare witnesse in the Gospell calling vs f Mat. 18.11 lost sheepe which haue gone g 1. Pet. 2.25 astray and wandered from the true Shepheard of our soules To this also doth Saint Paul beare witnesse saying h Rom. 5.18 That by the offence of only Adam death came vpon all men vnto condemnation And it is sayd in the * T. 2. p. 169. Homily of the Natiuity of Christ When the i Gal. 4.4 fulnesse of time was come that is the perfection and course of yeares appointed from the beginning then God according to his former couenant and promise sent a Messias otherwise called a Mediatour into the world not such a one as Moses was not such a one as Ioshua Saul or Dauid was but such a one as should deliuer mankind from the bitter curse of the Law and make perfect satisfaction by his death for the sinnes of all people namely he sent his deere and onely Sonne Iesus Christ borne as the Apostle saith of a woman and made vnder the law that he might k Gal. 4.5 redeeme them that were in bondage of the law and make them the children of God by adoption Concerning the necessity of Christs death the Apostle declareth to the Hebrewes saying l Heb. 9.15.16.17.18 23. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testatour For a Testament is of force after men be dead
The o Zeph. 3.5 iust Lord is in the midst of Ierusalem He will doe none iniquity Euery morning doth he bring his iudgement to light he fayeth not but the vniust know no shame The Lord saith Hosea hath a controuersie with Iudah Hosea 12. â— and will punish l Psal 145.17 Iacob according to his wayes according to his doings will he recompence him God also is often in the Diuine Seruice mentioned to be Mercifull Of Gods Mercifullnesse as in the third Collect to be read on good Friday it is sayd Mercifull God who hast made all men and hatest * Some obiect against this Divine Doctrine of the Church the saying in the Scripture I haue hated Esau The Scripture sayth not that God hated Esau vnto euerlasting damnation afore hee was borne but signifieth that hee loued him lesse than hee loued Iacob in that for a time he was to serue Iacob That the word hâ—te doth in Scripture signifie to Loue lesse See Iunius on Genes 29.31 Deut 21.15 See Math. 6.24 Luk. 14.26 And that Esau was to be vnder Iacob foratime See Genes 27.40 Saint Paules Doctrine hereabout is one of his sayings hard to be vnderstood 2. Peter 3.16 There is in it an Allegory as in Gal. 4.24 See 2. Esaras 6.8.9 Also in Genes 25.23 mentioned By Saint Paul in Rom. 9. Iacob and Esau are called two Nations and two manner of people And that Esau was sayd to be hated was not expressed in those words vntill many ages after Namely in the dayes of the Prophet Malachy 1.3 See Ezech. 33.11 and 2. Peter 3.9 Math. 23.37 Acts 7.51 See Pro. 1. from verse 20. vnto the Chapters end All Ezechiel 18. Eccles 15.11 to the end nothing that thou hast made nor wouldest the death of a Sinner but rather that he should be conuerted liue haue mercy vpon all Iewes Turks Infidels and Hereticks c. So in the last Prayer sauing one of the Commination it is sayd Oh most mighty God and Mercifull Father which hast compassion of all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made which wouldest not the death of a sinner but that he should rather turne from sinne and be saued c. Dauid sayth The q Psal 145.9 Lord is good to all and his tender Mercies are ouer all his workes Likewise Saint Paul witnesseth God hath concluded all men in vnbeleefe that he might haue Mercy vpon r Rom. 11.32 all In the Booke of Wisedome it is sayd Thou Å¿ Wisedome 11.23 24. haste Mercy vpon all for thou canst do all things and winkest at the sinnes of men because they should amende For thou louest all the things that are and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made for neuer wouldest thou haue made any thing if thou hadst hated it Vnto the which Eternall Incomprehensible Almighty Wise Good Iust and Mercifull God be glore through Iesus Christ for euer Amen CHAP. 7. Of the Creation of the World and of the Angels in speciall IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 67. Homily an Exhortation concerning good order and obedience to Rulers and Magistrates it is sayd Almighty God hath created and appointed all things in Heauen Earth and Waters in a most excellent and perfect order In Heauen hee hath appointed distinct and seuerall orders and states of Archangels and Angells In the beginning sayth the Scripture God t Genesis 1.1 and 2 1. Created heauen and earth and all the Host of them Also that by the u Col. 1.16 Sonne of God were all things Created that are in Heauen and that are in Earth Visible and Inuisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him and for him That there are Archangels aswell as Angels it appeareth out of Daniel where it is Written that Michael one of w Dan. 10.13 the chiefe Princes came to helpe him Michael is called an Archangell in the x Iude 9. Epistle of Iude. There is mention of another Archangell in y 2. Esdras 4.36 Esdras namely Vriel In Saint Ambrose his Song it is sayde vnto God To thee all Angels crye aloud the Heauens and all the powers therein To thee Cherubin and Seraphin continually do crye Holy holy holy Lord God of * Or Hosts Sabaoth That there are Powers in heauenly places and also Principalities among them not only the text aboue cited out of the Epistle to the Colossians prooueth but also Saint Paules words to the Ephesians saying To z Eph. 3.10 the intent that now vnto the Principalities and Powers in heauenly places might be knowne by the Church the manifold VVisedome of God Of Cherubins Novem Angelorum est cordâ—nes testante sacro eloquio scimus scilicet Angelos Archangelâ—s virtutes potestates principatut dominatiâ—nes thâ—onos Cherubin aeque Seraphim Greg. in Hâ—mil there is often mention in the tenth Chapter of Ezechiel And of Seraphins it is mentioned in the sixt Chapter of Isaiah In the Collect to be read on the day of the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel the Church sayth Euerlasting-God which hast o dayned and constituted the Services of all Angels and Men in wonderfull order Mercifully grant that they which alway do thee seruice in Heauen may by thine appoyntment succour and defend vs in Earth through Iesus Christ our Lord. Heb. 1.14 Are a they not all ministring Spirits as the Apostle sayth sent foorth to minister for them who shall be Heires of Saluation Dauid sayth Because b Psal 91.9.10.11.12 thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge euen the most High thine Habitation there shal no euill befall thee neyther shal any Plague come nigh thy dwelling For he shal giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy wayes They shal beare thee vp in their hands least thou dash thy foot agaynst a stone Some of the Angels sinned in not c 2 Pet. 2 4. Iude 6. keeping their first estate but left their owne habitation and are cast downe to Hell reserued in euerlasting Chaines vnder darknesse vnto the iudgement of the great day It is our duty as the Church d In the Communion Service exhorteth with the holy Angels and Archangels and with all the Company of Heauen to laud and magnifie the e Deut. 28.58 glorious name euermore praysing him and saying f Reue. 4.8 Esay 6.3 Holy holy holy Lord God of Hosts Heauen and Earth are full of thy glory Glory be to thee O Lord most high CHAP. 8. Of the Creation of Man and of his estate in his innocency IN the * To 2. p. 167. Homily concerning the Nativity of our Saviour Iesus Christ it is sayd That among all the Creatures which God made in the beginning of the World most excellent and wonderfull in their kinde there was none as the Scripture beareth VVitnesse to be compared almost in any point vnto man who as well in Body and Soule
otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the Testatour liueth Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without bloud It was therefore necessary that the patternes of things in the heauens should be purified with these but the heauenly things themselues with better sacrifices than these And in another place the same Apostle sayth m Heb. 2.9.10 We see Iesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for euery man For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sonnes vnto glory to make the Captaine of their saluation perfect through sufferings For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and bloud he also himselfe likewise tooke part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the diuell And Christ signified the same vnto the two men going to Emmaus saying n Luke 24 26. Ought not Christ to haue suffered these things and to enter into his glory The Prophets o Psal 2â— Dauid p Isa 53. Isaiah and q Dan. 9.24.25.26 Daniel foretold expresly of his death And r 2. Esdras 7.29 Esdras hath mentioned the same CHAP. 23. Of the resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ IN the * T. 2. p. 189. Homily of the Resurrection of our Sauior Iesus Christ it is sayd So great surely is the matter of this Article and of so great waight and importance that it was thought worthy to keepe our Sauior still on earth forty dayes after he was risen from death to life to the confirmation and establishment thereof in the hearts of his Disciples Saint Paul sayth to the Corinthians Å¿ 1. Cor 15 14.1â— If Christ be not risen then is our preaching vaine and your faith is also vaine yea and wee are found false witnesses of God because we haue testified of God that he hath raised vp Christ And if Christ be not raised your faith is vaine yee are yet in your sinnes The Church deliuereth also in the aforesayd * P. 191. 192. Homily It had not beene enough to be deliuered by his death from sinne except by his Resurrection wee had bene t Rom. 4.25 endowed with righteousnesse And it should not auaile vs to be deliuered from death except he had risen againe to open for vs the gates of Heauen to enter into life euerlasting He died to destroy the rule of the Diuell in vs and he rose againe to send downe his holy Spirit to rule in our hearts to endow vs with perfect righteousnesse The second Antheme to be sayd on Easter day is u 1. Cor. 15.20.21 Christ is risen againe the first fruites of them that sleepe For seeing that by man came death by man also commeth the resurrection of the dead For as by Adam all men doe dye so by Christ all men shall bee restored to life Therefore sayth the Church in the Preface to be read on Easter day Chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord for he is the very w 1. Cor. 5.7 Paschall Lambe which was offered for vs and hath x Ioh. 1.29 taken away the sinne of the world who by his y 1. Cor. 15.54.55 death hath destroyed death and by his rising to life againe hath restored to vs life z 1. Thes 4.14 Iohn 5 24.28.29 Rom. 8.11 Ioh. 6.33 1. Cor. 15.23 euerlasting Also by his rising againe he was manifested to be God as it is written And declared to be the Sonne of God with power according to the Spirit of Holinesse a Rom. 1.4 by the Resurrection from the dead Reade diligently the Homily of the Resurrection wherein the Doctrine thereof and the vse which we are to make of it is in most Diuine manner deliuered Now concerning Christs Ascension it is signified in the * T. 2. p. 189. Homily of the Resurrection That he ascended vp to his Father into the heauens there to receiue the b Ioh. 20.17 Iohn 17.5 1. Iâ—eâ— 3.22 glory of his most triumphant conquest and victory And in the Preface to be read vpon the Ascension day it is sayd that Iesus Christ our Lord after his most glorious Resurrection manifestly appeared to all his Apostles and in their c Acts 1.9.10.11 sight ascended vp into Heauen to prepare a place for vs that where he is thither might we also ascend and reigne with him in glory That Christ was glorified being ascended into Heauen Dauid declareth saying d Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captiuity captiue thou hast receiued gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord might dwell among them Saint Paul sayth e Heb. 12.2 That Christ for the ioy which was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God That hee also ascended to f Iohn 14.2.3 prepare in Heauen a place for his true Disciples hee testifieth by his VVordes saying In my Fathers House are many Mansions if it were not so I would haue told you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I g Iohn 17.24 Iohn 12.26 am there yee may bee also The Apostle to the Hebrewes writting concerning the Ascension sayth also h Hebr. 9.24 Christ is not entred into the Holy places made with hands which are figures of the true but into Heauen it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for vs. And to the Ephesians hee sayth i Ephe. 4.10 Hee that descended is the same also that ascended vp farre aboue all Heauens that he might fill all things CHAP. 24. Of the comming downe of the Holy Ghost HOly Church in most Diuine manner in the Sacred Letany mentioneth together all the great things done and suffered by Christ for Mankinde teaching vs to pray that by all and euery of them we in particular may be deliuered saying By the Mystery of thy Holy Incarnation by the Holy Natiuity and Circumcision by the Baptisme Fasting and Temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine Agony and Bloody Sweate by thy Crosse and passion by thy precious death and buriall by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension and by the comming of the Holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. Wherein we are taught to consider that the comming of the Holy Ghost is a matter pertaining to our deliuerance or saluation and now here to be meditated on In the Preface to be read on Whitsunday it is sayd That according to the most true promise of Iesus Christ our Lord the Holy Ghost came downe this day from Heauen with a suddaine great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in
Wee are VVitnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath giuen to them that obey him Reade the third part of the * T. 2. p. 229. 230 Homily for Rogation VVeeke and there are expressed many operations of the Holy Ghost for and in the people of Almighty God CHAP. 25. Of the Merit of the Redemption wrought by Iesus Christ THE Church in her most Sacred Catechisme teacheth euery one of her Children to say I beleeue in God the Sonne who hath redeemed me and all Mankind And in the Prayer afore the Ministration of the Communion it is sayd Iesus Christ suffering Death vpon the Crosse for our Redemption made there by his owne Oblation of himselfe once offered a full perfect and sufficient Sacrifice Oblation and satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole World In the second * T. 2. p. 181. Homily of CHRISTS passion it is sayde Hee suffered Death vniuersally for all men And in the same * P. 185. Homily it is sayde God gaue Christ to the whole World that is to say to Adam and to all that should come after him And in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 200. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is sayd The Death of Christ is auaileable for the Redemption of all the World The holy Scriptures testifie the same greatnesse of the merit of the Redemption wrought by Iesus Christ Saint Iohn sayth He is the propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of k 1 Iohn 2.2 the whole World Saint Paul sayth Christ gaue himselfe a ransome for l 1 Tim. 2.6 all And to the Hebrewes he sayth m Heb. 2.9 Iesus Christ tasted Death for euery man To the Corinthians hee sayth If one dyed for all then were all dead and hee dyed for n 2 Cor. 5.14.15 all c. And to the Romanes hee sayth o Rom. 5.18 1 Cor. 15.21.22 Iohn 12.32 As by the offence of one iudgement came vpon al men to condemnation Eue so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came vpon all men vnto iustification of life In the second part of the * T. 1. p. 50. Homily concerning Swearing it is signified That not onely Christs death but his life also c. are meritorious where it is sayd Whosoeuer wilfully * Zechar. 5.4.5 See Chap. 73. forsweare themselues vppon Christs Holy Euangely they vtterly forsake Gods mercy goodnesse and truth the merits of our Sauiour Christs Natiuity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension they refuse the forgiuenesse of sinnes promised to all penitent sinners the ioyes of Heauen the company with Angels and Saints for euer Also the aforesayde actions of Christ are meritorious because they were done for the sake of mankinde CHAP. 26. Of the end for the which Iesus Christ redeemed mankinde and who of yeares of discretion or of perfect age partake of the merit of the same redemption IT is sayd in the second part of the * T. 1. p. 82. Homily against adultery Christ that innocent Lambe of God hath bought vs from the seruitude of the Diuell not with corruptible gold and siluer but with his most precious and deare heart bloud To what intent That we should fall againe into our old vncleannesse and abhominable liuing Nay verily but that we should serue him all the dayes of our life in holinesse and righteousnesse that we should glorifie him in our bodies by purity and cleannesse of life And in the * T. 2. p. 179. Homily for good Friday it is sayd Christ hath not so redeemed vs from sinne that we may safely returne thereto againe but he hath redeemed vs that we should forsake the motions thereof and liue vnto righteousnesse Yea we be therefore washed in our Baptisme from the filthinesse of sinne that we should liue afterward in the purenesse of life In Baptisme we promised to renounce the Diuell and his suggestions wee promised to be as obedient children alwayes following Gods will and pleasure So in the * T. 2. p. 195. Homily of the Resurrection it is sayd Yee must consider that yee be therefore cleansed and renued that yee should from hencefoorth serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of your liues that ye may reigne with him in euerlasting life If yee refuse so great grace whereto yee bee called what other thing doe yee than heape to your selues damnation more and more and so prouoke God to cast his displeasure vnto you and to reuenge this mockage of his Holy Sacramerits in so great abusing of them In the second * T. 2. p. 186. Homily of the Passion it is sayd Now it remaineth that I shewe vnto you how to apply Christs death and passion to our comfort as a medicine to our wounds so that it may worke the same effect in vs wherefore it was giuen namely the health and saluation of our soules For as it profiteth a man nothing to haue salue vnlesse it be well applied to the part infected so the death of Christ shall sland vs in no force vnlesse we apply it to our selues in such sort as God hath appointed Almighty God commonly worketh by meanes and in this thing he hath also ordained a certaine meane whereby we may take fruite and profite to our soules health and that is Faith Not an vnconstant or wauering faith but a sure stedfast grounded and vnfained faith * Pag. 188. For as all they which beheld stedfastly the brazen Serpent were healed and deliuered at the very sight thereof from their corporall diseases and bodily stings euen so all they which behold Christ crucified with a true and liuely faith shall vndoubtedly bee deliuered from the grieuous wounds of the soule be they neuer so deadly or many in number In the * Tom. 2. p. 173 Homily of the Natiuity it is sayd After that Christ was come downe from heauen and had taken our fraile nature vpon him he made all them that would receiue him truely and beleeue his holy Word good trees c. And to shew more plainely who partake of Christs merits the * Tom. 2. p. 179 Homily for good Friday declareth saying That we doe call for mercy in vaine if wee will not shew mercy to our neighbours For if we will not put wrath and displeasure forth of our hearts to our Christian brother no more will God forgiue the displeasure and wrath that our sinnes haue deserued afore him For vnder this condition doth God forgiue vs if we forgiue other God is to be obeyed which commaundeth vs to forgiue if we will haue any part of the pardon which our Sauiour Christ purchased once of God the Father by shedding of his precious bloud And in the second part of the * Tom. 1. p. 94. Homily against contention the Church sayth What crakest thou of thy head if thou labour not to be in the body Thou canst be no member of
Christ if thou follow not the steps of Christ In the first * Tom. 2. p. 180 Homily of the Passion most diuinely it is declared That it shall little auaile vs to haue in meditation the fruites and price of Christs passion to magnifie them and to delight or trust in them except we haue in minde his examples in passion to follow them If we thus therefore consider Christs death and will sticke thereto with fast faith for the merite and deseruing thereof and will also frame our selues in such wise to bestow our selues and all that we haue by charity to the behoofe of our neighbour as Christ spent himselfe wholly for our profit then doe wee truely remember Christs death and being thus followers of Christs steps we shall be sure to follow him thither where he now sitteth with the Father and the holy Ghost Likewise in the * Tom. 2. p. 196 Homily of the Resurrection it is sayd Let vs keepe our feast the whole terme of our life with eating the bread of purenesse of godly life and truth of Christs Doctrine Thus shall we declare that Christs gifts and graces haue their effect in vs and that we haue the right beleefe knowledg of his holy resurrection where truely if we apply our Faith to the vertue thereof in our life and conforme vs to the example and signification meant thereby we shall be sure to rise hereafter to euerlasting glory by the goodnesse and mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ And in the same * Pag. 191. Homily it is sayd Christ passed through death and hell to the intent to put vs in good hope that by his strength we shall doe the same In the Collect for Palme Sunday it is signified That Almighty God of his tender loue towards man sent our Sauiour Iesus Christ to take vpon him our flesh and to suffer death vpon the Crosse that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility In the Collect for the second Sunday after Easter it is sayd That Almighty God gaue his onely Sonne to be vnto vs both a sacrifice for sinne and an example of godly life In that most diuine exhortation in the commination Seruice it is sayd Let vs returne vnto our Lord God who is the mercifull receiuer of all true penitent sinners assuring our selues that he is ready to receiue vs and most willing to pardon vs if we come vnto him with faithfull repentance If we will submit our selues vnto him and from henceforth walke in his wayes If we will take his easie yoke and light burthen vpon vs to follow him in lowlinesse patience and charity and be ordered by the gouernance of his holy Spirit seeking alwayes his glory and seruing him duely in our vocation with thankesgiuing This if we doe Christ will deliuer vs from the curse of the Law and from the extreame malediction which shall light on them that shall bee set on his left hand c. The holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Titus sayth p Tit. 2.14 Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purisie vnto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes Zacharias in his song sayd q That we being deliuered out of the hands of our enemies might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Saint Paul to the Romanes sayth r Rom. 8.3.4 What the Law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and * Or by a sacrifice for sinne as it is read in the margent for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh That the righteousnesse of the Lawe might bee fulfilled in vs who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit To the Corinthians he sayth Å¿ 2. Cor. 5.15 Christ died for all that they which liue should not hencefoorth liue vnto themselues but vnto him which died for them and rose againe To the Thessalonians he sayth t 1. Thes 5.9.10 God hath not appointed vs to wrath but to obtaine saluation by our Lord Iesus Christ who died for vs that whether we wake or sleepe we should liue together with him And Saint Peter sayth u 1. Pet. 1.24 Christ his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that wee being dead vnto sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse Againe he sayth w 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for vs leauing vs an example that we should follow his steps Further he sayth x 1. Pet. 4.1.2 Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for vs in the flesh arme your selues likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinne That he no longer should liue the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God p Luke 1.74.75 Who of ripe age partake of Christs merits Now who of ripe age partake of Christs merits these Scriptures following and sundry others doe declare y Iohn 14.15.21.23 If ye loue me sayth Christ keepe my Commaundements He that hath my Commaundements and keepeth them he it is that loueth me and he that loueth me shall be loued of my Father and I will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him Againe z Ioh 15.10 14. If yee keepe my Commaundements yee shall abide in my loue euen as I haue kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his loue And yee are my friends if yee doe whatsoeuer I commaund you Againe a Ioh. 8.31.32 If ye continue in my word then are yee my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free And to the Hebrewes the Apostle sayth b Heb. 3.14 We are made partakers of Christ If we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast vnto the end To the Romanes he sayth c Rom 6.5.8 If we haue bene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection If we be dead with Christ we beleeue that we shall also liue with him Againe d Rom 8.11.13.14.17 If the Spirit of him that raysed vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies * Or because of his spirit that dwelleth in you as in the margent by the Spirit that dwelleth in you If ye liue after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall liue For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God And if children then heires heires of God and ioynt heires with Christ If so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together In like manner sayth the Apostle to Timothy e 2. Tim. 2.11.12.13 It is a faithfull saying for if we be dead with him
or * Is 52.15 sprinkled with it in the w Mat. 28.19 name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost And that the inward and spirituall grace thereof is a death unto sinne and a new birth unto righteousnesse for being by nature x Ps 51.5 Iob 14.4 borne in sinne and the Children of y Eph. 2.3 wrath we are hereby made the z Gal. 3.26 27. Children of grace The necessity of this Sacrament is shewed in the beginning of the service thereof where it is said For as much as all men bee conceived and borne in sinne and that our Saviour Christ saith None can enter into the Kingdome of God except he be regenerate and borne anew of a Iohn 3.5 water and of the holy Ghost I beseech you to call upon God the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to these children that thing which by nature they cannot have that they may be baptized with water and the holy b Mat. 3.11 Mar. 10.14 15 16. Ghost and received into Christs holy Church and be made lively members of the same The benefits of baptisme are in the Service thereof by many speeches signified It is said to be a Christning as in the Rubricke of private baptisme where it is said The Minister shall not Christen the child againe but c. In Baptisme a child receiveth Christendome and being baptized is pronounced to be a Christian as we are taught to say in our Catechisme In my baptisme wherein I was made a member of Christ the Child of God and an c Gal. 3.29 inheritour of the kingdome of heaven In the Service of private baptisme the Minister is to pronounce concerning a child lawfully and sufficiently baptized That he being borne in Originall sin and in the wrath of God is now by the d Tit. 3.9 Eph. 5.26 Laver of regeneration in baptisme received into the number of the children of GOD and heires of everlasting life And then afterward he is to say Doubt ye not therefore but earnestly beleeve that he that favourably received this present infant that he hath embraced him with the armes of his mercy that he hath given him the e Mar. 10.16 14. blessing of eternall life and made him partaker of his f Heb. 12.28 everlasting kingdome The Service saith of a Child baptized That he is regenerate by Gods holy Spirit and graffed into the g 1 Cor. 12.13 body of Christs congregation and received for Gods owne Childe by adoption In the first prayer of confirmation it is signified that in baptisme is received the h Col. 2.12 13 14. forgivenesse of all sinnes And in the Rubricke next afore the Catechisme it is said That it is certaine by Gods Word that children being baptized have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly i Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.27 saved The first part of the Homily of salvation addeth * â— 1. p. 13. And dying in their k Mar. 10.14 Act. 2.39 Gen. 17.7 infancy The Divine Service also delivereth That baptisme doth represent unto us our profession namely when we come to discretion which is to follow the l Pet. 2.21 Epâ— â— 1 2. Iohn 3.15 1 â—oâ— 11.1 example of our Saviour Christ and to be made m 〈◊〉 â— â— 29 like unto him that as he dyed and rose againe for u Roâ— 25. us so should we which are baptized o Rom. 6.3 4 5 6 7 8 11 13. die from sinne and rise againe unto righteousnesse continually p Col. 3.5 mortifying all our evill and corrupt affections and dayly q 2 Cor. 4.16 2 Thes 1.3 1 Pet. 1.15 proceeding in all vertue and godlinesse of living Saint Paul saith to the Romanes r Rom 6.3 c. Know yee not that so many of us as were baptized into Iesus Christ were baptized into his death Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by glory of the Father even so wee also should walke in newnesse of life For if wee have beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall bee also in the likenesse of his resurrection And to the Galatians hee saith Å¿ Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have beene baptized into Christ have put on Christ Wherefore to the Romanes he saith t Rom 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit And to the baptized Corinthians hee saith u 1 Cor. 6.11 yee are washed yee are sanctified yee are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God Also to Titus hee saith w Tit. 3.5 Not by workes of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercie hee hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost And againe to the Corinthians he saith x 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit are wee all baptized into one body To the Colossians he saith y Col. 2.12 13 14. Ye are buried with Christ in Baptisme wherein also yee are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all trespasses CHAP. 52. Of Godfathers and Godmothers IN the most sacred Catechisme a question is Why are infants baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot performe repentance and faith The answere is Yes they doe performe them by their sureties who promise and vow them both in their names which when they come to age themselves are bound to performe In the Service of publike Baptisme the Priest having signified to the Godfathers Godmothers what promise Christ for his part will most surely keepe and performe saith withall Wherefore after this promise made by Christ these infants must also faithfully for their part promise by you that bee their sureties that they will forsake the Devill and all his workes and constantly beleeve Gods holy Word and obediently keepe his Commandements In the Service of private Baptisme The Priest is to say unto the Sureties z Gen. 17.11 Gen. 18.19 Doest thou in the name of this Childe for sake the Devill and all his workes the vaine pompe and glory of the world with all the covetous desires of the same the carnall desires of the flesh and not to follow and be led by them And doest thou in the name of this child professe this faith to beleeve in God the Father Almighty c. And in the Exhortation to the sureties we may see most cleerely to what a godly purpose holy Church hath ordained them where it is said You must remember that it is your part and duty to see that this infant be taught so
to be our spirituall food k Ioh. 6.32 33 35 48 50 51. and sustenance In the third Exhortation it is said The benefit is great if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament for then wee l Iohn 6.63 56. spiritually eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his blood then we dwell in Christ and Christ m Iohn 14.23 2 Cor. 6.16 in us we bee n 1 Cor. 6.17 1 Cor. 10.16 17 1 Cor. 12 13. one with Christ and Christ with us And afterward it is said Above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thankes to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ both God and man who did humble himselfe even to the death upon the Crosse for us miserable sinners which lay in darkenesse and shadow of death that hee might make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and onely Saviour Iesus Christ thus dying for us and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding hee hath obtained to us hee hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries as pledges of his love and continuall o 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. remembrance of his death to our great and endlesse comfort And in the Prayer to be read afore the receiving it is said Almighty God our heavenly Father which of thy tender mercy didst give thy onely Son Iesus Christ to suffer death vpon the Crosse for our redemption who made there by his one oblation of himselfe once offered a full perfect and sufficient sacrifice oblation and satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole world and did institute and in his holy Gospell command us to continue a perpetuall memory of that his precious death untill his comming againe c. And in the second Prayer after the receiving it is said Thou dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodnesse towards us and that wee bee very members incorporate in thy mysticall p Eph. 1. 22 23. 1 Cor. 12.12.27 body which is the blessed company of all faithfull people and be also heires through hope of thy everlasting Kingdome by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy deare Sonne In the * T. 2. p. 192. Homily of the resurrection it is said Thou hast received him if in true faith and repentance of heart thou hast received him If in purpose of amendment thou hast received him for an everlasting gage or pledge of thy salvation Thou hast received his body which was once broken and his blood which was shed for the remission of thy sinne Thou hast received his body to have within thee the Father the Son and the holy Ghost for to dwell with thee to endow thee with grace to strengthen thee against thine enemies and to comfort thee with their presence Thou hast received his body to endow thee with everlasting righteousnes to assure thee with everlasting blisse and life of thy soule For with Christ by true faith art thou quickned againe saith Saint Paul from death of sin to life of grace and in hope translated from corporall and everlasting death to the everlasting life of glory in heaven q Phil. 3.20 where now thy conversation should be and thy heart and desire set In the * T. 2. p. 197. Homily concerning the Sacrament it is most divinely delivered That our Lord and Saviour thought it not sufficient to purchase for us his Fathers favour againe which is that deepe fountaine of all goodnesse and eternall life but also invented the wayes most wisely whereby they might redound to our commodity and profit Amongst the which meanes is the publike celebration of the memory of his precious death at the Lords Table Which although it seeme of small vertue to some yet being rightly done by the faithfull it doth not onely helpe their weaknesse who be by their poisoned nature readier to remember injuries than benefits but strengtheneth and comforteth their inward man with peace and gladnesse and maketh them thankfull to their Redeemer with diligent care and godly conversation And as of old time God decreed his wondrous benefits of the deliverance of his people to be kept in memory by the eating of the Passeover See chap. 17. with his rites and ceremonies so our loving Saviour hath ordained and established the remembrance of his great mercy expressed in his Passion in the institution of his heavenly supper In the same * p. 199. Homily it is also said We must be sure to hold that in the supper of the Lord there is no vaine ceremony no bare signe no untrue figure of a thing absent but as the Scripture saith the r 1 Cor. 10.21 table of the Lord the bread cup of the Lord the memory of Christ the ſ 1 Cor. 11.25 26. annuntiation of his death yea the communion of the body and blood of the Lord in a marveilous incorporation which by the operation of the Holy Ghost the very t 1 Iohn 3.24 bond of our conjunctiō with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onely their soules live to eternall life but they surely trust to win their bodies a resurrection to immortality The true understanding of this fruition union which is betwixt the body the head betwixt the true beleevers and Christ the ancient Catholike Fathers both perceiving themselves and commending to their people were not afraid to call this supper some of them the salve of immortality and soveraigne preservative against death Other a deificall communion other the u Rev. 3.20 sweet dainties of our Saviour the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection Other the food of immortality the healthfull grace and the conservatorie to everlasting life And in the same first part of the * p. 200. Homily it is also said Thus much more the faithfull see heare and know the favourable mercies of God sealed the satisfaction by Christ towards us confirmed and the remission of sinne established Here they may feele wrought the tranquility of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope the large spreading abroad of brotherly kindnesse with many other sundry graces of God The tast whereof they cannot attaine unto who be drowned in the deepe durty lake of blindnesse and ignorance From the which O beloved u Ier. 4.14 Isay 1.16 Psal 119.9 Psal 26.6 wash your selves with the living waters of Gods Word whence you may perceive and know both the spirituall food of this costly supper and the happy trustings and effects that the same doth bring with it And then after it is said It is well knowne that the meate we seeke for in this supper is spirituall food the nourishment of our soule a heavenly reflection
and not earthly an invisible meat and not bodily a ghostly substance and not carnall c. By the advice of the * p. 201. Councill of Nicene wee ought to lift up our minds by faith and leaving these inferior and earthly things there seeke it where the Sunne of righteousnesse ever shineth Take then this lesson O thou that art desirous of this table of Emissenus a godly father that when thou goest up to the reverend Communion to bee satisfied with spirituall meats thou looke up with faith upon the holy body and blood of thy God thou marvell with reverence thou touch it with the mind thou receive it with the hand of thy heart and thou take it fully with thy inward man What the use is which we are to make of the Sacrament Concerning the use which we are to make of receiving the Sacrament it is signified in the prayer to bee read after the Prefaces in the Communion-service where it is said Grant us therefore gracious Lord so to eate the flesh of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ and to drinke his blood that our sinfull bodies may bee made cleane by his body and our soules washed through his most precious blood and that we may evermore w Iohn 6.56 Iohn 14.23 dwell in him and he in us And it is also signified in the second prayer after the receiving where it is said We now most humbly beseech thee O heavenly Father so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy x Act. 2.42.46 Heb. 10.25 Col. 2.19 Eph. 2.19 fellowship and doe all such good workes as thou hast y Eph. 2.10 That the Sacrament is to be received often-times prepared for us to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Concerning the oftennesse of the receiving of the Sacrament it is said in the rubricke afore the Service for the Communion of the sicke That Curats are to exhort their parishioners to the oft receiving in the Church of the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ which if they doe they shall have no cause in their sudden visitation to bee unquiet for lacke of the same It is said in the rubricke at the end of the Matrimony-service The new maried persons the same day of their mariage must receive the holy Communion And in the end of the Churching-service it is said in the rubricke The woman that commeth to give her thankes must offer accustomed offerings and if there be a Communion it is convenient that she receive the holy Communion It is said in the rubricke at the end of the Communion-Service That in Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches where be many Priests and Deacons they shall all receive the Communion with the Minister every z Acts 10.7 Sunday at the least except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary And in the end of that rubricke it is said Every Parishioner shall communicate at the least three times in the yeare of which Easter to bee one c. Also when any receive any order of the Ministery they are then to communicate as it is prescribed in the booke of ordering Bishops Priests and Deacons It is written in Genesis a Gen. 14.18 19. That Melchisedec King of Salem brought forth bread and wine and hee was the Priest of the most high God And hee blessed Abraham c. Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians b 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Our Fathers were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea And did all eate the same spirituall meat and did all drinke the same spirituall drinke For they dranke of that spirituall rocke that followed them and that rocke was Christ Wisedome saith in the Proverbes c Pro. 9.5 Come eate of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled Saint Matthew recordeth that as Iesus and his Disciples were eating the Passeover Iesus tooke d Matth. 26.26 27 28. bread and blessed it and brake it gave it to the disciples and said Take eate this is my body And he tooke the cup and gave thankes and gave it to them saying Drinke ye all of it for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Saint Iohn writeth that Iesus afore had said unto the Iewes c Ioh. 6.53 54 55 56.63 Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eate the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternall life and I will raise him up at the last day For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in mee and I in him It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speake unto you they are spirit and they are life It is written in the Acts f Acts 2.42 That the disciples continued stedfast in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Saint Paul saith to the Corinthians g 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of one bread Also he saith h 1 Cor. 12.13 We have all been made to drinke into one spirit And further he delivereth i 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye doe shew the Lords death till he come CHAP. 56. Of preparing ones selfe for to receive worthily the holy Sacrament IT is said in the third Exhortation to be read afore the Communion The danger is great if we receive the holy Sacrament unworthily for then we bee guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour wee eate and drinke our owne damnation not considering the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath against us wee provoke him to k 1 Cor. 11.30 plague us with diuers diseases and sundry kindes of death Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God an hinderer or l 1 Cor. 5.11 slanderer of his Word an adulterer or be in m 1 Iohn 3.15 Mat. 5.23 24 25. malice or envy or in any other griveous crime bewaile your sinnes c. Iudge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truly for your sinnes past have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour Amend your lives and be in perfect charitie with all men so shall yee be meet partakers of those holy mysteries Therefore it is to be said unto them that come to receive the holy Communion in the last words of exhortation afore the generall Confession be made You that doe truly and earnestly repent you or your sinnes and be in love and
and fall like one of the Princes In the booke of Wisdome it is said unto Rulers d Wisd 6.4 5 6 Because being Ministers of his Kingdome you have not judged aright nor kept the Law nor walked after the Counsell of God horribly and speedily shall hee come upon you For a sharpe judgement shall bee to them that bee in high places For mercy will soone pardon the meanest mighty men shall bee mightily tormented It is recorded of Mordicai the Iew being advanced next unto King Ahasuerus that he sought the e Est 10.3 wealth of his people and spake peace unto all his Seed Blessed are they that keepe judgement and hee that doth f Ps 106.3 righteousnesse at all times saith David But saith Isaiah Woe unto them that g Isa 10.1 2. decree unrighteous Decrees and that write grievousnesse which they have prescribed to turne aside the needy from judgment and to take away the right from the poore of the people that widowes may be their prey and that they may rob the fatherlesse The Lord saith by Moses h Exod. 23.2 3 8. Deut. 16.18 19.20 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to doe evill neither shalt thou speake in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgement Neither shalt thou countenance a poore man in his cause The Iudges and Officers shall judge the people with just judgement Thou shalt not wrest judgement thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blinde the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous That which is altogether just shalt thou follow Paul saith to the Thessalonians Wee command you brethren in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ That yee with-draw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us For even when we were with you this we commanded you That if any man would not worke i 2 Thes 3.10 neither should hee eate It is a saying and observed out of Moses Law There should be no k Deut. 15.4 begger in Israel CHAP. 73. Of Swearing IN the * T. 1. p. 45. Homily against Swearing and perjury it is said When Iudges require oaths of the people for declaration or opening of the truth or for execution of Iustice Swearing is lawfull Also when men make faithfull promises with calling to witnesse of the name of God to keepe covenants honest promises statutes lawes good customes as Christian Princes doe in their conclusions of peace for conservation of Common-wealths and private persons promise their fidelity in Matrimony or one to another in honesty and true friendship and all men when they doe sweare to keepe common lawes and locall statutes and good customes for due order to bee had and continued among men when subjects doe sweare to bee true and faithfull to their King and Soveraigne Lord and when Iudges Magistrates and Officers sweare truly to execute their Offices and when a man would affirme the truth to the setting forth of Gods glory for the salvation of the people in open preaching of the Gospell or in giving of good Counsell privately for their soules health All these manners of swearing for causes necessarie and honest be lawfull But when men doe sweare of custome in reasoning buying and selling or other dayly communications as many be common and great swearers such kinde of swearing is ungodly unlawfull and forbidden by the Commandement of God For such swearing is nothing else but taking of Gods name in vaine * P. 46 47. Afterward it is said Whosoever sweareth when he is required of a Iudge let him be sure in his conscience that his oath have three conditions and hee shall never need to be afraid of perjury First hee that sweareth must sweare truly that is he must setting apart all favour and affection to the parties have the truth onely before his eyes and for love thereof say and speake that which he knoweth to be truth and no further The second is he that taketh an oath must doe it with judgement not rashly and unadvisedly but soberly considering what an oath is The third is he that sweareth must sweare in righteousnesse that is for the very zeale and love which he beareth to the defence of innocency to the maintenance of the truth and of the righteousnesse of the matter or cause all profit disposits all love and favour unto the person for friendship or kindred laid apart That in communication wee ought not to sweare Christs words doe declare where he saith l Mat. 5.34 35 36 37. Sweare not at all neither by heaven c. by no creature But let your communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then these commeth of evill The which Scripture as it forbiddeth all manner of swearing in communication so it forbiddeth to sweare at any time by any thing excepting the name of God onely The Lord saith to the Israelites by Ieremiah How shall I pardon thee for this thy Children have forsaken me and m Ier. 5.7 sworne by them that are no gods In the second part of the * P. 50. Homily of swearing it is most memorably said To the intent you should know how great and grievous an offence against God wilfull perjury is I will shew you what it is to take an oath before a Iudge upon a booke First when they laying their hands upon the Gospell booke doe sweare truly to enquire and to make a true presentment of things wherewith they be charged and not to let from saying the truth and doing truly for favour love dread or malice of any person as God may helpe them and the holy Contents of that booke They must consider that in that booke is contained Gods everlasting truth his most holy and eternall Word whereby we have forgivenesse of our sinnes and be made inheritours of heaven to live for ever with Gods Angels and Saints in joy and gladnesse In the Gospell booke is contained also Gods terrible threats to obstinate sinners that will not amend their lives nor beleeve the truth of Gods holy Word and the everlasting pain prepared in hell for Idolaters Hypocrites for false and vaine swearers for perjured men for false witnesse barers for false condemners of innocent and guiltlesse men and for them which for favour hide the crimes of evill doers that they should not be punished So that whosoever wilfully for sweare themselves upon Christs holy Evangely or Gospell they utterly forsake Gods mercy goodnesse and truth the merits of our Saviour Christs Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension they refuse the forgivenesse of sinnes promised to all penitent sinners the joyes of heaven the companie with Angels and Saints for ever All which benefits and comforts are promised unto true Christian persons in the Gospell And they so being forsworne upon the Gospell doe betake themselves to the devills service the master of all lies falshood deceit and perjurie provoking
returning first he will have us to returne unto him with our g Ioel 1.12 whole heart whereby he doth remove and put away all hypocrisie lest the same might justly be said unto us This people draweth neare unto me with their mouth and worship me with their lips but their h Mat. 15.8 heart is far off from me Secōdly he requireth a sincere and pure love of godlinesse and of the true worshipping and service of God that is to say that forsaking all maner of things that are repugnant contrary unto Gods will we do give our i Prov. 22.26 hearts unto him and the k Luke 10.27 whole strength of our bodies and soules Here therefore is nothing left unto us that wee may give unto the world and unto the lusts of the flesh For sith that the heart is the l Prov. 4.23 fountaine of all our workes as many as doe with whole heart turne unto the Lord doe m Rom. 14.7 3 live unto him onely In the second part of the * P. 264 265. Homily of Repentance it is said Now it shall be declared unto you what be the true parts of repentance and what things ought to move us to repent and to returne unto the Lord our GOD with all n Psa 119.60 speed Repentance as it is said before it is a true returning unto God wherby men * Prov. 28.13 Isa 55.7 Ezek. 14.4 5 6 Ezek. 18.21 30 31. forsaking utterly their idolatry and wickednesse doe with a lively faith embrace o 1 Iohn 4.7 8 16. love and worship the p Rev. 14.7 true living God onely and give themselves to all manner of q 1 Tim. 5.10 Tit. 2.14 Eph. 2.10 2 Tim. 3.17 Of the foure parts of Repentance good workes which by Gods Word they know to bee acceptable unto him Now there bee foure parts of repentance which being set together may be likened to an easie and short Ladder whereby we may climbe from the bottomlesse pit of perdition that wee cast our selves into by our dayly offences and grievous sinnes up into the Castle and Towre of eternall and endlesse salvation The first is the r Ioel. 2.13 Acts 2.37 condition of the heart For we must be earnestly sory for our sinnes and unfainedly lament and ſ Zechar. 12.10 Ezek. 36.31 bewaile that wee have by them so grievously offended our most bounteous and mercifull God who so tenderly loved us that he gave his onely begotten Sonne to dye a most bitter death and to shed his deare heart-blood for our redemption and deliverance And verily this inward sorrow and griefe being t Iam. 4.9 10. conceived in the heart for the heynoursnesse of sinne if it be earnest and unfeined is a sacrifice to God as the holy Prophet doth testifie saying u Ps 51.17 Isa 57.15 and 66.2 5. A meanes to unharden our hearts A sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and broken heart O Lord thou wilt not despise But that this may take place in us we must bee diligent to read and heare the Scriptures and Word of God which most lively doe paint out before our eyes our naturall w Isa 64.6 Eph. 2.2 3 12. uncleannesse and the x Rem 7.7 Ps 1.7 8. 2 Tim. 3.16 17 Ps 119.104 105 130. Eph. 5.13 enormity of our sinfull life The second is an vnfained confession and acknowledging of our sinnes unto God whom by them wee have so grievously offended that if he should deale with us according to his y Ps 143.2 justice we doe deserve a thousand Hels if there could be so many Yet if we will with a sorrowfull and contrite heart make an unfained z 1 Iohn 1.7 9. Ps 32.5 Ezek 18.22 confession of them unto God he will freely and frankly forgive them and so put all our wickedness a Micah 7.18 19. out of remēbrance before the sight of his Majesty that they shall no more be thought upon The third part of Repentance is faith wherby we doe apprehend and take hold upon the promises of GOD touching free pardon and b Col. 2.13 Rom. 3.25 24. Eph. 4.32 Heb. 9.15 forgivenesse of our sins Which promises are sealed up unto us with the c Heb. 2.9 14 15. Heb. 9.16.17 22 23. Mat. 26.28 death and bloodshedding of his Sonne Iesus Christ The fourth in an amendment of life or a new life in bringing forth the d Mat 3.8 10. 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 5.24 fruits worthy of repentance For they that doe truly repent must be cleane altered e Rom. 12.1 2. 2 Cor. 3.18 Ier. 48.11 changed they must become new creatures they must be no more the f Ier. 50.4 5. Ezek. 18.31 Mar. 16.17 1 Cor. 6.11 same that they were before They that doe from the bottome of their hearts acknowledge their sins and are unfainedly sorry for their offences will cast off all hypocrisie and put on true humility and g Mat. 11.29 1 Pet. 5.5 Eph. 4.2 lowlinesse of heart They will not onely receive the Physitian of the soule but also with a most fervent desire h Ps 101.1 and 84.2 and 42.1 2 3. Song 3.1 2 3. and 5.8 long for him They will not onely i 1 Pet. 2.11.12 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3 4. abstaine from the sinnes of their former life and from all other filthy vices but also flee eschew and k 1 Thes 5.22 abhorre all the occasions of them and as before they did give themselves to uncleannesse of life so will they form henceforwards with all diligence give themselves to innocency l Rom. 6.13.29 purenesse of life and true godliness m Luke 19.8 Zacheus after his repentāce was no more the man that he was before but was cleane changed altered It is therfore our parts if at least we be desirous of the health salvatiō of our own selves most earnestly to pray unto our heavēly father to n Eph. 3.16 Luke 11.13 assist us with his holy Spirit that we may be able to o Iohn 10.27 hearken unto the voice of the true Shepheard and with due p Acts 3.22 1 Pet. 4.17 obedience to follow the same Let us hearken to the voyce of Almightie God when he q Pro. 1.23 24. calleth us to repentance let us not r Heb. 3.7 8 15. harden our hearts as such infidels doe who abuse the time ſ Rev. 2.21 given them of God to repent and turne it to continue their pride and contempt against God and man which know not how much they t Rom. 2.4 5. heape Gods wrath upon themselves for the hardnesse of their hearts which cannot u Luke 13.25 Mat. 25.8 9 10 11 12. repent at the day of vengeance In the third part of the * P. 271. Homily of Repentance there are declared some causes which should the rather move us unto repentance As first the Commandement of God who in
feare him and his righteousnesse unto childrens children To such as keepe his Covenant and to those that remember his Commandements to doe them Iesus the sonne of Syrach saith They that f Ecclus. 2.15.16 17. feare the Lord will not disobey his Word and they that love him will keepe his wayes They that feare the Lord will seeke that which is well pleasing unto him and they that love him shall bee filled with the Law They that feare the Lord will prepare their hearts and humble their soules in his sight They g Isa 66.5 tremble at Gods Word they dread to transgresse h Iam. 2.10 any part of it David saith Serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with i Ps 2.11 trembling Paul saith to the Romanes Bee not high minded but k Rom. 11.20 21. feare For if God spared not the naturall branches take heed lest hee also spare not thee To the Philippians he saith Work out your owne salvation with l Phil. 2.12 The third Duty To love God feare and trembling The third is To love God with all our heart with all our minde with all our soule and with all our strength To love God is to love that which God is as namely heavenly m 1 Iohn 1.5 light n 1 Iohn 4.7.8.16 charity o Pro. 8.12 14. Wisd 7.25 26. with Heb. 1.3 wisdome for God is in Scripture said to be Light Charity Wisedome Hence Christ saith Yee are my p Ioh. 15.14 friends or lovers if yee doe whatsoever I command you This is the q 2 Ioh. 5.3 love of God saith Iohn that wee keepe his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous Againe he saith This is r 2 Ich. 6. love that wee walke after his Commandements Wherefore Christ saith If yee s Ioh. 14.15.21 23.24 love me keepe my commandements He that hath my commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth mee If a man love me he will keepe my words He that is of God t Ioh. 8.47 heareth Gods words The entrance of Gods words giveth u Ps 119.130 light God is a w Ioh. 4.24 spirit of light a spirit of love and a spirit of eternall wisdome They therefore that love this Holy Spirit blessed for ever cannot but love his nature and propertie They delight to have heavenly x Ps 43.3 light come more and more into their understanding they delight to y Eph. 5.2 1 Cor. 16.14 walke in love They unfainedly desire to doe all things in z 1 Sam. 18.5 Prov. 13.16 Wis 7.8 Col. 1.9 godly wisdome God requireth that we a Prov. 23.26 Luke 10.27 give him our whole heart minde soule strength and that the b Iam. 4.7 1 Ioh. 5.18 ill spirit have no part nor portion of us David a man after Gods owne heart said to God With my c Ps 119.10 whole heart have I sought thee The Lord saith by Ieremiah Yee shal seeke me and find me when yee shall search for me with your d Ier. 29.13 whole heart The Lord Iesus saith If any man come to me and e Luk. 14.26 hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his owne life also hee cannot be my Disciple To hate in this place signifieth to love lesse as it is observed to signifie so in sundry f Gen. 29.31 Deut. 21.15 Mat. 6.24 other places The holy Prophets and Apostles which for the Lords sake left not onely their earthly substance but their friends wives and children yea and their owne bodily lives they in some measure loved God as the commandement requireth So such as unfainedly strive to be more and more dead unto g Rom. 6.11 sinne to bee more and more buried with Christ in his h Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.12 1 Cor. 15.31 death to i Rom. 6.6 crucifie the old man and utterly to abolish the whole body of sinne as it is prescribed in the Baptisme-service to the end that the k 2 Cor. 4.10.11 life of Iesus may be manifest in their mortall flesh and that his kingdome of grace may l Zach. 14.9 Obad. 21. Luk. 17.21 onely and wholy be administred in their soules they in some measure love God as his Law requireth The fourth duty is to worship God Christ saith God is a spirit to be worshipped in m Ioh. 4.23.24 spirit and in truth The fourth duty To worship God Paul saith Glorifie God in your n 1 Cor. 6.20 body and in your spirit which are Gods As I live saith the Lord every knee shall o Rom. 14.11 bow to mee and every tongue shall confesse to God Of the outward worships due to God read the 68. Chapter afore There are also other bodily worshippings of God mentioned in the Holy Scriptures besides those as to p Gen. 17.3 fall downe on ones face to the earth unto the Lord c. The receiving of the Sacraments is said to bee a part of Gods worship yea and the due observation of all his other outward ordinances as r Mat. 15.9 See concerning Gods inward worship or worship in spirit in the end of T. 2. p. 75 teaching c. is worship to God also The inward worshipping of God is the doing of all such duties within the spirit as thēce are to be performed unto God immediately as to ſ Micah 6.8 humble ones selfe so as to walke with God to do our parts towards the t Iam. 4.8 purifying of our hearts to u Ioel. 2.13 Ezech. 36.31 beare sorrow for our sinnes committed to rent our hearts to do our parts towards the w Ezech. 18.31 making of a new heart and a new spirit c. The fift duty is to give thankes unto God The fift duty to thanke God And this duty is to bee done within the spirit in bearing a gratefull minde x Eph. 5.20 continually unto God for all his mercies So did the Virgin Mary when she said My soule doth y Luk. 1.46.47 magnifie the Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour So did David when hee said Blesse the Lord O my soule and al that is within me blesse his Holy name z Ps 104.1.2 Blesse the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits Concerning thanking God outwardly see Chapter 44. The sixt duty To trust wholy in God The sixt duty is to put our whole trust in him We are said to trust wholy in God when wee a Ps 37.7 rest on him and b Ps 37.5 depend totally upon him with hope of receiving his promises wee faithfully doing our parts in keeping the c 2 Kings 18.4.5.6 conditions wherewith his promises are made Trust or confidence in God proceedeth partly out of knowledge of Gods Attributes or properties as it is written They that know thy d Ps 9.10 Name will put their trust in thee
doers and for the praise of them that doe well If such as are seditiously inclined would sometimes reade through the whole Homily of obedience and the whole Homily against disobedience and wilfull rebellion and also would call to minde the end of all seditious ones and of all privie conspiratours in former times even in all privie conspiratours in former times even in all ages and almost in all places they by the grace of Christ might be of a cleane contrary disposition Saint Paul from God Almighty denounceth that hatred variance emulations wrath strife z Gal. 5.20.21 seditions heresies or sects or factions envyings c. Are workes of the flesh and that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God And now for conclusion about mentioning particular sins referring every devout soule unto a diligent reading or hearing of the whole Bible and to observe thereout what the spirit of God hath delivered and prescribed for every one in his severall vocation and state either to doe or to leave undone and to shunne and also to a most serious search of the whole divine Service of the Church of England for to performe every particular duty mentioned therein which concerneth him and to shunne whatsoever it is there dehorted from let us heare what holy Church delivereth unto us in the first Homily * T. 2. p. 176. of the Passion concerning the detestation which we ought to have within us continuall against all sinne No man can love sinne which God a Ps 5.4.5.6 hateth so much and be in his favour No man can say that hee b Ioh. 14.23.24 loveth Christ truly and have his great enemy sinne I meane aut hour of his death familiar and in friendship with him So much doe we love God and Christ as wee hate sinne Wee ought therfore to take great heed that wee be not favourers thereof lest wee be found enemies to God and traitours to Christ We can no otherwise live to God but by c 1 Cor. 15.31 Rom. 6.8.11 dying to sin If Christ bee d Rom. 8.10.11 in us then is sinne dead in us and if the spirit of God be in us which raised Christ from death to life so shall the same spirit raise us to the Resurrection of everlasting life e Rom. 6.16 But if sinne rule and raigne in us then is God which is the fountaine of all grace and vertue f Ier. 6.8 departed from us then hath the Devill and his vngratious spirit g 2 Pet 2.19 rule and dominion in us And surely if in such miserable h Eccles. 11. â—â— Heb. 9.27 state wee dye we shall not rise to life but fall downe to death and damnation and that without end David therefore saith Ye that love the Lord i Ps 97.10 Ps 119.104 hate evill CHAP. 96. Of the sinne against the Holy Ghost IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 261. Homily of repentance it is said But of the finall falling away from Christ his Gospell which is a sinne against the Holy Ghost that shall never bee forgiven because that they doe k Heb. 10.26 utterly forsake the knowne truth doe l Cor. 16.22 hate Christ and his m Ioh. 8.47 word they doe n Heb. 6.6 crucifie and o Heb. 10.29 mocke him but to their utter destruction and therefore fall into desperation and cannot repent In the second part of the * T. 2. p. 150. Homily of certaine places of Scripture it is said concerning three sorts of people whose company the Prophet David would to be shunned by every one that would be blessed The third sort the Prophet calls p Ps 1.1 scorners that is a sort of men whose hearts are so stuffed with malice that they are not contented to dwell in sinne and to lead their lives in all kind of wickednesse but also they doe q 2 Tim. 3.3 Prov. 29.27 contemne and scorne in other all godlinesse true religion all honesty and vertue Of this sort I thinke I may without danger of Gods judgemeÌ„t pronounce that never any yet converted unto God by repentance but continued still in their abominable wickednesse r Rom. 2.5 2 Tim. 3.8.13 heaping up to themselves damnation against the day of Gods inevitable judgements What sinne against the Holy Ghost is it may the better appeare by considering first what is sinne against God the Father and what is sinne against God the Sonne Sinne against God the Father is all transgression committed whiles one is in the first s Luk. 15.18.24 Eph. 2.1 death of trespasses and sinnes and in minde is t Eph. 5.14 asleepe not attending unto the gracious call of God the Father nor following his profered u Ioh. 6.44 Hos 11.4 Ier. 31.3 drawing or leading unto repentance Sinne also is said to be against God the Father which is coÌ„mitted through humane w 1. Ioh. 2.12 weakenesse and frailty And sinne against God the Sonne is the speaking of a word against the x Mat. 12.31.32 sonne of man Iesus Christ which sinne Saul afterward called Paul committed y 1 Tim. 1.13.16 ignorantly in unbeleife Yea and Peters z Luke 22.56 c. deniall of Christ for a time appeareth to bee a sinne of that nature Also when one is a disciple of Christs Gospell and through meere ignorance or the like infirmity offendeth against Christ as Peter did when hee said unto Christ Bee it a Mat 16.22 farre from thee Lord This shall not bee unto thee meaning the suffering which Christ signified that hee should endure All sinne committed against God the Father is b Rom. 3.25 forgiven through his great mercy in Iesus Christ c Ezech. 18.21 22. when one repenteth for the sinne All sinne committed against God the Sonne is forgiven for his d 1 Ioh. 2.12 Eph 4 32. names sake unto such as e 1 Tim. 6.12 Rev. 2.10.11 fight the good fight of faith and truly endeavour to lay hold on eternall life Now concerning sinne against the Holy Ghost it is either committed by such as have beene made partakers of the Holy Ghost of whom S. Paul saith to the Hebrewes That it is impossible for those who where once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made f Heb. 6.4.5.6.7.8 partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come being * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hieronymus vertit Prolapsi sunt Syrus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui rursum peccaverunt id est a justitia deficientes certamalitia in omne peccatum projecti sunt c Iunius fallen away to renew them againe to repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame For the earth which drinketh in the raine that commeth oft upon it and bringeth forth hearbes meete for them by whom it