3. 6. 5. 5. 12. 15. 16. 19. and with infinite other good deeds and miracles and signs wherof both his own life and the life of his Apostles most innocently and holily led was most plentiful M. But why doth the Creed omit the Story of his Life and passeth straight from his Birth to his Death S. Because in the Creed are rehearsed only the chief points of our Redemption Isa 53. toto Acts 13. 23. 27. c. and such things also properly belong to it that they contain as it were the substance therof M. Now tell me the order and manner of his death S. He was wickedly betrayed and forsaken Isa 5. 3. Mat. 26. 14. 59. 60. 61. 27 26 28. 33. 34. c. Mar. 15. toto Ioh. 18. 19. toto of his own disciples falsly and maliciously accused of the Jewes condemned by Pontius Pilate the Judge cruelly beaten with sore stripes vilely handled and scorned haled up to the Cross and fastened upon it and tormented with all extream paines He suffered shameful and most painful death M Is this the thank and recompence they gave Him for that heavenly Doctrin and for those most great and infinite benefits S. These things verily they did to him for their parts cruelly and maliciously Mat. 20. 18. Mar. 10. 45. Ioh. 10. 11. 15. 17 18. Rom. 4. 25. Col. 1. 20. Isa 53. toto 2 Cor 5. 21. Gal. 1. 4. Ephe. 1. 7. Col. 2. 14. and wickedly but He of his own accord and willingly suffered and performed all these things to the intent with his most sweet Sacrifice to appease his Father toward mankind and to pay and suffer the paines due to us by this mean to deliver us from the same Neither is it unused among men one to promise and to be surety yea some time to suffer for an other but with Christ as our Surety so suffering for us God dealt as it were with extremity of Law but to us whose sins deservings punishments and due paines he layed upon Christ he used singular lenity gentleness clemency and mercy Christ therfore suffered and in suffering overcame death the paine appointed by the ever living God for mens offence yea and by his death He overcame subdued overthrew and vanquished him that had the dominion of death that is the devil from whose tyranny Act. 10. 38. Col. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14. and thraldome he rescued us and set us at liberty M. But sith we are nevertheless punished with death which daily hangeth over us and do still suffer the penalty of our sin what fruit receive we of this victory S. Surely most large fruit for by Christs death it is come to pass that to Ioh. 11. 35 26 the faithful death is now not a destruction but as it were a removing and changing of life and a very short and sure passage into heaven whether we ought to follow our Guide without fear which as He was not destroyed by death so will He also not suffer us to perish wherfore the Ioh. 11 11. 1 Cor. 15. 18 1 Thes 4. 13 14 godly ought now no more to shrink or quake for fear of death which is to them the refuge from all the labours care and evils of this life and their Leader to heaven M. Commeth there any other profit to us by the death of Christ S. In them that through faith are one Rom. 6. 4. 7 11 12 13. 22 8. 1 2. 3. 10. 11. 13. Col. 2. 13. body with Christ crooked affections and corrupt desires which we call the lusts of the flesh are as it were crucified with Him and dye so as they have no more dominion in our souls M. Why is the Roman Governor under whom he suffered expresly named S. First the certain expressing of the persons and times bringeth credit to the matter Secondly the very thing it self declareth that Christ took our Nature upon Him at his due time the very time limited and appointed by God that is when the Scepter was transferred from Gen. 49 10. Dâ—n 9. 25. the issue of Juda to the Roman and to Forraign Kings that held the Kingdome by sufferance under the Romane Empire Moreover it had been long before foreshewed Psal 2. 2. by God that Christ should be delivered to the Gentiles to execution and should suffer death by the Judges sentence M. Why so S. He being guiltless was condemned by the Judges sentence that hee might Isa 53. 3. 8. Râ—â— 5. â— 6 â— â— 1. 〈◊〉 5. 18 21. 1 Pet. 3. 18. before the heavenly Judgement Seat acquit and entirely restore us that were guilty whose cause was convicted and condemned by the Judgement of God for if He had been murthered by theeves or slain with Sword by private men in an Uproare or Sedition such death could have had no forme of satisfaction and recompence M. But Pilate did bear witness of his innocency Mat. 27. 16. 24. Mar. 15 10. Luk 23. 14 Ioh. 18. 38 Isa 53 5. Joh-1 29. 36. â— Pet. 3. 18. S. Pilate did well to bear such witness of himself sith he evidently knew him innocent for if he had been guilty he had not been fit nor meet to bear and pay the paines of the sins of other and to appease God toward sinners but the same Pilate combred with the continual and agreeable crying of the Jews and wearied and overcome with their importunate Mat. 17. 22. outcryes did afterward according to the peoples minds and request condemn Innocent Christ whereby it is plaine that He was not punished for his own sins Isa 15. 5 4. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 4. 18. which were none at all in him nor suffered paines due to himself but did bear and pay the paines due to mens wickednesse not due to himselfe which of His owne Will Hee tooke upon Him suffering for them by His willing Death and with His owne guiltless Blood washing away the spots of our offences M. But for what cause did the people so bitterly and throughly hate a man of so great and singular uprightness and innocency S. The Priests Pharises and Scribes burning with the fire of envie when Mar. 17. 18. Mar 15. 16. Ioh. 8 40 45. 11. 47. Mat. 27. 10 Mar. 15. 11. they could not abide the face and light of the Truth incensed the hatred of the unwise multitude against the Rescuer and Defendor of the Truth M Sith He was condemned by the Judges sentence Why dost thou say that he dyed of His own Will S. If the Pharises Scribes or other Jewes or they altogether had had power of life and death upon Christ they had Luke 11. 53. 20. 19. Ioh. 8. 59. 11. 53. Mat. 26. 4. long before hastened his death for they oft times before had conspired his death and destruction yea and also where they had determined to deferr the execution Mat. 26. 2. Mar. 14. 1. till another time because the
Feast of Sweet Bread was now at hand which Feast the Jewes were accustomed yearly to keep holy with most great Religiousness and Solemnity they could not bring their intent to pass but that He suffered hard before the Feast day in a day most unseasonable for them but appointed by God for this purpose wherby sufficiently appeareth that no governance of these things and times was in their hand and power but that of His own Will not compelled by any force He suffered this Death for our salvation S. Why did God specially appoint that day for His Death Isa 3. 7. 12 Mat. 20. 28. 26 53. Ioh. 10. 17. Mat. 16. 2. Luke 22. 1 7. Mar. 14. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Heb 7. 27. S. That by the very time also it might be perceiv'd that Christ is that Paschal Lamb that is to say the true chast pure Lamb that should be slain and yeild himself the acceptable Sacrifice to his Father for us M. Sith He had the power to choose His own death why would He be Crucified rather then suffer other kind of death S. First for his Fathers Will whereunto Isa 53. 12. Mat. 26. 39. 42. he conformed himself and which had been long afore in old time uttered Mar. 15. 28. Luke 22. 37. Ioh. 1. 14. and declared by God by so many Prophesies and Oracles Signs and Tokens Moreover his Will was to suffer all extremity for us that had deserved all extremity for that kind of death was of all Deut. 1. â—â— Gal. 3. 13. other most accursed and abominable which death yet he chose to dye for us to the intent to take upon himself the grievous curse wherein our sins had Isa 53. the whole Psal 22 6 7. 27. 21 26. 28. 34 38. 44. 48. Phil. 2. 7 8. bound us and therby to deliver us from the same curse for all spiteful handlings all reproaches and torments for our salvation he counted light and as things of naught so was contented to be despised as an abject and to be accounted the basest of all men that he might restore us which were utterly undone to the hope of salvation which we had lost M. Hast thou any more to say of the death of Christ S. That Christ suffered not only a Isa 53. 6. Psal 22. 1. Mar. 26 38. 27 46. Luke 22. 41. common death in sight of men but also was touched with the horror of eternal death he fought and wrestled as it were hand to hand with the whole army of hell before the Judgement Seat of God he put himself under the heavy Judgement and grievous severity of Gods punishment he was driven into hard distress he for us suffered and went through horrible feares and most bittâ—â— griefes of mind to satisfie Gods Judgement in all things and appease his wrath for to sinners whose person Christ did Jsa 53 4. 5. 8. 1 Pet. 3. 18. here bear not only the sorrows and pains of present death which are due but also of death to come and everlasting so when he did take upon him and bear both the guiltiness and just Judgment of mankind which was undone and already condemned he was tormented with so great Psal 22. 1. Mat. 27. 46. trouble and sorrow of mind that he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me M. Is not the Son of God hereby dishonored and touched with some note of desparation S. He suffered all these things without 1 Pet. 2. 22. any sin much less did any desperation possess his soul for he never ceased in the mean time to trust in his Father and to have good hope of his safety and being Mat. 23. 36 Luke 23. 46. Heb 5. 7. beset round about with fear he was never dismayed or overwhelmed with sorrow and wrestled with the whole power Hos 13 14. 1 Cor. 15. 26. â—4 55. Col 1. 13 14. â— Tim. 1. 10. Heb. â— â—4 15. of hell he subdued and overcame all the force that stood against him and all the furious and violent assaults and all these he took upon him and utterly destroyed them and himself remained nevertheless most blessed imparted his blessedness to us that put our trust in him for if we Joh 8 â—4 Ephe. 2. 12. Col. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14. had not by this his blessed death obtained salvation and life we had all perished for ever in everlasting death M. But how could Christ being God have so great sorrow of mind and fearfulness S. This came to pass according to the Mat. 26 41. Rom. 8. 3. 1 Pet. 4 1. state of his humane nature his Godhead in the mean time not putting forth the force of his power M. Now rehearse me briefly in a summ these most large benefits which the faithful re-receive by the death of Christ and his most grievious pain Heb. 7. 27. 9. 12. 10. 12 14. S. Briefly with the one only Sacrifice of his death he satisfied for our sins before God and appeasing the wrath of God made us at one with him with his Heb. 9. 14. 1 Ioh. 1. 7. blood as with most pure washing he washed and cleansed away all the filth and spots of our souls and defacing with Psal 32. 1 2. Rom 4. 7 8. Heb. 10. 17. everlasting forgetfulness the memory of our sins that they shall no more come in the sight of God he hath cancelled made Col 2. 14. void and done away the Hand-writing whereby we were bound and convicted and also the Decree by the sentence wherof Ioh. 3. 16. 11. 25 26 Rom 1. 4 7. 11. c. 8. 1 2. 8. 10 11. c. Col 2. 13. we were condemned All these things hath he done by his death both for the living and for the dead that trusted in him while they lived Finally by the strength of his death he so bridleth and subdueth in them that cleave wholy unto him by faith the lusts which otherwise are unbridled untamed and so quencheth the burning heat of them that they more easily obey and yeild to the Spirit M. Why dost thou also add that he was buryed Isa 53. 9. Ma. 12. 40. 27. 39. 60. Cor 15. 4. 6. S. His dead and spiritless body was layd in the Grave that his death should bc more evident and that all men might certainly know it For if he had by and by revived many would have brought his death in question and so might it seem that it was likely to prove doubtfull M. What meaneth that which followeth of his descending into Hell S. That as Christ in his body descended into the bowels of the earth so in his soul severed from the body he descended into hel that therin also the virtue efficacy of his death so peirced through to the Pet. 3. 19 Ioh 24. Cor 15 55. Col. 1. 14. Heb. 2 14. 15 Joh. 5 25. 11. 25. 26. Rom. 14. 9. Col.
1. 19. 20 dead and to very hell it self that both the Souls of the unbeleiving felt their most painful and just damnation for Infidelity and Satan himself the Prince of Hell felt that all the power of his tyranny darkness was weakned vanquished and fallen to ruine on the other side the dead which while they lived beleived in Christ understood that the work of their redemption was now finished and understood and perceived the effect and strength thereof with most sweet and assured comfort M. Now let us go forward to the rest Mat. 28. 6. 9. Mark 16. 6. 9 Luk. 24. 6 7. 14 15. Ioh 20. 14. 19. 20. 26. 8. 2. 1. 4. Act. 1. 3 4. 8. 21. 24. 32. S. The third day after he rose again and by the space of forty daies oftentimes shewed himself alone to them that were his and was conversant among his Disciples eating and drinking with them M. Was it not enough that by his death we obtain deliverance from sin and pardon S. That was not enough if we consider Rom 1 2 3. either him or our selves For if he had not been risen again he could not be thought the Son of God Yea and the same did Mat. 27. 40. 41. 42. Mark 15. 30. Luke 23. 35. 37. they that saw it when he hung on the Cross reproach him with and object against him He saved others said they himself he cannot save Let him now come down from the Cross and we will beleive him But now rising from the dead to eternity of life he declared a greater power of his Rom 1. 2 3. Heb. 9. 27. God-head then if in descending from the Cross he had fled from the terrours of death To dye certainly is common to all and though some for a time have a voided death intended against them yet to loose or break the bonds of death once suffered and by his own power to rise alive again Rom. 1. 4. 6. 4. 9 14. 9. 1 Cor 15. 54 55. 57. Eph. 1. 20. Col. 1. 17 18. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Heb. 2 14 that is the proper doing of the only Son of God Jesus Christ the Author of life by which he had shewed himself the Conqueror of sin and death yea and of the Devil himself M. For what other cause rose he again S. That the Prophesies of David and of Psal 16. 10. Mat 12. 40. Act 2. 26 31. other holy Prophets might be fulfilled which told before that neither his body should be touched with corruption nor his soule be left in Hell M. But what profit bringeth it unto us that Christ rose again S. Manifold and divers For thereof cometh to us Righteousness which before Rom 4. 25. Rom 6. 5 11 12 13. Col 3. 1 2. we lacked thence cometh unto us endeavour of innocency which wee call newnesse of life thence cometh to us power virtue and strength to live well and holily thence have we hope that our Ioh 11. 25. Rom 8. 11. 1 Cor 15. 21 22 23. Rom. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. 14. 16. mortall bodies also shall one day be restored from death and rise whole again For if Christ himself had been destroyed by death he had not been our deliverer for what hope of safety should we have had left by him that had not saved himself It was therefore meet for the person which the Lord did bear a necessary help for us to salvation that Christ should first deliver himselfe from death and afterward Rom 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. 20. 21 22. 1 Pet. 1. 3. he should break and pull in sunder the bands of death for us that so we might set the hope of our salvation in his Resurrection for it cannot be that Christ our Ephe. 1. 22. 4. 15 16. 5. â— 23. Col. 1. 18. head rising again should suffer us the members of his body to be consumed and utterly destroied by death M. Thou hast touched my child the principall causes of the Resurrection of Christ now I would hear what thou thinkest of his ascending to Heaven S. He being covered with a Cloud spread about him in sight of his Apostles ascending into Heaven or rather above Mar 16. 19. Luke 4. 51. Acts 1 9 10. all Heavens where he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father M. Tell me how this is to be understood S. Plainly that Christ in his body ascended Ioh 14. 19. 16. 10. â—6 28. into Heaven where he had not afore been in his body for in his nature of Godhead which filleth all things both hee ever was in heaven and also with the same and with his spirit he is alway present in Mat 18. 23. 28 20. Earth with his Church and shall be present till the end of the world M. Thou sayst that there is one manner of his Godhead and another of his manhood S. Yea certainly for we neither make Jsa 7. 14. Mat 1. 2 23. Luke 2. 7 40. 52. Joh. 1. 3 14. Gal. 4 4. Marke 16. 19. Luke 24. 51. Acts 1. 9 10. 3. 21. Ephe. 4. 10. Joh. 1. 3. 16. 15. 1 Cor. 15. 28. Ephe. 1. 23. Cos 1. 16 17. of his Godhead a body nor of his body God for his Manhood is a Creature his Godhead not created and the holy scriptures witnesse that his Manhood was taken up into heaven but his Godhead is so every where that it filleth both Heaven and Earth M. M. Dost thou say that Christ is in any wise present with us in body S. If wee may liken great things to small Christes body is so present to our faith as the Sun when we see it is present to our eye For no one thing subject to our sences cometh more near to the likenes of Christ than the Sun which though it still abide in the Heauen in very deed toucheth not the eye yet the body of the Sun is present to the sight notwithstanding so great a distance of place between so the Ioh. 14 19. 16. 10. 26. Act. 7. 55 Col 3. 1. Heb. 4. 16. 10. 18. 11. 1. 3. body of Christ which by his ascending is taken up from us and hath left the world and is gone to his Father is indeed absent from our sences yet our faith is conversant in Heaven and beholdeth that Son of righteousness and is verily in presence with it there present like as our sight is present with the body of the Sun in the Heaven or as the Sun is present with our sight on the Earth Moreover as the Sun is with his light present to all things so is Mat. 28. 20. Eph 1. 23. â—ol 1. 17. 18. also Christ with his God-head Spirit and Power present to all and filleth all M. Now as touching Christ what dost thou chiefly consider in his ascending into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of his Father S. It was meet that Christ which from the
this fellowship which are nothing less then true members of the Church But forasmuch as wheresoever the Word of God is sincerely taught and his Sacraments rightly ministred there are ever some appointed to salvation by Christ Isa 55. 11. Acts 3. 18. we count all that whole company to be the Church of God seeing that Christ also promiseth that himself will be present with two or three that be gathered together Matt 18. 20. in his Name M. Why dost thou by and by after the Church make mention also of the Forgiveness of sins S. First Because the Keyes wherwith Matt. 16 19. 18. 18. Luke 24. 47. Ioh. 20. 23. heaven is to be opened and shut that is that power of binding and loosing of reserving and forgiving sins which standeth in the Ministry of the Word of God is by Christ given and committed to the Church and properly belongeth unto the Church Secondly because no man obtaineth forgiveness of sins that is not a true member of the body of Christ that Ioh. 15 4. 6. Col. 2 19. Matt. 24. 13. is such a one as doth not earnestly godly holily yea and continually and to the end embrace and maintain the common fellowship of the Church S. Is there then no hope of salvation out of the Church S Out of it can be nothing but damnation death and destruction for what hope of life can remain to the members Ioh. 15. 4. 6. Col. 2 19 1 Tim. 3. 15. Rom. 2 8 9. 1 Cor. 1. 11. 3 3. 1 Tim. 2. 4. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 16. 23. Tit. 3. 9 10 11. when they are pulled a sunder and cut off from the head and body they therefore that seditiously stirr up Discord in the Church of God and make division and strife in it and trouble it with Sects have all hope of safety by forgiveness of sins cut off from them till they be reconciled and returned to agreement and favour with the Church M. What meanest thou by this word Forgiveness S. That the faithful do obtain at Gods hand discharge of their fault and pardon Psal 32 1 2. Acts 13 38. 26. 18. Rom. 3. 24. Ephe. 1. 7. Col. 3. 14. of their offence for God for Christs sake freely forgiveth them their sins and rescueth and delivereth them from judgement and damnation and from punishments just and due for their ill doing M. Cannot we then with godly dutifull doings and works satisfie God and by our selves merit parâ—on of our sinns S. There is no mercy due to our merits but God doth yeild and remit to Christ his correction and punishment that he would have done upon us for Christ alone with sufferance of his pains and with his death wherewith he Isa 53 4 5. 8 12. Râ—m 5 8. 10. Col. 1. 20 21. 2 Tim 1. 10. Heb. 9 14 15. Rom. 3. 24. 25 27 28. Gal. 2. 16. hath paid and performed the penalty of our sins hath satisfied God Therefore by Christ alone we have access to the grace of God We receiving this benefit of his free liberality and goodness have nothing at all to offer or render again to him by way of reward or recompence M. Is there nothing at all to be done on our behalf that we may obtain forgiveness of sins S. Although among men the fault once granted it is hard to obtain forgiveness of him that ought to be the punisher of offences yet even they that are strangers to our Religion have not been ignorant that confession is a certain remedy to him that hath done amiss And I have already said how sinners for obtaining pardon have need of repentance which some like better to call Resipiscence or Amendment and change of minde and the Lord Jer. 18. 8. Ezek. 18. 21 30 31. 32. 33. 14. Mat. 4. 17. Luke 5. 32. promiseth that He will pardon sinners if they repent if they amend and turne their hearts from their naughty lives to him M. How many parts be there of Repentance S. Two chiefe parts the Mortifying of the old Man or the Flesh and the quickning of the new MAN or the Spirit M. I would have these more largely and plainly set out S. The mortifying of the old man is unfained and sincere acknowledging and confessing of sin and therewith a shame Psal 32. 4 5. 51. 3 4. Prov. 28. 13. 1 Ioh. 1. 8 9. and sorrow of minde with the feeling whereof the person is sore grieved for that he hath swerved from righteousness and not been obedient to the will of God for every man ought in remembring of the sins of his life passed wholly to mislike himself to be angry with himself and Psal 6. 6 7. 31. 9 10. 38. 3 4 6. 8 9 10 17 18. 51. 17. 102. 4 5. 1 Cor. 11. 31. 2 Cor. 7. 9 10 11. to be a severe Judge of his his own faults and to give sentance pronounce judgment of himself to the intent he abide not the greivous judgment of God in his wrath This sorrow some have called contrition wherunto are joyned in nearness and nature an earnest hatred of sin and a love and desire of righteousness lost M. But the conscience of hainous offences and the force of repentance may be so great that the minde of man on each side compassed with fear may be possessed with despaire of salvation S. That is true unless God bring comfort Gen. 4 13. Matt. 27. 3 4. 2 Cor. 2. 7 8. Ephc. 4. 23 24. 1 Pet. 4. 6. Matt. 4. 17. Luke 7. 38. 47 48 50. 15. 18. 21. 24. 47 Acts 2. 37 3 19. 16. 30. 31. to the greatness of sorrow but to the godly there remaineth yet one part of repentance which is called renewing of the Spirit or quickning of the new man that is when faith commeth and refresheth and lifteth up the minde so troubled asswageth sorrow and comforteth the person and doth revoke and raise up him again from desperation to hope of obtaining pardon of God through Christ and from the gate of death yea from hell it self unto life And this is it that we profess that we believe the forgiveness of sins M. Is man able in this feare and these hard distresses to deliver himselfe by his own strength S. Nothing less for it is only God which strengthneth man despairing of his 1 Tim 1. 15. Matt. 12. 12. Luke 15. 22. â— Cor. 1 3 4. 2 Thes 2. 12 16 own estate raiseth him up in affliction restoreth him in utter misery and by whose guiding the sinner receiveth this hope minde and will that I speak off M. Now rehearse the rest of the Creed S. I believe the Resurrection of the flesh and Life everlasting Matt. 22. 31 32. Ioh 11. 25. 2 Cor. 15. toto M. Because thou hast touched somewhat of this before in speaking of the last Judgement I will aske thee but a few questions Wherfore or why do we believe
these things S. Although we believe that the souls of men are immortal and everlasting yet if we should think that our bodies should by death be utterly destroyed for ever then must we needs be wholly discouraged 1 Cor. 14 14. 17 18 19. for that wanting the one part of our selves we should never entirely possess perfect joy and immortalitie we do therefore certainly believe not only that our selves when we depart out of this life being delivered from the Company of our bodies do by and by flie up pure and whole into heaven to Christ but Luke 16. 22. 23. 43 Rom. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44. 53 54. Phil 3 21. 1 Thes 4. 13 14 15 16 171 also that our bodies shall at length be restored to a better state of life and joyned again to their souls and so we shall wholly be made perfectly and fully blessed that is to say we dout not that both in our bodies and soules we shall enjoy eternity immortality and most blessed life that shal never in everlasting continuance Ioh. 11. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 5 8. 1 Thes 4. 13 14 15 of time be changed This hope comforteth us in misery endued with this hope we not only patiently suffer and bear the incommodities and cumbrances that light upon us in this life but also the very departure from life and the sorrows of death for we are throughly perswaded that death is not a destruction that endeth and consumeth all things but a guide for us to heaven that setteth us in the way of a quiet easie blessed and everlasting life And therefore 2 Cor. 5. â— 2. Ephe. 2. 19. gladly and cheerfully we run yea we flye out from the bonds of our bodies as from a Prison to heaven as to the common Town and City of God and men M. Doth the beleiving of these things availe us to any other end S. We are put in mind that we cumber not nor intangle our selves with uncertain transitory and fraile things that we bend not our eye to earthly glory and felicity but inhabite this world as strangers and ever minding our removing Heb. 13. 13 14 1 Pet. 2. 11. that we long upward for heaven and heavenly things where we shall in bliss enjoy enternal life M. Sith thou hast before said that the Mat. 25 34. 41 46. wicked shall rise againe in sort farr differing from the godly that is to say to eternal misery and everlasting death why doth the Creed make mention only of life everlasting and of Hell no mention at all S. This is the Confession of the Christian faith which pertaineth to none but to the godly and therefore rehearseth only those things that are fit for Mat. 16. 16. Luke 24. 47. Ioh. 3. 15 16. Rom. 4. 16. to comfort namely the most large gifts which God will give to them that be his and therefore here is not recited what punishments are provided for them that be out of the Kingdome of God M. Now thou hast declared the Creed that is the summe of the Christian Faith tell mee what profit get we of this Faith S. Righteousness before God by which we are made heirs of eternal life Rom. 3. 21 22. Gal. 2. 16. M. Doth not then our own godliness toward God and leading of our life honestly and holily among men justifie us before God S. Of this we have said somewhat already after the declaring of the Law and in other places to this effect if any man were able to live uprightly according to the precise rule of the Law of God Rom. 10. 5. Gal 3. 12. Gen. 6. 5. 8. 11. Rom. 7. 14 15. Gal. 2. 16. Rom. 11. 6. he should worthily be counted justified by his good works But seeing we are all most farr from that perfection of life yea and be so oppressed with conscience of our sins we must take another course and find another way how God may receive us into favour then by our deserving M. What way S. We must flie to the mercy of God Rom. 3. 24. 4. 4. 7. 16. Ephe. 2. 4 5. 2 Tim. 1 9. Tit. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2 10. whereby he freely embraceth us with love and good will in Christ without any of our deserving or respect of works both forgiving us our sins and so giving us the righteousness of Christ by faith in Him that for the same Christs righteousness he so accepteth us as if it were our own To Gods mercy therefore through Christ we ought to impute all our justification M. How do we know it to be thus S. By the Gospel which containeth the Promises of God by Christ to the which when we adjoyn faith that is to Rom. 4 3 5. 14. 16. 20 24. Gal. 2. 16. 20. 3. 11. Heb. 10. 38. say an assured perswasion of minde and stedfast confidence of Gods good will such as hath been set out in the whole Creed we do as it were take state and possession of this justification that I speak of M. Dost thou not then say that faith is the principal cause of justification so as by the merit of Faith we are counted righteous before God S. No for that were to set Faith in the place of Christ but the Spring-head of Ephe. 1. 4 5 6. c. 2 4 5. Tit. 3. 4 5. 6. this justification is the mercy of God and is offered to us by the Gospel and received Mar 1 14 15. Rom 4. 16. 19 20 21 24 Ioh. 12. Rom. 3. 22. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Heb 9. 14 of us by faith as with a hand M. Thou sayest then that faith is not the cause but the instrument of justâ—fication for that it embraceth Christ which is our Justification coupling us with so streight bond to him that it maketh us partakers of all his good things S. Yea truly M. But can this Justification be severed from good works that he that hath it can want them S. No for by faith we receive Christ such as he delivereth himself unto us but he doth not only set us at liberty from sins and death and make us at one with God but also with the divine inspiration and vertue of the Holy Ghost Rom. 8. 1. 9. 10. 12 13. doth regenerate and newly forme us to the endeavour of innocency and holiness which we call newness of life M. Thou sayest then that Justice Faith and good Works do naturally cleave together Rom. 6. 4. Rom. 5 1 2. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 3 Ephe. 3. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 19. 20 21 22. and therefore ought no more to he severed then Christ the Author of them in us can be severed from himself S. It is true M Then this Doctrine of saith doth not withdraw mens minds from godly works and duties S. Nothing less for good Works do stand upon faith as upon their root so Psal 1. 3. Rom. 11. 16. Ephe. 3. 17. Col. 2. 6 7. Tit.
very Spirituall worship such as may best beseem both us that give it and him that receiveth it even as he honored and honoreth his father seeing that 〈◊〉 4. 23. 24. all in one we give the same honor to his father For he that honoreth Christ honoreth also his father wherof he himself Joh. 5. 23. is a most sure and substantiall witnes M. Now I would heare the tell me shortâ—y what thou thinkest of the last judgment and the end of the world S. Christ shall come in the clouds of the Mat. 24. 29 30. 25. 31. 1. Cor. 15. 52. 1. Thes 4 16. heavens with most high glory and with most honorable reverend Majesty waited on and beset with the company and multitude of holy Angels And at the horrible sound and dreadful blast of Trumpet all the dead that have lived from the creation of the World to that day shall rise again with their soules and bodies whole and perfect and shall appeare before his throne to be judged Rom. 14. 10 12. 1. Cor 4 4. 5. 2. Cor 5. 10. every one for himself to give accompt of their life which shall be examined by the uncorrupted and severe judge according to the truth M. But seing the day of Judgment shall be in the end of the World and death is limited and certainly appointed for all how dost thou in the Creed say that some shall then be quick or a live S. St. Paul teacheth that they which 1. Cor. 15. 31. 1 Thes. 4. 7. 1. Cor. 15. 42. 43 53 54 Phil 3 21. then shall remaine alive shall sodainly be changed and made new so that the corruption of their bodies being taken away and mortalitie removed they shal put on immortalitie And this change shall be to them instead of a death because the ending of corrupted nature shall be the begining of a nature uncorrupted M. Ought the godly at thinking upon this judgment be striken and abased with feare and to dread it and shrink from it S. No for he shall give the sentence which was once by the judges sentence condemned for us to the end that we coming under the greivous judgment of God should not be condeÌ„ned but acquitted in judgment He I say shal pronounce Rom. 8 9. 23 38. 39. 1 Cor. 1. 7 Phil 3. 20. Tit. 2. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 12. the judgment in whose faith and protection we are and which hath taken upon him the defence of our cause Yea our conciences are cheerfully stayed with a most singular comfort in the midst of the miseries and woes in this life do leap for joy that Chrâ—st shall one day be the Judge of the world For upon this hope we chiefly rest our selves that then at last we shall with unchangable Eternitie possesse that same Kingdom of immortalitie and everlasting life in all parts fully and abundantly perfect which hitherto hath been Mat. 25. 14. 1 Cor. 13. 9. 10. 15 42 43. 53 54. Mat. 2. 12. 22 13. 25. 13. 41. Heb. 10. 26. 27 Iud. 6. 7. 8. but begun and which was ordained and appointed for the children of God before the foundations of the world were layed but the ungodly which have not feared the justice wrath of God or have not trusted in his clemencie and mercy by Christ and which have persecuted the godly by land and sea and done them all kinds of wronge and slain them with all sorts of torments and most cruell deaths shall with sathan and all the devils be cast into the prison of hell appointed for them the revenger of their wickednes and offences and into everlasting darknes where being tormented with conscience of their own sin with eternall fire and with all and most extream execution they shall pay and suffer eternal pains for that offence which mortall men have done against the unmeasurable and infinite Majesty of the immortal God is worthy also of infinite ever during punishment M. To the last judgment is adjoyned the end of the world wherof I would have thee speak yet more plainly S The Apostle declareth that the end of Mat 24. 29. 30. 35. 2. Pet 3 10. 11 c. the world shall be thus The heaven shall pass away like a scrole the Elements with heat shall be molten the â—arth and all things therin shall be inflamed with fire as if he should say the time shall come when this world burning with heat all the corruption therof as we see in gold tryed by fire shall be wholly fined and renued to most absolute and high perfection and shall put on a most beautiful face which in everlasting ages of worlds shall never be changed For this is it that St. 2. Pet. 3. 13. Peter saith we looked for according to the promise of God a new heaven and a new earth wherin righteousnes shall inhabit Neither is it uncredible that as sinne so the the corruption of things and Rom. 8. 19. 22. c. 2. Pot. 3. 13. changeableness and other evils grown of sin shall once at the last have an end And this is the summ of the sâ—cond part of the Conclusion Christian faith wherin is contained the whole story of our Redemption by Jesus Christ M. Sith then thou hast now spoken of God the The third part of the Creed Father the Creator and â—f â—is Son Jesus Christ the Saviour and so hâ—st ended two parts of the christian faith and confession now I would The Holy Ghost Mar. 28. 19. Ioh. 14. 16 15 16. 16. 7. 20. 22. Act. 5. 3. 4. hear thee speak of the third part what thou beleivest of the Holy Ghost S. I confess that he is the third Person of the most holy Trinity proceeding from the Father and the Son before all beginning equal with them both and of the very same substance and together with them both to be honored and called upon M. Why is he called Holy S. Not only for his own Holiness which yet is the highest holiness but also Rom. 1. 4. 15. 16. 2. Thes 2. 13. Tit. 3. 5. 1. Pet. 1. 2. for that by him the elect of God and the members of Christ are made holy For which cause the holy Scriptures have called him the Spirit of Sanctification M. In what things doest thou think that Sanctification consisteth S. First we are by his divine instinct Ioh. 3. 5. Tit. 3. 5. and inspiration newly begotten and therfore Christ said that we must be born again of water and of the spirit Also by his heavenly breathing on us God the Rom 8 15 16. Col 4 5. 6 â—oh 14. 17. 26 16. 3. 1 Cor. 2 10. 11. 15. Eph. 1 17. Joh. 20 22 Father doth adopt us his children and therfore he is worthily called the Spirit of Adoption By his expounding the divine mysteries are opened unto us By his light the eyes of our soules are made clear to understand them By