Euerie one shal haue reward according to his worke We ought not to condemne or iudge any to bee reprobate albeit to bee without feare of GOD and reuerence of man are signes of reprobation Psal 64. vers 4. c. Because it is a secret only reserued to God therfore he hath said Iudge not that ye be not iudged Matth. 7.1 Iam. 4.12 Because the Lord is not so merciful in forgiuing as he is miraculous in calling making of a persecutor an Apostle as he did by Paule Acts. 9.3 Because the very godly haue been greatly ouergone in this matter as that great Prophet of the Lord Elias in iudging the people of Israel 1. King 19.10 These 3. steppes doo leade vs vnto destruction Barn The dissembling of our weakenes The ignorance of our wretchednes The excusing and perseuering in our wickednes The Scriptures are written for vs That we might knowe the will of God and followe it That wee might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of God Ioh. 20.31 That in beleeuing wee might haue life through his name Ioh. 20.31 The whole scriptures are diuided into three parts Bar. Lawe Prophets Gospell The Lawe The Gospel consist in doing in beleeuing This may perswade vs to beleeue the authoritie of the Scriptures to be true Bib. The secret testimonie of the holie Ghost in our hearts which causeth vs to consent thereto The incomprehensible Maiestie of God appearing in the simple and sincere doctrine therein The godlie agreement of all parts together with the orderlie disposition certaintie and successe thereof The Scriptures do set forth vnto vs amongst many other three especiall matters which we ought to remember The frailtie of man and his prone inclination to euill The iustice of God and his seuere punishment appointed for obstinate transgressors The mercie of God and his free pardon promised to penitent sinners Euerie one ought effectually to know and search the holy Scriptures for Knowledge Confirmation Consolation Because the ignorance of them is the cause of all error Because wee must beleeue nothing but that which is approoued by them Acts. 17.11 Because in them is cōtained eternal life We may gather knowledge in the Scriptures three manner of waies By attendant hearing of the same well preached By diligent reading of the same with vnderstanding By continuall conference with such as can open thē Act. 8.30 The word of GOD then draweth vs vnto him Bib. When it is so preached and heard as we vnderstand and learne what is taught thereby When we receiue thankfullie that which is giuen promised and assured therein When we bee moued with desire and diligence to do that which it commandeth The word of God then hath his perfect worke when it is Preached truelie Beleeued faithfullie Followed effectuallie Such as will not beleeue the word of God what followeth If the righteous scarcelie bee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinner appeare 1. Pet. 4.8 Euerie vnfaithfull shall die in his vnfaithfulnes saith Esdras 2. Esdr 15.4 Euerie vnbeleeuer is condemned alreadie Iohn 3.18 and shall be punished with euerlasting perdition 2. Thes 1. Ignorance can no way be excusable For that which maie bee knowne of God is made manifest vnto vs. Rom. 1.19 For those that knowe not the lawe shall perish without the lawe Rom. 2.12 For the offering for ignorant sinnes in the Leueticall law argueth no excuse to be admitted Leuit. 4.2 Our Sauiour Christ describeth by the parable of the Sower three vnprofitable hearers of his word Matth. 13. Such a one as heareth it and vnderstādeth it not by reason the euill one commeth and catcheth it away out of his heart Such a one as heareth it and receiueth it presently with great ioye but when persecution or tribulation commeth by reason of the word hee is offended Such a one as heareth it but the cares of this world and the deceiptfulnes of riches choake it and the same is made vnfruitfull We ought to resort to the Church of God Because his holie mysteries are there laid open which are hid obscure to manie Because we may bee vnited and coupled together by receiuing the Sacraments Because if the Lord hath promised to grant our requestes where two or three bee gathered together in his name how much more will he bee mindfull of a multitude that so assemble themselues The Church of God hath three ancient and excellent ornaments Preaching Praier Sacraments Preaching ingēdreth faith Praier increaseth it Sacraments confirme it The Church or Congregatiō ought to pray for all men without anie difference of Nation kind age or order Beza 1. Tim. 2.3 4. Because the Lord by calling of all sorts yea sometimes those that are the greatest enemies to the Gospel wil haue his Church gathered together after this sort therfore praiers to be made for all Because God should not els bee manifested to be the onlie God of all mē vnles he should shew his goodnes in sauing of al sorts of men Because his Sonne Christ Iesus should not be seen to be the onelie Mediator between God and of all sorts of men by hauing taken vpō him that nature of man which is common to al men vnlesse he had satisfied for all sortes of men and made intercession for all Sacramēts are Signes or badges of christianitie Seales or pledges of our faith Assurances of our saluation whereof there be 2. Baptisme The Lords Supper The Sacrament of Baptisme Bib. Teacheth vs to put on Christ that his righteousnes may couer our sinfulnes Galat. 3.27 Assureth vs wee are so grafted into Christ that all our corruption is cleane washed away Ephes 5.26.27 Chargeth vs to mortifie and die to sinne that wee may become his seruants and liue in mutuall amitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Bib. Sheweth vs that the bodie and bloud of Christ crucified is the onelie foode for the regenerate Assureth vs that Christ is whollie ours and that by faith our soules are fed and nourished in him vnto life euerlasting Requireth a thankfull remembrance of his death with vnitie amongst brethrē The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is vnworthelie receiued when we receiue it onelie by the visible signe without regard of the inuisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome than good consideration or more for feare than good affection when we receiue it disorderlie beeing dronken or with a corrupted conscience cōtinuing in malice or enmitie The Sacrament of the Lords Supper must be receiued reuerentlie eaten effectuallie digested thankfullie therefore let euerie one trie and examine his knowledge his faith his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holie Sacraments yet we may receiue them by the euill Articl Religio 26. Because they do it in Christ his name and not in their owne Because their wickednes cannot take away the effect of the ordinance Because of Christs institution promise so it be receiued rightly by faith These three things are to to bee noted whereof heretofore there hath arrise
also on hie and therefore saith the same Prophet To thee haue I lift vp my soule Psal 25.1 That therby we should know if our harts be not farre from terrestriall cogitations wee shall hardly receiue any celestiall consolations our hearts We maie lawfullie in praier aske corporal benefites of God Because wee should thereby knowe that he is the author giuer thereof and should not onelie be thankfull to him for it but thereby to seeke loue and worship him Because we should be perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs in that hee hath not onelie promised he wil neuer faile vs. Ios 7. but also hath an outstretched hand to helpe them that call vpon him Because our faith of reconciliation and remission of sinnes should be exercised through the asking of these corporall things The feruent praier of the righteous much auaileth not onelie for themselues but for others At Moses praier the plague ceased Exod. 8. Helias caused great plentie of raine 1. King 17. Queene Hester deliuered her and her people Hest 14. We ought to referre all our praiers requests and dooings to Gods good pleasure following the example of Christ of Dauid when he was crucified without cause by the Iewes Mat. 26.4 when hee was dispossessed of his kingdom by his sonne 2. Sa. 15.26 when he was afflicted most grieuouslie by Sathan Iob. 2.7 13. of Iob The meanes wherby we are drawne to saluation is Faith Hope Charitie The chiefest of these is Loue because it serueth here and in the world to come 1. Cor. 13.13 The work of a true faith is builded vpon things past things present We beleeue the death of Christ is past Wee beleeue at this present hee sitteth at the right hand of his father Wee beleeue that Christ shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead things to come August Faith doth grow and increase in vs three manner of waies By the hearing of the word of God preached By the reuerent receiuing of the Sacraments Because it laieth before our eyes the promises which God in his Gospell hath made vnto vs in his Sonne Because they being right lie receiued of vs are as pledges and seales of the promises of GOD made vnto vs in his word Because God hath made an especiall promise to vs thereby that he will heare vs whatsoeuer wee aske according to his will By praier and inuocation A true and liuelie faith must be simple sound constant in beleeuing in defending in following The word of God without inquiring or searching in Gods mystical matters by humane reasons The truth thereof without inclining or leaning to the erronious opinions of the aduersaries of the same The same worde without doubting for anie reason of mans braine that seemeth contrary nor to be drawn awaie from it by temptations promises or thretnings either of torment or of death Such as will know whether they haue an effectuall faith must consider The fruits of it The triall of it The ende of it is good works affliction saluation For faith without workes is dead Iam. 2.17 For it is not sufficient for vs to beleue in christ but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.29 For he that continueth to the ende hath this comfort shal be saued Mat. 24. A iustifying faith is knowne by these effects It bringeth foorth fruites Mat. 7.18 Iam. 3.18 It worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 It apprehendeth Gods mercie offered in Christ Faith differeth from Hope and yet we hope in things present things past As when I hope I am in Gods fauour As when I hope my sins be forgiuen me As when I hope to haue eternall life things to come Charitie is a singuler vertue for without it what is 1. Cor. 13. Faith Knowledge Martirdome It auaileth little though it moue mountaines It profiteth litle though I speake with tongues of men and Angels It helpeth little though I offer my bodie to be burned We ought to liue in Loue and Charitie Because it is the effect and fulfilling of the Commandement or whole Law 1. Tim. 1.5 Because it is a testimonie vnto vs of our translation from death to life whereby wee are made the children of God and heires in heauen 1. Ioh. 3.14 Because it worketh the cause in vs that God dwelleth in vs for God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1. Ioh. 4.8 Workes of superarrogation are verie friuolous for our works are in no wise auailable to saue vs by reason of Their imperfection Gods election Christes passion Because all our righteousnes is no better than filthie cloutes or as some write menstruous clothes Esai 64.6 Because wee shoulde then chose God rather by our workes than he should elect vs of his mere grace and then grace were no grace Rom. 11.6 Because his Sonne should haue suffered in vaine if wee had anie sufficiencie of our selues Although workes are not the cause of our saluation yet partly they are the effects of it good workes are very necessarie to be vsed amongst Christians That therby God may be glorified Matth. 5.16 That by their good exāple others may be wonne to the word 1. Pet. 3.1 That by them they maie make their election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Dauid numbreth three degrees of our saluation Psal 40.10 c. Gods mercie His righteousnes whereby he fatherlie pitieth vs. whereby he continuallie protecteth vs. wherby appeareth his constant fauour towards vs. His trueth There bee three causes of our saluation the efficient cause materiall cause GOD the Father is the beginning of our saluation Christ Iesus is hee in whom our righteousnes is resident Faithe is the meane whereby wee apprehend the same instrumentall cause S. Paul approueth the formall cause of our saluation to be the free mercie of God for whom he predestinate he callerh whom hee calleth hee iustifieth whom he iustifieth he glorifieth Rom. 8.30 By grace ye are saued through faith Eph. 2.8 Although there be many reasons whereby wee maie assure our selues to bee elected yet wee may brieflie gather our election By the holie Ghost which testifieth with our spirite that we are the children of GOD. Rom. 8.15 By the fruites of the Spirit in hauing good workes or will to doo well By remorse of conscience ioyned with the lothing of sinne and loue of righteousnes Election is knowne by these testimonies Beza 2. Thess 2.10.11 Faith is gathered by sanctification and by according to the truth Truth is gathered by calling through the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election Reprobation this is to be considered That the onelie will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercie in Christ is an inferiour cause of saluation That the hardning of the heart is an inferiour cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euerie one is elected or eiected at the beginning Euerie one is an vnprofitable seruant when he hath done his best
Godhead Soule Bodie who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessarie that Christ should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Matth. 26.56 That hee might bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 That wee might haue life through him 1. Ioh. 4.9 Christ is said to die generallie speciallie valiantlie for all the world 1. Tim. 2.6 for those that beleeue Heb. 9.12 for that he ouercame death Christ had small cōfort of his Apostles when hee was taken prisoner for Iudas betraied him Peter forsware him Al the rest forsook him And a great multitude followed him to his death Some to hurt him Manie to mock him All to see the end of him The benefite wee reape by the death of Christ is great He reconciled vs to his father Colo. 1.20 1. Ioh. 2.2 He redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe Gal. 3.13 He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Matth. 11.30 Christ by his death became for man Curse Sinne Seruile considering The qualitie of his death Deut. 21.23 The integritie of his life Esau 53.9 The equalitie of his estate Phi. 2 It was requisite that Christ should rise againe after death Because he foreshewed it to his Apostle Matth. 17.9 Because his flesh might not see corruption Acts 2.31 Because we might bee iustified thorow him Rom. 4.25 It was necessarie that Christ should ascend after he was risen That he might be fullie glorified Ioh. 7.39 That hee might send downe the Comforter Ioh. 16.7 That he might become our Mediatour Ioh. 17.3 Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reprooue the world of Sinne. Righteousnes Because they beleeue not in him Iohn 16.8 Because he is gone to his father c. vers 9. Because the prince of this world is iudged 10. Iudgement Christ hath shewen vs a worthie and wonderfull good example of Patience Humilitie Because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheepe dumme before the shearer Esa 53.7 Because he tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant being equall with his father Phil. 2.7 Because he laid downe his own life for vs than this what loue can be greater Loue Christ is verie fitlie called a Priest King Because by his onelie sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath Because he raigneth ouer all Ioh. 5.22 Because he declared his fathers will Acts. 7.37 Prophet There be 3. things that beare record of Christ in heauen the Father the Word who sent his Sonne which became flesh which proceedes frō both the Holie Ghost 2. Ioh. 57. There be three things that beare witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit Water Bloud This assureth vs of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 Regeneration Iohn 3.5 Redemption Ephes 1.7 Those that loue Christ must followe after him passe through him drawe neere him because he is the truth because he is the way because he is the life Christ being the truth the way the life manifesteth to vs his Beza Nature Will Office So that in him we must begin continue ende He that will come after Christ must denie himselfe take vp his Crosse followe him wherin is laid before vs Bondage Basenes In denying himselfe In taking vp the Crosse In following Christ Hardnes Barn Christ amased and appeased his enemies three manner of waies By his sound doctrine By his strange miracles By his mild answers Christ descended into hell as may appeare by these places Articl Relig. 3. Psal 16.10 Iohn 20.17 Ephe. 4 9. For so wee cōfesse in the Creede of Nicene Athanasius The Apostles Many produce these directions to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speach to the theefe vpon the Crosse this daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the ghost when he said It is finished Luke 23.43 His agonie in the garden in sweting drops of bloud water For in hell is no redemption Luke 26.26 Christ spake most by parables to the multitude Because by seeing they should see and not perceiue Because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand Because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Matth. 13.35 Mat. 13.13 The great miracles and wonders Christ wrought in this world were done partlie to this end To shewe the great power glorie and goodnes of his father Matth. 15.31 To approue himselfe the sonne of God Acts 2.22 And that he was sent of him Ioh. 11.42 To confirme the authoritie and excellence of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers to it Iohn 2.23 Miracles are often called in the Scriptures Beza Hebr. 2.4 Signes Wonders Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders because they import some strange vnaccustomable thing Vertues because they giue vs a glimse of Gods power Vertues Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the Father the Sonne the Holie Ghost He sent his sonne for our reconciliation His righteousnes is ours by imputation This proceedeth frō both for our sanctification yet all one vnion It is a singuler comfort vnto vs to consider the exceeding loue of Christ towards vs by that he hath done he still doth Because he did not onelie sacrifice himselfe vpon the crosse for our sakes but also satisfied his fathers wrath for our sins Because he did not onelie suffer for vs but became also a continuall intercessor for vs. Because he hath not onlie saued vs but shall also come to iudge vs. he will doo Such as will presume of the time that Christ shall come to iudgement may be reproued by these places Math. 24.36 Mark 13.32 1. Thess 5 1. For it is not for vs to knowe the times and the seasons the Father hath put in his owne power Acts 1.12 The comming of Christ is of 3. sorts Vnto men Into men Vnto men in the flesh Ioh. 1.14 Into men by his spirit Ioh 14.18 Against men in iudgement Apoc. 22.12 Against men It stands vs not vpon so much to vse disputation of the time of Christes comming to iudgement as to be in a daylie preparation and reformation of our liues considering Euerie mans end is imminent and vncertaine Iam. 4.14 Euerie mans death is his latter daie Hebr. 9.27 Euerie man as he dieth shal be iudged Eccle 11.3 The comming of Christ to iudgement will be fearefull ioyfull to the wicked to the godlie Because that daie is to them the beginning of their woe Because it is to them the full fruition of their felicitie Because of the sodaine alteration of all things to both wonderfull These things doo argue the world to drawe to an end the Figtree charitie Because it florisheth Mat. 24.33 Because it waxeth cold Ma. 24 Because it aboundeth Ma. 24 iniquitie The comming of Christ to iudgement will be of a sodaine As a woman trauailing with child As lightning from the East In the houre we thinke not Be sober and watch for happie are those seruants which the Lord when he commeth shal find waking Luk 12.37 Although it was
verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a