which affirme that Christ in body soule went some think as it were into Hell when upon the Crosse and elsewhere hee suffered the terrors and torments prophesied of Esay 53. v. 6.10 Psal 116. v. 2. and mentioned Matth. 26. v. 38. or 27. v. 46 Luk. 22. v. 42. some say even into hell the very place destined for the Reprobate which he entred into the very moment of his Resurrection at which time hee shewed and declared himselfe a most glorious Conquerour both of death and Hell the most powerfull enemies Errors and adversaries unto this truth But till wee know the native and undoubted sense of this article and mysterie of religion persist wee adversaries unto them which say That Christ descended not into hell at all calling this article an error and a fable as Carlile doth a Carlile against D Smith p. 18.77 That Christ being dead descended into the place of everlasting torments where in soule he endured for a time the very paines which the damned spirits without intermission doe abide Bannisters error b Treat of Bannisters error That Christ alive upon the crosse humbled himselfe usque ad inferni tremenda tormenta even unto the dreadfull torments of hell c Pagets Catech Latin endured for a time those torments quales reprobi in aeternum sensuri sunt which the reprobates shall everlastingly suffer in hell d Pisc in Luc. 12.10 even despaired of Gods mercy finding God at this time Non patrem sed Tyrannum not a Father but a Tyrant and overcame despaire by despaire death by death hell by hell and Satan by Satan e Ferus in Math. 27. suffered actually all the torments of hell for our redemption and descended into the heauiest torments that Hell could yeeld f Humes Rejoind p. 38. 138. 152. suffered the torments of hell The second death Abiection from God g Houshold Catech. and was made a curse that is had the bitter anguish of Gods wrath in his soule and body which is the fire that shall never bee quenched h Giffords Catech That Christ personally in soule went downe into Lake Lymbo to fetch from thence as Canisius i Canis Catech to lose from thence as Vaux he saith k Vaux Catech. the soules of our forefathers which afore his death as the Papists dreame were shut up in the close prison of Hell l Test Rhem. an Luc. 16.26 That Christ by his descension hath quite turned Hell into Paradise Costerus the Iesuites error m Coster instit l. 5. 4. Article Of the Resurrection of Christ Christ did truly arise againe from death and tooke againe his body with flesh bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of mans nature 2 wherewith he ascended into heaven 3 and there sitteth untill he returne to iudge all men at the last day The Propositions 1. Christ is risen from the dead 2. Christ is ascended into heaven 3. Christ shall come againe at the last day to iudge all men even the quicke and the dead 1. Proposition Christ is risen from the dead The proofe from Gods Word THE Resurrection of Christ may easily be prooved from the holy Scriptures in which it is euident first that Christ should a Thou wilt not suffer thine holy One to see corruption Psal 16.10 After he is killed he shall rise againe the third day Marc 9.31 and 10.34 Luke 9.32 and next that he did rise from death vnto life both by his appearing to Mary Magdalene b Iohn 20.14 to diuers women c Math. 28.9 to two d Luke 24.13.15 30 31. to tenne e Iohn 20.19 to all the Disciples to moe then fiue hundred brethren at once g 1 Cor. 15.6 to sundry persons by the space of forty dayes together h Acts 1.3 and by the testimony also of the Apostles Peter i Acts 1.22 and 2.32 1 Pet. 1.3 and Paul k Acts 17.2 3. Rom. 10.9 1 Cor. 15.4 5 c A truth both beleeved and acknowledged by Gods people from age to age l Symbol Apost Athan. Nicen. Confess Helvet 1. ar 11 and 2. c 11. Basil ar 4. Bohem. c. 6. Gal. 15.16 Belg. ar 20. August ar 3. Suâ—viâ— ar 2. Haâ—mon confess praef Errors and adversaries unto this truth Vtterly false then and vnchristian is the opinion of those men Which vtterly deny the resurrection of any flesh as did the Sadduces a The Sadduces say there is no resurrection Matth. 22.23 they deny there is any resurrection Luk. 20.27 they say there is no resurrection neither angel nor spirit Act. 23.8 the false apostles b How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15 12â— Simon Magus c Epiphan and the Manichies d August contra Faust l. 4. c. 16. Which would acknowledge no resurrection of Christ as would not nor will the Iewes e Mat. 28.13 15. Iud. Cater l divinor visor nor heretike Hamant f Holinsh chron fol. 1299. nor Dauid George one of which errors was that the flesh of Christ was dissolued into ashes and so rose no more g Hist Dauidis Georg. Which affirme as did Corinthus that Christ shall rise againe but yet is not risen h Philaster Which say how our Sauiour after his resurrection was so deified as he retained no more the parts and properties of his body and soule nor the vnion of both natures but is meerely God So thought the Schwenkfeldians Which take the Resurrection of Christ to be but an allegory and no true certaine history as doe the Family of Love i Display in allens confesse 2. Proposition Christ is ascended into heaven The proofe from Gods Word IN saying how Christ with his body is ascended into heaven and there sitteth and abideth we doe agree with the Prophets a Psal 47 5 68 18.110 1. Euangelists b Maty 23.44.25 65. Act. 1.9 Luk 24.51 and Apostles c Rom. 8 34. Eph. c. 8. with the ancient Fathers d Symb. Apo. Athan. Nicen. and Gods people our brethren throughout all Christendome e Confess Helv 1 ar 1 2. c 1. Basi ar 4. Bohe c 6. Gal. ar 15 Bel. ar 20. Aug ar 3. Saxon ar 3 Suevie ar 2. The Errors and adversaries unto this truth But we alltogether dissent From Hamant the English hereticke which denyed the ascension of Christ a Holinsh chro fol. 1299. Also from Ket the heretike and Apostata which likewise denyed our Sauiours ascension affirming that his humane nature is not in heauen but in Iudea gathering a Church and people Also from the Germane Vbiquitaries and Papists they saying that Christ as man is not onely in heaven but in earth too at this instant wheresoeuer the deity is b Ia. Smidelinus Vbiquitatis Apostolus Beza epist 61. these affirming the humane nature of Christ is wheresoever the Sacrament of the Altar is administred c Ergo
said of Christ that he was the patterne of all things and but a figure of the Son of God and that the body of Christ was compact of three vncreated elements f Beza ep 81. Confess Gal. ar 14. and so confounded and overthrew both natures 4. Proposition Christ is the Sauiour of mankinde The proofe from Gods Word Christ to be the Sauiour of mankinde we finde it perspicuously in the holy Scripture which teacheth vs that Christ was crucified dead and buried a Math. 27.16 c. and that to reconcile his Father unto us b We were recoÌ„ciled to God by the death of his Son Rom. 5.10 God hath reconciled vs vnto himselfe by Iesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.18 by his crosse Eph 2.16 It pleased the Father c. by him to reconcile all things vnto himselfe Col 1.10 20. and to be a Sacrifice for all sinnes of men c He hath borne our infirmities and carryed our sorrowes Esa 53.4 He is the Lambe of God which taketh away the sin of the world Ioh. 1.20 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law when he was made a curse for vs. Gal. 3.13 God hath made him sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.2 He is the reconciliation for our sinne not for ours onely but also for the whole world 1 Ioh. 2.2 Hence I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinne d Symb. Apost He suffered for our saluation e Symb. Ath. For us men and for our saluation he came downe from heaven f Symb. Nicen. say our Forefathers in their confessions as doe also our brethren throughout Christendome g Confes Helv. 1. c. 11. 2 ar 11. Basil ar 4 Bohem. ar 6. Gal. ar 2.16 7. Belg. ar 20. 21. August ar 3. Saxon ar 3. Wittem c. 2. Suevica Harmon Confess prae The errors and adversaries vnto this truth Wicked then are all opinions and assertions contrarying and crossing this truth as That the Father in his deity not the Son in his humanity did suffer which error the Patripassians did hold a D. August de Trin. l. 5. That Christ as well in his diuinity as in his humanity suffered for mankind an error of Apollinaris of old b Magdeburg Eccles hist con 4. c. 5. and of Islâ—bius and Andreas Musculus of late yeeres c Beza ep 60. That the whole and holy Trinitie was crucified as said Petrus Antiochenus That Christ really and indeed hung not on the crosse for his passion was in show onely said the Cerdonites d Iren. l. 1. c. 23 the Euticheans e Nâ—c l. 18. c. 53 and the Manicheans f August con Fa. l. 15. c. 10. and another man said the Theopaschits g Antonio tit 13. c. 5. sect 2. and the Basilides h Theod. Tâ—r. yea the very Divels and not Christ said the Manichies i August de Fide c. 32 33. suffered and hung on the crosse That the whole passion of Christ is to bee understood allegorically and not according to the letter as the Familie of Love doe thinke k H.N. Insit ar 4. sent 17. 29. That Christ on the crosse hath suffered for the redemption of mankinde and shall suffer againe for the saluation of the Divell as Iesus such heretikes there have bin l Witnes Tho. Aquin. con 1. â—â—â—r 3. but shall againe suffer as Iesus Christ which was one of Francis Kit his heresies for which he was burned for men out one mother Iane is the Sauiour of woman a most execrable assertion of Postellus the Iesuite m Iesuits Caâ— 1. booke c. 10. The fantasies of the Iacobites n Niceph. l. 18 c. â—2 and Turkes o Louâ—â— Tur. â—â—â—t tom 1. l. 1. â— The popish doctrine touching the Masse prayers vnto Saints pardons and purgatory which make the passion of Christ either of none effect or to put away but originall sinne onely p See art 22. â— 31. That albeit our Sauiour hath suffered for all men in generall yet both each man must suffer for himselfe in particular q Test Rhâ—m in Rom. 8.17 and the workes of one man may satisfie the iustice of God for another r Ibid. in Col. â—24 which are popish errors That Christ dyed not for the sins of all men and that some sinnes are so filthy and enormious as Christ his bloud upon true repentance of the delinquents part cannot wash them away which was Kains Å¿ Gen. 4. Fr. Spiras t Hist Fr. Spir. and other desperate persons error That whatsoeuer is written touching Christ his sufferings must in us and with us be fulfilled the false doctrine of H. N. v Prophecy of the Spir. cap. 19. sent 3. 3. Article Of the going downe of Christ into Hell As Christ dyed for vs and was buried so also it is to be beleeued that he went downe into Hell The Propositions Christ went downe into hell The proofe from Gods Word SVndry be the texts of Scripture for Christ his discension into Hell Mine heart was glad saith Dauid a Psal 16.10.11 Acts â— 26.27 a figure of Christ and my glory reioyced my flesh also shall rest in hope For why Thou shalt not leave my soule in hell O Lord my God I cryed unto thee and thou hast healed me Thou Lord hast brought my soule out of hell I will thanke thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will praise thy name for evermore b Psal 30.1 2. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soule from the nethermost hell c Psal 86.12 13 In that he ascended what is it but that he had also descended first into the lowest part of the earth He that descended is even the same that ascended farre above all heavens that he might fill all things d Eph. 4.9.10 O Death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victory e 1 Cor. 1â— â—5 Also that Christ went downe into hell all sound Christians both in former dayes f He descended into hell Sym. Apost Athan. and now living g Confess Helv. 2 c. 11. Ba. ar 2. Aug. ar 3. Stievica ar 22. doe acknowledge howbeit in the interpretation of the article there is not that consent as were to be wished some holding that Christ descended into Hell 1. As God only and not man as they doe which say how Christ descended powerfully and effectually but not personally into hell and that the deity exhibited it selfe as it were present in the infernall parts to the terror of the devill and other damned spirits 2. As man onely and that as some think in body only as when death as it were prevailed over him lying in the grave as others deeme in Soule onely when he went unto the place of the reprobate to the increasing of their torments 3. As God and man in one person as they doe
to forsake that Church which will not reforme her faults upon any private admonition c Giff. repl unto Bar. and Gr. in the end For want of the due execution of discipline against persons offending and malefactors d Browne tract of the life and meane Bred. detect p. 121. both women may leave their husbands as some have done and husbands their wives and goe where it is in force See more in Art 33. Prop. 1. 27. Article Of Baptisme 1 Baptisme is not only a signe of profession and marke of difference whereby Christian men are discerned from other that be not Christened but 2 it is also a signe of regeneration or new birth whereby as by an instrument they that receive Baptisme rightly are grafted into the Church the promises of the forgivenesse of sinne and of our adoption to the Sonnes of God by the holy Ghost are visibly signed and sealed Faith is confirmed and grace encreased by vertue of prayer unto God 3 The Baptisme of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ The Propositions 1. Baptisme is a signe of Profession and marke of difference whereby Christians are discerned from other men that be no Christians 2. Baptisme is a signe or seale of the Regeneration or new birth of Christians 3. Infants and young children by the Word of God are to be baptized 1. Proposition Baptisme is a signe of Profession and marke of difference whereby Christians are discerned from other men that be no Christians The proofe from Gods Word HOw the Sacraments are tokens and therefore that Baptisme is a signe of the true Church which be Christians it is apparant from Gods Word in the fift proposition of the nineteenth Article afore going and the same doe the Churches of God acknowledge a Conf. Helv 1 ar 20 2. c. 19.20 Bâ—l◠〈…〉 2. Gal. â—â— â—â— Belg. â—r â—4 〈…〉 13. 〈◊〉 ar 12. Errors and adversaries unto this truth This declareth us to be sound Christians and Not Nazarens who were with the Iews circumcised and baptized with Christians and so as Hierome writeth of them were neither Iewes nor Christians a D. Heron. in epist ad Aug. 〈◊〉 haeres Not Manicheans which baptize not any b D. August Not false Christians c 1 Cor. 15. or Marcionites d Tertul. coâ—â—â—â— Mar. lib. 4. which did baptize the living for the dead Which Marcionites also denied Baptisme unto all married persons and baptized none but persons single virgins widdowes and women divorced from their husbands e Tertul. Ibid. Not Origenists who maintaine a Baptisme by fire as also that after the resurrection of our bodies we shall have need of Baptisme f Origen in Luk. hom 14. Not of Matthew Hamants opinion that Norfolke Heretike which stood in it to the death that Baptisme is not necessary in the Church g Holinsh chr fol. 1299. Not Anabaptists which number Baptisme among things indifferent and so to be used or refused at our discretion h Bullin contra Anabap. lib. 2. cap. 1. Not Familists which say there is no true Baptisme but onely among themselves i H N. 1. exhor cap. 7. Not Papists who both baptize Bels and Babels as afore hath bin shewed art 25. prop. 10. and also make the vowe and profession of the Monachall or life of a Monk as good a token of Christians as Baptisme k T. Aquinas 1.21 de ingre â—elig p. 119. 2. Proposition Baptisme is a signe or seale of the Regeneration or new birth of Christians The proofe from Gods Word BAptisme of S. Paul is called the washing of the new Birth a Tit. 3.5 of others the Sacrament of the new Birth to signifie how they which rightly as all doe not receive the same b See afore ar 25. p. 11. are ingrafted into the Body of Christ c 1 Cor. 12.13 as by a seale be assured from God that their sinnes be pardoned and forgiven d Acts. 2.38 and themselves adopted for the children of God e Tit. 3.5 confirmed in the faith f Mark 19.16 and doe increase in grace by vertue of prayer unto God g Act. 2.14 42. And this is the constant doctrine of all Churches Protestant and reformed h Conf. Helv. ar 21. 2 c. 20 Boh. c. 12. Gal. ar 35. Belg. ar 34. Aug. ar 9. Saxon. ar 23. Wittem c. 10. Suev c. 19. The errors and adversaries unto this truth But no part of the true Church thinketh as many old heretikes viz. that The baptized of the Orthodoxall ministers are to be rebaptized as said the Novatians a Cyp. ad Joh. Originall sinne is not pardoned in infants as said the Pelagians because they have no such sinne in them at all b D. August de pec mer. lib. c. 20. Onely sinnes past and not sinnes future or not yet committed are by Baptisme cleansed as the Messalians held c Theod. dimider c. de Bapt. Being once baptized we can no more be tempted as thought the Iovinians which was the error also of the Pelagians d Mag. cc. hist Cen. 4 c. 5. fol. 381. The Baptisme of water is now ceased and the Baptisme of voluntary bloud by whipping is come in place thereof without which none can be saved as the Flagelliferans published e Gerson tra contra â—lageâ— We also condemne the opinion Of the Russeis that there is such a necessity of Baptisme as that all that dye without the same Russie commonweale c. 24. p. 98 b. are damnedf. Also of the Banisterians which say that the water at Baptisme is not holy in respect that it is applyed to an holy use and that the ordinary and common washings among the Turks and Iewes is the same to them that Baptisme is to us g Banist errors printed by T. Man Likewise of the Family of Love which conceive basely of this Sacrament calling it in derision Elementish water and of no better validitie or vertue then common water h N.N. evang c. 16. sect 5.6 Also the Anabaptists who ascribe no more unto Baptisme then unto any other thing civilly discerning one man from another and say that the Sacraments of the New Testament are no instruments to raise or confirme faith i Althemar concil lo. pugnan lo. 131. And lastly of the Papists who maintaine that Baptisme serveth to the putting away of originall sinne onely k â— Tho. de â—â—c Altari Baptisme bringeth grace even ex opere operato l Test Rhem. an Gal. 3.27 3. Proposition Infants and young children by the Word of God are to be baptized The proofe from Gods Word ALthough by expresse tearmes we be not commanded to baptize young children yet we beleeve they are to be baptized and that for these among other reasons 1. The grace of God is universall and pertaineth unto all Therefore the signe or Seale of
29. which sheweth vvhereunto onely the Primitive Church necessarily was tyed By the Apostles doctrine b Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14 which enjoyneth the Christians to yeeld obedience unto the ordinances of their lawfull Governers and Commanders whatsoever By the Apostles example and namely of the blessed Saint Paul c Acts. 16.37 Act. 22.25 c. Act. 25.11.12 who tooke benefit and made good use of the Romane and Emperiall Lawes Errors and adversaries unto this truth This truth neither is nor ever was oppugned by any Church Onely among our selves some thinke us necessarily eyed unto all the Iudicials of Moses as the Brownists For they say The Iawes Iudiciall of Moses belong as well unto Christians as they did unto the Iewes a Barrowes disco p. 127. Others that we are bound though not unto all yet unto some of the Iudicials as holdeth T. C. b 1. Reply sect 1 3. and Philip Stubs c Anatom of abuses 2. part Dâ—b 5. Proposition No Christian man whatsover is freed from the obedience of the law Morall The proofes from Gods Word THink not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy them but to fulfil them For truly I say unto you saith our Saviour Christ til heaven and earth perish one jot or one tittle of the law shall not scape till all things be fulfilled whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandements and teach men so shall be called the least in the Kingdome of Heaven c a Matth. 5.17 18 19. If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements c. Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steale Thou shalt not beare false witnesse Honour thy father and thy mother b Mat. 19.17 18 19. Doe we make the Law of none effect through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law c Rom. 3.31 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of God d 1 Cor. 7.19 The publike confessions of the Churches of God in France e Art 23. and Belgia f Art 25. agree with this Doctrine Errors and adversaries unto this truth Whereby are condemned as most wicked and unsound the Opinions Of the Manichies who found fault with the whole Law of God as wicked and proceding not from the true God but from the prince of darkenesse a Aug. conâ— Faust epist 11. and 74. Of Brownist Glover whose opinion was that Love now is come in the place of the ten Commandements b Bredweb detect p. 119. Of Iohannes Istebius and his followers the Antinomies who will not have Gods Law to be preached nor the conscience of sinners to be terrified and troubled with the Iudgements of God c Sim. Paulimeth par 2. de lege Deâ— p. 54. Of Banister among our selves who held how it is utterly evill for the elect so much as to thinke much lesse to speake or heare of the feare of God which the Law preacheth d Bani error 8. Article Of the three Creedes 1 The three Creeds Nicene Creede Athanasius Creede and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creede ought throughly to be received and beleeved For 2 they may be prooved by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture The Propositions 1. The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved 2. The three Creeds viz. The Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture 1. Proposition The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved THis proposition the Churches of God both anciently and in these last dayes a Confess Helv. 2 c. 11. Gal. ar 5. Belg ar 9. Saxo ar 1. doe acknowledge for true The errors and adversaries unto this truth Therefore much out of the way of godlinesse are they which tearme the Apostles Creede A forged patchery as Barrowe doth a Bar. dis p. 76. and Athanasius Sathanasius Creede so did Gregorius Paulus in Polonia b Genebr l. 4. p. 1158. and the new Arrians and Nestorians in Lituania c Surius chro p. 320. My selfe some 28. yeares agoe heard a great learned man whose name upon another occasion afore is expressed to whose acquaintance I was artificially brought which in private conference betweene him and my selfe tearmed worthy Zanchius a Foole and an Asse for his booke de tribus Elohim which refuteth the new Arrians against whose founders the Creeds of Athanasius and Nicene were devised Him attentively I heard but could never since abide for those words and indeed I never saw him since 2. Proposition The three Creeds viz. the Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture The proofe from Gods Word THan this assertion nothing is more true For the Creedes I meane these three Creedes speake first Of one and the same God whom we are to beleeve is for essence but one a Deut. 6.4 Mal. 2.10 1 Cor. 8.4 Eph 4.5 6. in persons three b Matth. 3.17 Gal. 4.6 1 John 5.7 viz. The Father the Creator c Psal 134.3 the Son the Redeemer d Esa 53.4 Rom. 5.18 Gal 3.13 Eph. 2.16 1 Iohn 2.2 the holy Ghost the Sanctifier e 1 Cor. 1.21 22. 1 Pet. 1.2 Next of the people of God which we must thinke and beleeve is The holy f Eph. 1.3 4. and 2.21 Col 2.22 and Catholike Church g Esa 54. 2. Psal 87.4 Acts 1.8 c. Eph. 2 14. Reu. 5.9 The Communion of Saints h Eph. 4.15 1 Cor. 10.16 Heb. â—0 25 1 Iohn 1.7 Pardoned of all their sinnes i Esa 44.22 Math. 18.23 c. Col. 2.13 And appointed to arise from death k Ioh. 5.28 1 Cor. 15. Phil 3.21 1 Iohn 6.39 and to enioy eternall life both in body and soule l Pet. 1.4 Reuel 21.4 The aduersaries vnto this truth Therfore we are enemies to all aduersaries of this doctrine or any whit of the same in them comprised whether they be Atheists Iewes Sadduces Ebionites Tretheites Antitrinitarians Apollinarians Arrians Manichies Nestorians Origenians Turkes Papists Familists Anabaptists or whosoeuer 9. Article Of Originall or Birth sinne 1 Originall sin standeth not in the following of Adam as the Pelagians doe mainely talk but 2 it is the fault and corruption of the nature of euery man that naturally is engendred of the off-spring of Adam whereby man is very farre gone from originall righteousnesse is inclined to euill so that the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and therefore in euery person borne into the world it deserueth Gods wrath and damnation 3 And this infection of nature doth remaine yea in them that are regenerated whereby the lust of the Flesh called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which some doe expound the wisedome some the Sensuality some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subiect to the Law of God
and the merit and power of his death ascribed unto greasie oyle Besides Christ is not acknowledged for the onely Saviour of mankinde and Physician of our soules but other Physicians he called upon besides him In respect of the Minister they hold how any man hath power to forgive sinnes which belongeth unto God alone also that other men yea women and not the Ministers of the Word onely may be the Ministers of the Sacraments In respect of the effect they teach us which is utterly untrue that neither all sinnes be mortall nor that Christ hath cleansed such as be his from all their sinnes by his precious bloud 10. Proposition The Sacraments are not to be abused but rightly to be used of us all The proofe from Gods Word In the Word of God the right use of the Sacraments and the ends of their institution are evidently set downe For Concerning Baptisme Christ saith Teach all Nations baptizing them c a Math. 28.29 He that shall beleeve and be baptized shall be saved b Math. 19.16 Touching the Lords Supper saith our Saviour of the Bread Take eate c. and of the Cup Drink ye all of it c Math. 26.26 27. and St. Paul The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the bloud of Christ The bread which wee breake is it not the communion of the body of Christ d 1 Cor. 10.16 This truth doe the Churches reformed by their Confessions subscribe unto e Conf. Helv. 1 ar 22. 2. c. 20. 2 c 20 21. Bohem c. 11. 13. Gal. ar 35 38. Belgâ—â— 34. 35. Aug. ar 2. 9. Sax ar 13. 15. Witâ— c. 10. 19. Suâ—v c. 13. 18. The errors and adversaries unto this truth Then greatly doe they sinne who either do not use the Sacraments at all as doe the Scwenfeldians a See in 〈◊〉 art prop. 1. or minister them but unto whom they list so is Baptisme of the Servetians b Calvin epiph 118. and Anabaptists c Slâ—â—dan câ—mmon l. 9. ministred onely unto elder persons and denied unto Infants and so is the same Sacrament of the Marcionites ministred unto single persons but denied unto married folks d â—ert contra Marcion lib. 1. 4. or doe abuse them So abused is baptisme by them who baptize things without reason yea sometimes without life or sense so have the Papists baptized both Bels and Babels as the great Bel of S. Iohn de Lateran at Rome by Pope Iohn the 14. who named it Iohn after his owne name e Cypr. Valera of the Pope c p. 55. and the great Bell of Christs Church in Oxford f D. Humfre 〈◊〉 suâ—llâ— p. 81. which D. Tresham the Vice chancellor named Mary Babels as the Duke of Alvas chiefe Standard which hee used in the Low Countries was baptized by Pius Quintus Ann. 1568. and called Margaret by the said Pope g D. Morison de depray Râ—â— Orig pag. 24. and so the Cataphrygians baptized the dead bodies of men h Philastrius Againe Baptisme was abused by the Marcionites when they baptized the living for the dead i Tert. contra Mar. lib. 4. also by the Novatians k D. Cypr â—d Iulian. and Papists l Suc. ar 23. prop 3. when they rebaptized Infants afore baptized as they termed them by Heretikes And so abused was the Lords Supper by certain Heretikes condemned in a Councell at Carthage whose manner was to thrust the Sacrament into the mouthes of dead men m Conc. Carthag 3. can 6. and is by the Papists whose guise is to use it magically n Art of the peace between Spaine and Eng. ar 1 1604 ar 2. concer a moder See more in the Art of Bap the L. Supper also ar 28. prop 5. as a salve against bodily sicknesse and adversity also to carry the same about pompously and superstitiously in the open streets to be adored of the beholders 11. Proposition All which receive the Sacraments receive not therewithall the things signified by the Sacraments The proofe from Gods Word VVE reade in the holy Scriptures that Some persons doe receive the Sacraments and the things signified by the Sacraments which are the remission of sins and other spirituall graces from God and so received was the Sacrament of Baptisme of Cornelius a Acts 10.47 and the Lords Supper of the good Disciples b Marke 18.26 c. and the godly Corinthians c Iohn 13 22â— Some againe receive the Sacraments but not the things by them signified so received was Baptisme of Simon Magus d Acts 8.13 and the Lords Supper of Iudas e Iohn 13.26 and so receive the Atheists Libertines and impenitent persons f 1 Cor. 11.17 c. And some receive not the Sacraments at all and yet are partakers of the things by the Sacraments signified such a communicant was the Thiefe upon the Crosse g Luke 23.43 44. This maketh us to conceive well both of those men and women which would and yet cannot communicate in the publike and Christian assemblies and of the children of Christian parents which depart this world unbaptized Furthermore it is apparent how Salvation is promised to such as are baptized yet not simply in respect of their baptisme but if they doe beleeve h Mar 16.16 Againe St. Paul saith Whosoever shall eate the bread or drink the Cup of the Lord Vnworthily shall bee guilty of the body and bloud of Christ i 1 Cor. 11 27. And this the purer Churches every where doe acknowledge k Confes Helv. 1. ar 10 and 2. c. 19 21 Basil ar 3. 6. Bohem. c. 11. 13. Gal. ar 24. 36 37. Bel. ar 33 35. Aug in 3 13. Saxon. ar 13. 24. Wit c. 10. Suet. c 17 The adversaries unto this truth The Papists therefore be in a wrong opinion which deliver that The Sacraments are not onely Seales but also causes of grace a Test Rhem. an 1. Pet. 3.21 and The Sacraments doe give grace even because they be delivered and received ex opere operato b Ibid. annot marg p. 357. 26. Article Of the unworthinesse of the Ministers which hinder not the effect of the Sacraments Although in the visible Church the evill be ever mingled with the good and sometime the evill have chiefe authority in the ministration of the Word and Sacraments yet forasmuch as they doe not the same in their owne name but in Christs and doe minister by his commission and authority we may use their ministery both in hearing the Word of God and in the receiving the Sacraments Neither is the effect of Christs ordinance taken away by their wickednesse nor the Grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly doe receive the Sacraments ministred unto them which are effectuall because of Christs institution and promise although they be ministred by evill men Neverthelesse it appertaineth to the discipline of the
This Cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you saith our Saviour b Luke 22.19 20. And to such as receive the same worthily c 1 Cor. 11.24 1 Cor. 11.28 c. and by Faith d 2 Cor. 13.5 Joh. 6.35 it is the partaking of the body and blood of Christ e 1 Cor. 10.16 17. This is a truth openly both maintained and testified by the neighbour Churches f Conf. Helv. 1. ar 22. 2. c. 21. Basil ar 6. Bohem. c. 13. Gal. ar 37. Bel. ar 35. August couch the Masse ar 1. â— Saxon. art 13 Wittem c. 19. Suc c. 19. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Diversly hath this proposition beene oppugned For Some either denying or not acknowledging the benefit of so heavenly a Sacrament doe say how It is to be received onely for obedience sake to the Princes commandement but is of none effect to the perfect ones An opinion of the Families a Leon. Ram. Conf. 1580. It doth neither good nor hurt to the receivers The Messalians error b Theodoret. eccl s hist It doth much hurt and no good to participate the Lords Supper among Protestants say the Papists c What can the Protestant Churches afford you c. the communion O poysoned Cup better it were for you to eate so much Rats-bane then that polluted bread and to drink so much Dragons gall or Vipers blood then that sacrilegious wine Garnish of the soule c. printed at Antwerp an 1569. by Joach Tro. It is no signe assuring us that all our sinnes through Christ are pardoned For onely veniall and mortall sinnes are thereby remitted d Catech. Trid. and we must alwaies doubt of the forgivenesse of our sinnes e Conc. Trid. ses 6. cap. 9. say the Papists Others doe teach that It can profit such as have no faith as Babes and Infants in which errors bee the Russians f Al Guag de relig Moscovit p. 168. yea the dead bodies of men g Conc. Carthag 3. can 6. It can benefit such as receive it not at all if on their behalfe it be administred as persons absent upon the Seas in the warres yea and dead and present too when yet they participate not but the Priest for them These errors the Papists defend 3. Proposition The Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper be not changed into another substance The proofe from Gods Word TRansubstantiation or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine in the Supper of the Lord wee doe utterly denie and the reasons moving us thereunto are for that it is repugnant to the plaine words of the Scripture For I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the Vine saith our Saviour Christ a Math 26.29 Marke 14.25 Which fruit had it really bin either the Blood or by way of concomitance the very Body and Blood of Iesus Christ then our Lord had eaten himselfe which is not onely blasphemous to be spoken but also impossible to bee done and directly against the Word of God where commandement is often given that the blood with flesh not of beast much lesse of man must not be eaten b Gen. 9 4. Lev. 17.14 The heaven must containe Iesus Christ untill the time that all things be restored saith S. Peter c Acts 3.21 If Christ therefore corporally according to his humanity be in heaven then is he not in the Sacrament As often as ye shall eate this Bread not Christ his reall Body and drinke this Cup not the reall blood of Christ you shew the Lords death till he come saith Saint Paul d 1 Cor. 11.20 Therefore he is not come which he must be being under the formes of Bread and Wine Transubstantiation besides overthroweth the nature of the Sacrament For where there is no Element there can be no Sacrament Because Gods Word comming unto the Element maketh a Sacrament Finally it hath bin the occasion of much superstition and Idolatry For from hence proceeded the Reservation of the Transubstantiated bread for sundry superstitious purposes hence the adoration of the bread even as God himselfe and that both of Priest and people hence the carrying about in pompous procession of the wafer-God and hence the Popish feast called Corpus-Christi-day The right consideration hereof hath mooved all the Churches reformed to shew their detestation hereof both by their Sermons and writings e Conf. Helv. 1 ar 22. 2. c. 21 Basil art Witten b.c. 19. The adversaries unto this truth Abominable therefore be the Popish errors viz. that In the Eucharist there is not the substance of Bread and Wine but onely the meere accidents and qualities a Conc. Trid. seâ—s 3. c. 3. Substantially and really the Body and Blood together with the soule and Divinitie of our Lord Iesus Christ and therefore whole Christ is contained in the Sacramentall Eucharisticall b Test Rhem. annot Matth 26.6 Vnder each kinde and under every part of each kinde severally whole Christ is comprized c Conc. Trid. ses 2.3 Vaux Catech. c. 4. After the consecration in the wonderfull Sacrament of the Eucharist the Body and Blood of our Lord Iesus Christ is and that not onely in the use while it is taken but afore also and after in the Hoste or consecrated pieces reserved or remaining after the Communion d Conc. Trid. ses 3. 4. In the holy Sacraments Christ the onely begotten Son of God is to be adored with the worship of Latria e Conc. Trid. sess c. 5. Marcus also that detestable heretike held that the wine of the Lords Supper was converted into bloud f Epiphan haeres 〈◊〉 4. Proposition The Body of Christ is given taken and eaten after an heavenly and spirituall not after a carnall sort The proofe from Gods Word THe regenerate have in them a double life one carnall the other spirituall The life carnall and temporary they brought with them into this world The spirituall was given unto them afterward in their second birth through the Word a 1 Pet. 1.29 The life carnall and corporall is common to all men b Iohn 6.51 good and bad and is maintained and preserved by earthly corruptible Bread common also to all and every man The life spirituall is peculiar onely to Gods elect and is cherished by the Bread of life which came downe from heaven which is Iesus Christ who nourisheth and sustaineth the spirituall life of Christians being received of them by Faith c Iohn 6.35 Which spirituall Bread that he might the better represent he hath instituted earthly and visible Bread and Wine for a Sacrament of his Body and Bloud Whereby he doth testifie that as verily as we receive the Bread with the hands chew the same with the teeth and tongue to the nourishing of this life temporall even so by faith which is in place of hands and mouth to the soule we verily receive the true Body and