If the case stand thus twixt Christ and the faithfull that they haue an vnion and communion between themselues then surely he the head will inspire them his members with vigor feeling mouing and spirituall life nay he wil receiue of them what is theirs namely their sinnes and sorrowes and giue vnto them what is his 1. To bee called the sonnes of God 2. To haue right to his righteousnes 3. To haue iust claime and title to his fathers Kingdome Conuaying these his goods vnto them by the preaching of the word administration of the sacraments 2. If there be such a fellowship of the Saints on earth then euery one of them ought to bee thus minded readily and cheerefully to bestow the gifts that he hath receiued to the common commodity safety and to let religion and charity so vnite and moue their hearts 1. That they may thinke the same things 2. That they may bee of like affection one vnto another 3. That they may be ready to distribute of their substance vnto euerie one as he hath need Maintaining as much as in them lieth and promoting this holy fellowship 3. If the distance betwixt this and Heauen cannot hinder the affection of the Saints on earth but that it will reach euen the seat of the blessed if the security and pleasures of that Kingdome cannot make the blessed departed to forget the sufferings of their brethren here on earth whom they do not see but that they minde them pitty them and pray to God for them How can I then perswade my selfe that I am one of these Saints if my conuersation be not already in heauen How can I speake of this communion if I remember not poore Ioseph to pray for him and to pitty him whom I daily see 1. Destitute 2. Afflicted 3. Tormented My bowels yerning vpon him in coÌ„passion of his miserie The tenth Article The forgiuenesse of sinnes 1. The guilt of them done away 2. The spot of them purged 3. The punishment remitted For 1. They shall neuer bee imputed vnto vs. 2. The blood of Iesus clenseth vs from all sinne 3. Christ hath suffered whatsoeuer was due to our sinnes Vse 1. I can therefore settle my soule in rest and quietnesse hauing great ioy and peace in mine heart knowing that I am the blessed of the Lord and that nothing can separate twixt me and my God my sinne being not being not imputed it is as if it were not I can also haue great boldnâ—â— in the day of the Lord nothing fearing the iudgement nor in the iudgement the acculation 1. Of the Diuell 2. Of mine owne conscience 3. Of the Lawe of God Seeing I shal not be reputed wicked where I did amisse 2. I will not defile my selfe againe with my sinnes returning with the dogge to his vomit and with the sow to wallowing in the mire but with all care and conscience keepe 1. My sâ—â—le chast 2. My body vndefiled 3. My garments cleane Seeing I haue bin washt from mine iniquity and cleansed from my sinne Ps 52.2 3. I will not dreame of satisfying for my sinnes by mine owne doing or suffering neither will I feare the wrath in this world nor the reuenging flames of purgatory after this life to roast and broyle my soule till they haue purged out my drosse and eat vp all my corruption Or thus Who hath made perfect satisfaction for my sinne by this 1. Most part natiuity 2. Most holy life 3. Most bitter passâ—ion and cruell death Seeing c. but cast from me all seruile feare knowing that Gods iustice cannot punish that againe in his seruant which hee hath already punisht in his Sonne 1. Who was numbred with the transgressors 2. Bare the sinne of many 3. Made intercession for the trespassers Es 53.12 Seeing the Lord laide on him the iniquity of vs all Es 53.6 The Eleauenth Article The resurrection of the bodie 1. Wherein there shall be a finall destruction of the workes of the Diuell 2. Wherein there shall be a full manifestation of Gods mercy on the faithfull 3. Wherein there shall be a fearefull declaration of his iustice on the wicked For 1. Then sinne and death shall be vtterly done away 2. The same flesh that was partaker of the Crosse shall be made also partaker of the glorie 3. As their soules sinned dwelling in their bodies for their lasting so shall they bee punished soule and body for Gods euerlasting Vse 1. I know therefore that howsoeuer sinne hath now defaced my soule and body howsoeuer death for a while may hereafter pray vpon my carkasse in the graue yet there shall be a time of restitution and a time of refreshing from the Lord wherein my state shall bee made farre better then it was at first in Adam Christ becomming deaths death and being made vnto me life by whose voice I shall be awaked and by whose power I shall be raised from the graue 1. The same body 2. Made like vnto Christs glorious bodie 3. Now no more subiect vnto death For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal immortality 1. Co. 15.53 2. I beleeue that howsoeuer here the godly mourne for a season being afflicted and brought low yet the time is comming when all teares shal be wipt away from their eies they made free from misery hauing giuen vnto them a large retribution namely at the resurrection of the iust when their soules being ioined againe vnto their bodies they shall be brought to meet the Lord and so for euer be with the Lord in the assurance of which comfort 1. My heart is glad 2. My glory reioiceth 3. My flesh shall rest in hope Ps 16.9 For I shall not dwell for euer with straitnes nor lodge for ages in the graue 3 I perswade me that howsoeuer the wicked flourish here vpon earth for a season Et sortem vsuram Greg. li. 4 Dialog and it goeth well with them yet the time is comming when they shall pay for all being therefore in the resurrection restored to their former being that they may for euer leese their well being and be condemned to suffer 1. Death without death 2. Defect without defect 3. End without end For immortall neuer fading infinite shall bee their death defect and end The twelfth Article And the life euerlasting 1. Which is the gift of our God 2. Which is the end of our hopes 3. Which is the complement of our happines For 1. He bestoweth it vpon vs though Iesus Christ 2. We can desire nothing but this wee can expect nothing beyond this 3. It includes the presence of all good and the absence of all euill Now therefore Vse 1. If I doe owe vnto God my whole selfe because he hath created me If I owe vnto him more then my selfe because he hath redeemed me how can I speake of that inutterable band of debt wherein I am tied vnto him that hath giuen to the eternall life the first fruits whereof I
feele in this life though the absolute comforts thereof he reserued to that other life in which I shall 1. Perfectlie knowe God 2. Fully inioy God 3. Worthily praise God Being vnited vnto God and coÌ„formed with God 2. If that eternall life be the end of my hopes I will learne farre to stretch them beyond this momentary life the perishing things thereof Gold shall not be my hope nor siluer nor seruants nor children nor wealth nor health nor bewty nor honor nor ease nor age but that life which is hid with Christ in God after which I sigh and long as one that is from home while I am here in the flesh knowing that there are prepared for me of God the things which 1. Eye hath not seene 2. Eare hath not heard 3. Neither haue they entered into the heart of man Es 64.4 1. Cor. 2.9 Being one of those that feare God and doe reuerence before him 3 If there be nothing to be desired which is not in that life if there be nothing to be wisht away which iâ— in that life why should I then regard this present life of troubles sorâ—ow sicknes danger need vexation which giues no satisfaction for contentment no secuâ—ity for rest and safegard to set my loue vpon it why should I not rather contemne it thinking on eternity and in the height of mine affection and earnest desire of this blessednes cry Come Loâ—d Iesu come quickly that I may also comâ— 1. To thy gladsome presence 2. To the sweet fellowshippe of thy saints in Heauen 3. To the blessed company of thine Angels Being made partaker of the fatnes of thine house Heb. 12.22 and the fulnesse of thy pleasures The diuision of the Decalogue 1. We may deuide the Commandements thus into three 1. A Preface of the whole 2. The precepts of the first table 3. The Commandemeâ—ts of the second 2. In each Commanâ—ement is hanled 1. The affirming part 2. The forbidding part 3. The Appendix Thereof 3. The Appendix of each Commandement is either 1. A promise 2. Or a threatning 3. Or some other reason Exprest in the Commandement or vnderstood The ten Commandements God spake these words 1. VVHose is the greatest authoritie 2. Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires out perfect obedience and the hearts sincerity Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yeeld more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd For he saith 1. I am the Lord Iehouah 2. I am the Lord thy God 3. I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Vse 1. A powerfull argument to moue vs to obey seeing he that requires our obedience is the Lord of power the almighty eternall onely wise God owner of all that is in heauen and in earth who abideth the same for euer vnchangable in his 1. Essence 2. Will and 3. Workes And therfore in right of his dominioÌ„ respect of his excellencie requires our seruice 2. A pithy perswasion to affect our soules to yeeld him ready seruice seeing he is no strange God that requires it but our God ours not onely because he hath created vs doth preserue and gouerne vs as he hath and doeth also all the rest of his creatuâ—es but because he doth singularly participate and manifest himselfe vnto vs louing and fauouring vs before all others in as much as hee hath 1. Chosen vs for his own inheritance 2. Called vs to the knowledge of himselfe in his sonne 3. Inspired vs with his grace and holy spirit And therefore with the remeÌ„brance of this his goodnesse would win our hearts 3. A forcible reason to stirre vp our mindes readily to receiue and haâ—â—en to his words seeing he that spâ—akes them hath before deliuered vs as Israel from Egypt and the house of seruants so our soules and bodies from the 1. Diuell 2. Sinne and 3. Death And therefore in regard of so great purchase and deliuerance expects our thankfulnesse The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me 1. The affirming part of this precept Iehouah must be our God The things commanded in this precept are 1. THat we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him For 1. Otherwise he cannot be our God neither can we be his people Ier. 24.7 2. Otherwise we cannot glorifie him as God nor be thankfull Rom. 1.21 3. Otherwise wee cannot tast and see how good and gracious the Lord is Ps 34.8 Vse 1. As therefore we desire that when God writes vp his people he should not passe by vs so should we indeuour also to know him for our God as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word and workes and knowing to acknowledge him 1. With our hearts 2. With our mouthes 3. With our workes As it becommeth those that call vpon his name 2. As obedient children to the fathers of their bodies are in their inward well affected and with their whole minde will and heart doe honour and respect them so should we much more God which is the father of spirits rendring vnto him from our soules 1. Honor 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse As it beloÌ„geth to such glory power goodnesse 3. As we would haue the Lord to be with vs in all our troubles and aduersities standing on our side against al that rise vp against vs as we would haue him to lift vp the light of his countenance vpon vs to cheere and to refresh vs as we would heare his voice which is sweete and see his countenance which is comely so let vs cleaue to God Cant. 2.14 and make the Lord our stay Ier. 17.7 knit vnto him alone in 1. Affiance 2. Loue and 3. Feare As it beseemeth well his Saints and is agreeable to his holy will Perkins 2. The forbidding parts of the first commandement We must preferre no other thing aboue the head of our ioy The things defended in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and workes 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the god-head and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God For 1. How can we imbrace and worship the things we doe not know Act. 2. How can we be saued if we erre concerning the trueth 2. Thes 2.10 3. How should we not desire the chiefest and greatest good Aug. l. de nat gra Chrysost Vse 1. Although therfore there are some things which are better for vs not to know then to know although we may be ignorant of some things without sinne yet can there be nothing
blessedly in her belly whom I may 1. Conceiue without sin 2. Beare without burden 3. Bring foorth without paine And imbrace him in mine armes with all ioy The fourth Article Suffered 1. According to the truth foretold 2. With great fruit to vs. 3. Leauing vs an example to follow his steps For 1. Thus the scripture testified of him 2. There is deâ—pe matter hid therein 3. We also by suffering must enter into glory Vse 1. I confâ—sse therefore that it is true of Christ which I haue read and heard of him that he should be 1. Sold of the wicked 2. Villainously despighted 3. Slaine for sâ—nne Whereas there was no euill found in him 2. I propose his passion to my selfe to apply it to my soule therein beholding both the horriblenesse of my sinne and his vnspeakable loue who was 1. Sold to redeeme me 2. Despighted to honour me 3. Slaine to quicken me Whereas I was his enemy by kinde August in serm quodam 3. I arme me likewise with such minde calling his passion to my minde 1. Pet. 4.1 1. Greg. in Epist To suffer all things willingly 2. To spend my selfe bearing other mens burdens 3. To honour and loue him in the highest degree Whereas he suffred so great things for me Vnder Pontius Pilate 1. Before whom hee was brought bound 2. To whom he was accused falsly 3. By whom hee was condemned vniustly 1. He was then deputy and iudge in Iury. 2. The witnesses could not agree 3. He had pronounced him innocent before Vse 1 This forraine ruler shewes me that this was true Messias who was thus brought bound before him as a sacrifice tied with cords for now 1. The scepter was departed from Iudah 2. The law giuer froÌ„ between his feete 3. The stock of Lesse was growne old and bare That hencforth I expect no other Christ 2. This accusation tels me wherby the harmelesse fell and yet did holde his peace that I shall be absolued and haue leaue to cry to God through him that was accused and yet would answer nothing when it was falsely laid to his charge that he 1. Seduced the people 2. Raised sedition among the people 3. Went about to make himselfe a King That I should not feare what may be broght against me 3. This condemnation of the innocent acquits me that am nocent from the iust condemning sentence 1. Of the law of God 2. Of mine owne conscience 3. Of the heauenly iudge That I might be blamelesse whilst he beares my guilt Was Crucified 1. Despising the shame 2. Enduring the torment 3. Bearing the curse 1. For it was a punishment of slaues and the last of men 2. For it was with incredible paine of all parts of the body 3. For it is written cursed is he that hangeth on the tree Vse 1. I will here then consider of the inestimable loue of Christ passing all vnderstanding who humbled himselfe so low as that to deliuer me and other his people from deserued shame he vndeseruing vnderwent the shame of the crosse where hee hung sixe houres 1. Naked in the sight of all mâ—n 2. In the middest between two thieues 3. Derided and scorned of all sorts of men That I may loue such loue and neuer be ashamed of such a Maister 2. I will looke vp to his crosse to see how much sinnes doe paine him which haue fastned him to the wood pierst his side digd his hands and feet and ponder in the ballance of my heart August 1. The wounds of him that hangs there 2. The bloud of him that dies there 3. The price of him that redeemes there That weighing his tormeÌ„t I may wound my soule with sorrow for my sin 3. I will not henceforth feare the curse of the law nor yet the wrath of God seeing he was made a curse and bare the whole wrath of God in his flesh 1. To satisfie Gods iustice for me 2. To appease his wrath towards me 3. To make me partaker of the blessing That so I may receiue the promise of the spirit through faith Dead 1. Verily and really 2. Voluntarily 3. Necessarily For 1. The â—cripture saith that he gaue vp the ghost 2. He had power to die and not to die 3. The iustice of God his tâ—ueth and promise did so require it Vse 1. He did not therfore counterfeit a passion Bast ex August de haeres as wickedly say the Manichees and Cerdonians nor substitute a Symâ—n of Cyrene to bee slaine for him as say the Basilidaâ— Heretickes but though he were the Lord of life he did indeed lay downe his life and died to quicken vs and by the power of his death oueâ— came 1. Death 2. Hell and 3. Damnation Deliuering vs from the feare and taking away froÌ„ vs the sting of death and victory of hell 2. He willingly for vs laid downe his soule an offering for sinne Es 53 10. to deliuer vs from the punishment of sinne Rom. 6. â—3 and left vs an example that we should also willingly Perkins 1. Die rather then sinne 2. Die for Christ 3. Die for the brethren Imitating his zeale and loue that tooke vpoÌ„ him our person and satisfied for our transgressions 3. He was ordained before of God and promised to be that all sufficient sacrifice that should take away the sinnes of the world and therefore according to the necessity of his decree and word he died and by his death obtained 1. Pardon of our sins 2. Reconciliation for vs with God 3. The gift of the holy Ghost Paying a sufficient ransom for vs Vrsin sustaining a punishment aequiualent to the eternall which none but hee could doe Buried 1. That he might shew the certainty of his death 2. That he might bury our sins with him in the graue 3. That pursuing death into his farthest hold he might there conquer him and sanctifie the graue For 1. They bury nâ—ne but those that are dead indeede 2. He so would haue our sinnes hidden from the face of his father 3. He there tooke away the victory of deatâ— consecrated the graue filling it with his odours and sweete smels Vse 1. I will hold therefore of his buriall for the assurance of my faith concerning his death and thinking of his burying meditate also of the misteries of his sepulchre in that he was laid 1. In a new graue who loues to haue his lodgeing in a new heart Bucan 2. In another mans graue August that died was buried for other mens saluation 3. In a graue cut out of the rock which openeth the stoniest hearts and in them doth make his chambers That I may lay these things the better to my heart 2. I will not violate the sepulchre of my sauiour raking vp againe the sinnes which he hath buried but rather striue to haue sinne buried in me neither will I any more feare my sinnes inasmuch as he hath buried them that they shall neuer rise vp against me
in iudgement 1. To accuse me before my God 2. To condemne me with my God 3. To hinder from me the loue and mercy of my God That my conscience may be quieted in this life within my brest 3. I will not henceforth feare the power of death nor the horror of the dust and graue seeing my Lord hath conquerd death and sanctified the graue to be to the bodies of his Saints a bed to rest in Es 57.2 where they repose them till the resurrection 1. Hauing laid aside a grieuous burden the burden of the flesh 2. Free from the troubles and miseries of this life August in Ioan. 3. Kept safe to immormortality That I may lay me downe quietly at the time of my dissolution also sleepe in peace Ps 4.8 He descended into hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the diuels Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them for 1. We were before in feare and danger of hell 2. He onely could ouercome the strong man binde him and spoile his house Luk. 11.21 Mat. 12.29 3. Thereby he led captiuity captiue and tooke into his hands the keies of death and hell Vse 1. Whereas therefore by this descending of Christ into hell I finde my selfe deliuered from the danger of hell I doe consider that it is my duety that as my Sauiour hath deliuered me from this death so I should endeauour also to saue others from this place of torment where there is 1. Want of all grace 2. Defect of all glorie 3. Excesse of all paine Sadnesse burning the minds of men Bern. de med geh suppli and flames the bodies 2. Whereas by this his conquest of the infernal powers my Lord hath strucken a perpetuall terror and feare into the diuell I see that I need not to stand in feare of satans tyranny seeing he shall neuer more be able to set vp his kingdome thus destroyed 1. Although he hath great wrath 2. Although he hath great subtlety 3. Although he hath great power Alwaies enuying the people of God fighting against the Saints 3. Whereas my Lord rides on in his glory with his and our enemies bound before him I will no longer looke on the mockgames of this worlds vanities and triumphs but turne mine eies from all earthly spectacles to behold this glorious show where 1. The conqueror is the Lord of heauen 2. The conquered are the powers of darknesse 3. The monument of victory is the crosse A triumph excelling all other shewes alone worth the beholding The fifth Article The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life For 1. Els could he not haue freed himselfe out of deaths hold and prison of the graue 2. We must be made conformable as vnto the image of the death Phil. 3.3 so also to the resurrection of Iesus Christ 3. As he raised himselfe by his owne power so also will he quicken our mortall bodies to make them like vnto his glorious body Vse 1. What great comfort then is this vnto my soule that I haue an assurance that my Lord by dying hath not onely quite abolished and done away my sinne but also by rising againe hath brought vnto me righteousnesse and life applying vnto me by vertue of his resurrection the whole merit of his death and passion whereby I am 1. Separate from sinners 2. Reconciled vnto God 3. At peace and quietnesse in mine own conscience Ro. 5. Which is my chiefest ioy happinesse in this world 2. What great care and conscience should I vse seeing Christ is risâ—n againe from the dead that I no longer lie amongst the dead how should I pray vnto him that as by the power of his god-head hee raised himselfe from the graue so he would also raise me vnto newnesse of life from this death and graue of sinne where I ly rotting and stinking while I 1. Delight in sinne 2. Worke sinne 3. Accustome my selfe to sâ—nne Which is my greatest misery in this life Aug. de ver dom 3. What great hope and assured confidence should I haue that I shall be raised vp againe to life for if he being dead could raise himself Vrsin Max. in ser de pa. much more being aliue can he raise me If he my head my flesh my blood and my portion be risen then shall I his member flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone also rise and come to an inheritance in heauen 1. Immortall 2. Vndefiled 3. And that fadeth not away Which will be my blessednes in the world to come The sixth Article He ascended into heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession thereof for vs. 2. That hee might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church For 1. He is entred before into the rest and makes vs to sit together with him in heauenly places 2. He did ascend that he might fulfill al things Eph. 4.10 3. He saith Ioh. 16.7 If I goe not away the comforter will not come vnto you Vse 1. I will therefore leaue all by pathes of this world to take me to this way which my Lord hath trod before me and trained it with his blood neither will I be slothfull in it nor turne out of it but in affection hast me into heauen Greg. following thither in my heart where Christ is in his body where I conuerse already in hope and expectation and viewing him with the eie of my faith ascending Aug. Epist ad Dardan 1. Beleeue on him in his absence 2. Hope for his comming 3. By his hidden mercy feele his presence Nothing doubting but that where my Lord is I his seruant shal be also Ioh. 14.3.11.26 2. I will not swell on that which I haue receiued nor otherwaies abuse my gifts because from him I haue them receiued nor scorne my brothers graces to quench the spirit in him but rather stirre vp the gift of God in me acknowledging the giuer 1. Of whom 2. Through whom 3. For whom are all things Rom. 11.36 Nothing of good giuings perfect gifts but comming down from him the father of lights Iac. 1.17 3. I will not seeke for solace in the heauinesse of my soule and day of mine affliction from any worldly comfort but from that heauenly spirit which he sent downe ascending who in flesh departing from vs yet alwaies remaines with vs as concerning his Aug. tra 50. in Io. 1. Maiesty 2. Prouidence 3. Vnspeakeable goodnesse Nothing wanting to true consolation where he is present by his holy spirit And sitteth on the