Christ was free from sin 1. Iohn cap. 3. ver 5. and therfore suffered not for his but for our sinnes Rom. chap. 4. ver 25. 2. Cor. chap. 5. ver 21. If any say that notwithstanding Christes death sin doth still remaine euen in the faithful 1. Iohn 1. ver 8. hee may bee answered that sinne doeth bite but not deuoure them The sheelde of faith may be wounded but it cannot be stricken through Was crucified The death of the crosse was most greeuous of al other deaths it was accursed by Gods owne mouth Deut. chap. 21 ver 23. Christ did abide the death of the crosse Philip. cap. 2. ver 8. He was made a curse to redeeme vs froÌ„ the curse of the lawe Galat. chap. 2. ver 13. so that wee may be now assured that Satans head is broken Gen. chap. 3. ver 15. and that the hande writing which was against vs is put out by Iesus Christe and fastened to his crosse Col. cap. 2. ver 14. Dead Gods iustice could not bee satisfied for our sinnes but by the death of the Sonne of GOD. Heb. cap. 2. ver 9.17 It was therfore necessary for vs that he shoulde dye the death If any meruaile why we dye when Christe hath dyed for vs they may bee aunswered that death is greeuous but not deadly too Gods Children that it dwelleth in them but hath not dominion ouer them and that they dye but doe passe by the deathe of the body as by a gate of eternall life 2. Cor. cap. 5. ver 1.2 Philip. cap. 1. ver 23. Seeing therfore that the losse of this short and transitory life is the high way and entraunce into Gods kingdome wee must not be afraide to dye when our louing God doth call vs vnlesse wee make greater account of earth then of heauen and of the company of men then of God and his Angels And buried Christe was buryed by an honorable Counsellour Ioseph of Aramathia who begged his body of Pilat Mark chap. 15. vers 43. His burial is mencioned too assure vs that hee dyed indeede He descended into Hel that is to say He suffered the torments of Hel and did abide the most bitter sorowes of death Acts. chap. 2. ver 24. As if hee had beene forsaken of GOD his father Matth. chap. 27. ver 46. All this was for our cause Esay chap. 63. ver 4.5 When wee are in great torment and griefe for our sinnes when we are euen at the brink of despayre then it will bee a notable sheelde to beare of all grieuous assaultes too remember that our Sauiour Christe went downe into Hell to deliuer vs from the torments thereof This lesson if it â—e surely learned and setled in our hartes wyll heale a wounded conscience wyll tayse vs vp from the gates of Hell and wil in our greatest distresse be very sweet â—nto vs. Christ did not discend into hell to fetch from thence the godly Patriarkes and other which died well before his comming in the flesh that is a wicked dreme and hath neyther grounde to stand on nor â—ight to shewe it by in Gods Booke for they were neuer there Ecclesiast chap. 12. ver 7. 1. Cor. chap. 10. ver 3.4 The thirde day he rose againe froÌ„ the dead Christes enimies did what they could to keepe him downe they laide a stone vpon his graue they sealed the stone they made the graue sure with a watch Mat. 27. ver 65.66 but al was in vaine for Christ rose the third day from death Math. chap. 28. ver 6.7 Christes resurrection was great losse vnto Satan it swalowed vp death and broke in peeces the bonds of the deuil Coll. cap 2. ver 15. It is gainfull too vs for therby we haue a sure pledge of our resurrection 1. Cor. cap. 15. ver 20.21.22 and are made partakers of the righteousnesse of Christ Rom. cap. 4. ver 25. He ascended into heauen Christs ascending into heauen is manifestly prooued in the Scriptures Mark cap. 16. ver 19 Act. cap. 1. ver 9. Heb. cap. ver 14. Hee ascended into heaueÌ„ to prepare vs a place Iohn cap. 14. ver 2. and to pray continually for vs vnto God his father Rom. ca. 8. ver 34. Seing that Christ is our Atturney and pleadeth for vs we may go boldly vnto the throne of grace that we may receiue mercy finde grace to helpe vs in time of neede Heb. cap. ver 16. If Christ be in heauen bodily as we are plainely taught in Gods booke by S. Peter by S. Paul Act. cap. 3. ver 21. Phil. chap. 3. ver 20. Heb. cap. 9. ver 24. Then he neither is nor can be bodily in many places at once It is true that Christe promised his Apostles in theÌ„ other that he would be with them vnto the ende of the worlde Mat. cap. 28. ver 20. But hee ment by the vertue of his spirite Ioh. cap. 14. ver 18. in which sense S. Paule sayth that Christ ascended aboue all heauens too fulfill all things Ephe. cap. 4. ver 10. And sitteth at the right hand of God the father almightie God is a spirit Ioh. cap. 4. ver 24. He hath neither hands eyes armes eares nor such like as some haue imagined I graunt the Scripture giueth eies armes eares c vnto God not that hee hath suche but to helpe our weakenes by such maner of speaches Christ is sayd to sit at the right hand of God because he is aboue all rule and power and might and dominion and euery name that is named not in this worlde onely but also in the world to come Ephe. chap. 1. ver 21.22 Seeing that Iesus Christe is of so great power Gods children may assure them selues of a singular defence and the wicked maye reckon of a greeuous ouerthrow From thence shal he come to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ when hee was on the earth was most vniustly iudged but in the great day he shall sit in Iudgement and all the worlde shall appeare before his Maiestie 2. Cor. cap. 5. ver 10. none shall escape his iudgement Apoc. chap. 20. ver 12.13 Dead and lyuing shall come before his presence Acts. chap. 10. ver 42. 2. Timoth. cap. 4. ver 1. If any saye that death is the house of all fleshe Hebr. chap. 9. ver 27. And therefore that none shall bee aliue at Christes second and glorious appearance he may be answeared that as they which eyther haue already dyed or shall dye heereafter before the day of Iudgement haue and shall put of the Substaunce of theyr bodyes so they which shall bee aliue at that tyme shall put of not the Substaunce of theyr bodyes as the other haue but the Qualities of theyr bodyes which is no doubt a kinde of death and thus is the place of Saint Paule to be vnderstoode Wee shall not all sleepe but we shall all be chaunged 1. Corinth Chapter 15. verse 51. This day of Iudgement will bee a comfortable and ioyfull day to
¶ A Godly and short Treatise vpon the Lordes Prayer the xii Articles of the Christian faith and the ten Commaundementes Printed in London at the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop 1580. ¶ Prayer is a lifting vp of the heart vnto GOD. The Lordes Prayer The Lordes prayer hath sixe petitions The three first concerne GOD The three last vs. OVr Father which art in heaueÌ„ Two things must bee considered of vs when we bende our selues to praier First Gods loue conteyned in these woordes Our Father Secondly Gods power conteyned in these words Which art in heaueÌ„ God is our father because we are his children Yf this be true howe is Christe the onely sonne of GOD both are true Christ is Gods sonne by nature Ioh. cap. 1. ver 14. we by adoption Rom. chap. 8. ver 15. Galat. cap. 4. ver 6. That which was his by nature is ours by grace We pray vnto God in the name of Christe alone for God is our father by the meanes of Christ If it be so then Christ is the alone Mediatour of intecession 1. Tim. chap. 2. ver 5. Rom. cap 8. ver 34. Heb. chap. 7. ver 25. So are Angelles and dead Sainctes barred from this office The sacrifice of Christs death and continuall intercession are necessarily linked together they are two parts of Christes Priesthood Heb. 5. 7. Chapters If we graunt Angels or dead Saincts to be Intercessours we giue vnto them the glory of Christes Priesthood Wee haue all one father therefore vnitie is required among vs. Math. cap. 5. ver 23.24 Ephesi chap 4. ver 3.4.5.6 Vnitie I meane in Christe Rom. chap. 15. ver 5. Philip. chap. 4 ver 2. For without Christe it is accursed Better is godly discord then wicked concord GOD is our Father wee ought not therefore too dispayre of his mercy Our sinnes I confesse doe throwe vs downe to Hell Esay chap. 59. ver 2. Rom. chap. 6. ver 23. Though they be greeuous and many yet Gods mercy is aboue all Esay chap. 1. ver 18. Ezech. cap 18. ver 23. The earthly father cannot but be good to his vngracious childe if he returne from his lewdnesse Luke chap. 15. ver 20.21.22.23.24 Gods mercy is more exceeding Esay cap. 49. ve 14.16 1. Timoth. chap. 1. ver 13.14.15.16 If it be compared with the other it is as a great Sea vnto a litle Riuer Gods power is set foorth in these wordes Which art in heauen whereby is ment that all thinges whatsoeuer are vnder the gouernment of the eternall God and that al thinges are ordered by his Prouidence Psalme 115. ver 3. Though God be in heauen hee is not there shut vp Such thoughtes must bee farre from vs for the Heauen of Heauens cannot conteyne him 2. Chronicles chapt 2. ver 6. GOD by this speache is exempted from beeyng a Creature and wee are taught not too thinke basely of so mightie a GOD for hee is higher then all the worlde 1 Hallowed be thy name Wee desire that Gods name may be famous and reuerenced in all the earth yf it is to bee reuerenced then must we neuer speake or thinke of God without great reuerence it is too bee wished that all were thus affected but if none were God abideth faithful he cannot deny him selfe 2. Timoth cap. 2. ver 13. 2 Thy kingdome come Wee desire that the lustes of our fleshe wicked thoughtes and such like may be subdued that Gods spirit may rule in our harts This is brought to passe partly by the worde preached partly by the holy spirit who if hee touche not our heartes as the woorde doeth pearce our eares the worde is a shut booke Esay chap. 29. ver 11. and as a sealed letter vnto vs. We doe well in praying dayly Thy kingdome come for it is encreased by continuall goinges forwarde euen in the best men Philip. chap. 3. ver 12. Colossi chap. 1. ver 9.10 Wee are all in a race and short of the macke whilest wee are in the fleshe wee must goe from faith too faith and from vertue to vertue Prouerb cap. 4. ver 18. Ephesians chap. 4. ver 15. There must be no standing â—â—il not to go forwarde in a godly life is to goe backewarde 3 Thy will be doone in earth as it is in heauen The wyll of God is of two sortes The fyrst secrete the seconde reuealed in his woorde None can withstande Gods secrete will Esay chap. 46. ver 10. Rom. cap. 9. ver 19. his reuealed wyl is meant in this place so that this is the meaning we desire that all creatures may bee obedient to Gods will reuealed in his woorde without muttering or resistaunce The Angels doe execute his wil. Psalm 103. ver 20. We must doe the like so neare as we can 4 Geue vs this day our dayly bread By Bread are vnderstanded al things necessary for this life as meate drinke and such like 2. Kinges chap. 6. ver 22.23 It is called our bread not because of right it is due vntoo vs but because by Gods good will it is appoynted for our vse Psalme 145. ver 15.16 If wee will bee fed of the Lorde wee must abstayne from other mens goods and bee content with our owne Prouerb chap. 5. ver 15. Gen. chap. 3. ver 19.2 Thess cap. 3. ver 12. The worde dayly signifieth suche prouision as may godly bee come by though it bee neuer so homely it taketh away all desire of delicates I neither doe nor dare condemne great fare dayntie prouision and suche like Gods giftes doe serue not onely for necessitie but also for pleasure Psalm 104. ver 15. we may vse them I say for pleasure wee may not abuse them They which thynke otherwyse do thinke amisse These wordes this day doe take away distrustfull care for the time to come which is condemned by Iesus Christ Math. chap. 6. ver 25.28.31.34 Riche men haue Sellers full of Oyle Garners full of Wheate what need they to aske they haue enough alreadie I graunt they haue great store but all is nothing without Gods blessing Yf the staffe of bread be broken Leuit. chap. 26. ver 26. Ezech. chap. 9 ver 16. If God blowe vppon our corne Aggeus chap. 1. ver 9. It wil do vs no good Man liueth not by breade onely but by euery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Deut chap. 8. ver 3. Wee pray for bread notwithstanding our praiers it is Gods gift Psa 145. ver 15.16 If the least things be Gods gifts then eternall life much more Rom. chap 6. ver 23. And forgiue vs our trespasses By Trespasses are ment sinnes Sinne is threache of Gods Lawe 1. Iohn chap. 3 ver 4. Eyther in word deede or thought None are free from sinne Prouerb cap. 24. ver 16. Luke chap. 1. ver 47. 1. Iohn cap. ver 8.10 Al haue neede of pardon for al desire forgeuenes of theyr sinnes If Gods children haue need to be pardoned they are
God his children Luke chap. 21. verse 28. Philip chap. 3. ver 20.21 1. Thessa chap. 4. ver 16.17 for then they shal haue ful possession aswel in body as soule of Gods euerlasting kingdome Matthew cap. 25. ver 34.49 It will bee a fearefull day to the wicked 2. Thessalonians chap. 1. verse 7.8.9 For then Gods vengeaunce shall bee plentifully powred vppon them Apocalips chap. 20. ver 15. Matthewe chap. 25. ver 41.46 I beleeue in the holy Ghoste By holy ghost I vnderstand the third person of the holy Trinitie proceeding frō the father and the sonne Iohn cap. 15. ver 26. who as he is true God Act cap. 5. ver 3.4 1. Cor. cap. 3. ver 16. so by his inwarde and heauenly working in our harts he assureth vs that wee are of the number of Gods children Rom. chap. 8. ver 16. and that we are shal be cloched with Christ as with a precious garment and haue Christes benefices plentifully and with a full horne powred vpon vs. The holy Catholike Church that is to say I beleeue that almightie God had from the beginning of the worlde hath presently in the world and shall haue vntil the ende of the world his church on the earth Ezdr. cap. 9. ver 8. Esay cap. 29. ver 18.22 though not alike visible at al times in the eyes of men Esay chap. 49. ver 21 Dan. cap. 7. ver 21.22 Apoc. chap. 12. ver 6. The visible Churche is the company of those which make profession too serue the true god in Christ The Church is called holy not because it is without sinne or cannot be dusked with some spot for the whole Church prayeth for pardō of their sinnes Math. cap. 6. ver 12. But for that Iesus Christe who is the head of the Church is holy and that the holinesse of the Church is begun in this life The Church is called Catholike or vniuersall because it is not tyed to any time persons or place Ezech cap. 11. ver 22.23 Mat. cap. 23. ver 37.38.39 Act. cap. 13. ver 27.28 but because it is scattered ouer the face of the world according to the plesure of almightie God This Catholike Church of God standeth not in multitude of persons Act cap. 19. ver 27. Apo. cap. 28. ver 28. but in weight of trueth Ephe. chap. 2. ver 20 otherwise Christe himselfe and his Apostles had not byn Catholike for his flock was very litle Luk. ca. 12. ver 33. and the catholik or vniuersal consent of the world stoode against it Acts. cap. 4. ver 26.27 The communion of Saints By Saints are mental the faithful whersoeuer sanctified by the holy Ghost so that this is the meaning of this Article I beleeue that there is a communion or felowship of and amongest the children of God This communion or felowship of Saints is first especially with Iesus Christ who as he is the onely head of the Church Col. cap. 1. ver 18. Eph. cap. 4. ver 15.16 So he giueth life and spirituall giftes to the faithful who are his members This communion or felowship is also amongst the godly themselues appeareth euidently by vnitie of faith by partaking of the holy Sacraments lastly by relieuing one another either with spiritual graces Heb cap. 3. ver 13.1 Thes chap. 5. ver 11.14 Which must bee vsed to the comfort and good of others according to our calling or els with part of those external blessings which the Lorde in mercy hath made vs stewards of 2. Cor. cap. 8. ver 3.11.12 Heb. cap. 13. ver 16. The forgeuenes of sinnes that is to say I beleeue that Almightie God hath doth and will forgiue me and al his children al our sinnes committed both before and after baptisme 1. Iohn cap. 1. ver 7.1 Pet. cap. 2. vers 24. howe greate and many so euer they bee Esay cap. 1. ver 18. Mat. cap. 12. ver 31 not for any worke or merite of ours Luke cap. 17. ver 10. Esay cap. 43. ver 25. and chap. 64. ver 6. but for the death bloodshed of the immaculat lambe Iesus christ 1. Pet. chap. 1. ver 18.19 Apoc. chap. 1. ver 5. With whose righteousnes because we are clothed we may assure our selues that we are deliuered from eternal death which is the stipende and wages of sinne Rom. cap. 6. ver 23. Almightie god hath and doth bestow many good things dayly vpon vs for which wee are greatly and deepely bound vnto his maiestie but this benefite of washing vs from our sinnes in Christs blood if it be compared with the other doth as farre passe thē as the Diamond doeth the Peeble stone The resurrection of the body that is too say I beleeue that all mens bodyes euen the selfe same wee carrye about vs in our life time and no other then they as touching the substaunce whether they rotte in the Graue or bee any otherwise consumed shall bee raysed vp againe at the last day and bee ioyned to their soules Iob. chap. 19. ver 26.27.1 Cor. cap 1.5 ver 52.53 Philip cap. 3. ver 22. At which time the godly shal haue ful possession of eternal life and the wicked of eternall death Iohn cap. 5. ver 28.29 The life euerlasting That is to say I beleeue that as I haue the seede of eternal life already sowne in my heart which is very sweete and a sure staffe to rest on in all miseries of this life whatsoeuer so I shall be perfectly happy in the life to come and shal then there praise the Lorde God without ceassing and yet without weatinesse Apoc. cap. 21. ver 4. If Gods children do beleeue eternal life then they neither can nor ought to doubte of the certayntie of their saluatiō for faith and doubting cannot stand togeather 2. Cor. chap. 13. ver 5. Rom. chap. 8. vers 14.16.7 The Lorde for his mercy sake increase our faith and giue vs grace to liue alwayes in his feare that when we shal leaue this transitorie life we may haue the ende of our faith which is the saluation of our soules purchased vnto vs by the precious death and bloodshed of our Lorde and onely Sauiour Iesus Christe Amen Without faith it is impossible to please GOD. Heb. chap. 11. vers 6. Sinne is a breaking of Gods law 1. Iohn 3. ver 4. either in woorde thought or deed The ten Commaundements of almghtie God The first 4. Commaundements teache vs our duetie to God The 6. last teache vs our dutie towards men 1 THou shalt haue no other gods but me that is thou shalt put thy trust in god only worship him only Deut. cap. 6. ver 13. Mat. cap. 4. ver 10. The Lord cannot abide to haue any ioyned with him Deu. cap. 6. ver 14.15 He will either haue al or none Ezec. cap. 20. ver 39. Iosua cap. 24. ver 23.24 They which trust in any other then God alone doe forget the Lorde Psalm 44. ver 20. 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any
none of gods which say they need not forgiuenes of sinnes As we forgeue them that trespasse against vs. Iniuries doone vnto vs must be forgiuen forgouttē Gen. chap. 50. ver 21. Col. cap. 3. ver 13 If we be reuiled in worde or euill intreated indeed we must neither be hard to forgiue nor hastie to reuenge wee must forgiue an hundred pence if we wil be forgiuen ten thosand talents Mat. cap. 18. ver 35. Our forgiuing of other is not the cause why wee are pardoned Gods mercy is the cause Ephesi cap. 2. ver 45. but it is a certaine argument that God hath and will forgeue vs yf wee can finde in our hearts vnfeynedly to forgeue other Mat. cap. 6. ver 14. 5 And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euil That is to say Deliuer vs from euill that wee bee not carried into temptation By temptation are meant all euill motions which do allure vs to sinne By euyl I vnderstande the Deuilliso that this is the meaning of this petition though euyll motions O Lord do continually assault vs and fight against our soules yet assist vs mightily with thy grace that wee neuer be ouerwhelmed of thē We desire Gods defence against our enimie we haue great need so to doe The Diuell is mighty Ephesi cap. 6. ver 12. Wee weake and not able of our selues too withstand him Ephesi 6. ver 11. Colos chap. 1. ver 11. But in Christe we ouercome for stronger is hee that is in vs then he that is in the worlde 1. Iohn cap. 4. ver 4. If wee needed not Gods ayde this prayer were in vaine We are taught in this petition that God leadeth some into temptation Esay cap. 6 ver 10 Rom. cap. 1. ver 24. The wordes are plaine And leade vs not into temptatiō It seemeth strange that God shuld lead into temptation It is strange I confesse to mans reason but Gods doing is aboue our reason His iudgemēts are alwayes iust though they bee often secrete and God then leadeth intoo temptation whē he punisheth one sinne by another when by taking away his spirite and ditection he leaueth man to himselfe For thine is the kingdome and the power and the glory for euer Amen We may bee bolde too aske and sure to obtaine at Gods handes our godly desires for his kingdome power and glory cannot bee taken from him Gods kingdome is mightie glorious euerlasting Earthly Princes if they bee compared with God are nothing and theyr kingdomes laste but a while Wicked men had not neede to wage battell against the Lorde they fight in vayne and hurt themselues most Dan. cap. 4. ver 32. Gods kingdome wil be aloft do what they can Dan. cap. 4. ver 31. Ephe. cap. 1. ver 21. God geue vs grace to be to continue his children that wee may haue a crowne of glory in his euerlasting kingdome for his Christes sake Amen Is any among you afflicted let him pray Iames chap. 5. ver 13. ¶ Faith is the gift of God Philip. Cap. 1. ver 29. Faith is an assured knowledge of Gods fatherly goodwill vnto vs by Iesus Christe and a trust in the same good will which hath ioyned with it an earnest care to liue a godly life The Articles of our Faith I Beleeue in God c. To beleeue in God is to put our whole trust affiance in god We must apply this belief euery man to himself otherwyse it will not profite vs. The plaister if it be not layd to the wounde will neuer heale the sore The iust man shal liue by his owne faith Rom. cap. 1. ver 17. The father almighty c. God is almighty because althings are vnder his gouernment and are ruled not by chaunce but by his heauenly prouidence Dan. cap 4 ver 32. Mat. cap. 10. ver 29.30 Ephe. cap. 1. ver 11. If it were not thus Sathan and the wicked who can do nothing without Gods sufferance Iob. cap. 1. ver 2. would easily ouerthrowe vs. Maker of heauen and earth By heauen and earth are meant al creatures whatsoeuer and wheresoeuer they be Apoc. cap. 10. ver 6. When wee confesse God to be maker of al creatures wee doe not deny that he hath care of preseruing them in theyr estate Heb. cap. 1. ver 3. That were in deede the high way to ouerthrowe his prouidence and suche thoughtes doe not become the children of God AND in Iesus Christe c. The Sonne of GOD is called Iesus because hee saueth his people from theyr sinnes Math. cap. 1. ver 21. His name is according to his office He is called Christe because hee was annoynted with the giftes of the holy Ghoste not by measure as we are Ephe. cap. 4. ver 7. But without measure Iohn cap. 3. ver 34. That he might powre on vs great store of heauenly graces Our pouertie is great but by Iesus Christe we are contimally enriched his Storehouse cannot be emptied and his Fountaine can neuer be dryed vp The Sonne of GOD was annoynted a Prophet to open vnto vs the will of God and the glad tidinges of the Gospell Luke cap. 4. ver 18. He was moynted a Priest too redeeme vs from eternall deathe by the Sacrifice of his owne body offered once not often by himselfe not by others Heb. cap. 9. ver 26.28 And to make continual intercession for vs miserable sinners Heb. cap 7. ver 25. He was annoynted a king to gouerne vs by his worde which is his Scepter and by his Spirite whiche is the earnest of our inheritaunce His onely Sonne our Lorde Christ is our lorde because wee are not our owne but his Wee are his because we are bought with a price 1. Cor. cap. 6. ver 20. Not with siluer and golde but with his precious blood 1. Pet. chap. 1. ver 18.19 Wee haue good cause too loue Christe For hee bought vs dearely Act. cap. 20. ver 28. Apocal. cap. 5. ver 9. Wee must honour and feare him For he is our Lorde Malach. cap. 1. ver 6. Which was conceaued by the Holy Ghoste If Christe had beene conceaued by man he had not beene voyde of sinne Iohn chap. 3. ver 6. Iob cap. 25. ver 5.6 and therefore vnfit to deliuer vs from sin Heb cap. 7. ver 26. Borne of the Virgin Mary Christe was like vnto vs in all things onely sin except Heb. cap. 4. ver 15. He tooke our nature vpon him Heb. cap. 2. ver 14. It is happy for vs that hee did so for by this meanes the Deuil that had power of death is destroyed and we are reconciled vnto the fauour of GOD. Heb. cap. 2. ver 14.17 Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Christes life vppon the earth did not much differ from death but a little before and at his death barbarbarous crueltie was practised Math. chap. 27. ver 26.28.29.30.38.39.40.42.43 he was innocent by the iudgemēt of Pilate but most vniustly condemned by that wicked hypocrite Math. cap. 27. ver 24.