thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead Rev. 3 1. Should we novv infer hereupon as this man here doth upon the like phrase in the Prophets touching Israell that therefore baptisme and the other ordinances of God had in the church of Sardis vvere but in shew reteyned therein and could not be unto them the signes and seales of forgiuenes of sinnes and of life eternall and therefore vvere in their use of them false and deceitful as vvere the ordinances as he saith of God reteined among the Gentiles Would any man of heart and understanding endure such blasphemie Saith not the Scripture that the church of Sardis vvas one of the seuen golden candlesticks shewed unto Iohn And doth not Christ our Lord who hath the seuen spirits of God vvhose eyes are as a flame of fire accordingly approue it so to be Rev. 1 4 11 12 13 14 20. with 3 1 c. Far rather will I with Christ his Apostle esteem it to be dead in some respect yet acknowledge it a golden Candlestick and true Church of God in other respect then gather such maner of consequences as this man usually doth upon any such phrases that he meteth vvithall And this is the more to be mynded touching this doctrine of his because himself in the same treatise affirmeth that ‘ Animad pag. 103. our reasons from Israell are impertinent to the estate of Rome there spoken off but might vvell serue for the times vvherein Iohn lived vvhen the true †Rev. 2 and 3 cha Churches vvere many of them apostate Where also he citeth in the margent Rev. 2 and 3 chapters and so this Church of Sardis for one Where I might note againe his contradicting of himself and his manifold errors in divers respects if I vvould here stand thereupon For if the estate of apostate Israell may vvel serue the times of Iohn when the true churches spoken off in the Revelation ch 2 and 3. vvere many of them apostate then it cannot be that the estate and ordinances of God had in Israell should be such as ‡ Animad p. 70 c. in this other place and throughout his treatise he would beare us in hand Thē also should Israel be a true church though in apostasie as here himself calleth those churches in the Revelation apostate and yet true churches Which by vvord and vvriting othervvhere he still oppugneth That vvhich concerneth the church of Rome may be touched othervvhere In the meane time we haue now ynough from these men themselues seeing the church of Sardis vvhich they say was apostate and Christ saith vvas dead is by themselues acknowledged to be a true church by the Scriptures approved for a golden candlestick So al their pretences and oppositions vanish into smoke Secondly for the place of Hoseah it self if it be understood as by putting a vvord to the text here they expound it of death in sinne yet let it be vvell considered vvhether it will therefore follow that circumcision now in Israel was not the Lords signe his seale of forgiuenes of sinne but a false and deceitfull signe in their use thereof and no better then the ordinances of the heathen The Scripture sheweth how vvhen one being called of Christ to follow him requested saying ‘ Luke 9 59 60. Lord suffer me first to goe and bury my father Christ said unto him again Let the dead bury the dead but goe thou and preach the kingdome of God meaning Let the dead spiritually bury those that are dead bodily Shall we novv therefore hereupon gather that the circumcision then had among the Iewes vvas a false deceitful signe in their use thereof and not the Lords seale of forgiuenes of sinne and eternall life Also vvhen Paul speaking of widovves in the Church saith “ 1 Tim. 1 3 5 6. Honour widowes that are vvidowes in deed c. Now she that is a widow in deed and desolate trusteth in God and continueth in supplications prayers night and day But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth Meaning she that liveth the naturall life but is dead vvith spiritual death May we now infer hereupon that the baptisme had in the church of Ephesus where Timothee thus vvritten unto “ 1 Tim. 1 3. now was or in any other of the Primitiue churches wherein such widowes were was not the Lords signe of the remission of sinnes and eternall life but a lying execrable signe in their use thereof and no better then the heathens baptisme or other observations of theirs Shall the infidelitie of man make Gods trueth of none effect Shall not God be true though men be lyars Shal not his signes seales still be his true and holy ordinances though eyther Churches generally or some particular persons that enjoy them walk unworthy of them abuse and corrupt both them and themselues If some among this people that write shus yea if the Congregation it self vvherof these men themselues are should be dead in sinne having * Rom. 16.17 Gal. 5 19 20. Heb. 10 25 Iude v. 19. offended scandalously divided themselues from the church whereof they vvere as †Arrow against idolatrie p. 4 71. c. they acknovvledge that Israell did from Iudah notwithstanding all their pretences to the contrary will they therefore yeeld that the baptisme had among them is not the Lords ordinance nor his signe seale of forgiuenes of sinne and of eternall life but a lying and deceitfull signe in their use thereof and no better then the heathens ordinances Or if some in any Churches euen in the best at this day be found dead in their sinnes will they therefore infer such consequences about the baptisme other ordinances of God had among them that they are not the Lords signes and seales but lying deceitfull in their use thereof The vvord of God it self is by some made unto themselues the savour of death unto death Is it not therefore in the Lords ordinance the savour of life unto life 2 Cor. 2 14 15 16. So likevvise is it with the Lords supper as the Apostle shevveth 1 Cor. 11 18 34. Yet may vve not therefore gather such consequences thereupon as these men doe about the question in hand Thirdly their exposition of the place aforesaid being admitted it was then that Israell became dead in sinne when they offended in Baal But the vvorship of Baal in the ten tribes vvas first instituted by Achab. 1 Kin. 16. 31 32 33. And Ahab was the seuenth king of Israell and reigned about threescore yeeres after Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat that set up the Calues caused Israell to sinne 1 King 12 16 chap. And there was great difference betweene Ieroboams calues and Baals idolatrie as appeareth both by Eliahs historie vvho ‘ 1 Kin. 18 18. c. directly earnestly set himself against the Prophets of Baal in Ahabs time that first brought them into Israell
the latter that are not at all any causes of the former Rom. 8 29 30. 1 Pet 1 2 18 19 20. and 2 6 10. Mat. 11 25 26. Act. 13 48. and 14 16. Psal 81 12. Esa 29 10. Rom. 11 2 5 10.33 36. Some testimonies of auncient Writers Iustine Martyr saith God is not in the cause that such as are predestinate are unjust vvhether Angels or men but everie one by his owne fault is such a one as he shall appeare Iustin Martyr in Dialogo cum Tryphone Iudaeo Augustine saith They seek to know the causes of the will of God when as the will of God is it self the cause of al things that are For if the wil of God haue a cause then there is some thing that goeth before the will of God which is wicked to beleeue August tom 1. lib. 1. de Genes contra Manichaeos cap. 2. And moreover In them that were not yet borne and as yet had not done any thing there could not be any regard of deserts c. But if it be said that their conversation to come made the difference in the judgment of God then surely that shal be made of no effect vvhich the Apostle spake before saying Not of works Rom. 9 11. But seeing he saith generally Not of works there he vvould also haue vvorks past and to come to be understood to wit works past which were none at all and works to come which vvere not as yet Ibid. tom 7. lib. de Predest Gratia cap. 7. And again Hovv then said he unto these you are not of my sheep Ioh. 10 26. Because he savv that they vvere predestinate to eternall destruction not prepared to life eternall by the ransome of his blood Ibid. tom 9. tractat in Iohannem 48. Isidorus also saith There is a double or tvvo fold Predestination eyther of the elect unto rest or of the reprobate unto death Isidor de summo bono lib. 2 cap. 6. And Fulgentius saith The vvicked are predestinate unto the second death of the soule that is to the lake of fyer and brimstone Fulgent ad Monimum lib. 1. cap. 27. And hitherto concerning Gods decree of Election Reprobation CHAPTER III. Touching generall Redemption VVHether Christ haue not by his death according to the counfess and decree of God redeemed onely the elect from their sinnes and from the vvrath of God due thereunto and not all and every one in the vvorld none excepted therefrom Esa 53 ch compared with Rom. 8 33 34. 1 Thes 1 10. Psal 16 2 3 4. c. vvith Act. 2 25 36. Matt. 1 21. and 26 28. vvith Dan. 9 24 27. 1 Cor. 5 7. vvith Exod. 12 3 11 12 13 14. Joh. 10 15. Ephes 1 4 14. and 5.23.25 Tit. 2 13 14. Heb. 2 10 17. and 9 22 24 28. and 13 20. 1 Pet. 1 2 3 4 18 21. Revel 21 27. 1. Because they that are redeemed from their sinnes by the death of Christ are also delivered from the wrath to come and in Christ are justified quickned and begotten again to a living hope by his resurrection from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away being reserved in heauen for us 1 Thes 1.10 Rom. 8.33.34 and 4.25 vvith Esa 53 chap. and Ephes 2.5.6 1 Pet. 1.2.3.4 Which grace is peculiar onely to the elect and not to all in the vvorld whosoever As appeareth by the Scriptures here noted before in the generall Position and many other the like in the vvord of God 2. The Prophets teach us that the righteousnes which novv Christ hath brought in is an everlasting righteousnes vvhereas that vvhich Adam had at the first was quickly lost and foone gone Dan. 9.24 vvith Eccles 7.29 Psal 49.12.20 And the Apostles teach us that the Redemption which Christ hath obteyned for us by his death is an eternall Redemption Eternall I say not onely in respect of the typicall or temporall Redemption and reconciliation made by the Priests in Israell but also in regard of the fruit and benefit vvhereof the redeemed are in deed made partakers to eternall righteousnes and salvation by Iesus Christ Heb. 9.12 vvith ver 24 28. and Dan. 9.24 27. Rom. 8.23.29.30 Luk. 21 28. Psal 16.3 11 and 130.7.8 Ezec. 43.18 27. vvith Hebr. 1.3.14 and 2.5 9.10.11 17.18 and 4.14.15.16 and 5.9.10 and 6.17 20. and 10.14 and 13.10.11.12.20.21 Ephes 1.4.7.14 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Cor. 1.30.31 Where yet further to this end may be considered how the Scripture speaking of our Redemption doth by this word sometimes meane the price and raunsome which Christ hath payed answered for us unto God sometimes our full enjoyning of the fruit effect thereof in eternall glorie Ephes 1 7.14 1 Cor. 1 30. 1 Pet. 1 18 19. vvith Luk. 21 28. Rom. 8.23 Like as the word Regeneration may sometimes be understood of our nevv birth that is begun in this life sometimes of our whole and full renevving to the enjoying of eternall glorie in the life to come Tit. 3 5. and Iohn 3 3. 1 Pet. 1 3 4. vvith Mat. 19 28. and Act. 3 21. 2 Pet. 3 13. Wherein we may also obserue how they which are partakers of the one shal likevvise be partakers of the other As vvhom the Lord once loveth and accepteth in his beloved Sonne Iesus Christ them he loveth to the end Rom. 8 37 38 39. and 9 11 13. vvith Mal. 1 2. Ephes 1 5 6. and 5 2 25 27. Ier. 31 3. and Iohn 13 1. and 15 13. vvith 10 15 16 17 27 28. So as then if all and every one in the vvorld without exception of any be redeemed by the death of Christ it vvould follow that all should be saved having an eternall righteousnes and redemption and being made partakers of the loue of God and regeneration to eternall life And so the Reprobate should be redeemed and saved asvvell as the elect and the unrepentant unbelevers most vvicked in the world should be partakers of eternall redemption righteousnes and salvation by Christ asvvell as the repentant and the beleevers and most godly that ever vvere Which is against the vvhole course of the Scriptures throughout 3. Besides that such generall redemption cannot stand vvith that uncessant and unreconciliable enmity which God himself upon the fall of man did put between the seed of the serpent the seed of the vvoman Gen. 3 15. By the seed of the serpent I understand with †Piscat in Gen. 3 15. c. others the wicked reprobate who are of their father the divell as Christ shevveth Iohn 8 44. and by the seed of the vvoman Christ himself specially and in Christ al the faithfull elect that come of that our first mother Eva there spoken off 1 Joh. 3 7 8 9. Heb. 2 11.14 15. Rom. 16 20. Gal. 4 4 5. 1 Cor. 15 54 57. Novv if synce the fall Christ hath redemed all in the vvorld whosoever euen the wicked and reprobate then
dayes ver And after those dayes fulfilled vvhether it vvere a sonne or a daughteâ— she vvas to bring to the Priest a lambe a pigeon or tvvo turtle doueâ— for a burnt offring and a sinne offring ver 6 7 8. Which shadovves signâ—fied both the corruption of nature from the vvombe our redemptioâ— by grace through the mercy of God in Christ If any object that Christ himself vvas circumcised vvho yet vvas vvithout sinne and that Mary the Mother of Christ conceiving by the oveâ— shadovving of the holy Ghost and so not defiled by his birth yet kept also the lavv of purification after childbirth vve are to obserue that theâ— vvere divers reasons of using these ceremonies of the lavv besides the â—â—â—nifications aforesaid and other the like As namely this also for one 〈◊〉 for obedience of the lavv of God vvho gaue them to his people And 〈◊〉 this respect both Christ himself * Gal. 4 4. being borne of a vvoman under the â—avv and his mother being her self an Israelite they vvere both of them â—ound to keep these lavves of God vvhich vvere giuen unto Israell and â—â—uen also generally so as in the one there was no exception of any male child that vvas eight dayes old nor in the other of any vvoman that â—rought forth children Gen. 17 12. and Lev. 12 chap. And this very reason of the observation of the law of God therein is in some particulars expressed by the Euangelist himself Luk. 2 21 24. Besides that othervvise the like objection might be made touching Christs baptisme vvhich he also received not for that he vvas himself defiled vvith sinne and needed to be clensed therefrom but because he would thus fulfill all righteousnes as he did himself shevve to Iohn the Baptist vvhenas Iohn made exception thereabout considering his person and estate Matt. 3 13 14 15. 3. But to proceed vvith the point in hand David a Prophet and man of God expressely professeth of himself that he vvas brought forth in iniquity and that in sinne his mother conceived him Psal 51 5. Which is also the more to â—e mynded because in another Psalme he styleth himself the sonne of Gods handmaid being an Israelite borne of beleeving parents under the covenant of grace Psal 86 16. and yet so acknovvledgeth his naturall corruption as is aforesaid And the argument of the Psame doeth yet the more confirme it in that speaking there of actual sinnes and particularly of his adulterie vvith Bathsheba he noteth the fountaine thereof to haue ben the originall corruption that was in him defiling the vvhole man Psal 51 4. compared with the title of the Psalme and ver 1 2 c. Thus teaching us by his example alvvay to look not at our actuall sinnes alone but at our naturall corruption also as being the bitter fountaine originall thereof that so we may aright discerne and acknowledge how corrupt and sinful we are and be truly humbled in our selues and giue glorie to God in al his judging of us ver 3 4 5. Which els we doe not attaine unto aright as vve should Whereupon in the next verse after he calleth it wisdome to know this corruption of our nature and to acknovvledge it be truly humbled thereby and cast downe in our selues before God Psal 51 6. 4. And the Apostle Paul teacheth the same when he saith that al euen the Iewes as vvell as the Gentiles are by nature the children of wrath Eph. â— 3. He saith not by imitation as some would colour it for more confirmation of their error but by nature saith he are we al the children of wrath that we may know this is naturall and from the birth Whereupon again otherwhere he calleth our naturall corruption the old man and the law of sinne that is in our members and the sinne that dwelleth in us and so easily and reaâ—â—ly besettes us about hanging fast upon us also the body of sinne the body of â—â—ath c. Rom. 6 6. and 7 17 23 24. Hebr. 12 1. 5. And Christ himself also teacheth that that which is borne of the flesh is â—â—sh Ioh. 3 6. And Iob saith Who can bring a cleane thing out of an uncleane Not one Iob 14 4. Eyther therefore they must say that children are not borne of the flesh nor that their parents by nature are uncleane or els they must grant children also to be flesh and uncleane by natural generation 6. Neyther els should Christ onely be exempt from sinne being conceived of the Virgin by the overshadowing of the holy Ghost Luk. 1 31.35 with Hebr. 4 15. and 7.26 For by their opinion all children should be borne without sinne as well as Christ And what priviledge then had Christ by his birth after that sort What then needed it in this behalf that Christ should be borne of a virgin conceived by the holy Ghost comming upon her the power of the most high overshadowing her And why are these things so specially noted and were so done concerning Christ to free him from sinne and to exempt him from all others if their opinion were true that children are not corrupted with originall sinne 7. How also then is it true which the Scripture so often teacheth that all haue sinned and come short of the glorie of God Rom. 3 23. that the Imagination of mans heart is evill from his youth Gen. 8 21. that vve are not sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues 2 Cor. 3 5. that we are dead in trespasses and sinnes Ephes 2 1. that we are insnared and taken captiue by the Divel at his vvil 2 Tim. 2 26. by nature vvalk in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mynd Ephes 2 3. whereupon moreover our corrupt inclinations affections and actions being fruits of our originall corruption are called the works of the flesh Gal. 5 17 19 20 21 24 26. our mouth lips tongues throat eyes hands feet and all our members are polluted vvith sinne and iniquity Psal 5 9. and 10 7. and 14 2 3. Esa 59 3 8. Rom. 3 10 18. And this taught by the Apostle to be the case both of Iewes and Gentiles that every mouth may be stopped all the world become guilty before God Rom. 3 9 19. 8. Finally how is it that children dye if they haue no sinne seeing death entred into the world by sinne and is the wages thereof Rom. 5 12 21. and 6 23. And when God brought in the flood upon the world of the ungodly and none vvere saved but eight persons shall vve think there were no children in the world or that the death which came upon them by the flood was no punishment of sinne Gen. 6 and 7 chap. with 2 Pet. 2 5. Likewise at the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrah vvhen God rayned fire and brimstone from heauen upon all in those cities Gen. 19 chap. And at the conspiracy of Corah Dathan and Abiram when
besides the fyer which consumed the two hundred fiftie men that offred incense the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan covered the company of Abiram their wiues their sonnes their litle children and all that appertayned unto them Num. 16. chap. with Psal 106 17 18. where there is mention of litle children in particular Numb 16 27. Like as there is also at the slaughter made in Ierusalem for the abominations done in the midst thereof Ezec. 9 1 6. And to conclude if children vvere not through sinne subject to death yea and to eternall death condemnation then should â—â—ey need no Saviour and why then needed Christ in respect of them â—â—â—take part with children of flesh and blood that through death he might destroy â—n that had the power of death that is the Divell as the Apostle teacheth Heb. â— 14. And thus much by this occasion touching Originall sinne in children CHAPTER III. Wheher the Baptisme that is received in the apostaticall Churches of Christians as in the Church of Rome and the like is to be renounced a new to be repeated again or not ANother great errour also it is to think that the baptisme had in the Church of Rome or other apostate Churches is not to be regarded but to be renounced and another to be received anevv Which opinion vvhereupon soever it arise whether upon the denying of baptisme to children vvhich is used in the Churches aforesaid or upon other erroneous perswasions touching apostate Churches or the baptisme thereof certaine it is and evident by the Scriptures to be against the vvord and vvill of God and therefore to be sinfull so to hold or practise I. Which first may appeare by this that there is neyther precept not example nor other ground in all the Scriptures either in the Old or Nevv Testament for renouncing repeating nevv requiring or admitting thereof And therefore such perswasions new baptismes are not from heauen but of men Contrary to the baptisme of Iohn and the Apostles vvhich was from the Lord. Matt. 21 25. and 28 18 19 20. Joh. 1 25 33. with Act. 15 24. Gal. 5 7 8. II. Secondly there is one Baptisme as there was one Circumcision And Baptisme had in the apostate churches of Christians is answerable to circumcision retayned in Israels apostasie Now circumcision being once received in the apostasie of Israell was not repeated again at their returning to the Lord and leaving of their idolatrous vvayes to serue him according to his word but they that vvere so circumcised were vvithout any new circumcision of the flesh accepted at Ierusalem and admitted to the Passeover of vvhich none might eat that was uncircumcised In like maner also Baptisme being once received in the apostaticall churches of Christians is not to be repeated agayn when any so baptised returne unto the Lord and forsake their idolatries submitting themselues to the truth of the Gospel but they are without any new baptizing vvith water to be received of the Churches of Christ and admitted to the Lords supper vvhereof none may eat being unbaptized For these examples of Israell as all other things in the Scriptures written aforetyme are aforevvritten for our instruction and comfort Eph. 4 5. with Gen. 17 10 13. Ezâ— 12 48 49. 2 Chron. 30 chap. Jer. 9 26. Hos 1 2. Ier. 50 4 5 19 20. and 51 5. with Ezech. 16 and 23 chap. Ezr. 6 19 20 21. with Rom. 15 4. III. Also the covenant of Gods grace in Christ is * Gen. 17 7. Psa 89 30 34. and 106 45. and 111 5 9. Gal. 3 8 29. Heb. 13 8 20. with Deut. 4 30 31. and 29 10 15. and 30 chap. Rom. 11 15 16 28 29. an everlasting covenant into vvhich it pleased God to take us vvith Abraham our father vvhen he made that covenant vvith him his seed for ever And as the Lord himself vvho knoweth his works from the beginning †Iudg. 2 11. c. 2 King 13 23. and 14 27. 2 Chron. 15 3 4. and 30 6 7 8 9. Jer. 51 5. Ezech. 16 2 60. c. and 28 10 24 25 26. with 32 24 32. Hos 3 1. and 13 4 5. Col. 2 10 13. Rev. 18 4. hath regard unto it in his mercifull dealing concerning his people in apostaticall Churches and estate so ought we also our selues carefully to haue respect thereunto in the consideration of baptisme thus received as in all other things according to the word of God and manifold occasions ministred from the Lord. IIII. And seeing Christ dyed to sinne once being raysed from the dead dyeth no more but liveth to God And we are buryed vvith him by baptisme into his death to be planted with him likevvise to the similitude of his resurrection therefore also all that are once baptized into his name ought still to reteine it for continuall use and comfort and not agayn to repeat it any more then there is repetition of Christs death and sacrifice once offered to take avvay sinne Rom. 6 8 11. with ver 3 4 5. and Act. 13 34. Heb. 7 27. and 9 25 29. and 10 10 14. 1 Pet. 3 18. Revel 1 18. with Matth. 28 19 20. Act. 2 38 39 41 42. and 10 48. 1 Cor. 1 13. and 6 11. 12 13. Gal. 3 27 28 29. 1 Pet. 3 21 22. Rev. 1 4 6. V. And touching the Church of Rome in particular it cannot be denyed but that Church was espoused to Christ in the covenant of grace by the Gospel of salvation having baptisme with the rest of Christs ordinances in the Apostles dayes hath ever since reteyned it with other grounds of Christian religion notwithstanding all her adulteries and apostasie whereinto she is fallen As may be seen both in that Church it self all other churches vvhich are the daughters thereof in their constitution eyther for faith or order or both in vvhole or in part And hereunto as in Iudahs and Israels apostasies heretofore so novv in all cases and questions of this nature due respect is alvvay to be had As may appeare by these Scriptures Rom. 7 1 8. and 6 3 4. with Revel 17 chap. and 18 4. Gen. 17 7 14. with Jud. 2 11 12. c. 1 King 14 22 23 24. 2 Kin. 21 and 24 25 chap. Psal 89 30 34. 2 King 9 6. 13 23. 14 27. Ier. 2 ch Eze. 16 2 44 60 c. and 20 and 23 chap. Dan. 9. chap. Hos 2 chap. and 3 1. and 12 9. 14 1. 2 Chro. 30 6 7 8 9. with 15 3 4. Lev. 12 2 3. and 26 14 45. Deut. 4 25 31. and 29 10 15. and â—0 chap. with Rom. 11 15 16. Hebr. 7 9 10. VI. They professe Iesus to be the Christ to be the sonne of God maniâ—â—â—â—â—â— in the flesh that dyed for the sinnes of the vvorld that by his sacriâ—â—â—â— and death upon the crosse hath reconciled us unto God and payed 〈◊〉 â—ood as a full and sufficient
apostasie and so to be a notorious harlot and idolatresse vvhich all the people of God ought to forsake and to vvitnesse the trueth thereagainst euen unto death Yet being also desirous as I signified erewhile about an other matter that in al these things the truth may be found out what vve can and fynding that the Prophets vvhich accounted * Esa 1 21 Ier. 3 3 20 Eze. 16 35 Hos 2 2 5 Ierusalem Israell to be harlots and pronounced †Esa 57.3 4 5. Ier. 2 and 7 and 44 ch Hos 2 4. and 4 12. the children of Iudah and Israel to be the sonnes of the sorceresse the seed of the adulterer vvhore the children of transgression a seed of falsehood inflaming themselves vvith idols under every green tree slaying the children in the valleyes going a vvhoring from under their God Yea “ Ezec. 23 2 43. c with 16 2 3 44. c both of them Aholah and Aholibah Israell and Iudah to be the daughters of one mother who committed whoredomes in Egypt in their youth and afterward in the land of Canaan grew old in adulteries euen such as should be judged by * Ezec. 16 38. the Lord ‡ and 23 4◠by righteous men after the manner of adulteresses after the manner of womē that shed blood because they were adulteresses and blood was in their hands c. did yet notwithstanding in other respects acknowledge them also to be the people of God the house of Jacob the Lords vineyard and heritage the dearly beloved of his soule the virgin daughter of Zion the children of Israell beloved of the Lord as a vvoman that is beloved of her husband though an adulteresse the congregation of the Lord the house of Israell c. Esa 1 3. and 2 6. and 3 12. and 5 1. and 48 1. Jer. 2 4 11 13. and 12 7 10 Lam. 1 15. and 2 13. Ezech. 4 5 6. Hos 3 1. and 4 1. and 5 1. Amos 5 1. and 7 2 8 15. Mic. 2 5. and 3 1 3 5. and 6 2 3. These things I say considered I haue thought it not amisse here also to obserue somevvhat touching the Apostate churches of Christians and now more particularly touching the church of Rome by this occasion And this the rather that I may stirre up others more able seriously to consider of this matter for the further searching out and clearing of the truth therein and because my self haue heretofore ben drawen to write somewhat of these things already Which together vvith that I shall here annex I doe still leaue to be examined by the word of God Neyther wil the searching of this matter proue unprofitable if it be done religiously but will be of good and necessarie use both for the more sound convincing of the Papists and for preventing manifold errors and evils whereunto the Anabaptists and others are subject in this behalf Now therefore to proceed and come to the Objection aforesaid 1. First I take an argument from the Baptisme had in the churches aforesaid thus The Baptisme had in the church of Rome * I speake of the outward baptisme it self not of the additions corruptions thereabout is the Lords baptisme the signe seale of his covenant the ordinance of God had in that Church from the Apostles times before Antichrist there arose Rom. 6 2 3. and so is true baptisme vvhich is from heauen and not of men that one Baptisme which perteyneth to the body of Christ Eph. 4 4 5. which the Lord hath giuen to his church and not man whereof a number of Martyrs and other Christians haue ben and yet are partakers which such as leaue Antichrists corruptions ought not to leaue and renounce but still to reteyne it as being the Lords and such as wherevvith they may lavvfully come to the Lords supper vvhereas no unbaptized person may eat thereof As I haue shevved †Pap. 27 34. c here before touching these particulars at large Therefore the Church of Rome is the Church of God and under his covenant and hath some of the Lords postes ordinances yet remaining in it though mixed with their own inventions c. And if the church of Rome be thus then the church of England much more which is already much purged by the mercy of God frō the apostasie iniquitie abominations of the church of Rome Otherwise also what vvill become of these men themselues who eyther haue no other Baptisme but that vvhich they had in the churches aforesaid or if they take another unto themselues run a vvhoring after their owne inventions vvithout any vvarrant of the word of God as I haue shewed here before pag. 27 c. 2. If the churches of Rome and England be not under the covenant of God but divorced from the Lord c. then is there no salvation for any in those churches For out of the covenant of God there is no salvation They vvhich haue not God to be their God in Iesus Christ cannot be saved And they vvhich are not under the covenant of God haue not God to be their God in Iesus Christ Esa 43 11. with Act. 4 12. and Gen. 12 3. and 17 7. Act. 2 38 39. and 3 25 26. and 15 11. and 16 31. Joh. 14 6. 2 Cor. 6 14 18. Rom. 9 24 25 26. and 11 25 26 27. Gal. 3 8 15 18 26 29. 1 Tim 2 5. Now touching these churches themselues great difference is to be observed For the church of England the case is far more evident and vvithout al colour of question seeing they doe freely and fully acknowledge justification by faith onely in Iesus Christ without any opinion of the merit of works or intercession of Saints departed c. For the church of Rome there is farre more difficultie where both the merit of works intercession of Saints and the Popes pardons purgatorie with many other notable errors are taught and defended Yet considering that they professe and hold * Rhemes Annotat. upō 1 Tim. 2 5. Christ by nature to be truely both God and man to be that one eternall Priest and redeemer which by his sacrifice and death upon the crosse hath reconciled us to God and payed his blood as a full and sufficient raunsome for all our sinnes himself without need of any redemption never subject to possibility of sinning againe to be the singular advocate and Patrone of mankind that by himself alone and by his owne merites procureth all grace and mercy to mankind in the fight of his Father none making any intercession for him nor giueing any grace or force to his prayers but he to al none asking or obteyning eyther grace in this life or glory in the next but by him Considering I say that thus they professe although herevvith they haue many great errors and corruptions as I noted before by which they are generally seduced and perverted yet vvho dare say but that God
flesh and blood which can not comprehend them Rom. 9 18. Psal 115 3. Esa 14 24 27. and 28 29. and 46 9 10 11. Ezech. 1 4 c. Psal 92 5. Matth. 11.25.26 and 20 15. 5. Moreover If sinne foreseen be the cause of Reprobation then it is eyther originall or actuall sinne But not originall sinne because then all men being so borne should be reprobate Neyther actuall sinne first because then no infants no not of the Turks or Heathens that dye in their infancie should be reprobate secondly because that then on the other hand all of yeres should be reprobate and rejected seeing all such sinne actually as the Scripture teacheth and al vvil acknovvledge 1 King 8 46. Psal 14 2 3. Rom. 3 9 19. Eccles 7 20. 6. Besides if unbelief or other sinne foreseene should be the cause of Reprobation then should also faith and holines foreseen be the cause of Gods election But this is not so as vvas shevved here before p. 221 c. 7. Finally vvhy els should the Apostle so sharply rebuke such as make vaine and odious objections hereabout as he doth vvhen he saith O man vvho art thou that repliest against God Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus Hath not the potter povver over the day of the same lumpe to make one vessell unto honour and another unto dishonour What if God vvilling to shevv his vvrath to make his povver knovven indured vvith long suffring the vessels of vvrath fitted to destruction and that he might make knovven the riches of his glorie on the vessels of mercy which he hath afore prepared unto glorie Rom. 9 20 23. And hovv greatly again doth the same Apostle admire and reverendly adore Gods dealing herein teaching us by his example so to doe as he doth saying O the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his waies past traceing out For who hath knowen the mynd of the Lord or who hath ben his counsellour Or who hath first giuen to him it shal be recompensed unto him again For of him through him and to him are all things to vvhom be glorie for ever Amen Rom. 11 33 36. SOME OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS Object I. But this opinion and doctrine maketh God to be the first cause and author of all sinne Ansvv Not so For first the elect also sinne and not the Reprobate onely And Gods decree of reprobation perteyneth onely to the Reprobate and not to the elect Another cause therefore there is and must needs be of sinne both in the elect and reprobate namely the abuse of free vvill in Adam in vvhom all haue sinned and of whom all are descended both the elect and reprobate and synce Adams fall mans naturall corruption his corrupt vvill concupiscence Gen. 3 1 6. and 5 3. compared vvith Rom. 5 12 19. Jam. 1 13 17. Eccles 7 29. Ephes 2 3. 2. Secondly vve are to distinguish between the action and the corruption of sinne Also betvveen sinne and the punishment of sinne Sinne as sinne and the corruption thereof is of man who being made righteous transgressed vvittingly willingly For vvhich see the Scriptures aforesaid and the like But as it is an action the abilitie to doe this or that is of God in vvhom we liue and moue and haue our being Act. 17 21. also as it is the punishment of sinne it is justly inflicted by the Lord vvho is just to punish sinne Thus God hardneth the heart of Pharaoh Exod. 4 21. 9 12 16. vvith Rom. 9 17 18. and Pharaoh hardneth it himself Exo. 8 15 32. and 9 34. Which as Pharaoh doth it is sinne as God doth it it is the punishment of sinne And thus it hath the consideration of good for declaration of the justice of God For God is just in all his waies and holy in all his vvorks Psal 145 17. and his understanding is infinite vvhich man may admire but cānot cōprehend Psa 147 5. 77 19. vvith Rom. 11 13-36 3. Thirdly distinguish also betvveen effects and consequents Sinnes come after Gods decree of Reprobation not as effects therof but as cōsequents that follovv after it It is most holy so not the cause of sinne 4. Neither is it sound to say because God suffereth this or that therefore he doeth it Difference is to be put between Gods decree of permission vvhich concerneth all and between Gods decree of Reprobation vvhich respecteth onely some to wit the Reprobate Besides all know that men suffer many things which they doe not nor can be said to doe nay vvhich many times they forbid And the cause of an action rightly and properly considered is in the doer not in the sufferer 5. Otherwise let it be observed whether these men themselues doe not in deed by their opinions make God the author of sinne and of evill and destruction vvho hold that God would haue all and every particular man vvhosoever to be saved and cannot deny but he is able to saue all vvhom he is vvilling to saue and yet also grant as the truth is that he doth not saue all What now vvil follow hereupon according to their assertions let them consider with themselues 6. Finally God is so farre from being author of sinne as it is sinne as he hateth forbiddeth and condemneth it vvhich his word everie where and his vvorks at all times make manifest Object II. But the Lord saith by Ezekiell I will not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue Ezec. 18 23 32. and 33 11. Ansvv 1. The Lord is not contrarie to himself who saith by the same Prophet As the vine tree among the trees of the forest which I haue giuen to the fire for fewell so vvill I giue the inhabitants of Jerusalem and I vvill set my face against them they shall goe out from one fire and another fire shall devoure them and you shall knovve that I am the Lord vvhen I set my face against them Ezec. 15 6 7. Where the Prophet shevveth that as the vine tree is by Gods framing and disposition of it giuen to be fevvell for the fyer so also the Ievves inhabitants of Ierusalem vvere then by the speciall decree of God appointed to the fire and destruction 2. The Prophet speaketh of temporarie death as may appeare by Ezech. 33 11 25 28. and 18 2 13 27. compared vvith chapt 12 and 13 and 14 and 15 c. vvhereas the question is about reprobation to eternall death And great difference there is betvveen these tvvo as may be seen in the cases of Naboth and the Blasphemer spoken of Lev. 24. who vvere both of them stoned to death Lev. 24 14 21. and 1 King 21 1 13. Also in Iosiah and Achab who vvere both slaine in battell 1 King 22 34 35. and 2 Chron. 35 20 24. These now had a like bodily
violent death but shal vve therefore match them together as like touching eternall death 3. Difference also is to be put betvveene the revealed and the hidden vvill of God so to call it As may be observed in the Lords dealing with Abraham Ezechiah and others God biddeth Abraham take Isaac his sonne sacrifice him yet Gods purpose vvas but thus to trie Abrahams faith and obedience vvhich purpose of God was as yet concealed from Abraham till God did afterward manifest it Gen. 22 1 2. c. The Lord also biddeth Esaiah goe tell Hezekiah that he should then dye when God notwithstanding doeth afterward adde fifteene yeres more to his life which as yet was concealed from Hezekiah Esa 38 1. c. Yet this double will so to call it is but in respect of us and the manifestation thereof unto us For otherwise in respect of God himself he never would any other thing but that vvhich also he doth 4. Again difference is to be put between willing as delighting with willing as decreing Otherwise if God simply would not none should dy at al. 5. Obserue vvithal vvhether in the places aforesaid the Prophet speak not of the vvicked converting to the Lord and not of the Reprobate whereabout the question novv is For which consider that vvhich is vvritten in Ezech. 18 21 22 27 28 c. 6. Finally the right translation understanding here is thus †Or I am not delighted with I haue no pleasure saith the Lord in the death of the wicked c. Whereupon obserue againe that God delighteth not in the death of a sinner in one respect as it is the destruction of his creature Ezech. 18 23. and 33 11. But he delighteth in it in another respect as it is his just punishment of sinne Psal 37 13. vvith 2 4 5 12. Prov. 1 26. Ezech. 21 17. And here see Piscat in Ezech. 18 23 32. and 33 11. Also Piscat Resp. ad duas disputat Taufreri Resenij pag. 38 100. Object III. But the doctrine of Gods predestination especially of Reprobation should not be taught or at least not be taught unto the common people c. Ansvv 1. Why then doeth the Scripture teach it the Prophets Apostles and Christ himself The Prophets Gen. 25 23. vvith Rom. 9 12. Exod. 9 16. and 33 19. vvith Rom. 9 15 17 18. Ier. 6 30. Mal. 1 2 3. vvith Rom. 9 13. Prov. 16 4. vvhere it is expressely said that the Lord hath made all things for himself yea euen the vvicked for the day of evill And Christ himself also teacheth the same when he saith †or I confesse to thee I thank thee O Father Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast hid these things the mysteries of the kingdome of heauen from the vvise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Euen so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11 25 26. Where it is evident that Gods decree not onely of election but of reprobation also dependeth meerely on Gods good will and pleasure Also Matt. 13 11. And again when he saith in his prayer to the Father Those that thou hast giuen me I haue kept and none of them is lost but the sonne of perdition meaning Iudas John 17 12. Like as Antichrist also is called the sonne of perdition 2 Thes 2 3. that is appointed to perdition and condemnation As by the sonnes of death is understood also such as are appointed to dye Psal 79 11. and 102. 20. And the Apostles teach it in like sort namely the Apostle Paul Rom. 9 11 23. and 11 chap. 2 Tim. 2 19 20. Ephes 1 3 11. 1 Thes 5 9. where the Apostle having said Let us not sleep as doe others but let us that are of the day be sober putting on the brestplate of faith and loue and for an helmet the hope of salvation then presently annexeth For God hath not appointed us to vvrath but to obteyne salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ And Peter likewise who teacheth out of the Prophets that Christ is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to them vvhich stumble at the word being disobedient vvhereunto also they vvere appointed 1 Per. 2 8. And Iude the Apostle saying There are certain men crept in unavvares vvho vvere of old foreordeyned to this condemnation c. Jude ver 4. Thus doe the Prophets Apostles Christ himself plainly and purposely teach this doctrine And should not then the ministers of Christ tread in their steppes being still carefull to teach it wisely and soundly according to the Scriptures For vvhatsoever things are vvritten aforetime they vvere vvritten for our learning that we through pacience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. 2. Moreover this doctrine is both lawful and good to be taught in the church 1. Because it glorifyeth God ascribing and yeelding to God the glorie of his mercie justice wisdome and povver over all Ioh. 16 14. Rom. 9 22 23. and 11 33 36. II. Because it stirreth up to holynes of life prayer thanksgiving good vvorks searching and relying on the word of God c. 1 Thes 5 6 9. Mat. 11 25 26. Act. 4 24 28. c. Ephes 1 3 12. and 2 10. Rom. 15 4. 2 Tim. 3 15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1 3 10. III. Because it assureth us of the certaintie of our salvation being grounded in the eternall and unchangeable counsell of God It teacheth us to cast off all confidence in our selues and to ascribe our salvation onely to the grace of God acknowledging and admiring the riches of Gods mercy vvho of his free grace hath chosen us to life and salvation in Christ It comforteth us against distrust despaire and other manifold tentations arising by meanes of troubles and adversities that befall us in this life teaching us in all things paciently to rest in the work of God and particularly it strengtheneth us against the grief and offence that otherwise we might take at the iniquitie and evill dealing of hypocrites and other wicked persons in the church or out of the church in asmuch as we knovv that God is the disposer of all things that they come to passe according to his eternall and most certain and determinate counsell vvho therefore will vvork all things for good unto us in Christ 2 Tim. 2 19 20. Rom. 8 28 39. and 11 33 36. 2 Sam. 16 10 11. and Iob 1 21. Mat. 11 25 26. and 20 15. John 17 12. Act 2 23. and 4 27 28. 1 Pet. 2 6 7 8. Jude ver 3 and 4. Rev. 13 8. and 17 8. 20 15. and 21 27. 3. It giueth us good necessarie occasion to put difference between Gods decree of election reprobation which was before all beginning and betvveen the execution thereof vvhich succedeth in time aftervvard And thereupon to obserue that many things come betvveen the decree it self and the execution thereof which are due meanes causes of
5 21. and 5 1 10 11. 1. Because the graces and fruits aforesaid namely the spirit of adoption faith in Iesus Christ with the fruits thereof are certain pledges and assurances of Gods eternall election unto salvation as hath ben shewed before pag. 222. Novv as God himself so his decree and loue toward his elect for salvation is unchangeable therefore it cannot be that those vvhom he hath chosen unto life eternall should by him again for ever be rejected and become reprobate unto condemnation and so to fall utterly from the Lord to be deprived for ever of his quickning spirit and saving faith in Iesus Christ Mal. 3 6. and Exod. 3 14 15. Jam. 1 17. Heb. 6 17 18 19 20. Mat. 24 24 31 34. 1 Sam. 15 29. Psal 102 13 14 27 28. Ier. 31 3. Joh. 13 1. compared with 2 Cor. 1 19 22. Rom. 8 15.16 Gal. 4 6. and 5 22 23. Ephes 1 3 14. Phil. 1 6. Tit. 1 1 2. Rom. 8 29 39. 2 Els it vvould follow eyther that such were not the Lords giuen unto Christ or that the Lord is overtaken and deceived in his decree election of grace or not able to preserue them by his grace power to eternall life but that they vvhich are his sheep for whom Christ layd dovvne his life might notvvithstanding perish and be plucked out of his hands Contrarie to the doctrine of Christ Mat. 24 24 31 35. Ioh. 3 8 14 15 16. and 5 24. and 6 35 37 39 40 56 57 58. and 10 15 27 28 29. And contrarie to his prayer Ioh. 17 20.24 with 14 16. Contrarie also to the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Esa 54 9 10. and 55 3. with Act. 13 34. Jer. 31 31 37. and 32 40. Habak 2 2 3 4. with Rom. 1 16 17. and 4.20 25. and 8.29.30 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 1 Iohn 5.4.13.18 Revel 13.8 and 21.27 and 22.6 9. And contrarie to their assured perswasion recorded for our instruction and comfort in the Scriptures vvhen they say I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shal stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19 25. And againe I know whom I haue beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I haue committed unto him against that day 2 Tim. 1 12. And vvhen the Apostle speaketh of all the elect saying Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Who shall separate us from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednes or perill or sword c. Nay in al these things vve are more then conquerours through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate us from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Rom. 8 33 39. 3. Neyther els could vve in this life haue assurance of salvation in Christ but should still be wavering and in doubt and so be left without sound comfort in the midst of the manifold tentations and afflictions of this life Like as cometh to passe by the erroneous doctrine of the Papists in this and other like points of their religion Contrarie also to the assured promise of God the true nature of faith and the gracious testimonie of Gods spirit and fruits thereof in us Besides the examples of such as are recorded in the Scriptures to haue had assurance of salvation and of perseverance to the end As vvas shewed in some examples here before Psal 119.49.50 and 56.3.4.9 13. and 62 1.2 and 116.10 vvith 2 Cor. 4.13.14 Psa 55.3 vvith Act. 13.34 Iohn 5.24 and 6.35.37.39.40 and 10.27.28.29 and 14.27 and 16.33 and 20.31 Rom. 4.20 25. and 8.16 39. 2 Cor. 1.21.22 Gal. 4.6.7 and 5.22.23 Ephes 1.13.14 and 4.30 Phil. 1.6 Tit. 1.1 Hebr. 2.10.11.17.18 6.17 20. 11 ch 1 Pet. 1.2 6. and 2 Pet. 1.3 10. 1 Ioh. 5.4.13 4. Els also the righteousnes vvhich novv we haue by the redemption of Christ should not be more stable and firme unto us then the righteousnes vvhich Adam or the Angels had by creation in that first estate of integritie For Adam fell from his righteousnes and many of the Angels also from theirs leaving their first estate Whereas they vvhich are redeemed by Christ and made partakers of his righteousnes having it once sealed in their hearts by the spirit of God shal never loose it again For the redemption vvhich Christ hath wrought for the elect and the righteousnes vvhich he hath brought in for us by his death is eternall Dan. 9.24 Hebr. 9.12.24.28 and Rom. 8.15.23.30.33.34 38.39 2 Cor. 1.21.22 Ephes 1.7.13.14 compared vvith Gen. 1.26.27 and 3.1 7. Psal 49.12.20 Eccles 7.29 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude ver 8. And they vvhich trust in the Lord and are built upon Christ the rock by faith in him are as the Scripture saith like mount Sion vvhich cannot be removed but standeth for ever Psal 125.1 And like the vvise man which buildeth his house on a rock against vvhich all the raine floods vvinds and stormes that fall and beat upon it can not prevaile to make it fall because it is founded upon a rock Mat. 7.24.25 and 24.24 5. Besides that if one of the elect and faithful beleevers in Christ may vvholly fal away from the Lord be rejected for ever then also might another and another and so all of them For vve haue all like precious faith vvith the Apostles themselues though in several measure and degrees through the righteousnes of God and our Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 And thus the faith novv spoken of is fitly called the faith of Gods elect Tit. 1.1 If therefore any and so all of the elect and faithfull beleevers in Christ might vvholly fall avvay from the Lord and be rejected for ever how then were the decree of Gods election eternall and unchangeable as vvas shevved before hovv should the promise of God to his people be certain everlasting how is the covenant of Gods grace certainly confirmed by the death of Christ for salvation to his elect through the blood of his crosse vvhere and what should be the benefit of Christs faithfull keeping and preservation of his people vvhat vvould be the fruit and comfort of the gracious presence and povverfull working of the Spirit of Sanctification in us Finally vvhere should now be the certaintie and stabilitie of the grace power glorie and kingdome of God in Christ for and through the salvation of the elect and faithfull Which the whole Scripture teacheth us to ascribe unto God with praise thanks for evermore Mat. 6.9 13. compared vvith Ephes 1.3.4.5.6.7
Rom. 8.29 34. Gal. 3.13.14.15 Heb. 9.11 16.28 Dan. 9.24.27 and 12.1 John 10.27.28.29 Jude ver 1. Rom. 6.2.8 11. and 8.10 16. Ephes 2.5.8.19 22. vvith Rev. 5.9.13 and 7.9 12. 6. Hereunto may be added the consideration of the dignities priviledges and comforts of the godly which the Scripture so plentifully sheweth describeth As for example that they are the sonnes daughters of God his children and joint heyres vvith Christ 1 Iohn 3.1 and Joh. 1.12 Rom. 8.15.16.17.29 Gal. 4.5 6.7 vvith 2 Cor. 6.18 Mat. 9.2.22 The elect of God Rom. 8 33. The members of the body of Christ whereof he is the head and Saviour Ephes 5.23.25 27.29 32. Living stones of that spiritual house whereof Christ is the foundation and chief corner stone 1 Pet. 2 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 Ephes 2 20 22. The Saints of the High ones or of the high places Dan. 7 18 22 25 27. That haue their names written in heauen Luc. 10 20. and are set together in heauenly places in Christ Iesus Ephes 2 6. That haue all things vvork together for good unto them Rom. 8 28. And though they fall yet shall not utterly be cast downe because the Lord upholdeth them vvith his hand Psal 37 24. That they haue redemption through the blood of Iesus Christ the forgiuenes of sinnes according to the riches of the grace of God in Christ his sonne Eph. 1 7. Col. 1 12 14. That Christ dvvelleth in them by faith and by his spirit Joh. 6 56. Eph. 3 17. 1 Joh. 4 13. and that by him they shall liue for ever Ioh 6 57 58. That they haue the first fruits of the spirit and are sealed with the holy spirit of promise vvhich is the pledge and earnest of our inheritance being giuen us of the Lord as a pawne for certain assurance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glorie Rom. 8 23. 2 Cor. 1 21 22. Eph. 1 13 14. That they shal never be rejected by Christ Ioh. 6 37. nor can be taken out of his hands by any other Ioh. 10 28.29 Shall never be separated from the loue of God vvhich is in Christ Iesus Rom. 8 38 39. nor can be seduced to destructioÌ„ by any meanes Mat. 24 24. Shall never hunger or thirst Ioh. 6 35. and 4 14. Shall never perish or come into condemnation but passe from death unto life Ioh. 5 24. with 3 16. 17.3.12.15.24 Having fellovvship not onely vvith the Apostles but euen with God the Father and vvith his sonne Iesus Christ 1 Ioh. 1 3. 1 Cor. 10 16. And made partakers of the divine nature and of al things perteyning to life godlines yea euen of eternall life though not in that measure and maner as shal be after this life in the kingdome of heauen for ever 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 1 Ioh. 5 4 12 13 20. compared vvith 1 Cor. 13 9 10. Col. 3 3. 1 Ioh. 3 2. 7. Finally seing all acknovvledge that the Lord by his grace power keepeth the elect Angels that they fall not from their integritie but are preserved and confirmed in goodnes to the enjoying of eternal happines Why should we not also beleeue that God both can and vvill through his grace power in Christ preserue al his elect among men vvho though vve fell from our integritie in our first parents yet are though his grace redeemed froÌ„ wrath by the death of Christ his sonne and begotten againe to a liuely hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heauen for us who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation vvhich is ready to be revealed in the last time 1 Tim. 5 21. compared vvith Heb. 12 22. and 1 13 14. Luke 20 36. Col. 2 10. Rev. 22 6 9. 1 Pet. 1 3 4 5 9 12. and 5 1 10 11. Whereunto agree some speaches of the auncient Writers viz That â—â—â—â—llian saith As he hath left unto us the earnest of the Spirit so hath he also taken of us the 〈◊〉 of the flesh and caried it into heauen as a pledge that the whole summe shall in time be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thither Be ye therefore confident O flesh and blood you haue taken possession both of 〈◊〉 and of the kingdome of God in Christ Tertul. lib. de resur carnis cap. 51. And Augustine He therefore maketh them persevere in good that maketh them to be good But they that fall and perish were not in the number of them that are predestinate August tom 〈◊〉 de correptione gratia cap. 12. Also Being freed from sinne they are made the servants of righteousnes in which they shall stand unto the end he giving unto them perseverance who 〈◊〉 new them and predestinated them and according to his purpose hath called and justified and glorified them Ibid. And againe This perseverance God hath promised saying Jer. 32 40. I will put my feare in their heart that they shall not depart from me Which what other thing is it but that such and so great shal be my feare which I will put in their heart as they shall cleane unto me with perseverance Ibid. lib. de bono perseverantiae cap. 2. And hitherto of the perseverance of the Saints which sincerely beleeue in Iesus Christ The conclusion and general confirmation of the points aforesaid ANd novv for a summarie confirmation of the premisses and conclusion of the severall matters aforesaid let me also annexe this reason in generall as followeth Whatsoever doctrines or opinions derogate from the glorie of God in Christ and giue unto man part of the glorie of our salvation those are erroneous doctrines and opinions and such as cannot agree vvith the truth vvhich is according to godlines Joh. 16 13 14. and 7 18. 1 Cor. 1 26 27 31. Ier 9 23 24. Ephes 2 8 9. vvith Tit. 1 1. But such are the doctrines and opinions of the Anabaptists Arminians and others touching the points aforesaid as in the particulars thereof may be seen The Anabaptists derogate from the glorie of God in that they doe not acknowledge the extent and stabilitie of his covenant and the seale thereof according to his vvord and vvork And in their opinions and practise they both adde unto and take from the word of God They adde in their repeating or renewing of Baptisme which God hath not appointed to be done And they take away from it both in that they deny the baptisme received in apostate churches to be true baptisme and Gods signe and seale of his covenant and in vvith-holding of baptisme from children to vvhom God hath ordeyned the signe and seale of his covenant to be giuen as hath ben shevved here before pag. 1 27. c. The Arminians also in their opinions derogate from Gods glorie and advance fraile man namely in the tvvo first of the points aforesaid touching Gods decree vvhiles they ground not the eternall decree