and washed in his bloud wee become as cleane and as white as snowe hauing neither spot nor wrinckle nor any thing else to bee reproued and condemned Now this Iustice by whose couering we escape the Iudgement of God is allowed vnto vs and applied by the Faith of Iesus Christ which is the cause that in Saint Iohn it is sayd that whoso beleeueth in him Ioh. 35. commeth not into Iudgment And for the which the Apostle to the Romanes speaking with great assurance sayth Rom. 8. who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ which died yea rather which is risen againe which is also on the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs Who shall separate vs from the loue of Iesus Christ shall tribulation or anguish or persecution eyther hunger eyther nakednesse eyther perill eyther Sword As it is written for thy sake are wee killed all the day long and are counted as sheepe for the slaughter neuerthelesse in all these things wee ouercome through him that loved vs For I am sure that neither death neither Life neither Angels nor rules neither Power neyther things present neithings to come Neyther height nor depth neither any other creature shal be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. If by Faith we are assured to be justified before him and that this consuming fire which maketh all the creatures of the world to shake when it is once enflamed can neither annoy nor consume vs That when we consider it narrowly ought quickly to take that feare from vs that we may haue of all dangers for that which is the fearefullest of all to wit the wrath and anger of God can neither offend nor make vs affraid following then the exhortation and example of the Apostle we ought not onely to be resolued against the feare of Death but also insult ouer it as he did in saying O death where is thy victorie 1. Cor. 15. O Sepulcre where is thy Sting Now the sting of Death is sin and the power of sinne is the Law But thanks be to God who giueth vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ Then when wee shall see the day of Iudgement approch the which is fearefull to the Diuels and reprobates wee to the contrary ought to lift vp our heads being joyfull of his comming being well assured that it shall be the day of our full and entire redemption and deliuerance in the which we shall enioy all the goods which Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs and the fruite of our hope that is to say of the permanent and perfect happinesse which God hath reserued for his Children And if the children of Israell after they had passed the Riuer Iordan beginning to take possession of the Land which God had promised them had great occasion to reioyce and to comfort themselues so shall we haue when we shall see Iesus Christ appeare in his glory the second time and when we shall heare this pleasant and happie voice Math. 5. Come ye Blessed of my Father and possesse the Kingdome which hath been prepared for you from the beginning of the world ¶ The fowrth effect of Faith Mortification FAith also begets in vs mortification of the flesh and true repentance purifying our hearts as saith Saint Peter of disordinate passions Act. 10. lusts and â—ffections foolish loue auarice ambition and other like vanities Breife it â—s the meanes which God vseth to regenerate vs and to make vs new creaâ—ures and by consequent to cteate in vs â—ew thoughts new affections new â—peaches new actions and a new life Because it is accompanied with the Spiâ—it of God as it is written in Esay who â—eeing holy Esay 59. sanctifieth all those that â—re furnished therewith That is attributed to Faith because it is the Instrument wherewith hee serueth himselfe â—o regenerate man which we see in all â—hose that are faithfull who in a moâ—ent hauing been called and beleeued â—e word which was preached vnto â—hem haue been changed from carnall â—o spirituall and euen as a tree after â— hath been ingraffed bringeth other â—ind of fruite then it bare while it was wild Rom. 6. also by Faith ingraffed into Iesus Christ wee bring forth fruits through grace of an other kind then we did when â—ee walked in our owne wayes which we â—e in Zacheus Example Zacheus who beeing an insaciable â—ublican to heape goods vpon goods and to gather riches vppon Riches by hooke or by crooke without hauing any respect vnto Iustice and without bejng mooved to pitty the poverty of those which he ransomed cared for nothing so he might encrease and gather riches at any price Neverthelesse Iesus Christ having looked vppon him with his good eye and having vouchsafed to be his guest changed and transformed him jnto an other man so that of a covetous and lustfull man as hee was he became liberall and charitable and of one that was pittilesse and barbarous towards the poore and needy and those that had need of him he became gracious humane and tractable God did even change his heart in such sort that he did not content himselfe to restore fower fold to those that hee had ransommed but would giue and distribute the halfe of his goods to the poore We see that eveÌ„ in S. Mathew Mathew who bejng actiue and attentiue to gaine and to his profite when Iesus Christ had called him forgetting at the very jnstant that he heard his voyce all his desires and avarice forsooke his bancke his Apron his house and all his temporall commodities to follow him The Harlot likewise The harlot Luk. 7. whereof mention is made in S. Luke although shee were given over to all dissolution and steeped in all worldly and filthy pleasures neverthelesse bejng called to the Faith of the gospell she was presently so changed that one would haue sayd that her eyes had beene fountaines by reason of the aboundance of teares that ranne from them S. Peter also who was a great sinner as hee himselfe confessed and who onely amongst all his fellowes denyed Iesus Christ three severall times was in the end so strengthned by Faith that by reason of his constancy and firme jmmooueablenes hee was surnamed by the name of Peter S. Paul also who was a cruell blasphemer persecutor and furious and like a wild Bore Act. 9. Psal 80. who was broke jnto the Lords Vineyard to spoyle it and to devour vp all the branches having been called by Iesus Christ when hee went jnto Damascus there for to dissipate the Church wholy was so changed by Faith which God of his grace did jnspire in his heart that of a Wolfe that he was he became the greatest Pastor of his time in the Church and flocke of the Lord. Whereby wee see what is the power and force of Faith the which doth altogether
hath done or suffered for vs And in generall all that is needfull for vs to beleeue and wherevpon we ought to ground and settle the hope of the everlasting life and happinesse Wherevpon may be jnfered that the doctrine of the Pope and of all his Pastors and Muncks of Papistry cannot availe any thing to edifie our Faith the which is not setled vpon the jnventions foolish traditions and vaine jmaginations of men But vpon the pure word of God the which ought to be layd open in the church to the people purely and simply without any mingling of dreames ravenings of men As saith the Prophet Ieremie Ierm 14. You must not mingle the chaffe among the good graine nor the drosse among the fine Siluer nor the water with the good wine Peter also willeth that if any one speake in the assembly 1. Pet. 4. let him speake like the words of God S. Paul exhorteth his Disciple to preach the word of God without adding or changing 2. Tim. 4. for as it written by the Prophet Psalm 12. The words of the Lord are pure words euen as the siluer which from the earth is tryed and purified seuen times in the fire for which cause nothing may bee mingled with it but it must needs corrupt it The third cause to wit the formall of Faith is Iesus Christ for as much as he is our Christ that is to say our Mediatour and jntercessor For in this quality hee is as it were the forme of our Faith the which hee quickneth and giveth a being therevnto as doth the shape to the matter which it shapeth and vnto the which it is applyed Now as we see all things take their being and denomination of their forme as the fire is named by it forme the fishes the beasts the birds and all things in generall are called according to the forme which â—hey beare Also so is Faith and calleth it selfe Christian because that Iesus Christ who is the forme thereof and wee are also for this reason called Christians because that wee are provided therewith which causeth that through Iesus Christ â—e are regenerate to be new creatures Moreover it is he that hath kept the commandement of God It is he who vndergoing the wrath and the malediction of the threatnings of God hath delivered vs from them Finally it is he that obtayneth the blessing set downe in the promise made to Abraham and to his posterity and who in doing so hath beene a meanes that the law the threatnings and the promises which are the three principall parts of the scripture were accomplished in his person and by consequent the Faith thereof healthfull to all belieuers Whereby wee may say of Iesus Christ that hee is ths forme Faith the which cannot subsist without the efficacy of the word nor the word haue her efficacy without him Therefore is it that we may say that Iesus Christ contaynes all the causes and parâ—s of Faith in himselfe for divers respects First the efficient because that as God he produceth it in vs by his spirit As he did in Paul when going jnto Damascus he called him and in his mercy did change him in an jnstant and made him of a furious persecutor of the Church a faithfull servant vnto him and it Afterwards that hee is also the matter of our Faith by reason of those things which he hath suffered for vs by the which paying our raÌ„some he hath fully satisfied to the justice of God for all our jniquities Againe that he is the forme of our Faith in as much as he is the Mediatour and jntercessour who by his merite keepeth vs perpetually in the grace of God his Father in the which resteth all our life salvation and beatitude And to conclude that he is also the end thereof because it is hee vnto whome we ought wholy to referre and attribute the praise and glory of our salvation which are the reasons for the which it is sayd Iohn 1. that in him consists all fulnesse of gifts and graces of God Also that God the Father hath giuen vs all things with him that is to say not only life but also the meanes whereby wee may attaine therevnto And that in him are all treasures of the knowledge wisedome and other graces and blessings of our God Which considering S. Augustine saith That in our selues we are nothing and that in him we are all things And the Apostle to the Hebrues Who is the cheefe and the accomplisher of our Faith who insteed of the ioy which he had in hand hath indured the crosse hauing despised the shame and is set at the right hand of the throne of God The finall cause which is the fourth and last of Faith is the glory of God and the salvation of men for the mercy of God manifesting it selfe in the remission of our sinnes and his vertue in the execution and in the accomplishment of his promises and his justice in the paine which Iesus Christ did endure vppon the crosse for vs and his power in the discomfiting of our enemies and his wisedome by the which he hath by death brought life by sinne justice by jnfirmitie force by darknesse light by wounds healing by lowlinesse exaltation and by hell whither Iesus Christ did descend Paradice and the kingdome of Heaven being I say all the vertues of God manifested and layd open in Iesus Christ all christian men apprehending them by Faith haue matter and cause to prayse and glorifie God for God doing that which is sayd hath shewed how glorious and wonderfull his name was Men then believing these things in their hearts and publishing them with their mouths cannot better magnifie the workes vertues and miracles of our God then in doing it CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the effects of Faith wherof the first is the reconciliation betweene God and man HAving spoken of the causes of Faith it is also needfull to declare the effects thereof which are great and admirable the first is the reconciliation betweene GOD and vs. For when we were as farre from GOD as the East might bee from the West that there was no creature vpoÌ„ earth more miserable then man in this estate Esay 58. to draw vs out of it to set vs againe in the hope of his grace and of our saluation from the beginning after that our first parents out of whose loynes wee came were departed froÌ„ God through their rebellion and disobedience God to prevent their ruine which was all apparant and very neere pleased to rayse them againe being so fallen That of them should come the seede which should bruse the head of the Serpent Gen. 3. The which promise he repeated since to Abraham Gen. 12. promising that of him a child should be borne that should bring an vniuersall blessing vppon all the Nations of the earth and againe since hath likewise repeated it to Dauid assuring him that from him should descend a King whose raigne should be
everlasting and permanent for ever 2. Sam. 7. Now this promise was occasion to Adam Abraham and Dauid and to all their posterity to beleeue and conceaue a certaine and assured hope of salvation perswading themselues that God offering himselfe so benignely vnto them did shew that he was not willing to destroy theÌ„ although that by their rebellion they had well deserved it but was content againe to gather to loue and to embrace them and even to bind himselfe as straightly vnto them as by marriage wee see man and wife joyned and vnited together Gen. 17. It is that which the Scripture sayth speaking so often of the alliance betweene God and his Church the which hath beene brought to passe by the mutuall promises which are made betweene God and it God promising it that he will bee her God and it promising to God that it will be his people the which allyance is the greatest happiest that ever was treated or brought to passe in the world for therin wholy coÌ„sisteth the assurance of our beatitude as sayth the Prophet Psalm 33. Blessed is that Nation whose God is the Lord euen the people that hee hath chosen for his inheritance Psalm 89. Blessed is the people that can reioyce in thee they shall walke in the light of thy countenance O Lord They shall reioyce continually in thy name and in thy righteousnesse shall they exalt themselues Blessed are the people that be so Psal 144. yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. For as the body liveth and is happy whiles the soule remaines in it of which it receaveth mooving feeling and all the force and vigour which is in it also and more happy is the Church that is joyned with God of whome as of it soule it receaueth all the good and the happinesse that it can haue desire and hope for And to the contrary as the soule separated from the body that body is no more any thing but a stincking and jnfectious rottonnes also that Church which is sequestred from her God is nothing else but all misery and vanity Now the greatnes of the felicity which falleth vnto vs by the allyance which we haue with God may bee yet better knowen by the comparison of the allyance which the jdolaters haue with their jdols Psal 115. Who haue eyes but see not mouths but speake not eares but heare not hands but feele not and feet but goe not The trust in which jdols is altogether vaine as sayth the Prophet Psal 135. They that make them are like to them so are all that trust in them But wee beeing vnited with God hee by his jnfinite wisedome hath the care of vs and of our affayres and by his providence doth provide for all our necessities and preserveth vs from all dangers And by his charity and the loue which hee beareth vs can never forsake vs so that having once contracted allyance with vs we are assured that it shall be permanent for ever and shall continue towards vs without any jnterruption for ever and ever as it â—s written by the Prophet Psal 23. Doubtlesse kindnesse and mercie shall follow me all the dayes of my life and shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord. Psal 30. In his fauour is life My mercy will I keepe for him for euermore Psal 89. and my couenant shall stand fast with him And that which ought yet to make this allyance more recommendable vnto vs is that God with whome wee are allyed is alwayes present to know and to provide for all our affayres as it is written The Lord is thy keeper the Lord is thy shaddow at thy right hand The Sunne shall not smite thee by day nor the Moone by night Also Psal 33. Behold the eyes of the Lord is vppon them that feare him and vpon them that trust in his mercy CHAP. VII ¶ The second effect of Faith is the remission of sinnes THe second effect of Faith is the resion of sinnes by the which the hinderance that men could not be reconciled with God was taken away For God being perfectly just and we to the contrary most sinfull and vnjust in every fashion there was no meanes to vnite vs vnto him but that the sinne and vnjustice which was in vs must first be abolished 2. Cor. 6. And as sayth the Apostle What fellowship hath righteousnes with vnrighteousnes or what communion hath light with darkenes or what concord hath Christ with Beliall either what part hath he that belieueth with an Infidell or what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for as the Philosophers say two things that are quite contrary cannot agree in one and the same subject It was then needfull that the sinne which was in vs should be abolished before we could be capable to come neere vnto God and to bee joyned with him Now this abolishment was done for the remission of our sinnes the which God gaue vs by his grace and by the meanes of the satisfaction which Iesus Christ made for it by his death the which satisfaction is allowed and jmputed vnto vs by the faith which we haue in him And it is the article of Faith which we protest to beleeue in the end of our confession saying I belieue the remission of sinnes Wherevpon wee must note one thing which S. Bernard sayth that is to say Even as the grace of God continueth towards vs for ever and that the efficacy and vertue of the death of Iesus Christ is perpetuall also is the remission and abolition of all our jniquities which come thereof perpetuall without being any whit jnterrupted So that as it is written in the Epistle to the Hebrewes Heb. 9.10 That we are continually sprinckled with the bloud of Iesus Christ the which is neuer clutterd but is alwaies fresh to be powred vppon vs to wash vs and to cleanse vs froÌ„ all our filthines And we may say of this bloud and of the remission of sinnaes which is therein established that it is the Asile the freedome of Christians whither they must alway haue their recourse to bee warranted and to saue their life when they haue chanced to commit any criminall cause And that may be very well fitted to this purpose which S. Augustine sayth in his booke of the Cittie of God making a comparison between the Church and Roome in this poynt that is to say that as to people and edifie the Citie of Roome in her beginning by the aduise of Romulus the first building that was there set vp was the place of Libertie and Freedome after the framing wherof hee caused a Proclamation to bee made in all the places thereabouts that who so euer found himselfe to haue committed any capitall crime retyring himselfe into this pace of Freedome he should obtaine his fauour and should be receaued into the place of Citizen and defended by the Inhabitants against all those that should
profit him no more then the light of the Sun at noone day doth to a blind man and to a man that hath no eyes to apprehend it Wherefore the elect must be very curious in searching hearing reading and meditating of the word of God which are the meanes to haue the knowledge thereof Iesus Christ also exhorteth euery one of vs thervnto when he saith Iohn 5. Search the Scriptures which maketh sufficient testimony of me And S. Paul conformably where he saith in the Epistle to the Romaines Rom. 15. That all that which is written is written for our comfort And in the 2. Epistle to Timothie 2. Tim. 3. That all Scripture diuinely inspired is profitable to teach to exhort counsaile and reprooue and to make a man perfect in good workes Wherefore God did also command every one in times past Deut. 6. That hee should write his Law vpon the postes of his house and in all places where it might continually shew it selfe before their eyes to the end that contemplating it assidually they should by that meanes haue a desire to loue it and to shut it vp in their hearts and in their vnderstandings Whereof wee see a good example in Dauid who speaking of the Law and word of God sayd thus Psal 119. Thy testimonies haue I taken as an heritage for euer for they are the ioye of mine heart Thy woord is a Lanthorne vnto my feet and a light vnto my pathes It followeth in the definition that it is a firme perswasion of that which is contained in Scriptures Because that to beleeue it is not jnough that wee know the things contained in the holy Scripture but wee must also approone it without any doubting and not resemble the Accademiques who are jrresolute of all the things which they read or which are read vnto them and yet lesse to the Atheists who doe openly mocke at the woord of God whereof they make yet lesse account then of the other Sciences the which they thinke are grounded vpon some humane reason It followeth That the Elect c. Expresse mention is made of the Elect in the definition because it is onely they and no other that are capable of Faith as it is written in the first chapter which the Apostle Paul writ to his Disciple Titus where it is sayd Paul the seruant of God and an Apostle of Iesus Christ according to the faith of the Elect of God and the knowledge of the turth which is according to godlynesse Whereby it appeares that Faith doth onely appertaine to those that from all eternity haue been elected and chosen of God and since by him separated from the world to be brought vnto the Church and by degrees to attaine to the possession of glory and everlasting life the which God from the beginning hath promised and prepared for his children The which may also appeare by that which is written in the Acts of the Apostles where it is sayd that S. Paul having preached in Antioch of Pisidie Act. 13.3 those that were predestinate to eternall life did beleeue the word of the Lord which he had spoken vnto them For to shew that in this great multitude of people that were come thither and had assembled themselues to heare there were but the Elect onely that receaued the word by him pronounced and profited thereby Iesus Christ also when he sayd that his sheepe heare his voyce and that all that his Father hath giuen him Iohn 10. come vnto him sheweth thereby that those onely heare and beleeue the Gospell who haue beene predestinated and since created and called to this end S. Iohn also in his Catholicke chapter 4. confirmes it saying That those onely beleeue the word of God that are of God that is to say whome he hath ordayned and destinate to that end When also Iesus Christ speaking to Pylate of his kingdome of the which he was examined sayd That his kingdome was not of this world Iohn 18. and that all that were of the truth were his and heard his voyce giveth sufficiently to vnderstand therby that vnto all grace is not jndifferently given to yeeld themselues docible and attentiue to heare beleeue and follow the truth but onely to those that God the Father hath disposed therevnto and the reason for the which Iesus Christ said That he was come into the world not to be serued Mat. 20. but to serue and to deliuer vp his life to paye the ransome of many sheweth that sufficiently for when he sayth many he sheweth therby that his death is not for all which it should be neverthelesse if by Faith every one could apprehend it Luk. 1. As much sayth Zacharie thereof in his Canticle Blessed be the Lord God of Israell for he hath visited and redeemed his people Wherevpon is to bee noted that he speaketh specially of his people that is to say of those whome he hath elected and reserued to himselfe particularly and not of all in generall Considering what hath been sayd that there are none but the Elect that are capeable of Faith we must not wonder if we see so many despisers of the word of God which is the word of life and Science of Salvation others that hate and abhorre it as a savour of death others that blaspheme and persecute it cruelly with fier and water and all the cruellest and most horrible torments that they can jnvent or jmagine Also on the other side we must not maruaile if wee see the Elect after they haue receaued and beleeued the word of God the which hath takē deep roote in them to be firme constant against all temptations and jnvincible against all the sleights threatnings and promises that can bee made them to divert and turne them from the Faith which God by his spirit hath jnspired and continued in their hearts It followeth in the definition Every one in themselues which haue been jnsorted to giue to vnderstand that every one ought to haue his Faith proper and particular for to apprehend Iesus Christ with all his graces and blessings and to enjoye the effect and accomplishment of the gratious and Evangelicall promises as writeth the Prophet That the iust shall liue by his faith Abac. 2. that is to say by a Faith not borrowed but which is resident in him For even as it is requisite for every one to haue his particular soule to animate and quicken his body the which cannot liue by the soule of an other Also it is requisite for all men generally that every one of them haue particularly a proper Faith jnfused in his heart by the grace of God to quicken it from whence it followeth that those that do not heare nor meditate nor conferre any whit of the word of God to haue the jntelligence thereof cannot haue Faith of the which the word Faith is as the soule without the which Faith is dead And as the fire kindled in a Lamp cannot be long entertained
Faith is the Inheritance giuen that it might be by grace that the promise might be sure to all the seed not to that onely which is of the Law but to that also which is the Faith of Abraham which is the father of vs all These two percels evidently shew that Faith regards principally the promise of the grace which God offereth in his Sonne Iesus Christ to all those that shal acknowledge him for their Saviour and Mediatour and we must not seeke any other meanes wherevppon to ground the hope of our salvation for there is no other name vnder Heaven by the which wee can bee saued The other poynt that we must obserue is that the grace of God that is to say his good will and affection towards vs is the only cause that hath jnduced him as well to make vs a promise of life as to jmpart the gift of Faith by the which we embrace him For that he hath taken out of our hearts the naturall hardnesse and obstinacy which was therein and hath mollyfied them to the end that being tender and soft they might be capable to receaue their promise to bee there printed and jngraven this proceeds not nor comes of any thing else than of his onely grace and favour which it hath pleased him to doe vs as it is written in the Epistle to the Ephesians Ephc. 2. That Faith is a gift of God and in the Epistle to the Philippians Philip. 1. It hath beene giuen vnto you to beleeue sayd the Apostle vnto them Also the spirit of God is called the spirit of Faith in the 2. Epistle to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 4. to giue vs to vnderstand that he is the onely author of Faith as hee is of counsell of feare of vnderstanding of prudeÌ„ce of wisdome all which gifts are attributed vnto him in the scripture as to him who is the only author and cause of them Which may yet appeare in considering the two members of Faith which are the knowledge of the word of God Cor. 2. Mat. 6. Iohn 1. which is in the vnderstanding and the trust which is in the heart For as for the vnderstanding of it selfe it is but darknesse and is altogether vncapable to vnderstand the things that are of God spirituall And as for the heart being naturally obstinate and rebellious it cannot in any wise submit and subject it selfe to the will of God to trust in him and to call vpon him whereof followeth Gen. 6. that man being by nature enclined to jgnorance in his vnderstanding part and to rebellion and obstinacy in his heart he cannot be for these reasons susceptible nor capable of Faith If God by his spirit doth not take away these too lets which are in him by nature to render him plyable to heare and to trust to that which he promiseth him It followeth in the definition that this faith is ratified by the satisfactioÌ„ made to the justice of God by the death obedieÌ„ce of his Son Whervpon we must note that the promise of grace and salvation could not bee accomplished towards vs but that first the justice of God must be fully and jntirely satisfied For as God for his glory was willing by his promise to lay open vnto vs the riches of his mercy and to demonstrate it vnto vs by the pitty and compassion which he hath had of vs to the end that hee might therein be glorified also was it his will that his justice should be satisfied and that man should be acquitted towards it of that which hee ought Now the debts are that hee should suffer everlasting death for disobaying to the will of God and that he should yeeld a perfect and jntire obedience to his Majestie wherof he was a creature and a servant which was vnpossible vnto him By meanes whereof the Sonne of God was faine to effect the everlasting decree of his father who had determined and ordayned to saue the men which hee had chosen and reserved amongst the rest to come into the world and take our nature vppon him and by that meanes make himselfe mortall to render a perfect and entire obedience vnto the will of God vnto the death yea the death of the crosse the which was joyned with a curse wherewith he charged himselfe to discharge vs and to pay by that meanes that which he ought not and to render as sayth the Prophet that which he had not taken Psal 69. In the obedience then of Iesus Christ wee ought to consider first that it was in our name and for our sakes that it was rendered to God and that this death which hee hath suffered was not because hee had deserued it Heb. 7. For as sayth the Apostle he was jnnocent jmpoluted and separeted from sinners who onely are bound vnto death because that the reward of sin is death Rom. 6. That then which hee hath rendered vnto the just judgement of God and which hath deliuered him into the hands of them which condemned him was not for his amisse but for ours and that of all the elect whose pledge and warranty he was And we must note that this death which Iesus Christ did once suffer as perfect God and perfect man was of an jnfinite force and vertue to purge sinnes which were jnfinite because they were committed against the Majesty of God who is everlasting jmmence and jnfinite and also that it is sufficient to acquite all his children of the judgement of God and of all their sinnes without any exception how great and how many so ever they be in what time and age soever they were committed The other poynt which we must note in the obedience of Iesus Christ is the perfect and jntire observation of all the commandements of God his father in the which he hath not left out one only poynt but all hath been accomplished by him The which hee hath likewise done in the name of the elect who by reason of the naturall corruption and vice rayning in them were altogether vncapable whiles they liue in this world to obserue the Law of God and to render him a perfect justice the which consisteth in a perfect loue which they ought to beare him but they cannot not knowing him perfectly by reason â—lso of the desires of the flesh which are in them which turne them from louing God and their neighbour perfectly as they are bound The third poynt or reason which is to be considered in the perfect obedience of Iesus Christ is the ordinary remission of sinnes which wee commit every day the which are covered by his obedience in such sort that they come not in accompt in his judgemeÌ„t For even so as Phyloctetes covered the stinckingnes of his lothsoÌ„e infectious vlcers with the perfumed robes wherewith he clothed himselfe also the elect being by Faith clothed with the odoriferous justice of Iesus Christ although they were stincking in themselues they are neverthelesse a good savour vnto God
the same And in the 121. Psalme The Lord shall preserue thee from all euill he shall keepe thy soule The Lord shall preserue thy going out and thy comming in from henceforth and for euer It followeth in the definition that this Faith is followed with a resolute will to walke before his face which is the end of reconciliation with God the which is brought to passe by the Faith which we haue in Iesus Christ as it appeares by that which is written in the Epistle of S. Paul to Titus Tit. 2.11 chapt 2. verse 11. There hath appeared the grace of God which is healthfull to all men teaching vs that denying vngodlynesse and worldly lusts we should liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ And in Zacharies Canticle Luke 1. That hee would performe the oath which he sware to our Father Abraham for giue to vs. That wee being deliuered out of the hands of our enemies might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our Life And in the 12. to the Romaines I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercifulnes of God that ye giue vp your bodies a quicke sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God which is your reasonable seruice And be not ye fashioned like vnto this world but be yee changed in your shapes by the renuing of your minds that ye may proue what is the good and the acceptable and perfect will of God And Dauid in the 130. Psalme But mercy is in thee that thou mayest be feared All which passages and jnfinite more that are in the holy Scripture shew vnto vs that the end of our redemption is not to giue vs leaue and licence to doe evill abusing of the grace of God But that it is to make our light shine before men by good workes that they may bee jnduced by our example and by the doctrine of our life to glorifie God CHAP. V. HAving defined Faith and declared by particulars all the parts therof it now remaines to know the causes that doe produce it All effects haue ordinarily foure causes the efficient the materiall the formall and the finall As for the efficient of Faith it is produced and jngendered of the grace of God as it is written in the Epistle to the Ephesians chap. 2. verse 8. By grace yee are made safe through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God The which grace by the Spirit of God disposeth the hearts and the vnderstandings of men jnteriourly and secretly taking away the naturall obscurity and darknesse of the vnderstanding to make it capable of the knowledge of the word of promise and the hardnesse and obstinacy of heart that it may bee prepared with more alacrity and good will to follow that which the jlluminated vnderstanding doth set before it And even as for the ptoducement of all the fruites of the earth it is first requisite that the earth be good and well tilled secondly that the husbandman bee skilfull in his art to wit to stirre the earth and giue it all necessaries thirdly that the seed which is cast vpon it be good and well covered and watered with the dew of Heaven so must man be prepared to receaue the jncorruptible seed of the word of God by the spirit of God who doth regenerate change his heart of stone into a heart of flesh Afterwards that the Minister which is the husbandman be fit for to sowe it with a graine that is pure and entire and which is mingled neither with Darnell nor any other evill seed So by the concurrence of these three things that is to say the Spirit of God which regenerates man and prepares it selfe for his salvation the good and faithfull Minister who doth faithfully dispence the misteries of God and the jncorruptible seed of the word which is purely and sincerely administred Faith is produced in the heart of a faithfull man the which is not done but at Gods appoynted time for men are called to the knowledge of their salvation diversly and at divers times some sooner some later And before Gods prefixed time be past we see that the elect as well as the reprobate are rebellious and contrary to the word of God whereof we haue a notable example in the Scripture of S. Paul who before the time of his vocation was not onely an enemy but also a blasphâ—mer and furious persecutor of the Church of God But when the time which God had appointed to call him and to bring him jnto the Church was come then in a moment he was transformed from a Wolfe which hee was before to a Lambe It is even like vnto a peece of woode which is layd vpon a harth being greene one cannot kindle it but if it be drye so soone as it is put jnto the fire and that it is blowed it conceaues a flame and so kindleth TheÌ„ to the producing of Faith two things are required the preparation of the heart which is made by the spirit of God and the word the which doth jnflame the heart of man as soone as it is disposed to receaue it And even as to see bodily it is requisite first that the aire be jnlightened for by night men cannot see though they haue eyes and secondly that both men and beasts haue a liuely faculty for otherwise they could not see were it even at noone day so for to see and contemplate spirituall things the ayre must first be jnlightened by the preaching of the word of God and secondly that men haue eyes that are capable to receaue this light As for the materiall cause they are those thinges which Iesus Christ hath done and suffered for vs as the obedience which hee hath rendered to God his father and the accomplishment of the law the satisfaction payment which hee hath made to Gods justice for our debts the death the curse the wrath and judgement of God which he hath sustayned and the hell that is to say the abisme or bottomlesse pit of all the misery wheÌ„rein he hath been plunged for vs and for this only end to free vs from them It is the onely matter substance subject and argument of our Faith The fruits also that do arise of it as the establishmeÌ„t of the chuâ—ch the coÌ„munioÌ„ of Saints the remission of sins the resurrectioÌ„ of the body the life everlasting are the principall parties and as it were mater wherwith our faith is builded But because the word of God written in the Bible touching these matters in the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles is of a large extent and of difficult apprehension the Apostles and the successors being assembled haue promised for it and comprehended in a short sommary all that wee ought to beleeue for our salvation And haue contayned in twelue little articles all the things which Iesus Christ
change those persons vnto whom it is given And although that this changing be not perfect all at once neverthelesse it advanceth every day by little and little in those that are truely faithfull 1. Cor 5. Ioh. 15. and who are curious altogether to purge the old Leuin which remayneth yet in them and to wash their feet as sayth Iesus Christ and to take the leeze out of the vessell vntill that it be quite empty and made cleane as we see that the Apostle did 1. Cor. 9. whome as he writeth to the Corinthians did runne in the listes to beare away the price and brought his body into slauery to the end that in some fashion after he had preached to others himselfe was not found vnreceaueable Phil. 3. which hee yet sayth elsewhere I trye if by any meanes I might attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Not as though I had already attained it either were already perfect but I follow if that I may comprehend that for whose sake also I am comprehended of Christ Iesus Brethren I count not my selfe that I haue attained to it but one thing I doe I forget that which is behind and indeauour my selfe to that which is before And follow hard toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus The exercise of the truly faithfull It is the exercise of those that are truely faithfull continually to thinke vpon a new life and a true repentance In so much that it may be a studie and exercise in the which he continues from the beginning of his regeneration vntill the consummation and conclusion of his life in such sort that by the temptations wherewith he is jncessantly exercised and prooved hee may be refined like vnto Silver or Gold in a fournace and as for the conservation of the body it is requisite that it bee continually exercised and aboue all thinges purged of the superfluous humors and excrements which therin are gathered every day also it is necessary that the soule and conscience of the truly faithfull bee cleansed with continuall repentance and that it bee as much or more carefull to weede and plucke vp the evill hearbs which doe alwayes pollute his soule as is a good Gardiner to cleanse his Garden of all nettles thistles and other weeds which spring therein For the duety of a Christian man is to jmploy all his life to put off the old man and to put on the new which is an exercise that cannot bee done without great toyle and difficulty because that the old man is a robe so fastened and stitched to a Christian that a man cannot get it off but by peecemeale and the new man is an other robe so straight that it cannot be put on but with great labour and paine Yet must we strayne our jndeauours and shew that wee are faithfull Rom. 6. by the participation which we haue in the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ abstracting from his death a vertue to mortifie our flesh and the lusts thereof and an other of his resurrection to walke in newnesse of life and not to thinke that wee can participate in the righteousnes of Iesus Christ to obtaine the remission of our sinnes but we must also shew by effect the participatiō which we haue in the holynes of his Spirit For we cannot be just but we must be holy nor be holy but wee must be just because that Iesus Christ is never vnfurnished nor parted from his spirit and doth not justifie vs but at the same time and by the same meanes hee sanctifieth vs so that at the very jnstant that we are jncorporated in Iesus Christ for to be his members we are also consecrated to God to be his temple where he dwelleth by his holy spirit ¶ The fift effect of Faith Obedience THe other effect which Faith produceth in vs is the obedience which wee striue to render to God when by Faith we haue been regenerated as S. Paul sheweth to the Romanes chap. 1. verse 5. sayjng By whome we haue receaued grace and Apostleship that obedience might be giuē vnto the Faith for his name among all the Gentiles It is also sayd in the Epistle to the Hebrewes Heb. 11. That Abraham by Faith when hee was called obeyed God to goe out into a place which he should receaue for inheritance and hee went out not knowing whither hee went which are two places that shew sufficiently that Faith beejng planted in our hearts it disposeth them to render perfect obedience to the will of God Also we see that the elect before they bee called and regenerated by Faith they are ordinarily called in the holy Scripture Rebels dissobedient and Enemies of God Ephe. 2. Rom. 5. But after their regeneration they are called Servants and the children of God by reason of the will and desire which they haue to obay and serue him Now there is nothing more pleasing and agreeable vnto God then obedience the which he preferres before all sacrifices whereof wee haue a notable example in Saul 1. Sam. 15. who was rejected and depriued of his kingdome with all his posterity vnto whome neuerthelesse it was established by the ordinance of God only because that he had disobeyed God preferred his owne opinion before the commandement which was given him wholly to destroy the Amalekites But one onely example might suffice to shew how pleasing obedience is to God that is to say that which Iesus Christ hath rendered to God his Father in our name Phil. 2. the which was of such great efficacy and weight with God that it hath blotted out the disobedience of our first parents and hath restored vs to a more happie estate then that of Adams was pittifull and miserable wherinto by his disobedience he had precipitate himselfe and all his posterity as S. Paul sheweth in the Epistle to the Romanes chap. 5. vers 19. As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by that obedience of that one shall many also be made righteous And to the Phillipians chap. 2. vers 8. Hee humbled himselfe became obedient vnto the death euen to the death of the crosse wherfore God hath highly exalted him and giuen him a name aboue euery name That at the name of Iesus should euery knee bow both of things in Heauen and things in Earth and thinges vnder the Earth And that euery tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father And in the Epistle to the Hebrewes chap. 10. vers 6. In burnt offrings and sinne offrings thou hast had no pleasure Then I sayd Loe I come in the beginning of the booke it is written of me that I should doe thy will O God Aboue when he had sayd Sacrifice and offring and burnt offrings and sin offrings thou wouldest not haue neither haddest pleasure therein which are offered by the Law Then sayd hee Loe I come to doe thy will
saluation and my tongue shall sing ioyfully of thy righteousnesse Open thou my lips oh Lord and my mouth shall shew forth thy prayse Moreover without this spirit wee could not loue God nor our neighbours because that the charitie of God is by it powred in our hearts as sayth the Apostle It is also the earnest the pledge token which God hath left to his children to assure them of eternall life Rom. 5. 2. Cor. 1. and of the rest of the joyes and comforts of the glory honour and of all that perfect and entire felicity which they ought finally to looke for in his kingdome not onely in regard of their soules but also of their bodies the which by the vertue and vigour of this spirit which is in them they shall be quickened at the day of the resurrection as was that of Iesus Christ as it is written 1. Cor. 15. The first man Adam was made a liuing soule and the last Adam was made a quickning spirit We may then well desire of God as did Dauid thaâ— hee would preserue vs this spirit and say to him as sayth the Prophet Psal 51. Creatâ— in me a cleane heart O God and renewe â— right spirit within me Cast me not away form thy presence and take not thine holy â—pirit from me Restore me to the ioye of â—hy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit Let vs then diligently keepe our â—elues from grieuing it Exhortations and yet more from quenching of it by leading a disâ—olute and disordinate life 1. Thes 5. as many doe that are vicious and prophane hauing no regard to their guest who beâ—ng holy loueth all holynesse and cannot with a good eye behold any filthinesse or spot in those with whom it doth conuerse So that at the last if hee see â—hem to continue he is constrained to â—orsake them and to change his lodgâ—ng Which we see hath happened often and fresh in memory in these last warres where many hauing not as they should the conscience sound whole and for this reason 1. Tim. 1. being abandoned from the presence and ayde of this spirit which was departed from them haue made shipwracke of their faith and of all true piety to returne to their abhominations and to the filthynesse of Papistry Which we ought well to feare and to auoyd it follow the counsell of the Apostle who exciteth vs to crucifie our flesh Gal. 5. with all the affections and concupiscences thereof and to walke in spirit as we liue in spirit For as sayth the Apostle Ephe. 4. If wee are once filled with this spirit we shall flote vpon all the waues and floods of this world And shall neuer bee drowned nor suncke what stormes and tempests soeuer may stirre and threaten vs no more then a bushell or other wodden vesselâ— being vppon the water neuer goeth to the bottom being filled with wind Also wee being prouided and full of the spirit of God who is compared to the wind in the scripture can neuer bee ouerflowen nor couered vnder the waters being still vpheld by the hand of our God who will make vs to swimme on the top of the water as Noah and his children did during the deluge being inclosed in the Arke ¶ The first thing contrary to Faith is Ignorance How perilous the Ignorance of the truth to salvation is HAving deduced the things which are joyned and tyed to Faith it remaineth now to declare those that are contrary and opposite whereof Ignorance is the first for to haue faith it is needful that we haue a certain knowledge as well of God as of his goodnesse towards vs which wee cannot obtaine vnlesse wee first know his promises his alliance and Iesus Christ who is the procurer of it for those that ignore these things cannot any way bee faithfull As also the Apostle teacheth by the definition which hee giueth of Faith saying Heb. 11. Faith is a subsistence of things hoped for and a demonstration of things not seene And a little after By Faith wee vnderstand that the ages haue beene ordayned by the word of God to bee made a demonstration of invisible things Which sheweth well that we cannot beleeue the things that are reuealed vnto vs in the holy scripture but wee must haue a certaine knowledge of them and such a one as the Mathematicians may haue of their Theoremes by the mathematicke demonstrations the which being grounded vppon euident principles and and maximes cannot be but most certaine and jndubitable Also must Faith be grounded vpon the reuelation of the mysteries and secrets oâ— God contained in the scripture The grouÌ„d of Faith as welâ— of the old as of the new Testamant And for this reason all those that desire and pretend to be faithfull must be taughâ— and instructed in the scriptures ether by hearing or by reuelation or else by reading and meditation Otherwise theâ— are abused and deceaue themselues iâ— the opinion which they haue to beâ— Christians and faithful notwithstanding their jgnorance For as hath been said Faith cannot subsist without knowing the things which it belieueth and perswadeth it selfe as certaine and infallible Ierem. 31. Which is the cause that God willing to make a new allyance with hiâ— people promiseth them to bee theâ— God that is to say their Father protector tutour defendour buckler anâ— sufficiency prouided that the peoplâ— on their part will acknowledge him tâ— be such a one Iohn 18. Also Iesus Christ said tâ— this purpose that eternall life consistetâ— in that they acknowledge thee the onlâ— true God and him that thou hast senâ— Iesus Christ which are two euident notes to shew that we cannot be faithfull nor by faith hope for eternall life but we must know God and the good will which hee beareth vs and Iesus Christ who by his death and perfect obedience hath procured it for vs. Esay Censure of Ignorance for to vanquish and condemne the incredulity of the people of his time who were rebellious and obstinate in rejecting all the admonitions which were giuen them as well of their faults as of the meanes of their saluation hee sayd to them with a sower and sharpe reproch The Oxe knoweth his Lord Esay 1. and the Asse his Maisters manger But my people know not me at all Willing to giue the people to vnderstand which he had chosen and taken into his allyance that they were altogether prophane and vnfaithfull Osee 2. Ose likewise speaking of the cause for the which the people had been â—ed captiue sayd That they were extirminate banished exiled out of their country by reason of their jgnorance â—nd of the little duty that they had shewed in acknowledging God as they ought and his ordinances to be conformable vnto them and his graces and fauours to loue him to put their whole trust in him But Dauid sheweth that very clearely in the nynth Psalme when he sayth The Lord will
cannot bee but in such persons as are dowed with faith in Christ becausâ— that the one proceedeth of the other and is set vppon the same foundations Therefore also S. Paul prayed for the faithfull that God would open the eyeâ— of their vnderstandings to the end they might comprehend the hope of his vocation and the riches of the glory oâ— his inheritance among the Saints aâ— hath beene already shewed Let vs therâ— conclude seeing we are called to the hope of that euerlasting happie and glorious life no lesse then to belieue in Iesus Christ that hee sinneth no lesse that doth not in patience hope wayte for this celestiall inheritance then the other that beleeueth not in Iesus Christ The grouÌ„d of ChristiaÌ„ Hope Now seeing we are called to the hope of these euerlasting goods things they are then promised to vs that belieue in Iesus Christ And therefore it is reason that our hope should abyde grounded vpon the promises of God and all that which concerning them namely vpon Iesus Christ in whome they are ratified whom we accept for a sauiour These promises of eternall felicity to the belieuers are confirmed vnto them 1. By the solemne oath or vow of God which is added therevnto 2. By the precious bloud of Iesus Christ which is the seale thereof 3. By the admirable right according to the which it hath pleased God to adopt vs for his children and heires 4. By the holy spirit of the promise who hath marked all the faithfull for the possession of this inheriâ—ance in whose hearts the diuine promises are hidden and which dwelleth â—n them as an assured earnest or pledge â—f the inheritance promised and kept â—n Heauen 5. By the eternall immooâ—able and free election according to the which the Apostle affirmeth that all the â—elieuers in Christ were predestinated â—ot onely because they should be adopâ—ed to be called iustified and sanctified â—ut also to be sanctified 6. By the arâ—icle of the resurrection and ascension of â—he Lord and of his sitting at the right â—and of God his father which sheweth â—he truth of the promises made to him â—or our saluation and the power of the promise for that which God was able to effect in our head he wil also be able to doe it in his members as in effect he will accomplish it We haue the proofe thereof in that he quickened vs when we were dead in sinne he quickneth vs euery day by his grace hee hath raised and doth raise vs in newnesse of life Also in the resurrection of Iesus Christ set soone after at the right hand of the father So then seeing wee are called to the hope of this promised inheritance and which wee ought to waight with patience seeing it is commanded vs to hope so because of Iesus Christ seeing he that hath promised it vnto vs is True and Almighty to effect his promise let vs conclude that the hope which we haue to obtaine the celestiall inheritance is assured and most certaine euery way 7. For assurance of strengthening we haue our conformitie with our head in his sufferings and in the patience of his afflictions insomuch as we maintaine one selfe-same cause to wit the confession of the truth and profession of the Gospell Wherevpon the Apostle sayth that if wee suffer with Iesus Christ we shal also raigne with him 2. Tim. 2.12 Also Wee boast euen in tribulations knowing that tribulation bringeth patience and patience experience and experience hope Rom. 5.3.4 Also he ioyneth the resurrection of Christ to his death declareth that if we be dead with him wee beleeue that we shal also liue with him Ephe. 1.20 RoÌ„ 9.8 So theÌ„ persecutioÌ„ for righteousnesse is a most assured testimonie to the faithfull that they shall participate in the glory of their head and euerlasting life From thence it commeth that the Apostle reioyceth with the Phillippians because it hath been giuen vnto them for Christs sake not onely to beleeue in him but also to suffer for him Phil. 1.29 Wrighting to the Thessalonians we our selues sayth hee boast of you in the Churches of God because of your patience and Faith in all the persecutions and afflictions which you vndergoe the which are a manifest demonstration of the judgement of God that you may be reputed worthy of his Kingdome For the which also you suffer 2. Thessa 1.4.5 The same point of doctrine is treated in the 12. Chap. of the Epistle to the Hebrues And as it was needefull that the head of the Church should suffer and by the way of the crosse enter into glory also it is fitting that by many tribulations the members of his bodie should enter into the Kingdome of heauen Let vs then conclude that the sufferings for Iesus Christ doe maruailously confirme the hope of his raigne Hope is a singular guift Besides as Faith is a singuler gift of God so is hope for as much as by patience the beleeuers wayte for these great good things which haue been promised them Therefore S. Paul wished fervently that the Faithfull might haue the eyes of their vnderstanding opened to knowe what was the hope of their vocation and the excellencie of the riches of the glory of his inheritance among the Saints Ephe. 1.18 Let vs then also pray vnto the Lord that hee would more and more confirme in our hearts the hope of eternall life Let vs hope that hee will do it seeing his gifts and his calling is without repentance and that he goeth on to the end with the good worke which hee hath begun in his elect Let vs yet consider that the nature of hope agreeth altogether with that of Faith That is to say it is assured perpetuall liuely of efficacie in those that are regenerate hoping in God Seeing that hope proceedeth and dependeth of Faith which maintayneth it necessaryly hope is such as Faith is so that the faithfull truely hoping although that shooke with diuers sorts of temptations it neuer falleth by despairing altogether because that christian hope is setled vppon the solide and firme foundations aboue spoken of not vppon humane strength dignities or promises Such a hope is not idle but â—ssured of the felicitie she coÌ„taineth the â—aithfull in dutie causeth them to purâ—ue and desire to effect that which they â—now to be agreable to the Lord that â—hey do gently support afflictions â—aies and gates to attaine and enter inâ—o paradice that they know by their owne experience that affliction bringeth patience and patience experience and experience hope which maketh not ashamed Rom. 5.3 For those that hope in the Lord cannot bee confounded wherevpon it followeth that hope dependeth not of vs nor of our merits otherwise it were nothing but shame and confusion to vs. Summarie of the doctrine of Hope Let vs yet make some exact summarie of the doctrine towching christian hope The word of hope is taken in two sorts by a figuratiue and proper manner of speaking Figured in three