in iudgement 1. To accuse me before my God 2. To condemne me with my God 3. To hinder from me the loue and mercy of my God That my conscience may be quieted in this life within my brest 3. I will not henceforth feare the power of death nor the horror of the dust and graue seeing my Lord hath conquerd death and sanctified the graue to be to the bodies of his Saints a bed to rest in Es 57.2 where they repose them till the resurrection 1. Hauing laid aside a grieuous burden the burden of the flesh 2. Free from the troubles and miseries of this life August in Ioan. 3. Kept safe to immormortality That I may lay me downe quietly at the time of my dissolution also sleepe in peace Ps 4.8 He descended into hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the diuels Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them for 1. We were before in feare and danger of hell 2. He onely could ouercome the strong man binde him and spoile his house Luk. 11.21 Mat. 12.29 3. Thereby he led captiuity captiue and tooke into his hands the keies of death and hell Vse 1. Whereas therefore by this descending of Christ into hell I finde my selfe deliuered from the danger of hell I doe consider that it is my duety that as my Sauiour hath deliuered me from this death so I should endeauour also to saue others from this place of torment where there is 1. Want of all grace 2. Defect of all glorie 3. Excesse of all paine Sadnesse burning the minds of men Bern. de med geh suppli and flames the bodies 2. Whereas by this his conquest of the infernal powers my Lord hath strucken a perpetuall terror and feare into the diuell I see that I need not to stand in feare of satans tyranny seeing he shall neuer more be able to set vp his kingdome thus destroyed 1. Although he hath great wrath 2. Although he hath great subtlety 3. Although he hath great power Alwaies enuying the people of God fighting against the Saints 3. Whereas my Lord rides on in his glory with his and our enemies bound before him I will no longer looke on the mockgames of this worlds vanities and triumphs but turne mine eies from all earthly spectacles to behold this glorious show where 1. The conqueror is the Lord of heauen 2. The conquered are the powers of darknesse 3. The monument of victory is the crosse A triumph excelling all other shewes alone worth the beholding The fifth Article The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life For 1. Els could he not haue freed himselfe out of deaths hold and prison of the graue 2. We must be made conformable as vnto the image of the death Phil. 3.3 so also to the resurrection of Iesus Christ 3. As he raised himselfe by his owne power so also will he quicken our mortall bodies to make them like vnto his glorious body Vse 1. What great comfort then is this vnto my soule that I haue an assurance that my Lord by dying hath not onely quite abolished and done away my sinne but also by rising againe hath brought vnto me righteousnesse and life applying vnto me by vertue of his resurrection the whole merit of his death and passion whereby I am 1. Separate from sinners 2. Reconciled vnto God 3. At peace and quietnesse in mine own conscience Ro. 5. Which is my chiefest ioy happinesse in this world 2. What great care and conscience should I vse seeing Christ is risâ—n againe from the dead that I no longer lie amongst the dead how should I pray vnto him that as by the power of his god-head hee raised himselfe from the graue so he would also raise me vnto newnesse of life from this death and graue of sinne where I ly rotting and stinking while I 1. Delight in sinne 2. Worke sinne 3. Accustome my selfe to sâ—nne Which is my greatest misery in this life Aug. de ver dom 3. What great hope and assured confidence should I haue that I shall be raised vp againe to life for if he being dead could raise himself Vrsin Max. in ser de pa. much more being aliue can he raise me If he my head my flesh my blood and my portion be risen then shall I his member flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone also rise and come to an inheritance in heauen 1. Immortall 2. Vndefiled 3. And that fadeth not away Which will be my blessednes in the world to come The sixth Article He ascended into heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession thereof for vs. 2. That hee might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church For 1. He is entred before into the rest and makes vs to sit together with him in heauenly places 2. He did ascend that he might fulfill al things Eph. 4.10 3. He saith Ioh. 16.7 If I goe not away the comforter will not come vnto you Vse 1. I will therefore leaue all by pathes of this world to take me to this way which my Lord hath trod before me and trained it with his blood neither will I be slothfull in it nor turne out of it but in affection hast me into heauen Greg. following thither in my heart where Christ is in his body where I conuerse already in hope and expectation and viewing him with the eie of my faith ascending Aug. Epist ad Dardan 1. Beleeue on him in his absence 2. Hope for his comming 3. By his hidden mercy feele his presence Nothing doubting but that where my Lord is I his seruant shal be also Ioh. 14.3.11.26 2. I will not swell on that which I haue receiued nor otherwaies abuse my gifts because from him I haue them receiued nor scorne my brothers graces to quench the spirit in him but rather stirre vp the gift of God in me acknowledging the giuer 1. Of whom 2. Through whom 3. For whom are all things Rom. 11.36 Nothing of good giuings perfect gifts but comming down from him the father of lights Iac. 1.17 3. I will not seeke for solace in the heauinesse of my soule and day of mine affliction from any worldly comfort but from that heauenly spirit which he sent downe ascending who in flesh departing from vs yet alwaies remaines with vs as concerning his Aug. tra 50. in Io. 1. Maiesty 2. Prouidence 3. Vnspeakeable goodnesse Nothing wanting to true consolation where he is present by his holy spirit And sitteth on the
To the Honorable Knight the most Iudicious and learned Sir FRANCES BACON the Kings Attorney Generall IT was my chance Right worthy Sir that you were preseÌ„t a hearer of my first made sermons At Kensington in Iuly 1607. and if I might take their words that told me you gaue good words of me then and conceiued good hopes of me for the time to come on this inducement I resolued to present you with my first publisht writings but I was abashed in my selfe and ready to fall off from my purpose remembring a passage in your first booke of The Aduancement of learning where you seeme neerer to reprehension then defence of those that dedicate their books writings not to their owne equals but to men of greater rancke And had I not considered with my selfe that where there were so many good parts of nature and learning there could not choose but be much humanity the greatnes of your place and your worth surmounting greater places then that you hold had deterd my meannesse and slendernesse from this attempt neither had I dared to haue offerd that vnto you which I haue now presumed This I know that for the Argument there can be an vnfitnesse in no booke to be presented vnto you a man so generally read and learned I am perswaded that he that is so industrious as your selfe and abounding with so many vertues will euen loue and cherish the least shew and resemblance of the same in others Well iacta est alea I am now come before you and if you shall vouchsafe mee but a kinde and cheerefull aspect it will much cheere me but if I might vnderstand that I haue written any thing that may be to your tast the approbation of your learned iudgement alone shall bee vnto me more then the applause of a large Theater Howsoeuer it shall be let me intreate and obtaine this of your goodnes in the name of learning though I be but the least and meanest in her common wealth that you would not vtterly dash and put me out of countenance whose very wit and courage will euen stand and fall with your countenance The man that highly loues and admires your vertues RICHARD BRVCH Reader IF thou shouldest aske mee why I would write of things so much intreated off why I would write in such a method I haue an answer at hand for both thy questioÌ„s though not one and the same for both there lay a kinde of necessity on mee to write of one part of this treatise The Lords Praier that drew on the rest to disauow a sonne of the people that was fatherd on me nothing like me nor my children who though they are most of them rough-hewed like their father yet haue they all their portion of wit and common sense For the nouelty of the method let this answer thee that knowing that by many parasanges I could not come neere nor attaine vnto the worthies of our Church as many as haue written of these things a Caluin an Vrsin a Viret and a Virell a Perkins or a Granatensis with others whose learned comments and bookes of institution are in hand I fell into this new forme of method that thou mightest know though nihil est iam dictum quod non sit dictuÌ„ prius al do sing but the very same song yet we can in this age set out our learning in new fashions of word and method as the men of the age can set theÌ„selues forth in new fashions of cloathes Thou hast the reason of these my numbers maiest thou vse them to thy profit comfort fare thou well Thine R. B. A preface or introduction to the Booke containing a reason of the Title I Feare me it may be iustly said of many a one that now a daies makes profession of religion as it is said to the Angell of the Church of Sardis Reuel 3.1 Thou hast a name that thou liuest and art dead For how great soeuer the shew be that they make to the world yet if they were examined of their faith it would be so farre that they should be bespoken with the Canaanitish woman Great is your faith Mat. 15.28 That we should rather bespeake them as our Sauiour his Disciples Mat. 16. O ye of little faith or O ye of no faith rather If their workes were well seene and considered we would not commend them for their fruites but speake to them in the words of the Baptist As trees that did not bring forth good fruit Mat. 3.10 yea if they would seriously consider with themselues of their key cold praiers how heauy leaden dull and dead they were in their deuotions they would euen testifie against themselues that they had little or no feeling at all in themselues that they had little or no life at all of grace in them Of their holy and sound faith of their godly conuersation of their deuout praiers are men rightly termed religious the outward shewes of words of lookes of gestures make men no more such then doth his weed the Frier He that hath true faith is religious The iust by his faith shall liue Abac. 2.4 Here then is life He that walkes in the way of the commandements in the way of good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them is religious These are the waies of life wherein if we keepe vs we shall be safe a ruine mortis from the ruine of death here is also life Aliue from the dead saith the Apostle Rom. 6.13 and dead indeed â—o sinne but aliue vnto God through Iesus Christ our Lord v. 11. If the spirit and life of God be in a man he shall quickely find it in his praiers he shall thereby quickely find if he haue any sparke of grace or religion if he be earnest and feruent in them if they be full of zeale It is a sure signe that a mans soule and heart are religious when hee can powre them out in praier before God There is the presenting of our bodies a liuing sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God Rom. 1â— 1 And there is the presenting of our praiers also a liuing sacrifice for our soules are in them Here then also is life True faith an holy conuersation and pure deuotion doe constitute a man and absolue him for religious in each of these there is life in them altogether is the life of religion 1. The rule of things that are to be beleeued Regula credendorâ—â—n is the Creed in this short exposition â—â—y perchance be found some what that may informe a mans vnderstanding in the knovvledge of the mystery of godlines and to teach him also to make application of his knovvledge to himselfe This is for faith 2. The rule of a mans life are the Commandemens of vvhich vve may say in the vvords of the Prophet This is the way walke in it This small treatise vvill affoord a man some light in the way and giue him some entrance to the vnderstanding of the
Article And in Iesus which saueth vs 1. From the guilt of sinne 2. From the punishment of sinne 3. From the power of sin and Satan For 1. He was made sin for vs. Gal. 3.13 2. He was made a curse for vs. Ga. 4.4 3. Hee appeared to loose the workes of the diuell Ioh. 16.54 Vse 1. Whereas therefore the law of God accusing me in my selfe I am but a lost creature and can find nothing in me but 1. A froward heart 2. A wicked life and 3. A defiled conscience I betake me to this saluation 2. Whereas wrath is here gone forth against me and hell else-where prouided that I may yet haue hope and safety 1. In life 2. In death 3. In iudgement I cleaue vnto this Iesus 3. Whereas solde vnder sinne a captiue to the Diuell I haue liued long in bondage that now I may be freed from such 1. Bad Masters 2. Heauy chains 3. Seruile labours I flie vnto this Sauiour Christ annointed vnto vs 1. A Prophet 2. A Priest 3. A King For he 1. Teacheth his people the will of his Father 2. Maketh atonement twixt them and their God 3. Doth mightily gouerne and defend his Church Vse 1. I therefore leaue all other teachers which speake not as the word of God to harken to this Prophet with whose 1. Threatnings I am terrified 2. Promises I am allured 3. To whose precepts I doe obey Because hee hath the words of truth and peace 2 I come vnto the father through him offering spirituall sacrifice trusting to be accepted and lay hold vpon his sacrifice which was 1. Priest 2. Altar 3. Sacrifice Because hee is the high and only sacrificer 3 I count me happy liuing in his gouernment and will shew me faithfull to him that so 1. Mightily ouer-rules and punisheth his enemies 2. Gratiously rules protects his subiects 3. Bountifully rewardeth all their seruices Because he is the King of pâ—ace righteousnesse His onely Sonne 1. Not by creation 2. Not by adoption 3. But by eternall generation For 1. So are othâ—r men and Angels sonnes of God 2. So are sonnes all the chosen people of God 3. So is Iesus Christ himselfe alone Vse 1. These otâ—er therefore men and Angels though they are called sonnes of God as being from him in the institution of their nature in whome 1. They liue 2. They moue 3. They haue their being Yet do they not partake of Gods own nature 2. These other Saints of God and chosen people â—hough they haue the honour to bee called the Sonnes of God because they are 1. Elect of him before all worlds 2. Begotten of his immortall seede the word 3. Borne againe of water and of the spirit Yet do they not communicate of Gods owne essence 3 But this his Sonne alone his vndefiled of-spring begotten of him before all worlds and deare to him that did beget him is rightly called his onely Sonne being 1. The bright image of his Father 2. Light of his light 3. Coaeternall to him and consubstantial Because hee alone communicates of the diuine nature and essence Our Lord 1. Potestas arrepta Accepta Not by a power vsurped and vniust 2. Not by a power borrowed and limitted Iâ—genita de Soto 3. But by a power ingenit and lawfull purchase For 1. So are Lords also the tirants of the earth 2. So are Lords also those that raigne by him 3. So is he our Lord alone that is heire of all things Vse 1. Hence therfore am I quickened in my seruice to performe all due obediencâ— and doe willingly resigne to him my body soule substance whom I serue Greg. li. 2. Morall 1. Out of the affection of charity 2. Out of the loue of iustice 3. Free from all seruile feare and terror Because his gouernment is so iust and equall 2. Hence draw I no small comfort both for the hope of the reward of my seruice and helpe in need and trouble as also from the dignity of this my calling that I serue a power 1. Whose ability is not poore to reward 2. Whose arme is not short to helpe 3. Whose will cannot bee crossed by a greater power Because he is chiefe Lord subordinate to none 3. Hence thinke I of the account that I am to make of my goods and tallent and withall referre all that I haue to his goodnesse and all that I speak think or do to his praise from whom I haue so much receiued and whose I am by right of 1. Creation 2. Redemption 3. Preseruation Because he is my true and naturall Lord. Vrfin in loco The third Article Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost 1. After the will of God alone 2. After a manner vnspeakeable 3. After the prophecies that went before For 1. He decreed it thus to come to passe 2. Wee cannot conceiue nor vtter how 3. They spake thus of it long agoe A Virgin shall conceiue All which was done Vse 1. That he might be without all spot or blemish in his conception 1. The sourse of corruption being stopped in his mother 2. Purenesse infused into the masse wherof he was made 3. The humane nature vnited vnto the god-head That so his integrity might couer our defects 2. That we might know that by the same spirit Christ may be formed in our hearts â—ulgent li. de incarnatio August in Ps 17 by which he was conceiued in the wombe if we haue the virginity of the minde which is 1. Sound faith 2. Solid hope 3. Sincere charity That so a fit receptacle bee prouided for him in our soules 3. That we might be assured that nothing shal fall to the ground which the Lord hath spoken though it seeme as impossible to vs as a Virgin to conceiue a thing 1. Which is beyond the course of nature 2. Which hath not entred into the heart of man 3. Which hath not otherwise been hard of in the world That so our faith may bee confirmed in the promises Borne of the Virgin Mary A thing 1. In reason wonderfull 2. In example singular 3. In effect desirable For 1. Who can tell out of his generation 2. Who can euer instance in the like 3. Blessed and happy is the wombe that beares him Vse 1. I acknowledge herein therefore the great worke of God maruellous in our eies so strangely ioyning these three things together Bern. ser in vigil natiu 1. God and man 2. A mother and a maide 3. Faith of these things and the hart of man And magnifie his glorious name therefore 2. I regard herein the humility and loue of my Sauiour which being borne from euerlasting of the father God rich ouer all dwelling in the heauenly palaces came downe into this earth to be 1. Borne of his hand-maide 2. Wrapt in clouts 3. Laide in a manger And follow him in and loue him for these vertues 3. August I long to beare him blessedly in my heart as the mother of God did beare him
blessedly in her belly whom I may 1. Conceiue without sin 2. Beare without burden 3. Bring foorth without paine And imbrace him in mine armes with all ioy The fourth Article Suffered 1. According to the truth foretold 2. With great fruit to vs. 3. Leauing vs an example to follow his steps For 1. Thus the scripture testified of him 2. There is deâ—pe matter hid therein 3. We also by suffering must enter into glory Vse 1. I confâ—sse therefore that it is true of Christ which I haue read and heard of him that he should be 1. Sold of the wicked 2. Villainously despighted 3. Slaine for sâ—nne Whereas there was no euill found in him 2. I propose his passion to my selfe to apply it to my soule therein beholding both the horriblenesse of my sinne and his vnspeakable loue who was 1. Sold to redeeme me 2. Despighted to honour me 3. Slaine to quicken me Whereas I was his enemy by kinde August in serm quodam 3. I arme me likewise with such minde calling his passion to my minde 1. Pet. 4.1 1. Greg. in Epist To suffer all things willingly 2. To spend my selfe bearing other mens burdens 3. To honour and loue him in the highest degree Whereas he suffred so great things for me Vnder Pontius Pilate 1. Before whom hee was brought bound 2. To whom he was accused falsly 3. By whom hee was condemned vniustly 1. He was then deputy and iudge in Iury. 2. The witnesses could not agree 3. He had pronounced him innocent before Vse 1 This forraine ruler shewes me that this was true Messias who was thus brought bound before him as a sacrifice tied with cords for now 1. The scepter was departed from Iudah 2. The law giuer froÌ„ between his feete 3. The stock of Lesse was growne old and bare That hencforth I expect no other Christ 2. This accusation tels me wherby the harmelesse fell and yet did holde his peace that I shall be absolued and haue leaue to cry to God through him that was accused and yet would answer nothing when it was falsely laid to his charge that he 1. Seduced the people 2. Raised sedition among the people 3. Went about to make himselfe a King That I should not feare what may be broght against me 3. This condemnation of the innocent acquits me that am nocent from the iust condemning sentence 1. Of the law of God 2. Of mine owne conscience 3. Of the heauenly iudge That I might be blamelesse whilst he beares my guilt Was Crucified 1. Despising the shame 2. Enduring the torment 3. Bearing the curse 1. For it was a punishment of slaues and the last of men 2. For it was with incredible paine of all parts of the body 3. For it is written cursed is he that hangeth on the tree Vse 1. I will here then consider of the inestimable loue of Christ passing all vnderstanding who humbled himselfe so low as that to deliuer me and other his people from deserued shame he vndeseruing vnderwent the shame of the crosse where hee hung sixe houres 1. Naked in the sight of all mâ—n 2. In the middest between two thieues 3. Derided and scorned of all sorts of men That I may loue such loue and neuer be ashamed of such a Maister 2. I will looke vp to his crosse to see how much sinnes doe paine him which haue fastned him to the wood pierst his side digd his hands and feet and ponder in the ballance of my heart August 1. The wounds of him that hangs there 2. The bloud of him that dies there 3. The price of him that redeemes there That weighing his tormeÌ„t I may wound my soule with sorrow for my sin 3. I will not henceforth feare the curse of the law nor yet the wrath of God seeing he was made a curse and bare the whole wrath of God in his flesh 1. To satisfie Gods iustice for me 2. To appease his wrath towards me 3. To make me partaker of the blessing That so I may receiue the promise of the spirit through faith Dead 1. Verily and really 2. Voluntarily 3. Necessarily For 1. The â—cripture saith that he gaue vp the ghost 2. He had power to die and not to die 3. The iustice of God his tâ—ueth and promise did so require it Vse 1. He did not therfore counterfeit a passion Bast ex August de haeres as wickedly say the Manichees and Cerdonians nor substitute a Symâ—n of Cyrene to bee slaine for him as say the Basilidaâ— Heretickes but though he were the Lord of life he did indeed lay downe his life and died to quicken vs and by the power of his death oueâ— came 1. Death 2. Hell and 3. Damnation Deliuering vs from the feare and taking away froÌ„ vs the sting of death and victory of hell 2. He willingly for vs laid downe his soule an offering for sinne Es 53 10. to deliuer vs from the punishment of sinne Rom. 6. â—3 and left vs an example that we should also willingly Perkins 1. Die rather then sinne 2. Die for Christ 3. Die for the brethren Imitating his zeale and loue that tooke vpoÌ„ him our person and satisfied for our transgressions 3. He was ordained before of God and promised to be that all sufficient sacrifice that should take away the sinnes of the world and therefore according to the necessity of his decree and word he died and by his death obtained 1. Pardon of our sins 2. Reconciliation for vs with God 3. The gift of the holy Ghost Paying a sufficient ransom for vs Vrsin sustaining a punishment aequiualent to the eternall which none but hee could doe Buried 1. That he might shew the certainty of his death 2. That he might bury our sins with him in the graue 3. That pursuing death into his farthest hold he might there conquer him and sanctifie the graue For 1. They bury nâ—ne but those that are dead indeede 2. He so would haue our sinnes hidden from the face of his father 3. He there tooke away the victory of deatâ— consecrated the graue filling it with his odours and sweete smels Vse 1. I will hold therefore of his buriall for the assurance of my faith concerning his death and thinking of his burying meditate also of the misteries of his sepulchre in that he was laid 1. In a new graue who loues to haue his lodgeing in a new heart Bucan 2. In another mans graue August that died was buried for other mens saluation 3. In a graue cut out of the rock which openeth the stoniest hearts and in them doth make his chambers That I may lay these things the better to my heart 2. I will not violate the sepulchre of my sauiour raking vp againe the sinnes which he hath buried but rather striue to haue sinne buried in me neither will I any more feare my sinnes inasmuch as he hath buried them that they shall neuer rise vp against me
If the case stand thus twixt Christ and the faithfull that they haue an vnion and communion between themselues then surely he the head will inspire them his members with vigor feeling mouing and spirituall life nay he wil receiue of them what is theirs namely their sinnes and sorrowes and giue vnto them what is his 1. To bee called the sonnes of God 2. To haue right to his righteousnes 3. To haue iust claime and title to his fathers Kingdome Conuaying these his goods vnto them by the preaching of the word administration of the sacraments 2. If there be such a fellowship of the Saints on earth then euery one of them ought to bee thus minded readily and cheerefully to bestow the gifts that he hath receiued to the common commodity safety and to let religion and charity so vnite and moue their hearts 1. That they may thinke the same things 2. That they may bee of like affection one vnto another 3. That they may be ready to distribute of their substance vnto euerie one as he hath need Maintaining as much as in them lieth and promoting this holy fellowship 3. If the distance betwixt this and Heauen cannot hinder the affection of the Saints on earth but that it will reach euen the seat of the blessed if the security and pleasures of that Kingdome cannot make the blessed departed to forget the sufferings of their brethren here on earth whom they do not see but that they minde them pitty them and pray to God for them How can I then perswade my selfe that I am one of these Saints if my conuersation be not already in heauen How can I speake of this communion if I remember not poore Ioseph to pray for him and to pitty him whom I daily see 1. Destitute 2. Afflicted 3. Tormented My bowels yerning vpon him in coÌ„passion of his miserie The tenth Article The forgiuenesse of sinnes 1. The guilt of them done away 2. The spot of them purged 3. The punishment remitted For 1. They shall neuer bee imputed vnto vs. 2. The blood of Iesus clenseth vs from all sinne 3. Christ hath suffered whatsoeuer was due to our sinnes Vse 1. I can therefore settle my soule in rest and quietnesse hauing great ioy and peace in mine heart knowing that I am the blessed of the Lord and that nothing can separate twixt me and my God my sinne being not being not imputed it is as if it were not I can also haue great boldnâ—â— in the day of the Lord nothing fearing the iudgement nor in the iudgement the acculation 1. Of the Diuell 2. Of mine owne conscience 3. Of the Lawe of God Seeing I shal not be reputed wicked where I did amisse 2. I will not defile my selfe againe with my sinnes returning with the dogge to his vomit and with the sow to wallowing in the mire but with all care and conscience keepe 1. My sâ—â—le chast 2. My body vndefiled 3. My garments cleane Seeing I haue bin washt from mine iniquity and cleansed from my sinne Ps 52.2 3. I will not dreame of satisfying for my sinnes by mine owne doing or suffering neither will I feare the wrath in this world nor the reuenging flames of purgatory after this life to roast and broyle my soule till they haue purged out my drosse and eat vp all my corruption Or thus Who hath made perfect satisfaction for my sinne by this 1. Most part natiuity 2. Most holy life 3. Most bitter passâ—ion and cruell death Seeing c. but cast from me all seruile feare knowing that Gods iustice cannot punish that againe in his seruant which hee hath already punisht in his Sonne 1. Who was numbred with the transgressors 2. Bare the sinne of many 3. Made intercession for the trespassers Es 53.12 Seeing the Lord laide on him the iniquity of vs all Es 53.6 The Eleauenth Article The resurrection of the bodie 1. Wherein there shall be a finall destruction of the workes of the Diuell 2. Wherein there shall be a full manifestation of Gods mercy on the faithfull 3. Wherein there shall be a fearefull declaration of his iustice on the wicked For 1. Then sinne and death shall be vtterly done away 2. The same flesh that was partaker of the Crosse shall be made also partaker of the glorie 3. As their soules sinned dwelling in their bodies for their lasting so shall they bee punished soule and body for Gods euerlasting Vse 1. I know therefore that howsoeuer sinne hath now defaced my soule and body howsoeuer death for a while may hereafter pray vpon my carkasse in the graue yet there shall be a time of restitution and a time of refreshing from the Lord wherein my state shall bee made farre better then it was at first in Adam Christ becomming deaths death and being made vnto me life by whose voice I shall be awaked and by whose power I shall be raised from the graue 1. The same body 2. Made like vnto Christs glorious bodie 3. Now no more subiect vnto death For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal immortality 1. Co. 15.53 2. I beleeue that howsoeuer here the godly mourne for a season being afflicted and brought low yet the time is comming when all teares shal be wipt away from their eies they made free from misery hauing giuen vnto them a large retribution namely at the resurrection of the iust when their soules being ioined againe vnto their bodies they shall be brought to meet the Lord and so for euer be with the Lord in the assurance of which comfort 1. My heart is glad 2. My glory reioiceth 3. My flesh shall rest in hope Ps 16.9 For I shall not dwell for euer with straitnes nor lodge for ages in the graue 3 I perswade me that howsoeuer the wicked flourish here vpon earth for a season Et sortem vsuram Greg. li. 4 Dialog and it goeth well with them yet the time is comming when they shall pay for all being therefore in the resurrection restored to their former being that they may for euer leese their well being and be condemned to suffer 1. Death without death 2. Defect without defect 3. End without end For immortall neuer fading infinite shall bee their death defect and end The twelfth Article And the life euerlasting 1. Which is the gift of our God 2. Which is the end of our hopes 3. Which is the complement of our happines For 1. He bestoweth it vpon vs though Iesus Christ 2. We can desire nothing but this wee can expect nothing beyond this 3. It includes the presence of all good and the absence of all euill Now therefore Vse 1. If I doe owe vnto God my whole selfe because he hath created me If I owe vnto him more then my selfe because he hath redeemed me how can I speake of that inutterable band of debt wherein I am tied vnto him that hath giuen to the eternall life the first fruits whereof I
precept and practise of the duties that are required This is for conuersation 3. The rule of a mans praiers is that praier which the Lord himselfe hath taught vs somwhat for a mans learning to teach him to pray according to this praier may hee find in this small Booke This is for deuotion 3. The Lord of life giue vnto vs to liue in this World the life of grace that in the other vve may liue the life of glory here to liue religiously that there vve may liue blessedly through his Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Amen THE LIFE of Religion The first Heads or Grounds of the Exposition following The Creed I Beleeue in God 1. ACknowledging that hee is but one 2. Applying him to my selfe 3. Relying on his helpe The Father 1. Of his eternall Sonne 2. Of his elect Angels 3. Of his faithfull people Almightie 1. To doe whatsoeuer hee shall please 2. To doe things to vs impossible with ease 3. To giue strength to the feeble and increase power to him that hath no strength Maker of Heauen and Earth 1. Creating of all things the kinds 2. Establishing their order 3. Guiding their course And in Iesus which saueth vs 1. From the guilt of sinne 2. From the punishment of sinne 3. From the power of sinne and Satan Christ annointed vnto vs 1. A Prophet 2. A Priest 3. A King His onely Sonne 1. Not by creation 2. Not by adoption 3. But by eternall generation Our Lord 1. Not by a power vsurped and vniust 2. Not by a power borrowed and limited 3. But by a power ingenit and lawfull purchase Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost 1. After the will of God alone 2. After a manner vnspeakeable 3. After the prophecies that went before Borne of the Virgin Mary A thing 1. In reason wonderfull 2. In example singular 3. In effect desirable Suffered 1. According to the truth foretold 2. With great fruit to vs. 3 Leauing vs an example to follow his steps Vnder Pontius Pilate 1. Before whom hee was brought bound 2. To whom he was accused falsly 3. By whom hee was condemned vniustly Was Crucified 1. Despising the shame 2. Enduring the torment 3. Bearing the curse Dead 1. Verily and really 2. Voluntarily 3. Necessarily Buried 1. That he might shew the certaintie of his death 2. That hee might bury our sinnes with him in the graue 3. That pursuing death vnto his farthesest hold he might there conquer him and sanctifie the graue He descended into Hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the â—â—els Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life He ascended into Heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession therof for vs. 2. That he might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church And sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty 1. Partaking of endlesse rest and felicity 2. Administring and gouerning all things both in Heauen and in Earth 3. Making intercession to his Father for his people From thence he shall come 1. Visibly 2. Gloriously 3. Sodainely To iudge both the quicke and the dead 1. The wicked of them with all severity 2. The iust amongst them with all clemency 3. All in generall with all equity I beleeue in the holy Ghost 1. Acknowledging his Godhead 2. Taking him to be my Sanctifier and comforter 3. Putting all the confidence of my heart in him I beleeue the Church 1. The house of God 2. The piller ground of the truth 3. The mother of the faithfull Holie 1. By imputation of righteousnes 2. By inchoation of righteousnesse 3. By being consecrate to an holy and diuine vse Catholique 1. In respect of place 2. In respect of time 3. In respect of men the members of the same The communion of Saints which consists 1. In the vnion and coherence of the faithfull with Iesus Christ 2. In the vnion and fellowship of the faithfull one with another while they liue together here on earth 3. In that which these of the Church militant partake with those of the Church triumphant The forgiuenesse of sinnes 1. The guilt of them done away 2. The spot of them purged 3. The punishment remitted The resurrection of the body 1. Wherein there shall be a finall destruction of the workes of the diuell 2. Wherein there shall be a full manifestation of Gods mercy on the faithfull 3. Wherein there shall be a fearefull declaration of his iustice on the wicked And the life euerlasting 1. Which is the gift of our God 2. Which is the end of our hopes 3. Which is the complement of our happinesse The ten Commandements God spake these words 1 VVhose is the gretest authority 2 Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires our perfect obedience and the hearts sinceritie Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yield more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me First The things commanded in this precept are 1. That we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him Secondly The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and works 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the godhead and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God The appendix of the first Commandement Thirdly Promises and threatnings not exprest 1. If herein we harken to his voice we shall be his chiefe treasure aboue all people Exod. 19.5 2. If we like not to retaine him in our knowledge he will giue vs ouer to a reprobate minde and vile affections Rom. 1.26.28 3. If in our hearts we estrange our selues from him he also will be farre from vs and from our helpe The second Commandement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. The things required in this precept are 1. That we be religiously carefull of all the parts of Gods seruice 2. That we stir vp our selues thereunto by all godly meanes 3. That we stoutly oppose against all corruptions which may defile the
not disturbed and broken by them when for the peace and quietnesse sake they should haue 1. Discretion to passe by offences 2. Care to giue no occasion of offence 3. Warinesse to reconcile offences Which all men well aduised haue and shew 2. Let them come hither whose inwards are of flint their bresâ—â— of iron their hearts of stone whose bowels neuer yet yearned ouer their brethren in affliction whose eye neuer yet spent teare when they saw the extreame necessity of their friend and neighbour who neuer yet knew what it was to suffer with those that suffer and grieue with those that mourne and learne to doe in the distresse and calamitie of others as Iesus did when he saw the Iewes and Marie weeping Ioh. 11.23.35 who 1. Grieued in the spirit 2. Troubled himselfe and 3. Wept Which all wil doe of tender hearts bowels 3. Let them come hither that are negligent of the safety of their owne or other mens soules and bodies which for themselues tempt God thrusting themselues into danger as the horse rusheth into the battell for others care not what becom of them but with the euill shepheard say let that which will perish perish hauing the question of Cain in their hearts Gen. 4.9 Am I my brothers keeper Let them come hither I my learne to be more regardfull of themselues and others 1. Least their owne blood be vpon their owne heads 2. Least the blood of their brethren be required of them 3. Least they perish exposing theÌ„selues to needlesse danger Which men of any conscience will beware 2. The Negatiue We mâ—st by no meanes endanger or hurt our owne or another mans life The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Wrath and euill conceiued and hidden inwardly in the heart 2. All outward signes prouoking or incouraging to a mischiefe 3. Hurt and damage offered to any mans body and life indeede Mat. vi rel For 1. Whosoeuer hateth his brother is a manslaier 1 Io. 3.15 2. He loueth transgression that loueth and stirreth vp strife Pro. 17 1â— 3. Hereby Gods image which hee hath ingrauen in man is wronged and abused Vse 1. An euill guest surely is wrath hid in the heart that will make place for the diuell resist it therefore if thou canst giue place if thou canst not Ambros If anger hath preuented and fore possest thy minde and riseth vp against thee leaue not thy place thy place is thy patience least thou take vpon thee insteed of God to reuenge thy selfe who saith of himselfe vengeance is mine least thou grow from wrath to slaughter of which thou maiest be guilty and haue thine hands therewith defiled though thou lay not thine hand on thy brother but doest either 1. Secretly consent to 2. Wickedly counsell or 3. Vniustly command and will The thing for which the earth wil cry for vengeance 2 An horrible crime it is to be tainted with blood a grieuous imputation to bee called the man of blood a man may not thinke himselfe free of these the crime and imputation for that he hath not giuen the deadly blow or poison for that with his owne hands he hath not taken away the life of his brother remember Dauid slew Vrias by the hand of the children of Ammon A man may be written vp before God in the list of murderers and man-killers that neuer drew sword in wrath but yet hath animated others to wrong and violence 1. By his words 2. By his lookes 3. By his gesture The thing for which the land it selfe doth mourne 3. An heauy account they haue to make to God that vncharitably haue withheld their hand from their brothers helpe how wil they answer then that haue smitten with the fift of wickednesse An hard iudgement shall they finde that haue not maintained life Goe from me ye cursed when I was hungry c. Mat. what shall their iudgement bee that haue spilt both limbe and life surely most grieuous and eternall torments in that place 1. Where death kils and doth not extinguish Greg. l. 9. moral 2. Where griefe torments but doth no whit driue away feare 3. Where the flame burnes but doth not expell darkenesse The thing to bee considered of the men of blood 3. The Appendix A threatning he that sheds mans blood by man shall his blood be shed Gen. 9. Or the murderers hoare head shall not goe downe to the graue in peace 1. Reg. 2.6 God in his iust iudgement 1. Either cutting him off by the sword of iustice 2. Or shutting vp his soule into the hand of his brother enemy 3. Or making the man of blood the executioner of himselfe For 1. The magistrate beareth not the sword in vaine Rom. 13.4 2. Ere the murderer shall goe vnpunished the man that findes him shall slay him Gen. 4.14 3. Of how many haue wee read that haue turned their murdering weapons into their owne breasts Vse 1. Consider this you murderers manquellers when you haue spoiled others shall you not be spoiled your selues when you haue spilt innocent blood with the hand of violence shall not the hand of iustice cut you off yea though you flie to lay hold of the altar yet will he slay you there that is appointed of God the auenger of blood to cut off from the earth all 1. Ioabs 2. Athaliahs 3. Theudasses And others of that crimsen-handed crue 2. Consider this ye men of blood that haue hurt and yet are hidden that haue slaine and no man pursues you thinke not that your iudgement sleepes nay vengeance dogs you at the heeles for an euill and vnnaturall death shall finde you 1. Either in the wood with Abshalom 2. Or in the field with Achab. 3. Or in the deepe as it did Pharaoh the Egyptians And others of that list in other places 3. Consider this you sanguinaries that are imbrued with gore yet no man dares say vnto you why doe yee so that make it a sport to kill and spill the blood of the innocent like water vpon the ground thinke you to escape vntoucht because the sonne of man riseth not vp againâ— you because an euill beast out of the forrest doth not read you God can vse your owne hands against your owne liues ere you shall goe vnpunished and goe down to your graues by a drie death as he did 1. Abimeleches 2. Sauls and 3. Zimries And others guilty of like crimes as these The seuenth Commandement Thou shalt not commit adultery 1. The affirming part of this Commandement We must gouerne all the parts of our life chastly and continently The things required in this precept are 1. That for the preseruing of chastitie we be religiously watchfull ouerall our member 2. That we came our flesh and bring it in subiection 3. That we vse the remedy that God hath appointed against incontinency For 1. Chasâ—â—â—â— is of times wounded by the eyes oft times by the eare Cassian de instit monarcho li. 6. 2. Thereby dwelling in
the truth of his body A representation is a signe or remembrance of a thing it is not the thing it selfe Augustine what doest thou prepare thy tooth and thy belly beleeue and thou hast eaten Cyprian we sharpen not our teeth to bite but with sincere faith wee breake and diuide that holy bread Bernard Christus tange potest sed affectu Ser. 20. in Cant. non manu veto non oculo fide non sensibus tanges manu fidei desiderij digito devotionis amplexu tanges oculo mentis Christ may bee toucht but with affection not with the hand with the desire not with the eye with faith not with the senses Thou shalt touch him with the hand of faith with the finger of desire with the imbracing of deuotion thou shalt touch him with the eye of the minde Credere inuenisse est saith one to beleeue is to haue found Et credere edisse est say I to beleeue is to haue eaten Norunt fideles saith another Christum habitare per fidem in cordibus suis quid proprius est The faithfull know that Christ dwels by faith in their hearts what can be neerer All these speake of a spirituall eating and no other an eating that is of faith should I then teare him againe with my teeth that was once pittifully torne for mee with nailes thornes speare vpon the Crosse should I dreame that my stinking carkase should be a Sepulcher to bury my Sauiour descending into the cauernes of my belly I will bury thee oh my Sauiour in the new sepulcher of my soule where neuer yet any man lay Thus of examining our selues before we eate of the manner of examining of our selues of the things wherof we are to examine our selues against the doubtings of our vnfitnes vnworthines of eating of what we receiue the conclusion is that hauing receiued Christ into the chamber of our heart we be thankefull to him for his comming we desire him to stay and lodge with vs all night we so demeane our selues towards him that we grieue not his spirit make him to leaue his lodging which if we doe our soule that was his lodging will become a cage of vncleane birds and our latter end will be worse then our beginning A praier before the Communion VVHat shall I doe O Lord drawing neere to this thy table but confesse against my selfe mine owne vnworthines thou requirest that thy guests haue on the wedding garment and behold I am couered as yet with the rags of mine owne filthinesse and with the confusion of my sinne The corruption of my nature the iniquity of my life the vnprofitablenesse of my best workes the abhomination of my worst the despight that I doe to thee the euill example that I haue giuen to men the shame and horror that I haue brought vpon mine own face and conscience my want of faith knowledge loue and sorrow for sin mine indeuotion to thy seruice my seruing of mine owne intentions out of the causes of thee my GOD and the causes of religion the whole bande of mine other iniquities my secret and to my selfe vnknowne sinnes stand vp against me to accuse me and cast me in the teeth I am in a straight with Dauid neither know I what to doe or what to choose whether to draw neere to this thy Table or to with-draw and turne my selfe away If I with-draw my selfe I forsake thy comforts and refreshing if I draw neere I am in danger of my sin But I will draw neere vnto thee trusting in the multitude of thy mercies O my Lord Christ I come laden with an heauy burden thou wilt ease my shoulder I come in my defects thou wilt couer them with thy perfection I come in the confession vse my sinne with thee is forgiuenesse thou wilt doe away my sinne I come in the feeling of my wants thou art God all sufficient thou wilt supply all my wants I come in the acknowledgement of mine vnworthinesse thou wilt accept me make me worthy and refresh me heere with the comforts in thy word with thy body and thy blood at thy Table elsewhere thou wilt make mee drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures in the kingdome of thy father where thou raignest euerlastingly one God with him and the Holy Ghost To thee be ascribed all praise and glory world without end Amen A Praier at the receiuing of the bread and wine O Lord Christ and blessed Sauiour which hast giuen mee thy body to bee my meate thy blood to be my drinke thy soule to be my redemption enter now the chamber of my heart with all thy vertues graces spirituall benedictions adorne it make it beautifull and dwell in it for euer and graunt that the memory of thy most bitter passion of all other thy wonders and benefits may neuer slip out of my minde but that I may alwaies thinke on thy loue meditate on thy mercies and thanke thee for thy goodnesse which hast done so great things for thy Church thy chosen and for my soule Amen A Praier after the receiuing of the Communion AWay from me all ye workes and workers of iniquity out of mine heart all euill thoughts out of my mouth all euill wordes from mine hands all euill deeds for I haue made a couenant with my God to serue him with all my strength with all my soule and with all my members and hee is come to dwell in mine heart Oh my GOD and oh my mercy how can I giue thee worthy thankes which being King of Kings and Lord of Lords hast not scorned to visit my soule and to come vnder the roofe of my poore dwelling Teach me O LORD to loue thy loue and for thy loue to denie all vngodlinesse and wordly lusts teach mee to leaue this world for thee which for my sake leftest Heauen to come downe to mee and gauest thy selfe vnto mee being made my brother in thy birth mine example in thy life the price of my redemption in thy death my food and nourishment at thy Table my reward in the Kingdome mine wholly and whatsoeuer thou art I cannot vtter the ioy of mine heart I cannot conceiue words to expresse my thankfulnesse If I had the tongues of men and Angels I cannot speake sufficiently to thy praise Grant O Lord that I which haue receiued so much from thee of thine thee thy selfe may in all things indeauour to bee to thine honour and praise Amen My Thankesgiuing after GOD had raised me vp from the bed of my sickenesse I Haue a song of praise to sing to the Lord O LORD thou hast holpen me and comforted me when I had receiued the sentence of death in my selfe thou saidst vnto me Liue when my life drew neere vnto the pit and to the buriers thou saidst vnto me Returne I had now almost imbâ—â—ced the dust and claimed my kindred in the graue saying to corruption thou art my father and to the wormes yee are my mother and my sister
I had giuen ouer all hope of life and said in my weakenes I am cut off I shall no more returne to see the sunne yet thou gauest life which art my light and comfort thou gauest strength and madest me againe to reioice with my friends and to visit my dwelling Though thou brakest me with breach vpon breach in the day of my distresse though thou powredst out my gall vpon the ground though thou tookest mee by the necke and shakedst me in peeces and settedst me vp as a marke for all thine Archers yet haddest thou mercy on me to spare one that thou wouldest not put out all the light of my children in one day take both their parents from of their heads at once I should haue desired as did old Simeon when thou hadst set me on the way Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace I should haue earnestly beg'd of God that in death we might not haue been diuided whom no affliction nor sorrow nor want nor euill-deuised counsell of euill men could diuide in our liues I should haue reioiced as if I had found a treasure when I had found the graue and reckoned it a great successe and benefit to haue bid good-night to this world and to haue gone to sleepe together in the dust but that my bowels were moued within me in compassion of my children Alasse quoth I in the weakenes of my body in the weakenesse of my minde and heauinesse of my soule shall all these yong ones now be orphans yet thou O God art the father of orphans and shall the eye of mine enemie see in mee and them O take mee not therefore away in the midst of mine age spare my life O Lord of thy goodnesse helpe and heale thy seruant in remembrance of thy mercies visit thy sicke and prisoner to giue me health set my feet at liberty so didst thou heare heale me and hast done this great thing for mee whereof I reioice And now Lord what is that which I aske at thine hands namely this comfort me for the time wherein thou hast afflicted me and for the yeeres wherein I haue suffered aduersity Put to rebuke the men of mine hatred recompence their good to their soules that haue done me good binde vp now the bones which thou hast broken in me O Lord send me now prosperity make me to walke worthy of my calling to walke worthy of thee expressing my thankefulnesse vnto thee not in my tongue onely but in my life and conuersation also Giue me thy feare to wound my flesh thy comforts to sustaine my heart thy mercies to preuent me accompany me and follow me while here I liue and after this life translate me to that place where all teares shall be wipt from mine eies where there shall be no more death neither sorrow neither crying neither shall there be any more paine there in the company of all Saints and congregation of the first borne that are written in heâ—â—â—â— â—â—â—â—â—y thy bright and blessed-makâ—ng â—igâ—t and to raigne with thee for all â—geâ— through thy sonne Iesus Christ FINIS Triunni Deo Gloria Errata Page 54. lâ—â—â— 7. dele of p. 58. l. 3. put in for p 60. l. 17. r. my sinnes p. 85. l. 1. for bring r. being p. 97 in margin l. 8. r his l. 10. r. pure p. 112 l. 15. r. inwards p. 123. l. 22. r. him that was p. 13â— l. 21 r. least approbation p. 133. l. 2 r. confederacies l. 6. r. errors p. 136. l. 9. for so truely r. seuerâ—ly p. 141. l. 12 r yet dowe say p. 153. l. 12. r. as through p. 155. l. 2. r for â—eaâ—d r. regard l. 15. r of all flesh p. 158. l. 20. for power r. praying p. 164. l 22. r. as a blasphemer p. 166. l. 25. r. your hand p. 172. l. 7. in some dele and haue power and l. 21. in some for shall r. should p. 177. l. 2 in some for vnchangeably r. vncharitably p. 178. l 11. dâ—le brother p. 182. l. 25. for immunity r. munition p. 184. l. 9. in some for know r. burne p. 198. l. 7. r. Iudas p. 199 l. 16. r. Is it not now p. 201 l. 23. for hoasts r. houses p. 217 l. 8. for concerne r. conceâ—â— p. 220. l. 17. r. here are we c. l. 8. r word of euill p. 245. l. 10. r. shall he p. 254. l. 3. r. the examined p 264. l. 25. for mistery r. misery p. 265. l. 3. r. application p. 268. l. 14. for show r. sâ—ow p. 271. l 25. r. not withdrawing