thereby furthermore neither had God therefrom gotten an opportunity of shewing Mercy and exercising Justice as truly and properly such But Man by the meer pure liberty of his Will altogether free both from all inward and outward necessity only the permission of God intervening and the alone swasion and motion of the Devil the which Man might easily have resisted and not listened unto preceding and the Beauty and Gracefulness of the Fruit in the case outwardly enticing he committed this sin 3. By this transgression Man by Vertue The guilt arising theâ—eâ—roâ— of the Divine Threatning became Guilty of †Gâ—n 2. 17 3. 16. c. Rom. 5 12. c. Gen. 3. 21. c. Rev. 2. 7. 21. 14. Eternal Death and manifold Misery and was stript of that primaeve Happiness which he received in his Creation and therefore cast out of that most delightful Garden a Type of the Coelestial Paradise in which otherwise he did happily converse with God and was for ever debarr'd from the Tree of Life which was the Symbol or token or pledg of a Blessed Immortality 4. And because Adaâ— was the Stock The propagation thereof unto his Pâ—sterity and Root of all Mankind therefore he involved and intangled not only himself but also all his | Act. 17. 26 Heb. 7. 10. Rom. 5. 12. c. Joh. 14. posterrity who were as it were shut up in his loyns and were by Natural Generation to proceed from him in the same Death and Misery with himself so that all Men without any difference our Lord Jesus Christ only excepted are by this one only Sin of Adam deprived of that primaeve Happiness and destitute of that true Righteousness which is necessary for the obtaining of Eternal Life and consequently are now born lyable to that Eternal Death and likewise manifold Misery that we spake of And this is usually and vulgarly called Original Sin Concerning which notwithstanding we are to hold that the most bountiful God in and by his beloved Son Jesus Christ as in and by another and new Adam hath provided or prepared a free Remedy for al against that Evil or Malady which was derived unto us from Adam So that even from hence the mischievous errour of those who use to lay the ground of the Decree of absolute Reprobation being a thing forged their own Brains and Fancy in this sin * See the Canons of the Synod of Dâ—rt ch 1. at the begining may sufficiently appear 5. Besides this sin there are also other Actual Sins which are every Man 's own proper Sins or actual Sins †Gen. 6. 5. 8. 21. 2 Cor. 4. 3. Eph. 4. 17 18 19. Jer. 13. 23. Joh. 8. 24. Rom. 7. 14 c. 2 Pet. 2. 19. the which also do really multiply our Guilt before God and do in things Spiritual darken our Minds nay and by degrees blind them and lastly by custome in sinning do more and more deprave or pervert our Wills 6. Of this sort of Sins there are divers Their Kinds and Degrees kinds and several degrees as may be understood by their several Objects Subjects Causes Manners Effects and Circumstances to wit there is one of | Luk. 12. 47. Jam. 4. ult commission another of omission * 2 Cor. 7. 1. one of the Flesh another of the Spirit †1 Tim. 1. 13. Luk. 23. 34. Act. 3. 17. one proceeding from ignorance | Gal. 6. 1. Mat. 26. 70. 1 Sam. 25. 13 21. another from sudden passion or infirmity * Psal 19. 14. Num. 15. 30. c. Mat. 16. 14. 15. 2 Sam. 11. 15. another from set Malice †Luk. 12. 47. Psal 19. 13. Their Destinction into the works of the Flesh and Lighter Failings one against Conscience another not against Conscience | Rom. 6. 12. one reigning another not reigning * 1 Joh. 5. 16. one unto death another not unto death †Mat. 12. 31 32. Mar. 3. 29. Luk. 12. 10. one against the Holy Ghost another not against the Holy Ghost c. Hence concerning these we must always hold this for certain that there are some actual sins of which it is either expresly written or not obscurely hinted that he that doth them shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and Eternal Life such as are all those works of the Flesh which are described Gal. 5. 1 Cor. 6. Eph. 5. Tit. 3. And elsewhere and those that are like unto them | Num. 15. 30. Rom. 1. 28. 2. 17. 21 22 23. 3. 8. c. whether they be accompanied with a contempt of God and a manifest abuse of right Reason or at least such as * Joh. 2. 15. Mat. 6. 31 32. in no wise become him who is desirous of Eternal and Heavenly good Things such as are the love of the World and of the things of the World anxious and continual cares and disquieting thoughts about getting them and possessing them and keeping them c. But there are others that are such that deserve rather to be called lighter Failings then Crimes or Wickednesses †Psal 19. 13. Mat. 18. 24. c. Gal. 5. 17. c. Heb. 5. 2. Jam. 5. 2. 1 Pet. 4. 8. which according to the Gracious Covenant of God and his fatherly Love and Kindness do not exclude a Man from the Hope of Eternal Life although he be not yet wholly freed from some one of them if so be he do not wittingly and advisedly bring this difficulty of freeing himself there from upon himself or by any other means whatever of continuing in them but that he falleth into them only through incogitancy frailty want of consideration or some sudden passion whether it proceed from some natural temper or evil custom or some unexpected chance c. Therefore Acts here are for the most part accurately to be distinguished from habits and in that respect or kind manifest Imperfections and Frailties are likewise carefuly to be distinguished from those Acts which are committed against the express and present dictate of Natural Kinds of punishments Reason or Supernatural Revelation and accompanied with an open transgression of some Command and hurt or wrong of our Neighbor especially according to the sence of the new Testament 7. According to the divers quantity and quality of Sins so also are there * Gen. 3. 16. c. Deut. 27. 28. Rom. 5. 12. 6. 23. divers Punishments appointed and ordained of God for sins to wit both of loss and sense both temporal and eternal lastly both bodily and spiritual c. 8. And indeed that twofold Force and A twofold power of Sin under the old Testament Efficacy of Sin which hath been formerly mentioned to wit Damnation or Death Eternal and the servitude of Sin or Captivity under the custom of Sin hath now long most clearly all along appeared whilst God did not as yet plainly and fully reveal his saving Grace or
from whom he hath whatsoever he hath and therefore ought continually to glory in him only | 1 Cor. 1. 31. 5. 7. and not in himself 7. But they who premise or hold as A Confutation of the Errour contraryto this Truth from the absurdity following previous and antecedent to this Work not only an absolute Election of certain particular Men unto Eternal Salvation * See Calv. Instit l 3. c. 21 22 23 c. but also the like Reprobation of others the greatest part unto Eternal Torments and indeed both peremptory and made concerning particular Persons every of them by Name from all Eternity they do not only invert the Natural Order of things but also deny the true use of the Creation and wholly and plainly take away the Native Power or Force resulting from this Work to wit of obliging Man to obey God in all things For indeed God cannot of right require that a Man should wholly devest himself of the exercise of his Liberty which he received by Creation and deprive himself of the use and enjoyment of divers pleasures and in all things subject himself to the Will of another to or with his greatest labour and trouble if he have now before-hand for no fault of his own foregoing determined to inflict upon him a far greater and more grevous Evil then that Good is which he gave him by Creation nay if he therefore bestowed on him that temporal and lighter Good that he might under some pretence inflict upon him an Eternal and truly lamentable Evil absolutely destinated to him before And now is not a Man by any right bound to obey him who before he was disobedient yea before he was able to obey did fatally destine him to this Eternal Evil. Moreover the Authors of this Opinion do not only make God unwise for that he destinateth him who is not yet in being yea of whose being there is nothing yet decreed unto Eternal Life or Death but also most unjust and consequently the true and proper Author of Sin For if God as they are pleased to speak hath predestinated his innocent or harmless Creature to an Eternal and really dreadful destruction it is necessary likewise that he destinated the same unto Sin also †Gen. 18. 23 24 25. Ezek. 18. 4. Isa 50. 1. 59. 2. Rom. 3. 5 6. because where there is no sin or transgression there punishment or penal perdition cannot justly take place and so neither a just Destination or Appointment unto any punishment much less unto eternal torments and everlasting and endless lamentations and wailings Therefore | See Calvin on the said plaâ—â—s according to the Opinion of these Men even God himself most properly and by reason of his prime intention will be the truest Cause of sin for that he is the alone Cause of Destination both to destruction and sin Nor can a Man now be justly punished for such a sin unto which he was precisely or absolutely destined of God and consequently unto which he is by the most powerful Will or Decree and Ordination of God at last compelled CHAP. VI. Of the Providence of God or his Preservation and Government of things 1. CReation is immediately suceeded What Providence is by Gods Actual Providence which in the mean while also extendeth it self to the Work of Redemption and to all both Ages and Works and things which are or come to pass in this World For this is nothing else * Psal 36. 6 7. 94. 7 c. also 104. 105. 106. 107. Prov. 16. 7 9 33. Isa 45. 6 c. Amos. 2. 6 c. but a serious and continual Inspection Care and Government of this whole Universe but chiefly of Man for whose good unto the glory of God all things were created and made or the Conservation and upholding of all Creatures to wit both of things and persons also the governing and directing of our actions and of all events whether they be good or evil which in time in any manner befall the Creatures and especially Men but most of all the Godly and this instituted and contrived according to the most exact rule of Divine Wisdom Justice and Equity 2. This therefore is partly general 2 Kinds General in reference to â—ll Creatures * Mat. 6. 26. 10. 29 30. as it respects all Creatures partly special †1 Cor. 9. 9. 1 Tim. 4. 10. as it concerns Angels and Men but most of all as it concerns the Godly and Saints By his general Providence God taketh care of and governeth all things whatsoever and wheresoever | Psal 10. 11. with others already cited yet in a different manner and divers degrees of actings and that according to his own Eternal good Pleasure and truly to be admired Wisdom For he doth not only conserve their natures or properties and powers or force but he also useth them according to his free power and pleasure either for the good or punishment of Man to wit by communicating them or by denying them by taking them away by transferring them by exciting or stirring them up by giving check to them by repressing them by directing or disposing of them by multiplying them by lessening them by intending or strengthening them by remitting or weakening or abateing them c. Either as the Goodness or Grace or Mercy and Long-suffering of God or on the contrary his Revenge or Wrath and Severity shall think meet to require The special Providence of Special in reference to Angels God about the Angels * Gen. 28. 12. 32. 1 2. 48. 16. Exod. 14. 19. 23. 20 21. Psa 91. 12. 2 King 16. 17. 19. 35. Isa 6. 3 4. 37. 36. Mark 18. 20. Luk. 22. 43 Heb. 1. 14. so far indeed as is revealed unto us in the Scriptures hath been already sufficiently shewed before in their Creation For God useth their service both for to manifest his own Glory and also for to govern all the parts of the World and in special he makes use of their singular and passing both Wisdom Power Swiftness Number or Multitude c. And that indeed for to instruct take care of observe keep and comfort Men or even also to punish them as he judgeth it comportant with his own Glory or the Safety and Salvation of his People And about Men or rather Special in reference unto Men. about the free and especially about the Religious Operations of Men it is divers ways exercised and employed For first he limiteth and boundeth the liberty of their Will by Legislation or making Laws †Exod. 20. 1 c. Deut. 20. Isa â— 19. Gal. 3. 19. that Man cannot without sin either will or do whatsoever he hath a Will and a Mind to do yea chiefly for this very end that he may not will nor do but those things that are right and just and that by that means as a lively Image he might
in him lyeth by degrees bring us to the said wished and desired end 3. Furthermore the whole Knowledg Of the person of Christ of this Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ as far indeed as is savingly necessary consists chiefly of two parts For it respecteth partly his Person and partly his Office In respect of his Person Jesus Christ is true and Eternal God | Joh. 1. 1. c. ch 20. 28. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Joh. 5. 20. and withal true and perfectly just Man * 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Mat. 16 16. 1 Cor. 10. â—1 22. Rom. â— 3 in one and the same person for that he is the natural only begotten and proper Son of God †Joh. 1. 14. c. ch 3. 18. Rom. 1. 3 4. 8. 32. Gal. 4. 4. Luke 2. 31 c. Heb. 414. Of the Truth Perfection c. of his humane nature in the fulness of time by the Operation of the Holy Ghost made true and entire Man and born of the Virgin Mary without any Spot or Stain of Sin 4. And he was not only true or entire and perfect Man as to his substance to wit consisting of a true humane body and a reasonable Soul but also truly obnoxious or subject to the same Infirmities | Joh. 1. 14. c. Heb. 2. 14. c. 4. 15. 5. 7. Ro. 1. 3. 8. 3. Gal. 4. 4 c. Passions Miseries Afflictions Troubles Griefs Sorrows Ignominy Reproaches and consequently the most sharp or bitter Death as we are and that for this very end that being in all things made like unto his Brethren yet without Sin he might be our merciful and Faithful high Priest in things pertaining unto God to expiate the Sins of the People And this is meant by that Article of the Apostles Creed concerning Christ Jesus I believe in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary 5. The Office of Jesus Christ is threefold His threefold Office twofold estate Prophetical Priestly and Kingly | Luk 1. 32 33. Act. 3. 22 23. Heb. 5. â— 7. Rev. 1. 5 19. 16. His State of humiliation all which he did partly now long since in this World in his State of Humiliation and abasement or emptying of himself faithfully administer and now also partly doth gloriously administer or discharge in Heaven in his State of Glory and Exaltation Unto the former State pertain these Articles following * 1 Tim. 6. 13. Act. 2. 36. 1 Cor. 1. 23 2. 2. Eph. 4. 9. Psal 2. 4 c. Heb. 2. 16. He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell By which as it were by certain Steps or Degrees the whole Humiliation of Jesus Christ to wit such as became him as our Prophet and Priest Of Exaltation and Glory was leisurely consummated and finished Unto the latter are to be referred these †Mar. 16. 19 20. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. 8 1 c. The third day he rose again from the dead he ascended up into Heaven he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead By which things is excellently described partly a certain preparation unto both the Kingly and Pontificial Dignity of Jesus Christ partly this very Dignity it self and the magnificent exertion or shewing forth of the same 6. His Prophetical Office he hath now His Prophetical Office long since fully performed and finished not only when he openly revealed unto us by * Joh. 1. 18. 5. 19. 2 Tim. 1. 10. his Gospel the Will of God concerning the communicating of Salvation truly such or of Eternal life to all that only believe and obey after death but hath also by manifest Signs †Joh. 5. 36. c. ch 15. 24. Act. 2. 22. 10. 36. and Miracles too great to be questioned or excepted against and also by | 1. Pet. 2. 21. Phil. 2. 5 c. the example of his own proper Obedience both in his life and death most evidently confirmed it and withall yet further after his death he hath most substantially by divers arguments for * Act. 1. 3. c. Joh. 20. 21. fourty days together asserted and proved the same 7. His Priestly Office he partly performed 2. Priestly long since when at his Father's * Phil. 2. 8. command whom †submissively obeying he underwent on our behalf the cursed death of the | Eph. 5. 2. Gal. 3. 13. Heb. 2. 9 10. 10. 5 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Cross and offered up himself to God his Father as a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of all Mankind and suffered himself being innocent to beslain upon the Altar of the Cross * Rom 8. 34. Heb. 7. 24 25. partly he doth yet still daily perform the same whilst being alive again he continually appeareth in Heaven before the Face of God for the sake of Men and doth in effectual and glorious wise intercede for those that believe shewing himself indeed at all times and in all places a most faithful Advocate and Patron to them 8. His Kingly Office he doth even 3. Kingly now continually exercise since being once raised from Death by the Father and advanced to the Throne of Supreme Majesty †Heb. 1. 3. Rev. 3. 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. Psa 110. 1. in Heaven and set down at the right hand of God on high | Maâ— 28. 19. Act. 2. 36. and having obtained all power in Heaven and Earth he rules every where in magnificent manner and indeed he doth so dispose of and govern * Eph. 1. 20 21 22 c. 4. 11 c. Psal 2. 8 c. 110. 1 c. all things according to his own Will and Pleasure that he does chiefly and in the first place consult the Safety and Salvation of his faithful ones to wit since he hath not only now long since instituted the Ministry of the Gospel for our good but doth also continually in powerful-wise preserve it against all sorts of Obstacles or Hinderances and therein still admirably doth exert his own spiritual Efficacy and whilâ—t he doth by his Spirits and Angels his Ministers and Attendants powerfully guard protect and defend even in this Life †Rev. 2 3. Act. 12. 11. 18. 10. Heb. 14. his faithful Subjects against the Devices Wiles Snares Force and Power of Satan Tyrants and all other their Enemies until he shall in the last | Mat. 25. 30 c. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. â— Thess 4. 17. 2 Thess 1. 9 10. Mat. 24. 31. Judgment utterly destroy the one and take up the other into his heavenly and immortal Glory and make them everlastingly happy and blessed And indeed upon these Offices is built both the Knowledg
But besides and over and above Against the invocation of or praying to Saints this one †1 Tim. 2. 5. Mediator between God and Man religously to worship any others either | Col. 2. 18. Rev. 19. 10. 22. 9. Angels or Men whether living or dead whether they have been really and truly Holy or only so in our opinion only that is to give them more than civil reverence or to invocate and pray unto them as indeed our Patrons and Advocates with God or to dedicate Temples Altars Feasts unto them to offer Sacrifices to make vows unto them or to trust in their Merits and Power and Grace and Favour with God c. we judg wholly and altogether unlawful and displeasing to God especially when the business is concerning the dead although Saints for that the Holy Scriptures †Heb. 4. 10. Rev. 14 13. Job 3. 11. 12 13 c. ch 41. 21. Eccl. 9. 5. 2 King 22. 20. Isa 38. 19. 63. 16. everywhere affirm of them that they know not our condition or concerns and that they no way mind those things that are done under the Sun Yet that the memory both of the one and the other is holily to be kept and their vertues with worthy praises to be celebrated and to be proposed or commended to us and others for our and their imitation we rightly judg So far are we either from condemning or any ways blaming the mutual intercession of Believers * Rom. â—5 30. 2 Cor. 1. 11. Eâ—h 6. 18 19. Col. 4. 3. 2 Thess 3. 2. Heb. 13. 18. who are yet alive with God for one another CHAP. XVII Of the Benefits and Promises of God and first of Election unto Grace or Calling unto Faith 1. BUt that Man might not only be The benefits of God that precede Faith able to do or perform those Commandments of God which have hitherto been expounded but that he might be willing to do them readily freely and heartily it hath pleased God on his part to do all things that are * Jer. 31. 32 33 34. Heb. 8. 8 c. Ezek. 11. 19. 36. 22 c. 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. 1 Joh. 3. Col. 1. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3 4 c. necessary for the effecting of both these in Man that is he hath determined to bestow such Grace upon Man that was and is a sinner whereby he might be apt and fit to perform all that which is required of him in the Gospel and further to promise such good things unto him whose excellency and beauty might far exceed the capacity of all humane understanding and the desire and certain hope whereof might provoke and inflame the Will of Man actually to yield obedience to the same All which indeed benefits God who is most merciful in himself and fatherly affected towards us in Christ is wont by his Holy †1 Cor. 2. 10 c. ch 12. 3 c. 2 Cor. 3. 6 c. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9 c. Spirit whereof we have treated more largely before both to make known unto us and also really to bestow and confer upon us 2. First therefore God bestoweth Vocation or calling unto Faith Grace | Mat. 11. 20 c. Joh. 5. 34 40. 6. 44 45. 2 Pet. 1. 2 3 4. on sinners not only necessary but also sufficient for their yielding Faith and Obedience when he calleth them by the Gospel unto himself and seriously prescribeth to them Faith and Obedience under the promise of eternal Life on the one hand and the threatning of eternal Death on the other This Vocation or Calling in Scriptures is sometimes called * 1 Cor. 1. 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Election or Choosing to wit unto Grace or the means of Salvation differing much from Election unto Glory or Salvation it self of which hereafter Now this Vocation is wrought and completed by the †Mat. 28. 18. Joh. 5. 34. Rom. 10. 14 15. 2 Cor. 3. 5 6. preaching of the Gospel and the Virtue or Power of the Spirit joyned therewith and that indeeed with a gracious and serious intention to save and therefore to bring unto Faith | 1 Tim. 2. 4 c. Tit. 2. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. all those that are called whether they really believe and are saved or no and so obstinately refuse to believe and consequently to be saved 3. For there is one Vocation that is †Rom. 8. 28. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 24 26. effectual so called rather from the event A twofold sort thereof then from the bare or sole intention of God to wit which doth obtain its saving Effect not indeed for that it is out of a precise or absolute intent of saving so administred by some certain and singular Wisdom of God so as effectually or successfully to agree with the Will of him that is called by an irresistable Power or by some Omnipotent force which is neither more nor less than creation or raising from the dead so | Act. 2. 4 13 48. Rom. 6. 17. 1 Thess 2. 13. efficaciously determined to believe that he cannot but believe and obey but because man who is now called and sufficiently prepared doth not resist God that calleth him nor set any Bar against the divine Grace which otherwise he might set against the same There is indeed another that is * Prov. 1. 24. 25. Ez. 12. 1. Isa 5. 1 c. Mat. 23. 37. Luk. 7. 30. Joh. 5. 40. Act. 7. 5. 13. 46. 2 Thess 3. 1 2. Contrary to the Cannons of the Synod of Dort ch 3 4. sufficient but yet withal ineffectual to wit which on man's part is without any saving effect and through the alone voluntary and vincible or avoidable fault of man becomes unfruitful or obtains not its wished and due event and end 4. The former which is accompanied Conversion or regeneration on Gods part with its saving effect or is already in its exercit act is sometimes called in Scripture * Act. 3. 19 26. 1 Thess 1. 9. Conversion †Joh. 3. 5 c. Jam. 1. 18. Regeneration a | Eph. 2. 6. Spiritual raising from the dead and a * Gal. 4. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 2. 10. new Creation to wit because by it we are effectually turned from a corrupt course of living to live †Tit. 2. 11 12. soberly justly and piously and are raised of God from a | Rom. 6. 2 c. death of sin or a deadly custom of sinning unto a Spiritual life or Holy way of living Lastly being reformed according unto the * Rom. 6. 17. similitude or likeness both of the doctrine and of the life of Christ we are as it were begotten again and so by repentance and faith are in him made †Eph. 2. 24. Col. 3. 10. new Creatures 5. Man therefore hath not saving
CONFESSION OF FAITH Of those called ARMINIANS OR A DECLARATION Of the OPINIONS and DOCTRINES OF THE Ministers and Pastors Which in the UNITED PROVINCES are known by the Name of REMONSTRANTS Concerning the Chief Points of Christian RELIGION Translated out of the Original LONDON Printed for Samuel Walsall at the Heart and Bible near the West-End of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil MDC LXXXIV THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS Chap. 1. Of the Sacred Scripture and its Authority Perfection and Perspicuity Page 59 Chap. 2. Of the Knowledg of the Essence of God or of the Divine Nature 78 Chap. 3. Of the Holy and Sacred Trinity 93 Chap. 4. Of the Knowledg of the Works of God 96 Chap. 5. Of the Creation of the World of Angels and of Men. 98 Chap. 6. Of the Providence of God or his Preservation and Government of things 105 Chap. 7. Of the Sin and Misery of Man 117 Chap. 8. Of the Work of Redemption and of the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ 128 Chap. 9. Of the Knowledg of the Will of God revealed in the New-Covenant 138 Chap. 10. Of the Precepts or Commendments of Jesus Christ in general and of Faith and Repentance or Conversion unto God 141 Chap. 11. Of Faith in Jesus Christ 145 Chap. 12. Of good Works in particular and of the exposition of the Decalogue 155 Chap. 13. Of directing and denying of our selves and bearing of the Cross of Christ 170 Chap. 14. Of Prayer and Thanksgiving and in particular of the Lord's Prayer 181 Chap. 15. Of special Callings and of the Precepts and Traditions of Men. 193 Chap. 16. Of the Worship and Veneration of Jesus Christ the only Mediator and of the Invocation of Saints 196 Chap. 17. Of the Benefits and Promises of God and first of Election unto Grace or Calling unto Faith 200 Chap. 18. Of the Promises of God that are performed in this Life to those that are already converted and are Believers that is of Election unto Glory of Adoption Justification Sanctification and of Obsignation or Sealing 209 Chap. 19. Of the Promises of God pertaining to the Life to come or of the raising again of the Dead and eternal Life 216 Chap. 20. Of the Divine Threatnings and Punishments of the wicked pertaining both unto this Life and unto the Life to come to wit of Reprobation Hardening Blinding and of Eternal Death and Damnation 218 Chap. 21. Of the Ministry of the Word of God and of the Orders of Ministers 222 Chap. 22. Of the Church of Jesus Christ and its Marks or Notes 230 Of the Marks or Notes of a visible Church 224 Chap. 23. Of the Sacraments and other Sacred Rites 237 Of Baptism 238 Of the Sacred Supper of the Lord. 240 Of other Sacred Rites but yet such as are indifferent 242 Chap. 24. Of Church Discipline 246 Chap. 25. Of Synods or Councels and of their manner and use 254 The Conclusion 260 ERRATA PAge 29. line 14. read are so tied P. 35. l. 18. r. the very said P. 37. l. 12. r. by God for disturbing P. 38. l. 9. for those r. these P. 39. l. 2. r. use a thing well P. 55. l. 12. r. for such P. 80. l. 25. r. state and relation of each to other Ibid. l. 27. for of r. by P. 88. l. 5 6. r. no ways sworn to any P. 91. l. 19. r. of any other Enemies P. 124. l. 1. r. now long since P. 140. l. 2. for assent r. assert P. 151. l. 10. r. come to P. 182. l. 18. r. both these parts P. 185. l. 5. r. and in whom P. 186. l. 8. r. to forsake P. 202. l. 14 to 18. r. nor for that thereby the will of him that is called is by an irresistible power or by some omnipotent force which is neither more nor less than Creation or raising from the dead so effectually determined to believe P 223. l. 27. for in r. to P. 242. l. 4. add after themselves as coverts of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ P. 243. l. 10. r. as also P. 250. l. 19 20 21 22. unto the Word Sin to be expunged and to read And also withal there is even in the first place an exact regard to be had of the diversity or difference of Sins P. 256. l. 24 25. add after brought in that they be taken away or removed THE PREFACE TO THE Christian Reader THERE is no doubt pious A Prolepsis concerning a four-fold sort of dissenters touching things of this kind Reader but that this Declaration of Faith which is published by us will be liable to the various and different judgements of men For as every one stands perswaded in his own mind touching both the necessity profit form and manner of such-like Declarations so is he like also to pass judgment upon this of ours There are some who think we ought to abstain altogether from all Confessions or Declarations and judg that they are not only not necessary nor profitable for the Christian Weal-publick but they are also unlawful dangerous and hurtful in the Church There are some who do not indeed think it altogether unadvised to publish Confessions or Declarations much less do they think it unlawful or hurtful but they judge they ought to be conceiv'd and framed onely in meer pure Scripture-words There are some who indeed do not altogether disallow of Confessions though conceiv'd in other than bare Scripture-words but will have them to be so general and brief that they shall contain and comprehend nothing but what is absolutely and precisely necessary to be known and believed unto Salvation There are lastly others far different from these who judge particular Confessions and Declarations even of several most minute and small Controversies not only so far profitable but also necessary that without them a Christian-Society can neither have being nor well-being The so various diverse and differing judgments of all these this our Declaration is doubtless like to undergo and these indeed severally have specious and not altogether improbable grounds for their opinions whereon they build and relie Those who judg that we ought altogether to abstain from Confessions or Declarations Objections of the first and second sort or that they ought not to be conceived but in meer and plain Scripture-words of which sort of men in this age there are found not a few otherwise pious and good men they as far as we can gather pretend for the most part three things for their opinion 1. For that by reason of them there is done no light prejudice to the Majesty and Authority of the Scriptures 2. For that by occasion of them there is mighty dammage and detriment done to the liberty of Churches or Conscience and Propheâ—y 3. For that by the same a wide gap is open'd for Factions and Schisms in the Church And first indeed they think that by this very means the Majestie of the Scriptures is not a little derogated and detracted from for that both their
so much that which the Words properly taken hold forth as indeed it very often falls out as that which though the words rigedly taken do not insinuate or hint it yet is most agreeable to right reason and the very mind and intention of him that uttered the words whether it were expressed properly or figuratively The which may and ought to be known and discovered by the scope and occasion of every place also from the * Mat. 4. 4 5 c. and ch 22. 29. 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. 2 Cor. 3. 13 14 15 Subject Matter Antecedents and Consequents that is things going before and following also from comparing of like places with like and from palpable Absurdities otherwise like to follow and other Arguments of that kind or from the consideration and weighing of things together 17. But to desire to fetch or take thiâ— exposition from any other Authorâ— Head or Fountain whatsoever to wit from any Symbol or Creed of Mens making or Analogy of Faith in this oâ— that place received or any publick Confession of Churches which we also before advised in our Preface which wâ— would never have at any time severed oâ— divided from this our Declaration oâ— from the Decrees of Councils or Consenâ— of Fathers one or other though even the most or greatest part of them is aâ— thing too uncertain and oftentimes dangerous 18. And yet do we not therefore lightly A prolepsis or prevention of an objection despise the pious probable or long-since received interpretations of others especially of the ancient Fathers whether Greek or Latin much less so as proudly or arrogantly to reject their unanimous consent but we do then at length and that indeed modestly recede from them when we find in our Conscience that they alledg things aliene from or not agreeable with the true sence of the Scriptures or things contrary to it Nor do we think that we do by this means do them any wrong Since not only every of them apart but also the most of them jointly yea all of them taken together might in many things err and themselves also have freely acknowledged it of themselves with one accord and therefore do expresly forbid that their writings be simply or without any more ado believed but desire that we at length so far approve of them as they agree with the Sacred Scriptures and on the contrary that we freely reject them so far as they disagree with the same CHAP. II. Of the Knowledg of the Essence of God â— of the Divine Nature 1. FUrthermore our whole Religioâ— The two chief heads of Religion contained in these very Bookâ— doth briefly consist in our righâ— knowledg of the * Joh. 17. 3. 1 John 2. 23. chap 5. 11 12. 2 Joh. 9 one only true Goâ— and Jesus Christ the Mediator whâ—â— he hath sent and in a lawful or due Worship of both in or under the hope of â— Life eternal and immortal after Death to be certainly obtained and enjoyed iâ— the Heavens according to the free promise of the same 2. And that God may be rightly known and piousâ—y worshipped and that Three things to be known of God according to the Scriptures †Heb. 11. 6 7 c. Acts 14. 15 c. ch 17. 24 c. three things offer themselves necessarily to be considered and held by us his Nature Works and Will The Nature indeed of God that we may understand that he is of or in himself most worthy to be worshiped of us his Works that we may know that he may rightfully and deserâ—edly require of us what manner of worâ—hip soever he please lastly his Will â—hat we may be clearly convinced that â—e will be worshipped of us and withall â—now after what manner he will and â—ught to be worshipped by us that we â—ay assuredly hope for Eternal Salvation But not equally or alike necessary from him Howbeit concerning the Nature and Works of God all those â—hings are not necessarily to be held which in every respect at least whatsoever belongs to the Divine Essence and all the modes or manners of its working and kinds of operations much less all those things which either according to the likely and specious placits of the Schools or from the probable discourse of Reason are wont to be affirmed of them but those only without which the Divine Will revealed in the Scriptures either cannot A twofold knowledge of God be rightly understood or performed by us Since they only who do the will of God and | Job 28. 28. Jer. 2. 8. 22. 16 Hos 6. 6. Tit. 1. 16. 1 Joh. 2 3 4 c. and ch 3. 6. keep his Commandments are every where in the Scripture said truly to know God and on the contrary they that do not the same are said not to know God So that that alone deserveth to be called the saving Knowledg 〈◊〉 God which is joyned with the practice 〈◊〉 Piety But other things pertaining herâ— unto although haply they may bâ— profitable more or less either for the promoting of Piety or for the better understanding and more happy composing 〈◊〉 Controversies of Religion that may happen yet they ought not to be helâ— for necessary doctrines of Faith which we cannot be ignorant of without the losâ— of Salvation 3. As to the Nature of God the Of the Nature of God Scripture holds forth God unto us under a twofold consideration 1. Absolutely and generally in his essential Attributes to wit whereby he doth unfold or declare unto us * Exod. 34. 6 7. 1 Tim. 1. 17. 6. 15 16. his Spiritual Nature and glorious Majesty common to the distinct or several Persons sofar as is requisite for our Faith and Salvation in this Life 2. Distinctly relatively in the mystery of the †Mat. 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 14. 1 Joh. 5. 7. Sacred Trinity which respecteth the internal and mutual habitude i. e. state or standing and certain proper oeconomy i. e. ordering or disposing of things of the persons among themselves These Attributes so far as they necessarily pertain hereunto are these that follow 5. I. God is * Deut. 6. 4. 32. 39. Ps 86. 10. 1 Cor. 8. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. one because he is God is one and the Supreme Lord of things alone without Associate the most Supreme and Highest who hath neither any before him nor above him whom he should depend upon in Being Willing or Acting but hath his Godhead or Divine Power or Dominion over all things from â—imself nor is there any other besides him nor can be with whom all the Attributes of a true Deity from himself may or can agree and therefore he is of altogether absolute †Gen. 14. 18. Deut. 10. 17. Isa 41. 4. 44. 6. 45. 6 7. Auâ—hority or uncontrolable Power so that â—e can dispose of his Creatures and all his Goods howsoever he pleaseth that â—s so
Favour designed before all ages †Jam. 1. 18. Mâ— 11. 27. Eph. 3. 9 10 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 2. 11. unto sinners but did only afar off obscurely and as it were through a Lattice or Casement make discovery of it to wit under a general promise thereof | Gen. 10. 1 c. 17. 7. and under a Type * Heb. 11. 16. 10. 1. Jo 1. 17. Col. 2. 17. and shadow of bodily things For although under the Old Testament there were not altogether wanting some who through the Assistance of the said Divine Grace believed on God and through Faith walked uprightly and sincerely before God and by a Life ordered according to the Will of God shook off the Dominion of Sin and by the said lively Faith also were truly justified or absolved from the guilt of their sins and endowed with the reward of Eternal Life †Gen. 4. 4 7. 5. 24. Heb. 11. as is clear in the examples of Abel Enoch and Abraham the Father of all that believe c. Yet were the most carried away and as it were 1. before the â—iood overwhelmed with the weight of their Sin and load of their Misery For whereas at the beginning there was as yet no written Law given but the dictate of Natural Reason Traditions of Fathers and certain other Divine and Angelical Revelations and Apparitions only God so ordering the matter did take place or bear sway amongst Men | Rom. 5. 13. Sin was not only in the World but also did so far exert and put forth its power that all flesh a few only excepted who were * Gen. 5. 24. 6. 9. Act. 11. 3. righteous and by Faith walked holily before God corrupted †Gen. 6. 5 11 12. 8. 21. its way and every Imagination of Man was only evil from his Childhood Whence the Guilt of sin was then so far encreased that an Universal deluge of Water was brought upon the World of the †2 Pet. 2. 5. 2. After the floud Ungodly 9. Again after the Floud Sin was not only not washed away but rather like leaven was diffused and spread throughout the whole race of mankind so that | Josh 24. 1 2. Gen. 12. 1 2. whole People Nations and Countries every where defiled themselves with Idolatry and other foul and abominable sins and in the greatest and largest Societies or Communities of Men there were * Gen. 18. 32. scarce ten Righteous Persons to be found At length when God having passed by other Nations †Act. 14. 16. Psal 147. 19 20. Deut. 7. 6 7 c. ch 9. 4 5 6 c. did choose some certain Men from the rest of the multitude of Idolaters and Sinners unto himself and out of his Special Grace did impose or lay upon their Posterity a written Law consisting of many and divers Precepts moral ceremonial political | Act. 15. 10. Gal. 3. 23. as a burdensome and insuportable Yoak and Fence * Gal. 3. â—4 and that they might be the more effectually restrained from sinning compelled to do their duty did also ratify and confirm the same by most severe †Lev. 26. 3. c. Deut. 27. 15. c. 28. Threatnings and manifold Promises yea further did ever and anon by | Isa 61. 1. c. 62. 6. c. 2 Chron. 36. 15. Act. 7. 51 52 53. his Prophets and other of his Servants cause the Sermons of his Gracious Will and Pleasure to be repeated and inculcated upon them for the further let and hinderance of Transgressions yet sin nevertheless and notwithstanding all still prevailed and overcame and its Dominion was not only not extinct by this Law and the Guilt thereof by * Rom. 5. 20. 7. 8. Heb. 7. 18 19 7. 20. 10. 4. Rom. 3. 19 20. 11. 32. the Blood of Bulls and Goats and other sacrifices of that kind not taken away but sin was ever the more and more encreased and as it were by a prick or goad stirred up and provoked by the Law and the Guilt of Death and Condemnation so far aggravated that the whole World became shut up under sin and liable unto Condemnation 10. From whence at length the most The use and necesity of the Grace of God high necessity and also advantage of the Grace of God prepared or preordained for us in Christ before all ages hath evidently appeared for without it we can neither shake off the miserable Yoak of Sin nor †do any thing truly good in †‑ Rom. 6. 14. c. 7. 1. c. 8. 1. c. Gal. 3. 24. Act 4. 12. 13. 38 39. Religion at all nor lastly ever escape ‑ Eternal Death or any true punishment of Sin Much less are we at any time able without it and of our selves or by any other Creatures to obtain Eternal Salvation CHAP. VIII Of the work of Redemption and of the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ 1. VVHerefore it seemed good The work of Redemption what it is to the most Merciful God in * 1 Cor. 10. 11. Gal. 4. 4. the end of the World or in the fulness of time in very deed to set upon and throughly to accomplish that most excellent Work which †1 Pet. 1. 20. Eph. 1. 9 10. he had foreknown or purposed in himself before the Foundations of the World and in successive ages all along under divers figures | Heb. 9. shadows and Types as it were in a rude draught pourtrayed held forth to be seen afar off and darkly known of Men to wit the Work of Redemption * 2 Cor. 5. 15. c. Rom 5. 12. c. ch 8. 3. c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 c. Eph. 2. 1 c. or of a New Creation whereby he might of his â—â—eer Grace and Mercy deliver Man who by reason of sin was become lyable to eternal-Eternal-Death and Condemnation and lay in miserable sort under the bondage of sin from the said Guilt and restore him unto the Hope of an eternal and immortal Life and minister to him sufficient yea and superabundant Power and Ability to cast off the Dominion of Sin and to obey the Will of God with his whole Heart 2. This Work God hath accomplished The Execution or accomplishment thereof by Christ by his one only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ †Joh. 3. 16 c. 8. 26. Maâ— 11 27. Joh. 1. 18. Act. 4. 12. 10. 43. Gal. 4. 4 c. Tit. 2 11 12. whom indeed he therefore sent into the World not only that he might by him most openly declare and divers ways confirm his most Merciful Will concerning his bestowing Eternal Life freely upon Sinners that do seriously and truly repent and believe but also in very deed that he might through his most holy Obedience and the effectual working of his Holy Spirit in us as far as
and Worship proper and peculiar to Jesus Christ as he is Mediator of which hereafter in their order and place 9. But from hence it appeareth that Jesus Christ is not our Saviour in one way or upon one account only and alone to wit not only by his Preaching Example Martyrdom or Suffering or that he is not so only therefore because he hath declared unto us the way of Eternal Life and confirmed it by Miracles also by the examplariness of his Life and by his Death and by this means hath purchased to himself a Supreme power and virtue to save us But withall indeed by virtue of Merit with or towards God and Efficacy arising or proceeding therefrom and immediatly respecting us By virtue of Merit doubtless or Desert * Mat. 20 28. Rom 5. 8 9 19 Phil. 2. 5 c. Tim. 2. 5 6. because he hath merited eternal Salvation for us by his Obedience or because by the Mediation hereof especially of his violent and bloody Death as by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Price of Redemption and propitiatory Sacrifice God hath thus far reconciled all Sinners unto himself that for the sake of this Price of Redemption and Sacrifice he was pleased to be at one with them again and to open the door of eternal Salvation and way of Immortality to them even as it was prefigured many ages before under divers Types Figures and Shadows †Lev. 16. Heb. 9 10. of the Old Testament and especially under the Type of that solemn Sacrifice which the High-Priest once every year performed in the Holy of Holies And he is our Saviour indeed by way of Efficacy | Rom. 3. 34 c. chap. 14. 9. 1 Jol 2. 12. Heâ— 4. 4 c. 1 Pâ—t 1. 3. in as much as he doth effectually apply the Spirituall virtue and fruit of the said Merit of his to his faithful Followers and really affords it to them to enjoy and makes them through Faith really partakers of all those Benefits which he by his Obedience hath purchased for them of which more afterwards 10. But those Men who hold that there The Confutation of an Errour was both an absolute Election and an absolute Reprobation of certain Persons whether considered before the Fall or only under or after the Fall without Faith in Christ on the one hand or Disobedience on the other hand was in order first made and past before Jesus Christ was designed of the Father as a Mediator for them they enervate nay do wholly and utterly overthrow the universal force and vertue of this same Merit and the truth and reality of its Efficacy Neither indeed was it necessary that there should be made any true or real Expiation of Sins by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Redemption of Christ for them nay nor indeed was it so much as possible if Truth may be freely spoken who were now long before by name peremptorily and absolutely destinated or appointed part unto Life part unto Death For the Elect as they call them or those who are predestinated unto Life have no need of any such Expiation and Reconciliation because upon the very account of their being precisely or absolutely elected unto Salvation they are like wise upon the same account in actual Favour with God and already necessarily beloved of him with the highest and immutable Love and such as is peculiar to those that are Sons and Heirs of God And as for the Reprobate as they call them they themselves deny that there was or is any Atonement truly made for them and besides the thing is absurd of it self as that which implyes a contradiction For upon their being reprobated according to these Mens Opinion they are thereupon wholly and altogether excluded from the Atonement made by Christ Because those whom God hath by an immutable Decree once reprobated or excluded from Salvation or devoted to to eternal Destruction he doth not seriously will nor can will nor can will that any thing savingly good should really be conferred upon them much less that the said Atonement should be common to them with the Elect. And thus far in general of the chief Works of God hitherto CHAP. IX Of the Knowledg of the Will of God revealed in the New Covenant 1. FUrthermore the Will of God A twofold Will of God in the New Testament * Jer. 31. 31 c. Heb. 8. 9. 9. 15 c. ch 10. 15 c. comprehended in the Covenant of Grace which our most high Prophet the only begotten Son of God hath clearly and fully revealed unto us in his Gospel contains two chief heads First those things which God on his part by his Son Jesus Christ hath decreed to do or work in us or about us that we may be made partakers of that eternal Salvation that is offered to us by him Secondly those things which he altogether wills by the mediation or means of his own Grace to be done by us if we will really obtain eternal Salvation 2. Those things which God hath decreed A Subdivision of the former to do on his part in order to our Salvation are chiefly two 1. He hath decreed for the honour of his beloved Son by him to choose unto himself for Sons unto Salvation and Life eternal to adopt justifie seal with his Holy Spirit and at last to glorifie †Joh. 3. 16. c. ch 6. 29. Eph. 1. 3 4 c. Rom. 8. 28 c. 2 Tim. 1. 9 c. Heb. 3. 6 14. all those and those only who truly believe in his Name or obey his Gospel and persevere in the said Faith and Obedience even unto death and on the contrary to reprobate or reject from Life and Salvation | Joh. 3. 18 36. Mat. 25. 41 c. Unbelievers and Impenitent Persons and everlastingly to condemn them 2. He hath decreed through or by his same Son to confer or bestow upon all that are called although wretched Sinners such effectual Grace * Tit. 2. 11 12. Act. 3. 26. 5. 31. 26. 16 c. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. 6. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. as by which they may be truly and really enabled to believe on Christ their Saviour obey his Gospel and be delivered from the Dominion and Guilt of Sin yea also by which they may actually believe obey and be delivered unless by a new Contumacy and Rebellion they reject the Grace of God that is offered unto them 3. The first Decree is the Decree of Predestination unto Salvation Predestination unto Salvation or of Election unto Glory whereby is established as well the real necessity as profitableness of our Faith and Obedience in reference to our obtaining Salvation and Glory before which dogmatically to See Calv. and the Canons of the Synod of Dort assign or assent another Decree first or before it in order whereby some certain particular Persons by name were elected and that indeed
Christ 1. FAith in Jesus Christ is a * Heb. 11. 1 c. Rom. 4. 18 c. deliberate The definition of Saving Faith and firm assent of the Mind given or yeilded to the Word of God and joyned with a true confidence or trust in Christ whereby we do not only firmly assent and confidently adhere or cleave unto the Doctrine of Jesus Christ as true and Divine but whereby we do also wholly relie upon †Joh. 14 1. Heb. 4. 16. Eph. 3. 12 17. Jesus Christ himself as our only Prophet Priest and King given unto us of God his pure Grace for Salvation so that we doubt not to expect from him alone as | Heb. 5. 9. 10. 15 c. Act. 4. 12. 13. 39. our only Redeemer eternal Life and Salvation but yet not to be obtained but by that means and in that way which he himself hath Its Parts or prerequisites revealed in his Word 2. Therefore knowledg | Joh. 13. 17. of the Divine Will alone or of all those senses that are savingly necessary to be known to wit which are contained in the Gospel is not enough to speak a true saving Faith For this may be both without assent and trust yea is really * Jam. 2. 14 c. Luk. 13. 47. Tit. 1. 16. in the Devils themselves and in many ungodly and unbelieving Men. Nor indeed is it every assent to wit †Mat. 13. 22. Heb. 4. 1 c. Rom. 12. 1 c. Eph. 5. 17. a suddain perfunctory implicite bruitish or blind one that is grounded upon no reason and yeilded without any judgment for this by it self and taken alone is not saving nor can it ever sufficiently move or engage the Will to any rational or free service and Obedience and therefore it is found even in them who live little like Christians but there is altogether requisite a firm and solid one and such as is backt by the command of a deliberate Will | Eph. 1. 17 c. 3. 17 18. Mat. 9. 2. Heb. 11. 1 c. lastly a fiducial and obedient assent which also is called affiance or confidence not indeed an absolute confidence of special Mercy as already perceived or enjoyed to wit whereby I believe that my sins are already forgiven me * Rom. 1. 17. 3. 25. 4. 4 c. 5. 1. 10. 9. Act. 4. 12. 13. 38. for this is not the essential form that constitutes justifying Faith but only a certain consequent adjunct thereof yea doth necessarily presuppose saving Faith it self as a prerequisite condition of it but whereby I firmly conclude †Heb. 5. 9. Act. 5. 32. Joh. 3. 36. Rom. 10. 16. that it is impossible that I should by any other means than by Jesus Christ and in any other way than by that prescribed by him escape eternal Death and on the contrary obtain eternal Salvation And which for that cause immediately of it self bringeth forth and hath always joyned with it that new Obedience which is due unto Jesus Christ himself from us that is not only some barren purpose to obey or an Affection without its Effect but true and actual Obedience it self 3. From whence further we conclude A consutation of an Errour if Faith be such an assent as we have said to wit which is seriously commanded of God under the promise of eternal Life and the threatning of a contrary death and performed by Man according to or by vertue of God's command that it cannot then be any thing that is See the Canons of the Synod of Dort ch 3. 4. Arto. 11 14 17. Reject Art â— wrought in us without us much less that is produced in our Wills by an irresistible Force or an Omnipotent Operation of God by what name at length or title soever it be called For what we mere purely suffer from God and what things are produced in us by God's irresistible Omnipotency without us those fall not under any Precept properly so called nor can they of right come under the name of Obedience and therefore cannot any ways justly be rewarded or recompensed or judged worthy of any Praise or Commendation 4. And that this assent may commodiously Two things necessary for the getting of Faith be drawn from us there are two things chiefly necessary 1. Such Arguments or Reasons on God's part unto which nothing can probably or with any shew of reason be opposed why those things should not be credible or deserve our belief which are proposed to us 2. A pious docility or teachableness or honesty of Mind in him of whom this belief is required For all Men * 2 Thes 3. 2. have not Faith And he that will do the Will of God he shall †Joh. 7. 17. know or understand whether the Doctrine of Christ be from God or no. But he that doth evil hateth | Joh. 3. 19 20 21. the Light neither cometh he to the Light lest his deeds should be reproved but he that doth the Truth he cometh to the Light that his deeds may be made manifest for that they are wrought in God Also he that is of God * Joh. 8. 47. 10. 26 27. Act. 2. 41. 13. 46 c. heareth Gods words therefore ye being wicked hear not because ye are not of God Also ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep 5. Such a fiducial assent therefore or It s connexion with good works this obediential trust or relyance is at length that true and living Faith which necessarily draws along with it a keeping of the Commandments of Jesus Christ †Joh. 5. 3 4 5. Gal. 5. 6. 6. 15. Mat. â— 17 c. ch 12. 34 35. or good works For he that truly believes and is certainly perswaded that Jesus Christ is ordained of God to be an Author of Salvation to all that obey him and that live piously and holily and to them or such only and that it is impossible that Men should any other way | Heb. 5. 9. 11. 6 ch 12. 14 â—5 16 c. attain to eternal Salvation or escape eternal Death but in or by way of true Obedience or good Works he doubtless being filled with good Hope will both willingly and chearfully engage or enter into this way and by true Repentance or a change of his Mind Will and all his Actions for the better earnestly make towards eternal Glory especially if he shall have rightly and duely considered with himself both what eternal Salvation and eternal Death are and mean 6. Howbeit because those who are Three degrees of Believers newly converted to the Faith do for the most part usually labour under some Custom of sinning from hence it comes to pass most usually that this Assent though deliberate and strong doth not immediately altogether excuse or shake off * Joh. 2. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 3. 1 c. Heb.
2. 18 c. 3. 17 18. who do for some time remain constant in the true Faith and this same holy resolution and purpose and for a while also demonstrate the truth of their Faith by good works but yet notwithstanding at length what through the enticements of the World or of the Flesh or of Satan or by some violent Tyranny they defect and revolt from the Faith as overcome or wholly discouraged and broken 3. Of those who either without any defection or interruption do continually persevere and hold out in the said pious resolution †Mat. 10. 22. 24. 13. Luk. 21. 19. Eph. 3. 16 c. Col. 1. 21 c. 2. 5 c. and in holy Works even unto the end or who having once or again lapsed or fallen or * Luk. 22. 32. 2 Cor. 1. 7 8 c. 7. 10. 2 lim 2. 25 26. Mat. 10. 22. 24. 13. somewhat more often revolted do again seriously repent and so being restored again by the Grace of God do at length finally persist and hold out Therefore the two former orders of Believers are indeed truly elected adopted and justified but not altogether absolutely nor but for a time to wit so far and so long as they are and remain such but the third and last sort only even finally and peremptorily to wit according to that which we read in the Gospel He that continueth to the end the same shall be saved 7. For these acts are Divine acts which The confutation of an error are sometimes continued and sometimes interrupted to wit which so long continue and take place here as the requisite condition thereof that is Faith and Holiness that are agreed upon by Covenant endureth and abideth in us But they are interrupted when we no longer stand to our Covenants or when we do or commit such acts as can no ways consist with true Faith and a good Conscience according to that of Ezekiel †Ezek. 18. 24. Rom. 11. 12 c. 1 Cor. 9. 27. 10. 11 12 c. Col. 1. 21 23. Heb. 3. 6 14. 10. 35 36. Rev. 2. 10. 3. 11 12. If the just or righteous shall turn away from his righteousness and do iniquity according to all the iniquities which the wicked shall do shall he do it and live all the righteousnesses which he hath done shall not be remembred for his prevarication wherewith he hath prevaricated and for the sin wherewith he hath sinned for them I say he shall die Whereunto are consonant very many other sacred testimonies of like sort together with examples CHAP. XIX Of the Promises of God pertaining to the life to come or of the raising again of the dead and eternal Life 1. THe acts of God pertaining to the Three saving acts in the World to come life to come are the raising again from * 1 Cor. 15. death or instead thereof a sudden change of our mortal nature and Glorification or the †Mat. 25. 31 c. bestowing of Heavenly Glory and Life eternal according to those two last Articles of the Apostles Creed I believe the Resurrection of the Flesh and the Life everlasting 1. The raising of the dead 2. This raising will be at * Mat. 16. 27. 25. 31 c. the second and glorious coming of Jesus Christ unto the general Judgment to wit when he shall raise unto life again all the †Rev. 20. 12 13. dead both the just * Act. 24. 15. and unjust and judg both them and those that shall then remain alive †Rom. 14. 9 10 11 at the Judgment-seat of his Father and assign or award unto them all just rewards or condign punishments according to * 12. 12 Cor. 5. 1. 0. 2 Thess M 7 c. 3 at 25. 1 c. the quality and quantity of their Works which they have done in the body whether good or evil For then he shall raise up his faithful ones and Saints which †1 Thess 4. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 4 c. Phil. 3. 21. 2 The changing of those alive were indeed dead out of the dust of the Earth unto a Life eternal and blessed and shall endow them alone with a glorious and incorruptible body And those which he shall then * 1 Thess 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. find alive and surviving of them those he shall on a sudden and as it were in a moment change and make them immortally blessed with the other 3. This-like raising and in part a 3 Glorification life eternal change shall be immediately succeeded by that blessed Glorification which is the complement of all the other acts †1 Thess 4. 16 17. Mat. 24. 30 31. 25. 31 c. 1 Joh. 3. 1 c. whereby the Lord Jesus after he shall have descended from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the Trump of God to the now said Judgment shall take them being raised by the Angels of his power with himself into the Air and most powerfully deliver or translate them from | 2. Thess 1. 8 c. 2 Pet. 3. 10 11. the universal corruption or total destruction of the whole World being then to be altogether on a flame into the everlasting and glorious mansions * Heb. 2. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1. of the Heavens which in the Scriptures are called new Heavens a new Earth and the World to come and shall give them to enjoy unspeakable †Joh. 12. 26. Mat. 25. 21 23. Luk. 22. 29 30. Rev. 3. 12 21. 14. 13. 21. 23. 22. 5. joy with himself and with God and with his holy Angels for ever and for ever CHAP. XX. Of the Divine threatnings and punishments of the Wicked pertaining both unto this Life and unto the Life to come to wit of Reprobation Hardening Blinding and of eternal Death and Damnation 1. TOwards the Wicked and Unbelievers Four Acts of Anger or Wrath and Revenge about unbelievers | Mat. 10. 14 15. 11. 20. Luk. 19. 41. Rom. 2â—2 c. 1 Thess 2. 15 16. or those who refractorily or obstinately refuse to believe and repent and who although they have been long and much called upon admonished reproved chastened c. do yet nevertheless persist to disobey the Gospel God is minded to exercise acts altogether contrary to the former and they no less severe than just and holy the which he hath threatned them with in his Word and do pertain partly to this life partly to that which is to come 2. The acts pertaining unto this Life 1 Reprobation or casting off are Reprobation or Desertion Also Blinding and Hardening and other temporal punishments of that or the like sort of which the first is the just casting of wicked men off to wit * Mat. 8. 12. 21. 43. Rom. 11. 2 20 c. when God will no