Ephesus of Calcedon yet is there not a diversity of Faiths for these are not other from this Apostolique Symbole but certain words are added as an Explication of this by reason of Hereticks by whom because of the shortness thereof this was depraved There is no change either of the Matter or of the Doctrine but onely of the form of declaring it as easily may appear by comparing them together This Creed is called Apostolique or the Creed of the Apostles for these Reasons 1. Because it containeth the sum of the Apostolique Doctrine 2. Because the Apostles delivered that sum of Doctrine to their Schollars and Disciples which the Church afterwards held as received from them not that the Apostles composed the form of this Creed but believed and preached the subject matter of it The ends why the Creed was penn'd by the Apostles left unto the Church were these 1. To be a Rule of faith and preservation from Heresie 2. That it might be a mean of distinguishing betwixt true Christians and Hereticks 3. That every man entring the profession of Christianity might continually have before his eyes that Faith for which he should suffer persecution and to the defence whereof he should stand unto the death 4. That every one of the Catechumeni which were new converted Christians might have in a readiness what to answer and believe at their initiation thereinto The principal parts of the Apostolick Creed are three 1. Of the Father and our Creation 2. Of the Son and our Redemption 3. Of the Holy Ghost and our Sanctification Though our Creation Redemption and Sanctification are each appropriated to some one person of the Trinity yet have all three Persons their joynt-working in them For the Creation is given to the Father Redemption to the Son and Sanctification to the Holy Ghost not as they are simply an operation or work for so should the other persons be excluded from it but in respect for the order and maner of working which is peculiar and proper to every of them in producing and bringing forth the same external work Or thus The works of our Creation Redemption and Sanctification are the operations of the Godhead outwardly that is external operations which God worketh on his Creatures and they are undivided that is common to the three Persons which they by common will and power work in the Creatures by reason of that one and the same Essence and Nature of the Godhead which they have but in respect of that order of working which is between them it is otherwise For the Father Createth but mediately by the Son and the Holy Ghost the Son from the Father and the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son The Father and the Holy Ghost Redeem us but mediately by the Son but the Son immediately from the Father by the Holy Ghost So the Father and the Son Sanctifie us but mediately by the Holy Ghost but the Holy Ghost immediately from the Father and the Son The Christians Faith or Faith's Epitomy Or Ensign of true Christianity The Faith for which the valiant Martyrs fought With all the Princes of the Ayr and sought For life by losing it quenching the flame Not by their Blood but with new fire which came From their resolved Faiths Spiritual eyes From whose most zealous spicy flame did rise In Heav'n a Crown of Immortality On Earth the Phoenix of their Memory §. 2. I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth THat is I believe that God is my Father as by Generation and Creation so by Regeneration and Adoption able to do all things as it pleaseth him the Creator of the whole world and the Lord and Governor of the same I believe not we believe with the Papists as the Church believes but every man must so believe as to be able to give an account of his Faith when lawfully called thereunto Now it is one thing to believe God another thing to believe in God To believe God sheweth onely a Faith of knowledge or historical Faith To believe in God declareth true Faith or confidence that is to be perswaded That whatsoever God is and is said to be he is all that and referreth it all to our safety for his Sons sake that is to resolve that he is such an one to me in particular God is to be considered in the three persons Father Son and Holy Ghost a person being nothing else but a maner of being in the Godhead Now no man is able to know God according to the excellency of his own Nature Joh. 1.10 18. but the Scripture delivers us such a knowledge of him as is both necessary and profitable for us Rom. 1.19 20. We must therefore acknowledge God to be such as himself hath manifested himself to be and though he cannot be defined because he is Immense and because his Essence is unknown to us yet may he be described by his Attributes and Properties the persons and principal works which may be thus God is a Spiritual Essence a Spirit John 4.24 or simple Spiritual Essence Exod. 3.13 an everlasting Spirit 2 Chron. 3.17 Infinite Psalm 139. Jer. 23.24 most holy Isa 6.3 onely wise 1 Tim. 1.17 most just and most merciful Exod. 34.6 7. Almighty Rev. 1.8 And he is but one Exod. 10.3 Living Psal 84.2 True Jer. 10.10 without body parts or passions John 4.24 of infinite power Ezek. 10.5 wisdom Psal 147.5 and goodness Psal 106.1 The Maker Gen. 1.1 and Preserver of all things Mat. 10.29 30. other from all the Creatures Incomprehensible most perfect in himself Immutable of an immense Power Wisdom and Goodness True Just Pure Merciful most free angry and wroth with sin of whose days there is no beginning nor ending Rev. 1.8 And in the Unity of this Godhead there be three Persons of one Substance Power and Eternity the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.3.2 Cor. 13.13 Or which Essence is the eternal Father who from everlasting begot the Son according to his Image and the Son who is the Coeternal Image of the Father and the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son And the Eternal Father together with the Son and the Holy Ghost hath created Heaven and Earth and all Creatures and worketh all good things in all And that in Mankinde he hath chosen unto himself and gathered a Church by and for the Son that by his Church this one and true Deity may be according to the word delivered from above acknowledged celebrated and adored in this life and in the life to come And lastly he is the Judge both of the just and unjust The Name Father as it is opposite to the Son is understood personally or it signifies the first person of the Godhead as here but as it is referred to or compared with the Creatures it is taken essentially signifying the whole Divine Nature which is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost And Creation is here ascribed unto God
370 c. 371 a b. 372 c. Popish Fasting abominable proved 372 c. 373 a. Father how understood in the Lords Prayer 79 b. why Our Father 78 c. 79 a. Fear of God what 176 215 Doctrine thereof ibid. to 218. Signs and Evidences thereof 217 b. how the Fear of Gods Worship differs from all other Fears ibid. a. Feasting holy Feasting what 370 a. Rules touching the same 373 c. why permitted 370 a. 373 b. Flesh and Spirit the War betwixt them 330 c the Weapons of that Warfare and the Nature of it 331. Fornication Motives and Reasons against it 287 b c. Forgiveness of Sins what 160 b. Doctrine of it ibid. to 163 Signs thereof 161 b. Forgiveness 'twixt Man and Man fourfold 105 c. G GAmes threefold 375 a. what Games lawful to be used ibid. Ghost Holy Ghost third Person in the Trinity 1 to 5. Gifts of the Spirit twofold 328 b c. Gluttony Remedies against it 111 a. God his Attributes and Properties 120 c. 121 122. Godhead what 2 a c. Gospel what 23 c. Doctrine of it ibid. to 25. Why called the Gospel of Peace 24 c. the Effects thereof 25 a. Grace twofold 329. The operations and properties of Saving Graces 332 b. Tryals of Sound Grace 50 a. Grace distinguished from Hypocrisie 329 a. Grace Vniversal Grace Erroneous 24 a b. H HAllowing how many ways taken in Scripture 84 c. 85 b. Hallowing Gods Name what it signifies 83 b. how many ways Gods Name may be Hallowed 85 c. Hearing the Word aright what 33 a. Requisites to hear profitably ibid. c. Rules of Preparation ibid. the impediments of Effectual Hearing 34 a. 35 b. Preparative Helps before Hearing 34 b. Rules in time of Hearing ibid. c. Duties required after Hearing 35 c. Heaven how many ways taken in Scripture 81 a. Holy Ghost the Doctrine of Faith therein 145 to 149. why called the Spirit of Revelation 146 a. he is to be prayed unto as God ibid. his Godhead proved ibid. c. why distinct from the Father and the Son 147 a. his Equality with the Father proved ibid. why called a Spirit ibid. b. the Titles given to the Holy Ghost in Scripture ibid. c. his Operations twofold 148 a. his peculiar Offices ibid. b. how he is given retained and eclipsed ibid. c. the Duties of Faith in the Holy Ghost 149 a. Honor to Parents wherein it consists 265 b c. why Civil Honor is due to man 267 b. how many ways this is transgressed 268 b. Hope what 175 a. Doctrine thereof 203 to 207. how many ways taken in Scripture ibid. a. Hope twofold ibid. b. the Grounds of Hope ibid. c. the Exercise of it 204 a. why it must be stedfast ibid. c. why called the Helmet of Salvation ibid. The special Properties thereof 204 c. The way to get keep and use Hope ibid. the Necessity of Hope 205 a. how it is wrought ibid. b. how Hope and Faith differ ibid. c. how Hope and Presumption differ 206 a. Signs of Sound Hope ibid. b. Motives to Hope ibid. Means to attain it ibid. Vices repugnant to it ibid. c. Housholders Duties 269 c. Humanity of Christ 133 a. Humility what 174 c. the Doctrine thereof 194 195. Husbands Duties to the Wife 269 b. Hypocrisie what 236. Kindes thereof 237 b. Fruits thereof ibid. b c. why not always invisible 238 b. why sometimes charged upon the children of God 239 c. Marks to know an Hypocrite by 240 b. I IDolatry what 233 a. alway the destruction of the Idolater and why 234 a. Caveats to avoid it 235 b. Idolaters not to be Consorted with 234 b. Ignorance what 219. Kindes thereof 221 c. the Mother of what sins ibid. the Causes thereof ibid. c. Image of God in Man what 318 c. why God preserves the Remnants thereof 319 a. Images made to be Worshipped most abominable 231 a. why to be Abolished in all Christian Churches ibid. b. Incest wherein it consists 286 b. Infants to be Baptized 41 b. Infirmities of the Saints why recorded in Scripture 348 c. Intercession to the Father why proper onely to the Son 130 b. Joy of the Spirit how known from Carnal Joy 330 c. Judgement corrupted four ways 296 a. Reasons against Rash Judgement 305 b. Caveats in judging others ibid. Judgement-Day what it is 143 b c. Last Judgement twofold 144 a. how Christ shall come to Judgement ibid. Doctrine hereof 143 to 145 the Day hereof why concealed from us 145 a. why deferred ibid. Errors touching the last Judgement ibid. Justification what 324 b. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 326. Kindes thereof 325. Signs and Effects thereof 326 a. K KIlling lawful three ways 277 Kingdom of God what 88 89 a. Threefold ibid. c. Kingdom of Satan what Knowledge of God what 173 c. 177 a b. the parts thereof 176 c. wherein it consists 177 c. Tryals thereof 50 a. Means to attain it 178 a. Signs thereof ibid. b. Vices repugnant to it ibid. c. 179 a. L LAw what 15 b. threefold 16 c. 17. How the Moral Ceremonial and Judicial Law differs each from other 18. How the Moral Law the Natural Law and the Decalogue differ ibid. c. how the Law was given 170 b. why the Ceremonial and Judicial Laws are now ceased and how far 17 b. the use of them against Anabaptists ibid. c. Laws Judicial not necessary for any Common-wealth 16 a. Moral Law binding to all ibid. The use of the Law under the Gospel 19 c. how it differs from the Gospel 16 b. 19 a. how the Law is fulfilled by Christ 20 b. 130 a. Law written in Mans Heart 169 c. 170 a. how the performance of the Law may be said to be possible to the Regenerate 20 b. The use and ends of the Law 20 c. 21 a. how the whole Law is Abrogated 21 b. Errors touching the Law 23 a. The Error of the false Church of Rome touching the Law 22 c. Lending twofold 295 b. Life threefold 167 b. how many ways it may be said to be preserved ibid. c. Life Everlasting what 166 b. the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 168. Degrees thereof 167 b. why called a Rest 168 a. The Duties of Faith herein ibid. b. Love Gods Love to Man the Doctrine thereof 311 to 313. Degrees thereof 311 c. kindes thereof 312 b. the Commendation of Gods Love ibid. a. Duties from the Consideration thereof ibid. c. 313 a. Love Mans Love to God what 207 the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 215 the kindes of it 208 the parts of it 52 b. wherein it consists 175 c. Tryals thereof 52 a. The right order of Love 209 a. Assurance thereof ibid. b. how Love differs from Fear ibid. c. the right maner of Love 210 a. 213 b c. the Effects and Signs of Love ibid. c. 211 a b. The Properties of true Love ibid. 214 a. the Resemblance betwixt our Love to God and that to our Neighbor 213 b. Motives to love the Lord 212 b. 214 c. the main impediments to Love ibid. c. without Love no Salvation 209 b.
Love Self-love twofold 213 c. Lying twofold 301 c. the Common Distinction of Lyes 302 a. the kindes and degrees of Lyes ibid. 303. Rules against Lying 302 a. Vertues opposed to it 304. M MAgistrates their Duty 268 c. 269 a b. Marriage-Duties 269 c. 270 a. Rules to maintain Concord betwixt Man and Wife ibid. c. Mass the vast difference thereof from the Lords Supper 57 c. 58 a. Meats to be Consecrated before the use thereof 373 c. 374 a. Mediator his Office 130 c. his Necessity of being true God and true Man 131 a b. The benefits of a Mediator ibid. c. Merit or Works Meritorious a meer Chymera no such thing in Rerum natura 359 a. Ministers their Duty and Properties 26 c. 31 a b. 32 a. Qualifications requisite for that Calling 30 a. 31 a. Why to be proved before Admission 30 c. The Titles given them in Scripture 30 c. the peoples Duty toward their Ministers 32 b. Ministery why instituted by God 28 b. the way to promote it 29 a. why it ought not to be despised ibid. b. The Reason of the Comparison betwixt it and Salt ibid. c. Moses how said to write of Christ 130 a. Mother of Christ why espoused to a man 134 a. Murmuring why unlawful 294 b c. Murther the kindes and degrees thereof 273 to 283. the heinousness of the sin 278. the way to avoid it ibid. c. Murther against the Soul how committed 279 a. N NAme of God what it signifies 83 b. 243 b. how said to be taken in vain 241. what that signifies 243 b. the several ways of taking Gods Name in vain 244. how it is sanctified 246. Names in Baptism to be chosen by Parents 44 b. Directions for the right choyce thereof ibid. Nativity of Christ 133 b. why born of the Virgins substance ibid. c. Nature Christs Divine Nature proved by Scripture 134 b. what the word Nature Vignifies in the Trinity 1. O OAthes the nature of an Oath 246. Oathes extorted how far binding 241 c. What is required in a lawful Oath 246 a. 247 c. 248 249. What 's to be thought on before we take an Oath ibid. c. In every lawful Oath a twofold Bond 250 a. Christians may lawfully take an Oath ibid. Why Oathes may not be used but in case of Necessity 251 a. In what cases Oathes do not binde ibid. Obedience what 367 a. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 268. The parts thereof ibid. Rules whereby to order our Obedience 367 c. 368 b. the Tryals thereof 51 c. Angelcal Obedience 97 c. Perfect Obedience possible to all men before the Fall 15 b. now not possible to the REgenerate ibid. c. Obedience to the Ministery 28 c. and the Reasons thereof 36 a. Obstinacy in sin the sinfulness of that sin 353 c. Opinion how it differs from Faith 186b P PArents their Duty 267 a. Passion of Christ 136 b c. wherein the Meditation thereon consists 137 b. Patience what 174. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 202. Signs and Properties thereof 197 a. Perfect when ibid. b c. Encouragements for and Motives to Patience 201 202. impediments thereto ibid. Perfection the several kindes thereof 20 a. 94 c. Perjury the several kindes thereof 252 b c. Persons in the Trinity proved 4 c. 5 a. what they therein signifie 1 to 4. why so called 5 a. wherein they agree 5 b. their order of working 5 c. Policy Caveats touching it 194 b. Pontius Pilate what he was 135 a. Popery why not to be tolerated 234 b. Power of God twofold 123. Prayer what 60 b. twofold 62 b. the parts of Prayer ibid. c. the kindes thereof ibid. c. 63. the qualities of true Prayer ibid. c. how we ought to pray 60 c. how he must be qualified that prayeth ibid. 61 a. the gesture time and place of Prayer 61 a. 62 a. Who alone is to be prayed unto ibid. how to conceive aright of God in prayer 64 c. how the whole Trinity works in prayer ibid. the Helps of preparation to prayer 65 a. Impediments to be removed before prayer ibid. b. Duties required in the act of prayer ibid. c. why the Creature may not be prayed unto 66 c. how God answers prayer 67 b. why God answers not some prayers ibid. why God sometimes defers answer to our prayers ibid. c. wherein Reverence in prayer consists 68 a. the necessity of the Spirit in prayer ibid. how to pray with the Spirit ibid. b. Fervency in prayer the signs thereof 71 b. the common Abuses in our prayers ibid. c. Duties required after prayer ibid. who not to be prayed for 72 b whom we ought to pray for 79 a. Motives to publike prayer ibid. c. the Necessity of Family-prayer 73 a. of Secret prayer ibid. the difference betwixt Praying and Wishing ibid. c. the Papists Error touching prayer 75 a. Prayer the Lords Prayer the use thereof 75 b c. what is comprehended therein 76. Doctrine thereof 75 to 117. Preaching what 25 c. who may preach ibid. how Humane Learning may therein be used without abuse 26 a. The order to be observed in Preaching 26 b. the whole Exercise thereof wherein it consists 27 a. Boldness in preaching how manifested 27 c. Presence of God with us 159 b. Presumption Remedies against it 111 c. Pride what 226 c. the properties of a proud man 228 a. the several kindes of Pride ibid. b. Remedies against it 110 c. Spritual Pride to be abhorred 229. Engines to pull it down ibid. b. the way to avoid inward Pride 228 c. Priests what they were under the Law 21 c. how they differed from Prophets ibid. Priest and Priesthood twofold under the Law 22 a. what things peculiar to the High Priest ibid. Promises the right way to apply them 193. Prosperity the effects thereof 200 b. Providence of God in preservation of the Scripture most admirable 6 b. Punishment for sin the degrees thereof 354 b. R REconciliation what 130 b. Recreations Rules touching the same 374 c. 375 a. Redemption what 319 c. fourfold 320 b. Doctrine thereof 319 to 322. how Christ Redeems us ibid. c. Regeneration what 334 c. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 337. how wrought 335 c. 336 b c. how it differs from Creation ibid. c. the degrees thereof 337 b. Signs thereof ibid. c. Regulation Rules thereof for all Actions 295 c. Religion what is the deepest Mystery thereof 1 a. the Pillar of Church and State 25 c. wherein the true Religion differs from all others 154 a. Repentance what 363 a. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 367. the nature kindes exercise properties effects tryals and signs of sound Repentance 364 365 51. Repentance not to be deferred 365 b. Motives to Repentance 366 b. and means to attain it ibid. c. Repetition of Sermon very requisite 28 a. Vain Repetitions what 70 c. Resurrection what 163. Doctrine of it ibid. to 166. proved 164 b. 165 b. the Duties of such as believe it ibid. c. the Types thereof 165 c. Resurrection of Christ what 139 c. how it was wrought 140 b. why
Will Eph. 1.9 3. The End which is Gods Glory Eph. 3.10 4. The Efficacy which is Gods Power Rom. 1.16 Touching the Scriptures we are principally to consider these 4 things 1. Who is the Author of them that is as hath been shewed God himself Gal. 1.11 12. 2. Who are the instrumental Causes they are as hath been likewise shewed the Prophets and Apostles 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To whom they belong even to all sorts and degrees of men and women Psal 111.2 119.9 4. What is the property thereof viz. All-sufficiency without any patching of mens Decrees or Inventions to teach the true knowledge of God 2 Pet. 1.16 1 Cor. 1.17 〈◊〉 the Scripture is the Word of God and 〈◊〉 Doctrine of infallible Truth and certainty may be firmly proved from these unanswerable Arguments drawn from Scripturâ—it self 1. From the Causes thereof wherein consider 1. That the first and principal is the Author thereof even God himself to him do the Scriptures refer themselves and also shew how God is their Author Now nothing is falsly ascribed to God but God in time will bring the same to nought and therefore if the Scripture had not been Gods Word it would long ago have vanished 2. The cause Conservant for the Devil by wicked men and Hereticks hath labored to take away Gods Word from mens hearts and hands but yet it is still preserved in the Church which argues that it is kept by a greater power then is in all men and all Angels that is by the power of God 3. The causes Instrumental they were holy men of God Prophets and Apostles who for vertue und piety exceeded other Writers far beyond all comparison and if they had been meer Polititians their writings would have shewed it for the Penmen of holy Scripture have herein faithfully registred their own faults which no politick person would have done 2. From the Matter therof which stands 1. In doctrine which is The Law set forth in most excellent purity nothing being therein against it or common Equity The Law is perfect Reason the Gospel above Reason yet not contrary to Reason The Gospel wherein is set down Doctrine altogether above mans Reason touching Christs Incarnation and mans Redemption by his death and although these things be above Nature yet we finde them true wholesom and good in experience of conscience which also proveth that they are the Word of God Men may devise strange things above Nature but they can never be wholesom to the conscience 2. In stile the phrase is plain and familiar and yet in any one speech there is more majesty then in all the writings of men 3. From the End thereof for it sets up Gods Worship and mans Salvation and yet gives nothing to Men or Angels but all to the glory of God but for the writings of men they do either directly or by insinuation ascribe something to the writers thereof 4. From the Effects thereof For 1. Though it is against our corrupt Nature crossing and condemning the same yet it winneth men to the love thereof and to obedience thereto which could not be unless it were the Truth of God for we abhor and detest the words of men that be against our Nature 2. It serves notably to comfort a man in all distresses whatsoever even in the pangs of death when no word of any man can do him the least good but onely his word that is the Lord of our soul and the God of our life 5. From the two properties of Scripture 1. Antiquity Among humane writings we have none of certainty in things they record that go so high as the Creation but the Scripture sets down things done from the beginning 2. Mutual Consent for though the Books of Scripture were written by divers men in sundry Ages and Times yet all agree within themselves there is no contradiction in Scripture but the writings of men have not this consent no not in the same Author whom commonly we shall finde contradicting himself 6. From the signs and true miracles thereof as the parting of the Sea the staying of the Sun and Moon and many others yea the Incarnation of the Son of God the Miracle of miracles 7. From the Contraries Contrary to the word of God is the will of the Devil and mans corrupt Nature the Devil hates Scripture and mans corrupt Nature repines thereat when it is checked and controlled thereby Now that which is contrary to these two must needs be holy and true and that is the word of God 8. From Testimonies whereof there be 2 kindes 1. Of holy Martyrs who in all ages have sealed the truth thereof preferring the word of God before their own lives whence it is truly said Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae And though Hereticks have dyed for falshood yet there is great difference in their ends the true Martyrs have unspeakable joy in the Spirit in their torments but Hereticks have no such joy but a natural sensless blockishness whereby they undergo these torments 2. Of Gods Spirit which is the principal testimony for when men begin to learn and obey the word of God then the Spirit of God settles their Conscience in the perswasion of the truth of Scripture which is infallibility it self The Testimony of the Holy Ghost touching Gods Word is obtained and discerned from the Testimony of man by doing these two things 1. By resigning our selves to become truly obedient to the Doctrine taught John 7.17 2. By praying unto God for his Spirit to certifie our Consciences that the Doctrine revealed is the very Doctrine of God Mat. 7.7 8. Luke 11.13 Jam. 1.7 The Majesty of the Scriptures consisteth chiefly in these three excellencies 1. In the Majesty of the Spirit of God which shineth in them 2. In the Consent of all the parts among themselves 3. In the Fulfilling all the Prophesies delivered long before yet accomplished precisely each of them in their proper place The Authority of the Scripture doth not as the Papists affirm depend on the Church for these Reasons 1. The reproach of God by making the Testimony of mans voyce greater then the voyce of God 2. Our Comfort for Faith is grounded on approved witness therefore not on man 3. The truth of God is plainly exposed to the mocks and scoffs of the wicked if we affirm that our Religion is from God onely because our selves say so 4. Because the Authority of the Church depends on the Scripture 5. The Scripture it self is in many places against this opinion John 5. 1 Cor. 2. 1 John 5. The Popish twofold Scripture 1. Inward Scripture or a consent of Doctrine written by the Holy Ghost in the hearts of all Catholicks and this say they is right Scripture Unparalleld Blasphemy 2. Outward Scripture which is written in Paper or Parchment which hath no certain sense as they falsly affirm but as the present Church determines thereof but this is a devilish Doctrine abolishing the true Word of God
the pursuit whereof 3 things are to be observed 1. The gathering of the Doctrine 1. Out of the Coherence 3. Out of the drift 3. Out of the Division 4. Out of the words themselves 1. In the Sense 2. In the Meditating of them 2. The proof of the Doctrine which is either by 1. Reason taken out of the word 2. The Text it self 3. The use of the Doctrine which is 1. For Knowledge 1. To confute Falshood 2. To confirm Truth 2. For Conscience 1. To comfort the afflicted 2. To humble the proud The word of God must be preached with boldness Eph. 6.19 which is manifested 1. By an equal and impartial preaching of the word without respect of persons 2. By a declaration of the whole truth of God as occasion requireth concealing no part thereof for any by-respects of favor fear reward or danger Acts 20.27 3. By a grave plain free delivery of Gods word without affectation or popular applause Gal. 1.10 4. By reproving sin and that with authority Tit. 2.15 that transgressors may be ashamed and tremble 5. By despising all shame fear reproach and disgrace which by prophane and wicked persons may be brought upon the Ministers for performing their Calling as they ought Repetition of the same points that have been formerly handled is very expedient for these Reasons 1. Because men are commonly dull in hearing slack in coming weak in remembring and fow in practising 2. Because it is safe and sure for all hearers to have often repetitions many witnesses make sure work and confirm strongly and stedfastly the things taught Phil. 3.1 3. Because repetitions work a deeper impression in us and serve to beat it into the Conscience as well as into the understanding but the best repetition is when we make repetition of it to our selves by practising it The end and purpose of Gods instituting the Ministery of the word was 1. That God may be invocated and magnified in this life by mankinde not onely privately but also by the publike voyce of the Church 2. That the publike and ordinary preaching of the Doctrine the pouring out of prayers and giving of thanks and the use of the Sacraments may be an exercise to stir up and cherish faith and godliness as which without exercise doth easily through our infirmity wax cold 3. That men may provoke one another by their example unto godliness and to the magnifying and praising of God Psa 22.22 4. That there may be preserved and maintained a consent and agreement in the Church in the Doctrine and Worship of God Eph. 4.11 12 13. 5. That the Church may be seen and heard among men and may be discerned from the other Blasphemous and Idolatrous multitude of men and that the Elect may be gathered to the true Church and the Reprobate be left the more excuseless Rom. 10.18 6. That God may apply himself unto our infirmity by teaching men by men 7. That God may shew his love towards men in that he vouchsafes to admit them to be Ministers of that great and weighty work which also the Son of God himself did administer 8. That by this exceeding love of God to us sons of men we might be won in all humility and thankfulness to receive the word and in obedience to practise the same in our life and conversation Our obedience towards the Ministery comprehendeth 1. Reverence that is an acknowledging of Gods Order and Will in the ordaining and maintaining of the Ministery and in the gathering of his Church by it that is a declaration both in words and deeds of this our acknowledgement and judgement of the Ministery 1 Cor. 4.7 2. Love whereby we gladly both frequent divine Assemblies and hear and learn the Doctrine of the Church and wish well unto the faithful Ministers of the Church not onely in respect of that duty of charity which we owe but also in respect of the Ministery which they discharge 3. Obedience in those things which are belonging to the Ministery whereunto belong the works of love towards God and our Neighbor even the whole life of a Christian which is that Spiritual and Moral Sabbath 4. Thankfulness that is such duties as tend to the preservation and maintenance of the Ministery that it may be honestly provided for for God will have his ministery to be maintained to the end of the world 5. Lenity and moderation in bearing with such infirmities of the Ministers as do not enormously or manifestly corrupt or hinder the Ministery and hurt the Church by offence 1 Tim. 5.19 It is the duty of all men to further the work of the Ministery and by all means to promote it which may be done by these means 1. By commending to God by Prayer the Ministery of his own Ordinance and that he would send able Ministers where they are wanting Matth. 9.38 and continue them where they are and by our thankfulness to him for bestowing this gift on us which he hath denyed to many places and people 2. By repenting of those sins which may hinder either the obtaining or continuing of it Isa 62.7 3. By making a reverend use of this gift of God in being subject unto it governed and reformed by it Heb. 13.7 4. By lamenting the state of the Church which is destitute or deprived of this gift Psal 74.9 5. By providing in time of vacancy sufficient men whom God must chuse before we make choyce of Patrons shall one day answer to God for the souls of such as perish through their default 6. By acknowledging our selves unworthy of so great a blessing and by giving up our whole selves unto God for it To despise and resist the Ministry of the word or the Ministers therein is to despise and resist even God himself 1. Because they come not in their own name neither do they discharge their own Message they are no other then the mouth of God they come not from themselves neither for themselves their Authority and Calling is from God 1 Cor. 3.5 2. God doth account all things done to them in the execution of their Ministery as done to himself Matth. 10.40 Let their prophane Persecutors of these Times seriously consider hereof The greater our means are to prevent sin the more we offend if we reject those means 1. Because such sin against knowledge having the word to instruct them and their own consciences to convince them knowledge maketh every sin the greater Luk. 2.47 Joh. 15.22 2. Because it argueth obstinacy and hardness of heart and wilfulness which maketh the sinner the more sinful The parallel of the Ministery of the word and Salt as it is comparatively set down in Mat. 5.13 1. Salt will bite and fret being applyed the nature thereof being hot and dry so the Law being applyed doth rip up mens hearts to make them see their sins it doth fret and bite them by the curse thereof to cause them to renounce themselves 2. Salt makes meat savory unto our taste so the
same Seeing Ministers must be faithful in their Calling it follows that they may not be 1. Ignorant not able to break the bread of life that hinder the Kingdom of God and greatly advance the Kingdom of Satan Such are much like Jeroboams Priests 1 Kings 12.31 13.33 34. fit instruments to further Idolatry and to promote all maner of impiety 2. False Teachers these also destroy the souls of the people by false Doctrine the former did starve them these do poyson them by both ways the people perish 3. Idle and unprofitable which clothe themselves with the fleece of Christs flock but feed not his sheep Idle persons in any Society are thieves Eph. 4.28 Surely then these persons are sacrilegious ones incurring the just rebuke of Spiritual theft and felony 4. Unskilful not being able to divide the word of Truth aright yet usurping the Pulpit not to preach but to abuse the place the people themselves the Word nay God himself 5. Scandalous who pull down with one hand faster then they build with another they wait indeed at Gods Altar but are the servants of Satan 6. Flattering teachers that few pillows on every elbow dawbing with untemper'd morter they preach to please men and are afraid of displeasing The two parts of a Ministers Office which must always go together 1. Doctrine for Gods word must be preached that men may hear it 2. An unblameable Conversation bringing forth good works that men therein may see the will of God for the Minister must not onely by Doctrine instruct the ear but by a godly life exemplifie his Doctrine unto the eye 1 Tim. 4.12 Be unto them that believe an example in word and in conversation The course which is to be used by Gods Ministers in the preaching and dispensing of his holy Word 1. They must preach and dispense and publish the Word of God to all men without exception Grace though it be not Universal yet in the Ministery of the Word it must be offered to all good and bad 2. They must observe what fruit and effect the Word hath with them whether it work reformation of life in them or not 3. Having waited for their conversion they must labor to convince their very Consciences of the truth which in heart and life they deny but if after all this they give evident signs of malicious and obstinate enmity against the Word scorning and railing at the Doctrine of God and on the Ministers thereof then are they to be cast out by the Church and to be barr'd from the word of life until they repent The peoples duty toward their faithful Ministers 1. They must pray for their Minister that the Lord would give him wisdom and knowledge in all things 2 Tim. 2.7 2. The Church must take notice what her power and authority is in choosing of Ministers it hath no absolute authority to ordain unworthy men and obtrude them on the people 3. The people must so demean themselves toward their faithful Pastors as that they may have occasion to rejoyce in their Calling and charge over them that they may see they have not labored in vain Heb. 13.17 4. The hearers must not spurn at despise contemn or hate their persons but they ought to joy in the joy of their Ministers 2 Cor. 2.13 5. We ought to be ready to hear and obey in all things delivered and made known unto us out of the word not singling out what we list in part to follow and cast the rest from us 6. We must love them sincerely and heartily this will cause reverence and regard of them we must account them as our Spiritual fathers 1 Cor. 4.15 The Word preached without the Spirits Ephphatha is a dead letter and without a Conversation that keeps harmony with the purity of Doctrine but the dumb sound of an empty vessel The experience of the fruit and efficacy of the Word in the Ministers own person is the best Commentary he can have for the opening of it unto others without which like Noah's Ark-Carpenters after they have built for others may themselves perish at the general Deluge This Key by sacred Dispensation Vnlocks the Mystery of Man's Salvation The Saints high-way to Heaven to them the breath Of life the thunder of Eternal death To such as come to greet it with a scoff Or by their lives deny the power thereof The people once for fear of death deny'd To hear the voyce of God and joyntly cry'd Let Moses speak A happy change God gives Onely by hearing of his voyce man lives §. 5. The Word Heard AS the contempt of the Word is an abridgement of all sin gathered together in one so the practical embracement thereof is the powerfullest Antidote against the poyson of any sin Practice must be ever joyned with knowledge of the word for not the hearers of the Law but the doers thereof shall be justified before God Rom. 2.12 And such as are hearers onely and not doers of the Word deceive but their own souls James 1.22 Yea when in admiration at Christs Doctrine she that bare him was pronounced Blessed he replies Nay rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Luke 11.27 28. So that it is not as our lives seem to maintain the sitting and hearing and after repeating of the Sermon which God onely requires for to hear as God would have us hear is another thing It is like the Lessons in Musick which we have never learnt till we be able to practice To understand what Faith is what Love is what Patience is is nothing but to have Faith to have Love to have Patience is the true hearing Since then it is our duty to live in the practice of that we hear be it our duty also to pray to God the Father in the name of Christ That he would vouchsafe his Spirit unto us whereby our hearts may be enclined disposed and bent to an unfained love and obedience of his Precepts delivered in his Word yea our prayers must be for the performance of such obedience in our life as that our Consciences may not onely not accuse us but also excuse us before God in regard thereof or at least in regard of our true endeavor and desire to obey But disobedience to the Word which in its kinde God hateth as the sin of Witchcraft is the common sin of this Age men content themselves with the bare action of hearing like the Papists who think God is well served with the work done but the work is not indeed done till we conscionably practice what we hear Thus the principal thing we omit which is the treasuring up of Gods Word in our hearts that upon just occasion we might practice the same yea which is yet more deplorable we are so far from yielding conscionable obedience to the Word that the endeavor thereunto is commonly judged Superfluous niceness and over-curious preciseness Which most damnable Censure together with this sin of hearing and
aright The duties following upon our faith in the Holy Ghost 1. To keep our bodies holy and pure as the Temples of the Holy Ghost and not to defile them by uncleanness 2. To believe without doubting whatsoever is contained in the holy Scripture because that all were given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and were set forth by holy men not of any private motion but as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To use all our gifts to the honor of God for it is the holy Spirit of God from whom we receive them all 4. To submit our selves in all things to the government of Gods Spirit and not follow the sway of our own Natures for he is our guide and will lead us into the way of all Truth Eternal Breath O let thy blessed ayr Imbreathe us with new life or else repair The ruines of our Souls Blow and refresh Our dim-burning Zeal but blow out the Flesh New-mould us fit for Mercy and make good The Charter Christ hath seal'd us with his Blood Vnscale our Vnderstandings make us see The Crown of Hope ' yond hope Faith's Mystery Inflame our Souls with holy fire and then Our Souls thy fire shall flame thee back agen §. 9. The Holy Catholique Church Concerning the holy and Catholique Church of Christ we believe That the Son of God doth from the beginning of the world Joh. 10.11 Gen. 26.4 to the end thereof Rom. 8.29 gather defend and preserve unto himself by his Spirit Isa 59.21 and Word Acts 2.46 out of whole Mankinde Mat. 16.18 Joh. 10.28 a company chosen to everlasting life 1 Joh. 3.21 and agreeing in true faith And that we are lively Members of that Company 1 Joh. 2.19 and so shall remain for ever 1 Cor. 18.9 To believe in which holy Catholique Church is to believe the Doctrine thereof wherein she followeth Christ the Prophets and Apostles the onely sure ground and pillar of Truth and that in this visible Company and Society are some true Repentants and truly converted and my self to be a lively Member of the invisible and visible Church So that to believe and confess the Doctrine of Salvation taught and delivered by the Prophets and Apostles is an infallible and inseperable note of a true Church of God for Gods Church is nothing else but a company of Gods people called by the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles unto the state of Salvation so that out of the Church there is no Salvation ordinarily In which regard Noahs Ark was a true Type of the Church none being saved from drowning that were out of it And none but such who are of Christs body shall partake of the benefits of his Office for himself saith He prays not for the world Joh. 17.9 In which respect also out of the Church no Salvation for the body being the true Catholique Invisible Church he that is not a member of this body is out of the Church and so hath not Christ to be his Head and Savior Yea the Church is also Christs Spouse the many espousal Titles which in Scripture are given to Christ and the Church in mutual relation of one to another evidently declareth as much He is stiled a Bridegroom she a Bride Joh. 3.29 He Well-beloved she Love Cant. 1.13 15. He an Husband she a Wise 2 Cor. 11.2 He an Head she the Body both one flesh Eph. 5.23 31. Thus the Church being the Communion of Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus confessing him the Son of the living God in every place knit in one Church as the Body and every Member unto Christ as unto one Head it is most evident that no man can be saved out of the Church for whomsoever God hath chosen and elected to the end which is eternal life them he hath chosen to the means which is the inward and outward calling But here note That Infants born in the Church are in charity to be reputed of the Church till at their mature Age their life notoriously express the contrary The Church is called Catholique or Vniversal because it is not now tyed to any certain place or people as it was under the Law before the coming of Christ Now the Doctrine of the true Church consisteth in the Sentences and Decrees which we are bound by the Commandment of God to believe and obey and no Doctrine is to be proposed to the Church that is repugnant to the holy Scripture or not contained therein And the Church hath Authority to judge and determine in Controversies of Faith according to Scripture to interpret and expound the Word of God with respect to the Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 And though she be the Witness and Keeper of Gods written Word yet may not inforce any thing to be believed as necessary to Salvation that is either contrary or beside the Word of God The visible Church is a company among men imbracing and professing the true and uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and the Gospel and using the Sacraments aright according to Christs Institution and professing Obedience unto the Doctrine in which company are many ungenerate or hypocrites consenting notwithstanding to the Doctrine The invisible Church is a company of those which are Elected to eternal life in whom a new life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the world to come They which are in this invisible Church never perish neither are any hypocrites therein And it is called Invisible not that the men are invisible but because their Faith is so that we cannot certainly discern the godly from the hypocrites And although this Universal invisible Church is that Militant Church which remaineth as yet in the field and is fighting on Earth yet it is and lieth hid in the visible Church so that in this respect there is as it were no more difference between them then between a whole and a part Now those visible Churches which refuse to be governed by Christs Word but are by Humane Traditions playing the Adulteresses by committing Idolatry are not of this Catholique Church which is subject to Christ neither are Infidels that defie Christ Hereticks that deny him Ignorant persons that know not his Will Prophane persons that despise Worldlings that lightly esteem him nor any that persecute or scorn him in his Members Thus many have a Name of being of the Church who indeed are not And as for the Church of Rome they are departed from the Truth they have denyed the Faith they have defiled themselves with Idols they will not have Christs Righteousness imputed to them they set up their own Works and seek Justification by them they will not receive Christ to be their onely King and Priest they will merit Salvation for themselves and therefore they are not a true but a false Church The word Church signifieth an Assembly called together which calling is twofold viz. 1. Outward which is common to all that make profession of the Gospel in this respect
Error of Comparison in comparing himself with another person which was to behold his face in a false glass Luke 18.11 2. His freedom from some gross sins forbidden in the Second Table which he judged others to be guilty of 3. His performance of some Duties of Religion doubtless with as much Spiritual Pride as he now makes proclamation of it Motive-Engines to pull down Pride Ambition viz. 1. We must consider the state of our bodies what it is Dust we are and to it we must return yea how speedily we know not 2. We are altogether set upon sin and bring forth the bitter fruits of our Corruption in regard whereof we are more wretched then other creatures so vile a thing so accursed is sin 3. We are not able of our selves to think one good thought neither are we sufficiently furnished of our selves to do the least and smallest duty that God requireth of us we have the spawn and seed of all sin in our Nature 4. Whatever gifts are bestowed upon we must think meanly and humbly of our selves and them for our best gifts are stained with many blemishes 5. Let us set before us the Example of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ we must be ready to learn of him the lesson that he offereth to teach us by Word and Example Mat. 11.29 6. Pride is the preparation of us to a fall and the ready way to destruction Prov. 16.18 Fearful Examples whereof are Nebuchadnezzar Haman and Herod A Bubble in a Storm a falling Star A Cobweb-Helmet in the brunt of War A Flash of Lightning or a Spark that slies By night i' th' Air looks like a Star and dyes Frothy Foam disgorg'd spit on the proud Rocks By Neptune when he combs his curled Locks The Lovers Weathercock a Peacocks Plume A Courtiers Cringe meer Smoke or Chimney-sume A Dream of Treasure or a Scorpions kiss A Tower of Glass Pride is nought else but this The Second Commandment §. 1. Thou shalt make to thee no graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not c. IN this Commandment God prescribeth the Rule of true Divine Worship forbidding not onely that Creatures or Images be not reputed or worshipped for God but also that himself be not worshipped by or at Images for if Adoration be given to the true God with a false and erroneous intention it makes him an Idol and to worship him in at or before an Image is Idolatry and Superstition and God so worshipped is made an Idol And in thus forbidding the grossest and the Head and Fountain of all false Worships he forbiddeth all the other kindes Here also we are commanded to perform all outward Duties of Gods Service according to his Will revealed in his Word for the substance thereof So that the sum of this Commandment is That we worship not God after our fancies but according to his own Revealed Will Deut. 29.29 13.18 5.33 Joh. 4.24 Lastly we must take notice That all maner of Images is not here forbidden but onely in matters of Religion This Commandment hath two parts 1. The former forbiddeth Images to be made yet not simply but so as by them to represent and worship God 2. The latter part forbiddeth to worship them with Religious or Divine Honor. They who make this Commandment to consist of three parts divide it thus 1. The forbidding of the things wherein a man may sin in the outward Worship due unto God 2. The forbidding of the things performed in the profession of that Worship done by the outward behavior of the body 3. Threatnings against the Breakers of the Law and a Promise to such as keep it Two things beside the worshipping of Images forbidden in this Commandment 1. The worshipping of Creatures with a Religious Worship 2. Superstition which is a worshipping of God by Rites and Ceremonies devised and commanded by men Of this sort are these viz. 1. To wear a certain kinde of Apparel for Religions sake 2. To hold Difference of place in worshipping of God 3. To observe days and times for that purpose 4. To make a Difference of meats 5. To abstain from Marriage and such like The particulars forbidden in this Commandment viz. 1. To ordain any other Word or Sacrament then that which God hath appointed Gal. 1.8 9. Rom. 16.17 18. 2. To ordain strange Ministeries or to seek secret things of them or by them Lev. 19.31 Deut. 18.10 11. 3. All maner of Ceremonies that are not for comeliness and order Isa 1.11 unto 15. 66.3 4. 4. All Monuments of Idolatry Deut. 12.3 Exod. 23.24 34.13 Judges 22. 5. All means to Idolatry as Marriage and familiar accompanying with Idolaters and Papists Deut. 7.3 Ezra 9.2 10.10 Exod. 25.24 6. To Swear by any false God or Idol as Mass Cross c. Exod. 23.13 Josh 23.7 Psal 16.4 The making of Images to be worshipped is abominable for these Reasons 1. Because it is impossible that God who is an Infinite Spiritual Essence can be represented by an Image Isa 40.22 25. yea every Image of the Godhead is a Doctrine of Vanity and though most curiously polished yet a very stock and teacher of lyes Jer. 10.8 2. Because we have an express Command to the contrary Deut. 4.15 neither can there any toleration be found hereof representing God by the Image of a Man yea the Lord hath not onely forbidden to make Images but straitly charged that they be pulled down and broken in pieces Exod. 23.24 34.13 3. Because the Lord is wonderfully provoked by Images as appears Exod. 32. 4. Because Images have often been occasions of Idolatry Judges 8.27 2 Kings 18.4 5. Because it is a thing scandalous to such as be without the Jews and Turks are hereby hardned against the Christian Religion when they compare Moses his Law with the practice of Romish Catholicks and their temporizing adhering Apes So that all Images are to be abolished in all Christian Churches for these Reasons viz. 1. Because of the Commandment of God for this abolishing of Idols is it that Jehu Hezekiah and Josias are so praised in Scripture 2. In respect of our Confession of our Profession of the sincere Worship of God and of our hatred against Idolatry which consists not in words onely but also in actions and in outward shew and signs 3. For avoiding of offence and Superstition lest by retaining of ancient Images the same danger come to the Church and ignorant people thereby which in times past we see to have issued hence In abolishing of Images two things are to be observed 1. That the Doctrine concerning the true Worship of God be preached before the abolishing of Idols So did Josias Let the Word go before and the Idols will fall to the ground 2. The Images and their Altars and the like Instruments must be taken away not by private men but by publike
and Traditions are ordinarily better observed and more regarded then this Commandment of God The people indeed would rather go to Church then to work but to carnal Delights and Recreations rather then either forgetting the Memento wherewith the Lord more specially commands as well due preparation before as unsophisticate performance in the actual celebration of this holiest of days Such as make no conscience to take the Lords day from him are Spiritual Thieves and meddle with that which is not their own never considering the wrong and injury that they offer unto the Almighty God rested on the Seventh day that is he ceased to create any New parts of the World as being now perfect and such as he would have it to be Good Reason therefore had the Lord of this day on pain of Eternal death of Body and Soul in Hell the place of the Damned strictly to charge and command that every Soul keep this whole day holy to his glory How dares then any creature-Man think his own thoughts speak his own words or do his own works on this glorious day Isa 58.13 the Lords own holy day He that walks away this day in vain Discourse idle Pastimes and sinful Recreations steps every step he thus prophanely steps one step forward to Eternal Death He that gathered but Sticks thereon was stoned to death because he had not kept that Statute which God had enacted as by solemn Proclamation That all sorts that profess themselves his Servants should wait upon him on the Sabbath It was Christs own custom to preach the Gospel in the Synagogues on this day so also the Disciples Acts 20.17 17.1 2. 1 Cor. 16.11 The Doors of the Temple were shut the six days but opened from morning until the evening upon the Seventh day Ezek. 46.1 2. And this sanctifying of the Lords day is a Moral Duty and bindes perpetually otherwise we should have but Nine Commandments whereas they are often called the Ten Words Exod. 34.28 Deut. 14.13 10.4 And Christ came not to destroy but to fulfil and keep the Law Mat. 5.17 Know then we may not make this day a day of vain pleasures and carnal delights a day of Sports and Recreations thinking it sufficient if we follow not the works of our Calling neither may we on this day go or ride about our worldly matters to buy bargain sell and talk with others robbing God of his day to spare one of our own neither is it sufficient to observe onely so much of this day as is enjoyned by Laws and Injunctions of men and prophane the rest of it thereby dividing the Lords day between God and our selves And every sin is so much the greater by how much less the thing is for which men sin I say the less the thing is for which a man will sin and transgress the Law of God the greater always is his sin because the greater is his contempt of God Thus was it with him that gathered Sticks on the Sabbath day and was stoned to death for his pains And thus it is with such as recreate away the Sabbath by walking the Fields who offend God more therein then he that worketh thereon in his Calling for his Necessity Yet here by the way we are to beware of a Jewish Superstition which Christ often refutes in the Gospel that is to think it unlawful to perform on the Sabbath day whatsoever works belonging to the necessity either of his own life or of others for by the end of the Commandment it appears That such works onely are forbidden as hinder the Exercise of the Ministery of Gods Word The parts of this Commandment are two viz. 1. The Commandment That the Sabbath be sanctified that is that it self viz. the Seventh day be allotted for Gods Service Gen. 2.3 Exod. 20.11 16.26 20.10 2. The Reason of the Commandment drawn from Gods Rest on the Seventh day after the Creation and his hallowing thereof Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day that is with great care and Religion and that for these Reasons 1. Because the breach and violating of the Sabbath is the breach and violating of the whole Worship of God for the neglect of the Ministery soon corrupts the whole Doctrine and Worship of God 2. Because by the exacting of this Typical Sabbath God would signifie the greatness and necessity of the Spiritual Sabbath 3. Because God will have the external Sabbath to serve for the beginning and perfecting of the Spiritual Sabbath in us In this Commandment we are commanded to keep holy the Sabbath day which is done 1. By preparing our selves by Prayer and emptying our hearts of sin 2. By assembling together to Pray unto God to Praise him to hear his holy Word and to Receive the blessed Sacraments 3. By meditating upon Gods Works and the Word which we have heard suffering it so to work in us as that we may be furthered in all holiness of life 4. By collecting and distributing to the Poor by visting the sick and reconciling dissentions among Neighbors In this Commandment is forbidden all Prophaning of the Sabbath which is 1. By doing worldly works which are not of present necessity by journeying about worldly Affairs idle resting or absenting our selves from the publike Duties of Gods Word and Worship 2. By forgetfulness of the Sabbath upon the six days by which we often bring upon our selves a necessity of prophaning the same 3. When being Parents or Governors we leave such as are under our charge to their liberty upon that day The Reasons of this Commandment are 1. Partly expressed therein and are taken 1. From the Lords Example who rested the Seventh day from all his works of Creation 2. From his Blessing inseparably linked unto the hallowing of this day 2. Partly enfolded therein are these 1. The Law of the Sabbath is Ancient and was of force in Paradice before Mans Fall 2. Because it is most Equal the Lord allowing us six days to labor in 3. Because the Seventh is the Lords peculiar day so that without Sacriledge we cannot any way prophane it God will have all our children and family to cease from their labors on this day for two causes 1. That these also may be brought up by their Parents and Masters in the service of God and may be admitted unto the Ministery of the Church 2. Because he will have especially on the Sabbath day Love and Bountifulness towards our Neighbors to be shewed and seen in the Church Strangers also are commanded to intermit their labors and that if they were converted to true Religion because they were of the houshold of the Church if they were Infidels it is commanded them not in respect of themselves but in respect of the Israelites and that especially for these two Reasons 1. Lest by their ill Example they should give offence unto the Church 2. Lest their liberty might be an occasion to the Jews to accomplish by them those labors which it was
respect sake which we owe our Bodies 1 Cor. 12.23 24. Special Rules for Direction in the right adorning of the Body viz. 1. Every one must be content with their own natural Favor and Complexion that God hath given them 2. We must place the principal Ornament of our Souls and Bodies in Vertue and good Works and not in any outward thing 3. In the use of Ornaments we must be very sparing and keep our selves within the mean 4. Ornaments must be used not always alike but according to occasions as in this time of Holy Feasting we may use them more freely then at other times 5. We must adorn our Bodies to a right end viz. That thereby we may honor them and in them honor God The right and spiritual use of Apparrelling our selves viz. 1. To consider our Cloaths are but as the Plaister of our shame and thereby to humble our selves 2. When we clothe our selves to remember to gird up our loyns to prepare our selves for Christ whether by Death or by Judgement 3. By putting on of our Garments we must be admonished to put on Christ Rom. 13.14 4. By putting off of our Cloaths we are admonished to put off the old Man the Body of Corruption Sick Soul hast surfetted with Sin No doubt Thy safest Physick is to Fast it out Or is Gods hand his just Revenging hand Threatned inflicted on thee or the Land Or doest thou want some Blessing Go thy way Prepare thy self to Mourn to Fast and Pray But if God stops a Plague or sheaths his Sword Thou may'st be glad Rejoyce but in the Lord And let thy Holy Feasting never be Without Thanksgiving Fear and Charity CHAP. VIII Of Ecclesiastical Discipline ECclesiastical Discipline is that other Key of the Kingdom of Heaven which is joyned with that of the Preaching of the Gospel and doth open or shut when according to the Commandment of Christ they who in Name are Christians but in their Doctrine or Life shew themselves aliens from Christ Rom. 12.7 c. After they having sometime been admonished will not depart from their Errors and Wickedness are made known unto the Church or to them that are appointed for that matter and purpose of the Church and if neither then they obey the Admonition are of the same men by interdiction from the Sacraments shut out from the Congregation of the Church and by God himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven And again if they profess and indeed declare amendment of life are received as Members of Christ and his Church Matth. 18.17 c. 1 Cor. 5.2 c. 2 Thes 3.14 15. This Ecclesiastical Discipline is to be ministred by the Pastors of the Church whereunto are adjoyned certain Elders for this end as Necessities shall require chosen of the Church For Excommunication is an Action of the Church performed in the Name of Christ whereby a grievous Transgressor or an open ungodly and obstinate Sinner is banished from the Fellowship of the Faithful by the judgement of the Elders by the consent of the Church by the Authority of Christ and by the Holy Scriptures They who are to be Excommunicated are chiefly such as deny some Article of the Faith or shew that they will not repent nor submit themselves to the Will of God according to his Commandments neither make any scruple of persisting stubbornly in manifest Wickedness The chief and principal part in Excommunication is Denunciation whereby is denounced That he that denyeth Faith and Repentance is no Member of the Church as long as he continueth such And this Denunciation whereby one is Excommunicated is not in the Power of the Minister of the Church but in the Power of the Church and is done in the name of the Church because this Commandment was given by Christ unto the Church and not for the destruction of the Sinner which is to be Excommunicated but for his Edification or Salvation 1 Cor. 5.5 Some draw the Original of this Church Censure even from Adam whom the Lord cast out of Eden and by an Angel kept him from re-entring and suffered him not to touch or taste of that Tree which was a Sacrament of Life unto him So some observe touching Cain whom the Lord cast out and banished from his face and indeed the Face of God may be called The place of his solemn Worship where he more specially appears In the time of the Law were many Ceremonies to this purpose the unclean were kept from coming to the Tabernacle from entring into the Temple from the partaking of the Sacrifices and from eating the Passover Num. 19.13 20. 9.13 And Abraham is commanded to cast out the Bond-woman and her son out of his Family which was the Church Gen. 21.10 11. So in the New Testament Matth. 16.19 18.18 The use of the Keys to open and shut and the words of binding and loosing come directly to this purpose This was executed on Hymeneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1.19 20. From all which it is very clear That Excommunication is a sentence of the Church whereby a Member thereof convicted of some grievous Crime and by no means brought to Repentance is driven out of the Church and cut off from the Communion and Fellowship of the Faithful that thereby he may be driven to Repentance The Church is the City of God Excommunication is the Sword That the School of Christ this is the Rod That the Temple of God this is as it were the Whip to scourge out such as abuse it and themselves That the Body of Christ this is as a Medicine to cure the sick Members thereof That the Vine and Sheepfold this serveth to keep the Foxes and Wolves from it The Mark whereat Excommunication aimeth and the end whereto it tendeth is That the Sinners being ashamed may be brought to Repentance and that such as live in the Church might not be corrupted for the cause of the Institution of Excommunication is not so much the punishment of Sin as the Salvation of a Sinner the edifying of the Church and the glory of God For the Church according to the Doctrine of Christ smiteth none with the Spiritual Sword but such as are impenitent and doth not this unto death but unto life and therefore receiveth them that repent The Censure of Excommunication must be used as an Ordinance of God not as an Invention of Man not onely knowing the nature and use of it but practising it to the glory of God and to the good of others Not like the Church of Rome that playes fast and loose with the souls of men for gain nor like their Apes of Modern Times little regarding whether the Excommunicate repented or not but more advising them to pay their Fees and discharge the Court then to repent of their Offences The persons that are liable to this Censure of the Church are onely such as have confessed Christ and called upon God the Father together with us albeit they have denied him in their deeds
46 b. Bible the Canonical Books thereof not perishable 6 a. Blood of Christ how it saves from sin 321 a b. Body the Metaphor thereof used in Scripture what it implieth 151 a. Bondage from the which Christ hath freed us is fourfold 322 a. Bread daily Bread what is meant thereby 98b Burial of Christ the Causes thereof 37 c. C CAlling twofold 150 c. Censure the evil of it and how many ways it may be committed 305 a. Censures of the Church threefold 379 c. Ceremonies Judaical oblige not Christians 16 a. Chastity twofold 289 b. Rules to preserve it ibid. c. 290 b. Children their Duties to Parents 263 c. Christ his Natures and Properties described 127 b c. the degrees of his Humiliation 127 a. also of his Exaltation ibid. Why called the First-born ibid. why called our Head ibid. 128 a. why called our Lord 127 Messias Christ or Anointed ibid. b. why called the Word 129 a. the Lamb from the c. 322 c. the Head of the Church 151 b. how said to be Present with us 157 b c. to what ends Anointed 128 b. his Royal Prophetick and Priestly Offices 128 129 his Theanthropeity and the use thereof 131 c. Church what it is to believe in the Holy Catholick Church 149 c. why called Catholick 150 a. The Church twofold Visible and Invisible ibid. b. 152 c. its Priviledges 151 c. Marks to know the true Church by 152 a. her Titles of Honor ibid. why called Holy ibid. b. her Properties ibid. why God permits it to be persecuted ibid. c. 153 a. 198 b. why the World hates it ibid. c. How the Church before Christs coming differs from the Church since his coming 154 a. how it differs from Common-weals ibid. b. her Office and Authority touching the Scripture ibid. how the Church may be said to erre ibid. c. what she may not do ibid. The Duties of Faith in the Holy Catholick Church 155 a. Circumcision why Abolished 46 c. why Christ was Circumcised ibid. b. Communion of Saints what 155 c. 156 c. Doctrine thereof 155 to 156. How we are said to have communion with God 157 c. the Signs of true Communion with God 158 a. 159 a. the Duty of the Saints by vertue of this Communion ibid. c. Conception of Christ by the Holy Ghost what 132 c. what it signifies 133 c. why he was conceived ibid. what it is to believe in Christ conceived 134 b c. Confession the Properties thereof 79 b. Christian Confession twofold 246 b. Caveats touching private Confession 225 c. Consubstantiation Reasons against it 57 b. Conversion what 337 Doctrine thereof ibid. to 343. Conversion twofold 341 c. how wrought 342 a b. The Object Subject Parts and Causes of Conversion ibid. b c. how is differs from false Repentance 343 a. Covenant betwixt God and Man twofold 330 a. Covetous how said to be Idolaters 309 a. Covetousness what 306 c. the Evils thereof 309 b. Remedies against it ibid. a. 110 b. Creation described 124 c. 125 a. 316 why God created the World 125 the Doctrine of the Creation ibid. b c. 316 to 319 the use of that Doctrine 119 b. Creatures four kindes thereof in the world 318 b. a twofold goodness in the Creature ibid. a. Creed why vulgarly called Apostolique 117 c. and why so framed ibid. Cross fourfold 198 c. a Cordial against fainting under it 200 a. 201 b. Cruelty the Properties thereof 278 b. Curse for Sin fourfold 19 c. D DEath of Christ why so ignominious 137 c. the Benefits thereby ibid. a. Debt a threefold Debt in Sin 105 a. Decalogue how divided 170 c. the Doctrine thereof 169 to 310 Rules how to expound it 171 c. 172 a b. Deity proved 119 c. 120 a. Deliverance how many ways God works it for his people 113 a. why God sometimes defers it 200 c. Descention of Christ into Hell what 135 c. the diversity of Opinions touching it 138 b c. Despair what 222 c c. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 226 threefold 225 a. Causes thereof ibid. b. Remedies against it 111 b. 225 c. 226 a b. Discipline what Ecclesiastical Discipline is 376 b. the nature of it how and by whom to be administred ibid. why and by whom Instituted 378 a. the Method thereof ibid. the Necessities thereof ibid. c. the Difference betwixt Church-Discipline and State-Government ibid. Distress of Minde the kindes thereof 224 b c. Doctrine how true Doctrine differs from other 153 c. Drunkenness Remedies against it 111 a. Duties the kindes thereof 271 a b. E EArth a twofold Right to it 272 c. Eating to the Lord what and how 374 b. Election what 313 Doctrine thereof ibid. to 316 kindes thereof 315 b. Effects thereof ibid. c. the way to obtain Assurance thereof 316 a. Envy twofold 281 c. why to be avoided ibid. Remedies against it ibid. Essence Divine what 2 b c. 3 b. how the Essence of God differs from the Essence of the Creature 4 a. Why the Difference of Essence and Person in the Trinity is necessary to be known ibid. b. Examination before Receiving the Lords Supper 49 c. to 53 b. Examiners three sorts of Examiners 53 a. Excommunication what 376 c. its parts 381 c. the Original thereof 377 a. how to be used ibid. b. of no force against the Childe of God ibid. c. Three Judgements in Excommunication 378 b. Observations thereon 379 b. Duties to be performed by and to the Excommunicate 380 a b. The fearful condition of Excommunicated persons ibid. c. the end and use of Excomunication 381 a b. with the use to be made thereof 382,383 Eyes Rules for the governing of them to avoid Adultery 289 a. F FAith what 174 b. Doctrine thereof 379 to 194 What the most Mysterious point of Faith 1 a. how many ways we may be said to Believe 183 b. Faith fourfold ibid. Historical Faith what ibid. c. Justifying Faith wherein it consists 184 a b. its Properties 186 c. Gods order in working Faith 184 c. how many ways Faith works 187 a b. how it admits Degrees 186 a. 238 c. 239 a. Effectual Faith what 187 wherein the effectualness of it consists 188 a. the Fruits Effects and Signs of Effectual Faith 192 b c. the Causes of uneffectual Faith 188 a. Faithless Works threefold 187 c. Tryal of Faith 50 b c. 51 c. Duties of Faith in Christ Crucified 138 a. how Faith and Hope differ 189 a. wherein they agree ibid. c. how Faith differs from Presumption 191 a. how Faith differs from Moral Honesty 238 b. the Degrees of Temporary Faith 239 b. Satans Engines to destroy Faith 188 c. Titles in Scripture given to Faith 190 c. how far the sense of Faith may be lost ibid. Motives to grow in Faith 191 b. Means to attain it ibid. c. The use of Faith in Prosperity 193 c. Faithful why called Saints 157 a. Fast what a Religious Fast is 369 a. 370 c. 371 a b. the several kindes thereof ibid. c. 372 a. Rules touching the same
he Rose again ibid. what chiefly is therein considerable ibid. c. why our Resurrection is the Fruit of his 141 b. The Duties of Faith in the Resurrection of Christ ibid. Rest on the Sabbath the several kindes thereof 260 b. Restitution twofold 239 c. why required ibid. Revenge Gods Prerogative 275 c. Motives in man to avoid it 278 a b. Reverence due to Superiors the several kindes of it 266 b. the over-reverencing of Parents sinful ibid. Righteousness of Christ how ours 325 b. Rome an Enemy to the Royal Priestly and Prophetick Office of Christ 129 c. S SAbbath what it signifies 258 b. the nature and Doctrine thereof 254 to 262. Why it is to be kept holy 256 b. 257 a. 258 a. in what maner ibid. 260 b. wherefore must Beasts rest that day 257 b. the degrees of the Sabbath 258 c. the Sanctification of the Sabbath twofold 250 a b. why it is perpetual ibid. c. why now called the Lords-Day 260 b. what chiefly observable in the Jewish Sabbath 261 a. why the Day was changed ibid. wherefore instituted at first ibid. c. how many ways it is broken and prophaned 262. Sacraments what â—7b their Institution 38 b. how the signs therein differ from the things signified 38 c. how Sacraments differ from the Word 39. how they agree ibid. c. how the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament differ ibid. how they agree 40 a. The ends and right use of Sacraments ibid. b. Sacramental Vnion wherein it consisteth ibid. c. Sacrifices under the Law why instituted 21 b. Salvation how wrought by God 329 c. 330 a. not to be doubted by Gods children and why 189 c. Sanctification what 326 b. the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 333. its parts 327 b. the kindes thereof ibid. c. 328 a. and signs 332 c. Scripture Holy Scripture what meant by it 6 a b. why called the Word of God 7 b. Proved to be the Word of God 7 c. 8. The matter thereof 8 a. End ibid. Effects 8 b. 14 a. Properties ibid. Testimonies 8 c. Majesty 9 a. Subject 12 b c. The Division of Scripture 9 c. wherein the Old and New Testament agree ibid. wherein they differ 10 a. why all sorts of men are bound to the knowledge of the Scripture 11a in what respects it is difficult ibid. and the Raeson thereof ibid. b. Means whereby to finde out the true sense of Scripture ibid. c. the Graces required for the right use thereof 12 a. how to profit by the Scriptures 13 a. The several kindes of Neglecters thereof 13 b. Observations for the right interpreting of the Scriptures 13 b. how to decide the doubtful places ibid. c. the Graces obtained by the Scriptures 14 a. the Papists Error touching the Authority thereof 9 b. their twofold Scripture ibid. Seal twofold 205 c. Sects of Jews under the Law 22 b. Sin what 343. why called a Debt 105 a. the seat of sin in man threefold 345 c. the kindes and degrees of sin 346 347. In what sense sin may be said to be venial ibid. c. 348 a. the occasions of sin ibid. b. the sundry kindes of communication with sin ibid. the heinousness of Adams sin 353 a. God not the Author of sin 352 c. why God permitted the first sin 353 a. Two main Disswasives from all sin 350 c. 351. Rules whereby to see our sins 354 a. how God doth punish sin ibid. b. the sad Effects of sin ibid. c. An Antidote against sin 355 a b. Rules to be observed in forsaking of sin ibid. c. Means sanctified by God himself against it 356 a. Sin Original Sin what 343. the nature of it 350 352. Sin against the Holy Ghost what 345 b. ' Degrees thereof 349 a. how this sin is differenced from all other sins ibid. b. why God leaves this sin unpardonable Sincerity the signs and tryals thereof 239 c. Son the second Person in the Trinity 1 to 5. Sprinkling in Baptism what it signifies 43 c. Subjection twofold 270 b c. Sufferings the Doctrine thereof 135 to 139. Supper of the Lord what 48 a. the Doctrine thereof 48 to 58. the signs and things signified 48 b c. the Sacramental Rites of this Supper 49 b. the Properties of a true Communicant ibid. a right disposition in the act of Receiving 53 b c. a true discerning of the Lords Body what 54 a. 55 a. what it is to shew forth the Lords Death 54 a. our Duty after Receiving 54 b c. Resemblance betwixt the Passover and the Lords Supper 56 c. 57 a. why Christ at the last Passover instituted the Lords Supper ibid. why the Bread and Wine is called the Body and Blood of Christ 58 b. Rules whereby to discern the Lords Body in the Sacrament ibid. c. how the Lords Supper differs from Baptism ibid. it is not necessary to come Fasting to the Lords Supper and the Reasons 59 a. the true and right ends of the Lords Supper ib. b. Swearing the Causes of common and prophane Swearing 243 c. when and wherein a man may lawfully swear 250 b c. Why we ought to swear onely by God and not by the Creatures 251 b c.. T TEmptation twofold 108 b. the kindes thereof ibid. c. and degrees thereof 109 a. how God is said to lead a man into Temptation 108 a. Testimony of the Spirit how wrought 330 b. of our own Consciences how discerned 332 a. Thanksgiving the subject matter thereof 68 c. 69. Directions for Thanksgiving ibid. c. Theft the several kindes thereof 291 292 293 a. the degrees thereof 296 b c. 297 299 c. 300 a. Remedies against it 293 b. Thoughts threefold 308 b. Vnclean Thoughts twofold 309 c. how to discern such Thoughts as the Devil injects into the heart ibid. an Antidote against evil Thoughts 316 b. Toleration of false Worship exceeding dangerous 217 c. Transubstantiation Reasons against it 57 b. Trespasses and Sins why called Debts 103 a. 109 b. Trinity what 1. the Doctrine thereof 1 to 5. Trinity and Triplicity how they differ 3 b. Trinity of Persons in Vnity of Godhead why necessary to be believed and maintained 4 b. Truth fourfold 305 c. Truth in speech twofold 301 b. Types are visible Promises 17 c. U UNion taken three ways 157 a. how united to Christ ibid. b. the Saints Priviledges by their Vnion with Christ 158 b c. 159 a. Motives to Spiritual Vnion with Christ ibid. c. the effects thereof 160 a. Vocation what 322 b. threefold 323 a. the Doctrine thereof 322 323 324. Vows how far they are to be kept 242. What is required in every Vow to make it lawful 252 c. 253 a. Considerations touching Vows 253. Usury conditions and qual fications touching it 295 a. Reasons why a man may sometimes take above the Principal ibid. W WAr lawful in the godly without the guilt of Murther 282 b. the Qualifications to be observed therein ibid. c. Will Liberty of Will what 338 b. the nature of the Will ibid. 339. Liberty of Will how constituted 340 a. why called Free ibid. b. Degrees of Free-will ibid. 341 b. the difference betwixt the Liberty of Gods Will and ours ibid. c. What things in the Will are common to Angels and Men with God 341 a. the degrees of the malice of the Will 350 a. Will of God what 93 c. Doing of Gods Will what it signifies 95 a. Rules how to obey it ibid. b. Wishing Conditions required therein 310 a. Witness the heinousness of bearing False Witness 301 c. Wives duty to their Husbands 269 b c. Word of God what 6 a. not alway the same with the letter of the Scripture b c. Why to be warily observed in Scripture 10 c. how falsified by Hereticks ibid. Works of God twofold 123 c. Works Good Works what 356 c. the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 363. kindes 358 a. and ends thereof ibid. 359 b. why Good Works required since they do not justifie 326 b. Rules to be observed in doing Good Works 357 b. how many ways God accepts of Good Works in us ibid. b. the diversity of Opinions touching the Necessity of Good Works ibid. c. how the wicked do things seemingly good ibid. c. why we are bound to Good Works 359 c. Good Works cannot merit 360. See Merit Why they cannot justifie us 361 b. how the Works of the Regenerate and Vnregenerate differ ibid. c. the fruit of Good Works 362 c. Worship the kindes thereof 171 a. wherein it consists 216 a. Rules touching it 217 a. Required in the Second Commandment 230. Doctrine of true Worship ibid. to 240. the kindes of false Worship 231 c. Rules for right Worship 232 a. FINIS