Judges or Judges of these things we are to leave them to their superiours whom God appoi eth 43. Can the Church of Rome then or any particular Church fall from God It is apparent for that the Lords Spirit is not tyed to any place for then not only Jerusalem his City but the famous Churches of Asia long since collapsed had yet stood and flourished and many others now under Mahumetan and Turkish servitude or quite decayed 44. How then did God promise his Spirit to his Church to be with it to the end of the world To be present to lead it into all truth wheresoever it is even in all places of the world but as the winde bloweth where it listeth so his Spirit to the faithfull every where â—ut for their infidelity sometimes pulleth one downe and setteth up another even casteth off the naturall branches for unbeleefe and grafteth in others all according to his good will and pleasure 45 What learne you else concerning this Church That as it is the Church of God a holy Church and Catholicke in regard of all times places and persons of all sexes and degrees peoples and nations whatsoever whereof it consists consenting in the truth of the Catholicke doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles so it is also and in unity of Spirit in the communion of Saints 46. What in this communion of Saints considered The union in that it is a communion The persons who are Saints How is their union 1. in the unity of faith the doctrine of salvation 2. The head which is Christ. 3. The body which is his Church they members 4. The Spirit which is the bond of peace among them 2. In the participation of the Sacraments tokens of this union and communion 3. Bond of charity and love between themselves and Christ their head and by him also with God 47. What is that communion then That holy and sweet fellowship which all the members of the Church have one with another and with Christ their head and so with God whereby all good is communicated to them from above and consequently in mutuall charity one unto another 48. Between whom is this communion considered Between the Saints and Christ their head and so with God themselves one with another so the Saints both in heaven and earth 49. How with Christ and God As the excellent Meanes whereby reconciled to God and at peace with him Grace of partaking of Christs righteousnesse being one with him by faith Assurance of my hope of all good things in him and by him attained for that he so feeleth my wants heareth my prayers is ready to relieve my misery 50. What fruit and profit of this All happinesse and goodnesse thereby acquired As peace with God peace of conscience peace in the soule Influence of all graces from Christ our head Effects of holinesse and righteousnesse from him Glorious inheritance title estate and hope of all Saints and all comforts in him 51. How exemplified By the spirituall building Christ the foundation and head cornerstone and we the building By the peacefull Olive Christ and we the branches ingrafted By the Vine Christ and we the pruned branches By the head Christ and we the members By the Bridegroome Christ and we the spouse and such similies of his imparting his goodnesse righteousnesse and graces to us 52. How of the Saints among themselves As members of one body branches of that Vine and Olive stones of that spirituall building all for the good one of another bringing forth much good fruit to the honour of God 53. How between us and Saints in heaven In mutuall sympathy as branches of one vine consent in the praises of God praiers one for another though not one to another and all best duties however unknown to us now will be manifest hereafter they being our fellow servants and brethren that assuredly wish our good and happinesse and in the resurrection to be partakers with us in glory 54. How among the Saints on earth Though plainly and evidently in 1. The unity in Faith the doctrine of truth professed Hope of blessednesse Spirit and bond of peace 2. Union with the Head and participation of the Sacraments yet most essentially in the union in charity and workes of mercy By helping one another By releeving and comforting the weake By bearing one anothers infirmities and doing all good temporall to the body spirituall prayer instruction and the like to the soule to the comfort of the Saints and Church of God 55. Why called Saints Both By the generall calling of God to grace Out of charity to the Church of God in all The visible members presumed faithfull In hope of the inheritance of Saints and desire that it may be given to all For that the best part are indeed Saints of God What comfort in this faith Most heavenly to consider That 1. Christ himselfe in this sympathy feeling our wants heareth and knoweth our prayers 2. Even Saints in heaven desire our good and pray for it 3. How mean soever in worldly eyes yet if Saints of that high and holy fellowship wherewith no compare as joyned so to the King of Kings c. 4. All Saints their prayers devotions fastings are heard and made and done for us and our good as all Christs actions and merits applied 5. That hereby is more content and true riches then in all worldly possessions as all good enjoying of heavenly and earthly good comming of this communion 56. What learne we hence Many good duties and how to behave our selves in and towards the Church of God and communion of Saints As 1. To honour and reverently esteeme of this holy society 2. To desire the good of it as a faithfull member of the same 3. To bee of holy conversation as beseemeth a Saint and a Christian. 4. To come out of the world leaving Egypt and Sodome to be admitted into this Canaan the House and Church of God 5. To be in unity with my selfe God and his Saints in the bond of the peace of a good conscience love and charity 6. To seeke sit company of Saints and so to delight in Gods house the Saints on earth and such as excell in vertue 7. Conversing with Saints on earth by holy conversation and those in heaven by heavenly contemplation to aspire to a more strait union with that holy congregation 8. To doe good to all especially to those that be of the houshold of faith as having a fellow-feeling and compassion to all Gods Children 9. To exercise our selves in fit and holy actions beseeming Gods house and that holy company 10. To have comfort in all things and sufferings both in respect of the Saints and their fellow-sufferings but chiefly Christ his fellow-feeling of our infirmities to helpe and relieve us 57. What followeth The last three Articles of the Creed concerning the priviledges given and belonging to this holy Society remission of sins resurrection of the body and life everlasting SECT 12. The 10.
is of the power and by the finger of God effected so every evill thought word and act the workes of the Divell perpetrated by his lend agents and instruments 41. In the second place what meane you by the wicked world All that is not of God produced in the world viz. all the corruptions and as it is called the covetousnesse and concupiscience and pompes and vanities of the same 42. But are not these the workes of the Divell Yes and so with him and in him considered as the author in the world as the subject place and matter where seene and acted in the slesh as the agent and instrument the Divell useth in effecting them 43. VVhat is meant by pompes All unnecessary proud and superfluous excesses in the world exceeding that Christian measure and moderation becomming the servants of God whether in meat drink apparell or other vaine ostentation 44. Are all pompous showes pageants and solemnities then unlawfull By no meanes if within measure and moderation prescribed in comparison of the estate or persons to whom they appertaine 45. How meane you that All the solemnities in the publique service of God fitting the magnificence of him and his Temple all ornaments of estate belonging to King Magistrate City or University for the better administration of the government of the Church and Common-wealth all ensignes of honour and the like on lawfull and honest occasions used and worne Publique triumphs and shows in honour of Prince Countrey City or Common-wealth or any member thereof by law of God and man approved and allowed or for some good end ordained 46. VVhat doe these profit To the well and orderly government and apparant honour and decency of Church and Common-wealth yea to the advancement of vertue and so encouragement of good and vertuous mindes 47. How may it be By the fitting splendor and glory of Gods House the Kings Court City or University eminently advanced in such manner testifying the flourishing estate and prosperity of the same which every good man is glad to behold 48. Doe any envy them this If any doe as loath either Kingly Courtly or other robe of decent ornament should exceed the size of the Millers or Weavers jacket that may be apparantly seen such more precise then wise little respect the decency and comelinesse fitting a well ordered estate the honour of God and his Church or Majesty of the Prince 49. What is then here renounced Unnecessary proud vaine and superfluous pompe beyond those rules of decency ornament or honour by law and wisdome prescribed 50. VVhat are the vanities of the world All these superfluous excesses and whatsoever else savoureth of the nature of sin which is vaine 51. How is sin vaine As empty of all goodnesse and making the soule empty of grace and worse then nothing so both vaine the use not satisfying and in the end extreame vanity and vexation of spirit 52. How saith the wise man all is vanity In two respects 1. As all things in the world are but momentary and soone fading 2. As they are too much infected with sin the just sinning seven times a day and so all his actions and all things else even vanitie of vanities 53. VVhat are the sinfull lusts of the flesh Our homebred corruptions our sins and lusts traitours to our selves and owne soules by which the Divell working taketh us his captives and so we become servants to sin and him whom by his meanes we obey 53. VVhat meane you by the flesh The worse part of man the house of clay the body of death or prison of the soule as rebellion against God 54 VVhat the lusts All evill concupiscence tyrannizing over the soule by the meanes of the flesh so drawing both captive to sin and death 55. How sinfull lusts 1. By the subtilty of the Divel suggesting them 2. By the maliguity of the world fostring them 3. By the frailty of the flesh breeding them And by whom the soule infected the whole man becommeth exceedingly sinfull if we doe not resist and strive against them 56. How are we to resist them By faith and continuall and hearty prayer to God to give us his grace whereby it commeth to passe the life of a good Christian is a continuall warfare or combat against these three spirituall enemies fighting against the soule the Divell the World the Flesh. 57. In the second place how is faith here described By beleeving all the Articles of our Christian confession 58. VVhich are they Expressed hereafter in the Creed 59. VVhom doe they concerne God and his Church whereof we are made visible members of the baptisme so received into that society 60. VVhy doe we professe or learne them That we may know God and our owne estate 61. VVhat of God How he is a most powerfull eternall wise glorious and gracious God and our Creator and father in Jesus Christ. Redeemer delivering us from all our enemies Sanctifier comforting and preserving us in all our necessities 60. VVhat of our selves That though by nature we are sons of wrath in Adam yet in Christ adopted sons and made members of the Catholique Church and communion of Saints have blessed hope of forgivenesse of sins resurrection of the body and life everlasting 61. To what end are we taught this That we may both conscionably Learne Know Professe Promise Practise our Christian duties the better 62. How so By ordering our selves as the servants of so great and good a God and applying our selves to his worship and obedience as becommeth Saints 63. In the third place then how is obedience here decyphered That generall duty of ours is set forth 1. By the universall diligence in keeping and observing 2. By the universall object of this diligence the will and commandements of God 3. By the universall countenance of this diligence all the dayes of our life c. 64. How followeth it in this place As a fruit of faith whereon it dependeth for if we know God as we ought we cannot chuse but serve and obey him 65. How is this duty commended In that obedience is better then sacrifice 66. VVhy so preferred Because by sacrifice we offer but the flesh of Lambes Bullocks or other Cattel by obedience we offer our owne selves soules and bodies to God as a living holy and acceptable sacrifice mortifying and subduing our corrupt affections to the will of God 67. How is our diligence in this duty described By keeping and walking in or observing the Commandements and will of God 68. VVhat meant by keeping Our will and desire to Seeke into Learne to know Remember Lay up in our hearts Ponder consider That holy wil of God his Commandemēts 69. How to walke and observe them To direct our wayes and words and workes and counsells thoughts and hearts according to the same 70. VVhat the object or matter here named The will and Commandements of God his holy Lawes 71. VVhat is the will of God Our holinesse and sanctification in body and
Ecclesiasticall government to which subordinate and generall confederacies and Corporations mixed between private and publicke governments or societies Thirdly politicall duties of all sorts in all kinds of governments in the world whether Monarchy Aristocracie Democracie where there are commanders and subjects to command 34. What duty of Parents The love and care of them love or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 naturalis the fountaine of the other whence unnaturall parents that bring forth children and not care for them the care being seene in due providing for life naturally by 1. Nourishing them and 2. Bringing them up 3. Training them up in honest calling 4. Directing them in all matters of moment 5. Helping and storing for them as God giveth meanes For life spirituall by godly education instruction chastisement their prayers for them and blessings and the opposite hereof to be without naturall affection To traine them up in idlenesse and vanity To be neglective of providing for them or their education or instruction naturall or spirituall things or to curse and not blesse them 35. What the duty of children To answer their parents care and love with love and duty To reverence and obey them Matth. 21. 30. Eph. 6. 1. To stand in awe of them and submit to their instruction correction To preserve their parents goods and helpe them if need require To shew themselves thankfull as the Storke to her parents So a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if need or age require to help them with goods service reliefe To love and reverence them that be neare and deare unto them for their sakes Opposite to which is to neglect these duties not to love them but to hate revile scorn strike or deride them To be ashamed of parents contemne and despise them To be disobedient and unkinde To refuse or despise their instruction correction and to these heads or some of them may bee referred the duties of Tutors and Guardians towards Pupills and their Pupills towards them that as they succeed parents in government to succeed in fatherly love care and consequently Pupills to shew dutifull respects and love to them as good children to such their parents 36. What the duties of husbands and wives In generall mutuall love benevolence and conjugall fidelity in particular of the husband as head to guide direct and instruct protect cherish and defend provide things needfull and governe in loving sort giving honour also to her as the weaker vessell The wife as in subjection to her husband to acknowledge him her head reverencing fearing and obeying him being amiable and gracious seeking to please and cherish him be his assistant in the house and all duties of a good wife and huswife opposite to which is neglect of these duties and so his being his wives underling contrary to the law of nature and ordinance of God his hating striking or wronging her denying things needfull in his power or being too uxorious in in fond doting too imperious in rigour towards her As on her part her usurping dominion using unreverence unquietnesse causing trouble and griefe to him or being a crosse and not a helpe to him or idle at home or gadding abroad 37. What the duty of Masters To governe those under them with equity and moderation accounting them as children under us or brethren in Christ and fellow-servants in respect of our Master in heaven so commanding things lawfull honest possible and proportionable to their service paying their wages and wishing and procuring their good both in body and soule by instruction and else while with us and after esteeming them as our poore friends opposite to which is our neglect of them being too hard or tyrannizing over them commanding things unlawfull unpossible or too remisse in not correcting or not cockering them or suffering them in idlenesse not restraining and reproving them 38. What servants duties To love and reverence their Masters so to tender their credit and welfare submit themselves to their commands corrections and to be diligent faithfull and true thrifty and carefull to please their masters in all lawfull things opposite to which neglect and disobedience murmuring and answering againe idlenesse and unfaithfull wastefull and not carefull of their credit or displeasure 39. What the duties of other governours in Schools or other societies As they have the place of Fathers and Superiours to have a fathely love and care over them and their welfare opposite to which to neglect them or tyrannize over them and abuse their authority 40. What of the governed To demeane themselves with that reverence humility and respect as may become dutifull children to such fathers not neglective of their places or despising their authority to the disturbance of good order and bringing in impiety and hellish confusion 41. What duties of Ministers and Ecclesiasticall Fathers To be blamelesse and so behave themselves in their place that it may be to the edification of the Church both by their 1. Preaching in season and out of season 2. Their governing of the Church of God committed to them and their private families 3. Living and good example Opposite to which their inability and insufficiency impiety idlenesse and neglect of their charge or other irreligiousnesse prophanenesse or faults in preaching governing or living unworthy their place or calling 42. What duty of the people towards them Love reverence and submission to their Ministery and charge that they may performe their duty with cheerfulnesse not with griefe and so allowing liberall maintenance and their dues as those Elders that doe their duty well are worthy of double honour opposite to which hate neglect mocking or despising them resisting disobeying or abusing them denying or diminishing their dues with a mocking and a lying unto God Gal. 6. 6. or taking away and withdrawing them which is sacriledge or robbery and spoyling of God Mal. 3. 10. 43. What duty of Kings or Soveraignes In that high place and representation of Gods supreme authority the commendable exercise 1. Of that Soveraigne power in 1. making good Lawes 2. Seeing them executed 3. Creating Magistrates 4. Containing them in their duty 5. Mixing mercy with justice 6. Lawfull pardons 7. Waging war or concluding peace 8. Admitting or considering of high appeals godly to the glory of God justisie to the good of the Common-wealth II. Vertues of 1. Piety in all their actions 2. Justice in all their actions 3. Clemency in all their actions 4. Bounty in all their actions 5. Wisdome in all their actions 6. Fortitude temperance humility and generall all vertues to the good example of his subjects as Regis ad exemplum c. opposite to which is negligence and remissenesse in these duties bordering upon idlenesse or rigour degenerating into cruelty and tyranny 44. What subjects duties Honour obedience loyalty and service both with body and goods attended with love of their person desire of their welfare and prayer for their prosperity opposite to which neglect and contempt to speake evill or to curse him
sort for publique testification of the visible members of the Church their proficiency in that faith professed in Baptisme and approbation of them 26. Why is it then expunged in our Church It is not expunged 27. Is it then a Sacrament Not so neither but a religious ceremony well and profitably to be used 28. But how then in the Rubrique is it said it is no detriment if it be not used To take away the superstitious conceit in some that without it Baptisme were imperfect or that it is a Sacrament or of absolute necessity 29. But doe not some hence utterly neglect it If they doe the fault is their owne as wee see from a word misunderstood how ready many will be to take exceptions thence to establish their owne fancy and perversnesse and cause a world of wrangling and trouble 30. How is it then necessary Onely of conveniency and for politicall order not as a Sacrament 31 But he that said Goe baptize said also to Peter confirme thy brethren To be understood as it is expounded by us of his Stability in the faith for good example Duty in preaching as his office Diligence in his calling and Apostleship to the comfort of his brethren and good of the whole Church 32. Jf it be usefull why is it neglected It is not 33. Where or when is it executed Wheresoever required or when it may with conveniency be performed 34. What benefit is thereby Much and many wayes if we consider it both for 1. The testification of our proficiency 2. Approbation of our sufficiency 3. Gratulatory commendation of us to God by the Church 4. Benediction from such our superiours 5. Prayers for further graces then publiquely made for us and so a 6. Comfort to the party confirmed 7. Enabling us to further duties in religion and devotions that may so better be performed 8. Relaxation of our sureties who stand for us engaged 35. After the name and title what is next to be considered at the entrance into the Catechisme The matter or subject and division of the same 36. What is the matter or subject of it The summe and substance of Religion for the manner thereof also as we see so briefly set forth and explained 37. What is Religion The bond betweene us and God including our duty to him for his mercies given to us by his covenant of grace 38. What is that Covenant On Gods part mercy that he will be our God and give us all graces on ours obedience that we will be his servants 39. What is then required of us Faith to beleeve in God and his word and promises Hope to call upon him trust in and worship him Charity the expressing of our obedience by doing his will and shewing our love to him and our neighbour 40. But these are graoes of his Spirit Yes but given to us and required to bee exercised by us to his honour 41. What is the substance then of Religion To exercise our selves in these shewing Our Faith by beleeving in him and his word Hope by prayer and depending upon him Charity in willing obedience to his Commandements 42. What then is the summe and substance of the Catechisme The explication of these our duties Of Beleeving in him Praying to him Obeying his will The fundamentall points of Religion And Gods worship so briefly propounded whence the Cate chisme principally toucheth on and explaineth The Creed Commandements and Lords Prayer which are called summa credendor summa faciendor summa orandor The summe or breviate as it were of things that are to be Beleeved Done or Prayed for by us 43. How many parts are there of the Catechisme Especially these three and for a Corollary of them as it were tho doctrine of the Sacraments and seales of the Covenant and our faith and so foure parts usually expressed or with addition of the Introduction five parts mentioned 44. Which then are the foure parts The exposition or explication of 1. The Creed the Articles and summe of our beliefe 2. Commandements the duties of us required to be done 3. Lords Prayer teaching how wee ought to pray 4. Sacraments the seales of the Covenant 45. How else are these five parts set downe The Introduction in the foure first questions and answers before the Creed Explication of the Creed Commandements Lords Prayer Sacraments as aforesaid 46. Are all Catechismes concerning these things Yes for these are the maine points whereon they insist howsoever in divers manners as in other words or order set forth and more or lesse amplified and explained 47. Wherein doe they usually or chiefly differ from this or one from another In the order of the parts Or some Introduction Or some Additions or other as concerning the word of God or Magistracy or the like which yet may bee reduced to the former parts as the word of God and Scripture to the Beliefe concerning God who giveth his word for direction of our faith the Magistracy to our duty towards God to whom they are subordinate and our neighbours as all godly Magistrates and superiours are acknowledged 48. How differ they in introduction According to the variety of invention of severall Authours of them or proceeding after divers manners and order and so diversly occasioned 49. How differ they in their order Sometimes by placing the Explication of the Commandements Prayer or Sacraments before the Creed or either before other in some other order then is followed in this Catechisme though in substance and intention to teach even the meanest the very same 50. What thinke you of the order and method of this Catechisme As most convenient and profitable of all others both following the Liturgy and grounded on the words of the vow made in Baptisme and so prosecuting the parts occasioned by the same to bee considered and also according to the nature of the things there explained 51. How in respect of the things As 1. faith required to beleeve God and his promises so the Creed first propounded 2. Obedience and the fruit of faith good works directed by Gods will so the Commandements secondly proposed 3. Prayer for continuance in the most holy course and profession of faith and good workes and so in the third place the doctrine and rule of prayer 4. The seales of all this from God to us the Sacraments as the confirmation and ratification of his promises in the covenant of grace 52. How then is the Introduction fitted to this By putting us in minde of our name and Baptisme and so our vow and promise for performance of the aforesaid duties and devotions expressed and taught in those foure parts The Creed Commandements Lords Prayer Sacraments 53. How many points in particular in these foure parts 30. in all the 12. Articles of the Creed 10. Commandements 6. Petitions of the Lords Prayer 2. Sacraments 54. How are they else divided Into 10. heads or principall parts viz. 3. Parts or heads of the Creed 2. Tables of the Law and Commandments 3. Parts
the Churches command 10. But have not some kept their old names as those of yeares baptized Yes it may be so and no doubt but parents or themselves or others upon good occasions may and have authority at other times to change them as aforesaid 11. How are names then said received in Baptism Generally or for the most part and by common practice of all or most being a particular or personall and speciall priviledge doth not infringe or overthrow an universall law 12. But we finde many received names before baptisme It is true at Nations conversions and with people of yeares converted to Christianity it being at their owne choice to keepe or change their names but we speake generally here of children comming to baptisme of whom as well as the ancient manner thereof we shall speake more hereafter in the Sacraments 13. Jt is then most convenient to give names in Baptisme It is as at our birth wee receive the name of man and sirname of parents so at our new birth or regeneration in baptisme to receive a new name or Christian name in remembrance of the family of Saints whereinto we are by this meanes engrafted so also was it in Circumcision in whose place Baptisme succeedeth 14. But divers instances may bee given to the contrary for Circumcision To bee understood then of breach of the ordinance or in case of necessity or some extraordinary incumbrance or priviledge that doe not disanull or infringe a generall law 15. For Gersom he was named ere circumcised It was a plaine breach of the ordinance and Moses like to have beene punished and died for the fact and perversnesse of Zipporah his wife 16. All the children of Israel in the wildernesse not circumcised yet had names assuredly But that a place and case of extraordinary necessity and incumbrance when much good order and discipline was neglected and sometimes superciliously by the factious Israelites contemned 16. Benoni was named by Rachel before circumcision But as her wish onely held and at circumcision Benjamin by his father who had the absolute authority 17. But Saint John Baptist and Christ also by the Angels before circumcision Extraordinary revelation was the preparation of names for those sanctified persons yet the 8. day according to the Law ordinarily circumcised and the names solemnly imposed or published to the accomplishment of the very letter of Moses Law 18. It standeth then with best reason or conveniency to have the name imposed in baptisme It doth and from all antiquity so received at our new birth to receive that new or Christian name and that the Godfathers should impose or publish the same 19. Is that most convenient Yes for so is the generall use and we have no custome in the Churches to the contrary but many reasons for the same As 1. Not against Scripture but consonant to them 2. It is most anciently received and used 3. It proceeds from the love of parents requesting it and them undertaking it 4. It is a benefit to the infant if the parents die 5. It is a helpe to the parents by aiding and remembring them 6. It is a comfort encouragement and stirring up of the childe to remember the duties 7. It is a meanes to increase mutuall love and friendship among neighbours by performing this duty one for another 20. But why are children baptized being infants and not rather when they come to yeares and discretion For divers good reasons especially these foure viz. 1. Imitation of Circumcision in whose place it succeeded 2. After the example of Christs receiving little children 3. For that the covenant pertaines also to them as well as the parents and so that seale 4. That we may be so presented to God as earely as may be 21. How in imitation of circumcision As which was commanded the eight day and that being the seale of the Covenant and so this hence administred also to infants as that was by Gods speciall command 22. How from the example of Christ He not only not refusing the little children or their good will that brought them but blaming them that would have them kept from him and commanding them to be brought and suffered to come and more expressing his will and good will By his 1. Receiving them 2. Taking them in his armes 3. Laying his hands on them 4. Blessing them and his 5. Exhortation to all men to follow their innocency 6. Promising them and them only heaven 7. Affirming their Angels to stand before his Father in heaven c. 23. How pertaines the covenant to them As made to Abraham and his seed all the saithfull and their seed whosoever borne of faithfull parents and in the bosome of the Church and to whom as the Covenant so especially this seale at first as that of circumcision doth pertaine and though never so little ones yet we see respected by God and Christ in mercy 24. Why also presented so in the Church That as early as may be conveniently they may be testified so and Registred in the number of Gods children as what greater happinesse and so never too soone and from which to be kept a misery or abatement of the blisse as the utter deprivation endlesse misery 25. Then it is good children should be soon baptised As with conveniencie may be and to that purpose are divers Canons of the Church and though God can save without meanes yet we are called upon to shew our duty and love in not neglecting the ordinary meanes of our salvation 26. Is baptisme then a meanes thereof It is though not Ex opere operato in the bare worke yet our conduit of grace by the faith in Christ and application of other saving graces implied in the right use and receiving of the same 27. Then it is faith and not baptisme that saveth But that faith requireth also Baptisme as baptisme implyeth the vertue of faith and as Christ originally faith instrumentally so Baptisme Sacramentally cooperate worke and assure our salvation 28. Both faith and baptisme then are required Yes they are for he that beleeveth and is baptised shall be saved and except a man be borne of water and of the spirit he cannot be saved so not the bare circumcision but a new creature required 29 How doth this then pertain to Infants As they are borne in the bosome of the Church and the Covenant also made to them and are So 1. Presented to God in the Church and 2. By faithfull parents and 3. Upon Gods gracious promise in Christ in that covenant of grace 4. In the faith of the Church and parents 30. But is this enough For them it is but for others of riper yeares is required a due disposition to faith and repentance actually performed and grace to shew forth the fruits of the spirit and so in men of yeares as they are found in grace they were though fit to bee baptized as we read of Cornelius the Eunuch and others 31. Many then are baptized that are not
their owne accord perversnesse and pride when mans disobedience by the meanes subtilty and solicitation of that wicked one the old Serpent and enemy of mankinde one of those rebellious Angels the originall of his owne and Adams fâ—ll and so all our ruine 57. There is then onely that meanes left of mans salvation Onely in Christ the Mediator and Redeemer one of our owne bloud as man and one with God and in whom we are sons and beloved 58. This is then a great priviledge The greatest priviledge and prerogative that can be and most glorious title to be the sonnes of God for if Kings sons on earth bee honourable how much more sons of the King of heaven 59. What benefit by this priviledge or prerogative To be inheritors of the kingdome of heaven due onely to the sonship and to no other worthinesse or workes 60. How is the inheritance of heaven then due to us As sons not without doing good workes nor yet for the workes sake but for Christ in whom God is well pleased with us and our workes that would else bee but splendida peccata even our best works without Christ. 61. Why did the Lawyer then say Master what shall I doe to inherit eternall life A solecisme in both Law and Divinity to think that inheritance should descend by workes or doing and not by filiation or being sonnes which as sons will doe the will of their Father yet hope to have the inheritance not for doing the works but by being sons 62. The question was not then well proposed It shewed the propounder was no perfect scholler in Christs schoole and howsoever signifieth his good intention yet arguing him in that point neither good Lawyer nor found Divine 63. How is heaven then an inheritance As it belongs to the sons of God and by them to be inherited as they are members of Christ. 64. Are they inheritors then onely so Onely as they are thought worthy to have the prerogative to be accounted sons of God being members of Christ so accepted in him and made acceptable by him who is the true Vine and naturall Olive and all the elect the branches 65. How is it said a kingdome As it hath all the honour nobility splendor and glory that can be ensignes or annexed to dominion or majesty with stability of peace and eternity of durance in that most happy estate and in so high measure of contentment that all earthly Kingdomes State and Majesty are but drosse and contemptible in comparison of the same 66. How a kingdome of heaven In regard of the excellency and eminency of glory in that highest degree that nothing can bee more whereas in the kingdome of grace a small sparke of peace and comfort is onely seene to the soule and conscience of the faithfull all true sons and servants of God there God himselfe in full and beatificall vision is seene in the heavenly Jerusalem the City of God and supernall Palace and Courts of that great King filled with his glory presented before and in presence of Cheruh Seraph with all those heavenly Quires Orders and Hierarchy that celestiall company innumerable Saints and Angels 67. Is this the benefit of Baptisme It is thereunto ascribed as whereby I am so admitted into the Church the visible company of the faithfull and being engrafted into Christ accounted a childe of God and heire in hope of the kingdome of heaven SECT 4. The third Question The Godfathers promise in Baptisme for the performance of our Christian duties Of repentance faith and obedience our Repentance in forsaking world flesh and Divell The Divell and enmity to God man being anthor of all evill and sin in heaven paradise â—on the 〈◊〉 continually by his wicked motions and suggestions and Agents or instruments so sowing tares in Gods field Sin in the heart of seduced mankind The Divels works being sias of all sorts so evill and opposite to the works of God as sins of omision ana of commission of ignorancâ— and of malâ— of weaknesse of infirmity Or presumption and the like All workes of the Divell the wicked world with her ompes and vanities Or vain pompes how to be understood and distinguished from the necessary ornaments of the Prince or State How sinne is vaine and all worldly things vanity the sinful lusts and corruptions of the flesh all evill how to be resisted of faith and how we make profession of it in Baptisme and reason Of it The fruit of faith obedience So then also professed showne in our diligence to seeke learne and will therein revealed with constancy all the dayes of our life 1. VVHat did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you They did promise and vow three things in my name 2. What is meant by promise and vow That they did Both promise the matter and for assurance Confirme it with a solemne vow for me and so not Only simply and Barely promise though promise bee much to be respected and kept in all honest and lawful things but solemnly vow and confirme that promise by publique profession and protestation Made Before God and the Church To God and his Church so In the face of his Congregation and for such things so Good holy and Just and My duty that had they neither been promised vowed or protested yet in all right ought to have beene so soone as knowne acknowledged and to the utmost of my power performed 3. Wherefore is this question here put To shew the reason of the ancient custome and use to have sureties at Baptisme 4. What is that To undertake for us between God and us so before the face of his Church our Christian duties 5. How our Christian duties here described By these three things in the answer propounded Of 1. Forsaking evill The Divell and all his works The world and the flesh 2. Beleeving the Articles of the Christian faith 3. Both Keeping Gods holy Will and Comandments Walking Diligently in the same Continually all the daies c. 6. Whence is this question and answer taken From the very words of the Liturgy where the things here repeated in the ordinary administration of Baptisme are required of the Infant and sureties and by them vowed and promised according to the Churches laudable and most ancient in stitution 7. Recite these three things briefly Repentance faith and the fruits thereof obedience 8. How Repentance To forsake all evill 9. How faith To cleaveto God by believing on him and pursuing that which is good 10. How obedience In that generall duty to feare God and keepe his Commandements 11. How is repentance described here By forsaking all evill in these three branches intended comprehended the Divell World Flesh. 12. What is the Divell The ancient and accursed enemy of Adam and all his posterity who fallen from God expelled out of heaven devoid of grace is the author of sin and of our ruine and misery 13. How fell he from God By disobedience and pride and so called 1. In
spirit 72. How is Gods will knowne As it is revealed in his holy Word 73. VVhere is that word conteined In the bookes of the Old and New Testament 74. VVhat are the Commandements of God The Law of God given to us and his will in generall as before mentioned for the morall part thereof more particularly expressed in the ten Commandements hereafter recited 75. How long obliged to this duty and diligence So long as we have any being all the dayes of our life 76. VVhy so Because from him wee have received our life and being and so to his honour ought all to bee referred 77. How all our dayes Whether of prosperity in praises or adversity in patience to give him thankes and submit our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure 78. How life Whether our naturall life so rightly understood or life of grace in Gods Church and service as well applyed that the life of grace here may bee an entrance to the life of glory hereafter 79. Is this the summe of the sureties promise It is into these three parts distributed viz. 1. Our repentance to forsake and renounce all evill the Divell World and the Flesh. 2. Our faith to beleeve all the Articles of our Christian faith 3. Our obedience to keep and walke in Gods holy wil and his Commandements all the dayes of my life SECT 5. The fourth Question Our Christian resolution to performe the vow made for us in baptisme and how we are bound to performe and that many wayes in common morality conscience and reason law and Religion since for our so apparent good and Church and superiour institution and command to which wee are to submit our selves in humility our duty to praise God for our happy estate of salvation given to us in Christ by the administry of the Church and meanes of the Sacraments Confirmed and sealed to our soules and to pray for the grace of continuance so to persevere therein to the 〈◊〉 and here also a reason is rendred why the first part of the sureties promise or vow in Baptisme is passed by and the second part concerning the Creed is so here first and principally insisted on as followeth 1. DOst thou thinke thou art bound to beleeve and doe as they have promised for thee Yes verily by Gods helpe so I will c. 2. What is conteined in this answer A fourefold resolution 1. As a direct and resoulte affirmation of the demand yes verily 2. As a resolute asseveration and protestation to the same and by Gods helpe 3. As a resolute praising of God and giving of thankes I heartily thanke c. 4. As a resolved prayer for grace of continuance and perseverance to the end I pray God c. 3. Is then the party bound by anothers act He is both in morality and conscience reason and Religion 4. Without any deputation Yes since it is for his good and if it had not been promised yet in conscience and else bound to performe that 5. How so 1. In common morality since it was for his good and so in duty for good order and vertues sake to doe it 2. In conscience since for the honour of God and good of our owne soule so obliged 3. In reason since by superiours and those that have authority over us our parents and superiours enjoyned 4. Religion since by the Churches authority so for the honour of God and our owne good ordained 6. But can Infants be bound or those under age by their owne or which is lesse others acts By both when it is for their good otherwise not if to their prejudice and rather by tutors and governours acts then by their owne 7. Why so Because they are intended of wisedome and judgement and knowing what is convenient and trusted with the guiding and government of the Infant or young here yet wanting discretion 8. How appearoth it that they are so bound In very law as well as reason the ground of all good lawes when it is for their good and necessary occasions as meat drinke and apparell teaching and bringing up and the like the Infant and Pupill or heire in nonage as well as the most aged persons bound to performe pay and discharge such dues and promises 9. What is the reason for it Because it is for his apparant good and benefit so if he finde a hand to receive a beneficiall lease in law being an Infant he must also finde a hand to pay the rent and performe the condicioned covenants 10. But how is this for his good In an uncomparable great and high degree as hereby received into the heavenly society of Saints and to have that glorious priviledge hereby signed to him to be the Son of God member of Christ and heire of blessednesse and so as hee receiveth the benefit tyed to performe the Covenants 11. How followeth it that he saith By Gods grace so I will In acknowledgement of 1. The fountaine whence all sufficiency and ability doth flow 2. The readinesse and propensity we ought to have to perform it 11. Have we then no ability of our selves No not so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to performe any good deed but all our sufficiency is from God 12. What is our duty then to doe To pray for ability from him expect his graces and after the same in humility as considering whence all our ability comes to direct our courses 13. Can we doe this then Not we as of our selves but Gods grace and good Spirit within us that beginneth will performe every good worke to his glory 14. What shall we doe then Only submit our selves to his will be prest to obey and doe as his good Spirit moveth us not to quench the spirit but being ready to say Speake Lord for thy servant heareth accordingly continue in well doing 15. How shall we finde or know this If we praise God for graces received and pray unto him for more as followeth in this answer 16. Why should we praise him Because thanksgiving for graces received is the fruit of the former grace and seed of the latter 17. VVhat doe you praise him for here For calling me to this state of salvation 18. VVhat is this state of salvation The state of a Christian in the love and favour of God by his Covenant of grace whereof the Sacraments are signes and seales 19. How are we else Out of Gods favour weltering in our owne bloud and pollution of sin by nature but restored to his favour thus by grace 20. In or by whom or what meanes Through Jesus Christ our Saviour in whom God is well pleased and for his sake doth blot out all our guilt and offences 21. How are we brought to this estate We are called by God by whom elected and by the Ministry of his Church by his appointment and the voice of his holy Word and thus lastly sealed for his receive these signes the Sacraments with the vertue and effect of them pledges
types thereof and analogies to be observed 22. What analogies herein An analogy or correspondency of it both to the descension as he came downe to earth from heaven the bosome of his father and height of glory by his incarnation so here he ascended from earth to heaven to his father and his right hand in Majesty by his glorious ascension The types thereof Moses Enoch and Elias of whom hereafter 23. What the ascension or action His glorious ascending to heaven in the sight and presence of many witnesses as it were foretold accordingly performed 24. How foretold Both by the Prophet David thou art ascended up on high hast led captivity captive and given gifts to men By himselfe Joh. 14. 2. I go to prepare a place c. Joh. 20. 17. I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God By the types of it in the old Testament Enoch Moses and Elias 25. Why in sight and presence of many witnesses To their comfort and our confirmation that as his resurrection manifested to the women the Disciples one after another and sometimes two or three and then more together even till more then 500. at once so many times during his abode on earth so his ascension as every part of his actions for us and so our faith might be confirmed in the mouth of many witnesses and so indeed were by both Prophets Martyrs and others 26. Whence ascended he From earth to heaven from top of Mount Olivet by Jerusalem as it were from the earth to the heavenly Jerusalem City of the great King from the Church here to the Church above 27. To what end To prepare a place for us as he taught his Disciples To elevate our hearts to heaven and heavenly things To shew the way to us and all that are his To manifest his power and glory to mortall eyes and hearts according to their capacity that abundantly more is apparent in the highest degree to the blessed Saints and Angels in heaven 28. In what manner ascended he In an admirable and wonderfull manner as appeared by the Angels words then appearing to his Disciples and those present testifying of him and saying ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven This Jesus whom ye saw ascend shall so come as c. Acts 1. 11. 29. When was that Forty dayes after his resurrection during which time he was conversant on earth directing and comforting his Disciples and strengthning them 30 Why were those forty dayes interim For many good reasons and gracious comfort and instruction to his Church As 1. assurance of his resurrection in that space conversing though after a more divine manner and appearing so often and to so many 2. Confirmation of the verity of his humanity offering himselfe to be seene and touched and felt yea and eating with them though hee needed no sustenance yet as to Thomas herein descending to them to confirme their weake though ravished and admiring faith 3. Strengthning his Disciples opening their hearts and so comforting instructing and confirming them against all occurrences and times of fiery trials and persecutions 29. Did he not also appeare at other times and to others Yes but after a more ravishing strange and transcendent manner so to divers holy men As to Saint Paul on the way to Damascus but with such glory and splendor that hee was both amazed and stricken blinde but converted To Saint Stephen full of faith and of the holy Ghost even from heaven and in his majesty at the time of his martyrdome and very dissolution To Saint Iohn in Pathmos on the Lords day in a heavenly vision to the illustration of his understanding in writing that prophesie of the Revelation And to many Saints else to whom the Lord in grace yet with manifestation of some part of his glory appeared 30. Who were types of this his ascension Enoch who walking with God was taken away and no more seen Moses who ascending to mount Nebo was taken from men and Eliah who went up to God in that fiery charet and in the sight of Elisha ascended up to heaven 31. What analogy of their ascension to this As types to the antitypes usually have so those both to Christ and his ascension 1. As Enoch the 7. from Adam a holy and sabbaticall member and generation of the just walked with God and was so translated 2. So Christ the 7. of those that were ever til then raised to life of that line the Holy and Just One Prince of peace and author of our rest and endlesse Sabbath having walked with God now thus ascended 32. How Moses As that great Lawgiver and who in the wildernesse after forty dayes fast received the Law from God on mount Sinai and delivered the curses on mount Ebal and blessings on mount Geresin Deut. 27. 12. at last ascending mount Nebo though buried by God thus translated and taken from men was from the earth and tents of Israel ascended So Christ the Law-giver and confirmer of a better Law and covenant of grace after 40. daies fast in the wildernesse having vanquished Satan and on mount Sion manifested his Majesty after forty dayes conversing with men after his ascending Mount Calvary and death buriall and resurrection to life thus from Mount Olivet ascended up to heaven 3â— How Eliah As the greatest Prophet that ever arose in that state and the Church of the Jewes as who raised the dead to life opened and shut heaven at his prayer without dying was translated and ascended up to God in the power of the Spirit in that strange manner and convoy the fiery Charets and horsemen of Israel So Christ the great Prophet and Messias raising the dead in soule and body to life eternall having the key of David and opening and shutting heaven by those siery trials at his passion opening the gate of life and entring thereby at his resurrection thus triumphed in his ascension 34. Was this so manifested It might seeme so even by himselfe in his transfiguration where those types thereof Moses and Eliah met with him the Antitype on Mount Tabor as it were in a divine conference about the same 35. What was the event of it In that triumph ascending he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 36. What gifts Gifts and graces of his holy Spirit yea and the pouring forth of that Spirit in his Church most abundantly or as he speaketh the sending of the Comforter the holy Ghost the Spirit of truth for the direction guiding and comfort of his Church to the worlds end 37. What learne we hence In duty of humble thankfulnesse and praises often to ascend 1. In our contemplation to those high Palaces that so with preparation of soule in this life we may ascend to those high Courts hereafter whither he is gone before 2. In affection and hearty desire and longing after them by our preparation of will and wishes to be there with Christ whither he ascended and is
in glory Cupio dissolvi c. 3. Gracious steps of life and conversation to ascend up to his holy hill of sanctification as preparing heart and hand soule and body to ascend to Christ at last and pertake with him in sanctity here as in glory hereafter and therefore did hee send the holy Spirit or Comforter 38. What fruit hereby Cheerfull ability to goe forward both in our Christian callings and duties of Religion by his comfort guidance and instruction alwaies remembring that he is ascended and gone before to prepare a place That we ought to prepare our selves to be received That we are strangers and Pilgrimes here That we have a high and more enduring City That therfore we elevate our minds and hearts and eyes and hands towards that place where our hope and helpe is and thither ascended into glory 39. What followeth The third degree of his exaltation his session at the right hand of God in Majesty and glory expressed in these words He sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty 40. What is meant thereby His consistency for ever and plenitude of Majesty and glory there with the Father in the heavens 41. What in the words to be considered The figure or manner of the speech The meaning of the phrase 42. What the manner or figure The expression of this or the like divine matters and mysteries according to our humane capacity As by sitting understanding consistency being and remaining so for ever As by the right hand of God understanding his high power and Majesty 43. Is this frequent Yes concerning God especially where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 causâ for humane weaknesse sake the eyes armes hands fingers and feet of God are often mentioned and the like figures and Metaphors used when we are not with the Heretiques Anthropmorphites to thinke God hath them so really in humane figure but to signifie his greatnesse past finding out or goodnesse and benefits to us by them 44. How to be conceived then 1. By his eyes his providence over us and all things 2. By his mouth his word and divine revelation 3. By his armes outstretched and mighty hand his strength power and mighty deliverances 4. By the workes of his hand and fingers acts of his power and by him ordered and ordained 5. By his feet and goings his marvellous proceedings and the like and so here as aforesaid by sitting stability for ever by his right hand or at his right hand of Majesty and glory to be conceived so Bathsheba at Salomons right hand 1 Kings 2. 19. and the Queen at the Kings right hand in the 45. Psa. understood placed in the greatest honour glory and Majesty 45. What is the full meaning of the phrase As in other places expressed Christ being sitting or standing his consistency for ever at the right hand of God in the power and glory of the divine Majesty 46. Was not this meant by ascending to heaven No for it is a distinct thing from it for That The ascension is in order before it The ascension may be without it The ascension of Christ was to this end 47. How understand you this It is evident the ascension was in time and order before said session and glory and ascension to heaven may be without it as we see in Saints and Angels who doe and shall ascend and though have fulnesse and an unspeakable measure of glory yet not in so high degree and Christs ascension was to that end to have that high degree above all as the complement of all glory and majesty 48. But was not Christ in that glory and at the right hand of the Father set from all eternity 1. In respect of his divinity he was so before all worlds and from all eternity and to that can bee no accession or addition of glory 2. In respect of his divinity united to his humanity so that it was from that time forth onely so considered and manifested 3. In respect of his humanity it was from that time and in that order so exalted 49. How is this elsewhere expressed in Scriptures By these speeches and prophesies or prophetique phrases 1. His exaltation farre above all heavens Eph. 4. 10. To a name above all names that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow both of things in heaven and in earth Philip. 2. 9. 10. 2. All power given both in heaven and in earth Matth. 28. 18. 3. Let all Angels worship him Heb. 1. 6. so Psal. 97. 7. worship him all ye gods 4. I have set my King upon c. Aske of me and I shall give c. Psal. 2. c. 5. Sit at my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstoole Psal. 110. 1. 6. All his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. And the like places and phrases shewing his majesty and glory 50. What analogy in this to his humiliation To the lowest degree as this the highest step of glory from the deepes of grave and hell to heaven so from the lowest misery in them to the highest glory in heaven 51. What learne we hence His great power able to defend and glory in majesty to the comfort and consolation of his Church and so our duties of Honour to his Majesty Praise to his excellent name Joy in the excellency of his glory Obedience to his mighty power with the Father and Holy Spirit in the guidance and government of his Church 52. In what respect As he is the head of the Church powerfull and able to defend all that are his against all powers of sin death and hell and Satan and all worldly opposition and in that honoured above all and constituted over all both men and Angels 53. What followeth His further manifestation of his glory in his second comming his comming to judgement the fourth degree or part of his exaltation expressed in the seventh Article From thence he shall come againe to judge both the quicke and the dead SECT 9. The 7. Article Christs comming to judgement The seventh Article shewing the fourth part of Christs exaltation in his comming to judgement and Analysis thereof where the time the end of the world and other circumstances and reasons such his last comming to judgement are to be considered as the antecedents and terror of the same with the extreame strangenesse of many accidents then happening The righteous processe and manner of executing it in all evidence and equity yet with all authority and the event and consequences the finall sentence and distinction of the sheep and goats or good and bad the one to life the other to death eternall to the full manifestation of Gods mercy and justice which began before to be showne is there more perfited and published so what duties to be learned and use of comforts to be raised from the same 1. VVHat is comprised in this seventh Article The fourth part or degree of Christs exaltation his commission and comming to judgment in power and great glory 2. How
before the promulgation of it in that forme at Mount Sinai as well as since and how far in force still with us Christians who though we are freed from the curse bare letter and slavish feare are yet bound to the duties and effect thereof by the Law of Grace that so agree Christ being the scope and end of both how and why it was written in the two Tables and that twice and how divided 1. YOu said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise that you should keepe Gods Commandements Yes in that third part of the vow and promise in Baptisme whence we come to consider in this third place the Commandements of God 2. Tell me how many there be Ten. 3. How appeareth that By the prescript word of God himselfe and his servant Moses by whom they are named the ten Commandements the ten words or decalogue signifying as much 4. What doe they containe The whole Will or Law of God or duty of man 5. What Law The morall Law binding the soule and conscience to the performance of such duties as are perpetuall and so this Law above all others perpetuall 6. What other differences of Lawes are there 1. Both Laws humane politique and municipall of divers formes according to the customes and manners of divers peoples and Countries 2. Divine or given by God himselfe of divers sorts Which are they Not onely that Law of nature written by God himselfe in the heart of all creatures but also other positive and written Lawes both the Law of workes doe this and live to the first Adam and all his posterity Of Grace beleeve and have life by the second Adam to all Saints 7. How was the first Law of works promulgated By God himselfe in Paradise to Adam onely abstaine or eat not of the forbidden tree By God himselfe to the Jewes upon mount Sinai the morall Law or ten Commandements 8. What was the event Both brake the Law and none was able to keep it wholly whence was need of the Messiah the promised seed who should satisfie for their misdeeds and breach of the Law of workes by their taking hold of the Covenant and Law of Grace 9. How was that shewed In the promises to Adam thy seed shall break the Serpents head or power of Sinne and the Divell and to all the Fathers consequently made of Christ as likewise by those many sacrifices and types and shadows of the Messiah and his offering sacrifice as well as those other Laws of the Jews to the talsing notice of punishing of sin offences thus entred into the world by Adams offence and hence that other division of the law springeth 10. What division Of the Jewes Law which was thence accordingly divided into The morall Law The ceremoniall Law The judiciall Law 11. Why are we to take notice of the Jews or their Lawes As they were the true Israelites the Church of God to whom both the Law and Testimonies the Arke and Temple of God and all tokens of his grace and favour were committed yea all the priviledges that belong to the whole Church once appropriated to that holy elect and chosen people as from whom the Messiah according to the flesh should spring to be the joy and light of all Nations and in whom all Adams posterity should be blessed 12. Was the whole Church straitned in so narrow limits as one little people It seems so to the good providence of God as once in one Adam and since in one Arke onely eight persons the whole Church yet cursed Chaâ— also among them and then one Abrahams family and one people of the Jewes and among them many unbeleevers to shew the few number of the truly faithfull and now though all Nations admitted yet but one Church a little flocke guided also by one rule and Law the Covenant of Grace 13. What were those Laws then of that Church of God among the Jews 1. The morall Law binding to performance of all good duties towards God and man 2. The ceremoniall setting forth the sacrifices for sinnes in the breaches of the former and directions in Gods house and service 3. Judiciall deciding controversies about politicall and temporall matters and inflicting punishments upon offenders against the same or the former which punishments of offences or sacrifices for sinne the greater part of these latter Lawes had beene of no use if the morall Law could have been performed and breaches thereof whether by ignorance uncharity and contentions or else could have been avoided 14. How long were these Laws to continue The judiciall Law so long as the State or Common-wealth of the Jewes as fitted to their state manner or customes the ceremoniall Law during the time of that their Temple or Tabernacle whose ceremonies and sacrifices as types and shadowes were referted to the substance and ended in Christ and the revelation of the Messiah who opened the second Tabernacle his Church but the morall Law binding to the duty of vertue and godlinesse abideth and standeth fast for ever 15. How then was it said a Law of the Jews As they were then accepted and were indeed the true Church of God for as considering 1. The letter it was delivered to them as Gods owne and peculiar people having such priviledges as no other people ever had and but the same or such as the Church hath now 2. The substance it was delivered to the Church in generall then in them and so to all people who must serve God in holinesse and righteousnesse and so standeth firme in that point for ever 16. What the difference between the judiciall and morall Law 1. The judiciall was chiefly in foro exteriori judiciae the morall in foro interiori conscientiae exercised and appointed 2. Judiciall was founded on the morall to certifie the outward breaches of the same 3. Judiciall was fitted to divers manners and customes of the people the morall to the heart and soule of all people in obedience to God 4. Judiciall is more particular and the morall more generall and divers such other respects from these flowing for difference may be seen 17. Why should the judiciall so soone end 1. Because the Common-wealth of the Jews to which it was particularly referred and to whose customes appropriated is ended 2. The ceremoniall to which it was also tied and allied as concerning manumission in the year of Jubilee and the like is also vanished 3. Diversity of manners and customes in other peoples and propensity to particular vices and diversified by divers respects doe often require divers and other Lawes and punishments 18. But are we no more then tyed to obey or respect it then any other strange Law whatsoever Though we be not tyed to the observation of it as abrogated yet we may therein see and respect the equity and excellency of it and wisdome of the Law-giver above all other lawes whatsoever and though we leave it in the very letter or circumstances yet in the substance we observe it
Ambition Vaine-glory Hypocrisie Pharisaically Ignorance blide zeale Indiscretion preposterous zeale and without all moderation as in factious Schismatiques exceeding the proportion of the cause compasse of their calling and with much rankour commonly and unseasonablenesse 51. How holy life and behaviour In outward signes of honour and deeds expressing this inward affection of the soule seene as in all the Commandements By our setting forth his worship as in the second Commandement Glorifying his name as in the third Commandement Sanctifying of the Sabbath as in the fourth Commandement Obedience to these and all the rest and so avoiding all prophanenesse to his glory and others good example 52. Doth this extend then to all the Commandements Yes and this Commandement is set therefore in the first place as a ground or foundation of all the rest both of the first and second Table as establishing the duty we owe and especially inwardly in soule and affection to God and so the reasons in the preface drawne from equity as hee is our Lord and God and his authority as Lord and deliverer equally pertaining to this and the residue of the Commandements to this at least primarily to the others from this dependantly 53. What followeth The second Commandement concerning the externall worship of God SECT 4. The second Commandement The Analysis of the second Commandement with all the duties and opposite abuses whether implicitely or expresly forbidden or commanded here particularly expressed and in all the branches thereof more fully hereafter explained VVhere first in generall all false worship and unity and uniformity in the true worship thereby intended the civill use of images allowed but vanity and wickednesse in Idolatry to be detested and condemned so as no Image of the true Deity can be made All Images of false duities Heathen gods Sunne Moane Stars and host of Heaven Saint or Angell are forbidden to be made where any danger may be of worshipping them or appearance of evill humane inventions and wil-worship therefore to be avoided as a kinde of Idolatry though comely and decent ceremonies in the worship and service of God to be allowed of and approved The substance of true worship being prayer and praises hearing and handling the word sacrifices and Sacraments where first of prayer and the parts of it the order and manner and other circumstances of the same as the time place and persons so of hearing and handling the word True use of the same all of the Sacraments 〈…〉 and all externall worship to be performed in the Church of of God in all deâ—nt order and uniformity the reasons of Commandement enforcing the duties from Gods blessing an punishments assuredly promised to attend on those that neglect or observe the Commandements 1. VVHich the second Commandement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe c. What contained therein 1. The Commandement Thou shalt not c. 2. The explication of the same in the explication of the idols to the likenesse of any thing in heaven earth or under the earth all forbidden Idolatrous worship bowing downe to them 3. The reason from his Justice a jealous God and will punish c. Mercy promised to thousands c. 2. What manner of Commandement is it A negative inferring the affirmative opposite viz. not to make any idoll so to worship it and commit idolatry but to worship the true God only according to his will 3. What the negative part Whereby we are forbidden all idolatry and in that all will worship and superstition as both 1. The making of images of God or any thing else in Heaven Earth water c. for divine worship 2. The worshipping The image it selfe Or God in the image or by it 3. Corrupting Gods worship by Our will-worship Superstitions Our owne fancies 4. What the affirmative part To worship God and him alone as hee ought to be worshipped So these three things viz. 1. The matter his true worship in the parts duties and circumstances 2. The object of him and him alone not idols or our owne fancies 3. The manner of it according to his will revealed in his word and that is in Spirit and Truth as He is a Spirit and His Word the Truth 5. How are these parts positive and other parts seene opposite or opposed 1. As the true worship is opposite to idolatry or making any image to worship it 2. As the true God or opposite to idols and all vanity and vaine conceits and fancies of men 3. The true manner in the truth and uprightnesse of heart opposite to all will-worship grosse and false manner of worship and superstition 6. How farther explained In that if we intend his true worship the parts and duties of it both outwardly in the body and inwardly in the soule will be farre from that grosse and absurd idolatry here described the object of it the true God hath no affinity with those dumbe idols the Creator with those abominations of his deformed creatures and stupid gods or creatures of his blockish idolatrous creatures the manner and meanes in spirit and spirituall manner true heart and truth of heart informed by his blessed word as farre as may be distant from such idolatrous superstitions grosse or false and fantasticall will-worship 7. What is to be considered in the worship of God That the worship of God is set forth in regard of The 1. Substance of the same Internè in the heart in the first Commandement Externè manner and ceremomonies partly in the 2. 3. and 4. Commandements in the severall respects 2. Circumstance of 1. Place commanded as 1. Mount Morijah to Abraham 2. The Tabernacle ere the Temple builded 3. The Temple afterwards 4. Synagogues for the dispersed Jewes 5. Every place on good occasions or with looking towards and remembrance of Sion and the Temple 6. Christians Churches c. 2. Time the Sabbath as in the fourth Commandement 8. What is the scope of this Commandement The externall and publique worship of God to be decently set forth to his honour in his Church and all idolatry and false worship banished 9. VVhat profit thereof Both Unity in the Mind and Affection of all true worshippers Unformity in the True worship And Church of God 10. VVhat is first here forbidden The making of any images to worship them 11. Are all images forbidden It is plaine they are not but such as are made for idolatry as not onely images of the Cherubins and Palme-trees in the Sanctuary but of divers things else are read and so with us images and statues by painting graving and other Arts expressed may lawfully be had and kept for civill uses Of memoriall of men and their vertues or actions as monuments of antiquity Of ornament of houses and also palaces and buildings emblemes of divers best matters In representation of Vertues and vices Histories actions Triumphes c. Of instruction as of all kindes of beasts birds fishes and creeping things to know them and the like civill uses so they bee not
the enemies of God to blaspheme 23. How is this to be understood As that all manner of evill examples prophanenesse shew of evill and idolatry may be occasion of blasphemy to the enemies of God and so all evill Christians accessory to the blasphemy of others and causers of it so in effect blasphemers 24. What opposite duty The glorifying of him and honoring of his holy name and his word by all means possible so yeelding him the honour due unto his name 25. What abuse by cursing and banning A malicious sinne the fruit of a heart full of gall and bitternesse and so compared to an arrow shot upright that shall fall downe upon the cursers head as he well deserveth 26. May we not curse then No not at all unlesse God bid ourse as he said Curse ye Meroz and so utterly to take heed of cursing maliciously as many will with desperate speeches and acclamations shewing a heart fraught with gall Cursing vainly as many doe on sleight or no cause calling for vengeance and plague murren and pestilence Cursing customarily as too many also will doe by swearing and cursing bewraying their folly and execrable impiety 27. Why should we not curse 1. Because it is the assured note of a wicked person as in the Psalmes Their throat is an open sepulchre the poison of aspes is under their lips their mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse 2. Because it is noted the fruit gal and bitternes as Rom. 3. 11. water of a corrupt fountain Ja. 3. 3. Because it is forbidden to all Gods people blesse and curse not blesse your persecutors blesse I say and curse not Rom. 12. 14. 4. Because it is a presumptuous sinne to wrest the office out of Gods hand and to whose justice belong plagues and punishments and so to enter upon Gods tribunall 5. It is here forbidden as all prophanation of Gods name and honour and we never read of any good man without Gods command durst enter upon it or doe it nay Michael when he strove with the divell durst not curse him Jud. 9. Nor Balaam though hired by Balaac durst curse without Gods commission Num. 23. and lastly curses are threatned with the curse of God that it shal not depart from the house where the curser or swearer dwelleth so it is an arrow shot upward that will hit him that shot it falling downe heavy with Gods curse on his head and we see not only Gods Law and Commandements all good men and Angells as Michael but even false Prophets as Balaam shall stand up in judgement to condemne this cursing and cursed generation 28. How is it that cursings and excommunications are found in the Scriptures and in the Church By Gods particular appointment and conclusion who is absolute Lord of both blessing and cursing and so we finde that Moses set forth the curses on mount Geresin That David cursed his and Gods enemies from God That Elisha cursed the rebellious children and the Church from God and for his glory used her excommunications and execrations by Christs peculiar commission and upon which no private person or any private authority may enter 29. What opposite duty Blessing and praysing him and his holy name yea and blessing all others even enemies and persecutors according to that blesse and curse not Rom. 12. 14. How blesse we God By praysing him for his blessings and sounding forth his goodnesse with the voice of joy and thanksgiving 30. How blesse we men From him and for his goodnesse and graces shewed in and by them and so blessing is said to be either generally required of all in gracious speech and godly salutations Gen. 47. 7. 10. Rom. 16. 16. Matth. 5. 44 47. Or particularly performed by superiours as from God and in his stead Parents Gen. 27. 27. Minister Numb 6. 23. Magistrates 2 Sam. 6. 18. 1 Kings 8. 55. 31. What abuse by swearing The prophanation of Gods name and injury to his holinesse and truth which as with falshood in our owne speech and injury and wrong to our neighbour is forbidden in the ninth Commandement as derogation to Gods truth and Majesty and prophanation of his name is here forbidden 32. How is this abuse of swearing Such vaine prophanation of Gods name used in oaths either taken falsly deceitfully rashly negligently commonly by creatures or false gods in vaine protestations and foolishly undertaken to the disparagement of truth and Gods glory 33. How many sorts of oathes be there Two sorts Ascertory commonly so understood Promissory in which are vowes What false swearing The taking of Gods name impiously in our mouthes to sweare to a thing we know to bee false or know not to be true both which are false swearing so the false witnesses against Naboth and Christ. How swearing deceitfully When sweating to what we know false or if it happen true what we thinke false and with a purpose to deceive others thereby or not to performe the same all which sorts are accounted perjury 34. What is rash swearing Swearing unadvisedly in heat and choller or any other passion without consideration of the matter circumstances manner or possibility of performance 35. What common swearing An accumulated sinne aggravating the offence of rash swearing by drawing wickednesse with cart ropes of vanity to a custome and so nothing more odious to God then the customary and common swearer who is commonly a vaine and prophane person 36. Whence the heynousnesse thereof 1. For the multitude of oaths reaching to heaven to pull downe vengeance 2. For the continuall neglect and contempt of God indignity offered to God to call him to witnesse in every lewd and trifling matter 3. For the contempt of truth as many must needs be false and lewd 4. For the small conscience of telling or facing a lye ordinarily seene in ordinary and common swearers 37. What other vaine swearing In derogation of Gods Majesty calling any creature to witnesse or using light and foolish protestations savouring of folly impiety and vanity and to the mocking of oaths and making them and the truth suspect 38. How may that be In swearing by creatures as light fire aire c. bread drinke welking c. By ridiculous toyes by laking by cocke by my fay c. By Popish Saints or the like by Saint Mary Saint Anne Saint Loyes by the Masse by the rood c. By Heathen gods or idolls as by Hercules Apollo c. Medius Fidius c. By parts of Christ body as nailes wounds blood heart and so Gods heart wounds c. many times not without cursing and raving most blasphemously 39. What the solly or vanity of them 1. In that they are childish and foolish to attribute the knowing truth to such things 2. Beastly and abominable to set up the creatures in the place of the Creator 3. Divilish and detestable to rob God of his honour and shame the truth 4. Blasphemous to teare Christ in peeces with such execrable oathes and vaine mouthes 5.
glory though their confusion that oppose it as seene in Pharaoh Herod Sennacherib and all Tyrants and who art thou in his hand that art so hellishly disposed that thou carest not to despite and despise God and blaspheme though thou goe to hell with shame and confusion 56. What the commination That they shall not be held guiltlesse but so guilty and beare the insupportable burthen of their sinnes that will presse their soules to hell as the most fearfull estate curse and punishment so signified and so too plainly seene in such blasphemies who commonly are as it were 1. Given over to a reprobate sense in lying filthy talke drinking and prophanenesse and vanity with this abuse of Gods name 2. Insensible of their sinnes by Gods just judgement in neglect of all holy duties of prayer and Gods honour with scorning and mocking at his Sabbaths or any reproofe though most just 3. Set downe in Gods booke for damned persons even condemned already bearing that palpable marke of prophanenesse like Cains marke in their foreheads that he that hath an eye to see may see them stand guilty and the sentence that they may reade in their conscience of heavy condemnation even written in their foreheads that every one may read it to their shame who shamed not to dishonour Gods holy name 57. Whence this so fearfull commination More fully to manifest the Lords fierce anger and jealousie as against idolaters and those that prophane his worship accounted to hate him in the second Commandement so here against all other prophane wretches that shall abuse his most holy name and any other way derogate from his glory which hee is most jealous of and will not give away or part with to any other much lesse lose it with contempt he chiefly standing on and above all things highly prizing his honour 58. But what followeth The fourth Commandement in a fourth respect also in regard of the due celebration of his Sabbaths aiming at the setting forth of his honour SECT 6. The fourth Commandement The Analysis of the 4. Commanaement shewing the parts and duties therein commanded and abuses opposite so prohibited whether intimated or more fully expressed where first the duty of sanctification of that day of rest called the Sabbath and of thh Christian Sabbath or Lords day with the reasons of the difference and alteration thereof but perpetuall necessity of the substance and duties of the same and our Christians Sabbath or Lords day proved to be established by many reasons and arguments as by the Lords oweâ— doings the Apostles preaching and doctrine or constitutions as received from the Lord himselfe to be understood as well as the practice of the Church directed by his Spirit according to his promise and who oppose it but troublesome and unquiet spirits or fanatick and fantasticke Schismaticks too commonly to be sound So of the rest and right use and observation thereof on the Lords day in holy duties and workes of piety and charity or of necessity on truly urgent not every frivolous occasion The factious schismaticks overnicenesse here as well as others loose prophanenesse deserving worthily to be taxed that on both sides disturbe the peace good order and peace of the Church the one of them prophanely with negligence contempt the other sedititiously with malice and disdaine to avoid both which extrenes and keepes an even and equall course betweene them we are carefully to distinguish betweene the morality and ceremony in this Commandment how far forth in the substance of it for the morall duty to God-ward perpetually to be observed and how for the ceremony and legall observances many of them interwoven with the said duty with which to the Iowes-ward in that Churches nonage as it were before Christs appearance in the flesh It was burdened but as now freed of them it ought to be discharged and so in that particular for the time among many others with them respecting the creation the greatest benefit ever till then manifested to be remembred by and in it now altered and the duty yet unchanged to the remembrance of a greater our redemption in that change of the ceremony not duty by us now principally respected and thus as we see by the Churches authority and power with sufficient warrant from holy Scriptures ordered and established whose power in that point to change it and wisdome in so well ordering it guided by Gods own president and direction of his blessed Spirit is here amply demonstrated and to be justified against the malevolent oblatrations or detractations and calumnies of any factious humorist and separatist whatsoever and thus the substance of the duty in the morality of the Commandement remaining entire to all holy intents and purposes the onely the illegall shadow removed is by them into a more divine respect and better for us Christians as more suting with our Church altered or changed and divers objections against it of no great moment the truth well weighed are hereby and withall answered as especially the Iudaizing faction and fancies confuted and so next for the due observing and sanctification of it we are to take notice of the rest and holy exercises commanded and others permitted for recreation and comfort of our weaknesse nature not to make a riotous revell or drunken Bacchanalia of that day as neither otherwise to prophane it by ordinary worldly labours or other Iewish superstitions or vain unlawfull and wicked exercises of any sort spending that so set apart and sanctified time to remember that rest and sit our selves to the same by removing the impediments using the helps studious to fit our selves to both private and publiqus duties of the day as well Minister as people the opposite which is here farther deciphered and in divers points particularized or especially the more common and enormous offences The use and reason of other Sabbath or holy dayes ordained and appointed by the Church as well in the times of the Old as New Testament as in particular many both feasting and fasting dayes set apart for divine worship the farther explication of the Commandement in the permission command of the six dayes for labour and works of our vocations whereby the Sabbath may be the better sanctified which as most necessary is sostrictly urged for the honour of God the generall good and besides other reasons even the very example of God himselfe so resting on it and blessing and sanctifying it 1. VVHat is the fourth Commandement Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day six dayes shalt thou labour c. 2. What contained herein The Commandement in these words Remember c. The explication and illustration of the duty Six dayes c. The reasons of the duty and Commandment taken both from the Creators own example actions as well as the creatures profit necessity and duty But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy Lord c. 3. What is the order of this Commandement to the rest A fourth duty as fourth in
Pathmos inspiring him this day c. 3. Resting the Jewes Sabbath as it were finishing it by his Resurrection and other appearings and as it were hereby appointing and approving this new Sabbath to his honour as Lord of the Sabbath 17. How by the Apostles doctrine and practice Most evidently 1. By their meetings that first day of the week when Christ arose and appeared to Simon and Mary Magdalen and the Disciples and after Thomas and others with them Luke 24. and Iohn 20. c. 2. Continuall practice of it and preaching and ministring the Sacraments that day Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 3. Constitution of it in the Churches as 1 Cor. 16. 1. is set downe where both First the day first day of the weeke named and appointed Secondly every first day so appointed Thirdly instituted both there and in the Churches of Galatia Fourthly instituted and there taught for the Churches instruction generally as we see at Troas and other places also Fiftly the duties of the Sabbath or Lords day plainly exercised then gathering together the congregation and gathering for the poore 4. Constant observation continued forty years after performed by Saint John in Pathmos in holy meditations as sitting especially that day had his illumination and holy inspiration from God to the instruction of the Church by propheticall revelation when Christs farther presence apparition and blessed illumination of him and the Church by him seemes further confirmation of that holy institution and Sabbaths sanctification as Estote imitatores mei sicut ego Christi 18. How farther confirmed By the continuall and continued practice of it ever since proved by all Ecclesiasticall histories ever since without any interruption to these daies and so by The primitive times and Church Holy men that lived and succeeded next to the Apostles times the learnedst and wisest ever since and so consequently as from thence both at and to this day and none found to oppose unlesse some idle turbulent and fanaticke spirits wanting learning judgement and discretion that who seeth not this must be wilfully blinde 19. The Sabbath then is certaine and fixed The seventh day at the consummation of the worke of the Creation the Jewes Sabbath till Christ and his consummation of the ceremony of it a new Sabbath now by him consecrated at the consummation of the worke of redemption so to remaine to the worlds finall consummation as the first to Christ from the creation so this from Christ to the end and finall consummation of all things to continue after with a new and third Sabbath perpetuall in the new Jerusalem in the Heavens 20. What use or end of these renewed Sabbaths To consider and magnifie the name and glory of God more and more expressed and made knowne to men 1. As in the first Sabbath remembred his works of creation mighty acts and glory 2. In the second Sabbath or Lords day both all that and further the workes of his mercy and redemption in the worlds restauration 3. In the third Sabbath both all them and further his excellent justice and glory most amply more then ever demonstrated to all creatures over all the world and for evermore 21. How summe you up these collections For full illustration or confirmation of the doctrine of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day may be considered 1. How estote imitatores mei sicut ego Christi implies a command from Christ of what the Apostles teach and practise 2. How Christ promised the Comforter who should instruct them in all truth and bring all things to their remembrance c. 3. How Christs example and apparitions evincing the same or shew the ground for the following doctrine and practice 4. How the Apostles doctrine and establishing the Lords day by power delegate from him 5. How dies Dominicus Rev. 1. 1. sheweth that prime and primitive appellation as well as doctrine and practice more to confirme it his and not only Domini as Mal. 3. 1. or Amos 5. 18. or Jo. 8. 56. but Dominicus also all which besides the authority of primitive times Fathers and Councells though the Churches instruction might be enough to any devout Christian doe more dignifie the Lords day as raising it to the highest degree of sacred and Apostolicall or divine institution and what was then so ordained hath beene since by continuall and constant practice of all succeeding ages and all good Lawes Ecclesiasticall and Civill confirmed never by any unlesse such as were publickly noted or branded for schisme spoken against or oppugned also further if not this instituted so primarily it may seeme that there was no Sabbath or Lords day for a while in the Church or but the Jewes Sabbath which were to leave the Church too naked of so holy and necessary a point of Christianity 22. But the Apostles sometimes used the Jews Sabbath Yes and for divers good reasons both to instruct them in the same To draw them to Christ and his Church To confesse a Sabbath and the like and so they refused not the Heathen Temples or their assemblies as at Ephesus Athens or Feasts or Schools as in the Schoole of Tyrannus but tooke all good occasions to instruct them and of this it came to passe that both the Lords day and Jewes Sabbath were by many kept and observed from their use and example a good while after in primitive times 23. What other arguments or reasons of convenience are brought for our Christian Sabbath or Lords day As upon this day many excellent things were and greatest benefits that ever happened to mankinde or the people of God so in his new Sabbath to remember them and praise him for the same as on this day 1. The worlds creation began Elements framed Angells created 2. This day Christs resurrection the worlds new creation or restauration 3. This day manna first fell and the Israelites passed through the red sea 4. This day Christ baptised turned water into wine and fed five thousand miraculously 5. This day Araon and his sons consecrated c. 6. This day Christ often appeared to his Disciples and others after his resurrection 7. This day the holy Ghost descended and Saint John in Pathmos enlightned 8. This day Christ we hope at last shall come to judgement to begin the perpetuall Sabbath after the night of this Sabbath ended 24. What course then to be used and held for the due sanctification of the Sabbath and rightly to understand or interpret the fourth Commandement Rightly and duly to remember and consider how the Christians Sabbath or Lords day though not literally commanded for the whole ceremony and circumstance or punctually in all things to be observed yet is virtually intimated and for the morality and substance of it exemplarily propounded to us there in the fourth Commandement without which heed taking and observation or right understanding moderation any may be apt and ready to fall into Thomas Brabornes and others judaizing errors concerning the same however otherwise we cannot
ordaine whatsoever necessary for Gods honour as this is and setting things in order as they cannot but confesse done in all other things 32. Such as doe question this make as little scruple to question the Churches power and disobey it Which they should not doe especially if they well consider that spoken to the Apostles by Christ and in them to the Church Who receiveth you receiveth me and who despiseth you despiseth me and not so onely but him that sent me and as reverent Hooker to this point hath it is it a small offence to despise the Church of God or disobey the Lawes and Ordinances of the Church saith Salomon My sonne keepe thy fathers commandement and forget not thy mothers instruction binde them alwaies about thy heart it doth notstand with the duty we owe the heavenly Father to disobey the Ordinance of the Church our mother and let us not say or thinke we keepe the Commandements of the one when we break the Law of the other for unlesse we observe both we obey neither and which is more the Laws thus made and ordained by the Church God himselfe doth in such sort authorise that to despise them is to despise him in them so then for the power Christ giving them such power and his Spirit and promising assistance to the worlds end and they executing his will and exercising that power as we see the Apostles did and used to doe ordered and gave rules for it saying let all things be done decently and in order with the like instructions as they also promised by themselves to see done the Apostle saying Other things will I set in order when I come as most likely by the consequent practice of it this was then done and that power never dying but that Spirit continuing and directing them in all truth to the worlds end they and their successors had full power to ordaine as no doubt they did these and the like things and this by all good Christians to bee obeyed 33. How farre then is the Churches order to bee obeyed As we heard before and however by divers minced and controverted limited curtalled and contracted yet God and Christ binding us to it and the decree in things so primarily pertaining to the honour of God as this is without contradiction to be accounted of Apostolicke and sacred authority and as we heare simply and absolutely in spiritualibus so in ordine ad spiritualia no doubt but deservedly to be reverenced and obeyed by all good Christians in all necessary circumstances and all reasonable and indifferent things and this day and manner of sanctifying it in every respect primarily and directly subject to the Churches authority nor need they question this since the Jewes Church had power in such things and circumstances of the divine worship not particularly determined by God himselfe or his servant Moses in the Law as seen in sundry very materiall rites and observances as the appointment of hours for the daily sacrifice building of their Synagogues throughout the land to hear Gods word and pray in divers feasts as of Purim dedication and the like which Christs Church no way inferiour to theirs rather superiour in the measure of grace and presence of his Spirit should not be abridged of in all reason or to prescribe and ordaine lawes for things tending to her better edification and in things undetermined as this is in that circumstance and the rather to be granted for this determination of the time as well at least as of the place manner of prayer and formes of it and celebrating the Sacraments and divers other as prime and remarkable circumstances of the divine worship and the place assuredly as materiall as the time to be determined or assigned nor should our brethren that are gone from us in place and no lesse in opinion as farre as the breadth of the Atlantique ocean or that staying at home yet hold a wood perhaps or barn or parlour for places good enough for their divine worship since Christ not assigned Churches particularly they should I say not complain of the time not set out by Christ since neither was the place set out by him nor of the time assigned by the Church if Christ not assigned it since so well ordered and they will arrogate more liberty in many things and authority to themselves but rather as the Temple so fitly translate to our Churches which they cannot well deny though they hug that poor device of their new meeting places be as well content with the Sabbath translate to our Sunday by the same authority 34. If this be granted in the Churches power why may they not now alter it or then have appointed any other day then the seventh It is well and sufficiently answered by the greatest and learnedst of our Divines as well as those of the Church of Rome That absolute or absolutâ authoritate the Church had power from God and his Christ they might or may doe it That congruè or congruâ dispensatione conveniently now they may not for many ill consequents that would thence ensue or that might follow as we know how odious and dangerous such innovations are in meaner places and matters so especially in Kingdoms and great Estates or Religion which too much affected would make the government ridiculous and whereby all matters by giddy heads shall quickly so be questioned as we see the strange presumption of some men that on such grounds uncertaine ones are too ready to innovate and readier to despise and deprave all things they fancy not and arrogate authority to themselves to chop and change all things whatsoever their fancy serves them to call into question and would be glad to have fellowes so to go blamelesse as they would thinke especially if they could but tax the Church or times of such inconstancy that might well be wished by them more to countenance their lenity and in the end nothing shall be left out of their inconstant queres and that shall not by their fancy or fury be disturbed or perverted and in this point in such inconstancy and diversity we may well expect divers appointing or approving divers dayes as their fancy serveth them shall in effect no day be duly as it ought observed therefore when the Church hath once pitched on the day and decreed it moved by so many great and good reasons as aforesaid and more on the seventh day in seconding Gods owne appointment in a holy imitation of his precept and admiring his wisdome as many other things of the like nature were likewise done not presuming to be above him or wiser then their Maker or Master in their choise as to picke out any other number nor to settle on any other number or day then that in imitation of the former by our blessed Lord and Saviour himselfe so picked out and sanctified so many wayes acknowledged being thus that seventh day our Christian Sabbath now so long and quietly setled in the Church it remaineth
no more now safe to alter it and shew such lenity nor well indifferent having been already so solemnly chosen concluded on and decreed on though absolutâ potestate they may or with more shew of reason they might have done it yet thus limitatâ dispensatione and congruè they may not with which we may well stop the mouth of inconstant curiosity and hold our selves relgiously and christianly resolved 35. This is then your resolution It is and of all the gravest Divines moderne or ancient keeping the morality of the Commandement and letting the ceremony passe or so much of it as not concerneth us and had a rollish of the legall pedagogie and servitude so whereas the morall law was written in the tables of our hearts in more plaine characters at the creation but by the fall was so defaced that we now want discipline in most things or divine revelation to instruct us yet thus farre even depraved nature straight sees the morality of this Commandement that as God is to be worshipped so a time as well as place is due unto it but then that it should be on the seventh day onely divine revelation or Gods instruction can shew us wherefore as not else knowne God addes that reason from the creation which now by his will revealed is the secondarily morall and positive part of the Commandement with the sanctification of it and the rest so far as serves to the sanctification of it the rest of it involved in ceremony with the particularity of that seventh examplar'd by the creation the greatest benefit then to be remembred and God praised for it though a greater our restauration by Christ in expectation and promised and now chiefly to be remembred on it and the no small cause or reason of the change which thus followes on the former reasons for that when God had so portion'd it nature enformed by grace cannot but acknowledge God the wisest and his wisdom best so follow his choise of the seventh rather then any other number and Christs honouring and so demonstrating this seventh by his blessed actions performance of that our restauration resurrection preaching and apparitions on it even shewed his election and confirmed the change which his Church by such directions of him and his holy Spirit stedfastly embraced so the first seventh with the strictnesse pedagogie and servitude under legall ceremonies as the ceremoniall part of it expiring the morall part remaining that second seventh our Christian Sabbath was so chosen and decreed in imitation of the former as many things else corresponding in the Christians and Jewes pollicy conveniently enough acknowledging Gods instruction by patterne where expresse precept not found or plaine and punctually existent which so now decreed many offences in the breach of it for Gods precept is wrapt up in the precept of the Church which if broken both Gods fourth Commandement and his precept to obey the Church and i withall the Churches precept and power are with t in breach of the Sunday despised broken and contemned 36. It seems then as strict if not stricter and heavier then the Jewes Sabbath In the offence as heavie at least though in the performance easier as the burthen of ceremonies vanished with which it was overrated and that strictly to the letter that even no workes might be done as they interpreted it and the rest as scrupulously burdened by their traditions whereas now the rest is fitted to the service and sanctification of the day more then to the ceremony and the workes more spirituall in prayses that then in sacrifices and for the scrupulosity of other works even good workes by them as they by our Saviour reproved we are so allowed works of 1. Necessity of our selves 2. Charity or mercy for the necessity of our poore brother 3. Piety in the sanctification of it for God or workes of Necessity for our selves though not of our callings but fitting us to the better sanctification of the day Mercy and charity for the necessity of our poor brethren fitting the day and our devotion as honouring God with our substance Piety proper to the day for God and sanctification of it to God as honouring him with our selves and soules and with all such laudable recreations allowed by the Church and Christian Magistrates as may make it a joyfull feast not sorrowfull fast which is not the nature of it or a festivall of rejoycing before the Lord wherein to be seene a Christian liberty from the legall servitude and burden of the ceremonies as well as the threats and curse laid on it and other traditions like those of Touch not taste not handle not not to kindle fires dresse meat and many more like cumbring it but now removed besides allowance of more comfort in gracious manner to celebrate it as a joyfull and solemne festivall to the Lord and so a liberty of grace to more alacrity in piety not out of licentiousnesse to prophanenesse though moderate recreations approved in the eye and judgement of the Church and State to avoid some else worse inconveniences are allowed that yet shall not hinder the duties of the day required of which more hereafter And whereas some object why then is the Epiphona or prayer for enclining our hearts to the keeping of it added to the end of it as well as of the other Commandements if it be not punctually in all respects as they to bee understood The answer is plaine from that before taught that it is so added for that part of it that it agreeth in with them for the morality of it so far as that extends which is as it is now by the Church enjoyned it being as we see in all points so fully by the Church delivered demonstrated and explained how farre it is morall and how and in what manner it is in force and by us to be observed Nor boots it them to say Why was the time so punctually commanded and determined more then the place both circumstances being equally materiall to the worship if not wholly morall in the Commandement and so precisely and punctually to be observed for that it appeares the time was present and in their power to observe it and so determined besides that that it was a signe to difference them from other nations then appointed whereas the place that was to be appointed was not yet attained unto as appeares by that so often repeated in the Law When you shall come to the place which the Lord your God shall chuse to put his name there viz. the Temple at Jerusalem in Canaan they being then in the wildernesse or at most the plaines of Moab but had the Temple as well as the Sabbath beene there expresly mentioned and determined yet both Temple and Sabbath being in effect for that particular but types and shadowes of better things to come with other ceremonies of servitude and legall observances then and there to be performed were to expire in the Messias so farre as they were types
and shadowes and so have already had their solemne funerals and obsequies as dead and buried and new in their roomes substituted but as the appointing other feasts and Sabbaths both by God himselfe as well as the Iewes Church besides this seventh the Lords Sabbath and other houses of prayer their Synagogues besides the Temple even whiles the Temple stood as well as since were held no breach of the Commandements concerning them rather inlargement and illustration of either in making the worship and duties more publique and generall or for satisfaction and recompence of the neglects in the due observation visiting and sanctification of them that was required so the Christian Sabbath and Churches thus substituted and succeeding the former and in place of them might well bee accounted no breach but enlargement of the Commandements with the dispensation and illustration of Gods graces in more ample manner and measure shewed and bestowed on the whole world the duties made more publique and illustrations and the morality more illustrated by it 37. How shew you this Cleerly and plainly enough both in the Temple where for a particular one or a few Synagogues besides now so great a multitude of Christian Churches over the whole world are seene with Gods solemne worship in them most religiously promoted and in this particular of the Sabbath where the creation and onely temporall deliverances were by it remembred though spirituall ones that were hoped shadowed in it now the spirituall ones that are performed in it and by it remembred and that great worke of redemption so graciously promised and performed on this day the new and Christan Sabbath consummate and shewn to the world in the glorious resurrection of our blessed Saviour and the comming of the holy Ghost and thereby as demonstrated and honoured as it were universally published and both duty and morality of it more illustriously declared And thus we see how the strict observances servitude and legall types doe not concerne us or our Sabbath nor in all respects and circumstances to bee pressed on us as some prone to Judaizing have done yet though not the ceremony the morality to us fully extended and the Commandement though not literally and punctually in all points by us to be observed nor our Christians Sabbath so in it expressed yet expresly included for the substance and all due observance virtually intended whence what is done is so done and on so good grounds by the Church that were it to doe again the order and change of what is therein changed the Church could well doe no other then as is therein already established so little reason have our Novellists in their clamours raised against it and study of contradiction and thus much of the scruples cast in the way concerning the same it followes how wee Christianly ought to celebrate it and conceive of it in the rest and true sanctification of it 38. How is it ordained a Sabbath or rest Not onely for the servants and cattell though for their sakes also ordained but much more for the rest of the soule to be thereby fitted for spirituall exercises of the day 39. How the rest 1. From sinne the best Sabbath and spirituall rest of the soule else in vaine to rest with the body and the soule busied in sinne or vanity 2. From perturbations of minde better to attend the Lords businesse and that dayes duties 3. From ordinary workes both we our selves and all that are ours Whether of Speciall times as sowing reaping c. Or speciall callings c. Or generall import for the Commonwealth that may be done other times 4. And from all disturbance of this as Fayres Markets Courts c. 5. From worldly speeches words and works better to attend heavenly things and Gods service 40. How the sanctification of this rest By holy duties such as besit the Lords day to be exercised and our duties thereon imployed 41. What duties are they The chiefest best and holiest that can bee done on earth so best beseeming that day viz. pertaining to I. Gods honour immediately 1. Prayer or speaking to God c. All such holy and common service 2. Reading and preaching and hearing it which is Gods speaking to us 3. Singing Psalmes and thanksgiving 4. Administration and receiving the Sacraments 5. Holy meditations conference c. II. Men and so Gods honour secondarily workes of 1. Mercy to releeve the poore 2. Peace charity and love to visit the sick comfort the distressed and to make peace c. 3. Necessity as of wars or in First helping the oxe or asse from perishing much more a soule or Christian in any deepe necessity or Secondly casualty as of fire and helping out of danger a woman in travaile and the Lord healing the sicke c. which are accounted sit Sabbath dayes workes and duties and not onely permitted but even commanded to be done and so as the Priests must labour in sacrifice the Ministers greatest taske this dayes exercise 42. Are there not other workes of necessity Yes but permitted onely for avoiding inconveniences as necessary workes that cannot bee shunned for natures necessity as dressing food setting things in order and such houshold businesse which not to doe with decency were to offend in the Jewes or Iewish superstition not considering the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath 43. How are they then permitted For the better and more carefull celebration of the Sabbath with more decency and conveniency and so a Sabbath dayes journey 44. How is that Not for any worldly occasion at all allowed but for the performing of any the foresaid duties so to goe to Church or about any such godly workes and without disturbance of the greatest or best duties or as may best further them and the service and honour of God 45. May not the poore then be suffered to worke for necessity Nothing lesse for all are bound and they also must as labour the 6. dayes in the seventh rest in obedience expecting his blessing on their honest labours which shall thereby bee either sufficient for their content or his mercy will stirre up charity for their farther reliefe 46. Js the whole Sabbath to bee spent in such holy exercises Yes to our weake ability the best wee may especially the principall times allotted to Gods publique service and duties by the Church enjoyned not to be neglected and for the resting in godly sort as may beseeme Christians and the Lords day so in godly meditations singing Psalmes and other good exercises 47. But this may seeme burdensome and make the Lords day grievous It may be to the raw and unexercised Christian but to the best it will be most comfort the holiest and best spending of that day and most glad will they be of ability to performe both the best exercises and most of them as comming nearest Saints and Angels doing Gods will and the best things with willingnesse and alacrity 48. But is no relaxation of such exercises
or recreation allowed Yes we have liberty to refresh and cheare our selves with those things that may comfort our weak nature and make us more able or disposed to celebrate the day as a festivall and day of joy unto the Lord for so it is and the Prophets expresse it so and as we have flesh about us as well as spirit and a body of dust the Lord who knoweth this our weaknesse appointeth the best things of the earth if we serve him for our comfort as in Paradise so on his Sabbath even to our bodily delight as the comfort of the soule so farre forth as it may helpe not hinder the hallowing of the day and expresse a holy not heathenish feast or drunken Bacchanalia on this day 49. How is that to be understood As that we may use to our comforts both the creatures by eating and drinking to make it a festivall day Musicke and godly singing or mirth to make it a joyfull day Other such like delights and recreations to refresh our spirits in honest manner whereby to be more cheerfull able to spend the allotted and best parts of the time in those holy duties appointed and so those delights to be a means to further these duties and without all excesse scurrility and prophanenesse which else may prove both an abuse of them and the Sabbath 50. What is the opposite part or vice hereunto opposed The not setting apart a rest or the pollution abuse and prophanation of that rest and day of the Sabbath 51. How not setting apart a day of rest Either in setting out none at all in effect or by not resting from sinning perturbation of the soule ordinary workes or worldly thoughts as they ought to doe or in stealing a part from God by their allotting unnecessarily 1. Early mornings workes to hinder the due observation 2. Part of the day or sometimes chiefe part of the day to other occasions 3. Latter businesses even to be set in hand before the Sabbath ended as too frequent instances may be given in worldings hying to fayres and markets before the Sabbath ended Carriers Millers Shop-keepers Alehouses Tavernes and others no necessity urging but filthy lucre stealing a part if not wholly prophaning the Lords day against which many good Lawes have by good Princes beene enacted though too often the more the shame slenderly executed 52. How to be remedied If good Lawes well enacted were by good Magistrates carefully executed as we read in some Councells decreed the goods to be forfeited as Concilio Dingulonencsis Canon 13. and by Leo and Authemius the persons to be proscribed whereby they were out of the lawes and Princes protection and the goods forfeited 53. How is the farther abuse and prophanation By abusing that rest and day of Sabbath to any evill end as superstition in Jewish abstinency from necessary things to be done for the better sanctification thereof Any Idolatrous fashion Idlenesse only and in doing no good which is worse then bodily labour and this Sabbatum Asinorum or of beasts Vanity or prophane sports which hinder holy duties and sanctification worse also then honest labour this onely Sabbatum tituli bare name of Sabbath Sinne as to gluttony exccesse drunkennesse and the like spending the best day in the worst exercises or wasting idly on the Sabbath what gotten the weeke which is Sabbatum Satanae the Divells holyday and they his slaves that use it 54. How is the heynousnesse of this sinne intimated 1. By Gods strict penall law enacted against it the offendors to dye the death Exod. 31. 15. 2. By that laws execution on him that gathered but sticks Num. 15. 32. 3. By Gods sending the people into captivity for it that the land might keepe her Sabbath that they his people had broken Jerem. 25. 4. Gods providence to have it observed that the day before only no other sent and allowed double Manna Exod. 26. 5. And lastly God and all good mens execrations of it and Prophets exclamations against it as Nehemiah also threatning the Merchants Nehemiah 13. 55. How is it then generally or commonly prophaned 1. Either by labours and journying that are not of necessity and might be avoided 2. By idle resting and sitting at home or other absence from publicke duties 3. By sinfull and vain spending the time allotted to holy duties in wicked manner 4. By suffering others especially those under the authority of Master or Magistrate to offend therein 56. What is the issue generally hereof By neglecting Gods ordinance and herein honour both good order overturned Good duties of all sorts neglected Magistrates and Superiours with God contemned Inferiours by prophanenesse come to misery Gods blessings alienated c. and his judgements assuredly appropriated to the offenders 57. What is the second part of the duty in sanctifying the Sabbath To remember it or mindefully with care and conscience to prepare for it and set about it 1. Seene in removing impediments 2. Using all good helpes 3. Convenient preparation to both the publicke and private duties to be performed by both 1. Ministers 2. People in the celebrating and being present at the celebration of divine Service and publicke worship of God in his Church performing the divine offices or officiating there with helping and assistance in the same 58. What is it to remember To take speciall note of this Commandement as begun in Paradise sanctified by God and now renewed in Christ c. To take speciall note of the duty enjoyned sanctifie the time the Sabbath ourselves to bee prepared And so remember all the dayes of the week so to labour that we may rest and sanctifie this The day before as a parasceve or halfe holyday begin to prepare ourselves to the sanctification of this The last Sabbath how we profited what wee learned and how to improve it in this 59. What impediments to be removed Of workes and labour that would importune us to neglect it worldly cares and distractions and specially sinne and vanity with sleepy drowsinesse of devotion and idlenesse perswading us to absent our selves from holy duties and stay at home 60. What helpes to be used Holy meditations of the benefit institution and command of the Sabbath and blessings attending the same as well as reading conference c. 61. What preparations else Fitting our bodies to the outward rest and presenting our selves and those that belong to us at the Church as our minds to the holy actions and present devotions in such preparation yeelding our presence both of body and minde even to all both publique and private duties of the Sabbath 62. What private duties Those preparations going before and good exercises and actions following the publique duties as also the ordinary meanes of sanctification private prayer reading and meditation Workes of charity and mercy Outward almes visiting the sicke c. peace-making Inward to the soule instruction reproofe exhortation comfort counsell c. 63. What publique The ordinary duties of the Sabbath in the publique worship
the prohibition of all worke in amplification of the command 78. Wherein the amplification chiefly 1. In that the six dayes are allotted commanded and by Gods example also established for labour and workes that the seventh may be a Sabbath a holy and festivall day of rest 2. In that all worke is thereon forbidden not onely to the Master or Magistrate but even 1. To the son and daughter and servant 2. To the cattell Oxe Asse c. 3. Nay the very stranger whatsoever with us in company 79. Why so That it may be the better sanctified by all That the cattell and servant may rest with us That the stranger draw us not away by evill example from God nor we accessory to others offences 80. Why this so strictly urged 1. Because Parents and Masters being in Gods stead are to see inferiours trained up in godlinesse 2. As the head receiveth comfort in the good of the other members so should the superiours from these 3. It is a sin and shame for Parents to bring up children not servants of God but vassalls of the Divell and firebrands of hell or masters of such servants 4. What blessing can be expected from their labours if they sanctifie not the Sabbath with us 5. What comfort can it be for Parents or Masters to see their sons or servants come to wretchednesse or misery or miscarry as they cannot chuse in neglect of Gods service and their duty nay what corrasive to their conscience by suffering it to be accessory to their wickednesse and how shall they be taught if not brought to Church to learne their duties 81. What then the end of the Sabbath 1. For the sanctification of Gods name in holy and publique duties 2. For the rest of even the servant and cattell 3. For the type of the spirituall rest both from sinne by the Messiah and perpetually in the Heavens 82. What reasons of this duty urged here Divers both 1. Interlaced and intimated by the 1. Antiquity and excellency thereof 2. Equity and justice of it 3. Propriety of it to God belonging Expressed by the 1. Reduplication of the Commandement 2. Example of God himselfe 3. His blessing annexed 83. What are the reasons intimated 1. The antiquity and excellency of that day and duty instituted by God himselfe in Paradise in time of mans innocency sanctified first with his owne example intimated in the serious remembrance and reiteration of the command as well as in the example of God Secondly the equity and justice of it that having allowed six dayes to us he may well require the 7. with our best duty and care to sanctifie it Thirdly the propriety the Lord hath to it it being his day or Sabbath not onely made by him as all the rest but the day of his rest besides 84. What reasons expressed 1. The often reduplication of the command as both the day to be remembred rested upon sanctified and no servile worke done not by any person thereon 2. The example of God not onely working the six dayes to appoint that our exercise but also resting and sanctifying this for our instruction and to perswade us 3. His blessing annexed who both rested and sanctified and for that use blessed it so the holy use of it shall procure us a blessing in the blessednesse thereof both to our labours in this to our comfort and rest hereafter to eternall happinesse What more learne you from the sanctifying the Sabbath day With it may be noted the setting apart to holy uses other things whereby the sanctification of the day may be better performed and observed and thereby as it were depending upon the sanctification of the same Which are they With the sanctification of the time may bee well understood to be inferred the sanctifying 1. Place or places for Gods service such as his Altars in the most ancient times the Tabernacle Temple and Synagogue of the Jewes afterwards and since our Churches and Christian Temples throughout the world set apart for such holy meetings and actions principally on that day 2. Persons as of the first borne and eldest of the families for Priests to attend Gods service before the Law and since by Christ appointed the Evangelicall Priests and Ministers of the Gospell who all were principally to attend that day and service 3. Maintenance of those persons and this ordinance tythe offerings and the like consecrated and set apart to this use and maintenance of them that attend his service and consequently maintenance of his honour upon earth whose morality and so perpetuity of institution may abundantly be shewed both before under and since the Law under the Gospell 4. Other things consecrate and set apart to holy uses and performance of Gods service especially on this day both which the Fathers in the Jewes Church and now since in ours abundantly to be shewed as both the sacrifices Arke Cherubins Shewbread Candlesticke and ornaments of the Temple and such things for practise of devotion ornament order or decency in our Christian Churches appointed And Lastly the very bringers offerers of the sacrifices themselves and those that joyne with the Priests in performance of the holy duty the Saints on earth and such as excell in vertue or the communion of Saints a people holy and acceptable to the Lord and no lesse with the holy actions practises and performance of those knowne duties in Gods service and worship on that day of rest such as hearing praying preaching or the like and their comming and presence at them the rites orders ceremonies used in the performance of that duty of publique sanctification of the day all of them included sanctified with it they with the day and the day the better by them But these things are not to be found perpetuall and at all times in the Church Yes the most essentiall of them and for the others as the infancy or growth of the Church did obtaine to more maturity and perfection whereby Gods appointment and for the more accomplished and orderly performance of his service in their due time left to the wise governours discretion instituted What difference between Gods sanctifying the Sabbath and ours His sanctifying it authoritative have full power to constitute and ordaine the setting apart of it to holy uses our sanctifying of it either imitative so appointed to follow him our patterne in the setting of it apart to such holy use or obedientialiter and executive in performance of those holy services and duty therein by him commanded This duty it seems of sanctifying it is vehemently and often here pressed and urged Yes as principally inforced and so five times at least therein urged in memento both of the prevention of the neglect preparation to the duty being by the neglect of it many other good duties are neglected which by it might and ought to bee learned and by the practise of it all other good duties are practised or renewed and recalled to minde by hearing the word then read and preached
Mandate in the first words of the precept expressed Redoubled mandate in the next words of the explication of the precept but the seventh c. Example of God himselfe working the sixt resting the seventh day Reasons annexed of his so blessing this day other dayes with it and by it So sanctifying it to the holy use of his worship and service in it appointed so it is the whole scope of the Commandement from the first words of the memento remember to doe it to the last words the reasons rendred why so respectively commanded What followeth The fifth Commandement and first of the second Table as next to our duty to God expressing our duty to superiours SECT 7. The fifth Commandement The order of the fifth commandement first of the second Table and reasons of it with divers necessary rules for the better understanding or conceiving of the rest of the Commandement and differences of the two Tables as first of the affirmative and negative Commandements or parts of them compared Secondly of the ground of the duties of both Tables Thirdly of sinnes of divers degrees and imparity of offences Fourthly of sinnes of the first and second Table and Analysis of the same with the reason why the Commandements of the first Table have reasons annexed and not they of the second but this called the first Commandement with promise as nighest them and concerning those in whom is Gods image of authority The Analysis of this fifth Commandement with the parts or duties and opposite abuses therein intimated or expressed who are to be accounted fathers in what respects and what manner they are so and how diversly thereby distinguished with their general duties whereby to be worthy of honour hereby 〈◊〉 â—â—timatca of 〈◊〉 â—eriours and inferiours in gifts of minde or yeares in nobility and gentry in wealth and such externall matters the gifts of fortune in and good actions government and authority or private as Masters of families and their charge Parents and children and other the like Superiours and inferiours in the common and usuall oeconomioall or politick societies as of Tutors or Guardians and Pupills husband and wife their mutuall duties Masters and servants Governours in Colledges Schooles and any like societies or mysteries so of the Prelates and people or Preachers and their congregatiens Kings and Princes or Soveraignes and their subjects as under them the Magistrates and other the Kings Officers and the commâ—â— people with their severall duties and neglects thereof or enormities and vices opposite illustrated and explained where also in generall the duty of obedience in all lawfull commands in all singlenesse of heart and not with muttering and murmuring or other despitefull repirings and so in the duries in either side even all the vertues in a manner comprehended the reasons of the Commandment and promise of blessing in long life how to be understood and indeed when given of God though else a shorter life here so appointed by God no lesse to be accounted a blessing as well as the lands possession the good gift of the Lord. 1. VVHat is the fifth Commandement Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land c. 2. What is the order of it The first of the second Table as next to the honour of God importing our duty to superiours for good orders sake and better observation of the rest by their command as also this and all the Commandements of the second Table to be observed for the honour of God principally and in respect of the first Table according to the rules aforesaid manifesting the difference of the second Tables and Commandements among themselves and the dependancy of this 3. What rules were they 1. That every negative Commandement bindeth alwaies and at all times every affirmative only alwaies but not so precisely to all and every particle of time 2. That the Commandements of the first Table are to be kept for themselves absolutely those of the second for the first 3. That though every sinne deserveth death eternally yet there is and may be imparity of sins in many respects 4. That the sinnes against the first Table simply and in themselves considered are more heynous then those against the second though such aggravation or respects else of extreme malice presumption or infirmity or the like may over balance or much alter the same 5. There is so neare a tie and relation between the Commandements that whosoever faileth in one is guilty of all As that it is indeed a breach of the whole Law An offence against the royall Law of charity the intent and sum of all An offence against God the author of them all A contempt of his Majesty and command 4. What the meaning of the first rule That the negative commandement or negative part of the Commandement is at all times and every particle of time to be observed as not to deny God or set up any false gods abuse his holy name prophane the Sabbath dishonour parents commit murder adulterie stealth or other offence forbidden at anytime but all time and every and the least particle of time must be free from offence or the commandement is broken and in it the whole Law though the affirmative part or duty commanded is broken as honouring God or Parents observing the Sabbath or doing good actions cannot be performed at all times and every particle of time but at set and determinate times and occasions and that with some remission and relaxation as seene in sanctifying the Sabbath because of our weake nature requiring respitation so that as the Schoole phrase is the affirmative is semper but non ad semper the negative both semper and ad semper that is no minutes permission of the offence though some minutes relaxation of the duty may be necessity requiring 5. How the second rule explained That the Commandements of the first Table are meerly and absolutely to be observed for themselves and the love and honour of God in them commanded and who doth observe them but for fashion sake or worldly respects beforemen and to please others for feare of punishment or shame or the like doe mainly erre and offend and are guilty of sin though the action be performed but the Commandements of the second Table are to be observed for conscience of the first Table commending the love of God to us and the love of our neighbour for Gods sake whose image wee are and who do observe the Lawes of the second Table for the praise of men more then the love of God or of morality onely and to bee like dealt with againe and friendly to those deale friendly with them as Publicans and sinners doe the like though the action be done are farre from the performance or duty of the Commandement required to be done for the love of God 6. How the third rule explained That though eternall death be the wages of sin as an offence against the infinite Majesty of God
themselves unworthy of honour and respect by their Insolent carriage towards inferiours Light Dissolute Unmercifull Unjust behaviour in their places Inferiours their despising unreverence disobedience and dishonour of superiours by any Vndutiful Vnreverent Despitefull words behaviour actions towards them 17. How are the opposite or opposed parts seene or intimated here The honour reverence love and obedience required of inferiours expressed in this word Honour to which opposed dishonour unreverence despising or disobedience as the gravity good example mercy justice moderation and beneficence intimated in this word Father which sheweth what superiours are required to bee else not fathers opposite to which are insolent light dissolute unmercifull and unjust carriage and behaviour whereby they seeme to leave and lose the name of father 18. Who are then accordingly accounted Fathers 1. The Prince who is parens or pater patriae so Abimelech the name of the King of the Philistims King father 2. Magistrates patres conscripti so Senatours Councellors of Estate Fathers of the State and Fathers of the King as Ioseph to Pharaoh Gen. 45. 8. 4. Superiours in First knowledge and science Iubal father of them that play on the Organs Iabal father of them that make Tents Gen. 4. Secondly holinesse as Elisha called so by the King of Israel Shall I smite father 2 King 6. 21. Thirdly by instruction oversight and government as Elisha said of Eliah My father my father 1 King 1. 12. Fourthly in estate or riches Job 31. 18. 5. Ancient in yeares fathers by age 6. Spirituall Pastors Ministers and Teachers Fathers in Christ. 7. Masters of families and servants Patres familias 8. Naturall and legall parents as fathers mothers fathers in law mothers in law also Godfathers and Godmothers Benefactors and who in any the like respect guardians or have delegated power or tuition and government over us as children and inferiours to bee understood by all these severall respects and bonds of nature law or other contract 19. In what manner are they so Fathers By the law of 1. Of Nature naturall parents father in law c. 2. Nations 1. Kings and Soveraignes 2. Magistrates Senatours Councellors of State 3. Judges and Officers of justice 4. Spirituall Pastors and Fathers in Christ. 3. Contract Masters of Families Guardians Tutors and such other superiours for our instruction or aid c. by our selves or others appointed or desired How may these superiours be distinguished Into superiours In 1. Gifts 1 Received frō God whether Inward of the mind as in Arts wisedome Learning vertue or the like Outward as in Age the ancient Degree of Birth nobility or gentry Schoole or church dignity Wealth the rich or potent 2 Bestowed on us as Benefactors Guardians and helpers 2. Authority governors of Family Schooles Corporation Church Commonwealth in governm oeconomic scholasticall cōfederacy ecclesiastic politicall What the generall duties of superiours that they may worthily be accounted so Wisedome and gravity together with good example good deeds 20. What the generall duties of inferiours To exhibit honour Inwardly in reverent estimation of their worth and wisedome place and authority Outwardly both in the 1. Signe of reverence whether Rising up to them Going to meet them Bowing the knee Vncovering the head Standing before them Giving them the precedency Silence when they speake Words of reverence 2. Deed as occasion is offered to minister unto them 21. What the opposite vices in generall 1. In superiours neglecting inferiours lightly or foolishly 2. Inferiours neglecting or despising their superiours unreverently undutifully 22. What the duties in particular of superiours in inward gifts of minde In humility to acknowledge them received from God and thence willing to employ them to his glory and the good of others opposite to which is insolence and abuse of them 23. What of inferiours herein In thankfulnesse acknowleding reverence and respecting them as the gracious instruments of God for our good and in modesty even to account our equals rather superiours or betters then any way to deny deprave or disdaine their good gifts 24. What the duties of the ancient To bee sober and grave ready to instruct the younger sort both by their wisedome and good example as patternes and presidents of good and no wayes of lewdnesse or evill 25. What the duties of youngers To reverence them as fathers learne and imitate their good examples and no wise to despise the aged contemne their counsell or direction 26. What duties of those dignified by nobility gentry or other degrees of eminency By magnanimity magnificence and other heroicall and divine vertues to remember the giver of all good and use the same to his honour the good of the Church and Commonwealth thereby shewing themselves worthy of that honour who otherwise shall seeme but bubbles of honour and a shame or disgrace to their degree 27. What the duty there of inferiours To reverence respect honour them according to their worthinesse places and degrees readily exhibiting the signes thereof and no way to presume against them or neglect them 28. What the duty of the wealthy To remember the giver and that they are but stewards and shall bee called to account to use their riches as instruments of liberality and bounty to the helpe and releefe as well as protection of the poore and helplesse and not to niggardlinesse and avarice or oppression and cruelty 29. What duties of inferiours The reverent esteem and welwishing to them and their estate as the blessings of God and instruments of their good and not to disdaine presume or murmure against them or God 29. What requiredin Benefactors In that act of bounty or charity to give willingly cheerfully freely and discreetly bis dat qui cito and not grudgingly or for his own profit so not given or without discretion so cast away or with delay so qui sero dat diu noluit tardius beneficium perdit gratiam and the like exprobation or casting in the teeth of a good turne 30. What duty of the receivers of a benefit Thankfully to acknowledge and remember it with testification both by word and deed if occasion be offered as well as prayer opposite to which forgetfulnesse of a good turne or requiting evill for good 31. What the opposite or negative part of all the former Easily collected from the premises and partly expressed in them a neglect of those good duties in any respect by any of the parties or in stead thereof the return and exercise of the contrary to them 32. Who are those other superiours in authority Governours 1. Of families as Parents over children Husband over wife and family Master over servants apprentices 2. Of Schooles or Universities or other Corporations Master Guardians and Presidents 3. Of Church as Bishops Pastors and Minister 4. Of Common-wealth the Prince our Soveraigne and all Magistrates 33. How the order of these First Oeconomicall duties as that the first government in the world Secondly instruction in Vertue and Religion so Scholasticall and
of our owne and neighbours credit enjoyned 21. What is it not to covet or desire other mens goods The plaine sense and substance of the negative part of the tenth Commandement forbidding to covet any thing that is our neighbours whether in the inmost thought or cogitation and first bud of concupiscence in the soule or any farther growth to will or consent to such covetous desire or wish of the same and whence followeth the affirmative part of the same Commandement that I must 1. Learne and labour to doe my duty in some state of life and honest calling 2. I must be content with my place and calling as appointed by God 3. I must be thankfull to God for the same and so persevere in honest courses in obedience to his Commandement 22. Why are we to learne or labour 1. That we may avoid idlenesse mother of no goodnesse 2. That we may have sufficient for curselves and need not covet other mens goods 3. That we may be able to helpe others and so being ornaments to our profession shew our workes of piety charity mercie to the glory of God and good of his Church 4. That we may acknowledge our obedience herein and duty to God and our neighbour 23. How ought we to be content in our estate As submitting our selves to Gods providence and fatherly care over us without which nothing commeth to passe not a sparrow falleth to the ground nor a thought in our heart much lesse our lives and actions ordered without it and in remembrance of this not to I. Grudge or murmure 1. at our crosses or misfortunes since all sent from God 2. At others prosperity no not of the wicked since Gods pleasure 3. Against God in these things c. II. Not to repine in any trouble or adversity III. Not to torment our selves in vaine with carking and caring as it were over-peering Gods providence and out going it to the manifestation of our impious and shamefull infidelity IV. Nor lye downe under any crosses in despaire arguing a faithlesse heart c. 24. How is God said to call us to our estate By that his providence over us from whom all good commeth to us and whose ordinance or allowance all honest callings are as the neglect in idlenesse or no calling or transgressing in unlawfull arts are from the divell authour of sin and all evill withall to put us in minde to whom to looke for a blessing and to pray aswell as to expresse our thankfulnesse 25. How are we to shew our thankefulnesse 1. In our hearts by our inward rejoycing our comforts sent from God his blessings and contednesse 2. In our words by prayers and prayses expressing these our good thoughts and motions in our minde 3. In our works in a godly and Religious course of life to the glory of God and good example of our brethren 26. Are we able to performe this Never either of our selves alone or our owne power or perfectly as we ought to doe in exact righteousnesse required but only in some acceptable measure as we are enabled by Gods grace his speciall gift in Christ to whom we are by the law directed to looke and to call for that his grace and assistance by prayer as we are taught in the next place 27. What followeth then An introduction to the consideration of prayer in the 11. Question where wee are taught the right use of the Law our insufficiencie to fulfill it and the necessity of prayer The fourth part of the Catechisme Concerning Prayer SECT 1. The twelfth Question The introduction to the fourth part of the Catechisme concerning prayer with the Analysis of the 12. Question or preface to the doctrine of prayer wherein the holinesse excellency and purity of the Law and Law-giver with our impurity and weaknesse are set forth motives to us looking at the use of the law to a rule of good life and a schoolmaster bring us to Christ to move and urge us to humility that consideration of our inability more especially to induce us to seeke for a better estate of grace and more perfection in Christ which 〈◊〉 we have no other meanes to attain unto but only prayer we are hereby to be enforâ—â—d what true earnest and continuall and hearty prayer is at our hands and of necessity required and so the Lords Prayer as the most perfect and absolute patterne or forme thereof propounded from the 1. WHat is here next proposed The twelfth Question concerning prayer and with it a preface or preamble to the same in these words My good childe know this c. 2. What is therein contained A preface and question and in the I. Preface First intimated 1. The purity holinesse and excellency of the Law and Law-giver 2. The use of the Law to shew Gods purity and holinesse our impurity and weaknesse so to humble us and direct us to a better law of grace in Christ and prayer Secondly expressed 1. A necessary caution of consideration of our estate and inability in that My good childe know this c. 2. Our inabilitie in it selfe to performe the Law as we ought Thou art not able c. 3. What ability wee may expect onely of grace and in some measure 4. Whence to expect that ability from God 5. What meanes to obtaine it prayer 6. The necessity of prayer We must c. 7. What manner of prayer continuall earnest diligent II. Question 1. Intimating the Lords prayer for the most absolute platforme of prayer and so 2. Expresly requiring the same 3. How is the purity and excellency of the Law-giver understood By the excellency and beauty of holinesse which is in him originally thence into his law and Statutes diffused and derived that are true and righteous altogether and shew his love of holinesse integrity and purity and hate of the contrary 4. How the purity and holinesse of the Law seene 1. Both in regard of the author so holy and from whom all impurity removed 2. And in respect of us so impure and argued thereby and unable to fulfill the same It selfe so good that it is 1. Pure and giveth light to the eyes 2. Holy and undefiled converting the soule 3. More to be desired then gold yea then much fine gold 4. Sweeter then the honey and honey combe 5. Pretious above thousands of gold and silver 6. Instruction to the simple and wisedome and in keeping thereof great reward even to everlasting remembrance c. 5. How is then called the strength of sin 1 Cor. 15 As it meeteth with our weaknesse and impurity that being no way able to fulfill it of our selves sheweth our guilt and it is to our ill nature a stumbling blocke of offence and not onely shewing sinne but making it more stubborne and outrageous though it selfe good and holy as wholesome meat and nourishing meeting with an ill stomack is not onely not comfortable to it but loathsome and provoking even fainting and vomiting or as good councell meeting
that in nature assisted by grace will suppose free will 〈…〉 of supererogation 24. What ability then may we 〈…〉 Only that which is of grace in Christ and to that measure that may be acceptable though not perfect since God is pleased so to accept of our best endeavours 25. Whence are we to expect it From God the giver of all goodnesse and so who is only able to worke in us both the thought the will and the deed 26. What meanes to obtaine it As here is prescribed continuall and earnest prayer the effectuall meanes to obtaine grace and all other blessings from the hand of God 27. Is there such necessity of prayer then Yes as the naturall life cannot be preserved without continuall food no more the spirituall life of the soule in grace without continuall accesse of Gods graces and comforts to refresh and nourish it 28. Is there such need for the faithfull also to pray Yes both I. As continually standing in need of such comfort 1. To shew they are Gods children and faithfull servants 2. To pay their vowes and duties of praise and thanksgiving 3. To performe their obedience to him 29. What manner of prayer required As is here expressed continually earnestl◠and diligent prayer so said we ought at all times to call for grace by diligent prayer and to this purpose we are bid pray continually 1 Thes. 5. 17. 30. What further intimated in the question following this preface That the Lords Prayer is the most excellent platforme that we may desire of prayer and absolutely in it containing all that we need pray for and as a rule for our hearts and words to make request by so most reverently and religiously to be respected and used whence the reproofe of any that either I. Superstitiously neglect 1. It or sleight it 2. All set formes of prayer II. Ignorantly attribute too much to the bare recitall of it so religiously using it with vaine repetitions and babling III. Superstitiously use it to the expiating of sin by the only often repeating it c. 31. Why is it called the Lords Prayer As by him taught to his Disciples and in them to the whole Church so sanctified by his holy lips teaching and commanding it saying when you pray pray after this manner 32. Is it then meant in those very words No doubt after so good a Schoolmaster and in words so well couched in so holy perfect and absolute manner and for the substance comprehending all things necessary to be desired 33. What followeth The expresse requiring the recitall of the same prayer intimated so necessarily to be learned and religiously used by all good Christians SECT 2. The Lords Prayer Hypothesis of the Lords prayer here proposed the generall thesis of prayer and the nature definition excellency sorts order and rules of it come to be considered So the definition explaned and parts of prayer and order of them described as also the sorts or kinds of prayer among themselves compared and illustrated as of vocall and mentall of publick and private ejaculatory and others the difference and degrees of excelleney all of them excellent and usefull in their kindes the holy and religions use of set form of prayer in the Church of God and reasons of the same and how from all antiquity and by all godly men used whence also the Lords prayer by the Lord himselfe so propounded to be used yet none of the others in their due seasons to bee neglected but most necessary on the divers occasions of our life estate and callings to be religiously practised all of them and often as the many and continuall blessings of Almighty God are powred out upon us or presented to our eyes and remembrance the circumstances of prayer further set downe and declared of kneeling and the like gestures the order and rules and conditions of all true prayer the wings of prayer and how made so powerfull and why the prayers of the wicked prove so uneffectuall and unacceptable how we may pray or more to elevate our minds and inflame our zeale and affections to this divine duty of prayer in a due estimate of it we may consider the rare excellencie of it by the divine Elogies and other testimonies of holy scripture concerning it as likenise the exceed 〈…〉 and urgent nesessity pressing us on inciting us to this duty and lastly the admirable force or surpassing vertue and efficacie of true prayer which is of faith even to the obtaining of all our desires overcomming the greatest powers that are in the world the great dignity urgent necessity and wondrous efficacie of it here amply appearing from a survey of the reall worth right use and rare 〈◊〉 both effects of it to which may be added these further godly and profitable directions therein for the right use and practise of the same 1. REcite the Lords Prayer Our Father which art in heaven hallowed 2. What is here especially to be observed In generall what prayer is and how regulated In speciall this prayer the perfection and parts of it 3. What is prayer Oratio quasi oris ratio the calves of the lips or rather a devout pouring forth of the soule before God in our submission to his Majesty and ordinance and so honouring him 4. What in it to be considered The Nature Parts Sorts Rules of it whereby the Essence Matter Manner Order of it declared 5. What the nature or essence As expressed in the definition of it said to be the immediate worship of God by our calling on him in the name of Jesus Christ with devout pouring forth of the soule before him acknowledging his great Majesty and mercies and our owne miserie so desiring both for our selves and others supply of our wants and necessities from the fulnesse of his bounty and giving him praise for the same or more briefly thus a lifting up of the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ according to his will in full assurance to bee heard and accepted of him 6. Why say you an immediate worship of God Because that though many other holy actions both at Church and else are his worship as preaching and hearing the word receiving the Sacraments sacrifice and obedience better then sacrifice yet none so immediately honouring him as this that primarily and totally respecteth it as tendring him in that very act our duty and so in the act honouring and worshipping him whereas preaching helpeth but our infirmity and prepareth us to this duty sacraments sacrifice and obedience and all other good duties in the service of God and his worship are promoted and made more acceptable by this and have as it were their best perfection from hence and thus this is the greatest highest and holiest duty that can be done by man and even Kings in this action though other great matters required at their hands doe the greatest matter that ever they can doe on earth and performe the holiest duty and most honourable and strongest for their
which what good Christian is free and so good a preparative to our end and calling hence of which who is certaine or who can be too religiously carefull especially since they are so often in holy Scripture called on for it and should often remember their end and the strict account then to be made of all the things committed to their charge and of all that they have done in the flesh which with the holy Father that thought he heard the trumpet of God and Archangells voice continually sounding in his eare that surgite mortui venite ad judicium often meditated on this and the like thoughts and preparations would as to this also be motives to much good and to prevent much evill 50. But how is the Minister able to discerne the spirits or to do this sufficiently not knowing the secrets of the heart or sins lurking there The Priest indeed cannot nor may not absolve any but the penitent nor can know their penitency but by their outward expression it is Gods prerogative to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to know the thoghts and secrets of the heart the Priests eye pierceth not so farre he onely reads the sorrowes of our hearts by our words and outward confession without which he cannot give nor we receive the benefit of absolution 51. But is not private or auricular confession how ever it seeme needfull sometimes rooted out of our Church and abolished Though not so generally and peremptorily commanded or in the Priests power to enforce or require it yet it is not rooted quite out neither nor utterly abolished as we see by that second exhortation before the Communion urging the penitents to it and by the forme prescribed for the visitation of the sicke and their absolution after their private or auricular confession and by the Canon enjoyning the Ministers silence on paine of suspension of such crimes so privately by the humble penitent revealed and confessed in all which passages we see it by Law approved so though the Ministers power of calling them to it be abridged the thing it selfe yet and use of it is not abolished 52. What differs the Priests power ministerialiter that you shewed before and this declarative If you meane declarative onely very much or as much as the Judges and his â—riers declaration of the same things otherwise ministerialiter is declarative too but not that only as ministerialiter in respect of God and his Church may be authoritative also in respect of Gods commission granted to them to be Judges of the sinnes and soules of his people as aforesaid as Gods deputed Judges on earth for those things and so the Kings Judges as his Ministers of justice Ministers in that point to the King and Commonwealth yet having authority from him authoritativé proceed and pronounce sentence of the things in their commission and ministerially execute his the Kings judgements according to his Lawes and have power so to doe and declarative pronounce the same and their authority granted doth no way lessen the Kings which the exercise mediately rather doth more shew and promulge the same but to say they had therefore power but declarative because ministerialiter they execute the Kings authority or declarative only not authorative because ministerialiter they do it whereas they may well stand together yet each in their order and degree were to derogate from their authority and dignity as these schismaticks do in the like manner from the Churches office and authority 55. This authority then of the Church and Priests in that point is cleare enough It is and though ministerialiter to the honour of God and good of his Church executed and declarative uttered or published by them not to be denied authoritative also by power and vertue of his commission granted to them in whose name they doe it as originally in him in his own proper right and only doe existent to them only mediately and by grace derived and thus by The Doctrine of the Church of England according to the true record and rule of holy Scriptures and the consent of the Fathers from all antiquity we are assured hereof and taught this truth against all novelties of Schismatickes so that if we either Assent to our mother Church Beleeve the Scriptures or Credit the ancient Fathers as aforesaid wee cannot deny the Priest this power of the remitting sinnes having thus Gods word and Scriptures sure record his Sonnes promise and holy Spirits testimony so many wayes to assure us of it and since he can in the name of God forgive us our sinnes good reason have we to make our confession to him for surely God who doth nothing in vaine never gave the Priest this power in vain but for our benefit and expects our doing the best we can to make good use of it having ordained in the Priest the power of absolution that wee should use the best meanes we can to obtaine that blessing which is our confession to him nor can we sleight this but we may quickly and well heare Saint Augustine Tom. 10. Homil. 49. applying his speech close to such slieghters teaching us a better lesson nemo sibi dicat saith he occulte ago quia apud Deum ago c. let no man flatter himselfe and say I confesse in private to God and God that knoweth my heart will or shall pardon me though I never confesse at all to the Priest ergo sine causâ dictum esset quae solveritis in terra c. hath God in vaine said whose sinnes ye remit they are remitted Hath he in vaine given that power of the keyes to the Priest Frustramus ergo Dei verbum by our wilfull neglect shall we goe about to make void the promise of Christ God forbid if we have offended this way preveniamus judicium Dei per confessionem let us let us yet now at last prevent the terrible judgement of the last day by timely confession of our sinnes to God and the Priest as he hath commanded who as he hath prime and originall power of absolution Esay 43. 25. and is our high Confessor in the heavens hath not in vaine done any thing or commanded us to humble our selves in his Church and to his substitutes the Priests our confessors here on earth and thus much of the power of the Church in the dispensing of absolution requiring our duty of confession 54. If this were the doctrine of the ancients how was it seconded by their practise Accordingly to all intents both privately to the comfort and absolution of such humble penitents and more publickly in reforming the stubborne or notorious offenders and as with all authority thus commanded with all gravity by them exercised and with all humility and dutifulnesse by all the sonnes of the Church even to the greatest of them obeyed as the Ecclesiasticall Histories doe plentifully declare whereby the Churches discipline grew so religiously admired that even famous for it to succeeding times awfull feare and obedience
and distinct places observed answering to the severall sorts of persons and their degrees in the bosome of the Church in so comely order from all antiquitie to us in the form and structure of our Church or from the platform of them very lively representing to us the times practise and founders intentions may minde us of the same and teach its what order and decency or other respects of reverence before God and to God and all holy and consecrated things to him for his owne and to them for his sake were fit to be observed and by all dutifull sons of God and the Church religiously ought to be performed as by all godly and religious persons of all ages and devout Christians have ever been accustomea and never by any unlesse godlesse prophane or gracelesse mereticks and factious Sectaries detracted or denied so the degrees of the persons places and things consecrated as well as their consecration here instanced both in the Iewish Church and ours and thence issuing difference and degrees of the reverentiall respects to them usually exhibited both by us and them all which proved from holy Scripture and constant and continued practise of the people of God and more illustrated by the dictates of naturall justice equity and reason and so clearly vindicated from all shew of idolatry or superstition but the neglect and contempt hereof by the factious producing miserable and wretched effects both to the dishonour of God and disorder in religion Church State government wheresoever and such unreverence used and their prophanesse suffered to passe unâ—â—â— or uncorrected so the order In ours and the ancient Christian Church and why so necessary to be observed hereby sufficiently explained and against all sacrilegious gainsayers too commonly palpably found to be such plainly demonstrated and the name of Altar toward which such reverence is used and even anciently prescribed and enjoyned whence by such perhaps more despitefully handled from their calumnies and aspertions vindicated and to the true use of it according to the Churches ancient idiome asserted and restored and so both Churches Altar and other decent ceremenies in and about the same in our Church retained shewed in generall consonant to the practice of all approved antiquity and in particular of the Greek Easterne Churches thus In that point with our coâ—senting to be recoâ—ciled And for close to this Sacrament of baptisme certaine criticall disquisitions on the name of God so ordinarily used by us in our common discourses and writing usefull as more solemnly in the profession of our religious duty and observance or other acts of highest consequence as especially in the administration of the sacrament of baptisme and ceremony thereof whence also by the way other like observations on the mystery of iniquity and name of Antichrist the Beast and Whore of Babylon in such mysticall manner with much anigmaticall obsecurity by numbers and else expressed or rather unveyled and involved so in the first place the number of the heads hornes of the Beast considered as leaaing way to the number of the name of Antichrist being 666. with the illustration thereof from the name and nature of the Fiend calling himself Legion the very power at that time of that armed Pagan impiety that did afflict and oppresse the Church Saints of God the application whereof may be to to any the like times and occasions or oppressions referred and so lastly concluding with the Nomen Tetragrammaton so usually pronounced Jehovah but corruptly in stead of Jaho proved by the Text of the Bible and other authorities which might perhaps more regularly and orderly be by Iahvah yet all vowels to come nearest to the former sound though lesse rightly so as it is by some intended 1. VVHat is the outward signe in Baptisme Water wherein the person baptized is dipped or sprinkled with in the name of the Father and of the Sonne c. 2. What herein to be noted 1. The Matter or Element Water used so of old as is to be seen in 1. The leprous and unclean 2. Naaman the Syrian 3. The blind man sent to wash in Siloam Ioh. 9. 7. 4. John baptizing in Jordan 11. The Action 1. Dipping in Summer or warmer Countries 2. Sprinkling in colder Clymats or weather 3. Or for the tendernesse and danger of the infant 4. Form of words prescribed in the name c. of which outward signe and parts thereof none ought to be omitted or altered which would make the Baptisme else bee no Baptisme and which rightly once performed ought not to be iterated 4. What the inward grace The cleansing of the soul from sinne by sprinkling of Christs blood in the power of the Trinity whence a death to sinne and a new birth to righteousnesse is wrought in us 5. Whence is it Or what reason of this Because being by nature borne in sinne and the children of wrath wee are hereby made the children of grace 6. What is herein to be considered 1. The parts resembling one another the Relata and Corclata 2. Resembling our representation in the parts 3. The relation and presentation of the thing signified to the soule 4. The effect and efficacie or vertue of the Sacrament in the death to sin new birth to righteousnes And manner and reason thereof explained For whereas by nature c. 7. Which are the parts resembling one another The 1. Water representing the blood of Christ. 2. Sprinkling thereof on the body the washing the soul. 3. Action of the Priest The operation of Gods Spirit Blessing the action 4. Form of words prescribed Power of the Word and vertue of the Holy Trinity promised 8 How distinguished into Relata and Corelata The 1. Water 2. Sprinkling 3. Action 4. Words The outward part of Relata to the Blood of Christ Washing the soule Operation of the Spirit Power of God to the inward part or corelata 9. Which the Relation The representation that the parts have between themselves one to another as water to the blood of Christ the washing the body to the cleansing the soule the action of the Priest and words prescribed to the operation of Gods Spirit and power in the grace and blessing proposed and promised 10. How the presentation of it to the soule In those outward Emblemes as seales shewing the grace by faith throughout the whole life apprehended and exercised by the power and operation of Gods Spirit making it profitable to the soule 11. What the effect or efficacie and vertue thereof 1. The death to sinne being baptised into the death of Christ and the soule so washed in his blood made clean and dying unto sinne that is crucified in us as we unto it 2 The new birth unto righteousnesse as being baptized and buried with Christ in his death wee are also raised up in him to newnesse of life and sanctification 12. What is intended herein 1. Our mortification of sin and the old man in all the corrupt lusts of the flesh
Sacrarium in superiori parte ubi altare seu mensa Dominâ— the holy Table or Altar and neere it the Secretorium a retiring place as it were behinde or neere the Altar for the Priest or Bishop till the second service or celebration of the divine mysteries as the Diaconicon or Vestry on oneside or not farre off being not for such Vestry-men and lay Elders as have lately lately got into it or the possession of it but for a repository for laying up the Vasa and Vestimenta sacra sub custodia Diaconi of the Deacon Clerke or Sexton who was subsacrista and into the Sacrarium none but Priests might enter or officiate there Non nisi Presbyterio aâ—t Sacerdotes Concil Constaâ— 6. c. 69. and Cyprian lib. 1. Ep. 9. intra septa Altaris nemo Laicus ingrediatur c. Concil Nicen. 2. c. 4. and the Emperour himselfe post oblationem having offâ—red must depart out of it Theod. lib. 5. c. 18. and sometimes in service that place and the Altar drawne with curtaines may be collected out of St. Chrysostome 66. Why were these things thus observed For the more reverence of the same as was fit and Majesty of those divine mysteries oâ—â—wfull regard they had of the holy things and that ought not to be prophaned or unâ—everently handled whâ—nce the most gracious effects of piâ—ty and devotion breeding obedience and good affection to God and his house his oracles and lawes consequently to Princes and Magistrates did ensue with good order and decorum thence flowing through all parts both of the Church and common-wealth for which reason a so next to Gods honour the Fathers and Councels were so serious in promoting the reverence and good order here which might well teach more reverentiall re-respects and religious observance to the holy places and things then ouâ— unlimitedly irregular Schismaâ—â—ckes and vulgar Libertines by their leading and incensing wil easily yeeld or be brought to by the Churches or almost by any superiours command bee induced to exhibite being once obstâ—nately set and by such their ring-leaders no lesse unâ—everently then disobediently and frowaâ—dly informed 67. But is not thereby too much reverence used or too much magnisicence brought into Churches No godly or wise man would ever thinke so but rather feare all were too litle hee could use or present there and that hath been usually a conceit but of the very prophanest or cavill of the factious for who else would think too much reverence and humility could be used to Godward or too reverent respect or regard could be had of such holy things or too great care had or cost bestowed on them especially so appointed by the gravest worthiest and wisest men of the Christian world for did God create so many good and glorious things as we see to be served himselfe with only the worst and basest a conceâ—t too strongly savouring of Atheisme and impiety and indeed never thought so by any wise men that would be supposed till these last and worst dayes abounding with iniquity and so now by the very worst men and seum of the people to whom that heathen and sacrilegious Tyrants words as well as actions perhaps well arriding their humours and palats in templis quid facit aurum would very likely be most pleasing and acceptable who robbing them of their riches and ornaments made that his pretence 68. But the word Altar hath offended sâ—me Mightily no doubt displeased them that for hate of Altars could be content to hunt Churches and all good order in them out of all antiquity and Primitive times and so iâ— they could out of the Christian world which yet they can never do they may only shew their good will for with the first dawing of Christian Religion when the poore persecuted Christians were faine to use any houses lower rooms or upper chambers as they could be gotten yet sacred to that purpose some times Caverns under ground as some think faine to use lights in them whence as well as for other reasons lights became retained in the Church to testifie they were successours of those poore Primative persecuted Christians yet still that order was observed and though sacred accordingly had in veneration and the holy mysteries most religiously celebrated with the duties belonging performed in all respects to the greatest degree of reverence pertaining to the action and things as well as magnificence that the angustialoci straitnesse of the place time or their poverty and pressure would permit which also from the Apostles owne hands and their successours consequently delivered and in Churches by them consecrated were even in the first times in faire and decent sort performed and when they had gotten root to spread by Gods gracious permission and his planting and watering this garden of his with his owne and his dearest Saints and servants hands so great bounty was freely and liberally soone profferred professed and shewed in their more publicke and stately Churches insomuch that by Saint Chrysostomes testimony in his Homily an Christus sit Deus it was even to wonder what Nations and multitudes converted to Christianity and the faith propagated and Churches over all the world so far as Persia India and Britaine worthy our noting among Mores Scythians Indians and remotest Isâ—es and Nations immediately after Christ and his Apostles times erected which howsoever afterwards by persecutions often oppressed and overthrowne when they got but respiration from their troubles or any more Halcyon dayes they stil with all alacrity restored to the pristine and ancient state and fashion and so their smallest Oratories and Churches or very Chambers Caverns or Crypte if any where resembled as much as their smalnesse would permit the order and fashion of the more stately and succeeding buildings which were conformed to them as now we may see our Chappels though never so little as much as their smalnesse will suffer conformed to the greater and those to the Churches as all of them doe or of right ought so much as they can conforme to the mother Churches and Cathedrals the patterne in all chiefest points of our religious devotions and descending nearest patern'd to Primitive times 69. How shew you Altars so ancient or in them Even by all the ancient Histories Councels and Fathers as some of them before rehearsed and so Saint Chrysostome lib. 2. and 6. de sacerdotio describeth quae apud altare siunt fieri debent and saith he locus altarivioinus in illus honorem qui immolatur Angelor choris plenus est so Saint Ambrose in Psal. 38. alibi remembreth the Altar and sacrifice as lib. 5. Ep. 33. pro quibus sc. populo Ego quotidie instauro sacâ—isicium so Saint in Psal. 33. and in orat Psal. 39. and de Civit. Dei lib. 17. cap. 20. and lib. 10. cap. 20. and lib. 22. cap. 8. and cap. 10. and lib. 8. cap. 27. where abundant mention of Altars Christian Altars and their sacrifice and though memoria Martyris