Fourthly Hee sendeth forth the Holy Ghost out of his owne substance and therefore is indeede and truth God if as shall bee prooued anon the Holy Ghost himselfe be God Fiftly The workes which only belong to God Christ doth the same and that in the same manner as hee saith in o John 5. 19. IOHH Whatsoeuer the Father doth the same the Sonne doth likewise And p Iohn 5. 18. againe My Father worketh hitherto and I worke Whereupon truely and rightly the Iewes concluded that hee made himselfe equall with God It were long to goe thorow all but to select the chiefe and principall among all the workes of God none is more neere and inward to the Sacred Maiesty then the Eternall Election which is within himselfe and knowne onely to himselfe and whereof he alone doth keepe the Booke This is attributed vnto Christ Iohn 15. You haue not chosen mee but I haue chosen you that you might bring forth fruit and that your fruit may remaine which properly ment of the dignity and office of Apostle-ship whereunto Christ had chosen them giueth them withall this comfort that as they had this honour to be the Arch-Masons and Master-Builders of the Church which is the House of the liuing God so themselues were liuely stones of that spirituall Building and to haue part in the fruite which by their Ministery they should reach forth for the euerlasting good of many in q 2. Tim. 4. 6. sauing of themselues as well as others without which their ioy had not beene full And aptly doth this follow as the Root and Fountaine of that most Honourable Title to bee his friends which hee had vouchsafed to giue vnto them immediately before But more manifest is that Iohn 13. 18. I speake not of you all I know whom I haue chosen But it behooueth that the Scripture should bee fulfilled He that eateth bread with mee hath lift vp his heele against mee The circumstance of exempting one of the Apostles out of the number of the blessed making his Election the cause of this their difference referring the same to his owne secret knowledge and finally opposing to the Chosen him that should betray him the r Iohn 17. 12. sonne of destruction as afterwards he calleth him who yet in familiaritie of conuersation was a choice and speciall friend eating bread continually at his Table shew plainly that hee speaketh of Election vnto life As other Å¿ Mat. 24. 31. where hee doth when speaking of his second Comming vnto Iudgement hee saith The Sonne of man shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet Who shall gather together his Elect from the foure winds c. And no maruell though hee call them his Elect for since hee hath power and authority to t Reuel 3. 5. blot mens names out of the Booke of Life it cannot bee chosen but hee must haue interest to write them in for of contraries there is one and the same respect in nature Therefore to shut vp this point and to leaue it without question the Booke of Life in the u Reuel 13. 8. Reuelation is expresly called The Lambes Booke of Life Come to that which is more glorious in the World And first vnto the Creation the proper marke of the true God As the x Psal 124. 8. Psalmist teacheth Our helpe is in the Name of IEHOVAH that hath made both Heauen and Earth And y Ier. 10. 11. IEREMY The gods that made not Heauen and Earth let them perish from the Earth and from vnder the Heauen He it is that wrought with the Father in the creating of all things Iohn 1. 13. All things were made by him and without him was nothing that was made not a iot of any thing So saith Paul to the z Col. 1. 16. Colossians By him were created all things both in Heauen and vpon the Earth things visible and inuisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Therefore he is called The a Reuel 3. 14. beginning of the Creation of God or the first and prime cause from whence the Creatures take their beginning being all made and formed by him And notable is that of the 102. Psalme which the Apostle to the Hebrewes b Heb. 1. 10. applyeth vnto Christ Thou Lord in the beginning laydst the foundation of the Earth and the Heauens are the worke of thy hands And By him saith the same c Heb. 1. 2. Apostle God made the Ages that is Time and the course and succession of all things with this glory of Creation is coupled another not inferior of the cherishing and preseruing of the things created So Prou. 8. 30. he saith that he is with God his Father nourishing and gladding them continually Hither belong those Diuine Workes and Miracles manifestly pointing out his God-head He rebuked the Winds and they obeyed him raysed vp the dead opened the eyes of them that were blind cast out Deuils had power to send them into Hell to their fearefull place of torment for d Luke 8. 31. they besought him not to doe it And all this he did not as the Prophets and Apostles but by his owne Soueraigne Power As the Euangelist e Luke 5. 36. noteth that hereupon feare came on all the people maruelling what this might be For euen say they with Authority and Power he commandeth the vncleane spirits and they come out And how must not this Power needes be his owne when hee taketh vpon him to giue it to others The f Matth. 10. 8. Euangelist recording that hee gaue power vnto the twelue Apostles to clense Lepers to rayse the dead to cast out Deuils c. which authority they like faithfull Seruants did so pursue as it might easily appeare they deriued their whole vertue from him alone Hence is that of g Acts 3. 6. PETER In the Name of Christ arise and walke and h Acts 9. 34. AENEAS Iesus Christ doth heale thee I stand not heere to presse those glorious workes whereby his God-head shineth most cleerely in the Church in subduing the proud enemies thereof and generally all the Reprobates hardening their hearts and deliuering them vp vnto their owne damnation For so the i Iohn 12. 39 40. 41. Euangelist when hee had shewed that the Iewes could not beleeue because ESAY had said He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts lest they should see with their eyes and vnderstand with their heart and I should heale them immediately addeth These things said ISAIAH when hee saw his glory and spake of him Contrariwise he bestoweth vpon his Children all good graces Therefore the Apostle continually prayeth for Grace and Peace from him He sendeth the Holy Spirit vnto them The k Iohn 15. 16. Comforter whom I will send And Iohn 20. 22. He breathed vpon them and said Receiue the Holy Ghost He giueth Faith as appeareth by that Prayer
his Throne and Kingdome in the dispensation of his great and glorious purposes established before any time In which regard the Psalmist g Psal 78. 69. saith of the Land of Canaan That he founded it for his people the Iewes from euerlasting meaning in his eternall counsell and h Esay 45. 7. ESAY Since I disposed an euerlasting people the Church in the purpose and appointment of God eternally elected And when the Psalmist i Psal 103. 17. cryeth out The kindnesses of IEHOVAH are from euerlasting to euerlasting doth he not euidently point hereat But more cleerely to this purpose serueth that of Paul k Ephes 3. 11 commending the excellency of the Doctrine of the Gospell in the gathering together of the Churches of the Gentiles aswell as Iewes in that it was according to his euerlasting purpose As also l 1. Cor. 2. 7. in another place hee saith of the Wisedome of God lying hid in the Mystery of the Gospell that God had fore-ordayned it before the World And of Christ Peter m 1. Pet. 1. 20. saith that he was fore-appointed before the foundation of the World was layd The truth hereof not onely shineth forth in these and other great and high points of our Faith and namely of Election and Reprobation which come hereafter to be considered but reacheth farther and hath a place in all So n Psal 193. 15. 16. Dauid speaketh of his conception an ordinary course of nature When I was secretly framed and as it were curiously wrought and wouen together thine eyes did see my very lumpe what time they were fashioned yea euen then when none of them was extant that is from euerlasting And the saying of Iames o Acts 15. 18. hath no exception All the workes of God are knowne to him from Eternitie In this Argument I finde that the Prophet Esay from whom the Apostles p 2. Pet. 2. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peter and Iude seeme q Iude verse 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to haue taken it delighteth himselfe much to set out the Eternitie of Gods Decrees by the Phrase of Long r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agoe In the two and twentieth Å¿ Esay 22. 5 8 11. Chapter Thou diddest looke in that day when the enemie did besiege you to the Armour of the Forrest House c. But ye looke â—â—ot to the Authour of it nor had respect to him that framed it long agoe Chap. 25. The t Esay 25. 1. counsels long agoe eternally decreed and in their time prophesied and made knowne to the Church are Faith and Truth And so himselfe doth in another u Esay 37. 26. place expound it to import as much as from all Eternitie Secondly The cause why all things are so decreed is not the knowledge or fore-knowledge of God but his absolute will and pleasure for causes resting onely in himselfe although vnknowne to vs yet most iust and holy Ephes 1. 11. Hee worketh all things after the counsell of his will Thirdly The generalitie in that hee hath decreed all things and all the meanes and circumstances of euery thing Acts 15. 18. All the workes of God are knowne to him that is purposed and decreed of him from Eternitie So that whatsoeuer experience sheweth or the Word of God confirmeth to come to passe in Heauen or in Earth or in the lowest Hell both the confounding of the wicked the Saluation of the Elect and the things that pertayne to the businesse and affaires of this life the same are all eternally decreed of God and that for his owne good pleasure onely the x Ephes 11. 1. Apostle bearing witnesse That hee worketh all things after the counsell of his will CHAP. III. Of Creation IN the Creation which is the second thing The workes of God are the execution of his purpose And are Creation and Prouidence Creation is his making all things wherein his Kingdome standeth I obserue fiue things which the Story of the Creation penned by Moses in the first and second Chapters of Genesis doth offer vnto vs. First The things which God made All things without exception and in saying all things it is manifest that we leaue nothing vncreated excepting onely him that did create them no not the Angels themselues the most glorious and super-excellent Creatures of God of whoÌ„ albeit Moses maketh no mention in expresse termes no more then of their fall specifying onely the visible workes of God in respect of the people to whom he wrote yet the Holy Ghost else-where concealeth not their Creation for when the Psalmist had exhorted the Angels and Host of Heauen the Sunne the Moone the Starres the Heauen of Heauens to prayse the Lord hee addeth a reason common to them all Let a Psal 148. 2 3 4 5. them prayse the Name of IEHOVAH for he commanded and they were created But most manifest is that of PAVL Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created which are in Heauen and vpon the Earth things visible and inuisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers By which words it is most certaine he vnderstands the Angels This all things you may not vnfitly deuide into b 1. Cor. 4. 9. reasonable Creatures Angels and Men and the World of them both whereto aptly serueth the place of the Colossians before and Moses in the very first words of his Story hath so deuided it In c Gen. 1. 12. the beginning God made Heauen and Earth that is both the vtmost compasse of this vniuersal World together with the Spirits and Angels that inhabit it and that Chaos or first lumpe and matter whereout the Earth and Heauen as we call Heauen and all heauenly and earthly bodies were made Moses therefore as Paul in that place maketh a most perfect diuision of all the whole frame of Gods Creation sundring it into two Heauen and Earth The Ayre it selfe the Sunne the Moone the Planets and whatsoeuer in that whole Chapter is spoken of seemeth to be comprehended vnder the name of Earth For so hee doth proceed resuming the latter member And touching the Earth it was vnshapen c. By Heauen is meant the place of blessed Spirits and the Angels inhabiters and dwellers in it All which appeareth further in the next Chapter Thus d Gen. 2. 1. were the Heauen and the Earth perfited and all the Host of them that is whatsoeuer is within the compasse of the highest Heauens vnto the very bottome and Center of the lowest Earth things visible and inuisible Angels or whatsoeuer else wherewith the Heauen and Earth are beautifully adorned The World of these two Creatures is either the vnseene World Heauen and Hell or the World visible and subiect to our eyes which Moses in one word termeth Earth But a better and more apt diuision to this purpose may bee made to say it is eyther the naturall place and World for these two Creatures Heauen for the one
power and comfort of his Spirit whereby he doth communicate himselfe and all he hath vnto vs not in any corporall or bodily presence The time that hee thus ascended both in Soule and the fortieth day after his Resurrection Bodie was fortie d Acts 1. 3. dayes after his Resurrection during all which time hee was conuersant with his Disciples teaching and instructing them aswell in all points of Christian doctrine as in those that belong to the Policie and Gouernment of his Church whereupon the e Heb. 3. 2 3 4 5 6. Apostle saith He was faithfull in all the House of God after a more excellent sort then Moses was The fruit of Christs Ascension into Heauen is our comming thither as shall appeare more at large hereafter And this entrie into Heauen to purchase full Redemption for vs belonged to his Priestly Function wherof the High Priests entring into the Holy of holies once a yeere was a type or figure Heb. 8. 7 12. The fourth and last step is his f Iohn 7. 39. Acts 3. 13. Glorification or the and there sitteth at the right hand of God that is to say enioyeth all Soueraigntie Power and Glorie inriching of him after hee was ascended with an vnspeakeable and incomprehensible though not an infinite measure of all Happinesse Ioy Wisdome Knowledge Excellencie more then all men and Angels haue whereof the g Psal 45. 8. Heb. 1. 9. Psalmist speaketh God euen thy God hath anoynted thee with the Oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes Therefore this is called also his h Acts 2. 33. Exaltation or i Phil. 2. 9. Superexaltation hauing in stead of shame and contempt which for our sakes hee did willingly vndergoe becomming subiect vnto death the most ignominious death of the Crosse all and all manner of excellencie both Kingdome Power and Glorie bestowed vpon him and this is that which figuratiuely is meant by his sitting or standing at the right hand of God his Father Heb. 1. 3. Hauing by himselfe purged our sinnes hee sitteth at the right hand of Maiestie in the highest places Marke 16. 19. The Lord after he had spoken these things was taken vp into Heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God Acts 7. 55. He being full of the Holy Ghost looked stedfastly vp to Heauen and saw the Glorie of God and Iesus standing at the right hand of God A phrase or forme of speech taken from earthly Princes who are said to set them at their right hand whom they are pleased to k Mat. 20. aduance into the principall place of Honour and Administration of their Kingdome First touching his Gouernment and Dominion both the Apostles so expound this Phrase when that which l Psal 110. 1. Dauid saith IEHOVAH said vnto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstoole The one m 1. Cor. 15. 25 rendreth thus He shall raigne till he haue put all his enemies vnder his feet The n Acts 2. 36. other inferreth vpon it Let all the house of Israel therefore know for a certaine that Him God hath made both Lord and Christ For power and dominion both that serueth Ephes 1. 10 20 21. According to his mightie power which hee wrought in Christ when he raysed him from the dead and set him at his right hand in the heauenly Places far aboue all Principalitie and Power and Might and Dominion and euery name that is named not in this World onely but also in that that is to come and hath made all things subiect vnder his feet Of his Glorie the same is manifest in that this verie setting at the right hand of God is o Acts 3. 13. called his Glorification and the p Acts 7. 55. Storie of Stephen coupleth them together He saw the Glory of God and Iesus standing at the right hand of God The fruit of his setting at the right hand of God is very great and in a manner all in all both for his Intercession and Kingdome as we shall haue occasion to note hereafter All that hitherto hath beene said concerneth our Sauiours Hitherto of Oblation Intercession is offering of himselfe we come now to the other part of his Priesthood standing in his Intercession A thing most necessarie to be added to the rest for in vaine were all his Offerings and Oblation if by his Prayers and Supplications to his Father and the continuall presenting of his Merits hee did not purchase Grace that the same should bee made effectuall for vs. Wherefore this as one step higher is added to the former Rom. 8. 34 Who shall condemne It is Christ that dyed nay rather which is risen who also is at the right hand of God who also maketh Intercession for vs. In his Intercession I obserue First that it is the proper Office and Honor of Christ by whom onely we come vnto God Heb. 7. 25. Secondly That it is the requesting and intreatie of the continuall presenting of his Merits to God his Father the continuall presenting of himselfe and the Merits of his Death and Passion whereupon hee is called our q 1. Iohn 2. 1. Aduocate or Spokesman and is said to r Heb. 9. 24. appeare on our behalfe before the face of God and to make If any man sin we haue an Aduocate with the Father euen Iesus Christ that righteous one Å¿ Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. his Father Intercession for vs. The word appearing being a word taken from the Courts and Seats of Iustice as we vse to say when the Plaintife or Defendant is called Who is heere to appeare for him Christ therefore is as it were our Attournie to appeare for vs before his Father I make mention of the Father onely because the Father is the first of the three Persons in order who being appeased the Sonne and Holy Ghost are also pleased they all being one as in essence and nature so in will and agreement Thirdly When and how he performed this Intercession namely whilest hee was vpon Earth in so many so sweet so heauenly and so feruent Prayers as he powred forth from time to time for the Saluation of his Elect especially that most solemne and sacred one aboue the rest Iohn 17. wherein being anon to be offered hee did consecrate both himselfe the onely and eternall Sacrifice and vs in and through him vnto his Father by the power and force of which his Prayer the Church of God hath euer stood and shall stand vnto the end And what he did then vpon the Earth the same he doth though not in the same manner now in Heauen not with knees bowed and hands stretched out but yet in such sort as is fit for him to giue and fit for his Father to receiue Fourthly That hee maketh Intercession for all the Elect on the behalfe of those Elect. and for them alone not for the Reprobate and Worldlings Iohn 17. 9. I pray not
Chro. 15. 3. Israel by which is meant not the ten Tribes onely but Iudah and Beniamin as the sequel of the Chapter sheweth is said to haue beene a long time without the true God without Priest to teach without the Law And Paul 2. Thess 2. 3. telleth of a generall defection and falling from the Truth that no face of a visible Church should be discerned Antichrist should so vniuersally set vp his throne which in the height and fulnesse of Poperie we see to haue bin accomplished Although that God hath and alwaies had some that are his as appeareth by that which the Lord d Rom. 11. 2 3. answered to Elias But I call it a visible Church because it may be seene and knowne who are such Professors though the Church of the Elect cannot be seene This outward Church vniuersall is further Seuerall companies that assemble for the exercises of the Word are so many Churches members of the whole to be considered in the beautie it receiueth by companies and assemblies drawne by the power of Christs Spirit to associate and ioyne themselues together in the profession of his Name which is a singular ornament and a marueilous gracing of the whole thus to be distinguished into particular meetings as it were the field of the Lord into seuerall closures or a garden into seuerall beds or alleyes Whereby Gods glory is much the more conspicuous Such a Church or Congregation for so in ordinary sense the Scripture vseth the word Church neither standeth of one or two nor a few in a corner but of many enough to performe all seruices of the Church and those publiquely assembling So the Apostle speaketh of the e 1. Cor. 11. 18. Corinths Comming together to the Church and to the Hebrewes f Heb. 10. 25. Leaue not your assembling together as the manner is of sâ—me But not euery assembly of Professors doth forth with make a Church but their assembling in the name of Christ for Prayer Administration of the Sacraments or other spirituall matters whereby the Church is distinguished from the Common-wealth and ciuill meetings And this badge or marke our Sauiour setteth vpon it Matth. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name And Paul 1. Cor. 1. 5. 4. 5. I haue decreed when you and my Spirit are gathered together in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ with the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to deliuer such a one to Satan So wee read in the Acts that the first day of the Weeke the Disciples gathered together to breake bread Act. 20. 7. And not in vaine doe the Churches so assemble God And in euery of these hath alwaies some that are his indeed hath made vnto them this large and ample promise that he will be alwayes effectuall to renue some of them by the power of his Spirit vnto euerlasting life for the ministery of the Word with the vse of the Sacraments and the exercise of true discipline sounding in euery Church g Math. 13. 3 â— 5 6 7. neuer returneth emptie but howsoeuer much of it fall by the way or vpon stonie places or among the thornes yet some alwayes lighteth vpon good ground and bringeth forth fruit in that measure that God hath appointed A promise anciently made to the Church as appeareth Esay 9. 251. This shall be my Couenant with them saith IEHOVAH My Spirit that is in thee and the words I haue put into thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seedes seede saith IEHOVAH from this time forth for euermore Which promise our Sauiour hath also renued Matth. 28. 19 20. Goe therefore and gather Disciples of all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to keepe all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you And behold I am with you alwayes vnto the end of the world Hereof it is that so many things are generally attributed to the Churches professing Christ because the same is alwaies true in some that are among them As where they are called h Eph. 1. 1. Faithfull ones i Eph. 1. 1. Holy k 1. Cor. 1. 2. Sanctified and the Iewes in generall l Exod. 19. 5 6. A holie Nation A peculiar people c. So Deut. 32. 15. They are called leshurum that is The righteous people for that all being called to that honour many of them were such indeed although of a number it were also true that they m Vers 5. were none of his sonnes Another noble Prerogatiue belongeth to the outward Their children also are of the Church Church that they purchase not onely this dignity for themselues by the profession of their faith but their children also are borne free Burgesses of this Citie as the promise is made to n Gen. 17. 7. ABRAHAM I will be the God of thee and of thy seed for as the Apostle saith The gifts which Christ bestoweth vpon the outward Church are for the Churches coÌ„mon good or for a mans owne priuate for the common good are first things committed to the Churches keeping then Ministeries and Graces The things committed are his Word whereof we haue spoken to be preached Sacraments to be administred and other holy things Rom. 11. 16. If the Root be holy so are the branches also Else-where doth the same Apostle Gal. 2. 15. oppose Iewes by nature to sinners of the Gentiles but to shew that from the very birth the children of beleeuing parents are within the outward Couenant of the forgiuenesse of sinnes And this is not to be restrayned to such children onely as are borne of both parents beleeuers but if any one of them be of the Church so is the child likewise for the vnbeleeuing man is sanctified by the beleeuing wife and the vnbeleeuing woman is sanctified by the beleeuing husband so farre as to make our children that otherwise were vncleane to be holy 1. Cor. 7. 14. Christ not onely gathereth a Church vnto himselfe a precious possession out of the world and the delight and ioy of the earth but he garnisheth it also and setteth it forth with many goodly ornaments and rich endowments which the Apostle calleth Gifts Ephe. 4. 7 8. Some for the publique some for a mans owne priuate Of these the first are certaine rich Iewels of inestimable price and valew his Word Sacraments and other holy things which Christ hath layed vp in the Arke of his Church and committed to their care as a treasure which he will trust none but his Church withall As vnder the Law in the Holy of holies wherein was the Arke were kept the o Heb. 9. 3. Tables of the Testament the Word the golden pot that had Manna a Sacrament and Aarons Rod that had budded for p 〈◊〉 â—7 10 1. Cor. 4. 21. a signe against the rebellious His word
to be preached Sacraments and other holy things to bee administred Here q Matth. 16. 19 therefore are the liuely notes and markes of a Church The Scripture stileth them by the name of the r Matth. 28. 19 20. keyes of the kingdome of Heauen The prime and principall is his Word whereof wee haue spoken already the Treasure of all heauenly Knowledge Å¿ Rom. 3. 2. This saith the Apostle to the Romans is the chiefe of those excellencies which the Iewes had aboue other men that vnto them were committed the Oracles of God Or as the t Hosh 8. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prophet speaketh the excellencies of the Law Wherefore Gods Word and Precepts Dauid doth many times call u Whereunto it seemeth Paul doth allude 1. Tim. 6. 20. 2. Tim. 1. 14 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things deposited In regard whereof the Church is said to bee x 1. Tim. 3. 15. the Pillar and Sâ—ate of Truth for the Truth of God is no where to be found but there It is Error Lies Superstition Deceit whatsoeuer coÌ„meth not from hence The Church onely is the golden Candle-sticke figured in the Law which holdeth vp the eternal Truth of God to giue light vnto all the World and there light is to be had when darkenesse couereth the whole face of the earth beside Preaching for the forme and manner of it is an Preaching is an instruction of the Church by liuely voice instruction by word of mouth opening and interpreting the Scriptures rendring the sense thereof drawing the doctrines that are to be gathered from them making vse and profit of it for the edification and building vp of our faith which the Apostle by a Metaphor from the Sacrifices of the Law calleth y 2. Tim. 2. 15. Cutting aright the Word of Truth It standeth not in the bare and naked reading of them And that you may see Nehe. 8. 8 9. where the people abiding in their standing the Leuites taught them the Law first reading it distinctly then rendring the sense by the Scripture it selfe So Luk. 4. 17 18 19 20 21. Our Sauiour comming into the Synagogue there was giuen him the Booke of the Prophet Esay which when he had vnfolded and read a portion of that Scripture he folded the Booke and gaue it againe to him that wayted and sate downe and the eyes of all in the Synagogue being fastened on him he began to say vnto them To day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares And of this instruction by word of mouth it pleased God to make choyce rather than of reading for that it pierceth deeper into the heart and mind of man and more doth affect him and that through the blessing of God who vseth the zeale of the speaker for the quickning and putting of life into that which is spoken The argument matter or subiect must be of and concerning in the Word of Christ Christ by teaching our owne corruption and impotencie to fulfill the Law and therefore the necessitie wee haue to flye to him who is made vnto vs of God Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption that he that glorieth might glorie in the Lord. Wherein it differeth from the ministery of Moses or of the Law as the Apostle doth oppose them 2. Cor. 3. 6. Who also hath inabled vs to be Ministers of the new Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit So Rom. 1. 1 2 3 4. he sheweth He was called to be an Apostle and set apart to preach the Gospell of God concerning his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Rom. 10. 8. This is that Word of faith that we preach In like sort it is said of Philip when he came downe vnto Samaria that he preached vnto them Christ Act. 8. 5. PETER also Act. 10. 43 44. declareth the sum of all that which he was charged of God to preach vnto the people to be this that by his Name should euerie one that beleeueth in him receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes * And that by Doctrine or Exhortation Doctrine in laying forth the Truth and confuting of contrary Errors Exhortation to apply it also to all good vses of comforting denouncing stirring vp reprouing The parts of this instruction of the Church are Doctrine and exhortation both comprehended Rom. 12. 7 8. Doctrine by laying forth the Truth and confuting of contrarie errours that so the puritie of faith may alwayes remayne sound and vncorrupt in the Church Exhortation which sharpeneth the Word and setteth an edge vpon it by applying the same and making vse of it as the necessitie of the people requireth And these two aptly answere to the two parts of the soule of man his minde or vnderstanding and his will and affections Both which by this meanes God prouideth for Sacraments or outward Signes and Seales of the Couenant A SacrameÌ„t is It hath the name Sacrament from the Militarie Oath that Souldiers tooke to doe faithful seruice to their Captaine for in like manner we in the Sacrament sweare our Allegeance to Christ and to fight vnder his Banner against the World the Flesh and the Deuill It is also called a Mysterie or hidden thing because beside the outward Signe there is somewhat inward and Spirituall In the definition of a Sacrament I obserue First They are outward and earthly things to bee seene and felt seruing for the helpe of our weaknesse which if wee were all Spirit we needed not Secondly They are Signes as it is said Gen. 17. 11. a Signe and Rom. 4. 11. The Signe of Circumcision PETER calleth them Types and Figures 1. Pet. 3. 21. Therefore they serue as badges to distinguish true Professors from Infidels and Heathen men and as Monuments to bring heauenly things to our remembrance So saith our Sauiour Christ Luke 19. 22. Doe this in remembrance of me And the Apostle to the z 1. Cor. 11. 26. Corinths As oft as yee eate this bread and drinke this Cup ye publish the Lords death till hee come Thirdly The end why God doth giue them is to be and Seale of the Couenant not Signes onely but Seales and Pledges for the perswasion of our hearts and to confirme and assure vnto vs those spirituall and heauenly things which alreadie wee haue and doe enioy that is to say Christ himselfe and consequently Iustification and Sanctification and withall Saluation through him as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 4. 11. After he receiued the Signe of Circumcision as a Seale of the Righteousnesse of the Faith which hee had when he was vncircumcised Acts 10. 47. Can any man keepe water away that these should not bee baptized which haue receiued the holy Ghost aswell as we From whence we gather a noble vse of the holy Sacraments proper to the faithfull for where the visible and outward Signe is common vnto all yet being to other but bare and naked Signes dead and fruitlesse Ceremonies that profit nothing because
for they dranke of the Spirituall Rocke following them and the Rocke was Christ The difference onely is First In the outward Signes Secondly In that the Sacraments of the Old Testament were signes of c Heb. 10. 1. future good things which Christ should performe ours are signes and remembrances of good things alreadie done and performed by him The Ministers of the New Testament were first Apostles The Ministers of the New Testament were Apostles inspired by whose Ministery were written the Bookes of the New Testament Prophets Euangelists Pastors Teachers c. inspired of Christ as is afore-said by whose Ministerie were written the Bookes of the New Testament then Prophets Euangelists Pastors Teachers c. These fiue you haue so reckoned vp Ephes 4. CHAP. VII Of that which the Scripture by excellencie termeth The Kingdome and of the Church of Gods Elect. OF the three great Armes or Branches of Hitherto of Christs Propheticall Office That which the Scripture by excellencie termeth The Kingdome is to the Church of Beleeuers It standeth in an effectuall Calling and the ruit that commeth from it An effectuall Calling whereby hee draweth as many as are elect to beleeue in him Christs Kingdome two haue beene alreadie opened His generall Gouernment of the World whereby hee swayeth all things and the fauours which in the Largesse and Royaltie of his Propheticall Office he bestoweth vpon the Church in generall the bad among them aswell as the good all sworne vnto him and called by his name and all for the Elects sake being so many steps and stayres to leade those whom God hath chosen to farre more eminent and surpassing Graces now to bee spoken of in this third part which the Scripture is wont to call by way of excellencie d Mat. 13. 38. Luke 4. 43. Acts 20. 25. The Kingdome e Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdome of God or f Col. 1. 13. The Kingdome of his Sonne and g Mat. 13. 44 45. The Kingdome of Heauen For though the same as wee haue shewed bee specially spoken of the Raigne of the Messiah when hee came into the World yet for the truth and substance it holdeth in all times from the beginning that being Citizens of that Kingdome we haue as it were a Heauen here on Earth and Heauen indeed hereafter for in it are all the glorious things which God communicateth with his people Wee beginne with that excellent and precious gift of Faith the sauing Knowledge of GODS Elect Which standeth in the imbracing and laying hold on Christ the highest step of Grace that in this life is possible to bee attayned whither the Reprobate neuer can ascend Also it is the life soule of the true Church on Earth as Profession is outward for the proofe whereof I refer you further to that which is spoken there wherefore the number or h Ephes 3. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Family as Paul speaketh of Gods Elect effectually called to the knowledge and participation of Christ makes the whole companie of those that belong vnto him and are indeed and truly his which therefore by excellencie is wont to be called i Ephes 1. 22. 5. 23 32. Col. 1. 18 34. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 16. 18. The Church or as we vse to speake and as the Symbole of the Apostles hath it The holy Catholike Church wherein these qualities come to be obserued First The Church is but one whether they bee on Earth drawne by the Word of Christ and the Grace of his holy Spirit to beleeue in him or in Heauen there enioying his blessed presence so the Apostle doth k Col. 1. 20. Ephes 3. 15. many times deuide it they make all but l Ephes 1. 10 23 Col. 1. 18. one bodie whereof Christ is the Head Secondly Catholike or Vniuersall The Papists ridiculous to call the Romane Church which if it were admitted a true Church is but a particular Church by the name of the Catholke Church it may be called hauing regard both to persons places and times Persons as comprehending all GODS Elect who in their time are all gathered into the bosome of this Church Wherefore Gal. 4. 26. the Catholike Church Ierusalem which is aboue is said to be the mother of all In regard of place because it is not tyed to any Region or Countrey in particular but scattered throughout the World For the times In all Ages of the World God hath euer some that are his indeed members of the true Church through faith in him Thirdly The true Church is called holy because they are indeed and truly the sanctified members of Christ regenerate and borne againe in whom he dwelleth and raigneth by his Spirit being washed iustified sanctified through him and hereafter for euer glorified So as out of this Church there is no Saluation for there is no Faith no Christ but there and hereof the m 1. Pet. 3. 20 21. Arke was a Figure wherein all that were not perished Fourthly The true Church whilest it remayneth here on Earth is inuisible because their Faith which onely maketh them members of the Church cannot be known or seene of any but of those that do receiue it And if the true Catholike Church might bee seene then were it no Article of our Faith to beleeue it Howbeit at the last Day they shall be all seene To speake of Faith which maketh men members of the true Church Properly it is a vertue and holy qualitie of the Minde and Will powred into vs by the Holy Ghost for the knowing and apprehending of Christ But as the Scriptures take it and Diuines commonly define it by the worke of Faith it is a knowledge and apprehension of Christ now absent with all his benefits offered in the Word to bee ones owne Howbeit in so great a matter to vse somwhat a more large description and in one view to lay forth whatsoeuer is necessarie to bee knowne of Faith Faith proper to Gods Elect for I meddle not here with Historicall Faith which n 1. Iames 2. 19 Iames calleth the faith of Deuils nor with o Mat. 13. 21. temporarie Faith or the Faith of p 1. Cor. 13. 2. working Miracles these are but in name onely and abuse of speech or if properly Faith yet not sauing Faith but true and sauing Faith is a speciall gift and grace of God wrought in our hearts by the Holy Ghost and that ordinarily by the preaching of the Gospell nourished by the Word and Sacraments Ioyned it is with Knowledge not a generall or confused knowledge but the sauing knowledge of Gods Children that apprendeth Christ and applyeth him to euery true Beleeuer But apprehending Christ absent in his Word it is mixed with much weaknesse and vnbeliefe yet still holdeth fast and letteth not goe the hold but continually groweth till wee come to see Christ in his Glorie and therefore is perpetually waited vpon by Hope the sure Anchor of our soules Now
the Angels that fell the Apostle saith z 1. Cor. 5. 1. Know ye not that wee shall iudge the Angelâ— a Iude verse 6. The angels that kept not their first estate hee hath kept in euerlasting chaines vnder darknesse vnto the Iudgement of the great Day Secondly Who shal be the Iudge Euen Christ who Christ b Acts 10. 42. is appointed of God the Iudge of the liuing dead Christ Iesus I say God and Man appearing in his Man-hood visible to be seene in the flesh c Acts 17. 31. For hee hath set a Day saith PAVL wherein hee will iudge the World in Righteousnesse by the Man whom hee hath appointed The Father nor Holy Ghost shall not appeare Thirdly The comming of this Iudge Wherein I obserue comming to Iudgement foure circumstances First The place from whence hee shall come as wee reade This d Acts 1. 11. IESVS who is taken vp from you into Heauen shall so come from Heauen as yee haue beheld him going into Heauen e 2. Thess 1. 7. When the Lord IESVS CHRIST shall be reuealed from Heauen with his mightie Angels f 1. Thess 4. 5. The Lord himselfe with a showting shall come downe from Heauen Secondly The time of his comming the Day and houre whereof is vncertaine g Mat. 24. 36. Of that Day or houre saith hee knoweth no man no not the Angels of Heauen but my Father onely and as another h Marke 13. 32 Euangelist hath it nor the Sonne himselfe meaning as hee is the Mediatour of his Church and not as hee is God equall with his Father Thirdly As earthly Princes haue sundry States to goe before them in great brauerie and ostentation to giue warning of their comming and at length followeth the Prince with all his Nobles So this King of Kings sendeth before him certayne glorious signes and foretokens of his Comming before hee himselfe doe come These Signes you shall finde all recorded Mat. 24. of which Chapter so much thereof as appertayneth to this purpose it shall not bee amisse before wee goe further to make some short Analysis or resolution both for the excellencie of the matter and to cleere some difficulties in the passage for I know it is commonly taken that some of those tokens are immediately vpon his Comming and as it were at his setting forth whereas the truth is the very neerest of them is at the least some Age of yeeres before as appeareth Verse 33 34. To come therefore to the foure and twentieth of Matthew our Sauiour hauing finished the Signes of Ierusalems ouerthrow in the first 22. Verses of the Chapter beginneth in the 23. Verse to enter vpon those that were to fore-runne his Comming vnto Iudgement whereof hee mentioneth foure of all other the greatest and most memorable The first is the Kingdome of Poperie where see how hee painteth out the Romish Synagogue euen in her colours First It is a Church in shew and semblance else false christs and false prophets could not be spoken of but yet in truth it is no Church at all For if any man saith he shall say vnto you Lo heere is Christ or there beleeue it not Secondly They shall say Here is Christ and there is Christ. Notably verified in the Popish Masse which to make it appeare to all the World that they are of the number of these false prophets proclaymeth Christ to be really in the Sacraments Thirdly It is a persecuting Church So he saith Verse 29. Immediately after the affliction of those dayes Therein comprehending the whole Antichristian Tyrannie Fourthly Of this Church Antichrist is the head whose whole succession he termeth False christs and false prophets Not such false christs as hee speaketh of with another manner of style Verse 5. which should say I am Christ falsly belying his very Person but that great seducer and false prophet who vnder the Name of Christs Vicar and Peters Successour should iustle Christ out of his Chaire Fiftly The Armes Legges and Shoulders of it or the Tayle rather for the Sting and Poyson of these Scorpions is in their Tayle are a Rabble of false teachers False prophets as he termeth them Sixtly By these false teachers are wrought a multitude of false and fayned miracles Seuenthly The bodie is their Romish catholike apostaticall Church seduced by such false teachers and by those lying signes and miracles How maruellously doe these things iumpe with that which we finde recorded in the Epistle to the Thessalonians and by Iohn in the Reuelation They shall saith Christ heere worke great Signes and Wonders insomuch as they should deceiue if it were possible the very Elect. So saith i 2. Thess 2. 9 10 11. PAVL Whose comming shall be by the effectuall working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders and with all deceitfulnesse of iniquitie in them that perish c. Therefore God shall send them effectuall errours to beleeue lyes And in the k Reuel 13. 12 13 14. Reuelation he maketh the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof to worship the first Beast and worketh great signes insomuch as he maketh fire come downe from Heauen vnto the Earth before men and deceiueth the Inhabitants of the Earth by the signes which were giuen to him to doe These are the signes and wonders which the Papists so bragge of and make one speciall marke of their Church as Vniuersalitie that is their vniuersall Apostasie here also mentioned is another These seuen are in the 23. and 24. Verses Eighthly The errour and superstition of the times placing all Religion and Christianitie in the Wildernes among the Eremites or in their Monkish Cels and Cloysters Against which hee armeth vs with a double argument first l Verse 27. The Light saith he of the Gospell that he meaneth by the Comming of the Sonne of Man as it is taken much in the same sence 2. Thes 2. 8. is as the Lightening which flasheth from the East to the West and lighteneth all the World So doth the Gospell not the Desarts and Cloysters onely but in euery place He that feareth God and worketh Righteousnesse is accepted of him Againe as the m Verse 28. Eagles or with vs Crowes and Rauens flock vnto a Carcase wheresoeuer it may be found So doe the faithfull to Christ wheresoeuer hee n Gal. 2. 2. by the preaching of the Gospel is crucified before their eies And so ninthly and lastly deliuering a most certayne and infallible note of the true Church hee giueth a Bill of Diuorce to the Romish Synagogue that holdeth not Christ the Head nor Iustification by Faith alone in his bloud Thus haue wee in the whole a liuely description of the Romish Catholike Church which for the ROMANISTS better helpe may out of this place bee defined thus The Romish Catholike Church is a cruell persecuting Church whereof Christs Vicar falsly so named is the head multitude of false teachers and a whole World of mis-beleeuers
by lying miracles deceiuing and deceiued make the bodie which seeke Christ vpon the Earth in their Sacrament of the Altar place Religion in an Eremiticall or Monkish life not holding Christ the Head nor Iustification by Faith alone in his bloud And therefore are not the Church of Christ but the Synagogue of Satan The second signe is that o Verse 29. The Heauen shall be darkned The Moone shall not giue her Light the Starres shall fall from Heauen and the powers of Heauen or powerfull and potent Heauens shall be shaken Such Metaphors as these the Scripture is wont to vse when it would expresse a notable change to fall out in the World the ruine and ouerthrow of some great State or Monarchie p Esay 13. 10. Esay in his thirteenth Chapter speaking of the destruction of Babel The Starres of the Heauen and their Planets shall not giue their light and the Moone shall not shine bright the Sunne shall bee darkned at his rising q Ioel 4. 7. IOEL prophecying of the seuere Iudgement against the enemies of Gods Church The Sunne and the Moone shall be blacke and the Stars shall take in their Light And r Ezech. 32. 7 8 Ezechiel to Pharaoh King of Egypt I will couer when I put thee out the Heauens and I will make their Stars blacke The Sunne I will couer in a Cloud and the Moone shall not make her Light shine All the Planets of light in the Heauen will I make blacke for thy sake And I will set darknesse in the Land So in the Å¿ Reuel 6. 12 13 14. Reuelation When hee opened the sixt Seale there was a great Earthquake and the Sunne became blacke as hayrie sackcloth and the Moone became as bloud and the Starres of Heauen fell to the ground and Heauen parted asunder as a Booke rolled together and euery Mountayne and Iland were remooued out of their places Which things point not to the end of the World seeing many things were to fellow vnder the seuenth Seale but are meant as it seemeth of that great ouerthrow which Constantine gaue to Dioclesian and other Tyrants of the Church turning the whole Empire of Rome vpside downe from Gentilisme to Christianitie This second signe therefore I iudge to bee the Turkes ouerthrow which shall fall out t Reuel 16. 19. 19. 20. 20. 10. as soone as the Church is deliuered from the Tyrannie of Antichrist that is as our Sauiour speaketh heere immediately after the affliction of those dayes The third Signe is the calling of the Iewes wherein foure things may be obserued First The time And then saith u Verse 30. he that is x Ezech. 38. 39. to the end of the Prophecy Reuel 20 7 8 9 10 11 c. immediately vpon the Ruine of the Turkish Empire for though some y Ezech. 37. Reuel â—6 12 13 14 15 16. beginnings are to bee made before an indeuour to and preparation to seeke Christ whereupon z Dan. 1. 12 â— shall insue the forest time of affliction to that people that euer was in the world yet their full and thorow Call beginneth not till the Turke be done away Secondly The glorie of their Church two wayes described one by calling it The Signe of the Sonne of man the other The Comming of the Sonne of man in the Clouds of the Heauen for so is the latter vsed Reue. 1. 7 And before in this Chapter Verse 27. and they both import the selfe same thing which Paul 2. Thess 28. calleth The brightnesse of his Comming to wit not a corporall but a spirituall Comming powerfully and royally in the great and glorious Conuersion of this Nation Thirdly The generalitie of their call that all the Tribes of Israel aswell as Iudah shall bee saued Which very word of Tribes if there were no more sheweth of what people it must be meant Fourthly Their true and vnfayned Repentance for the mourning heere spoken of is that bitter mourning for the sinne of all sinnes the sinne of refusing Christ whereof you reade Zacharie 12. 10 11 c. Reu. 1. 7. The fourth Signe is the generall publishing of the Gospell thorowout the World for this sending of his Angels with a Trumpet and great voyce and their gathering of the Elect out of the foure Windes from one end of the Heauen to another Verse 31. cannot bee that voyce of an Archangell and Trumpet of God which the Apostle speaketh of 1. Thes 4. 16. nor the gathering mentioned Mat. 25. 32. for it is expresly said here Verse 33 34. When you see all those things whereof this which we now speake of is one know hee is neere at the doores not yet come as he must be when the Archangels voice doth sound Verily I say vnto you The same a So is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken Luke 17. 34. age the Age wherein the last of these things shall bee fulfilled shall not passe away till all things be done Therefore it must needs bee taken of a glorious spreading of the Gospell among all Nations not spoken figuratiuely or by Hyperbole and excesse of speech as that other Verse 14. but in a true literall and proper sence And as the former was giuen to the Apostles for a Signe that should goe before the Iewes desolation and consequently before Antichrist should come who was not to appeare till some Ages after they were destroyed So this is to come after After his after the Turkes destruction after the Iewes repayre for b Reuel 21. 24. then shall the Nations bring their Honour and Glorie to the new holy Citie c Ezech. 47. Then shall waters flye out of the Temple into the East and to all the quarters round about by the sweetnesse whereof shall be ingendred a multitude of fish exceeding many Then d Dan. 7. 14. after the small horne taken away which is the Turke a Kingdome shall be giuen to him that was like the Sonne of man that all People Nations and Tongues shall serue him Then e Zach. 14. 19. shall IEHOVAH be King ouer all the Earth And in that Day there shall be one IEHOVAH and his name one Hauing done now with the Signes the last circumstance is the manner of his Comming which shall bee sudden manifest and notorious vnto all and full of State and Maiestie For the suddennesse of it it is compared to a f 1. Thess 2. 2. Reuel 16. 5. Thiefe in the night to g 1. Thess 5. 3. trauaile that commeth on a sudden to a woman with child and to a h Luke 21. 35. snare that catcheth men vnawares Whereupon it is also compared to the dayes of i Mat. 24. 37 38 39. Noe and of Lot for as men then were taken before they were aware so shall they bee in the Day of Iudgement which serueth to stirre vs vp to watchfulnesse as our Sauiour in k Luke 21. 35. Luke maketh that vse of it As a
of which places wee are to gather that to the Reprobate also which are then liuing there shall bee a miserable and wretched change of their bodies which shall be in stead of death This is further to be added touching the Resurrection The creatures also for our sake shall then be renewed into a glorious estate not subiect to corruprion of the Righteous that not onely they shall so rise to glorie but for their sakes the very Creatures themselues and the whole frame of Gods Creation shall be renewed into a glorious estate not subiect to corruption the power of Christs Resurrection renewing all the World for as the Creature had a part in the Curse of man as before we shewed so the Scripture teacheth that they shall haue their part in his Renouation And when wee their Masters shall be promoted they that serue vs shall put on new Liueries Paul both generally applyeth it to the z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whole Creation that is to all the things created exempting nothing Heauen Earth Beasts Plants Metals and whatsoeuer else and defineth the time when this shall be for a Rom. 8. 19 20 21 22. the creature wayting as it were with the head stretched out expecteth the Reuelation of the sonnes of God that is till the glorie appointed for Gods Children be made manifest for the creature is made subiect to vanitie not of it owne accord but for him that hath subiected it thereunto vnder hope that euen the creature shall bee freed from the bondage of corruption into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God for wee know that the whole Creation groneth and trauelleth together vnto this present time By trauell noting not onely their present labour and paine but the happie issue that shall follow as deliuerance to one with childe which the Apostle b 2. Pet. 3. 13. Peter vttereth more plainly when he saith We looke for new Heauens and a new Earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse And no maruell though hee saith there According to his promise for the Prophets herein are not silent first Esay expresly saith of them c Esay 65. 17. Behold I will create new Heauens and a new Earth and these former shall bee no more remembred nor come to minde And in d Esay 66. 22. the next Chapter to shew this promise not to be in vaine he confirmeth by the remembrance thereof his promises to the Church For as those new Heauens and that new Earth which I shall make shall stand before mee saith IEHOVAH So shall your seed and your name stand The Prophet Dauid in his sweete and heauenly melodie triumphantly describeth it e Psal 96. 10 11 12. The Heauens shall reioyce and the Earth shall bee glad the Sea shall make a noyse and whatsoeuer filleth it the field shall triumph and whatsoeuer is therein then shall all the Trees of the Forrest sing before IEHOVAH when hee commeth for he commeth to iudge the Earth c. wherein not onely the first comming of Christ into the World but this time withall is respected yea and this especially in asmuch as the full accomplishment of that his Kingdome in men themselues how much more in these doth not yet appeare but is deferred till the latter Day for which cause the same is called as by a proper name f Acts 3. 21. The time of the restoring of all things The qualitie of this estate whereunto the whole Creation shall be renewed is three manner of wayes set forth vnto vs first in calling them g 2. Pet. 3. 13. Esay 65. 17. 66. 22. Reuel 21. 1. new Heauens and a new Earth in qualitie not in substance the exceeding glorie and excellencie which shall bee ingrauen in them being a new Creation yea better and a purer then the first for that which is said in h 2. Pet. 3. 13. PETER The Heauens shall passe away with a noyse the Element also with burning shall be dissâ—lued and the Earth and workes therein shall bee burnt vp And that of the i Rom. 8. 21. Psalme They the Earth which thou hast founded and the worke of thine hands the Heauens shall perish and all of them as a garment shall waxe â—lde as a vesture thou shalt change them and they shall be changed These I say and whatsoeuer else of like kinde are to bee referred not vnto their nature and substance which shall remayne but to their deformitie which is to be done away Secondly It is described in saying that Righteousnes dwelleth in them and lastly that they shall be freed into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God Whereby is noâ— meant that they shall be receiued into the fellowship of that glorie that abideth for Gods Children but it onely signifieth the integritie and perfection of estate whatsoeuer the same be whereunto they shall be renewed With this little in so generall termes deliuered wee are to rest content and not to feed our selues with vaine and curious speculations which neither it is profitable to know nor lawfull to enquire Rather let vs looke to the excellent vse which the Apostle gathereth of this Doctrine that seeing all these things are to be renewed and fined what puritie and cleannesse how k 2. Pet. 8. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great a measure of Godlinesse should there shine in those for whose cause they shall bee changed They the pure and excellent creatures of God are to passe the fire that they may bee purged What then must become of vs that are full of so great vncleannesse And withall let vs not forget if the l Rom. 8. 33. dumbe and sencelesse creatures ioyfully vndergoe the miserable condition whereunto sinne hath throwne them for the assured hope they haue of a happy deliuerance into a better estate if hereby the whole frame of this World and euery part thereof taketh comfort cheerefully to runne their course and without all wearisomnesse to doe the office which the Creatours pleasure enioyneth them vnto How much more ought we to doe the like that haue receiued alreadie the first fruites of the Spirit FINIS Certain faults which because they would most trouble the Reader I desire him to amend with his Pen before he read Most of theÌ„ grew not so much from the Printer as by the fault of the Copie mistakings of the Hebrew or Greeke Letters and of the quotations in the margent which may easily be discerned as also of Secretarie in stead of Romane or contrariwise and literall faults I leaue to the Iudicious Reader P standeth for page l. for the line r. for reade p. 7. l. 34. r. would euen l. 35 put out men p. 12. l. vlt. r. or vnworth p. 19. l. 30. put out p. 20. l. 16. r. is any l. 17. r. in all p. 23. l. 27. r. inhabited world p. 24. l. 3. 4. put out the first and the last and in stead thereof say the beginning and the ending