10.32 c. and chap 11.24 c. That Faith incourageth to Prayer wee may reason from that which the Apostle Paul writeth Romans 10.14 For it is a fruit of faith yea so a fruit as without Faith there can be no true prayer or calling vppon the name of God Read also chapt 8.15 The Spirit of adoption incourageth to prayer But where this Spirit is not euen that Spirit which is onely receiued by Faith there is no readinesse to true and faithfull prayer What profit should wee haue say Infidells if wee should pray vnto God Iob 21.15 And Psal 14.4 They call not vpon the Lorde See also a fearfull example Mal 3.14 Yee haue said It is in vaine to serue God c. That faith doth solicite to repentance and care of a godly life wee may perceiue Gal chap 5. verse 6. Faith worketh by loue Reade also and rightly vnderstand the 2. chap of the epistle of the Apostle Iames who as by the grace of God wee shall declare more at large afterward consenteth with the Apostle Paul in shewing what manner of faith the true iustifiyng faith is namely such a faith as feedeth the hungrie clotheth the naked and is not a verball faith onely c. Likewise teacheth S. Iohn 1. ep ch 3. verses 2.3 Euery man saith hee that hath this hope in him that is in God hee purgeth himselfe And verse 17. This wee shall yet further perceiue 2 Pet 2.22 Ps 14.1 Ephes 4.30 1. Cor. 6.15 if wee consider that saith hath very manie and mightie reasons at hand to withdraw from sinne and to mooue vnto godlines of life From sinne because sinne is in it selfe a most vile and filthy thing because it is highly displeasing and abhominable in the sight of God because it grieueth his holy Spirit whereby wee are sealed vnto the day of redemption because also in respect of our Sauiour Christ it is a most vnseemelie thing that any being a member of his most holy Body should not bee sutable to the Head in some measure of holines c. But no reason is more mighty then when faith deeply weigheth with it selfe that the least sin could no way else be satisfied for vnto the Iustice of God offended therwith but by the most grieuous sufferings death of our Sauiour Christ And vnto godlines of life it moueth the beleeuer by laying before him all the mercies of God specially this of our redemption through the same his most bitter sufferings euen to the sheadding of his most precious heartblood for vs most wretched and vnworthy sinners Reade Rom. 12.1.2 and 2. Cor. 6.18 I will bee a Father vnto you and yee shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord allmightie And chapt 7.1 Seeing then wee haue these promises dearelie beloued saith the holie Apostle let vs cleanse our selues from all the filthinesse of the flesh and the spirit and growe vp to full holinesse in the feare of God To conclude That faith is accompanied with hope in a patient wayting vpon God for euerlasting happinesse and saluation Wee reade Tit. 1.1.2 The faith of Gods elect is said to be vnder the hope of eternall life Let vs to the same ende consider the confession of the Apostle Paul Act 24.14.15 This I confesse vnto thee c. that I beleeue c. And haue hope toward God that the resurrection of the dead shall he both of the iust vniust Let vs consider it also by calling to minde the example of Abrahams faith who aboue hope beleeued vnder hope c. Rom. 4.18 And there followeth an other expresse and notable proofe chapt 5.1.2 c. For being iustified by faith c. Wee reioyce vnder the hope of the glorie of God Moreouer in the same epistle chap. 8. verses 23.24 Wee are saued by hope c. And wee doe with patience abide for that which wee see not Read also 2. Cor. 4.16 c. and Hebr 6.18 c. And chap 10.35 c. And chap 12.1.2 c there is a notable exhortation mouing vs to patience Likewise Iames chap verses 2.3.4 and verse 12. Blessed is the man that endureth tentation c. And 1. Pet. 4.12 c. Read also Isai 28.16 Hee that beleeueth shall not make haste And chapt 64.3.4 God worketh things aboue expectation to those that waite for him In the 5. Psal verse 3. wee haue the notable example of a patient waiter And againe Psal 85.8 And Psa 147.11 God delighteth in those that practise this excellent vertue God iustifieth sinners God iustifieth sinners THus farre of the nature of the true iustifying Faith Let vs nowe hasten forward as fast as wee can For albeit manie things more might be added yet hoping that this which hath bin already laid forth may well suffice for our present purpose I desire that you should without all further delay shewe to whom that promise of iustification and saluation wherevpon the iustifying faith dependeth is made Question What is your answere to this Answere God of his infinite goodnesse and mercie hath promised that he will for his onely Sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake iustifie and saue euery poore soule neuer so sinfull and damnable in themselues and by reason of the former wickednesse of their liues Whosoeuer after they haue truly knowne the grace of God shall thenceforth constantly beleeue in the name of his Sonne and as a liuely fruit therof earnestly repent them of their sinnes and leade a newe life Explicatiō proofe This is plainely confirmed in the 3. chapt of the Euangelist Iohn verse 16. God so loued the world c. Reade also Isai 56.3 c. Let not the sonne of the stranger that is ioyned to the Lord speake and say The Lord hath surelie separated me from his people neither let the Eunuch say Beholde I am a drie tree For thus saith the Lord vnto the Eunuches that keepe my Sabbaths and choose the thing that pleaseth me and take hold of my couenant Euen vnto them will I giue in my house and within my walls a place and a name better then of the Sonnes and of the daughters c. Yea as it is in the first chapter of this prophesie Though saith the Lord your sinnes were as crimsin they shal be made white as snowe though they were red like skarlet they shall be as wooll And that it is the gratious good pleasure of God to iustifie and saue sinners yea most grieuous sinners it is not onely testified in word as wee read Rom. 4. vers 5. To him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodlie his faith is counted for righteousnes Euen as Dauid declareth the blessednes of that man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnes without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen c. But the same thing is also confirmed ipso facto as a man may say and by canonicall experience I meane by experience according to the canon and rule of the holie Scriptures For
the forgiuenes of their sinnes the which iustification alone and no other can endure strict examination before the iudgement seate of God agreeable to the confession of the holy Prophet Psal 130 3 4. If thou ô Lord straightly markest iniquities ô Lord who shall stand But mercy is with thee that thou maiest bee feared So that euen of necessitie we must all as well as he come into the house of the Lord in the multitude of his mercie and worship him in feare Psal 5 7. Praying to him as we read Ps 143 2. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall none that liueth be iustified Hereunto also doth the example of the holy Ap. Paul lead vs in that he maketh his protestation 1. Cor 4 v. 3 4 in these words As touching me saith Paul I passe very little to be iudged of you or of mās iudgement no I iudge not mine owne selfe For I knowe nothing by my selfe yet am I not thereby iustified but he that iudgeth me is the Lord c. And the example of righteous Iob in his confession chap. 9 v. 1 2 3. I know verily saith he that it is so for how should man compared vnto God be iustified If he should dispute with him he could not answere him one thing of a thousand And v. 19 20 21. If we speake of strength saith Iob behold he that is God is strong if wee speake of iudgement who shall bring me in to pleade If I would iustifie my selfe mine owne mouth should condemne me If I would be perfit he shal iudge me wicked Though I were perfit yet I know not my soule therefore doe I ahhorre my life And ch 25 4. in the same booke Bildad likewise speaking by the holy Ghost saith confidently How can a man be iustified with God or how can he be cleane that is borne of woman Wherefore as Iudah saith to Ioseph Gen. 44.16 How shall we iustifie our selues He professing thereby that they could not cleare thēselues Much rather may we yea ought we to say and confesse before the Lord that we cannot possibly iustifie our selues before his iudgement seate but must needes appeale to his throne of free mercy and grace For assuredly none shall be iustified by their owne righteousnes but such as shall perfectly fulfill the whole lawe of God according to that Ro. 2 13. The hearers of the law are not righteous before God but the dooers of the lawe shall be iustified But this can no man possibly performe For as touching the righteousnes of the best it is vnperfect and we must euery one of vs labour to better and increase it from day to day as Reuel 22 11. He that is iust let him be iustified still and he that is holy let him be sanctified still That is let euery such one not onely continue but also in continuance let him more and more encrease in righteousnes and holines and so declare the truth of that righteousnes holines which is in him For as our Sa Christ saith To him that hath shall be giuen he shal haue in a boundance c. But the righteousnes of God by the gift whereof he iustifieth his adopted children namely in that he imputeth the righteousnes of his owne naturall sonne our Lord Iesus Christ vnto them it is fully perfect at the very first instant and so continueth alwaies euen as the righteousnes of Christ himselfe is perfect once and for euer howsoeuer in the faithfull the dutie yea and the comfort of their iustification may appeare and be more fully manifested in processe and tract of time as Abraham beleeuing and by his faith being iustified in the sight of God long before shewed the truth and power of his faith in offering vp of his onely sonne Isaak at the commandement which God gaue him for the triall of his faith many a yeare after And thus by the grace of God may we perceiue what iustification by faith is according to the doctrine of the Apostle Paul to wit that we are accoūted righteous before the iudgement seate of God onely for the merit and worthines of the righteousnes and obedience of our Sauiour Christ imputed to vs of God and apprehended of vs by faith and not otherwise Now when the same word to iustifie is referred to workes as the Apostle Iames vseth it the Apostle is in no wise to bee vnderstood as though a man might by his workes bee made perfectly righteous in the iust and strict iudgement of God For that cannot be insomuch as it was said euen now al our own works yea euen the best of them they are vnperfect And besides that as the Apostle Iames himselfe teacheth vs In many things we sin all And therefore it must needs be in his iudgement a grieuous sinne for any to goe about to iustifie thēselues by any worthines of their own workes in the sight of God according as it is expresly noted to be a sin in the Pharisies by our Sa Christ Luk. ch 16. v. 15. Ye are they which iustifie your selues before men c. And againe ch 18 19 c. For if it be a sin to stand in a vaine ostentation of our righteousnes before men much more sinful is it in opiniō therof to lift vp a mās mind in the sight of god as Hab. ch 2 4. Behold he that lifteth vp himselfe his mind is not vpright in him but the iust shal liue by his faith They onely haue the fruit and reward of their works who doing them in conscience of most bounden duty in obedience to God doe most vnfeinedly renounce al opinion of merit according to the instruction of our Sa Christ acknowledge themselues when they haue done al that they can to be vnprofitable seruants Luk. 17.10 And ch 18. 9. c. it may in a good part be euident by the comparison which our Sa Christ maketh betwixt the Pharisie iustifying himselfe the poore Publican humbly confessing bewailing his sins of whom our Sa saith that he went to his house iustified rather then the other And it may be more fully confirmed by these reasons following First we are iustified in the sight of God in such manner onely as may most perfectly take away al reioycing from our selues As Ro. 3 27. All reioycing in works is excluded by faith And ch 4 1 2. Abrahā being iustified without works hath nothing concerning himselfe to reioyce in before God Likewise Eph. 2 9. Not of works lest any man should boast himselfe This because it was not duly regarded of the vnbeleeuing Iewes who sought after their own righteousnes it turned to their destruction Ro. 9 30 31 32 33. ch 10 1 2 3. Wherefore as it is written 1. Cor. 1 31. He that reioyceth let him reioyce in the Lord. Who hath made Christ to be perfect wisedome righteousnes sanctification and redemption vnto vs. And herein is included a second reason which is that we are so iustified as
and all things that we doe according to his word well pleasing and acceptable before him Answere 1. It is by reason of that infinite loue of God wherewith hee hath made vs accepted to himselfe in his owne beloued Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ whose righteousnesse and whole obedience and worthinesse faith apprehendeth yea and maketh vs one with Christ himselfe by spirituall coniunction and that according to the most gracious and fatherly good will and pleasure of GOD toward vs in the same his Sonne 2. It is also because God esteemeth it the greatest honour which we can possibly doe vnto him yea and the very ground and originall of yeelding him any true henour at all when we doe beleeue in him as being most true and faithfull of his word aboue all that the naturall sense and reason of man can possibly conceiue and vnderstand 3. Furthermore because faith onely teacheth vs the true deniall of our selues and of all trust in any thing but in God alone 4. Finally because faith is instrumentally as it were the seede yea the very life of all true obedience vnto him Faith most pleasing to God and why There might more reasons bee alleadged from whence the excellencie of faith may be discerned as will further appeare by that which followeth but we will content our selues with these for the present Explicatiō and proofe Now for the proofe of them first let it be well considered that euen as God is in speciall manner pleased to shewe mercy for mercy pleaseth him Micah 7.18 so likewise doth faith singularly please him in so much as it maketh most precious account of his mercy and doth most dutifully attend vpon the same as we read Ps 147.11 The Lord delighteth in them that feare him and attend vpon his mercy Now if we shall inquire yet further why it is that the Lord delighteth so greatly to shewe mercie to miserable and sinfull men it is doubtles for no other cause but for that infinite loues sake which hee beareth first to his owne naturall and onely begotten son our Lord Iesus Christ and then to them for his sake in whom he hath adopted them according to that which we read Ephes chap. 1.5 6. c. Secondly we may see by that which is saide of Abraham how greatly God doth account himselfe glorified of those that do truly and constantly beleeue in him For so we read of Abraham that he gaue great glory to God in that he did not doubt of the promise of God through vnbeleefe but was strengthened in faith aboue hope beleeued vnder hope c. He being fully assured that he who had promised was able also to doe it Ro. 4 18 19 20 21. And for this grace of faith all the seruants of God themselues are specially honoured graced as we may say according to that wee reade touching many particulars mentioned in the 11. ch of the ep to the Heb. from the beginning of the ch c. and as it is generally affirmed of them v. 39. All through faith obtained good report Whereas on the contrary they that beleeue not in God are charged to make God a lyar Then the which what greater dishonour can any doe to him who alone is the God of all truth 1. Iohn 5 10 And how also can they that be such more dishonour and reproch themselues For the third branch read Philip. 3 3 4 c. And here it may be wel worth the noting that as mans calling of the truth of Gods word into questiō was the beginning of mans fall from God so it pleaseth God that faith in the truth of his word promise should be the recouery revniting of man vnto God againe Finally call here againe to minde the words of the former answere Read also 2. Cor. 13 14. Gal. chap. 5 verse 6. VVhat Faith is BVt of the nature of faith wee are now in the next place to enquire further as after a iewell of speciall price and as after that which is the very staffe and stay of our soules as we haue partly beene giuē to vnderstand already Now therefore seeing faith is so excellent a grace shewe you yet more fully what the nature of it is Question How haue you learned to answere this so speciall a point Answere The faith whereby euery true beleeuer is iustified and saued is that most holy and excellent gift or grace of our spirituall regeneration and new birth wherein resteth the principall comfort of our soules here in this life The which arising from the knowledge of the glorious grace of God in the face of Iesus Christ and sweetly and comfortably reposing and resting it selfe onely and wholly vpon the vndoubted certaintie of the diuine truth and faithfulnes of Gods most gracious and free promise concerning the same our iustification and saluation by Christ yea laying sure hold vpon Christ himselfe in whom onely and al-sufficiently life righteousnes and saluation is to be found It hath furthermore many right worthy and admirable effects in the heart of euery true beleeuer Which are those so notable effects Question Answere 1. It reioyceth the heart of the true beleeuer with ioy vnspeakable and glorious 2. It imboldeneth him to make open profession and confession of his faith in the name of Iesus Christ euen in the middest of the most cruell despitefull aduersaries thereof 3. It causeth his soule What Faith is to haue good trust and affiance vnder the holy wings of the fatherly prouidēce protection of God in the most bitter tēptations trials of this life 4. It inciteth also and incourageth the beleeuer to earnest and constant prayer 5. It continually soliciteth to repentance and care of a godly life here in this world 6. Finally it is accompanied with hope and that also in a patient waiting for eternal happines and glory after this life in the kingdome of heauen That the true iustifying faith is of such an excellent nature as you haue described Explicatiō and proofe and that it worketh these so notable effects as you haue rehearsed it is euery where euident in the holy Scriptures as hath beene declared in the last Sermon vpon this point Let vs now briefly here call them againe to mind But first of all in so much as the word faith is vsed in the holy Scriptures in diuers and sundry significations it shall not be amisse for vs to set downe a note thereof And let vs beginne with this that faith is vsed sometimes to signifie the doctrine of faith as Act. chap 6 7. A great company and of the Priests some were obedient to the faith And againe chap. 13 8. Rom. 1 5 and chap. 3.31 and chap. 16 26. Gal. 1 22 and chap. 3 verses 2 5 23 and 1. Tim. verse 2 chap. 1. Paul writeth to Timotheus calling him his naturall sonne in the faith meaning to giue him this testimonie that hee was a true beleeuer according to the true doctrine of faith Read
vnpossible that God should lye wee might haue strong consolation who haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that it set before vs c. And chap. 11 verses 6 13 17 c. This most stedfast faithfulnes of God is euery where worthily testified vnto vs in the holy Scriptures And namely 1. Cor. 1 9. God is faithfull by whom yee are called vnto the fellowship of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. And chap. 10 13. God is faithfull c. And 2. Epistle 1 18. the Apostle appealeth to God as to the most faithfull and true witnesse So againe chap. 11 31 and chap. 12 2 3. God saith he knoweth that I lye not And 1. Thes 5.24 Faithfull is he which calleth you who will also doe it And Chap. 3 Epistle 3 3. The Lord is faithfull who will establish you c. And Tit. 1 2. God that cannot lye hath promised And Hebrewes 10 23. Let vs keepe the profession of our hope without wauering for hee is faithfull that hath promised Reade also Iames 1 17. There is no variablenesse in God neither shadowing by turning And Paul againe Rom. 11 29. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance Likewise the Prophet Hos chap. 13 verse 14. Repentance is hid from my eyes saith the Lord. Read also Psalme 36 5. Thy mercy ô Lord reacheth to the heauens and thy faithfulnesse to the cloudes And Psalme 105 8. He hath alwaies remembred his couenant and promise which hee made to a thousand generations And Psalme 111.5 He will euer be mindefull of his couenant And ver 9 He hath commanded his couenant for euer And 146 6. He keepeth his fidelitie for euer And in the Lament of Ierimiah 3 23 Great is his faithfulnesse To this end also it is well worthy the obseruing that the word of God hath often testimonie giuen to the faithfulnes of it Tit. 1 9. The Minister is to hold fast the faithfull word And chap. 3 8. This is a faithfull saying Likewise 1. Tim. 1.15 and chap. 3 1 and chap. 4 9. and Reuel chap. 22 6. These words are faithfull and true So also Psa 19.7 The testimonie of the Lord is sure And Psal 93.5 Thy testimonies are very sure And Isay 55 3. I will make an euerlasting couenant with you saith the Lord euen the sure mercies af Dauid And againe Act. 13 14. I will giue you the holy things of Dauid which are faithfull And yet further that faith doth in speciall manner lay hold of the promise of God toaching iustification it is euident by the often confirmation of this that we are iustified by faith and namely Gal. 3 8. The Scripture foreseeing that God would iustifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospell vnto Abraham saying In thee shall all the gentiles be blessed So then they that be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham This testimonie is often repeated in the epistles of the blessed Apostle And Act 13.39 By Christ euery one that beleeueth is iustified That the same faith doth herewithall lay holde of saluation by our Sauiour Christ we read Act. 15.11 We beleeue saith the Apostle Peter through the grace of our Lord Iesus to be saued euen as they that is the beleeuing Gentiles doe For as it is else where affirmed Christ onely is saluation both to Iew also to Gentile Neither is there any other name wherby any may be saued Act. 4.12 Read also Eph 2.8 By grace are yee saued through Faith And Pet. 1.5 Yee are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation And verse 9. Receiuing the ende of your faith euen the saluation of your soules Of the which saluation the Prophets haue enquired c. Beleeue saith the Apostle Paul to the Iaylor in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued thine houshold And herevnto tendeth that comfortable speech of our San Christ himselfe so often repeated in the Gospell Thy faith hath saued thee Matt. 9.22 In which words he would incourage the poore woman to beleeue spirituall saluation by the comfort of that bodily health which shee had receiued from him For this verily was the ende of all the bodilie cures which our Sauiour Christ wrought as may bee perceiued by the testimonie of Saint Matthew chapt 8.16.17 Reade also the same comfortable speech Luke 8 50. Feare not beleeue onely c. And chap. 17.19 And againe chapt 18.42 Thy faith hath saued thee And Mark 9.23 All things are possible to him that beleeueth Finallie that Faith layeth holde vpon Christ himselfe it is manifest in that by faith Christ liueth in the faithfull and they againe doe liue in him Gal 2.20 And chap 3.27 By faith wee put on Christ And Eph. 3.17 Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith For the which cause it is that the true iustifiyng and sauing faith beareth the name of faith in Christ faith in the name of Christ the faith of of Christ faith toward Christ the faith which is by Christ and through his bloode c. Yea faith doth so lay holde vppon Christ that it doth most nearely vnite vs vnto him for euer in one mysticall bodie as the members of the naturall bodie are knitte to the head according to that of the Apostle Paul 1. Cor. 12. verses 12.13 and Ephes 2.18.19.20.21.22 And as wee read chapt 5.30 Wee are members of his bodie of his flesh and of his bones Hetherto of the former part of our description of the nature of faith It remaineth that wee shewe some proofes out of holie Scripture concerning those notable effectes which are ascribed to the same faith And first of all that it reioyceth the heart of the true beleeuer with ioye vnspeakeable and glorious Reade 1. Pet. 1.8 Reade also Rom. 5.1.2.3 and Iames 1.2 And Luke chap 1.46.47 and ch 2.10 That faith giueth boldnesse touching the profession of the name of Christ wee reade Romans chapter 10. verse 10. With the heart man beleeueth vnto righteousnesse and with the mouth hee confesseth to saluation Read also 1. Pet. 3.14.15 Matth. 10.28 c. That it causeth the soule of the beleeuer to haue comfortable trust and affiance vnder the Fatherly prouidence of God wee may easilie perceiue by the comfortable Doctrine and exhortation of our Sauiour Christ Matth 6.25 c. And chapter 10. verse 19 and verse 30. Wee may perceiue it also from the example of the Apostle Paul Act 27. c. 25. Syrs be of good courage for I beleeue God that it shall be so as hath bene tolde mee And againe 2. Tim. 1.12 I knowe whom I haue beleeued and I am perswaded that hee is able to keepe that which I haue commited to him against that day Reade also 2. Corinth 4.8.9 c. Likewise Psal 23. 46. 62. And Ps 119.50 It is my comfort in my trouble for thy promise hath quickened mee And Sam 30.6 When the people would euen forthwith haue stoned Dauid hee comforted himselfe in the Lord his GOD. Read also Hebr
the Churche Thus then wee may perceiue what the word to iustifie or iustification it selfe in the sight of God meaneth when we speake of our iustification by faith For it is nothing in effect but the apprehension and application of Christs righteousnes redemption to a mans selfe according to the free promise and gift of God whose good will and pleasure it is to impute it to euery true beleeuer as verily and fully as if hee had performed it himselfe Question But what doth the same worde signifie when the Apostle denyeth that to workes which hee ascribeth to faith hee affirming plainely and peremptorilie that no man can possiblie be iustified by his owne workes Answere The meaning is that no man either hath or can possiblie performe the morall workes commanded in the most holy and righteous law of God so perfectlie that he should thereby deserue to be accounted righteous before the iudgement seate of God and for the same to be worthy of that high rewarde of the Crowne of righteousnesse and glorie the which God of his free grace and mercie hath for his Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christes sake layde vp for those onely which beleeue in his name and loue and longe after his most glorious and blessed appearing ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe It is true So saith the Apostle Paul 2. Timoth 4.7.8 And againe Rom 3.20 Wee knowe that whatsoeuer the lawe saith it saith it to them which are vnder the lawe that euery mouth may be stopped and all the world be culpable before God Therefore by the workes of the lawe shall no flesh be iustified in his sight for by the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne And in the same chapter verse 28. Therefore wee conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the lawe Likewise chapt 11. 6. and in many other places of his most holie Epistles But it may be obiected that the Apostle Iames seemeth to teach otherwise For hee affirmeth expressely that not onely Abraham that renowmed father of the faithfull but also that Rahab a heathen woman one that was before of an infamous condition of life was after that she beleeued iustified by her workes Question Howe therefore are these wordes of the Apostle Iames to be vnderstood Answere We are first of all vndoubtedly to perswade our selues that it neuer came into the Apostle Iames his minde to teach any thing in his holie Epistle contrarie no nor in any the least thing dissenting from the doctrine of the Apostle Paul ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe This ought to bee out of all question indeede For both the one and the other did both write and preach alwaies by one and the same most faithfull and constant Spirit of truth by whom no doubt they were perfectly guided led into all truth according to the promise of our Sauior Christ Iohn 16 13. And the rather are we thus to perswade our selues in the present pointe of doctrine because it is a doctrine both of the most singular honour and glorie to the most free grace and mercie of God and also of the greatest comfort to our owne poore soules that may be as was mentioned before Yea and further also of all other doctrines most effectuall to prouoke vs and all true beleeuers to all holy thankfulnes and good dutie toward the Lord God our most gratious and mercifull Father for the same And the rather also will we thus perswade our selues if we duly consider as the truth is that the doctrine of Iustification by workes and the imagined opinion of the merit and worthines thereof before the iudgement seate of God is as a learned and godly Father hath well obserued many waies exceedingly preiudiciall both to Gods glory and to our owne comfort and to the truth it selfe M Foxe in his obseruations concerning the doctrine of the lawe of God Act. And Mâ—n pag 894. For first as he truly saith they that teach Iustification by the workes of the lawe the which is contrary to the ende and scope of the lawe they do peruert all method and order of doctrine 2 They seeke that in the lawe which the lawe cannot giue 3 They are not able either to comfort themselues or other 4 They keepe mens soules in an vncertaine doubting of their saluation 5 They obscure the light of Gods grace 6 They are vnkinde to Gods benefits 7 They are iniurious to Christes passion Yea enemies to his crosse 8 They stop Christian libertie 9 They bereaue the Church the spouse of Christ of her due comfort as taking away the Sunne out of the world 10 In all their doings they shoote at a wrong marke For where Christ onely is set vp to be apprehended by our faith and so freely to iustifie vs they leauing this Iustification by faith set vp other markes partly of the lawe and partly of their owne deuising for men to shoote at This therefore as that learned Father hath obserued is the B. of Romes doctrine and not the doctrine of the Apostle Iames. Question How then is the Apostle Iames to be vnderstood in that he saith Abraham and Rahab were iustified by workes Answere The Apostle Iames hauing iust cause to reproue certaine vaine and carnall professours of the Gospell euen such as verbally and in word onely boasted of their faith but were altogether vnfruitfull in good workes he is accordingly veriâ— earnest in declaring not what are the causes of our Iustification as the Apostle Paul doth but onely what maner of faith the iustifying faith is whereby true beleeuers are iustified in the sight of God It is very true and so can it not but be acknowledged of euery vpright and diligent Reader Proceed you therfore to declare what manner of faith the true iustifying faith is according to the doctrine of S. Iames. Question How can you describe it according to the true intent of the Apostle Iames Answere He giueth plainly to vnderstand that the true iustifying faith is not an idle and vnfruitfull faith such as theirs was whom he iustly reproueth and therefore termeth it a dead faith but that it is such a faith as through the quickening grace of the holy Ghost worketh by loue Gâ—l 5. â— Heb. 11.33 and is fruitfull in the actions and duties thereof And that for the same cause it maâ— iustly be said that such as do so beleeue are by their workes that is to say by the fruites of their faith iustified to haue a true iustifying faith in deed to the comfort of their owne hearts and before the Church of God so farre as it may iudge and discerne Explication and proofe That this is the true scope of the doctrine of the Apostle Iames it will in deed appeare to euery one that will diligently and in the feare of God bend his minde to consider of it wisely comparing one thing with an other Let vs therfore yet againe vpon the occasion renewed vse some further diligence for the clearing of this point of
Credere Deum sc esse Credere Deo and Credere in Deum For as touching the former two the wicked may doe them the last onelie is proper to the children of God And although in the holy Scriptures as they are written in the Hebrewe and Greeke languages there is not so exact a difference put betweene these kinde of phrases yet they must be diuerslie vnderstoode and interpreted according as they are referred either to GOD or to man For although the preposition Beth in the Hebrewe be ioyned with the word of beleeuing when it is referred to men as well as to GOD as wee finde it Exodus 14.31 and 2. Chronicles chap. 20 verse 20. As though wee should in our language reade it thus Beleeue ye in the Lord and in his Prophets yet of necessitie must wee vse a differing interpretation because GOD onely is simply and for himselfe to be beleeued in but no creature no not the holy Prophets are to be beleeued but for the Lords sake and according to the Lord as they are faithfull witnesses of his vndoubted truth And againe although sometime the Preposition Beth which is in the Hebrewe as Genesis 15.6 is left out in the Greeke allegation as Romanes 4 3. yet wee are to vnderstand Paul as well as Moses to speake of one and the same true and vndoubted iustifying faith For both of them speake of one and the same faith of Abraham who most faithfully and firmely beleeued in God The same is to bee saide of diuers other places of the newe Testament that the word of beleeuing vsed without a preposition as Acts 27.25 and 2. Timothie 1.12 Acts 8.37 Romans 10 9. doth note the true Christian faith as well as where the preposition is added as Iohn 6.29 and 1. Ep 5.10 Rom. 4.5 and 1 Tim 1.16 Finally sometimes though the preposition be added as Iohn 2.23 and chapters 12 42 yet the word of beleeuing so vsed doth not note a true and vndoubted faith in some of those that are saide to beleeue in Christ But of this enough though not vnprofitable as I trust Hetherto of the meaning of this article of our faith I beleeue in God NOwe let vs come to the fourth point of our inquirie touching the same Question What are the comfortable fruites and benefites which belong to that gratious promise which GOD of his mercie hath made to all and euerie one of those that shall beleeue in him that hee will assuredly bee their God Answer To speake generally It is our whole blessednes and our onely true glorie and reioycing that wee haue the onely true GOD for our GOD. For our safetie and whole welfare vnder his protection and gouernment in the way of his true worship and seruice yea euen in the manifolde afflictions and trials of this life it is infinitely to be preferred aboue all worldly riches honour and pleasure whatsoeuer might be enioyed vnder the most flourishing gouernment and defence of the richest mightiest and bountifullest Monarch of the whole world Explicatiō and proofe It is verily so according as the Lord our GOD is of infinite wisedome and power and of vnmeasurable riches and mercie c. aboue all the Potentates and Rulers in the whole world For the proofe whereof wee shall not reade in vaine Psalm 33 12. and Psalme 89.15.16 c. and 144.15 and 146 5. Wee may see the confirmation heereof further if wee reade Psalme 84.4 5 9 10 11 12. and Psal 141.4.5 And seeing as hath beene alreadie shewed GOD is all onely goodnes perfectly good and the alone fountaine thereof it must needes bee that it is the onely happinesse and as wee may say the summum bonum the perfect blisse of the whole Church and of euerie member thereof to haue God to bee their God and to participate of that goodnes The Comforts and benefits which is infinite in him Reade Genesis 17.7 8. I will establish my couenant saith the Lord to Abraham betweene mee and thee and thy seede after thee in their generations for an euerlasting couenant to bee GOD vnto thee and to thy seede after thee c. It is the couenant of all mercie not onely concerning the blessings of this life but also concerning the happinesse of the life to come as our Sauiour Christ interpreteth it Matthew 22.31.32 Luke 20.35.36.36.37.38 Reade also Ezek. 36 26.27.28 c. 37 38. And Hebr 8 10. And chap. 11.13 14 15 16. Verily there is no doubt but if wee doe truly beleeue in our onely true God wee may assuredly perswade our selues that according to his manifold and most gratious promises hee will vse his diuine wisedome power mercie iustice faithfulnes and truth to our vnspeakeable benefit aboue all that wee can aske or thinke For what comfort and securitie can be greater nay what can be equall to this to haue the most gratious promises of him who is most faithfull made vnto vs Psal 36.5 and 89.2 and 146.5.6 To haue the most readie aide of him that is the strongest Rom. 8.31 To bee guided by the counsell of him that is the wisest Psal 16 7. and 73.24 Who knoweth how to deliuer those that be his out of their greatest perils dangers 2. Pet. 2 9. in so much as to him belong the issues of death Psal 68.20 and 1. Cor 13 13. Finally what comfort can be like to the comfort of a great offender such as wee are all before God to stand at the mercie of him that is most pittifull and mercifull to all such as attend vpon his mercie and craue it of him Psal 86.15 and 147.11 Micah 7 18. c. in so much as it shall neuer be in vaine to call vpon him Psal 17 6 7 8. Behold therefore how all things are in all perfection in the diuine nature of God whatsoeuer may be required to the grounding and establishing of vndoubting beliefe in him If hee did onely perfectly knowe how to doe vs good and were not able to performe it Or if beeing wise and able hee were not willing Or beeing both wise and able and willing if hee were not faithfull and constant to confirme and establish his goodnes toward vs there might be some occasion of doubting But seeing the Lord our God is both perfectly wise and sufficiently able and readily willing and constantly bent to doe vs good yea to make vs for euer partakers of all his mercie and goodnes there is no place left why wee should bee in any the least doubt thereof These comfortable fruites and prerogatiues of faith haue heeretofore caused the Church of GOD to place all faith and trust onely in GOD and so ought they to doe still Yea notwithstanding wee should haue at anie time if so it were possible as valiant and mightie Captaines and Rulers and as tender and vigilant Foster-fathers vnto vs as Moses Ioshua Dauid and other were to them yet must our faith and trust bee fixed onely in the liuing GOD who alone maketh all meanes of
needes be exceeding great insomuch as herein the beleeuing Christian is assured that our Sauiour himselfe and all whatsoeuer belongeth to the Church by him is his for his part as well as the portion of any other yea that it is his ioyntly together with all the members of our Sauiour Christ in this holy communion Explicatiō proofe This must needes be exceedingly comfortable indeede insomuch as our communion with our Sauiour Christ is the very roote ground of our christian regeneration and spirituall Beeing that is that we are Christians or haue any truth of christianity at all according to that saying of the Apostle 1. Cor. chap. 1.30 Ye are of God in Christ Iesus And Ephes 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Sauiour of his body And verse 30. We are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Moreouer wee hauing this neare communion with our Sauiour Christ wee haue also by him our communion with the whole most blessed Trinitie that is with the Father and the holy Ghost as well as with the Sonne 2. Cor. chap. 13. verse 13. And hauing our communion with our Sauiour himselfe wee haue also all things with him and by him from the Father through the holy Ghost Rom. 8.32 For seeing as the Apostle saith God spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death how shall he not with him giue vs all things also To this purpose call againe to minde that which was alledged 1. Cor. chap. 1.30 31. and chap. 3.21 22 23. For hence it is euident that insomuch as our Sauiour with his righteousnesse and holinesse is ours by so perfit an vnion and communion with him and among our selues it is no vaine or imaginary imputation of his righteousnesse whereby we are iustified in the sight of God But it is a very true and reall imputation which faith apprehendeth farre aboue all the exceptions which the ignorant and skornefull Papists take vp and cast forth at their pleasures to make themselues sport with euen with their owne ignominie and shame For who seeth not they onely excepted that are ignorant of the mysterie of godlinesse that to be iustified by faith in our Sauiour Christ into whom we are spiritually incorporated is a farre other manner of thing then to say that one man should liue by another mans soule The Comforts or that he should be learned by another mans learning c. For there neither is nor can be any such coniunction of any one man with another as there is betwixt our Sauiour and his whole Church and with euery particular member thereof Let the Papists therefore skorne as they list the truth will in good earnest beare it selfe out with full breast to the iustifying of it selfe against them all Thus therefore the communion of Saints is exceedingly comfortable to euery true beleeuing Christian in regard of their most blessed communion first with Christ Iesus himselfe For this is the ground of all holy communion 〈…〉 But is it not also comfortable in respect of their owne communion among themselues by the meanes of our Sauiour Christ 〈…〉 Yes for by our loue to the brethren in this communion of Saints we haue assurance that we are passed from death to life 〈…〉 So indeede doth the Apostle Iohn most comfortably affirme 1. Epist 3.14 We know saith he that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren For there is no feare in loue but perfect loue casteth out feare chap. 4.18 And Colos ch 3.14 Loue is the bond of perfectnesse The comfort which is to be found in the communion of Saints is aptly expressed by sundry similitudes For as many stickes make the warmer fire many flowers put together make the sweeter smell the compound water is more delightfull then that which is simple c so albeit euery true Christian apart is acceptable to God hath his measure of comfort being alone by himselfe yet when many ioyne together in holy societie they are both more pleasing to God and also more ioyfull among themselves in their mutuall exercises of religion and in the practise of loue one toward another And this is that which mooued the Prophet Dauid so greatly to bewaile his exile from the Church of GOD and so earnestly to desire that he might be restored againe to the exercises of Gods publike worship among the rest of Gods people Psal 42. and 84. And note we also that the comfort of faith concerning the communion of Saints doth extend it selfe euen to those Saints which are departed this life insomuch as seeing we beleeue as they did wee shall goe to them and be where they are That is to say we shall rest in eternall happinesse with them euen with Abraham Isaak and Iacob c and likewise with all our owne right deare christian friends and acquaintance departed this life in the faith And thus it ministreth vnto vs a notable comfort against the feare of death and against all excessiue lothnesse and vnwillingnesse to leaue our friends that are liuing though their familiaritie for the present is very sweete and pretious vnto vs. For the condition and estate of the faithfull departed is farre more happy and more to be desired then our present estate and condition is Wherevpon also it followeth that we ought to prepare our hearts when we shall once haue finished our course to be desirous greatly longing after our more neare communion with the excellent seruants of God whose faith is so highly commended in the word of God and with those whose excellent vertues wee haue obserued here in this life who are now in the heauens with the Lord. But this belongeth to the Duties of the which more by and by Neither is it to be neglected that the communion of Saints yeeldeth no small comfort to the faithfull in their sufferings seeing as was obserued before euen therein also consisteth part of it so that no other thing befalleth any but they haue some other of the brethren companions with them in it The which also God turneth in singular manner to their mutuall comfort as 2. Cor. ch 1. ve 3 4.5 6 7. Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comort Who comforteth vs in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any affliction by the comfort wherewith we our selues are comforted of God For as the sufferings of Christ abound in vs so our consolation aboundeth through Christ And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and saluation which is wrought in the induring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and saluation And our hope is stedfast concerning you in as much as we know that as ye are partakers of the sufferings so shall ye be also of the consolation Read likewise Ephes 3.13
the former promises of God And this assurance of faith for the perpetuall and endles continuance of our happines shall be a principal ground of our euerlasting reioycing in and with the Lord yea a chiefe argument of our eternall praising of him in so much as we shal be out of all doubt of loosing the same againe And beside vntill the resurrection the soules of the faithfull doe no doubt retaine the faith and expectation of the resurrection of their bodies to euerlasting life and of the finall confusion of all the enemies of the militant church of God according to that Reuel 6.9.10 11. But leauing this That faith ariseth from the knowledge of God the father and of his glorious grace shining in the face of Christ read 2. Cor. 4 verses 3 4 5. And it may euidently bee proued from that which the same Apostle writeth Rom. 10 14. How shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard For indeed it is vnpossible that any should beleeue that whereof he hath no knowledge or vnderstanding Out of all question faith is a most wise gift and grace of Gods holy spirit making those that are indued with it wise euen vnto saluation 2 Tim. 3 15. And verily there can be no greater wisdom then that which is vnto saluation euen as on the contrary there is no greater folly then that which carrieth a man on forward to his eternall destruction Now that there is singular wisdome in faith we shall the rather discerne if we consider how great that subtiltie of the Serpent the Diuel is as also how great the deceitfulnes of sin is which are both of them defeated thereby In this respect it is that faith is sometimes called by the name of knowledge and vnderstanding it selfe as Iohn 17 3. This is life eternall saith our Sauiour Christ to knowe thee to be the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ And Ioh. 1 Ep 2 verses 3 4. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if we keepe his commandements He that saith I knowe him and keepeth not his commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him What truth verily the truth of faith or of sauing knowledge which is in effect all one with faith Hence also it is that it is so nearely linked with knowledge as wee finde it to be oftentimes as T it 1 1 according to the faith of Gods elect and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godlinesse And 2 Pet. 1 1 3. You haue obtained like precious faith with vs through the knowledge of him that hath called vs vnto glory and vertue And againe verse 5. Moreouer ioyne vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge c. And chap 3 verse 17. Read also Ephes 1 16 17 18. And Colos 1 9. And chap. 2 ver 2. The Apostle protesteth his great desire that the Colossians Laodiceans hearts and that the hearts of all other Christians might be comforted and knit together in one and in all riches of the full assurance of vnderstanding to knowe the misterie of God euen the Father and of Christ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Thus then faith arysing from knowledge groweth to be euen the setled assurance of all holy vnderstanding and the very life of all true wisedome But on the contrary where this faith is wanting there is no true wisedome at all For as wee read 1. Cor. 1 19 20. It is written saith the Apostle I will that is the Lord God will destroy the wisedome of the wise and cast away the vnderstanding of the prudent Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made the wisedome of this world foolishnes Let vs now proceed That faith is of this nature that it doth sweetly repose it selfe onely and wholly vpon the faithfulnes of Gods most gracious free promise concerning iustification and saluation in and by our Lord Iesus Christ it may wel be obserued first more generally from that which is said of faith Heb. chap. 11 1 in that the Apostle writeth that it is a ground of things hoped for and an euidence of things which are not seene The which words doe plainely signifie yea rather they doe very significantly declare that faith hath a cleere and vndoubted confidence or perswasion concerning that which it apprehendeth And then the same may be more particularly obserued from that testimonie which is giuen of Sarahs faith ver 11 in these wordes Through faith saith the Apostle Sarah receiued strength to conceiue seede and was deliuered of a child when she was past age because she iudged him faithfull that had promised Now that which Sarah did in respect of this promise concerning him Isaake I meane from whom he should spring though long after that should be the iustification of all the faithfull the same must euery faithfull Christian doe concerning iustification it selfe that is wee must constantly beleeue that the promise of GOD in this behalfe is most faithfull and true to wit that hee will assuredly iustifie and saue euery one that shall truly beleeue in the name of Christ his Sonne Or else there can be no true faith in vs. To this purpose therefore let vs well weigh in our hearts and mindes the Doctrine of the holy Scriptures touching this so materiall a point What though some did not beleeue saith the Apostle Paul Rom. 3 verses 3 4. shall their vnbeliefe make the faith of God without effect God forbid Let God be true and euery man a lyar as it is written That thou maiest be iustified in thy wordes and ouercome when thou art iudged Moreouer the same Apostle as wee reade chap. 4 13 c. and chap. 9 7 8 c. And Gallat 3 14 15 16 17 18 c. and chap. 4 23 28 by the example of Abrahams faith and as a most excellent and faithfull interpreter of the holy Scriptures he teacheth very plainely and plentifully that the principall foundation and stay of faith is the vndoubted word of Gods promise The children of promise saith he are counted for the seede For this is a word of promise In this same time will I come and Sarah shall haue a sonne And againe Wee receiue the promise of the spirit through faith To Abraham and his seed were the promises made The inheritance it by promise The Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should be giuen to them that beleeue Such are the frequent and often speeches of the Apostle Paul in those his Epistles Read also Heb. 6 13. When God made the promise to Abraham because he had no greater to sweare by he sware by himselfe And a little after verses 17 18 19. So God willing more aboundantly to shewe vnto the heires of promise the stablenes of his Counsell hee bound himselfe by an othe That by two immutable things wherein it is
whom did our Sauiour Christ call but sinners to repentance Yea and among theÌ„ whom rather did he call then such sinners as were of most infamous condition and offence of life in comparison of many others Matt. 9. vers 10.11.12.13 And doth not our Sauiour Christ himselfe professe that he came not to call the righteous that is not onely such as in their owne proud opinion were such but euen such as were indeed free from the coÌ„mon crimes that some other were stained withall whosoeuer of theÌ„ would not humble themselues in respect of their more inward and hidden corruptions Doth he not plainly affirme that Publicans and harlots truely repenting should goe before hipocrites and iusticiaries into the kingdome of heauen Matt. 21.31 And hereof the woman of Samaria Iohn 4. and that other sinfull woman Luke 7.37 c. And the Apostle Paul also 1. Tim. 1.13.14.15.16 Likewise that sinnefull thiefe vpon the crosse may be liuely examples And all according to those comfortable promises of God Ier. 31.33.34 Heb. 8.12 Isai cha 53. Ezek 18. At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will blot all his wickednes out of my remembrance saith the Lorde But heere I beseech you let none take that with the left hand and by a sinister and wrong interpretation which is deliuered with the right hand That it let none abuse that to encourage himselfe to anie licence to sinne which is onely spoken to magnifie the great mercie of GOD and to prouoke and incourage sinners in the comfortable hope thereof speedily to leaue and forsake their sinnes It is as wee know or ought to know euery one of vs the duety euen of children from their yongest yeeres according to that which our Christian baptisme challengeth at all our hands to settle their heartes What iustification is to serue God their Creator and Father Much more then ought euerie one of vs as we are of more yeeres and haue hetherto neglected our duety to be without delay most heartily sory for it and therefore henceforward to be the more carefull c. For albeit it is an vndoubted truth that God will receiue euery sinner that shall come vnto him and truelie beleeue in the name of Iesus Christ vnfeinedly repenting them of their sinnes yet how knowest thou that hee will hereafter giue thee the gift of faith and repentance if thou doe despise the present offer which is tendered for to daye according as wee reade To daye if yee will heare his voyce harden not your hearts c. True repentance is in deed neuer too late as one truelie saith but late repentance is seldome true Heerein delayes are most dangerous as wee shall further perceiue when wee come to inquire out the doctrine of repentance In the meane while wee will conclude this point with the words of the holie Apostle Paul Rom 6.1 Shall wee continue still in sinne that grace may abounde God forbid VVhat Iustification is THese things thus hetherto obserued now to the end we may vnderstand the matter in hand to our more full vse and comfort three things are yet a little further to be inquired into of vs. First what the meaning of this word to Iustifie is Secondly what is meant by Saluation or to saue Thirdlie what Repentance is For to the end we may vnderstand the minde of God it is meete that wee should be carefull to vnderstand the words which God vseth to expresse the same vnto vs by speciallie such as be in the science of Religion the most high and excellent science of all other as it were wordes of Arte the which haue a peculiar sense proper vnto them Question First therefore what doth this word to Iustifie signifie in this our Christian doctrine of Iustification by faith Answere This word Iustification or to iustifie it signifieth a full and perfect clearing and discharging of the offendor from the euerlasting wrath and condemnation of God by the free pardon of his sinnes for Iesus Christs sake It signifieth also therewithall the imputing of the perfect righteousnesse of Christ to euery sinner trulie beleeuing in him and that of the â—ame most free grace and mercie of God Explication proof That this is so wee may euidently perceiue by that which is written Rom. 4. verses 5.6.7.8 the place alledged a little before Likewise by that which wee reade further verse 22. euen to the ende of the same 4. chapter Moreouer by that which wee reade 2. Cor. 5.21 God hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Whence also it is that the Pophet Ieremiah pophesied long before that he should be called and acknowledged the Lord our righteousnes chap. 23.6 and againe ch 33.16 Read also Galat 4. verses 4.5 The Sonne of God saith the Apostle was made vnder the law that hee might redeeme them which were vnder the law that wee might receiue the adoption of sonnes And this also according to the prophesie of Isaiah The knowledg of Christ put for the saâ—th of Christ cha 53.11 By his knowledge saith the Lord by his holy Prophet shall my righteous seruant iustifie many for he shall beare their iniquities But among all other testimonies we may not passe ouer in silence that of the Apostle Paul Rom. 3.24 c. Wee are iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus Whom God hath set forth to bee a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnes by the forgiuenes of the sinnes that are passed through the patience of God To shewe at this time his righteousnes that hee may be iust and a iustifier of him that is of the faith of Iesus And cha 5.19 As by one mans disodience of one shall many also be made righteous And chapt 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth c. No maruell therfore though the faithfull seruaÌ„ts of God according to the doctrine of the holy Scriptures do so highly aduance this doctrine of our free iustification onely by faith in Christ the Sonne of God that they acccount it the touc-stone of all truth of doctrine and the ground of all true comfort to the soule and conscience of man It is a saying worthy to be noted from M. Fox that herein lyeth the touh-stone of all truth and doctrine and that this doctrine beateth downe all errors Act MonuÌ„ pa 770. immediatly before the history of the life and doctrine of D. Martin Luther a most memorable zealous preacher and iustifier of this most holy and heauenly doctrine Whervnto accordeth M. Caluin who likewise truely affirmeth that the right vnderstanding of the doctrine of iustification is praecipuus sustinendae religionis cardo M Charke in his disputatioÌ„ against Campion the principall support of the true Christian religion And another learned man that it is as the soule or life of
legally taken for a perswasion of the truth of Gods promise in respect of perfect obedience yeelded vnto him but by the faith of the Gospell that is by faith appreheÌ„ding applying to a mans self the perfect righteousnes of Iesus Christ for his perfect iustification in the sight of God For the faith of the Gospell hath alwaies a necessary relation to Christ and so is it necessarily to be vnderstood in this high principle of Christian religion concerning our iustification by faith according to that we read 2. Cor 5 21. God hath made him to be sin for vs that is he hath imputed and laied our sinnes to his charge and proceeded against him as if he had bene a most grieuous sinner though he knew no sin that is was nothing at all guiltie of it that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him that is that we being most grieuous sinners might haue his righteousnes imputed and freely giuen vnto vs through the rich grace and mercy of God as verily as if we our selues had wrought performed the same Whereby also it is euident that the true Christian faith in that it iustifieth doth it not as it is an action simply considered but as in the action of it it receiueth imbraceth Christ with his righteousnes euen passiuely as a man may truly say And in this sense as was saide we wil not refuse to vnderstand by this word iustified that we are made righteouâ— seeing through faith in Christ a man is of a sinner in himselfe made no sinner but righteous in Christ by the imputation of his righteousnes vnto him according to that of the same Apostle Ro. 3 26. God is iust a iustifier of him which is of the faith of Iesu And ch 4 5 He iustifieth the vngodly accounting his faith for righteousnes Neuertheles we must therewitha l needes acknowledge as the truth is that the vsual acceptation of this word to iustifie is in the holy Scriptures to esteeme account or to declare pronounce iust by acquiting of sin imputing of righteousnes that euen of the meere grace fauour of God for Iâ—sus Christ his sake as we will now henceforth further declare And first to begin with that which is writteÌ„ Act. 13 38 39. Be it known vnto you men and brethren saith the Apostle Paul that through this man that is by Iâ—sus Christ is preached vnto you forgiuenesse of sinnes And from all thinges from the which yee could not bee iustified by the lawe of Moses by him euery one that beleeueth is iustified That is to say he is perfectly acquitted set free deliuered froÌ„ the guiltines punishmeÌ„t of it Like as the same Ap. Ro. ch 6. v 7. speaking of deliuerance from the power of sin by the vertue of the death of Christ he expresseth it by this word of iustifying from it as we read in the Greeke text where he borroweth the word of iustification to expresse the nature of sanctification which is a singular effect or fruit of the true iustifying faith and an open testimonie and prooofe of the same But let vs proceede to see what the nature of iustification it selfe properly taken is according to some other testimonies of the holy Scriptures To this purpose read againe Rom. 3 24. v 26 chap. 4 5. Tit. 3 7. We being iustified by his grace are made heyres according to the hope of the eternall life But that which is written Rom. 8 33 34. shall bee principally considered of vs at this time Who saith the Apostle shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth Who shall condemne In the which place the Apostle hath a respect to the like wordes of the Prophet Isaiah ch 50 8. c. Where the holy Prophet speaking thus of the perfect faith and assurance of Christ the head that he should perfectly be iustified by his owne inherent righteousnesse and actuall obedience to his father against all that could be obiected against him He is neare that iustifieth me who will contend with me saith the Prophet as it were in the person of our Sauiour Christ Yea further Let vs stand together saith hee who is my aduersarie Let him come neare to me Behold the Lord God will helpe me Who is he that can condemne me c. The same doth the Apostle apply to the encouragement of all true beleeuers in Christ the members of his body that they also by him and for his sake shall haue their free discharge from the iudgement seate of God that they may say likewise with great comfort and confidence Seeing God hath not spared his owne Son but gaue him for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things also Who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen And so forth as was alledged euen now But yet in this differing manner as is most necessarie to be obserued that the iustification of our Sauiour Christ is in respect of himselfe by a reall and perfect iustice examined and tried in a most exact course of iudgement before the iudgement seate of God and not by faith such as ours is For he neuer offended in his owne person but perfectly obeyed the lawe of God and therefore might not in iustice haue bene condemned had he not set himselfe a mediator before God in the behalfe yea euen in the person and condition of vs miserable sinners But our iustification insomuch as we are in our selues all of vs damnable sinners it is from God of meere grace and fauour in that by faith onely the righteousnesse of Christ is imputed to vs and made ours as if as was saide wee had perfectly performed it our owne selues Yet so as we must neuerthelesse acknowledge our selues in our selues to be alwaies miserable sinners and therfore according to the instruction of our Sauiour himselfe to pray continually for the forgiuenes of them c. Like as iust Iob though he had the comfortable assurance of his saluation through faith in his Redeemer as hee professeth in the 19 â—hap of his booke And chap. 13 15 19. Loe saith he though God slay me yet will I trust in him He will be my saluation also And verses 18 19. I knowe that I shall be iustified who is he that will pleade with me c. Neuerthelesse he doth therewithall professe likewise that hee will reproue his owne waies as being faultie in the sight of God as we read in the latter part of the 15 v. And in the holy Gospell of our Sauiour Christ wee read likewise that the Publican confessing and bewailing his sinnes was iustified and not the Pharisie who iustified himselfe Luk. 18 10. And ch 16 15. Our Sauiour Christ doth more generally condemne the Pharisies for the same their pride saying Ye are they which iustifie your selues before men but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteeemed among men is abomination in the sight
of this point of our inquirie for this time Question What is the comfort of all these laide as it were in the ballance together I meane that the Lord our God one onely alwaies without any change is both infinitely w se and also infinitely mercifull and righteous and most constant faithfull and true whereunto let vs adde that he is also of an infinite and almightie power What I say is the comfort of all these laide as it were in the scholes together Answere Explication and prooâ—e The comfort hereof shall be found by due estimate to be aboue all valuation waight It shall verily be found to be so to all true beleeuers If as was said in the beginning of this part of our inquirâ—e God did onely perfitly know how to doe vs good but were not able to performe it or if being both wise and able hee were not likewise willing or being wise and able and willing if he were not faithfull and constant to confirme and establish his mercy toward vs there might be some cause of doubt and discomfort But seeing all these meete and are perfectly linked together yea infinitely aboue all that perfection which we are able throughly to discerne so that God is euery way good yea perfect goodnes it selfe and therefore may iustly be called the God of all consolation and comfort as was answered before the comfort of the faith of euery true beleeuer must needes exceede all comfort of sence yea of the vnderstanding it selfe Let vs therefore I pray you here call againe to minde The Duties the holy exhortation of the holy Psalmist Psal 31 24. All yee that trust in the Lord be strong c. Psal 34 8. Tast yee and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him Let vs againe and againe to the increase of our comfort consider that which is written Psal 37 3 4 c. and 55 22 Heb. 13 56 and ch 6 17 18. Where the Lord to the end hee might certifie vs of his immutable counsell and purpose of confirming his mercy to his faithfull children hee hath added his oath to his promise Doubtlesse the Lord will not leaue the least of his in the least of their troubles much lesse will he leaue theÌ„ in the greatest of them Pro. 24 16. Ps 27 3 4 c. and 76 7 8 145 14 and 146 7 c and Ps 91. Which is to this purpose a most comfortable Psalme And thus feeding and solacing our soules with the comforts of our faith in our one onely true God Let vs cheerefully proceed to the consideration of the duties belonging to the same FOr is it not thinke you most equall that according to the comfort of faith which as hath beene shewed is vnspeakable that there should be at the least in some speciall measure an answerable care and desire to shewe forth speciall fruites of true thankfulnes and obedience to so good a God who is all perfection of goodnes it selfe Question I say is it not thinke you so meete Answere It cannot with any reason be denied but that it is most equall and iust that it should bee so according to the determination of God himselfe who in the beginning of the 17. ch of Gen. saith thus to Abraham the father of the faithfull I am God all sufficient walke thou before me and be vpright ExplicatioÌ„ proofe This indeed may well be a general ground of all obedience as a iust fruite due to the manifold comfort of our faith in one onely true God For in that the Lord saith I am God alsufficient he giueth therby assurance of al protection and blessing according to that ch 15,1 I am thy buckler and thine exceeding great reward And the wordes following in the 17. ch Walk before me they are words requiring all good seruice and dutie as it is further expressed in the other wordes next after them Be thou vpright Or as they may well be englished Be thou entire that is See thou detract no part of holy obedience but obey in one dutie as wel as in another And accordingly there is no doubt but Abraham had conscience and care of walking in such a kinde of obedience before God euen from the comfort of Gods couenant made with him as the former words of God doe declare Read also the notable example of Iosua and of the people of God Iudges ch 24 14 15 16 17. We wil serue the Lord say they all For he is our God But it shall be profitable for vs to inquire more particularly into the seuerall duties as we haue done into the seueral comforts The which though peraduenture it will be found painfull to doe yet in so much as this our labour is imploied about the getting of treasure to the most precious inriching of our poore soules let vs therfore account no paines or trauaile too great to be spent about it remembring well what toile with extreame danger worldly minded men are usually content to indure in an vncertaine hope of obtaining earthly that is to say transitorie and deceiuable riches as our Sauiour Christ calleth them Luke Chap. 16 9 c. And further also let vs herewithall obserue concerning the duties of faith that some of them may be accounted as more appertaining to the truth vprightnes of iudgement Others to the purenes of affection answereable to the vprightnes of the same good iudgement holy discretion And some againe are belonging to life and conuersation as outward fruites of both the former Of these duties therefore let vs henceforth inquire according as the occasion shall be ministred vnto vs and that in such order as we haue inquired after the comforts And first which are the duties belonging to the comfort of this that the Lord who hath created vs vouchsafeth to be our God and that he hâ—th choseÌ„ vs for his inheritance and therefore hedgeth and walleth about buildeth and planteth among vs as it were in his fee-simple esteeming the children of the world but as coÌ„mon or wast and heath ground in comparison of his church Which Answere I say are the duties belonging vnto this comfort Question As the Lord of his most free grace hath set vs vp to be a precious and peculiar people euen as it were a choise inheritance to himself as we haue seene before â—ort is our most Founden dutie as a necessarie fruite of our faith to set vp and aduance him aboue all in our hearts esteeming him as our most honourable portion and inheritance for euer yeelding also at al times the best and most plentifull fruites of obedience which possibly we may Explication and proofe It must needes be so according to thâ—t we read Dâ—ut 26 verses 16 1â— 18. 1â— And Psal 1â— verse â— and Psal 119. verse 57. And Isay chap. â— 1 c. Read also Leuit 1â— â— 4 c. in many verses of that chapter Ye shall doe thus and thus c
Christian saith in the first Person of the holie Trinitie God the Father so farre as this word Father expresselie leadeth vs. Beliefe in God the Father Almightie THe same our FATHER is called the ALMIGHTIE and for the declaration of the omnipotencie or allmightines of his power by a most noble and admirable effect hee is furthermore intituled in the Articles of our beliefe the maker of heauen and earth Let vs therefore henceforth proceede to these other points Question And first touching the Almightie power of God the Father What ground of holie Scripture haue you for the confirmation and proofe of it Answere In the 10 chapter of the Euangelist Iohn our Sauiour Christ saith My Father is greater then all and none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand And againe Marke 14.36 Abba Father all things are possible vnto thee The Apostle Iohn also 1. Epist ch 4. verse 4. speaking of God the Father saith Greater is hee that is in you to witte by his holy Spirit in the Name and power of his Sonne Iesus Christ then hee that is in the worlde That is to say God is of greater power to preserue vs by his grace then the Diuell and Antichrist with all their hellish craft and power are to pervert and destroye vs. ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe These indeede are plaine Testimonies to prooue the Almightie power of God euen in that hee is the Father the first Person of the holie Trinitie Yea and all the Scriptures The Ground and meaning which speake of the Almightie power of God inindefinitly albeit they may and ought to be referred to the whole Trinitie yet for orders sake which is to be most religiouslie obserued concerning the most holie Trinitie they may be said principally to confirme vnto vs the omnipotencie of the Father and so consequently of the Sonne of the holy Ghost the second and third Persons in the same most blessed Trinitie Such as are these places Genes 18.14 Shall anything be harde to the Lord And Ier 32.27 Is there any thing too harde for mee saith the Lorde Likewise Iob chap 42.1 I know saith Iob thou canst doe all things And Deut 32.39 None saith the Lord by Moses can deliuer out of my hand And 1. Sam 15.29 God saith Samuel is the strength of Israell Read also Isai 8.10 and chapt 43 11 12 13 c. and ch 46.10 And Ps 62.11 Power belongeth to God And Ps 115.3 Our God is in heauen he doth whatsoeuer he will These and all such places doe as was said for orders sake principallie confirme vnto vs the Almightie power of the first Person in the most holie Trinitie God the Father NOwe therefore that wee may goe forward Question What is the meaning of this to beleeue in the Almightie power of God the Father Answere The meaning of it is thus much that by Faith wee are perswaded that as God our heauenly Father is most willing and alâ—o for wisedome knoweth best how so hee is also most able to doe whatsoeuer best pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth for the full and perfect benefit comforte and Saluation of all and euerie one of his electe children ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe The meaning of it is thus much indeed And so we ought euerie one of vs to beleeue as it is euident from the holie Scriptures before alledged The summe whereof is this that as none can take any of the wicked out of the hands of God to deliuer them from his iust vengeance so likewise none can take any of his children out of his hands to bereaue them of his mercie saluation In your answer also it is to very good purpose that you ioyne the power and the will and the wisedome of God together For wee may in no wise seperate them lest wee should deceiue our selues by building vpon false grounds and principles contrarie to the true faith as some doe in their fancie touching the vbique tarie presence of the humanity of Christ in the sacrameÌ„ts c. For it is most certaine that God will not doe all that hee can doe Nay wee may assuredly perswade our selues that hee will neuer doe anie thing which standeth not with the most high honour of his wisdome so to doe Yea to goe further wee may without impeachment to his Almightie power truelie beleeue that hee can doe nothing which should be in the least point to the dishonour of his most excellent Maiestie It is impossible that God should denie himselfe that he should lie that hee should doe anie iniquity c yea that he should not faithfully and to the vttermost performe all whatsoeuer hee hath in his worde reuealed to be his holy will and pleasure to doe Not that there is any inabilitie or weaknes in God but because of the perfection of his power ioyned with the infinit holines of his wisedome mercie iustice faithfulnes c. All true strength is in vertue but all strength of sinne is of corruption and weaknes and hasteneth to vtter destruction This therefore must be our Faith in the Almighty power of our heauenlie Father that although hee can doe all things yet his power is ordered yea limited according to the wisedome and holinesse of his blessed will yea euen of that will which hee hath reuealed to vs in his holie word and propounded to himselfe in his owne vnchangeable Counsell So that it falleth out to be to no purpose for any to reason from the Almighty power of God to confirme any thing that he hath not the warrant of the word that it is agreable to his will to worke as great a worke in the same or like kinde at the least The promise so farre forth as hee may see it to be meete for his glorie and the benefit of his children vnlesse onely to shewe man his owne weaknes and to beate downe his vaine and hautie presumption as Iohn the Baptist reasoneth against the prowde Pharisies Matth chap 3.9 and telleth them that God is able euen of stones to raise vp children to Abraham This may for this time suffice as I trust for the ground and meaning of Faith in the Almightie and Fatherlie power of God Question NOwe what promise haue you that God of his Fatherlie goodnes will vse his Almightie power for the benefit and saluation of all and euerie one of his children both Sonnes and Daughters young and olde small and great Answere In the first verse of the 91. Psalm the holie Prophet of God assureth vs that whosoeuer dwelleth to wit by Faith in the secret of the most High hee shall abide in the shadowe of the Almightie Explication proofe This agreeth with the promse which wee had before 2. Cor 6.18 where the Almightie Lorde promiseth to be a Father to his people and to receiue vs for his Sonnes and Daughters Yea and wheresoeuer the promise is repeated as it is verie often in the holie Scriptures that God is the God of his
blood which was let out of his side by the speare which the souldier thrust into it was a certaine proofe that he was verily dead Ioh. chap. 19.34 and 1. Epistle chap. 5. verse 6. and verse 8. And for the same cause also the death of our Sauiour is noted by the word of sacrificing because the sacrifices of the lawe which were figures of Christs death were slaine when they were sacrificed to God Now secondly that the death of our Sauiour was an accursed death and that therin he did beare the curse due to vs it is euident in that it was the death of the Crosse For the Lord himselfe saith The curse of God is on him that is hanged Deut. 21. verse 23. And that in bearing our curse hee remoued it from vs and procured vs all blessing it is likewise euident Galath chap. 3. verse 13.14 Christ hath redeemed vâ— from the curse of the law when he was made a curse for vs for it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Iesus that we might receiue the promise of the Spirit through faith And it standeth with good reason that the Sonne of God bearing the most cursed and ignominious punishment euen a dogges death as wee vse to speake of hanging yea worse then a dogges death in this kinde of hanging by nailes should procure and purchase thereby the greatest and most glorious blessing that might come vpon those for whom he according to the will of God indured so miserable and cursed a death So then insomuch as by the death of our Sauiour Christ our curse is remoued that is the wrath of God and all wofull effects thereof and seeâ—ng on the contrarie we are made partakers of all blessing euen as amply as euer the promise was made to Abraham the perfection of the obedience of our Sauiour and the most blessed fruites thereof vnto vs howsoeuer for the time most bitter and grieuous to him in the sense and sufferings of our nature is euidently argued as hath beene partly declared already But it shall furthermore be yet more fully cleared vnto vs if we consider in the perfection of the death of our Sauiour the perfection of that most holy and propitiatorie sacrifice whicâ— he our onely high Priest hath once for all offered vp to sanctâ—fie vs vnto God for euer To the which end let vs reade and marke well that which wee read Heb. 2 16.17.18 Our Sauiour saith the Apostle in no sort tooke the Angels but he tooke the seed of Abraham Wherefore in all things it became him to be made like vnto his brethren that he might be a mercifull and a faithfull high Priest in things concerning God that he might make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people For in that hee suffered and was tempted hee is able to succour them that are tempted And chap. 4 14.1â— The which perfection of the sacrifice of our Sauiour by his sufferings vnto death as also the perfection of his high Priesthoode by the most excellent vertue whereof the sacrifice was perfited they are in the same Epistle most notably laied forth and confirmed by a declaration of the excellent perfection of either of them â—euit 8. chap. 9. in comparison both of the high Priests and also of the sacrifices of the law and of Moses himselfe of whom the law beareth the name and whom God put in speciall authoritie and trust to see to the institâ—tion and administration of the ordinances thereof according to that which we read Heb. chap. 3.1 â— 3.4.5.6 and chap 10. from the beginning of the Châ—pter to the 19. verse The which it were needlesse to set downe here seeing all is neare hand and may easily be altogether in the view of euery christian Reader that will take his bible to peruse the same But heerewithall I would intreat him euen for his owne singular benefit to read that which our very learned and Christian brother M. Perkins hath written in his Exposition of the Creed concerning the excellencie of the sufferings of our Sauiour Christ vnto the death in this respect that hee thereby offered vp himselfe in sacrifice vnto God for vs. For as God hath blessed his good seruant with singular dexteritie in other things so in this notable point for one instance among the rest he hath blessed both him and vs by him in very gratious excellent manner The summe of all briefely if not ouer briefely for so excellent and large a Treatie it is thus much that the perfection of the sacrifice arising from the perfection of the Priesthood of our Sauiour because of the Deitie ioyned therein with the humanity which conferreth an infinite merit vertue and efficacie vnto it is as much aboue all sacrifices of the lawe as his Priesthood is exceeding the Priesthood thereof insomuch as he is a Priest of the most high order of Melchisedech who was both a King and a Priest yea infinitely excelling Melchisedech himselfe as is euident from his most royall and princely triumph vpon the altar whereon he offered himselfe The which though to speake of the externall matter of it wee may giue that name vnto the Crosse whereon hee was crucified and slaine as an heaue offering of eleuation to the Lord yet spiritually and as touching the most perfect holines and sanctifying power of this sacrifice we are to vnderstand that the Deitie of Christ in that he offered vp himselfe to God by the eternall Spirit was the only altar which sanctified this most high sacrifice for euer The excellencie whereof and of the most high Priest himselfe is further argued and blazoned as it were by a most princely triumph vpon the same Crosse as it were from his triumphant chariot by seauen notable effects as it were banners or ensignes of the same First the roiall title set vp ouer his head Secondly the most gratious and miraculous conuersion of the thiefe on the Crosse Thirdly the miraculous darkening of the Sunne by the space of 3. houres Fourthly the rending of the vaile of the temple from the top to the bottome Fiftly the mighty earthquake Sixtly the opening of the graues and cleauing of the stones Seâ—uenthly the testimony that his aduersaries are enforced by these glorious effects of his diuine Maiestie to giue vnto him I onely mention these things and leaue many other particulars vnmentioned desiring that they who haue not read these worthy things and the rest handled in that Exposition might be the rather induced to reade that Exposition it selfe not only in these points but in all the rest for the manifold benefit and fruit thereof Hetâ—erto of the death of our Sauiour Christ NOw it followeth according to our course and order we following therein the order of the holy Story it selfe that we doe come to consider of those things which did either accompanie or immediatly follow his death and and thenceforth such other things as did
the Patriarks and Prophets c. are commended by the Apostle in that 11. ch to the Heb. And of Abraham our Sauiour himselfe saith that hee saw his daies that is his comming into the world and reioyced Abraham no doubt saw this day of Christ no otherwise then by the eyes of faith Ioh. 8.56 Meichi-sedech was a type and figure of Christ in which respect Abraham paid him tithes Ge. 14.18 19 20. Heb. 7.1 c. Iaakob also prophesied expresly of the coÌ„ming of Christ giueth to vnderstand plainly that he should take our nature and be borne after the manner of all other men that he should be the great King Gouernour of the people of God Gen 4â— 10 For he saith The scepter or tribe shal not depart from Iudah nor a lawgiuer from betweene his feete vntill Shiâ—o come and the people shall be gathered vnto him Yea the chiefe scope and argument of the whole booke is after the generall promise of the Messiah to shew vnto what people the comming of this Messiah was peculiarly restrained vntill the fuâ—nesse of the Gentiles should come in as also of what tribe he should descend according as it is written Iohn 4.22 in a conclusion vttered by our Sauiour himselfe Saluation is of the Iewes And it is most worthy to be obserued euen from the beginning that insomuch as hee that was promised to come of the naturall posteritie of man and to be borne of a woman should be able to vanquish the mighty power of the diuell that great wicked Angell and all his company who through sinfull conspiracie and lifting of themselues vp against God fell from their first estate and lost all that goodnes and blesâ—ing which they had though they doe still retaine a mighty power to doe much mischiefe so farre forth as they be not restrained by the almighty and gratious powâ—r of God and of our Sauiour Christ it is I say most worthy to be obserued that it is not obscurely signified from thiâ— very beginning that he is the Sonne of God more mightie then all Angellâ— and therefore also very God insomuch as of all creatures the Angells doe excell in strength as we read Psal 103.20 This eternall Godhead of our Sauiour was figured in Melchisedech according to the interpretation which the Apostle giueth thereof Heb. 7.1 2 3. Likewise that Angel called Iehouah to whom also Abraham praiâ—d Gen. 18.13 17 c. he was our Sauiour Christ the eternall Sonne of God though not yet at that time manifested in the flesh And it was the same Angel with whom Iaakob wrestled by praier with teares and whom he calleth by the name of God Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 it was Christ Thus in Genesis Moses writeth of our Sauiour Christ Exodus In Exodus the Passeouer beside that it was ordained for a memoriall of Gods mercy in his sparing of his people the Israelites wheÌ„ he smote the first borne of the Egyptians to the end he might deliuer theÌ„ out of their cruel bondage it was to them a type figure of christ by whose blood to be in due time offered vp vnto God they did by faith obtain forgiuenes of their sins according to that of the Apostle Christ was the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world And againe Behold the lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world According also to that of the Apostle Paul 1. Co. 5.7 Christ our Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. And Ioh. 19 36. Not a bone of him shal be broken And therefore also it is said Heb. 11.28 that Moses through faith ordained the Passeouer and the effusion of blood Moreouer the morall law was giuen to shew men their sinnes and damnation and consequently to point the Israelites and so our selues also to Christ for our deliuerance And therfore it is said to be our Schoolemaister to bring vs to Christ Gal. 3.24 And Rom. 10 4. Christ is the end of the law To the same purpose also was the whole ceremoniall law more directly giuen to the Israelites both sacrifices and sacraments the Tabernacle first after the Temple with all the furniture thereof Arke Mercy-seat Cherubims c. Finally the Angell in whom was the name of God and is called Iehouah who went before the people out of Egipt and led them through the wildernes c. he was our Sauiour Christ the second Person of the holy Trinity ch 13.21.22 and ch 14.19 and ch 23.20.22.23 and 1. Cor. 10.9 Now of the sacrifices Leuiticus the third booke of Moses Leuiticus is a more cleare declaration in setting down the lawes of the sacrifices and of the offering of them by the Priests yea and by the high Priest himselfe who was a speciall type or representation of our Sauiour among them The which sacrifices in that they were slaine they were not only shadowes of the death of our Sauiour but also of the fruit of his death in that the blood of the beasts was sprinkled to assure the people of the remission of sinnes by faith through the blood of Christ Heb 9 13 14. c. Read also Exod. 24.4.5.6.7.8 And further in that with these slaine sacrifices some were adioyned to be offered at certaine times which were goe let away aliue so to carie away the sinnes of the people as the scape Goat Leuit. 16.5 c. 22. and the liue sparrowe ch 14.49 c. 53. The which as it seemeth did point vnto the resurrection reuiuing of him that was indeed to die for the sinnes of the people but should thence-forth liue for euer an intercessour to make good vnto his Church whatsoeuer he should purchase by his death They had also sacrifices of thankesgiuing and peace offerings tending to the same end Thus much for a tast how Moses writeth of our Sauiour in the booke called Leuiticus Let vs come to Numbers In Numbers Numbers the rocke which Moses writeth of out of the which water flowed for the refreshing of the people in the dry wildernes it was a type of our Sauiour Christ and of that spirituall refreshing which the soules of his people haue by him Like as also was the Manna to declare vnto vs that he is was from the beginning to all true beleeuers the perfect food and nourishment of them both bodies and soules to euerlasting life For thus the Apostle Paule interpreteth the signification of these things the which no doubt were known to the faithfull in Israel though not so clearely as they be now 1. Cor. 10.1.2 3 4.9 It is true that many did not beleeue and therfore made not the right vse as appeareth in the same place and Iohn 6 32 c. But all were not such The brasen serpent also which Moses writeth of yea and set vp in the wildernes according to the commandement of God it was a type of our Sauiour Christ to be crucified shewing also the fruite of his death in our deliuerance from
remaining at the commâ—ng of the Lord shall not preuent them which sleepe c. Wherefore comfort your selues one another with these wordes And not onely so but the comfort is great also in respect of the present calling and societie of the Church of God and namely in the vniting of Iewes and Gentiles together As Isai 54.1 c. Reioyce ô barren saith the Prophet that didest not beare breake forth into ioy and reioyce thou that didest not traued with child for the desolate hath more children then the married wife saith the Lord c. And chap 60.1 c. Arise ô Ierusalem be thou bright for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen vpon thee c. And verse 3 c. And the Gentiles shall walke in thy light and Kings at the brightnes of thy rising vp Lift vp thine eyes round about and behold all these are gathered and come to thee thy Sonnes shall come from farre and thy daughters shall be nourished at thy side Then shalt thou see shine thine heart shal be astonished and inlarged because the multitude of the Sea shall be conuerted vnto thee the riches of the Gentiles shal come vnto thee c. And ch 66.10.11.12 13 14. Reioyce yee with Ierusalem saith God by his Prophet and be glad with her all ye that loue her reioyce for ioy with her all ye that mourne for her that yee may sucke and â—e satisfied with the breasts of her consolation that ye may milke out and be delighted with the brightnes of her glory For thus saith the Lord I will extend peace ouer her like a flood and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame then shall ye sucke yee shall be borne vpon her sides and be ioyfull vpon her knees As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and ye shall be comforted in Ierusalem And when ye see this your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flourish like an herbe and the hand of the Lord shall be knowne among his seruants and his indignation against his enemies The ground of all the comfort of this Article is that our Sauiour who is the liuing head of the Church is and will be for euer the Sauiour of the whole body which he accounteth to be so great a part of himselfe As Ephes 1.22.23 and chap 5.23 But that we may the more fully discerne of the Comforts let vs consider of them more particularly First in respect of the vniuersalitie of it Secondly in respect of the holines And thirdly in regard of the chiefe cause and fountaine of all which is the most holy and gratious election of God Question First therefore what may be the comfort of faith in respect of the vniuersalitie of the Church Answer It is a great comfort to euery true beleeuer when hee considereth the infinite largenes of Gods mercie extending it selfe to thousand thousands to confirme him for his own part in the hope of Gods mercie toward himselfe he being one poore soule among the rest ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is true There is none that hath faith so much as a graine of mustard seede so timorous and fearefull or so much doubting of the fauour of God through conscience of sinne but the due meditation of the vniuersall extent and ouer-spreading of Gods mercie must needes greatly relieue and raise vp his weake and feeble soule For seeing the mercies of God are through his rich grace and bountifulnes inlarged to the forgiuing of the infinite sinnes of whole nations wherein are innumerable people how many soeuer of them shall truly repent and turne vnto him yea so as no order state or degree is excluded from grace if they will come vnto him in the name of his Sonne as Isaiah chap 56.3.4 5.6.7 And Iohn 6 37. All that the Father giueth me saith our Sauiour shall come vnto me and him that commeth to me I cast not away Nay as we see plainely Mat 11.28 he is most willing tenderly to imbrace euery one that commeth to him in that he saith Come to me all yee that are wearie and laden and I will ease you And ch 18 10.11 12 13 14. How then should not the poorest and fearfullest soule be incouraged to conceiue some measure of comfortable hope that God hath some drop of mercie for him how many or how great soeuer his sinnes be and how long soeuer he hath continued in them Neuertheles this on the other side must be carefully looked vnto that the largenes of Gods mercy doe neuer make vs secure but contrariwise that from this consideration we doe stirre vp our selues to be so much the more studious to walke in all good dutie before him But of the duties more by and by And of the forgiuenes of sinnes more also when we shall come to that Article Question Now what may the comfort of faith bee in regard of the holinesse of the Church Answer Seeing God doth impute the perfect holines of our Sauiour Christ vnto it and also for our Sauiours sake doth accept vs in that measure of holines which it pleaseth him to communicate vnto vs it is a singular comfort to euery member of the Church that hee shall not be shut out of the kingdome of heauen among the wicked and profane but be admitted among the rest of the saints of God the least whereof is very deare and precious in his sight There is no doubt but euery one that is admitted into the kingdome of grace ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe and abideth therein shall be receiued in due time into the kingdome of glorie according to that of our Sauiour to the Apostle Paule Act 26. verse 18. And Psal 116 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints This wil be further confirmed from the consideration of the election of God which is the foundation of the Church and of all the holines of it Let vs therefore come to the comfort which faith taketh therein Question What may that be Answer The comfort is exceeding great in that the election of God is most sure and vnchangeable and therefore that none of the elect that is none that is a member of the holy catholike Church can possibly perish but shall be most certainly saued Expli So indeede doth our Sauiour assure vs Matth chap 24 verse 24. It is not possible saith he that the elect should be deceiued by any false Christs or false Prophets that they should be drawne away from the truth of God by them And therefore else-where hee doth worthily make this the chiefe ground of euery mans ioy to whom it doth appertaine that his name is written in heauen Luke 10.20 Wherevpon also ariseth this most comfortable challenge against all aduersaries of our saluation Who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect Rom 8.33 This comfort is not onely for euery mans owne selfe who is for his part one of the elect of God but also in