Iailor saying Do thy selfe no harmme we are all heer and lastly by the admonition of Paul and Silas to saluation wishing him to beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ and both he and his house should be saued wherupon both he and his house were baptized out of hand and were saued For our owne sakes I thought it not amisse to lay downe the strong faith of this so soon-conuerted Iailor before as it were a meer stranger to christianity to incite vs to a more stedy conuersation in our owne profession likewise the faith of the Centurion is to be noted Math. 8. by our sauiours approbation saying Not in Israel haue I found the like faith So the faith of the two blind men that cried incessantly Math. 9. Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon vs who euen as Christ bad them beleeued his power and receiued their sight With many other like places in scripture to fortify our weak faith to extinguish infidelity and root out Atheisme throughout the whole body of all Christian churches Wherfore let vs say It is Iesus that we follow he is our master we fear not and not mistrust at euery little tempest of this world when the wicked rise vp against vs Psal. 2. 1. imagining vaine things Peter failed of faith at the beginning of the wind wherby he began to sink but then that the Lords saluation might seem more manifest he cried Lord saue me and he passed safely Heer the Lord made the very floods a sufficient rock to build his church vpon for through his faith he passed them as on the firm ground Now that Iesus was called Christ the true Messiah or annointed whom the Lord annointed with the oile of gladnes aboue his fellowes Heb. 1. 9. foreshewed in all ages from the beginning of the world vntill he came to be annointed the most holy Dan. 9. 24. Neither among men is there any other name giuen vnder the cope of heauen by which we can be saued he being the end of Iubiles or ioyfull yeeres the sealing vp of all prophesies visions miracles and of all ceremonies whom the Lord annointed with glory and honor Heb. 2. 7. and set him ouer the work of his own hands The Paschall lambe being now offered vp once for all Ioh. 1. 29. He was called the annointed Ioh. 3. 6. bicause it was the manner of the Iewes coronation and election both of kings and priests it pertained vnto him for he was their lawfull king apparent whom the wise men from the East visited to worship at Ierusalem Math. 2. 1. saying Where is he that is borne king of the Iewes Mich. 5. 2. Thou Bethleem art little to be among the thousands of Iuda yet out of thee shall com the ruler in Israel whose goings foorth were from the beginning euerlasting that is to say out of the house of bread shall proceed the bread of life food for our soules vnto euerlasting life Our fathers did eat Manna and died but whoso eateth of this Manna shall liue for euer Psal. 110. 4. As he was also high sacrificer after the order of Melchizedek it pertained vnto him but the Iewes receiued him not as king bicause he was Iosephs sonne and a Carpenter and came not like a king in white raiment neither as a sacrificer bicause he was to imitate Melchizedek in his priesthood and not Aaron Neither did their blinde harts conceiue that the law should be changed and dreamed of none other priesthood but Aarons when as in deed Melchizedek was a figure of the true Messiah as in a large prophecy is expounded Isai. 9. 6. by the prince of peace for Melchizedek was king of Salem Gen. 14. 18. Sem and Melchizedek are both one who for his vprightnes might be called the king of righteousnes Malchi-zedek Hebr. 7. 1. and for his antiquity without father and without mother without beginning or end of daies His birth was vnserchable bicause he was born before the flood and his end of daies not seen bicause he out-liued all his owne posterity of the next age Therefore saith Noah Blessed be the God of Sem Gen. 9. 26. and God will perswade Iapheth to dwell in the house of Sem. So the priesthood of Melchizedek remained in Sem that had this blessing of God Gen. 14. 19. and he blessed Abraham Gen. 14. 20. who paid him tithe of all Thus much of Iesus which was called Christ in whom we also beleeue of whom his disciples first receiued the cognizance of Christianitie in Antiochia where they were presently persecuted by Herod Such Herods haue been euer vntill this day but they are such whose darknes vanquisheth their light Let vs therfore be euer glad to say We haue found the Messiah Ioh. 1. 41. which is the Christ. To this end therfore God sent his onely begotten sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life He it is that declareth God Ioh. 1. 18. for he is in the bosom of his father for this Christ is sent a sauiour to the beleeuers of saluation but to the vnbeleeuers a speedy iudge of condemnation which shall be thus they saw the light and being ashamed of their ill works Gen. 3. 8. hid themselues in darknes the mother of all errors and vntruthes for truth loueth the light and the light doth glorify it HIS ONLY SONNE Math. 3. 17. This is my welbeloued sonne in whom I am well pleased Psal. 118. 22. this is the head corner stone that ioineth togither the building of Iapheth and Sem. Iohn 3. 35. The father loueth the sonne and hath giuen all things into his hands He that beleeueth in the sonne hath euerlasting life Iohn 7. 38. and out of his belly shall gush floods of liuing waters Deut. 18. 15. but he that obeieth not the sonne shall not see life and the wrath of God abideth in him Iohn 4. 14. this is the well of waters springing vp vnto eternall life that whosoeuer drinketh therof should not thirst againe Now to wit what the thing is that we worship and beleeue in It is the only sonne of God begotten of his father before all worlds spiritually for God is spirit and to be worshipped in spirit and truth And as the Iewes beleeued that this Messiah the son of God should com so we must know and beleeue that he is com they refused him in the flesh and we may not plead IGNORAMVS in spirit let our spirits then be guided with knowledge otherwise our beleef is no beleef for no credit can be giuen to an vncertain hope Wherfore Iohn 5. 39. let vs search the scriptures for in them we thinke to haue eternall life and it is they that testifie of him otherwise but a few by ignorance can be excused Rom. 15. 4. bicause these things are written for our learning and aedification As the father raiseth vp from death and quickeneth
come to a safe port so if by the weaknes of the spirit you wend with the tempest of the world doing the will of the flesh then haue you also before your eies the points of hope patience and prosperity the direct course vnto the holy land where ye shall arriue and anchor more safe than sowls in their nests Luke 9. 58. or foxes in their holes yea or any treasure in the depth of the earth for all such things in the day of iudgement shall shew foorth their owne property and be reuealed vnto the eies of the liuing at which day shall be the haruest wherunto the tares also are reserued as well as the wheat This is the land that is more worth than all kingdoms heer is the plentifull field that multiplieth so manifold this is the field of hid tresure Math. 13. the pearle of great price the draw-net that gathereth of all kinds the fruitfull senuy and the sauory leuen The heires of this kingdom shall shine as the sunne thus much concerning the comforter that guideth the chosen to saluation Now touching the catholike church If we beleeue in the catholike church we bring a curse vpon vs for the church are the members of Christ their head not cleer from sinne bicause the old man remaineth yet in them and saith the prophet Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme One man may haue a sympathy with another vntill perfection shall come by grace Also if we beleeue in the catholike church we lessen the power of God our father of Christ our sauiour and of the holy spirit our comforter to whose power no perfection is wanting for it made vs perfectly it saueth vs assuredly and most intirely releeueth and comforteth vs daily Which creation saluation and consolation the holy catholike church so far relieth on as is needfull for any one member of the same should we presume then to be made holy bicause they are holy or saints by beleeuing in the holy members of the church or will we all be catholikes one by one bicause we all make one catholike church No there is no saint but he whom the spirit sanctifieth nor any catholike but the church which is the composition of many members into one catholike and perfect body of Christ the head through the holy Ghost the spouse of the Annointed Psal. 45. The holy city of God Ierusalem came downe from heauen prepared as a bride trimmed for hir husband Apoc. 21. 2. I will shew the bride the lambes wife read the whole chapter Concerning the new citie Ierusalem the church holy catholike or vniuersall on earth This is the vineyard of red wine Isai. 27. 2. that the Lord hath kept so daintily and watred euery moment least any assaile it This hath the Lord set as a signe on the mountaines for all the inhabitants of the earth Isai. 18. 3. that when he bloweth the trumpet they might heare yea vpon mount Sion bloweth he and the most base and vile nations repaire vnto his name Isai. 26. 1. This is the strong city whose bulworks are saluation and in whose wals consisteth the whole strength of Iudah This church hath none other foundation but Christ and the faith which we haue in him 1. Cor. 3. 11. the true rock that followed the host Math. 16. Wherfore we are Gods laborers 1. Pet. 2. 4. his husbandry 1. Cor. 10. 4. and his building If any man lay other foundation than this Exod. 17. 6. the fire shall try of what sort it is Num. 20. 10. and if any mans work abideth he shall receiue wages but if his work burne he shall lose his labour Againe know ye not that ye are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwelleth in you This much hath shewed that we are the very temple of God founded vpon Iesus Christ of which the holy Ghost is minister and dwelleth in vs. Which temple if any man destroy God the builder will destroy him for the temple of God is holy More concerning this point read the whole third chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthes this temple of the Lords was sanctified in old time yea euen when he dwelt in no house 2. Sam. 6. 6. but walked in a tent or tabernacle leading his seruant Moses though the wildernes with the children of Israel euen as a shepherd leadeth his sheep Such was his tender mercy toward his possession at that time that in fower hundred and fowerscore yeeres he dwelt in tents and tabernacles and his arke remained within the curtaines Then Salomon built a temple for his name against the comming of Shiloh then to be sent Iesus Christ the very foundation wals and borders of the catholike church gathering togither a communion of saints by the holy Ghost a most comfortable minister in the same Therfore there is no catholike but the Lords building which is the common passion of the members of Christ. And we are not to beleeue in the catholike church of which our selues are members but we beleeue that we be of the catholike church and that we are part of the Lords husbandry and building vpon his sonne Iesus Christ the rock euen the foundation that was reuealed by God the father vnto Peter For when doubt arose who he should be Peter confidently answered Thou art that Christ the sonne of the liuing God and Iesus answered and said vnto him Blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionah for flesh and blood hath not reuealed this vnto thee but my father which is in heauen and also I say Thou art Peter and vpon this rock will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not ouercome it Heer met I somthing concerning the catholike errors of the Popish church that make PETROS PETRA PETRA ROMA and ROMA CATHEDRA PETRI which in a word may be easily confuted for Peter at the pronuntiation of the words Thou art Peter c. was in the coasts of Caesarea Philippi Tetrarchae far from Rome neither was it euer spoken of by any testimony now of sixe hundred yeeres old that Peter was at Rome only a new opinion of that church hath of late inueterated Concerning the word Rock all rocks of saluation are spiritually taken Psal. 18. 3. as Dauid saith The Lord is my rock and my redeemer And in another place it is said Tzuri shaddai My rock is the all-sufficient but this is meant of our sauiour a rock of saluation seeing vpon it he will build his church a temple not made with hands therfore of necessity must this rock be taken spiritually as a reuelation of God from heauen to Peter of his sonne Iesus Christ which was the faith of Peter when he said Thou art the annointed the sonne of the liuing God And vpon this faith will Christ build his church so sure as vpon a rock neuer to be mooued Psal. 123. for they that trust in the
many valiant soules to Hades as we say to their last home it is most like he thought of none other torment Now concerning the Christian Latines and such languages as agree in the very words they say DESCENDIT AD INFEROS which is all one with Saint Paules words he descended to them beneath in the lower parts of the earth to wit the dead from whence he was to rise with victory though the Papists by this word would haue that signified which no authority will but their owne naked opinions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 AD INFEROS into purgatory wherin me thinks they grosly erre seeing the scripture maketh mention of no other punishment after this life for sin than the second death the haruest of all flesh when Christ shall sit in iudgement vpon his firy throne to diuide the goats from the sheep saying Come ye blessed of my father and inherit euerlasting life and to the sinners Go ye cursed into euerlasting darknes where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a construction somthing strange to Grecians that vnderstand not the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with it as if we should say into the house of the graue confirming my former words But the Papists will obiect whither else should he descend being once buried but to the damned which I admit a question and for answer refer them to S. Paules words which are alredy recited What is it but that he descended first into the lower parts of the earth That he descended therfore they confesse and to what place he went this place I know will very effectually prooue vnto them how that he was buried also it is most true as before is shewed therfore he was buried and also descended for Saint Paul meaneth that his descension is all one with his buriall taking the occasion of speech from his ascension Wherby it seemeth that some penners of this Creede haue stuck vpon this article fearing least this word Hell should bring them into an error beyond al authority of scripture while they graunt it to be the place of the damned they durst not admit this article at all but that he was buried and rose again the third day Neither did they see how well the one or the other might suffice both being rightly vnderstood But the forme that we most vse is he was buried and descended into hell where it is penned as two articles being indeed but one which is to say simple truth in that he was buried and Saint Paules argument of the manner when he saith He descended c. Now indeed this word Hell is vsed throughout the whole nation of the Gothes to wit in the countries Sueuia Germania and Saxonia that is Insula Britannica For as far as the Gothes inlarged their territories their language remained still in force therfore in Swedland they say he went downe to Heluet in Germany to Helle in our English which is to say old Saxonish Hell Now concerning the originall deriuation of the word according to the letter it is plainly shewed in derision of the king of Babylon after his death by these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How art thou fallen from heauen Isai. 14. 12. O hellel the sonne of the morning which is to say Lucifer For as the Painims worshipped the sunne as a God while he shined in his most glorious height so likewise in his absence they abhorred him supposing that in his declination he visited them in the earth And the heathen people at this day that haue not yet known God still obserue the same kind of worship Frō hence it commeth that the word is so disputable with vs. Though the Painims were ignorant of the sunnes course yet they were not ignorant of their owne language for they reserued this word from Isai till their owne christianity so that when they had found another God they made this their Hell to wit Lucifer as before But seeing we better know the course of the sunne we must of necessity hold it to be the graue without any further arguments of places that were neuer heard of Therfore mark the resolution of the speech HE WAS DEAD AND BVRIED AND DESCENDED INTO HELL Now insomuch as he was buried he rose again in that he was dead he rose from the dead insomuch as hee went downe into Hell to wit the secret place of the dead to put off death and to put on life he went vp to heauen the euerlasting seat of life and dwelling place of aeternity And as with the Astronomers there is reckoned among other spheres that which they call CoeLVM EMPYREVM or IGNEVM a firy throne aboue all spheres 1. Tim. 6. 24. the light that none can attaine vnto so would necessity graunt the place of the damned soules to be in opposition far vnder all spheres for no aeternity can continue in changeable bodies whether they be heauenly or earthly but to prooue that this word cannot signify euerlasting punishment and that our sauiour descended into no corruption thus I argue All perfect meanes of saluation was foretold by the spirit of God to the Iewes that they who beleeued or mistrusted might iustly be saued or condemned But all that was prophesied was but of his passion buriall and resurrection therfore was his passion buriall and resurrection the perfect meanes of saluation seeing he himselfe was perfect long before for he had his perfection from his father euer before all worlds And the prophet Dauid saith Psal 16. Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell nor suffer thy holy one to see corruption that his body should neither corrupt nor perish in the graue so pure was he that he escaped the snares of death Now we are not only to define the word but also to search the authority therof which must be in the scripture and not elswhere In the Bible is found no one word that can signify the state of the happy or vnhappy therfore this word Hell is not meant the state of the damned nor any other corruption than the graue or the state of death Neither is it dangerously penned or vsed as some late vpstart vnlearned haue thought contending that it ought not to be said as part of our Christian faith which obiection aboue is sufficiently answered Indeed Christ neuer shewed any farther article of faith than that he should suffer many things of the elders Math. 16. 21. and of the high priests and scribes at Ierusalem and be slaine and rise againe the third day this was all that he added to the perfection of the church which he promised euen then to build vpon Peters faith which mystery Peter vnderstood not wherfore he became an offence so that he began in spirit and ended in the flesh If any other article had needed Christ would in this place haue added it for the perfection of his church which he had promised to build but all that he added was in the words before recited
SAINT PETERS ROCKE Vnder which title is deciphered the faith of Peter the foundation of the Church Christs sacrificehood and the comfort of the holy Spirit Done by Alexander Top Gent. Printed 1597. To the reuerend father in God Doctor Lions Bishop of Cork Rosse and Cloin in Ireland A. T. wisheth prosperitie and grace euerlasting COnsidering your Lordships zeale to the truth due respect of the Gospell and vnfained loue to the professors I presumed to publish this small worke vnder your Lordships protection partly bicause it was begotten in that country partly bicause the country beareth but little fruit of the scripture but principally and especially to gratifie your Lordship for many fauours The subiect is easie yet not learned often red seldom marked obserued of many yet vnderstood of few But seeing the leuell of all controuersie is to hit the truth whose champions ye all are and by you all arguments must die or liue I appeale vnto your L. for my iust defence or your Lordships better aduise The spirit of grace illuminate your L. vnderstanding London March Anno 1597. Euer your Lordships to command Alexander Top. To the Reader GEntle Reader I haue for thy vse and comfort framed as neere as I could the deriuation of the Christian faith and that thou maist the better vnderstand my meaning heerin knowe that as the Creede was a thing most breef and learnedly composed in the prime time of the Church from many places of scripture so my purpose was to make a true dissipation of the articles disposing them to the places from whence they were first taken to the end that from henceforth thy faith should not he grounded vpon bare words but vpon knowledge of these scriptures so materiall for saluation My paines is free freely vse it God giue grace in all points Farewell A. T. SAINT PETERS ROCKE I BELEEVE First I thinke it needfull to expound this word BELEEVE then to shew the vse of it and lastly to what end it is vsed of the beleeuers The word seemeth of a compound and proper signification deeper than meere English can vnderstand for it meaneth therein or thereby throughly to liue wherein we do beleeue yeelding vp the possession of all spirituall senses disposed from all earthly affection of the members by the true mortification in spirit for this syllable be in apposition is no lesse possessiue or effectiue with vs at this day than with the Hebrewes of ancient time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or BE which alwaies importeth in by or through but far more inwardly of vs to be vnderstood bicause it giueth a most secret meaning to the word it maketh as for example thinke and bethinke adding a very deepe cogitation to thinking get and beget where it hath some speciall conceit in meaning seem and beseem here it makes that which was in outward shew only like it self simple becom a very beautifull creature to the beholders Besides this syllable be that holdeth so small room in a Common-wealth causeth any adiunct to remaine substantially in his subiect as I BELEEVE to wit I am wholy liuing in God the father c. so as quicksiluer confoundeth all other mettals and transformeth their bodies by his liuelyhood so doth this syllable bring a word of common and open sense to a most close and necessarie signification in spirit so that to beleeue argueth a trustie confidence in the essentiall subiect of spirit and for the time of stedfast beleeuing the spirit hath no manner of sympathie with the flesh but the flesh remaineth dead and mortified to all naturall inclination in pleasure or suffering whether it be health or sicknes riches or pouertie loue or hatred cheerfulnes or griefe of hart or any other pleasure or calamitie incident whatsoeuer the communion of the spirit being hereby redeemed out of the prison of flesh and euapored into life eternall For the spirit is no more ruled by the flesh but the flesh by the spirit What then is subiect to this spirituall beleef Ezek. 20. 29. mettals wood or stone as the altar Bamah or such like No you shall not finish that you haue in your mind to do if you serue wood or stone as the heathen Is it mettall not the preciousest of all mettals gold for mightie Emperors haue been deceiued by their golden Idols and haue perished Dan. 3. 1. as Nebuchadnezar by his Image of sixtie cubits high and six broad The Idols stand vp as a palme tree Ierem. 10. 5. but speake not they are born for they cannot goe they can doe neither euill nor good Ierem. 10. 9. fear them not Siluer plates are brought from Tarshish and gold from Vphaz the work of mens hands There shall com out of Bels mouth that Ier. 51. 44. which he hath swallowed vp and the nations shal no more flow vnto it But the wall of Babell shall fall and become an astonishment among nations Can men make gods that are no gods Can their owne hands make them a redeemer or their handy worke saue them No for the beleef of all men being liuely and spiritual cannot liue for euer or be faithfully reposed in such vnprofitable subiects seeing in them there is no blast of life for they neither breath nor smell nor hear nor walk nor speak wherin then can they liue How should they defend a man that trusteth in them but both the caruer and the work perisheth togither What then is subiect to this spirituall beleef A horse bicause he runneth fiercely in the battel or many thousand chariots bicause they seem inuincible or man bicause he can deuise and determin long before nay or princes that so many millions of knees bow vnto these all haue place of life for they both breath smell hear and speak and eeke can go and not be borne yet seeing their bodies be altogither fraile and dissoluble wasting to nothing there is no place for euerlasting life found in them whereupon the spirit of beleef should work much lesse any meanes wherby the grosse nature of man might be iustified Psal. 33. 17. The horse is void of vnderstanding Exod. 14. 28. All Pharaos chariots and confidence perished at once 2. Sam. 24. 1. Dauid was plagued for numbring of his host of eight hundred thousand fighting men whose power and trust was soon abated by affliction This teacheth vs then the vanity of gold the senslesnes of wood and stone the weak defence of horse and chariot nay more Psal. 118. 9. the vtmost safety of an host and the confidence in princes for here Dauid being a king could not saue his host from the pestilence nor his incomparable number worke their Lords securitie wherfore man we see is not the thing to be beleeued in albeit he hath both sense and power in a firme vnderstanding For in nothing but in man is this worke of faith required so that whatsoeuer is aboue man knoweth al things and what so is below him hopeth for nothing One man
admiration of it But we thinke and contend that it is ynough to acknowledge Christ our redeemer and to beleeue in him whom the father hath sent we are much deceiued to call that ynough which is in due respect nothing For the diuell acknowledged Christ to be the sonne of God which the Papists are alwaies ready to obiect when we argue iustification by faith but the text saith that he confessed him with trembling So then before we can acknowledge him our redeemer we must of necessity learne how we became bound and before we can rightly beleeue in him whom the father hath sent we must needs vnderstand some warning of his message which most often and breefly is repeated throughout the body of the old Testament Then must we try whether he came according to the fulnes of time wherin the father promised to send him and afterward when he is come whether his message be of God or not he himselfe exhorteth vs to make trial These seem good ground-works to build our faith vpon for as it is required in vs to beleeue so is it most expedient for vs to know him in whom we do beleeue bicause it separateth vs from death to life as before I alleaged For example Christ saith to the theef Luk. 23. 43. This day shalt thou be with me in paradise and againe of himselfe Father into thine hands I commend my spirit But concerning his body it died in the flesh for it was wrapped in linnen and laid in a tombe by Ioseph a iust man of Arimathaea and Nicodemus according to the manner of the Iewes Luk. 23. 52. and buried and to manifest that his body was dead after the maner of men the women prepared sweet odours and ointments and rested the Saboth day Nicodemus might heer see a cleerer sight of the second birth than he had before neither was his buriall an illusion to deceiue mens sight for the Iewes would not be mocked but commanded a watch and sure fastening to the doore least his disciples should steal him away keeping in mind the words that he spake vpon the earth Math. 27 64. Within three daies I will rise Thus haue I concluded his passion the manner of his passion and also his buriall which was according to the law HE DESCENDED INTO HELL Heer commeth the article that drew me to this whole discourse for that I saw the learned somthing at ods about it yet so as all both the one and the other did firmly hold it necessarily inserted in our Christian faith Neither wil I take vpon me heer so much to reconcile the learned which diuersly allow of it as to debell the vnlearned opinions which admits it not at all holding it a superfluous and needlesse article to be taught among Christian families It is somthing strange when clownes exceed in sophistry This kind of men had rather be followed as Christs of a new church than follow Christ as disciples of the true Church It behooueth them therfore in whom remedy consisteth speedily to redresse such erronious errors least some other soone after should deny that hee ascended into heauen Acts. 23. wherby a sect of Saduces might arise amongst vs Math. 27. denying any resurrection at all and so the latter error become greater than the former Now therfore concerning the misconstruing of these words then touching the abiection of them and lastly how to vnderstand them both in their vtmost force and also how they were first ment in the primitiue Church as appeereth by the indifferency of the penners of them But as concerning his descending or going downe no man I know will deny this word that hath any feeling of the ascension and going vp which is most manifest by Saint Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians which reciteth the prophet Dauids words mentioned in the Psalmes Ephes. 4. 8. Thou art gon vp on high Psal. 68. and hast led captiuity captiue thou hast receiued gifts for men yea euen the rebellious hast thou led that the Lord God may dwell there praised be the Lord which ladeth vs daily Selah But Saint Paules allusion is this that he ascended and captiued captiuity and gaue dwelling places to men Now insomuch that he ascended saith he what is it but that he descended first into the lower parts of the earth and he that went downe is he that went vp aboue al heauens to fulfill all thingâ— If therefore he had been to go downe to the place of the damned as some will he must had descended into the lowest part of the earth as he went vp to the highest heauen for his depth ought to had been answerable to his height nay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnder all the earth as he ascended 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aboue all heauens Reason will that as the Lords glory wherwith he glorified his sonne is aboue all heauens for they were made by him and they are the work of his owne hands and waxe old as doth a garment and shall passe and melt away like wax euen so the damned are to haue their portion below all the earth by opposition Seeing as happines and vnhappines are extremities so are their habitations most extreme and remote one from the other which cannot be in places to be discerned by flesh except we will deuise to make purgatories in the concauities of the earth as Papists haue done or our eies more sharp than Moses eies were For arguments sake then I conclude this that seeing the state of the damned is permanent for euer it is not to be changed by a new creation 2. Pet. 3. 9. For there shall be a new heauen and a new earth so that this heauen which we see is as a vaile before our eies to keep vs from the sight of God whose face would be so glorious that we should not be able to look vp for he appeered in a flame of fire Exod. 3. 6. which God our sauiour maketh himself vsing his fathers owne words shewing Exod. â—2 â—2 that it is he that sitteth on the firy throne this earth but a bar to defend vs from the outrage of the damned spirits which would consume vs with horror and there were no helpe for vs. But for the places of Gods existence and of the euerlasting prison the diuine scripture in no language hath affoorded names except circumstantiall or metaphoricall nay God himselfe hath forborne to name the place of the happy or vnhappy and much lesse was man able to perform it for he neuer went and came againe Neither in our sight can any proper resemblance be made of it Therfore let vs thinke of Christs descension that he went first into the lower parts of the earth which Saint Paul alluding Ezechiels words Ezec. 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writeth in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is all one as to say What is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth Heer he said
therfore in these words consisteth the perfection of the church the members of Christ which is the rock and foundation therof For had not the Iewes had a perfect warning of redemption to come through the Messiah sauiour of the world and the full meanes therof and of all that he was to perform for the saluation of mankind how could they take notice of their redemption or be iustly condemned for misbeleef for they that liued in the time of Christs humanity were to see that which their fathers hoped for If then we will further know what ought the substance of our faith to be I answer in a word Our faith ought to be the haruest of our fathers hope so that we beleeue that we haue receiued that which they hoped for so through one faith in one Iesus they and we are both saued Isai. 53. 8. Who shall declare his age for he was cut out off the land of the liuing Heer my purpose was to shew that this article might safely be vsed without aduātage to the Papists or offence to such as I before meant Therfore as we now see with our eies and beleeue that Iesus the true Christ came and finished his pilgrimage heer on earth being the only begotten sonne of God conceiued by the holy Ghost born of the virgine Mary crucified according to the prophets so what he was to do he himself declared to the fathers in spirit insomuch that they also saw their saluation by the eie of faith which they had in the same Messiah Colos. 1. 18. the first born of the dead and of al things to haue the preheminence He is the reconciliation of all the world and euen as his father spred the heauens and adorned them and created the earth and sea with all the implements so is the sonne commaunder of all and the beginning and end of all things are in his hand he is made iudge of all flesh comming as it were in the meane time to reconcile the limits and to constraine all nations to worship him He was made all one with the father the beginning of the world and the last end must ply vnto him from whom al sentence of ioy eternall or perpetuall misery shall proceed and to this end he preached in spirit long before he was incarnated Gen. 6. 3. The Lord said And my spirit shal not alwaies striue with flesh and his daies shall be an hundred and twenty yeeres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to say 1. Pet. 3. 19. By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison which were somtime disobedient when the long suffering of God waited in the daies of Noah while the ark was in making Your father Abraham reioiced to see my daie Ioh. 8. 56. and he saw it and was glad Suppose saith Peter 2. Pet. 3. 15. that the long suffering of the Lord is saluation euen so our brother Paul according to the wisdom giuen to him wrote vnto you Doest thou the same Rom. 2. 3. and thinkest to escape iudgement and despisest thou the riches of his bountifulnes and patience and long sufferance not knowing that the bountifulnes of God leadeth to repentance Wherfore as by one man sinne entred into the world Rom. 5. 12. and death by sinne so death went ouer all men for vnto the time of the law was sinne in the world but sinne is not imputed while there is no law Gal. 3. 17. The law fower hundred and thirty yeeres after the promise cannot disanull the couenant God gaue the promise to Abraham but death reigned from Adam to Moses euen on them also that sinned not after the maner of Adams transgression which was as a figure of the second Adam Seeing then before the law all men were dead in sinne without any hope of iustification to eternall life it was most needfull that the Gospell should be preached vnto them 1. Pet. 4. 6. Wherupon it seemeth Saint Peter continueth his speech of preaching to this end was the Gospell preached also to the dead that they might be condemned according to men in the flesh but might liue according to God in the spirit Now this is plaine that whoso were vnder the law were condemned by the law according to the flesh By this all men vnder the law were iudged by the law But seeing the dead were before the law howbeit many righteous men to whom the promise was giuen were iustified by faith they were not to be iudged or condemned by the law but by the spirit of Christ that preached vnto them while they were in the prison of death that they might beare fruit in the resurrection also otherwise should they be born without adoption in Christ at all like as the cloudes are congealed and melt againe to nothing or as the wind passeth through the aire and no man marketh it so without law or grace should they perish without conscience which the Atheists now adaies would soon graunt But their iudgement long ago is not far off 2. Pet. 2. 3. and their condemnation sleepeth not They are wels without water and clouds caried about with a tempest to whom the black darknes is reserued for euer Now if we doubt that Christ did preach in the spirit before he came in the flesh let vs consider the Epistle of Saint Iude Iude. vers 9. where is said touching blaspheming of authority Yet Michael the Archangel Christ when he stroue against the diuell about the body of Moses durst not blame him with cursed speaking but said The Lord rebuke thee Mark then this Michael was a cheef Angell yea more than an Angell Apoc. 12. 5. as the Reuelation sheweth also There was a battell in heauen Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon and his angels fought but they preuailed not neither was their place found any more in heauen And the great Dragon that old serpent called the Diuell and satan which deceiueth all the world he was euen cast into the earth and his angels were cast out with him Heer Christ the seed of the woman brused the serpents head This Michael is the man-child that was borne to rule all nations with a rod of iron Psal. 2. 9. and break them in peeces like a potters vessell Diuers times is this Michael spiritually mentioned through the old and new Testament Dan. 10. 12. Lo Michael a cheef prince holpe me and there is none that holdeth with me Dan. 10. 22. but Michael your prince Dan. 12. In that day shall Michael stand vp the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people And in the same place Lo Michael one of the cheef princes cam to help me Wherfore it is to too absurd for vs to think that a king hauing banished an offender for punishment into a most desolate place of the world to remaine there for euer would himselfe go after to obteine greater power ouer him For what
Lord as mount Sion cannot be mooued the gates of hell shall not preuaile against the building on this rock for the true faith in Christ shall continue for euer yea euen as an euerlasting building that the fire neither wasteth nor consumeth There was no cause why Peter should haue receiued a speciall blessing but in regard of his reuelation from God for it is said Happy art thou bicause my father hath shewed thee this Vpon this rock will I build my church and the gates of hel shall not preuaile ouer it and I will giue thee the keies of the kingdom of heauen and whatsoeuer thou bindest on earth shall be bound in heauen and whatsoeuer thou loosest on earth shall be loosed in heauen Indeed Christ shewed that he himselfe had the keies when he saith very comfortably to Iohn Fear not Apoc. 1. 18. I am the first and the last him that Isai prophesied of which am aliue and was dead and behold I liue for euer and euer verily I haue the keies both of death and hell And in another place Let him that hath eares hear what the spirit saith vnto the churches and write to the angell of the church in Philadelphia Apoc. 3. 7. these things saith the true and holy one that hath the key of Dauid who openeth and no man shutteth who shutteth and no man openeth And in the next verse I know thy works behold I haue giueu before thee an open gate and no man can shut it bicause thou hast little power and thou hast kept my commandements and not denied my name The key of Dauid is manifested vnto vs when he saith Open ye euerlasting doores and the king of glory shall com in Heer was his faith as a key and therfore called the key of Dauid He foresaw the lion of the tribe of Iuda that came of the root of Dauid the lambe of God who was the only in heauen and earth that could open the book and loose the seales Heerby we see that Christ only openeth Apoc. 5. 5. and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth It is plaine by testimony of scripture that there is but one key to open heauen to mankind and that is Christ the king of glory who is entred in and there is no other door-keeper but he Therfore wheras our sauiour saith I will giue thee the keies of the kingdom of heauen that is to say the spirituall knowledge to preach my word which thou didst but now testifie in these words Thou art the annointed the sonne of the liuing God The knowledge heerof is to the beleeuers a key of entrance to life eternall but to the wicked and reprobate vnbeleeuers a key of exclusion to condemnation for euer and such is the binding vp of the faithfull as sheaues into the barne and the loosing or vndoing of the wicked as the stubble to be burnt in vnquenchable fire Otherwise if Christ had giuen him his owne whole authority on earth or had made him porter of the kingdom of heauen no doubt he himselfe in a verse or two after as it seemeth might had lost his inheritance in heauen for if Peter had been able to haue disswaded him Christ had not gone to Ierusalem nor suffered much of the high priests and elders nor been slain nor the third day risen againe Wherby it seemeth that he was as great an enimy to saluation as might be when he said Go not master haue pity on thy self it shall not so com vnto thee Heer fell he so extremely in faith that he receiued a greater rebuke for ignorance Math. 16. 23. than euer Iudas did Get thee behind me sathan for before it seemeth he made him a companion thou art mine offence thou sauorest not of the wisedom of God but of the wit of man wherfore now I am to thee as Isai prophesied Isai. 8. 14. a rock of offence 1. Pet. 2. 8. a stone to stumble at But admit he had been the iustest man that euer was and so liued vntill he should go the way of the fathers yet was not his righteousnes inheritance for it came from God and he could leaue nothing to his posterity that claimeth more than his authority by succession thus much concerning the catholike church THE COMMVNION OF SAINTS I beleeue that there is communion of saints and that I my selfe am one of the communion elected by the spirit through faith in Christ. THE FORGIVENES OF SINNES I beleeue also that there shall be a forgiuenes of sinnes through the passion of Christ as is already shewed by his passion THE RESVRRECTION OF THE DEAD I beleeue there shall be a resurrection of the dead and that I shall rise againe with glory vnto life euerlasting These last articles I handle not in this place bicause each of them is already seuerally prooued in my treatise All that remaineth is to conclude my purpose which was to shew the nature of beleeuing that by the faith of his owne hart euery man is saued what he is to beleeue in the cause why and lastly the vnspeakable comfort that euery true beleeuer hath by his faith in God the father God the sonne and God the holy Ghost to whom be all power ascribed both now and euermore Amen FINIS