Scriptures bee throughly vnderstood of vs as will appeare in the handling of the points themselues For in the Articles of our faith as they are abridged the doctrine of creation is mentioned but in part for nothing is expressely set downe of mans creation or of any other creature vppon earth or of the Angels in heauen Nothing is mentioned of the prouidence and gouernment of God ouer his creatures And in the doctrine of redemption likewise nothing is mentioned concerning the life doctrine or miracles of our Sauiour Christ Neither is it expressed what wee are to beleeue concerning the holy Ghost nor wherein as touching a principall part the communion of Saints consisteth nor what is the state of our soules immediately after this life and so forth till the resurrection of our bodies vnles wee bee aduertised by interpretation that though euerlasting life is set after the resurrection of the bodie yet is it not then onely to begin but that beginning by regeneration in this life it continueth for euer notwithstanding this naturall life endeth in death And howe should wee knowe what is to bee beleeued concerning the descension of our Sauiour Christ to hell but by the interpretation of those Scriptures Fidei fundamentum gratuita promissio Ab ipsa inquit Caluinus incipit in ipsa coÌ„stat in ipsam definit Instit lib 3. Cap. 2. Sect. 29. The promise of free grace is the foundation of faith From it saith maister Caluin it beginneth in it it consisteth and it endeth also in the same whence that phrase of speech may be opened vnto vs Wherefore in the second place we will from the ground and warrant of the holy Scriptures open the meaning of euery article Thirdly insomuch as faith looketh directly to the most free and gracious promise of GOD wherein standeth the comfort and stay of it yea seeing it is the wisedome and prudence of Faith to looke alwaies hereunto as wee see the practise of it very often in the 119. Psalme and Psalme 56 3 4 10 11. and Psalme 57 1 2 3. we will therefore inquire out the promises of GOD made to his people concerning euery article For in this respect the faithfull are called heires by promise Galatians 3 29. and children of the promise Chap. 4.28 Read also Heb. Chap. 4.1 and chap. 10 36 chap. 11. ver 13. Read the whole Chapter and Rom. 4 from the 13. ver to the end Fourthly wee will shewe what comfortable fruites and benefites belong to the beleeuing of euery article Fiftly seeing faith cannot bee idle wee will likewise search out what those duties bee which GOD requireth as fruites of obedience and thankefulnesse for so singular fruites and benefites of his loue as faith assureth vs off The generall diuision of the Articles of our Beliefe Finally wee will note the iust punishment and danger of infidelitie but especially of hereticall and obstinate opinion fancie gainsaying the truth and soundnes of any part of our true and orthodox Christian faith and beliefe Question BVt before wee come to these points how may the Articles of our faith the summe whereof you haue rehearsed be most shortly sorted and diuided Answere Into these two generall heads First they shewe both me euery Christian how we stand bound to beleeue in our God Secondly what euery one of vs ought to beleeue concerning the whole company of the people of God called his holy Catholike or vniuersall Church Explication and proofe They may be so diuided indeede And the like is the order of the lawe of God for the direction of our life and of praier for the exercise of our faith and of the Sacraments also for the strengthening of our faith God hath worthily the first place whose glory we ought principally to respect and then it followeth how God hath a most gracious regard of our selues of all the rest of his people So that if we would define faith according to the articles thereof we might well say though as may peraduenture be thought somewhat out of place now yet not altogether without some good vse that it is a comfortable apprehending and applying of the whole doctrine of the Gospell in the right vnderstanding of the seueral articles of it to a mans own particular benefit with some measure of assurance that hee is a true mâ—mber of the Church of Christ and that his part is in all the spirituall priuiledges or prerogatiues which doe belong vnto it in the holy fellowship and communion of the Saints of God And further the summe of this briefe profession of our common faith is in effect no more but this that the onely true God euen the father oâ— our Lord Iesus Christ is through the mediation and intercession of the same Christ our redeemer and Sauiour become my father and that for his sake hee hath receiued me to mercy and sanctified me and sealed me by his holy spirit to be one of his adopted children and that he will for euer make me a partaker of all the benefits of the most holy meditation of the same Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lord to my endles saluation euen to the fruition of vnspeakable felicitie and glory in his heauenly kingdome But these things require a very ample and large vnfolding Beliefe in one onely God LEt vs therfore come to the first part of your diuision of the Articles of faith Question How doe they teach vs and all Christians that wee stand bound to beleeue in our God Answere First that he is onely one in his diuine nature or spirituall Essence and beeing Secondly that he is neuertheles in the same onely one nature and essence three distinct persons That this is so it wil further appeare in the particular opening of this most high mysterie Question In what words doe they teach vs that we stand bound to beleeue in our God as being one onely in nature or essence and beeing Answere In these wordes I beleeue in God Explication and proofe It is true and therefore is the word God but once mentioned euen to the ende that the vnitie of the Godhead might bee the more plainely testified and obserued although the same word is in vnderstanding to bee referred to euery one of the three persons following in this wise Beliefe in one onely God I beleeue in that one onely God who is God the father God the sonne The ground of it and God the holy Ghost yet not three Gods but only one God For like as wheÌ„ mention is made indefinitely of the name of God the whole Trinitie may bee vnderstood coessentially and coniointly so wheÌ„ we apply the same name God to any of the three persons alone wee must take it personally according to the distinction of the one from either of the other by the proper incommunicable proprietie belonging to the same though not without respect to the vnitie of one essence of them all So that as it is well opened
doe enter into couenant with God in all holy care and conscience of walking in all good dutie before him as Abraham and all the faithfull of his posteritie did For as our Sauiour Christ saith The duties the children of Abraham will doe the workes of Abraham c. And verily all the dutie that we yea that all the Church of God can yeeld is too shallowe a fruite of obedience and thankfulnes to God for the reuelation and comfort of this most deepe and high mysterie For insomuch as the Lord God our onely Lord of his infinite mercie wholly consenteth both in vnitie of nature and according to the eternall distinctioÌ„ of the persons to the endles perfitting of our redemption saluation what dutie of ours though we were able to yeelde him all the seruice both of vnderstanding and reason of will and affection yea both of spirit soule and body could be answerable to this his infinite goodnes and mercy But to speak something more particularly it is the duty of the whole church of God and of euery true beleeuer to hold maintaine and defend this most holy doctrine against all Anti-trinitarians Atheiests or Profane persons whosoeuer shall shewe themselues to be despisers gainesayers and blasphemers thereof In which respect the holy and diligent labours of Athanasius Nazianzene and many other in former times as also of Caluin Beza Vrsinus Zanchius c. they are in these our daies very excellent The aduersaries of this most high point of doctrine haue beene from time to time many and great in the church of God the lesse to be maruelled at because it is the doctrine of a most secret and high mystery infinitely exceeding all comprehension of corrupt naturall reason The lesse also is it to be maruelled at because the Diuel who in all things enuieth the glory of God and euery way maliceth the saluation of his people taketh all the occasions he can to hinder yea to corrupt and vtterly to peruert the true knowledge faith of this most glorious and healthfull mysterie The former and more ancient of these wicked aduersaries as learned Danaeus hath gathered and sorted them together in his booke of heresies they were first the Apellites Messaâ—ians Deïtes and Monarchites who denying the distinct Persons held that God is onely as it were a sole and solitarie Monarch of the world Secondly the Simonians Ptolemies Colarbasies Montanistes Noâ—tians Praxcans Sabellians Apolanaristes who affirmed that there is but one person in the Trinitie onely called by these three sundry names Father Sonne and holy Ghost Thirdly the Marcellians who taught that the Trinitie is but an extension or dâ—lating of â—ne and the same thing as it were waxe Fourâ—hly the Hieracites who said that the Persons in the Trinitie are but as it were two lights of one candle Fâ—f ly the Metangismonites who imagined the Persons to be like to diuerse vessels the one contained within the other and as a scroule of diuers skinnes Sixtly the Tritheïtes and Triformians who contended that the three Persons are three diuerse and sundry Gods Seauenthly the Marcites and Tetratheïtes who make a quaternitie of Persons The which hereticall blasphemie when Anastasius the Emperour attempted to establish by his Edict about the yeare of our Lord 485. he was by the hand of God stricken with lightening and died miserably Danaeus chap. 47. in his booke of Heresies The last of thâ— more ancient aduersaries which the same writer rehearseth were the Actians who made no more account of the three Persons then of three qualities All these were worthily resisted and refuted by the excellent Mâ—nisters of Gods word in former times Now in these latter daies rose vp one Seruetus and other who went about to reuiue the former heresie of the Simonians and such like heretikes of their rancke Wherefore by how much the Diuel raiseth vp more hostile warre against this sacred ground of our Christian faith to the dishonour of our God The Danger of not beleeuing this Article and to the endangering of our soules to euerlasting perdition as also to the opening of the mouthes of the profane and vngodly to blaspheme that most holy and sacred mysterie which they knowe not neither haue learned to reuerence and adore by so much ought all the seruants of God at this day and from time to time according to the example of those that haue beene befâ—re vs to be the more studious and carefull both to settle our owne vnderstanding and faith more firmely and also more wisely soundly and faithfully euery one according to his place and calling to teach and strengthen one another and all of vs with one consent to pray the more feruently to God that it would please his diuine maiestie still to vphold this his blessed truth of doctrine which teacheth the truth of his most blessed nature the maÌ„ner of his glorious Essence against all aduersaries thereof as euer heretofore he hath done Amen THat which now remaineth concerning this article is the danger of not beleeuing in the blessed Trinitie Question What is that Answere It is vnpossible that any which beleeue not in the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost three Persons one onely true God should either know rightly the fountaine from whence or the meanes by whom or the manner how life and saluation is brought to light much lesse can they feele the comfort of it here and least of all shall they be partakers of the happines and glory of it in the kingdome of heauen ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is vnpossible in very deed For all is contained within the reuelation and faith of this most blessed mysterie as wee may clearly perceiue by calling to minde that which wee reade in the places of holy Scripture before alledged Ro 5.1.2.3.4.5 Eph. 2.18 1. Pet. chap. 1. v. 2. 2. Cor. ch 13. v. 13. which is the last of the whole chapter Yea so is all contained and treasured vp in this mystery that whosoeuer doe not rightly beleeue it * Vnderstand it of those that be willingly ignorant or heretically minded against this holy Mysterie they shal most assuredly wofully perish for euer froÌ„ the most glorious presence of God haue their portion among the most hellish and diuellish aduersaries of his glorie According as it hath beene long since well acknowledged and determined and so is stil in the true churches of Christ that whosoeuer desire to be saued must necessarily and before all things hold the true Christian and Catholike faith And that whosoeuer doe not keepe it holy and vndefiled shal without doubt perish euerlastingly The which Catholike faith that is to say the common faith of all true beleeuâ—rs is this that we doe acknowledge and worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie Neither confounding the Persons nor diuiding the substance c. Whosoeuer doe not beleeue thus it is most certaine that they doe not beleeue in the true God rightly Nay it is
2.21 Neither can it be that both the Father and the Sonne should send the holy Ghost to his Church and into the hearts of his people but to very notable effect and to the most singular good ends and purposes that might be Seeing our Sauiour Christ is ordeined of God to be a King he must of necessitie haue a kingdome and subiects therein whom he may most gratiously protect and gouerne Seeing he is the great Pastor of the sheepe it cannot be that hee should be without his fold and flocke Seeing he is a spirituall and mysticall head he must haue his members to make vp the same his mysticall bodie In which respect the Church is called the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things c. Ephes 1.23 Seeing he is the foundatioÌ„ who shal let that the building should not be laid and reared vp to the full perfecting thereof Ephes 2.20 c. and 1. Pet. 2.4 c. For God is not like the vnwise builder who layeth a foundation and is not able to performe it so that any should haue occasion to reproach him as we read of that vnaduised builder Luke 14.28 29 30. But he goeth forward with the worke to the admiration of all the beholders whosoeuer haue eyes to discerne the spirituall beautie of the same Psal 11â— â—2 23. Isai 54 â— c. And verses 11 12 13 c. Finally seeing our Sauiour is a most fruitfull and liuing vine it cannot be but that both branches fruit must needes spring forth and spread themselues aboundantly from him Iohn 15.1 c. This most notable and fruitfull effect of the most holy and blessed Trinitie God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost is as was said euen now set forth in this latter part of the Articles of our christian faith The which fruit that wee may gather rightly and lay vp in such sort as it may be a remaining fruit vnto vs for euer we must first of all according to the change of the argument diligently obserue the change of the phrase of speech henceforth vsed For we doe not professe that we beleeue in the holy Catholike Church as we doe in God both Father Sonne and holy Ghost but thus I beleeue the holy Catholike Church c. That is to say I beleeue that God hath a holy Catholike Church wherein there is a communion of saints and to the which belongeth most notable priuiledges of Gods rich fauour and grace both for the comfort of euery true member of the same holy Catholike Church here in this life and also for the euerlasting happinesse of them in the world to come This change of phrase is necessary to be diligently obserued of vs as was said because of the differing nature of the obiect where about faith is imploied For where as God is to be beleeued in simply without all exception the Church of God is not to be credited simply and for it selfe but vnder the credite and authority of the word of God so farre forth onely as it shall shew it selfe a faithfull instrumentall pillar and vpholder of that truth of the worde which God hath betrusted it withall according to that 1. Tim. 3.15 To the which end also the order is worthy like diligent regard in that God most worthily hath the first place and accordingly is chiefly to be respected and then the Church with such limits as he hath set Contrarie to the practise of the Antichristian Church which hath chiefe care for the aduancement of it selfe and the owne traditions and inuentions how contrary so euer to the word of God and little or no care for the glory of God And therefore can haue little or no true faith at all according to the definitiue sentence of our Lord Iesus Christ the onely author and finisher of the right christian faith Iohn 5.44 How can ye beleeue saith he who receiue honour one of another and doe not seeke the honour that commeth of God alone These things obserued more generally concerning this latter part of our beliefe let vs come to inquire of the particular Articles in the same order wherein we haue inquired of the former Question And first touching the holy Catholike Church what ground of holy scripture haue you that God hath such a Church as you speake of Answer The words of the Apostle Paul which follow in the 12. chapter of his first Epistle to the Corinthians verses 12. and 13 may well bee alledged to this purpose ExplicatioÌ„ They may be so in very deede And the rather also may wee make speciall choise of them because they doe immediately follow those words which were alledged before for a ground of the former Article concerning our beliefe in God the holy Ghost And further also because that which followeth in this same chapter from the very next verse will serue very fitly to open vnto vs the next Article of our faith which is concerning the communion of Saints as we shall see when we shall by Gods grace come vnto it In the meane season coÌ„cerning our present occasion rehearse you the words of the Apostle contained in the 12 13 verses mentioned by you for proofe of this that God hath his holy Catholike Church Question Which are those his words Answer 12 As the bodie is one saith the Apostle and hath many members and all the members of that one bodie being many make but one bodie euen so is Christ 13 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one bodie whether wee be Iewes or Grecians whether bonde or free and haue beene all made to drinke into one Spirit Explication From the interpretation of this text in the sermon which was made vpon it ye may remeÌ„ber such I meane as were the hearers of it that diuers things were obserued which make much for the opening of this Article of the holy Catholike Church The which things I will now by the grace of God repeate againe as briefly as I can and so proceede to those other questions and answers which serue for the more full laying open of this matter And first of all as we were before aduised let vs call to minde and consider that according as in the former part of the chapter albeit the Apostle writing to the Corinthians sheweth them particularly from whom they had receiued all their spirituall gifts and graces doth neuerthelesse there withall deliuer a generall doctrine concerning the author and distributer of all good gifts graces to all whosoeuer haue any portion of them So in these wordes though he doth speak by a particular intendement to informe the same Corinthians of their owne particular estate and condition in that they for their parts were a Church of Christ as well as any other Citie professing faith in his name like as euery part of the Sea is called by the name of the Sea c yet the doctrine containeth a generall direction or ground from the which we may discerne what is or
ought to be the estate and condition of euery true Church of Christ throughout the whole world This Church of God therefore generally considered is but one as the Apostle sheweth by the similitude of the naturall bodie the which though it haue many members is yet but one bodie Song of Songs ch 6. v. 8. And Ioh. 10.16 Now whereas there are diuers kindes of bodies First naturall such as euery man carrieth about him now Secondly spirituall such as the faithfull shall haue indued with far more excellent gifts at the resurrection from the dead 1. Cor. 15.44 Thirdly politike bodies such as are ciuill corporations whereof the King of the Nation is the head in a borrowed sense or metaphorically 1. Sam. chap. 15.17 Fourthly Mysticall bodies as for example the Churches of God spiritually vnited to our Sauiour Christ the onely immediate head and vitall quickener and gouernour thereof Hence it is the more manifest what manner of body the Church is by how much the similitude wherevnto it is compared is more distinctly expressed So then the Church of God to speake generally as we began to say is but one mysticall and spirituall bodie how many members soeuer it haue being considered either in particular Churches whether nationall as wee vse to speake or in cities or in country townes and villages or whether it be considered in regard of singular persons and therefore is called Catholike or Vniuersall Furthermore it is so called not onely to note thereby the calling of the Gentiles to the fellowship of the faith and couenant of Gods grace with the beleeuing Iewes who from the time of Moses were the onely peculiar people of God aboue all other of the Nations Ephes 2.16 and 3.6 but also to the end that vnder this name of catholike or vniuersall might be comprehended the whole number of the elect whomsoeuer God hath ordeined to saluation from the beginning of the world to the end of the same as well such as be called alreadie as such as are to be called in euery age of the world and the same also out of euery nation farre and neare and out of euery estate and condition of people noble or vnnoble rich or poore learned or vnlearned young or olde man or woman and all according to the free grace of God without respect of person Yea the Church hath this generall name giuen vnto it that it might not onely comprehend that part of the Church which is called the militant part here on earth but also that part which is alreadie partly and in some measure triumphant in heauen According to that which we reade Ephes 3.15 God is the Father of the whole familie in heauen and in earth Reade also chap. 1. verses 9 10 11. And Colos 1.19 20 21 22. Heb. 12.22 c. And Gal. 4.26 This then is that which the holy Apostle saith in our text that in the one only body of the Church of God here on earth both Iew Gentile bond free c are conteined as the seuerall members thereof The which as was said we may proportionably extend to the whole Church most generally taken that all is but one c. Reade also Acts 2. verse 39. The promise is made to you and to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call Likewise Ephes 2.13 c. And Gal. 3. at the end of the chapter And Colos 3.11 Neither Grecian nor Iew circumcision nor vncircumcision neither Barbarian nor Scythian neither bond nor free none of them are excepted from hauing their part in Christ either because they are of this or that nation of this or that condition and calling c. Reade also Acts 10.34 35. Of a truth saith the Apostle Peter I perceiue that God is no accepter of persons But in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him And Reuel 5.9 Thou hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and nation c. And chap. 7.9 I beheld saith Saint Iohn and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lambe clothed with long white robes and palmes in their hands c. And verse 14 c. These were they which came out of great tribulation c. This vniuersality of the Catholike Church is according to the ancient promise of God made to Abraham that in his seede all the nations of the world should be blessed It is also according to that more ancient and propheticall prayer of Noah Gen. 9.27 God perswade Iapheth that he may dwell in the tents of Shem. And yet before that according to that most ancient promise of God euen from the beginning of the world Gen. 3.15 The seede of the woman shall breake the Serpents head Yea God as a most prouident Father knowing that fraileman would fall into sinne and so be the iust cause of his owne miserie and ruine it pleased him of his infinite goodnesse and mercie in the secret of his owne counsel and purpose to ordaine him a remedie euen before the foundations of the world were laid 1. Pet. 1.20 Herein therefore God hath dealt with mankinde after the manner of wise and louing Parents who knowing that their young children are subiect to burning or skalding c will alwaies haue some thing prepared afore hand which may be ready with them to helpe at any time of neede Yet that which man doth vpon an vncertaine feare God did of certaine knowledge without any doubt what would ensue By reason that the Church is thus Catholike and vniuersall in the generall acception of it therfore is it made a matter of faith not that we should beleeue in the Church but because it is to be beleeued of vs according to the holy Scriptures that God hath such a Church as may iustly be so termed And because also it is so firmely founded established in our Sauiour Christ according to the most sure stable counsel of God that nothing no not the gates of Hell shal euer be able to preuaile against it Mat. 16.18 Read also Ps 125. and Ier. 33.17 18 c. to the end of the chapter Moreouer 2. Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his c. And that this vniuersall Church consisting both of Iew Gentile is founded vpon our Sauiour Christ it is euident Ephes 2.18 For as the holy Apostle saith there wee both that is both Iew and Gentile haue through him an entrance vnto the Father by one Spirit And verse 22. In whom we are also built together to be the habitation of God by the Spirit By the Spirit saith the Apostle and that also through faith to remoue all conceit of any bodily commixtion or confusion of the Church or members thereof with Christ bodily and likewise to
as it were into an abridgement if we shall by a short definition or description shew what the Church is Question What therefore may it be defined or described to be Answer The Church of God generally considered according to the name catholike or vniuersall it is the whole number of the children of GOD elected and chosen through Iesus Christ before the world was and in due season called iustified and sanctified to be one mystical◠bodie by faith in him The Promise and to be partakers of the same eternall happinesse and glorie with him in the kingdome of heauen Thus indeed it may be described more generally Question What may it be said to be more particularly Answer The Church more particularly considered may be saide to be any holy companie of people truly beleeuing and worshipping God according to the doctrine and commandements of our Lord Iesus Christ and after the example of the particular Churches in the Apostles times though not in so great perfection And as touching the particular members of the Church whether more generally or more particularly considered euery one that truly beleeueth and obeyeth the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ is to be accounted a true member thereof though there appeare much weaknesse and imperfection in them Explicatiō and proofe The ground and proofes of these things haue beene laied forth before and therefore we wil stay no longer about any further proofe now but come forthwith to the Promise seeing as we haue often said and obserued in the Articles concerning our beliefe in God more directly that faith looketh alwaies to the Promise of God as to the staffe of her comfort And so no doubt it doth also in all the Articles now following concerning the Church of God Question WHat ground therefore can yee shew of any promise which God hath made that it is his good will and pleasure thus to call and gather to himselfe so generall and vniuersall a Church that is so ample and large an assembly of Saints to be partakers of his heauenly and euerlasting kingdome of glory Answer In the first chapter of the Prophet Hosea the 10. verse in these words The number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the Sea which cannot be measured nor told and in the place where it was said vnto them Ye are not my people it shall be said to them Ye are the Sonnes of the liuing God And againe in the next chapter of the same prophesie verse 23. I will sow her vnto me in the earth and I will haue mercie vpon her that was not pitied and I will say to them that were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say Thou art my God Explication and proofe These places of holy Scripture were alledged for the proofe of the promise of the first Article of our beliefe that God minded to be the God of the Gentiles as well as of the Iewes but they may well be called to remembrance and repeated here againe It may bee to good purpose likewise that wee call to minde some other proofes for the more full confirmation of the same And first that the promise of God mentioned by his holy Prophet is extended euen to vs and to euery other nation as well as to the Iewes wee haue the warrant of the Apostle Paul Rom. 3.29 Is he the God of the Iewes onely and not of the Gentiles also saith the Apostle And he answereth himselfe by and by saying Yes euen of the Gentiles also And chap. 9. verses 24 25 26. God declareth the riches of his glorie vpon the vessells of mercie which hee hath prepared vnto glorie Euen vs which he hath called not of the Iewes onely but also of the Gentiles As hee saith also in Hosea I will call them my people c. as it followeth in the text of the Prophet rehearsed alreadie Reade also 1. Pet. 1.10 11. where the Apostle giueth to vnderstand that the holy Prophets did generallie aime at this time of the vniting of the Iewes to the Gentiles as it may more plainely appeare chapter 2. of the same Epistle verse 10 in that he alledged the selfe same text to the Iewes which the Apostle Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles hath alledged for the calling of the Gentiles Reade also chapter 5. verse 13. But for the more full clearing of this that the holy Prophets did aime at the time of the calling of the Gentiles The Comforts it is euident from their manifold predictions thereof as we may reade Psal 22. verses 27 28 29.30.31 And Psalm 47 and 72.1.9 10.11 c. and Psalm 87. and in many other of the Psalmes Likewise Isai chap 2. verses 2.3.4 and chap 11 9 10.16 and ch 19. verses 18.19 c. to the end of the cha And chap 49 6.7 c. and ch 60. and in sundrie other places The same is also manifest Mal chap 1 11. For from the rising of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the same that is ouer the face of the whole earth my name is great among the Gentiles and in euerie place incense shall be offered vnto my name and a pure offering for my name is great among the heathen saith the Lord of Hostes. There are many other places in the lesser Prophets for the confirmation of the same But these may for the present suffice for the proof of it so that it may well be reckoned for an Article of faith to beleeue the calling of the Gentiles and that the Church of God consisteth both of Iewes and also of them that is of all beleeuers in euery nation of the world HAuing therefore so good ground for the promise of these things it followeth next that we are to inquire after the right vse of this Article And first touching the comfort of our faith Question What may that be Answer The comfort of beleeuing this Article is very great to all true beleeuers not onely in regard of themselues who are alreadie incorporated into this mysticall and sacred body of the Church but also in respect of such as are daily to be added to the same in the time of their calling and sanctification insomuch as the full perfection of euery member dependeth vpon the gathering together of the full and whole number of the elect of God to the inheritance of his heauenly kingdome Explicatiō proofe So indeed we read Heb 11 39.40 in these wordes following And these all The Apostle speaketh of many of the most ancient members of the holy catholike Church of God through faith obtained good report but receiued not the promise god prouiding a better thing for vs that they without vs shuld not be made perfite And to the same end tendeth that which we read in the 12. ch ver 22 23 24. Yee are come to the mount Sion c. And 1 Thes 4 15. This saith the Apostle we say vnto you by the word of the Lord that we which liue and are
regard of the stabilitie of the whole church and euery true member thereof according to that of the same Apostle 2. Tim 2.19 The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his And thus as it is written Heb 6.18.19 The stablenes of the counsell of God afordeth vs strong consolation vpon the which the ancre of our soules that is the hope which is set before vs may bee sure and steadfast in heauen against all the stormes and tempests which we shall meete withall while we sayle as it were in the discomfortable and dangerous Sea of this wicked troublesome world Read also Mat 16.18 The gates of hell shall not ouercome the Church There be likewise many comfortable testimonies in the holy Prophets As Psal 46.5 c. God is in the midest of it therfore shall it not be moued And Ps 125 1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion c. Isai 54.17 All the weapons that are made against thee shal not prosper c Ioel 2 32. In mount Sion and in Ierusalem shal be deliuerance And chap 3 20. Likewise Obad verse 17. And Micah 7.20 God will performe his truth to Iaakob and mercie to Abraham c. But to the end we may haue our part in this so singular a comfort How may we be assured Question that wee are in the number of the elect of God and consequently true members of the holy catholike Church of God Hereby may we knowe that we are the elect of God Answer if so be we haue receiued his Spirit of adoption and sanctification ExplicatioÌ„ proofe We may doe so indeede For so saith the Apostle Iohn 1 Ep ch 4 13. Hereby we knowe that we dwell in God and God in vs because hee hath giuen vs of his Spirit The which Spirit also as wee haue seene before is as the earnest or seale of our election to salution And therefore it beareth the name of the Spirit of adoption c. Question But that we faile not nor be deceiued in this our comfort how may we know that God hath giuen vs of his Spirit and that wee are sealed thereby vnto redemption and saluation Answer We may know it certainly by the inward effects which the holy Spirit of God worketh in vs and by the outward effects of holines which the same Spirit inableth vs to performe and causeth our Spirits to take delight and pleasure therein from a pure heart with a good conscience and through faith vnfeined ExplicatioÌ„ proofe You answer truly and well For so doth the Apostle Iohn mentioned euen now teach vs 1 Ep ch 2 v. 3. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if we keepe his commandements And ch 3 23.24 This is his commandement that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commandement For he that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him hereby we know that he abideth in vs euen by the Spirit which he hath giuen vs. Now this Spirit leadeth vs into the obedience of Gods commandements whereby also it is discerned to be in vs. Prouided alwaies that our obedience be as was answered out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith vnfained According to that of the Apostle Paul 1 Tim 1 5. Moreouer the fruits of the Spirit whereby his abiding in vs may be assured vnto vs are in many particulars reckoned vp by the Apostle Paule Gal 5 22 23 And Eph 5. v. 9 in many other places Wherein if we take delight with care to practise them in our liues we may assure our selues that God hath giuen vs his Spirit And namely The Duties if we shall be carefull to acquaint our selues with prayer and supplication to God for the increase of these his good gifts and graces For this is a speciall propertie of the Spirit of adoption and sanctification as the same Apostle teacheth vs Rom 8 15. Whereby and by the other fruites of sanctification before mentioned the Apostle doth in the same place verses 14 and 16.17 assure vs that we are such as belong to God and to whom the inheritance of the kingdome of God doth belong For saith he as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sonnes of God For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but yee haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God If wee be children we are also heires euen heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that â—ee may also be glorified with him And marke this well that among many other things the holy Apostle sheweth vs that our willing suffering with Christ that is while wee walke in the holy waies of God is a sure token that wee are in the number of the elect children of God For as he saith further verse 29. of the same chapter Those whom God knewe before he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his Sonne to wit euen in the induring of afflictions c. And to the same purpose of comforting and incouraging of all such that they are the vndoubted children of God tendeth all that which followeth euen to the end of that most comfortable chapter Whervnto also the testimonie of the Apostle Peter serueth notably in the first chapter of his 2. Epistle verses 5 6 7 8.9 10 11. Therefore giue all diligence therevnto ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge And with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlines and with godlines brotherly kindnes and with brotherly kindnes loue c. For as the Apostle saith hereby we shall make our calling and election sure And he assureth vs in the name of the Lord that if we doe these things we shall neuer fall but that an enterance shall bee ministred vnto vs aboundantly into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Read also Ps 15. where the Spirit of God by his holy Prophet maketh the same conclusion from a rehearsall of sundrie like vertues in the former part of the Psalme And thus we see that the comfort of faith coÌ„cerning the Article of the holy catholike Church of God is very great and manifold in respect both of the vniuersalitie and holines of it and chiefly in regard of the holy election of God Hetherto therefore of the vse of the doctrine of this Article for the comfort of faith WE are now to inquire likewise after the vse of it touching the fruites of obedience and that in the same order wherein we haue inquired of the Comforts Question First therefore what is the dutie belonging to the comfort of faith concerning the vniuersalitie of the Church Answer Insomuch as there is but one Church of God and that without it here
is no saluation it is the dutie of euerie one that belongeth to God to forsake himselfe and all wicked assemblies and to ioyne himselfe vnto it by imbracing the same faith and liuing in obedience to the same word and Gospel of God our Sauiour Christ with a godly care of preseruing the holy vnitie and peace thereof And to this ende it is furthermore the dutie of euery true member of the Church to associate and ioyne himselfe to some particular Church or congregation of the people of God and therein to continue and abide It is likewise the dutie of all particular and visible Churches as well as of the whole Church generally faithfully to imbrace testifie and vphold the truth of God committed to the custodie of it Finally wee doe all stand bound alwaies to inlarge our hearts to blesse and praise the Lord for the largenes of his mercie thus vniuersally extended to all estates and degrees of people in euery nation and that also to euery generation since the beginning of the world but specially in these our dayes and since the time of the more full reuelation of the Gospel ExplicatioÌ„ proofe All these duties doe belong to this comfort by very good right and with good warrant from the word of God and as the matter speaketh very plainly to euery reasonable man euen of it selfe But let vs see something for the better confirmation of them vnto vs. And first touching the first branch of the answer we may well take one speciall proofe from the wordes of our Sauiour who is the onely head of this one Church Mat 16.24 If any man will followe me let him forsake himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me Likewise Luk 9 23. Here is a plaine proofe that we must forsake our selues And herewithall very fitly are wee admonished that seeing we are to ioyne our selues to the militant Church here on earth that therefore also we must purposedly dispose of our selues to beare our part in the coÌ„mon afflictions thereof In which respect as likewise to shewe that we must forsake the societie of Idolaters and profane persons the example of Moses is very notable Heb 11.24 25.26 Read also Psal 26 v. 4.5 But we haue an expresse commandement confirmed by many holy reasons and perswasions 2. Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18. Be not vnequally yoked with infidels c saith the Apostle come out from among them and seperate your selues saith the Lord himselfe Read also Reuel 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 And ch 18 4 5 6 7 8. The reason is for that no vncleane thing nor whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lyes shal enter into the kingdome of heauen but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life cha 21.27 Verily as there was no saluation in the dayes of Noah out of the Arke so is there at no time any saluation to those that are out of the Church of God Wherefore touching the second branch of the answer that it is our dutie to ioine our selues to the Church in the outward societie of it that is in the exercises of the true worship of God for the confirmation of faith c. it is that which our Sauiour Christ directeth his spouse to doe she being desirous to be guided by him Song of Songs ch 1. v. 6 7. And it may wel be hence obserued in that it is said The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued Read also Heb 10 25 ver 29. where the Apostle sheweth that there is danger of perdition to euery one that shall withdrawe himselfe after that hee hath once entered this holy fellowship For the third dutie of the whole Church and of all particular assemblies or congregations which is that they ought to be faithfvll vpholders and keepers and as it were pillars of the truth of God read Deut 31.9.10 11.12.13 The law was committed io the custodie of the Priests the Sonnes of Leui for the common benefite of the people of Israel that they might by theÌ„ heare learne feare the Lord God keepe obserue all the words of his lawe And in this very respect the Church of God is called the pillar and ground of truth 1. Tim 3 15. as we haue seene before And now that according to the last branch wee ought alwaies most instantly praise the Lord for the largenes of his grace mercy toward the infinite thousands of the lost posteritie of Adam the heauenly vision of Iohn may teach vs Reuel ch 5 v. 8.9.10 c. Whervnto also let vs ad this that much lesse ought we to repine or grudge at the receiuing of any the poorest or most sinfull to mercie but contrariwise to be so much the more yea more and more thankfull by how much God doth more plentifully magnifie the riches of his free mercie not onely toward our selues but also toward euery other and therefore to embrace them as brethren and to reioyce in them and for them to the great praise of our most gracious and mercifull God Such are the duties arising from the comfort of faith in regard of the vniuersalitie of the catholike church of God It followeth that we inquire into the duties of euery one in respect of the holiâ—es of it Question Which ought they to be Answer It is the dutie of euery member or particular person in the Church of God first to apprehend by faith the perfect holines of our Sauiour Christ who alone is the onely full fountaine thereof Secondly to seeke to be partakers of some portion of the ouer-flowings of this fulnes And thirdly to seeke to further and increase holines both in our selues and also in as many other as possibly we may ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe Seeing God hath made our Sauiour to be perfect sanctification and holines vnto vs 1. Cor 1 30. Colos 1 22 it were extreme folie not to lay hold on him most gratefully in this behalfe Yea and if we shuld not as it were open our mouthes wide to receiue of his fulnes a meet portion of his aboundant grace answerable to that Ioh. 1 15.16 And ch 7 ver 37.38.39 Read also ch 13.8.9 If I wash thee not saith our Sauiour to Peter thou shalt haue no part with me And the same is affirmed generally Heb 12.14 Without holines shall no man see the Lord. And 2. Cor 5.17 If any man be in Christ let him be a newe creature Olde things are passed away behold all things are become newe And besides how vnseemely yea how absurd a thing were it that any polluted and defiled member should be ioined to a most pure head and to the rest of the beautifull members thereof This must needes be a dishonour and an vtter disgracing to the whole body It were as if a man should goe about to make the glorious church of our Sauiour Christ like to that deformed image which Nebuchadnezzar sawe in his dreame the which hauing the head of
gold had feet of yron and dirtie clay And would not the wicked I pray you take occasion from hence to speake euill of the name of God and of our Sauiour Christ specially if such as haue the places of eies or hands in this body shuld be blind or lame c. Verily that which the Apostle Paule noteth to be a deformitie in doctrine namely that any should lay hay or stubble vpon the precious foundation Christ Iesus 1. Cor 3 11 12. c. the like deformitie must it breed if any person should be laide vpon this spirituall foundation which is not a liuing stone I meane such a one as is not quickened to the care of a godly and holy life Neither could there be any peace to the conscience of any such profane person but he must needs be alwaies in feare of the iust indignation and displeasure of God This doubtles were now vnto vs whom God hath chosen to be the Temple of his Spirit no lesse sinne then it was vnto the Iewes to profane the materiall Temple of Ierusalem when they made it a denne of theeues a cageful of vncleane birds And therefore we might iustly looke for the like punishment of reiectiō casting off which fell vpon thē if we should be foūd in the like sin Let vs therfore according to the third dutie be so far from al vnseemely continuance in our profannes that we labour earnestly after all increase of true holines both in our selues and in others according to the exhortation of the holy Apostle 2. Cor 7 1. And Reuel 22 verse 11. Hee that is holy let him be holy still yea with increase of holines as the Angels meaning is But of this dutie of furthering holines belonging to euery Christian concerning his brother it shal further appear what belongeth vnto vs in the next Article concerning the Communion of Saints Touching our present Article the duties belonging to the comfort of Gods eternall election of his Church are yet behind Question Which are they Answer First and principally considering that the free grace of God cleane contrarie to the desert of our sinne is the onely cause and fountaine of our remssion iustification and saluation it is our bounden dutie to be most heartily thankefull to God in this respect aboue all other both for our selues and for all the rest of Gods elect and also to abandon all opinion of any worthines and merit of our own or of any other saue of our sauiour alone Secondly we considering that God hath chosen vs of free grace and iustly refused other to the declaration of his iustice in punishing their sinne this ought to cause vs in reioycing to feare and tremble before the Maiestie of God and to keepe our hearts farre from all proud and vaine boasting against others Thirdly insomuch as the election of God is a most deepe and hidden secrete in the counsell of God considered in it selfe it is our parts to be the more diligent in seeking to knowe it from the effects of Gods Spirit within vs and in the fruites of sanctification following vpon the same in the outward actions of our liues Finally the assurance of our election ought to worke contentment in our hearts against all wantes or afflictions whatsoeuer beside waiting with patience for our eternall happines and saluation Explicatiō proofe Touching that most bounden and earnest thankefulnes which we owe vnto God both for the free election of our selues and others to saluation the example of the elect Apostle Saint Paule may be an excellent instruction vnto vs what we and all other are to doe in this respect Ephes 1 verses 3 4 5 6. Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. who hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world c. And 1 Thes 3 8 9 We are aliue of yee standfast in the Lord. For what thankes can we recompence to God againe for you c. And 2. Ep 2 13. But we ought alwaies to giue thankes to God for you brethren beloued of the Lord because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth And that this holy election of God is freely of grace the same Apostle teacheth plainly Rom 11.5.6 It is of grace saith he Whence he reasoneth thus And if it be of grace then it is no more of workes c. Secondly that we ought to walke in feare and reuerence considering the iust reprobation of others no worse by nature then we our selues are we are admonished in the 20. verse of the same chap. Be not high minded but feare And he rendereth a reason of the admonitiō in the verse following For saith the Apostle if God spared not the naturall branches that is the Iewes take heede lest hee also spare not thee And Philip. 2 12. Make an end of your saluation with feare and trembling he speaketh of a reuerend childlike feare of God For saith he further it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed euen of his good pleasure Doe all things without murmuring reasonings c. As though he shuld say if ye turne aside from an humble course of life from a godly disposition of your hearts before God ye may iustly feare your own good estate with a troublesome and doubtfull feare c. Thirdly that we are to seeke for the assurance of our election from the workings of Gods holy Spirit in vs and from the fruits of a godly life Read 2 Pet. 1 5. c. 10 as was obserued alledged before in the Comforts Read also Eph. 1 4. God hath chosen vs in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy without blame before him in loue And Col 3 12. Now therefore as the elect of God holy and beloued put on tender mercy kindnes humblenes of mind long suffering forbearing one another and forgiuing one another c. And now last of all that the assurance of our election to saluation should be a sufficient comfort against al discontentments or discomfort whatsoeuer waiting with patience for the fulfilling of the good pleasure of God in this behalfe The Apostle Paule is a notable example who suffered all things gladly for the elects sake that they might also obtaine the saluation which is in Christ Iesus with eternall glory 2 Tim 2 10. And therefore also ought we to suffer all things willingly in thankfulnes to God for the election it selfe The greatest afflictiōs of this life are but momentanie but the glory wherevnto they prepare and lead vs is most excellent and eternally weightie 2. Cor 4.17 Thus much concerning the duties which ought to attend vpon the comfort of this Article NOw therefore that we may conclude the whole doctrine of it Question What is the danger of not beleeuing that God hath a holy catholike Church and of not regarding to ioyne with it in holines of life Answer Such as doe not beleeue that God hath a holy catholike or vniuersall Church can haue no true faith that
are not seene as we read in the beginning of â—he 11. chap. to the Hebrewes Question What ground therefore may we haue for the clearing of this doubt Answer In the 3. verse of the same 11. chap thus we read Through faith saith the holy Apostle we vnderstand that the world was ordained by the word of God so that the things which we see were not made of things which did appeare ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe This Testimonie indeede sheweth plainely that this visible worke of Gods creation is a matter of faith But how Not in that it is visiblie and sensibly euery way sâ—ene felt and discerned of vs but in respect of the originall of it in that first of all it was by the almightie power of God made of meere nothing For that is the meaning of the Apostle in that hee saith it was not made of things which did appeare So that euen that which was nothing before was made something contrary to the rule of mans philosophicall principle from the which they doe stifly though falsely contend that nothing can be made of nothing It is faith therefore that must teach vs this principle which is so contrary to carnall reason And the rather when wee see so goodly and magnificent a worke to be so aptly composed and made as the word Kâ—tertisthai englished ordained doth signifie Whereas being nothing at the first it was also at the beginning onely a rude heape vtterly voide of all the present furniture and beautie according to the beginning of Gen chap 1. v. 2. So that then hereby we may perceiue that the office of faith is twofold as it were For it looketh both retrorsum and antrorsum that is backward and forward as one may say Backward to those things which beeing now had neuer any beeing before vntill God by his almightie power gaue a beeing vnto them And forward to such things as though they are not yet be neuertheles by vertue of the word and promise of God as surely expected as if they were already performed namely that these heauens and this earth being through our sinnes made subiect to vanitie and shall certainely be dissolued shall bee renewed yea in â—ffect made new againe and that in a more glorious and excellent manner and the same also as certainly as they were at the first made and disposed in such manner as we see them now to be It looketh also forward to the expectation of the resurrection of our bodies after this life at the last day and after the glorifying of them then c. as certainely as wee knowe that wee are nowe mortall creatures and haue the feeling of our present miseries c. So that faith being of a spirituall nature a very diuine gift of God to man it resteth it selfe and as it were hideth it selfe onely in the eternall and almightie God Who as he was before the beginning of all creatures so shall he and so will hee continue for euer the same and giue all true beleeuers a most happie and euerlasting estate and condition after that this world and all thinges touching their present vaine and transitorie estate shall come to an end But thus we are as it were vpon the winges of faith caried very farre Let vs returne to the doctrine of creation hauing alreadie seene that howsoeuer the world now made is a matter of sence and not of faith yet in respect of the creation and making of it it is a singular point of beliefe Question FIrst therefore what ground haue you that God the Father hath by his almightie power created the heauens and the earth and all creatures that haue any beeing at all in the same Answere It is euery where testified in the holy Scriptures but first of all and most fully and plainely in the two first chapters of Genesis which is the first booke of the Prophet Moses Explication and proofe It is so indeede For as touching the often witnessing of Gods creation of all things we may remembeâ— that diuers testimonies of the holy Scriptures haue beene mentioned alreadie And wee may euerie where finde more As namely Isai 40.26 The Lord hath created all things hee bringeth out their Armies by number and calleth them all by names By the greatnes of his power and mighty strength nothing falleth And verse 28. The euerlasting God the Lord hath created the ends of the earth Hee neither fainteth nor is wearie there is no searching of his vnderstanding And againe chap 42.5 He hath created the heauens and spreâ—d them abroade hee hath stretched forth the earth and the buds thereof hee giueth breath to the people vpon it and spirit to them that dwell therein And yet againe chap. 45.11.12 Thus saith the Lord the hâ—ly one of Israel and his maker c. I whose hands haue spread out the heauens I haue euen commanded all their Armies And Psalme 89.11.12 The heauens are thine and the earth also is thine thou hast laide the foundation of the worlde and all that therein is Thou hast created the North and the South c. And Psal 148.5 Hee commanded and they were created Likewise Psalm 33.6 though expressed by another Hebrue word then is vsed in the former places By the word of the Lord were the heauens made and all the hoste of them by the breath of his mouth And Psalme 121.2 and 124.8 And Psalme 136.5.6.7.8.9 Which by his wisedome made the heauens for his mercie endureth for euer Which stretched out the earth vpon the waters c. And Psalme 146.6 Which made heauen and earth the Sea and all that in them is Reade also Exodus 20. in the fourth Commandement And Isa 44.24 I am thy Lord that made all thinges who spread out the heauens alone and stretched out the earth by my selfe Likewise Ier. 10.12 Hee hath made the earth by his power and established the world by his wisedome and hath stretched out the heauens by his discretion And chap. 32 verse 1â— Ah Lord GOD saith the holy Prophet in his prayer to GOD Behold thou hast made the heauen and the earth by thy great power and by thy stretched out arme and there is nothing hard vnto thee c. Reade also Acts 4 24. in the prayer of the holy Apostles O Lord say they with one accord thou art the God which hast made the heauen and the earth the Sea and all things that are in them c. And chap. 17 24. The Apostle Paul describing the true God to the ignorant and Idolatrous Athenians Whom yee ignorantly worship saith he him shâ—w I vnto your God that made the world and all things that are therein seeing that he is Lord of heauen and of earth he dwelleth not in Temples made with handes c. And if we wold read yet a more large discourse concerning the works of Gods most mightie and wise creation more immediately as it were from the Lords owne mouth wee may haue our recourse to the 38. and 39. chap of the booke
me In my Fathers house are many dwelling places c. According also as the same our Sauiour praieth to God his heauenly Father on the Churches behalfe Iohn 17.24 Father I will that they which thou hast giuen me be with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world c. This indeede may iustly bee comfortable to euery true beleeuer yea so comfortable that well may it aboundantly mitigate the greatest discomforts that may at any time assaile vs. Yea also it may iustly hearten harden vs with a spiritual fortitude and boldnes of heart against death it selfe yea euen to make death welcome vnto vs according to that 2. Cor 4.16 c. We faint not c. saith the Apostle while we looke not on the things which are seene but on the thinges which are not seene for the things which are seene are temporall but the things which are not seene are eternall And then it followeth chap 5. verses 1.2 For we knowe that if the earthly house of this tabernacle be destroied we haue a building giuen of God that is an house not made with handes but eternall in the heauens For therefore wee sigh desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heauen c. And verse 5. He that hath created vs for this thing is God who also hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the Spirit Read also Heb 11.13.14.15.16 The comfort hereof to speake familiarly may be conceiued by a similitude from the vsuall affection and practise euen of the poorest sort of men For as experience sheweth euery one is the better coÌ„tented with a meane Hal or Kitchin a roome of common abode so as hee haue a commodious and well trimmed Parlor or Chamber whereunto hee may resort when hee will to his good liking and delight And shall wee not then bee infinitely much more comforted from this so great a ground of comfort that God our heauenly Father hath prepared not onely one withdrawing roome as it were handsome and neate in heauen to solace our selues in now and then but euen a roiall Palace for our continuall abiding in his presence And that also such a one as in comparison whereof the most sumptuous buildings of this world are but as the Hall or Kitchin of the most base cottage that may be Question Nowe from the inuisible heauens let vs come to the inuisible Angelles we speak now onely of the holy and elect Angels What is the comfort of our faith concerning their most holy and happie creation This also may in like manner be exceedingly comfortable to our faith while wee consider that albeit God our heauenly Father is of himselfe alone al-sufficient for our defence and preseruaâ—ion Answere yet it hath pleased him euen for the further comfort of our weake faith to let vs vnderstand that hee hath created millions of Angels to bee our faithfull and trustie assistantes and friendes against all the legions of Diuels who are our most â—â—dicious aduersaries as also against all their wicked Instruments ExplicatioÌ„ proofe That this is so as it is euident from many testimonies of holy Scriptures heretofore alledged when wee spake of the Creation of the Angels so the comfortable speech of Elisha the Prophet to his seruant may at this time bee to speciall purpose called againe to minde of vs in that from thence we may euidently perceiue that there are more on our side then be against vs c. 2. King chap 6. verses 16.17 And the greater will the comfort be if wee doe herewithall call likewise to minde that which hath beene declared concerning the excellent nature of the holy Angels both for wisdome and also for power c. Neither may we speaking of inuisible creatures neglect that sensible comfort which God of his goodnes giueth vnto vs continually from those purging windes of the aier and from the sweete aier it selfe wherein we liue and drawe our breath But of these things wee shall haue the occasion renewed to consider more fully when we shall come to the comforts of the fatherly prouidence of God and therefore we will not now stay any longer vpon them Wherefore leauing thus the inuisible creatures for a while we come to those that are visible Question What is the comfort which our faith reapeth from the creation of them Answere The comfort of all the visible creatures in their seuerall kindes it is sensible like to themselues For the goodly and beautifull formes and colours of things as also the light it selfe by the which they are represented vnto vs together with the instrumeÌ„ts of light the Sunne the Moone and the Stars they are all of them very pleasant to our eyes All the sweete voices and sounds which we heare from the sweet singing birds and such like they are very delightfull to our eares The excellent varietie of flowers by their manifold sweet smelâ— and sauours which they cast forth they likewise are very comfortable to our nostriâ—s The plentifull fruits of the earth which God hath sent for our foode they are delicate and daintie to our tast Neither may we passe by the great goodnes of God toward vs in this that for the more ful measure of our comfort in his sensible creatures whereas euery creature hath but his short season he hath appointed one sort to succeede another And whereas winter putteth an end to all summer fruits till the Spring of the yeare returne againe God hath giuen men wisedome to preserue his creatures by distillations by sâ—rrups and many other waies so that they retaine them for their comfort till newe come againe Neuertheles this we may herewithall truly affirme that no one of these outward visible and sensible creatures câ—â— be truly comfortable either to the soule or body of any man but through the spirituall grace and comfort of a true and liuely faith Question It is true that you say But wâ—â—t reason can you render thereof Answere By the fall of our first parents and through our owne originall guiltines sinne and corruptioÌ„ we haue lost al our interest right title to the least coÌ„fort of any of the creaturs Neither can wee otherwise be restored againe thereunto but through faith and that onely by the free grace of God our heauenly Father who hath adopted vs in his beloued Son our Lord Iesus Christ to be his children and heires of all things euen heiers annexed with him Explication and proofe This is indeede a sufficient reason that without faith no man can take any sound comfort or pure delight in the creatures because we are in our selues corrupt carnally affected and without Christ no better then vsurpers of them And that we are altogether without interest in the creatures vntill we be restored to the rightfull possession of them by faith in Christ it may plainly be gathered by the expulsion of Adam out of the garden of
Eden so soone as hee had fallen away from his faith and allegiance to God Genesis 3.23.24 But by faith in Christ all things are made ours in so much as we our selues are thereby made the children of God according to that we reade Gal 3.26 and chap 4. verses 6 7. and Rom 8.15 16 16. and 1. Cor 3.21 22 23. Let no man reioyce in men for all things are yours Whether it be Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death whether they be things present or things to come all are yours And ye Christes and Christ Gods HItherto therfore of the comfort which we haue from all other creatures through faith in God and in our Lord Iesus Christ Now concerning our selues Question what may be the comfort of our owne creation while we beleeue in God our heauenly Father as in the Creator and maker of our owne selues Answere The comfort hereof is manifold So indeed we haue learned out of the holie Scriptures whether we consider the creation of our bodies or of our soules or of the condition of our whole Person and estate wherein God hath created and set vs in the beginning Question First therefore what is our comfort in respect of the creation of our bodies Answere Not so much for that it hath pleased God to giue them a speciall dignitie in outward forme in that both face and hands are made apt and fit aboue all other creatures to looke and lift themselues vpward to his Maiestie toward heauen as it may be obserued from the practise thereof Psal 123. and Lamentations of Ier chap 3.41 But much rather because he hath made euen our bodies to be the temples of the holy Ghost here in this life 1. Cor 6.19 and to be partakers of the resurrection of the righteous to euerlasting life at the last day Ioh. 5.28.29 These comforts cannot but be very comfortable to all such as haue faith in any measure of truth to beleeue that they doe belong vnto them according to the Scriptures by you alledged and many other of like sort Shewe now likewise the comfort which faith findeth in the work of Gods creation concerning our soules Question What is that Answere The comfort hereof is singular in that mankinde in respect of their soules especially were created in the Image of God The which though we haue lost in our selues yet by faith in Christ it is alreadie in part and shall for euer be whollie and perfectly restored againe So indeed we may perceiue by the doctrine of the Apostle Paul Colos 3.9 10. and by his exhortation concerning the same Ephes 4.23 24. For it can not be that either the doctrine or the exhortation of the holy Ghost should be without certaine and infallible grounds Reade also for this 1. Cor 15.49 As we haue borne the Image of the earthly so shall we beare the Image of the heauenly c. Question To conclude this part of our inquirie What is the comfort of our creation in respect of that state and condition wherein God had created and set vs at the beginning Answere The societie of mankinde betwixt themselues was by Gods creation exceeding comfortable as may appeare euen by the reliques thereof which remaine still Yea their whole estate and condition was in dignitie and comfort little inferiour to the Angels The which also though we haue whollie lost in our selues yet by faith in Iesus Christ we haue it restored againe and shall be partakers of it through the rich mercies of God our heauenly Father ExplicatioÌ„ proofe So indeed we may perceiue by comparing the 5. verse of the 8. Psalme with Heb chap 2. verse 6. c. As also because we are in respect of our whole person both bodies and soules the temples of the holy Ghost 1. Cor 3.16 and 2. Cor 6.16 and Ephes 2.22 The duties But in this rehearsall of the comforts of the creation of God in all his creatures toward vs we must at no hand forget that our God himselfe who is the God of all consolation and comfort is infinitely more comfortable pleasant sweete and delightfull then any or all his creatures can be to the least of his children Such therefore are the comforts arising from the faith of the creation of all sorts of the creatures of God whether visible or inuisible and as well of man to himselfe in respect of his owne creation as in regard of all other visible creatures in that behalfe like to himselfe The which comforts albeit they are not so much comfortable to vs by the creation it selfe as in respect of the fatherly purpose and prouidence of God toward vs seeing man himselfe as was before obserued had forfetted all yet because as was likewise further noted the creation and prouidence of God are most neerly lincked together and whatsoeuer man hath lost in himselfe is recouered and restored againe to all that truly beleeue in the name of God through our Lord Iesus Christ therefore we might not altogether suppresse and conceale the comforts of this part of our faith howsoeuer we doe reserue the more full declaration and proofe of some of these things till wee come to gather the comforts of the fatherly prouidence of God Thus therefore we for the present leauing the comforts both of the Creation and also of the Prouidence of God they being mutually respectiue each to other these looking forward to them and they looking backward to these let vs in the meane season hast to the Duties and that also vpon like equall indifferent condition as the matter it selfe prepared of God may most fitly by his good prouidence offer it selfe Question BVt in what order may wee proceede in this part of our inquirie touching the Duties belonging to God in that he is the Creator of all things Answere I heard you say that it shall bee best for vs to obserue the same order in seeking out the Duties which you haue alreadie obserued concerning the Comforts It may well be so indeed if for no other cause yet for some helpe of memorie the which we ought to haue great respect vnto because of the weaknes of it Well therefore let vs trusting in the grace and blessing of God our heauenly Father proceed and goe on forward Question What Duties do belong first of all to the comfort of faith concerning the workes of Gods creation more generally Answere It is our dutie first of all to esteeme of them all very reuerendâ—y yea euen of the least and basest of them in regard that they are the creatures of our most wise and reuerend God acknowledging from our very hearts that they are all and euery of them in their kindes and to their seuerall ends and purposes created in most perfect and diuine wisedome Secondly it is our dutie to glorifie and praise the Lord in them all and to be hartily thankeful for them Thirdly it is our dutie to vphold and maintaine the due credit and estimation
vpon the glory of Moses his face after became from the Lord out of the mount Neither could Moses himselfe see any more but as it were the back partes of the Lord and that through a crannie of the rocke Exod 33.18 c. and chapter 34.33 c. and 2. Corinth 3.7 Read also Ier 10.6 Isai 40.12 c. Rom 11.33 c. And as touching those things which apperteine to the kingdome of heauen they are farre aboue those which the eye hath seene or eare heard or euer came into mans heart 1 Corinth 2.7.8.9 It foloweth therefore according to the second parte of the answere that these things and this euerlasting mansion place is by all good reason to bee principallie sought after and affected according to that of our Sau Christ First seeke the kingdome of God c Herevnto also doth the example of the holie Patriarches call vs according to that which wee read Hebr chapt 11. verses 13 14.1â— 16. Neither may wee in any wise neglect the holie exhortation of the Apostle Paul Coloss 3. â— c. Set your affection on things which are aboue and not on things which are on the earth c. And verse 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are on the earth fornication vncleannes c. For as wee read Reuelat 21. verse 27. There shall enter into the heauenly Ierusalem no vncleane thing neither whatsoeuer worketh abomination and lies but they which are written in the Lambes bo ke of life O therfore how vaine yea how absurd and madde a choise is this of the children of this world who for earthlie things which are but smoke and dost yea for the pleasure of sinne which is abominable skum and filthy dish-wash doe lose the most durable pure and pleasant ioyes of the kingdom of heauen And for the loue of houses of clay whose foundation as Eliphaz saith truely in the book of Iob 4.19 is in the dust and shall be destroyed before the mothe that is most sodeinlie as a flying mothe may be crushed to nothing with a mans finger to loose the glorious and eternall Palace of heauen Th s verilie is intollerable madnesse and follie But let vs who minde the kingdome of heauen proceede to consider the waies which guide vs thervnto Question In the next place therefore which are the Duties that belong to the comfort of this that God our heauenly Father hath created the holie Angels to be his ministring Spirits for our manifolde benefit both in bodie and soule in this life and concerning the life to come as wee are hereafter in the Prouidence of God more fullie to consider Answere As wee ought from Gods creating of the holie Angells for our comforte to prouoke our hearts to most an tifull thankefulnes to God our heauenly Father who thereby doth exceedingly commend his loue and regarde of vs though most vnworthie so ought wee from the example of the holie Angels themselues who at the commandement of God doe willinglie attend vppon vs their inferiours yea euen vpon vs most vnworthy and miserable sinners to learne to be so humble and lowlie euerie one of vs for our parts that wee bee not onelie dutifullie subiect to all higher powers according to the ordinance of God but euen to the owest also Yea and that euen the chiefest themselues should likewise willinglie be the seruants of God for the benefit and comforte of the poorest and lowest of the whole Church and people of God ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe The reason is plaine and lightsome of it self and hath great force in it to perswade euery faithfull magistrate of Iustice and euery faithfull and beleeâ—ing minister of the Word euen with their best gifts and with their most royall power which they haue receiued of God to be therewithall willing seruants to the lowest of the Church and therein also to thinke themselues nothing abased but greatly honoured of God Moreouer the wicked may by this ministerie of the holie and mightie Angels if they had grace to consider it be feared from all wicked attempts against the Church or any the least members thereof Numb chapt 22. verse 22. c. Math 18.10 And wee our selues that wee doe nothing vnbeseeming the presence of so holie ministers and glorious seruants of God who though inuisiblie are yet oftener present with vs and among vs then wee are ware of 1. Corinth 11.10 According also to that Exod 23.21.22.23 For notwithstanding that is spoken of our Lord IESVS the Prince of Angels yet such as the Lord and Maister-Angell is such also are the seruants on their Lords behalfe according to that Commission which he giueth vnto them Thus much for the Duties from the comfort of Faith concerning the inuisible creatures of God Let vs make speede to the Duties concerning those that are called visible ANd first concerning the creation of other Creatures besides our selues Question What are the Duties belonging to the comfort of Faith in that God hath giuen vs assurance that hee hath created them for vs and giuen vs the free vse of them to wit of the light of the Sunne and of the Moone c. of foode and of apparell of flowers of all sweete smells of all pleasant and Musicall soundes c. What I say are the Duties belonging to the bountifull and Fatherly goodnes of God herein Answere It is our bounden Dutie to vse euerie of them with all wise and holie discretion and in all good and sober moderation as becommeth those that are called the children of the light euen to those blessed ends onely whervnto God himselfe hath appointed them And furthermore to the ende we may in all hoâ—e wise and sober manner vse these kindes of creatures it is likewise our bounden dutie to blesse God in all and for euerie of his blessings which wee beholde with our eyes which wee heare with our cares wherewith we cloth our bodies c. And according to the approoued examples of the holie seruants of God it is our dutie in speciall manner and with open profession of thankfulnes to blesse God for the continuall renewing of our food which is the most sensible and necessarie meanes for the ordinarie maintenance of our life Such is our bounden Dutie indeede according to that ancient preceptorie admonition of the Lord by the Prophet Moses Deut 8.10 ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe When thou hast eaten and filled thy selfe thou shalt blesse the Lord thy God for the good land which hee hath giuen thee Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God c. This holie commandement hath bene regarded of the faithfull in the Church of God from time to time no doubt And it is approued euen by the practise of our Sauiour Christ himselfe Of whom it is recorded in the Gospell that hee blessed God for the bodilie foode wherwith he fed the people Matth 14.19 Yea after his Resurrection his disciples knew him by his breaking of bread in that as it is most likely hee vsed a forme of
thanksgiuing which he had before acquainted them withall Luke 24.30.35 Moreouer that we are to blesse God in the beholding of the Sunne c the 8. Psalme may teach all that account themselues schollers in the Schoole-house of the holie Ghost And for the renewing of the creatures when we behold them what our duetie is wee may learne from the ordinance of God in the children of Israell their offering of the first fruites to God Read Deut 26.1.2 c. And by the practise of the Church in the song of thankesgiuing for the renewing of the pastures and of the sheepe and of corne by the seasonable showers of heauen while yet they grewe in the fieldes Psalm 65.9 c. And by the example of Hezekiah and his Princes who blessed God for the heapes which they sawe chambred for the maintenance of Gods worship and for the ministers therof 2. Chron 31.8 Finallie that we may ende with the proofe of the beginning of the answer Read Rom chapt 15. verses 12.13.14 and 1. Corin 6.12.13 and chap 7.29.30.31 and Ephes 5.17 c. Be yee not vnwise but vnderstand what the will of the Lord is And be not drunken with wine wherin is excesse but be fulfilled with the Spirit speaking to your selues in Psalmes and hymnes c. Thus then all the creatures and ordinances of God mariage and whatsoeuer doth most affect the senses and the naturall man they must all and euerie of them be so vsed and in the vse so moderated that wee take heede that by the vse of them wee be furthered and not hindered in the holie worship and seruice of God our heauenly Father For otherwise as we haue learned before out of the 1. Epist chap 2. of the Apostle Iohn the loue of the Father cannot remaine with vs. Let this suffice for the duties of faith concerning the comfort of other the visible creatures of God Question LEt vs come to ourselues and see what our Duties are in respect of our owne creation And in the first place what Duties are belonging to the comfort of this that God hath created our bodies to be the Temples of the holie Ghost here in this life and to be partakers of the resurrection of the iust at the last day to euerlasting happines and glorie Answere Insomuch as our bodies beeing in themselues no better then dust from the dust of the earth are neuertheles by the Fatherlie goodnes of God thus highly aduanced it is our most bounden dutie so much the rather to yeelde them whollie and euerie member therof to the seruice of his heauenlie Maiestie And to this end to pray earnestly to God for holie wisedome and vnderstanding according to that wee read Psalme 119. verse 73. Thine hands haue made me and facioned mee giue me vnderstanding therfore that I may learne thy commandements In this respect also are wee verie liuely and sensiblie admonished to consider and acknowledge our owne humane frailtie and for euer to humble our selues vnder the mightie hand of God by whose power alone we line mooue and haue our beeing as the Apostle Paul teacheth vs. Acts 17.28 Explication and proofe It is very true poore soules that wee are the pot-sheard with the pot-sheardes of the earth saith the Prophet Isai ch 45.9 That is one in this respect is no better then another the King is euen as the poore man the strong as the weak c according to that Psal 62.9 The children of men are vanitie yea euen in their best estate Plalm 39.5 And againe Isai chap 40.6 All fleshe is grasse For so great is our humane frailtie euen in our best and most healthfull estate that euerie sixt hower wee are faine to seeke reliefe from other the pore and fraile creatures of God euen such as the earth from whence wee our selues are taken sendeth forth and cherisheth to wit corne fleshe fruites of the trees butter from the kine c. Wee cannot one hower forbeare apparell in the colder season of the yeare And this wee borow from the fleece of the sillie sheep or from the poore sillie worme c. How little a distemper will put vs into a fitte of an ague howe little a thing will offend our queisie stomack who can make his owne heart so much as to pant in his bodie or his pulse to beate in the wrest of his arme Halfe our life time wee passe away in sleeping And if wee want but a little of our ordinarie sleepe our senses are greatly dulled Wee are euer and anone out of tune in one part or other Wee are like the instrument of Musicke which though it be exquisitelie and finelie made yet it must be often newe set c. And within a short time all will be out of frame and hasten to an vtter dissolution till the time of restoring do come according to that excellent description of our bodilie and earthlie frailtie Eccles chapt 12.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 c. ch 3.20 and Iob 34.15 Ps 146.3.4 Fraile creatures are wee therefore as was said and so let vs acknowledge our selues and humble our selues vnto the Lord by whose power wee liue c. Hereof we haue Abraham for a notable example Gen 18.27 Read also Iob. 4 19. and 10.9 Psal 103.14 and 2. Corin 5.1 Hence cometh this phrase God raiseth out of the dust 1. Sam 2.8 1. King 16.2 Psalm 113.7 Hence also was the ancient ceremonie of sprinkling dust vpon the head Iob. chapt 2.12 Lament ch 2. verse 10. ch 3.29 The afflicted putteth his mouth in the dust if there may be hope Read also Ezek. 27.30 And Micah 1.10 Roule thy selfe in the dust Now therfore to the end we may finde fauour with God and be supported by his good hand for that short time which wee haue here to liue Let vs vse our members as weapons and seruants to righteousnes according to the excellent instruction of the Apostle Paul Rom 6 13. c. Read also Psalm 24.8.9.10 Singular preparation is to be made to giue intertainment to the Maiestie of so glorious a King And Luk chapter 3 4 5 6. But who is hee that hath not great cause to lament the abuse of his body and of the members thereof so that hee may iustly say I haue looked vppon that with mine eyes which I ought not to haue seene I haue hearkened with mine eares to heare that which I should not haue heard I haue spoken with my mouth such words as I should not haue spoken I haue put forth mine hands to that which I should not haue medled with c. Verilie the more wee boast our selues of the creatures as of apparell c. the more doe wee abase our selues and our owne bodies The more we seeke to delight our selues with delicate fare the more costly medecines and preseruatiues wee vse c by so much the more wee preach our owne frailtie But with no good vse or profit till wee learne thereby to humble our selues and our bodies to the good pleasure and
though we see not either to the mystical transubstantiation of the bread in the Sacrament into the very true body of our Sauiour Christ or to the consubstantiation of the body with the bread or to the inuisible presence of the body euery where without the Sacrament doe most grosly and erroneously misapply these words of our Sauiour insomuch as it is so farre off that those monstrous opinions haue any warrant in the holy Scriptures that they are directly contrary to all that which the articles of our faith do teach assure vs concerning the truth of his naturall body that it is but in one place at once and that wheresoeuer it is or hath beene that it is and hath beene alwaies both visible and touchable as our Sauiour himselfe hath plainly giuen vs to vnderstand both in this and also in his former appearance Moreouer wee considering duly of the holy ends wherefore our Sauiour retained the print of his wounds in his most glorious and holy body for a time namely to giue assurance of his resurrection and thereby also to assure vs of the blessed fruit of his death and enduring of those wounds themselues which was to satisfie Gods wrath iustly bent against vs c. and considering also the holy vse which Thomas made of the seeing of them it cannot but be a most horrible thing for vs to thinke of the cursed blasphemies of those which in their fury or otherwise prophanely and wickedly sweare by these wounds of our Sauiour Thus much briefely concerning the proofe of the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ by his sixt appearance And vnto this the Euangelist Iohn drawing toward the conclusion of his booke addeth a certaine aduertisement as it were by the way giuing to vnderstand that whereas he euen as he was directed by the holy Ghost The proofe of his resurrection by his seuenth appearance whose Secretarie he was had set downe but a fewe appearances of our Sauiour and accordingly but a fewe of the miraculous workes which hee had wrought for the confirmation of his resurrection and minded to set downe but one appearance more that yet neuerthelesse our Sauiour shewed himselfe oftener then he minded to rehearse the rather because he knew well that sundry other were mentioned by other of the Euangelists And hee giueth to vnderstand likewise that he wrought many other signes then he would speake of According to that of the Euangelist Luk Act. 1.3 He presented himselfe aliue to his chosen Apostles after that he had suffred by many * Tecmeriois certis seu indubitatis signis et indicijs Eiusmodi namque signa quae necessariaÌ„ et demoÌ„stratinaÌ„ consequentiam habent Tecmeria vocantur infallible tokens being seene of them by the space of fourty daies c. And therwithal the Euangelist Iohn doth very notably shew in few words the principall ends and vses both of the resurrection of our Sauiour also of all the proofes confirmations therof namely that we and all other to whom they are reported recorded might therby be brought to the faith so be saued So that hereby he manifesteth vnto vs the excellencie of this hiâ—tory of our Sauiour his resurrection most worthy to be diligently regarded of all Christians But let vs heare the words of the Euangelist himselfe to this purpose Question Which are they Answer 30. And many other signes also saith S. Iohn did Iesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this booke 31. But these things are written that ye might beleeue that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that in beleeuing ye might haue life through his name Explication From these words we may see plainly that the meaning of the holy Euangelist is such as hath bin already expressed As if he should preocupate or preuent meet aforehand with that which might be obiected either against him self because he spake of so few appearances of our Sauiour or to the preiudice of the other Euangelists for setting down somewhat more affirming that both by them by him there were appearances signes enough set down for the confirmation of faith vnto saluation which is the end scope of all signes and appearances and also euen of the resurrection it selfe The which being obtained there is no further need of appearances or signes whatsoeuer Yea therwithall the Euangelist doth with like breuity very notably shew vs the sum of that which we are to beleeue namely that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God In which words is contained a plaine declaration both of the most diuine person and also of the most holy and blessed office of our Sauiour on our behalfe For by the name of our Sauiour Christ the Euangelist doth not meane the bare titles whereby he is called but all whatsoeuer is signified by them in the holy scriptures the which he assureth vs to be fully verified in him whose resurrection he reporteth vnto vs. And thus also wee put a difference betwixt these words the last of this 20. ch those in the end of the book in the two last verses of the next chap. like vnto theÌ„ because these do more specially concerne the particular history of the resurrection of our Sauiour but they are to be extended to the history of the whole booke and to all the works which our Sauiour did before his death as well as after that he rose againe THese things thus inserted we come now to the seuenth appearance of our Sauiour as it followeth in the next chapter which is the last of the Euangelist Iohn Concerning which let vs first of all heare the words of the Euangelist Question How doth he report this appearance Answer After these things saith the Euangelist cha 21.1 Iesus shewed himselfe againe to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias and thus he shewed himselfe 2. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas which is called Didymus and Nathanael of Cana in Galile and the sonnes of Zebedeus and two other of his disciples 3. Simon Peter said vnto them I goe a fishing They said vnto him we also will goe with thee They went their way and straightway they entered into a ship that night caught they nothing 4. But when the morning was now come Iesus stood on the shore neuerthelesse the disciples knew not that it was Iesus 5. Iesus then said vnto them * Paidia pueri children Sirs haue ye any meate They answered him No. 6. Then he said vnto them Cast out the net on the right side of the ship and ye shal find So they cast out and they were not able at all to draw it for the multitude of fishes 7. Therefore said the disciple whom Iesus loued vnto Peter It is the Lord. When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he girded his coate to him for hee was naked and cast himselfe into the sea 8. But the other disciples came by ship for they were not farre from the
they themselues are belonging to God neither can they haue any part in that happines and glory which belongeth vnto it And that without holines no mâ—n shall see the Lord it hath beene proued before Expli It is very certaine according to the testimonie of the Apostle The Danger of not beleeuing this Article Heb 12. verse 14. that no profane person such as was Esau shall euer see the Lord to his comfort And further that none haue God for their Father who haue not the Church for their mother in such sense as it is called the mother of vs all Gal 4 26. it may likewise be concluded from that which was obserued in the Comforts namely that calling and all true comfort and euen saluation it selfe is ministerially attributed to the wombe breasts and lap of the Church according to that Isai 54 1. and ch 64.8.9.10 c. And Psal 87 4.5 Let vs therefore deare brethren beloued of the Lord both yong and olde giue all good diligence that wee may learne to knowe and discerne the true Church of God from euery false Church and synagogue of the diuel Antichrist by the right ground foundation of it first and then by the true notes and markes of it The ground and foundation of the true Church is the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone In whom all the building coupled together groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord. The outward notes markes of the true Church so farre as it is visible and may outwardly be discerned of vs are the publike preaching of the true Propheticall and Apostolical doctrine the right administration of the Sacrament c. as hath bin declared before In which respect most graciously hath the mercy of God shined vpon vs in this our age aboue many generations before vs insomuch as we need not wander from Sea to Sea to finde out a people professing the true worship of God but haue euery were neare hand and before our eyes such assemblies and congregations of true worshippers of God to whom we may comfortably ioine our selues And thus hauing learned to knowe and discerne the true Church of God and the particular congregations thereof let vs carefully ioine our selues to theÌ„ like as the Eagle hasteth to the dead corpse And being once come vnto the Church let vs beware that we neuer depart from it For euen hereby shall it be known that we are true members of the Church if we cleaue stedfastly vnto it According to that of the Apostle Iohn 1. Ep 2 19. They went out from vs but they were not of vs for if they had beene of vs they would haue continued with vs. But this commeth to passe that it might appeare that they are not all of vs. Neither can any withdrawe themselues from the church no not from the holy assemblies of it where they may be frequented without extreame perill of destruction to their soules as was declared before The erroneous and hereticall doctrines to be auoided as being contrary to the truth of this Article of our faith are many whereinto also very many for want of due care haue dangerously fallen And first that doctrine of the Papists which denying or at the least making small reckoning of the true notes or markes of the church the word and the Sacraments maketh those especially to be the true and constant markes of the true visible church which are not in truth any markes of it at all Likewise that doctrine of the same false teachers is to be auoided which altogether misconstrueth and peruerteth diuerse of those markes which may haue some place if they be rightly vnderstood The false notes which they make to goe constantly for markes of the true church are an orderly and interrupted succession of Bishops with a successiue ordination from hand to hand and with a supereminence of one place and Bishop aboue all the rest whence say they the onely true Church is to be denominated and determined and likewise a multitude of professors holding of that place of the Bishop there which they say is onely the Bishop of Rome Moreouer they tell vs that there must be as a marke of the true Church the continuance of the power of working miracles and also of prophecie to foretell of things to come with externall happines and prosperous successe aboue any other Church besides These are the false markes which the popish doctrine describeth the true Church by But they are in deede the proper notes and markes of the false boasting Antichristian Church specially euer since the time that they haue cunningly fitted all these things to the vpholding of their false Antichristian doctrine and to the resistance persecuting of the true doctrine of our Sauiour Christ and the Professours thereof and most of all that doctrine which concerneth his Person and office as our learned Defenders of the truth haue in their writings made it plentifully manifest against them which were too long and needlesse for vs to stand vpon now The notes and markes which they misconstrue and altogether peruert are antiquitie vniuersalitie vnitie powerfull effect of doctrine singular holines and deuotion of life and such like as Bellarmine the Iesuitical Proctour of the Popish Church reckoneth them to the number of fifteene in all For these beeing rightly vnderstoode they can by no meanes be appropriated to the Church of Rome such as it hath beene now of a long time For their doctrine wherein they dissent from the true Churches of our Sauiour Christ now departed from that Church it is newe and not that which was from the beginning Their vniuersalitie in making the Church of Rome the vniuersall Church is as if they should inclose orbem in vrbe the whole world in one Citie or at the least it maketh an exceeding great restraint of the large circuite of the Church of Christ Their vnitie is no better then a conspiracie against the truth of Christ The power of their doctrine nothing but a strong deluding of those that receiue nor the loue of the truth that they may beleeue lies through the iust vengeance of God as God himselfe hath threatned Their holines is but superstitious hipocrisie c. All these things both antiquitie vniuersalitie and the rest are onely to be found to haue beene in truth in the Churches that were before that euer tâ— e Church of Rome was called the catholike Church and since that time among those Christians and Christian Churches which haue either first depâ—rted themselues or else haue beene borne and brought vp since the departure of the former vnder a more kindly Mother then the Step-mother of Rome hath bin And this also wee doe well knowe that this Article of our beliefe was set downe many hundreds of yeeres before there was any