Selected quad for the lemma: glory_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
glory_n let_v lord_n riches_n 4,751 5 9.0528 5 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A14216 The summe of Christian religion: deliuered by Zacharias Vrsinus in his lectures vpon the Catechism autorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolued the questions of whatsoeuer points of moment, which haue beene or are controuersed in diuinitie. Translated into English by Henrie Parrie, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supplie of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of diuinitie, and with correction of sundrie faults & imperfections, which ar [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latine.; Doctrinae Christianae compendium. English Ursinus, Zacharias, 1534-1583.; Parry, Henry, 1561-1616. 1587 (1587) STC 24532; ESTC S118924 903,317 1,074

There are 9 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

attributed vnto the sonne differ so from the diuine properties which are attributed vnto him as the effectes from their causes so that then his properties woorke them 5 The equalitie of honour and woorshippe Hee hath equal honour giuen him dependeth of the equalitie of Essence properties and woorkes Isai 42.8 I will not giue my glorie to anie other But the Scripture giueth equall honour and woorshippe to the Father and the Sonne therefore they are truelie equall in God-head and in all the perfections thereof The Minor is confirmed first by Testimonies Psalm 97. Heb. 16. Let all the Angels of god woorshippe him Iohn 5.23 That all shoulde honour the sonne as they honour the father Reue. 5.13 c. Secondly Hee is called God absolutelie and simplie as is the Father Psalm 45.7 and Hebrews 1.8 Acts. 20.28 1. Timothy 3.16 Thirdly the Epithets or titles of Diuine honour which are euerie where in the scriptures attributed vnto the sonne As God blessed for euer The great god and Sauiour The Lord himselfe from heauen The Lord of glorie The Lord of Lords and King of Kings Power and eternall kingdome Sitting at the right hand of the Father The Bride-groome husband head of the Church god of the temple which are all the elect Trust and Beliefe in him Inuocation for hee is woorshipped of the Church as GOD and Bride groome of the Church at all times and in all places Thankesgiuing for his Diuine benefites Furthermore albeit the name of GOD especially beeing put absolutely and without restraint dooth euidently prooue the sonnes equalitie with the Father as it hath beene saide yet seeing that signifieth moe thinges and is also applied to others who are not by nature God wee are diligently to collect and haue in a readines those Testimonies in which thinges proper to the true God only are attributed to the sonne which agree to none else who are called Gods and whereby God himselfe discerneth himselfe and will haue him selfe discerned from other creatures and forged Gods For vnto whom the essential properties of any nature or essēce doe truely and reallie agree vnto him the essence it selfe must needes bee giuen The sonne hath all thinges from the Father not by grace but by nature 1. Obiection He that hath all things of another is inferiour to him of whom hee hath them The sonne hath all thinges of the Father Therefore hee is inferiour vnto the Father Aunswere The Maior holdeth and is true of such a one as hath any thing by the grace and fauour of the giuer for hee might not haue it and therefore is by nature inferiour but it is false of him who hath al those thinges by his owne nature which hee himselfe hath of whom hee receiueth them For seeing he can not not haue them it can not be that he should bee inferiour or should haue lesse than hee of whom hee receiueth them But the sonne hath all thinges of the Father which the Father hath and that by nature and absolute necessitie that is in such sort as that the Father can not but communicate vnto him all thinges which him selfe hath belonging to his diuine nature and maiestie Therefore hee is equall vnto the Father in all thinges The sonne doth all thinges with the consent of the Father in like manner as the Father doth 1. Obiection Hee that doth whatsoeuer he doth by the will of another interposed and going before is inferiour vnto him The sonne will and doth all thinges by the will of his Father going before Therefore he is not equal vnto the Father in vertue dignitie and essence Aunswere The sonne doth all thinges his Fathers will going before not in time and nature but in order of persons so that hee will or doth nothing which the Father also will not and doth and whatsoeuer the Father will and doth the same also the sonne will and dooth likewise that is with equall aucthoritie and power Wherefore the societie order of the diuine operations doth not take away but doth most of al settle establish the equalitie of the Father and the sonne as also of the holy Ghost THE FOVRTH CONCLVSION The word is con-substantial with the Father THE woordes con-substantiall and like-substantiall differ For * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like-substantiall signifieth mo persons and like essences as three men are like-substantial For they are both three persons and three essences of like nature that is agree in humane nature But * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 con-substantial signifieth one essence mo persons In the god-head is not like-substantial because there are not three gods but con-substantial because there are three persons of one and the same diuine essence For there is but one Iehoua that is one diuine essence which is the same is wholy in euery of the three persons therefore euery of thē are that one God besides which essence whatsoeuer is it is a creature not God The Latine church turneth the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 con-substantial taking substance for essence It is therefore the same that coessentiall that is of one and the same essence Furthermore these three thinges beeing declared and set downe namely that the Sonne is subsisting or a person that he is distinct frō the Father that he is equall with the Father the fourth is easilie gotten and obtained against the newe Arrians to wit that he is con-substantial with the Father which is also in like manner to be vnderstood concerning the holy Ghost For either this must be granted or of necessity there are made three gods which they though in words they deny it yet in very deede affirme when they frame and faine three essences and spirits The Arguments which shew The Father the Son to be of one the same essence are these 1. Iehoua is but one essence The English translations reteine not the worde it selfe IEHOVA but vse the Lord in steed thereof which is the signification of IEHOVA and therfore in effectuall one or one god Deut. 6.4 But the eternal Father and the Sonne coeternal with the father are that Iehoua Therfore these two are one essence and one God The Minor is proued first by those places of Scripture which cal the sonne Iehoua Ier. 23.6 This is the name whereby they shal cal him Iehoua or the Lord our righteousnes Isai 25.6 The expected God and Sauiour is called Iehoua But Messias is the expected god Sauior Therefore Messias is that Iehoua whereof the Prophet speaketh Za. 2.8 The deliuerer of the Church sent from Iehoua which is the Messias onely is called Iehoua Mal. 3.1 He is called Jehoua whose fore-runner was Iohn Baptist. But Iohn Baptist was the fore-runner of the Messias or the Sonne of God Christ Hee therefore is called Iehoua Hither belong al the places in which are giuen to the Angell or messenger of Iehoua both the name of Iehoua the diuine properties and honours But that Angell was the Sonne of
not lawfull for me to doe as I wil with mine own He must needs be very impudent who hauing receiued of gift an hundred florens of a rich mā thinketh that he deserueth a thousand mo by receiuing those hundred whereas rather he is by this gift receiued bound to the rich man not the rich mā to him 5 No creature which doth euen the most perfect woorkes can thereby merit ought at Gods handes or bind God vnto him to giue him any thing according to order of iustice The reason hereof doth the Apostle yeeld Who hath giuen him first We deserue no more our preseruation than we deserued our creation He did owe nothing vnto vs when hee created vs so neither now doth he owe vs our preseruation neither is he bound to giue vs any thing We can bestow no benefit vpon our Creatour nay although we should neuer sinne yet can we not sufficiently declare and shew forth our thankefulnesse 6 There is no proportion betweene our woorkes which are vtterly vnperfect and the excellency of those great blessings and benefites which the Father giueth vs freelie in his Son 7 1. Cor. 1.31 He that reioiceth let him reioice in the Lorde But if we merit by our work remission of our sins man should haue in himselfe whereof to reioice neither should the glorie be giuen to God Rom. 4.2 If Abraham were iustified by his woorkes hee hath wherein to reioice but not with God 8 Wee are iust before we doe good woorkes Rom. 9.11.12.13 For yer Esau and Iacob were borne when they had neither done good nor euil that the purpose of God might remain according to election not by works but by him that calleth it was said vnto her The elder shall serue the yonger As it is written I haue loued Jacob and haue hated Esau 9 They who will be iustified by woorkes haue no sure and steadefast conscience Rom. 4.16 The inheritance is by faith that it might come by grace and the promise might be sure to all the seede 10 If wee should obtain righteousnesse by our own worke the promises should be made voide For in Abraham shall all the nations bee blessed And Christ also should haue died in vaine 11 There should not be one and the same reason and cause of our saluation if this Doctrine of the merit of woorkes should be admitted Abraham and the Theefe on the Crosse should haue bin otherwise iustified than we are iustified But there is but one way leading vs to saluation I am the way the truth and the life 1. Tim. 2.5 There is one Medatour betweene God and Men. Eph. 4 5. There is one Lorde one Faith one Baptisme Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ yesterday and to day the same is also for euer Acts. 4.12 There is giuen no other name vnder Heauen whereby wee must bee saued Therefore we shall not be saued by good workes or for our good woorkes 12 Christ shoulde not giue vs full and perfect saluation and so neither should hee bee a perfect Sauiour if some thing were as yet required of vs whereby we should bee made iust But Christ is our perfect Sauiour For as Paul witnesseth God with his glorious grace hath made vs accepted in his beloued By whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenes of sinnes according to his rich grace And Ephes 2.8 By grace are yee saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God 1 Obiection They which haue not good woorkes cannot be saued Therefore good woorkes are necessarie vnto saluation Ans That without which we cannot be saued is necessary vnto saluation that is as a part of saluation or as an accident of saluation not as a cause of saluation 2 Obiection God calleth those blessings which hee promiseth to them that doe good workes rewardes and meed Now meede presupposeth merit Therefore good workes doe merit Aunswere Amongest creatures sometimes it doth but neuer with god But they are called the rewardes or meede of our woorkes in respect of God forasmuch as hee recompenseth most fully those thinges which wee doe neither yet is that recompence due For there can come no commoditie vnto God by vs therefore God is not bound no not to make the least recompence For he that stādeth no waies in need of our works and vnto whom they can ad or bring nothing at al of him doubtles wee are not able to merite or deserue any thing But there commeth good rather vnto our selues by good workes For the good works which we doe are a conformity with God therefore are Gods gift by which gift and benefit we are bound vnto god but not god vnto vs. Wherfore it is no lesse absurde to say that we merite saluation at gods hāds by good works than if one should say Thou hast giuen me an hundred florns Therefore thou oughtest also to giue me a thousand florens Obiection 3. But whereby may we be assured that we haue good works Aunswere 1. By the peace of conscience 2. By our conuersion 3. By the fruites of conuersion OF THE LAW OF GOD OR OF THE DECALOG AND TEN COMMANDEMENTES THE chiefe Questions 1 What the Law is in general 2 What are the parts of the Law 3 What is the vse of the Law 4 Jn what the Lawe differeth from the gospell 5 How far the Law is abrogated 6 How the Decalog is diuided 7 What is the meaning of the Decalog and of euerie commandement thereof 1 What the Law is in general THE Lawe in generall is a sentence or decree commaunding things that are honest binding creatures endued with reason vnto obedience with a promise of rewarde and a commination or threatning of punishment It is a sentence commaunding thinges that are honest otherwise it is no Law It bindeth creatures endued with reason for the Lawe was not made for them who are not bound to obedience With a promise of reward The Law freely promiseth blessings vnto those who perfourme obedience because no obedience can be meritorious before God Obiection But the gospell also promiseth freelie good things blessings Therefore the Law differeth not from the gospell Answ The Law promiseth freely after one maner and the Gospel after another The law promiseth freely with a condition of our obedience But the gospel promiseth freely without the works of the Law with a condition of faith not with a condition of our obedience Wherefore the gospell dooth not promise blessings freely without al condition but without such a condition as wherewith the Lawe promiseth blessinges vnto vs. And with a commination or threatning of punishment Otherwise the Lawe were a vaine and empty sound and shoulde effect nothing Moreouer the Latine woorde Lex which signifieth the Law is deriued from Lego which signifieth to reade and publish or from Lego which signifieth to choose With the former deriuation agreeth the Hebrue woorde with the latter the greeke woord For in Greeke the Lawe is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
reedes are carried and blowen awaie with euery puffe blast euery breath winde of Iesuiticall mouthes I haue in charitable regard commiseration of their cases most miserable taken into my handes this learned Abridgement comprising in no great roome the very full bodie course of all Diuinity Christianity opened the hidden treasures thereof vnto them in their mother-speech that nowe no longer after they are once brought to the light knowledge of their whole duty what to God what to their Soueraigne what to euerie man their natiue Country they must performe they suffer themselues to be slocked away by wily merchants from Christ their Master neither stand in a mammering as men rent in sunder a part here a part there a part with Belial a part with Christ a part with Spaine a part with England a part with the Pope a part with Queen Elizabeth but all may in an vnanimity of cōsent striue one way folowe one Christ liue loially in their own Country vnder their owne blessed Liege Lady with all prosperity Whose person then in a woorke of so great moment and so good importance might I haue preferred before or matched in equall ballance with your Honor to whose fauour patronage I should commend it of whose zeale wisedome industry most constantlie shewed in this cause of God her Maiesty the Church publike weale of this kingdome thousands of those who are nowe liuing in those Prouinces ouer which you are placed cannot but yeelde their testimonie to that the fruit benefit whereof they liue ioy in and which deserueth not onelie a present remembrance but a perpetuall registring recommendation to all succeeding ages In which most worthy and noble endeuours as it hath pleased God to make and appoint you a chiefe and principall instrument for the continuance of his Gospel and for the eternising of his name glorie here amongest vs So beseech I him that it will please him so to make and appoint you still with an enlarged bountie liberalitie so to encrease the riches of his graces gifts in you that you may with strength go forward continue and neuer giue ouer in this holie honourable race of your life in the glorious quarell of Christ his spouse vntill when in the end without end you may reigne with him in glorie Your Honors most humble at commaund HENRY PARRIE TO THE CHRISTIAN READERS HENRY PARRIE WISHETH GRACE AND PEACE THROVGH IESV CHRIST OVR LORD WHereas but a smal and short remnaunt of daies is alotted vnto euerie of vs to trie the hazard and aduenture of this world in Christes holy Merchandize yet forty yeares and the yongest may the oldest must depart I beeing subiect to this common case and most certaine vncertainty of our life neither knowing if perhaps at this present my staffe standeth next the doore haue beene and am desirous and earnest in this behalfe so to bestow all my possible endeuours and labours in this my Lord and Masters trafique as that neither I may returne vnto him with a Talent in a napkin and withall may leaue behind mee some poore token and testimony of my loue and duty towards him and his blessed Spouse with future posterity Which my desire and earnest deliberation strugling and striuing so long within me vntil it had gotten the conquest of such shamefast and fearful motions wherewith men are well acquainted who are at al acquainted with their owne infirmities I was thereby at length drawen to this bold and hardy resolution as to commit something to the presse and so to the eies of them whose great and sharp censures I haue euer with trembling thought of heretofore and euen now would flie them with al willingnes Wherefore also in respect hereof of the greennes of my age so hath the flame and heat of my desire been slaked and cooled with the water as it were of fear wherewith I shake in mine owne conceit as I haue not presumed to draw anie shaft out of mine owne quiuer or to present the world with an vntimely fruite of so yong a tree but rather haue made choise of a shaft out of the Lordes armory framed by the hand and skill of the Lords work-man fit to make the man blessed who hath his quiuer full of them If yet in this I haue been presumptuous if bolde if vndiscreete if foolish my brethren for your sakes haue I bin so for your sakes haue I bin presumpteous bold vndiscreete foolish euen for you and for your children The greater is my hope and trust that these whatsoeuer my paines and labours shall find fauor and grace in your sights and receiue good entertainment at your hands bicause for you they haue bin vndertaken and the gains and commodity that shal arise therof if by the blessed wil of God any shal arise shal redound vnto you and yours for euer It is a case lamentable deseruing the bowels of al Christian pitty and compassion and able to cause the teares of sorrow to gush out and streame downe the face of a man who is not frosen too hard in security and in an vncharitable carelesnes when he shall but lift vp his eies and see the wast and desolation of so many distressed soules who in so many places of this our land country haue bin are daily either pined away and consumed to the bone for lack of Gods susteinance the bread of life the word of God the only preseruatiue of the soule or through the deceitful poison of that old Sorceres and Witches Children infected and baned vnrecouerably Alas poore soules fain would they haue somewhat to keep life within them and therefore as famished and starued creatures which haue beene for a space pounded vp and pin-folded in a ground of barrennes debarred of al succor reliefe when euer they may light of any thing that may go down the throat be it as bitter as gall and as deadly as poison they swallowe bitternes as suger and lick vp death as sweet honny And yet I rue to speak it such is the hard-hartednes and brutish vnnaturalnes of manie merciles men if yet men who haue so flinted their foreheads seared and sealed vp their minds and consciences in al impietie as that they haue entred as it were into a league bond with themselues to forget Christ neuer to knowe the man more neuer to speake in the name of Iesus neuer to feed the flock of Iesus whose soules are euen as great and dear to him as the price they cost him For had not these men swornlike * Of Valennus the Ca●dinals religion who graceles man abiur his ecclesiasticall voc●tion to be● lifted vp t● temporall Dukedom● Sabellic E●nead 10. li● sons of the earth to possesse the earth for euer and to leaue heauen and the heirs of heauen euen the chosen of God to God himself to look to it were vncredible naie vnpossible
yet wil I not faint in hope for Israel but wil looke when yet once againe God himselfe shal smite on rockes and water shal flowe out of them that his people in this time of drought maie drinke Euen so O God for thy promise sake and for thy troth of ould plighted in thy beloued Sonne vnto thy chosen open the rock of stone againe let againe the waters the liuing waters of thy word flow out and let the sauing riuers of thy Gospell runne and stop not through al drie places of our Land that men and Angels may see the felicity of thy Chosen and reioice in the gladnes of thy people and giue thanks and praise and glory and honour with thine inheritance vnto thy blessed name for euer A CATECHISM OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION 1 What is thy onely comfort in life and death THat both in soule body a 1. Cor 6.19 1. Thes 5.10 whether I liue or die b Rom. 14 8. I am not mine own but belong c 1. Cor. 3.23 wholy vnto my most faithful Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ who by his precious blood most fullie satisfying d 1. Pet. 1.18 1 Iohn 1.7 2.2 for all my sinnes hath deliue●ed e 1. Iohn 38. Heb. 2.14.15 mee from all the power of the diuell and so reserueth f Iohn 6.39 me that without the will of my hea●enly Father not so much as a haire may fal g Mat. 10.30 Luke 21.18 from ●y head yea all thinges must h Rom. 8.28 serue for my safe●y Wherefore by his Spirit also he assureth i 2 Cor. 1.22 5.5 Eph. 1.14 mee ●f euerlasting life and maketh k Rom. 8.24 me ready and pre●ared that henceforth I may liue to him 2 How many thinges are necessarie for thee to know that thou enioying this comfort maist liue die happilie Three l Luk. 24.47 1. Cor. 6.11 Rom. 8.16 Tit. 33.4.5.6.7 8. The first what is the greatnes m Iohn 9.41 Rom. 3. of my sin misery The second how I am deliuered n Iohn 17.3 from all sinne and miserie The third what thankes I owe o Ephes 5.10 1. Pet. 2.9 3.10.11.12 Rom. 6.11.12.13 Mat. 5.16 2. Tim. 2.15 vnto God for this deliuerie There is a three-fold order or there are three partes of the studie of diuinitie THE first is a Catecheticall institution or briefe summe of Christian doctrine which is called a Catechisme and is a briefe explication of the generall pointes of the same doctrine This part is necessarie For both the learned and vnlearned ought to know the foundation of religion The second a handling of common places or cōmon places which contein a larger explication of euery point and of hard quaestions together with their subdiuisions reasons and argumentes The third a diligent meditation of the scripture or holy writte This is the highest degree for which we learne all the rest to wit that we may come furnished to the reading vnderstanding and propounding of the holy Scripture Those former partes are taken out of the Scripture and againe common places do lead vs vnto the Scripture which is as it were a rule by which they are directed What a Catechisme is A CATECHISME is a briefe doctrine framed for youth the ruder sort conteining in it the summe of the doctrine of the Law Gospel or of Christian religion which being deliuered is required againe at the handes of the auditors It is so called of a Greek woord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to resound or to returne a voice back again Eccho-like because that children did by mouth make rehearsall of those thinges which were asked them and which they had hard Catechumeni in the primitiue church were those who learned the Catechisme that is to say such as were now of the Church and were instructed in christian Doctrine Neophyti or Nouices were those who were but new come vnto the Church so called from twoo Greeke woords 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signify a new plant Of the Catechumenes there were twoo sortes 1 Those who first being of some yeares whether of the Iewes or of the Gentils afterward came vnto Christ but were not as yet baptised These were first instructed in the Catechisme and afterwards baptised and admitted to the Lords supper 2. Those who were borne in the Church That is the Children of Christians These eftsoones after their birth as being members of the Church were baptised and after they were growen a little elder they were instructed and confirmed by laying on of handes and so dimissed out of the companie of the Catechumenes so that it was lawfull for them thence-forward to draw neer vnto the Lordes Supper This Catechising doctrine hath euer been in the Church For in the olde Testament God himselfe in briefe-wise deliuered the doctrine of the Lawe Gospell the Decalog the promises as when hee saith Walke before me Gen. 17.1 Gen. 22.18 and be thou perfect Likewise In thy seed shal al nations of the earth be blessed Now these things God would that Abraham and his posteritie should teach their Children and their whole familie and therefore this doctrine was framed fit for the capacity of Children and the ruder sort In the old Testament furthermore there were also sacrifices praiers other things in which the youth were instructed In the new Testament in the Apostles time there was likewise a Catechising doctrine as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes reporteth Therefore leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ Heb. 6.1 let vs be led forward vnto perfection not laying againe the foundation of repentance that is the beginning of Christian doctrine which comprehendeth repentance and faith These first beginnings or principles of Christian doctrine are called in the same place the doctrine of baptismes because they that were of some yeares before they came to christ were first instructed before they were baptised It is called also the doctrin of laying on of hands because the Catechisme was required at their handes that they should be able to answere in it on whom hands were laid that is to say of the children of Christians who were baptised in their infancy The parts of these rudimentes of Christian doctrine which they cal Catechisme are the Lawe and the Gospel or as it is said in the place afore named vnto the Hebrews repentance and faith in Christ Semblably the fathers also write Briefe summes of doctrine certain remnants of which we see as yet in Popery Now it behoueth that the youth be by and by instructed in this doctrine and doe knowe the foundation 1. Because of the commandement of God ●eut 6.7 Thou shalt tell them vnto thy children 2. Because we are so corrupted that except we be timely informed of the wil of God hardly or neuer we learne to do things acceptable vnto God and scarsely suffer ourselues with much adoe to be
magnifie the bountifulnes of God towards vs we must aske all thinges of him as beeing our creatour and soueraign Lord who hath the right and power of giuing al good things to whom and how far he will himselfe and vse those things which are granted to our vse with a good conscience to the glorie of god who gaue them And that this may be done we must not by our infidelity cast our selues out of that right which wee receiue in Christ if god of his own power autority either giueth vs lesse than wee would or take away from vs that which he hath giuen wee must submit our selues patiently to his iust purpose most profitable for our saluation And seeing the soule is the better part of man the happinesse of the bodie dependeth on the happinesse of the soul seing also we are created to immortall life we ought to haue greater care of those things which belong to the soule and eternal life than of those which belong vnto the bodie and this tēporall life And at length seeing the end and blessednes of man is the participation communicating of god his knowledge worship let vs euer tend vnto it referre thither al our life actions And seeing we see one part of mankinde to be vessels of wrath to shewe the iustice and seueritie of God against Sinne let vs bee thankefull to God for that of his meere and infinite goodnesse he would haue vs to bee vessels of mercie to declare through all eternitie the riches of his glorie Last of all that we maie learne consider and begin these thinges in this life let vs to our power tender and helpe forward the common society and saluation of others for which we are borne OF FREE-WILL WHEREAS God is a most free agent and man was created to the image of God The causes of diuers controuersies arisen about free-will yea and was furnished with libertie of will it seemeth to many not to agree that all the actions of mans will are gouerned by the vnchangeable prouidence of God that the nature of men is so corrupted by the fall of our first parents and Originall sinne that it is able to bring forth nothing but that which is euill and displeasing God without the renewing and especiall benefite of the holy Ghost For neither do they acknowledge that for liberty which is tied to any necessity neither seemeth it that wee shoulde graunt the whole libertie of the will to haue beene lost by sin because also after the fal there are left in men some prints and steps of Gods image and the blame and crime of sinne cannot be laid on men except the will be free To this is added the pride of mans wit which admitteth nothing more hardly than that the glorie and original of all good should be transferred from men to God alone Further also the notable vertues of men not regenerated and lastly the iudgement of our sense and reason which doth not marke without the light of Gods woorde the secret gouernement of Gods prouidence in humane actions Wherefore hereupon haue risen controuersies debates concerning free-wil while the olde diuines yeelding too much vnto the Philosophers swelling with a vain perswasion of wisedome and righteousnesse and the latter ascenting vnto the former haue either spoke more magnificently than they ought to haue done of the strength and power of mans will or haue endeuoured to arrogate that vnto men which is not found in them since the first fall But let vs remember that this doctrin of free wil is a view and contemplation not of mens ability and excellencie but of their weaknes and misery which is therefore to bee ioined with the doctrine of the creation and fall of man that wee knowing the more from what top of dignity and felicity into how deepe a gulfe of ignominie and misery we are cast by sinne may not more deepely plunge our selues by a vaine confidence of our owne strength vnto euils but may incline to a true humility and thankfulnesse towards God and bee of him reuiued quickned and healed For that the scope of this disputation may be knowen and the vse thereof perceiued The state of the maine question about free will we must vnderstand that the principal question in it is this Whether as man auerted himselfe from God and corrupted himself so of the other side he be able by his owne strength to returne to God and to receiue grace offered by God and to amend himselfe And further whether the will of man be the first and principal cause why others are conuerted others persist in their sins and as wel of the conuerted as not conuerted others are more others lesse good or euil and in a woord doe either good or euill some after one maner some after another To this question the aduersaries Pelagians and the like make answere That so much grace is both giuen of God and left by nature to al men that they are able to returne vnto God and obey him neither ought we to seeke any other cause before or aboue mans wil for which others receiue or retaine others refuse or cast awaie diuine succour and aide in auoiding sinne and do after this or that manner order and institute their counsailes aad actions Contrariwise we haue learned out of the sacred scripture That albeit by nature so much of God and his wil is knowen to all as maie suffice for taking away all excuse from them of sin and although it be manifest that many woorks morally good may be done euen of the vnregenerate and the wil doth in them freely make choise either of good or euil yet no work pleasing to God can be vndertaken or perfourmed by any man without regeneration and the especial grace of the holy spirit neither can more or lesse good be in any mans counsailes or actions than God of his free and purposed goodnes to euery one doth cause in them neither any other way can the wil of any creature be inclined than whither it shal seeme good to the eternall and good counsel of God And yet all the actions of the created wil both good and bad are wrought freelie The chiefe questions here to be obserued are fiue 1 Of the word liberty or freedome 2 What is the liberty of the wil. 3 What is common and what diuerse in the liberty of will which is in God in Angels and man 4 Whether there be any liberty in vs and what 5 The degrees of free wil. 1 Of the word Liberty Libertie from bond misery THere is one kind of liberty from bond and misery And this signifieth a relation or respect that is the power or right or ordering either of person or thing made either by ones wil or by nature to deale at his owne arbiterment or motion according to honest Lawes or order agreeable to his nature and to enioy commodities conuenient for him without inhibition or
doth not good fortune followe a good conscience And therefore hee murmureth against God and fretteth as did Cato and others 5. The finall causes in their chastisementes trials 5. The final causes of their afflictions and Martyrdomes Those causes are first Gods glorie The torment is lesse to the godly when they know that GOD is honoured by their sufferings and that thereby they shewe their thankefulnesse vnto him Psalm 119.75 Thou art iust O Lorde and thy iudgements are right Secondly Our saluation which is accomplished by afflictions Psalm 119.71 It is good for mee that I haue beene afflicted 1. Cor. 11.32 When wee are iudged we are chastened of the Lorde because wee shoulde not bee condemned with the woorlde Thirdly the saluation of others that is their conuersion and confirming For Actes 5. The Apostles reioyced euen because they sawe many by their ministerie to bee conuerted vnto GOD and faith to bee confirmed in others by the example of their afflictions and constancy in the truth and doctrine that they were counted woorthy to suffer rebuke for Christs name The Philosophers say It is a good end for which thou sufferest that thou maiest saue thy country and attaine vnto euerlasting renowme and glory But yet in the meane season wretched man hee thinketh what will these thinges profite me when my selfe perish But we are chastised that wee may not perish with the world 6. The comparing of ends euentes 6. The conference and comparing together of euentes It is better for a short time to be chastised of the Lord with certaine and assured hope of a glorious deliuery than to liue in plenty and aboundaunce of thinges and to be pulled from God and to run into euerlasting perdition The Philosophers conferring and comparing euils together finde but little good arising out of so manie euils 7. The hope of recompence Because the true good for the obtaining whereof they suffer euils they are wholy ignoraunt of 7. The hope of recompence Matth. 5.12 Your rewarde is great in heauen Wee knowe that there remaine other blessinges for vs after this life nothing to be compared with these momentary afflictions Euen in this life also the Godlie receiue grater blessinges than other man For they haue GOD pacified and pleased with them and other spirituall giftes and the beginning of eternall life Therefore also corporall blessinges are profitable for their saluation Marc. 10.29 There is no man that hath forsaken house or bretheren or children or landes for my sake and the Ghospels but hee shall receiue a hundred-fould nowe at this present and in the woorlde to come eternall life Psalm 37.16 A small thing to the iust man is better than great riches to the wicked Roman 5.3 Wee reioyce in tribulations A recompence in small euils doth in some sort comfort the Philosophers but in great euils not at all because they thinke that they hadde rather want that recompence than buie it so deare the reason whereof is because the recompence is but vncertaine small and transitorie 8. The example of the Sonne of GOD. For the seruaunt is not aboue his Maister Iohn 15.20 8. The Examples of Christ and his Saintes who haue suffered before vs. And God will haue vs to bee made like to the image of his Sonne Roman 8.29 And Philip. 2.5 Let the same minde bee in you that was euen in Christ Iesus 2. Cor. 8.9 IESVS CHRIST beeing rich for your sakes became poore Let vs accompany therefore Christ in ignominy and in glory For both the thankfulnesse which we owe requireth this and seeing Christ hath died not for his owne profite but for ours why shoulde wee refuse to suffer any thing for our owne profite and commodity Likewise the examples of other holy and godly men who haue suffered with the sauing both of themselues others haue not perished in afflictions but haue beene maruailouslie saued preserued Mat. 5. So did they persecute the Prophets which haue beene before you The examples therefore of holy Martyrs doe comfort and hearten vs while we thinke that we are not better than they but rather woorse And therefore ought wee much more patiently to beare our crosse Againe seeing they haue beene preserued by GOD amiddest their afflictions and haue escaped out of them wee haue confidence also that wee shall bee preserued and deliuered because the Loue of GOD towardes his is immutable and knoweth no chaunge 9. 9. The certaine presence and assistance of go●● The presence and assistaunce of GOD in all cases and chances of our life Wee know that God hath a care of vs euen in our crosse that he will defend comfort strengthen and establish vs by his spirite that wee may not through griefe and paine forsake him 1. Cor. 10.13 God doth not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power Psal 19.15 I am with him in his tribulation Iohn 14.16 I will send you another comforter Iohn 14.23 I my father will come vnto him Ioh. 14.18 I will not leaue you comfortles Esay 49.15 Can a woman forget her child and not haue compassion on the Son of her wombe Though shee should forget 10. The final and ful deliuerie yet will I not forget thee 10 The finall and full deliuerie For as of punishment so also of deliuerie there are three degrees The first is in this life where we haue the beginning of eternall life The second is in our bodily death when the soul is caried into Abrahams bosome The third is after the resurrection of our bodies when wee shall bee both in body and soule perfectly blessed that is fully deliuered from all both sinne and punishment Ioh. 10.28 No man shall plucke them out of mine hande Rom. 8.30 Whom he iustified them also he glorified Reu. 21.4 God shall wipe away all teares from their eies Wherefore as the first consolation is the foundation and beginning so this last is the finishing and accomplishment of all the rest THE SECOND PART OF MANS DELIVERIE 12 Seeing then by the iust iudgement of God we are subiect both to temporall and eternall punishments is there yet any meanes or way remaining whereby we may be deliuered from these punishments be reconciled to God GOD will haue his iustice a Exod. 20.5 23.7 satisfied wherefore it is necessary that b Rom. 8.3 wee satisfy either by our selues or by another 13 Are we able to satisfie by our selues Not a whit Naie rather we doe euerie day c Iob. 9.2.3 15.15 Mat. 6.12 increase our debt 14 Is there any creature able in heauen or in earth which is only a creature to satisfie for vs None For first God will not d Heb. 2.14 punish that sin in any other creature which man hath committed And further neither can that which is nothing but a creature sustaine the wrath of god against sinne and e Psal 130.3 Iob. 4.18 25.5 deliuer others from it 15 What manner of Mediatour
exercised Ioseph and taken vengeaunce on his brethren that shoulde then haue beene the best It foloweth therefore that God will no other thing after hee hath once decreed what hee will haue done but that he was able from euerlasting to haue decreed some other thing For whatsoeuer he would that from euerlasting hee woulde most freely 4 Obiection Moreouer some places of scripture seeme to intimate that the will of God may bee sometimes hindered by his creatures As Ezech 33.11 I desire not the death of the wicked Math. 23. How often would I haue gathered thee and thou wouldst not Ans These and the like places onely shew with what God is delighted to what he inuiteth calleth al but not what by his mercie spirit he hath purposed to work in euery one Wherefore this doctrine of the libertie and free will of God let vs diligently maintaine that both the glorie of god may bee vindicated from stoicall blasphemies and in vs faith hope inuocating on god and sedulitie and earnestnes in performing our duety may be established if acknowledging god most freely to gouerne all hir creatures we be neither secure in prosperitie nor in aduersitie doe cast away hope and good indeuours Lastly in the description of gods nature is put The anger of God against sinne that he is angrie and wrath with offences and sinnes Which horrible anger and wrath of god whereby hee detesteth and punisheth all sinnes although al the wicked at length too late perceiue haue experience of when they rush into eternall dispaire yet such his displeasure and indignation as god will haue to be knowen they cannot so much as conceiue who are without the Church seeing they neither iudge all those euils to be sinnes which god in his lawe threatneth hee will punish with euerlasting tormentes neither knowe the death and punishment of the sonne of god than which god could not shewe a greater token and Argument of his anger against sin The elect and chosen alone are throughly moued by a right and sauing knowledge thereof gathered out of gods punishments and threatninges to conuersion and the feare of god But the greatnes of it no man can fully conceiue according as it is saide Psal 90. Who knoweth the power of thy wrath How the conceiuing of the whole nature of God he that is instructed by the spirit goeth beyond him whom nature informeth Out of the description therefore of God before deliuered wee may vnderstand how the true God is discerned from false Gods Likewise what the knowledge of God reueiled in his word differeth from that which the heathen haue beeing deriued from the light of nature The difference consisteth first In the attributes or properties of God now expounded Secondly In the persons Thirdly In the workes of these two is to be spoken afterwardes These thinges are fullie and rightly vnderstood in the Church onely Because they are made knowen by reuelation from GOD onely wherefore they who are not of the Church doe not knowe and worship of the true GOD but an idole in steede of the true GOD. For they erre First in the attributes or properties of GOD who either knowe not and professe all or doe not rightly and fully expounde them as they are declared in the worde or else corrupt them The Heathen therefore know not the omnipotencie wisedome goodnes iustice truth mercie bountifulnesse of GOD shewed in the sauing and restoring of men by the sending of the Sonne and the holie Ghost They knowe not the death and punishment of the Sonne of GOD therefore they knowe not the grieuousnesse of GODS anger against sinne euen that hee will punish all sinne yea the least with eternall punishment Wherefore also they know not the iustice of GOD punishing all sinne with eternal pains in the wicked or with that which is equiualent to eternall in his Sonne They knowe not the Wisedome Mercie Truth of god freeing vs sinners from death and receiuing vs without breach of his iustice into fauour Iustifiyng vs sanctifiyng and glorifiyng vs in his Sonne by the holie ghost according to his promises Neither further doe they ascribe vnto god fullie and wholy his Omnipotencie Wisedome goodnesse which shineth in the creation of thinges and in the continuall preseruing of the same For of manie things they haue either none or but a darke knowledge many things they subtract and withdrawe from the prouidence and gouernement of god and attribute it to their owne wisedome industrie vertue and strengh or ascribe it to fortune and chaunce The like we are to conceiue of other attributes of god in which they are alike blinde Secondly The Church acknowledgeth three persons of one and the same Diuine Essence that is that the true god is an Essence so in number one eternall and infinite that notwithstanding it is the same and whole substaunce of the three persons to wit the eternall Father and his Coëternall Sonne and the Coëternall holy ghost But the Heathen and Pagans and other sectes doe not acknowledge three persons but as the Essence so also the person of the Godhead they professe to bee onely one Thirdly They which are not of the Church are altogether ignorant of the works of the Churches saluation namely the reconciliation of men with god iustification sanctification and full deliuerie from all sinne and miserie by the Sonne and the holie ghost Neither doe they wholy acknowlege or professe the woorkes of Creation For they doe not thinke all thinges to haue beene created of nothing by the woorde of god onely they denie all generally and each in particular euen the least to bee administred power-fullie by the Omnipotencie of God but ascribe very manie to Chaunce Fortune and humane Wisedome Wherefore seeing out of the woorkes of god as his proper affectes are made knowen both the properties or nature of the true god as also the Trinitie of persons in one godhead and therefore god and eache of the persons take their names from them and seeing those woorkes are both all and chieflie extant in the Church and are by the Church rightly and sufficiently vnderstoode hereof is necessarily concluded that hee alone who is made knowen in the woorde and the Church is the true and naturall god and that hee is to bee knowen and discerned from Idols by the woorde onely and by his benefites and reuelations exhibited to the Church as the sending of the holy ghost the redemption of mankinde regeneration sanctification and glorification concerning the which Pagans and many other sects know nothing at all 3 Whence it may appeare that there is but one god Whence first sprang the multitude of Gods ALbeit god in the beginning did as certainely declare vnto mankinde that he is but one onely as what he is yet the world by the guile and deceit of the Diuel going about to spoile god of his honour and to beare and vaunt himselfe for god and to destroy mankinde for the hatred hee beareth vnto
is obedience according to al Lawes that appertaine vnto al in respect of euery ones vocation and calling That this is here commaunded is manifest because the superiours must require this of their inferiors and incite them by their example to obey and inferiours are commaunded to obey al iust ordinaunces and commandements Neither doth it hinder that the honour of the ministerie also doth comprehend the whole obedience of the Lawe For there it is exacted as obedience vnto the voice of god himselfe here as obedience towards men that bear rule ouer vs. 2 The second common vertue to both is the particular distributiue iustice which keepeth a proportion in distributing of offices and rewardes or which is a vertue giuing to euery one his owne Now euery mans owne is such an office or honour or reward as is conuenient and fit for him or belongeth vnto him Roman 13.7 Giue to all men their dutie tribute to whom ye owe tribute custome to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom ye owe honour 3 Sedulitie or diligence or fidelitie which is a vertue in a man well knowing and vnderstanding those parts which belong properly vnto his owne duty and office examining them and doing according to Gods commaundement those things that belong vnto him constantly continually studiouslie willingly and cheerfully likewise conteining himselfe with this endeuour of wel doing within the bonds of his owne duty and calling letting passe thinges that appertaine not to his vocation and such as are vnnecessary and al to this end principally as thereby to serue god and his neighbour and to doe those thinges which are pleasing to God and profitable vnto men 1. Thess 4.11 Studie to bee quiet and to meddle with your own busines Roman 12.8 He that ruleth let him do it with diligence Eph. 6.6 Serue as the seruants of Christ doing the wil of God from the heart Eccle. 9.10 Al that thine hand shal find to doe doe it with al thy power But it is to be obserued that this vertue is not onely to vnderstand what are the parts of a mans duty but also to examine search if yet there be ought remaining which hee knoweth not to belong vnto his duty For hee that knoweth not must seeke and search otherwise hee shal neuerthelesse render an account of neglecting his duety because his ignoraunce was purposed and voluntary 4 Grauitie which is a vertu that obserueth that which becommeth a mans person and sheweth a constancy and squarenesse in words deedes gestures that thereby wee may maintaine our good estimation or authority that our calling be not reproched For because God wil haue superiors to be honored he wil also that they themselues maintaine their owne honour Now true glory which is an approbation yeelded vs both of our owne conscience and of the conscience of others iudging aright seing it is a vertue necessary both for the glorie of God and for the safety and well-fare of men is without question to be desired so that these ends be withal respected Prou. 22.1 A good name is to be chosen aboue great riches Eccles 7.3 A good name is better than a good ointment Eccles 41.12 Haue regard to thy name for that shal continue with thee aboue a thousand treasures of gold Gal. 6.4 Let euerie man proue his owne work and then shall hee haue reioicing in himselfe onelie and not in another Tit. 2.7 Aboue all thinges shew thy selfe an example of good woorks with vncorrupt doctrine with grauity integritie 5 Modestie is a vertue which hath neere affinity with grauity whereby a man knowing his owne imbecillity and considering his place and office wherein hee is placed by God keepeth a meane and conueniency of person in opinions and in speech of himselfe and in actions and in behauiour to this end that we giue no more to our selues than becommeth vs that we shew no more glitter or gorgiousnesse in our apparel in our behauiour in our talke and life than is needefull that wee set not our selues before others or oppresse others but behaue our selues according to our ability and capacity with an acknowledgement of Gods giftes in others and of our owne defectes Now as it was said modestie hath an affinitie with grauity For if grauitie be not ioined with modesty it degenerateth into ambition and swelling Humilitie and Modestie differ in their ende and Modesty is toward men acknowledging their owne vices and the giftes that are in others Humility is towards God Galat. 6.3 Jf anie seeme to himselfe that hee is somewhat when hee is nothing he deceiueth himselfe in his imagination 6 Loue or tender affection toward our kindred and neere of bloude as towardes our Parentes children and other kinsfolkes For when God willeth vs to honor our Parents he wil also that we loue them and that as our Parents and when he wil haue them to bee Parentes hee will haue also their children to bee loued of them and that not onely as straungers but as their children For seeing God ordaineth the bonds of coniunction betweene men he also alloweth the degrees of loue and duties 1. Timot. 5.8 If there be anie that prouideth not for his owne and namelie for them of his houshold he denieth the faith and is worse than an infidel 7 Thankefulnes which is a vertue consisting of truth iustice acknowledging from whom what and howe great benefites we haue receiued and hauing a desire or willingnesse to perfourme and returne for them mutuall labour or mutual duties such as are honest and possible Prou. 17.13 Hee that rewardeth euil for good euil shal not depart from his house 8 Aequitie which is a vertu mitigating vpō good cause the rigour of strict iustice in punishing taxing others offences patiently bearing with some such errors defects as do not enormously harme the publike safety of the priuate welfare of our neighbours and couering and correcting such vices of others or endeuouring to heale cure them For this by reason of mens manifolde infirmity is so necessary both in superiours towards inferiours in inferiours towards superiours that without it ciuil society cannot consist 1. Pet. 2.18 Be subiect to your Masters with all feare not onely to the good and curteous but also to the froward Hither appertaineth the example of the Sonnes of Noah Gen. 9. Likewise the commandement of the moderation and gentlenesse of Parentes towardes their children in exercising correction and discipline Ephes 6 4. Fathers prouoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in instruction and information of the Lord. Col. 3.21 Prouoke not your children to anger least they bee discouraged And cap 4.1 Ye Masters doe vnto your seruauntes that which is iust and equal knowing that ye also haue a Master in heauen The vices contrary to these common vertues of this fift commaundement 1 VNTO the general iustice are opposed 1. All neglectes of such duty as iust Lawes require of euerie one either of superiours or of inferiours 2.
Al stubburnes and disobedience and cruelty 3. Making shew semblance of obseruing our duty and hypocrisie 2 Vnto particular distributiue iustice are opposed 1. Error which taketh away an office from him vnto whom it is du and giueth it vnto another who should not administer it or vnto whom it doth not agree 2. Rashnes or accepting of persons partiality in distributing offices or in giuing honors or in bestowing rewards 3 Vnto sedulitie is opposed 1. Negligence or slothfulnesse which either doth not looke after matters or doth willingly let them passe and perfourmeth the parts of his duty either not willingly or not entirelie or not diligentlie 2. A shew of diligence which dooth his duty chiefly for his owne glory commoditie sake 3. Curiositie which intrudeth insinuateth himselfe into other mens duties 4. Arrogancie which giueth that vnto himselfe which he hath not or bosteth of that which he hath 4 Vnto grauitie are contrarie 1. Leuitie not obseruing seemlinesse or conueniencie or constancie or not hauing a desire of reteining his good name estimation 2. Swelling or ambition which is to lift vp him-selfe in respect of his owne calling or gifts and to contemne and neglect others to be aspiring to higher places to seeke the applause and approbation of man not for anie desire of Gods glory or of his neighbours safetie but onelie for an ambitious humour and desire of preeminence 5 Vnto Modestie are repugnaunt 1. Jmmodestie which reteineth not a seemlie conueniencie in words deeds behauiour and apparell 2. Arrogancie which in opinion speech challengeth more vnto him-selfe than his strength will beare or doth either admire his owne gifts or vaunt of them without need 3. Shewe of modestie which is in his admiration of himselfe yet to extenuate and debase himselfe to be backwards in receiuing of honors or offices which a man desireth to hunt after his owne praise or an opinion of modestie 6 Vnto loue are repugnant 1 Vnnaturalnesse which either hateth or doth not affection and loue those which are neere of bloud vnto him neither is carefull of others safetie 2 Jndulgentnesse or cockering which for the loue of any either winketh at their sinnes being pernicious either to themselues or others or dooth gratifie them in thinges forbidden 7 Vnto Thankefulnesse are repugnant 1 Vnthankefulnes which doth not acknowledge or doth not professe the author and greatnesse of the benefit receiued or doth not endeuour to perform mutuall duties 2 Vnlawful gratifieng or parasite-like flattering 8 Vnto Aequitie are repugnant 1 Jmmoderate and vnlawfull rigor in censuring of those that sinne through infirmitie without any enormous harming either of their own safetie or others 2 Slackenesse not punishing or reprehending according to his place enormous faults 3 Flatterie which for to currie fauour and for commodities sake praiseth that which is not to be praised or attributeth greater thinges vnto one than are beseeming for him THE SIXT COMMANDEMENT THOV shalt doe no murther The scope or end of this commandement is the preseruation of the life safetie of mens bodies of the welfare both of our selues others Here are forbidden al those thinges which tend to the destruction of our life or the life of others Now in this prohibition is named murther thereby to take away together with the effect the proper causes thereof and vnder the name of murther are all sinnes which accompanie it comprehended that by signifieng thus the heinousnes and grieuousnes thereof wee may bee the more effectuallie withdrawen ad deterred from committing thē And contrarily here are commanded all those things which tend to the safetie of our life and others The substance and summe of the commandement is that we neither harme by any externall work either our owne life or the life of any other or any mans safety and welfare of bodie either by force or by deceit neither wishe in affection or will an impairing thereof or signifie by any tokens any such affection or will but of the contrary endeuour to defend and preserue the same to the vtmost of our power Here is to bee proued 1. That internal things are also commaunded and forbidden by this commaundement 2. That the defence of our neighbour is commaunded 3. That the hurting either of our selues or others is forbidden 1 Internall thinges are commaunded and forbidden 1. Because when the effect is commaunded or forbidden the cause is also commaunded or forbidden 2. From the scope and end of the commaundement God will not haue vs to hurt any Therefore hee forbiddeth the meanes also whereby wee may hurt 3 Whosoeuer is angrie with his brother vnaduisedlie shal be culpable of iudgement 2 The defence of our neighbor is commanded Because negatiue commandements include affirmatiues Thou shalt doe no murther Therefore thou shalt help aid thy neighbour 3 The hurting as well of our selues as of others is forbidden because the causes why God commandeth vs to haue regard of anothers life are the same in vs. 1 The Jmage of God in man 2. The similitude and likenes of nature and our original from our first Parents We may not bee cruel against our owne flesh but as all haue issued from the same namely frō our first Parents are our flesh so are we our selues especiallie Therfore we lesse ought to hurt our selues than others 3. The greatnes of the price and raunsome wherewith Christ purchased all the members of the Church 4. The coniunction of Christs members And seeing these causes are found in our selues also it followeth that by this lawe euery one is forbidden to hurt or neglect his owne life or bodie Wherefore Thou shalt doe no murther signifieth 1 Thou shalt not desire to murther either thy selfe or others For what God will haue not to bee doone of vs that dooth hee not grant to be wished or desired 2 Neither shalt thou intimate or signifie anie desire of murthering either thy selfe or others For the desire and wishing whereof God forbiddeth he forbiddeth also any inckling or signification thereof to be giuen either in words or behauiour or countenance 3. Neither shalt thou put this desire in execution For the desire and signification whereof God forbiddeth hee verily much more forbiddeth the practise and execution thereof The contrary then is Thou shalt loue thy selfe and others 1. In heart and desire 2. Jn signification 3. In practise and execution Hence spring and arise all the vertues of this commandement and likewise the contrary vices vnto them The vertues of this sixt commaundement THOSE things that are here commaunded tend as it hath beene saide to the preseruation of the life or safetie of men And the safetie of men is preserued either by not hurting or by helping them Whereby are made two diuers kindes of vertues of this commaundement the former wherof conteineth the vertues which tend to the not hurting of mans safetie the other compriseth the vertues which tend to the helping and furthering of mens safety The vertues