of all the rest it is said Reu. 1.3 Blessed is hee that readeth and they that heare the words of this prophesie and keepe those things which are written therein Q. Proue that God appointed meditation to that end A. It is euident in that charge before mentioned which the Lord gaue vnto Ioshuah namely that hee should meditate in the booke of the Law day and night Ios. 1.8 And it is propâ—uâ—ded as the way to happinesse Psal. 1. Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsell of the vngodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornefull but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his law doth hee meditate day and night Q. Proue that conference was appointed to that end A. Therefore it is that they are commanded Deut 6.7 To talke of the word of God in the house in the way lying down and rising vp and therefore the Apostle hauing said Heb. 10.23 Let vs keepe the profession of our hope without wauering addeth immediately the meanes appointed of God to that end verse 24.25 And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selues together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another Q. Proue that practise is appointed to that end A. Therefore our Sauiour requireth the condition of practise of euery man that will be able to iudge of truth and error and to withstand seducers see Ioh. 7.17 and the Apostle directeth Heb. 5.14 that through long custome which standeth in experience and practise men haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and â—uill and the Lord himselfe saith Psal. 50.23 To him that ordereth hiâ— conuersation aright will I shew the saluation of God Q. Proue that God appointed prayer to that end A. It is included in the generall promise Math. 7.7 Aske and it shall be giuen you and verse 8 for whosoeuer asketh receiueth Againe â—ro 2.3 4.5 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Q. Proue that God appointed Sacraments to that end A. That Sacraments were ordained for our confirmation see Gen 17.10 concerning circumcision which is therefore called the Couenant because it did signe seale and confirme the couenant as the Apostle noteth Rom. 4.11 The like is said of the Passeouer Exod. 13.9 So vnto vs Christians Baptisme was to that end ordâ—ined Math. 28.19 and the Lords Supper Luk 22.19 S Of Sacraments in generall Q. Rehearse the Letter S A. SAcraments are outward visible signes of the couenant and promise of God in Christ ordained by Christ himselfe to signifie and to seale or confirme and as instruments or meanes to conuay sauing grace to euery true beleeuer and to bee as badges or tokens of our Christian profession And they are in number onely two namely Baptisme and the Lords Supper For such helpes our weake faith doth require and these only hath Christ ordained and no more being answerable to the two Sacraments vnder the Law that is Circumcision and the Passouer and are alone in that kinde sufficient both for the beginning and continuing of sauing grace Q. Proue that Sacraments are signes of the couenant A. That Sacraments are signes of the couenant promise of God is manifest in Circumcision which is called the Couenant because it was the signe of the couenant conferre Gen. 17.10 with verse 11. This is my couenant which ye shall keepe betweene mee and you and thy seede after thee Againe see Act. 2.38 where the Apostle Peter exhorting them to be baptized in the Name of Iesus Christ alledgeth this reason for saith he the promise is made to you and to your children c. Thereby intimating that to whomsoeuer the couenant doth belong to them belongeth the signe and seale of the couenant which is baptisme Q. Proue that the Sacraments are ordained by Christ A. The Lord God is the sole and onely author of all Sacraments for as it is only in his power to make the couenant and to conferre grace so he only hath authority to ordaine and appoint the signes and seales of the couenanâ— of grace Thus did hee both enter the couenant with Abraham and his seed for euer Gen. 17.7 and also appoint the signe of Circumcision verse 10.11 The like hee did concerning the Passeouer Exod. 12. and 13. In the same manner our Sauiour Christ being eternall God with his Father did institute Baptisme Matth. 28 19. Goe teach all nations baptizing them c. And the Lords Supper Luk. 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of mee Whereupon Saint Paul saith 1 Cor. 11.23 I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you Q. To what end or vse were the Sacraments ordained A. The end or vse of Sacraments is diuers First Sacraments are ordained to signifie shew and represent vnto vs the grace offered in the couenant In which respect they are called signes because they are as it were tokens and resemblances of Gods grace and fauour towards vs. So circumcision is called the signe of circumcision Ro. 4.11 the signe of the couenant Gen. 17.11 Baptisme is said to be the figure that now saueth vs. Againe of the celebration of the Passeouer the Lord saith Exod. 12.14 This day shall bee to you a remembrance And of the Lords Supper Christ saith Doe this in remembrance Luk. 22.19 And the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.26 Yee shew the Lords death till hee come Q. What is the second end or vse of Sacrameâ—ts A. Secondly Sacraments are appointed of God to seale or confirme the inâ—aâ—â—ible certainty of his couenant of grace in Christ made with his Church that thereby the faythfull may more firmely belieue and rest vpon it by faith as ciuill contracts are ratified and made authenticke by their seales annexed Therefore it is that the signe of circumcision is by the Apâ—stle Rom. 4.11 câ—llâ—d The seale of the righteousnesse of faith Q. What is the third end or vse of Sacraments A. Thirdly Sacraments are ordained to bee as instruments or meanes to conuay grace to euery true beleeuer which is euident for Baptisme in that Christ is said Eph. 5.26 to sanctifie and cleanse his Church with the washing of water by the word And Tit. 3.5 God is said to saue vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost And for the Lords Supper see 1 Cor. 10.16 where the Apostle calleth the cup of blessing the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread the communion of the body of Christ because in the right vse of these outward elements the faith full doe communicate with Christ himselfe and all his benefits Q. Proue that grace is conuayed not to all receiuers but onely to euery true beleeuer A. That grace is not conuayed to euery one
the Disciples hearts and exhorting them to continue in the faith and 1 Cor. 14.3 Hee that prophecieth that is preacheth and expoundeth the word speaketh vnto meâ— â—o edification and exhortation and comfort Q. Proue that reading is a meanes to increase and confirme faith and all other graces A. Therefore it is that in 1 Tim. 4.13 Paul exhorteth Timothie to giue attendance to reading as well as to exhortation and to doctrine and 2 Tim. 3.15 commendeth him that hee had knowne the holy Scriptures of a childe which are able to make him wise vnto saluation and Rom. 15.4 he saith that whatsoeuer things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Q. Proue that meditation is a meanes to increase and confirme in vs the sauing graces of God A. It is euident in the example of Dauid Psal. 119.97 O how loue I thy law It is my meditation all the day And to shew what increase and confirmation of heauenly grace he receiued by this his religious exercise of meditation he addeth immediately verse 98. That it made him wiser then his enemies verse 99. That hee had more vnderstanding then all his teachers And verse 100. That hee did vnderstand more then the ancients Q. Proue that conference is a meanes to increase and confirme grace A. Thus the godly meeting together strengthened one another Mal. 3.16 where it is said that Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord harkened and heard it and a Book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought vpon his Name To this end are those frequent exhortations in Scripture as in 1 Thes. 5.11 Comfort your selues together and edifie one another euen as also you doe And Heb. 3.13 Exhort one another daily while it is called To day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Q. Proue that practise is a meanes to increase and confirme grace A. Therefore it is that Dauid saith Psal. 119.100 I vnderstand more then the ancients because I kept thy precepts hereupon our Sauiour affirmeth Ioh. 7.17 That if any man will doe his will hee shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or no. Now we know that to be able to discerne of doctrine is a note of great increase and strength of grace Nay our Sauiour placeth the happinesse of knowledge in practise see Ioh. 13.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye doe them Q. Proue that praier is a meanes to increase faith and all other graces A. Prayer is the Conduit pipe to conuey Gods graces vnto us therefore Luk. 17.5 The Apostles said vnto the Lord Increase our faith and Dauid prayeth Psal. 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law And Paul Col. 1.9 Ceased not to pray to God for them that they might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding and increasing in the knowledge of God strengthened with all might c. Q. Proue that the Sacrâ—ment are meanes to increase and confirme grace A. It is manifest in that they are called signes to signifie and seales to confirme as circumcision is called Rom. 4.11 the signe of circumcision and the seale of the righteousnesse of faith And 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptisme is called the figure that now saueth vs because it signifieth and sealeth or confirmeth our saluation by Christ. Q. Proue that God requireâ—h of euery Christian a daily encrease of grace A. It is written 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. And Heb. 5.12 They are reproued that when as concerning the time they ought to be teachers yet they had neede againe to bee taught the first principles of the word of God And Chap. 6.1 they are exhorted to goe on vnto perfection Q. Proue that God hath appointed these meanes to that end and first the preaching of the word A. It is euident that the ministery of the word was therefore ordained Ephes. 4.12 For the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Till wee all come into the vnity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God vnto a perfect man vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ That wee henceforth bee no more children wauering and carried about with euery wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in wait to deceiue But following the truth in loue in all things grow vp into him which is the head euen Christ. Q. Proue that God hath appointed reading to that end and first publique reading A. God so commanded Deut. 31 11. When all Israâ—l come to appeare before the Lord thy God in the place which hee shall choose thou shalt read this Law before all Israel in their hearing And verse 12. Gather the people together men women and children and the stranger that is within thy gates that they may heare and that they may learne and feare the Lord your God and obserue to doe all the words of this Law Q. Proue that God appointed reading priuately in the family A. It is written Deut. 6.6.7 These words which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt rehearse them continually vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou tarriest in thy house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest vp Q. Proue that God appointed reading solitarily euery one by himselfe first in the old Testament A. It is manifest Deut. 17.19 in that euen the King himselfe is commanded to read in the Law of God all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God and to keepe all the words of this Law And to Ioshuah the like charge is giuen Iosh. 1.8 This booke of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day night that thou mayst obserue to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt haue good successe Q. Proue that God appointed reading solitarily euery one by himselfe in the new Testament A. It is the expresse câ—mmandement of Christ Iohn 5.39 Seâ—rch the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of me And Col. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another c. And Acts 17.11 The Bereans are commended in that they receiued the word with all readinesse of minde and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so And of the booke of the Reuelation which is the hardest to be vnderstood
vpon 3 Only in the name of Christ. 4 With vnderstanding 5 Only aâ— he hath commanded 6 So it was in all ages 1 Before the Law 2 Vnder the Law ☜ 3 Afâ—er the law ☜ 1 Christ did so teach ☞ 2 â—he Apostles did so preach practise ☞ 3 A worshipper of God is the title of a ChristiaÌ„ ☜ 4 The worshipper of God only is the true worshipper 7 Otherwise Gods glory is giuen to a creature Man what it signifieth Why God made one man and one woman Man consists of soule and body The body is of the dust 1 Cor. 15.47 The difference of man and womans creation A second difference Io. 19.34 Man body possibly immoâ—tall The soule is immortall Man a most excelent creature Created in the image of God Had rule ouer all creatures Tâ—e image of God consisteth in knowledge Also in righteousnesse and holinesse ☜ Not in substance buâ— in sâ—mblance Gen. 1 â—6 ☞ Knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse are not the only image of God But in the whole man soueraignty ☞ In the soule wisdome ☜ In the very substance of the soule inuisibility immortality S. Augustine Vnity and Trinity ☞ In the body Gods image shineth ☞ Not in the shape or parts but otherwise The word of God calleth on vs to renew it Without it man not fit to rule Image of God how farre â—ost 2 Cor. 11.7 Oâ—â—ly in respect of knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse And that by Adams sinne In eating the forbidden fruit Hauing power not to sinne Was seduced by the woman She by the Serpent That Serpent was the Deuill Man did willingly yeed All tainted by Adams fall As guilty of his sin Are become most miserable Conceiued and borne in sinne Christ only excepted Luk. 3.23.38 Heb. Luk 1.34.35 Mat. 1.20 All corupted with sinne Both in soule and body Cannot perceiue any good thing Nor think a good thought Nor will any good thing Nor speak any good Nor doe any good But is subiect to sinne as a slaue Alsâ— to Sâ—tan To the wrath of God To the curse of God in 〈◊〉 whole life To death To eternall damnation Man saued only by Christ. He is the Sonne of God He is both God and man He hath perfectly saued vs. By taking our nature Which was of necessity Heb. 2.14 He was conceiued by the holy Ghost Borne of the virgin Liued in perfect obedience He suffred He died On the crosse He rose againe He ascended into heauen He sitteth 〈…〉 How we are iustified by faith That we are iustified by faith only 1 Instance 2 Instance 3 Instance 4 Instance 5 Instance Leu. 21.9 6 Instance How wee are iustified by faith only By faith we receiue Christ. A contrite heart is requisite So is confession to God Specially true conuersion Iustification is in the pardon of sinnes We can merit nothing with God Our best workes are imperfect The promise is onely to beleeuers Elected before the world was Preaching the means of repentance Preaching the means of faith God the giuer of all grace The giuer of repentance The giuer of faith God worketh by the Word God workes by his spirit 1 Argument 2 Argument 3 Argument 4 Argument Properties of faith 1 To vnite vs to God 2 To assure vs of Gods loue Shewed more plainely 3 To purifie the heart 4 To woâ—â— by â—â—ue Till we beleeue wee are without God Christ hope But once beleeuing we haue peace Beleeuers are fruitfull Faith and all other graces how increased Particularly 1 By preaching 2 By Reading 3 By meditation 4 By conference Heb. 10.23 24.25 5 By practise 6 By prayer 7 By Sacraments God requires encrease Meanes to that end appointed 1. Preaching 2 Reading 1 Publique 2 Priuate 3 Soliâ—arily 1 In the old Testament 2 In the new Testament 3 Meditation 4 Conference 5 Practise 6 Prayer 7 Sacraments Sacraments are signes of the couenant Gen. 17 7. God is the only author of Sacraments The end or vse of Sacraments 1 To signifie 2 To sâ—aâ—e or confirme 3 To conuay grace But to the faithfull only 4 To be aâ— badges of our profession So to the Iewes So to vs Christians There are only two Sacraments 1 By the institution and practise of Christ. 2 By the water and blood out of his side 3 By Saint Pauls allusion Our weaknesse requireth Sacraments The Word is not sufficient to vs. Christ ordained onely two Sacraments The other fiue are no Sacraments Why no Sacraments Particularly 1 Confirmation is no Sacrament Act. 8.14.15.17 Hieron aduers Luciferiaâ—os cap. 4. An nesâ—â—s etiam ecclesiarum â—â—nc esse morem c. 2 Penance is no Sacrament It may be without a Priest or Minister which a Sacrament cannot be 3 Order is no Sacrament 4 Matrimony is no Sacrament 5 Extreame Vnction is no Sacrament Our Sacraments answerable to the legall They are alone sufficient Baptisme requires 1 Profession of repentance 2 Profession of faith Châ—ldren are tâ— bâ— bâ—ptized The outward element is water The action is washing The inward grace what The forme of words what Who must administer Baptisme The end or vse of Baptisme 1 End 2 End 3 End 4 End Baptisme is the signe of regeneration The vertue 〈◊〉 it is perpetuâ—ll Rom. 6.3.4 The Lords Supper why so called The outward signe is Bread and Wine The thing signified is the Body and Bloud of Christ Crucified Who is to administer the Sacrament The action of the Minister Ioh. 3.16 and 6.27 The action of the people Ioh. 1.22 1 Cor. 10.16 The end or vse of this Sacrament 1 For remembrance of Christs death 2 For Communion with Christ. 3 For confirmation of our faith and loue How our faith in Christ. How our loue one to another It is the signe of our new life It is often to be receiued With due preparation All men must die Death to the godly is a blessing 1 Cor. 3.21 22. Phil. 1.21 1 Cor. 15.55.56 1 Thes. 4.13.14 Reu. 14.13 Rom. 6.7 1 Cor. 19.30 1 Cor. 15. â—6 The soule goeth immediately to heauen or hell The bodies of all shall rise againe At the last day Euery one with his owne body By the power of Christ. The end is to life or death eternall Christ came to destroy death Christ is himselfe risen That we might rise with him If no resurrection preaching and faith is vaine A day of iudgment shall be The time is onely knowne to God The signes what Mark 13.10 Math. 24.14 Math. 24 6.7.9.10 2 Thes. 2.3 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Thes. 2.3.4.8 1 Ioh. 2.18 Math. 24.5.11.24 Math 24.12 2 Tim. 3.1.2 Isai. 59 20. Math. 24.29 Mar. 13 8.24 2 Pet. 3.10 Math. 24.30 Why the time is concealed 1 Thes. 5.2.3 The day why deferred 2 Pet. 3.9 Math. 24.22 Rom. 11.26 Râ—u 6 11 Iâ—m 5.7 Rom. 2 1.4.5 The Iudge is Christ. The godly 〈◊〉 â—ssistant Math. 19.28 All men must be iudged Of all things 1 Committed as thoughts words woâ—kes Eccl. 12.14 2 Omitted According to their workes Christs comming shall be glorious Ioyous to the godly Fearfull to the wicked Psal. 50 The manner of the last iudgement The disposing of all men On the right or left hand why Io. 10.27 1 Thes. 4.17 Luk. 23.30 Reu. 6.16 Eccles. 34.18 c Matth. 13.29.30 The order of the trial The euidence is certaine bookes The books are 1 Of Gods prouidence 2 Of the creatures 3 Of the conscience 4 The booke of life There is a Hell Math 18.9 Luk. 12.5 2 Kin. 23 10 Where it is Christs voyce detrudeth the wicked into hell They are separated from God Iob 21.14 Math. 7.23 Luk. 13.27 They are consorted with the deuils They are depriued of all ioy Luk. 16.24 Their tâ—rmenâ—s intollerable Reu. 21.8 Isa. 66.24 Their punishment proportionable to their sinne Eternall paine easelesse endlesse It is iust with God The godly goe immediately to heauen They haue immediate communion with God He shall be all in all vnto them Reu. 22.5 They shall be freed from all euills Psal. 34.19 Possessed of all good things As â— perfection of grace 2 Brightnesse of glory Both in soule and body 3 Fulnesse of ioy Degrees of glory Vnspeakable happinesse Happinesse eternall It stands with the certainty of election With the truth of his promise 1. Io. 2.25 2 Cor. 1.13.20 With the iustice of God for Christ. It is the reward of the godly So all sorrow is turned into ioy The praise â—e giuen to God