AN ABRIDGEMENT Of the whole Body of Divinity Extracted from the Learned works of that ever-famous and reverend Divine Mr. William Perkins By Tho. Nicols ⧠London Printed by W B. for Will. Hope at the blue Anchor on the North-side of the Royal Enchange 1654. Friendly READER FOr thy benefit I have here taken the pains to abreviate the body of Mr. PERKINS Divinity what before thou couldst not have but in a large volume and at a great rate Here thou hast substantially in short for the bettering of thy knowledge for the directing of thy life and for thine obedience in what ever is thy duty Take it as thou dost thereby reape profit so lift up thine eys to Heaven and return God thanks to whom alone its due I shall still endeavour thy best good wishing to thee thine everlasting reward and labouring to live and die a sure friend to thy Soul's happiness July 27. 1654. Tho. N. Contents of the first part of this TREATISE 1. OF God pag. 1. Of the life of God pag. 4. His Names Nature pag. 2. Glorie and blessedness pag. 10. Of the persons of the Godhead pag. 11. Contents of the second part of this Treatise Of Gods works and his Degree pag. 14. 15. 16. 18. 19. 20. 21. Of Man and his state pag. 22. 23. Of the fall of Angels pag. 24. The fall of man pag. 26. 27. 28. Of sin by participation pag. 28. Original sin pag. 28. Actual sin pag. 33. 35. Punishment of sin in this life pag. 35. Of tentation pag. 36 37. 38. 39. Of Election and its foundation pag. 42. 43. The Degrees of its execution p. 136. 144. 147. Elect their estate at the last judgement pag. 181. Gods Covenant of works and grace p. 42. 43. 127. Of the Moral Law pag. 43. The use of the Law pag. 125. Of the first Commandment pag 43. Of the second Commandment pag. 48 48. Idolatry and superstition pag. 52 68. Effects of Hypocrisie pag. 53. Of Magick pag. 54. 55. 59. Of Covenants with the Devil pag. 57. Divining pag 58. Necromancy pag. 58. Pythonisme pag. 59. Enchantments pag 60. Charms pag. 60. Third Commandment pag. 61. Its Affirmative part pag. 61. Its Negative part pag. 66. Of Oaths pag. 62. 64. Asseveration what it is pag. 63 Palmestry pag. 69. Astrology pag. 69. 70. 71. 73. 74. Effects of the Sun and Moon pag. 72. Of the fourth Commandment pag. 75. Affirmative part of it pag. 75. Negative part of it pag. 79. Sabbath how it was ceremonial pag 77. How it is moral pag. 77. Of the fifth Commandment pag. 80. Affirmative part of it pag. 80. Negative part of it pag. 83. Of the sixth Commandment pag. 84. Affirma Nega part of it pag. 85. 90. Truces the lawfulness of them pag. 86. Duels unlawfull and why pag. 93. Of the seventh Commandment pag. 95. Affirmative part of it pag. 95. Negative part of it pag. 99. Fornication what it is pag. 100. Adultery what it is pag. 101. Lust the occasions of it pag. 103. Eight Commandment pag. 104. Affirmative part of it pag 104. Negative part of it pag 109. Contentation what it is pag. 105. Thriftness what it is pag. 105. Pledges are not to be exacted pag. 107. Just Covenants must be performed p. 108. Vnjust dealing in heart and deed what it is pag. 109. 110. Oppression in bargaining its kindes p. 111. Oppression by Vsury pag. 112. Punishment of Theft pag. 115. Ninth Commandment pag. 115. Affirmative part of it pag. 115. Negative part of it pag 119. To labour for a good name by godliness is lawfull pag. 117. How one man may lawfully judge another pag. 119. Tenth Commandment pag. 122. Affirmative part of it pag. 123. The Negative part of it pag. 124. Motions of the heart their kindes pag. 123. Motions of the heart upon the work of faith what they be pag. 140. Sacraments pag. 129. 131. 133. How they differ from sacrifices pag. 132. Declaration of Gods love its degrees p. 136. 144. 147. 177. Members of Christ whom they are p. 138. Effectual calling the means of its execution pag 139. Hammers to break a stony heart pag. 139. 140. Rules to know true faith by pag. 143. Priviledges by Adoption pag. 146. Inherent holiness its parts pag. 148. 149. 150. 151. Illumination what it is pag. 148. Repentance and its fruits pag. 152. Self-denial pag 169. New obedience pag. 153. 154. 171. 173. 175. A Christian Combat what it is pag. 154. 155. Assaults in it pag. 157. 158 161. Vnjust anger and wrath remedies against them pag 164 165. Covetousness its remedies pag 165. Desires of the flesh their remedies p. 166. Patience how to strengthen it pag. 169. Of Alms. pag. 167. Death remedies against the fear of it pag. 178. Eternal life what it is pag. 182. Its fruits pag. 183. 184. Perfect glorie what it is pag. 183. Reprobation its Decree pag. 186. Execution of it pag. 187. 188. 191. 192. Reprobates their state after death pag. 194. Their condemnation pag. 195. The manner of it pag. 195. Predestination the Application of it p. 197. Luthers saying pag. 201. The Corolary pag. 185. 196. OF THEOLOGIE THeology is the science of living blessedly for ever Blessed life ariseth from the knowledge of God and of our selves The parts of the Theologie are 1. Of God 2. Of Gods works That there is a God is evident 1. By the course of Nature 2. By the nature of the Soul of man 3. By the distinction of things honest and dishonest 4. By the terrour of Conscience 5. By the regiment of civil societies 6. By the order of all causes which have ever recourse to some former beginning 7. By the determination of all things to their several ends 8. By the consent of all men The Names of God The Names of God are Jehova Elohim Exod. 6. 2. 3. Jehova declareth Gods Nature Elohim his Persons The Nature of God The Nature of God is his most lively and most perfect essence The perfection of the Nature of God is that where by he is wholely compleat in him self Exod. 3. 13. Act. 17. 24. The perfection of Gods Nature is the simpleness and infinitnes thereof The simpleness of Gods Nature is that whereby he is void of all Logical relation in Arguments That is God hath not in himself either Subject or Adjunct Joh. 5. 26. and 14. 6. In God to be and to be just and mighty are all one But in the minde of man it is not all one to be and to be mighty or just For the minde may be destitute of these virtues and yet a minde The Nature of God is immutable and Spiritual Gods immutability of Nature is that by which he is void of all composition division and change Jam. 1. 17. Malach. 3. 6. Gods Nature is Spiritual in that it is incorporal and therefore invisible Joh. 4. 24. Colos. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 17. So much for the simpleness of Gods Nature The
Chron. 21. 1. And this is also effected by occasion of external objects which the senses perceive Job 31. 1. Of Tentation Tentation hath two parts 1. Abstraction 2. Inescation Abstraction is the first thought of committing sin by it the minde is withdrawn from Gods service for which it should be always ready prest Luke 10. 27. * Inescation is an evil thought conceived and for a time retained in the minde and it being thus kept in the minde it doth by delighting the Will and Affections lay a bait for a Man to draw him to consent 2. The second degree of sin of Commission is Conception Conception of sin is when the heart consents and resolves to commit sin Psal. 7. 14. 3. The third degree of it is the birth of sin That is the very acting and committing of sin As when the faculties of the Soul and the powers of the body joyn together to act sin The fourth degree of the Commission of sin is the perfection of sin That is when sin by custom is made perfect and ripe And then it bringeth forth death and damnation and this is all that the sinner reapeth by his sin an example of this we have in Pharo The differences of sins of Commission are these 1. To consent with an offendour and not actually to commit sin Eph. 5. 11. This a man doth 1. When he doth in judgement allow the sin of another Num. 20. 10. 12. 2. When the heart approveth in affection and consent as do Ministers and Magistrates when they do conceal and winck at offences 1 Sam. 2. 23. 29. 3. When sin is done indeed by Counsel presence or inticement as Rom. 1. 13. Mark 6. 25. 26. Act. 22. 20. 2. The second difference of sin of Commission is Sinning ignorantly that is when a man doth not expresly and distinctly know whither that which he doth be a sin or not or if he do know it he doth not acknowledge and mark it 1 Tim. 1. 13. Numb. 35. 24. 1 Cor. 4. 4. Ps. 10. 13. 3. The third difference of sin of Commission Is when any Man sinneth upon knowledge but yet of infirmity as when a Man fearing some eminent danger or when a Man amazed at the horrour of death doth against his knowledge deny that truth which otherwise he would acknowledge and embrace Such was the fall of Peter arising from the rashness of his minde mingled with some fear Thus do men offend by the strength of the corruptions of their flesh provoking them to that which their heart doth detest Rom. 7. 19. The fourth difference of it is Presumptuous sinning upon knowledge as Psal. 19. 13. of this kinde is 1. Every sin committed with an high hand or in contempt of God Numb. 15. 30. Secondly presumption of Gods mercy though we do evil and run on in it Eccles. 8. 11. Rom. 2. 4. 5. The fifth difference of sin of Commission is Sinning upon knowledge and out of self malice against God Of this kinde is the sin against the holy Ghost The punishment of sin Man is punisht for sin first in this life either 1. In body As 1. by care for the provision for his body and by trouble for the things of this life Genes 3. 17. Secondly by proneness to diseases Matth. 9. 2. Joh. 5. 14. Deut. 28. 21. 22. Thirdly by shame of nakedness Genes 3. 7. Fourthly by pains as are in Women in Travail and Child-birth Genes 3. 16. 2. In Soul As 1. By a trembling of Conscience Secondly by care Thirdly by trouble Fourthly by hardness of heart Fifthly by madness Deut. 28. 28. 3. In both body and Soul As first by a fearfull subjection to the Regiment of Sathan Colos. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14. Secondly by a seperation from the fellowship of God and a trembling at his presence Eph. 4. 18. Gen. 3. 10. 4. By divers calamities and damages in his goods Deut. 28. 29. 5. By the loss of dignity and Lordly Authority which he had over all the Creatures and by the vanity weakning corrupting and abating of the excellencie virtues and powers of the Creatures as Rom. 8. 20. 21. 6. Or in his name By infamy and ignominy before and after his death Jer. 24. 6. All these things come alike to all yet doubtless it is by reason of sin by Adams fall and since that by our improvement of our Original and Actual corruptions Secondly Man is punisht for sin at the last gasp First by death or 2. by a change like unto death Rom 6. 23. Thirdly Man is punisht for sin after this life by an eternal separation from the presence of God and from his exceeding excellent glory 2 Thes. 1. 9. Of Election and his foundation of it Predestination hath two parts 1. Election 2. Reprobation 1 Thes. 5. 9. Election is the decree of God concerning the salvation of some men to the praise of the glory of his grace Eph. 1. 4. 5. 6. This decree of God is the book of life wherein the names of the Elect are written Rev. 20. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 19. The execution of this decree is Gods effectual working of all those things which he purposed for the salvation of the Elect by the same means with which he purposed to do it Rom. 18. 29. 30. The foundation of this decree is Christ Jesus Heb. 5. 5. Isai 42. 1. Eph. 1. 4. The means of accomplishing this decree is Gods Covenant and the seal thereof Gods Covenant is either the Covenant of works or of grace Gods Covenant of works is the moral Law or ten Commandments Gods Covenant of grace is his free promise of Christ and all his benefits to man if man will repent him of his sins and by faith receive Christ The Seals of the Covenant are the Sacraments Gods Covenant of works which is called the moral Law Decalogue or ten Commandments is devided into two Tables The first Table containeth four Commandments The second Table containeth six Commandments Every Commandment is both affirmative and negative That is it doth both command and forbid As it is Affirmative it bindeth at all times but not to all times As it is Negative it bindeth at all times and to all times Under one Vice expresly forbidden are comprehended all of that kinde yea the least cause occasion or inticement thereto are forbidden Joh. 3. 15. Matth. 5. 21. The first Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods before me In this first Commandment are these affirmatives First that we must acknowledge God Secondly that we must acknowledge no other God but him The marks of the true love of God are these 1. To hear his word willingly 2. To speak often off him 3. To think often off him 4. To do his will without irksomness 5. To give body and all for his cause 6. To desire his presence above all and to bewail his absence 7. To embrace all such
eternal damnation for the least disobedience without offering any hope of pardon This sentence the Law doth pronounce against offendours and by it it doth reign and rule over a man partly by threatning him and partly by terrifying him Rom. 3. 19. Gal. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 3. 7 8. The end of the reigning of sin in men is to urge sinners to fly unto Christ Rom. 11. 32. Gal. 3. 22. 24. The continuance of the power of the Law is for ever unless a sinner doth repent The very first act of repentance doth so free a sinner as that immediatly upon it he is no more under the Law but under grace as we may see by David 1 Sam. 12. 13. Rom. 6. 14. If we mean to have eternal life we must examin the course of our lives by the square of Gods Law we must set the course due unto our sins before our eys and bewail our miseries and have a holy despair of our own powers and renounce our selves and sue unto Christ Jesus This is the use of the Law in unregenerate men and women The use of the Law in regenerate men is To guide them to new obedience in the whole course of their lives and this new obedience is acceptable to God through Christ Rom. 3. 31. Psal. 119. 24. 105. Of the Covenant of Grace The Covenant of grace is Gods free promise of Christ and his benefits to every repentant sinner that will receive him by Faith Hosea 2. 18 19 20. Ezek. 33. 11. to the 15. and 36. 25. to the 27. Malach. 3. 1. This Covenant is called a Testament because it is confirmed by the death of the Testatour Heb. 9. 16 17. This Covenant is like a man's last Will and Testament it is not for the profit of the Testatour but for the benefit of the Heir we do here receive from God and not promise or offer unto God In substance the Old and New Testament is the same The old Covenant or Testament prefigured Christ in Types shaddows who was then to come The New Testament declareth Christ already come in the flesh and sheweth him apparently in the Gospel The Gospel is that part of God's word which containeth the welcome message of Christ and of the benefits that do come to mankinde by him Joh. 3. 14. Act. 10. 43. The Gospel doth manifest that righteousness in Christ by which the whole Law is fully satisfied and salvation attained Rom. 1. 16. 17. The Gospel is that instrument or Conduit-pipe by which the holy Ghost doth convey Faith into the Soul 1 Cor. 1. 21. Act. 11. 19. to the 21. Joh. 4. 28. to the 42. And Faith is the hand by which we do apprehend Christ and his righteousness Joh. 6. 63. The Sacraments are appendants to the word A Sacrament is that whereby Christ and his saving graces are signified exhibited and sealed to a Christian by certain external rites Genes 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. The parts of a Sacrament are the sign and the thing signified The sign is the visible and sensible matter The thing signified is Christ The matter or signs of the Sacrament have no inherent force or efficacie at all in them to make any that receiveth them holy this is the alone work of the holy spirit which indeed doth ever accompany the signs when at any time they are received by faithfull and believing Souls So that the sign doth onely signify grace either already received or to be received and doth not give it The thing signified is 1. Christ 2. His Graces The action about Christ is spiritual and it is 1. Either of God or 2. Of Faith The action of God is the offering and application of Christ and his graces to the Faithfull The action of Faith is the consideration desire apprehension or receiving of Christ in the Lawfull use of the Sacrament By a figure called a Metonymie one thing is put for another in the Sacrament As the sign for the thing signified Joh. 6. 51. 1 Cor. 5. 7. and 10. â—7 And the name of the thing signified is given to the sign 1 Cor. 11. 24. Matt. 26. 28. Exod. 12. 11. And the effect of the thing signified is given to the sign as circumcision is a Covenant Genes 17. 10. Act. 7. 8. Luke 22. 20. Tit. 3. 5. And that which is proper to the sign is attributed to the thing signified Deut. 10. 16. Joh. 6. 53. The ends of the Sacrament are 1. To confirm our Faith 2. To be a badge or note to distinguish the true Church of God from other Congregations 3. It is a means to spread abroad the Doctrine of the Gospel 4. It doth binde the faithfull to continue Loyal and gratefull to their Lord God 5. It is a bond of mutual amity betwixt the faithfull The Covenant of Grace is absolutely necessary to salvation for a man must be within the Covenant and receive Christ the substance thereof or he cannot be saved But a Sacrament is not absolutely necessary to salvation for it is onely a stay for Faith to lean on whilest that it doth assure to us that which God hath bestowed on us The want of the Sacrament condemneth not but the contempt of it doth For in the * neglect of a Sacrament true repentance will obtain pardon of God M. P. 72. Unbelievers receive onely the sign and not the thing signified and therefore it doth not profit them Rom. 2. 25. Onely true believers do receive the Sacraments with profit Sacraments and Sacrifices do thus differ In a Sacrament God doth bestow his Graces on us In a Sacrifice we return thanksgiving Faith and obedience unto God The Sacraments of the two Testaments thus differ The Sacraments of the Old Testament were many But the Sacraments of the New Testament are but few These pointed at Christ to come These shew him to be come They belonged properly to the posterity of Abraham These are common to all the Church called out of the Jews and Gentils The Sacraments are two Baptism and the supper of the Lord The Fathers had these Sacraments the first of the Corinth 10. 1. to the 4. Baptism belongeth to all the faithfull even to all the promised seed It belongeth to infants whose parents are believing or which have but one believing parent 1 Cor. 7. 14. Rom. 11. 16. Genes 17. 7 13. Act. 16. 31. It belongeth to all even young and old that believe Act. 8. 36 37 38. Matth. 3. 6. Exod. 12. 48. Baptism signifieth our regeneration by the holy spirit Titus 3. 5. And assureth or sealeth to us our engraffing and incorporating into Christ Gal. 3 27. 1 Cor. 12. 13. The parts of Baptism or of washing are three 1. A putting into the water to signifie that all our sins are washt away by the bloud of Christ and that his righteousness is imputed to us Act. 22. 16. 1 Cor. 6. 11. It doth also signify the mortification of sin by the power
Gods image in the minde after the fall Increase of sin what it is The remnant of Gods image in the Conscience The effects of the impureness of the CoÌ„science by Adams fall The remnant of Gods image in the will Actual sin Examples of Actual sin of the minde Actual sin of the Will and affections Outward Actual sin Degrees of sins of Commission Tentation Abstraction * Inescation i. e. To take by a bait Conception The birth of sin Perfection of sin Differences of sin of Commission Consent Sin of ignorance Sin of knowledge Presumptuous sin Sin of knowledge with malice Punishment of sin in this life Punishment of sin at the last gasp Election The execution of the decree of Election Gods Covenant The Seals of the Covenant Covenant of works First Commandment Affirmative part of it Negative part Second Commandment Affirmative part of it Negative part of it Idolatry and Superstition Effects of Hypocrisie Magick a wicked Art The foundation of Magick is a contract with the Devil The Covenant with the Devil is either secret or express Divining Necromancy Pythonism Working Magick Enchantments Charms Third Commandment Affirmative part An Oath Its parts Its form An Asseveration what it is Oath of Maids Negative part Superstitions Palmestry Astrology M. P. pâ— Ibidem Astrology draws mens mindes from the contemplation of Gods providence Effects of the Sun Moon M. P. p. 44 Astrology concerning Nativities is wicked Astrologers how they are reckoned of in Scripture Fourth Commandment Affirmative part Ceremonial Sabbath * How the Sabbath is moral Negative part Fifth Commandment Affirmative parts Negative part Sixth Commandment The Affirmative part The lawfulness of truces and Covenants M. P. p. 56 M P. p. 58 Negative part Duels are unlawfull The seventh Commandment The Affirmative part Rules to be observed in the use of diet Rules for chastity Cautions â—or preâ—â—rving â—urity The Negative part Fornication what it is Adultery what it is Occasions of lust what they are Eight Commandment Affirmative part Contentation Thriftiness Pledges are not to be exacted Just Covenants must be performed The Negative part Of unjust dealing in heart Of unjust dealing in deed The oppressions in bargaining their kindes Oppression by usury Cautions in use if it be at all lawfull Punishment of Theft Ninth Commandment Affirmative part It is lawfull to labour for a good name by Godliness Negative part How we may judge others Objection Tenth Commandment Affirmative part The kindes of the motions or thoughts of the heart The Negative part Vses of the Law The Covenant of Grace Of the Sacraments M. P. p. 73 The ends of the Sacraments M. P. p. 72 * i. e. Though a man hath never used the Sacraments Sacraments Sacrifices how they differ The Sacraments are two Baptism The parts of Baptism The Lords supper The degrees of the execution of Election 1. The first degree of the Declaration of God's love is effectual calling The Members Christ Effectual calling the means of its execution The hammers by which a stony heart is bruised The five motions in the heart upon the work of Faith Rules to know true Faith The second degree of the Declaration of Gods love Priviledges by Adoption The third degree of the Declaration of Gods love The parts of Inherent holiness Illumination 2. Part of inherent holiness is sanctification of memory 3 Part. Sanctification of coÌ„science 4. Part. Sanctificaton of will 5. Part. Sanctification of affections The chief affections 6. Part. Sanctification of body Repentance Its fruits New obedience Parts of self-denial 1. Part of Christian warfar The compleat armour of God A Christians Combat The Combatants Confirmation of the Souldier consisting in three things Assaults in the Combat The second Assault The third Assault Remedies against unjust anger Against wrath Against covetousness Against the desires of the flesh Second part of self denial To strengthen patience Afflictions are the godly mens high way to Heaven The profession of Christ Continual profession Infirmities in prayer Profession in time of danger Profession of Christ as it concerneth his Members Alms. Fourth dâ—gree of the Declaration of Gods love Glorification Remedies against death The state osf the Elect at the last judgment The state of the Elect after the last judgement Eternal life what it is Perfect glory what it is The fruits of eternal life and perfect glory A Cororaly The Decree of Reprobation The execution of this Decree There are three Degrees of the execution of Gods Decree of reprobation 1. Degree of the execution of the Decree of reprobation is the acknowledgement of Gods calling 2. Degree of the execution of the decree of reprobation is a falling away after calling 3. Degree or the execution of the decree of reprobation is damnation The execâ—â—â—â—n of this decree in those that are not called the state of reprobates whilest they live Their estate when they are dead Their condemnation The manner of it A Corolary Rule Rule Rule Rule Rule Luthers saying Rule Rule Rule The uses of this Doctrine The 〈◊〉 of the docâ—â—