it is said Many are called but few are chosen Mat. 20.16 2. Inward which is proper to the Elect none but they and all they in their time shall both outwardly be called by the Word to a profession of Christ and also inwardly and effectually to believe in Christ and obey the Gospel These make that Church whereof Christ is properly the Head and they the Body and that in these respects 1. They are under Christ as a Body under a Head 2. They receive Spiritual life and grace from Christ as a body natural receiveth sense and vigor from the head 3. Christ governeth them as a Head the Body 4. They are subject to Christ as a Body to the Head This Metaphor of a Body implieth two things viz. 1. A mystical Union with Christ by vertue whereof they who are of Christs Body 1. Receive Grace and life from him Ephes 4.15 16. 2. Are guided and governed according to his Will 3. Seek to honor him in all things they do 4. Are offended and grieved when he is dishonored by others 2. A Spiritual communion with the Saints being fellow-fellow-Members by reason whereof 1. They love the Brethern 1 Joh. 4.11 2. They are ready to succor such as are in distress 3. They will edifie one another Eph. 4.16 4. They retain a mutual sympathy rejoycing and mourning one with another 1 Cor. 12.26 Again Christ is Head of the Church in two respects 1. In regard of his Dignity and Dominion over the Church Col. 1.18 The causes whereof are 1. The good pleasure of God his Father 2. The Dignity of his person being God-Man 3. The Merit of his Sacrifice whereby he hath redeemed and purchased his Church unto himself 4. The Omnipotency of his power whereby he is able to protect 5. The All-sufficiency of Spirit whereby he is able to give to every member all needful grace 2. In regard of the near union betwixt him and the Church All things requisite to joyn husband and wife together do fitly concur betwixt Christ and the Church 1. They are persons fit to be joyned Though Christ be God yet for this end he became man Joh. 17.19 And though the Church were impure yet for this end is she cleansed and sanctified 2. They have their Parents consent for God is the common Father of both Joh. 20.17 And God hath given Christ to the Church Rom. 8.32 and the Church to Christ Joh. 6.39 3. They have given their mutual consent each to other Cant. 2.16 4. He beareth an husband-like affection to her and she is willing to yield a wife-like subjection to him Eph. 5.23 24. 5. He hath given her many favors and gifts as pledges of his love Eph. 4.8 And she in testimony of her faithfulness was under the Law circumcised and is under the Gospel baptized 6. He hath prepared a place of habitation for them both together Joh. 14.3 and she earnestly desireth to be with him Rev. 22.17 20. 7. He will assuredly perform all the offices of a kinde husband as to love her bear with her provide for her and the like Let the Spouse endeavor therefore by all good means to maintain the honor of her place despising the world preserving her chastity and yielding all love reverence and obedience to this blessed Bridegroom who bought her with his Blood to endow her with immortality The Priviledges of Christs Spouse the Church the Saints his faithful ones viz. 1. Christ is made a yoke-follow with his Church he puts his hand under all her burthens to make them the more easie yea the great burthen of Gods wrath hath he wholly taken on himself 2. Christ is 1. As her Champion to answer all challenges sent unto her 2. As her Advocate to plead and answer all complaints made against her 3. As her Surety to discharge all her debts even all in all for her and to her 3. All his honors goods and priviledges are hers she hath a right to them and a part in them she is a co-heir with him Rom. 8.17 The marks to know the true Church by viz. 1. The profession of the true uncorrupt and rightly understood Doctrine of the Law and Gospel 2. Her Badges and Signs which are the two Sacraments truly administred 3. Obedience towards God and his Doctrine both in Life and Maners The Titles which Paul gives the Church viz. 1. The House of God who dwelleth therein defending and guiding it by his holy Spirit 2. The Pillar of Truth because by the Ministery thereof God preserveth and keepeth Truth in the world 3. The Mother of all the faithful because God therein hath begotten us with the incorruptible seed of the Word and hath put us over unto it to be guided and brought up in faith For what Reasons the Church is called Holy 1. Because as Paul saith It is sanctified after that he hath cleansed it by the washing of water through the word that is made clean from all sin by the precious Blood of Christ daily presented to us both in the Word and Sacraments 2. For that the Members of it being Regenerated by the Holy Ghost and sanctified do apply themselves diligently to holiness of life 3. Because all true Christians are Spiritual Priests by an holy Unction 4. Because the holy Trinity dwelleth in it Christ will send the Comforter 5. Because it is sanctified by Invocation The Church is 1. One onely because as it doth acknowledge one onely High Priest Jesus Christ so one onely Religion in Faith Hope and Love which Unity one Spirit conserveth by the Word and Sacraments 2. Holy purged by the blood of Christ 1 Joh. 1. 3. Catholique in respect 1. Of Place not tyed to Rome but spread through the whole world 2. Of Men not tyed to the children of Abraham after the flesh 3. Of Time for it hath and shall be for ever Christ is with it to the end of the world 4. Inconquerable Lifted up even as Mount Sion impregnable so as the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Though the Church be onely one which is the Spouse and Mystical Body of Christ yet in regard of man it is considered in a double respect viz. 1. Visible which is that company of the faithful gathered together in the Name of Christ to be instructed and confirmed in his Faith by the sincere preaching of the Word as also the true use of the Sacraments which is called the Militant Church because it warreth with the Devil the World and the Flesh 2 Invisible being all the Elect which may be divided into three parts 1. They which are already received into heaven called thence the Triumphant 2. They which do yet live on the earth called Invisible because their faith and conscience to Godward is not perfectly known unto men 3. They that are yet unborn The Reasons for which the true Church ought to be discerned from all other Churches viz. 1. Because of the Commandment of God 1 Joh. 5.39 2. For the glory of
not be too many The duties to be performed by us in believing the holy Catholique Church 1. To renounce and abandon all wicked Societies because we profess fellowship with Saints betwixt whom and these there is no agreement 2. To be companions of Saints viz. of such as be of an holy life and not to think it a disgrace to be holy and pure and to be of a good and pious life separate from the prophane multitude 3. To walk in the light of Gods holy Word by vertuous living because of our fellowship with Christ and through him with God the Father for God is light 1 Joh. 1.7 4. To do good unto all but especially to those of the houshold of faith in being like-affected towards them not onely in distributing our temporal but spiritual goods 5. To be comfortable in all our Sufferings because our Head is not without a sympathy and feeling of our miseries and will not suffer us to be tempted beyond what we are able 6. To have heavenliness within us by leading an heavenly life whilest we live upon earth because there is a communion betwixt us and the Saints in heaven When Tyrants Storms of Persecution raise And when Religion blows too many ways When Rome 's Euroclydon does roar like Hell And that Whores Cup doth to a Deluge swell This is that Ark which when the Floods abate Doth land the Faithful on Mount Arrarat Truths Pillar wreath'd with Innocence and Love Whose Stems below and Basis is above Christ's black yet comely and beloved Spouse His own true Vine thrice happy are the Boughs §. 10. The Communion of Saints THe Communion of Saints is that holy and sweet fellowship which all the Members of Christs Church have with their Head Christ Jesus and one with another whether they are Believers here or departed Nor is this the least of Christs benefits bestowed on the Church by the Holy Ghost For herein all the Saints have the same Reconciliation the same Redemption the same Righteousness the same Sanctification the same Salvation by and for Christ All the Saints have the same benefits common which are necessary to Salvation Eph. 4.4 And all the like special gifts though not all a like measure but are so distributed to every Member as that some excel others in gifts and graces in the Church for the gifts of the Holy Ghost are diverse and to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 The chief part of the Communion of Saints is the union or coherence of all the Saints that is of the whole body of the Church with Christ the Head and of his Members among themselves which is wrought by the Holy Ghost even by the same Spirit who dwelleth in Christ the Head and in all his Members So that to believe the Communion of Saints is to believe That the Saints of which number I must needs certainly be assured my self to be one are united by the Spirit unto Christ their Head and that from the Head gifts are poured down unto them both those which are the same in all necessary to Salvation as also those which being diverse and diversly bestowed upon every one are requisite for the edification of the Church And that they are by the same Spirit likewise united among themselves The mystical union between Christ and every true Believer is not onely in regard of soul but of body also which being once knit shall never be dissolved but is eternal whereupon the dying dead rotten and consumed body remaineth still a Member of Christ abideth within the Covenant and is and shall be ever a Temple of the Holy Ghost Touching which union in regard of the soul Christ dwelleth therein or in the heart of every true Believer as the soul in the body and acts the soul as the soul acts the body without whom the soul is dead to all goodness So that if thou finde that thou art no more able to pray nor no more able to do any duty then thou wast before that thou livest in thy lusts as much as ever thou didst that thou hast not that new heart that new Spirit that new affection which the Scriptures speak of then be sure that Christ dwelleth not in thy heart thou hast no communion with him or his Saints The Union of Christ and the Church is a great Mystery Eph. 5.32 not to be measured with the line of our own Reason which can never fathom the depth thereof a Secret that could not be opened but by Divine Revelation nor being opened can be conceived but by the illumination of the Spirit Thus though it be above our capacity yet being revealed we must believe it as we do the mystery of the Trinity of Christs Eternal generation of the Personal Union of his two Natures of the Proceeding of the Holy Ghost and the like So that in our Meditation of this Mystery we must conceive no carnal no earthly thing of it because it is a Mystery it is altogether Spiritual and heavenly From the natural Union of our head and body and from the Matrimonial Union of man and wife we may by way of resemblance but help our understanding in the Union of Christ and his Church but notwithstanding the comparisons we may not draw the Mystery it self to any carnal matter for it is onely and wholly Spiritual This plainly discovereth the strange folly of the Papists who make our Union with Christ meerly carnal conceiving it to consist in a corporal commixion of Christs flesh with ours in which conceit there is a great deal of gross absurdity no great Mystery Now the maner of our Union with Christ is not by being united onely to his Humane Nature but by being united to Christs Person God-Man For as his Divine Nature in and by it self is incommunicable so the Humane Nature simply considered in and by it self is unprofitable for the Deity is the Fountain of Life and Grace which through the Humanity of Christ is conveyed unto us And though he be in heaven and we on earth yet this Union being supernatural and Spiritual there needeth no local presence for the making of it the Spirit of Christ being conveyed into every of the Saints as the soul into every part of the body makes the Members one Mystical Body their Head What the communion of Saints signifies 1. The Union of the Church with Christ and of his Members among themselves 2. The communion or participation of all Christs benefits 3. The distribution of special gifts bestowed on some Members for the good of the whole body 4. An obliging or binding of all the Members to imploy and refer all their gifts to the glory of Christ their Head and to the Salvation of the whole Body and of every Member mutually The faithful are called Saints in three respects 1. Imputatively that is in respect that Christs sanctity and holiness is imputed unto them 2. Inchoatively that is in respect that
aright The duties following upon our faith in the Holy Ghost 1. To keep our bodies holy and pure as the Temples of the Holy Ghost and not to defile them by uncleanness 2. To believe without doubting whatsoever is contained in the holy Scripture because that all were given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and were set forth by holy men not of any private motion but as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To use all our gifts to the honor of God for it is the holy Spirit of God from whom we receive them all 4. To submit our selves in all things to the government of Gods Spirit and not follow the sway of our own Natures for he is our guide and will lead us into the way of all Truth Eternal Breath O let thy blessed ayr Imbreathe us with new life or else repair The ruines of our Souls Blow and refresh Our dim-burning Zeal but blow out the Flesh New-mould us fit for Mercy and make good The Charter Christ hath seal'd us with his Blood Vnscale our Vnderstandings make us see The Crown of Hope ' yond hope Faith's Mystery Inflame our Souls with holy fire and then Our Souls thy fire shall flame thee back agen §. 9. The Holy Catholique Church Concerning the holy and Catholique Church of Christ we believe That the Son of God doth from the beginning of the world Joh. 10.11 Gen. 26.4 to the end thereof Rom. 8.29 gather defend and preserve unto himself by his Spirit Isa 59.21 and Word Acts 2.46 out of whole Mankinde Mat. 16.18 Joh. 10.28 a company chosen to everlasting life 1 Joh. 3.21 and agreeing in true faith And that we are lively Members of that Company 1 Joh. 2.19 and so shall remain for ever 1 Cor. 18.9 To believe in which holy Catholique Church is to believe the Doctrine thereof wherein she followeth Christ the Prophets and Apostles the onely sure ground and pillar of Truth and that in this visible Company and Society are some true Repentants and truly converted and my self to be a lively Member of the invisible and visible Church So that to believe and confess the Doctrine of Salvation taught and delivered by the Prophets and Apostles is an infallible and inseperable note of a true Church of God for Gods Church is nothing else but a company of Gods people called by the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles unto the state of Salvation so that out of the Church there is no Salvation ordinarily In which regard Noahs Ark was a true Type of the Church none being saved from drowning that were out of it And none but such who are of Christs body shall partake of the benefits of his Office for himself saith He prays not for the world Joh. 17.9 In which respect also out of the Church no Salvation for the body being the true Catholique Invisible Church he that is not a member of this body is out of the Church and so hath not Christ to be his Head and Savior Yea the Church is also Christs Spouse the many espousal Titles which in Scripture are given to Christ and the Church in mutual relation of one to another evidently declareth as much He is stiled a Bridegroom she a Bride Joh. 3.29 He Well-beloved she Love Cant. 1.13 15. He an Husband she a Wise 2 Cor. 11.2 He an Head she the Body both one flesh Eph. 5.23 31. Thus the Church being the Communion of Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus confessing him the Son of the living God in every place knit in one Church as the Body and every Member unto Christ as unto one Head it is most evident that no man can be saved out of the Church for whomsoever God hath chosen and elected to the end which is eternal life them he hath chosen to the means which is the inward and outward calling But here note That Infants born in the Church are in charity to be reputed of the Church till at their mature Age their life notoriously express the contrary The Church is called Catholique or Vniversal because it is not now tyed to any certain place or people as it was under the Law before the coming of Christ Now the Doctrine of the true Church consisteth in the Sentences and Decrees which we are bound by the Commandment of God to believe and obey and no Doctrine is to be proposed to the Church that is repugnant to the holy Scripture or not contained therein And the Church hath Authority to judge and determine in Controversies of Faith according to Scripture to interpret and expound the Word of God with respect to the Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 And though she be the Witness and Keeper of Gods written Word yet may not inforce any thing to be believed as necessary to Salvation that is either contrary or beside the Word of God The visible Church is a company among men imbracing and professing the true and uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and the Gospel and using the Sacraments aright according to Christs Institution and professing Obedience unto the Doctrine in which company are many ungenerate or hypocrites consenting notwithstanding to the Doctrine The invisible Church is a company of those which are Elected to eternal life in whom a new life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the world to come They which are in this invisible Church never perish neither are any hypocrites therein And it is called Invisible not that the men are invisible but because their Faith is so that we cannot certainly discern the godly from the hypocrites And although this Universal invisible Church is that Militant Church which remaineth as yet in the field and is fighting on Earth yet it is and lieth hid in the visible Church so that in this respect there is as it were no more difference between them then between a whole and a part Now those visible Churches which refuse to be governed by Christs Word but are by Humane Traditions playing the Adulteresses by committing Idolatry are not of this Catholique Church which is subject to Christ neither are Infidels that defie Christ Hereticks that deny him Ignorant persons that know not his Will Prophane persons that despise Worldlings that lightly esteem him nor any that persecute or scorn him in his Members Thus many have a Name of being of the Church who indeed are not And as for the Church of Rome they are departed from the Truth they have denyed the Faith they have defiled themselves with Idols they will not have Christs Righteousness imputed to them they set up their own Works and seek Justification by them they will not receive Christ to be their onely King and Priest they will merit Salvation for themselves and therefore they are not a true but a false Church The word Church signifieth an Assembly called together which calling is twofold viz. 1. Outward which is common to all that make profession of the Gospel in this respect
conformity and agreeableness with the Law is inchoated or begun in them 3. In respect of their separation because they are selected and separated from all other men Union is taken three ways 1. Essentially so God is not one with us nor we with him for there is no proportion between finite and infinite 2. Personally or hypostatically as when things are so joyned that they make one person neither thus is God one with us or we with him 3. Spiritually which is the conjunction of us with God and God with us whereby we are one with him in Christ and he in Christ with us Thus we are said to be in Christ as our Savior not as God onely or Man onely but as both one Christ The Bond whereby we are united to Christ is twofold 1. One on Christs part even the Spirit of Christ 1 Joh. 4.13 2. The other on our part which is Faith Ephes 3.17 So likewise we are said to be in Christ two ways viz. 1. In regard of the external conjunction of his Body the Church by which we are initiate into his Name by Baptism This is common both to true and false Christians 2. By the true internal coadunation or conjunction of the Spirit which is proper onely to the Elect. The three special Vertues which unite us to Christ 1. Faith the hand whereby we lay hold on him as he by his Spirit doth on us 2. Hope the anchor whereby we hold fast what we have laid hold on maugre all the storms and assaults of Satan 3. Love the glew or sodder whereby we are thus knit and united to him and become one with him Christ is said to be present with us in five respects viz. 1. By his Spirit and Godhead 2. As touching our faith and confidence wherewith we behold him 3. In mutual dilection and love 4. In respect of his Union with Humane Nature that is in the conjunction of the soul with the body 5. In respect of that hope which we have of our consummation or coming unto him Christs Humanity is present with all the Elect in whatsoever places they be dispersed through the whole world not by any substantial presence of the flesh in the Bread and within their bodies but 1. By the efficacy and perpetual value of his Merit 1 Joh. 1.7 2. By the efficacy also of his Humane Will Psal 110.4 Heb. 5.6 3. By conjunction and union not by any natural connexion of Christ and our flesh but by Faith and the Holy Ghost in Christ our Head and dwelling in us his Members Eph. 3.17 we are Members of his Body of his Flesh and his Bones and of they twain shall be one flesh Eph. 5.30 This is a great secret We have communion with God three ways 1. If we walk not in darkness that is if we do not the works of darkness 2. If we walk in the light that is if we practise what we know of the light 1 Joh. 1.6 7. 3. By the blessed Sacraments The Signs of true communion with God 1. A true love towards our Brethren giving no just occasion of evil or offence 2. A true and lively faith in Christ apprehending his Merits and applying him to be our Savior Joh. 12.46 3. A true following of Christ that is in his love patience humility obedience The Priviledges of the Saints which arise from their Union with Christ their Head are many and great and sure respecting This life The time of death The life to coâ—â— The Priviledges in this life which the Saints have by vertue of their Union with Christ viz. 1. A most glorious condition which is to be a part of Christ a Member of his body 2. The Attendance of good Angels who are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 3. An Honor to make even Christ himself as he is Head of the Church perfect the Saints being Members the Church is said to be the fulness of him that filleth all in all Eph. 1.23 which is to be understood of that voluntary condition which Christ was pleased to descend unto to be the Head of a Body the Head of his Church the Saints 4. A kinde of Possession of heaven while we are on earth Eph. 2.6 Joh. 5.24 1 Joh. 5.12 This is somewhat more then Hope serving to strengthen it and to give us assurance of that heavenly Inheritance 5. A most happy kinde of Regiment under which the Saints are even such an one as the Members of an head are under which Ruleth not as a cruel Lord and Tyrant but meekly gently with great compassion and fellow-feeling 6. An Assurance of sufficient supply of all needful things which the Saints want and of safe protection from all things hurtful if it seem otherwise at times Christ in his wisdom sees it fit it should be so 7. A Right to all that Adam lost for Christ is the Heir of all Heb. 1.2 whence the Apostle saith All things are yours 1 Cor. 3.21 The wicked then must needs be usurpers for they are not of the body 8. A Right to more then Adam ever had even to Christ himself and all that appertaineth to him as to the purity of his Nature to the perfection of his Obedience to the merit of his Blood to the power of his Death to the vertue of his Resurrection and the efficacy of his Ascension O blessed Union and thrice blessed they that have a part therein The Priviledges which the Saints by their Union with Christ receive in the time of Death even all that time that passeth from the departure of the Saints out of this world unto the general Resurrection 1. When Soul and Body are separated one from the other neither is separated from Christ so as to be left to destruction for though the bodies of the Saints be consumed with worms they are not utterly destroyed as appears by the Metaphor of sleep 1 Thess 4.13 2. The Bodies of the Saints are not onely not utterly destroyed but shall be glorified bodies for the rotting of the body is but as the rotting of corn in the earth that it may rise a more glorious body 1 Cor. 15.36 Thus the Saints are said to sleep in Jesus 1 Thess 4.14 and to be dead in Christ verse 16. 3. The Grave is as a Bed to the bodies of the Saints quietly to repose therein till the day of Resurrection and Reunion with the Soul but it is a Prison to the wicked to hold them fast until the day of the General Assize indeed the bodies of the wicked shall also rise again but to be for ever tormented in Hell The Priviledges after death which the Saints have by vertue of their union with Christ may be referred to these 1. Their Resurrection which simply considered in it self is not the Priviledge of the Saints but Resurrection of life to the wicked appertaineth the Resurrection of condemnation 2. Their Glory in heaven The Signs of certainty of heavenly Communion
with God set down in the first Epistle of John 1. Remission of sins 2. The sanctifying Spirit 3. Holiness and uprightness of heart and life 4. Perseverance in Knowledge and Obedience of the Gospel What is meant by Gods communicating himself to and dwelling among his Saints and people 1. The effect and efficacy of his Presence whereby he possesseth and governeth the Faithful which are his Temple to dwell in enlightning them to know and guiding them to practice his Will 2. That his Presence is perpetual permanent and continual 3. The maner of his Presence not by the infiniteness of his power as he is present with all his creatures to sustain and uphold them but by his Grace and gracious effects uniting us to Christ Regenerating us to be lively members of his body The presence of Gods grace is twofold viz. 1. Privately after a secret maner hid from the eyes of the world This is in crosses and tribulations wherewith God suffereth the Elect to be afflicted and exercised 2. Publikely when as God doth declare and manifest the presence of his grace in the Elect so as the wicked are compelled to acknowledge his Divine Power and Presence in them The Duties required of the Saints by vertue of their communion with Christ and among themselves viz. 1. Confidence in Christ Heb. 3.6 2. Subjection answerable to his maner of governing us Matth. 6.10 3. A cleansing of our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Cor. 6.15 4. A conformity unto the Image of Christ in true holiness and righteousness Eph. 4.24 5. Heavenly affections Col. 3.1 2. where our Head is there ought our heart also to be 6. Courage against death Luke 12.4 Heb. 11.35 seeing that in death we are Christs what cause have we to fear it 7. Love to the Brethren without which it is impossible to have any communion with the Saints 8. A mutual sympathy and fellow-feeling as fellow-fellow-Members of that body whereof Christ is Head Motives to be Spiritually united unto Christ viz. 1. The Excellency of it we shall live with him as our elder Brother perpetually in the heavens 2. The Profit of it we are freed thereby from Sin Hell Death and Damnation Rom. 8.1 3. The Necessity of it For 1. Without this Union we are strangers from God 2. All our Happiness and Salvation dependeth on it 3. Without it the Redemption by Christ doth us no good 4. We cannot be saved without it but must necessarily and unavoidably perish for ever The Signs to approve this Union are the effects of it viz. 1. To deny our selves 2. To mortifie the deeds of the flesh 3. To raise us to newness of life 4. To be weaned from this world and to seek Christ 5. To knit our selves in the Unity of Faith and Hope towards Christ and love towards men This Union of Christ with his Members and of his Members mutually among themselves is confirmed by many places of Scripture as Joh. 15.5 1 Cor. 6.17 12.13 1 Joh. 4.13 whence appears the gross absurdity of those men who fancy this Communion to be a Subsistence or personal being of Christs body among our bodies or of our bodies mingled with his which is also sufficiently refuted by that frequent comparison of the Head and the Members for those are coherent and grow together but are not in a mixture nor mingled one with another Whence also we may easily judge of that Communion which is in the Sacraments Rome makes this Spiritual Vnion A Carnal Corporal confusion The Worldling thinks this Holy Mystery A Paradox of too much Piety But all the Saints who sympathize in Faith Know what th' Apostle to the Corinths saith How by one Spirit we are all Baptiz'd Into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 which must be agniz'd By all the Faithful for it paints The sweet Communion of the blessed Saints §. 11. The forgiveness of Sins BY which Article is understood That all our sins wants and imperfections Original and Actual as well in the committing of evil as in the omitting of good in thought word and deed are covered healed and released through the Righteousness of Christ imputed unto us which being apprehended by faith and applyed unto us doth not onely make them as if they had never been but also justifieth and dischargeth us causing us to appear blameless and spotless in the sight of God This forgiveness of Sins comprehendeth under it as it were in a short sum all the Mercies of God Isa 40.1 Psal 32.1 2.7 it being the Will of God which to the Faithful and Elect imputeth not any sin and therefore doth in like sort love them as if they had never sinned and delivereth them from all punishment of sin and giveth them Eternal life freely for the Intercession and Merit of Jesus Christ the Son of God our Savior and Mediator So that Remission of sins is from God onely the Ministers indeed and the Church are said to remit sins but onely as they are signifiers and declarers of Gods Remission when according to the Commandment of God the Church denounceth to the Repentant And one Neighbor remits Trespasses unto another as concerning the personal pardoning of the offence but God onely freeth us from the guilt of sin by his own Authority and that freely in respect of us though it cost Christ full dear Now the onely ground upon which we are perswaded of the forgiveness of our sins should be That we have Christ For he that hath the Son hath life This is the greatest of all the Promises in laying hold whereof the understanding must be rightly informed what ground a man hath to do it not in a confused maner without a clear knowledge of the progress of Faith and then it is the work of God onely to draw the will to take the Promises after that the understanding rightly apprehends them for both these are required in a justifying Faith From all which it appears That it is not a Doctrine of Pride and Presumption as the Synagogue of Rome teacheth to believe the Remission of our own sins for generally to believe that God forgiveth sin or that some men have their sins forgiven is no Priviledge of the Church but the common faith of the Devils James 2.19 All the Articles contain the confession of a special Faith and a particular application to our selves As I must believe God the Father to be my Creator the Son my Redeemer the Holy Ghost to be my Sanctifier so I am bound to believe the Remission of my own sins the Resurrection of my own body and that life everlasting shall be given to me This special Faith must be the Faith of us all Gal. 2.20 The forgiveness of our sins is known by these two signs viz. 1. By an humble and hearty Confession of our sins unto God wherein we must acknowledge all our main sins both Original and Actual our guiltiness before God and our just desert of Damnation for the
not doing will continue as it hath brought already many fearful Judgements upon us unless by timely true Repentance it be cut off yea this very Word which God hath graciously ordained as the ordinary means of our Salvation if now heard unpractised will one day prove the savor of death to our eternal Condemnation Consider this therefore thou that centrest Religion in Formality consider it seriously as thou expectest Heaven or fearest Hell for being now premonished this very subject thou now readest stands on Record against thee to the great and terrible Day of Judgement To the profitable hearing of Gods word three things are required 1. A preparation before we hear which consists 1. In removing all impediments 2. In using all good helps and means to further us 2. A right disposition in hearing 3. The duties to be practised after hearing Rules of direction to be observed in preparation before hearing 1. We must be swift to hear James 1.19 by disburthening our selves of all impediments 2. We must lift up our hearts to God in Prayer that he would give us the hearing ear 3. The hearer must in hearing set himself as in the presence of God The lets and impediments hindring the effectual hearing of the Word which are to be removed and avoided before we come to the hearing of the same 1. Presumption when the hearer presumes of his own parts able to teach his Teachers And in this may be included Prejudication for we must take heed of all sinister affection to the Ministers person Luke 10.16 2. Troubled affections specially rash anger either against his Teacher or others for we must take special heed of corrupt affections as envy hatred malice guile anger and the like 1 Pet. 2.1 2. 3. The immoderate desire of riches and all worldly cares Mat. 13.22 4. Overcharging our selves with too much eating and drinking 5. Itching ears 2 Tim. 4.3 See the place 6. We must put off our shoes from off our feet that is the dirty and filthy affections of our souls Exod. 3.5 7. We must shake off the sin of Unblelief being fully perswaded that it is the Word of Truth 8. All carelesness and carnal security and come with thirsting souls 1 Pet. 2.2 9. We must take heed of dissentions and diversity of opinions about the Truth 1 Cor. 11.17 18. 10. Hardness of heart whereby the word is made as a dead letter effectual onely to our condemnation This is a fearful sin The helps and means to be used before the hearing of the Word 1. Godly meditation seriously to consider as we go and to meditate whither we are going 2. To meditate of the Corruptions we are most addicted to and of the Graces we most want 3. To consider to what end we go to hear to the word of God 4. Before we go we must resolve to suffer our selves to be reproved as well as instructed 5. We must use earnest and fervent Prayer 1. For the Minister that God would give him the door of utterance 2. For our selves that God would bless his word unto us 3. For others that God would bless his word unto them also Rules of direction to a right disposition the several duties required in the time of hearing 1. When the Word of God is in delivering every hearer must hear with judgement that is His own private judgement The judgment of the Minister The judgement of the Holy Ghost 2. Every hearer must have care that the Word of God be rooted and grounded in his heart like good seed in good ground 3. We must set our selves as in the sight and presence of God who seeth our very thoughts 1 Chron. 28.9 4. To hear with fear and trembling because it is not the word of any mortal man but of the ever-living God 5. With reverence not looking so much on the person of the Minister as on God speaking in him 6. With alacrity chearfulness and willingness 1 Chron. 28.9 Mat. 13. 7. With meekness and submission to whatsoever is delivered Jam. 1.21 8. With attention restraining our hearts from wandring from the delivered word Luke 19.48 9. We must fit and accommodate our selves to every part of the Sermon properly applying the same to our selves 10. We must hear with faith believing the word preached to be the truth of God himself Heb. 4.2 11. With constancy without tediousness not thinking the time long For the rooting of the word of God in our hearts there are four things specially required 1. A true and right understanding thereof 2. It must be mingled with faith Heb. 4.1 that is General to believe it Special to apply it 3. We must labor to be affected with the word 2 Chron. 34.27 4. The word of God must dwell plenteously in us Col. 3.16 The means to remove hard-heartedness in hearing of the Word 1. They must labor to be touched in heart with the sense and feeling of their Spiritual poverty and want of Gods favor in the pardon of their sins 2. To hear the word of God with an honest heart joyned with a constant purpose of not sinning 3. To be as careful to bring good affections as a good understanding The frequent and most common impediments that hinder the effectual and saving hearing of the word 1. Straying and wandring thoughts thereby making our selves but Idol-hearers 2. Undecent and unsavory gestures as a wandring eye gazing and gaping after every occurrent and occasion that offereth it self 3. Removing of the body not onely shifting and stirring it up and down but arising out of our places and removing to place other or beckening with our hands or nodding with our heads 4. Unreverent talking and uncivil laughing as if the place of Gods publike Worship were a Theatre for Sights or a place of Mart and Exchange where every one might single out Companions 5. A secure and sensless sleeping when we have drowsie ears and hearts 6. A careless coming and a shameless departing out of the Church and a seperating of our selves from the Congregation before it be dismissed and dissolved The duties required after hearing the word 1. It must be treasured up in our hearts and practised in our lives Psal 119.11 2. Serious meditation examination and application of what we have heard we must meditate on the Word with lifting up of the heart unto God 3. We must have experience of the Word of God in our selves Psal 34.8 4. Beside our Self-examination after we have heard the Word Psal 119.59 we must be obedient unto it and testifie our obedience Jam. 1.22 5. Godly conference touching the particulars of the Sermon This confirms the memory and helps very much to further knowledge and edification 6. We must use prayer unto Almighty God as well private as publike for a blessing on what we have heard 7. Above all we must constantly endeavor to practice what we have heard for onely they receive the blessing Luke 11.28 The causes of not profiting after hearing the word are chiefly of these
that is he is a person equal to God in Power and Glory by whom the Father worketh immediately or to sit at Gods right hand is to raign in equal Power and Glory with the Father for Christ doth all things likewise as doth the Father and is endued with the same Power with the Father which also he exerciseth He is that person Omnipotent by which the Father governeth all things immediately but especially by which he defendeth the Church against her Enemies and this indeed is the proper meaning of Christs session at the right hand of the Father How Christ rose again 1. He rose by his own power even by his Godhead John 2.19 2. He being truly God and Man rose according to that Nature according to which he suffered Luke 24.39 3. He did rise truly and indeed so that his soul did truly and indeed return into his body 4. He rose the third day as it was foreshadowed in Jonas Why Christ rose again 1. In respect of the Prophesies which were uttered of him Psal 16.10 Mat. 17.23 2. He rose for his Fathers and his own Glory Rom. 1.4 3. For the worthiness and power of the person that rose being Author of life it self 4. In respect of the Office of the person which rose his Meadiatorship 5. He rose for us and that in three respects 1. For our Justification Rom. 4.25 2. For our Regeneration 3. For our Salvation and Glorification In the Resurrection of Christ observe these 2 things viz. 1. His victory and triumph over Death and Hell 1. He declareth himself to be very God rising again by his Divine Power 2. By his Resurrection he subjecteth to himself all things both in Heaven and Earth 3. He manifested himself to be that blessed Seed that had broken the Head of the Serpent that is had overcome the Kingdom of Satan 2. The fruit and benefit which accrews unto us by it viz. 1. Thereby we know him to be the Messias in whom the Prophesies were fulfilled 2. We are confirmed and warranted by Christs Resurrection 1. Of his Merit that he hath fully and perfectly satisfied for our sins 2. Of the application of his Benefits which could not have been bestowed if he had not risen 3. The Gift whereby we are justified he vanquished Death that he might make us partakers of that Righteousness which he had gotten us by his death 1 Cor. 15.16 Rom. 4.25 4. The Gift of the Holy Ghost by whom Christ regenerateth us and giveth us eternal life 5. The Vertue which is conveyed into all Believers enabling them to rise from sin 6. A President or Seal of newness of life we are also stirred up by his power to a new life Rom. 6.4 7. Our continued Preservation by his perpetual and applyed Righteousness 8. The Resurrection of our Head Christ is a cause and pledge unto us of our glorious Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.12 Rom. 8.11 9. The consummation and perfecting of all his benefits and the final glorifying of his Church For what causes the Resurrection of our Bodies is the fruit of Christs Resurrection 1. Because Christ is our Head and we his Members 2. Because he hath abolished our sin the cause of death 3. Because as the first Adam received blessings for all and lost them all so the second Adam received gifts for others and communicates them with us 4. Because the same Spirit dwelleth in us which is in Christ Rom. 8.11 5. Because Christ is Man for by Man came the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.21 But here take notice That there are other causes for which the wicked shall rise again even the just Judgement of God whereby he hath appointed them to eternal pains for the same thing may have more effects and diverse causes as it relates to several respects The Duties arising from our Faith in Christ touching his Resurrection 1. To live as those that be at peace with God for as he dyed for our sins so he rose again for our Justification Rom. 5.25 and being justified by faith we have peace with God Rom. 5.1 2. To rise up to newness of life The Signs of which spiritual life are chiefly these four viz. 1. An heavenly minde Col. 3.1 2. An holy and innocent life Ephes 4.24 3. Greater joy in the Grace of God through Jesus Christ then in any thing either of pleasure or profit in this world Phil. 3.8 4. Growth and encrease in Sanctification 1 Pet. 3.18 In Christs Ascension and sitting at the right hand of the Father consider these three things viz. 1. His Command to his Apostles at his Ascension whereby the glad tidings of his Resurrection and Ascension was not to be confined within Judea 2. The Consequents thereof 1. He opened for us a way to heaven before shut up by our sins 2. Being now gone into Heaven is yet present with us even to the end of the world 3. We have au advocate with the Father 4. That now sitting at the right hand of the Father he hath so established his Kingdom as the Gates of Hell in vain oppose it 3. The Use hereof That we being conversant here upon Earth should have our conversation in Heaven whence we expect the return of our Judge Why Christ ascended viz. 1. For his own and his Fathers glory 1. For he was to have a celestial Kingdom Eph. 4.10 2. It was meet that the Head should be glorified with excellency of gifts above all the blessed as being Members of that Head 2. In respect of us 1. That he might gloriously make Intercession for us by his vertue efficacy and will 2. That we might also ascend and be assured of our Ascension John 14.2 3. That he might send the Holy Ghost and by him gather comfort and defend his Church from the Devil and all her Enemies unto the worlds end John 16.7 The benefit we receive by Christs Ascension viz. 1. He maketh Intercession to his Father in Heaven for us 1 John 2.1 2. And this his Intercession signifieth 1. The perpetual vertue and strength of Christs Sacrifice 2. Both wills in Christ both Humane and Divine propitious and favorable to us whereby he will that for his Sacrifice we be received of his Father 3. The Assent of his Father approving this his Sons will and accepting the value of of his Sacrifice as our sins Ransom 2. Our Glorification or Ascension for seeing Christ our Head is ascended we are certain that we also shall ascend into Heaven as being his Members having a sure pledge that he who is our Head will lift up us his Members John 14.2 3. He sendeth us his Spirit in stead of a pledge between him and us John 14.16 4. It is a Testimony 1. That our sins are fully pardoned us who do believe 2. That Christ is indeed Conqueror of Death Sin and the Devil 3. That we shall never be left destitute of comfort 4. That Christ will for ever defend us What the right hand of God signifieth 1. The Omnipotency or