thou bé et sensible of those terrors and the hellish torments following make good vse of it Quest But if the Soules of the Elect goe presently after their death to heauen and the Soules of the Reprobate to hell what neede a generall Iudgement Ans There must be a general Iudgement notwithstanding both that the iustnesse of such particular Iudgement may bee made more manifest to the glorie of God and that the whole man consisting of body and soule may receiue the du reward 2. Cor. 5.10 Quest Doe you then thinke that the bodies of man shall be restored at the day of iudgement Ans Yes verely I beleeue the resurrection of the body according to the Scriptures Act. 24.15 1. Cori. 15.12 c. Expli We are firmely to hold the generall resurrection both of good and bad for the good shall not onely rise though they shall rise onely to eternall life in which regard they are saide to be the children of the Resurrection Luk. 20.36 The wicked shall also rise but because they shall rise to receiue their full torments they are not so called Both shall rise but in a double difference first of the efficient cause for the good shall rise by the power of Christ their head The wicked by the power of Christ as Iudge of quicke and dead and by the vertue of that Sentence Gene. 2.17 In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death secondly of the end for the righteous shall rise to glory the wicked to shame and perpetuall contempt And note this carefully that those very bodies in which both iust and vniust liued here Dan. 12.2 Ioh. 10.27 Iohn 5.28 Mar. 10.28 2. Cor. 5.10 1. Corin. 15 53. shall be raised and restored as appeareth by the Scripture This corruptible shall put on incorruption This that is This same in number as if he had clapt himselfe on the breast Now though this séeme vnpossible to reason yet it is not so to our Faith whereby considering the power of God we know that he is able to restore the body though burnt to ashes deuoured by wild beasts or turned to dust as he was able to create them and all the world of nothing in the beginning And this the Iustice of GOD requires namely that that body which sinned should be punished and not another and that that body which hath béen tortured héere for the profession of his Name should be crowned with glorie at the last day The bodies shall rise the same in substance but the bodies of the Iust shall bée Immortall Incorruptible Spirituall not in substance but in quality or condition not néeding meanes of bodily nouriture not subiect to infirmities but powerfull firme strong and impassible nimble to moue as well vp-wards as downe-wards voide of all deformity and vncomelinesse glorious of perfect stature without the vse though not without the difference of Sexe Mat. 13.43 Mat. 22.30 1. Cor. 15. The bodies of the vniust shall rise Immortall also and Incorruptible but passible to endure the due punishment inflicted vpon them The manner of the Resurrection conceiue to be thus On the last day Christ shall suddenly come in the clouds in that visible forme in which He Ascended and shall send his Angell with a Trumpet Mat. 24.31 1. Cor. 15.31 1. Thess 4.15.16 at the sound whereof first they which are dead shall be raised and then those which are liuing shall bée in the twinkling of an eye changed Vse 1. If in this life onely wee had hope we were of all men the most miserable but we looke for a day when our vile bodies shall gloriously rise and bee made like the Glorious Body of our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 15.19 Phil. 3.21 Iob 19.25.26.27 comfort thy selfe against thy calamities with this This vpheld Iob in the day of his sore trouble So in the troubles of the Iewes vnder Antiochus Epiphanes Many were racked and would not be deliuered because they looked for a better Resurrection Act. 11.35 Let this also comfort against the loathsomnesse of the graue in as much as though our bodies be laid downe for a time in the dust they shall yet after bee restored to Life and Glory Vse 2. Remember that euen that body which thou hast vsed as a Weapon and Instrument to Lying Murder Vncleannesse Theft Pride and all manner of vnrighteousnesse shall rise againe and as thou hast done in the same that which thou shouldst not so shalt thou receiue in the very same that which thou wouldst not And if thou béest a Beléeuer remember that that very body of thine which hath bene vnto thy soule an instrument of Righteousnesse which for righteousnesse sake hath endured Griefe Smart or Contempt c. as it hath taken part with the soule in Mortification and in the affliction so shall it also pertake in the blessed Consolation to bee reuealed in the last day Quest You said that God was the Redeemer and Sanctifier of his Church Do you not beleeue that the Redemption Iustification and Sanctification which you haue spoken of are vniuersall and belonging to all Ans No Eph. 5.25 c. I verely beleeue that those Graces belong onely to the Church Quest What is the Church Ans By Church I meane the Holy Catholique Church 1. Cor. 12.12.13 Eph. 3.15.16.17.18.19 Eph. 4.15.16 Reu. 21.27 Heb. 12.21 22. Cant. 6.8 which is the whole Company of them which are from euerlasting Predestinated to Eternall Life and which in time are called by the Word and sanctified by the Bloud and Spirit of IESVS and this is but one part whereof is Triumphant in heauen and part Militant on earth Expl. As in our vsuall Créed wée are taught to beleeue the Holy Catholique Church to bee the company of Saints which haue Communion or Fellowship in the grace of Remission of sinnes and Resurrection to Eternall life So it is manifest that such onely are the Catholique Church and that such graces are proper and peculiar vnto them As the Scriptures do euery where restraine these benefites to Beleeuers onely and to the Church To Beléeuers Ioh. 3.16 and 5.24 and 6.40.47 Act. 10.43 Ioh. 12.46 Rom. 3.22 Gal. 3.22 To the Church Mat. 1.21 Ioh. 10.15 and 15.13 and 17.9.19 Now whereas in diuers places the Scripture speaketh with a generall note That Christ dyed for all and that God loued the world and such like Such places must bee vnderstood some of the sufficiency of Christs death for all not of the Efficacy which is onely to Beléeuers Some of a Precept vniuersall whereby all are commanded to beléeue Some of the publique Ministery of the Word whereby grace is offered to all Some collectiuely to signifie that the benefite of Redemption extends it selfe to Gentiles as well as to Iewes or distributiuely signifying that some of all Nations Conditions Ages Sexes haue that benefite not that euery singular of all kinds but the kinds of all singulars are made partakers
thereof So then not the world that is not euery man and woman in the world haue interest in the blessing of Christ Rom. 11.7 but onely the Elect of God This Church is called Holy partly because it is cloathed with the righteousnes of Christ imputed and partly because it is gouerned by the Spirit of Christ by the which euery member thereof is quicknes and made able in some measure in truth to hate sinne and to loue and follow that which is good It is called Catholike that is Vniuersall because all the Saints and Elect of all times and places 〈…〉 vnto it as to one Body And this we professe to be One because there is the Head which is Christ one Body one Spirit one Faith one Hope Ephe. 4.4 one Loue c. Part whereof is now in heauen Triumphing which are the Soules of the Saints departed and part fighting and Militant here on earth in the Spirituall wee face against the world the flesh and the deuill Vse 1. All happy making promises are made onely to the Church All shall not be saued labour to be of that number whose are the promises if thou wouldst bee saued Vse 2. It 's a great comfort that of all sorts of men some are of this Church which is washed with the Blocd of Iesus the Geatile as well as the Iew the Seruant as well as the Maister the Poore as well as the Rich For there is no respect of persons with God but in all Nations such as feare him are accepted be they one or other Act. 10.34.35 As God respects none for their riches or great place so he reiects none because they are poore and base Indéed in this world the poore haue the least part but in Christ benefites the Beggar beléeuing hath as large and good right as the King For we are Cittizens of a Kingdome which is not of this world God is not onely the God of the Mountaines Ioh. 18.36 but of the Vallies also And the Spirit bloweth where it listeth Yea many times God breatheth Life and Grace on a pooer contemptible wretch as the world accounts as on Lazarus and passeth by such as go in veluet coates as Diues Memember Christ is not thine because thou art rich or great or beautifull but because thou Beléeuest It is faith makes the poore Beggar as rich in Christ as thy selfe For God hath chosen the poore also to make them rich in faith and pertakers of his Kingdome Art thou rich Iames 2.5 despise not the Beggar or poorest Beléeuer who if thou beleeuest not is better then thy selfe and though in the things of this life according to Gods ordinance thou hast the start of him yet in Christ he is thy equall for in Christ there is neither Circumsion nor Vncircumcision Bond nor Frée Col. 3.11 c. Art thou rich Labour to bée rich in faith rather then in gold for thou and thy money may perish but by faith thou shalt bée saued Art thou poore Comfort thy selfe Thou hast a right in a heauenly inheritance where thou shalt equally share with the greatest King and let it prouoke thee to so much the more care to please him in all things who hath chosen thée so base and called thée so vnworthy Vse 3. The Church of Christ is a Holy Church Marke then If thou béest not holy in heart and affections in life and conuersation but a profane wretch thou art also a damned wretch if thou so continuest thou art no part of this Church for Christ hath chosen vs that we should bée holy Ephe. 1.4 2. Tim. 1.9 and hee hath called vs with a holy making calling Examine therefore thy selfe Cant. 4.12.13 The Church by Salomon is called a Garden enclosed full of the sweetest Flowers and Plants Now if thou beest a Blasphemer a Lyer a Backe-biter c. If these bee the Flowers which grow in thy Garden thou art the Deuils Dunghill thou art none of the Church The Church is called a Doue vndefiled If thou beest filthy Cant. 5.2 vncleane a Fornicator a Strumpet an Vsurer an Oppressour Couetous Cruell Vnmercifull c. Thou maist be a member of the Kite Vulture or rauenous Cormorant but not of Christs spotlesse Doue which is his Church The Church is the Body of Christ If thou beest a Drunkard Ryotous a breaker of the Saboath a contemner of Religion and such as doe professe it c. thou art a limbe of the deuill not a Member of Christ vnlesse thou wouldst make the Body of Christ a monstrous body like the Image of Nebuchadonoser which was part of Gold and Siluer part of Iron and Clay Remember then Christ is the Head of his Church if thou receiuest not not Grace from him to Sanctification thou art none of his Christ is the King of his Church out of the Church the deuill raignes If thou obeyest not Christ but the deuill how art thou Christs Nay how art thou not the deuils Quest You say that the Church is a company of such which are Predestinated to Eternall Life What meane you by Predestination Ans By Predestination of men I meane the Eternall purpose of God concerning Man-kind fallen and corrupted whereby for the setting forth of his glory he appointed some to Saluation with the meanes whereby they should obtaine the same which is called Election and some to damnation 1. Thess 5.9 which is called Reprobation Rom. 9. throughout the chapter Quest What is Election Ans Election is the most free and Eternall Counsell of God Luk. 10.20 Rom. 8.30 9.11 11.5.2 Pet. 1.10 Eph. 1.2.3.4 whereby hee chooseth some which were falne in Adam and Predestinateth them to Grace and Glory by Iesus Christ Quest What is Reprobation Ans It is the most free Counsell of God whereby hee determined not to chuse Rom. 9.21.22.2 Pet. 2.8 Iude 4. but to passe by some fallen in Adam and to leaue them in their guiltinesse and corruption and in the end to condemne them for their sinnes Q Do you then thinke that men were ordained to life or death before they were borne Ans Yes verily that I do Quest Doth not this bring in a neglect of all godlinesse Rom. 9.11 and make for them which say If I be predestinated to life I shall be saued whatsoeuer I do if to death I shall bee damned in like manner therefore I will liue as I list Ans God forbid For wee teach that men are not onely predestinated to the end but also to the meanes They which are ordained to Life being also ordained to Grace whereby they obtaine it and they that are ordained to death being also ordained to be left in their corruption that they may be damned Ephe. 1.4 Expl. That there is Predestination which is an ordaining of a thing to this or that before it be extant appeares in the doctrine of the Prouidence of God And that it is to be referred to men in the
glorifieth them and whereby he will condemne the Deuils and Reprobates Vse 1. Is Christ our Prophet Mat. 17.5 then Here him Rest in the doctrine hée hath deliuered respect not Reuelations or Traditions or any thing that agréeth not therewith Yea Gal. 1.8 if an Angell from heauen teach otherwise let him be accursed Is Christ our Priest who hath taken vpon to satisfie for thee and to make intercession for thée in heauen Then trust neither to Saint Angell or thy selfe but trust perfectly on his Grace 1. Pet. 1.13 and bee of good comfort for he is a High-priest which is full of compassion and it is his Office and he is able perfectly to saue thee seeing he liues for euer to make intercession for thée Heb. 7.25 Is Christ the King of his Church Yes of heauen and earth then let the 〈◊〉 of the earth be confounded For Christ is King who shall stay all 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 face Luk. 19.27 that refuse to bee 〈…〉 his Word and Spirit 〈…〉 in her King for euermore 〈◊〉 Vse 2 Learne héere why thou art called a Christian Thou art called so of Christ because all the Elert tereme of his Annoynting that is of his Spirit Heb. 1.9 Hee was annoynted with the Oyle of Gladnesse aboue his Fellowes Ioh. 3.34 For he receiued the Spirit not by measures and to this end Ioh. 1.16 that wee of his Fulnesse might receiue Grace for Grace So that as the oyntment powred vpon the head of Aaron ran downe to the skirts of his cloathing so wee 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of Christ and of him are called Christians by the which is meant that we are made Priests and Kings to God therefore called a Royall Priest hood Reu. 1.6 1. Pet. 2.9 If this were well vnderstood and men would examine their Christianity by this it would soone appeare that many are not true Christians which glory in the Name If thou béest a Christian then where is thy knowledge whereby thou art as a Prophet to thy selfe and to others Grosse Ignorance cannot stand with this Title If thou béest a Christian then thou art a Priest and a King If a Priest then thou must offer Sacrifice Prayers Alines yea thy Body and Soule to the seruice of God If a King then thou must rule and governe thy passions affections thy selfe according to the rule of the Word If thou dost not thus if thou neuer or seldomo prayest if thou art without compassion toward the néedy if thou béest profane in thy life not sanctifying thy body and soule by Faith and Obedience to God but by drunkennesse swearing filthinesse cruelty pride lying c. to the devill If thou mournest not for thy corruptions and resists them but yéeldest cowardly to the wicked motions of thine owne vile minde being a very slaue to sin and the deuill then thou must needs conclude against thy selfe that thou art no Priest and King to God and so no good Christian in very deed whatsoeuer thou esteemest of thy selfe Quest Is there nothing else necessary to bee knowne concerning Christ Ans Yes as namely his Resurrection Ascension Sitting at the right hand of his Father and his comming to Iudgement which things may well bee referred to the Kingly Office of Christ Expl. Christ teacheth vs as a Prophet saueth vs by his Merite as a Priest and maketh his heauenly Doctrine and Obedience Effectuall as he is a King and to this his Efficacy are those seuerals in the answere to bee referred of the which there are plentifull expositions extant and therefore I spare the particular opening of them Thus much of the first speciall worke of God toward his Church which is Redemption Now followes the second called Sanctification Quest What is Sanctification Ans It is the worke of God by his Holy Spirit Deut. 30.8 Ier. 31.18 32.39 Iob. 6.44 Act. 5.31 11.18 whereby the Image of God is renewed in the Elect called also Conuersion Regeneration Repentance c. Expl. There are two principall benefits which wee obtaine in this life by Christ Iustification by Faith and Sanctification by the Spirit Who is called the Holy Spirit both Essentially and Effectually because as he is God holy in himselfe so he maketh holy whom he pleaseth 2. Thess 2.13 1. Pet. 1.2 which worke is therefore called the sanctification of the Spirit This worke is wrought in the minde will and affections yea in the whole man not by altering the substance of body or mind or abolishing any naturall Faculty or Affection as Vnderstanding Loue Hate Ioy c. but by putting away and purging out the euill quality in these and the like and by creating a new holy quality in them acceptable to God and agréeable to his word that now the vnderstanding should be capable of good things and the streame of our affections turned to the right obiect as to hate euill to loue goodnesse and to reioyce in it Wée are to vnderstand also that this in nature is after Iustification as Paul reciteth them Whom he iustifieth Rom. 8.31 hee glorifieth that is he gloriously reneweth which is begun here perfected in the life to come yet I cōfesse the repentance is sometimes put before remission of sinnes not that in Nature but because in our sense and feeling it is first For first we feele the burden of our sinnes Marke 1.13 Actes 5.31 and then we are eased and refreshed by the mercy of God And also repētance is named in the first place because it is first to bee taught that wee may desire the mercy of God Yet in nature Faith which purifieth the heart is first though in time there bee no difference For our Vnion with Christ and our partaking of his merit to Iustification and of his Spirit to Sanctification are wrought at the same time euen as the Sunne and his beames Vse 1. As the Sunne is declared by his light the trée by his fruits so by thy sanctification demonstrate thy iustification c. Vse 2. Boast not of thy heart while thy life is profane neither content thy self with an outward shew of holines hauing an euill conscience Rom. 12.2 2. Cor. 7.1 c. for Sanctification is the renewing of the minde yea of the whole man and therefore labour to grow vp into a full holinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Quest Is Sanctification Conuersion or Repentance so the worke of God that we can not of our selues by the power of our free will 〈◊〉 or repent Ans Iverely beleeue that since the fall of Adam 1. Cor. 2.14 2. Cor. 3.5 Rom. 8.7 Iohn 15.5 there is no free will in man vnto things Spirituall and pleasing to God Expl. For the vnderstanding of this we are to consider of Man as he was before his fall or as he is now since the fall Free will you may call a facultie or power of the Soule whereby it doth fréely without compulsion force chuse or refuse