or honor 3. When God offers occasion by any work of his Providence we must endeavor to glorifie and magnifie his Name therein whether they be acts of his Mercy or of his Justice We must thus labor to hallow Gods Name for these Reasons 1. Because it is an honor even due unto him Rev. 4.11 2. It is a credit to us also 3. We thereby testifie how we esteem of God 4. The contrary argues impiety Exod. 5.2 Isa 36.20 5. He hath severely punished the prophanation of his Name Exod. 14.28 2 Kings 19.37 Isa 37.36 37. Acts 12.23 6. He created us for this purpose Prov. 16.3 7. As all men account of their Names Eccl. 7.1 so God doth highly of his 8. It is not onely holy in it self but gives holiness to all other things that are holy 9. Moses and Aaron entred not into Canaan because they did not sanctifie the Word amongst the children of Israel Deut. 32.51 Num. 20.12 10. The Lord himself proclaims That he will be sanctified in them that come near him and that before all the people he will be glorified Lev. 10.3 If we say Hallowed be thy Name with our mouthes and prophane it in our lives we bewray a false heart and discover the rotten profession of most damnable hypocrisie by this unchristian contradiction rendring our selves more odious in the sight of God then base dissemblers are in our own estimation Let therefore the practice of our lives demonstrate the sincerity of our hearts keep tune with the Musick of our lips when we sing Glory to God on high and in an holy sympathy eccho forth the Devotion of our souls when we pray Hallowed be thy Name May all our Thoughts Words Actions sanctifie Thee Holy Father May this Prayer be In all our Thoughts in all our Words still pray'd In all our Actions still devoutly said And may our Hearts to this Petition be Joyn'd to make up this holy Harmony Touch thou the strings thereof and then no fear Of jarring discord to ascend thine ear Thy Servants with thy holy Spirit inflame Thy Church shall practice Hallowed be thy Name §. 6. Thy Kingdom come GOds Kingdom is the Rule that he doth exercise over his Creatures generally over all the whole world specially over his Elect over his Church howsoever now dispersed into many places yet making but one Kingdom which is partly in Heaven Triumphant partly upon Earth Militant till the last great Day when in Heaven onely it shall be everlastingly glorious Now besides this there is a Spiritual Kingdom an inward Spiritual Kingdom of God which is over all those in whose hearts his Laws are written to do them and the holy Spirit ruleth and beareth sway and happy is that man who is thus of his Kingdom Let thy Kingdom come that is Let it by continual encrease be augmented and always by a new enlargement and accession be extended and multiplied which thou O Lord in thy Church dost hold and possess wherein we desire That the number of true Believers may be daily encreased that Gods Kingdom of Grace may be enlarged and his Kingdom of Glory hastned Thus let thy Kingdom come outwardly thy Power and Providence being exercised and inwardly Grace being encreased and Glory hastned Let nothing hinder the coming of thy Kingdom neither the Devil nor wicked men neither in the Magistracy Ministery nor People neither infidelity impenitency any raigning sin or negligence but let thy Kingdom come to us that be pilgrims and strangers here on earth prepare us for it and enter us into it that be yet without renew us by thy Spirit that we may be subject to thy Will confirm us also in this estate that our souls after this life and both souls and bodies at the Day of Judgement may be fully glorified yea Lord hasten this glory to us and to all thine Elect. And here also implicitely we acknowledge our opposite disposition to Gods Kingdom and bewail it For this imports That there is another Kingdom even the Kingdom of Satan which is a Kingdom of darkness full of disorder and confusion through sins which greatly hindreth and annoyeth Gods Kingdom of Grace especially This is that Tyrannical Regency by which as the Prince of Darkness he by Gods just permission ruleth in the children of darkness and rageth against the children of light 2 Cor. 4.4 Rev. 12.3 erecting up two other Kingdoms the one of Sin Rom. 6.12.5.21 the other of Death Rom. 5.14 all which are Enemies to this Kingdom we pray for This Petition doth in order next follow Hallowed be thy Name because it is the first means by which Gods Name is hallowed and next to the hallowing of his Name we ought chiesly to pray That Gods Kingdom may come Mat. 6.31 And it is also placed before Thy will be done to teach us That no man can rightly do the will of God and please him unless he be of his Kingdom and delivered out of the Kingdom of Darkness by faith in Christ and the Spirit of Sanctification he shall do his will indeed as a vessel of wrath being over-ruled by his Almighty power but not as a vessel of mercy out of a good heart to be accepted Thus no man can ever do Gods will in any thing till such time as Gods Kingdom be erected in his heart because no man can do Gods will that is not Gods Subject Joh. 1.24 neither can any man keep Gods Law but by Gods grace Psal 119.32 Conclude we therefore That Gods Kingdom is that Spiritual Rule which God through Christ doth by grace begin in us in this life and by glory will accomplish in the life to come Dan. 2.37 Mat. 25.37.6.31 Rom. 14.17 The kingdom of God is threefold viz. 1. The Kingdom of Power Psal 99.1 By this he ruleth Satan and all his enemies Psa 2.9.145.13 commands all creatures and preserveth his own people This Kingdom is external and is a government of all 2. The Kingdom of Grace Mat. 3.2 By this he ruleth the godly and raigns in their hearts by his Word and Spirit Luke 17.20 This Kingdom is internal and a government of the Elect. 3. The Kingdom of Glory Luke 23.42 By this he crowneth the godly with Celestial happiness This Kingdom is eternal and a government of the departed out of this life into heaven The kingdom of God signifies these particulars viz. 1. The sending of the Son our Mediator 2. The ordaining and maintaining of the Ministery of Christ 3. The gathering of the Church by Christ out of mankinde by the voyce of the Gospel and the efficacy of the holy Ghost beginning in us true Faith and Repentance 4. The perpetual Government of the Church 5. The preservation thereof in this life and protection against her enemies 6. The casting away of her enemies into eternal pains 7. The raising of the Church unto eternal life 8. The glorifying of the Church in eternal life when God shall be all in all We therefore when we pray Thy Kingdom
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-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
Did we not even strip the very dead of their shrowds in stead of covering the naked In a word Did we not at our Fasts invite the Devil to a Feast Is it such a Fast that I have chosen saith the Lord Isa 58.5 Did ye at all Fast unto me even to me Zech. 7.5 This is a lamentation and must be for a lamentation Wherefore Fast of thy Fasts O Nation Repent of thy Repentance lest the Lord forbid his Prophets to pray for thee Reject thy Cry when thou Fast and consume thee by the Sword the Famine and the Pestilence Jer. 14.11 12. Next follows a word of Holy Feasting seasonable onely at the receiving of Benefits or removal of Evils wherein we are to have a special eye and regard to those Four Graces viz. Thanksgiving Fear Temperance and Charity without which it may be feared lest the Lord deal with us as he threatned Israel and turn our Feasts into mourning Amos 8.10 yea spread the dung even the dung of our Feasts on our Faces Mal. 2.3 For when we Feast do we not eat to our selves and drink to our selves Are there not spots in our Love-Feasts Do we not Feast with the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness Is it with the unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth Wherefore though at such times a more free and liberal use of the Creature is not unseasonable yet ever remember that it is better to go to the house of Mourning then to the house of Feasting But if thou wilt make a Feast obey our Saviors command and call the poor the lame the maimed and the blinde Luk. 14.13 Lastly Ecclesiastical Discipline that keeps the Key of Life and Doctrine offers it self to our consideration Without which every man is at liberty to write act and speak according to the pleasure of his prophane and blasphemous Heart without which we may expect the fall of the Walls of the holy Vineyard and a breach open for the Wilde Bore of the East and the little Foxes of the West to devour the Grapes without which the Magistrate wears a Sword without point or edge without which Vice lords it and Vertue 's enslaved without which the Children starve whilest holy things are given to Dogs without which the desperate Wills of prophanest men establish Iniquity as a Law to be obeyed on pain of Martyrdom Submit thy self therefore to this and every Ordinance of God who hath sealed a Commission to his Church with an Amen to it That whatsoever they shall binde on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever they shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven Matth. 18.18 Thus Reader having shewed thee the way to this Holy Arbor the Door is open onely let me whisper this word in thy Heart at parting That thou take heed how thou Readest not knowing but the Trump may Sound ere thou arrive at the other end of this Arbor The Lord grant This may not then Rise in Judgement against either of our Errata's J. G. THE HOLY ARBOR CHAP. I. §. 1. The Trinity ONe of the deepest Mysteries of our Religion is That God is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and again That the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God So it is one of the most mysterious points of our Faith To believe in one God who is distinct in three Subsistances or Persons called The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost who are three in person and again they three are one not in person but in nature By Nature is meant a thing subsisting by it self that is common to many By Person is meant a thing or essence subsisting by it self not common to many but incommunicable In this Mystery of the Trinity the Divine Nature is the Godhead it self simply and absolutely considered and a Person is that which subsisteth in this Godhead as the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost If any man would conceive in minde rightly the Divine Nature he must conceive God or the Godhead absolutely if any of the Persons then he must conceive the same Godhead relatively with Personal properties Thus the Godhead considered with the propriety of Fatherhood or Begetting is the Father and conceiving the same Godhead with the propriety of Generation passively taken we conceive the Son and the same Godhead with the propriety of Proceeding we conceive the Holy Ghost Neither may it seem strange to any that the names of Nature and Person are used to set forth this Mystery by for they have been taken up by common consent in the Primitive Church and are contained in the Scriptures Heb. 1.3 Gal. 4.8 This Mystery may well be conceived by a Comparison borrowed from Light The light of the Sun the light of the Moon and the light of the Air for nature and substance are all one and the same light and yet they are three distinct lights The light of the Sun being of it self and from none the light of the Moon from the Sun and the light of the Air from them both So the Divine Nature is one and the Persons are three subsisting after a diverse maner in one and the same Nature The three Persons are one not simply but one in Nature that is Coessential or Consubstantial having all one Godhead because there is one God and no more in Nature considering that the thing which is Infinite is but one and is not subject to multiplication And as these three Persons are one in Nature so whatsoever agrees to God simply considered agrees to them all three They are all Coequal and Coeternal All most Wise Just Merciful Omnipotent by one and the same Wisdom Justice Mercy Power And because they have all one Godhead therefore they are not onely one with another but also each in other the Father in the Son the Son in the Father and the Holy Ghost in them both And we must not imagine that these three are one God in this sense as though the Father had one part of the Godhead the Son another part and the Holy Ghost a third for that is most false because the Infinite and most simple Godhead is not subject to Composition or Division but admits a Distinction without any Separation And whereas it is said That the Son and the Holy Ghost have their beginning from the Father we must know that it is not a beginning of their Nature or of their Godhead from the Father but of their Person onely for the Godhead of all three Persons is uncreate and unbegotten and proceeding from none So also whereas it is said That the Son and the Holy Ghost have received all their Attributes as Wisdom Knowledge Power c. from the Father we must know That that which the Son receiveth of the Father he receiveth it by Nature and not by Grace and he receiveth not a part but all that the Father hath saving the personal propriety So the Holy Ghost receiveth from the Father and the Son by Nature and
when the proper gifts or blessings of the faithful are augmented with perpetual encrease in the godly or converted Rev. 22.11 4. By Consummation or full accomplishment when the godly shall be glorified at the second coming of our Lord. We ought to desire that the Kingdom of God may come for these Reasons specially 1. For the glory of God or in respect of the first Petion because that we may sanctifie and hallow his Name it is required that he Rule us by his Word and Spirit 2. Because God will give his Kingdom onely to those that ask it The wants we are to bewail taught us in this Petition concern either our selves or others 1. We must lament and mourn for our own miserable estate by Nature whereby we are the servants of Sin and so in bondage and thraldom thereto Joh. 8.34 And the best of us do but weakly yield to Christs Scepter and where Sin raigneth there the Devil hath dominion 2. We must bewail the sins of all the world in the transgression of Gods Law whereby God is dishonored his Kingdom hindred and the Kingdom of Darkness furthered We must therefore bewail that there be so many hinderers of Gods Kingdom as namely the Flesh to infect the World to allure the Devil to seduce Antichrist to withdraw the Turk to withstand and the Wicked to trouble men that should be Subjects of this Kingdom Pray therefore Thy Kingdom come The helps which further Gods kingdom and are to be desired of us viz. 1. The Preaching of the Gospel and all other divine Ordinances whereby Gods Kingdom is erected and maintained that they may be where they are not and may be blessed where they are vouchsafed and herein for godly Magistrates and faithful Ministers 2. That God would enlighten the eyes of our mindes that we may see the wonders of his Law that so the Lords ordinances may be blessed unto us 3. That we may be wholly subject unto Christ and that of Conscience not onely in our outward behavior but in minde heart will and in all our affections that we may grow in grace and in the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus 4. We must desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ in the Kingdom of glory for this end that we may make an end of sinning and become more obedient Subjects unto Christ yea wholly ruled by him though for the good of others we must be content to live 5. That both by the hour of death and by the coming of Christ to Judgement this Kingdom in us and all Gods chosen may be accomplished that Satan being trodden under our feet and the power of death destroyed God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 6. That Christ would come in Judgement when all things shall be subdued unto God and all his obedient Subjects shall be fully glorified This we may desire in heart though we must leave the time to Gods good will and pleasure still waiting for it by faith in his Promise 7. That God would enlarge his Sanctuary here on earth gather his elect more and more and still defend and maintain his Church in every place in the world when these desires affect our souls then do we truly say Thy Kingdom come The duties to be practised by us that Gods Kingdom may come viz. 1. We must labor for true humiliation and conversion else we cannot enter into the Kingdom Matth. 8.3 Joh. 3.5 nay otherwise we do but mock God by saying well and doing nothing 2. We must be careful to bring forth the fruits of Gods Kingdom which are Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 3. We must hence learn to be contented in all estates of this life whatsoever the hope of this Kingdom which we here pray for must swallow up all the sorrows that earthly calamities can bring upon us Luke 12.32 4. We must all labor in our places and callings to bring one another into this kingdom one neighbor another and one friend another Ezc. 18.30 5. Hence we must learn every day to prepare our selves to dye for by death our souls enter into the glory of this Kingdom which we pray may come unto us whence appears the monstrous hypocrisie of the world whose practice flatly contradicts their prayer Of this Petition 1. The Supplication is for the continuance of Gods gracious Providence over his general kingdom and of all good means and furtherances of his special kingdom his Church 2. The Deprecation is against all impediments and lets of Gods general kingdom as Anarchy Tyranny wicked Laws c. and against all hinderances of his special kingdom as Toleration of Idolatry Heresie Ignorance Idleness Infidelity Impenitency Hardness of heart c. 3. The Thanksgiving is for the Lords exercising his kingdom in the right ordering of the world punishing the wicked rewarding the godly spreading the glorious beams of his Word enlarging his kingdom for worthy Magistrates and faithful Ministers for Faith and all Spiritual graces In this glass we read the superstitious vanity of ignorant souls The rotten hypocrisie of formal Professors The cursed Rebellion of prophane worldlings The Antichristian Tyranny of Idolatrous Papists All which as we tender the Soveraign Power of Christs Scepter the Prerogative of his Royalty and the eternal happiness of our own Souls let us carefully avoid as by making it the language of our hearts so the loyalty of our whole lives to practice Thy Kingdom come A new-hatch'd old-laid Heresie appears That here on Earth yet full One thousand years Christs Kingdom is to come and triumph shall With all his Saints in Pomp Majestical Fond Dreamers Call ye this Terrestrial Which figures that which is Spiritual Raign in our hearts O Lord Protect augment Thy Church This is thy proper Regiment Cast down thine Enemies Compleat the sum Of thine Elect So let Thy Kingdom come §. 7. Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven THis Petition in order followeth Thy Kingdom come to shew That where Gods kingdom is set up his will is endeavored after and preferred always and not our own will It depends indeed on both the former Petitions for Gods Name is hallowed when his will is done and his kingdom comes when by doing his will we testifie our selves his obedient Subjects Wherein we desire that we and all the people of God upon earth may as readily obey Gods will as the Angels and Saints in heaven So that this Petition is propounded in a Comparison the former part whereof respects the grace of Obedience which we pray for the other the right maner of performing it wherein we must note That this particle As doth not betoken the degree but the kinde of doing Gods will which is the beginning of performing Gods will with continuance and encrease thereof not the Consummation perfection and full accomplishment thereof which yet we are to desire here that at length we may obtain it which though it be impossible in this life yet are we
of God being mightier then all our Enemies which joyned with his Soveraignty and Goodness we need not fear though we were in the paws of Lyons or the mouth of the Grave 3. From his Glory which is the end or final cause of our Requests for we desire these things for his glory therefore will he grant whatsoever in our prayers may redound to his honor and glory 4. From the eternity of his Kingdom Power and Glory being for ever and ever therefore he cannot be weary of our prayers no time can period his goodness 5. From our confidence expressed in the last word Amen for the Lord will grant unto us whatsoever we believe shall be granted when we ask The Kingdom of God is twofold 1. The Kingdom of his Providence whereby he rules and governs all things in heaven and earth even the Devil and all his Angels and Instruments 2. The Kingdom of Grace whereby he governs his Church by his Word and Spirit and both these are here to be understood Further Gods kingdom in this place imports 1. That he is All-sufficient of himself to do all things whatsoever needing no help or instrument beside his Soveraign will Gen. 17.1 2. That he hath an absolute Soveraign Right Title and Interest to and in all things in heaven and earth 3. That he hath Soveraign Rule and Authority over all things in heaven and earth yea over Hell it self and all the powers and principalities thereof governing all things whatsoever as he pleaseth and bringing them into an absolute subjection The kingdom is here called God's and appropriated to him alone for these Reasons 1. To shew that God hath his Kingdom of himself and from himself alone thus the Kingdom of Grace and Providence are both his 2. To distinguish God from earthly Kings for though they have a Kingdom Power and Glory yet they have all these from God not of themselves and onely for a certain limited time but God hath them all of himself alone not from any other and that for ever and ever Thine is the Power that is Gods Power is his own of himself alone not received from any other to distinguish the true God from all Creatures who have it not of themselves but from God By power is meant an ability in God whereby he can do whatsoever he will For the better conceiving whereof observe these two things 1. That God is not onely powerful but even Power it self in regard of his Nature as he is Goodness Wisdom c. Angels and men are called powerful as receiving power from God but God onely is Power it self because his Nature is Infinite in power as in all his other Properties 2. That Power and Will in God are one and the same for our better conceiving of them they may be distinguished but in themselves they differ not for Gods willing of a thing is the effecting doing of it It is not so in us for we will many things that we cannot do but whatsoever God willeth that he doth By appropriating glory to God is here meant 1. That God hath made all things for his own glory Prov. 16.4 2. That whatsoever we ask are means of his glory Joh. 12.28 3. That the things we ask shall be referred to his glory 1 Cor. 10.31 The Reasons why Gods Kingdom Power and Glory is said to be for ever and ever 1. Because in themselves they are everlasting Psal 45.6 102.28 145.13 2. Because of us they should never be forgotten Psal 145.2 3. 3. To distinguish it from earthly Dominions all which have their periods both in Government and Governors Psal 119.96 Isa 40.6 4. To shew forth the dignity of Gods Church and his Children who have a Father whose Kingdom is everlasting and everlastingly shall raign with their Father in his Kingdom of Power Glory and Eternity Of this word Amen there is a double use 1. To express our desire and wish that we may be heard 2. To testifie our faith in the assurance of receiving those things that we crave both which are to be practised in prayer and are expressed by Christ Mat. 11.24 From the union of the word Amen with our Petitions we learn 1. That every childe of God may believe particularly and certainly the pardon of his own sins and endeavor to attain thereunto if as yet he cannot 2. That all prayer ought to be made in a known tongue for else the Assent and Affiance of the heart cannot be given together This Conclusion of the Lords Prayer thus conceived and understood is useful to us many ways 1. For a ground of trust and confidence in God in all distresses for as the Kingdom is his we are his Subjects and he is willing to help as the Power is his we are assured he is able to help us and as the Glory is his he will shew mercy to his people and hear their prayers Psal 50.15 2. To teach us that Prayer and Thanksgiving must alway go together 3. To shew us a way how to obtain our requests in prayer we must confess our own unworthiness and give all Praise Glory and Honor to God 4. To let the proudest of us know that God is to be feared above all Creatures 5. To move us to love God and to yield all chearful obedience to him The Reason why there is here mention made onely of these three Properties of God is as some think to point out the three Persons For the Kingdom is Christs 1 Cor. 15.35 Power the Holy Ghosts Rom. 15.13 19. and Glory the Fathers Rom. 6.4 though indeed we may not limit our conceit of them but understand them in prayer as of the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Godhead so of the Unity of the Godhead in the Trinity of Persons Our Father which in Heav'n art Thy Name still Be hallowed Thy Kingdom come Thy Will Be done in Earth as 't is in Heaven Give us This day our daily Bread And forgive us Our Trespasses as those forgive do we That Trespass against us And let 's not be Into Temptation led but deliver Vs from all evil For thine for ever The Kingdom Power and Glory is Amen The Kingdom Power and Glory is Amen CHAP. IV. §. 1. The Creed THe sum of those things which are to be believed are comprised in the Creed commonly called The Symbole of the Apostles because it is a token or profession whereby the Church with her Members is discerned from all her Enemies and from all other Sects This Symbole is a brief and summary form of Christian Doctrine or a brief sum or Confession of the Points of Christian Religion or Evangelical Doctrine the Articles whereof are the Square or Rule whereunto the Faith and Doctrine of all Orthodox and right believing Christians ought to agree This self-same Symbole is called also Catholick because there is but one Faith of all Christians and though there were new Symboles made as that of Athanasius of Nice of
Word is no sufficient note of a true Church for the Israelites had circumcision and yet the Lord saith they were not his people Hos 1.9 Again they overturn the inward power of Baptism by denying Justification by Faith alone in Jesus Christ And as for the bastard-Rites and Ceremonies invented and patched by men to Baptism as hallowing of the Water Tapers Exorcisms Chrism Salt Crosses Spittle and such like they are not of the true Church but a corruption of the Sacrament And as these men attribute too much to this Sacrament holding that it gives Grace ex opere operato so on the other side there are other giddy heads who number Baptism among things indifferent and so to be used or refused at our discretion Lastly seeing the administration of the Sacraments is a part of Ecclesiastical Discipline or rather Doctrine indeed they that are not called thereto and especially women may not in any case usurp the power and authority to Baptize Christs Herauld sent by Proclamation To enter our Initiation Sprinkled the Water and the sacred Blood Made the faithful though sinful appear good This is Bethesda 's Pool or Siloam's stream Whereof the frothy Anabaptists dream The right use to Infants daign'd may not be Though some of Abrahams Posserity Thus Christ himself they proudly Countermand Whose word when all the world 's dissolv'd shall stand §. 3. The Lords Supper THe Lords Supper is a Sacrament instituted and appointed of Christ unto the faithful for a memorial of him whereby Christ doth certainly promise and seal unto the faithful That his Body was offered and broken on the Cross and his Blood shed for them as truly as they see his Bread broken and Cup distributed to them and that he doth as certainly with his Body crucified and his Blood shed feed and nourish the Souls of the faithful unto everlasting life as certainly as their bodies are fed with the bread and the cup of the Lord is received from the hand of the Minister which are offered to them as certain Seals of the body and blood of Christ and binde them to mutual dilection and love The Evangelists shew it was instituted of Christ the same night he was betrayed after that he had supped and had eaten the Easter-Lamb according to the Law yet is it so called not so much because it was the night wherein Christ was betrayed as to shew that it is indeed a Spiritual Supper given of God unto the faithful It is indeed the Sacrament of our Redemption by Christs death insomuch as to such as worthily and with faith receive the same the bread which is broken is a partaking of the body of Christ and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of his blood Such therefore as declare themselves in confession and life to be Infidels and ungodly are not to be admitted to this Supper lest thereby the Covenant of God be prophaned and the wrath of God stirred up against the whole Assembly 1 Cor. 11.20 Wherefore the Church by the commandment of Christ and his Apostles using the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven ought to drive them from this Supper till they shall repent and change their life and conversation The Signs of the Lords Supper are twofold 1. Representing Signs as Bread Wine the breaking and pouring out 2. Applying Signs which do appropriate the same as the giving and receiving of bread and wine the first serves to renew our knowledge the other to confirm it As the Signs in the Lords Supper are 1. Bread broken and eaten 2. Wine distributed and taken So the things signified are 1. Christs body broken and blood shed 2. Our Union with Christ by faith The breaking and communicating of Christs body is signed by the breaking and receiving of the bread for two causes 1. Because Christ commandeth those Rites unto which we ought to give no less credit then if Christ himself did speak unto us 2. Because he annexeth a Promise That they who observe those Rites with a true faith must be assured and certain that they have communion with Christ The similitude or proportion of the Signs with the thing signified viz. 1. As the bread and wine nourish our body to temporal life so the body and blood of Christ nourish our souls unto life Spiritual and Eternal 2. As the bread and wine are received by the mouth so the body and blood are received by faith 3. As the wine is severed from the bread to signifie the violence of Christs death so his blood was sundred from his body signified also by the breaking of the bread and as the bread is eaten being broken so the body of Christ is received being sacrificed 4. As in corporal food is required an appetite unto it so in this Spiritual food is required faith 5. As of many corns is made one loaf so are we being many made one body The maner whereby Christs body blood doth nourish us is 1. The respect of his merit for us Christs body is given and his blood shed for us and for the body and blood of Christ we have eternal life given unto us 2. When we receive that merit that is when we believe with a true faith that for it we shall have eternal life 3. When the same Spirit uniteth us by faith unto Christ and worketh the like in us which is in Christ for except we be grafted into Christ we do not please God The remembrance we are to have of Christ in receiving the Lords Supper consists 1. In the memory of Christs benefits 2. In faith whereby we apply Christ and his merit to our selves 3. In thankfulness or publike confession of his benefits The Sacramental Rites of the Lords Supper are twofold 1. Respecting the Minister which are twofold 1. To take the bread and wine to break the one and to pour out the other that is that Christ suffered for our Redemption 2. To give the bread broken and to deliver the wine poured out that is that God doth offer and give Christ unto us together with all his benefits 2. Respecting him that cometh to the Lords Table it is required that he receive eat and drink the bread and wine given unto him that is that in the Supper we do truly receive Christ eat his body and drink his blood by the which we are nourished into the hope of eternal life if we do not cast him from us through unbelief The properties belonging to a fit guest at the Lords Table 1. He must be bidden Luke 14.8 2. He must be humble Luke 14.9 3. He must have knowledge of the person to whose Table he comes 4. He must bring a Spiritual appetite to eat 5. He must put on Christ his wedding garment Rom. 13.14 6. He must be ravished within himself concerning the use of these mysteries 7. He must be sober in using them 8. Chearful in receiving them 9. Loving to his fellow-guests 10. Thankful to the Master of the feast To the right use
come desire that God will by his Son our Mediator 1. Preserve the Ministery which he hath ordained 2. Gather his Church by the Ministery of his Word and the working of the Holy Ghost 3. Rule his Church gathered and us the members thereof with his Holy Spirit 4. Defend us and his whole Church against our Enemies and Tyrants 5. Cast away his and our enemies into eternal pains 6. At length deliver his Church and glorifie us in the world to come Again The Kingdom of God is twofold viz. 1. General which is his absolute Power and Soveraignty whereby he ruleth all things in Heaven in Earth and in Hell even the Devils themselves Psa 103.19 This we acknowledge in the conclusion of the Lords Prayer but pray not for it in this Petition because nothing can hinder it 2. Special which is that whereby he Ruleth his Elect and chosen people working his will in them by his Holy Spirit And called special because it is not exercised over all the World but only over all the elect whō he hath ordained unto eternal life This special Kingdom of God is twofold viz. 1. Of Grace which is a Spiritual estate because 1. It is principally exercised in the Conscience 2. This Regiment in the Conscience is by the Spirit of God Wherein God makes men willingly subject to the written word of his Spirit which is a voluntary subjection of the whole man in soul body and Spirit to the Will of God reveal'd in his Word This subjection which indeed is perfect freedom stands in these 3 things especially Rom. 14.17 18. 1. In Righteousness that is 1. In Christs Righteousness imputed 2. In the Righteousness of a good Conscience the ground whereof is Sanctification by the Spirit which Christ gives to whom he justifies 2. In Peace that is Peace of Conscience towards God and peace with Gods Church yea with all Creatures so far forth as is needful for them Under which is comprehended love for as Righteousness concerns the person in soul and body so Peace respects all duties and actions of the life Righteousness is the Root whence springeth this Peace for when the heart is sanctified the life is reformed 3. In Joy in the Holy Ghost which is a fruit of both the former respecting especially the state of affliction for when a man is justified and sanctified and hath peace towards God then ariseth in his heart a Spiritual delight in God in all estates Now whosoever hath these three branches of this Spiritual subjection is a good Subject in the Kingdom of Grace 2. Of Glory which is the blessed estate of Gods Elect in Heaven whereby God in Christ becomes all things unto them immediately all things needful to the perfection of felicity The state of grace in this life is the beginning and entrance to the state of glory the state of glory in the life to come is the perfection of the state of grace And this special Kingdom of God in both these estates do we in this Petition pray for Understand therefore this Petition of the special Kingdom the coming whereof is in four degrees viz. 1. Let it be erected where it is not 2. Let it be confirmed and continued where it is Let it not be abolished by Persecution corrupted by Heresie vanish by Hypocrisie or degenerate and grow into the contrary by Prophaneness 3. Let it be restored where it is decayed or corrupted in doctrine or maners Restore such as are faln by weakness and purge the Errors of such as are seduced 4. Let it be perfected and made compleat by hastning the Marriage-day the eternal Jubile of Joy unconceiveable much more unutterable such as neither eye hath seen nor ear heard nor heart conceived and by finally destroying Sin Death the Devil and every enemy Thy Kingdom come that is to us men in the world then it cometh when God doth erect and establish the same in their hearts Now unto perfection it comes by five degrees viz. 1. When God gives unto men the outward means of Salvation wherein he doth reveal his grace and favor in Christ Thus the Gospel preached is called The word of the Kingdom Mat. 13.19 and The Kingdom of God Luke 11.20 17.21 2. When the word preached enlightens the minde so as a man knows and understands the mystery of the Gospel which is the Law of this Kingdom 3. When a man is thereby regenerate and so brought into this Kingdom for by Regeneration we have effectual entrance into the state of grace whereby Christ rules in us by his word and Spirit and we yield subjection unto him 4. At the end of this life when the body goeth to the earth but the soul to God that gave it being translated to the joys of heaven in the glory of this Kingdom 5. At the last Judgement when body and soul being reunited are both made partakers of this Kingdoms glory And this is the full and perfect coming of it In this kingdom are observable these things especially 1. That Christ is King Mat. 2.2 2. That the Subjects are true Christians Psal 2.8 Angels and Saints 3. That the Laws are the Word Psal 119.105 and the efficacy of the Holy Ghost 4. The enemies are Satan Sin Death Hell Damnation the Flesh the World and the Wicked Eph. 6.12 Rom. 6.12 8.1 1 Cor. 15.51 Gal. 5.17 Gen. 3.15 5. The Rewards are the good things of this life and eternal happiness in that to come Mark 10.30 6. The Chastisements are afflictions Heb. 12.6 7. The Weapons are Faith Hope Love the Word and Prayer Eph. 6.16 8. The Time of it is to the worlds end Mat. 28.20 9. The place is this world and the world to come Rev. 5.10 Mat. 25.34 10. The Officers are Preachers 2 Cor. 5.20 11. The Vice-gerents are Governors Isa 49.25 12. It is exercised upon the Conscience of man Rom. 14.17 Again the Head or King of this Kingdom is God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost There is but one King because there is but one God 1. The Father is King and Ruleth by the Son and the Holy Ghost 2. The Son is King because 1. He sitteth God at the right hand of God and Ruleth with equal power with the Father 2. He is Mediator by whom God worketh immediately and giveth the Holy Ghost The enemies of this Kingdom are 1. Partly in the Church as Hypocrites who challenge to themselves the Name and Title of the Kingdom when as they are nothing less 2. Partly without the Church as Turks Jews and all such as defend Errors against the ground and foundation of the true Religion It appears from what hath been said That the Kingdom of God cometh to us four ways viz. 1. By the Preaching of the Gospel whereby is revealed the light of the true and heavenly Doctrine 2. By Conversion when some are converted and are endued with Faith and Repentance 3. By making progress or encrease when the godly receive encrease or
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
exceeding vertue of God 2. Perfect Glory perfect Dignity and full Divine Majesty What is meant by Christs session at the right hand of the Father 1. The perfection of Christs Divine Nature that is the equality of the Word with the Father which he did not receive but ever had 2. The perfection of Christs Humane Nature which compriseth 1. The personal union of the Humane Nature with the Word For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 2. The Collation or bestowing of gifts on him far greater and more in number then are bestowed on all Men and Angels 3. The perfection or excellency of the Office of the Mediator that is the Prophetical Priestly and Royal Function which Christ now as the glorified Head of his Church doth in his Humane Nature gloriously exercise in Heaven 4. The perfection of Christs honor that is the Adoration Worship and Reverence which is yielded unto him both of Men and Angels Heb. 1.6 The benefits we receive by Christs sitting at the Fathers right hand are all the benefits of the Kingdom and Priesthood of Christ glorified 1. His Intercession for us 2. The gathering governing and guarding of his Church by the Word and Spirit 3. His defending of the Church against her enemies 4. The abjection and destruction of the Churches enemies 5. The Glorification of the Church The difference of Christs Ascension and ours stands thus He ascended by his own power and vertue we shall not by our own but by his John 3.13 He ascended to be Head we to be his Members He to glory agreeable for the Head we to glory fit for Members Christs Ascension was the cause of ours but it is not so of the contrary Whom seek'st thou Mary What is Jesus he He goes before thee into Galilee This was the Angels voyce Nor was the news Less strange to his Disciples then the Jews Though herein for himself he did no more Then what he did for Lazarus before He 's now ascended and has verifi'd What Enoch and Elias typifi'd He sits at Gods right hand and has thereby In Earth all Power in Heav'n all Majesty §. 7. From thence he shall come to judge both the Quick and the Dead THe last Judgement shall be a manifestation or declaration and seperation of the just and unjust who ever have lived or shall live from the beginning of the world unto the end proceeding from God by Christ and a pronouncing of Sentence on these men and an execution thereof according to the Doctrine of the Law and the Gospel which Execution is not an annihilation or final destruction of the Body and Soul or a perpetual senslesness but an infinite and endless continuance of those Torments which the Wicked in this life despairing do begin to feel forsaken and abjected of God subject to all torments both of Body and Soul And in this last Judgement Absolution to the godly shall be principally according to the Gospel but shall be confirmed by the Law Condemnation to the wicked shall be principally by the Law but shall be confirmed of the Gospel Sentence shall be given on the wicked according to their own Merit but on the godly according to Christs Merit applyed unto them by faith a Testimony and Witness of which Faith shall be their Works Now the Judge shall be Christ John 5.22 neither yet are the Father and the Holy Ghost removed from this Judgement but Christ immediately shall speak and give Sentence and that in his Humane Nature and when he speaketh the Father shall speak by him so that the Judgement shall belong to all the three persons of the Godhead as concerning their Consent and Authority but unto Christ as touching the publishing and executing of the Judgement yea and the Church also shall judge as touching the Allowance and Approbation of this Judgement whereunto they shall then subscribe Luke 22.30 What Christs coming to Judge both the Quick and the Dead signifies 1. That at the second coming of Christ shall follow the renewing of Heaven and Earth 2. That the self same Christ shall come who for us was born suffered and rose again 3. That he shall come gloriously to deliver his Church whereof I am a Member 4. That he shall come to abject and cast away the wicked The Reasons why or causes for which Christ-Man shall be Judge are these 1. Because the Church is to be glorified by the same Mediator by whom and for whom it was justified Acts 17.31 2. That we may have comfort and consolation knowing him to be our Judge who hath purchased us with his blood 3. To deliver his Church and cast away the wicked 4. The Justice of God because they have dealt contumeliously with the Son of Man Zech. 12.10 5. Christ-Man must be Judge because he must judge men therefore he must be beheld of all But God is invisible 6. That he may the more confound the wicked his Enemies who shall be forced to behold him their Judge whom they have so much withstood so wickedly dishonored The Day of the Lord or the time of Judgement is twofold 1. General when Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead in the end of the world 2. Particular at the day of our death when every particular soul must appear before the bar of Gods Tribunal and give an account of what it hath done How Christ shall come to Judgement 1. Truly visibly and locally not imaginarily Mat. 24.30 2. He shall come furnished and prepared with glory and divine Majesty with all the Angels with the voyce and trump of the Archangel and with divine Power 3. The dead shall be raised and the living changed 4. The world shall be dissolved with fire not annihilated but purified 5. He shall come suddenly to the great joy and comfort of all his How the Devil is said to be already judged yea and the wicked also 1. By the Decree of God 2. In the Word of God 3. In his own Conscience 4. As touching the beginning of his Condemnation For what causes the last Judgement shall be 1. The chief and principal cause is the Decree of God 2. A less principal and subordinate cause is both the Salvation of the Elect who are here vexed and the Damnation of the wicked who here do flourish 3. Because of Gods Justice whereof in this life is not a full and perfect execution The threefold effect of Christs coming to Judgement 1. A gathering together at the sound of the Trumpet both of the dead and the living Dan. 12.2 2. A seperation the Elect shall be set at his right hand the Reprobate at his left Mat. 25.33 3. The Judgement it self the Elect shall be with him the Reprobate shall be cast into Hell Mat. 25.46 The execution of the last Judgement shall be thus 1. By the force and vertue of the Divine Power of Christ 2. By the Ministery of the Angels 3. The World Heaven and Earth shall be dissolved
God who as he will not be coupled with Idols so will he have his Truth severed from lyes 3. For our own Salvation that the faithful may know which to joyn themselves to and of what Kingdom they are 4. For the better confirmation of our faith and comfort when as we see that to be rightly in our Church which is wanting in others 5. Lest we being deceived should embrace the Doctrine of some other Church or Sect for true Religion 6. Lest we be partakers of the punishments which are to come on such men Rev. 18.4 7. That the wicked may be left unexcusable Why God oftentimes suffereth for a while his Enemies to prevail over his Church 1. Because his own people sin against him and therefore he is even compelled to correct and chasten them howbeit in mercy not in fury for their instruction not for their destruction that they may not be condemned with the world For as the Bush which Moses saw in the Wilderness though in the midst of a fire yet not consumed so is the Church on Earth in the midst of Persecution yet not overcome 2. That his children may learn to rest in God alone and not on themselves or upon the Arm of flesh rather then upon the living God Thus profited Manasseh more in the Prison at Babylon then on his Throne 2 Chron. 33.11 12. 3. To harden the hearts of the Enemies that they may run forward to their own confusion and fill up the measure of their iniquity The difference between the Church before the coming of Christ and now since is fourfold viz. 1. The Church before Christ did set him forth his Death and Resurrection but darkly by certain outward ceremonies as Sacrifices Lights Washings and the like 2. This consisteth in Reformation of life for as the knowledge of Christ is now greater so also the efficacy and working of the Holy Ghost is far greater which mortifieth our flesh so as we do more earnestly obey his Commandments according to the Promises declared by the Prophets some special gifts granted to some special men as Moses Elias and others who went far beyond us onely excepted 3. In that everlasting life was but obscurely and darkly offered to the Israelites wrapped or folded up onely in earthly Promises 4. The Church under the Law was as it were bounded with the borders of Judea or shut up within that countrey but now it is dispersed and scattered throughout the whole world neither is it tyed to any one place time or people The difference of the true doctrine from others viz. 1. This Doctrine was delivered from God other Sects are sprung from men and have been invented by Devils 2. True Religion hath firm Testimonies both Divine and Humane such as quiet Consciences and convince all other Sects of Error 3. In the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles is rightly delivered the whole Law of God and both the Tables of the Law are perfectly kept other Sects cast away the principal parts of Gods Law the Doctrine concerning the true knowledge and Worship of God contained in the first Table and reject the inward obedience of the second Table 4. The whole Gospel of Christ rightly understood is in the true Church alone taught and in this true Doctrine alone contained other Sects are either quite ignorant of it or do patch some little part of it out of the Doctrine of the Apostles unto their own Errors True Christian Religion consisteth especially in five principal points distinguished thereby from all other counterfeit Religions 1. It maketh all the chief Points of the Doctrine thereof to agree with the nature of the true God in the knowledge of whom it strengthneth and keepeth the godly 2. That it establisheth the glory of God in the Salvation of men and so the godly are more and more confirmed in the certainty of their Salvation 3. That it joyneth good Works with our Salvation by a most near band although it be no way grounded upon them so that the faithful cannot take any matter of boasting in them 4. That it openeth a way for us unto God to crave of him all things necessary for soul or body for this life or that to come 5. That it yieldeth to the godly matter of patience and joy in adversity yea also Assurance in the greatest dangers and not without much circumspection care and watchfulness in the most prosperous condition The difference between the Church and Commonweals viz. 1. Commonweals are distinct in divers places and times the Church is alway one and the same 2. The States of the World have many Heads the Church but one and that in Heaven 3. Kingdoms are governed by mens Laws the Church by the Holy Ghost and Gods Word 4. The civil State requireth outward obedience onely the Church both inward and outward 5. States give Power to Civil Magistrates to alter and make new Laws the Church is so tyed to the Word of God as she may not adde to or detract ought from it 6. The civil State hath Corporal Power but the Church punisheth by denouncing Gods Wrath out of the Word of God 7. In the Church are always some Elect and holy but not always in the Commonwealth The Office and Authority of the Church as concerning the Scriptures 1. It is as the Keeper of the sacred Rolls and Records to preserve them not to authorize them 2. It is as a Touchstone to distinguish them from counterfeit Scriptures not to make that Scripture which is no Scripture 3. It is as the voyce of a Cryer to preach publish promulgate and teach the Truth but cannot adde to or take from it nor authorize nor alter or change it 4. It is as an Interpreter and Expounder of the Scriptures according to the Scriptures How the Church may be said not to erre 1. The whole doth not erre though some Members do 2. It doth not erre universally though in some points of Doctrine it may 3. It erreth not in the Foundation As the Church may ordain ceremonies tending to order decency unity and edification so hath it no power to appoint what she please For she may not decree any Rites or ceremonies that are 1. Idle or unprofitable but must all tend to edifying 2. For their nature impious like the Ordinances Maners and Idols of our Forefathers Ezek. 30.18 Teachers of vanity Jer. 10.8 and of lyes Heb. 3.10 3. For use Superstitious like the Brazen-Serpent Hezekiah brake 2 Kings 18. 4. For their worthiness in the eyes of the ordainers either of equal price or of more account then the very Ordinances of God so as for the performance of them the Laws of God must be left undone Mark 7.8 13. 5. Against the liberty of Christians to the intangling of them again with the yoke of servile bondage Gal. 5.1 6. For their weight over-heavy and grievous to be born Luke 11.46 7. Any way contrary to the Commandments Will and Word of God Mat. 15.13 8. They must
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
the order of Justice on the person guilty of sin And this is proper unto the Reprobate because it is inflicted on them to this end That Gods Justice may be satisfied for the Law bindeth all men either to Obedience or to Punishment Now the wicked despairing of the Mercy of God murmure at his Justice and are even mad with impatience when his inflicting Scourge is on them but the godly kiss his Rod and in patience possess their Souls resting on the Promises of God This is that which sets them at liberty in the dungeon makes them run the paths of Gods Commandments even when Irons manacle them makes them go chearfully to the Faggot and embrace the Flame makes them smile at the frowns of their Persecutors and in an holy patience makes them as it were anticipate Death by dying to all impatience that when it comes indeed they may be said rather to be changed then dye And indeed this one Consideration How that those that persecute the Saints here would undoubtedly persecute Christ himself were he now upon Earth is sufficient of it self to support the Spirits of any that now are or may be under Persecution beside the consideration that God will as undoubtedly deliver his to his glory and their advantage as he permits Persecution to befal them We have need of Patience for these two Reasons 1. Because there are so many Mockers and Scoffers at our Profession Luke 21.17 2. Because the Object of our Hope is of things invisible Rom. 8.25 The Signs or Properties of Patience 1. A heart resolved to abide whatsoever is laid upon us whether it be for sin or for tryal 2. When we suffering and suffering much do yet never cease to love the Lord who striketh us 3. Humility and humbling our selves under his blows and strokes laid upon us 4. Chearfulness and Joy in Suffering when we are so far from murmuring under it that we rejoyce in it Patience must have her perfect work James 1.4 which work is said to be perfect in these three respects viz. 1. In respect of the Condition it must be true hearty and sound not feigned and counterfeit Luke 21.19 2. In respect of the Extent it must reach to all maner of Crosses heavy and light inward and outward at home and abroad whether they come from the Devil or any of his wicked Instruments or from God himself and his own hand of what kinde quality quantity soever they be 2 Cor. 6.4 3. In respect of the Continuance it must endure unto the end not onely unto the end of that Affliction which lieth upon us but also to the end of our life so as we must both patiently bear the present and also prepare our selves for future Crosses Mat. 10.22 Necessary it is that Patience have this perfect work in us and that for these Reasons viz. 1. The Crosses whereunto we are subject are not troubles in shew and appearance onely but such as pierce both Body and Soul Therefore counterfeit Patience will stand us in no stead 2. The Number of Tryals whereunto we may be brought is uncertain one calamity upon another as Waves may fall upon us therefore the extent of our Patience need be very great 3. It is Uncertain how long we shall be subject to Tryals because the continuance of our life is uncertain therefore there is a Necessity in it that our Patience continue unto the end for while we are in this world the field of the Lords Battel the Enemy will assault us The good which God aymeth at and effecteth by those Troubles he inflicteth on his children which should incite us to Patience 1. The Preventing of some great Mischief and Evil 2 Cor. 12.7 2. The Purging out of some festering poysonsom sin 2 Chron. 33.12 3. The Upholding and keeping us safe and stedfast in the right way Heb. 12.10 11. 4. The Proof and Tryal of such Gifts and Graces as he hath bestowed on us 1 Pet. 4.12 The Saints must possess their Souls in Patience from the consideration of those Ends which God hath in afflicting them As 1. His own Glory Joh. 9.3 2 Cor. 12.9 2. The Edification of others Eph. 3.1 3. Their own good 1. By preventing 2 Cor. 12.7 or curing some dangerous disease Psal 119.67 2. To manifest the Grace of God bestowed on them Job 1.12 3. To draw them nearer to God Hos 5.15 4. To make them long the more for heaven 2 Cor. 5.2 5. To lead them by this Correction as it were by the hand to Repentance 6. To try and exercise their Faith Invocation of Gods Name Patience c. 7. To breed in them a loathing of worldly and a love of heavenly things 8. To shake off their over-much carefulness for outward things 9. To suppress and amend the viciousness ingrafted in their Nature 10. To save them from being condemned with the world So likewise doth God suffer his Church to be under the Cross and afflicted for these special Reasons 1. The more to manifest his Pity Power Providence and Truth in keeping promise 2. That the Members thereof by their Afflictions may be acquainted with their own wants and infirmities which they would not much regard were they freed from the Cross 3. That by Affliction they may be kept from many grievous sins into which they might otherwise fall 4. That others seeing the Correction of the Church for sin may learn thereby to hate and avoid sin 5. To wean them the better from the world Much prosperity makes us resemble the fool spoken of Luke 12.19 6. To make Heaven the more longed for while we are on earth and the more acceptable when we come to possess it like Victory after a tedious and dangerous Combat 7. That the Church may glorifie God in a constant and couragious maintenance of the Truth unto death for even in persecution is Gods Truth preserved against the Reason of mans Wisdom The Reasons of the worlds Hatred to Gods Church may be these 1. The Church of God in the Ministery of the Gospel seeks the ruine of the Devils Kingdom who is the Prince of the World the Devil therefore rageth and inflames the hearts of his Instruments with malice against Gods Church that they may quite destroy it if it were possible 2. Gods Church is a peculiar people severed from the world in their Profession Doctrine and Conversation and therefore the world hates them Joh. 15.16 and this the world will do to the end thereof The Cross is the Affliction of the godly but not properly a punishment and is of four sorts viz. 1. The Chastisements for the remnants of sin in them and oftentimes for peculiar sins committed by them that they may see their uncleanness and repent 2. The Proofs and Tryals of their Faith Hope Invocation Fear of God and Patience 3. Martyrdoms which are Testifications concerning their Doctrine delivered others 4. The Cross is their Ransome even the obedience of Christ alone The causes of the Affliction of
is free or at least freed from fleshly concupiscence the Body is chaste when it putteth not into execution the concupiscences of the flesh 1 Thess 4.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 7.34 Marriage is the main help to keep our bodies chaste Now Marriage is a lawful and indissoluble conjunction of one man and one woman justified by God that we might know him to detest all impure lust That also we might therein chastely serve the Lord and that especially it might be a means whereby mankinde might be multiplied and God gather thence afterwards unto himself a Church Lastly that it might be a Society and fellowship of Labors Cares and Prayers The Breach hereof is the foul sin of Adultery which beside the fearful exclusion without Repentance from the Kingdom of Heaven occasions jealousie the frenzy of the Soul which is a grief of minde arising from hence That another is judged to enjoy that which we desire to have wholly and properly as our own and none besides us to possess any part with us Or it is an affection proceeding from fear to have that communicated to another which we challenge and covet to retain as peculiar and proper to our selves alone Beside this unhappy sin of Adultery that venomous sin is the poyson of Marriages whereby the estimation of Parents the reputation of Children and the honor of whole Families stand in hazard to be forfeited for as God is the Author of Marriage so he is the Revenger of the breach thereof But shame keeps some from those unclean practices and grosser acts of filthiness who yet inwardly boil in speculative Wantonness and Adulteries of the heart Ask thy Conscience whether thou art one of them if so remember That no Adulterer shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and repent yea the Fornicator and every unclean person is also thence excluded all Vices contrary to Chastity or of any affinity with them being here forbidden in forbidding Adultery for by one Special the rest that are of near affinity with that are understood and and where the Cause is forbidden there also is the Effect and so the contrary Now the end and scope of this Commandment is the Preservation of Chastity and Wedlock In this Commandment are two parts viz. 1. God forbiddeth Adultery and therein not onely the too familiar company of man with woman out of marriage but also all kinde of filthiness by which man may be defiled all affections of concupiscence and whatsoever stirreth up unto lust and nourisheth it 2. He commandeth Chastity In this Commandment are prohibited 1. The lust of the heart or the evil concupiscence of the flesh Mat. 5.28 Col. 3.5 2. Burning in the flesh which is an inward fervency of lust whereby the godly motions of the heart are hindred over-whelmed and as it were with contrary fire burnt up 1 Cor. 7.9 3. Strange pleasures about generation prohibited in the Word of God the which are many viz. 1. With Beasts Lev. 18.23 2. With the Devil as Witches do by their confession for why may not a Spirit as well have society with a Witch as to eat meat 3. With one and the same Sex Lev. 18.22 This is a sin which they commit whom God hath given over to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.26 27. It was the sin of Sodom Gen. 19. where it was so common that to this day it is termed Sodomy 4. With such as be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity prohibited Lev. 18.6 5. With unmarried persons This sin is called Fornication Deut. 22.28 29. 1 Cor. 10.8 6. With those whereof one is married or at least betrothed This is Adultery Deut. 22.22 3 4. 7. With man and wife They abuse their liberty if they know each other so long as the woman is in her flowers Ezek. 22.10 Lev. 18.19 Ezek. 16.8 or using Marriage-bed intemperately thereby committing Adultery even with his wife 8. Nocturnal Pollutions which arise of immoderate dyet or unchaste cogitations going before in the day Deut. 23.10 Onans sin Gen. 38.8 was not much unlike these 9. Effeminate wantonness whereby occasions are sought to stir up lust Gal. 5.19 4. To appoint some light or Sheet-punishment for Adultery such as that Romish Synagogue doth For it is nothing else but to open a gap for other lewd persons to run into the like impiety Occasions of lust prohibited in this Commandment are these viz. 1. Eyes full of Adultery 2 Pet. 2.14 2. Idleness This occasioned Davids sin with Bathsheba 2 Sam. 11.2 3. Riotous and lascivious Attire 1 Tim. 2.9 Isa 3.16 unto 23. 4. Fulness of bread and meat which provoke lust Ezek. 16.49 Luke 16.19 Rom. 13.13 5. Corrupt dishonest and unseemly talk 1 Cor. 13.33 Such are vain Love-Songs Ballads Interludes and Amorous Books 6. Lascivious Representations of Love-matters in Plays and Comedies Eph. 5.3 4. 7. Undecent and unseemly Pictures 1 Thess 5.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil 8. Lascivious Dancing of man and woman together Mark 6.22 9. Company with effeminate persons and unlawful Divorces All the sorts of lust repugnant to this Commandment may be referred to these several kindes 1. Those that are contrary to Nature and of the devil recited Rom. 1. as confounding both kindes and Sexes and unnatural abusage of Sexes 2. Those which proceed from our corrupt Nature As 1. Incest that most abominable crime of unnatural lust 2. Double Adultery when both persons are married persons 3. Simple Adultery when the one party is a married person 4. Simple Fornication when they are both unmarried 3. Corrupt Inclinations from which though good men are not wholly exempt yet do they not so yield unto them as to take delight in them but they take all occasions whereby they may withstand them and the grace of Resistance is humbly desired of them Adultery consisteth 1. In consent and minde alone As to lust after things 1. Belonging to the body as excess of Apparel Meat or Drink as may stir up to lust and idleness 2. In the minde it self 2. Beyond consent when action follows Adultery is either 1. Contrary to Nature which is either 1. Confusion of kindes as filthiness with Beasts 2. Confusion 1. Of Sexes as man with man woman with woman 2. Of Blood which is Incest 2. According to Nature and is either Fornication when both persons are single unmarried or unbetrothed Adultery when one of them is married or at least betrothed Incest is in the degrees 1. Of Consanguinity which is 1. In a Right Line as Son with Mother and so upwards 2. In a Collateral Line as Brother with Sister 3. In an Overthwart Line as Son with Aunt and so upwards 2. Of Affinity There is the same prohibition of this as of Consanguinity so it may be called an indirect confusion of Blood as for a man to marry his Wifes Sister The several kindes of Adultery viz. 1. Of the Heart Mat. 5.28 This never suffers a man to serve the Lord with a pure conscience 2. Of the Eyes
respect sake which we owe our Bodies 1 Cor. 12.23 24. Special Rules for Direction in the right adorning of the Body viz. 1. Every one must be content with their own natural Favor and Complexion that God hath given them 2. We must place the principal Ornament of our Souls and Bodies in Vertue and good Works and not in any outward thing 3. In the use of Ornaments we must be very sparing and keep our selves within the mean 4. Ornaments must be used not always alike but according to occasions as in this time of Holy Feasting we may use them more freely then at other times 5. We must adorn our Bodies to a right end viz. That thereby we may honor them and in them honor God The right and spiritual use of Apparrelling our selves viz. 1. To consider our Cloaths are but as the Plaister of our shame and thereby to humble our selves 2. When we clothe our selves to remember to gird up our loyns to prepare our selves for Christ whether by Death or by Judgement 3. By putting on of our Garments we must be admonished to put on Christ Rom. 13.14 4. By putting off of our Cloaths we are admonished to put off the old Man the Body of Corruption Sick Soul hast surfetted with Sin No doubt Thy safest Physick is to Fast it out Or is Gods hand his just Revenging hand Threatned inflicted on thee or the Land Or doest thou want some Blessing Go thy way Prepare thy self to Mourn to Fast and Pray But if God stops a Plague or sheaths his Sword Thou may'st be glad Rejoyce but in the Lord And let thy Holy Feasting never be Without Thanksgiving Fear and Charity CHAP. VIII Of Ecclesiastical Discipline ECclesiastical Discipline is that other Key of the Kingdom of Heaven which is joyned with that of the Preaching of the Gospel and doth open or shut when according to the Commandment of Christ they who in Name are Christians but in their Doctrine or Life shew themselves aliens from Christ Rom. 12.7 c. After they having sometime been admonished will not depart from their Errors and Wickedness are made known unto the Church or to them that are appointed for that matter and purpose of the Church and if neither then they obey the Admonition are of the same men by interdiction from the Sacraments shut out from the Congregation of the Church and by God himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven And again if they profess and indeed declare amendment of life are received as Members of Christ and his Church Matth. 18.17 c. 1 Cor. 5.2 c. 2 Thes 3.14 15. This Ecclesiastical Discipline is to be ministred by the Pastors of the Church whereunto are adjoyned certain Elders for this end as Necessities shall require chosen of the Church For Excommunication is an Action of the Church performed in the Name of Christ whereby a grievous Transgressor or an open ungodly and obstinate Sinner is banished from the Fellowship of the Faithful by the judgement of the Elders by the consent of the Church by the Authority of Christ and by the Holy Scriptures They who are to be Excommunicated are chiefly such as deny some Article of the Faith or shew that they will not repent nor submit themselves to the Will of God according to his Commandments neither make any scruple of persisting stubbornly in manifest Wickedness The chief and principal part in Excommunication is Denunciation whereby is denounced That he that denyeth Faith and Repentance is no Member of the Church as long as he continueth such And this Denunciation whereby one is Excommunicated is not in the Power of the Minister of the Church but in the Power of the Church and is done in the name of the Church because this Commandment was given by Christ unto the Church and not for the destruction of the Sinner which is to be Excommunicated but for his Edification or Salvation 1 Cor. 5.5 Some draw the Original of this Church Censure even from Adam whom the Lord cast out of Eden and by an Angel kept him from re-entring and suffered him not to touch or taste of that Tree which was a Sacrament of Life unto him So some observe touching Cain whom the Lord cast out and banished from his face and indeed the Face of God may be called The place of his solemn Worship where he more specially appears In the time of the Law were many Ceremonies to this purpose the unclean were kept from coming to the Tabernacle from entring into the Temple from the partaking of the Sacrifices and from eating the Passover Num. 19.13 20. 9.13 And Abraham is commanded to cast out the Bond-woman and her son out of his Family which was the Church Gen. 21.10 11. So in the New Testament Matth. 16.19 18.18 The use of the Keys to open and shut and the words of binding and loosing come directly to this purpose This was executed on Hymeneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1.19 20. From all which it is very clear That Excommunication is a sentence of the Church whereby a Member thereof convicted of some grievous Crime and by no means brought to Repentance is driven out of the Church and cut off from the Communion and Fellowship of the Faithful that thereby he may be driven to Repentance The Church is the City of God Excommunication is the Sword That the School of Christ this is the Rod That the Temple of God this is as it were the Whip to scourge out such as abuse it and themselves That the Body of Christ this is as a Medicine to cure the sick Members thereof That the Vine and Sheepfold this serveth to keep the Foxes and Wolves from it The Mark whereat Excommunication aimeth and the end whereto it tendeth is That the Sinners being ashamed may be brought to Repentance and that such as live in the Church might not be corrupted for the cause of the Institution of Excommunication is not so much the punishment of Sin as the Salvation of a Sinner the edifying of the Church and the glory of God For the Church according to the Doctrine of Christ smiteth none with the Spiritual Sword but such as are impenitent and doth not this unto death but unto life and therefore receiveth them that repent The Censure of Excommunication must be used as an Ordinance of God not as an Invention of Man not onely knowing the nature and use of it but practising it to the glory of God and to the good of others Not like the Church of Rome that playes fast and loose with the souls of men for gain nor like their Apes of Modern Times little regarding whether the Excommunicate repented or not but more advising them to pay their Fees and discharge the Court then to repent of their Offences The persons that are liable to this Censure of the Church are onely such as have confessed Christ and called upon God the Father together with us albeit they have denied him in their deeds
and being exhorted will not hear being admonished will not obey being reproved will not repent As for them that are without the Lord will judge them the Church hath nothing to do with them 1 Cor. 5.12 13. For those that were never of the Church cannot be cast out of it being never of the number of the Faithful And here also know That one person may not be Excommunicated for another but onely the party offending Now if any man be truly ingrafted into Christ indued with Faith in Christ and Repentance from dead works being a Member of his Body in Deed and in Truth Excommunication shall hurt him nothing at all in regard of that Spiritual Union or Communion forasmuch as the Sentence so given is in that particular void and frustrate And though a man justly deserveth to be Excommunicated through his sin and to be separated from the Communion of Saints yet Excommunication is not the first and chief cause thereof but his own sin and the continuance in it seeing it doth not sever him from God but declareth him to be severed through his impenitency as the Priests under the Law putting out the Leprous did not defile them with the Leprosie but pronounced them to be defiled or like the sentence of the Law which is but declared onely by the Judge upon the Malefactor So it is impenitency obstinacy and perseverancy in sin that separates a sinner from the Church Excommunication is onely the Declarative sentence thereof Ecclesiastical Discipline is the Order in the Church instituted by God especially for these two ends viz. 1. That the Ministery of God may be preserved and that all things may be done in the Church decently and in order 2. That the Conversation of every one may be looked into that such as have given offences may be amended and according to the degrees prescribed by Christ The order which the Church doth use in the exercise of her power may be comprehended in these three Verses of the eighteenth Chapter of Matthew viz. 1. If thy Brother trespass go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he hear thee thou hast won thy Brother Matth. 18.15 2. If he hearken not unto thee let him be again privately admonished by thee taking one or two others with thee Mat. 18.16 3. If he will not vouchsafe to hear them tell it unto the Church if he refuse to hear the Church also let him be unto thee as a Heathen man and a Publican Matth. 18.17 In Excommunication there are three Judgements to be considered viz. 1. Of God when he doth hold any obstinate Sinner guilty of his offence and so guilty of condemnation 2. Of the Church after that God hath holden him guilty for the Church is onely to pronounce and to declare him so to be not absolutely but with condition of Repentance 3. Of God again whereby he ratifies that in Heaven which the Church hath done on earth The Power of Ecclesiastical Discipline is very necessary in several respects viz. 1. In respect of the Commandment of God 1 Cor. 5.5 2. In respect of Gods glory which would be much impeached if without difference the wicked and blasphemers go in the number of Gods children 3. Lest the Sacrament of the Lords Supper be prophaned by the wicked and that be given them in the Supper which is denied them in the Word 4. For the safety of the Church which shall be punished if she permit willingly the prophanation of Christs Ordinance 5. For avoiding offence in the Church that others be not corrupted 1 Cor. 5.6 6. For the safety of sinners that they being often admonished may return to Repentance and be received again into the Church 7. For avoiding of offence among those that are without and that the Name of God may not be blasphemed nor evil spoken of nor they who are not as yet Members of the Church kept from coming into it nor the Covenant of God despised nor reproached 8. That from the sinners themselves punishments may be averted because the wicked approaching to the Lords Table eat their own damnation The difference between Church-Discipline and State-Government viz. 1. The power committed unto the Church dependeth on Gods Word the Civil power is armed with the Sword 2. In the Church Judgement proceedeth according to Gods Laws in the Civil State according to Civil Laws 3. The Church punisheth the obstinate with the Word of God yet so as it pierceth unto their Consciences The Civil State punisheth the obstinate onely with corporal punishments 4. Oftentimes the Discipline of the Church hath place where there is none for Civil Judgement and the Civil Government oftentimes hath place where there is none for Church Discipline 5. The Judgement of the Church hath degrees of Admonition before it comes to punish but the Civil Judgement proceedeth to punishment without it 6. The Church does often reverse and retract her Judgement and Punishment if there come Repentance but it is otherwise with the Civil Magistrate Touching Excommunication observe these four things from Matth. 7.6 viz. 1. The Foundation thereof it is an Ordinance of God for all obstinate enemies of God by Christs Commandment must be kept from holy things A man living in the Church may be worse in practice then an open enemy and such an one was Ishmael who for mocking Isaac the Son of the Promise was cast out of Abrahams Family that is out of the Church of God Gen. 21.10 11. For Abrahams Family at that time was Gods visible Church 2. The End thereof which is to preserve the holy things of God from pollution contempt and prophanation even the Word Prayer and Sacraments which wilful Enemies would trample upon as Swine upon Pearls And herein we may see the abuse of this Ordinance when it is made for Politique and Civil Respects 3. Who must execute this Censure of the Church namely they to whom the disposing and keeping of the holy things of God is committed that is The lawful Ministers of the Word and Sacraments but without the Exercise of this Censure which God hath given unto the Church they cannot keep those holy things pure which God hath committed unto them 4. How far this Censure of the Church reacheth and extendeth against obstinate and wilful Enemies namely to the debarring of them from the use of the Saints Communion in Prayer and Sacraments Indeed if the party be excommunicated for some particular Crime and there be hope of his Repentance because he doth not maliciously persist by wilful obstinacy in his sin and contempt of the Church then although he be excluded from Communion with them in the Sacraments and Prayer yet he may be admitted to the hearing of the Word because that is a means to humble him for his sin and to bring him to Repentance which is the end of all Ecclesiastical Censures The Censures of the Church are of three sorts all of them having their proper time and place and use and
object according to the nature of the offence and party offending 1. Admonition or Exhortation to amendment which also is joyned with reprehension and denunciation of Gods judgements against the party not repenting but persisting in his evil way Gen. 3.11 4.6 7. 2. Suspension whereby the offenders for a time are barred from the Lords Supper This is not a Separation from all holy things but some onely till clearer evidence produce either farther punishment or absolution 2 Thes 3.14 15. 3. Excommunication which is a Separation from all holy things and the Priviledges of the Church and the Communion of Saints because to their sin they adde this obstinate contempt of the Admonitions given unto them Gen. 17.14 Ezra 10.8 Matth. 18.17 There is a twofold Communication or Communion from which an excommunicate person may be said to be excluded viz. 1. Inward and Spiritual which every Faithful one hath by Faith and Love first with God and then with the Saints of God 1 Joh. 1.3 7. From this Fellowship can none be excluded but by sin which is it alone can separate any man from the Grace of God and from Communion with him The Church Excommunication can bar and shut out no man from this Communion 2. Outward and Corporal which standeth in a common partaking together in the Word in Prayers and in the receiving of the Sacraments and in familiarity and friendship one with another from all which Excommunication separateth The Bands or Duties which no Excommunication doth dispence withal viz. 1. Natural if any Excommunicate person be in want or any distress we must minister unto him such things as are necessary for his preservation 2. Domestical as the duties of Wives Children and Servants may not be shaken off under any colour or pretence of Excommunication Provided that they cease not to pray for them to admonish them to hate their sins and see they defend them not in their wicked courses or joyn with them in opinion 3. Civil or Politique it is lawful to buy of him or to sell unto him yet we ought not to converse and commerce with him as with a Friend The Duties which are to be performed to Excommunicate persons viz. 1. We must love the Persons of the Excommunicate in the Lord and thirst after their souls health and for their conversion 2. We must exhort and rebuke them so that albeit we love them we must take heed that we do not flatter them and so harden them in their sins 3. We are bound to pray for those that are bound by the Church Censures we are not to pray with them but it is required of us to pray for them 4. We are to assure them that upon their Repentance we are ready to embrace them and to receive them as Brethren forasmuch as there is joy in Heaven for one sinner that is converted from the error of his ways The fearful estate and condition of Excommunicated persons viz. 1. Their Names whilest they persist in their obstinate Impenitency are cancelled out of the number of the people of God Gen. 1.7 2. The Sentence that is pronounced on Earth is ratified in Heaven Matth. 18.18 c. for Christ is the Author of it 1 Cor. 5.4 3. They are barred from the Word and Sacraments and from Prayers with the Congregation the Word prevailed not to do them good the Sacraments would do them hurt 4. They are infamous for they are to be called and accounted as the Heathens and Publicans Matth. 18.17 5. Such as thus contemn the Admonition and Reprehension of the Church lose the Communion of Saints and become the bondslaves of Satan 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. 6. Being cast out of the Church they are banished out of all Churches the Churches of God have all cast them out whom one hath cast out And if we be not of the Church of God we are of the Synagogue of Satan 7. The sundry Decrees and Constitutions established by Humane Laws do much aggravate and set forth the hideous condition of such as are worthily cast out of the Church The ends of Excommunication are these viz. 1. The good of the person Excommunicated that if it be possible he may be won 2. The Salvation or preservation of the whole Church 1 Cor. 5.13 lest others be infected 3. That the rest may fear and be kept within the bounds of their duty 1 Tim. 5.20 4. That those Punishments which hang over the Church for sin may be kept off and avoided Josh 7.11 Numb 25.7 5. The Glory of God and if this be before their eyes that are Governors of the Church it will keep them from declining either to the right hand or the left from winking at the sins of great ones and censuring the faults and infirmities of those of low degree too sharply from winking at great beams in some and from having Eagles eyes to pry into the motes of others The use of Excommunication ought to be perpetual and universal in the Church because the causes of this power of the Church are perpetual and universal As 1. The Commandment of Christ Matth. 18.18 1 Cor. 5.5 2. That obstinate Sinners being made ashamed may be brought to Repentance 3. That no others should be infected by their evil life and corrupt example 4. Because it is the ordinary Office of the Church to judge them that are within 1 Cor. 5.12 Obstinate Sinners are to be cast out of the Church which ought not to Tolerate open Offenders for these Reasons viz. 1. Because it is a comely thing for the Saints of God to purge themselves of them that as they differ from Heathen men so they may differ from Heathen Meetings for They are a holy people Deut. 2.14 2. Because for the neglect of this Duty the Wrath of God falleth upon the Sons of men Col. 3.6 3. Because it is a cause of great Mercy and wonderful Blessing from God when such as transgress are resisted and punished Joh. 7.13 8.1 2. 4. Because it would be reproachful to God and his Son Jesus Christ if they who lead wicked and wretched lives should be admitted freely to his Table as if his people were a company or conspiracy of prophane persons whereas the Church is the Body of Christ Col. 1.24 5. By continual company of the wicked the godly are corrupted 1 Cor. 5.6 7. it is better that one Member be cut off then that the whole Body of the Church should perish 6. They are to be cut off to the end that such as are wicked livers may begin to be ashamed of themselves and their wickedness who by winking at their sin would grow the more obstinate but by this chastisement may be reclaimed and preserved 1 Cor. 5.5 We must have no company with scandalons livers that they may be ashamed 2 Thess 3.14 Excommunication described by its several parts viz. 1. It is a Sentence of the Church Mat. 18.17 2. It must be executed upon him that is a Member of the Church 1
Cor. 5.11 12. 3. The party Delinquent must be convicted of some grievous crime Tit. 3.10 4. It stretcheth to him that cannot be otherwise brought to Repentance 5. He is driven from the visible and outward Communion of the Saints 6. The end or use of it is to make him ashamed that hath offended From the first part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. That such as are themselves out of the Church and no true parts thereof have nothing to do herewith 2. How great the honor and dignity of the Ministery is to binde and loose offenders to open and shut Heaven to remit and retain Sins so that it belongeth not to private persons 3. That those Churches are deceived that cast from them this Ordinance of Christ From the second part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. What person is to be Excommunicated even such an one as was called our Brother and registred in the number of the children of the Church and not such as are without 2. To Discern the gross folly and corrupt dealing of the Church of Rome which hath nothing to do herewith being not the true but a false Church 3. Such as are without the Church may not hence be encouraged to continue in Sin because they are without Church-Censures but let them hasten to come within the Church lest their condemnation be to come From the third part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. That a man is not to be Excommunicated and put out of the Church for every trifle or for every Sin but for Scandals and Offences against the First or Second Table and such as are most notorious 2. That it is not to be used as the first but as the last Remedy so that there is required Patience and much Lenity waiting whether he will by private Admonitions and Exhortations private Reproofs and Rebukes be amended or not 3. That whilest Sin is secret and unknown no man can be Excommunicated but then onely when it is made publike and manifest unto all and it is then made publike when the Church is acquainted with it From the fourth part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. That such as have offended and truly repent of their sins giving evident Testimony of their unfained Conversion ought to be spared and not censured to be comforted not terrified to be retained in the Church not rejected and cast out of the Church 2. That Impenitency is a most grievous Sin and next to Infidelity the greatest for as Faith is the Mother of Repentance so the unbelieving heart the cause of Impenitency 3. To make a difference between Sin and Sin between Sinner and Sinner some fight against their Sins as against their Enemies others cherish Sins in themselves and are resolved to continue in them From the fifth part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. To avoid the conversation of such as are cast out of the Church so far as possibly we can 2. That to be familiar with such encourageth them to continue in their dangerous estate 3. That it is the duty of the Church to purge it self of such Offenders as a Body of corrupt gross and superfluous Humors From the sixth and last part of the description of Excommunication we learn 1. Not to condemn the Censure or open our mouthes against this Ordinance of God so soveraign so profitable so necessary forasmuch as the Church casteth them out for a season that it may receive them again for ever 2. Not to condemn such persons as are Excommunicated though we cannot admit of them as Christian Brethren yet they are natural Brethren and may belong to Gods Eternal Election The incestuous Corinthian was Excommunicated yet repented and laid hold of the Promises 3. That whatsoever power is given to the Pastors of the Church is given to Edification and not to Destruction 2 Cor. 10.8 This Ordinance is good for all that abuse it not The Use we are to make of this Sentence of Excommunication when it is denounced against others viz. 1. We must mourn for them as for the loss of a Member though themselves do not yea and pray for them most earnestly 2. We must beware and look to our selves that we come not into that estate lest their condition be ours 3. We must take heed that we do not harden them in their sins but seek by all lawful means to reclaim and recover them that they with us may joyn in lauding and magnifying the Name of the Lord. To whom be Glory for ever This Sentence flows but from the Church alone Deriv'd from Christ Denounced against none But Members of the Church when as they be Duly Convicted of Delinquency It 's Power extends not unto such who may Be Conquer'd to Repent some other way If not it may pronounce Exclusion From the Saints visible Communion Vntil the Church receive clear Evidence Of godly Sorrow and true Penitence FINIS AN Alphabetical Table Of all the Choycest FLOWERS Contained in this HOLY ARBOR The Number notes the Page the letters a. b. c. the parts of each Page A ADAM his state of Innocence 317 c. 318 a. his Fall 352 b.c. Adoption what 333 a. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 334 Signs thereof 333 b c. Benefits thereof 334 a. Duties required thence ibid. b. Adoration twofold 216 b. the Vertues therein required ibid. c. Adultery the several kindes and degrees thereof 285 286 the heinousness of the Sin ibid. c. 287 a. Remedies against it 110 c. 111 a. 288. Affliction Why God afflicts his people 198 a. 199 a. 200 c. Comforts opposed to Affliction ibid. c. The fruit of Affliction ibid. b. the Saints advantage thereby 201 b. Amen what it signifies 168 c. Anabaptists confuted 45 b. Angels their Nature and the maner of their Creation 317 b. wherein they are to be imitated by us 97 b. Anger holy Anger and its properties 281 Sinful Anger how to be avoided 279 b. 289 a. how it differs from hatred ibid. c. Anointing of Christ what it signifies 128 b. Antichrist proved to be the Pope 234 c. 235 a. Apparel Rules touching it 375 b c. the right use thereof 376 a. Apocryphal Books not penn'd by the Prophets 6 c. or the Spirit of God ibid. Ascension Christs Ascension into Heaven 140 a. 142 c. what most considerable therein 141 c. why Christ ascended 142 a. the Benefits thereof ibid. b. Assurance the grounds thereof 316 b. the necessity and the Signs thereof 189 c. 190 a. how it may be encreased ibid. B BAptism what 41 a. why instituted 46 c. 47 a b. how far Necessary 41 a. 45 c. the Doctrine of Baptism 41 to 47. Salvation possible without it 42 c. what the words in Baptism signifie 42 c. what it is to be Baptized into Christs death 43 b. the right Vse of Baptism 44 c. The Errors touching Baptism 45 a. the Papists Error touching it 46. the difference betwixt Baptism and Circumcision ibid. how they agree