knowledge Resolution They were created with perfect speculatiue knowledge but experimentall knowledge of good or euill till after their fall they had not for then they saw to their cost what a great good they had lost and what a great euill they had found Gen. 3.7 Aenig 54. How do our soules become sinnefull if they be of God created without sinne Resolution There bee two opinions touching the creation of the soule some thinke they are created immediately by God of nothing and at their creation be ininfused into the body Now after this opinion we must say that soules being created good are at the Instant of their Creation destitute of Gods grace and inclining to sinne come into sinnefull vncleane bodies where they qiuckely draw vnto them contagion and filth of sinne as sweete liquor is corrupted by being put into a mustie vessell The second opinion is that our soules come from the soules of our parents as our bodies from their bodies and as one candle takes light of another If we embrace these opinions we must say that the whole man both body and soule be corrupt and sinfull by carnall or fleshly generation parents begetting children in their owne likenesse naughty and vicious as they be Gen. 5. 3. Adam be got a sonne in his owne likenesse Hence it is that the corruption of nature is in Scripture so often called by the name of flesh Rom. 7.5 and 8.1.2.3 c. The best strife is about the driuing out of sinne not about the entring in labour how to haue it mortified and pardoned AEnig 55. How may one bee a sinner that neuer thought spake nor did amisse Resolution It is an Infant newly borne who being without all actuall sinne yet is a sinner by originall transgression Adams transgression being imputed to it and together with the want of perfect righteousnesse being through inherent corruption of nature proane to all euill Rom. 5. 13.14 and so vnder death AEnig 56. What is that that is a sinne yet is not the transgression of any commandement Resolution It is naturall corruption which because it hindereth the perfect loue of God and of our neighbor is equally forbidden in euery commandement which striketh at the roote the whole law being spirituall and because it is an vniuersall transgression therefore it is not forbidden specially in any one commandement as many thinke AEnig 57. What thing is that which God neuer made Resolution It is sinne and death which bee the effects of Sathans malice and Adams fall Gen. 3. 1. and not the workes of Gods hand who suffereth and ruleth them but created them not For all was good which hee made very good Gen. 1. verse last AEnig 58. What is that that doth turne blessinges into cursinges and how may that be Resolution It is sinne which to them in whom it raignes causeth such thinges to bee snares as in their owne nature are blessings giuen of God for our welfare AEnig 59. What is that that hath a name yet may not be named Resolution Generally it is all sinne which is so filthie a thing as it ought not to bee named but with detestation particularly it is Idolatry Fornication and Couetousnesse these may not be named without dislike Psalm 16. 4. Ephes. 5. 3. AEnig 59. What is that which hath lost his stinge yet hath a sting Resolution It is sinne and death which haue lost their sting towardes the faithfull for whom Christ died but still keepe a sting to bite and kill the vngodly withall 1. Cor. 15. Rom. 6. 23. AEnig 60. How can God loue and hate men before they be without iniustice Resolution In Scripture Gods decree to loue is called loue because it is a part of loue to purpose to giue vs vnto his Sonne in whom we are beloued and accepted Also his decree not to loue to saue by Christ is called his hatred because it is an effect of hatred not to meane one good God being said to loue and to hate when he doth such things as men vse to doe who haue these affections It were iniustice and absurditie both actually to loue or to hate actually those which yet haue no actuall being but to decree vnto actuall loue and hatred men before they be this is no iniustice in him whose will is the perfect rule of all iustice Rom. 11. AEnig 61. How can God chuse one man to life and refuse another without respect of persons seeing all were a like good by Creation and alike euill by corruption Resolution Persons in phrase of Scripture signifies outward qualities as riches pouertie country parentage learning and such like by which things if God should be mooued to chuse one to life and to reiect another hee should bee a respecter of persons but when all men were alike in Adam to appoint one man to obteine saluation and not another out of his owne will euen because it so pleased him to the glorie of his owne iustice and mercy This is no respecting of persons AEnig 62. How can God foresee and fore-ordaine all things which be and happen yet not be the author of sinne Resolution God-fore seeth and fore-appointeth all thinges that happen euen sinnes themselues which should not happen if he were willing to hinder them yet not as they are sinnes but as they' are meanes to effect the righteous counsell of God for the good of the elect or for the punishment of the wicked as the selling of Ioseph by his brethren the betraying of Christ by Iudas be examples hereof Gen. 45.5 Act. 2.23 God so purposeth and disposeth sins to iust endes as that hee mooueth eggeth perswadeth none to sinne Iam. 1. 13. God tempteth no man AEnig 63. How may one be chosen yet not be saued Resolution One may be chosen to an outward function either Ciuill as Saul or Ecclesiasticall as Iudas yet not be saued being not chosen to sanctification of the spirit 1. Pet. 1.2 AEnig 64. How can God decree Death for sinne yet not will the death of a sinner Resolution Death as it is the stipend of sinne hath the consideration of God and therefore is decreed of God but as it is simply the destruction of the Creature thus God hath no pleasure in it As a mild and iust King ordaines torture and prisons for preuention to keep from offending or for penaltie of offendors yet hath no delight in the paine of his subiects so doth God AEnig 65. How can it bee written that God will haue all men to be saued yet very many men bee vessels of wrath prepared to destruction Resolution When the Word saith that God will haue all men to be saued the meaning is not of euery one in particular for then none should be damned because none can let his will but some of all sorts some poore some rich some Kings some priuate men some Iewes some Gentiles c. while other some
ignorant but euen to him that knoweth it because it is but in part reuealed vnto him 1. Cor. 13. 12. AEnig 133. How is it a duty to search the secrets of God yet his secrets may not be searched without sinne Resolution The word of God is called a mysterie or secret because it is hid from the children of this world and Gods children know it no other waies then by reuelation of the spirit to search this secret is our duty Ioh. 5.39 but it is a sin to search such secrets as God keepeth to himselfe which he would not haue men to know Deut. 29. more briefly thus we may search the secrets of Gods mouth with duty but not the secrets of God without sinne AEnig 134. What is that that kills before it make aliue And how this may be Resolution It is the word of God which kills by the ministerie of the law Rom. 7.8.9 ere it make aliue by the ministerie of the gospell for first it deeply wounds our soules with feare and sorrow in the feeling of sinne and death through the knowledge of the law and afterwards it comforts and heales vs by the feeling of mercies to the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and life eternall thorough the knowledg of Christ. Esay 61.2.3.4 AEnig 135. 136. How may liúely Oracles bee a dead letter How may that which is dead be sharper then a two edged sword Resolution The word of God 1. in it owne nature 2. ly in respect of the Author and 3. ly of the end for which it was giuen is a liuely oracle being from the God of life ordeined to giue life and hauing promises of life yet without the quickning force of Christ and regenerating Spirit it is of no more force to conuert vs then a dead Letter but by the mighty working of God it is sharper c. AEnig 137. How are the Scriptures before the Church yet there was a Church long before there was any Scripture Resolution The Scriptures in regard of the matter which is the word or doctrine of godlinesse it is before the Church as the immortall seede whereof it is begotten but in respect of the forme as it is written in inke and paper and set down in letters sillables and words so the Church was before there was any Scripture for Moses was the first pen-man of Scriptures AEnig 138. If prophesie must cease how doth the word of God endure for euer Resolution The truth of the word in things promised to the faithfull and threatned to vnbeleeuers for their estate in the life to come shall abide euer but the manner of deliuery of the word and teaching knowledge thereof by prophesying tongues writing inke and the paper wherin it is written with the letters and words shall cease and perish AEnig 139. How came Christ to make warre yet he is the prince of peace and his gospell the gospell of peace Resolution It is true that the word offereth peace with God and calleth vnto it also perswadeth peace with man and so resembleth the Author which is a God of peace also worketh peace as an instrument whereas therfore contention schisme and heresie arise vpon the publishing of it this comes accidentally beside the nature of the word thorough the fault of our corrupt hearts which vse to striue for our fancies and lusts against truth and such as bring it rather then to yeeld peceably vnto it Mat 10. Eph 6. AEnig 140. How are sinnefull affections by the law if the law be good and holy Resolution The law is neither cause nor occasion of sinne to speake properly but detecteth and condemneth all sinne and therefore most holy but sinne taketh or snatcheth occasion by the commandement and works all manner of euill lusts in men vnregenerate whose corrupt sinnefull hearts by the prohibitions of the law be irritated and prouoked to sinne thorough their owne fault in running more eagerly vpon an euill that is forbidden them Rom. 7.7.8.14 AEnig 141. How is it that the law promiseth eternall life to workes yet no man can be iustified and saued by the workes of the Law Resolution Because no man fulfills the worke of the Law as they be commanded of God Rom. 8 3. Gal. 3. for no meere man can doe all in perfection and all his life long Therefore no man can be iust by the works of the Law AEnig 142. How is it that the Law being the word of God and of life as well as the Gospell yet we are saued by the Gospell not by the Law Resolution The Gospell promiseth saluation vpon condition of beleeuing it and giueth thorow the holy ghost power to beleeue it whereas the Law promiseth life to workes but giueth no power to do these works Rom 1. 16. Law shewes the disease and cures it not the Gospell heales the wound by applying remedie AEnig 143. What is that that abideth still yet is passed away Resolution The Ceremoniall Law is passed away as touching the ordinances thereof which now haue no force yet their substance and truth being fulfilled in Christ the body of them abideth still AEnig 144. How is it that we can no more beleeue perfectly then we can perfitly do the Law yet we are iustified by the faith of the Gospell and not by the deeds of the Law Resolution The reason is because the Law doth not promise life but to deeds perfectly done whereas life is promised to them in the Gospell as beleeue truly though vnperfectly for it is not written that wee are iustified by perfect faith but by faith for Christ who is the obiect of faith AEnig 145. How may one doe a worke commanded in the law yet sinne in doing it Resolution If hee shall faile in the manner of doing it or in the end not doing it in perfect loue and to Gods glory then there is sinne in doing it though the thing done for the substance of it be commanded If one do a worke commanded and yet do it not out of knowledge but ignorantly then it is sinne AEnig 146. How many one do a worke forbid in the Law yet not sinne in doing it Resolution To kill ones son to take away ones goods be workes forbidden in the generall Law yet Abraham and the Israelites doing these things with warrant of Gods special commandement sinned not in doing them Genes 25. Exod wee are to walke not by particular but by the generall precept Concerning works as eating Shew-bread plucking eares of corne on the Sabboth or healing on the Sabboth these bee against the law of Ceremonies yet in case of necessitie they were done by Dauid Christ and his Apostles without sinne because the law of Ceremonie must giue place to the law of Charitie as it is written I will haue mercy and not sacrifice Hosea 6.6 AEnig 147. How is the Law a yoke that none can beare yet the commandements are not heauy Resolution The
In Hell 4 4 In sinnes 5 5 In Sacrament 6 6 In Afflictions 7 7 In Temptations 8 8 In Harts 9 9 In Diuels 10 10 In the Blessings of this life 11 11 In Redemption which exceedeth creation In it mercy and Iustice met together The redeemer is but one Christ. Conceiued by the holy ghost He is without sinne doth subsist in the Godhead both God and man Communication of properties Humiliation in his Birth Two wills in Christ answering his two natures Christ his manhood promised Christ like Melchisedech Christ made sinne by impuâ—â—tion Rom. 8.8 Christ abased in the world His obedience of infinite value Christ heire of the world Our Mediatour our Priest That which is proper to one nature is attributed to the other Christs sacrifice voluntary else it had not been satisfactory Hypostaticall personall vnion is vnseperable The victory of Christ ouer death 2 2 Ouer Satan Christ the corner stone How the manhood of Christ hath eternall life in it Doubble the fruits of Christs death Christ made a curse Hath freed vs from â—uerlasting torment Eph. 1. Phil. 2. Christ his sacrifice but once The vertue of Christs death looke backeward His agonie or soule suffering His loue His buriall Resurrection His life after his resurrection His ascention His locall abode in heauen His sitting on Gods right hand Ieuites of his assention Ioh. 16.7 Sending of the holy Ghost Mediator Intercession His kingdome spirituall Eternall Word of God inspired Mighty in opâ—ration Full of wisdom A mistery Our duty to search the word Indicia Dei 2 2 Indicia oris Dei Effects of the word It is effectuall by the Spirit The antiquitie of the word before the Church The word is Eternall It is a word of peace The word of the Lord is holy Nitimur in vetituÌ„ It iustifieth not How the Law differeth from the Gospel The Ceremoniall Law fulfilled in Christ. The condition of the Law and the Gospel What things are required of him that shall doe the Law Generall Law yeelds to a Speciall Law of Ceremonie yeelded to the Law of Mercy To whom the Law is easie and how Ioh. 5.3 To whom impossible How Faith is commanded in the Law What spirit goes with the law How law is the ministry of death The gospell vnprofitable to the reprobate Profitable to the elect only Diuers effects of the Gospell according to the subiect According to the degrees Famine of the word Gods counsell gouerns the effect of preaching Math. 11. Women may be no publique Teachers Gospell fructuall like raine When the word fructifieth Testament or Couenant of pâ—ace is but one Fathers beleeuing in Christ to come The gospell preached to them Office of the Ministers How ministers be sauiours and what is their worke Maintenance of Ministers Prophets preached Christ. They be Christs friends Iohn Baptist Middle betweene two testaments Apostles Seruants Friends to Christ. They conquered the world to Christ. How Pastors succeede Apostles A good Pastor a good builder Bad Ministers which teach well and liue ill Wolues Hirelings False Prophets Antichrist True Church It is but one Sundryl waies considered It is Christs body She is a Virgine Spouse to Christ. Hos. 2 Fruitfull in begotting children Likenesse betweene Christ and his Church The church a kingdom a body c Faithfull Ministers the Fathers and children of the Church The likenes between Christ and his Church The censure of the Church In excommunication both vnlawfull And lawfull The dignitie of a Christian. Christians equall The church hath a spirituall regiment True Church is vniuersall False Church Vrbs septicollis Reu. 18.2 The benefit of publike assemblies The elect children of Gods house The called children of God Their coniunction with Christ Christs affection vnto them Spirituall mariage betweene them and Christ. How they are in heauen They be new Creatures 1 1 Kings 2 2 Prophets 3 3 Priests They be still vnperfect More excellent then the Angels Most free Separate from the world by effectuall calling Effectuall calling is a new creation A twofold calling What persons for the most part called Faith in Christ is the entrance to eternall life Faith the eye of the soule or spirituall sight Office of Faith with the force thereof Faith once had neuer lost Nature of faith It resteth on Christ onely Least measure of faith No Faith without doubting What fear is ioyned with faith Degrees of Faith How loued before faith Faithfull man a Virgin Vnperfect in knowledge In some more perfect Regeneration Regenerate are children many waies The vse of Sacraments They be misticall signes Against transubstantiation Baptisme how it saueth How it washeth the soule How it forgiueth sinne Lords supper How eaten How Christ becommeth our foode Spiritually 1. Cor. 13. 12. Math. 26. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 24. Against corporall eating Iustification by faith It is but once Christs iustice ours by imputation Rom. 4. throughout Ro. 10. 4. No man righteous in Gods sight How works do iustifie Adoption by Grace Certainty of our adoption Sonnes of God bee heires Inheritance of heauen hath perfection with differences in degrees Adoption an effect of the spirit The dutie of adopted sonnes Certainty of adoptist Adopted ones why afflicted Free from slauish feare Reconciliation Sanctification It is vnperfect It is a totall change But not absolute The end of sanctification Free from the law Mortification Deniall of a mans selfe Buriall of sinne Mortified in part Resurrection to newnesse of life Spirituall Combat is Continuall It is irkesome Least degree of repentance Repentance a great blessing of God How true repentance distinguished from false Repentance giuen to great sins All men need repentance but not all alike Repentance is the ioy of Angels Generall Repentance sufficient for secret sinnes Good works necessary to saluation They serue to many good purposes How they please God Heauen a free reward of good works God is to be known by Christ. Our knowledge not perfect heere Sauing knowledg is effectual and special Practike knowledg is best knowledge Knowledge without practise is fearefull Knowledge ioyned with godlinesse Knowledge with sobrietie Knowledge groweth by right vse Knowledge abused an occasion of sinne Who bee truly wise Hope How it differs from faith Hope aboue hope How saued by hope Hope ashameth not Our loue of God springs from his loue to vs. Loue lesser then faith being an effect of faith Loue mixt with child-like reuerence For loue of Christs all so be forsaken How earthly things to be loued vnder Christ. Parents lesse to bee loued then Christ. Idolatry to loue ought more then Christ. True feare of God Gods children reioyce with feare Humble prayer It is alwaies heard A speedie Messenger It must come from a feeling of our spirituall beggery There is inward mentall prayer Vocall praier By praier the poore profit the Rich. Patience Relieues our miseries Humility Springes from feeling of our vilenesse The humble are exalted Praiers of the humble accepted Sabboth holy True zeale A broken heart better then Sacrifice Our neighbour to bee loued for Gods sake Brotherly loue the bonde of perfection The loue of a mans selfe is the paterne of a mans loue to others Loue makes all things common for vse It cannot make things common to be proper It loues priuate enemies Maketh rich Good things increase by vse Some lusts be good Godly sorrow a path way to ioy Grace the mother of good works Euill works merit hell Vnregenerate men Haue no fellowship with Christ. Wholy poluted Of a brutish disposition Seem to be in Christ. In their ignorance of the Law sin is dead In the right knowledge of the Law themselues doe dye How far they may go and yet perish The hypocrite is a great lyer Sinne turneth men into beasts Securitie Contrary Apparance of some righteousnesse in some wicked men Scorning the height of sinne Sinne in many is still and quiet Sinne of oppression dangerous Vnbeleife the greatest sinne Outward Idolatry how many waies Sinners be slaues Enuy a Diabolicall vice A wicked tongue How farre ignorâ—nce is a sinne An euill heart mars cheife workes Wicked men sinne freely yet cannot chuse but sinne Idle knowledge Deniall of God Men must hinder sin in others else they sinne What is strife is wicked An euill man can doe no good work Actions to be iudged of by the end and minde Sinning against conscience Rom. 14. Wicked praiers be sinnes Losse of soule the greatest losse Vsury committed without sinne Lending being a worke of mercy must be free as Christ commandeth Luk. 6. Euill worship is no impeachment to religious worship Vocation of the Gentils Bodies immortall Death the gate of heauen hell All men must die Death the last enemy must be destroyed Some onely changed Certainety of resurrection By the power of Christ. Of men women Spirituall bodies after their resurrection Last iudgment Christ the Iudge How Saints shall iudge All iudged yet with differences The world but altered in qualitie not aboleshed Heauen Hell Hell of conscience Angels assumed bodies for a time True Christians most blessed God is the Soule of the world Liâ—ely faith â—â—aseth at our death No vse of it in heauen Christ entertained by a faithfull soule Hell fire vnquenchable Torment of the damned We must not follow the wicked Our minde renued in part The full fruit of Adoption enioyed in Heauen Dumbe deafe how saued Elect found of God before they seeke him Vncleannes Originall sinne in Infants Man wise but by participation of Christs wisdom How men-giue glory to God How Paul built on no other mans foundation How one man must please another Gospell how preached to all the world All saued how to be vnderstood Numbring our daies Mortification A Child and a Seruant both at once The ladder to heauen is Christ. Vpon who the Angels ascend and descend The Heauens wherfore made The Spirit it is that teacheth vs how to pray The wicked how said to know God The spirit how it praieth for vs. Christ how called a Seruant Rom. 9.1 Swearing how forbidden How a thing may be said to be prolonged yet done in due time How Christ is said to be the sonne of Dauid The raising of Christs body an argument of his godhead How all men are liers The works of the law iustifie not and why Of Faith and works Of patience Of iustification and condemnation Wee were bought with a price Baptisme of infants Dying to sinne
Theologicall Rules TO GVIDE VS IN THE VNDERSTANDING and practise of holy Scriptures Two Centuries Drawne partly out of Scriptures themselues Partly out of Ecclesiasticall writers old and new ALSO AEnigmata Sacra Holy Riddles Or Misticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie with their Resolutions Foure Centuries The vnfolding whereof layeth open that Truth that concerneth Saluation By T. W. Preacher of the word LONDON Printed by Edw. Griffin for Fran. Burton and are to be solde in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the greene Dragon 1615. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER IT is not the words of holy Scriptures onely but the sense and meaning Beloued in Christ which is carefully to be searched after of all those who desire the knowledge of that Truth which bringeth to saluation such as endeuour to liue thereafter This appeareth well by that worthy sentence of a Greeke Father affirming That Pietie consisteth not in the sound of the Ayre but in the force of things signified whereunto accordeth that of Hierom the Latin Father The Gospell consisteth in the inward marrow of the sense and not in the outward sound of words not in the leaues of letters but in the root of reason To this purpose as I haue heretofore trauelled to lay forth the signification of words in Scripture by a short and easie Dictionarie already by me published to the world in the kinde acceptance whereof and other my labours I haue tasted of thy curtesie to my great encouragement So haue I now therevnto added Two Centuries and more of Theologicall Rules and aboue Fower Centuries of Mysticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie with their Resolutions as good helps and means to bring to light the hidden vnderstanding of the Scripture For certaine it is as humane Arts and Sciences bee they Grammar Logick or the rest so neither Diuinitie which is the Arte of Arts and Queene of Sciences can either bee taught or learned without Precepts and Rules And as it cannot be practised so can it not bee vnderstood without speciall fit Rules to guide vs in the Interpretation For the most of these Rules especially such as bee deriued from ancient writers I am beholden to Flaccius Illiricus the rest I either collected out of later moderne writers or by my owne obseruation I haue also added an Explication of all the Rules which bee drawne immediately out of the Scriptures To the other which be collected out of Ecelesiasticall Authors I haue for the most part ioyned both Reasons and Examples to explane them the better Some of these Rules doe further our vnderstanding in the Old some in the New Testament and some in both Some of them will steed vs in the Doctrines some in the words and formes of speeches vsed in the Scriptures and some serue to gouerne vs in the studie and practise of the word Whatsoeuer vse or worth they bee of which I verily hope will be much and manifold I dedicate them to all the Faithfull whersoeuer throughout this land dispersed If any either Ioshua or other young man shall out of enuy or iealousie obiect that by this meanes not only Eldad and Medad but as Chrysostome speakes the Shepherd and the Husbandman and the Spinster will bee able to prophesie and know as much as some Preachers do An answer is framed to my hand by Moses the man of God I would to God that all the Lords people could prophesie and that the Spirit of the Lord were put vpon them And by Paul Let the worde of God dwell plenteously in you in all wisdome Col. 3. 16. If this satisfie not The next answer is that if they who finde fault will labour to doe as much or much more seruice to the Church by their painfull endeuours they shall doe it I assure them without enuy on my part As for you beloued in the Lord take in good worth I beseech you both these my Two Centuries of Theologicall Rules and also my Power Centuries of AEnigmata Sacra or Mysticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie annexed of whose vse see their proper Preface and improoue them to your greatest spirituall gaine in Christ. To whose Grace I commend and commit you to bee guided and comforted by it for euer Farewell from my house in Canterbury 1615. Yours to his vttermost T. W. Theologicall Rules drawen partly out of holy writ partly out of ecclesiasticall writers both ancient moderne seruing to guide vs in the vnderstanding and practise of holy Scripture 52. Rules drawen immediately out of themselues ASKE and yee shall haue Seeke and yee shall finde Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Math. 7. 7. The true and sauing knowledge of the Scripture by most earnest and daily praiers is to be begged of God through Christ Iam. 1. 5. Christ begun at Moses and interpreted to them the Scriptures and opened their wits that they might vnderstand them Luke 24. ver 27.45 It is Christ his office to open to man both the Scriptures by the ministerie of the Church and his minde by illumination of his spirit The spirit shall lead you into all trueth he shall write the law of God in your heart Iohn 14.26 Ier. 31.33 The holy spirite is both author and interpreter of Scripture which as it is inspired by the holy ghost so by his enlightning it must be beleeued and practised Therefore the high and soueraigne authority of interpreting of Scripture doth belong neither to Councels Fathers nor Pope but to the holy spirit the inditer of the Scriptures he is the principal interpreter 2. Pet. 1. 20. hee that makes the law is best and highest interpreter of the law In Christ are all treasures of knowledge and wisdome Col 2.3 We must desire to know nothing beyond or aboue or besides Christ then whom in the scriptures god hath reueled no greater nor no other thing euen Paul made this the bounds of his knowledge desiring to know nothing saue Christ and him crucified One tittle or Iod of Scripture shall not perish but be fullfilled Nothing is to be lightly regarded which is found in holy scripture Mat. 5. 18. How can they preach except they be sent how can they heare without a preacher how can they beleeue except they heare Rom. 10.14.15 We must depend for sound instruction not vpon mens traditions or fantasticall reuelations but vpon the sacred ministery set vp of god in his church which is the piller and ground of trueth because it propoundeth the trueth of doctrine and maintaineth it not because it ouerrules the sence Turne not from my precept neither to the right hand nor to the left neither put to them nor take from them Deut. 5. 38. 12. 32. The scripture giues vs a perfect direction both for faith and manners Christ is the end of the law to euery beleeuer Rom. 10,4 Christ with his passion and obedience is the summe marke and perfection of the whole law
to such as haue faith to apprehend him For the law requires absolute iustice or righteousnesse which beleeuers find in Christ alone Feare shall make you vnderstand the hearing Esay 28,19 Psal. 119.71 The crosse and affliction being sanctified is a good helpe to the experimentall knowledge of the worde Whatsoeuer things are written afore are written for our learning Rom. 15.4 Euery part and sentence word or worke mentioned in scripture contayneth some profitable lesson for our vse 2. Tim. 3. 16. The godly man doth meditate day and night in the law of God Psal. 1.2 Great earnest and continuall study is to be vsed of all such as will profit by the scriptures Iohn 5.39 They searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so and many of them beleeued Acts. 17,11.12 The hearers must diligently examine by the Scriptures the doctrine of the teachers 1. Thes. 5.21 1. Ioh. 4.1.2 Vnderstand according to sobriety Rom. 12,3 A christian must seeke no more then is reuealed contenting him with that which is taught in Scripture How is it that yee vnderstand not these things A christian must striue to be ignorant of none of Christs words It is written Rom. 1.17.10.15 Scripture is the rule of all trueth whatsoeuer truth may be proued by Scripture it alone is a sufficient witnes in stead of all other authorities and testimonies for it alone can conuince the conscience therefore Christ and his Apostles contented themselues therewith The onely begotten sonne he hath declared him Iohn 1. 18. We know so much of God as Christ in scripture hath made known vnto vs. Therefore yee erre because ye know not the scripture and the power of God Mat. 22. 29. Rom. 9. 25. as also Hosea c. God must be ioyned with his word the word teacheth vs neuer to heare scripture otherwise then if wee heard God speake nor to beleeue otherwise of him then hee hath manifested of himselfe in the word Paul confounded the Iewes conferring places of Scripture to proue Iesus to be the Christ. Because Iesus is such an one as the scriptures of the Prophets haue described the Christ to be therefore we must receiue him for the Christ and rest in him alone for saluation also for the atteining of the true meaning of the scriptures which speake of Christ there comes great light by comparing places My word and my preaching was not in the entycing speech of mans wisedome but in plaine euidence of the spirit and of power 1. Cor. 2 4. We may not be offended with the simplicity and plainenesse of stile and matter which wee finde in scripture which although they haue a graue eloquence yet want such pompous and painted wordes as worldly carnall Rhetoricians hunt after and desire to be applauded for Blessed is he who is offended neither at the ignominie and meanenesse of Christs person life and death nor at that which the Apostle calleth foolishnesse of preaching and plaine euidence of truth 1. Cor. 1. 21. The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God 1. Cor. 2. 14 Our owne naturall capacity how quicke and sharpe soeuer doth not make vs fit readers and auditours of the caelestiall philosophie which is in Scripture Humane Philosophie requires an auditor or scholler prompt witted capable of knowledge but diuinity in stead of finding a fit scholler must first make him so by renewing his wit and minde They shall all be taught of God No man commeth to me except the Father draw him He commeth to me which hath learned of the father Ioh. 6. 45. The sauing knowledge of heauenly truth is not in the power of any man minister or other no nor of Angels to giue but is the peculiaâ— worke and gift of God who is the only effectuall scholemaster or teacher which teacheth the heart within drawing it to faith and to Christ. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and reuealed them to little ones I thanke thee Father for so it was thy pleasure Math. 11. 25. 26. Such as are worldly wise are least capable of heauenly truth which is most commonly shewed to such as haue least wit and worldly prudence to rest in and farthest of from opinion of great wisemen and thus it is because God will haue it to be so to confound wise things by foolish 1. Cor. 1. 26. 27. therefore let men be fooles in themselues that is lay aside all ouerweaning conceit of their owne wisedome that they may be wise to God 1. Cor. 3. 18. If yee know these things happy are yee if yee do them Ioh. 13. 17. Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luk. 11. 28. The end of studying the scripture is not knowledge but practise we heare and read that we may learne we learne to know we know to practise and do and if this be the end of morall much more of Theologicall philosophie whose theorie without practise is hurtfull If any will doe the will of my Father he shall know Iohn 7. 17. When any endeauour to do the knowne will of god he shall know it more clearely and more abundantly Wee beleeue and know that thou art Christ Ioh. 6. 59. In matters of diuinitie we must first beleeue and then know not know and then beleeue In humane sciences it is otherwise for there men are brought to assent and beleeue by experience knowledge and sense as to credite the fire to be hot water moist are by knowing and feeling but it is plaine contrary in Theologie there beliefe and assent go before experimentall knowledge sense and vse God giueth grace to the humble The meeke and humble he will teach his waies Iam. 4. 6. Psal. 25. 8. Such are sure to grow vp in sound knowledge of God to saluation which most see and feele their owne spirituall pouerty how ignorant they bee by nature and how vnable to know ought without new enlightning being readie to submit with meekenesse both iudgement and affections to bee guided by the word The secret of the Lord is reuealed to them that feare him Psal. 25. 13. The true worship of God which is he that feareth him shall much profit by the studie of Scripture For as in other arts which are humane such as often exercise themselues in the precepts thereof do thriue best in that artâ— so they which often and reuerently exercise themselues in the duties of Gods feare and religion laboring for sorrow and contrition of heart for sinnes committed for sence of forgiuenesse and to get peace of heart and conscience and comfort of the word preached often praying and confessing their sinnes priuately wreftling with their lusts Sathan and the world and finally being much and religious in the workes of piety such doe exceedingly encrease in good knowledge Let this be marked and